Only Ever You by CD Reiss Blog Tour

From New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss comes a story of friendship, romance, and growing into a love that was always there.

Rachel knew exactly what turning thirty would be like. She had a plan, after all. First college, then a climb up the professional ladder. Love, marriage, children. All of it was on the schedule.

The cheap Hollywood apartment wasn’t on the list. Neither was the string of heartbreaks. Or the effect her mother’s cancer had on her career.

It’s hard to stay practical and on point when everything takes a left turn.

Enter Sebastian, the nerd across the street. The boy she defended when he couldn’t defend himself. The best friend she promised she’d marry if life didn’t go according to plan.

Not only is he successful, confident, and gorgeous, but he also still has their handwritten marriage contract.

No one goes through with childhood wedding pacts.

That’s crazy.

But their families might just be crazy enough to rent a hall and set a date. All Rachel and Sebastian have to do is fall in love.

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Author Interview with CD Reiss

Please introduce your newest release.

Only Ever You is about a girl who planned for everything but never got what she hoped for, and a dweeb who hoped he’d to marry the girl, but never planned for it.

Rachel and Sebastian have an interesting history. They were friends as kids, but have lost touch as adults...

They’re really strangers when they reunite at 30, but they’re burdened by what they think they know about each other. Sebastian was supposed to be an artist and Rachel was supposed to be a screenwriter. They have to shake all that stuff loose before they can see each other. When they do, they’re strangers.

I think attraction between strangers is real. Sexual heat is real. But "hearts and flowers" are earned. (I know that sounds like I’m your dad telling you to mow lawns, but that’s where the magic is. Not the lawns.) In the time just before you’re struck by lightning there’s a real electricity. It’s pure potential and anything can go wrong. It’s the best thing ever.

When they were kids they made up a 'contract' to get married at 30—which is pretty much panned when they do meet up and have the most awkward first kiss EVER. How do they overcome such an incredibly uncomfortable situation?

They overcome it by running away!

Sebastian is thinking “now or never” because he thinks Rachel’s never going to think he’s any cooler than when she sees him in the office of his own company. And she isn’t ready because her whole idea of herself is tied up in what a failure she is. Neither one of them is feeling good enough about themselves to have a really hot first kiss, which is the same reason they’re not ready to get married.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
I fell for Sebastian immediately! The nerdy boy turned buff, successful businessman! I love Reiss and her style shines through in this standalone with Sebastian being a confident and dominant lover with a flair for hot, dirty talk! Sebastian is home for the holiday and runs into his old neighborhood friend and high school crush. Rachel is a wonderful character you can really get behind and root for. She's just a bit stuck and not where she hoped to be by 30. Remembering the old pact she and Sebastian made when they were teens to marry each other if neither were taken by 30, Rachel finds herself, and Sebastian just might be exactly what she needs. The two had wonderful chemistry and the story had perfect pacing! It flew by quickly; perfect, sweet summer romance!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a marriage pact romance, involving two childhood friends who grew up together, promised to marry at 30 if they were still single, and then didn't see each other for over a decade. As their families apply some pressure to fulfil the contract, we watch as everything comes together and falls apart.

Seb was a bullied geek at school protected by neighbour Rachel. But he is all grown up now, and out of a very difficult relationship with a woman whose religion was more important than anything else. He's successful and wealthy, but very single. So when Rachel comes to visit her family and they see each other again, he finally admits to himself at least, that she is the woman he wants, and if he needs to use the contract to get his way, he will.

Rachel is trying to make her way as a script writer, but a delay in starting her career due to caring for her mum through cancer treatment. She is behind where she planned on being, but family come first. When she thinks that her mum is sick again, she will do anything to keep her happy – but marry Seb? He is all grown up and very attractive, but enter a fake marriage when she might want a real relationship...

As they get deeper into their lies to their folks, it gets more and more complicated, but there are enough fun scenes which suggest that they are going to work this out. The fact that both of them have people in their corner to voice their concerns and hopes is effective, and Wade is a blast!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
I know people who've done this: make a pact with your bestie of the opposite sex (or same sex) to marry each other if at the ripe old age of XX both of you are still single.

