Blog Tour Review with Excerpt: Recipe for Disaster by Allie York

Review and Excerpt Tour for RECIPE FOR DISASTER by Allie York 

Brought to you by Forever Write PR

Allie York is back but with her first-ever YA novel, Recipe for Disaster. For Aimee, all it took was a misdialed number to bring “Muffin Guy” into her life and a texting relationship that ends up changing her life. Fans of Kasie West and Miranda Kenneally will adore this humorous, angsty wrong number young adult romance. 

Author: Allie York

Release Date: December 12, 2019

Publisher: self-published

Genres: Young Adult

Word Count: 72K
Source: E-galley from Forever Write PR which did not influence my opinion.
My rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis:

World’s best muffins:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375
Step 2: cream the butter and sugar until light
Step 3: Add eggs one at a time
Step 4: Forget you have a new phone in a new area code and call a random guy
Step 5: Continue to text random guy until you develop not-so-random feelings

Aimee’s life was stable, normal, and loving; until it wasn’t anymore. In the blink of an eye, she lost her childhood home, her best friend, and her sanity in one swoop.
 
But a misdialed number brings her an unexpected friend and a lot of new feelings.
 
Life is finally looking up and Aimee sets out to live life to the fullest with her newfound friend. That is until...Aimee’s text life and real life collide to ruin everything.

Read Now and Read FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 

Add to Goodreads here! 

My Review: 
My first introduction to this author was with the 425 Madison series last year.  This book had some really cute bits to the story, and I enjoyed the back and forth banter through the texting between Aimee and Muffin Guy.  I also loved Sienna, she was a blast and I was so glad that Aimee found her right away, or should I say that Sienna found Aimee?  There was a lot going on in this book.  An ex-best friend that deserted Aimee, a huge move into a smaller home due to some family issues, a flirtatious mix-up phone call and text messages, an overwhelming new best friend, not knowing what to do with her life since she didn’t go right to college after high school, and a guy who tried to get more from her than she wanted to give.  The story itself was a good one, with some new ideas, even if a lot of it was a bit predictable.  I definitely adored both Muffin Guy and the real person he turned out to be for sure, even if at times Aimee wasn’t necessarily someone that I always felt a connection to.

Now, I had some issues with the writing.  I know it was an advanced copy and so some of the errors could be blamed on that, but I had issues with how when she had to move we didn’t get what happened except through tiny bits and pieces in kind of a disorganized way.  Then there was the fact that she would talk about herself in third person, even though the story was in first person.  Normally I don’t have a problem with that, but the way it was done was confusing at first.  The character pointed it out at one point a little ways in, I just wish she’d done that earlier to keep from making it confusing as you began the book.  And, I hated the dogging on Twilight.  Yeah, yeah, I know people don’t like it, but some people don’t like Star Wars either, yet the character was all about that.  It’s my whole mantra of if you don’t like something, don’t spend time hating on it, spend your time on the things you love. 

-->

Excerpt 

Copyright @ Allie York 2019

Muffin Guy: Marry me. Now.

Muffin Guy: Okay that was a little creepy. Sorry. I don’t think I have ever had anyone quote The Dude for me. It’s amazing.

Muffin Guy: I would need to try to muffins before proposing marriage anyway. What if they suck? I think about leaving him hanging, just to see how many texts I can rack up before he gives up, but I can’t.

Aimee: My muffins are world-class. I’m talking good enough for the Queen Amidala and The Emperor or some royalty from this universe. Don’t ever doubt my muffin making abilities. Now let’s talk about that marriage proposal. We can’t base a whole relationship on one cult classic and some Star Wars references. And what if you’re ugly? If he can insult my muffins, I can insult his appearance. It’s only fair.  

Muffin Guy: Touché. I already told you how hot I am, so that is absurd. Don’t let the eye thing throw you off, it only adds to my sex appeal. Where can I get one of your muffins? I’m not sure I can take that at face value. I need to do research.

Aimee: Only place you can get my muffins is from me. I need to go get ready for a thing tonight. Have a nice night, Muffin Guy. I know if he keeps texting me, I’ll never get ready for the event, and Dad will kill me. Without Hali to get my hair and makeup done, it will take me an eternity.

Muffin Guy: Date?

Aimee: Only with my family. My life is very boring. So boring that I spend the day texting strangers.

Muffin Guy: Mine too. Have fun tonight. If it gets too boring, shoot me a text. If nothing else, I am good comedic relief.


Read Now and Read FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 

Author Allie York: 

Allie is a mom and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted at her laptop writing or reading in a cozy corner. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.

Follow Allie: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Instagram 

This sales blitz is brought to you by Forever Write PR. For more information, visit our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Book Blitz Excerpt with Giveaway: Bossy Bride: Emma and Jesse (Bossy Brothers #4) by J.A. Huss

Book info:
Title:  Bossy Bride: Emma and Jesse
Author:  J.A. Huss
Series:  Bossy Brothers #4
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Synopsis:

Bossy Bride features Jesse and Emma getting almost-hitched on a roller coaster, tricked into being the stars of a pirate show, jumping out of an airplane, and saying their vows in front of two huge Italian families who don’t speak English. It’s a rompy, whirlwind trip down a rabbit hole of “Fantasy” Vegas weddings planned by a man called “Fingers” and just when you think nothing else could go wrong—a mermaid descends from the ceiling.
Jesse Boston is the man of my dreams. He’s super sexy, super rich, and super funny. He gets all my jokes, he treats me like a princess, and our love life is smokin’ hot.
So I’m gonna marry him. I’m not real picky about how that happens and if my mother wants to have her say, fine. That’s fine. She gave birth to three boys and just one girl. So I get it. She NEEDS a wedding.
But when she invites my childhood nemesis, KAREN, to plan our wedding AND be one of my bride’s maids? Uh—no. It’s not happening. Karen Krakken-Channing will not plan my wedding, will not be at my wedding, and she’s certainly not going to be IN my wedding.
Luckily, my jet-butler, Miles, and my almost-husband get this great idea!
We’re going to elope to Vegas on Christmas Eve eve, get hitched in the most ridiculous way possible, and then fly home in time for Christmas Eve dinner.
We’ve got it all figured out.
Nothing can go wrong.
We will have one simple wedding in like… a drive-through chapel, and call it good.
Take that, KAREN!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Bookbub

—

EXCERPT:

My bride is sexy hot.

And no, the man whose arm she’s holding onto as she walks isn’t her father. And none of these people here are our people—but in this moment I do not care.

Emma.

Emma is the only thing on my mind.

I want this woman by my side right now. I want her next to me for the rest of my life. I want her in sickness and in health. I’ll take all the bad with the good. I want to love and cherish her so hard, she will forget the thirteen years we spent apart and only think of the ones we spent together.

Her veil only covers her eyes. It’s a very tasteful, very understated veil. But the best thing about that veil is that as I watch her walk towards me—as I see her suddenly realize that this is it, we really are gonna make it all the way through this ceremony—I catch her checking me out. I catch her eyes wandering down my body, then back up to meet my gaze again.

She smiles and bites her lip.

And man, that little lip-biting thing? Yeah. I’m gonna picture that every time I make love to her for the rest of my life.

My stomach flips with excitement once they reach the steps and all I want to do is rush down those steps and pull her into my arms.

But I wait.

I force myself to stand still and wait as her fake father pauses to look lovingly at her—nice touch, fake father-in-law—and then she ascends towards me.

Emma’s eyes find mine as she slowly approaches the altar. And then she shrugs up her shoulders as if a tingle went up her body.

God, I love her. I love her so much. And even though I still have regrets about missing out on all those years when we were apart, I know—I just feel it in my heart—that this is just the beginning for us. We have so much to look forward to. And pretty soon none of those missing years will matter anymore. We’ll be too busy making new memories to even think about the ones we never had.

When they reach the top her fake father stops just a step away from me, turns to Emma, and lifts her small veil up and says something low and soft in Italian.

Emma nods her head at him and murmurs, “Thank you.”

Then she turns to me. I reach for her and she takes my hand, stepping forward to stand next to me as we both face each other in front of this chapel filled with people.

It’s only then that we realize… the priest is speaking in Italian.

Both of us giggle. Fuck it, right?

What did we really expect? And surely, this day could not get any weirder.

We hold hands as he speaks, probably saying all the usual things. Marriage is serious. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Marriage is sacred.

Yes. I agree to all those things.

I hold Emma’s hands in mine as the ceremony proceeds. And I even hear a sniffle or two from our audience. Nice touch, Fingers. Nice touch.

And even though everything here started out fake, suddenly everything feels very, very real.

I am marrying this woman.

The priest pauses, and when we look at him we realize we’re up.

We didn’t discuss this. We have no vows! And even though everyone else is working off a script, we’re just winging it.

Emma looks a little frightened. Her eyes are wide and her pouty lips are making a perfect, round, o shape.

I squeeze her hand. “I got you, babe.” Then I clear my throat and begin.

“Emma Dumas. I first met you thirteen years ago. We were young, and one of us was very stupid.”
She smiles wide and sucks in a breath of air. “Me,” I say, looking out at the crowd. And hey, they get it. Because they chuckle a little at my joke. “But I don’t think I ever told you how you grabbed my attention that day. I saw you from across Mallory Square. You were wearing little Daisy Duke cut-offs and a white tank top. And, of course, those now infamous pigtails.”

She squeezes my hands as she shakes her head and looks down for a moment. But she quickly raises her eyes back up to meet mine. Like she refuses to miss a single moment of our big minute.

“And Emma, I thought to myself… ‘Jesse Boston—’” A slight murmur from the crowd makes me pause for a moment. I guess they didn’t know who I was and now they do. Jesse Boston is the same no matter what language you say it in. “I said, ‘Jesse Boston, how in the heck have you been on this island for a week and are just now seeing this girl?’ You see,” I say to the crowd, “I missed her. And I hated that. I really hated that. Because up until that moment when I first saw this vision of a girl, I was doing nothing. I was nothing. I was wasting time, and taking up space, and couldn’t even begin to imagine what the next thirteen minutes would bring, let alone the next thirteen years. So I took my chance.” I turn back to Emma. “I went up to your shaved ice stand and asked you out. It was probably not my best pick-up. But Emma, I just want you to know… it was my most honest one.”

She lowers her eyes again. And when they rise up to meet mine just a moment later, I see the shine of a tear in them.

“It was… honest. Every moment with you that night was honest. And when we reconnected thirteen years later, every moment that came after was honest too. You not only make me want to be a better man, I am a better man with you by my side.” I bring her hand up to my lips and I gently kiss her fingers. “Thank you. Thank you for seeing the better me. Thank you for buying me from a bachelor auction with grand delusions of revenge. Thank you for the one-up dream date. Thank you for sharing your family with me. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor… just…” I shake my head. “Babe? I can’t do this without you.”

She inhales deeply, lets go of one of my hands to swipe a tear off her cheek, and then says, “Jesse Boston. You were my fantasy man when we first met. You were the man who made all the promises. You were a boy so golden I could barely stand to look at you.”

I sigh. Because I didn’t feel good enough for her back then. I was so afraid she’d see through me. So afraid she’d realize what a fraud I was. So afraid that she’d figure me out and sneak away, thankful that she dodged a bullet with a boy called Jesse.

“And when you disappeared, I was lost. I was someone else when you left. Some other girl who no longer understood her place in this world. And for the next thirteen years I would think about you at least once a day. I would think… what could we have been? What life would we have lived if we had stayed together from the start? If we had never gone out and did our thing, by ourselves, on our own?” She squeezes my hands. “And you know what?”

“What?” I whisper, dying to know what she thinks about this.

“We might’ve been that couple.”

I laugh a little. That couple.

“We might have been that couple you described on our second-chance first date last summer. The one who fights hard, and lives fast, and loves each other ferociously.”

“Love is a battlefield, babe. And we’re both just generals.”

Author Bio:

JA Huss is the New York Times Bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today Bestseller's list 21 times in the past five years. She writes characters with heart, plots with twists, and perfect endings.

Her new sexy sci-fi romance and paranormal romance pen name is KC Cross and she writes novels and teleplays collaboratively with actor and screenwriter, Johnathan McClain.

Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie Award in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Her audiobook, Mr. Perfect, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017. Her audiobook, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Five of her book were optioned for a TV series by MGM television in 2018. And her book, Total Exposure, was nominated for a RITA Award in 2019.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon / KC Cross New Release Alert / JA Huss New Release Alert

GIVEAWAY!

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal with Giveaway: Exordium by S.N. Jones

Today S. N. Jones, GenZ Publishing and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the GORGEOUS cover for her YA Historical fantasy, EXORDIUM which will release in early 2020! Check out the awesome cover and enter the giveaway!

On to the reveal!

Book info:
Title: EXORDIUM (Tempus Book 1)

Author: S. N. Jones

Pub. Date: 2020

Publisher: GenZ Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 247

Find it: Goodreads, GenZ Publishing

Synopsis:
“Fall to rise higher.”

This is the motto of the clan Kongeorn. In their world of harsh battles and harsher winters our story begins.

Exordium is a historical fantasy novel that follows the story of Vita, who is thrust into a position of power and forced to deal with the aftermath of a family tragedy--and an act of war. Along the way, she must confront her own demons and learn that everyone is fighting their own war, their own obstacles. She must learn how to overcome them, to rise higher than ever before. Exordium and its author, S. N. Jones, were awarded with the 2018 National Civic Expression Award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, funded by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.

One woman.

One name.

One forgotten legacy.

Excerpt:

"The forest seemed still, as if no creature dared to move or cry out in my presence. The trees remained static, their branches rigid and frozen in the cool night air. In the stillness, a burden began to weigh down upon me, cloaking me like the furs on my shoulders. It sobered me, taking my attention away from the visions and cynical thoughts, and plopped me right where I would stay. I could not hide from it, nor—I found—did I want to. My duty to my people, to my name, bore down on me, and I refused to shake it.”

About S.N.:

Proud author of Exordium, fantasy author, and lover of books!

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

• 1 winner will win a $10 Amazon GC, International.

• Giveaway ends December 27th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz with Giveaway: Instacrush (Rookie Rebels #2) by Kate Meader

Book info:
Title:  Instacrush
Author:  Kate Meader
Series:  Rookie Rebels #2
Publication date: December 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Synopsis:

Theo Kershaw is the luckiest guy alive.

Roaring back from a life-threatening injury, he has the world at his skates as defenseman for his new team, the Chicago Rebels. Everyone adores his big personality, his on-ice talent, and his killer smile. Everyone but his prickly neighbor – or so he thinks. One chilly Christmas Eve, Theo will learn that maybe the girl next door isn’t such a hater after all …

Elle Butler is the most embarrassing person on the planet.

How else can the ex-military-now-bartender explain her crush on the hot jock who lives across the hall? True, he has gorgeous green eyes and perfect cheekbones, but the filter between his brain and too-sexy mouth is permanently malfunctioning. Yet she can’t stop checking out his Instagram antics or sneaking looks at him when he’s in her bar. So. Mortifying. Running from a past filled with damning secrets, Elle’s determined that this guilty pleasure remains buried in her deepest fantasies.

Because she couldn’t possibly indulge with the Theo Kershaw or make a mistake that draws attention to her under-the-radar life. And she especially couldn’t be a mom to a pro-athlete’s baby … could she?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

“Yes, I’ve seen those billboards for your underwear.”

“Fender bender when you did, right?”

“Oh, I have epic self-control. But seeing them made me realize that you’re a bit too pretty. I kind of like ’em rougher.” She placed a finger under his chin and tilted it for inspection. “You ever get into a fight? And I don’t mean those phony ballets you perform on the ice for your fan base.”

“I’m more a lover than a fighter.”

She scoffed, reluctantly withdrawing her touch. “Thought as much. Wouldn’t want to risk getting that perfect nose broken.”

He didn’t take offense. She wondered what in the world would ever bother The Theo Kershaw.

“So we’ve established I’m not manly enough for you. Any other comments?”

“Oh, I’d never be one to criticize.”

He waved a hand. “Help me out, Elle-oh-Elle. Give me some pointers on how to win a real woman such as yourself.”

She thought about it for a moment, her blood fizzing with the fun of sparring with him. “You’d need to be a completely different person. But don’t fret, your current vapid personality is probably cleaning up so don’t change a thing, ’kay?”

He didn’t look put out, probably because her jab carried no heat. They both knew she wouldn’t be talking to him like this if she really believed he was dumb and vain.

“Yeah, good thing I’m doing okay. It’s just you’re here and I’m here …” The implication being that only proximity would force him to lower his standards.

She patted his chest and suppressed a groan at how hard it felt under her fingertips. “I know you can’t help yourself. You’ve got a penis that seeks out the nearest vagina like a diving rod. It’s really not your fault.”

“True. I can’t be held accountable for my incorrigible flirting.”

He grinned and she grinned back, and that fizz in her veins bubbled bright. He’d figured out her game, matched her quip for quip. They understood each other and now they were … friends?

How odd.

And surprisingly sweet.

Theo Kershaw was smarter than he looked. Confusion must have registered on her face because he seemed to be closer, more present. A rush of awareness overtook her, not just of him, but of them and the sparking connection being formed in this sizzling moment, more powerful than mere sexual attraction.

Author Bio:

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she's there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon

GIVEAWAY!

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/33YjLhr

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ShelfAwarness

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2m2NkNC

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lAahaG

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

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kuMzMP

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2m3rWrH

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

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2klaIWg

Website: http://bit.ly/2lXWIlu

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lzyduO

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

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/

Release Blitz Review with Excerpt and Giveaway: Blindsided by Amy Daws

⚽ ⚽ ⚽

 

 

⚽ ⚽ ⚽

Book info:

Title:  Blindsided
Author:  Amy Daws
Genre: Adult contemporary sports romance
Release Date:   November 21st, 2019
Cover Designer:  Amy Daws

Source:  E-galley from author which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars

⚽ ⚽ ⚽

 

Synopsis:

What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction? 

Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat. 

Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And-Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime. 

Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered. 

However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya. 

What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off. 

Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don't fall in love with your best friend.

 

 

My Review:

Starting a new book by Amy Daws is like putting on your comfy flannel pj pants and curling up under a soft, warm blanket in your favorite cozy reading spot.  I know I'm going to laugh, and laugh I did throughout this entire book, the sexy scenes will leave me hot, and there's a very good chance I will be in tears at some point in the story, which I was full blown tears streaming down my face, sniffling too.

The funnies began with Freya and Mac's relationship and when they would be "in a fight".  And then it went on to Freya's fumbled conversation with the barista that she was kind of interested in.  Oh my gosh, and then the Never Have I Ever game, and learning what a dirty Sanchez is, and that's just eww, no, what is the point of that even?

Of course since I love the soccer players that this author writes, and all the family and friends, getting to spend so much time with the Harris clan and friends is part of what makes this like cuddling up with a good book, or going back to that bar where everyone knows your name.    Mac, I adored him!  And then there is all the similarities to Freya that I felt.  The way she felt that after her month with Mac, she'd probably never get to experience that again.  I'm in a stage of my life where I feel the same.  That I had a fun time when I was younger, and now it's all over and doesn't ever seem like it will change.  So when Mac pushed her away at the end because of things changing, even though he knew he loved her, that's when my tears started.  

But the way he went about winning her back at the end was perfect, I just think I'd love a relationship like that, with the arguing and being "in a fight" all the time.  

There was definitely a little bit that reminded me of one of my all time favorite books with one of my top book boyfriends, Nate Sawyer from Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young.  So I loved that.  I usually adore all the ways that this author fits in the different jargon and unique phrases used by the characters based on where they're from. But in this case, the bleddy bit didn't make a ton of sense, it bugged me too much.  And then there was some "ag" thing at the end that I also didn't really get.  None of that matters though, because I love, love, loved the book, the story, and also, I think we need Mac's sister's story next! 

  I wake the next morning to a rough tongue touching my nipple. A smile spreads across my face as I open my eyes and expect to find Freya. My face falls when I see it’s her fucking demon of a cat laving at my pec like it’s going to produce milk at any moment. 

 “Fuck off, you wee bastard!” I bellow and shove the animal off my chest. 

Hercules takes off down the hallway, and a snort echoes in the room. I turn my gaze to find Freya perched on a chair in the corner of her bedroom. She’s dressed in a long nightshirt, her red hair a wild mess of curls, and her makeup smudged like she was properly fucked last night. And she looks positively entertained. 

 “Did you just sit there and watch your cat violate me?” I croak, sitting up and rubbing my tender nipple. 

She giggles and steadies herself so as not to spill the two cups of coffee in her hands. “I came in to bring you a coffee, but Hercules looked like he was warming up to you, so I just sat down here to not interrupt. I had no idea he was going to lick your tit.” She bursts out laughing all over again. 

“You and I are in a fight then,” I reply gruffly, propping myself up on the headboard of her bed. “That was disturbing.” 

She nods, her face still tormented with poorly concealed laughter. “For us all.” 

Check out Amy's Facebook page for an awesome paperback giveaway!

 

⚽ ⚽ ⚽

 

Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she's watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance. For more of Amy's work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com 

 

⚽ ⚽ ⚽