Book Review and Giveaway Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles

BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN PIECES

by CATHERINE COWLES

A woman who’s lost everything.

Taylor is looking for peace and quiet away from the memories of all she’s lost. A small mountain town where no one knows her seems like the perfect escape.

A man battling the ghosts of his past.

Walker loves his life just the way it is. His town, his family, his brothers in blue. Everything simple and easy—until a chance encounter changes it all.

When Taylor’s solitude is interrupted by the rugged cop, they find that the very thing they were avoiding might be just what they both need. As their iron wills clash and passion flares…a killer lurks.

And you never know who might be caught in the crosshairs.

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REVIEW: 4 STARS

"Even the happy memories...they break my heart."

PERFECT start to a new series!!! I am completely smitten. Walker is the man! *insert simultaneous sigh and heart eyes here.* I have read one other book by Catherine Cowles, but I can tell you with the beginning of this series, it will be one that I will follow closely and I plan on having them all signed and on my shelf!! Cowles' writing style breathes ease and comfort. Her words flow very easily and I found myself getting caught up in all the goings-on of this little town....and now I need to visit Sutter Lake! 

Immediately, the very beginning of this story spelled out the beauty of a small town romance where someone's word actually means something. People know everyone and when a new person comes to town...and most are there to help them fit in. Catherine Cowles writes the type of small town romance I absolutely adore. 

"You can lean back against me. I've got you."

A slow and sweet perusal into the possibilities of love after loss, this book gave me a chance to slow down and fall in love. Walker and Taylor were so in tune with each other - their banter and flirting causing me all the giddy feels, but they didn't even recognize it. That was so fun to watch it blossom. I loved watching their friendship being tip-toed around until they had no other choice but to give in. It was the most smile-inducing transition, mostly because I knew they had no choice - but the love was backed by a new best friend. They could fight it all they wanted, but the truth was right in front of their eyes!! 

Soft, sweet and an adventure all wrapped up into one. I quickly and easily fell in love with ALL the characters in this sleepy town of Sutter Lake....although, sleepy is a far cry from what I would call it. There was drama lurking around the corner, and for someone that doesn't typically enjoy romantic suspense, this one had me turning the pages! I couldn't put it down if I wanted to. It was set in/based on a small town in Oregon - and I live in a small town in Oregon as well, so that sure made it easy to envision the happenings and the whereabouts of everyone and everything happening. This one sure felt like 'home' to me. 

After falling in love with Sutter Lake's residents, I can't wait to see what Beautifully Broken Life brings. I am desperate for Liam's story and can't wait to read it!! Make sure you add this entire series to your TBR. It started out amazing and I am excited to see where it goes.

"You might not need anyone, Taylor, but maybe someone out there needs you. Just think about that."

~BEE

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~MEET CATHERINE COWLES~

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

~FOLLOW CATHERINE~

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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark

THE SUMMER WE FELL

by ELIZABETH O'ROARK

He was my boyfriend's best friend—and the bane of my existence. I wanted to hate Luke Taylor. I did hate him. I just never hated him enough.

Now, a decade later, tragedy has brought us back to the place where it all happened—my best times, and my worst.

Our lives have changed, but that pull between us is just as strong as ever.

Only this time, it's more dangerous too.

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REVIEW: 4 STARS

"Luke's the only person who can access all of me. He barely has to try."

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was seeing that Elizabeth O'Roark was putting out a standalone!! I LOVED her Parallel Duet something fierce - even have it signed on my shelf, so I knew I needed to get in on this action! She was a surprise new-to-me author and I knew I needed to read her again. I missed out on touring her Devil Series, so of course I haven't slipped it into my kindle just yet - but rest assured, that will be devoured eventually. But, a standalone usually has me adjusting my schedule to fit them in from the get-go.

To be fair, when I started seeing the teasers for this one, and the direction I was "feeling" Luke was taking - I was 99% sure I was going to love him. I was wrong - because I 100% love him. He had a protective streak a mile long and it had exactly ZERO boundaries, and I loved that about him!!! He made this book for me. HE had me falling in love with him from the minute I met him.

"People talk about love like it's peaceful, but it isn't, at all. It's turbulent and anxious. It's euphoria and despair."

The pain Luke and Juliet went through! My gosh, the pain of fighting an attraction they knew wasn't a good idea to act on because of all the implications their love alone would have. The pain it would cause. A ripple effect throughout both their lives that would be magnanimous, given the circumstances they were operating under. THIS is the kind of story I live for. A love that you can't have. Can't touch. Can't feel out, because the damage it would cause felt like it would be too hard to get through. This story was also ripe with personal guilt. RIPE. There was always a reason. Always a rebuttal. Always a hinderance to finally seeing the rainbow on the other side. It was exhausting for my heart and mental self...and I loved it!

