Lauren's 2¢: Crave by Adriana Locke

Hadley Jacobs is over Machlan Gibson.

Sure, she’ll always be a little weak to the dimple in his right cheek and the way his five o’clock shadow makes him ruggedly handsome. But that’s not enough to cover every other thing about him because they all drive her nuts. Like how he’s won’t admit he’s wrong even when he knows it and how he drives his stupid car a million miles an hour on wet asphalt. As she rolls back into town and takes a seat at Crave, she won’t take the bait. She’s over him. Mostly.

Machlan isn’t over her.

It’s not because he hasn’t tried. He reminds himself over and over that she’s not the girl for him. After all, she drives him insane with her sassy attitude and the way she calls him out on everything. She beats him at poker, even though she doesn’t know the difference between a straight and a flush, and when she looks at him with her bright, blue eyes, it’s unnerving. When she climbs onto that bar stool and orders a drink, he puts it in front of her and ignores the sparkle in her eyes.  He’s not over her, but she won’t know that.

But she does know that. And he knows she’s not as over him as she’s pretending to be. When life forces their hand this time, there’s more on the line than a pile of poker chips. It’s their forever.

Crave is a standalone romance in a new small town, blue-collar series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke. Join readers everywhere as they fall in love with the delicious Gibson Boys.

Keep up-to-date by visiting the author’s website: www.adrianalocke.com.

GOODREADS LINK:  http://bit.ly/CraveGR

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QkGg8N

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Audible: Coming soon!

If we're being honest, and I always aim to be, the Gibson family is one of my absolute favorite fictional families. I've been hooked since Sienna took a baseball bat to Walker's truck. Walker, Lance, Cross - an honorary Gibson, and now Machlan. 

At least to me, Machlan has always been somewhat of a mystery. The tough, bad-ass bar owner. The strong, silent type. His story - minus the fact that it involves Hadley - has been somewhat of a mystery, until now. 

I'll warn you now, Hadley and Machlan are INFURIATING! They push and pull, grab tight and let go. Crave is a constant flux of emotions. So much so that I wanted to just duct tape the two of them together until they realized they were made for one another. Or, better yet, that they were made for one another and are supposed to be together. Forever. Despite their past. 

Machlan sure knows how to make hell feel like home. 

And then there's Nana Gibson. I. Love. That. Woman! She is the glue that holds that family together. Her love for those boys leaks onto each page.   

I've been waiting for Crave to release for months, and it did not disappoint. But I'm REALLY waiting, as I'm sure you are too, for Peck's book. *Grabby hands* I'm fully prepared to throw some bows at Molly, and not the kind you put in your hair...

If you haven't started this series, I HIGHLY recommend it. Like I said earlier, this is one of my absolute favorite families, and I cannot wait to see where Adriana takes them next. 

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 Crank

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xSOyOo

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Audible: http://bit.ly/CrankAudible

#2 Craft

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2P2w7xc

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Audible: https://adbl.co/2DLxvmR

#3 Cross

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Op5SnD

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Audible: https://adbl.co/2zJ5w3i

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana's Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://www.adrianalocke.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorALocke

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoradrianalo

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/adrianalocke

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/BBALGroup

Goodreads Group: http://bit.ly/AllLockedUp

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LockeList

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BUT FIRST, COFFEE by Sarah Darlington Blog Tour

Title: But First, Coffee

Author: Sarah Darlington

Release Date: September 10th

Series: Love & Coffee, Book 1

BLURB:
She’s the boss.

I’m only a barista in her company.I really don’t give a f**k about her one way or the other.

And then there’s Doug Maddox, a man with a lot of power over me. He’s blackmailing me. Making me spy on her. I’m supposed to find her weaknesses and destroy her. But the closer I get, the more the lines between us start to blur.

She’s sweet. She’s kind. She’s sexy as hell.
Why am I the only man who see’s this?

So now I’m stuck—between keeping my sister safe against Doug, because that’s what’s really at stake here, and these feelings I can’t deny for a woman who shouldn’t mean anything to me.

I know what I have to do. I’ll destroy her.
It doesn’t matter if I have to destroy my own heart in the process.

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon AU * Amazon CA
**read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

If your last name is Coffee, I think it's safe to say that you're basically predestined to have something to do with actual coffee. A barista, maybe, or possibly someone a little higher up the food chain...

Joe Coffee has been working for Lana's company for a while now. He's kinda the barista equivalent of the hostess with the mostest. Turning a meh coffee shop into one pulling in the most green in the company is no small feat. After some investigating, Lana turns up some interesting information on Joe. He's definitely more qualified than he let on, and she plans to use him to help her company grow. 

Alright, let me interject here for a second... I don't know about you, but if I'd just found out my employee wasn't exactly who he said he is, I'd be a little skeptical. Like, why is a highly educated dude working as a barista? But I guess that didn't really concern Lana. 

So, Lana and Joe obviously hit it off, yet Joe is hiding a pretty hefty secret, one I will admit, I found kind of refreshing. I don't think I've ever read a book with that exact secret. I have you wondering, don't I? Good. When push comes to shove, Joe has to decide who to protect, when to come clean, and what he's willing to lose. 

One moment can shape you for the rest of your life.

Now, I liked both Lana and Joe, but I will admit that I feel Lana gave Joe WAY too much leniency. She wasn't phased at all by his lies. Now, in both a personal and professional relationship, you'd think trust would be a must, no? Some of his lies had to do with other women, and after those lies, Lana was still very willing to be more...intimate with him. No, Lana, NO. Ew. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, woman. And then there was he reference to his overly large dong. While I see where the author was going with that reference, and why it was useful information to the reader, constant reference to a giant wang just kinda turns me off, ironically. Ha. I may be in the minority, though, which is a-okay. 

Overall, I really enjoyed BUT FIRST, COFFEE. The use of ADHD, the frank discussions about drug/alcohol abuse, the lessons learned, the coffee made, I loved it all. Truth be told, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Joe's sister has some splainin' to do. 

If you love coffee, hot guys, smart women, and a splash of drama, this is definitely the book for you. It's well worth the read.

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About Sarah Darlington

Sarah Darlington, a New Adult and contemporary romance author, lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Best known for her Kill Devil Hills Series, she's also a former flight attendant, with a degree in school counseling, who harbors a huge passion for traveling. She's especially set on visiting all 50 states.
Find Sarah Online:

Website • Instagram • Facebook • Goodreads

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Sarah's 2¢: We Own Tonight by Corinne Michaels

From New York Times Bestseller, Corinne Michaels, comes a sexy new STANDALONE romance novel.

I’m not a one-night stand kind of woman. I’m especially not the woman who has a few drinks at a concert and ends up in bed with my childhood celebrity crush, Eli Walsh.

However, that’s exactly where I find myself.

What’s a girl to do after a drunken mistake? Run. I grab my clothes and get away from the powerful, irresistible, and best-sex-of-my-life superstar as fast as I can. His gorgeous green eyes, rock-hard body, and cocky smile have no place in my world. My life is complicated enough.

Someone forgot to tell him that.

Eli is relentless. Pushing his way into my heart, wearing me down, proving he’s nothing like I assumed, and everything I need. But when my world shatters to pieces, he holds the broken bits together. Unwillingly, I fall desperately in love with him.

He made me think we’d have forever . . . I should’ve listened when he said we could only own tonight.

Amazon

Where do I even begin? We Own Tonight is the book I didn't know I needed in my life. We've got Eli Walsh, musician and actor, who is instantly drawn to Heather when their eyes connect at his concert. We've all been there, swooning over our favorite boy band singer. It's awesome how Corinne spins it though, because our hero and heroine are older. They meet later in life, and their romance is one for the ages!

"I was on my way to see someone. But it turns out she came to me."

Heather is a Tampa police officer with too much on her plate. She cares for her terminal sister full-time as well as works a thankless job and has no time for romance. Much to her dismay, Eli will stop at nothing to get her back after their one night stand.

"Eli makes me forget just how broken I am."

Eli is a playboy, plain and simple. He doesn't take life too seriously after being burned one too many times, but when he and Heather get together, he can't get her out of his mind and heart. 

"Eli breathes life into a heart that was deflated. A heart that never thought it would beat again is once again thumping at a steady pace."

It's funny that Corinne initially said We Own Tonight is her "fluffy, romantic comedy." Believe me, it's got so many laughs and amazing banter, but there is so much heart thrown into this book, I didn't even expect it. With Heather dealing with her sisters illness, the pages take an emotional turn and you can't help but grieve for Heather. Without her parents to console her, she turns to her best friends (love a good girl squad) and eventually Eli to ease the pain.

"If today could last forever, I'd be happy."

Corinne takes us on a true emotional journey with We Own Tonight. I saw someone say that this book ends on a cliffhanger. That's definitely not the case. We get a beautiful HEA for Eli and Heather. This book is heartfelt and unputdownable.

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Trixsters Anonymous Release Day Blitz, Giveaway, + Sarah's 2¢!

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Sassy, dramatic, hot-headed are just some of the words used to describe me since the time I was born. A few little mishaps growing up and my mom has a running ‘Emerson Baker’ prayer circle, and I have the reputation of a spit-fire that won’t go away.

I prefer the terms loyal, passionate, fiery, and possibly a bit impulsive.

So when my best friend proposes the concept of starting our own business, I jump on the idea.

CHEATERS BEWARE!

That should be our motto… because your secrets can’t stay hidden for long with Trixsters Anonymous on the case.

We are the moonlighting duo hell-bent on helping those who suspect their lovers are cheating. We’re professional, careful, and completely anonymous…What could possibly go wrong?

Walker Scott… that’s what goes wrong.

I never stood a chance against the gorgeous, hazel-eyed, fiercely determined man who storms into my life and completely blindsides me.

He’s the proof that opposites attract—and when they do, the chemistry is explosive.

Did I mention he’s also a detective? A very, very, talented detective?

Pretty soon being a Trixster is a lot more complicated.

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Trixters Anonymous is the latest standalone by Ahren Sanders. It doesn't connect with any of her previous books and I loved every second of this story! 

Emerson Baker is the local hothead/spitfire/best friend I always wanted. She's perpetually single and doesn't quite mind it. During a run-in at the local police station she meets Walker Scott and her life changes as she knows it. 

Walker Scott is ex-Army and newly appointed detective of the local police department. Not looking for a relationship and comfortable in his current bachelor status, he takes one look at Emi and knows he'll never find another girl like her. 

I. Loved. This. Book. Loved it! There's something really special about Ahren Sanders writing and it needs to be read by the masses! She's got such a great way of writing her characters that you can't help but relate to them and fall in love throughout the chapters. 

Trixters is SO funny and heartwarming. I couldn't help but laugh and just keep turning the page. Trixters is angst-free and super fun without any real fallout between between our main characters. Emi and her best friend Maren start a fantastic business while she's learning the ropes of being in a relationship with super hot alpha Walker and I repeat, I loved every word!

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Click HERE to check out the Release Day Giveaway!

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Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach, which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand.

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Monster Among the Roses by Linda Kage Release Day Blitz, Giveaway, + Sarah's 2¢!

Will you dare to gaze upon the monster among the roses?

MONSTER AMONG THE ROSES

Fairy Tale Quartet #1

Linda Kage

Releasing July 24, 2017

“Do you know how to get to the rose garden?”

“No, you can’t go there. A monster lives there.”

Shaw Hollander is desperate.

Broke, unemployed, and determined to help his ailing mother, he falls on the good graces of a wealthy benefactor who is willing to give Shaw a job at his mansion in order to pay off his mother’s debts. Suddenly finding himself surrounded by lavish riches, he has no idea what his duties truly entail until he’s sent to the rose garden and meets the tragically mutilated Isobel.

This Beauty and the Beast story holds true to the core of the fable while shaking off the element of fantasy and dragging it into present day reality. Shaw and Isobel are ready to let you climb into their four-wheel-drive pickup and take a ride with them into their version of happily ever after, but only if you first dare to gaze upon the monster among the roses.

Monster Among the Roses is Linda Kage's latest standalone in her Fairy Tale Quartet.  I see this being a series of complete standalones with a common theme among them.

Ok.  So.  Monster Among the Roses is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast.  I love this concept!  Modern day fairy tales give me the warm fuzzies.  I thought this story was really sweet and very well written.  Linda Kage has a way of getting you immersed into her characters lives and she does it in a special way.  

I absolutely loved Shaw Hollander.  He's basically giving up his entire life to make sure his mother is secure in her own and he doesn't care the cost.  He's contracted to work with the local big wig of his town to take all of his mothers debt away.  

Isobel Nash isn't mentioned in the book until we meet her.  She's mean to basically everyone and I feel her pain.  After much coaxing, she opens up to Shaw and they have a beautiful love story.  

The one thing that I didn't love about this book was the characters ages.  It's written as more young adult (aside from love scenes) instead of contemporary or new adult.  For Shaw being age 28 and Isobel 25, if felt the maturity of their characters could have been older.  Or they should have been younger.  It just didn't match their ages and I had a hard time coming to terms with that.  

Aside from the age thing, I really did enjoy this read.  It's emotional, heartwarming and has a really sweet HEA.

I grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now I live in Kansas with my husband, two daughters, nine cuckoo clocks, and a cat named Holly. My life's been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing's always been a major part my world, and I'm so happy to finally share some of my stories with other romance lovers.

I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, and I've been through a writing correspondence class in children's literature from The Institute of Children's Literarture, and then I continued my writing lessons by majoring in English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University. 

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