Monthly Archives: April 2016

Lost Heart by Robin D. Owens – a Review

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Lost Heart by Robin D. Owens – a Review

 

Lost HeartAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Celta, a place of magic, telepathic animal companions, and romance . . . Lost Heart, a story rife with hidden agendas and dangerous secrets.

Barton Clover, Chief of Security for his large and noble family, is deeply aware of his responsibilities. When two young relatives repudiate the family and later disappear, he’s determined to find them and convince them to return. He has no time or inclination for love . . . but his family disapproves of his nothing-but-work life. They decree that he must visit a matchmaker or lose his position.

Enata Licorice, a respected librarian, has been doing research in a mysterious records vault . . . and is finding odd blanks in her memory. Lonely, she yearns for a good husband and arranges a matchmaking session of her own.

It’s love at first sight for Barton and Enata, but both are crucial members of their families. Clans who practice opposite lifestyles. And both families demand the couple’s time and attention, causing strife.

While trying to resolve their issues, Barton discovers Enata’s secret and they must work as a couple to resolve the puzzle that includes Barton’s missing relatives — if they dare. And if they fail, more than their own lives are lost.

 

 

Review:

Lost Heart by Robin D. Owens is the first novella in her wonderful Celta series. Celta Heartmates series takes place in a futuristic world, filled with magic, animal familiars, telepathy and romance.  We meet our hero Barton Clover early on when his brother is forcing him to stop looking for two missing members of the Clover family.  Barton is head of security for the entire Clover family, and he is a workaholic, determined to protect those in his family.  Barton’s brother wants him to see T’Willow, the Celta matchmaker, since it is time for Barton to find a mate, even if she isn’t a heartmate.

Enata Licorice, our heroine is a librarian, in her highly respected Licorice family, who has been currently trying to solve an issue of memories being erased.  Enata sees her sister happy having found her lifemate, and is somewhat jealous.  She puts herself into her work, feeling she will never find a mate. When she visits T’Willow with her family, the matchmaker finds her match.  Barton will be brought in to meet Enata, both given a love potion and love is in the making.  In an unusual change, they are not Heartmates, but they are meant for each other and fully in love. In Celta, not everyone has Heartmates, only a select few, but many find their mates and live happily ever after.

After Barton and Enata are married, which does have some very steamy sex scenes; they must visit and meet both families.  What follows is an interesting story, which will have both of them researching why those missing family members are forgotten, and together they will attempt to solve the mystery.  In the middle of their investigation, Barton will find his cat fam, Resup, a little kitten, who acts like a full grown cat.  Enata will also find her fam, a beautiful bird.  One of the best things about this series is the familiars, whether it’s a cat, fox, bird, etc.  I love the fun we have with them as they talk to their humans telepathically, and also help them. 

Lost Heart was a fun, sexy story with a nice mystery.  Robin D. Owens did a wonderful job writing this addition to her Celta series, especially be able to give us everything we love about the series in the shorter novella format.  Great series that you should be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Blood Curse by Ella J. Phoenix – Review & Q&A

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Blood Curse by Ella J. Phoenix – a Review

 

Blood Curse
Dragon Heat series – Book #5
by Ella J. Phoenix
Release Date: April 29th, 2016

BloodCurse_Kindle2016_1563x2500Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / ITunes / Smashwords

Promotion:

On the launch weekend, from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1, the latest novel in the Dragon Heat series, Blood Curse, will be FREE on iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, ARE & Smashwords.

To celebrate the release of yet another book in the series, Dragon Heat (Book 1) is completely free of charge on iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, ARE & Smashwords, and it’s just 0.99c on Amazon.

 

Description:
Descendant of a Cherokee shaman, Dyam is one of the vampire king’s personal guards and closest advisors. He has seen the worst of mankind and has vouched to stay away from personal entanglements and focus on serving his king. Then his resolve is shaken when Naiah, the water witch, finds her way into the busy vampire castle’s life and straight into his heart. But before he can nurture his feelings for her, she is killed in battle, causing Dyam to return to his self-imposed seclusion for good. 

Little does he know that Naiah has been brought back to life by his kind’s most infamous enemies. She is their ultimate weapon in a final battle that will rupture not only the balance of the supernatural world, but Dyam’s loyalty to his race.

 

Review:

Let me start off with saying I love Ella J. Phoenix’s Dragon Heat series and the final installment Blood Curse did not disappoint. Yes Ms. Phoenix is ending this magnificent series, but don’t despair, she’s starting a new series that will be a continuation of this one, just some years later in the timeline, yay!!!  I’m so grateful I was allowed to find this author through The Reading Café, and be given the chance to read and review every addition to this series.  Ms. Phoenix has a talent for creating intriguing, sexy characters who carry the reader along on a paranormal journey that keeps the reader hanging on to every word uttered and action taken by these characters.  Her world building is magical and pulls the reader into a paranormal world of wonder, danger, intrigue, folklore and steamy romances.  Blood Curse was all that and then some for me. 

At the end of the last book Vampire Legacy my heart broke for the vampire Dyam and I had hoped he’d have a story of his own to find his HEA.  Well, I didn’t have to wait long because Blood Curse is Dyam and Naiah’s story.  Wait, Naiah, didn’t she perish in Vampire Legacy you say.  Yes she did, but thanks to some dark magic from our dastardly duo of the Draconian Vraijator and Desert Daemon Osmon, Naiah is brought back to life as the Phoenix.  Now I have always enjoyed the story of the Phoenix throughout literature, so I was thrilled to see Ms. Phoenix bring it into her own story.  Watching Naiah deal with this new entity the Phoenix inside her, all the while trying to come to grips with everything that has happened to her, and is still happening/changing within her, had my heart breaking for her.  Sweet, innocent Naiah who stole our hearts in Vampire Legacy being used as a pawn by evil in the war between the gods and other entities who don’t like Tardieh and Zoricah, so not fair.  Don’t fret, not everyone is against Naiah the Phoenix, and would rather see her destroyed then saved.  When Dyam learns the tale of the Phoenix and how Naiah was brought back to life with dark magic for that very purpose, he takes it upon himself to be her knight in shining armor, her protector and hero.  Can I just say swoooooon!!! Oh what a swoon-worthy hero Dyam is too.  I loved him and his protective ways towards Naiah, just so sweet and loving.  Their scenes together are precious, tender and sexy as hell when they get down to business, but at the same time it’s dangerous because Dyam and Naiah never know when the Phoenix will rear it’s dangerous beak so to speak and possibly try to kill him, and everyone he holds dear. 

The fight to save Naiah’s inma(soul), and keep her safe is nerve wracking and kept me on the edge of my seat.  The battle scenes at the end were well written and had me feeling as though I was a part of it, hoping I didn’t become one of the Phoenix’s vicitims.   Seeing Tardieh and Zoricah become parents to one very cute little Zoe, future heir to the vampire throne, and try to keep her safe through all this had me cursing at everyone who is against them.  Can’t they just leave well enough alone and let them be happy, nooooo.  Oh and let’s not forget the big reveal that Ms. Phoenix tosses at us just to add a little more tension to an already sticky situation for Tardieh and Zoricah.  She’s not a demigoddess, nope, she’s a full fledged goddess, born of Zmyzel goddess of life, and Ucidhere god of death.  To protect their daughter they made everyone believe, including Zoricah, that she was the product of an affair with a draconian aristocrat, because the gods/goddesses of Apa Dobry aren’t supposed to procreate.  So now not only is Zoricah in danger, but more so her daughter due to the Blood Prophecy.  Oh what a tangled web we weave Zmyzel and Ucidhere.  This is another thing I love about Ms. Phoenix’s writing, her multiple storylines within the main story.  It just adds so much more to the book that the reader doesn’t have a chance to catch their breath because events come at you fast and hard and you feel like you are running to stay caught up with everything.  It causes the story to fly by and before you know it you’ve read the whole book and you want more.  This is exactly what happened to me.  I was like, wait, what, they are sending their daughter off with strangers….no you can’t leave it like this Ms. Phonenix, I need more, now!!!!!  Thankfully, she had and excerpt for her new series at the end of Blood Curse.  The excerpt made me happy and answered a burning question/thought I had based on the last scene Tardieh has with his warrior Joel.  Let’s just say, if where her new series is headed like I think it is, I can’t wait to see Tardieh and Zoricah’s reaction to the news regarding their grown daughter. 