This type of love story is my crack. I need the despondence the characters are wading through - their need for something that's unattainable yet they need it to survive!! This had all the things I crave because I felt Juliet's drive to just see...just speak to, just hear his voice. It's what kept me keep turning the pages. That kind of nail-biting "would they, should they, could they" angst is my drug of choice and I willingly succumb to the need for more. Which, of course, is why I pick up these types of stories often. O'Roark definitely gifted me another book boyfriend with the strength of Luke's love and devotion.

I did struggle a bit with Juliet - but I honestly think it boils down to my strength at this age watching a girl at her age go through what she did and having the current knowledge to know that "this" wasn't the end of the world for her - even though I *knew* she had to live it to understand and appreciate it, but boy was it tough!! I wanted to tell her to take a bold step forward. I wanted to encourage her to go with her heart because her mind was already there. The need to shake her into letting loose and understanding her perceived ramifications were her own shackles to shake. I was her biggest cheerleader and her harshest critic. She was the strongest doormat I have ever read. Again - RIPE with guilt.

But honestly, my only real issue was the back and forth from past to present. Not that this type of storytelling doesn't work or have its place - because it does and it works often. It just didn't work for me in this circumstance. I was following along easily enough - it just took away from the forward progression I was feeling with each step forward, but I felt like I literally took 2 steps back by going into the past and it halted my mental forward motion. BUT, I loved their love story and I adored how hard Luke loved Juliet and stood by his word and morals. The very truest definition of a man, to me. He stood by his word no matter how elusive it seemed for Juliet to grasp...and that growth was a relief to read. The final submission was glorifying to witness and I smiled as they finally figured themselves out. Phew!!! Mental gymnastics, for sure!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I would honestly love to see some other books come from this story - standalones, but definitely interconnected since I don't think one would be able to tell some stories without giving away some of the tension and pain that was prevalent in this book. Elizabeth - please give me Libby's book. PLEASE. I know you will do her justice with a man worthy of her heart and soul. 

"Luke is my sun, my moon, my tide, and I'm tired of fighting his pull."

~BEE

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 ~MEET ELIZABETH O'ROARK~

Elizabeth O’Roark lives in Washington, DC with her 3 children. After many years spent writing scintillating brochures about amniocentesis and heart surgery, she is thrilled to have found a job that allows her to just make s*** up.

~CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH~

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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for If This Is Love by Jewel E Ann

IF THIS IS LOVE

by JEWEL E ANN

He's mine ... don't ever forget that.

Milo lives in the barn, a cowboy through and through.
I live in a castle, but I'm not a princess.

When the only person who loves me dies, Milo's there.
As I get older, I no longer look at Milo like a big brother. I look at him like the man God made just for me.

With the first glimpse of freedom from my pathetic excuse for a father, I imagine a future with Milo. I dream of the day when we won't have to hide our feelings.

But Milo has a secret. He is not free.
The man I love is marrying the woman I hate.

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REVIEW: 5 STARS

"This need I have to protect her feels admirable until I realize the person I need to protect her from the most is...me."

Since JEA is my drop everything and read kind of author, it doesn't matter what I am doing - if she announces a book, I adjust my calendar, my chores, and my family schedule (okay, probably not to that extent 😂) to make sure she is going to get the full attention her books have proven to me they deserve. I know I sound crazy, but when you find that one author...your "unicorn" if you will, you know what you need to do to give their books your completely undivided attention, right? JEA is that one for me. Having said that repeatedly over the years, you know I am always going to give you my full and honest opinion on how each book was individually. 

This book made me fall in love, courted me....broke my heart, and slowly put me back together. That is the M.O. of JEA, is it not? But, I'll tell ya - it was the in-betweens that mattered. How did I fall in love with Milo and Indie? Slowly and effortlessly. I watched them dance around the forbidden and come together. I also watched them snap like a brittle twig with no due recourse. It was hard watching them hurt. It was hard growing and realizing...the understanding more difficult than the outcome. But, as JEA does, she put me back together. I won't say it's seamless because there are some jagged cracks in there, but she gave me this life lesson and story with heaviness and a smile. She gave me a love that fought against all odds and made me hold me breath. But above all else, she gave me a book hangover and it's been a while since I've had one of those. I wanted to bask in it!!

