MF - Life Happens on the Stairs by Amy J. Markstahler

Amazon Link - Available in KU

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Blurb

Life Happens on the Stairs
And there's no running when it's your turn...

1st place - The Maggie Award, Young Adult, Georgia Romance Writers, 2019
Solo Medalist Winner: Young Adult, 2019 New Apple Awards
Finalist - 2019 IAN Book of the Year Awards, Young Adult and First Novel
Winner of the 2018 Breakthrough Novel Awards
3rd Place, Young Adult Romance - 2016 Linda Howard Award of Excellence

"The story is well-written and edited to excellence, and will breeze almost magically, into your heart and soul."

"So beautifully written, this book takes you there, you feel, you laugh, you cry sad tears, you cry happy tears, and in the end it makes you reflect that life really does happen on the stairs!"

"A wonderful story - great characters and a nail-biting will they/won't they relationship."

Elsie Richardson’s world crumbles when her dad drops from a seizure at the 4th of July festival. The reality that his brain tumor is back with a vengeance, slams the 17-year-old aspiring artist and her family into intense hardship. When her mom needs help to make ends meet it forces Elsie into adulting overnight. On top of that, Elsie’s caustic, grudge-holding brother is on his way home and she fears he will only make matters worse.

Feeling alone and hopeless, Elsie does as she’s told and goes to work with her mom. That’s when she meets Tyler again. He's the grandson of her mom's wealthiest client and he hasn't stopped thinking about her since he first saw her at the festival when her dad was rushed to the hospital.

After he invites her to go jogging at the historical Shiloh National Military Park, Elsie is warned by her mom to stay away from the wealthy young man. Elsie gets the notice a bit too late, and so she lies about who she’s meeting each morning.

Over the next few weeks, Tyler becomes her secret solace amid the uncertainty she’s facing. But when reality strikes and her private world crashes, she's forced to find her inner strength.

Amy J. Markstahler's Life Happens on the Stairs will touch your heart in many ways. It's a hopeful story that reminds us of the miracle of love and family, and the possibility of second chances.

If you enjoy realistic fiction with a love story that will give you all the feels, this multi-award winning debut novel is a must read.

Connect with Amy J. Markstahler
http://www.amyjmarkstahler.com

On Twitter: @Ajmarkstahler
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajmarkstahler

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Life Happens on the Stairs is an impressive, complex young adult story by Amy J Markstahler. 

Elsie's life is not going well. Her father is dying, her brother is on the outs with her family, and her mother is forcing her to work. Making things more complex, she ends up falling for the grandson of her employer. But in this forbidden romance, Tyler is relentless in his pursuit of Elsie. 

This is a story of love between two opposites, in experiences and status. And it's a wonderful exploration that money does not equal happiness. It's a story that includes an attack and scars. There are crazy family members, family issues, and a whole lot of complications. 

The writing is fabulous, the characters lovable, and the storyline riveting. The author excels in the telling of this romance that revolves around merging two different worlds. The author masters creating a villian that is vile, adding immensely to the tension and angst.

Life Happens on the Stairs is a stellar read. Just read it when you're looking for a meaningful coming of age novel. And when you learn the meaning of the title, you will be impressed beyond belief. It's perfect!

Like No One is Watching (Dance, Love, Live #1) by Jaime Samms

Dreamspinner Press Link

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Blurb

Dusty has finally landed a job he thinks he’ll be able to keep long-term, even with his broken brain and bum knee. He didn’t anticipate that cleaning a dance studio would reawaken his yearning to dance—even though he is no longer capable—or that meeting the studio’s director would rouse his dormant libido. Or his sleeping heart.

Conrad thinks his life is finally complete with his successful dance studio and a steady stream of students. When Dusty arrives, he rediscovers his thirst for a man who will let him hand over control and give him the undivided attention he’s never had. The trouble is, Dusty isn’t sure he’s worthy of the studio director’s submission.

To make their relationship work, Dusty will have to trust his ability to dominate the powerful and beautiful dancer, and Conrad will have to stop talking long enough to hear Dusty’s promises.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!


