Review
Book Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Year of Reviews - 2022

Review – Smartasses, A Sexy Nerd Rom Com Anthology

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Smartasses; A Sexy Nerd Rom Com Anthology
(Anthology)

Publication Date: August 16, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Anthology

Authors: Erin Mallon , Avery Flynn , Helena HuntingJana Aston , Jiffy Kate , Karen Grey , Kayley Loring , Krystyna Allyn , Penny ReidSara Ney , Sonali DevSusannah Nix

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
From snowed in escapes to sunny getaways, every story within this anthology is brand new and from some of MY favorite authors!

Here is a brief review of what’s inside this smartie romcom:

Not Just a Crush by Helena Hunting
Old high school crushes rekindle during a snowstorm. With Helena’s sense of humor and spice, this story is the perfect length to read before bed and offers the perfect amount of steam, content and quirk to make it a reading perfection!

There is Also a Dog by Kayley Loring
Jillian hates Christmas so working through it wouldn’t be a problem except when she has to vacate her apartment and isn’t allowed to actually work in her office. Escaping to an Airbnb happens to be the solution, she just needs working WiFi and all the amenities. The fact that it was rented from a hot guy with the cutest dog ever who lives just a mile down the road is a nice touch, especially when she needs extra amenities.

Attracting Aubrey by Avery Flynn
Aubrey is on a cruise with her best friends when she meets her crush, Carter Hayes. What could possibly go wrong? In this story, Avery Flynn delivers comedy, steam, and romance while sailing upon the ocean waves. Attracting Aubrey is a flaming hot read with lots of laughs, instant chemistry, improv, and smexy good times.

Synopsis:
Because what’s hotter than a sexy nerd?

Twelve of your favorite Rom Com authors bring you a new anthology celebrating geeking out and falling in love.

Featuring Smartass Stories by:

Avery Flynn
Erin Mallon
Helena Hunting
Jana Aston
Jiffy Kate
Karen Grey
Kayley Loring
Krystyna Allyn
Penny Reid
Sara Ney
Sonali Dev
Susannah Nix

Find more of my reviews on Amazon under Kayreader
on Goodreads under Kay Daniels Romance
At Bookbub under Kayreader
or you can follow me on Facebook at Kay Daniels Romance

2022 Excerpt/Teaser, Blog Tour - 2022, Contemporary Romance, RomCom, Year of Releases - 2022, Year of Reviews - 2022

Blog Tour – Matchmaking a Single Dad by Angela Denise

She drives him crazy and he’s falling crazy in love.

Matchmaking a Single Dad, a hilarious, hot single dad romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank and USA Today bestselling author Angela Casella writing as Angela Denise, is out now!

They’re all wrong for each other…but sometimes two wrongs do make a right.

Cole
The only woman I need in my life is my eight-year-old daughter, Jane. As a widowed brewery owner, I don’t have the time or inclination for anything more serious than a one night stand. Running the brewery is a big job, and being a parent is a bigger one, especially since my in-laws keep trying to prove I’m an unfit guardian.

But there’s no denying Holly Mayberry drives me crazy with her sassy mouth and attitude. I’ve known her most of my life, but I’ve always done a good job of evading her. Until now. She’s teaching Jane’s after-school computer program, and fate keeps throwing us together.

Holly and I are like oil and water, no good for each other. I need to stop thinking about her, so I agree to beta test a new dating app—one that Holly designed, although she’s the last person I’d tell.

My match and I can only DM each other for thirty days. No photos. No real names. No personal information until the end.

If I wanted more with a woman, Cherry Bomb checks all the boxes…so why can’t I stop thinking about Holly?

Holly
Cole Garrison is a jerk. Or so I’ve told myself for years. The truth is, he’s a DILF and a half, and bickering with him is better than kissing someone else.

Hopefully, the guy I’m chatting up on my dating app will help me forget him…and take his place in my dirty daydreams.

Download your copy today on Amazon or Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3b1ECIW
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/MMsingledad

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3b5aMDw

Keep reading for a look inside Matchmaking a Single Dad!

