So many books…!!!

 

As someone who has a very, very, very long to read list (1,884 at this moment.  DON’T JUDGE ME!) I sometimes have a really hard time deciding what I will read next.

Sometimes it’s a no brainer.  For instance, if a book is released and I have been waiting for it for a while or I’m super excited about it, I will just ignore all other books, sometimes even putting the one I’m reading aside and dive right in.  Kristen Ashley books are definitely this for me.

Other times it’s a painstaking exercise of going through my to read list to try to pick one that strikes my fancy, or it’s a group decision made with my book besties so we can read it together.

I’m curious.  How do you choose what you’ll read next?  Do you follow your to read list or just pick at random? I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!

Robert Pattinson in Remember Me:  Is he having trouble choosing a book?

Robert Pattinson from Vanity Fair photoshoot: Looks like he found one.

 

*Note:  Robert Pattinson pics found on Google.

Hello, it’s me!

 

I’m stepping in here and looking around.  Wow! This place has really been neglected.  So many cobwebs! Lately, I have found myself missing this so I decided to come in here and see if there’s anyone still out there.

It has been more than a year since I last posted and as you can imagine, I’m a little rusty. I used to post mainly about books, hot guys and the occasional rant about something or other.

Writing book reviews was super stressful for me.  I’m not sure why.  I think the deadlines were starting to take away from my enjoyment of reading.  So even though I’m tempted sometimes to get a new ARC, I shy away from having to write a review.  I’m still reading just as much but enjoying it so much more.

As for the hot guys, who doesn’t appreciate looking at a sexy man? Either dressed or nearly undressed, it’s always nice to glance upon the hotness.  I don’t have any plans right now to go back to my Tantalizing Tuesdays posts but I think it’s safe to say that every now and then I may feel inspired to share a few hot guy pics with you.  Are you ok with that?

Which leads me to my rants.  I know that the definition of rant is “to speak or shout at length in a wild, impassioned way”.  I’m not necessarily shouting or speaking wildly but seeing as I’m a loud Portuguese girl, that’s up for interpretation. I am passionate about a lot of things and I do get irked (I’ve been wanting to use that word for a while) by some things very easily, such as orange-so-called-presidents, what I perceive to be unfairness,  and rampant stupidity to name a few.  I may go back to what my original idea for my blog was all about:  getting stuff off my chest.

Now that I’ve said all that, I really do hope to be coming in here more often to just vent and share.  It makes me feel like I’m visiting an old friend.

See you soon.

Cover Reveal: Preppy, Part Three by T.M. Frazier

Title:  Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part Three

Series:  King, #7

Author:  T.M. Frazier

Release Date:  April 26, 2017

 

The bow tie is BACK! 

Dre was just a beautiful stranger when Preppy saved her the first time around. Now, he has to save her again, but she’s no longer some stranger, she’s family, and he has no idea who or what he’s up against.

What he does know is that putting his family back together is the only acceptable outcome.

Preppy’s to-do list?
SAVE FAMILY. SEEK REVENGE.

He’s alive…and he’s out for BLOOD.

Preppy Part Three is the third book and conclusion of Preppy and Dre’s story. It’s also the 7th book in the King Series, which should be read in order starting with KING & TYRANT.

AMAZON: https://goo.gl/T30CgE

AMAZON UK:https://goo.gl/dIzcFn

AMAZON AU:https://goo.gl/ZKZRA5

iBOOKS: https://goo.gl/a7683P

KOBO: https://goo.gl/OF5lmP

NOOK: https://goo.gl/1fdJiR

The Book Barista Reviews: Good Boy by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Title:  Good Boy

Series:  WAGs, #1

Author:  Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Release Date:  January 31, 2017

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear.

We were first introduced to Blake and Jess in Us, so I was pretty excited about them getting their own book.  I just knew that I was going to love Blake.

I would definitely say that Blake is one of my all-time favourite characters.  He’s a professional hockey player.  He’s funny (sometimes downright goofy).  He’s loyal and protective of those he loves and cares about.  He’s a good and thoughtful friend. He’s got a super positive outlook. He’s Canadian (his family lives in the same city as I do!).  What’s not to love?!

Jess was a bit of the opposite.  She’s flitted from career to career and believes that her family sees her as a disappointment.  Her focus is on the new direction she wants to take in her life and doesn’t see room in it for anyone (Blake).

Blake never gave up even when Jess gave him an ice-cold shoulder.  He remained positive.  Then, when she needed a little boost, he was there for her giving her all the positive vibes a girl could want.

This writing duo has definitely joined the list of my favourite authors, both individually and collectively.  I look forward to reading more from these two.

You know when you read a book and it just makes you feel good? THIS book did that for me.  It was a fun and sexy read.  No big angsty moments.  Just a sweet and funny love story.  There was no hesitation on my part in giving Good Boy five sweet, hot and delicious caffe lattes.

AMAZON | KOBO | B&N

Note: I received this ARC  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Faces I Love!!!

 

Every now and then I need a little something to make me smile.  Thanks to my Second born I now have these photos that she’s taken of herself and our cat.  These really made me laugh and laugh.  I loved them so much I just had to share them with everyone.

Everyone that knows me has seen countless pics of my cat with her “resting bitch face”.  Well, here are a few more.  These are different though.  Second born has decided to mimic MuiMui’s facial expressions.  The quality of the pics is not great but these are priceless to me.  These are two faces that I love!!!!

 

*Pics are courtesy of Second born and are being used with her permission.

The Book Barista Reviews: Back Check by Kelly Jamieson

Title:  Back Check

Series:  Aces Hockey, #4

Author:  Kelly Jamieson

Release Date:  January 10, 2017

The so-bad-they’re-good alphas of hockey’s Chicago Aces are back in this emotionally charged novel of sex, love, and second chances from the bestselling author of Top Shelf and the Heller Brothers series.

Tanner Bennet hates weddings. They just remind him that he simply isn’t cut out for any kind of healthy, committed relationship—never has been, never will be. After getting rejected by the girl he thought was “the one” all those years ago, he made a huge mistake and married the wrong person. Now that the divorced heartbreaker has reluctantly agreed to be a groomsman for one of his NHL teammates, the last thing he expects is a chance at redemption with the one that got away.

After Marc Dupuis of the Chicago Aces hires wedding planner Katelyn Medford, she discovers that her big break comes with a twist: a reunion with her college sweetheart. The way she dumped Tanner still haunts her. Eight years—and three broken engagements—later, Katelyn knows she’ll never have that kind of innocent, wide-eyed passion again. Still, she and Tanner soon generate enough body heat to burn up the sheets. And even with Tanner’s career with the Aces up in the air, Katelyn’s wondering whether the time is right to let him in for real.

This book has so many things going for it.  The first thing you’ll notice is the amazing cover.  HELLO SEXY MAN WITH THE STUNNING EYES!!!  Then once you dive in, you’ll add a new sexy, hockey player book boyfriend to your list.  And then, who doesn’t love a second chance romance?

This series sucked me in right from the first book.  Kelly Jamieson writes amazing characters.  You’ll love the hockey players and the women who love them.  I thought it would be tough to top Jared and Sidney from the previous book Top Shelf, but this one pretty much tied as my favourite in the series.

Katelyn and Tanner have history, so imagine their mutual surprise when they come across each other again. Katelyn as Marc and Lovey’s wedding planner and Tanner as one of Marc’s groomsmen.  In the past they made choices that required that they each go their separate ways.  Now they keep bumping into each other and their chemistry is unmistakable.  Once again they may be forced to make some tough decisions.  I loved seeing how they came to terms with the love they have for one another.

I really enjoyed this book and it definitely is worthy of five hot and steamy Tim’s (you know, the first one you have in the morning that is oh so satisfying).  As usual I look forward to more in this series.

AMAZON | KOBO | B&N

Note: I received this ARC from the Publisher/NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Book Barista Reviews: Saint by A. Zavarelli

Title:  Saint

Series:  Boston Underworld, #4

Author:  A. Zavarelli

Release Date:  December 15, 2016

Scarlett-

When going to war, there are three very simple rules one must abide by.

1. Know thy enemy
2. Be prepared to sacrifice.
3. Always wear good shoes

After all, revenge is a dish best served in stilettos.
I’ve got an eye for it, and nothing’s going to stand in my way.

Not even Rory ‘The Saint’ Brodrick.
He’s a fool if he thinks he can change me. By the time I’m through with him, I’ll make his mafia look like child’s play.

Cross me, Mr. Brodrick?
You better cross your heart and hope to die.

Rory-

I’m a fighter. A hustler. A mobster.
I’ve seen a few things in my day.
But I’ve never encountered anything like her.
She’s a beauty with a beast of a heart. The poison apple I just can’t resist. And in her trail she leaves a wake of men crawling on their knees.
What she doesn’t know is that I like my women wild.
It only makes it that much more fun to tame them.

**This is a DARK mafia romance. A full-length standalone novel with HEA and no cheating.**

The Boston Underworld series has quickly become a favourite for me.  Who doesn’t love a good Irish mob story? This series is so well written but note that it is definitely not for the faint of heart.  It’s gritty and violent but OH SO GOOD!

Both Scarlett and Rory had been introduced in the previous books in the series. I knew Scarlett’s story would be interesting but I couldn’t have imagined what she had suffered.  She is driven by revenge and the need to get back at those who so violently wronged her.  As for Rory, yes he’s “A fighter.  A hustler. A Mobster” but he’s definitely a good guy.  He loves his mom.  He loves kids.  He definitely is interested in Scarlett.

I obviously liked Scarlett but I wanted her to come around to Rory’s side a lot faster.  As I mentioned before, she is consumed by her need for revenge so she doesn’t allow herself to acknowledge what she really feels for Rory.

Rory seemed, to me, to be the most patient man EVER.  He knew Scarlett had deep-seated issues and that she wasn’t willing to completely share with him. He waited and waited. Even when I thought he’d give up he didn’t.

This was a great book and I didn’t want to put it down (even though it was the holidays and I had a house full of people).  I gave Saint four fantastic Irish coffees. I’m definitely hoping there will be more in this series.

 

AMAZON |  B&N

Note: I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Book Barista Reviews: To Save Him by Jade C. Jamison

Title:  To Save Him

Author:  Jade C. Jamison

Release Date:  November 21, 2016

A new look at the May-December romance…

She said she would do anything to save him…but will it cause her to lose herself?

What if she was wrong?

What if Brandon Abbott is not who he says he is?

Kimberly Cooper’s emotional compass has been off since her bitter divorce and the death of her oldest son, so when young soldier Brandon shows up at her door, she invites him to be part of her family’s life. He says he was friends with her deceased son…

But things don’t seem to add up.

And then, when she becomes sexually attracted to him, all bets are off.

When her heart trumps her brain, will she know if she was wrong or will she learn the truth after it’s too late?

(Please note: this book had the working title December Lust.)

I have yet to read a Jade C. Jamison book that I didn’t love and this one is certainly no exception.

In this May-December romance Kimberly is the older one in the relationship.  She’s endured a divorce and the death of her oldest son.  When Brandon knocks on the door claiming to be a friend of her late son she’s eager to help him out.  Soon enough she finds herself attracted to him.  She can’t help but be concerned about the age difference and what her two kids will think.

When she and Brandon finally embark on a sexual relationship, certain aspects of Brandon become clear.  Through her doubts about him, she follows her heart and is committed to helping him.

I will admit that this story took a couple of turns that I did not see coming and I found myself holding my breath sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop.  As the story progresses, it’s a journey of self-awareness for both Kimberly and Brandon.  In both cases, to a certain extent, a journey to self-forgiveness and acceptance.

It was a pleasure to read To Save Him and I gave this story four delicious, hot and comforting cups of java.

 

There was a sadness about Brandon that touched my heart. I could sense that he had so much more to say, but the words couldn’t find a way out. Maybe he needed time, but there was also a chance that those words would be forever buried inside him.

“Brandon, I haven’t been a Christian woman since the day I learned of my son’s death, but it wouldn’t be very Christian or civil of me to turn you away after dark.” I took a deep breath and saw him mustering up an argument, but I began speaking again before he could protest. “Ordinarily, I’d have a guest stay in the extra bedroom, but—if you’d be okay with it—I’d imagine Gabriel would like to have you stay in his room. It’s…been unoccupied for a very long time.”

There was a long pause until JR clamored, “Please?”

Brandon’s struggle was evident in his eyes but he said, “That’s very kind of you. I’d…appreciate it more than you know.”

His soul had spoken to me that night. It was the night I fell in love with Brandon Abbott.

For years, Jade C. Jamison tried really hard to write what she thought was more “literary” fiction, but she found herself compelled to write what you read by her today—sometimes gritty, raw, realistic stories and other times humorous, light tales—but most of the stories she writes revolve around relationships and characters finding their way through life. While she doesn’t confine herself to just one genre, nor is there a nice neat label for what she writes, most of her work could be called erotic romance.

She lives in Colorado with her husband and four children.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dsY031
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2duFRNt
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2ezZX9F
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2ecX8i5
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2erkT6y
iTunes: http://apple.co/2eMjqnF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2eqgKBt
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2fwsdf0

 

Note: I received this ARC from the Author for my honest opinion.