RELEASE BLITZ, GIVEAWAY, & REVIEW - MF - Horizon (Compass #3) by Aria Wyatt

 

HORIZON

Compass Series #3

by Aria Wyatt

Release Blitz

Release Date: August 11, 2021

Cover Design: Lori Jackson Design

Photo: Wander Aguiar

Model: Andrew Biernat

Genre: Contemporary romance

Trope: Best friend’s little sister

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When hemispheres collide…

It started out innocent.

He was my older brother’s best friend. The teen who built sandcastles and splashed in the waves with me when I was a little girl. We’d collect seashells and build moats around our castles to protect the imaginary princess within. He was my Jake. I was his princess.

His summer visits to Australia became less frequent after scoring his first record deal, but I never forgot him. While the multiplatinum singer-songwriter traveled the world, melting hearts and panties with his lyrics, I filled a notebook with his name.

Everything changed when Jake flew in for my brother’s thirtieth birthday party. At eighteen, I’d come a long way from the girl he remembered. One lingering touch was all it took to ignite us. I kissed him, but he walked away. He was still on tour, I was about to start college, and let’s not forget my hotheaded brother.

But after graduation, when a New York internship opportunity lands me in the Brooklyn brownstone across from his, the ocean between us is replaced with a street.

Jake thinks he can’t have me—we’re different as earth and sky—but I’ll prove him wrong. Those five years of distance only deepened my ache. His demons don’t scare me. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I know I can make him happy if he’ll let me.

I'm determined to try. After all, his old sweatshirt is not the only thing I’ve held on to for him…

When earth meets sky on the horizon, Jake Bennett, the King of Ballads, will be mine.

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Horizon is the third book in the Compass series by Aria Wyatt. The first two books focused on Wyatt and Lena. In this book, we get to read about Jake and Isla.

I love the first two books so I was super excited to read this one. 

And damn, I love this book. 

First of all, I love the couple. Jake and Isla's reunion and developing relationship is riveting and charming. They certainly bond well and make for a strong couple. But damn, they have some tough things to deal with. 

I am impressed with some of the issues that the author addresses. Anxiety, OCD, lupus, organ transplant, and extreme period pain are all illustrated in an impressive manner. Everything is written with knowledge, care, and compassion. And it makes for some amazingly emotional moments.

Unseen illnesses are at the heart of the issue for these two characters. Both suffer on a daily basis from issues that effect them immensely. I enjoy that they are understanding of each other's issues and can relate. 

Horizon is a great read. Everything about this Aria Wyatt tale works for me. It touched me to the core and I felt every emotion throughout. I can't recommend it enough. 

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Add to your TBR List!

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Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

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Other Titles Within this Series

PURCHASE

My Review

PURCHASE

My Review

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As a community pharmacist for over a decade, Aria Wyatt spends the inhumane predawn hours with a cup of coffee and her laptop, gleefully indulging in her passion. A lover of love, Aria's novels range in heat from steamy to scorching, and she gets off on fanning the flames.

Aria resides with her husband and two children in New York's picturesque Hudson Valley, near the Catskills and iconic Woodstock. The avid reader balances marriage, motherhood, her career, and her dream. When not writing, she dabbles in photography, using the natural beauty of the region to her advantage. She cannot live without coffee, chocolate, music & books.

Author of True North, North Star and the Compass Series, Aria has a soft spot for those who are searching, yearning, and ultimately, finding. Whether on a mission to find themselves, find love, find forgiveness or solace, she believes the answer is out there somewhere.

Connect with Aria

Website:  http://bit.ly/3hNjhlO

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/38m66Fn

Facebook Author Page:  http://bit.ly/3bcTKBl

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2JR8WZD

Goodreads Author Page:  http://bit.ly/2LprgJG

Twitter:  https://bit.ly/3hUtWLx

Instagram:  https://bit.ly/2XcPlWS

Amazon Author Page:  https://amzn.to/2KY4PeX

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - MF - Heartwood (Speakeasy Taproom #2) by J.H. Croix

HEARTWOOD BY J.H.CROIX

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Amazon: https://geni.us/AmazonHeartwood

Apple: https://geni.us/AppleHeartwood

Kobo: https://geni.us/KoboHeartwood

Nook: https://geni.us/NookHeartwood

Google: https://geni.us/GoogleHeartwood

Audio → https://geni.us/AudibleHeartwood

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/36wWkPu

Series Page → https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/speakeasy-taproom/

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

She needs a fresh start. He wants a second chance…

My new job as a chef in a small town was supposed to be my ticket to peace and quiet. I didn’t expect to run into the former hockey star who gave me the hottest nights of my life. And, oops, he’s sort-of my new boss. So much for keeping my past where it belongs.

Ty still thinks I’m the fun party girl. He has no idea how much things have changed. One thing that hasn’t changed: the spark between us. It’s hotter than the blowtorch I use on my crème brûlée. 

I’m already keeping secrets, so what’s one more? Our tryst is forbidden, it’s fun, and it gets complicated as fast as you can say “check, please.” I didn’t expect to have a future with Ty. And I definitely didn’t expect to have a baby with him.

Some falls are harder than others. But it depends on who’s there to catch you...

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Heartwood is the second book in the Speakeasy Taproom series. This is JH Croix's contribution to this multi-author series. 

This one starts with a serious breakdown. Poor Belle. When she moves to the small town to recover, she's reunited with her former college hookup, Ty. 

What follows is a second chance for them to get to know each other. Already complete opposites, both have changed a lot and they spend some time confessing their issues and exploring who they each are now. 

I enjoy everything about this couple and their story. They never actually dated, but they clearly fall into the second chance category. I enjoy the way both have drastically changed over the years, yet they still connect well and have amazing chemistry. Apparently, not everything changed. 

This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It has family issues, including a disabled sister and a controlling father. Ty's sister and parents are a big part of the story. She's disabled and truly a breath of fresh air. 

Their story is a fabulous reminder that everyone has their issues to deal with. Everyone has things in their pasts that they're ashamed of. And everyone has the ability to move forward. Love it.

This story addresses the issues of mental health with knowledge, care, and compassion. The Bipolar aspect is fabulously explored, reiterating that it isn't a life sentence or the end of the world. As well, you can't blame someone for what they do when manic. I am seriously impressed with the way this is written.

It's written in alternating first person pov, easily pulling the reader into the story. Everything flows well and is easy to read. 

Heartwood is a great addition to this small town series. JH Croix does a wonderful job addressing some serious issues without ever feeling too serious. 

Belle’s wide brown eyes held mine, and I wanted to lean over and kiss the freckles on her cheeks. Uncertainty flickered in her gaze, but it passed quickly. She surprised me by lifting her hand and smoothing a fingertip over one of my eyebrows. Her lips curled in a small smile as her hand fell to rest on my chest. “It was messy,” she explained.

“My eyebrow?”

She nodded, blinking as her cheeks went a little pink.

“Well, thank you then,” I offered somberly.

She bit her lip and laughed. I took the moment to let my eyes absorb the sight of her. With her flushed skin, her bright eyes, and her swollen lips, she was disarmingly delectable. Hell, I could’ve gone another round right then. I hadn’t been living as a monk, but I also hadn’t exactly found much time of late for women, much less women who got to me the way Belle did. 

If I was being honest with myself, no woman got to me like Belle. She was singular in her ability to set me on fire. We were just that good together. It was easy and fucking hot.

Just then, I noticed she was still wearing her skirt. I chuckled, and she asked, “What’s so funny?”

“We never got your skirt off.”

She grinned, and a sly look entered her eyes. “Maybe not, but at least I got my panties and boots off.”

I laughed, and she traced circles on my chest with a fingertip. I lifted a palm, needing to touch her. I smoothed it over the sweet curve of her shoulder, my eyes landing on the tattoo at the top of her shoulder blade. With her angled toward me, it was just visible. “This is new.” It was a heart, drawn as if carved into wood, the lines of the grain etched in varying subtle shades of brown and gold. “It’s beautiful,” I added.

“How do you know it’s new?” Her big brown eyes lifted to mine, a saucy hint contained there.

“Because I would remember if you had it before. I didn’t forget anything about you.” The moment I said that, my heart gave a tricky kick. Belle had this way of sliding right through my defenses. I revealed perhaps too much with that comment.

