Category: Review

5-Star Review · Billionaire Romance · Book Tours · Contemporary Romance · Must Read · Review · Romance · Second Chance Romance

New Review: Broken King (King Brothers #3) by K.M. Scott

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ronan

I had it all once. The beautiful girlfriend who loved me. A talent that was going to take me as far as I wanted to go.

I was living the dream.

But I lost her because I made a terrible mistake, and then one horrible night, I lost any chance to play ball again. Everything I thought I had going for me disappeared, leaving me with nothing to live for.

Now I’m left to pick up the pieces. I’d give anything for another chance with Kate, but can I truly expect anyone to love me now that I’m not who I used to be?

Kate

He was the boy I fell in love with in high school, my first boyfriend. My first everything. I planned to spend the rest of my life being madly in love with him.

Until it all fell apart.

I never gave up hoping we might end up together, even though I moved on with my life. I heard he got drafted to a minor league baseball team, and even though we weren’t together, I was proud of him for finally living his dream.

Now the boy I loved is a man in pain, and there’s nothing I can do. I want to believe there’s a second chance for us, but is it too late?

PURCHASE LINKS:

BUY NOW LINK US – https://a.co/d/fCxuywr          

BUY NOW LINK UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DWXXNLRK/

BUY NOW LINK CA –  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DWXXNLRK/

BUY NOW LINK AU –   https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DWXXNLRK/

BARNES AND NOBLE –  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-king-km-scott/1146982456?ean=2940184685892

KOBO –  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/broken-king-4

APPLE BOOKS – https://books.apple.com/us/book/broken-king/id6741917899

GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS –  https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ChpGEQAAQBAJ&pli=1

MY REVIEW

~5 STARS~

Broken King is the third book in the King Brothers series, and it was just as good as the prior books! It’s a breathtaking second-chance romance. 

It’s now time for Ronan to share his story, which is unforgettable and full of emotions. Ronan had it all at one time in his life. He had a girlfriend who had a beautiful soul who loved him for who he was, not his family name. However, Ronan made a terrible decision that tore them apart. He dreamed of playing baseball and had the talent to do that. An accident tore that away. Now, he is in a terribly dark place that his family is trying to pull him out of, but he doesn’t have any desire to leave the shadows and begin to put his life back together. Until that beautiful girl, Kate steps back into his life. She might be the one who can show him there are other dreams he can achieve. 

Kate was madly in love with Ronan. He was her first boyfriend in high school, and she wanted him to be the “first” for everything in her life. After getting her heart broken, she flees. When she returns home, she hears about his accident, and she decides to go visit him. The first meeting went very badly, but she wouldn’t give up on him. She can’t turn off her love for him, and she is determined to be there and help him reclaim his life. 

This series has been one of my favorites. Each brother is so very different, and Scott does a great job of making readers fall in love with each of them, although it takes more time to fall in love with some brothers. The characters are so multi-layered and complex. She reveals something new about them with each chapter and each book she writes. She gives you more insight into characters from her previous books without taking anything away from Ronan and Kate. 

Broken King is a perfect title because Ronan is broken in body, mind, and spirit. Kate is also broken. Each has their own issues to work through. Ronan’s are obvious, and Kate has self-confidence and trust issues, which Ronan played a part in with their past. Scott turned their issues and past into a beautiful story of redemption, hope, second chances, and making different dreams when your prior dreams go up in smoke. I highly recommend the entire series!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

K.M. Scott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy contemporary and paranormal romance. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading a book, watching TV or movies, or cooking for family and friends.

4-Star Review · Christie's Reviews · Contemporary Romance · Kindle Unlimited · New Adult Contemporary Romance · Review · Romance

New Review: The Man I Love by Taylor Sullivan

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Three thousand miles, two shattered hearts, and a new life on the way.

Three years after their life-changing road trip, Samantha Smiles and Tristan Montgomery are back at it again—only this time, the stakes are higher. Samantha is pregnant with Tristan’s child and they are no longer together.

Now, as they embark on another cross-country trip to move Samantha back to LA, the air between them is thick with unresolved pain and misunderstandings. Their once-passionate connection has been strained by time and separation. Samantha is struggling to navigate her own emotions while dealing with the realities of impending motherhood, and Tristan is haunted by the mistakes of their past and the burden of his own fears.

Forced into close quarters, old wounds are reopened and new truths are revealed. Can they mend their fractured relationship and find common ground for the sake of their child? Or will the weight of their past and the pressure of their future drive them further apart?

