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BLOG TOUR + EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY: Counterfeit Boyfriend by Cindi Madsen

June 29, 2018 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

I am so honored today to take part in hosting Cindi Madsen's blog tour for her newest release-Counterfeit boyfriend! This woman hasn't written anything I don't love-Don't even get me STARTED on my darling, Silas!!! Below you'll find an awesome excerpt, a little teaser, purchase links, and the author's bio. This book was nothing short of spectacular (like all of her work-duh!), so I hope you'll check it out. ENJOY!

BLOG TOUR + EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY: Counterfeit Boyfriend by Cindi Madsen

Counterfeit Boyfriend by Cindi Madsen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
My twin brother’s talked me into a lot of crazy things, but taking his place on a road trip with his girlfriend so he can party with his friends is a whole new level of insanity. What’s even more insane is I somehow find myself agreeing to it—thanks, alcohol, guilt, and bribery. I’m determined to undo the arrangement, but then I meet Gwen, this sexy redheaded hurricane of energy and brains.

And then she kisses me. Just like that, I’m driving her up the coast, on our way to a wedding with a mess of complications. With each hour and each stop, I’m falling harder and harder for a woman who doesn’t know my actual name.

I’m trying to do the right thing. Or the lesser of the wrong things. All my life I’ve had to clean up my brother’s messes, but for the first time ever, I’ve landed the upper hand in one of our switcheroo schemes. Now I’ve just got to come clean and convince Gwen that I’m the brother she should be with.

It’s no secret that I’m a hardcore fantasy junkie and I love my serious romantic peril. But, when it all comes down to it….I’m a big ‘ol softie for contemporary romance. Yeah, yeah, I know. But when you’re down, having a bad week, day, whatever, there’s nothing like a simple story of a guy falling for a girl…and doing anything he can to make her his. Sorry not sorry, that’s my THING, and I will not apologize for it. So, let’s not waste any more time. If you’ve read a book by Cindi Madsen, you know how epic she is. If you haven’t….well. You’re missing out. What are you waiting for?! Read this adorable excerpt and get on with it already. I hope you all love it.

Excerpt:

[scroll-box]Five ridiculously intense rides where I’d wrapped myself around Evan later, my legs and body had turned gelatinous after moving too fast for too long.
And I was still wrapped around Evan. That move was like twenty percent the-ground-felt-unsteady-under-my-feet, and eighty percent enjoying-being-wrapped-around-him.
He slowed in front of the booth with a tower of milk bottles people tried to knock over for prizes. “To make up for dragging you along on all those rides—which I know you enjoyed, even though you’ll never admit it—I’m going to win you a prize.”
“One, I enjoyed them as much as anyone who thinks too much about every bolt and rickety part can, and two, these games are all rigged.”
“No faith,” he said, shaking his head.
“That’s what happens when you’re tricked into riding death traps in the name of ‘fun.’”
Evan lowered his lips to mine, and the way my stomach dipped and my skin hummed was a hundred times better than any thrill I could get from even the most insane carnival ride. “And now to wow you with my other talents.”
The guy handed him five balls for his five dollars, and Evan lined up for his throw. He launched the ball through the air, and while the speed and the way it smacked the bottles was impressive, they didn’t go down.
Since I like to be super helpful, I said, “See. Rigged.”
Evan quirked his eyebrow at me, then picked up the next ball and threw it. Another hit, but the bottles barely wobbled.
“I gotta be honest, I was more wowed by the kissing.”
He pinched my side, his grin bringing out the sexy grooves in his cheeks. Determination set his jaw as I handed him the next ball. Three more throws, three more times the stack wobbled but didn’t go down.
“One more round?” the guy working the booth asked. Then he looked at me. “How about I give the lady one throw for free? I won’t even straighten the bottles.”
He pulled a bright-red ball out from under the stand, and with a shrug, I reached for it. Not like I had anything to lose. I studied the ball, noticing it looked bigger than the ones Evan had been using, and it felt heavier as well.
The guy working the booth gave me a secretive smile I quickly returned.
“Do you need me to wrap my arms around you under the pretense of teaching you to throw?” Evan asked.
“Hmm. While I like the thought of that, I think it’d be safer for everyone if you gave my throwing arm a wide berth.”
He took an exaggerated step back and placed a protective hand over his package.
“Very funny.” I sucked in a deep breath, cocked my arm, and threw for all I was worth.
The ball collided with the bottles, and they went down with a loud clatter. I jumped up and down and added a maniacal laugh. The guy working the booth pointed at the stuffed animals I could choose from.
“Way to show me up,” Evan teased as he came up behind me, wound his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder.
I glanced back at him. “What prize do you want?”
“You won it for me, huh?” he asked, and I nodded.
“I want you to have a souvenir to show off to your friends when you brag about how well I take care of you.”
He moved his lips to the column of my neck and dropped a kiss there, and my entire body broke out in goosebumps. “Then I want the unicorn riding the rainbow, of course.”
“Oh, sure. Promise me a unicorn, then rub it in my face when you get one.”
The guy handed me the colorful stuffed creature, and I studied my prize as we walked away. “This unicorn’s more than riding the rainbow; he’s totally humping it.”
Evan’s soft chuckle sent happiness pinging through me. “Horny magical creature.”
That made me snort-laugh, and I hugged the dirty unicorn to my chest, already sure it was going to be my all-time favorite souvenir.
[/scroll-box]

