Cover Reveal: Manhattan by Kandi Steiner

Manhattan, a standalone in the Becker Brothers series is a small town, country, friends-to-lovers romance coming on December 19th. The fire... the guitar... THE FEELS!

Everyone knows not to fall in love with your best friend.

But when your best friend is Michael Becker, it’s impossible not to.

He’s everything our town knows a Becker brother to be: devastatingly handsome, charming as a thief, and the icing on the cake — a sentimental musician who’s never without his guitar.

And he was mine. At least, that’s what I’d convinced myself.

Our bond was born in elementary school, strengthened by circumstance and the promise to always be there for each other, no matter what. And the best thing about my life was being friends with Michael Becker.

Until it was the worst.

I watched him fall in love with someone else, and helped patch him back up when she left him behind. But when he drops the bomb that he’s moving to New York, I realize it’s my last chance to tell him how I feel. And I ask him to make one more promise.

One summer. One list of adventures to remind him that our small town has more to offer than memories of the girl who left him behind.

One last chance to tell him I’m in love with him.

And I’m just dumb enough to believe that maybe he could love me, too.

Get an email on release day ➔ kandisteiner.com/contact/newsletter/

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Cover Artist: Kandi Steiner

Photographer: Lauren Perry of Perrywinkle

About Kandi:

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a diehard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi:

Mailing List: bit.ly/NewsletterKS

Facebook: facebook.com/kandisteiner

Facebook Reader Group: (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandischasers

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kandisteiner </ p>

Twitter: twitter.com/kandisteiner</ span>

Pinterest: pinterest.com/kandicoffman

Website: www.kandisteiner.com

Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:

www.kandisteiner.com/events

I have fallen in love with the Becker brothers and am so excited for Michael's book!!!

Review: Almost a Mother by Christy Wopat

My thoughts and review

This book was recommended to be by a friend after I delivered my stillborn daughter at 38w 2d gestation. This book was not easy for me to read. I could only read a chapter or two at a time because it all hit so close to home that I would end up crying and have to put it down. That being said, I am so thankful to my friend Sara for recommending it to me, and to Christy Wopat for writing this. So many times I would read a line, or a paragraph and think to myself "exactly, I'm not the only one who feels this way," or "I'm not crazy, this is normal" or " she gets me, I hate that she gets me, but she really truly does".

This book is truly inspiring and helpful. It takes the most difficult thing I have experienced in my life, and helped me see that there is light at the end of this. I will never be the same person I was before the loss of my Hanna, but I will survive this.

"It's take me such a long time to learn that yes, the dates are important. And if you love someone who is grieving, for real, take out your calendar and write down days that matter. Record the birthday, the day they died, and maybe their wedding anniversary date. And text them. Call them. Write on their Facebook wall. All you have to say is, "Remembering with you today." Give them a hug when you see them. You won't break them. You'll help them heal in all those already broken places." Christy Wopat- Almost a Mother

From Goodreads

Christy’s captivating memoir about her hopes, her dreams, her loss, her grief, and ultimately, her healing, is a poignantly powerful and brutally honest account of what happens when tragedy hits. We never think it’s going to happen to us. We never think it will happen today. But it does, and it happened to Christy.

In an effort to find solace, Christy tried Googling, “What do I do when my baby dies?” Unfortunately, there just aren’t many good resources out there—at least not any that are truly honest, not sugar-coated with clichés.

“Almost a Mother: Love, Loss, and Finding Your People When Your Baby Dies” is Christy’s way of reaching out to those who have experienced a horrible loss of any kind, of any magnitude, in the hopes of building a community of support and love.

And, in her words, “I just wanted to know that I wasn’t crazy because I wanted to punch the pregnant lady at Target in the face.” 

New Release and Review: Insolent by Cynthia A. Rodriguez

Title: Insolent

Series: Sinister Fairy Tales Collection

Author: Cynthia A. Rodriguez

Genre: Dark Romance Fairy Tale Retelling

Release Date: December 9, 2019

There’s a girl screaming at the top of a hill,

Burdened by a duty she was born to fulfill.

There’s a quiet killer lurking nearby,

Watching as she wishes only to die.

She’s tasked by her mother to marry a man,

Until the demon from hell puts a wrench in the plan.

Their fates will twine in inconceivable ways.

But where one goes, the other cannot stay.

How could she fall for such a man, you ask?

For the girl with no heart, it was the easiest task.

Cynthia hates writing her own bio. In her down-time, you can find her watching movies, ranging anywhere from classic to action flicks (she has a weakness for Marvel adaptations), and reading any novel she can get her hands on.

She loves hearing from her readers! You can reach Cynthia at cynthia.a.rodriguez6@gmail.com. Both her Twitter and Instagram handles are @thecynrodriguez.

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My Thoughts and Review:

This is the first book I have read by Cynthia A Rodriguez.  I have to admit I was completely blown away.  Her retelling of the fairy tale Brave, hooks you from the very beginning and doesn't let go.  This book is packed with action, with just enough forbidden romance to keep you turning the page.  Moira is such an incredibly strong woman.  I hated what she survived at the hands of her mother and brothers, but love the person she became because of it.  Sol, he was the dark, bad boy persona that most women fantasize about.  A hired gun, who develops a soft spot for one of his targets.  If you are a fan of forbidden romances and/or romantic suspense this is a book for  you.  Just make sure you are ready for a heart pounding ride.

Being Thankful After a Rough Year

So as Thanksgiving comes to a close for this year I want to take a moment to reflect on all that I am thankful for this year.  For the most part I use this blog to share my love of books.  Reading has been a true life saver and sanity saver for me these last 2 months more than ever.  Although my love of reading isn't the only reason I started this blog.  Reading is such an amazing hobby to have.  It makes you use your brain, it increases your vocabulary, and takes you to new places and on new adventures. 

Some people think of reading as something you do by yourself.  For the longest time I just read what I read, and maybe put a review on Goodreads or Amazon.  Then about 2 years ago I decided I wanted to join a book club.  I wanted to find other people who were like me (loved to read).  I also wanted to be encouraged to read outside my comfort zone.  I know most libraries have a book club that meets once or twice a month, maybe even weekly.  I happen to have a rather unusual work schedule (10 AM-630 PM most days) that made making it to a real world book club almost impossible. So I turned to social media.  I mean why not? It seems that social media is becoming a part of everything lately anyway. 

So I went to Facebook and searched for reading groups.  I was surprised at how many different ones there were.  I joined a few at first, but very quickly found one that was more perfect than I could have ever imagined.  This group is more like family to me now.  I have friends from this group who I literally search for their updates in my news feed, because I know without a doubt no matter how rough my day is this friend will have posted something that will bring a smile to my face.  My Reading Brings Us Together friends are some of the best friends I think I have ever had, and I have never even met them yet.  We do what we call "buddy reads".  One book is picked and we have 2 weeks to read it before discussion day.  Do I participate in every discussion day.... NO.  Do I read every buddy read book..... also no.  But that's okay, we know that not every book is for everyone.  Although, I have found some books that I really enjoyed because they were buddy reads, that I wouldn't have read if it weren't for the discussion day.  This group is something I am thankful for.

Also having "joined" the on-line reading community I have found #bookstagram which is awesome and fun.  I now follow authors on Facebook, and Instagram. I follow their author pages, and join their groups.  I discovered the joys of ARCs!!!!  I love when I am given the amazing opportunity to join an author's ARC team, or sign up for a blog tour and read an ARC for the tour.  It is an honor to me to be able to get that advanced copy and put my review out their early to help spread the word about how amazing a book is.  Plus these authors put their hearts into their work, they need to be celebrated. 

Ok, I got a little sidetracked there.  I am going to pause for a moment to recollect myself.  Check out this cute picture of our pug (Shadow). He loves to play in the leaves in the fall.

So back to the main point of this particular post.  This has been a crazy year for me.  In February I learned that I was pregnant.  It was very much unplanned, my baby's dad was seriously upset.  He didn't want any more kids.  I hadn't planned on anymore either, I mean I am in my late 30's and already have 3 kids.  But it happened, a baby was coming, and as far as I was concerned he could stay or he could go, but I was having a baby.  Towards the end of March I learned that my baby was a little girl.  She would be my 3rd girl and his 1st girl.  (FYI, this fact got him to slowly come around to the idea of another baby).  She was due October 5th.

So unplanned pregnancy... check. What more could this year have in  store for me.  How about a foreclosure.  Yep, I couldn't afford my house payments after my older kids went to live with their dad.  So now I am pregnant, and have to find a new place to live.  Well, after much thought I chose a town I honestly knew practically nothing about.  It was 17 miles south of where I worked, which was a plus, my previous home was 23 miles north of work.  The hospital in that town delivered babies, another plus, the hospital I work at does not deliver babies.  And finally, my mom teaches at the school in the town.  So I moved, while pregnant with some help from family, but it was a long and stressful process.

Then September 22 the world threw me the biggest curve ball of my entire life.  I hadn't felt my little girl move for quite a while, and nothing I tried seemed to be working.  I had her dad run me to the hospital to be evaluated.  I was sure I was over reacting so I just had him drop me off and told him I would call him when I was ready for him to pick me up.  The nurse kept trying to get my daughter's heart on the monitor, but was struggling to distinguish hers from mine.  So the midwife on call brought in an ultrasound machine.  I had been at the hospital for maybe 30 minutes when I called her dad and said "I need you here now" and hung up the phone.  I saw the screen, but I wasn't listening to another word the midwife said until he was there to support me. Our daughter's heart was still.  I was induced that night and on September 23 at 5:07 PM, my little girl was born, silent, into this world at 38w2d gestation.  She weighed 6 lbs 8.5 oz and was 20.25 inches long.  She had a head full of beautiful dark brown hair.  She was perfect every way, except that she was forever sleeping.

This year being thankful was a bit harder than normal.  My little girl was stillborn 9.5 weeks ago.  Even with that, I have more to be thankful for than ever before.  I am thankful for the support my mom gave me from the day I found out I was pregnant again, through the first weeks after loosing her.  I am thankful for the new community I live in. They have been so generous.  Our landlords, I could not ask for two more compassionate and caring people during this time.  My co-workers as well.  And my book friends who sent me sympathy cards and other small gifts to help lift my spirits.  In my darkest hour I saw how good, and caring people can be.  So even though this year has been one of the hardest years of my life, it is also the year that I have the most to be thankful for. 

If you took the time to read this post in it's entirety I am thankful for you as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Review: Michigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen

Blurb:
Hockey meets the #MeToo movement in this powerful debut novel.

Michigan Manning lives for hockey, and this is her year to shine. That is, until she gets some crushing news: budget cuts will keep the girls’ hockey team off the ice this year.

If she wants colleges to notice her, Michigan has to find a way to play. Luckily, there’s still one team left in town …

The boys’ team isn't exactly welcoming, but Michigan’s prepared to prove herself. She plays some of the best hockey of her life, in fact, all while putting up with changing in the broom closet, constant trash talk and “harmless” pranks that always seem to target her.

But once hazing crosses the line into assault, Michigan must weigh the consequences of speaking up — even if it means putting her future on the line.

My Thoughts and Review:

Michigan vs. the Boys is an amazing book that will pull you in and keep you reading.  I quickly fell in love with Michigan.  She is a girl who knows what she wants and will do anything in her power to achieve it.  When her girls hockey team is cut, she busts her butt in tryouts to make the boys varsity team.  Through out this book she pushes herself harder than the boys, and puts up with more than anyone should to prove she deserves a spot on the team.  A few bad eggs among the boys make her journey almost impossible.  When it finally comes down to it she realizes that there is no since in suffering in silence to prove herself.  Michigan is a great role model for young women.  I cannot wait to have my children read this book.  I will have even my son read it.  It proves that girls are not weaker than boys.  Absolutely amazing and totally worth the read.

Angel of Death (Broken Mercenaries #2)

By: S. Massery 

Blurb

Griffin
I’ve been living in the darkness for so long, I’ve forgotten what the light feels like.

Secrecy has kept me alive, because the amount of people who want me dead? Let's just say it's a long list. When my identity gets into the wrong hands, the person I hold most dear in the world is thrown into danger. Shedding my darkness and rescuing Hadley from my enemies is an easy choice to make.

If only I didn’t have to rescue her from herself, as well.

Hadley
My guardian angel—the boy I almost fell in love with—disappeared five years ago.

When he returns, hunting men who want to use me against him, my relief is overshadowed by doubt. I’ve been holding onto my own secrets for far too long, and learning to trust Griffin again doesn’t come easily. He wants to sweep me away to Europe, where I always dreamed of going, to keep me safe.

If only my dream wasn’t about to turn into a nightmare.

This deliciously slow burn childhood friends-to-lovers romantic suspense is the second installment in the Broken Mercenaries series. Make sure to read BLOOD SKY before devouring this thrilling story.

About the author

S. Massery is many things, and boring is not one of them. She strives to always keep busy, whether that be fostering dogs, editing websites, writing, or reading. She and her dog, Alice, frequently travel New England in search of prose-worthy scenery and hiking spots.

S. Massery grew up in Western Massachusetts. She received her Bachelors from Emmanuel College in Boston and has finally put her writing degree to good use.


My Thoughts and Review

"When I was younger, I had a guardian angel. He watched over me, and I... I tried not to fall in love with him. There were countless times he came to my rescue, and even when he moved away, he always came back for me- until he stopped." Hadley, Angel of Death

This is an amazing sequel to Blood Sky, although I would definitely say this could be read as a stand alone. Griffin is such a strong, loner of a man who tends to self isolate himself. He has known Hadley for most of his life, and kept a watchful eye over her. Hadley is a woman with her own secrets, and living life on a clock. When Griffin reappears in her life he brings danger and adventure, and maybe if she's lucky something more.

This story is like a roller coaster. So many ups and downs in their adventure keeps you wanting to turn the page. It has it's funny moments, romantic moments, and suspenseful moments. Everything you could possibly desire all in one place. The supporting characters are also incredibly well written, and leave you dying to read their stories. The loyalty between the mercenaries (Jackson, Griffin, Dalton, Mason, and Zach) is something that I think everyone should have, but unfortunately we don't all get.

"Hadley, I'm fucking terrified of planes and I've been on three in the past six months. If that isn't loyalty, I don't know what is." Dalton, Angel of Death

I have read S. Massery's other books as well, and love seeing how her style and skill develop and improve with each work. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Broken Mercenaries series.

New Release and Review: Sacrifice by N. Isabelle Blanco

Title: Sacrifice

Series: Sinister Fairy Tales Collection

Author: N. Isabelle Blanco

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: November 12, 2019

Releasing as part of the 2019 Sinister Fairy Tales Collection and part of the Dark Paranormal Ryze Series, but can be read as a Standalone!

Megara

We all know the story.

How it ended.

He survived and conquered each task.

Became the hero of all heroes.

And in the end he became a legend.

What no one told you is that I was there. I was helping him . . . and when he ascended, I was left behind to rot.

Herakles never knew I sold my soul for his success—he didn’t need to. Had I been enough on my own, he would’ve chosen to stay.

Instead, he rose to full glory.

I was dragged straight to Hades.

Beaten.

Violated.

Broken.

Eventually, mutated.

I lost track of him for nearly three millennia, but I’ve found him.

I will kill him.

He chose to become a god; I was forced to become a nightmare.

Now it’s time for us to meet again.

Herakles

I abandoned my family mere moments before the Greek pantheon fell.

‘Till this day the whispers accuse me.

Had I been there, perhaps they could’ve been saved.

But I no longer gave a fuck.

Funny how vanity can blind a male to what really matters.

It took less than a year on Olympus before I began searching for her again.

I never found her.

Now, two-in-a-half-thousand years later, here I am.

Alone.

Empty.

An immortal ghost, simply getting by.

I should’ve never left her.

The only thing I had was hoping the last of her mortal days, wherever she ended up, were happy . . .

Joke’s on me.

A darkened, twisted version of my female returns, demanding my head for every one of my sins.

And she shall have it.

But first, I’m saving her from her curse.

I’ll sacrifice every ounce of my sanity left to free her . . . right before I let her end me once and for all.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

N. Isabelle Blanco is the Amazon Bestselling Author of the Allure Series, the Need Series with K.I.Lynn, and many others. At the age of three, due to an odd fascination with studying her mother’s handwriting, she began to read and write. By the time she’d reached kindergarten, she had an extensive vocabulary and her obsession with words began to bleed into every aspect of her life. 

That is, until coffee came a long and took over everything else.

Nowadays, N. spends most of her days surviving the crazy New York rush and arguing with her characters every ten minutes or so, all in the hopes of one day getting them under control.

Sign up for the newsletter at http://bit.ly/2ogIF74 to be the first to know how all these arguments turn out :) 

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My Thoughts and Review:

Most of us know the story of Herakles (Hercules).  The young demigod who goes on quests conquering monsters to become a god like his father Zeus.  Sacrifice is a different type of retelling.  Herakles has already done his initial tasks and become a god. However, he had to choose godhood over Megara.  This retelling takes place in modern times, and Meg and Kles are forced to work together to re-defeat the monsters from before.  This is a second chance, enemies-to-lovers, dark romance.  With plenty of action, and smut to keep you fully entertained.