15/10/2020

Excerpt Reveal | Happily Letter After |Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward



Title: Happily Letter After 
Authors: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Publisher: Montlake 
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: October 20, 2020 

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From New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes a love story about taking chances and the surprises that come with them. 

My love story all started with a letter. 
Only it wasn’t from the man I’d eventually fall in love with. It was from his daughter. A sweet little girl named Birdie Maxwell who’d written to the magazine that I worked for. 
You see, once a year my employer fulfilled a few wishes for readers. Only that column didn’t start up again for months. 
So I fulfilled some of her wishes myself. It was harmless…so I thought. Until one day I took things too far. 
While anonymously granting yet another of Birdie’s wishes, I got a look at her father. Her devastatingly handsome, single dad father. 
I should have stopped playing fairy godmother then. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t help myself. I had a connection to this girl. One that had me acting irrationally. 
Like when I showed up on their doorstep.



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EXCERPT

Copyright © 2019 by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward 

“I cannot believe we are doing this.” Devin and I took the C train to Columbus Circle and stopped at Starbucks before walking over to the carousel. My partner in crime came dressed for surveillance, wearing head-to-toe black, dark sun- glasses, and a wool cap . . . in July. We were lucky it was New York or she might look like the weirdo she is. I, on the other hand, had on jeans and an Aerosmith T-shirt. Because . . . you know . . . Steven Tyler and those lips. I didn’t even care he was probably pushing seventy. I’d still suck on those babies. 
We took a seat on a bench located to the right of the carousel—not directly in front of it but where we could still see everyone who walked in and out. As we got into position, I started to feel really bad about what we were about to do—invade little Birdie’s privacy. 
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this.” 
Devin put her hand on my shoulder and applied pressure—just in case I tried to get up. “We’re doing this. Don’t even try to make a run for it.” 
I slouched back onto the bench. “Fine.” 
We sat for the better part of an hour, sipping coffee, gossiping about work, and looking around for a little girl and her dad. When I caught the time on my phone, I said, “It’s after eleven. I don’t think they’re coming.” 
“Let’s give it until eleven thirty.” 
I rolled my eyes. But screw it, we were in this far—I might as well go along with the rest of the ride. Otherwise, Devin would never let me hear the end of it. At eleven thirty on the dot, I stood. “Let’s go, Lacey.” 
“Who?” 
“Cagney & Lacey. It was a show my mom used to watch when I was little. It had two women detectives.” 
“Well, which one was hotter? Maybe I don’t want to be Lacey.” 
I laughed. “You can be whichever one you want to be.” 
I turned to throw out my coffee cup in the basket next to the bench and was just about to start to leave when I spotted a little girl and a man who had just turned into the entrance of the park. They were pretty far off, but I thought it could be Birdie. “Oh my God. Sit! Sit! I think that’s them.” 
The two of us planted our asses back on the bench at the same exact time. Devin leaned forward and squinted. “Are you sure?” 
I grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit back. “Don’t be so obvious.” 
We watched, while completely failing at looking casual, as the man and the little girl moved closer. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and had on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He was holding the hand of the little girl. And she had on . . . a bodysuit and tutu. It was definitely Birdie! 
“Oh my God. It’s them!” 
Neither of us said a word as the father and daughter approached the carousel. When they got close enough so I could finally see their faces, I gasped. “Oh my God. He’s . . .” 
Devin grabbed my hand. “I call dibs. I want to have his babies.” 
I couldn’t believe my eyes. While I was expecting a modern version of my dad twenty years ago, the man standing before me was anything but. For the record, my dad is awesome, and he’s not too shabby-looking. But this man . . . was . . . drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Wow. Just . . . yeah. Wow. 
Sebastian Maxwell had dark hair, bone structure to die for, and full, beautiful lips. I’d joked how Devin thought the guy was a super- model, but this man could actually be a supermodel. He had that longish, messy hair—the kind that he could drag a hand through, and it would look like he’d been both thoroughly fucked and just finished a photo shoot. Yeah, that was him. I was absolutely, positively speechless.

VI KEELAND 
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

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PENELOPE WARD 

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance. 
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism. 
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.



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08/10/2020

Review | Defy You | Tracy Lorraine | Give Me Books Promotions

Title: Defy You 
Series: Rebel Ink #3 
Author: Tracy Lorraine 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: October 8, 2020

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I hated her defiance... 
But it made me want her even more. 
Her brother was my friend... and my boss. She was off-limits. 
Kassie Fox. 
From the first moment she looked in my direction, I knew she would be mine. 
It's impossible to stay away. 
I'm breaking all the rules... and I’m shattering the golden one I live by. 
Never trust a woman. Ever. 
The more she pushes, the more I pull. We're the same. I know what she needs. 
And I'm about to prove that she can trust one man. Her man. 
Me. 


*I received this copy in exchange for an honest opinion*

This is another story that reminds me a lot of Beauty and the Beast. Even though the male character, Spike, is not a monster at all, but a super attractive and charismatic man, he is still a thug full of tattoos. However, Kas, is his weakness. His Achilles' heel. The one that is so small but that is enough to make him tremble with just one look. Only, she is the younger half sister of his best friend and boss. Zack.

It was only recently that Zack learned that Kas existed and, since that time, he tries to protect her as much as he can. Nobody better than your best friend to do it, right? Wrong! Very wrong. As soon as Kas and Spike meet, we can only see sparks everywhere. Despite being ten years younger than Spike and a miniature woman, she has a strong and resilient spirit. From an early age she got used to pain and mistreatment. She ended up having to pay the debt of a mother who died at the hands of the world of addictions.
Both she and Spike bring troubled souls and hearts mistreated by life and the people they once knew. He carries a broken heart and an ever-present distrust of women. He walks with them, he likes to be with women, but he doesn't even entrust them with a wrinkled sheet of paper. However, he feels something strong and heartbreaking for Kas. That girl full of fierce and strength who, being who she is, is completely forbidden to him. Or should be.
Both Kas and Spike will gradually find the peace they so long for. A life full of love, friendship and fulfilled goals. Without pain, without losses and without the traumas that dictated their movements and thoughts. Since the day he appears in her life and takes her out of a striptease stage and gives her heart to him even without knowing or wanting to, their lives will never be the same.

The heart wants what the heart wants, and Spike's heart wants and needs Kas to be able to heal and love again.
Honestly, I loved it! I admit that I have not yet read the two previous books and that I was a little "clueless" when I started reading this book because it is noted that the characters already have an extensive background with each other. However, I will not stop reading them as soon as I can!

Release Blitz | Defy You | Tracy Lorraine | Give Me Books Promotions



Title: Defy You 
Series: Rebel Ink #3 
Author: Tracy Lorraine 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: October 8, 2020

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I hated her defiance... 
But it made me want her even more. 
Her brother was my friend... and my boss. She was off-limits. 
Kassie Fox. 
From the first moment she looked in my direction, I knew she would be mine. 
It's impossible to stay away. 
I'm breaking all the rules... and I’m shattering the golden one I live by. 
Never trust a woman. Ever. 
The more she pushes, the more I pull. We're the same. I know what she needs. 
And I'm about to prove that she can trust one man. Her man. 
Me. 



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Releasing December 17
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AUTHOR BIO

Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy recently-ish turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, daughter and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.

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07/10/2020

Review | Wraith | Franca Storm | Give Me Book Promotions


Title: Wraith 
Series: Iron Kings MC #1 
Author: Franca Storm 
Genre: MC Romance 
Release Date: October 7, 2020 


*I received this copy in exchange for an honest opinion*

Everyone knows that the life of a group of bikers will have to be a roller coaster of adventure, excitement and danger. The passion that identifies them and that often sends a bad impression to those who are not part of that world, makes us think that, perhaps, being part of such a family is better than belonging to one that rejects us and mistreats, as so often happens.

This is the story of Wraith (Finn). A man with a twisted soul by his past of cruelty, violence and death. Although he is "retired" from MC's life, he still feels that longing and adrenaline of when he was part of a MC family. Nowadays he is sheltered in a city where nobody knows his past and where he runs a small gym to be able to pass unnoticed by whoever wants to find him.
When an old companion, who saved his life in the past, asks him to protect his daughter, Ashley, Finn can't say no, although he knows that as soon as he puts his eyes on her again, everything will be at risk for him, for her and for the unknown life he has led there.
I loved Ashley. A girl full of strength who is forced to leave that life of violence and danger on her own and who, in rebellion from her father, tries to remake her life out of there and out of everything she hates most. Although she loves her father, she cannot forget the fact that her mother died because of that life and because of the wars that her father waged against other similar groups.
Despite everything, she has a sweet heart and a caring personality. She knows how to be tough when needed, but she has a charitable and sweet soul. He dreams of Finn since she last saw him a couple of years ago so broken and so damaged, and as soon as she sees him, it seems that a flame is lit between the two of them.
Despite all the violence and action that this book brings us, we can also glimpse a lot of emotion, that naked and raw that sometimes squeezes our hearts and brings tears to our eyes.
I really do recommend!

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Title: Wraith 
Series: Iron Kings MC #1 
Author: Franca Storm 
Genre: MC Romance 
Release Date: October 7, 2020

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Cold. 
Dark. 
Dangerous. 
I’m a ghost, living off the grid, never getting involved. 
Until the President of the Iron Kings MC comes calling. 
My oldest friend. My brother-in-arms. 
I’m pulled back in to protect his daughter. 
But the mission quickly turns personal. 
She tempts me, drawing me too close. 
I need to stay away. 
I’m a dangerous monster. 
I’ll ruin her. 

But I’m drawn further into the world of the Iron Kings MC. 
The promise of brotherhood and a fresh start seems too good to pass up. 
She can’t stay away and neither can I. 
Her light cuts through my dark. 
She’s everything I didn’t know I’d been looking for. 
But, can a damaged bastard like me really find peace?

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EXCERPT

I’d wanted to devour every inch of her, lay her down, spread her open to me and fuck her with my tongue until she was coming apart around me. 
Just the thought of sinking inside her, her walls squeezing my cock so fucking tight while those sweet moans she’d made last night sounded in my ears, almost had me coming down the shower drain. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. 
I’d told her she was safe here. My home was her sanctuary. 
It was even more than just her father’s orders to protect her. 
She had an uncanny ability of awakening some sort of white knight complex in me. 
Knight? 
I was more like the villain who would sully everything good in her if I allowed her to get any closer to me, either physically or emotionally. 
The most confounding thing about all of it was that she wasn’t even my usual type. 
She was so innocent. So soft. Her kindness and her determination to help me and try to ease my pain was something I wasn’t used to. No one showed concern for me. Not that I wanted anyone to. I couldn’t afford to be that openly intimate with anyone. It was just that I had no idea how to handle it. People didn’t give a fuck about me. Hell, most didn’t really consider me human. More like a stone-cold robot, or the devil, himself, above it all. 
I could only hope that last night had put her off pushing it any further. The last thing she needed was to get mixed up with the likes of me. 
I was a dangerous man. 
A twisted man. 
It was who I’d always be. 
That much had been made clear to me after what I’d dealt out yesterday to those enforcers. 
Some things couldn’t be taken back. 
Especially the things I’d done, the atrocities I’d committed. 
Once that depth of darkness crept into your soul, no amount of redeeming light could get it out. 
I was a lost cause. 
Fuck.


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AUTHOR BIO

Succumb to a Bad Boy.
Franca writes stories about bad-boy alpha males and the tough women who turn their worlds upside down.
She is best known for her motorcycle romance series, BLACK THORNS.
When she's not writing, Franca enjoys watching action movies and binging on great TV series. Spending time with her lovable lab, hiking, and listening to hard rock, are her passions.

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05/10/2020

Release Blitz | Review | She's Mine | Jenika Snow | Give Me Books Promotions


Title: She's Mine 
Series: Black Mountain Academy 
Author: Jenika Snow 
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: October 5, 2020

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Black Mountain Academy’s bad boy. That’s who Reese Trenton was, or at least how people perceived him. He came from the “wrong side of the tracks” with a perpetual scowl on his face, a body like a god, and the arrogance to match. 
He was a rough around the edges, tattooed, and pierced kind of delinquent, but smart enough he’d gotten a full ride to BMA. And he piqued Keira’s interest in the worst—or maybe best—kind of way. He had her wanting to throw that good girl persona she carried right out the window. 
He had her wanting to be just as rebellious as he was. 
He knew too much about life, got drunk, and started far too many fights. And Keira wanted him like she’d never wanted anyone before. 
They say opposites attract, and it seemed that was the pulling force that brought Reese and Keira together. 
Heated touches. 
Passionate kisses. 
Filthy, secret intimacy. 
They shared it all together and grew addicted for more. 
He thought he was broken, too battered for a girl like her. Keira wanted to show Reese that despite the cracks he wore, the scars he sported, they were meant to be together. 
But not everyone thought Reese and Keira should be together, and as the drama and chaos erupted, as people tried to rip them apart, they realized their loyalty and love for each other had never been put to the test more than it had now. 

