5 STAR #REVIEW: The Kiss of Deception by @marypearson

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THE KISS OF DECEPTION. More like the author, Mary E. Pearson, is the master of deception!

Lia doesn’t want to be a princess anymore. She’s tired of being shoved into a mold she doesn’t fit and being forced to marry a prince she has never seen to forge a political alliance is the final straw. So she runs. She leaves her royal life behind for a simple life where she can be who she wants and choose who to marry. Lia’s new life isn’t without trouble as there are dangerous people looking for her and she’s not aware the intriguing men she’s come to know are not who they say they are. One is the prince she left at the altar and the other is an assassin sent to kill her. As she tries to adjust to her new life as best as she can, secrets begin to unravel and the ancient documents she stole from her kingdom may be more important than she realized. Nothing is as simple as she hoped they could be and she’s in grave danger. The kingdoms are on the brink of war, and fleeing her marriage may have tipped the scales. 

The best word to describe Lia is rebellious. Her whole life, she has tried to fight the role she was born into and just when it seems as though she lost the fight and is being married into a kingdom her family can not even trust, she displays the biggest act of rebellion yet. Fleeing on her wedding day was the ultimate betrayal to her family and the largest insult to the family she was to marry into. But she doesn’t care. She is a person who deserves to have a life of her own and she refuses to believe that her duty as a princess is a burden she must carry. 

I really felt for Lia and admired her strength to take control of her life. You would think that when she flees to make a simple life serving at an inn the story would be boring, but when the handsome and mysterious Rafe and Kaden enter the picture it’s anything but boring. The suspense, deception and intrigue had me reading nonstop and avoiding all responsibility until I had finished. I love being thrown into a new world with traditions, customs and people so different from real life that you get lost. And I was totally lost in this story. 

Deception. This word is sooooo important. I can’t explain further, but trust me. I was thrown. 


I’m hooked and I need to find out what Lia will do with the secrets she has discovered. The ending wasn’t so much a cliffhanger, but a resolution that there would be so much more and I can’t wait to find out. 

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Release Blitz & #Review: How We Deal With Gravity by @TheGingerScott 4 STARS

How We Deal With Gravity by Ginger Scott

Description:

When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot’s life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy—always second to fighting never-ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect. Finding someone to fight along her side wasn’t even on her list, and she’d come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.

But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery’s heart waging a war within. Mason was a failure. When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back—it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts. Women, booze and rock-n-roll—that was it for him. But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home—the Abbots.

Avery loved Mason silently for years—until he broke her heart…completely. But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason. Could this one save them both? 

***The first week’s royalties will go to the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (www.autismcenter.org), an amazing organization based in Arizona at which Ms. Scott has volunteered for many years.***

Review:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mason Street left his hometown on the verge of rock and roll greatness. He was expected to become rich and famous, so coming home after losing his record deal is humiliating. He turns to the man who was like a father to him growing up, the same man who taught him how to play the guitar. Mason didn’t expect that his daughter, Avery, would have grown up into a beautiful woman who was thrown a huge curveball and is the most amazing person he’s ever met. Avery Abbott’s husband left her when their son, Max, was diagnosed with autism and ever since, life has been all about her son and fighting for him. After his own father abandoned them, she didn’t imagine that anyone would want to join her in life’s endless battles and the struggles they must endure. Mason, who has just failed at the only thing he was ever good at, seems like the last person to take on this challenge. Gravity has other plans for Mason and Avery and you can’t deny gravity.

Avery secretly loved Mason when they were teenagers, but he broke her heart and she never did recover from the blow. When he returns to town, they are drawn together regardless of how hard Avery fights the attraction.

“Max is always telling me about gravity, and how it pulls two masses together. Gravity. That’s what I’m feeling right now. I’m sure I’m flushed, and despite Dusty’s being filled beyond fire code, I can’t hear the crowds. I’m completely locked to Mason, his eyes squared to mine, and he’s the only thing I see. The background...gone. It’s just Mason.”

I loved that Max is who pulls these two together. Avery feels no one would fit into her life because she dedicates everything to him, but in the end it’s Max who shows Mason and Avery how much they mean to each other. Mason is the only person Max connects with and looks forward to seeing and Mason quickly becomes attached to Max. He also sees Avery as a mom who gives her whole life to loving her son and fighting for his opportunities and respect and falls in love with her more. He sees who sees who she truly is through Max. Life is hard for Avery and Mason dives right in to fight alongside.

