Monthly Archives: September 2019

Ruined With You (Stark Security #3) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

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Ruined With You (Stark Security #3) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

RUINED WITH YOU
Stark Security #3
by J. Kenner
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2019

When her high maintenance boss is assaulted, manager Xena Morgan contacts the only person who can help—the sexy, arrogant, incredibly capable Stark Security agent Liam Foster. The former vigilante takes every case personally, and he’s determined to find answers—particularly since he thought he’d cleared this threat already.

Xena had been thrilled when Liam completed his assignment, because he affected her in ways she didn’t want to contemplate, awakening yearnings that threatened her deepest secrets.

But now she needs him, and her body won’t let her forget it.

As their attraction heats to a feverish degree, the web of lies, danger, and passion they find themselves in tangles further. Liam will stop at nothing to protect his client, even if it means sacrificing everything he holds dear … and exposing the secrets that may destroy him—and Xena—forever.

••••••••

REVIEW:RUINED WITH YOU is the third instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series, a spin off from the author’s numerous STARK romance series. This is Stark Security Agent Liam Foster, and PA Xena Morgan’s story line. RUINED WITH YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from first person perspective (Zena Morgan) and third person (Liam Foster) RUINED WITH YOU follows Stark Security Agent Liam Foster as he must return to Las Vegas following the attack on his most recent charge, singer Ellie Love. Believing they had the threat in custody, Liam soon discovers that the latest attack may not have been directed at Ellie but at the woman with whom Liam would fall in love. Enter Ellie’s manager and assistant Zena Morgan. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zena and Liam, and the potential fall-out as Zena’s past is determined to take down our story line heroine.

Zena Morgan hides a dark and dangerous past that have finally caught up with our story line heroine. On the run with Liam Foster, Zena begins to fall in love but Liam struggles with his own darkened history.

The relationship between Zena and Liam is one of second chances, of a sorts, having fallen for one another while working together for Ellie Love. When Ellie is attacked, Zena battles between head and heart knowing she will have to face the man that had stolen her heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

Once again, we are reintroduced to the Stark Security Team, as well as several characters from other series and books: Quincy Radcliffe and Eliza Tucker, Ryan and Jamie Hunter, Cass, Sylvia and Jackson Steele, Dallas and Jane Sykes, Nikki and Damien Stark.

RUINED WITH YOU is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; seduction, secrets and lies. The premise is intriguing and energetic; the romance is passionate and captivating; the characters are colorful, dynamic and engaging.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shadows of You .5
Shattered with You
Broken with You
Ruined with You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

If he was going to have inappropriate fantasies about an off-limits woman, it should be Ellie. But no, he’d gone and fixated on a reedy blond girl with a sharp tongue and eyes that seemed to look right through him.
He told himself he didn’t know why, but that wasn’t entirely true. She was sharp and determined. She spoke little, but when she did it mattered. And her loyalty to Ellie shone like a beacon.
All admirable qualities, but there was more to Xena Morgan, he was sure of it. And it was that mystery that intrigued him. Something raw. Edgy. He didn’t know exactly what was buried deep inside her, but he’d seen enough damaged people to know that her soul was at least as scarred as his.
But that didn’t make them compatible. On the contrary, that made them combustible.
And that meant that Xena Morgan was a complication he simply didn’t need. And the sooner he exorcised her from his thoughts, the better.
A burst of white light flooded the backstage area, and Liam realized with a start that rehearsal had ended. Ellie was leaning against a giant set piece, talking with one of the roadies, and there was no longer anyone standing in the wings opposite him.
Frowning, he started to step onto the stage, then hesitated, wondering if Rye would prefer he go straight to the dressing room. He turned to look for the manager, only to find Xena instead, her head slightly cocked, a knowing smirk playing at the corner of her wide, tempting mouth.
Too tempting, and he thanked his lucky stars and a deep well of self-restraint that he’d kept himself in check despite that final night at Ellie’s after-party when they’d stood too close together as the alcohol flowed and the city twinkled below them.
Her hair had been loose, and her soft curls had fluttered in the midnight breeze. Today, those blond strands were pulled back into a severe ponytail, a style that put her face on display.
It was a beautiful face, albeit in an unusual kind of way. The kind of face that probably photographed incredibly well, but in real life seemed a little too sharp, an effect that was softened by a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks as well as by her hypnotic blue eyes.
She wore skinny jeans and a white tank top, which clearly revealed that she was about as flat as your average twelve-year-old boy. Even in the flirty black dress she’d worn at Ellie’s party, she’d looked delicate. Ephemeral. As if he could break her with nothing more than a hug. He’d imagined her in his arms, their limbs entwined. His black skin in stark contrast to her pale white, so delicate she probably burned if she even thought about the sun. He wanted her under him, her fragile body crushed beneath him, her heart skittering in passion as she surrendered, trusting him not to hurt her despite his power to do exactly that.
She’d wanted him, too; he was certain of it. He’d seen it in her eyes. He’d heard it in her breath. But he’d known damn well that he’d never risk having her, not knowing where it might lead and what demons he might unleash.


