Tales of a bookworm 23

Showing posts with label Restless King series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restless King series. Show all posts

Monday, May 23, 2022

Fallen King- Review, Excerpt, Release Blitz

Playing nice with the enemy isn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

But can I survive falling for this King?

Fallen King, an all-new red-hot age-gap, workplace standalone romance from bestselling author Bella Matthews, is available now!

BLURB:

Long live the King

Growing up as the oldest Kingston sibling, I knew what was expected of me.

King Corp. was my legacy, and my siblings were my responsibility.

The world was ours for the taking. For the living.

But I neglected to live it for myself . . . until her.

Daphne Brenner wasn’t meant to be part of the deal.

I never intended to acquire a new assistant with my new hockey team, but here she is.

Constantly challenging me. Continually Intriguing me. Never backing down.

Even if I’m the villain in her fairytale.


He stole my legacy, and now he holds the key to my future.

When he sold our family’s hockey team to Max Kingston, my father destroyed my dreams without a second thought. And that was only his first betrayal.

Now I have to play nice with my new boss in order to carve out my new future.

But when long days and late nights lead to so much more, I realize I’m falling for the intensely arrogant, beautiful man who quietly puts everyone else’s needs before his own.

Playing nice with the enemy isn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

But can I survive falling for this King?

Grab your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IeRlCT

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/FallenKing

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3is2Oot


Start the series of standalones today with Rise of the King!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CiKvKQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/riseking

Add Rise of the King to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/2Vt0NzW

My Review:
My Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Kingston family ends up buying out Daphne's dad's Hockey Team. One of the stipulations is that the Kingston family must keep all of the employees for a year. Daphne ends up being the eldest Kingston's assistant. Max is trying to do his best as the eldest Kingston and show he has what it takes to not only be a leader but build a winning team. Daphne was completely blindsided with her father's choice to sell and wonders where that leads her and her family's legacy with this hockey team. Both Max and Daphne are head strong, but as they start to communicate they learn maybe they aren't so different after all. Now the two have to realize, maybe they aren't enemies after all and maybe they can help the other achieve their goal. 

This is an amazing book. I love how Bella writes her main characters and doesn't add unnecessary drama just for the sake of drama. I also love seeing the other Kingston family members and just how they are one big family that's a little dysfunctional, but still loves each other. The only thing I wish I had at times was how everyone was connected. It's been awhile since I have read the other Restless Kings series and I sometimes forget how everyone was connected. Other than that this is a great sports romance that will suck you in and make you forget all your troubles. I will definitely be reading more books by Bella Matthews. 

EXCERPT:

“We shouldn’t do this, Miss Brenner. You work for me.” The words feel like acid leaving my mouth as everything south of it rebels at the idea of rejecting her. But I refuse to be the guy who takes advantage of the situation.

She untangles her hands from the front of my shirt and runs them up my forearms. Her fingers trace the lines of my tattoo. Her dark-purple nails are a stark contrast to her pale skin.

Nails that would feel amazing scouring my back once we’re both stripped of our clothes. “I do work for you, Mr. Kingston. And you know what the one good thing my piece-of-shit father did for me was?” Without giving me a chance to answer, she leans closer, bringing her lips to the shell of my ear and dropping her voice. “He gave me a twelve-month contract. You can’t fire me for an entire year. We might as well have some fun. I promise you, nothing needs to change. You’ll still drive me crazy Monday morning.”

“I’m not looking for a girlfriend, Daphne.” She’s saying all the right things. But when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

“Good. Because the last thing I need is someone else who thinks they have a say over the way I live, Max. I’ve had enough of that to last a lifetime.” Her eyes dance between mine. “And I’m not looking for it now.”

I move closer, erasing any space between us. “Are you sure?”

My entire body riots at the idea that she could change her mind. But I ask it anyway because it’s the right thing to do.

Daphne nods her head with a beautiful smile on her lips. “Words, Miss Brenner. I need to hear the words.”

Excitement is hot.

But consent is fucking sexy.

Her fingers tighten on my arms. “I’m sure, Mr. Kingston. Now get me out of here.”

I reach into my pocket and pull three-hundred-dollar bills from my wallet and throw them on the bar. “Hey, Sawyer.” I wait for him to look up. “Can you tell Becks to catch an Uber back?”

Sawyer looks between Daphne and me and raises a brow. “Yeah. I’ve got ya covered.”

I frame Daphne’s face in both my hands. “Do you need to text your friends?”

“I’ll do it from the car.”

“No, baby. You’re going to be doing other things in the car. Text your friends.”


About Bella

Bella Matthews is a Jersey girl at heart. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon- worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in.

Connect With Bella

Website: https://bit.ly/3zs2kV2

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hQn9nm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3zrPYN1

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2Xv1ny8

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Fallen King-Cover Reveal!!

 Fallen King, an all-new age-gap, workplace romance from bestselling author Bella Matthews is coming May 18th and we have the gorgeous cover!

BLURB:

Long live the King

Growing up as the oldest Kingston sibling, I knew what was expected of me.

King Corp. was my legacy, and my siblings were my responsibility.

The world was ours for the taking. For the living.

But I neglected to live it for myself . . . until her.

Daphne Brenner wasn’t meant to be part of the deal.

I never intended to acquire a new assistant with my new hockey team, but here she is.

Constantly challenging me. Continually Intriguing me. Never backing down.

Even if I’m the villain in her fairytale.


He stole my legacy, and now he holds the key to my future.

When he sold our family’s hockey team to Max Kingston, my father destroyed my dreams without a second thought. And that was only his first betrayal.

Now I have to play nice with my new boss in order to carve out my new future.

But when long days and late nights lead to so much more, I realize I’m falling for the intensely arrogant, beautiful man who quietly puts everyone else’s needs before his own.

Playing nice with the enemy isn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

But can I survive falling for this King?


Photographer: Michelle Lancaster @lanefotograf
Model: @jaxon_human

Reserve your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IeRlCT

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/FallenKing

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3is2Oot

Start the series of standalones today with Rise of the King!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CiKvKQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/riseking

Add Rise of the King to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/2Vt0NzW

About Bella

Bella Matthews is a Jersey girl at heart. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in.


Connect With Bella

Website: https://bit.ly/3zs2kV2

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hQn9nm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3zrPYN1

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2Xv1ny8

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Broken King- Excerpt, Review and Blog Tour!!

 Broken King, an all-new second-chance romance full of heat and emotion from Bella Matthews, is now live!

BLURB:

One night.

I let myself have one night with him after avoiding him for years.

But one night was all it took for history to repeat itself.

Cade St. James was my past. He was the boy who stole my heart before he left for the Marine Corps. Now he’s back in Kroydon Hills, and there’s no mistaking he’s all man.  A former MMA champion, running his own gym, and taking care of his adorable little girl. And I have to tell him our one night together is going to make him a father again.

Our timing has always been wrong.

I can do this on my own if I have to.

I don’t need to be saved.

I’m a King, not a princess.

I can save my own damn self.


Scarlet Kingston has always been too good for me.

She’s also always been mine.

But now, I don’t only have myself to think about. I have my daughter too. 

We’ve both been burned before. And trusting another woman, especially one who’s already broken my heart, won’t be easy. But nothing with Scarlet ever was.

As a vice president of the Philadelphia Kings, grown men fear her. 

And Scarlet wouldn’t have it any other way.  

This woman can wear as cold of an exterior as she wants, but I’ve felt her on the inside.

She’s no ice queen.

Can we both get past the hurts from the past and live in the present?

Or are we both just Broken?

Grab your copy today exclusively on Amazon or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited→

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pHRWHh

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/brokenKing

Add Broken King to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3sJozGx


Start the series of standalones today with Rise of the King!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CiKvKQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/riseking

Add Rise of the King to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/2Vt0NzW

My Review:
My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Scarlet is the  the vice president of Public Relations and Marketing for the Philadelphia Kings and is perceived as an ice queen to those who don't know her. While at her brother's title fight Scarlet runs into Cade St. James, a close family friend and a boy who stole her heart in high school before he joined the marines. The two decide to let the sparks fly again between them for one night only and then go back to pretending they don't know each other, except their one night ends up with Scarlet pregnant. Now Scarlet has to tell Cade he's going to be a father again. The former MMA champion, Cade, is a single dad to his little girl and running his own gym while training others in MMA. Cade and Scarlet now need to decide what kind of relationship they are going to have for the baby's sake and learn to trust each other again.

Honestly I loved Scarlet's character. She was stubborn, cold and broken, but she refused to take any problems lying down. She was a fighter and stood up for herself and those she loved. She was definitely flawed in some aspects, but it was only because of the way she was raised. She was not an ice queen once you were in her heart. Cade was the perfect match for Scarlet. He didn't just bow down to her, but knew when to push or pull back with her. I loved seeing him as a father to his little girl and how important she was in his life. He is definitely a swoon worthy male character. The two of them were sizzling off the pages no matter what scene was going on between them. I loved how they brought out the best in each other. I also loved seeing Scarlet and Cade with their families and how Scarlet's family reminded me of my own at times with trying to butt in to her life.

EXCERPT

Scarlet

“Amelia, I’ve got to go. I’m in the parking lot and need to go inside before I’m late.” I love my sister. Although we only officially met her a year and a half ago, she turned out to be the missing piece of our fucked up family. But since my nephew was born a few months ago, she’s so thrilled to talk to someone who isn’t babbling nonsensically back at her, she’s pretty hard to get off the phone.

“Okay. Are you still coming over after?” Maddox, my nephew, begins whining in the background, causing Amelia to jostle the phone.

It’s been a long Friday. But I cut out of work early for this appointment and am definitely looking forward to drinks with my sisters. “Wouldn’t miss it. See you then.”

Amelia helps our sister Lenny and I even out the estrogen to testosterone ratio in our family.

It will never be even.

There are five guys to three women and one five-year-old diva.

But at least now, we’re a little closer to a balance.


I enter my doctor’s office, sign in, take a seat to wait, and pull out my tablet to scroll through the emails that have come through since I left the office. As the vice president of Public Relations and Marketing for the Philadelphia Kings, there’s no such thing as time off, not even for a doctor’s appointment.

It doesn’t take long for me to clear out my inbox, responding to those that were urgent and forwarding the rest to my assistant, Connor. However, in that short amount of time, the already crowded waiting room appears to have hit maximum capacity. The sea of pregnant women surrounding me seems to be closing in. When I switched from the pill to the shot a few months ago, I was looking for something a little more user-friendly. I’d tried a few different birth control pills over the last few years, and the side effects weren’t for me.

The shot has been great.

Less migraines to deal with, and I’m a much happier woman. It would be even better if I didn’t have to come back in every few months.

But for now, it’ll do.

When a woman, who looks to be about a hundred years pregnant, sits down next to me with a toddler covered in peanut butter and jelly by her side, I hug the opposite side of my chair and pray the nurse calls me quickly.

Don’t get me wrong, kids are great. I love my nephew and my little sister.

But I love when I get to give them back too.

I’m not a woman who gushes over other people’s kids.

Most babies look more like small aliens than perfect little angels.

This . . . I take stock of the waiting room around me and grimace. This madhouse surrounding me today is just not for me.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting on the exam table in a stiff, pale-pink paper robe when my doctor finally walks in. “How are we doing today, Scarlet? I was expecting to see you two weeks ago for your follow-up.” She pulls up my chart on her tablet, then sits down on her little stool on wheels.

“Sorry about the delay. I had to reschedule my appointment. Something came up with work. But I’m feeling fine, Doctor Esher. No complaints. Just ready to get this exam over with and get on with my night.” Unless you count how damn cold it is in this room. I could easily complain about that. It’s not like they don’t know their patients are going to get naked in here. Would it kill them to turn the heat up just a tad?

Doctor Esher scrolls through what I’m guessing is my chart before rolling over toward the table. The smile that was on her face moments ago is gone, replaced by a purposefully blank expression. “Scarlet, have you had any issues since the last time you were here?”

“No issues. Not so much as a cough. Why? Is something wrong with my bloodwork? I wasn’t supposed to be fasting, was I? Because I had coffee before I had it done the other day. I thought you said it didn’t matter and we just needed to make sure the hormones from the shot didn’t throw off anything else.” I get migraines. Bad migraines. Sometimes debilitating ones. They started when I was in high school. I’ve tried every pill out there, and they all exacerbated the crippling headaches. The shot was my next best option. And as far as I’m concerned, so far, so good.

 Doctor Esher clears her throat. “Scarlet, according to your bloodwork, you’re pregnant.”

I tilt my head to the side and study her. I don’t think she’d kid about something so serious, but . . . “Is this a bad joke? I mean honestly, that really isn’t funny.”

Her face stays unmoving.

No reaction.

She’s not laughing.

“Scarlet.” Her tone has dropped an octave, no longer light and airy like it was when she greeted me. “This isn’t a joke. I wouldn’t do that to you. According to your bloodwork from last week, you’re pregnant. Judging by your hCG levels, I’d guess you’re about thirteen to fourteen weeks along.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Doc. But the draft was last month. I’ve barely had time to sleep, let alone sleep with anyone . . .” I trail off as I run through my mental calendar.

The draft was last month, yes. And the month before that was nonstop, go, go, go. It always is leading up to the draft, leaving no time for any extracurriculars. I was supposed to meet up with a friend of mine in March. He flies into Philadelphia for business every few months, but his trip was cancelled. And we never rescheduled.

I count back fourteen weeks.

But . . . Oh, hell no.

Hudson’s title fight in Las Vegas was fourteen weeks ago.

Son of a bitch.

I wasn’t concerned with a broken condom.

I was covered with the shot.

What are the odds that both forms of birth control would fail? Apparently, higher than I knew.

“I can’t be pregnant.” I meet Doctor Esher’s knowing brown eyes and cringe. “I would have known by now. Wouldn’t I?”

I want to scream at her warm smile. “Not necessarily. At this point in a pregnancy, the telltale sign for most women is a missing period. But you already weren’t having a monthly period to miss because of your birth control. It’s still too early to feel the baby move for a few more weeks yet. And not everyone experiences morning sickness.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. My chest tightens as the room begins to spin around me.

I am Scarlet fucking Kingston.

I am stronger than this.

I do not panic in public.

“Could you please run the test again? I have to believe there was a mistake.”

There. I sounded in control. Inside, I might be hyperventilating, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Slow deep breaths.

That’s better.

A mistake.

This has to be a mistake.

But even as I say it to myself, I think back to that night in Las Vegas and know there’s no mistake. If ever there was a man whose sperm could leap tall buildings and blow their way past all hormones in one bound, it would be his.


About Bella

Bella Matthews is a Jersey girl at heart. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in.


Connect With Bella

Website: https://bit.ly/3zs2kV2

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hQn9nm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3zrPYN1

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2Xv1ny8

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Broken King- Release Blitz!

Scarlet Kingston has always been too good for me.

She’s also always been mine.

Broken King, an all-new second chance romance full of heat and chemistry from Bella Matthews, is now live!

BLURB:

One night.

I let myself have one night with him after avoiding him for years.

But one night was all it took for history to repeat itself.

Cade St. James was my past. He was the boy who stole my heart before he left for the Marine Corps. Now he’s back in Kroydon Hills, and there’s no mistaking he’s all man.  A former MMA champion, running his own gym, and taking care of his adorable little girl. And I have to tell him our one night together is going to make him a father again.

Our timing has always been wrong.

I can do this on my own if I have to.

I don’t need to be saved.

I’m a King, not a princess.

I can save my own damn self.


Scarlet Kingston has always been too good for me.

She’s also always been mine.

But now, I don’t only have myself to think about. I have my daughter too. 

We’ve both been burned before. And trusting another woman, especially one who’s already broken my heart, won’t be easy. But nothing with Scarlet ever was.

As a vice president of the Philadelphia Kings, grown men fear her. 

And Scarlet wouldn’t have it any other way.  

This woman can wear as cold of an exterior as she wants, but I’ve felt her on the inside.

She’s no ice queen.

Can we both get past the hurts from the past and live in the present?

Or are we both just Broken?

Grab your copy today exclusively on Amazon or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited→

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pHRWHh

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/brokenKing

Add Broken King to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3sJozGx

Start the series of standalones today with Rise of the King!


Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CiKvKQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/riseking

Add Rise of the King to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/2Vt0NzW


About Bella

Bella Matthews is a Jersey girl at heart. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon- worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in.


Connect With Bella

Website: https://bit.ly/3zs2kV2

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hQn9nm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3zrPYN1

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2Xv1ny8

Monday, January 24, 2022

Broken King- Cover Reveal!!

 Can we both get past the hurts from the past and live in the present? Or are we both just Broken?

Broken King, an all-new second chance standalone romance from Bella Matthews is coming March 10th and we have the first look at the stunning cover!

BLURB:

One night.

I let myself have one night with him after avoiding him for years.

But one night was all it took for history to repeat itself.

Cade St. James was my past. He was the boy who stole my heart before he left for the Marine Corps. Now he’s back in Kroydon Hills, and there’s no mistaking he’s all man.  A former MMA champion, running his own gym, and taking care of his adorable little girl. And I have to tell him our one night together is going to make him a father again.

Our timing has always been wrong.

I can do this on my own if I have to.

I don’t need to be saved.

I’m a King, not a princess.

I can save my own damn self.


Scarlet Kingston has always been too good for me.

She’s also always been mine.

But now, I don’t only have myself to think about. I have my daughter too. 

We’ve both been burned before. And trusting another woman, especially one who’s already broken my heart, won’t be easy. But nothing with Scarlet ever was.

As a vice president of the Philadelphia Kings, grown men fear her. 

And Scarlet wouldn’t have it any other way.  

This woman can wear as cold of an exterior as she wants, but I’ve felt her on the inside.

She’s no ice queen.

Can we both get past the hurts from the past and live in the present?

Or are we both just Broken?

Cover Designer: Jena Brignola
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster
Model: Tommy Pearce

Reserve your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pHRWHh

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/brokenKing

Add Broken King to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3sJozGx


Start the series today with Rise of the King!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CiKvKQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/riseking

Add Rise of the King to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/2Vt0NzW



About Bella

Bella Matthews is a Jersey girl at heart. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon- worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines with a healthy dose of laughter thrown in.

Connect With Bella

Website: https://bit.ly/3zs2kV2

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hQn9nm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3zrPYN1

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2Xv1ny8