Release Blitz, Review by Irene & Giveaway: Lovestrong by Nikki Groom

Title: LOVESTRONG (The Kingdom, #3)

Author: Nikki Groom

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 19, 2015

Synopsis

Growing up wasn't easy for Lottie. As an only child with self-absorbed parents, she soon learned that the one person she could depend upon was herself. A brave face and defensive self-preservation kept her strong.

 

Then Lottie met Spike.

He didn't see her little habits as frustrating; he embraced them.

He didn't run from her fiery temper and sharp tongue; he admired her for her tenacity.

He loved her and she loved him.

And somehow, despite Lottie's reluctance to let her guard down, Spike King managed to burrow his way in to her gentle heart and penetrate that steely armour she surrounded herself with.

 

Then one night it all changed.

A family vendetta.

A life shattering hit and run.

A moment that would change their lives forever.

 

Will their love be strong enough to pull them back together?

Or will the damage from that one fateful night keep them apart for ever?

 

Authors note: Spike and Lottie's story can be read as a stand alone.

However, to appreciate their personalities and the journey they have been on to get to this book, you should really read Holding Aces (The Kingdom 1) and High Stakes (The Kingdom 2).

 

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4.5 Stars

I have waited for this book for sometime know. I so wanted to see what was going to happen with Spike and Lottie.

You have to read the first 2 books in order to get Lovestrong. You get the feel of Lottie and Spike in those books. You also know what happened to Spike in book 2. 

With Lottie doing everything she can to help Spike after his accident he just pushes her away. Lottie has to find her way and in doing so she leaves. She has to find herself before her and Spike can move forward. 

Spike knows Lottie deserves more than what he is giving. Pushing her away is just breaking his heart. He is being the bigger person as he see's it. Once Lottie leaves Spike is miserable. He snaps at everyone and everything. He feels he was dealt the wrong card in live. Instead of living with his condition he is rotting.

Weeks go by and Lottie finally realizes that Spike is meant for her. She found a friend in Torran. I mean I could have seen them going further but every little thing reminded Lottie of Spike. 

Spike spends his time actually dealing with his accident. He did this after seeing a little boy wanting more in life than being in a wheelchair. That pushed Spike to want more not just for himself but for Lottie as well. 

I kind of felt like the book was rushed a little. Like I said you see how Spike and Lottie are in the other 2 books. Once Lottie returns everything falls into place. They don't wait another minute to be with each other. Could we have gotten a little glimpse of years that came? Did they have kids? Did they stay in the hotel or buy their own house?

I liked Lovestrong. I would highly recommend all 3 books.

 

Holding Aces (The Kingdom, #1)

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  They say that time heals all wounds. But mine are set in so deeply, they’ve taken on a life of their own, lurking in the shadows at every turn and haunting my thoughts. The girl I once was has been replaced by a stranger. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I run. And I hide. Pretending to be someone I’m not… Until I meet Denham King. My burst of color in an otherwise grey world. And for the first time in my life, I find myself running towards someone instead of running away. But fate can be cruel, and I can’t escape my past. Can I?

High Stakes (The Kingdom, #2)

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“Stupid. Beautiful. Girl. How did you ever think you could be free?” The last words I heard before the darkness took me and my dreams were shattered I was on my way to having it all. Friends, family and a future. Everything I had wished for but never thought possible. Denham King showed me just how good life could be. A life where love and happiness were within reach. Almost. I should have known it would never last. My past is a dark, damp cloud, that has seeped into my skin and left a cold promise. A promise of hurt and pain. A promise of a long, hard fight, where the stakes are high and the risks threaten lives. When your world gets thrown in all directions, and your dreams for the future are torn from your grasp; how do you go on? Can I fight the demons that haunt me? Can love save me from fate’s cruel path?

About the Author

Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around. In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine. She lives in East Sussex with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list. Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people. Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here…

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Release Blitz, Review & Giveaway: High Stakes by Nikki Groom

Title: High Stakes (The Kingdom, #2)

Author: Nikki Groom

Release Date: October 24, 2014

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

 

Blurb

“Stupid. Beautiful. Girl. How did you ever think you could be free?” The last words I heard before the darkness took me and my dreams were shattered. I was on my way to having it all. Friends, family and a future. Everything I had wished for but never thought possible. Denham King showed me just how good life could be. A life where love and happiness were within reach. Almost. I should have known it would never last. My past is a dark, damp cloud, that has seeped into my skin and left a cold promise. A promise of hurt and pain. A promise of a long, hard fight, where the stakes are high and the risks threaten lives. When your world gets thrown in all directions, and your dreams for the future are torn from your grasp; how do you go on? Can I fight the demons that haunt me? Can love save me from fate’s cruel path?      

Excerpt

“Arianna, dear. It’s nice to see you again.” Amy pushes past my shoulder, inviting herself in and taking ownership of the air around us. “Although, I wasn’t expecting to see so much,” she sneers, letting her eyes drift down the length of my legs. I stand tall, trying not to be intimidated by her, trying to stand my ground in my apartment, but instantly feeling threatened by the way her body reacts to me, and the way her gaze makes me feel cold and uncomfortable. She lifts her hand toward me, and tucks a long, red, predatory nail under the collar of the white shirt I am wearing, lifting it between her fingertips and gently brushing against my collarbone through the fabric as she does. It sends chills through me. She’s cold. Her aura, her demeanor, and her intentions are all icy and it radiates from her in steady pulses. “I bet he likes you in this. I bet he asked you to wear it, am I wrong?” Of course, she’s not wrong. She’s pretty much as correct as can fucking be. I swallow hard. Shards of her persona stick into me like little icy pins. Her words, like little needles of reality, stab into my veins. She knows him better than I do. She knows what he likes, and what he doesn’t. Has he asked her to wear his shirt for him? Has he told her to dress in nothing but heels and diamonds for him? The thoughts make me feel sick. But, I know that she’s playing me. I've seen Denham’s reaction to her. I’ve seen the contempt in his eyes when her name is mentioned, and I’ve felt the tension radiate from him when he encounters her. She’s a bitch. Pure and simple.

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High Stakes picks up right where Holding Aces left off. I love it when that happens. No time gaps. Ari she has told Denham about her past and what happens? Her past come face to face with her only thing is...........Wait what?? That didn't just happen!  

People say Karma is a bitch! or What goes around comes around. OMG that so happens in High Stakes. I mean Ari serves justice to that one person who hurt her the most. I mean my heart was racing and my mind was saying hurry up and read, but yet I wanted to take it slow. I wanted to savor what was going on. I didn't want it to end but then again I really wanted to know what was going to happen. There is lose there is sadness, there is happiness as well. Somethings get resolved and other are well you kind of go what! I want to know what is going on with Lottie. Are we going to see a 3rd book about her and Spike? Nikki I love you. Thank you for yet another book boyfriend. Love me some Denham King.

 

Holding Aces (The Kingdom, #1)

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Author Bio

Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around. In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine. She lives in East Sussex with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list. Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people. Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here…

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Review: Holding Aces by Nikki Groom

Title: Holding Aces (The Kingdom #1)

Author: Nikki Groom

Release Date: May 29th 2014

Genre: Adult contemporary romance

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**Holding Aces is part one of a two part Adult Contemporary Romance series that contains mature sexual content and language and is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**

*Please note: This is not a dark romance*


They say that time heals all wounds.
But mine are set in so deeply, they’ve taken on a life of their own, lurking in the shadows at every turn and haunting my thoughts.

The girl I once was has been replaced by a stranger.
I don’t even know who I am anymore.

I run.
And I hide.
Pretending to be someone I’m not…

Until I meet Denham King.
My burst of color in an otherwise grey world.
And for the first time in my life, I find myself running towards someone instead of running away.

But fate can be cruel,
and I can’t escape my past.
Can I?

“Don’t run,” he says before releasing my hands slowly, and I instinctively move to tangle my fingers in his thick dark hair. Both his hands move to my ass, squeezing and pulling me closer as he kisses me with a fierce tenderness I can’t explain. I vaguely register him flicking the lock on the door as he walks us backwards, never breaking contact.

He turns me as we reach his desk, and I hear paperwork flutter to the floor and glass smash as he sends everything on the desk flying before lying me down on the cold, hard surface, his body pressed tightly against mine. I have a desperate need to touch him, to taste him, to feel every inch of this man. I slide my hands in the waistband of his trousers and pull out his shirt. I let my hands roam freely over his torso, realizing I’ve wanted to do this since the very first time I saw him at the elevator.

He runs his hands down the length of my body and pushes them back up again, skimming my thighs and taking my skirt with them, exposing my lace underwear. “Stunning,” he says before bringing his mouth to mine.

Tasting…

Feeling…

Testing…

Our teeth crash together as the desire grows, and we both know it’s impossible to stop this now. “Arianna,” he says breathlessly. His chest is heaving and there are little beads of sweat gathering on his brow.

“Yes…” I can barely form the word. I haven’t answered to my real name for a very long time, but it feels natural coming from him.

“Tell me you want this…”

It’s a command, but I don’t feel threatened. I want this as much as he does.I nod my answer.

“Tell me, Ari. I won’t touch you until you tell me.”

“Yes, yes I want you…”

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Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around. 
In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine. 
She lives in East Sussex with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list. 
Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people.

Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here…

Facebook | Twitter | Email | Booktropolous Social | Goodreads

WOW is what I want to say first. Second this was a great read for Nikki's debut book.

You live in the dark for so long that when you step into the light you don't know what to do!!

We meet Natalie who really isn't who she says she is. She is actually running from her past, recently married and is coming into a sticky situation again. Her husband Aaron is a mess and wants to start a family. I think he is dealing with stress from work and takes his aggravation out on Natalie. What happens is every woman's worse nightmare. What does Natalie do? She runs and I hope most woman would too. At least leave for the night let things cool down and then go from there. However Natalie she has been in this place before. Her life hung in the balance. She did what came natural to her RUN!!!

While running she called 2 people from her past. They can't wait to see her again and help her get her old life back. 

While waiting to get back on her feet she stays in this hotel, this fancy hotel. While there she meets Denham King OMG total hawtness right there. She doesn't know who he is at frist but she would love to devour him. Yes her feelings are all over the place. She knows she shouldn't be thinking of a stranger like that after fleeing like she did. I mean if you see this hot ass guy who take a look at you and scowls because of a mark on your cheek, and is a total gentlemen you would want to lick him too!!

Denham he know's he has to get to know Natalie. They have this electric connection when they touch. When he touches her it feels like little pin pricks in a good way. He finds out who she REALLY is Arianna and what happens?? She flees again. When this happens her past and her present come crashing together. The last person she wanted to see shows up and she gets so confused as to what is going on. She has feelings for Denham but she doesn't want to open up her heart because every time she does she gets burned, played and beat. Her past is so strong that she doesn't see a future at all. She has lived in the dark that when the light(Denham) is there it takes everything in his power to show her LOVE!!

What I loved was their connection, their innocent feelings for one another. Denham's ability to hold off to take things further with Ari until she is for certain she is ready. They had an easy banter. Well except when Ari would talk herself down in her head. 

When they finally were together Denham had said "We fit like you were made for me, just me" um OMG!!! who hasn't had that said to them? 

Right when Ari opens up to Denham and her life has taken a turn for the good. She has seen the light and wants to stay in it. All hell comes back with a vengeance. The ending will make you scream, want to throw you kindle and ask " how can she leave it like that?"

I really can't wait for the next book High Stakes which comes out next month Oct 24th. 

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