Zara Hoffman's Blog: Zara Hoffman's Goodreads Author Blog, page 16
May 18, 2017
Success: Sophomore Year Is Done
As you can tell from the title of this post, I will be talking about the end of my sophomore year of college, my first semester at Boston University, and my plans for this summer.First, the end of school was on a relatively high note. I wasn't stressed by my exams, finished them all quickly, got good grades on my final papers, and in my classes in general. Being in Boston was such a different experience than being in Waltham and I'm so glad I decided to transfer, even though it was scary at first.
Second, what next? For most people, summer is a time to kick back and relax, but for me it's normally just a different kind of busy: writing and internships. This summer, I hope to finally finish and publish The Matchmakers, but with 2 weddings, lots of appointments, 2 internships, I can't guarantee I'll get my next book out. What I can say though is that I have a few new surprises (to my readers as well as to me—these ideas completely blind-sighted me and lit my inspiration fuse) that I'll be announcing in my next newsletter that will come out Monday.
What about you? What are your plans for the summer? Comment below.
May 17, 2017
Blurb Reveal: Unsupervised by Cora Kenborn
About the Book
Title: Unsupervised
Series: Imperfect Love Kindle Worlds , 2
Author: Cora Kenborn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Goodreads FacebookNiall
I have twenty-eight days to find the perfect wife…
On paper, it seems like I need a life coach, but I’ve managed to get a decent grip on the single-dad thing. As a sought-after photographer with a sexy Irish accent, I have no problem attracting women. Especially crazy ones who can’t take no for an answer. But now, I’m backed in a corner, and both mine and my daughter’s futures are being threatened.
The plan is simple: find a fake fiancée, introduce her at my company’s gala, and save my job. A chance meeting with a tall, leggy blonde who looks like she could use a night out is the perfect solution. Beautiful, sane, and she has a kid? We have a winner.
The relationship is a ruse, but I didn’t count on her being unforgettable. A lie brought us together, but now I have no intention of letting her go.
Laken
I can’t buy my way onto Madison Avenue…
I didn’t bust my ass in college to be a nanny. Unfortunately, a 4.0 GPA and sucking up did nothing to secure me a coveted Tate & Cane internship. I’m not proud of being a nanny-for-hire to get my foot in the door, but my wealthy employer has connections, so I do what I need to—until one outrageous proposal changes everything.
In one afternoon, I find myself fake engaged with a fake new family. I’m not a liar, but he assumes the kid is mine. I should set the record straight. There’s only one problem. My new “fiancé” is a photographer for Tate & Cane. He’s my “in.”
If I can hold on to this charade long enough, I can get the job and the man of my dreams. I’m winging this completely unsupervised. Game on.
ExcerptLaken gives me an accusing stare as if I have some grand scheme in choosing her. “Why me?”
“Why not?”
“That’s not an answer,” she argues shaking her head. “What’s in it for me?”
“You said you need a job, right? I have connections, and I can get you in front of people who make those kinds of decisions for my company.” Frustrated this isn’t going as easily as I’d hoped, I slump back into my chair. “Bloody hell, woman, anyone else would do it just for the opportunity to walk into a Tate & Cane party.”
Laken suddenly stills. “I’m sorry, did you say Tate & Cane?”
“Yes, and for some reason, I also want to help you. I think you deserve a break.” I let out a harsh breath and start packing up my shit to leave. “But if you aren’t interested, then—”
“Yes!” she screams, causing more than a couple patrons to glance our way.
“Are you sure you don’t want to think about it?”
“It’s just one night, right? It shouldn’t be that hard. A few hours of pretending to like each other won’t kill me.”
I scowl at her. “You’re amazing for a guy’s ego, you know that?”
“So, how do we do this?” she says, ignoring my jab. “Do we just meet there and make out on the dance floor?”
Fuck, this is going to be a hell of a lot more work than I anticipated. “While you make it sound quite enticing, it’s a little more involved than that.”
“How so?”
I study her face for a moment. What we’re doing is risky, and walking into a Tate & Cane lion’s den without being prepared is stupid. Gloria will come armed and ready, so we have to be more than ready. “Give me your number. I think we should get to know each other a little. They may ask questions, and we’ll need to be prepared to rattle off personal details about each other.”
Laken sucks in a deep breath as if I just asked her to swim naked in a tank of starved piranhas. “You want to go out on a date?”
“Okay, we really need to work on you not making that face every time you think about spending time alone with me. It’s kind of a dead giveaway.” I squeeze the bridge of my nose, knowing we have more work ahead of us than we have time. “Have you never played poker in your life?”
She’s quiet for a moment and appraises my face as if she’s waiting for a punchline that never comes. “I’m a business major, Niall. Not a gambler.”
“Ante up, Miss Cavanaugh. The stakes are about to raise.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my cell phone and punch in her name. “Now give me your number.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally gives it to me, and I type that in as well. Once I hit enter, I follow it up with the call button and her phone rings. Raising an eyebrow, she digs it out of her backpack and answers.
“Hello?”
“This is Niall Mackay. Now you have my phone number. Program this shit in as My Darling Big Dick Fiancé.”
Laken wrinkles up her nose and makes a face. “You’re disgusting.”
“Aye, the loving way you talk to me is why I fell in love with you, my future fake wife.”
Title: UnsupervisedSeries: Imperfect Love Kindle Worlds , 2
Author: Cora Kenborn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Goodreads FacebookNiall
I have twenty-eight days to find the perfect wife…
On paper, it seems like I need a life coach, but I’ve managed to get a decent grip on the single-dad thing. As a sought-after photographer with a sexy Irish accent, I have no problem attracting women. Especially crazy ones who can’t take no for an answer. But now, I’m backed in a corner, and both mine and my daughter’s futures are being threatened.
The plan is simple: find a fake fiancée, introduce her at my company’s gala, and save my job. A chance meeting with a tall, leggy blonde who looks like she could use a night out is the perfect solution. Beautiful, sane, and she has a kid? We have a winner.
The relationship is a ruse, but I didn’t count on her being unforgettable. A lie brought us together, but now I have no intention of letting her go.
Laken
I can’t buy my way onto Madison Avenue…
I didn’t bust my ass in college to be a nanny. Unfortunately, a 4.0 GPA and sucking up did nothing to secure me a coveted Tate & Cane internship. I’m not proud of being a nanny-for-hire to get my foot in the door, but my wealthy employer has connections, so I do what I need to—until one outrageous proposal changes everything.
In one afternoon, I find myself fake engaged with a fake new family. I’m not a liar, but he assumes the kid is mine. I should set the record straight. There’s only one problem. My new “fiancé” is a photographer for Tate & Cane. He’s my “in.”
If I can hold on to this charade long enough, I can get the job and the man of my dreams. I’m winging this completely unsupervised. Game on.
ExcerptLaken gives me an accusing stare as if I have some grand scheme in choosing her. “Why me?”
“Why not?”
“That’s not an answer,” she argues shaking her head. “What’s in it for me?”
“You said you need a job, right? I have connections, and I can get you in front of people who make those kinds of decisions for my company.” Frustrated this isn’t going as easily as I’d hoped, I slump back into my chair. “Bloody hell, woman, anyone else would do it just for the opportunity to walk into a Tate & Cane party.”
Laken suddenly stills. “I’m sorry, did you say Tate & Cane?”
“Yes, and for some reason, I also want to help you. I think you deserve a break.” I let out a harsh breath and start packing up my shit to leave. “But if you aren’t interested, then—”
“Yes!” she screams, causing more than a couple patrons to glance our way.
“Are you sure you don’t want to think about it?”
“It’s just one night, right? It shouldn’t be that hard. A few hours of pretending to like each other won’t kill me.”
I scowl at her. “You’re amazing for a guy’s ego, you know that?”
“So, how do we do this?” she says, ignoring my jab. “Do we just meet there and make out on the dance floor?”
Fuck, this is going to be a hell of a lot more work than I anticipated. “While you make it sound quite enticing, it’s a little more involved than that.”
“How so?”
I study her face for a moment. What we’re doing is risky, and walking into a Tate & Cane lion’s den without being prepared is stupid. Gloria will come armed and ready, so we have to be more than ready. “Give me your number. I think we should get to know each other a little. They may ask questions, and we’ll need to be prepared to rattle off personal details about each other.”
Laken sucks in a deep breath as if I just asked her to swim naked in a tank of starved piranhas. “You want to go out on a date?”
“Okay, we really need to work on you not making that face every time you think about spending time alone with me. It’s kind of a dead giveaway.” I squeeze the bridge of my nose, knowing we have more work ahead of us than we have time. “Have you never played poker in your life?”
She’s quiet for a moment and appraises my face as if she’s waiting for a punchline that never comes. “I’m a business major, Niall. Not a gambler.”
“Ante up, Miss Cavanaugh. The stakes are about to raise.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my cell phone and punch in her name. “Now give me your number.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally gives it to me, and I type that in as well. Once I hit enter, I follow it up with the call button and her phone rings. Raising an eyebrow, she digs it out of her backpack and answers.
“Hello?”
“This is Niall Mackay. Now you have my phone number. Program this shit in as My Darling Big Dick Fiancé.”
Laken wrinkles up her nose and makes a face. “You’re disgusting.”
“Aye, the loving way you talk to me is why I fell in love with you, my future fake wife.”
May 3, 2017
Book Review: Midnight Target by Elle Kennedy
My ReviewI really enjoyed this book. Not only was Cate and Ash's story awesome, but we got to see more of Jim and Noelle, and all the other couples from the past books, and readers finally get to see the conclusion of Sully and Liam's story (though I'm kind of disappointed they didn't get their own book like all the heterosexual couples did).The action was interesting, the pacing was well done, and the emotions were high with this one—how could it not be with the fearless leader Jim Morgan getting badly injured early on in the story? It put everyone—and me—on edge, and I just kept reading until I reached the end.
About the Book
Title: Midnight RevengeSeries: Killer Target, 8
Author: Elle Kennedy
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Four years ago, Cate’s entire life changed when she discovered she was the daughter of a supersoldier. But Jim Morgan’s overprotectiveness has pushed her away. These days, she’s working as a freelance photographer and living the dangerous life Jim never wanted for her.When Cate snaps a photo linking a corrupt South American politician with the leader of a notorious drug cartel, her mercenary father leads a team to rescue her—only to get shot and critically wounded in the process.
As Morgan’s operatives rally together on a revenge mission, they’re faced with new alliances and old heartaches. Cate is forced to work with David “Ash” Ashton, the man who broke her heart two years ago, while Liam Macgregor and Sullivan Port resurface after years apart to finally try to deal with everything they’d left unsaid.
Soon it’s all-out war between the cartel and the mercenaries—with two couples caught in the middle of the blood feud. Love and redemption are within their reach...but first they have to make it home alive.
Killer Instincts
April 28, 2017
Blurb Reveal: Tied by Kim Karr
About the Book
Title: Tied
Series: Imperfect Love Kindle Worlds , 1
Author: Kim Karr
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Goodreads FacebookI was rich, single, and connected, which meant a steady diet of beautiful women wherever I went.
I really did think I had the perfect life.
Until I went and married a supermodel I’d just met, and everything changed.
Of course there were choices. But the word annulment meant giving her up, and I never give up anything. Still, I was a bachelor at heart, and having a wife, well, I didn’t really know what to do with that.
After only forty-eight hours of marriage, I had already gone and screwed everything up.
Now I have thirty days to prove to my new wife that I’m husband material. There’s only one problem—I don’t even know what husband material means. However, I’m certain that won’t stop me from excelling at it.
My wife tells me it isn’t going to be easy. That I have numerous issues to overcome.
First, there’s my jealousy. It needs to be tamed. Did I flip over the fact that her latest picture was causing men around the world to do dirty things all over the covers she graced? Hell, yes. I couldn’t help myself though. When her photo went viral, my caveman instincts kicked in, and I demanded she quit her job and stay home—barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen. I can work on that, right?
Then there’s my mother. I need to convince her that my new wife is not the money hungry floozy she called her. Did my mother actually call her that? Yes. I can’t help it that my mother wants me to get rid of my new wife. The problem is what my mother wants, she always gets one way or another. Still, turning my mother’s opinion around can’t be that hard, can it?
There are many other issues, but according to my new wife, those are minor compared to the biggest one—she says I will never be able to accept being tied down.
Don’t worry—I got this one. I intend to prove to her in no uncertain terms that being tied up, down, or horizontal is just what this Upper East Sider needs.
ExcerptI was making a hell of a lot of assumptions.
The most important that the dude she was with wasn’t her boyfriend. Poaching another guy’s girl wasn’t something I was into.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t.
Not that it mattered, she was nowhere in sight.
Just as I was about to give up on ever seeing her again, I spotted her.
Finally.
I’d been looking for her since she walked through the club door, and that was hours ago.
None of that mattered now though because she was looking right back at me, and this time I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.
Adrenaline raced through my veins. I had to meet her. Know her. And yes, fuck her.
She was close.
So close.
She’d sat in a booth across from me, right on the end. We weren’t even ten feet from each other, yet it felt way too far away.
My cheeks grew wide all on their own volition. Fuck, I was smiling like a smitten schoolboy.
Calm the fuck down, I told myself.
She’s just a lay.
But then she smiled back at me with an upward tilt of her luscious lips that not only told me she’d noticed me, but that she liked what she saw, too, and all bets were off.
My body acted on its own. My dick, too.
I had to have her, and I knew I’d do whatever it took to get her.
As soon as I thought the words, any semblance of control I’d had went out the window and my cock went stone hard.
Images of her and me, naked, slick with sweat, and rolling around in the sheets flashed through my mind. I couldn’t stop them.
“James, are you listening to me?” A voice prickled through the air.
Not wanting to be distracted, I nodded and kept my eyes on the gorgeous woman across from me. The woman who was now standing up, taking another guy’s hand, and heading toward the dance floor. The same guy she’d walked in with.
What the fuck? Where had he come from? He wasn’t there a minute ago.
I practically drooled when she walked past me and I caught an up-close glimpse of what she was wearing—a knee-length tighter-than-hell black skirt and some kind of matching slinky top that showed off her taut stomach and beautiful tits.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. She might have been walking with another guy, but her gaze never left me. It was like there was an electric current traveling between us and I knew what I had to do—claim her.
Make her mine for the night.
Standing, I didn’t bother to tell anyone I was with what I was doing. I didn’t want to waste time. I headed toward the dance floor. I have to say, in all the years I’d been coming to his club, I’d never stepped foot on it. Dancing wasn’t my thing.
Tonight, though, anything she was doing would be my thing.
The throng of people seemed to eat her up and I lost her in the sea of bump and grind. The DJ had put on a seductive mix of current songs, clips and pieces that when spliced together sounded really dirty. And it seemed everyone loved it that way. The crowd surged around me, bouncing, wiggling, moving to the beat. Individuals. Couples. Triples. They all moved. Clusters joined together and broke apart in unison. The entire club had gone feral. They weren’t dancing—they were fucking with their clothes on.
I was game for that.
Instinct jabbed at my gut and I kept moving toward the center. The closer I got, the more people there were. Heat and sweat and laughter surrounded me. Women moved in front of me, pressing their bodies close to mine, trying to get me to move to their beat. So very much unlike me, I ignored them all. Not even a smile formed on my face nor did a short flirtation escape my throat. I had to find her.
My blood surged through my veins when I spotted that mess of red hair bouncing. That body moving. Those hips rocking. As if she could sense my stare, she looked my way.
Damn, she was beautiful.
I was hit with full-on attraction.
Instant lust.
Step by step, I made my way toward her. The dude that had led her to the pits of hell was in his own world, as if he just liked to move. There was a decent distance between the two of them so whatever they were, it was far from intimate, or I told myself that was the case anyway.
Normally, I wouldn’t be such an ass, or maybe I would—who the fuck knew, I’d never been in a situation like this. But without a second thought, I tapped the guy on the shoulder.
He turned around.
I bobbed my chin toward the gorgeous vision in front of him. “Mind if I cut in?”
I almost laughed at myself. I’d never used words like that before.
They both glared at me.
I didn’t care. I wanted her, and I wasn’t leaving the dance floor without at least trying.
And I always got what I wanted.
Luckily, he didn’t deck me. It wouldn’t have been good for him. Instead, he started to dance a circle around me. “Sure, man, no problem,” he yelled over the music.
With him out of the way, she was all mine for the night. She just didn’t know it yet. My eyes darted to hers and my body moved closer. “Lindsay, nice to meet you,” I said, getting as close to her as I could.
She continued to glare at me. Hmm…that was not the reaction that I had expected. She practically swallowed me whole with that glance, but I swore I could see her pulse throbbing in her neck in excitement. “How do you know my name?” she asked.
“How could I not? You’re the most gorgeous girl in this place.”
Was I good, or what?
Those feline eyes assessed me, and I could tell she wasn’t impressed.
Okay, on second thought, that might have sounded a little cheesy. I reeled it back. “One my friends knew who you were.”
She nodded, but she still wasn’t moving.
I was.
And I was certain I looked like a damn fool.
“Dance with me,” I said.
This time she shook her head, but at least she was smiling.
Playing hard to get.
I liked it.
Title: TiedSeries: Imperfect Love Kindle Worlds , 1
Author: Kim Karr
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Goodreads FacebookI was rich, single, and connected, which meant a steady diet of beautiful women wherever I went.
I really did think I had the perfect life.
Until I went and married a supermodel I’d just met, and everything changed.
Of course there were choices. But the word annulment meant giving her up, and I never give up anything. Still, I was a bachelor at heart, and having a wife, well, I didn’t really know what to do with that.
After only forty-eight hours of marriage, I had already gone and screwed everything up.
Now I have thirty days to prove to my new wife that I’m husband material. There’s only one problem—I don’t even know what husband material means. However, I’m certain that won’t stop me from excelling at it.
My wife tells me it isn’t going to be easy. That I have numerous issues to overcome.
First, there’s my jealousy. It needs to be tamed. Did I flip over the fact that her latest picture was causing men around the world to do dirty things all over the covers she graced? Hell, yes. I couldn’t help myself though. When her photo went viral, my caveman instincts kicked in, and I demanded she quit her job and stay home—barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen. I can work on that, right?
Then there’s my mother. I need to convince her that my new wife is not the money hungry floozy she called her. Did my mother actually call her that? Yes. I can’t help it that my mother wants me to get rid of my new wife. The problem is what my mother wants, she always gets one way or another. Still, turning my mother’s opinion around can’t be that hard, can it?
There are many other issues, but according to my new wife, those are minor compared to the biggest one—she says I will never be able to accept being tied down.
Don’t worry—I got this one. I intend to prove to her in no uncertain terms that being tied up, down, or horizontal is just what this Upper East Sider needs.
ExcerptI was making a hell of a lot of assumptions.
The most important that the dude she was with wasn’t her boyfriend. Poaching another guy’s girl wasn’t something I was into.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t.
Not that it mattered, she was nowhere in sight.
Just as I was about to give up on ever seeing her again, I spotted her.
Finally.
I’d been looking for her since she walked through the club door, and that was hours ago.
None of that mattered now though because she was looking right back at me, and this time I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.
Adrenaline raced through my veins. I had to meet her. Know her. And yes, fuck her.
She was close.
So close.
She’d sat in a booth across from me, right on the end. We weren’t even ten feet from each other, yet it felt way too far away.
My cheeks grew wide all on their own volition. Fuck, I was smiling like a smitten schoolboy.
Calm the fuck down, I told myself.
She’s just a lay.
But then she smiled back at me with an upward tilt of her luscious lips that not only told me she’d noticed me, but that she liked what she saw, too, and all bets were off.
My body acted on its own. My dick, too.
I had to have her, and I knew I’d do whatever it took to get her.
As soon as I thought the words, any semblance of control I’d had went out the window and my cock went stone hard.
Images of her and me, naked, slick with sweat, and rolling around in the sheets flashed through my mind. I couldn’t stop them.
“James, are you listening to me?” A voice prickled through the air.
Not wanting to be distracted, I nodded and kept my eyes on the gorgeous woman across from me. The woman who was now standing up, taking another guy’s hand, and heading toward the dance floor. The same guy she’d walked in with.
What the fuck? Where had he come from? He wasn’t there a minute ago.
I practically drooled when she walked past me and I caught an up-close glimpse of what she was wearing—a knee-length tighter-than-hell black skirt and some kind of matching slinky top that showed off her taut stomach and beautiful tits.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. She might have been walking with another guy, but her gaze never left me. It was like there was an electric current traveling between us and I knew what I had to do—claim her.
Make her mine for the night.
Standing, I didn’t bother to tell anyone I was with what I was doing. I didn’t want to waste time. I headed toward the dance floor. I have to say, in all the years I’d been coming to his club, I’d never stepped foot on it. Dancing wasn’t my thing.
Tonight, though, anything she was doing would be my thing.
The throng of people seemed to eat her up and I lost her in the sea of bump and grind. The DJ had put on a seductive mix of current songs, clips and pieces that when spliced together sounded really dirty. And it seemed everyone loved it that way. The crowd surged around me, bouncing, wiggling, moving to the beat. Individuals. Couples. Triples. They all moved. Clusters joined together and broke apart in unison. The entire club had gone feral. They weren’t dancing—they were fucking with their clothes on.
I was game for that.
Instinct jabbed at my gut and I kept moving toward the center. The closer I got, the more people there were. Heat and sweat and laughter surrounded me. Women moved in front of me, pressing their bodies close to mine, trying to get me to move to their beat. So very much unlike me, I ignored them all. Not even a smile formed on my face nor did a short flirtation escape my throat. I had to find her.
My blood surged through my veins when I spotted that mess of red hair bouncing. That body moving. Those hips rocking. As if she could sense my stare, she looked my way.
Damn, she was beautiful.
I was hit with full-on attraction.
Instant lust.
Step by step, I made my way toward her. The dude that had led her to the pits of hell was in his own world, as if he just liked to move. There was a decent distance between the two of them so whatever they were, it was far from intimate, or I told myself that was the case anyway.
Normally, I wouldn’t be such an ass, or maybe I would—who the fuck knew, I’d never been in a situation like this. But without a second thought, I tapped the guy on the shoulder.
He turned around.
I bobbed my chin toward the gorgeous vision in front of him. “Mind if I cut in?”
I almost laughed at myself. I’d never used words like that before.
They both glared at me.
I didn’t care. I wanted her, and I wasn’t leaving the dance floor without at least trying.
And I always got what I wanted.
Luckily, he didn’t deck me. It wouldn’t have been good for him. Instead, he started to dance a circle around me. “Sure, man, no problem,” he yelled over the music.
With him out of the way, she was all mine for the night. She just didn’t know it yet. My eyes darted to hers and my body moved closer. “Lindsay, nice to meet you,” I said, getting as close to her as I could.
She continued to glare at me. Hmm…that was not the reaction that I had expected. She practically swallowed me whole with that glance, but I swore I could see her pulse throbbing in her neck in excitement. “How do you know my name?” she asked.
“How could I not? You’re the most gorgeous girl in this place.”
Was I good, or what?
Those feline eyes assessed me, and I could tell she wasn’t impressed.
Okay, on second thought, that might have sounded a little cheesy. I reeled it back. “One my friends knew who you were.”
She nodded, but she still wasn’t moving.
I was.
And I was certain I looked like a damn fool.
“Dance with me,” I said.
This time she shook her head, but at least she was smiling.
Playing hard to get.
I liked it.
April 26, 2017
IMPERFECT LOVE Kindle World
Announcing the IMPERFECT LOVE Kindle World, a fabulous new series featuring strong alpha heroes who get knocked sideways when they suddenly begin noticing the heroine in a whole new light.In partnership with Kendall Ryan & these amazing bestselling authors: Kelly Elliott, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, T. Gephart, Kim Karr, Rachel Brookes, Cora Kenborn, Magan Vernon & Natasha Madison.
Sexy, laugh-out-loud funny, and sweet at times, this series is all about exploring romance tropes like friends to lovers, fake fiancé, arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy, budding office romances, and more, that all share one fabulous thing in common--they end in a happily ever after.Join the Facebook Group
Read the Books Where the World Begins!
Title: Hitched, Vol 1Series: Imperfect Love, 1
Author: Kendall Ryan
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Everafter Romance
Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Marry the girl I’ve had a crush on my whole life? Check.Inherit a hundred-billion-dollar company? Check.
Produce an heir… Wait, what?
I have ninety days to knock up my brand-new fake wife. There’s only one problem—she hates my guts.
And in the fine print of the contract? The requirement that we produce an heir.
She can’t stand to be in the same room with me. Says she’ll never be in my bed.
But I’ve never backed down from a challenge and I’m not about to start now.
Mark my words—I’ll have her begging for me, and it won’t take ninety days.
On the heels of her smash hit and New York Times bestselling Screwed series, Kendall Ryan brings you Hitched, a romantic comedy that delivers heart and heat.
About the Author
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 2 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world.Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.
She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.
Visit her website for the latest book news and fun extras.
Room Mates Series
April 17, 2017
Book Review: The House Mate by Kendall Ryan
My ReviewI enjoyed this story so much. Max and Addison got along so well, and I love that it's their love for Dylan that helps bring them together. Their shared interest to each other is perfectly mirrored in each other's POV, as is their attempts to derail their attraction was super awesome to read.Jenn was just awful, but the worst was Tiffany. And while I like both as their own obstacles, I felt like Jenn coming back temporarily actually detracted from Tiffany being the main block to Max and Addison's relationship.However, I just loved when Max and Addison interacted, even when it didn't end in kissing or having sex. Their conversations just made me smile, and sometimes even laugh when they both retreated into themselves afterwards. They were just so adorably sweet together.
About the Book
Title: The House MateSeries: Room Mate, 3
Author: Kendall Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
What’s sexier than a bad boy? A bad ass man who’s got his shit together.Max Alexander is nearing thirty-five. He’s built a successful company, and he’s conquered the professional world, but he’s never been lucky in love. Focusing so much time on his business and raising his daughter, adulting has come at the expense of his personal life.
His social skills are shit, his patience is shot, and at times, his temper runs hot.
The last thing he has time for is the recently single, too gorgeous for her own good young woman he hires to take care of his little girl. She’s a distraction he doesn’t need, and besides, there’s no way she’d be interested. But you know what they say about assumptions?
This is book 3 in the Roommates series, but each can be read as a complete standalone, as they feature new couples.
Room Mates Series
Hitched Series
April 16, 2017
In Defense of 13 Reasons Why
I spent most of yesterday reading Facebook comments on this article that was shared at least 4 times by different people in my Newsfeed. It attacks 13 Reasons Why for being a revenge fantasy and argues that "other people aren't responsible for your mental health." Those two points alone are very true. And the morality of what Hannah Baker does in creating those tapes is very suspect. It's straight up vindictive, and cruel.
BUT the article ignores the main point of the story (both book and Netflix show). It says that the show should have focused more on Hannah's (lack of) mental health and depression. But the story is told from Clay's point of view as he is listening to her tapes which only lets him see what she was thinking about the events and people she describes on the tapes. The point of the story is the fallout of bullying, slut-shaming, and the fallout of Hannah's suicide.
It is not a story about the importance of mental health (although that obviously plays a big part in her suicide, because as the article harshly—and my Facebook friends' comments—point out suicide is the not the option of a mentally healthy person). It's a warning about the bullying that happens in school, under the radar of or willingly ignored by the adults in charge (faculty and parents alike). One of the people agreeing with the article on Facebook even said kids are just mean, to which I respectfully say, "and that attitude is why kids still are—you're obviously not teaching them it's not okay to be mean, no matter how young you are."
Someone on one of the Facebook posts said that this show shouldn't be seen because it blames the people who didn't see it coming and didn't do anything to stop the suicide. Which is where I disagree. Hannah doesn't blame her parents for not noticing, though I'm sure some viewers might. She doesn't blame her teacher where most of the events described occur in her class (the photo being distributed, the list, etc).
The blame game is bad, no matter who does it. But what's also bad (and the show does an even better job of showing this since it shows the other tape members besides Clay) is how almost everyone downplays what they did and/or blames Hannah.
The show's creators say in Beyond The Reasons that suicide was Hannah's choice. And that's true. She wasn't forced by anyone to kill herself. But the article saying that people can't push someone towards that is also bullshit. Because last year, when I was at my lowest, and no one in my family besides my mom wished me happy birthday, that definitely had a negative impact on me.
So, while everyone can agree the show is good in starting the conversation: totally ripping the show apart or totally loving the show without acknowledging that it glosses over some things, or gets things wrong, is unfair to the show and the messages it is trying to get across.
Do you agree or disagree? Sound off below.
Read My Review of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why
BUT the article ignores the main point of the story (both book and Netflix show). It says that the show should have focused more on Hannah's (lack of) mental health and depression. But the story is told from Clay's point of view as he is listening to her tapes which only lets him see what she was thinking about the events and people she describes on the tapes. The point of the story is the fallout of bullying, slut-shaming, and the fallout of Hannah's suicide.
It is not a story about the importance of mental health (although that obviously plays a big part in her suicide, because as the article harshly—and my Facebook friends' comments—point out suicide is the not the option of a mentally healthy person). It's a warning about the bullying that happens in school, under the radar of or willingly ignored by the adults in charge (faculty and parents alike). One of the people agreeing with the article on Facebook even said kids are just mean, to which I respectfully say, "and that attitude is why kids still are—you're obviously not teaching them it's not okay to be mean, no matter how young you are."
Someone on one of the Facebook posts said that this show shouldn't be seen because it blames the people who didn't see it coming and didn't do anything to stop the suicide. Which is where I disagree. Hannah doesn't blame her parents for not noticing, though I'm sure some viewers might. She doesn't blame her teacher where most of the events described occur in her class (the photo being distributed, the list, etc).
The blame game is bad, no matter who does it. But what's also bad (and the show does an even better job of showing this since it shows the other tape members besides Clay) is how almost everyone downplays what they did and/or blames Hannah.
The show's creators say in Beyond The Reasons that suicide was Hannah's choice. And that's true. She wasn't forced by anyone to kill herself. But the article saying that people can't push someone towards that is also bullshit. Because last year, when I was at my lowest, and no one in my family besides my mom wished me happy birthday, that definitely had a negative impact on me.
So, while everyone can agree the show is good in starting the conversation: totally ripping the show apart or totally loving the show without acknowledging that it glosses over some things, or gets things wrong, is unfair to the show and the messages it is trying to get across.
Do you agree or disagree? Sound off below.
Read My Review of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why
April 12, 2017
Book Review: His Alone by Alexa Riley
My ReviewAs you may recall, I did not really enjoy the first book in the For Her series,
Everything For Her
, because the stalker level was through the roof (it made Christian Grey's antics look tame). And the only reason I even pre-ordered His Alone was because of the very enticing preview at the end of book 1.Thankfully, this story was much better. Although the obsessiveness and stalker behavior was still present, it was much less intrusive to the story. It was more in the background rather than the glaring driving force for everything. Paige even remarks on multiple accounts about how similar Ryan (nicknamed "Captain America" by Mallory in Everything For Her) is to her half-brother Miles ("Oz"):
"Are you sure Captain and Oz aren't related? Because they're definitely both stalkers."She also says that "[Captain's way is] subtle and less controlling, but still possessive." I think just the fact that she calls attention to this alarming trait made me like her, though... she obviously doesn't see it as a red flag so I can't give this story 5 stars. And she is wrong in thinking Ryan isn't as obsessive/manipulative as her half-brother, but again, it doesn't come off as bad (though that isn't a very high bar to surpass).
But, regarding the plot, this story was also much better than its predecessor. Both Paige and Ryan have their own goals, their own secrets, and are well-fletched out characters in their own right—something I felt was generally lacking in book 1. And I really liked how their individuals stories connected beyond just their romance, but that their goals actually meet up in the end.
All in all, it was entertaining and a good story, despite some of the problematic issues. I give it a solid 4 stars.
About the Book
Title: His AloneSeries: For Her, 2
Author: Alexa Riley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: March 28, 2017
Ryan Justice may be her boss, but nothing will stop him from making her his. USA TODAY and #1 ebook bestselling author Alexa Riley entices with a brand-new, full-length novel.She thinks I'm perfect. A good boss, a good man. She thinks that I play by the rules.
She has no idea who I truly am. Why I'm really here.
Paige Turner is trying to outrun her past, but there it is, tossed back in her face anytime she manages to get two steps ahead.
She has no idea what a man like me will do to get what he wants.
Her need for Ryan got in the way of revenge, took her off course. Redirected her focus. Before she knew it, he'd made his way into her life. Into her heart.
I'm dirtier than she knows. She thinks I'm good to the core, but she doesn't know the things I've done. The things I would do for her.
True love doesn't let secrets as big as these stay buried. And when the truth about Paige's father is finally exposed, Ryan will do anything to fix everything. Paige has always been his and his alone.
About Book 1
Title: Everything For HerSeries: For Her, 1
Author: Alexa Riley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: December 27, 2016
USA TODAY bestselling author Alexa Riley's first full-length novel shows just what happens when a strong, possessive man finds the woman of his dreams.I'll never forget the way she looked, so confident and sure of herself. I watched her from a distance. She wasn't ready for me yet. I didn't approach her and I didn't disturb her, but I never once took my eyes off her.
Mallory Sullivan is ready to start her new life. After graduating at the top of her class, she's landed one of the most coveted internships in the United States. Hard work and determination have gotten her to this moment of living the life she only dreamed of while growing up in foster care.
From the start, I knew that she would be my greatest achievement, so the day I let her go, I set down a path for her. A path to me.
She never expected Oz to be the greatest culmination of those dreams. But sometimes fate determines who you fall in love with. Who makes you lose control. Who owns your soul.
And then you realize it wasn't fate at all…
I've wanted to care for and protect her since the first moment I saw her. I've constructed everything in our lives so that at the perfect moment, I could have her, could give her the life she deserves.
The time has come.
March 31, 2017
TV Review: Netflix's 13 Reasons Why
I was going to save this for tomorrow, to give myself some more time to think, but I can't wait that long. When I first read Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher (add on Goodreads | Book Website) in 2008, I was 11 and noticing that middle school was getting worse. I can't remember how I started reading: if I found it in the library or if it was recommended to me. And if it was recommended to me, I can't remember if it was my cousins who recommended The Golden Compass and
The Giver
or one of the librarians.
The book hit me hard. Not because I was bullied, or because I was suicidal (then), but because I knew someone who was bullied as much though differently as Hannah Baker was. I know Asher's book is set in high school, and I've heard more and more people tell me about the horrors of high school, but for me... middle school is where the horrors lie, though it makes sense that those would last into high school (and even college, according to some people). I'll say it: adolescents can be mean as shit and it's obvious these behaviors don't get eradicated in middle school when parents of bullies refuse to believe their child is a problem, schools look the other way, and our society breeds (cyber)bullying, slut-shaming, and rape culture.When I first finished the book, I wanted everyone to read it and years later when I heard Selena Gomez was going to star in it, I got excited because I hoped it would get more of the exposure it deserved. It's taken more than a few years for it to come to fruition, and Gomez is now only executive producing while Katherine Langley stars as Hannah Baker.
Since reading the book (in no particular order), I've entertained my own suicidal thoughts on at least 2 occasions, been to a school that had a suicide before I got there, a classmate who switched schools after reporting that she'd been raped, and a friend of mine who was definitely raped. I've been to 2 Take Back the Night rallies, and met more people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
I'm currently taking a women's studies class called Sexism in the 21st Century. It deals with a lot including slut-shaming and violence against women—both of which appear in this book and show. I couldn't articulate all the issues that the book brought up when I first read it, despite emotionally knowing some of the issues first hand and the others as an observer, but I can now. We live in a flawed world that insists that teenagers overreact, that girls are overly emotional sex objects, and where many issues are swept under the rug. It needs to stop. Suicide statistics are skyrocketing, and rape and bullying are problems that has been here a lot longer than anyone likes to admit and won't go away until they're confronted by everyone.
The book needs to be read (despite being banned by some people who believe it glorifies suicide—believe me, it doesn't) and the show needs to be viewed in middle school (the book was written as a young adult novel, after all), high school, college, and for however long it needs to be until people get it. Because like I said a few times now: the issues in the book and show are societal issues that affect everyone at almost all ages. I'm not saying you talk about rape and suicide to a pre-pubescent girl, but starting at age 3, girls start being put into boxes. By age 6, they're conditioned to be passive. By 11, 12, or 13, all the issues in this book have happened to them or someone they know. How is anything going to get better if people ignore the issue exists or refuses to give younger people the education they need to not be cruel and to get help if they need it before it's too late? Hannah gives 13 reasons why for her own suicide, imagine how many reasons exist for everyone else who has ended their life. Things need to change.
Watch 13 Reasons Why on Netflix
13 Reasons Why on Tumblr Follow @13reasonswhy
The book hit me hard. Not because I was bullied, or because I was suicidal (then), but because I knew someone who was bullied as much though differently as Hannah Baker was. I know Asher's book is set in high school, and I've heard more and more people tell me about the horrors of high school, but for me... middle school is where the horrors lie, though it makes sense that those would last into high school (and even college, according to some people). I'll say it: adolescents can be mean as shit and it's obvious these behaviors don't get eradicated in middle school when parents of bullies refuse to believe their child is a problem, schools look the other way, and our society breeds (cyber)bullying, slut-shaming, and rape culture.When I first finished the book, I wanted everyone to read it and years later when I heard Selena Gomez was going to star in it, I got excited because I hoped it would get more of the exposure it deserved. It's taken more than a few years for it to come to fruition, and Gomez is now only executive producing while Katherine Langley stars as Hannah Baker.
Since reading the book (in no particular order), I've entertained my own suicidal thoughts on at least 2 occasions, been to a school that had a suicide before I got there, a classmate who switched schools after reporting that she'd been raped, and a friend of mine who was definitely raped. I've been to 2 Take Back the Night rallies, and met more people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
I'm currently taking a women's studies class called Sexism in the 21st Century. It deals with a lot including slut-shaming and violence against women—both of which appear in this book and show. I couldn't articulate all the issues that the book brought up when I first read it, despite emotionally knowing some of the issues first hand and the others as an observer, but I can now. We live in a flawed world that insists that teenagers overreact, that girls are overly emotional sex objects, and where many issues are swept under the rug. It needs to stop. Suicide statistics are skyrocketing, and rape and bullying are problems that has been here a lot longer than anyone likes to admit and won't go away until they're confronted by everyone.
The book needs to be read (despite being banned by some people who believe it glorifies suicide—believe me, it doesn't) and the show needs to be viewed in middle school (the book was written as a young adult novel, after all), high school, college, and for however long it needs to be until people get it. Because like I said a few times now: the issues in the book and show are societal issues that affect everyone at almost all ages. I'm not saying you talk about rape and suicide to a pre-pubescent girl, but starting at age 3, girls start being put into boxes. By age 6, they're conditioned to be passive. By 11, 12, or 13, all the issues in this book have happened to them or someone they know. How is anything going to get better if people ignore the issue exists or refuses to give younger people the education they need to not be cruel and to get help if they need it before it's too late? Hannah gives 13 reasons why for her own suicide, imagine how many reasons exist for everyone else who has ended their life. Things need to change.
Watch 13 Reasons Why on Netflix
13 Reasons Why on Tumblr Follow @13reasonswhy
March 29, 2017
Cora Carmack's Surprise ... ALL CLOSED OFF Is Coming!
From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack, comes the highly anticipated 4th standalone title in her Rusk University series, All Closed Off! A passionate story and journey, get ready to be mesmerized with Stella's story! All Closed Off is coming your way May 1, 2017!
Title: All Closed OffSeries: Rusk University, 4
Author: Cora Carmack
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 1, 2017
Add on GoodreadsStella Santos is fine.
Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same.
But none of that matters because she’s just fine.
For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t.
When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again.
Vulnerable.
About Cora Carmack
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life—boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Losing It series.
