Monthly Archives: June 2019

Jersey Six by Jewel E Ann-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

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JERSEY SIX by Jewel E Ann-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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

About the book: Release Date June 13, 2019

How far would you go for revenge?

A hit-and-run accident leaves Jersey Six orphaned and homeless on the streets of Newark, shattering her dreams of school dances, pink nail polish, and a diploma.

Eight years later, a burn victim with amnesia wanders into Jersey’s barely-existent life. She resists his efforts to form a friendship until he reveals knowledge of the person responsible for derailing her future. Through their unusual friendship, she discovers a way to avenge the deaths of her foster parents.

All she has to do is destroy the world’s biggest rock star.

In the ultimate game of sex, lies, and manipulation, can Jersey discover the truth? Or will she be blinded by attraction, deceived by love, and destroyed by her past?

•••••••••

REVIEW: JERSEY SIX by Jewel E Ann is a stand-alone, contemporary, adult, dark romance story line focusing on twenty-four year old boxer and homeless woman Jersey Six, severely burned homeless man Chris, and rock star Ian Cooper.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Jersey, Chris and Ian, JERSEY SIX follows the odd relationship between twenty-four year old boxer and homeless woman Jersey Six, a severely burned homeless man whose amnesia has left him with no memories of the past, and rock star Ian Cooper, whose connection to Jersey and Chris begins a downward spiral for everyone concerned. Chris, as he will come to all himself, will become protector of our story line heroine, a woman who only needs protecting from the demons within. A chance meeting with rockstar Ian Cooper finds Jersey and Chris working behind the scenes on Ian’s latest tour, a meeting that will place everyone in the direct line of fire for betrayal, manipulation, deception and love. What ensues is the quick building friendship between Jersey and Chris; the building romance and relationship between Ian and Jersey, and the fall-out as Chris begins to regain his memories, unreliable memories that are about to destroy them all.

JERSEY SIX is a dark and raw story of secrets and lies; of betrayal and vengeance; of forgiveness and love. Jewel E Ann pulls the reader down a rabbit-hole of frightening memories, mistaken beliefs, and detestable acts of cruelty and abuse. A ruinous, ill-fated and tragic circumstance spurs all three characters into a battle for their lives, lives interconnected by sins of the past. The premise is gritty, heart breaking and intense; the characters are flawed, broken and edgy; the romance struggles in the face of mistrust, anger, secrets and Jersey’s inability to let go and thrive. Jewel E Ann’s talent knows no boundaries, a talent that will keep surprising us for years to come.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

“We ate at the hotel.” Her lips twisted to the side. “Mind if I stick some stuff in my bag for later?”
A tiny wrinkle formed between Ian’s eyes, just below the long sweep of his black bangs. “There will be lots of food available later too. But…” he shrugged, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees “…take whatever you want.”
Jersey glanced over her shoulder at the food and the three other men in the room. She decided to wait a little while before shoving as much as possible into her bag like a free-for-all. “Thanks.” Jersey returned her attention to Ian. “So … you’re a singer. Like … are you a big deal?”
Every word she spoke seemed to feed his level of happiness. “Well …” He rubbed his chin, twisting his lips. “We play music. People like to listen to our music. But no … it’s not a big deal. We’re not saving lives or anything like that.”
She eyed him with suspicion for a few seconds. That smile of his didn’t feel worthy of complete trust. “Um … what exactly do you need me to do? What’s my job? They already took Chris. Will that big, bearded guy come for me too?” Jersey couldn’t remember his name.
“No.” Ian stood, pushing his elbows out from his shoulders, twisting side to side. “Tonight you are just going to watch the concert from backstage. Tomorrow night you’ll sell merchandise.”
“Drugs. You mean drugs, don’t you?”
Ian paused his stretching, letting his arms fall limp to his sides. “Merchandise—T-shirts, posters, keychains, phone cases, hats, guitar pics …”
“To who?”
“Fans.” Ian grinned. “Okay. I might have understated all of this to you … can you name a famous singer? Old or new. Doesn’t matter. Just a famous singer.”
“I had a foster parent who used to listen to Josh Groban.” Jersey gnashed her teeth, still feeling so much anger. Dena wasn’t just a foster parent; she was Jersey’s friend.
“Okay. Well, Josh has sold millions of records, and he’s a huge star in his genre of music. Thousands of people pack venues all over the world to see him sing live in concert. And they sell merchandise of his at those concerts.”
Jersey gazed unblinkingly at Ian as he scratched his jaw.
“Well, I sing a different genre of music, but I, too, travel the world, singing to sold-out concert venues, andI have people who sell my merchandise at these concerts.”
Jersey dropped her bag to her feet and planted her fists on her hips. “Listen, Coop. Stop talking down to me. I’m not an idiot. I know what a concert is. But earlier today you didn’t say what you did or what the job was you were offering. You bought a homeless person a hot dog and offered her a job. Of course, I’m going to think something sketchy might be involved.”
Tipping her chin up, she held her breath to puff out her chest, pretending the recent revelation of Ian Cooper being a famous singer didn’t faze her one bit. Inside, Jersey’s heart hammered into her ribcage, and her mind reeled trying to figure out the day’s events.
“Coop?” His lips twitched into a tiny grin.
“It’s short for Cooper.”
“Clearly.” Ian chuckled. “But my name is Ian. Everyone calls me Ian.”
“I busted the nose and jaw of a kid named Ian. He tried to stick his cock in my ass. I’ll call you Tom, Dick, or Harry, but I’m not calling you Ian because that makes me want to physically harm you.”
Ian’s eyebrows shot up his forehead as his head whipped back a few inches. “Coop it is.”
 


 

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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

Enter Jewel’s giveaway for a signed paperback and swag!

https://www.jeweleann.com/jersey-six-giveaway

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WRITTEN WITH YOU (Regret Duet #2) by Aly Martinez-Review Tour

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WRITTEN WITH YOU (Regret Duet #2) by Aly Martinez-Review tour

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

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2WkaS16

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 13, 2019

When I was fifteen, a single bullet changed my life. I spent the next decade trying to outrun the devastation of my past, building an empire that would shield me from whatever life could throw at me.

But all the money in the world couldn’t help me when I found a screaming newborn abandoned on my doorstep.

I’d never wanted to be a father. Passing the sludge that ran through my veins down to an innocent child seemed like a tragedy. But there she was—pink cheeks, red hair, and mine.

Somehow, against all logic, that little girl became the best thing that ever happened to me. It was impossible to stay lost in the past when I was the only one who could protect her future.

Which is exactly why, when her mother came back four years later, I was ready for battle.

If only I could stop myself from falling in love with her during the war.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: WRITTEN WITH YOU is the second instalment in Aly Martinez’ contemporary, adult REGRET erotic, romance duet focusing on thirty-three year old, IT millionaire Caven Hunt, and twenty eight-year old, artist/photographer Hadley Banks. WRITTEN WITH YOU should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff-hanger of book one WRITTEN WITH REGRET.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hadley and Caven) using present day and some memories from the past WRITTEN WITH YOU focuses on the growing but struggling relationship between thirty-three year old, IT millionaire Caven Hunt, and twenty eight-year old, artist/photographer Hadley Banks. Caven’s brother Trent is desperate to prove Hadley is not whom she claims to be but it is our story line hero who will discover the truth. With their past entwined Caven struggles with the who, how and why of Hadley Banks, only to be brought full circle as the secrets from the past slowly begin to unravel. With his daughter first and foremost on his mind, Caven needs to protect Hadley from any fall-out, fall-out that is about to destroy them all.

WRITTEN WITH YOU reveals a betrayal of the deepest kind; a secret that twists the proverbial knife; the lies that fester an already infected wound. Aly Martinez pulls the reader into a nightmare of psychotic deception and heart breaking revelations. The past can never be changed but the present and the future are deeply affected. The premise is raw, gritty and intense; the characters struggle to make sense of it all.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WRITTEN WITH REGRET.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and baked feta. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

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BLOOD BOND (New Breed #2) by Melody Raven-a review

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BLOOD BOND (New Breed #2) by Melody Raven-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2019

She belongs to him. His mind calls for her. His body craves her. And if she thinks she can get away from him, she’s got a lot to learn.

Alissa Sullivan didn’t ask to be sucked into this supernatural battle between vampires and their parallel world counterparts, Vopura. But when a seemingly simple government contract turns her world upside down, she finds herself right smack dab in the middle of this war and her only hope of surviving is trusting Dante, the former general of the evil Vopura army that invaded Seattle.

And when she finds herself accidentally bonded to him, Alissa has to learn how to balance a supernatural matrimony she never wanted with her obligation help to destroy all of his species.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: BLOOD BOND is the second instalment in Melody Raven’s contemporary, adult NEW BREED paranormal, post-apocalyptic romance series focusing on a new breed of vampire/alien known as the Vopura. This is IT specialist Alissa Sullivan, and Vopura Dante. BLOOD BOND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Alissa and Dante) BLOOD BOND follows Alissa Sullivan as she finds herself the protector to Cora, a young, female vampire who has been targeted for her vampiric heritage. Having no idea as to the who, how and why, Alissa will begin her online search for answers, only to be caught in the middle of an inter-species war when the young vampire is abducted within hours of her rescue by our story line heroine. Enter Dante, a former general in the Vopura army, and the man with whom Alissa will find herself bonded, and falling in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Dante and Alissa, as they go in search Cora, calling in a few favors along the way.

Alissa Sullivan has been hired by the government as an online ‘spin doctor’ to calm the people of Seattle. Hoping to alleviate their fears, Alissa spreads fake news and stories to detract from the vampire invasion that is destroying their city. Dante struggles with his current position but the missing vampire female is first and foremost on his mind. Females are rare in the Vopura world, and the missing female is someone close to Dante’s heart.

The relationship between Dante and Alissa begins as a favour to the young vampire female. Having saved her life, Cora demands that Dante save and protect our story line heroine, a saving that will bond Alissa to the Vopura Dante. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to John and Tela whom we met in book one Blood Price. The secondary and supporting characters include Cora, Vopura Talon, government agent Joshua Park, and General Paul Wesley. Talon’s story is next in Blood Cure.

BLOOD BOND is a story of family, forgiveness, speciesism and discrimination. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are energetic and colorful; the romance is fated.BLOOD BOND is an exciting and captivating look at a vampire invasion and one cities reaction to the unknown.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one Blood Price

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins – a Review

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Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins – a Review

 

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Description:
A woman with a legendary green thumb, a man living in an emotional desert, and a small boy unable to connect with others. Can the three of them, with a little help from the charmed town of Dove Pond (and a pesky ghost), turn a nightmare into a fairytale and forge their own happily ever after?

Young widow Sofia Rodriquez has just accepted the position of greenhouse manager for Ava Dove’s booming herbal tea business. Sofia is delighted to have found a job that will make use of her gardening skills and allow her to spend time with her son, Noah, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Adding to her joy is the charming farmhouse she’s renting on the edge of Dove Pond.

The only cloud on Sofia’s horizon is her next-door neighbor, Jake, whose yard is a thorny jungle worthy of Sleeping Beauty. Soon enough, Sofia discovers that Jake himself is just as thorny and unpleasant as his yard.

After his fiancé left him, work-from-home IT whiz and game developer Jake Klaine has gone from Prince Charming to complete hermit. But Jake isn’t really alone; he’s living with a ghost: a (formerly) hairy man named Doyle who’s a fan of bad puns and who refuses to leave Jake’s bathtub. This is nothing new for Jake, as he’s been talking to ghosts since he was a boy. He finds real people harder to deal with, like the kid next door who won’t stop bugging him about the new game he’s developing.

Sofia and Jake know all too well that life isn’t a game. They’ve both lost the person they loved most. But under the watchful eye of the ghostly Doyle and Sofia’s new friend Ava, who has abilities of her own, Jake and Sofia decide to take a chance and let in an outsider. Soon they discover that, with a little magic, even the thorniest walls are no match for the innocent trust of a lonely child and the fierce determination of a woman wielding a razor-sharp pruner and a heart big enough to make even the most stubborn flower bloom.

 

 

Review:

Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins is a novella in her new Dove Pond series.  This was a wonderful heartwarming story that kept us reading from beginning to end.  We meet our hero, Jake Klaine, who unbeknownst to other people sees ghosts from time to time.  Jake is an IT Geek and game developer, and a loner.  After his ex fiancé left him, Jake keeps to himself, totally engrossed in his creating games.  Doyle, is a ghost, who was his next door neighbor who died a few years before, but is now a frequent visitor, continually harasses Jake to go out and meet people. 

Sofia Rodriquez, our heroine, has moved next door to Jake, having accepted the position working for Ava Dove overseeing the greenhouse. Sofia, who is a widow, is happy for the first time in a long while, as she loves her job utilizing her gardening skills.  Sofia’s son, Noah, has Asperger’s, and this job not only pays well, but allows her to be home more for Noah.  

Sofia notices the house next door is covered with rose bushes, and finds out that the man next door is more or less a hermit.  When Noah goes next door, after getting of the school bus, he asks Jake, to Sofia’s horror, if he is a hermit.  Jake, who doesn’t talk much, or out of practice, is surprised, but even more so when he realizes how smart Noah is, and he is a top gamer.  Noah wants to learn how to create codes to make his own games, and Jake decides to teach him a few days a week.

What follows is such a sweet, wonderful slow build romance (totally in background), as we see Jake slowly come out of his phobia to be around people; as well as his developing a close friendship with Noah.  Sofia finds herself also falling for Jake, as he begins to talk and smile at her more.  His ex was not well liked by anyone, and Sofia is such a patient and charming heroine. 

I loved both Jake and Sofia and Noah, and it was such a pleasure to watch those walls come crumbling down.  Doyle was a blast, when he would yell at Jake to tell him how to act or what to do, out of earshot of others.   Love in the Afternoon is a perfect quick read, with a wonderful couple, and dealing with someone with Asperger’s.  I cannot wait to read the next book in this new series, as Karen Hawkins has hit this out of the park.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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STIFF SUIT (Ponderosa Resort #5) by Tawna Fenske-a review

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STIFF SUIT (Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies #5) by Tawna Fenske-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 14, 2019

James “Iceman” Bracelyn is wound tighter than a vintage Rolex. Besides his CEO role at Ponderosa Resort, he’s guardian of the family’s biggest secrets, including a doozy that keeps him up at night. Alone. In that big bed he’d rather not share, thank you very much.

That’s fine with Lily Archer, who likes her flings flaming hot and fleeting. Her man-eater rep might be slightly exaggerated, but she’ll gladly dial it up to rescue James from himself—and a bottle of Glenlivit—at his brother’s wedding.

Intimacy’s the last thing either one wants, but it’s tough to dodge when they’re drawn together by the world’s drooliest dog, a TPing escapade gone wrong, and a good old-fashioned desktop hookup. That’s problematic for James, whose ability to hide the family’s riskiest secret is complicated by the secret’s refusal to get the hell out of his guest room.

Can Iceman keep his frigid shell intact while falling for the hottest science geek sex goddess he’s ever met, or will the ticking time bomb blow it all to smithereens?

•••••••••

REVIEW: STIFF SUIT is the fifth instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult PONDEROSA RESORT ROMANTIC COMEDIES romance series. This is thirty-four year old, attorney and eldest sibling James ‘Iceman’ Bracelyn, and geologist Dr. Lily Archer’s story line. STIFF SUIT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: A few years earlier the Bracelyn patriarch, Cort Bracelyn, died leaving his eldest son James to pick up the pieces of his billion dollar estate, to be divided between his five children (Bree, Sean, James, Mark, Jonathan) all born of different mothers. The Ponderosa Resort is the family lodge where each of the now adult children lives and works.

Told from dual first person perspectives (James and Lily) STIFF SUIT follows in the aftermath of Sean Bracelyn’s marriage to Amber King. Having had too much to drink at his brother’s wedding James Bracelyn wakes up next to one of the bridesmaids, having no memory of what happened the night before. Enter geologist Dr. Lily Archer, the woman with whom James will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between James and Lily, and the potential fall-out as the Bracelyn siblings are once again stunned and angered by their father’s past.

Lily Archer doesn’t do relationships, in fact, our heroine has a reputation as a man-eater. Meeting James Bracelyn stirs something deep within our heroine’s heart something that will shatter when James is unable to let go of the past. James Bracelyn has no time for romance or love but waking next to Lily Archer gave our hero something to think about, something that looks a lot like a possible happily ever after. Our hero is a bit of a stuffed shirt, always working with no time to enjoy the lighter side of life.

The relationship between Lily and James is a ‘friends with benefits’ of a sorts, that turns into something more. Neither one is prepared to fall in love but the heart wants forever even though the mind says something else. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters. There is a struggling family dynamic between siblings who were aware of one another but never had the chance to bond until adulthood.

STIFF SUIT is a story of family, friendship, secrets and lies. The premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is captivating and seductive; the characters are energetic and colorful but I struggled to find the humor throughout the story line.

There are moments of fun and adventure but the overall premise is a little heart breaking and sad. James Bracelyn is the keeper of the family secrets, so much so, that is eats away at his emotions and pride. The family patriarch has done a real number on his numerous progeny, such that family counselling is the only way to understand and survive. When even more secrets are revealed James becomes the punching bag for their father’s sins and lies.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Studmuffin Santa
Chef Sugarlips
Sergeant Sexypants
Hottie Lumberjack
Stiff Suit

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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How to Best a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

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How to Best a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

 

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Description:
Lady Ellie Swift learned at an early age that men were more trouble than they’re worth. Now she’s all grown up and is the toast of society. Only she has secret ambitions to run her brother’s infamous gambling establishment—the Raven Club. Everything is progressing as planned until the man who broke her heart, Hugh Vere, the Marquess of Deveril, wants to take over the club. Dark, dominant, and strikingly handsome, Hugh’s reputation for sin precedes him, and suddenly, her dreams—and her heart—are in jeopardy.

As rakish as Hugh appears, he has a sharp mind for business. No one stands in the way of what he wants, not even the fiery-haired beauty from his past. From the moment he sees her again sparks fly, but he knows better than to fall for the lady. According to Ellie, the battle lines have been drawn and Hugh doesn’t stand a chance. But the nearly combustible chemistry between them is hard to ignore, and soon the club is not the only prize he wants…

 

 

Review:

How to Best a Marquess begins with Lady Ellie Swift attending her brother’s infamous gambling establishment – the Raven.  Her brother is getting ready to retire and she wants to be the one to take over the running of the business.  She has already taken over the books for her sister-in-law and knows her way round the club.  She finds herself in the boxing area and is transfixed by what is happening inside the ring.  As she gets closer to the ring, she finds herself in a precarious situation:   one of the fighters, whom she knows, kisses her quickly as she walks by.  Thankfully, all women are required to be masked, so he will have no idea who she is.  A little embarrassed at her reaction to the kiss, she quickly makes her way to another part of the Raven.

Hugh Vere knows that there is only one woman who has hair that particular color:  Ellie Swift.  He has been back in town for a while now, but, hasn’t made any attempt to see her.  He knows that he broke her heart a long time ago and that she will never forgive him.  He has only one thing on his mind – buying the Raven.

A while later, Ellie makes her way to her brother’s office, only to have Hugh arrive as well.  Even though Ellie thought the club would be hers, seems her brother has other ideas.  He makes it a competition between Ellie and Hugh to see who can come up with plans to make the Raven even more prosperous and gives them a time limit.  Whomever does the best gets the Raven.  Ellie is, of course, furious at the turn of events, but lets Hugh know she has no intention to lose to him.  He very quickly informs her he feels the very same way………. Game on.

How to Best a Marquess is a smartly written story of second chance love.  Ellie isn’t your typical Lady and her ambitions are believable.  I love her loyalty to her brother and his wife, but I adored her secret endeavors when it came to helping abused women.  Hugh was well written as well, and it was a relief to read about a male character who wasn’t brooding all of the time.  This one has some different elements that drew me in immediately.  I loved the fact that this story showed women doing something other than what we usually read in historicals, namely, a woman wanting to run a place like the Raven.  I also loved that once Hugh got over his ‘I know what’s best for you’ ways, he was completely open and honest with Ellie about what he wanted………which was for her to be happy.   If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll truly enjoy How to Best a Marquess.  The chemistry is there, along with a little mystery and a bit of danger and it will pull you in pretty quickly.  Well done, Tina Gabrielle!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

 

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THE DEFENDER (Sons of Texas #4) by Donna Grant-Review Tour

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THE DEFENDER (Sons of Texas #4) by Donna Grant-Review Tour

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

RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2019.

Their love knows no borders.

A loner who exudes danger, Lev Ivanski has spent his life in service to one man, someone he loves and respects. But things are changing. Rapidly. Lev and his boss have allies and friends and a new mission more important their than business, all because of the Saints. This clandestine organization needs to be taken down, and Lev has the skills to help. What he doesn’t expect is to be at the mercy of a woman who makes him crave more than he ever thought to want.

Determined and dedicated, Reyna Harris is used to danger and living on the edge. An ex-CIA operative, she’s been embedded with the Saints for years, trying to take them down from the inside. When her cover is blown, she is forced to trust a man she just met, fighting their way out of one battle after another. But there’s something about Lev that Reyna knows she can trust. And love. She needs Lev – and not just to take a swipe at the Saints. Together they’re an unstoppable force. And with their friends, they just might succeed in their mission

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE DEFENDER is the fourth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult SONS OF TEXAS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the Loughman group of ex-military specialists. This is Russian Bratva captain Lev Ivanski, and former CIA operative Reyna Harris’ story line. THE DEFENDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: While on assignment overseas, all three Loughman brothers are called home to Texas to discover that their beloved Aunt and Uncle have been murdered, and their Navy SEAL father Orrin is missing. The US government (or someone claiming to be) has tasked the brothers in locating their Black Ops agent father; and the retrieval of a biological weapon known as Ragnarok. Now that Ragnarok had been destroyed, the Loughman family will face another threat from a rogue group of former military operatives, many of whom have already infiltrated high levels of government and other organizations.

Told from several third person perspectives including Lev and Reyna THE DEFENDER follows Lev Ivanski as he goes undercover to prevent the assassination of one of Ukraine’s top political figures, an undercover operation that fails miserably when the group known as the Saints succeeds in their endeavor to take the politician down. Finding himself trapped, our hero becomes the willing prisoner of former CIA operative Reyna Harris, a woman working deep undercover within the Saints organization. What ensues is Reyna and Lev’s dangerous journey through Europe to America as our couple goes underground in their attempts to stay one-step ahead of the Saints.

Reyna Harris had been working with the Saints for close to five years but was unable to take down the organization from her current position. On the run Lev and Reyna would find themselves the target of the very people they had hoped to destroy themselves.

The relationship between Reyna and Lev is an enemies to lovers wherein Lev, for a short time, becomes our heroine’s prisoner. Working closely together Lev and Reyna would become one another’s guardians and protectors while on the run, a closeness that turned into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including patriarch Orrin Loughman, Owen and Natalie (The Hero), and Cullen and Mia (The Protector), Wyatt and Callie (The Legend), as well as the mysterious Maks,Lorraine, Anatoli Kozel, and several members of the group known as the Saints.

THE DEFENDER is a story of betrayal and vengeance; of secrets and lies; of power and the fight for control. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are energetic, colorful and strong; the romance is seductive. THE DEFENDER is a fascinating and captivating addition to the SONS OF TEXAS series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Hero
The Protector
The Legend
The Defender

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.

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One Man (Naked Trilogy #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt tour

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One Man (Naked Trilogy #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt tour

ONE MAN
Naked Trilogy #1
by Lisa Renee Jones
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Genre: adult,contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2019

Jax North. He’s handsome, brutally so, and wealthy. Our first encounter is intense and sex is my escape. I go with it. I go with him and what a ride it is. And then, I say goodbye. Only you don’t say goodbye to a man like Jax if he doesn’t want you to. I’ve challenged him without meaning to. He wants me. I don’t want to want him, and yet, I crave him. And he tears me down, my resistance, my walls. But those walls protect me. They seal my secrets inside. And I forget that being alone is safe.

Before long, my secrets begin to be revealed, and I trust him so deeply that I think maybe he can handle them. Maybe I dare to believe that alone isn’t better.

Until I discover that Jax was never an accident.

He has secrets.

He knew my secret. He came for me.

••••••••••

REVIEW: ONE MAN is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult NAKED erotic, romantic suspense trilogy focusing on thirty-four year old, billionaire financial planner for North Whiskey Jax North, and twenty-eight year old hotel heiress Emma Knight.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jax and Emma) ONE MAN follows the building enemies to lovers relationship between thirty-four year old, billionaire financial planner for North Whiskey Jax North, and twenty-eight year old hotel heiress Emma Knight. Jax North is seeking revenge against the Knight family, and Emma Knight is his obvious target. The recent ‘death’ of his brother finds Jax seeking answers, answers he believes are hidden deep within the Knight organization. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jax and Emma, and the potential fall-out as there is more to the story than anyone could have imagined.

The relationship between Emma and Jax is extraordinarily sexual for two strangers who have never previously met or spoken to one another. Emma doesn’t know who to trust including the brother she loves but the recent death of her father brings to the surface too many secrets, and a dark and sordid past. Jax North is a constant beacon of light in Emma’s gradually darkening world, but a beacon that holds many secrets of his own. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

ONE MAN reveals some of the background and history between several players in a game of power, struggle, and the ultimate control. Lisa Renee Jones dances around the numerous secrets and lies, holding back the most important information for future reveal. The premise is intriguing, engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are colorful, energetic and dynamic-several characters cross over from the author’s Filthy Trilogy, and her Tall, Dark and Deadly series with the appearance of Walker Security team members. ONE MAN follows a familiar formulaic pattern-one that the author has used before.

ONE MAN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

He holds me fast and pulls me to him, our legs colliding, the hard lines of his body hugging mine. My gaze jerks to his, the night darkening his blue eyes, the streetlight catching flecks of amber in his intense stare. “Run with me, not away from me.”

“I don’t even know you.”

“Then change that. I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to get to know me the way I want to know you.” Somehow, this statement manages to be the perfect mix of alpha male and vulnerability. “Come with me.”

“Where?” I whisper, and I can feel my body swaying toward his.

His hand slides under my hair, a warm strong hand, his thumb stretching to my jaw, tilting my face to his. His blue eyes still catching amber gold in the streetlights, a dominance in their depths that shouldn’t arouse me, but there’s no fighting my reaction to this man, or to who I am deep down inside. And I am the woman who is drawn to a man like Jax. Perhaps to a man too like York.

“I promised you a castle,” he says, “but I’ll settle for anywhere where I can do this.” His mouth closes down on mine, his tongue pressing past my lips, a quick tease that I still manage to feel in every part of me. Goosebumps lift on my skin and his mouth lingers above mine, a hot breath promising more before he strokes deep. And then, he’s kissing me, a wicked, passionate kiss that is pure heat, greedy even, fierce. Alluring. Passionate. Addictive. And then gone, his mouth is gone, and I’m panting as he says, “Say yes and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

Every warning that York stirred in me earlier fades away with the taste of this man on my lips, every warning is immediately reasoned away. This is one night and then Jax is gone. This is an escape. Death and grief allow me permission to need this. That damn journal gives me permission to need him. I’m going to do this.

“I want off this street corner,” I say. “I want to leave. I want to leave with you.”

His eyes warm, approval and satisfaction in their depths that somehow isn’t arrogant. He laces his fingers with mine and walks backward, guiding me to the door of the SUV. And then he does something unexpected. He steps aside and motions me toward the back doors, a silent invitation to enter or walk away, to make my own decision. I climb inside, letting the soft leather absorb my body, a willing victim, as he’d wanted.

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

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

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

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

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