Monthly Archives: January 2018

About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

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About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

 

About That Kiss
Heartbreaker Bay series
by Jill Shalvis
Release Date” January 23, 2017

About That KissAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
When love drives you crazy . . .

When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him.

the best thing to do . . .

No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo.

… is enjoy the ride.

As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.

 

Review:

About that Kiss by Jill Shalvis is the 5th book in her wonderful Heartbreaker Bay series. Having read all the books in this series, I looked forward to reading this one, and once again Jill Shalvis gives us another winner.

Kylie, our heroine, is a woodworker, having been trained by her now deceased grandfather to create beautiful wood work designs.  While working in the store, she sees Joe (our hero) come in; Joe is another member of Archer’s Security firm, and they all share the same friends, though Joe and Kylie really do not get along.  During an engagement party not too long ago, Joe and Kylie had a bit too much to drink, and they had a powerful sizzling kiss.  But since then, she has not heard from him, until he came to the store.  Joe wants to buy a mirror that Kylie created for his sister’s birthday, but it was already promised to someone else and Kylie, giving him the cold shoulder, tells him that she does not have time to do another. 

When Kylie goes home that night, she finds an envelope under her door; with a picture of a treasured wood penguin that her grandfather had given her. Kylie knows that someone has stolen this from her, but she has no idea why, only that she wants it back desperately, as it is the only thing she has of her grandfather.   She decides to go to Joe, to help her find it, and promises payment in the form a new mirror for Molly, his sister.  Joe reluctantly accepts, but is surprised when Kylie insists to go with him as they investigate the possible culprits.

Kylie and Joe both have their own issues, with neither wanting to become involved. Both of them blame themselves for putting loved ones in danger; Kylie for her grandfather, who died in a fire; Joe, saving his sister from a gang he was involved with when he was younger. They are both scorching together, as their romance does heat up, as they spend more time together.  But they are also both stubborn and independent. 

What follows is a sweet romance, as well as a very good mystery as to who is threatening Kylie.  There are some twists and surprises along the way that will change things for both of them.  What makes this even better, are their friends, whom we have come to love over the previous 4 books.  I also adored Kylie’s dog .  Cute.

Joe and Kylie were a great couple, very hot together; lots of fun to watch them falling hard for each other.  As I have said before, Heartbreaker Bay is a great series to enjoy, and I suggest you start with the first book.  About That Kiss was a fun, at times exciting, sexy, enjoyable read  with an outstanding cast of characters, cute dog, and a bit of mystery. If you love romance, and are not reading Jill Shalvis, it is time for you to do so.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

Author Links:

Website:  http://jillshalvis.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JillShalvis/
GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis
Newsletter: http://jillshalvis.com/faq/newsletter/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jill-shalvis

 

 

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Pulse (The Luminous Series #1) by K.E.Osborn-Release Boost & Giveaway

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Pulse (The Luminous Series #1) by K.E. Osborn-Release Boost and Giveaway 

PULSE
The Luminous Series #1
by K.E. Osborn
Release Dat: January 17, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, rock, romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 17, 2018

She makes my pulse race.

From the moment I laid eyes on her in that ridiculous giraffe onesie, I knew this girl would rock my world.
Effa’s the lead singer of the world-famous rock band, Luminous.

And I’m their new lighting tech, Kaden ‘Mercs’ Mercury.

Going on tour with an all-female rock band would be simple you’d think, but these girls aren’t an easy push-over.

All the while things back home are taking a turn for the worse, and I’m losing a battle of my own that might come back to bite me on the ass if I’m not careful. My only distraction from the ensuing chaos – a bubbly blonde lead singer, destined to brighten my life.

But with an all-male opening band, tensions are bound to run high when jealousy flares, and lines are blurred.
She sets my pulse racing, but am I enough to kickstart her heart?

