#xoxperts Review: Nuts by Alice Clayton

Nuts by Alice Clayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who knew that butter could ruin a career? That's exactly what happens to private chef Roxie Callahan when she errs in the eyes of a L.A. diva. When her mom calls, needing help at the family diner in sleepy Bailey Falls, she grudgingly agrees. But after a literal run-in with the most drool-worthy farmer she's ever seen, Leo Maxwell, will she change her mind about love--and where she calls home?

Alice Clayton, author of the delightful novel Nuts, is not new to fans, but new to me. Her writing is sweet, spicey, and dotted with a bit of cheese. I found myself chuckling and lol, staying up into the wee hours of the morning to finish it. Chapter 12 have me goosebumps. That's good reading right there. I may have had to fan myself.

This is the first in Clayton's new Hudson Valley series. If the romps of Richie and Leo are any prediction, I'm going to savor this series.

A solid four stars, this could only have been better had it included some of Roxie's amazing-sounding recipes. That's not nice to tease your readers who are also foodies! ;) I'd give it a PG-13 rating since the romance is definitely there but not explicitly phrased. There are plenty of F-bombs--this didn't bother me, but some readers may feel differently.

**Disclaimer--I was sent this book as a member of the Xoxperts Street Team. This is my honest and unbiased review. Check out xoxoafterdark.com and Simonandschuster.com.

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XoXperts Review: Sustained by Emma Chase

Sustained by Emma Chase
My rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

When Defense attorney Jake Becker nabs his juvie pickpocket, he has no clue how his life is about to change again. Once a juvenile offender himself, he finds himself falling hard for the boy's legal guardian--Chelsea McQuaid. This playboy handles criminals; how hard can it be to deal with her five other nieces and nephews?

Maybe a big clue would be when he had to Google how to change a diaper.

....I lift his kicking legs and slide a fresh diaper underneath him.
And then--without warning--a hot stream...arches in the air, coating
my shirt with expert aim.
I glare down at the baby. "Seriously, man?"
He just smiles around the hand he's chewing on.
...Google didn't mention this.


Sustained is book two of the Legal Briefs series by Emma Chase. I didn't get a chance to read the first book, so these can be read out of order.

I really enjoyed this book. Jake is quite the rogue but you can't help but fall for him. Chelsea is thrust into being a supermom, and I loved her sweet, trusting nature. The kids are a hoot; my only gripe is all their names start with R, creating a bit of confusion keeping them apart.

I give this 4 1/2 stars and can't wait to read Books 1, already out, and 3, due out next January. I'd give it a Rated R for language and graphic sex.

**Disclaimer--I was sent this book as a member of the Xoxperts Street Team. This is my honest and unbiased review. Check out xoxoafterdark.com and Simonandschuster.com.

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Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GONE Too Soon

It's well known in my family that I will not read a book until I've seen the movie. As much as I liked the film version of Gone Girl, the book was fantastic. I actually hollered out loud when the book was over, I just needed more.

Gillian Flynn is a brilliant author who could pull off alternating voices of Nick and Amy (and Amy...that is not a typo). It's chilling, brilliant, and makes me glad I have Flynn's other books to read (my copy of the ebook included sneak peaks of both).

I'd love a sequel to Gone Girl, the character of Amy is just to big for only one novel.

Five stars well earned.

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XoXperts Review: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"It doesn't need sugar 'cause it's already sweet
It doesn't need an oven 'cause it's got a lot of heat
Just add a dash of kisses to make it all complete
And that's the recipe for making love"
--Recipe for Love, Harry Connick, Jr.

When Lou walks in on her fiance with another woman, her terrible day becomes a disaster when infamous food critic A.W.Wodyski visits that night, leaving a scathing review.

Juggling a failing restaurant and giving freelance writer Al from England a foodie taste of Milwaukee keeps her busy. But can she stand the heat--or will she have to get out of the kitchen?

I absolutely LOVED this book. There are not enough words to aptly describe this yummy romance. It reminds me of a mashup of the classic Meg Ryan movies, particularly You've Got Mail. I think this should BE a movie. Just make sure you have food on hand, as the descriptions of the dishes will make your mouth water.

Lucky for us, author Amy E.Reichert includes the recipes for the famous coconut cake featured on the cover. I had planned on making it in time for my review. I will add to this review when I do so.

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is sweet, but not cloying, romantic, but not too steamy, and is going down as one of my favorite reads for 2015. I can't wait to see what Reichert cooks up for us next! Perhaps a cookbook?

**Disclaimer--I was sent this book as a member of the Xoxperts Street Team. This is my honest and unbiased review. Check out xoxoafterdark.com and Simonandschuster.com.

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Xoxperts Review: The Canterbury Sisters

The Canterbury Sisters by Kim Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Canterbury Sisters begins with two losses: Che's mother has passed away, and her long distance boyfriend has left her. A note with her mother's urn urges her to go to Canterbury. So, like Chaucer's pilgrims, she leaves her world behind for the sixty mile trek. The nine women tell stories, much like in The Canterbury Tales, on their way. Will they find truth, lies, healing, and second chances?

Although it's been ages since I read Chaucer, I enjoyed this group of women, strangers becoming sisters. I was enchanted by the cover (forget that oft-used phrase), but it didn't really fit the theme. My only reason for giving it 4 1/2 stars was trying to keep track of all the characters. I loved the twists and turns of the tale, much like the roads they took. I definitely look forward to reading more of Wright's work.



**Disclaimer--I was sent this book as a member of the Xoxperts Street Team. This is my honest and unbiased review. Check out xoxoafterdark.com and Simonandschuster.com.

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Searching for Beautiful Social Media Blitz!!!

Hello and welcome to my first Social Media BLITZ for

This is the third book in Jennifer Probst's Searching for...Series.

Here's my artwork for the blitz...look around on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram to find them!

You can find out more about Jennifer Probst at www.JenniferProbst.com

www.xoxoafterdark.com
#xoxperts #xoxoafterdark
Note:I was sent this as a member of the Official Street Team, an Xoxpert, for xoxoafterdark.com.This is my honest and unbiased review.

Review: Walking on Trampolines

Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This incredibly lyrical saga of love won and lost, coming off age, mental illness and betrayal stays with me still. It is beautiful and heart breaking, a snapshot from everyday life, yet it captivated me for the entire book. Though set in Australia, there is a worldliness that embraces us all. Time passes, rewinds, but binds us all in the end, perhaps not a perfect HEA, but enough that we feel deliciously sated.


Annabelle, strong willed and determined, takes introvert Tallulah under her wing, and begin a friendship where the lines of their respective households--and friends and lovers--become blurred. Can they survive through betrayals?

I absolutely was smitten by this novel. The characters were as real as you and I. I can only hope author Frances Writing continues to share her brilliance with the world.

Note:I was sent this as a member of the Official Street Team, an Xoxpert, for xoxoafterdark.com.This is my honest and unbiased review.

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