Monthly Archives: June 2018

His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When a lady decides to become a spy, she must resist all temptation…especially love.

Audrey Sheridan is London’s sweetheart, a position that allows her access to the tonand all its secrets. As the enigmatic writer, Lady Society, she is wild, reckless, and speaks her mind. She matchmakes wicked rogues with their perfect wives. But there’s one thing she’s failed to find since her debut. A husband for herself. And there’s only one man she’s ever wanted. There’s just one problem…he doesn’t want her. What’s a lady to do to mend her broken heart? Run off to become a spy…

Jonathan St. Laurent is anything but a saint and certainly not husband material. He spent nearly his entire life as a servant to his half-brother the Duke of Essex. He’s trying to play the gentleman now, but it’s damned hard when he’s tempted by the ton’s darling spitfire Audrey. There’s something about her that makes him want to abandon the rules of polite society and show her just how wicked he can be…which is why it’s better to avoid the minx altogether. When Audrey’s plan to be a spy is discovered, Jonathan knows he must move heaven and earth to protect her while guarding his own secret…

 

Review:

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I know!  What a shocker huh?  A five star rating for Lauren Smith!  She seriously earns them though, and it’s an absolute treat to get one of her books to review.  I feel like I get reunited with an author I adore and with a cast of characters I can’t happen to fall in love with each and every time.  I often say her books can be stand alone and they truely can be .. BUT .. please do not deprive yourself from her entire series.  I promise you will not be disappointed.

His Wicked Secret by Lauren Smith is the 8th book in her “The League of Rogues” series.  Her book “The Earl of Pembroke” is an introduction of sorts of this couple, so you may want to check that out as well.  A historical romance set around spies, proper and not so proper behaviour by members of the ton, angst, love, passion and action, you can absolutely find a little bit of everything in this book.

Jonathon St Laurent is our leading man and he did not disappoint.  I have to admit after meeting him in previous books I was absolutely looking forward to his story which I can happily say was all I expected it to be.  He is a bit of an enigma.  He is trying to act and mix in with polite society as best as he can.  He was raised as a servant despite the fact that he should of been titled himself, and he feels the pressure of it the most when he has to act proper and feel completely constrained doing so.  He is a little wicked, very handsome, I think extremely sexy and absolutely head over heels for his leading lady  .. it just takes him some time and some circumstances to get with the program. LOL

Audrey Sheridan is deemed London’s sweetheart as she is the matchmaker for most of the ton.  She just knows who should be with who and why it will work out.  She is sweet but very sassy, a little troublemaker that isn’t afraid to say what she means and means what she says.  Her only problem is that she has never matched herself.  That may have something to do with Jonathon though as she is completely in love with him but has been turned away.  So instead of throwing herself a pity party, she decided to become a spy.

These two tango a little while bit and while you know from previous books they will end up together, you never quite knew how it will come together.  Well Audrey becoming a spy and then having her cover blown big time and Jonathon realizing he has to protect her or lose her for good was just about the perfect way for this to happen.  Danger seems to ignite a fire between these two and truths are forced out in the process.  We have some ugly moments, some simple shake you head moments, but ultimately it’s the “enough is enough, we are meant to be” that takes this story full around.  

Always the antagonists and the angst but that makes their story even better.  I adored these two together and once again Lauren delivers vivid imagery and heart melting, heart racing scenes and conversations that get my inner teen girl squealing in delight.  LOL

Absolutely recommend this book, series, and everything else she writes,  I have reviewed just about everything she has released and I am in as much awe today as I was the first time I read one of her books!  Keep it up Lauren, I always look forward to your next piece of work!

HAPPY READING!

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Lauren is graciously offering a  paper copy (USA only) or e-copy (Internationally) of a book of the winners choice from Lauren’s backlist to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from June 11 – 15, 2018

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Venom in the Veins by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Venom in the Veins by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

 

Description:
Blood might be thicker than water, but venom is stronger than just about anything …

It was supposed to be a nice, quiet, simple dinner with friends—but nothing is ever nice, quiet, or simple when you’re Gin Blanco, the Spider, notorious assassin and current queen of the Ashland underworld.

This time around, someone seems to be targeting Stuart Mosley, the president of First Trust bank. Lots of people have grudges against Mosley, but the more I investigate, the more Mosley’s problems seem to be connected to some of my own, especially when it comes to the Circle, the evil, shadowy group that is secretly responsible for much of the crime and corruption in Ashland.

But when another blast from my dark and deadly past as the Spider comes to light, I wonder if I’ll be able to survive this dangerous new enemy, who has a burning thirst for revenge that will only be satisfied with one thing: my death.

