Review: Otherearth by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Author: Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Date of publication: October 2018

Simon saved his best friend, Kat, from the clutches of the Company and their high-tech VR gaming experience, Otherworld. But it was at a steep price. Now he, Kat, and their friend Busara are on the run. They know too much. About the Company's dark secrets. About the real-life consequences of playing Otherworld. And about Kat's stepfather's involvement in everything. The group is headed to New Mexico to find Simon's old roommate, who is a tech genius and possibly the only person who can help them reveal the truth about the Company before it's too late and the line between what's real and what's fantasy is erased... forever.

Otherearth is the second book in the Last Reality series.  The first book was fairly enjoyable, so I decided to continue with the series.  This one picks up pretty much right after the events of Otherworld.  It has been a year since I read the first book, so it took me a bit to get reoriented to the world of the series.  If you didn't read the first one, you will be lost in this one, so I don't suggest reading them out of order.  

Otherearth wasn't as good as the first. It was OK.  Again, it's told through Simon's perspective.  This time he and Kat are finally a couple and they are on the run from the Company.  Now that the know the truth about the dangers of Otherworld, they have to go back into the game to try to stop it once and for all.  I think my overall disappointment with this one was that it felt like more of the same thing that I got in the first book. I wanted something different.  I almost feel like the events in this book could have been reduced down and added to the first book with thetwist ending of this one.   The cliff -hanger ending did leave me open-mouthed and will bring me back to the third book to see what it all means for Simon his friends.  I just hope it's different than this one.

Books I Didn't Finish November Edition

Hex:  I made it to about 50% and just gave up.  There was just so much wrong with this story that it is hard to pinpoint why I couldn't continue.  I was bored, didn't care about any of the characters.  All of them are pretty horrible.  I never thought I would feel sympathy for a ghost that has cursed an entire town.  There were no smooth transitions between characters POVs.  I was often confused. Skip this one.  It's not good.

Accidental Tryst:  I had a feeling about 1 % in that I wasn't going to like this book.  The hero, Trystan, after seeing the heroine, Emmy who he assumes is a hippie type, he mulls over using an app to find someone to hook up with in the airport.  Gross.  But what really made me abandon the book was when it is implied that Emmy willingly flashed her chest for a 15 YO in exchange for him unlocking Trystan's phone.  Double gross. I abandoned it soon after that scene.

Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars 2):  I loved the TV show and really enjoyed the first book.  But when I tried to read this sequel, I gave up pretty early on.  I was not a fan of the change from first person POV  in the first book to third person in this book.  One of the great things about the TV show and the first book was having the story narrated by Veronica herself.  Having it now be a story about her and not through her voice was strange and it didn't work for me.

Elevation:  I think I am officially done with Stephen King.  I am a huge fan of his early works, but his later books have completely missed the mark with me.  I know this is a short novella, but by about 15% in I was bored and ready to move on.

Review: One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards

Author: Natalie D. Richards
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Date of publication: October 2016

Murder, justice, and revenge were so not a part of the plan when Sera set out on her senior camping trip. After all, hiking through the woods is supposed to be safe and uneventful.

Then one morning the group wakes up groggy, confused, and with words scrawled on their wrists: Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling. Their supplies? Destroyed. Half their group? Gone. Their chaperone? Unconscious. Worst of all, they find four dolls acting out a murder—dolls dressed just like them.

Suddenly it's clear; they're being hunted. And with the only positive word on her wrist, Sera falls under suspicion…

In One Was Lost, a group of teens and their advisers go on their senior camping trip before graduation.  After their group is separated by a surging river, four of the teens find out someone is in the woods who is out to get them.  I really enjoyed this YA horror.  It was actually everything that I wish Campfire (my review) would have been.  

The story is told through Sera's perspective.   That allowed for a lot of suspense because the reader sees everything through her eyes only.  I definitely was kept guessing until the reveal.  I had one suspect in mind, but I was completely wrong.  I also enjoyed the other characters and found them interesting enough to actually care if they made it out of the woods alive.  They weren't cliched and clueless teens.  As the story progresses, more details about each teen is revealed and how the words written on their wrists pertain to them. There is a romance in the book.  However, it didn't overshadow the overall story.    I definitely recommend this one.  It's a fun YA horror novel that satisfied my horror craving with the right amount of cheesiness and suspense.

November Mini Musings

The Governess Game:  I loved the first book, The Duchess Deal. So I was eager to read this one.  I was disappointed when it ended up only being an OK read.  The book had a lot of the humor I liked in the first one. The doll's daily deaths were hilarious.   But the characters were pretty forgettable.  There was no chemistry between the main characters.  I found myself really pushing to finish the book.

Full Tilt:  This was a fun YA read.  I enjoyed the characters. After surviving a tragic bus accident as a child, Blake is afraid to really do anything in his life.   I liked the use of a enchanted and deadly carnival rides as a way to help the main character, Blake, overcome his fears.  He also learns how to be closer to his younger not often understood brother.  The ending was perfect.  Definitely recommend this one to any YA reader.

The Ruins:  This has gotten rave reviews, but I found it kind of a boring horror novel.  I haven't seen the movie.  I didn't feel like there were many surprises once you figure out what is going on.  The ending was kind of meh.  It was short, so it had that going for it.

Blog Tour: Review of Atlas of World War II; edited by Neil Kagan

Editors: Neil Kagan

Publisher: National Geographic

Date of publication: October 2018

This definitive, lavishly illustrated book from National Geographic features an astonishing array of vintage and newly created maps, rare photographs, covert documents, and eyewitness accounts that illuminate the world’s greatest conflict.

This magnificent atlas delves into the cartographic history of WWII: naval, land, and aerial attacks from the invasion of Poland to Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge. Rare maps include a detailed Germany & Approaches map used by Allied forces in the final stages of the war, full large-scale wartime maps of the world used by President Roosevelt, and crucial Pacific theater maps used by B-17 pilots. Satellite data renders terrain as never before seen, highlighting countries and continents in stunning detail to include the towns, cities, provinces and transportation roads for a pinpoint-accurate depiction of army movements and alliances. Gripping wartime stories from these hallowed fields of battle, along with photographs, sketches, confidential documents, and artifacts color the rest of this timeless and informative book.

So I'll admit up front that I'm not a big WWII fan.  So, you might wonder why I would choose to review a book on WWII.  The reason is that I happen to know a big WWII buff and I had her in mind as I leafed through this volume.  At first, it seems a little bit overwhelming. It's definitely a volume that is meant to be savored and digested slowly.  This is a big book and has a lot of information packed into it.  The photos are gorgeous and the maps are pretty cool and detailed.  It's National Geographic, you know you are getting perfection.   I highly recommend this one for any history buff or even someone interested in cartography.  It would make an excellent holiday gift!

Purchase Links

National Geographic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Neil Kagan

NEIL KAGAN, editor, heads Kagan & Associates, Inc., a firm specializing in designing and producing innovative illustrated books. Recently, he edited Great Photographs of World War II, Smithsonian Civil War, and for National Geographic, as well as the best-selling Concise History of the World, Eyewitness to the Civil War, Atlas of the Civil War, The Untold Civil War, Eyewitness to World War II and The Secret History of World War II.

Tour Stops

Monday, November 26th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, December 3rd: Jenn’s Bookshelves

TBD: World War II Database

TBD: Man of La Book

TBD: Into the Hall of Books

TBD: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

TBD: Tina Says…

TBD: Jathan & Heather

TBD: Instagram: @theliterarybirds

TBD: Literary Quicksand

TBD: Instagram: @wellreadmama

TBD: Dwell in Possibility

TBD: Instagram: @giuliland

Review: Sadie by Courtney Summers

Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Audio-book: MacMillan Audio
Date of publication: September 2018

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water. 

