Monday, April 30, 2018

RELEASE DAY: Clinched by Nikki Ash

Title: Clinched: A Single Dad Romance
Author: Nikki Ash
Genre: Contemporary/Single Dad Romance
Release Date: April 28, 2018



Charlie is everything I want and didn’t realize I need. It’s clear to me now that the woman I met at the club is only one layer of the woman I’m falling for. I’m a fixer by nature but for the first time I wouldn't fix a thing. I want her just the way she is. Broken pieces and all. Who needs the fairy tale when we can have the reality. 


Tristan is everything I want, yet don't deserve. He’s loving, protective, smart, an amazing father, and he’s on to me. That's why I need to speed this story up and tell him everything, so we can flip to the end of the book, and him and his daughter can move on to the next story. One where they get a happily ever after. Because there’s no story I’m a part of that ends in any way but tragedy. 






I’m gonna be honest, I have a thing for covers. For the most part these manly ab covers do nothing for me. But… Clinched is amazingly hot! I’m not sure if it’s the man… or the colors… or both, but, I love it and I’m not ashamed as someone who rolls her eyes all the time at these types of covers… this one made me want to read this book! I so wanted to read this just based on the cover and the blurb! Touché, abs, touché! 

Not only did Nikki Ash give us a killer cover (book 1 Tapping Out was insanely hot too) but she rocks the story! I could not put this down! I devoured the words and might have snuck a bit of reading when I wasn’t suppose to… that’s a good book! The characters are just so amazing! Tristan was one of a kind and I feel for him. I love how Ms. Ash gave us a fairly normal situation with a drug addiction background but spun it a bit… at least for me. I don’t see women walking away as much as men… they could I guess I’m just used to hearing the opposite. Tristan was a total dream and I wanted him to have those 2.5 children with the white picket fence, you know?

Anyway, I don’t want to talk about the storyline. Just know that Nikki Ash killed this story! She gave Tristan a life he deserved! Ms. Ash creates a story where you’re yelling at the characters to do what you want them to do. You feel for them… they have become your friends! 

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.








“Holy Hell! Oh. My. God!
I don't even know where to begin with this book!
To say I loved it is a HUGE understatement.” - Justlovemybooks.com blog


“I could not put this book down!! I read every chance I got.” - Shannon

“Oh my gosh what a story I simply fell in love with Tristan and Charlie .....” - Heather Dee


CHECK OUT THE GIVEAWAY OVER ON FACEBOOK







Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book. 

Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn

While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!





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RELEASE DAY: I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

IDareYou-SBPRBANNER-RBWall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills brings you a brand-new heartfelt, sexy contemporary romance with I DARE YOU is LIVE!

I-Dare-You-Final-Goodreads

Bad Ass Athlete: I dare you to…
Delaney Shaw: Who is this?

The late night text is random, but "Bad Ass Athlete" sure seems to know who she is…

Delaney Shaw.
Good girl.
Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars.
Curious.

His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is.

She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?

One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.

Maverick Monroe.
Bad boy.
The most talented football player in the country.
Just ask him.

Too bad for him Delaney's sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.

But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders.

After the semester ends, will the bad boy land the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep from each other separate them forever?

Download Today or Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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IDY-AN

About Ilsa


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Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She's best known for her angsty, heartfelt new adult college romances.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice; Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's also addicted to frothy coffee beverages, Vampire Dairies, and any kind of book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females.

Join her Unicorn Girls FB group for special excerpts, prizes, and snarky fun!

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Sunday, April 29, 2018

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Man's Ruin by Nicola R. White


Author: Nicola R. White

Narrator: Carol Ayon

Length: 7 hours 25 minutes

Series: Original Sin, Book 1

Publisher: Strange Roads Press

Released: Oct. 31, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense



Magdalene is a mob-connected madam. Tommy Flynn is the hitman who loves her. And when they're framed for the murder of a rival crime boss's favorite son, Magdalene fears the sins of her past have come back to haunt her.

After spending half a lifetime in a seamy underworld where love is for sale and men worship at the altar of sex and greed, claiming sanctuary in a cathedral is the last thing she wants to do - and the only chance she has to find out who set her up. With all clues pointing to Magdalene's ex-lover, a working girl called Lola, the legendary madam is reluctant to trust Tommy, a smooth-talking hired gun, and risk being burned again.

But as time grows short and secrets are revealed, Magdalene will have to look into the dark places inside herself if she is to catch a killer and survive with body and soul intact. In the corrupt city of Crawley, Massachusetts, passion, crime, and religion collide in this steamy, neo-noir romantic thriller.






Nicola R. White comes from a small city on the east coast of Canada where ghost stories and superstitions abound. Although she is a lawyer by profession, her passion is reading and writing fiction. In 2016, Nicola's debut novel, Fury's Kiss, won the $10,000 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in Romance. She is currently producing her first graphic novel.

Nicola is a member of Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada. She is a frequent guest and speaker at literary events such as Word on the Street and Hal-Con, the largest sci fi/fantasy convention east of Montreal.

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Narrator Bio

I may not be your typical audiobook narrator, but then again maybe I am. I have a passion for acting and received my undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts. I went on to pursue a graduate degree in Elementary Education and found that my favorite part of the day was during Read Aloud time. It was during that time that I could bring stories to life for my students and help them get caught up in a story. I loved to hear them say, "Keep going!" when it was time to stop. I continue to act in local stage productions but hope to begin a long career in audio book narration.

Q&A with Author Nicola R. White

  • Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing? 
    • Definitely! When I write, I try to keep in mind how the story would work in audio or adapted for film or television. Since I write plot-driven stories (as opposed to character-driven), that approach helps me keep the action moving. If a scene would be boring when read or acted out by a narrator or actor, it’s probably boring to read, too!
  • Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you? 
    • I love listening to audiobooks while I drive, whether I’m going a short distance or on a road trip. Listening to a good book helps pass the time and actually makes me look forward to getting in the car, even though I usually hate commuting or driving long distances. If the book has really drawn me in, sometimes I’m sorry when I reach my destination!
  • Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format? 
    • Carol’s (the narrator) performance is spot-on, especially the way she voices the heroine, Magdalene. I was amazed when I heard how closely her version of the character matched the vision I had when I was writing Man’s Ruin.
  • If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
    • When I’m writing a book, I actually choose actors to play the characters and refer to photos for reference and inspiration. For Magdalene, I would cast Charisma Carpenter (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel). For Tommy, I would cast a young Val Kilmer (assuming time travel is an option).
  • What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
    • I can’t believe people still feel this way. Audiobooks have been around forever! Firstly, I would remind people that not everyone has the ability to “read” in the same way. Secondly, I would ask them if watching a movie adaptation or reading an ebook is also cheating.
  • In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
    • I prefer writing series because I always want to know what happens next. I don’t tend to be a heavy plotter, so writing the books is the only way I’ll find out! As a reader, I also prefer series because when I find something I like, I can’t get enough of it. As a writer, the downside of writing a series (for me, at least) is that I work on so many different projects at any given time, my release schedule isn’t as consistent as I’d like it to be. I sometimes feel guilty for writing a couple series at once when I know fans are waiting for the next book in one series or another. That being said, I am committed to finishing any series I start, so readers don’t have to worry that they won’t get to find out how it ends.
  • What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors? 
    • Never give up.
    • Consider self-publishing.
    • If you do self-publish, hire a good editor and cover designer.
    • Learn about the business side of being an author. I’ve seen too many authors and artists sign awful contracts.
  • What’s next for you? 
    • Right now, I’m working on the sequel to Man’s Ruin as well as the next book in my paranormal romance series, the New England Furies. I am also currently producing a comic book based on the Irish folktale of Eliza Day and I am writing my first game for Choice of Games, a company that produces text-based, multiple-choice games.

I love mafia stories… the danger and added suspense that it adds to a book just always pulls me in and captivates me. It’s was incredibly past-paced and a bit dark. I really liked madam of a brothel and a hitman hitting it off! They are set up and are now on the run together and are trying to find out who set them up. I loved the mystery and suspense in this book as they explore seedy areas and go on some serious adventures with tons of action, prostitution, crimes, power and politics. I mean, this book was a fast, flurry of activity!

Carol Ayon was a new narrator for me. I enjoyed most of the characters she portrayed. My problem was with her Spanish accent/voice. It just didn’t ring true and bugged me a bit in some areas. Thankfully the other areas were fine even the other accents. She pulled of the Boston accent just fine. I get that she tried to cover the ranges of ethnicity of the characters but she should avoid the Spanish accents in the future unless she gets some coaching or something. It takes away a bit.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nicola R. White. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.




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Saturday, April 28, 2018

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Little Gray Dress by Aimee Brown


  • AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
  • Little Gray Dress by Aimee Brown

Title: Little Gray Dress 
Author: Aimee Brown 
Genre: Romantic Comedy 

Narrated by: Stephanie Einstein
Length: 7 hours and 21 minutes
Publisher: Crooked Cat Books 

Audio Publisher: Audible Studios
Released: 12/05/17

Blurb: 

Emi Harrison has avoided her ex-fiance, Jack Cabot, for nearly two years. Her twin brother Evan’s wedding is about to end that streak.
From bad bridesmaid’s dresses, a hyperactive sister-in-law, a mean girl with even meaner secrets, and too much to drink, nothing seems to go right for Emi, except when she’s wearing her little gray dress.
When she speed-walks into Liam Jaxon’s bar, things get more complicated. He’s gorgeous, southern, and has no past with Emi. He may be exactly what she needs to prove for the last time that she doesn’t need or want Jack!
Her favorite little gray dress has made an appearance at nearly every major event in Emi’s adult life. Will it make another grand appearance when she least expects it?

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PURCHASE THE BOOK/AUDIO 

AmazonUSeBook – $2.99 | print – $9.99

AmazonUKeBook – £1.99| print – £6.99

Barnes & Nobleprint – $9.99

AmazonUS: AUDIO – $19.95/$13.97/1 Audible Credit

AmazonUK: AUDIO – 16.44


Audible: non/member – $19.95 | member - $13.96


I’m always so tickled when I find a new to me author. Finding out that Little Gray Dress was Aimee Brown’s debut book as well, was completely perfect for me! I love watching author’s grow over time and seeing their work develop. I was bummed that she hasn’t released another one since but now I get to follow along with her… which is my plan!


The Little Gray Dress is what I think of as a beach read. It was a quick and light listen. The writing was so fresh and really pull you in. I really enjoyed that this wasn’t romance surrounding intimate scenes. This was a lovely look at the romance in relationships without all the physical side overtaking it. I enjoyed the flashback style of Ms. Brown’s writing.

The narrator, Stephanie Einstein really added a beautiful voice and heart to Little Gray Dress.  I was so pleased with how well Ms. Einstein captured the personalities. I loved the way she really created the people, how they came to life in her hands. Such a fun and light listen this was!

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aimee Brown
Aimee Brown is a writer and avid reader, often blogging her thoughts on chick lit books. Little Gray Dress is her first novel published. She’s currently studying for her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing. She spends much of her time writing her next book, doing homework, raising three teenagers, binge watching shows on Netflix and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She’s fluent in sarcasm and has been known to use far too many swear words.

Aimee grew up in Oregon but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and many, many pets.

She would love to hear your thoughts on Little Gray Dress! 
If you want to chat with her she’s very active on social media. 
Find her over at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or her author website – 



ABOUT THE NARRATOR

Stephanie Einstein
Stephanie Einstein is a driven, multi-talented actress with a passion for telling stories.
Some of her theatrical credits include: Proof (Catherine), Midsummer Night's Dream (Hermia), and LA Weekly-Awarded Patty: The Revival (Jessica).
Recent TV and film credits include: ALIENS & GUFORS, I Won't Be Your Mirror (SHORTS TV), OMG EMT (TLC), and My Crazy Ex (Lifetime).
Quick on her feet, she’s studied Improv with Upright Citizens Brigade, and performed with Detour Improv Troupe. Stephanie also works as a professional audio book narrator for Audible book titles.
A Georgia native, she began her professional training at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts. She earned her BFA in Acting from Wright State University, where she was awarded the Tom Hanks Scholarship.


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