Review // Drowning to Breathe by A.L. Jackson

July 13, 2022

Drowning to Breathe by A.L. Jackson

Every cell in my body came alive, my heart pressing at my ribs, as I looked at the man I loved more than any other. At the man who was my baby's father in every way. At the man who'd come with a violent force to upturn my life. To shake it up with joy and love, with something deep and profound.

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Drowning to Breathe by A.L. Jackson

Drowning to Breathe by A.L. Jackson


Bleeding Stars #2
Release - September 15, 2015
Genre - New Adult Rockstar Romance / single mom
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 352 pages
Publisher - Indie

Goodreads * Amazon (FREE with KU)

The danger in pretending is it becoming real...

Sebastian Stone, Sunder front man and guitarist with a rap sheet about ten miles long, escaped to Savannah, Georgia, to get away from the trouble he’d caused.

Not find more of it.

The moment he saw Shea Bentley, he saw beneath all her sweet and innocence to something that went deeper.

Darker.

Their relationship was built on secrets; their love built on lies.

Sebastian never imagined how deep her secrets went.

When the past and present collide, Sebastian and Shea find themselves fighting for a future neither believed they deserved. Their passion is consuming and their need unending.

Now, holding the truth in his hands, Sebastian is faced with sacrificing everything he’s come to love to protect Shea and his family.

Two pasts intertwined.

Two lives bound.

Will their demons drown them or will Shea and Sebastian finally learn to breathe?

My Two Cents

3.5 "Cue more drama" stars

Well, I definitely liked this book more than the first.
Probably because it wasn't as vague this time around.
Probably because of all the cuteness that was Kallie. I can't resist when an author creates an impossibly adorable child.

It did take most of this book to finally put the pieces together of what Shea was keeping from Baz. And I really didn't blame her for keeping it a secret. Dude was ready to pop off for absolutely anything, consequences be damned.

Tons more flowery and poetic words, words on repeat, etc., but again... it worked for me.

I loved seeing these two grow as a couple. Yes, there were obstacles in their way. Yes, they had to work out how to juggle his career and their family to make everyone happy. But they were willing to put in the work, they loved each other, and it was beautiful to watch.

I'm very interested in finding out what happened to Baz's little brother, Austin. All of those years taking care of him and now he's struck out on his own. What kind of man will he become?

Book 1, A Stone in the Sea, should be read first to better enjoy this one


About the Author

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.

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.

Visit http://www.aljacksonauthor.com for more information

Review // A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson

July 11, 2022

A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson

"I'm going to break you, Shea."
I knew it.
Felt it in my gut.
"You already have."

────── ♔ ──────


A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson

A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson


Bleeding Stars #1
Release - February 21, 2015
Genre - Rockstar Romance / single mom
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 302 pages
Publisher - Indie

Goodreads * Amazon (FREE with KU)

He wanted nothing at all…

Until he found she had everything to give…


Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has everything—fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust settles in L.A.

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced.

When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense gray eyes tangle with hers.

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and passion that won’t let them up for air.

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he’s not the only one who’s hiding them.

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea’s past that costs them everything?

My Two Cents

3 "Can't Walk Away" stars

One look was all it took for the lives of Shae and Sebastian to be changed forever.

His rocker lifestyle doesn't really have room for a single mom, but he finds it near impossible to walk away. And I loved the tension the author created with this indecision! Especially because Shae has no clue who he really is. She sees the real him, the one the fans never get to meet.

There was very little drama and what was there was pretty vague... until it wasn't. There were a ton of metaphors and similies and poetic prose. The writing... I'm kind of a fan!

All I know is that Baz may go to jail and/or be sued for a physical altercation with some douche named Jennings and that it all has to do with his baby brother and a dead bandmate. I'm hoping for more details with the next book.

Things were pretty tame for the most part and then BOOM, we're hit with an emotionally explosive cliffhanger. It seems Sebastian wasn't the only one keeping secrets.

About the Author

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.

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.

Visit http://www.aljacksonauthor.com for more information

Review // Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely

Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely

This man—this young, delicious man—was saving the day.

────── ♔ ──────


Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely

Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely


Standalone - Caught Up In Love #2
Release - March 2, 2013
Genre - Contemporary Romance / fake relationship
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5 / a few scenes
Length - 144 pages
Publisher - Indie
This novel is now titled The Pretending Plot — a reimagining of the 2013 story Pretending He’s Mine (no longer available for sale). The Pretending Plot has been rewritten in first person and expanded from a novella to novel length!

Once upon a time in New York City, there was a down-on-his-luck actor named Reeve, who was talented and gorgeous in that dreamy, broody sort of way that makes all the women swoon. But show biz is a rough biz – he lost out on a part in a big film, and now his day job hours have been cut too. What’s a handsome young thing in need of a role to do?

Enter Sutton Brenner.

She’s sexy and shrewd and the most top-notch casting director there is. She’s this close to landing a coveted gig casting a film based on a best-selling mega-romance novel, but there’s a catch. After one too many transgressions with lovely single ladies, the film’s philandering producer has been put on a short leash by his wife, who’s forbidden him from working with anyone unattached.

So the happily single Sutton strikes a pact with Reeve – play the role of her fiancee until she closes the deal, and he’s guaranteed to get an audition for the starring role in the film. But as the two play pretend, the lines between make-believe and matters of the heart start to blur. Especially after that hot night in the balcony of the Broadway theater. And that scorching afternoon in the stacks of the New York Public Library.

Who’s playing who? Or is someone else really the director in the secret affair of their lives?

My Two Cents

3 "Fake it 'til you make it" stars

There's something about fake relationship romances that hit the spot just right.

➜ all of the crazy tension of being forced to pretend there's something there, thinking there's nothing there, when there's really something there
➜ the chemistry that is even more intense because the characters deny its existence
➜ that moment when it all comes down to who will finally admit their feelings

And this story had all of that. Sutton needed a fake fiance pronto and Reeve needed an in to the acting role to jumpstart his career. Win-win, right?

It even has a cute happy-for-now epilogue. I only wish that I really felt this relationship. I enjoyed the characters and maybe would have felt more if I spent more time with them. Maybe that's why the author rewrote the story and made it more of a full-length book.

About the Author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, sexy romance and USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 60 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A graduate of Brown University, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Visit http://www.laurenblakely.com for more information

Review // I'm With You by Bijou Hunter

July 09, 2022

I'm With You by Bijou Hunter

There are other girls in the world. However, I've come to the realization that there is no other Ramona.

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I'm With You by Bijou Hunter

I'm With You by Bijou Hunter


Standalone - Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter #1
Release - March 22, 2020
Genre - MC Romance/Contemporary
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 299 pages
Publisher - Indie


Shane Campbell is a man obsessed once he sees Ramona Verhees from across the street. The only problem is she’s the bastard daughter of the club president the Reapers pushed out of Shasta leadership months earlier. Romancing her will stir up a whole lot of hurt feelings and dueling loyalties. Shane, though, refuses to be denied.

I’m With You contains graphic sexual content, violent situations, harsh language, and drug use. The book is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+. Trigger warning topics: depression and suicide.

My Two Cents

3.5 "Never Gonna Give You Up" stars

It was love at first sight for Shane and it took some work to get there for Ramona.

She'd never met a man like Shane, a man who honestly liked her, respected her... who actually cared. Used to being abused and/or neglected, she knew nothing but pain from those who were supposed to protect her from it. How could she believe in all the goodness that he offered? In all of the goodness he made her feel?

This story, like others by this author, made me smile. A lot.

From the push and pull of the main relationship, the entertaining secondary characters, and everything in between, I enjoyed this book so much.

For an MC romance, it made for some easy reading. And although there were mentions of crimes, killings and mayhem, none actually appeared on page. I kinda wish it would. The warning about graphic sexual content... not so much.

I do wonder who is killing women in Shasta. Will this be explored in future books of this series?

About the Author

I'm a romance author of Romantic Comedy and Suspense. Living in Indiana with my three sweet sons, three wacky cats, one super mom, I love 1970s rock, Call of Duty, and sitcoms canceled before their time.

Visit https://www.bijouhunterbooks.com for more information

Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorBijouHunter Twitter: BijouBooks Mailing List: bijouhunterbooks.com/mailing-list

Free Books & Book Deals - July 8, 2022

July 08, 2022


Hello everyone and Happy Friday!!

I'm back with a new list of books that are either free or for sale for less than $2. These books are cheap and we should grab them up at these prices while we can.

I hope your weekend is happy, healthy and safe! Happy Hunting xo

Please Note: All books are listed for $2 or less (prices valid at time of post). I apologize in advance if the sale is over by the time you found yourself here.



I only list books I've either read or plan to read. If you know of any deals that are missing that you'd like to share, that I'd probably enjoy, please let me know in the comments section below :)

A.L. Jackson


Aleatha Romig


Anthology


Aurora Rose Reynolds


Autumn Jones Lake


Brenda Rothert


CD Reiss


Carly Phillips


Carrie Ann Ryan


Chelle Bliss


Cynthia Eden


D. Kelly


Elle Kennedy


Erika Wilde


Gemma James


Golden Angel


Ilona Andrews


Jasinda Wilder


Jenika Snow


K.A. Linde


K Webster


Kelly Elliott


L.A. Fiore


Laurelin Paige


Lauren Blakely


Layla Hagen


Lisa Renee Jones


Marie Force


Meghan March


Meghan Quinn


Melanie Harlow


Melissa Foster


Nana Malone


Pam Godwin


Penelope Bloom


Pepper Winters


Piper Rayne


R.L. Mathewson


Rachel Van Dyken


Ruth Cardello


Shayla Black


Sherilee Gray


Sierra Simone


Skye Warren


Susan Stoker


Suzanne Wright


Sylvia Day


T L Swan


Tara Sivec


Willow Winters