Review: Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey + Excerpt

   

From New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes TOO CLOSE TO CALL, a novella in her Romancing the Clarksons Series published by 1001 Dark Nights! Grab your copy today!

   

About TOO CLOSE TO CALL:

All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.

None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

     

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EXCERPT:

“Whoa there,” Bree whispered shakily. “This is a church dance.”
Her words seemed to bring him back from whatever land he’d been teleported to. “Right,” he rasped. “We’re supposed to be setting an example.”
“Yes.”

“So I should definitely stop thinking about sucking on your lower lip.”

Bree’s thighs pressed together, her gasping inhale shivering all the way down into her tummy. Lower. “Stop that right now.”

His gaze remained zeroed in on her mouth. “Stop thinking about it or saying it out loud?”

“Both.” Trying desperately to remain indignant in the face of that face—and that drawl, those muscles, his familiar scent—Bree warned him with a look. “You said we were going to be friends. There’s nothing the least bit friendly about lip sucking.”
“I don’t know.” He hummed in his throat and tightened his hold around her waist. “Seems like letting me do it would be mighty friendly of you.”
Bree tamped down a laugh. “Friendly or stupid?”

“Stupid?” Kyler frowned. “Why?”

“Because we both know where it leads.”
Shit almighty. How had it come to this? She was plastered against her ex-boyfriend—whom she’d yet to shake completely. He looked delicious enough to eat, and now they were having a conversation about sex. And—and—she was wearing her feel- good dress. The one she wore when her hair was down and everything was shaved and waxed. Had she primped because Kyler was back in town? It was too infuriating to speculate on.
“You’re getting pretty worked up down there, supergirl.”


MY REVIEW:

                                     4 stars

                                       ****

 This was a good, little novella! This is 

Kyler and Bree's story. Kyler was a high school football star and totally in love with Bree. She loved Kyler, but did not feel like she could leave her single father alone after high school. She decided not go to college. But she didn't want Kyler to give up his dreams of playing college football and going into the NFL draft. So she broke up with him with no explanation. She became an assistant to her veterinarian father and worked with animals. Kyler, heart-broken, went off to college and was drafted into the NFL. Neither of them dated anyone else. At the draft, Kyler realized how he had always imagined Bree there with him. He returns to their small town to convince Bree that they are meant to be together. 

I liked Kyler and Bree together. Kyler was very sweet and totally in love with Bree. I liked Bree, but her reason for breaking up with Kyler with no explanation to him was a little frustrating. I loved that, while they were separated for 4 years, both were celibate and never even thought about being with others. I did feel like the story was a bit rushed. There was enough in the story to be fleshed out into a full length book, but it was packed into a novella instead. Still, I did enjoy seeing Kyler and Bree get their HEA. This was a very sweet, sexy, small-town feeling romance and I very much enjoyed it! Tessa Bailey never disappoints!

 

Tessa Bailey’s TOO CLOSE TO CALL – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

June 14^th

All Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

For the Love of Bookends – Review

Gi's Spot Reviews – Review & Excerpt

My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt

Naughty Girls and Their Books – Review & Excerpt

That's What I'm Talking About – Review & Excerpt

Whatever You Can Still Betray – Excerpt

June 15^th

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Happily Ever After Book Reviews – Review

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

JordansBookReviews – Excerpt

Literary Misfit – Excerpt

Mama Likes to Read Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

The Readdicts – Review & Excerpt

June 16^th

Books,Dreams,Life – Excerpt

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review

Lightning City Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

My Girlfriends Couch – Review & Excerpt

Ramblings From This Chick – Review & Excerpt

Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt

TBQ's Book Palace – Review

Wickedcoolflight – Review & Excerpt

June 17^th

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

Booklovers For Life – Review & Excerpt

Caroline Jane Reads – Excerpt

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Mary @ USA Today's Happy Ever After – Review

Nicole's Book Musings – Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

June 18^th

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review

Bridget's Book Bungalow – Review

Drunk On a Book – Review & Excerpt

Love Notes Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Readers Retreats – Excerpt

June19th

A Taste of Sin – Excerpt

Bobo's Book Bank – Review & Excerpt

Bookishly Yours – Review

Coffee Books Life – Review & Excerpt

I'm A Book Shark – Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

Novel Addiction – Review

Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt

Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

June 20^th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Review

Pardon My Blurb – Review & Excerpt

Total Book Geek – Review & Excerpt

Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt

June 21^st

Alpha Book Club – Review

Bookaliciousbabes blog – Review & Excerpt

Crystal's Chaotic Confessions – Excerpt

Feel the Book – Review & Excerpt

Jax's Book Magic – Excerpt

Kimmy Loves to Read – Review & Excerpt

Literary Gossip – Review & Excerpt

Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt

The Romance Reviews – Review

June 22^nd

A small girl, her man and her books – Review & Excerpt

kimberlyfaye reads – Review

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Nightbird Novels – Review

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

Pretty Sassy Cool – Review & Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

