New Release: The Truth About Cowboys by Lisa Renee Jones + Review!

“Lisa Renee Jones does wildly sexy alpha heroes like no one else!”- Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

The Truth About Cowboys, a steamy, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, is available now!

While I was off pitching in the big leagues, my family was back in the small town of Sweetwater, Texas, running the family ranch. Then tragedy hit and I discovered there were secrets that my family kept, problems they hid. I went home, left behind the money, women, and fame. I took over the ranch and took care of my grandmother. I took over hiding the secrets. Then she came to town. A smart-mouthed, clumsy, too-smart-and-too-pretty-for-my-own-good city girl hiding out to write a book. She's right here, on my property, in the cottage my grandmother rented her without my permission, and she sees too much. She knows too much.

Now suddenly my world is spinning, and she's shoving a baseball back in my hand while baking cookies with my grandmother. She's the devil and an angel all in one fiery little package. I decide I'll wait her out. She'll go back to the city. Only suddenly I don't want her to leave, and everything I’ve settled for in my life isn't enough. I want to play ball and I want her, but there's that secret that won't let go, but neither will she.

REVIEW:

3 stars

***

 The Truth About Cowboys was a pretty good book, although it's not my favorite book by this author. This is Jessica and Jason's story. Jessica is a successful divorce lawyer who catches her fiance sleeping with his secretary. She snaps at work, calling her VIP client a cheater, and getting put on a leave of absence. Jessica leaves the big city of Dallas and moves to a small, country town to regroup. There she plans to write a book on divorce while renting a house on a ranch. But things go sour as soon as she gets to town with a rental mix up, a jerky cowboy, bad weather, mud and car trouble. Jason is the grandson of the home owner of the house that Jessica rents. He is a former pro baseball player who quit playing to run the family ranch. He is a big jerk to Jessica, as he holds some preconceived notions about her based on his past experiences with "city girls". Yet sparks still fly between them every time they meet. They manage to become friends and then lovers despite their differences. 

The Truth About Cowboys is a different writing style than Ms. Jones other work. I normally really enjoy her signature soapy, emotional style. But this book was totally different. There is much more dialogue, but less emotion and internal thoughts. I would never guess that Ms. Jones wrote it. I kind of hope that she goes back to her previous style. It took me quite a while to get used to this new style and begin enjoying the book.

Jason and Jessica have a volatile relationship. Their relationship is enemies to lovers. The two of them fight for the entire book. Jessica starts to like Jason, but he pushes her away many times and hurts her over and over. I thought he was a jerk a lot and felt bad for Jessica. There is little relationship progression until the end of the book. It's one step forward, one step back. They fight, have a truce, become friends, rinse, repeat. Through most of the book, they don't want to like each other, they judge each other harshly, and they can't imagine a future together. All of that lasts until past 95%. Then the ending felt too rushed. Jason's apology for his behavior was weak. I had a hard time believing that their HEA was permanent and that they were finished fighting. 

Overall, though, this book was entertaining and a fairly easy read. I enjoyed the small town, Texas feel and the fun side characters. I really liked Jason's grandmother and her sweet relationship with Jessica. I also enjoyed Jessica's character progression from a cynical divorce lawyer to a romance author who is open to love. While this book was kind of a mixed bag, I enjoyed quite a bit about it, even if the relationship progression fell short for me. I was entertained by the book and I can see the potential for other stories if this becomes a series. I am still a fan of Ms. Jones and look forward to what she comes up with in the future!

Download your copy today!

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About Lisa Renee Jones

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, Lisa has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com

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New Release: How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne + Review!

“Romantic, lush, and suspenseful.”― Suzanne Enoch, New York Times bestselling author

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days, an all-new must read historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Kerrigan Byrne, is available now!!

These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.

LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.