In a journey fraught with emotional turbulence and unexpected revelations, Samantha and Tristan must confront their deepest fears and rediscover the love that once bound them together. Will they find their way back to each other before it’s too late, or will their latest road trip be their last?

The Man I Love is a poignant exploration of love, forgiveness, and one choice. To cherish one another for the rest of their lives, or lose the love they once cherished forever.

PURCHASE LINKS:

BUY NOW LINK US – https://a.co/d/gHEfkIF              

BUY NOW LINK UK – https://amzn.eu/d/9TRA2b3  

BUY NOW LINK CA – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D87JPSZC 

BUY NOW LINK AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D87JPSZC 

MY REVIEW:

The Man I Love is a heartfelt, emotional second-chance romance! I was pulled in by the storyline and the characters. When I finished the first book, Samantha and Tristan were just beginning their happily ever after. This book explores the reality of being in a relationship. 

A great deal has changed since their life-changing cross-country trip three years ago. Samantha is very pregnant with Tristan’s baby, but sadly, the two are not together anymore. As the two return to California, they are again forced to look inside themselves. They will have to reopen some past hurts and learn to trust one another if they will ever be able to co-parent their child together. Maybe, just maybe, they will find their way back together again. 

I enjoyed the way Sullivan wrote the book. The book opens with Tristan coming to NY to move Samantha back to California. It’s obvious the two aren’t together. Sullivan gives her readers the answers to the break-up in flashbacks. Readers see the two blissfully happy but trust issues and long-distance doom the relationship. I was hoping this would be only temporary. I knew all along that this couple had always belonged together. 

Sullivan made herself stand out in the genre with this book. There is angst, but it’s very relatable. It’s fiction, but yet it’s real-life. It’s what happens when a couple has gotten their happily ever after and how they navigate life with all the ups and downs that happen. There were times I wanted to throttle the two of them. If they had taken the risk and poured out their hearts with love and fear, they would have realized the love was still there. They just needed to communicate better, and isn’t that what all couples struggle with from time to time? 

It’s a beautiful, emotional love story with some lighter moments. It’s about a couple who grow and mature and discover what lasting love looks like, which involves grace, forgiveness, and trust. It’s about a girl who once hated a boy but now loves the man he has become!

MEET TAYLOR SULLIVAN

Taylor is the proud mom of three (not-so-young-anymore) kids she loves more than life. She spends her days juggling their endless activities, hoping she looks presentable enough to be out in public, while writing stories inspired by the strangers she meets in her daily life. Maybe she’s a little crazy, or maybe she just misses the Barbie games played with her sister when they were young—but that’s where her stories are born. It’s where they blossom and grow, and eventually breathe life onto the pages of her books.

Taylor is drawn to the complexity and flaws of people. She believes that a life well lived is full of mistakes and that beauty is always found in imperfection. And yes, she believes in happy endings. She’s been married to the love of her life for 21 years after kissing way too many frogs.

She would love to hear from you! (Or I would love to hear from you… writing in 3rd person makes me sound way cooler.)

Book Tours · Review · Romantic Suspense · Romantic Thriller

New Review: Shadowed Alliances: A Shadowed Defense Security Thriller (Book 5) by Mavery Ellscott

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About the Book:

She saw something she shouldn’t have. Now she’s running for her life.

All Emery Foster wanted was a quiet moment to herself after the party. Instead, she witnessed cybersecurity guru Rudolfo Manetti murder a woman. After a narrow escape during a brutal assault on a U.S. Marshal’s safe house that leaves everyone dead, Emery realizes she’s no longer a witness—she’s a target.

Desperate and out of options, Emery turns to Javier Escarra, former Navy SEAL and owner of Shadow Defense Security. Together, they unravel a sinister web of corruption that reaches beyond a single murder, revealing Emery isn’t the only one marked for death.

As the enemy closes in, Emery and Javier are thrust into a sinister charade of secret alliances, backed by powerful players who will stop at nothing to silence them. But are they prepared for the ultimate betrayal?

If you love high-octane twisty thrillers laced with romance and humor that will keep you hooked to the last page, Shadowed Alliances is a must-read. Dive into Mavery Ellscott’s world of deception and intrigue!

Scroll up, click “buy now” and grab your copy of Shadowed Alliances. Warning: Side effects may include a sudden urge to binge-watch action films.

