Monthly Archives: November 2017

Countdown by Carey Baldwin – a Review

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Countdown by Carey Baldwin – a Review

 

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Description:
Don’t believe everything you see.

Special Agent Atticus Spenser and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caitlin Cassidy are in Tahiti enjoying a much-needed break from the FBI when they spot newlyweds taking fun photos on the beach. But as the groom carries his bride deeper into the waves, Spense is positive he sees a flash of terror cross her face. All his instincts scream that this woman is in danger. Yet moments later, it’s the groom who has nearly drowned… and the bride has vanished, leaving a bloody wedding dress floating in her wake.

The authorities aren’t sure who to believe—the groom, who insists his wife tried to murder him… or her twin, who claims her sister must have acted in self-defense. Intrigued, Spense and Caity agree to help investigate. But when they discover that the missing bride is the daughter of a notorious confidence man, they begin to suspect that all is not what it seems. Now they’ll need to separate victim from villain, fact from fiction, truth from lie, to determine if there’s really a killer on the loose… or if it’s all one big con.

 

 

Review:

Countdown is the final installment of the fabulous Cassidy and Spenser Thrillers series by the wonderful, Carey Baldwin. I have had the tremendous pleasure of reading, and reviewing, this incredible series since its introduction, and this finale is Carey Baldwin‘s swan song to Atticus and Caitlin. It’s never easy to say goodbye to characters, but the joy they’ve brought me far outweighs the sadness.

Our dynamic duo finally arrives in Tahiti, their long-desired, always-postponed escape from duty, but the purpose is of grand proportion now: Spense and Caity are getting married! This destination wedding comes with a timetable/plans to abide by…but when our H/H happen upon a frisky bride and groom taking their free spirit out to deep waters, and the unconventional dip devolves into a near drowning, Caity and Spense find themselves torn between private citizen status and FBI profilers yet again.

As focused on their big day as they intended to be, Caity and Spense simply can’t overlook attempted murder in their idealic island. Rose and Tommy Preston, newlyweds, have a checkered past that only research and discovery can make decipher. Now, if only the bride hadn’t gone “missing”, things could go a little easier for Caity and Spense! Throw in Rose’s twin sister, Lilly, who has a past of her own with good ole Tommy, and the plot thickens. But even in the midst of chaos and confusion, unearthing details that lead to major revelations, there are stolen moments between Caity and Spense that bring a sense of peace, of pause and perspective, that love truly is the end all. When Caity reaches out to touch Spense after a harrowing moment or when Spense lets his gaze linger on Caity…that’s the stuff. That gut reassurance of devotion. Carey Baldwin has developed a tender love story, woven lovingly throughout the series, between two strong characters who’ve become a formidable combination. Who’ve forged an unforgettable partnership.

Not only will you scrutinize the actions of the twin sisters and find yourself glued to Tommy’s seedy behavior, seriously questioning good choices all around, but Ms. Baldwin brings back beloved characters who shone in the background while supporting our H/H. “The moms” are darling and committed to the cause, but Spense’s relationship with Dutch Langhorne in particular is proof of not squandering love. It warmed my heart to know Spense has someone else to rely on.

What makes newlyweds turn and spitefully twist on each other? Lines of loyalty are crossed and Caity and Spense determine that not all is what it appears to be. As the race to prove innocence lapses, murderous consequences hang in the balance. It is suspenseful and dramatic. Be prepared for face-palming, “smh”-ing, and even high-fives for getting shi# done!

Countdown dragged Caity and Spense away from ticking off all the wedding details, but their commitment to one another never wavered. Caity and Spense are perfect together and cases seem only to enhance their uniqueconnection. I bid them a fond farewell for all they’ve meant to me. Soooo…how will you wow us next, Ms. Baldwin?

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for Review

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The Man in the Crooked Hat by Harry Dolan – Review & Giveaway

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The Man in the Crooked Hat by Harry Dolan – Review & Giveaway

 

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The Man in the Crooked HatAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
One cryptic clue leads a desperate man into a labyrinthine puzzle of murder in the electrifying new novel from national bestselling author Harry Dolan.

There’s a killer, and he wears a crooked hat.

Private investigator Jack Pellum has spent two years searching for the man who he believes murdered his wife–a man he last saw wearing a peacoat and a fedora. Months of posting fliers and combing through crime records yield no leads. Then a local writer commits suicide, and he leaves a bewildering message that may be the first breadcrumb in a winding trail of unsolved murders . . .

Michael Underhill is a philosophical man preoccupied by what-ifs and could-have-beens, but his life is finally coming together. He has a sweet and beautiful girlfriend, and together they’re building their future home. Nothing will go wrong, not if Underhill has anything to say about it. The problem is, Underhill has a dark and secret past, and it’s coming back to haunt him.

 

 

Review:

The Man in the Crooked Hat by Harry Dolan is a standalone murder mystery.  Jack Pellum, an ex-cop, is our hero.  Two years ago, Jack’s wife was murdered, and he is obsessed with finding the murderer, which eventually cost him his job.  Even his detective friends try to get him to move on.  But Jack can’t rest, and uses every moment to put up flyers about a man with a crooked hat, which was his only clue to the killer. 

The main difference in this murder mystery is that we know from almost the beginning, who the murderer is.  Michael Underhill has finally found his life coming together.  He was a beautiful girlfriend, who loves him, and makes him happy; this is the life he wants badly, and he will let nothing change that.

After awhile, when Jack begins to weaken his resolve, he gets a message and meets someone else looking for the man with the crooked hat.  This will bring Jack to a small town, which will lead to various clues of previous murders that maybe related, even as far back as twenty years.  The mystery is chilling, as there are many twists that will reveal a cunning murderer, and several deaths that are remotely connected.  Jack being an experienced former detective, as well as driven by his wife’s death, is probably the only one who can possibly to tie the strange pieces together.

What follows is an exciting story and at times early on, a bit confusing. It was also an amazing in depth mystery, that involves  several crimes,  with various people, deaths that occur over the years, and those that  had no real relation to each other.  Slowly, with a POV of mostly Jack, but some with Mike Underhill, we learn the consequences that lead to Jack’s wife’s death, as well as some other recent deaths.  

I do not want to give spoilers, and this is a difficult review that telling too much more would ruin it for you.  The Man in the Crooked Hat was an excellent murder mystery that kept me turning the pages,  especially in the last half, which started to make more sense with each revelation.  If you enjoy murder mysteries, a flawed but great leading character, in depth storytelling, very good secondary characters, a conniving murderer, and many twists and turns along the way, I suggest you read Harry Dolan’s The Man in the Crooked Hat.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Harry Dolan’s publisher is graciously offering a hard copy of THE MAN IN THE CROOKED HAT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from November 27 to December 1, 2017

 

 

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Of Sand & Stone by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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Of Sand & Stone by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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Of Sand & StoneAmazon / B&N / Kobo

DESCRIPTION
She was destined to save his heart of stone… 
Bookish museum curator Rebecca Clark has given up on dating. Real life men aren’t nearly as perfect as the men in the paintings and statues she sees every day at her job. But one night she whispers a prayer to the universe to send her the perfect man. She had no idea a goddess is listening… 

Devon Blake was Regency London’s most wicked lover but when he sleeps with the wrong woman and leaves her unsatisfied, he finds himself cursed by none other than the Goddess of love herself. After living two centuries trapped as a marble statue, Aphrodite gives Devon one chance to redeem himself or he’ll face an eternity of made of stone. He must prove he can satisfy a woman’s every desire without satisfying his own. 

When Rebecca discovers a naked man in her art gallery instead of a priceless statue at midnight she has no idea he’s the answer to her prayers. Aphrodite has sent Devon to be Rebecca’s perfect man. Can Devon earn Rebecca’s love and trust by proving his selflessness or will it be too late? 

 

 

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

LAUREN!  Lauren just did Time Travel, the hardest genre for me to completely enjoy and she nailed it.  This story was so “out there”, and I loved every guilty indulgent moment of it.  MORE MORE MORE!  LOL

Of Sand and Stone by Lauren Smith is a short story that you can enjoy in an afternoon, time travel romance, with a side of a ticked off goddess that will have you chuckling out loud and praising the female race for taking a stand against the “non satisfying male”!  It was utterly ridiculous in the best way ever and made me so happy I still am smiling when I think about it.

Devon Blake was a very bad boy.  Not in a good way either.  He is from the regency era, known to be a rake, devilish lover and is cocky as all hell!  He has a night with Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and leaves her wanting.  Well Aphrodite is having none of that and curses him to be frozen inside a statue of stone and sand to learn his lesson.  She is ready to lift his curse, if he can prove he is worthy of it.  If he cannot satisfy the woman she chooses he will live inside this statue for eternity.

Rebecca Clarke is a museum curator and so done with dating men.  She’s had enough and finds her work far more satisfying that any man.  When she comes across this sand and stone statue she recites a few lines that apparently release this naked man from it.  YUP a naked, hot, every girls dream kind of man!  But he’s an arrogant rake from the past.  UHHHH like she needs another arrogant jerk in her life.

These two were so amazing together.  I am telling you the humour alone had me, let alone the story.  But being Lauren Smith I knew the story would deliver as well.  Devon trying to figure out things in the 21st century was absolutely perfect and it made him completely endearing and Rebecca really had no chance when the wit came out.  Devon learns his lesson as well, and let’s just say there is a whole lot of satisfaction happening by the end of this book!

I really think Lauren Smith is the Queen of the short story.  She does it perfectly.  There is always a build up in characters, storyline, she finds unique ways to keep her readers engaged and wanting more.  Not wanting more because it was too short, but wanting more because it was that good!

Leave your brain out in left field readers, grab that class of happy bevvie, curl up and be ready to laugh and celebrate what power a woman can really have!  For the record .. it’s never good to make Aphrodite mad .. that goddess is some ruthless!  LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

Giveaway

Lauren is graciously offering a  signed paper copy of a book of your choice from Lauren’s backlist to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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3. Please LIKE and Follow Lauren Smith on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Giveaway open USA/Canada only

8. Giveaway runs from November 26 to 30, 2017

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Bittersweet Christmas (The Order 3.5) by Nina Croft-a review

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BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS (The Order 3.5) by Nina Croft-a review

Bittersweet Christmas

ebook FREE for a limited time Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 27, 2017

Orphan Liam Ryan isn’t asking for much this Christmas–just his Uncle John. And he’s counting on Father Christmas to find a way to make that happen.

But when Father Christmas tosses Liam’s letter, claiming that the kid is asking the impossible, his daughter, Winter, takes over. Half-pixie, Winter, longs to do something important with her life, starting with getting a job at the Order of the Shadow Accords, the organization that polices the supernatural world. When she discovers Liam’s uncle works for the Order, it seems like fate.

Savaged by werewolves and bitten by a vampire, no one knows what to expect of John Ryan, but it won’t be anything good. So there’s no way he’s getting involved with his nephew…or anyone else. Worse, he’s getting a babysitter over the holidays. But when he meets irrepressible Winter, all that matters is whether she likes her guys to be naughty or nice.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS is instalment 3.5 in Nina Croft’s contemporary, adult THE ORDER paranormal/ fantasy romance series focusing on the men and women who work for The Order of the Shadow Accords- an organization that polices the supernaturals of the world. This is half-pixie Winter, and former human, now a vampire/werewolf John Ryan ‘s story line. BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Winter and John) BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS finds our heroine tasked with ‘babysitting’ the recently turned John Ryan, a man who struggles with the beast within; a vampire/werewolf hybrid whose wolf has yet to come to the surface. Hoping to gain a position within the Order, Winter offers herself up as bodyguard and protector of the one-time human cop, a position she abuses, as she battles between her heart and what she is tasked to do.

One year earlier John Ryan killed the wolf-pack alpha, and in the ensuing time a price has been placed on our hero’s head. In hiding for his own protection, and the protection of others, John has all but abandoned his fifteen year old nephew Liam, a young man he took guardianship of upon the teen’s mother’s death. A letter to Santa finds Liam Ryan asking for the return of the uncle he hasn’t seen in months-a letter that finds it way to Winter and her father who happens to be Father Christmas, among other names. What ensues is the building relationship between Winter and John Ryan, and the potential fall out when John’s whereabouts are revealed to those hunting him down as Winter ensures Liam’s Christmas wish is answered.

BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS is a sexy paranormal Christmas tale; a quick read; a story of insta-lust with limited sex scenes due in part to the nature of a novella. The premise is sweet and edgy; the characters are colorful and spirited; the romance is intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. For fans of the series, it has been approximately three years since the author last released a title in The Order series but many will recognize John Ryan from his previous involvement as well as the return of Piers Lamont, vampire and head of the Order of the Shadow Accords.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Bittersweet Blood
Bittersweet Magic
Bittersweet Darkness
Bittersweet Christmas

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Spy Games by Sidney Bristol – a Review

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Spy Games by Sidney Bristol – a Review

 

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DESCRIPTION
Haunted by the mistakes he made while fighting for his country, Rand Duncan has become the CIA’s go to man for tough jobs in an effort to atone for his sins. Late-night phone calls and covert meetings are the norm. Until she arrives and his past crashes into his present.

Sarah Collins never thought she’d see her brother’s former best friend again. But one of Sarah’s fellow undercover informants has been captured and the briefcase containing the identities and locations of twelve other operatives are in Chinese hands. If Sarah and Rand can’t retrieve the documents, people will die.

The shock wears off quick as the two must figure out how to retrieve the briefcase before it can be opened or sold. If they want to save lives, they must confront their past, while avoiding an enemy that will stop at nothing to crush them.

 

 

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

OH LA LA so much action happening I’m not sure where I should start on this review.  Very intriguing, and I totally loved that I had no inkling and was totally shocked when the climax is revealed.  It’s refreshing because I am usually pretty good at figuring that out.  LOVED THAT!

Spy Games by Sidney Bristol is a contemporary romantic suspense that takes us across Asia on action packed missions, intense moments and hot romance.  It is a stand alone that will have you on the edge of your seat and constantly wondering .. “Who, What, Where and Why!”

Rand Duncan is our leading guy and he is a whole lot of complicated.  He was a SEAL, but now works as a “Top Secret” operative for the CIA in extremely dangerous mission.  He is strong, straight to the point, eager to right his perceived wrongs, and fleeing a history that still continues to haunt him.  

Sarah Collins is the sister of Rand’s best friend and a woman who has always owned Rand’s heart.  She is head strong and smart, lives to make the world a better place, and utterly heart broken with Rand being out of her life due to an accident that occurred with regards to her brother.  She is now taking on missions as a “Courier Girl” which both affords important information to be delivered in the right hands, and hopefully allows her to cross paths with the man she can never forget.

When information gets intercepted and is now in the wrong hands, Sarah and Rand do cross paths, and must work together to retrieve this information before it gets many people killed.  This is more than a chance to do good for their country but to mend their hearts and come to terms with their past.  Soon enough they are engaged in some dangerous situations and facing their issues while giving in to a desire still so large.

Ok so this is a great book.  I hadn’t read a romantic suspense in a while and now I want to gorge on them.  I really loved these two together, and I loved the twists and turns.  So much heart mending here it was heart warming.  Sidney writes beautiful imagery and her hot scenes are well .. HOT!  LOL  I did find that there were times I found the pacing a little off and there were times I would of liked a little more build before it peaks.  This involves more of the sex scenes though.  I also wish there was more of a back story on Sarah’s brother and his love.  It is mentioned several times and it actually left me with the impression that there may have been another book but I cannot seem to confirm that.  These small critiques didn’t take anything away from my enjoying this book though, it’s just what I prefer to have.

Overall, an absolute heart pounding read that left me feeling quite content at the end.  I am eager to read more by Sidney Bristol and if you take a look she has many out there to take a look at!  Looking forward to your next one Sidney!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy provided by Publisher

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End Game by David Baldacci – a Review

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End Game by David Baldacci – a Review

 

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Description:
Will Robie and Jessica Reel are two of the most lethal people alive. They’re the ones the government calls in when the utmost secrecy is required to take out those who plot violence and mass destruction against the United States. And through every mission, one man has always had their backs: their handler, code-named Blue Man.

But now, Blue Man is missing.

Last seen in rural Colorado, Blue Man had taken a rare vacation to go fly fishing in his hometown when he disappeared off the grid. With no communications since, the team can’t help but fear the worst.

Sent to investigate, Robie and Reel arrive in the small town of Grand to discover that it has its own share of problems. A stagnant local economy and a woefully understaffed police force have made this small community a magnet for crime, drugs, and a growing number of militant fringe groups.

But lying in wait in Grand is an even more insidious and sweeping threat, one that may shake the very foundations of America. And when Robie and Reel find themselves up against an adversary with superior firepower and a home-court advantage, they’ll be lucky if they make it out alive, with or without Blue Man…

 

Review:

End Game by David Baldacci is the 5th book in his Will Robie series, and another of one his fantastic suspense thrillers.  End Game picks up a few months after The Guilty left off.  Will Robie returns from a successful mission stopping a terrorist attack in London, and he is asked to go to Colorado to find his missing superior, Blue Man (Roger Walton).  Jessica Reel, also returns from a dangerous mission in Iraq, which left her somewhat disturbed, as she lost most of her team.  When we last saw Will and Jessica, it seemed like they would finally take the next step and become a couple.  But Will, despite his unanswered attempts to contact Jessica, has not seen her for 6 months.  Now they are both assigned to work together to find Blue Man.

When they arrive in Grand, Colorado (Roger Walton’s hometown), they not only discover that Walton was in town, but has vanished; tey also discover that a number of other people have also vanished.  Robie and Reel will work with the understaffed police, sheriff (Molloy) and deputy.  What they will also find is that the area has a number of right wing compounds such as Kings Apostles and White Supremacist groups.  Will and Jessica are not your normal government agents, and this book just proves that they are the best lethal assassins, and despite each horrific situation they find themselves in, they will find a way to turn the tables and survive. Will they find Blue Man alive? Will they survive against all the powerful enemies they must face?

What follows is a tense, suspenseful, edge of your seat thriller, with nonstop action from the first page to the end.   I could not put this book down, as there were also so many surprising twists and turns; I did not want to miss a thing.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin this for you. End Game is an amazing story that will leave you breathless.  Will Robie and Jessica Reel are such an awesome team; even if they are hardened killers, we can’t help but marvel at them.  I love them together

Once again, David Baldacci gives us another fabulous thriller in End Game, which is something we have all come to expect from him.  He is a masterful storyteller, with in depth wonderful characters, and he holds you at the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you think you know what will happen, trust me, you will never see what is coming, as Baldacci continually pulls surprises and twists. You need to read this series, but then again you should be reading everything by David Baldacci.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Seth (Hell’s Lovers MC #5) by Crimson Syn-Review Tour & Giveaway

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SETH (Hell’s Lovers MC #5) by Crimson Syn-Review and Giveaway Tour

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SETH
Hell’s Lovers MC #5
by Crimson Syn
Release Date: November 9,2017
Genre: adult ,contemporary, erotic, MC, romance

Seth

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 9, 2017

I didn’t expect to cross paths with Ciara Morton.
Her innocent beauty literally knocked me to my knees.
I’d never met a woman like her.
She’s smart to stay away from me.
I like my sex rough and dirty and I don’t believe in love.
But she’s slowly seeping into my bones,
And the more she rejects me, the greedier I get.
She should stay away, before I lose all sense of control.

Seth Scardino is all sinewy muscles and rough attitude.
He’s the type of man who takes without asking permission.
From the first moment I saw him, I knew he would be my weakness.
He controls me in every way possible,
But I’ll never admit it.
If I do, he’ll know I’ll let him take me completely,
And I don’t think I’ll be able to let him go if he does.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: SETH is the fifth instalment in Crimson Syn’s contemporary, adult HELL’S LOVERS MC erotic, romance novella series focusing on the men and women of the Hell’s Lover MC. This is twenty-one year old nanny Ciara Morton, and Hell’s Lovers MC treasurer Seth Scardino’s story line. SETH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout the series. Seth is the brother of the Hell’s Lovers MC Sargent at Arms Cain Scardino (CAIN#4).

NOTE: SETH contains graphic language and text, and mature themes. It may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Seth and Ciara) SETH focuses on the acrimonious relationship between Hell’s Lovers MC treasurer Seth Scardino, and the MC president’s nanny Ciara Morton. Ordered to protect the MC president’s wife and child, Seth Scardino finds himself drawn to their nanny Ciara Morton, a woman who struggles within the confines of a lock-down meant to protect her life. Oblivious to the potential danger, our heroine continues to push the boundaries of her recent ‘captivity’ and in doing so pushes all of Seth Scardino’s over-protective, alpha male buttons. The Columbian Cartel remain a threat in the wake of the Los Perdidos MC destruction, and Seth has been tasked with protecting Scarlet Chase, her daughter Ryder, and the woman that calls to his heart. What ensues is the tempestuous and caustic back and forth relationship between Seth and Ciara, and the potential fall out as the Cartel get too close to the Hell’s Lovers MC.

The relationship between Seth and Ciara is cutting and abrasive. Their one on one confrontations are petulant and combative hiding a palpable sexual energy that everyone sees but our leading couple. There are some scenes of questionable consent in the wake of our heroine’s ambiguous signals, desire and disgust. The $ex scenes are aggressive, erotic and intense. (Still not a fan of a certain four-letter word, regardless in which genre or usage it has been applied).

The character building is limited. There is little in the way of backstory or history. We know very little about their earlier years although Ciara’s over protective brothers make a cameo appearance and threaten to destroy our story line hero.

SETH is a dark and wicked story line as one woman battles her attraction to a man she knows is all kinds of wrong but feels so right. The premise is imaginative and gritty: the romance is carnal and dirty; the characters are destructive and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wolf
Grayson
Riggs
Cain
Seth

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Seth Teaser

About the author

My name is Crimson Syn, not really, but what fun is it to use my real name. Instead I’ll use my inner goddess’ name, it’s much more fun that way. I grew up in New York City where I had a wonderful education, loving parents and awesome friends. What more could a girl ask for?

I started writing at the age of sixteen. The first romance I read was Stephanie Laurens’ Devil’s Bride. Since then I have been influenced by dozens of flourishing romance authors and even more dashing and daring rogues. I must say it, but Fifty Shades was not my first erotic romance, nor did it influence me to start writing them. If you’ve never read Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Bertrice Small or A.N. Roquelaure’s Sleeping Beauty trilogy, then you’re missing out. Those were my sweet introductions to erotic romance, and boy were they hot.

So here I am, after reading so many wonderful stories, I have too many sinful tales of my own not to share. I like my alphas rough and possessive, and I have no shame in saying it or writing it. I had delightfully wicked teachers growing up, their books took me to new worlds and brought me new loves. So, I want to do the same for you. I want to indulge my readers in those steamy reads that will send them into the arms of dangerous alphas and deliciously sexy rogues, without leaving the confines of their nice warm bed. If I am able to entice your inner goddesses, then I have done my job and I am satisfied.

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Sweet Caroline by Becky Lower – a Review

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Sweet Caroline by Becky Lower – a Review

 

Sweet Caroline

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

DESCRIPTION
Caroline Stuart never returned to Lobster Cove after an embarrassing summer night when she was fifteen. But her cousin’s marriage was an event she couldn’t miss. Imagine her surprise when she discovers her partner in the bridal party is Grant Jackson, the same boy who humiliated her years ago. She still hates him. Yet, he still excites her. 
Grant had more than the usual problems fitting in as a teenager, being the only boy of mixed heritage in the school. And he’d somehow alienated the one girl he desperately wanted to impress. With Caroline’s return to Lobster Cove, he finally has an opportunity to make amends, if only she’ll listen. If only she’ll let go of the past.

 


REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

AHHH Becky is back!  AHHH I get to return to Lobster Cove!  AHHHH Neil Diamond’s song “Sweet Caroline” .. bah bah bah!  LOL

Sweet Caroline by Becky Lower is a contemporary romance set in Lobster Cove, Maine (which is the setting for a previous novel), that features all the things I have grown to love from a Becky Lower book.  You will have romance, angst, friendship, history that needs some serious correcting and the healing of very damaged souls.

Caroline Stuart is our leading lady and she is a very easy character to relate to.  She has some heartbreak that she is desperately trying to heal from, and after a many years she is returning home to Lobster Cove despite having left absolutely humiliated many years ago.  Feeling stagnant in her life, Caroline is one hot mess but a hot mess any one of us can find ourselves living.  She is sweet, kind and little too much in her own way, but she has a brave side that makes her so endearing.

Grant Jackson is our leading man and he too is easy to relate to.  He was somewhat of a recluse in his younger years and treasured his friendship with Caroline as teens, until he accidentally screws it up and humiliates her in front of her family and friends.  Having carried this guilt for years, he is surprised and grateful that Caroline has returned home after so many years.  He is going to right the wrongs in their past if it kills him.  Knowing he has to fight through a massive defence that Caroline has built around her, he forges through with kindness, sympathy and empathy and brutal truth that inevitably will lead to romance.

These two characters are so well suited.  Reading another book set in Lobster Cove is like waking up Christmas morning to the smell of my mom’s stuffing.  It’s nostalgic and heartwarming.  Becky has a talent for writing very vivid images and it makes you feel like you are smack dab in the middle of the story.  I have read every single book that Becky has released to date, and this one is right up there on my fave list.

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

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