Release Day Review ~ The Sexpert ~ JA Huss & Johnathan McClain (@JAHuss @MisterJMcClain) #2018NewRelease

The Sexpert by JA Huss & Johnathan McClain
Tall, Dark & Handsome #1
Release Date: July 24, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Source: I received an eARC from the authors. This did not affect my rating and I voluntarily provided a review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2018NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
EDEN

I'm just a simple girl who likes dessert. And sexy men. And social media. So starting an anonymous video channel call The Sexpert as a side hustle to make up for my low-paying marketing job at Le Man Magazine seemed like a perfectly sensible career decision. Until we went viral, my boss accused my anonymous personality of stealing his idea, and now my super sexy new boyfriend, Andrew, is out to get me.

Her. Me. Whatever.

ANDREW

I don't want it to be her. I do not want this... sweet, delicious, shy social media nerd working at my best friend's magazine to be the face behind those perky cupcakes on the Sexpert channel. I don't want it to be her... because I like her. A lot. She's funny, and quirky, and smart, and creative... and... I really, really like her. It just can't be her.

But it is.
And now I have to choose.
My best friend?
Or... The Sexpert?

I met up with JA and Johnathan - actually met Johnathan for the first time - at Book Bonanze the night after I finished The Sexpert. The first think I did was ask JA if the TDH (Tall, Dark & Handsome) neighborhood was real. Okay, I actually first said how much fun the book was but I seriously was dying to know. It's not real. Phew! I know I'm out of the loop but I was hoping I wasn't that out of it. ;)

Anyway, Huss and McClain's foray into the world of romantic comedy was a fun time. It was the perfect blanace of comedy and romance and it dealt with relevant topics as well as taking us along for the ride for the journey of self-discovery both Eden and Andrew found themselves on.

Eden meets Andrew on a day that's seeminly indicating her life is changine...and all for the better. Then things take a downturn when she finds out Andrew - this guy she could really, really like, is tasked by her boss to figure out who the person behind The Sexpert is so he can sue her for intellectual property theft.

Andrew meets Eden on his first morning in town and he thinks Denver is looking mighty nice. The shine begins to fade a little when he starts thinking that the girl he just met - a girl that he could really, really like - might be the person behind The Sexpert and therefore his best friend's nemesis.

Y'all, the premise hooked me and the characters reeled me in. I adored Eden's awkward quirkiness and I enjoyed Andrew's artistic and compassionate way of looking at things. Their interactions were entertaining no matter what they were doing - looking at art or mountains, discussing work or sex. That they couldn't ignore the pull they felt despire knowing they could each make life messy for the other was fun and compelling. And I appreciated how they each learned so much about themselves in the process of trying to figure out how to do the right thing - decide what the right thing even was. Sigh. So good.

I look forward to more in this series and hope to see more of Eden and Andrew. Huss and McClain impressed me here. RomCom from this duo seems promising and I'm excited.

Release Day Review ~ Good Girl ~ Jana Aston @JanaAston #2018NewRelease

Good Girl by Jana Aston
Release Date: May 15, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Source: I received an ARC from the author which had no influence on my rating and my review is provided voluntarily. I also purchased my own copy on Kindle. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2018NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
I've always been a good girl.
I work hard, I follow the rules, and I always achieve my goals.

But sometimes good girls want things that aren't good for them.
Or someone who isn't good for them.
Like their new boss.

And sometimes they do very bad things to get his attention.
Like sell their virginity in an auction.

Who knew he'd be so very, very mad?
Maybe this was not my best laid plan...

Y'ALL! Ms. Aston does endearingly awkward so well! Good Girl was hilarious but also sweet, heartwarming, and so utterly entertaining. I loved every minute!

Lydia and Rhys' first meeting goes down as one of the best I've read - in the comedic category anyway. Lydia is a recent college grad and she's smart, quirky, and a little socially challenged. She and her BF/roommate, Payton, moved to Vegas to work at a new casino. One night, after Payton tricks Lydia into going to dinner only to take her to a bar, she sets eyes on Rhys. Things get very interesting from there.

