Mary Jo's Book & Software Tips: August 2022

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

New Release & Review: Only Him by Kennedy Fox

Only Him

Only One, #1

Only Him is now available on all retailers!

I wasn’t supposed to catch feelings for my best friend’s older brother. It started with a letter and grew into us confessing our secrets. Then, he left, taking my shattered heart with him.

Twelve years later, he’s back. We have to keep our distance. If we fall for each other, everything will fall apart.

But then I’m blackmailed into marrying another man, and the guy who broke my heart is the only one who can save me.

Only Him is a second chance, small town romance and is a repackaged boxed set from the Tyler & Gemma duet in the Lawton Ridge duet series. There's no cliffhanger and ends in an HEA.

Order Your Copy Today:

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

My Review:

Only Him by Kennedy Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tyler and Gemma knew each other as kids then Tyler joined the military and Gemma began writing him letters. Even though she is his sister’s best friend and 4 years younger, these two found that spark and connection. When he left the military, they shared an amazing summer but Tyler didn’t want to stay in Lawton Ridge and Gemma didn’t want to leave with him. It’s now 12 years later and Tyler has just gotten out of prison and returned home. What Gemma doesn’t expect is for her father to hire him to work at their family garage. Their feelings are still there, bubbling under the surface but Gemma is engaged to Robert. I don’t like Robert and his controlling and manipulating ways. I want Gemma to wake up and realize she is going through the motions. AUGH! Tyler has skeletons in his past from living in Vegas which may try to destroy what he is building as he restarts his life. These two are an amazing couple but they have a huge obstacle to tackle named Robert. He definitely knows how to manipulate to get whatever he wants. Has he met his match in Gemma? Buckle up for a wild ride to find out.

START THE SERIES TODAY

Meet Kennedy Fox

Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. They share a love of Hallmark movies, overpriced coffee, and making TikToks. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day in 2016, they decided to collaborate under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make you blush and your heart melt. Happily ever afters guaranteed!

View our full reading order here

Connect with Kennedy Fox

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Newsletter

TikTok: @brookekfox and @lyraparish

Saturday, August 27, 2022

New Release & Review: Seducing the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox

Seducing the Cowboy

Circle B Ranch, #9

Seducing the Cowboy is now available on all retailers!

After leaving his hometown seven years ago, Payton hasn’t returned. One heartbreak was enough to turn him off relationships forever. As soon as he arrived at the Circle B Ranch, they treated him like family—something he’s never had—and he met the one woman he shouldn’t want. He’s put her in the friend zone, but after agreeing to her proposition, he can’t hold back anymore. Kaitlyn Bishop is the only woman on the ranch without a husband and kids. A family is all she’s ever wanted, but it’s never been in her cards. Since she’s turned thirty, she’s decided to go to the sperm bank or ask her best friend to knock her up. She knows being friends with benefits is a bad idea, but she’s willing to take the risk. Their agreement is purely transactional, but they’ll soon find themselves in too deep—something they’re too stubborn to admit. However, they only have nine months to figure it out.

**Seducing the Cowboy is a complete stand-alone and can be read without reading any of the other books or spin-off series, but if you prefer to read in order, start with Hitching the Cowboy as the characters and families do interconnect.**

Order Your Copy Today:

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

My Review:

Seducing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch, #9)

Seducing the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kaitlyn and Payton gave me a fabulous best friend to lover’s journey. Of course, I had my moments where I wanted to smack both of them to make them realize what was right in front of them. Payton found his way to the Circle B ranch when living with his step-dad became unbearable. He has sworn off dating anyone that he works with which gets tested when he meets Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn is the last single Bishop grandchild that isn’t married and doesn’t have kids. But Kaitlyn desperately wants to be a mom. When Payton finds out she is considering using a sperm donor, well, he offers to be the donor. As these two best friends begin to navigate ovulation schedules and incredible, off-the-charts intense baby making sessions, they both work to keep their true feelings concealed. It was fun as they worked to achieve Kaitlyn’s mission while they tried to keep what they were really doing from the family. Their friendship is wonderful as they support each other’s dreams and passions but will they overcome their fears of changing what they have to embrace something even stronger? I had so much fun finding out.

START THE SERIES TODAY

Meet Kennedy Fox

View our full reading order here

Connect with Kennedy Fox

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Newsletter

TikTok: @brookekfox and @lyraparish

Thursday, August 25, 2022

New Release & Review: Second Chance Rival by M Robinson

Release Date: August 23

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, second chance standalone romance.

The only thing I was looking forward to more than marrying my enemy…

Was seeing her pregnant with my baby.

But I guess that’s why I’m the bad boy of my family—but she’s always played the good girl.

If they only knew the things she begged me to do all those years ago, when I was sneaking in through her bedroom window.

Before I left.
Before I broke her heart.
Before she hated me.

She doesn’t have to love me.
Hell, she doesn’t even have to like me. She just has to marry me to merge our feuding families…

Best part of our contract is we have to produce a bloodline heir.

My reasons for agreeing to an arranged marriage have nothing to do with claiming our inheritance…

And everything to do with claiming the woman I love.

Grab Your Copy Here!

My Review:

Second Chance Rival by M. Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tristian and Belle found love as teenagers but they weren’t supposed to. Their families are rivals and they were always told to stay away from each other. Yet they can’t deny the love that they feel. Then Tristian leaves Belle and she is heartbroken. Now, 20 years later, their grandfathers decide to merge their companies through a marriage, their marriage. For Tristian, he is ultimately happy with this outcome but he knows that getting Belle to trust and forgive him won’t be easy. Belle has worked hard and shown her grandfather that she is capable of taking over the family business. The last person she expects to see is Tristian after he disappeared from her life all those years ago and now, she is expected to marry him and produce an heir. This couple has great chemistry and a love that neither got over so having them back together is electric. I appreciated that Belle didn’t make this easy on Tristian, he needed to prove that he wouldn’t disappear again which created lots of drama. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Meet M. Robinson

M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the "Queen of Angst" by readers around the world.

Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more.

She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.

When M isn't in the cave writing her next epic love story, you will find her shopping and living on a boat in Florida with her real life pirate, her lobster, her husband Bossman. Sipping on Starbucks and hanging out with their two dogs, a German shepherd mix and a gordito Wheaten Terrier reading a good book. Or spending time with her family, who she is extremely close with.

Above all, M loves her readers more than anything and loves to connect with them! She is on all social media platforms but you will find her in her happy place the most. Her VIP Reader Group on Facebook or her second favorite happy place, Instagram.

Reader Group | TikTok

Hosted By:

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

New Release & Review: Her Escort by Kelly Gendron

HER ESCORT (A Different Kind of Escort Service #2)

by Kelly Gendron

Release Date: August 23rd

Genre/Tropes: Steamy Contemporary Romance with Suspense Elements/ Clandestine Hero / Forced Proximity/ Dark Pasts / Wounded Hearts

Series: A Different Kind of Escort Service, book 2, standalone

NOW AVAILABLE!!! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5HMSY43

Amazon Universal: mybook.to/HerEscortKGendron

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61373192-her-escort

START A DIFFERENT KIND OF ESCORT SERVICE SERIES TODAY!!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YPB3PJP

Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/ADifferentKindofEscortService

Blurb

The Daxon Brothers all have day jobs. At night, they’re escorts. But a different kind of escort. They work with a local domestic abuse center. Like a thief in the night. They steal battered women from their abusers. It’s not an easy job. And sometimes not legal. Still, they made an oath. Never leave a woman behind. This is HER Story We all have our stories. I need to know hers,

My Review:

Her Escort (A Different Kind of Escort Service #2)

Her Escort by Kelly Gendron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the premise of this series and the work that the Daxon brothers are doing to help women. This book is Cole and Harper’s story. Harper is Willa’s niece and has returned to help Willa following surgery which means she has to step up and be Jane, the person the women call when they need help to escape an abuse situation. Harper knows the work her aunt does but suddenly being the person that needs to help and make the women feel safe opens up her eyes to her aunt’s true calling. She never expects for the guy she met in the coffee shop to be the man to assist with the rescue. When Harper is suddenly in danger, it’s Cole that steps up to protect her which ends up being a challenge as he tries to fight his attraction to Harper. For Harper, she has built strong walls to protect her heart after losing several people she’s loved. Each of them are carrying deep emotional scars from their past that they need to work through before they can let themselves be happy and truly embrace love. I was pulled in by the drama while the passion and heart of this journey kept me glued to the page. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Gendron writes Steamy, Contemporary, HEA Romances. In her books, you’ll find a variety of alphas, love stories with fast-moving plots, and a slow burn that will keep you turning the pages. Besides being a writer, Kelly is also a nurse. So, she’s a firm believer in clean hands and dirty books!

Connect w/Kelly:

Website: http://kellygendron.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kelly-gendron

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Gendron/e/B0082H6TZS

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelgendron

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

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/k0q4m0

Monday, August 22, 2022

New Release & Review: Hostile Hearts by K E Osborn

Hostile Hearts by K E Osborn is now live!

Step up and be a man...

That's what I had to do when my father walked out on my mother, sister, and me for the other family he had on the side.

He left us with nothing.

So I had to become something—someone better than he thought I could be.

I made it, despite my father—because of my father.

All I need now is that one huge client for my business to soar, to rocket me into the stratosphere where I belong.

And to do that, I need help.

I need her.

Brianna Cox—New Orleans' finest event coordinator. Sassy. Feisty. Gorgeous.

Our chemistry is off the charts.

There's only one problem—we can't see eye to eye.

But we've signed a contract.

She's made it clear that seeing this contract through is the last thing she wants to do.

Brianna's determined to keep her distance.

I'm struggling to stay the course.

But in the end, will our hostile hearts give in to temptation?

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

https://mybook.to/hostilehearts

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3PnjWtZ

My Review:

Hostile Hearts: An Enemies to Lovers Billionaire Romance by K.E. Osborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nash is breaking away from his father’s business after being treated like a second-class citizen. It’s time for Nash to find his own path and accept that he doesn’t need his father’s approval. To really make his company succeed, he needs to land a big client so he goes after the one his father took away from him. To convince this company to trust him, he needs to throw a premiere event that raises money for charity so he needs the best party planner New Orleans has to offer. Brianna has worked hard to build her business and reputation as a party planner. When Nash struts in and needs her help, well, she can’t say no to triple her fee. But when she finds out that he is trying to take her best friend’s biggest client, well, she gets put in a difficult situation. Does she get out of the contract? Or does she take a chance with Nash? For all Nash’s pushy and overbearing ways, she finds herself attracted to him. Nash struggles with trusting her once he knows her best friend was his biggest rival at his father’s firm. Is there any chance they could find love and happiness together? This story is full of drama, angst and passion. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Meet K E Osborn

With a flair for all things creative, USA Today Bestselling Author K E Osborn, is drawn to the written word. Exciting worlds and characters flow through her veins, coming to life on the page as she laughs, cries, and becomes enveloped in the storyline right along with you. She's entirely at home when writing sassy heroines and alpha males that rise from the ashes of their pasts.

K E Osborn comforts herself with tea and Netflix, after all, who doesn't love a good binge?

Explosive. Addictive. Romance.

Connect with K E

Website | www.keosbornauthor.com

Goodreads | https://bit.ly/3r8v440

Amazon | amazon.com/author/keosborn

Facebook | www.facebook.com/KEOsborn

Facebook Group | www.facebook.com/groups/kestarlets

Instagram | www.instagram.com/keosbornauthor

TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@keosborn.author

Twitter | https://twitter.com/KEOsbornAuthor

Bookbub | www.bookbub.com/authors/k-e-osborn

Newsletter | http://bit.ly/keosbornnewsletter

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Cover Reveals: Only One series by Kennedy Fox

Only One series

A small town interconnected standalone series

Cover designer: Designs by Dana

Cover photographer: Regina Wamba

Only Him

Release Date: August 29th, 2022

I wasn’t supposed to catch feelings for my best friend’s older brother. It started with a letter and grew into us confessing our secrets. Then, he left, taking my shattered heart with him. Twelve years later, he’s back. We have to keep our distance. If we fall for each other, everything will fall apart. But then I’m blackmailed into marrying another man, and the guy who broke my heart is the only one who can save me.

Only Him is a second chance, small town romance and is a bundled standalone from the Tyler & Gemma duet.

Pre-0rder your copy:

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Only Us

Release Date: September 12th, 2022

I had a picture perfect life. At least everyone thought I did. But behind closed doors, my life is a mess.

My husband’s far from the man I’d fallen in love with years ago. As my rocky marriage crumbles, my best friend, Noah, stays by my side.

But then, when my husband dies, the finger is pointed at Noah. For years, he’s pushed me away, but when his life is threatened, I risk my heart to save him.

Only Us is a friends to lovers, small town romance and is a bundled stand-alone from the Noah & Katie duet.

Pre-0rder your copy:

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Only Mine

Release Date: September 19th, 2022

I’m not your girl next door. They call me loud, blunt, and too gorgeous for my own good. A woman who can’t be tamed.

Until Archer. The problem? He’s my brother’s best friend. My new roommate. And off-limits. Until we spend a wild night between the sheets.

But secretly dating isn’t easy. Our pasts collide with the present. And the only man who can save me is the one I shouldn’t want.

Only Mine is a roommates to lovers, small town romance and is a bundled stand-alone originally titled the Archer & Everleigh duet.

Pre-0rder your copy:

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet Kennedy Fox

View our full reading order here

Connect with Kennedy Fox

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Newsletter

TikTok: @brookekfox @lyraparish @kennedyfoxbooks

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Cover Reveal & Pre-Order: Second Chance Mine by M. Robinson

Release Date: October 25

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes a friends to lovers, enemies to lovers second chance standalone romance.

You never forget your first love…

And I hadn’t.

Not her kiss.

Not her touch.

Or the way she looked at me when I told her I had to go.

We were friends once.

Best friends.

Until being lovers made us enemies.

The timing had never been right— but I’d been waiting all this time to prove her wrong.

That time is now.

Now she’s mine…

In this office I’m in charge, and I’m going to show her just how bossy I can be.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet M. Robinson

M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the "Queen of Angst" by readers around the world.

Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more.

She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.

Hosted By:

Cover Reveal & Pre-Order: Promises We Meant to Keep by Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy has revealed the cover for Promises We Meant to Keep!

Releasing: September 22, 2022

Cover Design: Emily Wittig Designs

Sylvie Lancaster. My first love. My biggest weakness…

More info coming soon!

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qv2wvZ

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/PromisesWMTK

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3A3PeRt

Meet Monica

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance. She's also known as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, two kids, one dog, and four cats. When she's not writing, she's an assistant coach for her daughter's high school cheer team, which is a two season sport. Meaning, she's at practice with a bunch of teenage girls all the time. Or she's at a football game. Or a basketball game. Maybe someday, she'll even write about this experience.

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/monicamurphyreadergroup/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/msmonicamurphy/

Verve Romance: https://ververomance.com/app/monicamurphy