Monthly Archives: May 2018

The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs #1) by Stephanie Laurens-a review

Posted on by
13

THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH ( The Cavanaughs #1) by Stephanie Laurens-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2018

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a new series that captures the simmering desires and intrigues of early Victorians as only she can. Ryder Cavanaugh’s stepsiblings are determined to make their own marks in London society. Seeking fortune and passion, THE CAVANAUGHS will delight readers with their bold exploits.

An independent nobleman

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is loyal and devoted—but only to family. To the rest of the world, he’s aloof and untouchable, a respected and driven entrepreneur. But Rand yearns for more in life, and when he travels to Buckinghamshire to review a recent investment, he discovers a passionate woman who will challenge his rigid self-control…

A determined lady

Felicia Throgmorton intends to keep her family afloat. For decades, her father was consumed by his inventions and now, months after his death, with their finances in ruins, her brother insists on continuing their father’s tinkering. Felicia is desperate to hold together what’s left of the estate. Then she discovers she must help persuade their latest investor that her father’s follies are a risk worth taking…

Together—the perfect team

Rand arrives at Throgmorton Hall to discover the invention on which he’s staked his reputation has exploded, the inventor is not who he expected and a fiercely intelligent woman now holds the key to his future success. But unflinching courage in the face of dismaying hurdles is a trait they share, and Rand and Felicia are forced to act together against ruthless foes to protect everything they hold dear.

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH is the first instalment in Stephanie Laurens’ historical, romance THE CAVANAUGHS series. This is Lord Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, the younger half-brother of Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne (The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh), and Felicia Throgmorton’s story line. THE CAVANAUGHS is a spin off from the author’s Cynster / Cynster Sisters Duo where we met Ryder Cavanaugh and his wife Mary Cynster.

Told from several third person perspectives including Rand and Felicia THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH follows the building romance between Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, and Felicia Throgmorton. With the approach of Birmingham Exhibition only days away, Lord Randolph ‘Rand’ Cavanaugh sets out to check on Cavanaugh Investments current expenditure- an exclusive stake in the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage. All too aware of the potential for sabotage from competing firms, Rand takes notice of a new stranger who appears to have designs on Felicia Throgmorton, a stranger with the gift of an artist but secrets to hide. What ensues is the building romance between Felicia and Rand; the preparations for the upcoming Exhibition; and the potential fall-out as the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage is targeted.

The relationship between Rand and Felicia falls victim to a lack of palpable sexual attraction. The limited interaction between the couple squashes any chemistry that could have otherwise turned passionate and romantic leaving this reader neither intrigued nor interested in the couple’s growing love. The emotional build up is absent.

The Cavanaugh siblings play secondary and supporting characters including Christopher aka Kit, Eustacia aka Stacie, Godfrey and Ryder. We are introduced to Felicia’s brother William John, and Clive Mayhew, an artist who has found himself in a precarious situation.

THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH is a well-written but slow building story line that gets caught up in the historical and technical information of building a steam-powered engine. As our trio struggle to perfect their entry into the upcoming Exhibition, the story line follows a path of industrial and mechanical jargon rife with bits and parts, and steam-powered details that deviated from the growing relationship between our leading couple, as well as the build up towards sabotage and ruination. The building romance falls victim to the constant return to the mechanization of the steam-powered, horseless carriage; the conflict resolution was quick and anti-climactic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Burning Up (Flirting with Fire #1) by Jennifer Blackwood-a review

Posted on by
12

BURNING UP (Flirting with Fire #1) by Jennifer Blackwood-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: May 8, 2018

Unemployed schoolteacher Erin Jenkins is back in Portland, the town she hasn’t called home for more than a decade. It’s not the way she wants to spend her last days of summer: in between jobs and avoiding her mother’s snooping by escaping to the ice-cream aisle. But when the opportunity arises for her to accompany her brother’s best friend—her lifetime crush—to a wedding, summer gets a whole lot more interesting.

Firefighter and single dad Jake Bennett has built a nice, safe wall around his heart—no romance, no getting burned. That doesn’t mean he’s ruling out a fling. Considering Erin’s visit is temporary, they’re the perfect fit for a scorching no-strings one-night stand. Or two. Or five. Until the worst thing happens: Erin and Jake are feeling more. Damn that four-letter word.

Now their hearts are on the line, and when their smoldering summer comes to a close, it’s going to be harder than ever to put out the fire.

•••••

REVIEW: BURNING UP is the first instalment in Jennifer Blackwood’s contemporary, adult FLIRTING WITH FIRE romance series. This is middle-school teacher Erin Jenkins, and fire fighter/ single dad Jake Bennett’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jake and Erin) BURNING UP follows the building relationship between middle-school teacher Erin Jenkins, and fire fighter/ single dad Jake Bennett. Erin Jenkins is home for the summer holidays having lost her teaching position in California to attrition and a lack of school board funding. Hoping to find something quick, Erin heads home to Portland in an effort to reconnect with family and friends, never thinking about the potential of falling in love. Enter her brother’s best friend and fellow fire fighter Jake Bennett. An offer of Jake’s plus-one for his sister’s wedding slowly begins to blur the lines between friendship and more. What ensues is the building romance and love between Jake and Erin, and the potential fall-out as Erin’s time in Portland comes to an end.

Erin Jenkins has no plans to stay in her hometown of Portland Oregon. Her life and friends are back in California but her heart will soon belong to a man whose just as lost as our story line heroine. Jake Bennett has been a single father for close to thirteen years, and has never crossed the line by bringing home a woman or fallen in love. Reconnecting with his best friend’s sister found our hero losing his heart to a reluctant Erin Jenkins.

Erin has lusted after Jake Bennett for most of her life but Jake was off limits in more ways than one. With her time in Portland coming to an end Erin hopes to find a new teaching position far from her family and the man with whom she has fallen in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text although the palpable sexual energy is more or less absent between our leading couple.

We are introduced to Jake’s fellow fire fighters: Erin’s brother Reese Jenkins, and rookie Cole ‘Hollywood’ Gibson; Erin’s sister Andie and their eccentric mother; as well as Jake’s daughter Bailey, and Erin’s best friends Madison and Sloan.

BURNING UP is a sweet story that introduces the players in the author’s FLIRTING WITH FIRE series. The best friend’s little sister conflict was limited-more of a worry than anything else. There are some funny moments in the hotel at Jake’s sister’s wedding including a family of raccoons who have taken up residence in our heroine’s room. The premise is fun and spicy but predictable; the romance is captivating and emotional; the characters are sassy and energetic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Deceived (House of Sin #2) by Elisabeth Naughton-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Posted on by
14

DECEIVED (House of Sin #2) by Elisabeth Naughton-Review Excerpt and Giveaway

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

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 15, 2018

Some doors were never meant to be opened…

I made a fateful mistake. I should never have peeked behind the doors into his forbidden world.

But I did, and now I’m a prisoner. Trapped by the man I thought loved. The man I once foolishly trusted; the man who, despite his lies and deception, I continue to crave.

He can melt my resolve with one rough, whispered demand, and I feel myself giving in to the desire he still stirs inside me. And yet, if I want to survive, I must find a way to escape. Because if I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll be consumed by a shadowy world that will ultimately destroy me.

Lost forever in his wicked House of Sin

••••••••

REVIEW: DECEIVED is the second instalment in Elisabeth Naughton’s contemporary, adult HOUSE OF SIN dark, erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on twenty-four year old, American Natalie James, and thirty-two year old Italian businessman Luciano Salvatici. DECEIVED should not be read as a stand alone as if picks up immediately following the events of book on FORBIDDEN.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Natalie and Luc) DECEIVED continues to focus on the struggling relationship between twenty-four year old, American Natalie James, and thirty-two year old Italian businessman Luciano Salvatici. A virtual prisoner of the man that she loves Natalie finds herself caught between hatred and love as she is whisked to places unknown in an effort to save her life. The House of Salvatici in Italy, and the people in control stop at nothing to ensure the purity of the line including the death and destruction of their own. As Luc is pulled deeper into a world of madness, depravity and greed, Natalie realizes there may be no hope or end in sight. Heir to the House of Salvatici, Luc hopes to one day set changes into motion but changes later will not save the people he loves, now.

DECEIVED is a dark romance of family honor, deception, betrayal and fear. Hundreds of years of deviance, influence and control have pushed the five ruling Houses into a position of ultimate power such that our hero knows to protect the woman he loves sacrifices are made including the death of one of their own.

DECEIVED reveals the story of a darkened, twisted history of atrocities and wickedness, monstrous acts of condemnation and the inhumanity of power and greed; of one man’s fight to save the woman he loves, and one woman’s struggle to survive at all costs. Heartbreaking and intriguing, DECEIVED exposes the savage nature of the House of Salvatici, and the lengths, of which, the family will go to protect the secrets that keep buried centuries of sin, vile behavior and immorality.

Elisabeth Naughton pulls the reader into an intense, thrilling and erotic ride; an edgy and dramatic tale of misogyny and questionable acts of deviance and horror that will have you questioning the reality of the people in charge.

DECEIVED ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE to read Sandy’s review of book one-FORBIDDEN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to strong language and content.

