Blog Tour Review with Excerpt: Shelf Awareness (Green Valley Library #4) by Katie Ashley

"Don't miss this hilarious and sweet adventure in the Green Valley Library series. Five Stars!"--Aleatha Romig, New York Times bestselling author

Shelf Awareness, an all-new hilarious romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Katie Ashley is available now!

Book info:

Title:  Shelf Awareness
Author:  Katie Ashley
Series:  Green Valley Library #4
Genre: Adult romantic comedy
Release Date: November 19th, 2019
Publisher:  SmartyPants Romance

Source:  Purchased copy from author at Book Bonanza
My rating: 4.5  stars

Synopsis: 

After catching her husband in a compromising position, Finley Granger finds herself in a new hell: reentering the dating world. When she moves in with her grandmother, her great-aunt, and their best friend, Finley finds herself surrounded by a trio of well-meaning yet bumbling matchmakers.

In spite of their efforts, Finley only has eyes for one person, and that’s Zeke Masters—the 6’4”, impossibly built, and ridiculously good-looking new man in town. Along with her nether regions, Finley’s journalistic spidey-senses tingle as to why he’s on sabbatical from Seattle. Is he on the lam or escaping a bad breakup? What’s his story?!?!

As Finley finds herself reluctantly drawn to the gorgeous IT guy, she can’t help but wonder: should she indulge in a rebound tryst with the mysterious Zeke, or has she finally met her match?

‘Shelf Awareness’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #4 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

My Review:

This was a very sweet and easy read.   While this is once again set in the library, it actually doesn't focus on a librarian. Sure, Finley works at a library, but she's getting a history room ready.  And then we have Zeke, who while he is a tech guy, he is volunteering and not an official library tech.  But that's okay, because I still loved both characters!   There was so much in this story that made me laugh.  In fact Finley's roommates, her grandmother, great-aunt, and their friend, all remind me of the grandparent characters in the books by one of my favorite authors, Emma Hart.  So many funny moments in this one, especially the Ben-Wa ball moment as described in the excerpt below.  For the most part it is a pretty simple and as I said, sweet story.  But at the end, we get some intense events thanks to Zeke's father.  It was a blast spending the time we did with our librarians we know from the other books, even though there was only a mention or two of the Winston brothers.  

Now I'm just eager to read the next round of the SmartyPants Romance books which won't be till next spring or summer I think.  Also, I have lots of thoughts about trying to either fix my one novel I started reworking during NaNoWriMo this year to possibly fit into the Penny Reid world, or else to start a new one so maybe I can get into the library world of this book!   

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Except

As Zeke worked on uploading the census records, I hoisted one of the many boxes from the Henderson’s donation onto the table. It kicked up an epic dust cloud. I reached inside to pluck out one of the moldering tomes of historical literature. Wrinkling my nose, I fought the urge to sneeze. Instead, I cleared my throat. When it still felt like I had swallowed a wad of sawdust, I coughed. And that was my grievous mistake.  

The force of the cough dislodged the Ben Wa ball, sending it into an epic downward dive. Yes, ladies and gentlemen the Ben Wa ball had left the building. Whirling away from Zeke, I used my hand to try an inconspicuous crotch shuffle to send the ball back to its point of origin. What happened next was truly against the laws of motion. Because the universe apparently hated me, the ball escaped the confines of my thong. As it started its descent down my thigh, I squeaked and clamped my knees together. 
   
“Are you all right?” Zeke asked behind me.  

I threw a glance at him over my shoulder. “Uh, yeah, I . . .” Okay, I had no idea how I was going to get out of this one. It wasn’t like I could say, “Well, here’s the thing. The Ben Wa ball I was using to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles to keep my vagina healthy for the D just slipped out and is about to make a very unhappy trail down my leg.”  

“I think a bug bit me or something.”  

“Oh no. Want me to take a look?”
   
“No!” When Zeke’s eyes widened at my outburst, I said, “Sorry. I’m okay.”  

“If you’re sure.”  

“Totally.”  

“I think I might’ve found something interesting for your research.”  

The only thing I was interested in at the moment was getting the Ben Wa ball out of my pants without Zeke seeing it. “Oh?”  

“I definitely see some Native American female names.”  

Damn him for being enthusiastic about my research. The last thing I wanted to do was walk the couple of steps back over to him while trying to keep a Ben Wa ball from rolling down my pants leg. Since I couldn’t see any other way out of it, I nodded. Gritting my teeth, I started shuffling over to him.  

When I started lurching like Frankenstein’s monster, Zeke tilted his head curiously at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”  

“Yep. Totally fine,” I muttered.  

Just as I reached his chair, my knee shifted because of what I imagined was panic sweat overtaking me. As the ball became dislodged, I bit down on my lip to keep from squealing again. There was no saving the ball now or my humiliation for that matter.  

As soon as it plopped onto my shoe, I flung my foot, sending it ricocheting into the desk. Of course, it’s size caused it to make a tremendous ching-ching noise, which in turn caused Zeke to rip his attention away from the screen. “What was that?”
   
“What was what?” I questioned innocently.  

He furrowed his brows at me. “You didn’t hear that noise?”  

“Uh, no.” Plastering a smile on my face, I said, “I’m sorry. I was just so into what you were saying.”  

Ignoring my response, Zeke quickly assessed the area around us. After I’d flung the ball away, it had come to a rest to the right of his desk chair. When he bent over to examine the ball, I inwardly began screaming noooooo while at the same time cursing Estelle for even bringing the Ben Wa ball into my orbit.  

Since the universe hadn’t tortured me quite enough yet, Zeke picked up the ball. “Interesting,” he murmured as he twisted it between his fingers.
   
I decided it was best to play absolutely and completely clueless in this situation. “What is it?” Silently, I prayed he wouldn’t respond with, “It looks like one of those sex balls you shove up your cooch.”  

“I don’t know. Maybe a part off one of the desks or chairs. I should probably give it to maintenance, so they can check all the furniture in here.”
   
Oh hell no. Without a second thought, I snatched the ball out of his hands. Since I did it rather abruptly, Zeke’s surprise was apparent on his face. Waving my free hand dismissively, I said, “Don’t bother yourself with that. I’ll take it to them.”  

“Thanks, Finley.”  

After wheezing out a breath, I replied, “You’re welcome.” I jerked my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll go do that right now.”  

I didn’t bother waiting for Zeke to reply. Instead, I power walked right out of the history room. I’m sure if he was watching me he would have been puzzled at my miraculous recovery, considering I’d been limping earlier.  

At the first trash can I could find, I deposited the Ben Wa ball. It seemed abundantly clear that neither I nor my vagina were quite ready to handle the responsibility. 
 

About Katie Ashley

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Five Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her two rescue dogs named for Disney Princesses, Belle and Elsa, an out-numbered cat, Harry Potter, and one Betta fish. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars. 

Connect with Katie Ashley

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Release Day Blitz: Christmas With a Rock Star

 

Today we are celebrating the release of CHRISTMAS WITH A ROCK STAR. This is a collection of short stories from 9 Bestselling Authors. See the list of each participating author and buy links for the book below.

Purchase Now

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook

CHRISTMAS WITH A ROCK STAR

Available Now

Blurb:

A collection of Christmas themed short stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling rock star romance authors. Hot rock stars for Christmas. The perfect gift to crank up the heat on a cold winter night.

All new content including:

The Gift: A Runaway Train Christmas with AJ and Rhys by Katie Ashley

Paradise in Oblivion by Taryn Elliott and Cari Quinn

An exclusive advance excerpt of Million Dollar Musician by RB Hilliard  

Dangerous Christmas by Crystal Kaswell 

An exclusive advance excerpt of The Right Man by Michelle Mankin 

An exclusive advance excerpt of Drummer Girl by Ginger Scott 

A Very Toxic Christmas, a Devoured spin-off by Emily Snow 

A Rebel Christmas by Hilary Storm

Purchase Now

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook

Follow the participating authors on Goodreads  

Katie Ashley

Michelle Mankin

Taryn Elliott

R.B. Hilliard

Crystal Kaswell

Cari Quinn

Ginger Scott

Emily Snow

 Hilary Storm

 Add Christmas With a Rock Star to Goodreads

 

Four Adult Contemporary Romance E-Book and Audiobook Mini-Reviews

Still catching up from last month, and trying to keep up this month.  So, enjoy these four mini-reviews!

Bad Romeo (Star-Crossed #1) by Leisa Rayven:

Published:  December 23rd, 2014
Source:  Purchased from Audible
Narrator:  Andi Arndt

 My rating:  5 stars

So, I finally decided to just use my last credit with Audible to buy this one, since I have the sequel in paperback, but didn't know when I'd get the first one.  Plus, at the time, I thought that I might be meeting the author at Book Bonanza this summer.  However she is no longer attending, which sucks because I NEED to tell her how much this book got me crying, both sad tears and happy tears.  And then the cliffhanger!  Gah!  I will compare it to the same feeling I had after one of K. Bromberg's cliffhangers.  As I listened to this, I made a lot of notes whenever I updated my status on Goodreads.  I have to point out that at first I was unsure whether I would like the book because the main character smoked.  I know, that's silly, but I am so not a smoker, and so anti-cigarette, that is hard for me to connect to a character that is a smoker.  Fortunately the way the author handled it, and didn't make it a huge part of the story, worked in her favor for me to finish.

I loved Cassie's thoughts on being a virgin.  So much of them reminded me of my younger days, when I started college, as well as what I consider my current born-again V-card status.  I have all those same feelings, just haven't been able to put them into the words quite as perfectly as this book does.  By halfway through the book I was at the point of berating myself for waiting so long to finally pick it up and read it.  I needed to know why Ethan was the way he was about relationships, and when we finally find out the basic reason why, it does make sense.  Now I need to figure out where I put my copy of book 2 so I can find out what happens next. Although the rush to burn through it is a little on hold since the author won't be there this summer.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time. 

Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks.

Wicked Fall (The Wicked Horse #1) by Sawyer Bennett:

Published:  July 28th, 2015
Source:  Free e-book
My rating:  4 stars


This is a book I got as a free e-book on Amazon.  I went ahead and moved it up my reading list because the author is one who will be attending Book Bonanza in July.  Now that I've read the book, I am definitely interested in meeting the author.  Honestly this was a VERY steamy, sexy book.  The club at the heart of the series, The Wicked Horse, is a sex club, so yeah, it is obvious it will be that way I guess.  I appreciated that the main characters were as open as they were.  I feel like Woolf is definitely fair in his assessment of worrying about what problems he could cause for the daughter of a high-profile politician, even though she doesn't care.  And I loved the way that Callie may have seemed sweet, but was definitely intrigued by the things she saw going on, and wanted to try some of them. The way her foray into some of the risky behavior ended up was perfect as well.  I look forward to reading more in this series.


Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Never in your wildest dreams could you begin to imagine all the filthy and depraved things that go on inside The Wicked Horse. Step inside and Woolf Jennings will make every one of your dirty fantasies come true.

He's covered in a facade of deception. An enticing blend of multi-millionaire and hot-as-hell Wyoming rancher, those that think they know Woolf Jennings admire his abilities to preside as CEO of his family's cattle and oil empire. But only a privileged few truly understand what fuels the glitter of depravity in those gorgeous blue eyes. Only a few know he's opened up a sinfully erotic and private sex club named The Wicked Horse right at the base of the beautiful Teton Mountain range.

Sweet Callie Hayes has returned home to Wyoming and is looking forward to starting her life over again. After a night of impetuosity, she's managed to put herself right in Woolf's line of sight... the man who she foolishly offered up her virginity to years ago and was flatly turned down.

