Ezra was my unicorn. The man that I wanted above all others, and I knew nothing else would ever do.

Hissy Fit by Lani Lynn Vale

Standalone - The Southern Gentleman #1
Release - March 19, 2019
Genre - Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - Kindle Amazon purchase
Length - 240 pages
Publisher - Indie

He is the one that never looks her way.
He is handsome and strong.
He is rough around the edges and mean.
He is everything she’s ever wanted.
He doesn’t even know she exists.
Her life is a joke.

She doesn’t step on cracks in the sidewalk.
She laughs at inappropriate times.
She talks when she shouldn’t.
She is clumsy and trips on air.
She is finally on his radar.
God help her now.

I wasn't reading for long before I realized that I loved this story. The characters, their chemistry, the subplots... I loved this book!!

Like the ninny I am, I read this series out of order, but it didn't even matter in the grand scheme of things. These books truly do read as standalones. I did find this one to be a more well-rounded and developed story than the ones that followed it, which only made me enjoy it more.

This is the story of Raleigh and Ezra. She's crushed on him for most of her life. He didn't even know she existed until recently. She hero-worshipped him and he didn't know how much weight his kind words and actions carried with her. While she was mooning over the most popular guy in school, the football star, he vaguely knew she was there. Nothing she did got his attention until she was a grown woman who embarrassed herself in front of the man of her dreams. And he could never look away from her again.

I loved how the author illustrated the growth of these characters. Raleigh may still have been the awkward, accident-prone, hot mess of a person as she was growing up, but she had evolved into an incredible woman with so much heart. However, it was Ezra whose strength of character shined the most. He went from being an oblivious jock to an amazing, intuitive, compassionate man. The ways in which he cared for Raleigh had me swooning all over the place. She owned him every bit as much as he owned her!

And again, with this story, Lani Lynn Vale has proven why I will be one of her staunchest supporters. She gave me a story full of heart, heat and humor that I was only sad because it ended. Luckily there are still tons of her books I have yet to read and I'm going to happily make my way through them. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get to see these charming characters again 😊😊

“Jesus,” she breathed. “The things you do to me.”

The things I did to her? What about the things she did to me?

Kind of like right now.

She was pressing that small, soft palm of hers against my length and stroking it. She was unskilled, clumsy, and it felt like the best thing that had ever happened to me.

Her forehead was resting on mine, and the only thing separating us at this point was a thin sheen of sweat that had collected on my body the moment that she came near me.

The woman had the power to bring me to my knees.

“The things you do to me have no comparison,” I told her honestly. “You may not like hearing this but…you are the best I’ve ever had, hands down.”

She stiffened.

“And that’s because what I feel for you isn’t the same as what I felt for other people,” I told her bluntly. “You make me want forever.”

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Quit Bein’ Ugly
The Southern Gentleman Series Book 3
Lani Lynn Vale
Release Date: April 20, 2021

There’s a crush, and then there are the type of feelings that Croft Cruisie evokes from a person.
He’s everything that any straight woman would want: tall, handsome, charismatic, muscular, and sweet.
At least, Carmichael thought he was sweet, until he brings another woman to the gym she owns with her brother, on the night that’s to be their first date, and lets her know in a quick and painful, non-verbal way that her feelings are not reciprocated.
Fast forward six months, and she’s still trying to move on from the rejection.
It doesn’t help that the jerk moves in next door to her, and that she has to see him workout shirtless every single day.
How can a woman get over a silly crush when that silly crush won’t so much as give her room to breathe?

***

Croft doesn’t know what happened.
One day he was supposed to go on a date with the girl that wouldn’t leave his thoughts for even a second, and the next she’s avoiding him like the plague.
No matter how hard he tries—and admittedly, it isn’t all that hard due to the biggest case of his career taking over his life—he can’t get her to tell him what he did wrong. She refuses to give him a second chance.
At least, not until he’s nearly killed in front of the courthouse, that is.
The moment he sees his chance, he pounces. Or, more literally, he limps.
But the limping is what draws Carmichael in. The Southern charm that was instilled in him since birth will be what gets her to stay.
That’s his plan, anyway.
Funny thing about plans… they never seem to work out how you expect them to.







Once these two had things sorted, their relationship evolved into something beautiful. Croft was all strength and intelligence and dominance, but Carmichael was no slouch. She gave as good as she got, she loved just as hard, and together they built something that could last.

For the full review, click below...

HISSY FIT: The Southern Gentleman Series, Book 1

He is the one that never looks her way.
He is handsome and strong.
He is rough around the edges and mean.
He is everything she’s ever wanted.
He doesn’t even know she exists.
Her life is a joke.

***

She doesn’t step on cracks in the sidewalk.
She laughs at inappropriate times.
She talks when she shouldn’t.
She is clumsy and trips on air.
She is finally on his radar.
God help her now.

Purchase Links

LORD HAVE MERCY: The Southern Gentleman Series, Book 2

Poor judgment: knowing better yet doing it anyway.
Flint Stone is a professional in every way.
He’s a police officer with the K-9 unit and works at Gun Barrel High as the school resource officer. In his spare time, he’s working his heart out to create a successful gym from the ground up.
He’s loved by every single person he ever encounters—student, faculty, and employees—Everyone but Camryn Elvis Presley.
The only thing they have in common is their mothers’ poor excuses for names.
Period. The end.
So why is it every time she crosses his path that he has the urge to mess up her perfectly curled hair? Or unbutton a few of her prim and proper buttons?
He knows he should stay away, yet like the high schoolers he’s around every day, he has no choice but to react first and think about the consequences later.
Side note—bad decisions are made, leading to lapses in judgment that threaten both of their jobs. Yet when the time comes, neither one can seem to find the wherewithal to care. Why? Because being bad feels so good.

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Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.
Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

From New York Times Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett comes the Chronicles of the Stone Veil, a five book urban fantasy/paranormal romance series. A departure from contemporary romance, the Chronicles of the Stone Veil is a return to fantasy/paranormal romance, where Sawyer started her fiction publishing journey. Readers can expect to find all the elements they love from Sawyer’s books—strong heroines, alpha heroes, and an epic romance—with a fantastical element to add to their reading experience. You can get the fourth book in the series, A Battle of Blood and Stone, now!

Details for the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series are below:

 

You can start the series today with The Revelation of Light and Dark.

Go to Sawyer's website for details: Click here to learn more about The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series

A Battle of Blood and Stone is available now:

Amazon | Nook | Apple | Google | Kobo

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A Battle of Blood and Stone

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #4

An Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance Series | AVAILABLE NOW

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Add it to Goodreads

Book Blurb:

Another day, another step closer to Hell on Earth being unleashed. With every piece that falls into place for the queen of the Underworld, Kymaris gains strength and power that will make it more difficult to defeat her when the time comes. It feels as if we’re in a desperate race to get just one step ahead of her, but my demise feels closer than it ever has before with still so much to do. The first order of business is to unlock the angelic powers with which I was gifted at birth, and Carrick insists on getting help from my archnemesis to do so. Yes, I have to save the world, but my priority has now become rescuing my sister from the Underworld. While there are many questions still to be answered about my long-lost twin, I know I will not win this battle without her by my side. In the midst of all the doom and gloom, Carrick has become my beacon of shining light. Our connection unimaginable, my heart recognizes his as the other half of its whole. Inexplicable and deeper than one could ever imagine, the love I hold for him is forged by destiny, however ill-fated it may turn out to be. And those are the feelings I must hold close…to keep me going. Because a painful lesson is on the horizon—betrayal never comes from your enemies. A Battle of Blood and Stone is book four of the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series and is best enjoyed if read in series order.  

