Monthly Archives: December 2016

Attempted Assassination (Supernatural Renegades #7) by Carly Fall-a review

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ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION ( Supernatural Renegades # 7) by Carly Fall-a review

Attempted Assassination

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Amazon. link will be available closer to release date

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 15, 2017

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

Jordan Callahan is determined to eradicate all who pose a threat to Group Nine, the government faction he serves. His next mission takes him to the state of Washington where he has been assigned to kill the elusive Joe Smith, one of the greatest menaces to Group Nine.

A year ago, an explosion killed Ava Callahan’s husband and his Marine unit – or so she thought. When Joe Smith appears at her doorstep with proof that Jordan and most members of his unit survived, she’s left wondering why he never returned home. When Joe explains the reason, she readily agrees to accompany him to Washington. With the help of the rest of Jordan’s unit—Brody, Lucas, Garrett, Zachary and Ruben—Ava hopes to reclaim the life she and Jordan once shared and rekindle the love she thought she’d lost forever.

A series of shocking events lead to Jordan being apprehended, but he has no recollection of his past, including his life with Ava. By using the less than conventional means of recovering his memories, they discover the truth behind what really happened to Jordan, as well as the suppressed supernatural ability he was left with after the explosion.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION is the seventh (and final?) installment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, adult SUPERNATURAL RENEGADES paranormal, romantic suspense series focusing on a team of former marines whose last secret mission to Guatemala left each member of the platoon with a supernatural power. This is former marine and assassin Jordan Callahan, and Ava Callahan’s story line. ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Joe Smith is the ‘mystery man’ who is attempting to locate all of the former Marines who were exposed to the covert experiment in Guatemala, in the hopes of taking down the government’s secret Group Nine. Group Nine has been on a search and destroy mission to locate all of the former Marines affected by the experiment, and in doing so, has placed every man in Joe’s sights. Joe will make each former Marine an offer he shouldn’t refuse.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jordan and Ava) using present day, and memories from the past ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION focuses on the search for former marine Jordan Callahan, presumed killed in the Guatemalan jungle following an explosion that all but the destroyed the lives of the men with whom he served. For close to one year Ava Callahan has mourned the loss of her husband without being able to reconcile his death, and the death of his entire unit. Fast forward to present day wherein Joe Smith, a former Marine whose own life was destroyed by covert government experiments, uncovers the whereabouts of Jordan Callahan, and the truth behind the Marine’s sudden appearance. What ensues is the search and recovery of a man whose mind was destroyed and his memories erased to create the ultimate killing machine.

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION is a story of second chances; of loss and recovery; of betrayal and vindication. Most of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles. Connor Dickson, a fellow Marine whom we have not met, will get a spin off series in Operation Underworld -following the explosion in Guatemala Connor developed the ability to detect vampires living amongst the human population.

Carly Fall’s ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION is an engaging, inspiring and imaginative story line. The premise is energetic; the characters are dynamic; the romance is a second chance at love and life.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lethal Game (Red Stone Security #15) by Katie Reus-a review

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LETHAL GAME (Red Stone Security #15 ) by Katie Reus-a review

Lethal Game

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 10, 2017

He broke her heart.

Graysen’s betrayal nearly destroyed Isa a year ago. Now that she’s working for Red Stone Security, she’s managed to piece her life back together after a rough year and a broken heart. Then he appears back in her life and makes it clear he’s not going anywhere until she gives them a second chance. A chance she refuses to take.

Now he’s back to claim what’s his.

Graysen’s never gotten over Isa and he knows he never will. It’s his fault she walked away, but he can’t seem to let her go. He quit his job with the CIA and called in every favor he had to get hired by Red Stone Security just to be near her again. But Isa doesn’t care that he’s desperate to make things right between them—she wants nothing to do with him. He doesn’t blame her, but he’s not willing to give her up. When they are cornered by lethal terrorists, everything changes. Graysen and Isa will have to find a way to work together if they want to survive. Only then will he be able to convince her to claim the chance at happiness the past stole from them.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: LETHAL GAME is the fifteenth and final installment in Katie Reus’s contemporary, adult RED STONE SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women of Red Stone Security. LETHAL GAME focuses on two relationships, a terrorist plot, and a man desperate enough to start a new life leaving mayhem and death in his wake. This is former CIA agent Graysen West, and Red Stone Security computer expert Isa Harper’s second chance storyline; and RSS computer programmer/analyst Emerson Lincoln, and Detective Carlito Duarte’s friends to lovers romance.

Told from several third person points of view LETHAL GAME focuses on the hunt for the person(s) responsible for the infiltration and leak of classified information at the Raptor Aeronautical Firm. Fourteen months earlier while on assignment, CIA Agent Greysen West fell in love with Isa Harper-an assignment that ended with the death of Isa’s father, and the revelation that the two men that Isa loved had lied to her all along. Fast forward to present day, wherein Red Stone Security Agency has been hired by Raptor Aeronautical in the hopes of ferreting out the source of some compromised information. Enter Greysen West, Red Stone Security’s newest agent, and the man with whom Isa will have to work undercover. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Isa and Greysen- a love that had never waivered in the face of betrayal and lies; and the struggle to stay safe when their positions had been compromised.

For six months RSS computer programmer Emerson Lincoln has lusted after Miami Police Detective Carlito Duarte- an attraction she believes is one sided; and has squarely landed her in the friend zone. But when Isa misses a meeting with Emerson at Red Stone Security, Carlito and Emerson begin an investigation of their own that ends with our couple trapped together at gun point when their lives are threatened by a terrorist organization.

LETHAL GAME is a story of suspense; of romance; second chances; and happily ever afters. Several of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles revealing a little bit of history and backstory to the final chapters of Katie’s Red Stone Security romantic suspense series. The epilogue fast forwards the story a few months where we get a glimpse into the lives of the men and women at Red Stone Security, and the possibility of new relationships and growing families. The premise is intriguing, entertaining and exciting; the characters are sensual and inspiring; the romances are passionate and tender. Saying good bye to Katie Reus’s RED STONE SECURITY series is like saying good bye to a friend-there is always the hope you will see one another again but in the end, it was a pleasure going along for the ride.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ever The Hunted by Erin Summerill – a Review

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Ever The Hunted by Erin Summerill – a Review

 

Ever the HuntedAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

 

Review:

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill is the first book in her new Clash of Kingdoms series.  This is a fantasy novel with wonderful world-building by Summerill.  In this world there are two factions that are at war with each other.  The story revolves around our heroine, Britta, whom we meet at the start.  She lives alone after the death of her father, who was murdered.  He was an elite bounty hunter for the King of Malam. Britta knows that soon her home will be confiscated, and she will have nowhere to go.  Desperate for food, she enters the Ever Woods to hunt prey, and after she succeeds, she is captured by the Kings guards.  To save her own life, she makes a deal with the King’s Regent to help three guards track down the murderer of her father.  The problem…..the man they say who killed her father was his former apprentice and her childhood crushe…Cohen McKay.

In any new fantasy world, things do start off slow, as the author will show us the world we are now in.  The two factions are Malem, which is governed by the King and the Channelers,  who have magic and powers, but are prosecuted by those from Malem. Summerill does a good job creating a nice flow, as we learn about the two kingdoms, but the storyline is still very much centered on Britta.  

As one of the best trackers, Britta and the three guards (Captain Omar, Leif and Tomas) follow the trail that she finds to bring them closer to Cohen.  In a short period, Britta will come face to face with Cohen, and realize that he is innocent of the murder charges.  Together they escape the guards and try to find the real murderer.  What follows is an exciting, action filled and intense story that will bring both heroes to the brink of death.  Along the way, there are many twists and turns, as well as betrayals that put them further in danger.  Britta will learn more about her life that her father hid from her, and meet someone who will tell her the truth of her past, and how to use her ability.  Most of all, this is a sweet romance between Britta and Cohen, that was wonderfully written by Summerill.  What starts out as a childhood friendship, family dynamics and hidden feelings becomes a love that was so nice to watch grow.

As I have noted in previous fantasy first books, the key to a successful start of a series is to have good characters that you care about.   In Ever the Hunted, we not only have Britta, a wonderful heroine, who has just begun to harness her powers; Cohen, a great hero, who loves Britta with all his heart; and some other truly great characters; Leif, one of the good guards; Enat, a Channeler, who is more than a teacher to Britta; and even Captain Omar, who was cold and unforgiving early on.  

