Review: Up In Flames, by Abbi Glines

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines returns to Rosemary Beach one last time in this highly-anticipated finale.

Spoiled. Selfish. Rich girl. Villain. Slut.

As the Prada-clad bad girl of Rosemary Beach, Nan Dillon has been called every vile name under the hot summer sun. Some of her reputation is deserved—she’s never had to worry about anything but maintaining her perfect figure and splitting Daddy’s private jet with her brother, Rush. 

But Nan is far from happy. Rush has another kid on the way and doesn’t have time to catch up with his sister. Grant, the last guy she truly cared about, chose to be with her half-sister, Harlow, instead of her. And Harlow, who has never gotten over the way Nan treated her when she first moved to town, remains distant.

So when Major asks her out, she jumps at the chance to date the gorgeous charmer. Though she doesn’t know much about the sweet-talking Texan, and though it’s clear he doesn’t want to be exclusive, dating him beats hanging out with vapid socialites or watching Netflix alone at home.

For a while, Nan deals with Major’s playboy ways, but after he burns her one too many times, she takes off for an impromptu wild weekend in Vegas. There, she meets Gannon, a darkly seductive and oh-so-dangerous businessman who knows exactly how to handle her.

With Major asking for a second chance and Gannon haunting her dreams, Nan has to decide who to give her heart to. But what she doesn’t realize is that these players are involved in a much bigger game—and they’re already two moves ahead of her.

Review

4 out of 5 stars

When Nan's book finally appeared on my Kindle I immediately dove right in.  She has after all been the villain of  Rosemary Beach and I was dying to see how Abbi Glines would make us all fall in love with her.  But, if I'm being completely honest my feelings for Nan started changing the day she helped out Harlow.  I couldn't help it because at that moment in the series we finally got a chance to see a completely different side to her.  Yet, if Nan had been a like-able character from the start the Rosemary Beach series simply wouldn't have been the same.  Let's face it, Nan has been the perfect mistress of drama.

As the book starts out we see Nan and Major have a sort of friends with benefits thing going on, yet it's clear Nan wants more but is basically afraid of rejection and therefore doesn't push Major.  She puts up with a whole lot of crap from him, something you wouldn't expect to see from a person like Nan.  But maybe that's just it, maybe we don't really know anything about Nan.  Like for instance her complete and utter unhappiness.  She knows she's made mistakes, her pain and inability to control the actions that spring forth as a residual affect have alienated her from everyone.  But she wants to change, she wants to do better.  She knows Rush will always love her and now she has the unconditional love from her nephew Nate, but she wants more.  Nan has literally watched everyone in her life find their HEA and she wants it for herself.  Yes, Nan wants to be someone's Blair and honestly who can blame her.

A weekend in Vegas to but some distance between herself and Major's philandering ways puts Nan on the path to meet Gannon a real man, one who's dark, secretive and dangerous yet Nan cannot help but feel drawn to him and safe in his arms.  The affair doesn't last long but it changes Nan's life in ways she never sees coming.  Will she go back to Major or will she decide she deserves more?

Abbi Glines did a wonderful job crafting this story.  She has given us two male leads who both see the beauty and strength of Nan beyond her bitchy exterior.  One of these characters is ready to step up while the other one doesn't even realize he's in love with her until it's too late.  This story is packed with a little bit of suspense and mystery and I can guarantee before the end you will be rooting for Nan because no matter what anyone's done in the past everyone deserves happiness and the love of a man who genuinely appreciates every single composition of their personality, all of it, the good and the bad.  

I thought this story was paced perfectly, I grew to love Nan and was in awe of her strength and self-awareness.  If there was anything I found "annoying" it was her constant inner dialogue and obsession with how many calories something contained and how hard she would have to work out to burn those calories off.  I found the constant mention of those things aggravating and for me personally it took away from her journey.

Up in Flames is a great conclusion to the Rosemary Beach series.  While we don't get to hear from all of our favorite characters, Abbi Glines does give us a few opportunities to check in with just about everyone.  Nan finds not only love but maybe also and more importantly joy and peace.  I for one am sad to say goodbye to the Rosemary Beach series!  Absolutely don't miss out on this book, give it no other thoughts, just one-click it today. 

Blog Tour and Review: The Matchmaker's Playbook (Wingmen Inc. 1), by Rachel Van Dyken

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Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.

From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule…

The Matchmaker's Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

Review
4.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit after finishing The Matchmaker's Playbook I can confidently admit I'm a big fan of this new  Rachel Van Dyken series.  It was a everything I have come to expect and love when I one-click one of her books.  The story was fun, full of clever witty dialogue and I'm just going to go ahead and say it...this time around she takes the "steam" to a whole new level and she did it perfectly!

Ian and his best friend Lex run Wingmen Inc. It's a referral run business which specializes in helping women not only get the guy of their dreams, but help them become confident in their own bodies.  The concept may seem a bit outrageous but Ian's motives for even creating this business come from a good, self-less place and from the moment he's introduced you won't be able to help but falling for this book boyfriend. Needless to say Blake a new client who also happens to be his best friend's new roommate will shake Ian to his core, but the real question is whether or not Ian is willing or even capable of risking everything for a chance at love.

When it comes to love all bets are off and rule breaking is essential!  The chemistry between Ian and Blake is off the charts.  These two have so many sweet moments but their banter will have you literally laughing out loud!  Perfectly paced with just the right amount of "drama" mixed into the story I predict you will enjoy this story as much as I did.  A perfect start to what's sure to be an outrageously funny new series. Go ahead and give The Matchmaker's Playbook a one-click, it's so much fun, you definitely don't want to miss out on this one!

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About Author Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .

Links:

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1407369649&sr=8-2-ent

Blog Tour and Review: Vegas Love, by Jillian Dodd

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Synopsis

Hollywood actress, Ashlyn Roberts, just had the worst week of her life. Her ex released a sex tape of them and just when she was convinced her current boyfriend was a keeper for standing by her side, he breaks up with her at a friend’s wedding. She’s planning to drown her sorrows in booze when she meets a sexy stranger as she’s leaving the wedding and they end up in Vegas, married.

Cash Crawford is offered a dream job working with his brother as a junior talent agent. He’ll put his shiny new law degree to good use and make a bunch of money in the process. His first task is simple: Keep Ashlyn Roberts out of trouble and don’t sleep with her.

Which might be kind of tough, since they definitely consummated their Vegas wedding.

Will this one night stand end in the quickie divorce they promised each other? Or will they realize they got lucky in love?

Excerpt

She pulls me into a limo. “Where are we going?” I ask. Not that I care. At this point, I’d go just about anywhere with this girl. She’s amazing. And I don’t just mean the sex—which was practically mind-blowing. She’s gorgeous and funny as shit.
“Vegas.”
“I’m surprised you’d want to go there after—” She grabs my lips in her fingertips and shuts them, giving me fish lips.
“Rule number one,” she says. “No talking about the past. Other than I’m going to say that the last two times I’ve been in Vegas have been big disappointments. Give me a minute. I need to make a call.”
“Who are you calling?”
“Carter Crawford. He doesn’t know it yet, but we’re going to borrow his plane. I happen to know he’s not leaving here until tomorrow afternoon. Do you know him?”
“The best man?” I ask. I consider telling her that I know Carter quite well, since he’s my brother, but I don’t. She wants a no-names-kind-of night. Which is funny considering everyone knows the actress Ashlyn Roberts, who’s well-known for her blockbuster movie roles, red carpet antics, and bubbly personality.
“After the breakup with Luke and before I started dating Zach, Carter took me to Vegas,” she says, causing me to tense up. Just the thought of her fucking anyone other than me—particularly my brother—threatens to rip me apart. How can I possibly feel so crazy jealous over her already? It was just sex. Wasn’t it? “I thought our trip would be romantic with a whole lot of hot and sweaty, you know, but nothing happened between us. His brother, Cade, is my agent, and he was just trying to cheer me up.”
I breathe easier, then let my lips graze down her neck. “If hot, sweaty, romantic Vegas is what you want, Hotass. It’s what you’ll get.”
“I need a wig though.”
“Why?”
“So no one recognizes me, silly. I have a fake ID. Sometimes, I just want to go out without it being a scene. Tonight is one of those nights.”
“I bet we can find you a wig in Vegas.”
“Ha, you’re right,” she says as I pull her on my lap and kiss her again.

We fuck on the plane.
Twice.
Drink some more.

When we land in Vegas, we go directly to a store where she sends me in to buy a wig.
“What kind?” I ask.
“Long and blond.”
“Hot,” I say.
“While you do that, I’ll get us set up in a hotel.”
When I get back in the town car, she tells the driver which hotel to take us to.
“I’ve never stayed here before,” she says, pulling on the wig. “You go get the key, okay? I told them your name was Harry Tripping and not to ask for ID.”
“That’s funny.”

We ride the elevator to one of the upper floors and enter a sprawling suite. “Very nice. You have good taste.”
“Only the best for our wild one-night stand.”
A butler appears out of nowhere. “Anything you need?”
“Nothing he can’t give me,” she says, pulling on my tie and giving me a naughty grin.
I send the butler away then lead her over to the windows. “Look at this view.”
“Ohmigawd! Look! The Bellagio fountains are starting!” She leans against the glass and looks down. “Wow. This is kinda trippy.”
I push my hips into her ass, somehow ready for round—hell, I lost count. Two times at the wedding, a blow job in the limo, joined the mile high club twice, so round—six. Doesn’t matter though, my Johnson is raring to go. I wrap my arms around her waist, kiss her neck, and finger her while she watches the fountains rise. She reaches back and slides her hand down my pants.
“You’re hard again,” she says, seemingly surprised.
“You turn me on,” I whisper.
“Do me right here. I feel like I should say your name—but this is a still a no-names-kind-of night, right?”
“That’s what you wanted. I’m still calling you Hotass because, you”—I lift her skirt, slide off her panties, and slap her naked butt—“have a very hot ass.”
“Oh!” she says when I spank her. She guides me into her and as I start thrusting, she bends over more—putting her arms out and her hands flat against the glass.
“This is like a fantasy,” she says, moving against me in time with the fountains. “Do you think when they do the big finale you can come?”
“I’d rather make you come.”
“Spank me again, then.”
I pull back, but not out, giving myself just enough space to smack her ass before plunging deep inside her.
“Oh, god! Do it harder! Oh, fuck, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!”
And just before the fountains stop, she collapses against the window.

Review

4.5 out of 5 stars

Vegas Love is without a doubt a super fun, sexy read.  Imagine what would happen if two young, good looking people with instant chemistry met at a wedding, went to Las Vegas for a fun night and ended up married.  Now imagine if those two were actually made perfectly for one another?  Would they have the courage to uncover their true feelings and fight for love and happiness or would they call it a mistake, move on and do their best never to look back?  This is the question Jillian poses as she takes us on an adventure with two very endearing characters Ashlyn and Cash.

Ashlyn is a young movie star on the rise with a string of bad publicity which she doesn't seem to be able to escape.  It never fails that for every single one of her bad decisions someone is there to catch her in the act, it also doesn't help like most every other girl she just wants to be loved and protected.  Her rise to stardom was quick, and at her core she is a genuine person who always believes the best in those around her.  Unfortunately though this characteristic has left her open and vulnerable to those willing to take advantage of her for a chance at their own fame.

Cash, licking his wounds from a failed relationship with someone whom it took a long time to realize really wasn't his HEA has decide to take his brother Carter, an agent,  up on a job offer and return to his roots in LA.  Little does he realize the woman he married on a whim would be his first assignment, one in which he promised to keep his hand off of.  

So what did I love about this book?  For one thing the chemistry between Ashlyn and Cash.  I love how protective of her he is, watching him take care of her and stick up for her melted my heart every single time. When it came to Ashlyn he was completely selfless, and that's how I knew it was love. They seemed to get one another and to be honest they make a great team, together they are the kind of people you love reading about, and no matter what the author throws at them you keep wanting to see how they will react, will it make them stronger or will it tear them apart?  These situations are what made the story good.  They were creative curve balls which forced each character to push beyond their boundaries as individuals and as a couple.  They each need one another more than they initially realized.  Jillian kept me on my toes each and every time a she a new challenge was presented.  

Vegas Love was a perfect escape with two characters I really enjoyed getting to know.  If you love Jillian Dodd's other books this one will suck you in perfectly and if you've never read one of her masterpieces before then this is as good of a place as any to start.  Her stories never disappoint, if anything I didn't want to have to tell these two goodbye!

About Author Jillian Dodd

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy. She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

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