Laura's Review Bookshelf

RUNNING MATE teaser

2017-02-13T16:10:00.002-07:00

"I had a life most men dreamed of. But then my father decided to run for president, and my playboy lifestyle became a liability to his campaign that was built on family values. My “makeover” comes in the form of a fake fiancée who I don't even get to choose--one who is an uptight, choirgirl acting priss but also sexy-as-hell."

Running Mate releases on March 1st!

Be sure to add to your TBR here: http://bit.ly/2lIufee

Review: Beautifully Broken

2016-12-29T20:12:00.001-07:00

Beautifully Broken by Laura Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, other Laura, I hate you! This book was perfect! I LOVED IT! I don't do five stars ever and this for me was a five star read. Kat and Gavin are so interesting and the story telling was perfect. It didn't go crazy like some of these stories can do and I'm so glad for that. You kept it real and honest. I love Kat and Gavin and Bree and Dylan. Just perfect!

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Holiday SALE!!!

2016-12-09T08:35:00.004-07:00

HOLIDAY SALE!!!!!

Santa's Elves put BACK TO GOOD on sale for Virtual stocking stuffers!!!! You can get it for $1.99!!!!

Kobo: http://bit.ly/btgkobo
Amazon: http://tinyURL.com/backtogood
*Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/barnesnoble
iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBookbtg
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/smashbtg

*I'm waiting on B&N to change the price.

Read the book that is being called "angsty, great debut, and Unexpected Twists & Turns!!!" **

**From Amazon reviews

Mystery in your Mailbox Paperback Giveaway!!!

2016-11-22T19:55:00.001-07:00

Giveaway alert!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time for a SPECTACULAR giveaway!

Here’s how it works:

Our 140+ participating authors will sign and wrap a book. You enter by following the instructions below. You can enter on as many author’s pages as you want, so be sure to hit all of their pages for more chance to win! 

If you’re one of our lucky winners, you’ll receive a book, but you won’t know what you’ve won until you unwrap it.

To enter:

*your task 

*Follow Laura Benson at www.facebook.com/lmbauthor

*Follow Laura Benson at Goodreads here and add Back To Good 

*Follow Laura Benson on Instagram here

Then fill out this form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQmnuadU70ZfdNLA8iqcWAxZth1QKQniWRVM_2XLRtm2gNsw/viewform, checking off which actions you’ve completed and enter your email and mailing addresses. For more entries, click on the link for each author. You must complete the task AND fill out the form for your entry to count. All entries will be verified.

Good luck!

BACK TO GOOD for sale at all locations!!!!

2016-11-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

On sale now! $3.99/Paperback $13.99

***AMAZON REVIEWERS***

"This was a fabulous debut from an up and coming new author."

" It was also a very hot romance."

"Loved it. Amazing read."

Kobo: http://bit.ly/btgkobo
Amazon: http://tinyURL.com/backtogood
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/barnesnoble
iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBookbtg
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/smashbtg

Charlotte Banks (Charlie) is newly graduated from college and working in public relations. She is given a case that is just a bit too close to the heart. Joey Carino is a rock god, but now with his life spinning out of control, it's up to Charlie to try and save his reputation with his record label and his fans. However, dealing with Joey means dealing with Matthew Johns, Joey's best friend and Charlie's worst nightmare.

Review: Managed

2016-11-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Managed by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gabriel and Sophie were great. Sometimes his inner monologue was a bit 'female', but I got past it. Sophie was a whippersnapper and was able to keep up with the stuffy Brit. I hope we get more stories about Kill John. Really enjoyed this one.

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Review: Stroked Hard

2016-11-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

Stroked Hard by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hollis was a fun character to read. It became a bit boggy in the middle, but I enjoyed it. Meghan's humor is spot on and I love reading what her characters are going to say next.

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Back to Good! Day Two!

2016-11-01T13:34:00.002-07:00

Thank you to everyone who celebrated the release of Back to Good!!!

I had such a great time meeting new people and seeing the love for my little book.

The book is still on sale for 99 pennies at all retailers!!!

Kobo: http://tinyURL.com/gvpo6ab

Amazon: http://tinyURL.com/backtogood

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/barnesnoble

iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBookbtg

Again thank you for a wonderful day!

Back to Good is LIVE!!!

2016-10-31T17:52:00.002-07:00

Kobo: http://tinyURL.com/gvpo6ab

Amazon: http://tinyURL.com/backtogood

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/barnesnoble

iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBookbtg

Pre-Order Back To Good, Laura Benson

2016-10-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

I've been a bit nervous about doing this but I want you to know that I have a contemporary romance releasing on October 31. I'll post all the links below and the cover of the book along with the description of the book.

The book is specially priced at $0.99 and I'll keep that price up for about two weeks after release day. I'm hoping to have some goodies to give away for release day as well.

