WOMEN'S FICTION - The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen

 

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A heart-wrenching novel that unearths generations of secrets and sacrifices -- perfect for fans of The Paris Orphan and The Lost Girls of Paris.

When a woman inherits a Parisian apartment undisturbed since WWII, she discovers that it may hold the key to unraveling her cold and distant great-grandmother's secret life -- a past of sacrifice during a mission to protect those she loved.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Kelly Bowen's The Paris Apartment is a fascinating read. Alternating between modern times and World War II events, this is a fiction tale that follows some amazing events surrounding the war. 

Upon inheriting an apartment in Paris, Aurelia discovers a world she never knew existed. What she finds upon first view is what looks to be a museum of stolen art. Assuming her aunt was a Nazi collaborator, she soon unveils the truth. 

The author excels in slowly unveiling the events from the past, while combining Aurelia's search and discoveries, with what happened to her aunt, Estelle, and her friend Sophie during the war.

The past includes death and injuries, orphaned children, and a look into saving some of the countries citizens and artwork. This stories includes a secret room, as well as a secret apartment, that were all used during the war. 

This tale is written with plenty of details, as well as a wealth of knowledge about the times. 

The Paris Apartment is a wonderful read. I highly suggest this Kelly Bowen story to anyone interested in reading more about some of the secret events that took place during wartime. It's a stunning look into female heroes, and the mysteries that survived the years. 

The Jock by Tal Bauer

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

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Wes Van de Hoek clawed his way off his family’s West Texas ranch under the Friday night lights, earning a football scholarship to the state’s best university. Three years in, he has it all: he’s the starting tight end, team captain, and, according to ESPN, maybe the best college football player in the nation. But he’s been keeping a secret from everyone.

Justin Swanscott has three certainties in his life: he’s gay, football is overrated, and he really, really doesn’t like cowboys. He should never have fallen into Wes’s open-range eyes or let his heart run wild when Wes gave him that shy little smile over summer. But he couldn’t stop himself.

Everyone’s asking questions about Wes this season: How is he playing so well? Will Texas be undefeated this year? Will he take the team all the way to the national championship? What’s next for him?

The truth? Wes isn’t dreaming about an NFL contract. His heart belongs to Justin, even though the world wants it to belong to football.

Wes has stadiums packed with screaming fans, ESPN is all over him, and the NFL wants him badly. He’s living under a microscope, and the pressure keeps building as the team keeps winning. Everyone wants something from him, but all Wes wants is to love Justin.

Something’s gotta give. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Tal Bauer's The Jock is an amazing sports romance. This is a fabulous combination of college romance, sports, whirlwind romance, Paris, and coming of age. 

Basically, it's four hundred pages of awesomeness! I love this story and couldn't devour it fast enough.

A few weeks in Paris for Wes finds him falling madly in love with his roommate Justin. After a whirlwind romance, they head back to the same college in Texas. But things aren't so easy.

Wes is a closeted football player, who can't come out while on the team. His coach hits him with a motivational talk that comes at a terrible time. 

Justin, meanwhile, isn't closeted. 

Ugh, all the feels come out when they need to leave each other for a few weeks. And all the angst starts when Wes is back at school and pressured by his coach. 

All the feels. The tension. The fear. The anxiety. The doubts. The absolute terror of coming out, or being outed. The need to protect Justin at all costs. 

And this is why I love sports romances. All of Wes's fears are well founded. Sports fans are brutal. Teammates are ruthless. Everything Wes feels is absolutely based in reality. 

The pressure he feels is intense and is well illustrated. He's only at college due to his football scholarship. If he comes out and loses football, he loses his education. And his education is extremely important to him, for that is his dream. 

Omg. Everything about this book is amazing. I felt every damn emotion along with the men. The only thing I don't love is that it's written in alternating third person pov instead of first person. There are definitely times this kept me a little disconnected, but overall, the emotions are felt strongly. 

The book gutted me. Just gutted me. And that's less than a third of the way in. 

