Securing Caite (SEAL of Protection: Legacy #1) by Susan Stoker-Review Tour

SECURING CAITE (SEAL of Protection: Legacy #1) by Susan Stoker-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 15, 2019

Caite McCallan is a Department of Defense admin working in Bahrain when a glitchy elevator, of all things, leads to an unexpected invitation to dinner by a gorgeous Navy SEAL. When he later stands her up, Caite’s understandably upset…until she overhears a plot that confirms Rocco didn’t blow her off. Instead, he and two fellow SEALs are in danger—and Caite is forced to put her career and her life on the line to save them.

Blake “Rocco” Wise never expected his routine mission to go sideways, but he was even more surprised to find himself and his teammates rescued by the adorably shy woman he met in a stalled elevator. Caite’s selfless act saved his life, but when attempts on her own make it clear someone wants her gone, it’s Rocco’s turn to protect the brave, sweet, sexy woman. The longer he knows her, the more he wants her…but keeping Caite close could bring her nearer to the enemy than ever before.

••••••••••

REVIEW:  SECURING CAITE is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL of Protection: Legacy military, romance series-a spin off from the author’s original SEAL of Protection series. This is thirty-five year old, US Navy SEAL Blake ‘Rocco’ Wise, and twenty nine year old, administrative assistant Caite McCallan’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Caite and Rocco) SECURING CAITE follows the building relationship between thirty-five year old, US Navy SEAL Blake ‘Rocco’ Wise, and twenty nine year old, administrative assistant Caite McCallan. While working for the US Navy in Bahrain, Caite would find herself trapped in a malfunctioning elevator with three US Navy SEALs Blake ‘Rocco’ Wise, Decker ‘Gumby’ Kincade, and Beckett ‘Ace’ . With their attraction to one another undeniable, Rocco will invite Caite out for dinner but in the ensuing timeline, Rocco and his men disappear without a trace leaving a saddened Caite to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Overhearing a plot to kill three imprisoned US SEALs Caite sets about to rescue the man with whom she will fall in love but things go from bad to worse when Caite is fired for leaving the base, and sent back home with no money and no job. What ensues is the building relationship, once back on US soil, between Caite and Rocco, and the potential fall-out as Caite is targeted for information she knows.

Rocco and Caite had no idea that someone was after our story line heroine until too many incidents point to a potential plot. Hoping to uncover the truth about the how and why, Rocco calls in a group of Navy SEALs in an attempt to take down the person responsible, an attempt that may be too little, too late.

The relationship between Caite and Rocco is one of immediate attraction, a palpable sexual attraction that does not go unnoticed by Gumby and Ace. Rocco’s slow seduction of our story line hero is matched by Caite’s need for passion and love. The $ex scenes are passionate but limited.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and fascinating secondary and supporting characters from several of the author’s earlier story lines. The requisite evil is someone familiar and close.

SECURING CAITE is a cleverly written and realistic story line. The character driven premise is moving; the characters are flirty and fun; the slow building romance is intimate and tender. SECURING CAITE is an energetic and animated look at Navy SEALs and the women they love.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Forever Broken (Talon Pack #9) by Carrie Ann Ryan- Review Tour

Forever Broken (Talon Pack #9) By Carrie Ann Ryan-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 8, 2019

In the finale to the award-winning Talon Pack series from NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan sets, the final Brentwood must find his mate as the war with the Aspens comes to a close.

Cheyenne Liles has watched all of her friends mate into the Talon Pack and have their lives changed forever, one by one. She’s stood back, helpless to assist in the war with a rival Pack. But just when she thinks her time with the Talons is over and believes she should move on with her human life, the Aspen Pack Alpha takes matters into his own hands, altering her fate far more than a single mate mark ever could.

Max Brentwood used to be the smiling one, the only Brentwood who was somehow able to save his soul during the last Alpha’s reign. But his life was irrevocably changed one fateful day on the battlefield, and he was never the same again. Suddenly, Max is forced to face his future and make a choice when Cheyenne comes into danger: let fate decide, or watch his world crumble around him.

The shifters of this world have fought demons, humans, and themselves. Now, it’s time to find out who they truly are as the war between the Packs ends, and the moon goddess finally takes a stand.

••••

REVIEW: What a fabulous ending for this epic series!!!

When blade leaves Cheyenne for dead using her life’s blood to power a artifact that will help him to become the supreme alpha little does he know that max was able to save her. But the moon goddess has a set path for her children that once started will bring big change! The evil of blade will cause more pain,sorrow and even great loss,but their will also be great healing and a victory and rebirth to all of the talon pack and their brother tribes!!! Cheyenne and max have crossed paths many time but neither felt the mate bond, but when the goddess opens the door these two go up in flames and it’s beautiful !!!

I Love both these characters and Carrie’s storytelling is so friggin good. The ending is truly eye opening and a new beginning for all.I cried so many times because of her writing ,their are many beautiful moments and a deep bonding between these two lovers. Their is also love making that will melt your kindle screen! I don’t want to say too much more ,but I will end by saying this…. Very few writers have touched my soul like this writer and reading one of her books is the whole package,she’s a very talented lady!??

Get ebook one TATTERED LOYALTIES in the Talon Pack for FREE

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Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Kat V.

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

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Dragon Claimed (Dark Kings 14.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Donna Grant-Review Tour

DRAGON CLAIMED (Dark Kings 14.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Donna Grant-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 15, 2019

Born to rule the skies as a Dragon King with power and magic, Cináed hides his true identity in the mountains of Scotland with the rest of his brethren. But there is no respite for them as they protect the planet and the human occupants from threats. However, a new, more dangerous enemy has targeted the Kings. One that will stop at nothing until dragons are gone forever. But Cináed discovers a woman from a powerful, ancient Druid bloodline who might have a connection to this new foe.

Solitude is sanctuary for Gemma. Her young life was upended one stormy night when her family disappears, leaving her utterly alone. She learned to depend solely on herself from then on. But no matter where she goes she feels…lost. As if she missed the path she was supposed to take. Everything changes when she backs into the most dangerously seductive man she’s ever laid eyes. Gemma surrenders to the all-consuming attraction and the wild, impossible love that could destroy them both – and finds her path amid magic and dragons.

•••••••

REVIEW: DRAGON CLAIMED is instalment 14.5 and novella in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult, DARK KINGS paranormal/fantasy series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is Dragon King Cináed, and thirty year old, researcher Gemma Atherton’s story line. DRAGON CLAIMED can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order.

SOME BACKGROUND: The DARK KINGS is a spinoff from Donna Grant’s DARK WARRIOR series which in turn is a spin off from Donna’s DARK SWORD series- all set in the Highlands of Scotland. The Dark Fae and their King Taraeth, along with the Silver Dragon Mikkel have declared war on the Dragon Kings by exposing the dragon’s existence to humankind. The last wars between man and the world of the paranormal saw a great loss of life on all sides but someone or something is determined to push the Dragons back into another war; Mikkel wants to become King of the Silvers, Queen Usaeil of the Light Fae has set her sights on claiming King Constantine as her mate, and the Dark Fae want the Dragon’s hidden weapon in order to rule Scotland and the rest of the world. With the emergence of a group known as the Others, the Dark Kings are facing several supernatural enemies determined to destroy them all.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cináed and Gemma) DRAGON CLAIMED follows Dragon King Cináed as he searches for a woman with connections to the past. Twenty-three years earlier Gemma Atherton was the sole survivor of a sudden but mysterious storm that took her parents and older brother. Fast forward to present day wherein Gemma will come face to face with a man who is willing to help her uncover the truth. Having changed her name and desperate to stay out of the public eye, this is Gemma’s first real chance at discovering the who, how and why of that fateful day. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Gemma and Cináed, and the potential fall-out as Cináed and Gemma are targeted by the Others.

Gemma Atherton knows that something was wrong the day her family disappeared; the feeling of evil permeated the grounds, an evil that continues to threaten to destroy her world. Cináed suspects there is more to Gemma than meets the eye but our heroine is oblivious to her ancient heritage, a heritage that makes her a target of the Dark Kings’ enemy.

The relationship between Cináed and Gemma is one of immediate and palpable sexual attraction. Cináed is drawn to Gemma like a moth to a flame. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include the King of the Orange Dragons Merrill, Druid elder Corann, as well as Queen Usaeil of the Light Fae, and a quick appearance by Ryder, and a few of the dragon mates.

The world building continues to focus on the Dragon Kings’ struggle to stay one step ahead of impending war. Queen Usaeil is determined to make King Constantine her mate but drops a hint about potential, future changes to the Dragon Kings and the women they love.

DRAGON CLAIMED is a story of loss and hope, survival and revelations. The premise is intriguing and spirited; the characters are animated and dynamic; the romance is fated and intimate. DRAGON CLAIMED is a welcome addition to Donna Grant’s Dark Kings paranormal romance series.

Previous Reviews

Dark Craving
Night’s Awakening
Dawn’s Desire
Darkest Flame
Fire Rising
Burning Desire
Hot Blooded
Night’s Blaze
Soul Scorched
Dragon King
Passion Ignites
Smoldering Hunger
Smoke and Fire
Dragon Fever 9.5
Firestorm
Blaze
Dragon Burn 11.5
Constantine: A History Part 1
Heat
Constantine: A History Part 2
Constantine: A History Part 3
Torched
Dragon Night 13.5
Dragon Fire

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Sandy

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | NEWSLETTER SIGNUP / TUMBLR / PINTEREST / GOODREADS

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Shadow Walker (Bloody Hearts #1) by Anya J. Cosgrove-Review & Giveaway Tour

Shadow Walker (Bloody Hearts #1) by Anya J.  Cosgrove-Review & Giveaway Tour


ebook only 99¢ or £0.99  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 17, 2019

A newborn witch is rescued by two smoking-hot brothers. Can she unravel their dark secrets? Or will she lose her soul trying?

Alana sucks at witchcraft. Healing, telepathy, seeing through illusions… she can’t master any of it.
Sparring with the six-foot-three muscular Walker brothers doesn’t help her focus. Alana’s not about to let herself fall for a man—or a demon—especially not the ones that abducted her in an attempt to save her life.

When a bitter demon learns of Alana’s existence, he’ll stop at nothing to possess her and drive a wedge between the two brothers. If Alana can’t learn to use her powers, she’ll die. If she can’t discern illusion from reality, she’ll lose her mind.

Nothing stays black and white in a world full of shadows.
Demons, witches, forbidden love… visit the otherworld today.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: The back cover was what drew me in, it sounded really interesting.

Alana is a twenty year old student, her life is pretty ordinary, and like most twenty year olds, she has a crush on someone, they do art classes together, and although they are chatting, Alana would like it to be more.
And when she finds out she’s not really that ordinary, at first she won’t believe it, but with monsters chasing her, who can she turn to ?

Thom only wants to help Alana, yes he’s attracted to her, but he’s trying to fool himself it’s only a job. He’s helped plenty of other witches, but this time it’s different.

Liam is or was a witch hunter, finding and draining them for their blood, his masters trained him to do his job, but no longer, he is free, but how did he get his freedom ? He has no compassion in him, he fights his demon side on a daily basis. The witches blood calls to him whenever he is near Alana, or any witch. And after rescuing Alana, using her blood to escape, he has once again turned back into the monster he fought so hard to escape from.

The walker brothers rescue and train witches, and are probably the best bet in Alana’s training, they won’t take any of her excuses, and as she’s being stalked by demons, she will need an insight into the demon mind.

Alana can’t get the hang of her magic, even the simplest of things are proving difficult for her. But if she doesn’t then she can’t go home, but she has only just come into her powers, Thom explains that until she learns to hide her powers she can’t go home !!! But in all honesty, Alana can’t go home anyway, (demons will be on the look out for her, and will use family and friends to find her) so she’ll be given a new identity and set up
Somewhere new !!!!

And the attraction between Thom and Alana is a slow progression, she really likes him, and Thom is warming up to her. But the thing with her and Liam is totally different, it’s interesting to read ?

But how will the attraction continue? Will she choose ? And what about the demon that is stalking her ?

Julie ?

Copy supplied for review

Anya J Cosgrove lives in Québec with her husband, her beautiful son, and two mischievous cats. She works as a veterinarian by day. She’s a travel and Disney junkie and is passionate about her favorite paranormal series.
What would Buffy do? Kick ass!

Click here to leave your email so you can be notified on release day!

Sign-up for free, exclusive content, giveaways and the latest news here:http://bit.ly/anyaslair

Website: http://www.anyajcosgrove.com/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnyaJCosgrove

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

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Spartan Promise by Jennifer Estep – a Review

Spartan Promise by Jennifer Estep – a Review

 

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Description:
Hunting for the bad guys has never been so dangerous . . .

My name is Rory Forseti, and I attend the Colorado branch of Mythos Academy, a school of warrior kids, powerful artifacts, and mythological monsters.

I’m a student, a fierce Spartan warrior, and a member of Team Midgard, a group of kids and adults tasked with stopping the evil Reapers of Chaos. There is one Reaper I’m determined to hunt down above all others: Covington, the man who murdered my parents.

So when the Midgard gets a tip that Covington is going to try to steal a dangerous artifact, I’m ready to fight. But the situation is far more complicated than it seems, and the Reapers aren’t my only enemies.

I’ll have to use all my Spartan strength and skills to survive this. And even then, it might be my blood that gets spilled . . .

 

 

Review:

Spartan Promise by Jennifer Estep is the second book in her Mythos Academy: Colorado series. I am a fan of the original Mythos Academy series, and was happy that the first book in this series was just as much fun to read.  Having just completed Spartan Promise, I can say this was equally as good, and can’t wait for more books to come. 

Rory Forseti is our heroine in this series, who is also a cousin of Gwen Frost, our Mythos Academy heroine. She is a Spartan warrior, who has many strengths and powers,  which she is still learning how to use.   In the first book, we learned that Rory’s parents were members of the evil Reapers, and when they tried to leave, they were murdered.  In the beginning, Rory had a hard time at school, as everyone looked down at her, assuming she was a Reaper like her parents.   But Rory redeemed herself, when she joined the Midgard (part of the Protectorate, who fight the Reapers), and together the team managed to defeat an attack by the Reapers, and save some of the stolen artifacts. 

In Spartan Promise, Rory and her wonderful team (Ian, Zoe, Mateo, Takeda, etc), find themselves in death defying situations quite often, as the Reapers, led by Covington and Drake, try to steal some powerful and destructive artifacts.  The action throughout the book was amazing, and it was non-stop excitement; with Rory trying to stop the creatures created by the artifacts.  It was very tense during those scary moments.

What follows is an exciting, intense, non-stop action adventure that had us on the edge of our seats.  The slow built romance between Rory and Ian continues to grow, as we look forward to them becoming even closer in future books.  Besides the great secondary characters that are part of her team, and her aunt, I loved the Gryphons that come to help her, as well as the fun with the baby gryphon, Brono, who continues to tease poor Babs, Rory’s talking sword.  Cute fun.

If you enjoy Urban Fantasy, with exciting non-stop action, wonderful heroine and secondary characters, as well as two nasty villains, you should be reading this series.  Spartan Promise was another fun enjoyable read, and Jennifer Estep once again gives us a great story that had us unable to put the book down.   If you have not started Mythos Academy:Colorado, then I suggest you do so by reading the first book, Spartan Heart.  I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

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Faking It by K. Bromberg-Review & Excerpt Tour

FAKING IT by K. Bromberg-Review and Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 8 2019

Zane Phillips mistook me for his dog walker. It shouldn’t surprise me that the man with a suit more expensive than my rent would assume that I was there to serve him. The positive? I put him in his place. The negative? I missed my job interview because of it.

Now I find out he’s a rich Australian entrepreneur, and he wants to make up for tanking my interview. Yes, he’s impossibly hot – but he’s also an arrogant jackass—so . . . no thanks.

But after a little white lie I tell spirals out of control, I’m somehow offered the chance to play Zane’s girlfriend to help promote his new dating website – and the best part? He can’t say no because he’ll get caught in his lie too.

Little did I know this would entail sharing a tour bus with him for the next few months. The fact that the bus has just one bed isn’t the most ideal of circumstances, but this spokesperson gig might be the kick in the pants my career needs, so why not take a chance?

Famous last words.

Now I’m crisscrossing the country–and sharing that bed—with the one guy I can’t stand. And even worse, my traitorous body is wondering at every turn what it’s like to be down under the gorgeous Australian. But as the miles unfurl, so does our passion…and if I’m not careful, I might end up believing that fairytales really do come true.

••••••••••

REVIEW: FAKING IT by K. Bromberg is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, erotic romance story line focusing on successful Aussie businessman Zane Phillips, and model Harlow Nicks.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zane and Harlow) FAKING IT follows model Harlow Nicks as she comes face to face with arrogance personified in the form of businessman Zane Phillips. Believing Harlow is his dog-walker, Zane’s aggressive attitude finds our heroine with a broken heal, and late for a job interview, a job she needs, but no longer has any chance of attaining. When the opportunity presents itself at a formal business get together, Harlow is offered the position of spokes model for Zane’s new online matchmaking site SoulM8 (dot) com, a position that comes with a price-two months on the road as Zane’s new girlfriend-a position that surprises Zane as well. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship and romance between Zane and Harlow, and the potential fall-out a Zane doesn’t do relationships, love or happily ever afters.

FAKING IT is an enemies to lovers, fake relationship story line wherein Zane and Harlow are pushed together by Zane’s business investor and octogenarian Robert Waze. Desperate for a successful business launch Robert devises a series of ‘reality’ programming and interviews to promote their online adventure, all in the name of love.

The relationship between Zane and Harlow is caustic and bitter, at the start. Harlow isn’t impressed with Zane’s cocky attitude and his previous manwh*re reputation; Zane on the other hand lives to push all of Harlow’s buttons, both good and bad. As their time together draws to a close, Harlow suspects that the love she feels for our story line hero is something that will not be felt in return. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The back and forth verbal sparring is energetic and fun.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and charismatic. We are introduced to Zane’s investor Robert Waze; Harlow’s romance loving mother; Zane’s friends Jack, Kostas, Enzo and Mateo, as well as Mick, the tour bus driver.

FAKING IT is a sexy and spicy story. The premise is stirring and engaging; the romance is provocative and captivating; the characters as sassy, energetic and spirited. FAKING IT is an animated and light hearted look at two people thrown together in the name of love.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy. 

NOTE: Excerpt intended for readers 18+ due to language and content

“I have connections.” Brilliant, Zane. Fucking brilliant. That’s how you get her to not run away from you? By giving her a sleazy line? “Maybe I could help you find something.”
“I couldn’t care less about your connections.” She hangs her head and when she lifts it, I watch her reign in the pride I feel like a dick for bruising. “I’m sorry. That was rude. Like I said, thank you.” She holds up the papers and offers a reticent smile.
“Look . . .” I take a step toward her, more than aware that I don’t want her to go just yet and questioning why I’m even bringing this up. “I have an event I’m holding at the end of the week. You should come. I could introduce you to some people. There might be some job opportunities there.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not that kind of girl.” The roll of her eyes has me realizing how she took my comment.
My laugh makes my dog lift her head. “That’s not exactly what I meant, Harlow. I run a matchmaking website, not an escort service.”
“Good to know. So basically that means you cherry pick the women you want to date after you scope out all their information. I assure you now I can sleep better at night knowing this.”
“You’re exhausting.” And she is, but in the most fascinating of ways.
“You’re one to talk.” She crosses her arms over her chest and lifts her eyebrows.
I hold my hands up. “All I was trying to say is connections matter in this town. You and I both know that. My event . . . there is going to be a lot of people there. Industry people,” I say more than aware I just let it slip that I looked her up and know she works in the industry.
“Good. Great. Can you go now?”
But there’s a crack of a smile on her face. A chink in her defensive armor that tells me I’m getting somewhere.
“You have to take opportunities when they present themselves.” She doesn’t say anything but the slight smile remains. “Zane Phillips. Nice to meet you.” I stick my hand out. She looks down at it and nods but doesn’t shake it.
God, she’s stubborn.
And damn gorgeous.
“And you’re Harlow Nicks.”
“Considering you had my electric bill, I guess that means you know how to read.”
“I do.” I nod. “And I also have your email address from your interview paperwork.”
“Should I worry that you’re stalking me?”
I shake my head and sigh. “I’ll email you the information about the party—”
“—don’t bother—”
“—it’s on Friday night. Cocktail attire. Lots of networking.”
“I won’t read it.”
I flash a megawatt smile at her and then turn to walk away. “Yes, you will.”
And she will.
It’s rare that a woman resists me. She’s trying but I’ll win in the end. It just seems for the time being that I have my work cut out for me.
I’m a man who always has an end goal in mind. Always.
There’s no point in setting a goal if you don’t plan on smashing it.
Question is, what in the hell am I aiming for when it comes to Harlow Nicks?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Damien (Stark Saga) by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

DAMIEN (Stark Saga #6) by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 8, 2019

I am Damien Stark. From the outside, I have a perfect life. A billionaire with a beautiful family. But if you could see inside my head, you’d know I’m as f-ed up as a person can be. Now more than ever.

I’m driven, relentless, and successful, but all of that means nothing without my wife and daughters. They’re my entire world, and I failed them. Now I can barely look at them without drowning in an abyss of self-recrimination.

Only one thing keeps me sane—losing myself in my wife’s silken caresses where I can pour all my pain into the one thing I know I can give her. Pleasure.

But the threats against my family are real, and I won’t let anything happen to them ever again. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe—pay any price, embrace any darkness. They are mine.

I am Damien Stark. Do you want to see inside my head? Careful what you wish for.

••••••••

REVIEW: DAMIEN is the sixth instalment in J.Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SAGA erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s STARK Trilogy focusing on billionaire businessman Damien Stark, and his wife Nikki Fairchild-Stark. DAMIEN can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order as there is a continuing story line throughout.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalments there may be some spoilers in my review

Told from first person perspective (Damien Stark) DAMIEN picks up shortly after the events of book five –LOST WITH ME- wherein Damien’s family life spirals out of his control attacking his hard fought sense of peace and happily ever after. Continuing threats against his children and his wife find our hero pulling in his security team, friends, and the people he can trust to ensure his family’s safety, once and for all. But all does not go according to plan when Nikki’s life, once again, hangs in the balance because of sins from the past.

DAMIEN is an emotional, heart breaking and erotic story of life, love, friendship and family: a story of betrayal, vengeance, obsession and passion: of past sins, and the fall-out of rejection and lust. The premise is engaging and revealing; the characters are familiar, energetic and charismatic; the $ex scenes are provocative and intense but I continue to struggle with the author’s use of a certain four-letter word I believe has no place in any romance story line. DAMIEN is another fantastic and intriguing addition to Damien and Nikki’s continuing journey.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Anchor Me
Play My Game
Seduce Me (novella)
Unwrap Me (novella)
Hold Me (novella)
Please Me
Lost With Me
Damien

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: Excerpt intended for readers 18+ due to strong language.

 

He started to lash out. To pound his fist against the door frame. But he pulled back, not wanting to wake Nikki or the two little angels curled up next to her in their bed. His wife. His precious little girls.
His family.
As much as he loved Nikki, he hadn’t truly understood how full his heart could be until he’d held Lara in his arms for the first time. And though he hadn’t expected it was possible, his heart had expanded even more when he watched Anne’s birth two years ago and saw her draw that first breath.
Every day, his daughters looked up at him with wide, guileless eyes. And every day, he felt that punch in the gut. A fear that he couldn’t live up to the trust he saw there. That somehow, someway, he would fail them. Not in the way his own father had failed him. But in some other, fundamental way.
And that’s exactly what happened.
He thought of Rory, that fucker who’d taken his child. Of Nikki, broken and huddled in the closet with a blade, blood streaming down her fair skin, cutting for the first time in years. The first time since he’d demanded that she come to him—to him—when she needed the blade.
So many times, she’d done exactly that. Gone to him when the burden of the world had been too much to bear. When she needed the pain to find her way back. And he’d always been there for her, his need as potent as hers. Because he had to be the one to take her there. To slide down with her into that sweet place where sensual pleasure crossed over into pain. Where need and desire meshed, merging into euphoria. Where they could both cling to that one small measure of control in a world that was spinning off its axis.
How many times had they saved each other? Their needs meshing as perfectly as their desire?
How many times had he held her close as they fought their demons together? And yet this time—when the worst parts of hell had swallowed them whole—she hadn’t come to him. Instead, she’d put a razor-sharp length of stainless steel against her own flesh, and she’d drawn her own blood for the first time in years.
All because he’d failed her. Because it was his mistakes that spawned the demons.
Because for the first time in their relationship she hadn’t trusted him to save her. And why should she, when he’d already failed so spectacularly?
He thought of that. Of the scars on her legs. Of the fresh wound that mocked him still.
He thought—and his stomach twisted with pain and self-loathing.
Mostly, he thought of Anne. His precious girl, who’d been alone and scared for days.
They’d gotten Anne back. They’d talked about Damien’s choices. The risks he’d taken to find their daughter and her kidnapper. They’d worked it out, and they were back on keel. And he knew in his gut that Nikki was strong enough to survive the whole ordeal.
But that didn’t change the simple, basic truth.
He’d failed.
Roughly, he massaged his palms over his face, then looked again at his girls, curled up together, safe and asleep.
Safe.
For now, at least.
But for the first time in a long time, Damien felt as if the shadows that had plagued his past had returned to haunt him, bringing harsh recriminations and fresh dangers.
He squared his shoulders, steeling himself. He was strong. More than that, he had resources. He had means. And he damn well had the determination to keep those encroaching horrors at bay.
Most of all, he had a life—a family—worth fighting for.
He was fucking Damien Stark.
He’d failed once.
He wouldn’t fail again. 


 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Assassin (Outcasts #4) by Cyndi Friberg-a review

ASSASSIN (Outcasts #4) by Cyndi Friberg-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 4 2019

Torrin’s simple mission is seriously complicated when he finds Arrista, a lovely Sarronti female, in need of rescue. The Sarronti resent the Outcasts and continually sabotage their efforts to build a settlement on the primitive planet. But Arrista isn’t just any Sarronti. She’s the personal servant of one of the most powerful Sarronti. The information Arrista can provide would be vitally important to the Outcasts, so Torrin is ordered to use their mutual attraction to question her.

Arrista has been taught to fear and mistrust the savage Outcasts, so why does she find Torrin so fascinating, so desirable? It’s not just his muscular body and rugged features. He is kinder and more protective than any male she has ever known. She is drawn to him by a force so compelling it leaves her no choice but surrender. She wants him, needs him, but can she trust him not to break her heart?

•••••••••

REVIEW: ASSASSIN is the fourth instalment in Cyndi Friberg’s adult OUTCAST sci-fi, fantasy, romance series. This is Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid assassin Torrin Havier, and Niffal Sarronti female Arrista’s story line. ASSASSIN can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order. The OUTCASTS series is a spin-off from the authors BATTLE BORN series. Arrista was first introduced in TRACKER book 3.

SOME BACKGROUND: The humanoid aliens known as Rodytes needed a home and settled on two uninhabited planets they would name Scarlett and Rhett. Without any available mates, the male only Rodytes sent teams of Outcasts to kidnap any and all human females in an attempt to repopulate and find mates for their struggling males but procreation came at a price including the need for genetically matched DNA, a mutual metamorphosis, and magical intervention. A test for compatibility is filed and there may be as many as five males matched to a single female DNA. Outcasts were battle born-their mothers were Bilarrian prisoners forced to breed, with their Rodyte captors, in the hopes of restoring magic to the Rodyte people.

Told from several third person perspectives including Torrin and Arrista ASSASSIN follows the building relationship between Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid Torrin Havier, and Niffal Sarronti female Arrista. Rescued from the Sarronti ‘underground’ alongside human female Heather (Tracker #3) Arrista believes she, along with Sarronti General Alonov’s son Farlo, are prisoners of the Rodyte Overlord Kage Razel but meeting Torrin Havier, an enhanced Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid found our heroine hoping for something more. A palpable sexual attraction between our leading couple is met with reservation and worry when it is discovered that Arrista is not in control of all of her actions. What ensues is the building relationship between Arrista and Torrin, and the potential fall-out Farlo’s would-be rescuers have something else planned for our story line heroine.

Arrista is a Sarronti Niffal-the lowest class of citizens, considered slaves to the people in charge. Believing she is meant to serve and obey Arrista struggles with her place in Rodyte society including the freedom she is accorded by Torrin Havier, freedom she believes comes at a cost. Torrin knows that Arrista is his fated mate but convincing the Overlord is another matter. Genetic testing aside, Torrin and Arrista find themselves immediately attracted to one another but Torrin is willing to take it slow in the face of events in Arrista’s past. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and strong secondary and supporting characters including Arton and Lily (Heretic #1), Rex and Thea (Maurader #2), Xorran and Sara (Tracker #3), Torak, and Overlord Kage Razel; Arrista’s sister Merella, mistress Lady Isolaund, Farlo and General Alonov, as well as battle cat Certrice and her cubs Luppa and Wenny,

The world building continues to focus on the Rodytle’s struggle to find suitable and genetically matched mates, as well as the political structures of the Sarronti Underground, and the Rodyte Outcast civilizations where three thousand males and their potential mates live and work. The supernatural aspect of the character’s abilities, and the series premise is reminiscent of two of Christine Feehan’s paranormal romance offerings.

ASSASSIN is a story of struggle, discrimination, power and control. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful and animated; the romance is passionate and fated. ASSASSIN is an impassioned look at fate and determination in desperate times.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of Book one-HERETIC

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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