Book Review: Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly

 

Expected publication August 13, 2024

Buy on Amazon

He’s my brother’s biggest hockey rival… but he’s bringing the heat for me.

Nikolai

Hockey is my life, and I need to make this last season count. But when I’m forced to transfer to rival school McKee University for my senior year, I risk pissing off the captain, who happens to be the older brother of Isabelle Callahan: the gorgeous beam of sunshine I messed around with in secret this summer.

Rekindling our fling could risk her brother icing me off the team—not to mention the fact that my scarred past makes having a real relationship impossible—and yet the moment I see Isabelle again, all my wild, burning feelings come rushing back.

Izzy

I have two goals for sophomore year: win back my old volleyball position, and forget I ever knew devilishly handsome hockey defenseman Nikolai Abney-Volkov. As the youngest and only daughter in a family full of athletes, failure isn’t an option.

But when Nik crashes back into my life, I can’t stay away from his broody charm. I’m determined to guard my heart this time, but between the furtive hookups and the heartfelt conversations, the lines between friends-with-benefits and more begin to blur.

As we fall deeper into a place we can’t come back from unscathed, we’ll have to make a choice: fight for a future together, or watch it go up in flames.

MY REVIEW:

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nikolai is in the last season of hockey in college and is forced tos witch colleges. So now he is playing with his enemy, who is the brother of Izzy. Hm and Izzy had a summer fling and didn't think they would see each other again.
Their feelings are back but they need to keep things from her brother. But then the brother and him start becoming friends.
Izzy plays volleyball and wants her position back but for some reason the coach has it out for her. So she has to prove herself and get what she wants, Both the position and Nikolai.
I found it a cute romance and enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ebook to review.

View all my reviews

#wickedserve

Grace Reilly

Website

https://www.grace-reilly.com

Genre

Romance

Hi! I’m Grace.

I’m so glad you’re here! Originally from Long Island, I now live in Florida, where I pretend the lizards in my backyard are miniature dragons and soak up the sunshine. I can usually be found with a notebook in one hand and a paperback (or my Kindle!) in another. A storyteller at heart with a deep romantic streak, I write what I love to read: stories filled with swoon and steam, laughter and love, family and friendships, and authentic, earnest emotions and growth. I love drawing on my personal passions for my books, which is how my sports fanaticism resulted in the Beyond the Play series.

More about me: I collect earrings, the quirkier the better. I never turn down a good mint chocolate chip ice cream. I listen to way too much sports talk radio. And I adore writing about couples who are stronger together.

Book Review:Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

 

Expected publication February 13, 2024

Buy on Amazon

Wells Whitaker was once golf's hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his "promising" career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.

Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn't believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine's professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash...

As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they're inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous... right?

                                                         MY REVIEW:

4Stars

Cute Golf romance. Josephine owns a golf club house and she is also a big fan of Wells who plays progolf. When they finally meet you know that they will have a chemistry. He is brooder and hot tempered. She need to keep a calm life without stress since she has diabetes. Then he hires her to be his caddy and that's when it becomes such a fun read,
I hadn't read anything with golf in it or with anyone who has diabetes.
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC.

                                                                   Tessa Bailey

Born in Oceanside, California, The United States

Website
http://www.tessabailey.com

Twitter
mstessabailey

Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Humor and Comedy




New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

Release Day: JONAH by Brenda Rothert

 

Today we are celebrating the release of JONAH by Brenda Rothert. This is a contemporary romance, and it is the seventh, standalone title in the Chicago Blaze hockey romance series. Join Brenda's Reader Group for exclusive details about the series.

Add it to your TBR Pile.

Purchase JONAH Here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple

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Follow Brenda's newsletter and join her Facebook group for exclusive details!

Jonah by Brenda Rothert

Available Now | Chicago Blaze, #7

Purchase JONAH Here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple

Book Blurb:

Reyna

I don’t do relationships. A federal agent whose life revolves around rescuing kidnapped children, I’ve got no interest in catching any man who’s not a criminal. So when my new assignment in Chicago requires me to get closer to a VIP Chicago Blaze fan, Blaze goalie Jonah West is the perfect cover. Like me, he’s too focused on his career to make time for love, dates or even hookups. Jonah I had my great love, and I lost her. No woman will ever compare to the blond ray of sunshine who left me half a man three years ago. And even though I help out my police officer brother by pretending to be head over heels for Reyna, it’s just a farce to put an evil man behind bars. Reyna is a fierce, raven-haired cop with steely eyes and a foul mouth—not my type in the slightest. But when lines get blurred, my fake feelings for Reyna become more real than anything I thought my beat-up heart could ever feel again.

Add the book to Goodreads

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Purchase ANTON Now:

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Purchase LUCA Now:

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Purchase VICTOR Now:

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Purchase KNOX Now:

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Purchase ALEXEI Now:

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Purchase EASY Here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

  Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Wattpad | Amazon

Cover Reveal: Fastball Flirt by Kelsey Cheyenne

Release Date: September 10

It was meant to be a fling...

One hot summer with a major league flirt. The star pitcher with chocolatey brown hair, eyes to match, and a body I drooled over.

I wanted to have fun, make once in a lifetime memories, travel across the country.

I didn't mean to fall in love.

I had dreams to fulfill and goals to achieve. 

I had a plan.

But plans have a bad habit of falling apart.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

Meet Kelsey Cheyenne

Kelsey lives in PA with both of her soulmates–her boyfriend and her golden retriever, Hudson. 

When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found watching Netflix, researching true crime cases, or rocking out to the Queen Taylor Swift.

Connect with Kelsey Cheyenne

Website | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | Twitter    Amazon Author Page | Facebook Group

Hosted By:

Release Day Blitz: The Trouble With Quarterbacks by R. S. Grey

R.S. Grey’s next standalone rom-com, The Trouble With Quarterbacks, is coming August 6th! Check it out and order yours today!

About The Trouble WIth Quarterbacks

CANDACE: KAT & YASMINE! DO NOT DALLY! Come straight home after work. Kat, don’t take the long route from the subway station just so you can pass by Cute Hot Dog Guy. This is important! 

I’ve had THE BEST DAY. You won’t believe it. There I was in my preschool classroom, washing a bit of poo out of some soggy trousers, when this absolute babe came to collect his nephew from my class.

Truthfully, I thought I’d blacked out for a moment when I first saw him. He was a proper hunk with glorious brown hair, quite tall, and he had these arms. Are muscly arms supposed to turn me on? I’m panting just thinking about them.

Anyway, he told me he’s a professional foosball player. At least, I think that’s what he said. The tots can get quite loud near pick-up time.

YASMINE: Foosball? What are you on about? Have you gone mad?

KAT: Oh sod off. So what if I like to have a good look at Hot Dog Guy’s arse on my trek home after a hard day’s work? It’s called self-care.

CANDACE: Kat, you’re hopeless. Yasmine, yes—foosball! I suppose it’s a big thing over here in the States? We must investigate and learn everything we can.

By the way, he’s called Logan.

Logan + Candace. I think that sounds quite nice! I can hear the wedding bells now. Dum dum da-dum.

YASMINE: Oh good grief. I suppose we can do some snooping when I get home. I’ll grab wine on my way.

KAT: I’ll grab hot dogs.

THE TROUBLE WITH QUARTERBACKS is a hilarious romance about unlikely love found between a British preschool teacher and the professional quarterback who sweeps her off her feet.

Grab your copy today! 

About R.S. Grey:

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

Website |  Facebook | R.S. Grey’s Little Reds Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram

Cover Reveal: The Trouble With Quarterbacks by R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey’s next standalone rom-com, The Trouble With Quarterbacks, is coming August 6th! Check it out and order yours today! 

About The Trouble WIth Quarterbacks

CANDACE: KAT & YASMINE! DO NOT DALLY! Come straight home after work. Kat, don’t take the long route from the subway station just so you can pass by Cute Hot Dog Guy. This is important!  

I’ve had THE BEST DAY. You won’t believe it. There I was in my preschool classroom, washing a bit of poo out of some soggy trousers, when this absolute babe came to collect his nephew from my class.

Truthfully, I thought I’d blacked out for a moment when I first saw him. He was a proper hunk with glorious brown hair, quite tall, and he had these arms. Are muscly arms supposed to turn me on? I’m panting just thinking about them.

Anyway, he told me he’s a professional foosball player. At least, I think that’s what he said. The tots can get quite loud near pick-up time.

YASMINE: Foosball? What are you on about? Have you gone mad?

KAT: Oh sod off. So what if I like to have a good look at Hot Dog Guy’s arse on my trek home after a hard day’s work? It’s called self-care.

CANDACE: Kat, you’re hopeless. Yasmine, yes—foosball! I suppose it’s a big thing over here in the States? We must investigate and learn everything we can.

By the way, he’s called Logan.

Logan + Candace. I think that sounds quite nice! I can hear the wedding bells now. Dum dum da-dum.

YASMINE: Oh good grief. I suppose we can do some snooping when I get home. I’ll grab wine on my way.

KAT: I’ll grab hot dogs.

THE TROUBLE WITH QUARTERBACKS is a hilarious romance about unlikely love found between a British preschool teacher and the professional quarterback who sweeps her off her feet.

About R.S. Grey: 

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

Website |  Facebook | R.S. Grey’s Little Reds Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram

Blog Tour: Hard Knox by Amber Malloy

HARD KNOX

by Amber Malloy

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GENRE: Sports Romance

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BLURB:

A simple favor to save the girl turns into the quarterback losing his heart.

As beautiful as she is fun, Remy Bell has only one problem—a psychotic killer with political power wants her dead. Always a ‘two steps ahead’ type of gal, she plans to outrun the maniac. Marriage and a sweet life in the football star’s hometown in Canada would give her the cover she needs, but Remy doesn’t stick around long enough to find out. She travels all over the world, photographing the most beautiful and devastating events, but her now-husband’s tabloid activities lead her to the one place she should avoid…back home.

Superstar Gavin Knox wins at everything. However, once he scores the girl of his dreams, he’s suddenly in danger of losing the one thing he has always needed. Before she can slip through his fingers, he offers her a deal she can’t refuse—marry him for Canadian citizenship, which will protect her, and after five years, they can divorce. Knox is positive that she will fall head over heels in love with him, but it doesn’t happen. After six years of marriage, two playoff titles and a third on the way, Knox is forced to contend with a successful wife almost more famous than he is.

Determined to get exactly what he wants, which includes having Remy and a family, he devises a stupid scheme that puts everything he’s worked so hard for in jeopardy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt 

With less than a minute on the clock, Gavin Knox faked right and threw the ball to his running back. His teammate’s gravity-defying catch took place in the end zone, resulting in their game-winning touchdown. As the band played the school’s fight song, the student body of Michigan Institute of Technology flooded the field.

Letting out a ferocious howl, Knox snatched off his helmet. For the second time in a row his team was headed to the championships. With only one more year left in college, Knox looked forward to the Heisman Trophy Ceremony and a single digit position in the professional draft.

It may have seemed arrogant on his part to assume that he had a right to any of those things, but he had worked his ass off. He had mapped out his whole career since the age of twelve. In his freshman year of high school, Knox had transferred to America from Canada to secure his spot in the pros. He’d then followed it up with enrollment at a Big Ten college.

Intending to get drunk off his ass, Knox scanned the crowd for his best friend, Hawk. On his way past a couple of his teammates, he slapped their heads as he moved closer to the stands—and that was when he saw her. A chocolate-colored honey ran straight at him. Her letterman jacket showcased her body-hugging, tight sweater and perfect tits. Since she was focused on something over her shoulder, Knox felt safe to peruse her banging-ass body without judgment.

However, once she turned those big, almond-shaped eyes in his direction, his whole world came to a sudden and glorious halt. Shiny black curls bounced up and down, framing her heart-shaped face. Simple and utter perfection barreled straight at him.

As she licked her full lips, instant wood clouded his mind. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Fate had other plans. Flashes of what life would be like if he didn’t talk to her propelled him into action. Knox reached out to snag her around the waist, bringing the beauty inches from his mug.

“Where did you come from?” he asked her.


                            MY REVIEW:

Hard Knox by Amber Malloy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great story. Gavin is a quarterback and his wife's life is being threatened by a high power. The media doesn't know Gavin is married and the headlines always have him hooked up to other women. But when Gavin married Remy it was to keep her safe and out of the US. He told her she would only have to stay married to him for 5 years and then he would give her a divorce. Little did she know he had fallen for her and didn't really plan on giving her a divorce.
I really enjoyed these characters and Gavin's friends/teammates. Even the teammates wives/girlfriends. All except for 1 who was such a bitch that I couldn't figure out why the other women put up with her.
I received this ARC from Goddess Fish Promotions for review.


View all my reviews

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn't pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn't legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she's not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he's faking his French accent.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Knox-Perfect-Stats-Book-ebook/dp/B087D62GH4/ref=sr_1_1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hard-knox-amber-malloy/1136911688

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

$10 Amazon/BN GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Rafe by Sawyer Bennett

We are beyond excited to celebrate this release from Sawyer Bennett with you today by participating in the blog tour! RAFE is part of her Arizona Vengeance series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights.  Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now. 

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK   |   Amazon CA  |   Amazon AU 

About RAFE: 

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett comes a new story in her Arizona Vengeance series…

I was living my dream until one phone call changed everything.

As the second line center for the Arizona Vengeance, my mind has been on one thing—helping my team bring home a championship. But that all changed when I found out my dad had cancer and only months to live. In that moment, nothing mattered more than getting home to North Carolina to be by his side. That meant asking for the unthinkable—a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury.

Now I’m home and when I’m not on the ice with my new team, I’m helping care for my dad. And in the midst of my grief, I find comfort from the one person I never expected.

Calliope Ramirez stole my heart at a very young age. The beautiful, smart, headstrong girl next door, she was my first… everything. She has never forgiven me for leaving her, believing that I chose hockey over a future together. What she doesn’t understand is that every decision I made was for her, and I’ve never given up hope that one day we’d be together again.

Watching my dad slip away is a harsh reminder of how short life can be, and having Calliope by my side makes me realize I was a damn fool before. That changes starting right now. Calliope Ramirez is mine and I’m not going to waste the second chance that I’ve been given.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

                               MY REVIEW:


Rafe: An Arizona Vengeance Novella by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rafe plays Hockey for the Arizona Vengeance team when he gets a call that changes everything. His dad is dying of cancer. So he asks his coach if he can get traded to the Carolina Cold Furys so he can be by his dad. He did not expect to run into his ex, Calliope. They ended things badly when he went away to play hockey. He ended things the way he thought he new best so she could fulfill her dreams and not feel she had to stay tied down to him and his dreams.
He has decided that Callie is his and she is going to know it. She is the one who got away and he never got over her. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters in the book and how Callie felt towards Rafe. But also sad watching his dad die.
I received this from Inkslinger for review.


View all my reviews

Add RAFE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK   |   Amazon CA  |   Amazon AU 

BOOK TRAILER

 “Each time I read a new book in this series, I have a new favourite, they just keep getting better and better. This was an entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.” ~ Erin, MI Bookshelf

  "Is it weird that I want to give this book a standing ovation?

It was just...so perfectly done. So beautifully written and so emotionally fulfilling. It was absolutely everything I was hoping for and my heart is overflowing with feels." ~ Shelly, Bookgasms Book Blog

   "This series is by far eclipsing any other I have read by this author. This is the story of Dax and Regan. Brother's best friend, friends to lovers, hockey romance, and just a great read about two people who deserve to be happy together. " ~ Suzi, Obsessive Reading Disorder

  “The writing was observantly insightful and sneakily emotive. . . . The storylines were briskly paced, well plotted, written with my favorite dual POV, and kept me continually entertained with a pleasantly engaging romance while also tickling my curiosity as I waited for the looming threat to arise.”—Books and Bindings

  “Add together an incredibly sexy story and a swoon-worthy hero with the intensity of a hockey player and you have an absolute winner. Sawyer Bennett has long been an instant one-click author for me, and Erik’s story is a fantastic addition to the Arizona Vengeance series.”—Stacey Lynn, author of Knocked Up

  “Forbidden fruit always tastes better! With the kick off of a new hockey series, Sawyer Bennett introduces us to the Arizona Vengeance team and brings us Bishop’s story. The characters are quick to grab attention, and keep us entertained throughout.”—Thoughts of a Blonde

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About SAWYER BENNETT:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

Connect With Her: 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram |  Goodreads   |  Twitter  |  Bookbub