Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 14

#BookReview: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan | #KeLo #HoopsSeries #SportsRomance #HonMagPR

A deeply emotional standalone romance set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion. 

Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.
Cheated on, betrayed, exposed. 
My perfect life blew up in my face and I'm still picking up the pieces.
The last thing I need is her.
A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can't resist. 
Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans 
from the moment our eyes meet.
I promised myself I wouldn't trust a woman again, 
but I've never wanted anyone the way I want Lo. 
She's not the plan I made, but she's the risk I have to take.

A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.
Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met. 
The last thing I need is him.
I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.
I've seen what trusting a man gets you.
I. Don't. Have. Time. For. This.
But he just keeps coming for me. 
Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses 
one by one.
He never gives up, and now...I'm not sure I want him to.

MY REVIEW

I am normally not into sports romance, but wow! This story made me forget it was a sports romance, perhaps because the heroine was in the fashion industry.

When Kenan and Lotus see each other for the first time, there is an instant attraction, which occurs every time they encounter each other. However they don't actually meet until a few years later (where this story begins).

The story is incredibly well-written. Ms Ryan's writing is top-notch, and I enjoyed the narration as much as the story itself. There are times I had to pause just to absorb the words. #MindBlown

The only thing I didn't like about the story was the fact that it is written in first person present tense, because a few times I forgot whose POV the scene was in.

It's still early in the year, but this will undoubtedly be on my favourite reads of 2019 list!

Highly recommended.

#BookReview: Amara's Calling (Billionaire's Club Series Book 1) by C.L. Donley

Amara's Calling: A Billionaire's Club Novel (Billionaire's Club Series Book 1) by C.L. Donley

BLURB

He's a brilliant, bullied computer nerd turned handsome playboy, with a penchant for blondes. She's the assistant to the assistant, who works on the third floor and is... not blonde. And secretly obsessed with him. Complete with all the classic "plain Jane" tropes you thought were hopelessly overdone, read the smart, sexy, bingeworthy debut exceeding "billionaire romance" expectations!
Amara's Calling is the first book in the Billionaire's Club series of sinfully sexy romances. If you like unexpected love, lucrative deals, and billionaires with as much prowess in the bedroom as the boardroom, then you’ll love C.L. Donley’s steamy office affair.
MY REVIEWAmara's Calling is like Indecent Proposal meets Pretty Woman. Amara is the assistant to the assistant, is dissatisfied with her job of a few months and is already thinking of quitting.

Grayson, the CEO of the company, has been catapulted into fame and fortune due to the massive success of his social media platform (so basically Mark Zuckerburg, but he looks like James Dean). He visits the office once every quarter or so, which is where the books starts - on the occasion of one of his rare visits.

What I liked
Amara and Grayson are two accomplished people on paper (he's a billionaire CEO and she's educated with a master's degree). I especially liked the fact that despite his money, Grayson was a geek at heart. Their attraction was mutual, which brought some sexual tension. The sex scenes were hot while remaining sweet. Amara had a support system of her two closest friends, Mya and Kim, whose conversations were interesting to say the least.

What didn't work for me
To be honest, I didn't connect with either Amara or Grayson, which was a shame because Amara, especially, had so much potential. She was well-educated but hadn't figured out what she wanted to do with her life, and I'd hoped she'd somehow channel her smarts into helping the company out of a bind or something. However, the plot rather took the opposite turn, focusing on their sexual relationship. That would have been okay if the plot developed beyond that, but unfortunately, it didn't (for me).

As mentioned earlier, the hero wasn't the usual suave billionaire romance hero, but he's not deficient in the arrogance department. He was verbally abusive in some parts, and even though a reason was given for that, it didn't fully win me over. It would have been great to see him have to truly fight for the love of the heroine, but things were too easy for him. The story also perpetuated some stereotypes especially about women and blacks.
Overall ImpressionAlthough, this particular story didn't meet my expectations, I felt the author is worth another try. The story is well-written, which is the strongest aspect of the story for me. There is some head-hopping, but that appears to be a deliberate style the author chose. Once I accepted that, it didn't bother me too much. I'd definitely try book 2 before making a decision on the series, because the hero seemed promising as a secondary character in book 1, and the heroine - well, she was a little crazy and I'd love to see how she handles her own journey to HEA.

What was India up to? | His Inherited Princess by @EmpiBaryeh | #LAPLoveNotes #Romance #AfricanRoyals

Welcome to this week's #LAPLoveNotes where writers share teasers from the work-in-progress or published stories. If you're a writer and want to join in the fun, add the link to your post HERE.

This week's teaser is from one of my favourite scenes in His Inherited Princess.

Omar had no idea how he’d managed to leave a naked India on the bed and make his way to the living room where he now stood nursing the sting of her rejection—the cherry on top of the cake of a failed day.

He was no closer to avenging his brother, and he’d still not found a viable way of preventing his uncle from challenging him for the throne. Not unless he slept with India. Finding out she’d rather satisfy her needs with a toy than ask him cut deeper than his other failures.

And that damned tape kept echoing in his head. What was India up to?

***
Did you enjoy that snippet? His Inherited Princess is currently 40% off  at Love Africa Press.

#NewRelease: Engaging the Enemy by Reese Ryan | @ReeseRyanWrites #BourbonBrothers #HonMagPR

ENGAGING THE ENEMY BY REESE RYAN
An ambitious heir will do whatever it takes to be the next CEO, even play fake fiancé to his childhood nemesis.
“That’s the deal, Abbott. Take it…or leave it.”

How far will an ambitious heir go to secure his future?

Parker Abbott will do whatever it takes to be the next CEO of King’s Finest Distillery, even play fake fiancé to his childhood nemesis, Kayleigh Jemison. Yet as he and the fiery redhead get reacquainted, sparks fly and real passion emerges. But when her ex wants a second chance, who will Kayleigh choose?AVAILABLE ON:AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES | GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO | BOOKS-A-MILLION | AMAZON UK

EXCERPT“So, where were we?” Kayleigh seemed distracted and her hair looked even wilder than it had when she’d disappeared behind the curtain. As if she’d just tumbled out of bed and she hadn’t been alone.            He swallowed hard, fighting off the image of Kayleigh in bed that immediately filled his brain.Focus, Parker. Focus.“I’d offered you fifty percent more than the assessed value.”She froze for a moment, cocking her head before a smirk curled one corner of her mouth. “I remember now. You asked what figure would make me happy, and I said—”“I know what you said, Kayleigh, and it’s unacceptable.”“Then buy someone else’s building instead.” She stared at him defiantly.The number-one rule of negotiating was be prepared to walk away. Every salesperson understood that. But his family hadn’t given him that option. This building had once belonged to his mother’s family. They’d run a tiny café here, and now his father wanted to help his mother reclaim a portion of her family’s history by creating a flagship restaurant here, branded with the King’s Finest name.It was going to be a surprise. His mother didn’t know, but his father had already purchased the two other buildings on the block and made the sellers sign confidentiality agreements. But without Kayleigh’s building—the cornerstone of the entire project—it simply wouldn’t work.Closing this deal was the leverage he needed to make his father realize that naming his older brother, Blake, as his successor at King’s Finest, simply because he’d had the good fortune to be born first, would be a grave mistake.Blake was a good person, a great brother and an excellent operations manager. But neither Blake nor their brother Max possessed the killer instinct the CEO position called for. His sister, Zora, did have that killer instinct. More so than he, perhaps. But what she lacked was the ability to control her emotions. With Zora, everything was personal. She was much like Kayleigh in that way.He had to have this building, but Kayleigh didn’t know that. So maybe if he showed her that he was willing to walk away, she’d come to her senses.Parker stooped to pick up his attaché. “Sorry we couldn’t come to an agreement. Maybe it would be better if we went with new construction in that shopping center. I’m sure my brother will give us a good deal.”Parker crossed the room under Kayleigh’s cold stare, waiting for her to stop him.She didn’t.He turned the doorknob and stepped one foot onto the sidewalk, the bell jingling above him.Still nothing.“You really don’t have anything else to say?” Parker turned back to her.“Don’t let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you.” She grinned, her eyes shimmering with amusement.


ENTER TO WIN$25 Gift CardCLICK HERETHE PLAYLISTABOUT REESE RYAN Reese Ryan writes sexy, deeply emotional romances with family drama, surprising secrets, and a posse of deliciously-flawed characters.

A Midwesterner with deep Southern roots, Reese currently resides in semi-small-town North Carolina where she’s an avid reader, a music junkie, and a self-declared connoisseur of cheesy grits.

Visit Reese at ReeseRyan.com and join her VIP Readers email list for free reads, cover reveals, sneak peeks, reader giveaways, and more.CONNECT WITH REESE RYANAUTHOR SITE | NEWSLETTER | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

#BookTour: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan | #KeLo #HoopsSeries #SportsRomance #HonMagPR

A deeply emotional standalone romance set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion. Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.
Cheated on, betrayed, exposed.
My perfect life blew up in my face and I'm still picking up the pieces.
The last thing I need is her.
A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can't resist.
Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans
from the moment our eyes meet.
I promised myself I wouldn't trust a woman again,
but I've never wanted anyone the way I want Lo.
She's not the plan I made, but she's the risk I have to take.

A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.
Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met. The last thing I need is him.
I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.
I've seen what trusting a man gets you.
I. Don't. Have. Time. For. This.
But he just keeps coming for me.
Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses
one by one.
He never gives up, and now...I'm not sure I want him to.CLICK TO LISTEN            One little kiss.
            The trick is to control it. A little pressure. A little tongue. A tiny taste, then get out.
            With my battle plan in place, I meet Kenan’s eyes over our shot glass rims and, on the crowd’s count of three, we knock our drinks back together. The fiery liquid scorches my throat. I give an “ahhhhhh” and slam my glass down. He does the same, and we face each other across the table.

            “Let’s get this over with.” I flash a wide smile and false bravado to my friends. “I’m gonna blow his mind, folks.”
            They answer with wolf whistles and catcalls, emboldening me. The tiniest quirk of Kenan’s mouth is the only clue that he might find this all amusing.
            Instead of leaning across the table like everyone else has done so far, he steps aroundthe table until he stands directly in front of me. My quips and quick humor wither under the intensity of his stare. He leans down until his lips are only a breath above mine. He slides his hands down my bare arms and grasps my elbows to pull me up, eliminating the last few inches separating our lips.
            It starts with the lightest pressure, barely a kiss at all. His lips rest against mine. Him, demanding nothing. Me, determined I won’t give him anything, but with a slight shift of his head, the new angle deepens the contact, opens my mouth. It’s a petition to enter, to taste, to sample. My lips barely part, but my sigh grants permission, and he doesn’t hesitate, cupping my face, tugging gently on my chin, opening me and probing inside, slowly and languorously with fiery, liquored licks. When his tongue brushes the roof of my mouth, a thousand fingers, everywhere at once, stroke my arms, my spine, my neck, my legs. Not even the most hidden parts of me remain untouched by sensation. Every inch of me is stimulated. I gasp, and he immediately dives deeper, like he’s chasing the secrets tucked under my tongue and sealed in the lining of my mouth.
            I don’t know if the growl is his, if the whimper is mine, but all the things that would keep this tame—my friends watching, our inhibitions, propriety—melt in the wrath of this heat, like we’re kissing under the sun. Rusty cogs inside of me, oiled by tequila and passion, start turning in ways long forgotten, if ever known before. Mindlessly, I strain up, push my hands over the width of his shoulders and wrap my fingers around his neck. He’s too far, and I want to be close. He splays his hands over my back, completely encompassing as he pulls me into the shelter of his body. He bites my lip and I lick into the tangy well of his mouth. God, he’s delicious. I’ve never tasted anything like him. Never felt anything like this.
            With each second, it intensifies. We intensify. Our hands grip tighter. Our mouths grow desperate. The breaths come fast and short through our noses because I won’t release his mouth and he won’t let mine go. This kiss is a dark corridor, twisting and turning, luring me deeper. I can’t find my way out, and if someone opened a door offering escape, I’d slam it in their face.


AMAZON | FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITEDADD TO TBRAUDIOBOOK ALERTCLICK TO BUY: LONG SHOT99¢ for a limited timeCLICK TO BUY: BLOCK SHOTCLICK TO BUY: HOOK SHOTKennedy Ryan is giving away a signed Hook Shot paperback & a $50 gift card.CLICK TO ENTERCLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE HOOK SHOT INSPIRATION BOARD ON PINTEREST“Kennedy Ryan further solidifies her spot as not only a top tier writer, but one with heart and perspective that resonates, with her latest novel, Hook Shot.” Jacinta Howard, USA Today Must Read Author FINISHED READING? CLICK TO JOIN THE HOOK SHOT DISCUSSION GROUP A Top 30 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy's writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | READER GROUP | AMAZON | BOOKBUB | BOOK + MAIN | NEWSLETTER

#BookReview | Bound to Favor by Kiru Taye | @KiruTaye #BoundSeries

BLURB
Kamali Danladi has sworn never to get married again. But his meddling mother is bent on hitching him to any eligible female that comes along to the next family gathering. There's only one thing for it. Get fake-hitched to his executive assistant. If anyone is more averse to marriage than he is, it's her. So they'll be perfect together. Or at least, they'll fake perfect together.

Ebun Forson doesn't do families. She certainly doesn't do festivities. So when she has to spend a week playing fiancée to her boss, how is she going to cope with the extensive Danladi kinsfolk without breaking out in hives? Her next shopping trip funded by the bonus he's giving her should more than make up for the inconvenience.

However, she soon finds the real threat is to her heart. The dark and intense Kamali behaves as if he sees through to her soul, making her almost forget that this is all an act. In any case, someone with a past like hers doesn’t deserve a happy ever after, surely.

Bound to Favor is a story about learning to heal from emotional pain and finding love in the most unexpected places.


MY REVIEW
This is book 4 in the Bound series by Kiru Taye. Having read two of the preceding books, I was eager to get my hands on this one.

Abandoned by her father, Ebun is a woman who's been forced to live with feelings of lack of self-worth. She's spent her life as if on the outside looking in, especially when it comes to pining for her boss. Fate intervenes when said boss makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Except that love gets in the way. Despite some hot sex scenes, Kamali and Ebun's romance is sweet. For fans of the series, this story thrusts us further into the Danladi clan and we see more of the family dynamics and history.

Kamali is proud and principled (and old-fashioned) to a fault, which makes it so significant when his love for Ebun is tested in the most heartbreaking way. He learns to rise above his pride and pain to claim his woman and heal her with his love. He's easily one of my favourite heroes in the series.

My main issue with this story was that the aftermath of a trauma the heroine had endured wasn't fully dealt with (explaining will involve spoilers #sorrynotsorry).

That said, I enjoyed this story very much. Both main and secondary characters are strong. I hope Ebun's brother gets a story.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book; this review is voluntary and entirely my personal opinion of the book

#NewRelease: Expecting Ty's Baby by Empi Baryeh | #FromGhanaWithLoveSeries #ExpectingTysBaby #WeekendReads

#BookReview: Princess of Zamibia (Royal Brides, 1) by Delaney Diamond

I continue with my excursion into the world of royal romance with Princess of Zamibia by Delaney Diamond

BLURB
“Live in the moment with me.” 

That’s what he asked Dahlia to do, and she did, because after a near death experience, her motto was to live life to the fullest. She gave him everything. Her body. Her heart. Then it all came to an abrupt end. She didn’t anticipate he wouldn’t trust her. She didn’t anticipate she couldn’t trust him. 

He wants his son. 

Three years later, Prince Kofi returns and he’s not the same man. He’s bitter and angry and knows he has a son. He’ll do whatever it takes to bring his heir back to Zamibia, even if it means marrying the woman he believes betrayed him. 

Dahlia must now raise her son in a culture she doesn’t fully understand, but when a nightmare strikes the royal family, will it bring her and Kofi closer together, or tear them apart for good?



MY REVIEW
Rating: 4.5 stars!

The story starts with Prince Kofi's discovery of a son he never knew about and his decision to take his child back to his country. As crown prince, his son is in line for the throne and should not be denied this right. Kofi is harsh with Dahlia whom he believes has been deliberately dishonest in keeping the truth from him. It doesn't help that their break-up three years ago was hinged on a crime he accuses her of.



Although they started out fighting, it was clear Kofi and Dahlia never stopped loving each other. I liked the fact that they were both willing to admit their feelings early in the story, which made their romance sweeter. 

There were elements of suspense in the story. The villain wasn't a huge surprise, but this person's motivation was something I didn't anticipate. I like how that was done. I also had fun reading Prince Kofi's dialogue in a Hollywood African accent (yes, I'm weird like that).

That said, I felt the story spent too much time delving into the setting, culture and politics of Zamibia. Yes, it was important to show Dahlia immersing herself into her new home, and to learn about Zamibia through her eyes. However, the amount of time spent on it took away from the romance for me.  I wanted to see more of Kofi and Dahlia together on the page as a couple.

Kofi had an erroneous belief about Dahlia from three years before, which played a major role in their break-up. Although this is somewhat resolved, I was not satisfied with the 'how'. It seemed as if he just got up one day and changed his mind - something he could have done three years ago, so why now?

