Tanked by Mia HopkinsContemporary RomanceApril 26, 2022, by Little Stone Press Review by Melanie To say that I was waiting with great anticipation for the third and final installment of Mia Hopkins’ Eastside Brewery series would be a bit of an understatement. It had been 3 years since book 2 had come out and after having read the final book, I can honestly say it was more than worth the wait. Tanked is the story of the youngest Rosas brother, Angel Rosas. We only get the barest Continue Reading
Scenic Sunday: Trashed by Mia Hopkins
Last week’s Scenic Sunday highlighted scenes from Thirsty and this week, I’m taking a look back at Trashed, the 2nd book in the Eastside Brewery series. Trashed focuses on the middle Rosas brother, Eddie, who we meet briefly at the end of Thirsty. If the main theme of Sal’s story was about redemption and reinvention, then Eddie’s story is all about rebirth and rejection - that is, rejection of what’s in the past and instead, choosing to look forward. I highlighted the hell out of this book Continue Reading
Scenic Sunday: Thirsty by Mia Hopkins
In anticipation of the upcoming release of the 3rd Eastside Brewery book, Tanked on April 26th, I thought it would be fun to revisit the first 2 books in the series for our Scenic Sundays. First up is Thirsty, which I originally read in 2019 and then again earlier this month to refresh my memory of the series before I read Tanked. I loved this book 3 years ago and I love this book now. Tender and heartbreaking, it’s a story about second chances and redemption, about learning to forgive Continue Reading
Kini’s Romance Wrap Up 2019
Just over a year ago, Mandi decided she didn’t want to run Smexy anymore and Angela and I jumped at the chance to do so. I have learned so much about running a blog. The biggest thing is that my relationship with books has changed. I am no longer “just reviewing” books. Now not only am I looking at them for potential review but also is it something we might want to spotlight in some other way to Smexy readers. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love it. But it has just changed things for me. Continue Reading
Sexcerpt: Trashed by Mia Hopkins
He burns for her. Lucky for him, she likes to play with fire. . . My name is Eddie Rosas, but everyone calls me Trouble. Since I got out of prison six months ago, I’ve had one goal: find my father, whatever the cost. My older brother says I need to move on. He also wants me to leave our gang, East Side Hollenbeck, and go straight, but I can’t—not until I uncover the truth about our family and its missing piece. One problem? I’m distracted. My distraction’s name is Carmen Centeno. Smart, Continue Reading
Kini’s Favorite Reads of 2018
2018 was a hard reading year for me. I started out the year with huge goals and it fell apart quickly. I can’t be mad about it though. I read some fantastic books by amazing authors, made new friends in romancelandia and had lots of romance discussions on Twitter and beyond. Here is a round up of my favorite books this year. Spoiler alert, several these authors were on my lists from 2017 and 2016. 2018 was all about fantastic series for me. So many of my favorite books where part of a series. Continue Reading
Kini’s Friday Kisses
It’s Friday, aka my favorite day of the work week. I’m heading up to Philly later today to see Lauryn Hill in concert for the 20th anniversary of the MisEducation of Lauryn Hill. Please send all the positive thoughts you can that she isn’t too late. Thirsty by Mia Hopkins has been sitting in my Kindle for months. I finally picked it up. I had some hesitation due to the fact that we don’t see many Latinx heroes in romance and I didn’t know if this would be a harmful depiction of an ex-con gang Continue Reading
Review: Thirsty by Mia Hopkins
Thirsty by Mia Hopkins Eastside Brewery, #1 Contemporary Romance March 13, 2018 Loveswept Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “You want a hero. Before we start, you should know---I’m not him. I’m not your hero. A hero is Prince charming, a firefighter, a cowboy. He's handsome and perfect. He’s probably white. He has his shite together. None of that is me.” Salvador (Sal) Rosa has just been released from prison after serving a five year stretch for boasting cars and other Continue Reading