LB Book Blog: June 2020

New Release + Review: Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner

Thursday, June 25, 2020

"This is a return to the Kandi Steiner of 2016 who brought us Weightless and A Love Letter to Whiskey. Prepare for the burn." -- Author Sarah E. Green

Make Me Hate You, an angsty, emotional stand-alone romance from bestselling author, Kandi Steiner,is LIVE!

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me.

Make Me Hate You is a best friend's brother romance that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Order today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XLic4v Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MakeMeHateYouKS

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Xo2Gg1

My Review:

Speechless! I feel like I don’t have the words to describe this book! That’s why it’s taken me so long to form my review, and still I feel like I can’t do this book justice.

Make Me Hate You is a book of second chances, lost love and friendship. Jasmine was so easy to love. Her best friends are brother and sister Tyler and Morgan. Dubbed the Wagner kids plus one they did everything together. One night changes all of that, changes Jasmines plans and their friendship.

Now that Jasmine has to come face to face with Tyler all those years after her heart broke, she worried but holds on to that anger and heartbreak. The story is told entirely from her perspective and Kandi gives her such a powerful voice. Kandi continues to be the queen of angst and heartbreak, delivering another book that wi shatter your heart and you just wont know if she’ll be able to put it back together again.

This book is being added to my favorite books by Kandi pile. I enjoyed the story and friendship, the love and family that surrounded Jasmine. And Tyler was lovable right from the start. While you have your moments of wanting to knock some sense into him, he really is an amazing guy.

Excerpt:

Seven miles and an hour later, and all the anxiety I’d felt the night before was completely gone.

At least, until I rounded the foyer into the kitchen and saw I wasn’t the only one up early on Sunday morning.

Tyler sat at the kitchen island, still in his navy blue sweat pants and simple white t-shirt, with one foot planted on the ground and the other hooked casually on the lower bar of his stool. His hair was an absolute disaster, the boyish waves sticking up this way and that. He had both hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea, his eyes focused on the iPad he had propped up in front of him, and BlueTooth headphones in his ears.

At first, he didn’t notice me, and I slowed my steps, standing silently at the entry of the kitchen and watching him. I’d done everything I could last night to avoid his gaze, to not look at him, and now that I had a stolen moment to observe, I found my chest tightening again, my mouth dry and sticky.

His brown eyes were hidden beneath bent brows, expression serious as he watched whatever was on the screen. Small lines creased the edges of his eyes — lines that weren’t there when we were kids. He’d grown into a man somehow, overnight, it seemed. Then again, it had been years.

I’d seen him on social media, watched from afar as his YouTube channel took off. I’d seen pictures of him on Instagram — traveling through Europe, hiking in Australia, swimming in hot pools in Iceland. I didn’t follow him, of course, but his profile was public, which allowed me to flip through picture after picture on the nights when I was a pathetic mess.

But, pictures and videos didn’t do justice to the actual man who sat studiously at that kitchen island.

He was something between the boy I used to love and the man I’d never know, familiar and unreachable all at once.

Tyler shook his head at something, letting out a frustrated sigh and kicking back the bar stool a little before taking a sip of his tea. His eyes flicked to me then, back to the screen, and then, he did a double take, this time fixing his gaze on me and leaving it there.

Something changed in his eyes when he looked at me, like a shadow passed over them and held him captive. I was dressed in jogger shorts and a modest tank top, but from the way he watched me, I might as well have been completely naked.

That’s what his gaze did to me, what it always had done.

It stripped me bare.

About Kandi:

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional roller-coaster” 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 it 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 die-hard 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 Twitter: twitter.com/kandisteiner 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

New Release + Review: Secrets of the World's Worst Matchmaker by Piper Rayne

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Release Date: June 23

Imagine you’re a matchmaker and you realize too late you’re in love with your childhood best friend. You only have yourself to blame—you’re the one who matched him and now he’s engaged to be married. When you find yourself in this position there’s a few secrets you’re going to need to keep…

Secret #1 – Smile when he tells you the happy news, even if your heart cracks in half.

Secret #2 – Don’t compare yourself to his beautiful French fiancée. You’re just as beautiful.

Secret #3 – Don’t tag along to the tux fitting with him alone. Just no.

Secret #4 - Don’t help him learn to dance to his wedding song.

Secret #5 – Erase all memories of the two of you through the years when lines blurred for even the briefest of moments.

And the one you never saw coming…

Secret #6 –Definitely, don’t stand and object—someone else might just do it for you.

My Review:

I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this book! Colton and Juno were my most anticipated couple. This was a friends to lovers story that was written perfectly. I loved that while we get to see Juno come to her senses and want to really be with Colton, we also got the flashbacks to certain parts of their past and the foundation of their friendship.

Their story is one of my favorites in the Bailey Saga. Colton is the super sexy, animal lover sweetheart that we would all love to be with. Juno is still a little nutty, kind of reminds me to G’ma Dori. The only Bailey with red hair, she always wondered why she was different. Watching Juno and Coltons love grow from young teens to today is so heartwarming. These two are perfect soulmates and balance each other out wonderfully.

Piper Rayne knocked it out of the park with this one, although I’m dying to get my hands on the next two books. They left this one with oh so many questions and a HUGE OMG moment.

Make sure you get the extra special bonus scenes after you read. They are super touching!

Meet Piper Rayne
Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we're not one author, we're two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline).

A little about us.... We both have kindle's full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

Connect with Piper Rayne:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub | Goodreads

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Blog Tour: Tempting Tim by Melissa Ellen

Friday, June 19, 2020

Tempting Tim by Melissa Ellen is now live!!

I never wanted the limelight. The only thing I wanted was Conley Logan.

When words failed to express my feelings for Conley, I relied on music instead. But our love song ended before it even began, when I hadn’t told her how I’d truly felt. As a result of it, I watched Conley leave hand-in-hand with my bandmate instead of me.

Not wanting the fight that would break up the band, I made a choice. I lived with it every day, knowing it was nobody’s fault but my own. I’ve moved on. I’m content with my small town life of running a bar. But now Conley is back, forcing me to face the music.

From the way I’m tempted to make her mine still, it's as if nothing has changed - but until she tells me why she's back, I'm not sure I can trust what’s growing between us.

The only thing that has changed: I’m not letting her get away this time without a fight.

Pre-order today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yEG4Oq

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TemptingTimME

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/temptingtimapple

Kobo: https://bit.ly/temptingtimkobo

Nook: https://bit.ly/temptingtimnook

Google Play: https://bit.ly/temptingtimgp

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/TemptingTim

My Review:

Tempting Tim is the first book I’ve read by Melissa Ellen. I loved her writing. The story was so good. Former best friends that lost touch. Of course there are more circumstances around that.

These two were best friends from high school. Tim harbored the biggest crush on Conley. But they never so much as hooked up. Now many years later, she’s back in their small Texas town of Billingsley.

From Tim’s cold shoulder to her ex still bothering her, Conley was having a rough start when she moved back home. She quickly became reacquainted with people from high school, of courses these are also Tim’s friends.

Conley and Tim May not have had the easiest of starts but they sure make a cute couple. Those feels from the past always have a way of breaking through. I love small town romances and this one was so good!!

About Melissa Ellen:

I'm an indie author that focuses on contemporary romance with a little bit of everything: humor, angst and sometimes suspense. I went from designing buildings to crafting stories.

I grew up as a bookworm, reading anything and everything and still try to read at least a book a week. I've always had an active imagination. Luckily, I now have time to put it to excellent use into stories that are constantly swarming around in my head.

When I'm not writing, you can find me relaxing on my porch with my husband and son or tackling my latest DIY project.

Connect with Melissa:

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-ellen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaellenwrites/

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ws0wvI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormelissaellen/

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2LnIEg5

Newsletter: https://www.melissaellenwrites.com/vip-readers

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1170356566409491/

Website: https://www.melissaellenwrites.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormelissael

Blog Tour: The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker

Thursday, June 18, 2020

From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new second-chance, hate-to-love romance.

The Player Next Door by, USA Today bestselling author, K.A. Tucker, is now live!

Scarlet Reed has returned to Polson Falls, convinced that twelve years away is long enough to shed her humiliating childhood identity as the town harlot's daughter. With a teaching job secured and an adorable fixer-upper to call home, things in her life are finally looking up.

That is, until she finds out that Shane Beckett lives next door.

Shane Beckett, the handsome and charismatic high school star quarterback who smashed her heart. The lying, cheating player who was supposed to be long gone, living the pro football dream and fooling women into thinking he's Prince Charming. Shane Beckett, who is as attractive as ever and flashing his dimples at her as if he has done no wrong.

Scarlet makes it abundantly clear that old wounds have not been forgotten. Neighbors they may be, but friends they most certainly are not. She won't allow herself to fall for the single father and firefighter again, no matter how many apologies he offers, how many times he rushes to her aid, or how hard he makes her heart pound.

But as she spends more time with him, she begins to fear that maybe she's wrong. Maybe Shane has changed.

And maybe this time she's the one playing herself—out of a chance at true happiness.

Download today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B2QTuD
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ThePlayerNextDoorKAT
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2YJOXRC

My Review:

I love K.A. Tucker books!! They always leave me wanting more. The Player Next Door is definitely one of my favorites by her. Second chance romances are my favorite, throw in a sexy single dad, and I’m in love!!

Scarlett and Shane had an incredible summer together right Before their senior year of high school. His was the star quarterback, super Hot and totally into nerdy Scarlett. As we find out, they were pretty hot and heavy but one day Shane breaks up with her only to be seen making out with the mean girl that tormented her.

Now it’s 13 years later and when Scarlett moves back to town she can’t believe it’s next to Shane. He’s more gorgeous now than he was then. I’m so glad Scarlett makes him work for the chance to be friends again after he broke her heart. But these two are just as hot and heavy now as they were then. The chemistry is off the charts. Shane also now has an 11year old son with the mean girl from high school.

I loved this story so much. Shane grown up since high school. They both have. I’m glad Scarlett did move past that, since they were only teenagers. Now Penelope, Shane’s ex is something else. She definitely deserved the title as Red Devil. Trying to stir up trouble as always.

Loved this story and all the characters. Especially Scarlett’s BFF. I totally want to see what was in store her next.

Excerpt:

I sigh as I sip the last of my cold, burnt gas station coffee. This is a fresh start, even in an old world full of familiar faces. Besides, it’s been more than a decade since I last roamed the halls of any school here. Those painful years and cruel people are far behind me.
The peaceful midday calm is disrupted by the chug of a garage door crawling open, followed by the deep rumble of a car engine starting. A long, red vintage muscle car backs out of the garage next door and eases into the open space beside a blue Ford pickup. I can’t tell what kind of car it is, but it’s old and in pristine shape, the bright coat of paint glistening in the August sun.
I never asked Iris about the neighbors. The two times I’ve been here—once during the open house and once after I’d signed the paperwork for the offer—nobody was home on either side. Both properties look well maintained, though. The bungalow with the muscle car has new windows and a freshly built porch off the front. There isn’t much in the way of gardens—some shrubs and trees—but the lawn is manicured.
I watch curiously as the driver’s side door pops open and a tall man with wavy, chestnut-brown hair steps out, his back to me as he fusses with his windshield wiper. Coffee pools in my mouth as I stall on my swallow, too busy appreciating the way his black T-shirt clings to his body, showing off broad, sculpted shoulders, muscular arms, and a tapered waist. He’s wearing his dark-wash jeans perfectly—not so baggy that they hang unflatteringly off his ass, but not so tight that cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed hat come to mind.
Damn.
I hold my breath in anticipation, hoping my neighbor will show me a beautiful face to match that fitness-model body. What a stroke of luck that would be, to live next to a gorgeous man. A single, gorgeous man, I pray.
Finally, my silent pleading is answered as he turns and his gaze drifts my way.
I struggle not to spew coffee from my mouth as my keen interest turns to horror.
Oh my God.
Someone, please tell me this is a mistake.
Please tell me I’m not living next door to Shane Fucking Beckett.

About K.A. Tucker:

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the USA Today bestselling author of 17 books, including the Causal Enchantment, Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, and The Simple Wild. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, First for Women, and Publisher's Weekly. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. Her novels have been translated into 16 languages.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her family.

Connect with K.A. Tucker:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2MYEDhK
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2MZEk6A
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FqzR8K
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QPwJZs
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/36Ga0W8
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2MXBLSf
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2rZkYXP
Website: https://www.katuckerbooks.com/

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Cover Reveal: Flirtasaurus by Erin Mallon

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

My name is Calliope and "I bone for a living."

Kidding.

Flirtasaurus, an all-new workplace romantic comedy from debut author Erin Mallon is releasing July 15th, and we have the irresistible cover!

My name is Calliope and "I bone for a living." Kidding. I am studying to be a paleontologist though. It's the only thing I've ever wanted to be, and I have finally landed the perfect museum internship to make all of my dino-loving dreams come true.

Trouble is, everyone wants me to be a gentle, loving sort of creature, but I'm more of the T-Rex type by nature - the kind who is determined to stomp and tear her way through any obstacle in order to get what she wants.

But when a sexy, rumbly-voiced astronomer plummets into my orbit and threatens to break open my hard little heart, my career and my whole way of looking at the world is suddenly on the line.

The dinosaurs didn't see their asteroid coming.

And I sure as hell wasn't prepared for mine.

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zuFJhP

Apple Books: https://apple.co/37r42d7

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/flirtasaurus

Nook: https://bit.ly/2B1Bn2a

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2MWXGso

Add FLIRTASAURUS to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Ax0f1T

Cover Designer: Qamber Designs

Meet Erin Erin Mallon's debut romantic comedy novel, Flirtasaurus, releases in July 2020. She is an award-winning narrator of over 450 books and an accomplished playwright and producer in New York City. She has written over 40 plays, which have been produced Off-Broadway and all over the country, including These Walls Can Talk, a raucous theatrical love letter to the romance audiobook community. She lives in a little yellow house on the outskirts of NYC with her husband and Three J's.

Connect with Erin

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2XKvu2t

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3f0xYPY

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3eYTzrP

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2UkbMZ6

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2Ab8Abo

Stay up-to-date with Erin, sign up for her mailing list:

http://eepurl.com/b_Ym75

Website: https://bit.ly/37akDBZ

New Release: Tempting Tim by Melissa Ellen

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tempting Tim by Melissa Ellen is now live!!

I never wanted the limelight. The only thing I wanted was Conley Logan.

From the way I’m tempted to make her mine still, it's as if nothing has changed - but until she tells me why she's back, I'm not sure I can trust what’s growing between us.

The only thing that has changed: I’m not letting her get away this time without a fight.

Pre-order today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yEG4Oq

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TemptingTimME

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/temptingtimapple

Kobo: https://bit.ly/temptingtimkobo

Nook: https://bit.ly/temptingtimnook

Google Play: https://bit.ly/temptingtimgp

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/TemptingTim

About Melissa Ellen:

I'm an indie author that focuses on contemporary romance with a little bit of everything: humor, angst and sometimes suspense. I went from designing buildings to crafting stories.

When I'm not writing, you can find me relaxing on my porch with my husband and son or tackling my latest DIY project.

Connect with Melissa:

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-ellen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaellenwrites/

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ws0wvI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormelissaellen/

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2LnIEg5

Newsletter: https://www.melissaellenwrites.com/vip-readers

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1170356566409491/

Website: https://www.melissaellenwrites.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormelissael

Release Blitz: The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new second-chance, hate-to-love romance.

The Player Next Door by, USA Today bestselling author, K.A. Tucker, is now live!

That is, until she finds out that Shane Beckett lives next door.

But as she spends more time with him, she begins to fear that maybe she's wrong. Maybe Shane has changed.

And maybe this time she's the one playing herself—out of a chance at true happiness.

Download today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B2QTuD
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ThePlayerNextDoorKAT
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2YJOXRC

About K.A. Tucker:

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her family.

Connect with K.A. Tucker:

New Release + Review: Faked by Karla Sorensen

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Title: Faked

Author: Karla Sorensen

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: June 16, 2020

Every action has a consequence, and Claire Ward knows it. And yet, even knowing that her decision to swap places with her identical twin sister, Lia, for a night could be disastrous, she still does it.

Why?

Because it will give her an evening with the man she’s been crushing on for years, Lia’s best friend, Finn.

Miss Straight A Student has thought through all the angles, and knows the risk is worth it. And everything would have been fine, if Finn had been the one to show up at her door.

But it wasn’t.

Bauer Davis— Finn’s half brother and his exact opposite in just about every definable category is the one waiting for her instead. A professional snowboarder, Bauer is covered in ink, full of attitude, and has a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Olympus. The kind of bad boy that Claire has never been attracted to before.

Now the good girl is with the wrong brother for a night, and when the consequence is that they have to pretend to be together for an event, it’s nothing she could have predicted. But maybe, just maybe, what makes Bauer so bad, is exactly what Claire needs.

My Review:

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has felt in a bit of a reading slump. I’m still reading and enjoying books, but it has been taking me longer to finish a book than normal. My attention span just wasn’t there. This book just shot me out of that funky reading phase.

I was so in love with this book, I read it in one sitting. I literally could not put it down. Bauer and Claire are the ultimate opposites attract couple. Bauer is everyone I’d want in a bad boy. He’s a hot, sexy snowboarder with this attitude that shows he doesn’t care, but underneath he’s just a sweet soul and a bit lonely when it comes to family. He just captured my heart in so many ways.

Claire is the shy, sweet reserved twin. Secretly harboring a crush on her twin’s BFF. The shock she received when she got his half brother Bauer was obviously. But these two just fit so well together. Their attraction was evident from that first meeting.

Faked gave me all the feels! The story was sweet and sexy. It’s a must read for sure. The Ward family is the most loyalty and loving family. I’m like was so happy to get my Logan and Paige fix.

I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for these sisters.

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job. I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever.