Weekly Reading Update 8/19 - 8/25/16

Another week, another update… As always, click the title for more information!

I really don’t have too much this week. I was really busy, with something scheduled almost every evening after work. I took a women’s self-defense class early in the week, which was amazing. Tuesday night I had to work in the evening, Wednesday I had to head to my mother’s to drop stuff off for her, and then Thursday evening my friend was having a Scentsy party. I’ve never been to one before, but man… so many good smells! But enough about that - on to the books!

I started my weekend off reading The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks: Life and Death Under Soviet Rule by Igort. For my 2016 reading challenge, I had to read a book about a culture I am unfamiliar with - so I chose this one randomly off the shelf. I was not prepared for how horrible life was at that time. The famine was so bad, people were resorting to cannibalism, and just the way people treated other humans.. It was horrifying! I’m now stuck somewhere between wanting to know more about this time period in that part of the world, because I like to keep myself informed… but also not wanting to know any more because it’s so terrible.

Next, I moved on to Tailored for Trouble my Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. I got this one to review for Romance Reviews Today, and I was surprised how much I liked it. It starts off like every other CEO-hires-consultant-and-falls-in-love kind of book, but Tailored for Trouble jumped right off the romance trope chain and threw in some curveballs I didn’t expect. I’m already eager for the second one, but there’s no release month yet - all that’s listed is some time in 2017.

After so much contemporary, I was in the mood for some

paranormal romance - so I finally picked up Runaway Vampire and Immortal Nights by Lynsay Sands. Runaway Vampire came out earlier this year, and Immortal Nights is releasing next month - so if you love paranormal romance, now is the time to start on the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. I love her stuff. This series is always on my insta-buy list. And when I’m having a rough day, there’s several I pick up and re-read to feel better.

I then moved on to a graphic novel, Blue Monday: The Kids Are Alright by Clugston Flores Chynna. This is put out by Image comics, which I love, so when my library purchased this title - I had to try it. I thought it was interesting, but not something I’m going to have to read the next volume right now like some other comics. And while the characters may be teens, trust me, the language makes this something for older readers.

And finally, quite randomly, I found myself rereading In The Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister. I think because she posted something mentioning Ben and Fran in her online readers group - so I grabbed it off my favorites shelf and brought it to work with me. And even though I know what’s going to happen, and that everything will turn out okay.. I still get sad when Fran sees Ben with someone else. Sigh.

That’s it for me this week!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: WAIT by A.L. Jackson

Release Date: August 23rd, 2016

Type: Contemporary, Series, Book 4, Works as a stand-alone, Rock stars, Prose so poetic!

My Review: I remember reading A Stone in the Sea not that long ago - I had the day off, and I figured I would read a couple chapters before getting some chores done. And nope - I was glued to the page. The story just felt so.. deep, so emotional, I had to know what was going to happen. And Wait is exactly the same. From the very beginning, I was sucked into the gravitational field of these two characters. They were circling each other, and I couldn't step away. I'm sure my coworkers were getting really sick of all my grumbling since I couldn't keep reading after my break was over.

A.L. Jackson is one of those authors I know I love, and I add everything she writes to my TBR list. And yet every time I pick up a new book by her, I am shocked at how poetic the language is. Her writing style so accurately reflects the characters' emotions that I can't help but feel elated, scared, loved... whatever else she makes poor Edie and Austin go through. And while I love it so much, I also want to shake the author and beg her to stop torturing these poor characters! They need their happy endings, and they so deserve them.

Guys, seriously - read this series. Or at least read Wait... but really though, read the whole series. If you like your heroes tortured, if you like your rock stars with a shattered soul - look no further. A.L. Jackson delivers, every time.

Cover Lovin': I love this cover! And it fits so smoothly in with the rest of the series.

Recommendation: Wait can totally work as a stand-alone, but trust me - you'll want to read the rest of them as well. A.L. Jackson knows how to get under your skin.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)!!! Couldn't put it down, and I already want to read it all over again. Or maybe go back to A Stone in the Sea and work my way forward.

Make sure to get your copy of Wait and the rest of the Bleeding Stars novels today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

     

From NYT & USA Today bestselling author comes a new Bleeding Stars stand-alone novel… She is his strength and he is her weakness. And this time he won’t let her go.   Edie Evans is gorgeous. Sexy. Kind. She’s also the definition of off-limits. But that didn't stop me from sneaking into her room to comfort her at night. But guys like me? We destroy everything, so it should have been no surprise when I destroyed us, too. The night I sent her running, I thought I’d never see her again. Until I saw her standing like a vision in the crowd.   Austin Stone is dangerous. Alluring. Tempting. He broke my heart and I refused to give him the chance to do it again. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, and now I can’t do anything but stare at the gorgeous, tattooed man playing onstage. I should run. I know I should. But like a fool, I run straight back to him. Our desire is overpowering. Our need unrelenting. She is my hope. He is my weakness. We should have known a passion this intense would burn us right into the ground.    

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Google Play

   

"Meaningful. Mesmerizing. Magnificent...5 but should be 10 beautiful, broken, brilliant, and imperfectly perfect stars .” Karen, Bookalicious Babes Blog

"A beautifully written story about broken hearts and unshakable longing, about second chances and third chances and a whispered hope for a happily ever after. Intensely felt on every level, Edie and Austin’s story will own you." Vilma, Vilma’s Book Blog

“Beautiful. Sexy. Dripping with tenderness. I felt the emotion in this story all the way to my toes.” Mia Sheridan, NYT Bestselling Author

“6 Stars - ‪Wait is equally devastating and beautiful! A.L. Jackson has a way of pouring words onto a page that makes you crave every piece of a story.” Molly McAdams, NYT Bestselling Author    

 “Shit,” I hissed, bracing myself against the spray of the icy shards pelting from the shower head. I sucked in a breath, released it between clenched teeth, and forced myself fully under it. Head dropped and chest heaving as rivers of ice-cold water slicked down my shoulders and back. But it did nothing to lessen the need. Gave me no sanity or pacification. Because all I could think about was the girl on the other side of the door. My girl. In my bed. Wearing just her panties and my shirt. An angel I wanted to dirty. I always had. Love was messy like that. All of my restraint scattered. I gripped my cock. Squeezed the base. My mouth dropped open at the pressure of my hand against my rigid length. A fool thinking it might be enough. Shit. God, I was a bastard, but there was nothing I could do before I was giving in, leaning forward and bracketing my forearm above my head to hold my weight. Water pounded down on my head and back while I pounded my fist against my dick. Trying to keep silent when all I wanted was to moan, teeth digging into my bottom lip as I pictured the girl spread out for me. My breaths were coming short. Panted and hard. I gave into imagining the sounds she would make when I finally got to bury myself in her body. A soft, soft gasp. I slowed, trying to convince myself that throaty sound was all in my mind. Just another part of this fantasy. Until I heard the small thump against the wall. Shit. I mashed my eyes closed, like it might hide me. Conceal the depravity of my actions after I’d just been comforting her hours before. Heart thrashing, I turned and moved far enough to peek out the small section where the fabric shower curtain hadn’t been drawn fully closed. It was just a little sliver that left me exposed. But it was enough. When I peered out, I was looking right at my girl pressed up against the wall. She stared right back at me. And I wanted to be horrified, my mind scrambling to conjure every weak apology I could summon. Ready to fucking grovel to keep her from turning and running once again. Because that’s exactly what I expected her to do. But her expression…her expression clutched me in the center of the chest and sent what little brain function I had left stampeding south. Red, lush lips were parted, her hand pressed to her hollow of her throat, pupils dilated so big that her hooded, cerulean eyes appeared black. Needy breaths were coming at me from that sweet mouth like a goddamned freight train. Desire swelled in the confines of the too-tight room. Alive. She pressed deeper into the wall as if it might support her weakened knees. Head rocked back. Thighs squeezing together. Motherfuck. My hand shot to the shower wall to steady myself. “Warning you, Edie, you need to get out of here. Right now.”      
   

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  A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad. Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installments, WAIT and STAY, coming in 2016. If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book. Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson - Sign up to receive her newsletter http://bit.ly/NewsFromALJackson or text “jackson” to 96000 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L. Jackson online:www.aljacksonauthor.com Snapchat: aljacksonauthor

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Review: SAPPHIRE HEIST by Lauren Blakely!

 
Release Date: August 16th, 2016

Type: Contemporary, Romance, Series, Book 2, Suspense, Thief!

My Review: Long-time readers of this blog know my obsession with heist novels, con men, and/or thieves. I can’t help myself - I find the topic (and characters) fascinating. So of course I jumped at the chance to read and review this series - not only does it feature characters trying to solve a mystery involving stolen money, but it’s written by Lauren Blakely - a favorite in the romance community. The Sapphire Affair was my first Lauren Blakely book, and I was hooked - The Sapphire Heist is no different. I had to know what happened, what was going to happen, and if Jake and Steph would actually be able to make everything work.

I think, if I had to pick a favorite - I would say I liked the first book more. But The Sapphire Heist was just so much more satisfying than the first - and not just because it didn’t have a cliffhanger ending. Honestly, I might still be a little bitter about the ending to The Sapphire Affair. Not so bitter that I didn’t have to instantly try and get an ARC of the second book, of course. I was pleased with how well everything wrapped up in this book. Not everything ended perfectly - after all, life isn’t perfect - but it ended well.

And frankly, I really, really want a Jake Harlowe of my very own.

Cover Lovin': For sure! And it works perfectly with the first book.

Recommendation: This is a direct sequel, so readers need to check out book one, The Sapphire Affair, first!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars! (4/5) - Great read, and I'm so glad we had two books so this story got the amount of space it needed and deserved. Can't wait to read more by Lauren Blakely!

Get your copies of The Sapphire Affair and The Sapphire Heist today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.