In this story, that's what Sebastian and Rachel did. They grew up on the same block, had each other's back, and were determined to go out and conquer the world. However, if they didn't find the loves of their lives by the age of 30, they would marry each other.

Fast forward 15 years and both Rachel and Sebastian are actually back home celebrating the holidays at the same time, and Sebastian just turned 30. Once their moms got wind of their little pact from years ago, they go into extreme MOM mode and begin making wedding plans.

Seb and Rachel go along with it for very different reasons. Seb's always been in love with Rachel and now's his chance to get the girl. Rachel thinks her mom's cancer has returned and will do anything to make her mother happy.

There're a lot of pitfalls and some romance along the way, but the pair finally get on the same page about what they want.

The writing was good, but there was just something a little off about the characters to me.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Rachel and Seb were best friends growing up. Rachel championed Seb when everyone else liked to bully him. When they were younger, they made a marriage pact that if they were both single at 30, they would get married.

Now, when they are both back home for the holidays, when they see each other, there is an attraction but so much history, both between them and their families, that a white lie will snowball.

Rachel is worried that her mom's cancer is returning and her mom just doesn't want to bother her with the news. Rachel knows that her mom thought she interrupted Rachel's life before. So, Rachel just wants to make sure that her mom is happy. And despite not feeling great about where she is in life, getting to know Seb again at this stage in their lives is something she didn't know she needed.

Seb is successful, attractive, and still a geek at heart. He has always had a thing for Rachel, even when they were younger. And when the opportunity presents itself, he's going to jump at his chance to finally get the girl.

I think where this story went wrong for me was that both main characters were so stuck in their younger days. They didn't act like 30-year-olds. Rather, they forgot they were adults and acted more like they were still 16. The back and forth, noncommunication, and doubt in themselves made this story drag along. I wanted them to be more adult and to find their existence together. Instead, this was more of a story of mishaps than romance.

After I left her and CJ with Lucinda, I spent the weekly staff meeting wondering if Rachel was the same warrior I’d loved or if she was more the woman who’d held her laptop to her chest as if she needed protection.

I was obsessed.

I had to know.

Her text came in as I was leaving the meeting.

I need to check that we’re kidding.

Before I could finish typing a response, I caught her coming out of the bathroom with her laptop under her arm.

Alone. Me and her. Nothing between us but the question of who we were and how we fit.

“Seb, I—”

She didn’t have a chance to finish. I crowded her back into the bathroom and locked the door behind us.

“Kidding about what?” I said.

“About getting married.”

“Why would that even be a question?”

“Our parents have been in negotiations about it.”

My mother couldn’t keep herself from talking if she tried, and I was her favorite subject.

“It might be a little soon for marriage, but—”

“Soon? I don’t like you seeing what I do for a living while you’re in a glass-walled office overlooking the ocean. I mean, I’m not marriage material, and the odds are that’s never going to change.”

“I don’t see why a date’s off the table.”

“Do you know what’s going to happen if we date?”

The list of possibilities was as long as my arm. I could have counted them off, from “We decide we hate each other” to “We end up in bed.” But I didn’t, because I was still trying to figure her out.

What did she want to hear?

With her wide eyes and parted lips, what did she want? Did she have a fondest wish where I was concerned? Was she leaning forward? Was her expression soft and yielding?

My mind spent too long deciding what to say, so my body spoke for me.

I kissed her hard and was met with teeth and stiff resistance. It was a kiss I’d wanted since I’d had hairless armpits and a voice somewhere in the low soprano range. I’d dreamed about it. Fantasized about it. Thought about it so hard in the middle of the night I could practically feel it.

But never, ever in my fantasies did she push me away so hard I fell back against a towel dispenser, watching her face twist into surprised rage as the machine spit out a ragged rectangle of brown paper.

“That was—”

“Messed up. I know.”

“Then why? What is wrong with you?”

She was livid, just like she would have been. Just like she should have been.

The tiger within Rachel was in there, and my attempt to tease her out had probably alienated her. She’d be right to never speak to me again.

“I’m sorry,” I said with my hand on the door lock. “I misread you. It won’t happen again.”

I started to open the door, but she held it closed.

“If we date, my mother’s going to get her hopes up that I’m going to settle down. And I’m sorry, Seb, but if we break up while she’s in chemo, it’s going to crush her.”

“You don’t even know if she’s sick again.”

“You’re right.” She pointed a rigid finger at me as if I were her mother. “I’m going to make her tell me.”

“You’re really beautiful when you’re telling it like it is.”

She slid her hand off the door. Having been called out, the warrior was sent into hiding.

No. I wouldn’t accept that. I wouldn’t allow it.

“Let’s just go out and catch up,” I said. “Saturday.”

“Can’t. Saturday’s the soonest I can talk to Mom.”

I unlocked the door. “I’m sorry about... the thing.”

“Kissing me?”

“No, wasting paper towels. Of course kissing you.”

“Next time, give a girl a little warning.”

Next time? Her eyes darted to the door. Was she calculating the distance to her getaway? Or making sure it was closed?

“How about now?” I asked.

“Now what?”

“Fair warning. Now.”

I stepped a little closer and put my hands on her arms. Not right away. I let them hover an inch away before touching her to give her the chance to move away. A chance I was sure she’d take.

“Seb, really?”

But she didn’t move away.

Not this time. When I laid my hands on her biceps, she leaned in to me just a little. I smelled the floral lotion on her skin and a hint of cool water on her breath.

“Really.” I slid the laptop from her arms and placed it on the counter. “This is your warning.”

You’re doing this. I cannot believe you’re doing this.

“It doesn’t feel like a warning,” she said, and again—I noted—she didn’t move away.

“Flashing red lights.” My lips brushed her cheek, heading for her mouth. She felt better than I ever imagined. “A buzzer, maybe.”

“Just a kiss?” she asked, her lips moving against mine.

Before I could consummate what she was agreeing to, I was smacked by a swinging door.

“Oh!” CJ said. “I’m sorry! I was looking for you.”

Rachel snatched up her laptop and walked out. CJ raised an eyebrow with good reason, since I was in the ladies’ room. I left, and we all gathered in the hall.

Awkward.

“Well,” Rachel said. “Thanks for showing us your tedious financial-sector company.”

“Thank you for coming,” I said and let them walk away. I could have done or said much more, but not without getting her into trouble. She glanced back at me when they turned the corner, as if she wanted to make sure I was still there.

CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.

Reiss is frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

Connect with Christine

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CD Reiss Fan Group Facebook Group

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Only Ever You by CD Reiss to read and review for this tour.

Take Me by Tracy Wolff

New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff kicks off a scorching new trilogy with Take Me

Seven days, seven nights…

One week of passion.

One week of submission.

One week where anything (and everything) goes.

Hope Stiles needs.

She needs inspiration. She needs tuition money. She needs a mentor who will teach her how to turn iron into art.

Enter Deacon Vick, world-famous sculptor and recluse extraordinaire.

When Hope answers his ad for an artist’s model, she gets more than just a job. She gets the answer to her every fantasy… including the ones she didn’t even know she had.

From the minute Hope opens her gorgeous mouth, Deacon knows neither his art nor his life will ever be the same. He plans to use every second of their week together to push Hope to her limits—for art and for pleasure.

The Dirty Bits from Carina Press give you what you want, when you want it. Designed to be read in an hour or two, these sex-filled microromances are guaranteed to pack a punch and deliver a happily-ever-after.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press – Harlequin

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
This is the story of Hope and Deacon, both are artists but Deacon is the famous, intimidating artist and Hope is the wannabe artist who is going to school and is going to model for Deacon to help pay for school.

On the first day she goes to model for him, they both know that something is different. Deacon knows that she might be the answer to all his unanswered questions. And Hope knows he is the answer to every question she can think of. She wants to learn more about him, but he doesn't seem to like sharing about himself, other than what she has already read in articles. She wants more, so much more.

Deacon knew when he first saw her that she was different and he knows now that if he touches her, he will be lost in the pleasure. When she is around, he almost feels his life is complete and when she is gone, he can't wait for her to come back.

I love Tracy Wolff and I really liked this story. I wish it would have been longer with more backstory and a little more at the end. I went in knowing it was a short read, but I want more. I can't wait to read more in this series.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Erotica

Hope is supposed to model for the great Deacon. She can't believe that she's in his presence. She's attracted to him but wonders if they could really have something real.

Deacon knows immediately when Hope arrives that he has found his muse. He is instantly attracted to her and despite knowing he shouldn't get involved with his model, he can't help himself. He just has to touch.

These two have a hot and heavy few days and realize that underneath their artist side, they have a much deeper connection. While the book is short, it's full of steamy scenes and great chemistry. Wolff leaves the reader wanting so much more and I can't wait to read more in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I have really enjoyed all of the Carina Dirty Bits books, and this one is no exception... in fact, it is maybe one of the hottest!

Hope is a student artist who is keen to learn from the famous Deacon, so jumps at the chance to model for him, and pay off her tuition fees too. From the very beginning it is clear that they are two very sexual beings and no time is wasted in combining art with more.

Whilst this is a short story, the intensity builds dramatically, so that we are well aware that this is not going to fade anytime soon! It is sensual, fun, and gives a peek into the world of a sculptor.


Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
Steamy fun novella hit hard in a short amount of pages. I fell for both Hope and Deacon from the very first page. These two had chemistry off the charts and Deacon had all the right intensity, jerkiness, and longing of a dominant male character I enjoy reading. Hope had the walls up around her heart and somehow this intense amazing artist/sculptor she's looked up to forever found a way in.

I definitely will be looking for the next Art of Pleasure installment!

New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff lives in Texas and teaches writing at her local community college. She is married and the mother of three young sons.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Take Me (The Art of Pleasure #1) by Tracy Wolff to read and review.

Jordan vs. All the Boys by John Goode

There’s a time when life changes, when childhood is left behind and the first fumbling steps are taken into adulthood. One group of friends sets out for a summer of adventure and discovery. Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic are ready to grow up and test themselves. But will their friendship buckle under the strain as they face the inevitable misunderstandings and conflicts? If they can hang on to their bond, it will see them through to the ultimate victory…

Finding love.

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Harmony Ink

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS STORY! John Goode may have made a new fan in me. I enjoyed his narrative and his story telling in Jordan's voice. Speaking directly to us readers is sometimes a bold move, but I found myself pulled in and engaged in Jordan's trials and tribulations entering into the dating world, especially the LGBT dating world. Jordan takes his friends to the happening place in town to meet people. He's determined that they start living their lives and finding their way socially. He and his four high school friends embark upon a journey to the club in town with Jordan leading the way. All of them looking for love, they hit and miss over and over again until they finally find something that feels right. Jordan goes through the gamut of guys in the club scene and the dating apps until he decides maybe he's just not good at this dating thing. Who can’t relate to that??

This story is so endearing and sweet and this group of friends so sincere that my heart melted. I was giggling and smiling throughout. There's some "gamer speak" and younger slang (although all explained to us directly by Jordan), it's definitely a young adult tilt to the book. But being 53 myself, I still found the story fun and exciting and the characters well thought out and complex. I wanted more and was sad to get to the ending. Might need to pick up a few in his other series.

I'd say this book is young adult but also can appeal to an older crowd as well. The gamer speak gives me the belief that it's targeted to 14-20 year olds and there isn't anything heavier than some make out scenes.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet and funny story about a group of high school friends who are eager to gain a little sex and relationship experience during the summer before their senior year. As the only gay kid in his group of friends, Jordan finds this challenge more difficult than his friends do. His first experiences are both comical and humiliating but with help from his friends he slowly starts to figure out what he wants from the boys he meets.

This book gave me all the good feels. Jordan’s group of friends is wonderful. I love their friendships and I love Jordan’s self-aware analysis of his friendships. The author manages to capture the pure awkward fear that is a universal part of adolescence while also capturing the warmth, the hope, and the sarcasm that can make the teen years magical. I love the strong female characters in this book, and I love the easy acceptance of sexual differences within Jordan’s friendship group. This is an easy, fun young adult read that is both sweet and a little bit edgy. Like all the best young adult writing, it is never patronising or preachy and I think most teenagers will be able to recognise themselves in Jordan and his friends. I also really enjoyed the author’s personal reflections at the end of the story.

Age wise, this will be enjoyed by older teenagers who can relate to Jordan’s experiences. I would be happy to give a copy to my 14-year-old but the story does contain some sexually explicit references and some swearing. Parents will probably want to read this alongside younger teens so they can have conversations about the more mature content.

JOHN GOODE is a member of the class of ’88 from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, specializing in incantations and spoken spells. At the age of fourteen, he proudly represented District 13 in the 65th Panem games, where he was disqualified for crying uncontrollably before the competition began. After that he moved to Forks, Washington, where against all odds he dated the hot, incredibly approachable werewolf instead of the stuck-up jerk of a vampire but was crushed when he found out the werewolf was actually gayer than he was. After that he turned down the mandatory operation everyone must receive at sixteen to become pretty, citing that everyone pretty was just too stupid to live, before moving away for greener pastures. After falling down an oddly large rabbit hole, he became huge when his love for cakes combined with his inability to resist the commands of sparsely worded notes and was finally kicked out when he began playing solitaire with the Red Queen’s 4th armored division. By eighteen he had found the land in the back of his wardrobe, but decided that thinly veiled religious allegories were not the neighbors he desired. When last seen, he had become obsessed with growing a pair of wings after discovering Fang’s blog and hasn’t been seen since.

Or he is this guy who lives in this place and writes stuff he hopes you read.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Jordan vs. All the Boys by John Goode to read and review.

Eye of the Beholder by M.D. Grimm

Is it better to risk it all… or never know what could have been?

After surviving an abusive childhood, Vulcan remade himself upon arriving in Los Angeles, California. He became a blacksmith for the paranormal community and strives to earn the respect of the vampire covens and werewolf packs that call LA home. He also prevents the pain of loss by keeping everyone at arm’s length.

But he never planned on meeting a former Roman soldier by the name of Marcus Cassius Vespillo. Something sparks between them and turns into a friendship he never considered possible. He can’t deny his intense attraction to the intelligent, courteous, ancient vampire. And it scares him.

Though Vulcan is wary of seeking more with Cassius, an attack leaves him at death’s door and forces him to reexamine his priorities. But Cassius has his own secret, one that promises tragedy and loss. And if that wasn’t enough, a slayer arrives in the States, one with a bloody connection to Cassius… and Vulcan himself.

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
It's been a long while since I've read paranormal romance, so this book was a nice change of pace for me. I love a good bite scene and Eye of the Beholder had a few of them that were well done. I enjoyed the steamy scenes between Vulcan and Cassius enough to sift through some long discussions on the Roman empire (from an aged vamp's perspective) and talk of old names and such. The two main characters were sweet and endearing and I enjoyed their banter and spark. Being hunted by an old rival, the coven is up in arms and Vulcan isn't letting Cassius fight the battle alone. He's just found someone he's willing to live (and die for) and despite everything his mentor taught him about fearing vampires, Vulcan can’t help but love Cassius. There're some different spins on the vampire nature in this book, so it's not all the same old vampire stuff, but there are some that I have found repeated in other well-known stories also. Decent mix of what you'd expect with a new a new perspective added in. Loved the epilogue – happily ever after!

M.D. GRIMM decided to become an author in the second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things, actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?), she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain (or else what’s the point?), finding their soul mate in the process.

Connect with M.D.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Eye of the Beholder by M.D. Grimm to read and review.

Take Me Again by Carly Phillips Blog Tour

He’s alpha, he’s sexy, and he’s sure he’s got life in his hands… Until Ashley Easton returns, wanting nothing to do with the playboy who broke her heart.

Sebastian Knight is a closer. Be it a business deal or the woman of his choice, everything he wants is his for the taking. Sexy and irresistible, a wink, a smile, or a handshake always seals the deal. Until Ashley returns at the worst possible time, and everything unravels around him.

