Saturday, March 26, 2022

BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEDAY AND FOREVER by ALY MARTINEZ

 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEDAY AND FOREVER
by ALY MARTINEZ


The world took everything from us.

As survivors of not only a plane crash, but two other impossible tragedies, we’d more than earned a life of peace. But time and time again, we were shown that fate had no intention of giving that to us.

Remi and I were soulmates. Plain and simple. Our love should have died in the depths of our darkness, but the sun still exists even when it’s not shining.

The secrets of our past threatened to destroy us at every turn, but for Remi, I would never stop fighting for our future.

The world took everything from us.
And we would stop at nothing until we took it all back—forever.


REVIEW: 4 FINAL STARS
"Over and over, we find each other. It's what we do, baby."

I am SO glad I talked myself into actually signing up for this series. As we allll knooooow, I loathe cliffhangers and definitely don't like waiting around for a series to finish - so, usually, I forgo them and generally miss out because going back to them doesn't always happen with my schedule. I know, I know...I miss out on more than I should but that's the price I pay for my sanity. HAHA!

Ok, so I am going to be as honest as I can be without giving away spoilers but by the time I got to 18% in this book, I was ready to throw my kindle out the window and order a hit on Remi. No lie, I was done with her. I was angry at her decisions. I was seething at her reactions. I couldn't reconcile my emotions with her actions. Now tell me how weird that is?? I am not sure I have ever really been in this predicament, but I was fairly sure I wanted to shake her while simultaneously strangling her. I had to have a serious one-on-one chat with myself because my misplaced anger for Remi wasn't fair, and I was well aware of that. I struggled because I saw how much she leaned on Bowen, but also how much she was pushing him away. I wanted to understand what her actions were supposed to benefit because I was not understanding any of it. Was it for her emotional wellbeing? Her mental wellbeing? I couldn't grasp it, but I knew I needed to take a step back because understanding Remi was the key to my enjoyment of this book. 

But, damn that Aly Martinez for making me come around and not only see where Remi was coming from, but also taking a step back and actually looking at the reasoning for what she did and the why of it. That is probably my favorite part about this entire trilogy. Nothing was what I would have done, but I'm boring - ooobviously, so seeing her bring me through this quagmire of emotions to really take a deep, long look at Remi's thoughts and her emotions was a BIG task: one of epic proportions. Miss Martinez nailed that wholly. 

"Our bodies had a conversation only our hearts could hear."

These two came together (literally? figuratively?) and they were explosive. Their connection was easily felt through their actions as well as their words. There was so much meaning in everything Bowen said to Remi, while causing me to swoon hard and (out loud, mind you) counsel Remi on what she needed to do. HAHAHA! I seriously went a little loony reading this book. Conversations with myself...out loud. But, I talked my way through this one with more than one smile. More than one sigh. More than one gasp. I loved the way Bowen loved Remi, and how he took care of her on so many different levels. He was most definitely my favorite part. He's the fighter we all love in our romances - truuussst meee.

MY truth: that soft ending felt almost mismatched with the opening angst and the emotional grip Bowen and Remi's story had on my heart initially. I was hurting for more. I got the predicted HEA ending I always crave and need for these types of stories to be good. But it almost felt....Hallmark'ish. (Eek!! I hate saying that, sorry!!) It fell together super easily and had the perfectly tied red bow on the end. I loved that, but I was missing some of the bang I thought was coming to play out in this finale. Basically, this final book started out with me immediately pissed…but, it just kinda fell together rather easily. I almost felt like it didn’t give me the “satisfaction” of fighting for a love that was FATE - if that makes sense - but it shouldn't make sense, because they did fight in the literary sense. It was fate. But, dear lord, they fought for their HEA. I am not taking away that truth because that would be disrespectful of me because that is not my complaint. Not in the least...
 
How can I complain about a beginning and an end to a book but still sit here and say I enjoyed it? I don't know, but like I said in the very beginning - Miss Martinez pushed me to the brink of my sanity while taking me on a journey, making me feel this story as it unfolded. So, not really complaining...but these things stuck out to me. Would I still recommend it? Whole-heartedly. It was a great journey and the original angst and buildup to their love story was my favorite part about it.

Overall, this was a book full of discoveries and an exploration worthy of the pages it graced. I definitely enjoyed this love story and easily recommend it.

"Two people do not love each other like you do for it to fail."
~BEE






Start with the first book....


The world owes you nothing.

It took losing the woman I loved and facing the paralyzing task of moving on without her for me to truly understand that.

Consumed by regret and razor-sharp memories, I’d resigned myself to a life of loneliness until a survivor from the same plane crash that took my fiancĂ©e stormed into my life.

Remi Grey was chaos and sunshine, fire and freedom. With her in my arms, I began to believe that fate had other plans for me.

But as secrets of the past exploded around us, it seemed the only thing fated about our relationship was that I had been destined to lose her from the start.

The world owes you nothing. But for Remi, I would risk it all. No matter the cost.





and the second book...


The world gave me everything.

After surviving a plane crash, I was lucky to be alive. It was a harsh truth, but one that changed my perspective on how fragile life could be.

