Book Reviews – Page 139

* Review * TEMPTED BY THE BOSS by Jules Bennett

December 7, 2020 Leave a Comment

Tempted by the Boss by Jules Bennett
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches #7
Published by Harlequin Desire on December 1, 2020
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“You’re in charge in the office…

I’m in charge here.”

Kelly Prentiss needs her workaholic boss, Luke Holloway, to relax—and see her as more than his assistant. So she arranges him an island vacation—with her! And just as she fantasized, the island heat ignites a passion that makes seduction irresistible. But once they’re home—amid a scandal about to take down his family’s company—will it be back to business as usual?

Breathtaking temptation! Jules Bennett has outdone herself with this fast-paced gem! TEMPTED BY THE BOSS is book seven in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags To Riches series and is sure to please with easy to like characters, a fun setting and just enough back story to intrigue the reader. Loving this series!

Luke is a doll. He’s one of the less visible characters in the Wingate scandal, so it’s fun to get to know him better and see how he ticks.

Kelly is self-assured and indispensable. She’s had a crush on Luke for years, but A he’s her boss and B he’s blinded to her outside of the office.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a family saga filled with passion, family and intrigue.

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* Review * MONTANA WEDDING by Cari Lynn Webb

December 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MONTANA WEDDING by Cari Lynn Webb

Montana Wedding by Cari Lynn Webb
Series: The Blackwell Sisters #5
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on December 1, 2020
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Can a fake date

Become the real deal?

Triplet Georgie Harrison will do anything to keep her family—including her newfound Blackwell relatives—from worrying about her. Which is exactly why she’s enlisted way-too-charming rodeo cowboy Zach Evans to be her fake boyfriend for her sister’s Montana ranch wedding. The problem is that Georgie’s not just tempted to fall for her own ruse…she’s also falling hard for the roguish cowboy she can never have.

Heartwarming perfection! It’s bittersweet to be reviewing the final book in The Blackwell Sisters series, but Cari Lynn Webb is wrapping it up with a bang in MONTANA WEDDING. The characters unravel their emotional back stories while forming an unexpected connection that melts the reader’s heart. I so hope we see more of the Blackwell’s in another series one day!

Georgie Harrison is the final sister and a bit more of a mystery than any of her sisters were before her. She’s sort of closed herself off, but she’s got so much to offer hidden beneath the surface and watching Zach bring it to life is so rewarding.

Zach is a doll. He’s at an emotional point in his life and needs things to start looking up, but he never once stops to second guess helping anyone who crosses his path. I loved unraveling his thoughts and memories.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a close knit family residing in a small town who love and support each other no matter what as they each find their happily ever afters.

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* Review * MY BROTHER’S ROOMMATE by Kendall Ryan

December 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

My Brother's Roommate by Kendall Ryan
Series: Frisky Business #2
on December 1, 2020
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There are a few things you should know about my brother’s roommate.

Wolfie Cox is . . . complicated. And incredibly sexy. Unfortunately, he has an impressive stick lodged so far up his ass, he’s about as emotionally available as a chinchilla. Actually, that might be an insult to the chinchilla community.

So, naturally, I want to ride him like a bicycle.

He thinks I hate him. Mostly because I’ve led him to believe this. It’s easier than admitting the truth.

And while Wolfie is about as soft and cuddly as a fork, I’m the opposite. A good girl. Reliable. Conscientious. Oh, and completely panicked about an upcoming work conference.

Wolfie’s usually allergic to altruism, so when my brother convinces him to help me out by escorting me to said conference where everyone else will have a plus-one . . . I say thanks, but no thanks.

Surprisingly, Wolfie is unflinching about this. And that’s the story about how I got stuck in a hotel room with my brother’s hot (grouchy) roommate.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

In all seriousness, this isn’t a game to me, and hormones aside, I need to impress my boss this week so the promotion I’ve worked hard for doesn’t get handed to his worthless nephew. But with Wolfie and me sharing a hotel bed, things get confusing quickly.

You will fall hard for these characters! With the second book in her sassy Frisky Business series Kendall Ryan gives a stellar follow up with MY BROTHER’S ROOMATE. It’s not just a brother’s best friend story, it’s filled with a whole lot of heart, emotion and redemption. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Wolfie Cox is the sweetest. He’s grumpy and serious, but he loves his friends hard and is quick to let Penelope into his space when a connection he’s not expecting is formed. He was really a joy to see come into himself.

Penelope Blake is a doll. She’s a go getter who isn’t afraid to strike out after what she wants in life, but when it comes to what Wolfie needs, she’s happy for baby steps.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a funny group of guys muddling their way towards a happily ever after.

WARNING: May contain triggers for some readers.

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* Review * CHRISTMAS ON PEACH TREE LANE by Jules Bennett

December 2, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CHRISTMAS ON PEACH TREE LANE by Jules Bennett

Christmas on Peach Tree Lane by Jules Bennett
Published by Carina Press on November 30, 2020
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Event planner Violet Calhoun lives to deck the halls, and her quaint Southern hometown’s fiftieth annual Tinsel Tour will be the event of the season. With a magazine crew on hand to document Peach Grove’s transformation into a winter wonderland, this year’s festivities have got to be the holly-est, jolliest yet. She does not have the time to deal with a Grinch—even a gorgeous one like Brady Jackson.

Divorce attorney Brady has plans to divest himself of his family’s ancestral mansion and be back at his Atlanta firm by New Year’s. Hanging so much as a wreath on the door is not a part of that plan. Nor is dealing with an annoying—though undeniably adorable—elf.

But Violet is all about making holiday magic happen. As they work together to stage Brady’s historic house, the town grump reveals he’s more sexy than Scrooge. And after some mind-blowing kisses, what starts as a Christmas flirtation starts to feel more like a year-round affair…

Small town Christmas magic! Jules Bennett brings the Christmas spirit in droves with her sweet and feisty holiday romance set in small town Peach Grove, Georgia. The characters are a joy to read with quite the compelling connection and the town is simply delightful. It’s a bit slow in spots, but you are sure to raise your Christmas spirit with a dash through these pages!

Violet is adorable! She’s perky to the point of being cheesy, but she’s so good-hearted that you can’t dislike her one single bit.

Brady has his reasons for being hardnosed when he first arrives in town, but it doesn’t take long for Violet to carve a home for herself in his heart.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quaint small town filled with interwoven characters and holiday traditions as love is in the air all around.

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* Review * ESCAPE WITH THE NAVY SEAL by Regan Black

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ESCAPE WITH THE NAVY SEAL by Regan Black

Escape with the Navy SEAL by Regan Black
Series: The Riley Code #3
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on December 1, 2020
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Pawns in a madman’s vendetta

Can a hostage couple defeat their captor?

Seeing his shy childhood friend transformed into an intoxicating beauty has thrown navy SEAL Mark Riley off balance. So much so that he’s caught off guard when a team of kidnappers sweep them into a deadly nightmare. Now he and Charlotte Hanover are hostages to a psychopath wreaking revenge on Mark’s father. Facing danger is Mark’s business, but with Charlotte’s life at stake, he’s never had so much to lose.

Exhilarating danger from start to finish! With book three in her The Riley Code series Regan Black takes her reader on a wild ride of intrigue as the Riley family continues to be targeted by a mad man! The tension is high, the family connection is strong and the romance wrapped into the story is fulfilling. I loved them together!

Navy SEAL Mark Riley is a commanding guy and I loved every minute of getting to see him in action. His family has been the target of mayhem of late and it’s suddenly his turn to pay the price for his bloodline.

Charlotte Hanover is the sweetest. She’s been friends with Mark and his family for as long as she can remember and the unrequited love she has felt for him runs strong no matter how many years or distance has passed.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance mixed with a whole lot of intrigue as a close-knit family is targeted.

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* Review * TURNING UP THE HEAT by J. Margot Critch

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TURNING UP THE HEAT by J. Margot Critch

Turning Up the Heat by J. Margot Critch
Series: Miami Heat #3
Published by Harlequin Dare on December 1, 2020
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Gemma Rexford is not only talented, quick witted and sexy as hell, she’s also Tom Cain’s business rival and sworn enemy. So he can’t suppress his surprise—or delight!—when she pulls him into a supply closet to blow off some steam at an awards ceremony.

Tom knows the gorgeous distiller will never forgive his family for stealing her recipes. But once he gets a taste of sultry, complex Gemma, there’s no going back. The heat between them is as potent as her finest rum. And soon they’re jetting between New York City and Miami, keeping their forbidden affair top secret and savoring every delicious encounter.

From a steamy photoshoot to a wild desktop romp, Gemma’s the sexiest kind of distraction from his tense family. And watching her work reawakens his own passion for distilling. But when her brothers target his business and his father tries to publicly humiliate the woman he’s coming to love, Tom wonders if they can ever work past their ancient grudge and turn pleasure into forever…

Forbidden temptation steals the show as the final book in the Miami Heat series by J. Margot Critch comes to life! This has been a really fun series centering around a group of siblings running a rum distillery together. TURNING UP THE HEAT is Gemma’s story and ties the series up well, and though the ending was a bit quick, I whole-heartedly enjoyed seeing her find her happily ever after!

Gemma has been a shining star throughout the entire series. She puts her heart and soul into perfecting every batch she creates at Rexford Rum Distillery and adores the brothers working at her side.

Tom is a sweet guy who’s been handed an impossible situation trying to clean up his father’s messes. Giving in to the desire that flares every time Gemma is in the room is fun and exhilarating, but when love comes into the picture all bets are off.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a close knit group of siblings who while they have drama surrounding them, let the love they feel for each other always shine bright. A series of love, passion and family.

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* Review * MISTLETOE IN PARADISE by Jill Shalvis

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MISTLETOE IN PARADISE by Jill Shalvis

Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis
Series: Wildstone #5.5
Published by Avon on December 1, 2020
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Problem Number One – Getting There

Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things…

Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck.

When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts…

Problem Number Three -- Falling In Love (again)

As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around

Jill Shalvis is the Queen of a holiday novella! Let’s be honest — it’s hard to introduce a new couple, give a satisfyingly complete back story and get them to a believable HEA in the amount of words a novella allows … but Shalvis does it, and she does it very, very well!

In MISTLETOE IN PARADISE we meet Hannah and James — childhood friends, former secret lovers, holders of lingering feelings. A holiday boating tradition between their families brings said feelings to the surface and as snafu after snafu places them alone together way too much, Hannah and James have to face the anger, pain and loss they have buried throughout the years.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick holiday read full of love, laughter and all the feels!

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* Release Blast/Review/Giveaway * TAKING ON THE BILLIONAIRE by Robin Covington

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Taking on the Billionaire by Robin Covington
Series: Redhawk Reunion #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on December 1, 2020
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In the boardroom—and the bedroom—they’re on fire.

But will her secrets destroy them both?

Investigator Tess Lynch once helped Adam Redhawk find his Cherokee family. Now the self-made tech billionaire wants her to root out his company’s saboteur—and share his bed. But as passion builds between them, the private eye pursues a plan of her own—to get even for the way Adam’s adoptive father ruined hers. Until an unexpected pregnancy changes everything…

With her Harlequin debut Robin Covington shines bright with the kick off of her Redhawk Reunion series filled with secrets, scandal and a steamy introduction to this shattered family. In TAKING ON THE BILLIONAIRE, the backstory was fresh, the characters were complex and quick to draw a reader’s attention, and the overall follow through was satisfying. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Adam Redhawk is a rewarding character to get to know. He’s a self-made success and while he’s proud, he’s also very humble and thankful for the life he managed to achieve. Reconnecting with the siblings lost to him in childhood is at the top of his to do list.

Tess Lynch is a bit of a mystery. She is the private investigator that helped him track down his brother and sister, but she has secrets she’s holding close as she delves into yet another project with Adam. Giving in to the temptation they’ve been fighting seems like the thing to do, but an unexpected pregnancy changes the whole dynamic.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a backdrop of family drama behind the passion and desire of finding that happily ever after!

Will the woman he can’t resist be his downfall?

In the boardroom—and the bedroom—they’re on fire.

But will her secrets destroy them both?

Investigator Tess Lynch once helped Adam Redhawk find his Cherokee family. Now the self-made tech billionaire wants her to root out his company’s saboteur—and share his bed. But as passion builds between them, the private eye pursues a plan of her own—to get even for the way Adam’s adoptive father ruined hers. Until an unexpected pregnancy changes everything…

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/takingonthebillionaire

Goodreads Link (Thank you for your review!): https://bit.ly/3jP2IFv

FROM THE AUTHOR:

Blog Post:

Dreams do come true . . .

When I sat down and started my first romance novel in 2010 (after years of scribbling in notebooks & publishing on fan fiction forums) one of my dreams was to be a Harlequin Desire author – this book is a dream come true!

As a biracial Native American author, this book is also the dream of a lifetime – to see a book with Native-centric main characters on the shelves. Young Robin would have been thrilled to see this book out in the world – bucket list item checked!

In TOTB, I also got to reach back into my life as a family law attorney – specializing in contested cases – and my keen interest in the way that the social services system has an ugly history of separating Native kids from their family and culture. I loved my work, but I didn’t always get to give my kids the ending I wanted for them. Those cases still sit heavy on my heart.

With the Redhawk Reunion trilogy, I get to bring Adam, Sarina, & Roan back together after 15 years and not only watch them become a family again but also find the love they need. The way it should always be . . . it’s why I love writing romance – the HEA is guaranteed!

I hope you love the romance between Adam and Tess – keep an eye out for Books 2 & 3 in the Redhawk Reunion in 2021!

xoxo

Robin

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/aaedaeac5/?

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* Review * A VERY BLIZZARD CHRISTMAS by Kat Mizera

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

A Very Blizzard Christmas by Kat Mizera
Series: Alaska Blizzard #6.5
on November 27, 2020
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She has a new baby with the love of her life and Christmas is almost here.
It should be the best time of her life.... right?

But when Danielle Petrov welcomes her new bundle of joy just in time for the holidays, everything isn’t as magical as it should have been. She’s trying to plan a surprise for their first Christmas as a family of four while dealing with a touch of postpartum depression and a six-year-old who wants nothing to do with his new sibling.

Sergei is completely smitten with his wife, his son, and the new baby, but he knows something is bothering Dani. Between being on the road with the Blizzard and trying to spend time with the kids, he’s not there for her the way he wants to be.

As the holiday barrels down on them, nothing is going according to plan. Sergei is determined to salvage what he can of a complicated holiday season. Will an unexpected storm be what brings everyone together?

A holiday with the Petrovs! For fans of Kat Mizera’s Alaska Blizzard hockey series A VERY BLIZZARD CHRISTMAS will be like visiting old friends. We catch up with the lives of the Petrovs and their extended family/friends as their family expands to include a new baby. If you aren’t up to date on the series, this novella will probably overwhelm you with the amount of characters in the story, so I highly recommend you read the full length series first. It was a great way to spend a holiday!

I recommend this novella as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a close knit hockey family. The characters are endearing, the passion for the game is evident and the happily ever afters are sexy and sweet.

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* Release Blast/Review * OH FUDGE by Erin Nicholas

November 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * OH FUDGE by Erin Nicholas

Oh, Fudge by Erin Nicholas
Series: Hot Cakes #5
Published by EN Fiction, Inc. on November 24, 2020
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Paige Asher likes her men the way she likes her coffee: hot, slightly sweet, and only to-go.

The hot friend-of-a-friend she had a scorching single night with was just about perfect--tall, rugged, with a sexy drawl...and on the road out of town by six a.m. the next morning. Long before her mom could start picking out wedding flowers.

But now she can't stop thinking about the Louisiana boy. His texts make her smile and she suddenly has a craving for gumbo all the time...hot and spicy and far from home.

Mitch Landry had no idea Iowa would be so hospitable to a visitor. He knew the Midwest had a reputation for friendliness but his welcome gift--a sassy, sweet blond who is as no-strings-attached as he is--was a dream come true six months ago.

But why is he still texting her? And why did he jump at the chance to come back to Iowa? And why is he so annoyed by her obvious phobia to commitment this time around? And why is he pretty sure leaving Paige this time is going to be one of the hardest things he's ever done?

Damn, is this what falling in love feels like?

Oh, fu...fudge.

A cross-over between the Hot Cakes series and Boys of the Bayou series!
And a prequel to Boys of the Bayou book 6!

Holy gator cakes! When Erin Nicholas interweaves her Boys of the Bayou series with her Hot Cakes series, pure yummy goodness explodes! Yes, there is a touch of a cliffhanger/happy for now ending, but it only makes me even more excited for the next book in the Boys of the Bayou series where Mitch and Paige will take center stage in good ol’ Louisiana. I cannot wait. I missed the regular gang from this series a bit, but Paige and Mitch and their sass and steamy goodness were golden!

Paige is a headstrong character. She loves to do things her way and tries to keep as far under the radar where her interfering and smothering family members are concerned. She’s got a good set up where she is, but she’s willing to steal away to the Bayou for a little break.

Mitch is such a sweetheart! I couldn’t love him more, and I can’t wait to see him get the girl alongside his much-loved family.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire Hot Cakes series to anyone who enjoys a sweet but steamy romance filled with love, laughter and close friend and family relationships.

Oh, Fudge, an all-new irresistible small-town romance from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!

Paige Asher likes her men the way she likes her coffee: hot, slightly sweet, and only to-go.

The hot friend-of-a-friend she had a scorching single night with was just about perfect–tall, rugged, with a sexy drawl…and on the road out of town by six a.m. the next morning. Long before her mom could start picking out wedding flowers.

But now she can’t stop thinking about the Louisiana boy. His texts make her smile and she suddenly has a craving for gumbo all the time…hot and spicy and far from home.

Mitch Landry had no idea Iowa would be so hospitable to a visitor. He knew the Midwest had a reputation for friendliness but his welcome gift–a sassy, sweet blond who is as no-strings-attached as he is–was a dream come true six months ago.

But why is he still texting her? And why did he jump at the chance to come back to Iowa? And why is he so annoyed by her obvious phobia to commitment this time around? And why is he pretty sure leaving Paige this time is going to be one of the hardest things he’s ever done?

Damn, is this what falling in love feels like?

Oh, fu…fudge.

* a cross-over between the Hot Cakes series and Boys of the Bayou series * a prequel to Boys of the Bayou book 6

Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H6im1J Apple Books: https://apple.co/3dy3zbX Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ohfudge Nook: https://bit.ly/351EEdc Kobo: https://bit.ly/31ecs5P

Add OH, FUDGE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3meK9fD

Excerpt

“You’ll do anything I want?” he asked, his voice rough and his eyes hot.

“Definitely.”

“How hot is the fudge?”

Her eyes widened. “Hot. Too hot for smearing on body parts,” she said, reading his mind.

One side of his mouth curled. “Damn.”

“But,” she said, “I have some fudge we could heat up a little.”

“You have some already made?” he asked. “Why was I waiting for you to stir that up?”

“The fudge I’ve already got is for you.” She felt her cheeks get a little pink. She was shy about this? She was naked at the moment, and he’d done a lot of intimate things to her already, but admitting she’d made him fudge made her blush?

“You made me fudge?”

Dammit. He looked pleased by that. He was so going to get the wrong idea. Especially when she told him the whole story. She sighed. “Yeah. I made it around Christmas. I was going to mail it to you but then… I changed my mind.”

“You were going to send me fudge for Christmas?” he asked, his grin growing. He lifted a hand to her cheek.

“Yes. But then I realized that you’d think it meant I liked you and was thinking about you,” she said with an eye roll.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he said, his voice dropping and that drawl becoming more pronounced. “I know you like me and have been thinking of me.”

He was cocky. A little. Not overly. Not obnoxiously. But enough to be… hot. She did like confident men.

“Well, you can not think that the fact that it’s chipotle fudge means anything,” she said.

His grin definitely grew with that.

“You made me spicy fudge?”

“Spicy and sweet go together really well.”

He nodded, his grin turning into an almost smirk. “They sure do.”

“But it was just something I wanted to try, and since you eat all that crazy spicy food I thought you were someone I could send it to.”

“But then you realized that I’d think it meant you liked me.”

She blew out a breath. “Yeah.”

“Do you normally make chipotle fudge?”

“No.”

“Huh.”

“You’re thinking it, aren’t you?”

“That you like me? Yeah, I’m thinking it.”

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin

Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
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Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo

Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/38a5Fv5

Filed Under: Book Reviews