Sunday Wrap-Up #44

I know I’ve been pretty quiet lately. There’s a reason for that though. I actually flew to New York for a week for my uncle’s wedding aka the RedLuv Wedding. While I balled my eyes out during the gorgeous ceremony, I partied hard with my family during the reception. Which was more of a rock concert reception than a traditional reception. Hobo Graffiti, Ledyard, Brand New Sin, and Bobaflex were in attendance for the wedding and played some amazing sets once the night got underway. It was awesome.

That would be me with her hands up in the background. LoL

I had planned to have posts go out while I was gone and a few did but I definitely dropped the ball on it. It didn’t help that when I got home from my week long trip, I had a day of rest before I had to attend a ball for my husband’s work. Which turned into more of a two day event since we went out to the venue early and pre-gamed in our hotel room, stayed the night, and wound up not getting home until much later than we’d planned. So, yeah… I’ve been a little busy the last week and a half. However, I am home and ready to play catch-up on all my reading and blogging. I want to say a big thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me all these amazing books for review. I arrived home after a horrible string of flights to find some awesome books waiting for me. So, thank you for cheering up my day.

Last week on BSA:
Overwhelm by Láyla Messner (Guest post & Giveaway)

This week on BSA:
Casablanca Sourcebooks Holiday Tour Quiz & Giveaway
The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel (Review)
The Striker by Monica McCarty (Review)

*Just finished reading this and it was awesome!*

The Striker
By: Monica McCarty
Genre: Historical Romance

Six years ago, Eoin “Striker” MacLean endured the greatest betrayal of his life, a disaster that led Robert the Bruce to a crushing defeat and left Eoin without the spirited woman who ruled his heart. Eoin knew that falling in love with his sworn enemy’s daughter was risky, dividing him between a possessive desire for beautiful Margaret MacDowell and an undying loyalty to his king. He promised Bruce that he would keep his fiery bride in the dark about the elite Highland Guard, but he could not predict the dire consequences his secret would have on his young marriage. Nor could he foresee how surrendering to temptation could cripple Bruce’s cause, forcing Eoin to blame his wife—and himself for trusting her.

Now, as Bruce prepares to challenge the resistance’s remaining strongholds, Eoin finally has his chance for revenge against the woman he once loved so fiercely and her entire clan. But when ferociously independent Margaret reveals a surprise that unites her with Eoin, neither of them will let their love go down without a fight.

*Super freaking excited to have received this. I loved the crap out of the first book [review] and was dying to get my hands on this one. Penguin Random House must be psychic because this was waiting for me when I got back from my trip*

The Truth About Him
By: Molly O’Keefe
Genre: Romance

We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.

Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

Make Me Stay
By: Jaci Burton
Genre: Romance

Reid McCormack is back in Hope to renovate the old mercantile. Then he plans to go back to Boston, where he’s built a successful career. But beautiful florist Samantha Reasor is a distraction Reid hadn’t counted on. Samantha intends to convince Reid that Hope is where his heart has always been, and coming home might be the best choice he could ever make.

Shadow’s End
By: Thea Harrison
Genre: Paranormal Romance

For Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord, and Graydon, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr, even the slightest desire for each other is forbidden. But two hundred years ago, after a desperate play to save Beluviel’s stepson left them indebted to the cruel Djinn Malphas, they found their fates inexorably linked together—and the hunger between them growing too strong to ignore…

Two centuries later, with their debt to Malphas coming due, Beluviel and Graydon realize that, if they are to stand any chance of saving their souls, they must once again work together—this time more closely than ever before. But every moment they spend with each other brings them nearer to losing something even more vital—their hearts…

Misconduct
By: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Romance

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

Fairy Tale Confessions
By: Tish Thawer, Sarah J. Pepper, Amy Daws, L.P. Dover, Elizabeth Montgomery, Shannon Morton, Brynn Myers, Wendy Owens, Cameo Renae, Kellie Sheridan, Jessica Sorensen, Kristen Strassel, K.R. Wilburn, M. Clarke
Genre: Fantasy

Fourteen bestselling authors twist up your favorite tales. Will your favorite have a happily-ever-after?

Get ready to meet some sexy, not-so-valiant princes, punk-rock princesses, villains turned heroes, and truly vile monsters wreaking havoc within our favorite tales.

Read about Dancing Princesses getting their groove on in a disco club, a seriously sexy Rumpelstiltskin, and one alluring Puss-in-Boots, plus many, many more captivating characters in these fourteen all new short-stories.