•••••••••

REVIEW: Pulse is book one of The Luminous Rock Series by K E Osborn. Effa (short for Effervescent) is the lead singer of the famous all girl rock band Luminous. When the band has issues with their lighting tech they get rid of him and bring on Kaden “Mercs” Mercury. Mercs is hired on as the Lighting Director and he knows his way around a stage. But getting this job with Luminous on their world tour, is not only a once in a lifetime opportunity for him, it is an answered prayer. Mercs sister Kiera is battling cancer back home. Every cent he earns and all of his savings has been spent on her treatments up until this point. But from the moment he meets Effa – in her giraffe onsie – he realizes his life will never be the same again.

Effa is a quirky character that you can’t help fall in love with. With her all natural, in tune with the world energy. And she has an effect on Mercs that no one else has before. They don’t have a smooth run once they start off their relationship. But when its good – its so good!

I love Mercs sweetness and loyalty to his sister and gran! You can’t help fall for everything about him! The connection he has with Effa is magnetic. It completely draws you in!
But they do have their ups and downs! Outside influences play a role and bring the drama. Will their love overcome what lies ahead of them? Or will those influences tear them apart!
There are quite a few truly laugh out loud moments in this book! And the magnetic romance and hot and steamy sex scenes are magical! But in true K E Osborn fashion the cliffhanger ending leaves you begging and wanting more! You don’t see it coming and it leaves you praying for book two like yesterday! K E Osborn is absolutely the living Queen of cliffhangers!

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Erin

Australian author K E Osborn was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. With a background in graphic design and a flair for all things creative, she felt compelled to write the story brewing in her mind.

Writing gives her life purpose. It makes her feel, laugh, cry, and get completely enveloped with the characters and their story lines. She feels completely at home when writing and wouldn’t consider doing anything else.

http://www.keosbornauthor.com/

https://twitter.com/froggy585

https://www.facebook.com/KEOsborn

https://www.facebook.com/trustmetrilogy

http://www.goodreads.com/KEOsbornAuthor

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KEOsbornauthor

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The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross – a Review

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The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

The Queen's RisingAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

 

 

Review:

The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross is the 1st book in a trilogy. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I am happy to say I loved The Queen’s Rising, and the fantastic writing of a new author for me, Rebecca Ross.  This is YA Fantasy at its best, and a fascinating world created by Ross, which I could not put down.

Brienna, who at 10 years old, was sent by her grandfather to Magnolia House, which was sort of an elite boarding school, but with students who would live together for 7 years to develop their passion  ( art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge).  But Brienna did not excel at any passion, though in her last three years, she mastered her passion in Knowledge.  Brienna has lived in the kingdom of Valenia all of her life, but she has visions about being a Maevana girl.  She has no idea who her father is, and her grandfather refuses to talk about it.  So while she studies knowledge, Brienna, with her master teacher . studies and obsesses over everything about Maevana.

I really enjoyed seeing Brienna with her friends at Magnolia House, as they all were expected to receive an offer from a Patron at graduation. Only Brienna did not.  But a Patron will come forward, once it is learned that she has visions of the past from Maevana.  The crux of this worldbuilding:  the violent king of Maevana is destructive, killing anyone at will, including woman and children. Maevana was always ruled by a Queen, who had magic to fight off evil. 25 years ago, the Queen was murdered, and the Stone of Eventine (which controls the magic), was stolen, and many were slaughtered. Three Lord’s of the Houses in Maevana escaped.  Brienna’s visions are memories of one of the bad guys during that revolution, with clues that could help bring the kingdom back to its glory days.

What follows is an exciting, interesting, and mindboggling journey that will have Brienna finally find out the truth about her heritage, and  bring her back to her homeland.  A war is once again on horizon that will reveal secrets, betrayals, intrigue and a plot that could kill them all. As we raced to the climatic finish, the final half of the book was intense, with us holding our breaths until the very end.   I loved Brienna, as she turned into a strong and loyal heroine.  The wonderful secondary characters that are her friends, family and teacher are created so well by Ross.  Even the villains of this book were created to be truly evil.  

The Queen’s Rising was a fantastic, fascinating, page burner adventure into a magnificent world that sort of felt like old time Ireland.  I cannot tell too much more, as it would be major spoilers.  You need to find out everything for yourself.  I loved every moment of this book, with its amazing characters, history, family, war, and love.  Bravo to Rebecca Ross for this wonderful journey.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1) by Christine Feehan-Dual Review and Giveaway

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JUDGMENT ROAD (Torpedo Ink #1) by Christine Feehan-Dual Review and Giveaway

Judgment Road Banner

JUDGMENT ROAD
Torpedo Ink #1
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, paranormal, romance

Judgment Road

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 23, 2018

An outlaw motorcycle club sets up shop next door to Sea Haven in the dangerously sexy new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

As the enforcer of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club, Reaper lives for riding and fighting. He’s a stone-cold killer who turns his wrath on those who deserve it. Feelings are a weakness he can’t afford–until a gorgeous bartender gets under his skin…

Near Sea Haven, the small town of Caspar has given Anya Rafferty a new lease on life. And she’s desperate to hold on to her job at the biker bar, even if the scariest member of the club seems to have it out for her. But Reaper’s imposing presence and smoldering looks just ratchet up the heat.

Anya’s touch is everything Reaper doesn’t want–and it brands him to the bone. But when her secrets catch up to her, Reaper will have to choose between Anya and his club–his heart and his soul.

••••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW

JUDGMENT ROAD is the first instalment in Christine Feehans’ contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK slightly paranormal, erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the MC Torpedo Ink. The Torpedo Ink series is a spin-off from the author’s Sisters of the Heart /  Sea Haven series but you do not have to have read the original series to understand or follow Torpedo Ink. This is Torpedo Ink enforcer and Sergeant at Arms Savva ‘Reaper’ Pajari, and bartender Anya Rafferty’s story line.

NOTE: Most of the characters including Torpedo Ink club president Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski, and his wife Blythe Daniels were introduced in the final instalment of the author’s Sea Haven Series BOUND TOGETHER.

WARNING: JUDGMENT ROAD contains, and makes reference to graphic violence, rape, murder, torture and abuse against children and women, and therefore, may not be suitable for all readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: At the tender age of ten years old, Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski set about to save and rescue over three hundred children from a Russian child sex-slave operation but in the end only eighteen survived. The Torpedo Ink series focuses on the survivors: their stories, their history, and their happily ever afters.

Told from several third person perspectives including Reaper and Anya JUDGMENT ROAD follows the acrimonious relationship between Torpedo Ink enforcer, assassin and Sergeant At Arms Savva ‘Reaper’ Pajari, and bartender Anya Rafferty. Anya Rafferty is a new hire at the biker bar run by the Torpedo Ink MC; a woman that quickly gets under Reaper’s skin but a woman whose past may be a threat to the security and safety of the Torpedo Ink MC. When a rival MC comes looking for help the Torpedo Ink gang set into motion a search and rescue mission that reveals a much darker and deeper threat than anyone had suspected, a threat that quite possibly leads back to Anya Rafferty. What ensues is the building and volatile relationship between Reaper and Anya; the search and take down of the threats against Torpedo Ink; and the potential fall-out when Reaper’s nightmares and heart breaking past refuse to let go.

Reaper is a stone-cold killer; a dark and tormented man whose own family-the Torpedo Ink MC- is troubled by his emotional instability and inability to let go. Trained as an assassin Reaper believes he is incapable of any relationship involving the woman with whom he will fall in love. With the arrival of Anya Rafferty, Reaper slowly begins to shed his dark and cold exterior. Anya Rafferty is on the run and finding a home with the Torpedo Ink MC places everyone in danger. Unaware of the history, and the savage beginnings of the man that she loves Anya finds herself at a crossroads, ready to run, on more than one occasion.

We are introduced to all eighteen members of Torpedo Ink- survivors of horrific abuse, torture and betrayal at the hands of the sick and depraved. A tight-knit group that calls itself family, the Torpedo Ink gang collectively share telepathic abilities, as well as a heart breaking and devastating history that only furthers their close relationship and over-protective nature as it pertains to one of their own.

The world building reveals the tragic history of abuse, torture, rape and ‘education’ of a group of children who discovered that the world and people have a sick and twisted version of right and wrong. In past reviews I have remarked on the author’s increasing violent story lines and abuse against women and children but in the case of the Torpedo Ink series, the violence is part of their history and lives-ingrained and imbedded –into their very existence. The story line heroes are not the perpetrators of the violence and abuse against the women they love but are the saviors and salvation of those who suffered years before.

JUDGMENT ROAD and the Torpedo Ink are the stories of the broken; the damaged; betrayal and revenge. The premise is dark, startling and edgy; the characters are colorful, charismatic and protective; the romance is dramatic, controversial and healing. Christine Feehan enters the world of the MC with the first fiery instalment in the Torpedo Ink series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Barb’s Review:

Judgment Road by Christine Feehan is the 1st book in her new Torpedo Ink series, which is a spin off from her Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series. When the last book in the Sisters of the Heart series left off, our heroes, (Viktor/Czar) and his wife, Blythe and all the members of Torpedo Ink Club were together as a team,  and will continue to be major or supporting characters in this new series.   Czar is the President of Torpedo Ink, and the man who is the glue that keeps them (his 17 members of Torpedo Ink) together as a team.  All of them suffered horrible abuse in their childhood, making them all lethal assassins; living still in the darkness of the past.  In Bound Together, Blythe was the lone light that they all grabbed hold of, and being Czar’s wife, she is always protected by them.

In Judgment Road, Reaper is our damaged hero; Torpedo Ink’s enforcer, and the man who is always first to protect Czar.  Reaper is feared by the enemy, but loved by his brothers and sisters of Torpedo Ink; but mentally he also lives in a cold and dark inner world. 

Anya, our heroine, is one of the new bartenders in the club, and she is very beautiful.  Reaper starts feeling things he has never felt, and this brings his shield up; which makes him try to fire Anya.  She cannot understand why he is mean to her, as she has done nothing wrong; she is a loner, who also does her job well.  When Czar refuses to fire her, Reaper will have to fight off his attraction to Anya.  When he follows her after work, he sees she lives in her car; and forces her to come back to the compound.  In a short time, Reaper and Anya will act on their lustful feelings for each other, though he was very macho and demanding. Reaper begins to realize that he needs Anya (his only light to his soul), but he has a long way to learn how to treat her, something she tries to work with him on.  Their chemistry was off the wall sizzling. 

When a rival gang, comes to check out Torpedo Ink, Czar and the team notice that they keep watching Anya, and soon they fear she might be a spy.  They will all take her to the back and question her, using mental force to find out the truth.  But Anya is not a spy, she is running for her life, as she accidently discovered something about the rival gang, and ran for her life, when her friend was murdered.  Now after she recovers from the damaging force, she wants to leave Reaper, since he did not trust and protect her.  She loves him, but she needs to know she has to be his first priority.  Reaper, Czar and the entire team try to apologize for their mistake. Can Reaper win Anya back, and be able to protect her first?

What follows is an exciting adventure with Czar, Reaper and the team trying to help another rival club fight off the bad guys, who were kidnapping club leaders wives.   I loved so many of the Torpedo Ink members, and loved how the two girls ( Lana and Alena) were just as lethal as the guys, especially using their looks to trick the bad guys.  They were all so good together.  You have to sympathize, and Feehan gives us flashes to the past, and shows us how much they suffered; especially Reaper.   It is these dark memories, that will hurt his relationship with Anya, who loves him; but Reaper fears he will hurt her when in the midst of his bad dreams.  Very emotional.

As usual for Feehan, the story does have a lot of sex scenes, and though they were very steamy and great together, there were times early on when Reaper was too rough and always demanding control.  I also thought the mental torture scene was something that was easily brushed off, which was surprising. 

Judgment Road is a very dark story and romance, especially when we learned the things they had to endure in Russia; abuse, rape, torture, and murder.  But they are survivors, and slowly we will get to meet the other members of the team, as they find their way out of the darkness to the light of love. Despite the dark violent story, Judgment Road was a great read, exciting, sexy, and  a fabulous group of secondary characters.  

 

 

giveaway

Christine’s Feehan’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of LEOPARD’S BLOOD to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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A SEAL’s Honor / A SEAL’s Strength (Military Match) by J.M. Stewart-reviews

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A SEAL’s Honor / A SEAL’s Strength (Military Match) by J. M. Stewart-reviews

Military Match 2 and 3

A SEAL’S HONOR
(Military Match #3)
by JM Stewart
Release Date: January 16,2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

A SEALs Honor

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 16, 2018

Rules are made to be broken . . .
When it comes to dating, ex-Navy SEAL Marcus Denali has a few simple rules. Never date a coworker. Never date a friend’s sister. And never ever date a girl whose brother is a coworker, a friend, and a fellow SEAL. So why would Marcus dance so closely—and flirt so shamelessly—with Mandy Lawson? Simple. It’s a Fourth of July masquerade ball. He doesn’t know she’s his buddy’s little sister. And once the masks come off, the real fireworks begin . . .

Mandy doesn’t care about the rules. She’s been crushing on Marcus for years, and she’s not giving up now that she has proof he wants her too. She has a plan to show this military man some moves he never learned in basic training. And Marcus is going to learn that some rules-the rules of attraction—are just too strong to fight.

••••••••••

REVIEW: A SEAL’S HONOR is the third (and final) instalment in JM Stewart’s contemporary, adult MILITARY MATCH erotic, romance series focusing on three former military friends who search for love using Military Match dot com. This is forty-year old former Navy SEAL and mechanic Marcus Denali, and thirty-year old wedding planner Mandy Lawson’s story line. A SEAL’S HONOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Mandy is Trent Lawson’s sister (A Seal’s Courage #1).

NOTE: There may be some triggers for more sensitive readers including suicide, PTDS and bi-polar disorder.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mandy and Marcus) A SEAL’S HONOR follows the friends to lovers/fake relationship trope between former Navy SEAL and mechanic Marcus Denali, and wedding planner Mandy Lawson. For years, Mandy Lawson has had a crush on her brother’s friend Marcus Denali, and with the upcoming Fourth of July masquerade ball, finding a date through Military Match dot com would place our hero in the direct line of fire. Enter Marcus Denali, former Navy SEAL, and the man with whom Mandy would fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Marcus and Mandy, a relationship with rules and an end date, but a relationship that becomes all too real, too soon.

Marcus has lost too many people in his life with the exception of the grandmother he has always adored. Hoping to keep his grandmother happy, Marcus approaches Mandy with a tentative offer to become his ‘fake girlfriend’ for the next few weeks to appease the woman who raised him like her own. But Marcus has demons including PTSD and the death of his sister that continue to haunt him both day and night. Mandy Lawson is willing to abide by the rules Marcus lays down but behind the scenes our heroine suspects that heartbreak and pain will follow in its’ wake. Marcus doesn’t do relationships, and in this he has placed an end date on the ‘fake’ romance, a romance that doesn’t feel fake, at all.

The relationship between Marcus and Mandy begins as acquaintances and friends, that grows into something more when Marcus makes Mandy an offer she cannot refuse. Mandy, in return, wants all of the benefits of a ‘real’ girlfriend including nights and weekends with the man with whom she is falling in love The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Trent Lawson and Lauren Hayes (A Seal’s Courage #1), and Gabriel Donovan and Stephanie Mason (A Seal’s Strength #2), as well as the introduction of Marcus’s grandmother-a woman who sees more than she is letting on.

A SEAL’S HONOR is a quick and sexy read; a spicy and spirited romance between two people caught up in a game that will end with heartbreak and anticipated rejection. A SEAL’S HONOR has moments of playful romance and growing love; passion and seduction; pain and sorrow. JM Stewart writes a satisfying series of military men who have found love when they least expected.

I will add, that the similarities between all three instalments cannot be overlooked from the basic story line premise, to the relationship phobias and time line end dates, as well as the use of similar phrases, expressions and language.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

___________________

A SEALs StrengthA SEALS’s STRENGTH
(Military Match #2 )
by JM Stewart
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 3,2017

A sizzling new series about three friends looking for love-and the sexy SEALs who are ready to fulfill their craziest fantasies.

This second chance was worth the wait . . .

As a SEAL, Gabriel Donovan did the toughest jobs imaginable without blinking an eye. But three years after his wife’s death, the idea of dating still makes him sick to his stomach. His daughter desperately needs a mother, though, and there’s nothing Gabe won’t do for his little girl.

Stephanie Mason doesn’t run from anything. Not even coming face to face with the “one that got away” on a blind date. Steph’s body vividly remembers every single thing about Gabe and while some things have changed, the way he makes her feel sure as hell hasn’t.

Gabe and Steph know that love comes with risks, but if they’re brave enough, this second chance might just bring them the love of a lifetime.

••••••

REVIEW:  A SEAL’S STRENGTH is the second instalment in JM Stewart’s contemporary, adult MILITARY MATCH erotic, romance series focusing on three former military friends who search for love using Military Match dot com. This is former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and attorney Stephanie Mason’s story line. A SEAL’S STRENGTH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabe and Stephanie) A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a second chance romance between former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and Attorney Stephanie Mason. Eleven years earlier, after the sudden death of his parents, Gabriel Donovan walked out of Stephanie Mason’s life without a backwards glance. A brief affair with another woman pulled Gabriel into a quick marriage and fatherhood, only to be left a single father upon the death of his wife seven years later. Fast forward to present day wherein Gabriel finds himself using the services of his buddy’s wife’s online dating service-Military Match dot com-only to come face to face with a past he has never forgotten. Enter Stephanie Mason, the woman Gabriel would never forget. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Stephanie and Gabriel, but a romance with an expiry date, set out from the start.

A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a quick read; a story of family and friendship; of heartbreak and loss; of moving forward and letting go of the past. Gabriel doesn’t do relationships but his loneliness since the death of his wife forces our hero to move out of the past. Rekindling his friendship and relationship with Stephanie Mason reveals eleven years of heartbreak for a woman who never got over her first and only love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are charismatic and colorful; the romance is passionate and hot but, one again, I have issues with the use of a certain four-letter word I find unnecessary in the romance genre.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Shoeless Child (Detective Kerri Blasco) by JA Schneider-a review

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SHOELESS CHILD (Detective Kerri Blasco #4) by J.A. Schneider-a review

 

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 24, 2018

A little boy has seen a horrific murder but is too traumatized to speak. Detective Kerri Blasco struggles to connect with him…

Charlie Sparkes peeks out to see his mother and another young woman brutally shot. Hysterical, the brave child bolts into the cold November night for help. He screams and cries, only to fall into more trauma.

Homicide Detective Kerri Blasco is called to the murder scene. One woman lies dead next to the blood soaked rug where Rachel Sparkes was seriously wounded. With little memory of the attack, she has been taken to the hospital – but where is her child? He too, Kerri discovers, now lies in a hospital bed, mute and traumatized in a fetal position, refusing even food and water.

Charlie must have seen what happened. Kerri’s heart aches for this piteous little boy and she struggles to help him; struggles, too to find the monster who did this horrible crime. “It’s your kind of case,” Sergeant Alex Brand, Kerri’s boss and partner tells her, stepping up police urgency when another innocent is shot, and then another.

Kerri Blasco finds herself more emotionally obsessed with this case than with any other, despite clear and onrushing danger to herself…

•••••••••

REVIEW: Shoeless Child begins with an unprovoked attack on two young women, leaving one dead and one in the hospital. The only witness is a little boy, Charlie, who was able to get away from the attacker and find help.

Detective Kerri Blasco, along with her partner, Alex, make the scene and it doesn’t take her long to surmise that the little boy must have seen the attacker. When they head to the hospital, they find the surviving victim, along with her very traumatized little boy. Kerri finds herself getting emotionally involved in helping little Charlie come out of his shell and vows to figure out exactly what happened. What follows is a suspenseful read that will keep you turning the pages until the final twist is revealed and leaves you floored……..

Shoeless Child is another nicely written story by J.A. Schneider. I love Kerri Blasco and her partner, Alex. Kerri’s character is very relatable. She has a bit of a horrific past herself, which humanizes her and makes her a three dimensional character. Alex, who is also her boyfriend, is the perfect partner for her. The secondary characters are well written and play off of each other beautifully. In typical Schneider style, there are lots of twists and turns, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you realize you don’t. I have to be honest though. I’m really funny about how children are handled in the stories I read. What happened to Charlie when he ran for help left my jaw on the floor. The last two paragraphs of the first chapter made me close my iPad and walk away. It wasn’t anything horribly graphic, but, in my humble opinion, was just too much and didn’t add anything to the story, other than more unnecessary trauma to a little boy. I thought about it for a day or two, picked my iPad back up and gave it another go. I’m glad I did. I really liked the story overall. I like Schneider’s style, and as I said before, I love Kerri’s character. If you’re a fan of suspense filled whodunits, you will never go wrong with one of Schneider’s tales. Well done, J.A. Schneider.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fear Dreams
Her Last Breath
Watching You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie M

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Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott – a Review

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Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott – a Review

 

Saving the SheriffAmazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
There’s a storm brewing…

The day his wife died, Sheriff Cash Hill discovered she was leaving him for another man, one she’d loved since before their marriage. How could the single dad ever trust another woman again? But when Georgia’s best friend, Holly, comes back to town, something about Holly’s sweet, sassy vulnerability has his protective instincts kicking in hard.

Holly Jensen left La Colina, Texas with regrets. She’s returned home to work as the new large animal vet and to watch over her best friend’s daughter. But Holly’s knowledge of Georgia’s past could rip a family apart. And she’s reluctant to go to the sexy…and single…sheriff, as he’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with her.

Both are faced with a choice…stay locked in the past or allow their reservations to be silenced by a passion hotter than Texas summer nights. Can they learn to trust their own hearts and each other?

 

 

Review:

Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott is the first book in her new The Hills of Texas series.

When Holly comes back to La Colina, she brings the weight of the past with her, and the secrets she kept for her best friend.  But she promised her best friend that she’d look out for her daughter, so Holly bites the bullet and tries to mend a few bridges with Cash. 

Cash is the sheriff of La Colina, a widower and a parent of a little girl.  He doesn’t trust people too much, as the woman he loved was leaving him for someone else.  So when his dead wife’s best friend comes back wanting to see his daughter, he has a hard time not believing she didn’t know that his wife was planning to run away with her “one love” 

We also find out that Holly had a secret crush on Cash in high school. But her Best friend got him first.  Yes we know they will get together, but the journey there was a twist and turn of mistrust and huge secrets, secrets that if found out will destroy both Cash and a little girl. 

When the secrets come out, will Cash listen to Holly, or will he turn his back and walk away?  Yes he has to protect himself, but surely there has to be more than Holly is letting on. 

I loved reading the Hill family interact (hoping we get a few stories 🙂 with Cash.   Kadie Scott’s ….. SAVING THE SHERIFF is a story of secrets, lies, love and loss. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Until You’re Mine (Fighting For Her #1) by Cindi Madsen-a review

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UNTIL YOU’RE MINE (Fighting For Her #1) by Cindi Madsen-a review

Until You're Mine

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 22, 2018

You might’ve heard of me, Shane Knox, the guy who rose quickly through the MMA fighter ranks, only to crash just as fast. No one cares about personal reasons when it comes to losing fights and money. I’m determined to get back to where I was. For you to hear my name again. I’ve finally convinced the owner of Team Domination to take a chance and get me back in fighting—and winning—shape. What I didn’t bargain for is the guy’s spitfire of a daughter. Factor in her two professional-fighter brothers who are acting as my coaches and the fact that my career hangs in the balance, and Brooklyn’s the last girl I should be fantasizing about.

The closer we get, the more I want Brooklyn. The stakes are high, and I know there’s a big chance of both of us getting hurt, but I won’t stop until she’s mine.

•••••••••

REVIEW: UNTIL YOU’RE MINE is the first instalment in Cindi Madsen’s contemporary, adult FIGHTING FOR HER romantic, MMA series focusing the Roth family: Finn, Liam and Brooklyn Roth who, along with their father Blake, own and operate the Team Domination professional MMA Club. This is artist and only daughter Brooklyn Roth, and MMA fighter Shane Knox’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Shane and Brooklyn) UNTIL YOU’RE MINE follows the forbidden relationship between Team Domination’s newest acquisition, MMA fighter and champion Shane Knox, and Brooklyn Roth, a struggling artist and the only daughter of Team Domination owner Blake Roth. With the finances and paperwork a mess, artist and painter Brooklyn Roth is called home to San Diego to clean up the mistakes of the previous bookkeeper and accountant. From their first meeting, Shane and Brooklyn’s reaction to one another is palpable; their sexual attraction to one another is sizzling and hot, and does not go unnoticed by the men in charge but Brooklyn is in a committed relationship, a relationship that will suffer as Brooklyn is pulled into the whirlwind that is Shane Knox. What ensues is the building relationship between Brooklyn and Shane, and the potential fallout as their time together comes to an end with Shane’s approaching championship fight.

Brooklyn Roth is no stranger to heartache; a previous relationship with an MMA fighter ended badly, and too many memories of her parents’ disastrous marriage leave our heroine struggling between head and heart as it pertains to our story line hero. Shane Knox had it all once and needs a championship fight to bring back the glory of what once was. Partnering with Team Domination meant Shane had another chance at the top prize including a shot at a happily ever after with the woman he loved.

The relationship between Shane and Brooklyn is one of forbidden love: Brooklyn is the boss’s daughter, in a committed relationship (or so she claims) but Shane is persistent and struggles to accept the boundaries Brooklyn has drawn between our leading couple. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Addressing the elephant in the room, there is no cheating per say but the emotional affair between Shane and Brooklyn, and Shane’s pursuit of Brooklyn, and his persistent flirting and sexy banter will be the death of her current relationship back home. The early one on one banter is rife with nasty innuendo and cut downs that felt more like two siblings fighting to get the upper hand.

We are introduced to Team Domination and the Roth family of MMA fighters: father and patriarch Blake Roth, and his sons Liam and Finn; Shane’s mother Tammy Oliver, his best friend Hector; and Brooklyn’s boyfriend Trey, and her ex (MMA fighter) Conrad ‘Croc’ Rochenski. Liam and Chelsea’s story line is next in UNTIL WE’RE MORE.

The world building looks at the battle to be number one, and the fractured dynamics of one family pulled apart and pushed together by the world of the MMA.

UNTIL YOU’RE MINE is an energetic story line. The premise is exciting and realistic; the romance is sensual and passionate; the characters are spirited and colorful.

Copy supplied by the publisher for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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