 

✮✮✮ THE SAPPHIRE HEIST is here! The highly anticipated conclusion of New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely’s new contemporary romance Jewel Novel Series, this enemies-to-lovers series is filled with sex, wit, glamour, and high stakes, with a rugged, ex-military, dirty-talking alpha hero! Don’t miss this explosive and passionate series and check out all the stops on the tour! ✮✮✮

       

Lauren Blakely’s THE SAPPHIRE HEIST – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

August 17^th

Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews – Excerpt

Naughty Moms' Story Time – Review

Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Excerpt

A Bookish Mess – Review & Excerpt

A girl and her books – Review

BJ's Book Blog – Review

Socially Awkward Book Nerd – Excerpt

Little Red Reading Hood – Review

August 18^th

Got Nikki? – Excerpt

Book reviews by lexi – Review

Bookalicious Babes Blog – Review & Excerpt

Collector of book boyfriends – Review

Devilishly dirty book blog – Review & Excerpt

InBookEden – Review & Excerpt

Marie's Tempting Reads – Review

Vagabonda Reads – Excerpt

August 19^th

FMR Book Grind – Review

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Inner Goddess – Review & Excerpt

Naughty Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Two Book Pushers – Review

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

August 20^th

Book Bitches Blog – Review & Excerpt

Reading Tigress – Review & Excerpt

Author Groupies – Review

Ashley Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

For The Love of Fictional Worlds – Review & Excerpt

August 21^st

A Brit and a Yank – Excerpt

Musings of the Modern Belle – Review & Excerpt

Mia's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Evermore Books – Excerpt

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty – Review

Reese's Reviews – Excerpt

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Bookaholic Confessions – Excerpt

August 22^nd

Quesarasera Book Blog – Excerpt

Alpha Book Club – Review & Excerpt

Angel's Book Heaven – Review & Excerpt

Stephanie's Book Reports – Excerpt

Pretty Sassy Cool – Review & Excerpt

Sassy Southern Book Affair – Review & Excerpt

Jen's Reading Obsession – Excerpt

The Pervy Ladies Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

August 23^rd

Embrace the Romance – Review & Excerpt

All Romance Reviews – Review

Book Briefs – Review

Brittany's Book Blog – Excerpt

Ellesea Loves Reading – Excerpt

TjLovesToRead – Review

Mile High KINK Book Club – Excerpt

The Flare Up – Excerpt

August 24^th

2 One Click Chicks – Review & Excerpt

The Book Avenue – Excerpt

My Girlfriend's Couch – Excerpt

Captain Reads A Lot – Excerpt

Krista's Dust Jacket – Review & Excerpt

Novel Addiction – Review

Sexyways of Reading – Review

The Book Sirens – Review

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review & Excerpt

August 25^th

Beneath The Covers Blog – Review & Excerpt

Two Girls with Books – Excerpt

BFD Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Blushing Babes Are Up All Night – Review

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Review & Excerpt

The Read Report – Review & Excerpt

Sofia Loves Books – Review

Friends Till The End Book Blog – Excerpt

August 26^th

G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt

Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Book Loving Fairy – Review

Ripe For Reader – Review

Shelly's Book Corner – Review

Maari Loves Her Indies – Excerpt

Hooker Heels Book Blog – Review

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

         

THE SAPPHIRE AFFAIR & THE SAPPHIRE HEIST are being released by Montlake, which is an Amazon publishing company, and will only be available for sale at Amazon. You can download a free Kindle reading app for any smartphone or tablet here: http://amzn.to/1MIyrHi

**THE SAPPHIRE AFFAIR & THE SAPPHIRE HEIST are available for free on Kindle Unlimited!**

   

ABOUT THE SAPPHIRE HEIST (Jewel Novel #2):

Keep your lover close and your enemy closer…

After giving in to a fiery night of passion, island adventurer Steph Anderson and bounty hunter Jake Harlowe are back to square one. With millions in stolen jewels at stake, it’s hard for Steph not to question her new partner’s true motives—no matter how sexy he might be. Jake is hungry for more of Steph, but he can sense her growing mistrust, which only fuels his own doubts. Worse, there’s undeniable evidence that someone else is now after the jewels—and that they are both in real danger.

Fighting against their magnetic attraction is a distraction these two can’t afford. In order to survive, they’ll have to pull off one more heist—and trust each other with something even more precious than jewels: their hearts.

   

✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦ Amazon Paperback ✦ Amazon AU ✦ Amazon CA

✦ Audiobook (narrated by Sebastian York)

   

And Don’t Miss the First Book, THE SAPPHIRE AFFAIR, now available!

Order your copy today!

 

✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦ Amazon Paperback ✦ Amazon AU ✦ Amazon CA

✦ Audiobook (narrated by Sebastian York)

     

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    About Lauren Blakely: Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that’s full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With ten New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than fifty times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone romantic comedies like BIG ROCK and MISTER O, which were both instant New York Times Bestsellers. In the fall she’ll release WELL HUNG, another romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter:laurenblakely.com/newsletter.  

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