Review: Twist (Dive Bar #2) by Kylie Scott

Twist (Dive Bar #2) by Kylie Scott

Publication Date: April 11, 2017

Page Count: 288

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: eArc from Publisher for review

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot, bearded, bartender extraordinaire, Joe Collins, only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.

Alex Parks is funny, friendly, and pretty much everything he's been looking for in a woman. And in no time at all they're emailing up a storm, telling each other their deepest darkest secrets... apart from the one that really matters.

And when it comes to love, serving it straight up works better than with a twist.

Sigh. Joe, Joe, Joe. I loved the big fella. I really did. Even though his deception was just all sorts of wrong, I couldn't help but think he redeemed himself by the end of the book. Early on I realized that Joe was a bit of a pushover. He was there for others, no matter what they needed. He always did what was expected of him (even when he didn't want to) because he was afraid to disappoint anyone. He was just an all around nice guy. And - my shallow moment - he's pretty hot, too. Because he was so kindhearted and caring, he was taken advantage of by those close to him, and I didn't like that at all. Then Alex shows up and starts questioning his happiness, making Joe take a closer look at himself.

Alex was a great character, and I liked her, but I never really connected with her. I couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was because I couldn't see myself in her? I don't know. She was a bit overwhelmed by Joe's family and friends at first, but I like how she ultimately came to accept everyone and appreciate their meddling.

Joe and Alex were great when they were together, and I enjoyed their banter. I liked that the author showed the development of Joe and Alex's relationship by using their past emails interspersed throughout the current storyline. Readers get to see the initial attraction, even though Alex thought she was conversing with Eric, not Joe. There's not too much conflict in the story, except towards the end when something spoilery happens, and Joe acts like an ass. That aggravated me and brought my level of enjoyment down just a bit.

Overall, this was another really great read from Kylie Scott. I'm enjoying the characters in this spin off series, and I love that we still get small cameos from the original Stage Dive series.

On a side note, Eric is a total tool, and I'm a little bit scared about reading the next book in this series. I saw the slightest glimmer in Twist, and that gives me hope that deep down Eric can be a decent human being. Please let him be a decent human being!

Also, is it weird that I find Pat to be the most interesting character in this series? I love him!

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

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Waiting On Wednesday (284) In a Perfect World by Trish Doller

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I've been participating in Waiting on Wednesday for over 5 years because Wednesday is my favorite day of the week! I love sharing and discovering new books.

In a Perfect World by Trish Doller

Expected publication: May 23rd 2017 by Simon Pulse

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Caroline Kelly is excited to be spending her summer vacation working at the local amusement park with her best friend, exploring weird Ohio with her boyfriend, and attending soccer camp with the hope she’ll be her team’s captain in the fall.

But when Caroline’s mother is hired to open an eye clinic in Cairo, Egypt, Caroline’s plans are upended. Caroline is now expected to spend her summer and her senior year in a foreign country, away from her friends, her home, and everything she’s ever known.

With this move, Caroline predicts she’ll spend her time navigating crowded streets, eating unfamiliar food, and having terrible bouts of homesickness. But when she finds instead is a culture that surprises her, a city that astounds her, and a charming, unpredictable boy who challenges everything she thought she knew about life, love, and privilege.

I enjoyed reading Trish Doller's previous books. When I saw this is set in Egypt, I added it to my tbr immediately.

What are you waiting on this week?

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Blog Tour, Guest Post, & Giveaway: First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

About The Book:

First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Publication Date: July 25th, 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Welcome to today´s stop on the Blog Tour for First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy!

I would like to thank Brittany from BookRambles, Alexandra Sirowy, and Simon and Schuster for giving me this opportunity.

Author Guest Post

If you were going to invent a secret society, what would its rules be and why?

Secret societies have a long and varied history. For many they conjure up dark and sinister accusations - covering up crimes, orchestrating plots to overthrow kings, empresses, and czars, and sacrificial rites. Other secret societies have worked like incubators for creative expression and scientific thought. Secret Societies were so prevalent in the 19th century that there was an Anti- Secret Society Convention in the United States.

Why, over hundreds of years, have secret societies persisted? If you asked the four heroes of First We Were IV, they’d have a simple answer for you: people always want to belong. Izzie, Viv, Graham, and Harry set out to invent their own secret society to bond them for life. They already belong, to one another, and they want to keep it that way, even after they leave for different colleges next year.

Throughout my research and then while I was writing First We Were IV, I thought a lot about what my own secret society would look like. The secret society in First We Were IV – the Order of IV – reflects the four best friends who invent it. The Order gets its shape from each of its inventors. From theatrical Viv, it gets its pageantry, costume, and flare. From clever and creative Izzie it gets its mission – vigilante pranks. From brainy and gutsy Graham it gets its rituals. And from Harry, the Order gets its heart. This is before their invention ratchets out of control and ends up costing them the ultimate sacrifice.

The four best friends make only three rules for the Order. Never lie, never tell, and love each other always. If I invented a secret society tonight, these would be some of its rules- silly and serious.

The first rule: Don’t talk about it.
The second rule: Ice cream must be served at every secret society meeting. But never sorbet because I don’t care what anyone says, sorbet is not a dessert.
The third rule: Everyone must be at their most mischievous when on official secret society business.
The fourth rule: Everyone must wear period costume.
The fifth rule: We must use our powers for good not evil.
The sixth rule: These rules were not made to be broken.

What would your secret society’s rules be? Tweet them at me @AlexandraSirowy

About The Author:

Author Bio:

Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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Tour Schedule:

Week 1

March 27: Brittany's Book Rambles - Intro Post + Excerpt
March 28: YA and Wine - Most Mischievous YA Characters
March 29: Rattle the Pages - Nail Art
March 30: Book Nerd Addict - Inventing A Secret Society
March 31: Fables Library - YA Books with Secret Societies

Week 2

April 3: Emily Reads Everything - Fancast
April 4: The Eater of Books - History of Secret Societies
April 5: It Starts At Midnight - Author Guest Post: FIRST WE WERE IV vs. Alexandra's Previous Books
April 6: BookCatPin - Mystery YA List
April 7: A Book and a Cup of Coffee - Moodboard

Week 3

April 10: The Book Buzz - YA Thrillers You Need to Know About
April 11: The Candid Cover - Bookworm Initiation Quiz
April 12: Girl in the Pages - Book Recs for First We Were IV Characters
April 13: Stories and Sweeties - Author Guest Post - Story Behind the Title
April 14: Little Lillie Reads - Playlist

Week 4

April 17: Literary Legionnaire - Favorite Quotes
April 18: Chapter by Chapter - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Initiation Rituals
April 19: Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Secret Societies You Never Knew Existed
April 20: YA Book Central - Author Guest Post: 3 Favorite Books About Secret Societies
April 21: The Bookish Feels - Author's March Favorites

Week 5

April 24: Waiting For Wentworth - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Rules
April 25: The Reader and the Chef - Book Inspired-Recipe
April 26: Forever Lost in Literature - Author Guest Post: What We Do For Friendship
April 27: Flying Through Fiction - Favorite YA Friendships
April 28: One Way or an Author - Phone Wallpapers

Disclaimer: All content directly from First We Were IV (such as quotes and excerpts) is taken directly from an advanced reader’s copy of the book. Therefore, it is not to be separately quoted from due to the fact that it is not in its final publication form.

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Waiting On Wednesday (283) Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I've been participating in Waiting on Wednesday for over 5 years because Wednesday is my favorite day of the week! I love sharing and discovering new books.

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

Expected publication: May 2nd 2017 by Delacorte Press

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined . . . and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.

I originally wanted to read this because of the author. It's YA contemporary, which seems to be my 'thing', and it sounds good. So I want to read it!

Coincidentally, Kasie West's Lucky In Love is a 'lottery winner' book that comes out in July. Hmmm...

What are you waiting on this week?

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Review: Don't Kiss the Messenger (Edgelake High School #1) by Katie Ray

Don't Kiss the Messenger (Edgelake High School #1) by Katie Ray

Publication Date: April 10, 2017

Page Count: 285

Published by: Entangled: Crush

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon |Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing

Synopsis from Goodreads:

For most of her teenage life, CeCe Edmonds has been dealing with the stares and the not-so-polite whispers that follow her around Edgelake High. So she has a large scar on her face—Harry Potter had one on his forehead and people still liked him.

CeCe never cared about her looks—until Emmett Brady, transfer student and football darling, becomes her literature critique partner. The only problem? Emmett isblindsided by Bryn DeNeuville, CeCe’s gorgeous and suddenly shy volleyball teammate.

Bryn asks CeCe to help her compose messages that’ll charm Emmett.CeCe isn’t sure there’s anything in his head worth charming but agrees anyway—she’s a sucker for a good romance. Unfortunately, the more messages she sends and the more they run into each other, the more she realizes there’s plenty in his head, from food to literature. Too bad Emmett seems to be falling for the wrong girl…

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book involves one fiercely scarred girl who wants the new guy in town, the new guy who thinks he wants the new girl, and the new girl who really isn’t sure what she wants, and the misunderstanding that brings them all together. This modern Cyrano de Bergerac retelling will make you laugh, swoon, and fall in love.

Don't Kiss the Messenger was oh so cute and just what I needed to read right now. I tend to skip around in a few genres so I don't get burned out, and I enjoy reading YA contemporaries very much, so this was perfect for me.

CeCe was a great character. She was written as strong and confident, but I liked that she had to work through a few issues before she could truly be herself. Emmett was a bit of a mixed bag - football player and musician/composer. I liked that he wasn't a typical character, but he sure did think like a typical teenage boy at times. CeCe's roommates and her group of friends were a varied bunch, and they were all really likeable. I hope we get more of them in the future.

This was a bit frustrating to read at times, especially because Emmett wasn't smart enough to figure things out on his own. (I was sort of disappointed in him for that.) I did like Emmett's ability to look past CeCe's scar and see her for who she really was. At the same time, I wish CeCe could have been honest with him. Sigh. But then we wouldn't have a story.

I really loved the book, movie, and song references. Very creative. I'm older, so most were familiar to me. I also thought the song lyric texting was cute, and it made it easier for the characters to express themselves. (The only thing missing was a Joy Division mention... but Tuba did play a New Order song, so it's all good.)

Overall, this was quite an enjoyable book that I highly recommend. Don't Kiss the Messenger is Katie Ray's first book under this name. Her previous books have been published as Katie Kacvinsky.

4 Stars

Katie Ray (also known by her previous author name, Katie Kacvinsky) writes teen and new adult fiction novels. Her books have been nominated for YALSA awards, and First Comes Love was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. Her screenplay, A High Note, was a semifinalist in the Austin Screenplay Competition in 2015. She currently lives in Ashland, Wisconsin with her husband, two children, and a slightly insane dog.

Author Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

CHECK OUT OTHER STOPS ON THE TOUR HERE

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Waiting On Wednesday (282) Cold Summer by Gwen Cole

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I've been participating in Waiting on Wednesday for over 5 years because Wednesday is my favorite day of the week! I love sharing and discovering new books.

Cold Summer by Gwen Cole

Expected publication: May 2nd 2017 by Sky Pony Press

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Today, he’s a high school dropout with no future.
Tomorrow, he’s a soldier in World War II.

Kale Jackson has spent years trying to control his time-traveling ability but hasn’t had much luck. One day he lives in 1945, fighting in the war as a sharpshooter and helplessly watching soldiers—friends—die. Then the next day, he’s back in the present, where WWII has bled into his modern life in the form of PTSD, straining his relationship with his father and the few friends he has left. Every day it becomes harder to hide his battle wounds, both physical and mental, from the past.

When the ex-girl-next-door, Harper, moves back to town, thoughts of what could be if only he had a normal life begin to haunt him. Harper reminds him of the person he was before the PTSD, which helps anchor him to the present. With practice, maybe Kale could remain in the present permanently and never step foot on a battlefield again. Maybe he can have the normal life he craves.

But then Harper finds Kale’s name in a historical article—and he’s listed as a casualty of the war. Kale knows now that he must learn to control his time-traveling ability to save himself and his chance at a life with Harper. Otherwise, he’ll be killed in a time where he doesn’t belong by a bullet that was never meant for him.

Time travel? Count me in. I can't wait to read this.

What are you waiting on this week?

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Release Day: Twist (Dive Bar #2) by Kylie Scott

Happy Release Day to Twist (Dive Bar #2) by Kylie Scott!

I had the opportunity to read an arc of Twist, and I enjoyed it immensely. Joe is all kinds of yummy!

I'm really loving this series so far, and I think you will, too.

From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes the second sizzling stand-alone novel in the Dive Bar series!

When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot bearded bartender Joe Collins only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.

Alex Parks is funny, fascinating, and pretty much everything he's been looking for in a woman—except that she lives across the country. Soon they're emailing up a storm and telling each other their deepest, darkest secrets...except the one that really matters.

When Alex pays Joe a surprise visit, however, they both discover that when it comes to love, it's always better with a twist.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Amazon CA | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google Play

“I wanted to talk to you a bit more about what happened between us online,” he said, his mouth a serious straight line. “How I came to use my brother’s profile.”
Ugh. “I’m pretty sure I found out everything I needed to know last night.”
“I didn’t mean to lie to you, Alex.”
“Once is a mistake.” I crossed my legs, kicking my black leather bootie back and forth. So I was a little aggravated. Sue me. “Months’ worth of e-mails is not. You could have introduced yourself to me, Joe, told me who you really were. You chose not to. Christ, no wonder you kept putting off meeting. I should have known something was wrong.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t try to sell you excuses.” A big sigh from my “friend.” “Truth is, I’m not used to being the bad guy. Usually I’m the one cleaning up my brother’s messes.”
“Lucky me.”

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | FACEBOOK FAN GROUP | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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Release Day: Ain't He Precious? (Sex and Sweet Tea) by Juliette Poe

Welcome to Whynot, North Carolina, population 3,872. It has one stoplight, one bar, and the one-and-only Trixie Mancinkus.

Eleven years ago, Trixie graduated Harvard Law, turned down a job offer from one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston, and headed home to Whynot to open her own firm. Not only did she leave behind the big city, but she also left her boyfriend of three years. And just so we’re clear… that would be me.

So what am I doing in Whynot at this very moment? It seems Trixie needs help with a legal case and for some insane reason, she called on me for assistance. I’ve been in town for five minutes, and I’m every bit as out of place as I feel. Trixie is all sweet, southern curves to my tailored suits and high-priced haircuts. It’s a culture clash of north versus south and about the only thing we have in common is our physical attraction to each other.

But I have a new motto since coming to Whynot: When life hands you lemons, all you need is a little sex and sweet tea to make things better.

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

Suddenly, my pole jerks in my hands, and I instinctively snap the tip upward into the air. I feel something catch as the pole bends in an extreme arc.

“Holy shit,” I exclaim as I sit up straighter in the boat.

“That’s a big one,” Pap says, and Trixie laughs with delight. “Now… keep the rod up and reel it in.”

I plant my feet hard on the bottom of the boat and crank my catch in. My heart is racing because I don’t know what’s on the other end of the line, but it feels massive. I reel and reel and reel, watching as the end of the line in the water comes closer to the boat. I see a flash of grayish-brown thrash at the top of the water before the fish dives back down deep, but I keep cranking that spinner.

Pap sets his pole aside, grabs a net, and leans forward, balancing himself with a hand on the edge of the boat. I give another mighty heave on the spinner’s handle, and the fish comes to the surface.

“Oh, my God,” Trixie practically shrieks with excitement as her feet come off the edge of the boat. She leans closer to me. “He caught Ol’ Mud. I was knee high to a grasshopper the last time someone managed that.”

Pap grunts in acknowledgment, scooping the net into the water under my catch. He proceeds to pull it up, and in it is the biggest, ugliest fish I’ve ever seen in my life. Not that I’ve seen many up close and personal. I mean, I went snorkeling in the Cayman’s once, but those were all brightly colored fish with long, flowing tails. This thing is indeed the color of mud, with enormous eyes that seem to be rolling and long whiskers sticking out from around its mouth.

“What the hell is that thing?” I ask in horror.

“That’s a flathead catfish,” Pap says as he hauls him in and carefully maneuvers him out of the net with practiced efficiency. He pulls the hook out of the corner of the fish’s mouth and then holds him up for me to see.

The fish is massive and thrashes in Pap’s hands, but he grips him firmly before pushing him my way. “Want to hold him?”

I recoil slightly. “Um… no, but thank you.”

Trixie snickers behind me. “Oh, God… ain’t he precious?”

Pap snorts but doesn’t give me too much shit. “Suit yourself. Take a picture, Trixie.”

I turn in my seat and watch Trixie pull her phone from her pocket. Pap scoots closer to me and holds the damn fish up over my shoulder—which, in addition to fish, smells like mud too—and chuckles, “Smile for the camera, city boy.”

Trixie holds the phone out, grinning as she takes a picture of Pap and me as he holds that slimy, nasty-looking catfish. I know my manhood took a bit of a ding with my refusal to hold it, and I can’t say I’m thrilled that Trixie thinks I’m precious, but screw it… not going to apologize for my failure to bond with that smelly thing.

To my amazement, Pap leans over the side of the boat and slides it gently into the water while murmuring, “Until we meet again, Ol’ Mud.”

“You let it go?” I ask incredulously. While the thing was scary looking as all get out, I’ve eaten catfish before and it’s delicious. I have also witnessed Catherine’s cooking firsthand, and I bet she’d do heavenly things to that fish. Besides… I thought that’s what you did in the south. You hunted shit and you ate it.

“Ol’ Mud’s been in this lake for years,” Trixie says by way of explanation. “He’s rarely been caught, but we always release him. He’s like an icon around here. The fact that you caught him, and in the morning, is amazing.”

“Really?” I ask, a small pattering of pride thumping in my chest.

“Flathead’s normally sleep during the day, usually down under lake debris,” Pap explains. “They’re easiest to catch at night, but I don’t think Ol’ Mud’s ever been caught in daylight hours, right, Trix?”

“Right, Pap,” she says and then winks at me. “We might turn you into a southern boy yet, Ry.”

Juliette Poe is the sweet and swoony alter ego of New York Times Best Selling author, Sawyer Bennett.

A fun-loving southern girl, Juliette knows the allure of sweet tea, small towns, and long summer nights, that some of the best dates end sitting on the front porch swing, and that family is top priority. She brings love in the south to life in her debut series, Sex & Sweet Tea.

When Juliette isn’t delivering the sweetest kind of romance, she’s teaching her southern belle daughter the fine art of fishing, the importance of wearing Chucks, and the endless possibilities of a vivid imagination.

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Cover Reveal: Chaser (Dive Bar #3) by Kylie Scott

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Kylie Scott brings you the next Dive Bar Novel.

I am so excited to reveal the cover for CHASER releasing APRIL 2018!

CHASER

A Dive Bar Novel

By Kylie Scott

Release Day: April 17, 2018

Synopsis:

Given his well-earned bad boy reputation, Eric is having a tough time scoring.. When single Jean moves to town, she seems heaven sent by the sex gods. Only problem is, she not only wants nothing to do with him, but it turns out that she’s pregnant.

Starting over in a small town, Jean is determined to turn her wild lifestyle around and be the kind of mother she always wished she’d had. Since local bar owner and all round hottie, Eric Collins, is now determined to steer clear of her pregnant self, it should be easy. When she goes into labour during a snow storm and her car slides on some ice, it’s Eric who comes to the rescue.

There seems to be a bond between them now, but is it enough? And can Eric give up his manwhore ways to be the man Jean needs?

PRE-ORDER NOW

AMAZON | AMAZON CA | AMAZON UK | Books A Million | Indiebound

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | FACEBOOK FAN GROUP | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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Waiting On Wednesday (281) Alex and Eliza: A Love Story by Melissa de la Cruz

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I've been participating in Waiting on Wednesday for over 5 years because Wednesday is my favorite day of the week! I love sharing and discovering new books.

Alex and Eliza: A Love Story by Melissa de la Cruz

Expected publication: April 11th 2017 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Synopsis from Goodreads:

1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

In the pages of Alex and Eliza, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz brings to life the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.

I've never read anything by this author before. I know nothing of Hamilton the musical. I just thought this book sounded interesting.

What are you waiting on this week?

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Review: Lei'd with Cupcakes (Cupcakes #3) by Bethany Lopez

Lei'd with Cupcakes (Cupcakes #3) by Bethany Lopez

Publication Date:  March 27, 2017

Source: eArc for review

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon | iBooks | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Everybody dreams of a Hawaiian Vacation…

They sell you on the drinks with little umbrella’s, dolphin watching, and long walks on the beach. Which probably happens, if you’re that lucky schmuck living out your dream with your destination wedding, but if you’re a fish out of water PI like me, there’s no time for relaxing because trouble is never far behind.

Instead of cocktails, I ended up dealing with the seedy underbelly of The Big Island.
And, I didn’t see one damn dolphin while undercover on a boat which was spilling over with drug dealers, Kingpins, and Pedophiles.

Elin and Elena think Cade's family are the coolest people outside of Snapchat, but it’s hard to meet the parents when your boyfriend is in his late thirties and has never had a serious relationship.

I’d never missed my girls so much in my life, but Amy May, Bea, and Carmen are all dealing with issues of their own, and can’t come to my rescue.

The only thing that may help me with this “vacation” is if I could get Lei’d with Cupcakes.


WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE, SEX, SOME VIOLENCE, AND SHENANIGANS. IF NONE OF THAT BOTHERS YOU, GRAB A CUPCAKE AND READ ON!

This was another really great book by Bethany Lopez. Lila and Cade are back in all their wonderfulness, and this time, Cade is taking Lila and her kids to meet his parents. I love that this series isn't your typical romance. Things are a bit fun and crazy at times, but the love and friendships (and cupcakes!) are what make this story so unique.

This book also has some drama and suspense, and being in Hawaii doesn't stop Lila from finding trouble. Or does it find her? Either way, she can't not help when someone Cade loves is in trouble, so off to the rescue she goes. When things go south, Lila finds herself in over her head.

I really liked Cade's parents. They were pretty laid back, and I enjoyed how welcoming they were to Lila and her kids. And, of course, I love me some Cade. It's pretty simple - he's hot and he's awesome. What's not to like? I did miss Lila's girls this time around, but hopefully we'll get more of their stories in the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Lei'd With Cupcakes. This was a really quick read and a great addition to the series.

4 Stars

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

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Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

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