A Battle of Blood and Stone is available now:

Amazon | Nook | Apple | Google | Kobo

 




A Battle of Blood and Stone has magic, murky alliances, family, love, hope, and a surprising betrayal, all of which make it such an enchanting read. I'm in love with the epic romance that is steadily building between Carrick and Finley. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a hopeless romantic or if I just can't get enough of the demigod. With one powerful, intense, unreal mindboggling cliffhanger, I'm left on edge until I can get The Rise of Fortune and Fury in my hands. Will Finley finally truly connect with her twin? Will there be a trip to the Underworld in my future? And will Finley actually survive the prophecy, Rune's curse, and get a happy ending with Carrick? I'm telling you now... Carrick better get everything he deserves. The male has been put through enough and needs to be freaking happy!!

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AVAILABLE NOW

The Revelation of Light and Dark

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #1 | Available Now

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Add it to Goodreads

A Discovery of Secrets and Fate

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #2 | Available Now

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Add it to Goodreads

The Evolution of Fae and Gods

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #3 | Available Now

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Add it to Goodreads

A Battle of Blood and Stone

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #4 | Available Now

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Add it to Goodreads

   

---

COMING SOON

The Rise of Fortune and Fury

Chronicles of the Stone Veil, book #5 | Coming May 4, 2021

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Add it to Goodreads

 

-------------------------

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

 

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Her mouth tasted like everything I'd always imagined it would. Sweet, cherry, and mine.

Quit Bein' Ugly by Lani Lynn Vale

Standalone - The Southern Gentleman Series #3
Release - April 20, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a couple of scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 181 pages
Publisher - Indie

There’s a crush, and then there are the type of feelings that Croft Cruisie evokes from a person.

He’s everything that any straight woman would want: tall, handsome, charismatic, muscular, and sweet.

At least, Carmichael thought he was sweet, until he brings another woman to the gym she owns with her brother, on the night that’s to be their first date, and lets her know in a quick and painful, non-verbal way that her feelings are not reciprocated.

Fast forward six months, and she’s still trying to move on from the rejection.

It doesn’t help that the jerk moves in next door to her, and that she has to see him workout shirtless every single day.
How can a woman get over a silly crush when that silly crush won’t so much as give her room to breathe?

***

Croft doesn’t know what happened.

One day he was supposed to go on a date with the girl that wouldn’t leave his thoughts for even a second, and the next she’s avoiding him like the plague.

No matter how hard he tries—and admittedly, it isn’t all that hard due to the biggest case of his career taking over his life—he can’t get her to tell him what he did wrong. She refuses to give him a second chance.

At least, not until he’s nearly killed in front of the courthouse, that is.

The moment he sees his chance, he pounces. Or, more literally, he limps.

But the limping is what draws Carmichael in. The Southern charm that was instilled in him since birth will be what gets her to stay.

That’s his plan, anyway.

Funny thing about plans… they never seem to work out how you expect them to.

This was a slow burn type of read and these characters had my heart in palpitations. Misunderstandings and assumptions are never my cup of tea, but when Croft brought another woman to Carmichael's gym, on the night of their much anticipated first date, I got where she was coming from. I'd probably arrive at the same conclusion too. However, I wouldn't wait SIX MONTHS to get answers!!

Once these two had things sorted, their relationship evolved into something beautiful. Croft was all strength and intelligence and dominance, but Carmichael was no slouch. She gave as good as she got, she loved just as hard, and together they built something that could last.

I loved getting to see all of the other characters again and how they played a role in this romance, even a small one. I'm definitely looking forward to Shultz's story, which comes next year, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these people will be making another appearance.

I'm a huge fan of this author's work and every story is a winner for me!

───── ❝ but... ❞ ─────

Aside from how much I enjoyed this story, it didn't get five stars because I had some issues with it, such as:
☆ Here's the thing, I practice law so when a story has a lawyer or some other legal professional in it, I can immediately spot discrepancies. I may no longer work in criminal law, however, when I did, I never went up against another criminal law firm in court or during any kind of proceedings except for instances in which they provided co-counsel or were counsel for co-defendents. So the idea that a rival firm would plant people at a high school and at another firm to get... something... sounds utterly ridiculous. So while it made for good drama, it wasn't realistic and had me giving a look of bafflement more than amusement.

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.