ARC Book #Review: American Asshole by Tara Sue Me .@tarasueme

Book Title:  American Asshole (Bachelor International 1)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: After Six Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone:  Series Book 1
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 238

How I got it: Blog Tour Company

Purchase: Amazon| Barnes & Noble|
Publication Date: Sept 17, 2018
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

He’s a self proclaimed bastard with a double helping of lying asshole.

From the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the acclaimed SUBMISSIVE Series comes the first book in a new series perfect for fans of Helena Hunting and Maya Banks.
Mia Matthews never thought much of big shot matchmaker Tenor Butler, but when she finds out he loaned her late business partner a quarter of a million dollars and no one told her, there aren’t enough four letter words to describe him. She’d like nothing more than to pretend Tenor doesn’t exist, but she owes him all that money, not to mention he’s hot as hell.

Tenor doesn’t see why it’s his fault Mia didn’t know about the loan. In fact, he thinks he’s being very magnanimous when he offers to forgive the loan if Mia closes her own matchmaking business and works for him for five years. But as he gets closer to Mia, he realizes two things: 1) he doesn’t want her as an employee and 2) she hates his guts.

When an old flame threatens them both, Mia and Tenor find themselves working together and are unable to ignore their mutual attraction. But it might be too late for these two romance experts to create their own love story.

This is a standalone romance. No cliffhanger.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

I happily signed up for this blog tour because I read and loved Tara's previous work the Submissives series (when it was a trilogy, now it's expanded and I'm so behind on reading it). I fell in love with her writing and couldn't wait to dive into this one. I wanted a romance with a bad boy character with a redemptive arc and hot steamy times.

Going into the book was purely based on the author's previous work and the title. Yeah, didn't quite work out for me. Really because despite what the description says, Tenor wasn't really much of an asshole. He's actually a good guy and most of the perception of him being an asshole came from Mia's preconceived notions before she's even really talked to him.  They both own successful matchmaking businesses and they have different approaches which makes Mia think that Tenor is in only for the money.  Tenor knows about Mia and her dislike for him but he admires what she and her mother have managed to build, and when given the opportunity to aide them he does.  Little does he know this will come back to bite him in the rear.

Mia's business partner, her mother passes away along with a long time friend in a tragic accident. To compound the pain she discovers that turning the business side of things over to her mother may not have been the best choice. As she's trying to pick up the pieces she discovers just how deep in the hole they are.  And when given the opportunity to dig herself out, she would rather dance naked in the middle of times square during New Year's Eve, She absolutely despises Tenor, mostly because she dislikes how he does things and yet his matchmaking business was outpacing hers.

The two are thrown together and have to work out their issues if they wish to make their new venture a success. While trying to expand on the venture they take a trip that complicates their relationship because it brings drama, an ex who is truly terrible and brings back up feelings they both thought had been worked past.  Insert overly concerned friends who complicate matters, even more, a misunderstanding that could be solved with a phone call and you have a mess of things.

I have to personally say that on paper this book should have been my jam. But I don't know the execution just wasn't there for me. I didn't like it as much as I hoped. It's a cute story, but it didn't grip me the way I wanted it to. I mean that Prologue scene alone had me diving in dying to know how they got there and then no just lukewarm.  Not for me. I might check out the other books just to see if it was just the first book was too short or what.

They both had best friends that gave pretty good advice in the case of Mia yet her best friend wouldn't share what happened to change her life so drastically (at least not until the end).  Even though there isn't a cliffhanger the little tidbit she shared makes me think the next story is going to be her best friend's story and wouldn't that be fun?? I also want his best friends' story because what would drive someone to be that much of a jerk?? Now he totally deserved the title of a*hole.

 ★★★☆☆

I recommend this if the enemies to lovers trope is one of your favorites, and you're looking for a good contemporary read.  While it may not be for me, it could be exactly what you need. Happy Reading, my loves

Stacking The Shelves (26) Men Made In America Collection (Paperbackswap Edition)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Paperbackswap

During the early 2000s late 90s Harlequin Published a series called the Men Made In America, with each author writing a romance from a different state.   I personally have on my shelves Connecticut and Delaware.  When I decided to collect them again, I used Fiction DB to find all the books I needed.

When I decided to use up my credits during the summer I decided to collect as many of the other books as p[ossible. Luckily for me, there was a trader who was running a two for one special. You ordered and paid for the books you wanted then you wrote her and requested the others., She was moving and needed to clear out as many books as possible. Which worked in my favor because she had all the books I needed!! So I ordered seven and got the other 7 for free!!

The books don't have to be read in any order and they aren't connected beyond being written from each state!!

Let's start with: * books are in order of series, not alphabetical by state*

 Alabama Full House by Jackie Weger

Alaska Borrowed Dreams by Debbie Macomber

Arizona Call It Destiny by Jayne Ann Krentz

Arkansas Another Kind OF Love by Mary Lynn Baxter

California Deceptions by Annette Broadrick

Missing Number 6 Colorado

Already own Number 7, Connecticut  & 8 Delaware

Florida Dream Come True Ann Major

Missing 10-17

Louisiana Bayou Midnight by Emilie Richards

Missing 19-23

Mississippi After The Storm by Rebecca Flanders

missing 25-33

North Dakota A Class Act by Kathleen Eagle

Missing 35-38

Rhode Island The Bargain by Patricia Coughlin

Missing 40

South Dakota For Old Times' Sake by Kathleen Eagle

Missing 42

Texas For the Love of Mike by Candace Schuler

Missing 44

Vermont Finders Keepers Carla Neggers

Virginia The Devlin Dare by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Missing 47

West Virginis All In The Family by Heather Graham Pozzessere

Missing 49 & 50.

The ones that are missing I'm going to get those later when I've traded out more books and have the credits.  That's it my loves. I'm hoping to do these as a challenge in 2019.  Have you read any of these??  What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

ARC Book #Review: Forever Theirs by Katee Robert .@katee_robert #mmfromance #releaseblitz #ThalanianDynasty

Book Title: Forever Theirs ( Thalianian Dynasty 1)
Author:  Katee Robert |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Indie
Genre: Erotica Romance/Thriller/
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: ebook

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 251

How I got it: Blog Tour

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: Sept 10th 2018
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Meg Sanders enjoyed her wild night with a prince and his bodyguard—but now she’s moving on. She has enough problems without borrowing the kind of trouble Theo brings just by being who he is. But no matter how determined she is to leave that night a fond memory, she hasn’t seen the last of Theo and Galen…

Galen Mikos's life boils down to one goal. Keep Theo alive. But as long as Theo draws breath, he’s a threat to the powers that have taken over Thalania—and anyone they associate with runs the risk of becoming a target, too. Galen will never forgive himself if they let their selfish desire for Meg puts her in danger. But it might already be too late…

Theo Fitzcharles might be an exiled prince, but he doesn’t intend to stay that way. He’s only concerned with one thing—clearing his mother’s name and reinstating himself as Crown Prince of Thalania. There’s no room in that plan for distraction, especially when it makes him forget himself the way Meg does. But after spending one perfect night with her and his best friend, Theo has no intention of leaving her alone.

Even if it damns all three of them in the process.

Enter to win one of TEN (10) eBook copies of FOREVER THEIRS!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I absolutely loved this story. I read it right after reading the novella Theirs for The Night, which was a great introduction to the characters, and the base for the story. While it's not necessary to read the novella first I believe it's a great way to see the history and the chemistry of the characters. From there we jump right into learning all about Galen & Theo and where they are from. We learn why Theo's on the run and what the stakes are for him if he's not successful in finding allies or solving the mystery of how he was banished.

The story develops well with us never knowing if they were going to be betrayed, and by whom. As the story unfolds and more clues are brought to light we start to meet the other characters including the villain and learn some of his motivation.  And the trio are wholly unprepared for how brutal and vicious this man will be.

While we do learn a bit about the parents and the mystery that led to Theo's outing, we are exposed to even more questions about her family and why she did what she did against their advice.  We also learn more about Theo and Galen. As the story progressed Galen's history, & his reason for his loyalty to Theo is exposed and we get more form the silent giant.  The chemistry between the three is smoking with not just the intimacy but the bond they create as they develop as characters and deal with the fallout of other learning that Meg is someone the two men will do anything for.  Meg is a fun, fierce and strong character who needed to learn that asking for help didn't make one weak. She's out of her depths here but wants the men to know she's not here just because of who they are and does her best to keep up with them.

I have to say you don't realize what you are missing until you read a book from another perspective. I have read a lot of erotica books, especially menage because polyamory is my jam.  It wasn't until the end of the story that I realized how refreshing it was to have the two male characters find it completely normal to be sexually attracted to each other and none of them felt like it challenged their masculinity. As I was reading I realized that they never once had that fight of if they belonged together or not because they were men, there were fights for other reasons but their sexuality wasn't the thing and you never realize how much that is repeated in other books until you read a book without it. I get it, some men will have to fight past their ideas they may have grown up with and I understand questioning your sexuality. However, in this novel, it was accepted by everyone as normal and it was so good to see. I know I know this may not happen in the real world, but it's nice to read a story where being bisexual isn't something to hide, to be afraid of or something downgraded as only a by-product of the passion. 

I loved the chemistry, the romance, fun and the adventure of the story. I also loved how much realness was added in, how things that I thought about where brought up and how this novel ended on a cliffhanger. My Gawd I can't wait until December to find out how it all comes out. Will there be a battle against the villain?? Where is Galen's Dad?? What will Theo's little brother thing of his stunt?? Will the people accept Theo's decree?? How will that work on the international stage?? I'm anxious to find out.

Highly recommend and suggest you enter to win to grab a copy for yourself.  The first book should still be free all over the book-buying world.  Don't forget to check out the rest of the tour ladies and gents.

• Sheri For the Love of Bookends
• Heidi My Girlfriend's Couch
• Tracy Book Loving Pixies
• Kari Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations
• Caitlin Red Hot Books
• Candace Lovey Dovey Books
• Sofia Sofia Loves Books
• Sharrice Reese's Review
• JoDeen JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC
• Jodie Books for Company

★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

Enjoy the thrills and fun sexy times my loves and of course, 
Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Reef by Nora Roberts

Book Title: The Reef
Author:  Nora Roberts |Website| Facebook|
Publisher: Berkley Publishing

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Mass Market

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 435

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher ( Author's Bookstore)
Publication Date: October 1, 1999
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

A "suspenseful" novel by the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author-now in a French flap trade edition. Nora Roberts delivers an exciting tale that takes readers to the depths of the Caribbean-and the heights of passion and suspense-as a marine archaeologist and a salvager join forces to search for a legendary treasure.

I love how Nora writes these books giving us a really good past and the motivation for the rest of the story, swinging into the present and sharing the adventure, and then the future with just enough of hint of what life to the character will be like to leave it open to interpretation. 

Unlike the other romantic suspense books she's written this one is more of an adventure tale, it's gotten sunken treasure, pirates, villains, revenge plots and romance. What more can you want?? Reading this reminded me of Fool's Gold that movie with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. It was such a good adventure story and I kept hoping and reading as they searched for the different boats. I was so invested in the story and really wanted them to find those historic finds and even got so invested in the hunt for the smallest clue that might lead them to the treasure.  Nora writes in such a way that even if you've never snorkeled much less took the diving class you feel like you have and that you understand and that you are right there with them.  From the way in which Tate loves everything about the sea, not just the treasure hunting but the small details that make the coral come alive. It was just beautiful.

From the very beginning, I was sucked in with the past laying down the foundation of the craziness that treasure hunting will cause for each of the characters and the cost that being the first to find a sunken treasure will bring to their lives.   The story starts with a murder then we jump forward to this family on the hunt for two Spanish boats that went down in the Caribbean during the 1800s.  As they searched and they grew as a crew and as friends to family, the chemistry between Tate & Matthew was so much so that it was no surprise that they then developed into future lovers. I was so invested in them and the journey, I was overjoyed when they began finding hints of the treasure and as the story unfolded I felt all the joy, excitement, happiness then the despair that the hunt brought to their lives.  Even as we celebrated their finds, I just knew trouble was on the horizon but even I couldn't have predicted that. 

As the story moved and we learned more about the sunken ships, we also learned how the loss of a treasure can affect each of the crew differently. I was so anxious as the story progressed and as they grew closer to finding the treasure. I grew nervous as things began to unfold, betrayals are revealed, relationships are lost and love gets sacrifficed. 

I absolutely loved the story and the characters. We didn't really get a lot of backstory or much screen time with Tate's family beyond a few snippets here and there so I really didn't get a agood picture of what her parents looked like as I was building them in my head. Same for Bucky the uncle, I just had vague outlines of them, but their character as people came out when they needed to show it the most. I absolutely loved how Tate's mom came through for all of them in the end. 

As each character develops throughout the story, and their motivations are revealed you feel certain emotions attached to them as the story grows. You despise the villain, are shocked by the betrayal, feel the despair and sadness of those who have paid a deep cost for being in the ocean.  You fall in love all over again with a couple that has managed to stand the test of time and you feel the joy of budding young love and rekindling of old feelings. 

I was thoroughly invested in this story, I wanted to know what happened in the end so I read as fast as I could.  For me, there was no lag time within the story as everything laid the foundation for the end and I couldn't' wait to see how cold the revenge would be served.  I loved the big blowout Tate and Matthew had and the emotional upheaval that it brought.

I can't wait to read more from the Nora Roberts shelf now. I highly recommend as a great summer read.  If you're a fan of the ocean but don't want to get too up close and personal with it this is for you. And if you're a person who needs to breathe sea air to feel alive then this is for you as well. 

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Movie Fool's Gold starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson

Having Diving and good sailing Happy Reading my loves, 

Monday Movie #Review: Carolina Moon

Movie Title: Carolina Moon
Released: 2007
Directed by: Stephen Tolkin
Starring: Clair Forlani, Oliver Hudson & Chad Williett
Based on: Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts
Run Time: 95 mins

Premise: 
A woman who has psychic visions returns to her hometown to exorcise her demons, and finds both danger and love.

Trailer: 

Based on the book of the same name the movie was a wonderful adaptation.  As I personally saw the movie first when I read the book the characters sounded like they did in the movie. 

I believe they choose some great actors to portray the book characters. And while I know the accents left much to be desired, they still captured the small town feel and the dealings of the trauma coming back to life for so many.

It wasn't until I read the book that I realized that the sheriff was supposed to be black and that some characters were missing from the movie. In the book, Tory isn't as alone as the movie portrays her as being.  There are some other small changes, like characters that are missing and a few of the crimes are more than in the novel but still a pretty good adaptation. Maybe because I saw the movie first this story was very haunting and remained in my mind for years before I even read the book.  

I would recommend it. It's a little harder to find but if you have Netflix you can rent the DVD because for whatever reason none of the streaming services have the rights to the movies. UGH.  Or you can rent it for $3.99 on amazon.  

Bring popcorn and enjoy my loves,

Stacking The Shelves: (25) Purchasing All The Books

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Let's get into the books because no excuses on why these are here:

Purchased

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard. I got this because people have been talking about for years on booktube (not so much now, but before it was really popular)

Denton Little's Still Not Dead by Lance Rubin. This is another of those books popular on booktube and I wanted to read it because it's only a $1 from the DT.

Lora Leigh's Secret Pleasure (Bound Hearts 13). I've been loving this series for years.  This was on sale at BAM for $2.97

Hans Christen Anderson I got these are the DT as well for $1 each.

The Fir Tree

The Snow Queen 

Dark Sentinel by Christine Feehan. I've been reading this series since the beginning. Took breaks then caught up. I'm now completely caught up so I definitely pre-ordered this.

Second Time Sweeter by Beverly Jenkins. I'm hoping this doesn't go where I fear it's going. But I must read it to know what happens in this town after the past craziness.

Paperbacswap

I've finally gotten a few of the stragglers from my credit spree:

The Liar by Nora Roberts. I read this last month and needed it for my shelves, so I traded for it.  You can read my review here.

The Island by Heather Graham. This is going on the read bookshelves apparently this was when I lived in another part of the state and was borrowing all my books instead of purchasing. I loved this on my goodreads and I wanted to have it to re-read.

The Dead Room by Heather Graham. Thi is the fourth book in the Harrison investigations 4 and I needed it in my life.

And surprisingly that's it. I managed to behave myself in the last few weeks, I do still have paperbackswap books to share that have come in, once they do I'll share with y'all.  What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Erotica Book #Review: Theirs For The Night by Katee Roberts .@Katee_Robert #ThalanianDynasty

Book Title: Theirs For The Night (Thalanian Dynasty 0.5)
Author:  Katee Robert |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Genre: Erotica Romance, Dark Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Novella
Format: Ebook

Cost: FREE on all platforms

Pages: 70

How I got it: Blog Tour Host

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Meg Sanders has spent her life playing by the rules—until tonight. It’s her birthday and she’s determined to be a little wild and a whole lot carefree, at least until she has to get back to reality tomorrow. But the last thing she expects is to be seduced on the dance floor by two gorgeous men.

Theo and Galen are each incredibly sexy on their own, and potentially devastating as a pair—and they want her. Meg isn’t down for anything resembling complicated when her life is such a mess, but the two of them win her over with the promise of a night out of her deepest, darkest fantasy—and that they walk the next morning with no strings attached.

After all, anything goes when it’s only for one night…

I absolutely adored this novella, this is a great introduction to the rest of the story arc.  It's a closed triangle romance and I'm so here for it.  (For those who don't know that means that each of the menage participants have a relationship, so the two men are sexually involved with each other and then also each has a relationship with the woman).

We get introduced to Meg who is a struggling college student who is trying not to become the failure those from her town have named her. She's run all the way to NYC to accomplish her goals and she's so close to finishing when she's dealt a financial blow that knocks her back. To help cheer her up a girlfriend suggests they go to the club and she doesn't really feel into it even if it's her birthday. She does go however and that decision makes a huge change in her life and the direction she will take from then on.

We get introduced to Theo and Galen at the club and the chemistry is off the way. Meg wants them but the way her life is going they might not want her. As the story develops and we get a glimpse at the depth of Theo and Galen and their relationship I was hooked. I read the story in less than an hour because I needed to know everything and the cliffhanger??? Why yes I will be reading the next book.

The chemistry between all three was off the charts, and the eroticism of their sex scenes just drew me in. I loved it because they laughed and still had some seriously sexy times.  I can't wait to learn more about the men and their relationship, why they could only have this one night and what Meg is going to do about her situation.

 ★★★★.75☆
Erotica Stars
★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Masters of Menage Series by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake
• Colters Woman by Maya Banks

Happy Reading my loves,