Monthly Archives: January 2018

The Cunning Thief (Stolen Hearts #6) by Mallory Crowe-Review & Excerpt

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The Cunning Thief (Stolen Hearts#6) by Mallory Crowe-Review and Excerpt

The Cunning Thief

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 10, 2018

Don’t believe a word he says.
Don’t look in his eyes.
Don’t let him inside.
And whatever you do, don’t kiss him.

The next thing you know, Tristan will take everything you own. And Shae is about to find out exactly how dangerous it can be to trust the Cunning Thief.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE CUNNING THIEF is the sixth instalment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult STOLEN HEARTS romantic suspense series. This is Tristan and Shae’s story line. THE CUNNING THIEF 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 (Tristan and Shae) THE CUNNING THIEF follows the building romance between professional thief and perpetual liar Tristan, and house flipper Shae Grant. With the recent acquisition of an older home known as Seaside Escape, on the Pete Beach Florida, Shae found herself the target of the Blackthorne Group, a questionable company with deep pockets, and an inside line with the local dirty police. Threats of intimidation and bodily harm against Shae push our heroine into a literal closet where she will come face to face with her future-a man whose lies and deceit further the conflict for our story line heroine. Enter Tristan, a professional thief and liar, and the man with whom Shae will fall in love. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Tristan and Shae; the search for the truth about the attacks against our story line heroine; and the potential fall out when their time together draws to a close.

THE CUNNING THIEF follows Tristan and Shae, along with the rest of the Hart Securities gang, led by Scott Hart and Toni Murray, as they set into motion the take down of the Blackthorne Group, and reveal the true reason behind the attacks against our story line heroine.

The relationship between Tristan and Shae is bitter and testy as they battle their attraction to one another while trying to uncover the truth. Tristan is a man of secrets who doesn’t do relationships but finding himself falling in love may threaten his future assignments with Hart Securities. The $ex scenes are limited, intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to the Hart Securities Team-Scott and Toni (The Reluctant Thief #4); Hunter and Gage- Tristan’s former partners in crime; as well as Melissa Slade, first introduced in book five The Vengeful Thief. There is a story line developing between Melissa and Gage. The requisite evil has many faces including one too familiar to our story line heroine.

THE CUNNING THIEF is a quick read; a story of family and business partners; of betrayal and revenge; of secrets and lies. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are charismatic and energetic; the romance is heated and frenzied. Mallory Crowe’s STOLEN HEARTS is a sexy and sassy series that you do not want to miss.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Cocky Thief
The Beautiful Thief
The Dangerous Thief
The Reluctant Thief
The Vengeful Thief
The Cunning Thief