The name of the country was also a minor cause of confusion as I kept reading it as Zambia instead of Zamibia. 

I enjoyed Ms Diamond's writing and would definitely be checking out more of her work. I'm particularly excited about the next installment in the series.

NEW RELEASE: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan | #KeLo #HoopsSeries #SportsRomance #HonMagPR

A deeply emotional standalone romance set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion. Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.
Cheated on, betrayed, exposed.
My perfect life blew up in my face and I'm still picking up the pieces.
The last thing I need is her.
A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can't resist.
Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans from the moment our eyes meet.
I promised myself I wouldn't trust a woman again, but I've never wanted anyone the way I want Lo.
She's not the plan I made, but she's the risk I have to take.

A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.
Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met. The last thing I need is him.
I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.
I've seen what trusting a man gets you.
I. Don't. Have. Time. For. This.
But he just keeps coming for me.
Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses one by one.
He never gives up, and now...I'm not sure I want him to.EXCERPT 


         The summer of my rookie season, I came to Harlem for the pro league tournament at Rucker Park, the most famous basketball court in the world. If you want street cred, you earn it here. It’s your pilgrimage to Mecca.            On the surface, it’s unassuming. There’s no glamour to the outdoor court with two hoops and five rows of bleachers, but legends were made here. Dr. J got his namehere before anyone really even knew who he was. The summer he played, people crowded the rooftop of the school across the street, climbed, and watched from trees, and pressed their noses to the fence for a glimpse of this kid who flew through the air with unparalleled grace, and rocked the rim with more force than they’d ever seen. It was the crowds at the Rucker who first chanted “Dr. J.” They christened him, and it stuck. He played for Philadelphia, my hometown, and he changed the game. So every time I come to the Rucker, it’s special, but today I feel the excitement even more.            And it has nothing to do with the dunking contest I’m here to judge for charity.            With the contest over, the other celebrity judges and I have taken photos with the winners, and now the autographs have begun. The whole time I’m signing hats, slips of paper, shoes, and whatever else people have, I’m scanning the crowd for one woman. Lotus never texted me back, so I don’t even know if she’s coming. Chances are she’s not, but that doesn’t stop me from checking compulsively every few minutes.            “How you liking New York, Glad?” Ben Mason, a point guard who came into the NBA the same year I did, asks. We’re signing autographs back-to-back, encircled by a crowd of kids.            “It’s okay.” I smile at a little girl who hands me a T-shirt to sign. “My kid lives here now, so I’m glad to have some of the off-season with her.”            “I did hear Bridge was moving to New York,” Ben says. “She’s on that new basketball wives’ reality show, right?”             Ben, like everyone else in the sports world, knows my business almost before I do.            “Yeah, she’s here,” I mutter.            “Did your divorce finally come through?”            “Yeah, it’s quits. Thank God.”            “Man, she did you dirty.”            Really, Ben? Sure, why not chat about my most painful, humiliating experiences while signing autographs for a hundred screaming kids? Perfect timing.            “It’s behind us now,” I say aloud instead. “We’re just trying to figure out how to co-parent my daughter well.”            “You a better man than me,” Ben continues. “If that had been me—”            “But it wasn’t.” I turn around to face him, not even trying to hide my irritation anymore.            “Sorry, Glad,” Ben rushes to say. “Man, I’m tripping. I know that was a tough time. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”            “And yet you’re stilltalking.” I turn back around and resume signing items and taking photos with fans.            My frustration isn’t actually about him, though. I’m disappointed Lotus didn’t show. I hadn’t admitted to myself how much I hoped she would. I did act like an asshole in the stairwell. I thought I fixed it, but maybe not.            “Over here, Glad!” a kid yells, holding up his phone to take a picture. When I look in his direction, a flash of color catches my eye. A small gap in the crowd reveals silk the color of butter spread on sun-toasted skin. A woman wears a backless yellow jumper that clings to her ass. What looks like an intricate zipper with tiny flowers instead of teeth is tattooed up her naked spine. A huge cloud of golden–brown hair with curls and waves on the loose fans out and around her neck and the curve of her shoulders.            “Lotus?”            It comes out as a question, but I know it’s her. I’m not the only one noticing every detail of her appearance. The crowd parts like the Red Sea and heads turn as she walks through. She seems oblivious to the lust she’s inspiring as she makes her way out of the dense crowd.            Away from me.            There are too many people separating us and I’d have to rudely push through a lot of teenage bodies fast to catch her at this point, but there’s no way she’s getting out of here without seeing me.            “Hey, PYT!” I yell through cupped hands in the direction I saw her take. She’s so short, I can’t even find the top of her head anymore.            For a second I think I’ve lost her, but that ray of sunshine she’s wearing flaunts her presence again several yards away. She’s turned to face me now, one hand on her hip and amusement on her face. I grin, fully prepared to be railed for calling her out.            “Where do you think you’re going?” I ask loudly enough for her and anyone between us to hear.            “I’m for sure not standing around all day waiting for you,” she yells back, her lips fighting the smile in her eyes.            “Well, you heard her guys.” I sign another hat and sigh. “I gotta shut it down. She’s leaving me.”            “I’d shut shit down, too, for that,” a guy standing halfway between Lotus and me says, eyes crawling over every inch of her exposed skin. I want to get her out of here.            “Excuse me,” I say, pushing through the crowd after I sign one last autograph. She could meet me halfway, but does she? No, just stands still in the crowd like a daffodil planted in the middle of a traffic jam, waiting for me to reach her. Once I do, I step as close as I possibly can without touching her so she has to tip her head all the way back to meet my eyes. Our gazes lock and don’t let go. The steam rising between us has nothing to do with the ninety-five-degree weather. I draw a shallow, Lotus-scented breath.
  HOOK SHOT - AVAILABLE NOWAMAZON | FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED


Audiobook Alert: http://bit.ly/2tsr7sH
Add to TBR: http://bit.ly/KeLoGoodreads
ENTER TO WINCLICK HERE “In  ‘Hook Shot’  Kennedy Ryan does something I wish more romance writers would do. She allows the reader to experience the slow burn of growing attraction, and the often disorienting new-relationship-energy between a couple getting to know, like and eventually love each other… Kennedy Ryan gave me the perfect balance of ‘the real’ with ‘the romance.’ I highly recommend it. - Nia Forrester, author of Commitment and Afterwards ABOUT KENNEDY RYAN A Top 30 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy's writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | READER GROUP | AMAZON | BOOKBUB | BOOK + MAIN | NEWSLETTER

#BookReview: Stranded on Vail Mountain (Vail Mountain Trilogy Book 1) by Desiree L. Scott – #ActionAndAdventure, #Romance, #MysteryThriller, #Suspense

Stranded on Vail Mountain by Desiree L. Scott

It was supposed to be a vacation, a time to save her marriage, but what Joan Clayton hadn’t counted on was Murphy’s Law of Vail Mountain and the secrets that had damaged her marriage beyond repair. It was over. Depressed and angry, she decided to venture directly into an oncoming snowstorm, one that would be known as the blizzard of the century. 

Stephen Brockheart received the call concerning a missing tourist after working 26 hours straight. A park ranger for the mountain resort, he set out on the routine mission, knowing he was running out of time as the blizzard hit with visibility zero. What he hadn’t counted on was saving a beautiful woman and falling for her, a city girl who knew nothing about the dangers of the mountain. He had been there before and vowed never to return. 

As Mother Nature raged, Joan was soon overcome by the feelings a complete stranger evoked in her, causing her to reevaluate her own life. Through the blizzard and stranded at the resort, death was imminent for any who would try to leave. Despite loss and secrets, can two people find love and happiness again? 

Can they be given a second chance to make it real and lasting, or will that chance die with them?


MY REVIEW

The story begins with the hero, Stephen, receiving a call concerning a missing tourist during a blizzard. He’s just pulled a 26-hour shift and is not in the mood to deal with idiots--because only an idiot would go out in a blizzard. However, his encounter with Joan makes him realise there is far more to the woman than his pre-conceived notion.


As two people who have been hurt by love, they find a connection that is too strong to ignore.
This was a short story. I wish it had been longer, which would have allowed us to interact more with the main characters. There were also issues of loyalty, friendship and betrayal that would have been great to explore further. However, the writer’s style is easy to digest, and she is able to bring an adequate depth to the hero and heroine despite the length of the story.

The first kiss was very sweet, with just the right amount of emotion. I was disappointed to encounter closed-door sex. I think the author could have opened the door and given it the same sweetness and emotion that characterised the first kiss.

Lovers of sweet romance will like this. For lovers of steamy romance, this story offers a pallet-cleansing quickie.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

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