“This Side of Home” by Renee Watson

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

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This Side of Home

by Renée Watson

Genre: YA/Geography & Cultures/African-American

6.15 at time of posting!

From New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning author Renée Watson comes a captivating and poignant coming-of-age urban novel about sisters, friends, and what it means to embrace change.

Maya Younger and her identical twin sister, Nikki, have always agreed on the important things. Friends. Boys. School. They even plan to attend the same historically African American college.
But nothing can always remain the same.

As their Portland neighborhood goes from rough-and-tumble to up-and-coming, Maya feels her connection to Nikki and their community slipping away. Nikki spends more time at trendy coffee shops than backyard barbecues, and their new high school principal is more committed to erasing the neighborhood’s “ghetto” reputation than honoring its history. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore. As Maya struggles to hold on to her black heritage, she begins to wonder with whom–or where–she belongs. Does growing up have to mean growing apart?

“The Tattooed Soldier: A Novel” by Hector Tobar

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

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The Tattooed Soldier: A Novel

by Hector Tobar

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Urban/Psychological

9.99 at time of posting!

Antonio Bernal is a Guatemalan refugee in Los Angeles haunted by memories of his wife and child, who were murdered at the hands of a man marked with yellow ink. In a park near Antonio’s apartment, Guillermo Longoria extends his arm and reveals a sinister tattoo—yellow pelt, black spots, red mouth. It is the sign of the death squad, the Jaguar Battalion of the Guatemalan army.

This chance encounter between Antonio and his family’s killer ignites a psychological showdown between these two men. Each will discover that the war in Central America has migrated with them as they are engulfed by the quemazones—”the great burning” of the Los Angeles riots. A tragic tale of loss and destiny in the underbelly of an American city, The Tattooed Soldier is Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Héctor Tobar’s mesmerizing exploration of violence and the marks it leaves upon us.

#Review “The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory

September 21, 2018September 20, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

The Proposal cover

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3/5 Stars

This is one of those books I heard so many wonderful things about and was excited to get my hands on it. Unfortunately, my excitement soon fizzled.

Nikole and Carlos were nice enough… as friends, maybe even friends with benefits. But, I felt no romantic chemistry and the ‘relationship’ felt forced to me.

Dragged through the wringer emotionally and mentally in her last serious relationship (with a doctor), Nik put her feelings away and dated guys she couldn’t be serious about.

Which led her to sometime-wannabe-actor Fisher and the proposal.

The baseball game was one of the few times I felt bad for Nik because… Fisher? No, just no. But whether or not you’re into the guy, what woman goes to a sporting event with her man and HIS friends? That’s an accident looking for a place to happen… and it found one.

Loved the save by Carlos and Angela and was glad Nik got right into the flow. And meeting Nik’s besties, Courtney and Dana, afterward at the lounge was fun too.

After that, it was a struggle for me to stay invested in this couple and their story.

When Carlos accompanied Nik home because, you know… creepy Fisher, her angry internal thoughts AT HIM gave me a few of my own… and I put the book down and read something else.

I love and applaud confident, self-assured heroines, but the ones who feel compelled to voice how strong and independent they are or resent the man for… being a man? Not so much. Your actions and behavior should show who you are. If you have to tell me—constantly—you’re trying too hard. And her passive/aggressive I don’t need a relationship/oh my god, this man is hot back and forth worked my nerves.

Carlos was likable but carrying a full set of matching baggage that was exhausting to even watch. His commitment and loyalty to his family was admirable… and suffocating. He didn’t want to be the dependable son, brother, and cousin, he wanted to be his father—and it was detrimental to his psyche. Thank goodness for the sanity and clarity of Angela.

But I’m still left with two people who say they’re not looking for a relationship exhibiting relationship-like behavior… and are upset about it. By the time the admissions and confessions appeared, I just wanted it to be over. I’m sure these scenes were meant to be heartfelt but I felt no burning passion, no I need you in my life for the rest of my life. They could have been discussing oil changes in my mind.

The Proposal is well-written. The snark and one-liners are spot on. The back story of Natalie was a heartbreaker and emotional. She showed the growth I wished I’d seen in Nikole. Favorite scene, hands down, was the reappearance of Fisher. YESSS! That was awesome.

Obviously, I’m in the minority with my review, but it happens. I’m sure fans of contemporary romance will be reading The Proposal long after I’ve forgotten about it, but many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity!

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The Proposal cover The Proposal

by Jasmine Guillory

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance/Multicultural

11.99 PreOrder (Releases October 30, 2018)

When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part–they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans…

At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up–in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes…

“If Kisses Cured Cancer” by T.S. Hawken

September 21, 2018September 20, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

If Kisses Cured Cancer cover

If Kisses Cured Cancer

by T.S. Hawken

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance/NA

FREE at time of posting! Kindle Unlimited!

If Kisses Cured Cancer is a story about life in a growing coastal town, falling in love and stealing shopping trolleys.

Matt Pearce is depressed, working an uninspiring job and lacking any prospect of dragging his life out of mediocrity. That is until he meets Joy: a cancer survivor who lives beyond the rules of normal people.

As the pair go on a series of unusual dates – from hijacking fish n chip orders, to ‘extreme people watching’ at the airport – their love for each other grows. But Joy’s past is about to catch up with her, and a hidden secret could tear the two apart forever.

If Kisses Cured Cancer is a quirky look at finding love in unlikely places. It is about the importance of connecting with those around you, enjoying every moment and not being afraid to go skinny dipping in the forest.

It will have you in tears of joy, tears of sorrow and tears of laughter.

#CoverReveal “New Tides (The Cornwall Tides Trilogy Book 1)” by Rachel De Lune

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

New Tides (The Cornwall Tides Trilogy #1)
by Rachel De Lune
Release Date: 29th October

Synopsis

Trust is a slow burn. And love can be, too.

Ellie Carter is hiding — from her past and from life, which she barely lives. She fled to Cornwall after a trauma but doesn’t know where to start. The fictional world is far safer than real life, and there she can experience everything she has no ability to embrace.

With scars too raw to touch, trust isn’t something Ellie awards easily. Owen Riggs held some of that trust but shattered it before he even had the chance to ask her out on a date.

As an eternal optimist who believes in love above all, Owen refuses to give up on Ellie and will stop at nothing to repair the damage he’s done. He’ll have to tread carefully if he can ever hope for redemption — and her salvation.

Pre-Order Today!

UK – https://amzn.to/2MuIMqX
US – https://amzn.to/2xa3dV4

Meet The Author

Rachel De Lune writes emotionally driven erotic romance. She began scribbling her stories in the pages of a notebook several years ago. Today she’s still scribbling stories of dominance and submission and creating Happily Ever Afters.

Rachel lives in the South West of England and daydreams about shoes, lingerie and chocolate, in-between being a mum and a wife. She would love to give up her day job to devote more time to her scribbles. For every woman who’s ever desired more. http://www.racheldelune.com

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#CoverReveal “Strand of Faith (Choices and Consequences Book 1)” by Rachel J. Bonner

September 21, 2018September 20, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

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When the choice is between love and life, how can anyone decide?

A girl and a monk, both with extraordinary mental powers, have compelling reasons not to fall in love. But those from whom they expect support are manipulating them both because their choices will have consequences for the rest of the world.

After a stormy youth, Brother Prospero has found comfort and fulfilment in the monastery. That is, until he discovers something that forces him to reconsider his whole vocation. To follow his heart, he’ll have to face his demons again, outside the security of the monastery. Is it worth the risk? Can he beat them this time? Or will they finally destroy him?

Orphaned and mistreated, Leonie has found sanctuary and safety at the abbey. All she wants is to learn how to manage her unusual abilities so that she is not a danger to those around her. When she comes into contact with Prospero everything threatens to spiral out of her control. Whether she leaves or whether she stays, how can she possibly avoid destroying – yet again – those she has come to care about?

Abbot Gabriel is faced with an impossible choice. He can do nothing and watch the world descend into war. Or he can manipulate events and ensure peace – at the cost of two lives that he is responsible for. He knows what he has to do but is he strong enough to sacrifice those he loves?

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GKZT8LF

http://www.books2read.com/strandoffaith

Author Bio

Rachel J Bonner is the author of the four-book Choices and Consequences series, the first of which, Strand of Faith, is due out in November 2018.

Getting a degree in engineering, followed by a career in accountancy is probably not a conventional path to becoming an author, particularly in paranormal romance. Rachel says that, although accountancy isn’t anything like as boring as everyone thinks, writing is a lot more fun. When not writing, she can be found walking in the beautiful countryside near where she lives, which has influenced much of the scenery in her books, or shooting things with her local archery club. Target shooting only, honest. Nothing to worry about.

She also enjoys swimming, eating chocolate chip cookies and growing aromatic herbs, especially thyme and rosemary. It’s no coincidence that her heroine likes the same things.

You can find out more about her books and sign up for Rachel’s newsletters.

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