Monthly Archives: July 2019

Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE
Million Dollar #2
by Katy Evans
Release Date: July 23, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release July 23, 2019

If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying “I do” to a complete stranger on national television, she’d have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she’s out of options. This should be nothing more than a business transaction—until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.

The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope “Nell” Carpenter. He’s out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn’t sound too bad either. Everyone knows he’s not the marrying kind, so it’s a good thing it’s just for show. God knows he’s the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.

They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they’ll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough…as long as they don’t fall in love in the process.

••••••••••••

REVIEW:MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE is the second instalment in Katy Evans’ contemporary, adult MILLION DOLLAR erotic, romance series. This is twenty-five year old, Dr. Penelope ‘Nell’ Carpenter PhD, and twenty-eight year old, bar owner Luke Cross’ story line. MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary. Luke was first introduced in book one Million Dollar Devil.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nell and Luke) MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE follows the reality TV show Million Dollar Marriage where qualifying contestants find themselves married to a complete stranger on day one. Enter twenty-five year old, Dr. Penelope ‘Nell’ Carpenter PhD, and twenty-eight year old, bar owner Luke Cross, who are paired together for their antagonising personalities, contrary discipline, and opposite physical appearances. Nell owes a half-million dollars in student loans, and Luke’s bar is mortgaged for the same amount. Winning the Million Dollar Marriage game would benefit both but falling in love was never on the agenda. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Nell and Luke, and the potential fall-out as perceived betrayal threatens to pull them apart.

MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE is a story of opposites attract where a game show similar to ‘Married at First Sight’™ combined with ‘The Amazing Race’™ finds the contestants battling for a one-million dollar prize package. Our heroine, Dr. Penelope Carpenter struggles with her attraction to a man who is her complete opposite, while Luke Cross quickly becomes enamored of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to YouTube sensation James Rowan (Million Dollar Devil); Luke’s grandmother, as well as a large number of contestants and officials with the reality game show.

MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE is a story of ‘battle of wills’, opposites attract, and physical endurance as our couple muse endure a series of obstacles before crossing the finish line. As the contestants slowly succumb to a losing battle, Nell and Luke’s time together forges a stronger bond, leading them towards a happily ever after. The premise is entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful and charismatic but it took me awhile to warm up to our story line heroine who struggled to accept Luke as her game show partner.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one MILLION DOLLAR DEVIL

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Million Dollar Romances with Katy Evans

Meet the Million Dollar series books. Books that are all about passion, romance, and all about what people will do for money—actually, a LOT of money. In book one, Million Dollar Devil, we have a sexy, raw, bad-mannered daredevil willing to pose as a sophisticated rich guy – while skillfully seducing the heroine in the process.

In book two, Million Dollar Marriage, Nell and Luke both agree to become contestants in a reality show that requires—gasp, marriage. Marriage to a complete stranger, which is appalling. But, it’s a fake marriage, right? It doesn’t matter that they are complete opposites. Nell will be the brains, and Luke will be the brawn. For a moment there, they both think they’ve got it covered. But the challenges end up being far more than they anticipated, especially the unexpected challenge of resisting falling in love with each other.

I’d always wanted to write a reality show book. I mean, reality shows are so addictive to watch, but though I’ve loved indulging in binge-watching Survivor or The Amazing Race, I’ve always wanted a little more romance to go with all that adrenaline and excitement. What happens when you’re put under all that pressure, and aside from that, have just met a person who gives your heart wings? Let’s face it. Falling in love is a little scary when you do it privately, so how does the public nature of a relationship hinder or help the romance between two strangers?

Well, in Nell and Luke’s case, being exposed to the cameras all day, every day, was more of a hindrance. And yet without those cameras, would they have given each other the time of day to begin with? 🙂

I would totally write another reality TV show romance. It’s been one of the funnest, most uniques writes I’ve ever written to date.

Katy Evans
New York Times Bestselling author

Will Wang says, “Teams, you have the choice to participate in the next challenge. If you decide to, you’ll receive a minimum of seventy thousand dollars! All you have to do is say YES!”I shrug and call out, “YES!”

Will laughs. “Hold on, buckaroo. There’s a catch you might want to know about. And that brings us to the main premise of the show. John Phillips, are you out there? Please, join me on the podium.”

A man in a suit stands up, and the crowd parts to let him through. He jogs up to the podium, shakes Will’s hand, and stands beside him.

“John is here for a very special reason. A very special ceremony, if you will.”

The cameras are focused on our faces, and I know something is up.

“Yes, in fact, John happens to be a justice of the peace.”

The crowd gasps. Next to me, Penny’s body stiffens.

“Yes. In order to participate in the next challenge and any challenges going forward, you and your partner must be man and wife!”

Louder gasp. The screens overhead focus in on the shock of the contestants. Penny’s trembling. Ivy looks pissed. Ace is hurling out f-bombs into the air. The Indian girl has sunk to the ground and is covering her face in her palms. It’s chaos.

Me? I’m calm as can be.

It’s called Million Dollar Marriage. Did they think marriage wouldn’t factor in?

I’m in.

“You will need to spend the rest of the time living with your partner as a unit. You’ll do everything together for the duration of the contest. There will be challenges that test your endurance, your strength, and your ability to work together as a couple. If you win, you’ll each get two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the opportunity to have the marriage annulled, should you choose. BUT, if you decide to stay together as lawfully married, you’ll together receive the grand prize of ONE MILLION DOLLARS and an all-expenses-paid honeymoon package!”

I look around. All the couples are yin and yang. It’s like they ran our personality tests through a machine and picked out the person we’d be least compatible with.

“Now, we understand this is a big commitment on your part, so we’ll give you and your partner five minutes to talk things out and decide what you’d like to do. Please note that once your decision is made, it is final, and you will be married here, on the spot, before you board a flight to where the real competition will begin.” He winks at the losers’ wall. “If you drop out now, you’ll go home with fifty thousand dollars, but if you decide to continue on, you’ll earn seventy thousand and the chance to compete for even more! Time starts . . . now!”

I turn to Penny. She’s hugging herself and won’t look at me. “Hey. I’m in.”

She doesn’t say anything.

I wave a hand in front of her face.

“Are you crazy?” she finally says, staring at me. “I’d never marry you.”

 


 

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Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!

 

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins – a Review

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The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.

If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.

 

 

Review:

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins is the 1st book in her Dove Pond series.  The Book Charmer revolves around the small town of Dove Pond, and it’s librarian, Sarah Dove, who is the book charmer;she magically hears her books suggest who should be reading the selected book. The Dove family has always had a little magical ability to help the town and its townsfolks.  Though Sarah plays an instrumental part of the book, the lead in this story is newcomer Grace Wheeler.

We meet 10 year old Grace and her younger sister, Hannah, when they are placed in a foster home, as due to Grace’s tough attitude they have found themselves moving often, but upon meeting her new foster mom, Mama G, she will find a place to stay.  We pick up years later, with a grown-up Grace, leaving a good job, to move to house in Dove Pond, to help Mama G (who is in the stages of dementia), and her niece, Daisy (her now deceased sister’s child).  Grace takes a job as a township clerk; and gets help for a caregiver for her Mama G.  Grace is distant, and tries not to befriend anyone in town, just do her job.  But Dove Pond is a sweet wonderful small town, with friendly and caring residents.   The town is in financial trouble, and Grace as part of her job, needs to fix the budget, and in time find ways to bring the town back to financial stability.

What follows is a sweet story of Grace slowly understanding more of this town, especially the residents who are determined to keep her. Grace is also having her issues with the deterioration of Mama G, who does have lucid times, but the inevitable will happen.  Daisy is also a handful for Grace, but as the townsfolk start working more with Grace to run a festival and bring in money and people back to Dove Pond, they also bring Daisy into being around new friends and neighbors, bringing her out of her shell.

The Book Charmer was a sweet story line in a wonderful cozy small town in Dove Pond.  Hawkins also gives us wonderful characters, especially Grace, Sarah, Trav, Ava, Daisy, Mama G and so many more. I also enjoyed the animals, as well as spending time with everyone in Dove Pond.   Grace was a great heroine, who over time began to change when she became part of the wonderful town, and make friendships that she never had.  Her late blooming romance with Trav was slow built mostly in the background, but it was a sweet happy ever after. A major part of the story was Grace having to deal with Mama G descent into dementia, and this was done so very well by Hawkins.    The Book Charmer was an an enjoyable read that had a bit of everything; books, small town, magic, family, friendship and sadness.  I suggest you read this book now.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Hell on Wheels (Kings of Mayhem MC 4) by Penny Dee-Review Tour

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Hell on Wheels (Kings of Mayhem MC 4) by Penny Dee-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 22, 2019

I left here a man but came back a beast

CHANCE

A shoulder-fired missile broke my body.

But betrayal obliterated my heart.

For months I lingered in and out of hell until my body healed.

Now I’m back in town with my club brothers. They think I am ok. But I am still fighting a war of darkness in my head and I can’t see a way out.

Then she comes into town like a summer breeze and makes me feel things I didn’t know existed.

She has the voice of an angel and the body of a goddess.

But she is running from her own demons. From the Devil himself.

He’s coming to town and she’s scared. But I’ve walked through hell and survived, and I’ll walk through it again to protect her.

CASSIDY

I’ve spent years running from my past.

Town to town.

State to state.

Never putting down roots.

Because I am running from the Devil himself and if he finds me he will drag me down to hell again.

Then I meet a beautiful, scarred beast of man who makes me feel something for the first time of my life…hope.

He makes me want to stay but thats an impossibility.

Because the Devil is coming for me and when he arrives I won’t stand a chance.

••••••••

REVIEW: HELL ON WHEELS is the fourth instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary, adult KINGS OF MAYHEM MC erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the Kings of Mayhem MC. This is Sargent at Arms and former Navy SEAL Chance Calley, and musician/waitress Cassidy aka Chelsea Silvermane’s story line. HELL ON WHEELS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Chance and Cassidy) HELL ON WHEELS follows Cassidy, a young woman on the run from her past, a past that is about to catch up and destroy. When the band scheduled to play at the Kings of Mayhem MC patching in ceremony cancels at the last minute, Sargent at Arms Chance Calley finds a replacement with a beautiful street busker he knows only as Cassidy, a woman about to run for places unknown. With her past just a few steps behind, Cassidy makes enough money to head for the hills but betrayal comes at a cost. Panicked and afraid for her life, Cassidy will, once again, come face to face with Chance Calley, the man who is about to change her life. What ensues is the building relationship between Chance and Cassidy, and the potential fall-out as Cassidy’s past demands all, and so much more.

Chance Calley is a former US Navy SEAL who has suffered greatly when his last deployment went all to h*ll. Scarred, both inside and out, Chance doesn’t do relationships as he is unable to get past what happened and why, but something about Cassidy stirs our hero’s frozen heart. Cassidy has seen monsters and Chance isn’t even close to her list but the monsters from her past are closing in, and will take everyone down to get what they want.

The relationship between Cassidy and Chance is one of immediate attraction but neither one is in a place for a permanent relationship. Having to always look over her shoulder, Cassidy is unable to settle down without fear of being found but meeting Chance Calley finds our heroine hoping for a future, a future that includes a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Cade and Indy (Kings of Mayhem #1 & Brothers in Arms #2), Caleb and Honey (Biker Baby #3), as well as club president Michael ‘Bull’ Western, and members Vader, Joker, Animal, and Hawke, as well as Granny Sybil Calley. We are introduced to Cassidy’s friend and roommate Missy, and Missy’s brother Craig. The requisite evil has many faces.

HELL ON WHEELS is a story of family, vengeance, betrayal, madness and love; a story of retribution, fear, trust and acceptance. The premise is emotional, intense and engaging; the characters are energetic, broken and colorful; the romance is steamy and hot HELL ON WHEELS is a gritty, spicy and edgy look at love in the world of the Kings of Mayhem MC.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Kings of Mayhem
Brothers in Arms
Biker Baby
Hell on Wheels

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between. She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.

You can connect with Penny Dee : Goodreads / Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website / Instagram

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Lies by Kylie Scott-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Lies by Kylie Scott-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2019

Betty Dawsey knows that breaking things off with Thom Lange is for the best. He’s nice, but boring, and their relationship has lost its spark. But steady and predictable Thom, suddenly doesn’t seem so steady and predictable when their condo explodes and she’s kidnapped by a couple of crazies claiming that Thom isn’t who he says he is.

Thom is having a hellish week. Not only is he hunting a double agent, but his fiancé dumped him, and thanks to his undercover life, she’s been kidnapped.

Turns out Thom is Operative Thom and he’s got more than a few secrets to share with Betty if he’s going to keep her alive. With both their lives on the line, their lackluster connection is suddenly replaced by an intense one. But in his line of work, feelings aren’t wanted or desired. Because feelings can be a lethal distraction.

•••••••••

REVIEW: LIES by Kylie Scott is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense story line focusing on twenty-six year old floral designer Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Dawsey, and thirty-four year old Thom Lange.

Told from first person perspective (Betty Dawsey) LIES focuses on the aftermath of an explosion that destroyed Thom and Betty’s condo. Betty was all packed; ready to walk away from the man she loved, a man who was about to upend her world, and destroy the reality of what was and what will never be. Awakening as a hostage Betty would soon discover that the man she knows as Thom Lange is an undercover operative in a world she knows nothing about. On the run with her ‘former’ fiancé, and the group she comes to call the ‘zoo’, Betty is thrust into a world of assassins, covert missions, and more bloodshed than she could have ever imagined.

Betty Dawsey hasn’t been happy with her relationship to Thom Lange. Rarely home and emotionally absent, Thom was nothing like Betty had imagined but her imagination was about to come full circle. Thom Lange targeted Betty from the start: a pawn who was none the wiser as he tried to settle down and enter every day life but things did not go according to plan when his ‘other life’ is discovered, and Betty becomes collateral damage in the process. Our heroine must fight for her life, and become part of the zoo, or die in the crossfire. The banter between characters is fast, furious, frenetic and fun.

The relationship between Betty and Thom suffers in the face of secrets of lies; a relationship based upon deceit and dishonesty; a relationship that has deteriorated in the face of dishonesty and distrust. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Betty’s best friend Jen, as well as Thom’s undercover operatives Betty has nicknamed the ‘zoo’: Bear, Scorpion, Crow, Fox and Hawk, as well as Thom aka Wolf. I would love for the author to revisit the characters adding stories for the rest of the zoo.

LIES is a fast paced story of suspense and mystery, secrets and lies. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the characters are energetic, colorful and charismatic; the romance is a rekindling relationship between two people caught in the cross-fire of international espionage, power and control.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“You’re going to break his heart.”
“No, I’m not,” I say. “That’s sort of the whole point. If I really thought leaving him would break his heart, then I probably wouldn’t be leaving him in the first place.”
My best friend, Jen, does not look convinced.
Boxes fill a good half of the room. What a mess. Who knew you could accumulate so much junk in only twelve months? At least we weren’t together so long that I can’t remember who owns what. One year is about the sweet spot for this issue in relationships, apparently.
“The fact of the matter is, we’re not in love. We have no business being engaged, let alone getting married.” I sigh. “Have you seen the packing tape?”
“No. He’s just such a nice guy.”
“I’m not debating that.” I climb to my feet, then head up the stairs to the second bedroom. Thom’s unofficial workout room/home office. Not a room I normally go into. But it only takes a bit of rummaging to find what I’m looking for. Whatever else might be said about them, insurance assessors are organized. The bottom drawer of Thom’s desk has a neat stash of stationery. I grab a couple rolls of thick tape.
“And leaving him this way…” Jen continues as I head back down.
“How many times have I told him we need to talk? He’s always putting it off, saying it’s not a good time. And now he’s away again. I’ve been messaging him for the last week and he barely replies.”
“You know he has to drop everything once a job comes up. I realize he’s not the most exciting guy, Betty, but—”
“I know.” I smack down a line of tape with extra zest, sealing the lid of the last box. In this Operation Abandon Ship Posthaste, I know I’m definitely slightly the bad guy. But not totally. Say sixty/forty. Or maybe seventy/thirty. It’s hard to tell to what degree. “I do know all of that. But he’s always busy with work or away on some business trip. What am I supposed to do?”
A sigh from Jen.
“When you realize you’ve made such a monumental mistake, it’s hard to sit and wait to fix things. Nor is it fair on either of us to keep up the pretense.”
“Guess so.”
“And the fact that he’s yet again made no effort to prioritize our relationship and make a little time for me in his busy schedule is just further proof that I’ve made the right choice in ending this now before it gets any more complicated. End of rant.”
Nothing from her.
“Anyway, you’re supposed to be on my side. Stop questioning me.”
“You wanted to get married and have children so badly.”
“Yeah.” I sit back on my heels. “I blame it all on playing with Ken and Barbie’s dreamhouse when I was little. But it turns out that being in a relationship with the wrong person can be even lonelier than being alone.”
Jen and I have been friends since sharing a room in college. We’ve witnessed the bulk of each other’s dating ups and downs. For some reason, I’m the type of girl who guys will go out with, but don’t tend to stick with. Apparently, I’m fuckable—just not girlfriend material. Maybe it’s my smart mouth. Maybe it’s the whole not fitting current societal expectations of beauty i.e. I’m fat. Maybe I was born under an unlucky star. I don’t know; it’s their loss. Like anyone, I have my faults, but all in all, I’m awesome. And I have a lot to give. Too often in the past few months, I’ve had to keep reminding myself of this fact.
“There are just so many jerks out there,” Jen says. “I was happy that you’d found a good one.”
“I think I’d prefer a jerk who was genuinely into me than a nice guy phoning it in.
Honestly, I’d rather go adopt a dozen cats and settle into old age and isolation than be with someone who treats me as if I’m an afterthought.”
She looks at me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“Me too.”
“Time to start filling up the cars. Boy, do you owe me.”
I smile. “That I do.”
Jen stands and stretches before picking up one of the boxes labeled kitchen. “I just didn’t want you to do something you’d regret, you know?”
“I know. Thank you.”
Alone in the two-bedroom condo, everything is silent. My parting letter sits waiting on the coffee table with his name written on the front. A slight bulge in the envelope betrays the shape of my engagement ring. It’s a sweet, simple ring. One small diamond perched on a band of yellow gold. My hand feels wrong without it. Naked. They say there are different love languages and you have to take the time to learn your partner’s needs. It’s like he and I never quite got there. Or maybe I’m just crappy at relationships.
The bridal magazines I’d collected are in the trash. Perhaps I should have taken them into the florist shop where I work so someone could get some use out of them. But this feels more symbolic, more definite. My family are a couple of states away, and I have only a few of what I’d classify as good friends. Being an introvert makes it hard to meet people. A boyfriend, a husband, would mean I’m no longer alone. Someone cares about me and puts me first. At least part of the time. Only Thom doesn’t any of the time, so here we are.
I tighten my ponytail of long dark hair. Then, in a rare display of dexterity that my yoga instructor would be proud of, I stack three boxes in my arms and head outside into the hot afternoon sun. Jen’s Honda Civic is parked at the curb, the trunk standing open as she moves things about inside. My old Subaru sits in the driveway waiting to be filled. Birds are singing and insects chirping. It’s your typical mild autumn day in California.
That’s when the condo blows up behind me.

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Steel Coyote by Beth Williamson -a review

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Steel Coyote by Beth Williamson -a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 22, 2019

The universe can be a tough place to make it as a cargo ship captain and Remington Hawthorne fights every day to scrape together enough to get by. Hanging on by her fingernails, she has to find something to keep herself and her quirky crew alive.

When a sketchy deal goes south, she doesn’t want to accept help from the stranger who calls himself Max Fletcher. Life however, doesn’t give her a choice. Hurtling through space with illegal cargo, extra passengers she doesn’t want, and a growing attraction to Max she can’t resist, Remy knows she’s in trouble.

When worlds collide, Remy and Max have to find a way to trust each other, save the crew, and not get themselves killed in the process. It’s gonna be a helluva ride.

••••••••

REVIEW: Remington “Remy” flies a cargo ship, but she’s not just the pilot, she’s the captain, and a good one, she’s had to prove herself over and over. She needs jobs, there is fuel and food to buy for the crew. And a dubious job comes up, she doesn’t want to take it, but she doesn’t really have a choice.

Max is rather taken with a cute little pilot, but she’s not really giving him a chance. So when an opportunity arises, Max is on it. And maybe he can change her mind and her opinion of him.

Finding out the cargo is more than what they expected. Max and Remy need to decide on what course of action to take. But others are on their trail, they need to take action. And now….

Max has a past that haunts him, and he really doesn’t want to return to the planet they are going to. But a promise is a promise, so heading towards a past he’d rather forget, maybe Max needs to face it, rather than always running.

Lots of action, a few twists and lots of laughs. Throw in the chemistry between Remy and Max, and laugh with the colourful characters that make up the crew. Very well written, and really descriptive.

? Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010, and a quarter-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels, fueled by Reese’s and tenacious pursuit of the perfect story. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses as well as bookstores.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. 😉

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The Raven Boys MC by MA. Lee & Stephanie Nichole-Review & Excerpt Tour

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The Raven Boys MC Series by M.A. Lee & Stephanie Nichole-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

Twin Flames
Raven Boys #1
by M.A. Lee
Release Date: January 1, 2019
Genre:adult, contemporary, erotic, MC romance

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

Ivy Allan left home and never looked back. Ivy believes she has enough distance between her dark past to be able to live as the new Ivy- the girl no one knows. However, when she arrives at college and befriends wild-child Lacy, her journey to a new life is distracted by a Raven Boy.

Jameson Raven only loved one thing; his motorcycle. Being every girls wet dream, Jameson is a legend in the motorcycle club world. Never taking life too seriously, this cocky bad boy didn’t care about anything or anyone other than his clubhouse. But, that all changed the day he met Ivy.

After a chance encounter with Ivy, Jameson finds himself intrigued by the mysterious girl who seems unaffected by his appeal. Only, Jameson won’t take no for an answer when it comes to Ivy.

What begins as a troubled friendship quickly evolves into a wild and steamy romance. With an enemy of the Raven Boys set out to destroy the Raven Clubhouse Jameson and his brothers will stop at nothing to save their clubhouse and their family name. With Ivy’s help, Jameson discovers what is really worth fighting for. And both Jameson and Ivy are willing to get burned in the process of finding love.

••••••••

REVIEW: TWIN FLAMES is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult THE RAVEN BOYS erotic, MC romance series co-authored by M.A. Lee and Stephanie Nichole. This is twenty-one year olds, Raven brother Jameson Raven, and university student Ivy Allan’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivy and Jameson) TWIN FLAMES follows the quick building relationship between twenty-one year olds, youngest Raven brother Jameson Raven, and university student Ivy Allan. Ivy’s best friend and roommate Lacy convinced our heroine that a night on the town was just what she needed but a night spent at a biker bar wasn’t exactly what Ivy had in mind. With Lacy quickly making friends with Drake Raven, Ivy found herself eyeing the youngest brother Jameson, the man with whom Ivy would fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Ivy and Jameson, and the potential fall-out as the Raven Clubhouse and bar are targeted by someone from their past.

Ivy Allan struggles with her attraction to a man who is all kinds of wrong. In her opinion, Jameson and the Raven Clubhouse are bad news, and not what she had planned for her future. Judgmental and slightly discriminating, Ivy battles between head and heart as it pertains to Jameson, and who and what he and his brothers represent. Jameson Raven has a reputation as a man-wh*re but meeting Ivy gave Jameson thoughts for the future but a future that does not represent what Ivy was looking for. When the Raven Clubhouse and bar are threatened, and trouble comes to their front door, Jameson goes rogue in an attempt to defend the people he loves.

The relationship between Jameson and Ivy is one of immediate attraction but Ivy takes issues with Jameson’s pursuit, an issue that constantly waivers in the face of her growing attraction and desire for our story line hero. As Ivy continues to push Jameson away, her mixed signals are disconcerting including her about face within minutes of getting Jameson alone. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jameson’s brothers: Drake, Micah and Brody, as well as Ivy’s best friend and roommate Lacy who is now in a relationship with older brother Drake. The requisite evil demands payment and retribution for sins of the past.

TWIN FLAMES is a story of family, vengeance and love. The premise is fast paced and engaging –the MC story line is fairly negligible as the current generation remains focused on the bar; the romance is hot and heavy; the characters are colorful and energetic but saying that I did not feel the palpable sexual attraction due in part to the quick building romance, and the heroine’s less than congenial attitude early on. I felt there was something missing.

Copy supplied for review

_________

HELL ON THE HIGHWAY
Raven Boys #2
by Stephanie Nichole
Release Date: July 1, 2019
Genre:adult, contemporary, erotic, MC romance

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

Jude is used to doing everything on her own. There are two people that she knows she can rely on, her father and best friend Kai. However, her father’s failing health has her barely managing financially. Between nursing school, medial bill co-pays and everyday life she’s struggling. Her only saving grace is racing. When she gets an inside invite to the elusive Brody Raven drag races she knows she can’t refuse.

Brody Raven is the youngest and wildest of the Raven brothers. They own and operate a local bar as well as the Raven MC. However, Brody loves to drag race and it’s no secret that he runs an illegal drag racing set up behind the bar.

Brody isn’t prepared for Jude and his cocky, undefeated attitude catches up to him behind the wheel of his car. However, losing is the last thing on his mind once he lays eyes on Jude but she has a secret, a big secret, that could completely tear them apart.

••••••••

REVIEW: HELL ON THE HIGHWAY is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult THE RAVEN BOYS MC romance series co-authored by M.A. Lee and Stephanie Nichole. This is youngest brother Brody Raven, and nursing student/waitress Jude Tarantino’s story line. HELL ON THE HIGHWAY 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 first person perspectives (Jude and Brody) HELL ON THE HIGHWAY follows nursing student and waitress Jude Tarantino as she struggles to make ends meet and pay her father’s mounting healthcare bills. Working at a local strip club serving drinks Jude finds herself needing extra money and signs up for a drag race sponsored by the Ravens MC. Enter youngest Raven brother Brody, and the man with whom Jude will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Jude and Brody, and the potential fall –out as Jude’s lies of omission threaten her relationship and future with Brody Raven.

Jude considers herself a bit of a ‘tomboy’: a motorcycle riding, race car driving beauty who knows a thing or two about heart break and pain. Meeting Brody Raven stirs something deep within our story line heroine, something Jude refuses to acknowledge knowing her past is always just a step behind. Brody Raven doesn’t do relationships. Having been burned in the past, Brody has a reputation with the ladies, a reputation based more in fiction than fact. Falling for Jude Tarantino finds Brody offering our heroine a job at the Ravens Clubhouse, a job that will keep her away from leering eyes and potential harm.
The relationship between Jude and Brody is one of immediate attraction. Brody can’t stop thinking about the woman who one-upped him at his own game. Jude knows that lying to Brody will backfire down the road, but a lie of omission is still a lie when the heart is involved. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are re-introduced to Brody’s brothers: Jameson and Ivy, Drake and Lacy, and Micah; Jude’s best friend and roommate Kai, a prospect with the Ravens MC, as well as Jude’s brother Jayce, and his friends Cam and Patrick.

HELL ON THE HIGHWAY is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and love. Once again, the MC storyline is negligible, as the series focuses on relationships and family. The premise is entertaining and inviting; the romance is passionate and tender; the characters are sassy and spirited. HELL ON THE HIGHWAY is an energetic story with a feisty couple moving towards a happily ever after.

Copy supplied for reivew

Reviews by Sandy

 

 

“It’s gorgeous,” she says, but for the first time, my eyes aren’t on the water. They’re drawn to her and the way the moon above casts a halo of light around part of her. The other part still hid in the shadows of the night and trees.“It is,” I say, and when she looks at me, she knows I’m referring to her and not the scene in front of us.

She laughs and shakes her head, before turning to face me, her arms crossed over her chest as she leans back against the tree trunk. “Does that actually work?” I raise my eyebrows in question. “This,” she replies, waving her hands around. “Bringing a girl out here, the moonlight, the water, the cheesy line while you stare at her. Is this your game, Brody?”

She has no idea what she’s talking about. I step forward, eliminating the space between us and notice the small hitch in her breathing. “This isn’t a game. I don’t play games,” I tell her in a husky whisper, as the floral scent she wears hits my nose. Jude rolls her eyes like she doesn’t believe me, but the blush on her cheeks tells me otherwise. Another step toward her. “You don’t believe me?”

“Brody, I grew up with the boys. I know how you all work. I’m not some dumb girl that falls for sweet words whispered under the moonlight.”

One step and I’m directly in front of her. “I never thought you were that girl.” Shaking my head I tell her, “You’re different from every girl I’ve ever met Jude. That’s why I brought you here. I’ve never brought anyone here…not even my brothers. I don’t play games because I don’t need to. I see no sense in them and let’s be honest, we both know my reputation and that I don’t need to play games to get what I want– but you’re different.” I reach out and trace her jaw bone and notice another hitch of breath. “I know what I want. What do you want, Jude?”

She bites down on her bottom lip for a moment, but that moment feels like forever. The crickets sing in the background along with the thunder rolling in the distance. The breeze dances in the air. It’s just like the movies where everything is in slow motion and it’s exciting and torturous, all at the same time. I’m waiting for her to make a move and finally, ever so slowly, she reaches her hands out and fists them into my shirt, pulling me into her. I lean down and hover just above her lips, my entire body humming with anticipation. Just when I think she’s not going to make a move and I’m about to give in, she closes the space between us.

Her lips on mine, the slight citrus taste of Mountain Dew lingers on her tongue, her hands moving up my chest to wrap around my neck; all of it is intoxicating and addicting and completely terrifying.

 


 

Stephanie Nichole lives in a small town with her family in New Mexico. She graduated college in 2010 with a degree in business and accounting. However, her true passion is all things book related. As a student English and Literature were her favorite subjects. Weekly library trips with her mother also helped instill her love for books. Stephanie would look forward to summer most of all, not because she was out of school but for the summer reading groups at her local library. After a friend’s encouragement she started her author journey in 2016.

Stephanie is an avid book, music and old Hollywood movie lover. When she’s not busy reading or writing she’s probably binge watching Netflix or PassionFlix. Some of her favorite authors are: Edgar Allan Poe, Abbi Glines, Colleen Hoover, Alessandra Torre, K. Bromberg, Tarryn Fisher, Nicholas Sparks and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Stephanie also loves to connect with her readers on social media.

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/stephanienicholewriting

FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/stephaniesstarlets

Twitter:https://twitter.com/snichole_author

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stephanienichole_author

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/stephanie-nichole

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$20 Amazon, ebook of Hell On the Highway – 1 winner each

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Betraying the Billionaire by Victoria Davies – a Review

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Betraying the Billionaire by Victoria Davies – a Review

 

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Description:
Julian Worth isn’t a man with time to spare. Ruling his billion dollar empire with an iron fist, work is the true love of his life. Which is why when it comes to marriage, a strategic alliance matters more than love. Julian is more than ready to sign on for a little superficial dating and a marriage of convenience if it allows him to take his company to the next level. What he wasn’t ready for was the woman who shows up as his prospective bride.

Holly Abbott has spent her whole life coming in second. Being born four minutes behind her twin sister has defined her life. But when her headstrong sister refuses to go along with their father’s plan to marry her off into a cold business arrangement, Holly has to step up. Knowing the infamous Julian Worth will only entertain marrying the Abbott heir, Holly sets her identity aside to transform into her sister. It’s an easy enough plan. A few dates with a man who isn’t hers won’t hurt anyone. 

Except Julian is nothing like the ruthless tycoon she expected. Soon she’s left to wonder, what will happen when her sister comes back and worse, how will she ever be able to give up a man who doesn’t even know her real name?

 

 

Review;

Betraying the Billionaire by Victoria Davies is another success for her I’d have to say. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end.  It was full of everything I’ve come to know about Victoria Davies’ writing style. 

The so-called romance between Holly and Julian is slow to build allowing us to really get to know the two characters.  We get to learn why Holly is pretending to be her sister for her family and the family’s business sake. My heart really broke for Holly throughout this one because you can plainly see she’s falling hard for Julian and their isn’t a single thing she can do about it. You just can’t argue with love or who your heart chooses I guess. Plus her father could care less about her and her feelings.  He’s really a jackass as far as I’m concerned. To treat his daughters that way he does, oooo I wanted to slap him upside the head in every scene he was in.   

Whereas, Julian on the other hand isn’t in this for the right reasons at first.  He sees marriage to the Abbott heir as a way to further along his company’s name.  However, that plan quickly falls by the wayside because he notices there’s something different about Lillian/Holly that he can’t quick figure out and he’s a man who loves puzzles.  So he sets his mind to solving the puzzle that is Lillian/Holly and before long he realizes he’s fallen in love with her, Holly not Lillian at this point.  Julian and Holly are such a sweet couple and every scene they are in you can’t help but like them a little more each time they are together.  I particularly loved the scene where Holly meets his foster parents and learns about that part of his life.  It was a touching and endearing scene.  Just like in all romances when the man finally realizes he’s in love, and the girl is about to spill the beans and tell the truth, boom the secret she’s been keeping explodes in both their faces causing their blissful romance to go kaboom! 

When the truth is finally revealed and Julian learns that Holly and Lillian are twins, and Holly was pretending to be Lillian a new puzzles emerges for Julian and as he works to solve this new puzzle we can’t help but feel helpless as we watch both characters to struggle through what to do next, is it possible to salvage their relationship and just what is Lillian hiding from everyone.  It’s also during this part of the story that Ms. Davies slyly begins to spin a new secondary plot regarding Lillian.  Just why did she run off to San Franciso and what isn’t she telling Holly? But I digress, so back to Julian and Holly.  When Holly comes up with a ‘Hail Mary’ plan to save the company and goes to see Julian her meeting doesn’t go as planned. Their meeting at first is tense, but then the love that’s still between them begins to emerge and there’s a moment where I thought I’d need kleenex thanks to Mr. Davies superb writing of this scene.  All the emotion and love between them just pours off the pages and I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see how this would end for the two of them.  I never expected Julian to do what he did because of who he is but I loved how he chased after Holly after she left his office and made it perfectly clear that she’s the one and he can’t be without her.  I loved that he had the ring with him and put it back on her finger and made certain she knew this was it for him and that they were starting their lives together finally. I found it pretty comical that his only request for their weeding was her dad wasn’t invited and that Holly couldn’t agree more.  I couldn’t help but chuckle at that point.

I really enjoyed Victoria Davies new adventure in Betraying the Billionaire.  My only pet peeve about this book was how she ended this one by leaving us hanging in regards to Holly Abbott’s sister Lillian and what she’s still hiding.  Guess I’ll just have to tune into part two/sequel to Betraying the Billionaire staring Lillian Abbott. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Girl Watching You by J. A. Schneider -a review

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Girl Watching You by J. A. Schneider -a review

 

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE JUNE 27, 2019

A young woman, obsessed by a man she considers a predator, climbs a fire escape and thinks she sees a murder.

Out of work actress Ava Beck, reduced to working in a West Village flower shop, starts to watch womanizing hedge funder Peter Greer, who lives near. He likes to romance his girlfriends with flowers.

Ava notices bruises on his troubled-looking date named Chloe. Concerned, she follows them after work to Chloe’s studio, second floor in the rear of a brownstone. She hears them arguing, climbs up the fire escape just as Greer angrily sees her…and plunges into a world of stunning twists, murder and madness worse than any she could have imagined.

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REVIEW: Girl Watching You begins with Ava Beck, an out of work actress, working in a flower shop. Since her sister’s death two years ago, she still finds herself going over the series of events that led up to her death. Ava knows down to her toes that it wasn’t an accident, and is doing everything she can to bring charges (that will stick) against her sister’s abusive boyfriend. Ava knew from the moment that her sister was killed who did it. Just so happens that the boyfriend was also a successful actor and had Ava blacklisted. Hence, she’s working in a flower shop, and has become a bit of a people watcher.

One person that has caught her eye is Peter Greer, who seems to change girlfriends often, and who also stops at the shop often to purchase flowers for his current flame. She notices one particular woman, whom she has seen a couple of times with Greer, has bruises and seems a bit disheveled. Although Ava’s boss has warned Ava about her “people watching” that has almost turned into stalkerish behavior, she takes it upon herself to find out exactly what is going on. While Ava is spying on Peter and the woman, she sees that things starting to get out of hand, only to have Peter see her. Or did he?

The next day, Ava discovers that the woman has been murdered. Once again, she thinks she knows who did it and sets out to “look” in on Peter. Little does Ava realize how much that decision will change the rest of her life.

Girl Watching You is a nicely written story, even though it comes across almost as a screenplay in parts of it. Ava seems a little naïve in the way she handles several issues in her life, but ended up getting her stuff together towards the last half of the book. The secondary characters are well written and it is the interactions between all of them that pulls you in. Just when you think you know who did it, Schneider twists it masterfully and leaves you guessing until almost the very end. If you’re a fan of suspense thrillers, you’ll enjoy this latest story from J.A. Schneider.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

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