•••••••••

Barb’s Review:

Venom in the Veins by Jennifer Estep is the 17 book in her fantastic Elemental Assassin series.  Jennifer is one of my favorite authors, as I always look forward to reading her books, and spending more time with our kick-ass heroine, Gin Blanco.

Gin is enjoying dinner with Finn and Stuart Mosely (Finn’s boss at the bank, and friend to Gin); they learn about the upcoming auction that Mosely has been buried helping set up.  When they leave, Gin senses something wrong, and rushes to save Mosely, who is under attack and being kidnapped.  As we always come to expect with Gin, she saves him, but now the question is why someone is targeting Mosely.

Gin suspects that the attack is related to the Circle and  her arch enemy Tucker.  Upon further investigation, Gin will come across a blast from her “spider”past.  Years before, when she was still being trained by Fletcher, she ended up killing a dangerous vampire, and regretted that the daughter came upon the scene.  In present time, Alanna, this story’s main villain, is the daughter of the woman she killed years before, who is also working with Mosely on the auction, which proves to Gin who is behind the attack and why.

What follows is an exciting, action filled, pulse pounding mystery that will bring Gin into death defying situations, where ‘déjà vu’  memories of the past as the daughter comes back to enact revenge on both Moseley and Gin.    As always with Gin Blanco, she is right in the middle of this wild violent adventure.  Gin suffers a lot, and I held my breath so many times when she was in precarious situations.  We have come to expect that Gin, who is always in the middle of danger so many times as they all try to kill her, and somehow our heroine always manages to suffer horrific injuries, and yet escape death.  But it still is nerve wracking to watch, as the violence escalates.

I love spending time with Gin, but I also love all the recurring secondary characters that are Gin’s friends and family that she is loyal to, and always there for each other.  Finn, Owen, Bria, Silvio, Sophie, Jo Jo, Lorelei are all great members of Gin’s group.  Tucker, who Gin is determined to destroy, as well learn more about the Circle leader, Mason are two main villains in this arc of the series.   Though I feel there is more about Tucker than we know, especially with his penchant for being around to help save her a few times.  There are some findings as we race to the thrilling climax that will lead into the next book.

Jennifer Estep is a master at creating exciting, mind-boggling adventures in each story, and making Gin into such a great heroine. Venom in the Veins was a wonderful action filled addition to this series, which also gives us answers to some questions, as well as surprises that will have us waiting impatiently for the next book;  I cannot wait for more adventures of Gin Blanco. If you have not read the Elemental Assassin series, it is time for you to start now.

 

Sandy’s Review

VENOM IN THE VEINS is the seventeenth full-length instalment in Jennifer Estep’s contemporary, adult ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Gin Blanco aka The Spider aka The Assassin –the reigning Queen of the paranormal Underworld of Ashland. VENOM IN THE VEINS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory.

SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, Gin lost her mother and her older sister to a deliberate fire started by a fire elemental, a fire ordered by the notorious group known only as The Circle. Fostered and mentored by Fletcher Lane, Gin would become the fiercest elemental assassin the Underworld would ever know.

Told from first person point of view (Gin Blanco) using present day and memories from the past, VENOM IN THE VEINS brings together all of the familiar, and not so familiar characters in a show down between the present and the past. The Circle, a secret society of supernaturals responsible for much of the crime and corruption in Ashland, continues to haunt our story line heroine as sins from the past come full circle in the search for something Gin knows nothing about. When Ashland’s First Trust Bank owner Stuart Mosley is targeted in what appears to be a random abduction and robbery, Gin’s mind goes into overdrive as she sets out to discover the reason behind the attack against a man she has called a friend, a discovery that is laced with revenge, guilt and a familiar party. Sins from the past are revealed in the present such that Gin must face down a powerful enemy with vengeance on her mind as a high-stakes auction is only the beginning of a battle for control.

Gin’s intrepid friends and family (step-brother Finn, sister Bria, officer Xavier, boyfriend and lover Owen, Gin’s assistant/ vampire Silvio, dwarves JoJo and Sophia) return to assist our heroine as she must battle not only her guilt but with a vampire avenging the death of the mother she loved. We are introduced to Alanna Eaton, a vampire whose mother Amelia was killed, years before, by our heroine in a fight to the death. A cannibal vampire like her mother, Alanna is not above using The Circle, in her need to seek vengeance against our story line heroine. Vampire Hugh Tucker and the mysterious Mason make a cameo appearance to set up the next arc in the Elemental Assassin series

VENOM IN THE VEINS is a familiar story line in that Gin’s past has come back in more ways than one. Look a-likes, including mothers and daughters, are a persistent theme throughout the series, a theme that will continue with the reveal of what’s next for our story line heroine. The over-use of familiar phrases, specific to the author, are easily recognizable throughout the series. The series arcs, premises and situations in which the heroine struggles are similar in context and plot. VENOM IN THE VEINS is a dramatic and intense instalment in Jennifer Estep’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN urban fantasy series.


Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

 

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Wyvern’s Angel (The Dragons of Incendium #5) by Deborah Cooke-a review

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WYVERNS ANGEL (The Dragons of Incendium # 5) by Deborah Cooke-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2018

Bond is a secret spy for the Gloria Furore space pirates, a former member of Princess Anguissa’s crew, and a fallen angel with a taste for forbidden pleasures. He can’t resist the temptation of bad choices. He knows he should disappear from Incendium before Anguissa discovers his deception, but he isn’t counting on her enticing younger sister. Bond should know better than to get involved with a dragon shifter princess, but Percipia knows how to get exactly what she wants from him. She offers him a challenge, with irresistible side benefits, and Bond finds himself snared. He should walk away and he knows it, but Percipia’s brand of persuasion feels too much like heaven for Bond to ever want to stop

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: WYVERN’S ANGEL is the fifth full-length novella in Deborah Cooke’s THE DRAGONS OF INCENDIUM paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on the royal female dragon shifters of Incendium as they search for their ‘HeartKeeper’-their mate- and the ‘Carrier of the Seed’. This is Bond and Princess Percipia’s story line. WYVERN’S ANGEL 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 third person perspective (Bond and Percipia) WYVERN’S ANGEL follows dragon Princess Percipia as she goes in search of the ‘Carrier of the Seed’. Once in a lifetime, the Carrier of the Seed is said to come into a dragon princess’ life, and on this day, as she and her sisters step out for a night on the town, Percipia will scent the Carrier of the Seed. Enter Bond, a stranger of unknown origins, but a stranger whose secrets have targeted our couple for potential extermination. A former member of her sister Princess Angussa’s crew, Bond has a mission of utmost importance, that once completed, will free him from his mortal bindings. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Bond and Percipia, and the fall-out as Bond must return to where he belongs, leaving a heartbroken Percipia to mourn the loss of her potential HeartKeeper.

WYVERN’S ANGEL is a fast paced, thrilling adventure as Percipia and Bond must outwit and outmaneuver that which is coming to destroy them both. The premise is action packed and animated; the romance is passionate and spirited; the characters are secretive and energetic. WYVERN’S ANGEL is an intriguing look at dragons, shape shifters, and the power of love.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wyvern’s Mate
Nero’s Dream
Wyvern’s Prince
Arista’s Legacy
Wyvern’s Warrior
Kraws’ Secret
Wyvern’s Outlaw
Celo’s Quest
Wyvern’s Angel

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ain’t She A Peach (Southern Eclectic #2) by Molly Harper-a review

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AIN’T SHE A PEACH (Southern Eclectic #2) by Molly Harper -a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 12, 2018

An Atlanta ex-cop comes to sleepy Lake Sackett, Georgia, seeking peace and quiet—but he hasn’t bargained on falling for Frankie, the cutest coroner he’s ever met.

Frankie McCready talks to dead people. Not like a ghost whisperer or anything—but it seems rude to embalm them and not at least say hello.

Fortunately, at the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie’s eccentricities fit right in. Lake Sackett’s embalmer and county coroner, Frankie’s goth styling and passion for nerd culture mean she’s not your typical Southern girl, but the McCreadys are hardly your typical Southern family. Led by Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family, everyone looks out for one another—which usually means getting up in everyone else’s business.

Maybe that’s why Frankie is so fascinated by new sheriff Eric Linden…a recent transplant from Atlanta, he sees a homicide in every hunting accident or boat crash, which seems a little paranoid for this sleepy tourist town. What’s he so worried about? And what kind of cop can get a job with the Atlanta PD but can’t stand to look at a dead body?

Frankie has other questions that need answering first—namely, who’s behind the recent break-in attempts at the funeral home, and how can she stop them? This one really does seem like a job for the sheriff—and as Frankie and Eric do their best Scooby-Doo impressions to catch their man, they get closer to spilling some secrets they thought were buried forever.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: AIN’T SHE A PEACH is the second full-length instalment in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult SOUTHERN ECLECTIC romance (woman’s fiction) series focusing on the McCready family of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This is Lake Sackett Sheriff Eric Linden, and mortician/coroner Frankie McCready’s story line. AIN’T SHE A PEACH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Eric and Frankie AINT SHE A PEACH follows the building relationship between Lake Sackett Sheriff Eric Linden, and mortician/coroner Frankie McCready. Frankie and Eric have an acrimonious relationship in that Eric eyes every death as a potential murder forcing Frankie to go above and beyond the necessary requirements. When a local teen known to Frankie, begins terrorizing the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie must prove to our hero that it isn’t her imagination. What ensues is the slow building romance between Frankie and Eric, and the potential fall-out as Frankie disobeys Eric’s demands, placing herself in the line of fire.

Eric Linden is a former Atlanta police officer who’s hoping for a slower paced lifestyle in Lake Sackett, Georgia. From town drunks to mischief, bar fights and kittens caught in trees, the crime wave in Lake Sackett is the ideal situation for our story line hero. Frankie MCready is an only child, a little bit spoiled, but a woman determined to prove that sixteen-year old Jared Lewis is intent on doing damage to the family owned business.

The relationship between Eric and Frankie is one of immediate attraction but our heroine doesn’t believe there is a happily ever after in her future. A one-night stand, with Eric, months before, found Frankie walking away without looking back. The $ex scenes are all implied.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and fun as the town begins preparations for the annual Halloween Trunk R Treat. We are reintroduced to Frankie’s cousin Margot, and elementary school principal Kyle Archer (Sweet Tea and Sympathy #1), as well as Carl and Marianne (Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck .5). There is plenty of back and forth, snark, humor, quirky idioms, and southern charm.

AIN’T SHE A PEACH is an entertaining, sweet, spirited and delightful read. Clean romance, energetic characters, and an optimistic look at life in a small town.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Duke of Lies (The Untouchables #9) by Darcy Burke-a review

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THE DUKE OF LIES (The Untouchables #9) by Darcy Burke-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2018

Verity Beaumont has suffered domineering men most of her life, first with her father and then with her husband. Free from both men, she has finally found peace. Even meeting a kind and hard-working gentleman who just might be the perfect father her young son so desperately needs. But as she dares look to the future, her carefully ordered world is shattered when her dead husband returns.

Imprisoned in America during the war, Rufus Beaumont, Duke of Blackburn, wants nothing more than to return to his native England. He longs for comfort and safety away from the horrors of battle, only the life he returns to is not the life he left. He must convince his wife that their marriage is worth fighting for, that he’s not the man he was. But when the truth about what happened to him leaks out, he must prove that not everything about him, especially his love for her, is a lie.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE DUKE OF LIES is the ninth instalment in Darcy Burke’s THE UNTOUCHABLES historical romance series. This is Verity Beaumont, and Rufus Beaumont ‘s, Duke of Blackburn ( aka Captain Christopher ‘Kit’ Powell) story line. THE DUKE OF LIES 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 third person perspectives (Verity and Rufus/Kit) THE DUKE OF LIES follows the building relationship between Verity Beaumont, and Rufus Beaumont, the Duke of Blackburn ( aka Captain Christopher ‘Kit’ Powell). Verity Beaumont’s husband has been missing for six and half years. There has been no word, no sightings, and no news about his demise. With the seven year mark quickly approaching, our heroine, along with their six year old son Beau, is hoping to move on with her life when the man in question resurfaces-a changed man similar in appearance but for all intents and purposes not the man she remembers as abusive and mean. What ensues is the ‘rekindling’ romance between Verity and Rufus, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.

Rufus Beaumont has a reputation. Abusive, dark and brutish, Rufus’ disappearance meant a reprieve for everyone he left behind. The man who returned in his absence, is not the same man our heroine remembers, but a kind and gentle man who is willing to begin anew. Physical similarities aside, the man with whom Verity will fall in love is a stranger who is willing to accept everything and more including the love of Verity and her six year old son.

THE DUKE OF LIES is an energetic tale of second chances (of sorts). An uplifting and spirited story line about secrets, lies, romance and love. The premise is captivating and charming; the characters are determined, dynamic and tenacious; the romance is fated and passionate.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter – a Review

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Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter – a Review

 

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Description:
It wasn’t shy librarian Lola McBride’s idea to crash someone else’s high school reunion. Her best friend made her do it, insisting that having a little fun with a super-hot rebound would make her forget about her recent breakup. That’s when she meets the hottest guy she’s ever seen.

Architect Luke Erickson had no idea attending his ten-year reunion would turn out to be so fun. He catches the sexy brunette in a lie, and he counters with a proposal—He’ll keep her secret if she helps get his family off his back by pretending to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family reunion.

From one reunion to another, Lola and Luke are suddenly spending a lot of time together. Good thing they’re only pretending, or this super-secret relationship could get really complicated.

 

 

Review:

Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter is a sweet cute romantic story of a fake romance that turns into the real thing.

Lola McBride, our heroine, is a shy librarian, who is coming off a break up and her roommate, Frankie convinces her that she needs to get out and have some fun.  After much convincing, they end up at a high school reunion (not their school) using names of those not attending.  Lola spots a hot looking guy, who approaches her. 

Luke Erickson, our hero, attends the reunion only because his friends put him on the spot.  When he spies a beautiful girl, Luke decides to introduce himself and in a short time, Lola’s gig is up, as Luke used to date the girl’s name she took.  However, Luke thinks it’s funny, and says he will keep her secret, if she will do a favor for him.

Luke wants no permanent relationships in his life, as he is haunted by his father leaving him and his family years before; he never wants to allow himself feel the hurt again.  His family (mother & 3 sisters), are very close and loyal, but they drive him crazy, pressuring him to find a girl to marry.   Luke tells Lola he would like her to be his pretend girlfriend at his upcoming family’s reunion.  Lola though not liking to lie agrees to help Luke.

What follows is a cute, fun story, as Luke and Lola begin to spend time going out to dinner, so they learn more about each of their lives for their pretend romance; which includes about Luke’s father & Lola having no family left.  When they attend the reunion, Lola finds herself loving being around Luke’s family, who welcome her with open arms.  When the reunion is over, instead of ending things, Luke and Lola find they are both attracted to each other.  Soon another visit to Luke’s house has Lola feeling like part of the family, and Luke feeling things he refused to acknowledge.  But his relationship fears are deep rooted.  Will Lola and Luke find a way to stay together?

As I said above, this story was a cute, fun and a fast read.  I thoroughly enjoyed Lola and Luke, as well as his family. Frankie, her best friend, was a fanatic of the Golden Girls television show, and used many things from that show throughout the story.  Her Super- Secret Rebound Boyfriend was a refreshing and charming read.  This is my first book by Kerri Carpenter, and I will be looking out for more books from her.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Tall, Dark and Charming(Tall, Dark and Sexy #1) by Erika Wilde-Review & Excerpt Tour

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TALL, DARK AND CHARMING (Tall, Dark and Sexy #1) by Erika Wilde-review and excerpt tour

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 5,2018

Aiden Stone loves life as a bachelor and has no intentions of settling down anytime soon. He has a great job and a career he enjoys, and women adore him . . . except for Daisy Parker, who doesn’t seem fazed by his flirtatious attempts or the sexy smile that normally has panties dropping to the floor. She’s a tougher nut to crack, but the fact that she seems immune to his charm only fascinates him more . . . until one hot unexpected encounter with her blows his mind and gives them both more than just a night of pleasure. Because Daisy is now his baby momma, and his life is about to change in ways he’d never anticipated.

••••••••••

REVIEW: TALL, DARK AND CHARMING is the first instalment in Erika Wilde’s contemporary, adult TALL, DARK AND SEXY erotic, romance series focusing on the Stone siblings (Aiden, Leo, Dylan). This is thirty two year old Director of Sales and Marketing for Roth Owens Agency Aiden Stone, and website designer Daisy Parker’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Aiden and Daisy) TALL, DARK AND CHARMING follows the building relationship between co-workers Aiden Stone, and Daisy Parker. Several months earlier one-night of glorious, no-strings attached sex while on assignment in San Francisco resulted in an unplanned pregnancy for our leading couple. Fast forward to present day wherein Daisy is willing to go it alone but Aiden has other plans for the mother of his child. What ensues is the building romance and love between Aiden and Daisy, and the potential fall-out as Daisy refuses to accept help from the man with whom she is falling in love.

Daisy grew up never knowing or having met the man her mother claims to be her father; Aiden watched as his family was ripped apart when his father had an affair, and in this our leading couple struggle with memories from the past. Daisy is an independent, successful young woman whose inner vixen is hidden behind classic business suits and a stoic hair bun but her last relationship left our heroine with issues of trust. Aiden is a handsome, sexy man who doesn’t do relationships, or believe in a happily ever after but a man who is both tender and passionate, provocative and sassy.

The relationship between Aiden and Daisy begins as a one-night stand. Their attraction to one another is palpable but both agreed to never let their personal life interfere with their business and ability to work together. Daisy’s unexpected pregnancy is a shock to them both but Aiden is willing to step up and be the father to their child, that neither one ever had. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic. There are some scenes of light spanking.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Aiden’s brothers Leo and app designer Dylan, as well as their supportive and loving mother Felicia Stone; Daisy’s long suffering mother Diane Parker; and Sabrina, our couple’s accommodating boss at the Roth Owens Agency. Leo’s story is next in Tall, Dark and Sexy.

TALL, DARK AND CHARMING is an enjoyable, delightful and refreshing story line in that our couple accept responsibility without accusations and finger pointing, or placing the blame for what happened or why. The premise is heart warming and inspiring; the characters are strong, spirited and flirty; the romance is seductive, erotic and intense. TALL, DARK AND CHARMING is a quick, light-hearted, entertaining and satisfying read.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Enough about work. I say we move on to other pleasures,” Aiden said with a flirtatious gleam in his eyes. “What’ll you have to drink? Your normal white wine spritzer?”
Yep, she really was totally predictable and boring, because that was always her go-to drink during their monthly mixers with clients, or when some of their co-workers went out after work for a cocktail, and he’d obviously noticed her light-weight choice. Her limit was always one, and she was usually the first to leave those social gatherings, citing an early morning.
Predictable and boring had been her life for the past three years because it was a safe place to be, but tonight, being in a different city and away from her normal routine and weighty expectations prompted her to be daring.
“I think I’ll have a Moscow mule,” she said, stepping completely outside of her square little box.
He arched a dark brow, the amusement in his eyes warm and playful. “Wow, walking on the wild side tonight, huh?”
She laughed, the sound huskier than she’d intended. “Sure. Why not.”
“Why not, indeed,” he murmured, looking at her as if he was seeing someone other than the reserved woman he’d worked with the past three years before motioning to the bartender.
“What can I get you two?” the older gentleman asked as he set a small square napkin on the counter in front of each of them.
“Two Moscow mules,” Aiden said, surprising Daisy by ordering one for himself.
“You like them, too?” she asked once the bartender left them to make their drinks. With a mixture of vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, it was usually an acquired taste.
“Never had one,” he admitted, flashing her a dimpled grin that caused a warm tickle in her belly. “But if you’re taking a walk on the wild side tonight, then I’m joining you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’m such a rebel,” she scoffed, then shook her head at that absurd notion and laughed. “Okay, let’s be real. I’m so not rebellious.”
“I know, which is why I’m not letting you indulge alone,” he teased, leaning his forearm on the countertop. “You know what they say . . . friends don’t let friends get drunk alone.”
Her lips quirked at his explanation. “Umm, can’t say I’ve ever heard that quote before.”
“Just go with it, Daisy,” he encouraged, swiveling his chair so that his body was turned toward her, though she remained sitting straight because if she did rotate her seat his way, his legs would end up bracketing hers. “Besides, I don’t want to be the responsible sober one if you do something crazy, like dance on one of the tabletops. I want to watch and cheer you on.”
Her cheeks warmed at the notion of doing something so impulsive, but mostly at the thought of Aiden encouraging her brazen behavior and having his eyes on her while she shimmied her body and tempted him to end her three year dry spell. Yeah, as if that would ever happen. Judging by the beautiful, sophisticated, svelte women she’d seen him with, she was so not his type.
“So, truthfully?” he said, his voice effectively snapping her out of her little fantasy, even though the residual scrape of her tight, hard nipples against the cups of her bra was distracting as hell. “I’ve always been curious to know what a Moscow mule tasted like.”
“You didn’t have to order one,” she told him with a laugh. “I would have given you a sip of mine.”
“Mmm . . . I don’t think I should be putting my lips on your lips,” he said, his voice dipping sensually low as his gaze skimmed across her mouth before lifting to her eyes again. “Well, not technically, anyways, but if you shared, I might not be able to stop at one taste, and that wouldn’t be fair to you.”
Daisy’s pulse stuttered, then resumed at a faster, more arousing pace. Oh. My. God. Were they even talking about the Moscow mule anymore? She was used to the occasional teasing exchange with Aiden at work where there were a dozen other people around so it never felt personal. But now that it was just the two of them, without anyone else around to buffer his comments and the situation, she wasn’t sure what to make of this more intimate dialogue . . . except to admit that it was making her very aware of how much she missed this kind of connection with a man . . . especially the physical one. And how much she liked Aiden’s attention.
The bartender delivered their drinks, and both she and Aiden picked up their highball glasses and took a sip of the Moscow mule. The taste of vodka was strong, but the spicy ginger beer and lime gave it an interesting twist of flavor. It took Aiden three sips, taken with a furrowed, uncertain brow, before he finally, slowly, nodded his head in approval.
“It’s definitely different, but I like the kick of spice.” He shifted his gaze from the drink, to her. “Who knew beneath those conservative suits you wear that you were a woman who liked a little spice in her life.”
His eyes twinkled mischievously, though there was something more heated simmering beneath the amber hue as he maintained eye contact with her. As if he was testing just how far she’d allow this arousing banter between them to go. If she’d play it off like she normally did, or if she’d dare to take a walk on the wild side, as he’d suggested earlier.
The thought was appealing, especially in a city and environment where no one knew them. Deciding to just go with the flow of flirty conversation and enjoy the evening away from work, obligations, and responsibilities, she took another swallow of her drink and smiled at him. “That’s because you’ve never seen me out of my business attire.”

Erika Wilde:

Erika Wilde is the author of the sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com.

Website: http://www.erikawilde.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5357264.Erika_Wilde
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/erikawilde1

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Order of Protection (Courting Justice #1) by Lexi Blake-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ORDER OF PROTECTION (Courting Justice #1) by Lexi Blake-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour

ORDER OF PROTECTION
Courting Justice #1
by Lexi Blake
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic, suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 5, 2018

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win’s entire life is upended, she must look to the people she’s closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ORDER OF PROTECTION is the first installment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult COURTING JUSTICE romantic, suspense series, a spin-off from the author’s LAWLESS series. This is thirty-seven year old, high-powered, defense attorney aka The Monster of Manhattan, Henry Garrison, and twenty-nine year old, former reality TV star/heiress Taylor Winston-Hughes aka Win Hughes’ story line. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series with the inclusion of several security experts from McKay-Taggart.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Win and Henry) ORDER OF PROTECTION follows the acrimonious relationship between thirty-seven year old, high-powered, defense attorney Henry Garrison, and twenty-nine year old, former reality TV star/heiress Win Hughes, and the search for the truth. A month earlier, hiding from scandals that had become their lives, Henry Garrison and Win Hughes would spend several glorious weeks together on Chappaquiddick with the knowledge that their relationship was only temporary, and no-strings attached. Never having revealed to Henry the true identity about her past and reality TV, Win would return to civilization, only to be charged with the murder of her co-star Brie while attending a fund-raiser set up by her Uncle Bel. Enter Henry Garrison, who has been hired to defend our story –line heroine. What ensues is the caustic relationship between our leading couple as everyone struggles to uncover the truth.

Approximately twenty-seven years earlier, an infant Taylor Winston-Hughes was the lone survivor of an explosion at sea wherein her billionaire parents were killed leaving their only child the heir to a fortune but her personal life would become fodder for the news media naming her the Billion-Dollar Baby, that followed her the rest of her life. Quiet, shy, determined and beautiful Win is a recovering anorexic whose time spent on the gossip beleaguered, reality television show brought with it the demands of perfection and more. Working with Henry to solve the murder meant working with a spiteful, angry, and demeaning man whose inability to forgive and forget found our heroine on the receiving end of acidic barbs and accusations of murder from the man hired to work on her defense.

From the outset, recovering alcoholic and scandal plagued Henry Garrison finds himself attracted to his temporary neighbour, and his relationship and sexual attraction is palpable and sweet, but murder charges against, and the revelation of our heroine’s true identity turn Henry into a caustic, monster of epic proportions. Cynical and untrusting Henry is unable to move beyond the scandal that plagued his marriage to actress Alicia Kingman, a disastrous and fraudulent marriage that has blinded our hero to love and a happily ever after. For all intents and purposes Henry became the nightmare our heroine was trying to avoid.

The relationship between Henry and Win is plagued by Henry’s intolerance of the lies of omission, and secrets about our heroine’s past. Henry’s bitter comments and scathing treatment of Win Hughes borders on mental and emotional abuse for a woman already haunted by the events of the past. Win is a sweet, sassy and intelligent heroine whose reactions to our hero’s abusive treatment are rather calm and emotionless under the circumstances. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and impassioned.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including several cast members of the reality TV show Kendalmire’s Way-Brie Westerhaven, Hoover Kendalmire, and Kipton Keever; Win’s uncle Bellamy Hughes, her cousin Trevor, and nanny Mary Hannigan; an assortment of security and investigation specialists from McKay-Taggart; attorney Margarita Reyes, and Henry’s legal partners David Cormack, and Noah Lawless of Garrison, Cormack and Lawless.