The Ashley who returns is sassy and sexy—everything Sebastian craves and he wants a second chance. Despite her reluctance, his sex appeal makes it harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.

Sebastian might have a talent for sealing the deal, but Ashley is no longer easily charmed. This time he’s going to have to work to win.

A Standalone Romance

Book 1
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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Though she and Sebastian had been sharing a suite in California, the fact was, they lived in separate apartments in New York. No matter what she felt for him, London, her job, and her life awaited her. The sooner they got used to being apart the better.

“I’m tired,” she said. “I didn’t rest much on the flight, and we have to be up early tomorrow to meet with Ethan.”

His grin turned into a frown. “Why do I get the feeling you’re pulling away?”

She rubbed her hands over her arms and turned away, not wanting to face him. It was one thing to pull back, another to look him in the eye while doing it. Not when all she really wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. But she lived in reality. So here they were.

“Hey.” He grasped her and turned her around. “I have a question for you.”

“Okay…” she said warily.

“Why are you still here?”

“What?” She hadn’t anticipated that question.

“Why are you still here, in New York? You said you came for Ethan, but when he sent you away, you came with me. And now we’ve wrapped things up. We’re talking to Ethan in the morning. Is your flight home booked?” As he spoke, his hands on her forearms felt like a brand, a reminder that she belonged here, with him.

And she couldn’t let that sway her. Although she’d put work out of her mind, she had checked in with her bosses while she was away, assured them she was returning. She’d bought herself another week, that was it. They understood her leave of absence but wanted her back as soon as possible.

“I’ll take your silence to be a no,” Sebastian said, releasing her arms. “Which brings me back to why? Do you still want to be here? Or are you avoiding Mr. Perfectly Nice?”

She didn’t want to talk about any of this. She still had a week left, and in that time, Ethan would need her once he found out about Mandy’s cheating. Or was that just an excuse? Because she wasn’t ready to leave Sebastian, her conscience asked her.

She glared at him. “Why are you pushing me so hard just because I said I was tired?” she asked, more annoyed with herself but taking it out on him.

“Because of what we shared in California. Because of what we feel for each other, even if you’re not ready to admit it. And because I want to know.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Second chance romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Sebastian believes that he has the world at his fingertips. But when his family suffers a tragic death, he realizes that despite his idea of how his life is working out, his family doesn't trust him with their secrets. Rather, they keep him in the dark because they think he's not mature enough to be confided in.

When things at their company take a strange turn, it will take all of the siblings to pull together and figure out how to fix things. But when a blast from their past comes back too, in support of one of them, can they all find a way through the hurt and disappointment?

Sebastian was young and immature when he last saw Ashley. Ashley was heartbroken and didn't know which way to turn. Both of them went on to lead their own lives, but always with their hearts locked away. When both are put back in the same vicinity, each will have to decide whether or not taking a risk with each other is worth it.

This is a sweet second chance romance. I loved that all of the siblings were involved and hope that more get their own stories. While I didn't think that Ashley and Sebastian had great chemistry, their history helped make up for that.


Kris – ☆☆☆
As a new to Carly Phillips reader, I picked this because the blurb sounded interesting. I found the story entertaining and well written but did a fair amount of skimming through mundane daily details. I liked Ashley and Sebastian's backstory and maybe would have liked a bit more setup or flashbacks to endear the couple to me more as this is a second-chance-at-love novel. I found them just likeable but not finding myself really super involved. So just okay for me, there's setup for the other brothers in this story but I don’t know if I found them interesting enough to read their story.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
A second chance at romance that had the hero taking a long look at himself and not liking what he saw. Sebastian is the quintessential hot guy in the room and doesn't have to wonder where his next date is going to come from. He likes being the guy about town, new girl on his arm, living carefree.

Until the unthinkable happens and his sister-in-law dies from an overdose and he's nowhere to be found. Not only that, he finds that his siblings think, and rightly so, that he's more fluff than substance and they keep a lot of sensitive information from him. And then Ashley walks back into his life and he has to own up to his actions that caused her to be sent away to boarding school an ocean away.

