ARC Review: The Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book info:

Title:  The Darkest Star
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series:  Origin #1
Genre:  YA/NA science fiction, romance
Release Date: October 30th, 2018
Publisher:  Tor Teen
Source:  ARC picked up from publisher at ALA convention, which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars

Synopsis:
When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the universe of the Lux in this brand new series, featuring beloved characters both new and old.

My Review:
Daemon Black is one of my all time favorite, #1 book boyfriends.  This book continues in his world that we read about and loved in the Lux series.  It was nice to have Daemon pop in a few times to this story, but it was also great getting to really know some of the smaller characters from that earlier series, and seeing them get their own stories.  As it has been a bit since I finished those books though, I was still left a little bit guessing at just who Evie really was, and where she'd been as part of the original series.  But all of that was filled in as I read, in perfect moments, with still enough left to surprise me and keep me on my toes wondering what was around the next corner, as I turned each page.  

There is so much  more to learn about those like Luc, just what all are they able to do?  And then there is Evie, who we find out is even more than might be originally thought when she learns who she really is from before.  I am so glad this means there will be more books in this series, and more to read and learn about these characters.  I liked visiting the world after the big Luxen invasion.  There was so much to the story that even fits in with current events in the real world.  I loved how JLA wove our favorite characters from the past throughout the story in seamless arcs, adding both comedic relief at times it was needed, as well as drama and suspense in other situations.

If you've read any of my reviews of this author's books, I'm pretty sure I say something about how mad I am at myself for taking so long to read this book.  This time I'm trying to make myself remember next time I get one of her books, especially an advanced copy, to not wait until close to the publishing date, to go ahead and start it right away, because I know I won't be able to put it down.  I mean I want to kick myself for waiting clear from June until now to read it!  Once again Jennifer L. Armentrout has blown me away with how addictive her writing is, and how lovable her characters are.

Review: Not for Me (The Windy City Chronicles #1) by Kat de Falla

Book info:

Title:  Not for Me
Author:  Kat de Falla
Series:  The Windy City Chronicles #1
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Release Date:  May 24th, 2018
Source: E-book from YA Bound Book Tours for review which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  3.5 stars

Synopsis:
Manda Wolfgram is a struggling literary agent who is looking for the perfect manuscript to land in her lap and the perfect man to land in her bed. When the sixth-floor hottie finally asks her out, she get more than she bargained for. How can a girl wrap her brain around a Shakespearean actor who writes erotica? 

Harry Sackes leads a double life: making a career as an author by day and dipping into the dark underworld of criminals at night. The moment he sees Manda in his twin brother's arms, his whole life becomes his personal Shakespearean trag-comedy of mistaken identity and unrequited love in this fast-paced chick lit romance.

My Review:
So, this story was a little different than I expected.  In the end I did enjoy it, but it took a bit to get into.  There were definitely humorous parts, a few that had me laughing out loud. There were some emotional parts as well, bringing a tear to my eye.  But I wasn't expecting it to quite go in the direction it went.  It sounds like it will be the usual romantic comedy from the synopsis.  But if you read the synopsis carefully, you'll find the one line that kind of slipped past my attention on first glance.  Now that I read back through it, I see where that came from.  I wish maybe we'd gotten a little more background for Harry, earlier in the story, or maybe more throughout it.  I feel like fleshing some of that out would have maybe made it a little better.

As I mentioned before, it was still good, and I loved the bit of adventure we had at the very end.  As it seems to be a series, I can say I might be interested in reading on.  The characters, what we got of them, were funny and endearing, and everything really did all tie together in a pretty bow at the end.  It was an easy read, other than the few bits toward the beginning that I wasn't quite sure what was happening, until we got a little bit more filled in later in the story. 

Book Blitz with Giveaway: Eight Steps to Alpha by Taylor Sullivan

Book info:
Title:  Eight Steps to Alpha
Author:  Taylor Sullivan
Publication date: October 27th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Elliot Prescott has one question for his ultra-nerdy roommate and best friend, Fe Porto.

Why can’t he get the girl?

And she has an answer for him. Or maybe eight.

With five years of best-friend hood under their belt, they’re about to embark in the project of a lifetime.

To make Elliot alpha.

The only catch? They have just four weeks to turn the video game loving Elliot, into a cocky, sexy, tattoo clad beast Fe has read about in her romance novels.

