Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 271

Blog Tour: IF YOU ONLY KNEW by Prerna Pickett

If You Only Knew
Prerna Pickett
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: February 11th 2020
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

A boy recently released from jail and the daughter of a prosecutor fall for each other against the odds in this YA novel.
Corey has just been released from jail, and all he wants is a new beginning. But when his former gang comes knocking, Corey agrees to vandalize the home of Kent Hopper, the prosecutor who put him away.
To erase the guilt she carries from getting away with a crime, Tessa spends most of her nights riding her motorcycle. When she catches Corey destroying her father’s car, she doesn’t see a criminal: She sees a way to finally right her own wrongs. So instead of turning Corey over to the police, she convinces her father to give Corey a second chance.
As Tessa and Corey spend more time with each other, it becomes difficult to ignore the pull between them. But they’re both keeping secrets, and when those secrets come to light, they’ll each have to face their demons in order to have a future together.

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Excerpt:  Dad’s hands were in fists by his side. I could sense the rage building inside of him. He flared his nostrils. “Why?” he said through clenched teeth, stepping toward Corey. My heart started to kick harder, and I dropped my arms to my sides, preparing myself for his next move. Corey shrugged. “Because I was angry. Because I felt like it.” There was no resolve behind his words. Dad flew across the space between them and grabbed Corey by the collar, startling both of us. “Do you have any idea the kind of danger you put my daughter in?” “Dad!” I tried to deter him from the direction he headed. Which was straight to Pissed- Off Town, one exit away from I’m- Going- to- Kill- You Ville.“Tell me who else was involved.” Corey’s face flushed red, his eyes contained a panic I’d seen a few times in my life. All from boys who’d come over to pick me up for a date. Fear. He looked so scared and young. He was simply a boy. A boy dumb enough to return to the scene of the crime. I shook my head and tried to get rid of those thoughts. Corey should be scared after what he did. “Dad.” I lifted my hand and placed it on his shoulder. “Calm down.” Beneath my fingers, the tension in Dad’s body flexed in his muscles. “No, he needs to answer the question first.” Everything he’d kept in the last forty- eight hours slowly came undone, all the frustration and anger and hurt. “Dad, please,” I pleaded. But he wasn’t listening. “You have to. He’s never going to talk when you’re attempting to kill him. You’re going to give yourself another heart attack.” The panic in my voice shook through the grasp I had on it as I whispered in a harsh tone. Dad turned to me, his face softening. His body relaxed, and I removed my hand from his shoulder. “Is this how you pay me for back what I did for you?” Dad’s body sagged in defeat. “Destroy my home, my sense of security, put my daughter at risk? You better tell me about the others before I take you down.” And there it was. Dad and his threats were as familiar as the freckles on my left forearm. The guy stood up, his eyes roamed my face in a flash, then went back to Dad’s. What was he doing here? Why wasn’t he at home?



~~~

Author Bio:
I’m a wife, mom, writer, reader. Lover of foods, beaches, the ocean, shoes, starry nights. Sometimes I pretend like I’m good at drawing.
Website / Goodreads / Twitter

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Review: SHE'S MINE by Madison Barlow (a short story)

When Hanna discovers a clue suggesting that her husband Jack is having an affair, she doesn't know whether she should end the marriage or try to save it. Little does she know that her discovery is going to drastically change everything.

Will her future be as violent as the encounters between the man who wants to possess her and the man who wants to love her? What level of mental anguish and physical damage must be endured before she can reach the life and love she desperately seeks?


This is a riveting short story of suspense and romance by Madison Barlow, author of the novels Sparring Partner and Deception Hotel




My thoughts: Gripping and quick. A delightful short story.


My rating: 4 stars

Review: TWO BIRDS by Vicki Tyley (short story)

Kristine Abbey lies unconscious and bleeding on her kitchen floor. Crouched next to her with his hands clamped over the knife wound in her abdomen, her husband, Daniel, screams at the couple's sister-in-law - and his ex-mistress - rooted in the doorway. Time slips away...




My thoughts: A great, little mystery—starkly poetic! I loved the irony.
My rating: 4 stars

Review: UNFORGETTABLE by Paulette Alden (short stories)

This is a collection of short stories centered on Miriam, a married middle-aged adjunct professor and an aspiring writer.
In the first story, she finds a kindred connection to a student, who feels so lost and pressured by the world that he attempts to take his own life. It is at this point that she realizes how affected she is by him and his touch. Could this possibly be love? Yes, but maybe not the sort that leads to an affair, but a deeper, soulful love—a love that can only be described in literary works.
In another story, Miriam feels scorned when a position she wanted is awarded to someone much less qualified than her. Why, because he was a male and a published author? Could this possibly be a case of sexual discrimination?
The last half of the book deals more with her mother and her declining health, which prompts Miriam to question whether it’s time to put her in a nursing home. But why? After all, nursing homes were for old people. Her mother wasn’t old, right? This then leads to a lengthy discussion on mortality and remembrance. No matter how aggravating, mothers live on vividly in our hearts and memories.
Well-written and relatable. Stories were filled with sensitivity and a deep philosophy that provokes the reader. You will ride each one as Miriam trudges through the stages of life, searching for answers in a confusing world and struggling with loss, hardship, and love. This is a woman’s journey to self-fulfillment and understanding.

My rating: 4 stars

Blog Tour: THE BROTHER'S BAND by Liza Malloy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.Liza Malloy will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Bookworm Lily Mitchell vowed never to date another musician, but Dylan Parker is nothing like the stereotype. Sure, he’s mysterious and sexy, with a flashy car and serious bedroom skills, but he’s also smart, hardworking, and humble. He shares Lily’s passion for classic literature and constantly surprises her with romantic gestures. Their steamy relationship moves at whirlwind pace, and Lily has never been happier.



It’s all so perfect that at first, Lily wills herself to ignore the emerging red flags. As her worries about Dylan increase, she finds friendship and comfort in his brother and bandmate, Thomas. But Lily soon discovers that as much as Thomas cares for his brother, he’s also fallen hard for her.



As Dylan spirals further out of control, Lily must decide what she really wants, and whom she is willing to hurt.

Purchase Links: Amazonhttp://bit.ly/38VHMse
 Barnes & Noblehttp://bit.ly/2MEeOn0
 Apple Bookshttps://apple.co/39m2cuz
Read an Excerpt



I turned and saw that Dylan was staring at me. He leaned in slowly, placed his hands on my cheeks, and pulled me in for the kiss. His lips brushed against mine lightly at first, then relaxed into the kiss slowly. It was a polite kiss, the kind where I could tell he was holding back. Dylan ended the kiss before I was ready, while my entire body still ached to taste him. He’d offered me just enough to convince me that our chemistry wasn’t limited to conversation. His hands dropped from my cheeks, and he squeezed my hand in his. I blinked and tried to control my breathing.



“You’re terrible,” I finally mumbled, smiling.



He grinned in response.



“I mean, really. A sunset walk on the beach, a kiss at the top of the ferris wheel... So cliché.”



“And you love it,” he said.



“I do,” I admitted, glad he hadn’t taken my statement as an insult. I loved romance, and there was no denying that certain things were romantic. There was obviously a reason they became clichés.



“Are you hungry?” he asked when we deboarded.



“I could eat. What did you have in mind?”



He glanced around. “Hot dog and cotton candy?”



I laughed. Leave it to the wealthiest guy I’d ever dated to buy me an amusement park hotdog on our first date. “Works for me,” I said.

~~~


My review: Lily Mitchell could not believe that she ran into her favorite lead singer in the middle of a pouring rain. Surprisingly, she has a pleasant and docile conversation when the two first meet. What’s even more shocking was that she turned him down for a date. She simply didn’t date musicians.


Story maintained a steady pace with very little rhythm and fluctuation, but the writing was good and the concept was interesting. It’s definitely a romanticized version of the “star-struck rock band” story—lovely and lilting.


A pretty good read.


My rating: 3 stars




About the Author
Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance, women's fiction, suspense romance, and fantasy. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where the heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in Hamilton County with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming. Her books Sixty Days for Love, For Love and Italian, and Forbidden Ink are available in paperback and ebook, and can be found on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. More updates and fun bonus content available on her website, http://www.LizaMalloy.com.




Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorLizaM

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorLizaM

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AuthorLizaM

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorLizaMalloy

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18966268.Liza_Malloy

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Liza-Malloy/e/B07PY14X4D




Links to other books on Amazon:



Sixty Days for Love: http://amzn.com/B07PJL92PD


For Love and Italian: http://amzn.com/B07RDXBY6N


Forbidden Ink: http://amzn.com/B07V1Q3VC9



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Blog Tour: THE OVER THE HILL GANG series by M.K. Scott

Late for Dinner The Way Over the Hill Gang Book 1 by M.K. Scott Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Marcy Collins proved her investigative skills in the field time and time again, but after an accident leaves her disabled, she’s forced into early retirement in a senior convalescent center. Although her mind and body may not be what they used to be, her steadfast determination to fight crime and advocate for victims continues.
When her well-meaning former partner is assigned with helping to keep her mind agile, he unknowingly inspires her to search for clues in a long-forgotten cold case. Before he knows what’s happening, Marcy assembles a team of sharp-eyed, witty, and often cantankerous senior sleuths to bring a criminal to justice and help her regain some of what she thought she’d lost for good.
Follow the former detective and her team of unconventional sleuths as they dig through the clues and wind their way down a treacherous path of deception, tomfoolery, and murder! 

