REVIEW & EXCERPT: Listen to Me by Kristen Proby!!!

 

Kristen Proby is known for writing heartfelt characters with deep connections and sizzling passion. This April, she will seduce readers’ senses with a brand new series, Fusion, from William Morrow Paperbacks, in which five best friends open a hot new restaurant together. Today, we are thrilled to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for LISTEN TO ME, the first book in the Fusion Series releasing April 12, 2016. LISTEN TO ME finds a hot former rock star looking for a steady gig at the restaurant, but he’ll have to convince the prickly front-of-house manager to take a chance on him—with her business and her heart.

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 My Review: Guys, we romance readers fully understand the stable (harem, maybe?) of book boyfriends. I have quite a few. But Jake - oh man, I think Jake is going to take the cake. He is something all together special - a guy I could actually see myself with. Not a fantasy guy that would be great for a cuddle or date here and there. Oh no, Jake is the real deal. He's a good, funny guy, and has a heart of gold. He's truly perfect. Well, except for that whole "I ruin everything!" mentality - but then, he would feel sickeningly perfect if he didn't have at least one flaw.

I knew this book was going to be fantastic. I've read several books by Kristen Proby at this point, and I have never been disappointed. But this book is the start of what is clearly going to be a fantastic series, and I cannot wait to see where it goes. Addie has amazing friends, and I need to see them all get their happy ending, because they deserve it. I think what makes this book so good, these characters so human, is that they screw up, and they know they screw up. At one point, Addie actually chides herself for what she just did and said, and goes to fix it. Their mess ups don't feel contrived in order to give the story some edge and drama, but because they're real people that make stupid, real mistakes. And that right there is proof that Kristen Proby knows what the heck she's doing.

Click the link below to pre-order LISTEN TO ME - you'll be glad you did! I know I will be placing my order ASAP. Sure, I may have a received a digital ARC in exchange for a review (Disclaimer!), but I think I need a physical copy of this on my keeper shelf - so I can revisit Jake and Addie whenever I need a fix!

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About LISTEN TO ME:

 

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

EXCERPT:

“Can we help you?”

                “I’m looking for the manager. I was told I’d find her in here.”

                “And you have,” Blondie says and turns on her bar stool to look at me.

                And suddenly the air is stolen from my lungs. This is the woman I saw the other night at the club. The one I couldn’t take my eyes off of. The one that made the rest of the room fade away.

                The only word I have for her is bombshell, and I’ve never used that word in my life.

                She slides off her seat, perfectly at home in her mile-high black heels, and strides quickly and confidently to me. She’s in a high-waisted, black pencil skirt with a white button-down tucked into it. Her sleeves are rolled, the top few buttons unfastened on her shirt, giving me a glimpse at the most impressive cleavage I’ve ever seen.

                Her blond hair is piled high on her head, in lazy curls. Her makeup is simple and flawless.

                And she’s wearing black-rimmed glasses.

                Fuck me.

                I swallow hard and hold my hand out to shake hers, but she come to an abrupt halt about two feet too far to take it.

                “You’re –“

                “Jake Keller,” I interrupt and close the gap to shake her hand. Hers is warm and slender, but her grip is firm. Her eyes narrow.

                “Jake Knox,” she corrects me. “My friends all had your posters on their walls.”

                “You didn’t?” I ask with a cocky smirk, already enjoying her.

                “No, I wasn’t particularly smitten with you.” She pulls her glasses off her nose, much to my disappointment, and tucks them on top of her head in her hair.

                “God, I’m such a sucker for a beautiful woman in glasses.

                “Shame,” I reply and continue to smile at her.

                “How can I help you?”

                “I’m here about the job.”

                She frowns. “You want to be a busboy? Are times really that bad, Mr. Knox?”

                “Keller,” I correct her. “Actually, just call me Jake. And I’m here about the weekend music gig. Although, I can clear tables if need be.”

                She tilts her head, hooks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and smiles and my heart stops. Fucking hell, where did this woman come from?

                And where the hell are these thoughts coming from?

                “I’m quite sure I can’t afford you, Mr. Keller.” She turns to walk away, but I catch her elbow, turning her back to me.

                “It’s not about the money,” I say quickly. “I’d really just like to play.”

                “Your whole band?” she asks with a frown.

                “No, just me. I’ll bring my guitar and all I’ll need you to provide is a mic and a stool, but I’m sure I can come up with a mic if you don’t already have one.”

                She blinks at me, as if I’m not speaking English, then finally says, “Okay, where are the cameras.” She looks around the room and points at Red behind the bar. “Did you stage this? Seriously, you guys are bitches for doing this to me.”

