My Friends Choose My Next Reads Kindle Edition

So, I asked my friend Hannah from HannacondaBlog and Terra from Bookbanditblog to choose books from my kindle to read. To add a bit more of a challenge I will be trying to review all the books that they chose for me and if you read any of my reviews you know that I’m not really good at reviewing books but I try my best. Now onto the books.

Hannah’s Picks

Molly Miranda: Thief for Hire (Molly Miranda, #1) — Molly Miranda: Thief for Hire
(Molly Miranda #1)
by Jillianne Hamilton

Goodreads Blurb

Professional, experienced contract burglar.
It’s not exactly something you can put on a business card.

Molly Miranda has made a successful living from “acquiring” valuables and delivering them to clients who pay buckets of cash for her unique services.

So what if she has to lie about her lavish lifestyle in Manhattan and her frequent trips out of the country? Molly has everything under control.

Things go astray when she knocks boots with her charming roommate right before taking off to Scotland with an untrustworthy wildcard on a job assignment that doesn’t go quite as planned.

It doesn’t help that this new partner-in-crime is super annoying. And attractive…

Join Molly on her hilarious adventures as she dodges bullets, trespasses, wears disguises, and steals her way into trouble.

Goodreads Blurb

Rafael’s and Akilah’s Story: An African American New Adult Urban Romance

After fleeing Miami for a new start, Akilah was the last thing 19-year-old Rafael needed.

She was everything he avoided in the past with girls. Opinionated. Assertive. Shrewd. Too curious for her own good. Bold. Daring. The type you didn’t want involved when you were running and had something to hide.

He fell for her anyway.

There are a lot of big reasons that Rafael shouldn’t be with Akilah. There are a lot of big reasons why he can’t be with her.

But shouldn’t and can’t aren’t in her vocabulary. And there are a lot of other reasons, little things really, that Rafael should be with her that outweigh the big things.

But when his past, my abuser, the reason he lived on the streets for three years, the reason he can never go back home, the biggest reason he shouldn’t get involved with Akilah, comes knocking on the door, Rafael has a choice to make.

Confront it. Or lose Akilah forever.

Terra’s Picks

Fearless (King, #1) — Fearless
(King #1)
by Tawdra Kandle

Goodreads Blurb

This is an alternate cover version for ASIN: B006KHWEKQ

Tasmyn Vaughn didn’t expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear other’s thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly.

Coming Home (Texas Sisters, #2) — Coming Home
(Texas Sisters #2)
by Audrey Wick

Goodreads Blurb

College professor Mallory Fredrick loves her job in a city that feels like home, but after a student attacks her on social media, she loses her peace of mind and confidence. When her college offers a sabbatical, she jumps at the chance to escape to her hometown in Texas.

Entrepreneur Alec O’Donnell specializes in helping people in crisis. He’s built his company and career on packing up lives as people start over. It’s just business until he meets Mallory. Something about the beautiful and fragile woman who still manages to hold on to her sense of humor affects him. As feelings develop, he realizes he’s not ready for her to move out of his life.

Can Mallory find peace, or will a second setback keep her from coming home for good?

Every Day Is a Holiday
(Every Day Is a Holiday #1)
by George Mahood

Goodreads Blurb

George Mahood had a nice, easy, comfortable life. He had a job, a house, a wife and kids. But something was missing. He was stuck in a routine of working, changing nappies and cleaning up cat sick. He felt like he was missing out on a lot of what the world had to offer.

He then discovered that it was Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. The day after that was National Curmudgeon Day, and the day after that was Inane Answering Machine Message Day. In fact, the calendar is FULL of these quirky, weird and wonderful events. He realised that somebody somewhere had created these holidays, believing that they were important enough to warrant their own official day. Surely he should therefore be more appreciative of their existence? So he decided to try and celebrate them all. As you do. He hoped that at the end of the challenge he would be transformed into a happier, more intelligent and more content person.

Follow George on his hilarious, life changing adventure as he tries to balance his normal life with a wealth of new experiences, people, facts and ridiculous situations. It’s a rip-roaring, life-affirming, roller-coaster of a ride, where every day is a holiday.

A Tale of Two Houses (Defy the Stars, #1) — A Tale of Two Houses
(Defy the Stars #1)
by Susan Harris

Goodreads Blurb

If you think you know how this story ends — think again!

Centuries ago, the royal house of witches in Vernanthia split into two factions: House Cambridge and House Montgomery. These two houses warred with each other for an age, causing widespread bloodshed and death. Those without magic — the Nulls — suffered the most. One day, a favored daughter of the Nulls was slain. With her dying breath, she cursed the covens to know no peace until love was possible between the houses.

That curse had long since been forgotten — until now.

Julian Montgomery is the reluctant Prince of House Montgomery and Rowan Cambridge is in no rush to become the Queen of House Cambridge. Both heirs long for freedom from their birthright obligations. When fate throws these two star-crossed lovers together, it sends them on a collision course with destiny that neither could have predicted.

Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet is reimagined in this compelling drama about two young people drawn by fate into an unwinnable situation. If you think you know how this story ends — think again!

Lovestruck (Lucky in Love, #3)

Lovestruck
(Lucky in Love #3)
by Lila Monroe

Goodreads Blurb

Will Cassidy is hot, infuriating, and the guy behind the biggest heart-stomping humiliation of my life. He’s also hosting my BFF’s destination wedding at his super-luxe tropical resort, so short of a hurricane or outbreak of the plague (here’s hoping), I’m stuck within t̶o̶n̶g̶u̶e̶’s̶ arm’s reach of him for the next seven days.

But I’m not a naive college girl anymore, and there’s no way I’m falling for his (many) charms again. I just have to ignore the romantic wedding shenanigans, his miraculous abs, all those intimate beach sunsets… And did I mention those abs?

Maybe a wild vacation fling is exactly what I need to even the score… But between the scorching chemistry and all-inclusive margaritas, I’m getting drunk on love. Which definitely isn’t part of the plan.

Can I keep my heart zipped – even if my bikini bottoms are lost somewhere on that nude beach? And how do you let go of the past when you’re holding on tight to the past’s (very ripped) torso?

It looks like my friends chose seven books for me. I’m honest with you guys I’m not worried when it comes to reading the books but reviewing them is another story.

Wish Me Luck,

Alex

Firsts Lines Fridays

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book

Lines

January 1931

Adele had a stitch from running by the time she reached Euston Road. She was late for collecting Pamela, her eight-year-old sister, from her piano lesson on the other side of the busy main road. Aside from the darkness and the usual six o’clock heavy traffic, crossing the road was made even more hazardous by the lumps of blackened ice in the gutters from a fall of snow a few days previously.

Adele Talbot was twelve – small, thin, pale-faced and waif-like in a worn adult tweed coat many sizes too large for her, woollen socks fallen to her ankles and a knitted pixie hood covering her straggly brown hair. Yet despite her still tender years, there was an adult expression of anxiety in her wide, greenish-brown eyes as she hopped from foot to foot impatiently watching for a break in the traffic.

Image result for line divider

And The Book Is..

Goodreads

Alex

Five Of The Oldest Books Purchases In My Kindle That I Still Have To Read

Duplicity by [Knight, K.T.] — Duplicity
by K T Knight

Goodreads Blurb

Can love built on lies ever survive? Ambitious career-girl Holly Martin is determined to rise to the top of her profession, whatever it takes. After a chance encounter in the elevator at work, she hadn’t reckoned on falling hard for her hot new boss, Nick van Hoogen. Should she follow her head and walk away, or listen to her heart? Then there’s Adam, her long-suffering work buddy, who would do anything for Holly and is convinced Nick is bad news. Should she trust the advice of her loyal friend or does Adam have a hidden agenda? One error of judgment is all it takes for Holly to become the victim of her own deceit as her life spirals out of control. In danger of losing her career and the man she loves, can she redeem herself before it’s too late? A steamy tale of lust and longing, lies and deceit, Duplicity leaves you hanging to the very end to discover whether Holly gets her happily-ever-after.

One Sweet Summer (A Mermaid Isle Romance, #1) — One Sweet Summer
(A Mermaid Isle Romance #1)
by Cali MacKay

Goodreads Blurb

Riley Carter’s never found anyone who could live up to her first love, Thorsen Black. So imagine her surprise when, twelve years later, he shows up at the unique and quirky inn she manages on Mermaid Isle, off the coast of Maine. The sweet, gangly teen has matured into a sexy and handsome man, leaving her heart desperate to pick up where they left off.

It’s impossible for her to ignore the way her body instantly reacts to his touch and he’s just the distraction she needs when she finds out the owners of the Siren Song Inn are selling it to Holt Enterprises. Holt only has eyes on the bottom line and Riley knows they’ll strip the inn of everything that makes it special, ruining not only the Siren, but devastating the island economy.

While fighting to save her beloved inn, Riley falls in love with Thorsen all over again. But when she’s faced with the real reason Thorsen’s on the island and his unbearable betrayal, will she be able to save the inn and her chance at true happiness?

Lady Gabrielle (Huntington Saga Short Stories #1) — Lady Gabrielle
(Huntington Saga Short Stories #1)
by Ellise C. Weaver

Goodreads Blurb

A sweet kiss changes everything.
One minute, Lady Gabrielle is the toast of London, her first Season with Society a great success—but the choice of gentlemen hardly interest her.

But then, a vicious dog saves the day, his determination to ruin her gown is all it takes for a dashing gentleman to charge to Gabrielle’s rescue. Her boredom is replaced with visions of this gentleman’s smile. Now she cannot help but disagree with her parents’ choice for her marriage partner. Instead, she wishes to marry the handsome stranger who finds her just as fascinating. But her parents will not even consider a “Mr. Nobody” for their favored daughter.

Will Gabrielle give in to her parents’ demands, or will she be driven into the arms of the only man who ever listened to her heart?

Go back in time with us, before Carly or Susannah’s stories (The Governess and Pirate Bride), and read about how their parents fell in love!

Suspicion (Elusive #1) — Suspicion
(Elusive #1)
by Shyla Starr

Goodreads Blurb

Billionaire Hendrick has always done things right. He built his multi-billion empire without stepping on other people’s toes. So it’s a surprise to him when he, as owner of the company, is charged with dumping industrial waste in the Arctic Ocean. This is a PR mess so the company sends Hendrick to Africa to do some damage control. Helping build a school and hospital for the impoverished children is exactly in Hendrick’s repertoire. What’s not in it is the habit of falling in bed with the same girl twice.

In Africa, he meets African-American Jocelyn, who is doing volunteer work to give back to the community. Hendrick and Jocelyn immediately develop a liking to each other that quickly turns into a nightly romp. Jocelyn’s volunteer work in Africa is about her guilt for living a good life. What happens when she finds out that Hendrick, while not a stranger to doing missions, is actually indirectly involved in poisoning the ocean?

Holding On (Holding On, #1) — Holding On
(Holding On #1)
by Rachael Brownell

Goodreads Blurb

For five years Becca has been struggling to hide her feelings for her best friend, Brad. Now she finally has a chance to move on. She’s in a new city, she’s attending a new school, and she’s met the first guy besides Brad who’s held her attention in a long time. Not only is Ethan attractive, he’s an amazing tennis player, and he might just be Becca’s match on and off the courts.

Brad has loved Becca for as long as he can remember. Now that Becca’s family has moved two thousand miles away, Brad may finally be ready to lay his heart on the line and do whatever it takes to hold on to Becca.

But is Brad too late? Or will Ethan’s secret drive Becca back into Brad’s arms? Torn between her love for Brad and the promise of something new and exciting with Ethan, Becca has an almost impossible choice to make, the choice between letting go or holding on.

Alex

Smoothies And Books Summer Edition

I haven’t done a post like this in a while, so I thought, it’s time to do one.

Smoothie

Image result for easy smoothie recipe

And

The Book

Summer Unplugged (Summer Unplugged, #1) — Summer Unplugged
(Summer Unplugged #1)
by Amy Sparling

Goodreads Blurb

Summer Unplugged is a novella. It is the first in the Summer Unplugged Series.

Bayleigh is addicted to her cell phone and her mom has had enough. After catching her sending a less than lady-like photo to a boy who barely knows her, Bayleigh’s mom sends her away to her grandparent’s house for the summer–sans cell phone, laptop and Ipod. Bayleigh thinks the summer will be torture without social media…that is until she meets the boy next door.

(It’s free on Amazon)

Smoothie

Source

And

The Book

Mending Heartstrings (Forging Forever, #1) — Mending Heartstrings
(Forging Forever #1)
by Aria Glazki

My review

Alex

If You Like This You Might Like This

Swipe Right for Murder

Swipe Right for Murder
by Derek Milman

The Cycle (Violence Begets..., #2)

The Cycle
(Violence Begets… #2)
by P.T. Denys

Both books are thriller like with a gay main character.

Image result for when the wind blows series

When the Wind Blows by James Patterson

Image result for the mortal instruments books

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

I paired these two series together because of the magical elements and the friendship group in both series.

Finding Me

Finding Me by Kelly Gunderman

Reaching for Sun

Reaching for Sun
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Both Josie Wyatt and Claire Williams have a disability, but they are two beautiful, strong girls despite their disability. And their story gives out hope.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

A Dog's Way Home

A Dog’s Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

Two books about two amazing dogs who protect their family at all cost and I believe that both books are being adapted into a movie this year.

Maple Creek

Maple Creek by Elizabeth Penn

Love at Cooper's Creek

Love at Cooper’s Creek by Missouri Vaun

They both give me small towns vibes and cute lesbian romances.

Alex

Firsts Lines Fridays

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book

Lines

RHIANNON HUNTER worshipped at the altar of no man.

Or woman, for that matter. She’d worked hard to carve out her own tiny empire where she was only accountable to herself and those she chose to be accountable to. It was a luxury and privilege she didn’t take lightly.

So it was extra annoying when she had to cajole anyone for anything. Wearing heels, no less.

“Ma’am, you are not on the list.”

Rhiannon flicked the button of her jacket open. Her modest cleavage in the crimson one-piece jumpsuit she was wearing had the bouncer’s gaze slipping away from his iPad. She cocked her hip, the better to accent her legs, the dratted heels at least giving her a nice optical illusion of length. “I got an invite,” she lied. “Can you please double-check? H-U-N-T-E-R.” She spoke in what was her closest guess of what a sweet, soft tone might sound like.

Image result for line divider pink

And The Book Is..

The Right Swipe (Modern Love, #1) — The Right Swipe
(Modern Love #1)
by Alisha Rai

Goodreads Blurb

Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.

Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules:

– Nude pics are by invitation only

– If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice

– Protect your heart

Only there aren’t any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night… and disappears.

Rhi thought she’d buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won’t fumble their second chance, but she’s wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…

Alex

Firsts Lines Fridays

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book

Lines

It’s at Amber Brunati’s annual Pink Party that everything begins to unravel.

The invitation—on thick pink paper, naturally, with gold and turquoise swirls—had declared it to be the last great luncheon of the summer. As if my summer had been packed to bursting with a whole host of other themed luncheons instead of babysitting jobs and shifts at Pinky’s Sub Shop. It also implied that there had been a number of mediocre luncheons this summer, as this was meant to be the last of the great ones.

I stare around Amber’s backyard at clustered tables covered in pink gingham cloths and at the girls around said tables. We’re all wearing pink except for Iris Huang, who had the nerve to arrive in lavender (Amber’s angry whispers carried clear across the lawn), and Kaitlyn Winthrop, who is technically wearing magenta. This seems to incense Amber even more, because while we all know that Iris’s dress is a big official eff you to the entire Pink Party construct, Kaitlyn doesn’t seem to realize that she’s committed a faux pas.

“Someone get that girl a color wheel,” Amber hisses angrily to Madison Lutz, sitting to my left. “Someone get her a fucking Pantone booklet because magenta is not pink. We all know magenta is not pink, right?” She looks to me. “Right?”

Image result for hearts line

And The Book Is..

Goodreads

Alex