Waiting on Wednesday (219) Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:

Ten After Closing by

 Jessica Bayliss

10PM: Closing time at Café Flores. The door should be locked, but it isn't, Scott Bradley and Winsome Sommervil are about to become hostages.

TEN MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING: Scott's girlfriend breaks up with him in the café's basement storeroom because he's late picking her up for the big end-of-the-year party. Now he can't go to the party, but he can't go home, either―not knowing his dad will still be in a drunken rage. Meanwhile, Winny wanted one night to let loose, away from her mother's crushing expectations. Instead, she's stranded at the café after her best friend ditches her in a misguided attempt at matchmaking.

TEN MINUTES AFTER CLOSING: The first gunshot is fired. Someone's dead. And if Winny, Scott, and the rest of the hostages don't come up with a plan soon, they may not live to see morning.

Told from both Winny and Scott's perspectives, and alternating between the events leading up to and following the hold-up, Ten After Closing is an explosive story of teens wrestling with their own challenges, thrown into circumstances that will test their very limits. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: June 2018

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday (203) Managed by Kristen Callihan

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

“Destroyed. My polished armor. My stubborn resistance. My hardened heart. She’s smashed through the first two and laid total claim on the third. And I don’t feel like running.”

 and

“Men can’t go around introducing their woman as, “Mine; Touch her and lose a finger.” Can they?” 

Managed by Kristen Callihan

                      

Waiting on Wednesday (218) The Lantern's Ember by Colleen Houck

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:

The Lantern's Ember by Colleen Houck

Welcome to a world where nightmarish creatures reign supreme.

Five hundred years ago, Jack made a deal with the devil. It’s difficult for him to remember much about his mortal days. So, he focuses on fulfilling his sentence as a Lantern—one of the watchmen who guard the portals to the Otherworld, a realm crawling with every nightmarish creature imaginable. Jack has spent centuries jumping from town to town, ensuring that nary a mortal—or not-so-mortal—soul slips past him. That is, until he meets beautiful Ember O’Dare.

Seventeen, stubborn, and a natural-born witch, Ember feels a strong pull to the Otherworld. Undeterred by Jack’s warnings, she crosses into the forbidden plane with the help of a mysterious and debonair vampire—and the chase through a dazzling, dangerous world is on. Jack must do everything in his power to get Ember back where she belongs before both the earthly and unearthly worlds descend into chaos. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: September 11, 2018

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday (202) Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

“You gave me a Ruger?" she asked. "No one has ever given me a..." She took a small step back. "Oh, my God." Charlie couldn't help but smile. "It's you," she cheered. "My giant, helpful blur!"
"The name is Berg. Berg Dunn.”
                           Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

Teaser Tuesday (201) Shiver by Suzanne Wright

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

Blake looked at me. "So, your idea of teenage rebellion against your mom was to develop neat-freaky ways that clashed with hers?"

Shiver by Suzanne Wright

Waiting on Wednesday (217) Wherever You Are (KGI #12) by Maya Banks

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:

Wherever You Are (KGI #12) by Maya Banks

A KGI novel of nonstop suspense and explosive passion from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brighter Than the Sun.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering.
Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

When some well-deserved R & R turns into a volatile situation for Skylar Watkins, she knows her team will never get to her in time. Her only hope is a promise once made to her by a desperate, grateful man—and his squad is within range…

Driven by a steely demeanor and fierce loyalty, the warrior now tasked with saving Skylar’s life knows her value to the KGI. He’s seen firsthand how daring—and lethal—she can be. He’ll get her back or die trying, but what he isn’t prepared for is the desire to keep her close, for wanting her to remain in his arms and under his watch…forever. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: November 6, 2018

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday (200) Idol by Kristen Callihan

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

"You got that? No one else did."
I close my eyes, let him support me. "No one else matters."

 and

 "I'll love you my whole life, and it won't feel like enough."

Idol by Kristen Callihan

{eARC Romance Review} Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by Maya Banks

Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by Maya Banks

Searing action and passion ignite the latest KGI novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Darkest Before Dawn.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering.
Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

As the last unattached member of the Kelly clan, Joe is more than ready to risk life and limb on any mission he’s assigned to, but when it comes to love, he’ll keep his distance. He’s content to watch his brothers become thoroughly domesticated.

Zoe’s had nothing but heartbreak in her life, and she’s determined to start over with a completely new identity, thanks to her college friend, Rusty Kelly. But it’s the gorgeous smile and tender words of Joe Kelly that begin to weaken her resolve to never risk her heart again. And Joe will have to put everything on the line to save Zoe, when secrets of her past resurface—and threaten to tear them apart… (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} 336 pages. Published March 7th 2017 by Berkley Book.eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review} 

I enjoyed watching Joe fall. The last brother has seen his each and every of his brothers succumb to love but he has resisted. When Rusty brings home her friend Zoe, a skittish woman with secrets in her eyes, Joe can't help but fall. Admittedly things move fast, the Kelly men fall fast, but Joe's a sweetheart to Zoe. He wants to show her his favorite places, a fun time and that's she safe with him. Zoe is a sweet girl who had been taken in, her trust betrayed, and fearing for her life, she turns to the only person she can, her friend Rusty. The Kelly family is a revelation to Zoe, to think that there are so many people who love and look after each other.

While I liked Joe and Zoe's search for their happily ever after I thought the most intriguing element of the story was The Rusty and Sean Situation. A background character in the other books in the series Rusty has really grown into an interesting character. She's super smart - something she either keeps from her brothers or her brothers haven't bothered to learn about her - fiercely loyal and protective and in love with Sean. I admired her bravery, in going after what she wanted, but timing and harsh words demolish her heart, confidence, and causes her to take her life in a drastically different direction. I'm eager to learn what happens next.