                Red laughs and shakes her head. “No tricks here, Addie. But send him over to me when you’re done with him.”

                Addie turns back to me with skeptical eyes. “She was one of my friends with your poster on her wall.”

                “And I’m not afraid to admit it,” Red says loudly as she stocks more wine.

                “So, the job.” I cross my arms over my chest and watch her eyes dilate when they land on the sleeve tattoo on my right arm.

                She’s not immune to me.

    About Kristen Proby: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.      

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Kristen Proby’s LISTEN TO ME – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

April 4^th

The Cantu Sisters Book Reviews – Excerpt

2 Girls & Their Kindles – Review & Excerpt

Book Sniffers Anonymous – Review

Queenzany – Review

She Hearts Books – Review

April 5^th

Melissa's Book Obsessiom – Review

BBBf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends – Review

Ticket To Anywhere – Review & Excerpt

EscapeNBooks – Review & Excerpt

April 6^th

Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads – Review & Excerpt

SnoopyDoo's Book Reviews – Excerpt

MEReadALOT – Review

Hike2Forty and beyond – Review & Excerpt

Take Me Away To A Great Read – Excerpt

April 7^th

Romance Addict Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Fiction Fangirls – Review & Excerpt

Between Books – Review & Excerpt

The Suburban Eclectic Review – Review

Princess Reads – Review & Excerpt

April 8^th

Two Unruly Girls With A Romance Book Buzz – Review & Excerpt

Literati Literature Lovers – Review

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

Random Book Muses – Review

An Asian Chick & Her Cat Walk into a Book Blog – Review

April 9^th

Novel Addiction – Review & Excerpt

Nerdy Soul – Review

BooksPieAndCoffee – Review & Excerpt

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review

April 10^th

Emmbooks – Review

The Book Hoarders – Review

Bridget's Book Bungalow – Review & Excerpt

The Book Avenue – Excerpt

Smart & Savvy with Stephanie – Review

April 11^th

Once Upon An Alpha – Review & Excerpt

A Sky Full of Stars Blog – Excerpt

Rosemarie McKenzie – Review & Excerpt

Alleskelle Blogs But Mostly Reads – Review

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions – Excerpt

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Weekly Reading Update! 4/1 - 4/7/16!

Another week, another weekly reading update! This week I went on a bit of a nostalgia kick, so I've been reading The Princess Diaries series like it's going out of style! And of course, that's making me want to read the Georgia Nicholson series, and the Jessica Darling series, all over again as well. Maybe next week!

As always, click the link to check them out!

Since last week, I finally picked my 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge back up by reading a book of poetry - "The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll. I'm not a big poetry fan, and that might be because to really understand a poem, I have to read it out loud to myself. Which can get pretty weird, depending on where you're reading it. I live in fear that someone will stop by my house and hear me reading poetry to myself.. But anyway! This book was good, really. Very enjoyable, even for someone that doesn't really like poetry.

I also read "Knight" by Kristen Ashley. I didn't know what to expect when I started this - I picked it up on recommendation from someone else, without ever really looking into it. And I'm stuck somewhere between liking it (it was definitely hot), and disliking it (really? you can't think of another word besides "babe"?!). In the end, I gave it three stars because I was so conflicted. But then I promptly requested the second book in the series to read, so clearly I liked the author and writing enough to seek out more!

Next up was "Simon Says: Mine" by Cherise Sinclair. When I want a good, steamy, hot read - I pick up something by Cherise. This novella was part of a series I hadn't read before, but her books can often be read as stand alones - especially near the beginning of the series. This was offered as an eBook at my library, so of course I had to jump on it. Yum! I can't wait to start this series as soon as I finish the Shadowlands series.

And last, but certainly not least, I read books 2-5 of the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. (2: Princess in the Spotlight, 3: Princess in Love, 4: Princess in Waiting, 5: Princess in Pink). I read this series years ago, and stopped somewhere near the end, but I couldn't remember where. So I figured, since I was feeling nostalgic, I'd pick them back up. I listened to 4 & 5, but read books 2 & 3, since they were checked in at the library. If you like audiobooks, I'd give these a listen. The narrator does a fantastic job! I forgot how much I love Mia and her friends - and especially Michael. Oh, Michael Moscovitz. *Sigh*

Well, that's it for me this week. But I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about next week!

Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Release Blitz!!! FROM THE ASHES by Amber Lynn Natusch

Piper Jones can't catch a break. After a lifetime of animosity and indifference from the supernatural community, she thought she'd finally found a home with the vampire king’s enforcers. Then the dark and mysterious Merc walks into her life, and it takes a disastrous turn for the worse. Now under attack by enemies both known and unknown, Piper has little choice but to flee her refuge—and start over in a place few vampires ever go. Rural Alaska seemed to fit the bill, except for Knox and his crew of werewolves. The pack shares a connection with Piper that few of them can explain, and none of them can escape. With time running out for answers, Piper must fight the demons of her past to ensure her future—or die trying. A NEW SERIES FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR AMBER LYNN NATUSCH!  