Now Woolf is seeing that Callie is all grown up and has a kinky side to her that leaves him as confused as it does turned on. Worse yet, both Callie's dirty desires and sweet heart are getting under his skin, and making Woolf question everything he's ever believed about himself.

Jacob's Ladder:  Gabe (Jacob's Ladder #1) by Katie Ashley:

Published:  November 7th, 2017
Source:  Free e-book from Amazon
My rating:  4 stars


Another free e-book that I bumped up on my TBR list because the author is going to be at Book Bonanza this summer.  I do love a good rock star romance, and this one was not bad!  It took place outside of the rock music world for the most part.  But I loved the banter between characters, and it definitely had some heat!  I definitely was a little irritated with Rae being so strict about her son Linc being able to get a guitar.  I understood her reasoning, but it was just a bit on the ridiculous side.  However when it came down to that moment at the end, I like that she realized just how far she'd gone, and I like how she handled it.  I feel like the author did a good job of making that realistic.  Then, let's just say there was a scene in the kitchen, and Rae was worried she hadn't quite done enough upkeep for a guy to dive in where Gabe was diving in.  Let's just say that I think Gabe is my kind of man.  I hate that she decided she was a "brazen hussy" for letting things happen at times.  For a guy to do those things, we expect it, it makes him a stud.  It is unfair that women are thought of differently for doing that same type of thing. 


There was one spot in the book where we got first person point of view from Gabe but it was Rae's chapter, that was a bit confusing, a tiny bit of an editing issue. But as it was pretty much the only one I noticed, I was okay with that.  I am definitely now interested in meeting this author, as well as reading on for the rest of the band members in this series, and I think maybe there was a series before that I need to check out?


Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
As the lead songwriter for Jacob’s Ladder, the last thing Gabe Renard needs is a debilitating case of writer’s block. After years of meaningless one night stands, he's finding it hard to pen the love-filled ballads the label is requesting. In an effort to clear his mind, Gabe takes his jeep off-roading in the North Georgia Mountains. When a wrong-turn leads to him getting stuck more than just creatively, he’s forced to call for help. To his surprise, the “Ray” who has been sent by Hart Wreckers to his aid is actually “Rae”—a sexy-as-hell spitfire in a pair of tight-as-hell jeans. The combination of Rae’s sassy mouth and rocking body might be the inspiration Gabe needs. But for the first time since becoming a rock star, his advances have been shot down. 

Reagan Hart has never been a fan of musicians. In fact, just the mention of one might cause her to throw a tire tool. Her disgust for them started when she was just eight and her mother ran off with a traveling country singer, and it only worsened when at seventeen, her rocker boyfriend knocked her up before blowing out of town. As a single mother taking care of her family's collision business, Rae doesn't have time for hook ups, much less a relationship. And if she did make time, a musician would be last on her list, even one as good-looking as Gabe Renard. 

Can Gabe find the words to prove not only to Rae, but himself, that she’s the only one for him?


Down Shift (Driven #8) by K. Bromberg:

Published:  October 4th, 2016
Source:  Downloaded digital audiobook from library
Narrators:  Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell
My rating:  5 stars 

My choosing to listen to this was at an ideal time.  They are currently working on filming the movie for the first book in this series, Driven, which you can read my review of if you click on the title in this sentence.   So between listening to this, and seeing all the photos online, I was totally in the frame of mind that I NEED this movie to hurry up and be finished!  I loved this one in that we got to see little Zander (I don't like that spelling, it should be Xander, but that's my opinion) all grown up.  It started with him being a bit of a brat with Colton, the man who adopted him, all because of some news he got.  Now, I knew that he was probably being a little over the top, because how Zander as a little boy, possibly be responsible for killing his mother, who his father had stabbed with scissors.  When it was finally spelled out for the reader/listener, it totally made sense. And I guess, to be fair, Zander did have a lot of baggage, so it's not that crazy that he might go a little nuts at finding that out.  I mean even though he was adopted into a loving family with Colton and Riley, Colton had also been adopted to a wonderful family after his horrible childhood, and still had issues as an adult.  And then there was Getty.  I loved her.  She had such a bad experience, but she took charge, got herself out of it, even if she had to run away and basically go into hiding.  There were times that Zander would say something to her or behave a certain way and it would make me angry at him, as he should have known better after his own mother suffered similarly.

I was a bit shocked when Getty's father, part of her abusive past, came back into the story before halfway through the book.  I knew that meant there were many more things to cause drama and heartache.  Which I should have expected, knowing how Bromberg's mind works.  The part with Getty's ex-husband was pretty intense at first, although once we switched to Zander's POV on that it got kind of rushed to the end I felt like I'd missed something.  The final obstacle I kind of figured was what it would be.  But I am a little ticked at Getty for not believing him, she should have known Zander better than that.  However, it totally made for a happy tears ending.  I am excited that this author will also be at Book  Bonanza this summer. Although since I have met her before, I may not wait in too big of a line to see her if there are other authors I haven't met yet.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling Driven series continues with a standalone story about finding love where you least expect it…
 
Behind the wheel, racing champion Zander Donavan is at the top of his game. But after too much excess in his personal life, he’s forced to step away. He needs to accomplish something all on his own—outside of his famous father’s shadow.  
 
Getty Caster is running away from the abuse that clouds her past. She thinks she’s found the perfect escape—until she discovers a stranger in the beachside cottage she’d been promised. He’s undeniably sexy, but she’s there to heal. Alone.
 
Before long though, fighting with each other turns into fighting their attraction. And giving into desire sets off a chain reaction that has their pasts colliding. With an unexpected love on the line, can they overcome the fallout to build a future?

Blog Tour Review: The Plan (The Proposition #4) by Katie Ashley

**NEW RELEASE** - THE PLAN by Katie Ashley - Now LIVE!

Book info:
Title:  The Plan
Author:  Katie Ashley
Series:  The Proposition #4
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Release Date:  October 17th, 2017
Source:  E-galley from Inkslinger PR - The gifting of this galley had no affect on my opinions.
My rating:  4 stars

Synopsis:

For Jenny O’Malley, the plan was supposed to be easy. Become the surrogate for her friends, Connor and Jeff, deliver their healthy baby, and earn some money towards her student loans. But as the saying goes, the best-laid plans often go awry. Especially when you’re looking at the prospect of not getting laid for a long, long time.

With T-Minus two weeks to insemination, Jenny decides to take her friend, Casey’s, suggestion to have one wild fling before she’s saddled with heartburn and stretchmarks. When a tall, dark and handsome man swaggers into the bar where she works in skin-tight jeans, cowboy boots, and a Stetson, Jenny knows he is the one. After a scorching night of banging boots until dawn, Jenny is a little sad to see her Cowboy in Shining Armor leave.

When he reenters her life a few weeks later, she never could have imagined a positive sign could be such a negative.

Add THE PLAN to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36429069-the-plan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HvIyBp 

iBooks: https://apple.co/2JP7nXi

Nook: https://bit.ly/2H3MGJm

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/2qJVc54

 

My Review:
This was an EXTREMELY quick read. But it was short and sweet and sexy.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters, as well as meeting others that I assume might be in other books in this series?  I liked all the connections that everyone in the story had.  Brett's connection was perfect, and I liked that it was definitely realistic how he reacted at first to finding out that Jenny was pregnant, and who she was having the baby for.  It sounds like there is another series I'll need to go back and read so that I can get to know all these other characters mentioned.  Also looking forward to the chance to meet this author at Book Bonanza in July as well.  

  
About the Author:

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her spoiled mutt, Duke. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she hung up her red pen and expo markers to become a full-time writer. Each and every day she counts her blessings to be able to do her dream job.

Although her roots are firmly planted in the red Georgia clay, she loves traveling the country and world to meet readers and hang out with fellow authors. When she’s not writing or chasing down her toddler, you might find her watching reruns of The Golden Girls, reading historical biographies, along with romance novels, or spending way too much time on Facebook.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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