Because of Her by Jewel E. Ann Release Blitz

“If sin weren’t pretty, it wouldn’t be so tempting.”

I was an accomplished music professor.
Happily single.
Perfectly content.

Now, I’m unemployed.
Pining for a dark, brooding guy named Jack who lives in a garage with a piano.
And I’m plotting to seduce a married man because his daughter is responsible for my nephew committing suicide.

I don’t know why teenage girls are so mean.
I don’t know why rich men cheat on their wives.
And I don’t know why Jack has serial killer vibes, even though he leaves me speechless every time he speaks.

All I know for sure is that I feel safe in a stranger’s arms and understood by someone I don’t understand.

“You should be a little scared of everyone because humans are unpredictable.”

How far will I go for revenge? More than that…
How far will he go to save me?

Reader Advisory: This book contains material involving sexual assault and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Jack & Jill series!
For book one, End of Day, click HERE.
For book two, Middle of Knight, click HERE.
For book three, Dawn of Forever, click HERE.
For book four, One, click HERE.
For book five, Out of Love, click HERE.

 

 

Book 6
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Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
While Because of Her is listed as a Jack & Jill standalone, I would advise against reading it as such. For new readers, while they may not be lost or confused, they will miss out on the emotional journey, with a tinge of confusion as past events are mentioned here or there. For new readers who do finish the novel as a standalone, enjoy it, then realize they wish to start the Jack & Jill series at End of Day, the entire series plotlines will be spoiled.

Because of Her is book six in the Jack & Jill series.

While I won't be giving out a comprehensive rundown of events, I do need to warn that there are some pretty heavy triggers on the pages. Multiple suicides. Violence. On-scene sexual assault, where even when Frankie was initiating, none of it was ever consensual in my opinion.

First and foremost, I applaud a story between two mature adults in their forties and fifties. Smoking hot chemistry, tension, and revenge hijinks, as sparks fly between Jackson and Frankie.

Jackson Knight/Jude Day is the connection to the Jack & Jill series, bringing along all the important cast members, while revealing their happily ever afters for returning readers.

Frankie is a new character, paths crossing with Jackson when she is tasked with packing up her twin's home after her twin, sister-in-law, and nephew all unalived themselves within less than a year.

The beginning first few pages were confusing to me, where Frankie talks around events while at the cemetery, but I soldiered forth, only for the pages to melt away. I read the book in two sittings.

Jackson is there to surveil and end the last member from his past that is putting his family at risk. Meanwhile, Frankie discovers her nephew's grieving girlfriend may have had a hand in ending his life. The girl just so happens to be the daughter of the very man Jackson is there to end. They are both a help and a hindrance to each other's revenge pacts.

The first 40% was banterific. With a lack of morals, the petty revenge plot was hilariously entertaining for me to read. Dark yet dry humor that entertained me to no end. Not only between Jack and Frankie, but more so Frankie with Molly and both of her parents. The revenge plot was darkly entertaining. While Frankie played "Iris" with Jackson's target, I sensed there was only one direction for this storyline to go, and it was nowhere good, so I was creeped out during every single one of their interactions, especially when it painfully ended exactly where I suspected.

The last 60% wasn't nearly as fun or entertaining. It was a dark yet painful story to read, where there were small sparks of hope or humor, yet not enough to lend levity to such painful subject matter. That portion of the story was harder to read, slower, where I had to put the book down to emotionally regroup but also regain interest in continuing.

In the end, all I want to do is go back and reread the series from End of Day to re-experience the series from start to finish again.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is officially the sixth book in the series, but in many places you will not see the fourth book, One, in the series list, so you may have that goodness to read as well as this new release!

I recently reminded myself of all this Knight & Day/Jack & Jill – what a fabulous week of reading leading up to this latest installment. This is definitely a series where I could happily enjoy new books in years to come, because the twins and their loves and lives are extraordinary, and hugely entertaining.

Jackson lost his love, focused his protective attention on their daughter, and then had to acknowledge that she had someone else who made it his life's work to do that job. He now has to make sure that ALL the people who could possibly cause problems have been removed from the world. By some rather wonderful turn of fate, he finds that someone else also has his target in her sights, but for a very different reason, and with a lot less training.

Frankie has lost her brother, his wife, and their son to suicide – and it seems that a horrible letter from the nephew's girlfriend may have been his trigger. She cannot let this go, but the girl's family are all powerful and her method of revenge may not succeed. She is currently between jobs as a music professor, so decides that she has time for her best attempt.

Whilst she stays in their home readying it for sale, she meets the very unusual tenant of their neighbour – yep, Jack – and his grand piano living in the garage. These two damaged but gorgeous people share a love of music and a fear of entanglement, but fate and chemistry ignore such issues in a truly fabulous way.

Jewel E. Ann has done such justice to the story for Jack to move forward and find his happily ever after with someone completely different and yet just as dubious as to the chance of finding happiness out of loss. I pretty much read this book in one sitting – falling asleep only once I knew everything was going to be just as I wished it to be.

Utterly engaging and heaped with memories, full of new chances and deep feelings of love, respect, and passion. A very enjoyable read, thank you.

 

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel E. Ann!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Jewel's Jonesies

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Because of Her (Jack & Jill #6) by Jewel E. Ann to read and review.

Right Guy, Wrong Word by Jewel E. Ann Release Blitz

Do books have souls?

Anna Black has the perfect novel choice for her book club. She also has a sexy new neighbor who jumps at the opportunity to join fellow bookworms in discussing her pick for their summer read.

It’s lust at first sight and the marriage of two literary souls.

The charismatic owner of a new T-shirt store in Des Moines’s East Village, Eric Steinmann, has a confident air and an irresistible “mating dance.” He’s almost perfect… until he says the wrong word.

Will Anna and Eric write their own story? Or will their chemistry die when fiction turns into reality?

Author’s Note: Right Guy, Wrong Word was originally written as a short story, The Last Person. It’s been revised with significant changes to the original content and extended into a full-length novel.

 

 

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Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Right Guy, Wrong Word is a previous short story expanded into a full-length novel.

Sweet. Lighthearted. Banterific. Humorous. A quick and light afternoon or weekend read. A perfect summer read with a Hallmark Movie vibe (that's a good thing) Meet Cute embarrassment.

Eric is Anna's new neighbor, joining them for book club. He totally trashes Anna's Book of the Month pick. I do have to agree with Eric when it comes to over-description and show vs tell. Otherwise, Eric comes off as pretentious.

Loads and loads of banter, where in the right mood, it comes off as humorous and delightful. In the wrong mood, it could get annoying fast. A little forced if not in the right mindset.

Push-pull. Anna is vibing with Eric but equally annoyed at him. So was this reader. Eric got beneath my skin but not necessarily in a good way and I was in the Hallmark Movie mindset.

I enjoyed the banter, the book chatter, and the mating dance between Eric and Anna.

A delightful afternoon read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a story which started life as a short story and has been expanded – I am very grateful that this is the case, as it is a good read!

In a way the title says it all, Anna meets this super hot guy, Eric, who has just moved in her block and invites him to her book club. He then proceeds to say that he disliked the book and shatters her dreams... although he doesn't understand just how she can be so set on not giving them a chance because of one differing opinion.

As the reason is revealed – in a most unexpected way – it seems like even the attraction has been severed by that discovery. Life moves on and we then move forward a number of years and fate brings them back together again. Anna has moved on, but still in her heart holds the view that her shattered dream was due to him, rather than the book itself.

What is clever here is that we know that they have a connection which is holding them back, and yet they are busy with life, and it is easier to ignore it and move on. We may even know that feeling, and that little niggle in the back of our minds as to whether that really was a sensible decision. That tension keeps the level of engagement and need to turn the pages high. I raced through to find out just what did happen in the end, and how that traumatic revelation at a book club changed the future of two people hugely attracted to each other.

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel E. Ann

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Jewel's Jonesies

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Right Guy, Wrong Word by Jewel E. Ann to read and review.

If This Is Love by Jewel E. Ann Release Blitz

He's mine... don't ever forget that.

Milo lives in the barn, a cowboy through and through.
I live in a castle, but I'm not a princess.

When the only person who loves me dies, Milo's there.
As I get older, I no longer look at Milo like a big brother. I look at him like the man God made just for me.

With the first glimpse of freedom from my pathetic excuse for a father, I imagine a future with Milo. I dream of the day when we won't have to hide our feelings.

But Milo has a secret. He is not free.
The man I love is marrying the woman I hate.

 

 

Buy Links

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Audiobook (US)  ~  Hardcover (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars. Did I love it? Did I loathe it? Did I love that I loathed it? Can't decide.

Are you looking to take a hefty dose of angst? Then this is the novel for you.

This review is free of spoilers as I want readers to go in just as blind as I did. I just opened the book, didn't even read the blurb. It's written by Jewel E. Ann, which means I'd read it even if it was a grocery list.

No matter what Jewel E. Ann put Indie through, I was rooting for her. Let me tell ya, Indie was put through the wringer. The novel begins with Indie grieving her mother, where she finds succor with Milo, the much older ranch manager and emotionally supportive friend. Sounds delicious, right?

Add in nonstop twists and turns, evil familial nemesis, betrayals, heartache, heartbreak, moral ambiguity, angst, more angst, another dump truck full of angst, and a hero that I felt was sometimes cowardly and not deserving of my Indie. The world is against Indie and Milo, but I felt Milo helped it along the way.

Honestly, this nervous energy swirled around me as I read the novel, frustration causing me to speed-read. Once I calm down, now that I know the conclusion, I think I could actually enjoy reading it again without having an anxiety attack the whole time. Hey, I guess that was a testament to how emotionally invested I became, right?

Are you a fan of Yellowstone? Is Beth your spirit animal? Is Rip your favorite hero? Do you not mind when they do things that are in a moral gray area? Here, read this book.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This was a story full of unexpected turns and twists in the plot. I found it a very engaging read, and really had no clue how it was going to work out how I wanted it to!

We meet Indie when she is first grieving the loss of her adopted mother, and consoled by the ranch manager and her avowed best friend, Milo. Their affinity for each other is obvious, in spite of the age gap and Milo's respectfulness. As time moves on, these snippets of growing love and romance are thwarted in the most complex of ways, which you need to read for yourself!

I have been left thinking about this story more than many others – in fact, I think it is one of those that I need to talk about with a friend who has read it, to unpick just how it made me feel!

 

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel E. Ann

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Jewel's Jonesies

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of If This Is Love by Jewel E. Ann to read and review.

Before Us by Jewel E. Ann Release Blitz

I never saw him coming.

I didn’t know what would happen after my client found me sleeping in my car.

I’d been cleaning his house as his wife was dying.

I didn’t expect them to invite me to live with them.

I didn’t expect Suzie to become my lifeline—until she was gone.

I didn’t expect him to ask me to marry him when he found out I needed medical insurance.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with a grieving man.

There are so many reasons to keep my distance from Zach. Every tender moment secreted away.

When we’re not together, I miss the man I call husband.

Does he miss his wife? If so, which one?

 

 

Buy Links

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Hardcover (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a really complex love story which should be sponsored by a tissue company, because I should warn you that tears are pretty much guaranteed – both of the devastated and also joyous variety.

What was fascinating to me as I read it was that Zach and Em were communicating, but not hearing each other – with good reason maybe – but so many times I find myself suggesting communication is the answer... and yet, even that failed in this situation. Utterly engaging, I read it through the night, which at least meant I wasn't embarrassed on my commute! No jokes, tears flowed, but pages kept turning and this was the story with all the feels done beautifully.

Gorgeous, moving, amazing... thank you, Jewel E. Ann.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
I always forget how immersive Jewel E. Ann can be, then I open to the first page and I am completely hooked. Every emotional string I possess is plucked from start to finish. Before Us is no different.

Warning: have the tissues ready. If you're not in a good headspace to have a good cry, then I'd suggest waiting. Before Us is great if you want to snot out your feelings, left in a relaxed puddle of WOW.

Friendship. Love. Loss. Grief. Insecurities. Every facet of the human condition.

Suzanne. Zach. Emersyn. This is very much a threesome, even when one of them is gone. Suzie is present in the novel, moving Zach and Emersyn throughout their journey.

At face value, Emersyn seems like the selfless martyr that takes emotional gut punch after gut punch, but the underlying strength resonated with this reader.

Zach and Emersyn's communication was faulty at best, each hearing what fed their insecurities and issues versus what was actually being expressed. But instead of labeling this as a plot driven by miscommunication, I'd say this was expertly written as all the facets of the human condition. No matter how frustrating, it was so very realistic, human, how Zach and Emersyn interacted with one another.

Have a tissue ready and pick up Before Us if you're in need of an emotional release. I'm going to keep this novel in my arsenal, rereading when I need to let it all out.

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel E. Ann

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Jewel's Jonesies

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Before Us by Jewel E. Ann to read and review.

Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann Blog Tour

Conspiracies. Corruption. Serial killers.

You name it—I'm fascinated by it. My mom always blamed my overly curious and highly suspicious mind on my dad.

My incredibly overbearing dad.

Mr. No One Is Good Enough For My Daughter has been terrifying my dates since I turned fifteen.

College is my chance to be free from his control and date any guy I want.

I'm absolutely certain he would hate Slade Wylder—almost as certain as I am that I do too.

Since when have I shied away from trouble?

Slade fascinates me. He lives in a house I'm certain is haunted. His dog is trained as well as any guard I've ever seen. Rumor on campus is that he deals drugs. It would explain a lot.

But it doesn't explain why he saves me from my darkest moment.

It doesn't explain why I can't stop thinking about him.

And the explanation I finally discover is far more dangerous than any rumor.

 

 

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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

After their kissy-huggy greeting ended, they walked toward the house with Jericho in tow. I waited for him to glance back at me. He saw me. There was no way he passed me a few seconds earlier on the street and didn’t see me. Yet, he made no attempt to acknowledge me.

Until…

My boy Jerry stopped abruptly and turned like he caught whiff of my scent. All the warm fuzzies filled my chest. A dog gave me more feels than any man had given me in a long time. Maybe ever.

Jericho liked me. Hell, maybe he loved me.

He protected me.

He smiled when he saw me—tongue out, tail in a low wag. I continued my way up the sidewalk, feigning surprise when he trotted toward me in spite of Slade barking his own command.

“Hey, Jerry.” I squatted down to give him double the love Miss Sophisticated gave him… and I had a treat in my pocket because part of me anticipated—hoped for—a chance encounter. “Oh, buddy… I love you too.” I closed my eyes and turned my face side to side while he showered me with kisses.

Slade cleared his throat.

I opened my eyes—noticing his friend must have gone inside. “Sorry.” I stood, sliding a treat into Jericho’s mouth along the way. “I know it’s hard for you to know he likes me more.” On a shrug, I bit my lips together to keep my shit-eating grin under control.

“Inside,” he said to Jericho while looking at me.

Jericho turned and headed to the back door.

“If you have a job to do… Jerry can hang with me tonight. I’m alone this evening.”

“Jericho. And he doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“Maybe I do.”

His brow tensed a fraction, contemplation settling into a slight frown for a few seconds, before he whistled and Jericho came running. “Send him home when your friends get back.”

Why was the only word that sat on the tip of my idle tongue? Why protect me?

“What are you going to do?” Okay, apparently “why” wasn’t the only word on the tip of my tongue after all. Six other words were in line first.

“Does it matter?”

Letting my gaze settle over his shoulder to the firehouse and images of Miss Sophisticated waiting for him, I lifted a single shoulder. “No. Just curious. Is she your girlfriend?”

“Does it matter?”

“I hate you.” I rolled my eyes. “Worst communication skills ever.”

“Good. Hate me. I prefer it.”

I recoiled. I didn’t really hate anyone. It wasn’t my personality to be hateful, vengeful, or hold grudges. Why did Slade Wylder want me to hate him? It was a joke. I hated his lack of sharing information.

“If you’re selling her some shit that will ruin her life, may I suggest you rethink that? Not cool, Wylder.”

“Noted.”

Tipping my chin up, I gave him several tiny nods. “Okay then. I’ll take Jerry to my house and spoil him. Maybe he comes back to you… maybe he doesn’t.”

Slade let his gaze slide down my body, a slow and easy trip. He didn’t do that when we met. Somewhere along the way, he decided it was okay. I wasn’t sure what reaction he desired from me.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe he did it out of pure selfish desire.

“I’m only allowing this because I love Jerry.”

Curious eyes met mine, slightly squinted.

I smirked. “Stripping me with those eyes of yours.”

Moments…

I collected moments in my mind, my heart, my soul, like Aubrey collected rare coins—my mom dying, my dad spending a few years thoroughly drunk. Mostly bad moments—permanent scars.

That moment I tucked into my memory forever as one of the first truly great moments.

Wylder…

The corners of his mouth quirked into pure sin. If Satan was hot as fuck, his name would have been Slade Wylder, and I would have been in a whole helluva lot of trouble.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

First things first, how does Out of Love connect to the Jack & Jill series?
Livy is Jackson and Ryn's daughter, acting like a perfect combination of her parents.

Secondly, should you read Jack & Jill first? Yes, because this story is one large spoiler, making it impossible to go back and read the series, because not only do you know the outcome of who ends up with whom, but also tragic scenarios along the way.

Livy is an overprotected daughter, fighting for her independence. What do you expect for the daughter of Jackson, right? She can barely take a breath without her father or aunt determining if she's breathing deeply enough.

This independent woman is striving to become a lawyer, her ultimate goal to enter politics. She doesn't party like the rest of her college classmates. Livy is into surfing and bad boys.

In walks in Slade, with his German Shepard, Jericho... and that's all I can tell you about him.

Out of Love was read in one sitting, cover to cover, as I had to know what happened next. Having been far too long since I read Jack & Jill, I struggled to place Livy in the family. But where it helped me is that I had forgotten the details that would have turned to clues in the mystery. Maybe if I reread, I still would have been taken by surprise. Slade was not in Livy's life for the reason I expected him to be, and I was giddy because I had no idea what was going on, thrilled to be surprised.

Why not 5 Stars?

The connection between Livy and Slade. It just wasn't there for me. Toward the end, I was invested. But where it suffered was due to Slade's lack of communication with Livy. While I fully understand why Slade didn't communicate, this took away the much-needed conversations for the reader to see Slade and Livy bonding, for the reader to understand them both together. Causing the story to not have much of an emotional gut-punch.

The only non-verbal character that made an impact on everyone around him was Jerry, aka Jericho. A simple growl told an entire story. The dog was the star of the novel.

Highly recommended to fans of the author and those who wish to continue on with the Jack & Jill series. I have a strong craving to binge a reread, as well as crossing my fingers we haven't heard from the last of this set of characters. One in particular, we need to know how his future played out.

 

 

 

 

JEWEL E. ANN is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author a with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Jewel’s Jonesies Facebook Group

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann to read and review for this tour.

Fortuity by Jewel E. Ann Blog Tour

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes a sexy, unforgettable, and powerful story about unexpected love, sacrifice, and daring to dream again.

Forty-something Gracelyn Glock is living the dream.
No husband.
No retirement plan.
And since her self-imposed man-ban—no need to shave above her knees.

After a tragic accident, Gracelyn inherits her ten-year-old nephew. She signs a lease on a San Diego beach house and learns their neighbors for the summer are a sexy anatomy professor and his young daughter.

Professor Nathaniel Hunt has spent the last decade being a single dad… and not having sex.

So when he discovers Gracelyn has a peculiar outdoor stripping ritual, a million inappropriate thoughts fill his responsible mind.

When kisses are stolen, man-bans are broken, and summer comes to an end, will hearts stay in one piece and hope stay alive? Or will saying goodbye destroy everything?

Book 3
Buy Links

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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

“What took you two so long? Don’t worry, we saved you some cake.” Mr. Hans smiles from his recliner with Hunter on the sofa, her thumbs dancing along her phone screen. Gabe will get along well with her.

“Cake, Morgan?”

My steps falter when I hear Nate’s voice from the kitchen.

Mr. Hans winks at me. “I invited Nate for cake too.”

I nod slowly. “I see. Whose birthday is it?”

“Life is a celebration. Cake needs no excuse.”

So much for having some time to digest what Nate said to me and my flirty reaction to his kiss comment. I put on a neutral face and drag my timid ass into the kitchen.

“Cake, Gracelyn?” Nate glances up from the counter, a knife in one hand and a plate in his other hand.

“Mmm… yes, Gracelyn. You want cake.” Morgan rolls her eyes back in her head as she slowly chews a bite, standing next to Nate.

How am I supposed to look at him when I saw him barely an hour ago and he said he wanted to kiss me, and I returned the desire without the actual kiss? I guess we’re going to be two people who want to kiss but know that it will never happen.

“Thank you.” I take the cake, giving Nate a two-second glance. It’s all I can give him without completely self-combusting into a pile of ashes.

“Mr. Hans… this is so good.” Morgan traipses out of the kitchen.

“It is good. I haven’t had cake in a long time.” I slowly lick the frosting from the fork.

Nate glances at the floor, eyes narrowed, and hunches down. After a few seconds, I move around to his side of the island.

“Did you drop something?”

Hunched like a baseball catcher, gaze still to the floor, he crooks a finger at me.

I set my plate on the counter. “Did you lose a contact lens?” I squat next to him behind the counter.

He lifts his gaze to meet my squinted eyes. The corner of his mouth bends just as his hand slides behind my head and his lips press to mine.

What the hell?

My lungs freeze while my heart pauses and my mind explodes. There’s no tongue to this kiss, just hungry lips. It knocks me off balance, and I fall to my knees, resting my hands on his shoulders.

Nate pulls back half an inch, letting his lips hover next to mine, the warmth of his breath covering my stunned mouth. “I’m not even sorry.” He shrugs.

My mouth opens as if it wants to speak, but I have no idea what to say.

“Dad…”

Nate bolts up, leaving me on my knees. “Yes?”

“Can Hunter use—” Morgan’s eyes narrow at me, my head barely peeking over the counter. “Gracelyn, what are you doing?”

“I’m…” I give her a tight smile.

Nate says, “Picking up a few crumbs.”

At the same time, I say, “Tying your dad’s shoe.”

His explanation is much better.

Morgan laughs. “Um… okay. You’re both acting weird.”

I climb to my feet.

“Can Hunter use what?” Nate asks.

“Your bike so we can go for a bike ride.”

“Are you going to stay around here?”

Morgan nods. “Pinky swear. We won’t go too far.”

“I’ll need to put the seat down for her.”

“Yes! Thanks, Dad. I’ll go tell her.” Morgan runs out of the kitchen.

Nate covers the cake with plastic wrap and nods to my plate with the half-eaten piece of cake. “Are you going to finish that?”

Cake. He wants to talk about the cake?

My head inches side to side.

“Too good to let it go to waste.” He picks up the plate and finishes my cake.

YOU KISSED ME!

“By the way…” His gaze remains on the plate as he scoops up the last bite. “Morgan knows I know how to tie my own shoes.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
A very strong 5 stars of wonderful humour in a fabulous love story.

This is the third book in the series but is also advertised as being a standalone. I have to admit that as soon as I get the time, I will be reading the previous two books, because this is a such a lovely book I am keen to get more.

I have laughed more reading this book than I would have ever expected, particularly given the first few pages. Really there are moments of great sadness, but the general feeling in the book is of great opportunity and a chance for Gracelyn and Nate, two rather damaged people, to find real love.

I am finding it quite difficult to know how to explain just how good it is and how much it made me smile, without giving away any of the good bits that will be best enjoyed being read directly. I loved the mystery about her job, the misunderstanding which led to a hilarious hair disaster. The bonding over Gabe and Morgan moments, Mr. Hans’ homespun wisdom, all combine to give one hope.

A truly glorious read; thank you so much, Jewel E. Ann, for a book I will treasure, and which now has prime spot at the very top of my comfort reads list.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 Weepy Stars

Fortuity is the third installment in the Transcend duology, which means it most certainly can be read as a standalone. Taking place nearly a decade after the end of Epoch, featuring Nate. One thing's for sure, new readers will drop everything to read Transcend and Epoch after completing Fortuity. I'd read them back-to-back in a single day, without taking a deep breath until I reached the end. I was THRILLED to get my hands on Nate's novel.

To be honest, I was weepy during the entire novel. Giddy tears, happy tears, bittersweet tears, grief-filled tears, laughing my butt off tears, and happily ever after tears.

What I loved the most is that the romance is between a pair of mature adults, both in their forties, both grieving while struggling to put their children first. It was mature, highly emotional, yet also unexpected moments of witty humor to bring the levity from the deeper emotions.

I easily empathized with Gracelyn from the very start. That line about being forty-one, childless, no direction in life, while everyone else around her has their act together... yeah, I think that will resonate with many.

Grieving three lost relationships, the unexpected role as the guardian of her 10 year-old nephew changes Gracelyn's life forever. She makes sacrifices, putting her nephew first in all things, and this new mindset helps her find a path through life. Gabe is your typical boy, more so as insurmountable grief surrounds him.

Nate. Nate. Nate. Professor Nathaniel Hunt made readers bleed with him during Transcend and Epoch. His daughter, Morgan, is the most precocious, super intelligent little girl, who became such a large character, she dominated all scenes she was in. Her uncomfortable questions had me losing my...

Secondhand embarrassment is a real thing, and I felt it alongside poor Gracelyn as she fielded woman-to-woman questions. Then there was the connection between Gabe and Nate, just a simple line of dialogue, that brought the weepiness back again.

Fortuity was filled with realism, the connections organically unfolding between all the characters. The romance was lifelike slow-burn, bringing a gamut of emotions.

The teaser prologue at the end of the novel had me ravenous to read what Jewel E. Ann publishes next. What a way to leave us hanging (not connected to this series).

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course… heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Connect with Jewel

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Fortuity (Transcend #3) by Jewel E. Ann to read and review for this tour.