Trying to clean up his act and make changes not only for himself but for his family is hard. He wants to be someone his family can count and makes an effort to do so when the family company takes a hit.

Ashley is back because of Ethan, Sebastian's oldest brother. They remained friends and close as siblings even after she was sent off to boarding school. She's harbored a grudge against Sebastian for years for taking her away from the first real family she had in a long time, and now she's not quite sure what to make of him. She knows that giving into lust will lead to nowhere good, but what if it’s more? What she does know is that she's not going to settle for less than what she deserves.

I liked the characters of Sebastian and Ashley and they learned to work together. To see beyond the attraction, but to what makes each of them tick. The subplots set up the next stories in this series and I can't wait to read them.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and it has definite potential to be another very successful series for Carly Phillips. I will definitely be reading the next one when it is released.

What I really liked about this book was that Sebastian, who we immediately know is a player, takes a hard look at himself and decides it is time to change. He is lucky that he has a supportive family who gives him the chance to work through his issues and prove himself a worthy member of the family business. And newly returned Ashley gives him a chance to explain his behaviour and to apologise.

The situation with Ethan's wife and the chaos she left behind is somewhat tragic and also gives Sebastian the chance to make things right. And he doesn't stop just at business, oh no, he sets his sights on making his attraction to Ashley count. He delights in showing her what sex can be like, after she claims it is not that important... loved that red rag to a bull moment... and he delivered!

Looking forward to Parker's story.

Carly Phillips is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels, including the Indie published, Dare to Love Series. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers.

Connect with Carly

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Carly’s Addicts Facebook Group


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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Take Me Again (The Knight Brothers #1) by Carly Phillips to read and review for this tour.

Spark by S.L. Scott

From New York Times Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, comes a new book that will introduce you to rock stars with heart and soul as well as revisit with some favorites from The Resistance.

One break is all The Crow Brothers need and we’re about to get it.

Johnny Outlaw, rock legend and lead singer of The Resistance, is here to watch us play. But he’s not the only familiar face in the crowd—killer little body, heart-shaped face, and drop-dead gorgeous.

Hannah Nichols sitting at the bar makes it hard to concentrate, sparks already reigniting. The beauty was never a groupie and tonight she’s not here to catch our show. She came to drop a bomb. “You have a son.”

She underestimated me. I’ll prove to my son, and her, that I can be the dad he needs.

What is it about musicians? Why are they so damn sexy?

My heart was Jet Crow’s the moment he opened his sexy mouth and sang that first song. One stolen night with that man would never be enough, but I’m not here to fall into his bed. Again. I’m here to fight for custody of a son he’s never known.

There’s just one problem. Those sparks between us have become flames. If we’re not careful we’re both going to get burned.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
I fell in love with Jet! He's on the verge of making it big with his band The Crow Brothers. They are really brothers and Jet has been their father figure and leader for a long time. He's raised his three brothers himself after his mother died and he's done well with the task. He doesn't often do one-night stands but the sad girl at the bar draws his attention. Hannah is home to help with her dying cousin. She's uprooted her life to take care of her cousin's son while cancer eats away at his mother. She lets herself have one night filled with fun with the hot singer from the band, never knowing who Jet is to her cousin or her cousin's son.

It's a good twist of intermingled love and loss. Hannah was a little hard for me to like at first, but she grew on me mid-book and I felt for her loyalty and her longing for love and acceptance. Jet was a wonderfully written character who never gave up and always did what you hoped a good man would do for his son. I enjoyed the story and was happy with the ending. It had some good drama with ex-lovers on both sides and intermingled with family strife along with a meddling, mean aunt. I felt it could have been a little shorter as it began to feel a tad monotonous, but never did I want to give up on Hannah and Jet's story. I'm not sure I was drawn in enough to read the next book/next brother's story, but a solid four-star read for Jet!

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, was always interested in the arts. She grew up painting, writing poetry and short stories, and wiling her days away lost in a good book and the movies.

