New Release: The Dom Who Came in from the Cold by Lexi Blake + Review & Excerpt!

 

Time and space had done nothing to change his feelings for MaeBe.

The Dom Who Came In From The Cold by Lexi Blake is now live!

Kyle Hawthorne will do anything to protect MaeBe in this exciting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake. USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake.

Kyle Hawthorne once believed his future would be a job in the private sector—a simple, normal life. Fate had other plans and he wound up in the military. Some newly discovered talents caught the eye of the CIA, and in no time he was working with a covert team. He found himself in a relationship with fellow operative, Julia—until she turned out to be the enemy. When her betrayal was uncovered, things got bloody and Kyle returned home broken, searching for a chance to walk the road not taken.

MaeBe Vaughan has never been interested in normal. Her happy place is a dark corner of the Internet, where she disrupts all the bad guys. She has a great circle of friends and a full life. She doesn’t need a man. Until Kyle Hawthorne walked into her life. He’s all wrong for her. Surly. Damaged. His uncle is her boss. But she couldn’t help getting close to him. When his past threatened her safety, Kyle walked out without saying good-bye.

Kyle will do anything to keep MaeBe safe. He faked his death, hid in the middle of nowhere, and watched over her from afar. But when Julia resurfaces, he knows that to protect MaeBe, he’ll have to get close. So close that if they manage to survive, he will never let her go.

Download today on Amazon, Audible, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3A1cvDM

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vNfayq

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3BQHV16

Barnes and Nobles Nook: https://bit.ly/LB_BN_TDWCIFTC

Kobo: https://bit.ly/LB_KO_TDWCIFTC

Google Play: https://bit.ly/LB_TDWCIFTC_GOOG

Smashwords: https://bit.ly/TDWCIFTC_SMASH_LB

Print: https://amzn.to/3vR5vXJ

Audible: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3K9xHwE

Review:

4 stars

****

 This was a really good book. The Dom Who Came in from the Cold is the long awaited book for Kyle and Maebe, and book five in the Masters & Mercenaries: Reloaded series. After seeing the couple's relationship unfold behind the scenes in the previous books in the series, I was eager to see them resolve all of their issues. Maebe and Kyle's relationship was a slow burn, friends to brief- lovers one up until this point. Kyle had to recover mentally from having to kill his ex-fiancé, Julia, when she turned out to be a secret double agent and part of the Consortium. He slowly gets over that and falls for Maebe, who patiently has waited for him to be ready to begin a relationship with her. When it seems like it is finally their time to get together for good, Julia pops back up, surprisingly having faked her death, to threaten their happiness and their lives. In order to protect Maebe from his psycho ex, Kyle fakes his death. This is where this book begins. After the previous books, Kyle is away in hiding after faking his death, which is known by his family, but is not openly spoken about, especially with Maebe. She knew in her heart that he wasn't dead. But the fact that he left her, which she has parental abandonment issues from her past already, and did it because of Julia, has left her heartbroken, insecure, bitter and revengeful. Not knowing if Kyle would ever return, Maebe has trained to be as physically powerful as her computer skills are, knowing that she would seek revenge on Julia when she got the chance. Now Kyle is back and he wants to make things up to Maebe, even though Julia is still a threat. But neither of them are the same people they were before. Kyle has to learn to trust that Maebe is not some helpless damsel that he can hide away until Julia is dealt with. Maebe has a lot of forgiving to do for Kyle's treatment of her. And Julia is back, threatening their happiness and safety, as well as the safety of their families and friends. Together, Kyle and Maebe weather the storm together, coming out stronger and in love with a future that makes it all worth it.

I really enjoyed Kyle and Maebe's story. I was so eager to see how their present unfolded, that I didn't find the flashback scenes necessary. Still, I loved them together. Quirky, sweet Maebe was such a great heroine, with the perfect amount of toughness to her. I was glad she didn't push Kyle away for too long . He was humble, willing to admit his mistakes and willing to take anything he could get from her, just wanting her forgiveness and for her to be happy. I was very happy that they worked everything out and put the past behind him. This book has the series' trademark adventure, suspense, romance and heat, which makes it one of my favorites.

