I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of Stacey Broadbent’s newest release Super Mum! Frazzled, Frumpy and Fabulous! It could not have come at a better time. I read it on the way to drop Middle off at college. It became a clear reminder of what we are actually trying to achieve while we raise our children and grow our families. Broadbent is the reigning  queen, in my mind, of exploding the moment of the little things which happen along the way as we raise children. Her account of the struggles and strengths we all experience truly embraces the beauty of marriage, child rearing, and how we lose ourselves as Mommies sometimes. I read this all the while reflecting back on my journey as a mom and cannot express what a joy it was to walk back through those moments. I am extremely honored with the opportunity to read, reflect, and write on such an endearing piece. Add this to your TBR and get reading upon its release August 31, 2016!

Goodreads Review                        Amazon Review

Kacey Shea’s done it again. Writing a tale of love’s highs and lows and coming back around full circle. Callie loves with all her soul and when she crosses paths with Chase Matthews their immediate attraction leads her down a road she never expected. Shea expresses the raw emotions through Callie’s eyes. Affairs of the heart are never easy and the road from passion to bitterness often leaves scars along the way.

Shea develops Callie’s journey with the cleverness of a Hero’s Journey stylistic approach. Heroine Callie follows this journey and even finds her own shaman in Kiki. In the end, Shea leaves no stone unturned as she follows the ups, downs, tears, and smiles experienced while traveling through the fire and brimstone path of love.

Goodreads Review                   Amazon Review

I also wanted to share one my favorite pre-book release promos for Caught in the Flames, created by The Saucy Owl… Trailer

A. M. Johnson’s Forever Series tells the story of three couples who each experience a little different twist of social taboos, which play first fiddle to their social emotional issues. Johnson takes the reader through a beautiful journey dealing with the deep-seated roots of the human condition. Her ability to write six different points of view between the three novels, and develop a strong voice for each, shows extreme prose talent. She captured me with Still Life, and the raw emotions which Sawyer and Elizabeth express through their struggles with the heart aches of abuse and PTSD. Johnson rides the rollercoaster of emotions, while still leaving the message of how instrumental seeking help from professional becomes when dealing with these difficult issues. Still Water develops the voices of Todd and Lily as they navigate the rebuilding of their hearts, once they’ve been broken and walls have been built around them concealing and not healing their hearts. Still Surviving shows how Seth and Tiffany grow and mature together, as they gain control over abandonment, death, and rape issues. Each story uniquely intertwines all the characters, even though the novels focus in on a specific couples growth.

I fell in love from the start with Sawyer and Lizzy, and shed my tears through Seth and Tiffany. I love the rawness expressed by Johnson as she unfolds some difficult issues. She definitely hit the nail on the head for me, because she never made me feel like any character had a weakness as they followed their given path. This is truly an enjoyable testament to human will power and desire.

Still Life – Goodreads Review              Amazon Review

Still Water – Goodreads Review           Amazon Review

Still Surviving – Goodreads Review     Amazon Review

Released September 6, 2016 the final installment

Tears, joy, and such a heart warming wrap up for each of the couples Johnson brought forth in the series.

Now & Forever – Goodreads Review            Amazon Review

Stacey Broadbent’s Super Mum is the best hidden novella about motherhood. If you are seeking a belly laughing comedic read, this is your go to of the day. She hits all those little daily things we attempt to hide from our innocent little one’s, “‘Don’t tough that! It’s not a balloon honey!” Broadbent then rolls right into some of the nasty nature of teens, “Something seems to make them hate you for no apparent reason, and then when you are about to have breakdown over how much of a bad parent you must be, they flip the switch and you catch a glimpse of that sweet kid you used to carry around on your hip, The one who loved you unconditionally.” I love this little gem with its quick-witted off the cuff insight.

Goodreads Review                   Amazon Review

L.J. Shen writes the dark, dirty secrets of Prescott and Nate as they attempt to right the wrongs done to them by the drug lords of Central California. Prescott and Nate both guard their emotions with a tight lock and key, but true love has a way of shattering the shackles and opening one’s doors. If you like the dark, dirty, romance Blood to Dust fits the bill.

Goodreads Review                Amazon Review

B.T. Urruela’s debut solo novel addresses several deep taboo issues with a realism untouched by most author’s. The small town politics and blue-collar culture truly help build the plot around Xander and Paige. Xander’s touched me as it was a reminder that some of my students come from the very background Xander describes. These brushed under the carpet ugly truths slowly unfolded along with Xander’s ultimate sacrifices. Paige also resonated within because too many woman seem to have it all on the outside but lack the self-confidence to demand things for themselves. This lack of confidence leads them to the wrong situations, which they too brush under the carpet. Xander and Paige learn from one another how to maneuver through these tough situations, but they encounter the ultimate test of love and making it to happiness is the most difficult challenge.

Into the Nothing tackled many issues I was not expecting. I enjoyed the twists and turns and inner monologue’s used as the characters worked through the taboo issues brought about within the work. This is not a typical HEA romance, and it takes a dive into the emotional stresses one’s childhood brings back into play as an adult. I enjoyed the raw nature developed in the characters which really drove home the major themes. The book reviews are up on Goodreads and Amazon if you need to dive deeper before grabbing your copy.

Goodreads Review                            Amazon Review

Truth be told, I’ve read this now four times. My first read through was simply a perusal of an author I’d read two earlier works from and enjoyed the light-hearted bantering which followed through in his pieces. The Matriarch, by Sloane Howell, blew me away from the get go. He holds nothing back. The blended genre style was so different from the other two pieces I’d read. I needed to get down and dirty to dissect this little masterpiece a bit more up close and personal. Which is why the next three readings took place! Most likely not the last either.

Maggie is the epitome of the rising Phoenix. Yep she went through hell, left heaven and landed in the devil’s soup kitchen. Yep, she was a product of human trafficking. She has quirks of course, but she represents the underdog, rising to stick it in the a$$ of the big power. She still has a piece of her goodness left, which shows in her desire to seek normalcy on some level. The setting between the light home city and the classic juxtaposed Gotham makes it that much richer. Without a doubt, I nerded out on the raw vulgarity of the situation and how it developed through the eyes of Maggie and her young immature eyes. If this story placed Maggie in her forties totally different feel obviously, which her being young and feisty just built it up even more.

If you’re up for a totally mind-blowing superhero read that will knock your socks off grab this gem and settle in for a wild ride.

Goodreads Review            Amazon Review

Lauren Rowe delivers a tale which is hotter than the Magic Mike phenom. She follows the young Keane Morgan, or stage name Ball Peen Hammer, as he discovers who he really is underneath the skin, sweat, and swag. His counterpart, Maddy Milliken has her sights set in documentary film making, but she too needs a little kick-start in discovering who she is as a whole person not just a film maker. Get yourself on over to Goodreads or Amazon, read the reviews and invest time in reading Lauren Rowe’s amazing tale of these two bantering, sexy souls!

Goodreads Review                         Amazon Review

Celia Aaron works her magic on the gridiron in her new release Kicked. She weaves her magic and love of football through the lives of Cordy and Trent. Of course you cannot have a true Aaron work without the sassy verbal exchanges, insanely steamy encounters, and a depth in character building which only Aaron delivers on a silver platter. Enjoy your summer with a little preseason read!

Goodreads Review                        Amazon Review 

Meghan Quinn wins the gold with her new release Stroked. From start to finish her sassy style hooks you right into the twists and turns of Olympic hopeful Reese King and his road to the 2016 games. Along the way Paisley causes his stroke to skip and creates a wave of unexpected challenges, which King must face before getting back in line and swimming for the gold. Reese’s contractually agreement with reality show star Bellini Chambers only adds to the stress for King. Quinn’s hilarious over the top peek into the world of high-class athletes, high snobbery reality television entities, and the behind the scenes folks who take care of these difficult personalities is down right priceless. Quinn cannot possibly write the next two follow ups fast enough!

Goodreads Review                Amazon Review