The BookWhisperer – Review

June 23^rd

ageordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Brittany's Book Blog – Excerpt

G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt

Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe – Review & Excerpt

Pink Lace & Silver Buckles Book Blog – Review

Those Crazy Book Chicks – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

     

     About Tessa Bailey: Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.   Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.    

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Goodreads

       

Cover Reveal: The Edge of Us by Veronica Larsen

We are SO EXCITED to share the cover for The Edge of Us by Veronica Larsen!

A standalone, contemporary romance coming Aug 1st!

★ Readers, get a release #Alert → http://bit.ly/2pXM4HW

★ #Bloggersignups → http://bit.ly/2rsiRXr

★ iBooks #preorder → http://apple.co/2rx3EnW

• SYNOPSIS •

Eight years ago, Cole Van Buren left me at the altar without a single explanation. My heart’s been at a standstill ever since, the anger keeping me from moving on. Keeping me from seeing the man who’s been right in front of me all this time…

Andrew’s been the friend I needed, the one constant through the hardest times of my life. But one night, the lines blur and we’re tipped into something more. Just when I’m ready to explore what we could be…

My ex comes back.

Cole says he didn’t come to get me back, but I should know better. The answers he dangles overhead are the ones I need to finally let go.

Except there’s no such thing as closure, only a past that wants to pull you backward.

About the Author:

Veronica Larsen’s romance novels are angst-driven and steamy. They tend to feature strong female leads who keep their male counterparts on their toes. Veronica enjoys building intense chemistry and anticipation while creating believable, down-to-earth romances. She’s an avid reader of all genres, coffee addict, and a Harry Potter fanatic. 

Connect with Veronica: 

 Website: http://www.veronicalarsenbooks.com/ 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorveronicalarsen/?fref=ts 
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_VLarsen 
 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dqrQCv 
 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445512.Veronica_Larsen

New Release: Torrid by Nikki Sloane

Torrid by Nikki Sloane is NOW AVAILABLE! The release week special edition features a BONUS BOOK of Sordid (previously banned on Amazon!)

 iBooks: http://apple.co/2pJ3f2Y 

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2thTSpV 

 Nook: http://bit.ly/2sxxY5l 

 Kobo: http://bit.ly/2s77eWG

PRAISE FOR TORRID:

"Hold my gun because I need some alone time after reading this! Nikki Sloane creates yet another stirring romance full of heat and mayhem to stir your soul. Five dark and panting stars for Vasilije and Oksana!" - USA Today bestselling author, Sierra Simone

"Scorching hot, darkly complex, and deliciously dirty, Torrid is one of the best mafia books I've read all year!" - NYT Bestselling Author, Anna Zaires 

 “Dark, edgy, and so deliciously dirty. Torrid is insanely good!”- USA Today Bestselling Author, Natasha Knight 

"Definitely judge a book by its cover on this one! Nikki Sloane delivered a story that lives up to the amazing cover and beyond. So sinfully hot that I couldn't stop reading. Dark, dirty and delicious. I want more from this author now." - USA Today Bestselling Author, Alta Hensley

iBooks: http://apple.co/2pJ3f2Y 

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2thTSpV 

 Nook: http://bit.ly/2sxxY5l 

 Kobo: http://bit.ly/2s77eWG

Blurb:

Vasilije Markovic is the prince of the Serbian mafia and one of the most powerful men in Chicago. His smile may be razor sharp, but he’s crueler than the devil. I’m playing a dangerous game and betting my life I’m going to win. I pretend to be his pawn. I do as he says and move where he tells me, letting him think he’s in control as I position myself for revenge. Every turn brings us closer. His grin doesn’t seem as evil when we’re alone. Behind closed doors, I welcome his unrelenting and vicious personality. He’s confessed all his secrets, but I’m holding one back and it’s a game changer. If I survive the board, this pawn turns into a queen. I become the most powerful player and send all the other pieces running. To get what I want, I must make sacrifices, but am I willing to draw the line at him?

 

About the Author:

Nikki Sloane landed in graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. For eight years she worked for a design firm in that extremely tall, black, and tiered building in Chicago that went through an unfortunate name change during her time there. Now she lives in Kentucky and manages a team of graphic artists. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, is married with two sons, writes dirty books, and couldn’t be any happier. 

 Stalk Nikki: 

 Website: http://www.nikkisloane.com/ 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkisloaneauthor/?fref=ts 
 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorNSloane 
 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fsTzpI 
 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NikkiSloane

Cover Reveal: The Soul Mate by Kendall Ryan

   

 

    From New York Times Bestseller Kendall Ryan comes a sexy new stand-alone novel in her Roommates series. The smoking-hot one-night stand I was never supposed to see again? Yeah, well, I might be pregnant, and he’s my OB-GYN.

                                                  *****

  ADD TO GOODREADS    

       *****   

PRE-ORDER NOW

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

                     




      A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two 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 at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras.

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New Release: Torrid by Nikki Sloane + Review

Torrid 

by Nikki Sloane

4.25 stars

**** 

This was a really book! This is Oksana and Vasilije's story. Vasijile is Luka (from Sordid)'s brother. He is involved in the family business/Serbian mafia run by his Uncle Goran. Vasilije is not happy with a lot going on in the business, including the sex trade, but he is biding his time until he can takeover for his uncle. On a job for Goran, he meets Oksana, who is one of the girls being traded. Oksana is the daughter of a Russian mobster and has big secrets of her own. Her beauty catches Vasilije's eye and he decides to keep her for himself. She goes home with him and they begin a sexy relationship. Oksana is on a quest for revenge against people from her past. She must decide if she can trust Vasilije to help her get revenge. They find they have a lot in common on the revenge seeking front and together they can accomplish their plans. And they fall in love along the way.

I loved Vasilije and Oksana. For living in a crazy mafia world and suffering through some terrible situations, they were both surprisingly normal. Vasilije was in a lot of ways just a regular guy. Oksana was strong and brave. I loved them together. They had a great connection and chemistry. They were perfect for each other. And super sexy too. Overall, I didn't think this book was as dark as Sordid or as dark as I was expecting. But I liked that. I liked catching up with Luka and Addison. There was even a mention of the Blindfold club. 

Overall, I really enjoyed seeing Vasilije and Oksana's relationship develop. This was a great sexy, suspenseful mafia romance! I can't wait for more from Ms. Sloane!

****

Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rnM4q0

Nook: http://bit.ly/2sxxY5l

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2s77eWG

iBooks: http://apple.co/2pJ3f2Y

*****

And for a limited time, book 1 in the Sordid series, is available free at the back of Torrid!

New Release: Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey + Excerpt

   

From New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes TOO CLOSE TO CALL, a novella in her Romancing the Clarksons Series published by 1001 Dark Nights! Grab your copy today!

   

About TOO CLOSE TO CALL:

All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.

None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

     

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | Amazon AU

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    EXCERPT: 

 Draft Day was nothing like Kyler had pictured. “With the ninth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rage select...” Kyler Tate’s parents sucked in breaths on either side of him. “Kyler Tate, receiver, University of Cincinnati.” The tense atmosphere inside the event hall exploded with wild cheers, exclamations, and boos. His shoulders were slapped by thousands of hands, kisses landing on his cheeks. Like falling out of a kayak into a rushing current, bashing into rocks on the way toward a waterfall, Kyler stood, put his head down, and proceeded toward the stage. Cell phones rang at every table he passed, terse conversations taking place as the deadline timer for the next announcement started. Players he’d faced on the gridiron sweated in their suits, mothers fussed, water glasses were refilled. This was it. Years of training, icing down injuries, two-a-day practices, glory, pain, and mental fatigue. All for this moment. And it was...utterly fucking incomplete. Before he could reach the stage, panic set in. Set in real good, like claws digging into fertile ground. A moment earlier, everyone in the room had looked familiar, but they were strangers now, spinning in a kaleidoscope. Sweat popped up on his forehead. His shoulder blades tightened, a harsh sound puffed from between his lips. From behind the podium, the announcer gave him a strange look, the Rage jersey lowering in his grip. Are you okay? The man’s mouthed words barely penetrated over the sudden rushing stream of images. Of her. Bree Justice.    

   

       About Tessa Bailey: Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.    

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Goodreads

       

Upcoming Release: The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely + Excerpt

   

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a new and sexy romance…THE KNOCKED UP PLAN!A standalone romance told in dual POV, THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is about all of the fun, hotness, and heartfelt emotions that come when a single woman asks her gorgeous, jaded, sworn-to-be-single-forever good friend to get the job done. What happens next when he agrees to provide the bun for her oven are lots of hot sexy times and heartfelt moments. Don’t miss the excerpt below, and preorder your copy today!

       

"I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered, laughed more and just pretty much smiled and wished I had a Ryder all my own!”

~Kara, Two Book Pushers

   

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

 

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me. I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three. Right?

****

There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

 

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. Besides, I've got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition. There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

 

Note: Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, naughty jokes and a hot, swoonworthy hero you will fall madly in love with.

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

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   EXCERPT: 

 “Ooh, look! A new one just was added to the database,” Penny coos in excitement as she points to the screen. We’re gathered around my iPad at Speakeasy, our favorite Midtown haunt, perusing the latest offerings on a bank I’ve been in touch with in Manhattan. “He’s five-foot-nine. College educated. Plays the violin. And he has red hair,” Delaney reads, then runs her fingers over the ends of my hair. “Do you want little redheaded babies?” I laugh. “I think I’d like the choice whether they should have red hair or not, and clearly I’m only bringing recessive genes to the equation.” Penny swipes left dramatically as if the new donor is a Tinder no. “Anyone else? And are we ever going to see what they look like besides when they were five years old?” I shake my head. “In most cases, only childhood photos of donors are posted. Every now and then you hear of a woman who’s seen adult photos of her donor, but that’s highly unusual, and only allowed at a few, select banks. It’s actually quite rare to even see high school or college photos, since a lot of donors only do it because it’s anonymous.” Penny points to the screen, reading another donor’s profile in frustration. “Look. This guy is six feet, has blue eyes, played hockey in high school, went to UCLA, and works in tech. But what does he look like?” “Unfortunately, we’re just going to have to imagine,” Delaney says, with a heavy sigh. Penny reaches for her red wine. “That makes me so sad I need a drink.” “And let’s be honest, looks do matter,” Delaney adds. I nod vigorously. “They do. That doesn’t make me vain, right?” My girls shake their heads in unison, defending my stance. “We all want a cute elephant baby for our matriarchy,” Penny says, patting my hand. I laugh. “But seriously. You think it’s reasonable to want a handsome donor, right? In addition to all the other things that are obviously critical. Not a serial killer. No criminal record. College degree. Height, etcetera, etcetera.” “Absolutely,” Penny says, setting her wineglass down with a resounding smack. “How are you possibly supposed to say a green-eyed, five-foot-ten, college-educated man with no murder convictions is enough?” “It’s like online shopping without seeing what you’re buying,” Delaney adds. “Who buys anything on the Internet without seeing a photo? You don’t shop for shoes just by the size, color, and style. You need to see them. Try them on.” “I don’t think trying on is an option.” I wink. Delaney sticks out her tongue. “But you need to see the goods. You can’t fly blind.” I reach for my water. No more chardonnay or mojitos for this mama-to-be. I’ve had all my health screenings, too, and my doctor sees no reason why I can’t get pregnant. All I need is the other half. “I just wish I knew more about these men.” Penny peers at the site’s latest offerings once more. “This is crazy. You can select whether someone has skills in auto mechanics, plumbing, or kickboxing. You can choose if your donor has detached earlobes, a particular kind of eye spacing, and his favorite subject in school. You can even opt for someone who’s a good cook. But you can’t see if his jawline is actually square, if his lips are truly full, or if he’s as handsome as you’ve dreamed.” I scrunch my forehead and imagine my dream candidate. Briefly, my mind is blank, but then an image pops into my head. “I just wish I knew the guy was going to be a Ryder Lockhart level of hot,” I say, matter-of-factly. “Oh, he is a hottie,” Penny says, and Delaney nods her agreement. They’ve both met him at my work events and the occasional group happy hour. “He’s gorgeous. Just the other day I found myself cataloging his features. He really does have it going on. Plus, he’s smart and funny and good to animals.” Penny hums mournfully. “Too bad he’s not a donor.” “Ha. Yeah, it’s a bummer he hasn’t made a deposit at this sperm bank.” I tap the screen. “I’d order up one serving ASAP. Get that turkey baster inside me stat,” I bark as if I’d be saying that to the nurses while I tell them to shoot me up with Ryder Lockhart’s DNA. Wait. Ryder Lockhart’s DNA. The clouds part. The sun rises. The bells ring. Never have three words sounded more like a perfect solution to a problem.  




      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 times, and she's sold more than 2 million books. In June she'll release THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, a standalone contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

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