While this one made me feel slightly uncomfortable in the beginning - and I don't say that lightly, it set the stage for a very deep conversation within the pages of this book. The fact that she said this is super taboo completely proves to me, once again, she can write anything and get me through the story with a chokehold on my heart. We all have childhood crushes, right? I had one with an 18 year old when I was 12. Completely innocent, but a crush nonetheless. Well, Milo and Indie are seriously and truly the embodiment of age gap, taboo, and everything in between - one you love, but can't quite describe completely. I had very wide eyes while I was reading this because the innocence of Indie was put. into. words. and I was left gasping a few times. Again, I knew JEA was going to put me in a state of shock by the time this was all said and done - and she did just that. 

"If his lips touch mine, the last thread will snap. I know it. He knows it. Memories have never felt as tangible, concrete and alive as they do now."

The book hangover I had after this probably wasn't fair to every other author I had to read after because it held steady over my head and heavy over my heart. I loved that she had me angry for Indie, gritting my teeth for Milo - and pissed as hell about the evil held over their heads. And the thing was, it was actually something I can see happening once it was all explained and meshed out - in true JEA fashion. I hung on every word and pored over the pages with my emotions hanging on by a thread. I was mesmerized and completely breathless in some spots, while huffing and puffing from anger in others. But it was amazing. Beyond amazing. It was my favorite kind of journey and one I cannot recommend enough...but go in with an open mind and a strength in your heart. You may not know when you'll need to draw on it. She works her magic effortlessly and I for one am here anytime she's willing to serve it up.

I wish everyone wrote with the humor and the heaviness like Jewel E Ann does. She is so unique and one of a kind, and her voice just "hits" me in all the right ways. Hands down, she's a stop-everything-and-read author for me. I will end this review with this - I read my books to take the journey from start to finish. I take in ALL the happenings and reactions and I soak in them. Marinate. Ruminate. Whatever you want to call it. But, if an author makes me think about something, whether I like the outcome or not - it's a positive, because I THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I think that's one of my favorite things JEA does for me. She makes me think and I feel every facet of her story as it plays out. 

I couldn't get enough and I couldn't put the book down. I felt like I needed to pace but couldn't take my eyes off the pages! It seriously had me wrapped up and the anxiety was real! Milo and Indie definitely have my heart and will for a very long time coming...

"You're the sun...so fucking bright, blindingly beautiful."

~BEE

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~MEET 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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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for Never Saw You Coming by SL Scott

NEVER SAW YOU COMING
by SL SCOTT

- Loch -

I wish I could say it was love at first sight. But I can’t.

Snarky.
Impatient.
Demanding.

Everything about the woman standing next to me was complicated, from her designer clothes to her coffee order. I don’t do complicated unless it comes with a good time. And then it’s only for a night or two, max.

I was more than happy to leave the coffee shop, and her, behind, but neither of us saw what was coming...

- Tuesday -

I wish I could say I remember him. But I can’t.

Patient.
Generous.
Handsome.

The same stranger who saved me steps in again when I have nowhere to go and no memory of who I am. He’s broody and rigid, but I see a different side of this gorgeous man and start to realize I’m not the only one who needs saving.

Falling for him wasn’t in my plans, but as I search for answers to my past, I realize that I don’t worry about getting my memory back. My fear is losing my life twice.

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REVIEW: 3 STARS

"I'm not fascinated by you because of who you were. I'm captivated by who you are."

I was ridiculously excited to jump in to this book after recently reading the first book in the series, Swear On My Life - which happens to be Lark and Harbor's book and it IS a standalone. We heard of Loch in that book, but he was a mystery as we didn't really get to "meet" him. After learning his schedule was all work and no play - he was basically a mystery going into this one. And who doesn't like to solve a sexy mystery?? So, it was an easy decision to jump right into this one. I grabbed SOML from Kindle Unlimited, so I was able to read it right before this one. You can find my review HERE. I knew jumping into this one that I wanted Loch’s story and background. I'm so glad I read it and I totally enjoyed it, but it definitely set the stage for what I’m getting into for the next book, because I *will* be reading that next book as well. She's proven to be an easy read for me, and one I will keep coming back to.

So lets get into it...

First and foremost: I AM THOROUGHLY CONVINCED she has the sexiest covers of her men - hands down. I'm not going to lie and say that didn't sway me towards her books, because it does - each and every time. But they are beyond gorgeous and the best visual for her men that she describes. I seriously love them and they are shelf-worthy. 

I'm glad to say I have met and fallen in love with Loch for the man he truly is. I love a strong man. I love a hardworking man. I do love the dynamic of a rich man taking care of his woman, and it's not necessary - but it sure helps in a storyline like this one. When an author can introduce a man to me that meets or exceeds my expectations, well - that's always a good start in my book. And Loch most definitely did that.

Tuesday was an enigma, given the circumstances and she came out of this wearing many different hats - so I like that this book so many different explorative turns because it gave me some eyebrow workouts, that's for sure. One minute they are scrunched on my forehead questioning things - wondering of the whys, the next they're soaring with excitement and adoration at how she goes about things. She was just a fun character to read. I loved the journey of her amnesia because I truly enjoyed falling in love with a pure heart – so reading this really worked in that aspect for me. It's been a while since I've actually read one and I remember loving that book as well. I loved Tuesday’s unencumbered, unfiltered, unabashed love for Loch. Loch was all the man she needed to understand what true love actually felt like. That was the sweetest part. 

"If I've learned anything from what we've been through, it's that we shouldn't wait to start our lives when we know how we feel. We must act in the moment, make the most of every day, and love to our fullest capacity."

What I didn’t like was the forced reasoning behind some of the actions to create conflict. That ruined about 20% of the storyline for me. I was very frustrated by the pretend anger — and I use that term truthfully — that caused the little spat these two had. I also don’t understand him allowing her to "do this on her own" and just leaving, not even knowing if she was safe. I don’t want to ruin any aspect of this story, so I have to word this carefully — but this just didn’t sound like Loch. In his truest and purest form, the depth of the love he has for her wouldn’t have/shouldn’t have allowed him to drive away like that. I understand the reason given, but it didn’t make sense after everything else he had done for her. It just didn’t “fit” knowing what we did of him. So I struggled a little with that. It was “out of character” for him based on how he was laid out for us leading up to that moment. However, he made that up tenfold when it was necessary. Because he is such a strong, confident and worthy man and Tuesday is very lucky to have him, as he is to have her. 

Back-and-forth in many different points I found myself struggling with the layout and the progression of the story, but it didn't stop me from wanting to finish it. Unfortunately, that resulted in it taking me too long to read it! I was in a conundrum - because, while I was enjoying it because it was interesting, it was just a little too easy for me to balance out the emotion I wanted to feel for the problem at hand. Again, I like ‘em angsty and breath-catching. This was genuinely good and I don’t want to take away from that aspect, but there was very little to no emotion I felt and I’m bummed about that. Easy? Yes. Good? Yes. This is someone’s five star read because it was a hallmark love story in book form. It was super sweet and insta-love in all the right ways - not the emotional, angsty read I was promised. It just didn’t capture my emotions as much as I was hoping it would, but it absolutely had my intrigue - and for that, I can easily recommend it for the light-hearted read it was.

Scott's shaping up to be, for me, a palate cleanser - certainly not in bad or disrespectful way. An easy read to break up the heavy ones I crave so very much. She has me invested in this family and I’m going to see it through to the very last book....and then some, I'm sure. She's very clearly a consistent read for me. She is not a hard hitting writer. Super simple, very easy to read - but it lacks a certain depth or emotion that would have it hitting me directly in my feels. Is that bad? Nope. Not at all...it's just what I look for in my books, but it's very definitely indicative of her style and how she tells stories. I'm realizing I'm blessed with a smile anytime I open one of her books. This book looks to be followed by Noah's story so I will definitely be reading that one as well. I can easily plan around her books being a good read for me to have the versatility to pick it up and put it down, but knowing I can easily catch back up when I pick it back up. (Say that five times fast!) It definitely has it's perks of being an easy, stable kind of read. 

"She's a goddess in need of a good fucking, and I'm just the mortal tasked with the job."

~BEE

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Grab the first book, Swear On My Life

This is Harbor and Lark's standalone, but interconnected story

PURCHASE: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

My review: https://bit.ly/SOMLTBB

~MEET SL SCOTT~

New York Times and USA Bestselling Author, S. L. Scott, was always interested in the arts. She grew up painting, writing poetry and short stories, and willing her days away lost in a good book and the movies.

With a degree in Journalism, she continued her love of the written word by reading American authors like Salinger and Fitzgerald. She was intrigued by their flawed characters living in picture perfect worlds, but could still debate that the world those characters lived in were actually the flawed ones. This dynamic of leaving the reader invested in the words, inspired Scott to start writing with emotion while interjecting an underlying passion into her own stories.

Living in the capital of Texas with her family, Scott loves traveling and avocados, beaches, and cooking with her kids. She's obsessed with epic romances and loves a good plot twist. She dreams of seeing one of her own books made into a movie one day as well as returning to Europe. Her favorite color is blue, but she likens it more toward the sky than the emotion. Her home is filled with the welcoming symbol of the pineapple and finds surfing a challenge though she likes to think she's a pro.

~CONNECT WITH SUZIE~

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KU Book Review for Swear On My Life by SL Scott

SWEAR ON MY LIFE

by SL SCOTT

We aren’t temporary, baby.

Warm brown eyes that melted my unsuspecting heart.
A smile that knocked me off my feet.
His touch—raw electricity.

I never saw Harbor Westcott coming.

I was a small-town girl with big city dreams and more ambition than money to my name. He had everything—money, privilege, and the world at his feet.

Opposites in every way, but that didn’t matter. We were lightning in a bottle, and everything felt possible when we were together.

Life was perfect.

Or so I thought . . .

Years later, I’m no more prepared for him than I was the first time. He swears on his life that we are meant to be forever, but I know I can’t survive this man twice.

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REVIEW 3.5 STARS

"He's a sinner and a saint battling it out inside an Adonis body."

Tell me that synopsis doesn't make you want to dive in immediately?? I'm a small town girl and totally love the feel of falling in love with your soulmate - been there, done that, so this was an easy yes for me. It was on my TBR for quite some time before I decided to jump in, but since the next book was coming out soon - I knew I needed to get on the ball. It is in KU, so that was a quick game-time decision between books. That cover....super seriously sexy and the embodiment of Harbor as I pictured him based on Scott's description. YUMMY! Such perfection. Oooh, soooo delicious.

Lark was such a straightforward girl...and I loved her spit of personality. Just a great spark and a smile everywhere she went. I really enjoyed her character, and it made it that much better when she put Harbor in his place with her sense of humor. She had me smiling quite a bit. Harbor was head over heels in love with her too, and he fell hard and fast which aided my smile. He was a little "soft" around the edges...quite poetic in terms of how his internal monologue came across, but he was such a gem to get to know. The sweetest (swooniest?) part for me was the fact that Harbor seemed to look past all the stereotypes and the status he could have walked around with, but instead he was such a real man, a true gentleman, and treated her with the utmost respect and love. That made me swoon awful hard over him.

Falling in love through their eyes was one of innocence and giggles. I loved watching them have some initial boundaries - some walls that eventually fell with the passing of the days as they started getting closer. It was seamless and unforgiving because them together, there was no other option. I couldn't help but smile when they explored each other or when Lark was being coy. I never stopped giggling at the sweet little moments between the two that could have gone a different way, but their personalities dictated otherwise. They gave me ALL the hearts when they confessed their love. But... but, I couldn't help but bite my nails while turning the pages to find out what Harbor's thought process was for making that decision... This book surely put me through the stages of emotions, even though they weren't always good ones.

Unfortunately, Harbor's "ultimate decision" angered me more than it endeared me to him...and that was a hard pill to swallow because he was the literal definition of perfection leading up to that point. I fell hard and fast for him and all he did for Lark to keep her happy. Before and after the decision. But that ONE issue that still isn't explained well enough -for me- to accept is what still irks me. Silly, I know. But I was SO into it - literally hanging off every word. It felt as if this strife was only written to cause the separation and was not rooted in the characters' reality as it was originally given to us (previous actions/explanations) and that's what brought it down for me. It worked out and it gave me a new series that I will no doubt follow to the end, but that part really saddened me. The ease in which I read the first half of the book didn't go unnoticed. Very laid back and chill style and it made falling in love with them falling in love give off more of a comfort feeling. 

I feel Scott's more of a lighter writer, whereas I usually go for more hard-hitting, heavier reads - and that was showcased in this book from beginning to end. Not bad at all, but it was a good reintroduction to her style that I was going to be working with for this series. I did check myself a few times when some of her "quotes" were placed within the storyline as they definitely didn't feel like they "fit" for the emotion at hand, or just placed to impact - basically, it caused me to stutter-step a few times. But, again - easy to read and definitely easy to enjoy. I truly enjoyed this love story and am looking forward to Loch's story now.

"The way he looked at me, his gaze penetrating me like he saw something more than what's on the inside."

~BEE

PURCHASE: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

*no giveaway for personal reads*

~MEET SL SCOTT~

New York Times and USA Bestselling Author, S. L. Scott, was always interested in the arts. She grew up painting, writing poetry and short stories, and willing her days away lost in a good book and the movies.

With a degree in Journalism, she continued her love of the written word by reading American authors like Salinger and Fitzgerald. She was intrigued by their flawed characters living in picture perfect worlds, but could still debate that the world those characters lived in were actually the flawed ones. This dynamic of leaving the reader invested in the words, inspired Scott to start writing with emotion while interjecting an underlying passion into her own stories.

Living in the capital of Texas with her family, Scott loves traveling and avocados, beaches, and cooking with her kids. She's obsessed with epic romances and loves a good plot twist. She dreams of seeing one of her own books made into a movie one day as well as returning to Europe. Her favorite color is blue, but she likens it more toward the sky than the emotion. Her home is filled with the welcoming symbol of the pineapple and finds surfing a challenge though she likes to think she's a pro.

~CONNECT WITH SUZIE~

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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for A STOP IN TIME by RC Boldt

A STOP IN TIME

by RC BOLDT

I’ve been an outcast my whole life. If my scars don’t scare people away, my attitude certainly will.

I don’t know what I am or how I got the power to stop time. What I do know is, there are far too many questions I need answers to.

When I cross paths with a local gang member, his presence unravels a part of my past I never knew existed.

At every turn, danger leaps closer, and I realize that stopping the killer will mean losing everything—including the first man I’ve ever loved.

But I should’ve known better. We were never meant to be anything more than a brief stop in time.

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 3.5+ STARS

"Somewhere along the way, this mysterious spitfire of a woman became my weakness."

I seriously LOVE RC Boldt's immersive writing. She always puts me in the middle of the characters' world and brings me along on their journey with a front row seat. And her men? Seriously, they bring out all the knuckle-biting blushes every damn time.

Mac was the strong smartass of a heroine that we can all appreciate and love. Never mind her ability to stop time - because that gives me all the what ifs a girl could want. But it was the way she wielded that power and the way her mind and mouth worked in conjunction with her power. I freaking LOVED her. She truly will be a favorite memory out of RC's books that I will hold onto. She was a total badass and knew how to fight through to get what she needed. Her fight alone was amazing.

However, I went WEAK over Daniel. When she described Daniel's accent and how it made Mac feel....it was literally a blanket for my eyes and my mental ears. It just 'sounded' delicious and I am so glad she threw that in there. It brought it all closer to home and I absolutely loved it. But, girrrrl, his growls and vocal side while he was hot and heavy with Mac?? Makes a Bee giddy!!! I was smiling and blushing at the same time! His MOUTH was as dangerous as his protective side!! Oh, he is the things weak-kneed girls (like myself) drool over! He was so freakin' delicious. Yummy!!

My favorite part? (Besides Daniel's mouth...?) The mystery behind Mac's power in this story was what kept me turning the pages. It was told in the same vein as Beyond My Darkness where we got to look into the crazy mind of someone, so that connected these stories in that way, as well as the crossover characters. I loved seeing Bronson and Georgia, and meeting another someone at the end - and don't think for one minute that I don't want HIS story, because I most definitely do!!! Pretty please, RC!!!

What is my issue and why is it a 3.5 star rating? She's a solid 4 star writer for me. She's an amazing read. She writes a Hero with grit. She gives me all the tummy flutters a girl could want. It's that closure bit that keeps stopping me up. That's seriously the only thing I get stuck on. The last two books have done that for me - both at the end. I am not in love with how this came about, but I didn't hate it. It's a weird predicament for me, and I'm struggling with how to define it. The reason behind the mystery was just...ewww. *insert whiny Bee stomping her feet.* I didn't like HIM and what he did/felt/orchestrated and the pompous way he did it, so that left a sour taste in my mouth. He was gross and nasty and ick. However - the story itself was good and the ending was their perfect ending. I loved Daniel and Mac so so much. So their HEA was everything I needed it to be. I wish I could put my finger on the exact issue I had. Maybe I just didn't like the ick that came with the villain in this story - just maybe. Or maybe it's just a me thing...

I CANNOT stress enough how much I loved this story and these characters. RC Boldt is a great writer and I enjoy her love stories. She ranks up there as an author I will pick every time I have the chance - and her covers are always shelf-worthy. There was just that one spot...

"God, a person can go crazy going down the rabbit holes of life's what-ifs."

~BEE

PURCHASE A STOP IN TIME

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PURCHASE BEYOND MY DARKNESS

First book, complete standalone

My review: https://bit.ly/3aUui5E

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~MEET RC BOLDT~

RC Boldt is a USA Today bestselling author currently living in part of the 

Costa Rican jungle with the love of her life and her mini-me.