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

“Make it something… you’ve never told anybody else before.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath, as he appeared to think carefully about what he would share. “I love the water.”
She reached out and playfully tapped his arm. “Come on. That’s not a secret.”
“Wait, wait. I haven’t gotten to the good part yet. When I was young, really young, I almost drowned. My dad wanted to teach me how to swim and thought the best way was just to push me off the fishing boat, no lifejacket or nothing. He thought that since it was life-and-death, I would just figure it out. Well, I didn’t. I was half dead. Lost consciousness and everything. It was only dumb luck that someone on a nearby boat saw it and jumped in after me.”
Shae didn’t know what she had expected him to reveal, but this was so much more than she’d asked for. “That’s terrible. Your dad wouldn’t come in for you when he saw you were having trouble?”
Tristan shrugged nonchalantly, as if the fact that his father almost killed him wasn’t a big deal. “I figure he still thought he was right. That eventually, I would just know how to swim and I would find my way back to the surface. The Good Samaritan got the water out of my lungs and took me to the hospital. For the next few years, I never even set foot on the beach. I did anything I could do to avoid water.”
She thought back to what he’d opened with. That he loved water. “So what changed?”
“My dad died. All he left me with was anger and resentment. I don’t know. All shit that wasn’t doing me any good then. So one summer, I rented this little cottage on a lake in Montana. Every day, I’d go in the water and wade a little bit deeper. Eventually, I was in over my head and not drowning. By the end of the summer, I could actually swim across the lake and back without any problems. So now I love the water. It’s not a bad memory for me anymore. It’s one more thing I conquered. I beat it. So there. Now you know something about me that nobody else does.”
Tristan looked down at her. The clouds must’ve parted, because the moon was suddenly bright on his face. He said the words nonchalantly, but the expression in his eyes was so different. It seemed… vulnerable. As though he were looking to her for approval. To see whether she thought his fear of the water had been ridiculous, or she was proud of his conquering it. Shae didn’t have any comforting words to give him. She and her own father seemed to be struggling throughout her entire life, but he never tried to kill her at least. Then again, Shae had never been good with words. So she decided not to say anything. Instead, she stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. It started slow. Soft. Innocent. Tristan stayed still as her hands went up to his face, and she moved her lips against his.
At first, she thought she’d done something wrong. Maybe she’d misread this. Maybe he wasn’t really into her. Maybe she’d just gone and made a fool of herself. Right as she was about to pull away, something snapped in Tristan. He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against his body as he finally kissed her back.
He opened his mouth over hers, and his tongue pushed inside as his hands moved along her back. One hand held still as the other found the curve of her ass through her dress and pulled her tightly against his very pronounced erection.
Shae gasped at the onslaught of sensations. She went through a mental list of the kisses she’d shared with different men, and nothing compared to this. This was desperate. This was all-consuming. She was confused, and turned on, and she never wanted it to stop. She willingly molded herself against his body and went up on her tiptoes for a better angle. One hand played with the back of his hair while the other roamed down a strong, muscular back, willing his shirt to disappear so it could be skin against skin. She’d just gotten to his waist when she felt something hard, and obviously not part of him. She pulled away with a questioning look, but he wasn’t looking at her. His attention was over her shoulder, and his expression was hard. He didn’t look like a man who had just been kissing her like she’d just been kissed. He looked focused and… angry?
“We have company,” he said.

About The Author

Mallory CroweABOUT THE AUTHOR — Mallory Crowe is the award winning author of the Fractured Farrells series, the Bad Boys of the Underworld series and many other novels. She grew up surrounded by rescue dogs and escaping into romance books whenever possible. After trying to do the “adult” thing by getting an accounting degree and CPA license, she decided to try her hand at writing and never looked back.
An avid traveler, reader, and Netflix addict, Mallory currently lives in Michigan, with her husband and three laid-back dogs.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/croweink
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iiy4cF
Website: http://mallorycrowe.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMalloryCrowe
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13623321.Mallory_Crowe

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The Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby by Kira Archer – a Review

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The Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby by Kira Archer – a Review

 

The Billionaire's Unexpected Baby

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
One minute, pregnant Leah Andrews is throwing up over the side of a yacht andthe next, she’s married to party boy Brooks. It’s an arrangement born of sheerdesperation to save her job, but now the tabloids are all over them, their friends are running a pool betting on whether they’ll actually stay married until Baby Day, and worst of all, she and her new husband might just be falling for one another. But they belong in opposite worlds. It’ll never work.

Billionaire app developer Brooks Larson lives his life on the light side. Until he tries to play hero and claims to be Leah’s husband. Now he’s up to his ears in Lamaze classes, baby powder…and unexpected marital bliss. But he’d make a rotten husband and horrible father. Leah and the baby deserve so much better. Add in major baby daddy drama and the whole situation is the worst idea EVER. But sometimes those bad ideas might just be the best ones.

 

 

Review:

The Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby is the second book in her Winning The Billionaire series by Kira Archer.

 Leah Andrews life has taken an unexpected turn.  Pregnant (from a one night stand) and on a trip with friends for her god daughters christening she meets billionaire bad boy Brooks Larson.  Not long after their return home, Brooks slip of the tongue almost costs Leah her job at the private Catholic school she was just hired at to be a literature teacher. With no other alternative – Brooks tells Leah’s boss that she won’t be a single mother – they are getting married. And so out of necessity comes a marriage. A marriage that for all practical purposes is fake. Except neither Leah nor Brooks can deny their feelings for each other.

