Monthly Archives: August 2016

Dirty For Me by Jackie Ashenden-a review

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DIRTY FOR ME (Motor City Royals #1) by Jackie Ashenden-a review

Dirty For Me

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2016

Ezekiel “Zee” Chase has a complicated past. Born into a family whose wealth grew from the seedy world of big-time crime, he ran away as a teenager and made a home for himself on the streets of Detroit. By day, the mechanic works at a local garage. But by night, he throws down with the best of them in Detroit’s gritty underground fighting scene. With all those muscles, he’s never had trouble with women–until he meets one who challenges him to the greatest fight of his life. . .

Tamara Lennox is a hardworking corporate high-flyer who appreciates the finer things in life, from her expensive perfume to her designer handbags. More than anything, though, she likes to be in control–and when Zee explodes into her life, she feels anything but. He’s the definition of a bad boy: brash, fiery, and of course, irresistibly hot. And there’s a darkness about him that keeps her coming back for more. As Zee takes Tamara deeper into a world she never knew existed, she just might prove to be the one opponent he won’t be able to dominate–at least not without some pleasurable convincing….

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY FOR ME is the first installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult MOTOR CITY ROYALS erotic, romance series. This is bad boy mechanic/MMA fighter Ezekiel ‘Zee’ Chase, and corporate intern Tamara Lennox’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zee and Tamara) DIRTY FOR ME focuses on the building relationship between two broken souls-Ezekiel ‘Zee’ Chase born into a Detroit crime family where his father rules with an iron fist; and Tamara Lennox- a privileged young woman whose own past is riddled with a dark family secret. When Tamara accompanies her best friend to a late night, self-defense class for woman, in one of the seediest neighborhoods of Detroit, our heroine finds herself immediately attracted to the instructor-a tattooed, bad boy named Zee Chase whose attraction to Tamara is equally as strong and palpable. What ensues is a relationship based solely on $ex that looks deeper into the past of both of our story line characters. Tamara is about accept a marriage proposal from a man she does not love to pay a debt she owes her family; and Zee’s past comes back physically demanding a return to the family fold.

The relationship between Tamara and Zee is initially based only on $ex. Tamara wants to forget about her past and her potential future; and Zee is an MMA fighter who has his pick of any woman but Tamara has locked onto his heart and soul. The $ex scenes are graphic, aggressive and intense but I did not feel the emotional connection between the couple-they both wanted $ex and Tamara continued to return night after night in the hopes of more from Zee Chase. Zee struggles with his emotions and is reluctant to show even a softer version of himself fearing to let go would mean dropping his defenses against the outside world.

There are a number of secondary and supporting characters including all of Zee’s coworkers at the local garage: garage owner Gideon, tattoo artist Zoe, and mechanic Rachel-all former street kids who have banded together as a family. A fifth member of their rag-tag family -Levi -is currently in prison awaiting early release-Levi and Rachel’s story will be told next in Wrong For Me. We are introduced to Tamara’s best friend Rose and our heroine’s soon to be fiancé/ex-fiance Robert, as well as Tamara’s boss Scott who is trying to make Tamara’s life as miserable as possible. Tamara’s parents claim to want the best for their daughter but Tamara is being forced into an impossible situation. Zee’s corrupt father Joshua forces his son to make a choice- a choice between friendship or blood.

The world building focuses on dysfunctional family dynamics, dark secrets, betrayal and revenge. The conflict between Zee and his father ended rather abruptly and without too much angst or aggression which under the circumstance would have ended differently in the real world. I would like to see more of Zee and Tamara in a future story line as our heroine has rejected her previous life for a man whose own life is dangerous and dark. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful and animated; the romance is sexually graphic and, at times, almost needy in emotion and temperament. Some readers may take exception to the heroine’s ‘cheating’ on a man she does not love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wolf’s Mate (Wind Dragon MC #5) by Chantal Fernando-a review

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WOLF’S MATE (Wind Dragons MC #5) by Chantal Fernando-a review

Wolf's Mate

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 16, 2016

Vinnie was once the youngest prospect at the infamous Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club but finally, he’s going to be initiated as a full-fledged member! But when Vinnie (now known as Wolf) puts on that WDMC leather for the first time, little does he know what he’s in for. The Wind Dragons have made enemies, and being a member means being on the front lines

••••••••

REVIEW: WOLF’S MATE is the fifth installment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult WIND DRAGONS erotic, romance, MC series focusing on the men and women of the Wind Dragons MC. This is club member Vinnie aka ‘Wolf’, and Shayla Anderson’s story line. WOLF’S MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vinnie and Shayla) WOLF’S MATE follows the building relationship between Vinnie and Shayla. Vinnie has been assigned to ‘babysit’ Shayla Anderson. Shayla is the younger cousin to Wild Men’s MC president Talon, and a woman targeted by the Mafia and the FBI. Shayla’s father is an accountant and is currently in prison for money laundering and fraud. Our heroine is suspected of knowing where her father hid some important information, and her life is to be forfeited for what she may or may not know. Enter Vinnie aka Wolf of the Wind Dragon MC, the man whose marker has been called in by Talon, and the man who would fall in love with our story line heroine.

Shayla is first introduced to the reader as a pampered princess; a spoiled young woman with attitude to spare but in reality she is a woman who has been caught up in a world she knows nothing about. Vinnie comes into the story on the offensive as it pertains to our story line heroine, not willing to give her the benefit of the doubt believing the rumors he has heard about the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive.

Several of the previous couples and story line characters play secondary and supporting roles including the wives, girlfriends and ‘old ladies’ of a number of Wind Dragon MC members. These interactions are playful and fun; Faye is a force unto herself when she is determined to ferret out information and gossip about the newest member to join their Club.

WOLF’S MATE is a slower building story line than previous installments in the series. The focus of the premise is keeping Shayla Anderson safe and out of harm’s way but in reality the ‘conflict’ barely scratches the surface of the story and the action is limited to behind the scenes. There is no interaction between Shayla and those wanting to destroy her life; for all intents and purposes the story focused on the relationship between our leading couple, and everything else, including the threats against the story line heroine became background noise and little else. The action and any potential chaos are missing; the conflict resolution, like most of the action, is behind the scenes, and the reader learns what happens ‘after the fact’.

WOLF’S MATE is a fated tale about two people brought together by circumstance and a debt owed. The premise is a water-downed look at the world of the MC and because so much of the action takes place ‘off camera’ and ‘behind the scenes’ I had a difficult time accepting that the threats against Shayla were real or imagined. The characters are an eclectic mix of fun, dynamic and passionate; the romance is intimate and intense.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Dragon’s Lair
Arrow’s Hell
Tracker’s End
Dirty Ride
Rake’s Redemption
Wild Ride
Wolf’s Mate

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Don’t Tempt Me (The Guthrie Brothers 1) by Lori Foster-a review

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DON’T TEMPT ME (Guthrie Brothers #1) by Lori Foster-a review

Don't Tempt Me

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2016

Love comes along when it’s least wanted

Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can’t seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet

••••••••

REVIEW:  DON’T TEMPT ME is the first installment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult GUTHRIE BROTHERS romance series. This is handyman Jason Guthrie, and hair stylist Honor Brown’s story line. There is a secondary romance building between Honor’s best friend Lexie Perkins, and martial arts instructor Sullivan Dean.

Told from several third person points of view DON’T TEMPT ME follows the building relationship between Jason Guthrie, and his new neighbor –the independent, stubborn and feisty Honor Brown. Honor has recently purchased the run-down property next to Jason’s house and is surprised when the neighborhood welcome brigade, consisting of Jason, his brother Hogan, and nephew Colt, offer to help clean up and repair what needs to be done. Jason is a handy man; a carpenter whose attraction to Honor is immediate and intense. As the story line builds Jason begins to notice that his new neighbor leaves her house at all hours of the night leaving Jason to wonder what’s going on in Honor’s life. Honor has a secret, one that is neither dangerous nor dark, but our heroine is a private person who refuses to ask for help when the going gets rough. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top sexually graphic text and imagery.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including a number of Honor’s extended family who have a difficult time accepting our story line heroine –there is so much animosity between the members of her family that it is surprising Honor has let things get so out of hand. We are introduced to Honor’s best friend Lexie who has fallen for Jason’s neighbor across the street- Sullivan Dean. Sullivan is a martial arts instructor who mentors at-risk children and youth. Jason’s brother Hogan Guthrie has hit upon some difficult times and finds himself, along with his seventeen year old son Colt, taking up residence at his brother’s house. Hogan has caught the attention of the local bar owner Violet; and Colt is having some difficulty acclimating to his new surroundings. Nathan Hawley is the local law enforcement officer and we have yet to see any sort of relationship development for him.

DON’T TEMPT ME is a delightful story about family, love and friendship. The premise is sexy and romantic; the characters are colorful and eclectic; the romance is heartwarming, hopeful and slow to build. Lori Foster’s DON’T TEMPT ME is the perfect read for a lazy day at the beach.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Roman (Six Saviors #11) by Carly Fall-a review

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ROMAN (Six Saviors #11) by Carly Fall-a review

Roman

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 21, 2016

In pursuit of a missing piece of his life, Roman, a stranger to Earth, finds himself in Phoenix, where the nightlife greets him with a bevy of eager women and a deluge of trouble, the likes of which he’s never seen.

For FBI Profiler Olivia Waterhouse, her assigned serial killer case isn’t just a job – it’s personal. When her superiors discover her connection to the case, she’s reassigned to a new case – one shrouded in secrecy.

A chance encounter with handsome Roman leads to a night of unbridled passion, but a series of disturbing events ends with one of them held prisoner in a clandestine government facility.

When they meet again deep in the bowels of a secret military building, the damage has already been done. Betrayal and half-truths have caused a rift between them. As they fight to regain trust and forge an escape plan, an alarming secret unfolds – a secret that will forever change the lives of one of the original Six Saviors.

In order to save themselves, both will have to trust each other, and in the process, they find out that their lives are far more intertwined than either could have ever imagined.

••••••

REVIEW: ROMAN is the eleventh installment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, adult SIX SAVIORS sci-fi romance series focusing on a species from the planet SR44. This is SR44ian Roman Johnson, and FBI profiler Olivia Waterhouse’s story line. ROMAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and enjoyment. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary

BACKGROUND: There were 6 original Savior warriors from planet SR44. The warriors were sent to earth over 212 years ago to stop and eradicate the 12 murderers who escaped from one of the moon colonies of planet SR44. The Colonists, as they were soon called, made their way to Earth, took the human body form, mated with the females and populated the earth with Colonist DNA. The earthly descendants will either manifest good or bad qualities; the savior warriors are part of the elite military from planet SR44, commissioned to remove the Colonists from Earth including the descendants with bad DNA. The beings on planet SR44 are incorporeal bodies of mist and smoke, each bearing a different color, but in their corporeal bodies on Earth, their eyes will glow their familiar- planet SR44 color each evening. Their mission has yet to be completed; their planet has been destroyed; and a new group of SR44 men and women have arrived in search of the original six saviors.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Roman and Olivia) ROMAN focuses on the search and rescue of Roman Johnson. Two days earlier, our hero spent a glorious night with a woman, and woke to find himself a prisoner in a government holding facility where he is not the only SR44 to arrive- there are two more SR44 beings who look very familiar to our story line hero. Enter FBI Profiler Olivia Waterhouse, the woman with whom he spent the one-night stand, and the woman he believes has betrayed them all. As Olivia begins to wrap her head around the idea of aliens on Earth, Roman knows that he may not survive if the other SR44s are unable to help extricate them from the underground facility. What ensues is the building relationship between Olivia and Roman, and Olivia’s discovery that Roman and the others are targets of potential government experimentation.

ROMAN has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters although not all of the previous couples are present or accounted for. There are currently three couples struggling in their relationships, and their ongoing issues will be addressed in a Six Saviors Christmas novella expected to be released in November 2016.

The SIX SAVIORS is one of my favorite sci-fi romance series. Carly Fall’s imaginative and creative world building is fascinating and impressive. ROMAN is a welcome addition with another SR44 male finding his mate. The premise is moving; the characters are passionate and seductive; the romance is captivating and intense.

I was gifted a copy for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Light Within MeNOTE: Book 1 in Carly Fall’s Six Saviors series THE LIGHT WITHIN ME (ebook format only) is currently FREE at most ebook retailers:
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When Abby and Noah meet, there is an explosive attraction between them that neither can deny…

As a shy, awkward, social misfit, Abby has gone her whole life feeling as though she’s different from everyone else and she simply doesn’t fit in well with society as a whole. She longs to feel a real connection with someone, and she finally does when she meets Noah.

Unbeknownst to Abby, Noah is from another world and his sole purpose is to hunt down the evil of his people that was unleashed on Earth hundreds of years ago. He’s certain he isn’t going to be able to return to his home, and anger and the need for revenge are his constant companions. His focus has been eradicating the evil and making them pay for taking his life on his world away from him.

Noah tries desperately to fight his attraction to Abby so he can keep his focus on his mission. But when Abby gets dragged into the evil and mayhem from Noah’s world, he realizes that maybe with Abby he can find a home here on Earth…if he can save her in time.

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Knocked Out by Love (Love to the Extreme 5) by Abby Niles-a review

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KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE (Love to the Extreme #5) by Abby Niles-a review

Knocked Out by Love

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2016

Brody Minton has loved Scarlett Harris for years. But she’s his best friend’s wife, so he’s worked hard to keep his distance. Hearing the marriage is over shouldn’t change anything. Only an ass would make a move on a friend’s ex… Except Scarlett wants help getting back in the dating game, and Brody’s torn. If he helps her out, he can keep an eye on her and guard her vulnerable heart. But having the woman he’s longed for for years in arms’ reach is hell on a man’s restraint, no matter how iron strong his will.

But loving Scarlett is only half the fight.

All Scarlett Harris wants is to get away for a while and rethink her life after filing for divorce from her lying, cheating bastard of a husband. The gorgeous Bahamas sounds like the perfect escape, except she’s booked in very resort Brody “The Iron” Minton is staying at for his sister’s wedding. Now her ex’s best friend is dogging her every move, and is a witness to her first pathetic attempts at flirting in years. If Brody isn’t going to leave her alone, then she’ll just recruit him to help get her reacquainted with her single self.

•••••••••

REVIEW: KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE is the fifth installment in Abby Niles’s contemporary, adult LOVE TO THE EXTREME erotic, romance, MMA story line. This is MMA fighter Brody Minton, and elementary school teacher Scarlett Harris’s story line. KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Brody and Scarlett) KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE looks at the forbidden romance/ unrequited love between an MMA fighter and his best friend’s soon to be ex-wife. While in the Bahamas for his sister’s ‘almost’ wedding, Brody Minton’s spies his best friend’s wife attempting to flirt and pick up a man who isn’t her husband. When Brody confronts Scarlett about her actions, our heroine pushes Brody away without revealing the truth about that her husband had been having an affair and they were currently in the process of seeking a divorce. What ensues is the building relationship between a woman whose self-esteem has been destroyed by the man she once thought she loved, and a man who has been in love with his best friend’s wife for as long as he can remember.

KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE is a story line that looks at four different relationships all either at the beginning or near the end but the focus of the story looks at Brody’s love for a woman whose husband wasn’t faithful, and the emotional back and forth about one man’s duty to friendship or seeking out the woman he loves. To complicate matters, our heroine isn’t willing to put her heart on the line and offers up a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship that Brody hopes will turn into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

The world building focuses on romance, relationships, friendships and love. The MMA action is limited although Brody is in for the fight of his career. As to the family and friends, there are a number of questionable circumstances where meddling becomes heartbreaking and painful when Scarlett’s self-esteem takes another hit for the final knock down. There is plenty of personal drama for all concerned but the maturity level of some of the actions are questionable and disconcerting-Scarlett’s naivete is hampered by her inability to let go. Scarlett’s best friend Delaney, and Brody’s cousin Blake are about to face an unexpected future.

KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE is a passionate story. The premise is engaging; the characters are energetic; the romance is fated. The melodrama and conflict made for some uneasy moments especially when one’s future happiness is determined by a mindset not so easily bent.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Extreme Love
Fighting Love
Winning Love
Healing Love
Knocked Out by Love

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Rogue Blood (The Untouchables #4) by T.A. Grey-a review

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ROGUE BLOOD (The Untouchables #4) by T.A.Grey-a review

Rogue Blood

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About the book: Release Date august 16, 2016

Beautiful heiress Julianna Greenwich has everything she desires, except the one thing she wants most—freedom. Once again Julianna finds important life decisions being made for her as her father announces she is to mate with the scarred and guarded Vasilius Blackmoore. Vile but striking, insulting but distracting, no other man has managed to arrest Julianna’s interest so. Or her temper.

Loyal to a fault, Vasilius will do anything to protect his family, even if that means mating with a woman he detests. Anxieties remain from his previous relationship which left him physically scarred on his face, and he soon finds his residual feelings of anger and mistrust aimed at the blond-haired woman with whom he’s to bond.

Vasilius figures he can mate with the maddening princess of Greenwich house and simply keep her aside—like a forgotten book schlepped away on a shelf—but the tides turn quickly as he learns his plan is never going to work because his bruid-to-be has run away. Again. This time Julianna unknowingly landed herself in the sickly hands of the most hunted being in the world—a man who calls himself a God. The deranged God wants something Julianna has and he will use all of his abilities to obtain it. For the first time in his life, Vasilius doubts his ability to protect another, and for once, he’s scared.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ROGUE BLOOD is the fourth installment in T.A. Grey’s adult, contemporary THE UNTOUCHABLES paranormal romance series. This is vampires Julianna Greenwich, and Vasilius Blackmoore’s story line. ROGUE BLOOD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Vasilius and Julianna) ROGUE BLOOD is a story of enemies to lovers; a match between two ancient families tied together by circumstance and need. Twenty four years earlier our couple met one fated night at a costume party hosted by Julianna’s mother and father, resulting in more than an eyeful of Vasilius’s conquests and bedroom antics. Several years later Julianna would find herself betrothed to Vasilius’s older brother Dominic-a relationship arranged by their families and a relationship that was doomed from the start. But now, Vasilius Blackmoore’s prior reputation as a man-whore was beginning to wane as the once handsome and beautiful vampire had been scarred in a vicious attack of revenge by an ex who wasn’t happy with the direction of their relationship. Fast forward to present day wherein Julianna’s father offers up his daughter to Vasilius Blackmore in exchange for a debt long over due. What ensues is a tempestuous friendship between two people with mistaken beliefs about one another, and the fragility of egos when hurtful words are more damning than the physical scars.

Julianna is a spoiled, rich, and pampered vampire whose parents are not long for this world. In an attempt to keep their daughter safe, Julianna’s father makes Vasilius an offer he cannot refuse, and in return Julianna’s father is able to rest knowing his daughter is protected and safe. Someone has been threatening our story line heroine, and the threats have become more frequent and personal. The relationship between Julianna and Vasilius is angry, malevolent and furious, and our heroine continues to run when things don’t go according to plan. As the two families prepare for the upcoming bonds, Julianna runs from the man with whom she is falling in love, and into a world of the dark arts and mythological magic with near fatal consequences.

ROGUE BLOOD has a large ensemble cast of characters including all of the previous story line couples. It is a story of betrayal and revenge; obsession and delusion; misunderstanding and forgiveness. The sexual chemistry is blatant; the romance is a struggle towards a happily ever after; the characters are dynamic, passionate and tragic. ROGUE BLOOD is an intimate tale with a little bit of mystery, suspense, romance and love wrapped in a supernatural blanket of magic, vengeance and vindication. For fans of the paranormal, vampires and were shifters T.A. Grey’s THE UNTOUCHABLES series is a definite must-read for your library of supernatural stories.

TAKE ME (Book 1) is FREE in ebook format from the following eretailers:
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

Reading Order and previous reviews
Take Me
Tempting Gray
Merely Immortal
Rogue Blood

Copy supplied for  review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Sapphire Heist (Jewel #2) by Lauren Blakely-Review, Book tour & Giveaway

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THE SAPPHIRE HEIST (Jewel #2) by Lauren Blakely-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

Sapphire Heist banner

THE SAPPHIRE HEIST
Jewel #2
by Lauren Blakely
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense
Release Date: August 16, 2016

The Sapphire Heist

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 16, 2016

Keep your lover close and your enemy closer…

After giving in to a fiery night of passion, island adventurer Steph Anderson and bounty hunter Jake Harlowe are back to square one. With millions in stolen jewels at stake, it’s hard for Steph not to question her new partner’s true motives—no matter how sexy he might be. Jake is hungry for more of Steph, but he can sense her growing mistrust, which only fuels his own doubts. Worse, there’s undeniable evidence that someone else is now after the jewels—and that they are both in real danger.

Fighting against their magnetic attraction is a distraction these two can’t afford. In order to survive, they’ll have to pull off one more heist—and trust each other with something even more precious than jewels: their hearts.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE SAPPHIRE HEIST is the second installment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult JEWEL romantic, suspense duology focusing on bounty hunter/professional retriever Jake Harlowe, and Island Adventure tour operator Steph Anderson. THE SAPPHIRE HEIST should not be read as a stand alone as the story line picks up upon the events and cliff hanger of book one-The Sapphire Affair.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jake and Steph) THE SAPPHIRE HEIST begins immediately following the events of book one. Steph and Jake have partnered together in the search for ten million dollars in missing money and diamonds with Steph’s step-father the prime suspect. But Steph believes she has been played by the man who currently holds her heart, and sets out to uncover the truth on her own. THE SAPPHIRE HEIST continues to follow the hunt for the missing diamonds focusing on more than one potential player in a game of cat and mouse.

Lauren Blakely’s THE SAPPHIRE HEIST is a suspense filled story of mystery, betrayal, lies and deceit. Lauren drops a few hints and clues throughout the story adding a couple of twists to an already entertaining tale of intrigue and romance. Our heroine doesn’t want to believe her step-father is responsible for a ten million dollar embezzlement scheme, and she begins to point the finger in another direction. A lack of trust is a presiding theme throughout the story. A great series with a sexy romance, intriguing premise, and interesting characters.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE SAPPHIRE AFFAIR

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Sapphire Heist teaser

Excerpt

A fan circled lazily overhead, stirring the gauzy white curtains that hung by the sliding glass doors. He grabbed her hand, pulled her to the open deck. The sun was still high in the sky and his room had a stunning view of the endless blue water. He also had a clear view of how to resolve this turmoil still roil¬ing in his chest.
He had to try to talk to her about some of the harder topics. If not, this would be Rosalinda and the Medici job all over again.
“Just look,” he said, gesturing to the vast sea.
She gazed toward the water. “It’s gorgeous.”
“It is. And I’m showing you to make a point.”
“Over the view?” She parked her hands on the railing.
He turned to her and met her eyes. “Yes. I’m showing you this because it’s beautiful. Because you love the water. Because you are an outdoor girl through and through. Because I know these things about you,” he said, taking her hands and clasping them in his. He squeezed. “I know already that the water calms you. I know the sunshine is like some kind of magic to you. And I know you love your mother with a fierceness that can move mountains. You’re like this warrior princess who’d go to battle for her, and even though I’ve never met her, I can pic¬ture her. I imagine she is the gentlest, kindest person in the world who wouldn’t hurt a fly, and you fight for her. Not because she’s the kind of woman who won’t fight for herself, but rather because she chooses not to. Am I right?”
Steph drew in a deep breath and nodded. A warm breeze blew by, stirring up the ends of her pretty blonde hair. “Yes. You’re right.” Her voice was soft.
As the waves lapped the shore in the distance, and boaters skipped over the blue waters, he grasped her arms. “But what do you know about me?”
She opened her lips but didn’t speak.
“Steph,” he said, fixing her with a sharp gaze, and then asked again, needing to set her straight, desperate to avoid another on-the-job mis¬take. “What do you know about me?”
“That you like ice cream?” She said it like a question, her expres¬sion confused.
He nodded, a sliver of a smile appearing briefly. “That’s a good start. What else?”
“That you like to tell jokes?” she asked, squinting as the sun shone brightly overhead.
“Keep going.”
“That you’re motivated by your family,” she said with more confi¬dence now in her tone.
“Good. Keep going.”
“That you do what you do because of them. To take care of your little sister and brother, and your big sister’s kid.”
“I do.”
“And that you hate when bastards get away with anything.”
He tapped his finger to his nose. Bingo. “Know what else?”
“What?”
A knot of discomfort clogged his throat. He pushed past it, speak¬ing plainly, honestly. “I went out with a woman who nearly cost me a job. Who tried to steal the artifact we’d teamed up to find,” he said, the memory blasting through him of how foolish he’d felt when Rosalinda stole it from him. “I trusted her. I thought she cared about me. She only cared about the prize.”
“I don’t even want the prize,” Steph said, raising her chin, meeting his gaze. “I’m not after money. I’m after the truth.”
“But it seemed this morning that you were playing me,” he said, his tone turning rougher. “That when you saw me at the café, you were all sexy snuggly because you thought I’d run. And outside the gallery, you were pretending to get cozy when you put your hands in my shorts, but you were only searching for stones even after I told you there weren’t any.”
“I was,” she said through gritted teeth. Her expression was one of frustration and embarrassment.
“Don’t fuck with my feelings. You know I want you. You know I like you. Just don’t fuck with me,” he said, yanking her close to him.
“I’m not. I won’t. I’m sorry,” she said, her tone full of contrition.
That knot unwound, and he nodded. “So tell me the truth. Do I seem like the type of guy who’d screw you over?”

about the author

Lauren BlakelyLauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and she has had eight books on the New York Times Bestseller list and fifteen on the USA Today Bestseller list. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire. She recently released SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS, the first novel in her new sexy romance series Sinful Nights that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her new adult forbidden romance, 21 Stolen Kisses, hit e-readers in May and landed on the USA Today Bestseller list. In January, she’ll release BIG ROCK, a standalone contemporary romance sure to make you swoon. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).

 

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Quantum by Jess Anastasi – a Review

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Quantum by Jess Anastasi – a Review

 

QuantumAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Someone wants Captain Admiral Zander Graydon dead. Like yesterday. Zander’s convinced his attractive assistant knows more than she’s willing to say, and if he can stop running long enough, he’ll find out exactly what she’s hiding. Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros is determined to keep her CO safe. Before she tips her hand, however, Mae has to figure out if the alluring man she’s protecting is the real Captain Admiral Graydon. Or an alien shape-shifting imposter.

On the run and no one to trust…not even each other.

Captain Admiral Zander Graydon has seen a lot of action, but almost getting killed three times in one day is pushing it. Only the company of his new assistant, Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros, makes things a little easier to swallow. Except the delectable Lieutenant Marshal Petros is hiding a number of secrets, and her presence might have something to do with the continued attempts on his life.

It’s no accident Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros finds herself in the firing line alongside the charming but very off-limits Captain Admiral Graydon. She’s taken the job as the admiral’s assistant to determine if a shape-shifting alien has killed the CO and assumed his form. Whether the admiral is human or not, Mae finds herself getting way too close to him as they run for their lives. 

Military to the core, Mae and Zander will have to overcome their suspicions of each other to work together, when they realize the fate of the entire universe is at stake.
 

Review:

Quantum by Jess Anastasi was such a fun read?  It’s the second book in the Atrophy series. I do not think you need to read the first, but I had a feeling it probably would have helped. There may have been some background on a few of the characters, and it did jump from one ship to another (these characters were in the first book.) The continuing story is to do with a war against an alien species (Reidar) 

Mae and Zander are both dedicated to their jobs. Neither having much of a social life. After meeting at the space station, they make their way to the shuttle that will take them back to the Captain Admirals ship. But things don’t to go according to plan ……. 

Surviving a crash, the two characters and a couple of crew members are forced to make a shelter and survive in a wilderness planet, until they are rescued. The story moves at a good pace. Very descriptive, and well written. The characters are brought to life and very believable. 

The story keeps you wondering ….. Is Zander a shape shifter? Did he kill the Captain Admiral and take his place for a more sinister reason ? 

The feelings between Mae and Zander have an instant attraction feeling, but Mae needs to be cautious, she can’t fall for a shape shifter, they are at war with the aliens, but as she gets to know him, the lines become blurry, What’s a girl to do ? 

Zander knows his new lieutenant Marshall has a big secret, but they have time on board his ship to find out those secrets. But the crash will put things on hold, as they dance back and forward with their attraction. What will he think when he finds out that’s she’s only interested in him until she works out if he’s a threat to the war that they are fighting?

I have not read a space story before, but I’d totally recommend this book, for an afternoon of escapism ?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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