~CONNECT WITH RC~

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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: CONFESSIONS: ETHAN by Ella Frank

CONFESSIONS: ETHAN    

by ELLA FRANK

Everything in the world is about sex except sex.
Sex is about power. ~ Oscar Wilde

Desire. Dominance. Sex.
Ethan Holt is in the business of all three.
He believes that any fantasy can be created,
and that any kink should be explored.
Why wouldn’t he, when he has several of his own?

Control. Ethan has to have it.
In his job at The Office. In his relationship with Zayne.
He's very particular on who he lets in his world,
and even more so on who he lets in his bed.
After all, he’s not the only one who sleeps in it.

Everything in their world is in perfect order,
just the way Ethan likes it.
Until a mysterious redhead walks into their club
and turns their world inside out.

What happens when control turns to chaos?
Do you give in to it? Or do you make chaos…submit?

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 4.5+ AND HOLDING...

"But sometimes, even angels fall."

Setting the mood with three truths...and not one single lie:

• I don't do cliffhangers.
• I don't do a lot of Dom/sub reads.
• I will pretty much read anything Ella Frank writes.

And that is the gist of it all.

Lets stress one point - even though this is a continuation of sorts of the Confessions Series, this is completely a standalone series and you do not need to read Robbie, Julien, and Priest's books - but why wouldn't you? That's the question I pose to you...

I first read Ella Frank with her Confessions Series - it was my first, and it happens to be a favorite of mine. I have since read others by her and fallen hopelessly in love with her MMM/MMF/MFM reads and love the way she stirs up the emotions in my heart. She has always given me a deeply devoted love that has me tripping over myself when recommending her books. I am a definite fan! Hands down, hardcore fan.

Having said that...

I am SO addicted to this throuple! Literally, *IN LOVE* with them. I know they are going to leave me with a love hangover like the Three P's did a few years back in the original, yet standalone, CONFESSIONS SERIES. I love the way she spoon feeds me adoration on a gilded spoon with men that just don't fit the "giddy in love" moniker. Zayne and Ethan both display their own characteristics that make them individually and cohesively perfect for Chloé and what she needs...and wants. I love watching their differences roll out on the pages.

The fact that Frank can pull me into a world that I don't really feel comfortable reading - not for a lack of loving the emotions and the trust that goes into it, but I understand and willingly go along with it because she explains it around the characters. That is NOT the characters. It's their world, but she brings me into their thinking and thought processes - and I appreciate that. I won't lie, but I feel like Chloé is going to put them in their place in the way only she can, eventually. And I am here for it. One hundred percent.

Again, this is not my normal kind of read, and I'm certainly not against it, but it's hard to find someone that can write this kind of kink that I won't roll my eyes at. My goodness, it was soooo so soooo inviting! I can't wait for Zayne's book! I  knew this would be a cliffhanger, of which is going to kill me - mark my words, but knowing what I do about Ella's writing, it's going to be worth it. That cliffhanger, though, is always placed just right that has me in a good holding spot as to not have to worry about too much. She does cliffhangers right. I can go along with hers.

The love is addicting. The sex is hot. The storyline is intriguing. This had everything I needed in this kind of story to keep me turning the pages. And I did so...willingly and greedily.

• I am nervous for the direction this series is already headed - especially after that cliffhanger. I think I knew more than anything that this was how it was going to happen, so I loved reading it as it came to fruition.
• I am excited for the possibilities with the next book being Zayne's and how we will get more of his story and background. I want to explore more of him on a few different levels.
• I am slowly withering away waiting for the next one. I'm most definitely on a cliffy hangover. I am not sure how I will survive... 

I always feel so lucky when an author sends me an early copy of their book to review and this one, it was the book I needed to read when I got it. My excitement was not containable, and it definitely proved why. I cannot wait to read the next book. ZAYNE is available for PREORDER already - FYI. Merde....someone help me with my patience. It is not my strong suit. 

~BEE...and waiting.

PURCHASE CONFESSIONS: ETHAN

PREORDER CONFESSIONS: ZAYNE

Both available in KU

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If you are interested, here are the purchase links and my review links for the first four books in the series that Chloé is related to...