REVIEW:

4.25 stars

****

Ahh, this was a great book! How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is Alexandra/Alex and Piers's book. Alex is an archaeologist who also was a sexual assault victim as a teenager and because of that has vowed to never marry. She and her two best friends are all spinsters with a secret they share from the past. In school, Alex, Cecilia and Francesca, all red heads, formed a secret club called the Red Rogue Society, where they snuck off and enjoyed pleasures normally denied to young ladies. Now, years later, Alex is surprised to be summoned to the announcement of Francesca's engagement to Piers, the Duke of Redmayne, because she too vowed to never marry. When she arrives though, she finds that Francesca has no intention of marrying the Duke, with who she was betrothed to as a child. Neither have any feelings for each other, barely having ever met. But Francesca has a mystery which must be solved, so she is pretending to go along with the engagement. Meanwhile, Alex's family has fallen on hard times and are penniless, so she offers herself up in replacement to marry the Duke, with whom she has an instant chemistry. So begins the relationship and the falling in love of Alex and Piers. 

This book was so good! I loved Alex and Piers. They were both very unique, interesting characters with lots of layers. They made a great match. I loved that Alex was an archaeologist (a doctor!) and a spinster. Piers was fascinated with her from the moment they met and grew to adore her. I enjoyed the way Alex's past rape was handled and the way she healed from it. I love Ms. Byrne's writing. This was a fantastic start to a new series and I can't wait for more from the Red Rogues in future books. 

Overall, this was such a good read. I loved Alexandra and Piers's relationship. I am looking forward to much more from Ms. Byrne in the future!

Download your copy today!

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About Kerrigan

Kerrigan has done many things to pay the bills, from law enforcement to belly dance instructor. Now she’s finally able to have the career she’d decided upon at thirteen when she announced to her very skeptical family that she was going to “grow up to be a romance novelist.” Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in almost every story.

She lives in a little Victorian coast town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with her wonderful husband. When she’s not writing you can find her sailing, beach combing, kayaking, visiting wineries, breweries, and restaurants with friends, and hiking…okay…wandering aimlessly clenching bear spray in the mountains.

Connect with Kerrigan

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https://www.kerriganbyrne.com/

New Release: Handle With Care by Helena Hunting + Review!

“Lincoln and Wren had me flipping through the pages frantically, begging for more. Their chemistry was explosive, their love story both hilarious and tender.”- L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

Handle With Care, an all-new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.

Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman

SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.

Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VGJ83p

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VXTyvK

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REVIEW:

4 stars

****

Aww, this was a really cute, sweet and funny book! Handle with Care is Wren and Lincoln's book. Lincoln is Armstrong's brother, from previous books in the serious. When Lincoln and Armstrong's father dies, Lincoln is summoned from his charity work in Guatemala to help out with the family company. Wren also works in PR for the company as Armstrong's handler, keeping him from making any more embarrassing headlines. She meets Lincoln and sparks fly between them. She is also tasked with helping him get settled and keeping his image clean as he takes over running the company. As Wren and Lincoln spend time together, their relationship deepens and they fall for each other, all while navigating family drama.

I really liked Wren and Lincoln a lot. They had great chemistry and were a good match. Wren is no nonsense and career focused, but not hard or bitchy. Lincoln is wry and funny, sexy and sweet. There is no huge break up or pushing away, which I really appreciated. The main angst was from outside forces. This story is well written, fun and sexy. This book is my second favorite (after Shacking Up) in the series.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Wren and Lincoln's story is an entertaining, funny, sweet, sexy easy read. I look forward to more from this series and Ms. Hunting in the future.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

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Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/ 

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Blog Tour: Dangerous Desires by J. T. Geissinger + Review & Excerpt!

He’s everything she has ever desired. But there’s only one way to keep her man alive: let him go.

Dangerous Desires, the second book in the sexy and suspenseful Dangerous Beauty Series from J.T. Geissinger is available now!

