Blog Tour: American King by Sierra Simone

"Enthralling and drop dead gasp-worthy."

- CD Reiss, New York Times Bestselling Author

American King, the stunning conclusion to The New Camelot Trilogy by Sierra Simone is available NOW!!

They say that every tragic hero has a fatal flaw, a secret sin, a tiny stitch sewn into his future since birth. And here I am. My sins are no longer secret. My flaws have never been more fatal. And I’ve never been closer to tragedy than I am now.

I am a man who loves, a man whose love demands much in return. I am a king, a king who was foolish enough to build a kingdom on the bones of the past. I am a husband and a lover and a soldier and a father and a president.

And I will survive this.

Long live the king.

***

Excerpt:

When I was twenty-two, I met a prince. He seemed to be the exact opposite of everything I was—loud where I was quiet, smiling where I frowned, careless where I was careful, careful, careful. Embry joined the Army because Vivienne Moore wanted her son to craft the perfect politician's resume. I joined because it seemed like the place to continue my never-ending quest for honor; because becoming an officer in the Army had a certain cachet in my neighborhood; because I wanted to somehow cosmically return the favor for my college scholarship; because the structure and rigid hierarchy of military life appealed to me. Most importantly, I joined because I knew Carpathia was the most dangerous place in the world at the time, and I felt needed there in a way I can't describe. It was like a barometric pressure that made my bones and teeth ache when I tried to resist it. I knew that I was supposed to be there in the same way I knew that God was real or that I was bisexual. It was a fact, even if it couldn't be seen. And after all that, then I see this lieutenant refuse to break up a fight? When we were there on the brink of war and responsible for safekeeping innocents nearby? No. I wasn't an angry person, but I was a disciplined one, and the one thing I couldn't tolerate in other people was a lack of it. I only meant to shake some sense into him, to tell him clearly and unmistakably that he wouldn't get away with that shit while I was around, but then he turned, and I saw his face for the first time. And it was over. Done. One look at those winter-blue eyes and those delicate lips and I was finished. One glance at his lean, long body, and I was falling. Every part of me responded with heat and flush and wrenching want, like a hook had been fastened somewhere in my chest and was now giving an almighty tug, and the only thing to ease the ache would be to get closer, closer, closer. I'd never seen a boy so beautiful. Haughty as he was, overindulged and so obviously dissolute, he was the loveliest person, boy or girl, I'd ever seen. I still pinned him against the wall, though. And it was when I had him against the wall with my forearm on his throat and my body trapping his that he sealed his fate. As I was choking him, he looked at me with his whole world in his eyes.

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Discover The New Camelot Trilogy Today!

American Queen

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American Prince

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About the Author:

Sierra Simone is a former librarian who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk. She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

Connect with Sierra:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSierraSimone/

Twitter: @TheSierraSimone

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraSimonesLambs/

Website: http://www.authorsierrasimone.com

Audiobook Blitz: The Learning Hours by Sara Ney + Review and Excerpt

He’s not a douchebag;

but that doesn’t stop his friends from

turning him into one.

   

MY FRIENDS WANT ME TO GET LAID. 

So much so that they plastered my ugly mug all over campus, in bold printed letters: Are you the lucky lady who’s going to break our roommate’s cherry? Him: socially awkward man with average-sized penis looking for willing sexual partner. You: must have pulse. Text him at: 555-254-5551 The morons can’t even spell. And the texts I’ve been receiving are what wet dreams are made of. But I’m not like these douchebags, no matter how hard they try to turn me into one. 

THIS ISN’T THE KIND OF ATTENTION I WANT.

One text stands out from hundreds. One number I can’t bring myself to block. She seems different. Hotter, even in black and white.   However, after seeing her in person, I know she’s not the girl for me. But my friends won’t let up—they just don't get it. Douchebags or not, there's one thing they'll never understand: 

GIRLS DON’T WANT ME. 

 Especially her.

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\\

EXCERPT:

He’s seated at a table in the far corner when I spot him from the door. He’s not hard to miss—not with his purple t-shirt in a sea of black and yellow, and wavy mussed hair. He’s slouching, hunched over his table. Defeated. Tired. My stomach rolls with nerves, nerves that have me rooted to the spot in the doorway, watching him. Just watching. For the entire four minutes I stand here, he sits immobile, studying his laptop, eyes moving along the screen, completely transfixed by whatever he’s reading. Learning. “Just go over there,” I whisper to myself, blowing out a puff of pent-up air. I put one foot in front of the other and begin toward him, spine ramrod straight, steeling myself, prepared for another argument. Twenty feet. Fifteen. Eight. Two. “Hi.” No reply. “Do you mind if I sit here?” I lay my hand on the back of the wooden chair across from him, intending to pull it out. He stiffens but doesn’t lift his head. “Yes I mind.” “Would you mind if I sat at the table next to you?” I’m pushing his buttons, looking for a reaction, but he only spares me a brief glance. Shrugs. “Free country.” I bite my lip to hide a smile, glad he didn’t tell me to take a hike...    

