BeckyBookstore

Reading Round Up: September 1-10th

Happy September book friends!! I hope everyone is having a good end of summer. I am so ready for fall!! We had some crazy weather this month here, we went from a 90 degree day to snow and 30 degrees the next. My month for reading is going good so far, I have read 5 books for my first round up. So far nothing has really wowed me, so here’s hoping for my next roundup.

Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey – 3 Stars I kept seeing this book all over instagram and youtube so I decided to pick it up. I have always loved a good vampire story so I was excited to give this one a try. Ginny Lynn works nights in her families morgue and one night gets a surprise when Jonas Cantrell wakes up on her table. Instantly the two have a connection and Ginny gets pulled into Jonas’s world. Overall I thought the story was fun and I will probably picked up the next book, I just wished there was maybe more going on the story.

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair – 3.5 Stars I was watching one of my favorite youtubers a couple weeks ago and she had mentioned so I immediately got it from my library. It is a modern day retelling of Persephone and Hades but they are actually still ancient Greek gods living in modern times. This was my first Persephone and Hades story besides ACOMAF and I really enjoyed it. I am excited to pick up the next in the series but it might be awhile because my library does not have books 2 and 3.

Beyond Power by Connie Mann – 4 Stars This was a fun suspenseful romance set in the wilds of Florida. We follow Delilah Atwood who grew up in Florida’s Wilderness with her family who lived off the grid. She has recently returned after running away when she was 16 to work on her master’s thesis on some local wildlife while also trying to find her sister so she can take her away. While doing her research Delilah meets handsome Josh Tanner who is an officer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. Together they must find out who is trying to set up a local militia and what is happening with the local monkey population that she is researching.

There were so many things I really enjoyed abut this story, like the research she did and the population of people who live in the wilds there. I love when a book makes me want to know more about something and this book definitely did that. The romance was also great, I liked having both characters points of view and seeing how they learn to grow throughout the story. Highly recommend this fun story if you are wanting a fast pace thrill of a romance. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my copy to review.

The Switch by Beth O’Leary – 3.5 Stars The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary was one of my favorite books I read last year and I was so excited for her next book. I wasn’t completely disappointed by this book but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations either. This book was much more of a woman’s fiction than a romance. We follow Leena who has just been forced on a two month break because she is not dealing well with a tragedy in her personal life. We also follow her grandmother Eileen who was recently left by her cheating husband. The two decide to saw places so that they can get out of their ruts. The side characters were also great, I loved the village the Eileen lives in and the friends they both make with people who are not their own age. Leena with her grandmother’s friends and the neighborhood watch and Eileen with Leena’s much younger roommates and friends. Overall I enjoyed the stories of both women and the self journey’s they go on. I think I just wanted more romance and it was more on the back burner in this book. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for my advanced audio copy of the book.

500 Miles From You by Jenny Colgan – 3 Stars I went into this one thinking it was going to be a romance but I got a woman’s fiction instead. The couple don’t even meet till the end of the book! This is the story of two people who are both going through different things in their life and decided to do a job swap. Lissie, who is a nurse in London moves to the small village of Kirrinfeif in Scotland after experiencing a traumatic experience. Trading places with her is Cormack, an ex-army veteran. The two communicate thru messages and eventually meeting. I did like the overall writing of this story and I am excited to try others from the author, I was just expecting one thing and got something else.

Until Next Time, Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Confident in Chaps by Em Petrova

Confident in Chaps
Em Petrova
(Crossroads, #2)
Publication date: September 21st 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

In Crossroads you make a deal to get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need instead.

Kaoz Bellamy left Crossroads to ride the range. Upon his return, he finds his girlfriend gone—and she even took his custom beer tap. Worse than the fact he won’t be accessing his favorite brewski anytime soon is the realization she isn’t coming back.

Did the big, jerk of a cowboy actually think Brielle would wait around pining for him, when he didn’t give any indication how he felt about her? No amount of rope in the county could tie her to that man again. But after one look at him, she finds that old flame still burns hot, his hands are just as perfectly rough…and he can still light her on fire with his kisses.

No matter how sexy and out of control their interludes are, Brielle will never fully trust Kaoz again. He claims he’ll do anything to win her back, even help out her pain-in-the-neck brother with his startup ranch. Kaoz never did see eye to eye with her family, but if he can help get her brother’s ranch on its feet, he just might have a second chance with the little firecracker he loves. Working alongside him means ample opportunities to remind her just how good he can make her feel too…and Brielle fears if she loses her heart to the determined cowboy this time, there might be no getting it back.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Kaoz staying on the ranch. Too close for her comfort. Where exactly did the cowboy plan to sleep?

