Monthly Archives: December 2018

The RiverCliffe Legacy by Dee Ernst – a Review

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The RiverCliffe Legacy by Dee Ernst – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
“That is not a ghost story. That is the RiverCliffe legacy.” She looked at me, her eyes gentle. “Do you find that hard to believe?”

Three years after her divorce, Risa Armitage is still trying to get back on her feet. Living in the basement of her mother’s brownstone with three kids, one bathroom and no cross ventilation is not her—or her three kids’—ideal.

When the family of the father that she never knew leaves her a surprise inheritance, RiverCliffe, Risa knows her prayers have been answered. She plans a quick trip up to the Hudson Valley to check out the inn and the surrounding farm before figuring out what to do with her newfound wealth.

But when the long weekend results in a summer retreat, and Risa begins to realize there’s more to RiverCliffe than just a source of income. Her kids are each finding a place to fit in, and she’s finding the local sheriff has a lot more going for him that just keeping the peace. Then there’s the crazy story about all the Cliffe women from the past, and the graveyard right next door…

As Risa learns more about the history of RiverCliffe, and the father who abandoned her, the more she realizes her future is not just determined by who she is now. With humor, warmth, a little help from the beyond, she learns that to move forward means to accept her place among a line of women all blessed—or cursed—with the RiverCliffe Legacy.

 

 

Review:

Risa Armitage is living in her mother’s basement with her three kids, after a rough divorce. The kids are absolutely miserable after leaving their life and friends behind to move in with their grandmother.  While contemplating what to do with her children for the summer break and a tight budget, Risa gets word that she has inherited Rivercliffe, a resort destination in upstate New York. She has inherited the property from her father’s mother, Cathy Newsome, with whom she had never met. Risa decides to visit for a weekend just to see exactly what she has inherited. 

Once she arrived, the kids have an amazing change of attitude and fall in love with everything RiverCliffe.  Each child finding a niche and a place to belong. When the children beg their mother to come and stay for the summer, Risa has no idea what staying at RiverCliffe would mean. And there are secrets at RiverCliffe!  Secrets that are spoken if freely but Risa has a hard time believing in them. 

Can Risa begin to embrace all that is her inheritance?  On the property there is an old cemetery and all the women that are descendants of Gemina Cliffe supposedly have an amazing ability.  One that allows them to speak to those who are residents of the cemetary. Risa doesn’t quite believe  in the stories, even when she is told that it is her legacy! 

This story is about a broken mother struggling to find her place in the world after a rough divorce. While the divorce shook her to the core, she is strong, resilient and bound by the love of her children!  RiverCliffe is so beautifully written that you wish this was an actual place that you could visit yourself and explore. 

I loved how each of Risa’s children after struggling with the aftermath of a rough divorce, find their place and their path at RiverCliffe! And while the children begin to feel whole again, so does Risa! Finding herself while exploring her father’s family that she knew nothing about! 

This is not a ghost story but a story of discovery, of family and of finding your way in the world. The RiverCliff Legacy by Dee Ernst was beautifully written!  Spellbinding! 

Reviewed by Erin

Copy supplied for Review

 

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Room Mate by Katie Ashley-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ROOM MATE by Katie Ashley-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 17, 2018

From the time I was a kid, I knew I wanted a job helping people. After serving in the Rifles regiment of the British Army, I focused my civilian career on becoming a bodyguard to the rich and famous. For a Cockney Brit, I never imagined a twist of fate landing me a position in the United States Secret Service and protecting the President’s son. But then my boss made an unexpected request: leave my current placement to move in with his only daughter to give an added layer of protection against the threats she had been receiving. I’d never lived with a woman who was off-limits to me. It wasn’t just that Caroline had a boyfriend. She was my best friend’s sister, and my boss’s daughter. But the longer we’re in such close quarters together, the greater the temptation grows, but I know I’ll lose everything if I pursue her.

Growing up as the only girl with two overbearing older brothers, I’m no stranger to being overprotected. Just as I finished up college and prepared to truly dip my toes into the adult world, my father was elected President of the United States, which added a whole new level of protection with the Secret Service team attached to me. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be more smothered, I began receiving threats, and my family decided it wasn’t enough to just have an agent living down the hall from me. Nope, I was to have one move in with me, and not just any agent, but Ty Frasier—my brother, Barrett’s best friend, and my brother, Ty’s, head agent. While most women would enjoy living with a sexy, buff Brit, having a roommate threw a wrench into all my plans. Especially when I began noticing Ty was so much more than a hot guy—he was someone I could fall for.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ROOM MATE is the third instalment in Katie Ashley’s contemporary, adult, erotic, romance series focusing on the Callahan siblings, the children of American President James Callahan. This is twenty-nine year old, former British Army soldier, and current Secret Service Agent Ty Frasier, and twenty-five year old, author Caroline Callahan’s story line. ROOM MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ty and Caroline) ROOM MATE follows the building relationship between twenty-nine year old, Secret Service Agent Ty Frasier, and twenty-five year old, author Caroline Callahan. Following a series of threatening letters and emails directed at the President’s only daughter, Caroline Callahan, about to embark on a new career, found herself with a new room mate in the guise of Secret Service Agent Ty Frasier, a man who stirred something deep within our story line heroine. Currently in a relationship with someone else, Caroline struggled with her attraction to a man hired to protect her with his life but an attraction that would grow when the two were forced together for our heroine’s protection. As the threats against Caroline continued, Ty’s relationship with Caroline would become more personal and private, until the attraction between one another could no longer be ignored. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Ty and Caroline, and the potential fall-out as Caroline’s stalker gets up close and personal with our leading couple.

