Monthly Archives: March 2018

The Duke of Ruin (The Untouchables #8) by Darcy Burke-Review & Excerpt Tour

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The Duke of Ruin (The Untouchables #8) by Darcy Burke-Review & Excerpt Tour

THE DUKE OF RUIN
The Untouchables #8
by Darcy Burke
Release Date March 27, 2018
Genre: adult, historical, romance

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

With her betrothal to a duke in tatters and scandal imminent, Diana Kingman has two choices: live in certain ignominy or flee into obscurity. Diana wants solitude. She never wished to wed in the first place. However, her father will stop at nothing to betroth her to one of the finest titles in the realm…no matter how loathsome the bearer. Escape is Diana’s only option, and she’ll pay any price to achieve freedom.

Universally blamed for the death of his wife and unborn child, Simon Hastings doesn’t dispute his guilt over an accident he cannot even remember. He hasn’t had a drink since, nor a moment’s peace. Determined to be a better man, Simon rescues a young woman in need—only to be accused of kidnapping. They must marry to save him from prison. But how can a man haunted by the love he lost and a woman afraid to get too close find happiness together?

••••

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

OH MY HEART! That was deep, and while a lovely story, I didn’t find this overly light and fluffy. Could be my own mindset at the time, but I found this exceptionally emotional to read. I love emotions in a book for the record, so this isn’t in any way, shape or form a complaint, I’m just stating I got the feels big time here.

The Duke of Ruin by Darcy Burke is the 8th book in her “The Untouchables” series. Usually this far into a series one can expect to get a little bored but I have to say I have not had one moment of feeling this way. A historical romance, Darcy will send you back in time with a lush setting, rich characters and an angst/love filled story will be enjoyed.

Simon Hastings is the Duke of Romsby and is one messed up man. He believes he is at fault for killing his wife and unborn child and has been living a life in ruin and punishment. He is really such a good man and this is evident when he begins to interact with our leading lady. He is kind and handsome and has given up much in his life in order to try and walk a straighter line in life. He is also empathetic to other tortured souls and it’s this that draws him to Diana.

Diana Kingman was betrothed to another man (we meet her in the book The Duke of Ice) and has a choice to make. She can stay and be humiliated or she can get out of dodge. She never wanted to marry that man in the first place but her father will not ease up. Destined for a life of misery, Diana does what she has to do to take care of herself in the only way she knows how. She is smart and beautiful, a little reserved but quite compassionate as well. She blooms in a strong way when she meets Simon and you can see both heal so beautiful;y in the others company.

The romance is sweet and sexy and filled with some angst. These two really grow in their journey together and when truths are revealed it’s quite satisfying. I really enjoyed this couple because Darcy created them perfectly for the other, They compliment each other. I would recommend you read “The Duke of Ice” as you are given a back story and I believe it’ll allow you to appreciate these two a bit better. That being said it is not required to enjoy this book. I actually recommend the entire series as I have loved every single book in it.

Great spring read for a historical romance craving.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Rachel T.


He turned from the fire and contemplated the bed. It was neither big nor small and would support a blanket between them. However, there was no dressing screen to allow for privacy.
He wasn’t entirely sure how to broach the sensitive topic of disrobing, but since they would be spending several nights together, it had to be done. He looked back at her over his shoulder. “You aren’t planning on sleeping in your clothes again, are you?”
She turned in front of the fire but didn’t come toward him. “I’d rather not. But I’m afraid I’m in need of assistance. Unfortunately, my wardrobe depends upon a maid.”
“I’d be happy to provide help. Just remember I’ve no experience as a ladies’ maid.”
“Did you never undress your wife?” She looked away, angling herself back toward the fire. “Forget I asked that.”
He went back toward her and spoke softly. “Don’t.” She turned her head, her blue eyes dark and vivid in the firelight. “We are going to get to know each other much better than we ought, and I don’t want you to regret things you might say. I assumed you would be curious about my wife. Yes, I undressed her. Many times. If I close my eyes, I can still feel her skin.” But he didn’t close his eyes. He couldn’t. She—Miss Diana Kingman—held him captive with her gaze.
Miss Kingman exhaled. “You must promise not to look. Aside from what you must do to unlace my gown.
“I promise.” He kept his voice and his gaze steady. “We must trust each other on this journey. Implicitly. That’s why I won’t shy away from your questions.”
She nodded, then presented her back. “Will you leave while I undress? I’ll need ten minutes or so. I’ll be in bed when you return and will close my eyes while you disrobe.”
It was a good plan, particularly since he thought a walk outside in the cold might do him some good. A beautiful woman’s back presented to him for the purpose of assistance with disrobing was too reminiscent of a time gone by and yet wholly new. Miss Kingman wasn’t Miriam, nor did he want her to be.
Simon quickly unlaced her gown and helped lift it over her head. He laid it across one of the chairs set at a small table and returned to help her remove her petticoat and unlace her corset. When he finished, he dropped his hands to his sides.
“I can finish,” she said, without looking back. “Thank you.”
He left without a word, closing the door firmly behind him. He inhaled sharply, taking perhaps the deepest breath he had in the last ten minutes.
Thankfully he didn’t encounter anyone on his walk. He wasn’t in the mood to made idle chatter. His thoughts were bad enough—railing at him for being attracted to someone who wasn’t his wife.
But how could he expect to go through life as he had the past two years? A self-hating, forlorn monk. Oh, he put on a good face for everyone else, but no one knew how acutely his pain cut.
Tomorrow, they would be on their way to Northampton, and hopefully, things would go as smoothly as they had so far. But first he had to spend the night in her bed. Again. Only with less clothing.
Thinking it had been well more than ten minutes, he made his way back upstairs. The lantern next to the bed had been extinguished, leaving just the light from the fire to illuminate the room.
Simon looked toward the bed. Miss Kingman lay near the edge of one side—as close as she could get without falling off, he noted—her back to the center of the bed, where it looked as though she’d rolled one of the blankets and placed it between them. He hoped there were enough coverings on the bed to keep them warm. Last night, they’d worn more clothing to bed.
Hell. He wore a nightshirt to sleep in or, most often, nothing at all. Tonight, he should probably keep his smallclothes on.
Shrugging out of his jacket, he hung it on a hook in the wall. He sat down to remove his boots, working as quietly and quickly as possible. When he’d removed everything but his shirt and smallclothes, he went to his side of the bed and crawled between the icy covers. He shuddered involuntarily and felt her jerk.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “Cold bed.”
“Very,” she responded, her low, feminine voice rustling over him like a fine silk.
He considered making an offer to warm them both up—body heat would be most beneficial. But that was likely a bad idea. For so many reasons.
He turned to his side, away from her, but snuggled his back against the rolled-up blanket. That would help with the cold. And the warmer he got, the more easily he would fall asleep. And the sooner he fell asleep, the sooner he could put the proximity of Miss Kingman out of his mind.
Too bad none of that happened very quickly at all. 


 

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page,www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

Connect:

Site: www.darcyburke.com
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Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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MURDER NOTES (Lilah Love #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review,Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

MURDER NOTES

Lilah Love #1

by Lisa Renee Jones

Release Date: March 27, 2018

Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense, thriller

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

Add to Goodreads ➜ http://bit.ly/MurderNotesGoodreads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27, 2018

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones’s heart-pounding thriller of a woman’s secrets—and a past that’s about to come out of hiding…

As an FBI profiler, it’s Lilah Love’s job to think like a killer. And she is very good at her job. When a series of murders surface—the victims all stripped naked and shot in the head—Lilah’s instincts tell her it’s the work of an assassin, not a serial killer. But when the case takes her back to her hometown in the Hamptons and a mysterious but unmistakable connection to her own life, all her assumptions are shaken to the core.

Thrust into a troubled past she’s tried to shut the door on, Lilah’s back in the town where her father is mayor, her brother is police chief, and she has an intimate history with the local crime lord’s son, Kane Mendez. The two share a devastating secret, and only Kane understands Lilah’s own darkest impulses. As more corpses surface, so does a series of anonymous notes to Lilah, threatening to expose her. Is the killer someone in her own circle? And is she the next target?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: MURDER NOTES is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult LILAH LOVE romantic, suspense thriller series focusing on FBI profiler Lilah Love. A series of murders, all fitting the same MO and assassin style shooting finds our heroine jetting across the country towards the rich and famous, and a past she can’t soon forget. The Hamptons were once our heroine’s pride and joy but murderous demons and the death of her beloved mother forced Lilah away from her family and the man she once loved. Now that her brother is police chief, and her father is schmoozing the political elite, Lilah Love must tread carefully where others refuse to go but in doing so begins to unravel a close connection to everyone she knows. As more bodies begin to pile up, so too do the threatening ‘notes’ that speak of a past, she was hoping to forget.

MURDER NOTES is a story of suspense; a thrilling roller coaster ride of suspects and victims, friends and enemies, the Mexican Cartel, family secrets and too many lies. No one is talking; everyone is suspect; clues and evidence are altered as our heroine struggles to uncover the truth. Lisa Renee Jones pushes the boundaries of expectation and uncertainty leaving the reader with the disquietude of apprehension and anxiety. The romance aspect is limited but our heroine does reconnect with the man she once loved, a dangerous man whose connections run deep. MURDER NOTES is a detailed, complex and heart pounding thriller that ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt is intended for mature readers due to language and content.

“This is getting us nowhere. Go home, Kane!” And I don’t wait for his reply. I start running for the house, my hair and clothes drenched by the time I yank open the sliding glass door and rush inside, but when I turn to shut the door behind me, Kane shoves his way in, sealing us inside. “I said go the fuck home, Kane.”

“Not yet,” he says, shackling my arm and walking into me as he pulls me closer, his hand releasing my arm to move to my spine, the other at the back of my head. “And in case you didn’t get that. Let me speak your language. Not fucking yet.” His mouth closes down on mine, and
he is kissing me, his tongue stroking long against mine. The taste of him is familiar in a way no one else would understand. It’s dirty. It’s sexy. It’s that addictive danger that is Kane Mendez. It’s a man who I do know would have killed for me, and I wanted him to. Oh God. I wanted him to.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

To celebrate the release of MURDER NOTES Lisa is giving away TWO Lilah Love Mugs PLUS a Kindle Fire Tablet!

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author.

ENTER TO WIN HERE ➜ https://www.lilahlove.com/giveaway.html

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In Your Eyes (Man of the Month #6) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

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IN YOUR EYES (Man of the Month #6) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / iBooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27, 2018

Possessive hands. Wild obsession.
He’ll break any rule to claim her.

Billionaire bad boy Parker Manning buried his dark past beneath fast cars and faster women. With his chiseled good looks and Texas oil legacy, Parker’s used to laying claim to whatever—or whoever—he desires, and he’s never met a woman he couldn’t seduce into his bed.

Not, that is, until Megan Clark. Years ago, she flatly refused him. Now, she’s back—and she needs a favor. No way is Parker letting her get away again, and he conditions his agreement on one sensuous night with Megan in his bed and at his mercy.

He never expects to want more. To crave this woman who fascinates and challenges him. But he does, and now he’s determined to possess her.

But Megan’s a woman with secrets of her own, and if Parker wants to claim her, he’s going to have to conquer his past and show Megan his true heart.

Meet Mr. June. Summer’s heat has nothing on him.

And don’t miss Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook by J. Kenner and Suzanne M. Johnson, featuring recipes, slices of life, and an all new short story!

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: IN YOUR EYES is the sixth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE MONTH erotic, romance novella series focusing on a fund raiser for the popular Austin, Texas bar known as The Fix. This is billionaire businessman Parker Manning, and cosmetician Megan Clark’s story line. IN YOUR EYES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary, although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Fix on Sixth, a local Austin hangout and bar, is in desperate need of renovations and a quick influx of cash so a plan is put into motion, by a group of regulars, a plan that includes a Man of the Month calendar competition, a recipe book, and a reality show aimed at rehabbing the bar.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Parker and Megan) IN YOUR EYES follows the building romance between billionaire businessman Parker Manning, and cosmetician Megan Clark. With the success of the previous five competitions Megan Clark entertained the idea of having the entrants share fliers with family and friends but in doing so inadvertently jumped the gun on a prospective entrant. Enter billionaire businessman Parker Manning, and the man with whom Megan would fall in love. What ensues is the quick building romance between our leading couple, and the potential fall-out when Megan’s past comes looking for revenge.

IN YOUR EYES is a sexy and edgy, friends to lovers romance wherein our couple, who worked previously together, rekindled a friendship started in LA. Prior to the most recent competition, our heroine accidentally got ahead of herself before confirming Parker’s participation in the Man of the Month contest forcing Parker to ask for something in return-one night together, no questions asked, but one night that leads to something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and sensual.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the regular who have been working on the Man of the Month calendar. We are introduced to Parker’s friend Derek Winston, who may or may not have a relationship with Megan’s friend Amanda.

IN YOUR EYES is a quick read; a fast paced, enjoyable and decadent story. The premise is spirited; the romance is spicy; the characters are animated and honorable and heart warming.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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The Highlander’s Gift (Stolen Bride #8) by Eliza Knight-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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The Highlander’s Gift (Stolen Bride #8) by Eliza Knight-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

THE HIGHLANDER’S GIFT
Stolen Bride #8
by Eliza Knight
Release Date: March 27,2018
Genre: adult, historical, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27 ,2018

An injured warrior… a lady who won’t let him fail…

Betrothed to a princess until she declares his battle wound has incapacitated him as a man, Sir Niall Oliphant is glad to step aside and let the spoiled royal marry his brother. He’s more than content to fade into the background with his injuries and remain a bachelor forever, until he meets the Earl of Sutherland’s daughter, a lass more beautiful than any other, a lass who makes him want to stand up and fight again.

As daughter of one of the most powerful earls and Highland chieftains in Scotland, Bella Sutherland can marry anyone she wants—but she doesn’t want a husband. When she spies an injured warrior at the Yule festival who has been shunned by the Bruce’s own daughter, she decides a husband in name only might be her best solution.

They both think they’re agreeing to a marriage of convenience, but love and fate has other plans…

•••••••••

REVIEW:5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

This was a very sweet sweet story, but not one that makes your teeth ache. It’s a friend to lovers story, that will leave you believing in fate, and powerful first love bonds.

The Highlander’s Gift by Eliza Knight is the 8th book in the “Stolen Bride” series and I believe the first book in a spin off series. A lovely historical highland romance that will immerse you in the highlander culture and have you appreciate all the vivid imagery that this story takes place in.

Sir Niall Oliphant (what a name that is huh? lol), is a strong warrior who has faced battle many times. He is known for his archery skills and is considered one of the top fighters in the highlands. When he loses an arm in battle, he is stripped not just of his limb but of what he considers makes him a man. He no longer feels he can contribute as a warrior and wants to fade into the background. He is betrothed to a princess that he doesn’t care for let alone love. She also feels the same and makes it clear that he is no longer a man in her eyes. The marriage is called off, but he is about to have another offer laid out that just may be a pivotal moment in his comeback and return to life.

Bella Sutherland is the daughter of a famous highland chief and so far has turned down every prospect of marriage that has come her way. She has memories of a young man in her her youth that she admired and shared a strong bond with and it’s left its mark. When she hears that Niall Oliphant can be a husband to her in name only, she decides this is the man for her. Feeling respect for her new husband, she will not allow him to fester in a pool of pity and begins to spark a flame under him to get him living again. Before she knows it though, this flame sparks in a whole other way that she never expected.

This is an endearing story that proves friendship can be just as powerful as love. They complimented each other’s strength and each other’s weaknesses. They encourage the other, they believe in the other and they will go out of their way to bring out the best in the other. This story will leave your heart happy, a smile on your face and sweet dreams.

Of course we have a nasty villian who shakes up this story and that just emphasizes that Niall and Bella make one hell of a team.

I did not feel like I missed out on any story as this is the 8th book of the series but I will go back and give the first 7 a try because I’m eager to learn about a few other characters mentioned in this one.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Rachel T.

An excerpt from THE HIGHLANDER’S GIFT
Copyright © Eliza Knight 2018

 

