Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength. 

I am not strong.  I am just a survivor of circumstance.

Isn’t that what we all do?  Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through.  Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared.  He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love. 

Within These Walls by J.L. Berg

*was generously provided a copy in exchange for an honest review

J.L. Berg has done it again. I am truly becoming a complete fan girl of this woman. Berg has become one of those authors I just automatically one-click, no need to read the synopsis because it will be great. WITHIN THESE WALLS is an amazing standalone one big feelings adventure. Can you tell I loved this book? This is one of those books that is super hard to review because I do not want to give spoilers. Just buy this book…lol

Okay, so here it goes. Lailah Buchanan was born with a heart defect that has kept her prisoner “within the walls” of hospital after hospital. Jude is man full of heartache of his own that just happens to be a nurse’s assistant in Cardiology, hence they meet. Jude has closed off everyone and anything other than the halls of the hospital and his memories of love past. Can they break down the walls of the heart are truly love? That is the million dollar question.

There is an abundance of substance to this story. I needed a whole lot of Kleenex to get through this story. Lailah is just amazingly sweet. She has an innocents about that is irresistible. Jude is a man that has been broken completely and cannot help but love. This is a love story about HEALING and SACRIFICE, physical and emotional.

WITHIN THESE WALLS is well written with strong endearing characters that stay with you. Many feelings are invoked and is not just a light, no worries read but it is a standalone with an HEA. I would strongly recommend WITHIN THESE WALLS and really at this point, anything by J.L. Berg. She has become one of my favorite authors and am looking forward to anything more she writes.

WITHIN THESE WALLS receives 5 out of 5 Platypires.

Texas Hugs and Happy Reading!!!

Danielle Ward hasn’t had sex in six years. Sure, she’s been on dates. She even has a boyfriend, but it seems something is always getting in the way when it comes to doing the deed.

After her boyfriend finally loses his patience and leaves her to drown her sorrows, her best friend Georgia comes up with a plan that becomes more and more brilliant with each shot of tequila.

Book a non-refundable solo trip to an adults-only resort with the intention of getting laid.

The beach is picturesque, her room is luxurious, the alcohol is included … and Danielle can’t wait to get the hell out of there the second she checks in. That is, until an uninvited kiss from drunken hotel guest and Hollywood hottie Evan Weston. Once Evan discovers the reason for Danielle’s vacation, he won’t let up in his pursuit to be the one to solve her problem.

Caught between her desire for a fresh start and the preposterous idea of having a fling with her celebrity crush, Danielle decides it’s time to throw caution to the wind and her panties to the floor.

But it’s never just sex, is it? And Evan Weston isn’t just any man. He isn’t just a movie star.

Evan Weston is Danielle’s last resort. 

LAST RESORT by Kate Roth
*was given a copy by author in exchange for a honest review

LAST RESORT by Kate Roth is such a FUN summer read and you need to be near a pool or a beach or at least near some kind of body of water so you will have someplace to cool yourself down.  I would even suggest taking the ice challenge after reading this book. I mean this book is all kinds of Hotness. 

The plot seems to be simple. Dani’s boyfriend has broken up with her because she has problems when it comes down to getting down to it and she needs to get away. So, she books a trip to an island that specializes in grownup fun. Danielle needs this. She needs to relax and learn to have a “good time” but she meets hunky movie star Evan and he is so much more than she bargains. SERIOUSLY who can resist a hunky movie star?

I love this read!! I sat down to read a few chapters and all life stopped as I had to finish what I started. LAST RESORT is just that good.  This is a steamy and hot read but the conversations between all the characters are superior. I love to read a book that is effortless to get involved with. I was just so enthralled. Just be warned, LAST RESORT does have a small cliff hanger but it will only leave you wanting to know what happens next and Kate Roth just leaves you hanging a little. The rest of Dani and Evan’s story is in BEST LAID PLANS, which comes out in September, so the wait will not be long.

I had so much fun with LAST RESORT and would suggest it to all my hooligan friends that love exotica.

LAST RESORT by KATE ROTH receives 5 out of 5 Platypires!!!

TEXAS HUGS and Happy Reading!!!

“Nana’s Rules to Live By”

Gentlemen should always open the door for a lady.

I was busy and I didn’t have time for a vacation, let alone a weekend away. When a frantic phone call from an old neighbor brought me to my grandmother’s summer home, I wasn’t prepared for an extended stay. And I especially wasn’t prepared for the man holding the door open to the radio repair shop who made a lasting first impression.

In attempts at a relationship, a gentleman should always make the first move.

Calling Jess Carter’s clenched jaw and denim-colored eyes part of his standoffish manner was an understatement. His brooding exterior bordered on being downright rude. From the moment I bumped into him, quite literally, our lives began to intertwine in a way that made me question what I wanted. 

Children should be seen and not heard.

Jess had secrets and I was determined to get to the bottom of them. Even he didn’t know the solutions to all his problems, I wanted to help. In doing so, I might have drawn too close to the truth, forcing Jess to risk something he wasn’t sure he could chance again. I had decisions to make for myself and it’s hard to know whose advice to take when so many questions remain unanswered

Sound Advice by L.B. Dunbar

*was given a copy by the author in exchange for a honest review

I cannot believe that this is a first novel!!! SOUND ADVICE by L. B. Dunbar is the first book in the Sensations Collection and is a must read. The character development and story is well developed and just screams to be read. I was asked to read it by the author herself and really who could refuse but was so pleasantly surprised about how much I loved this book. I have to admit it took me awhile to read it because I just did not want to see it end.

SOUND ADVICE is a story with so many different layers: First love, love of child, redemption, sorrow and grief, growing up, following your heart and changing your dreams. It has everything. The very simple description is this: Emily Post comes home to take care of her Nana and meets Jess Cater and his daughter, who is not speaking. Emily, through her caring nature, wants to understand why this child quit talking and then so much happens.

L.B. Dunbar adds “Matter of Manners” to every chapter and along with some of my favorite Disney themes running throughout the book. I know it sounds kind of different and it is but in such a good way.  Nana reminds me so much of my grandmother, Big Mama.  She was such a proper thing and I just loved her so. Dunbar brought back memories galore and at times I had to set the book down and just go look at pictures of my grandmother. I loved it, such emotions. I would recommend this little treasure to the masses.

SOUND ADVICE by L.B. Dunbar receives 5 out 5 Platypires!!

TEXAS HUGS & Happy Reading.