Waiting On Wednesday (363) Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Expected publication: November 6th 2018 by Freeform

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is currently hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.
(WoW was previously hosted by Breaking The Spine.)

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"I'm not saying this is Sawyer's fault," the prim and proper one said delicately. "But."

Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life-her father's identity-she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses, bigger egos, and a whole lot of bless your heart. The one thing she doesn't expect to find is friendship, but as she's drawn into a group of debutantes with scandalous, dangerous secrets of their own, Sawyer quickly discovers that her family isn't the only mainstay of high society with skeletons in their closet. There are people in her grandmother's glittering world who are not what they appear, and no one wants Sawyer poking her nose into the past. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning.

Set in the world of debutante balls, grand estates and rolling green hills, Little White Lies combines a charming setting, a classic fish-out-of-water story, and the sort of layered mystery only author Jennifer Lynn Barnes can pull off.

I've read a few books by this author and enjoyed them, so I thought I'd give this a try.

What are you waiting on this week?

Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: Paperback – October 30, 2018
Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

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Book Synopsis:

Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late.

About Layla Reyne:

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs. Layla is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Kiss of Death and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters. She was a 2016 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist in Romantic Suspense.

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Whiskey Verse Bromances by Layla Reyne

Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) is my favorite book I’ve written to date, and while Cam and Nic’s romance, Cam’s family, and the mystery of his missing sister are a big part of that, so is the found family aspect that really shines this installment. Cam and Nic were already being pulled into the Jamie-Aidan-Mel-Danny family unit in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, and those bonds only strengthen in Trouble Brewing. Within the Whiskey Verse family, I especially love the bromances on display in Craft Brew, between Aidan and Nic and Cam and Jamie.

Aidan and Nic

They’ve come a long way, huh? I love how Aidan and Nic’s bromance developed from casually dated when Aidan and Jamie were on a break, to highly-effective work colleagues (one an FBI agent, the other the federal prosecutor on his cases), to allies against Nic’s boss, to Aidan all but bullying Nic into his “family” because that’s what Talleys do. And just as Nic came to Aidan’s aide in Barrel Proof, Aidan is there for Nic in Craft Brew as things heat up with the loan shark threatening Nic over his father’s debts. The final scene of the book is actually between Nic and Aidan, and I’ll be honest, that scene was a surprise to me. But it demanded to be written and it’s one of my favorites to-date. The level of trust there between them—Nic willing to put the future well-being of his loved one in Aidan’s hands, if need be—felt like the right place between these two men who hold each other in such high regard and who are becoming best friends and family.

Cam and Jamie (and Nic)

Cam was introduced as Jamie’s best friend in Single Malt, and we’ve seen glimpses of their bromance in earlier books, but I loved showing it more concretely in Craft Brew. Jamie drops everything to go to Boston with Cam when there’s a family emergency, and he stays by Cam’s side, as friend, cook, hacker and stunt driver, when Cam delves into the case that tore apart the Byrne family and drove Cam into the FBI. He’s also the best friend who calls bullshit—on both Cam and Nic—when it comes to admitting the depth of their feelings for one another. Speaking of, I was also surprised and delighted at Jamie and Nic’s friendship developing and solidifying more firmly in Craft Brew. These two were not always on the best of terms, but with the both of them caring deeply about Cam (and Aidan), they’ve found common ground. And when their skill sets are combined, watch out. It makes for one hell of a chase and shoot-out scene!

Excerpt:

“Solve it,” his mother said, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He didn’t have to ask what she was referring to. It was the reason he’d decided to join the FBI. But the unsolved case of Erin’s disappearance was cold for a reason. He’d been unsuccessful, like every other detective or investigator who’d touched the file over the past twenty years. “I’ve tried.”

“Need to know,” she said, increasingly winded. She set the book in her lap and laid the card over her heart, tapping it. “No time.”

He laid his own hand over his mother’s, struggling for words. “We don’t know that. The doctors—”

“No time.” She closed her eyes and a tear slid down her cheek. “Need to know if she’ll be there waiting for me.”

Cam’s head swam as his heart drowned. He had to lay his head on the bed and make himself breathe. His mother’s fingers carded through his hair, coaxing and calming. “Please, Cameron.”

Dragging in a breath and sucking back his own threatening tears, he righted himself and squeezed his mom’s hand. “I’ve tried. My entire career.” She was the last person he ever wanted to disappoint again, but he’d hit a brick wall on Erin’s case, time and again.

She flipped the book to the last page and held it out to him. Taking it, he was surprised to find the normally blank couple of pages at the back filled with his mother’s meticulous handwriting.

Dates, locations, and details.

He looked back up at his mother. “Are these case notes? When did you start this?”

“The past year, after you left. Kept you both close.” She tapped the side of her head. “Kept this going too.”

Something else he came by honest.

He stared at the scribbled on pages, running his fingertips over the amateur sleuthing his brilliant mother had been doing.

She covered his hand, stopping its movement. “Need to know.”

He couldn’t disappoint her. Especially if this turned out to be the last thing she asked of him. Not when he’d failed her before.

“Are there more books with notes?”

“That series.” The words were thin, a battle to get out. “Started rereading. By the bed at home.”

He clutched the book in one hand, her hand in his other. “I’ll try.”

She squeezed, a fraction of her normal strength. “Hurry.”

Snowed in for Christmas Anthology

Published October 23rd 2018

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Three all-new holiday novellas about couples finding love while trapped together in the snow.

Stranded in the Snow (Holiday Acres, Book 2) by Noelle Adams

Olivia Holiday doesn't expect to spend the weekend stranded in a romantic cottage during a snowstorm with the one man she dislikes the most. Scott is a player and holds a grudge against her family, and she's determined not to give in to the deep feelings for him she's been hiding.

A Christmas Rescue (Silver Bell Falls, Book 4) by Samantha Chase

Saving a litter of puppies right before Christmas was incredibly rewarding for Bailey Walsh. But getting snowed in with her sexy-yet-grinchy veterinarian boss turns out to be rewarding in a whole other way.

Love on the Edge of Reason (Pine Harbour, Book 8) by Zoe York

Tom Minelli doesn't know why Chloe Davis has fled Pine Harbour, but she's pregnant with his baby and he wants her back. But a winter storm rolls in just as he finds her, trapping them together in a cabin on the lake.

I have a Christmas Anthology as my WoW again this week. My main reason for reading this is Book #8 in the Pine Harbour series by Zoe York. I've read the whole series, so I don't want to miss this one.

What are you waiting on this week?

Today I am sharing an excerpt from A SPLASH OF VANILLA by Bethany Lopez. A Splash of Vanilla is the third book in the contemporary romance series, Three Sisters Catering. Check out the buy links for the book below, along with the exclusive excerpt.

A Splash of Vanilla  by Bethany Lopez

**(Three Sisters Catering, #3)**

Pre-order it Now - Releasing November 5th!

Amazon  |  iBooks  |  B&N  |   Kobo  |   Smashwords

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Synopsis:

For the past year, Dru has put everything she has into building a catering business with her sisters. She’s so used to working until all hours of the night with them by her side, that when they both find love and move out, Dru decides to focus on something that has always weighed on her… finding the father who’d abandoned them.

For the past year, Mick has been living the good life. A content bachelor with his own business as a private investigator, he enjoys making his own decisions and answering to no one. When a couple of clients-turned-friends bring him in contact with Dru, his first thought is that he wouldn’t mind getting her alone for a night, but when she hires him, that spark is extinguished. Mick doesn’t mix business with pleasure.

When their lives become constantly entwined, Dru becomes more and more determined to get Mick to break his rules. Will they discover that even a seemingly perfect dish, can be made better with the right amount of spice, or are they too set in their ways?

EXCERPT: 

I shot a couple longing looks at Mick, who managed to make that suit look incredible, even though I’d just seen him in it at Tasha’s wedding. How come men could do that? Buy one suit to wear to every event, and get no flack, while if women got caught wearing the same dress repeatedly, it was like there was something wrong with her?

Why couldn’t I find the perfect dress … one that made me feel sexy, comfortable, and confident, and wear it to everything?

Stupid double standards.

I walked straight to the bar and ordered a Lemon Drop with the sole intention of getting drunk, and made a list of rules for myself.

You will not fawn over Mick.

You will not get so drunk that you throw up.

You will be the funny, fun, party sister, not the green with envy, bitter, crying in the corner sister.

And, again, you will not fawn over Mick. He made his policy clear, and I had too much pride to go after a man who didn’t want me.

Purchase the other titles in the series... 

Purchase A PINCH OF SALT Now:

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Check out the A Pinch of Salt Pinterest Board!

Purchase A TOUCH OF CINNAMON Now:

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

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.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Snow in Love Anthology

Expected publication: October 30th 2018 by Point
YA Christmas Anthology

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors.

From KASIE WEST, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed.

From AIMEE FRIEDMAN, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love.

From MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents.

From NIC STONE, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic.

So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to fall in love...

Now that the weather has finally (Finally!) turned cooler, it's time to get my Christmas reading on!

What are you waiting on this week?

Justified (Loveless, Texas) by Jay Crownover

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Forever

About the book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and thrilling romance between a rugged Texas sheriff and the woman who was once his sworn enemy…

Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he’s determined to do everything by the book – until he’s called to Aspen Barlow’s office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn’t the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge…

Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she’ll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there’s a thin line between love and hate… because there’s nothing Case wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

Includes a bonus story: “It’s All About That Cowboy” by Carly Bloom!

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

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About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, the Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. . She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. Justified, the first book in her Loveless, Texas series, will hit shelves on June 25, 2019. For more on Jay and her books, visit www.jaycrownover.com.

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Hiding the Moon (Fish Out of Water #4) by Amy Lane

Expected publication: October 23rd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A Fish Out of Water/Racing for the Sun Crossover

Can a hitman and a psychic negotiate a relationship while all hell breaks loose?

The world might not know who Lee Burton is, but it needs his black ops division and the work they do to keep it safe. Lee’s spent his life following orders—until he sees a kill jacket on Ernie Caulfield. Ernie isn’t a typical target, and something is very wrong with Burton’s chain of command.

Ernie’s life may seem adrift, but his every action helps to shelter his mind from the psychic storm raging within. When Lee Burton shows up to save him from assassins and club bunnies, Ernie seizes his hand and doesn’t look back. Burton is Ernie’s best bet in a tumultuous world, and after one day together, he’s pretty sure Lee knows Ernie is his destiny as well.

But when Burton refused Ernie’s contract, he kicked an entire piranha tank of bad guys, and Burton can’t rest until he takes down the rogue military unit that would try to kill a spacey psychic. Ernie’s in love with Burton and Burton’s confused as hell by Ernie—but Ernie’s not changing his mind and Burton can’t stay away. Psychics, assassins, and bad guys—throw them into the desert with a forbidden love affair and what could possibly go wrong?

It's Burt and Ernie. How could I resist?
Since this is a crossover/parallel story to the Fish Out of Water series and the stand alone book Racing For The Sun, I think reading this book by itself would be a little confusing. I'm good to go since I read the Fish Out of Water series (and loved it!)

What are you waiting on this week?

Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne

Release Date: E-Book and Audio – October 8; Paperback – October 30

Publisher: Carina Press

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Tropes and Themes: Workplace romance, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, coming out

Purchase Links: Carina / Amazon / UBL

Synopsis:

Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.

Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late.

Teaser Excerpt:

“Move in with me.”

Four words that should have resulted in amazing sex round two.

Not that Cam had ever uttered those words before, but from what he understood, they usually brought a couple closer, including a celebratory tumble in the sheets. Perfect as he and Nic were already there, naked and sweaty from amazing sex round one.

Nic’s understanding, however, was apparently not the same as Cam’s. He stiffened in his arms one second and scrambled out of bed the next. Levering up, Cam braced a hand on the mattress and watched the giant cypress inked on Nic’s back sway with his mad dash to the bathroom.

“Never known you to run from an argument, Counselor!” Technically, they’d not been arguing, but Cam knew the start of one with Nic as well as he knew the other man’s taste. Arguing was what they did best, even better than sex.

“That’s not what I’m doing,” Nic hollered over the running water.

Cam flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Sure as fuck could have fooled me.”

Purchase Links: Carina / Amazon / UBL

Giveaway: Win 1 of 2 e-copies of any back catalog book by Layla Reyne!

Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88d45f0369/

About Layla Reyne:

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs. Layla is a member of Romance Writers of America and its Kiss of Death and Rainbow Romance Writers chapters. She was a 2016 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist in Romantic Suspense.

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CRAFT BREW, Book 2 of Nic and Cam's Trouble Brewing series is OUT TODAY!

Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne

Release Date: E-Book and Audio – October 8; Paperback – October 30

Publisher: Carina Press

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Tropes and Themes: Workplace romance, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, coming out

Purchase Links: Carina / Amazon / UBL

Synopsis:

Assistant US attorney Dominic Price is staring down the barrel of his father’s debts. The bull’s-eye on his back makes him a threat to everyone he cares about, so when his lover wants to go public with their relationship, he bolts. Not because he isn’t in love—he can’t stomach the thought of putting Cam in danger.

Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne is determined to figure out what trouble Nic is running from, but devastating news from home brings him back to Boston and to the cold case that has haunted his family for two decades. Shoving aside his pride, he calls Nic for help.

Together they search for answers, navigating the minefield of Cam’s past. But when they get too close to the truth, Cam must use every skill in his arsenal to save the man he loves…before it’s too late.

Teaser Excerpt:

He took the steps two at a time, but ground to a halt inside the door. Across the cabin, Cam stood by the mini-bar, arms braced on the polished wood, torso heaving with deep, labored breaths. Nic glanced over his shoulder; Aidan and Jamie hadn’t emerged from the terminal. Stealing a moment, while he still had a chance, he crossed the cabin and wrapped his arms around Cam from behind.

Cam stiffened at first, but after another hitched breath, he relaxed into the hold, and Nic hugged him tighter, same as he’d done earlier. He nuzzled the nape of his neck, inhaling deep. “I wish you’d let me go with you,” he whispered.

So I can make sure you come back.

Cam’s “I do, too” was so quiet Nic barely heard it.

But it landed like a kick to his chest.

“Then why—”

Cam rotated in his arms, silencing him with a quick, hard kiss. “Please wait until I get back to move on Vaughn.”

Maybe he was worried about the mess Nic’s family was in somehow reaching his in Boston. “Is that—”

“Your turn to be quiet and careful. I can’t be there dealing with my family and worrying about you back here. Just wait to make any moves, please.”

Nic nodded, because at least Cam was talking about returning. “Okay, we won’t move on Vaughn until you’re back.”

Cam lifted his hands, framing his face. “And think about telling Aidan, at least about the mole inside the Bureau. And go to Moore. I trust him.”

“Shh, Boston.” Nic laid his hands over Cam’s. He was rambling again, worrying about him and Vaughn instead of what was truly terrifying him. “Don’t worry about me,” Nic reassured him, making up for the earlier lost opportunity, as best he could. “I’ll fly under the radar. I’ll be safe. You worry about your family.”

“You are—”

Using Cam’s own moves against him, Nic kissed him quiet, silencing the demanding flutter of his own damn heart as well.

“Call me if you need me,” Nic said. “I’ll be on the first plane out. Or I’ll phone a friend again, if need be.”

Today is the release  of  AN INCONVENIENT DARE  by Bethany Lopez. An Inconvenient Dare is a novella and is on sale for only 99 cents, or you can read it for FREE in KindleUnlimited.

Purchase Now for 99 cents!

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU

AN INCONVENIENT DARE by Bethany Lopez

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Synopsis:

Vanessa has been so busy working her way up the corporate ladder that she's forgotten all about sex over the past two years. When her best friend dares her to pick up a sexy stranger with panty-dropping dimples, she takes the dare and approaches Enrique. Sensing Vanessa's uncertainty, Enrique gives her full control in the bedroom…until he doesn't.

What started as an inconvenient dare turns into more than Vanessa ever expected, but when she learns the secret Enrique's been keeping, will she be able to forgive him, or will she forgo her chance at happiness?

Purchase Now for 99 cents!

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

AUTHOR LINKS:

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Expected publication: October 9th 2018 by HarperTeen

Genre: YA, LGBT, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is?

I haven't read anything by Becky Albertalli before. I also haven't read anything of Adam Silvera's, although I have his books on my tbr. This book sounds cute, so I think I'll give it a go.

What are you waiting on this week?

Pages

Waiting On Wednesday (363) Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Now in Paperback - Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2) by Layla Reyne

Waiting On Wednesday (362) Snowed in for Christmas Anthology

Excerpt: A Splash of Vanilla (Three Sisters Catering #3) by Bethany Lopez