“I fear I am lost,” he ground out.
“Then let me save ye.” There was a slight tremor in her jaw that showed behind the strength, the teasing, she was vulnerable, too. But how? Why? “Now go ahead and kiss me.”
“Kiss ye?” He stared at her lush lips, wanting more than anything to do what she asked.
“Aye. I did not entertain ye. Take your prize.”
Niall stared down at her creamy face, her wide blue eyes, and felt his body stir. She was so beautiful. So cunning. So ornery. Lord, but he wanted her. Wanted to fight to prove he could have her. To prove to her that he wasn’t broken. “A kiss from ye is not a prize, but a gift.”
“Then accept your gift,” she whispered.
Accept his gift. Accept the thing he’d dreamed about for nearly a decade. Niall bent and brushed his lips over hers. At the sudden contact, she sucked in a breath through her nose, and he instinctively tried to retreat, but she leaned into him.
“This time, I’ll need ye to be my lady,” he murmured.
“And ye will be my knight,” she whispered.
Tentatively, he touched her elbow, sliding his hand down to hers, entwining her trembling fingers with his. He breathed in the heady, sweet scent of flowers and herbs. Her lips were soft, warm and pliant. Sweet.
When had he last kissed a woman? He wasn’t certain. A year or more? And the kisses he’d shared had never been as sweet or tender as this. What was it about Bella Sutherland?
He shook with restrained desire, madness even. Wanting to deepen the kiss and knowing it was too soon, Niall pulled away.
She blinked her eyes open, staring up at him. Dazed. “Will ye fight tomorrow?”
“I will, but not because your father made a marriage between us contingent upon it. Not because ye asked me to.”
Bella nodded, all seriousness as she watched him. “I know.”
“What do ye know?”
Her hands pressed to his thumping heart. “I know ye’re a warrior.”
“I was. But I am no longer.”
“Ye are still. Ye were born to it. When I first met ye, ye were the only one confident enough in your abilities to let a lass fight ye. Confident enough to let a lass name ye her lady.”
“Ye say confident. I say foolish.”
She smiled. “Just because ye’re impaired does not mean ye’re weak. If there is one thing I know about men having grown up in a house full of them, ’tis that once a warrior always a warrior.”
Niall grunted. “Why do ye care so much?”
Bella blinked, then flashed him a radiant smile. “Just a little encouragement.”
He shook his head. “From what I know of ye, my lady, if I had to guess, I’d say ye dinna do anything only a little.”
She laughed. “Ye flatter me, Sir Niall.” She tapped his chest. “In that case, I think we shall get along splendidly.”


 

Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical, time-travel and contemporary romance novels. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your- heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.

Connect with Eliza at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

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Hot and Badgered (The Honey Badger Chronicles #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a dual review

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HOT AND BADGERED ( The Honey Badgers Chronicles #1) by Shelly Laurenston-a dual review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27,2018

It’s not every day that a beautiful naked woman falls out of the sky and lands face-first on grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s hotel balcony. Definitely they don’t usually hop up and demand his best gun. Berg gives the lady a grizzly-sized t-shirt and his cell phone, too, just on style points. And then she’s gone, taking his XXXL heart with her. By the time he figures out she’s a honey badger shifter, it’s too late.

Honey badgers are survivors. Brutal, vicious, ill-tempered survivors. Or maybe Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan is just pissed that her useless father is trying to get them all killed again, and won’t even tell her how. Protecting her little sisters has always been her job, and she’s not about to let some pesky giant grizzly protection specialist with a network of every shifter in Manhattan get in her way. Wait. He’s trying to help? Why would he want to do that? He’s cute enough that she just might let him tag along—that is, if he can keep up .

••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: HOT AND BADGERED is the first instalment in Shelly Laurenston’s contemporary, adult THE HONEY BADGERS CHRONICLES paranormal, romance series –a spin off from the author’s Pack and Pride Series. This is hybrid honey badger/ wolf Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan, and grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s story line.

NOTE: Fans of the author’s Pride and Pack series will recognize a number of the secondary and supporting characters including the Jean-Louis Parkers, Bo and Blayne, and of course the Van Holtz and Smith Packs; Sissy Mae Smith and her mate lion shifter Mitch Shaw.

Told from several third person points of view including Berg and Charlie HOT AND BADGERED introduces the MacKilligan Honey Badgers and their large extended family, and the Dunn grizzly bear family and friends of the BPC –Bear Protection Council-the international protection agency for the bear nation. HOT AND BADGERED follows the MacKilligan sisters as the struggle to stay one step ahead of a group of mercenaries intent on taking them down –dead or alive. Charlie, and her half-sisters Maxie (honey badger) and Stevie (honey badger/tiger) have been on the run for years. Their father, Freddy MacKilligan, an a$$hole of the first degree, has endangered his daughter’s lives since the moment they were born, and in this, the trio have battled enough evil in their lives to ensure a lifetime of therapy for everyone involved. When news comes that their father has died, the girls go in search of the truth only to discover that desperate times call for desperate measures and the trio find themselves hiding out amongst the shifter bears of New York. Enter Berg Dunn, grizzly shifter and security expert, and the man with whom Charlie will fall in love. What ensues is a complex battle with several forces intent on taking down the MacKilligan sisters, as a series of events and catastrophes threaten their less than well-ordered lives.

HOT AND BADGERED is a detailed storyline with all of the author’s requisite humor, sarcasm, wit and charm. Charlie MacKilligan, the eldest sister, is very protective of Stevie and Max. As members of the honey badger shifters, the trio are feared for their aggression and ability to kill but it is their ‘hybrid’ genes that make them an unknown threat in the world of the shifter nations. Stevie has a copious number of emotional and psychological problems, and her ‘shifter abilities’ attracts some unwanted attention. Maxie is a trained killer; a warrior in her own right, and a woman whose ability to get the job done catches the eye of The Group, and The Carnivore’s shifter hockey team.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including some very familiar shifters (Dee-Ann and Ric; Niles Van Holtz, Bo, Blayne, Loch, Crushek and his mate Marcella Malone) and the introduction of many more including Berg’s triplet brother and sister Dag and Britta Dunn, and Maxie’s best friend wolverine shifter Dutch Alexander. Panda shifter Shen Li, Kyle Jean-Louis Parker’s body guard has caught the eye of Stevie MacKilligan.

HOT AND BADGERED advances the series several years as there are now a number of off-spring spawned by the Pride series characters. It was great to reconnect with so many familiar characters, and witness the next-generation of shifters taking their place in the author’s story lines and series.

Shelly Laurenston has an amazing ability to pull the reader into an elaborate world of spirited and playful shifters with her fantastic story line banter, and characteristic charm. Maxie’s on-going and stingingly successful raids on the local honeycomb and bee apiaries is nothing short of pure unadulterated fun; and Stevie’s inability to navigate the world in which she was born is both heart breaking and humorous. HOT AND BADGERED is a fantastic and imaginative take on the paranormal; Shelly Laurenston is an author you do not want to skip.

 

Barb’s Review:

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston is the 1st book in her new The Honey Badgers series. I was happy to see that Laurenston was starting a new series, as I know whatever I read by her I will have fun and laugh my way through a great story. Once again, Shelly Laurenston gives us a wild crazy hysterical story, with three fantastic heroines.  

Charlie MacKilligan, our main hero in this book, is the oldest sister of the crazy MacKilligans, who are honey badgers.  Charlie is the one who keeps the other two girls in line, and believe me when I say that is some job. Lol  The three sisters are hybrids, not full honey badgers, and they have the same father, but different mothers.  All the MacKilligans, including the three sisters, hate the father who lies and steals from everyone, which gives them one common bond, they want him dead and out of their lives.  Charlie and her sisters, Max and Stevie are usually on the run, with villains trying to kidnap the child prodigy Stevie or using the girls to get the father.  Right from the start, there is an epic battle that allows us to see how powerful and good all three are, and they complement each other.  They manage to fight and kill their enemies, but run to a safe house to hide.

Berg Dunn, our hero, is a bear, and he meets a naked Charlie, when she comes out of a shower.  Seems Berg was on assignment to protect a famous musician, and before he could learn who she is, Charlie is gone.   He will come upon her again a bit later, and will offer to help them hide in his bear pack territory.  Berg is a triplet, and I loved his sister Britta, who is leader of their pack.  Berg knows he is falling hard for Charlie, but she isn’t interested in any long term relationship, as she feels it is too dangerous to be associated with the MacKilligan sisters; though she is very attracted to the cute Berg.

What follows is an exciting adventure to find out who is threatening the sisters, as well as stepping in to help some of their cousins.  There are some villains, and the story is very good.  But what makes this so good is Shelly Laurenston’s amazing ability to have us loving her characters; laughing all the way though the wild craziness that happens constantly, and create a good storyline. 

I loved loved all three of the MacKilligan sisters, who were all hilarious.  Charlie was the strongest and most respected by her Mackilligan relatives, as she has an uncanny ability to take control of any situation, as well as calm things down.  Max was a fearless amazing and yes crazy middle sister.  Everyone fears her, since she is lethal, as she smiles while she happily kills those who are threats to her sisters.  Lastly, Stevie is the younger sister, who is a genius and a prodigy, whom those nasty  villains want.  Stevie with all her smarts, has anxiety and always flips out, leaving us in hysterics at her antics.  LOL   I never had so much fun spending time with all three of these girls. 

Laurenston never lets up, as we just gobble up all the fun, with our own smiles throughout.  The romance between Berg and Charlie was slow built, and very nicely done.  I love how Charlie’s sisters try to push her toward Berg, knowing she too is falling for him.  I loved the relationship between the girls and Berg, Britta and Dam.  Trust me…this was so much fun.

Hot and Badgered was a fun, hilarious story, with great characters, sweet romance, action, suspense and so much laughter.  I cannot wait for the next book.   If you have not read Shelly Laurenston, you are missing an author that always gives us fantastic stories.  When it comes to fun, crazy, hysterical and enjoyable stories, no one does it better then Shelly Laurenston.

 

Copy supplied by Publisher via Netgalley

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Bad Business (Bad Boys of Sports #2) by Nicole Edwards-a review

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BAD BUSINESS (Bad Boys of Sports #2) by Nicole Edwards-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 27, 2018

This player’s got a lot to learn if he wants to score . . . with the boss’s daughter.

Stone: Football is more than a game to me. It’s my calling. Becoming the Dallas Wranglers’ starting quarterback before I retire is a dream come true, but with a few wins under my belt, suddenly everyone wants a piece of me. And even though being in the spotlight has its perks—beautiful women, star treatment, more beautiful women—what really gets me sweating is the watchful gaze of my sexy-as-hell PR coach, Savannah Andrews. The catch? Her father is kind of my boss. . . .

Savannah: In my family, football is big business. When your dad owns an NFL franchise, you learn a thing or two about schmoozing, and from what I can tell, it’s not a skill in Jason Stone’s playbook. Sure, the veteran quarterback is literally larger than life. With broad shoulders, muscles on muscles, and a mouth made for kissing, he may be one of the hottest men in the league—and I should know. I’ve turned down enough players to start my own all-star team. But those guys just wanted to get close to my father. Meanwhile, Stone is getting temptingly close . . . to me.

••••••••

REVIEW: BAD BUSINESS is the second instalment in Nicole Edwards’ contemporary, adult BAD BOYS OF SPORTS erotic, romance series of stand alone stories. This is thriry-four year old starting quarterback for the Dallas Wranglers Jason Stone, and the team’s PR rep thirty year old Savannah Andrews’ story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Stone and Savannah) BAD BUSINESS follows the building relationship between starting quarterback for the Dallas Wranglers Jason Stone, and the team’s PR rep Savannah Andrews. Discovering his most recent one-night stand is the boss’ daughter didn’t sit well with our story line hero but his interest and fascination with Savannah Andrews was everything he had hadn’t expected and more. Forced to work together, as the team ventured towards the playoff championships, Savannah and Stone would begin a secret relationship that will be exposed by a vindictive media personality. What ensues is the growing love and romance between Savannah and Stone, and the potential fall-out as Stone must consider his future with the team.

BAD BUSINESS is a fun and flirty story line, with two sexy and sassy characters who are willing to risk their reputations for their time together. The premise is entertaining and engaging-there is very little angst or conflict between our leading couple, something I would have expected given the circumstances of how they met and their one-night stand. The romance is seductive and hot; the characters are dynamic and energetic. BAD BUSINESS is a heart warming and animated story line –the perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-BAD REPUTATION

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Shape of My Heart by LuAnn McLane – a Review

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Shape of My Heart by LuAnn McLane – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Description
Meet the Heart Brothers: formerly the members of the cult-phenomenon boy band Heartbeat, now they’re all grown up and back together for one last reunion tour. Trends may come and go, but a group of sexy brothers with a penchant for song and dance never goes out of style…

Jimmy Heart, affectionately known as the quiet one of the group, was never completely comfortable on stage. He prefers writing songs on his balcony in his high-rise condo overlooking the sea. But when a noisy neighbor moves in next door, Jimmy’s muse goes on strike, leaving him no other choice but to confront Maggie Murphy and her little dog, too.

But the sassy author of empowering novels for teen girls refuses to pipe down, creating an ongoing battle along with an underlying sizzling attraction they both can’t deny. And when Jimmy learns that feisty Maggie has gone through emotional turmoil as a teen, he’s touched by her bravery and he vows to show her the depth of his unconditional love.

 

 

Review:

The Shape of My Heart by LuAnn McLane is the 3rd book in her Heartthrob series.  Having loved the first two books in this series, I was looking forward to reading this one. I am happy to say that The Shape of My Heart was equally as good. Refresher: This series revolves around the brothers of a former boy band ‘Heartbeat”, and in this book, Jimmy Heart is the hero, who gets to meet the woman of his dreams.  Just when he watched two of his brothers find love, Jimmy doesn’t plan on falling in love.  Jimmy is the song writer of the former band, and is content to not have to be on the stage.   While trying to write a song for Oliver & Belinda (last book heroes), he plays his guitar on the deck of his condo, and is distracted by the yapping of a dog.   Jimmy is annoyed, as he knows his neighbor Maggie owns the dog, who seems to hate him.  

Maggie Murphy, lives next door to Jimmy, and keeps her distance.   Maggie is a writer of novels to help teen girls, and though she is new to the condo, she recognizes Jimmy as a member of the former band, Heartbeat.  Seems Maggie as a teenager was obsessed with Heartbeat, and Jimmy was her favorite member. 

Jimmy will eventually confront Maggie, as her dog is distracting him so much, he is having writers block.  Jimmy will convince Maggie to allow him to try and get her dog to know him (give treats, etc), so that he won’t be so vocal. Jimmy finds himself attracted to Maggie, who does everything she can to keep her distance.  Maggie is afraid to get hurt, as she loved Jimmy from afar.  In a short time, they will become friends, and Jimmy will win the dog over (this was fun to watch too).  What follows is a slow build sweet romance, with Jimmy doing all he could to win Maggie’s affections.  Jimmy learns more about Maggie’s difficult childhood, and gets advice from his brothers how to find a way to get her to open up and trust him.  Once Maggie allows herself to relax and enjoy Jimmy’s attentions, she turns out to be fun and I loved them together.  It was great to see all the brothers and their girls again, especially when Maggie got to meet them.  Another plus for this series is the closeness of the brothers in helping each other out.

Shape of My Heart was a sweet sexy romance, a super fun couple with hot chemistry, wonderful recurring characters and a story that was very enjoyable.  LuAnn McLane once again gives us another wonderful romance, and I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Transcend (The Transcend Duet #1) by Jewel E Ann-Review Tour

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TRANSCEND (The Transcend Duet #1) by Jewel E Ann-Review Tour

TRANSCEND
The Transcend Duet #1
by Jewel E Ann
Release Date March 26, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2CAfzWA

About the book: Release Date March 26, 2018

“In another life, she was my forever.”

An unexpected tragedy leaves Professor Nathaniel Hunt a widower alone with a newborn baby.

He hires a nanny. She’s young, but well-qualified, with a simple life, a crazy name obsession, and a boyfriend she met at the grocery store.

Over time, he discovers she knows things about him—things that happened before she was born—like a hidden scar on his head, his favorite pizza, and how he cheated on a high school Spanish test.

She speaks familiar words and shares haunting memories that take him back to over two decades earlier when he lost his best friend in a tragic accident.

“I’m afraid of what’s going to happen when you realize I’m not her.”

Transcend is a sexy, mind-bending journey that uncovers possibilities, challenges beliefs, and begets the age-old question: is there life after death?

••••••••••••

REVIEW:  Originally released as the author’s exclusive newsletter serial TRANSCEND is the first instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary adult THE TRANSCEND DUET slightly paranormal, romance storyline focusing on thirty-six year old widower and single father Professor Nathaniel Hunt, twenty-one year old nanny Swayze Samuels, and twenty-three year old mechanic Griffin Calloway.

Told from first person point of view (Swayze Samuels) TRANSCEND follows our heroine, Swayze Samuels as she traverses through the minefield that has become her life. Somewhat of a ‘savant’ Swayze has the ability to recall events that happened before she was born, in and around Madison Wisconsin, as though she has experienced these events first hand. Meeting Professor Nathaniel Hunt, a widower and single father, who has lost two people in his life, has our heroine focusing on someone else’s life-a life that ended all too soon. As the professor’s new nanny Swayze begins to recall a life between Nathaniel and the young girl he once loved, a girl who died tragically before her time. What ensues is the building relationship between Nathaniel and Swayze-a relationship based upon memories of the past.

Jewel E Ann pulls the reader into a story of past memories; love and loss; betrayal and heartbreak. As Griffin looks towards the future with the woman he loves, Swayze continues to focus on the memories of someone else. TRANSCEND follows a path that treads dangerously close love triangle territory-a territory that invokes all sorts of volatile emotions for this prolific reader. Swayze is a young woman who has fallen in love with mechanic Griffin Calloway but her attraction to Nate, whether emotional, physical or transcendental, is propagated upon their mutual love for Nate’s infant daughter; their shared memories of a time before Swayze was born, and one man’s need to reclaim the past.

TRANSCEND is a wonderful, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring story line that I fear may lead to a broken heart. The premise is inventive and original; the characters are colorful, imaginative and engaging. Jewel E Ann pulls the reader into a story line that straddles the line between reality and fantasy; a heartbreaking tale of one man’s struggle to move forward, and one woman’s emotional connection to someone else’s past. TRANSCEND ends on a cliff-hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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