While she turned the horse out to pasture again, she tried to keep the annoyance out of her movements. Then she stalked straight to the house and threw open the door. Everything looked the same. She didn’t see Kaoz’s plaid shirt tossed over the arm of the couch, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t infiltrated her life more than he already had.

Rushing to her room, her heart drummed. The door stood partway open. She nudged it, sending it swinging all the way—and saw his bag on her bed.

“Oh hell no.” She ran to the bed and unzipped the bag. A whiff of his masculine scent flooded out, wrapping her in its warm, spicy cocoon.

She whipped up a shirt from the top of the bag and yanked on both sleeves, trying to rip it in half. The cloth didn’t even stretch an inch. Knowing that her need to tear things to shreds the way he’d shredded her heart wouldn’t work, she grabbed the whole bag and strode to the window.

She threw it open and tossed out his shirt. It landed outside in the overgrown bushes. A bird flapped out, flying for its life.

Next Brielle yanked out a T-shirt. “New Mexico? You can keep your New Mexico tourist T-shirt!” She rifled it like a football, but it only passed over the bush and landed in the yard. Item by item, she hurled them, balling up his socks and whipping them as far as she could throw them. Next came his shaving cream and razor—dumped straight into the bush.Good luck finding those, Bellamy.

When the bag was empty, she chucked it out and then slammed the window shut. To her delight, the wind caught on his boxer shorts and carried them off through the yard.

The heavy thump of a footstep on the floor made her whirl. Kaoz filled the entire doorway, his lips set in a grim line.

“Your things aren’t here.” She spread her hands to indicate the space that only contained her belongings.

He shot a look to the window and then slid it back to her. No, pinned it on her more like. Her heart flipped over.

He stepped inside the room. She moved backward until the window ledge hit her thighs.

“We need to talk, Brielle.”

“There’s nothing to say. You left. You know I didn’t want you to. I thought I could wait it out, and I was wrong. I can’t go back and change your mind, Kaoz.” Her words rolled out in a rush.

He took another step toward her. And another. When he stood in front of her, she was forced to tip her head up to look at him, even though she stood tall as well.

“Get out of my room, Kaoz.”

When he whipped out an arm and lashed it around her spine, surprise ripped a gasp from her. He yanked her in, and she grunted as she struck his solid as oak body. His warm breath washed over her lips, and all she saw were bright blue eyes a split second before his mouth crushed down over hers.

Man. Steel. God, she missed this. Missed him.

She melted for a moment before her sanity took hold again, and she shoved him away.

“No, Kaoz! I told you we’re through.”

He stepped away, his gaze lingering. He ran his tongue over his lower lip in a slow glide that had her thighs clenching.

“I’m staying right here, sweet thing, until I convince you how I feel about you.”

Author Bio:

Em Petrova was raised by hippies in the wilds of Pennsylvania but told her parents at the age of four she wanted to be a gypsy when she grew up. She has a soft spot for babies, puppies and 90s Grunge music and believes in Bigfoot and aliens. She started writing at the age of twelve and prides herself on making her characters larger than life and her sex scenes hotter than hot.

She burst into the world of publishing in 2010 after having five beautiful bambinos and figuring they were old enough to get their own snacks while she pounds away at the keys . In her not-so-spare time, she is fur-mommy to a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff and works as editor to other authors.

You can find Em Petrova at http://empetrova.com

Sign up for Em’s NEWSLETTER
*Never miss a giveaway or sale!
*Receive sales on other books you might enjoy
*Subscriber only giveaways
*Exclusive content
Copy this link and paste into your browser: http://www.subscribepage.com/w4b4s7

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Blitz: Hometown Girl by Kirsten Fullmer

Hometown Girl Memories
Kirsten Fullmer
(Hometown #6)
Publication date: October 1st 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

If you enjoy novels featuring strong women, this is a book you are sure to enjoy!

Winnie is content in her role as the reining matriarch of Smithville, but when a letter arrives from a long-lost friend, memories draw her back to 1968. Those were turbulent but exciting days, her college days; a time filled with people and events she hasn’t allowed herself to recall.