HOW WE DEAL WITH GRAVITY is a love story that shows the daily struggles the parents of autistic children face. The strict routines and the overwhelming fear of messing up are very real and I found myself struggling with Avery. It sounds exhausting. Being a parent is scary and overwhelming as it is, but being the parent of an autistic child comes with a unique set of challenges. This story also shows us how intensely special an autistic child is and how the parents who love and fight for them daily are a testament to the power of unconditional love.

Ginger Scott did an amazing job of creating a strong and loving mother character who is also vulnerable. The characters were all well developed and I grew attached to each of them, especially Max. Avery and Mason’s love story isn’t without struggles, but it was immensely heartwarming and sweet.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink 

About the Author:

Ginger Scott is an author and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. She is the author of the "Waiting on the Sidelines" coming-of-age romance series as well as new-adult romances "Blindness" and "How We Deal With Gravity." Scott has always wanted to tell stories, and that's what drew her to newspapers and magazines first. Then, she realized making up the action was WAY more fun (and totally legitimized talking to herself on the treadmill). A John Hughes-movie-lovin', first-kiss-is-always-the-best-kiss dreamer, Scott is married to her college sweetheart whom she met in history class at ASU--fork 'em Devils! When she's not writing or nose deep in her iPad, she's somewhere near a baseball diamond backseat managing her favorite team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, or playing team mom for her son. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

Social Links:

Goodreads ● Website ● Twitter ● Facebook ● Amazon

Buy Links:
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***First Week’s Royalties to Benefit Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center***

The Line That Binds by @jmmiller_author 4 STARS

The Line That Binds by J.M. Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE LINE THAT BINDS is a great YA paranormal romance novel!

Lila Wayde inherits an ancient estate in Pennsylvania from an aunt she barely knew and though she never thought she would live there, her father loses his high-paying job in Vegas and now they have no choice but to move in. She decides there is no better time than now to start over and cut out the fake friends and popularity contests. Ben lives on the Stockton estate with his grandfather and they knew and loved Lila’s aunt. They also know of the mysterious curse that follows the bloodline family at the estate and expect Lila will now suffer the same fate as her great aunt. Ben did not expect to develop feelings for the spoiled princess and when he discovers that she is very different from the girl he thought she would be, he must figure out a way to save her from the curse.

While Lila is struggling with regaining her identity and all the changes that have occurred in her life, Ben has his own set of demons and Lila entering the picture and possibly throwing his life into turmoil definitely sets him off. He resents her immediately so their relationship is a slow build, but it also makes it more believable and real.

This story has so many wonderful elements that its hard to pinpoint my favorite part. The characters and dialogue were so real to today’s teenagers, fast-paced relationships and all. The two-person point of view gave all the details I wanted and still flowed effortlessly. Paranormal always seems to be the same subjects, but the curse and the creepy well that helps the Stockton ancestor grant wishes to others while stealing their memories seemed very original.

I am hoping that the second book in the series, THE LINE THAT BREAKS, will have Lila and Ben uncovering more secrets about the well and the curse that has destroyed so many Stockton ancestors. While they barely learn anything about the history in this first book, there has to be so much more to discover before they can save Lila.

THE LINE THAT BINDS is very well written and this author totally nailed the YA romance while keeping my on my toes with the paranormal elements. The story is complex and well developed and certainly worth the read if you are into the YA genre.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

#Review: Cake by Lauren Dane

Cake by Lauren Dane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wren is confident and sexy and once she puts her mind to something, there’s really no stopping her. She’s content to only flirt and ogle Gregori and his artwork during her deliveries, but once she’s had a taste of him, there’s no stopping her from convincing him that they are perfect for each other. World-famous artist, Gregori, lives up to his reputation for partying and women. Wren sees through his facade and treats him like a normal person - and Gregori doesn’t know how to handle this relationship.

“I have better things to offer besides tea, you know.” He waggled his brows and she laughed, though she couldn’t fight the flush building through her belly. 

“Yeah, you offering any of that up?” 