RELEASED TODAY!

KEEP READING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK!

 

Release Day Blast: THROW DOWN by Tessa Bailey!

He has one last chance to deserve the girl of his dreams... Overachiever River Purcell was never supposed to be a struggling single mom, working double shifts just to make ends meet. Nor was she supposed to be abandoned by her high school sweetheart, breaking her heart into a thousand jagged pieces. Now Vaughn De Matteo is back in town, his sights set on her...and River is in danger of drowning a second time. No one believed Hook's resident bad boy was good enough for River. Not even Vaughn himself. But he'll fight like hell to win back the woman he never stopped loving, to keep the daughter he never expected, and convince himself he's worth their love in the process––even if he has to rely on their fierce and undeniable sexual chemistry. But even as River's body arches under his hungered touch, the demons of the past lurk in the shadows. Waiting for Vaughn to repeat his mistakes one last time...

    

THROWN DOWN BY TESSA BAILEY IS NOW AVAILABLE

  Buy Links:
 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014CS5NDE/?tag=sbcnll-20
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thrown-down-tessa-bailey/1122566776?ean=9781633754478
 
About Tessa:
Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.  

REVIEW: Hunter by Blaire Drake

Release Date: March 28th, 2016

Type: Contemporary Romance, Mafia/Mob, Dark and Dirty

About the Book: Born into blood, I was a mafia princess. Raised in hiding, I was a Californian sweetheart. The day my father sold my thirteen year old body to pay off a five year old debt was the day my mother stole me in the dead of night. She protected me as she was supposed to. My father may have been the king, but my mother was the queen. The mafia blood was hers.

That was ten years ago. Now… the devil was on the loose. Carlo ‘Hunter’ Rosso was my father’s right hand man and the boy I’d loved since I could tie my own shoelaces. He was always the most ruthless and the most deadly of all the children. He’d thought I was dead until the day his assignment was given: Kill Adriana and Alexandria Romano. Kill the princess, and definitely kill the queen. What he didn’t know was that the queen was dead, and the princess had taken her throne. Blood didn’t lie. It smeared, distorted, stained. But it didn’t lie. My father was going to learn the hard way that the empire he’d stolen belonged to me. And so did Carlo ‘Hunter’ Rosso. [Description provided by the author.]

My Review: So it seems the next big trend in romance is the mafia/mob - and I'm definitely down with that! It makes for a nice change. Sure, I still love my rock stars, cowboys, and billionaires, but who doesn't get a little excited when they think about the dark, gritty underworld of mobsters? If you want to give it a try - "Hunter" by Blaire Drake is an excellent way to dip your toe into the water. The book is well written, and the characters well done. There is depth when it comes to emotional turmoil, and be warned, this book doesn't skimp on the death aspect.

Not to say this book doesn't have its little annoyances. The switching from English to Italian often felt out of place, mostly since it was almost exclusively used for cursing. You'd think if someone knew enough Italian to easily switch between that and English, they would say more than just curse words in one language. But hey, I learned some fascinating new curse words, so trust me, it's not all bad.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm so grateful that I was part of Blaire Drake's promotional tour for "Hunter," and that I got the chance to read and review it. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Cover Lovin': Simple, but well done. Thumbs up!

Recommendation: For any romance reader needing her assassin or mafia fix.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5) - a great read that hit all the things I look for in a good mafia romance.

Make sure to get your copy of Hunter by Blaire Drake today!

Hunter

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review as part of Blaire Drake's blog tour.

Weekly Reading Update! 3/25-3/31/16

This was another week for graphic novels - mostly because I've been so busy that I didn't have much time for anything else.

I finally caught up on Red Hood and the Outlaws, reading both volumes 6 and 7. I was not happy with the ending of 7! Don't do that to me - I love this team, and I refuse to see them turn against each other. I'm not sure if this is the end for the series or not, but I really hope not.. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I also caught up on Aquaman and the Others, reading volume 2. This one was just okay, I prefer Aquaman's single title. It seems this volume comes after some big DC event that I didn't read, so it was more than a little confusing.

Finally, I read Aftershock by Jill Sorenson. Oh wow, was this amazing. I was on edge the entire time, and couldn't put it down - which was rough, considering I am currently dealing with vertigo and reading is not always easy/pleasurable. But this book definitely made it worth it. Check it out if you like Romantic Suspense. I can't wait for the next book to come in at the library!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Release Week Blitz: WALK THE EDGE by Katie McGarry!

   

One moment...

That’s all it takes to change your life.

What happens when your entire future is on the line because of one reckless moment? This is what Breanna Miller and Thomas “Razor” Turner have to face in Katie McGarry’s WALK THE EDGE. Blackmail, family secrets, future plans on the verge of collapsing, two people who aren’t supposed to be together fall in love, and the power of social media in defining who you are when you’re not even sure who that person is yet…Join the Club and and immerse yourself in the world of the Reign of Terror. Pick up WALK THE EDGE today!

   

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna- like behavior puts her into a vicious cyberbully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

  EXCERPT:

“This is going to be the best night of our lives,” announces Reagan. Addison sits at the desk in front of me and Reagan’s to the left of Addison.

                I check the clock on the wall over our English teacher’s desk. In exactly two minutes, the bell will ring and the first day of my senior year will begin. It’s not only the first day of school, but also the first Friday of the school year.

                Three years ago, Addison, Reagan, and I promised we’d do something crazy on the first Friday of our senior year. After notifying High Grove that I declined their scholarship, crazy is exactly what I need. “Are you sure your parents aren’t going to check on us?”

                “Trust me, everything will be golden.” Reagan uses the camera on her phone to fix stray pieces of her dirty blond hair. She curled it this morning and much to her displeasure the curls are falling out. “Has Cass started following you yet? I told her you created a Bragger account.”

                I sigh and Addison scowls. She’s less than thrilled with my lack of excitement. I currently have twenty-five followers. It’s better than none, but not nearly reaching Addison and Reagan’s totals. Not sure how this whole social media thing is supposed to be fun. It’s like being back in elementary school and waiting to be picked for kickball.

                “To gain followers you must post something.” Addison has this teacher to pupil reprimand going on, and it’s scary on her. “Don’t make me start posting for you, brat. You’re the one that wanted to join the world. Reagan and I are trying to catch you up on how to participate in the land of the living.”

                “Because everyone will love reading how I was up doing dishes until midnight,” I say.

                “Tell them you were doing it naked and half the boys in school will follow you.” Reagan tosses me a sly smirk and I laugh. She’s always saying things that push the envelope. “Tell them you’ll post the picture if you reach five hundred followers. Watch your stats climb, girl.”

                “That would be interesting.” A new voice joins the conversation.

                I see the jeans first. Actually I see a rip in the jeans, and that rip is an inch above the knee, and I’m staring at a very muscular male thigh. I enter this weird zone, because there’s this sinking feeling of where this is heading, and ominous sirens are sounding off.

                It’s like being stuck in slow motion as I glance up. My heart stops. Starts. And when it starts again, I find I can’t breathe. Golden hair that’s a little long on top. Light blue eyes drinking me in. All I see is a whole lot of gorgeous…and dangerous.

                It’s Thomas freaking Turner. He wears the same leather vest that he had on the other night, and underneath it is a black T-shirt with the name of an old-school metal band. My eyes automatically scan his patches and I wonder which one is the warning that he carries a gun.

                His fingers skim my desk as he strides past. There are small cuts on his knuckles, and the skin on his hands look rough—like him. For some reason, I find that attractive. It reminds me of him hunched in front of his bike yesterday as he was repairing his machine. The steady way he moved. The serious set of his face. The way the muscles in his arms flexed as he worked.

                “Hello, Breana.” Thomas’s voice is deep, smooth and feels like a caress along my skin.

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And don’t miss the first book in the Thunder Road Series,

NOWHERE BUT HERE!

 

 

"There's something about McGarry's writing that's totally enthralling. Her characters are vivid, flawed and riveting, making this is a truly amazing read!"

~ RT Book Reviews "Katie McGarry is a master of her craft! Raw emotion, pure grit, I hang on every word. Her characters are real people with real problems and I cheer them every step of the way. Ready for a new addiction? Look no further than Katie McGarry's books."

~ Gena Showalter, Bestselling author of Firstlife "I finished WALK THE EDGE by the amazing Katie McGarry. It was SO good that now I feel bereft. I already miss Razor & Bre - I need to know more! She is by far my #1 favorite author. She paints a picture with the words, puts you IN the story... LOVE."

~ Lori Foster, New York Times Bestselling Author

 

DON’T MISS THIS AWESOME INCENTIVE OFFER FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ECHO AND NOAH SHORT STORY!

Order WALK THE EDGE, Register your Order by April 1st and receive an exclusive Echo and Noah short story and a chance to be in the next Thunder Road novel! Register at https://offerpop.com/campaign/796530.

    About Katie McGarry: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e- novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

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