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meagre clues to find him.

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

I have seen so much hype about Sadie that I finally caved and got the audio-book.  All of the reviews I have seen have said the audio-book was the best way to experience this book.  I am a fan of audio-books in general and after listening to this one, I have to agree.  It was very well done with a whole cast of narrators.  The story of Sadie  and her sister Mattie is told partly through Sadie's own eyes and partly through Podcast format.  I actually liked this format as it kept the story moving along at a steady pace.  

I did like the book overall.  Sadie's story was really sad.  I genuinely cared about what happened to her on her journey.   There is one thing about the book that will make me take off a star.  The ending was very unsatisfying.  I am not a fan of endings like the one in this book.  It's kind of uncool to have the reader go through so much with the characters  and then give them an ending like that one.  

Be warned the book contains some elements that could be triggering in some readers.  I wouldn't really categorize this as a YA book though.  At least maybe keep it to over 16. Still I highly recommend giving this one a try, especially on audio.

Review: Broken Ice by Matt Goldman

Author: Matt Goldman
Publisher: Forge Books
Date of publication: June 2018

Nils Shapiro has been hired to find missing Linnea Engstrom, a teenager from the small northern hockey town of Warroad, Minnesota. Most of Warroad is in Minneapolis for the state high school hockey tournament, and Linnea never returned from last night’s game. Linnea’s friend Haley Housch is also missing—and soon found dead.

After Nils is shot through the arm with an arrow at the Haley Housch crime scene, only the quick work of medical examiner Char Northagen saves Nil’s life. 

Nils should be in the hospital recovering from his near fatal injury, but he knows that the clock is ticking. Linnea could be anywhere, and someone doesn’t want her found. Is Linnea a victim, or is she playing a dangerous game? As bodies start piling up, the clues lead Nils north to Warroad, a small, quiet town with many secrets to hide.

Broken Ice is the second book featuring Nils Shapiro.  I enjoyed the first book so I was eager to check out the second book.  This one picks up about a year after the evens of the first book.  Nils is now working with his friend, Anders Ellegaard in a PI business.  They are hired to find two missing girls.  The search leads Nils to be shot by an arrow and he narrowly escapes death.

That's all I will say about the book.  It kept me guessing and I did not figure it out until the reveal.  I actually think that I liked this one better than the first book.  I felt like I got to know Nils a bit more.  His intuition is usually spot on and seeing him work through a case was fun to watch.  I liked the contrast between Nils and his partner, Ellegaard.  Both of them want to get to the truth, but Nils is the one willing to break the rules to get there.  Ellegaard is more of a "by the book" kind of guy.     There were a few other characters introduced that I also enjoyed.  It would be a shame not to have them show up in later books.   This is a great addition to the series and I hope the next Nils Shapiro book comes out soon.

Review: A Breath After Drowning by Alice Blanchard

Author: Alice Blanchard
Publisher: Titan Books
Date of publication: April 2018

Child psychiatrist Kate Wolfe's world comes crashing down when one of her young patients commits suicide, so when a troubled girl is left at the hospital ward, she doubts her ability to help. But the girl knows things about Kate's past, things she shouldn't know, forcing Kate to face the murky evidence surrounding her own sister's murder sixteen years before, bringing Kate face to face with her deepest fear.

In A Breath After Drowning, Kate is a child psychologist who loses a patient to suicide.  She begins to question her ability to help other patients.   Her next patient seems to have ties to her sister's murder years before.  Now, she is questioning everything she knows about what happened 16 years earlier. 

I really enjoyed this one.  I was sucked in right away. I liked Kate's character.  She is smart, strong and compassionate.  Yet she is also flawed because she still suffers from the effects of the childhood loss of her mother and the murder of her sister. I liked that she was still willing to treat Maddie, even after she found out who she was.  

The problem with reviewing psychological thrillers is being able to do it without giving away any key elements of the story.  This book is one that you are almost better off going into it without knowing much beyond the synopsis.  The book kept me guessing with several twists.  I was completely wrong at the reveal.  My only complaint about the book is that it was a bit slow to get going.  However, if you can make it past the 30% mark, it quickly picks up from there.  I highly recommend this one, especially if you like psychological thrillers.  

Teaser Tour: Spotlight of Memories of Us by Kennedy L. Mitchell

Author: Kennedy L. Mitchell

Date of publication: December 10, 2018

MEMORIES OF US is a standalone, second chance contemporary romance filled with twists and turns as a forgotten past is remembered.

BRENTON

I’m a desperate man.

The memories I’ve lost now threaten my future.

After years spent escaping my family’s high society drama I’m back in town to fix my past.

Only one person can help: The gorgeous and headstrong Rebeka Harding who hates me for something I can't remember.

I’ll do anything including striking a unique deal with the one woman I want but can’t touch.

She agrees with one condition – just friends, no benefits.

We’ll see how long that lasts.

REBEKA

For thirteen years, I’ve resented Brenton Graves for deserting me.

I’ve tried to move on, refusing to think about what might have been.

Now he’s back in town, seeking redemption and looking as sexy as ever.

When he asks for my help, I know better than to accept.

But I will. Because no matter how much I want to hate Brenton, I don’t.

Five days to help him remember and for me to finally get closure.

It's what I need, but his touch is what I crave.

Goodreads: http://smarturl.it/MemoriesGoodreads

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/MemoriesKindle

Apple Books: http://smarturl.it/MemoriesApple

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/MemoriesKobo

Nook: http://smarturl.it/MemoriesNook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.

Website: https://kennedylmitchell.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyLMitchellBooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KennedyLMitchellbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KLMBooks

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kennedy-l-mitchell

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NrETEf

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2ws0ncY

Blog Tour: Review of On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter

Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication: November 2018

Pastor Jack McReady has secretly carried a torch for Daisy for two long years. She’s a member of his congregation, after all, and she’ll never see him as more than a trusted counselor. Jack’s best friend Noah has taken every opportunity to encourage his lovesick friend, but when Noah catches wind that Daisy has joined an online dating site, he takes matters into his own hands and orchestrates a meet-cute of the most unconventional kind.

Owner of the local flower shop, Daisy Pendleton is content with her small-town life, but she’d sure like someone to share it with. After several disastrous first dates, she’s about to give up—and then she finds a seemingly wonderful man online. Daisy gets to know TJ through a series of messages but finds herself spending more time with Pastor Jack outside of the church at the same time. What she doesn’t know is that her online prospect and Jack are one and the same.

Just as Daisy’s love life starts to look promising, a mysterious woman appears in town. Daisy is faced with a revelation about her family that turns her world upside down, and she looks to both TJ and Jack for help.

Jack must find a way to reveal himself as her online suitor without breaking her heart and losing her trust. As Daisy faces Jack’s betrayal, she’ll have to learn to extend grace to herself, her family, and the man she’s grown to love.

On Magnolia Lane is the third book in the Blue Ridge series.    This is Jack and Daisy's story.  For the most part, I enjoyed the story.   The romance was the best part of it.  Jack is more of an understated beta-male and Daisy is just kind of clueless and can't see who is right in front of her. I was rooting for them and loved their HEA.  

The book also deals with forgiveness.  There are a couple of side stories. One of which helps Daisy learn a lesson that we are all human and what can happen when we put someone up on a pedestal.   I did find that the book dragged in a few places.  However, it ended up being an enjoyable clean read.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including “The Convenient Groom” and “A December Bride” which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking good coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Connect with Denise

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Instagram Tour Stops:

Monday, November 5th: @sarahandherbookshelves

Tuesday, November 6th: @thecaffeinated_bibliophile

Wednesday, November 7th: @rissi006

Thursday, November 8th: @jennblogsbooks

Friday, November 9th: @thesketchyreader

Saturday, November 10th: @kim_reads

Sunday, November 11th: @livethecozylife

Monday, November 12th: @_ebl_inc_

Review Tour Stops:

Monday, November 5th: Book by Book

Tuesday, November 6th: Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Wednesday, November 7th: View from the Birdhouse

Thursday, November 8th: Amy’s Book-et List

Friday, November 9th: The Sketchy Reader

Monday, November 12th: The Romance Dish

Tuesday, November 13th: Blooming with Books

Wednesday, November 14th: Romantic Reads and Such

Thursday, November 15th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

Thursday, November 15th: Run Wright

Monday, November 19th: Fiction Aficionado

Tuesday, November 20th: Empowermoms

Wednesday, November 21st: From the TBR Pile

Friday, November 23rd: Kritter’s Ramblings

Monday, November 26th: The Lit Bitch

Monday, November 26th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, November 27th: Read Eat Repeat

Wednesday, November 28th: Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot

Thursday, November 29th: Splashes of Joy

Friday, November 30th: What is That Book About

TBD: Jathan & Heather

Blog Tour: Review of Fatal Invasion by Marie Force

Author: Marie Force

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: November 2018

First the fire, then the heat…

A brutal home invasion. Two small traumatized survivors who may have witnessed the horror. Lieutenant Sam Holland has never worked a case quite like this one, in which her eyewitnesses are five-year-old twins. But when Sam steps up in a big way for them, she risks her heart as much as her career.

While Sam and her husband, Vice President Nick Cappuano, go to battle in more ways than one for her tiny witnesses, her colleague Sergeant Tommy “Gonzo” Gonzales battles his own demons. Months of unbearable grief and despair come to a head in an unimaginable way that threatens Gonzo’s status with the department and his relationship with his fiancée, Christina.

With trouble both at the precinct and on the case, Sam struggles to keep her priorities straight at home and at work while trying not to lose her heart to her latest crime victims.

Fatal Invasion is the thirteenth book featuring Sam and Nick.  It's the second book I have read. The first book I read worked fairly well as a stand alone.  However, I know I would have benefited more from reading the entire series before reading this one.  I often felt like I was trying to catch up.  Parts of the book made me feel like I was reading a soap opera.  I kind of felt like there were too many side stories and they took away from the main mystery.  

The mystery was good and that is what kept me engaged.  Also, I do really like the relationship between Sam and Nick.  Their banter and attraction is because is fun to read.  The ending was sweet.  I know that fans of this series will enjoy this installment.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Marie Force

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception.

All together, her books have sold 7 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list 29 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction.

Her goals in life are simple–to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area.

Connect with Marie

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Instagram tour:

Monday, November 26th: @jennblogsbooks

Tuesday, November 27th: @girlandherbooks

Wednesday, November 28th: @_ebl_inc_

Thursday, November 29th: @novelmombooks

Friday, November 30th: @sarahandherbookshelves

Saturday, December 1st: @mandyvoss

Sunday, December 2nd: @remarkablylisa

 

Review tour:

Monday, November 12th: Write Read Life

Tuesday, November 13th: A Holland Reads – excerpt

Wednesday, November 14th: Bewitched Bookworms

Thursday, November 15th: Becky on Books

Monday, November 19th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Tuesday, November 20th: From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, November 21st: Jathan & Heather

Tuesday, November 27th: The Book Diva Reads – excerpt

Wednesday, November 28th: What is That Book About – excerpt

Thursday, November 29th: Natalie the Biblioholic

Monday, December 3rd: Mystery Suspense Reviews

Tuesday, December 4th: The Sassy Bookster

Wednesday, December 5th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Thursday, December 6th: Stuck in Books

Friday, December 7th: Books & Bindings

Monday, December 10th: Evermore Books

Monday, December 10th: Book Twins Reviews and @booktwinsreviews1

Blog Tour: Excerpt of More Than This by Shannyn Schroeder

Author: Shannyn Schroeder
Publisher: Self
Date of publication: Re-release November 19, 2018

 A sexy bartender stirs up a daily lesson plan for an adventurous teacher...

