Book Review and Giveaway for The Birthday List by Devney Perry

THE BIRTHDAY LIST
by DEVNEY PERRY

Happily married to her college sweetheart, Poppy lived a blessed life with the husband of her dreams. Then everything changed. She is no longer a wife. She is no longer the envy of her single friends. Now, people look at her with pity as they whisper a single word behind her back.

Widow.

Years after her husband’s tragic death, years of pain and sorrow and wishing for the life she’ll never get back, Poppy decides to finish Jamie’s birthday list. She’ll do the things he wanted to most. Because maybe, just maybe, if she can complete his list, she can start to live again.

Poppy expects going through the birthday list will be hard. She expects it to hurt. But what she doesn’t expect is Cole. Could the man who delivered the news of her husband’s death and shattered her heart be the one to help her put it back together again?

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REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"When would I find the strength to put the pain in the past and stop letting it tarnish the present?"

Oh gosh, after reading this one, I am a new fan of Devney Perry's, I can assure you of that. This was not my normal read. I usually like a stomach-clenching, gut-twisting read....and this one was NOT that at all. But the way this was written; the way Devney set up the story, gave us the characters, gave us their pain and their happiness, she allowed us to grow with the story and become emotionally involved with each and every one of her characters.

I love stories that perfectly describe fate with fascination and wonder. Fate, when written with heart and believability, is one of my favorite things to read. I loved that this all felt so real, not forced, and the story ebbed and flowed perfectly for me to get caught up and lost in the story. Not only did the characters naturally fall in step with each other, but they came together by happenstance and I loved watching it play out. I've always said things happen for a reason, even when we don't know why things happen, eventually the reason will present itself. This was a wonderful story about the perfection of fate.

"What is one of your weaknesses?"
"You."

Cole was the perfect gentleman and sooo very easy to fall in love with. He was considerate of Poppy and her fears, but helped her step out of her comfort zone with confidence. I think that was my most favorite part about him. He never made her (or let her) feel bad for anything he was doing for her. I just loved their dynamic and how well they complemented each other. The nice thing was, his actions spoke of a man in love, a man that had her best interests in mind and made sure she knew he was there for her, while making her understand he wanted to be a part of everything going on in her world. I loved how symbolic the list was, but also how natural the progression was in their relationship with it originally centering around the list. It was so much fun being able to watch her grow slowly and courageously into something 'more'. She. She grew. She spread her wings. She came out of her shell. She released her guilt. He was always there to encourage, comfort, and catch her. I loved him for it. He just made me smile at how careful and sympathetic he was to her. So swoony.

It seems lately that the normal route of a book always includes some sort of drama, crazy or not, doesn't it? Well, I enjoyed more than anything that this one lacked that kind of eye-roll worthy drama. And I loved it. I could appreciate that the only real drama of the book consisted of emotions. Guilt, happiness, sadness....growth. All of it was really a joy to watch unfold. I loved watching the exchange of....power, for the lack of a better word. From pain to happiness. From sad eyes to happy smiles. Just watching it develop, it allowed the momentum of the story to continue on a steady course. It was just....an easy and very enjoyable read.

I will be honest and say that I thought this one was going to be more emotional than it really was. That's not to say that it wasn't emotional. Devney really told a solid story that kept me engaged the entire time I was reading it, but it also allowed me to dream right along with them as their hearts collided and their lives became one. It was all so enjoyable. I wish I could better describe how wonderful this one was. It was a sigh-inducing read that had me smiling the entire time I was reading it. What a welcome change!! I am so glad I finally read her work. I am already anxiously awaiting Tattered! New to me author; can't wait for more!

"Sometimes it takes more strength to let go than it does to keep it all inside."
~BEE

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~MEET DEVNEY PERRY~

Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories.

Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.

www.devneyperry.com

~CONNECT WITH DEVNEY~

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EXCERPT Reveal for Rebel Heir by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

EXCERPT 

“All done.” I found Gia in the yard sunbathing. Of course, she had to be lying on her stomach so I could get a closer look at her ass. It was fucking phenomenal. Like a chubby, upside-down heart from where I stood. I’d spent the last hour pretend fixing her car and picturing her riding me reverse cowgirl, those ass cheeks jiggling like fucking Jell-O while she rode me hard. I had to force my eyes to her face and clear my throat to continue. “Here are your keys. Your rotors were shot, too. In the future, don’t ride on bad brakes. It just turns a little problem into a big one.”

She shielded her eyes from the sun and twisted her neck to look up at me, still not flipping over to her stomach. “Oh. Okay. Thanks. Can I make you some lunch? It’s the least I can do to repay you for hours of working on my car.”

Is that ass on the menu?

“No. I have to get going.”

She lifted from flat on her stomach to on her knees in a yoga-like pose, taking her sweet ass time before turning over.

“Are you sure?” She bit her bottom lip. “You’ve had to have worked up an appetite.”

Is she fucking with me? I had an appetite alright. “I gotta run.”

I sounded like a broken record, yet here I still stood. My head wanted to get the fuck out of that yard, but my traitorous feet wouldn’t move. Not even when she stood up, turned around and practically rubbed her ass against me as she held up suntan lotion. “Could you rub some sunscreen on my back before you go? I don’t want to burn.”

No. “Sure.”

“Thanks.”

I took the sunscreen and squeezed a glob of creamy white lotion into the palm of my hand. Swallowing hard, I began to rub it into her back. Her shoulders were warm and soft with the tiniest little layer of fuzz on it. It reminded me of a peach. My mouth salivated at the thought of biting into her.

“Could you do a little lower?”

My breathing became labored and my cock swelled as I lowered my hands and rubbed into the middle of her back. I was breaching into dangerous territory.

“Lower” she said. I knew from her breathy voice that I wasn’t the only one aroused.

I lowered to just above her bathing suit bottom and rubbed lotion all over.

When I finished, she turned her head so I could see the side of her face and closed her eyes to whisper, “lower.”

Fuck me.

I couldn’t stop myself. I reached for the creamy sunscreen and squeezed enough into my hand to cover a large person’s full body and then began to rub it into her ass cheeks.

She had the most unique heart-shaped mole on her left side that was perfectly symmetrical.

I ran my fingertips over it. When I trailed a pool of lotion to the top of her ass crack, and slowly rubbed it in tracing the material of her bathing suit in between her cheeks, she let out a low moan.

More. Make more sounds like that.

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REBEL HEIR RELEASES ON APRIL 9TH!!

REBEL HEIR

by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons:
Snag a gorgeous rental on the beach. Check.

Get a job at a trendy summer haunt. Check.

How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons:

Fall for the one guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the tony looking crowd. A guy you can’t have when you’ll be leaving at the end of the season.

Check. Check. Check.

I should add—especially when the guy is your sexy, tattooed God of a boss.

Especially when he not only owns your place of employment but inherited half of the town.

Especially when he’s mean to you.

Or so I thought.

Until one night when he demanded I get in his car so he could drive me home because he didn’t want me walking in the dark.

That was sort of how it all started with Rush.

And then little by little, some of the walls of this hardass man started to come down.

I never expected that the two of us, seemingly opposites from the outside, would grow so close.

I wasn't supposed to fall for the rebel heir, especially when he made it clear he didn’t want to cross the line with me.

As the temperature turned cooler, the nights became hotter. My summer became a lot more interesting—and complicated.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

Rebel Heir is the first book in the Rush Series Duet. Book Two, Rebel Heart, will release six weeks later on May, 22, 2018. You can preorder Rebel Heart HERE. 

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~MEET VI KEELAND~

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

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~MEET PENELOPE WARD~

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island. 

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Book Review and Giveaway for Ditched by RC Boldt

DITCHED
by RC BOLDT

He's playing for the heart she's had sidelined for years.

IVY HAYES
Dating can be a rocky journey. Once the new shine wears off, you may end up with a case of buyer’s remorse.

That’s where I come in. I set the backdrop and coach you through the breakup.

Don't want overblown drama, hard feelings, or a drink tossed in your face? Then I'm your fairy godmother, child.

BECKET JONES
As an NFL quarterback, endorsement ads and the media pandering after me are all part of the game.

Ivy Hayes is the first woman who doesn't care about my money and the notoriety that goes along with it.

But I'm a long-term guy, and she operates strictly in the now. Which means I need to bring my A-game.

Otherwise, I’ll end up getting ditched

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REVIEW: 4 STARS

"Lord Almighty, that man's voice could met panties worldwide."

This book right here is a very good representation of RC Boldt's humor and wit playing into a very swoony read. She seamlessly infuses humor and sexiness throughout her stories with ease, and it was very apparent with this one. I fell hard for Becket and his witty banter and personality, and Ivy's aspirations and drive were commendable, to say the least. She was a strong woman, but quite secretive too.

To recap, we met Becket in He Loves Me. . .Knot, but this is a 100% standalone, and you aren't missing anything and she doesn't give anything away by bringing up the characters we have loved in a few of her other books, which I can and will easily recommend. We got to giggle with Blue and Knox, as well as Presley and Hendy. I loved visiting with them.

Becket is the true epitome of the perfect man with his unassuming smile and sexy body. He's most definitely armed with a head-turning personality as well, but he was humble to boot! I loved him so much. The vibe I got from him, it made me smile. Not ONE thing about him wasn't delicious. The heat between Becket and Ivy was so easy and didn't feel forced in the slightest bit, and I admired his tenacity. He fought for Ivy's affections, but he was so smooth when he did that. He gave me the giggle-smiles. I got the chills. I got the butterflies. RC's so damn good at that feeling. I just love to read it. 

Now, having loved the H/h so much, I must say that the biggest turnoff for me wasn't the crazy drama this time. It was HER reason for trying to stay out of the spotlight. It felt like it was out of left field. I wasn't feeling it, which is w-e-i-r-d for me when it comes to RC! Now, I am not a celebrity and have no knowledge of what actually goes on in that field, but that's probably why that drama didn't overtly shock me. But Ivy had a serious aversion to the spotlight, and finding out the why was a letdown for me that felt a little contrived. But honestly, the end sure did make me smile and somewhat made up for it. I was cheesy-grinning from it. 

RC Boldt is fast becoming one of my go-to authors for lighthearted, witty, and sexy reads that have a swoony Hero and a strong heroine. Her witty banter is one of my favorites to read. I have read most of her books and have enjoyed them all, so this clearly is a strong point for me. I love that she can tell a serious story, infuse some giggle-worthy moments, add a dash of sexy time and she gives me a smile-inducing read every time. And her themes? I love that she can thread that into her story and makes it a point that I can connect with each time it comes up! This is definitely a book worth picking up!!

"You undo me."

~BEE

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~MEET RC BOLDT~

RC Boldt is the wife of Mr. Boldt, a retired Navy Chief, mother of Little Miss Boldt, and former teacher of many students. She currently lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.

~CONNECT WITH RC~

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Book Review and Giveaway for The Legacy of Falcon Ridge by DL Roan

THE LEGACY OF FALCON RIDGE

by DL ROAN

The Wedding Countdown Begins…..

As Dani and Clay plan their happily ever after, the McLendon family prepares to say goodbye to one of their own, and pass their legacy of unconditional love to the next generation. Grab a box of tissues and some chocolate, and take one final journey to Falcon Ridge in this heartwarming and passionate conclusion of the McLendon Family Saga.

Author Note: D.L. will miss the McLendons as much as her readers. While she has other stories to tell for now, she may visit Falcon Ridge in the future, and share her journeys in additional volumes.

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REVIEW: 5 HEARTFELT STARS

"In the darkness, there was only them, and a legacy of a love that bound them together forever."

Maybe I'm biased. 

Maybe I'm nostalgic. 

Maybe I'm just sad to see this family go, but this book was super emotional for me. So much so, that I will admit that I full on cried while reading it. I don't cry....but I seem to be saying that a lot with this series. It was silent at first, tears escaping that I could easily hide. But the deeper into the story I got, the more my shoulders were shaking, my voice was catching, and my breathing was harder. The tears just wouldn't stop. I will stress that while I cried because it was sad, it was a very beautiful and loving book with a heartwarming story. I loved catching up with my favorite characters while saying goodbye to others.  

I have loved this series for years, and going in to this book, I was already super emotional knowing there was going to be some things I didn't want to face. I knew what was coming, but nothing could prepare me for the inevitable pain I was for sure going to feel. I knew that this was the final planned book of the series, but I don't think I was honestly mentally or emotionally prepared for it. Just saying goodbye to some of my favorite characters is hard after a trilogy, but with seven books in this series, allowing me to grow and fall in love with each character and their love story, falling in love with this entire family was inescapable. I feel like a piece of me was just ripped from my heart and taken away. I loved this family. I'm going to miss them so much. 

I honestly don't think this book series gets enough love. It was very definitely a different storyline for me, but with DL Roan's descriptive storytelling, the "story" took on a blissful nature for me. It wasn't a typical story that followed social norms. . .or what I normally read. It was 3 brothers that needed a new love after heartbreak, and they found their wife. It was a couple of twins that liked to climb trees and fall out of them, but also loved to sing....while finding love with their wife. It was two men falling in love, despite the lack of a social acceptance of a norm they only knew. It was a young man struggling with his sexual identity, but a family welcoming him and loving him no matter what. It was dads not being able to let go of their baby girl as she fell in love and got married. It was like I was watching my family grow and I got to watch their lives unfold and play out. It felt like I was a valued member of the family, sitting at the dinner table with them, making decisions. I am either a lunatic, or I am legit sad -- I'll go with sad. To have created an atmosphere as warm and as inviting as this one, that was no easy feat, I'm sure. Roan showed her ability to write a unique love story for EACH character she shared within these pages. Witty and funny, sad and emotional, a beautiful love was apparent in every single aspect of this family.

If you listen to me, and trust me, please check out this SERIES. You know as well as I do that I don't push a series unless I have loved it and can stand behind it 100%. The love that she delivers within the pages of this series is invincible...never have I read a series quite like this one, and I have loved how different it has been. It opened my eyes to the possibility of different being amazing. 

And just remember, Matt, Mason, and Grey are mine. They have been. They always will be. Don't even try to convince me otherwise. 

"Love is what makes a family."

~BEE

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~MEET DL ROAN~

Contemporary Erotic Romance Author of super sexy, Alpha-licious novels.

D.L. Roan loves combining fantasy with the real world, giving her readers more than just a book or romance, but a true adventure in love. Her characters are always real to her and she genuinely enjoys bringing them to life for her readers.

She's a native Floridian, a rare breed in a land of snow birds. Scuba diving and hunting for shark's teeth on the beach are two of her favorite things. Oh! And building sand castles instead of snowmen in December and sending pictures of them to all her snowbound friends. She loves rainy days, thunderstorms and is an avid dog lover. Yes, size matters. She hopes to one day add a big ol' floppy Great Dane to her family of hounds.

For exclusive details and free stories by D.L., visit her website www.dlroan.com and subscribe to her newsletter. She loves chatting with her friends and fans on Facebook. Check out the links in the back of her books for details about her secret fan group where she hangs out with her fans who get first dibs on all her sexy stories!

~CONNECT WITH DL~

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Book Review and Giveaway for What He Always Knew by Kandi Steiner

WHAT HE ALWAYS KNEW

by KANDI STEINER

Left or right.

It’s that simple, and it isn’t simple at all.

If I turn left, the road will lead me back to the man I promised my life to, the one I’d imagined building a family with, the one who’s done everything in his power to get me back.

If I turn right, the road will take me to the man I loved first, the man who brought me back to life, the man who would do anything to keep me.

I knew the fork in the road was inevitable; it was the decision I never wanted to make between choices I didn't know I had.

And I love them both.

My heart is destined to exist in two equal halves — one with each man. But one half beats stronger, the vein running deepest, and holds my choice in silence long before I know it for myself.

The realization of what I have to do, of the heart I have to break, just might break mine too.

Left or right.

All I have to do is take a breath and turn.

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REVIEW: 5 HEARTBREAKING STARS
"In another lifetime, it could have been us."

I feel like I needed someone to hold my heart more than my hand with this one. I feel like I need to cry and release all these emotions, but I just don't know how. This book solidified my reasons as to why I love angst. It's these kinds of torturous books that I love. This was quite easily.....blissful torture. Blissful, but torture nonetheless. And I loved every minute of it. I absolutely loved it.

I thought I knew who I wanted to have Charlie's heart after starting book one. I was for certain. I had a team picked out, I was makin' t-shirts!! I was completely steadfast in my opinion. And then Kandi threw a wrench in that thought process at the end of the first book, and I started to waver. Well, this book didn't change that wavering. There was so much going on, between Charlie, Cameron, and Reese, that it made me fall for two men, for very different reasons. Which is exactly the same thing that happened to Charlie, and I felt for her.

"I care about you because there is no other choice for me, and I love you the same."

Can YOU imagine all of the sudden only getting 2 months to make your point. To change the course of the previous years and the missed opportunities that were afforded you? I cannot imagine trying to salvage years worth of missing out, screwing up, and not being there. This made for a very time conscious read, one that had my stomach in knots, me biting my nails, and me sending very inappropriate messages to a certain someone.

I feel like Kandi did a great job making sure we didn't feel like this was being played out as if it were a reality TV show. The reasons were real. The desires were real. The love, the pull, the heartache....it was all real. Was I angry at some of Cameron's actions? Hell yes I was. I was mad. Why did he do what he did. Why did he think that was ok and then WAIT?? But the truths fell hard on me with the understanding that Reese did the same damn thing. Why did he do that? Why did he think he had the right to do that? Does Charlie hold any of the blame? Most definitely, but I will never ever be the one to judge affairs of the heart and mind. I will never be the one to say someone's feelings aren't valid and what happened was right or wrong. Because, ultimately, in the end....they all learned something. They each gave to the other what was missing at that time; what was necessary for their hearts to continue beating.

I feel like the voyeur that watched as one couple broke, but remembered why they loved each other; what brought them to each other. All the while, I peeked in on another couple remembering their past and how it shaped their future...and then rooting for love to take hold and persevere.

But that's precisely why I love this trope. This trope lends itself to heartache, but also to reparation. It allows us to see there are always more than two sides to this kind of story. It's not always black and white, plain as day for the eye to see. And that is why I will always read them....the cold hard truth isn't always accessible within the heart's grasp. I love the soul-searching. I love the pain of the truth. I love when love conquers all....no matter what side it's on.

"You are the most sensational woman I have ever known. And your worth is not defined by him."

My heart broke reading the heartache in Kandi's words. My eyes may have perspired a tad bit; my heart was laid out, completely trashed after reading this one. I hurt. I ached. I paced. But the pain was real. I want to curl up on my couch, close my eyes, and cry....because as much as I rooted for one, I hurt for the other.

Trust me when I say you need this duet in your life.

"My heart was broken, but it was still beating. I could work with that."
~BEE

ENTER HERE FOR A GIVEAWAY FOR BOTH OF THE BOOKS IN THE DUET.

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MY REVIEW FOR BOOK ONE IS HERE

~MEET KANDI STEINER~

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. 

Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).

When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order. 

Join her group Kandiland HERE.

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