Tuesday, April 4, 2017

[Review] Fighting For Love by Kelly Elliott

A larger-than-life firefighter inspires a career-driven woman to live in the moment—and trust in the power of love—in this flirty, emotional novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Harmony. Finn Ward has two passions: being a firefighter and being single. Although his parents are constantly nagging him to settle down, Finn just wants to enjoy himself while he’s young. Then, at a union meeting, he meets a gorgeous lawyer with a dazzling smile—and suddenly, settling down doesn’t sound so bad. Rory Adams is fresh out of law school and looking to make a name for herself at her mother’s firm. She doesn’t have time for silly games anymore. But when she catches the eye of a dashing fireman who makes her body tingle from across the room, something instantly ignites between them. The only problem? Her father is Finn’s boss. Their relationship turns both of their lives upside-down. Rory tames Finn’s wild ways, while he shows her that life can’t be all work and no play. But it’ll take some serious determination to keep their love secret—and real courage to admit the truth.

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Review

Fighting For Love by Kelly Elliott is my favorite book this year. I fell in love with it right from the start. It has that impact moment where it draws you in for more until your locked in with your heart. I couldn’t stop reading it and I couldn’t stop. It felt like I was in the story myself. I was so committed to it. Kelly Elliott has this way about her words and storyline that make you fall in love over and over again. Fighting For Love was the book that you want your life to be like. It makes you want a romance just as perfect as Finn and Rory.

Kelly Elliott gives us this instant romance from the start. I feel the chemistry when these two characters meet for the first time. It is not rushed and I could feel it progressing at the perfect rate. These characters run into problems just like all other romances but can they overcome the fact that Rory’s father is Finn’s boss? Will their love burn fierce even though Rory’s father is determined to stop it?

There isn’t one thing I hated about this book. It was in love with everything. Finn was the perfect book boyfriend and I have declared him mine. He is so sweet and romantic. He is a firefighter and a player at first but once he sets his eyes on Rory it is like no one else exists. This has to be why I loved him so deeply. He had this strength, passion, and persistence that was unbelievable fierce. Finn is the kind of guy every girl wants. Not only did we get the amazing Finn, but we also got Flash. And goodnesss gracious, this book had me laughing so hard. It was full on romance with funny moments that made you giggle nonstop.

Enough about Finn, let me talk about Rory too. This girl was one of my favorite heroines. She knew how to handle Finn and she rocked her career as well. I loved how she unfolded throughout the book. I got all the feels with this book. I felt the love flowing as well as anger and passion. This book gave it all to me.

Finn Ward will now be one of my top book boyfriends. Kelly Elliott wrote the perfect book in Fighting For Love. She did everything right with it. I know that this will now be one of my top Kelly Elliott books ever!

Title: THIRD BASE

Author: Heidi McLaughlin

Series: The Boys of Summer, #1

On Sale: April 4, 2017

Publisher: Forever

Trade Paperback: $14.99 USD

eBook: $3.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

Ethan Davenport is already Boston's most eligible bachelor. In his second season with the Boston Renegades he has set his eyes on the girl behind the visitors' dugout.

That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston and a die-hard Renegades fan.

But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training.

For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she's been keeping threatens to destroy them both.

**NOW AVAILABE IN TRADE PAPERBACK**

Review

**4.5 Stars**

Oh man, this book. I love Heidi McLaughlin and sports books are even better, put the two together and I was excited to read!

Ethan Davenport is in his second on the Boston Renegades and he has his eyes on a girl behind the visitor’s dugout. I loved watching how Ethan was going to get her attention. After his amazing social media year last year, I was curious about what the author would get him into during his second year (you learn all about his amazing social media oops in this book). I don’t think he was fully prepared for Daisy. But reading their story was fun.

Daisy hasn’t had it easy. Life hasn’t exactly dealt her the nicest cards but she has made the most out of her life and lives it to the fullest. Being a fully time student in college she still finds time to attend all the home games because they are important to her. What she wasn’t prepared for was meeting and falling for Ethan. There is only one problem? She has a secret that might tear them apart once he founds out.

Their journey was a fun one and I enjoyed reading it. This can be read as a standalone. You will hurt for them, laugh with them and love with them.

THIRD BASE Excerpt

I look at the scoreboard from the on-deck circle. It’s the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Unless we go on some miraculous run, the game is over and we’ve lost, giving us our second loss in a row.

The Orioles coach calls for a time-out and approaches the mound. This gives Meyers, our right fielder, the opportunity for us to talk. Actually, it gives me the ability to stare at the girl that has held my attention all night. After my home run, I thought I could focus on the game, but each time I came up to bat or went out to the field, I was looking to see if she was staring… and she was, which really stroked my ego.

I meet Meyers halfway between the on-deck circle and home plate. Usually, we’d stand back or talk to the third base coach, but there’s no coming back from this defeat. When I reach him, I can tell he’s frustrated; we all are. We’re a far better team than what our record shows. Even though it’s still very early, our expectations are much higher, and with the road trip coming up, we have got to get out of this funk, fast… before it’s too late.

“This ump is calling shit.” Meyers kicks the dirt around his feet.

“Has been all night.” On any given night it’s either in your favor or not. Some umpires come into a game with a chip on their shoulder. They remember everything, and they don’t let you forget it. They say once the game is over, it’s over. Umpires don’t feel that way.

“Play ball!” the umpire yells.

Meyers goes back to home plate and settles in for what could be his last pitch. If he gets on base, I’m up. If he strikes out, my night is over. I rest my bat on my shoulder and watch - not Meyers, but the girl in the hat. She’s leaning forward, resting her elbows on the dugout. I had every intention of finding an usher during the seventh inning but lost my nerve. I don’t know how that’d be received if our manager was to find out, and short of going into the stands the second the game is over, I’m running out of options.

It’s a swing and foul ball for Meyers, still giving me hope. The girl hasn’t moved, and something tells me that she’s focused on me. I should be focused on the game, but I’m not.

I lean over to the usher who stands by the field and whisper, “There’s a girl in section sixty-five, row c, seat one. I’d like to talk to her after the game.”

He nods and says something into his really cool CIA walkie-talkie-type thing. When I first arrived, I asked if I could play with it. I was told no. It was a total buzz kill. I asked my agent to get me one, and he told me to grow up… not one of my finer moments.

Meyers goes down swinging and just like that, the game’s over. We lost three to eight. I wait for him to walk by before returning to the dugout, but not without one last look at the girl in row c. Another usher is walking down the aisle toward her. I climb down the stairs and pause where she can’t see me. The usher approaches her and talks wildly with his hands. She looks around, reaches for her bag, and follows him up the steps. I can only hope she’ll be in the lounge when I get there.

Right now I’m thankful I’m not allowed to give interviews yet because it means I can shower and get upstairs quicker. The reporters call my name, asking about my home-run. They know I’m not allowed to speak with them, but they try anyway. I keep my head down, my classic move after we’ve lost, and rush into the clubhouse. There will be no after-game meeting; our manager will save that for tomorrow.

I shower quickly and slip into jeans and a t-shirt. My hair is still wet and dripping down onto my shirt, but I don’t want my third base girl waiting too long. I take the back stairs two at a time and enter the lounge. This is where the wives and girlfriends hang out, and now that I think about it, it’s probably not the best place to have sent her. It’s like vulture prey in here for new girlfriends… not that she’s my girlfriend. I just want to know her name.

As soon as I enter the hallway, I find her sitting outside the door. She stands up when she hears me coming and keeps her hands behind her back, watching me closely. I come to a halt in front of her, and all I can see is the top of her hat. She’s about a foot shorter than me, and I like that.

“I wanted to apologize for giving you the ball.” I keep my hands clasped to avoid the nervous twitch I have. The last thing I want to do is scare her away.

“Oh… do you want it back?” Her voice is soft, sweet, and completely Boston. Hearing her speak makes me feel like I have something to look forward to, like I’m home.

“What? No, I thought I embarrassed you… It’s just…”

My knees go weak when she looks at me. Her light green eyes are the color of sea glass, and she has a dimple that compliments her smile. I find myself wanting to rub my thumb over it so I can feel it.

“You didn’t embarrass me. It was nice.”

“What’s your name?” I ask, needing to know because calling her ‘third base girl’ or ‘girl in row c’ isn’t going to cut it.

“Daisy.”

Daisy, I repeat in my head so I don’t forget. Daisy… like the flowers that my mother loves.

“I’m Ethan,” I stupidly tell her but feel like I should introduce myself. “Wanna get out of here and grab some dinner?”

She eyes me and then the ground, making me wait what feels like an eternity for her answer.

THE BOYS OF SUMMER SERIES

THIRD BASE, #1

HOME RUN, #2

GRAND SLAM, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

About Heidi McLaughlin

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, Jill.

When she isn't writing one of the many stories planned for release, you'll find her sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

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[Review] Co-Wrecker by Meghan Quinn

Co-Wrecker, an all new sexy, laugh out loud romantic comedy is available now!

Co-Wrecker by Meghan Quinn Publication Date: March 23, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Photographer: Lauren Watson Perry

Synopsis

What do ice cream and Sadie Montgomery have in common? They're both ice cold, but one taste is never enough.

