Archive for March 26, 2018

Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

Today I’m sharing The Summer Of New Beginnings, Bette Lee Crosby’s first book in her new Magnolia Grove series, available March 27th.

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The Summer Of New Beginnings

Magnolia Grove #1

by Bette Lee Crosby

36439328

Genre: Contemporary / Romance

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My Review

Having read a bunch of Bette’s books I couldn’t wait to read this first book in her new series.

There’s no one thing I can point to as why I loved this book. It’s many things. The genuine characters. The anticipation of what’s to come. Feeling all of those feels. Sorrow, heartbreak, frustration, hope, happiness and love. And how easily the story flows. I read this in one sitting. No way could I put it down until I was done.

Meghan is the main character. After her father dies, she gives up her dreams to keep his legacy alive. Along the way you’re introduced to her family. Shown how they struggle to move on and adapt. And Bette throws in a sprinkle of something magical. It comes with four legs and goes by Sox.

I could gush on and on about this book. I adored it. Will be reading it again. And am happily amazed that Bette got me to read outside my normal genre and showed me how good that could be.

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

One family learns that love is the greatest miracle of all.

Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.

Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been the rebellious type, without much direction in life. But in the wake of her latest romantic disaster, she finds herself moving back home as a single mother.

As Tracy experiences the difficulties of new motherhood, Meghan faces her own struggle: trying not to fall for the stray puppy she rescued. This is no time for attachments—not to the adorable “Sox,” whose owner is bound to turn up any day, and certainly not to the handsome new vet in town. But as the summer unfolds, she discovers that, like Sox, she may need rescuing, too.

As both sisters navigate unexpected challenges and exciting new relationships, they’ll find that putting the past to rest can make way for beautiful new beginnings.

Available for purchase March 27th.

Amazon / B&N

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You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

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Avalanche
Cambria Hebert
(BearPaw Resort, #1)
Publication date: March 26th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

Don’t get caught in the surge.

Through a bullet hole in a wall, I watch a man bleed to death.
Those responsible think their crime died with the victim, until I identify them.
What’s a girl to do when she’s being hunted by murderers
witness protection can’t even stop?
Run.
My only refuge is a place I vowed to never go again.
When it’s do or die, an eight-year-old heartache suddenly seems trivial.
Besides, he won’t be there anyway.
But he is.
Turns out my old pain feels brand new the second his eyes meet mine.
I can’t leave. I can’t stay.
This snowy town that’s supposed to be my shelter
suddenly exposes me more than before.
With no one else to lean on, Liam becomes my lifeline.
Now we’re both running for our lives,
trying not to get swept away.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy the excerpt:

Bellamy

Breathing was something my body forgot how to do. An automatic action that suddenly became something so very complicated.

Liam,” I said, the word low and strained. It used up the very last bit of my oxygen.

His hands flexed again, still holding on to my arms.

That was the problem. The reason my lungs were burning and my sight was blurred. He was touching me.

I wrenched away, nearly tripping. He reached to steady me again, but I made a strangled sound, and he stopped.

The second there was some precious space between us, I sucked in a ragged breath. Then another.

“You’re here,” he rasped.

“You weren’t supposed to be.”

He smiled. Oh, why did he have to do that? The dimple in his chin appeared, and my knees started to shake.

Eight years. Even after eight years, he still reduced me to putty.

“Thought about me, did you?”

Every. Single. Day.

“Of course not.” I drew myself up, wrapping my arms around my body. Oh God, I looked a mess. I was dressed like a homeless person…

Oh God, I was a homeless person.

And I’d come here.

This was a very, very bad choice.

He stepped forward, and I took a step back. Liam frowned, and my eyes raked over his face, taking in his features, noting the way he’d changed over the years.

He was bigger now. So much bigger. His hair wasn’t as long as it used to be. Eight years ago, it was so long he could pull it into a short ponytail at the base of his neck. He said he liked it that way because it drove his father crazy. Now it was shorter on the sides but still long enough to run your fingers through.

His jaw was more chiseled. Light-colored hair filled it out, defined it even more. And his eyes.

Oh, his eyes.

Still the same stormy gray, the same depths I could get lost in for hours. They were wiser now. Almost more hawk-like, as if he could penetrate even my deepest of secrets with that stare.

The trembling in my knees moved to my hands. I stood there staring at him, unable to speak, looking like a homeless woman and trembling like a mouse caught out in the cold.

“Is your father with you?” he asked.

The words were like a knife right to my chest. I actually winced when he said them.

After my throat worked, I managed to reply. “Um, no. I’m alone.”

He frowned. He was starting to see something wasn’t right. He would know if I stood in front of him any longer.

There was something about Liam Mattison that managed to strip me bare.

I thought it had been because I was sixteen. But here I was at the age of twenty-four, and I knew it hadn’t been my age.

It was him.

“Ms. Lane,” the concierge spoke from somewhere behind. “I spoke to the manager, and I’m sorry, but there isn’t anything we can—”

I spun. “It’s okay!” I cut him off instantly, wishing I could have done it sooner.

“Manager?” Liam wondered from behind.

Of course he’d heard.

The man glanced behind me, his eyes widening a fraction.

“What’s this about a manager, Kenny?”

His eyes flickered to me, and I shook my head, begging him to shut up.

“Who runs this place?” Liam snapped.

I gasped. “You run BearPaw now?”

“Yes,” Liam replied with all the confidence in the world.

“What about your father?” Kenny wondered behind us.

“Why did you need a manager?” Liam asked, ignoring what he said.