 

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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Indecent Proposal by JC Valentine-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Indecent Proposal by JC Valentine-Review & Excerpt Tour

ONLY 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2019

Sabrina Colloway was perfectly happy running her father’s business and bailing out the competition. Until one deal changed everything. Caught up in a complicated relationship had never been the plan. Hell, it hadn’t even been on her radar. Not to mention, shacking up with three of the company’s most eligible bachelors is just asking for trouble…especially when they’re brothers. But nothing risked is nothing gained, and Sabrina is about to embark on a whirlwind romance of the ages.

All good things must come to an end…

A woman at the top of the corporate food chain is controversial enough. If Sabrina’s secret romance with the Hargreaves brothers comes out, not only will she damage her glowing reputation with her father, the man she’s looked up to and emulated since childhood, she’ll destroy the very thing he worked his life to achieve. So when rumor has it that she’s been having a little extra fun on the side, Sabrina reaches the only logical conclusion: there’s a snitch in her camp—or three. Will she be able to prove that her newfound lovers are loyal to her, or will she discover that four’s a crowd?

•••••••••

REVIEW: INDECENT PROPOSAL by JC Valentine is a contemporary, adult, reverse harem, erotic, romance story line focusing on business executives Sabrina Colloway, and the Hargreaves brothers: Conner, William and Oliver.

Told from third person perspective (Sabrina Colloway) INDECENT PROPOSAL focuses on the merger and new partnership between Colloway Corporation and the struggling Hargreaves Direct, as well as the merger between Sabrina Colloway, and the Hargreaves brothers. A night out with friends finds Sabrina Colloway face to face with her future in the guise of Conner, William and Oliver, three men she considers her subordinates but three men with whom she will fall in love.

As mergers go, Sabrina Colloway believes she has the upper hand in both business and her personal life but Sabrina struggles with the proposal the Hargreaves brothers offer in return-a monogamous relationship with all three brothers, a relationship wherein Sabrina battles between head and heart. But when information comes to light, Sabrina runs, pushing the Hargreaves brothers out of her life. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Sabrina, and William, Conner and Oliver, and the fall-out as secrets and lies revealed destroy the growing love Sabrina feels for her men.

The relationship between Sabrina and the Hargreaves brothers is one of immediate attraction but Sabrina is warned, several times, about their reputations with women. Unable to accept the merger as a partnership, Sabrina continues to try and control both the business and personal side of her life. Struggling to trust the men with whom she will fall in love, Sabrina is acutely aware that their unconventional relationship may burn them in the end. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a small ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Sabrina’s best friend Janet; her PA Shawna; her father Jonathan Colloway, and William, Conner and Oliver’s father Charles Hargreaves.

INDECENT PROPOSAL is a story of family, betrayal, business and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is spicy and hot; the characters are flirty but we learn very little about their lives prior to the business merger-I was hoping for a little more background and a richer development of the four main characters

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy 

 

Conner was waiting for her on the sidewalk, and he held out his hand as she approached. A sudden bout of nerves attacked her stomach as she accepted his offer and slipped her hand into his. With that self-assuredness she was quickly growing accustomed to, he led her inside the building to the bank of waiting elevators that would carry her to her loft.
But he didn’t leave her there. “Eight, right?” he asked as they stepped inside and he pressed the button for her floor. She merely nodded.
This was so unlike her, being so quiet and allowing the man to take the lead. Sabrina was used to being the dominate one, but something about Conner quieted that need in her to be at the helm. All night, she kept catching herself falling back and deferring to him. And she couldn’t seem to find a reason to hate it as much as she told herself she should.
It felt…good.
She couldn’t remember the last time she shut her mind off and allowed someone to take care of her, which was what he was doing. Conner and his brothers had seen to her safety, and now Conner was personally finishing it.
When the elevator rolled to a stop, the doors parted and they stepped out together. Sabrina took over and pulled her keys from her clutch as they approached the only door on that floor.
“This is me,” she stated the obvious.
“Here, allow me.” Plucking the keys from her hand, Conner inserted the correct key on the first try, as if he’d done it a hundred times before, and opened the way for her.
Battling with her uncharacteristic nerves and what she knew was right versus what she wanted, Sabrina edged past him into her apartment. Setting her clutch down on the waiting sideboard, she stepped out of her high heels and turned to see Conner standing in the doorway, his gaze traveling over the ordinary Victorian prints on the walls and simple furniture she’d handpicked from numerous flea markets and antique malls over the years. Everything was old and eclectic, and a world away from what she’d bet he was used to—sophisticated and expensive.
Feeling her eyes on him, Conner’s eyes met hers. He didn’t look unsure of himself. Just…patient. As if waiting for the invitation he hoped would come. Standing there like that, he looked strong and sexy and she was reminded of how his body felt rubbing up against hers at the club, how his hands felt on her hips…and that kiss. Wow. She could still taste him on her lips… That one kiss hadn’t been nearly enough to whet her appetite, and the throbbing need in her core hadn’t disappeared but merely dulled during the ride over. Now it was growing again, rapidly, and the longer he stood there staring at her, the worse it became.
“You should stay,” Sabrina blurted. When he just stared her down, she realized how easy she must appear to a man like him and suddenly felt embarrassed. Looking away, she tried to play it off. “Or not. I know your brothers are waiting for you—”
He was on her in a flash, catching her words on a kiss that took her by surprise. Sabrina gasped, then melted into his arms as he pulled her into him and devoured her mouth as if he’d been waiting all night and couldn’t stand to let another second pass. 


 

J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry.

Living in the Northwest, she has three amazing children and far too many pets. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCValetineAuthor
Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2rUV0RM
Website: www.jcvalentine.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJCV
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2s0b8Bs
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/2s1B1ks
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2xmdptN
Google Plus: http://bit.ly/2LED72K
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/JCVNewsletter
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-c-valentine
Reviewer Sign-Up:  https://goo.gl/forms/lNFXDyF1JdyuXULQ2

 

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Puppy Christmas by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

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Puppy Christmas by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

 

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Description:
Lila Vasquez might not be the “fun one” at Puppy Promise―the service puppy training school she runs with her sisters―but she can always be counted on to gets things done. So when her latest client shows an interest in princess gowns over power suits, Lila puts aside her scruples, straps on the glittery heels, and gets to work.

If only the adorable six-year-old’s father wasn’t such an appealing Prince Charming.

Ford’s whole life revolves around his daughter…until he meets Lila. Smart, capable, and amazing at helping Emily gain confidence with her new service puppy at her side, Lila is everything he ever wanted―but she’s way out of his league. Good thing Emily and her new pup are up to the matchmaking task. This Christmas, it’s all hands (and paws) on deck!

 

Review:

Puppy Christmas by Lucy Gilmore is the second book in her new Forever Home series. Puppy Christmas was a sweet, cute and funny story line that revolves around Puppy Promise, a service (special needs) puppy training school run by three sisters.  In Puppy Christmas, the oldest sister, Lila Vazquez is our heroine and she was a wonderful heroine.  Lila, as the oldest, always considered herself strait-laced, workaholic and follows rules; as well as not sure she can handle very young children. Lila decides to take the case of a young girl with a hearing impairment, and is determined to do it right, as she hopes to gain the approval of the Auditory Guild, as it would mean more business for them.

Ford Ford (yes that is his name) is our hero and the father of Emily, the young girl who is hearing impaired.  Despite that name, Ford is a gorgeous hunk, whom all the girls fall over, but Ford does not want any romantic entanglements, since he is focused only on helping his daughter. Ford meets Lila, the woman who will help them pick the service dog that is right for Emily, as well as train both dog and girl.  Ford finds himself very attracted to the beautiful Lila, and his conversation between her or any woman are usually joking, which eventually turns into sexual banter between them. 

Lila was dressed up to the event in a pink gown, and Emily began to call her Princess Lila, which kind of continues throughout the story; as Emily doesn’t have friends, and Lila steps in to help her gain confidence, as well as learn to work with her cockapoo dog, Jeeves.  What follows is a humorous adventure, as Lila spends a lot of time with Ford, Emily and Jeeves; especially the banter between Ford and Lila, which was zany from the start, and frankly at times it was hilarious.  In a short time, they both feel the strong attraction for each other, with their fun romance escalating; however, Ford doesn’t feel he deserves Lila, as his financial situation wasn’t very good.

Puppy Christmas was a fun lighthearted story, with a sweet couple, a darling young girl and a wonderful puppy.  I loved the characters, such as Lila, Ford, Emily, Jeeves, as well as Sophie and Dawn.  Lucy Gilmore kept us entertained from start to finish, as well as giving us an informative glimpse at a service dog working with a hearing-impaired child.  I look forward to Dawn’s story next.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Closer (Stage Dive 4.6 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Kylie Scott-Review tour

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CLOSER (Stage Dive 4.6 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Kylie Scott-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2019.

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series…

When a stalker gets too close to plus-size model Mae Cooper, it’s time to hire some muscle.

Enter former military man turned executive protection officer Ziggy Thayer. Having spent years guarding billionaires, royalty, and rock n roll greats, he’s seen it all. From lavish parties through to every kind of excess.

There’s no reason some Instagram stylista should throw him off his game. Even if she does have the most dangerous curves he’s ever seen…

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

••••••••

REVIEW: CLOSER by Kylie Scott is instalment 4.6 in the author’s contemporary, adult STAGE DIVE rock romance series focusing in the members of the rock band Stage Dive, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is security specialist (aka executive protection officer) and former military man Ziggy Thayer, and model Mae Cooper’s story line. CLOSER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person point of view (Mae Cooper) CLOSER follows the building relationship between security specialist (aka executive protection officer) and former military man Ziggy Thayer, and model Mae Cooper. Mae Cooper has a stalker whose ‘gifts’ have become more menacing and threatening. Living in the same secure building as the members of the band Stage Dive, at the suggestion of Lena Ferris, Mae is about to face her future in the guise of a personal bodyguard. Enter executive protection officer Ziggy Thayer, and the man with whom Mae will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Mae and Ziggy, and the potential fall-out as Mae’s past collides with her present and her future.

Ziggy Thayer doesn’t do relationships but falling for a client could mean the end of his career. Trying to keep their relationship professional Ziggy fails miserably as his attraction to Mae grows with each encounter. Mae Cooper suspects someone from her past is desperate to destroy her life but ‘living’ with Ziggy Thayer gives Mae the opportunity to explore something new, something she is hoping will turn into her happily ever after.

The relationship between Mae and Ziggy is one of immediate attraction but Mae doesn’t think she needs protection as Ziggy goes above and beyond to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters included cameo appearances by some of the members of the rock band Stage Dive, as well we their significant others. CLOSER does not focus on the band but on their extended group of friends and acquaintances.

CLOSER is a quick read; a story of betrayal and obsession; of second chances and falling in love. The premise is fast paced and engaging; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive but I struggled with the lack of palpable sexual attraction-I didn’t feel the raw and intense desire that I have come to expect from Kylie Scott.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Lick
Play
Lead
Deep
Strong 4.5

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Your keys and security alarm code please, miss?” he asked, hand held out waiting.
It might have just been me, but we seemed to be standing awfully close together. It almost seemed weirdly intimate. Almost. No, my bad. Ziggy wore his usual professional façade with nary a hint of emotion on display. His gaze was shuttered, his bearing military rigid. It was definitely just me and my overactive imagination. Being vaguely attracted to your bodyguard was kind of a pain in the ass. Not that I couldn’t use the distraction right now.
Ziggy continued to stand there patiently waiting.
“Keys. Right.” I rummaged inside my Balenciaga City bag. Designer goodies were not only a weakness of mine, but a happy perk of being in the industry and achieving some small fame. “Ah, just a minute. They’re in here somewhere.”
I pushed aside my purse, a cashmere shawl, tampons, a candy bar, some loose change, my small Chanel cosmetics case, a power bank, hair ties, pepper spray, a copy of the latest Sarah MacLean book, mints, a spare charging cable for my cell phone, the cell phone itself, Chapstick, Prada sunglasses case, my grandma’s rosary, dental floss, deodorant, a couple of pens, Kleenex, ear buds, water bottle, a USB stick, reusable straw, condoms, nail file, some old receipts, a travel size umbrella, hand sanitizer, lotion, a pair of pearl earrings, tweezers, Advil, a hair band, and some bobby pins.
“Sorry about this,” I murmured. “I know I put them in here when we left.”
He said nothing. A whole lot of nothing.
“Huh.” With a great sense of victory, I held up a bottle of nail polish. “I thought I’d lost this.”
One of his dark brows crept upwards.
“I’ll have you know this color was limited edition. Little Death at Midnight by Oxley. You can’t buy it anymore.”
His lips did not move, but that damn eyebrow arched even higher as he leaned forward a little and took in the contents of my bag. I swear his eyes widened.
“Don’t you judge me. All of these things are necessary for my ongoing existence.”
“Of course they are, miss.” The man was so judging me. Bastard. “You carry a koozie around with you, I see.”
“It pays to be ready to party, Mr. Thayer.”

Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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REVEAL (Wicked Ways #2) by K. Bromberg-Review & Excerpt tour

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REVEAL (Wicked Ways #2) by K. Bromberg-Review & Excerpt tour

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Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2WnVul6

I play to win, and I won’t let anything—or anyone—get in the way of what I want.

The first time I met Vaughn Sanders, I knew I wanted her. Confident, intelligent, and downright sexy. I thought I knew how to play her game. I was ready and willing for the challenge. Little did I know she was full of secrets and surprises.

But so am I.

Charming a woman into my bed has never been my problem. It’s the relationship part that is. They want it. I don’t. But can you blame me? Broken marriages are how I make a living. Hell, no self-respecting man would let a woman own his thoughts, invade his dreams, and steal his heart. So how in the world has Vaughn done that to me?

I’ve fallen in love with her. There. I said it. But that acknowledgment comes with a heavy price.

Everything and everyone seem to be working against us, leaving us both to question whether what we have is worth the cost.

I’ll be damned if I go down without a fight.

•••••••••

REVIEW:REVEAL is the second instalment in K. Bromberg’s contemporary, adult WICKED WAYS erotic, romance duology focusing on high powered divorce attorney Ryker Lockhart, and business woman Vaughn Sanders. REVEAL should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one RESIST.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ryker and Vaughn) REVEAL continues to focus on the tempestuous relationship between high powered divorce attorney Ryker Lockhart, and business woman Vaughn Sanders. At the end of book one RESIST Vaughn discovers that the man with whom she was falling in love betrayed and destroyed any semblance of happiness for our story line heroine. Desperation found Ryker lying to protect the woman he loved, lies that forced Vaughn out of his life. Secrets from the past rain down upon our story line couple; Vaughn finds herself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place; and Ryker struggles to protect the woman that calls to his heart.

REVEAL is a story of betrayal, vengeance, power and control; of the political elite, and their attempt to dominate the world around them. K. Bromberg pulls the reader into a heart breaking, dramatic and sensitive story; an edgy and thrilling ride; an emotional and intense romance that is threatened by demons from the past. The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic-the requisite evil has many faces.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one RESIST

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

“Ryker . . . please . . . just let me go.” But this time when she speaks there is something in her voice that catches my ear. The same thing that has me looking a little bit closer, regardless of how much my chest constricts in doing so, and I notice the tears welling in her eyes and the tremble of her bottom lip.
A chink in her damn armor. She doesn’t want to tell me we’re over any more than I want to believe her.
“What the fuck is going on here? You’re hiding something from me.”
“No. I’m not. This just can’t be.” She starts to skirt around me, and it takes everything I have not to reach out and keep her there.
“Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you!”
“And don’t you think for a second you can tell me what to do,” she counters, hair flying over her shoulder, jaw clenched.
“I’m not in the mood for your games.”
“My games?” she screeches and throws me off guard when I shouldn’t be. “My games? You’re the one who did this to me. All of it. And you tell me I’m playing games?”
“What the—?” I stop and try to figure out what she’s talking about. My hands are on her shoulders, and I’m all but shaking her to force her to look me in the eyes. “Did what to you, Vaughn? What the hell have I done to you besides fuck myself over by falling in love with you?” Words that should be said with kindness come out in a frustrated rage. Truths I don’t want to voice, and now I can’t take them back.
And she just stands there with her head shaking to reject my words, eyes wide with a hint of fear, and fuck if I don’t hate myself right now for everything I feel: rage, desperation, love, desire.
How can you swear you’re not cut out for a relationship and love in one breath, then with the next fight so goddamn hard to keep it?
What is this woman doing to me?
I scrub my hands over my face and take a deep breath to calm the fuck down. To force myself to cool my temper so I can keep her here instead of pushing her farther away.
“What is it, baby?” I all but plead with a voice as soft as I can make it. “Tell me why you’re walking away when you don’t want to.” She averts her eyes, confirming there’s something more. “I can’t help you unless you tell me what happened. I can’t understand why the other night meant nothing to you until you do.”
Come on. Talk to me.
“Carter paid me a visit after I left your place.” Her voice is soft, but her defiance is mounting.
That’s definitely not what I expected to come out of her mouth.
“What do you mean, Carter paid you a visit?”
“Just what I said.”
“Why? For what? That fucking asshole better not have touched you.”
“Does it matter if he did?” Her voice rises. “You invited him into my personal life. You gave him everything he needs to destroy me.” 


 

 

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released late June), with many more already outlined and ready to be written.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales HERE

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

 

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A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester – a Review

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A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester – a Review

 

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Description:
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he’s bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts…well, color him intrigued.

Raised with a rather…peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty’s personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.

But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises–and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects…

 

 

Review:

A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester is a Regency Historical Romance standalone.  A female Victorian spy (that’s a new one on me) thinking it might be part of a new series.

Victoria works with her family, but it’s not a normal family business…. Victoria is a spy!! She works infiltrating London’s society scene (finding out who are traitors to the crown) she a fighter and a good one, she’s also a master of disguise (going undercover is part of the job) her siblings have done their jobs, it’s now her turn……

Richard is bored….. bored with his endless existence. Bored with the same faces, going to the same homes, dancing with the same people. So when he comes across a young maid (he literally bumps into her) he’s curious, and later he sees her again, she has a dagger. Well that has him very intrigued. Who is she? And what is she up to?

Meeting Richard is not on Victoria‘s agenda, she’s here to gather information and he’s getting in the way!! And more importantly he’s on the family’s list of people to spy on!!!

Will Richard find out about the double life Victoria leads? And what will he think when he finds out she’s investigating his family?

The differences in Victoria and Richard’s family life is very different. Victoria came from a large family with lots of love and laughter. Her father brought his daughters up to think for themselves and to have an opinion. Richard had only his brother, his family life sounds very cold and lonely. So meeting Victoria was probably like a breath of fresh air, she isn’t like the rest of the London society, she has a mind of her own, and isn’t afraid to speak out, and to see a woman fight was a novel experience for him too.

I liked the characters very much, and hope to read more of Victoria’s siblings. The writing felt a little stilted at times, and it could have had a little more action, but other than that a nice afternoon read.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Lethal Nights (Brute Force 3) by Lora Leigh-Review & Giveaway

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Lethal Nights (Brute Force 3) by Lora Leigh-Review & Giveaway

LETHAL NIGHTS
Brute Force #3
by Lora Leigh
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Genre: adult ,contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2019

Ilya Dragonovich is no stranger to the dark side. As a safe-house owner for security agency Brute Force, Dragon knows that the battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man―and, sometimes, a beautiful woman…

Emma Jane Preston needs help. After her marriage crumbled, she believed she could get back to a normal, happy life. But her ex-husband moved among some shady characters, and now she needs the kind of protection that comes at a cost―one that only someone like Dragon can provide. But can Emma Jane trust this handsome, undercover operator to keep her safe when she is in danger of falling into the arms of the deeply seductive, fiery Dragon. . .and never letting go?

•••••••

REVIEW:LETHAL NIGHTS is the third instalment in Lora Leigh’s contemporary, adult BRUTE FORCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the security agency Brute Force. This is Russian/Romanian enforcer, Dragon heir/son Ilya Dragonovich, and PA Emma Jane Preston’s story line. LETHAL NIGHTS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line content, there may be some scenes no suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ilya and Emma Jane, LETHAL NIGHTS focuses on Ilya Dragonovich’s desperate need to keep Emma Jane Preston safe. One year earlier, the Brute Force organization and Ilya Dragonovich made EJ Preston an offer she couldn’t refuse, an offer that saved her home in the wake of her impending divorce from husband Matt Lauren. Fast forward to present day wherein Emma Jane Preston has been targeted by an unknown assailant who is determined to destroy Ilya by killing the woman he loves. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Ilya and Emma, and the potential fall-out as Ilya’s past comes to America in an effort to reclaim what was, and what will never be.

Ilya Dragonovich’s childhood was the stuff of nightmares. As the Dragon heir and son to the Dragonovich ‘family’, Ilya found himself between worlds, world that were about to combust and collide. EJ Preston only wanted to live her life in peace but never stopped thinking about the man she met one year earlier. Several attempts on her life would bring Emma Jane’s past into focus, but it was Ilya’s past that would take aim at life and love.

The relationship between Ilya and Emma Jane is one of immediate attraction but their initial introduction found Ilya walking away from the woman with whom he would fall in love. In the middle of a divorce, Emma did not want to further complicate her life, and Ilya was a complication she could no longer avoid. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and passionate.

We are re-introduced to former crime boss, and Ilya’s ‘brother’ Ivan Resnova; Brute Force agent John Sawyer; as well as Ivan’s Dragon team: Max, Elizaveta, Grisha and Tobias; and Emma Jane’s brother Ronan Preston, their father Calvin Preston; and Emma Jane’s former husband Matt Lauren. The requisite evil has many faces.

LETHAL NIGHTS is a gritty story of family and betrayal; power and control; arrogance, force and feisty determination. The premise is raw and dramatic; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic, colorful and strong but Emma Jane is a little TSTL (too stupid to live)in that she places herself in the direct line of fire.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Collision Point
Dagger’s Edge
Lethal Nights

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

#1 New York Times bestseller Lora Leigh is the author of the Navy SEALS, the Breeds, the Elite Ops, the Callahans, the Bound Hearts, and the Nauti series.

Author Blog / Facebook / Twitter– @LoraLeigh_1

 

Lora Leigh’s publisher (St. Martin’s Press)  is graciously offering a paper copy of LETHAL NIGHTS to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

 

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Description:
A PRISONER OF FATE

As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Euthalia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Euthalia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

 

 

Review:

The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy is the first book in her new Forgotten Empire series.  We meet our heroine, Euthalia (Lia) the Queen of Calanthe, as her maids prepare her daily ritual in meeting with island residents or political cronies.   Lia keeps herself safe from the Emperor and his cronies who watch over her from afar.  When her father dies, Lia assumed the throne of her flower island, and has been successful in keeping the emperor distant, since she is fated to be his virgin bride.  All Lia cares about is keeping Calanthe safe from the evil emperor, and at the same time hide her ability to use magic, which the emperor frowns on.

Conri, our hero, is the former Crown Prince of Oriel, and a former slave imprisoned by the evil emperor, when his land was overthrown.  Conri and his friends, managed to escape, and he becomes known as the Slave King, building his army to fight the Emperor.  Conri is told by his wizard, Ambrose (who was a great character),  that he needs to get help from the Queen of Calanthe, as she has a powerful ring that would help them defeat the emperor; but prophecy says he needs to wed the queen to be able to use the Orchid ring.