I wanted to be friends — I would have even settled for her seeing me as anything but a nerd — but there was no getting through. So just like any hard-headed, red-blooded man out there, I made up my mind.

I’d make my coworker fall for me.

I’d like to say it was simple, but like every other epic love story, all it took was one drunken night and a lot of naked courage to get the girl. For a moment, at least.

Love with a coworker is never simple, especially since Sadie’s trying to keep us on the low. Not to mention her persistent ex-boyfriend who won’t leave her alone. But I’ve never been good at giving up, and I don’t plan to start now.

The whole thing is a recipe for a rocky road, but I plan to eat the whole gallon, no matter how bad the brain freeze.

Review

**4.5 Stars**

Meghan Quinn has out done herself again. Every single book Meghan writes I love, this book was everything I needed it to be. Meghan has a way of making you call in love with the characters and you can't help but keep loving them even when you're finished reading about them. Co-Wrecker is no different and it one of my favorite reads of 2017. There is humor, a swoon worthy man, an amazing connection between two co-workers, even if both parties don't realize it at first. I couldn't help but laugh out loud multiple times while reading this book. It's so hard not to love this book!

Andrew is a quirkry nerd, one swoon worthy HOT quirky nerd. He's never had a job and after a situation he has to change colleges for the new school year. Moving in over the summer allows Andrew to get a job at the local ice cream parlor, Friendly's, but what he doesn't expect is to find Sadie. The woman he didn't know he needed or wanted.

Sadie has a past that doesn't allow her to trust easily or let men in. She had to drop out of college and she hasn't recovered from that or the reason she had to drop out. She finds herself working full time at Friendly's, usually this isn't bad until she finds out she is in charge of training the new employee. She despises training new co-workers. What Sadie wasn't prepared for was Andrew. She didn't know she needed until she lets him in and boy am I ever glad she let him in.

The connection between Sadie and Andrew had me laughing out loud over watching Sadie fight it and Andrew pulling out all the tricks to win her over. Like I said earlier, Meghan did an amazing job and I can't wait to see what else she brings us in the future!

Excerpt

Knowing I will probably regret this, I lift from the freezer, ice cream scraper in hand, and jerk toward Sadie just in time to slip on some melted ice on the floor shooting me across the fountain and straight into Sadie. But not just Sadie; straight into her chest—her billowing, womanly chest. It’s a satisfyingly soft cushion for my head but from her instant outrage, I’m going to guess she’s not keen on me using her breasts as a pillow. “What the hell are you doing?” she asks, trying to back away, difficult when I’ve got her pinned against the counter. Fumbling to get some kind of grasp on my falling body, scraper still in hand, I give her a bit of motor boat—not on purpose—and muffle in her breasts, “I’m sowwy.” “Get off me.” “I’m twying,” I say, finally getting a grip on the counter behind her and standing tall. Glasses askew, hat on the floor, and a smothered feeling on my face, I straighten my apron and clear my throat. “My apologies.” Her friend is laughing, hand on her stomach, as I push my glasses back on my nose. “Although, I’m grateful for your sturdy bosom for catching my fall. It might have been a twisty straw to the eye, and I’m not sure my glasses would have held up on such an impact.” Sturdy bosom? Shit, Andrew, don’t fucking say words like bosom. And for the love of God, don’t say a woman has a STURDY bosom. Say words like tits. Tits are more manly. “Tits,” I mutter. “Excuse me?” Sadie has the look of horror on her face. Fuck, did I say that out loud? “I think he said tits, Sadie,” her friend cuts in, thumbing through the straw holder. Yup, I said tits out loud. “I heard him, Smills,” Sadie mutters under her breath. Glaring at me, looking for an answer, I shrug my shoulders, because I have nothing. No way of digging myself out of this one. Funny how your brain can literally stop working the minute you need it the most. Come on, old fella, kick it into high gear. Come up with something witty, something snarky, something that will put a Band-Aid over this rather raw and embarrassing incident. But, good fuck. I just had my face in her chest. What man could come back quickly from that? “Well . . .” Sadie has her arms crossed over her bosom, waiting for an answer. No. Her arms are crossed over her breasts. Shit. Shit. Nerves crawl up the back of my neck, igniting my ears into lava levels of heat. Crap. Just say anything. Clearing my throat, I pat her shoulder and say, “Sturdy tits.” And here I thought it couldn’t get any worse, at least my hand didn’t pat down her breast to see if her nipples were made of steel, or to see if her areolas consist of chain-link mesh. You have to look at the positive.

CoWreckerAN

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About Meghan Quinn

A BLONDE AT HEART Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped. Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking. Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!