Add to Goodreads

Pre-order on KOBO

Pre-order on AMAZON

Description of Back To Good

COVER REVEAL: Bad Mommy, Tarryn Fisher

2016-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Synopsis:

Almost every day is a very bad day when you’re thirty, your tits are starting to sag, there are lines creeping in around your eyes, and you realize that no one would like you if they actually knew who you really were. Fig Coxbury is fed up with her life: her cheating ex-husband, the excess fat around her waist, and most of all, her loneliness.

When Fig chances upon Jolene Avery, the embodiment of everything she’s ever wanted to be, Fig befriends her out of curiosity.

Fig soon begins to emulate all aspects of Jolene's life, because when you find someone who knows exactly who they are, you can't help but want to be just like them.

Or in Fig's case... become them.

Review: Turbulence

2016-09-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

Turbulence by Whitney G.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Absolutely LOVED this book. I loved the character of Jake because he was so over the top and perfectly brilliant and funny! He treated everyone the same: like shit. He was a no-holds barred asshole and he stayed that way throughout the book. But I found him endearing at the same time. He had issues and problems and getting involved with a woman was the one thing he really didn't need to do.

Gillian. I loved Gillian and all her fuckedupedness. (Yes, I just made up that word!) She cracked me up, but the best scenes are with her and Jake. Especially when she first meets him. I couldn't stop laughing when she brought him to 'her' apartment. You have to read it to believe it.

I haven't read many Whitney G books, but the ones I have read have been really good and I hope she continues down this lane. One off books that are long and refreshing from the normal boy meets girl, fall in love, break up and blah blah blah. She does follow that trope, but she uses it brilliantly.

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Review: My Perfect Mistake

2016-08-21T08:41:00.001-07:00

My Perfect Mistake by Kelly Siskind
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a cute, sexy read! I really loved Kolton and Shay and the side characters! (Who get their own books!!!) I liked that Shay was questioning whether she was ready for a serious relationship after being in one for five years with a Dick. No, really, his name was Richard and he was THE DICK. He controlled everything about her. From her diet to her clothing choices. So when Kolton comes into the picture she's loveshy.

The other friends in the series, Sawyer, Lily, Nico and Raven are well defined (well except for Nico, he disappears because he's a cop with a criminal brother that he needs to get undercontrol.) I'm really looking forward to the next book, A FINE MESS.

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Review: A Beautiful Funeral

2016-08-16T10:31:00.001-07:00

A Beautiful Funeral by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More like 2.5 *

I pretty much gave up on Jamie's writing. I could not get into the Maddoxes brothers' stories. And this one cemented out for me. I skimmed a lot and pretty much knew who the funeral was for. It really only made sense and the hints weren't really hints but huge truths. There was one death that was completely overlooked and that was sad. So much potential with that story. Had she not glossed over it. Well I hope we've seen the last of this Family. Travis and Abby were unrecognizable and Trent was just an angry human.

Taylor's life seemed to be going downhill fast and all these people having children, but being in their life and the children not knowing. Just, shake my head. One child, yeah. But TWO? All the different POVs scrambled the story a bit.

Abby has a baby. It's early. He's in NICU. And we never hear of him again. Taylor's one-time hookup shows up again. And of course, it spells trouble for Falyn, because her marriage is on the rocks. Just whiplash me now.

The Epilogue? I. HAVE. NO. WORDS.

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Review: Stroked

2016-08-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

Stroked by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Oh, I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. The three POVs were actually a breath of fresh air! Let me start with Bellini. She's horrible. She's mean, I loved it! She assigns nicknames to people because she can't be bothered learning their names. She's also in a fake relationship with: Reese King. He's got his own POV and it's so good. He's trying to win a gold medal in swimming and has only come up with the Silver in the Olympics. He tends to choke when he needs to concentrate so the name of The Silver Stroke. Which is not a compliment. But when he falls for: Paisley, who just happens to be Bellini's and Reese's assistant, things get complicated in the most funny and interesting way possible.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, even the side characters. This is book 1, so I have an idea who book two is about but I could be wrong. Just read this. It's laugh out loud funny and a great romance too!

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Review: It Ends with Us

2016-08-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me four days to read this. I liked it, didn't love it. I liked the past scenes with mom, dad and Atlas (Hoover really uses bizarre names for her characters, it can be off putting at times.). I liked Allysa, the Insta friendship was weird. And of course, Ryle. Hoover paints a pretty picture, but then destroys it.

Everything seemed to move very fast in the story. I miss SLAMMED.

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Review: The Season

2016-07-17T21:03:00.001-07:00

The Season by Jonah Lisa Dyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had really high hopes for this. I read it quickly because the writing came across really young. Even though the main character was in her 20s, she came across as 16.

First and foremost I love the Austen's Pride and Prejudice storyline. This one was just too close to the original plot that it fell flat. Anyone can update and move story to Dallas, TX. Editing could've been tighter. Age the character with her language and movements. It was full of promise, but left me with a bad taste in my mouth. One thing Austen was master at was nuance and nuances. Her keen wit is hard to copy and emulate. Probably shouldn't be done.

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Review: Moonshot

2016-07-07T17:10:00.001-07:00

Moonshot by Alessandra Torre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the most bizarrely constructed novel I've ever read. First it's in first person POV (the love story), then third person omnipresent (the baseball story) and told in newspaper article (the murder). The chapters were super short anywhere from 1 page to four pages. So there's a lot of disconnect with that. But the weirdest thing about it? I liked it. I think dual POV would've worked better and not exactly sure why author didn't do that.

Now on to the characters. Chase Stern: baseball star and bad boy. He had a lot of issues that are glossed over because of the construct of the novel. I would've liked to have gone deeper into his story. It was hard to get a bead on him.

Tyler Rollins: Baseball kid. Her father is the top closer for the NY Yankees and she's been around the big leagues since her mom died when she was 7. She knows the game inside and out and she knows who should stay and who should go. When Chase is traded to NY after screwing with a teammates wife in LA, you just know that he's gonna go for the girl.

This story is told in parts. Parts of the baseball season and then jumps years. But again, it works. I found the mystery aspect of fascinating, because I really had no clue where it was going.

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Review: The Bourbon Thief

2016-06-29T17:01:00.001-07:00

The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been in such a reading funk that everything I started was looking exactly the same. But I finally started this and it was a story with romance, love, plot and wonderful writing. Not a cookie cutter book where heroine is gorgeous, hero is untouchable and they fall for each other. Ugh, how many of these can we read???

This story was refreshing. A palate cleanser for all the dirty cookies I tried eating. Tamara and Levi felt like real people and their problems were real life problems. It had a bit if a Cinderella feel to it, but more abstract.

Tiffany never disappoints. Love her and this book!

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Review: All the Rage

2016-06-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

All the Rage by T.M. Frazier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, I loved this one. I thought I would struggle with it but it's awesome! Loved Rage and Nolan. Smoke and Joker are back in this one and I really liked both of them too. I wish we'd seen some of King and/or Bear, but alas, we didn't.

The story was good and I loved that it took a turn that I never expected. T.M's writing is amazing and I love her books. Now Preppy is getting a book? OMFG, YES! Can't wait! I highly recommend all of T.M.'s books.

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Review: Tapping Her

2016-06-22T19:50:00.001-07:00

Tapping Her by Max Monroe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First of all I'm not a big fan of novellas. It's doesn't really give us a different perspective of the story. This one wasn't really necessary. I can see the authors were trying to be cute and really give us a flavor of Cassie and Thatch, but we'll get enough of that with their full-length novel.

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Review: Bring on the Heat

2016-06-21T17:55:00.001-07:00

Bring on the Heat by Katie Rose
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This story had a great premise, but lost the plot. Badly. I liked Darcy and I liked Chase, but the whole pretending to be someone else is never going to fly. When Darcy's gig is up; of course, she's left alone and the real rich bitch gets the hot baseball player. I wish the story was fleshed out more.

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Review: To Hate Adam Connor

2016-06-20T07:18:00.001-07:00

To Hate Adam Connor by Ella Maise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another home run for Ella Maise! Knowing that Lucy was getting her story, I couldn't wait to dive in. Although, the ending of Jason Thorn, I really questioned how her relationship with Jameson would allow her to fall for Adam Connor. But it all worked out!

Lucy, poor Lucy, thinks she's cursed.

Adam, poor Adam, is just trying to keep it together for his 5 year old son.

Talk about a meet cute. Adam has Lucy thrown in jail for trespassing, after saving his son from drowning. So, of course, now Lucy hates Adam. Although, Adam is now intrigued with the lovely Lucy.

Another fun, hot read!

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Review: To Love Jason Thorn

2016-06-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, I really enjoyed this one! I was pleasantly surprised. I kinda found this by accident after a friend lent me the Adam Connor book via her kindle thingy. When I realized that there was a story connected, I figured I'd read that one first. Which was Jason Thorn.

Olive. Lucy's Green Olive. Such a wonderful, dreamy character.

Jason Thorn. How can you not love a some-what bad boy with a heart of gold?

So much fun to read!

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Review: Wicked Dix

2016-06-17T09:00:00.001-07:00

Wicked Dix by Monica James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this second installment of Dr. Dixon Mathew's story. Things came together, fell apart and kept me intrigued. Dix is a dog, manwhore, manslut, whatever name I could throw at him I would. But everything falls apart when he falls in love.

Madison is sweet, cute, sexy and crazy about Dix. She has secrets and so does he. But when these secrets collide, it's a mess. A naughty, dirty, sexy and horrible mess. I also loved Dix's friends: Hunter and Finch. They keep him grounded.

Highly recommend this series. It's almost epic.

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