Jaime Samms' Like No One is Dancing is an interesting read. I find it rather slow, but the message is beautiful. 

One can't help but to fall in love with Dusty. His lack of self-worth is emormous, as well as heart-breaking. His background is tragic, and dancing helps him feel centered and grounded again. But, with his bad knee, he struggles with taking the chance. 

Conrad's love for Dusty is strong, and is perceverience is even stronger. They're an odd couple, definitely not one you'd expect to see, but they're also a hot couple. 

Overall, Like No One is Watching is a sweet and touching romance. At it's heart it's about acceptance and healing. 

RELEASE BLITZ - Professor Adorkable (Domesticated Inc #1) by Edie Danford

Title: Professor Adorkable

Series: Domesticated Inc, Book One

Author: Edie Danford

Publisher: Edie Danford

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 90,000 words

Genre: Romance, Boss, Housekeeper, Best Friends, Nerd

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Synopsis

What happens when a star-gazing
professor falls for his hot young housekeeper? One heck of an earthy explosion…

Professor Marek Janos's genius at
analyzing stellar explosions doesn't apply to his own disordered world.
Forgetting to eat, sleep, and leave his lab has triggered some epic personal
disasters. When his family insists he hire live-in help, he discovers home life
has awesome benefits. His new housekeeper's smile sparks more energy than a
supernova. And the way he moves? It rocks Marek's galaxy.

Pete Schulz took a tough fall from his
high-flying life in Hollywood. But how does a guy whose best skill is getting
dirty clean up his act? His new gig with Domesticated Inc seems like a great
first step. Keeping house for a nerdy young astrophysics professor is exactly
the low-key, no-chance-for-trouble job he needs, right?

Living together is surprisingly easy for
both men. And fun. And more than a little hot. It's when they're faced with the
idea of living apart that the truly messy work begins…

REVIEW 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Edie Danford's Professor Adorkable is a very interesting romance.

Marek is adorable, with his nerdy comments, his awkward social skills and his inability to connect to his students. His housekeeper, Pete, meanwhile, is trying to start over, yet is still confused on his efforts towards being a better person. 

As the two men have been living together, they have developed feelings for each other. It's natural for Marek to feel something for Pete, as Marek has been lonely for the majority of his life, and he's enjoying Pete's companionship. 

The two men shouldn't get involved, as Pete is being paid to live there, and Marek's uncle is controlling and doesn't want them together romantically. They struggle for a bit with these issues, but eventually they cave, giving into their attraction. 

The relationship that develops is sweet, tender and romantic. Despite the complications of getting together, their relationship develops naturally, and they end up being perfect for one another. They compliment each other, and are just so great together. They can talk about everything and anything, and they have explosive chemistry. 

They still have to face those obstacles head on at some point, as Marek's uncle isn't going to back down, and Pete doesn't feel right about being with his boss. I liked the way both issues were dealt with, as it was realistic and memorable.

Professor Adorkable is definitely worth reading, especially if love nerds. Edie Danford has created an unexpected and impressive romance.

Excerpt

“I made the mess,” I tell my
housekeeper. “So I will clean it up.”

“Yeah, I know you can clean it up if
given several hours,” Pete responds, his smile crooked. There are no signs of
exasperation on his face or in his tone. No signs that he’s upset I’ve woken
him up with the sound of breaking glass, and that his once-pristine kitchen
floor is now covered with a mess I could have easily avoided if I’d been paying
attention. “But it’s my job. Tomorrow morning your job is to go teach a class.
You’ll sleep until eight, eat a good breakfast, and then be off.”

I raise my eyebrows. “That is exactly
how it will happen?”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

“What if I want to negotiate?”

“Negotiate?”

“Yes. Things can be negotiated in a
democratic household, yes?”

“Democratic?”

I smile. “We have no dictators here. Or
kings or queens.”

“Well.” He snorts. “There is that matter
of your uncle signing my paycheck. But I get what you’re saying, I guess. What
were you interested in negotiating?”

“Tonight I feel…antsy? Unable to relax.”
I move my shoulders up and down to show him all this tension I’m experiencing.
“I’ll go upstairs and sleep, but first I would like company. To hang out with
you. For a while.”

His mouth droops as he folds his arms
across his bare chest and stares at me. “So you’re saying you’ll let me do my
job. But only if I give up my free time for you?”

“Um.” It’s cool in the kitchen, but my
face suddenly becomes steam-burn hot.

Damn. I’m incredibly bad at talking to
him—or any guy—I find attractive. Doesn’t matter where I am—Prague, Pasadena,
Chicago. My language barrier isn’t about Czech versus English. It’s about my
head versus my tongue.

What I want with Pete is complicated,
not simple. But, as usual, I’ve said words that could be construed as—

God, I don’t even know what.

“You suck at negotiating, Marek.” He
says it with a kind note in his voice.

“Yes.” I clear my throat. “I do.”

He sighs and runs his hand over his
short hair—hair I want so fucking badly to touch. Is it bristly, soft? Would it
sift through my fingers easily, or would it be like my hair and cling to my
skin?

“I suppose we could listen to one Harry
Potter chapter,” he says, lacking his usual enthusiasm for the idea. “But just
one. And if you fall asleep or if I fall asleep or if we both fall asleep, it
will be your job to wake up and go back to bed. No sleepovers. That’s a rule
that’s not allowed to change.”

I swallow. Ordinarily I would give him
shit about the unreasonableness of his request—if we’re asleep, how will we
know we’re asleep and thus breaking his rules?

But I keep quiet tonight. I know I’m
pushing him. I know he’s beginning to figure out I want more than just his
company. So much more.

If this were a work-related matter, I
would get my way with a few basic words. Logic applies in my lab. When it comes
to my personal life, however, logic rarely applies. Basic words never seem to
work.

If I tell Pete what I really want—to
take him into his room, to put him on his comfortable bed, to kiss his clever
mouth over and over and over, to blow him until his sweet hotness spills down
my throat, to hold him tightly and use friction to excellent effect (inside or
outside our bodies, I don’t care) until we both come—then he would say “no”
quickly and firmly, and quietly shut that detestable door in my face. And I’ll be
lucky if he’s still around in the morning.

The situation between us is confusing. I
hope this is more than just his workplace. We are friends. He’s my best friend,
actually. And he’s the one who makes this place a home.

Occasionally, I have a hard time understanding…what
had my language tutor called it? Nuance. Nuanced meanings. Pete and I have a
lot of nuances happening between us.

“One chapter would be good,” I tell him.
“Chapter Twelve. ‘The Tri-wizard Tournament.’ I need to know all about it.”

He nods and tips his head toward the
open door to his suite. “I’ll meet you in there.”

My heart bounces around in my chest—more
zaps from that ionizer—but my head doesn’t like the take-care-of-business look
on Pete’s face. No smile, no teasing, no dancing notes to the way his boots
clap against the tile floor. He checks the locks and the deadbolts on the back
door and walks toward his room.

He glances at his doorway and then me,
his eyebrows rising. He looks as though he’s holding his breath, maybe holding
back a sigh.

Maybe it would be better to give him
space tonight. Better for me to be apart from what I want so much, but can’t
have. I should walk away, go back to my room without bothering Pete.

My damp toes stick to the cold floor. I
want to be more than a job for him. I want to be more than some guy he feels
sorry for, some guy who can’t even say what he wants.

I walk over to the sink and retrieve a
glass from the nearby cabinet. I fill the glass half full at the tap and then
drink. I set it down carefully. The water is cold, but my skin feels hot. I can
feel Pete watching me, waiting.

My eyes shift to the hallway. But my
feet carry me toward Pete.

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Meet the Author

Edie lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and random creatures that might or might not be pets. She loves libraries (where she's found play, work, and love since she was a kid), long walks (unless ice is involved), lewd language (in the right context), luscious romance (of any variety), and alliteration.

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