Release Blitz + Review: "Walk of Shame" by Avery Flynn

I'm thrilled to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Walk of Shame" by Avery Flynn, book #2 of the Downside of Dating series. Characters from the previous book (as well as the earlier Ice Knights and Hartigans series) make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Five years after being left at the altar by her professional hockey player fiance, Astrid O'Malley has created a new life for herself. She's sworn off both relationships and anything to do with hockey, a challenge given that her dad is the head coach of the Harbor City Ice Knights. She's working a shift as a bartender one night when she meets a handsome man and breaks her own rules to hook up with him. The following evening, her father invites her to a dinner which turns out to be a welcome party for his newest assistant coach: Astrid's hookup, Cal Matsen. It's a shock to both of them, but they manage to hide their previous acquaintance from her father. It's an even bigger shock when Astrid's father announces that he wants her to work with Cal to help her ex-fiance, now the goalie for the Ice Knights, get over his case of the yips.

 

Cal's NHL career ended prematurely due to a traumatic injury, and his singular goal since then has been to get back into hockey in whatever way he can. Landing a coaching position with the Ice Knights has him one step closer to that dream, and the last thing he wants is to jeopardize it by getting involved with the coach's daughter. But no matter how hard they try, they can't seem to stay away from each other. Can Cal have it all or will he be forced to choose between hockey and Astrid?

This was such a fun story! Astrid and Cal had great chemistry, and I adored their flirty, witty banter. After everything she went through with her ex-fiance, particularly the media attention in the aftermath of their breakup, Astrid's concerns about getting involved with Cal were completely understandable. It took a lot of courage for her to overcome her fears and learn to trust in love again. As for Cal, he needed someone like Astrid to help him see that there was more to life than hockey. They made a wonderful couple, and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

 

I highly recommend "Walk of Shame" for all steamy romantic comedy fans and look forward to whatever the author writes next.
 

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "Walk of Shame"

One night. No strings. And a really good puck.

Five years ago, Astrid O’Malley experienced the ultimate in public humiliation. Being dumped at the altar by her childhood sweetheart was horrifying enough. That fact that he was a professional hockey goalie and her dad was his coach? It was all anyone in sports could talk about.

Eff hockey. Eff goalies.

These days, Astrid lives a life (mostly) free of hockey and free to pursue whoever she wants with exactly zero shame in her game. Like tonight’s hook-up. This guy’s nailed the lumberjack aesthetic perfectly. Especially when he has the stamina and creativity to back it up.

Because the rule is: it’s one night only. Which is gonna be a problem because she’s just discovered he lives in the apartment upstairs.

And he’s joined her dad’s team. As the goalie coach. To train her ex.

Now Astrid is in some kind of hockey hell–filled with her ex, her family, and the best sex of her life. And somehow she’s been roped back onto the team.

Puck my life. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "This Much Is True" by Adriana Locke

I'm excited to take part in the release blitz celebrating "This Much Is True" by Adriana Locke, book #2 of the Marshall Family series. Characters from the previous book make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

After leaving her A-list actor fiance at the altar, pop star Laina Kelley desperately needs a place to hide. She's not sure where to go until her first love, small town farrier Luke Marshall, suddenly springs to mind. A tiny bit of breaking and entering later, she's sitting on his couch and waiting for him to get home. Luckily for Laina, Luke's willing to let her stay until the media attention calms down, and all it will cost her is some manual labor. When she agrees to Luke's proposition, Laina expects her only challenge to be mucking out horse stalls; in reality, it will be far more difficult to stop herself from falling in love with him all over again.

 

In her author's note, Locke describes this story as a "hug in book form," and I completely agree with that assessment. From their very first interaction, it was clear that Luke and Laina belonged together. I appreciated that Laina remained so down-to-earth despite her level of success, as well as how conscious she was of the sacrifices she'd be asking Luke to make if he chose to be with her. There wasn't an easy answer for how to make their relationship work, but I was rooting for them the whole way.

Overall, I adored "This Much Is True" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "This Much Is True"

When celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind—to the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love ... and biggest frenemy.

This isn’t your average romance. It begins with me in a wedding dress, just not at an altar …

I never expected to be a runaway bride. I also never thought I’d end up on my ex’s doorstep to flee from said wedding. Now that I’m here, it’s easy to find the key in an old boot by the door and let myself inside. It’s not breaking and entering if I have a key, right?

It’s safe to say that Luke Marshall didn’t expect to find me on his couch in my wedding dress, my veil over my face in tears. He has no choice but to listen to my panic-induced plea for salvation. It’s only a matter of time before the tabloids get wind of my disappearing act, and my life is over.