The rest of their story follows the highs and lows, the good and the bad, of their journey. The strength of their connection and love is never in doubt. But the path they need to take to get their happy ever after is in question throughout.

I love every single second of this romance. It definitely surprised me with some twists and turns I didn't see coming. I appreciate that this is a totally unique storyline to me. It's definitely not what I expected and you'd be hard pressed to find two people who fall in love so quickly or so deeply. 

The Jock is everything I love about sports romances. Tal Bauer perfectly encompasses all the pressures and demands put upon athletes to tow the line and be the star athlete. I love, love, love this book. 

BLOG TOUR, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Picture Love (A Good Bad Idea #6) by AF Zoelle

 

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Picture Love by A.F. Zoelle

A Good Bad Idea Story, Book 6

Felix Murphy

My friend’s hot older brother agrees to play tour guide for me in Paris, so I know I’m in for the trip of a lifetime. The best part is that Arsène is a shameless flirt who gives my vivid imagination all kinds of naughty ideas. My lack of a filter always gets me into trouble, but at least this time it’s the fun kind.

Going home alone with a broken heart as a souvenir would suck. I’d rather return to America with a gorgeous French boyfriend instead.

Arsène Devereaux

When I agreed to babysit my younger brother’s American friend, he warned me not to break Felix’s heart. I never expected to be the one in danger of falling in love. But Felix is a cute and charming smart-ass, which is an irresistible combination to me.

If he offers to play tour guide next, I just might follow him across the ocean in search of a happily ever after.

Picture Love is the sixth book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novel features a brother’s best friend, age gap, instalove romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Picture Love is the sixth book in the Good Bad Idea series. Just like every book in this AF Zoelle series, this one is wonderful! The whole series is worth a read and can be read as standalones, although previous characters continue to make appearances. 

In this brother's best friend romance, Arsene is a Parisian who agrees to give his younger brother's friend a tour around the city. What follows is a three day, whirlwind romance, between the older Arsene and the young American Felix. 

These two are opposite in every way. In addition to the age gap, they are from different countries, have different types of upbringings, and have opposite opinions on love. 

Arsene isn't looking for love. He prefers to keep things casual. But the younger Felix has hearts in his eyes, as he is searching for his one true love. At 38, this is the first time Arsene has found his heart getting involved, and it's a treat to read.

The two men are wonderful together. In addition to the attraction between them, we also get lots of funny banter. Arsene's way of speaking is a show stealer, as his proper phrasing of things is far from typical to Felix. 

Picture Love is a sweet, tender, no angst romance. AF Zoelle continues to gift her readers with a fabulous couple and a sweet as can be storyline. I highly recommend this book when you're in the mood for some no angst fun. 

Arsène Devereaux 

“This was amazing, even though you ordered escargot to gross me out,” Felix said with a knowing grin. “The joke’s on you because I loved it.”

“I was merely attempting to expand your culinary horizons.”

“Uh-huh, sure. You totally didn’t order it because you wanted to feel superior to me being too American to eat snails.” He snorted in amusement.

“Perhaps it was a test to determine how adventurous you are.”

He rested his chin on his hand while giving me a flirtatious look. It did nothing to abate my desire to add my bedroom as a stop on our Paris tour. “That seems like a strange method to judge how adventurous I am in bed. Is there some French expression about eating snails meaning you’re into kinky stuff that I’m unaware of?”

Rather than answer, I drank my wine. “You are quite the tease, Monsieur Felix.”

“Oh, and you’re not?” He scoffed. “Please, you’re a bigger flirt than my roommate, North.”

“What can I say? I enjoy living life to the fullest.”

“And I love getting into trouble, so it sounds like we might have some real fun together.” He raised his wineglass in a toast to me.

“I will do whatever I can to ensure your stay here is enjoyable.” I clinked my glass against his, and we both took a sip in celebration.

His cheeky grin once again made me regret not bringing my camera. “Including giving me a personal guided tour of your bedroom? I’m pretty sure that’s going above and beyond what’s necessary.”

“Perhaps it is unnecessary, but it would be pleasurable.” It became more and more tempting the longer I spent with him. His playfulness brought out that side of me which had gone into hiding because of how hard I worked without a break. I used to relax by indulging in beautiful men, but even that had lost its charm at some point. Felix was something entirely new and different.

“Don’t tempt me,” he warned with a laugh. “You’re way too hot for me to put up anything but the barest resistance before I give in to you.” 

“Then I guess it is a good thing that the idea of you giving yourself to me brings me great pleasure. I would take excellent care of you.”

There was a slight flush in his cheeks that had nothing to do with the wine he was drinking. “Oh, I’m sure of it.”

“Your wish is my command.”

I did not expect him to crack up at that. “Don’t say that. It makes you sound like a sex genie who will grant my wildest wishes in bed if I rub you the right way—and I’m not talking about your lamp.”

It was impossible to restrain myself from chuckling along with him. “Then that is good, since it is not my lamp I would wish you to rub.”

He took a huge gulp of wine. “I’m warning you: if you keep teasing me, I’m going to get the wrong impression.”

“I disagree. It sounds like you are getting the right idea.”

“You’re not interested in me, though.”

I gave him a sensual look that made him flush to the tips of his ears. “Do not be so certain of that.”

“Oh, lord.” He finished his drink in a long swig. “I’m not sure if I’m going to survive five days of your teasing.”

“Be brave, mon ami. The fun is only getting started.” And I had every intention of having the best time possible.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the exciting new release of Picture Love, we are giving away 2 e-sets of A Good Bad Idea Series so far!!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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Check out the rest of the
A Good Bad Idea Stories

Book 1: Bet On Love

Rhys Huntington

After my bachelor party, I expected to wake up with a hangover. I never imagined I’d wake up in bed with a husband two days before my actual wedding. Realizing I’m straight and married to my best man sobers me up real fast. But nothing could have prepared me for discovering I desperately want to consummate my marriage with my best friend and spend the rest of my life with him.

What are the odds that my bad idea ends up being the best thing to ever happen to us?

Lucien “Luci" St. Amour

Rhys may legally be my husband now, but that doesn’t mean he’s mine to love and cherish for the rest of our lives. We’ll get an annulment, then go back to being just best friends. But all those feelings I’ve suppressed since we shared our first kiss as teenagers have been stirred up, forcing me to confront the fact that I wish our marriage was more than a mistake.

How do I tell my best friend I want a second chance to be his husband for real?

Bet on Love is the first book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novella features a friends to lovers, second chance, bisexual awakening romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Review

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Book 2: Love Means More

Ambrose O’Rourke

I’ve dropped at least 1,846,957 hints that I want to be more than Augie’s best friend. Despite my best efforts, my reputation as a straight playboy means he’s not picking up what I’m putting down. If I’m going to win his heart, I’ve got to get creative.

Maybe if I show him what an awesome fake boyfriend I am, he’ll want me to be his real one?

August “Augie" Murphy

Secretly being in love with your straight friend sucks. Secretly being in love with your straight friend who won’t quit flirting with you really sucks. When Ambrose suggests we go on a fake double date as boyfriends, the temptation is too much to resist. Even if we’re only pretending for one night, I want to know what it’s like to be loved by him.

Is it possible to turn my fake boyfriend for a night into my real one forever?

Love Means More is the second book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novel features a friends to lovers, fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Review

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Book 3: Love Means More

Callum O’Rourke

A twenty-year-old like me doesn’t stand a chance with an older playboy like Rune. Yet despite being total opposites, I’m lucky enough to call him my friend. Anything more than that would be greedy, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing he would teach me how to satisfy the passionate desire I feel for him. All of my fantasies are about experiencing my first time with him.

Could I be lucky enough that it happens for real?

Rune Tourneau

The only relationships I used to be interested in were meaningless hookups with no strings attached. But Callum’s kindness touched a part of my heart I didn't know existed, changing me forever. I desperately want him, but he deserves to be cherished by someone who thinks true love is real and isn’t a jaded thirty-year-old like me.

Can he really turn a sceptic like me into someone who believes we could have a romantic happy ever after together?

Fancy Love is the third book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novel features a grumpy/sunshine, age gap, first time, opposites attract romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Review

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Book 4: Love Fool

Xander Dandridge

Everybody thinks my best friend is in love with me, including my cheating ex-boyfriend. When I have to see that jerk at my boss’s wedding, bringing Jules as my fake date is the perfect revenge. But why stop there? After all, if everyone is going to accuse Jules and I of being together, why shouldn’t we enjoy ourselves as friends-with-benefits?

Ohhhh, it’s because our arrangement makes me fall in love with him for real. Oops?

Jules Tourneau

I’ve ignored my feelings for Xander so many years that I’m convinced I only love him as a friend. It’s totally a coincidence that thinking of him with his awful ex-boyfriend makes me burn with raging hellfire, right? When we’re fake dating, I’m obviously going to have fun teasing him with obnoxiously cutesy nicknames, like calling him my pookie—crap, I’m actually in love with Xander, aren’t I?

How do you tell your best friend, “Surprise! I just figured out I’ve been stupid in love with you forever,” without sounding like the world’s biggest idiot?

Love Fool is the fourth book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novel features a friends to lovers, fake boyfriends, banter-filled romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Review

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Book 5: Love Directions

 

Elias Forthwright

Horoscopes always seemed a bit woo-woo to me, but I don't know how else to explain why it feels like supernatural influences brought the mysterious North Easton into my life at just the right time. We’re nothing alike, but for the first time since my mom passed away, life is finally fun again thanks to him.

Even though we just met, it would be stupid to run away from love when all signs point to him being the one, right?

North Easton

I’ve always been a lust at first sight kind of a guy, but Elias makes me rethink everything I know about love. It seems like our romance was written in the stars, especially since his horoscope predicted I would become the greatest love of his life.

There’s just one tiny problem: he doesn't know that I actually write the horoscopes he believes brought us together. Do I tell him the truth or let him keep being a believer?

Love Directions is the fifth book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novel features a love at first sight, mistaken identity, opposites attract romance with some amusing cosmic coincidences from the great beyond. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

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My Review

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Under constant siege from persistent plot bunnies, A.F. Zoelle enjoys humoring them by writing about gorgeous men being in love. Her contemporary romances are full of witty banter, sexy fun, and lovable smart-asses. She’s left academia behind for a new adventure, which will hopefully include adopting Ragdoll cats of her own someday soon.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to extra epilogues, previews of upcoming books, and more.

Connect with A.F.:
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Website
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub

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Christmas in Paris by Riley Knight

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Blurb

A romantic Christmas with the hottest guy he's met in a while--but he's straight...

Ray Myers just wants his daughter to have the same opportunities as other kids. When her teacher offers a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris for the class, he knows he has to do whatever it takes to get her to Paris, even if it means going along himself. That's how he ended up where he is now: spending Christmas in the most romantic city in the world with someone that he, despite being straight, is finding more and more attractive all the time.

Simon Taylor just wants to make it to retirement and keep things interesting for him and his students. After being cheated on, he's not going to trust again. But when a passionate parent comes to him, something starts to change, and the Paris air might just bring a Christmas love story after all.

Christmas in Paris is a 50,000 word gay-for-you romance with adults-only heat and a happily ever after to warm your winter season

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Riley Knight's Christmas in Paris had me hooked from the start. Not just a vacation fling, but one between a teacher and a student's parent, it's fun, flirty, and definitely forbidden. 

One has to love Ray. He's lost his job, is raising his daughter alone, and will do anything for her. As a result, he ends up chaperoning her class trip to Paris for Christmas with her teacher Simon.

The Paris aspect is always in the background, adding some magic to the story. But the real beauty comes from the first kisses and the first times. Their story includes a whole lot of sneaking around, and just the right amount of angst. There's nothing unique, classic angst, but it's a good read. 


A short story, the reader doesn't get a whole lot of the student aspect, only the parts that affect their relationship.

I love the characters and I love the flow. The forbidden and vacation fling aspects are well done. I absolutely loved this. The only downfall is the way the angst is done, as it's completely predictable and seems forced. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's just a little over the top.

Definitely check out Christmas in Paris when you're in the mood for a sweet read. This OFY romance is definitely a fun holiday romance.

GRL 2018 SPOTLIGHT - Louisa Keller - Playing Along (The Travel Boys #2)

In my attempt to cover some of the attending authors for this year's GRL,
I am reviewing 

Playing Along by Louisa Keller!

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Goodreads Link

BLURB

“It looks like we’ve been mistaken for the happy couple…what an unfortunate mix-up.”

Dom: I was beyond excited when my job as a video blogger landed me at a huge conference in Paris. I had barely stepped foot in the hotel when I noticed another blogger being harassed by a fan—and I was more than happy to step in and pretend to be his boyfriend so that he could get out of a sticky situation. What I wasn’t expecting? Smith Morgenstern to take me on a whirlwind romantic adventure through Paris. Between scoring the honeymoon suite after being mistaken as a French couple and sharing croissants at a charming little café, it was pretty much the most amazing night of my life…and that was before we even got around to the scorching hot sex.

Imagine my surprise the next morning when my dreamboat one-night stand turns out to be the guy I’m supposed to collaborate with on my next big video. Smith is everything I didn’t know I wanted—impulsive, snarky, and bold. But his entire career is built on making videos about the joys of sleeping around. Could someone who thrives on being unattached ever want to settle down with me?

“I’m not a romantic guy…so why does your smile make me go weak at the knees?”

Smith: I didn’t go to Paris expecting to fall hard for Dom Baker, but something about him shook me to the core. Smart, level-headed, and impossibly kind, Dom awoke emotions in me that I had never known I could feel. When we both headed home to our respective cities, I knew that I couldn’t let him go. Long late-night phone calls led to planning a visit, and before I knew it I was head-over-heels for him.

It felt like it took an eon to realize that I wanted more than just a fling with Dom—I wanted a lifetime with him. But just when I was making up my mind that I wanted to give a real relationship a chance, Dom stopped answering my calls. I was so sure that my feelings were reciprocated…but maybe I waited too long. Did I miss out on my chance at a life with Dom? Or is something else terribly wrong?

Playing Along is the second book in the Travel Boys series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. It’s a steamy contemporary m/m romance featuring fake relationship, fling-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, and long-distance themes, plus a very happy ending!

REVIEW

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Playing Along is the second book in Louisa Keller's The Travel Boys series. And, wow, I loved it and need to read more!

Dom and Smith meet in Paris at a convention. They take advantage of some mistaken identity and spend some time together in the honeymoon suite. They are complicated together, as they are such opposites. They also live in different places, but after a week long relationship, they don't want to part. 

This story is wonderfully atmospheric and enchanting. You will love all of the amazing descriptions of Paris. The journey they take to fall in love is sweet and fabulous and the men are both irresistible. Their crazy, hot attraction jumps off the pages. 

I am thrilled to have discovered Playing Along, and I look forward to reading the rest of Louisa Keller's Travel Boy series!

Louisa Keller

Louisa Keller is a queer adventuress who has spent most of her life living in New England and the Pacific Northwest. While her academic background revolves mainly around French Studies and Philosophy, she has strayed from these considerably in her professional pursuits. Over the years Louisa has been a tutor, goat farmer, concierge, and freelance copywriter. She has also hiked hundreds of miles across northern Spain, volunteered at a medical clinic in Honduras, and spent many a summer living in small cabins and platform tents. When she's not off gallivanting, Louisa can be found with a whiskey-ginger ale in one hand and a Philip Pullman book in the other.