Showing posts with label Ilsa Madden-Mills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ilsa Madden-Mills. Show all posts

Friday, September 27, 2019

Blog Tour Review: Team Player 2 Anthology

 

Book info:
Title:  Team Player 2 Anthology
Genre: Contemporary sports romance
Release Date:  September 23rd, 2019
Cover Designer:  Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Source:  E-galley from Candi Kane PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  4.5 stars

Synopsis:
Our love of hot jocks is never-ending.

Muscular football players. Passionate tennis pros. Sexy soccer stars. All sorts of alpha hotties, on the field and off.

Have no fear! The team is back again, and this time...it's thicker. You'll get your sports romance fix with brand-new stories from eleven bestselling authors.

Need one last summer fix? Dive into this anthology.

*This anthology contains original, never-before-seen stories by the following authors: Mandi Beck, Ella Fox, Teagan Hunter, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Sara Ney, Rochelle Paige, Meghan Quinn, Charleigh Rose, Kennedy Ryan, Emma Scott, and Kate Stewart. We still aren’t responsible for melted devices.

Stories Included: Arena Lights by Mandi Beck End Goal by Ella Fox A Slice of Love by Teagan Hunter Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills The Teaching Hours by Sara Ney Body Heat by Rochelle Paige The Strike Out by Meghan Quinn Guys Like You by Charleigh Rose Fast Break by Kennedy Ryan Love Game by Emma Scott Fair Catch by Kate Stewart
   
AVAILABLE NOW!! FREE in Kindle Unlimited!  

   

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H6MNSp

   


My Review:
As with the first anthology, I wasn't able to read every single story, so my review will be related just to the ones I was able to read. I did start out thinking I'd be able to read them all, but ran out of time, and so ended up just skipping a few to get to the authors I know and love.

 First was The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart, and it started off really good, basically an enemies to more type of story, but then, a cliffhanger?  And I need to know about Harper and Lance, that ending!  Guess I'll be waiting for her to put out the rest of the story at some point.

 Next was Arena Lights by Mandi Beck, but I didn't get to finish it before I jumped on to a different story. However, it was definitely good, and I'll be going back to finish it when I get the chance!

 I jumped ahead to The Teaching Hours by Sara Ney, because I love that series, and I have really wanted to see Rex Gunderson get his own story, and here it is.  Well, I loved it.  I know Rex was a PIA, but in the end, couldn't help but want him to get his own chance.  And love his term, "funcle"-fun uncle.  How do I make a term like that for me being the fun auntie?

 After that I read Holt's Story by Meghan Quinn, which I was loving, until she ended with a cliffhanger as well!  Fortunately compared to the first cliffhanger story, this one at least was a sorta happy for now ending, so I can be patient for the conclusion to Holt's story at some point.

 Finally I started the story by Ilsa Madden-Mills, Dear Ava, and if I hadn't had to go to bed for work today, a day I have to work both jobs, I might have stayed up until I finished it.  It was emotional and definitely a page-turner.

 Definitely going to be highly recommending this one!

   

About Charleigh Rose: Charleigh Rose lives in Narnia with her husband and two young children. She's hopelessly devoted to unconventional love and pizza. When she isn't reading or mom-ing, she's writing moody, broody, swoony romance.

Connect w/Charleigh:  
Facebook group: Charleigh's Angels: facebook.com/groups/1120926904664447  
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cVUcsH
 
About Ella Fox: USA Today Bestselling Author Ella Fox has learned a bunch of stuff along the way but the most important of all those things is that anything is possible when you try. In 2012 she took a big leap of faith and published her first book, Broken Hart. Since then she’s written fifteen more full-length books and several novellas– and every one is a reminder that you can live your dream as long as you work for it.

Ella’s favorite things are music, movies, traveling, The Foo Fighters and, of course, reading. This isn’t a surprise considering the fact that her mom is USA Today Bestselling Author Suzanne Halliday.

Connect w/ Ella  
 
About Emma Scott: Emma Scott is a bestselling author of emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. 

RECENT RELEASES  
A Five-Minute Life (standalone)  
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts #1) 
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts #2)
COMING SOON Someday, Someday (M/M standalone) 

Connect w/Emma:  
Super-cute NON SPAMMY newsletter: http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6  
 
About Ilsa Madden-Mills: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect w/Ilsa:  
Join her online bookclub on FB today! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilsasunicorngirls/
 
About Kate Stewart: A Texas native, Kate Stewart lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. She pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. Kate is a lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap. She dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity, and on occasion, does very well at whiskey.

Contact Kate- Email-authorkatestewart@gmail.com

Connect w/Kate:  
 
About Kennedy Ryan: A RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Connect w/Kennedy:  
 
About Mandi Beck: Mandi Beck has been an avid reader all of her life. A deep love for books always had her jotting down little stories on napkins, notebooks, and her hand. As an adult she was further submerged into the book world through book clubs and the epicness of social media. It was then that she graduated to writing her stories on her phone and then finally on a proper computer.
A wife, mother to two rambunctious and somewhat rotten boys, and stepmom to two great girls away at college, she shares her time with her husband in Chicago where she was born and raised. Mandi is a diehard hockey fan and blames the Blackhawks when her deadlines are not met even though her favorite hockey player calls her…mom.

Connect w/Mandi:  
 
About Meghan Quinn: USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Connect w/Meghan:  
 
About Rochelle Paige: I absolutely adore reading—always have and always will. When I was growing up, my friends used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.

I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.
When I told my mom that my new year's resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me, "About time!" 

Connect w/ Rochelle:  
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/Ly1Tn
 
About Sara Ney: Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte's, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives in the Midwest, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British. 

For a list of cities/venues Sara will be signing at, or to purchase signed books, please visit her website at www.authorsaraney.com

Connect w/Sara:  
Newsletter Signup: subscribepage.com/saraney  
 
About Teagan Hunter: I’m a Missouri-raised gal, but currently live in North Carolina with my US Marine husband and 9-year-old dog. I spend my days begging him for a cat, and I survive off coffee, pizza, and sarcasm. When I'm not writing, you can find me binge-watching various TV shows, especially Supernatural and One Tree Hill. I like cold weather, buy more paperbacks than I'll ever read, and I never say no to brownies.

Writing is my passion, and this is just the beginning of my journey.

Connect w/Teagan:  

 
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Blog Tour Review: I Hate You (The Hook Up #3) by Ilsa Madden-Mills



I want you . . . even when I hate you.

I Hate You, an all-new enemies to lovers sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is available now!
 
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Book info:
Title:  I Hate You
Author:  Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series:  The Hook Up #3
Genre:  NA sport romance
Release Date:  August 20th, 2019
Source:  E-galley from Social Butterfly PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  4.5 stars

Synopsis:
There’s a fine line between I hate you and I want you.
Once you cross it, there’s no going back.

Blaze Townsend: I hate you.
Charisma Rossi: I hate you more.

She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason.

Hottest guy she’s ever seen.
Former fling.
Dumped her in front of all her friends.
At her own party.

So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class. He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please.She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.)

Charisma Rossi.
Nerd girl with a dash of bad.
The one who got under his skin.
The one he cut loose.

Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game. 

So why can’t he stop trying to win her back?

Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life?


Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KF0tWN
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/IHateYou

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ZhXn09
 
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My Review:
Okay, I really do love these stories.  So much about this one was great.  I totally connected with Charisma, besides loving her name.  But both of them, Blaze and Charisma frustrated me in their continuing to not give the other a chance, especially Blaze with his stupid reasoning.  That's what kept me from a 5 star on this one.  This story had the total steaminess that I love in a good story by this author.  I loved getting glimpses into our characters from the earlier standalone stories in the series. And of course I love the parrot.  What's fun in these stories is all the side characters and wondering if they might get their own stories in the future.  Blaze was hot, hence his name fit him perfectly.  And what happened at the end with him trying to impress the scouts to get a professional football career or at least in the draft, well it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but in a way I'm glad there wasn't extra drama added that way.  A fun, sexy story.  Fingers crossed there will be more in this series!


Also, I was at the exciting Book Bonanza this past weekend, and this author was one of my authors I HAD to meet.  So here is my picture with her!

  


Excerpt:

“Need some help?”
I’m on my tiptoes when the question comes, trying to reach a book on the top shelf in the bookstore at the student center.
My heart does a nosedive off a cliff as that familiar gruff voice washes over me, his accent a smooth drawl that’s reminiscent of hot summer nights and slow kisses—kisses we never had…well, except for that one time freshman year.
I ignore him and try to grab the book.
“You’re too short. Let me,” Blaze says, this time closer, his voice soft.
I ease back on my feet and whip around, internally wishing I’d worn something more I hate you and don’t you wish you still had me, but sadly, I’m not in my kickass shoes and itchy dress. Today it’s flat-soled red Converse, black joggers, and a Yankees sweatshirt. I blow at a piece of hair in my face. Shit.
Of course, he looks magnificent in a tight long-sleeved black shirt that clings to his broad chest and tapered jeans molded to those leg muscles. His face is unshaven, the darkness on his jawline adding a broody look.
Curse him and his hotness.
I stare at him a little too long, until I snap out of it.
“I don’t need help,” My voice is strangled as I move to brush past him—forget the textbooks—but he reaches out and takes my elbow.
“Charisma—”
His fingers are a hot brand on my skin—it’s the first time we’ve touched in three months—and I pull away. A tremble starts in my legs. How dare he?It was one thing to see him in a social setting and pretend I was fine, but when we’re face to face without people watching… “Don’t put your hands on me. I’m not your hookup anymore, football player.”
His face reddens, and he drops his arms. “I didn’t mean—” he stops, not finishing as he studies my face.
I wonder what he sees. You know what he sees, Charisma—someone who wasn’t up to his usual standards.
Everything I didn’t say last night rushes out. “Didn’t mean to what? Dump me in the middle of my own sorority’s party in front of all my friends and half of campus? And you know, that’s totally fine. We both knew I wasn’t enough to keep your attention.”
His jaw clenches and he frowns, his brow furrowing. “I didn’t plan for things to happen that way.”
“How did you want to break up with me? Over candlelight? A text would have worked just fine,” I bite out.
The silence builds between us, and he watches me intently, as if trying to figure me out. He starts at my hair and works his way down to my feet, then comes back to my face. Just when I think I might combust from the intensity of his eyes, he looks away.
“What?” I cock my hip. “You look like you want to say something.”
He taps his hand against his leg. Ice-blue eyes, ones I used to stare into and get butterflies from, glitter down at me. “You just can’t handle that ended things, sweetheart.”
“Not your sweetheart.”
“Never were.”
Shit…shit…my heart feels like an anvil just landed on it, heavy and hard, and I can’t breathe for a second at his words, part of me pissed, the other part devastated. I wanted to be his sweetheart, I did, but he…
You’re not my type.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I say quietly, my anger folding away piece by piece and slipping into that horrible self-pity I despise.
He closes his eyes and scrubs his face with those talented hands, strong and big and capable, skillful with a football.
He steps in front of me, much like he did last night, and I tilt my head back to take him in. At my height of five feet, three inches, it’s hard to glare at a guy who towers over you and not look ridiculous, but I manage—until his eyes flicker with lingering emotion.
I dart my eyes around the store, searching for a way out, but I’m stuck between him and a bookshelf. “You’re blocking my path.” I focus on his legs. No sexiness there—well, except for the tight muscles under that denim.
“This is what I know,” he says in a low voice, ignoring my statement. “You told me we were just messing around. You set all the rules. Isn’t that how you operate? So why does me ending things with you even matter?”
“You never asked for more. You could have.” The revealing words fall around us, tinged with hurt, and I want to pull them back.
The silence between us crackles, yet I’m aware of other people around us. There are a few girls on another aisle, and I glance over as one of them pulls out her phone. No doubt she’s taking a picture of him. Part of me retreats, anxious she’ll get me in that photo—a girl who clearly doesn’t belong. He doesn’t notice. Everyone knows who he is, and they’re probably wondering why he’s talking to me.
“No, I didn’t,” he finally says, the words taut as if pulled from him unwillingly. He taps his leg, his tell that he’s anxious or angry. We weren’t together long, but every moment we spent together, I studied him like a wine connoisseur given a glass of rare cabernet. I know what makes him laugh, usually random things that make no sense. I know that groan he makes deep in this throat when he slides inside me, like he’s home. I know the feel of his hand when he cups my face and stares at me, a hesitant expression on his face—
“You can’t even look at me anymore. I wonder why,” he says, his voice a challenge.
Steeling myself, I face those baby blues. “You know why. I wish we’d never met up last fall. I wish you’d never flirted with me. I wish I’d never fucked you that first time in the library—”
“Same page. Same fucking page, Charisma.” And then he’s walking away, broad shoulders swaying as he stalks down the aisle…



About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

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Connect with Ilsa
Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilsasunicorngirls/
Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilsamaddenmills/
Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://www.ilsamaddenmills.com/contact
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn
 Book+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/ilsamaddenmills
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Blog Tour Review: Boyfriend Bargain by Ilsa Madden-Mills


Book info:
Title: Boyfriend Bargain
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Genre: New Adult Hockey Romance
Release Date:  May 5th, 2019
Source:  E-galley received from Enticing Journey Book Promotion which did not influence my opinion.
My rating:  5 stars


 

"Who can turn down a bad boy hockey star with a big . . . stick? Zack is hot hot hot, and Sugar is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy! Their chemistry sizzles in Boyfriend Bargain!" -- Melanie Harlow, USA Today bestselling author


"A sports romance that has an emotional past, present, and future filled with love, lust and so much understanding moments between the characters that Ilsa has so beautifully created..." --Cristina Reads


"Ilsa Madden-Mills has once again KILLED me with her writing. Boyfriend Bargain is the PERFECT new adult college sports romance." --Mells View


"It's a definite must read and in the running for my "Best Reads of 2019!" --Bibliophile Chloe


Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new swoon-fest of a novel about what happens when you take a chance on love. 
Wanted: one hot guy with rock-hard abs and a big stick
Broke and desperate, Sugar Ryan has no use for arrogant, bad boy athletes . . . until she’s forced to bargain with the cockiest of them all.
If only he knew she was alive. 
Her mission? Get on this hockey player’s radar any way possible.
Zack Morgan is the king of the ice and the bedroom—but nothing prepares him for the mystery girl who shows up everywhere he does—frat parties, his favorite bar, and finally his front door with an offer he can’t refuse. The only rule in her boyfriend bargain: no falling in love.
But after one smoking-hot hook-up, he’s done with pretending and vows to make their fake relationship real. Too bad she can’t trust a player with a reputation for breaking hearts. 
Will this hockey star score his forever girl or will their Boyfriend Bargain end in heartbreak?



My Review:
It's been a while since I read a book by this author, who is one of my favorites, but I was hooked from page one!  It seemed a bit long before we did find out just exactly how having Zack as her boyfriend would be something to help her with her law school goals,  that is probably part of what kept me on the edge of the seat as I read.  I also seemed to have forgotten just how hot and steamy this authors books are, and was very happy to read and enjoy the naughty bits in this story.  And then, Zack, hot, sexy, sweet, I want him for myself!  I loved so many little things about this book as well though.  I loved that Sugar's guardian or only family left ran a strip club, and that it was used in this story not as a sleazy drug-filled place, but as a respectable (or as much as possible) type of place.  Another little tidbit that I felt was perfect was how when the hockey guys walked into a party after a game, it mentioned that one of them was missing a tooth, and you rarely seem to hear that kind of thing in hockey romances it seems.  Yeah, sure, part of the mention was that he just hadn't fixed it yet and was going to, but I like the realism of that little bit.  

Loved this book, and if you love steamy new adult romance with hot hockey players, this is the book for you!

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 

Seven of her ten novels have placed in the Amazon US Store Top Six Best-seller List: Dirty English hit #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You hit #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things all placed #6 in the Amazon US Store.
The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, hit #4. 
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero. 
She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

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