Blog Tour & Review ~ #Player (Hashtag #3) by Cambria Herbert

Title: #Player

Series: Hashtag Series

Author: Cambria Hebert

Genre: NA Contemp/College Romance

Release Date: March 9, 2015

Players gotta play.

Hate is like a poison. It contaminates everything.

So does doubt.

Even though I deny what I overheard, even though I insist it isn’t true, the seed of doubt has been planted. I can’t help but be tormented with the endless what-if’s that have taken over our lives.

Romeo and I were happy in love. The future stretched before us brighter than any star in the darkest sky. Now everything is broken. Literally broken. Romeo’s entire career is at stake, my entire future is threatened… and my past?

It’s coming back to haunt me.

To haunt us.

Romeo says we’re in this together and right now the only sure thing is us. But how far can a love so new be pushed? The lengths we will have to go to save each other puts everything at risk.

Romeo is a #player but how much of the game can one person play?

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4 #Amazing Stars

The final instalment of Romeo and Rimmel’s story and boy was it a heart stopper. I highly recommend reading #Nerd (Book 1) and #Hater (Book 2) before jumping into this story. It has everything you could possibly want; suspense, love, laughter and tears. Cambria Herbert pulled out all stops on this one.

At the end of #Hater Romeo and Rimmel’s relationship is put to the test. More challenges thrown their way then most couples have to endure in a lifetime together. My heart hurt for them but I could not wait to see how they took it all on, if they would stay united and fight or if life would become too much and tear them apart?

One night is all it took for Romeo’s world to be turned upside, his dream of playing in the NFL jeopardised by an injury that was out of his control. Romeo’s need to protect the one he loves could have cost him everything he has worked so hard for. Would he ever play again? What would this mean for his future? Waiting to read his fate was nail biting. While his world was crumbling around him his main concern was always Rimmel. Her safety and her happiness always came first. He determination to ensure Rimmel and their relationship was not under threat was staggering, you couldn’t help but cheer him on hoping he would get his HEA. 

“Romeo says we’re in this together and right now the only sure thing is us. But how far can a love so new be pushed?”

Rimmel’s life has been put on hold. Her future hangs in the balance; her life is taking hits every which way she turns. I began to wonder how one comes back from so many blows. Rimmel’s strength was inspiring, no matter how many punches life through at her; she got up swinging. She always put the ones she loved before herself, something a lot of women can relate to, I’m sure.
 When her past collides with her future, it’s scary, not something I was expecting at all, the suspense was crazy, I couldn’t read fast enough, or tell you the amount of times I held my breathe. You can understand Romeo’s desperate need to protect her. 

The growth these characters show from #Nerd (Book 1) makes my heart smile. #Player was the perfect way to end such a fantastic story between two young people whose love really did conquer all.

Romeo is a #Player and he always wins ;) ! 

Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. 

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house). 

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: Text, Torch, Tryst, Masquerade, and Recalled.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC. Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com

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Undefeated (Bomb Squad 2) by Melissa Cutler ARC #Review

Title: Undefeated

Author: Melissa Cutler

Series: Bomb Squad #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Synopsis:

Welcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of Bomb Squad—an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. The team’s battling a losing streak, but the season’s biggest game changer is one player’s second chance with the one who got away…

Yoga instructor Marlena Brodie is always up for a challenge, and her new job of snapping Bomb Squad out of their rut is definitely that, even though it means being in close contact with Liam McAllister, her high school crush gone bad. She can feel the damage pouring off of him—but also a wild and sexy strength that calls to her.

The Army turned Liam McAllister into a man, but as a combat medic, he saw far too much to ever be whole again. He’s not interested in the civilian world beyond his job as a carpenter, but he never stopped wondering what might have been with Marlena—and it isn’t long before she’s crashed through his carefully constructed walls. He longs for a new beginning with her, but to be the man she deserves, he’ll have to step out of his defensive zone and score the most important play of his life…

5 Stars

Melissa Cutler never ceases to amaze me with how she can write an intense romance, because Undefeated was a HUGE hit for me!!!

I knew going in that ex-Army medic, Liam McAllister, was so broken on the inside. There’s good reason why he hides a side of himself from everyone. I can’t even begin to relate to the level of PTSD he experiences, but Ms. Cutler was able to paint the raw and deep emotions of what he deals with on a daily basis. Now, I related to yoga instructor, Marlena Brodie, so well. I understood her way of thinking and listening to what the universe is trying to say. She has her own issues to deal with, too, and I appreciated how the subject of bi-polar disorder was tied into the plot. I love Liam and Marlena together! I like it when the author can show two people struggling individually find a way to make it work throughout their journey together. Ms. Cutler pulls that off in this story. Plus, it leaves you with a full feeling of hope for people in similar situations.

The Bomb Squad series is about a hockey team of wounded veterans. We get nice ice action in this one, as well as, heart-pounding moments. The sense of brotherhood and friendship between the characters is very much kept alive. I fell in love with the small town of Destiny Falls in book 1, Risky Business. Undefeated made me love the place and people even more!

Yes, this book can most certainly be read as a stand-alone. If you like hockey players and ex-military heroes in your romances, then you NEED to be reading this series! I can’t wait for the next book!

Lastly, a romance story with a hockey player is mighty fine, but there is something about a guy that does yoga that is super HOT…just sayin’!

A review copy was received from publisher. This is my honest review.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo
Barnes & Noble | iTunes

My review of Risky Business (Bomb Squad #1) can be found

HERE

About the author

Melissa Cutler knows she has the best job in the world, dividing her time between her dual passions for writing sexy contemporary romances and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense for Harlequin, Penguin, St. Martin’s Press, and Kensington Books. She was struck at an early age by an unrelenting travel bug and is probably planning her next vacation as you read this. When she’s not globetrotting, she’s enjoying Southern California’s flip-flop wearing weather and wrangling two rambunctious kids.

http://www.melissacutler.net/

Blocked by Jennifer Lane ~ Release Event Guest Post + Giveaway

BLOCKED

By Jennifer Lane

New Adult Contemporary/Sports Romance

 

Released October 21, 2014

Amazon

 

College freshman Lucia Ramirez has a secret crush on Dane Monroe. He’s a tall drink of water — blond, brash, and one hell of a volleyball player. Hijole. Lucia hopes her volleyball scholarship to his school will make him notice her.

Too bad what’s noticeable is Dane’s obvious hatred for Lucia. Her family’s politics contradict everything he stands for. And politics are front and center in both their families. Dane’s mother is about to face Lucia’s father in the race for US President.

When Secret Service throws them together, Dane can’t deny his frustrating attraction to Lucia’s athletic curves and sweet faith in the world. Amid the intense pressure of college athletics and presidential politics, can opposites not just attract, but overcome overwhelming odds to be together? Or do their differences block their match from the start?

Writing Blocked

Lucia opened the door. "They say not to discuss politics and religion on the first date."



“Well, then.” I gave her a huge smile. “We’re screwed.”

~*~

Has a political opinion on social media ever made your blood boil? Have you struggled to tolerate friends’ opposing political views? There’s a bitter political divide in many countries, including the US, and those polarized philosophies inspired the story of Blocked.

Heroine Lucia Ramirez and hero Dane Monroe view the world in opposite ways but are thrown together as their parents compete for the US presidency. Underhanded national politics are hardly the place for a trusting relationship to begin, but can love bridge the gap of mistrust and hatred?

The theme of forbidden love intrigues me. Lucia’s conservative father, the Republican nominee for US President, would be horrified to learn of his daughter’s crush on his liberal opponent’s son Dane. Dane and his mother, the Democratic nominee for US President, believe that harsh conservative ideals thwart the American dream.

One lesson from my psychology career is that perception is reality. Democrats see the world quite differently from Republicans, and both groups are hell-bent on proving they’re right. Dane wants equality for all. Lucia stands for individual responsibility. Which philosophy is better? Which will persevere in the next election?

Sometimes, political discussion becomes heated. It gets ugly. In contrast, I tried my hardest to present each viewpoint fairly in this story. Readers and editors from both sides of the aisle critiqued the manuscript, and one reason I self-published the novel was to preserve a delicate balance of political views between Dane and Lucia.

Despite their political differences, Lucia and Dane share one thing in common: volleyball. Both are scholarship volleyball players at a top university, vying to earn a spot on the US national team one day. In addition to swimming, I played volleyball at a small college, and my love for this sport bleeds onto the pages. To smash a perfectly set volleyball down the opponent’s throat? There’s nothing more satisfying. And the closeness of a team is one of life’s special pleasures, experienced by Lucia and Dane.

I hope you enjoy the political and sport elements in Blocked.  ~Jennifer Lane

GIVEAWAY

Jennifer Lane is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card on her Facebook page for the release! You can enter HERE.

About the Author

Get psyched for romance with psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane! By day she witnesses growth in her psychotherapy clients, and by night she wrangles misbehaving fictional characters as she writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She can’t decide which is more fun.

A swimmer and volleyball player in college, Jen wove some of her own experiences into Streamline—a military mystery about swimmers. And readers can dip their toes into Jen’s world of swimming romance by sampling her free New Adult novella Swim Recruit.

College volleyball romance Blocked is Jen’s newest release, launching 10-21-14. Peek inside big-time college sports and even bigger national politics when the offspring of two presidential candidates find out whether opposites really do attract, or their match is blocked from the start.

Stories of redemption interest Jen the most, especially the healing power of love. She is also the author of The Conduct Series, a romantic suspense trilogy that includes With Good Behavior, Bad Behavior, and On Best Behavior. Ultimately, whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry.

In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending book club, hanging out with her plus-size, “I’m not fat, I’m big-boned” Izzie cat, and visiting her sisters and their families in Chicago and Hilton Head.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

Risky Business (Bomb Squad 1) by Melissa Cutler #Review #SportsRomance

Title: Risky Business

Author: Melissa Cutler

Series: Bomb Squad #1

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Publication Date: August 19, 2014

Synopsis:

Welcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of the Bomb Squad—an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. But the season’s biggest match-up isn’t on the ice as one of their own prepares to go head to head with his new boss...

Allison Whitely’s ex left her with a mountain of debt and Cloud Nine, a struggling boat rental business. With zero job skills, her only hope of getting back in the black lies in a brooding ex-soldier who has her seeing red…

Theo Lacroix’s teammates are counting on their star player to help them win an upcoming high profile hockey game. But when a sexy tornado of a woman sweeps into town and expects him to help her with Cloud Nine, Theo is tempted to skate away from it all.

Theo vowed to never again be someone’s knight in shining armor, but his feelings—and desire—for Allison are becoming harder to ignore. He longs to save her, but to win Allison’s love, he’ll have to throw out his old playbook and take the ultimate risk…playing from the heart.

5 Stars

I loved so many things about Risky Business! The premise surrounding the Bomb Squad series is very intriguing. The Bomb Squad is an ice hockey team made up of wounded war veterans, and you know what that means…a team full of tortured ex-military heroes!

Risky Business tells the story of Canadian Theo Lacroix. From his injury to the way he deals with life, I found everything about Theo to be very interesting.  He’s definitely one fighting some huge internal demons! When his emotional backstory is finally revealed, you’ll understand why his defenses quickly kick up when Allison comes crashing into his life.

Allison Whitely comes to town ready and willing to change her life for the better. She’s determined to stand on her own after everything that happened with her ex-husband. Boy, do Theo and Allison butt heads all around, but I like her so much! She’s not perfect. She’s made mistakes, but she’s exactly the type of spark Theo needs in his life. Their romance is slowly built up, which I appreciated. Melissa Cutler made me root for both of them!

What a great start to a series! Ms. Cutler warmly welcomes the reader to the small town of Destiny Falls. I loved the sense of friendship and community where the people are so passionate in what they do. I loved the brotherhood within the hockey team both on and off the ice. Book 1 introduces many characters that I can’t wait to read more about in the next books! Liam’s book (Undefeated) is next, and he seems way more tortured than Theo. I’m so looking forward to learning more about him!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
iBooks | Kobo

Books in the Bomb Squad hockey series:
Risky Business (Bomb Squad #1)- August 2014
Undefeated (Bomb Squad #2) - November 2014
Game Changer (Bomb Squad #3) - April 2015

About Melissa

Melissa Cutler knows she has the best job in the world, dividing her time between her dual passions for writing sexy contemporary romances and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense for Harlequin, Penguin, St. Martin’s Press, and Kensington Books. She was struck at an early age by an unrelenting travel bug and is probably planning her next vacation as you read this. When she’s not globetrotting, she’s enjoying Southern California’s flip-flop wearing weather and wrangling two rambunctious kids.
http://www.melissacutler.net/

#BlogTour & #Review ~ Sweet Fall (Sweet Home #3) by Tillie Cole

Synopsis

From the USA Today Best Selling Sweet Home Series, comes Sweet Fall; a tale of heartache, beating the odds and finding strength in the most unlikeliest of places.

We all have secrets.

Secrets well buried.

Until we find the one soul who makes the burden of such secrets just that little bit easier to bear.

Lexington "Lexi" Hart is a senior at the University of Alabama. Surrounded by her best friends, her loving family and having fulfilled her life-long dream of making the Crimson Tide cheer squad, everything is going exactly as she always dreamed it would. But beneath her happy exterior, demons lurk, threatening to jeopardize everything Lexi has worked to achieve.

When events in her life become too much to cope with, Lexi finds herself spiraling down into the realm of her biggest fear. Lexi falls hard, victim once again to the only thing that can destroy her and, on the way, finds herself falling straight into the dangerous tattooed arms of a guy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Austin Carillo, starting Wide Receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, must get picked in this year's NFL draft. He needs it. His brothers need it. Most importantly, his mother desperately needs it. Brought up in a world where the poor are forgotten, the sick are left to fend for themselves and no hero miraculously appears to pull you out of hell, Austin had no other choice but to make a living on the wrong side of the law—until football offered Austin the break to get his life back on track.

But when a family tragedy drags him back into the clutches of the gang he believed he had left far behind, Austin finds himself falling. Falling back into criminal ways and falling deep into a suffocating darkness. Until a troubled yet kindred spirit stumbles across his path, where Austin quickly finds he is falling for a young woman—a young woman who might just have the power to save him from his worst enemy: himself.

Can two troubled souls find a lasting peace together? Or will they finally succumb to the demons threatening to destroy them?

New Adult/Contemporary Romance novel—contains adult content, sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 17 and up.

*CAN BE READ AS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL*

Purchase Links

Amazon U.K. | Amazon U.S. | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Five Heartbreaking & Soul-crushing Stars

“Why the war paint, Pix?”

“Because I can’t stand the girl underneath,” she whispered

“Why the tattoos?” Lexi asked

“Because I can’t bear seeing the scars of my past.”

Even before I begin writing this review, I already know expressing my feelings in words is going to be difficult.

This story, my God, this story…

I’m going to be straight up honest with you guys. This was not an easy read. This was emotional, raw and truly heartbreaking. Yes, this is a love story, but it was so much more than boy meets girl and fall in love. Oh no…it was so much more than that.

“I don’t look up at the stars to feel inferior, Austin. All I have to do is open my eyes and look at myself in the mirror.”

Lexi is hiding a dangerous secret behind her cheerful smile and Goth makeup. She’s fought so hard to be where she is today - back in college, and even cheering for the Tide. But everyday she fights to keep her secret - to keep the voice at bay. She will never be fully cured. Her triggers are always present and it doesn’t take much for her to fall, especially when a boy from the wrong side of the tracks enters her life.

All anyone ever saw when they looked at me was the white trash ex-gang member from the Heighterfamed trailer park across town.

But not her.

Fuck knows why, but Pix only ever saw more.

Austin Carillo is so close to achieving his dream of making the NFL and finally being able to help his family get out of their tragic situation. He’s known as the star wide receiver for the Tide with a dangerous past. So far Austin has been able to stay clear of his drug-dealing-ex-gang past, but things are starting to spiral out of control again. His mother is extremely sick and his brothers are desperate to amend the situation, even to go as far as dealing in his own campus. His decent back is jeopardizing everything he’s fought for, especially when the one person that can bring it all down is the same person who can also be his salvation.

I will cherish the sweetest, most beautiful fall…With Austin Carillo, my home.

This story opened up my mind and thoroughly shredded my heart. Austin and Lexi’s story is one that I won’t be forgetting. This is a dual POV and being inside their respective heads was certainly painful at times. The constant struggles to just keep their head above water, and their need to fight their demons was tough to intake. As I said before, this was not an easy read. This had a darker vibe than the first two books but that’s only because Austin and Lexi are a bit darker than the other characters in the series. With that said, this can actually be read as a standalone, though there are spoilers from the first two books.

Thank you, Tillie, for sharing this story. The topics addressed are rooted deep and the strength it took to write it shines through the pages. Bravo!

About Tillie

Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.

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GIVEAWAY

Tillie is giving away a Kindle Fire HDX and this is open internationally

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Blog Tour Organised By: Kelly @ Have Book Will Read