Veronica Reviews: BOTTLE IT UP by Lisa Shelby

 

Bottle It Up

(A Between the Pines Novel, Book 3)

by

Lisa Shelby

★★★★★ 
Contemporary Romance

“You want to be mine?”

“I already am…”

Emmett and Josh are lifelong best friends, who made a pact if neither of them were married when they turned 30, they would marry each other.  Now that time has come, and Josh West is one of the most eligible Hollywood bachelors on the market…but his fame and fortune is coming with a price, and Emmett, reminding him of their pinky promise, comes to his rescue.  Being his fake finance for a couple years doesn’t seem like the worst idea she ever had, but then again, she never counted on meeting verra large and in charge smexxy bodyguard Max Hopper…

With nothing but Emmett’s safety in mind, Max Hopper becomes her shadow and a constant reminder of all she wants in a lover…but as the threats to Josh’s career as well as Emmett’s life start hitting closer to home, Emmett must make tough decisions…to either be true to her heart or to support her lifelong friend…

Oh dear Reader, this book is tough to review without spoiling the slow burn romance between smexxy bodyguard Max and Emmett!  Beautifully written with all the feels, you’ll want to bottle up all your swoons for your next book boyfriend!  While the third installment in the Between the Pines series, this may be read stand alone.  Highly recommend!

Sharing what I love, Veronica

 

 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

AMAZON BUY LINK

Her Eyes Underwater by Romona Simon

Two psychologically tested personalities run this story based in the 1970's.  

Julia, rich and lonely, put in a law program at the University of Montana by her parents, decides her best option is to go to a warmly established coffee house and pick up the best looking guy she can find. I like the start of this. 

Alex is out to find someone also and stumbles into the same coffee house.  Good looking enough to eat, Julia confronts him as her new prey.  She's quite forward and I can look forward to the results of this. 

Little does she know, but they have something in common.  He's also a student in the same program, which for unknown reasons turns him off.  Maybe he doesn't like smart women, maybe his mood has shifted.

 Romona Simon shifts the characters from law program at a university to law  school, which are drastically different.  I chose to consider the students at a university because they did not take the classes seriously and seldom showed up.  At a law school that would be a dismissal, and I'm afraid the author is not aware of her topic.

I moved on from the education inconsistencies and want to focus on Julia and Alex.  Julia is extremely petty and jealous, so I hope her attitude matures.  Alex has many facets and no one is as handsome as he's portrayed as any female within sight falls and swoons all over him. 

Here's the bloody meat of the story...Alex continually avoids Julia.  Julia chases him, which isn't an attractive attribute, yet I can't help but root for her because he seems to be an ass.

Although, there is an almost sentimental reason he avoids her. 

When women are killed in the community, it's a good thing Julia doesn't follow him everywhere.  The crux to this incident is that the reader must get the next story to see if Alex straightens out and if Julia doesn't have to play hide-and-seek with him.

I prefer a solid ending when a story claims "The End," but if you don't mind, get the next story and fill me in!  

Happy reading!

Dawn

 

Fall Into A Book Giveaway ~ ONE DAY ONLY - Isn't It Romantic Book Club

 

I have some exciting news for you!!

On Friday, September 18^th, over 100 authors, including me, will converge for a 1-day only event in the Isn’t It Romantic Book Club. There will be lots of fun, games, and prizes given away all day long along with the opportunity to meet new authors.  Then that’s it…it’s gone until next year! 

So don’t miss out on all the fun – click the link below to join the group and don't forget to invite your friends!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/isntitromanticbookclub/

*Prizes will be awarded on Saturday, September 19^th

READER INTERVIEW ~ Tracy 😀

Today, I am excited to be interviewing Tracy Antorcha, who is chatting with me from Florida.  Welcome Tracy!

Lexi: What makes you happy?
Tracy: Reading good books, purring cats, and the beach

Lexi: What is your favorite dessert?
Tracy:  Cheesecake

 Lexi: What is your favorite color?
Tracy: Purple 💜

Lexi: What is your favorite time of day?
Tracy: Sunrise
Lexi: Why do you like the sunrise? 

Tracy: I like sunrise because it’s the start of a new day, and it’s beautiful. I used to be a ‘night owl’ but after I had kids, that all changed!  Lol  Now that the kids are grown and I am older, I like to go to bed early and get up early.

 Lexi: The only time I see that time of day is if I stay up that long.  LOL

Lexi: Do you collect anything?  If so, what?        

Tracy: Seashells
Lexi: What started you collecting seashells?

Tracy: I stared collecting seashells when I realized there was such a huge variety to be had.  I only collect ones that are visible on the beach, no digging for them and no looking under water for them.  It’s fun to walk on the beach and find them – good exercise, too! 😀

Lexi: My sister loves finding things on the beach as well.  It's wonderful that you respect the environment while still being able to enjoy nature's beauty.  I hear you about the exercise! 

Lexi: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would you choose?

Tracy: Stephen King
Lexi: You must tell me why you would like to have dinner with Stephen King!

Tracy: I fell in love with Stephen King books in high school.  Someone handed me the book “The Shining” to read, and I was hooked!! My favorite is The Stand, and the Dark Tower series.  I feel he writes about those thoughts that are in the back of your mind (that may be horrible) and that you wrestle with keeping at bay.  Ray and I and the kids went on vacation to Maine on year, and we did a drive by his house.  That was pretty cool! Lol
Lexi:  My favorite book of his is also The Stand. I can't believe you drove by Stephen King's house. How awesome!

