Monthly Archives: September 2018

Wicked Wedding (Wicked Horse Vegas 3.5 / Left At The Altar #4) by Sawyer Bennett-Review & Excerpt tour

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Wicked Wedding (Wicked Horse Vegas 3.5 / Left At The Altar #4) by Sawyer Bennett-Review and Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2018

It all started with a wedding…

Well, three weddings, to be exact. The one that happened, the one that went up in flames, and the one nobody saw coming.

Andrew Collings has seen a lot of things living in Vegas. Hell, he’s done a lot of things. But one thing he’s never witnessed is a beautiful brunette, hitchhiking her way into the city, wearing a wedding dress. Until now, that is.

Brynne Adams is running away from a broken heart. She expected a lot of things from her wedding day but finding photos of her fiancé and maid of honor and best man in a compromising position wasn’t one of them. She most certainly never imagined that she’d end up marrying the handsome stranger that rescued her from the side of the road that day.

Andrew and Brynne’s quick nuptials may have been the result of a drunken joke, but they soon realize that love can be found in the most unlikely of places if you just stop and take a chance.

* Wicked Wedding is the fourth book in the LEFT AT THE ALTAR series in a collaboration of six New York Times Bestselling Authors: J. S. Scott, Ruth Cardello, Raine Miller, Sawyer Bennett, Minx Malone, and Melody Anne.

•••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED WEDDING by Sawyer Bennett is the fourth instalment in the multi-authored contemporary, adult LEFT AT THE ALTAR erotic, romance novella series, and a stand alone in the author’s Wicked Horse Vegas series focusing on the members of an exclusive $ex club in Las Vegas. This is microbiologist and scientist Andrew Collings, and dentist Brynne Adams’ story line. Andrew, Dane and Avril were first introduced in Sawyer Bennett’s Wicked Envy. You do not have to have read Wicked Envy  to follow or understand Wicked Wedding.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Andrew and Brynne) WICKED WEDDING follows the quick building relationship between microbiologist and scientist Andrew Collings, and dentist Brynne Adams. A few hours after the Vegas wedding of his best friends, Caterva BioTech Industries business partners, and former sex partners Avril and Dane Hawthorne, Andrew finds himself, on the side of the desert road, picking up a wayward runaway bride, who is desperately trying to put miles between herself and the man she thought she had loved. Discovering, via text and picture, that her business partner and fiance, had been carrying on a threesome affair behind her back with fellow dentist and partner, Brynne takes off on foot for places unknown. With nothing better to do for the night, Andrew makes Brynne an offer she did not refuse. What ensues is the quick Vegas wedding between Andrew and Brynne, and the potential fall-out as Andrew’s lies of omission destroy Brynne’s heart, once again.

The relationship between Brynne and Andrew is quick to develop. From a roadside rescue to marriage to a long distance love affair, Andrew discovers that he wants something more than a marriage of convenience but a happily ever after. Brynne never thought she would find her own happily ever after on the side of the road but Andrew’s lies of omission about his past find our heroine walking away from the man with whom she had fallen in love. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense but I take issue with the use of a certain four-letter word I dislike in my romance story lines-erotic or otherwise.

WICKED WEDDING is a sexy, sassy and seductive story line about two people who find love and forever when and where they least expect to. The premise is provocative and entertaining; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are energetic, spirited and strong. WICKED WEDDING is a decadent and edgy story line from the pen of Sawyer Bennett.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews of the Wicked Horse Vegas Series
Wicked Favor
Wicked Wish
Wicked Envy
Wicked Wedding
Wicked Choice

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

Let me prop the door open and I’ll carry you over the threshold,” I tell Brynne as I press the keycard against the magnetic reader.
She giggles, a sound I normally find grating on a grown woman, but on Brynne it’s charming. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are still sparkling with energy.“Well,you are very Thor-like, so a girl would be crazy to refuse to be carried over the threshold by her husband.”
That’s right. I’m her husband, but let’s rewind just a bit to detail how this all went down.
It took me exactly fifteen minutes and three phone calls to set things up, just as I promised her.
The first call was to the nicest, swankiest Vegas chapel that I could find with a Google search. I was advised we’d have to obtain a license at the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau for the low price of seventy-five dollars, and I wasn’t surprised in the least to learn it was open twenty-four hours a day on the weekends. I was able to arrange a limousine to pick us up, as well as an explosion of flowers within the chapel itself. When I gave my credit card number to the woman, I told her to go crazy on decor, but I specifically requested white calla lilies for the bride bouquet because Brynne told me those were her favorites.
The second call was to a jeweler where I was able to purchase two very simple wedding bands in gold. It’s a detail I probably could have ignored considering we both knew this was just for fun, but fuck it. I’m rich, which means I have the ability to make this as nice as I can for Brynne.
The third call was to my attorney, who explained annulment laws and assured me it was a fairly straightforward process. I’d have to institute the action—called a complaint—and if Brynne waives service, we can present our annulment request to the court to be approved after twenty days. It wasn’t immediate, but twenty days was nothing in the grand scheme of things.
By the time we took a limo to the marriage bureau, stood in line for about thirty minutes with other like minded folks, and then made our way to the chapel, we’d sobered up quite a bit.
“You sure you want to do this?” she asked me just before we went in.“I mean… it was a fun notion when we were a little more buzzed.”
“Hell yes,” I’d told her with a devilish grin.“Mostly so we can send a picture to the whore and the asshole.”
Her laugh was sparkling and beautiful and just a little evil, which made her infinitely more attractive to me.“It’s all in good fun with no risk,” I’d added on to assure her.
So we went in, both of us grinning like fools during the ceremony. It felt fake, because it was fake, but in some respects, it’s the most real thing I’ve ever done. Because what we were doing had real purpose. It was to give Brynne and her glorious wedding dress a moment to shine.
It became even more real when the minister—who was not dressed like Elvis, but was very dapper in a dark gray suit with an old-fashioned cravat tied at his neck—told us in a very cultured voice,“You may kiss the bride.”
Fuck.
I hadn’t thought about the kiss.
I mean, I’d thought of kissing her because she’s sexy and vibrant and smiling despite the fact she was shit on hard today. But I hadn’t thought about the“wedding kiss”. Because even though this is all fake, somehow a man giving us formal permission to put our mouths together to seal our marriage vows makes it very fucking real.
There was no hesitation. When my lips touched hers and she gave a tiny huff of pleasure, I realized I wanted to consummate this fake marriage very badly.
I did not, however, know if Brynne felt the same. Because today would probably go down as the worst and weirdest of her life, I wasn’t going to push. Instead, I took her out for a radically expensive late dinner and then we hit a popular jazz club where we listened to music.
And then it happened.
A slow song was played. A bluesy number people just sort of sway to, and I asked her to dance with me.
She accepted.
It was Brynne who kissed me. Slid her delicate fingers into my hair, went to her tiptoes in her gray tennis shoes with teal-blue accents, and pressed her mouth to mine. My mind reeled, and my cock started to twitch to attention as we swayed and kissed. The words were forming in my mind on how best to invite her into my bed without sounding like an opportunistic douche, but then it didn’t matter.
She pulled her mouth from mine, relaxing and tipping her head back to see me.“If we have sex tonight, does that ruin our chances of getting an annulment?”
I had no fucking clue what the answer was. It had never crossed my mind I might actually get the chance to fuck her, so I didn’t ask my attorney.
“Not that I know of,” I hedge. At least I didn’t flat-out lie to her.
“Good,” she said with a smile.“Let’s go to my hotel room.”


 

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains-Review, Excerpt & Interview with the Author

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CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE (Sweetwater Springs #1) by Annie Rains-Review, Excerpt & Interview with the Author

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

About the book: Release Date September 25, 2018

‘Tis the season for a fresh start . . .

It’s the start of the holiday season in the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She’s inherited her grandparents’ charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it’s just the new lease on life she needs. Only “heaven” comes with a catch-and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that.

After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he’s now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he’s given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it’s his pretty-and incredibly headstrong-partner who’s the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he’s been given?

•••••••••

REVIEW: CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is the first instalment in Annie Rains’ contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series focusing on the small town of Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina. This is interior designer Kaitlyn Russo, and retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mitch and Kaitlyn) CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE focuses on the building relationship between interior designer Kaitlyn Russo, and retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove. The recent death of her grandmother Mable pulled Kaitlyn Russo to the small town of Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina where our heroine inherited her grandmother’s beloved Sweetwater B&B, an inheritance that came with a questionable caveat. Enter retired US Marine Mitch Hargrove, one-time B&B caretaker and friend to Henry and Mable Russo, and the new co-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. A two month ‘obligatory business arrangement ‘ in order to inherit or sell the B&B finds our couple working together to make the small hotel into a thriving business. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Kaitlyn and Mitch, and the potential fall-out as Mitch struggles with memories of the past, and the perceived sins of a teenaged boy.

Mitch Hargrove wants nothing to do with Sweetwater Springs, a town that brings too many fractured memories of long ago. Aside from him mother, there is nothing and no one that calls to his heart. Preparing for a security assignment in the new year Mitch is surprised to discover that Ms. Mable has ‘arranged’ a two-month assignment of her own. Kaitlyn Russo was a successful New York interior designer but a designer whose career was destroyed by a professional fall-out and the accusations of a celebrity extraordinaire. Hoping to restart her life Kaitlyn is shocked when she is forced to work alongside a man who wants nothing to do with the Sweetwater B&B. If they cannot find a way to work together, the B&B will be sold, and everything will go to charity.

The relationship between Mitch and Kaitlyn begins as a forced business arrangement, an arrangement neither one is happy to oblige. Mitch’s plans do not include running a run-down B&B, and Kaitlyn hopes to rebuild her grandmother’s once-successful business. The sexual attraction between Kaitlyn and Mitch is palpable and immediate. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate but mostly implied.

We are introduced to the colorful and charismatic people and places of Sweetwater Springs including attorney Jacob Garrison; police chief Alex Logan; Mitch’s mother Gina Hargrove, and aunt Nettie, and longtime friend Tucker Locklear; Fudge Shop owner Dawanda; bookstore owner Julia Kent; Kaitlyn’s best friend and journalist Josie; as well as a number of Sweetwater B&B guests including graphic designer and biker Paris. I am definitely hoping to read a happily ever after for Paris.

CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is a sweet and sexy story line; a small-town romance focusing on two people who lives are interrupted by a meddling but well-meaning old lady. The premise is entertaining, engaging and endearing; the characters are dynamic and lively, especially the B&B guest; the romance is tender and dramatic as Mitch continues to pull away giving mixed signals with every encounter. A wonderful holiday read, CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE is a great start to the holiday season.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt has been provided by the publisher

 

“So,” the lawyer clapped his hands together, “congratulations, you two. Looks like you’ll be business partners.”
Kaitlyn straightened. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Mable left you half of the Sweetwater B and B,” he told her and then looked at Mitch. “And you the other half. I’m sure you know the Russos thought of you as a grandson, Mitch. They were very proud of your service as a military police officer.”
Kaitlyn’s eyes darted between the two men. “Excuse me, Mr. Garrison, but I was under the impression that I was the new owner.”
“You are. Along with Mr. Hargrove.” Mr. Garrison pointed at the papers in front of him. “Says so right here. Under one condition that your grandmother spelled out in no uncertain terms.”
Kaitlyn’s head was spinning. “Condition?” she asked.
Mr. Garrison nodded. “That’s right. The condition is that you and Mr. Hargrove must run this place together for the first two months after signing these documents.”
“I love Mable but no way am I staying in Sweetwater Springs for two months,” Mitch said flatly.
Kaitlyn shot him a scornful look. “This was my grandparents’ business. We can’t just let it go.”
“I hate to break it to you but this place has been declining for years,” Mitch said. “Mable rarely had a full inn. I say we save ourselves the trouble and forfeit now.”
“We are not forfeiting,” Kaitlyn snapped between gritted teeth. She didn’t care how big or attractive Mitch Hargrove was—and he was big and attractive—she’d lost too many fights lately. She was fighting for this B&B with every ounce of strength she had. “Is there any way to get around the legal terms?” she asked. “So I can run the B and B and Mr. Hargrove can go on his merry way?”
Mr. Garrison frowned. “I’m afraid not. The will is detailed. Mable was insistent that you two work here together. Leaving the inn to the both of you was her final attempt to revive this old place.”
Mr. Garrison angled himself to look at Kaitlyn. “Mable was proud of how creative you are. She said you could turn menial things into magic.” He turned back to Mitch. “And she said you could fix just about anything.” Mr. Garrison’s gaze flitted between them. “She knew it would take the talents of both of you combined. “So,” Mr. Garrison said on an inhale, “do you accept or not?”
“No,” Mitch barked at the same time that she said, “Yes.”
Kaitlyn folded her arms across her chest. How dare he even consider refusing her grandmother’s final wish. “We’re not giving up on this B and B.”
“This inn is a money pit. We’d be fools to go into business together.” Mitch shook his head. “And I don’t know about you but I have a life to get back to. Two months of trying to avoid the inevitable isn’t in my plans.”
“I have a life,” Kaitlyn shot back. Albeit one that seemed to be in shambles lately. Apparently, Grandma Mable had been struggling too. How had Kaitlyn not known her grandmother was under so much financial strain? Not that Kaitlyn could’ve helped. All she’d really had of value when she’d driven down from New York to the North Carolina mountains was hope, and even that was dwindling fast. 


 

 TRC:  Hi Annie and welcome to The Reading Café.

Annie:  Hi! Thank you so much for inviting me today!

 TRC: Congratulations on the recent release of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE

Annie: Thank you! I’m very excited about this release! I really hope readers enjoy this story!

 TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Bookbub / Website / Goodreads / Twitter /Facebook

Annie: Yes, I’m a wife and mother of three kids, ranging in age from 4-10. I also have a full-time job, so all my writing is done in the wee hours of the morning. I love coffee, reading (romance and women’s fiction), and going to the beach. I also enjoy a good rainstorm. 

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Annie:I fell in love with reading at an early age. I always admired the authors of what I was reading and wanted to be just like them. I think that was my biggest influence. Just loving books and the people who wrote them, and wanting to emulate them.

 TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your first novel?

Annie: The first several novels that I wrote were never published. It was a long, hard, learning experience for me. Each book made me better and brought me closer to publication though. The challenge was continuing to believe in my dream and finding the time to invest in making it happen.

 TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE and the Sweetwater Springs Series?

Annie: The premise is that the hero and heroine, Kaitlyn and Mitch, are two strangers who have inherited a bed and breakfast. Together they must run the inn for two months or they forfeit it to charity. Kaitlyn is all-in, but Mitch needs some convincing to stay in the hometown he never planned on returning to.

 TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Annie: I’m in love with the town of Sweetwater Springs. I want to stay there indefinitely so I’m hoping there will be quite a few more books. As of right now, there are 3 full length novels and two short stories planned.

 TRC: Will Paris get his own story ???

Annie: Nothing is planned for Paris yet, but it’s possible ☺

 TRC: From where did you get the idea for CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE?

Annie: It started with my hero, Mitch. He has a tragic backstory that I knew about from the beginning. It’s the reason he never wanted to return to his hometown. From there, I created a compelling reason to bring him home.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE?

Annie: I created a vague outline with characters and goals prior to starting and then dove in. I find that the plot changes as I write. I also don’t know what I need to research until it’s on the page, so I research as I go. I needed to research the mountains of NC and how to run a functioning bed and breakfast, among other things.

 TRC: There is a fine line between romance, erotic and erotica fiction. What do you believe are the differences? And where should the author draw the line?

Annie: I don’t write erotic or erotic fiction so I can’t really speak on it. I don’t think there’s a line though. I feel like each author must make that choice for themselves. How far do they feel comfortable going? Likewise, each reader must decide what heat level they prefer to read.

 TRC: What was the most challenging scene to write?

Annie: The black moment, where all is lost, is always, always, always the hardest for me. It has to be done right to gut the reader and make them feel all the emotions. If they don’t, they won’t care if the hero and heroine get back together at the end.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Annie: I think a great cover is key. At least it is for me as a reader. I’m first attracted to the book based on the cover and/or the author. Then I read the blurb and if that’s good, I buy the book. A cover reveals so much, including the tone of the story.

 TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Annie: The characters are in the driver’s seat. I like to think I write their stories, but they’re in control, lol. I’m just along for the ride!

 TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Annie: Pulling the reader into the storyline is definitely key! I think to do that, an author has to create likeable, relatable characters that readers fall in love with. Readers have to feel for these characters in order to care if they get their hearts broken. I think, as authors, we all do our best in trying to do this. It’s not easy. I know that if I love a character and care about them, and if I’m crying as I’m writing their stories on the page, then hopefully my readers will too.

 TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Annie: I don’t listen to music while I’m writing, but I do when I’m plotting a story. I love to make a soundtrack for my books to listen to and get me in the right mood for the story.

 TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Annie: I’m not sure. I guess that authors live glamourous lives. When I’m in author mode, I’m in my pajamas and tucked away in a quiet office, usually during the hours when most are sleeping. I spend the rest of the day running around and doing other things for my day job and my family.

 TRC: How should authors measure a book’s success?

Annie: Speaking for myself, I measure success by how well my book is received. I love to hear from my readers and know that they enjoyed a book. That’s success to me. I want to give my readers an escape and make them feel a wide range of emotions.

 TRC: What is something that few, if anybody, knows about you?

Annie: Hmmm. That’s a hard one! I guess most people don’t know that I’ve always wanted to be an author, but romance wasn’t my first love. It was suspense and horror.

 TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

Annie: Favorite author, hands down, is Nora Roberts. Not just because of her awesome books, but because she’s such an inspiration to the writing and romance community. I’ve seen her speak in person several times and I always walk away in awe of her. She’s absolutely amazing!

 TRC: On what are you currently working?

Annie: Right now I’m editing book 3 in my Sweetwater Springs series. It’s due in November and then I’ll start writing a short story for the series.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Steak.

Favorite Dessert
Bananas.

Favorite TV Show
The Handmaid’s Tale

Last Movie You Saw
Infinity Wars

Dark or Milk Chocolate
No milk.

Secret Celebrity Crush
Dwayne Johnson, The Rock!

Last Vacation Destination
Denver, Colorado

Do you have any pets?
A dog named Carter.

Last book you read
Kristan Higgins’ On Second Thought.

TRC: Thank you Annie for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE. We wish you
all the best.

Annie: Thank you so much for having me! This was fun!

 

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Uncontrollable (Beyond Human #3) by Nina Croft-a review

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UNCONTROLLABLE (Beyond Human #3) by Nina Croft-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date September 24, 2018

Quinn Sutherland, second in command of the Tribe, a group of powerful telepaths, has always been certain of who and what he is—one of the good guys. All he wants is to keep his friends safe—no easy feat when everyone in the world is after them. While on a rescue mission, he meets a mysterious FBI agent, who appears to know a lot about them, and seems to want the same thing he does. But her assignment could literally mean the death of him…

When Melody Lyons is inducted into the Federation’s elite Time Control Unit, it’s the pinnacle of her ambitions. Only when she’s sent back to the twenty-first century to eliminate a group of rogue time travelers, she never guesses she’ll fall for a man who died two thousand years ago… Quinn awakens emotions she hadn’t known existed, and for the first time, her loyalties are tested.

