Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag

Hello everyone! TGIF!!! I saw this tag and thought it was so cute, so I needed to do it straight away. Without further ado…..

This tag has been floating around EVERYWHERE! I am not sure where it originated but wanted to give it a go…

1. Received an ARC and not reviewed it  

YES! I am ashamed to say it. There have been times that I received an ARC and was so excited to read it…but then I just could not get into the book like at all, so I ended up DNF’ing it:( I try to read all physical ARCs received but once in a while, one will slip through that does not get read.

2. Have less than 60% feedback rating on Netgalley  

YES! Oy vey! I am even too embarrassed to tell you what my ratio is! Let’s just say that I have a “trigger finger” and I hit the download button WAY too much, then get overwhelmed, and am consistently trying to down size my TBR!

3. Rated a book on Goodreads and promised a full review was to come on your blog (and never did) 

YES! I may have done this a few times last year but started to actually review the book completely instead of just saying review to come.

4. Folded down the page of a book  

No! Finally…one that I am not guilty of!

5. Accidentally spilled on a book  

YES! I sometimes read while I am eating…this could be disastrous!

6. DNF a book this year 

DEFINITELY! I have come to realize that my TBR is way too big to try to force myself to read a book that I just am having a hard time getting into.

7. Bought a book purely because it was pretty with no intention of reading it 

NO! I am too thrifty to purchase a book that I have no intentions of reading.

8. Read whilst you were meant to be doing something else (like homework) 

NO! I need to really absorb myself in the world and cannot relax if I know I should be doing something else.

9. Skim read a book 

YES! I think that I do this way too often!

10. Completely missed your Goodreads goal 

NO! I have always hit my goal:)

11. Borrowed a book and not returned it 

YES! I still have a friend’s book that I actually never read but it still sits on my TBR shelf.

12. Broke a book buying ban 

Of course!

13. Started a review, left it for ages then forgot what the book was about 

This has happened on occasion if I do not write the review right away. Sometimes, it is so bad that I have to go back and read the blurb for the book so that I can refresh my memory.

14. Wrote in a book you were reading 

NEVER!

15. Finished a book and not added it to your Goodreads

A few years ago, I was reading so many books that I could not keep track, so, yes I have done this.

16. Borrowed a book and not returned it to a friend 

YES

17. Dodged someone asking if they can borrow a book 

YES! I am very selective of whom can borrow.

18. Broke the spine of someone else’s book 

Never!

19. Took the jacket off a book to protect it and ended up making it more damaged 

YES! Ugh! I love paperbacks more than hard covers hence the reason why.

20. Sat on a book accidentally 

NO..

---

Well, there you have it

13/20! I guess I am on the naughty list! I tag all of you! Let me know if you decide to do this tag, I love reading everyone’s answers!

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The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson with Excerpt!

The Accidental Beauty Queen
by Teri Wilson

On Sale: December 4, 2018

Gallery Books | Trade Paperback Original

ISBN: 9781501197604 | $16.00

E-ISBN: 9781501197611 | $7.99

Audio-ISBN: 9781508283553 | $17.99

In this charming romantic comedy perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella, critically acclaimed author Teri Wilson shows us that sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone leads you to the ultimate prize. 

Charlotte Gorman loves her job as an elementary school librarian, and is content to experience life through the pages of her books. Which couldn’t be more opposite from her identical twin sister. Ginny, an Instagram-famous beauty pageant contestant, has been chasing a crown since she was old enough to enunciate the words world peace, and she’s not giving up until she gets the title of Miss American Treasure. And Ginny’s refusing to do it alone this time.       

She drags Charlotte to the pageant as a good luck charm, but the winning plan quickly goes awry when Ginny has a terrible, face-altering allergic reaction the night before the pageant, and Charlotte suddenly finds herself in a switcheroo the twins haven’t successfully pulled off in decades.       

Woefully unprepared for the glittery world of hair extensions, false eyelashes, and push-up bras, Charlotte is mortified at every unstable step in her sky-high stilettos. But as she discovers there’s more to her fellow contestants than just wanting a sparkly crown, Charlotte realizes she has a whole new motivation for winning.

About the Author:

Teri Wilson is the author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, and The Art of Us, as well as a fourth Hallmark movie currently in development. Teri is a double finalist in the prestigious 2018 RWA RITA awards for her novels The Princess Problem and Royally Wed. Teri also writes an offbeat fashion column for the royal blog What Would Kate Do and is a frequent guest contributor for its sister site, Meghan’s Mirror. She’s been a contributor for both HelloGiggles and Teen Vogue, covering books, pop culture, beauty, and everything royal. In 2017, she served as a national judge for the Miss United States pageant in Orlando, Florida, and has since judged in the Miss America system. She has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses, Audrey Hepburn films, and good books. Visit her at TeriWilson.net or on Twitter @TeriWilsonAuthr.

Purchase Link: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Accidental-Beauty-Queen/Teri-Wilson/9781508283553

Excerpt:
 
My sister has always been the pretty one. The Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo.
It’s been this way for so long that I’ve never questioned it. It’s never even bothered me much. It just is.
Ginny is my sister, and I love her, no matter how different our lives are. And trust me, they’re about as opposite as you can imagine. But the chasm between our worlds has never been quite so glaringly obvious as it is now, because instead of restocking books on their respective shelves, I’m standing in an elevator at the posh Huntington Spa Resort in Orlando, Florida, on the first Monday afternoon of summer.
For starters, at five feet seven, I’m by far the shortest person of the half dozen or so on board. This is a rarity for me. As an elementary school librarian, I’m accustomed to towering over people for the majority of my waking hours. I’m also used to sitting in tiny chairs and using tiny, blunt-edged scissors, but that’s beside the point. Five feet seven isn’t short. . . .
                Unless you’re riding an elevator packed with beauty queens.
                I don’t know what I expected when I signed on to spend a week cheering for my sister at the Miss American Treasure pageant, but it wasn’t this. The preliminary competition doesn’t start for another two days, so why are they all wearing crowns and sashes already? And what is going on with their shoes?
                Beauty pageant contestants wear heels. I know this, obviously. I mean, I’ve seen Miss Congeniality at least twenty times over the years, thanks to Ginny. But these are beyond high heels. Gracie Lou Freebush wouldn’t have lasted a minute in them.
                No offense to Sandra Bullock. I’m just saying.
I tighten my grip on the handle of my suitcase, suddenly extremely conscious of the state of my hair. Orlando is one of the most humid places on earth, and the half hour ride on the airport shuttle was not kind. For once, I actually feel sorry for Ginny. It’s one thing to be expected to look perfect onstage, but hotel elevators should be a safe space. I, for one, plan to be roaming the halls in a spa bathrobe and complimentary slippers en route to the vending machine for the majority of my stay.
But to each her own.
                Besides, Ginny chose this life, just as surely as I chose mine. She also gets paid more for one sponsored Instagram post than I make in a week, and when I remember this, I keep my sympathy in check.
The elevator comes to a stop on the fifth floor, which has clearly been reserved for the pageant, because we all disembark in a glamorous, glittering herd.
Myself being the exception.
No one seems to notice my presence, though. The Hogwarts T-shirt I’m wearing might as well be an invisibility cloak. Fine. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here for the chance to stay in Ginny’s luxury hotel room for a week, for free, and completely nerd out at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
I’m also here for moral support, of course. I plan on being at every single pageant event, cheering like a maniac while inwardly cringing in horror at the very thought of prancing around in only a tiny swimsuit and a crown. But since the competition doesn’t start until 5:00 p.m., that leaves my mornings and afternoons free to hit up the theme park. I’ve emptied my paltry savings account and invested in a five-day unlimited pass. Bring on the butter beer.
But first, I must locate our room amid a sea of glitz and sparkle. According to the text Ginny sent when I landed, we’re in 511. All of my elevator pals are in rooms along the same stretch of corridor. Half the doors on the floor have hangtags on the knobs that read, Do not disturb! This Miss American Treasure contestant needs her beauty sleep!
I roll my eyes mightily.
Dangling from the knob of room 511 is one such tag, but I highly doubt Ginny is actually sleeping because I can hear the television booming through the door. I knock extra hard so she can hear me above the din of whatever reality show she’s probably watching.
Just please God don’t let it be the Kardashians.
An explosion of barks answers my knock. I take a deep breath. I’ve somehow forgotten all about my sister’s French bulldog mix, Buttercup. Ginny adopted her a month ago as part of her “platform.” I’m not sure exactly what that means. She’s a pageant queen, not a politician. But according to approximately five million posts on Ginny’s Instagram, she volunteers regularly at her local shelter in support of her animal rescue policy.
If memory serves, last year her platform was anti-bullying. But so many other contestants on the pageant circuit had already thrown themselves into the anti-bullying movement that she felt pressured to switch to something else. In other words, she got bullied into giving up her anti-bullying platform. Oh, the irony.
The door to the hotel room swings open, and Ginny is standing there in a white spa bathrobe with her hair piled on top of her head in a messy-yet-artful twist. She’s got one of those serum-soaked sheet masks stuck to her face—the kind that make regular people look like something straight out of a bad horror movie.
                Except Ginny isn’t a regular person. So instead she looks like Gwyneth Paltrow enjoying a quiet day of self-care.
“Charlotte, you’re here!”
“Yep. My flight was right on time.” Thank God. I’m ready to make the most out of day one on my unlimited pass.
“Come on in.” She holds the door open wider.
The room is a double, with side-by-side queen beds and a balcony overlooking a pool flanked by umbrella-covered lounge chairs, a tiki bar, and two perfectly symmetrical rows of palm trees swaying in the balmy Florida breeze. Any spare moments I have this week that don’t include Harry Potter will be spent right there, with my feet up and a piña colada in hand. It’s been so long since I’ve taken an actual vacation that the mental picture I’ve just conjured nearly makes me weep.
“This is gorgeous. Ginny, thanks again for inviting me.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so glad you’re here. Dad and Susan aren’t coming until the finals.” Her smile falters. Behind the face mask, I can see her full lips tip into a frown.
I know exactly what she’s thinking. “You’ll make the finals. I know you will. You’re a shoo-in for the top twenty.”
Ginny always makes the finals. She’s up onstage every year alongside the winner and the runners-up. She’s just never managed to crack the top five.
“This year will be different,” I assure her.
She nods. “It has to be.”
As much as I hate to see my sister devoting her life to chasing a silly crown, and even though I positively loathe the pageant scene, my heart gives a little tug. Sometimes I forget why she got started in all of this. But every once in a while, when Ginny’s composure slips, I remember that this is her way of feeling connected to the mother we barely knew. The crushing sense of loss that inevitably follows always seems to catch me off guard. It’s in those moments— moments like this one—that I understand her dream.
I paste a smile on my face. “It will. I promise.”
I have no right to make that kind of promise. After all, I’m not judging this thing.
Truly, why would anyone want that job?
But it’s so rare to see my sister like this that I can’t stop myself. She’s always been the poster child for confidence.
Which just goes to show how much this particular pageant means to her. More than all the others combined.
“You’re right.” She nods with renewed vigor. “Of course I’ll make the finals. This is my year.”
“Definitely.” Pep talk over for now, I head toward the bed on the far side of the room—the one that’s still neatly made and not covered in anything bedazzled.
                Every item on Ginny’s bed shines like a disco ball, including her official Miss American Treasure tote bag. I’m beginning to understand why she uses one of those sleepmask things like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I might need to invest in one myself.
As I cross the room, Buttercup launches herself at my wheeled suitcase, growling and nipping at it as it drags behind me. By the time I’m within a foot of my bed, she’s fully attached herself to it and I’m hauling both luggage and bulldog.
“Is this normal behavior?” I ask. It can’t be, can it?
Ginny waves a dismissive hand.
I give Buttercup a little nudge with the toe of my Adidas sneaker. She backs away, peering up at me with her bulgy little eyes. They almost seem to point in two different directions. Like plastic googly eyes.
We stare each other down for a second, and then she resumes her attack on my luggage.
“Is she always so”—I pause, struggling for an appropriate adjective—“headstrong?”
Buttercup and I have never been properly introduced. I only know her via Ginny’s Instagram, where she’s usually doing something less destructive and far more adorable.
“Buttercup is shy,” Ginny says by way of explanation.
I look down at the snarling dog. “Sorry, I’m not getting shy here.”
                “You’re stressing her out. She’s not used to strangers and new experiences. She’s a rescue dog, remember? The poor thing sat in the shelter for four months before I adopted her.”
Ginny checks the position of her sheet mask in the large mirror over the bathroom counter. It’s a double vanity, theoretically big enough for both of us. But Ginny’s massive amount of toiletries take up the entire space. “Did you know that seven million dogs and cats enter shelters every year, and half of them end up being euthanized?”
I did not know that, and it’s a horrible, horrible statistic. But her canned delivery prevents me from absorbing the news with the proper level of emotion.
She’s slipped into pageant mode. She’s rattling off more devastating facts and figures about homeless pets, all the while posing with her hand pressed to her heart and her head tilted just so.
I glance at Buttercup. Something tells me she’s heard the speech before.
“Maybe less euthanasia talk in front of the rescue dog?” I suggest. No wonder the poor thing is stressed.
“Oh my God.” Ginny blinks. “Do you think she understands?”
“I have no idea, but why take the chance?” Besides, I can’t handle Ginny’s platform-level intensity right now. I’ve been up since 4:00 a.m.
                “I suppose you’re right.” Ginny scoops Buttercup into her arms.
I take advantage of the cease-fire, lift my suitcase onto the bed, and remove my things, paltry in comparison to the vast wardrobe Ginny has stuffed into the closet and all but one of the dresser drawers. Fortunately, I travel light.
Clotheswise, anyway. Beneath the layers of jeans and T-shirts, four hardback novels line the bottom of my bag. I remove all four and arrange them in a nice, neat stack atop the nightstand closest to my bed.
When I look up, Ginny’s shaking her head. “Are you sure you brought enough reading material?”
“Don’t judge. I’m on vacation, remember?”
“Exactly. You’re a librarian. Your vacation should be book-free.” Ginny makes a zero sign with one of her perfectly manicured hands.
“How are we even related?” It’s not the first time I’ve asked that question, and I know with every fiber of my being that Ginny wonders the same thing sometimes.
How could she not?
“Before you dive into one of those, can you take Buttercup for a quick walk?” She grabs a Barbie-pink leash from her nightstand. And—surprise!—it’s heavily bedazzled. “Pretty please.”
“What? Why me?” My gaze flits toward Buttercup, who’s now positioned on Ginny’s pillow with her plump rear facing me. “She doesn’t even like me. Stranger danger and all that.”
Ginny rolls her eyes. “Stranger danger? You spend too much time with little kids.”
True. She dragged me to yoga once, and I kept referring to easy pose as crisscross applesauce.
Still, Buttercup doesn’t seem any more thrilled by the idea than I am. Also, I’ve already begun typing the address of the theme park into the Uber app on my phone. I’m supposed to be dodging a fire-breathing dragon in Diagon Alley right now, not walking a petulant French bulldog.
“I was kind of hoping to head over to Harry Potter World so I could be back in time for us to have an early dinner. Don’t you have pageant stuff today?” I’m pretty sure she has a date with some spray tanner this afternoon. Her skin tone matches mine right now, and I know from experience that Ginny is usually at least four shades closer to orange when there’s a pageant on the horizon.
“Yes, and of course you can head right over there just as soon as you walk Buttercup. She hasn’t been out since early this morning. I can’t do it—I’m not allowed to leave the room without my sash on.”
I blink. “What?”
“Contestants can’t leave their hotel rooms unless they’re pageant-ready. Outside of this room, I have to wear my sash at all times.”
                I don’t even know what to say, but suddenly the army of beauty queens from the elevator makes more sense. “That’s crazypants. It’s like you’re some kind of pageant hostage. Put your sash on, and take her out yourself.”
Ginny sighs. “Dramatic much? This isn’t some tiny regional pageant. Miss American Treasure is the big time. She’s a role model. You know that.”
I do. I probably know more about that than any of those chattering elevator girls.
“I can’t go out there like this,” she says.
“Fine.” I take the leash from her hands. She’s clearly in no condition to leave the room, although I would pay money to see an Instagram post of Ginny wearing the sash and her sheet mask at the same time.
“Thank you.” Her slender shoulders sag with relief. “I owe you one. We’ll have a great dinner tonight, I promise. It’ll be just like old times.”
Old times?
I don’t believe her for a minute. When we were kids, our favorite dinners included sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese. I can’t remember the last time I saw a carb cross Ginny’s lips.
“Come on, Buttercup,” I mutter.
The portly little dog growls the entire time I’m attaching her leash to her sparkly pink collar. This should be lovely.
“We’ll be right back.” I cast a glance over my shoulder as I lead Buttercup out the door, and Ginny catches my gaze in the mirror.
She gives me a little wave. I wave back, and for a moment, I go still. Rooted to the spot. Ginny’s sheet mask is gone, and her face is bare. Clean. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her makeup-free. Without the airbrushed foundation, the contouring and highlighting, the carefully lined lips and the double layers of false eyelashes, she looks a lot like me.
She looks exactly like me, actually. Same nose. Same eyes. Same heart-shaped face.
Same DNA.
Because even though my sister has always been the pretty one, the beauty queen—the Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo—she’s also my twin.

#LateAThon| Desperately needed to help with my overflowing 2018 TBR!

Hello Everyone!

Today’s post is giving you some insight into what I am going to be reading in January. I have A LOT of Netgalley books that NEED to be read and reviewed before I can even think of looking a head to 2019. So when I saw the big announcement over at Howling Libraries for the Late-A-Thon, I knew that I needed to jump on ASAP!

The point is to try to tick off as many books as you want, that you did not get around to in 2018. It could be one or many more.

I have chosen 25 books that I wanted to read but was unable to for one reason or another. I am going to place the titles in my TBR jar and try to power through as many as possible.

I would love to get through all 25, but I must remain realistic and I will be happy if I at least get through 5.

If you would like to take a closer look into my list, it can be found on my Goodreads page.

This is just a quick look at those that I am looking forward to reading. If you would like to join in, just hop on over to Howling Libraries and create a list for yourself. Come on back here and let me know so that I can check out your list too!

Have you read any of the books on my list? Any that you suggest that I push to the top? Any books that you have on your TBR also? Let me know, I am always up for a buddy read:)

The Expedition by Chris Babu| Left me wanting more!

The Initiation by Chris Babu

Hardcover, 347 pages
Published December 4th 2018 by Permuted Press

THEY SURVIVED THE INITIATION. NOW THE REAL TEST BEGINS.

Drayden and his friends thought nothing could be harder than the Initiation. Little did they know it had only been a warmup for the challenge that lay ahead.

With New America’s situation dire, Drayden and the pledges venture out into the unexplored world outside the walls, escorted by a team of elite Guardians. The group seeks to contact another civilization in what remains of Boston, but Drayden has secret goals of his own.

Dangers abound in the real world, including Aeru, the deadly superbug that wiped out humanity. While they battle the elements of a desolate landscape, a power struggle emerges within their ranks. The Guardians seem to be carrying out a covert mission themselves, and the quest turns everything they thought they knew about New America upside down.

My Thoughts

Chris Babu has done it again!!! I absolutely adore this series and the characters. I quickly became invested in them after the first book, The Initiation, but I am even more so now. They grow so much more in this second installment and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The book was a little slow going for me in the beginning because I just could not wait for their adventure to begin. Once they started, I had a hard time putting the book down! I just wanted to keep on reading to find out what happens next.

We get to meet some new characters this time around but I am still crushing on the originals. They banded together once again. So much happens that you will be on the edge of your seat. You will laugh, cry, get frustrated to no end and feel so much concern for them. I can honestly say that this book will bring out every emotion you have.

I thought that the initiation was tough but this adventure is way worse. I am fearful of what they will be up against in the last and final book of the series. I am trying to be patient but feel like I may combust with excitement for when it finally arrives! If you enjoy apocalyptic/dystopianesque reads with tons of action/adventure thrown in, you would really enjoy this series and I highly advise that you pick it up!!

Thank you to the author for this review copy in exchange of an honest review.

Wishing You & Your Family a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sam & Heather

Some of my favorite quotes…

Hey there all! I apologize for being so quiet lately but I must tell you that work is literally kicking my ass! I have gotten so busy and my boss just piled it all on and gave me an extra project on top of it! That leaves little time plus the lack of rest to blog and actually read! I am hoping to make a dent in my current read sometime this weekend and just RELAX!!

But in the meantime…

I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes with you! Enjoy…

“You just want me to hold you until you fall asleep?”
I didn’t answer.
He shifted to look straight into my eyes. “I should say no to prove a point,” he said, his eyebrows pulling together. “But I would hate myself later if I said no and you never asked me again.”
― Jamie McGuire, Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster is my favorite book like ever! I love this quote where Travis is so vulnerable.

“There once was a girl who found herself dead.
She peered over the ledge of heaven
and saw that back on earth
her sister missed her too much,
was way too sad,
so she crossed some paths
that would not have crossed,
took some moments in her hand
shook them up
and spilled them like dice
over the living world.
It worked.
The boy with the guitar collided
with her sister.
“There you go, Len,” she whispered. “The rest is up to you.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky Is Everywhere

I fell in love with this book. The writing is very poetic to me and this quote kind of just stuck with me. I absolutely adore it.

“You want to know what pain is? Try running out of Advil when you’ve got a Category Five period. I’ve had cramps that would make grown men beg for a bullet between the eyes.”
– Jennifer, “Beauty Queens”
― Libba Bray, Beauty Queens

If you have not read this book, you are missing out. There were some pretty funny aspects but this quote always makes me laugh out loud.

“You forgot another lesson: Never turn your back until you know your enemy
is dead. Looks like we’ll have to go over the lesson again the next time
I see you—which will be soon.
Love, D.”
― Richelle Mead, Blood Promise

Oh how I adored VA! I may need to do a re-read really soon!

“He lowered his mouth to mine anyway, close enough that our lips almost brushed for a millisecond before his glided across my cheek, his breath laying a fiery trail from the corner of my mouth to my ear.
“I’m not going to kiss you, Lily,” he whispered. “I’m patient. I’ll wait until you want it bad enough.”
[…]
“You’ll be asking for it soon,” he added. “No hesitation.”
― Ramona Wray, Hex: A Witch and Angel Tale

This was a fantastic book! I so desperately wanted a sequel but it still remains a stand alone:-(

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite quotes. Do you agree with some of mine? What are some of yours?

Feels Like Falling Blog Tour by Elle Keating with Giveaway & Excerpt

From author Elle Keating comes FEELS LIKE FALLING, the next installment in her Dangerous Love series. Peyton Matthews doesn’t want anyone to find the chinks in her armor, and Luke McGinnis fights hard to keep his ugly past buried. While they are drawn to each other, chemistry is not what’s bringing them together. Fans of UGLY LOVE by Coleen Hoover, Sylvia Day, and EASY by Tammara Webber will devour this dark and emotional romance.

 Title:  Feels Like Falling

Author: Elle Keating

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Publisher: Self-published

Series: Dangerous Love #5

Genres: Contemporary Romance

 Synopsis:

 Luke McGinnis is the responsible, quiet older brother. The loving son who enjoys working side-by-side with his father at the winery they co-own. At twenty-nine years old, Luke is a success story, the rags-to-riches kind. That’s what people see. Not the ugly past he fights to keep buried… a past that keeps him from really living.

Peyton Matthews is a household name. As a model, her face has been on the covers of countless magazines and she now has more money than she will ever know what to do with. But that smile she flashes for the photographers and the media is just an illusion. That pretty package everyone envies has been her armor, her protection, and she doesn’t want anyone to find a chink in it… especially not the winery owner who looks at her like he knows the dark secrets she keeps.

Add to Goodreads → https://bit.ly/2N9H7fH

BUY NOW: Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

Amazon → coming soon

iBooks → https://apple.co/2QdTeWJ

B&N → https://bit.ly/2N2rCGk

Kobo → https://bit.ly/2BU49jL

 

Listen to the FEELS LIKE FALLING playlist on Spotify now! https://spoti.fi/2ND6ypi

My Thoughts:

I am back with the McGinnis boys. This is only the second book that I have read in this series but I am seriously contemplating picking up the others!

This book can definitely be read as a stand alone. We do get glimpses of the other brothers and what is going on with them but it does not take away from the story at all and the writer does a superb job at explaining everything.

Luke and Peyton’s story was heartbreaking! I was shedding tears on many chapters throughout. I loved Luke for his quiet and loner nature. He was not looking for a relationship and had abuse issues in his past which makes him struggle with sex now. I also adored Peyton. She was strong and hoping for love but not really looking. I really loved her for her adoration and protection of her sister. She would do anything for her.

When the two get together, it is pretty powerful. They both hold the same skeletons in their closet so they kind of understand each other better than most.

I cannot wait to read the next story in this series which I am hoping is Gabe’s. Until then, you need to pick this one up. Have the tissues ready!

 

FEELS LIKE FALLING Excerpt

Copyright © 2018 Elle Keating

Peyton looked back at the bar, but Luke was nowhere to be found. Pissed, she continued her trek to the bathrooms anyway and was just about to enter the door marked MNA when someone grabbed her hand and pulled her down a hallway and into some back room which housed a pay phone and a rack full of coats. Like the rest of the tavern, the lighting wasn’t great, but she was able to focus on the man who still gripped her hand and stared at her like he was either going to yell at her or take her against the wall in the most primal of ways.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Who is he?” Luke asked through gritted teeth.

It pissed her off that he completely ignored her question and asked her one instead, one that truly left her perplexed. “Who are you talking about?”

“The man who felt it was okay to touch you here.” He released her hand, but she instantly felt his fingertips at the small of her back.

The heat of his touch made her anger fade, at least for the time being and she said, “He’s a friend of Walt’s.”

“Are you leaving with him?” His eyes darkened and he drew closer. His hand fell away from the small of her back, which thankfully broke the trance her body seemed to be under and her fury was reignited.

Who the hell did he think he was? She didn’t owe him anything. Not even responses to questions that made her hot and furious at the same time.

“Did you follow me here?” she asked. Her voice shook a little, but it was better than submitting to his questions.

“Yes. Now, are you going home with him?”

“Do you have any idea how messed up that is? That you fucking followed me…again?”

His jaw clenched and he looked away. Peyton was prepared to continue, to lay into him and tell him that he was a stalker and could go to hell, but then he glanced back at her and she saw the shame in his eyes. “Yeah…it is fucked up. I’m…fucked up,” he said.

She wasn’t even going to try to pretend that his words didn’t shock her. He knew what he was doing wasn’t normal. That he wasn’t normal. Luke roughly raked a hand through his hair as he paced the small coatroom. He reminded her of a caged animal, one that was anxious and willing to chew through the bars to get free. Shame, worry, pain, fear, confusion. He seemed consumed by each emotion all at once and all she could do was watch him suffer. What happened to him? Why did he look so…broken?

Before she could ask, Luke shook his head, told her he was sorry and left.

Giveaway:

Enter to win one of three Dangerous Love Book Bundles!

(includes, Thrill of the Chase, Cut to the Chase, Wanting More, & Back to the Start)

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

What more from Elle Keating? Grab the rest of the Dangerous Love books!

THRILL OF THE CHASE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

 CUT TO THE CHASE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

 WANTING MORE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

 BACK TO THE START

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

 

About Elle Keating:

 

Elle Keating is the author of romance novels with sexy heroes and fierce females. Her first book, Thrill of the Chase (Dangerous Love, #1), was published by Forever Romance’s digital imprint, Forever Yours, in 2015. Cut to the Chase (Dangerous Love, #2) soon followed. Most recently, Elle self-published Wanting More (Dangerous Love, #3), Back to the Start (Dangerous Love, #4) and the standalone novel, Keeping His Commandments.

When Elle isn’t torturing her heroes and heroines (don’t worry, there’s always a happily ever after), she is a public school administrator and enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children in New Jersey. For more on Elle and her books, visit ellekeating.com.

 

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Want Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Synopsis

Her rancher boss is looking for the perfect wife…and she wants the job!

Poppy Sinclair kept her feelings for Isaiah Grayson secret for a decade. When her infuriatingly gorgeous Stetson-wearing boss enlists her help in finding him a convenient wife, she threatens to quit. Until Isaiah counters with an interesting proposal: Why doesn’t she marry him? Can she say yes to sharing his life and his bed, but not his heart?

My Thoughts 

It all started with an ad:

WIFE WANTED—Rich rancher, not given to socializing. Wants a wife who will not try to change me. Must be tolerant of moods, reported lack  of sensitivity and the tendency to take off for a few days’ time in the mountains. Will expect meals cooked. Also, probably a kid or two. Exact number to be negotiated. Beard is nonnegotiable.

And I was instantly hooked! Isiah Grayson is a hard person to love, but yet, Poppy Sinclair has loved him since she met him. Ten years ago. One day, Isiah seemingly out of nowhere decides that he is in need of a wife, and it’s up to Poppy as his assistant to find him one, and the first course of action is to place an ad in the newspaper.

This book was a nonstop roller coaster ride and for the most part, I enjoyed every bit. It was funny, sweet, and heartbreaking. Maisey Yates, did a great job in creating these characters because I fell in love with after only a couple of pages.

Isiah Grayson is a cowboy who also just happens to be filthy rich. In addition to being a hard person to love, Isaiah can be quite an asshole, and there was a part in the story in which he said something that made me want to strangle him. He gets his act together in the end though. Isiah was hurt by somebody a while back and since then he had cut off all emotion in his life. He says what he means, and means what he says. He doesn’t lie, and he’s great with numbers. He’s so great with numbers that he sees life as just one large equation. He also has a way at steamrolling people and getting straight to the point. And I loved him for all of that, but at the same time, I wanted to strangle him. He is so freaking frustrating, and annoying, my God! But his pricklier sides is what made this book so entertaining, especially the times he goes toe to toe with Poppy.

Poppy Sinclair, is one smart, sassy, ray of freaking sunshine. I adored her, and I rooted for her non-stop. As a former foster child, she had been shuffled from home to home her entire life, and she’s been hurt more times than she could count. But she has found a home with Isiah, whether he knows it or not (he doesn’t because he’s dumb). Poppy to me was the type of character I couldn’t help but root for. Hearing about her life as s foster child, and her decade-long crush on Isiah, just endeared her to me. But also because she never let Isiah steamroll her, a lot of people are afraid of Isiah but she wasn’t one of them. She gave as good as she got, and never backed down. To point where even, Isiah knew when to pick his battle with her.

Together these two sizzle and their chemistry is off the charts! But their past heartbreaks, tend to keep them from stepping firmly into each other’s lives as more than just co-workers. It’s as a said a rollercoaster ride, but the journey is worth it. Because the end of this book was one of the sweetest I’ve ever read, and after everything, it was well deserved!

Campaign Monitor| Ten Email Do’s & Don’ts, Blog Style!

Hey there! Happy Hump Day!

I am here with another discussion post. I would like to first off thank Campaign Monitor for hosting today’s discussion/post.

Campaign Monitor is an email marketing platform that helps you set the tone for your brand by using different strategies for marketing using emails.

You can check out the website, HERE! There is a ton of information on their site including free email templates.

Another great site with a lot of tips/tools for marketing is myemma.com. I found a ton of great information here also.

If you are looking to up your blog and create a newsletter or just need some tips and tricks. Please check out both of the above websites. I decided to discuss the top ten do’s and don’ts when sending emails. All of our blog posts are basically one big email to all of our subscribers, so I thought this was a perfect topic. We could even apply these rules when approaching publishers for ARC copies.

(The following info was taken from campaignmonitor.com)

Obviously, some of these may not apply to us…but there are a few tips that I can definitely use for myself:

1. Grow your list and do not buy one. I think all of us agree that the hardest part of blogging is finding great subscribers. You know, the ones that actually will read our content and comment or “like” something. Not the ones that subscribe just to gain an entry into your giveaway. I have never heard of a book blogger buying a subscriber list..but then again..I never thought book blogger’s plagiarized either so yeah…SMH!

3. Pre Header Text. This is something that ALWAYS slips my mind but I need to be more aware of. I love when a heading catches my eye and it makes me actually want to open that email and read it.

9. This one is really a no brainer, but be sure to spell check and look over your whole post before it goes live. I learned this the hard way because once that post is live…even if you go back to change something, the original is now sitting in everyone’s inboxes. You cannot change the content they will see.

10. Do you look at your blog stats? I check mine all the time. I love comparing and seeing how my stats add up from one year or even one month to the next.

What are your thoughts? Could you use any of these strategies for yourself?

Let’s talk about it!

Again, thank you to Campaign Monitor for hosting today’s post!

Embolden by Syrie & Ryan James

Embolden by Syrie James & Ryan James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis

Internationally bestselling author Syrie James and her son Ryan M. James bring their trademark drama, humor, action, romance, and suspense to Embolden, the second book in this critically acclaimed series.

The world is trying to tear them apart.
Will they stand together and fight back?

After a season of psychic visions and super-powered drama, Claire Brennan and her angel-gone-AWOL boyfriend Alec MacKenzie can finally be together. Under the protection of Claire’s grandmother, they are trying to lead a normal life, going to high school at Emerson Academy and hanging out with their friends.

But jealous teenagers, vengeful enemies, the city’s new Watcher, and even the school play threaten to break them apart. Not to mention Claire’s surprising second power, which could sabotage the trust of everyone she holds dear. And just when they need to stick together, they finally get a lead on where Claire’s missing father might be.

The threats, which come not only from without but also from within, will test the strength of Alec and Claire’s relationship. Is the love they share enough to keep them safe? If they want to stay together … can they learn to fight together?

My Thoughts

We waited what felt like forever and a day for this sequel to come out and I am so happy to have been able to read it….finally!

Alec and Claire are still getting use to each other other and the fact that their friends know what they truly are. Which sometimes can be a small battle. Claire finds out the hard way that maybe she should actually listen to her Grandmother and her & Alec’s relationship takes a small toll. They both have secrets they are keeping from each other and it kind of blows up in their faces. Claire is so focused on finding her Dad that she tended to get a little whiny and irritating in this installment. She literally acted like a typical teenager!

I really am enjoying this series. The first book captured my attention right from the start and I fell in love with the characters and the the whole premise of angels and half bloods.

A lot happens in this book and the reader really needs to pay attention because the action just keeps on moving and you may miss something important. The ending was not a huge cliffhanger but you can tell that it is open for a third book. I am secretly crossing my fingers and truly hoping so!

Thank you to the author for the review copy in exchange of my honest opinion!

View all my reviews