Overall, I was happy for Kyle and Maebe's problems to be resolved and for them to finally get the HEA they deserve. I don't know if this is last book in the series, because I know there is a time jump coming and we will get the next generation's books. If so, I am sad to see this series end as I very much enjoyed it. But I am also so excited for the future books set in the McKay-Taggart world and I can't wait to see what Ms. Blake comes up with next!

Excerpt

“Do you think he’s going to kill you? I know the man seems scary but he’s not. The key with Big Tag is to give as good as you get. Like fight his sarcasm with sarcasm. When he asks how my broom ride in was, I smile and ask him if he rode in on the back of a brontosaurus from his age. I know that sounds harsh, but it made him laugh, and now we’re cool. I spent the first couple of weeks terrified by him, thinking he was this big bully, but he’s actually the sweetest guy.” The words had been said with a slightly husky feminine tone, and when he turned, sure enough there was a woman. A young woman who looked like she’d walked off the pages of a goth comic book. She was petite, a good foot shorter than him, with two purple pig tails, and she liked black. She had on a black miniskirt with sparkly suspenders over a black button-up. Dark green leggings and combat boots completed the look. She was absolutely nothing like the two types of women he’d been surrounded by the last decade of his life. Military women who kept things neat and clean and practical, or the sophisticated crowd he’d run in when he’d been a spy. Women who were polished and thought out every single word they said and action made. The first he would have nodded and made some simple conversation with. The second he would spend some time figuring out to ensure they weren’t here to spy on him. He had absolutely no idea what to do with the woman in front of him. “Uh, I don’t think he’s going to kill me.” She was weirdly fascinating. And just plain weird. She had a messenger bag over her shoulder, and the wide strap was decorated with a bunch of buttons, one which proclaimed her the Mistress of Code. She seemed to like code and the color green since she had a big button with the words I Always Play Green and some weird figure on it. “Confident. I like it. Are you a client or a new hire?” She gasped as she seemed to think of something. “Or a new vendor? Because if you are trying to sell the big guy anything that’s not a lemon tart, he might kill you. We should rethink this.” It was her smile that did it. A small uptick of lips that let him know she was fucking with him and probably fucked with every guy in her life. Not in a “I’m looking to screw you over, take your secrets, and then probably murder you on the way out the door” way he’d gotten used to. In the “I don’t take life too seriously” way. Like the women he’d been friends with in college. The ones he’d been comfortable with in another lifetime. In the life he’d had before he’d so brutally destroyed everything around him. He should walk away from this woman. He was toxic, and his world for so long had been blood and secrets and death. She wouldn’t even know how to walk in his world. She also wasn’t his type. The last thing he needed was even a casual flirtation. “I’m the new guy.” He held out a hand. “Name’s Kyle Hawthorne. I’m starting in the bodyguard unit today.” She was completely harmless. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to the cute goth chick while he was here. He wouldn’t be here forever. He was giving this two months tops. That should be enough time to satisfy his family and the higher-ups at the CIA that he wasn’t going to do something dangerous. And then he would go do something dangerous. She reached out, that smile turning into something truly glorious. Her black-tinged lips spread and showed even white teeth, but it was the way that smile lit up her eyes that made him pause. “MaeBe.” Oh, she was playing with fire because for the first time in months he felt his groin tighten as he took her hand in his and felt an actual fucking spark that probably wasn’t static electricity. He couldn’t help the way his own lips curled up, and the words that flowed out of his mouth could have come from his twenty-year-old self. “Maybe? I would say that’s a little presumptuous of you, but I think I’ll go with it.”

 

 

Meet Lexi

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings. Find out more about Lexi on her website, follow her on Twitter, like her on her Facebook page, or friend her on her Facebook profile.

Connect with Lexi

Website: https://lexiblake.net

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3lFETq6

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xnJCiT

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlexiblake/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlexiblake

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexiblakeauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lexi-blake

New Release: End of Day by Kylie Scott + Review!

 

 

End of Story by Kylie Scott is now live!

New York Times bestselling sensation Kylie Scott's sexy, smart and unconventional opposites-attract love story looks at what happens when fate refuses to give up on what's meant to be...

