RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Ache by Marley Valentine

 

Release Blitz & Excerpt:
Ache by Marley Valentine

I couldn’t tell you when I fell in love with Gael Herrera, but I wish I knew how to make it stop.

Falling in love with a straight man is a rookie mistake. But falling in love with my soon-to-be-married-to-a-woman best friend is nothing but heartache.

Through all the years, and all the men I’ve fooled around with, he’s always been at the back of my mind. An unrequited crush I wish I could shake. A dream that was never going to come true.

When I whisk him off to a surprise bachelor party weekend in Vegas, I surrender to the idea that this is an opportunity for me to finally let go of my feelings for him and say goodbye.

But after a heated exchange and an even hotter kiss, everything I thought I knew about our friendship changed.

Maybe I had it wrong. Maybe, after all this time, we were more than best friends. Maybe, just maybe, he felt it too.

Universal Link

Goodreads

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wow! Ache is an amazing friends to lovers romance by Marley Valentine. This book got me in all the feels. I love it all!

But, and this is a BIG but, if you can't read a tale with cheating, run far from this one. Cause this is all cheating. 

From the start, the emotions are front and center in this book. I was mesmerized throughout. 

The cheating is tough, but hot damn, I was rooting hard for these men to be together!

And then - omg - then... I still can't breathe.

Damn, the twists and turns gutted me. UGH!!!! I wanted to scream NOOOOOO!!! 

The writing is great, including multiple povs. I am not adding details, because, just not doing it. 

Everything about Ache is perfectly developed. This Marley Valentine story had me gripped throughout. I couldn't have loved it more! Just read it!

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Special Release Excerpt: 

“Gael,” I breathe out. “Please.”

He shakes his head, and even though every fiber of my being knows how dangerous this is, being like this, I stay still. I stand there and let him hold me, intimately, as he tells me he loves somebody else.

Slowly, his hands rise, ghosting the length of me and settling on either side of my neck. “Ask me why I’m not with you. Why I’m not marrying you.”

Unable to look at him, I turn my head, and he persists with the questioning. “Ask me why, Jordan.”

“Stop,” I plead. Forcefully, I step out of his hold and let my eyes land on his. “What is the point, Gael?” I ask, exasperated. “What is the fucking point of rehashing all the things we want and can’t have?”

“Why can't we have them?” he says.

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Living in Sydney, Australia with her family, Marley Valentine is a USA Today bestselling author and a former social worker who uses her past experiences to write real life, emotional and heartfelt contemporary romance.

She enjoys mixing it up with both M/F and M/M Romance incorporating all forms of life, lust and love as her characters embark on their journey to their happily ever after.

When she's not busy writing her own stories, she spends most of her time immersed in the words of her favourite authors.

Marley enjoys interacting with her readers so please feel free to reach out to her via Facebook, Instagram, email and/or subscribe to her newsletter.

Connect with Marley:
Website: https://www.marleyvbooks.com
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BookBub: http://bit.ly/MVBookBub
Amazon: http://bit.ly/MarleyV
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MVGoodreads

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Ex-Rivals (Local Beats #3) by Zoe Lee

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Ex-Rivals by Zoe Lee

Local Beats, Book 3

Julian Corelli

After fifteen years, I’m back in Chicago for a new job, with enough sass and charm to power the whole city. There are two million people here, and only one I never want to see again. Except who do I come face-to-face with on my very first night back? My ex-rival, my ex-classmate, my ex… nevermind.

Camdon Gaines

As if getting over a breakup isn’t bad enough, the worst person I’ve ever had the displeasure to know is at my favorite club on guys’ night, laughing with my best friends. He’s still the most infuriating man, but at least I faced him, lost my temper a little, and now it’s case closed.

Except now that we’ve crossed paths again, it’s like we’re cosmically handcuffed together. Everyone else thinks he’s the funniest, cleverest man in the city and they want to be his new bestie. But I know the real Julian and there’s no way I can ever trust him again after what he did to me—especially when he’s acting like I’m the one who ruined everything.

This is a 70k word enemies-to-lovers, second chance, slower burn romance with a guaranteed HEA. It’s the third book in the Local Beats series and can be read as a standalone, but is more fun if read in order.

Universal Link

Goodreads

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Ex-Rivals is a wonderful second chance romance by Zoe Lee. I love every single moment of it. 

Camden and Julian. I love these two. 

When we meet them, they aren't happy to see each other. Their past is a painful secret that leaves them both hurt and bitter all these years later. 

The families are friends, with their moms being best friends. I adore the way Camden's friends and sister are charmed by Julian and bring him into their group. 

Everything about this story is wonderful. I enjoy the way they start off as enemies and slowly start to bring down their walls. 

I always enjoy second chance romances, but especially when the reason things didn't work out the first time are realistic and natural. Their story is one of bad timing and miscommunication, but it's no one's fault. It's just the circumstances. They are the victims of their secrets and events out of their control. 

Written in alternating first person pov, I love the writing style. The author fully brings everything to life, including the large gatherings and the scars. The secondary characters are fabulous, keeping me laughing and entertained. 

There are some serious moments, but the author's humor helps keep things much lighter than you'd expect. 

Ex-Rivals is everything I was hoping it would be. This Zoe Lee gem had me intrigued at the start, and I quickly found myself mesmerized. I couldn't put this book down. It's perfectly sweet and completely feel good. 

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Chapter 1

Julian

“Hello, gorgeous,” the bartender cooed as I handed over my AmEex Black Card to start a tab.

He was gorgeous too, like a ballerina who could’ve been anywhere from mid-thirties like me to mid-fifties, with a vague accent I couldn’t place over the loud, thumping music in the club.

I leaned over the bar and he dipped his head, offering me his ear. “I’m in the mood for wine.”

“If you can wait, I’ve got something in the back to match your taste,” he answered.

“I’ll wait for you all night,” I replied, letting my chin skim his jaw.

He pulled back with a laugh, pressing the card into my fingers, and waggled a finger at me. “Darling, I’m one of the owners, and I’m very happy already. But aren’t you an angel. I might have a few favorite patrons here tonight who would be more than happy to meet you.”

No offense taken, I slid my card back into my wallet. “I am new in town.”

With a nod, he ducked under the bar’s pass through and went to get my wine, while I pivoted to perch an elbow on the bar and survey the thick crowd at Local Beats tonight.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Zoe's new release, we are giving you a chance to win your choice of any ebook from Zoe’s backlist! Three winners will be chosen!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57193/?

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Zoe writes contemporary romances and believed everyone will get extraordinary love stories since before she ever fell in love. She lives with her family near the mountains in Colorado, where she writes while listening to music, never drinks coffee, reads books in one sitting, and watches too many movies and tv shows. She’s been writing since she was a kid, but luckily she knows how grown-ups work now. Mostly.

Connect with Zoe:
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeLeeBooks
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BB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/zoe-lee
website: zoeleenovels.com

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Chance Encounters by A.T. Brennan

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Two men with undeniable chemistry, one chance encounter that starts it all.

Hayden Murphy is done with love. He’s sworn off finding another partner after the death of his husband eighteen months ago. He’s finally starting to feel like himself again and is focused on rebuilding his friendships and his work as a physiotherapist.

Eric Connors is over relationships. After breaking up with his longtime girlfriend, he’s ready to enjoy the single life. He doesn’t want or need another partner… Until he meets Hayden at the scene of an accident while on duty as a paramedic, then keeps running into him in the most random places.

Neither man can deny the chemistry between them or the fact that fate seems bound and determined to keep thrusting them together. As the men continue to meet and give in to their desires, that chance meeting grows into a friendship with benefits. Both men are reluctant to want more, but even they can’t keep things completely casual the more time they spend together.

Will their pasts keep them from seeing what’s right in front of them? Or will Hayden and Eric realize that there is life, and love, after loss?

Chance Encounters is a steamy 70k word hurt/comfort story featuring an adventurous paramedic, a quirky physiotherapist, a creative use of mirrors, and all the feels. 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

I have mixed feelings about AT Brennan's Chance Encounters. It's a nice romance, with plenty of feels, but the beginning is so freaking gripping, that after all the adrenaline drops, my interest did too. 

This tale starts with a car accident that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Nothing is sweet in this scene. 

After that, things get sweet. But the intensity is so high at the start, that I found myself left a little let down. 

The romance is good though. The two met at the accident and circumstances continue to bring them together. 

The chemistry is there from the start, with the developing relationship fun to read. Both men have obstacles to deal with and they try to fight their feelings, but can't. 

Chance Encounters is another good read by AT Brennan. It's a nice combination of friends with benefits and hurt/comfort. You will definitely enjoy it if you can survive the adrenaline drop. 

The Last Text by Alice Winters

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Happy Birthday, Daniel. I was told not to send you another text, but I never was any good at listening. I love and miss you. I always will.

When I lost my partner of eight years, I felt like my world was crashing down around me. In order to feel some relief from the overwhelming emptiness, I’ve found myself sending him texts every year on his birthday, even though I know he will never answer. It makes me feel like there’s a piece of him still alive, at least in my heart.

I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number.

That is, until someone responds to my text. Jace is charming, sweet, and everything I could ever want. But how can I accept someone new in my life when Daniel’s only been gone two years? Even so, Jace starts to consume my world. It feels like I can finally breathe as he helps me understand that my life doesn’t have to revolve around my grief.

Soon, I find myself laughing again as he pulls me away from the hopeless cycle I’ve been caught in, and I love spending time with him, whether it’s playing video games together or discussing our comic book alter egos. But I still need to let go of this guilt and allow Jace to show me that I can love another without replacing what I’ve lost. Jace rewrites my entire world with every word and smile he gives me, and it’s becoming harder to not give in and hand him my heart. Maybe Daniel did respond after all.

The Last Text is a 37k word novella about overcoming loss, finding hope, and friendship that leads to new love.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Damn! Alice Winter's The Last Text is an amazing story. A beautiful story of loss, grief, and healing, I was immediately drawn into Merrick's emotions.

After losing his boyfriend Merrick's drowning in his grief, unable to even think about moving forward. I expected a great story, as I love Alice Winter's writing, but this is move than I could have ever imagined.

I could feel every second of Merrick's pain, both in it's depth and it's power. Yet, as much as I feel his pain, I'm impressed with the light that Jace brings into his life. Not only does Jace help pull Merrick out of his pain, he also brings friendship, humor, and love back into his life.

If you've read this author before, you're well versed with her extreme talent at bringing humor into any situation. In this gem, she once again impresses and amazes with her ability to entwine so much humor into such a deep and strong story of lose and depression.

As for the storyline, holy crap, it's tough to explain how superb this one is. The way Merrick and Jace meet is unique, and the following relationship is well developed and full of emotion.

The Last Text is a phenomenal tale of a second chance at love. Alice Winters gifts us with this powerful story of overcoming loss through the power of a new friendship. This story is will take you on an emotional rollercoaster which will have you reading late into the night.

In The Shadows (Social Sinners #2) by TL Travis

Amazon Link

Blurb

For Ricky “Stoli” Branson, the stars were on his side. Social Sinners was headlining their first sold out US tour. Radio stations across the states were playing their songs, and he’d won the heart of the man he loved.

Everything was going great, or so he foolishly believed...

When an accident has them burying one of their own and leaves another fighting for his life, Stoli questions his beliefs. Or lack thereof.

“Have faith,” his mother tells him. But how can you have faith in something that threatens to take away your only reason for breathing?

Book 1 is the only book in the series that can be read as a stand-alone.

Book 1 – Behind the lights (MM - Joey's POV)

Book 2 – In the shadows (MM - Stoli's POV- 8/17/18)

Book 3 – A heart divided (MMM - Mickey's POV - 3/19/19)

Book 4 – Beyond the curtain (MM - Diamond's POV - 6/18/19)

Book 5 – After the final curtain (MM/MMM - All - 8/13/19)

REVIEW
My Rating -  5 Stars!

In The Shadows, the second book in the Social Sinners series by TL Travis, picks up after the events from book 1, Behind The Lights. If you loved Behind the Lights, you need to read In The Shadows!

Stoli and Joey are now a couple, but it is all new to them. Kissing, sex, all of it is new. And all of these new-for-them moments are beautiful and emotional!

Their relationship is so enchanting and charming. I love how strong Stoli's love for Joey is, and how much he wants to prove his love to Joey. Stoli's pain for Joey's last relationship is raw and real, and he wants to heal Joey.

Their dreams as a band are coming true, and their career is taking off. Personally, I love that Stoli feels invisible when he's next to Joey. They have been best friends since they were 5 and turning their friendship into a romantic relationship is just perfect for them.

We get more of Stoli's family, including his little brother, who I just adore! They add so much to Joey and Stoli's lives, as they are so caring, admirable and funny.

Unfortunately, their journey contains a tragic accident, which will leave them numb, injured and unsure of their future. And, as for me, oh dear lord, I couldn't stop crying. This part of their journey gutted me, leaving me so damn raw. That said, it is not a negative thing, just part of their journey that is well worth these difficult moments.

Social Sinners is an emotional journey, that's phenomenal, tear-jerking, and absolutely gripping. I found myself crying, laughing, swooning, and crying some more.

TL Travis's writing style is wonderful, as it's written with passion and tenderness, and flows seamlessly with a skillful and heartfelt tone.

If you haven't started reading TL Travis's Social Sinners series yet, please do your self a favor and do so now. It is one gripping tale you won't forget anytime soon!