With Nasir’s life on the line, Eva makes a deal with the devil. She slips away to return to Dimitri, the mob boss who held her captive for years, only to step into a new world of trouble. Abducted by one of Dimitri’s most cunning adversaries, Eva finds herself an unwitting pawn in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

When Eva disappears, Naz is prepared to do anything to find her. Tracking her to the remote regions of Portugal is just the beginning of the hunt. Bewitched by Eva’s beauty, the darkly seductive spy who abducted her now has more than business on his mind, but the only way for the trio to defeat Dimitri is to work together…despite the explosive desires threatening to consume them.

With a game so deadly and the stakes so high, Naz and Eva’s love will be tested in ways neither of them could foresee…or perhaps survive.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Start the series with Dangerous Beauty!

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Excerpt:

I hit the “Answer” button and hold the phone to my ear. I don’t say anything, I just listen, gauging the quality of the silence and waiting for him to speak. After a moment, a deep, rough male voice says, “This must be Naz.” I’m so shocked I almost drop the phone. The anonymous, untraceable burner phone. I didn’t include my name in the text message, so how the hell does he know it’s me? “Raphael?” “Raphael’s dead. I stuck a knife in his chest and threw him overboard.” His voice has an Irish accent, not French as I was expecting. Judging by that and his words—which sound honest—this isn’t Raphael playing some kind of game. “Who is this?” “This is Killian.” Killian? Who the fuck is Killian? All my senses have sharpened until it seems I can hear the atoms vibrating in the air around me. Then it hits me. This is probably the big motherfucker who put his hands on Eva. Unless it’s one of the crew, but I don’t think so. Especially considering what he’d said. Yacht crews don’t generally find it in their best interests to kill their employers and throw them into the sea. The words leave my throat in a gravelly scrape of pure hatred. “You have something of mine.” After a pause, he says disapprovingly, “I doubt Eva would be keen on hearing you call her a ‘thing.’” My eyes flare as wide as my nostrils do. The way he said her name is bad enough, but the implication that he knows how she’d feel is like a sword of fire shoved down my throat. I demand, “What have you done with her?” “She’s in good hands,” comes the calm response to my heated question. “You don’t have to worry.” Is he fucking kidding me? Beside me, Connor is frowning and tense, but I can’t pay attention to him because of all the murder and mayhem wreaking havoc in my nervous system. “What do you want? What is this about? Where are you going with her? If she’s hurt, I swear on my mother’s grave—” “It’s beautiful, you know.” His tone has changed. Now it’s soft, thoughtful, and I have no clue what he’s talking about. “What? What’s beautiful?” “The way she loves you.” It feels as if King Kong just punched me in the chest. Eva told this man she loves me? This man who grabbed her by the throat and dragged her across the deck of a yacht? She hadn’t even told me herself. My God, has he tortured her for information? Before I can respond, he says, “I hope you deserve it. To be honest, you sound a wee bit unstable. Are you sure you’re good enough for her? You might have to convince me. After everything she’s been through, she deserves the best.” His voice drops. “And Christ, she’s exquisite. Those eyes. That body. That fire. No wonder you and Dimitri are so desperate to get her back.” Breathing hard, my heart feeling as if it’s about to explode, I say, “Put her on the phone.” “She’s sleeping.” I growl, “Listen to me, you son of a bitch—” “Naz. What kind of a name is that? Is it short for something?” Connor is motioning for me to give him the phone. I think he can sense things have gone completely off the rails. I wave him away, frustrated and needing to hit something. “Yeah. It’s short for, ‘If you hurt her, I’m gonna kill you in every way there is to be killed.’ It’s short for, ‘I will track you down to the ends of the earth and make you and everyone you’ve ever met pay a thousand times over for any pain you cause the woman I love.’ It’s short for, ‘I WILL NEVER STOP UNTIL I GET HER BACK.’” There’s a pause, then what sounds like a satisfied grunt. “All right. You’re a little too hotheaded, but you sound sincere. So I’ll answer your questions. What I want is something Eva’s going to help me get. What this is about is the future of nations. Where I’m going with her is . . . well, I can’t tell you that yet because if I do you’ll probably be here before I can get what I want from Dimitri and then all my careful plans will be ruined.” I let loose a frustrated holler and Killian laughs. “I get that a lot. Eva made almost the exact same noise a short while ago. She didn’t like what I did to Raphael.” His voice turns wistful. “She’s sensitive that way, isn’t she? Concerned for the well-being of other people. Even to the point of sacrificing herself. Honestly, Naz, she’s remarkable. I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s . . .” In his pause, I hear how loudly I’m breathing. “Compelling, I think is the right word. Or maybe fascinating. Once you start looking at her, it’s impossible to look away.” He chuckles. “But you know that already. You sound obsessed.” “Killian—” “I’m going to destroy this phone after we’re done talking, because I’m sure you’re tracking it. But I want you to know I was truthful when I told you she’s safe with me. And I’ll try to get my business with Dimitri concluded as quickly as possible.” He hesitates. When he speaks again there’s a new tone in his voice that raises all the hair on my arms. “Because the more time I spend with your woman, the less I want to give her back.”


REVIEW:

3 stars

***

 Dangerous Desires is book two in the Dangerous Beauty trilogy. I enjoyed book one in the series, despite not knowing going in that it was not a standalone. This book is the continuation of Eva's story. In book one, she met and fell in love with Naz, all while on the run from her psycho, abusive, crime boss ex. In this book, her story continues. I can't say much without spoiling the story, but I will say things get more and more complicated for her (and Naz). 

I have to say I did not enjoy this book as much as book one. At least I was able to predict the cliffhanger ending this time. I liked Eva and Naz when they were together. Unfortunately, they are separated half of the book. There is another man introduced during the separation and beyond, which felt very love triangle-like. There is kissing between them, under duress, but still. In fact, I wondered if the series would end up as a MFM menage. That made me feel insecure in the love between Eva and Naz. I just didn't feel it in this book the way I did in book one. When they actually are together, Eva and Naz are really cheesy, lovey-dovey, but I still didn't really feel fully convinced of the emotions between them. Still, I did find the story entertaining for the most part, if a little slow at times. 
Overall, this series' storyline is interesting and exciting. I like Eva and Naz and want them to have a happy ending. I will continue the series in hopes for that HEA.



 About J.T. Geissinger

J.T. Geissinger is a bestselling author of emotionally charged romance and women’s fiction. Ranging from funny, feisty rom coms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold more than one million copies and been translated into several languages.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. She has also been a finalist in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Her first novel was published in 2012. Since then she’s written eighteen more novels. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking wine, surfing the internet, and daydreaming about all the things she’s going to be when she grows up. She lives near the beach in Los Angeles with her husband and deaf/demented rescue kitty, Ginger.

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New Release: On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci + Review!

On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci is now available! 

For fans of Christina Lauren and Lauren Layne comes a delightfully sassy and sexy romance about a campaign manager who reluctantly works with the local Lothario to help revamp his image for the upcoming mayoral elections, only to discover that he’s hiding something that can turn both their lives upside down.

What’s a campaign manager’s worst nightmare? A smooth-talking charmer who’s never met a scandal that he didn’t like.

When Emmanuelle Peroni’s father—and mayor of her town—asks her to help rehab Cooper Endicott’s image, she’s horrified. Cooper drives her crazy in every way possible. But he’s also her father’s protégé, and she can’t say no to him without him finding out the reason why: Cooper and her have a messy past. So Emmanuelle reluctantly launches her father’s grand plan to get this Casanova someone to settle down with and help him lose his lothario reputation.

Cooper Endicott wanted to run for Mayor, but he never wanted the drama that went with it. Now that he’s on the political hamster wheel, the other candidates are digging up everything from his past. Even though he’s doing all the right things, his colorful love life is the sticking point for many of the conservative voters. He wants to win, badly, and he knows that if he wants any chance of getting a vote from the female population, he needs to change his image. The only problem? He might just be falling in love with the one person he promised not to pursue: the Mayor’s off-limits daughter.

A perfect blend of humor and heart, On the Corner of Love and Hate is the first in a new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Nina Bocci. 


Buy Links:  

Amazon: http://bit.ly/OtCoLaHZon
B&N: http://bit.ly/OtCoLaHBN
iBooks: http://bit.ly/OtCoLaH

Giveaway!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c19552ce22/

Review:

3 stars

***

On the Corner of Love and Hate is Ms. Bocci's debut book. This is Cooper and Emma/ Emmanuelle's story. Cooper and Emma were best friends growing up in the same small town, until an incident in college made them grow apart. Now they work together in the town planning office and Cooper is running for mayor. Emma hates Cooper for their past, but still thinks he would be a good mayor. She is drawn into helping him campaign and, somehow, a romance develops. Old feelings emerge and new feelings begin.

Ms. Bocci's writing is very good. There are vivid details and descriptions of small town life and characters. I can see this book appealing to many, especially general fiction readers. However, as an avid romance-only reader, this book was not exactly what I normally read and love. While I enjoyed the story in general, I didn't totally love or believe in the romance.

The relationship between the couple is complicated, messy and angsty, full of drama. Cooper and Emma are flawed characters and, while I liked them, they both made big mistakes in their treatment of each other. Cooper is a manwhoring manchild, always getting into scandals with women and acting irresponsible at work. I had no faith that he could handle running a whole town as mayor, when he seemed to constantly slack at his current town planning job. His promiscuous past is brought up on nearly every page. Emma is rude and hateful to him most of the book because of that and because of their past missed connections romantically that are not explained fully util near the end. We only get Emma's POV and she "hates" Cooper for most of the book, not able to admit her feelings for him, even to herself. Neither of their characters were endearing, but I liked them well enough by the end as they both changed slightly for the better. Cooper and Emma's relationship develops from hate to love but there is not enough discussion for me as to how they got to love. They only have a few stolen moments near the end of the book where they admit feelings for each other. But there was no time in an actual relationship. There is OW drama in the form of Whitney- a hateful ex of Cooper's and ex-friend of Emma's, but we never really find out if Cooper was trying to make a real relationship with Whitney work in the present, if he was sleeping with her, etc., all while secretly having feelings for Emma. Whitney is his "fake" (?) girlfriend throughout most of the book, until the very end. That part was very vague and bothered me. I needed to know that to believe in the love between Emma and Cooper, instead it hung like an unanswered question in the back of my mind the entire book. I also felt like Cooper got off too easy for his behavior and treatment of Emma. I needed a grand gesture from him. Overall, I felt Emma and Cooper's romance was lacking in chemistry and was lukewarm.Beyond that though, the book was entertaining. I could see it as a movie, even if I didn't totally love the romance. The story was fun and interesting. I did find it a little long and drawn out. At times, it is a little wordy and too detailed. But I liked the small town, family feel. I enjoyed the quirky townsfolk and the opportunity for other stories set in this world. I think Ms. Bocci's writing has good potential and I look forward to more from her in the future.

New Release: Sink or Swim by Tessa Bailey + Excerpt & Review!

Sink or Swim by Tessa Bailey is now available! 

Sink or Swim is the final installment of the Beach Kingdom Series (following Mouth to Mouth and Heat Stroke) and is Andrew and Jiya's story (friends to lovers!). It can be read as a standalone title, although the characters are introduced in the two previous series books. 

BLURB:


Andrew Prince wakes up before everyone else. He schedules the bar shifts, demands perfection from Long Beach’s lifeguards—most of all himself—and makes sure the family debts are paid. His unfaltering worth ethic might leave him exhausted, but it comes with one advantage. It distracts him from the love he’s been harboring since childhood for the girl next door—who he cannot have.

Jiya Dalal has dreams. To fly a plane, see the world below…and prove irresistible to her best friend, Andrew. But she needs to be a good daughter first, which is becoming an increasingly difficult task, since her parents expect a good marriage and the man she loves with all her heart refuses to pursue the blistering connection between them. Just when she’s beginning to believe Andrew truly doesn’t want her, a moonlight tryst on the beach exposes his true feelings. But an echo from the past kept them apart before…and it’s only growing louder with every stolen kiss…



Goodreads Link: https://bit.ly/2MbDTXM


Buy Links:  

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2zaEIHO

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2ZeEDxs

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/30g7iDH

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2z5Dfmb

Read on for an excerpt of the book!

Excerpt:




Jiya looked up and found Andrew watching her intently. “What is this, Andrew?”
“We’re dancing,” he rasped, his gaze slightly unfocused.
“You’ve never danced with me like this before.”
His gaze strayed to her lips, before he resolutely dragged them away. “Do you want to stop?”
“No and that’s the problem.” Come on, Mrs. I Don’t Play Games Anymore, bring up the elephant in the room. It’s not going away. “You’ve been different with me lately. Is it...” She took two bracing breaths. “Is it because I’m dating?”
He started to deny it, then changed his mind. “Might be. Yeah. I know that’s fucked up,” he said. “You’ve always been min—my best friend. We won’t have this if you start dating someone seriously. If you...”
“Get married?” His complexion turned gray. “Mmm.” Cement caked her insides, but she was used to it by now. She’d loved Andrew since she was a child. She’d waited patiently for him to love her back—as more than a friend—and he hadn’t. He’d done nothing about it. So while she yearned to dissect his every word and rejoice in them, ached for what he was feeling, she couldn’t do it anymore without being a fool. “Ask me the question, Andrew. The one you ask me every night.”
A line formed between his brows. “Can I do anything for you, Jiya?”
“Yes.” She took his face in her hands. “You can stay my friend. No matter what happens. Fine, things are changing in my life. But I couldn’t bear it if I ever lost what we have. Just stay my friend. Promise me.”
His jaw bunched. “You know I’d cut my heart out before saying no to you, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have your answer.” He wet his lips. “But we’re finishing the dance.”

Review:

4 stars ****  This was a good book! Sink or Swim is the third and final book in the Beach Kingdom series. This is Jiya and Andrew's story. They are both madly in love with each other, but have no idea what to do about it. The two have been very close, best friends since they were kids. Both of them have been secretly in love with each other. Totally, swoonily, completely adoring each other. But neither think the other is interested as neither have ever made a move and they both think the opportunity to be together romantically has passed. But when Jiya's very traditional Indian parents think it is time for her to be married, they begin arranging her candidates to possibly be engaged to. Andrew has a secret he is hiding from his past that he thinks makes him not worthy of being with her. But seeing her date in contemplation of marriage is making him crazy. Jiya doesn't want to date others either when she loves Andrew so much. When a last chance opportunity strikes for them to explore their feelings together, neither of them are willing to let it go. Jiya and Andrew soon find they are meant to be together.  I loved Jiya and Andrew. The way they loved each was amazing. Especially Andrew. He lived to serve Jiya, to do anything he could to make her day better or make her happier. He simply worshipped her. They were a really great couple. Very romantic and sweet. Things were not easy for them, but they were devoted to each other.  Overall, this was a really good read. There were emotional moments, sweet and romantic ones, as well as some super sexy ones. Jiya and Andrew's chemistry and connection is undeniable. I adored their friends to lovers romance. I am sad to see this series end, but look forward to whatever Ms. Bailey comes up with next!

Author Info:

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 eleven years and six-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: www.tessabailey.com 

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6953499.Tessa_Bailey