With a degree in Journalism, she continued her love of the written word by reading American authors like Salinger and Fitzgerald. She was intrigued by their flawed characters living in picture perfect worlds, but could still debate that the worlds those characters lived in were actually the flawed ones. This dynamic of leaving the reader invested in the words, inspired Scott to start writing with emotion while interjecting an underlying passion into her own stories.

Living in the capital of Texas with her family, Scott loves traveling and avocados, beaches, and cooking with her kids. She's obsessed with epic romances and loves a good plot twist. She dreams of seeing one of her own books made into a movie one day as well as returning to Europe. Her favorite color is blue, but she likens it more toward the sky than the emotion. Her home is filled with the welcoming symbol of the pineapple and finds surfing a challenge though she likes to think she's a pro.

To have updates delivered right to your email box, sign up for her newsletter at THE SCOOP.

Connect with S.L.

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Kris reviewed her personal copy of Spark (The Crow Brothers #1) by S.L. Scott for this post.

Running Wild by SE Jakes

Embrace the danger.

Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That’s why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars... and why he can’t stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can’t seem to stay away from Sean—he’s spent the last eight months breaking into Sean’s apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.

Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he’s ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.

Then one of Sean’s thefts goes bad, and Ryker’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean’s past threatens the safety of Havoc—and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker’s hiding secrets of his own. Soon it’s obvious that the adrenaline rush can’t keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a fabulous start to a wonderful series. A little bit Fast and Furious and a little bit Sons of Anarchy, this is an action-packed adrenaline ride. A car thief turned soldier, Rush finds himself at loose ends as he attempts to readjust to civilian life without falling back into his criminal habits. Ryker is a mysterious biker who has quietly worked his way into Rush’s bed – and into his head. The relationship between these two is as unconventional as the lives they lead, and I loved the action in this book.

I love that this is not a traditional romance. There is nothing traditional about Ryker or Rush and while there are a few roses in this book, the connection between these two is more of a kinky head-on collision than a romance. Rush and Ryker are made for each other and the chemistry between them is explosive. Both men are antiheroes. Ryker is controlling and possessive. Rush is a bit lost, a little bit too trusting, and completely self-destructive. Both Ryker and Rush live in a moral grey space that makes them fascinating but not necessarily likeable. I loved them both and I wasn’t ready for their story to end.

MC romances have become a thing recently and after reading a few too many repetitive and predictable stories, I was a bit wary of starting another one. But I’m a massive fan of SE Jakes and I was tempted by the author more than the blurb. I started with book two and loved it so much I had to go back and read this one. I’d advise other readers to start at the beginning because book two will make much more sense after this one. This story sets up the series beautifully and I love the whole Havoc world the author creates. Havoc is much more than a motorcycle club and I really enjoyed the fresh take on the genre. I can’t wait to read book three!


Kris – ☆☆☆☆
Having read book two first, I wanted to go back to the start and get to know the Havoc gang. I've enjoyed these Harley riding bad boys who don’t care about someone's sexuality but do care about their loyalty. Ryker has had his eyes on Sean since Sean was in the military. Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie and stealing cars is his preferred fix. The Havoc boys are interested in either taking Sean out of the trade or recruiting him for themselves. Ryker wants to put more than his eyes on crazy Sean, who flirts with Ryker shamelessly at the club's bar one night.

I really enjoyed the story of these two very much. Sean's love of the classic muscle cars had my heart and Ryker letting Sean be the wild and untamed soul that he needs to be, made me love Ryker too. I found the couple's dynamic in the steamy scenes smoldering hot! Ryker taking Sean under his control and giving him the dominance he needs to settle Sean's PTSD and constant thinking is good reading! I'm hooked!

Also Available in the Havoc Series

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Riptide Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Running Blind post.

SE Jakes writes m/m romance. She believes in happy endings and fighting for what you want in both fiction and real life. She lives in New York with her family, and most days, she can be found happily writing (in bed). No really...

SE Jakes is the alter ego of New York Times bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Stephanie Tyler.

Connect with SE

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
SE’s Dirty Deeds Facebook Group


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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Running Wild (Havoc #1) by SE Jakes to read and review; review copy purchased by the blog.