Excerpt Reveal for The Learning Hours by Sara Ney

EXCERPT

He’s seated at a table in the far corner when I spot him from the door. He’s not hard to miss—not with his purple t-shirt in a sea of black and yellow, and wavy mussed hair.

He’s slouching, hunched over his table.

Defeated. Tired.

My stomach rolls with nerves, nerves that have me rooted to the spot in the doorway, watching him.

Just watching.

For the entire four minutes I stand here, he sits immobile, studying his laptop, eyes moving along the screen, completely transfixed by whatever he’s reading.

Learning.

“Just go over there,” I whisper to myself, blowing out a puff of pent-up air.

I put one foot in front of the other and begin toward him, spine ramrod straight, steeling myself, prepared for another argument.

Twenty feet.

Fifteen.

Eight.

Two.

“Hi.”

No reply.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” I lay my hand on the back of the wooden chair across from him, intending to pull it out.

He stiffens but doesn’t lift his head. “Yes I mind.”

“Would you mind if I sat at the table next to you?” I’m pushing his buttons, looking for a reaction, but he only spares me a brief glance.

Shrugs. “Free country.”

I bite my lip to hide a smile, glad he didn’t tell me to take a hike...

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THE LEARNING HOURS

by SARA NEY

MY FRIENDS WANT ME TO GET LAID.
So much so that they plastered my ugly mug all over campus, in bold printed letters:

Are you the lucky lady who’s going to break our roommate’s cherry?

Him: socially awkward man with average-sized penis looking for willing sexual partner. You: must have pulse. Text him at: 555-254-5551

The morons can’t even spell. And the texts I’ve been receiving are what wet dreams are made
of. But I’m not like these douchebags, no matter how hard they try to turn me into one.

THIS ISN’T THE KIND OF ATTENTION I WANT.
One text stands out from hundreds. One number I can’t bring myself to block. She seems
different. Hotter, even in black and white.

However, after seeing her in person, I know she’s not the girl for me. But my friends won’t let up—they just don't get it. Douchebags or not, there's one thing they'll never understand: GIRLS
DON’T WANT ME.

Especially her.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2vIFRGH

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/LearningZonUK

iBooks: http://bit.ly/LearningiBooks

B&N: http://bit.ly/LearningBN

KOBO: http://bit.ly/LearningKobo

THIS IS THE THIRD STANDALONE IN THE SERIES

HOW TO DATE A DOUCHEBAG: THE STUDYING HOURS

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2fuQoyC

HOW TO DATE A DOUCHEBAG: THE FAILING HOURS

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2vIzqTW

~MEET SARA NEY~

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is

best known for her sexy, laugh-out- loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she

includes: iced latte's, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully,

collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

She lives with her husband, children, and her ridiculously large dog.

~CONNECT WITH SARA~

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Hanging in the Stars by Sienna Blake

HANGING IN THE STARS

by SIENNA BLAKE

The finale to the Dark Romeo trilogy…

Roman and Julianna are rocketing towards a fiery end. But it’s not over until it’s over. Betrayals will be revealed. The twisted truth will come to light. Nothing is what it seems.

Can Roman and Julianna find a way to be together or will Shakespeare’s curse befall our star-crossed lovers?

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this is a retelling for mature audiences. Don’t enter the Underworld if you’re scared of the dark. 

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REVIEW: 4 STARS

"The truth was, I had fallen in love with Roman Tyrell and I didn't know how to crawl out of love."

Phew!! What a ride!! I *really* enjoyed this Romeo and Juliet adaptation!! If you missed out on my reviews for the first two books, here they are: Love Sprung From Hate and The Scent of Roses. 

IT WAS FUN TO SUSPEND BELIEF while I was reading this entire trilogy.....it was such a great adventure for me being my first mafia series, and while I am not sure how often I will read a mafia book, this one was a great one to tempt my reading palate. It kept my attention the entire time I was reading it. I read each book in ONE sitting, after starting them, and to me, that says a lot. I usually take a few days to read a book, but I loved being immersed in this world of tormented love and dirty dealings. 

The final book in this series was a great ending for me. While this one was definitely more action based and less sex was involved (I mean, romance book....hello!!? I had to point it out.), it rounded out the story very well. I feel like I got a full story and don't have any questions. Well, I mean ONE question remains, and I don't think it will truly ever be answered, but their story was complete. Such a good love between Jules and Roman, it withstood every test thrown at them.

I will admit that it took me a minute to hear Sienna's voice and to assimilate myself after the first book since it was super long winded, but this book felt like it got to the point quicker and the pace was perfect for me. I really enjoyed this entire series and can and will recommend it. I will say that I loved the fact that it followed Romeo and Juliet as much as it did, and I was left turning pages quickly to get through the story to see where Sienna took us. I really enjoyed this series. I am glad I jumped in and gave it a chance. New genre and a new to me author. Win/Win!!

"The most terrifying thing any of us can do is to fall in love. Why do you think they call it 'falling' in love? The greater the love, the harder we will fight against it."

~BEE

PURCHASE THE SERIES:

LOVE SPRUNG FROM HATE: http://amzn.to/2vQFn1A

THE SCENT OF ROSES: http://amzn.to/2vGDsw9

HANGING IN THE STARS: http://amzn.to/2vRcKRT

ENTER HERE TO WIN THE ENTIRE SERIES (ECOPY)

~MEET SIENNA BLAKE~

Sienna Blake is a pen name for a USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves all things that make her heart race — rollercoasters, thrillers and rowdy unrestrained sex. She likes to explore the darker side of human nature in her writing.

If she told you who she really was, she’d have to kill you. Because of her passion for crime and forensics, she’d totally get away with your murder.

~CONNECT WITH SIENNA~

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ARC REVIEW

Book Review for A Life Less Beautiful by Elle Brooks

A LIFE LESS BEAUTIFUL

by ELLE BROOKS

Ellis Hughes has loved the girl next door since he was ten-years-old. She was his sun, moon, and every visible star in a clear night sky. She was also his biggest regret.

When a terrible accident rips Ellis and Harlow apart, it shatters both their hearts beyond repair. More than a decade later, Ellis has paid his penance, but his regret still lingers, and the love he once harbored for his childhood sweetheart has never faded.

What Ellis believes has been destroyed forever, slowly comes back to life, only for a cruel twist of fate to intervene. Knowing he cannot live his life without Harlow in it, he faces the ultimate test of selflessness.

He must sacrifice his own heart to mend hers.

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REVIEW: 2 STARS
"She was effortless, it took no exertion or strength to love her, and when I was with her she made everything brighter." (sic)

This is going to be a case of my thoughts don't mesh with others' thoughts. I know that I am in the minority here, and I completely understand that, but I am feeling slightly underwhelmed by this book. It may be something as simple as connection, or as big as story issues, but either way, it just felt drab to me. I felt like I was reading with a cloud over my head the entire time because we already knew something was going on. It was hinted at quite a bit, and the past to present lent us the notion that it wasn't going to be a good outcome.

To start, I honestly felt next to nothing in regards to an emotional connection to this storyline. I was told this was a super emotional, might-need-tissues kinda read. Nope. As for characters, I liked HIM more than HER. I was able to connect with Ellis and I felt his emotions more, but Harlow felt a little off putting and cold. I don't know why. All the words were there to tell me differently, but I just didn't feel this one emotionally. I do know that I was being told what to feel, and I read those words....but the actual buildup to the secret felt like it was slow. I was honestly frustrated overall with the secrecy and jumping between past and present the most. I feel like once we got to a certain point, the back and forth needed to stop because it wasn't relevant to the pacing of the story anymore.

In the beginning, I was settling in for a fun friends to lovers book. I loved where we started out age-wise and how we got to see them grow together -- the falling in love, the growing up, the natural progression of their relationship. I enjoyed that part immensely, but by the time I got to 70%, it felt monotonous. It felt like a low intensity discussion about everything going on. It was the most uneventful book I've ever read, and the subject matter should have been anything but. There were glossed over situations and they didn't even add any moments to ponder. There was nothing up and down about this, no give and take for me, no emotional turmoil to pull me in. I wanted to see it through because I needed to know what happened, but this wasn't an amazing read for me, by any means. I felt very frustrated with the lack of depth I felt while reading this book. Was it well written? To a degree, I felt that we had a full story, but I didn't have enough of it to grab me and hold me hostage. But I'm not a skimmer or a back page reader, so I had to see it through. For the record, the ending did NOT bother me in the slightest either.

To note: I cringed at the use of some sayings that are not local to this country, so you definitely knew the author was from across the pond, yet the story was based in the States. Does that normally bother me? Not normally, but I think it just added to the problems I was encountering while reading this book. I purchased this book, so I feel the need to mention that another round of editing could have been made to clear up some slight grammar/punctuation issues.....and sadly, the spelling of names changed during the book as well. It was my first book by this author, but I will give her a go again, because I did feel like she could tell a story and maybe this one just didn't work for me.

However, bonus points: I'm well versed in all things heart related. Maybe a little too much.

What did I love? I absolutely LOVED all the quotes between chapters. Those were beautiful and I felt like they were a good indication of what was going on in the book, emotional or not. I looked forward to those. 

"The only thought I can make sense of is that I know I don't want to exist in a world where Harlow doesn't."

~BEE

~MEET ELLE BROOKS~

I'm a little neurotic; I function on a tiny amount of sleep, and a huge amount of caffeine. I love old movies, green skittles, and have a slightly strange, and irrational fear of stormy weather.

When I'm not locked away scribbling down the crazy stories that occupy my mind, I can be found at home in East Yorkshire with my husband and two children.

I'm unashamedly fickle and can be persuaded to do just about anything with the promise of a good book, new shoes, or a bottle of bubbles.

Oh, and did I mention I also love to write?

Website: https://www.ellebrooksauthor.com

~CONNECT WITH ELLE~

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PERSONALLY PURCHASED BOOK

Book Review and Giveaway for Blue Balls by RC Boldt

BLUE BALLS
by RC BOLDT

BLUE BALLS: When the universe gets in the way of your "follow through"

Truth: A painful condition caused by a prolonged state of sexual arousal without release.
Myth: Only affects males.

SARAH

I’m beyond frustrated with the man who’s left me high and very far from dry. Multiple times. But, somehow, even though I’m not interested in a relationship, Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome keeps me coming back for more—one crazy, sexual debacle after the next.

Come hell or high water, the stars will align, and the release will be out of this world.

JACK
I’m captivated with the woman who’s left me sixty-nine shades of blue, and she's only in this for one thing. The first time, I blew it—and not in the good way—but I’m going to ensure we finally see it through. I need to put an end to this “plague” of sexual calamities and prove to Sarah that we can have more.

It's time to grab the universe by the balls and show it who's boss.

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REVIEW: 5 HILARIOUS STARS
"Sweet baby Moses in the river. I'm in fear of having perpetually hard nipples and soaked panties around this man. Do they have support groups for this kind of thing?"

It's a great day when you can say any book was IT and this one was it!! I needed this book SO bad! This book has to be the best romantic comedy I have read all year. I thought Clam Jam was funny, and you can read my review HERE, but I have to admit that Blue Balls was the most absolute perfect follow up for secondary characters EVERRRR. Ever. EVER. Now, you don't have to read Clam Jam before reading this one, but I would highly recommend that you do for a number of reasons. Mainly because Clam Jam was funny and it gives us the beginning for Jack and Sarah's relationship....the basis for their characters.

RC Boldt is a special brand of funny. She just has this knack for putting you at ease in a situation that could be completely embarrassing, but is most definitely comical. The dynamic and relationship between Sarah and Jack was effortless. The story never dragged between the two of them and I never felt like I was waiting for it to continue on. When we were in Sarah's POV, it was as if she was talking directly to us and I loved the way she just laid it all out there. I'm totally giggling thinking about it!! This book read like one long girls night out conversation that you can't help but find yourself laughing at. So freaking funny.

But to Sarah's sarcasm and wit comes Jack's sincerity and charm. Oh, he's witty too, don't get me wrong. But what struck me most was his disarming character along with his honesty and integrity. He was ALL man, and he makes you just sigh because he was most definitely a gentleman under all that sex appeal. Oh! And he's a professional button pusher with a sexy smile. Yep. He knew all the buttons to push, whether to make her laugh, smile, swoon, or melt. He pushed them all. Holy cow. I loved him SO much!! This was a hilarious account of perpetual blue balls. I laughed my way through this entire book, but more importantly....I swooned hard. Jack is what every gentleman should strive to be like. Naughty and nice. Polite and pervy. Sexy and sweet. Just perfect!

I know I keep grinding on about how funny this one was, but there was some honest depth to this one as well. I really love the way RC tells a story and she is fast becoming a must read author for me. I haven't read anything by her I didn't like and I have enjoyed her infusion of sincerity and comedy in all of her books. Did I make myself clear? This one was so damn funny. I can't even explain it....just so freaking funny! But man, it was so sexy and HOT too. Perfectly balanced book for me. I highly recommend this one.

REALITY: I was giggling so bad that I ended up waking up my husband in the middle of the night. I seriously couldn't stop. Like, shake-the-bed-while-you're-trying-to-be-respectful-of-the-time giggling. Bahaha! This book was worth it and I couldn't put it down! THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK and is now on my Favorites List for 2017. The title for this one was the literal definition for the WHOLE STORY....it was aptly named. This book is why I love reading. The unexpected perfection in a story like this one? RC is a great writer; witty and spontaneous, with off the cuff comedy.

"You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams."
~BEE

PURCHASE:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2wrlsTT

B&N: http://bit.ly/2tqeoYc

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2uTHWvu

iBooks: http://apple.co/2tyVfSj

ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY.

~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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ARC REVIEW

Book Review and Giveaway for Thieves 2 Lovers by K Webster and JD Hollyfield

THIEVES 2 LOVERS
by K WEBSTER/JD HOLLYFIELD

Best friends aren’t supposed to kiss.
But these best friends did.

He can’t get the taste of her lips off his mind.
She can’t let go of the guilt from her mistake.

He wants to be good enough for her.
She wishes life were different.

He’s the bad boy reject.
She’s the girl next door.

When opposites attract, they collide and create an explosion that can’t be ignored.
Is it possible to be madly in love with your best friend?

Love follows no rules because love is a rebel.

Her: We should talk about what's happening…
Him: It's about damn time.

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REVIEW: 3-3.5 Stars

"Maybe that's why I connect so well with Reagan. She's everything I'm not. And somehow, that makes me want to be better for her."

This opening quote is everything you need before jumping into this fun book. Seriously, it's Linc to a "T". So this book started off exactly where we left off of Hate 2 Lovers -- Linc is in some trouble and he needs to fix it ASAP. I liked Linc going into this book, after meeting him in Hate 2 Lovers. I really did, but I wanted to smack him (after I had my way with him, of course). Yep. You heard me right. He had this amazing woman that he wanted to better himself for, but he kept finding himself in a situation. Get it right, dude!!! But, umm.....the sexual between these two JUMPS off the pages in leaps and bounds. I mean, I was shushing the husband while I read this one. Go away!!! 

Linc and Reagan have such a GOOD relationship founded on an even playing field, I think. They are both hot (that counts for something, right??), both determined, and both have a great personality....albeit with their own flaws. I loved the ease in which they hung around each other, touching each other and laughing at/with each other. I really thought they were effortless, and those are the types of relationships that make you smile. 

But man does he bring out the naughty in her. I love how she warred with herself on some things, but let other things just go and had fun with them. I love love LOVED how Linc made her feel treasured and loved and very secure in herself to 'explore' things. He really is the best kind of messed up. They touched on so many taboo subjects and inappropriate boundaries, but it really was fun to watch them grow, but also enough to make you want to shake them and say, "Wake the eff up!!!"....but you know, it's the journey and not the end result that makes this a good book.

This book was definitely kinkier than the other two, but it also fit perfectly to Linc's character. Some of that kink felt a little forced to me, but they were very explorative with each other and that seemed to help. Linc was a little mischievous, a lot sexy, and a shit-ton of fun. I loved this couple and enjoyed their story overall. Her prim and proper, but curious self balanced out his sarcastic, naughty, and not exactly on the up and up self. They fought with each other silently and emotionally.....and that was a true testament to their feelings. I should say, they fought against their own heart's desires. The push and pull, the sexual chemistry, was off the charts. While it was a little overplayed with how much they went back and forth in some areas, in the end it was all worth it. Reagan always needing to keep up appearances was a daunting side to the story for me, but again, this is what made her her. 

What I didn't like....unfortunately was the BIG no-no with Chase. This book touches on a VERY serious issue, one that I have absolutely NO patience for. None. However, I have a hard time with this scenario, because I cannot understand her side to it. I lack the understanding....they WHY side of it and therefore, I didn't like this side of Reagan. I hate to call her weak, because she was NOT in any way/shape/form....but I couldn't understand why she would think ONE thing and do another. Why she would put up with 'this', I just didn't like that at all. It angered me, because I knew she was stronger than that. I also didn't completely connect with the drama. I just....I mean, we know Linc. We know the trouble he got into, and that obviously has it's own side effects, but, for the way this entire series went, this one went the polar opposite in that aspect. Not bad, just drama I wasn't connecting with. But, seriously, overall? Funny, sexy, witty, and FUN. Seriously, just downright fun. I am glad we got Linc and Reagan's story because this couple definitely had one to tell! This book definitely had everything in it from kink to drama and action. 

The sex? HOT. 

The chemistry? Chart topping.

The love? DEEP.

The bond? Undeniable.

AND I loved getting a little peak in on Andie and Roman, and Ram and Dani too!! I love this crew!!!

"I'm going to ruin our friendship. One fucking compliment at a time."

~BEE

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PURCHASE THIEVES 2 LOVERS:

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PURCHASE HATE 2 LOVERS:

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PURCHASE TEXT 2 LOVERS:

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~MEET K WEBSTER~

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she's active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

~CONNECT WITH K~

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~MEET JD HOLLYFIELD~

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part time superhero...

J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, son and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her Debut Novel. J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor and HEA's.

~CONNECT WITH JD~

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ARC REVIEW
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