Praise You by Ashley Rayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a rather slow burn romance despite the live session in the beginning. It was interesting to see how the author was going to solve the issue with the two of them not knowing who each other was. I like the approach that she came up with, usually the two skirt around the issue a little bit more, and discover it accidentally. The two just had chemistry and wanted to spend more time together.
Wasn’t sure how I’d like the cam boy aspect of the book, but it was actually pretty good and didn't even really come up that much. ((view spoiler))And by the time I had started reading about Ronan, I’d completely forgotten about Noah and Asher (book 2), so it was a little distracting to be remembering (mentioning) about Noah. Also if you didn’t read about Noah, the issues he had were not discussed at all in this book, so he just disappears and your kinda left wondering what happened. The author did state she tried to write it without spoilers as their stories overlapped a little.
It was also nice that there wasn't really a third act break up with the two of them, nor any big conflict of interest in the student/teacher part of the rules. The dean was pretty cool, and it was refreshing to have such a cool authority figure in school.
This book didn't have too much angst, it was a nice even keel read. Like a feel good romcom.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Book Review: Praise You (Beaumont University #3) by Ashley Rayne
Monday, July 22, 2024
Mage of the Dragon Prince
Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Mage of the Dragon Prince
By Ariella Zoelle Writing as Zarina Aston
Bonded Hearts, Book 1
Universal Link
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Excerpt:
Chapter 3: Auslin
Sleep was slow to leave Auslin in the morning. He lingered in an unaware state, enjoying the warmth embracing him. It was a comfort he was loath to let go of in favor of wakefulness. He snuggled deeper into the comfort with a contented sigh, loving when he was held tighter.
It had been so long since Kio had held him like that—and that’s when Auslin remembered it couldn’t be Kio behind him. His eyes flew open, and he saw a pale arm around him with silver shifter markings. Auslin scrambled back with an alarmed noise as he turned to see a naked man.
Brushing his long, silver-white hair from his face and opening his eyes, the shifter blinked sleepily as he looked at Auslin questioningly with startlingly familiar ice-blue eyes. Auslin’s heart raced when their gazes met. The shifter in front of him looked like a much younger Kitsuki. But unlike the ruler, the person in front of him had both arms, different colored hair, and a brighter aura.
Although the dragon monarch looked to be in his thirties in human years, Auslin knew he was over a thousand years old. The shifter in front of him appeared to be equivalent to a twenty-something-year-old human male in age, but he was probably still several hundred years old.
He was a stunningly beautiful creature in seductive repose, which made Auslin’s heart pound for a different reason altogether. The shifter had shimmering silver markings that sensuously caressed his entire body. They were proof that he was an immensely powerful shifter.
Auslin knew Kitsuki had similar lines on the back of his hand, the sides of his neck, and chest, but they were much darker and didn’t swirl with energy like he had seen with other shifters before. He had always assumed Kitsuki had markings on the rest of his body, like a shifter of his rank was supposed to. But Auslin had no way of knowing how extensive they were since he had never seen him undressed before. And for some reason, thinking of the dragon monarch naked brought heat to his cheeks.
But none of that changed the fact that Auslin was looking at an impossible person. He couldn’t make sense of it at all.
When he continued silently staring, the shifter propped himself up on his elbow. He asked in a rumbling voice deepened by sleep, “Is it a human custom to awaken with such fear?”
It was not the reaction Auslin had been expecting. “It is when you wake up in bed naked with a stranger!”
“You fear me as a man but not as a dragon? What sense does that make? Humans are such curious creatures.”
Enter the Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Mage of the Dragon Prince, Zarina is giving away copies of the release!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57905/?
Check out the Prequel:
Enchanter of Dragons
Bonded Hearts, Prequel
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About the Author:
With a pen as her wand and a heart full of mischief, Zarina Aston conjures up fantasy worlds where queer love knows no bounds. Her stories are like a kaleidoscope of emotions, filled with passionate encounters and heart-stopping adventures with shifters. From the first page to the last, Zarina's books are a whirlwind of dramatic twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages long into the night.
But sometimes Zarina’s in the mood for something with a little less angst and drama. If you’re craving light-hearted fluffy works of heart, then check out her Ariella Zoelle books as well.
For real time updates on Zarina’s writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, and more.
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Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Book Review: Tongue Tied by Christina Lee
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💛💛💛
Part of the FU2 Series
What a sweet, sweet, story. I’ve enjoyed Christina Lee’s previous college romance story from Roosevelt U, so I was rather looking forward to this one.
It’s slow burn, best friends and fake dating in one. It’s like these two have been a couple from the start, and just finally added the intimacy elements to their relationship. Even 2-3 dates into their fake dating, they still didn’t want to ruin the friendship if they started going out, that was frustrating to me, but I guess I needed them to work that out on their own in due time.
I also love Kael, what an adorable scene stealing new friend. I would love it if there was a novella about him and Angelica.
So this Brandon character just kinda appears and disappears in the book with no back story except that he’s this guy that Austin was into, but I feel like he wouldn’t be placed in the book so prominently without more to the story, so maybe he’s a spin off character for another story, but I have no clue on that and it just left me wondering.
Also I love when Austin gets tongue-tied and jumbles up his sentence.
There is no sports in this book.
BTW, this story fits right in with the Popped Anthology that was recently released, with Austin being a virgin.
So read this for:
Virgin MC
Best friends to Lovers
Fake Dating
Blurb:
Confessing feelings for your best friend takes being tongue-tied to a whole new level.
AUSTIN
Dex has always been my best friend, so it’s no surprise that we attend Franklin U together. We’re complete opposites. Dex is charismatic and outgoing. Me? Let’s just say I wish I could infuse some of his confidence into my veins. Making friends is hard enough, but trying to meet guys, even with Dex’s help? I’m useless. Maybe it’s because Dex is all about hooking up, but I want my first time to be straight out of the pages of the romance novels I read.
DEX
After a string of mishaps, I swore off helping Austin land guys. But when he asks me to show him the ropes with practice sessions, I get the feeling he’s desperate. Our dates are pretend, so why am I getting so into them? I want to make Austin happy, but the line between friendship and something more is getting really damned blurry. The fluttery feeling, that electric energy every time we touch…it’s addicting. I’m getting overprotective, not only of my time with Austin, but with douchebags who might break his heart.
Eventually, the pretending has to end so Austin can strike out on his own. But how do I tell him I’m not ready to let him go, when every attempt at confessing leaves me tongue-tied?
Monday, July 1, 2024
Book Review: Stick Lessons by Crea Reitan
Stick Lessons by Crea Reitan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Atty and Toby totally grabbed my attention and demanded I go along for the ride. I love how they met, it’s really something that all single people think about when they head to Medieval Times for a performance, no? (Just me? Ok then) Such a Buena Park experience that place, definitely reminding me of my high school days. Atty and Toby just worked for me, there wasn’t even a third act breakup, every obstacle was handled with communication and the story was just light hearted, fun and definitely very very spicy. It hits the right spot.
This is one of those books that is in a hockey series, but doesn’t have a lot of sport in it, despite the MC being a hockey player and the other MC being a hockey fan. It’s mostly about their explosive dynamic and one MC figuring out his attraction to the other MC. If you come to this book thinking it’ll be lots of hockey, then put it down until you want a book that does not contain lots of sports. This is not that book for you. But if you’re looking for k1nk and fun times, then this is the book for you.
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