 

Footsteps sounded outside my door. My wide-eyed gaze shot in that direction, and my pulse went stratospheric. The door pushed inward. Then I saw Luc leaning against the doorjamb, his muscular body draped in faded jeans and a loose black T-shirt, his dark hair mussed as if he’d run his hands through it several times, his unique gray eyes as stormy and intimidating as ever.
My heart bumped, and a familiar warmth spread through my chest when I remembered this was my Luc. The man who’d taken control of my body and awakened my heart with just one touch. The man who’d rearranged every one of my priorities. The man who’d saved my life on more than one occasion.
But just as quickly I remembered that he was also the man whose family was involved in multiple illicit activities throughout Europe, from drug trafficking, to prostitution, to even, and most horrifyingly, the creation of beta slaves—women whose sole purpose was to serve the depraved needs of the men in his House. And, I remembered, he was also the man who’d followed me to Idaho after I’d run from him, who’d drugged me and, now obviously, abducted me.
Everything inside me hardened like ice.
His eyes locked on mine, but they weren’t the warm, familiar eyes I remembered from our steamy time together in Italy. No, the second his gaze met mine, his stormy eyes flattened in a way that told me he was not, and never had been, the man I’d foolishly let myself fall in love with.
“You’re finally awake,” he said in his clipped Italian accent. “That’s good because we have a lot to talk about, wife.”
For a heartbeat, I didn’t move. Then that word—wife—hit me like a two-by-four to the forehead, and my gaze dropped to his left hand, resting against his hip. A thick black band encircled his ring finger.
Sickness shot up my throat, and my fingers curled into the stucco at my back. “No,” I managed in a shaky voice. “You didn’t.”
But even before the words were out of my mouth, visions flickered in my mind again. Visions of the man in the black suit telling me all that was left was the paperwork. And then Luc whispering I’d done well while he wrapped his thick arm around my waist to hold me up and drew my fingers toward a crisp white paper where he urged me to sloppily sign my name next to his.
“I didn’t.” Luc’s square jaw turned to a slice of steel beneath the scruff on his skin as he straightened from the doorjamb. “We did. And I suggest you get used to it, Mrs. Salvatici, because we’re not leaving here until you do.”
Panic turned to a rage I couldn’t control, coloring everything red. He thought he could drug me, kidnap me, force me into a marriage I didn’t want, and that I’d just get used to it?
No.
Hell no.
My gaze shifted to the sliding glass door at my side. And seeing my one chance for freedom, I didn’t even hesitate to reach for it.
“Natalie,” he warned in a hard voice at my back, “I wouldn’t step out that door if I were you.”
“Fuck you, Luc.” I shoved the door open and moved out into the warm tropical air.
And then I ran, exactly as I should have done the moment I met Luciano Salvatici.


 

Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home.

Follow Elisabeth: Facebook / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

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

Enter  HERE for your chance to WIN an Amazon Echo™ !

Share

Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke – a Review

Posted on by
13

Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
Helicopter pilot Taylor Blankenship’s time schedule is maxed out. Between his job, his one-hundred and fifty pound slobbering mess of a dog, and his matchmaking grandmother, he has no time for anyone or anything-especially a woman. If only there were a way to get Grams to back down.

The job of New York City dog walker suits Caitlin Ramos perfectly while she preps for her CPA exam—steady, scheduled, and requiring very little human interaction; a huge seller since she’s still on the mend from a toxic relationship. Men suck. Especially her bossy hot client with the Saint Bernard that thinks it’s a lap dog. No way will she go for his plan to pretend they’re engaged to get his grandmother off his case. Down, boy.

Offered a bargain she can’t refuse, Caitlin finds herself playing the part of fiancée to Taylor. Fortunately, it’s only for three days. All she has to do is fake a relationship with Mr. Bossy Pants in front of his entire family, survive a fierce game of truth or dare with an unscrupulous pair of octogenarians, endure a one-on-one round of Twister with Taylor, and not lose her heart to a guy who turns out to be a lot more than she’d bargained for.

 

 

 

Review:

“I need you to pretend to be my fiancee.” When she scowled, he spoke faster. “Just for Gram’s party.” The scowl was softened by a questioning arch of her eyebrow. “She’s been at me forever to find a girl and settle down and this will get her off my back. And it’ll make her happy,” he added. “She could use a little happiness.”
 
 Seems simple enough, right? Not when all cylinders of attraction are firing and you’re shutting down your desires – the ones that want exactly what you’re not supposed to have! :D. Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke is a sweet love story that blooms from innocent deceit to promises of forever.

Caitlin and Taylor have never had the pleasure — he’s an “on demand” helicopter pilot who only uses Caitlin’s dog walker services to keep his best friend entertained while he’s off. When Caitlin and Taylor collide, and it’s a sexy tumble!, his idea takes root and he convinces Caitlin to aid in his abetting. It’s three days of harmless duplicity, fake it till you make it stuff, but neither expected something momentous to overtake their plan. Something special that is worthy of exploration, preconceived limits aside.

Life has a way of thwarting progress for a myriad of reasons. Caitlin and Taylor are undeniably in like with each other, but their futures are at odds. Throw in respective romantic backstories, a few pertinent reveals, and our couple is baffled as to why they ever considered deviating from the original arrangement.

 I enjoy Marissa Clarke very much — she is a solid storyteller of HEA. Three Day Fiancee takes the kindness of strangers to the next level!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Worth the Risk (Everyday Heroes #3) by K. Bromberg-Review & Excerpt tour

Posted on by
12

WORTH THE RISK (Everyday Heroes #3) by K. Bromberg-Review And Excerpt Tour

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

Add to GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 15, 2018

This whole contest was supposed to be easy. I know, I know. Famous last words.

It’s a long story, but I messed up at work. Big time. To earn back the trust of my boss, I promised to save one of our magazines. Yep. That Hot Dad contest you’ve seen advertised all over the place was my idea. And if I’m successful, if I’m able to increase our online readership, then I get a shot at my dream job.

But the one thing I never expected to happen, happened: Contestant number ten, Grayson Malone. Hello, Mr. Difficult. And did I mention sexy as hell?

Unfortunately he knows me. The old me, anyway. And while we might be older now, I remind him of before. Of the woman who broke his heart, who hardened him, and who left him alone to raise the cutest little boy I’ve ever seen.

But I don’t want a relationship. And I definitely don’t fall for single dads with baggage. Even ones with chiselled abs and killer smiles.

But he got to me. They got to me. Him and his son and their messy, crazy life. But I got to him too. I see the stolen glances. I feel the walls he built start to crumble. I recognize that there’s an unexpected beauty to the chaos in his life.

And now that the contest is about to end, we’re left to decide whether the last six months were just fun or if what we have is worth risking it all?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: WORTH THE RISK is the third instalment in K. Bromberg’s contemporary, adult EVERYDAY HEROES erotic romance story line. This is publishing heiress and journalist Sidney Thorton, and single father/rescue pilot Grayson Malone’s story line. WORTH THE RISK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Grayson and Sidney) WORTH THE RISK follows the acrimonious relationship between publishing heiress Sidney Thorton, and single father/rescue pilot Grayson Malone. Sidney Thorton screwed up, big time, but she wasn’t in a position to reveal the truth to the man in charge. Hoping to teach his daughter a lesson, publishing magnate Frank Thorton offers his daughter one last chance to prove she is worthy by sending her to the small town of Sunnyville, where she was born, to pick of the pieces of ‘Modern Family’ a dying magazine within the Thorton Publishing family. Enter Grayson Malone, single father and rescue pilot, and the man with whom Sidney would fall in love. What ensues is the contemptuous relationship and romance between Sidney and Grayson, and the potential fall-out as Sidney’s time in Sunnyville, draws to an end.

WORTH THE RISK is an enemies to friends romance. As a teen, Sidney Thorton was a snob; a rich girl who looked down on those she deemed less worthy including our story line hero. Sidney is desperate to improve the circulation of ‘Modern Family’, and a ‘Hot Dad’ contest is just the thing. Discovering Grayson Malone was a ‘Hot Dad’ finalist, Sidney is tasked with persuading Grayson to remain in the running. Growing up in a hard working, blue-collar family of first responders Grayson Malone knows life can be hard to the people left behind but getting reacquainted with the woman that reminds him too much of his past, is something Grayons refuses to acknowledge.

The relationship between Grayson and Sidney is slow to build as Sidney is tasked with convincing Grayson to accept his placement in the ‘Hot Dad’ contest. To get involved with one of the competitors could mean disqualification for Grayson, and the potential loss of respect and Sidney’s job but the sexual attraction is heavy and hot. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and fun. We are re-introduced to Grayson brothers: police officer Grant and his wife Emerson (Cuffed #1), fire fighter Grady and Dylan (Combust #2) as well as Sidney’s co-worker and editor in chief of Modern Family Rissa Patel, her best friend Zoey, father Frank, Grayson’s parents, and his adorable and heart breaking son Luke.

WORTH THE RISK is a passionate story line; a tale of one man unable to let go of the past, and one woman who is desperately trying to prove she is worth a second chance. The premise is emotional and realistic; the characters are spirited and energetic; the romance is captivating and intense.

Previous Reviews and Reading Order
Cuffed
Combust
Worth the Risk

Copy for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to language and sexual content

But by the time I reach her, my blood boils with irrationality spurred on by too much alcohol.
“Can I have a moment?” I ask as I walk up to her and grab her elbow, pushing her down the darkened hallway.
“What is your problem?” She hisses as she fights me every step of the way.
We get looks. I get looks. I don’t care because all I keep seeing is Vince’s hands on her arm. His eyes on her tits. His bullshit game I can spot a mile away.
I find the closest door down the hallway leading to the bathrooms, and it opens. I push her through it, barely noticing that it’s an office of sorts before the door is shut, her back is up against it, and my mouth is covering hers.
Take.
Goddammit. That’s my only thought as I fit my lips to hers and take out my anger on her mouth with tongue and teeth and every fucking lick and nip in between.
“What—”
“I’m so pissed at you.”
It’s all I say. It’s the only chance I give her to come up for air before my lips are back on hers. Before my tongue wars with hers. Before my body admits it would beg, borrow, and steal in order to taste every other part of her.
Groan.
I swallow the tiny sound she makes in our kiss as my hands hold her neck still and my lips wage an all-out assault. She hesitates—just a split second—before she reacts. Before her body bows into me, and her mouth argues back.
Fist.
Her hand in my shirt. Her other hand at the back of my neck as our bodies meet—pressed knee to chest. Her perfume in my nose. Her hair tickling my cheeks. The feel of her tits against my chest.
Give.
I can’t get enough.
I’m mad at her.
I want her.
I don’t want to want her.
Christ, do I want her.
“Gray.” A murmured protest.
I tear my lips from hers, shove off the door I have her pressed against, and stride to the other side of the room.
“You are . . . you just . . .” It’s as if I can barely breathe. Christ, I’m mad at you.”
She stands there, lips parted, chest heaving, and golden brown curls messed from my hands, but her eyes look hurt. A hurt I don’t want to see but can’t deny.
“Why?”
“You did this,” I accuse as I try to manage the anger that’s waging a war against my desire.
“Did what?” Her eyes narrow. Her hand goes to press against her chest.
“Made me want you.”

for CGFC

Grayson: I’ve been thinking about you all day.

I look down at the text and smile before turning my attention back to Rissa and our plans for how we’re going to end this round of voting and move on to the top five.
“So, I think we close it out and then maybe take the next week and announce one of the finalists each day. Give little tidbits about each of them, make readers like them more, just have fun with it.”
My phone beeps again with another text, and I bite back the new grin trying to form on my lips. Rissa only huffs, eyeing my phone with annoyance. “Sorry, let me turn my ringer off.”
And then I have to feign nonchalance when I look down at my phone and find another text.

Grayson: My dick is rock hard, and it’s you I’m imagining. It’s in my hand when I’d rather it be in your mouth with my fingers in your pussy, working you into a frenzy.

“Is everything okay?” Rissa asks, making me realize I must have made a noise when I read the text. “You look startled.”
I glance back at the text again and shake my head while every part of my body comes to life. “Yeah, it’s, uh, fine.”
“Your ringer.” Her brows are lifted as she glances to my phone and then back to me.
“My finger?” I squeak, thinking she saw the phone screen.
“Ringer. Sound on your phone.”
“Oh, yes . . . sorry.” Flustered, I fumble with my cell, and before I can even switch it off, another text alert pings.

Grayson: I want to bend you over and watch as my cock slides in and out of you.

“So back to next week . . .”
“Yes,” I swallow over the desire lodged in every place it should be and try not to glance at my phone as it vibrates again.
“Are you good with that plan?” Rissa asks as I shift in my seat to abate the sudden ache burning brighter than bright.
“Yes. Sure. I think that sounds like a great plan.”

Grayson: I want my cock buried so deep that you feel every damn inch of me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, why?” My voice breaks like a prepubescent teenager.

Grayson: I want you to come so hard you have to bite the pillow.

“You look a little flushed. Are you coming down with something?”

Grayson: You always have a choice. Isn’t that what you said to me once? Make a choice, Sidney. Isn’t it time to head to lunch?

“I mean, yeah, maybe.” I pull at my collar some. “Maybe that’s why I feel so flushed all of a sudden.”

Grayson: Meet me on the backside of The Cottages. Room Six. Fifteen minutes.

“Either that,” she says as she stands and heads to the door, only turning back to give me a wink, “or you’re guilty as hell. Maybe you should go take care of that itch texting you . . . or take some Tylenol. Whichever one it is, I think you should take the afternoon off.”

Grayson: Choose me.

“Oh.” It’s the only thing I can think to say because my brain is otherwise occupied imagining Grayson following through on his promises.
“And, Sid?”
“Yeah?”
“I sure hope he’s every bit worth breaking the rules.” She winks. “It’s about damn time. Your secret is safe with me.”


 

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released late June), with many more already outlined and ready to be written.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales: http://bit.ly/254MWtI

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

Share

Dirty Bastard / Dirty Scoundrel by Jessica Clare-reviews

Posted on by
13

DIRTY BASTARD / Dirty /Scoundrel by Jessica Clare-reviews

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 15, 2018

Knox Price has always fallen short in comparison to his brothers. Boone is the ambitious one. Clay is the nice one. Gage is the handsome one. And Knox? Well, he’s the cynical one. The odd man out in the ultra-wealthy but rather unique Price family. It’s not that Knox hates people–it’s that humanity always disappoints him. When you become an oil-rich, Texan billionaire overnight, people treat you a certain way. Just once he’d like to meet someone that isn’t dazzled by his wallet.

Then, he meets struggling yoga teacher Lexi Brandon. She’s weird. She’s unpredictable and tends to say strange things. She lurks in the bushes and dresses in all black. She loves when people cross the street to get away from her. Lexi’s definitely not his type, but she’s also the first one to ever truly see him and not just another rich, dirty Price.

