Monthly Archives: July 2018

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – a Review

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The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – a Review

 

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Description:
Two Truths and a Lie. The girls played it all the time in their tiny cabin at Camp Nightingale. Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and first-time camper Emma Davis, the youngest of the group. The games ended when Emma sleepily watched the others sneak out of the cabin in the dead of night. The last she–or anyone–saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising star in the New York art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings–massive canvases filled with dark leaves and gnarled branches that cover ghostly shapes in white dresses. The paintings catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale. When Francesca implores her to return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor, Emma sees an opportunity to try to find out what really happened to her friends.

Yet it’s immediately clear that all is not right at Camp Nightingale. Already haunted by memories from fifteen years ago, Emma discovers a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca and, most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian left behind about the camp’s twisted origins. As she digs deeper, Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing threats from both man and nature in the present.

And the closer she gets to the truth about Camp Nightingale, the more she realizes it may come at a deadly price.

 

 

Review:

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is a standalone psychological thriller.  I was not sure what to expect, as I have not read Sager before; and I am happy to say right from the start, I became engrossed in this suspenseful story.  The Last Time I Lied was an amazing story line that switched between two POV’s- the current time and 15 years previously.

15 years ago, we meet our heroine, Emma, who 13 years old and forced by her mother to attend a summer camp.  Emma shares a cabin with three girls, who are a few years older and already friends, but they quickly accept Emma.  Vivian, Alison and Natalie are the three girls, who come from rich families and who have attended Camp Nightingale during the summer months.  Vivian is the leader, and she makes Emma her protégé, showing her the ropes.  But strange things happen in Camp Nightingale. Before the summer is out, Emma will wake during the night to find the three girls missing, never to be found.

The story picks up 15 years later, when a grown up Emma is showcasing her paintings at a gallery.  She paints canvases of a forest, with her three missing friends hidden within the pictures.  Emma has created over 30 pictures, similar and with her secret hidden within.  At the gallery show, she is approached by the person who owns Camp Nightingale, and wants to reopen it.  She asks Emma to come for the summer and teach painting.  At first Emma, who has not gotten over what happened all those years ago, wasn’t sure she wanted to go back, but in order to get closure and go on with her life, she accepts.

The flashbacks go back 15 years where we learn everything about Emma, and the other girls, especially Vivian, who Emma became the closest to.  In current time, Emma ends up sharing the same cabin with three young girls, being their counselor.  Emma has her own secrets, which haunts her, and which are revealed in each flashback; she also begins to search to find clues about what really happened. 

What follows is an intriguing, exciting, at times creepy story that has us on the edge of our seats, especially with so many surprises and twists along the way.  Every time we thought we knew who the culprit was, something else comes along to change things.  Then things become intense when déjà vu strikes again.   I thought Sager created some wonderful characters, even if they were flawed.

The Last Time I Lied was a fantastic mystery thriller that was so well written, keeping us on our toes, with the suspense pulsating.  There were so many secrets, lies, revelations that borderline on the dark creep factor.  I will say this, without giving spoilers, that I was shocked at the ending, which was so superbly done.  Riley Sager has created an ultra-powerful phenomenal story, and has now been added to my list of authors I need to read.  If you enjoy thrillers, suspense, and mystery, look no further than The Last Time I Lied.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Murder Girl (Lilah Love #2) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review Tour

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MURDER GIRL (Lilah Love #2) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 10, 2018

It’s Lilah Love’s job to inhabit a killer’s mind. The unapologetically tough FBI profiler is very comfortable there. But her latest case is making her head spin. It’s a string of brutal assassinations carried out across the country, each tied to a mysterious tattoo. Body by body, she’s followed the clues all the way back to her hometown. And every step of the way, the killer has been following her.