••••••••••

REVIEW: UNCONTROLLABLE is the third instalment in Nina Croft’s paranormal, sci-fi, post apocalyptic romance series focusing on a class of supernatural humans known as the Tribe-descendants from a group of people discovered, over 150 years earlier, by an expedition to the Mountains of the Moon (Congo Free State of Africa). This is Tribe member Quinn Sutherland, and Special Agent Melody Lyons’ story line. UNCONTROLLABLE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory, history and cohesion. There is a continuing premise throughout. There is a prequel short story-NO MORE LIES-that introduces the premise behind the series concept. On that note, NO MORE LIES can be found in the multi-authored anthology THE TELEPATH CHRONICLES originally released in 2014.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Tribe believe themselves to be descendants of a species of humans, found in Africa, blessed and cursed with obviously similar physical traits, and supernatural, psychic powers. Their discovery has led to the formation of the Conclave who have taken it upon themselves to experiment with the mind and the brain, destroying that which they do not understand. The Beyond Human series focuses on the Tribe’s struggle to survive against a human faction of government who have been tasked with hunting down anyone with psychic powers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Melody and Quinn) UNCONTROLLABLE follows Special Agent Melody Lyons as she embarks on a two-thousand year journey into the past wherein she will meet the man with whom she will fall in love. Melody is a member of the Federation’s elite Time Control Unit, a special faction that governs time-travel, searching for the source of anomalies in space, an anomaly that has led our heroine to the year 2017, and the hunt for a man linked to the original Tribe. What Melody never expected was to find her future in the guise of Tribe member Quinn Sutherland, a man who battles between head and heart with his attraction to a woman he knows nothing about. What ensues is the building relationship between Quinn and Melody, and the potential fall-out as the past, present and future collides in an attempt to thwart or engage the Cataclysm that destroyed 95 percent of the Earth’s population in the year 2020.

Melody Lyons holds the secrets to Earth’s demise but sworn to not interfere in Earth’s history, our heroine struggles as she endeavors to uncover the truth about what happened and why. Quinn Sutherland knows that Melody is hiding a secret but something is blocking his ability to read her mind. Unable to resist due to his attraction to our story line heroine, Quinn will find himself two thousands years in the future caught between an interstellar war between species of unknown origins.

The relationship between Quinn and Melody is one of immediate attraction but Melody knows she doesn’t belong in the twenty-first century. From a time where physical and emotional comfort have but all been forgotten, Melody finds herself wanting and needing the pleasure and luxury of physical contact. Quinn isn’t about to question his attraction to a woman who could destroy them all but something about Melody tugs at his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters are fun, flirty, knowledgeable and strong. Quinn’s group is desperate to rescue the man they have come to call friend and father, but the group has been targeted by more than one enemy.

The world building continues to focus on the members of the Tribe, as they search for more of their kind in an attempt to understand the who, what, how and why. As the Conclave continues to search and destroy, another enemy from the future is hoping to kill them all.

UCONTROLLABLE is a fast paced, action-packed, intriguing and intelligent time-travel story line of discrimination, specieism, betrayal and lies. The future has collided with the past ensuring total annihilation of the present- a butterfly ripple of epic proportions. Worlds at war are battling for power and control affecting everything in their path. The premise is thought-provoking, intense and imaginative; the romance is stirring; the characters are spirited and lively. Nina Croft’s BEYOND HUMAN is a dramatic, intimate and captivating series that will have you thinking twice about interfering in the space-time continuum.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Unthinkable
Unspeakable
Uncontrollable

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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American Asshole (Bachelor International #1) by Tara Sue Me-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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AMERICAN ASSHOLE (Bachelor International #1) by Tara Sue Me-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

AMERICAN ASSHOLE
Bachelor International #1
by Tara Sue Me
Release Date: September 17, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Release Date September 17, 2018

He’s a self proclaimed bastard with a double helping of lying asshole.

Mia Matthews never thought much of big shot matchmaker Tenor Butler, but when she finds out he loaned her late business partner a quarter of a million dollars and no one told her, there aren’t enough four letter words to describe him. She’d like nothing more than to pretend Tenor doesn’t exist, but she owes him all that money, not to mention he’s hot as hell.

Tenor doesn’t see why it’s his fault Mia didn’t know about the loan. In fact, he thinks he’s being very magnanimous when he offers to forgive the loan if Mia closes her own matchmaking business and works for him for five years. But as he gets closer to Mia, he realizes two things: 1) he doesn’t want her as an employee and 2) she hates his guts.

When an old flame threatens them both, Mia and Tenor find themselves working together and are unable to ignore their mutual attraction. But it might be too late for these two romance experts to create their own love story

••••••••

REVIEW: AMERICAN ASSHOLE is the first instalment in Tara Sue Me’s contemporary, adult BACHELOR INTERNATIONAL romance series. This is independent businesswoman Mia Matthews, and businessman Tenor Butler’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mia and Tenor) AMERICAN ASSHOLE follows the building relationship between independent businesswoman Mia Matthews, and businessman Tenor Butler. Upon the recent accidental death of her mother and business partner Dee Matthews, Mia discovered that her mother was in debt for a quarter of a million dollars to their main competitor Tenor Butler, the man with whom Mia would fall in love. Tenor will make Mia an offer that is too good to be true, an offer that places Mia in the direct line of contact. What ensues is the quick building relationship both personal and professional between Mia and Tenor, and the fall-out as Mia’s credibility is questioned by someone with the power to destroy her life.

Mia Matthews had no idea her mother, and thusly their own Boston matchmaking business-Cross My Heart- was struggling to survive. Having discovered her mother lied about the finances, Mia is surprised when Tenor Butler, self-proclaimed ‘a$$hole’, offers Mia a position with Bachelor International, Tenor’s widely successful and thriving business. Tenor Butler knows that to go against company policy risks everything and more but his attraction to Mia finds our hero offering Mia a position that places her within reach.

The relationship between Mia and Tenor begins acrimoniously; a business arrangement to pay off all debts but an arrangement that threatens both of their hearts. The $ex scenes and intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Mia’s best friend, and former dancer Wren Prescott, as well as Tenor’s legal council Piers Worthington. Wren’s story line is next in Roman Rouge.

AMERICAN ASSHOLE is a quick read; a story of betrayal and heartbreak; an emotional tale about one woman as she comes to terms with the loss of everything, and one man who battles between right and wrong. The premise is entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are intelligent and strong. My only complaint is the title-I dislike the title, and I am disappointed as this was not the original designation. I see no other explanation than shock value, something I believe cheapens the entire novel.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“I have to be honest, Mia. As much as I’m attracted to you, you and I can never happen.”

I wasn’t sure why I just lied to her. I probably didn’t sound very convincing, because Mia froze for a brief second before she continued eating. She took her time chewing and swallowing her bite of pancake.
“Okay.”
That was all she said. Okay. My proclamation didn’t seem to bother her a bit. I was shocked. I thought she’d push back or argue with me. Anything. But the calm, cool, and collected way she continued to eat her breakfast told me one of two things:
Either she wasn’t attracted to me at all, which implied I’d read her all wrong or…
She thought I was completely filled with horse shit.
I was more inclined to go with the second option. I was, after all, a matchmaker and there was no way possible I could have been that wrong about the signals she was throwing my way the night before.
And if option two was correct, she didn’t believe a word I’d just said. Not that I did either.
I cleared my throat. “Can we at least pretend that I meant what I said?”
She gave me a sultry grin. “You’re the boss.”
That shouldn’t have made me hard. It really shouldn’t have. But damn…
“Did you sleep okay last night?” I asked. Maybe a change of subject would help.
Help what? I didn’t know.
“I did. And if I didn’t say it before, thank you for everything you did.”
“No need to thank me, Mia.”
I wasn’t sure she would thank me if she knew how much I’d enjoyed holding her during the night or how I’d spent a lot of the night battling my erection.
We fell into silence as we finished eating our breakfast. We would start meetings soon and we had plans to continue business through lunch. But tonight I had plans.
Plans that didn’t involve Benjamin. Meetings. Or anything remotely similar to behavior my lawyer would approve of.
Which made me wonder why I even spoke that lie about us never happening. Maybe I should have worded it differently. Much differently.

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Tara Sue Me is the New York Times bestselling author of the Submissive series, including The Enticement, The Training, The Dominant, and The Submissive. She lives in the southeastern United States with her family, two dogs, and a cat.

 

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Hidden (Deep Ops #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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HIDDEN (Deep Ops #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 25, 2018

Hide. That’s all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she’s off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .

Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he’s been set up . . .

Fight. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa’s fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock

•••••••••

REVIEW: HIDDEN is the first instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is former police detective and undercover operative Malcolm West, and twenty-five year old Pippa Smith’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Malcolm and Pippa HIDDEN focuses on the hunt for man claiming to be the Prophet, Isaac Leon, a former actor turned charismatic cult leader whose is desperate to find the woman who would one day be his wife.

Police Detective Malcolm West is on permanent leave since his last assignment went all to hell but it isn’t long before Malcolm’s special abilities as an undercover operative place him on the HDD’s radar for a new Deep Ops Team. Finally able to settle down without fear of being stabbed in the back Malcolm must take a chance when his new neighbour turns out to be his latest mark. Enter former cult member Pippa Smith, and the woman with whom Malcolm will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Malcolm and Pippa, and the potential fall-out when Pippa discovers the truth about Malcolm’s assignment, and her intentions to diffuse a dangerous situation by sacrificing herself against all better judgement.

On the run, along with her best friend Trixie, Pippa Smith, a former member of Isaac’s cult has been hiding in a small cabin in the woods. Having suffered PTSD and anxiety disorders as a result of years under the control of the self-proclaimed Prophet Isaac Leon, Pippa struggles to trust the man who has stolen her heart. Malcolm knows that falling for Pippa is all kinds of wrong but the potential for everything to backfire continues to grow.

The relationship between Pippa and Malcolm is one of immediate attraction between two people who suffer PTSD brought on by events from their pasts. Falling for Malcolm places our heroine in the direct line of fire but Malcolm isn’t willing to let Pippa go in alone. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and sex.

There is a large colorful and eclectic secondary and supporting cast including Pippa’s best friend Trixie. We are introduced to the Requisition Force team leader Angus Force, and members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating German shepherd Roscoe; IT specialist Bridgid Banaghan : FBI psychiatrist Dr. Nari Zhang; Special Agents Tom Rutherford, Raider Tanaka, and Kurt Fields. The requisite evil has many faces including the Prophet Isaac Leon.

HIDDEN is a story of suspense, betrayal, secrets and lies, romance and falling in love. There is a building story line involving Angus Force, and a former serial killer who is no longer in custody but taunting the Requisition Force leader from afar. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are dynamic and strong; the romance is spicy and seductive. HIDDEN is an entertaining inviting and gripping story; a cleverly written introduction to Rebecca Zanetti’s DEEP OPS series. If you are a fan of Cynthia Eden or Elisabeth Naughton’s style of romantic suspense you can’t go wrong.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven – a Review

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Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven – a Review

 

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Description:
Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire’s capital–her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village’s tithe has been the same woman. Gilene’s sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire’s most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion–and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire–and burn once more

 

Review:

Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven is the 1st book in her new Fallen Empire series.  This is my first book by Draven, and I really enjoyed this  well written fantasy themed ‘enemies to lovers’ romance.  Phoenix Unbound is a slow built romance, but that is strictly in the background as the story takes center stage; filled with violence, betrayal, battles, and sacrifices.

Gilene, our heroine, lives in a small village which is part of the Empire.  Every year, all the villages have to send a woman to the capitol as a sacrifice to the Gods, as part of the Rites of Spring. For 5 years Gilene, who is a secret fire witch, saves the women in her village, by representing one of the women each year who are burned alive.  She has the ability to not burn from the fire, and also is able to create an illusion changing her looks.  She survives each year, suffering scars along the way.  Her village does not treat Gilene with appreciation, expecting her to do her duty, despite the danger and terrible toll it takes on her.

Azarion, our hero, is a gladiator, who was sold to the empire by his cousin, and is also the best gladiator.  But he must endure the cruelty as a slave, especially to the Empress who uses and abuses him sexually.  He desperately wants to escape and return home to his family, and reclaim the crown of his clan, which was stolen by his evil cousin.   The last few years, Azarion has been able to see through the disguise of this young lady who is able to return, and comes up with a plan to escape.

Azarion will force Gilene to help him escape, using her ability to use illusions to change how she looks.  He threatens to reveal her town’s trickery to the Empire, if she doesn’t help, but he does promise to let her go and keep her secret if she works with him.  When Gilene once again walks away from the burning fire, and helped Azarion escape, she runs to return home, only to have Azarion kidnap her.  He needs her to help him return home, and win back his rightful title.  What follows is an exciting, dark & action packed adventure filled with danger and violent situations.  When Azarion finally gets home safe, there is still the danger of his cousin, and proving to the fire witches that Gilene is indeed one of them. 

In the beginning, Gilene hates and does not trust Azarion, but over time, especially after the dangerous and harrowing adventure travelling to his home, and when she meets and gets to know his family, her feelings begin to change.  Azarion, despite his growing feelings for Gilene, plans to honor his word to help her return home.  Will Gilene go home to a town that used her, or will she stay with those she has come to care for, and Azarion?

I thought that Gilene was a great heroine, strong, brave, loyal and her powers were great; something she will learn to increase in time.  When the war escalates, it was amazing how awesome she was.  Azarion turned into a wonderful hero, who suffered horrible cruelty as a captive of the Empire.  When he began to fall in love with Gilene, it was wonderful to see how sweet he was to her; this was a beautiful enemies to lovers story. Everything does change for the better when Azarion rises up to his true destiny, and must find a way to save his people and fight the Empire. 

Phoenix Unbound was  an  excellently written fantasy that kept your attention throughout, with a bit of everything from wonderful heroes, romance, danger, cruelty, great characters and an exciting adventure all the way through.  If you enjoy fantasy, I suggest you start with Phoenix Unbound.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Never Expected You by Jody Holford – a Review

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Never Expected You by Jody Holford – a Review

 

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Description:
When Zach Mason, former army sergeant turned veterinarian for war-wounded animals, returns home, the decision to stay is easy. But convincing the only other vet in town to hire him is a good deal harder. It doesn’t help that the beautiful, intelligent, and stubborn Stella Lane is determined to make his life hell.

Stella doesn’t take outside help easily—she’s been let down in the past, most recently by her ex, just as she’d begun to plan their wedding. Trusting Zach with her animals is one thing, but trusting him with more is a hard pass. Too bad the handsome vet is nothing but temptation. And her new roommate…

 

 

Review:

Never Expected You is book two in the Love Unexpected series by Jody Holford. 

Dr. Stella Lane is a veterinarian that has returned home to the small town of Brockton, to work along side her father in his veterinarian clinic. But after her father passes away she is left with the task of trying to keep his practice and the farm afloat.  Her father left her with an awful lot of debt and customers who pay for services with casseroles. 

Stella is stubborn and prefers to do everything on her own.  Which doesn’t leave much time for anything other than work. And after the fiasco of her last relationship she has no desire to even think about men in a romantic way. She has a few close friends which she considers family but beyond that its just her and her well loved animals.

Zach Mason, left Brockton right after graduation and the loss of his best friend Travis in a tragic accident.  Running away, he joined the Army, did several tours of duty and became a veterinarian. He spent his Army career planning his return to Brockton.  Coming back as an adult and making this place his home. But Brockton already has a town vet.  A man that has spent his entire life caring for the towns animals.  A man that was a mentor to Zach when he was a teenager and bullied because he was poor and his dad was an alcoholic.  Zach’s plan was to return to Brockton and try and convince Dr. Lane to take him on as an associate.

But when Zach returns and finds Dr. Stella Lane the daughter of his mentor.  She was never what he expected. He decided to go ahead with his plan to convince Stella to take him on as an associate. But Stella is not so easy to persuade.  She is stubborn and although she feels like she is on a sinking ship, she knows that she probably can not do it alone anymore. After Zach explains to her just what her father meant to him she decides to give him a chance. And Zach comes up with some amazing ideas to change things for the clinic and Stella. When Zach’s efforts begin to turn the vet clinic and the farm around, Stella starts to open her heart to him.

But will she end up broken hearted just like the last relationship she was in?  Will Zach be able to convince her that everything between them is real?

I absolutely loved this story, first because there are so many animals involved and that both the main characters are veterinarians. I loved the setting, a vet clinic / home / farm.  Where everything in Stella’s life is contained.  Small town feel where there was so much love and admiration for her father. The fact that he accepted casseroles as payment for services he rendered made her father even more endearing to me.

It was like you were actually in the small town, experiencing everything along with them. The chemistry between Zach and Stella was palpable from the moment they laid eyes on each other. And it only built as they spent more and more time together.

I had no idea this book was part of a series when I started it. But everything was laid out so perfectly that it can definitely be read as a stand alone. But now that I know that it is part of a series I have bought the first book because this one was just that good.

This book is the perfect blend of hot and steamy romance along with an endearing small town story.

Highly recommend for a cool, autumn weekend that you want to spend cozied up on the couch reading!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Worldshaper by Edward Willett – Review & Givaway

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Worldshaper by Edward Willett – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
For Shawna Keys, the world is almost perfect. She’s just opened a pottery studio in a beautiful city. She’s in love with a wonderful man. She has good friends.

But one shattering moment of violence changes everything. Mysterious attackers kill her best friend. They’re about to kill Shawna. She can’t believe it’s happening–and just like that, it isn’t. It hasn’t. No one else remembers the attack, or her friend. To everyone else, Shawna’s friend never existed…

Everyone, that is, except the mysterious stranger who shows up in Shawna’s shop. He claims her world has been perfect because she Shaped it to be perfect; that it is only one of uncounted Shaped worlds in a great Labyrinth; and that all those worlds are under threat from the Adversary who has now invaded hers. She cannot save her world, he says, but she might be able to save others–if she will follow him from world to world, learning their secrets and carrying them to Ygrair, the mysterious Lady at the Labyrinth’s heart.

Frightened and hounded, Shawna sets off on a desperate journey, uncertain whom she can trust, how to use her newfound power, and what awaits her in the myriad worlds beyond her own.

 

 

Review:

Worldshaper by Edward Willett is the first book in his new Worldshapers series. The description above tells it all on how this story starts off: For Shawna Keys, the world is almost perfect. She’s just opened a pottery studio in a beautiful city. She’s in love with a wonderful man. She has good friends. But in a moment’s notice, everything in her world literally changes.  She and those surrounding her brutally attacked, and a strange man points a gun at her to kill her.  In Shawna’s mind she screams in terror “this can’t be happening…it can’t be happening”.  Within a second, she has turned the clock back hours to early morning before the attack; but those who got killed, including her best friend, just disappeared, no longer existing.  What just happened?  How did Shawna move the clock back?

Shawna turns to someone she just met, Karl, who has been trying to help Shawna remember her past, when she was trained to be a worldshaper.  Karl explains that Shawna created this world she lives in to be perfect, and all those surrounding her are fact her own creations.  The man who attacked is out to kill her, and kidnap Karl, in order to take over this world, and move on to other worlds so that he may rule them all…he is called Adversary.

Karl convinces Shawna she must leave with him to find a portal for another world, because Adversary is shaping those in her world’s minds to think that she is a terrorist.  Together they are on the run.  What follows is an exciting adventure where Shawna with help from Karl, will learn how to use the powers she has to shape things on her own, since she remembers nothing from where it all began.

I thought Worldshaper was a good story line, and very different than most fantasies that I have read.  I did have some mixed feelings, as there were slow and somewhat redundant parts.  I realize that most first books in fantasies give a lot of details in their worldbuilding, though I found it interesting, but it did lose me a little bit along the way. Worldshaper did catch my attention, and I intend to read the next book to see where this will go.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Edward Willett’s publisher is  offering a paper copy of WORLDSHAPER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from September 20-25, 2018

 

 

 

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