MY NOW AND FOREVER by H. J. Bellus

MY NOW AND FOREVER by H. J. Bellus
PUBLISHED: June 2, 2013
REVIEW BY: Reading In Pajamas/Donna
RATED: 4.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!

Hey Hoochies! I’m Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its!

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a ’66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever. Follow me on my journey that resurrected my inner badass.

I found my soul sista from another mista, and opened my dream shop along the way. Just when I gave up on finding true love, a pirate and a princess swept me off my ever lovin’ feet and filled my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again. They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear.

Truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right. All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything.

***Sexual Content and Adult Language***

REVIEW:
I truly enjoyed this book. Her snarky sense of humor and friends she surrounds herself with reminded me of myself. For all that happened in her life, she picks herself up and faces the world head on with bucket list in hand. I laughed, cried and cringed….but mostly smiled. The first-person writing style took me a little bit to get used to but when I did it was fun. Written from her perspective only, like it is in real life. Yep, I enjoyed this book and H.J. Bellus is now added to my list of authors to watch.

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Link:
Amazon

Playing the Part by Robin Covington Release Week Event

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PLAYING THE PART Release Week Event

I love movies. I love movie stars. I love romance novels.

In my latest release, PLAYING THE PART, I got to combine all three and set the book in L.A., a private estate in Hawaii, and in NYC. My story took place on movie sets, glamorous premieres, and the Oscars.

And I got to write about the action-movie star voted the Sexiest Man Alive for the past two years: Mick Blackwell. He’s a sexy, intriguing playboy who loves to break the rules. But he’s met his match in Piper James — a sassy romance novelist who decides that Mick is just what she needs to spice up her short visit to L.A.

I loved writing this book.

Early reviews for PtP have been amazing. NYT and USAToday Bestselling author Gina L. Maxwell said, “PLAYING THE PART blew me away with it’s great characters, fast pace, and enough heat to warrant more than a few cold showers. Mick and Piper complement each other perfectly and make the reader root for them from Page 1. Robin’s writing is tight and engaging and she nailed her characters. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2013.”

To celebrate the release, I’m giving away 11 packs full of awesome! The prize pack includes: A movie (either a Mick Blackwell action movie or a Piper James romance-my choice), popcorn, movie candy, and Robin Covington SWAG.

And . . . one lucky winner will get a prize pack and a $50 Amazon gift card!

I will pick the winners on Friday, June 20, 2013 at midnight EST.

So what do you have to do to win here? Just – use the rafflecopter widget below and you will be entered to win! You can enter at each stop to increase your chances.

Burn it up,
Robin
Sizzling Romance. Burning Up the Sheets . . . one page at a time.

Robin’s Bio:

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Robin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hotcontemporary and paranormal romance.

A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Mangianello.

Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.

Social Media:
Facebook|Twitter|Website|Blog

Playing the Part Buy Links:
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Tour Schedule:
June 9 – Reading Between the Wines
June 10 – Reading In Pajamas
June 10 – A Book Whores Obsession
June 10 – Book Chick Blog Reviews
June 10 – Ravishing Romances
June 11 – Sandwich Making Book Bitches
June 11 – Michelle Chew Writes
June 12 – Shh Moms Reading
June 12 – Books n Kisses
June 12 – Scorching Book Reviews
June 13 – Nothing Better than a Book
June 20 – Book Lovin Mamas

ENTER GIVEAWAY
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About Playing the Part:
The harder they play . . . the harder they fall.

