​Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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This is my stop during the book blitz for Winner Takes All by Laurie Winter. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 21 till 27 January. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-winner-takes-all-by-laurie-winter

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Winner Takes All (Warriors of the Heart #4)
By Laurie Winter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 21 January 2019

​

Blurb:
Storm Thompson wants to be anywhere but Liberty Ridge. Especially since his hometown also contains his childhood nemesis, Colleen Gardner. With a young daughter and mentally ill mother to care for, he struggles to simply make ends meet. Every day, his goal of owning an organic farm slips further out of reach.

Psychiatrist Colleen Gardner has her sights set on starting a retreat to help veterans suffering from PTSD. She's done well but her small town fundraisers just aren't enough.

"The Great American Scavenger Hunt" TV show offers a million-dollar prize, and Colleen and Storm are selected as competitors. Both resolve to do whatever is needed to win, even using the other to get ahead. Storm and Colleen compete to fund their dreams, but their already tattered relationship becomes more strained. Only one will win the money. But will love prove the ultimate prize?
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You can find Winner Takes All on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41210093-winner-takes-all

You can buy Winner Takes All here:
- Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6453-winner-takes-all.html
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Winner-Takes-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07L7FXVW1/

Previous books in the series:
- Home Field (Warriors of the Heart #1): https://www.amazon.com/Field-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B0719DXJL6/
- True Horizon (Warriors of the Heart #2): https://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B076GZ4WVK/
- After All (Warriors of the Heart #3): https://www.amazon.com/After-All-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07BST4T8G/  ​

Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she's enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.




​You can find and contact Laurie Winter here:
- Website: https://lauriewinter.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieWinterAuthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriew_author
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3467635.Laurie_Winter
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Winter/e/B0719P553X
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LWinterauthor/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriewinter_author/

There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Winner Takes All. One winner will win a prize package (US Only). The prize package includes: a Tea, Books, Magic mug, a Romance Trope scented soy candle, and a $25 Amazon gift card.

​​For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.

This pains me to say but this may be my least favorite of all Penny Reid's books. I had no problem relating to Sienna Diaz, as her character was pure fun right from the beginning. With Reid writing as Simone Payton, it didn't sound quite right to me. Even in the story, when race factors in and Simone tells Ashley Winston to let the person of color voice their fear, their concerns, and to let them speak up instead of relying on this "white savior" narrative. Or perhaps that's just how I took it, as a person of color with the knowledge and experiences of what marginalized people have to go through on any given day. I love you, Penny, but I truly didn't need to have someone like you, a white woman, tell me a story, nay, a lecture on race issues. It sounded forced, and hollow and I didn't need to be a part of that narrative. I GET that, and even my own experiences as a "token Asian" in a mostly Caucasian small East Texas neighborhood pales in comparison to how I know my black friends are treated daily. 
That being said, I tried to finish this book with an open heart, because I REALLY LOVE PENNY REID. In typical Reid style, hilarity, miscommunication and swoon worthy lines from Roscoe ensues. What kept me turning the pages were some of the action sequence and our lovely Winston brood. I just tried to block out some of Simone's internal monologue, and mostly listened and lamented with Roscoe. 

NOTES: there is a time jump so it was a little confusing in the beginning. Even if I didn't like this book, you still need to get this, as I believe there are a couple little "easter eggs" for Billy's upcoming story!
I'm super excited for Billy and absolutely can't wait for his happy ever after! And I believe I shed a tear or two during a conversation with Billy and Roscoe. 

​​***I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.


Connect with Penny:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
www.pennyreid.ninja

​​

​Click on the picture above to enter the Giveaway for a complete signed set of the USA Today bestselling Knitting in the City Series! 

This is my stop during the book blitz for Something Just Like This by Tracy Krimmer. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 14 till 15 February. Read on for more information about the book and a giveaway for an Amazon gift card! See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-something-just-like-this-by-tracy-krimmer ​

​​Something Just Like This
By Tracy Krimmer
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age category: Adult
Release Date: February 14, 2018

Blurb:
Love? Second chances? That crap is for romantics, not realists like Juliette. She has a bad attitude about love and an even worse one when it comes to second chances. And she may dress like an elf for a few weeks out of the year, but that doesn’t mean she loves Christmas.

Stability? Purpose? Landon is surfing a pleasant wave of both until he's fired. Devastating news from his sister certainly doesn’t help. At least he has the holidays to look forward to.

When Landon shows up at the mall and Juliette prevents a disaster, he can’t stop thinking about that sweet elf. Juliette doesn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas, but she can’t help but wonder why Landon was in her line that day. Could Landon deserve one of those second chances she's so unwilling to give?

You can find Something Just Like This on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36424492-something-just-like-this  

You can buy Something Just Like This on Amazon for only $2.99 through February 15: http://smarturl.it/SJLTAmazon
It is available to read with Kindle Unlimited.​

Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day you’ll find her writing at one of her favorite spots--on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop. 

​You can find and contact Tracy here:
- Website: http://www.tracykrimmer.com/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tkrimms  
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrimmerAuthor
- Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readtracykrimmer
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7153703.Tracy_Krimmer
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tracy-Krimmer/e/B00J1S52SM/
- Bookbub: https://bookbub.com/authors/tracy-krimmer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracykrimmer   
- Newsletter: http://www.tracykrimmer.com/newsletter/

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Something Just Like This. One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card!

Newlywed Katie Maxwell is ready to settle down and leave her amateur detective days behind. But when the veil of secrecy surrounding her husband’s latest project takes them to Europe, her penchant for sleuthing lands her in some serious hot foreign water.

Katie will need to think quickly to talk her way out of handcuffs and a Parisian jail cell. Too bad she doesn't speak French.

For the Love of Katie is the second madcap adventure in The Katie Chronicles. This book can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to skip the first?

Something worth mentioning before I begin: I never read the first book, as I understood this can be read as a standalone. That being said though, and much like the blurb, why did I want to skip the first one, right? I got the feel for the characters and their relationships with each other from the beginning. There were parts that I'm sure I if I had read the first one, I would have been privy to the inside jokes. 
However, my clueless self enjoyed the ride as I laughed along with this book!! There were tons of giggles and some cringe worthy moments to be had and I was rooting for Katie's happiness to make sure she doesn't get into any more trouble.  The secondary characters were written well and kudus to Erica Lucke Dean for the character development. I felt like that coworker who always tagged along for these after hour drinks and knowing just a little enough about these coworkers for me to both adore and worry about. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​After walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lives in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse with her workaholic husband, her 180lb lap dog, and at least one ghost.

When she's not busy writing or tending to her collection of crazy chickens, diabolical ducks, and a quintet of piglets, hell bent on having her for dinner, she's either reading bad fan fiction or singing karaoke in the local pub. Much like the main character in her first book, To Katie With Love, Erica is a magnet for disaster, and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces.

How she's managed to survive this long is one of life's great mysteries.

Follow me on Bookbub to get notified when my books go on sale. 

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erica-lucke-dean

Title: Prime
Series: Riftkeepers #1
Author: Carrie Whitethorne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release: October 3, 2017
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34517316-prime

Blurb:
One night. One taste. Pure Magic.

Stressed and tired, Charlotte needs a break. Raising twins single-handedly often takes a toll that even a glass of wine can’t cure.

And when Charlotte is reunited with the gorgeous and captivating Callan McAidh— who showed her what true passion and pleasure really were years ago— Charlotte knows her life is about to be turned upside down once again.

But when Callan reveals the truth about himself, and about her past, Charlotte is catapulted into a world of danger and mystique. Now, it’s up to Charlotte to accept her destiny while holding on to the only man she’s ever loved.

Charlotte soon learns that some legends have dark origins; some so dark it is impossible to evade their touch.

Buy Links:
Amazon- http://amzn.to/2CPzL7O
Google- http://bit.ly/2itfa0u
iBooks- http://bit.ly/2ksdxEC
Kobo- http://bit.ly/2zW92oz
Nook- http://bit.ly/2ADaw88

This was a fun little read! This did have too much sex, definitely not a clean read, for my clean readers. I had to skip a few pages. There is also strong language here. That being said, the bulk of the story was fine and enjoyable - no pun intended. The characters were well written and just when I thought I had them figured out, they surprised me, which was part of why I really liked this book. Can't wait for the second installment. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Carrie is a mum.  An author.  A creator of worlds. A dreamer.  A friend.

At her childhood home in Yorkshire, Carrie was encouraged to utilize her imagination, to see things for what they could be, and to ask the question “what if?”  Her mum introduced her to worlds filled with magic: Barrie, Lewis, Tolkien, Blyton.  That magic evolved and continued to inspire her when she discovered Rowling and Sanderson.  They all asked the question and explored the possibilities, opening doors to new adventures that would forever change generations to come.    

Even as a child, Carrie preferred creative outlets and writing.  But as an adult, Carrie had not yet had that moment of inspiration to begin writing a novel of her own.  That all changed one normal morning, on a normal walk to school, when a small boy slipped from the pavement and on to the road.  There was no accident. No horror.  Just a near miss that later formulated into one question: what if he was able to save himself?  Fueled by this question and Carrie’s love of fantasy, European folklore, and mythological creatures, The Riftkeepers emerged.  This world answered her question.  The series gave birth to characters that took on a life of their own, many telling continued stories in novellas and spinoffs.

When Carrie isn’t writing and annoying her editor with endless typos, she barely sleeps, thinks about her characters, indulges in an unhealthy Facebook addiction, exploring the beauty of the Lake District as her backyard, and contemplating which she loves more: pizza or wine.  Definitely wine. Considered to be one of the most boring people she knows, writing her own biography was a definite weakness. Her first draft was rubbish and was picked apart by friends who insisted she was funnier and far more interesting than she gives herself credit.  She was no longer allowed to write her own biography, so she provided input.

Carrie now resides in West Cumbria with her husband and two children.  They are her inspiration.  Her world.

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Whitethornebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/C_Whitethorne
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitethornebooks/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16044748.Carrie_Whitethorne
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Whitethorne/e/B01N7K0YK7
Website: http://www.carriewhitethorne.co.uk

This is my stop during the book blitz for Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks by Amy Gettinger. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 7 till 20 December. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-deck-the-malls-with-purple-peacocks-by-amy-gettinger

Get this book for free!
From 9 till 10 December and from 15 till 17 December the book will be free on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Malls-Purple-Peacocks-Alice-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0778999M9/

​Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks (Alice Chronicles #2)
By Amy Gettinger
Genre: Chick-lit/ Women’s Fiction/ Sweet Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: November 18, 2017

​Blurb:
It’s Christmas in Orange County, California, and the mall is full of purple peacock decorations, large and small. Department store employee Aracely Martinez has a goofy Cuban friend, Quito (who’s awfully cute in his mall Santa suit), distracting her from her night-shift restocking job. But Aracely has a long-held secret, which her supervisor at the store, Jacob Thinnes, is holding over her head to make her do his bidding.
 
Which is too much bidding.
 
Enter Aracely’s oldest friends: Alice Chalmers, Georgette Jones and Julie Bowers. The group’s “Venus Warrior” bond from the 2003 production of The Venus Monologues at Garden Beach Community College is still very strong, and these women are ready, willing, and able to kick some butt to help Aracely out of her difficult bind. Join Aracely’s “Three Wise Women” plus her ever-present trickster hunk, Quito, in one adventure after another as they work against the odds to give Aracely a fabulous, nearly impossible Christmas gift: the life of her dreams.
 
You can find Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36559083-deck-the-malls-with-purple-peacocks
 
You can buy Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Malls-Purple-Peacocks-Alice-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0778999M9/
From 9 till 10 December and from 15 till 17 December the book will be free!

Amy Gettinger, once a community college ESL instructor, now writes novels and reader’s theater plays and coaches Reader’s Theater for Seniors. She’s a member of the Los Angeles Poets and Writers Collective. She lives in Orange County, California underneath a eucalyptus windrow full of parrots and crows. For fun, she walks the local beach cliff path with her husband and dogs--and thinks up perfectly ridiculous characters and crimes to write about.
 
You can find and contact Amy Gettinger here:
- Blog: https://amygettinger.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amy-Gettinger-1412625005719904/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyGettinger
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7793380.Amy_Gettinger
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Gettinger/e/B00S9Y99II

​There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Deck The Malls in Purple Peacocks. These are the prizes you can win:
- a peacock Christmas tree ornament (US Only)
- an e-copy of Roll with the Punches by Amy Gettinger (International)
- an e-copy of Alice in Monologue Land by Amy Gettinger (International)
- an e-copy of Pranks and Poodles by Amy Gettinger (International)
 
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

Blow after blow has tried to knock her down, but Gaia is determined to fight till the end. Now Queen of Ica, the tables have turned. The hunter becomes the hunted as the balance of justice is forced to shift. As her name and actions begin to spread across the kingdoms, she sets out to wage war against the corrupt, and be the voice of the oppressed. Is her will strong enough to withstand? Or will it break?

Okay, so the last book I was a bit frustrated about the way it ended. I mean, seriously, nooooo. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait too long (2 months) before picking up book 2. Much like the first, this was fast paced. I enjoyed switching between the different characters and seeing their point of view and how they fit into this puzzle. We get to be inside some pretty twisted minds but I like knowing their back story and the desperation they feel to push them to the point where they are where they are. Gaia has matured from her experiences and she's going to be one bad a$$ Queen. I loved seeing her growth and you get the sense that she's only going to get stronger for whatever lies ahead. 
There were surprises and plenty of action and twists and turns that I started to worry how Jennifer Rayes was going to tie it all up towards the end. Sadly and spoiler alert, there will be a continuation (I hope) to this madness. 

​***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.***

To read my review of Book 1, click here.

Jennifer Rayes is a freelance author who enjoys writing on the weekends and evenings. Born in Michigan, she spent the first several years of her life there before moving to Lebanon. After obtaining her Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton, Ohio, she lived in Florida, Italy, Houston, France, Canada, and now resides in Abu Dhabi, with her Great Pyrenees, Koby.
Connect with the Author:
http://jenniferrayes.wixsite.com/intricatedeceptions
https://www.facebook.com/intricateseries/

Peoples' expectations can make you or break you. Aurora Stone knows what it's like to be raised under heavy expectations. From an early age, her parents' laid the law down and she'd never strayed off the path that they had laid before her. She kept every rule they ever gave her and for every rule she broke, she felt immense guilt whilst her little sister made it her life's mission to break the rules.

"Everyone calls me perfect; the perfect daughter, the perfect student, the perfect friend, practically perfect in every way, I might as well be fricking Mary Poppins. I was brought up on a list of rules and I don't remember the last time I broke one..."
Don't drink to excess and never get drunk. Don't do drugs, not even just to try it, just don't do it. Don't lie, never cheat on a test. Always be the best, get the best results, be competitive but be generous and gracious. Don't do anything that might put you in danger. Work hard, be selfless. Don't dress inappropriately; only wear skirts that fall below the knee. No piercings and definitely no tattoos. Don't gamble. Do charity work. Go to church, sing in the choir, find yourself a nice Christian boy and settle down, get married, have children, and above all else never ever have sex outside of wedlock. The list of rules seems endless. Aurora decides on a night out with her friends that she wants to break the rules, so when she sees Landon sat at the bar watching her, she makes a split second decision that might just change her life, one broken rule at a time.

When Landon offers to help her break the rules, he doesn't expect her to break his rules too.
​
Aurora Stone knows what it means to keep the rules. She’s lived with the expectations of the people around her. The only person whose expectations aren’t met? Hers. On the spur of the moment, Aurora decides to break the rules. Only the list seems endless and Aurora is a little overwhelmed by it. When she sees Landon sat at the bar watching her, she makes a split second decision that might just change her life, one broken rule at a time. The list of broken rules quickly exceeds the number of rules they keep as they embark on this whirl wind adventure of control and chaos.

Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Rules-Hanleigh-Bradley-ebook/dp/B015BI09WY/

This was a steamy romance about the good girl and bad boy that's been overdone, quite frankly. But Hanleigh wrote it with both protagonist's point of view and we were privy to read both thoughts and motivation. Both characters were developed and there was still enough mystery and allure that kept my interest. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.***