    

MY REVIEW:

4 stars

****

 I enjoyed this book! This is Laurel and Rhett's book. Laurel is beautiful (and she knows it); a slightly snobby and superficial college student. Rhett is also a college student, more of an average looking guy, who just transferred to Laurel's college on a wrestling scholarship. As part of Rhett's hazing from his new wrestling teammates, his face gets postered all over campus, saying he needs to get laid. Laurel is not impressed by Rhett's picture, but her cousin dares her to text the number on the poster. She reluctantly does, and strikes up a texting relationship with him. Laurel starts to like Rhett and they eventually meet in person. As they become friends, Laurel starts to really like who Rhett is as a person and she sees that she was rude and judgmental about his looks. But he is clueless that Laurel could be interested in him. Over time, she convinces him and they begin a relationship. It takes some work and some growth on both of their parts, but they manage to make it work. 

I liked both Laurel and Rhett. I had trouble liking Laurel at first. She was very stuck-up and snobby- thinking she was too good and too beautiful to be in Rhett's league. She made several comments that I thought were bitchy and rude. But as she got to know Rhett, she started to see him for the really great guy he was and she changed for the better. I liked Rhett from the beginning. He was not a douchebag at all. He was a good person, smart, gentlemanly, and talented. 

Laurel and Rhett were quite the pair. They both had insecurities, were sometimes immature, and sometimes clueless. Especially Rhett. He was pretty dense when Laurel was practically throwing herself at him. She adored Rhett. There was a bit of a slow burn. He had no clue that she liked him until she told him. It was a little unbelievable that he could be so clueless. I felt a little bad for Laurel because she was doing all the chasing and work in the relationship, while Rhett didn't give her much in return. Laurel was super supportive of him and his wrestling career, while Rhett was mostly enamored with her looks and didn't seem to know much about her life. I wanted him to be more assertive and man up more. Still, they were typical college age kids, just learning who they are and how to maneuver adult friendships and relationships. Neither of them had experience falling in love or being in a mature, heartfelt relationship. They both made a few mistakes, but their hearts were in the right places and they made up for them. I got it and I cut them some slack because I remember being that age and clueless too. By the epilogue, they had definitely grown and matured together. 

I listened to the audio version of this book and it was only my second audiobook, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the narrators, Josh Goodman and Muffy Newton. Josh did a good job with Rhett's Louisiannian accent without making him sound like a redneck. Muffy really nailed Laurel's slightly snobby personality. This was my first listening experience with them both and I enjoyed it. I liked how they brought the various characters to life. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable book! The story was cute, funny, sexy and slightly angsty. It was great seeing Laurel and Rhett's relationship develop. This was my second read by Sarah Ney, but my first book to read in this series. I definitely think I will go back and read the first two books in the series soon, as well. 

  Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte's, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British. She lives with her husband, children, and her ridiculously large dog.

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Review Blitz: Miss Fix-It by Emma Hart + Excerpt

       

Miss Fix-It 

by Emma Hart

One handywoman.

One single dad.

One set of twins.

And the wall isn’t the only thing being drilled…

I learned the hard way that being a handywoman isn’t easy. The questions, the stares—the assumption I’m the proud owner of a cock and balls. Not that it matters. I’ve proven over and over that I’m ready for anything the judgmental asses throw at me.

Except the hot, single dad of twins who just moved to town.

Brantley Cooper gets the shock of his life when I show up on his doorstep to fix up his kids’ new rooms. His son is confused why ‘the pretty lady has a drill,’ and his daughter has a new obsession—me.

On paper, my job is easy. Go in, do their bedrooms, and leave.

In theory, I’m spending eight hours a day with a guarded, sexy as hell guy, and I’m staying for dinner more often than I’m eating it alone, on my couch, with Friends re-runs.

I shouldn’t be staying for dinner. I shouldn’t be helping him out with the twins. I shouldn’t be falling in love with tiny toes and dimpled cheeks.

And I most definitely should not be kissing my client.

Oops…

 

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MY REVIEW:

4 stars

****

 This was a super sweet, low angst and funny book! This is Brantley and Kali's story. Brantley is a widowed single father of twin four year olds who just moved to Kali's small town. Kali is the builder/handywoman that he hires to help him fix up his new house. They have instant chemistry. Kali begins to spend all her days working on their house and starts to get to know and like Brantley and his kids a lot. She has never wanted kids of her own, though, but she still starts to fall in love with those kids. She starts to fall for Brantley too, but she doesn't think it is a good idea to get involved with a client. However, Brantley and Kali find it hard to resist each other. Kali has some reservations about getting into a relationship with a widower and potentially becoming a stepmom. She decides to take the risk and they fall in love.

This book had a lot of good stuff going on. I liked both Brantley and Kali. Kali was quirky and sometimes cutely awkward. Brantley was a nice guy and good dad. They were both funny and sweet together. The kids were really cute and written age appropriately. There was a small town feel. There was no unnecessary drama (no OW/OM). I liked Kali's sweet relationship with both her stepmom and father too.

This book is a bit of a slow burn. At 50%, I was enjoying it, but noticed that not much had happened. A lot of the book is about the kids and Kali dealing with her own internal feelings and confusion about dating a client, being a mom/potential stepmom, and dating a widower. I would have liked more assertiveness from Brantley. I wanted him to go after what he wanted a bit more, instead of letting Kali lead their relationship. I needed to feel them falling in love a little more. I wasn't quite sure if I felt the jump from liking each other to loving each other. The couple didn't officially get together until the very end. There is a cute epilogue though, so I felt like the book had enough resolution.

This book has a trope I sometimes have a hard time with, the "dead ex" trope. But it did not bother me in this situation. It ha been 2.5 years since Brantley's wife died. I didn't feel like Kali was a second choice at all. It was obvious Brantley adored her. The kids were too young to remember their mom and they were crazy about Kali too. Kali was worried about it more than anyone else- about living up to the dead mother/wife. But she was reassured by Brantley and by her own stepmother, who stepped into raise her after her own mother died as a child.

Overall, though, this was an entertaining, fun read. It was funny without trying to hard and not corny. There were lots of sweet, sexy and humorous moments. The story was original and cute. I loved that it was a light, low angst, easy read, too. I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it! I look forward to more from Emma Hart!

    

EXCERPT:

 “Deal with it,” I echoed, my mouth dry. “What exactly do you mean by that?” He glanced at my mouth. “Okay, but, um, here’s the thing.” I couldn’t breathe. I sounded like a panting idiot trying to get the words out between each short, sharp breath I took. “This,” I motioned between us, “is bad.” “Bad.” His lips tugged to the side. “Yes. Because,”—help. Someone help—“because this isn’t allowed. Company rules. No cavorting with clients.” “No cavorting with clients.” That half-smile turned into a full-blown grin. “That’s very…proper.” “Well, I can’t exactly put, “No sleeping with the clients” now, can I?” “You could have, but it would have been unfortunately precise.” “I should change that.” “I disagree.” I licked my lips. “You should agree. Because this is—” “Bad. You said.” More lip twitching. “I thought you were sorry you made it awkward by kissing me.” “That was before I found out you were attracted to me. Now, I’m a lot less sorry I kissed you.” Oh. Well. Fair enough. “Should I take back my acceptance of your apology?” I asked. “You should stop talking and see how you feel when I’ve kissed you again.”

 

     By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books. Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love. She likes to be busy—unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

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Review: Mr. Hat Trick by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller

Mr. Hat Trick 

by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller

4- 4.25 stars

****

This was another good addition to this fun, sexy series! This is Sasha and Tate's story. Sasha is best friends with Ellie, who is married to Gavin, who is best friends with Tate. Being in the same group of friends, they are around each other a lot. Sasha and Tate have been attracted to each other for awhile. They finally decide to act on their feelings of attraction, and they plan on it only being a one time thing. But they find that they really like each other and they start spending more time together. They both have a lot going on though, with Sasha running a business and finishing up school and Tate is playing professional hockey after being transferred to a new team away from his friends and family. And Sasha has some relationship and family baggage from the past to overcome before she can have a relationship with Tate. But he is persuasive and they are able to work it all out between them to get the HEA they deserve.

I liked both Sasha and Tate. They were both great characters and they were perfect together. Tate knew what he wanted with Sasha, but for the first half of the book, Sasha was a little frustrating in her pushing away and treating him like she only cared about him for sex. But soon she came around and stopped fighting her feelings for Tate. Sasha was a strong, independent woman and it was an adjustment for her to realize she needed and cared about Tate. I really liked Tate too. He was laid back and sexy, and he adored Sasha from the beginning. There was a great epilogue with plenty of closure at the end, which I love, too. There was a lot to like about this book! It was also fun catching up with the other couples in the series.

Overall, this turned out to be a really sweet, sexy book. I loved seeing Sasha and Tate's romance develop. I really enjoy this series and I hope there is more to come!

Upcoming November Releases!

 My Most Anticipated November Releases

Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid (11/7)
Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis (11/7)
Prince Roman by CD Reiss (11/7) 
Complicated by Kristen Ashley (11/7)
Hooking Up by Helena Hunting (11/7)
Most Eligible Bastard by Annika Martin (11/7)
The Outliers by T.M. Frazier (11/9)
Leap of the Lion by Cherise Sinclair (11/14)
At Your Service by Lexi Blake (11/14)
Defiant Queen by Meghan March (11/14)
The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane (11/21)
Personal Disaster by Ainsley Booth (11/21)
Lure of Oblivion by Suzanne Wright (11/21)
Pulled Under by Lisa Renee Jones (11/28)

What about you guys? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

October 2017 Reading Review

***** October Reading Review! ******

October was pretty epic! I had so many awesome reads this past month that it is hard to pick my

favorites!

My top 5 reads for the month were:

Follow by Tessa Bailey
Filthy Player by Stacey Lynn Author
Mr. Hat Trick by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller
Ride Wild by Laura Kaye
Sleeper by Lexi Blake

*********************************

Those were all great books that I really enjoyed! And I also read 4+ star reads from Alice Ward, Lisa Renee Jones, Brynne Asher, Jennifer Dawson, Sarina Bowen and Sarah Curtis Author. Truly great authors to check out if you haven't yet!

How about you? What were your favorite reads for October?

Cover Reveal: The V Card by Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente

 

A brand new sinfully sexy standalone romantic comedy from bestselling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente, THE V CARD is coming December 13, 2017! Pre-order your copy today! Kindle users-stay tuned for the preorder right before release! And don't miss the hot, new cover below!

 

Cover Design by Helen Williams with Photography by Paul Van Der Linde

A brand new sinfully sexy standalone romantic comedy from bestselling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente!

When you think about how easy it is to lose keys, phones, sunglasses and your dignity on social media, you might figure it'd be a cinch for me to ditch my V Card.

You'd be wrong.

At 25, I run a successful business, live in a fantastic apartment, and have fabulous friends to go out with any night of the week. And yet I'm still a card-carrying member of a club I don't want to belong to anymore. Good thing I know just the man for the deflowering job-my brother's business partner and best friend.

Graham Campbell is charming, smart, and, I'm told, oh-so-skilled in the sack. As long as I keep my eyes on the prize, there's no way this pluck-the-flower project could possibly complicate matters.

***

Work and pleasure. As the CEO of a fast-growing company, I've been enjoying both to the fullest. What do I do when the board throws me for an unexpected loop so I can keep my business in my hands? I enlist the help of my best friend's little sister since she holds a big stake in the company. But then I learn there's another big stake she wants.

The one between my legs.

I can do this. Seven nights to teach her everything I know in the bedroom. There's no way I'll fall for her, even though she's earning top grades in every single sinfully sexy lesson. And turns out I'm learning something too. The trouble is I don't have the answer key to what to do when I fall hard for her.

And that throws a whole new hitch in my plans.

   

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

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✦Audio ➜ THE V CARD will be narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York and it will be available to preorder a few weeks before release!

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✦THE V CARD will be available for Kindle preorder a few days before its Dec 13 release. To receive an alert when the book is live, please sign up for Lili and Lauren’s joint mailing list! https://www.subscribepage.com/TheVCard

 

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty-five times, and she's sold more than 2 million books. In October, she released HARD WOOD, the final standalone romantic comedy in the Big Rock series. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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About Lili Valente:

USA Today bestselling author Lili Valente writes both naughty things and funny things (that are also naughty). She has slept under the stars in Greece, eaten dinner at midnight with French men who couldn’t be trusted to keep their mouths on their food, and walked alone through Munich’s red light district after dark and lived to tell the tale.

These days you can find her writing in a tent beside the sea, drinking coconut water and thinking delightfully dirty thoughts.

     

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