Broken Crown (Gilded Empire 1) by MJ Crouch-review

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Broken Crown (Gilded Empire 1) by MJ Crouch-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 19, 2024

Becoming queen of the Marcosa mafia empire was never what I wanted. Yet nobody gave me a choice.

Rule or die.

For six years I’ve learned to become ruthless, strategic, and deadly in order to survive. But a new enemy is determined to rip me apart. All I can do is watch as my world crumbles at my feet. Until three ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men change everything.

They’ll burn the world to the ground to keep me safe.

But that may not be enough.

•••••

REVIEW:BROKEN CROWN is the first instalment in MJ Crouch’s (Janie Crouch) contemporary, adult GILDED EMPIRE dark, reverse harem, organized crime romance series focusing on Mariana Marcosa, queen of the Marcosa empire, and the three men who will control her heart: Greyson Andrews, Dominic, and Nate Black.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers

Told from four first person perspectives (Mari, Grey, Dominic, Nate) BROKEN CROWN introduces the players in a war for power and control. In the wake of her father and her beloved brother’s murders, Mariana Marcosa ascended the throne of the Marcosa Crime empire. With her best friend Greyson Andrews, as her protector and bodyguard, Mariana set about to rebuild and remodel starting with the grand opening of a new speakeasy named The Gilded but a power struggle was on the horizon, and with the return of Dominic, Mari’s new underboss, and a rescue by Nate Black, Mari would have to confront a new enemy in the guise of Cassius “Cash” Beckstrom, and his group known as the Aces. Having kept Greyson at a distance, and Dominic’s determination to reclaim what once was, Mari is about to face her greatest fears when the men in her life become targets of a mad man demanding everything and more. Always one step ahead, Cash is about to set Mari’s world on fire.

The world building sets the groundwork for war. Death and destruction, fires, bombings, shootouts and thefts, are but a few of the trappings facing Mari and the men with whom she is falling in love but betrayal from within finds Mari facing her own mortality, and the loss of the men in her life.

The relationship between Mari and Greyson has moved beyond friends and protector to lovers; with Dominic back to usurp his position, both men are willing to share the heart of the woman they love but Nate’s arrival adds another layer of possibilities, a possibility that has yet to take shape beyond a small spark of attraction. The lone $ex scenes is passionate.

BROKEN CROWN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and obsession. The slow building premise is intriguing and dramatic; the characters are determined, dynamic and powerful; the romance is seductive but the back and forth is frustrating. BROKEN CROWN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Bratva Lullaby/ Midnight Poison by Penny Dee-review tour

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Bratva Lullaby / Midnight Poison (Zarkov Bratva 1 & 2) by Penny Dee-review tour

BRATVA LULLABY
Zarkov Bratva 1
by Penny Dee
Genre: adult, contemporary, Bratva, dark romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2024

I’m fake dating the boss of the Zarkov bratva, what could possibly go wrong?

Lev Zarkov is a real life monster.

No, correction, he’s actually the devil.

Except, when I first meet him he’s simply the mysterious, handsome man traveling next to me in first class on a flight to New York.

And after being dumped at the altar by my loser fiancé who vanished into thin air the morning of our wedding, when things get flirty between me and the mysterious stranger, I think why not?

Surely I deserve one night to forget, I mean, where’s the harm in a little indulgence, right?

I’ll tell you exactly where the harm is. It turns out my one night stand is not only the boss of the Zarkov bratva, but he’s also a billionaire who is used to getting what he wants …and what he wants is me with his ring on my finger.

I’m to appear in public as his fake fiancé and in return my loser ex will get to keep his brains inside his head.

Every instinct tells me I don’t want to do this.

I’m just not prepared for how persuasive he can be…

•••••

REVIEW:BRATVA LULLABY is the first instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary adult ZARKOV BRATVA erotic, dark, Bratva romance series. This is Pakhan Lev Zarkov, and Brooke Masters’ story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lev and Brooke) BRATVA LULLABY follows the forced relationship and engagement between our story line couple. Brooke Masters was humiliated when her fiance never showed up for their wedding, leaving Brooke to wonder where everything went wrong. With her tail tucked between her legs, Brooke heads to New York for some time alone where she will meet and spend one glorious night with a man she only knows as Lev. One month later, Brooke is offered a temporary position back in New York where she will come face to face with the man she couldn’t forget but Brooke’s arrival is planned, and our heroine will become the virtual prisoner of the man with whom she will fall in love. From prisoner to plus one to fiancee, Brooke will quickly discover that Lev Zarkov’s world of the Bratva is dangerous and dark, and our heroine will become a pawn in a much larger game of power and control. What ensues is the building relationship between Brooke and Lev, and the potential fall-out as both Lev and Brooke become victims to a man seeking the top.