Lexi: Where is your flotilla (when it meets)?
Tracy: Currently we are in Florida, not far from Fort Lauderdale.
Lexi: I hope everyone is safe in your flotilla.  I know at least one person in Bob's has had COVID, but the man survived, thankfully. 

Lexi: Lets jump into the quickie questions before I let you go!

Hot and spicy or sweet and chaste?  Hot and spicy
Hot weather or cold? Hot
Morning person or night person? Morning
Beach or mountains? Beach
Cats or dogs? Cats
Rent or own? Rent
Gown or sundress? Sundress
Flip flops or sneakers? Flip flops
Cottage or penthouse? Cottage
Recliner or easy chair? Recliner

Lexi: Thanks so much for sharing with me, Tracy.  I enjoyed learning more about you. 😊

New Release ~ LENNOX by Dale Mayer

 

LENNOX

(The Mavericks, Book 10)

by

Dale Mayer

Planning to meet his sister in Germany, but, when she’s a no-show, Lennox has his first inkling that trouble has come home in a big way …

~ Blurb ~ 

When his sister and her best friend go missing, Lennox is determined to find and to keep his only family member safe … and her best friend. They were both doctors, traveling the globe with the UN. Lennox was proud of his sister’s accomplishments. He’d never tried to hide their relationship, thinking no one from Lennox’s Navy SEALs past cared—or was still alive. Only now someone has decided to use Lennox’s only family as a way to exact revenge.

Helena is caught up in a kidnapping of Lennox’s sister, all designed to get back at Lennox—the most infuriating man she’s ever met. And one she’s cared for since forever. Now to know she was used as a trap to kidnap his sister and to take him out was the worst kind of punishment. But she knew this man. Knew him intimately—if only once—but also knew he was coming to rescue them, even if it meant losing his own life.

Lennox wasn’t letting the only two women in his world be taken out without a fight, … especially one who didn’t even know how he felt …

Buy Links ~

Amazon:  https://smarturl.it/DMLennoxAmazon  
Google Play:  https://smarturl.it/DMLennoxGoogleplay  
Apple: https://smarturl.it/DMlennoxApple  
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/DMLennoxKobo  
Nook: https://smarturl.it/DMLennoxNook  
Dale Mayer's Store: https://smarturl.it/DMSLennox

About the Author ~

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author who writes for the young, the old and those in-between – no matter what the age. Some of her books are hot, some are sweet. Some will keep you up at night with a light on to keep the boogie man away and some you’ll want to cuddle close.

She’s long given up on trying to fit a specific genre. Instead she honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy, break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

And that’s okay too.

There is one guarantee with each book – it will be a great read – each and every time.

 

Contact Links ~

Website: https://dalemayer.com/contact/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleMayer.author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalemayerauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dalemayer

SCI-FI & PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOK GIVEAWAY ~ Hosted by BookSweeps Now Live!

 

Today, I wanted to share another fun giveaway with you…

I have teamed up with 50+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of Paranormal and Sci-Fi Romance books to 2 lucky winners.

There is also a grand prize winner who will receive a brand new eReader!

💥You can win my novel, Passion of Sleepy Hollow, plus books from authors like Margo Bond Collins, Piper Fox, Grace Goodwin, and many more.

You can enter the giveaway by clicking the link below – but hurry the giveaway ends soon!

💥 https://www.booksweeps.com/giveaway/september-2020/paranormal-sci-fi-romance/

Good luck!

Lexi 😊

* The contest ends on Wednesday, September 16, 2020

 

Hello, gentle readers! 

I am writing this blog on Monday, Labor Day, here in the United States, a day set aside to celebrate hard working men and women. In times past, this is a day usually reserved for barbecues and pool parties, but in the midst of this pandemic, we’ve all turned to doing other things, celebrating in other ways to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus.

Do I miss visiting friends? Yes. Do I miss going into the office to work? If I’m being honest, yes and no (I will admit that there are some things I like about working from home – with no one here to see me except my DH and the dogs, I complete my duties in an old t-shirt and shorts – definitely not appropriate for the office). 

So how am I celebrating this holiday? By doing what I love to do when I have some time off…cook and watch movies. And what movie did I watch this morning while my newest batch of spaghetti sauce was simmering in the pot? Kate and Leopold, one of my favorite Hugh Jackman movies (as you all might know, I’m a huge fan of his….not only is he a gifted actor and so utterly handsome, but he’s a devoted family man, which to me, is very sexy -- I even used him as the model for the hero in A Treasure Worth Keeping).

Anyway, Kate and Leopold has everything that I’m looking for in a romantic comedy/fantasy, including that happily ever after I so crave. Now, I’m not saying I believe in time travel (though I think it would be interesting…maybe a little scary. Would I do it given the opportunity? I’m not sure. If I’m guaranteed to come back to the present, I’d love the visit the old west), but I do believe in love and how, when one is in love, nothing is impossible (not even going back in time). I think my favorite parts of the whole movie is how Leopold always treats Kate like a lady, like someone to be not only respected but loved. And I love that.

What about you, gentle readers? What’s your favorite romantic comedy and/or RomCom/fantasy?

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie