Audiobook Tour Reviews: The Reindeer Falls Collection by Jana Aston

 

THE REINDEER FALLS COLLECTION AUDIOBOOK 

by Jana Aston  

Release Date: December 5th  

Narrated by Erin Mallon 

Source:  Digital audiobook from Candi Kane PR which did not influence my opinion

   

AVAILABLE NOW!!  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/368CCa1  

Audible: http://bit.ly/ReindeerAudible

   

Blurb:  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

Welcome to Reindeer Falls. 

Grab a mug of hot cocoa and a comfortable chair and enjoy all three novellas in the Reindeer Falls Collection in one volume. 

The Boss Who Stole Christmas (Book 1) 

Dear Santa,

Please bring me a new boss for Christmas. Mine is the worst. The worst, hidden in a six-foot-tall package of male perfection. It'd be easier if he looked like an old Scrooge, wouldn't it? Nick Saint-Croix doesn't look like an old scrooge. He's hot as - um, never mind. Just bring me a new boss. Please. 

Sincerely, Holly Winter 

My Review:

My rating:  5 stars

You guys, this book had me dying laughing!  I mean all of her excuses to try to get out of going out of town with her boss?  Including her made up boyfriend, Santana.  And then, oh my gosh, Holly's advent calendar!  Not countdown to dick-mas as her sisters called it, but soon she was calling it.  Plus the little snippet about if there was room at the Vagina Inn?  I was laughing so hard!  I have to say before I go any further, this was my favorite of all the stories, and I was a little disappointed we didn't get as much with Holly in the other two stories, although it makes sense since they were all taking place pretty much over the same few weeks, and Holly was in Nuremberg with Nick for a week of that time. 

If You Give a Jerk a Gingerbread (Book 2) 

Dear Santa,

I do not want Keller James for Christmas. I will not fall for him, no matter how charming or irresistible or famous he is. I will not be swayed by his skills in the kitchen or by his British accent. I'm going to win the Great Gingerbread Bake-Off and no one is going to stand in my way. Not even Keller. All kisses are off. I mean all bets. All bets are off. And all his clothes. Grr, never mind. I'll figure this out myself. 

XOXO, Ginger Winter 

My Review:

My rating:  4.5 stars

I have to say I liked the name of the character in this book the best, Ginger Spice.  We got a tiny bit of a glimpse of this story in the first book.  While this story I didn't love as much as the first one, this is the story that convinced me to reach out and purchase the anthology with all three stories from the author.  You see, there are many different baked goods discussed in this story, I mean it is about a baking contest.  And I wanted to have the recipes!  When I reached out to the author about it, she said that I needed the actual written copy, because obviously they won't put recipes in an audiobook.  Yeah, yeah, I could have just purchased the ebook, but no, I want a physical copy if I'm going to buy a book for recipes.   The other thing I loved about Ginger, besides the yummy sounding baked goods, was her adorable way of cursing.  I tend to do that a lot, not that I never use the actual bad words, but for the longest time I didn't, and I still don't feel right using that kind of language in front of people, I'm guessing it's my education career.

The One Night Stand Before Christmas (Book 3) 

Dear Santa,

Please stop by my house and pick up your suit. If you thought I was going to run it to the dry cleaners for you after you left it on my bedroom floor, you've got another thought coming. 

Best,  

Noel Winter

My Review:

My rating:  4.5 stars

Okay, I also liked Noel's story, she had some great quotes that totally are my kind of quotes.  The being alone for a long time, being the oldest, etc.  It was fun getting to hear a little bit about the other sisters, just like the second book, we got more of just Noel and Ginger, because as I mentioned, Holly was out of the country.  The one night stand was perfect. Even though Noel wasn't quite sure about Teddy, I was pretty sure of who he was when she met him. But I didn't see the name thing the way it turned out.  I also loved that the elderly lady Noel was trying to set up was kind of playing her.  The limited edition coupon bit was hilarious!  

Overall, all three books were hilarious, you can see even though I might not have given them all 5 stars, the other two were 4.5.

 

 

About the Author:  

Jana Aston likes cats, big coffee cups and books about billionaires who deflower virgins. She wrote her debut novel while fielding customer service calls about electrical bills, and she's ever grateful for the fictional gynecologist in Wrong that readers embraced so much she was able to make working in her pajamas a reality. Jana’s novels have appeared on the NYT, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, some multiple times. She likes multiples. 

Connect w/ Jana:  

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBJanaAston  

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

Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterJanaAston  

Book + Main: http://bit.ly/BookMainJanaAston Amazon 

Page: http://bit.ly/AmazonJanaAston  

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/BBJanaAston  

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GRJanaAston  

Website: http://www.janaaston.com  

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/NewsletterJana  

Society 6: http://bit.ly/Society6Jana 

Instagram: http://bit.ly/IGJanaAston

Cover Reveal: Plan B by Jana Aston

   

Plan B by Jana Aston

Release Date: July 2nd

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GRPlanB

   

   

PRE-ORDER NOW AVAILABLE!

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Blurb

Mistakes were made, okay?

The moment I laid eyes on Kyle Kingston I knew he was a mistake. A satisfying, toe curling, hair pulling, best night of my life mistake, but a mistake all the same. I didn’t yet know his name, or who he was, but I knew he was a bad idea. 

I take comfort in that, because it means my instincts are still good. Too late, but it’s something. 

  Because, FYI, I’m pregnant

 

… and did I mention my baby daddy is both heir to a retail empire and impossible to get ahold of?

I do what any girl would. I break into his Grandfather’s retirement gala by telling the prissy gatekeeper Kyle’s my fiancé. It was a halfway decent plan at the time, trust me.

But it blows up in my face, disastrously so. You see, Kyle Kingston is all about representing the family values his family’s retail empire was founded on. At least in public. In private- well I’ll tell you about that later. 

He proposes – a marriage of convenience. 

Convenient for everyone but me, because while I’m falling in love with my convenient husband, he’s keeping a billion-dollar secret. From me.

   

   

About the Author

Jana Aston likes cats, big coffee cups and books about billionaires who deflower virgins. She wrote her debut novel while fielding customer service calls about electrical bills, and she's ever grateful for the fictional gynecologist in Wrong that readers embraced so much she was able to make working in her pajamas a reality. Jana’s novels have appeared on the NYT, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, some multiple times. She likes multiples.

   

Connect w/ Jana

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBJanaAston

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

Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterJanaAston

Book + Main: http://bit.ly/BookMainJanaAston

Amazon Page: http://bit.ly/AmazonJanaAston

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/BBJanaAston

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GRJanaAston

Website: http://www.janaaston.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/NewsletterJana

Society 6: http://bit.ly/Society6Jana

Instagram: http://bit.ly/IGJanaAston

   

L-L-L-Little Reviews: Four Adult Romances

Only one from last year, the rest are all from this year, trying to stay on top of reviews this year!

Most Valuable Playboy by Lauren Blakely:

Release Date: September 5th, 2017
Genre:  Sports romance
Source:  Audiobook purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars

I knew I needed to listen to this one after there was a short prequel at the end of the other Lauren Blakely book I listened to, Unzipped.  While the prequel was from Violet's viewpoint, this full length novel was from Cooper's viewpoint.  And Zachary Webber was the narrator, and I love him!  This was a lot of fun, although I wonder if the prequel or this came first.  As usual, Blakely writes a lot of sexy steam with a lot of humor.  I loved several different things, like the "mind over erection zone".  As with the other book, I loved that really the characters didn't do extremely unrealistic things. They were pretty honest when needed, and the other one believed without going nutty.  And I liked how the coaches were, and how the owner's sister was as well, I mean in the end.  I love how real this author is in her storytelling.  And it only encourages me to read more!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Hands down, my favorite thing in the world is to score. Touchdowns. Don't let the fact that I'm the leading pick in the Most Valuable Playboy charity auction fool you. These days, I'm only a player on the field. I've kept my pants zipped all season long - and it is long - because nothing's more important than leading my team to victory every week. Except maybe escaping from the team owner's recently widowed and handsy-as-hell sister, who's dead set on winning more than a date with me. Enter Violet and a well-placed Hail Mary. She's my best friend's sister with a smile as sweet as cherry pie, and a mind that runs quicker than the 40-yard-dash.

After Violet saves the day with the highest bid, I don't even give her a two-minute warning before I kiss her in front of the whole crowd, and then announce that she's my girlfriend. Which would be fine, except my agent tells me we've got to keep up the act while he's negotiating my contract. Violet takes one for the team and pretends to be mine, but our boyfriend-girlfriend scrimmage quickly turns into a full contact sport, and I want it to go into overtime. The problem is - I've been riding the bench for years. How can a guy like me, who finally has a chance to prove his worth on the field, convince the girl she's most valuable to his heart? 


Sure Thing (Gemini Duet #1) by Jana Aston:

Release Date: October 2nd, 2017
Genre:  Adult romance
Source:  Audiobook purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars
  
My first thought as I began listening was that I wished I had the guts to do what Violet did.  Hey, just realized this is two audiobooks in a row that the main character was named Violet!  Although in this story, she had to go by the name Daisy, because she was pretending to be her twin.  I did get a little annoyed at times when there were too many chapters from the same character.  I get why it's done, it adds the drama/suspense for knowing what the other character is thinking, but sometimes I just need/miss the other character's viewpoint!   As the story went and we learned just how awesome Jennings was in bed, I couldn't help but compare to my own experiences and thought about who was that for me.  Now, I did agree with her sister Daisy about some things, like carrot cake, yuck!  This was one that I feel like neither of their secrets were bad enough to make the other upset when the learned them. But the way that Jennings kind of connected the dots and the assumptions he made based on seeing something out of context at the end, I can understand his being upset.  In the end though, we got more chapters from his point of view, and when he realized she was a twin, I'm glad that helped him see that her secret wasn't what he would think.  Loved so much about this.  I did want to strangle the author though for how she left us off at the end of one chapter with Jennings.  I couldn't believe when we joined him again towards the end that she'd done that to us!  One other thing to share, there is a quote that really hit me, really resounded with me:  Prepare for the inevitable or hold out hope.  That is how I feel about my love life.  I've kind of just given up and realized I'll be alone for my whole life.  Done holding out hope.  Now getting any love and romance from the books I read.  

Glad to hear there is going to be a book for Daisy too!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Have you ever set out to have a one night stand with a sexy stranger?
No? I’m the only one?
Just kidding, I would never. 
Ever.
Not usually. 
 
But then I figured, why not? My entire life I’ve been good and it’s gotten me nowhere.
No job. 
No apartment. 
No boyfriend. 
 
I’m owed a little fun, aren’t I? A reward for being good.
Sure, a new pair of shoes would be more appropriate, but Mr. Sexy Stranger is more appealing. And when he speaks—in that British accent—it’s a done deal. Every American woman has a hot British guy fantasy. Well, most do. I haven't taken a poll or anything, but I’m pretty sure it’s a fact. 
 
Except… 
You know that saying about best-laid plans? 
Good, because I don’t either, but I assume they go awry.
Like my one night stand… 


Cocktales:  The Cocky Collective:

Release Date: May 26th, 2018
Genre:  Many different types of adult romance
Source:  Purchased physical copy
My rating:  4 stars

So, if you follow the romance book world, you probably remember the whole deal with the author who tried to copyright the word "cocky" last year.  And the author's books that she reported to Amazon and they had to change their title and it cost them a lot of money.  This anthology was published by authors in support of the authors who had been hurt by this crazy idea of trying to copyright a word.  So of course, I had to buy a copy!  I got a lot of autographs in it at Book Bonanza last summer.  I just finally finished reading it this year though.  There are almost 40 different stories in this anthology.  I didn't actually read all of them, because they weren't my types of stories.  I'm not going to talk about every single story, that would take too long.  I'll just go over a few of my favorites.  As soon as I got it, I immediately turned to the Amy Daws story and read it, and of course loved it. Cam is my favorite Harris brother after all!  Surprised I didn't immediately turn to Kylie Scott's story next, because it was Mal, my favorite book boyfriend, or one of the top three.  But I did love that one too!  Some new authors I think I've found from this book are Dylan Allen, Whitney Barbetti, Ruth Clampett, Mariah Dietz, Lex Martin, Jessica Prince, Julie A. Richman, Kate Stewart, and maybe Karla Sorensen.  A great book!  You can't get it anymore I think, other than used copies.  Not sure if they're even selling the ebook anymore either.  But they made a good chunk of money to donate to those authors who needed the legal fees and such.  So if you can get a copy, you should check it out!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Cocktales is a limited-release anthology (available *only* from May 26 – August 26, 2018) of original, never before published material, some of which is raw and unedited. Each story was specifically written for this anthology.

The goal of the Cocktales Anthology is to raise funds to fight against obstruction of creative expression. Specifically, what we believe are obstruction attempts through the trademarking of common (single) words for titicular use in books / or as a book series (eBooks, print, and audio).

*ALL* net profits will be donated to:
1) Authors already impacted by creative-obstruction (10%), and
2) Romance Writers of America (RWA) (90%) as a general donation intended for their Advocacy Fund.

Disclaimer: This anthology is not being conducted on behalf of RWA, nor does RWA endorse this anthology or effort. They have, however, graciously agreed to accept the funds. 
  

Clam Jam by R.C. Boldt:

Release Date: January 10th, 2017
Genre:  Adult romantic comedy
Source:  Purchased physical copy
My rating:  5 stars

Okay, my first book by this author and I'm hooked!  Loved so much about it!  It had so many pop culture references that are right up my alley.  Like a reference to one of my favorite kid books, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and then a reference later on to Pretty in Pink, about how Duckie should have got the girl in the end.  Vocabulary such as the word "stabby" which made me think of my favorite tv show of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  This book was not only perfect for me personally, it was hilarious, the whole clam jamming idea, so funny! The way that he did it, I laughed so hard at that. And then, later, it got so darn steamy!  Loved this story and characters so much.  I got to meet the author and get it signed at Book Bonanza last year, hope to read more soon!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
"Clam Jam" 
Definition: the female equivalent of a cock block. 
Example: You're chatting with a guy you're interested in and your friend comes along and lays claim to him. 
Maggie
That's my life--except it's worse. My friend who keeps "jamming" me is my gay roommate, and if that isn't a W.T.F. moment, I'm not sure what is. 
Fact: He went home with three--yes, three--of the guys I had been so sure were into me. 
Fact: He's really pissing me off. I mean, hello? I'm trying to get back in the saddle, but I'll never manage to get a boyfriend before the age of fifty if he keeps this up. 
Fact: Secretly, I wonder what it would be like if he weren't gay. Why do all the hot, sweet, tender-hearted guys have to be gay? 
Fact: My gay-dar needs a serious tune-up. 
Ry
The day I interviewed for the room to rent, everything changed. I knew I had met "the girl," except there was one small problem: she didn't want anything to do with men. I recognized a top-notch force field when I saw one. She'd been burned badly and didn't want to deal with a heterosexual guy as a roommate. I could've turned around and found another place to live, but I wanted to live there--with her. 
So I had to go "undercover." 
Fact: I'm in love with my roommate. 
Fact: I'm a likely candidate for carpal tunnel surgery since all the action I've had for the past year has been my hand. 
Fact: She's going to hate me if I come clean now. 
Fact: I'm not giving up. Which means I'll just have to continue to run defense until I figure out a way to get Maggie to see the "real" me. 
The me that loves her. 
The me that would never do her wrong. 
Until then, I'll keep running off every guy who shows any interest. 
Until then, I'll continue to Clam Jam.  
  

Three Romance Free/Cheap E-book Mini-Reviews

So, really trying to get caught up on reviews if it is at all possible.  So I'm chunking together some e-books in this post, and then probably will have a bunch of NA/Romance mini-reviews later this week of physical books that I have read.  At some point I need to do an audiobook mini-review post probably as well. 

Wrong (Wrong #1) by Jana Aston:

My rating:  4.5 stars

So, the idea behind this book is kinda crazy, and normally I'm not the hugest fan of older man romances, but this one was definitely a good one anyway.  I have to say after the scene where he ends up being her gynecologist, I'm glad my gynecologist is a woman, because that would be embarrassing.  I loved the Twilight reference made in this, and I'm also very excited for her friend Everly's book.  I will definitely be reading on in the series, even though I think book 2 is also an older guy story, not quite the same big age difference though, I'll hope that not every book is like that. 

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

I have a history of picking the wrong guy. Gay? Player? Momma’s boy? Check, check and check.

Now I can’t stop fantasizing about one of the customers at the coffee shop I work at between classes. It’s just a harmless crush, right? It’s not like I ever see this guy outside of the coffee shop. It’s not like I’m going to see him while attempting to get birth control at the student clinic. While wearing a paper gown. While sitting on an exam table. Because he’s the doctor. Shoot. Me.

But what if, for once, the man I’ve had the dirtiest, most scandalous fantasies about turned out to be everything but wrong?

Burned (Crushed #2) by Elisa Dane:

My rating:  4 stars

I think I had picked this one up for a freebie one day.  And then I saw that it was part of the Kindle Unlimited Challenge, and while I don't have KU, I decided to at least try to participate since I had that book.  It was a pretty good book, I'd like to go back and read book 1 now. This is definitely more of a YA than an NA or Adult romance.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Perception is everything to sixteen-year-old Olivia Brown. With her freakishly hot boyfriend, volunteer work at the local animal shelter, successful beauty channel on YouTube, and well-earned spot on X Factor Cheer's elite level five Diamond Girl team, Livvie's the girl every other girl wants to be. At least, that's the illusion she's aiming for. 

But Livvie's seemingly perfect life is anything but. Lying about the bruises her boyfriend gives her, and cowering beneath his raging temper becomes a regular way of life until she unwittingly witnesses her drunken neighbor beating his step-son, the town bad boy, Reid Tate.

For Reid, vulnerability is the enemy. Opening up, and letting people in gives them the power to disappoint. Growing up with a co-dependent mother and an abusive alcoholic father, Reid has endured all the disappointment he can stomach. 

But when his pretty, do-good neighbor witnesses his step-dad beat him to within an inch of his life, and not only call the cops, but keeps quiet at school about what she saw, Reid wonders if maybe, just maybe, he's found someone he can finally trust.

Previously published under the title Unbreakable

Necessary Restorations (The Walshes #3) by Kate Canterbary: 

My rating:  4 stars

I've been reading and enjoying this series since I got the first one for free.  Since then I've either purchased the others as I was in the mood for them, or in the case of this one, I won a free book from Amazon on Facebook, and so this is what I picked.  You can read my reviews of the first two books:  Underneath it All and  The Space Between.  Each book in the series focuses on another family Walsh family member.  Not sure how much I enjoyed this one in comparison to the first two, but it was still a good story when I had time to just sit and read and not be interrupted.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

From bestselling author Kate Canterbary comes a sexy new standalone from the Walsh family. Are you ready to fall in love with some rule-breakers?  

They liked to call me names. Manwhore. Slut. Player. But I make wrong look so right… 
This is the third book in The Walsh Series, though it reads as a stand-alone novel with characters from the first two books making appearances. 


He's a flawed perfectionist… 
I can read women better than any blueprint. I understand their thoughts and feelings, their secret desires and insecurities, and I know how to get rid of them once I get off. 

But all bets are off when Tiel Desai slams into my life. She redefines what it means to be friends, and she makes it sound like the filthiest thing I've ever heard. 

I can't read the gorgeous conservatory-trained violinist, but she's the only one keeping me from shattering by small degrees, and I can't let her go. 

She's wildly independent… 
My past—and New Jersey—are far behind me, and now my life is blissfully full of music: playing, teaching, and lecturing, and scouring Boston's underground scene with an annoyingly beautiful, troubled, tattooed architect. 

I'm defenseless against his rooftop kisses, our nearly naked dance parties, the snuggletimes that turn into sexytimes, and his deep, demanding voice. 

I have Sam Walsh stuck in my head like a song on repeat, and I'm happy pretending history won't catch up with me. 

The one thing they have in common is a rock-solid disregard for the rules. 
They find more in each other than they ever realized they were missing, but they might have to fall apart before they can come together. 

It's the wrongs that make the rights come to life.