After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood’s favorite action star how to act like he’s in love. Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like.
When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulations: she’s kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America’s favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she’s willing to bend…

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Playing the Part Excerpt
“I have a dilemma,” he said. His voice was deep and measured but edged with the rough finish that made him a dream to listen to in surround sound. Piper swore she saw a jolt of fire in the mossy green depths of his eyes as he moved even closer.
Whoa. Mick Blackwell was hitting on her. And her body was responding like an addict who’d suddenly stumbled upon a pile of their favorite dope. He might be off-limits, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t indulge a little.
“What is your dilemma?” She mirrored his movement, deliberately stepping closer to the high voltage area of his body. Damn, he was like a sexual magnet, the black hole of hotness dragging her down.
He nodded. “I don’t know whether to call security or to get your phone number.” His expression shifted slightly, the twist in his smile even sexier—if that were even possible.
Oh, sweet sugar.
Mick moved in a half step closer, and heat swept over her skin, settling in her most intimate places. He was man every woman wanted in spite of his playboy reputation. Or maybe because of it. She loved men who came with a warning label. And Mick Blackwell didn’t just have a label—he had a neon “Flammable. Do not touch” sign flashing over his head.
But she couldn’t let a guy like him think he had the upper hand. Where was the fun in that?
“Maybe I should call security on you.” Piper licked her lips, delighting in the way his pupils dilated as he watched the movement of her tongue.
He let out a laugh, flashing a bit of his perfect, white teeth. Apparently, Mr. Blackwell liked a challenge.
“My mama taught me not to talk to strangers or dangerous men,” she said. “I think I’m supposed to go to the nearest public area and find a member of law enforcement.”
“So I’m a stranger?” He raised a hand and traced a finger along his lower lip in what was clearly an open invitation.
God help her, she wanted to follow that path with her mouth. “Actually, I think you fall into the dangerous category.”
“You have no idea.”
Oh, yes she did.

Playing the Part by Robin Covington

PLAYING THE PART (Entangled Brazen) by Robin Covington
Publication Date: June 10, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
The harder they play . . . the harder they fall.

After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood’s favorite action star how to act like he’s in love. Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like.

When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulations: she’s kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America’s favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she’s willing to bend…

REVIEW:
I loved Playing the Part! I have read Robin Covington’s The Boys Are Back In Town Series and I loved them, so I was really excited to get an ARC of Playing the Part. I devoured it in a couple hours! Robin Covington knows how to write smoking hot romance! Playing the Part is one of those stories that sticks with the reader and leaves a smile on your face when you are done. I loved the plot for Playing The Part! It captured and held my attention from the first page. I also loved the characters. Robin Covington has a way of writing her characters that really draws the reader in and makes them feel the characters. Piper and Mick have instant chemistry when they meet on the set for the movie based on Piper’s book that Mick is starring in. Mick is having trouble with the love scenes and Piper has been sent in to coach him though the scenes. I loved their interactions with each other. They had smoking hot chemistry and passion. Playing the Part is a fun, steamy romance that left me wanting more when it ended. I am hoping some of the secondary characters get their own stories. You don’t want to miss this book! Robin Covington’s books are on my must read list!

*An ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links:
Amazon|B&N|iTunes/ iBooks|Kobo

FIRE INSIDE: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley

FIRE INSIDE: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Lanie Heron isn’t looking for love-no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club . . .

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She’s too polished and too classy for his taste. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can’t say no. And he doesn’t regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that’s ever happened to him-in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

REVIEW:
I loved Fire Inside! Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors. She always gives the readers hot, alpha men and lots of romance and she delivered with this book. This book is part of her Chaos Series and takes place after Motorcycle Man. Lanie is Tyra’s best friend who is married to Tack, the leader of the club, and Hop is part of the Chaos Motorcycle Club. I recommend reading Motorcycle Man before this book to understand Lanie’s story. After losing her fiancé and almost dying herself, she is not looking for a relationship, but is attracted to Hop and decides to proposition him for a night of hot sex. They have an intense attraction and passion when they come together and after that one night, Hop decides he wants to keep her. He just has to convince her she belongs with him. Hop was not what I expected and really surprised me in this book. I loved him! This book was a little different then Kristen Ashley’s usual writing style, but I still loved it. Fire Inside is a hot, sexy, explosive romance that kept me captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one.

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links:
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NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Trish Jensen

NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Trish Jensen
PUBLISHED: April 30, 2013
REVIEW BY: Reading in Pajamas/Donna
RATED: 3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

He’s gorgeous, rich, sexy, super nice, and head-over-heels for her. So what’s the problem?
Her psychic best friend predicts that Laura Tanner is due to meet a prince—the man of her dreams. Not a likely scenario for a hard-working bar owner who’s better at karate-chopping rowdy patrons than hobnobbing with the silver-spoon crowd. When Ivy League lawyer Brandon Prince (a prince!) strolls into her bar, Laura admits he’s hard to resist. Brandon quickly realizes that this lovely, funny, take-no-prisoners woman is the special someone he’s always wanted.
Brandon is an expert at wooing women, and even a tough cookie like Laura can’t help but fall under his spell. Before she knows what’s happening, he’s lured her on a romantic adventure filled with laughter and desire. Dazzled, she begins to believe that she really can have this prince of a man as her own.

One problem: Brandon’s powerful mother is used to women chasing his family fortune, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep yet another money-grubbing female out of his life. If a man is everything you have ever wanted, how can he also be nothing but trouble?

REVIEW:

This was a light fun story that makes you think of fairytale romances. Laura and Brandon’s attraction was instant, even though they were from different worlds. The rich boy, poor girl storyline was a bit predictable, but it was still an enjoyable quick read and perfect for a lazy day at the beach.

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Link:
Amazon|B&N

PRIVATE MESSAGE by Danielle Torella

PRIVATE MESSAGE by Danielle Torella
Publication Date: May 31, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Tess has never had sex. Believe it or not, she’s never had a decent kiss.

The aspiring Seattle painter and photographer is still recovering from the trauma of being beaten and nearly raped at a rock show nearly three years before. So she keeps life simple: she goes to school, goes to work in a coffee shop, goes home, goes on living.

But then Ben’s naked body crashes—almost literally—through Tess’s wall against the world.

Ben is doing his dad’s art-teacher girlfriend a favor when he agrees to pose nude for her drawing class. But what he draws is the interest of the irresistible punk-looking girl—and it’s interest he reciprocates, with interest.

Their sexual chemistry is too much to resist. But it’s when they have their clothes on that their heat quickly slips on ice. Ben’s womanizing history is one thing, but it’s history of another kind—related to that fateful night at the rock show—that threatens to tear the young lovers apart forever.

REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book! I requested the book to read and review after spotting the hot cover on Facebook this morning and I sat down to read it not really knowing what to expect because this is the author’s first book. I was blown away! Private Message has a unique plot, great characters, and it is a great love story. Once I picked it up I could not put it down. I loved the characters in this book! Ben, sigh! I just loved him from his winks, to his smirks, to his sexy tats. Danielle Torella gives the reader both Ben and Tess’s story told from each of their prospectives, and this really made me feel connected to the characters. I love a good romance story, and this is an incredible romance story. Ben and Tess had instant chemistry and attraction that simmered and heated the pages. I don’t often find a book I really connect with like this one. You know that special feeling you get when you read an incredible book, and it leaves you excited, giddy, and happy when you’re done reading it? This is one of those books! It had everything I look for in a great story. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for it to be released so the rest of you can read it!

*Review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links:
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A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses By Molly Harper

A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.
Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson’s book shop. Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
It is always fun to read a Molly Harper book! You can always expect to find a sexy and funny paranormal story that is sure to entertain and put the reader in a good mood. I really enjoyed the romance between Jed, the hot guy next door, and Nola, the witch with magic issues. They had instant chemistry and attraction, but the relationship was allowed to build betweem them. Their bantering kept me laughing throughout the book. A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses was a really entertaining, sexy, and funny paranormal romance. I look forward to Molly Harper’s next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links:
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Reading In Pajamas – Weekly Recommended Releases:

(List includes our review rating for books we have reviewed)

Monday, May 27, 2013
Prince of Shadows by Nancy Gideon (Reading In Pajamas/ Cori 4.5 Stars)
Skin in the Game (Entangled: Brazen) by Jackie Barbosa (Reading In Pajamas/ Cori 4 Stars)
Dream Nights with the CEO a Secret Desires novel by Kathy Lyons (Reading In Pajamas/ Donna 3.5 Stars)
Under the Covers by Rebecca Zanetti

Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Darkness Avenged (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy (Reading in Pajamas/ Cori 5 Stars)
Possession (BOOK 2, The Plus One Chronicles) by Jennifer Lyon (Reading in Pajamas/ Cori 5 Stars)
Forever: The World of Nightwalkers (World of the Nightwalkers) by Jacquelyn Frank (Reading in Pajamas/ Donna 4.5 Stars)
Darkness Bred (Chimney Rock) by Stella Cameron (Reading in Pajamas/ Cori 4 Stars)
Avenging Angel (The Fallen) by Cynthia Eden (Reading in Pajamas/ Donna 4.5 Stars)
A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper (Reading in Pajamas/ Cori 4 Stars)
The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen
Leopard’s Prey (A LEOPARD NOVEL) by Christine Feehan
Binding the Shadows (Arcadia Bell) by Jenn Bennett

THE LAST BOYFRIEND (Forever Love) by J. S. Cooper

THE LAST BOYFRIEND (Forever Love) by J. S. Cooper
Publication Date: May 5, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
***USA TODAY Bestseller***
Lucky Morgan has had her share of heartbreak. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her after sleeping with him and she vows to herself that she won’t be used again. She decides that the next guy she dates and sleeps with, will be her one true love.

Zane Beaumont is the mysterious and snooty guy that comes into her diner every Friday night with a different girl. He’s the type of guy she’s learned to avoid: carefree, fast, handsome, rich, and sarcastic. Unfortunately, she can’t stop thinking about the devilish gleam in his eyes.

When Lucky’s car breaks down one night after a party, it is Zane who comes to her rescue. As Zane attempts to sweep Lucky off of her feet, she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems and that Zane may very well be the guy for whom she changes the rules. That is until she meets Braydon.

New Adult Contemporary Romance **Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed The Last Boyfriend! Zane is a bit of a mystery at first and seems like a player bringing a different girl on a date every Friday night to the restaurant where Lucky works. Lucky has a lot of dating rules she came up with after her last boyfriend cheated on her and while she is really attracted to Zane she doesn’t think he fits her last boyfriend rule. She can’t deny their attraction and instant chemistry when they get together though. I loved the characters even though their back and forth decision making had me angry with both of them at times. I also really enjoyed all the mystery with Zane’s character. J.S. Cooper’s writing style was very easy to read as well. This book has a great plot with likable characters, lots of mystery, drama, and steamy romance. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end that left me really looking forward to the next book in the series, The Last Husband. I recommend this book for readers looking for a good New Adult Contempory Romance.

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DREAM NIGHTS WITH THE CEO (Secret Desires Novel) by Kathy Lyons

DREAM NIGHTS WITH THE CEO (Secret Desires Novel) by Kathy Lyons
PUBLISH DATE: May 27, 2013
REVIEW BY: Reading In Pajamas/Donna
RATED: 3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Hotel chain CEO and millionaire Wyatt Monroe is a stick in the mud. Sure, he’s hot as sin, even with the tie, but free-spirited assistant Megan Bradford refuses to jeopardize their perfect working relationship. Why mess that up with sex? She knows he’s the love ’em and leave ’em type, and she’s determined to find a family man.

Wyatt would never cross the line between boss and employee with Megan, no matter how hard it might be to resist the temptation. But when they visit a mysterious B&B in a bid to acquire the property, he starts having erotic dreams about the sexy brunette that make it hard to resist her in daylight.

Soon the line between reality and dreams further blurs when they learn they were sharing the same erotic dreams…

REVIEW:
I was pleased that Megan and Wyatt were not stereotyped, but rather realistic likeable people. They worked together, but truly liked each other as friends before letting their true feelings loose. Of course their steamy romance was most pleasing also! The quirky storyline was different and kept me wondering where it was going…I enjoyed that. It is a nice light romance with a twist and makes me wonder if we’ll be seeing more of that B&B.

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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