The world building focuses on slow spiral of Brooke’s former relationship, and her desire to expand and discover something new. Lev Zarkov has taken the position of Pakhan in the wake of his father’s murder, and in doing so, set himself up as the target of some powerful men. Needing a plus one for events and show, Lev will quickly realize that his fake fiance is slowly melting his heart.

The relationship between Lev and Brooke begins as a one-night stand in which Brooke’s ghosts our story line hero the next morning. Reconnecting in New York was never in the plans for Brooke Masters but Lev Zarkov knew exactly who he wanted and why. A prisoner in a gilded cage, Brooke would quickly discover that the life she once knew is no longer the life of which she is about to be thrown into, head first. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to several members of the Zarkov Bratva including Lev’s driver Igor: Lev’s Uncle Vadim, Uncle Boris and his sons Feliks and Maxsim; low level deal Vlad, and housekeeper Enya. The requisite evil has many faces.

BRATVA LULLABY is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is dramatic and intense but not as dark as some other Bratva series. The romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, charismatic, powerful and desperate. BRATVA LULLABY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________

MIDNIGHT POISON
Zarkov Bratva 2
by Penny Dee
Genre: adult, contemporary, Bratva, dark romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Release Date: April 18, 2024

He took me as collateral to ensure my ex-fiancé kept the deal they made.

But since then, Lev Zarkov has become so much more than the devil I thought he was.
And now his baby is growing in my belly.

I don’t want to leave him, but after one devastating night blows up our life, I know I have my baby to think about.

I tell myself that leaving is the right thing to do. But waking up without Lev in the middle of the night is pure midnight poison.

I miss his touch. His smell. The warm, comforting way he would hold me in his arms and let me know how much he wanted me.

But that isn’t the man who comes after me.
He’s angry. He’s formidable. He’s hurt.
And now that he’s found me, he’s going to make me pay for breaking his heart.

But there is a danger lurking in the shadows.
And we’ll have to put our differences aside long enough to fight the invisible threat that could destroy everything.

•••••••

REVIEW:MIDNIGHT POISON is the second instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary, adult ZARKOV BRATVA dark, erotic, Bratva romance duet focusing on Pakhan Lev Zarkov, and Brooke Masters’ story line. MIDNIGHT POISON should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one BRATVA LULLABY

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lev and Brooke) MIDNIGHT POISON follows ongoing yet contemptuous relationship between Pakhan Lev Zarkov, and Brooke Masters. Brooke Masters is a virtual prisoner of Lev Zarkov, a pawn used as payment for someone else’s sins but lev Zarkov never expected to fall for the woman that is slowly controlling his heart. Brooke Masters is struggling in the wake of Lev’s deception but the discovery of her pregnancy forces Brooke to run, placing herself in the direct line of fire. Meanwhile, all is not well in the Zarkov Bratva-a war is ensuing; a fight for control, and our couple are about to be caught in the fall-out for the throne. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Brooke and Lev,and the fall-out as our couple discover that betrayal comes with a familiar face.

The world building continues to focus on the impassioned but turbulent relationship between our story line couple as Lev struggles to regains control of his Bratva empire. There is a supposed mole within the family, a mole who is gunning for the top.

The relationship between Lev and Brooke straddles the line between love and hate. Lev believes Brooke has betrayed him at the highest level, and Brooke is about to discover the cold hearted Pakhan she had only heard about. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

Once again, we are re introduced to several members of the Zarkov Bratva including Lev’s driver Igor: Lev’s Uncle Vadim, Uncle Boris and his sons Feliks and Maxsim; low level dealer Vlad, and housekeeper Enya. The requisite evil has many familiar faces-betrayal comes from within.

MIDNIGHT POISON is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, dysfunctional family values, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is raw and twisted; the romance is spicy; the characters are brooding, animated and desperate.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between.She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.

You can connect with Penny Dee : Goodreads / Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website / Instagram

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Falling For Her (Boston Love 3) by Kelly Elliott-review tour

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Falling For Her (Boston Love 3) by Kelly Elliott-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Oe5Gp1

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2024

Wes Ward finds himself in new territory. Less than a year ago, he lived in New York City in a fantastic loft that overlooked upper Manhattan. Women in and out of his bed anytime he wanted and not a damn care in the world.

Now?

Now, he finds himself back in Boston plotting ways to stop his high school girlfriend, Mandy, from getting married, dodging his mother’s every attempt at helping him settle down, and trying to understand why Clare Monroe makes him forget everything and everyone when she smiles at him.

What is this insane feeling he feels anytime Clare is near him? Why can’t he stop thinking about her every second of every day?

And what does he do about Mandy, the woman he fought so hard for who is willing to give their relationship another try right when Wes is ready to admit his feelings for Clare?

••••

REVIEW:FALLING FOR HER is the third instalment in Kelly Elliott’s contemporary, adult BOSTON LOVE romance series focusing on the Ward siblings. This is businessman Wes Ward, and PA Clare Monroe’s story line. FALLING FOR HER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: For fans of this series, the last instalment was released in 2017, so a re-read may be in order.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clare and Wes) FALLING FOR HER follows the enemies to fake relationship between our story line couple. Clare Monroe is Rory Adams-Ward’s best friend but Clare struggles with Rory’s brother in law, Wes Ward, a man she believes despises the ground upon which she walks. Wes Ward’s love-hate relationship with Clare Monroe is about to get a whole lot more interesting as Wes is hoping to win back his former fiancé, the woman who broke his heart. Blackmailing Clare Monroe to be his fake girlfriend, Wes has no idea the proverbial can of worms he is about to open. What ensues is the building but fake romance and relationship between Clare and Wes, and the potential fall-out as Clare realizes there is nothing fake about the heart break she is about to entail.

The world building focuses on Wes Ward’s obsession to win back his former fiancé, and in doing so stop the ex’s impending wedding but Wes is about to pull an innocent woman into his fraudulent scheme, a woman whose heart he is going to destroy.

The relationship between Wes and Clare is an enemies to friends to lovers relationship in which Wes is desperate to make his ex-fiancee jealous, using our story line heroine in the process. Clare knows that Wes is using her to win back another woman but it is too late for Clare when Wes gets what he has always wanted. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language ang text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Wes’ siblings: Angie, Finn and Rory, Preston and Harmony, and their daughter Presley, and as well as their parents. We are introduced to Wes’ ex Mandy, as well as Clare’s brother Tim, and their parents. Angie’s story is next.

FALLING FOR HER is a story of secrets and lies, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are desperate and charismatic; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Lost Love, and Never Enough, to name a few.

Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, Gus, her chocolate lab, four cats, and endless wildlife creatures. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website.
www.kellyelliottauthor.com

Connect with Kelly

Website | https://www.kellyelliottauthor.com
Goodreads | https://bit.ly/34ucSHq
Amazon | https://amzn.to/2Efkcwa
Facebook | https://bit.ly/32jyBPP
Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/2ElCLyG
Instagram | https://bit.ly/3lg6ERJ
Bookbub | https://bit.ly/3j3ynTA
Pinterest | https://bit.ly/34ualwY
Newsletter | https://bit.ly/32gz70W

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Raven (Devil’s Handmaidens MC 6) by DM Earl-review & excerpt tour

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Raven (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: timber-Ghost Montana 6) by DM Earl-review & excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2024

A second chance may hurt worse the next time around…

Funny and vibrant Brenna “Raven” O’Brien has experienced her fair share of pain and loneliness. She’s always used humor to hide her true feelings of rejection and loss. Always the jokester, Brenna brings joy to those around her. Being needed in IT for the Devil’s Handmaidens gives her purpose and a sense of belonging. After being betrayed by the only man she’s ever loved, Raven guards her heart from pain at all cost.

But when she comes face to face with the man who destroyed her, everything changes…

Ash Sterling has loved Raven his entire life. He’d do anything to repair the broken shards of her heart. But Raven’s pain runs deep, and her pride won’t be crushed again. However, when her sister comes back into her life, and the Handmaiden’s realize more danger and darkness loom, Raven knows that Ash is the one man who can help her seek the justice her family needs. When boundaries blur and passion ignites, will the pain of the past subside for both of them to find a future together?

•••••

REVIEW:RAVEN is the sixth instalment in DM Earl’s contemporary adult DEVIL’S HANDMAIDENS MC: TIMBER-WOLF MONTANA dark, erotic, MC romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s GRIMM WOLVES series/ and interconnected with the multi-authored SALVATION SOCIETY series. . This is rancher Ash Sterling, and Brenna ‘Raven’ O’Brien’s story line. RAVEN can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence and assault, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several first person perspectives including Raven and Ash, RAVEN follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Years earlier, Ash destroyed Raven, leaving a heart broken woman in the process. Fast forward to present day, wherein, Ash is hoping for a second chance but all is not well in Timber-Wolf Montana, and the Sterling family will be caught in the middle of a war not of their making. The Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood is determined to take control of Timber-Wolf Montana, and taking aim at everyone involved with the Devil’s Handmaidens MC and the family owned Sterling ranch.

The world building continues to focus on the take down of the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood, a group of sexist, racist and abusive men who are determined to take control. As Ash struggles to prove he is the man deserving of Raven O’Brien, someone else is targeting our story line heroine, as well as several members of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and determined secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples, as well as both Raven and Ash’s parents and siblings.

RAVEN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is dark, complex, gritty and dramatic; the romance is fated; the characters are broken but struggling to heal.

Heed the TWs-there are many and pervasive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Tink
Shadow
Taz
Vixen
Glory

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

“Brenna, my life’s been shit since we broke up. The only thing I have is the ranch and even that is a pain in my ass most days. I did build a house, one I thought you’d like. Besides that, I live, breathe, and almost die for that ranch. I’ve not been a saint since we broke up, I’ll be honest, but I’ve never had another girlfriend or fiancée. Best I could call it was hookups when I needed, you know, some relief.”

I can feel my face getting hot and she’s looking at me, trying not to laugh at my discomfort.

“Go ahead and laugh. Not only was it far and few between, I’d drive into the city so it wasn’t someone from around here. Mom has been on me to try and find a bride to help me, but there’s only one woman I want as my bride. No, I won’t put any pressure on you, Brenna. I’m just trying to be honest and upfront. Now, I know you’ve had a really long day, I’ll get outta your hair. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat sometime. Your call. I’ll leave the ball in your court.”

Follow: Goodreads / Website / Instagram/ Twitter/ Pinterest/ Instagram / Facebook / Amazon Author/ Facebook Reader Group/ Newsletter Sign Up

D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.

“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.

For the latest news and updates on books and upcoming releases, you can subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/dmearln…

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Loving Smoke (RBMC: Tijuana, MX 1) by Barbara Nolan-review tour

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💚Loving Smoke (RBMC: Tijuana, MX 1) by Barbara Nolan-review tour💚

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 16, 2024

The fine line between love and hate is broken when Smoke falls hard for the enemy and puts his club and everything he values at risk.

Smoke

I screwed up bad—So bad the chapter prez of the Royal Bastards banishes me and my VP to a beat-to-shit strip club in Tijuana to take down a cartel boss who’s been screwing with our gun supply. I was pissed off big time until—a sweet, hotter-than-hell woman walks into the club, and turns my life sideways.

Marisol

I’ve lived a privileged life—private schools, European vacations, a villa on the Baja Coast. Everything my father’s illegal cartel money could buy until—the unspeakable happens.

His violent lifestyle resulted in my mother’s murder.

Now I’m out for revenge and I’m targeting the outlaw MC responsible—

The Royal Bastards.

•••••

REVIEW: LOVING SMOKE is the first instalment in Barbara Nolan’s contemporary, adult RBMC: TIJUANA MX erotic, MC romance series-a part of the multi-authored RBMC series. This is RBMC: Tijuana MX president Smoke, and Marisol Marquez’ (Sandoval) story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Smoke and Marisol) LOVING SMOKE follows in the wake the banishment of Smoke as president of the RBMC: San Diego. A DEA government raid on the San Diego club house sent the members into a tailspin, and Smoke was voted out for his lack of control and inability to take charge. Along with his VP and friend Blood, Smoke was demoted and banished to Tijuana Mexico, in the hopes of starting a new chapter of the RBMC. A rundown bar and strip club was all Smoke and Blood had to their names, and the hiring of bartender Marisol Marquez drew Smoke like a moth to a flame but all is not well in Tijuana Mexico, a corrupt city run by the Mexican Cartel, and Smoke was about to get caught in the crossfire of someone seeking vengeance for sins of the past.What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Smoke and Marisol, and the potential fall-out when Smoke discovers a plant, someone seeking to destroy our story line hero.

The world building focuses on the new start and new life of Blood and Smoke. The rebuild of a strip club and bar is a new beginning for a new chapter of the RBMC but the Mexican Cartel is demanding their share, a share that comes with a caveat, and threats to their lives.

The relationship between Marisol and Smoke begins as boss and employee but a relationship predicated upon a number of lies. Marisol is not whom she claims to be, and in the betrayal tears Smoke to his very soul. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative.

We are introduced to several colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters-the premier members of the RBMC: Tijuana: Smoke’s VP Blood, Enforcer Bolt, Club secretary Ricky, treasurer (and Marisol’s brother) Manny, and prospect Diesel. The requisite evil has many faces.

LOVING SMOKE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy ; the characters are animated and stubborn; the romance is raw and real

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood 22) by JR Ward-review

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The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood 22) by JR Ward-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 9, 2024

Nalla, the blooded daughter of Zsadist, has led a sheltered life. Protected by her father and the Brotherhood, kept away from the deadly war with the Lessening Society, she is chafing against the walls of the very safety that has ensured her survival. One night, she gives in to her restlessness…and finds herself face-to-face with a male whose inner darkness rivals even that of her sire’s horrific origins.

Nate is a fighter with nothing to lose—and nothing to live for. Tortured in a human lab as a young, then cursed with immortality, he is all vengeance and no purpose because he cares for no one—not even himself. The Brotherhood knows this all too well and following Nate’s deliberate violation of the cardinal rule in the war, they declare him a dangerous liability that must be dealt with.

When Nalla and Nate find themselves fighting side by side, daggers aren’t the only things that fly. A sizzling attraction is ignited, though Nalla knows her sire will never accept him—and on his side, Nate has made a secret bargain to end his own immortality. As the enemy closes in, and Nalla realizes she must choose between her mate and her sire, what starts with such passion may well end with eternal sorrow and no chance of a reunion—even in the Fade.

••••

REVIEW:THE BELOVED is the twenty-second instalment in JR Ward’s adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series. This is Nalla and Nate’s story line. THE BELOVED can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history, I recommend reading book twenty-one LASSITER, where most of the current story line begins.

NOTE: THE BELOVED is the start of a new series arc focusing on the next/second generation vampires and BDB warriors, although many of the previous BDB warriors make cameo appearances.

Told from numerous omniscient third person perspectives, following several intersecting paths, THE BELOVED advances the series approximately thirty-three years. Nalla, blooded daughter of Zsadist and Bella is struggling with her place in the family. For years the BDB have been pulled back into a war with the Lessening Society, and our heroine feels like an afterthought even though her life and her heart have the protection of the entire BDB. Nalla never expected to fall for Nate, the adopted son of Murhder and Sarah, a young man who spent years tortured and abused, a young man whose back story and suffering was much like her father’s.

Meanwhile, Bitty, has come unto her own, and with it, her own abilities are much more powerful. Able to ‘see’ certain outcomes and possibilities, Bitty is desperate to warn those who are battling themselves, but often times the warning may go unheeded by those involved.

As the Lessening society continues to grow in numbers and powers, their new leader begins to target individual members of the BDB, pushing those, sitting on the fringe, back into the family, where they belong.

THE BELOVED is a another complex and complicated story as many of the previous story line (LASSITER) questions remain unanswered. Several secondary characters who had promising possibilities are no longer mentioned or have disappeared, several had crossed-over from the author’s interconnected Fallen Angel series. The thirty-three year gap reveals a much older second generation, many of whom have had their transformations or about to go into their needings, yet the three decade jump comes with few details or highlights.

THE BELOVED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control; depression and desperation; family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and intense; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, dangerous and frenzied but Nalla, Nate, LW and Bitty’s growth comes with the attitude of most teenagers struggling to form their own identities, and in this, I often felt like I was reading a YA story line. Although, now ranging in age from mid-thirties to sixties, the teenage angst is strong and demanding.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website/

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

Visit the JRWard Facebook Page

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Python (Reaper’s Rejects MC 20) by Elizabeth Knox-review

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PYTHON (Reaper’s Rejects MC 20) by Elizabeth Knox-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 9, 2024

From the second I laid eyes on her, I was determined to make her mine.

Python

I always thought I’d be the kind of man who stayed on the road his whole life. It turned out I was wrong.

My old friend, Razor, brought me into the Reapers Rejects MC and now I had a place to land, a place to call home, and a brotherhood I never knew I needed.

•••••

REVIEW: PYTHON is the twentieth and final instalment in Elizabeth Knox’s contemporary, adult REAPER’S REJECTS MC erotic, MC romance series set in Chihuahua Mexico. This is club enforcer Manuel ‘Python’ Taylor, and cat cafe owner Astra’s story line. PYTHON can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary .

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Python and Astra) PYTHON follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Four years earlier, having discovered her husband’s affair, and the ensuing abuse at the man she once loved, Astra escaped to Chihuahua Mexico to begin her life anew. Fast forward to present day, Astra owns a cat cafe, where she will meet several members of the Reaper’s Rejects MC including the man with whom she will fall in love. Enter Manuel ‘Python’ Taylor. As the Reaper’s Rejects MC must deal with a potential war on the horizon, Astra’s ex continues to haunt her life, and takes aim at our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Python and Astra, and the potential fall-out as Astra’s life hangs in the balance when her ex demands everything and more.

The world building follows Astra as she is now a successful cafe owner, and the friendships she makes including Oakleigh and Razor (Razor 19). As a nomad without a place to call home, Python is about to find himself a large family of support, a family that will protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Astra and Python begins when Python escorts Oakleigh to Astra’s cafe. The cats take an immediate liking to our story line hero, a liking that is matched by Astra herself. An invite to the club finds Astra face to face with Manuel Taylor, and in the ensuing days and weeks, Astra must face down the past that is determined to destroy her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative .

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many members of the Reaper’s Rejects MC, as well as the return of Astra’s ex Tony.

PYTHON is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, madness and obsession, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is entertaining and dramatic; the characters are desperate yet determined; the romance is seductive. Although this is the final instalment in the Reaper’s Rejects MC series, the stories continue in author’s Reaper’s Rejects MC: Second Generation .

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of RAZOR

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal 2) by Serena Bell-review

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Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal 2) by Serena Bell-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 16, 2024

he hard part isn’t acting like we’re falling for each other. It’s pretending we’re not.

Shane: My grandfather’s will has me between a rock and a Hott place. If I don’t score a celebrity wedding, my sister will lose her wedding planning business—and our family’s land. As a playboy movie star, I know Hollywood’s ins and outs. But finding two celebrities in love is tougher than it looks.

Enter Ivy Scofield—the beautiful star of one of TV’s most beloved failures. She’s hiding from her past in Rush Creek, running a community theater for troubled kids. She needs my family’s wedding barn to save her program. So we make a deal: I give her the barn—she gives me her hand in fake marriage. Lights, camera, action—and cut—right?

Not so fast. Planning our fake wedding is way more personal than I was expecting. I’m learning Ivy’s quirks, preferences, and pet peeves—and that’s before I walk in on her enjoying my most infamous on-camera scene. Plus she’s slowly peeling back my layers—the ones I’ve built up to protect myself. If someone doesn’t do something soon, we might discover that the only thing fake about this wedding is the way we keep pushing each other away.

••••••

REVIEW:  HOTT TAKE is the second instalment in Serena Bell’s contemporary, adult HOTT SPRINGS ETERNAL erotic, romance series focusing on the HOTT siblings: Quinn, Shane, Preston, Tucker, Rhys, and their sister Hanna (Wilder at Last 5/ Wilder Adventures)-a spin off from the author’s WILDER ADVENTURES series. This is actors Shane HOTT, and Ivy Scofield’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: The HOTT Springs Eternal series focuses in the aftermath of the death of the Hott family patriarch. Grandfather Hott has a number of stipulations and guidelines if the siblings are to inherit the family fortune. Each sibling is required to honor their late grandfather’s request if their sister Hanna is to keep the HOTT Springs resort.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivy and Shane) HOTT TAKE focuses on Shane Hott. Grandfather Hott has demanded that Shane contract a celebrity wedding for the family owned Hott Springs Resort but with only a six month window, Shane’s chosen couple are not necessarily a guaranteed affair. Meanwhile Ivy Scofield, whose own acting career has stalled in the face of betrayal and lies, runs a community theatre for troubled children but without a venue, Ivy is struggling to keep the theatre afloat until an offer from fellow actor Shane Hott pulls Ivy into a fake relationship and marriage with our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out when Shane and Ivy’s time together comes to an end.

The world building continues to focus on the demands of their grandfather’s will. The stipulations and directives are overseen by someone who is hoping the siblings fail but Shane is determined to provided a celebrity wedding even if he is one-half of the couple in question.

The relationship between Ivy and Shane begins as a business arrangement: marry Shane, and Ivy’s theatre company can use the Hott family ‘barn’ but from the outset Ivy is determined to keep their relationship from becoming too real, and in the end, heart break will pull Ivy out of Shane’s life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the Hott siblings. We are introduced to Ivy’s ex-Anthony, attorney Weggers, and Ivy’s sister Nia.

HOTT TAKE is an another story of loss, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating yet familiar; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate yet determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HOTT SHOT

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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