Elley the Book Otter

COVER REVEAL: Anton by Brenda Rother

Today we are sharing the cover reveal of ANTON by Brenda Rothert. This is a contemporary romance, standalone that will be releasing on January 29th. It kicks off the brand new Chicago Blaze hockey romance series. Pre-order your copy now for only $2.99!

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Anton by Brenda Rothert

Releasing January 29
Chicago Blaze, #1
Pre-order on Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books

Book Blurb

He’s known as Father Anton to his teammates—the brooding, sexy captain of the NHL’s Chicago Blaze has a reputation for…not having a reputation. Just like his diet and sleep routines, celibacy is part of Anton Petrov’s on-ice mojo. Or so they say. Anton stays mum on the subject. If the world thinks he chooses to abstain from sex, so be it. Better that than the truth getting out: there is a woman he burns for, but he can never have her. She’s his teammate’s wife, after all. Mia Marceau is finally on her own. Now that she and her husband are living apart, she’s finding the peace she was desperate for. She spends her days in classes and late nights bartending, making her own way in the world at last. After what she’s been through, as long as her husband leaves her alone, she doesn’t plan to rock the boat. He still has the power to hurt those dearest to her, and she can’t demand a divorce with such a high cost. A chance encounter with Mia has Anton hoping for a shot he never thought he’d get. And while she’s drawn to the intense, serious hockey center, Mia’s leery about playing with fire. That’s all Anton has ever known for Mia, though—a living, burning desire that won’t be denied—no matter the cost.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Wattpad | Amazon

Discussion: Holiday Romance ~ Books

Happy Holidays! I love this time of year, because it means it's finally time to GLUT MYSELF ON HOLIDAY ROMANCES! Today I want to focus on holiday romances in book form. (Don't worry, I'll do another post in a couple of whiles on holiday romance movies!)

Here are a few holiday romances I adored. A lot of these are contemporaries because most holiday historicals tend to be novellas, for some reason. *shrug*

Not Just For Christmas by Annabeth Jacobs
For Ben Slater, moving back to Bristol means being closer to his family, living with his best mate, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. But there’s also Jason, his best mate’s eldest brother. Ben’s had a crush on Jason for as long as he can remember, but the eleven-year age gap has always seemed insurmountable.

Jason Armitage works as a vet at his uncle’s practice. He owns a cute cottage on the outskirts of the city, and a loving dog. The one thing missing is someone to share it all with. His brother’s best friend seems a bad choice, but Jason can’t help taking a second look. Ben’s changed a lot since Jason last saw him; both in appearance and attitude. Gone is the shy young boy, replaced with a confident, twenty-four-year-old man.

In the run up to Christmas, the festive period gives Ben the ideal opportunity to show Jason what he has to offer. But concerns for his brother’s feelings hold Jason back. If they have any chance of making this work, Ben must convince Jason that he’s old enough to know what he wants, and Jason needs to believe that a relationship with his brother’s best friend won’t ruin their friendship.
(Goodreads - and check out my review here.) (Available on KindleUnlimited!)

Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
Meet cute...
Run for the hills—temporarily. That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she's pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won't be a stranger for long.

Make merry...
Spence's commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn't have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot chemistry—he's got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she's gorgeous and a great listener just because she gets Spence immediately doesn't mean he won't be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

and hope for a miracle.
Now the clock's ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.
(Goodreads - and check out my review here.)

The Boyfriend Swap by Meredith Schorr
Is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year? New Yorkers Robyn Lane and Sidney Bellows aren’t so sure.

Robyn has always dated struggling creative types. For once, her parents would love her to bring someone with health insurance and a 401(k) to their Chrismukkah celebration. Her actor boyfriend doesn’t qualify. While across town, Sidney’s professional life already belongs to her parents. She’s an attorney at her father’s law firm and she works tirelessly to keep her love life private. If she brings her lawyer boyfriend to their annual Christmas extravaganza, her parents will have the wedding planned by New Year’s Eve.

A mutual friend playfully suggests they trade boyfriends for the holidays. The women share a laugh, but after copious amounts of wine, decide The Boyfriend Swap could be the perfect solution. This way, Robyn can show off her stable attorney boyfriend and Sidney’s high-society family will take no interest in her flakey actor beau.

It’s a brilliant plan—in theory. In practice—not so much. When Will turns out to be the boy-next-door Robyn crushed on hard throughout her teenage years, and Sidney’s family fawns all over Perry like he’s an Oscar-winner rather than a D-list wannabe, one thing is certain: The Boyfriend Swap might just change their lives forever.
(Goodreads - and check out my review here.)

The Decoy Date by Mira Lynn Kelly
Brody O'Donnel doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters—at least, not for himself. But he wants the best for his vivacious, beautiful friend Gwen Danes, and he's tired of watching her pine for a clueless man. Figuring a little bit of jealousy will motivate the guy, Brody proposes a fake relationship. It's an outrageous plan, but Gwen figures there's no harm in it—until they share a passionate kiss she never saw coming.
Suddenly, Gwen's fighting a growing attraction to a man she knows she can't have. After all, he's just faking it...isn't he?
(Goodreads - and check out my review here.)

Lord Dashwood Missed Out by Tessa Dare
A snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned!

Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door…but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Outwas a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.

And he finally seems to have noticed her.

George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir--only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen. Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.

She has one night.
(Goodreads)

I've also got a list of Kindle Unlimited Christmas reads a mile long - here's a sneak peak of a few books on it!

And here are some great holiday recommendations from other book bloggers around the web!

A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can't forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him...or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks her way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He's been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he's determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss...

A Kiss for Midwinter is a novella (38,000 words) in the Brothers Sinister series. It follows The Duchess War. Each book stands on its own, but those who prefer to read in order might want to read that book first.
(Goodreads - recommended by Peekaboo @ Bookquarium)

Do you read holiday themed books around this time of year? What are some of your favorites?

2019 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge (#ContRom2019)

OK, OK, I *know* I said I was limiting myself to 3 challenges in 2019, but this one will go hand in hand with #BeatTheBacklist so it's really fiiiiiine. ;)

Hosted by Andi's ABC's

Reading Challenge Details:

Runs January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 (books read prior to 1/1/2019 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime you want, though the sign up linky will close Nov. 15, 2019.
The goal is to read as many Contemporary Romance books as you’d like. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down. Remember, the idea is to challenge yourself.
Books that qualify for this challenge can be young adult, new adult, or adult. Books can be M/F, M/M, or F/F. Books must be a work of fiction (sorry, nonfiction does not qualify for this challenge).
Romances with the following elements do not qualify for this reading challenge: paranormal, historical, time-travel, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery/suspense/thriller.
Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).
Novellas that are 100 pages in length (give or take), as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
Use the hashtag #ContRom2019 when posting your reviews/updates/re-caps/monthly topics on social media.
To join this challenge, grab the 2019 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge button below and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. This will be your “update post” when doing the monthly link up.
You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes, etc., so as long as you have a dedicated shelf for the 2019 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge (your designated “update post” for the monthly link up) and your profile is not private. The point of linking up is to have a place where people can see what you’re reading.

Levels:

1st Base: read 1 – 5 books
2nd Base: read 6 – 10 books
3rd Base: read 11 – 15 books
Home Run: read 16 – 20 books
Grand Slam: read 21+ books

My goal: 21+ books for the GRAND SLAM level
Here's a link to my 2019 Contemporary Romance Challenge shelf on Goodreads.

Progress:
1. Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole (read 1.3.19) - review
2. Just for Show by Jae (read 1.5.19) - review
3. Just This Once by Mira Lyn Kelly (read 1.10.19) - review
4. Crazy on You by Crystal B. Bright (read 1.17.19) - review
5. Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson (read 1.19.19) - review
6. Book Boyfriend by Claire Kingsley (read 1.20.19) - review
7. Engaging Mr. Darcy by Rachel John (read 1.20.19) - review
8. Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis (read 1.26.19) - review
9. First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (read 1.26.19) - review
10. The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker (read 1.27.19) - review will be linked closer to release date
11. The Whole Package by Marie Hart (read 1.30.19) - review
12. Cocky Roommate by Claire Kingsley (read 1.31.19) - review
13. Hot Single Dad by Claire Kingsley (read 2.3.19) - review
14. Finding Jack by Melanie Jacobson (read 2.3.19) - review coming soon
15. A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole (read 2.7.19) - review will be linked closer to release date
16. Crashing Into Her by Mia Sosa (read 2.13.19) - review
17. Devoted to Pleasure by Shayla Black (read 24.19) - review
18. My Very '90s Romance by Jenny Colgan (read 2.27.19) - review
-. Bad for the Boss by Talia Hibbert (currently reading)

February status: 18 books read (Home Run!)

Monthly Wrap-Up :: November 2018

2018 Reading Challenge

Books read in November: 15

Books read in 2018: 170/175

And now I'm kind of going "Whyyyy did I increase my challenge goal from 150 to 175 again? I could be DONE right now!" hahahahahahahhahaha arrrrghhhh *flumph*

#LetsDiscuss2018

hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

Progress in November: 3

Total Progress: 26/31

So in October I hit my old goal of 21 for the rank of "Chatty Kathy" and subsequently set the bar at the next rank of 31 for "Terrificially Talkative." There's pretty much no way I'm going to do 5 discussion posts in December, but you never know! Maybe I will think of some great things that I just MUST discuss!!

#2018BeatTheBacklist

hosted by Novel Knight

Progress in November??

Total Progress: I've pretty much given up on this one for 2018, and am coming back with renewed vigot in 2019. If you've followed my blog in the past week, I'm limited my challenged in 2019 to ONLY the Beat the Backlist challenge, the Discussion challenge, and the Goodreads challenge. I'm also not doing all the weird limitations I set myself on the BTB challenge in 2018 to make this super hard. (Basically I was trying to clear out my physical TBR pile, and it backfired spectacularly.)

#2018AtoZChallenge

hosted by Ginger Mom & the Kindle Quest

Progress in November: 0

Total Progress: 23/26

Letters remaining: Q, X, Z (The hard ones!) Unless one of the holiday romances I plan to glut myself on in December magically happens to start with one of these remaining letters, I'm going to end up at 23 total... which will still put me at the top rank of DRAGON, mwahahaha!