Monthly Archives: August 2019

Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

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Here Comes The Son by Dahlia Donovan -Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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When evil stirs in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, heroes come in both ordinary and extraordinary packages.

Ignatius Faber knows a few things for absolute certain. He’s half-demon, his father is the unequivocal prince of darkness, and demons want to destroy his city. And if he doesn’t make the first move on his crush, they’re never going to be anything more than a teenage fantasy that’s lasted into his thirties.

Lalo Pavia grew up hard and fast, orphaned at a young age. As an autistic, he’s learned to approach life cautiously. He throws his energy into gardening and photography—allowing both to provide a buffer between himself and the rest of the world.

Except for Iggy.
Can they find triumph, life, and even love in the middle of a city in flames?

Their fight for the mile high city has just begun.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW:

Ignatius (Iggy to his friends) is half demon, his father is the Prince of Darkness, Lucifer. His siblings (they numbered in their thousands) have been picked off one by one, and now his favourite brother lays slain in front of his own eyes. Iggy is a loner, and he likes it that way, he can’t afford to get too close to people. They can’t find out who or what he is.

Being an orphan that was moved from foster family to foster family. Lalo has difficulties bonding with the families, having autism, Lalo has trouble communicating what he needs, but Iggy gets Lalo (ever since Iggy rescued Lalo from the school bullies, they’d been friends ever since.)

After slaying his brothers killer, Iggy is off to see the one person he truly can be himself with, Lalo. And to complicate matters Iggy has deep feeling for the cute guy, but no matter how many hints (subtle or not) Lalo hasn’t noticed. Iggy won’t admit to love, it’s only lust, and Iggy can handle lust, love is a completely different story.

Poor Iggy, Lalo just wants to offer comfort, but he’s not wired that way, sure he thinks his best friend is hot, but he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, so Lalo will just sigh and wonder if they could ever be together as a couple.

The story then goes on to tell us about the demons that are trying to take over the city, and how Iggy is a reluctant demon killer, he’s good at his job, he just doesn’t apply himself.
Love how the couple come together and work at both their new relationship and the demons that are planning to take over the city.

Autism is always a sensitive subject to write about, but it was well written, and I can’t wait to see if the author brings out another book.

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Copy supplied for review

Strapping on his bag, Iggy dragged a hand roughly through his short black hair. He winked at the librarian who grumbled at him when he leaped over a book cart in his path on the way toward the front entrance. She blushed, a response he was used to with his inherited looks and charm.
As one of his best friends from high school used to say, he had wickedly devilish good looks. He told her to stop reading Regency romances. From his jet-black hair to his deep brown eyes, he knew his face balanced the angelic with the roguish.
I’d do me.
Blinded by the bright sunshine, Iggy took a moment to adjust after stepping outside. Denver’s Central Library had always been a favorite of his for research, with its massive collection. Plus, he always thought the building seemed almost like a grouping of castle turrets.
He paused on the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth Avenue. Spring was supposed to have sprung in the Mile High City. Not that the weather had noticed; they’d only just thawed out from winter.
And judging by the crisp air and gathering clouds on the mountains, they’d be inundated with another blizzard before the end of the day.
Jogging down Thirteenth, Iggy skidded to a halt on Lincoln. He tilted his head, trusting his finely honed instincts. Half a block down, he spotted an alley between a parking lot and the Art Institute that was shadowed more than it should’ve been in the bright early afternoon sun.
One step into the gap between the buildings, and he’d plunged into nighttime. The smell of sulfur swirled around him. He slipped his bag around his body, reaching inside for a spray can.
“Ah, Son of the Morning Star. Half-breed. I hoped you’d sense my presence.” Rastran stood at the end of the unnaturally dark alley. He leaned casually against the industrial air conditioner with one foot resting on a body, completely disregarding the dirt now staining his designer suit. Demons always enjoyed life’s luxuries. “Ignatius Faber, we’ve saved you for last. Your father’s brightest light. A beautiful irony. All of his hopes pinned on the one offspring who matched him most in appearance and strength. Pity he can’t see the monster he created.”
With a hard kick, Rastran sent the body rolling along the filthy ground to land barely a foot away from Iggy. Titus. One of his many half-siblings. Iggy hadn’t seen his brother in weeks. They’d all assumed Titus was on a hunt.
They generally kept in close contact, particularly since hundreds of other half-siblings had been culled over the past eight years. Titus and Iggy were the only ones left. Rage erupted deep inside him.
“I’m the monster?” Iggy calmly stepped over Titus, shoving grief and anger viciously down to remain focused. He had a demon to deal with. His fingers wrapped tightly around the canister of compressed holy water in his pocket. It resembled pepper spray but worked to stun creatures of Hell long enough for him to send them home. “You should’ve stayed away from my city.”

Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

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Final Contact by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

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Final Contact by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Kyllan, the Tribunal Elder, is not happy with the idea of taking the mother ship to Earth to save the remaining Sirens that have asked for help. There is no help for it. He has given his word to the Siren Queen and she will hold him to it. First, they must make a few stops along to way, to right some wrongs.

Kyllan couldn’t have foreseen the trouble a simple trip that should have only taken a couple days to make could cause, but then again the people on Earth had never been easy to deal with. What makes it more complicated is that there is an Earth Warship on its way to Mars and perhaps even to Tantalus.

Word has spread amongst those that are being persecuted on Earth and they are reaching out to Kyllan for help in their most desperate hours. The gifted, like Adele, are being exterminated and, those that are not are being used in brutal, inhumane fashions. He is tempted to turn his back and walk away, leaving them to their plight, but cannot find it in his heart to say no. This triggers a private war between the members of his crew along with their allies on Earth, and a crime lord on Earth. It is time for the Tribunes Waterford and Vasalon to shine, which they do in stellar fashion. The Tantalarians are not alone in their fight though, for neither the Sirens nor those on Earth that are being saved intend to be left out of the game.

Will they manage to win the battle waging on the surface of Earth? And will they get back to Tantalus in time to protect their own planet?

 

 

Review:

Final Contact by M.A. Abraham is the 6th and final book in her Tantalus series. We have been leading up to this book for awhile, and Abraham does a wonderful job with this fantastic conclusion.  As you already know from previous books, this Sci-Fi series revolves around three species (Tantalarian, Humans, and Sirens) working together on the planet, Tantalus.

Kyllan, is the Tribunal Elder, and he is in deep preparation with other Tribunes (Vasalon and Waterford) to begin the rescue trip to save humans and sirens, as well as watching for the oncoming dangerous Mercenary ship coming from Mars.

What was at first a simple trip to pick up the remaining Sirens on Mars to bring to the live on Tantalus, becomes a larger rescue attempt.   Kyllan and his team plan to head for Earth to rescue not only some more Sirens, and many gifted humans, who are being terminated or tortured.   One of those psychic humans is Errol, who is willing to give up his own life to save his human cohorts, and he will go a long way to help Kyllan & Vasalon to stop the evil man behind the destruction and the murder or many humans.

What follows is an excellent, enthralling, exciting story line that will lead us to the conclusion of this series. If you have not read this series, to tell too much more, would be spoilers.  Final Contact was non-stop adventure from start to finish, and it was fun to watch how well the Tantalarians handle the dangerous people on Earth, as well as those on the ships coming to Mars or Tantalus.  You really need to read this series to understand many of the characters, and the evil trying to uproot Tantalus.

M.A. Abraham did a fabulous job with this conclusion, which was very satisfying.    Again, if you have not read this series, I do suggest you start with the first book to be able to understand this world.  Final Contact was a great finish to this series, and I am happy to say there will be a spinoff in the future.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

M.A. is graciously offering an e-copy of FINAL CONTACT to TWO (2) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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One Year Home by Marie Force-Review tour

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One Year Home by Marie Force-Review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 6, 2019

He came home a hero and lost the only woman he’s ever loved…

John
I have no idea how to survive without my beloved Ava. She had no choice but to move on with her life during my six-year deployment and has now married Eric. I hate him for taking her from me. I’d prefer to wallow in my depression and heartbreak, but the whole damned world wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture the world’s most-wanted terrorist. I need help handling the relentless requests, and when Ava sends her new sister-in-law to manage the media circus for me, I’m prepared to hate her on principle. Her brother took my Ava. What else do I need to know about her?

Julianne
It takes five seconds to realize Ava’s ex is going to be the most complicated and difficult client I’ve ever had, but the opportunity to represent the most celebrated man in the world could make my career. I’m determined to do the job, even if I dislike John from the moment I meet him. And I like everyone. So much so that my brothers worry about me being exploited by those who would take advantage of my unwavering love for others. But John… He’s in a class by himself, and his bitterness is a festering wound that I begin to wish I could somehow fix for him. The more time we spend together, the more our mutual disdain morphs into something that feels an awful lot like desire. There’s no way I can want this man, or so I tell myself, and when Eric finds out I’ve developed feelings for the man causing trouble in his new marriage, well…
That’s going to be a hot mess.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONE YEAR HOME by Marie Force is the follow-up story line to the author’s FIVE YEARS GONE wherein a soldier returns from war, five years after disappearing without contact. This is Captain John West, and publicist Julianne Tilden’s story line. Although ONE YEAR HOME can be read as a stand alone I recommend reading FIVE YEARS GONE for backstory and cohesion.

Told from four first person perspectives (John, Julianne, Ava and Eric) ONE YEAR HOME follows four people interconnected by our story line hero. Six years earlier Captain John West disappeared, in the wake of the attack on a US Cruise ship, leaving a broken hearted Ava Lucas struggling to make sense of what happened and why. Fast forward five years wherein John West returns home, a shell of his former self, only to discover that the woman he loved had fallen in love with someone else. Now one year later Captain John West is tasked by the US Navy to become the face of recruitment playing upon the public’s sympathies for the hero who helped take down a terrorist organization. But all is not well in John West’s life as he struggles to move forward without constantly looking back. With the recommendation of his former lover Ava, John will hire publicist Julianne Tilden, the sister of the man with whom Ava fell in love. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship and romance between John and Julianne, as they come to terms with loss, love, heart break and second chances.

Meanwhile, Ava and Eric’s relationship is marred by issues of trust and deep insecurities. Struggling with thoughts of what was and what could have been Ava’s guilt and self-doubt threaten her marriage and the man that she loves.

John West struggles with the guilt of survivor’s remorse having lost his two best friends in the Middle East, but lies of omission that destroyed his relationship with Ava Lucas continue to haunt our hero’s life. Moving on from the past including the woman he once loved forces John out of his comfort zone and towards a new happily ever after with the woman assigned to keep the paparazzi at bay. Julianne Tilden fights her attraction to Captain John West, an attraction equalled by John’s desire for our story line heroine. Knowing to get involved with John is tantamount to professional suicide, a decision she will make before too long.. the $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic: Julianne’s sister Amy, and John’s mentor Lieutenant Commander David Muncie. We are reintroduced to Ava Lucas and Eric Tilden (Five Years Gone), as well as Eric and Julianne’s brother Robert and his wife Camille.

ONE YEAR HOME is an emotional and heart breaking character driven story of loss, love, guilt and moving forward. John West’s life was never easy but losing his ‘brothers’ then the woman he loved kept found John focusing on what will never be. The premise is raw and real; the romance is sexy and sassy; the characters are broken and spirited.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy 

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception. 

All together, her books have sold 7 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list 29 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction. 

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news. 

Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

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Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy – a Review

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Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy – a Review

 

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Description:
I may know everything there is to know about baseball, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or like him. Garrett Reeves: sidelined player and the embodiment of everything I’ve learned to hate about baseball. He’s gorgeous, he’s cocky, he’s laser-focused on getting back in the game, no matter the cost.

When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We’re good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I’m finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I’m liking Garrett. A lot.

But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time. 

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.

 

 

Review;

Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy is a cute, fun summer read for any sports fan.  This book has everything the disclaimer states and then some.  There was even some of the usual teenage angst thrown in to provide just the right amount of drama to carry the story to its end. 

I really liked our main couple Garret and Josie.  They were fun, exciting, full of energy, head strong and charming. These were two characters who very much complimented each other and brought a nice balance to their adventure.   Their scenes were fun, comical at times and even heart breaking.  Both had different aspects/issues in their lives they had to deal with and come to terms with in order to move forward in their relationship.  They were backed by a strong set of secondary characters who helped to provide more insight to each of their background stories, and move Garret and Josie’s adventure along.  At the root of their story and the main theme that brings them together and eventually holds them together is their love for the game of baseball.  For any baseball fan you’ll find you get sucked right into the baseball scenes cheering on the Cholla Wildcats just like Garret and Josie are doing from the announcers booth at every game. This is how the two meet. Josie can’t handle the terrible job that Garret’s colour commentator is doing so she just barges in to the announcers booth and pretty much tosses him out. Thus Josie and Garret’s adventure begins on a very comical note.

It was nice to watch Josie get back to the sport she loved but tried to tuck away because of her dad. As she begins to realize she still loves the sport, she realizes she needs to come to terms with why she decided she didn’t like baseball anymore, how her dad leaving her and her mom altered her view on baseball and life in general has shaped her into who she currently is.  As if that isn’t enough to deal with for a teenager she also is coming to terms with admitting she’s falling for a baseball player/announcer and isn’t sure she can trust Garret and his feelings for her. This part of the story is heartbreaking at times and full of emotions but written extremely well and with great care.  Josie isn’t the only one dealing with emotion, growing feelings and decisions to be made.  Poor Garret with is injured arm but still wanting to get back into the game he loves has his stumbling block moments but never gives up.  His character had such a charm about him you couldn’t help but like him and I loved how he recruited everyone he possibly could to help him convince Josie to not give up on them as a couple.

Being a sports fan, and especially a baseball fan I really enjoyed Announcing  Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy.  Her characters were real and likeable with a realness to their story, choices and decisions they were faced with.  I have to say I really liked Josie’s friend Mai.  She had me cracking up throughout most of the book as she was clueless about the sport of baseball. I’m sure we all have that one friend who isn’t into sports, and I was totally able to relate to Josie and Mai’s friendship for that reason alone.  Ms. Fellne Dominy has hit one out of the park with this one!

 Until next time everyone, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Dark Alpha’s Redemption (Reapers #8) by Donna Grant-a review

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Dark Alpha’s Redemption ( Reapers #8) by Donna Grant-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 6, 2019

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

My duty to Death drives me forward. I’ve never once strayed from my path – not even when the future seemed uncertain. However, Maeve’s intelligence, cunning and determination challenges me in ways I never imagined. Finding out what she knows is the key to learning how to conquer our enemy. The Dark Fae breathes new life into me unlike anything I’ve ever known. For Maeve, I will risk trusting the Dark. For her…I will battle darkness itself.

•••••••••

REVIEW:DARK ALPHA’S REDEMPTION is the eighth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary adult REAPERS paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is Reaper Bradach, and Dark Fae business woman Maeve the Merciless’ story line. The REAPERS is a spin off from Donna’s DARK KINGS series which is a spinoff from Donna’s DARK WARRIOR series which in turn is a spin off from Donna’s DARK SWORD series- all set in the Highlands of Scotland. You do not have to have read any of the previous series to understand the premise but many of the events overlap with the events of the Dark Kings. DARK ALPHA’S REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. DARK ALPHA’S REDEMPTION unites the Dragon Kings in their search

SOME BACKGROUND: The Reapers (believed to be a folk lore amongst the Fae) are a group of Dark and Light Fae, selected by Death (aka Erith), on their own deathbed, to do her bidding-Death is the judge and jury; the Reapers are the executioners. The Reapers are not harbingers of death, but are tasked with destroying the Light and Dark Fae who have crossed a line from which there is no return. All Reapers must follow two rules: never to fall in love; and never to reveal their existence to anyone. If you have read Donna’s DARK KINGS series you will recognize the familiarity between the two series as both follow a similar plot and premise including betrayal by one of their own.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Bradach and Maeve) DARK ALPHA’S REDEMPTION follows Reaper Bradach as he is tasked with locating the only surviving descendant of the Light Fae Queen Usaeil. Missing and presumed imprisoned, Xaneth’s whereabouts are unknown. The Reapers are desperate so they send in Bradach to search for the Fae but Bradach needs help in locating Xaneth and looks to an unlikely friend for help. Enter Maeve, a Dark Fae who may or may not know the last known location of the Light Fae Queen. With the help of the Dark Kings, who themselves are searching for one of their own, Maeve and Bradach go in search for Xaneth only to come face to face with a creature created to destroy them all.

Maeve the Merciless keeps secret her past, a past that has forced our heroine to use glamor whenever she is in the open or public. With the recommendation of Balladyn, the King of the Dark, Bradach employs Maeve in his search for the missing Fae, a search that will push Maeve and Bradach together towards their own happily ever after.

DARK ALPHA’S REDEMPTION is another revealing and intriguing instalment as the author continues to build towards the denouement of several interconnected series including the Dark Kings, the Reapers, Dark Sword and the Dark Warriors. We learn how Bradach came to be a Reaper-the betrayal and heart break; the circumstances surrounding the decision to keep the Light Fae Queen alive, and Usaeil’s spiral out of control as she ascends into a madness for power and control.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dark Alpha’s Claim
Dark Alpha’s Embrace
Dark Alpha’s Demand
Dark Alpha’s Lover
Dark Alpha’s Night
Dark Alpha’s Hunger
Dark Alpha’s Redemption

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

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Discretion (The Dumonts #1) by Karina Halle-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Discretion (The Dumonts #1) by Karina Halle-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 6, 2019

The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.

Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.

Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all

•••••••••

REVIEW: DISCRETION is the first instalment in Karina Halle’s contemporary, adult THE DUMONTS erotic, romance series focusing on the wealthy Dumont family of France. This is thirty year old, eldest son Olivier Dumont, and twenty-three year old, American college student Sadie Reynolds’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sadie and Olivier) DISCRETION follows the building romance between thirty year old, eldest son Olivier Dumont, and twenty-three year old, American college student Sadie Reynolds. Sadie Reynolds found herself alone in Europe after discovering her boyfriend Tom had cheated back home. By herself, struggling to make ends meet, Sadie will come face to face with her future following an attempted robbery wherein our heroine is rescued by the man with whom she will fall in love. Enter billionaire hotelier and heir to the Dumont fashion house of France, Olivier Dumont. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Olivier and Sadie, and the potential fall-out as the dysfunctional Dumont family forces Sadie to run to protect the man that she loves.

Sadie Reynolds was on vacation in Europe with her boyfriend when her best friend called to say she discovered Sadie’s man had been having an affair. Alone, and without support, Sadie travels from hostel to hostel until someone attacks leaving Sadie injured, and in need of help. Olivier Dumont hides a secret that is about to implode his well-organized world, a secret that will affect his relationship with our story line heroine- the woman with whom he is hoping to spend the rest of his life. A scandal that could potentially split the House of Dumont; a blackmail scheme that could have easily been nipped in the bud years before is about to come to fruition and upend Olivier’s life.

The relationship between Sadie and Olivier is one of immediate attraction but Sadie struggles with the difference between the haves (Dumonts) and the have-nots (Sadie). When Olivier offers Sadie the opportunity to remain in France until it is time to go home, Sadie jumps at the chance only to discover that all is not well within the Dumont dynasty. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Olivier’s sister Seraphine and brother Renaud, as well as their father Ludovic Dumont; Uncle Gautier, and Olivier’s cousins Pascal and Blaise.

DISCRETION is a story of family, betrayal, power and control. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful, energetic and dynamic; the romance is steamy and hot. DISCRETION is a dramatic and interesting tale but several scenarios were not quite believable, and could have been dealt with in other ways.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

“Care to go for a swim?” Olivier asks, his tie now loose, his hands deftly unbuttoning his shirt.Oh God.

“Um,” I manage to say feebly, “I don’t have a bathing suit.”

“Go in your underwear.”

“I’m not wearing a bra.” He smirks. “I’ve noticed.” Then he shrugs off his jacket and shirt until he’s topless.

Even in the dim light, he’s a sight to behold. Wide, firm chest, rigid abs, those lickable Vs on the side of his hips—all wrapped up in a smooth golden package.

Speaking of package, now his fingers are undoing his belt, and I’m not sure I’m ready for what’s next.

“I’m going in,” he tells me. “You’re free to join me. I highly advise a dip in the Mediterranean. The sea salt here is good for your soul.”

I’ll tell you what else is good for the soul: watching Olivier Dumont take off his clothes, that’s what. The sound as he undoes his zipper is so loud it seems to bounce off the waves.

I quickly avert my eyes, even though the temptation to stare is overwhelming, and then he moves into my vision: his perfect shoulders, back, and, yes, one hell of an ass, all lit by the soft moonlight.

He stops just at the stern of the ship, climbs over the railing, and with one quick smile back at me over his shoulder, swan-dives naked into the sea with barely a splash.

I get up and scramble over as quickly as I can with my ankle and peer over the side.

He’s swimming and grinning up at me, his wet hair pushed off his face. But that’s not the only thing that’s taking my breath away.

The water around him is lit up, like the moon’s glow has saturated it. The light continues out from around him along the dark waves, like cool white trails snaking through the sea.

“It’s called une mer de lait,” he says. “The sea of milk. It’s bioluminescence from a type of Mollusca.”

“It’s magical,” I say breathlessly, trying to soak it all in. “We have something like this in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s more blue and green. This is like . . . you’re swimming in the Milky Way.”

“Doesn’t it make you want to jump in?”

It does. And so does the fact that he’s so effortlessly bobbing in the waves.

“Is it safe?”

“Very much so.”

“Warm?”

“Bien sûr.”

I think about it for a minute. “What about my ankle?”

“You can use the steps and platform at the back, just there. Unwrap your ankle so the bandage doesn’t get wet, and we’ll put it back on you after.”

“And my lack of bathing suit?”

“I just went in naked.”

“I didn’t see anything,” I tell him quickly.

“No? That’s a shame. It was the whole point.”

I smile, feeling extremely giddy all of a sudden, like everything inside me is fired up and ready to go. Fuck yes, I’m going in.

“Okay,” I tell him, walking around to the back, where there’s a step leading down to a wide wooden swimming platform. I sit down on the step and start unwrapping my ankle. “But you have to turn around when this dress comes off.”

“You do know by now that most women in France swim and sunbathe topless anyway?”

“And you know by now that I am not a Frenchwoman, nor am I most women,” I tell him, pulling the rest of the bandage off and setting it aside before easing up to my feet. “Okay, turn around now.”

He sighs but pivots in the water so he’s facing the shore. I quickly reach down and slip off my underwear, not wanting to get them wet, then unzip my dress and pull it over my head. I toss it back on the deck and look to see if he’s peeking.

To his credit, he’s not, but he is letting out a sly whistle of sorts as if he might have been earlier.

“You better not have seen anything,” I warn him as I hobble over to the edge.

“My imagination is pretty good at filling in the blanks,” he says, and I can hear the grin on his face. “Though I have no doubt it won’t do it justice for when I see the real thing.”

“When?” I repeat with a dry laugh, but inside a million fireworks are going off.

Time to take the literal plunge.

There’s nothing as nerve-racking as the moment before you’re about to jump, when something goes from a concept that you’ve talked about and considered to a real, actual thing. It’s scary. It doesn’t matter if it’s taking your first trip overseas or jumping into the Mediterranean Sea at night. The abstract becomes your reality, and it’s happening.

So I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and jump.

 


 

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Karina Halle is a former travel writer & music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of The Swedish Prince, The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Bad at Love & over 45 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her adopted pup Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster and Hachette. Her books have been published in France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Hungary, Brazil, Bulgaria, Israel and Croatia.

 

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Feast of Sparks by Sierra Simone-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Lesson in Thorns / Feast of Sparks by Sierra Simone-Review & Excerpt Tour

FEAST OF SPARKS
Thornchapel #2
by Sierra Simone
Release Date : August 1,2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

I’m an outcast and a loner, named for death itself. Fate wasn’t supposed to have plans for me.

But then she came back—the girl I once kissed in a thorn-covered chapel in the woods. She came back, and I could no more resist her than I could pry out my own heart. And by some trick of fate, she wants me as much as I want her. The only problem? She also wants the man who owns Thornchapel, Auden Guest.

And so do I.

Eight years ago, I did something to Auden, something terrible. He hurt me back the only way he knew how, and so here we are: our hatred seasoned with pain and my loneliness seasoned with longing. The only thing we can agree on is Proserpina Markham, and she wants us to find a way to be together—all three of us.

If Auden wants to earn her as his submissive, then he has to earn me as well.

But with the discovery of bones behind the altar and the carnal revel of Beltane fast approaching, it’s becoming clear that Thornchapel’s secrets are much deeper and older than any of us could have ever guessed. And no matter how bright and merry a feast of sparks may be, it’s always followed by ashes.

And darkness.

••••••••••

REVIEW: Desperate for More!

The second installment in Sierra Simone’s Thronchapel series, Feast of Sparks wows and enthralls readers has them begging for more. Now this should NOT be read as a standalone, I recommend you read it after the first in the series, A Lesson in Thorns, there is too much back story and information key in the first book that you simple need before reading this one.

But baby once you do? Well get your fuzzy slippers and popcorn ladies and gents, because this one is going to knock your socks off.

We are brought back to Thornchapel and the same characters we all love, but this book digs so much deeper into the lives of some of the group, digs into the secrets of their parents as well. Now without spoilers, because this series is just too good to spoil, I will say, this book was a little harder to follow timeline wise than the first. There are twist and turns, the plot thickens and when you think it’s going one way , you take a whole another branch and it leads you in another direction.

My favorite part about this is the back story we get about Saint and Auden’s relationship, and the ending! The ending, you will not see that coming, I sure didn’t.

These were both such a pleasure to read!! I love the series and can’t wait to see how it end.

____________

LESSON IN THORNS
Thornchapel #1
by Sierra Simone
Release Date: March 19, 2019

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

When librarian Poe Markham takes the job at Thornchapel, she only wants two things: to stay away from Thornchapel’s tortured owner, Auden Guest, and to find out what happened to her mother twelve years ago. It should be easy enough—keep her head down while she works in the house’s crumbling private library and while she hunts down any information as to why this remote manor tucked into the fog-shrouded moors would be the last place her mother was seen alive. But Thornchapel has other plans for her…

As Poe begins uncovering the house’s secrets, both new and old, she’s also pulled into the seductive, elegant world of Auden and his friends—and drawn to Auden’s worst enemy, the beautiful and brooding St. Sebastian. And as Thornchapel slowly tightens its coil of truths and lies around them, Poe, Auden and St. Sebastian start unravelling into filthy, holy pleasure and pain. Together, they awaken a fate that will either anoint them or leave them in ashes…
***
From the author of the USA Today bestselling New Camelot series comes an original fairy tale full of ancient mysteries, lantern-lit rituals, jealousy, money, murder, sacred torment, and obsessions that last for lifetimes…

***A Lesson in Thorns is the first of four books in the Thornchapel series.***

•••••••••

REVIEW:

Our Thorns await.

A lesson in Thorns is the first in a new series by Sierra Simone. A warning before we start, if you’re not an open-minded person and don’t like more than one partner play, this may not be for you. That being said this story includes more than just sex, both M/M, M/F and F/F, it’s suspenseful, paranormal and almost has a magical feel to it in some parts.

The story surrounds six people, friends as children and brought back together, years later, back to the birthplace of Thornechapel. Now without giving away too many spoilers, these characters are more than connected as friends, their parents were also friends and also had an experience with Thornechapel.

Throughout the story we are pulled into different plots through different character point of views, but I can say that connection between each character is very interesting and compelling. The story line is very unique and interesting, and you must give it time to come to it’s full closer before you do anything else.

This book was frustrating amazing and it was hard to put in down, there was so much to take in all the time that I felt like if I didn’t read more, I would miss something. Ms. Simone takes a group of child friends and turns it into something I have truly never seen before.

Copies supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah L

Shame, hot and prickling, needles everywhere at my face and chest and belly as I begin to bend down to the floor. The cool air that caresses my pussy is now everywhere as the position begins to expose my most secret flesh, and there’s no pretending away the reality of what I’m doing. I’m doing something I’ve never done before, I’m offering up the filthiest part of me for inspection, and despite everything the three of us have shared in the past twenty-four hours, I’m flooded with shame. It’s real shame now, not play-shame, and my safe word floats to the top of my mind, a buoy in the clear waters.

Convivificat.

I don’t want to safe out right now, I’m nowhere near the edge, but it’s nice to have it there all the same. Reassuring. There’s nothing they can do that I can’t stop.

And anyway, this is who I am—who I’ve been growing into ever since I found the words to define it.

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Dare Me Tonight by Carly Phillips-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Dare Me Tonight (The Knight Brothers #3) by Carly Phillips-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 6, 2019

One virgin, one night, one surprise baby…

For Ethan Knight, managing his empire is his priority. Women, not so much. But when a favor leads to him meeting sexy, driven Sienna Dare at a black tie corporate event, his interest is piqued along with his desire, and his infamous control slips as he joins her for an unforgettable night in bed.

Sienna Dare is trying to figure out the direction of her life when she meets enigmatic Ethan Knight—a strong, confident man so hot and irresistible he’s the one she finally relinquishes her v-card to.

The problem? Ethan has a billion dollar contract with Sienna’s brother at stake. An overly-protective brother who doesn’t take it well when he finds out his business associate bedded his much younger sister. Oh, and she’s pregnant, too .

•••••••••

REVIEW:DARE ME TONIGHT is the third instalment in Carly Phillips contemporary, adult THE KNIGHT BROTHERS erotic, romance series focusing on the Knight siblings, owner of Knight Time Technologies. This is eldest brother Ethan Knight, and twenty-three year old, recent college grad Sienna Dare. DARE ME TONIGHT crosses over with the author’s DARE TO LOVE series with the inclusion of the Dare extended family of siblings and half-siblings.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Ethan and Sienna) DARE ME TONIGHT follows in the aftermath of a one-night stand between businessman Ethan Knight, and Sienna Dare. In New York as part of a potential business and scholarship opportunity Sienna Dare finds herself attracted to her host Ethan Knight, the man with whom Sienna would fall in love. But upon her return home Sienna would quickly discover that her one-night stand had resulted in a pregnancy, a pregnancy she was hoping to keep secret a little while longer. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sienna and Ethan, and the potential fall-out as Sienna believes Ethan is only with her because of the baby.

Sienna Dare is fiercely independent having struggled as a child with a life-threatening illness. Always under the watchful eye of her large, extended family Sienna hopes to make it on her own but an unplanned pregnancy, and heart breaking news from home turns Sienna’s world upside down. Ethan Knight doesn’t do relationships in the face of betrayal and the death of his former wife but meeting Sienna Dare, Ethan offers up a friends with benefits secret arrangement that pushes Sienna out of his life.

The relationship between Sienna and Ethan begins as a business arrangement but an arrangement that quickly turns into something more. A one-night affair results in life-changing consequences that force Ethan to take a long hard look at what he wants, and the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is are large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Sienna’s siblings from both families, as well as Ethan’s brothers Parker and Sebastian, and their sister Sierra.

DARE ME TONIGHT blends the timelines and characters from two of Carly’s popular and current series. The premise is engaging, emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are sassy, sexy and strong. DARE ME TONIGHT is a wonderfully entertaining story.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Take Me Again
Take the Bride 1.5
Take Me Down
Dare Me Tonight

Copy supplied for reviewed

Reviewed by Sandy

 

“Okay, I’m in the bathroom, door closed. What in God’s name is going on?” Thank God Avery did as she was told.
“I found the guy. The one. He’s in the other room now and I’m freaking out!” She didn’t tell Avery who she was with. Her half sister and best friend would pick up on the pertinent details.
“Oh my God. You’re going to lose your virginity!” Avery squealed.
“Shh! Just tell me I can do this. I need to know I’m not crazy.”
Avery’s breathing sounded over the phone, and then, “You waited this long. If you’ve found the guy, you’ve found the guy. Now pull up your big-girl thong and get back in there!”she instructed.
Laughing, which broke the tension and was just what Sienna needed in the face of Ethan’s intensity, she relaxed, comfortable again with her decision. “I’m going. Thank you! Bye!”
She breathed out, brushed her teeth, and went to undo her dress only to find she couldn’t reach the back herself. So that was how it was going to go.
She drew a steadying breath and returned to ask Ethan for help. She stepped back into the room.
He’d removed his jacket and hung it over a chair and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, revealing tanned, muscled forearms.
She swallowed hard and, knowing she was blushing, said, “I need help with my dress.”
His eyes darkened at the request, ice darkening to a darker, sexier shade of blue.
She turned, pulling her long hair to one side.
He placed his empty glass on the nearest table and strode over, all her senses aware of him as he came closer. His seductive scent, the heat of his body, the sharp inhale of his breath as he placed his big hands behind her and slowly, seductively pulled down the zipper, until she felt the rush of cool air on her bare back and the warmth of his breath near her neck.
She was more aware than ever of the tiny scrap of lace she called underwear and the matching bra she’d chosen to wear. Just because she’d liked the set, not because she’d ever thought anyone besides her would see it.
His breath hissed out, and suddenly his calloused finger traced a line down her spine, causing her nipples to peak and tighten with awareness, sharp spikes of desire shooting to her core.
He slid the sides of her dress down and the garment dropped to the floor, leaving her bared to him in more ways than just physical. She hadn’t been prepared for such intensity, though she should have been. Everything about Ethan Knight was potent. Tonight had the power to change her world except, as he’d reminded her, it was one night.
A night never to be shared with anyone. She’d ignored the dagger she’d experienced at being relegated to his dirty secret, telling herself she understood. Sometimes there were reasons for discretion, and with everything at stake for him with the Miami Thunder Stadium, his request made perfect sense.
Even if it dug at the very pieces of her heart that she’d glued together over the years.
Tonight was about sex. Desire. A yearning so strong she was ready to give up the thing she’d held on to, waiting for the right time. The right man.
She’d found him, she thought, turning and finding herself in his arms, backed against the wall, his mouth coming down hard on hers. 


 

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

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