​Publisher: Via Star Wings Publishing
Release Date: October 28, 2016
Format: ebook
Pages: 303
Source: Author
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Review Date: December 26, 2016
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner.

Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door. 

Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, wow! Can you say sweet and spicy? That is exactly how I would describe the leading men in this contemporary romance title. Wylde, while he's been hurt in the past, same as Jacob, but he's a lot less bitter and has a positive attitude without being over the top. On the flip side, Jacob, as the title indicates has an always present scowl on his face. He's angry, bitter, and is a tough nut to crack.  It was great interviewing A.E. Via on my podcast a few weeks ago as she really gave me some insight to these characters. I'm a novice to the MM romance genre, so this was a great intro to the genre. I enjoy that I'm reading about to strong men (aka Alpha men) that have regular relationship woes.  

 Publisher: William Morrow and Harper Audio
Release Date: March 15, 2016 (first published July 7, 2015) 
Format: Hardcover/MP3
Pages: 256 / Audio Length: Approx 6.5 hours
Narrator: Katie Schorr
Source: Publisher/Scribd
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit
Review Date: August 10, 2016
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Star quarterback, first-round draft-pick, and heartthrob Tyson Palmer has made a name for himself with his spectacular moves. When the head coach of the Austin Mavericks refuses to let him waste his million-dollar arm, Tyson makes a Hail Mary pass at redemption and succeeds with everyone . . . except Dani, whose negative comments about his performance draw high ratings and spectacular notices of her own.

Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget the sizzling history the two of them shared in college, a passionate love Tyson casually threw away. And even more infuriating, he doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute girl whose heart he once broke.

But can a woman trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other? And what will happen when Tyson—riding high now that he’s revived his career—realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani? Can he make some spectacular moves to get past her defenses—or will she sideline him for good? 

*Disclaimer: This book was given to myself and the rest of my real world book club. No review was promised.

This upcoming weekend, my book club (Girlfriends Literary Group), will be meeting to discuss this summer read. As the cover indicates, it's a fun, bubble gum sweet story. Following the romance standard formula, The Total Package delivers romance filled with angst, misunderstandings, sexual attraction, and more.

Once again, I'm here with another audiobook/book listen and read mashup.  One of my favorite combos!  You know the drill - listening during my work day, and reading in the evenings. If you read my blog even a little bit, I'm sure that you've caught on that I'm a J.R.Ward fan, especially when it comes to her paranormal romance and urban fantasy books. Can this title hold water against the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the Fallen Angel series?  Read on to find out what I thought of The Bourbon Kings.

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group | Penguin Audio
Release Date: July 28, 2015
Format: Hardcover & Audio MP3
Pages: 400 pages (ebook) | Audio Length: Approx 13 hours
Narrators: Alexander Cendese 
Source: Kindle &  Audible 
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance 
Review Date: January 13, 2016
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

​I believe that I have a unique point of view on this book, as I've read tons by Ward, but absolutely none of her romance titles. I went into this book with very high expectations and after reading two chapters, I quickly adjusted those expectations. I say that not to be negative, but instead to express that I really needed to push those other books out of my head. As long as I was expecting something else, I couldn't really enjoy this for what it is, and that's a contemporary romance set in the filthy rich south.  This title has that Dallas feel to it. Remember that TV Show? Yes, I'm sure my age is showing...regardless -this was a Southern family drama with heavy romance. Instead of oil we're talking Bourbon. Instead of Texas, we're in Kentucky. Lots of family secrets, manipulating, and betrayal.

Let's move on to the main characters. Overall I liked them. I especially liked Lane. He's that classic too sexy for words bad boy that's fallen in love and he's trying to convince the one that got away that he's changed and that he wants only her. Lizzie has a lot going for herself. She's book smart, successful at her job, she's more attractive than she thinks and she's a bit naive. There's nothing surprising about this pairing nor the characters themselves, yet I found myself wanting them to end up together. While at first glance they appear cookie cutter, I still liked them. It's something about Ward's writing style - she lets you peek behind the curtain. We're able to see what they want to say but don't, what they're thinking and feeling, and that adds additional layer of intrigue and depth to the characters. Beyond Lane and Lizzie, there are lots and I mean lots of secondary characters and that balances the story.

Publisher: Originally Penguin Books
Release Date: September 25, 2013 | Macmillan Audio on March 25, 2014
Format: MP3
Pages: 352 (Hardcover) / Audio Length: Approx 10 hours
Narrator: Jane Green
Source: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit
Review Date: Recorded November, 2014
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him - even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time and her youth are slipping away. For the first time in her life she is restless. And then she meets Matt . . .

Intoxicated by the way this young, handsome and successful man makes her feel, Gabby is momentarily blind to what she stands to lose on this dangerous path. And in one reckless moment she destroys all that she holds dear.

Consumed by regret, Gabby does everything she can to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive? 

Disclaimer: I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are genuinely my own.

I enjoyed the audiobook, but I'd like it better if all the characters didn't have an British accent.  The story was great, so I'd recommend reading it. I'd like to read more by Jane Green.  If you've ready anything by her, please do recommend something for me.  

Check out my video review of Tempting Fate.  Did you read this book? What did you think of it?

Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
On a mobile device? Watch the coordinating video here!

Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Format: ebook
Pages: 337
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Review Date: May 19, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents' tragic death and Kacey's self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would...and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.


Disclaimer: I received this ebook courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I'd heard so many good things that I was nervous about it being all hype. There's this tragic thing called a "sophomore slump", and thank goodness this was a far far cry from that!  While not perfect, One Tiny Lie delivered. I knew that the story would be from Livie's POV instead of Kacey's and that it wasn't exactly a continuation of Ten Tiny Breaths, instead a story in a different time from a different POV. Each of the stories in this series focus on different characters that we were initially introduced to in Ten Tiny Breaths. I knew it would be a little different so I kept an open mind going into it. 

There are a few points in the story that cross with something that happened in the previous book, whether it's from the epilogue or somewhere else in Ten Tiny Breaths, those connections really add to the back story.  On the flip side, the way that Tucker writes this installment, you can read this as a stand alone as well. For those of us who read the previous book, it's a bonus seeing the characters who started it all, but it's not mandatory.

Publisher: Papoti Books
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Format: ebook
Pages: 262 (paperback)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Review Date: January 24, 2014
Rating: 5 bookmarks

Synopsis: Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've had this hanging around on my NetGalley shelf for an embarrassing long time. I can not believe it's taken me so long to read it.  I'm sort of upset about it because this book was wonderful! I read this book in three sittings, but it really could have been one.  At first I was trying to pace myself, but of course that idea was soon forgotten because it was so good I wanted to devour the story instead.

There's a shocker at about the 80% mark is not what you could ever guess!  Well....maybe you could guess. You know when someone seems to perfect and you're sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well....the shoe more than dropped. It's crazy...seriously!  

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books/ Viking
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 369 (Hardcover)
Source: Viking
Genre: Romance / General Fiction
Review Date: November 5, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks


Synopsis: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.