He signed the last sheet, tucked all the papers back into the envelope and turned to face her. “I’m not sure you have enough time for all I have to offer.”
She stepped close enough to touch the envelopes, which put her just an inch or two away from his body. “Try me.” 

The moment stretched taut between them, heating slowly, deliciously. Until he stepped back with a raised brow and a harrumph. “Go on then, Wren. Bring me something more fun next time.” 

She took the envelope, tucking it into her bag. “I already bring myself. Nothing is more fun than that.” 

One corner of his mouth rose. “I bet.” 

She turned, heading out, but paused at the door. “One of these days you should see for yourself.”

Wren is the total package. There is no broken, whiny woman in this story and it is completely refreshing. She is strong, confident and very comfortable with herself. I think Gregori had a little of the whiny, broken going on and she’s there for him. Also, these two have known each for a year and have slowly learned about each other and had actual conversations. It all seemed so real and relatable thanks to their history.

This novella was surprisingly detailed. Wren and Gregori’s relationship was well developed and, even in the short number of pages, we learn a lot about the character’s backgrounds and what make them tick. Normally, novellas seem to be missing something to me, but CAKE had all the elements of a full-length novel in a fraction of the space. My complaint is that it was a little boring at times. The steamy scenes were just short of hot and it was missing some drama or angst. It was all very real, but I needed some more entertainment to keep me interested. Also, the cake reference was a little cheesy. There is actual food involved. Eh, I thought it was something dirty. (Mind = gutter)

CAKE is a novella with a strong heroine and a broken, sexy man. The characters are well developed despite the length, but a little lacking in excitement. I actually think it is closer to a 3.5 star rating because it is really well written and if you love a sexy, foreign male lead and a strong female, then you should give CAKE a try.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

#Review & #Giveaway: Night Owl by @mpiercefiction 4 STARS

Night Owl by M. Pierce

Description:

"Tautly written, complex, and vibrating with a dark sensuality that will have you at once blushing and anxious. You'll think you have this book pegged . . . but you'll be wrong."— Christina Lauren, New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors of The Beautiful Bastard series

From bestselling ebook author M. Pierce comes the first novel in a provocative erotic trilogy where an anonymous online writing partnership turns into an uncontrollable, passionate obsession.

At twenty-eight, Matt Sky has the perfect life. He has a beautiful girlfriend, a massive inheritance, and four national bestsellers -- all penned under his airtight alias, M. Pierce.

At twenty-seven, Hannah Catalano is a train wreck. Her boyfriend is a deadbeat and her job is abysmal.

Matt and Hannah meet online as writing partners. Their relationship is safe, anonymous, and innocent...

Until Matt sees a picture of Hannah. Hannah's picture sparks an attraction Matt is powerless to ignore. When circumstance brings Matt and Hannah together, the strangers begin a love story that's passionate, poignant, unforgettable, and unstoppable.

Review:  4 OF 5 STARS

I am utterly confused and seriously intrigued by NIGHT OWL, but I don’t know if I loved it or hated it. Weird? Yeah, that’s pretty much this entire story. Matt and Hannah meet online as writing partners. Their conversations take a turn one night and they have some serious chemistry, but Hannah doesn’t know that Matt is the author behind the alias M. Pierce. He is a national bestselling author and lives a secret life, hoping to remain private and keep all skeletons in the closet. While Hannah’s life is falling apart and she has to move back in with her parents, Matt’s life is pretty perfect; perfect girlfriend, a massive inheritance, and a dream job. He accidentally sees a picture of Hannah and the unstoppable attraction throws his life into a tailspin and the secrets are bound to unravel. Hannah wants Matt Sky and doesn’t know he’s M. Pierce. Circumstances bring them back to the same city and there is no denying each other, until the truth unfolds.

“God,” he gasped through the kiss. “Hannah, god. Do you want this? Feel what you’re doing to me.” He seized my wrist and pressed my hand to his cock. I curled my fingers around it. Too many times I’d lost my nerve around Matt. I wanted this, whatever the hell it was. I trusted him. And if I didn’t answer unequivocally, I knew he wouldn’t force my into it. Into what? I shoved the anxiety out of my mind. “Do it,” I whispered. “Do it Matt, I’m yours.”

The sex scenes start pretty soon in this twisted tale, phone sex, but it’s super hot. Matt’s desire to remain anonymous hits a snag and it only means lots and lots of hot sex. Usually this is a huge bonus in a story, but it is also very obvious there’s something wrong with Matt and its unsettling. While on the outside it seems like Matt has it together and just wishes to remain a private person, he’s the one who really has some serious issues. Some of the sex scenes were rough; that’s ok, but it felt like Matt was mad at Hannah and taking out his anger on her. This is something that gets better as the story progresses and its obvious both parties are really into it. Conclusion: Matt’s kind of weird. He’s really hot, but he does some messed up things. The reader will start to understand him and they will have a lot to look past to love him. I still find myself conflicted on their relationship and it has a lot to do with Matt’s initial treatment towards Hannah.

“I know you love to suck my dick, Hannah, but I’ll put it there when I want it there. You don’t give me pleasure, do you understand? I take it from you.”

I wanted to give it 3 stars based on my “love it and hate it” feeling, but any book that can elicit as much wonder and intrigue as NIGHT OWL deserves another star. The plot was different, the characters were complex, and there so many WTF moments that you can’t help but keep reading. NIGHT OWL is totally worth the read, especially if weird and confusing doesn’t scare you off. 

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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Enter to Win 1 0f 20 Awesome Prizes! 

• LELO Elise 2 - The Full-bodied Vibrator with a Silky-smooth Finish
• Night Owl Trilogy Bookmarks & Night Owl paperback cover magnet
• Oh Whimsical Me Night Owl bracelet (with new ebook cover)
• Oh Whimsical Me Night Owl bracelet (with original cover)
• Night Owl Trilogy ribbon bookmarks (set of 3)
• 2 Last Light Ebooks (delivered on release day)
• 1 signed original/indie Night Owl Paperback
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• Night Owl bottle cap magnets (set of 4)
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About the Author:

M. Pierce is the bestselling author of Night Owl, book one in the erotic Night Owl Trilogy. The author lives in Colorado and owns a rabbit named Laurence.

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#Review: The Fight for Us by @ElizabethFinn77 - 5 STARS

The Fight for Us by Elizabeth Finn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Finn’s and THE FIGHT FOR US is just another reason to love her!!

Isaiah and Joss do not meet under the best circumstances. They meet in the principal’s office of their teenage daughters’ high school to discuss the bullying that Natalie, Isaiah’s daughter, has had to endure from Joss’ daughter, Harper. Joss is convinced this could not really be happening because her daughter is not a bully; which only further enrages Isaiah, who moved his daughter to this small island town to escape the horrors of their past. These two parents instantly despise each other, but there’s a fine line between love and hate. The passion between them is undeniable and when they must deal with the demons from their past in order to be together, they must also decide how hard they will fight for each other.

When I first read the blurb for THE FIGHT FOR US, I was convinced that Isaiah was going to be the one with all the baggage. He is definitely damaged, but nothing can compare to the disaster that is the divorce between Joss and her ex-husband, Todd. There are bad divorces and then there’s the relationship between Joss and Todd. He is a NIGHTMARE!! In true Elizabeth Finn fashion, I was left reeling from the revelations and events that take place in this truly gut-wrenching tale of two single parents doing absolutely everything they can to take care of their kids, while realizing their personal lives need some attention for life to be worth living.

Joss has an uncontrollable urge to say whatever pops into her head and it is very entertaining. She usually regrets these outbursts, but they are completely endearing and sometimes comical; especially when you realize her daughter has picked up this trait. This is the first romance novel I’ve read where the leads have teenage kids. Obviously, I need to branch out because this added a unique element to the storyline that I really enjoyed. The teenage girls have plenty of issues themselves and it added to the complexity of the storyline.

The truth about Joss and her ex-husband was really hard to digest (I’m not giving anything away!) and Isaiah had his own problems to worry about. There couldn’t have been two more damaged people to get together.

“I’m not strong enough for you. It takes everything I have to be strong enough for Nat, and most of the time, I don’t think that I am.” He looked at the floor for a moment, swallowing over a lump, and then looked back at her again. “I just don’t have it in me anymore. I’m sorry.”

It really doesn’t seem like they can make it. But then again, when they’re together it doesn’t seem like they could be any more perfect for each other.

“Do you really think we can’t get this right?” He placed his hands on top of hers, pinning them to the ledge, and he leaned down to her, letting his cheek touch and taunt her own. He was nuzzling against her ear with his lips - not touching her any more than the lightest caress against her skin. It was tormenting. 

“I thought we’d both decided that. You just don’t have it in you, remember?” Her voice trailed off as his lips brushed her skin again. 

His response was a warm humming sound that vibrated against her skin. “It feels that was sometimes, but other times…” He hummed again as goose bumps sprang up on her neck. “...well, other times I see you, and I’m suddenly calm and my world feels exceptionally and perfectly simple. I regret that conversation. Half of what I said didn’t even make sense to me. Or, at least I can’t seem to put anything into words correctly.”

There couldn’t be a more perfect title for the story than, THE FIGHT FOR US. It describes exactly what Joss and Isaiah go through for each other. This is a beautifully painful love story that had me hooked from the prologue. Fans of Elizabeth Finn will understand the level of complexity in her stories and if you’ve never read one of her novels, THE FIGHT FOR US is a good place to start.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

#Review: Perfectly Broken by @PrescottLane1 - 4 STARS

Perfectly Broken by Prescott Lane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Power panties?... I didn’t realize my power was in my underwear.” Of course it is! “Take back your power!”

Peyton runs a successful pie shop in New Orleans, lives in her childhood home in the Garden District, and has loving, lifelong friends. Only a couple close friends know the trauma she has suffered and the reason she wears frumpy clothing and doesn’t date. When she was raped four years ago, she figured that a piece of her was broken and could never be fixed. She deals with this knowledge and just hopes to keep the panic attacks away. Reed ends up in her pie shop and he sees her as perfect and goes about trying to prove he can different than the playboy he has always been. He doesn’t know her secret and he has plenty of dark secrets of his own, but their pasts must be acknowledged before they can move on together.

“She’d never met anyone like Reed before - sexy, charming, maddening. There was something else that interested her, too - some secret, some insecurity, hidden underneath the hard body and cool facade. He knew when to flirt, look innocent, and work every bit of his charm to misdirect and keep women from looking any deeper. But she wasn’t sure she was the right woman to make the discovery; after all, she wasn’t sure of herself. She knew when she was in way over her head, but Reed didn’t seem to be going anywhere.”

Peyton is a sweet, charming young woman with a painful past trauma and ends up being a wonderful heroine. She has her scars, mostly emotional, but still becomes a successful businesswoman and caring friend. Being unable to get close to men and wearing baggy clothes to avoid attention doesn’t seem all that bad despite the assault. So, in short, I love her. The last step to recovering is letting herself become a sexual person again. Of course, it took a man like Reed to get through to her. Before he even knew about the assault, he just thought he had to prove himself to her as someone other than a playboy looking for another item on the buffet and he put in the work to show her she was special. He was willing to be patient and go slow even though those are things he never was good at in the past. His confidence and sweetness after he learns of the assault prove that Peyton was smart to fall for him despite the clear warnings.

I do wish the perspective was more clearly defined at times, but it didn’t ruin the flow. Even though it’s a pet peeve of mine, bouncing between perspectives mid paragraph didn’t distract me from the story. I really enjoyed that despite the traumatic experience, Peyton is a strong woman. She had her time of soul-crushing grief and she recovered. Stories with strong heroines are my favorite. I also love a funny sidekick and Peyton has that in spades with Quinn and Dr. Lorraine.

PERFECTLY BROKEN is a story that drew me in with a broken, but strong heroine and a broken, but sweet man who help each other mend the pieces back together. It is well written with a great blend of angst and sexiness that kept me interest throughout the entire story.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

#REVIEW: Far Shore by @tracilslatton 5 STARS

Far Shore by Traci L. Slatton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The heart wants what it wants.”

This statement is proving to be too true for Emma. She made her decision to stand by her husband, Haywood, despite her love for Arthur. She got Beth and Haywood out of Alexei’s camp and was resolute in her decision to remain with her family. Only a month later, Haywood is tired of hearing Emma dream of Arthur and their marriage is just a shell of a relationship. When her friends arrive at her home to ask her to help pregnant Jeannie and rescue Arthur from Alexei’s camp, not even Haywood’s ultimatum can keep her from going to help. This journey will bring unexpected twists and the ever-evolving mists will require new plans, but hopefully Emma’s choice to leave Haywood will bring her the fulfillment she craves.

The mists are evolving and becoming more dangerous than ever, but so are the psychic powers so many survivors possess in the After. Reading this series has been exciting and awakening. I have never asked myself so many of life’s big questions due to a book, but the AFTER TRILOGY was clearly written with that experience in mind. In FAR SHORE, we learn much more to the workings of the mists, but more questions arise as well. Arthur is not the only piece of the puzzle and as usual, the secondary characters are so important to the complexity of this story.

I couldn’t believe Haywood finally gave the ultimatum. I mean, I could believe it because it probably should’ve been done before, but that was hard to hear. There are so many awesome twists and turns in this series and FAR SHORE does not disappoint. I loved the issues surrounding Emma and Arthur’s relationship. I know that sound ridiculous, but Emma is a strong woman who can deal with a lot on her own and Arthur needs to learn that she is a partner. The loneliness Emma encounters is almost too much to even read. And maybe I’m crazy, but I have a soft spot for Alexei. The charisma of his that is spoken of so much during this trilogy becomes much clearer to Emma and I couldn’t help but like him despite all the wrong he has done.

Here’s the best news yet. IT’S NOT OVER! At the end of the FAR SHORE, I freaked out a little because I thought, “Oh no! That can’t be it, but it’s a trilogy so it must be!” I was more than a little upset so I went a little stalkerish on Ms. Slatton and searched her website and blog and finally just emailed her asking if there would be another book. Her answer was there would be a book four and maybe five! YAY!! I really want to hear about the group’s next journey and the plan to eradicate the mists forever.

THE AFTER SERIES has been an amazing rollercoaster ride for me and FAR SHORE was an excellent installment. Even if this is all I hear of Emma, Arthur and the rest of this world again, I will have been so glad I read this series; but I am ecstatic that there will be a fourth book. Traci L. Slatton has created a world that excites and makes you think deeply at every turn.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon

Read the previous books in this trilogy first!!

#REVIEW: One Lucky Night 4 STARS @Aria_Kane @ana_blaze @CPhillips @MelindaDozier

One Lucky Night by Aria Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Brazen Head Pub sounds like a fun place and with all the hotties running around, it’s not hard to figure out why!

LUCKY BREAK by Aria Kane, LUCKY STAR by Grace Teague, A NEW TUNE by Ana Blaze, LEXI’S CHANCE by Constance Phillips, and DRINK OR DARE by Melinda Dozier are fun, quick reads that will entertain. There is nothing too heavy or dark, but there are lots of laugh-out-loud moments and swoon-inducing sexiness. I loved that all the connections were a long time coming. No love at first sight stories here. The characters had some sort of history and on this night, with some luck, they will all finally see through the mishaps and find each other.

LUCKY BREAK
Aria Kane

Derek Chase is a chef at the Brazen Head Pub and when the dishwasher breaks, none other than his best friend’s little sister and the girl he walked out on four years ago comes to fix it. Andrea Rivera has never gotten over Derek or understood why he left her without a word, but it’s clear that they still have chemistry.

Understanding why Derek left Andrea is heartbreaking and sad, but their story of childhood friendship turned into love is sweet and their adult romance is hot. While at first I wanted to hate Derek, it becomes clear the last thing he ever wanted to do was leave Andrea and now he can’t let her go again.

A NEW TUNE
Ana Blaze

Hot guy who can sing, play the guitar and has the kind of cocky swagger that only comes from a man who deserves it. Yep, sign me up!

Holly Hall refuses to date musicians, especially hot ones. Cian O’Neill definitely fits the description of hot and talented, so despite that one hot kiss, she must stay clear. He’s not one to back down though and he figures with some persistence she will eventually see how good they could be together.

You know that Holly must have a good reason to deny Cian over and over. Who could say “no” to that man so many times without eventually caving? I’m pretty sure I would’ve have kicked a groupie in the teeth too. At least “accidentally” spilled a beer on one.

LEXI’S CHANCE
Constance Phillips

Lexi is always taking care of others and ignoring her personal life. She can’t help going into the Brazen Head Pub every Friday night to sit at the bar and enjoy the sexy, flirtatious bartender, Sean. Sean is tired of only being a woman’s plaything and he’s determined to finally show Lexi he’s more than a flirty playboy.

So Sean has been making anonymous donations to the homeless shelter where Lexi works. How freakin’ cute is that?! He knows how much she cares and that makes her so much more than another pretty face at the bar.

DRINK OR DARE
Melinda Dozier

Killian Whelan and Rachel Robertson are rivals in paramedic school and REALLY do not get along. Imagine Rachel’s surprise when out for her friend’s bachelorette party, she runs into Killian at the Brazen Head Pub. Of course, no bachelorette party is complete without embarrassing games and when Rachel’s friends get a look at Killian, they make this game of Truth or Dare a chance for Killian and Rachel to see each other as more than academic rivals.

This was my favorite of the stories for two reasons: 1) hot guy in a kilt and 2) sexy Truth or Dare. DRINK OR DARE was really funny and extremely sexy. Killian was really upset that he lost a bet that made him wear that kilt, but women are seriously intrigued by the kilt (or the chance of the lack of underwear underneath).

I was amazed at the authors’ ability to blend all five stories into a tale of one magical night. Each story connects an employee with a special someone and while all stories could be read separately, they are intertwined at some point at this pub and the mysterious old Irishman doling out bits of wisdom. ONE LUCKY NIGHT is insanely cute and fun with a whole lot of sexy.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

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#REVIEW: Cold Light by @tracilslatton 4 STARS

Cold Light by Traci L. Slatton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The AFTER TRILOGY is consuming me and I’m okay with that.

“I experienced a presence with me...The presence was a man. He was black-haired and gray-eyed, with a perfection and symmetry of feature that thrilled me. I had once been an artist, and even still, in this failing and obliterated world, beauty made an impression on me. Arthur’s beauty. Arthur who had loved me and hurt me in ways I couldn’t have imagined Before.”

A year and a half after Emma left Arthur for Canada to be with her husband, Haywood, and her daughters, Mandy and Beth, she finds that leaving her love did not make it disappear. Even after discovering Arthur’s terrible secret, she longs for him and endures emotional and physical pain without him. When Beth is taken by a rogue group of survivors, Emma embarks on what most people consider a suicide mission to save her. It’s during this trip through the coldest parts of Canada, that Emma also discovers that Arthur has come for her and is determined to get her back and help her find Beth. She now must find her daughter through harsh elements and other dangers while also deciding her future between Haywood and her girls or a life with Arthur.

I can’t say I would know what to do if I were in Emma’s shoes because it seems like an almost impossible decision, but I think I would choose the same. She is very consistent in her actions that prove she would do anything for her children. While this series is full of paranormal elements and science fiction in a world that doesn’t exist, the base emotions and feelings the characters experience are very much full of real life problems. It is this aspect of Traci L. Slatton’s writing that ties you into a world that isn’t real and makes you feel connected to the story and the characters. One part of the story that I felt was important was Emma’s realization that she didn’t just leave Arthur. She also left her new “family” and they are very hurt and rejected. We also learn more about Haywood and I wanted to dislike him so that her decision leans towards Arthur, but her husband is really a great guy.

Like FALLEN, COLD LIGHT is full of complex emotions and relationships and the secondary characters are very much a part of this well-written story. I really wanted to give COLD LIGHT five stars, but it was more 4.5 stars in my opinion. It felt like a bridge between the beginning and the end without much to discover or learn. The story was still amazing and full of action, but there was something missing in the story that I am really hoping to get in the third installment. I am extremely glad I am getting ready to read FAR SHORE because that ending was seriously abrupt.

One thing is for certain, I am totally enthralled with this series. I can barely stop reading long enough to write the review and I hope that there are others that feel the same way I do. Traci L. Slatton deserves kudos for this well-written and thoughtful series that encompasses so many feelings and emotions on life’s big questions while keeping a reader entertained with a post-apocalyptic life that many of us wonder could ever be a reality.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

BUY IT NOW! - Amazon