The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Synopsis:

Baseball star Will Vandergriff knows any number of women who would happily pretend to be his girlfriend. In a last-ditch effort to restore his good standing with his team’s higher-ups, he enlists the help of his neurotic, goody-goody neighbor. Schoolteacher Olivia Pratt might be a bit quirky and a bit of a loner, but she’s a lot more inviting than she knows. Will hopes that bringing her to his next game might revamp his reckless reputation and help get his career back on track. The only problem? The plan works a little too well. Not only do the higher-ups love Olivia, but Will plays his best game yet. Suddenly his losing streak is a thing of the past, and Olivia is his new good-luck charm. Will feels anything but lucky.

After years of keeping the world at bay, Olivia Pratt is pulling off the ultimate performance—not only reluctantly posing as Will’s girlfriend but also insisting that she’s oblivious to his major-league appeal. But she can only lie to herself for so long. Being by Will’s side feels good. Really good. Maybe it’s finally time to make a pitch for everything she really wants—and to find out just how exhilarating love can be.

My Review: 5 Stars

Olivia grew up in the shadow of her older brother, overlooked her entire life. She is made to feel like she is invisible, that she'll never be good enough, that she's selfish. Is it any wonder that she has a few quirks? Or that she finds it hard to believe that her hot, annoying neighbor would have any interest in her at all?

Will is a professional pitcher and has the reputation of being a player, a ladies man. When not so flattering accusations or laid on his doorstep, the higher ups demand that he get his act together and start cleaning up his reputation. Who better for the job than his beautiful, albeit a little crazy, neighbor? 

One game. It was only supposed to be one game. That's it. No more. But after Will's team wins for the first time in a very long time, he will do whatever it takes to convince Olivia that she must be at his next game. She's just earned the title of his Lucky Charm. 

But what happens when they keep winning? How long can they keep up the charade of their fake relationship? And what happens when things stop feeling fake and start feeling real? Can they go from fake to forever? 

I absolutely LOVED this book! Any book that can make me laugh out loud, make me smile like crazy, make me sigh little dreamy sighs and have me staying up WAY too late reading is a definite winner in my opinion! I am SO glad that I snatched this book up and devoured it! If this is not on your TBR list then you need to add it! If it is on your TBR list then you need to bump this baby up! 

This is only my third book by Amy Matayo and it definitely won't be my last! I can't wait to see what other treasures she has out there! 

And of course my casting! I have to say that I LOVE these two! *dreamy sigh*

*I received a copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Between Hope and the Highway by Charissa Stastny

Synopsis:

Sometimes things get so messed up you have to pick up and get the heck out of Dodge. That’s what Liz Ruthersford does. Memories can be weapons, and hers have become incoming missiles. Fleeing home and her parents’ pity, she seeks refuge on a remote ranch in Montana where no one knows her tragic past. When she meets Bentley and Rawson Law, brothers with wounds of their own, life veers off course from her plans. Embers of hope and love flicker to life, but will Liz let them burn bright enough to warm her heart? Or will she hit the highway and run once again? A clean, heart-pounding romance and redemption story.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

When tragedy strikes, Liz finds herself needing a fresh start. She needs to go somewhere where memories aren't haunting her around every corner. The middle of nowhere Montana is just what she's looking for. Maybe now she will be able to get her life back on track.

Rawson has a secret that has been haunting him for years. He, too, is in need of a fresh start. He thinks modeling in Europe is just what he needs. But the more time he spends away from the ranch, the more he realizes that he misses home. Heading back to take his place on the ranch is really what he needs. If only he can get his dad to see that he's not the failure he thinks he is. Maybe then he can get his life back on track.

Bentley has every reason to hate his life after a car accident that killed one of his brothers leaves him crippled. But he chooses to keep moving forward, working on his disabilities and being the best person he can be. Being bullied for his limp and bent neck isn't easy but at least he's alive. He knows that the harder he works the better his life can be. He is determined to live his life and not be the cripple that everyone sees him as.

Life is full of trials, tribulations, love, forgiveness, happiness, redemption. It has a way of throwing curve balls, chewing us up and spitting us out. How we deal with it says a lot about who we are. We can either let it ruin us or we can let it better us. But the choice will always be ours to make. We just have to have the faith and the courage to keep moving forward. Life isn't always going to be fair but in the end, it will always be worth it.

I have to admit that I had a hard time getting into this book. The first half of it dragged for me and I almost gave up. I think a lot of that had to do with Liz. I had a really hard time connecting with her. I felt she was missing one word from her vocabulary... compromise. I felt like she wanted everyone to fit into her mold. If they didn't, she was quick to judge and sometimes throw out extremely hurtful things. There were times that I almost wished Rawson would run the other way! But he proved to be a better person than I. And between Rawson and Bentley during the second half of the book, I found myself rooting for our hero and heroine to get their happily ever after.

And my casting... we just can't forget that... ;)

Content: Swearing throughout the book. Moderate innuendo throughout the book. Steamy kissing scenes. Moderate religious aspects.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

** COVER REVEAL ** Courting the Countess by Donna Hatch

We just had a fantastic release with Author Donna Hatch ... and now we get another one! I am beyond ecstatic! I love her books and I'm excited to share each and every one.

As a little recap - let's take a look at the previous books we've featured for Donna's before we see her newest addition!

And she has even more books we have not featured! Be sure to check them out!

And now ... On to the cover reveal starting with our author!

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author:





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And finally ... let's check out her fantastic new book!

Synopsis:

When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. 

But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love. 

Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?

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And now ... are you ready to see the wonderful new cover??


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We love it! So sweet!

But don't just go on our word, Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Then share the fun news and enter the giveaway!

And pre-order your copy of this book here:

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A Summer Remade by Nicole Deese

Synopsis:

Joss Sanders needs an escape. Or maybe she just needs a reminder of a sweeter, simpler, and steadier time. But her family's vacation cabin isn't exactly how she remembered it as a child, and neither is the charming young man who lives next door.

Change is everywhere, and if Joss doesn't learn to embrace it, she just might lose the second chance she needs the most.

My Review: 4 Stars

Life is hard. Change is inevitable. Not everything is going to go our way. But instead of embracing the changes, we all try to hold on to normal, hold on to safe. 

And that is exactly what Joss does when her whole life is turned upside down. Running away to her family's cabin on Lopez Island is just what she needs when life becomes too much for her to bare. But instead of coming to terms with everything, Joss is desperate to find and use any little thing she can to make sure life goes back to the way it used to be. 

Little did she know that fate had something else in store. Enter Drew. He used to be the chubby kid that all the other kids made fun of during the summer on the island. But now he's all grown up and is in the perfect position to help Joss come to terms with all the curve balls life has been throwing at her. And if she can help him in return, life just might start looking up for the both of them. 

I really enjoyed this sweet, coming of age novella. I laughed, I got teary eyed, I let out little dreamy sighs and found myself smiling quite a bit. With all the craziness going on in my life at the moment, this was the perfect read for me. It can all be summed up in a paragraph from the book... "If this summer's taught me anything, it's to appreciate every moment. The small, the big, and the life-altering. I tuck each memory into a cherished pocket of my heart, pull down my sunglasses and slip into my car." That. That right there makes me want to tell everyone that life is too short... remember to cherish every moment and to embrace it! 

Nicole Deese is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. All of her books I have read so far, I have loved. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by her! If you haven't read anything of hers yet then you are missing out. She really is an amazing author! <3 

And of course I can't forget my casting! This one is mostly my imagination and I really like it! :)

  

The Protective One by Cami Checketts

Synopsis:

Betrayed by an FBI agent while in protective custody, MacKenzie Gunthrie escapes a crime lord and is left hiding from the authorities and her enemies. She finds solace in the peaceful mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado. With help from a longtime girl's camp friend and a new identity, she's starting to feel safe.

The only problem is the overconfident and much too good-looking Isaac Turnbow. Protecting identity has become second nature, but Isaac poses a threat to her heart.

Isaac Turnbow has an undeniable need to convince MacKenzie he’s someone she can trust and kiss, but when well-armed men arrive to disturb their budding relationship, he must prove to her and himself that he can protect her.

My Review: 4 Stars

MacKenzie had a pretty good life until one night while out running she witnesses a murder. She is now in protective custody until the murderer can be apprehended and charged. But one of the FBI agents is a mole and has leaked her location. Now on the run to save her life, she heads to the small town of Crested Butte to stay with her friend Haley until the murderer is caught or until she can figure out who she can trust. 

Isaac had a huge crush on Mac when she was 14 years old but hasn't seen her in years. When she shows up all these years later, those same feelings resurface... only stronger. She's still the same beautiful, amazing girl she was back then, but there is something different. Something has happened and he has the overwhelming need to protect her. If only she would trust him and open up to him about what has her running scared over the smallest things. 

Mac is confused about her feelings for Isaac. One minute she's wanting to be around him and the next she wants nothing to do with him. During her on again, off again feelings for Isaac, she meets Brad... the scum of the earth who took advantage of Haley and is Taz's father. He does his best to try and weasle his way into her life but can't keep his true self hidden for long... once a snake, always a snake.

With Brad out of the picture and her feelings for Isaac growing stronger than ever, she discovers that the murderer has landed in Colorado and has gone off grid. To protect Isaac and his family she flees again. But how far can she get on her own? And what will Isaac do when he discovers she has disappeared without a trace? His protective nature becomes even stronger and he will do anything and everything he can to protect the woman he loves.  

I have to admit I had a hard time connecting with Mac for the first half of the book. She was giving me whiplash with all the back and forth with her feelings. I was starting to feel sorry for Isaac and may have told him a few times to walk away! Lol. But once her secret was out, she grew on me and I ended up liking her. And I may or may not have done a little happy dance when Brad finally got what was coming to him... stupid scumbag!

The Protective One is a great addition to The Billionaire Bride Pact series. I really have enjoyed these books. I'm looking forward to rereading them again once all the books have been released... I think it would be fun to have a binge read... ;) 

Cami Checketts has definitely become an auto-buy author for me. I don't even read the synopsis anymore before purchasing them. Hehe. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! :) 

As for my casting... I went back and forth between a couple of options but settled on this one. I really like these two! :)

  

Caribbean Rescue by Cami Checketts

Synopsis:

Zack Tyndale was destined to win gold in the 2012 Olympics, but he tripped and shattered his own dreams. Running from his controlling father and the compassion in everyone’s eyes, he buys an island in the Caribbean where he can live blissfully alone.

Madeline Panetto’s graduation present is a trip sailing around the Caribbean on her father’s yacht. Unfortunately, her father is a pirate, and when there is an uprising on his ship, she escapes and crash-lands on Zack’s island.

Can these two find refuge from the pirates and with each other?

My Review: 5 Stars

Maddie has an absentee father who really hasn't had much to do with her her entire life. But when she graduates with her Master's degree, he decides it's time to wisk her off for a 2 week cruise in the Caribbean. It doesn't take long for her to realize that this trip isn't all that it's cracked up to be. She soon discovers that her father is a real life pirate and that her life is in serious danger. Her father's men have turned on him and want everything that he has, including Maddie. She is able to escape with evidence of who and what the men on the boat are but doesn't know who to trust or where to go. When her little boat crashes on a private island, she has to have faith that she will be safe and will be able to get all the information to the authorities before it's too late.

Zack has spent the last two years alone on his private island. He's tired of his father controlling him and women throwing themselves at him because his fame and fortune. Life is so much easier alone. If only he could gain custody of his niece, then life would be perfect. Or so he thought. He never dreamed that he could want anything more until fate intervines and a beautiful woman comes crashing into his life... literally. But how can his life be complete with his stubborn father and pirates standing in the way of him gaining the happiness he deserves? His protective instincts kick in and he will have to fight for what he deserves.

I thoroughly enjoyed Caribbean Rescue! I should not have been surprised that Cami sucked me in from the very beginning. I really need to learn NOT to start her books during the week. It is a guarantee that I will lose sleep and real life will get in the way making me a very cranky KJ! Haha. I am loving all these Billionaire books and look weekly to see if a new one has been released! I can't wait to read Cami's next book. I know without a doubt that it will be AMAZING! She has definitely been added to my favortie authors list! ;)

And my casting... *dreamy sigh* I LOVE these two! ;)

2016 Reading Challenge!

*UPDATE #2* 

Ummm... can someone please tell me how in the world it's September already?! This is seriously insane! Where did the time go?! *sigh*

Since we only have 4 months left in the year I thought I would post an update on my challenge to continue to hold myself accountable.

As of today I only have THREE books left to read for my 2016 Reading Challenge! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! I did switch out some of my books though. The ones I chose first I just couldn't get into. And since reading should be fun and NOT a chore, I decided what the heck! Let's change them! As long as I complete the challenge that's all that matters, right?! ;o)

As for my Goodreads reading challenge, I have read 74 books so far! Whoop! Whoop! I will definitely meet my reading goal of 100 books I just know it! Still trying to decide if should up the number of books I read though... we shall see! ;o) Hehe.

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*UPDATE #1* 

I was talking to one of my bestest book buddies tonight and I had mentioned that I think we should come up with our own Reading Challenge for 2017. I may have also mentioned that I was tempted to ditch the rest of the books on this list and do our own Reading Challenge for 2016 instead. But alas, after talking to her some more, I decided I should probably stick with what I have started. So... I am republishing this post with today's date to make myself accountable for the remaining books on this list. ;)

*deep breath*

Wish me luck!

Oh! And P.S. I have currently read 47 out of 100 books for my Goodreads Reading Challenge! I might have to up the number of books for this one! ;) Hehe.

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I have set my Goodreads Reading Challenge at 100 books again this year. Among those 100 books, I will be incorporating this reading challenge.

I have to tell you that this is going to be a bit tough for me. I have a motto: "I love what I love! Life is too short to read boring books!" Now don't get me wrong... books are not boring! But some books just aren't for everyone. I really do have a hard time branching out from what I love! I have tried it in the past and have put myself into several of those dreaded reading ruts!

But I have decided to challenge myself this year! I can't promise that I am going to read, finish and love all the books I've chosen but I can promise you that I am definitely going to try! And I do need to let you know I amended a couple of the challenge options. I have asked a Goodreads Librarian to choose a book for me as well as a BBF! What is a BBF?! Why it's a Best Book Friend of course! I'm lucky to have quite of few of those! ;) Hehe.

Which books have I chosen for the above challenge?! I am SO glad you have asked! Take a look at my list! And ummm... I reserve the right to change some books at any time. I don't want to put myself into one of those dreaded reading ruts we all despise! ;)

A book published this year: His Personal Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel

A book you can finish in a day: One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

A book you've been meaning to read: Always Will by Melanie Jacobson

A book recommended by a Goodreads Librarian: Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson

A book you should have read in school: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

A book chosen for you by your BBF: Ella by Jessilyn Peaslee

A book published before you were born: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

A book that was banned at some point: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Don't judge! This was very hard for me! And yes... it was really banned! Lol.)

A book you own but have not yet read: Bound by Joy by Tracey Jane Jackson 

A book that intimidates you: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

A book you've read at least once: Jessie Belle by Jennifer Peel

And that my friends is my list! I'm excited to see if I can accomplish BOTH challenges this year! Wish me luck!

What kind of Reading Challenge are you doing this year? Inquiring minds want to know! ;)

First Line Friday's #8

Ok party people! It's that time again! First Line Friday's hosted by my amazing friend Kathy over at Bookworm Nation! It's been forever since I have participated so I thought what the heck! I've been up since 4am why not start back up today! Lol. 

Are you ready?! 

This week's First Line Friday is:

Carribbean Rescue by Cami Checketts

Zack Tyndale was destined to win gold in the 2012 Olympics, but he tripped and shattered his own dreams. Running from his controlling father and the compassion in everyone’s eyes, he buys an island in the Caribbean where he can live blissfully alone.

Madeline Panetto’s graduation present is a trip sailing around the Caribbean on her father’s yacht. Unfortunately, her father is a pirate, and when there is an uprising on his ship, she escapes and crash-lands on Zack’s island.

Can these two find refuge from the pirates and with each other?

FIRST LINE

"Madeline Panetto rushed down the lower hallway of the yacht, praying she wouldn't run into one of her father's men. A hand snaked around her arm and pulled her to a stop."

Like most of Cami's books, I got sucked in just from the above. I am SO glad it's Friday AND that I have a long weekend! I see lots and lots of reading in my very near future! ;o)

Do you want to participate in First Line? Yes?! Then tell us what your First Line is! Are you going to do a blog post? Then don't forget to link your post back to Bookworm Nation! Post your link in the comments. Don't have a blog? No worries! Just leave a comment with the title, author name and first line.

Ready?! And GO!