Can they do it? Or will the flitter of love that’s been brewing under the surface finally get the kindling it’s been longing for?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

It only took a few minutes before Fe was back and for Elliot to realize she had absolutely no clue how much he bench-pressed. She brought him the wrong size. In fact, she brought him shirts so small, he was pretty sure it would fit a juvenile boy. Elliot was a man, a six-foot-two, two-hundred-pound man, and there was no way these suckers were going to fit him. “Wrong size,” he said, throwing the shirts back over the door. “I need an extra-large.” He flexed his chest in front of the mirror to prove his point. Did she not see this? Did she not notice these weapons of mass destruction?

The shirt came flying back over the stall, the hanger barely missing his head by a fraction. “You wear a medium. Put it on.”

He opened the stall door, not caring he wore no shirt, and flashed her a free sample of the gun show. “Fe, come on? Are you serious?”

She smirked a little, her dimple taunting him. “Your clothes are too big, Elli. That’s part of the problem.”

He raised a brow. “This,” he argued, grabbing the shirt from its hanger, “won’t fit over my right bicep.”

She laughed, in a way too amused sort of way, then came forward, took hold of the door handle, and closed it. “Put. It. On.”

So, he did. And it wasn’t easy. It was sort of like squeezing a python into a hamster hole. But he put it on to appease her, opened the door, and found Fe, immediately covering her mouth to suppress laughter. She eyed him up and down, did the little twirl thing with her finger again, and he turned happily, because she was smiling again—and he’d do anything to make her smile.

The shirt was white, almost see through because the fabric was pulled so taught, and the sleeves were wrapped around his arms like the casing of a sausage. When he made it full circle, he found her eyes locked on the band of skin right above his waistline. The shirt was a good four inches too short, leaving his belly button, and happy trail completely exposed. He didn’t even know if she was aware what she was looking at, because she seemed as though she was in a trance. But there was no mistaking it—she was staring right there, her hazel-green eyes, like a wheat field hanging on to the barest amount of spring, stuck just a fraction of an inch above his zipper.

His mighty soldier inched toward a salute, and he turned toward the mirror. “I told you it wouldn’t fit,” he said gruffly, then closed his eyes and forcibly cleared his throat.

God damn it! Why did this happening to him? At the worst possible time? He began saying Hail Mary’s in his head and tried to calm himself down.

It wasn’t working.

“I’ll go get you a large,” Fe whispered, closing the door quietly behind her.

Good. He thought. Good.

Author Bio:

Taylor is mom of three young (or not so young) children she loves more than life. She runs them around endlessly, hoping she looks presentable enough to be out in public, and day dreams about fictional characters. Maybe she's crazy, or maybe she craves the barbie games she played as a little girl a little too much, but that's where her stories are born. It's where they blossom, and grow, and eventually breath life on the page of her stories.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

 
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Book Tour with Giveaway: Complete Me by Khardine Gray

Complete Me

by Khardine Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance

I met Sam ten years ago when I was trying to fix my life.

He was the devilishly handsome stranger who charmed me with just one look, saved me from myself, and captured my heart.

But… there was always one thing or another that stopped us from being together.

1. Ten years ago was the wrong time for us.

2. Now he’s my boss…

The attraction between us is undeniable. Temptation and passion rolled into one. 

And, since fate keeps throwing us together we decide to give in and see if what we had all those years ago was real.

Us together now is like nothing I could have imagined.

I dived in head first, straight into a hot, wild, passionate relationship that left my head spinning.

For a while it seems like things might work out.

Until… his ex-wife decides to deal us a wild card we never saw coming.

Fans of sexy, drool-worthy Alpha males are gonna love this steamy treat ...

Goodreads * Amazon

Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.

She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.

When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.

No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine's books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.

Website * Newsletter * Facebook * Facebook Group * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

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Cover Reveal - OPERATION: Get Holly Laid (A Holiday Fling novella) by Callie Vegas

Book info:
Title:   OPERATION: Get Holly Laid
Author:  Callie Vegas
Series:  A Holiday Fling novella
Publication date: November 16th, 2018
Genres: Erotica, Romance

Synopsis:

Holly loves Christmas. Or she did until she found her fiancé, Trey, cheating on her. In HER bed.

The best way to get over a guy is to get under another one, or so her friends tell her!

Her besties come up with a plan to help her get over Trey for once and for all.

They devise a plan which they call ‘Operation: Get Holly Laid.’

Join Holly and her friends in their laughter, sex, tears & the odd temper tantrum as we find out, did Holly get laid?

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

I write HEA, steamy romance. I am a hopeless romantic at heart with a dirty mind.

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L-L-L-Little Audiobook Reviews - Six Adult Contemporary Romances

So, was my title too confusing? Too weird?  I'm always trying to maybe make things more personal or blog-title-related if possible.  You might guess from my blog title, Lisa Loves Literature, that I am a bit of a fan of alliteration.  Up until now I've been doing what I call "mini-reviews". Well, tonight as I tried to come up with something more creative, I realized that I could call them little instead of mini.  But for the life of me, I couldn't come up with an L-word for review that made any sense.  Any thoughts or suggestions that could help me here?  For now, I will stick with my L-L-L-Little title. 

Anyway, I'm way behind on reviews again!  Six full audiobook reviews to get done, all of these are adult contemporary romance titles.  Without further ado, let's go!

RoomHate by Penelope Ward:

Release Date:  February 3rd, 2016
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  4 stars

Overall this was a good one.  Although there was something about the narrator's voice or the way she read, or maybe just the way it was written that made me want to speed the audio up. Eventually though, I got into it.  The author kept us wondering for so long on just what it was that made the two of them have such a contentious relationship.  I mean the flashbacks we got to start made him seem just so sweet, that I had no idea what in the world she could have done to make him hate her as much as he seemed to.  There were really funny parts, like the song Justin wrote after he caught Amelia watching him when he thought he was alone in the house.  And when they tried to go to the movie theater they used to go to when they were kids and it wasn't showing the same type of movies, you can guess what they were showing now.  There were really sexy parts.  Really sweet, emotional parts as well.  But then the thing that really irritated me was when Amelia was afraid Justin had cheated on her.  He honestly had never given her ANY reason to think he would do something like that. So it made me extremely angry.  In the end it was a really good story, and I will definitely read/listen to more by this author in the future.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right? 

Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.

When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.

The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.

The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.

I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.

The worst part? He didn’t come alone.

I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection. 

The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.

The Upside to Being Single by Emma Hart:

Release Date:  January 31st, 2018
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars 

I freaking LOVED this one!  If I didn't mention this on the first book I read by this author, I'm pretty sure Emma Hart is going to become a favorite author, one that I hope I get the chance to meet sometime so I can totally fangirl over her!  First I loved this book taking place in New Orleans, as it has become one of my favorite cities to visit. The fact that they went on a ghost tour was really neat, because I did one of those this past summer when I visited NOLA myself! Then so much about her characters and their sarcastic sense of humor is just like me and the people I hang around with.   This is one that I had so much trouble getting out of the car and having to stop listening because of how much fun it was, and how close to the edge of my seat I was as I listened.  While there were a few chapters told from Jake's point of view, they were still narrated by the female narrator, so that wasn't my favorite, but I still liked getting those little glimpses into his thoughts.  While it felt like the sexual tension was very much a slow burn, to be fair, the book basically took place only over a couple of weeks, so that didn't bother me too much.  Also, loved the term "shark week" at the beginning.  Had never heard, have no use for it myself these days, but loved it!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
If anyone asks, I knew better than to flash my boobs for Mardi Gras beads. I still don't know why I did it. Maybe it was the dare from my two best friends. Maybe it was the guys on the balcony saying they'd throw Fireball shots with the beads. Or maybe it was the quiet guy in the corner of that same balcony with piercing gray eyes, wavy dark hair, and a smile so tempting I wanted to climb up there and lick it off his face. Maybe it was because I never thought I'd see them again. Not that it matters. Not today. Because the hotel I manage was finally bought-and the guy who walks in and introduces himself as my new boss is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent. There are many upsides to being single. Your new boss knowing what your boobs look like? Not one of them. 


Four Letter Word (Dirty Deeds #1) by J. Daniels:

Release Date:  October 4th, 2016
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars  

Another one that I just loved by the time I finished listening to.  It took a bit to get into.  It didn't quite follow the storyline I was picturing in my head based on the synopsis.  But the way it went was still good.  Of course the fact that it was partially narrated by Sebastian York helped as well.  There were so many details hinted at, but kept out of reach for our knowing throughout the book, that it kept me on my toes, guessing at why one of them was doing what they were doing. And then there's how long it took for the two of them to actually meet. The near-misses, which honestly, I loved, it kept me guessing at when they would finally meet, and if one or the other would be upset with the one who actually knew who they were first.  Daniels knows how to write the steam, I don't need to tell you just how hot and bothered I got listening to certain scenes in this.  Even though I knew lying, or you know, just not saying anything about the porn was going to be a big issue at the end, and that kind of getting upset is so irritating to me, in the end the author pulled it back from that issue for me.  I can't wait to read on in the series.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Fate. Hate. Love. Lies.

Which four letter word will change their lives forever?

Sydney Paige was never so mortified to hear the words "wrong number" in her life. She meant to tell off the guy who broke her best friend's heart but unleashed her anger on a perfect stranger instead. And now her world is turned upside down by the captivating man who wants to keep her on the line.

Brian Savage is living a life he's quickly come to hate-until Sydney's wild rant has him hooked and hungry for more. Soon the sexy woman on the phone becomes the lover in his bed. But Brian has secrets, and the closer he lets Syd get, the harder it is to shield her from the devastating mistakes of his past . . . 


End Goal (Harris Brothers #3.5) by Amy Daws:

Release Date:  July 12th, 2018 (originally published in the Cocktales anthology)
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars 

This is a really short review.  I loved the short story, but obviously there was time to do a bit of editing and finessing before the audiobook.  Plus, the audiobook had one of my favorite narrators, Will Watt, so just listening to him made it awesome.  Love, love, love the Harris Brothers, and Camden is totally my favorite.  I do also love Charlotte Cole's narration on this as well.  You should totally read their original book Challenge, first.  Check out my review of it HERE. 

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
A Harris Brother Scottish Wedding! 

This short story was first published in the Cocktales Anthology. It reads well as a standalone but will be enjoyed better if you read Challenge first. 

Only professional footballer, Camden Harris, is cocky enough to elope to Scotland with his fiancé and leave the Harris Family behind.


Screwmates by Kayti McGee:

Release Date:  January 24th, 2017
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars 

At first I wasn't sure because the narrator's voice was a tad annoying, but by the end the voice totally worked for me.  One thing I love about Kayti McGee's books, or at least the ones I've read so far, is that they're set in Kansas City, where I live.  This book was hilarious. The awkwardness of the main character, I totally feel that way, still, even with past experience I've had with dating and sex, etc.  There were a couple of really good lines in the book.  One about how guys are so good at ruining your daydreams about them when you see them in person.  And then when she talked about makeup being like having a coloring book on your face.  However the character liked that, she was an artist.  Me, so very NOT artistic, I feel like I'm a kid who can't color in the lines, and that's what it looks like when I put my makeup on.  I don't know if I agree with the thoughts about FSoG, but it was a good aspect to add to the story.  Lots of laugh out loud bits in this one.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
I knew from the first time I saw Marc Kirby that I was screwed.

Big eyes, scruffy face, brown curls – yes, yes, and yes. The man is wicked hot.

He’s also my roommate, and since I work nights and he’s at class all day – it’s like living alone at half the rent.

Then an unexpected night off turns into an unexpected morning in Marc’s bed, but it turns out we can't even figure out the screwing. 

This is not great news for Marc who’s going on a “bangcation” at the end of the summer – a whole month in France that he’s planned to spend getting busy with the women of Paris. 

It’s also not great news for me for obvious reasons.

With both of us needing work on our skills, there’s only one logical solution to our predicament. 

Told you I was screwed. 


Listen to Me (Fusion #1) by Kristen Proby:

Release Date:  April 12th, 2016
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  4 stars 

I'd already read the latest book in this series.  It's like I started at the end. But I'd wanted to start this series from the moment I first saw the cover of this one.  Jumping back into the series like this was fun, because I kind of was familiar with at least one of the characters, even though I feel like she said something at the beginning that didn't match up with something I seem to remember her saying in her own book.  You probably saw me mention above how much I love Sebastian York's voice, and I did enjoy listening to it.  However, I don't feel like his voice fits that of a singer's voice.  Just my opinion, probably I'm wrong, but I was still okay listening to him.  I liked the line about having an observation deck at a gym to enjoy the hotties.  I can even think of one romance book cover model that I already enjoy the pictures he shares of himself working out.  How do I get a ticket to his gym?  And what dropped this to 4 stars for me was just that both of them pulled stupid reasons for fighting at the end.  And that made me mad.  I get it, I get it, drama needed, but still, it always annoys me to fall back on those.  But before you get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read more in the series.  I'm especially looking forward to the book with Cami and Landon, Mia's brother.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?