Book Review: The Pact by Karina Halle

The Pact
By, Karina Halle

Amazon
Goodreads


Book description:
It all started with a pinky swear… 

Linden McGregor is tall, rugged, and gunslinger handsome; a helicopter pilot with a Scottish brogue and charm to spare. He’s also one of Stephanie Robson’s best friends and has fit into that box for as long as she’s known him. 

Beautiful, funny and an ambitious businesswoman (with one hell of an ass), Stephanie Robson is one of Linden McGregor’s best friends and has fit into that box for as long as he’s known her. 

But some relationships can’t be boxed, can’t be classified, can’t be tamed. 

Back in their mid-twenties and tired of the competitive hit-or-miss dating scene of San Francisco, Steph and Linden made a pact to marry each other if neither one of them were in a serious relationship by the time they hit thirty. 

It sounded like fun and games at the time but as the years to thirty tick past and lovers come and go out of their lives, the pact becomes larger than life. 

Sex is inevitable. Friendships are tested. Hearts are on the line. 

The pact is about to change everything. 


Book review:
4 out of 5 stars

I finished this book earlier in the week, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I am not used to a sweet novel from Karina, now saying that doesn't mean that it was bad. I felt it was good and a quick read under 300 pages. This would be perfect for a snowy weekend, where you can cuddle up with a cup of coffee and a blanket. She paints a picture that will leave the reader with the warm and fuzzies.

Stephanie and Linden are the best of friends that met when they started working at the same bar. They have a bet that if they are single, 30, and unmarried that they will get married to each other. Throughout the years, they remain close friends even if they are seeing other people. Stephanie is pretty poor, living in an apartment with a leaky roof following her dream. Linden is from a wealthy family, but mostly refuses to accept it. He is a helicopter pilot out of San Francisco with a sexy Scottish accent. Yum! Stephanie dated their other friend (the bar owner) James for quite some time, creating a friction between all three of them. Both Steph and Linden fantasized about each other but always shoved it to the back of their minds.

Needless to say each of them have many failed relationships throughout the years, and never seem to be single at the same time. I loved the friendships in this book, they kept each other on their toes. They go through probably what every person goes through, crappy boyfriends/girlfriends, jobs that are difficult, and having to make difficult decisions. 

This book is perfect for the HEA fan especially as it's a stand alone, no need to wait months or years for any resolution. Great job, Karina! 

***COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY - Aflame by, Penelope Douglas***

Title: Aflame (Fall Away, #4)

Author: Penelope Douglas

Genre: NA |  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 21, 2015

Synopsis

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Bully, Until You, Rival, and Falling Away comes the sizzling conclusion to the Fall Away series.

The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…

Everyone wants to be me.

Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.

I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do.

They all talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?

But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.

Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new.

Pre-Order Aflame → Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Tsū | Goodreads

Purchase Links → Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

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Book Review for Dare (brother of ink and steel)

This book was really good with a lot of drama! It had me sucked in from the 1st page which is my favorite thing about amazing books! There were secrets to some serious ass kicking. It's about a physical therapist on the run with her daughter that ends up meeting a MMA fighter that lost his best friend when he was a teen. This is a book that I could read again and can not wait until the next book is released. It was very well written and really sucked you in from the beginning to where I did not want to put it down at all. Read it and you won't be disappointed! 

Brook Review for Fighter by Tijan Meyer

I recently read the book Fighter by Tijan Meyer. It was a really good quick read that had me laughing. There was drama but not the drama you would expect. The only downfall was that I wish it was longer and more in depth. Between Delia finding out her ex boyfriend Jax is a wanted man to her ankle getting messed up chasing him to running from her brothers and then taking him to jail... It's a good comical read that had me giggling. I definaltly recommend reading this book since this is just the novella and the intro to a new series she is writing. Even though this is a short read it is worth the 99 pennies. You won't be disappointed! 

The Bet - Rachel Van Dyken

If you like humorous, fun romance, Rachel Van Dyken's books are a perfect fit. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and find a cozy reading spot....you may not get up until you finish the book! Some hot romance goes without saying, but adding in a meddlesome, though well intentioned grandmother, is just icing on the cake. She is a recurring character throughout this collection of books.

Kacey and Travis may have had a volatile past that re emerges in their story, but they also have a passion for each other that grows throughout the story.   

This author has a series of these books, but they can all be read independently, and she does intertwine the characters in the stories she writes, blending their lives together from one romance to the next. You can't help but want to read more. Having read multiple books of Rachel, I now have a small collection of her work.

If you like "The Bet", you may also want to check out "The Wager", another of Rachel Van Dyken's novels that surrounds the same set of characters, but uncovers the romance between a new pair of of lovers. And you guessed it....a meddling grandma.... these books would just not be the same without her!

Best Vacation Reads

It's officially the winter blues where most of us are at. We are all dreaming of summer and maybe even some beach lounging (not me I am so white). The girls and I decided on our books we would pick to read at the beach, preferably in a hammock.  I hope you all enjoy them as much as we did.


Here are our selections:

Sonja's choice-

Rival
By, Penelope Douglas
Purchase here >>>
Rival

Book description:
She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….



Tiffany's choice-

Fallen Crest High
By, Tijan
Purchase here >>>
Fallen Crest High

Book description:
Mason and Logan Kade are two brothers who did their own thing. They were rich and expected to attend Samantha's school, Fallen Crest Academy. They chose public school and now she has to live with them. The problem is that she doesn't care at all: about them, about her friends, about her cheating boyfriend, or even about her parent's divorce. But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe change is a good thing. 



Nicole's choice-

Love, In English
By, Karina Halle
Purchase here >>>
Love, In English

Book description:
To a restless dreamer like Vera Miles, it sounded like the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending her summer interning for her astronomy major, she would fly to Spain where she’d spend a few weeks teaching conversational English to businessmen and women, all while enjoying free room and board at an isolated resort. But while Vera expected to get a tan, meet new people and stuff herself with wine and paella, she never expected to fall in love. 

Mateo Casalles is unlike anyone Vera has ever known, let alone anyone she’s usually attracted to. While Vera is a pierced and tatted free spirit with a love for music and freedom, Mateo is a successful businessman from Madrid, all sharp suits and cocky Spanish charm. Yet, as the weeks go on, the two grow increasingly close and their relationship changes from purely platonic to something…more. 

Something that makes Vera feel alive for the first time. 

Something that can never, ever be. 

Or so she thinks.

Fighter By, Tijan **New Book Launch**

***New Book Launch***


Fighter
-Tijan


Good news, it's only $0.99!
Buy it here>>>
Fighter



Book description:
All of Dale's brothers help with their bounty hunting business, all except her. Wanting out of that life, she left for college, but on her first morning back home for the holidays, she’s back to chasing after a bail jumper. When she realizes the jumper is her ex-boyfriend, Jax, Dale gets dragged into helping him evade her brothers so he can win an underground fighting competition. Jax has to win the competition to help his sister, but soon sparks fly between Jax and Dale. Old wounds are reopened, and Dale may need help herself because she’s close to falling back in love with her Fighter.



I love Tijan's books, and I have read quite a few of them. This one is not to be missed!

Stay With Me - J. Lynn

Stay With Me - J. Lynn


Buy it here>>>
Stay With Me

Stay With Me, while yes it does have all the ingredients of a hot romance (girl + gorgeous guy) it is also a novel grounded by family turmoil and a bittersweet ending with Calla's mom.

For those of us who like a hero in slightly dented/rusted armor, this book is great. Our main leading man Jax is not without his flaws. But who wants a perfect man anyway? This book is a good combination of romance and passion mixed with the real life issues Calla has after she realizes her mom has pulled her into six figures of debt and she's hidden this part of her past from everyone she knows.

Think of this book as a dark chocolate with chili... darkly sweet, with a little sting/tang of spice. J. Lynn has done a great job of tying in the characters together within this story.

Good morning to the reading world!

Good Morning to the reading world :)

This is Sonja, who will also be helping to author this blog. I love world travel, photography, reading and writing too. Having read a plethora of books by many authors, one comes to identify patterns and formulas that are used. This is of course helpful and hopefully thought provoking to those who also aspire to become writers. As readers and writers, it is of course up to us to define what we like... happy or bittersweet endings? Predictability or  Cliff hangers?  a series? Novella or full length novel?

We all have different opinions and ideas on what makes a book great or terrible which is a fun part of writing a review. We as bloggers write about the books we read, but as our readers, it's of course up to you to take what we write and use it as a sounding board to form your own thoughts and ideas and hopefully enjoy the authors we write about as much as we do!

Happy Reading!

Weekend Book Reads

Weekends are probably the best time of the week for me. I get to sit home, relax, and dedicate hours to reading. I will be working on several reviews in the next couple of weeks that I am excited about.

Currently I am reading The Pact by Karina Halle.
The Pact

Shortly I will be working on Control Me by Shanora Williams.
Control Me

Then lastly The X-Club by Anna Zaires (this is a novella).
The X-Club


Look for The Pact review coming next week.

A little about me..

Hey ya'll!!! 

My name is Tiffany and I am 27 years old. I just thought I would pop in and tell you a little about me. I love reading! It is one of my passions and I could not go without. I have roughly 1100 books on my kindle if that doesn't tell you something. I have so many favorite authors a few of them would be Penelope Douglas, Allison Banks, Tijan Meyer, and Cindy Gerard. 

I have been married to my other half Jason for 8 1/2 years and we have 3 children Olivia, Kaysen, and Skyla. We recently purchased our forever home and live in a small town in Ohio. We also have a full blooded german Shepard that will be a year at the end of this month. I am really big on family and spending time with them. 

If ya'll want to know more about me please feel free to ask. I'm an open book. I am going to do my best working alongside Nicole in running her blog! 

Welcome to Amour Book Blog

After many hours of staring at my computer screen my blog is almost complete. I need to fine tune things (probably as I figure them out) and start on the important tasks, book reviews.


I have been addicted to books since I was really young. My father would read novels to me every night before bed taking me away to far off places. When I got a bit older I moved on to our favorite books, Goosebumps then shortly after Fear Street. Once I hit high school I took every English or Literature class I possibly could, filling up on knowledge. Did I also mention that I was a library aide for quite some time as well? I took on piles of writing and reading in college as a history major. I reveled in 15 page papers at the time and reading assignments nightly.


Now moving on to my late 20's, coming up on 30 very quickly I live in books. I managed to take down 59 books last year, some ARCs given to me by authors, others ones I was interested in. For me this is a huge accomplishment, I don't know anyone who managed to read that much.

This brings me to 2015 and what I plan to do. This year is going to be big for me, I want to accomplish tasks that I wanted to do two years ago. I will write more, read less, and focus on reviews and improving myself in other areas. I have a small goal of 30 books this year and I probably will pass it. It's about passion and dedication for me, and I am excited to see where it leads.


Stay tuned for the insanity!

Falling Away, Penelope Douglas

I have been thinking about this book for over a week, deciding how I can put into words how I feel.

Let's start with:
Hot...did I mention really hot?
Jaxon Trent, probably one of best book boyfriends around.
Beyond impressive story line. Pen gets better with every book she writes, and Falling Away is one of my favorite books I have ever read and I feel is her best novel thus far.
K.C. aka Juliet has a complex and unique storyline that will keep the readers on their toes.
Boys in cars, how could a girl not love a boy speeding down the road in a sexy car?
All of our favorite characters are interwoven into the story.
The car scene, holy...I don't even know where to go with that *insert fanning here*

I had been waiting for months for this book, and it was well worth the wait. Penelope does not disappoint, she takes us through the journey of Jaxon and K.C. laced with enough turmoil and past history to keep your heart racing. Jason, complex with a deep and dark history that he doesn't want to dredge up. K.C. lives her life up to her mothers standards and is miserable and afraid of letting others down, while still suffering from a painful childhood. Their lives crash together, full of tense moments, witty banter, and lots of lust.

Point blank, you need to buy this book...like yesterday. It will not disappoint and you will be reading into the wee hours of the morning, and then when you go to bed you can't sleep. Stay up all night, finish it, and revel in the amazingness!