• A Southern Thing Series by Sara York

    Posted on by Karen Comment
    A Southern Thing Series Banner
    It thrills me to be a part of the “A Southern Thing Series” blog tour!  So without further adieu …..I give you A Southern Thing by Sara York.
    Pray the Gay Aways Cover 

    Star football player, Jack Miller, had it all. The perfect family, looks, girls hanging on his every word, and the respect of most people in his town. But one thing was missing–a man to be his own.
    When Andrew Collins showed up in small town, conservative Sweet, Georgia, he looked more scrawny mutt than high school senior. Andrew’s plan was to keep his head down and graduate high school, leaving his family behind to start his real life.
    When he meets Andrew, Jack thinks he’s found heaven, but reality holds him in check until one night when his lips gently slide across Andrew’s and fireworks go off.
    As lust and something a little deeper brings them together, compelling them to take chances, people start to notice. Then the unthinkable happens, and Jack’s parents find out he likes guys. The battle lines are drawn and they vow to pray the gay away.
    Sending Jack Off to Jesus Cover
    Jack Miller has more than he could ask for with Andrew as his boyfriend, but it’s being taken away from him and there isn’t anything he can do. His father knows he’s gay, and his mother wants him to have sex with a girl to make sure he’s not mistaken.
    Andrew Collins has found the perfect home in foster care with Cole and Melinda Kemp, but it won’t last. The DA thinks his parents have proven they’ve changed, but Andrew doesn’t believe the change will last.

    Just when Jack and Andrew think it can’t get any worse, it does. Jack’s father sends him to New Life Christian Camp, a program that promises to pray the gay away. But Andrew has it worse than Jack as Andrew’s father takes out his anger on him, leaving Andrew near death.

    Both Jack and Andrew are lost to each other, their lives in tatters all because their parents wanted to pray the gay away.

    Warning: This book contains graphic details, including abuse by physical abuse by adults.
    My Big Fat Southern Gay Wedding
    When he was a kid, Jack Miller thought life would be a certain way, then he figured out he liked boys and not girls, changing the course of his future. Jack has spent the last few years learning that life doesn’t always give you what you expect, in both good and bad ways.
    Andrew’s gone missing and Jack’s parents have split. He’s made it through high school, but the future is nothing without Andrew. To be complete, Jack knows he needs to find Andrew and bring him home. But Andrew has disappeared.
    Lost doesn’t even begin to describe how Andrew Collins feels. Homeless and destitute, he’s ready to end it all. Thinking that Jack is dead, Andrew returns to Sweet to end his life on Jack’s grave. Instead, he finds lies were told that drove him to a path of destruction.

    After not seeing each other for almost a year, Jack and Andrew come together, but their problems don’t end there. They must work hard to make it to their big fat Southern gay wedding or risk losing it all.

    Warning: This book contains dubious content.


    SENDING JACK OFF TO JESUS

    He and Andrew hadn’t been able to talk much. They’d exchanged glances between classes and a few words at practice, but they hadn’t touched. His life was so much dimmer without Andrew. He did know that Andrew was still with the Kemps, but that could change when the hearing took place in the middle of the month. Aaron and Nancy were taking all the right steps to get their child back, but Jack doubted they’d change—not really, and never to the point of actually accepting Andrew as a gay man.

    On Friday, when the team loaded on the bus, he was excited to see Andrew sitting with the other water boys and trainers. Since he was captain and expected to lead the team, he couldn’t sit with Andrew on the way to the game. He had to focus and make sure his guys focused too. The school had rented them a nice bus for the two-hour drive for the first play-off game. On the ride there, he imagined riding out of Sweet in a bus like this, moving somewhere he and Andrew would be accepted and could show their love.

    The energy was high on the field. Every time before the snap, Jack glanced to the sidelines, spying Andrew. That kept his head in the game and his mind on winning for his future. Jack easily connected with his receivers, passing enough yards to earn a record. The team they were up against was good, but not good enough. At the end of the game, he hugged everyone, including Andrew. Having his arms around his boyfriend was amazing. He didn’t care that they were being watched, or that he couldn’t kiss Andrew, just being with him was a relief.

    “Save me a seat on the bus. I need to touch you,” Jack said as they clung to each other.

    Andrew stepped back because people were pulling at Jack, seeking his attention to congratulate him. Andrew nodded and the corners of his lips turned up in a smile. It would be okay if they could touch. He missed that most of all. If he were lucky, he’d be able to hold Andrew’s hand. The desire to sneak a kiss was strong, but it would probably be too much.

    The team celebrated in the locker room with sandwiches and cookies made by the booster club. Over and over again, Jack’s gaze sought out Andrew, taking pleasure in the guy’s smile. He and Mike had called a truce, and though Andrew still looked a little hesitant around him they seemed to be getting along. Ed was his normal boisterous self. It was funny that Ed had become such good friends with Andrew. They looked odd standing next to each other with Ed being so big, and Andrew so skinny. Ed said something and Andrew doubled over laughing. Jack made his way closer and Ed called out to him.

    “Come here, Jack. You have to hear this.”

    It was his opportunity to sit by Andrew. When he was only a few feet away from Andrew, their gazes connected and a chill swept over him. He shivered and Ed shot him a strange look.

    “You cold?”

    “No, I’m fine.”

    “Okay, so I was telling Andrew about my cat and dog. They both hate when my dad brings out his grinder. The other night, he needed to sharpen a few tools so he brought it out. Both the dog and the cat ran to the back bedroom and crawled under the bed. After an hour my dad was finished, but we couldn’t find the dog or the cat. I went looking for them. They’d wound up trapped in the closet, wrapped in a laundry bag that somehow got closed. The dog was crying and the cat was snuggled up underneath him. Anyway, I open the bag to set them free. The dog wouldn’t come out. Apparently, he liked being so close to the damn cat that he wanted to stay. He wasn’t crying, we figured out later that the cat was licking the dog’s underarm and he was laughing or something like that.”

    Jack chuckled, but he was too distracted by Andrew to really laugh. He moved to stand behind Andrew, resting his hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder. It felt like home. Being connected to Andrew calmed him. This, not anything else, was right. He had no doubt in his mind that him being gay was exactly how he was supposed to be. No scripture or prayer would change the truth.

    “Hey, you played a great game tonight.” Andrew’s voice was music to his ears.

    Andrew tilted his head back, exposing his neck to Jack. A rush of desire filled him and he felt his dick begin to harden. After showering, he’d slipped on a pair of jeans and tight underwear so he wasn’t in loose shorts, which would have tented, exposing his desire. Jack wasn’t too worried about his wood showing, but one of the guys would notice the way he was staring at Andrew if he wasn’t careful.

    “Thanks. Hey, I haven’t talked to you much this last week. I’ll sit by you on the bus ride home, we can catch up.” Jack couldn’t believe that he’d said that in front of the other guys. He’d planned on just wandering back to Andrew, hopefully finding the seat next to him still empty since he’d asked Andrew to save it. Now, he had claimed the space, giving him access to his boyfriend.



    The “A Southern Thing Series” in a whole is an amazing love story.  We meet Jack and Andrew in high school and follow their story throughout the exploration of their love and their sexuality.  I found myself laughing at one moment, full of hope and love.  The next moment, I was in hysterics and despair the next.  My heart sang for the couple just as it broke into so many pieces that I didn’t even know if it would be to rights again. 

    I can’t to tell you my favorite book, nor can I tell you my favorite part, because I can’t pick one of either. (Especially not without revealing major spoilers.) 

    I read all three books in one day.  I binge read them like they were my favorite show on Netflix!  There are only a few books that I can remember that have been so profound and heartfelt to me than these were.  All I will say, is that I fell in love with these two men and that this will be one of those series that I will be reading multiple times.  Thank you Sara for writing such a wonderful series that reminds us that love is love and that love is worth fighting for.

    A Southern Thing Series is worthy of this reviewers highest rating……5 Hearts!

    Sara Author Pic

    Writing is Sara York’s life. The stories fight to get out, often leaving her working on four or five books at once. She can’t help but write. Along with her writing addiction she has a coffee addiction. Some nights, the only reason she stops writing and goes to sleep is for the fresh brewed coffee in the morning. Sara enjoys writing twisted tales of passion, anger, and love with a good healthy dose of lust thrown in for fun.





    PRAY THE GAY AWAY (A SOUTHERN THING #1)
    SENDING JACK OFF TO JESUS (A SOUTHERN THING #2)
    MY BIG FAT SOUTHERN GAY WEDDING (A SOUTHERN THING #3)
    Goodreads Graphic
    PRAY THE GAY AWAY (A SOUTHERN THING #1)
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    SENDING JACK OFF TO JESUS (A SOUTHERN THING #2)
    add-to-goodreads-button31
    MY BIG FAT SOUTHERN GAY WEDDING (A SOUTHERN THING #3)

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  • Seduced by the Game – A Hockey Romance Anthology

    Posted on by Karen 3 Comments



    I would normally put my review at the end of a blog post, however, I thought I should do that first.  I first learned of this anthology through Facebook.  This anthology contains all hockey stories, two of which are from authors I have read in the past.  Needless to say,  I was excited to read Seduced by the Game and signed up to review it.  

    Please note, that all proceeds made from the sale of this book is to benefit Hockey Fights Cancer.  Cancer touches everyone at some point in their lives.  My sister, mom father and grandmother all had Cancer. So, another reason for me to review this Anthology is to help support people with Cancer and their families and to help find a cure for it.

    Anthologies are both a blessing and a curse to me.  A blessing because I get to read new authors, and a curse because I wind up buying those authors’ entire library.  With six new authors introduced to me, my wallet will be begging me for mercy!

    Each story in Seduced by the Game sucked me in.  Each author touched my heart with the story they told.  I fell in love with each of the  lead characters, and left me wanting more.  And best of all……it hockey!  I have to give Seduced by the Game 5 Hearts.



    It’s time to drop the gloves and fight! Support the Fight against cancer that is.  This anthology of 8 brand new novellas is hot enough to melt the ice these players skate on. Featuring stories from popular New York Times & USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors, including Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, Cindy Carr, Jami Davenport, Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, V.L. Locey, Bianca Sommerland, and Nikki Worrell.

    New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author – Toni Aleo TANGLED IN THE LACES

    In Tangled in the Laces, Karson King is on the fast track to the pros and Lacey Martin is coming back from a hard fight against cancer and is terrified of him but their love is too much to ignore. Will Karson prove that he will protect her heart at all costs, or will he leave Lacey to pick up the pieces of her life once again?

    Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr HOOKING HANNAH

    When Hannah attends an all-star game, she doesn’t expect a hockey player of all people to turn her world upside down. Her sister is married to a player and Hannah never wanted that life. But Scott could change everything. For Scott’s part, he has to know the woman who stirred his blood with just a look, and once he does, he realizes he wants Hannah to be his forever. Now to convince her…

    Jami Davenport CRASHING THE BOARDS (Seattle Sockeyes 1.5)

    Professional party crasher, Izzy Maxwell, needs the cooperation of reluctant party guest Cooper Black, the team captain of Seattle’s new hockey team, but Cooper can’t get past his anger over the team’s relocation to Seattle. Can Izzy melt Cooper’s frozen heart or will this party crash along with her fledgling business?

    Catherine Gayle TAKING A SHOT (Portland Storm 2.5)

    Katie Weber has had a crush on Jamie Babcock for almost two years, since he joined her father’s hockey team, the Portland Storm as an eighteen-year-old rookie. When cancer takes her health, her hair, and even her friends, she can’t bear to go to senior prom…until Jamie intervenes. 

    Jaymee Jacobs A VALUABLE TRADE 

    Bryan’s life gets turned upside down when he gets traded to the Dallas Comets, and things get even messier when he meets Georgiana, the Director of Team Services. He’s got a lot of work to do to prove his worth to his new team, but Georgiana’s sure he’ll prove to be a valuable trade.

    V.L. Locey HEIR APPARENT

    Superstar Cam Evans is fighting to climb out of a slump that`s growing worse with each day of living in denial. Fresh from the minors, Jacobi Neal is hungry for this chance to play back-up for the legendary goalie. Can two men battle each other, their inner demons, and the sizzling attraction building between them?

    Bianca Sommerland BLIND PASS (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5)

    Nothing could stop Tim Rowe, the assistant coach of the Dartmouth Cobras, from falling in love with Madeline, but love alone can’t satisfy every need. Sometimes, to reach the goal, you have to take the chance with a . . . Blind Pass.

    Nikki Worrell – CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN (Prequel to Scorpions Series)

    Keith Lambert is the captain of the Flyers—until he’s not. To everyone’s shock, he’s traded to the San Diego Scorpions. As if that’s not bad enough, Phoebe, his girlfriend of two years, decides she doesn’t love him enough to follow.

    All alone in a new town, Keith is drawn to Kelly, his take out delivery girl. When she shows up at ice girl tryouts, he’s lost. She’s all he can see. Can he convince her to forget her past and take a chance on him or is he destined to be alone in a new town a little bit longer?




    Crashing the Boards by Jami Davenport

    Party crashing was an art—if done right.

    Isabella Maxwell should know. She’d been crashing parties for years, at first to get a decent meal and later—much later—as a part-time profession with her three younger sisters. She’d never crashed a party she didn’t take from dud to memorable in minutes. 

    Tonight she might have met her match.

    She’d done her research and knew the obstacles and challenges, but nothing prepared her for the scene awaiting her on the party deck of the Washington Queen, a local tour boat rented by the Seattle Sockeyes hockey team for an evening dinner cruise around Elliott Bay. 

    As security checked invitations at the door, Izzy snuck past them and peeked in the doorway, scoping out the scene inside—DJ in the corner, empty dance floor complete with mirror ball and flashing lights, not a dancer anywhere. Hockey players were slouched in chairs clumped around tables, reminding her of pimply faced preteens at a junior high dance. Only these boys weren’t preteens or pimply faced. They were a formidable wall of broad chests, muscular thighs, and determined expressions. Each one mirroring the other, but she’d done her research. There was one man she needed to win over to salvage this party, and he hadn’t arrived yet. 

    Her sisters had already boarded the boat, managing to sneak past security, every one of them dressed to kill or at least to charm a professional hockey team, Bethany in her plunging Vera Wang gown and deadly high heels. Emma and Avery, the youngest at twenty-one and identical twins, looked every bit like giddy hockey groupies who’d managed to snag an invite to the party. Standing near the buffet table, they giggled and whispered as they stole glances at the players. Several players stared right back. Nearby, Bethany engaged the team play-by-play announcer in conversation, while he stared at her boobs, but men always stared at Bethany’s boobs. 

    The stage was set. 

    Time to get this party started. The Sockeyes were going to have the time of their lives if she had to threaten bodily harm with their own hockey sticks.  

    “Ma’am, I need to see your invitation.” A security guard with a receding hairline, the waist of his polyester pants pulled up to his armpits, and a determined set to his skinny jaw, stepped in front of her before she could enter through the double doors.

    “Oh, that.” Izzy made a show of digging through her saddlebag of a purse, not exactly in keeping with her little black sheath, but it served its purpose. “I know it’s in here somewhere.”

    The security guard wasn’t the least bit impressed. He tapped his toe on the floor and took a ready stance as if he expected her to run any moment. Just what she needed, a SWAT team wannabe. She batted her eyes at him and continued to dig in her purse. 

    “I’m sorry. I know it’s here somewhere.”
    “Ma’am, you’ll need to leave the boat until you can find it.”

    She laughed and rubbed one perfectly manicured finger across his name tag. “Now, Carl, you just hold on one teensy bit. We’ll get this straightened out.” Izzy slipped into her fake Southern drawl; it brought most men to their knees. 

    Not Carl. In fact, not one hair quivered on his mustache. “My orders are strict. No one, not even the governor, gets in without an invite.” He wrapped scrawny fingers around her arm and pulled her none too gently from the doorway. He might look like a wimp but the guy was surprisingly strong. 

    No matter. She’d switch to Plan B.

    “My boyfriend will be here any moment. He must have the tickets.”

    As if on cue, her target for the night walked up the ramp and onto the boat. Cooper Black. The captain of the newly christened Seattle Sockeyes, and the most outspoken man on the team especially when it came to the team’s move and current situation, which he hated—the very man Izzy needed to tame tonight for this situation to turn around. 

    Judging by the stubborn set of his jaw and those steely blue eyes, this wasn’t going to be easy.

    Ciao!



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  • Seduced by the Game – A Hockey Romance Anthology

    Posted on by Karen Comment



    I would normally put my review at the end of a blog post, however, I thought I should do that first.  I first learned of this anthology through Facebook.  This anthology contains all hockey stories, two of which are from authors I have read in the past.  Needless to say,  I was excited to read Seduced by the Game and signed up to review it.  

    Please note, that all proceeds made from the sale of this book is to benefit Hockey Fights Cancer.  Cancer touches everyone at some point in their lives.  My sister, mom father and grandmother all had Cancer. So, another reason for me to review this Anthology is to help support people with Cancer and their families and to help find a cure for it.

    Anthologies are both a blessing and a curse to me.  A blessing because I get to read new authors, and a curse because I wind up buying those authors’ entire library.  With six new authors introduced to me, my wallet will be begging me for mercy!

    Each story in Seduced by the Game sucked me in.  Each author touched my heart with the story they told.  I fell in love with each of the  lead characters, and left me wanting more.  And best of all……it hockey!  I have to give Seduced by the Game 5 Hearts.



    It’s time to drop the gloves and fight! Support the Fight against cancer that is.  This anthology of 8 brand new novellas is hot enough to melt the ice these players skate on. Featuring stories from popular New York Times & USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors, including Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, Cindy Carr, Jami Davenport, Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, V.L. Locey, Bianca Sommerland, and Nikki Worrell.

    New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author – Toni Aleo TANGLED IN THE LACES

    In Tangled in the Laces, Karson King is on the fast track to the pros and Lacey Martin is coming back from a hard fight against cancer and is terrified of him but their love is too much to ignore. Will Karson prove that he will protect her heart at all costs, or will he leave Lacey to pick up the pieces of her life once again?

    Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr HOOKING HANNAH

    When Hannah attends an all-star game, she doesn’t expect a hockey player of all people to turn her world upside down. Her sister is married to a player and Hannah never wanted that life. But Scott could change everything. For Scott’s part, he has to know the woman who stirred his blood with just a look, and once he does, he realizes he wants Hannah to be his forever. Now to convince her…

    Jami Davenport CRASHING THE BOARDS (Seattle Sockeyes 1.5)

    Professional party crasher, Izzy Maxwell, needs the cooperation of reluctant party guest Cooper Black, the team captain of Seattle’s new hockey team, but Cooper can’t get past his anger over the team’s relocation to Seattle. Can Izzy melt Cooper’s frozen heart or will this party crash along with her fledgling business?

    Catherine Gayle TAKING A SHOT (Portland Storm 2.5)

    Katie Weber has had a crush on Jamie Babcock for almost two years, since he joined her father’s hockey team, the Portland Storm as an eighteen-year-old rookie. When cancer takes her health, her hair, and even her friends, she can’t bear to go to senior prom…until Jamie intervenes. 

    Jaymee Jacobs A VALUABLE TRADE 

    Bryan’s life gets turned upside down when he gets traded to the Dallas Comets, and things get even messier when he meets Georgiana, the Director of Team Services. He’s got a lot of work to do to prove his worth to his new team, but Georgiana’s sure he’ll prove to be a valuable trade.

    V.L. Locey HEIR APPARENT

    Superstar Cam Evans is fighting to climb out of a slump that`s growing worse with each day of living in denial. Fresh from the minors, Jacobi Neal is hungry for this chance to play back-up for the legendary goalie. Can two men battle each other, their inner demons, and the sizzling attraction building between them?

    Bianca Sommerland BLIND PASS (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5)

    Nothing could stop Tim Rowe, the assistant coach of the Dartmouth Cobras, from falling in love with Madeline, but love alone can’t satisfy every need. Sometimes, to reach the goal, you have to take the chance with a . . . Blind Pass.

    Nikki Worrell – CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN (Prequel to Scorpions Series)

    Keith Lambert is the captain of the Flyers—until he’s not. To everyone’s shock, he’s traded to the San Diego Scorpions. As if that’s not bad enough, Phoebe, his girlfriend of two years, decides she doesn’t love him enough to follow.

    All alone in a new town, Keith is drawn to Kelly, his take out delivery girl. When she shows up at ice girl tryouts, he’s lost. She’s all he can see. Can he convince her to forget her past and take a chance on him or is he destined to be alone in a new town a little bit longer?




    Crashing the Boards by Jami Davenport

    Party crashing was an art—if done right.

    Isabella Maxwell should know. She’d been crashing parties for years, at first to get a decent meal and later—much later—as a part-time profession with her three younger sisters. She’d never crashed a party she didn’t take from dud to memorable in minutes. 

    Tonight she might have met her match.

    She’d done her research and knew the obstacles and challenges, but nothing prepared her for the scene awaiting her on the party deck of the Washington Queen, a local tour boat rented by the Seattle Sockeyes hockey team for an evening dinner cruise around Elliott Bay. 

    As security checked invitations at the door, Izzy snuck past them and peeked in the doorway, scoping out the scene inside—DJ in the corner, empty dance floor complete with mirror ball and flashing lights, not a dancer anywhere. Hockey players were slouched in chairs clumped around tables, reminding her of pimply faced preteens at a junior high dance. Only these boys weren’t preteens or pimply faced. They were a formidable wall of broad chests, muscular thighs, and determined expressions. Each one mirroring the other, but she’d done her research. There was one man she needed to win over to salvage this party, and he hadn’t arrived yet. 

    Her sisters had already boarded the boat, managing to sneak past security, every one of them dressed to kill or at least to charm a professional hockey team, Bethany in her plunging Vera Wang gown and deadly high heels. Emma and Avery, the youngest at twenty-one and identical twins, looked every bit like giddy hockey groupies who’d managed to snag an invite to the party. Standing near the buffet table, they giggled and whispered as they stole glances at the players. Several players stared right back. Nearby, Bethany engaged the team play-by-play announcer in conversation, while he stared at her boobs, but men always stared at Bethany’s boobs. 

    The stage was set. 

    Time to get this party started. The Sockeyes were going to have the time of their lives if she had to threaten bodily harm with their own hockey sticks.  

    “Ma’am, I need to see your invitation.” A security guard with a receding hairline, the waist of his polyester pants pulled up to his armpits, and a determined set to his skinny jaw, stepped in front of her before she could enter through the double doors.

    “Oh, that.” Izzy made a show of digging through her saddlebag of a purse, not exactly in keeping with her little black sheath, but it served its purpose. “I know it’s in here somewhere.”

    The security guard wasn’t the least bit impressed. He tapped his toe on the floor and took a ready stance as if he expected her to run any moment. Just what she needed, a SWAT team wannabe. She batted her eyes at him and continued to dig in her purse. 

    “I’m sorry. I know it’s here somewhere.”
    “Ma’am, you’ll need to leave the boat until you can find it.”

    She laughed and rubbed one perfectly manicured finger across his name tag. “Now, Carl, you just hold on one teensy bit. We’ll get this straightened out.” Izzy slipped into her fake Southern drawl; it brought most men to their knees. 

    Not Carl. In fact, not one hair quivered on his mustache. “My orders are strict. No one, not even the governor, gets in without an invite.” He wrapped scrawny fingers around her arm and pulled her none too gently from the doorway. He might look like a wimp but the guy was surprisingly strong. 

    No matter. She’d switch to Plan B.

    “My boyfriend will be here any moment. He must have the tickets.”

    As if on cue, her target for the night walked up the ramp and onto the boat. Cooper Black. The captain of the newly christened Seattle Sockeyes, and the most outspoken man on the team especially when it came to the team’s move and current situation, which he hated—the very man Izzy needed to tame tonight for this situation to turn around. 

    Judging by the stubborn set of his jaw and those steely blue eyes, this wasn’t going to be easy.

    Ciao!



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  • Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted by Jennifer Theriot

    Posted on by Karen 2 Comments
    Yesterday I posted to a group on Facebook that I would be happy to do reviews on books or be a beta reader for authors.  From that post, I received a request from an author who asked me to do a review.  I accepted.  I started to read the book she provided by I had to stop.  I realized that this was the second book in a series and I said why not go buy the first book, I mean I like what I am reading so far, so why not?  

    Picture this….you are a 50-something woman who is married with 3 grown children.  Your husband comes home one day and says I have been transferred to a different state.  He leaves you alone to take care of the move.  You arrive in a new city and your husband isn’t even there to meet you at the airport.  His friend, whom you will be moving in with until you and your husband and find a place, picks you up.  And, he is drop dead gorgeous!  After a while has past, your husband goes on another business trip right before Thanksgiving and you call your husband to see when he will be coming home, and he tells you he isn’t.  He has been having an affair and wants a divorce.  You fall apart thinking your life is over.    What would you do?   



    “Olivia is a good woman, a good mother, a good wife. She’s got it made. She doesn’t want anything to change.  Of course, it does…

    Swept from her perfect paper-doll life in Houston, Olivia finds herself in Chicago, alone, betrayed, and far from home. Soon everything she thought she knew about herself and her life will be challenged. She has only courage, love, and her passion for music to carry her through the maelstrom—or draw her further in.

    Ash is the man who has everything—everything except healing from the losses of a lifetime. His only peace lies in the sweet flow of music pouring from his guitar.
    What happens when the married woman and the widower are thrown together by fate?”

    Where Out of the Box Awakening leaves off, Out of the Box Regifted continues the beautiful love story of Olivia and Ash. “


    “Betrayal, Lies, Loss, Truth, Secrets…
    With a new beginning for Olivia and Ash on the horizon, what could possibly stop them from finding happily ever after? 
    In order to move on, Olivia must face the haunting demons from her past life with Alan, her ex husband. Demands and more betrayals will force her to come to grips with things she couldn’t change and practice forgiveness not only for those in her past, but for herself as well.

    Faced with his own hidden secrets, will Ash allow Olivia to stand by him?  In the midst of happiness, this blended family will find they will also have to trust in the love and family bonds to get them through what is coming next or they will self-destruct. How long can Ash keep parts of his life hidden from those who love him?
    Will Olivia be able to gain the confidence she needs to explore the new life Ash is offering while staying true to herself?  Can she let go of the need to know the whole truth and be willing to trust what she’s building with Ash?”



    Jennifer Theriot hails from the Great State of Texas. She is a career woman, working as CFO of a Texas based real estate investment firm. Working in her capacity as CFO, she felt something was missing and discovered her passion for writing novels–mostly at night and on weekends. 

    In her limited spare time Jennifer enjoys being outdoors; preferably somewhere on a beach curled up with a good book. Spending time with family and friends, watching a baseball game and enjoying a good bottle of wine are usually on her to-do lists. Jennifer is also ‘MiMi’ to two beautiful grandchildren and a mom to three grown children, all of whom she adores. Theriot is an admitted music junkie, loving every type of music, which takes up most of the memory on her iPhone. She listens to music from sun up to sun down and her love of music is reflected a great deal in her books.

    Jennifer took a chance that there could be an interest in romance with middle aged couples who are finding themselves at a crossroads and wrote her debut novel Out of the Box Awakening, which centers on the hope of finding happiness and passion through unexpected heartache. It emphasizes the need for family and friends as Jennifer has learned in her own life. The book has been described as “Mature Sexy” by one reviewer. 



    You always hear the saying when one door closes another opens.  This saying fits these books so well.  I cried when Olivia cried, I laughed when Olivia laughed, and I angry when Olivia got angry.  But best of all, Ash stole my heart when he stole Olivia’s.  Ash and Olivia make you believe love can happen in an instant at any point in your life.  After years of a very vanilla sex life, Ash broadens Olivia’s horizons.  Olivia is spoiled beyond her wildest dreams.  

    The books don’t just focus on Ash and Olivia’s romance and relationship but the relationships they have with their respective children; and their “adopted” family that make up the band Avenue. Olivia is everyone’s mom and Ash is everyone’s dad.  

    My favorite band member has to be Todd.  OMG he is hysterical!  The F-bomb must have been his first word.  He is the class clown that has so much passion he doesn’t know what to do with himself.  The badass with the heart of gold.  The connection he makes with Olivia is from the soul.  Blessed even.  When he finds love, he loves deep and show it through his music.  

    Something very cool….when Todd sings “FairyTale Man” in the book, you can actually listen to it.  The lyrics of the song has been transformed by Five time San Antonio Guitar Wars winner Mark Odom that you can buy and listen to.  I bought it and am listening to it now as I write this review.  Knowing the story behind it really does bring a tear to your eyes.

    I bought Awakening under 24 hours ago and I have to say, I devoured it!  I kept looking at my reading progress and was thrilled that even though so much happened in the story, I had so much more to go.  I felt like I was watching a mini series on a cable channel or something (I can totally see that).  Never wanted it to end!  Then, I remembered… I still have another book to read.  So at about 1am this morning I started Regifted.  Eventually I had to put it down so I could get some sleep.

    Thankfully, my boss is away and I could finish this book.  Engagements, trips, tours, interventions, and chaos.  This second book was just as intriguing as the first as we continue Olivia and Ash’s journey in their relationship and those close to them.  I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t like to give any spoilers. 

    All I can say is that Ms. Theroit had me hooked within the first 5 minutes of reading the first book let alone clamoring for the second.  In telling the story of Olivia and Ash we can take away that love can happen at any time and can be just as fun in your golden years as it was in your 20s.  

    Jennifer is currently working on the third book, Out of the Box Everlasting. 2 Novellas from her other character’s POV are planned as well and I can’t wait!

    I was emotionally invested with all of the wonderful characters.  The stories were told so beautifully  that  I was laughing and crying along with them.  Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted are books definitely worth reading and I highly recommend you add them to your summer reading lists now!  I give both books 5 Hearts!   




    📂This entry was posted in Uncategorized

  • Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted by Jennifer Theriot

    Posted on by Karen Comment
    Yesterday I posted to a group on Facebook that I would be happy to do reviews on books or be a beta reader for authors.  From that post, I received a request from an author who asked me to do a review.  I accepted.  I started to read the book she provided by I had to stop.  I realized that this was the second book in a series and I said why not go buy the first book, I mean I like what I am reading so far, so why not?  

    Picture this….you are a 50-something woman who is married with 3 grown children.  Your husband comes home one day and says I have been transferred to a different state.  He leaves you alone to take care of the move.  You arrive in a new city and your husband isn’t even there to meet you at the airport.  His friend, whom you will be moving in with until you and your husband and find a place, picks you up.  And, he is drop dead gorgeous!  After a while has past, your husband goes on another business trip right before Thanksgiving and you call your husband to see when he will be coming home, and he tells you he isn’t.  He has been having an affair and wants a divorce.  You fall apart thinking your life is over.    What would you do?   



    “Olivia is a good woman, a good mother, a good wife. She’s got it made. She doesn’t want anything to change.  Of course, it does…

    Swept from her perfect paper-doll life in Houston, Olivia finds herself in Chicago, alone, betrayed, and far from home. Soon everything she thought she knew about herself and her life will be challenged. She has only courage, love, and her passion for music to carry her through the maelstrom—or draw her further in.

    Ash is the man who has everything—everything except healing from the losses of a lifetime. His only peace lies in the sweet flow of music pouring from his guitar.
    What happens when the married woman and the widower are thrown together by fate?”

    Where Out of the Box Awakening leaves off, Out of the Box Regifted continues the beautiful love story of Olivia and Ash. “


    “Betrayal, Lies, Loss, Truth, Secrets…
    With a new beginning for Olivia and Ash on the horizon, what could possibly stop them from finding happily ever after? 
    In order to move on, Olivia must face the haunting demons from her past life with Alan, her ex husband. Demands and more betrayals will force her to come to grips with things she couldn’t change and practice forgiveness not only for those in her past, but for herself as well.

    Faced with his own hidden secrets, will Ash allow Olivia to stand by him?  In the midst of happiness, this blended family will find they will also have to trust in the love and family bonds to get them through what is coming next or they will self-destruct. How long can Ash keep parts of his life hidden from those who love him?
    Will Olivia be able to gain the confidence she needs to explore the new life Ash is offering while staying true to herself?  Can she let go of the need to know the whole truth and be willing to trust what she’s building with Ash?”



    Jennifer Theriot hails from the Great State of Texas. She is a career woman, working as CFO of a Texas based real estate investment firm. Working in her capacity as CFO, she felt something was missing and discovered her passion for writing novels–mostly at night and on weekends. 

    In her limited spare time Jennifer enjoys being outdoors; preferably somewhere on a beach curled up with a good book. Spending time with family and friends, watching a baseball game and enjoying a good bottle of wine are usually on her to-do lists. Jennifer is also ‘MiMi’ to two beautiful grandchildren and a mom to three grown children, all of whom she adores. Theriot is an admitted music junkie, loving every type of music, which takes up most of the memory on her iPhone. She listens to music from sun up to sun down and her love of music is reflected a great deal in her books.

    Jennifer took a chance that there could be an interest in romance with middle aged couples who are finding themselves at a crossroads and wrote her debut novel Out of the Box Awakening, which centers on the hope of finding happiness and passion through unexpected heartache. It emphasizes the need for family and friends as Jennifer has learned in her own life. The book has been described as “Mature Sexy” by one reviewer. 



    You always hear the saying when one door closes another opens.  This saying fits these books so well.  I cried when Olivia cried, I laughed when Olivia laughed, and I angry when Olivia got angry.  But best of all, Ash stole my heart when he stole Olivia’s.  Ash and Olivia make you believe love can happen in an instant at any point in your life.  After years of a very vanilla sex life, Ash broadens Olivia’s horizons.  Olivia is spoiled beyond her wildest dreams.  

    The books don’t just focus on Ash and Olivia’s romance and relationship but the relationships they have with their respective children; and their “adopted” family that make up the band Avenue. Olivia is everyone’s mom and Ash is everyone’s dad.  

    My favorite band member has to be Todd.  OMG he is hysterical!  The F-bomb must have been his first word.  He is the class clown that has so much passion he doesn’t know what to do with himself.  The badass with the heart of gold.  The connection he makes with Olivia is from the soul.  Blessed even.  When he finds love, he loves deep and show it through his music.  

    Something very cool….when Todd sings “FairyTale Man” in the book, you can actually listen to it.  The lyrics of the song has been transformed by Five time San Antonio Guitar Wars winner Mark Odom that you can buy and listen to.  I bought it and am listening to it now as I write this review.  Knowing the story behind it really does bring a tear to your eyes.

    I bought Awakening under 24 hours ago and I have to say, I devoured it!  I kept looking at my reading progress and was thrilled that even though so much happened in the story, I had so much more to go.  I felt like I was watching a mini series on a cable channel or something (I can totally see that).  Never wanted it to end!  Then, I remembered… I still have another book to read.  So at about 1am this morning I started Regifted.  Eventually I had to put it down so I could get some sleep.

    Thankfully, my boss is away and I could finish this book.  Engagements, trips, tours, interventions, and chaos.  This second book was just as intriguing as the first as we continue Olivia and Ash’s journey in their relationship and those close to them.  I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t like to give any spoilers. 

    All I can say is that Ms. Theroit had me hooked within the first 5 minutes of reading the first book let alone clamoring for the second.  In telling the story of Olivia and Ash we can take away that love can happen at any time and can be just as fun in your golden years as it was in your 20s.  

    Jennifer is currently working on the third book, Out of the Box Everlasting. 2 Novellas from her other character’s POV are planned as well and I can’t wait!

    I was emotionally invested with all of the wonderful characters.  The stories were told so beautifully  that  I was laughing and crying along with them.  Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted are books definitely worth reading and I highly recommend you add them to your summer reading lists now!  I give both books 5 Hearts!   




    📂This entry was posted in Uncategorized