The door opens, and the teacher sponsoring Tech Time, Mrs. Applebaum, comes in, followed by a boy and three little girls. Four. That’s not so bad. That’s two each for Mikey and me. I give him a we can do this look, but his expression has soured like milk left out too long. Mrs. Applebaum takes care of getting the kids into the room, which is its own brand of chaos, and then she claps her hands, her expression changing from frazzled to upbeat, and says, “There. Now I’ll leave them in your capable hands.”
“Wait,” Mikey says with alarm, rocking on his feet, “you’re not staying?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re quite capable of holding down the fort. I’ll check in with you toward the end.”
“Are you sure—” I start, but I’m cut off by the closing of the door.
“Hi, I’m Eloise,” one of the kids says. She’s a little girl in a button-up shirt with pearl buttons that go up so high I’m surprised it’s not choking her.
Oh, yeah. Introductions. “I’m Holly,” I say, gesturing broadly to Mikey, “and this is Mikey. Why don’t you all pick computer stations?”
“Aren’t we supposed to call you Miss Holly and Mr. Mikey? Or by your last names?” Eloise asks as the kids get seated.
They’ve barely had time to introduce themselves before the door bursts open, revealing a newly harried looking Mrs. Applebaum, followed by none other than Cole Garrison himself and his small, dark-haired daughter, Jane.
“No,” I say reflexively.
“No, what?” Jane asks. “Hey, Dad, that’s the woman you always argue with.”
It’s my turn for murder eyes, only I make them at Cole. Cole, who only got better with age, damn him. His wavy dark hair has been joined by a short, trimmed dark beard that perfectly frames his lips, as if saying, “please kiss here.” Those eyes are as puppy doggish as ever, and now he’s both tall and broad, the kind of man any woman would welcome in her bed. To her detriment. Because he’s still a jerk.
I’ve had a somewhat recent refresher course on his jerkitude, actually. Before I left for New York, I made the monumental mistake of trying to be nice to him, and it’s a tactic I’m not about to reprise.
“Will you be joining us, Jane?” I ask, my tone tight.
Cole mustn’t know the no-swearing-in-a-school rule either, because he curses under his breath. “I didn’t know you were teaching this class,” he says to me. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“Excuse me,” I say. “I’m very qualified to teach a bunch of eight-year-olds Scratch.”
“What’s Scratch?” Jane asks. “Is it gambling?”
“No,” Mrs. Applebaum blurts, looking horrified. “I mean. It’s not, is it?”
“It’s basic coding,” I say, glancing back at the other kids. “I’m going to teach y’all to make your own games. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
Please God, let them say yes.
There are a few enthusiastic nods, although Eloise instantly raises her hand again. Sighing, I nod at her. “Yes, Eloise?”
“Will there be a test?”
“No,” I say, “but we’ll be giving a presentation to the rest of the school before Christmas break.”
“Sounds like a test,” Jane mutters.
There’s probably no getting rid of her, and it’s not her fault that I have an issue with her father, so I say, “Why don’t you take a seat?”
She does, choosing the open seat near Mikey.
Cole scratches the back of his neck, looking at her. I guess Mrs. Applebaum is satisfied to have done her part, because she nods and says, “All right. That’s settled then. I’m going to my classroom. I’ll be back at the end of class.”
Does she have a flask in there or something? She seems suspiciously eager to get back to her desk.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Cole asks. It takes me a second to realize he’s addressing me.
I gesture toward the children. Mikey is regarding them with escalating terror, probably because if I step out, he’ll be left in charge. “Not a great time, to state the obvious.” “Why are you doing that?” Jane asks Mikey, who’s tapping the side of her monitor agitatedly. “Do you have a nervous tic, or is there something wrong with the screen? If there’s something wrong with the screen, you probably shouldn’t have let me sit here.”
He mutters something about this being just like middle school.
“It’ll only take a second,” Cole says, his eyes burning into me. Despite myself, I feel a not unpleasant sense of awareness.
“Fine,” I say begrudgingly. “Mikey, get them to turn on their computers and draw up the program.” It’ll be easier for him to step up if there’s a concrete task to focus on.
I step out into the hall, and Cole takes several steps back, as if he feels the need to constantly keep a minimum distance between us. Fine by me. “What is it?” I ask tersely, shutting the door.
For a second, he just looks at me, and I’m about to lose patience when he finally says, “I know you don’t like me, Holly. But don’t take it out on my daughter.”
He might as well have punched me in the gut.
“Is that what you think of me? You think I’d be a creep to a little girl because she has the misfortune of being related to you? If anything, I’ll be nicer to her to make up for it.”
His expression suggests my shot has landed too, and I’m glad, but only temporarily.
The corner of his lips tip up in a self-deprecating smile that lacks any mirth. “You’re hardly the only person to think it’s her misfortune. I had to say it.”
“Did you?” I ask, tilting my head.
He takes a slight step toward me, as if preparing to tell me off, then says, “Goodbye, Holly.”
In my mind, I think of another day, of a young boy, still on his way toward becoming a man, saying, “I’ll be seeing you, Holly Mayberry.”
How the hell has it come to this?
I watch him go, partly because I want to make sure he really leaves and partly because he does, damn him, have a fine butt. No harm in looking, ladies.

About Denise Grover Swank

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten ho uses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

Connect with Denise
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3gLPdF2
Instagram: https://bit.ly/31QjfmL
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Stay up to date with Denise, join her newsletter: https://bit.ly/3gLPtnu
Website: https://bit.ly/3hRjcNl

About Angela Casella

ANGELA CASELLA loves writing romcoms, particularly with the lovely Denise Grover Swank. They write together as Angela Denise. Angela also writes the Fairy Godmother Agency series. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, and two geriatric dogs. Her hobbies include herding her daughter toward less dangerous activities, stress baking, and marathon watching TV shows.

Connect with Angela
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JC1ZpG
Website: www.angelacasella.com

About New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank and USA Today bestselling author Angela Casella writing as Angela Denise

ANGELA DENISE is the pen name for the writing duo Angela Casella and Denise Grover Swank.

ANGELA CASELLA loves writing romcoms, particularly with the lovely Denise Grover Swank. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, and two geriatric dogs. Her hobbies include herding her daughter toward less dangerous activities, stress baking, and marathon watching TV shows.

DENISE GROVER SWANK is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author and has sold over three million books. She indie published her first book, a romance mystery, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, in 2011. She has since published over fifty novels, multiple novellas and short stories as an indie and with five publishers. She is published in seven languages. She is a single mother to six children and four dogs and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

Connect with Angela Denise

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3k1DQNt

Blog Tour - 2022, Bully Romance, LGBTQA+, New Adult, Paranormal/Science Fi/Fantasy Romance, Year of Releases - 2022, Year of Reviews - 2022

Blog Tour – The Sight of Flames by AJ Merlin

Release Date: August 10

Four hundred years ago, my ancestor led an uprising against the Witch’s Council.

And failed miserably.

Now her descendants and those of her supporters must serve as Wardens to help protect witch-kind, though we’re relegated to being second best and the first ones thrown into danger. The Disgraced, as we’re called, are meant to suck it up and be grateful.

But there’s too much of my ancestor in me to bow to any witch, no matter that I’m Disgraced and an omega. When I enroll in war college to learn to do my duty as a Disgraced Warden and witch omega, I have a feeling that I’m not going to be very popular with my superiors. Let alone any other alphas that cross my path.

To make things worse for everyone an old enemy has returned to hunt us, and whispers of unrest are circulating like the witch plague.

I may be Disgraced, an omega, and the last of my line, but I’m not going to just roll over and accept my fate. Not for the council, a coven, or anyone else.

The Sight of Flames is the first in the Disgraced Magic series. It’s a witchy omegaverse RH/poly romance where the main character and her coven never have to choose.

Buy Your Copy Here:

Meet AJ Merlin
AJ merlin is an author, crazy bird lady, and rampant horror movie enthusiast. Her debut novel, A Little Wicked, is the product of being enamored with the paranormal and the need to hunt down all things that go bump in the night. Born and raised in the midwest United States, AJ is lucky to be right in the middle of people who support her and a menagerie of animals to keep her somewhat sane. Connect with her on facebook or social media to see updates, giveaways, and be bombarded with dog, cat, and pigeon pictures.
Connect with AJ Merlin
For more information about AJ Merlin, visit: https://linktr.ee/AJMerlinAuthor

Cover Reveal - 2022, New Releases

Cover Reveal – Waiting by Xavier Neal

WAITING: An Older Woman, Younger Man Age-Gap Romance by Xavier Neal

Release Date: August 26th

Genre/Tropes: Contemporary Romance/Older Woman/Young Male Romance/Age-Gap Romance

Add to Goodreads:

https://bit.ly/WAITINGTBR

Preorder is AVAILABLE!

https://amzn.to/3yWfHyM

Blurb:

From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Xavier Neal comes a brand-new, smoking hot, age-gap romance that you DON’T wanna miss!

Waiting.

As in wey-ting.

As in a verb.

As in a synonym for anticipating.

As in the very thing I didn’t realize I was doing for a man ten years younger than me…

About the Author:

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can’t resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy’s t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband “Lumberjack” and their two fur babies.

Connect w/Xavier:

Website: https://www.xavierneal.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/xavierneal87

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990135.Xavier_Neal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KAOA4z

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2KA7tEW

NL Signup: https://www.xavierneal.com/newsletter