Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: While It Lasts by Paige Rion

While It Lasts (Callaway Cove #2) by Paige Rion

Release Date: January 20. 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages:
Format: Paperback
Source: Review Copy
Goodreads • Amazon - Kindle • Amazon - Paperback


A loan shark that doesn't bite?

Rachel Beaumont discovers her mother's gambling debt has put their family in danger of losing their money and social status. It's up to Rachel to do anything to maintain the lifestyle she's accustomed to—including hunting down her mother's debtor. But the green-eyed, dark-haired, hunk known as Rex Greene matches none of the stereotypes of a loan shark. Her spur-of-the-moment plan to make him fall in love with her is a dangerous roll of the dice.

FBI agent Colton McCabe arrived at Callaway Cove with one motive. Play the part of Rex Greene and gather evidence in the Beaumont racketeering case. He never anticipated the involvement of the subject's beautiful daughter, Rachel. Not only is she unexpected in every way, but she may just be the one to crack the case. Or his heart.

In this second installment of the Callaway Cove series, While It Lasts delivers a sweet romance, filled with joy, heartbreak, love, and choices.


While It Lasts follows the unlikely romance of Rachel Beaumont, a largely spoiled, directionless twenty one-year-old, and Rex Greene, the man she believes holds the power to bring her life down around her. As her mother's apparent loan shark, Rachel seeks out Rex with the intent of resolving her family's debt—by making him fall in love with her. But Rex is not who he seems. His name is really Colton McCabe, and he's spent months trying to bring Rachel's father down for racketeering. And Rachel may be his ticket to resolving the case.

The romance between Rachel and Colton is fast-moving but sweet. They find comfort and support in each other in a way they've never experienced. While much of the book really drives home their reluctant development of feelings, it wasn't unbearable in its frequency and helped to build the tension. And there was certainly no shortage of tension—the banter and chemistry between them really helped make the story believable.

Colton's position within the FBI, however, was much less believable. There were many aspects of his life that I highly doubt would work for someone who's undercover. Not to mention some of the advice with regards to Rachel from his superiors. I can only hope there exist more regulations in that regard. Basically, without giving too much away, this was a very irresponsible setup for someone who's undercover and could be at any kind of risk.

If you're looking for a short, fun escape-read While It Lasts may be right up your alley. I read it over my spring break, and it was the perfect sweet and easy book to relax with!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

While It Lasts

by Paige Rion

Giveaway ends March 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

About the Author

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She's a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut romance, Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. Since her first release, she has completed five novellas and the second installment of the Callaway Cove series, While It Lasts. She grew up in the suburbs outside of the city, and while she will always be a city girl at heart, she now but lives on a farm with her husband and children (and animals).

She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media. 

Subscribe to her newsletter for news on giveaways, new releases, and exclusive content.

Website   •   Goodreads   •   Blog   •   Facebook   •   Twitter   •   Pinterest   •   Google+

Blog Tour + Review: Blind Date Bride by Arlene Hittle

Blind Date Bride (Reality TV Bites #1) by Arlene Hittle

Release Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 274
Format: eBook
Source: Review Copy for Tour
Goodreads • Amazon • Kindle • B&N • Kobo


Nearly a decade ago, accountant Kari Parker shed 220 pounds of dead weight—her hulking, abusive college boyfriend. The last thing she wants in her life is another man—especially one as tall as a Windy City high rise. Yet when her best friend enters her in Romance TV’s “Get a Love Life” contest, another man is exactly what she gets. As much as she'd love to just say no, she can't turn down the prize money that will allow her to help her parents save the restaurant they've run all her life.

Sparks fly between Kari and her bogus groom, and as she and Damien share close quarters, intimate meals and—gulp—his bed, Kari doesn’t stand a chance of resisting his considerable charms. Even worse? She might not want to. But building a real future out of their sham marriage will be tougher than baking a wedding cake from scratch… with no flour… in a broken oven.


What happens when the day you meet your future husband is on your wedding day? Thanks to a Romance TV contest Kari's best friend Bethany nominated her for, she's about to find out. Now Kari, still burdened with the aftermath of an unhealthy relationship 9 years ago, must try to make it work with a man she just met in order to secure financial security for her parents. Perhaps easier said than done.

Blind Date Bride is the kind of romance that attempts to show every part of life and relationships--from the serious to the sad to the hilarious and embarrassing. There were moments of challenge caused by Kari's past and the Romance TV-meddling in their relationship. Moments that acknowledged the inherent awkwardness of getting to know someone. And all of that is only heightened by the fact that they got married before getting to know each other.

The relationship between Kari and Damien is full of sweetness and heat and, at first, the demons from Kari's past. When their relationship is good, it's so sweet, fun, and lovable. But my one continuing annoyance came from certain references to Kari's past. For instance, the near-constant fixation on Damien's size. I understand that this is something that would be hard for Kari, given her experience, but something about the way it was stated just rubbed me the wrong way. I can't explain it exactly, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the other aspects of their courtship.

For fans of light-hearted romance fair, this book is the perfect choice. The humor and romance are dominant throughout the story, and even when the struggles arise. And the major struggles are not overly drawn-out, so you get to enjoy the periods of happiness. So if you prefer the lighter, fluffier side of life in your books, and laughing while reading is what you you love to do, check out Blind Date Bride!

About the Author

Arlene Hittle is a Midwestern transplant who now makes her home in northern Arizona. She suffers from the well-documented Hittle family curse of being a Cubs fan but will root for the Diamondbacks until they run up against the Cubs. Longtime friends are amazed she writes books with sports in them, since she's about as coordinated as a newborn giraffe and used to say marching band required more exertion than golf.

Website   •   Twitter   •   Facebook

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Release Date: May 6, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 224
Format: eARC
Source: ARC for Tour
Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • Signed Copy


Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

Royally Lost is best described in two words: cute and fun. It's the kind of simple Young Adult contemporary that's great for a little sweet escapism. In fact, the release is perfectly timed, because it's the perfect light summer read. There's a decent splash of drama and the innocence (and sometimes frustrations) of young love. And, in the vein of The Princess Diaries or The Prince and Me, and heaping dose of the fairy tales that fill the heads of little girls.

But it's not without its faults. I've seen many reviews that were quick to point that out. There's definitely insta-love. I didn't like it, but I tend to be able to move past it unless its really bad. And this was a nuisance, but it didn't entirely ruin the story by any means. The parents in this story are ridiculous. Controlling, simultaneously aloof and overbearing. Unfortunately, the kids don't help. They're teenagers, and not in the good sense of the word. Luckily, the story is a platform for coming-of-age, so that particular aspect gets a little better. It's also highly Americanized, given that one of the main characters isn't actually American. And, of course, the story is definitely on the unrealistic side. But, you know what? That's half the fun of these kinds of stories. I enjoyed it for exactly that reason.

Even if Becca wasn't having it at the beginning, the trip provided a really fun background for the story. It transports you as you read and really does help Becca and Nikolai grow up. And part of that growing up was them together. Their relationship is an absolutely sweet summer romance, the kind we've all fantasized about at one time or another.

Of course, there is the cheese factor. There were some moments of eye-rolling and cringing, but I still managed to smile through them. They flowed right along with the innocent charm of the entire book.

If you're looking for a short and sweet read to jump-start your vacation or brighten up your weekend, give Royally Lost a shot!

Check out the other stops on the tour!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally Lost, Rock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Website   •   Twitter   •   Facebook

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Girl Lost by Nazarea Andrews

Girl Lost (Neverland Lost #1) by Nazarea Andrews

Release Date: May 1, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: A&A Literary
Format: eARC
Source: ARC for Tour
Goodreads •  Amazon • B&N


Northern was supposed to be a fresh start—a place where people didn’t know who I was or how I had spent years in and out of mental institutes. People didn't know about my parents death or the island no one heard of. But when Peter sits next to me in lit class, I can’t stop the memories, and I don’t want to. He looks too much like the boy from the island, and despite my best intentions, coaxes my secrets from me.

He’s gorgeous, irresistible, a little mad, and completely lost—we are a pair of broken cogs in a world neither of us truly fits into. He is somehow gentle and fierce, heartbreaking in his devotion and savage in his defense.

When Belle, his best friend, shows up, pale and lovely and sick, Peter pulls away from me, a startling withdrawal. It’s a relationship that scares and confuses me. She is at times warm and friendly, and other times is violent and unpredictable.

Peter says that he wants me, but refuses to let himself get close. And there are secrets, surrounding both of us, that border on nightmares. As the memories close in, as Belle gets sicker and more violent, I’m torn between what is true and what I believe, and what this magical boy knows about my mysterious past.


Gwen Barrie is trying to escape her past. At 12 years old, what was supposed to be a simple vacation with her parents ended with them dead and Gwen alone on their boat, drifting at sea for 3 weeks. When she was found, she was full of stories of an island that didn't seem to exist, where she claim to have spent months with a wild boy and his companions.

A boy she continues to see when no one else can.

Time in a mental institution and lots of therapy later, Gwen has accepted that the Boy and his island were nothing but a figment of her own delusions. She's taking control of her life: going away to college, trying to get out from under the thumb of her family and doctors.

Then she meets Peter, who just so happens to look like her boy all-grown-up. Even though she knows that, for her own fragile sanity, it would be best to stay away, Gwen can't help but to be drawn to him.

And suddenly the line between what she knows is and isn't real is getting less clear...

The Peter Pan story line in Girl Lost is immediately apparent. With that said, trying to figure out just how the old story meshes with this new take was a lot of fun. Gwen certainly poses an interesting question about just what happens when you leave Neverland—her struggle with what she sees as her own insanity makes her narrative all the more complex. Navigating through life with the near-suffocation of her well-meaning family coupled with her own self doubt makes it easy to feel as Gwen does—overwhelmed and more than a little lost.

Cue Peter, who serves to only throw her further off. He's certainly not the typical book boy character—Gwen hold's no illusions about his stability and sanity, but she can't help but feel connected to him. As a result, they're more than a little codependent (understatement). And it just makes you want to figure out Peter's origins all the more.

Overall, the story a good flow and kept me interested up until the (abrupt) end. With how sudden the ending is, I feel like there has to be another book after, but I haven't seen anything either way. Regardless, if you're a fun of classic fairy tale re-vamps (especially with a more adult twist), Girl Lost is just what you're looking for!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Nazarea Andrews is agented, and all inquiries about rights should be directed to Michelle Johsnon of Inklings Literary.

Website   •   Blog   •   Twitter   •   Facebook   •   Goodreads   •   Amazon

Blog Tour + Review: Damned If You Don't by Linda J. Parisi

Damned If You Don't by Linda J. Parisi

Release Date: March 18, 2014
Genre: Adult, Romance, Thriller
Publisher: Loose ID
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour
Goodreads • Amazon


Andrew Jackson “Jack” Kent’s on the hunt for white collar criminals, and as a private investigator he always gets his man. Except in this case it’s a woman, the brilliant cellular kineticist Dr. Morgan Mackenzie, whose next thrilling discovery is—him.

On the run from her employers with the formula for a priceless but deadly diet drug, Morgan agrees to a night of pleasure with the outrageously sexy stranger. But when she leaves the next morning, Jack won’t let her get far, and that’s when she realizes horrible truth. Her cowboy on a white horse isn't a hero after all. He’s part of the posse.

Yet when Jack goes to turn Morgan in, he learns who the real criminals are, and suddenly, it’s a race against time to find a murderer before they’re killed themselves. To do that Jack needs to convince Morgan he’s on her side. Even though she doesn't trust him, Jack is a drug she can’t resist, leading her to find out that more often than not you're Damned If You Don't fall in love.


So a cellular kineticist and an Army Ranger walk into a room... Sorry, it just sounded like a good set up and I couldn't resist!

Do you like science?
Do you like romance?
Do you like thrillers?
Do you like sexy ex-Army Rangers?

If yes, Damned If You Don't is the book for you!

When I was contacted to review this book, first, I was flattered, and then I was pretty excited. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a mystery/thriller. Pair that with a steamy romance, and I was in book reviewing heaven!

I have to say, I really enjoyed the story of Morgan and Jack. They have obvious chemistry from the first chapter, and their passion burns like a supernova. While they move a little fast paced for my liking, they certainly keep things interesting on their journey to find the person responsible for using Dr. MacKenzie's research to kill people!

Discovering that her research for a new diet drug was being tested unethically on people, resulting in their deaths by acute malnutrition, Morgan steals her research and goes on the run. Unbeknownst to her, Jack is hired to track her down and bring her back, but his attraction to her quickly spirals out of control and he finds himself helping her rather than hunting her! As they come closer to finding the killer, they have to decide if they trust each other and what the next step will be for them.

Wouldn't it be awesome if there were a diet drug that kicks your metabolism into overdrive when you're getting ready for the dreaded swimsuit season? Yeah... not so much if it can't be stopped and causes some form of starvation/desiccation. No thank you! I'll stick to my celery and treadmill! This just sounds like a diet regiment nightmare...and also reminds me of a recent "Supernatural" episode. The one where Sam looks like this:

I'll just let you admire this wonderful specimen....

Focus, Izzy! Back to the book! The plot was pretty intriguing and I spent the better part of it trying to figure out which character was the potential serial killer. I was way off, which is a rarity for me. Wow. That sounded super conceited...but it's true. I pride myself on being able to see the end game by the first third of a book.

The antagonist was definitely not what/who I expected, and I still don't quite know how I feel about them. They were certainly an interesting character, I just don't know how they managed to get away with their behavior for so long.

As for the main couple, they are the epitome of opposites attract. Morgan is brainy and reserved, while Jack is brawny and boisterous. Yep, that's right, it's the classic geek gets the jock, and I love it! I probably identify too much, but I can't help it! I get super excited when the nerd wins out; it gives me hope for humanity! Was that a hyperbole? Possibly, I'm not really sure...

But anyway, given their differences, Morgan and Jack are definitely put on equal footing—Jack depends on Morgan as much as she does him—which is always nice. They have a great give and take relationship ;) that I wholeheartedly approve of. Long story short: I like this couple, I just wish they would carry Lysol wipes around with them. They have an affinity for having sex in public places, which, I mean, good for them, but let's keep it sanitary for the rest of society!

My only major hang-up about the book is that you are introduced to Jack and Morgan a day after they meet. It's such a nit-picky thing that I feel weird for being bothered by it so much, but I just feel like the plot would have run smoother if it had started a day earlier. I mean, everything is answered at some point in the story, but for a while there are references to things that happened before the novel started and it felt a little strained. But that's just my personal preference.

Anyway, if you are looking for a hot romance, I'd definitely recommend Damned If You Don't! It'll definitely keep you entertained.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Let multi-published author Linda J. Parisi take you through the darker, spicier side of Romance with her Paranormal, Paranormal Romantic Suspense, and Romantic Suspense tales. Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writer’s Golden Leaf Award for Best First Book for her novel, Noble Blood, and winner of the 4th Annual Stroke of Midnight Contest for her novel, The Joining: Bound by Blood, Linda is a long-time member of the RWA and the current secretary of Liberty States Fiction Writers. Linda has seen the publishing industry turn upside down yet stay the same because everyone loves a well-written Romance. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, John, and a family which includes Audi, a Cocker Spaniel mix who had her at woof!

Blog Tour + Review: Bad Girlfriend by Kirsten DeMuzio

Bad Girlfriend (First and Last #4) by Kirsten DeMuzio

Release Date: March 18, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 220
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour
Goodreads • Amazon • Smashwords


Brooke Mills has only ever wanted to be loved. The product of a teenage pregnancy and raised by her grandmother, Brooke went looking for love in all the wrong places. She has been the other woman or someone’s dirty little secret more times than she cares to admit. When Brooke’s questionable judgment lands her in the bed of her new neighbor, it’s the wakeup call she needs to change her ways. With the help of her friends, Brooke is determined to find a nice guy.

Adam Branigan is the new principal of the elementary school. Despite the way he and Brooke met, Adam knows there’s more to the beautiful redhead than meets the eye. He wants to be the guy to show Brooke that she deserves more than late night booty calls. But will outside pressures and past relationships conspire to tear them apart?

**This book is intended for a mature audience, age 18 and older, due to language and explicit content.


Bad Girlfriend follows Brooke, Poppy's best friend from Fourth Down, and Adam, the new elementary school principal and Brooke's grandmother's new tenant. Brooke has struggled with relationships in the past (as we got a glimpse of in Fourth Down) and has let herself get into many an unfortunate situation. An unintended one night stand with Adam serves as the catalyst for her attempts to change—to be more careful, considerate, and aware of what she deserves from a relationship. Adam himself feels up to that task and sets out to woo Brooke like he believes she deserves. To show her that she really is worth the effort.

I had an interesting relationship with Brooke's character—I didn't always love her choices (understatement) but I understood a lot of them. She's never had a solid relationship to look up to, and that has very obviously leached into her quest for one. She's so driven by her search for love that she doesn't really stop to consider where she's looking for it. But that really is all she wants—for someone to love and maybe take care of her a little.

Cue Adam, who reinforces that nerdy boys are the best. From the beginning he sees Brooke as out of his league (which is silly, but whatever), so he's determined to show her exactly what she should be expecting from her romantic endeavors. He's sweet, charming, a little awkward in the most endearing way. Adam is the kind of guy we all want—supportive, in it for the long haul, but still passionate and sexy.

The only reason this book wasn't at least 4 stars was the way others treated Brooke. Has she made some questionable decisions in her past relationships? Yes. Did she always act in a way that garnered respect? No. But this girl has the unofficial label of town harlot for sleeping with six guys. That just does not seem like that many for a 23 year-old in the grand scheme of things. It really got put in perspective when Lindsay (Just One Reason), who is now friends with Brooke through Poppy (everybody's meeting up!) and also happens to be the only character from out-of-town until Adam, has only slept with one less guy and gets no crap for it. So despite Brooke's flawed decision-making, it felt ridiculously unfair and made me a little angry at the town in general, and my rating suffered a little as a result.

Despite that one major sticking point, I really enjoyed Bad Girlfriend. It's a sweet, considerate romance, but not without a healthy dose of geeky-sexy. And I can totally get behind that! If you're a fan of NA contemporary and like your boys a little nerdy, be sure to check this one out!

Check out the other stops on the tour!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

I am an author of new adult and contemporary romance novels. My husband and I live in Columbus, Ohio with our two young daughters and happy golden retriever. When I’m not spending time with my family, I can be found doing one of my other favorite activities—writing, reading and napping.

Blog   •   Goodreads   •   Facebook   •   Pinterest