**Only .99 cents!!** 

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Late for Bingo The Way Over the Hill Gang Book 2 

The Way over the Hill Gang is back at it again! This time their mission is to find justice for a slain single mother, but this cold case proves to be more complicated than they initially believe.
With little to go on, no resources, and a limited amount of time to search for answers, can they crack this long-forgotten case and bring the murderer to justice? 

**Only .99 cents!!** 

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Late For ShuffleboardThe Way Over the Hill Gang Book 3 

The senior sleuths are hot on the trail of a veteran’s murderer and a missing dog in a cold case that’s raising eyebrows and causing a stir in their tightknit community.
The clock is ticking. Only a few short days before the victim’s home is razed and all the potential evidence is wiped clean.With new complications at every turn, the Senior Sleuths feel the heat as the impossible deadline approaches.
Can they close this case before the truth is buried for good? 

**Only .99 cents!!** 

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Late For Square Dancing The Way Over the Hill Gang Book 4 

A missing woman. A surprising suspect. A curious conundrum.
The senior sleuths have a knack for sniffing out trouble, but when a missing woman cold case falls in their laps, all hands must be on deck to solve it. Unfortunately, this case hits a little too close to home, and quickly becomes an active case with dire consequences if they’re not careful.
To complicate matters, Heloise is planning an authentic barn dance for the residents of Greener Pastures Convalescent Center. She needs the senior sleuths’ help, and that means they must forgo their investigation.
The group will have to employ their best tactics to stay under the radar to root out the true culprit and avoid a barn dance disaster. 


**Only .99 cents!!** 
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M. K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands on approach. Morgan's daughter, who manages a hotel, provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple's dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna's dog. Murder Mansion is the first book in The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries. Overall, it is a fun series to create and read.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


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Review: A HOLIDAY WISH by Courtney J. Hall

Image Graphic designed by Sandra Lopez

Noelle Silver has been a wedding planner for six years, and in all that time, the only bride she’s failed to get down the aisle is herself. Abandoned by her fiancé and disillusioned with love, Noelle is ready to pack it in and leave town when Brooke St. John, orphaned heiress, offers her a staggering amount of money to organize Brooke’s Christmas Eve wedding to a much older man.
Noelle is reluctant at first, but the payment Brooke offers is more than enough for Noelle to start a new life. It’s also an opportunity for Noelle to prove to herself—and her former fiancé—that despite her broken heart, she still has what it takes to pull off a wedding worthy of an heiress in the two months Brooke has given her.
​
But the best man, Brooke’s older brother Everett, is dead-set on stopping the nuptials. Will he succeed, driving the final nail into the coffin of Noelle’s career as a wedding planner—and shattering what’s left of her expectations of love?

Available on Amazon 




My review: Noelle was glad to be rid of a man who proposed to her then cheated on her. She was! But I guess the quickest way to get over a wedding that didn’t happen for you was to plan someone else’s, right? Yeah right! But that was Noelle’s job as a wedding planner, even though her world was crumbling all around her.
I liked her sarcastic wit and biting humor. Sometimes she babbles when she’s in her sour and self-deprecating mood, which is pretty much how she’s been since the big dump. I get that she’s been in a rotten funk, but does she have to be so b#@chy, especially when some broad is throwing 25 grand at her to plan her wedding? For that, you push that sourness aside and just do it.
While planning the wedding, Noelle is also nervous about spending her first holiday as a single woman.  Can you say bitter part for one? Of course, her bitterness just means she’s human, which is relatable. But sometimes it can be a little much.
This was a pretty good read overall. There were some enjoyable moments like her drunken escape from her ex and his perfect girlfriend. She definitely gets more neurotic as we get closer and closer to the wedding date.
She was supposed to plan a wedding. The plan was NOT to fall for the bride’s brother.
A nice holiday romance.
My rating: 3 stars



Excerpt:



It feels like hours have passed by the time I’m finally spent. My cheeks are stiff with dried tears and a throbbing, aching pressure has taken residence behind my eyes. I sprawl on the couch with the cool wet washcloth Erin’s given me draped over my face and listen to the dull hum of the TV’s low volume and the rush of water in the kitchen sink as my assistant washes my dishes.
“That’s not part of your job description,” I call. I sit up and rub the cloth over my face, trying to erase any sign of tears. This is ridiculous. I’m not the first woman to be dumped by her fiancé. I won’t be the last. But most of all, it’s not permanent. A bit of thinking has convinced me. Drew won’t be happy with Heidi of the Made in Taiwan wardrobe. Drew likes intelligence, and the few times I spoke to her did little to convince me that Heidi had anything going for her in that department. He likes ambition and drive—how many times has he told me how amazing he thinks it is that I started my own business? Yet Heidi’s idea of ambition seems to be sleeping with the boss. That might give her a temporary boost, but it certainly won’t hold his interest. Not the way I held it for eight years. I feel better than I have all day, or at least since Drew made his big confession. I roll off the couch just as Erin shuts the water off and slides the last plate into the overloaded drain board. “Thank you,” I say. “You didn’t have to do that.” “Well, it didn’t look like you were going to.” Erin ventures a small smile, as if to gauge my reaction, and seems relieved when I laugh. “Someday your teachings will stick,” I promise. “You look a little better. How are you feeling?”“Better.” I think I might even feel hungry, but then I catch sight of the abandoned bag of croissants and know I can’t do it. Not yet. “Thank you so much for being here today. You have no idea how much it helped.” “Why wouldn’t I?” Erin finishes drying her hands and hangs the towel on its hook over the sink. “I know you’re my boss, but we’re friends, too. Right?” Warmth suffuses me. How great is she? “Right.” “So…” Erin looks down at her feet, points a booted toe. “What about work?” “Oh.” Right. Work. I’m kind of responsible for her income, aren’t I? Suddenly I feel awful for having her cancel my appointments. The two weddings on my books have already been paid for, the money allocated for certain things. If I’m not bringing in any more money, how am I supposed to pay her? But I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m ready. Oh, I know Drew will come crawling back. But the question is when. Do I have what it takes to plan the amazing wedding I promise each of my clients while waiting for my fiancé to remember me? I race through the math in my head. The business account has several thousand dollars in it— more than enough to pay Erin’s regular salary and an adequate one for me. Erin’s cleared the next few days for me so I have until Monday to get myself together. I can do that. I’ve already paid November’s rent on the building, so I don’t have to worry about that. And it should only take Drew a few weeks to realize that he’s made the biggest mistake of his life. Silver Bells be fine. A few days off is all I need.“Okay,” I say slowly. “You go in. Answer the phones and all that stuff. I’m going to keep the next few days for myself, though.” “Understandable.” Relief relaxes her face. “I can hold down the fort until you’re ready to come back. However long it takes.” “Monday,” I say with certainty. “If anyone calls, schedule them for after Monday. I’ll be fine by then.” “If you’re sure.” She smiles. But by the next morning, the denial stage is already over, and I’m not sure at all. Of anything.[image error] 
©2016, Courtney J. Hall

Review: SECRET ADMIRER’S SECRET WISH# 2 by Dariel Raye

Past: Glenda harbored a secret crush. She was never bothered by her lack of good looks, but still she wanted Hunter to notice her. I could definitely relate to being the tall geek in the class. She was “Geeky Glenda.”


Present: Hunter’s soured by the holidays because it was the exact time when his adopted parents died. The last thing he wanted to do was plan a high school reunion during this time. Perhaps this Glenda person could help? Glenda couldn’t believe she was hearing from Hunter and was surprised to realize that she never really got over him. Maybe this be her chance to finally crush her crush.


Hunter couldn’t believe Glenda’s transformation—she was a goddess!


This was an okay story. It was a crush rekindled in this sweet tale. It had a few typos and some awkward sentences. Why spend so much time talking about the dogs? And divert from the main characters to the POV of other lesser characters like Cheryl and Jonathan?


I honestly thought that there would be a mystery with this secret admirer angle. An okay read.


My rating: 3 stars

Review: MOTHER TERESA’S ADVICE FOR JILTED LOVERS by Donna Barker

Tara was a jilted lover after realizing her boyfriend was cheating on her. She didn’t have a good track record for picking out good men. In fact, she was done with them.


Her friend was the alpha female and a bisexual fiend, and she urges her to forget about men but not about sex.


But then the cheating bastard dies—the third boyfriend to drop dead. Coincidence? Or was the universe at play here? What the heck were these broads talking about? Was Tara bad luck? Was she a grim reaper? What? This wasn’t making sense to me.


My rating: 2 stars

Review: EMMA JEAN’S BAD BEHAVIOR by Charlotte Rains Dixon

Emma Jean hated babies, especially when they were wailing at her B&N book signing. She was having a hard time getting her latest book on the bestseller list, and people were starting to bug her more and more. Then she meets handsome Riley and realizes that she’s not in love with her boring husband anymore, which thus elicits a burning affair with the hot stranger.


Emma Jean struck me as kind of flaky and annoying as she tends to babble incessantly about childbearing, religion, adultery, etc. She seems to ponder a lot over the trivial things. The whole thing was pretty slow and not as enticing as I thought it be. How much longer do we have to hear about her “good”—oddly enough bad—behavior?


And what a cheap and boring cover! No style, no artistic flair. I mean, they could’ve worked with the fonts a little bit. A graphic designer could’ve easily fixed this. Overall, this book was not worth it.


My rating: 2 stars