Purchase Links:

BUY NOW LINK US – https://a.co/d/6DDmjmM     

BUY NOW LINK UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadowed-Alliances-Defense-Security-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0DQ7KHFTN/ref=sr_1_1

BUY NOW LINK CA –  https://www.amazon.ca/Shadowed-Alliances-Defense-Security-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0DQ7KHFTN/ref=sr_1_1

BUY NOW LINK AU –   https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadowed-Alliances-Defense-Security-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0DQ7KHFTN/ref=sr_1_1

My Review:

4 STARS

Shadowed Alliances is a twisty romantic suspense that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Emery is on the run from some powerful enemies who want her dead. She was at a party when she witnessed a man murder a woman. It wasn’t some random man; it was her future father-in-law. However, she has some other dangerous secrets she is holding close. She is taken into protective custody but soon discovers no place is safe. She is one of the only survivors after an attack, leaving almost everyone dead in the safe house she was staying in. Her only option for staying alive is Shadow Defense Security. 

Javier is a former Navy Seal and owner of a security firm. While he and Emery are on the run, he discovers that the organization determined to kill Emery is connected to some recent issues involving the firm. 

I found myself quickly immersed in the shadowy world the author created. The book had a little bit of everything…romance, suspense, action, and thrills, with a bit of humor sprinkled in. The book’s name is perfect…there are a lot of shadowy alliances between dangerous people. This is the first book I have read in the series. While it was easy to read, I would like to go back and read the earlier books, as the overarching conspiracy begins with the first book!

About the Author:

Mavery Ellscott’s first foray into writing was not as a thriller author. It was a journalistic undertaking.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, she convinced a neighbor to help her write and publish a newspaper. A pretty big endeavor for an eight-year-old armed with a bunch of scrap paper and her dad’s old typewriter. Total circulation – two. Fortunately, her later publications fared better. She’s even made it beyond the first round in a contest or two.

A conservationist, Mavery has won a few environmental awards. So, it’s no surprise she yearns to write a high-speed chase with eco-friendly cars in one of her action-packed suspense thrillers splashed with romance and humor.

4-Star Review · Book Tours · Contemporary Romance · Kindle Unlimited · New Adult · Review · Romance

New Review: The Boy I Hate by Taylor Sullivan

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About the Book:

Three thousand miles, two secrets, one man who can change everything.

Samantha Smiles and Renee Montgomery have been best friends for over a decade. They’ve shared laughs, secrets, and a mutual hatred for one person: Tristan Montgomery, Renee’s older brother. He was the guy every girl wanted, and every guy wanted to be, and it wasn’t uncommon they’d befriend his little sister just to get closer to him. Which was exactly how Samantha became Renee’s saving grace. She was the only girl Renee could trust not to fall in love with her older brother.

Until the one night Samantha spent with him alone, leaving her questioning everything she’d ever known about the blond-headed heart-throb.

Years later, Renee asks Samantha to be her maid of honor. After being one-upped by her boyfriend’s career, and with no other option, Samantha is forced to drive cross-country with the focus of their teenage ire.

He was her first kiss.

Her only secret.

Can Samantha survive the trip cross-country with the reckless Tristan Montgomery? The guy who did what he wanted, whenever he wanted, without worry for tomorrow? Or will she discover a different side of him – one that’s sweet, funny, and maybe a little bit vulnerable – and fall completely and helplessly in love for the first time in her adult life with the one man who could cause her to lose her best friend forever?

Links:

BUY NOW LINK US – https://a.co/d/dk7oBX3             

BUY NOW LINK UK – https://amzn.eu/d/dDBzs5T 

BUY NOW LINK CA – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0745JT2M5 

BUY NOW LINK AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0745JT2M5  

GOODREADS LINK –  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35792291-the-boy-i-hate 

BOOKBUB LINK –  https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-boy-i-hate-by-taylor-sullivan  

My Review:

~4 STARS~

The Boy I Hate is a cute, new adult romance with all the feels!

Samantha has been best friends with Renee for many, many years. Now, Renee is getting married, and Samantha is looking forward to making the cross-country trip with her boyfriend. Just days before she is to leave, her boyfriend cancels, saying he can’t leave his dream job. He promises that he will be there, but he will come later. Renee suggests that Samantha travel with her older brother, Tristan. This is NOT what Samantha wants at all!!!! She hates Tristan!!!! But does she really????