Tara appreciates Winnie’s help with little Bella, she could never manage motherhood and running her Inn without help. Even though she’s preoccupied and busy she’s noticed a difference in her husband, Justin. He’s up to something and her gut tells her there’s more to it than just busy schedules. Not one to sit still, she’s determined to find out what is going on.

Join in the fun as Smithville’s leading ladies unite in this charming, must-read novel filled with love; past, present, and future.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Tara climbed from her car, and a hot September breeze tossed hair in her face. As she hurried to the back door of Winnie’s house, she wound her hair into a thick twist over one shoulder and glanced at her watch. Bella had already been with Winnie for an hour longer than planned, and she worried that the little monster had run the old woman ragged. Winnie was tough in her own right, but Lord knew Bella could wear down the devil himself.

She pushed open the kitchen door expecting to hear screeches of two-year-old laughter. Instead, she halted at the sight of Winnie sitting alone in silence. “Where’s Bella?” she sputtered in surprise. She hurried around the kitchen island to the old woman’s side. “What is it? Bella—”

Winnie swiped self-consciously at her cheek as she hurried to fold a sheet of paper and tuck it into an envelope. “Everything’s fine. Bella’s napping upstairs.”

Tara dropped onto the stool. This motherhood thing was aging her prematurely, she could feel it. The rise and fall of her blood pressure alone was enough to kill a person. Her gaze fell on the envelope as Winnie tucked it away, unwilling to share.

Winnie hobbled to the replica stove. “I tucked her into my bed when I saw you were running late,” Then, with a clank, she hoisted the antique tea kettle and plodded over to fill it at the sink.

Guilt replaced relief in Tara’s expression as she watched Winnie work. There was an unusual frailness about the old woman today. Had the letter upset her? The handwriting on the front had been spidery, like Winnie’s, and she’d only been able to make out the lone name, Kinkade, in the return address. No one she knew had that last name. It must be from one of Winnie’s old lady friends.

Had an old friend upset Winnie, or was Bella too much for a woman Winnie’s age? Winnie cherished the little girl, but the kid was fast and smart as a whip. It was all Tara could do to keep up her, so it must be even harder be for Winnie. “I really appreciate you letting Bella come here while I deal with morning checkouts. She runs wild the second my back is turned and gets into everything.”

Winnie placed the kettle on the stove and lit the burner. “The inn has been busy lately, hasn’t it?”

Tara wandered across the kitchen and opened an upper shelf. “I’m glad for the business, but it’s more than I can handle some days.” She took out cups and saucers and put them on the kitchen island. “Bella deserves more of my attention. It seems like all I do is holler at her, and that’s not the type of mom I want to be.”

Winnie arched a brow knowingly. “Do you think you’re the only mother who feels that way?” With tea tins in hand, she returned to the island. “Because I can assure you, you’re not.”

Tara pulled a lock of hair over her shoulder and ran her fingers through it. “I’m fine.”

Winnie gave the younger woman an I know better than that grandmotherly look.

Tara sighed. She’d never been able to hide anything from Winnie. “Oh, I don’t know, it just seems like I don’t enjoy anything anymore. Not Bella, not the Inn, not my time with Justin — like I get any of that,” she added under her breath. Winnie waited for Tara to continue. “I’m just— I’m too busy worrying about the next thing I have to do. I’m never even sure if I’m doing the thing I’m doing right.” She waved one hand. “You know what I mean.”

Winnie grunted, indicating that she did indeed understand, but she didn’t reply. Instead, she moved to her stool, eased up onto it, then adjusted her empty cup and saucer on the counter, deep in thought.

“Anyway,” Tara huffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder, “I need to hire a maid to help clean the guest rooms or something.”

“Or a maid and a manager,” Winnie offered.

Tara’s head whipped up. “A manager?”

“You’re surprised.”

“Well— yes,” Tara sputtered. “Why would I hire someone to do what I can do? I’ve run the Inn since it opened.”

“Because you’re only one person, dear, and running the Inn is a 24 -hour a day job. You’re a wife and mother too.”

Tara pulled a face. “But, we live there. That would be weird.”

The kettle rattled on the stove, then hummed to a low whine, so Winnie slid from the stool.

Tara followed her with her eyes. “Do you think I’m doing a bad job with the Inn?” She certainly felt overextended, but she hated to think that others had noticed.

“Don’t be silly,” Winnie scolded as she poured steaming water into their tea cups. “I can just see how exhausted you are, that’s all.”

Tara sniffed, watching Winnie return the kettle to the stove. Winnie didn’t hold back when it came to her opinion, but the old woman definitely felt a bit off today. “Are you feeling all right?” she asked. “Did Bella wear you out? I could see if Julia could take her tomorrow—”

“Don’t you dare,” Winnie interrupted, waving the pot holder at her. “I love that little girl — she’s no trouble at all!”

Yup, Winnie was definitely not herself today; usually, nothing ruffled her. Watching the old woman from the corner of her eye, Tara pried the lid from the tea tin and dug absently through tea bags.

Winnie collected spoons and returned to her stool, where she watched Tara with pursed lips. Once every tea bag was spread across the top of the island, she spoke. “You know there is only one type of tea in there. What are you looking for?”

Tara shrugged. “I can hope, can’t I?”

“No,” Winnie replied with a frown. “I only keep breakfast tea in there and you know it. You can bring your own if you don’t like it.”

Tara’s tea bag froze half dipped into her cup, her gaze searching the old woman’s face. Finally, she wrapped the tag around the handle of the tea cup, the way Winnie had taught her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Winnie’s spoon clinked the sides of her cup, but she didn’t look up.

Author Bio:

Kirsten is a dreamer with an eye for art and design. She worked in the engineering field, taught college, and consulted free lance. Due to health problems, she retired in 2012 to travel with her husband. They live and work full time in a 40′ travel trailer with their little dog Bingo. Besides writing romance novels, she enjoys selling art on Etsy and spoiling their three grandchildren.

As a writer, Kirsten’s goal is to create strong female characters who face challenging, painful, and sometimes comical situations. She believes that the best way to deal with struggle, is through friendship and women helping women. She knows good stories are based on interesting and relatable characters.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Blitz:

A Game of Fate
Scarlett St. Clair
Publication date: September 18th 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Hades, God of the Underworld, is known for his inflexible rule, luxurious night clubs, and impossible bargains. Used to control, he is not prepared to discover the Fates have chosen his future wife and Queen—Persephone, Goddess of Spring.

Despite her attraction to the god, Persephone, an ambitious journalism student, is determined to expose Hades for his cruel and ruthless ways.

Hades finds himself faced with the impossible—proving his future bride wrong. Regardless of his efforts, there are forces who wish to keep the two apart and Hades comes to realize he will do anything for his forbidden love, even defy Fate.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

It’s time for terms, Hades.”

He scowled and sat back in his chair, glaring. Aphrodite threw her head back in laughter.

“Someone does not like to lose.”

Her words were like a poker in his side. Hades did not actually mind losing. He lost all the time when he bargained with mortals, but he had not wanted to lose to Aphrodite.

The goddess pressed a finger to her chin and offered a soft hum, as if she did not know what to ask of him. She was wasting his time. She knew what she wanted, but just as he was about to bark at her, she spoke.

“Fall in love, Hades. Better yet, find a girl who will fall in love with you.” Then Aphrodite clapped and exclaimed, “That’s it! Make someone fall in love with you!”

Hades’ jaw tightened, and Aphrodite stared back as if she wished to see to his soul in turn. Her terms were insulting. If it were that easy to fall in love, he would not be alone now.

“Is this your idea of a joke?” he asked, his voice quiet and calm, despite the anger twisting his insides. He was going to have to torture someone just to release the tension in his body.

“Not a joke,” she said, raising a thin blonde brow. “You’ve offered love advice. Follow it.”

Not a joke then, but retribution. She was frustrated with him for offering his opinion on her marriage.

“And if I can’t meet those terms?”

Her smile cut across her face wickedly.

“Then you will release Basil from the Underworld.”

“Your lover?” Hades could not keep the disgust from his voice. They’d just spent the last few minutes discussing her love for Hephaestus, and here she was asking for a man—her hero, to be exact. Basil had fought and died for her in The Great War. “Why? Don’t you want Hephaestus to admit that he loves you?”

She glared at him. “Hephaestus is a lost cause.”

“You haven’t even tried!”

“Basil, Hades. He is who I want.”

“Because you imagine yourself in love with him?”

“What do you know of love? You’ve never loved in your lifetime.”

Those words did not hurt, so much as embarrass him. He leaned toward the goddess.

“Basil loves you, that is true, but if you don’t love him in return, it is meaningless.”

“Better to be loved than not at all,” she countered.

You are a fool, Hades wanted to say. Instead, he asked, “Are you sure this is what you want? You have already petitioned Zeus for a divorce, now you have asked me to resurrect your lover in the event I cannot meet the terms of your contract. Hephaestus will know.”

Aphrodite was quiet, and he recognized her uncertainty in the way she toyed with her lip.

Finally, she answered.

“Yes. It is what I want.” She took a deep breath then and managed a smile. “Six months, Hades. That should be enough time. Thank you for the entertainment. It was…invigorating.”

With that, the Goddess of Love vanished.

Author Bio:

Scarlett St. Clair lives in Oklahoma with her husband. She has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Studies and spends a lot of time researching reincarnation, unsolved murders and Greek mythology-all of which made it into her debut novel, When Stars Come Out.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

I read some really good books the last half of August. My favorite was either Polaris Rising or Kiss My Cupcake. Bothe were very good but very different. Kids also finally went back to school so that has freed up a little more of my time, however the first two weeks were remote learning. But they go back full time in person in early September. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Polaris Rising by Jesse Mihalik – 4 Stars I kept seeing this cover every where so when I saw it my local thrift store I had to pick it up. Of course it set on my shelf for months but when I finally sat down and read it, I loved it! This is romance space opera and we are following Ada who has recently been captured due to the bounty on her put there by her ex-fiance and Marcus Loch who is being held prisoner by the same bounty hunters. Together the two help each other escape and and the adventure that ensues was so much fun! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series that deals with Ada’s sister, Bianca.

Forever Saved by Kathleen Brooks – 4 Stars I love this series so much!! This book is #14 in the third series centered around Keeneston Kentucky. I absolutely love returning to the town of Keeneston and all the people who live there. In this book we follow Jace who is the third child of Pierce and Tammy, as he starts his new medical practice in Keeneston. Stella has recently moved to town to start a garden center and the two meet and have an instant connection. These books are always fast paced romance thriller/mysteries and I always look forward to the next one in the series.

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria – 4 Stars This was a fun book about two Telenovela stars that are working together on a new show for a netflix type company so we get scenes from both the real couple and the one they portray on screen. I really enjoyed this one it was fun and steamy! (Sorry for the short review! Its been so long since I read it I can’t remember a ton of details without giving spoilers. I really need to get better about writing my reviews quicker.)

The Jackal by J.R. Ward – 3 Stars I feel like her books are all starting to bleed together and I am finding it hard to separate this book from the other one I read at the same time. That being said I did find the book enjoyable but only in the sense that I already love the world and characters that J.R. Ward has built. I am not a huge fan of books that have a lot of memories in them and this one basically had a chapter of memories every other one. That was really one of the reasons this book got a 3 from me. Still will be picking up the next one in the series though.

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella – 3 Stars This book was a real struggle for me. After a very rough start with it and almost dnfing, I forced myself to power through and finished it in about 3 days. I only pushed through because I was buddy reading this with some friends and they all were loving it. We are following Katie who is pretending to love her job and life in London. She unexpectedly gets fired and has to move back home to help her dad run a glamping site on their farm. While on the farm she runs into her old boss who fired her and the two end up helping each other out. Overall it was an ok story but I struggled with the main character, I just didn’t really like her whole persona. Hopefully the next is better. (P.S. It was)

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting – 4 Stars Yes please! I read this book and absolutely loved it!! I love a good enemies to lovers stories and when you throw in a lumberjack type man I am so in!! Blaire is opening a cupcake and craft cocktail place and it turns out that next door is an annoying bar that has ax throwing. Ronan has recently taken over his grandfather’s bar and is doing some renovations. One night while working on his ax throwing wall he disturbs his new neighbor who comes in and gives him what for! I loved Blaire and Ronan’s relationship so much, they way they went from antagonistic to helping each other out was great! Can’t wait for the next book by Helena Hunting!

Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh – 4 Stars It has been years since I have picked up this series but I have slowly been picking them up from thrift stores so I decided to get back into this series with Archangel’s Blade. I still read Nalini’s other series very regularly so I know I love her writing but I forgot how different this series is compared to her Psy-Changeling Series. This one has a more dark feel to it but I am ok with that. In this one we have Dmitri who is one of Raphael’s Elite Seven, he is a vampire and is known for his violence. Honor is a recent survivor of a brutal attack that has left her a shell of her former self. Together the two must work together to find a killer. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to get to the next book in the series.

Until Next Time, Happy Reading!