Grab Your Copy Today:

Amazon

Giveaway:

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About the Author:

Cindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, and one overly-dramatic tomcat.

You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books. Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen.

Connect with Cindi:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Newsletter

Blog Tour Schedule:

June 26th

Book Magic – Under a spell with every page Review

Bookwormqueen92 Excerpt

Reading with 2 book lovers Review

Book Starlets Review

June 27th

Read Your Writes Book Reviews Excerpt

Love Read Listen Review

I Love Romance Review

Bookish Things & More Review

June 28th

Suey Library Review

Debbie’s World of Books Excerpt

Travels N Reads Review

Seraphim Book Reviews Review

June 29th

Naturally Nerdy Books Excerpt

definitely, possibly, maybe Review

Sweet Red Reads Review

Star Crossed Book Blog Review

June 30th

My Slanted Bookish Ramblings Review

Quesarasera Book Blog Review

Miss Riki Review

Reviews By Rah Review

July 1st

Bookaholic & Kindle Review

Treat Yourself with Books Review

Cathy Reads Books Review

Rochelle’s Reviews Review

July 2nd

Shortie Says Excerpt

TBR Book Blog Review

Literary Misfit Excerpt

Can’t Quit Books Review

July 3rd

A Book Nerd, a Bookseller and a Bibliophile Review

Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess Review

July 4th

Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews Review

We All Make Mistakes in books Review

The Reading Cafe Review

July 5th

The Librarian Talks Excerpt

Romancing the Laser Pistol Review

July 6th

BookGirl Review

Harlie’s Books Review

A Bookish Redhead Review

July 7th

Sultry Sirens Book Blog Review

SnoopyDoo’s Book Reviews Excerpt

KatyaRath Review

Gavinsmommaloves2read Review

July 8th

I’m A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore Review

Jax’s Book Magic Excerpt

July 9th

Vivi’s Messy Kitchen Review

Book Lovers Hangout Review

Ramblings From This Chick Excerpt

BOOK REVIEW: All of This is True by Lygia Day Penaflor

June 28, 2018 / Cassie / 2 Comments

All of This is True by Lygia Day Penaflor
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
MIRI loves the novel Undertow like it's a living being. So when she and her friends get the chance to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they plot a way to get closer to her. As for what happened with Jonah ... Well, obviously none of that was Fatima's fault.

SOLEIL wants to be a writer herself one day. She can't believe it when Fatima asks them to hang out with her - and having Jonah there makes it even better.

PENNY is more than the party girl everyone thinks she is, and she's willing to share her darkest secrets with Fatima to prove it. But what will happen when Fatima finds out about Jonah?

All of This Is True is a story of obsession and revenge, betrayal and forgiveness, and the devastating result of a secret that didn't stay buried.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I was engrossed in the storyline and enjoyed the different ways the story was shared (interviews, emails, texts, journal entries, etc.). On the other hand, it wasn’t quite what I expected. From reading the blurb, it came across as something along the lines as One of Us Is Lying, which was one of my favorite books of last year. But it really wasn’t like that at all.

The story centers around four high schools students who befriend a young author.

Fatima told us to share our precious truths. But that wasn’t my precious truth to tell! I didn’t know she would write about it!

While there is a small twist as you get near the end, the book is more about high school friendships and relationships. The book rotates from the perspective of the three teenage girls (Miri, Soleil and Penny), looking back at how ‘everything’ started. Chapters of the fictional book the author, Fatima Ro, wrote based on their lives are also sprinkled throughout the three girls’ recollections. I honestly found the fictional chapters to be the weakest part and enjoyed the interview chapters the most.

This book had a lot of promise and I did enjoy it. I just find myself wishing there had a been a bit more, though I guess I can’t say exactly what. I guess I was just thinking it would be a bit more thriller/mystery, when it really was more about friendships and toxic relationships.

But that night in the courtyard I knew the year was going to be better; sharing the sky with Fatimo Ro was the start of that ’cause I got to do something with my friends that wasn’t shopping or Snapchat, you know? It felt, like … important.

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Superhero High by T.H. Hernandez

June 27, 2018 / Jen / 8 Comments

I read an early version of Superhero High and I absolutely loved this story! It was sigh worthy, so much fun and I fell head over heels in love with the characters! So definitely check out the excerpt below and enter the fabulous giveaway. Enjoy!

Superhero High
T.H. Hernandez
Published by: Soul Mate Publishing
Publication date: July 5th 2018
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Annarenee Stevens is the sole member of her family without a super power. The only time she feels powerful is in the pool. With her sights set on swimming for U.C. Berkeley, she’s ready to win it all at the State championship and secure her future.

When the government unexpectedly ends the secret Genetically Enhanced Asset (GEA) program, Annarenee is uprooted from Dayton, the only home she’s ever known, and relocated to San Diego with all of the other GEA families. Queen of her public school, Annarenee is just another zero at Superhero High, a school without any sports teams.

With the end of the program, her hero older brother now needs a college education, too, meaning the only way Annarenee is getting into Berkeley is on a scholarship. Her dream is slipping through her fingers, no matter how tightly she clings to it. To make matters worse, super hot superhero, Ren Gonzalez, is paying too much attention to her. The kind of attention that has Ren’s ex-girlfriend intent on making Annarenee’s life even more miserable.

But when heroes begin disappearing, zeros and heroes will be forced to team up in order to solve the mystery. If they don’t kill each other first.

Goodreads / Amazon

Excerpt:

[scroll-box] Smith slides in beside me and drapes his arm around me, kissing the side of my head.

Ryan glances over his shoulder before backing up. “You guys are coming tonight, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Smith answers for both of us.

The drive to my house is less than five minutes. On the way Smith leans in and whispers in my ear, “Anyone going to be home?”

I shake my head then wonder if I should have lied. Smith’s been hinting more frequently that he wants to have sex. We’ve been dating for three months, but unlike Smith, I’m not ready. Call me old-fashioned, but I want my first time to be special. I like Smith, he’s cute, popular, and funny, but I’m not in love with him. Plus, I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t keep secrets from the person you share the most intimate part of yourself with, and I’m keeping a huge secret from Smith.

We pull up in front of my house, and Smith and I hop out, grabbing our stuff from the back.

“I’ll call you later,” Ronny yells as Ryan roars off.

I wave as they turn the corner and disappear, nerves twisting in my belly as Smith takes my hand. I glance at him, my gaze drawn to his crystal blue eyes beneath messy-wild blond hair. Smith moved here last summer and rapidly became one of the most popular guys in our class. He’s always tan and his body is cut, a result of time spent in the pool or surfing in his native Florida. Every single girl in our school, and possibly even a few with boyfriends, would be thrilled to have my problem. I need to figure this out soon before he decides he’s tired of waiting.

Smith guides me up the walkway toward the porch, and I wonder how far I can let him go this time before I put on the brakes.

Our front door opens and two men dressed in black suits, white button-ups, black ties, and sunglasses exit our house. The taller of the two seems to size me up behind his dark lenses before he nods and passes. I turn and watch them get into a black Escalade parked across the street.

My brother, Noah, cruises up and parks his vintage blue Mustang convertible in the driveway. He climbs out, his eyes glued to the SUV as it pulls away from the curb.

Smith snorts. “What are the Blues Brothers doing here?”

I don’t share his humor and instead turn toward my brother, eyebrows raised in silent question.

Noah shakes his head, and inside my own head, I hear, “I don’t know, they were blocking me.”

A chill runs through me starting in the pit of my stomach. It’s not unusual to get a visit from the Men in Black, but my parents should be at work, and Noah should still be at his school for another couple of hours. Something is wrong.

“Don’t panic, AR,” Noah says in my head.

I turn to Smith, “Um, I’ll call you later, okay? Pick me up at eight?”

He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Sure. Wear something sexy.” He smiles and waggles his eyebrows.

“Douchebag,” Noah says only to me before heading inside.[/scroll-box]

Playlist:

About T.H. Hernandez:

T.H. Hernandez is the author of young adult books. The Union, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category.

She loves pumpkin spice lattes, Game of Thrones, Comic-Con, Star Wars, Doctor Who marathons, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.

When not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, T.H. Hernandez lives in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband and three children, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, affectionately referred to as “the puppycat.”

You can find her online at http://thhernandez.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

June 26, 2018 / Cassie / 3 Comments

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A shocking discovery on a honeymoon in paradise changes the lives of a picture-perfect couple in this taut psychological thriller debut--for readers of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Shari Lapena.

If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?

Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .

Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?

Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?

Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman's enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we're tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.

Thank you NetGalley, the author Catherine Steadman and the publisher, Ballantine, for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wonder at what stage all of this started. If I could wind it back, how far back would I have to wind?

This book blew my out of the water. Haha, see what I did there?

From the first chapter, we know something bad has happened. I was immediately drawn to Erin, our narrator and main character of the book. Erin is a documentary filmmaker who is engaged to Mark, who works in finance. It was honestly one of the most riveting openings to a book I’ve read in a long time. It was a brilliant way to kick things off.

After the events of the first chapter, we travel back in time and learn how Mark and Erin met and how they fell in love. We start off a few weeks before their wedding, which is also when Erin is beginning her film on prisoners transitioning back into real world.

Erin and Mark then head to Bora Bora for their dream honeymoon, and while scuba diving, they discover something that serves as the catalyst for the rest of the book. From there, we follow Erin and Mark as they deal with the ramifications for what they found until we finally circle back to the events in the first chapter.

I promise myself that once this is all over I’ll be honest; I’ll never lie again. I’ll be the best wife in the world. I promise.

And what a circle it is. I’ve read a number of thrillers in the last couple years, but this one is up there as one of the best ones. I loved it. The writing style is near perfection. Without being overly descriptive and wordy, the author clearly paints an image of everything we (the reader) sees. The setting of Bora Bora certainly doesn’t hurt either! From what I see on Goodreads, this is the author’s first book, which is quite surprising. It is so well done and I’m very much looking forward to reading what she writes next.

I’d highly recommend this–even better if you can read it by the ocean/pool/lake.

But what could I have done? What can you do? You can’t save everyone. Sometimes you just have to save yourself.