Reader note: This story was previously published as Giving it to the Bad Boy. It has been completely rewritten, re-edited, and new content added throughout the entire story. Basically… it’s a brand new book set in the elite world of the BMA series.



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AUTHOR BIO
Starting out as an avid reader, Jenika took up penning her first story and published it in 2009. Since then, she’s written books in just about every trope and sub-genre in romance. 

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*I received this copy in exchange for an honest review*

This is a no brainer review. Really!
In a simple way and without dramas, Jenika manages to bring us a Young Adult story, full of situations that we can still see in our schools today. Students with money who think they are better than those who were not so lucky when they were born. Abusive parents who do not know the harm they do to their children when they destroy their own lives. Children who have to deal with rot in their own home and fight against it and what it shows the outside world.

Reese, our male character, is one of those kids who were unlucky in the family where they were born. Being extremely smart, he gets a scholarship at the best school in the area. However, this means that you have to deal with everything that is addressed to you by the rich kids that go to that school. Reese is strong enough to be able to overcome all the mean phrases addressed to him. However, he still feels inadequate and "dirty" for anyone or anything. This is where sweet and simple Keira comes in.
A rich girl who doesn't care about the rich kids and everything that wealth brings. He falls in love with Reese as soon as he sees him, but he knows, or thinks, that he is too much for her and that she is too simple and flat for him.
Gradually Reese managed to overcome his fears and inferiority complexes that he won because of his father who does nothing but drink and berber even more. Keira is declared and it is this love that he feels for her and she for him that will save him and make him hope for the future. It is certain that they will have to overcome many obstacles, especially social ones, but it will not be this that will make Keira stop believing in him and in everything he is, even though he is a poor kid and comes from a somewhat rough family. Keira will be the one who will make you focus on your goals to be a better person and completely inserted in a society that, unfortunately, is still prejudiced and malicious.


I loved it! A novel that fills our hearts and makes us read and read until it's over!

04/10/2020

Opinião | A Harpa dos Reis | Juliet Marillier | Planeta Editora


Uma jovem é ao mesmo tempo bardo e guerreira nesta emocionante fantasia histórica, o primeiro livro da nova série - Bardos Guerreiros - de Juliet Marillier.

Liobhan, de dezoitos anos, é uma cantora possante e toca muito bem flauta. O irmão possui uma voz que derrete o coração mais duro e é um talento raro na harpa.

Liobhan e o irmão Broc, filhos de Grim, estão a ser treinados numa ilha de guerreiros, quando lhes é confiada a missão de recuperar a Harpa dos Reis, um símbolo antigo da realeza, que desapareceu, a tempo da coroação do novo rei.

Mas, quando a ambição entra em conflito com a consciência, Liobhan tem de tomar uma decisão ousada e as consequências poderão partir-lhe o coração.

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Se não me engano, este é o terceiro livro que leio de Juliet Marillier e, tal como os anteriores, gostei imenso do mundo de fantasia que nos é colocado de bandeja.

Como sempre Marillier não nos desilude ou desaponta com as suas histórias cheias de magia e fantasia. Ultimamente, tenho saíd0 um pouco do género fantástico, mas este é um livro que não poderia deixar de ler, até porque nem me perdoaria se assim não o fizesse. Sempre que leio um livro de Juliet Marillier, consigo abstrair-me da realidade e sou transportada para aqueles mundos fantásticos que ela consegue criar sempre com tanta mestria. Admito que não sou muito fã de magia, mas com esta autora é simplesmente impossível não se gostar e não nos sentirmos puxados para o meio de tudo o que acontece. Conseguimos sentir que somos parte de tudo o que está a acontecer.

Este livro traz-nos, entre outras personagens que nos ficam imediatamente na retina, Liobhan e o seu irmão Broc. Ela, uma jovem com uma voz mágica e poderosa que consegue colocar todos que a ouvem em transe, e ele um tocador de harpa exímio e um cantador com uma voz doce e terna que derrete os corações de todos os que o ouvem.
No entanto, sendo ela uma mulher, não o é como as demais da altura dela. É poderosa e cheia de garra e a única coisa que pretende é ser uma guerreira destemida e temida por todos e por isso mesmo, tanto ela como Broc estão numa ilha de guerreiros, em treinamento. Afastados de tudo e de todos. Concentrados apenas em serem os melhores. Ela com mais acerto e vontade do que ele, tenho de dizer. Ao longo de todo o livro não deixei de ficar com a ideia de que Broc apenas ali estava para proteger e ajudar a irmã que tanto ama.

Durante o treinamento, Liobhan e Broc são enviados numa missão especial e muito importante. Encontrar a mágica Harpa dos Reis que desapareceu do seu lugar sem que ninguém o prevesse. Para isso, Liobhan e Broc terão de ser quem não são e isso será um esforço hercúleo, principalmente da parte dela que terá de interpretar um papel de jovem calma e submissa, adjectivos que não se adequam a ela, de todo. Esta Harpa dos Reis é a que consegue manter a paz no reino e por isso é tão importante ser encontrada. Ninguém melhor que uma guerreira focada na sua missão e o jovem irmão tocador e conhecedor de harpas para conseguir encontrar um artefacto tão importante para a vida de todos nos reino dos Cisnes.

No entanto, sendo essa uma missão tão importante e eles sendo ainda tão novatos como guerreiros, conseguirão eles levar a cabo o trabalho que lhes foi proposto? 
Entre músicas que nos enchem o coração, momentos mágicos de ternura e outros de pura acção e  nervoso miudinho, temos uma história que promete horas de magia e pura abstracção da realidade.

Recomendo e aguardo com ansiedade o próximo capítulo!

Opinião | Esperarei Por Ti Toda a Vida | Megan Maxwell | Planeta Portugal


O que aconteceria se uma mulher do século XXI viajasse no tempo para o século XVI?
Uma história de amor passada da Escócia medieval.
Montse e as amigas Julia e Juana são três espanholas que vivem em Londres e, para descansarem da vida stressante do dia-a-dia e ajudar Montse a superar a ruptura com o namorado traidor, decidem fazer uma viagem de raparigas a Edimburgo.
As terras mágicas escocesas surpreendem-nas muito mais do que esperavam e decidem alterar os planos definidos por outro muito mais tentador...
Mas aonde vão parar não têm creme de mãos nem cobertura de telemóvel, mas encontrarão um castelo, highlanders apaixonados e um amor eterno que nunca se apaga.


*Recebi este exemplar em troca de uma opinião sincera e honesta*

Apesar de ter um início um pouco lento, este livro foi delicioso de se ler. 
Personagens divertidas embora cheias de personalidade e de força interior. Megan Maxwell, a meu ver, saiu um pouco da sua zona de escrita. Todas sabemos que esta é uma autora mais conhecida pelos seus romances apimentados e cheios de cenas escaldantes. No entanto, ainda que este também tenha algumas cenas "calientes" este é mesmo um romance na sua forma mais suave e terna. 
Montse, Julia e Juana são três amigas espanholas a viver em Londres. Montse não é das mulheres com mais sorte ao amor e, depois de sair de uma relação um pouco tóxica, vê-se numa situação algo caricata. Sem saber bem como, volta ao passado aquando de uma viagem à bela Escócia com as amigas. Uma forma de desanuviar um pouco e conhecer, quem sabe, o amor da sua vida. 
Depois de algumas situações um pouco caricatas que, aos poucos, lhe vai mostrando relances de uma vida passada, Montse vê-se e às amigas, precisamente no passado, onde conhece finalmente o homem que lhe invade os sonhos desde que ela se lembra.
Com o seu temperamento único e adoravelmente insubordinada, Montse vai infiltrar-se no coração e na vida do amor que ela sempre esperou, apesar de ser um homem tão ou mais teimoso que ela.
Por entre situações mirabolantes e divertidas como só estas três amigas conseguem proporcionar, cada uma delas terá como que uma espécie de revelação e será por isso mesmo que cada uma delas, se conseguirem regressar ao presente que elas conhecem, analisar e perceber o que querem. Se querem continuar a viver uma existência solitária embora com todas as tecnologias à disposição ou se querem arranjar uma forma de regressar ao passado e ao que as fez sentirem-se completas e felizes, ainda que sem telemóveis ou forma de enviar um simples email.

Devo admitir que dei valentes gargalhadas com estas três personagens e as suas linguas afiadas, mas, por outro lado, continua a fazer-me alguma espécie algumas expressões recorrentes que a autora utiliza. Não sei se será norma espanhola, uma vez que se trata da nacionalidade de Maxwell ou se outra coisa qualquer, mas o que é certo é que são tantas as vezes que nos deparamos com essas expressões que chega a fazer alguma comichão. Não é por isso que a leitura deixou de ser muito divertida e muito prazerosa.

Gostei bastante e espero que a autora continue a escrever histórias como estas.