Review- To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne

Summary-

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

Release date: July 26th, 2016

Published by: Pocket Books

Page numbers: 384

Review-

I always enjoy the tone of Lauren Layne's books. They are fun and modern and basically have everything a contemporary romance junkie would want in a book. To Have and to Hold is the first book in her Wedding Belle series. There is also a prequel novella about another couple which I thought was cute enough. To Have and to Hold was for me, a good read, just not a great one like I expect from Lauren Layne.

Brooke is our heroine. Months ago, she discovered that her fiance was a con man. At the altar. Definitely not good, especially for a wedding planner who relies on her reputation. That is why she left LA and all the pity stares behind for New York where she starts working for The Wedding Belles. I liked Brooke. She was a sweet heart who was determined to believe in happy ever afters. She always saw the good in people and wanted to be the best wedding planner.

Seth Tyler is our hero. He is the owner of one of the biggest hotel chains in the country. He is still reeling from the loss of his father and trying to keep up with the load of being the company owner. When his sister decides to get married he can't help but be wary and cynical of the whirlwind romance. It doesn't do him any favours that he has a undeniable attraction to the wedding planner. Seth was an ass most of the times. He was a hard ass through and through and emotionally stunted but his heart was in the right place.

Seth and Brooke definitely have chemistry but they obviosuly have no time for romance or a relationship. Brooke thinks it wouldn't be professional and Seth clearly doesn't believe in happy endings. They both also have their own issues to deal with. They both have some healing to do. But LL makes it work. Seth and Brooke made for a cute couple and I could see the chemistry. I just wasn't head over heels for them.

I also loved how we got a glimpse into the other two wedding planners whose books are next. I can't wait for Heather's story which is next and I ESPECIALLY can't wait for Alexis' story which will conclude the series. I also really ended up liking Maya, Seth's sister and Grant, Seth's best friend. All in all, To Have and to Hold was a nice read, just not my favourite.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky by Manan Kapoor

The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Kashmir — 1991

In between the insurgency and the exodus, Inayat finds solace in the company of Gul, a Kashmiri pundit, and Aaqib. She blooms under the eyes of her father, Maqbool — an alcoholic poet, and her mother — Wahida, who is fraught with sanguinity. They spend their days listening to The Doors in Gul’s backyard and attending Shakes-Peer’s English lessons at the school. However, as they leave behind their childhood, they realize that the future holds things for them that they have never even imagined.

Inayat comes face to face with loss as bereavement engulfs Kashmir. The echoing of the machine guns, the wails of her loved ones and the silence that she is bequeathed with is all that is left. The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky is the story of a skirmish with life and the perseverance in the dark times

Release date: April 18th 2016

Published by: Leadstart Publications

Page numbers: 249

REVIEW: 

When I first heard of The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky, I was really interested because even though I have always been curious, I had never read a book set in Kashmir. The only exposure I had to a fictionalised Kashmir was the recent movie, Fitoor. There was no way I was going to skip this book; and while it took me a long time to get to it and even more time to finish it, it was worth it because this book is exceptionally beautiful. The only disadvantage (or that's what I consider it) is that Manan Kapoor has really set up my expectations for books set in Kashmir, so the similar books that I will read in the future better be just as beautiful. 

The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky follows the story of Inayat, her parents, Maqbool and Wahida and her friends, Gul and Aaqib. Every character in the book is very uniquely made and wonderfully portrayed with a slight glimpse from almost every point of view, every once in a while. A true gem of historical fiction, this book gives us a realistic and raw look into the socio-political scenario of Kashmir and more than just that, it tells us what a few people went through because of that. Books like these teach you more than what history textbooks or even Google ever could, because they explicitly show us pain and suffering, something that- although difficult to digest, is very, very real.

For such a young writer, Manan Kapoor is very talented. His writing is beautiful and his storytelling is extremely addictive because I never wanted the book to end. With just one book, the author has already made his way to my auto-read list because I am very much looking forward to anything and everything that he will write next as I'm sure it'll be beautiful. There was a wonderful and very smooth flow to his words- almost similar to Khaled Hosseini, who is one of my most favourite writers, so that's definitely something special. Manan Kapoor is definitely an author to watch out for.

I don't want to get into the story because this is one of those stories that is better read than told. What I can promise is that The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky will leave you feeling a hundred and ten feelings because it is a beautifully sad book that will stay in your heart forever. It is, hands down, one of the best books I have read so far in 2016. Also, not to forget, the book cover is just as beautiful as the story itself, so this is one of those rarities where judging the book by it's cover will actually prove you right, because everything- and trust me- everything about this book is beautiful. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the Leadstart Publications in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON/ FLIPKART

Blog Tour- Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

 

  

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

ROCK WEDDING IS NOW AVAILABLE!

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Blurb

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss  series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love…even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?

Excerpt from ROCK WEDDING by

Nalini Singh

Plowing his gloved fists into the punching bag in front of him on the morning of the fourth day, Abe blocked out the other sounds in the gym and attempted to lose himself in the rhythm of the mindless action. It worked for about a minute before his mind filled with Sarah again. Her shy smile when he gave her a compliment. The way she’d sit curled up under his arm and read to him on lazy summer days.

Hard on the heels of that memory came one of him throwing her books in the pool in a drug-fueled rage. She’d been sobbing as she tried to save them.

“Fucking bastard,” Abe muttered, talking to his past self. He punched the bag so hard that it threatened to swing back right into his face. He didn’t care. He deserved to have his face beaten in.

Ripping off his gloves afterward, he showered, then went straight to a bookshop.

It was too little too late, but now that he’d remembered his asshole behavior, he couldn’t just leave it. Ball cap pulled low, he wandered the aisles… then realized most people here didn’t care who he was; they were more interested in the volumes that lined the shelves. He spent an hour inside the murmuring quiet of the store, searching for the titles he remembered seeing on their bedside table. She’d definitely read him Jane Austen.

He couldn’t remember which one though, so he bought the entire set.

And there was this one romance novel she loved and had read over and over again. He’d teased her it would fall apart in her hands one day. She’d just smiled and read him a paragraph that she’d told him was part of her favorite scene. What the hell had it been? Yes, that was it. In the end, it turned out the store didn’t have that book in stock, so he bought her a bunch of new releases featuring people with dogs or puppies on the covers. He definitely remembered seeing covers like that in their home

After spotting it in a display, he added in a nonfiction book about a woman who’d set up her own company while nearly flat broke and who was now a millionaire. At the counter, he paid extra to have the books wrapped up and packaged.

He’d called his car service earlier; the driver shot him a funny look when he put the package in the passenger seat and gave him Sarah’s address. “I’m a courier now?” the stocky middle-aged man asked, having worked long enough for Schoolboy Choir that he was a friend. They’d all missed his calm demeanor and total trustworthiness when he broke his leg recently and had been out for a while.

“Best in the business,” Abe responded.

The other man snorted. “I’ll get it to her now.”

Blowing out a breath after the gleaming black town car pulled away, Abe went to where he’d parked his SUV and got in. He didn’t want to go home to his empty house, but he didn’t want to barge in on his friends either. David and Thea, Noah and Kit, they needed time alone. As for Molly and Fox, while the newlyweds were back home after a short wedding trip, having postponed their honeymoon until later in the year, Abe wasn’t about to bust up their love nest.

Gabriel and Charlotte probably wouldn’t have minded the company since they’d been doing the sightseeing thing, but the other couple had flown back to New Zealand twenty-four hours earlier—after inviting all of them to their own wedding.

His phone buzzed right then.

Picking it up, he saw a message from Fox. Molly and I are at that Thai place with the noodles you like. We saved you a seat if you want to join us for lunch.

Damn, he loved his bandmates. On my way, he messaged back.

Starting the engine, he tried not to obsess over if Sarah would call him after receiving his long overdue gift. Hell, he’d be content with her throwing the books at his head. All he wanted was for her to talk to him, to let him show her he wasn’t that guy anymore, the one who’d destroyed them both.

Excerpt #2 from ROCK WEDDING by

Nalini Singh

Sarah sat on the floor of her living room, books spread out all around her.

Having worked nonstop for days, she’d given herself the afternoon off. First, she’d gone to see her son. The anniversary had rolled around again, and though she hurt, this month wasn’t one of the bad ones. She’d talked to him, told him about her day, left him with a kiss.

Her plan for the rest of the day had been to get into her pj’s and curl up on the couch with Flossie to binge-watch a favorite television series. Then had come the buzz at the gate that made her heart thunder and her skin flush… and the delivery of a most unexpected package.

I hope you’re doing okay today. Say hi to Aaron for me. I’m sorry I threw your books in the pool. I was a dick. – Abe

Sarah stared at the note card again, still not certain she was reading it right. The first two lines, they turned her throat thick, but the rest… He’d been so high that day that she’d have bet her business he had no memory of the ugly incident. Sarah had never forgotten it: she could still feel the wrenching ache of the sobs that had overwhelmed her as she tried futilely to fish out books that had been well and truly drenched.

Abe, meanwhile, had moved on to throwing the pool furniture into the shimmering blue water.

Her fingers trembled as she picked up a leather-bound copy of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It matched the other Austen novels he’d sent her, the set a lovely reissue packaged for collectors. Beside the fancy collector’s editions lay cheerful paperbacks with laughing couples and/or dogs on the covers.

She stifled a wet laugh. He’d clearly chosen those at random, but it was cute that he’d remembered she liked romances with animals in them. Half the time when she’d read to him or talked to him about her favorites, she’d thought he was mostly asleep. It hadn’t mattered—she’d just liked being with him.

The most surprising book in the package was the one about the entrepreneur who’d gone from rags to riches on stubborn grit and sheer determination.

It gave her a funny, fluttery feeling in her tummy to realize Abe really did take her business endeavor seriously. It wasn’t mockery, not when he’d gone to the effort of choosing these other books with her likes specifically in mind. He’d thought she’d like the book because she was an entrepreneur too.

Her eyes burned.

Her hand went to her phone, but she hesitated, the memories of her awful loneliness while she’d been with Abe holding her in place. Curling her fingers into her palm, she picked up the television remote instead.

She had to keep her distance if she was to have any chance of protecting her battered heart. Because this Abe? The one who sent her flowers and books and who dropped by to make sure she was all right? He was more dangerous than the man who’d broken her to pieces.

© Copyright 2016 by Nalini Singh

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Rock Addiction (Book One) Rock Kiss Series

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Rock Courtship (Book 1.5) A Rock Kiss Novel:
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Rock Hard (Book Two) Rock Kiss Series
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Rock Redemption (Book Three) Rock Kiss Series
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 Author Information

  

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

STALK HER:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Review- Kiss the Sky by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Kiss the Sky on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Virgin. Sex addict. Daredevil. Alcoholic. Smartass … Jackass. Her five friends are about to be filmed. Reality TV, be prepared.

Rose Calloway thought she had everything under control. At twenty-three, she’s a Princeton graduate, an Academic Bowl champion, a fashion designer and the daughter of a Fortune 500 mogul. But with a sex addict as a sister and roommate, nothing comes easy. 

After accepting help from a producer, Rose agrees to have her life filmed for a reality television show. The Hollywood exec is her last chance to revive her struggling fashion line, and boundaries begin to blur as she’s forced to make nice with a man who always has his way. 

Twenty-four-year-old Connor Cobalt is a guy who bulldozes weak men. He’s confident, smart-as-hell and lives with his equally ambitious girlfriend, Rose Calloway. Connor has to find a way to protect Rose without ruining the show. Or else the producer will get what Connor has always wanted—Rose’s virginity. 

This New Adult Romance can be described as Friends meets The Real World. Expect fist fights, drugs, sex of varying degrees, crude humor and competitive alpha males. Definitely for mature readers audiences only.

Release date: February 20th 2014

Published by: K.B. Ritchie

Page numbers: 442

REVIEW: 

I'm a fan of the Addicted series. I had read and absolutely enjoyed Addicted to You, Ricochet and Addicted for Now two years ago maybe. For me, the series is very fresh, different and new compared to all the monotonous New Adult books doing the rounds. Unlike said books, I cannot predict what the characters from this series are going to do next. For some reason or the other, I kept putting the rest of the series on hold, until recently, when I finally began Kiss the Sky. And I am so glad I did. 

Kiss the Sky is the story of the second eldest Calloway sister, Rose, who, as the book cover perfectly describes, is a "perfectionist, genius and virgin." Previously, I liked how Rose has always been strong and and super protective about her sisters. Her perfectionism was admirable. A cleanliness freak, a thorough feminist and a feisty fighter, Rose's head was fun to get into. There were times when- especially the more explicit material- which made me question Rose's character. 

Then we had Connor to perfectly balance out her urge to dominate. I had only heard fantastic and fabulous things about Connor Cobalt (thanks to Mrs. Cobalt aka Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination). I don't remember much of how he was before, but I bet he was good, as he only got better and better in this book. A perfect match for Rose, Connor too is a genius. His intelligence did turn me on. There were times when- and yes again, especially the more explicit material- when Connor seemed like a smart and intellectually pleasing version of Christian Grey, but even I know that comparison is unnecessary. This book is very much adult, in my opinion, with an erotic and BDSM dimension. 

Together, Rose and Connor were far more than just a couple. They were a team of two strong, like-minded, intelligent and responsible individuals who put their group of family and friends before anyone else. It was nice to see the two maintain poise even when they were mentally disturbed and shocked by the current happenings of the situation where the characters (Lily, Loren, Rose, Connor, Daisy and Ryke) were part of a reality TV show. Now the whole reality TV show concept was neither new nor fascinating for me. But just the fact that all these amazing guys who I've grown to love were together made it enjoyable. Somewhere along the way, Kiss the Sky became everyone's book, rather than just Rose and Connor's. 

Even though Kiss the Sky is Rose and Connor's story, someone stood out far more than the two of them, for me at least. Even though I adore Rose and Connor's grammar nazism and it made me silently moan with pleasure, the person whose vocabulary that turned me on the most and that's the closest to mine is Ryke. He is fucking amazing! I cannot wait to read Daisy's and his story in Hothouse Flower. I can already tell that they are going to be my favourite couple. I still love Lil and Lo (who doesn't?), but Daisy and Ryke will be something else entirely. 

The length of my review brings me to the length of the book, which is a problem I have. And the books just keep getting bigger. It doesn't stand as a grant issue though, it only takes me time to read long books. It's really fun to spend time with these six amazing people who seem like your own by the end. Kiss the Sky did start out slow and it took me a lot of time to get into it, but at last, it was  all worth it, especially after the sweet and sexy epilogue. And it did, after all, help me cope with my reading slump.  

BUY THE BOOK: Amazon (IN)

Waiting on Wednesday #172

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: November 1st, 2016

Summary-

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into a dangerous and exhilarating world where a deadly, beautiful archangel and his once-mortal consort are caught in a fury of twisted darkness…

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

The cover for Archangel's Heart is beautiful and I will most definitely try to reread the entire series before getting to this one.

What are you waiting on? :)

Review- Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

Summary-

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love...even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time? 

Release date: July 19th, 2016

Published by: TKA Distribution

Page numbers: 345

Review-

Rock Wedding is fourth and final book in Nalini Singh's Rock Kiss series. I am a huge Nalini Singh fan and I have been with this series right from the start. So I am a little sad to see it end. But fear not, Nalini Singh has more contemporary romances up her sleeve, of that I'm sure. But getting back to Rock Wedding, I think it may possibly just be my favourite out of the entire series. But then I loved all of them so I can't exactly pick.

Rock Wedding is the story of Sarah and Abe and it is a second chance romance. These two were married before Abe's drug addiction destroyed what was between them. Let's just start with Abe. Abe has suffered a lot. He's dealt with alcohol and drug addiction and because of it he lost the most precious person in his world, Sarah. In the flashback you can see that Abe was an asshole but he is truly transformed in the present. He knows whats important and is ready to fight for Sarah. Abe truly and completely redeems himself by the end of the book and leaves us with no doubt about his love for Sarah.

Sarah and Abe were young when they got married. Sarah thought she'd found her soulmate in Abe but when their relationship was destroyed it left her with a lot of scars emotionally. Sarah was a really sweet heroine. She had had a difficult childhood and she had her insecurities but all she wanted was to be loved. Add to that the fact that she had two miscarriages, Sarah's wounds run deep and she is not ready to trust Abe again. But I loved how forgiving and understanding Sarah was.

It is easy to see the connection Abe and Sarah share. They both had some growing up to do and become independent in their own way. Despite the sadness in both Abe and Sarah's lives they did not dwell on it. They were both healing and the genuine sweetness of their relationship shone throughout the book. There were also plenty of steamy scenes which showed us how deeply intimate they were with each other.

This book is titled Rock Wedding for a reason. Everyone and their mother gets hitched in this book and I love love loved it! I loved seeing Fox and Molly, David and Thea, Noah and Kit and Gabe and Charlie. It just made me so happy to see them doing so well. Finally all of them got the ending they truly deserved. So finally, I absolutely adored Rock Wedding and I can't wait to see what Nalini Singh has next in store for us.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided via Netgalley by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

July Lovestruck Release Day Blast!

Sweet, sexy, and a whole lot of fun...Entangled Lovestruck has two new releases that you won't want to miss!

~~~

Kira Archer is back with her Sweet Love series!

About the book:

When Officer Rick Boyd answers a call about a peeping Tom, he doesn’t expect to find a gorgeous woman holding the binoculars. But Gina Silvano’s no peeping Tom, and she can catch her cupcake truck’s kinky vandals herself, thank you very much. No sexy cops required.

No matter how hot their stakeouts, by-the-book Officer Boyd can’t see a future with a dangerous, rule-breaking wild-child who despises the law. He’s never felt more alive, though, and expunging her from his heart might be impossible.

But loving each other might cost them more than they are able to give.

Find it online:

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The "What Happens in Vegas" series continues!

About the book:

He’s exactly who she’s looking for…she just doesn’t know it yet.

Sadie Quinn is at the romance readers’ convention for one reason only: to find editor Jocelyn Dellarivier. Which she could do if she didn’t keep running into the most frustrating, gorgeous man ever. To make matters worse, she just won a contest and a date with him is the prize.

Jake Blaine could kill his boss for rigging the contest, but now he’s face to face with the one woman who could expose his alter ego. He’s not about to leave, but he can’t tell Sadie he’s the editor she’s looking for. But even though he’s playing with fire, Jake can’t seem to stay away. And after a night with the raven-haired beauty, he’s not sure he wants to…

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Celebrate the new releases at the Summer Fun Release Day Party!