Nicole's Book Musings
Monday, October 7, 2024
*`Book Tour: His Forever`*
*`Release Blast: All the Afters by J.H. Croix`*
ALL THE AFTERS
J.H. Croix
Release Date: October 7
I’m falling in love with a firefighter, and I’m pregnant.
Big problem: It’s not his baby.
When I met Griffin Cannon, I fainted. He saved me from face-planting into the gravel. He’s the rescue-y, protective type, which fits seeing as he’s a hotshot firefighter.
I didn’t think I’d ever see him after that. Until he saves me again. Just when I think maybe fate is trying to throw me into his arms, my life skids sideways in a big way. I’m pregnant. The guy who should step up skips town instead.
Scrambling, I accept a new job and move. I figure Griffin is in my rear-view mirror, yet fate brings him back into my life. I’m working for his brother and Griffin’s the newest smokin’ hot firefighter in town. He can have any woman he wants, while I’m busy learning how to live without sleep and win awards for the most-frumpy single mom ever.
And yet, Griffin wants to cook me dinner. From changing diapers to so much more, he’s there as I stumble through the stress-fest of my life. I don’t even believe in love. But when a firefighter with a heart of gold does the dishes, it’s near impossible to resist.
Griffin & Tish’s story is perfect for readers who love: protective firefighters, slow burn, he falls first, workplace romance, boss’s brother, small town gossip, emotional romance with a dash of angst, oodles of steam and swoon, and a golden retriever hero who takes protecting the woman he loves as the most important job in his life.
*A full-length, standalone romance.
*`Review Blast: The Way We Play by Tia Louise`*
✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for THE WAY WE PLAY by Tia Louise! Grab it in KU! #OneClickHere
Sunday, October 6, 2024
*`Book Blitz: Tender Temptation`*
Tender Temptation
Kaylene Winter
(Charming Irish, #1)
Publication date: October 3rd 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Tender Temptation is a scorching tale of age-gap, insta-forbidden-love, hidden identities, coming of age, and second chances.
I’m a master at rebuilding structures, yet my own life is a constant work in progress. As the middle brother in a family of superstars, I’ve battled alcohol addiction and shoulder the hefty challenge of taking over the family business.
My world makes a seismic shift when I fall hard for Ivy Bright, a vibrant, enigmatic firecracker whose captivating energy makes me feel invincible.
Ivy is more than just a spark in my shadowed world—she’s a blaze. Her luminous presence ignites a clandestine desire in me that I can’t resist. But Ivy harbors deep secrets and a tragic past that keeps her trapped in a life she never chose. Despite our undeniable chemistry, her decision to conceal her age and identity backfires spectacularly, threatening to unravel both our hearts.
Years later, will our rekindled passion withstand buried secrets that come to light, or will the truths of our past push us apart forever?
*`Book Blitz: Love at First Skate`*
Love at First Skate
Ellie Hall
(Love on Thin Ice)
Publication date: October 3rd 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
They say love is messy. Turns out friendship is too, especially when you’re stranded in a cabin with your best friend and hearts are on thin ice.
Teddy
I’ve heard that men and women can’t be friends without it becoming something more. Harlow and I put that theory in the penalty box, thank you very much.She laughs at my jokes, secretly admires my hockey butt, trusts me with her biggest fear (it’s safe with me). In turn, she knows everything about me. Well, almost.
There’s been a recent development. I’m gone for her. Down bad. Solid Crush. She lives rent free in my mind. I’ve caught feelings. This wouldn’t be a problem except, you know, the whole shattering our friendship thing.
Harlow
You know those days you want to erase? It went like this: my boyfriend broke up with me (it was overdue), and then I broke up with my job while at a work conference (it was mind-numbing).In an ironic twist, I won the raffle for a romantic getaway trip for two. Who else to bring other than my best friend who’ll gladly commiserate with me? He has a hockey event nearby, so it works out perfectly.
Until we’re stranded in the cozy cabin together. There’s a blaze of attraction. A friendship-changing kiss.
What now? Do we hit the reset button? Salvage what we had? Pretend it never happened? These are things I’d talk to my bestie about, but I can’t because I’m head over heels for him.Love at First Skate is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It’s a best friends to lovers, forced proximity, no third act breakup romantic comedy with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
*`Release Blast: Slap Shot by Maria Luis`*
SLAP SHOT
Maria Luis
Release Date: September 27
He’ll do anything for his best friend…even marry her.
I live by two universal truths:
When I step onto the ice, I’m a god.
Daisy Hall is the other half of my soul.
My teammates joke that I’m too co-dependent with the coach’s daughter, and maybe that’s true. We’ve been thick as thieves since college, and even when I got drafted to the Boston Blades, Daisy followed me across state lines. Which suited me just fine.
If a person can be a home, then Daisy Hall is mine.
Only, I never anticipated that my best friend might be keeping a secret from me, one big enough to rain down Hell from every team in the league. Now they’re all out for blood and I’m Daisy’s only shield.
The home we built together suddenly feels like it’s made of glass.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
*`Book Blitz: A Trip Down Memory Lane`*
A Trip Down Memory Lane
E.D. Hackett
Publication date: October 1st 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
A wedding, a snowstorm, and a road trip with your ex…what could possibly go wrong?
Cassidy McCarthy, a single woman from Tampa, is on her way back to Boston for the first time in years to attend her best friend’s wedding. While guilt has kept her away from her home and family, she simply can’t turn her best friend down.
At the airport, Cassidy becomes stranded by a freak snowstorm and is unexpectedly thrust into the path of her ex, Dusty. Forced to share the last rental car and a journey up the Eastern seaboard together, they are confronted with the shared past and buried emotions they both presumed long gone.
Cassidy can’t help but wonder if their story isn’t over yet…
When Dusty arrives at the wedding with another woman on his arm, Cassidy is thrown for a loop and reminded yet again of the destructive behaviors of her past. Will she find the strength to fix her mistakes and preserve the relationships she holds closest to her heart, or will she return to Florida alone?
If you enjoy closed-door romance, personal growth, and second chances, you’ll love E.D. Hackett’s A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
*`Review: Falling for Finn by Brooke Fox`*
Title: Falling for Finn
Series: Maplewood Falls #1
Author: Brooke Fox
Release Date: October 2, 2024
REVIEW:
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. It was fast read for me, but it packed a punch. This one has a few tropes going on that I love; age gap, fake relationship, and grumpy sunshine. Boy does Finn fit the grumpy role. I was not a big fan of his in the beginning. Then watching him fight a losing battle when it comes to his attraction to Oakley changed my opinion of him. The more we got to know him the more I understood the reason behind his surly attitude. Finn had no chance against Oakley's sunny disposition. She brings out a new side to him. Finn's ex is a real piece of work! I really loved the setting of Vermont especially during fall. I could picture the beautiful colors of the season. Plus the apple orchard along with the fall activities it made me want to go visit so bad. I loved Finn's family and the history of the orchard. Then this book had me with scenes during Christmas time. Loved it and it me want to visit Levi's tree farm. I'm really looking forward to Levi's book after the teaser we got. A great fall read that I highly recommend!
BLURB:
Falling for Finn isn’t part of my plan.
He’s older, moody, and complains about everything I do.
His family flies me three thousand miles out to their orchard farm in Vermont to do a painting for their centennial celebration. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to do a piece for the Bennetts, but I don’t expect my clients’ grandson to rope me into a fake dating scheme.
When his ex-girlfriend shows up expecting to sleep in the cottage I’m currently in, I volunteer to stay with Finn to keep up appearances that we’re together.
Except there’s only one bed, and I refuse to sleep on his small couch.
As my reluctant tour guide, he’s forced to show me around while pretending we’re in love. Painting is my life and this job will bring me even more in the future, so I suck it up and deal with Mr. Grumpy.
And since he’s hell-bent on being insufferable, I won’t make this easy on him either.
But then he goes and falls for me, too.
Falling for Finn was previously published as “The Fall of Us” by Kennedy Fox. It’s been re-edited and includes bonus content.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon
Goodreads
Bookbub
*`Review: A Very No Strings Halloween by Kayley Loring & Connor Crais`*
Title: A Very No Strings Halloween
Series: Very Holiday #5
Authors: Kayley Loring & Connor Crais
Release Date: October 4, 2024
REVIEW:
4.5 Stars
It's finally Billy's turn! This book so good and lived up to my expectations for Billy. This book had all the laughs and all the steam too. Billy and Donna have a lot of fun with their no strings attached neighbors situation going on. Lots of role playing fun. This is a fun Halloween read that even includes a ghost. Donna is so perfect for Billy. I loved that she accepts him for him and his rather fun personality. I loved all the pop ins from Billy's family. That always leads to some funny moments. I also loved Donna's oma and opa. They were hilarious too especially with the sports team rivalry with Billy's family. This is so worth the read with such awesome characters. It's hard to put down!
BLURB:
Halloween: it’s a holiday where people shed their boring everyday personalities and become fantastic beings ready for an epic party. Well, guess what? That’s Billy Boston 24/7, 365, baby! It’s who I was before I became a millionaire and it’s who I’ll always be.
My beautiful next door neighbor, Donna, is a hardworking nurse who takes her job seriously and her fun even more so. All she wants is a no-strings arrangement and that’s fine by me. It’s Halloween for us every time we’re together because she likes to role play. There’s no way to get attached if we’re both pretending to be someone else, right?
It’s all smooth as a good whiskey until my married cousins bet me that I can’t get a serious girlfriend by November.
So, Donna and I make a deal: She’ll help fix me up to be a proper boyfriend and I’ll help fix up the farmhouse she inherited.
The one she thinks is haunted.
And that’s not the scary part.
Because I realize I’m falling wicked hard for Donna. For real. She’s spooked by the ghost, but I’m afraid I’ll spook her if I tell her how I really feel. We made a pact when we started this no-strings thing: If either of us gets serious, we have to end it.
I have to trick Donna into thinking she’s teaching me how to date, when really I’m treating her to dates with me.
But if I screw this up, I’ll lose the woman I’m in love with.
And that’ll haunt me forever.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon
Goodreads
Bookbub
Friday, October 4, 2024
*`Release Blitz: Letting Go by Kirsty Dallas`*
*`Review Blitz: Loving the CEO by Layla Hagen`*
Layla Hagen
Release Date: October 4
Leo Whitley's story is a steamy friends-to-lovers romance. It can be read as a standalone.
When I find out on my wedding day that my fiancé is cheating on me, my whole world comes crashing down.
The only bright spot?
My best friend Leo is by my side every step of the way, offering his unconditional support — including a temporary getaway, which I so badly need right now.
Once in Boston, he invites me to stay with him until I get back on my feet. Temporarily, of course.
And I don’t even think twice before agreeing.
But I quickly question if this was the right thing to do.
Did I forget to mention Leo is the hottest man on the planet?
*`Cover Reveal: Headed for Home by Harloe Rae`*
*`Review Blitz: Someone You Deserve by Harlow James`*
Thursday, October 3, 2024
*`Release Blitz & Review: On The Wild Side by Kristen Proby`*
On The Wild Side by Kristen Proby is now live!
From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes On the Wild Side, a sizzling single mom, cowboy, small town romance in the beloved Wilds of Montana Series!
*`Release Blitz: Tempting the Tight End by Lisa Suzanne`*
Tempting the Tight End by Lisa Suzanne is now live!
𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡’𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞.
*`Release Blast: Tender Temptation by Kaylene Winter`*
TENDER TEMPTATION
Kaylene Winter
Release Date: October 3
Tender Temptation is a scorching tale of age-gap, insta-forbidden-love, hidden identities, coming of age, and second chances.
I’m a master at rebuilding structures, yet my own life is a constant work in progress. As the middle brother in a family of superstars, I've battled alcohol addiction and shoulder the hefty challenge of taking over the family business.
My world makes a seismic shift when I fall hard for Ivy Bright, a vibrant, enigmatic firecracker whose captivating energy makes me feel invincible.