The relationship between Ty and Caroline begins as an assignment. Caroline was about to start a new job, out of town, but the threats against her life had grown more insidious and dark. Having previously shadowed both of Caroline’s brothers, Ty was the perfect guardian for out story line heroine, and it didn’t hurt that Ty was the epitome of brooding, sexy, alpha male. Weeks together and 24/7 in one another’s company meant plenty of time to discover what made the other one tick. The $ex scenes intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

All of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles including Barrett and Addison (Running Mate), Thorn and Isabel (Office Mate), as well as President James Callahan and his wife Jane. We are introduced to Caroline’s best friend and former room mate Selah McCallister.

ROOM MATE is an energetic and inviting story of family, friendship, understanding and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are sexy, sassy and animated.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Running Mate
Office Mate
Room Mate

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

After we spent a considerable amount of time perusing the aisles of the Piggly Wiggly, Caroline was finally finished, and we made our way to the checkout. In true small town fashion, she struck up a conversation with the middle-aged cashier. While she appeared utterly charming, I probably came off as an ass because I kept looking around and narrowing my eyes at anyone who might look suspicious. Especially the male middle-aged cashier who seemed utterly enthralled by Caroline.

At the sight of us coming out the mechanized doors, Stuart began easing the SUV closer to our place on the curb. After popping the hatch, Caroline wheeled the cart over to the back of the SUV. Just as I was about to start helping her with the bags, I heard a shout behind me. “Hey! Come back here.”

Whirling around, I saw a man waving wildly at Caroline. “Fuck! Assailant!” Stuart shouted.

I shoved myself between the man and Caroline, shielding her from him. Grabbing her by the waist, I hoisted her up and threw her in the back of the SUV. “Omph!” she cried as her body bounced on the carpeting of the hatch. After slamming the door, I stepped back just as Stuart screeched away from the curb.

Now that I knew Caroline was safe, I turned my attention back to the man. Hurling myself at him, I took him down to the curb. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“Stay down. I’m calling the police.”

“The police? But what did I do?”

“You’ve been harassing the President’s daughter.”

“I just came out to give her the coupons she forgot.”

“What?”

He nodded. “Look in my right hand.”

After rocking back on my knees, I grabbed his arm and pried the contents out of his hand. Once I unraveled it, I grimaced. “Son of a bitch.”

I had completely and utterly misread the situation. Speaking into my microphone, I said, “Stuart, it’s a false alarm.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he blared into my ear.

“No, I’m not.”

“We’re headed back.”

“Roger.”

I figured then it was past time for me to get off the man. I rose to my feet before reaching down to help him up. I brushed off his white shirt I had accidentally dirtied when I knocked him to the ground. Upon closer inspection, I saw the nametag on his shirt. “Sheldon, I’m terribly sorry for my actions.”

He narrowed his brown eyes at me. “I think it’s me who needs to be calling the police.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Reaching into my pocket, I fished out my badge. As I flashed it at him, I said, “Agent Fraser with the U.S. Secret Service.”

His eyes bulged before he gasped. “Wait, that was President Callahan’s daughter?”

“Yes, sir, it was. I hope you can understand that we take the safety of the president’s children very seriously, and upon first reflection, it appeared you might’ve been preparing to harm Ms. Callahan.”

“Oh, no. I would never want to do that. I voted for her dad. Never thought I’d vote for an Independent, but he won me over.”

“I’m happy to hear that, sir. I certainly hope this unfortunate incident won’t in anyway skew your views on him.”

He waved a hand dismissively at me. “No, no. I understand. More than that, I can’t wait to go home and tell my wife that Caroline Callahan came into my store today.”

For my sake, I hoped he left out the part where a Secret Service agent mowed him down because he thought Piggly Wiggly coupons were a weapon. Once the other agents found out about this, I was going to catch hell in the form of their constant ribbing. At least Stuart would be going down with me. He’d made the assumption to start with.

After Stuart drove up, he made quick work of putting the SUV in park and opening the hatch. I hopped off the curb and went over to the back. Caroline sat with her knees pulled against her chest. When she pursed her lips at me, I held up my hands. “I’m sorry. It was a false alarm.”

“That’s what Stuart said.”

“We can never be too careful.”

An amused look twinkled in her blue eyes. “Apparently not when we find grocery cashiers a threat to my safety.”

“He appeared to have a weapon in his hand, and he was shouting at you,” I argued.

“I believe the weapon turned out to be coupons.”

Man, she was really on my dick about this one. Shit. I should never think of Caroline on my dick in any form or fashion. It was just too wrong. “Yes, the weapon turned out to be your coupons.”

“Right.”

I extended my hand to her. “Come on and get out, so we can load the groceries up and get the hell out of here.”

After I helped Caroline slide out of the back, she started helping me load the bags. “Should I go inside and offer an autograph to smooth things over? This is the closest grocery store to the apartment, so I’d hate to not ever be able to come here again because you clothes-lined a guy.”

“I didn’t clothes-line him. I merely took him down as part of protocol.”

“I’d say you lost your calling in football, that’s for sure.”

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Ten Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She’s written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her Heeler-Mix, Belle, and her two cats, Harry Potter and Hermoine. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.

Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn’t monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.

CONNECT WITH KATIE

➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
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➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv

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Binding Blood (Bonds of Blood #3) by Daniel de Lorne-a review

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BINDING BLOOD (Bonds of Blood #3) by Daniel de Lorne-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 20, 2018

Monsters don’t get to be heroes…

Betrayed by his brother and imprisoned in his sister’s dungeon, Olivier d’Arjou isn’t about to let a few chains get in his way. A vampire for six hundred years and a plague on his family for longer, he has no reason to hold back from wiping out the last of his family members and anyone who gets in his way. But first, he’ll need to break free.

When Oberon North, witch and survivor of one of Olivier’s most heinous crimes, comes seeking vengeance, it should be child’s play to bend the witch to his will. But Oberon comes with more power and resilience than Olivier expects and forces him to confront truths he’d rather avoid.

But Olivier’s inner conflict must take a backseat when he learns of his sister Aurelia’s plan to save the world from the demon Xadrak. A battle generations in the making, to succeed requires the ultimate sacrifice from both Olivier and his brother Thierry – and the last chance Olivier has to reclaim his humanity and a future he never thought possible.

••••••••••

REVIEW: -BINDING BLOOD is the third and final instalment in Daniel De Lorne’s adult BONDS OF BLOOD paranormal, M/M dark romance, suspense, thriller trilogy focusing on siblings Olivier and Thierry d’Arjou, and their sister Aurelia. BINDING BLOOD should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two Burning Blood.

NOTE: BINDING BLOOD is a storyline with scenes of graphic violence, rape, torture, and M/M sexual situations, and may not be suitable for all readers.

SOME BACKGROUND : Six hundred years earlier the lives of twins Olivier and Thierry d’Arjou, along with their sister Aurelia, were destroyed at the hands of their father, a man whose demonic possession ensures the ongoing struggle between the d’Arjou siblings. Olivier’s vampire rages with fury as Thierry’s vampire searches for the man that he would always love.

Told from several third person perspectives BINDING BLOOD follows several paths as Aurelia d’Arjou, a powerful witch, struggles to gain control of a demon who is about to destroy the world. For close to six hundred years Aurelia has hunted for the demon known as Xadrak, in an effort send him through the portal from whence he came. To ensure her plans do not go awry, Aurelia must protect the portal, and the key, even if she has to lie and betray the people she loves. While her brother Olivier remains a prisoner in her dungeon, Oberon, one of Olivier’s victims must face his destroyer in an effort to heal them all. What ensues are Aurelia’s efforts to join forces with the present and the past, as another demon is summoned in an effort to pull Xadrak back into h*ll.

BINDING BLOOD is an infinitely detailed, dark and menacing story line consolidating several interconnected plotlines from the two previous instalments. Olivier and Thierry’s ongoing hostilities will be tempered when the truth is revealed; Aurelia must keep secret the legitimacy of Olivier, Thierry and Oberon’s connection to saving the world.

Daniel De Lorne takes the reader on an elaborate journey of magic and mayhem, demons, witches, vampires and lore. The tragedy of unrequited and all consuming love leads to sacrifice, and a loss of innocence forever destroyed by betrayal and vengeance. Oblivious to the truth, Olivier, Thierry and Oberon will become unwitting pawns in an effort to take down the evil that demands the world. A story of sacrifice, hatred, power and love BINDING BLOOD is a impassioned, startling and energetic look at the dark side of paranormal romance.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Beckoning Blood
Burning Blood
Binding Blood

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

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ReWined Volume 3 (Party Ever After #3) by Kim Karr-Review Tour

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ReWined Volume 3 (Party Ever After #3) by Kim Karr-Review Tour

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

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ADD TO YOUR TBR ⇢ http://bit.ly/2K7jsaK

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2018 ‘

There are three guaranteed ways to ruin a perfectly unstable marriage…

>1. Tell your beautiful new bride she’s the devil.
2. Tie one on and don’t come home.
3. Oh, and let’s not forget, uncover family secrets that rock both your worlds.

I really need a rewind because now my temporary wife is pissed as hell and wants a quickie divorce.

Wooing her is my plan.
Sending flowers, writing love notes, and even serenading her are some of the sure-fire methods I learned from watching her favorite romantic comedies.
In all of those films, one grand gesture leads to the woman falling at her man’s feet cueing sappy music and epic make-up sex.
Too bad my girl isn’t following the script.

Short of riding in on a white horse, I’m at a loss of how to win her back.
Unless…
Every girl dreams of a Prince Charming. Right?
Well, I can redefine myself and turn this party boy into one.
She insists it’s impossible.
I disagree.

***This is the final volume in the Party Ever After series.***

•••••••••

REVIEW: ReWined Volume 3 is the third instalment in Kim Karr’s contemporary, adult PARTY EVER AFTER erotic, romance trilogy focusing on heir to the winery California Jane, Tyler Justin Ryan Holiday III, and Paris Elizabeth Hollis Fairchild, heir to the Highway 128 winery. Volume 3 should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of Volume 2.

Told from dual first perspectives (Tyler and Paris) using present day and memories from the past, ReWined Volume 3 continues to follow the up and down relationship between ‘California Jane’ Winery Tyler Holiday, and his new wife, Paris Fairchild-Holiday, heir to Winery Highway 128. With both of their respective wineries struggling to survive, the marriage between Paris and Tyler was more of a business merger that turned into something else. Former childhood friends and sweethearts, Paris and Tyler’s acrimonious relationship fall-out stems from their respective family squabbles that all but destroyed one another’s lives. Fast forward to present day wherein Paris sees little to know change in Tyler’s adolescent behavior, behavior that is in direct contradiction to their agreed upon terms. What ensues are Tyler’s attempts to win back the woman he loves, as he must come to terms with a past he knew nothing about.

ReWined Volume 3 is a novella length, revealing and heart breaking story about two people whose lives were destroyed by the very people responsible for what should have been their love and affection. Paris and Tyler will discover that past events were not what they appeared to have been, and in this, Tyler must face the truth about his heritage, his life, and the prospects for the future. The premise is entertaining; the romance struggles in the face of secrets, miscommunication and a lack of trust; the characters are dynamic and colorful. My only concern is the quick resolution to the story line conflict, a resolution that left out too many details regarding the merger of the wineries, and the how and why of their now burgeoning success.

Reading Order and Previous  Reviews
ReWined Volume 1
ReWined Volume 2
ReWined Volume 3

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Reader * Chocolate Lover * Writer * Coffee Lover * Romantic * Beach Lover * Yoga Beginner

Kim Karr is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels. Best known for writing sexy contemporary love stories, she enjoys bringing flawed characters to life and creating romances that are page worthy. Her stories are raw, real, and explosive. Her characters will make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel. And her happily-ever-afters are always swoon worthy. From the brooding rock star to the arrogant millionaire to the Football Player. From the witty damsel-in-distress to the sassy high-powered businesswoman to the boutique owner. No two storylines are ever alike. If Kim’s not writing, you can find her wandering through antique stores with her husband, trying out new fitness classes with her sons, venturing out to new coffee shops with her daughter, or with her nose stuck in a book.

Link with Kim!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Page | Instagram

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/kimkarr_newsletter

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Shards of Blood and Shadow / A Brush With Fate by Anna Argent-dual reviews

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SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW / A BRUSH WITH FATE (The Lost Shards #1 & #2) by Anna Argent -dual reviews

•••••••••••

SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW
(The Lost Shards #1)
by Anna Argent
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 8, 2018

Cleo Radella inherited both the ability to see the future, and a haunting prediction that she will commit murder on her twenty-fifth birthday. That day has arrived, along with a stranger who is fated to alter her world irrevocably.

One will come in blood, the other in shadow…

Flint is not what one would call a people person. He despises small talk, prefers solitude, and hates being touched. Luckily, the fragments of ancient, powerful souls he carries allow him to fade into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed—handy for a guy who hunts people for a living.

Cleo is his next target, but when her life is threatened, he will stop at nothing to protect the beautiful psychic. No one captures his prey but him.

Death lurks behind them…

Forced together, Flint reveals a world Cleo never knew existed. She soon learns that no one is what they seem, and that her destiny is much bigger than she ever imagined

••••••••••••••

Sandy’s Review:   SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW is the first instalment in Anna Argent’s (aka Shannon K Butcher) contemporary, adult THE LOST SHARDS paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-five year old psychic Cleo Radella, and Flint Skelton’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: The world as we know it is filled with magic, and throughout history people have been blessed or cursed with magical abilities. The ongoing war between good and evil pits the Riven against the Vires in their search for anyone with magical shards-slivers of magic passed down from parent to child, or in many cases, upon the death of someone with magic. By killing someone with magic, the perpetrator ‘inherits’ the shards of his/her victims; upon the death of a loved one, the shard is passed to the nearest kin.

Told from several third person points of view including Cleo and Flint SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW follows psychic Cleo Radella on the day of her twenty-fifth birthday, a date prophecized by her late mother, in which Cleo will meet a man of shadow, and a man of blood but Cleo never expected to meet her future in the guise of Flint Skelton, a man determined to protect Cleo with his life. Convincing Cleo that she is better off with the group known as the Riven forces our heroine to face a future without the people she loves. What ensues is the building relationship between Flint and Cleo, and the potential fall-out as Cleo is targeted by someone from her past, someone whom Cleo has no memory but someone close enough to inherit her shards.

Cleo Radella is unaware of her family history. As a psychic, along with her aunt Delores, Cleo owns and operates a professional psychic business but unbeknownst to Cleo someone is watching including the man with whom she will fall in love. Flint Skelton doesn’t do relationships but meeting Cleo stirs something protective in our story line hero. Targeted for her abilities, Cleo’s life hangs in the balance but not everyone is who they proclaim to be. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

SHARDS OF BLOOD AND SHADOW introduces some of the background and history of magic and shards. The large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters is unique; the close-knit family of magical Riven will be destroyed by someone they know. The premise is enchanting and startling; the characters are spirited and lively; the romance is intimate and spicy. Anna Argent welcomes you to the world of The Lost Shards, one magical moment and at a time.

 

Barb’s Review:Shards of Blood and Shadow by Anna Argent is the first book in her new The Lost Shards series.  We meet our heroine, Cleo Radella, a psychic who lives with her aunt, who is also a professional psychic with gifts.  Cleo’s mother died years ago, and from that day forward, she inherited her mother’s gifts, including the ability to see the future; her mother also prophesized that on her 25th birthday she would meet two men; a man of shadow and a man of blood. Today is her birthday, and despite her aunt’s warnings, Cleo goes about her day as normal; she does notice a handsome man watching her from a car, and brushes it off.

Flint Skelton, our hero, is a member of Riven, and was assigned to make sure Cleo is one of them or a hoax. Flint at first considers Cleo a fake, but things begin to happen and he quickly realizes his error. Cleo arrived home to see a strange man covered with blood, and her aunt the victim.  Flint tries to explain to Cleo that her life was in danger, and convince her he is one of the good guys, and take her to Riven headquarters. 

What is Riven and Vires?  Riven is a secret group that protects those that carry magical shards, and the evil Vires, are the ones who will kill to inherit those shards for themselves.

What are Shards? Shards are souls with magical powers that move on to siblings of the dying person; but if they are killed, the person who murdered them will inherit the powers of the victim. The shards can be dark or light, and the person who inherits them needs to balance the good and bad.  Not so with the Vires, as they want the powers and will use them for evil purposes.

Cleo was kept in the dark about the history of her mother, and these magical abilities.  Flint, who is the man of shadow, does his best to explain, and only until she meets the members of Riven, will Cleo begin to understand.   She will learn later, that the man of blood, was her brother, whom she did not know, and despite his being a violent killer, Cleo wants to find a way to save him. 

I loved Flint and Cleo together, as in a short time their chemistry was off the wall.  It was great to meet all the wonderful secondary characters Argent has created.  What follows is an exciting, action packed and tense adventure that will put Cleo’s life, as well as Flint’s in danger.  Cleo will discover how to use her new powers, and we learn more about that nearer to the end.  I really enjoyed this world-building by Argent, and look forward to finding out what she has in store for us in the next book.   I suggest you begin this series by reading Shards of Blood and Shadow, written so well by Anna Argent.

 

_______________

A BRUSH WITH FATE
(The Lost Shard #2)
by Anna Argent
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, paranormal, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 9, 2018

Like many artists, Calliope dreams of painting beautiful works of art that stir the soul. Unfortunately, the only paintings of hers that sell are the ones that kill people.

She’s compelled to paint by a dark presence she doesn’t understand and can’t control. No matter what it takes, she must find a way to resist the urge to submit to the power inside her, because once she dips her brush in red, someone is about to die bloody.

When Knox sets eyes on the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, he’s drawn to her in a way he can’t explain. Too bad she’s dating his brother’s murderer.

Certain that Calliope will be the killer’s next victim, Knox makes it his mission to keep her safe. He soon realizes there’s more to the talented artist than meets the eye. She’s a vessel for slivers of ancient, powerful souls, and she doesn’t even know it. Those shards have an agenda of their own, and they will use her—or destroy her—to get what they want.

As she and Knox hunt for a killer, they learn that their two fates are inextricably bound, and if they can’t find a way to control the power Calliope possesses, then the next gruesome murder she paints may be her own.

••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: A BRUSH WITH FATE is the second instalment in Anna Argent’s (aka Shannon K Butcher) contemporary, adult THE LOST SHARD paranormal, romance series focusing on a group of people imbued with the power of magic. This is former homicide detective Knox Hardin, and artist Calliope Stanhope. A BRUSH WITH FATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: The world as we know it is filled with magic, and throughout history people have been blessed or cursed with magical abilities. The ongoing war between good and evil pits the Riven against the Vires in their search for anyone with magical shards-slivers of magic passed down from the beginning of time, from parent to child, or in many cases, upon the death of someone with magic. By killing someone with magic, the perpetrator ‘inherits’ the shards of his/her victims; upon the death of a loved one, the shard is passed to the nearest kin. As the Vires go in search of their next ‘magical’ victim, the Riven are tasked with finding the artist, the singer and the thief-three people gifted and prophesized by one of their own.

Told from several third person perspectives including Knox and Calliope A BRUSH WITH FATE follows former homicide detective, a member of the group known as the Riven, who hunts for the man that killed his brother. When Knox discovers his brother’s killer Thane Morel has targeted a young artist, Knox warns the woman about Thane’s potential for death and destruction. Enter Calliope Stanhope, psychic artist, and the woman with whom Knox will fall in love. What ensues are Knox’s attempt to convince Calli that her life is in danger, and the potential fall-out as Thane focuses his hunt on our story line heroine.

Calliope Stanhope paints the visions in her head- the past, the present and the future- but recently a voice pushes our heroine to paint scenes of death in an attempt to procure the dying’s shards. Calliope knows that something is wrong but her paintings have become valuable commodities for people who follow the dark arts. Knox Hardin is determined to kill the man that killed his brother but in doing so Knox will become what he despises the most-a Vire, the sworn enemy, a being who will succumb to the dark voices inside. Meeting Calliope Stanhope forces Knox to step back from his mission to take down Thane Morel, a mission that he is desperate to see to the end.

The relationship between Calliope and Knox is one of immediate attraction but Calliope has issues of trust especially as it involves the ludicrous stories about Riven and Vires, darkness and light. As Calliope struggles with the voices in her mind, Knox is determined to protect Calli and make her his own. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of fantastic secondary and supporting characters including the Riven leader Garrick Andor, IT expert Marvel Manning, empath and healer Eliana, historian and librarian Harold Lionel, Eden, and young woman with the ability to ‘read’ the shards, and her protector Argo, Riven Stygian, as well as Calliope’s best friend and PA Tammy Lathrop. The requisite evil has many faces including the return of a powerful Vire.

The world building continues to focus on the war between the Riven and the Vire. Thousands of years of history, and the bits and pieces of ancient souls inside everyone who bears a little bit of magic find the good guys trying to ferret out those with a darkness to their soul.

A BRUSH WITH FATE is a story of betrayal, revenge, power and control. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are charismatic, colorful and animated. A BRUSH WITH FATE is an edgy and energetic look at magic, power and falling in love.

 

Barb’s REVIEW: A Brush With Fate by Anna Argent is the second book in her The Lost Shards series.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and looked forward to reading this one.  I am happy to say I loved A Brush With Fate, as it was equally as good or even better than the first book.

We meet our heroine, Calliope Stanhope, a famous artist, whose work is dark, but though she wants desperately to paint beautiful pictures, it is the dark pictures that sell.  Calliope does not understand why she is compelled to paint these pictures, which she cannot control. 

Knox Hardin, our hero, is an agent with Riven, and despite his determination to continue looking for his brother’s killer, he is assigned to find Calliope, who is thought to be one of them.  As it turns out, Calliope is dating Thane Morel, who unknown to Calliope, is a Vires member, and very powerful and dark. Morel has the ability to force people to do what he wants, and Calliope’s assistant is one of his victims.  Morel is also the one who killed Knox’s brother, and he has targeted Calliope to kill her and steal her powerful shards. 

Knox tries to warn Calliope how dangerous Morel is, but she does not know who to believe.  She is attracted to Knox, but her assistant keeps telling her that Knox is the dangerous one.   After Knox is attacked, Calliope will be the one to get him help, and meet the rest of the members of Riven.  There she sees powerful people using magical abilities to save Knox, and also learn about the powerful ancient shards that she never knew she had.  Calliope will learn that she has mostly good shards, but there is a big dark one, who is the one who compels her to paint murders.    

I loved Calliope and Knox together, as they made a great couple.  Though her attraction to him was strong, she continued to have doubts, and Knox was at first only looking find and kill Morel, found himself falling hard for her.  Their romance was sexy hot and beautiful, that had us rooting hard for them to make it.  

What follows is a tense, action packed, non-stop and exciting thriller.   I love and can’t wait to get stories on all the secondary characters that we have met in the Riven group.    Calliope learns so much more about her powers, which were really cool.  I do not want to tell too much more, as it would be spoilers. 

A Brush with Fate was once again written so well by Anna Argent, that I will be reading every book that she releases in this series.   The story had a bit of everything, danger, intense, action, romance and continually on the edge of my seat throughout.   Though this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest you read the first book, to understand everything about the background of the story.

 

Copies supplied for review

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Midnight Bite by Cynthia Eden-a review

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MIDNIGHT BITE by Cynthia Eden-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 18,2018

A kiss on New Year’s Eve is supposed to be lucky…but a vampire bite? That’s not exactly something a woman dreams of getting. And when Lark Kinsley gets bit, all bets are off. She stakes her date, runs into the night, and tries to put the whole nightmare behind her.

Only she can’t.

Because she immediately runs into trouble—trouble in the form of a tall, dark, and deadly sexy vampire prince named Devereaux. He claims that he’s there to help her, but she’s not buying his story. The guy is no Prince Charming. After all, Prince Charming isn’t supposed to come with fangs and an appetite for blood. But Devereaux says that he’s been waiting centuries for her. That she is meant to rule with him. Obviously, he’s wrong. And possibly insane. She’s not meant to be the queen of the vamps. No matter what Devereaux says.

But he’s not the only one after her. Paranormal monsters are coming out of the woodwork. And the bite that she got? It’s making her feel strange. Hungry. Her self-control is shredding, and Lark knows she’s changing. She just doesn’t know what she’ll become.

The new year won’t go out with a bang…it will end with a bite.

•••••••••••

REVIEW : MIDNIGHT BITE by Cynthia Eden is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, paranormal, romance novella focusing on advertising specialist Lark Kinsley, and vampire prince Devereaux.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lark and Devereaux) MIDNIGHT BITE follows Lark Kinsley on the eve of her twenty-sixth birthday. Lark is all too aware of the supernatural. As the daughter of a ‘monster hunter’, Lark chose not to follow in her mother’s footsteps but the repercussions of her mother’s career have followed our heroine for all of her life. Unaware of a secret deal made between the supernatural community, Lark has no idea that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, she will become the number one target of the paranormal world. Enter Prince Devereaux, the man with whom she will fall in love, but a man who is everything she has been taught to destroy.

MIDNIGHT BITE is a fast paced story about a vampire willing to do anything to protect the woman he has waited for all of his life, a woman who is the prize is a decades old war between the supernatural and the hunter; a woman completely unaware that she is more than meets the eye. Lark Kinsley was taught to hate the paranormal beings who inhabit the world but falling in love with the prince of the vampires is completely unexpected with benefits that pull our heroine into a life she was about to embrace. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is a passionate and quick to develop; the characters are sassy and colorful. MIDNIGHT BITE is a quick read: pull up a chair and embrace the dark side of happily ever after.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Peyton and Noah (Beaumont: The Next Generation 3.5) by Heidi McLaughlin-Review & Excerpt Tour

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PEYTON AND NOAH (Beaumont: The Next Generation 3.5) by Heidi McLaughlin-Review & Excerpt Tour

 

 

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / ibooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 18, 2018

Bells will be ringing. It’s the wedding everyone’s been waiting for and you’re cordially invited to the Christmas wedding.

•••••••••

REVIEW: PEYTON AND NOAH is instalment 3.5 in Heidi McLaughlin’s contemporary, adult BEAUMONT: THE NEXT GENERATION romance series, a spin-off from the authors Beaumont series. This is the continuing story of Peyton Powell- James and Portland Pioneers’ quarterback Noah Westbury, in the months preceding their Christmas wedding. PEYTON AND NOAH should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion

NOTE: Some of the events of PEYTON AND NOAH run parallel to, and crosses over with some of the events in CHASING MY FOREVE-Quinn and Nola’s story line. If you have not read the previous instalments in the series, there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Peyton and Noah) PEYTON AND NOAH focuses on the upcoming wedding between journalism graduate Peyton Powell-James to the love of her life quarterback Noah Westbury. It’s the off-season for professional football and Noah is hoping to pin down a date for his upcoming wedding to Peyton James, a date that revolves around the Christmas holidays. Life and everything it has to offer continues to push at our story line couple including the opportunity of a life-time for Peyton that may or may not come with ulterior motives. Second thoughts and questions about the who, how and why find our heroine struggling with a direction in life, including what was and what will never be.

PEYTON AND NOAH is an ensemble story line that brings together most of the James and Westbury families we have come to love. From football games to holiday celebrations, heartbreak and happiness, the members of the rock band West 4225 and their extended family and friends is a force to be reckoned with when one of their own is in pain or hurt.

Heidi McLaughlin pulls the reader into a story line of family and friendship, happiness and hope, love, honor, and happily ever after. A thought-provoking, real and inviting tale where fairy-tales really do come true.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Holding Onto Forever
My Unexpected Love
Chasing My Forever
Peyton and Noah

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

By the time we stop at the third bridal store, or maybe it’s the fourth, could be fifth because I’ve lost count, I realize why couples elope. The stress of having everything right, everything perfect, is almost too much to handle. The words I’ve heard today are it’s too frilly, not enough lace, the back looks odd, you look frumpy, is enough to make me want to throw my hands up and say forget it. Maybe it’s the champagne talking and being unreasonable in my head. With each store, comes a plate of hors d’oeuvres from restaurants looking to land a contract from me, and champagne from the best vineyards, wanting to supply our reception with their bottles. Because of my dad and who I’m marrying, the A-list treatment is real and all I want to do is pick a wedding dress with my mom and sister and decide on bridesmaids’ gowns that don’t look like they belong in an 80’s prom magazine. Most of all, I just want to marry Noah, in front of our family and friends, in a simple ceremony.I’m surrounded by mirrors, and my reflection tells me that I’m tired and have had way too much champagne. I want to eat, gorge myself on carbs and ice cream until my stomach revolts. I want everything unhealthy and not listed on the approved list that my uncle Xander gave me. He means well and is only giving me what I wanted when I asked him to help get me into shape for my wedding.

My body jerks to the left or right, depending on which way the saleswoman is pulling the gown I’m trying on. It’s not my favorite, but my mom fawned over it as soon as she saw it on the hanger. In fact, she’s loved just about every dress she’s picked out, as well as some of Elle’s choices. Each one I show her, brings her to tears. I guess this is a mom thing to do, to cry at the sight of their daughters dressed in wedding gowns. I texted Noah and warned him I plan to be the same way when we have a daughter going through this. He replied, telling me how much he loves the idea that we’re going to have children.

I have yet to find the one. Not man, because I found him many years ago, but dress. In my mind, it exists. It’s out there, sitting on some rack, being passed by, waiting for me to try it on. I know I could have had a bespoke gown, designed, and made to my own specifications, if I were to delay my wedding for a few more months. I’m not sure a dress is worth it. My parents are going to spend hundreds, if not thousands, on a dress that I’ll wear for a few hours, send off to dry-cleaning and have stored in a box. It seems frivolous and a waste of someone’s time.

Elle enters the dressing area and crinkles her nose. She gets it. At least, she pretends to. “Do you like it?”

I stare at her through the mirrors, not answering. I don’t need to. It’s a twin thing, she knows how I’m feeling.

“Mom means well. She’s excited.”

“I can’t wait for it to be your turn,” I tell her. “When will Ben propose?”

Elle shrugs, playing my question off. Her relationship with Ben is similar to the one I share with Noah. Lifelong loves with the difference being Elle didn’t realize she was in love with Ben until it was almost too late. Her stubbornness almost blew her chance at happiness but thankfully Ben was determined to win her love.

“What? Don’t you talk about marriage?”

“Not really,” she says. “We’re both so busy. Ben has a really good job, plus he’s helping me launch my career. We’re both sort of focusing on work right now.”

“You want him to ask you. I can tell.”

Elle waves me off. “The commitment would be nice.”

“So ask him. I would’ve had Noah not. I wasn’t going to let him go.”

The saleswoman makes one final tug before she dismisses me to go see my mom. Elle helps me off the large platform and holds the curtains open for me. Mom stands, covers her mouth, and proudly proclaims this is the best one yet.

“Mom, you say that each time,” Elle points out. “How are we supposed to help Peyton choose?”
Mom wipes at the tears falling. “I can’t help it, I just…” she looks from me to Elle, and then down at the floor. “I’m emotional is all.”

She doesn’t have to finish her sentence. I already know she was going to say something like “never thought she’d see this day.” She’s not the only one to think that. Sometimes, I have nightmares about the wedding, about Noah and I. Me sitting in church, watching him marry someone else. I’m there out of obligation because our families have been friends for forever. In this dream, his bride finds me crying in the bathroom, telling me that everything will be okay. She has no idea who I am or that I’m madly in love with her new husband. She just sees a weeping woman in the restroom who needs comfort. When my dreams do show my wedding to Noah, it’s perfect because it’s him and I standing there, professing our love for one another.
“Peyton, do you like the dress?” My mother asks.

I look down and trace the intricate beadwork. A seamstress or tailor spent a long time putting this together and it will be the right dress for a bride that isn’t me. “It’s pretty, but I think it’s too busy for what I had in mind.”

Mom smiles. “We have a handful of other stores to try.”

“Actually, there’s a vintage shop not far from here. I’d like to look in there.”

 


 

Heidi McLaughlin: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter /Instagram /Pinterest

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot.

When she’s isn’t writing one of the many stories planned for release, you’ll find her sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, will be in theaters on October 27, 2017, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.

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Miss Compton’s Christmas Romance by Sophie Barnes-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Miss Compton’s Christmas Romance by Sophie Barnes-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

MISS COMPTON’S CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
by Sophie Barnes
Genre: adult, historical, stand alone, romance
Release Date: December 18, 2018

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /<>center?a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1442118819 “>iBooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 18, 2018

Sometimes playing pretend can lead to the perfect romance…

When Miss Leonora Compton decides to go to Sheffield and spend Christmas with her sister, she finds herself travelling with a man she cannot afford to like. But as their journey progresses she enters an unexpected partnership with him and realizes that things aren’t what they seem. Because Mr. Dalton is not only tempting. He may in fact be precisely what she needs.

When Philip believes his travel companion requires protection, he immediately steps in to help by pretending to be her husband. For although the last thing he wants is to form an attachment, Philip is irrevocably drawn to the stunning red-head. And as they become better acquainted and their paths increasingly intertwined, he must decide if risking heartache again is worth the chance of finding true love.

•••••••

REVIEW: Miss Compton’s Christmas Romance is a delightfully told and wonderfully romantic adventure centered around the Christmas season.

Lenora Compton is twenty-four and has given up on trying to find a husband. She’s talked her father into giving her some of her dowry to invest in a shop to help her be independent. She rented a home and used the front part to set up her shop. Just before she was to leave for her sister’s home in Yorkshire for Christmas, a man came to her shop. Mr. Becker was not a pleasant man. He informed her he now owned the building and would be raising the rent to almost double.

She hated leaving, but her friends who worked for her, Kathy and Mildred were staying and urged her to go to her sisters for Christmas and they would take care of the shop. Still fuming in her mind about the horrible Mr. Becker and changes she knew she’d have to make to her business plan, she reluctantly set out.

At the coaching house, she found the carriage she’d be taking and began to take her luggage out to begin her ride. She saw a handsome tall man and recognized the man talking to him as the horrible Mr. Becker. She assumed this stranger would be of the same ilk as Becker. When her tried to help her load her valise she refused. She was strangely attracted to this man, but simply didn’t trust anyone who was friends with Mr. Becker. When she couldn’t manage, he smiled and helped her. He introduced himself as Mr. Dalton (Mr. Philip Dalton).

Okay, that’s the basic setup. There’s much more of course, but you need to read this to get the full and truly entertaining tale. What happens next on the trip is so much fun and truly exciting. How they learn about each other, misunderstandings and just pure attraction is what makes this story so delightful and a great read. Not a lot of unnecessary drama, just a good and exciting story of falling completely in love and how things work out is simply miraculous! Just in time for Christmas!

After the shopping and wrapping treat yourself to a sweet heartwarming romance with all the bells and whistles. Cuddle up with a copy of this great story and enjoy!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

 

 

The Bull and Mouth coaching house was bustling with travelers buying tickets and preparing for departure while others climbed out of newly arrived coaches. Horses neighed and people shouted, pushing and shoving their way past each other, the loud noise occasionally drowned out by the sound of a horn.
Her mother would likely have a fit if she ever found out that her daughter had chosen to travel alone on public transportation. In the past, Leonora had always taken a hired carriage, but that was before she’d become aware of the need to save every penny – back when her parents had paid the expense. In hindsight, she should perhaps have asked one of her parents’ maids to accompany her as chaperone. Except she’d been leading an independent life for the past eight months and had little desire to suffer the constant presence of someone insistent on making her follow a long list of rules.
So Leonora clasped her belongings and wove her way through the crowd on her own. She’d purchased her ticket a week earlier just to be sure she would get one. “Where’s the coach for Sheffield?” she asked a team of hostlers who were in the process of switching out horses.
One of the men pointed toward a coach on the opposite side of the courtyard, and Leonora thanked him before hurrying toward it. Her breath misted in the chill morning air as she stepped around the vehicle and prepared to show the coachman her ticket. But then she spotted him, and her entire body froze in place. Mr. Becker was here, and he was standing next to her coach, which only made Leonora’s heart beat harder. Because if there was one person she did not wish to spend one more second with, it was him. Least of all if they were to be confined to a place from which there could be no escape.
Her chest tightened and she realized then that she was holding her breath. She inhaled sharply, the frigid air rushed down her throat and into her lungs where it started to burn. She hesitated briefly, torn between choosing to face him and walking away. He was speaking with a younger and much taller gentleman with dark brown hair. Mr. Becker smiled, his countenance far more pleasant than when he’d come to call on her earlier. The younger gentleman nodded politely and offered his hand which Mr. Becker promptly shook before tipping his hat, adding a comment, and walking away. The younger man watched him go before turning toward the coachman. The two exchanged a few words, and the younger man pulled out his pocket watch to check on the time.
Leonora stepped forward. Thankfully, it did not seem as though she would have to endure Mr. Becker’s company. Just that of his friend. Determined to ignore him, she walked straight past the spot where he stood, her entire focus on the coachman. Reaching him, she set down her valise and retrieved her ticket from her reticule.
“Thank you, miss,” the coachman said when she handed it to him. He glanced at her luggage. “That will have to go on top of the carriage or in the boot. Which do you prefer?”
“I’ll put it in the boot,” Leonora told him. She picked up her valise and turned, only to find her path blocked by what had to be over six feet of solid masculinity. Leonora looked up and immediately bristled upon realizing not only that the man was Mr. Becker’s friend, but that he, upon further inspection, had eyes that weakened her knees and lips that quickened her pulse. He was, as it were, impossibly handsome, and that was almost more annoying than anything else that had happened that morning.
“May I help you with that?” he inquired.
Oh Lord, his voice was lovely too – like plush velvet sliding over her skin.
Leonora squared her shoulders. “No thank you. I can manage perfectly well on my own.” She stepped around him quickly, before his angular jaw and broad shoulders could cause her to change her mind, and went to the boot. It already contained a trunk and a couple of other valises, which meant she would have to heft her own up and over in order to secure it. She glanced around. Surely there must be some Bull and Mouth employee available to help?
If they were, none came to offer assistance. Leonora blew out a breath and proceeded to lift her valise, bringing her other hand underneath it while her reticule dangled back and forth from her wrist. Feeling the weight in her arms, she steadied herself against the carriage, bracing her body while struggling to push the darn thing toward the top of the boot.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?” the handsomest man in the world inquired.
“Absolutely,” Leonora panted. She was now holding her valise at shoulder level, supporting it against another valise that was in her way. Just a few more inches…
“Have you always been this stubborn?”
“I am not stubborn…just…” Ugh! She managed to wedge her shoulder underneath the valise, but its size and shape made it unstable, and before she could manage to steady herself properly, she felt the entire thing lean to one side. Oh no. She reached up attempting to grab it, but that only quickened the inevitable outcome.
Her valise slipped from her shoulder and started to fall, until it was caught by a pair of large hands.
Like Thor wielding his mighty hammer with seemingly little effort, Mr. Becker’s friend lifted the piece of luggage with infuriating ease and placed it securely in the boot. He stepped back and turned to face her, his toffee-colored eyes catching a ray of rare winter sunshine in the process. The effect was dazzling. More so when the edge of his mouth lifted to form a crooked smile with a perfect dimple placed right at the corner.
Leonora swallowed. For heaven’s sake, her hands were trembling, though she quickly decided that this was from her recent exertion and not at all because of this handsome man’s attentions. She had no interest in him, she reminded herself. Not when he kept company with the sort of man who would happily force a woman from her home and place of business during Christmas.
Deciding she would not allow him to divest her of her manners, she raised her chin and met his gaze boldly. “Thank you, sir.”
His smile broadened. “Mr. Dalton.” He glanced aside for a second before returning his attention to her. “Mr. Philip Dalton. How do you do?”


 

Follow Sophie: Goodreads /Website / Facebook / Twitter /Instagram /=Pinterest / Bookbub

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.She currently lives on the East Coast.

 

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

Link to giveway: https://promosimple.com/ps/d9d5/miss-compton-s-christmas-romance

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