She blinked as a wash of pink bloomed on her cheeks. She swallowed, her lashes sweeping down again. “I didn’t have it before. My father’s a woodcarver in his spare time. I always loved watching him on the weekends when I was little.” Her lashes lifted again, vulnerability flickering in her gaze for a flash. “It’s to represent heartwood. That’s the densest and strongest part of the tree.”

  I absorbed that as I traced the edges of the heart with my fingertip. “It’s beautiful,” I repeated. 

Quiet spun out between us. She dipped her head, nipping lightly on my shoulder. I shifted closer and laid another kiss on her, for no other reason than that I loved kissing Belle. She had a sassy tongue, and she never hesitated to throw herself into kisses.

When I drew back, she asked, “Is this when I find a way to gracefully depart?”

“Hell, no. I’ve got you for the whole night.”

Her throaty laugh rang out, and I pulled her on top of me, kissing her again because I wanted her, and I wanted to dive into her fire. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to think too hard about just how fiercely I wanted her to stay.

MF - Sweetheart (Busy Bean #1) by Sarah Mayberry

 

SWEETHEART BY SARAH MAYBERRY

Release Date: March 1, 2021

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/

Goodreads Link

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Purchase here:

Amazon * Apple

Kobo * Nook

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The first Busy Bean novel is an achy breaky romance with gorgeous writing! - Sarina Bowen

I just wanted to get my hands on his beans

Four years ago, I had a ridiculous crush on my sister's boyfriend. But when they moved away together, I put Beck out of my mind and my heart. But now he's back, and roasting the best coffee in Vermont. I need to convince him to supply the Busy Bean. And I need more of those kisses we accidentally shared outside the coffee shop. He still makes my heart race faster than a triple shot of espresso.

She should be off limits, but instead she's pushing mine

Her sister burned my life to the ground, so Haley Elliot is the last woman I should bring into my bed. Although our business relationship is giving way to something more than a fine grind. Neither of us can help ourselves. And what’s worse, I think I’m falling for her.

But it’s a small town, and ours is a big secret. And when her sister blows back into town, suddenly the coffee isn’t the only thing brewing...

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Sweetheart is the first book in the multi author Busy Bean series. This Sarah Mayberry contribution is a fabulous M/F romance.

I love the Busy Bean. It's a wonderful place to set a series around. Part of Sarina Bowen's True North world, it's full of characters we've come to love and adore, creating the perfect setting. 

This is the story of Haley and Daniel (Beck). Daniel used to date Haley's sister and things didn't end well. He wants nothing to do with Haley when he sees her. But, once she breaks him down a little, and he agrees to help her, things start to change. 

Now, let's start with the sister's ex thing. I know a lot of people won't read that trope and I understand. Trust me, I do. But, Haley's sister has some major mental illness issues and his relationship with her was anything but healthy. So, maybe that will help you. Maybe not. It definitely helped me.

The big part of this tale is Haley's sister. Basically, one would say she's crazy and her family babies her. She has undiagnosed mental issues and her past attempts at suicide have left her family walking on egg shells around her.

The result? Haley spends her life focusing on her sister's needs. And her parents do the same. No matter how she feels about Daniel, she can't left herself upset her sister by being with him. Basically, it's a major forbidden relationship. 

In the end, this story is absolutely amazing. I couldn't put it down. The connection between Haley and Daniel is fabulous and one can't help but to root for them for to be together. Their journey isn't easy, as it's full of obstacles, but they are definitely wonderful together.

The family issues are a problem throughout. It's a tough thing to read. Jess is awful. Just awful. But, her part of the story is both heart breaking and gut wrenching. But in the end, I love the way everything is resolved. 

As well, Haley's issues with her parents had me ready to cry. It's just heart breaking to read. But, again, in the end, it's all well resolved.

The writing is gripping and I enjoyed it all, other than there being a few too many "he saids" for my liking. Yes, that pesky pet peeve of mine.

Sweetheart is a riveting small town romance. This is my first Sarah Mayberry read and I definitely enjoyed it. I am excited to see what happens next in this multi-author series. 

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Sweetheart by Sarah Mayberry - Excerpt for Bloggers

You know that thing where the rational part of your brain decides on a sensible course of action and commits to it, but then the murky, primal, unsupportive part of your brain refuses to get on board? The Germans probably have a name for it, something hard to pronounce with lots of umlauts. All I had was a feeling, and it hit me on a regular basis over the next couple of weeks whenever Beck set foot in the Busy Bean. 

Every time I saw him propped in the kitchen doorway sharing a laugh with Zara, I felt it.   When I realised Roddy had started using Beck as a taste tester for recipes he was developing, even though they barely knew each other, I got a big, hard dose of it. And the day I left the cafe to find Beck and his dog playing with Audrey and her two kids down by the river bank, I was awash with it. 

If I had to parse this feeling into its component parts, it would be made up of nine-tenths envy and one-tenth wistfulness. With a sprinkle of sexual jealousy thrown in, just for kicks and giggles. 

Because I wanted Beck to laugh with me the way he laughed with Zara. I wanted us to have the kind of relationship where I could run ideas past him, the kind of friendship where I could come upon him and his dog down by the river and feel free to hang out with them.  

I was fully aware that this stupid, stubborn longing I was experiencing was at complete  odds with my decision to respect his obvious desire to have as little to do with me as possible, but no matter how many times I told myself I didn't care, the lump of concrete in the pit of my stomach said otherwise. 

The problem was that Beck was just one of those people that other people wanted to be around. He'd always been that way, hence the fact that my sister had wanted him, and the fact that I'd developed my ridiculous, hopeless-cause crush on him in the first place. 

  He had a natural ease and charm that made people smile, even if they were having a shitty day.  He gave good banter, and he knew how to tease people in a gentle, utterly harmless way that made them feel like they were special because he'd noticed them.  And he was curious about people, asking lots of questions and genuinely listening to their answers. 

It probably didn't hurt that he was extensively easy on on the eyes, either.

All of this worked together to make him a warm, real presence that people wanted to get closer to, like campers gathering around a fire at night. 

I witnessed the power of his charisma over and over, in the way Audrey stood a half-foot closer to him than she did to other people, even though she was madly in love with her husband Griff, and in the way Roderick launched into an amusing anecdote whenever Beck arrived with his delivery, as though he'd been waiting to share the story with him.  Even snarky, cynical Zara wasn't immune, spending extra minutes chatting to him on the phone when she called through our bi-weekly order, her laughter ringing through the cafe. 

Everybody loved Beck, and Beck loved everybody - with the notable exception of me.

Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh

Amazon Link 
Goodreads Link

Can Yani and Gavin go from friends to lovers this Christmas?

Yani Nicolaou is sworn off love for good. After fleeing a bad break-up in London, the only blood, sweat, and tears he has left are for his gyro stall at the Christmas market. Rebound fling? No thanks. He’s sticking to one-night-stands.

Ex-army vet Gavin Richie has even less capacity for romance. Managing a homeless shelter while recovering from injury keeps him far too busy. So what if he’s often alone? He’s content being single, or so he thinks until a chance meeting lights a spark he can’t ignore.

Yani is the warmth and affection Gavin hadn’t known he was missing. As Christmas lights up the city, their lives entwine in more ways than one. Falling for each other is easy. Holding on is harder, unless a hometown Christmas proves their love can last longer than the festive season.

Hometown Christmas is a standalone MM Christmas novella.

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Hometown Christmas is a nice Holiday romance by Garrett Leigh. Don't be expecting Christmas itself though, as it's more of a tender tale that takes place approaching the holidays. 

Yani and Gavin have an instant attraction. Doing some work together brings them closer and brings out all the feels. Both men are likable and flawed, both at a crossroads in their lives. But they also each have a lot of baggage. Yani's still gun shy after a past relationship, holding himself back from anything serious. And Gavin is a lot more than his care free attitude implies. I enjoy that they both find comfort in one another; that they both find healing in one another.

This is a story with a food truck and a homeless shelter. There's an ex military factor, PTSD, OCD issues, and more. The writing is wondeful, with a tone that's comforting and relaxing, but some of the topics are heavy; both realistic and raw.

Overall, Hometown Christmas is a good hurt/comfort read. Garrett Leigh entertains in this story that revolves around homeless in big cities, as well as mental issues.