Rhys is a guy who thinks he's in touch with his feelings - thinking he has none - but is so clueless as to be ridiculous. It's the only area where he is though. He's handsome, wealthy, about to open a casino in hopes of making a name for himself within his family - oh, and he only does one-night stands...until he meets Lydia and she challenges everything.

These two together are magic...and awkward moments...and passion...and humor. I don't know that I've ever laughed so hard at a book than I did at a particular scene in this one. I was grateful it was only my cats who witnessed i. But seriously, Lydia and Rhys are able to teach one another quite a bit about love and what it means to have a committed relationship. And while it took Rhys a little time to get it all together, he showed glimpses of the gem he was underneath. And Lydia - well, Rhys brought out a different kind of passion in her. They each uncovered the whole person in each other. It was honest, genuine, and on occasion, giggle-inducing.

Ms. Aston's supporting cast rocked as well. t seems we'll be seeing Lydia's BF/roommate Payton next and that promises uproarious antics. But I also hope Canon, a friend of Rhys', gets a story, too. *hint*hint*

It's been a hot second since I last read something from Ms. Aston. I've missed her but Good Girl was worth the wait. 

Release Day Review ~ Sure Thing ~ Jana Aston (@JanaAston) #2017NewRelease

Sure Thing by Jana Aston
Release Date: October 10, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Source: I received an ARC from the author which had no influence on my rating and my review is provided voluntarily. I also purchased my own copy on Kindle. 
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Have you ever set out to have a one night stand with a sexy stranger?
No? I'm the only one?
Just kidding, I would never.
Ever.
Not usually.

But then I figured, why not? My entire life I've been good and it's gotten me nowhere.
No job.
No apartment.
No boyfriend.

I'm owed a little fun, aren't I? A reward for being good.
Sure, a new pair of shoes would be more appropriate, by Mr. Sexy Stranger is more appealing. And when he speaks - in that British accent - it's a done deal. Every American woman has a hot British guy fantasy. Well, most do. I haven't taken a poll or anything, but I'm pretty sure it's a fact.

Except...
You know that saying about best-laid plans?
Good, because I don't either, but I assume they go awry.
Like my one night stand...

Omigosh! Sure Thing was a proper bit of fun (said with a British accent)! Aston combines a twin-switcheroo, an awkward Anglophile of a girl, and a sexy British man and it all combined for a genuinely captivating story!

Violet (aka Daisy) is a bit down on her luck. She lost her job, her boyfriend, and her home in one fell swoop. In an attempt to get her groove back, she's reluctantly agreed to switch places with her twin at her job as a tour guide for a week AND she's decided to have a one night stand. Her one night stand just happens to be British, can turn her on by simply uttering any British expression...oh, and he just happens to be booked on her tour.

Jennings is immediately smitten with this girl who shyly smiled at him in the hotel bar before brazenly declaring she was a "sure thing". The chemistry between them exploded so he's thrilled she's going to be his guide for the next week.

Violet/Daisy, endeared herself to me, and Jennings, right off the bat. As Jennings said, she has no game, and the things that come out of her mouth. I was giggle-snorting! And they shouldn't have been so endearing but she's such a rule-follower, planner, and is in way over her head. She's just so darn cute!

Jennings - well, he's not only British and finds Violet/Daisy adorable. He also is on vacation with his Nan. He was batting 500 with just those attributes. ;) Then there's the fact he's handsome, has a magic mouth (according to Violet), and *gasp* he listened to her. It was obviously about more than sex for him.

Of course, it's not all roses. There's the fact Violet isn't Daisy although Jennings thinks she is, and he has a secret of his own. It all added up to such a fun and entertaining read. Aston seems to have a knack for romantic comedy and I'm eager to see what comes next. *cough* Daisy *cough*

New Release Blitz ~ Cherry Pie Cure ~ M Jane Colette @mjanecolette

CHERRY PIE CURE
Author: M. Jane Colette
Publisher: GENRES were made to be BROKEN (indie)
Release Date: June 15, 2017
ISBN (softcover): 978-0- 9958102-6- 6
ISBN (e-book): 978-0- 9958102-7- 3
Word Count: 50,000 (45,000 novella + 5,000 words bonus material)
Genres/Categories: Contemporary romance, rom-com, chick lit with bite

A woman scorned. A blog. An outrageously sexy stock boy. A tribe of strange Internet friends.

Flying packages of sex toys. And, a to-die- for cherry pie recipe.
When Susan discovers her husband of twenty-two years is cheating on her, she is sure her life is over. And she thinks her friend Marcella’s advice that she work through her feelings in a blog is
stupid. She just wants to sit on the couch in her ex’s old bathrobe, feel sorry for herself, and chain-smoke. But her growing blogging tribe and a delectable (“OMFG how old is he?”) real life stranger have other plans for her… if Susan’s brave enough to embrace them.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Susan as The Heroine. Baker extraordinaire, yoga-hater, Luddite, and an innocent prude. “I don’t think an exercise routine developed by half-starved men in India is particularly suitable to
short, curvy, booby white women. My breasts get in the way of everything. OMG, I just typed breasts. How do I delete this post?”

Marcella as Her Best Friend. Entrepreneur, musician and happily divorced self-proclaimed “slut” who has an opinion on everything and a solution to everyone’s problems except her own. “Look, Susan, do what you want, but either keep on with the blog or go sleep with a twenty-five-year- old boy. Do you want to be a pathetic blob of goo in your cheating husband’s bathrobe?”

Cody and Tyler as Her Adult Sons. “What were you thinking, Mom?” “Jesus, how old is he, Mom?” “Have you no pride, Mom?” “Oh-my- god-what’s- wrong-with- you, Mom?”

Nika as Cody’s Maybe-Maybe- Not Girlfriend. “I’m totally trolling Tinder for Persian guys now. Just so you know, Mama Susan.”

sugar&spice76 as Susan’s First Fan. “Honey, we’re not strangers anymore. We’re your strange Internet friends. We’re all mothers, and we all do the dirty sometimes, ok?”

FemmeFataleFun as the Sex Toy Peddler. “Smooches. Everything in that care package is therapeutic, kitten!”

mommyshidinginthebathroom3 as The Token Mommy Blogger. “Let her smoke, Marcella. It’s been six weeks. You can kick her ass about the cigarettes in six months.”

ilikeherbooty-full as The Porn Blogger Who Won’t Go Away. “Is this what women really talk about when men aren’t around, or are you doing it all for me?”

Caspian00XO as His Friend Who Hears About the Pie. “Susan? Do I get pie now? I’m emailing you my address.”

Reza as Susan’s Love Interest. “This is my telephone number. As soon as I leave, you will type it into your phone. And you will send me a text. It will say, ‘Reza, this is Sooo-zaaaahn.’ If you don’t send me this text, I will assume I offended you and will need to quit my job so I don’t offend you again, so it is very important that you send this text. Yes, Soo-zahn?”

with cameos by

John as The Cheating Husband, Jewel of The Not-So- Spectacular-Boobs as The Other Woman, an assortment of lurkers, trolls, spammers, “Internet idiots,” and casual visitors, Reza’s invisible roommates, and The Lawyer.

a “MISTRESS OF HER OWN DOMAIN” novella

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE:

Amazon <3 Kobo <3 iTunes/iBooks <3 Barnes & Noble <3 Google Play <3 Inside Romance <3 Smashwords <3 Chapters (Canada) <3 Powell's Books (US) <3 Book Depository (Globally)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. JANE COLETTE writes tragedy for people who like to laugh, comedy for the melancholy, and erotica for women and men who like their fantasies real. She believes rules and hearts were made to be broken; ditto the constraints of genres.

Sign up for Jane’s love letter/newsletter-- ROUGH DRAFT CONFESSIONS—and visit her at mjanecolette.com. She also hangs out on Twitter & Instagram as @mjanecolette, and on
Facebook @mjanecolette2.

In addition to Cherry Pie Cure, she’s the author of the (unconventional) romances Tell Me, an erotic romance for people who like a little bit of angst with their hot sex, and Consequences (of defensive adultery), an erotic tragedy (!) with a happy ending. Her non-fiction work includes Rough Draft Confessions: not a guide to writing and selling erotica and romance but full of inside insight anyway, a collection  of essays about writing dirty, the power of words, taboo language, the freedoms and limitations of genre, fulfilling your creative drive, and the business of writing.

Want to find out how Cherry Pie Cure got written? Check out How a story is born on M Jane Colette’s author blog.

New Release Review ~ Trust ~ Jana Aston

Trust by Jana Aston
Wrong #3
Release Date: November 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Source: I received an ARC from the author but also purchased my own copy on Kindle
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
"Knock knock!"
"Um... Who's there?"

Yeah. That was me, on my last date. Before you feel sorry for me you should know that I was the one telling the jokes. Jokes as in plural, because I didn't stop with just one. Of course not.

Hi, I'm Chloe Scott. The most awkward single girl in the city.
But I'm going to get it together. I am.

I'm going to learn how to date like a grown up.
I'm going to have an orgasm not given to myself.
I'm going to fall in love and live happily ever after.

Right after I get out of this interrogation room.

I have adored every moment I've spent in the world Aston created in the Wrong series. These characters - I feel like they're my all my friends. But Chloe and Boyd - these two characters and their story will forever hold a special place in my heart.

We met Chloe and Boyd in the previous installments but spent little time with them. I knew enough about Chloe to like her but I had no idea I'd relate to her on such a personal level. And Boyd, well, I knew he was an upstanding guy. I mean, he's an FBI agent and he took the time to build a relationship with his half sister, Sophie. But the patience (saintly patience) and creativity he showed with Chloe was heartwarming.

trustnoun1. firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something

I think trust is something we sort of take for granted but its an integral part of any relationship. And it's an element Chloe has a hard time granting - especially with a relationship that might turn intimate. She gets very anxious in new social situations - and starts telling ridiculous jokes. And she thinks something's wrong with her - that's she's not normal.

Boyd knows he's attracted to her and that he'd like to get to know her better from their first meeting in an interrogation room. After crashing one of her dates, he realizes he'll have to tread carefully and creatively to get to where he wants to be with Chloe. Being witness to his gameplan, watching it unfold, was so much fun. And I fell just as hard for him as Chloe did.

Aston really outdid herself with Trust, incorporating her comedic talents while digging deeper and dealing with something that afflicts many people - social anxiety. As a person who suffers from it, although not to an extreme degree, she nailed it.

I'm kinda sad to say goodbye to these characters. But I'm also extremely eager to see what Aston comes up with next. I have complete and total trust whatever it is, it'll be golden!

New Release Review ~ Fling ~ Jana Aston

Fling by Jana Aston
Wrong #2.5
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Comedy
Source: I received an ARC from the author but also purchased my own copy on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
I have a crust on my boss' best friend.
At least it's not my brother's best friend.
Or my best friend's brother.
Or... never mind. It's all pretty cliche.

And worse? My boss' best friend is his business partner. Which sort of makes him my boss too. Okay - it's not sort of. It's definite. Gabe Laurent is off limits. Totally off limits.

Which is fine. I make do with my imagination. He'll never know. Ever. Unless my work bestie passes me an eighties-style teen movie sex quiz during a meeting and I fill it out.

And it ends up in Gabe's hands...

Good golly was this a fun read! Aston seems to have romantic comedy down to an art. And I loved the nod to John Hughes she incorporated in Fling!

We met Sandra and Gabe in Right. Sandra has a huge crush on Gabe but believes he'd never look twice at her since he's gorgeous, rich, an the CFO of the company where she works. Add to that, it'd be unprofessional to have a fling with someone who is technically her boss, and Sandra is nothing if not professional. But she's wrong about Gabe not looking twice. ;)

What ensues is a fun little interlude in the Wrong world told in dual POV - Sandra's and Gabe's. The fall - for them both - was highly entertaining with antics from best friends and partners-in-crime. And as this story unfolds in the same timeline as Right - in fact, we relive a scene from Right through Sandra's and Gabe's eyes - I got to spend a little more time with Everly and Sawyer. A true pleasure!

Fling was a delightful little morsel of a read. And now I'm gearing up for Trust!

Audio Review ~ Lingus ~ Mariana Zapata

Lingus by Mariana Zapata
Narrated by: Callie Dalton
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Comedy
Source: I received a copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads

Synopsis
Most people would describe Katherine Berger as a responsible girl with a big heart, a loyal friend who takes care of those close to her, and the possessor of a wicked sense of humor. There was something about her that most people didn't know. "My name is Kat Berger, and I love porn." When twenty-five-year-old Kat is dragged to a porn convention by her best friend, she's both embarrassed and nervous. The last thing she ever expected was to meet someone who makes her laugh like no other. This is a story about acceptance and friendship, and a love born out of the most expected of places. Contains mature themes.

Lingus proved to be a relatively entertaining listen. The premise was what drew me in and Zapata did a good job in creating engaging characters. This is billed as comedy though and I felt it missed on that element some. Also, Callie Dalton, the narrator, while doing a good job in delivering the story, showed a lack of range with voices.

Kat and Tristan meet at the ultimate singles hunting ground...a porn convention. They end up hanging out, talking, and enjoying each others' company. Things are going well until Kat discovers Tristan has a secret. And an alter-ego. Can you be friends with, and maybe fall for, a guy who does porn for a living? Kat decides to find out.

I really liked both Kat and Tristan. There was so much more to them than porn-lover and porn-star. Kat is a generous person and would do anything for a friend. Tristan is also a compassionate person. He's a law student and has a strong connection with his family. AND they're both dorks - quite socially awkward. Their friendship grows organically and feels very genuine.

I liked the secondary cast as well. There were a few that felt a little one-dimensional at times but overall they were all fleshed out nicely. They added depth to Kat and Tristan as well as to the story since friendship and acceptance are such integral elements.

I'd have liked for the comedy to have hit its marks more often. There were some missed opportunities, in my opinion. I also felt Zapata does a little too much telling rather than showing in some scenes. There were things I felt were understood and didn't bear an explanation, but one was given. I was taken out of the story in these instances which messed with the flow.

Dalton, whom I listened to recently narrate another of Zapata's books, does well with delivery and pacing. I appreciate the vocalization she includes - for example, conveying giddiness with a squeal while delivering the dialog or appearing to have a mouthful of pizza while talking - as the character is doing. I felt her range is lacking though as her voices sound similar - especially her male voices.

On the whole, I enjoyed my second Zapata/Dalton listen and I'll be partaking in more.

Release Blitz Excerpt, Trailer & Giveaway ~ Sexy ~ JA Huss

Sexy is the latest release from JA Huss. If you missed my review, you can check it out here. Today, I have details on Sexy, a trailer, an excerpt, and a giveaway. You're welcome! ;)

***

Sexy by JA Huss

Release Date: September 9, 2015

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis

Fletcher Novak is Sexy.

Fletch has charm, Fletch has charisma, and Fletch has moves. He turns dreams into reality two nights a week, baring his body to lonely women, bored housewives, and bachelorettes looking for that one last good time. He’s into one-night stands, one-time things, and he never, ever gets serious. 

Tiffy Preston is looking for commitment.

A billionaire’s daughter with the world at her fingertips, Tiffy’s in Lake Tahoe to take over her father’s hotel and clean up the Mountain Men Male Revue Show. She’s well-bred, polite, and hates everything Fletcher represents.

But Fletcher offers Tiffy something she can’t refuse—total satisfaction and the man of her dreams. All she has to do is… everything he tells her. 

Because Sexy doesn’t sell… it’s for sale.


Sexy is a full-length, standalone novel by New York Times Bestselling author, JA Huss.

***TRAILER***

**Warning ~ This excerpt is steamy and not appropriate for those until 17**

“Have you thought about me?” I ask. “Since last night at the show? Because I’ve thought about you.”

“What did you think about me? That I’m your next victim?”

“No, actually.” I smooth down the blanket on the ground of the shed and then step towards her, taking her face in my hands and pulling her tight against my chest. “I’ve thought about your hot breath as you panted against my cock when I was standing on your chair. I thought about your upturned eyes, looking at me if I ever got the chance to get you on your knees.”

She gulps air. 

“Now tell me what you’ve been thinking about. Because you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want to be.”

“We’re locked in,” she whispers as my mouth moves in closer.

I kiss her softly. No tongue, just a small, tender kiss that makes girls melt. “You have a phone, Tiffy. One call to your BFF, Claudio, and you’re free.” 

She stares at me.

“But even though I might be the biggest prick you ever met, you want me, don’t you.”

She swallows hard. 

“And I want you. That’s why we’re here. I want you. So if you don’t feel the same way, now’s your chance to say so.”

“I want…” She stops. There was a word on her lips, but I’m almost certain it was not my name. Jealousy heats me up in a millisecond. What kind of girl has another man’s name on her tongue when she’s gazing up into my eyes?

“What?” I say sharply. “What were you gonna say?”

“I want to be irresistible. Like you.”

“What?” I have to admit, I’m surprised. And then I laugh. “Are you a virgin?”

“I’m twenty-six, asshole. I’m not a fucking virgin.”

“Then what do you mean? I’m confused.”

“You’re just…” She sighs. “So good at this stuff. Seduction, right? I’m bad at it.”

“Who do you want to seduce?” My jealous rage is back.

“No one. Not specifically. But you’re so confident. And I’m so… not. I feel like I should take notes.”

It’s my turn to sigh. “What, you want me to teach you how to seduce someone?” The irony is not lost. 

“Well, look. I hate you. I really do. You had me grabbing your cock last night and then I got accused of sexually harassing you. You made me feel like an idiot in that meeting with your plans and proposals. And now I’m up in your sex den, and I’m not sure what’s happening.” She looks at me with pleading eyes. “Tell me how you get all this control. How do you do it?”

I think about this for a few seconds, and then take a calculated risk. “How many blowjobs have you given in your life, Tiffy?”

“What?” She laughs, putting her hand over her heart like the word ‘blowjob’ is an assault on her virtue. 

“Any?”

“I’ve given… one,” she admits, and then averts her eyes.

I’m turned on again. “One? One is not enough. If you want to know how to control a man, you don’t need to look any further than your own mouth. Men are drawn to lips. Every girl they ever think about sexually starts with an image of their cock in that girl’s mouth. So if you want control, you gotta lead a guy to your mouth.”

She takes a deep breath. “Go on.”

God, why am I so annoyed that she’s asking me for pointers? I can make her do anything I want right now. I should be celebrating.

“Please,” she begs. “Tell me.”

I place a hand on her shoulder and push. “Get on your knees.”

a

Rafflecopter giveaway

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Rook & Ronin are *ON SALE* You can pick up the entire series, that's SEVEN books, for only $4.99. But hurry, because this sale is for ONE WEEK only!

Amazon

JA Huss is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who make you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her kick-ass romance blog, New Adult Addiction (www.newadultaddiction.com).

If you're interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads