NORTH STAR by June Gray – Featured New Release

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NORTH STAR

June Gray


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NorthStar_ebookFranny Fyfe was content with her quiet existence in the small town of Ayashe, Alaska. As the waitress in the only diner in town, she has come to know almost everyone. Except, that is, for the intimidating Sheriff Drew. But when circumstances bring them together, she learns that there is more to the normally-reserved man than meets the eye, something warm and funny and irresistibly sexy.

And the more time they spend together, the deeper the attraction grows until Franny finds herself yearning for more…

Drew Alden has only ever seen himself as the guardian of Ayashe, whose sole purpose is to serve and protect. Until Franny enters his life in a burst of questions and dreams and, for the first time, he begins to want something for himself.

But when the woman he lives with presents him with an unexpected offer—a relationship and the chance to be a father—Drew is faced with a difficult choice.

Caught between duty and desire, Franny and Drew must decide whether to follow their hearts or sacrifice their chance at happiness for the sake of doing what’s right.

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North Star is a 46,000-word erotic romance. For readers 18 and up.

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Buy Links:

Amazon          Barnes & Noble          Kobo
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ABOUT JUNE

small2June Gray is a daydreamer who, at the age of ten, penned a short story inspired by a Judy Blume novel and has been unable to stop writing since. She loves to tell stories that titillate and enrage, that break the reader’s heart, and put it back together again.

Her fairy-tale life has been lived on four different continents—most notably, in a two-hundred-forty-year-old castle in rural Germany owned by a Graf. She was born in the Philippines, raised in Australia, and now calls the United States home, and she can currently be found dodging tornadoes in Oklahoma with her husband and two daughters.

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WHEN I MET YOU by Kaye Rockwell – Featured New Release

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WHEN I MET YOU 

Kaye Rockwell


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WIMY cover

College proves to be tougher than Kim expected it to be and with the rising popularity of her new online boutique, she leans on her friends and Kyle to support her.

But when Kyle’s cover of a song goes viral on social media, it catches the eye of the original talent and the most sought out music label in the world, leaving them with a tough choice.

What happens when your dreams come true
but it means leaving the one you love behind?

Buy Links: 

Kindle Unlimited
Paperback

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ABOUT KAYE

Kaye RockwellKaye is a Romance Author who spent the majority of her childhood falling in love with fictional characters, swooning over romcoms and teen dramas, singing and dancing to musicals AND daydreaming about her own Happily-Ever-After that lead to her writing her own love stories.

Social Media Links:

Websitekayerockwell.com

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TWELVE HOURS IN MANHATTAN by Maan Gabriel – Featured New Release

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TWELVE HOURS IN MANHATTAN

Maan Gabriel


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12 Hours In ManhattanBianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min who is in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue, eating ice cream at Serendipity, to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives. They talk about love, life, and happiness, and the freedom they both seek to fully exist and not merely survive.

But real life is more than just twelve magical hours.

As the clock strikes the 12th hour, Bianca returns back to the life she detests to face a tragedy that will test her strength and resolve – and the only thing she has to keep going is the memory of a man she loves in secret from a world away.

 

Two worlds. One heart. Twelve Hours.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon          Barnes & Noble          Bookshop

 

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ABOUT MAAN

MaanMaan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington DC home. 

 

Learn more at www.maangabriel.com


REVIEW

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To follow.

 

WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS by Tif Marcelo – Featured New Release

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WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS

by

Tif Marcelo


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When Jasmine Blooms

From USA Today bestselling author Tif Marcelo comes a timeless tale of motherhood inspired by Little Women about one woman’s grief, hope, and second chance with the daughter she lost.

It’s been two years since Celine lost her daughter Libby. Desperate to escape her grief, Celine throws herself into her work, determined to be the strong, capable woman the world believes her to be. But there’s no fooling her family.

A shocking intervention brings an impossible choice: confront her grief or risk losing the family she still has. Reeling, Celine wonders what her life would have been like if she’d chosen her first love instead of her husband and avoided this pain altogether.

Celine wakes the following day and is shocked to realize that what-if has become reality. She’s with her high school sweetheart, her daughters aren’t quite her daughters, and her home is being rented by the daughter she thought she’d lost forever.

As she reconnects with Libby in this parallel world, Celine is forced to face the problems in her real life: her unwillingness to move forward, the tension that’s always rocked her family, and the hard truth that not everything can be fixed by a mother’s love.

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Buy links: 

Tif’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble


ABOUT TIF

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Tif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far AwayOnce Upon a SunsetThe Key to Happily Ever After, and the Journey to the Heart series.

Follow her here:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook


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WHISKERS & SUNSHINE by Sarah Skye – Featured New Release

Whiskers Sunshine pub day graphic-gold

WHISKERS & SUNSHINE

Unlikely Pairings #3

Sarah Skye


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Whiskers and Sunshine

Harmony Daniels always dreamed of getting married, having babies, and living the “big house with a white picket fence” fantasy. But after a broken engagement and a pregnancy scare, she has to admit that she has no idea what she truly wants. When her great-aunt dies and leaves her dog rescue to Harmony’s family, Harmony jumps at the chance to take it over. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to find out who she really is.

Lucas Mallender isn’t happy when he finds out that glam girl Harmony is his new boss. As the gruff and no-nonsense head trainer at Fido’s Farm dog rescue, he’s certain this high-maintenance city girl is going to drive the place into the ground with her lack of experience–and he’s not afraid to let her know what exactly he thinks of her.

Lucas and Harmony clash as they struggle to keep the rescue afloat, but there’s an undeniable attraction between these two polar opposites. The more time they spend together–both in and out of bed–the deeper their feelings grow. But Lucas wants to be a dad someday, and Harmony has discovered that dog mom is her true calling. Can they find a way to compromise? Or will they have to call it quits?


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Purchase Links:

Amazon           Barnes & Noble

 


ABOUT SARAH AND SKYE

 

Sarah Skye author picSarah Skye is the nom de plume of romance authors Sarah Smith and Skye McDonald. Sarah and Skye met on Twitter as fledgling authors seeking critique partners. That turned into a brilliant friendship, a joint podcast (Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast), and now a novel.

Sarah Smith (Faker; If You Never Come Back; Simmer Down) is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. 

Skye McDonald (The Anti-Belle Series) is an author and personal development coach. Skye’s Anti-Belle series feature sassy GRITS (Girls Raised In the South) learning to love themselves before they can claim their happily ever after. (Spoiler: they always do!) Her coaching method uses fitness and life skills to teach individuals to do the same. When not writing sexy books or cheering for you to live your best life, Skye can be found out on a new adventure, usually with her pup at her side.

 
Author links:

 

MOONSTRUCK AT MARDI GRAS by Aurora Paige – Featured New Release

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MOONSTRUCK AT MARDI GRAS

 Holidates Series Book 16

Aurora Paige


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Juliana

Who knew a dating app would match me up with my long-time crush–my big brother’s best friend?

After my best friend bailed on me for my birthday trip to Mardi Gras, I was stuck with two options–go alone or find someone to accompany me using the Holidates app. Lo and behold, I find myself on vacation with the man who’s been the star of more than one of my naughty fantasies–Easton Hawthorne.

That sinful smile, those soulful brown eyes, that delicious dark scruff. For as long as I can remember, Easton has been completely off-limits.

But not anymore. Not after we’ve shared more than just the most epic kiss and an unforgettable night in the same bed.

But when life brings us both back to reality–with our pasts hellbent on keeping us apart–will Easton and I be strong enough to be more than just a holiday fling?

 

Easton

Who knew Juliana Delarosa, my best friend’s little sister, was the one I’ve been searching for?

She’s been under my nose this whole time. Hell, she even sold me Girl Scout cookies when we were kids!

Gone is the chubby-cheeked little girl with pigtails and braces. In her place is a curvy, classy, and compassionate woman who knows exactly what she’s looking for. Don’t even get me started on what those dimples do to me!

We made a deal–take a fun trip as nothing but friends. No kissing, no touching, and definitely no sharing a bed.

But when we broke that promise, all hell would break loose, too.

Who knew I’d be moonstruck at Mardi Gras?

 
Buy Now! Amazon
 

 

ABOUT AURORA

Aurora Paige
Aurora Paige is a healthcare professional by day and a Filipina-American writer of steamy contemporary romance with sassy heroines and sexy heroes at night. Each Aurora Paige story delivers a variety of Curvy Heroines, Multicultural relationships, Alpha Heroes, Steamy Heat, and a Guaranteed Happily Ever After.
 

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MAY THE BEST DUKE WIN by Paulia Belgado — Featured New Release

May the Best Duke Win

MAY THE BEST DUKE WIN

Paulia Belgado


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9781335723406She must marry a duke… But which one?

American heiress Kate Mason loves being a rail engineer—yet her father is demanding she marry an English aristocrat! Her plan is to accept any noble who’ll allow her to pursue her railway ambitions—until she kisses Sebastian, Duke of Mabury. He is a duke, but the wrong one. He’s shunned society since a family scandal and vowed never to wed at all. So why does being with him feel so right?

Buy Links:

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Harlequin     Indiebound

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ABOUT PAULIA

MVIMG_20180924_183501Born and raised in the Philippines, Paulia Belgado has worn many hats over the years, from office assistant, flyer distributor, singer, nanny, and farm worker. Now, she’s proud to add romance author to that list. After decades of dreaming of seeing her name on the shelves next to her favorite romance authors, she finally found the courage (and time! Thanks, 2020!) to write her first book. Paulia lives in Asia with her husband Jason, Jessie the poodle, and an embarrassing amount of pens and stationery art supplies. Follow her on Twitter @pauliabelgado or on facebook.com/pauliabelgado

Website: www.pauliabelgado.com

THE BOY WITH THE BOOKSTORE by Sarah Echavarre Smith — Special Cover Reveal

The Boy With The Bookstore hi-res cover

 

THE BOY WITH THE BOOKSTORE

Sarah Echavarre Smith

Max Boyson looks good…from a distance. But up close and personal, the tattooed hottie Joelle Prima has been crushing on for the past year and half has turned into the prime example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by his delectable cover. 
 
When she first learned about the massive renovation to the building they share, Joelle imagined that temporarily combining her Filipino bakery with Max’s neighboring bookstore would be the perfect opening chapter to their happily ever after. In her fantasies they fed each other bibingka and pandesal while discussing Jane Austen and cooing over her pet hamster, Pumpkin. Reality, however…is quite different. Her gallant prince turned out to be a stubborn toad who snaps at her in front of customers, dries his wet clothes in her oven, and helps himself to the yummy pastries in her display case without asking. 
 
But beneath Max’s grumpy glares, Joelle senses a rising heat—and a softening heart. And when they discover the real reason for the renovation, they’ll have to put both their business senses and their feelings for each other to the test.
 
 
Publication date: 9.6.22
 
Preorder link: https://bit.ly/35DayAQ 
 
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Sarah SmithSarah Echavarre Smith is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and adorable cat Salem.

 

Social Media Links:

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram     BookBub     Goodreads

AFTER PERFECT by Maan Gabriel – Featured New Release

After Perfect graphic

AFTER PERFECT

Maan Gabriel

 

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9781647422035_fcThirty-six-year-old Gabriella Stevens is living quietly and contently as a devoted housewife to Simon—just as her traditional Filipino mother has always told her to do—when, after sixteen years of marriage and twenty years together, he tells he wants a divorce.

With New York City as her backdrop, Gabby—single for the first time since she was a teenager—goes back to school, gets her first real job, and faces unfamiliar reality with determination. But when she unexpectedly falls in love with her mysterious but utterly beautiful creative writing professor, Colt, she learns he is battling demons of his own: a tragic past that may have made him incapable of love. Is Gabby destined for another heartbreak—or will her connection with Colt be what unbreaks her?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon          Barnes & Noble          One More Page

 

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Advance Praise:

  • “A heartfelt debut, After Perfect depicts a woman’s healing after divorce with grace and empathy. Maan Gabriel is an author to watch in contemporary women’s fiction.” ―Tif Marcelo, USA Today best-selling author of In a Book Club Far Away and The Key to Happily Ever After
  • “At once relatable and unexpected, AFTER PERFECT is the story of one woman’s quest to learn to live—and love—on her own terms after heartbreak. Maan Gabriel is a refreshing new voice in women’s fiction.” —Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around
  • “Maan Gabriel’s After Perfectis the story of a marriage and a divorce and the complexities of both. Gabriel explores how cultural expectations may not only inform decision-making but determine it. In clear prose and through vivid scenes, Maan Gabriel shows us this irony―often through relationships, we come to know ourselves.” ―Corie Adjmi, author of Life and Other Shortcomings

ABOUT MAAN

MaanMaan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington DC home. After Perfect is her first novel.

 

Learn more at www.maangabriel.com


REVIEW

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From its pain-filled opening scene to the sigh-worthy hopeful ending, After Perfect is one highly evocative read. Maan Gabriel’s wonderfully polished debut involves the reader in newly-divorced Gabby Stevens’ journey to self-discovery amidst heartbreak and uncertainties.

After being cosseted most of her life, Gabby resolves to start over, go back to school, get a job, move into a small place, open herself up to new experiences, and stand on her own. Along the way, she maintains the support of her parents and best friend while creating meaningful relationships with new people. 

I like how Ms. Gabriel made Gabby so real and relatable by giving her balance in both long-held insecurities and newfound strengths. I love how she made Gabby’s Filipino heritage integral to her identity. I admire the way she drew her characters with dimensions, with light and shade. Thomas is, of course, a favorite as well as Gabby’s parents and her best friend Felicity. They provide the humor necessary to counter the angst in the storyline. As for Simon and Colt, I can see the attraction and approve of the final choice. They’re both important but this book is all about Gabby.

Other things I love: 

  • The inclusiveness and diversity of the characters reflect the society we live in today.
  • The great sense of place in both New York City and Washington DC locations
  • Everything that has to do with books (Thomas’s bookshop!!!), the writing and reading of them 
  • All the food

Some of my favorite quotes:

The thing about writing … It defines who you are as a person. It evolves and revolves around you, around how you feel, or around how you perceive life.”

If I become light, then darkness cannot overpower me. You can’t extinguish the light from the sun.”

When you have a book, you have been everywhere.”

Love is nobody’s fault. Love is someone’s magic. And no one should feel guilty for loving.”

Content notes: adultery, on-page miscarriage, deaths (narrated), body image issues

4 Four-half-stars