Monthly Archives: August 2019

Tempting Little Tease by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Tempting Little Tease (Blackwell-Lyon #4) by J Kenner-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 26,2019

he’s a temptation I just can’t resist…

My business is security. I protect other people—sometimes at my own expense.
It’s the only way to explain how I got talked into playing fake fiancé for my best friend’s little sister.

Now I’m seeing little Samantha Watson through new eyes. Instead of the little girl I used to tease, I’m up close and personal with a stunning woman whose curves and heat and heart-stopping smile rocket straight to my heart, not to mention parts south.

I’ve never minded going above and beyond for a job. Except playing the smitten lover doesn’t feel like acting anymore.

Despite all my experience, I’m the one who forgot to secure my heart.
The only rule for this job was to walk away at the end.

But maybe this time—for the first time—I’m going to break the rules.

•••••••••

REVIEW:TEMPTING LITTLE TEASE is the fourth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary,adult BLACKWELL-LYON erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women who work for Blackwell-Lyon Security. This is security specialist Leonardo ‘Leo’ Palermo, and technology developer Samantha Watson’s story line. TEMPTING LITTLE TEASE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Leo Palermo) TEMPTING LITTLE TEASE follows the best friend’s little sister/fake fiancé relationship between security specialist Leonardo ‘Leo’ Palermo, and Samantha Watson. With the approach of her best friend’s wedding Samantha Watson needs a date for the destination wedding, a wedding where her ex-boyfriend Reg is the cousin of the bride. Enter security specialist Leonardo ‘Leo’ Palermo, Samantha’s brother Brody’s best friend, and the man with whom Samantha has loved for most of her life. Hoping to distract her ex at the upcoming wedding, Samantha makes Leo an offer he cannot refuse. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Leo and Sam, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes with an expiry date.

Samantha ‘Sam’ Watson has been in love with her brother’s best friend for most of her life but Leo only saw Sam as Brody’s little sister, a woman off limits in more ways than one. Leo knows that to get involved with Samantha Watson could ruin his friendship with Brody Carrington, a friendship he is willing to risk when he falls in love with our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and steamy, without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Sam’s step-brother Brody Carrington, Conor Lyon (Sexy Little Sinner), Cayden Lyon (Pretty Little Player), as well as Sam’s best friend Cherry (the bride), and Sam’s ex boyfriend Reg Thorne.

TEMPTING LITTLE TEASE is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and revenge. The premise is engaging and light; the characters are colorful and energetic; the quick building romance is seductive and passionate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Lovely Little Liar
Pretty Little Player
Sexy Little Sinner

copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

I pull open the screen door, knock a couple of times, and wonder if I’ll even recognize her.
A moment later, the door flies open, and I’m staring at Samantha Watson’s wide, happy grin. Her dark brown hair is pulled back beneath a blue bandana, and there’s a white streak of paint on her cheek that makes me think of street urchins. She’s at least three inches taller than the last time I saw her, the top of her head now reaching my chin.
In my mind, she’s still built like a pre-teen fence post, but to be fair, I can’t get any real sense of her figure since she’s wearing a paint-splattered men’s button-down that doubles as a smock and baggy, faded jeans.
I can see her face just fine, though. The same, but different. Her wide brown eyes seem bigger and darker, with the kind of lashes that Cayden’s wife Gracie wears when she’s modeling, but on Sam are the real deal. The childish round face that’s burned into my memories has given way to a perfect oval accented by cheekbones that stand out when she smiles. Something she’s doing right now, actually, and I can’t help but notice that her plump lips and wide mouth were made for smiling. And for other things. Things that I have no business noticing about my best friend’s sister. Not even in passing. Not even casually.
I’m still lecturing myself when she steps forward, obviously intending to give me a hug. And, damn me, I actually take a step back, her lush lips still filling my vision and Brody’s all-too-strict warning still ringing in my ears.
To my relief, she laughs. “I know. Awkward, right? I mean, you were like my brother, but it’s been ages. Probably best to start out with a friendly handshake and work our way up to social hugging.”
She thrusts out her hand, and I take it, noticing how well it fits into mine, and surprised at how smooth her skin is despite the fact that she apparently spends a lot of time working with her hands.
“From what Brody tells me,” I say, “we won’t be stopping at the social hug.”
It might be my imagination, but I think her grip tightens slightly. Not that I have time to analyze the nuances of our connection, because she gently tugs her hand free.
She clears her throat, then steps aside and ushers me into the house. “Listen, thank you so much. I know this whole thing must sound crazy, and I can’t even tell you how much it means to me that you agreed to do it.”
“I didn’t—”
“I know. Brody told me the whole story about how you didn’t want to, but then you remembered how you two pledged to look out for me. And even though I’m old enough to look out for myself now, I really, really appreciate this.”
She pauses, looking me over once more before she shuts the front door and gestures me further into the house.
I hesitate, because this is the moment when I should tell her that I need to leave so that I can go strangle her brother. The guy never could keep a secret.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to help…,” I trail off lamely as she flashes me a crooked smile.
“I believe you. Why wouldn’t you want to go off to Fredericksburg to a weekend wedding hosted by people you’ve never met with a woman you haven’t seen since she was a kid, but now you’ll have to pretend to be her fiancé even though you don’t even know her favorite color?”
“When you put it that way, I must be crazy.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Handle with Care by Helena Hunting-Review & Excerpt Tour

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HANDLE WITH CARE (Shacking Up #5) by Helena Hunting-Review & Excerpt  Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2019

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.
Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman

SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.
Wren Starling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

••••••••

REVIEW: HANDLE WITH CARE is the fifth instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult SHACKING UP erotic, romance series. This is heir apparent and new CEO of Moorehead Media Lincoln Moorehead, and fixer/handler Wren Starling’s story line. HANDLE WITH CARE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Lincoln and his brother Armstrong were first introduced in book four-Making Up.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lincoln and Wren) HANDLE WITH CARE follows in the wake of Lincoln’s father Fredrick Moorehead’s death. Never wanting to follow in the family business, Lincoln has spent most of his life helping others but his return to Moorehead Media comes with a caveat-a handler in the guise of Wren Starling, a woman hired to create the new image of Lincoln Moorehead, and the woman with whom Lincoln will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Wren and Lincoln, and the potential fall –out as their office romance comes to the light.

Lincoln Moorehead wants nothing to do with Moorehead Media but his brother Armstrong’s reputation as a man-wh*re and his questionable business ethics find our hero at the helm of the company for the next six months. Having just returned from a project in Guatemala, Lincoln struggles with returning to New York, and the woman hired to handle our story line hero. Wren Starling’s job to keep Armstrong out of trouble has landed her in the position to reintegrate Lincoln back into civilized society. From new suits to business meetings, Wren, a feisty and capable heroine, takes control of Lincoln’s life including slowly falling in love with the man that calls to her heart.

The relationship between Lincoln and Wren begins as a business arrangement but soon turns into something more. When other members of the Moorehead family discover the romance between our leading couple, information will be used to push Wren out of Lincoln’s life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate; the sexual attraction is immediate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Lincoln’s troubled and spoiled younger brother Armstrong, his mother Gwendolyn, and their spunky grandmother Penelope Moorehead, as well as an assortment of Moorehead Media employees; Wren’s mother Abigail, and her father Senator Starling; Wren’s friend and PI Dani,; and the return of Lincoln’s cousin and business partner Griffin Mills (Making Up #4).

HANDLE WITH CARE is a story of family, betrayal, money and control, secrets and lies. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are strong, impassioned and colorful. HANDLE WITH CARE is an energetic, edgy and emotional story line.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of MAKING UP

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“You have a suit fitting tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow morning? I have lots of suits; I’ll make one of those work.”
“Are they like the ones you wore to the funeral?” I ask.
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, they may have fit you five years ago, but they certainly don’t fit you now. I’ll text you the details and add them to your personal calendar.”
“You can’t do that without my cell number.” His smugness would be grating if I wasn’t two steps ahead of him.
I flash a fake smile. “I already have all of your personal details, Lincoln. Right down to your shoe size. And you can’t be late like you were this morning, so it might be a good idea to avoid the scotch tonight so you’re less bear and more human. You’ll need to use these things called manners. I can email you a refresher on what those are, should you need it.”
“Sarcasm is a weapon of the weak.”
My ears are on fire as he heads for the door. Jerk. I was being witty, not sarcastic. “Thanks so much for offering to help clean up the mess you made.” I turn to address the crinkled papers scattered on the floor.
It’s common courtesy to offer assistance if you’re the one who made the damn mess. Even Armstrong, who is the most epic of douches, has some manners. Usually he’ll try to look up a skirt or down a shirt while he’s being polite, but it’s better than this.
I turn to retrieve the papers when two things happen, a power surge ramps up the box fans—it happens at least twice a day, and at the same time Lincoln pulls the door open again. The simultaneous actions create a vortex of air inside my office, and my skirt flutters into the air. Like I’m Marilyn Monroe and I’ve stepped onto one of those subway grates. The fabric rises quickly, and a breeze hits me right between the legs, which is the exact moment I remember that I’m not wearing panties. Because they were covered in the coffee Armstrong spilled in my lap.
I drop the papers and battle the fabric back down. It’s fruitless, though, the wind tunnel whirls through the room like Dorothy’s freaking tornado, and the back of my dress goes up. I meet Lincoln’s gaze from across the small room. All it takes is a second of eye contact before those ridiculously blue eyes pull me in, and weird, inappropriate things start happening to my body. It’s irritating as hell. I don’t even like this guy, but my body seems as if it hasn’t gotten the same memo as the rest of me. Even more aggravating is the realization that based on his expression, he totally caught an eyeful of cooch.
Lincoln stands frozen at the door, eyes wide and fixed on my crotch, mouth hanging open.
“Close the damn door!” My voice is siren high. And loud.
“Right. Yes. I’m going. Now.” He steps out of my office, pulling the door closed behind him.
My dress settles around my knees. “Dammit.” I drop into my chair, which is probably what I should’ve done as soon as the wind tunnel started, but clearly I’d been too panicked to think straight.
On the upside, I went to see my waxer last week, so he’s seen my girl bits when they’re looking their finest.
On the downside, my project for the next six months has seen my naked girl bits.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

FOLLOW: NTY and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.
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THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND (Bad Boyfriend #4) by Erika Kelly-Review tour

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THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND (Bad Boyfriend #4) by Erika Kelly-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2019

Princess Gone Wild!

When Princess Rosalina discovers her fiancé cheating on her, she’s done being dutiful. Jumping on a plane, she lands five thousand miles away in a world of hot cowboys, jean skirts, and tequila. Grabbing her chance to fly under the radar, she plans on acting out every single fantasy she’s denied herself while trying to meet the expectations of her family and country.

Brodie Bowie doesn’t know what happened. One minute he’s wreaking havoc and tearing up the slopes with his brothers, and the next he’s an outsider. All of them are in serious relationships. He just can’t figure out why they’d put a ring on it when there’s so much fun to be had as a single man.

Brodie’s not the settling down type, but then he’s never met anyone like the woman who jumps in front of his bulldozer, refusing to let him dig up his meadow. The feisty chemist and perfumer is everything he never knew he wanted.

Except she only wants a summer fling before she goes back to her real life…as a princess.

He doesn’t fit in her world, and there’s no way she can live in his.

But a love like theirs doesn’t play by the rules.

••••••••

REVIEW: THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND is the fourth instalment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary adult BAD BOYFRIEND focusing on the Bowie siblings and family. This is Princess Rosalina Anais Isabella Villeneuve, and Brodie Bowie’s story line. THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives ( Rosalina and Brodie) THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND follows the forbidden relationship between twenty-five year old Princess Rosalina, and Brodie Bowie. After catching her fiancé in the arms of another woman, Princess Rosalina heads to Calamity, Wyoming under the guise of a wedding dress fitting, in search of something different and new. Meeting cowboy Brodie Bowie stirs something deep within our story line heroine, something she is desperate to experience but knows could destroy the family back home. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Brodie and Rosalina, and the potential fall-out as Rosalina’s time in America draws to a close.

Rosalina knows duty comes before love but finding the man she was to marry lusting after someone else sent Rosalina in search of something new and exciting. A chemist and perfumer by trade, Rosalina discovers the perfect flower and fragrance in Calamity, Wyoming but perfection is pushed aside by the people back home. Brodie Bowie is quickly falling for the woman who is currently hiding in Calamity Wyoming. Having watched his siblings fall in love Brodie struggles with wanting it all with a woman who may never be his to call his own.

The relationship between Brodie and Rosalina is one of immediate attraction but Rosalina knows her time in America will come to an end. Falling in love was never in the plans but an emergency back home forces Rosalina out of Brodie’s life, and possibly into the arms of the man who broke her heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Brodie’s brothers Fin Bowie and Calli (The World’s Worst Boyfriend #1); Will Bowie, Delilah and Ruby (the Heartless Boyfriend #2), Gray Bowie and Knox Holliday (The Careless Boyfriend #3); Rosalina’s parents Prince Albert and Princess Sophia and her sister Genevieve, as well as Rosalina’s former fiancé Marcel, and her assistant Fabiana.

THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND is a story of family, friendships, duty, betrayal and love. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are strong-willed, energetic and fun. THE RELUCTANT BOYFRIEND is an animated, spicy and heart warming story of life, love and happily ever after.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The World’s Worst Boyfriend
The Heartless Boyfriend
The Careless Boyfriend

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“I thought you needed clothes so you could work? Like jeans and shirts.”
“I do.” She gestured to a stack of clothes folded on the chair. “But I love these summer dresses. They’re so pretty. I’m worried this one’s too bright, though.”
“Nope. It’s perfect. Now you just need a reason to wear it.”
“I have one.” She watched him carefully in the mirror. “I’m going on a date.”
“A date? With whom?”
“The guy I met at the bar the other night.”
Part of her checklist. Get freaky with a cowboy. “And he’s already asked you out?” Of course he did. She was beautiful and fun. Smart and sexy. What guy wouldn’t want to be with her?
She nodded. “What’s that expression for?”
He wouldn’t pretend with her, so he leaned in—real close. “He better be special, princess. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Sometimes, all it takes is a moment.” She faked a dreamy expression. “Sometimes, you look into someone’s eyes and you just know. He’s your one and only. Your soulmate.”
Okay, she was fucking with him. He straightened. “So, is Mr. Wonderful moving to St. Christophe to wear the crown or are you moving out here to work his ranch?”
“Details. We’re just going to wing it, let true love run its course.” She laughed. “It’s just a date. It’s not a big deal.”
“Yeah, but he might expect things.”
She covered her mouth with a hand, her eyes comically wide. “You don’t mean…s-e-x, do you?”
“All right, smart ass. Get dressed. Let’s pay for all this crap and get out of here.”
“Wait. There’s one more thing I want you to look at.” She made a circling motion with her finger.
“Fine.”
“And close your eyes for real this time. No looking at your phone.”
“Why? You gonna get nekkid?”
“Actually, yes, and I don’t want you to go crazy and start pawing at me.”
“I think I can control myself.”
“I don’t know. All I did was ask one for one little kiss, and you were all over me.”
He smiled. “Sure as fuck was. So don’t be asking me for any more kisses, unless you want what I’ve got to give.”
“Oh, okay, bad boy. You’ve got me running scared now. Just keep your eyes closed. I’ll be ready in a minute.”
Brodie wanted to watch her strip out of that dress more than he could ever remember wanting anything. He wanted to see her tits pop out as she leaned forward to let the straps fall from around her neck, her ass sway as she lowered it over her hips, and her smooth skin bared in the soft light of the dressing room.
He wanted to see that shy smile and feel those bold fingers, wanted to feel her hips rock up and grind against his hard cock. How many minutes would it have taken before she’d gotten herself off last night? If he hadn’t walked out on her, she’d have come. He’d have gotten to watch her features go slack, her body seize in ecstasy.
Fuck, yeah. He wanted to see that.
Wanted to be the one to make her come.
He heard her moving around in the dressing room, the smack of elastic, and then it went quiet. “You ready?” he asked.
“Um…”
He turned around to find her in a black bikini. Two scraps of spandex covered her plump tits, and the bottom was a strip of fabric connecting two patches of fabric.
“Brodie.”
“What?”
“Eyes up here.”
“How can I give you my opinion if I’m looking in your eyes?”
“Can you at least wipe the drool off your chin? It’s very unbecoming.”
“You going to wear that for the hot cowboy?”
“Yes. I thought I’d answer the door in it and pretend I just got back from the lake, tell him I’m running late. Good strategy?”
“Are you such a smart ass in St. Christophe?”
She got a panicked look. “Shh.”
“No one can hear us.” He flicked his fingers at the bikini. “You sure you need that thing?”
“Okay, I’m getting from all these questions that you like the way it looks. I don’t usually wear such…flimsy swimsuits. I just wanted to know if it looks all right.”
“You wear that, you’re going to wind up pregnant, and then what will your parents think?”She leaned close and whispered, “Then I’ll get the heir without the husband. Pure win.”

Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life–she just didn’t know it. Raised on the classics, she didn’t discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she’s been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she’s written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women’s fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she’s lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter Signup ** Erika Kelly Goodreads

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I’ve Got You, Babe by Lynnette Austin – a Review

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I’ve Got You, Babe by Lynnette Austin – a Review

 

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Description:
Where do you go when you’re at the end of your rope?

Former Marine Tucker Wylder wants nothing more than to work with his brothers in their vintage car restoration business and be left alone with his nightmares and regrets. The last thing he needs is to take on someone else’s troubles…

Then Elisa Danvers and her young daughter arrive in Misty Bottoms, Georgia. Elisa has reached the end of the line—flat broke, engine trouble, sick in body and spirit. Tucker steps up to the rescue and finds himself reluctantly taking care of a feisty preschooler and her independent mother, who doesn’t seem to want his help. And Tucker isn’t sure he’s ready for the way precocious little Daisy and headstrong, beautiful Elisa herself capture first his bachelor household and finally his carefully guarded heart…

Must Love Babies Series:
Must Love Babies (Book 1)
I’ve Got You Babe (Book 2)

 

 

Review:

I’ve Got You Babe by Lynnette Austin is the second book in her Must Love Babies series.  We return to Misty Bottoms, Georgia, which was also the setting for Austin’s Magnolia Brides series, and continues to follow the Wylder Brothers.  Tucker, our hero, is a former marine, who suffers nightmares about his marine friends who were killed, and he was the only survivor. Tucker works with his brothers at their auto renovation shop, and is mostly a loner, liking his privacy.  One day everything will begin to change for Tucker.

Elisa Danvers, our heroine, arrives in Misty Bottoms with her young daughter, when her car breaks down.  Elisa is desperately trying to get to her mom’s house before her money runs out.  When Tucker comes upon them, he offers help, but then Elisa faints and Tucker takes Elisa and her 3 year old daughter (Daisy) to the local doctor.  Tucker, who is enamored (as we are) with the precocious Daisy, offers Elisa to stay the night at his house, which has a number of rooms; since the doctor took tests and she needs to wait for the results.

What follows is a sweet wonderful slow build romance that is destined to fail, as both Tucker and Elisa have their own issues.   He with his nightmares, and feeling unfit to be around people; she with no money, a child who has a heart issue, and determination to get to her mom’s empty house (mother is away in Europe).  In a short time, Elisa makes friends with the wonderful people in Misty Bottoms; gets help for her newly discovered diabetes, as well as help for Daisy; and slowly fights off her attraction to Tucker; whom she recognizes that he suffers nightmares, which he has a hard time controlling. Daisy was such a wonderful addition to this story, as you could not help loving her. Tucker knows he has strong feelings for Elisa and Daisy, but he is determined to fight it off, as he doesn’t want her to get hurt.

I loved Tucker, Elisa and Daisy, as they were so good together and so much fun to spend time with them.  Misty Bottom is a charming town, and when things look like Elisa and Daisy will be leaving, one of those wonderful residents will offer Elisa a chance to a new career and happiness staying in Misty Bottoms.  Will Elisa be able to convince Tucker that they do belong together?

I’ve Got You Babe was a wonderful heartwarming sweet story, with a fabulous couple and great secondary characters.  Lynnette Austin always seems to give us such wonderful couples, and in the first two books of this series, adorable children; as well as giving us touching and well written stories.  If you enjoy pure romances, small town atmosphere and wonderful couples, you need to read this series  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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BUTTERFLY IN FROST by Sylvia Day-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2019

Once, I would never have imagined myself here. But I’m settled now. In a place I love, in a home I renovated, spending time with new friends I adore, and working a job that fulfills me. I am reconciling the past and laying the groundwork for the future.

Then Garrett Frost moves in next door.

He’s obstinate and too bold, a raging force of nature that disrupts the careful order of my life. I recognize the ghosts that haunt him, the torment driving him. Garrett would be risky in any form, but wounded, he’s far more dangerous. I fear I’m too fragile for the storm raging inside him, too delicate to withstand the pain that buffets him. But he’s too determined…and too tempting.

And sometimes hope soars above even the iciest desolation.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BUTTERFLY IN FROST by Sylvia Day is a contemporary, adult, stand alone erotic romance novella focusing on artist Garrett Frost, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Teagan Ransom. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Crossfire series.

Told from first person perspective (Teagan Ransom) with one chapter from Garrett Frost BUTTERFLY IN FROST follows the building relationship between artist Garrett Frost, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Teagan Ransom. The quick and unexpected sale of the house next door found Teagan Ransom face to face with artist Garrett Frost, a man who would be quickly consumed by our story line heroine. From the outset, Garrett is insistent about starting a relationship with our story line heroine. What ensues is the quick building romance and love between Garrett and Teagan, as the past is rapidly reaching towards the present.

Teagan Ransom struggles to move on from the past. Meeting Garrett Frost pulls Teagan out of her comfort zone but in doing so pushes Garrett beyond his own. Two broken and battered individuals come together in an effort to learn to live again, breaking the cycle of grief and loss. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Teagan’s neighbor and best friend Roxy and her husband Mike, as well as the appearance of Eva Cross, and by way of mention, Cary and Tatiana Cherlin (Crossfire series).

BUTTERFLY IN FROST is a quick read: an erotic, emotional and surprising story with a twist you will never see coming. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, battered but beginning to heal. On that note, I was hoping for a little more detail with regards to the twist but such is in the nature of a novella length story,

Copy supplied for the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

 

Roxy bounces on her feet with excitement. “Les and Marge sold their house.”I blink. “I didn’t know they were selling.”

She laughs and heads toward the front door. “That’s the thing. They weren’t.”

“Wait, what?” I hurry after her as she steps outside.

I look to the right at my home, a lovingly restored butterfly-roofed midcentury, then on to the traditional house just beyond it that belongs—belonged—to Les and Marge. Including Roxy’s, all three of our homes have unique lots set between the homes that line the street and the Sound, affording us unhindered views of the water as well as exceptional privacy—all within a twenty-minute drive of the airport.

Roxy shortens the length of her stride to allow me to catch up, then glances over at me. “The day after you flew to New York, a Range Rover pulled into their driveway, and the guy inside offered them cash to close—and move out—in fourteen days.”

My step falters, and Minnie gets momentarily tangled in her leash. The dog shoots me what I would describe as an irritated look, then keeps trotting forward. “That’s crazy.”

“Isn’t it? Les wouldn’t say how much the offer was, but I’m thinking it was huge.”

We march up the inclined driveway, my head tilted back to take in the houses scaling the hillside. Designed with big windows to maximize the view, the homes have a look of wide-eyed wonder. Our little stretch of the Sound used to be a secret, but with the housing boom taking over Seattle and Tacoma, we’ve been discovered. Many residences are undergoing major renovation to suit the tastes of new owners.

Reaching the road, we turn left. To the right is a dead end.

“Well, if they’re happy,” I say, “I’m happy for them.”

“They’re overwhelmed. It was a lot to happen all at once, but I think they’re happy with their decision.” Roxanne stops when Bella does, and we wait as the two dogs mark one of their usual spots on the gravel edging the asphalt. There are no curbs on the streets in our neighborhood and no sidewalks. Just beautiful lawns and a profusion of flowering shrubs.

“We all tried prying information out of them,” she goes on, “but they weren’t sharing anything about the sale.” She gives me a sidelong glance. “But they did share a bit about the buyer.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because Mike and I both think the buyer is someone famous. A film director maybe. Or an artist. Can you imagine? First Emily, a bestselling author. Then you, a reality-TV surgeon. Now this guy! Maybe we’re sitting on the new Malibu—beachside living without wildfires or state income tax!”

The mention of Roxy’s husband, Mike, coaxes an inner smile. A New York transplant like me, he adds a welcome touch of the life I left behind to the reality I’ve since created for myself—a reality that’s just been rocked by the loss of neighbors I like.

“What are the clues you’re working with?” I ask, deciding to play along. If I’ve learned anything the past year, it’s to accept the things I cannot change. A tough task for a control freak like me.

“Les pointed out to this guy that he hadn’t even seen the inside of the house. The guy said he didn’t need to. He knew already that ‘the light is perfect.’ I mean, who would say that? Gotta be someone who’s in visual arts, right?”

“Maybe,” I agree tentatively, disquieted by the unexpected conversation. The road rises sharply before us, the incline steep enough to put a little burn in my thighs. “Doesn’t mean he’s famous, though.”

“That’s the thing.” Her words carry a note of breathlessness. “Les wouldn’t give numbers, but he did say it was crazy the guy didn’t just buy that huge compound at the end of the street. That house is listed for three and a half million!”

My mind staggers at the thought. Les and Marge have—had—a beautiful home, but it’s not worth anywhere near that much.

“I think I saw the buyer once through that big arched window in the living room,” Roxy goes on. “The blonde with him was a looker. Supermodel skinny with legs for days.”

I’m panting when we reach the top; Roxy, who hits a gym most days of the week, is not.

A quarter mile farther, there’s a street to the right leading to Dash Point. Beyond that and straight ahead, the road slopes back down and around until it’s at water level. Redondo Beach is there, as is Salty’s, a restaurant on stilts in the water with expansive views of Poverty Bay and beyond. I’m about to wax poetic about Salty’s seafood chowder when a runner dashes around the corner at a full sprint. His sudden appearance rattles me. A closer look makes me freeze midstride. My breath locks in my lungs.

There are too many things to register at once, so my mind attempts to absorb the whole man. Dressed only in black shorts and shoes, he is a visual feast of deeply tanned skin, intricate sleeves of tattooed art, and sweat-slicked, flexing musculature.

And his face. Sculpted. Square-jawed. Brutally, breathlessly handsome.

Roxy, now a few feet in front of me, gives a low whistle. “Hot damn.”

 

 

Sylvia Day is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, #1 Sunday Times, #1 Der Spiegel, and #1 international bestselling author of over twenty award-winning novels sold in more than forty countries. She is a #1 bestselling author in twenty-eight countries, with tens of millions of copies of her books in print. Visit the author at www.sylviaday.com.

 

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Gangsters and Dolls 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review & Giveaway Tour

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Gangsters and Dolls 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

Dirty Hearts
Gangsters and Dolls Book 1
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance

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

Goodreads

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of DIRTY HEARTS

Claudius

Rule #1 of being mafia boss- Trust no one.
Rule # 2- Keep your friends and enemies damn close. In the underground world, friends and enemies could be the same thing. Don’t let them know who you love…

My story started out with a guy who liked a girl.
She looked like an angel to him.
I was the guy, Ava the angel.
But… my life turned into this world where I got married to her twin sister and Ava hated me.
Then I got caught in a game with the devil I didn’t want to play.
My enemies used my weaknesses against me, and killed my wife.
Ava could have died too so I stayed away.
The universe, however, had other ideas and threw her right back in my path.
An angel like her didn’t belong in the dark world of a Mafia boss.
I know that, except, I’m selfish.
I should leave her alone, but I can’t.
The problem is …history is repeating itself, and there’s an enemy in my circle.
It’s the same game as before and this time losing could get her killed.

Ava

Avoid him…
That was the most sensible thing to do.
Ten years ago, when I first met Claudius, I knew he was trouble.
He’d made me love’s fool and broke my heart in so many ways when he married my sister.
So, what was I doing running back into the arms of a man I shouldn’t be with?
Coincidence reunited us, but my heart did the rest.
My heart stifled the voice inside that told me to run away.
My heart made me selfish…
I wanted him for myself.
I knew I shouldn’t be with him, but I couldn’t leave him alone.
That very thing could be my downfall.

This isn’t like any other second chance romance you’ve read before…

Dirty Heartsis a standalone, full-length mafia romance and a part of the Gangsters and Dolls series. 

Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from The Accidental Mafia Queen series. Continue the adventure with these sizzling hot, drool-worthy Alpha males.

___________

Stolen Kisses
Gangsters and Dolls Book 2
by Khardine Gras
Release Date:August 10, 2019
Genre: Mafia Romance

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

Goodreads*

 

Dante 

Everyone knows who I am: Dante Giordano, capo to the new Chicago Mafia boss and member of the infamous Four.
Ruthless and bad to the bone. That’s me.
Don’t be fooled by my good looks and charm.
I’m a dangerous man and I get what I want.
Women, money, power. It all comes easy to me.

All of it… except her…

20% Angel, 80% devil…
The night Maria stormed back into my life, she reminded me I never had her.
Killing me softly with that body made for sin and her beautiful eyes, everything about her was temptation.
One taste and I wanted more. So much more.
The problem was, she knows I’m bad news and she’s already running from trouble.
Her ex-con ex wants her dead.
I don’t care who he is, he doesn’t know who he’s messing with.
Nothing’s going to stop me from protecting her.
I get what I want. And I want her to be mine.

Maria 

I was the girl who had to pick the worst bad guy, and I never learned my lesson.
I witnessed my abusive ex murder a man in cold blood, and he knows I’m the one who told the cops it was him.
When he gets mysteriously cleared of all charges I know I’m as good as dead.
I’m fleeing for life and I have to protect my son.
It’s not a good idea to run from one bad guy to another.
Yet that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Being with Dante is exactly that.
Tall, dark and sinfully gorgeous.
That’s him.
The spark that sizzles between us draws me in.
His touch ignites something deep inside me I should deny.
He’s a mistake, yet everything I need…
The problem was, I know he’s bad news, but I also have a secret.
One that could make him turn from me.
I never meant for any of this to happen.

Stolen Kisses is a standalone, full-length mafia romance and a part of the Gangsters and Dolls series. 

REVIEW: STOLEN KISSES is the second instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, mafia romance series. This is thirty-five year old, Chicago Mafia capo Dante Giordano, and thirty-one year old, Maria Ferrara’s story line. STOLEN KISSES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. The Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from the author’s Mafia Queen series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dante and Maria) using present day and memories from the past, STOLEN KISSES follows the best friend’s brother relationship between thirty-five year old, Chicago Mafia capo Dante Giordano, and thirty-one year old, Maria Ferrara. Ten years earlier Dante’s sister, and Maria’s best friend Christina Giordano was murdered by an unknown assailant. Five years later Maria would head to Florida in an effort to start anew. Fast forward to present day wherein Maria has returned to Chicago in an effort to protect her four year old son Flynn from her ex-husband whose recent release from prison has sent our heroine on the run. Enter Chicago Mafic capo Dante Giordano, the man whom Maria has never stopped loving. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Maria and Dante; the ongoing search for Christina’s killer as Maria struggles with secrets from the past.

Maria Ferrera is in trouble. With the recent releae of her ex-husband from prison Maria is desperate to find shelter and security for their four year old son. Never expecting to face Dante Giordano, old feelings resurface when Dante proclaims Maria as his own. Dante Giordano blames himself for his sister’s murder, a murder he was unable to prevent. For the past ten years Dante has searched for his sister’s killer but recent events will bring new information to light.

The relationship between Dante and Maria is a best friend’s brother romance. Dante had lusted after Maria Ferrara but Marie had eyes for someone else. Christina’s death drove a wedge between Dante and Maria, a wedge that would push deeper when secrets are revealed. 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 energetic and colorful characters including Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, and his wife Ava; Claudius brother Lucian; former Mafia Don Marcus Morientz; Gio, and Alex; as well as Maria’s son Flynn; her aunt Vira, and cousin Sophia. The requisite evil has many faces.

STOLEN KISSES is a fast paced story of family, friendship, betrayal, and love; a story of power and control; of murder, lust and greed. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic and edgy.

_____________________

Remember When We
Gangsters and Dolls Book 3
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance

Release Date: August 10, 2019

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

Goodreads*

Gio

She was my best friend’s little sister.
That meant she was forbidden to me.
Women like her didn’t belong in our dark world.
Didn’t stop me though…
She’s the good girl I never should have touched.
I went where I shouldn’t and lost track of the dangers that lurked around us.
My irresponsibility cost my best friend, her brother, his life.

I left home to keep her safe… and I knew leaving would break her heart.
Guilt made me stay away, and I found peace in knowing she was better without me.
I never planned to return, but guilt brought me back for my uncles’ funeral.
I knew better than to tempt fate. I’m one of the capo’s to the new Chicago Mafia boss and a member of the infamous Four.
But ,when I saw her again I forgot all the reasons why I was bad for her.
All the reasons why I left.
Leaving her once was hard.
Leaving her twice feels like a mistake I don’t want to make.
Especially when I think she’s in trouble…

Lyssa

I was innocent before him.
The same way I knew not to get involved with a man like him, I knew it was wrong to hide the child he never knew he had.

When I saw Gio again I caved and gave into the temptation of him.
God forbid if he finds out my secrets.
Yes, secrets.
He has a son he didn’t know about and I made a deal with a devil who wants my body as payment if my father can’t pay his debts.
It’s all a nightmare I want to escape.
When I’m with Gio I want him to save me, but I don’t want him to break me like he did last time. 
I want to be his like I was before, and remember when we belonged to each other.

Remember when we made love under the stars and I thought that was our forever.
Remember when we laughed together and I felt I had everything.
Remember when we… were us.
It feels like a dream my heart wants, but the nightmare is far from over.

••••••••••••

REVIEW:REMEMBER WHEN WE is the third instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s Accidental Mafia Queen series. This is thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson’s story line. REMEMBER WHEN WE 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 (Gio and Lyssa) using present day and memories from the past, following two intersecting paths, REMEMBER WHEN WE follows the rebuilding romance between thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson. Eight years earlier Gio’s best friend and Lyssa’s brother Marshall Carson was killed. Angry with himself, and his inability to prevent the death of his friend, Gio leaves Philadelphia walking out of Lyssa’s life leaving heartbreak, pain and words said in anger in the wake. Fast forward to present day, Gio is now a capo in the Chicago mob, but must return to Philadelphia when information comes to light that Marshall’s murder was more than anyone could have imagined. Seeing the woman he betrayed came with memories of the past, but a woman whose secrets were about to destroy them all. What ensues is the second chance romance between Gio and Lyssa, and the potential fall-out as past mistakes demand payment, and Gio battles between head and heart when the truth is revealed.

Gio Bianchi blamed himself for Marshall Carson’s death but a copy of the coroner’s report reveals something no one could ever have imagined. Searching for the truth Gio, along with the help of PI Gibbs, Dante and Claudius, will begin an investigation of his own that will bring Gio back to where it all began. Lyssa Carson was destroyed the day Gio pushed her out of his life. Words said in anger and guilt found Lyssa on the receiving end of Gio’s caustic diatribe meant to hurt and break. But Lyssa’s life was about to change, and Gio was no longer along for the ride.

The relationship between Gio and Lyssa is one of second chances: a best friend’s little sister; a rebuilding romance between two people pulled apart by death and destruction. Gio has never stopped loving our story line heroine but Lyssa struggles with the angry words and accusations years before. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, capo Dante Giordano, PI Gibbs, as well as Lyssa’s father Paul Carson. The requisite evil has many faces.

REMEMBER WHEN WE is a story of betrayal and vengeance; reflection, regret and forgiveness; love and happily ever after. The premise is fast paced, engaging and intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is provocative and hot. REMEMBER WHEN WE is a heart breaking story of second chances, loss and moving forward.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Khardine Gray is a USA Today Bestselling author who loves writing sizzling hot contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance.
Her books have sexy, drool-worthy heroes who will make you melt, and sassy, fun loving, ambitious heroines.
She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

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IF YOU DARE & The Dare Series (1-3) by Shantel Tessier-Review tour

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IF YOU DARE & The Dare Series (1-3) by Shantel Tessier-Review tour

IF YOU DARE
The Dare Series #3
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: August 26, 2019
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA, dark romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The game was over. The dares were getting old, and the secrets were piling up faster than the bodies.

But someone had other plans. They wanted to paly a new game.

Becky Holt was the love of his life until he found out what she was hiding. Now he wants to seek his revenge in the most daring way.

Deke Biggs has always been a shark. He’s not afraid to kill, and he’s about to become her worst nightmare.

But there’s a new player, and she plans on taking everything, no matter what the cost.

Try to beat him- If You Dare!

Who will win and who will lose?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: *Rubs hands together to savor the moment* I knew it was coming, but I wasn’t ready for it, and booklover, neither are you.

If You Dare is the third in the Dare Series by Shantel Tessier and it packs a bunch right to the gut! Drama, secrets, sex, violence, fighting, action, welcome back to the GWS series.

Shantel has pulled me into a dark, wonderful place I never want to leave. We welcome back all the best, Austin, Cole, Deke, Becky and even Demi to this violent adventure.

Now in Texas Deke and the rest of the gang are trying to move on to bigger and better things, the friendship between the guys is now stronger than ever and their connection infallible.

Becky goes balls to the wall crazy, takes her hatred towards her sister and holds it close to her chest and finally seeks out her revenge, but would the cost be too much? There are twists and turns to this story I was totally blindsided by, but WOW what a way to go!

This series is crazy and amazing and a read I would recommend with caution, but to all my book friends.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah L

 

 

Prologue:
DekeDeath Is A debt we are all born owing.It is something that money can’t buy nor can it be traded.

You can’t bargain for more time. When it’s up you accept it like a fucking man.

I’ve never been afraid to die. Or to love, for that matter.

Aren’t they the same?

You surrender to a fate you have no control over.

You don’t get to choose when or how you die, just as you can’t choose when and who you fall in love with.

Some couples get a happily ever after while others are toxic for one another.

My love was like that.

She lied; I believed every word.

I hurt her; she forgave too easily.

It was a vicious circle of deceit and sex wrapped up in a pretty black bow. Neither one of us could quit.

I wrapped my hand around her throat, and she begged me to breathe.

She stabbed me in the heart and demanded I bleed.

She might as well have been fucking poison, but I would have drunk her anyway.

That was the kind of obsession I had for her.

I knew how it would end-total devastation.

A war zone of Broken bones and bleeding souls.

I should have hated her, but that’s the funny thing about love-it’s out of your control.

Even when it leaves you with two black eyes, you beg for more.

People are afraid of the unknown, but I’ve never feared death, and love was no different.

She was going to destroy me, and I was going to let her. It was a game that could only end one way-a slow and torturous death.

 


 

____________

I DARE YOU
The Dare Series #1
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: April 27, 2018
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA,dark romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What do you do when the devil has you in his sights?

You show him that you can play his game.

Austin Lowes is new to town. She’s running from a mom who hates her to her dad who cares nothing about her. Only a few months and she will be free, or at least, that’s what she hopes … until she meets him.

Cole Reynolds is the devil disguised as a man. He wants her fear, he wants her blood, and he wants her soul.

Just a little game, he says, I dare you.

Will Austin survive him, or will she lose herself and the game?

Secrets are revealed and justice will be served, but at what cost?

Who survives and who doesn’t?

••••••••

REVIEW: First and foremost; trigger warning, this is violent and bloody, if those types of things are hard on you, read at your own risk.

As a first-time reader to Shantel Tessier I was unprepared for the raw emotion that comes through in her writing.

Austin Lowes is the new girl in the city, with a crazy Mom who hates her Dad and a life she just wants to be free of. It took me a few chapters to really get into her character, she comes off as wild and ballsy but also crazy as all get out. I think that is why he character works so well with Cole.

Cole Reynolds is the guy you hate, but secretly think is hotter than the sun, but boy oh boy is he a freaking nutter. Cole is obsessed with blood, control, violence and fighting and soon Austin. When they first got together, I thought they were going to kill each other, but instead? Well instead their sexual chemistry ignites into something I never would have expected.

Austin is the only badass willing enough to take on Cole, and lordy does she take him on. From fighting, sexy hot scenes that wet your knicker to ones that may be just a touch too much, this is a page turner for sure.

My all time favorite of this book;

“I wanna watch tears roll down your beautiful face because I think you’re gorgeous when you cry. I wanna see blood on your flawless skin because you look like a priceless piece of work. And I wanna look down at you while you’re on your knees because you want to please me. I wanna make you a beautiful, broken doll, Austin. All mine to play with. All mine to fuck. All mine to destroy.”

Can you feel that?! I sure did and what an amazing read it was!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah L

_____________

I PROMISE YOU
The Dare Series #2
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA, dark, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It was supposed to be a game.
I Dare You.
We bought her in ’cause I wanted to play with her.
Destroy her.
But plans change and she got caught in the cross fire.
Then I did something far worse. I fell in love with her, but she doesn’t know I still have secrets.
Ones that could rip us all apart.
We’re sharks.
Raised to hunt and kill.
We take what we want without asking.
We’ve never needed permission before, so I’m not about to start now.
You think you know everything, but we’re about to do what we do best and prove you wrong- I Promise You!

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: The Second in the Dare series, this doesn’t pick right up where the first left off, but close enough that I would recommend reading the first one.

Cole is going nuttier than a fruit cake, looking for revenge, Austin is in major health trouble and someone ends up dead. I’m not one to post spoiler because I personally don’t think it’s cool. The group is divided, Cole is a mess in every-since of the word, but who wouldn’t be after his friend’s betrayal.

Tension is thick in this book throughout the entire of the story, lies are revealed, secrets told and what comes from it will shock everyone to their cores. Some parts where harder than other for me to follow due to the way the flashbacks come and go throughout the book, but in the end, I really enjoyed the story. The dark, violent Cole finally comes to his senses and manages to start treating Austin the way she DESERVES to be treated. This for me, made this book. Epic, suspenseful, action packed and sexy, everything I like in a book topped with a hottie to boot. As a side notes-I really hope Deke has a story coming, love the name, love the character and his story is just starting to burn, I can feel it.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Shantel is a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband and their two daughters. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book.

 She considers herself extremely lucky to do what she does while getting to work from home. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. She hates coffee but loves wine. She and her husband are both huge football fans, college and NFL. And she has to feed her high heel addiction by shopping for shoes weekly.

 Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her husband and daughter, along with their cat and dog.

 

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

Readers group: Shantel’s Sinful Side – https://bit.ly/2l9EUBJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shantel_Tessier

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7086716.Shantel_Tessier

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KKeTpa

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shantel-tessier

 

 

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Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews – a Review

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Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews – a Review

 

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Description:
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

 

 

Review:

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews is the first book in the new arc trilogy of their fantastic Hidden Legacy series.   First off, I love everything ever written by the Ilona Andrews duo (Ilona & Gordon). I have read a few early snippets of Sapphire Flames, and could not wait to read Catalina taking control of House Baylor.  I loved Nevada and Rogan in the earlier books, and now after reading Sapphire Flames, I love Catalina and yes Alessandro, too; I love this family.  Give me more Please.

Refresher:  The Hidden Legacy series is fantasy romance, with families that have magical powers and control society, with each family having their own Prime members (high magical ability).  The entire Baylor family returns, and they are all such wonderful characters; besides Catalina, there is Arabella, Mom, Grandmother, Leon, Berg, just to name a few; and we get a brief snippet of Nevada, away with Rogan on a trip.

Three years have passed after Nevada and family became a house, now called House Baylor.  With Nevada married to Rogan (our heroes in the earlier books), Catalina, the middle sister has become the head of House Baylor, and she is a powerful prime, being a ‘siren’ with persuasive magic.  Catalina is woken up in the middle of the night to help another house that needs her to use her magic to stop a boy from jumping to his death.  The Etterson family has just lost their mother and a sister to a tragic fire, and Runa, who is a poison mage that we met in a previously, is now the head of her house.  Catalina, who does save the brother, will bring them both to stay with her family, as they both are grieving, with no remaining family members left.  Catalina will take their case, as there are suspicions about the death, and in a short time, the supposed deceased sister is alive, but missing.  Other Prime houses have approached Catalina to not take this case, but she refuses to abandon Runa. One of those is Alessandro Sagredo, a powerful Prime, whom Catalina always had a crush on him when she was a teenager.  

What follows is an exciting, nonstop action with Alessandro pushing himself to help Catalina, and together they find themselves in many life-threatening situations. The truth begins to unravel with extremely powerful enemies that seem unbeatable, despite Catalina and Alessandro own powers, and even with the help of another powerful Prime, things look bleak.  This was an amazing edge of your seat story line that kept us glued to each page.

As I have said before, I love the Baylor family.  Nevada was one of my favorites and now Catalina rises up to take over as family head, and she too is awesome.   Her fantastic, somewhat crazy family steps up to help Catalina, and it’s just fun being around them.  As for Alessandro, ‘whew’, he was not only hot, but oh so good with Catalina.  Though you can see how each felt about each other, there was no real romance… yet.  We will see this in future books.  Can’t wait.

Sapphire Flames was an awesome start to this new arc featuring Catalina, who was fantastic.  She is learning more about her powers, and at the same time, coming out of her vulnerability and gaining confidence.   To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin it for you.  If you have read the Hidden Legacy series, you need to read Sapphire Flames to enjoy every moment.  If you have not started this series, please go back and start at Burn for Me and meet our illustrious heroes that started it all, Nevada and Rogan.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.

They have co-authored four NYT and USAT bestselling series, the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial. For complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at Ilona-andrews.com.

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