Here, beneath the glamour of the privileged Hamptons community, is a secret long buried but never forgotten. It’s bigger than Lilah. It’s powerful enough to escape the reach of the FBI. And it’s more personal than anyone can imagine. Because it’s hiding in Lilah’s own past. To fight it, she’s forced to turn to her lethally tempting ex, Kane Mendez. He’s an expert at bringing out Lilah’s darkest impulses. If she plans to survive, she’s going to need them.

•••••••

REVIEW: MURDER GIRL is the second instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult LILAH LOVE romantic suspense series focusing on FBI profiler Lilah Love.

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

Told from first person perspective (Lilah Love) MURDER GIRL picks up immediately after the events of book one –Murder Notes- and continues to focus on the hunt for a potential serial killer, that may or may not be connected to Lilah’s past. Two years earlier Lilah, and her then lover, Mexican cartel heir Kane Mendez found themselves embroiled in a dark and dangerous situation that appears to have followed them to present day. As the body count continues to climb, more threatening ‘notes’ addressed to our heroine reveal a personal knowledge about their tainted pasts. As Lilah begins to get closer to the truth, threats from another source find Lilah the prey in a game where she is targeted from a power she is unable to control.

MURDER GIRL is another thrilling roller coaster ride of intrigue, mystery, conspiracy and death. The political elite and law enforcement have been compromised such that our heroine can no longer trust the people with whom she works and loves. The aura of restlessness and the uneasiness of Lilah’s investigation places everyone on edge, the closer she comes to uncovering the truth.

Once again, the romance aspect of the story line is limited as Lilah is focused on the end results. MURDER GIRL is another detailed and complex story line that ventures along many paths, differing angles, clues and secrets that do not want to be revealed. At times, the number of suspects, leads and misinformation was complicated and confusing, in the hopes of misleading the heroine (and the reader) from the ultimate prize. Lisa Renee Jones pulls the reader into a story of betrayal and revenge; assassins and ‘ghosts’; and an organization controlled by the political elite who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets and lies. MURDER GIRL is a dramatic, intense, intriguing and edgy story that will keep you guessing until the end.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-MURDER NOTES

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

I enter the building and ignore the pretty brunette behind the triangle-shaped stone desk and head to the stairs.“Excuse me,” she calls out, but I ignore her. Kane knows I’m coming. He has people watching me and this building. He knows I’m in the building by now. I don’t need “sweet thing” down there to announce me in yet another way. I’m at the top of the stairs before she finishes her fourth excuse me, which is now a bit louder, as if I just haven’t heard her the other three times. I turn down the hallway and walk toward the desk outside Kane’s office where Tabitha sits, minus any more originality today than the last time I was here. She’s still bleached blonde, with her fake, giant-ass boobs hanging out of a silk blouse with numerous buttons undone that turn it into a slut show that could have been professional.

I pass her without a word, approaching Kane’s double doors, when she says, “Drama follows you, Lilah Love.”

“No,” I say without looking at her. “Dead bodies follow me.” I glance over my shoulder at her. “You should remember that.”

And with that statement that really had no purpose other than it felt really damn good, I open Kane’s door.

I step inside Kane’s office and find him sitting behind his desk, just in time to hear him say, “She’s here,” into his intercom and then release the button.

With exaggerated drama that I reserve for moments when I want to be a smart-ass or simply announce my fucking presence, I use my body to shut the door, but I don’t hang out and wait for it to grow roots. I rotate and charge toward Kane and that King Mendez desk of his that he doesn’t get to use as shelter. By the time I round the wooden atrocity, he’s standing, towering over me in a charcoal suit and a purple shirt with black stripes and some sort of black-and-gray tie. It’s flashy, expensive, and works on him when it would not on nine out of ten other people. But then, while I keep a low profile—aside from the door drama, of course—and favor my black nondescript looks, his entire persona says “look at me” with the intended message of “I have nothing to hide.” A lie he tells the world and, after he drugged me to keep me from knowing what happened last night, apparently me.

We stand there for a beat or ten without words before he says, “Lilah,” and the very fact that he says it like sex is all it takes for me to snap.

I slap him in the face, because my bare fist is too small to hurt him the way his jaw would hurt me. It’s also a disgrace to a man to be slapped, which is why one UFC fighter I’ve watched here and there does it to his opponents. And Kane is my opponent. He turns his head with the force of the blow, my palm stinging in the aftermath.

“Well now, beautiful,” he says, fixing me with a brown-eyed stare. “I know you like it rough, but is now the time? We both have questions we want answered.”

I slap him again, and this time he catches my wrist before I pull back. I try to slap him with my free hand, and he catches it as well, this time before contact. “You get two, not three.”

My gaze flicks to the handprint on his right cheek that matches the one on the left before I meet his stare and say, “Two was pretty damn satisfying.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about your stalker?” he demands, his question low, lethal, his anger banked just beneath the surface, while mine is the cherry on top of every lie he’s told me. “Because we both know that’s what we’re dealing with here,” he adds.

“Let go of me, Kane,” I bite out, my voice taut with impatience. No. Make that a desire to smack him again.

“After you tell me about your stalker and the notes.”

“Let go of me, Kane,” I repeat slowly, “or my next move will be a knee to your family jewels. And I promise you, it will be hard enough that neither of us will have to worry about our urge to fuck ever again.” My jaw sets hard, but he doesn’t release me. “You drugged me,” I remind him, “and then searched my house before leaving me with a gun that I was too drugged to use. So if you think I won’t do it—”

He releases me but doesn’t step back. “I didn’t leave you with a gun you couldn’t use. I kept you at my house until sunrise, and I left a team guarding your place, front and back. I protected you, like I always do.”

I don’t analyze why that makes me angrier. That’s for later. For now, there is this: “I’d pull my gun on you and back you off, Kane, but I swore the next time I did that, I’d shoot you. And I need information from you.”

“I’m all yours, beautiful,” he says, holding his hands out. “I always am.” He motions to the sitting area to his left and behind him. “Let’s sit and make this peaceful.”

“Peaceful, my ass,” I say.


 

 ONLY $1.99 MURDER NOTES (Lilah Love #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

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Amazon.ca : https://amzn.to/2zqivIP

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

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

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

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

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The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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THE REAL DEAL by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 10, 2018

Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy, THE REAL DEAL!

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on GigsforHire since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family’s summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can’t handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the GigsforHire ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He’s no gigolo. Please. He’s something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April’s new beau — the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents’ inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parent’s home.

They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

••••••

REVIEW: THE REAL DEAL by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, romantic comedy story line focusing on body painter April Hamilton, and twenty eight year old bartender Theo Banks.

Told from dual first person perspectives (April and Theo) THE REAL DEAL follows the fake relationship between twenty-eight year olds body painter April Hamilton, and bartender Theo Banks. April Hamilton dreads the annual family reunion where she will knowingly become the target of her mother and aunt’s need to play matchmaker to her self-imposed singlehood. Hoping to avoid said matchmaking April answers a Craigslist ad offering a boyfriend-for-hire, the perfect foil to the family busybodies. Enter bartender and ‘actor’ Theo Banks, the man with whom April will fall in love. What ensues is the fake to real relationship between April and Theo, and the fall-out as Theo’s past reveals more than he had hoped to tell.

Theo Banks is in desperate need of a financial infusion when his brother’s past comes looking for payment. A boyfriend for hire as finds our hero coming face to race with his future, a future that will all but be destroyed when his brother unknowingly reveals the truth. Theo doesn’t do relationships, and lets April know that the boyfriend for hire is only a platonic arrangement, a platonic arrangement that turns into something more.

The relationship between Theo and April is fun and flirty; sexy and sassy that continues to push the boundaries of their platonic arrangement. Theo and April compliment one another; work together as though they have known one another for a lifetime, and in the end the palpable sexual attraction cannot denied. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

THE REAL DEAL is a fake romance trope; a passionate and heart warming story line of family, friendship, forgiveness and love. The premise is entertaining, engaging and fun; the romance is intimate; the characters are colorful and sassy. THE REAL DEAL is an enjoyable, inspiring and uplifting story line.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

~THEO~I can be anyone you want.

I can transform into the boss you’re banging, your hot nerdy coworker who’s only a friend, your best friend’s brother you’ve had it bad for since he danced with you at prom way back when, the guy next door everyone adores since he mows your lawn, fixes your car, and repairs the sink. I can also pull off a fireman, a soldier, a cop, a billionaire, a rogue, an athlete, a pirate—yes, some women like to play with buried treasure—and the bad boy who will drive your family bananas.

How would you reach me if you needed me?

It’s not that hard. You just have to know what you’re looking for and plug the right terms into that trusty old search engine. You might even find me the next time you’re hawking a Cuisinart or hunting for a used exercise bike on GigsforHire. There, you’ll discover a menagerie of roles I can take on, characters I can play for you. The assignments rotate depending on the season, the needs, and what’s in demand for weddings, reunions, Christmas parties, barbecues, and any other occasion where you might need a date.

I’m not an escort, a gigolo, or a stripper. This isn’t about fluid exchange. My job is to become your arm candy, and you can pick the flavor you want. I’ve played them all.

And there’s one role that outsells all the others. By far, the most popular part has been the bad boy.

Trust me when I say I wasn’t your average bod boy. I was the goddamn dictionary definition, and this ad was my golden ticket:

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m Your Man

I’m a good-looking 28-year-old ex-con. But I swear the time I got nabbed, it wasn’t my fault. I was framed. I can play anywhere from 19 to 31, depending on if I shave or act like I love Ed Sheeran music. My most valuable possession is a scratched-up motorcycle one year younger than me that’s painted like a snarling leopard. I’m a bartender and work till 2 a.m. at a dive bar. If you’d like to have me as your date for a wedding, reunion, or work soiree, I can pretend you picked me up when my shift ended and I banged you in the bathroom or that we’re in a serious and committed relationship. Your choice.

 


 

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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

✮✮✮Reader’s Choice Giveaway!✮✮✮

Everything you need for Date Night except the date:).  Find the perfect date in the Real Deal!  $100 gift card to the restaurant of your choice, $50 gift card to the movie theater of your choice, and $50 gift card to the retailer of your choice.  ($200 value)

https://laurenblakely.com/readers-choice-giveaway/

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Walk the Line (Man of the Month #12) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

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WALK THE LINE (Man of the Month #12) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2z6KvRK

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 10, 2018

Elena is too young for me, not to mention she’s my boss’s daughter and my babysitter.

That’s beyond complicated. And I’m not even looking for a relationship- but I can’t deny the attraction that sizzles between us.

I need to ignore it. A single dad, all I want is to take care of my little girl, do my job, and enjoy my friends. Anything more is asking for complications I can’t afford. Asking to be hurt again.

Trouble is, I want her, too. And when out flirty sparks turn to flames, I give in to temptation. Our secret fling is scorching hot, better than I’d ever imagined.

But secrets get out, and I could lose my job and my reputation.

And I am starting to realize she’s the one thing I’m not willing to lose.

••••••••

REVIEW: WALK THE LINE is the twelfth and final instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE MONTH erotic, romance novella series focusing on a fund raiser for the popular Austin, Texas bar known as The Fix. This is The Fix’s co-owner and single father, thirty-three year old Brent inclair, and twenty-four year old, grad student Elena Johnson’s story line. WALK THE LINE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

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

Told from dual third person perspectives (Brent and Elena) WALK THE LINE follows the building relationship between Brent Sinclair, and grad student Elena Johnson. As the daughter of his business partner, Elena was off-limits as far as Brent was concerned. The single father to five year old Faith, Brent focused all of his attention on his daughter believing he had no time for the ‘non-essential’ aspects of his life, including a relationship-been there, done that, and has the emotional scars to prove it. But when Faith’s babysitter is unable to fulfill her responsibilities, a newly-unemployed Elena Johnson is perfect for the job. What ensues is the building romance and love between Elena and Brent, and the potential fall-out as Brent begins to have second thoughts about his future, and that of the woman with whom he will fall in love.

WALK THE LINE is the culmination of twelve instalments that focus on the rehabbing of The Fix on Sixth; and the struggle to stay one step ahead of an unknown enemy that is quickly escalating threats against the bar. Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles (if only by way of mention). Here’s hoping the author advances the series a few years wherein we catch up with all of the couples, as well as Tyree’s son Eli. The premise is fast paced and entertaining; the romance is quick to develop; the characters are colorful and passionate. My only complaint is the quick resolution to the threats against The Fix on Sixth-I was hoping for a little more interaction and detail.

Julie Kenner’s MAN OF THE MONTH is a sexy, spicy and inspiring series of quick reads; novella-length tales of heart warming stories and inspiring characters.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes
Turn Me On
Bar Bites
All Night Long
In Too Deep
Light My Fire
Walk The Line

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

  FREE DOWN ON ME (Man of the Month #1) by Julie Kenner

Meet Mr. January. Winter’s never looked so hot!

Amazon:

Amz. ca:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Wolf’s Mate (Crescent Moon #7) by Katie Reus-a review

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WOLF’S MATE (Crescent Moon #7) by Katie Reus-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 3, 2018

She wasn’t supposed to fall for him.

Erica’s time away from her pack was just supposed to be fun. Then she met Hudson. Instead of the no-strings attached fling, she ended up falling for him. But they’d promised each other that they’d keep things casual. Instead of risking her heart, she ran. Now she’s pregnant—and he’s determined to claim her. But the last thing she wants is to be an obligation to him.

Now she’s pregnant.

Erica could never be a duty to Hudson, but for some reason that’s what she thinks she is. He tried to go slow, to give her space—so he wouldn’t scare her off. Now he realizes that was a mistake. It’s time for this wolf to claim his mate. Unfortunately a neighboring pack is stirring up trouble for his pack, and his she-wolf is determined to keep walls between them. Walls he intends to bring down once and for all.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: WOLF’S MATE is the seventh instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult CRESCENT MOON paranormal, romance novella series. This is wolf shifters Erica and Hudson Kendrick’s story line. WOLF’S MATE 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 (Erica and Hudson) WOLF’S MATE follows the building relationship between wolf shifters Erica, and Hudson Kendrick. Erica has been traveling for close to a year, and her final destination brings her up close and personal with the Kendrick Pack of Montana. One month together with Hudson Kendrick, their second in command, has Erica thinking about a happily ever after but Hudson makes no attempt to claim our heroine as his mate. Upon her return home to the Kincaid Pack in Alabama, Erica discovers that she is pregnant with Hudson’s pups, and struggles with the possibility of raising them on her own. What ensues is the quick profession of love between our leading couple, as they must make a decision about their future.

WOLF’S MATE is a very quick read; a sexy, sassy and cute story about two shifters, a lack of communication, and a happily ever after. The premise is imaginative; the romance is spicy; the characters are spirited and animated. Katie Reus continues to build upon her Crescent Moon series one entertaining shifter couple at a time.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Knuckle Down (Cursed Ravens MC #2) by Chantal Fernando-Review Tour

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KNUCKLE DOWN (Cursed Ravens MC #2) by Chantal Fernando-Review Tour

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

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37755560-knuckle-down

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 9, 2018

A single father struggles to change for his daughters and the woman he loves in this second book in the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club series from New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando.

As a single father of two girls and the sergeant at arms for the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club, Jack “Knuckles” Chester doesn’t have much free time. And having earned his road name from his reputation as a fighter, Knuckles isn’t one to back away from a challenge.

But what he’ll never admit out loud is that his two daughters have changed him irrevocably, softened him even. And these two girls are the only women who will ever hold his heart forever. That is, until he meets the cousin of another biker’s old lady.

Celina is nothing like the women Knuckles used to date. She’s a journalist for the local newspaper, dresses well, and basically just has her life together. And the last thing she wants is to be involved with a Cursed Raven. But when the ripped, badass biker worms his way into her heart, she has trouble remembering all the reasons they would never work.

But when a scandal at her newspaper breaks the thin trust she has with Knuckles, will she walk away for good? Or will Knuckles fight to keep Celina in his life?

••••••••

REVIEW:  KNUCKLE DOWN is the second instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult CURSED RAVENS erotic, MC romance series focusing on the members of the Cursed Ravens MC. This is thirty-three year old, Sargent at Arms and single father Jack ‘Knuckles’ Chester, and twenty-seven year old journalist Celina Hutton’s story line. KNUCKLE DOWN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed were necessary. The Cursed Ravens MC is a spin off from the author’s Wind Dragon MC series and advances the new series arc several years. Celina is the cousin of Erin Dawson –Ace of Hearts Book one.

Told from first person point of view (Celina Hutton) KNUCKLE DOWN follows the building relationship between the Cursed Ravens MC Sargent at Arms and single father Jack ‘Knuckles’ Chester, and journalist Celina Hutton. At her cousin’s birthday party, held at the Cursed Ravens MC property, Celina Hutton would come face to face with her future, in the guise of single father Jack ‘Knuckles’ Chester, a man who loves his daughters, and is very much a man willing to give Celina Hutton a chance with his family. Celina is a struggling journalist who is hoping for the one story that will place her on the front page, a story that could very well involve the Cursed Ravens MC but a story she will destroy when she finds herself falling in love. What ensues is the building romance between Celina and Knuckles; the potential fall-out as Celina is betrayed by the people with whom she works, and a much larger betrayal by someone within the Cursed Ravens MC.

Celina and Knuckles have both been burned in the past, and a very independent Celina struggles to let anyone get close. Knuckles’ first priority are his two young daughters but meeting Celina Hutton has our hero thinking about a potential future for himself and his girls.

The relationship between Celina and Knuckles is one of immediate attraction but Celina is quick to rebuff Knuckles’ overt flirting and attempts at seduction. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and hot, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

KNUCKLE DOWN is a dramatic story that focuses on family, friendships, betrayal and trust but the story line focuses more on the relationship than the Cursed Ravens MC. The premise is fast paced, revealing and engaging; the romance is sassy, edgy and hot; the characters are charismatic, likable and colorful.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, Amazon & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is thirty years old and lives in Western Australia.

Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the best selling books Dragon’s Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.

When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Chantal loves to hear from readers.

Follow Chantal: Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Goodreads

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Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

 

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Description:
SPOILER WARNING for anyone who hasn’t read Deadmen Walking

The following synopsis contains plot spoilers for Book 1. While the books don’t have to be read in order, if you read DEATH DOESN’T BARGAIN first, you will have certain facts that are “shockers” and that some would consider to be SPOILERS for DEADMEN WALKING. So if you’re a stickler about SPOILERS, please take note and avoid reading DEATH DOESN’T BARGAIN until after you’ve read DEADMEN WALKING.

From the #1 New York Times & International Bestselling Dark-Hunters Series
Setting: Spanish Main, Golden Age of Piracy

The Deadmen are back…

But so are the demons who have broken free of their eternal prison and are bent on mankind’s destruction. The worst of the lot is Vine, determined to claim their lives for taking hers. She will see the world burn…and has the perfect lure to destroy them and Thorn, leader of the Hellchasers, once and for all.

Kalder Dupree has never known a day of mercy. Born to a mer-race who prides themselves on cruelty, he sacrificed himself for the only woman who has ever shown him kindness. Locked in a hell realm, he doesn’t expect anyone to come to his rescue. He accepts the fact that he was born alone and that he twice died that way, once by his own mother’s hand.

Cameron Jack is determined to set Kalder free. As a Hellchaser Deadman, it’s her calling, but her resolve stems more from the fact that she’s the reason he died in the first place. If not for him, she’d still be suffering. And she cannot allow even a not-so-innocent to be tortured for an act of kindness that spared her damnation.

To defeat evil, it sometimes takes an even worse evil, and Cameron is willing to do whatever she must to make this right. Even make a bargain with the Devyl and the devil himself. If Vine thought she had her hands full before, she hasn’t seen anything nearly as powerful as Cameron’s resolve.

Hell hath no fury as a woman wronged, and two of them are now about to face off, with the very fate of humanity hinging on the one who emerges victorious.

Death Doesn’t Bargain is the second historical fantasy title in New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Deadman’s Cross series. Where Deadmen tell their tales, and every soul is damned or redeemed by the final choices they make.

 

Review;

Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon is a continuation in the Deadman’s Cross series.  It picks up right where Deadmen Walking ended.  In this one the focus switches from Mara and Devyl to Kalder Dupree and Cameron Jack.  As they take center stage and their story unfolds we learn more about who Kalder and Cameron are. We learn more about Kalder’s race of merpeople(Myrcians) and Cameron Jack and her brother Payden.  In Deadmen Walking, we learned that Cameron possesses powers and is a Seraph, now we learn just how she and her brother came to be Seraphs and what their purpose in this battle between good and evil is.  We get to see both Cameron and her brother Payden in their Seraph forms fighting against the evil that wishes to see them all dead.  From their descriptions with their wings, hair and skin colour changes they sound pretty spectacular, and I wish we could have drawings of them in these forms to accompany the descriptions.  This goes for Kalder as well when he’s in his mer-man form, his description is just as cool sounding.  Not only is Kalder from a vicious race of mer-people but we find out he’s also a demi god.  We learn that his father had an affair with ‘the’ goddess of the sea.  She’d pretty much be on the same level as Zeus I’d say in their folklore.  Since Kalder is a demi god, he possesses powers no one ever knew he had except for Thorn.  He finally tells Kalder the truth of his parentage and that’s when we see Kalder’s true form, that of a demon that can syphon powers of other creatures/gods/goddess’ etc.  When Ash appears on scene and finds all this out on Savitar’s island he’s not too happy with Thorn allowing Vine and company to have gotten their hands on Kalder in the first place.  These scenes between Savitar, the Deadmen, Thorn and Ash are classic Kenyon and had me LOL!!  It was nice to see these characters come together to help solve the current problem with the evil forces threatening to destroy the world as they know it and take over.  It’s always a treat when Kenyon tosses scenes like this into her story, it’s like a reunion between friends and enemies all in one.  Plus we get some of her off the wall humour thrown in and it makes for a good read. 

As the story unfolds we learn more about Vine and company’s plans and why they need to be stopped.  It’s a fast page turner with plenty happening from all angles.  There isn’t a dull moment in this one and it kept me turning page after page wanting to find out more.  It was interesting and exciting to see Wyneria, the underwater city where Kalder and his people are fun.  Meeting his family was even more fun.  No wonder the poor guy turned out the way he did.  When your whole family pretty much turns on you and your own mother kills you, yeah I’d hate the world too.  However, thanks to Cameron, Kalder finds that little bit of soul that’s pure and untouched by all the bad that was done to him and learns to love and see things in a different light thanks to her.  Kalder is pretty much Cameron’s hero and he awakens feelings and longings that she never knew she possessed.  Their romance is sweet, funny and sexy.  The more time they spent together the more you can’t help but want them to have their HEA. 

Death Doesn’t Bargain is a wonderful addition to the Deadman’s Cross Series and Kenyon doesn’t disappoint in this one.  For any Kenyon fan this is a must read as you continue your adventures with the Deadmen. 

Until next time, happy reading Menyons!

Reviewed by Marcie

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Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds – a Review

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Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds – a Review

 

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Description:
Join Alice. Private Investigator of the Supernatural.

It has been a rough month for mage private investigator Alice Worth.

Alice hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks, her relationship with werewolf Sean Maclin is on the rocks, a federal agent hounds her every step, and a powerful vampire whose ulterior motives have ulterior motives watches her every move. It’s enough to drive any woman to drink.

Just when Alice’s ghost sidekick Malcolm is about to stage an intervention, her former employer, Mark Dunlap, enlists her help to find out who’s been kidnapping women off the streets. As the list of the missing grows, the city’s anger turns against the vampires, and the Vampire Court hires Mark and Alice to find those responsible. After the case reunites her with Sean, Alice is forced to confront painful demons from her past, as well as the very real demon who wants her dead and the vampire determined to control her power.

When tragedy strikes close to home and a friend’s life hangs in the balance, Alice goes up against the most powerful adversary she’s ever faced in an explosive showdown that will leave Alice and her city forever changed.

 

Review:

Reading in chronological order is not something I take lightly, my friends.  But life was just so busy, I had to dive in to Heart of Fire sans introductory book *wipes upper lip*.  Not only was it a great read, but I may have found my new guilty pleasure! ?.  Kudos to the talented writing of Lisa Edmonds!

I’ve deciphered that Alice is a mage, the best around, but she’s hiding from a powerful, terrifying grandfather who used her abilities for self-aggrandizement.  She’s managed to fly under his radar, so she’s staying busy working her PI business and invariably making friends.  Friends who want to get close, want to, you know, be friendly.  Alice, being on this side of churlish, struggles to maintain said friendships and that alone is entertaining as well as endearing (think Marvel’s Jessica Jones).  Surviving her childhood is a cautionary tale for future relationships, but she hasn’t learned to be proactive just yet.

When Alice takes on a case of disappearing prostitutes and homeless people, “We’re in the middle of a drug-fueled, magic -enhanced crime wave”, while being stalked by a poltergeist (though this one is reserved solely for her eyes), her mage skills, and team player camaraderie, are stretched to the limit.  Alice extends her knowledge, experience and savvy to former bosses, former lovers, would-be lovers, to federal agents.  Will Alice be able to discover the menace and navigate the waters of her expanding magic, including several interested/opportunistic supernatural creatures who may seek to undermine or sabotage her investigation?  How can she ask for help when vested parties can’t seem to get along?

Alice is an independent, intriguing woman.  She’s keeping a low profile to remain undetected by her grandfather, but her skills have progressed and augmented to impressive levels; attracting lots of attention.  Not all welcome.  I’d be lying if I didn’t address similarities with other characters I’ve read.  My gut reactions to Alice, Charles and Sean’s relationship was reminiscent of another well known series involving Anita Blake, Jean Claude *pause, swoon* and Richard’s.  Malcolm the ghost reminded me of Angel, Charley Davidson’s cholo sidekick in that spellbinding series, buuuut they were only traces — I thoroughly enjoyed Alice Worth by her own merits.  This is due to the the energy and spirit of Lisa Edmonds.  She developed a good storyline layered with depth and intention to entice the reader.  I want to retrace Alice’s steps to her first encounter with Malcolm, are they bound?, to the men of varying species who find her so irresistible.  They’ve got good taste!

Lisa Edmonds has made an instant fan of me.  I look forward to reading the next case that requires Alice’s special set of skills.  Maybe a certain character returns to collaborate, or another character disappoints Alice, thus allowing for a change of heart?  A shakeup like she never imagined?  My bias is showing, but I’m here for it!  Until then, I’m making it a point to read book 1.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

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