Ella J. Phoenix thank you for the totally awesome series Dragon Heat.  I’ve enjoyed reading and reviewing this series.  As sad as I am to see you ending it, I’m excited to see what you have in store for us with new characters and storylines in your next series Sons of Apa Sambeti.

Until next time, happy reading everyone.   

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author

 

 

Q&A

Ten things you didn’t know about Ella J Phoenix

  1. I really suck at interviews
  2. I love cheese more than I love chocolate
  3. I love wine more than I love cheese… no, actually that’s not true.
  4. I love a good debate
  5. I hate politics
  6. I truly believe in destiny
  7. Mainly because I met my husband is a true destiny-knocking-on-your-door kind of situation
  8. I’m a frustrated actress who found her spotlight in singing
  9. I’m a frustrated singer who found her voice in writing
  10. I’m addicted to awesome paranormal romance as much as you are

 

One Minute with Ella J. Phoenix

  1. Where do you do most of your writing?

            In my guest bedroom/home office, away from everything else.

  1. Who are your favorite authors?

Oh, they are so many! Jane Austen, Nalini Singh, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, and all the great indie authors out there!

  1. What’s the one genre you absolutely will NOT write about? Why?

I never say never, but “Self Help” books are not my thing.

  1. Do you use people you know as characters? And do you tell them if you do?

Maybe and maybe… but you’ll never know. 🙂

  1. Have you had any creepy fan experience yet?

No, not creepy, but I’ve had a few fans contacting me on Facebook as they read my novels. It was awesome to experience their journey through the story with them. It’s the best compliment an author can have in my opinion.

  1. Does your family know about ALL the books/stories you’ve written, or are you keeping a few hidden?

My immediate family are my biggest fans. But unfortunately, sex is still a taboo in many communities, including mine. Not everyone understands how liberating a good erotic romance can be. Maybe one day we’ll be able to share our stories without the fear of retaliation and hypocritical judgement.

  1. Last, but not least, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

I write because I have a million stories and characters in my mind. It’s my therapy, my escape from reality, my happy place. Without you, my fans, I would be just a crazy woman locked in a boring day job or in a mental institution. So, thank you for your support and I hope my novels bring magic into your days as much as they bring to mine.

To learn more about Ella, you can check the following links

Facebook  / Twitter /  Goodreads / Website

 

 

 

 

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Truly, Madly, Sweetly by Kira Archer – a Review

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Truly, Madly, Sweetly by Kira Archer – a Review

 

Truly, Madly, SweetlyAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
An inherited parking spot. That’s all it took to make Natalie Moran’s food truck dreams come true. But her dream space is attached to a bakery inherited by someone else—drop dead gorgeous Eric Schneider, a financial consultant who wouldn’t know a cupcake from a cannoli. And he wants to buy Nat out, no matter what she has to say about it.

Eric’s determined to build his own business, but he needs the super cute klutz with the cupcake truck to help. If Nat will teach him the basics of running a bakery, he’ll give her free kitchen time. Except…neither expects the heat burning between them or the possibility that their arrangement might become permanent.

When it all blows up, Nat is convinced his actions mean betrayal. It’s up to Eric to regain her trust and show her he’s a man who is truly, madly in love with her, before she disappears from his life forever.

 

 

Review:

Unlikely neighbors make for interesting bedfellows?  You know the expression.  What if you substitute unhappy business competitors?  Would things improve exponentially or does that term imply inherent animosity?  Insert whatever you’d like (tee hee, boy do they!) because Kira Archer is driving this truck called Truly, Madly, Sweetly and it’s filled with all kinds of goods to disarm any disapproval.

It’s quite the dilemma.  Natalie’s been busting her butt driving around NYC selling her scrumptious cupcakes, dreaming of owning her own store one day.  Eric had to abandon his dreams of art school to follow in his father’s exacting footsteps and this windfall (an inheritance), becoming a successful restaurateur, is a way to remove the proverbial monkey off his back.

     She stared at him, unable to think of anything else to say.  She wasn’t going to back down.  She needed this spot.
He stared back at her, probably thinking the same thing.  He needed it too…which meant they were sort of screwed.
And not in the good way.

The attraction was supposed to wear off once they succumbed (try three glorious rounds!  Who gets over that?!) Seriously, on what planet?  These two can barely restrain themselves while working alongside each other.  If one wasn’t conspiring against the other, if other meddling parties didn’t, well, meddle (and supply copious amounts of doubt), it was all within a realm of possibility.  But when first you practice to deceive…hearts break and trust shatters.  Can Nat and Eric continue to collaborate, just buy each other out…or fall in love and let it all resolve magically?  Some stories are written that way, and successfully, but Ms. Archer makes Eric and Nat work for it and the payoff is simply swoon-worthy.

When push comes to shove, is there a way to salvage something priceless?  When Nat and Eric stop listening to everyone but themselves, the room hushes to reveal hearts beating in time.  Just lovely!  Kira Archer wrote a great story about discovering an even better version of yourself when you choose to be happy and courageous.  Nat and Eric contain those special ingredients — it was mixing business with pleasure that made the difference!  Truly, Madly, Sweetly is romantic, sexy and delicious!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Indiana Belle (American Journey #3) by John A. Heldt-a review

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Indiana Belle (American Journey #3) by John A. Heldt-a review

Indiana Belle

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 14, 2016

Providence, Rhode Island, 2017. When doctoral student Cameron Coelho, 28, opens a package from Indiana, he finds more than private papers that will help him with his dissertation. He finds a photograph of a beautiful society editor murdered in 1925 and clues to a century-old mystery. Within days, he meets Geoffrey Bell, the “time-travel professor,” and begins an unlikely journey through the Roaring Twenties. Filled with history, romance, and intrigue, INDIANA BELLE follows a lonely soul on the adventure of a lifetime as he searches for love and answers in the age of Prohibition, flappers, and jazz.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

INSERT LARGE PIC OF EMPTY TISSUE BOX …. Sniff … oh boy that was an absolute fantastic book!

Indiana Belle by John Heldt is a time traveling/mystery/suspense/history/romance novel that happens to be the third book in his “American Journey”series .. oh and it’s really really good. While this novel can be read alone, please read the first two books an then pick up the rest of John’s books while you are at it. Aside from Outlander, I am not a time travel fan, and John Heldt has made me a believer in this genre. I am a history lover however, and every time I read his books, I am swept right back in time with the main character. He hits upon some serious history in the 1920’s when prohibition and jazz were in full swing, and the KKK was rampant.

Cameron Coelho is a student collecting research on a project. He opens a package that was sent his way only to find the most captivating image of a woman who existed in 1925. Candice Bell is this woman who worked as an Society Editor in 1925, and Cameron cannot shake that he needs to dig deeper in the past. You see, Candice became a murder victim and her case was never solved. Digging deeper has lead Cameron to good ole professor Geoffrey Bell (notice victim and professor share the same last name) .. the time travelling professor.

Deals are struck and before we know it, Cameron is back in 1925 (I do it no justice in this simple sentence, but if I were to write out what this story entailed, I would have written my own version of it as it cannot be summed up so easy) and begins to track down his source. Here is where the problem lies with time travel though … what happens when you are placed in a situation where everything inside you wants to change the history you know is going to happen. What kind of aftermath has to be dealt with in order to save a life .. a life you grow to love?

So full of angst .. but really solid, hearty angst, not teeny bopper angst. I have to applaud John for hitting his mark every single time he releases a book. I felt every possible emotion he wanted me to feel, and his heros/heroines are so unbelievably rich in character you have no choice but to feel a connection to them. But it is not all that, that sticks out. It’s the attention to detail he offers by inserting his story in a true piece of history and enabling it to thrive. When you are in 2017 .. that is where you are. When you go back with Cameron to 1925, you see the styles, taste the drink, dance the steps and fear the KNOWN.

Thank you John for allowing me to be part of your creative world. You excite me with a new release as I kind of know what I can expect by now .. then you offer me more!

If you are a time traveling fan, John Heldt is a perfect fit for you. If you like suspense, romance, mystery .. he does that too! LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reading Order and previous reviews
September Sky
Mercer Street
Indiana Belle

Copy Supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel T

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Ladies Man (Manwhore #3) by Katy Evans-a review

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LADIES MAN (Manwhore #3) by Katy Evans-a review

Ladies Man

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 26, 2016

Tahoe Roth.
Irreverent, cocky, playful and naughty.
He’s not the guy you date.
He’s the one night stand.
The one your mother warned you about.
The one your body craves.

You’d think the man who called me succulent would want to strip me down and spread me out on his bed—like he’s done with countless others.

But he passed on my offer….
Just like I’d once passed on his.
He’s wary, like I am.
He’s broken, like I am.
And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.
Tahoe and I are strictly friends.
So I distract myself with other men.

He doesn’t think my new man is good enough. This blond blue-eyed beast doesn’t think any man is—himself included.

But the more time we spend together, the more confused I feel. I’m trying to open myself to love.

Yet I’m quickly realizing that the only man I want is Tahoe Roth. The one man who will surely break my heart.

A sexy new Manwhore series standalone contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.

••••••••

REVIEW: LADIES MAN is the third full-length installment in Katy Evans’s contemporary, adult MANWHORE erotic, romance series. This is Tahoe Roth, and Regina ‘Gina’ Wylde’s story line-a friends to lovers trope that looks at two people who have loved one another from afar but are unwilling to take the next step in their relationship. LADIES MAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. We were first introduced to Gina and Tahoe in Evans’s MS. MANWHORE 2.5. The story line covers approximately eighteen months.

Told from first person point of view (Gina) LADIES MAN follows Gina and Tahoe’s relationship-friends who are struggling in their own personal lives. Tahoe is a ‘manwhore’ who is never without female company both in and outside of his bedroom. Gina is his best friend and Tahoe has never once made a pass at her-making Gina wonder why. What ensues is Tahoe’s continued manwhoring ways, while Gina begins to look for someone more stable and permanent in her life. Enter Trent-Tahoe’s competition for Gina’s heart –a heart that has been broken by Tahoe’s reputation with the ladies.

LADIES MAN focuses on a deep friendship that begins to slide into relationship territory but throughout most of the story, Gina claims to have found the one in Trent yet she can’t help but think she is settling for someone she doesn’t love. Tahoe is the man that calls to her heart but Gina has a difficult time accepting Tahoe and the copious number of women in his life.

Tahoe Roth is a manwhore-he doesn’t deny it, and his bestie Gina reminds him at every opportunity. But Tahoe has a past- one that Gina knows nothing about, and it is his past that has forged his need to get lost in a series of one-night stands and multiple women. Tahoe is a man trying to forget about the past but with every woman he beds, he sees Gina in her place.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. We revisit with Malcolm and Rachel, Wynn and Emmett, and Callan. We are introduced to Tahoe’s family including his sister Livvy, as well as Gina’s mother and father who spend most of their time travelling the world. Callan Carmichael’s story is next.

As per Katy’s writing style in many of her books, there is some unnecessary repetition and redundancy like the playful kicking and slapping between our leading couple, as well as the constant reference to the color of Tahoe’s eyes. Sometimes the repetition feels like needless filler.

LADIES MAN is a fun, delightful and emotional story line. I felt Gina’s sadness over Tahoe’s manwhoring, yet her need to remind Tahoe about his sexual exploits was difficult to accept. Was she trying to make Tahoe understand her pain? Who knows but his reputation and good looks attracted all sorts of female attention. The premise is entertaining and compelling; the characters are dynamic and passionate; the romance is a slow build-a game of push and pull between fated friends and lovers. Katy Evans adds another enjoyable and provocative tale to her romance collection..

Copy supplied by the promoter

Reviewed by Sandy

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Violated by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Violated by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Violated
Brandon Fisher FBI series – Book #5
by Carolyn Arnold
Release Date: April 28, 2016

ViolatedAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Sometimes the past should stay there…
 
The murder is one of the most heinous Brandon Fisher and his team have ever seen, but that’s not why it has their attention. The FBI is interested because the prime suspect is one of their own, Paige Dawson.
  
But Paige didn’t go to Valencia, California to kill anyone. She had set out on “vacation”–her new lover in tow–only to confront the man who raped her friend twenty-some years ago. While the hands of the law are tied, she wants him to face the fact that he destroyed a young woman’s life and know that, as an FBI agent, she’ll be watching his every move. But instead of accomplishing her goal, she wound up in the back of a police cruiser.
  
Now Paige must face off with a hard-nosed detective determined to stick a murder charge to a fed. But with the trained eyes of the FBI on the case, it’s becoming more and more obvious that the evidence lends itself to a serial killing, not an isolated incident. And as long as the local authorities are focused on Paige, the real murderer is still out there, possibly waiting to strike again…

 

 

Review:

Violated by Carolyn Arnold is the 5th book in her Brandon Fisher FBI series. Once again Carolyn Arnold gives us another exciting thriller. Violated was a bit different, as Paige Dawson, one of the main characters of this series, finds herself in jail, accused of murder.  Brandon, Jack and the rest of the team head to California to help Paige.  Jack, who is the leader of the team, is determined to get Paige released, but comes up against a hard-nosed mean detective, who is also bent on proving Paige committed this  heinous murder.  To give you a refresher;  we have known how Paige was determined to avenge her best friend, who 20 years ago, was raped, destroying her friend’s life in the process.  Paige has been privately investigating who the culprit is, and her trip to California, on the guise of a vacation was to come face to face with the rapist.

Unfortunately, the rapist is brutally murdered, and Paige was seen at his house trying to find evidence.  The detective puts her in jail, and it will take Jack to get her out by having the FBI take over this case, which is now designated as a serial killer on the loose.  Brandon, who still has feelings for Paige, which they both hide, works closely with Jack; while Paige works with Zach.  Rather than to give out spoilers, what follows is an exciting nail biting thriller that will prove Paige’s innocence, but after more violent murders,  the team will race against time to stop the killer before another murder takes place.  It will also place one of theirs in the eyes of the murderer.

Paige is also in the middle of a new relationship, and trying to come to terms with her failed romance with Brandon.  Somehow in future books, I sense they will find away to come together. However, the romance is truly just part of the background, as this series if fully about the violent crimes they must investigate.  I have said this before, not sure why, but I really do not care for Brandon.  Jack is a good leader, and all the members of the team, including Brandon make a great ensemble cast.  Violated is a great mystery that has us on the edge of our seat throughout the book.  Carolyn Arnold proves over and over that her knowledge of police procedurals and her writing makes for exciting flawless stories.  If you are a fan of murder mysteries, difficult tense crimes, and a great team, then this series is perfect for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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Leveling the Field (Gamers #4) by Megan Erickson-a review

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LEVELING THE FIELD (Gamers #4) by Megan Erickson-a review

Leveing the field

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 2, 2016

Reclusive magazine exec Ethan Talley is furious when his business partner hires a photographer—a gorgeous photographer who insists on speaking her mind, damn it—to take pictures for an upcoming article. No matter how badly he wants the woman…under him, over him, against the nearest wall…he has reasons for not wanting to be on camera anymore, and his scars are only one of them.

It takes approximately two seconds for Lissa Kingsman to recognize Ethan as the popular YouTube gamer who fell off the planet years ago. But this Ethan is different than the charming man she used to watch, and the crush she had on him then is nothing compared to the way she’s lusting after the brooding man he is today. If sex is all he can give her, fine. Why not use that bearskin rug in her studio for something other than a prop? But she’s determined to put a chink in his armor, no matter how much he resists.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: LEVELING THE FIELD is the fourth installment in Megan Erickson’s contemporary, adult GAMERS erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women who work for Gamers Magazine and in the gaming industry. This is former YouTube sensation and Gamers co-owner Ethan Talley, and photographer Lissa Kingsman. LEVELING THE FIELD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Grant is Chloe’s brother (Playing for Her Heart #2).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lissa and Ethan) LEVELING THE FIELD follows the building relationship between Lissa and Ethan. Ethan is a man who keeps to himself; hides a multitude of physical and emotional scars that have left him a broken shell of a man, and a man whose heart was destroyed with the death of someone close. Enter Lissa Kingsman, a woman whose own emotional scars remain hidden behind the glitter of boudoir photography, and a smile that presents its face to the world. When Lissa’s latest assignment to photograph the reclusive Gamer entrepreneur goes downhill, she is stunned when Ethan makes her an offer she doesn’t want to refuse. What ensues is the friends with benefits relationship between two people whose earlier years met with heartbreak, loss, and grief. Tragedy struck both families: where Ethan has shunned the outside world and the family he once loved, Lissa calls attention to the people who have overcome their scars and obstacles in life.

LEVELING THE FIELD is a storyline that covers a number of issues including accidental death, suicide, gay lovers, interracial relationships, and dysfunctional family heartbreak. All of the previous storyline couples play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Lissa’s parents and her brother Angel, as well as Ethan’s family-long estranged from their only son.

LEVELING THE FIELD is a quick and sexy read. There are moments of heartbreak and presumed betrayal; grief and loss; acceptance and moving forward. The premise is enjoyable; the characters are colorful, animated and fun; the romance is seductive. There is no denying the attraction between our leading couple but some of their interludes felt cold and empty hearted-it is the nature of the beast that only wants $ex with no emotional after thoughts.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ain’t She Sweet by Marie Force – Review & Giveaway

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Ain’t She Sweet by Marie Force – Review & Giveaway

 

Ain't She Sweet Banner

 

ain't she sweetAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Charlotte “Charley” Abbott has gone out with every guy under thirty-five in Butler, Vermont—except for one. Tyler Westcott’s attempts to date her may be determined, and frequent, but Charley can’t stand how he acts like he knows her better than she knows herself. So when Tyler turns up at the running club Charley joined to train for a marathon, she’s almost ready to quit before she even gets started.
 
Tyler knows that behind Charley’s prickly personality and dismissive attitude is a sweet woman he wants in his life. And when Charley suffers an injury while training, Tyler is ready to prove that the perfect man for her has been right there all along…

 

 

Review:

Ain’t She Sweet by Marie Force is the 6th book in her wonderful Green Mountain series.  Green Mountain is a fabulous family oriented series, where we get to spend time with all of the Abbot family members.  Marie Force does a wonderful job in each book of bringing together great couples, and giving us quality time to see our favorite couples from the previous books.  Ain’t She Sweet gives us a fabulous hero in Tyler Westcott. Charley Abbott, our heroine,  the girl who no one thought would ever allow herself to fall in love.

Tyler has been trying for a very long time to get Charley to go out with him, but Charley is not interested in the perfect Tyler and avoids him at every turn.  In preparation for marathon race, Tyler challenges Charley, who never backs down from a challenge.  In a very bad accident, Charley is hurt and Tyler finds help just in time to save her.   Tyler feels responsible, since he challenged her to go up the mountain where she fell.  Tyler has a house he built that is a perfect place for her to recuperate her badly damaged knee.  He makes arrangements with her family, a therapist and gets Charley to agree to stay at his house and let him help.  Tyler loves Charley, and will try to prove to her that he is worth giving a chance.

We learn why Charley is man shy from any kind of relationship, which stems from a former boyfriend who broke her heart.  Charley refuses to allow anyone to hurt her again.  What follows is fun filled story, where all the Abbotts will make many appearances helping with Charley, and even by themselves, so we get to see how some of the couples with previous stories are doing.  That was fun. Tyler was wonderful, caring, fun, loyal, and a perfect gentleman.  There were times I wanted to slap Charley, as she was stubborn, unbending, even when she slowly began to fall in love with Tyler.  This was a slow build romance that with the help of most of the Abbott girls, and Tyler’s sweet determined personality slowly opening Charley’s heart.  It did take some time, and I did roll my eyes a few times, as who can resist Tyler.

Marie Force has done it again, with a wonderful romance, a couple with some issues, and a super family that we want to continue to spend time with.  Ain’t She Sweet is another do not miss in the Green Mountain series.   If you enjoy romance, a great family, small town and wonderful couples, not to mention sweet fun sexy stories, then you need to read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Giveaway

Marie’s Publisher is graciously offering a paper of AIN’T SHE SWEET to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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7. Giveaway is open USA only

8. Giveaway runs from April 27 – May 3, 2016

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