Samantha has always hated Tristan, or so she tells herself. Everything seemed to come so easy for him. Every girl wanted him, and every guy wanted to be him. He always had a crowd around him fawning all over him. Samantha and Renee became friends because she was the only girl who really wanted to be her friend, not just using her to get closer to Tristan. However, one night six years earlier, she shared a special night with him and saw a different side to him, and even shared a kiss with him, her first kiss. That kiss has remained a secret, and that is the way she wants it to stay. 

The old sparks between Tristan and Samantha are still brimming underneath their snide comments to one another. The banter was highly entertaining. I enjoyed watching them really get to know one another and discovering who they were. 

I loved the flashbacks to that night so many years ago. While the book focuses on the two of them falling in love, it also dives beneath the surface of who these characters are. They were complicated and complex, each dealing with their own personal issues. I highly enjoyed the road trip aspect of the book as well. I have already downloaded the next book that continues their story, and I can’t wait to dive in!!!! 

Meet Taylor Sullivan

Taylor is the proud mom of three (not-so-young-anymore) kids she loves more than life. She spends her days juggling their endless activities, hoping she looks presentable enough to be out in public, while writing stories inspired by the strangers she meets in her daily life. Maybe she’s a little crazy, or maybe she just misses the Barbie games she played with her sister when they were young—but that’s where her stories are born. It’s where they blossom and grow, and eventually breathe life onto the pages of her books.

Taylor is drawn to the complexity and flaws of people. She believes that a life well lived is full of mistakes and that beauty is always found in imperfection. And yes, she believes in happy endings. She’s been married to the love of her life for 21 years after kissing way too many frogs.

She would love to hear from you!

4-Star Review · Book Tours · Review · Romance

New Review: Love is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman

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About the Book:

For fans of Mary Alice Monroe’s The Beach House comes a heartwarming story from women’s fiction author Diane Owens Prettyman about second chances as two people find a pathway out of their grief – directly in the aftermath of a hurricane.

The Texas Gulf: beautiful yet unpredictable.

A beach town destroyed. Her mother’s candy store swept away. This is what Teddy Wainsworth faces when she returns to Bird Isle. Meanwhile, Jack Shaughness, owner of a popular barbecue restaurant chain and widower still grieving the death of his wife, receives permission to cross over to the island with a smoker full of brisket to feed hurricane survivors. Soon after arriving, he meets Teddy and immediately finds himself drawn to her – which makes him feel he is betraying his wife. When the two find a lost dog, Jack convinces Teddy to take it home while they attempt to find the owner, creating a bond that brings them closer.

In the wake of the hurricane, Bird Isle residents fear the Aransas Wildlife Refuge will not be ready for the whooping cranes’ annual migration south. Seeing that Jack has important connections and a love for the island, they enlist him to help restore the habitat of the endangered cranes before they fly to Padre Island for the winter. With their rescued dog always nearby, Teddy and Jack work side by side to rebuild Bird Isle for the return of the whooping cranes. But Jack is harboring a secret that may ruin everything he and Teddy are creating – and he won’t be able to keep that secret forever.

Purchase Links:

Amazon – https://a.co/d/7XYaZ6N

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/love-is…/1145414475…

My Review:

Beautiful, emotional book about second chances!!!

“Not all storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.” This quote sums up exactly what this beautiful book is about!

The book opens when Teddy returns to Bird Isle after a devastating hurricane. She discovers that her beloved mother’s candy store was destroyed. Not long after being back, Teddy meets Jack. The two create a bond when they find a dog who is lost. With Jack’s encouragement, she takes the lost pup home until they can find the owner. Both of them are still mourning losing loved ones, so they are hesitant to go beyond friendship despite the pull they feel towards one another. 

Teddy is grieving her mother, who a drunk driver killed, and her goal is to rebuild her business. Jack is the owner of a barbecue restaurant chain, who has come to help the town’s citizens, and he has recently lost his wife. Both characters are so relatable and complex. Teddy doesn’t want to risk losing someone else, and Jack is dealing with guilt because of his feelings for Teddy. He feels like he is betraying his late wife. It was a beautiful thing to watch these two damaged souls find love and hope again.

The setting was gorgeous, and I loved seeing the community come together, rebuilding and working to get the Wildlife Refuge ready for the whooping cranes’ yearly migration. The author also added another layer to the story with a secret Jack is hiding and how that will affect his budding relationship with Teddy.

The book was well-written and had complex characters. The chapters were told from Teddy and Jack’s perspectives, giving a more in-depth look into their thoughts. Each chapter also had cute headings that teased what the chapter would be about, such as “Tide and Chance” and “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About.” I loved that addition. While the book was emotional, it was also heartwarming, especially with the addition of the pups.

I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Follow Diane Owens Prettyman:

4-Star Review · Book Tours · Mystery · Review · Thriller · Young Adult

New Review: Frozen in Time by Kelly Swan Taylor

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A YOUNG ADULT MYSTERY/THRILLER…

Sometimes you can’t escape your past.

Sixteen-year-old Summer Ellis is terrified of ice. But there’s a valid reason. Ten years ago, she lost her childhood best friend on frozen Winterberry Lake. Returning to the remote New Hampshire town, she stumbles upon another young victim claimed by the lake. It appears the past is repeating itself.

After her gruesome discovery, newcomer Summer is dubbed the town outcast. While she comes to terms with two tragic losses, she meets beguiling blue-eyed Tate, who quickly sweeps her off her feet. The problem? He is not just charming, but Winterberry High’s star ice hockey goalie. Which means only one thing: MORE ICE.

With a town full of suspects and tensions as thick as January ice, Summer’s detective mom reassures the residents that the killer will soon be brought to justice. But just as the lake drew Summer to its dark icy depths so many years ago, she now feels compelled to solve its next chilling mystery.

Like the memories of her childhood, Summer is FROZEN IN TIME.

My Review:

4 STARS

Frozen in Time was an enthralling young adult mystery! 

The book opens with sixteen-year-old Summer returning to New Hampshire after moving away many years ago. She isn’t looking forward to this move because ten years ago, she lost her best friend in an accident on a frozen lake. 

As if the move and fitting in at a new school wasn’t enough, the past comes roaring back when Summer finds the body of a missing girl. However, this is no accident, and she is determined to discover who the killer is.

The book was full of twists and turns, but it was also a sweet romance between Summer and Tate, the star of the local hockey team. Tate greatly supported Summer, helping her deal with her past and fear of the ice. 

This was a great mystery and romance with engaging characters and some great secondary characters. One of my favorite characters was Ace, Summer’s dad’s German Shepherd. The writing was also quite good. The author did a great job describing the town’s setting, especially the lake. I could see everything in my mind. Make sure you read the Acknowledgements at the end of the book. It was interesting to see what inspired her to write this book!

Available at:

Amazon – https://a.co/d/5VGQJCY

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/1144337215;jsessionid…

Website – https://www.etsy.com/shop/KellySwanTaylor

5-Star Review · A Top Read of 2023 · All-time Favorites · Christie's Reviews · College Romance · Kindle Unlimited · Review · Romance · Sports Romance

New Review: Playing to Win (The Players) by Monica Murphy

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Playing to Win by Monica Murphy is now live! 

Ready to fall for the ultimate player? Check out the latest sports romance by New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy…

Ace Townsend is the biggest player on campus.

The sexy new quarterback on the football team.

I should probably mention he’s also a complete flirt. The life of the party wherever he goes.

Someone I should avoid at all costs.

It’s difficult though, when I’m on the social media crew for the football team and we’re out on the field during practice almost every day, filming them. On the sidelines at games. Hanging out with them at bars. The more I spend time with Ace, the more I’m drawn to him. The attraction is there, but it’s more than that. I actually like him. We have a connection, and he definitely feels it too. The problem?

I signed a contract when I started on the social media team with a ‘no dating athletes’ clause. They’re strictly off limits. If we get caught together? It’s cause for my immediate termination. I love my new job and don’t want to risk it, but I’m falling for Ace.

Hard.

We’re all for sneaking around and keeping our growing relationship secret, but it’s starting to wear on us. Ace is determined to win me at all costs, though he doesn’t want to be the reason I lose my job, but…

Maybe the two of us being together is worth the risk.

Christie’s Review

I have been waiting as patiently as I could for Ace’s story, and it was so well worth the wait. This book exceeded all my expectations!!!

I loved both Ruby and Ace. They were so great together, and the sparks flew from their very first meeting! Ruby knows what a flirt and player he is, and Ace doesn’t do relationships, yet they feel this pull toward one another. She brings a calmness to him, and they would make an awesome couple, but Ruby has her back against the wall since she signed a contract when she was hired as part of the social media crew that she wouldn’t date any athlete. She knows what she needs to do, but spending time with Ace and resisting him is getting harder and harder to do!

Ruby was a great character, and she was very realistic. She was a typical college-aged girl even though she was born into a football dynasty. She wasn’t spoiled and expected no special treatment because of who she was. In fact, she had insecurities. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life and had changed her major a couple of times. She was looking for purpose, and she found it when she became part of a social media team that highlighted football players. Even in her personal life, she wasn’t sure where she was headed with Ace. She knew she was falling for him, but she also knew he had the power to break her. 

I adored Ace, but I have been in love with Ace for a long time. I felt like I got to know him in previous books. He was such a player, but he was so likable, not a jerk at all. He was a caring individual, and the more involved with Ruby he got, that became evident. Like Ruby, he had doubts. He had big shoes to fill as a quarterback, and I liked that Murphy showed that vulnerable side to him. At times, I kind of felt sorry for him. He had a fan club, and people sometimes didn’t understand he was just a person who wanted to just be Ace, not Ace the football star. He also had some insecurities about Ruby as he was falling more in love with her. 

I have loved all of the books in this series, but  I have to agree with Monica Murphy when she says in her Acknowledgments at the end of the book that Ace was one of her all-time characters that she has written. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him….he was so lovable and likable. As with all previous books in the series, I have enjoyed the secondary characters that Murphy created, especially Natalie and Derek. As always, we see little glimpses of characters from earlier books. That always makes me feel like I’m catching up with old friends. I have been reading the Callahan/Maguire series since the very beginning, and I hope this isn’t the end of this family. I hope we hear more from them in the future. Until then, thank you Monica Murphy for giving us such wonderful books and incredible characters. 

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3pvDdlq

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/PlayingtoWin

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3pw7oZM

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance. She’s also known as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, two kids, one dog, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she’s an assistant coach for her daughter’s high school cheer team, which is a two season sport. Meaning, she’s at practice with a bunch of teenage girls all the time. Or she’s at a football game. Or a basketball game. Maybe someday, she’ll even write about this experience.

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

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5-Star Review · A Top Read in Thriller · A Top Read of 2023 · Review · Thriller · Top Read in Psychological Suspense/Thriller

New Review: The Swell by Allie Reynolds

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

“Fast-paced, nail-bitingly tense and packed full of twists and turns. I found it unputdownable–loved it!”—Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium

Point Break meets And Then There Were None in a pulse-pounding beach listen that explores the dangerous ties between a group of elite surfers who are determined to find the perfect waves at any cost…even murder.

The waves are to die for.

Three years ago, passionate surfer Kenna Ward lost her two great loves—after her boyfriend drowned, she hung up her surfboard and swore off the water for good. But she is drawn back to the beach when her best friend, Mikki, announces her sudden engagement to a man Kenna has never met—a member of a tight-knit group of surfers. Kenna travels to a remote Australian beach, entering a dangerous world far from civilization where the waves, weather, and tides are all that matter. Kenna is tempted back into the surf, and drawn into the dazzling group and the beach they call their own.

But this coastal paradise has a dark side, and members of the group begin to go missing. Kenna realizes that in order to protect Mikki and learn more about the surfers, she must become one of them…without becoming one of their victims. What follows is an adrenaline-fueled thriller packed with twists and turns, exploring the dangerous edge between passion and obsession.

Grab Your Copy Today:

Kindle: https://bit.ly/3DoiraJ

Audible: https://bit.ly/3pR6Fmh

Amazon Paperback: https://bit.ly/3rJ8t0V

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3rDHaFo

MY REVIEW

Wow!!! An incredibly fast-paced thriller was full of twists I didn’t see coming!!!!

Several years ago, Kenna lost her boyfriend in a surfing accident. Since then, she hasn’t been able to go near the water. She always loved the water and was somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. However, she lost the desire for all of that when she lost the love of her life. She pushed away those who loved her, including her best friend, Mikki. Now, she is having to face those fears along with her estranged best friend when Mikki gets engaged to a man she has only known for a short time. Kenna leaves England to travel to Australia to bring Mikki back home. Somehow she ends up in a remote part of an Australian beach with a group of surfers who all seem to be hiding dangerous secrets. 

Many of the chapters are told from different character’s POVs even though the main character is Kenna. Some might think that would get really confusing, but for me, it just added a complex layer of intrigue. I did listen to some of the book on Audible, and I liked that the characters were portrayed by different narrators which seemed to give them even more depth and a life of their own.

As some other reviewers have mentioned, it does remind me of the movie, Point Break, which happened to be one of my favorite movies. Each character seemed to have secrets and some had suffered through harrowing trials in life and some even suffered loss. As you can imagine, some of them were quite unlikable yet that made the book even better. 

There were plenty of twists and turns involving people disappearing and possibly murder. It wasn’t only the plot that was twisted, it was also the characters. I, like Kenna, couldn’t quite figure out the motives of the others. Sometimes I would think I had it all figured out to only be completely wrong. The twists didn’t stop coming even until the very end.

I love the way Allie Reynolds writes. She is very descriptive, and I could clearly picture the beautiful and dangerous setting. I could smell the salt in the air, see the beautiful waves, and feel the sand and sun on my body, and quite a few times, she had my heart beating a little faster. 

I thought this was a perfect combination of adventure and suspense with some complex and very complicated characters. So glad I downloaded this one!!!!

Get to Know Allie Reynolds

Allie Reynolds’ debut thriller SHIVER is about a small group of former snowboarder friends at an isolated mountaintop reunion, high in the French Alps. SHIVER has sold in 24 territories to date and will be translated into 23 languages. The TV option has sold to Firebird Pictures.

Her second thriller THE BAY (UK, ANZ) / THE SWELL (USA) is set on a remote Australian beach and will be published in June 2022.

Born and raised in Lincoln, England, Allie moved to Gold Coast, Australia in 2004. She lives near the beach with her two young boys.

Many years ago she competed at snowboard halfpipe. She spent five winters in the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria and Canada. These days she sticks to surfing – water doesn’t hurt as much as ice when you fall on it.

Her first ever job was a Saturday job in a bookstore, at age 14. She taught English for many years and became a full-time writer in 2018.

You can find her on:

www.twitter.com/AuthorAllieR

www.instagram.com/authorallier

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAllieR/

5-Star Review · All-time Favorites · Christie's Reviews · Favorite Series · Favorite Writer · Kindle Unlimited · Must Read · New Adult Romance · New Release · Review · Series

New Release and Review: Playing by the Rules (The Players #2) by Monica Murphy

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Playing by the Rules by Monica Murphy is now live! 

Camden Fields is the star quarterback of our college football team.

Quiet.

Smart.

Absolutely gorgeous.

He’s the man all the women on campus rave about. And while he’s had a few casual hookups over the years, it’s never anything serious. Cam doesn’t do serious.

He also doesn’t do me.

See, I’m his best friend’s little sister, and whenever we’re around each other, he’s always warning me that I’m off limits. That nothing can ever happen between us.

But I see the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not watching. The heat in his gaze. The hunger. He can deny it, but that man wants me.

I want him too.

I’m tired of always being the good girl and doing what everybody expects. For once, I’m going to break all the rules that have restrained me my entire life.

I’m going after Camden Fields.

And no one can stop me.

 

My Review

5 STARS

I know I sound like a broken record, but Monica Murphy has struck gold again with Cam and Blair’s story!!! I fell really hard for Jo and Knox in the first book, but I fell just as equally hard for Knox’s little sister and best friend!

Blair has had a crush on Knox’s best friend, Cam, since she first met him when she was just a teenager. Now, that she has transferred to their college, she has decided to show him what a woman she has grown into and see if she can finally get his attention! As she soon discovers, she has all of his attention, but Cam “plays by the rules,” she is a forbidden fruit. Knox has threatened every team member that she is OFF LIMITS! This book is full of angst, steam, major chemistry, and tension!!!!

Murphy never disappoints in creating multi-faceted and complicated characters. Unlike Knox’s somewhat cockiness, Cam has a very quiet confidence about him in some ways. In other ways, he isn’t so confident. He has always had the desire to belong and feel loved. That is why he loves his team and his relationship with the Maguire family. He doesn’t want to lose that, so that is why he tries so hard to resist Blair. He also likes to maintain control, and of course, she completely upends all of that. He also had times where he really doubted himself.  At times, I was frustrated with him because he couldn’t see what was right in front of his face, a good woman who understood, accepted him, and loved him! 

Blair was a cutie pie! I wanted her to be my BFF! Like Camden, she wanted to have control over things happening in her life too. However, her relationship with him was full of uncertainties and that really began taking a toll on her. She was growing tired of being his secret. She had an incredible patience with him, and I’m not sure I would have left the door opened for him as long as she did, but her patience is what I loved about her. 

Thankfully, she and Cam do a great deal of maturing by the end of the book, and I really liked the people they grew into. Speaking of characters, it was wonderful seeing Knox and Jo again, as well as Natalie, Ace, and Knox and Blair’s little sister, Ruby. As Murphy does in all her books, she gave us a little taste of her upcoming book…it will be about Ace and Ruby! YAY! Monica Murphy, can I say that I really hope Natalie gets her own HEA too!!! 

Over the years, Murphy has created this wonderful, wonderful family. It never gets old, and each character is different and unique! I’m so very excited to get my hands on her next book! If you like your books with crackling chemistry, angst, tension, spice, and some really sweet and swoonworthy moments, give Monica Murphy’s books a try! You won’t be disappointed!!!!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/41tmpcZ

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Meet Monica


Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance. She’s also known as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, two kids, one dog, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she’s an assistant coach for her daughter’s high school cheer team, which is a two season sport. Meaning, she’s at practice with a bunch of teenage girls all the time. Or she’s at a football game. Or a basketball game. Maybe someday, she’ll even write about this experience.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

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5-Star Review · A Top Read in Contemporary Romance · A Top Read of 2022 · All-time Favorites · Contemporary Romance · Favorite Writer · Kindle Unlimited · Must Read · New Release · New Review · Review · Romance · Series

New Review: Promises We Meant to Keep: A Lancaster Novel by Monica Murphy

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About the Book:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy returns to the glittering Lancaster world with the story of a damaged woman who gets her chance to redeem herself with the one man who’s been in love with her forever…

Spencer Donato.

My brother’s best friend.

My dirty little secret.

We fell for each other at Lancaster Prep. Sneaking around. Not wanting anyone to find out. He was my first love, my protector, my knight in shining armor. We were made for each other, and I truly believed he was my forever.

But then I did the unthinkable, and betrayed him in the worst possible way. I thought I lost him for good…

Until I saw him at my brother’s wedding. Now he’s older. Crueler. Unbearably handsome. We’re drawn to each other still, but will Spencer be there for me when I need him the most? Or did I ruin us once again?

~My Review~

5 STARS

Oh my goodness, I devoured this book! Sylvie and Spence pulled me under their spell from the very beginning pages! I finished within two sittings!!!

This book truly opens up with a bang. The first few paragraphs gave me an inside look into Sylvie’s complicated psyche. She might be surrounded by wealth and privilege, but she doesn’t really know what love actually looks like except when it comes to Spence; however, she is always pushing him away. What she does to him in the opening pages may close that door forever. As they say, some love never dies, and that is the case with these two. After meeting years later at her brother’s wedding, she and Spence enter each other’s orbits again. That same pull they have felt from their early teenage years is still there, yet there is a lot of hurt and mistrust, especially with Spence. He is determined to never let her penetrate the walls of his heart again. Without spoiling anything, dire circumstances push these two together again, and this time, all those secrets they have both kept from one another have to be brought into the light if they have any shred of a chance to make their love last. 

To be honest, this is my first foray into the Lancaster world, and I’m addicted. I can’t wait to get my hands on Summer and Whit’s book. Despite not reading their story, Murphy tells Sylvie and Spence’s so well, that I didn’t feel lost at all. In fact, I’m glad I read this one first. Now, when I go back and read Summer and Whit’s story, I can see Sylvie from a different perspective, one with some empathy, because this poor girl has lived a complete nightmare her whole entire life. I’m so glad that Spence never truly left her in his past. He has such a wonderful heart, one that can bring some light to Sylvie finally. 

I love a book with heart-stopping, emotional romance, one that gives me butterflies in my stomach, but this one was so much more. With the addition of a truly diabolical character, a very flawed heroine, and an irresistible hero with secrets of his own but who loves with all his heart and soul, Murphy gave me one of her best novels to date. 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qv2wvZ

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/PromisesWMTK

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3A3PeRt

Meet Monica:

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance. She’s also known as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, two kids, one dog, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she’s an assistant coach for her daughter’s high school cheer team, which is a two season sport. Meaning, she’s at practice with a bunch of teenage girls all the time. Or she’s at a football game. Or a basketball game. Maybe someday, she’ll even write about this experience.

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

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