When she discovers her ex-husband is about to be a father, Quinn Adams is on a mission. Determined to get pregnant without the commitment of a man, Quinn sets out for her own adventure. But everyone seems to think she need to focus on herself first. With a list of challenges compiled but her sister and their friend, Quinn embarks on some life-altering fun.

Her first challenge is to go on five dates within two weeks. After a few disastrous attempts, Quinn’s ready to give up—until sexy bartender Ryan O’Leary offers his assistance. Ryan is the go-to person for everyone in his large family, so it’s natural for him to want to help Quinn. However, as they get to know each other better, friendship with Quinn isn’t enough for him. Now, it’s time for him to show her how serious the Irish can be. Will the bartender quench Quinn’s thirst by mixing up more than she ever imagined?

Buy Links:

Amazon  Nook  Apple Books  Kobo  IndieBound

Exclusive Excerpt:

         Quinn stood outside her loft, wishing that she’d been smart enough to meet this guy at the restaurant, if that’s what you could call it. It had barely been a step up from fast food. Now he stood in front of her, still talking about himself, when all she wanted to do was curl up on the couch with a good book. This is what she got for picking a guy based on his online profile. Next time she’d make sure she had at least a phone conversation before making a date.

         Jeff suddenly stopped his rambling and asked, “So, I think we really hit it off tonight, right?”

         She stared blankly at him. Lying had never come easy to her. “I had a pretty good time.”

         He stroked her arm, and she locked her knees to stop herself from pulling away. He wasn’t a bad guy. He didn’t give her the creeps. Jeff was even kind of good-looking: tall with dark hair and brown eyes, a little on the skinny side. But something turned her completely off.

         When his hand stopped stroking her arm and his fingers interlocked with hers, the sweatiness of his palm was apparent. Eww. How was she supposed to disengage without seeming like a bitch?

         “I’d like to see you again.”

         “Maybe. Why don’t you send me an e-mail and we can set something up?”

         “Can I have your number?”

         She shifted slightly to the left, nearer to the door. “I don’t like to give out my number to too many people. This was just our first date and all.”

         “But definitely not our last.” He leaned in to kiss her.

         She saw it coming, thought she’d get a little peck on the cheek, but his mouth crashed into hers. When she didn’t immediately open her lips, his tongue poked and prodded. It was slimy and gross. When she tried to step back, he pulled her closer. The quick move startled her and in her shock, she inadvertently opened her mouth.

         That was one hell of a mistake. He jabbed his tongue so far into her mouth, it was like he wanted to inspect her molars. And he was a sloppy kisser too. Saliva everywhere.

         Her stomach started to churn just as he pulled away. “How about we take this upstairs?”

         Not in this lifetime. “I don’t sleep with guys on the first date.”

         “There’s a lot of territory between a kiss at the door and sleeping together.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

         Like she wanted to dry-hump that? “No, thanks. I should be getting in. It’s late and I have work tomorrow.”

         “Oh, okay.” He really sounded disappointed. “Maybe we can get together this weekend.”

         She slid toward the door, hoping he’d get the hint and not try to swoop in for another kiss. “I’ll be pretty busy this weekend. End of the school year stuff. But send me an e-mail. Good night.”

         She didn’t wait for him to respond. She practically ran for the door. After scrubbing her mouth twice and then throwing her toothbrush in the trash, she called Indy. She plopped on the couch and put her feet up on the table. While Indy’s phone rang, she stared at the green nail polish on her toes. What a waste of a perfectly good pedicure.

Preorder the Series Now:

A Good Time

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo

Something To Prove

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

 Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series and the For Your Love series, contemporary romances centered around large Irish-American families in Chicago and the Hot & Nerdy series about nerdy friends finding love. Look for her new series – The Dating Challenge in 2019. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.

Connect with Shannyn:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Book and Main Bites