When Susie Bowen inherits a charming fixer-upper from her aunt, she's excited to start living her best HGTV life. But when she opens the door to find that her contractor is none other than her ex's best friend, Lars—the same man who witnessed their humiliating public breakup six months ago—she isn't exactly eager to have anyone around whose alliance is with the enemy. But beggars can't be choosers, and the sooner the repairs are done, the sooner she can get back to embracing singledom.

Things go from awkward to unbelievable when Lars discovers a divorce certificate hidden in a wall and dated ten years in the future—with both their names on it. It couldn't possibly be real...could it? As Susie and Lars work to unravel the document's origins, the impossibility of a spark between them suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched. But would a relationship between them be doomed before it's even begun?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3B6I4fC

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/3Q8LwMT

Nook: https://bit.ly/3vztIAZ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/3VBybhn

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3jGWZHx

Audible: http://bit.ly/3jPwAI0

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3VRWqbJ

Review:

3.75-4 stars.

****

This was a good book with a unique premise. End of Story has a prequel, Beginning of the End, that is just a few short chapters that sets up this book and really helped me understand the backstory in this book. End of Story is Susie and Lars's book. Susie recently broke up with her jerk of a boyfriend, who is Lars's best friend. She is acquainted with Lars but not close. When Susie's aunt dies and leaves her her quaint cottage, Susie decides to do some renovations. The company sends a contractor to do the job, which turns out to be Lars. The circumstances are awkward between them, but he begins to work on the house. However, when he breaks into a wall, he finds a divorce decree dated ten years in the future with his and Susie's names on it. It is unexplainable to them both and they must figure out if it is a hoax or what it's origins are. As they spend time together, feelings develop between them. But is their relationship meant to fall apart before it can even begin?

This story was so fun and different. It would make a good movie someday. I really liked Lars and Susie. Lars had a girlfriend in the beginning of the book, but his and Susie's relationship is slow burn and takes time to begin. Lars could be grumpy, while Susie was sweet and quirky. She could be insecure at times, but got better. Neither were perfect but they both tried to make it work between them and were willing to put in the work. The story was whimsical, with a meandering pace at times, with some sweet, magical and poignant moments. I would have really liked Lars's POV at some point, especially the night they met. But overall, this was an enjoyable read.

End of Story was a good book. I enjoyed Lars and Susie's journey to love and seeing how everything worked out for them. I liked the touch of magic and the unexplainable that made the story come to life. I look forward to more from Ms. Scott in the future!

 

Meet Kylie

Kylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning author. She has sold over 2,000,000 books and was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year four times by the Australian Romance Reader's Association. Her books have been translated into fifteen different languages and she is based in Queensland, Australia.

Connect with Kylie

Website: www.kyliescott.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476625.Kylie_Scott

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/599197093487040

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkyliescott/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KylieScottbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkyliescott

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kylie-scott

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/KylieScott

New Release: Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey + Review!

 

Secretly Your by Tessa Bailey is now available!

A steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn...

Hallie Welch fell hard for Julian Vos at fourteen, after they almost kissed in the dark vineyards of his family's winery. Now the prodigal hottie has returned to their small town. When Hallie is hired to revamp the gardens on the Vos estate, she wonders if she'll finally get that smooch. But the grumpy professor isn't the teenager she remembers and their polar opposite personalities clash spectacularly. One wine-fueled girls' night later, Hallie can't shake the sense that she did something reckless--and then she remembers the drunken secret admirer letter she left for Julian. Oh shit.

On sabbatical from his ivy league job, Julian plans to write a novel. But having Hallie gardening right outside his window is the ultimate distraction. She's eccentric, chronically late, often literally covered in dirt--and so unbelievably beautiful, he can't focus on anything else. Until he finds an anonymous letter sent by a woman from his past. Even as Julian wonders about this admirer, he's sucked further into Hallie's orbit. Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian's gray-scale life. For a man who irons his socks and runs on tight schedules, her sunny chaotic energy makes zero sense. But there's something so familiar about her... and her very presence is turning his world upside down.

Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3czZ70h

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3cwUN1u

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3OpaDIM

Review:

4-4.25 stars

****

This was a good book. Tessa Bailey has been hit or miss for me as a reader, and her hits are her older books for me with the newer ones being misses. But I would put this book in the hit category. Secretly Yours is Hallie and Julian's story. Hallie is a gardener/landscaper who specializes in out of the box, unstructured designs and lives in her small, winery town in the Napa Valley. Julian's family owns a winery there where he grew up, but he now lives a few hours away, working as a professor. JHe is back in town on a break from work, staying in his mother's guesthouse and writing a novel. Hallie had a crush on Julian as a teen and has spent the years since wondering what could have been between them. For Julian's part, he doesn't recognize her at first, but soon wonders how he could have forgotten someone who enchants him so. When Hallie is hired to do the gardens at his property, she begins writing him secret admirer letters, in a completely harmless not creepy way, not expecting him to ever be interested in her, but wanting him to realize how amazing she thinks he is. Meanwhile, as she works on the gardens, Julian and Hallie soon find themselves forming a connection in person as well and falling for each other.

This was a good book with a cute story. I liked Hallie and Julian. Both of these characters are quirky and unusual. Julian is very structured and can't deviate from his very strict daily routine or else. He keeps to himself and doesn't have close friends or relationships. Hallie is funny, scattered and endearing. They are very much opposites who attract. Neither can quite believe that each other could be interested in them. The book had lots of romantic, swoony, poignant moments and the couple was very sweet together. Their relationship was a slow burn, second chance one with some super spicy moments. These two adored and worshipped each other. They had great chemistry and connection, both being each other's first loves and Hallie is a virgin. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Napa Valley small town and the descriptions of Hallie's gardening. I would have loved an epilogue and a glimpse into the future for these two.

Overall, this was a good book. Hallie and Julian's relationship journey was sweet and romantic. I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to more from this series and Miss Bailey in the future.

New Release: Not Your Ex's Hexes by April Asher + Review!

 

Not Your Ex's Hexes by April Asher is now available!

In April Asher’s next Supernatural Singles novel, Not Your Ex's Hexes, a one-night-stand between a willful witch and a broody half-demon conjures an adventure that wouldn’t be complete without several magical mishaps.

For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both.

After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there's one thing he's learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did.

Working—and sleeping—together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had...and shouldn't have. Because thanks to his ex's hex, if he falls in love, he'll not only lose his heart—but his humanity.

Links: https://smpromance.com/paranormal/not-your-exs-hexes/

Review:

3.5 stars

***

This was a pretty good book, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book in the series. Not Your Ex's Hexes is book two in the Supernatural Singles series and is Damian and Rose's book. Damian is half demon/half human and a former magical bounty hunter turned veterinarian at a shelter for abandoned animals. Rose is a witch and one of the three Maxwell triplet sisters. She recently ended an engagement after it comes to light that her sister Violet is actually the prima and heir apparent, and not herself as she was raised and trained to believe. She is very much at odds on what her future will be now. Rose hears about some horses that she thinks are being mistreated so she tries to kidnap them to take them to safety, but she gets caught and is sentenced by the council to volunteer at Damian's vet clinic. Damian does not want her there and is rude and closed off. He has a chip on his shoulder. In his past, a bitter high school girlfriend/witch put a hex on him that he can never fall in love or he will lose his soul. But as he spends time with Rose, they decided to become friends with benefits, when neither want to fight the attraction between them. Those benefits lead to feelings forming and they eventually fall for each other, while finding a way to solve the Hex problem.

I liked this story in general. I did find it way too slow to get going. Around 50% in, it started to pick up and the second half was much better. The pacing just felt off in general. Eventually I liked the story and felt the love and chemistry between Rose and Damian. Damian was closed off due to his past, but eventually couldn't help to fall for sweet Rose. I really needed more established couple time and I found the ending to be rushed. But I still thought the story was cute and enjoyable once it got going. I liked the worldbuilding and fun characters in the series, too.

Overall, this was a pretty good book once it got moving. I will definitely continue the series and I look forward to more from April Asher in the future!

Cover Reveal: For Never by Aurora Rose Reynolds

 

 Release Date: March 14

From New York Times & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Aurora Rose Reynolds comes a brand new romantic comedy about a girl who understands how short life is, and a man who quickly learns there are things way more important than money. 

I had no idea that taking a temp job for the summer would send my life into a tailspin, but that’s exactly what happened when I started working for Jace Ellis.
One day I was his secretary and the next I was sitting on his private plane, wearing an obnoxiously large engagement ring, after he asked me if I would pretend to be his fiancé for one week.
I can admit that greed got the best of me. But the money he offered in exchange for my lie would help not only me, but my mom out tremendously. 
I just had no idea what I was actually getting myself into. 
I didn’t think about the fact that we would be sharing a bed, that we would have to pretend to like each other, and I sure didn’t know that I would be surrounded by his entire family at their annual family reunion. 
But if the guy want’s a fiancé, I’m going to be the best one he’ll ever have. 

I just hope I can remember that this isn’t forever; it’s for never.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List! 

Meet Aurora Rose Reynolds

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground King, Shooting Stars, Fluke My Life and How to Catch an Alpha series. 

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.

To learn more about Aurora and her books, visit here! 

Hosted By:

Blog Tour: Drama King by Penny Reid + Excerpt & Review!

 

She’s his bodyguard. Nothing more. 

Until it starts to snow.

Drama King, an all-new swoony, hilarious, opposites attract standalone holiday romp from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid, is now available!


Stuck with her off-limits, taciturn, hunky movie star client during a sudden snowstorm on Christmas Eve, an extremely capable and highly professional bodyguard must keep him alive and warm without letting the tension building between them get too hot.

Bathsheba (Beth) Ryan can’t thank her best friend enough for helping her land the job of her dreams. After being relegated to second-string security for politicians in DC, being hired as an undercover personal security specialist by a giant Hollywood studio is exactly the kind of action she’s always wanted.

Until she meets her first assignment.

Cyrus Malcom can’t thank his agent enough for arranging a blind date with seemingly the woman of his dreams. After spending the past several years playing all the parts and climbing all the ladders, the lonely mega movie star finds himself actually enjoying a night on the town for the first time in ages when he meets the gorgeous, funny, and genuine Ryaine O’Rourke.

Until she shows up at his studio meeting the next day with a completely different name.

A world-wide press tour and too many late-night parties later, Beth simply needs to get through a short, one-day visit during the Christmas holiday, and then she’ll be free of Cyrus Malcom’s confusing hot looks and cold shoulders for good.

But just as they leave the airport, it starts to snow . . .



‘Drama King’ is the second book in the Three Kings Series, is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy, and can be read as a complete standalone.

Grab your copy today!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/3EawFw1
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/dramaking
Apple Books: http://bit.ly/3TIhWy5
Nook: http://bit.ly/3EgK2uD
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3AkdRJz
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3tyUybt
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/3GiKkDX

Keep reading for a look inside Drama King!

 

“Do you want to listen to music?” I asked softly. “Or talk radio?”

“No, thank you,” he said shortly, shifting in his seat again while he kept on staring and frowning out the window. “You’ll need to take a right when you get to Old Whiskey Road.”

“You don’t want to go through downtown Alenbach?”

“No. I’ve seen it before.” His response was uncharacteristically irritable.

Fighting a bout of nerves, I considered my next question, or whether I should ask a question.

One popped in my head and I wondered if it was too personal. But you know what? I decided, to heck with it. I wouldn’t see Cyrus again after today, not in any meaningful way. If he clammed up, so be it. I had nothing to lose.

I waited another mile or so, then asked, “Do you miss it?”

—at the exact same time he demanded, “Why did you pick me up?”

Stiffening at the hostility in his tone, I redoubled my efforts to focus on the road and responded calmly, “I was already here and the studio asked.”

I got the sense he was waiting for me to continue. When I didn’t, he asked, “That’s it? There’s no other reason?”

Chewing on my bottom lip, my thoughts drifted to the watch in my pocket. “What other reason would there be?” I hedged, testing the wiper controls to see if it had a higher setting. It didn’t. I felt like we were creeping along at this point and we’d be lucky to make it before nightfall.

His eyes still on me, he grumbled something I missed, then asked, “Do I miss what?”

I considered saying, Nothing, forget it, but my reasoning for asking the question was still sound.

“Do you miss Texas? Do you miss being close to your momma and all these wide-open spaces? The culture out here?” I went back to chewing my bottom lip, feeling unaccountably nervous. Carefully, I slowed the car and turned onto Old Whiskey Road. This was the bypass road for Alenbach, which was still some thirty miles ahead.

The snow seemed to thicken while I waited for him to answer. We traveled another mile and I glanced at Cyrus, our eyes connecting for the first time since he’d arrived at the Austin airport.

I absorbed the shock of it, breathed through it. Meanwhile, he stared at me, some combination of puzzled and stunned.

Braving another quick look, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I believe that’s the first time you’ve asked me a personal question directly.”

Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I struggled with how to respond, and eventually blurted, “That can’t be true.”

“It is. What do you know about me?” The question sounded like an accusation. “We worked together for four months and not once—not once—did you make any effort to know me. Why is that?”

A hot, spiky feeling pressed uncomfortably outward against my skin. The truth was, I knew more than I wanted to admit. “I—I know plenty.”

“Really? How? Are you a mind reader? What am I thinking right now?”

My breath wanted to hitch. I wouldn’t let it. I tried to focus on my irritation, not this strange sense that I’d let him down.

“Go ahead,” he demanded. “Tell me what I’m thinking.”

Glancing at him, I saw a deeply furrowed brow, glinting narrowed eyes, mouth tugged down at the corners, jaw set. Cyrus looked more like his character Asmodeus than himself—a beautiful, surly, smoldering fallen angel instead of a happy-go-lucky sweetheart with too much energy and charisma.

“Well?” Cyrus pushed.

“Well, obviously you’re angry with me.”

“That’s right, I’m angry.”

“Fine. Be angry then!” I yelled.

“I don’t want to be angry with you!” he shouted back. “I want to be the opposite of—oh shit”—he braced his arm against the dash—“Stop!”

I saw the deer right before Cyrus did. It was huge. Despite my frazzled state of mind and his insistence that I do so, I did not stop. I didn’t swerve either, though every instinct screamed at me to yank the wheel to the right.

Did you know deer kill more people than any other animal? Snakes and sharks have nothing on Bambi. Some people think they’re cute, I blame Disney for that. They’re not cute, they’re dumb. If you’re unfortunate enough to see them in the road, stop only if it’s convenient and you spot them from a distance and it’s not a winter hellscape outside.

But since this one appeared like a serial killer in a snowy slasher flick, I didn’t stop. I pressed gently on the brakes, slowed, and braced for impact. It came with a forceful, bone-shaking boom. Airbags deployed, filling my face and vision. The jolt of it caused my foot to press harder on the brake—rookie mistake, I should’ve removed my foot—and that’s when the shit hit the fan.

Add DRAMA KING to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3GmfERZ






Review:

3.5 stars

***

This was a pretty good book, although not quite as good as book one in the series for me. Drama King is the second book in the Three Kings series and is Cyrus and Beth/Bathsheba's book. It can be read as a standalone. Beth occasionally does a favor for her friend Ryaine, a famous actress who she went to college with and who she looks just like. She poses as Ryaine on her blind dates and vets them for her. But when Beth goes on a blind date with Cyrus, posing as Ryaine, things go awry. Cyrus is a movie star and he happens to be from Beth's hometown and was her older sister's prom date. Beth happens to be on some hefty prescription meds for a rash and one glass of wine knocks her off her feet. When she meets Cyrus, he doesn't recognize her as Beth and she's too messed up to properly explain who she is believably. Still Cyrus is intrigued by her and does the gentlemanly thing of seeing her home safely. He wants to see her again... only he doesn't expect it to be the next day when he is introduced to his new security detail. Beth is a security specialist who is hired as part of a team to guard him, when some crazed fans of his new superhero movie get out of hand. They got off on the wrong foot and now they are spending most of their time together. Cyrus is off-limits and Beth is professional to a fault so nothing can happen between them. But it all comes to a head when they get snowed in together during a snowstorm on Christmas.

This book reminded me a lot of Pride and Prejudice, even though I don't think it was supposed to, maybe because I watched the movie recently. The characters could be frustrating in their actions at times. Beth was the more Darcy-like to me, although Cyrus was a sweetheart and not like either protagonist. It also reminded me of P and P because in that book the couple gets together at the very end. But I liked the story, even if it was a little slow at times. Cyrus didn't actually do any acting or working, beyond some press interviews, but I still liked the Hollywood setting. He was a likeable, sweet guy. Beth was more complicated to me. I didn't quite like her as much as Cyrus. I felt they both could have communicated better, as they act like they don't really like each other for much of the book. Still, I enjoyed the book in general. It kept my attention and had some sweet and lighter moments to temper the serious ones.

Overall, this was an entertaining romance. I was happy Cyrus and Beth got together and were happy. I am enjoying this series and I will continue to read anything Ms. Reid writes. I am already looking forward to Alaric's book next Christmas as well.



   Meet Penny Reid

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

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Blog Tour: Drama King by Penny Reid + Review!

 

Title: Drama King

Series: Three Kings #2

Author: Penny Reid

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Release Date: December 13, 2022

BLURB

Stuck with her off-limits, taciturn, hunky movie star client during a sudden snowstorm on Christmas Eve, an extremely capable and highly professional bodyguard must keep him alive and warm without letting the tension building between them get too hot.

Bathsheba (Beth) Ryan can’t thank her best friend enough for helping her land the job of her dreams. After being relegated to second-string security for politicians in DC, being hired as an undercover personal security specialist by a giant Hollywood studio is exactly the kind of action she's always wanted.

Until she meets her first assignment.

Cyrus Malcom can’t thank his agent enough for arranging a blind date with seemingly the woman of his dreams. After spending the past several years playing all the parts and climbing all the ladders, the lonely mega movie star finds himself actually enjoying a night on the town for the first time in ages when he meets the gorgeous, funny, and genuine Ryaine O’Rourke.

Until she shows up at his studio meeting the next day with a completely different name.

A world-wide press tour and too many late-night parties later, Beth simply needs to get through a short, one-day visit during the Christmas holiday, and then she’ll be free of Cyrus Malcom’s confusing hot looks and cold shoulders for good.

But just as they leave the airport, it starts to snow . . .

‘Drama King’ is the second book in the Three Kings Series, is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy, and can be read as a complete standalone.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / SMASHWORDS

Review:

3.5 stars

***

 This was a pretty good book, although not quite as good as book one in the series for me. Drama King is the second book in the Three Kings series and is Cyrus and Beth/Bathsheba's book. It can be read as a standalone. Beth occasionally does a favor for her friend Ryaine, a famous actress who she went to college with and who she looks just like. She poses as Ryaine on her blind dates and vets them for her. But when Beth goes on a blind date with Cyrus, posing as Ryaine, things go awry. Cyrus is a movie star and he happens to be from Beth's hometown and was her older sister's prom date. Beth happens to be on some hefty prescription meds for a rash and one glass of wine knocks her off her feet. When she meets Cyrus, he doesn't recognize her as Beth and she's too messed up to properly explain who she is believably. Still Cyrus is intrigued by her and does the gentlemanly thing of seeing her home safely. He wants to see her again... only he doesn't expect it to be the next day when he is introduced to his new security detail. Beth is a security specialist who is hired as part of a team to guard him, when some crazed fans of his new superhero movie get out of hand. They got off on the wrong foot and now they are spending most of their time together. Cyrus is off-limits and Beth is professional to a fault so nothing can happen between them. But it all comes to a head when they get snowed in together during a snowstorm on Christmas.

This book reminded me a lot of Pride and Prejudice, even though I don't think it was supposed to, maybe because I watched the movie recently. The characters could be frustrating in their actions at times. Beth was the more Darcy-like to me, although Cyrus was a sweetheart and not like either protagonist. It also reminded me of P and P because in that book the couple gets together at the very end. But I liked the story, even if it was a little slow at times. Cyrus didn't actually do any acting or working, beyond some press interviews, but I still liked the Hollywood setting. He was a likeable, sweet guy. Beth was more complicated to me. I didn't quite like her as much as Cyrus. I felt they both could have communicated better, as they act like they don't really like each other for much of the book. Still, I enjoyed the book in general. It kept my attention and had some sweet and lighter moments to temper the serious ones.

Overall, this was an entertaining romance. I was happy Cyrus and Beth got together and were happy. I am enjoying this series and I will continue to read anything Ms. Reid writes. I am already looking forward to Alaric's book next Christmas as well.

ALSO AVAILABLE

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / SMASHWORDS

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Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

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