PURCHASE ROBBIE

My review: http://bit.ly/2p5Oi9E

PURCHASE JULIEN

My review: http://bit.ly/2HtJcuT

PURCHASE PRIEST

My review: http://bit.ly/2wbv5HN

PURCHASE THE PRINCESS, THE PRICK AND THE PRIEST

My review: http://bit.ly/2zi6Byd

FULL SERIES ON GOODREADS

~MEET ELLA FRANK~

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite contemporary romance, Sex Addict. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Phillips.

~CONNECT WITH ELLA~

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ARC REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for Before Us by Jewel E Ann

BEFORE US

by JEWEL E ANN

I never saw him coming.

I didn’t know what would happen after my client found me sleeping in my car.

I’d been cleaning his house as his wife was dying.

I didn’t expect them to invite me to live with them.

I didn’t expect Suzie to become my lifeline—until she was gone.

I didn’t expect him to ask me to marry him when he found out I needed medical insurance.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with a grieving man.

There are so many reasons to keep my distance from Zach. Every tender moment secreted away.

When we’re not together, I miss the man I call husband.

Does he miss his wife? If so, which one?

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"The EMOTIONS this book evoked are the exact kinds of emotions I want in every book. The heaviness, the angst, the anger and the love - it all lends power to Zach and Emersyn’s love story.” ~ The Book Bee

REVIEW: YEP, READ IT. NOW.

"Regret has a way of coming to the surface no matter how hard we try to drown in it."

FIRST: A message to Jewel E Ann — please don’t ever stop. Your angst is my favorite. Your comedy is my favorite. Your lighthearted silliness mixed with profound sadness is my favorite. You add angst, silliness, drama, and real life into all your books and I always jump at the chance to read something new from you. Your storytelling is my favorite...just, thank you.

NOW: I'll just pour my heart out here because this book affected me on many different levels, but the emotional one hit home more than I can probably explain. To be fair, I always sing her praises in every review because she is forever giving me circumstances to think through, emotions to wade through, comedy to laugh through....and true awkwardness in droves - so that won't change with this review. However, this one certainly hit a little close to home. 

JEA's degree of reality mixed within the pages of her stories baffles me. It truly boggles my mind. She always provides an amazing love story full of growth, true love, witty comebacks, and....well, truth. But she always infuses them with a heaping dose of reality - regardless if I want to accept it or not. This one was no different. The emotions I felt from this story were compounded by real life that this book mirrored for me - and it physically jolted my heart. I cried. I laughed through tears. I fell in love. I just…wow. Watching Zach work through his wife's death and all he did for her was very reminiscent to what I went through with my gramma and I didn't think those wounds were still so raw. Apparently they are. To say I cried is an understatement. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. 

But the story doesn't stop there...

The emotional upheaval the characters go through with all the variables of their situation just made it that much more gasp-inducing. More heartbreaking. The pain of goodbyes. The pleasure and heartache of reality smacking them in the face. The unbearable truth of….well, truth. The individual and collective journey of both Zach and Emersyn caused me to think about what-ifs of a very personal nature. How do you let go of something so symbolic…and be ok with it because you can’t change it? I mean, I read this with my heart in my lap - there was no coddling at that point.

"How do you redefine yourself when what felt like the most important part of you no longer exists?"

So many different avenues to explore with lingering questions about how you can possibly move on from losing a loved one, to losing a best friend - and them being one in the same. The exploration of those emotions, of those personal morals being questioned, was such a high and low throughout this entire book. So. Emotional. So. Amazing.

What’s right?
What’s wrong?
Who determines it?

So many questions and I love that she explored that avenue thoroughly with this emotional love quest. I had the heaviest of hearts. My heart is so heavy, but the pain went deeper than I ever imagined it would with this story. This is definitely not for the surface reader or the emotional lightweight because it will challenge you, but you have to read it.

I love that she makes me question the status quo. The norm. The emotional side to what some would simply call yes or no only questions/answers, but I'll tell you this. Her journey -  it’s never, ever easy…everrrrrr. It’s always that journey she gifts me with that sucks me in. Full story, no missing elements - nothing, and a rollercoaster of emotions to match. The many different nuances she hints to, the way she breaks down scenarios, she is a very gifted storyteller and a favorite of mine. Hands down. I happily, honestly, and emphatically recommend her all the time. 

Take it from me, you want to feel this book. I mean, you want to feel it. Darnit, I mean, READ IT. Yeah, feel it.

"Denial blurs good judgment almost as much as whisky."

~BEE

PURCHASE: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

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~MEET 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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CHECK OUT JEWEL'S BOOKS

ARC REVIEW

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Any links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase anything by clicking on them. You will not be charged anything extra. I use these links as a way to fund my book giveaways.