And that’s…fascinating. But how do you catch the interest of a woman who goes out of her way to be odd? When an unexpected surprise throws them both for a loop, Knox decides it’s time to get down and dirty, abandon the rules, and be who he truly is–a bastard.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY BASTARD is the third instalment in Jessica Clare’s contemporary, adult ROUGHNECK BILLIONAIRES erotic, romance series focusing on the rags to riches Price Brothers of Texas-Boone, Clay, Gage, Knox and Seth. This is billionaire oil-man Knox Price, and yoga instructor Lexi Brandon’s story line. DIRTY BASTARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Some of the story line premise crosses-over and runs parallel to some of the events in book two DIRTY SCOUNDREL

Told from dual first person points of view (Knox and Lexi) DIRTY BASTARD follows the building relationship between billionaire oil-man Knox Price, and yoga instructor Lexi Brandon. At a get together with his brothers at Ivy and Boone’s (Dirty Money #1) Knox Price will come face to face with his future, a woman who defies his expectations and type but a woman whose secrets run deep and disturbing. Enter Lexi Brandon, the woman with whom Knox will fall in love but a woman who refuses to acknowledge a troubling threat.

Lexi Brandon is a bit of a quirky heroine who doesn’t want to draw attention to herself or her life. Ascerbic and ill-tempered, most people run rather than face our storyline heroine head on. Knox considers himself the family ‘bastard’ but most woman tend to throw themselves at the Price brothers due to their billionaire status as rich and available until meeting Lexi Brandon-a woman who did not want anything from the almighty Knox.

The relationship between Lexi and Knox is one of immediate attraction for our story line hero but Lexi has some issues that need to be addressed. Surly and combative Lexi’s need to be independent is both a threat and a hindrance to her personal safety. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate but once again, I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word I feel is unnecessary in a romance story line.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of Knox’s brothers, their significant others (where revealed) as well as the small-minded and nosy people of a tiny town where everyone knows your name.

DIRTY BASTARD was a bit of struggle in that our heroine has a bit of a TSTL (too stupid to live) complex. Her inability or reluctance to ask for help is a struggle not only for the heroine but for this reader as well. When unwanted and unrequested help finally comes through Lexi runs as though the help is worse than the potential harm. The premise is engaging; the characters are colorful and dynamic but I struggled with the heroine’s personality and behavior; the romance is intimate and seductive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dirty Money
Dirty Scoundrel (see below)
Dirty Bastard

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

___________________

DIRTY SCOUNDREL
(Roughneck Billionaires #2)
by Jessica Clare
Release Date November 21, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21 2017

Clay Price has everything he’s ever wanted, except the one thing money can’t buy—Natalie Weston. Years ago, Clay and Natalie were in love… until she turned down his marriage proposal. Now Clay and his brothers are oil-rich billionaires, and they can have whatever they want. And what Clay wants is Natalie in his bed, no matter what it takes. If it means being ruthless, he’ll do it.

Natalie gave up on true love years ago when the realities of the world destroyed her fairy-tale hopes. Giving up Clay is her biggest regret in life, and she’s excited to see him return… until she finds out why. Clay’s got one hell of a proposal for her: he’ll save her father’s business and bail Natalie out of debt if she’ll agree to become his very personal assistant. It’s clear that he wants more from her than just typing.

It’s also clear that Natalie has no choice. This scoundrel’s bet could destroy any hope they had of reconciliation—or it could bring them together once and for all.

••••••••••••

REVIEW:  DIRTY SCOUNDREL is the second instalment in Jessica Clare’s contemporary adult ROUGHNECK BILLIONAIRES erotic, romance series focusing on the rags to riches Price Brothers of Texas-Boone, Clay, Gage, Knox and Seth. This is billionaire oil-man Clay Price, and Natalie Weston’s story line, DIRTY SCOUNDREL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Clay and Natalie) DIRTY SCOUNDREL follows the second chance romance between oil billionaire Clay Price and the woman who scorned our story line hero. Seven years earlier, high school sweetheart Natalie broke Clay’s heart after graduation when she sent her wealthy, movie star father to break up with the man she would always love. Fast forward to present day wherein Clay hopes to destroy the woman who pushed him out of her life but circumstances have changed and Clay sets about to seduce our heroine-in all the wrong ways. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Clay and Natalie, and the potential fall out as Clay’s lack of social finesse, and ‘open mouth insert foot’ actions hurt the woman he has never stopped loving.

Clay Price is desperate to break Natalie Weston. Told by Natalie’s father he would never be good enough for his princess daughter, Clay battled between head and heart. For seven years Clay has plotted his retribution and revenge against the woman that called to his heart but everything is about to backfire as Clay sets his plans into motion forcing a desperate and despondent Natalie to sign over her life. Natalie Weston has struggled since the day she pushed Clay Price out of her life. With her ailing father demanding all of her time, no money in the bank, and the creditors howling at the door, Natalie will accept Clay’s dangerous proposal even though it means setting herself up for further heartbreak and humiliation at the hands of the man she once loved.

The relationship between Natalie and Clay is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between high school sweethearts that was destroyed by the petty vindictiveness of an old man h*ll bent on controlling his young daughter’s life. It’s all about money and fame, and Clay Price had neither to offer the Hollywood star’s daughter. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but I continue to struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word in romance story lines. Although we give words their power, I find the term is derogatory under all circumstances.

Clay’s treatment and demands of our story line heroine are reprehensible under the circumstances. Heartbroken and in pain, Clay continues to push at the woman who destroyed his heart making her feel more like a whore than the woman he loves. The contract demands everything in return for saving what’s left of Natalie’s home and her father’s life.

All of Clay’s brothers play secondary and supporting roles including Boone and Ivy (Dirty Money #1), Gage, Knox and Seth. We are also introduced to Natalie’s father- a man whose own fame and fortune was lost to greed, avarice, six ex-wives and illness. The oil business is dangerous and dirty-lives will be lost-some more heartbreaking than others.

DIRTY SCOUNDREL is an enemies to lovers/second chance story line between two people destroyed by one man’s ego and pride. The premise is engaging; the romance is controversial; the characters are dynamic and charismatic.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Share

Melt For You (Slow Burn #2) by J.T. Geissinger-Review Tour

Posted on by
14

MELT FOR YOU (Slow Burn #2) by J.T. Geissinger-Review tour

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

Add MELT FOR YOU to GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 15, 2018

A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.
Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She’d give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she thinks.

Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He’s not Jo’s type—at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam’s kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam’s eyes she’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.

Unfortunately for Cam, he’s just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he’s in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.

•••••••••

REVIEW: MELT FOR YOU is the second instalment in J. T. Geissinger’s contemporary, adult SLOW BURN erotic, romance series. This is twenty-nine year old, Scottish rugby captain Cameron McGregor, and thirty-six year old Joellen Bixby’s story line. MELT FOR YOU can be read as a stand alone as there are no apparent connections to the previous story line.

Told from first person perspective (Joellen) MELT FOR YOU follows the acrimonious relationship between New York neighbors Scottish rugby captain Cameron McGregor and Joellen Bixby. Cameron McGregor has come to America, if only temporarily, in order to avoid a scandal back home. Sexy, athletic and an arrogant womanizer Cameron is about to come face to face with a woman whose self-esteem has been shattered; whose maturity level is questionable; whose naïvete and caustic barbs draw our hero like a moth to a flame. Joellen Bixby has spent ten years of her life pining after her boss, a married man she hopes to attract at the upcoming company party. Her self-deprecating humor and attitude gets old pretty fast, so much so that Cameron struggles with her constant put-downs and disparaging personal remarks aimed at deflecting compliments and praise. What ensues is the growing relationship between Joellen and Cameron when Cameron offers to work with Joellen as she sets out to get noticed by the company CEO.

MELT FOR YOU is a story of opposites-attract. Joellen is a wallflower, an ‘ugly duckling’ who hides behind a poor self-image, and a lack of confidence including the inability to say no when it counts. A bit of a push-over whose aggressive attitude hides years of emotional struggles Joellen wants to find love but in doing so dismisses the man who battles his attraction to a woman who is oblivious to his ministrations and growing love.

The world building follows a ‘stream of consciousness’ as the reader is pulled into the mind of a woman caught between what she thinks she wants, and what is right in front of her. Our heroine’s naïvete is compounded by her single mindedness as it involves her attraction to, and desire for the company CEO, missing the growing love of a man who is willing to give her his all. Weeks will pass and our heroine will remain oblivious so much so that she is willing to risk everything for her shot at the top.

MELT FOR YOU is an engaging and entertaining story line but the heroine’s over the top, combative and whiny personality is frustrating such that I was unable to truly enjoy all of the potential humor, and the back and forth repartee between the leading couple. Joellen’s issues of low self-esteem had been branded into her psyche by those she considered more beautiful and worthy, and her character development was questionable as Joellen continued to struggle with body image all the while focusing on her end game of falling in love with the ‘perfect’ CEO. A ‘slow burn’ romance MELT FOR YOU was a bit of a struggle but the kilted Scottish rugby player is worth the price of admission alone.

I will note that the author adds a cautionary tale at the end of the story – a warning of sorts for anyone who battles with, or knows someone who struggles with heart breaking issues of low self esteem that oft times, do not transfer, to a happily ever after.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-BURN FOR YOU.

ebook BURN FOR YOU only $1.99 for a limited time:

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads /Pinterest / Instagram /

A former headhunter, J.T. Geissinger is the author of more than a dozen novels in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Join her Facebook reader’s group, Geissinger’s Gang, to take part in weekly Wine Wednesday live chats and giveaways, find out more information about works in progress, have access to exclusive excerpts and contests, and get advance reader copies of her upcoming releases.

Share

Onyx & Ivory by MIndee Arnett – a Review

Posted on by
12

Onyx & Ivory by MIndee Arnett – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate Brighton inherited from her father after he tried to assassinate the high king years ago. Now Kate lives as an outcast, clinging to the fringes of society as a member of the Relay, the imperial courier service. Only those most skilled in riding and bow hunting ride for the Relay; and only the fastest survive, for when dark falls, the nightdrakes—deadly flightless dragons—come out to hunt. Fortunately, Kate has a secret edge: she is a wilder, born with magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals. But it’s this magic that she needs to keep hidden, as being a wilder is forbidden, punishable by death or exile. And it’s this magic that leads her to a caravan massacred by nightdrakes in broad daylight—the only survivor her childhood friend, her first love, the boy she swore to forget, the boy who broke her heart.

The high king’s second son, Corwin Tormane, never asked to lead. Even as he waits for the uror—the once-in-a-generation ritual to decide which of the king’s children will succeed him—he knows it’s always been his brother who will assume the throne. And that’s fine by him. He’d rather spend his days away from the palace, away from the sight of his father, broken with sickness from the attempt on his life. But the peacekeeping tour Corwin is on has given him too much time to reflect upon the night he saved his father’s life—the night he condemned the would-be killer to death and lost the girl he loved. Which is why he takes it on himself to investigate rumors of unrest in one of the remote city-states, only for his caravan to be attacked—and for him to be saved by Kate.

With their paths once more entangled, Kate and Corwin have to put the past behind them. The threat of drakes who attack in the daylight is only the beginning of a darker menace stirring in the kingdom—one whose origins have dire implications for Kate’s father’s attack upon the king and will thrust them into the middle of a brewing civil war in the kingdom of Rime

 

 

Review:

Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett is a fantasy duology.  We meet our heroine, Kate Brighton, who is a Relay Rider, for the imperial courier service.  Three Years ago, Kate was considered part of royalty, as her father was the right hand man for the High King of Rime.  When her father was killed because he tried to assassinate his king, Kate became an outcast, with nicknamed Traitor Kate, because she refused to accept that her father was a traitor.   Kate is one of the best relay riders, and when we meet her, she is pushing her horse to the brink in order to make it back before nightfall, when the barrier walls go down.  No one wants to be out in the open at night, as the monster Nightdrakes kill anyone they find.   We also get to meet Kate’s best friends, Bonner, a blacksmith who has developed revolvers; and Signe, her bff, who  also helps Bonner, by creating the gunpowder needed.  Signe was very outgoing, fun, sassy and good friend to Kate.  These two know that Kate harbors a secret that can never be revealed.  She is “Wilder”, those with magical powers, who are looked upon as a danger to the kingdom; all those suspected of being a wilder, are captured by the Inquisition and put to death. 

On one of her relays, Kate overhears a battle ongoing, and rushes to help; only to find a new species attacking the prince of Rime and his soldiers.   Daydrakes are new, and Kate using her revolver manages to kill many of them, and saving the prince.   Corwin Tormane, our hero, and Kate’s former boyfriend from her royal days, is surprised to see Kate.  She has never forgiven him for allowing them kill her father, instead of sending him out in exile.   But both still find themselves with the old feelings, which will be the start of a slow built rekindle of a romance.

Corwin, travels with his best friend and right hand man, Dal and the prince’s soldiers.  They ask Kate for her help in discovering more about these new revolvers, in order to help them fight off the Nightdrakes and these new Daydrakes (sort of dragons who cannot fly).   She reluctantly introduces them to Bonner and Signe, and soon all three will accompany Corwin and company back to Rime, where she hasn’t been in three years.

Upon his arrival home, Corwin and his older brother Edwin will be forced to undergo trials, to determine who will be crowned King.  It was interesting to see all the illusions and dangers both brothers have to face to survive.

What follows is an exciting adventure, where Kate will return to the Kingdom where she grew up, and try to find the truth about her father.  What she will find are some surprises about him, and learn more about The Rising, which is a rebellion of “wilders” in hiding, who want to come out and live normal lives, not in fear of being put to death, because they were born with certain powers.  Most wilders do not use their magical powers to hurt anyone, unless in defense of their lives.  Kate can sway animals, Bonner uses his magic to help make the revolvers, and some have elemental magic.   But the powers that be in Rime, including Edwin, and the governing monarchs fear and hate wilders and plan to eliminate them all. 

Kate, Bonner, Signe will find themselves in danger, when a surprise powerful enemy in Rime’s government kidnaps them to use their powers.  Corwin, Kate, Dal wil have to fight to save themselves, as well as the Rime kingdom who will not listen to reason, and tries to kill them.  This leads to an ultra exciting climax that will lead into the next book of this duology.   There were a number of surprises and twists along the way that made this story even better.  Kate was a fantastic heroine, and I loved her and Corwin together, hoping they will continue to rekindle their love for each other.  The secondary characters were great, from Dal, Signe, Bonner, and even some of the villains were very well done.  Mindee Arnett has done an excellent job with the world building, and I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share