So when a fellow survivor caught my eye, I owed it to myself to take a chance and follow my heart.

Bowen Michaels was guarded and broody, but I saw through his well-formed armor. Much like me, he was broken and lost, but together we found our way through the darkness.

For a brief moment, wrapped in his arms, it felt like maybe he was right about fate and we’d been destined to find each other all along.

But when buried secrets of the past erupt, igniting us both, it was hard to believe we’d been fated for anything other than failure.

The world gave me everything.
And then it took it all away.



~MEET ALY MARTINEZ~

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five- including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

~CONNECT WITH ALY~

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Thursday, March 24, 2022

BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for WHAT LOVERS DO by JEWEL E ANN


 
From bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes a hilarious secret lovers story that redefines the meaning of friendship.

Shep’s found the female version of himself … and he thinks she’s perfect—perfectly unavailable.

Everyone loves Shep, the charismatic employee at Scottsdale’s newest pet store. He has shared custody of his two dogs with his annoying ex-wife and a smile that can disarm most women.

Except … Dr. Sophie Ryan.

What starts out as a disastrous first meeting, involving a coffee catastrophe and mistaken flirting, turns into an unconventional friendship.

Fake phone sex.
Dog park dates.
And eighteen holes of golf.

The problem? Sophie’s taken herself out of the dating pool for a mysterious reason, imprisoning Shep in the friend zone for eternity.

As their competitive personalities hit a boiling point, the gloves come off and so do their clothes. When Sophie’s “real” life threatens their relationship, can Shep let go of his past to chase the one that might get away?


REVIEW: 4.5 HILARIOUS STARS
"Irresistibly sexy, yet effortlessly charming."

This book!!! THISSSS booooook. One of my FAVORITE books so far this year is LIVE!!! This book was fanfuckingtastic and I will count this as a must read book for the year!!

OH. MY. GOSH. Seriously!! I don't know how JEA repeatedly, consistently, and constantly delivers a story that renders me speechless. I am on a SHEP high after this one!! He is definitely an enigma. He had me laughing immediately, and for someone that doesn't "love" romantic comedies, JEA's humor is one I will absolutely seek out any time I want a good laugh with a real love to get lost in. I know the Hero isn't the only thing I can love about a book, but I do know that when he makes me smile and I find that my smile is more often than not due to his mouth, well... I think he deserves that pedestal. I loved his quick wit, but also his emotional side as well. And boy was he persistent. So delicious in every way possible. As I smile while writing this review... {{sigh}}

I do know a strong heroine is always a request I see when I post some of my questions on my Facebook page, so to this I say: look no further than Sophie Ryan. But, I have to say and preface this statement with some truth. Sophie is an amazing person, in a few predicaments - but her backbone is strong underneath all the layers. All of them! I feel like she was so relatable from a personable standpoint and I loved that I could actually agree with her rationalizing, her reasons, and her wants/needs. I thoroughly enjoyed her character a lot.

Notable is the banter between these two. It was TOP notch. Like, nothing better comes from these books more clearly than me *hearing* the snarky banter, the hilarious comebacks, and the honest truth in JEA's voice. I've seen so many of her videos (I'm sure many of us have) and have been blessed with the luck to have talked to her at signings and having quite a few discussions - so, when I say I can hear the banter in her voice, trust me - she's hilarious on ALL fronts. 

My favorite things about JEA's writing is an ever changing, always revolving love because with each book, she gives me something to think about. Sometimes I have to work through not only the characters' emotions, but my own as well. I love that. I honestly think it boils down to the fact that she provides a REAL experience with each book. REAL world issues. REAL life decisions. This book bleeds reality. By providing a true-to-life predicament to deal with, she allowed me to follow the ups and downs of not only that amazing decision Sophie has made, but all the responsibility and actions that support said decision. AND, she gave real world solutions, not this unlikely scenario wrapped up like a fairy tale - everything was REAL with real solutions and I LOVE HER FOR THAT!!! 

"Being with Shep feels like a chronic state of intoxication."

So, basically, I love her REALNESS in her stories without the added unmistakable made up drama I loathe. < She is BRILLIANT in her storytelling by adding in the real life crossroads that comes with making decisions - whether they are easy or hard decisions with repercussions. I loved how she showcased a very strong Sophie in her element, but also allowing us the more human side of her knowing she was doing good but still craving a different possible option...with the same outcome. Confusing, I understand - but after you read this, you will totally understand. THIS is why I love Jewel E Ann's writing. This is why she is my favorite when it comes to comedy and realism. I am always immersed in the world she is building for me, and I'm super thankful for that!

I was so upset when I realized I was going through this book rather quickly .... because I just didn't want it to end. I fell in love so hard with Shep and Sophie - and when I mean fell in love, I mean it's the kind that you have a soft spot for. The kind that makes you smile when you think about them, but also giggle knowing their interactions and how they were each other's best friends. It was a great, feel-good, hilarious book that I freaking loved!!

JEA always provides an element of personal growth with every book - she has that in the bag. So when it’s something I can root for and something that I can see both sides of, I can’t help but soak it all up with a readily available smile. I fell fast and hard for Shep and loved Sophie's personal strength and confidence. She was a blast to read, and he has my heart. He is way up there as a favorite BBF. {{sigh}} Ok. Ok. I'm repeating myself. I'll stop here. But, for the record - I love Shep. He was perfection in literary form. Oh, and I'd like to give out a signed copy and an ebook as well. Please, please enter and enjoy this book as much as I did. Please!! 

"And every day, she's the first thought in my head, my sunrise."
~BEE
 




~M
EET JEWEL E ANN~
Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

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Friday, March 4, 2022

Review and Giveaway for THE BILLIONAIRE by Marni Mann


THE BILLIONAIRE
by MARNI MANN

I’ve always been a good girl.
But the second I walk into the hotel bar, I see temptation.

The man sitting there is delicious. Older. Experienced. Once our eyes meet, I know I’m not walking away unscathed. I’ve heard about men like Jenner Dalton—richer than God and hotter than sin. He’s got heartbreak written all over him.

But it only takes fifteen minutes before we’re headed up to his room.

I’ve never done anything like this before, but something tells me he’s worth it. Every swipe of his tongue feels electric, every kiss sets me on fire and his experience has me begging for more.

And more.

And more.

In one week, I’ll return to college in Miami.

He’ll go back to being LA’s most eligible billionaire.

The miles and years between us are just too many for this to mean anything.

So, between now and then, I plan to spend every moment being anything but good …


REVIEW: 4.5 fun and flirty stars
"The desire to please her was a need I'd never felt before."


Ok...transparency and all: I met Jenner in The Lawyer and I was SO excited for his story after reading that one. I love nothing more than a player finding his woman. Ok, I do - but you know what I mean!!

I also *love* a good instant attraction - one of my favorite things to read as it hits home for me personally. Writing chemistry seems to be Mann's specialty because she gave Jenner and Jo some heat from the get-go. I really enjoyed their connection. It was palpable and literally jumped off the pages. I mean, I can understand the difference between a one night stand and instant chemistry but this one hit a little different for me. Magical? No. Fated? Definitely not. Destined?  I do believe that explains it. 

I honestly think one of my favorite aspects about this story was, as you can see by the synopsis, is that Jo was the pursuer in this little romp - and I LOVED JO!!! Straight talk, Jenner will have all my heart eyes and own my beating heart, but Jo was so much fun to "meet." She was infectious. I felt her smile, her heart, her fun and flirty side - it all made for a very FUN read. She really was the kind of heroine I love to experience. She made this book for me!!

And who doesn't love a good age gap romance?? I seriously giggle with excitement at those ones because the possibilities are smile inducing on the regular. But this one? It wasn't as scandalous as I thought it would turn out to be, but Mann did an amazing job showcasing their age difference. It was fun to watch these two grow together and loosen up with each other as an example. But I can't stress enough how this did not go how I thought it would and I think that's why I'm still smiling about it. I loved the real life drama Mann threw in there - with real world decisions and ramifications, and that is exactly what I love to see. It had to be worked out. There was no question and no other option. Period.

I clearly have nothing but praise as I keep saying "I love nothing more than/my favorite thing is....blah blah blah" because Marni Mann seriously meshed all these amazing aspects into this one love story and delivered me a smile worthy, heart sighing, recommendation worthy book. 

So, here's my recommendation.

This book was the book I needed. Heavy enough to give me the emotions and the draw to keep reading, but light and happy, sexy and flirty enough to make me smile and crave the words. I swear, this is my FAVORITE (and spiciest) of her books in this series (shhh....yes, there are only two so far, but work with me here. And I'm well aware that FORD is coming and I may change my mind again. But shhh. That's a conversation for later.) For the record, my hands down favorite of hers was When Ashes Fall (my review) and I have to admit this one hit me entirely different, so I can appreciate the difference in emotions, but am well aware that she clearly has a knack for writing a story for me. Yep, ME. Kthxbye.

"She had confidence that was more alluring than I'd ever seen along with wit, charm, charisma."

AMAZON     B&N     KOBO     APPLE



A sexy, billionaire, Hollywood, stand-alone romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann …

I’m not the type of girl who picks up a man on a rooftop bar.
Not the kind of girl who lets a man’s hands roam my body, discovering I have no panties on.
Never the girl who has hours’ worth of o’s from a smoking-hot one-night stand.

But Dominick makes it so easy to say yes.
His body, his moves, and his oh-so-wicked tongue have me saying it over and over again.
Yes, please.
Yes, more.
Yes, right there.

He worships every inch of my body, and I’m still sore the next morning when I meet him again.

This time, he’s Mr. Dalton, my sister’s cutthroat entertainment lawyer.
And he has a proposition for me.

He wants to make me famous.

Of course, that means sharing a screen with my wildly jealous sister.
It means giving up my career.
It means the whole world will suddenly know everything about me.

Which presents one catastrophic problem—Dominick doesn’t date famous people.

So, do I take a chance at becoming a Hollywood star, or do I pass up the opportunity to be with the man who gave me a taste of forever?



 


~MEET MARNI MANN~

Bestselling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their two dogs, who have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.

~CONNECT WITH MARNI~

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