BOOK REVIEW – The Bet (The Bet #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

June 25, 2018 / Jen / 6 Comments

The Bet (The Bet #1)
by Rachel Van Dyken
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .

Review:

The Bet was hilariously addicting! I loved that the characters charmed their way into my heart, that the pages were filled with tons of fun drama and that the ending left me excited to read the next book in this series. This was my first book by Rachel Van Dyken and I’m definitely kicking myself that I didn’t pick up one of her books sooner!

Jake’s thumb rubbed across her fingers delicately.
Another involuntary shiver ran down her spine. It’s not real, Kacey. Just remember it’s not real. He doesn’t really like you in that way. Do it for Grandma!

Jake Titus propositioned Kacey to pretend to be his fiance. They were childhood friends, but after a falling out they hadn’t spoken in a few years. Jake was feeling pressure from his family’s company to change his playboy persona and his Grandma, who loved Kacey and had been sick, wanted to see her. So by bringing Kacey back home, he’d be back in his family and company’s good graces and he would help Kacey out with her college expenses in return. It sounded like the perfect win win situation. Yet nothing could prepare Kacey for being back in the Titus’ house, especially with Travis there. He was Jake’s older brother who was horrific to Kacey as a child.

He’d be a fool to let her go.
Again . – Jake

I was definitely confused at first. Was I supposed to love Kacey with Jake or Travis? But over time we got to see who deserved Kacey’s heart. In the beginning, Kacey and Jake’s interactions were adorable. They had a friendship that was definitely complicated and filled with some hurt. But it also felt strong and true, or at least it use to be that way. You see, we got to hear lots of stories referencing Kacey and Jake’s past and I laughed so hard I cried. Their past was hysterical! But the more I saw who Jake was, I wasn’t the biggest fan of him. He would come across as a self centered asshole. He could make the worst choices and it all seemed to center on instant gratification. And he never thought about how the ramifications would affect others. But Jake seemed like the type where if he really wanted something, he’d find a way to make it happen.

Travis held up his wine. “To conquering old fears?”
Something shifted between them. His eyes, though it was dark, seemed to he hiding something, as if he were talking about more than her stupid phobia. She leaned in, now completely relaxed from drowning half of her wine already, and whispered, “To conquering old fears.”

Now Travis and Kacey? They made me laugh so hard too, but each moment had something else coursing through it. There was a tension between them that was always crackling and it left me with the hugest grin on my face. Travis and Kacey’s moments together were so hot. Even when they were throwing jabs at each other. They could also be ridiculously immature and it was so much fun. I loved their teasing and their weird obsession with food fights. It made my heart smile and I couldn’t stop laughing!

He wondered if she could hear his heart hammering in his chest. “Because of you, Kace. Everything I do, everything I’ve done in my life it’s all because of you.” – Travis

Travis was definitely book boyfriend material! He looked out for Kacey and he thought about her happiness first. Yeah he would screw up from time to time, but ultimately he was her biggest protector and champion. So I kept my fingers crossed that that was who Kacey would end up with, because sometimes it didn’t feel as though it’d pan out in that direction. So be careful with your hearts! Speaking of my heart…. ohhhhh I have to say I think everyone will love Grandma!! She was funny, smart, devious and I’m looking forward to seeing what she’s up to in the next book!

Both brothers.
One a friend, the other something so much more.

So I definitely recommend The Bet! It’s for everyone who adores NA stories that have tension running through them. And if you love drama that’s fun, with sillier moments laced through it, then this is definitely your book! The next book is about the brother who wasn’t meant for Kacey and I’m so excited to see what happens to him!

PS So here’s a weird confession. Usually I don’t read books with the name Travis. It’s my brothers name and yeah it just feels weird. But I call my brother Trav and I heard that wasn’t used in this book, thank goodness!!

Page 180 of 427

BLOG TOUR + EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY: Counterfeit Boyfriend by Cindi Madsen

Synopsis:

BOOK REVIEW: All of This is True by Lygia Day Penaflor

Synopsis: