Monthly Archives: April 2018

Royal Treatment (His Royal Hotness #2) by Tracy Wolff-a review

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ROYAL TREATMENT (His Royal Hotness #2) by Tracy Wolff

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

Once upon a time I was being groomed to sit on the throne of Wildemar. Now I’m lucky they let me into the palace through the front door. After I was kidnapped and tortured by extremists, my reward upon my release is that nobody trusts me enough to let me be king. And since my twin brother, Kian, has assumed all my responsibilities, I figure why not take over as the black sheep?

But after breaking things off with my betrothed—we never had much chemistry, anyway—and giving the jetsetting playboy lifestyle a try, I’m starting to wonder if I’m cut out for this s***. Then I meet Lola Barnes, a drop-dead gorgeous entrepreneur from the States who’s as refreshing as she is feisty.

It’s supposed to be a one-night-stand—until the press catches wind of my “new American sweetheart.” Trouble is, Lola’s no sweetheart. But the more I see our names together in the headlines, the more I find myself craving another taste.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ROYAL TREATMENT is the second instalment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult HIS ROYAL HOTNESS erotic, romance series. This is Garrett, the former crown-prince of Wildemar, and American on-line fashion sales promoter Lola Barnes’ story line. ROYAL TREATMENT can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order.

NOTE: If you have not read book one –ROYAL PAIN-there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person points of view (Lola and Garrett) ROYAL TREATMENT follows the building relationship between former crown prince of Wildemar Prince Garrett, and American on-line fashion sales promoter Lola Barnes. While in Europe, scouting out vintage and name brand clothing American Lola Barnes will come face to face with the former crown prince of Wildemar Prince Garrett-a bruised, battered and beaten soul who months earlier had been kidnapped, tortured, and starved by a fringe militia group claiming to want the destruction of the Royal family. Seven minutes older than his twin brother Kian (Royal Pain #1) Garrett was targeted in an effort to disrupt the succession to the throne. Meeting flamboyant and strong-willed American fashionista Lola Barnes began a slow break-down of the demons controlling our hero’s life. Garrett will offer Lola a chance of a lifetime to play the ‘fake’ girlfriend to his battered prince, a relationship that turns into something more. What ensues is the building romance between Lola and Garrett, and the potential fall-out as the paparazzi take aim at our story line heroine, and a promise from the King if Garrett is willing to let go of the woman with whom he is falling in love.

Prince Garrett struggles in the face of dark memories, PTSD, and the ongoing humiliation of losing his position as heir to the Royal throne. Believing Garrett to be damaged and compromised, the King revoked Garrett’s birthright by naming Garrett’s twin Kian as the next in line to wear the crown. Lola Barnes is a successful, online business owner, a business that gives her the opportunity to travel the world. A brash and combustible American woman, Lola takes Garrett out of his comfort zone in an effort to show our hero what it is he has been missing and wants.

The relationship between Garrett and Lola is one of immediate attraction but Lola is in Europe on business, a temporary lay-over in Wildemar is about to change her life forever. Garrett has become a bit of a man-wh*re while recovering from his traumatic ordeal. Meeting Lola Barnes sets Garrett on the path to self-discovery, with the knowledge that there is more to his life than wearing a crown. The $ex scenes are erotic, passionate and intense.

ROYAL TREATMENT is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and love. The premise is heartbreaking and impassioned; the romance is sexy and seductive; the characters are colorful, dynamic and exciting. ROYAL TREATMENT looks at one man’s recovery, and one woman’s ability to break through and destroy the demons that control his mind and his heart.

Click HERE for Sandys’ review of book one ROYAL PAIN

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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As I Am by Melissa Collins-Review and Release Blitz

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AS I AM by Melissa Collins-Review and Release Blitz

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2018

Chase Hansen. Broke. College drop out. Male stripper.

My life wasn’t at all what I imagined it would be. I should have been finishing up college, interning with a well-respected business, partying with my friends. But instead, I was raising my seventeen year old brother, struggling to make ends meet. Love wasn’t even on my radar. Besides, what did I have to offer? A few crumpled singles pulled from my G-string? Defeated and exhausted, I knew I had zero chance of finding someone to love me just as I am.

Noah Carpenter. Angry. Betrayed. Doctor.

Just when I thought my life was going exactly as it should, everything turned upside down. With my final rotation in medical school complete, I finally achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. What I never expected was to catch the man of my dreams in our bed with the man of his. Beyond infuriated, I struggled to piece together the remnants of my life. Just when I’d decided to give up on love altogether, I found a man who loved me just as I am.

This is the extended version of the short story which originally appeared in the Drunk in Love Anthology.

••••••••••

REVIEW: AS I AM by Melissa Collins is a stand alone, adult, contemporary, M/M erotic, romance story line focusing on twenty-three year old reluctant male stripper Chase Hansen, and twenty-eight year old ER doctor Noah Carpenter.

NOTE: AS I AM contains graphic scenes of M/M sexual situations and may not be suitable for all readers.

Originally released as a short story in the multi-authored Drunk in Love March 2017 anthology AS I AM follows the building relationship between reluctant male stripper Chase Hansen, and ER doctor Noah Carpenter. Several months earlier Chase Hansen, one semester from graduating business college, dropped out of school to raise his sixteen year old brother Benny, upon the death of his parents, in a motor vehicle accident. Needing a quick influx of money, Chase, and his best friend Gavin audition as male strippers, in the hopes of earning some much needed cash. What Chase never expected was to come face to face with his future; a potential one-night stand who ticks all of Chase’s boxes for a happily ever after. Enter Dr. Noah Carpenter, and the man with whom Chase will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Noah and Chase, and the potential fall-out as Chase deems himself unworthy of Noah’s love.

The relationship between Noah and Chase is one of immediate attraction. Noah doesn’t usually frequent male strip clubs but he tagged along as his best friend celebrated her impending union. Chase had no aspirations as a male dancer but desperate times called for desperate measures including seducing the sexy newcomer to his late night parties. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

AS I AM is a story of family and loss; friendship and love; forgiveness, moving forward and a happily ever after. The premise is realistic and edgy; the romance is provocative and emotional; the characters are tragic, animated and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Facebook release giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaCollins.Author/posts/1519797148126409

Follow: Goodreads / website / Facebook / Twitter

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

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In The Darkness (Project Artemis #1) by KM Scott and Anina Collins-Review tour

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IN THE DARKNESS (Project Artemis #1) by KM Scott and Anina Collins-Review Tour

 

IN THE DARKNESS
Project Artemis #1
by KM Scott and Anina Collins
Release Date: April 23, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

Persephone Gilmore comes from a life of privilege. The oldest daughter of media mogul Marshall Gilmore, she grew up wanting for nothing. But her father taught her more than just how to make billions, and even though she could sit by the pool and eat bon bons every day for the rest of her life, she chooses to work as an ER nurse and live on her own away from the family estate and her father’s security.

Then one night, those choices come back to haunt her.

Nick Hanson hasn’t been truly happy since he left the FBI. Life as a hired gun for wealthy clients has paid well and made him very much in demand, but it isn’t the same as the life he used to have. When Marshall Gilmore wants to hire him to rescue his daughter after she’s taken hostage by a terrorist group, he agrees, but to save her, he’ll have to go undercover and become one of them. It’s dangerous work, but he knows what to expect and he’s never been one to turn down a challenge.

What starts out as just another case turns into something much more, and Nick finds out just how much he’s willing to do to save Persephone.

•••••

REVIEW: IN THE DARKNESS is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult PROJECT ARTEMIS series co-authored by KM Scott and Anina Collins. This is heiress Persephone Gilmore, and mercenary for hire/ former FBI agent Nick Hanson’s story line.

NOTE: Due to some of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Nick and Persephone) IN THE DARKNESS follows former FBI agent Nick Hanson as he is hired to search for kidnapped heiress Persephone Gilmore. When the FBI pulled back in the hunt for Persephone, our heroine’s father reached out to Nick in an effort to secure his daughter’s freedom from a group known as the National Equality Militia. Nick, having no problem infiltrating the wanna-be gang, sets into motion a plan to rescue Persephone but in doing so loses his heart to the woman with whom he would fall in love. To protect Persephone from her pissant captors, Nick must betray our heroine, destroying her trust in the man hired to bring her home.

Nick Hanson’s rescue of Persephone Gilmore comes with the guilt of having to do anything to get the job done. Betraying the woman who had stolen his heart and his soul pushed Nick into a world of self-hatred and loathing for what had to be done. Persephone upon her rescue and return is determined to help women in similar situations by setting up Project Artemis, in the hopes of securing their rescue and freedom from the evil of the world.

The relationship between Nick and Persephone is quick to develop as Nick immediately befriends a broken and battered Persephone in the hopes of gaining her trust. Nick’s attraction to Persephone is immediate, and to protect our heroine from her jailers Nick must stake a claim that will destroy her heart.

The formation of Project Artemis will bring together eight friends with the ability, power and knowledge to protect and recover women in danger. We are introduced to Nick’s fellow mercenaries, all former members of law enforcement or with the ability to get the job done: Roman Gregory (Army Ranger), Hunter McKay (LA Detective), Gideon Roberts (Navy SEAL), Xavier Martin (IT guru), Julian Cain (Jack of all trades), Marius Grisham (former CIA black ops), and Dax Sturgis (FBI forensics). With only three books on the schedule I do not know if all members of the Team will have their story told.

IN THE DARKNESS is a quick read that introduces the background and members of Project Artemis. The language and text are straightforward and uncomplicated; the communication and one-on-one interaction between characters is cut and dry such that I do not recognize it as KM Scott’s otherwise colorful style of writing but perhaps the approach and formulaic writing of Anina Collins. The conflict resolution is quick and easy. The world building leaves out too many details and background information thusly leaving this reader indifferent to an otherwise potentially interesting premise. I am apparently in the minority with my interpretation of the introductory story; perhaps future story lines will push the envelope of suspense, mystery, intrigue and romance with the inclusion of more colorful details and world building concepts.

Copy supplied for reviewReviewed by Sa

K.M. Scott writes contemporary romance stories of sexy, intense, and unforgettable love. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s been in love with romance since reading her first romance novel in junior high (she was a very curious girl!). Under her Gabrielle Bisset name, she write erotic paranormal and historical romance. She lives in Pennsylvania with a herd of animals and when she’s not writing can be found reading or feeding her TV addiction.  

Website: https://kmscottbooks.com

 FB page: https://www.facebook.com/kmscottauthor/ 

https://www.instagram.com/kmscottauthor/

 

Anina Collins has always loved a good mystery. From Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective Sherlock Holmes to Dan Brown’s intrepid Professor Robert Langdon, she’s spent some of her favorite reading times with mystery novels. When she’s not writing her favorite mystery couple, she can be found watching entirely too much Supernatural and dreaming about the beach.

Website: http://aninacollins.com 

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/authoraninacollins/

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Disturbing His Peace (The Academy #3) by Tessa Bailey-Review Tour and Giveaway

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DISTURBING HIS PEACE (The Academy #3) by Tessa Bailey-Review and Giveaway Tour

DISTURBING HIS PEACE
The Academy #3
by Tessa Bailey
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

She’s got probable cause to make her move . . .

Danika Silva can’t stand Lt. Greer Burns. Her roommate’s older brother may be sexy as hell, but he’s also a cold, unfeeling robot. She just wants to graduate and forget about her scowling superior. But when a dangerous mistake lands Danika on probation—under Greer’s watch—she’s forced to interact with the big, hulking jerk. Call him daily to check in? Done. Ride shotgun in his cruiser every night? Done. Try not to climb into his giant, muscular lap and kiss him? Umm…

Greer doesn’t let anything—or anyone—distract him from the job. Except lately, all he can think about is Danika. He’s wanted the beautiful, cocky recruit since the moment he saw her. But she’s reckless and unpredictable, and Greer is painfully aware of what can happen when an officer doesn’t follow the rules. Probation seemed like a good idea, but now Danika’s scent is in his car and he’s replayed her voicemails twenty times. Christ, he’s a goner.

Danika’s melting Greer’s stone-cold exterior one ride-along at a time. Being together could have serious consequences… but breaking a few rules never hurt anybody, right?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: DISTURBING HIS PEACE is the third and final instalment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult THE ACADEMY erotic, romance series focusing on three police academy cadets: Charlie Burns, Jack Garrett and Danika Silva. This is police Lieutenant Greer Burns, and Danika Silva’s story line. DISTURBING HIS PEACE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told fro dual first person perspectives (Danika and Greer) DISTURBING HIS PEACE follows the building relationship between police academy cadet Danika Silva, and Lieutenant Greer Burn. As one of the academy trainers Greer knows Danika is off limits but his attraction to our story line heroine is visceral; building as the weeks of training progress until an accidental meeting in the shower finds Greer revealing the extent of his physical attraction. Hoping to keep their relationship on the down low, all bets are off as Charlie and Jack, and their significant others watch from the sidelines as Greer and Danika battle between attraction, love and the ultimate fear of letting go.

Greer doesn’t do relationships, and isn’t willing to risk a relationship fearing rejection, or death on the job. Danika battles between her head and her heart believing Greer’s inevitable rejection will come at a cost.

The relationship between Greer and Danika is one of immediate attraction but Greer is Danika’s supervisor, and thusly our heroine is off-limits. The palpable sexual attraction is deep-seated; almost instinctive as our couple dance around one another throughout the series. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. There is some light spanking; Lieutenant Burns likes to talk dirty both in and out of the bedroom.

All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Greer’s brother Charlie and his girlfriend Ever (Disorderly Conduct #1), as well as Jack Garrett and Katie McCoy (Indecent Exposure #2). We are introduced to Danika’s parents, as well as her cousin Robbie.

DISTURBING HIS PEACE is a decadent, sexy and spicy story line. The premise is energetic; the romance is captivating and provocative; the characters are sassy, spirited and real. DISTURBING HIS PEACE and The Academy series will captivate your attention, leaving you wanting more.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Disorderly Conduct
Indecent Exposure
Disturbing His Peace

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“It’s cold in here,” she rasps.

It’s sweltering—at least in our heated bubble— and the flicker in her gaze tells me she’s aware of her lie. “Would you like to be warmed up?”

“What do you mean by . . . warmed up?” She whispers, her tone suggesting she can’t believe she’s asking.

That makes two of us. But her encouragement to keep going, to keep talking like this to her, has my hunger surging to an eleven. There’s something keeping me from touching her, like some mental fail-safe put in place for self-preservation.

I allow my mouth to brush those curls at her ears.

With a rough intake of air, she dips, legs losing power, and I surge forward on auto-pilot, my body and mind conditioned to save her from falling. The no touching rule is no longer a possibility.

 

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Website /Facebook /Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads

LINK: https://www.subscribepage.com/TessaBailey

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winners will receive a paperback set of The Academy series by Tessa Bailey. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 5/4/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted.

 

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Total Bravery (True Heroes #4) by Piper J. Drake-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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TOTAL BRAVERY (True Heroes #4) by Piper J.Drake-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

True heroes will do anything to protect the women they love…

As the newest recruit at Search and Protect, Raul has a lot to prove. Luckily, he’s got the best friend and partner a man could ask for: a highly trained, fiercely loyal German Shepherd Dog named Taz. Together, Raul and Taz make an unbeatable team. But their first mission in Hawaii really puts them to the test when an international kidnapping ring sets its sights on the bravest woman Raul’s ever met . . .

Mali knows her latest job has put one hell of a target on her back. And on this small island paradise, there’s nowhere to hide. With a service dog like Taz, Mali feels safe. Sharing close quarters with a smoldering muscle-for-hire like Raul, she feels something else – an unexpected wave of desire. Raul feels it too. But when the kidnappers make their move, he’s got to turn that slow-burning passion into hard-hitting action – and save the life of the woman he loves.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: TOTAL BRAVERY is the fourth instalment in Piper J. Drake’s contemporary, adult TRUE HEROES romantic suspense series. This is US Army veteran Raul Sa, and researcher Mali Siri’s story line. TOTAL BRAVERY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. We were first introduced to Raul in book three-ABSOLUTE TRUST.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Raul and Mali) TOTAL BRAVERY follows the building relationship between US Army veteran Raul Sa, and researcher Mali Siri. Hawaii was the perfect destination for Mali and her team of researchers to look into the human trafficking problem befalling the region but our heroine never expected to be caught-up as potential victims. With her team missing, and Mali on the run, our heroine contacts her sister Arin, US Army Sniper and a member of the Search and Protect Organization mercenary group stationed on the island of Oahu. Enter Raul Sa, newest member of the group along with his canine partner Taz, and the man with whom Mali will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Raul and Mali, as the members of the Search and Protect group set a plan into motion to rescue Mali’s team from a potential human trafficking ring.

A genius since a young age, Mali Siri has been bullied most of her life but had the benefit of her older sister’s protection throughout her earlier years into present day-a protection that also frightens our heroine in that she questions her sister’s darker side, and what it is she is truly capable of doing. Raul Sa is a bit of a loner whose first day with the Search and Protect Organization in Oahu found our hero going on a solo mission to rescue the woman with whom he would fall in love.

The relationship between Raul and Mali is one of immediate attraction but Raul knows that to get involved with a client, especially his best friend and fellow US Army veteran Arin’s younger sister, could mean immediate dismissal from the group he recently joined. Mali is a bit of a fragile butterfly; to some extent naïve and sheltered from who, what, how and why of her sister’s life, that pulls at the alpha in our story line hero. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

TOTAL BRAVERY is a bit of a departure from the first three instalments and the Hope’s Crossing K9 group, in that the story introduces a new team of Special Ops mercenaries for hire, living and working in the Hawaiian Islands. We are introduced to Mali’s sister, and Raul’s best friend Arin Siri and her K9 King; communications specialist Pua; computer specialist Kai; founder of the Search and Protect mercenary group Zu and his dog Buck; kennel master Todd Miller and his wife Kalea; police officer Kokua; and Kenny, a man with his ear to the ground about the illegal goings on in the Hawaiian Islands.

TOTAL BRAVERY is a story of romance, suspense, betrayal and love. The premise is well-paced, intriguing and thrilling; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is captivating and sensual. TOTAL BRAVERY is an engaging and edgy story line.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

More from the True Heroes series:

 Extreme Honor

Get More information at: Goodreads |Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| iTunes

Ultimate Courage

Get More information at: Goodreads |Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| iTunes

Absolute Trust

Get More information at: Goodreads |Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| iTunes

 

 
;

When eighty-five pounds of dog is suddenly in your way, you either stop or trip over him. Momentum played a part in Raul’s decision. He fell forward and spread his arms wide to catch himself on the bed rather than accidentally catch a handful of Mali’s towel.
He caught a face full of her towel-covered cleavage instead.
Mali squeaked.
Raul rolled to the side.
Taz barked.
“Sorry.” Jeezus. He tried to get out his apology, his eyes clamped shut. He was not going to remember how good she smelled, a mixture of honey and sea salt and the indefinable, delicate scent of woman. Nope. He wasn’t. Nor was he going to ever think about how nice her cleavage had been. Just enough to bury his face and let him nuzzle without being so full he’d suffocate. The palms of his hands burned with an insane desire to feel her soft skin cupped in his grip.
Mali backed away and then hissed in pain.
His head cleared, and he opened his eyes to see nothing but ceiling. “Did I hurt you? Do you need help?”
She leaned forward into his range of view, one hand clutching the front of her towel over her breasts. That was a really hot image, too. “No. I just sat back too fast and put weight on my sunburn.”
“Oh.” He had no idea what to do. He couldn’t sit up while she was leaning over him and rolling to the side seemed awkward as hell. Of course, so did lying flat on his back in front of a woman in nothing but a towel. “Is there something I can do to get out of this situation without Arin wanting to kill me?”
Mali’s eyes widened, and she froze for a moment, her lips forming a seriously naughty looking O. Then she blinked and laughed. “No. Probably not.”
It was either laugh with her or pull her down for a kiss. “I’m doomed. Dead.” He paused. “Once I get you safely to Arin, that is. No worries. We’ll get you to her before I report myself for molesting her little sister.”
Her laughter faded, and her dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, if you’re going to get in trouble anyway…”
She bent then, leaning a hand on his chest, and pressed her lips to his.


 

Piper J. Drake is a bestselling author of romantic suspense and edgy contemporary romance, a frequent flyer, and day job road warrior. She is often distracted by dogs, cupcakes, and random shenanigans.Connect with Piper at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | GoodReads | Youtube

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Midnight Wolf ( Shifters Unbound #11) by Jennifer Ashley-Review & Giveaway

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MIDNIGHT WOLF (Shifters Unbound #11) by Jennifer Ashley-Review and Giveaway

MIDNIGHT WOLF
Shifters Unbound #11
by Jennifer Ashley
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, shifter, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

Angus Murray, bouncer for a New Orleans Shifter bar, is sent to round up an elusive, Collar-less Shifter woman, Tamsin Calloway, who is causing trouble for Shifter Bureau, and possesses information they want. If Angus refuses, he risks losing his cub. He finds Tamsin but she’s slippery and not about to be rounded up quietly.

In fact, quiet is nothing Tamsin will ever be. She leads Angus on a wild chase, but he’s determined to bring her in to save his son.

Can Tamsin convince Angus she’s worth helping before she’s locked away by Shifter Bureau, Collared, or perhaps killed?

••••••••

REVIEW: MIDNIGHT WOLF is the eleventh full-length novel in Jennifer Ashley’s contemporary, adult SHIFTERS UNBOUND paranormal/ fantasy romance series. This is lupine shifter/tracker Angus Murray, and Tamsin Calloway’s story line. MIDNIGHT WOLF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as there is a continuing arc focusing on the impending war with the Fae.

SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years in the past, the Fae created the shifters-a cross between beast and man-and in the ensuing time the Fae lost control and power over the battle creatures they had created for war. Approximately twenty years ago shifters were exposed to the human population. Out of fear, discrimination and specieism, the shifters were collared with Fae magic in the belief that it would control aggression; then they were forced into segregated communities known as Shiftertowns. There are several Shiftertowns located throughout America where shifters live in a relative but strained peace amongst their own kind.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tamsin and Angus) MIDNIGHT WOLF follows lupine shifter and tracker Angus Murray as he is forced by the Shifter Bureau to track an uncollared shifter of unknown origin. Enter Tamsin Calloway, a rogue, female shifter, and the woman with whom Angus will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tamsin and Angus as our couple tries to stay one step ahead of the Shifter Bureau whose intent is to dissect and destroy our story line heroine.

Angus Murray is a single father, working as a bouncer when threats against his family force our hero to go on the hunt. With his cub in custody Angus has no choice but to do the Bureau’s bidding, as he searches for the rogue female he knows nothing about. Tamsin Calloway has spent most of her life on the run. Collar-less, and without support of any kind, Tamsin finds herself on the Bureau’s most wanted list for a series of crimes but none more so than the information she keeps secreted in her mind. Meeting Angus Murray never felt so right or so wrong including the maternal feelings that arose when she met Angus’s motherless cub.

The relationship between Angus and Tamsin is a forced friendship in order for our heroine to survive. Targeted by the Bureau, and thusly Angus Murray, Tamsin must succumb to her captor or find herself on the receiving end of imprisonment or worse. Falling in love was never on the agenda but a mate bond is claimed by Angus to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love. The $ex scenes are passionate but limited, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the return of Tiger and Carly, Ben, Zander and Rae, Dimitri and Jaycee, Dylan and Sean, as well as the introduction of bear shifter and carnival owner Dante, his mate Celene and their daughter Brina, and Angus’s son Ciaran. The requisite evil has many faces including several members of the Shifter Bureau.

The world building continues to focus on the potential war between the shifter and the Fae, but follows the ongoing discrimination of shifters: the laws to collar and control, as well as the segregation and Shiftertowns meant to isolate those deemed different.

MIDNIGHT WOLF is an exciting, detailed story line about trust and betrayal, family and friendship, fated mates and happily ever afters. The premise is thrilling and fascinating; the characters are colorful, energetic and inspiring; the romance is intimate and animated. MIDNIGHT WOLF is a welcome addition to Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound- a cross-country journey as fated mates stay one step ahead of a potential take down and catastrophic danger to all involved.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shifter Made .5
Pride Mates
Primal Bonds
Bodyguard
Wild Cat
Hard Mated 3.5
Mate Claimed
Perfect Mate 4.5
Lone Wolf 4.6
Tiger Magic
Feral Heat 5.5
Wild Wolf
Bear Attraction 6.5
Mate Bond
Lion Eyes
Bad Wolf 7.5
Wild Things 7.75
White Tiger
Guardian’s Mate
Red Wolf

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt provided by Penguin Random House Publisher

 

Tamsin Calloway looked younger than in her photo. She had a wave of bright red hair flowing back from a broad forehead, her face narrowing to a somewhat pointed chin. He couldn’t tell the color of her eyes from this distance, but her skin was the pale hue of a true redhead, one from the northern climes of Scotland. Angus had seen Fae inside Faerie with hair that color.
She sat at a table that held seven other men, all human. Her cards hung negligently in her hands while she leaned forward with a little smile, as though eager for the next bet. They were playing Texas Hold ’em. The cards showing on the table were two queens, a jack, and a ten. Plenty of money sat in a pile in the middle. No chips, just cash.
As Angus paused, trying to decide on his approach, one of the men at the table glared at Tamsin. “I’ll raise you a hundred.” He shoved in a stack of twenties.
“I’ll see that,” Tamsin said without losing her smile.
Four of the other men groaned and tossed down their cards. “Fold,” they each said, with one saying, “I’m toast.”
Three men and Tamsin left. Two put in their money, leaving it to the man who’d raised the last time. He plucked up two more twenties and a ten and let them drop into the pile. “Another fifty.”
Tamsin shrugged and added her money. Another man threw his cards down in disgust. “I’m out.”
Now it was Tamsin and the other two. One man looked at his cards, the five on the table, and the pot. He sighed and pushed his chair back. “Damn it.”
The remaining man watched Tamsin. He hunched forward, anger in every line of his body. If he didn’t win, things might go bad for Tamsin.
“Call,” the man snarled.
Tamsin laid down her cards. “Two little ladies make four of a kind.”
A string of foul words came out of the man’s mouth. His cards fell from his hand, nowhere near anything to win.
“You cheating bitch!”
Tamsin raked the money to her and rose. Ignoring the raging man and his friends, who were telling him to suck it up, she looked across the room and straight at Angus.
Angus froze in place, doing his best to be just another Shifter looking to relieve boredom in this backwoods casino.
Tamsin wasn’t fooled. The eyes that met Angus’s told him she’d already seen him, recognized him for Shifter, and knew why he was here. Her eyes were a hazel shade, the light over the table showed him, almost golden, the color of whisky. Her faint scent came to him over the stench of humans and smoke—warm, like nutmeg.
Tamsin stuffed double handfuls of cash into her pockets, at the same time moving back from the table on quick feet.
“Gotta go, boys. Thanks for the game.”
Two more strides, a flash of a grin over her shoulder, and she faded into the shadows.
Angus charged across the room after her. A heavy curtain hid the wall she’d run toward, and Angus jerked it back to find a window, wide-open and letting in the fog.
Angus scrambled through the window, jerking his bulk through the tight fit, and landed on the veranda that surrounded the house.
Mists flowed between him and the trees beyond, and there was no sound. Tamsin, her flame hair, and nutmeg scent, had vanished.


 

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Oceanside (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #3) by Michelle Mankin-a review

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OCEANSIDE (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #3) by Michelle Mankin-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 10,2018

Oscar night.
Rock star legend, Ashland Keys should be on top of the world, but the blond blue-eyed SoCal surfer is disillusioned with fame, done with drugs, bored with the groupies and sick of all the fake f*ckery.

A rising star, Fanny Bay is nominated for best original song in the same category as the Dirt Dogs band, but the novel redhead with the corkscrew curls and the slight Canadian accent would prefer to chart a course with a different destination.
Hollywood is not for her.

He’s full of regrets, darkness and secrets.
She’s full of hope and light and has mysteries of her own.
He’s her reserved hero.
She’s his gypsy rose.
He’s water. She’s fire. Together, they don’t make sense.
But he’s what she’s always wanted, and she just might be everything he needs.

•••••••••

REVIEW: OCEANSIDE is the third instalment in Michelle Mankin’s contemporary adult ROCK STARS, SURF AND SECOND CHANCES erotic, romance series focusing on the rock group Dirt Dogs. This is drummer, and former lead singer Ashland Keys, and singer Fanny Bay Lesowski’s story line. OCEANSIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but saying that there is quite a bit of missing background information between the members of the band that would benefit from reading the series in order.

NOTE: Due to the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ash and Fanny) OCEANSIDE follows the second chance relationship between Dirt Dogs’ drummer Ashland Keys, and singer Fanny Bay. Four years earlier, Fanny met her idol at the Academy Awards, rock star Ashland Keys, as both were nominated for Oscars. A promise to meet later never came to fruition, and in the ensuing time life changed for both Fanny and Ash. Fast forward to present day wherein Ash is no longer playing music but struggling to move on from a devastating blow, while Academy Award winner Fanny Bay, finds herself on the run, with her younger sister, in the hopes of protecting what’s left of the life they once knew. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Fanny and Ash, and the potential fall-out as Ash’s secret is revealed, and Fanny struggles to overcome the disaster that has become her life.

Fanny Bay and her younger sister Hollie are on the run. Homeless and battling illness and a local gang, Fanny and Hollie would find solace and help from an unlikely source-Fanny’s childhood idol, rock star Ashland Keys. Ashland knows struggle, battling a life-altering disease that changed the course of his rock star career, a career that would, once again, blossom with the love of a woman battling her own demons.

The relationship between Fanny and Ash is one of ‘second chances’ of sorts. Having met but never truly bonding, Fanny and Ash’s rekindling relationship remains hidden in the hopes of protecting our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense but I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word, I feel isn’t necessary in a romance story.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the member of the band: Linc and Simone (Outside #2), Ramon and Karen (Riptide #2), as well as Diesel El; Fanny’s sister Hollie; their representative Maximillian Cash, as well as several members of a local street gang, and Renee, a groupie who wants something more from Ash then he is willing to give.

OCEANSIDE is a well-written, detailed story line with complex characters who are battling not only the paparazzi but illness, betrayal, stardom and loss. I struggled with the ‘homeless’ aspect of the story-there should have been many other avenues to safety and protection; and the conflict resolution was little more than a blip. I wanted satisfactory details as to the who, what, how and why of how Fanny and Hollie were completely freed from the evil that permeated their lives. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is heavy and heart breaking; the characters are broken, colorful and strong.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Embracing Her Heart by Melissa Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

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EMBRACING HER HEART (The Bradens and Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls #1) by Melissa Foster-REview & Giveaway Tour

EMBRACING HER HEART
The Bradens and Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls #1
by Melissa Foster
Release Date: April 17,2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,romance,

Amazon.com /Amazon.co.uk /Barnes and Noble/ KOBO / iBooks/ GPlay /Paperback

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 17, 2018

Welcome to Oak Falls, Virginia, home to horse farms, midnight rodeos, bookstores, coffee shops, and quaint restaurants where you’re greeted like family and treated like treasured guests. Buckle up for a wild ride. Like any Southern girls worth their salt, the sweet-talking, sharp-tongued Montgomery sisters can take men to their knees with one seductive glance or a single sugarcoated sentence.

EMBRACING HER HEART…

Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.

Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.

Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…

~~~~~

The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.

**Please note that future books in the original Montgomery series are crossing over to the Bradens at Pleasant Hill, and for this reason the author has combined the series into THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls).

•••••••••••

REVIEW: EMBRACING HER HEART is the first instalment in Melissa Fosters’ contemporary, adult The Bradens and Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls, erotic romance series-a spin off from the author’s Bradens at Pleasant Hill series. This is historical preservationist and builder Reed Cross, and screen-play writer Grace Montgomery’s story line. EMBRACING HER HEART can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the original series is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Reed and Grace) EMBRACING HER HEART is a second chance romance focusing on the rekindling relationship between historical preservationist and builder Reed Cross, and screen-play writer Grace Montgomery. With the recent heart-attack of his beloved uncle Roy, Reed made the decision to return to Oak Falls in the hopes of forgetting about the disaster and betrayal by his business partner, he left behind in Michigan. What Reed never expected was to come face to face with the woman he has always loved, his high school sweet heart, Grace Montgomery, back in town to teach a course on playwriting. Grace, home for a three-week hiatus, cannot help but be drawn to the man that broke her heart. What ensues is the quick rekindling relationship between Grace and Reed, and the potential fall-out as Grace prepares to head back to New York, and the lifestyle in which she has become accustomed.

Grace Montgomery is a successful screen-play writer whose return to Oak Falls comes with too many reminders about the past-a past that continues to break her heart. Reed Cross, raised by his aunt and uncle, knew he belonged back in Oak Falls but something or someone was missing, from his heart and his home.

The relationship between Grace and Reed is one of second chances; a high school romance that was destroyed when Grace went off to college, and Reed ran to forget about the girl that broke his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Grace’s rather large collection of successful siblings: Brindle (high school teacher), Amber (book store owner), Pepper (research and development scientist) and her twin sister Sable (musician), Morgyn (small business owner), and their only brother musician Axsel: their parents Marilynn and Cade Montgomery; Grace’s childhood best friend Sophie; and the Jericho brothers/ranchers-Trace, Justus, Shane and Jeb. We are introduced to Reed’s uncle Roy and aunt Ella, as well as a large assortment of townsfolk and visitors including Brett Bad and Sophie Roberts (Bad Boys After Dark #4).

The world building looks at the second chance romance between Reed and Grace. We are privy to their memories of the past including Reed’s less than pleasant thoughts about the parents he never knew. A small town romance EMBRACING THE HEART follows the ups and downs, gossip and friendships of Oak Falls, Virginia

EMBRACING HER HEART is a sweet story with a sexy and sensual rekindling romance. The premise is heart warming; the characters are energetic and spirited; the romance is provocative and intense. Melissa Foster writes an inspiring tale about second chances, first loves, family and heart.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Coming soon to the series

Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]

Releasing June 27th……..

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster’s writing, and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the Bradens.

Fall in love with Beau Braden and Charlotte Sterling in ANYTHING FOR LOVE. Full book description coming soon.


The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so pe right into this fun, sexy romance.

Full book description coming soon.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Available to pre-order from …

Amazon.com/ Amazon.co.uk/ Barnes and Noble/ KOBO/ iBooks /GPlay /Paperback

 

Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]

Releasing January 9th, 2019……..

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster’s writing, and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the Bradens and the rest of the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection.

Fall in love with Graham Braden and Morgyn Montgomery in TRAILS OF LOVE, the third book in the Bradens & Montgomerys series.

The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so pe right into this fun, sexy romance.

Full book description coming soon.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Available to pre-order from …

Amazon.com /Amazon.co.uk /Barnes and Noble /KOBO/ iBooks/ GPlay /Paperback

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook
or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….

Website /Facebook /Twitter/ Google+/ Goodreads/ Pinterest /Amazon Author Page

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