Luke takes pity on me and says I can stay… on one condition.

I can’t sing for my supper—I have to earn it. I have to work in the barn alongside him, up to my elbows in horse manure. Oh—and because there’s only one bed, I get the couch.

This works … in theory. However, when sparks start flying, and the small-town farrier asks me to stay, I’ll have to decide between my life as a pop star or a second chance with my first love.

Release Blitz + Review: "Unending Love" by Stacey Lynn

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Unending Love" by Stacey Lynn, book #1 of the Kelley Family series.

When she found out she was pregnant after a one-night stand, Emily Russo tried unsuccessfully to track down her baby's father. With the support of her best friend Gianna, she managed to finish college, find a teaching job, and move to Colorado, where she's raising 3-year-old son Landon on her own. She'd given up on ever finding the mysterious Caleb until the day Gianna happened to see him at a football game - or so she thought. It was actually Caleb's twin brother Cameron, but he agreed to pass along a letter, allowing Emily to finally share the news about their son.

 

Professional hockey player Caleb Kelley is shocked to learn of Landon's existence, but he's never been able to forget his night with Emily and doesn't doubt that she's telling the truth. He's excited to get to know his son but quickly realizes that he wants a second chance with Emily too. She's determined to take things slowly for their son's sake, however. Can Caleb convince her that love is worth taking a risk?

Caleb and Emily had great chemistry, and I really appreciated the way he handled finding out about Landon. He didn't get mad at Emily, simply accepted what had happened and moved forward with getting to know his son. However, his irrational behavior near the end of the story drove me crazy! I did like that he figured out his mistake quickly and didn't try to use an over-the-top grand gesture to get out of trouble. Instead, he figured out a way to give Emily what she really wanted and needed to be happy.

As for Emily, I was somewhat bothered by her choice to be so open about Landon being the result of a one-night stand. I completely agree with her that it's nothing to be ashamed of, but at the same time, it seems like too much information to share with your co-workers. If they were nosy enough to ask, why not just say that Landon's father wasn't in his life and leave it at that? As the saying goes, discretion is the better part of valor, and in this case Emily's discretion would have prevented several problems down the road.

 

In any event, I did enjoy "Unending Love" and would recommend it for all steamy contemporary/sports romance fans. I look forward to reading Caleb's brothers' books!
 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Unending Love"

Everyone knows who Caleb Kelley is. I’m at the top of my game, known all around Colorado and beyond for not only my elite skills in professional hockey, but also my family’s ranching heritage. For this reason, I trust very few people as I’m used to strangers and so-called friends trying to get close to us for a piece of fame.

But when I receive a letter from a woman I slept with years ago, letting me know I’m a father—I implicitly trust her. Emily Russo is forever ingrained in my memory, and is the exception to every rule.

That one night I spent with her was unforgettable. I still remember the feel of her lips and the way her body moved under mine. For years, I’ve regretted not leaving her my phone number because if I had, I wouldn’t be seeing the first glimpses of my son in glossy pictures. Instead, I would've held him in my arms the minute he was born.

Now, I not only have to get to know my son, I also have to convince Emily that the spark that once burned between us is still smoldering, ready to burn even hotter a second time around.

But it’s not only hanger-ons who follow me. There are others who want to see this golden boy tossed off his throne. Too bad they don’t know what lengths I’ll go to protect what’s mine. I’ll do anything for Emily and my son. My love for them is unending. 

 

Review: "Undeniable Love" by Stacey Lynn

Undeniable Love by Stacey Lynn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

According to her family, Meredith Kelley has a magical gift that lets her see when two people are meant to be together. It's mostly a party trick until she meets professional hockey player Tuevo Skyye and realizes that he's her one true match. The problem? Not only is Tuevo her brother Caleb's best friend, he doesn't believe in marriage. Even though he's spooked by Meredith's prediction, Tuevo can't help being drawn to her. Can she persuade him to give love a chance?

I've enjoyed many of Stacey Lynn's other stories, but unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. Everything about Meredith and Tuevo's relationship felt rushed and forced to me. Granted, it was a novella, but there was very little conflict and virtually no character development. It was all about the smut, which is fine if that's your jam, but for me, two full chapters of it (out of ten total) was overkill.

If you're looking for a quick, steamy, but mostly forgettable read, then this novella is for you. If, like me, you prefer some story with your steam, then I'd skip this one and go straight to the first full-length book of the Kelley Family series, "Unending Love."

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