Last Wish by Erin Butler

Nothing feels right. Not since my best friend died and I fucked up the one promise he asked me to make. The past follows me everywhere, tangling me up like weeds, reminding me that my life is empty. So fucking empty.

Then she walks into the bar, all bright beauty and sweet lips made for kissing.

Em Stewart is a complication...one I need to avoid. She’s got heavy secrets of her own, ones she hides from her friends—and lies about to herself.

No matter how hard I try, I can't resist her, and our unexpected road trip sure as hell isn't helping my cause. But I’ll be damned if I screw up my first chance at something real...

So we've got Ronan, hero of the story, who's trying to carry out his deceased best friend's (Kyle's) last wish. As far as survivor's guilt goes, Ronan (or Bear) has it bad. He has all but written off a former friend (Chase) for his role in Kyle's death. This makes it a bit difficult for Bear to carry out Kyle's final wish of taking care of his sister, Kelsey. Kelsey happens to be romantically involved with Chase. Yep, the whole situation sounds and feels very high school. This all being said, the real plot of this book actually revolves around Bear and Kelsey's best friend, Em. Em is in a shoddy relationship and Bear ends up being the one to rescue her from the side of the road, literally. On their road trip home, they learn more about each other, themselves and discover feelings for each other they never acknowledged before. Last Wish was definitely a sweet story. I read it as a standalone and found it alright. It didn't pull at my heartstrings, though, and so I'll have to give this book a 2.5* rating.

Grey by E.L. James

See the world of Fifty Shades of Grey anew through the eyes of Christian Grey. In Christian's own words, and through his thoughts, reflections, and dreams, E L James offers a fresh perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the world.

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty--until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him--past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian's cold, wounded heart.

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

This book is intended for mature audiences.

I need to start off by prefacing that I didn't -LOVE- the first three books in this series. I found them redundant, the writing wasn't the best and there was something about the characters that made me very *???* (I can't find a better way to describe my wtf feelings). Maybe it's because I just couldn't relate to either of them but a lot of the things happening throughout made me not love them very much.  ANYWAYS. So I was very intrigued by the concept of this book. Possibly because, as a Twilight fan, I was denied a completed version of Midnight Sun and this seemed to be exactly what I wanted...but for a different story. Sadly, I forgot how hard it was for me to get through the first three books of the series in the first place. I can't say that it was horrible one but it surely wasn't destined to be on my re-read list. Christian is as messed up as he hints at and this book reiterates this idea quite well. If you thought Ana's "inner goddess" was bad...well, let's just say the inner workings of Christian's head is quite possibly worse. I think it actually made me like him less. I found his rambling to come off as insecure and, at times, I dare say, adolescent-teenage-boy-esque. Do I think this book was published just to make money? Yep. It definitely didn't enhance my Fifty Shades experience. To be honest, though, who am I kidding...I didn't love the first three books so I didn't really expect that much out of this one! You can get through it, like you did the first three books, but I'm sure it will be a read with a lot of eye rolling and flipping through pages that you couldn't be bothered to read in detail. 

Cover Reveal: Wolf Bite by Nina West

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Nina West’s WOLF BITE! Releasing in February 2016, WOLF BITE is the highly anticipated second novel in her Wolf Cove Series! Be sure you grab WOLF BAIT while it is free! This deal only lasts today and tomorrow! Wolf Bite is Book 2 in the Wolf Cove series and should be read after finishing Wolf Bait (Book 1).

Isolated in the luxurious Wolf Cove Hotel in Alaska, Abbi Mitchell is thousands of miles away from her family and friends. In the hands of a predator. Potentially. After discovering condemning information about the mercurial man who controls her day-to-day work life and, now, her most intimate private life as well, Abbi's not sure she can continue on with... whateveris going on between her and Henry Wolf. Especially when he's about to be thrown into a fiery media circus ring, and she, along with her reputation, will undoubtedly get dragged into it with him. But breaking things off with the Big Bad Wolf now likely means losing her job and her summer of freedom, and going back to the farm and her controlling mother. She's not doing that. Abbi does have something to hold over Henry's head. If he forces her hand. If she has the guts to do what amounts to blackmail. But will the all-powerful Henry Wolf concede, or will she finally feel his bite?

And don’t miss the first book in the Wolf Cove Series, WOLF BAIT!

Now FREE (Amazon) for two days only, December 21st& 22nd!

About the Author

Nina West lives in the city but spends her summers in the wilderness with her husband. She loves having a steaming cup of cocoa in one hand and a steamy story full of angst in the other. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter! 

Life's a Beach by Jamie K. Schmidt

When Amelia Parker arrives in Maui, newly single and unemployed, she’s shocked to discover the resort she booked is actually a ramshackle little beachside hotel. At least the scenery is easy on the eyes—as is the toned, laid-back snorkel instructor, “Dude.” After two weeks of sun, serenity, and mind-blowing sex, she even accepts a job as the hotel’s concierge. But what Amelia really wants is to relaunch the place completely. And that means convincing the absentee Wall Street billionaire owner, Samuel Kincaide, to take a chance on her.

Samuel has a plan, too: selling off every last reminder of his former life and chilling all day, every day as his slacker altar ego . . . Dude. He loves his romps in the ocean, and under the sheets, with the feisty Amelia. If she discovers his true identity, her boundless enthusiasm and innovative business plan will seriously diminish his hammock time. But when Amelia runs into real trouble on the island, he’ll put everything on the line to keep her safe. He just hopes that the woman who’s falling for Dude will feel the same about Samuel.