While Brooks has never been looking for any kind of relationship, Leah makes him think about his future. A future he wants her included in.  But the fact that Leah is pregnant with another man’s child doesn’t matter much to Brooks. That is until Brooks sees who it is – Marcus Cassidy.  An old college friend of his who stole an app idea out from under Brooks and ran with it.  While Brooks is fullfilling his obligation of pretending to be Leah’s husband his life becomes overwhelmed with baby preparations. But Brooks isn’t sure he is what Leah or her baby need in their lives. So much so that he decides to walk away – thinking he is saving her from himself. Little did he know that Leah wishes him to be her husband for now and forever. She loves him as much as he loves her. Can they make it work, even with Marcus in his childs life? Can they move beyond the fake marriage and make one of love and happily ever afters?  

I love the complexity and stubbornness of both Leah and Brooks. Even though Brooks is a billionaire – he turned out to be kind, sweet and very compassionate.  Leah is a strong, independent woman. And she will do whatever it takes to have this child and raise her properly.  But when she almost loses her job – she has no choice to go along with the plan of faking their marriage. And what ensues is beautiful and wonderful. Watching Brooks develop and open himself to the idea of marriage and kids was magical and fulfilling.  He made me laugh and smile to myself on several occasions throught the book. 

This is a stand alone book which was just wonderfully written so that if you haven’t read the first book – you will now want to! The passion and love between Brooks and Leah was delightfully written and made this a quick read. Only because I just didn’t want to put the book down without finding out what would happen next!  

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

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Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

 

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Death Below StairsAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.

 

Review:

Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley is the 1st book in her new The Below Stairs Mystery series.  Though Ashley writes in many different genres, this was the first time I was going to read a Victorian style mystery.  What I enjoyed the most about this mystery was that it spent a lot of time in a mansion, which had a wonderful feel of ‘Downton Abbey’, with the normal household staffing with housekeeper, cooks, house steward, maids, footman, valet, butlers, etc. 

Kat Holloway, our heroine, is a well known cook, who takes a job in household of the Rankin family, after her recent job ended when her employers moved.   She is a smart, confident, independent, a strong heroine, who immediately shows her strength to the household staff, even to the master of the house, Lord Rankin.   Kat, who is just around 30 years of age,  is also very loyal and protective of those she works with, and will stand up for them.  Before the next day begins, she discovers the dead body of her assistant, and a murder investigation will begin.

Daniel McAdam, our hero, is not a member of the household, but he is a friend (future love interest) of Kat, and when she decides to investigate, it will be Daniel who will step in to help her.  Daniel is sort of a mystery man; one who cares for Kat, and she slowly for him, but one who seems to have different disguises.  Who is Daniel McAdam?  He can look like a gentleman; a servant, a spy or is he with the police. Either way, he is one of the good guys, and very protective of Kat.  Daniel also has a young son, who was a nice added element.  Kat has her own secret, with a daughter, Grace that lives with a friend, since Kat cannot take care of her, having to work all the time to pay the bills. 

As they investigate the murder, Daniel with help from Kat, and two other very good secondary  characters begin to realize that this murder was a cover-up of a higher complex crime that could go as high as the safety of the Queen.   There were a number of situations where their lives were in danger.

The mystery was good, but the background, with all those secondary characters (especially Lady Cynthia and Daniel’s friend) made this a very good read.  I did like Kat and Daniel together and as a team.  I expect we will see more romance between them in future books.  If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and very well written by Jennifer Ashley, I suggest you start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Giveaway

Jennifer Ashley’s publisher, is graciously offering a paper copy of DEATH BELOW STAIRS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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3. LIKE Jennifer Ashley on Facebook

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8. Giveaway open USA only.

9. Giveaway runs from January 11- 15, 2018

 

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Headmaster (Lessons From the Rack #2) by Tara Sue Me-Review & Giveaway

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Headmaster (Lessons From the Rack #2) by Tara Sue Me-Review & Giveaway

 

HEADMASTER
Lessons From the Rack #2
by Tara Sue Me
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: January 16, 2018

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 16, 2018

Lennox MacLure, owner of the RACK Academy, has sworn off the Dominant/submissive lifestyle. Years ago, his submissive, Winnie, died in a car accident following a heated argument for which he blames himself. Guilt-ridden and emotionally closed off, Lennox sees the academy as both his punishment and penance for her death.

Mariela, a dance instructor and a natural submissive, was Winnie’s best friend and longs to help Lennox move past his grief. She’s accepted that he will never see her as anything more than a friend, but she still wants to help him acknowledge what he needs. Mariela comes up with a plan of seduction, guaranteed to unleash the Dominant he’s willfully buried—but the passion they unleash could prove to be stronger than they are ready to handle.

••••••••••

REVIEW: HEADMASTER is the second instalment in Tara Sue Me’s contemporary, adult LESSONS FROM THE RACK, BDSM erotic, romance series focsing on the exclusive $ex academy The RACK. This is RACK owner and Dominant Lennox MacLure, and dancer/submissive Mariela’s story line. HEADMASTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Lennox and Mariela were first introduced in book one The Professor –Fulton Matthews and Andie Lincoln’s story line.

NOTE: HEADMASTER is an erotic story with BDSM sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers including caning and spanking.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mariela and Lennox) HEADMASTER follows the building but struggling relationship between submissive and RACK dance instructor Mariela, and RACK owner and Dominant Lennox MacLure. Three years earlier Lennox fell in love with Mariela’s best friend-a woman far from submissive but a woman Lennox hoped to ease into the lifestyle he lived and worked. A tragic accident destroyed any hopes for a future leaving our story line hero in a world of guilt, grief and remorse. Fast forward to present day wherein submissive Mariela, a woman who has loved Lennox MacLure from afar, tries desperately to get Lennox to notice the woman in front of his eyes. A fractured friendship and palpable sexual attraction pulls our couple together but Lennox’s ongoing guilt over the loss of his previous sub continues to push our heroine out of his life. What ensues is the on again, off again D/s relationship between Lennox and Mariela, and the potential fall out when Lennox leaves to find what it is he has been avoiding all along.

HEADMASTER is a story of two people pulled together by circumstance and mutual loss; a relationship predicated on the BDSM lifestyle but a relationship that must endure one man’s ongoing grief and guilt over the death of someone he loves. Although there is no timeline on grief, Lennox is but a shell of his former self and refuses to accept his Dominant life. Mariela battles not only her feelings for, but the ongoing rejection of, the man that she loves, and in this the struggle to accept her undying devotion is questionable in the face of the constant rejection.

HEADMASTER is a roller coaster of emotions knowing the attraction between our leading couple is tempered by guilt and grief. Mariela continues to make herself available to a man who isn’t ready to move on from the past-a man who struggles with too many memories and a loss of motivation. The premise is imaginative and creative but there are some unresolved issues that got lost in the build up; the romance is highly sexual, erotic and intense; the characters are broken, dynamic and charismatic

Reading Order and Previous Review
Master Professor
Headmaster

Reviewed by Sandy

Copy supplied by Netgalley

About the Author pink

FOLLOW: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Tara-Sue-Me-

Tara Sue Me is the New York Times bestselling author of the Submissive series, including The Enticement, The Training, The Dominant, and The Submissive. She lives in the southeastern United States with her family, two dogs, and a cat.

 

 

Giveaway pink

The Reading Cafe and Tara Sue Me’s publisher are offering a paper copy of HEADMASTER  to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Tara Sue Me 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. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from January 11-16, 2018

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Mikhail by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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Mikhail by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

Mikhail Banner

 

MikhailAmazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

DESCRIPTION

A dragon never leaves his hoard unguarded. His heart is another matter. 

The second eldest in an ancient line of Russian dragon shifters, Mikhail Barinov had one job: protect one of the family hoard of jewels. Distracted by the English virgin queen Elizabeth, who was as dazzling as she was devious; he lost everything. Five centuries of exile later, news that a construction crew has unearthed a massive trove of gold and jewels sends him racing to London, determined to steal back his family’s treasure…and his honor. 

Professional gemologist Piper Linwood can’t wait to bury herself in her newest project, evaluating a hoard of Elizabethan-era treasure. But both her life and career are threatened when a mysterious, brooding man with a dangerous smile—and an even more dangerous kiss—snatches the lot. 

Unwillingly swept along for the ride, Piper discovers Mikhail is no mere thief. And the dragon on his back is more than a tattoo. It’s a living, breathing extension of a bad boy she’s finding harder and harder to resist. But his heart is a treasure she can never own…because to save her career, she’ll have to betray his trust.

 

 

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Dragons and dragons and dragons .. OH MY!  Love me some yummy dragon shifters and boy did this dragon shifter ever turn up the heat! 🙂

Mikhail by Lauren Smith (love it when book titles come with just a name) is the second book in her “Brothers of Ash and Fire” series and I have to say this one delivered as well as the first one did.  This series is based on a family of dragon men who are guarding their “precious” and finding their mates.  Obviously a paranormal romance but it’s the dash of history that really nailed it for me.  You will get some adventure, intensity, a good myth story line and some hot yummy dragons who journey towards their eternal happiness .. and the sexy is a super bonus.

Mikhail Barinov is a dragon shifter who had been responsible for guarding precious gems for his family but was betrayed by none other than Queen Elizabeth I and had those gems stolen from him.  What made it worse was that the Queen was his mate and inflicted serious pain and humiliation his way.  Now hundreds of years later, Mikhail learns that those gems have been uncovered and he does all he can to make sure he gets them back to save face.  Mikhail is dark but not so that he is annoying.  He is loyal and losing his gems really hit him hard, so he became focused quite intensely on recovering them.  This led to him being broody and a little stand offish.  When he meets another woman who can potentially ruin his chance of turning things around he take extreme actions to ensure she won’t.  This includes sweeping her away and showing her his world.  Little did he realize that there is possibility of another mate being found, but this dragon isn’t sure he can trust second chances.

Piper Linwood is a gemologist and is excited about the find that makes all her hard worth it.  Piper is spunky and sweet and knows she has literally struck gold when gems from 500 years ago come across her path.  She comes to realize that there is another as interested in these gems and she finds herself strangely drawn to him.  NOTHING will distract her from her job though .. until it kinda does, and she finds herself swept away to a place that only exists in books and stories.  When broody dragon shows his scales, she realizes that she is in a world of danger, and her losing her heart may be the mot dangerous thing she has done yet.

I LOVED these two together.  What a perfect match they were.  They each took chances on the other and boy can you ever appreciate Lauren’s writing when it comes to the passion.  You will find yourself totally rooting for these two.  Once again I was swept away in a world that Lauren created and I am eager for more.  Always writing with a natural flow and ease, I never once fell bored during the story.  I will say the historical twist was epic as I am a huge Tudor lover, so having two genres merged the way this is was a real treat.  

This is not a long read and I do recommend that you read the first book of this series before this one.  Mikhail is introduced there and you can appreciate his character far more by understanding what other around him feel.  Trust me on this one.

Another grand slam Lauren Smith .. please keep them coming!

HAPPY READING!

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Giveaway-Green/Gold

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

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

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 only

8. Giveaway runs from January 10 – 15, 2018

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A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer

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A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer

 

A Wedding at Two Love LaneAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Never say never when it comes to love.

Greer Jones has made a real name for herself at the elegant matchmaking agency Two Love Lane. For a lot of reasons—including a past engagement she broke off—practical tech expert Greer is more interested in the business of love than the experience of it, but she can’t help but covet a gorgeous wedding gown that’s the prize in an upcoming cocktail-party contest. In a moment of brazen inspiration, Greer asks a handsome Brit she’s only just met to accompany her to the party. He agrees—and Greer believes her date is a starving artist. Little does she know the truth. . .

Ford Smith, as he calls himself, is actually Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. Fresh off a breakup with a money-grubbing siren who deceived him all the way to the altar, Ford has no desire to fall in love—especially with Greer who, like the desired wedding gown, is beautiful but only skin-deep. But soon Ford realizes that there’s more to Greer than meets the eye. Her professionalism is matched only by her passion for life and love. . .and, best of all, she has no idea that he’s to the manor born. Could it be that true love is priceless after all?

 

 

Review:

A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer is the 2nd book in her Two Love Lane series. Greer Jones, our heroine, is a partner in a popular matchmaking agency called Two Love Lane, which covers everything from start to finish; finding the perfect match for the client, helping pick out the wedding dress, and the planning and preparation of the wedding event.   Greer loves her job, and helping everyone have their happy ever after; but she has not been successful in finding true love for herself.

At an auction, Greer sees a wedding dress that is her dream, and she is desperate to win the bid.  After a bidding war, a local business man and villian, hates Greer and her partners (because they couldn’t find him a match), wins the dress, much to Greer’s chagrin.  Why does she want the dress, especially since there is no man in her life?  She collects a wedding perfect dress album for one day, and this was it.

Ford Smith, a British painter, happens to be at the auction and meets Greer.  Later, they meet again, as Greer ex- fiancée is in town with his new fiancée, and they plan to stay in the same town as Greer.  Ford, was going to paint the ex’s fiancée, but changes his mind; as he finds Greer to be the perfect person to be his muse and he wants to paint her. 

When the infamous wedding dress is put up in a contest, Greer is determined to enter and win it.  However, they will only accept submissions from engaged couples, and Greer convinces Ford to pretend to be her betrothed.  A friendship begins, which will eventually turn into a sweet romance.   Ford is attracted to Greer, as she is smart, independent, brash and totally different than any other women he has met.  Greer thinks Ford is a starving painter, only to find out later that he is wealthy, and his real name is Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. 

What follows is a fun sweet romance between two different people, from different worlds, and yet their chemistry together was sizzling.  The contest, which had about 12 entrants, involved Greer/Ford, her ex-fiancee/his betrothed and other brides to be that was fun to watch, as they had to do different events over the course of a period of a few days, with people voting.  Nearer to the end, things did get wild with some dishonest competition.  Did Greer win?  You need to read the book to find out. 

A Wedding in Two Love Lane was a nice sweet fun romance, a great couple and some good secondary characters.  I thought though that the ending was very abruptly done, and I would have liked to see more.  Overall, it was an excellent story, which I suggest you should read, especially if you enjoy fun romances.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Crown Prince’s Bride by Donna Alward – a Review

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The Crown Prince’s Bride by Donna Alward – a Review

 

The Crown Prince's Bride

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
A Crown Prince gets a second chance at love with the woman who’s always been there – in the next book in the prince duology from Donna Alward!

The Crown Prince of Marazur is suffering from a broken heart. After losing his wife and future queen, he knows he’ll never find love again with a partner as wonderful as her. He’s thrown himself into his duties and is trying to be a better father to his two children, but he’s lonely. Even though falling in love seems impossible, so does spending the rest of his life alone.

Stephani has been Raoul’s assistant for years. Smart, loyal, and discreet, Stephani is fantastic at her job. Except for the fact that she’s been in love with her boss since her first week of employment, not that she would ever act on it. Besides, Raoul is first in line to the throne and she’s his assistant. If Raoul ever marries again, it’ll be with someone who can be a future queen. Not someone like Stephani.

When Raoul’s date for a state dinner is unable to attend, he invites Stephani. She’s well-versed on the issues and castle protocol, and Raoul’s always been comfortable with her. But when Stephani arrives, Raoul hardly recognizes her. Is this stunning woman the same one who’s run his office for years?

The Crown Prince’s Bride is the ultimate fairy tale for readers looking for Cinderella to get her prince—and be able to keep him past midnight

 

 

Review:

The Crown Prince’s Bride by Donna Alward is the 2nd and final book in her sweet The Prince duology. Once again, Donna Alward gives us a wonderful sweet delightful romance.  The Crown Prince’s Bride continues the story of the Royal family of Marazur, with the Crown Prince, Raoul now the hero.  The story picks up close to when it left in the first book.  The wedding planning for Diego and Rose is on the way, with everyone working hard in the preparation.  Stephani, who is Raoul assistant, is working overtime time to make sure the wedding goes as planned, as well as helping Raoul with his duties.

Just a brief refresher:  a year ago, Raoul wife’s , Ceci was killed in a car crash, devastating him and his two children.  Stephani was Ceci’s cousin, and has worked for Raoul for 8 years.  Over the years working for Raoul, she knew she had fallen in love with him, but she loved Ceci and would never allow herself to push her feelings. 

Even now, with a year past, Stephani knows Raoul is still in mourning, and continues to hide her feelings, as she works hard to be the best assistant for him.   At Diego and Rose’s wedding, Stephani had to step in to be Rose’s maid of honor, and wore the fancy beautiful gown.  Raoul begins to see her in another light, besides being his trusted friend and valued assistant.  What follows, is a slow built romance that will bring them very much together, with both knowing their true feelings.  They take a week long business trip to the Rivera, and act on their lustful feelings. 

 Raoul though falling hard for Stephani, is afraid to move forward, claiming he is not ready, causing  Stephani to reevaluate her staying in Marazur.  She loves her job, and is very good at it, but she knows Raoul is afraid of moving forward, and she needs to put her own happiness to the forefront.  She makes moves to leave and find another job, because she can’t handle her feelings for Raoul, and feels he needs to find a proper Queen.

Raoul, with advice from his brother, father and friends realize that his fears are also based on losing another person he loved, and the pain it causes.  He must get past the grief and pain to  accept the joy that could come from being with someone he loves.   Will he let Stephani leave?

The Crown Prince’s Bride is a sweet, wonderful, heartwarming romance, with some heartbreaking moments. I loved this family that we got to know in the first book, and continued to spend time with in this book.  I loved Diego and Rose, and loved Raoul and Stephani equally.
  
Donna Alward has written a very enjoyable, sweet contemporary romance.  She always gives us great likable characters, and  from the start you will root for Stephani to get her fairy tale romance.   

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Infraction (Player’s Game #2) by Rachel Van Dyken-a review

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INFRACTION (Players Game #2) by Rachel Van Dyken-a review

Infraction

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 9,2018

Pro footballer Miller Quinton would do anything for his best friend and teammate—including “fake dating” his friend’s sister. What no one knows is that seven months ago in Vegas, Miller and Kinsey did a whole lot more than just kiss. Miller knows that this cheerleader is off-limits to him and any guy on the team. Still, he can’t stop himself.

Kinsey’s whole world is on the verge of crumbling. Her dad has cancer. Her overprotective brother is falling apart. Dating Miller may be a fake-out, but he’s the one guy who can make her forget about everything—including all the reasons she stayed away from football players. With each heated moment, Miller feels more like a safe place…even though he’s not safe at all.

Now temptation is testing every rule in the game of love. But how long can they go on playing when winning is a harder goal than either of them imagined?

•••••

REVIEW: INFRACTION is the second instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult PLAYERS GAME sports, romance series focusing on the men and women of the professional football team and their cheerleaders The Bellevue Bucks. This is the Bucks tight-end Miller Quinton, and head cheerleader Kinsey Romonov’s story line. Miller and Kinsey were first introduced in book one FRATERNIZE wherein Miller was part of a love triangle (of sorts) featuring his life long best friend Emerson Rodner, and fellow player Grant Sanchez. INFRACTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from three first person points of view (Kinsey, Miller, Jax Romonov) INFRACTION follows the friends to lovers, fake romance trope between Bellevue Bucks head cheerleader Kinsey Romonov, and tight end Miller Quinton. Months earlier, following a weekend in Vegas with Miller Quinton, Kinsey found herself forcibly sent to Europe to escape the return of her abusive ex –boyfriend Anderson. Seven months later, Kinsey’s return to America is met with some devastating news that will all but destroy her immediate family. Not only does her father have cancer but her abusive ex-boyfriend is now a member of the Bellevue Bucks. Enter Miller Quinton, Kinsey’s friend, and her brother Jax’s teammate, and the man with whom Kinsey will fall in love. To avoid further conflict with Kinsey’s ex, her brother and ‘America’s quarterback’ Jax Romonov offers up a plan to protect the sister he has always loved-a fake dating scenario between Miller and Kinsey-a hands off relationship that, unbeknownst to Jax, began months before.

The attraction between Kinsey and Miller is immediate but an attraction that must be both played up and played down in order to keep the demons at bay, and Jax from discovering the truth about their past relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top sexually graphic, language and text.

A side relationship is developing between Jax Romonov and Kinsey’s friend, fitness model and yoga instructor Harley. Harley is a fiercely independent and brutally honest woman who has caught the eye of ‘America’s Quarterback’, an over-protective alpha male where it concerns his younger sister. Pulled in too many directions Jax struggles with the emotional fall out of his father’s illness, potential threats to his sister, and the fake relationship that isn’t fake-at all.

INFRACTION is a story of family and friendship; secrets and betrayal; falling in love and letting go of the past. The cancer story line is emotional and heart breaking-a heart break that furthers Jax’s spiral out of control. The premise is emotional and sexy; the romance is passionate and fated; the characters are colorful and charismatic.

Reading Order
Fraternize
Infraction

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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