“I… ah…” I began, then went for my bag I’d dropped on the floor. “I should be going.”

“Like hell,” Liam growled, grabbing my arm again. His hold was firm, but it didn’t hurt.

And damn if I stopped breathing again.

“Please don’t touch me.” I gasped.

Liam frowned but let go. “Stay,” he ordered.

 

Author Cambria Hebert

Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE



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Angels Fall
J.A. Huss & Johnathan McClain
(Original Sin #2)
Publication date: March 27th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Sometimes angels fall.

Maddie doesn’t really owe drug lord, Carlos Castillo, money. So she hadn’t taken his threats seriously. Until now. He wants it, whether she owes it or not. And if she doesn’t have it in six weeks he’s gonna take her as payment instead.

Tyler would save the world if he could. That’s a fight that lasts forever. And if there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s fighting. So if Maddie thinks she’s gonna deal with an insane drug lord on her own, she’s crazier than he is.

She’s got a debt she can’t pay. He’s got more money than he needs.
She’s not gonna fall for his charm. He’s gonna make sure that happens.

They’re destined to be together. Even if Maddie doesn’t know it yet.
Sometimes your soul mate isn’t who you’d choose, it’s who you need.

Good thing you don’t get to choose.

Goodreads / Amazon / Audible / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy the excerpt:

MADDIE

“Who the fuck invited you?” I snarl at Tyler. “And how the hell did you even find out where I live?”

“I stopped by Pete’s. Met Pete. Sweet guy, by the way. I would’ve imagined a strip club owner as being kinda—”

“Pete told you where I live?” Jesus. Thanks, Pete. Fuck.

“No, no, not exactly.” Tyler’s standing way too close to me now. The girls are pretending not to be able to hear him, but it’s clear they’re eavesdropping. I hope they’re better at fucking guys for money than they are at spying.

Tyler leans in closer still, and I really, really wish he would not do that. Because I hate him and don’t want him anywhere near me. Or maybe because I can feel the heat of his body and he kinda smells delicious. Which just pisses me off more because I hate him.

He lowers his voice and continues explaining how he found me. “Don’t be mad at Pete. He didn’t want to tell me where you live. Seems like a really ethical guy.”

“Except he did tell you where I live.”

“Well, yeah, but it cost me five grand.” My eyes go wide. “I mean, he’s ethical for, y’know, a guy who runs a strip joint.”

Nope. This is not going down like this. “Get. Out.” I’m pointing at the door now.

“No!” Diane whines. “No, no, no. We’re just getting to know him, Maddie! Oh, my God. This guy. Where the hell have you been hiding him all these months?”

“Where have I been hiding him?” I see red as I go to him, hands out, and slam them into his chest. The force of my push makes him step back… half a step. Maybe. “I wasn’t hiding him anywhere, you traitors! This asshole ducked out on me years ago. And when I needed him, when I was begging him to—” I shake my head to clear my mind. “And then he shows back up and thinks everything’s gonna be fine just because we fucked a couple of times when I didn’t know it was him!”

There’s a beat before Annie says, “You fucked him?” with, like, way more excitement in her voice than she should.

“Not the point!” I shout as I slam my hands into his chest again.

But this time, he grabs my wrist and stops me, saying, “Can we please talk?”

I struggle in his grip, but he holds tight. I clench my teeth and spit, “Let go of me.”

He does. Immediately. Both hands up as if in surrender.

I decide to change my strategy. Because clearly Tyler Morgan is being Tyler Morgan. He attracts people to him like a siren song calling sailors to the rocks. He knows how to play up the act he perfected long ago. Seemingly genuine, charismatic, and fascinating as he leads the rest of us to our destruction.

So I pull the friend card out and whirl around to face Annie, Diane, and Caroline. Taking a deep breath, I say, “He’s not what you think,” in the calmest tone I can muster. My voice is shaky. My hands are trembling with anger. But I hold it together. “He ruined me,” I say. “He broke me into tiny pieces, dropped me to the ground, and walked all over me.”

Annie just stares at me, confused.

“What do you mean?” Diane asks.

“He left me, Diane. After Scotty died. He left me alone. He never came back. He never even showed up for his funeral. I begged him,” I say, starting to cry. “I begged him and he told me to stop. He just went on with his life like nothing happened. Like my brother didn’t just die the most horrific death possible. Like what we all meant to each other was meaningless. So I hope one of those stories he told you about our childhood included that little fact. And then…” I continue, drawing in a deep breath, willing the strength it takes to get this last part in so I can twist that knife in his chest the way he did mine. “And then he went off and made millions of dollars. Been living it up in a goddamned penthouse, no cares at all. No worries at all. While I’ve been back here…”

But I lose it there. I can’t say the words selling myself. Because I’ll die right now if I have to say that. I’ll die.

There’s a filled beat while everyone stares at Tyler, who never breaks eye contact with me. And I really wish he would. Because his eyes are sad and hurt-looking and no fucking way will I fall for that shit. No. Fucking. Way.

Caroline mutters, “He’s a millionaire?”

Jesus Christ.

 

Author Bio:

Two accomplished writers come together to create unforgettable sexy romance. JA Huss is the New York Times bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today bestsellers list eighteen times. Johnathan McClain is a veteran actor and writer whose work, either performed or written, is probably airing on at least one of the channels on your television right now. You can contact them on their website www.hussmcclain.com or find them at their social links below.

STALK JULIE
FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM

STALK JOHNATHAN
FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE