Monthly Archives: May 2019

SEIZE by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor-Review & Giveaway Tour

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SEIZE (Magnus Blackwell #3) by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor-Review & Giveaway Tour

SEIZE
Magnus Blackwell #3
by Alexandra Weis and Lucas Astor
Release Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: adult, paranormal, thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2019

Lexie Arden has a loving husband, a thriving business, and consults with the New Orleans Police Dept on murder cases. Kalfu has given her everything she desires, but challengers to her authority are closing in.

Her dark secret remains hidden from everyone except Magnus. He sees the evil growing stronger, changing her, and hurting her marriage. If Lexie doesn’t rid herself of Kalfu’s influence soon, the consequences will be irreversible.

When she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the swamp, she uncovers a library of rare books on voodoo. Their spells can reverse the dark lord’s hold and set right the balance between darkness and light. But such magic requires a great sacrifice; one Lexie isn’t willing to make.

With the shadow spirits and raging voodoo gods vying for her attention, Lexie is on the verge of losing everything—her husband, her power, Magnus, and possibly, her life.

The battle for control of the mambo’s soul is about to begin.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SEIZE is the third full-length instalment in Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor’s contemporary, adult MAGNUS BLACKWELL paranormal, Voodoo, thriller series focusing on New Orlean’s Voodoo Mambo Lexie Arden, and her spirit guide Magnus Blackwell. SEIZE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two BOUND.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lexie and Magnus) SEIZE focuses on Lexie Arden’s foray into the world of black magic, powerful spirits, Voodoo priests and priestesses, and the fight for power and control. Lexie Arden is not representative of the Voodoo world but chosen by the late Mambo, Lexie must learn to navigate a world of which she knows nothing about but a world in which she continues to battle between good and evil. As the dark battles the light within our story line heroine, in the form of Damballah (The Sky Father/ Primordial Creator of Life) and Kalfu (Master of malevolent spirits/ controls the evil aspects of Voodoo), Lexie discovers that she is no longer able to trust the spirits sent to guide her on her journey. Manipulation, lies, betrayal and revenge find our heroine riding the edge of control, a control that is slowly leaning towards the evil and the dark.

SEIZE and the Magnus Blackwell series continues to pull from the Haitian and African practise of Voodoo and the spiritual folkways of those who follow and believe. An infinitely detailed and complex series, Magnus Blackwell focuses on passion and power, magic and mayhem, and the spirits desperate to move on, or take control. The premise is dramatic, enticing and intriguing; the characters are colorful, energetic, powerful and bold. A blend of spiritual nepotism, and a belief system focusing on evil, retribution, and omnipotent power wherein our heroine is caught between good and evil, and Magnus is caught between this world and the Other.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Blackwell
Damned
Bound
Seize

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

BLACKWELL: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

DAMNED: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO / ibooks /

BOUND:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

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


FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

From New Orleans, Alexandrea Weis was raised in the motion picture industry and began writing stories at the age of eight. In college she studied nursing and went on to teach at a local university. After several years in the medical field, she decided to pick up the pen once again and began her first novel, To My Senses. Since that time she has published many novels. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning books, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. Her work has been critically acclaimed and has been continually growing in popularity.

Alexandrea Weis is also a certified/permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries. When she is not writing, she rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She is married; they live in New Orleans .

••••••••••

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is:  “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.”  ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

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Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane – Review & Giveaway

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Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
After Mariah McKenna lands in the hospital with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction she knows she didn’t cause, she realizes her cheating, vindictive husband would rather have a dead wife than a divorce. Afraid that he will succeed in killing her next time, Mariah goes to Grizzly Harbor to hire one of the Alaska Force special operatives to help her survive long enough to finally live a little.
Griffin Cisneros traded in a comfortable future for boot camp, where he learned the virtue of patience and focus—skills that served him well as a Marine sniper. Few things get to him these days, but something about Mariah’s mix of toughness and vulnerability gets right under his skin. Until it’s clear she’s the one thing in the world that might melt the ice in stoic, reserved Griffin, whether he likes it or not.

If he can just keep her alive…

 

 

Review:

Sniper’s Pride by Megan Crane is the 2nd book in her Alaska Force series.  We meet our heroine, Mariah McKenna immediately, as she just gets out of the hospital, knowing that her husband is trying to kill her.  Mariah wants a divorce, but her husband, who is wealthy and has aspirations to become politically involved, wants nothing to do with a divorce; she knows he wants her dead.

Mariah decides the best thing for her is to leave town, let her lawyer fight for the divorce.  She writes to a firm that helps people in trouble, and when she gets a response to go to Grizzly Harbor, Alaska to meet with the Alaska Force group Mariah leaves for Alaska.

Griffin Cisneros, our hero, is one of the operatives from Alaska Force, and he has been assigned to meet Mariah.  When Griffin sees the beautiful Mariah get off the boat, he becomes determined to sent her back home; since he thinks she is a rich wealthy princess, who wants to be pampered.

Of course, Mariah is nothing like that, even if she is ultra-friendly to everyone, underneath it all, she is very scared for her life.  Griffin treats her coldly, and finds Mariah annoying, as she does things on her own to walk around the town and meet residents.   After a bit, Mariah’s independence and friendly attitude creates problems for Griffin, who is fighting off his attraction to her.  Griffin thinks himself as a machine to do the job he is good at, and not meant for a woman.  

Just when Griffin convinces his leaders that Mariah is probably imagining the threats on her life, things change that will bring Griffin and the Alaska Force team working together to help Mariah against the threats coming against her.  Griffin realizes the error of his ways, and becomes deeply involved in saving Mariah, especially when due to his lack of attention, she is now in danger.

What follows is an exciting, intense suspenseful story, with intrigue and a romance that was a slow burn, but in the end, they did make a great couple.  There were a few surprises, as we race to the exciting edge of your seat climax, and the discovery of who was really behind the attempts on Mariah’s life. I loved watching the members of the Alaska Force step up and together battle the bad guys.   A talented group that I look forward to see more of in future books.  I really liked seeing Everly befriend Mariah, and help her, as well as to find a way to make Griffin open his eyes to his true but hidden feelings for Mariah.

Sniper’s Pride was a wonderful romance suspense story that was written very well by Megan Crane and had a bit of everything.   I look forward to the next book and suggest you give this series a try.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing,” Griffin said in a warning tone that made her heart thump. “I’m not sitting in this lobby for my health. It’s yours we’re concerned about.”
“I appreciate your concern,” she assured him. “Truly.”
“Then appreciate it quietly. Up in your room.”
He sounded furious. But Mariah was so close to him now, and she could see him. And for all his icy fury, he didn’t step back. He didn’t set her away from him. He didn’t do anything but continue to stand there, straight and stiff, his jaw clenched like he was this close to exploding.
Mariah would bet anything that he was.
“You should be careful.” Griffin’s voice had grown even darker. More intense. Which meant only that Mariah could feel it in even more places. “You might not like the response you get.”
“I’ll take my chances,” Mariah drawled.
It was now or never.
She held Griffin’s gaze. Then she reached out, entirely too aware of her own breath, and slid her hands over his chest.
It was like sliding her palms over one of the wood-burning stoves that heated the inn. He was as hard as iron and as hot. She could feel the simmering heat and the power of him through the henley he wore, and it made her shudder, because it proved what she already believed.
He wasn’t cold at all. He burned the same way she did.
She waited for him to order her to step back. But he didn’t.
His face still seemed carved from stone. But if he imagined that was a barrier, he was mistaken. She liked the stone, particularly when she could feel that all those sculpted marble ridges in his abdomen were hot to the touch.
He made her want to curl up against him and purr.
Instead, Mariah did the next best thing. She surged up onto her tiptoes, tilted her face to his, and then pressed her lips against Griffin’s.
And for a moment, it truly was like kissing some kind of statue.
He didn’t move. She would have thought he didn’t breathe, either, but her hands were on his chest. She could feel the faint movement. And better still, the wild pounding of his heart.
So she kissed him again. She kept her mouth on his, like she was teasing him awake. Like something out of a fairy tale.
Once. Again.
And then he broke.
One second he was motionless and still, the most beautiful sculpture of a man she had ever beheld. And the next he was . . . liquid heat.
He angled his head to one side, opening his mouth over hers, and she felt the sound he made—half fury, half need—light her up inside. His hands were on her face, moving her head where he wanted it, and taking control with a swiftness and a certainty that made her toes curl.
And it was better than an explosion. It was deeper. Wilder.
He kissed her like a starving man, but she was just as hungry.
She couldn’t get close enough. She couldn’t taste him enough. She couldn’t get enough.
And when he pulled his mouth from hers, his hands wrapping around her shoulders and holding her away from him, his gaze was the darkest she’d ever seen it.
Furious all over again, but this time without a shred of that deep chill she was used to seeing in him.
“Griffin . . .” she began, through lips that no longer felt entirely like hers.
“You think this is a game.” His face was so close that it was almost like another kind of kiss. “You think— what? If you shatter every boundary I have it will end well? Because it won’t. You have no idea who I am. You have no idea what I’m capable of. The control that I keep over myself isn’t for me, Mariah. It’s for you. It’s for the world in general. You don’t need to see what happens when I’m out of control.”


 

 

Megan’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of SNIPER’S PRIDE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs – Review & Giveaway

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Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter . . . And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn’t stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word. We will die to keep it.

 

 

Review:

Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs is the 11th book in her wonderful Mercy Thompson series. It is always a pleasure to spend time with our wonderful heroine, Mercy Thompson and her husband and leader of the werewolf pack, Adam Hauptman.  

In Storm Cursed, with Adam busy working on security to bring the government and Fae (Gray Lords) together in a peace pact, Mercy is immediately called to help with minintaure zombie goats.  With the help of Mary Jane ( I liked her better in this book), they manage to corral and kill the zombies; but this is just the beginning.   Adam, Mercy and the pack will find that their witch friend, Elizaveta’s family have all been killed in a gruesome massacre, which they know has been done by a sinister group of black witches. Elizaveta is out of town, but Adam and Mercy discover evidence that Elizaveta and her family were practicing black magic, unbeknownst to them, which is considered by the pack as unallowed in their community.  Mercy knowing the zombie goats, goblin and other zombies showing up are the work of this evil group determined to take over Elizaveta’s territory, as well as destroy the ongoing meetings with the peace pact.

We learned more about Sherwood’s past, and it was really fascinating that Mercy can look at the memories of a kitten they saved, to see the evil in the witches.   Very well done.

What follows is an exciting wild adventure that will have Mercy desperately asking from help from her powerful non wolf friends to help her find away to stop the witches, whom seem unsurmountable.  She will bring in Zee, Tad, Wulfe in an amazing non stop action that held us totally enthralled, especially as we wonder who will survive.   The problem are not only the many zombies, but also the powerful witches who can enthrall anyone, including humans, goblins, dragons and wolves to do their bidding.  Mercy will also learn to rise up and use powers that she is not experienced with, but with Adam and friends lives in danger, she has no choice, even if it means her own life.  Who does she trust?  Is Elizaveta a friend or foe?

Storm Cursed had an action throughout the book, with a lot of wild stuff; especially as we near the end, when we see much more of what she can do.  It was a wild pulse pounding tense finish, and I loved every moment of it.  Most of all, I love Adam and Mercy together.   This is a great series, great heroine, great couple and always wonderfully written by Patricia Briggs.  If you have not read the Mercy Thompson series, and love paranormal, shifters, wolves; it is time to start reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Patricia’s publisher has graciously offered a paper copy of STORM CURSED to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – Review & Giveaway

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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

 

 

Review:

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is the 2nd book in her The Kiss Quotient series.  Hoang gives us another wonderful romantic story, with a fabulous couple and she continues with the background theme of one of them being autistic.  I was once again totally surprised when I found myself unable to put the book and down enjoying it very much.

Khai Diep, our hero, is a smart successful accountant, but he is also autistic.  Khai avoids any kind of relationship, as he feels he is incapable of love, grief or any kind of feelings.  He has a wonderful family, who watch over him, and his mother takes matters in her own hands when she travels to Vietnam, and tries to find the right girl to win over Khai.

Esme Tran, our heroine, is a young mixed-race girl helping to support her mother and daughter, by working odd jobs cleaning or in restaurants.   When Co Nga (Khai’s mother) offers her the opportunity to go to America, for the summer to try and win the son’s hand in marriage.  Esme accepts the chance to change her life and her family for the better, as well as find the father she never knew.

When Khai finds out that his mother is bringing a young girl to live for the summer at his house, he is not pleased.  Khai will find himself battling his attraction to Esme, who is also very sweet and beautiful, as well as caring.  Esme, who is quirky and overly friendly, tries everything to make him comfortable around her, doing things in the house, but he does come across as cold and uncaring.  Esme has her own issues, always concerned that she comes from the slums, and doesn’t fit in; but she is determined to make Khai see that she is falling in love with him, and would be the perfect wife for him.

As time goes on, Khai and Esme will act on their growing feelings, with Khai beginning to accept that perhaps marrying Esme will work.  I loved them both together, and rooted hard that they would succumb to their feelings.  I also loved Quan (Khai’s brother) who also tried to convince his brother that Esme is the one for him.  Quan was willing to do anything, even to make Khai jealous; this was a fun part.  Khai doesn’t believe he is capable of love, and denies admitting that loves her; even after she proclaims she loves him, which pushes her away.

To say too much more would be spoilers.   You need to The Bride Test, as it brings out so many emotional, as well happy feelings as we read this story.  The Bride Test was a sensual, emotional, heartwarming and sexy story.  As I said, I loved Esme and Khai together, as well as the wonderful cast of secondary characters.. This was so well written by Hoang, as she manages to keep us glued to our seats with this wonderful story, with a fantastic couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since.

In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT.

She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.

Helen is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.

 

 

Helen Hoang’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE BRIDE TEST to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold – Review

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Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold – Review

 

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Description:
Detective Madison Knight has risked her badge—and her life—in the pursuit of justice before, and she just might need to do so again. Two victims are found murdered and naked in the home of Steven Malone, who is the largest contributor to the Stiles PD. One victim is his wife. The other victim is a John Doe. This high-profile double homicide immediately pits Madison against her sergeant, who seems more intent on protecting the Malones’ reputation and retaining a benefactor than catching a killer.
Madison will need to pull on her tenacity and courage if she’s going to follow the evidence without prejudice. In the process, it becomes clear that finding justice isn’t always black and white, and often the shades in between tell the fullest story—and it’s not something she will forget anytime soon.
 
Shades of Justice is a murder mystery with twists and turns that will have readers flipping the pages until the wee hours of the morning. The ninth installment in an international bestselling series, it doesn’t matter if this is the first book you’re reading in the Detective Madison Knight series or not; all the books stand alone!

 

 

 

Review:

Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold is the 9th book in her terrific Detective Madison Knight series.  I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, and as always, Carolyn Arnold never fails to give us an intense exciting murder mystery, not to mention her expertise in police procedurals.  I have said this a number of times; when it comes to police investigations & procedurals no one does it better than Arnold. 

Madison Knight, our heroine, is a tough detective, who will let nothing stand in her way to find the guilty. In Shades of Justice, Madison and her partner Terry are called to the scene of a double homicide at the house of the wealthy Malone family, who are also big supporters in Stiles and to the police department.  Lorene Malone, the family matriarch, is found murdered with a ‘John Doe’ at poolside.  When Madison tries to get information from family, she finds herself being stymied by her Sargent, who is determined to not ruffle feathers for the Malones.

Despite the Sargent’s constant interference, Madison works with her friends and team (Terry, Cynthia, Troy, etc), to work together to find the clues about the murder, which will have many twists and turns along the way.  There a quite a few suspects, which makes it very difficult to find clues, but never underestimate our intense and stubborn Madison Knight.

With being deeply immersed into solving this mystery, Madison is also involved in helping her friend Cynthia (medical examiner) prepare for her wedding, which is only a few days away.  I do enjoy Madison and Cynthia’s friendship, and the mishaps along the way that lightened things up.  I love that Madison was finally finding a true love in Troy, and hope this does become what our heroines needs..a perfect man in her life.  There is also another story line that seems to be leading more into future books; corrupt police officers and the threat that this will become a dangerous mission in her life. I will note two things I have mentioned before;  Madison’s partner, Terry still annoys me a lot, as I do not like him;  and the sargent was god awful.  With Madison so good at her job, I prefer that she had good people working with her.  But that is my sole opinion.

Rather than give spoilers, Shades of Justice was a great story, with lots of action, precise investigations, many suspects, blackmail, murder, revenge and a thrilling edge of your seat ride.  I could not put the book down; especially with new developments changing constantly.  This story was very exciting and well written.  If you enjoy mysteries, murder cops, police procedurals and a tough as nails cop, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Hot to Touch by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

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Hot to Touch by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Love burns white-hot in this first scorching romance in an all-new trilogy about a family of firefighters from the New York Times bestselling author of the Play-by-Play novels and the Hope series.

Firefighter Jackson Donovan doesn’t look back–as a rule. So when his past comes roaring back to life in the form of not-so-damsel-in-distress Becks Benning, the last thing he wants to do is relive old times. No matter how tempting she makes it seem…

Now thanks to his two interfering brothers, Becks is living with them while she looks for a new place and tries to pick up the pieces of her tattoo business that went up in flames. Which means a grown up, smokin’ hot Becks is in his house, sharing meals, and digging up old wounds. And despite his better judgement, the more time he spends with this smart, artistic, incredible woman the more he wants her in his bed–and his future.

Becks always had it bad for Jackson. Unfortunately for her, not much has changed–he’s still honorable, hard-working, sexy as sin–and closed off. But there’s more than one way to get to a man’s heart and if Jackson doesn’t want to recall old memories, she’ll just have to help him make new ones. Because now that she’s found Jackson again, she’s not letting him go.

 

 

Review:

Hot to Touch by Jaci Burton is the 1st book in her new Brotherhood by Fire series.   I am big fan of Jaci Burton, having loved her Hope series, and another one of our reviewers loves her Play by Play series.  I really enjoyed the start of this new series.

The story starts when a fireman is trying to rescue Rebecca (Becks), our heroine, who is desperate to save things she needs from her store.  The fireman doesn’t care about those things, and he is forcing her out of the store fire to save her life. 

Jackson Donovan, our hero and fireman who saves Becks, starts off on the wrong foot with her, as he was a bit rude.  To his surprise, his two brothers (they are adopted) recognize Becks as their long lost friend from 15 years ago, when they were homeless and their friendships helped them survive on the streets. The three boys (Jackson, Rafe & Kal) were trapped in an abandoned house fire, when a firefighter rescues them, and eventually he adopted the three boys giving them a normal home to live in.

The brothers are happy to have found Becks, and offer their house as a temporary place to stay.  Jackson, who does not relive the past, does not remember Becks, and continues to give her a hard time.   Becks remembers the old days when she had a crush on the young Jackson, and was surprised he didn’t remember her, but in time she can tell he blocks the past from his mind.

While Becks is happy to be staying in a nice house, and enjoys the camaraderie of the boys, she slowly loosens Jackson’s resolve, and a slow built romance will begin for both of them.  Jackson, knowing he is hard on Becks, tries to win her over, and help her find a new store for her tattoo business.  At first, I wasn’t crazy about Jackson, especially his rudeness; but in time the sparks between them was steamy hot.

What follows is a nice romance, though a difficult start, with an excellent story about homeless children and foster care.  I loved that Becks would visit those youngsters that were homeless, and bring them food, or even help one of the young girls get adopted.  I also loved when one of the older girls started to work for Becks.  A very nice addition to this story line.

The firefighter story line was also good, as that is the backdrop of the series.   Hot to Touch also had some great secondary characters, such as Rafe, Kal, Aria, the boy’s parents, to name a few. I got used to Jackson as the story progresses, as he explains to Becks about how he blamed himself all those years ago, and why he did not want to relive the past.  Becks to me was the star of this book. I loved her independence, street smarts, confidence and ability to not let anything stand in her way.  Great heroine.

Hot to Touch was a well written story line by Jaci Burton.  I loved the story about how the boys became brothers, found a loving home and parents; and how Becks survived moving around in different foster homes and was the strongest one of them all. I wholly recommend you to read Hot to Touch.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Jaci’s publisher is offering a paper copy of HOT TO TOUCH to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Then Came You by Kate Meader-Review & Excerpt

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THEN CAME YOU (Laws of Attraction #3) by Kate Meader-Review & Excerpt

 

THEN CAME YOU
Laws of Attraction #3
by Kate Meader
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 7, 2019

In the courtroom, they’re rivals. In the bedroom, they’re . . . divorced. But could the road trip from hell lead to a second chance at love?

Aubrey Gates is the hottest divorce lawyer in Chicago, a barb-tongued stiletto with legs that go on for miles. When her cool gray eyes meet mine across the battlefield, I want her like I’ve never wanted anyone or anything. Then I remember who she is: the woman who brought me to my knees. The woman who destroyed my faith in relationships.

The woman I used to call . . . wife.

And she needs a favor from me, Grant Lincoln.

It seems my ex forgot to mention the demise of our marriage to her dear old grammie, and now we’re both expected to attend her ninetieth birthday party. In Boston. And because it isn’t already awkward enough, Aubrey and I are driving there together from Chicago. That’s more than a thousand miles of tension, heartbreak, and barely concealed lust.

A little piece of paper might say we’re over, but this road trip is the true test. I intend to get my wife back . . . and I won’t stop until “I do.”

••••••••••

REVIEW: THEN CAME YOU is the third (and final ?) instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult LAWS OF ATTRACTION erotic, romance series focusing on three friends and law partners: Max Henderson, Lucas Wright and Grant Lincoln. This is formerly married divorce attorneys thirty-one year old Grant Lincoln, and thirty-year old Aubrey Gates’ story line. THEN CAME YOU 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 (Grant and Aubrey) using present day and memories from the past, THEN CAME YOU focuses on the second chance relationship between formerly married divorce attorneys: thirty-one year old Grant Lincoln, and thirty-year old Aubrey Gates. Over two years earlier Grant and Aubrey’s marriage fell apart, slowly spiralling out of control when grief and loss formed the elephant in the room. Fast forward to present day, wherein Aubrey’s fear of flying finds her former husband Grant Lincoln offering his services to drive from Chicago to Boston for the Thanksgiving holiday, and Aubrey’s Grandmother’s ninetieth birthday. Along with Aubrey’s psychotic cat, Grant and Aubrey trek cross-country while Aubrey refuses to acknowledge the struggles of the past. What ensues is the rebuilding and rekindling relationship between Aubrey and Grant, and the potential fall-out as Aubrey’s detachment and refusal to talk about what happened and why, push Grant, one final time.

Aubrey’s childhood of privilege never included the unconditional love of two adoring parents. Believing herself unworthy, our heroine struggles with what was and what will never be. Grant Lincoln has never stopped loving our story line heroine but convincing Aubrey they are both entitled to a second chance is harder than Grant could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Aubrey and Grant is a rekindling romance between two people whose life together will forever be changed. Aubrey and Grant blame themselves for what happened and why but sometimes there is no explanation for tragedy or loss. Never forgetting about the woman that called to his heart, Grant is hoping that their time together will trigger the love they once shared. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Aubrey and Grant’s large extended families as well as Aubrey’s mother Marie-Claire, her father Jeffrey and his girlfriend Mercedes, and all-knowing grandmother Libby; Grant’s fellow business partners and attorneys Mac and Charlie (Down With Love #1), Lucas and Trinity (Illegally Yours #2).

THEN CAME YOU is an emotional and heart breaking story of family, friendship, love and loss; of pain and remorse; of second chances and moving on from the past. The premise is impassioned, sensitive and revealing; the romance is realistic and spirited; the characters are charismatic, flawed, and animated. THEN CAME YOU is an introspective on life, loss, acceptance and love.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Down With Love
Ilegally Yours
Then Came You

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

My second dirty martini appears before I’ve finished my first. I turn to find him at the end of the bar, and my breath catches just as it did that first day I saw him in the lecture hall. How does he do it? More to the point, how dare he do it?
He raises his beer bottle—Budweiser, Grant doesn’t care for anything crafty—and gives me that slow, shy smile, the one guaranteed to heat me from the inside out and make my panties slip an inch or two. These days, it takes more than that for the full-scale underwear drop. I’ve become more circumspect in my old age.
I raise my glass back and shift my thigh so my skirt rides up a little. It’s deliberate, an invitation. In a few seconds, the seat beside me is host to the most excellent ass I’ve ever had the pleasure of fondling. To think those gorgeous buns were all mine for the exploring and gripping and biting—
Hold up there, Gates.
There will be no butt-grabbing or ass-nibbling shenanigans with your ex-husband!
But said ex-husband has always had a way with words. “Want to screw ourselves stupid in my hotel room?”
I almost choke on an olive. A resounding clap on the back coughs it up from my throat, whereupon I deposit it on a napkin. First off, I give it an accusing glare as if that spherical blob is to blame for the less than sophisticated response to what I just heard.
“Ever heard of foreplay?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Seven hours in the car with your whining cat. All the foreplay I need.”
I laugh my head off. The muscles in my belly constrict, questioning this burst of energy, and I realize it’s been a long time since I let loose like this.
“All right, all right, let’s try again,” he drawls. “Waiting for someone?”
“Yeah, my date. He’s stuck in traffic.”
“Not a boyfriend, then?”
I give him a look, then a sharper one at his Budweiser bottle, playing like he’s beneath me.
“He’ll be here any moment. Weather, y’know.”
“Probably a good idea not to have him pick you up at your place.”
“Oh?”
“He would’ve had to take you, there and then, just inside the door. Lift that skirt and slip in deep and true.”
Just like one of our dates back in ancient times. I abstain from picking up my martini because my hand will shake all that precious alcohol onto the bar.
“I already told you there’d be no funny business, Grant. It’s just too complicated.”
“But you’re not denying that it’s crossed your mind.”
“Hard not to. Sex was never an issue between us. You’re still reasonably attractive, and I’m not dead.”
If anything, he’s become hotter in the last year. Perhaps it’s the slight sadness I imagine in his eyes whenever we meet. Melancholy shouldn’t be so sexy.
“So the only thing in the way is a boatload of history, recrimination, bitterness, and failure.” He sips his beer, a knowing lift to his eyebrow, all while keeping his eyes on me. “Just reasonably attractive, Bean?”
I shake my head. “Confidence was never your problem, Georgia.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I lost a little faith at one point.”
And there it is again, that wall between us that’s impossible to scale.
“Is this the point where I should apologize?”
“No,” he says immediately. “I’m not saying that to make you feel guilty, simply telling you where I’m coming from. We know each other too well to sugarcoat it.”
He’s right. But our familiarity with each other’s quirks and tics doesn’t make it any easier. If anything, it’s a millstone around our necks. We had something wonderful and it burned to an ash of regrets. 


 

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Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemprary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Tightrope by Amanda Quick-Review and Giveaway

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Tightrope by Amanda Quick-Review and Giveaway

 

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / iTunes / Google Play

 

Description:
An unconventional woman and a man shrouded in mystery walk a tightrope of desire as they race against a killer to find a machine that could change the world.

Former trapeze artist Amalie Vaughn moved to Burning Cove to reinvent herself, but things are not going well. After spending her entire inheritance on a mansion with the intention of turning it into a bed-and-breakfast, she learns too late that the villa is said to be cursed. When the first guest, Dr. Norman Pickwell, is murdered by his robot invention during a sold-out demonstration, rumors circulate that the curse is real.

In the chaotic aftermath of the spectacle, Amalie watches as a stranger from the audience disappears behind the curtain. When Matthias Jones reappears, he is slipping a gun into a concealed holster. It looks like the gossip that is swirling around him is true—Matthias evidently does have connections to the criminal underworld.

Matthias is on the trail of a groundbreaking prototype cipher machine. He suspects that Pickwell stole the device and planned to sell it. But now Pickwell is dead and the machine has vanished. When Matthias’s investigation leads him to Amalie’s front door, the attraction between them is intense, but she knows it is also dangerous. Amalie and Matthias must decide if they can trust each other and the passion that binds them, because time is running out.

 

Review:

Tightrope by Amanda Quick is the 3rd book in her Burning Cove series. This story takes place during the 1930’s in the small town of Burning Cove, California.  Some of the characters we met in the first two books have secondary roles, as we return to Burning Cove.  Burning Cove is a small resort town with many Hollywood stars or the very rich, but it seems that is it also a magnet for danger.

We meet Amalie Vaughn, our heroine and a famous trapeze artist, at the start, when she survived a threat against her life.  Amalie managed to save herself using her skills as a trapeze artist, and the accoster fell to his death.  Amalie moves to Burning Cove to get past that terrible experience and use her inheritance to open a bed n’ breakfast. When her first guest is murdered by a robot he was showing off to an audience, Amalie then fears the curse reputation will ruin her new venture; she is thrown into an intriguing adventure to save her B&B, as well as the new threats against her life.

Matthias Jones, our hero, is in Burning Cove at the request of Luther Pell (previous book hero) to help him solve the disappearance of new prototype cipher machine, which they believe is part of espionage. Matthias suspects that the man murdered was the one who stole the machine, and together with Pell, they will need to find it before the villain does.  They know that the murderer is someone from the past , a former operative, who has international ties, and no one knows what he looks like.  Matthias decides to move into the B&B, as he begins to care about Amalie and senses she is in danger. Both Amalie and Matthias will work together to look for the machine, and the threats against both of their lives. 

The romance between Matthias and Amalie is slow build, and mostly in the background, as the mystery takes center stage, with a lot of excitement and suspense.  I really enjoy seeing some of the characters from the previous books, such as Oliver, Luther, Irene & Raina.  I really liked Amalie and Matthias together, as they made a great couple, and they blended so well together. 

What follows is an exciting story that never lets up, with Amalie and Matthias in the thick of all the action.  I thought that Matthias’s ability to be a human lie detector was a major help in learning who to trust and who was truly the culprit.   This intriguing story does have a number of twists, that not only threw us off, but also kept us guessing.  I do not want to give spoilers, as so many things happen along the way, that saying anything more would ruin the book for you.

Tightrope was a wonderful intense suspenseful story, filled with secrets, betrayals, pulse pounding action, and a sweet romance. Amanda Quick once again gives us a complex mystery that had a bit of everything and the fun of being in the glamorous world of 1930’s.  I suggest you start this series from the beginning to enjoy the setting of this series, as well as meet some very good characters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Amanda Quick and Berkley Romance is graciously offering a paper copy of TIGHTROPE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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