It was cute, it was hot, it was sexy...and it's set in Hawaii--what more can one want? The mood of this book is really relaxing, set in paradise, we watch Amelia pull herself together after being hit with a couple of curveballs. Samuel and his alter ego Dude kept the book interesting--I couldn't help but giggle everytime Amelia cried out "Dude" in ecstasy. The writing is easy to take in and the plot isn't super deep but there was enough to keep things moving along. The sex is super-hot (and sandy!) and the author made great use of the supporting cast. There really wasn't anyone (other than the obvious antagonist) that I didn't grow to like. Fabulous beach read, this will definitely give you a break from your dreary winter days!

Cover Reveal: Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros

New Military Romance from Rebecca Yarros in Hallowed Ground (Book Four) of the 

 Flight & Glory Series releasing January 25th!

Hallowed Ground is available for pre-order:

iBooks: http://apple.co/1lywj8A

About the Author

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years. They finally can call Colorado home along with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog.

Connect with Rebecca on:

     

Forgetting August by J.L. Berg

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .

Forgetting August is available for purchase:

I wasn't sure exactly what I was in for when I picked up Forgetting August (these sorts of things happen when you have a "to-be-read" pile of at least 50 books). I was definitely drawn in from the get-go. Different from a lot of novels I've read the last little while, this one has a bit of mystery to it and it really drew me in from that angle. Who the heck is August, what the heck did he do to Everly and so on and so forth. The intensity between August and Everly is really curious. Despite the hatred Everly has for him, she can't seem to resist him in any capacity. It kind of makes me question her character. Actually, the more I read into the novel, the less I liked Everly and the more I liked August. From the start, I had a feeling a particular someone would pop back into August's life at the most inopportune time. I wasn't wrong in my inkling of a feeling! That being said, the ending totally threw me off. THAT curve ball left me wanting more of this story, more than I already wanted the continuation! Most definitely an enjoyable novel--great start to the series, the writing is easy to read and the story is not hard to follow. There's a splash of mystery to this, otherwise, romance novel. I can't wait to jump into the next book!

Release Day Blitz: Forgetting August by J.L. Berg

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .

Forgetting August is available for purchase:

Join us for the FORGETTING AUGUST Release Party!

Forever Romance and J.L. Berg invite readers to join them for a Facebook party on December 9 from 7 – 10 PM EST to celebrate FORGETTING AUGUST, on sale December 1. In addition to fun guests and giveaways, there will be a great discussion about the book as J.L. Berg takes fan questions. RSVP here (https://www.facebook.com/events/1638191816444435/).

Excerpt

My hand shook as I pulled the box into my lap, preparing myself for what may lay hidden within.  I felt nervous and sick with anticipation.  I suddenly wanted to flee, but where would I go?  And how would I get there?  Moving my leg took more concentration than I was willing to admit and I was still attached to what looked to be a hundred monitoring devices.

The box stared back at me, waiting...wondering when I would crack its lip and finally divulge the secrets it had been keeping for so long.

  

What if I didn't like what I found? What if I did?

Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand on the lip and pulled, knowing there was only one way to find out.

  

All neatly arranged inside, I found clothes, a wallet and a scattering of other personal belongings.  I immediately went for the wallet, knowing it would hold the most information.Everything else forgotten, my fingers traced the smooth edges of the soft leather as I bent it open.

There staring back at me was a picture of my own face.  Because of the mirror across theroom near the sink, I'd managed to catch a glimpse of my reflection a time or two since awaking here hours earlier. 

The man looking up at me on the California driver’s license photo was a stark contrast to the person I was today. 

Cold empty green eyes looked through me, as if the world and everything in it were beneath him.  With a crisp white shirt and flawless green tie and jacket, there was no smile permeating through the lens--not even a hint of emotion was showing.  My now long, unkempt hair had been trimmed short and neat, matching the impeccable persona that could be seen even through the tiny picture.

My attention turned towards the address. 

1023 Sea Cliff Lane, San Francisco.  

I looked out the window, trying to see if anything beyond its paned glass brought back any hints or memories of a life I once led.  

San Francisco.

Even though the driver’s license confirmed what the nurse had already told me, I still felt no connection with the city below.  Nothing called out to me, nothing held my attention.

Was there anyone down there that would remember my name?

I dug further through the wallet, finding a couple hundred dollars in cash, as well as several credit cards and a few membership cards to places I'd never heard of, but apparently belonged to.

Or had belonged to.

What happened to your life when you went into a coma?  Did you disappear?  Cease to exist or did life carry on?  I looked at the address on my driver’s license and wondered if I still had a home...a bank account?  I wasn't dead, but who had been paying my bills for the last two? 

Did I have money to pay the bills?

Fuck.

  

Suddenly, all I wanted was to slip back into that coma and never wake up again.

  

And then I saw her.  

It was just a glimpse at first, the edge of a picture sticking out from inside the wallet--a wisp of hair that had me pulling at it to see it properly.  

With the golden gate bridge as our backdrop, a much younger, carefree version of myself held a girl in my arms and suddenly the world didn't feel so lonely anymore.  Copper red hair tumbled down her back like a fiery mane.  Her bright blue eyes sparkled as if she held untold secrets waiting to be revealed.  In my own eyes, I didn't see harshness or the rigid void of nothing.  I saw her, reflecting back in spades, the love radiating between us.

I flipped the photo over, hoping for something...anything that would tell me who this girl was.

There was nothing but a date and a name.  

August and Everly - 2005

Everly.

She had a name.

Now all I had to do was find her.

About the Author

Author J.L. Berg is a California native living in the South.  She is the author of the self-pubbed Ready series, which has sold over 100,000 copies.  Married to her high school sweetheart. She and her husband have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a romance book, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate.

Connect with J.L. Berg on:

     

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