This turned out to be a very nice fast paced story line, well written by Summerrill, with great characters and  many surprises along the way.  Ever the Hunted is wonderful start to a new series, which I recommend that you read. I look forward to the next book in the Clash of the Kingdoms series. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Surrender to Sin by Nicola Davidson – a Review

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Surrender to Sin by Nicola Davidson – a Review

 

Surrender to SinAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
To save her, he must ruin her.

Lord Sebastian St. John, dedicated bachelor and a co-owner of Fallen, the most scandalous pleasure club in London, is known as Sin for good reason. Orphaned by a shocking accident, Sin long ago vowed a life of solitude and
decadence. Yet when Lady Grace Carrington begs for his help destroying her reputation, Sin can’t turn the ton’s most proper lady away.

Obedient daughter, wife, and young widow, Grace has had enough of being controlled. After her father arranges a second loveless marriage to an eminently respectable ancient, Grace plans a fortnight of defiance and self-ruination to stop the wedding. But as Grace enters the heady, risky world of an affair with Sin, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him— and she soon realizes two weeks won’t be nearly enough.

 

 

Review:

Surrender to Sin is book one of The Fallen Series by Nicola Davidson.  Lady Grace Carrington has found herself in the most unsavory of predicaments. Recently widowed her father has arranged another loveless marriage for her with none other than Lord Baxter.  Lord Baxter is a prudish, stuffy old man who Lady Grace has no desire to marry.  She has already suffered through one loveless marriage and now that she is widowed she has no desire to peruse another marriage as bad as her first. But when Lady Grace confesses to her maid-companion Nell, they set about with a diabolical plan to ruin Lady Grace’s reputation to the point where Lord Baxter will no longer want or desire her, thus calling off the engagement.   

But plan involves Lord Sebastian St. John – known better around town as Sin.  Sin is part owner of Fallen; a private pleasure club so exclusive that only the richest, highest ranking members of England society can apply for membership.  While in London getting new gowns made, she only has a fortnight for the plan to come to fruition. Lady Grace is strong willed, but has fulfilled her duties as an obedient wife.  With the passing of her husband, she has now set her sights on living her life for herself. Doing what it is she would like to do. Her engagement to Lord Baxter by her father is the last thing she wants.  So, she sets out to find this man called Sin and that is exactly what she does – in more ways than one.

After years of being in an unhappy marriage, followed by a year of mourning for her late husband, Lady Grace was ready to explore the world and find herself a proper lover, one that she could explore her sexual freedom with.  The prospect of having to marry Lord Baxter put and end to all of that.  She knew the only way out of it was to stage a scandal that would repulse Lord Baxter and lead to him ending their engagement.  But if a scandal  meant the ruin of her reputation it would be well worth it.  There is no way she is going to live her life in a loveless, adventure less marriage again.  But once she entered Fallen while seeking out Lord Sebastian her life would be forever changed.  Lord Sebastian was exactly what she had been naughtily daydreaming about for years.   He was the exact man that caught her eye at Hyde Park years ago and she had daydreamed about the wonderfully lusty things they could possibly do together.  But now he was in front of her, and she was about to ask him to participate in  a scandal to save her from her engagement.  Every part of her body screamed to attention the moment he walked into the room.  And she had played the obedient wife, dutiful daughter for far to long.   It was time to ruin her reputation and she is going to enjoy every minute of it, especially with Sin.            

Lord Sebastian may be part owner of The Fallen, but he is also a gentleman.  Once he found out that Lady Grace is betrothed to Lord Baxter, he will do whatever it takes to keep the marriage from happening. His history with Lord Baxter requires that he step in to help.   But what starts out as helping her to ruin her reputation and end her engagement, soon turns into so much more.  He soon wants to do whatever he can to help Lady Grace.  With that he also realizes that once he destroys her engagement he may never see her again.  And that is not a risk he is willing to take.  After scandal upon scandal they created does not sway Lord Baxter, they soon realize that the only way to end it once and for all is to put on a full public sexual display at Fallen.  And while this will surely mean the ruination of her reputation she no longer cares. She must end this engagement.

This story was wonderfully written and a lovely historical era piece, with bunches of erotica thrown in.  An enjoyable story that makes you root for the good guys and pray that the bad guy gets put in his place.  And that he does.  I look forward to reading more in this series as the secondary characters leave you wanting to know their stories and where Fallen will take them.  

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Blackwell (Magnus Blackwell #1) by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor-a review

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BLACKWELL (Magnus Blackwell 1) by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor-a review

Blackwell

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 17, 2017

Hell has a new master

In the late 1800s, handsome, wealthy New Englander, Magnus Blackwell, is the envy of all.

When Magnus meets Jacob O’Conner—a Harvard student from the working class—an unlikely friendship is forged. But their close bond is soon challenged by a captivating woman; a woman Magnus wants, but Jacob gets.

Devastated, Magnus seeks solace in a trip to New Orleans. After a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde, he becomes immersed in a world of depravity and brutality, inevitably becoming the inspiration for Dorian Gray. Armed with the forbidden magic of voodoo, he sets his sights on winning back the woman Jacob stole from him.

Amid the trappings of Victorian society, two men, bent on revenge, will lay the foundation for a curse that will forever alter their destinies.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: BLACKWELL book 1 is the first installment in Alexandrea Weis/ Lucas Astor’s slightly dark, Victorian, paranormal series focusing on jealousy, revenge, betrayal and magic.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Magnus Blackwell and Jacob O’Connor) covering a timeline of several years, BLACKWELL focuses on the friendship and betrayal between college friends Blackwell and O’Connor.

Magnus Blackwell comes from money; a spoiled, rich young man who takes what he wants, one way or another. A man with a dark side, and a darker need for violating the woman in his care Magnus Blackwell will lose the one woman he cannot have to the man he believes owes him his career and his life. Jacob O’Connor was orphaned at an early age, and through his mentor was accepted into Harvard and graduated with a degree in Architecture only to discover that his friendship with Magnus Blackwell proved to be more dangerous than not. Jacob will fall in love with the woman Magnus tossed aside, and in the ensuing years Magnus would devise a plan to destroy the man he once called a friend.

BLACKWELL is a slow building story line; set in New Orleans, Louisiana; steeped in magic, spirits and the practice of voodoo; betrayal, murder, discovery and revenge. Two friends, one woman and years to plan his retribution, Magnus Blackwell is a man possessed by anger, evil and a dark, foreboding malevolence that is focused on avenging the loss of the only woman that called to his heart. Jacob O’Connor will get his retribution by destroying everyone that gets in his way including the man who has been the focus of his anger and grief.

Alexandrea Weis pulls the reader into a dark and fated tale of catastrophic jealousy; of one man’s overwhelming anger and need to destroy and break the only friend that he has ever known. The premise is intriguing, thrilling and suspenseful; the characters are passionate in their desires and pathways to revenge. BLACKWELL is a tragic tale of jealousy and love; of betrayal and revenge; of dramatic and questionable journey of vengeance.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Blackwell Teaser

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Face-Off At The Altar (Assassins #9) by Toni Aleo-Review and Book Tour

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FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR (Assassins #9) by Toni Aleo-Review and Book Tour

Face Off at the Altar banner

FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR
Assassins #9
by Toni Aleo
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, hockey romance
Release Date: December 26, 2016

Face-Off at the Altar

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 26, 2016

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

Markus Reeves is sucking. Big-time. Toiling away on a minor-league hockey team hundreds of miles away from home, he’s watching his dreams of an NHL career fade away. Add in the lingering guilt he has over the dramatic demise of his relationship with college girlfriend, Mekena, and he’s a mess on and off the ice.

But the family of his heart, the Sinclairs, won’t let Markus suffer any longer. When he arrives himself back in Nashville for a trial run on the Assassins, it feels like his life may be making a turn for the better. If only he could get Mekena to forgive him…

Mekena Preston has been hurting since fleeing Nashville following the horror of Markus’s betrayal with her sister. Now a professional photographer, Mekena finds herself in the same place at the same time with Markus to celebrate Lucy and Benji Paxton’s wedding. Neither of them has been able to move on—and they’re starting to wonder if they really want to.

They’re headed for a face-off at the altar unless they can confront their past and unearth the truth about what really happened on that fateful night.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR is the ninth installment in Toni Aleo’s contemporary, adult ASSASSINS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the professional hockey team the Nashville Assassins. This is Assassin’s rookie twenty five year old Markus Reeves, and twenty year old photographer Mekenna Preston’s story line. FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I caution new readers to the series that many of the previous couples featured in the series, and from the Bellevue Bullies series (e.g. Sinclair family and siblings) play secondary and supporting roles, and some of the history and backstory are mentioned throughout.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mekenna and Markus) FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR focuses on the rekindling romance between Markus Reeves, and Mekenna Preston-a romance and love destroyed by betrayal and lies. Approximately two years earlier Mekenna walked in on her then-boyfriend Markus Reeves, in bed with her sister Skylar. With her heart destroyed, Mekenna moves to Florida in the hopes of starting anew. Fast forward to present day Mekenna is contracted to photograph Lucy and Benji Paxton’s wedding (Rushing The Goal #8) knowing that the man who broke her heart would be front and center in the wedding action. What ensues is the rebuilding of a friendship and relationship that was all but destroyed by lies, deceit, and betrayal; and Markus’s rise from the Assassin’s farm team to rookie star in the NHL.

FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR looks at friendships, fractured family dynamics from jealous siblings, drug abuse, and racism; as well as a second chance for two people who never stopped loving one another. There is plenty of humor, heartbreak and tears; frustration and resolution; and a wonderful back and forth banter between siblings, couples and friends. Mekenna’s pain and anger towards Markus bleeds heavily into the story line premise but new revelations open Mekenna and Markus’s eyes to the truth about what happened years before beginning the healing process for our story line couple.

FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR is dramatic and intense; humorous and fun; heartbreaking, tragic and fated. There is plenty of history between our story line couple; demons from the past that must be addressed, and demons from the present that will continue to haunt far into the future. Toni Aleo ASSASSINS series is has a little of everything for the sport romance lover in all of us.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

Face Off at the Altar teaser

Excerpt

“You are, by far, the most patient man I know.”
Baylor grimaced as she took Dawson from Markus’s outstretched hands. He smiled as Dawson looked at him innocently. He knew the little guy didn’t mean to puke all over him and he wasn’t upset, but he was trying to figure out a way to get to the house and shower before he had to talk to Mekena. He highly doubted that baby puke would be an aphrodisiac. Maybe it would be? Huh.
He wasn’t going to try, though.
As Baylor cuddled Dawson against her, Markus waved her off. “It’s no big deal. He’s a baby.”
She smiled shyly. “Yes, but Ashlyn pooped on you too.”
He grinned as he shrugged, trying not to laugh. It was a tough rehearsal for Dawson, Ashlyn, and Markus. Puke and poop were big-time stars during the hour of watching the Sinclairs and Grace Justice try to put together a wedding. He wasn’t sure what was funnier, Jace glaring as Jordie walked with Avery, or Ashlyn farting and then realizing she had just shit all over him. It was a toss-up, but then Dawson decided to puke down the front of his shirt, and he figured he was now a substitute for a baby rag. “I volunteered.”
“Still, we’re really sorry,” Avery said, holding Ashlyn close as she rocked her back and forth. “I understand if you don’t want to watch her ever again.”
“Nonsense,” he said, laughing as he tucked his hands into his pockets and looked around. He spotted Mekena at the front of the altar, taking pictures of random things. He wasn’t sure if she was done, but maybe he could slip away. “How much longer until y’all are done?”
“We’re done, but Lucy and Benji have some pre-wedding pictures they’re having done with Angie.”
“So Mekena isn’t done?”
Avery smiled. “Nope, she’s got a bit.”
“Can you pass a message for me?”
“Sure.”
“Let her know that I went back to the cabin to shower and clean up?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll tell Jace to tell her since I’m taking Ashlyn to bed.”
“Cool, thanks,” he said, kissing her cheek and then Baylor’s, before rubbing Dawson’s head. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Before he could get far, though, Baylor smiled. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime. I mean that.”
Avery smiled. “Thanks.”
“Also, good luck,” Baylor added.
Flashing them both a big grin, he nodded. “I need it.”
Heading out the back, he made it back to the cabin quickly. When he entered, though, Mr. Right was sitting on the windowsill howling. “Whoa, man. What’s up?”
Meoooooowwwwwwww, he wailed, with his mouth wide open as his hair stood on end.
“Bro, I don’t know what to say. I don’t speak your language. Are you singing? Do you want me to sing too? Meoooowwwwww,” he said, and Mr. Right looked back at him, almost with a glare. “We should add some beat to that and make a remix,” Markus joked as the cat wailed. Deciding that was a good idea, he pulled out his phone and started to beatbox as the cat wailed, recording it on his SnapChat. The cat must have realized what he was doing because he looked back, scowling, and Markus hid his phone. He didn’t want to admit it, but Mr. Right kind of freaked him out.

about the author

Toni AleoFollow: Twitter  Facebook  Web  Goodreads  Amazon Pinterest

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.

… and did I mention I love hockey?

Ardent Prose

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The Fixer (Games People Play #1) by HelenKay Dimon-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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THE FIXER (Games People Play #1) by HelenKay Dimon-Review, Book Tour & giveaway

The Fixer Banner

THE FIXER
Games People Play #1
by HelenKay Dimon
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense
Release Date: December 27, 2016

The Fixer

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 27, 2016

He’s known only as Wren. A wealthy, dangerously secretive man, he specializes in making problems disappear. A professional fixer, Wren hides a dark past, but his privacy is shattered when Emery Finn seeks him out—and what she wants from him is very personal.

Some people disappear against their will. Emery’s job is to find them and bring closure. Wren is the only person who can help solve Emery’s own personal mystery: the long-ago disappearance of her cousin. Just tracking down the sexy, brooding Wren is difficult enough. Resisting her body’s response to him will prove completely impossible.

Anonymity is essential to Wren’s success, yet drawn by Emery’s loyalty and sensuality, he’s pulled out of the shadows. But her digging is getting noticed by the wrong people. And as the clues start to point to someone terrifyingly close, Wren will have to put his haunted past aside to protect the woman he loves.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE FIXER is the first installment in HelenKay Dimon’s contemporary, adult GAMES PEOPLE PLAY romantic, suspense series. This is wealthy businessman and professional fixer ‘Wren’ aka Brian Jacobs, and tracker Emery Finn’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Wren and Emery) THE FIXER focuses on the search for a woman name Tiffany Younger-Emery’s cousin, and one time best friend-and a woman who disappeared without a trace thirteen years earlier. Emery’s latest clue into Tiffany’s disappearance is one name –Wren- and our heroine begins an intensive internet search for the mysterious person who may have some information about her missing cousin. When a mysterious stranger demands that Emery stop the search for the elusive Wren, Emery soon discovers that the search for Tiffany has instigated a series of break ins and threats against our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Wren and Emery, and the hunt for the person(s) responsible for Tiffany’s disappearance.

The relationship between Wren and Emery begins acrimoniously. Wren is a man who hides his true identity; a man who fixes what needs to be fixed in the private, corporate and political worlds; and a man who finds himself falling for the inquisitive and determined Emery Finn. Emery is a tenacious woman fixed on uncovering the truth in the hopes of finding her missing cousin. The romance is a slow build; the $ex scenes are intimate and intense without the use of over the top graphic sexual language or text.

We are introduced to a number of secondary and supporting characters including Wren’s second in command-Garrett McGrath; as well as Emery’s childhood best friend Tyler Bern ; her boss Caroline Montgomery; Emery’s father Michael Finn; Maryland Detective Rick Cryer; and Senator Sheila Dayton who is one of the few people that knows Wren’s true identity.

The world building reveals the troubling past of our story line hero; the search for a missing woman; and the truth about what happened years earlier. Wren and Emery’s attraction to one another is palpable; there is no denying the heat and sexual need.

THE FIXER is a story of romance, suspense, mystery and resolution. The premise is dramatic; the romance is passionate; the characters are imaginative and fascinating. THE FIXER by HelenKay Dimon is a great start to what will be an addicting series.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author

HelenKay DimonGoodreads/Website/Twitter/Facebook

Helenkay Dimon spent the years before becoming a romance author as a . . . divorce attorney. Not the usual transition, she knows. Good news is she now writes full time and is much happier. She has sold over thirty novels, novellas and shorts to numerous publishers. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named “Red-Hot Reads” and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. But if you ask her, she’ll tell you the best part of the job is never having to wear pantyhose again.

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Kill Without Shame (ARES Security #2) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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KILL WITHOUT SHAME (ARES Security #2) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

Kill Without Shame

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 27, 2016

Five brave military heroes have survived the hell of a Taliban prison to return home—and take on civilian missions no one else can. They’re the men of ARES Security. Highly skilled, intimidating, invincible, and one by one, tested again and again…

Lucas St. Clair’s prestigious family had a political future neatly planned out for him—one that didn’t include his high school sweetheart, Mia Ramon. Under their pressure, Lucas gave her up. But since surviving captivity, he’s a changed man—and a crucial member of ARES Security. When he discovers a dead man clutching a picture of Mia that bears a threatening message, his fiercest protective instincts kick in, and he knows he must go to her.

Mia has never forgiven Lucas for breaking her heart, and she’s convinced her feelings for him are in the past. But it’s soon clear that isn’t true for either of them. Now, determined to solve the crime and keep Mia safe, with his ARES buddies backing him up, Lucas will have to reconstruct the murder victim’s last days—and follow a lethal trail that leads right back to the fate of the woman he still loves…

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REVIEW: KILL WITHOUT SHAME is the second installment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult ARES Security romantic suspense series focusing on the five men who own and work for ARES Security. This is ARES co-founder and former military hero Lucas St. Clair, and independent business woman Mia Ramon’s story line. KILL WITHOUT SHAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lucas and Mia) KILL WITHOUT SHAME follows the second chance romance between Lucas St. Clair, and Mia Ramon. Fifteen years earlier Lucas, a young man with an aspiring political career, walked away from the woman (or young girl ) he loved fearing she would end up like all of the other ‘plastic’ housewives of the rich and famous. Entering the military to escape his family Lucas would eventually find himself in a Taliban prison where he will meet the men who would become his friends, brothers and partners in the ARES Security firm. Fast forward to present day wherein Lucas will come face to face with his past when a photograph of the woman he still loves, found in the possession of a dead man both he and Mia knew years before, has her marked for termination. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Lucas and Mia, and the search for the person (s) responsible for threatening our heroine’s life.

Lucas St. Clair hails from a well-to-do family; a family that had hoped Lucas would enter the political race straight to the White House but a family of robots controlled by power and money. To protect Mia from a potential life as a politician’s wife, Lucas pushed Mia out of his life and in the ensuing fifteen years kept watch from the side lines whenever he could. Mia Ramon took over her father’s landscaping business but has had a difficult time since the death of beloved mother and her father’s escape into the bottle and subsequent death.

The relationship between Mia and Lucas is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose backgrounds were as different as night and day. Mia’s father worked for the St. Clair’s, and Mia was never an acceptable mate for their well-to-do son. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense; Mia is quick to accept Lucas St. Clair back into her life although several attempts on her life, and the threat of death place Lucas in the perfect position to be by Mia at all times.

We are re-introduced to Lucas’s ‘brothers’ at ARES Security-a team of former US soldiers including Max Grayson (forensics specialist), Hauk Laurenson (sniper), Teagan Moore (computer specialist). A secondary storyline continues to develop with regards to the team’s time in Afghanistan-mysterious messages and threatening emails aimed at Hauk Laurenson. Rafe Vargas, a covert ops specialist (Kill without Mercy #1) is noticeably absent.

The world building focuses on the hunt for a killer; someone who is willing to ‘kill without shame’; someone who is hiding a dark and dangerous secreted past. Although KILL WITHOUT SHAME is a story of mystery-a whodunit with a couple of twists and turns- the killer was easily deduced upon introduction.

KILL WITHOUT SHAME is a story of mystery, romance and suspense; a tale about two people whose lives are threatened by sins of the past. The premise is intriguing; the characters are charismatic and animated; the romance is fated and dramatic. Alexandra Ivy’s ARES Security is an imaginative and fascinating series.

Reading Order and previous reviews
0.5–Sweet Rapture
1-Kill Without Mercy
2-Kill Without Shame

Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy

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