Apr 18, 2023 | Amy Andrews, April 2023, Blog
Playing it Tough by Amy Andrews is the eighth installment in the Sydney Smoke Series, a cosmetic tattoo artist, a rugby player, and a twist on a celibacy pact- yes please! Wait, there’s more – forced proximity, neighbors with benefits trope, and deep fried hoho’s. No, that’s not a trope but trust me, it adds to the fun.
Amy writes her stories with compelling characters and takes us on their journey through a difficult subject matter of cancer and how they find their way. It’s a sensitive topic and for some, it can be a trigger. There are plenty of scenes that provide laughter, others you might shed a few tears. There is always the potential for hearts breaking as these characters reflect and grow through the unexpected. From the dedication page to the last I was unable to put this book down. Each reader has a reason they gravitate towards their books and no matter the season or reason, genre, trope, or author, this is a must read.
Ronan Dempsey is laser focused in his career aspirations to play rugby and will do whatever he must to stay focused on his game, distractions of any kind could lead to injury or dreams shattered in an instant. What will happen when needs to move out of his apartment, will he be able to focus after meeting his new “neighbor” or will his pact be in jeopardy?
Orla Stewart overhauled her life to stay healthy and loves her job as a cosmetic tattoo artist, a job with rewards that go beyond those she works with. Everyone handles the effects and impact of trauma and loss differently. Sometimes we need a village to find our way. When Orla meets Ronan her entire world will shift, can she stay focused on her plan, or will the sexy new neighbor force her to face her fears and reassess her rules?
Are we defined by our past, or does the past define our future? While we can’t predict it, some say our destiny is written in the stars, and others say it’s pure luck. Sometimes the path we think we need to take becomes a stepping stone. A landing to lead us to our next new adventure that is bigger and brighter than the one we imagined. To achieve our dreams we need to take a leap of faith. In our weakest moments if we accept help, it allows us to be vulnerable, and that’s when the magic happens.
If you’re looking for a scorchin hot read with off-the-charts chemistry, witty banter with frequent food references, and a “not having sex” layer seamlessly woven into the world of Sydney Smoke rugby one-click today.
Caution, this Scorchin hot read may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. So steamy the pages ignite. May include a dash of Erotic elements or elude to further exploration of desire and need. Trigger warning – cancer and mention of scars.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this advance reader copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Jul 16, 2018 | Amy Andrews, Blog, July 2018
Playing Dirty by USA Today Bestselling Author Amy Andrews is a Rugby romance with a wicked plot and it’s a must read. It’s the perfect escape from a hot summer day, a lazy day on the beach or anywhere you are! Grab a cool drink and cozy up for a bookcation like no other!
When you’re the coach’s daughter, there is only one golden rule…never date a player. Too bad Valerie King doesn’t listen ;). Valerie has spent her life consumed by a horrific accident that has left her family broken.
All grown up, Valerie would trade it all for her family to see her, and not what was lost. When she meets the sexy Kyle Leighton of the Sydney Smoke, all bets are off. Is her one-night of sin strictly a game or is she out to satisfy the one thing she can control, the ability to open up her heart and find love?
Kyle knows the rules as the newbie but forgot one important step. One hot night with a woman at a bar will potentially destroy everything he’s worked his entire life for. How will his family react when the past is dredged up and everyone he loves could be impacted from one mistake, years ago? Who will do the right thing?
A woman out for love and a man who will defy his team to keep the one thing he can’t give up. What will he do when he realizess that admitting it could mean the end of his career?
Would you take a risk on the ultimate once in a lifetime love? If you’re looking for a Scorchin hot sports romance, this is one-click worthy! Caution, may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C.
I love how Amy infused family, friendship, and a love that will curl your toes and leave you craving more.
I received an ARC from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
For information about USA Today Bestselling Author Amy Andrews check her out here.
AMAZON PURCHASE LINK
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Mar 2, 2018 | Authors Dish, Barbara Devlin, Blog, Harper Kincaid, March 2018, Rebecca Norinne
Welcome to Authors Dish where your favorite authors are sharing what they are reading. C’mon, even authors have a stash too!
In addition, if you enjoy reading their books they have suggestions for similar book adventures by other authors. It doesn’t get better than that!
Today in the cafe are USA Today Best Selling Author Barbara Devlin, Harper Kincaid, and USA Today Best Selling Author Rebecca Norinne.
Rae: Who are you reading?
Barbara Devlin: Currently on my bedside table is dog-eared copy of Marcel Proust’s Swann’s Way, specifically Part II, Swann in Love. I read Part I, Combray, and Part III, Place-Names, in grad school, but I’d never gone back and read the second part.
Harper Kincaid: My TBR list is ridiculous. An easier question is whom did I leave out? I read almost everything, in and out of romance.
Just finished Lynne Silver’s The Breeder – her new title with Carina. I don’t usually like dystopian anything, and I still really liked this one. But Lynne can write about love in a prison and it would work!
Rebecca Norinne: I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I currently have 642 unread books on my Paperwhite. I used to read over 100 books a year, but that’s slowed down quite a bit with my current writing schedule. Still, I do love reading and try to carve out time for it whenever I can. My favorite reads from 2017 included books from Melanie Harlow, Kristen Callihan, Emma Chase, and Sierra Simone. More recently, I loved Sarina Bowen‘s Man Hands and Billionaire, and I can’t wait for Penny Reid‘s Marriage of Inconvenience. I also have a not-so-secret love of Regency romances, and I will pre-order anything Maya Rodale ever writes.
Rae: If readers are a fan of your books, who should they consider reading?
Barbara Devlin: Well, that depends on the context. If you’re asking me for recommendations based on books similar to mine, I’d say there are none, because I’m the only Barbara Devlin, and no one writes like me. My voice is my own. However, I do have some very close author friends who are like me in that they are self-assured women with a strong sense of themselves, which shines through their stories. Of course, I have to recommend anything by Kat Le Veque, because she has a unique voice and prose, which fills her medieval worlds. Then there’s Tina De Salvo, who puts so much of her soul into her wonderful Second Chance novels that you can hear that Louisiana twang as you flip the pages. Then there are the Dog Walker Mysteries by the late Judi McCoy. Judi was my longtime mentor and critique partner, and I loved her dearly. I still miss her weekly phone calls, and the last book she dedicated to me, Till Death Do Us Bark, still sits on my desk, as inspiration.
Harper Kincaid: If your a fan of Harper Kincaid consider these authors… Lucy Parker, Vi Keeland, Melanie Moreland, Penelope Ward :).
Rebecca Norinne: People who are into my sports romance series also pick up books by Sarina Bowen, Amy Andrews, Sawyer Bennett, and Sara Ney, to name a few. Since these are all authors I personally enjoy reading, I consider myself in good company. Because my non-sports books jump around a bit in subject matter, it’s a bit harder to nail down just a few recommendations, but you can’t go wrong with Lauren Blakely, K. Bromberg, Christy Pastore, and A.L. Jackson. My latest series is set in a small, fictional wine country town, so if that’s more your thing, you’re in luck!
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Let me know dear readers if you try any of these books. I’ll see you next week – same time for new authors and more fun!
** Author Bios **
Barbara Devlin: USA Today bestselling, Amazon All-Star author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller, but it was a weeklong vacation to Bethany Beach, Delaware that forever changed her life. The little house her parents rented had a collection of books by Kathleen Woodiwiss, which exposed Barbara to the world of romance, and Shanna remains a personal favorite.
Barbara writes heartfelt historical romances that feature not so perfect heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. And she prefers feisty but smart heroines who sometimes save the hero before they find their happily ever after.
Barbara is a disabled-in-the-line-of-duty retired police officer, and she earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Twitter ~ Facebook
Harper Kincaid: Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. For years, she was a jill of all trades and a master of none, but is now tickled hot pink to pen stories that break and mend people’s hearts for a living. Kincaid believes seduction occurs from the neck up, which is why her characters are smart, sexy, and slightly quirky – and definitely worthy to be your next hard-core book crush.
When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl, the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh ’til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil’ town, Vienna, Virginia.
AUTHOR LINKS:
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Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon | Bookbub
Rebecca Norinne: USA TODAY bestselling author Rebecca Norinne writes steamy contemporary romance featuring strong, determined heroines and sexy, dominant heroes. If you love books filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters, she’s got a story for you.
When not writing, Rebecca is watching rugby, drinking craft beer, and traveling the globe in search of inspiration for her next story. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband, but is originally from California.
You can reach Rebecca at [email protected] or at any of the social media sites listed below. You can also subscribe to her newsletter by clicking here.
Feb 16, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Stefanie London, Taryn Leigh Taylor, Xio Axelrod
Welcome to Authors Dish where your favorite authors share what they are reading. In addition, if you enjoy reading their books they have suggestions for similar book adventures by other authors. It doesn’t get better than that!
Today in the cafe are Xio Axelrod, Taryn Leigh Taylor, and Stefanie London
Rae: Who are you reading?
Xio Axelrod: 
I recently discovered Santino Hassell, and I cannot get enough of him. The Five Boroughs series is so addictive, and now he has a football series. So good. Every new release from both Sonali Dev and Alyssa Cole is a must-buy for me. The same goes for Rhys Ford, Robin Covington, Sierra Simone, and Sarina Bowen. So many great books, so little time! 😊
Taryn Leigh Taylor: With the launch of Dare coming up, I’ve been indulging in some super sexy reads by Clare Connolly
(*swoon*), Jackie Ashenden (*fans self*), and Katee Robert (*oh yeah*). Also loving the delightfully raunchy Sydney Smoke rugby books by Amy Andrews and, my TBR pile would not be complete without some JD Robb, because there’s always room for Roarke!
Stefanie London: Who are you reading or have in your stash? My TBR is out of control. Seriously. I’m currently reading Princess in the Iron Mask by Victoria Parker, which came on high recommendation from my good friend Jennifer Hayward. Next on the TBR is Ruby Dixon (BEST sexy alien romance ever), Roni Loren’s The Ones Who Got Away and Alice Clayton’s Wallbanger.
Rae: If readers are a fan of your books, who should they consider reading?
Xio Axelrod: If you’re a fan of my humour, you’ll love Kristan Higgins, if you don’t already. If you love my angst, give Rhys Ford a read. She’ll break your heart and sew it back together. Susan Scott Shelley writes thoroughly satisfying hockey romance (and rock, and baseball…) And if you love my drama, check out Kim Golden’s Maybe Series. If you’re a fan of my realism, Sarah Hegger’s contemporaries will do it for you.
Taryn Leigh Taylor: If you’re a fan of Taryn Leigh Taylor, you might like the heart, humour and heat in books by likes of Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, Amy Andrews, or Stefanie London. And vice versa. *wink* Witty snark and sexual tension FTW!
Stefanie London: If you’re a fan of Stefanie London consider reading these authors… Lauren Layne and Sarah Morgan (although you’re probably already reading them because they’re amazing!) Also check out Taryn Leigh Taylor, she writes funny, sexy books with super hot hockey players. YES. PLEASE!
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Let me know dear readers if you try any of these books. I’ll see you next week – same time for new authors and more fun!
** Author Bios **
Xio Axelrod:
Xio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of love stories, contemporary romance and (what she likes to call) strange, twisted tales. She also writes erotica as Xio Nin.
Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, not-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and one part-time cat.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.xioaxelrod.com/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Xio-Axelrod/e/B00JCFOOHY Email Signup: https://eepurl.com/SunFL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XioAxelrod Twitter: https://twitter.com/xioaxelrod Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/xioaxelrod Google+: https://plus.google.com/+XioAxelrodPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/xioaxelrod/ Instagram: https:// https://instagram.com/xioaxelrod/
Taryn Leigh Taylor: Taryn Leigh Taylor likes dinosaurs, bridges, and space, both personal and of the final frontier variety. She shamelessly indulges in cliches, most notably her Starbucks addiction (grande-six-pump-whole-milk-no-water chai tea latte, aka: the usual), her shoe hoard (I can stop anytime I…ooh! These are pretty!), and her penchant for falling in lust with fictional men with great abs (yum!)
She also really loves books, which is what sent her down the crazy path of writing one in the first place.
Website: http://www.tarynleightaylor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarynltaylor1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarynltaylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarynltaylor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13696147.Taryn_Leigh_Taylor
Stefanie London: Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. Her favourite activity was going shopping with her Nan during school holidays, where she would sit on the floor of the bookstore with her little sister and painstakingly select the books to spend her allowance on. Thus, it was no surprise Stefanie was the sort of student who would read her English books before the semester started. After sneaking several literature subjects into her ‘very practical’ Business degree, she got a job in Communications. When writing emails and newsletters didn’t fulfill her creative urges, she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night. Now she lives in Melbourne with her very own hero and enough books to sink a ship. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, French perfume, high heels and zombie movies. At night she writes sexy, contemporary romance stories and tries not to spend too much time shopping online and watching baby animal videos on YouTube.
Website: http://stefanie-london.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StefanieLondonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stefanie_London
Jan 3, 2018 | Amy Andrews, Blog, January 2018
Are you still craving a holiday romance read? If so, you need to one-click Hanky-Spanky Christmas by Amy Andrews.
Darcy Henderson is all work with very little time for play. Will one night out at a new club in town change her perspective of a “good time?” Darcy is about to confront her deepest desires and find out what can happen when she finally discovers what she wants. I love a story that can blend humor with character growth and in this novella, it works brilliantly.
Mitch Callaghan lives in the same building as Darcy and the attraction between them is electric, but will they get enough courage to explore their feelings? Tis’ the season for being kind, even your nosy neighbors ;).
While the trees may be gone and the ornaments boxed up for next Christmas, the romance is strong. There is always room for a little holiday adventure with a lovable cast of characters and one hilarious scene that will keep you reading until the very last page.
A two and a half spicy latte bite-sized holiday read has the right amount of holiday spice and sweet delights that will keep you cozy and warm. Add laughable moments with a swoon-worthy hero and you have the recipe for the perfect book to weather any cold winter’s night. Oh, and for mature readers, 18+. I received this ARC from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Author Info:
Amy is an award-winning, best-selling Aussie author who has written over fifty contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She loves good books, fab food, great wine and frequent travel – preferably all four together. She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany. To keep up with her latest releases and giveaways sign up for her newsletter – https://www.amyandrews.com.au/newsletter.html
