Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt-Audiobook Review

Cowritten by USA Today best-selling author Tara Sivec and award-winning narrator Andi Arndt, a hysterically funny, heartfelt romance - created specifically for the audio format!

Blurb:

Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that’s how my podcast, Heidi’s Discount Erotica, was born.

Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of - like kissing my neighbor.

Look out, Waconia, because Heidi’s on the loose! She’s in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants...wait, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don’tcha know!

EYE CANDY FEATURING TIJAN, J. DANIELS, HELENA HUNTING, BELLA JEWEL AND TARA SIVEC-RELEASE BLITZ

A frightfully good time! Dive into these Halloween novellas from bestselling authors Tijan, J. Daniels, Helena Hunting, Bella Jewel and Tara Sivec. Featuring stories set in the worlds of their popular series.

Tijan’s Fallen Crest crew are back for a weekend of mischief that takes a sinister turn; all four couples from J. Daniels’ Alabama Summer series gear up for Halloween in their own sexy ways, with a special surprise at the end; Helena Hunting’s characters from Shacking Up plan a Halloween gala that features a few ghouls and witches; Bella Jewel brings the chills and thrills in her suspenseful take on Halloween night; and Tara Sivec gathers the Holiday family together one last time as they try to make this ghostly holiday one to remember—or one they’d rather forget…



Cozy up with a mug of hot cider on a dark night and fall under the spell of this Halloween anthology!

I enjoyed the glimpse into Ruby and Bane and the chance to see them after the events of Shacking Up. But, that said, you need to have read it in order to enjoy this, as I don't think these were intended to be read as standalones.

It was essentially an extended epilogue with the addition, I think, of possibly setting up a future couple based on the interactions of the characters in the story.

was it fun? Absolutely, if you have read Shacking Up, you got to see the characters again, where they are now, and a glimpse into where things are going for them, which is always a treat. Add in Helena Hunting and you have a mix of humor and swoony hot sex that is very characteristic of her writing.

I only read this in the anthology, as I was not familiar enough with the other characters in the other stories to really be able to engage with them.

I recommend the Helena Hunting novella.

GETTING DOWN by Helena Hunting

One eyebrow quirks as he asks, “You two playing dress-up?”

I grin. I assume it must look incredibly evil considering the makeup I’m currently sporting but am not allowed to see yet. “We’re practicing for Halloween.”

His mouth tilts in a smirk. “Fuck yes you are.”

Oh yeah. I’m getting so lucky later. I don’t think I’m changing out of this costume, as difficult as it might be to sit in all night considering the massive wings attached to my back. I’ll make it work. Bancroft is very well acquainted with my love of all things Halloween and horror.

“What’s happening in there?” Armstrong elbows Bancroft in the ribs so he can poke his head in the door.

He edges inside the bathroom and his eyes go wide as they move over Amie. I suppose I can understand why. I’ve managed to get her into a pair of red satin booty shorts and a tight T-shirt. Her bra is very, very visible through the thin fabric. Her amazing legs are on display. Her hair is pulled up into two pigtails. If I wasn’t 100 percent sure she wasn’t even close to Bancroft’s type, I might be inclined to make her cover up. But he’s not into leggy blondes. He’s into somewhat petite brunettes. He also likes the sass, which I have an abundance of.

“What’re you wearing?” Armstrong asks. He sounds very much like he’s sucked on a helium balloon for shits and giggles.

Amie looks down at herself, as if she doesn’t understand his concern. She does. Fully. We talked about how he wouldn’t approve of this costume at all before they arrived. Which is the exact reason I suggested she continue to wear it.

I’m not actively trying to interfere in my best friend’s relationship, but I’m not fully convinced he’s the perfect fit for her, either. He’s far too trust - fund - pickle - up - ass.

Author Bios

Bella Jewel is a USA Today bestselling author of over 18 e-books, including the popular Alphas Heart eOriginal series with St. Martin's Press. She lives in North Queensland where she's working on her next novel.

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author of the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She lives in north Minnesota.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author and the Best Indie Author in the Indie Romance Convention Reader's Choice Awards in 2014. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children.

J. Daniels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Addiction series, the Alabama Summer series, and the Dirty Deeds series. J grew up in Baltimore and resides in Maryland with her family.

Authors Links

Tijan

Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tijansbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TijansBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tijansbooks/

J. Daniels

Website: http://authorjdaniels.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdanielsauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDanielsBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjdaniels/

Helena Hunting

Website: http://helenahunting.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helena.hunting69/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/helenahunting

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenahunting/

Bella Jewel

Website: http://bellajewelbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBellaJewel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BellaJewel73

Tara Sivec

Website: http://tarasivec.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraSivec.authorpage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarasivec

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortarasivec/

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LSXZSC

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eye-candy-tijan/1126552560?ean=9781250148230

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781250148230

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/eye-candy-19

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=beolDwAAQBAJ

THE STORY OF US BY TARA SIVEC-REVIEW

From USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec comes an emotional, breathtakingly romantic new book about the power of first love and the promise of second chances.

How much can a man take before he breaks?

1,843 days. That's how long I survived in that hellhole. They tried to break me, but I resisted. And I owe it all to the memory of warm summer nights, the scent of peaches, and the one woman who loved me more than I ever deserved to be loved. Now, I'll do anything to get back to her.

Only Shelby Eubanks isn't the girl I left behind all those years ago. She's someone else, a stranger. My Shelby-my little green-eyed firecracker-would never give up her dreams, would never disappear into her mother's ambitions. But I won't give up on her. On us. I may be broken, and scarred, and not the man I used to be, but I will do whatever it takes to remind her of the story of us.

 
Eli and Shelby were together in high school and then life, the military, and things beyond their control both separated them and left Shelby thinking that Eli was dead.

Shelby moves on with her life, sort of, and gets quite a shock when it turns out that Eli is not only alive, but coming home after a number of years as a prisoner in a foreign country.

The angst is there, the stress and joy of the first time they see one another, the difficulty of finding common ground after that many years, and the stress of what they have both been through are all handled fairly well and in a way that I thought was realistic.

I liked so much of this book, the pacing was strong, the characters interesting and the writing was wonderful.  Right up until the end.

The last about 15% of the book took it from a strong 4.5 to the 3 that I have given it.  Not for the twist that appears, but for the timing of it.  I was not able to believe that the characters were able to get to their happily ever after in the time that was left for them in the book.

Saying what happens is a huge spoiler.  But I can say that if it had happened earlier, I would have loved it, and I would have been totally able to believe what was happening...but the combination of how much happened before you found out the twist, and there not being enough time for the issue to resolve, meant I was left feeling this book was close, but not quite there.

I do recommend this title, as I did enjoy it overall.