ORDER OF PROTECTION is a detailed and complex story line with a couple of twists revealed at the very end. The premise is engaging, entertaining and edgy; the romance is dramatic and provocative; the characters are spirited, startling and animated but saying that Henry’s abrasive, antagonizing and ill-tempered treatment of our story line heroine is offensive until the very end; the character portrayal of Henry is questionable-he is not a likeable hero but more of an anti-hero; redemption is difficult. ORDER OF PROTECTION is a well written, thought-out story of suspense with an energetic cast of characters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Henry glanced up at the clock. Two thirty p.m. Somehow he’d expected Win to show up bright and early this morning. He’d woken up and made a pot of coffee, and he’d gone over all the ways he would explain to her that this was a bad idea.
Because it was still a bad idea.
Alicia might have given in to Noah and Drew Lawless’s blackmail, but she would be back at some point. Then there was the fact that he dealt with unsavory clients on a daily basis. He took on high-profile cases and often got dragged through the mud along with the client.
There were plenty of people out there who hated him. Loathed him and despised the very fact that he existed and cheered if he failed. He was used to it. Sweet little Win was not and would be horrified.
So he was going to tell her how amazing their night together was and then turn her down gently.
Except she hadn’t shown up and that bugged the hell out of him.
She’d been the one to claim she would be here despite the fact that he’d told her not to come. She’d told him she didn’t care what he thought.
It was perverse, but if he’d had her number, he might have called and said a few things about setting expectations and then not meeting them.
He started another pot of coffee. This was completely foolish. She’d put some distance between the two of them and realized how little they had in common. At least one of them had some sense.
The scent of French roast hit the air and he realized he was pro-crastinating. He was putting off the moment when he had to step back into the city and face the music. He would have to work his ass off to find anyone who wanted to hire a lawyer with his tarnished reputation. It didn’t matter that his addiction issues had never cost a client a dime. The perception would be there, and perception was over half the battle in life.
He should pack up tonight and leave it all to the agent. It’s what he should have done yesterday, but he’d enjoyed spending time with David, showing him places on the island and telling him stories.
It was time to go home now. Time to forget about pretending to be someone he couldn’t afford to be anymore. Time to put away thoughts of quiet and peace and get back to being the Monster of Manhattan. That was the only way he was going to survive.
The Monster of Manhattan didn’t give in to urges. He plowed through all problems with a single-minded, ruthless intent. The Monster didn’t need attention, though he tended to get it. Attention didn’t matter to the Monster. Money mattered. Power mattered.
He would get them both back.
The Monster certainly didn’t need some do-gooder in his bed. He would select a woman, rationally discuss his needs with her, and pay her for her services, whether they be as a plus-one to gatherings or as a body in bed. That was how he would view it. Transactional.
Transactional was safe.
So he was going to stop being such a whiny asshole and be grateful that Win had some sense.
A knock broke through the quiet of the house.
He practically ran for the door.

He opened it and there was Win, standing in the soft light of the afternoon, her hair up in a ponytail. She was wearing denim shorts and a blousy, feminine shirt. She had a bag of groceries in one hand and what looked like a duffel in the other.
“I know you said I shouldn’t come back, but you’re wrong and I’m going to give you all my reasons why.”
He didn’t care. She was here. He walked straight up to her and cupped that pretty face in his hands and kissed her for all he was worth.
Fuck transactional. He wanted something real for once in his damn life.
When he came back up, he was rewarded with a soft look in her eyes, her lips curving into a small smile.
“No arguing with me?”
He did have some problems they should discuss. “You’re late.”
Her smile went brilliant. “I had some things to clear up. I thought if you didn’t mind, I might stay with you for a few nights.”
He took the bag of groceries out of her hand and led her inside. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
“This is way easier than I thought it would be,” she admitted. “Have you had lunch? I could whip up some sandwiches and we could have a picnic.”
He stashed the grocery bag in the fridge. She set down her duffel, and that made it much easier to scoop her up and into his arms. “I know exactly what I want for lunch.”
Her eyes went wide, but she didn’t struggle at all. Her arms went around his shoulders as he carried her to the big bedroom.
It had been cozy in his old room, but he needed more space if she was going to live here with him for a few weeks.
He stopped at the edge of the big bed he’d had brought in after he’d inherited the place. It was the only room he’d redone, with the thought of spending long weekends with his friends up here. He never had managed the time, but now he was happy he’d spent the cash to do it because he could share it with her.
The last few weeks of being Henry before going back to the real world.
He set her down on the bed and pulled his shirt over his head. He wasn’t playing around this time. That was for later. It had been entirely too long since he’d had her.
He needed her.
He knew it was something he should question, even be slightly afraid of, but he didn’t care in the moment. All that mattered was she was here and he could put off any thoughts of letting her go for a few days. He could sink into her.
She was his reward for every crappy thing he’d been through in the last couple of years.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

The Reading Cafe and Lexi Blake’s publisher are offering a paper copy of ORDER OF PROTECTION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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