As we learn all of this early on, the POV of both Lia and Conri went back and forth, being somewhat confusing,  and definitely dragging a bit.  I understand in many first books of a fantasy series, the author tries to fit as much information to introduce the world building.    I thought about 30% of the beginning was slow at times, until Conri arrived on Calanthe to try and deal with the Queen, only to be put in prison.  Once the two of them meet and the banter between them escalates, we now become totally vested; making us happy as the rest of the book was a pleasure to read. 

What follows is a slow build romance between two unlikely people that are pushed together despite the odds, and once they get past their dislike of each other, it was fun to watch them act the parts and then eventually join together in order to defeat the enemy.  But first they had to convince themselves, as well as consummate their marriage, which was more fun then anticipated. 

To my surprise, this turned out to be an enjoyable read, once we got past the early beginning.  The Orchid Throne centers around Conri and Lia, and the upcoming battle to defeat the powerful emperor, who will surely be coming for them, as he certainly couldn’t be happy that he lost his virgin bride.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, as you really need to learn all about Conri and Lia and see them evolve.  Be warned though…it ends in a cliffhanger, as the battle has yet to begun.   If you like fantasy romance, captivating couple and an evil villain and don’t mind a slow start to introduce you to this world, then I suggest you read The Orchid Throne.   I know I will be reading the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

“Arise, Your Highness. The realm awaits the sun of Your presence.”
The ritual words cut through the thick smoke of the nightmare, bringing me awake with a start. A bad omen that I hadn’t come out of the dreams on my own—and a sign that gave the images the power to linger in my mind, stains refusing to be scrubbed clean.
The wolf fought its chains, howling in hoarse rage, shedding fire and ash.
The sea churned, bloodred and crimson dark, bones tossed in the waves, white as foam.
The tower fell into a pile of golden rubble, then to fine sand, the grains sliding against one another with soul- grinding whispered screams.
I loathe dreaming, where I have even less control than in the waking world. Calanthe Herself sings sweetly to me of the seas, the plants, and the creatures that walk Her soil. But outside our fragile island, the abandoned lands beyond cry like frightened children in the night. I can’t help them. It’s all I can do to protect Calanthe, and most days I de- spair of being able to do even that.
Still, with no one else to hear them, they call to me in chaotic images, the nightmares dashing me from one dark
scenario to the next. No matter how the dreams plague me, I usually wake when the light of the rising sun reddens my eyelids. I keep my eyes closed, pretending to anyone who checks on me that I’m still asleep. Pulling the pieces of my composure together, I listen to the morning song of Calanthe. The birds sitting high in the canopy to catch the first warming rays of the sun show me the sky. The fish swimming in the sea speak of clean water and plentiful food. Even the trees, the flowers, the small insects in the soil all hum to me of their lives.

All reassure me of the balance, that Calanthe, at least, is peaceful and vital.

Only I and the land I’m tied to exist in that time after sleep and before true waking, in what I call the dream- think, an almost enchanted bubble where I belong en- tirely to Calanthe. The emperor does not own me. The crying lands he’s orphaned are silent. My ladies have not yet woken me to wrenching reality and the trials of the day ahead.
Dreams always seem to me a terrible price to pay for the succor of sleep. Neither my naturalists nor my physi- cians seem to be able to explain the purpose of such dreams. And of course, Anure killed all the wizards, so I have none to tell me if magic can answer those nighttime screams. So without answers, and like the exorbitant tithes I’m forced to send to the emperor, I do pay the price, and nightly. The dreamthink is my reward, my time with Calanthe. A gift arising from waking Ejarat of the earth welcoming the return of Her husband, Sawehl of the sun. In the dreamthink, in Calanthe’s sweet communion, I can believe the old gods are with us still, that they haven’t abandoned us. That I have reason to hope.
“Euthalia, wake up. We’re ready,” Tertulyn whispered in my ear. My first lady-in-waiting, doing her duty as al-ways. She couldn’t know she’d woken me from the night- mare instead of the dreamthink. Or that starting my day this way meant it would be certainly cursed.

No one believes in omens or curses anymore. Or hope, for that matter. In this, too, I am alone.
Euthalia is a mouthful, but no one calls me that except for Tertulyn so it doesn’t matter. Only Emperor Anure has the rank to address me by my given name, and I avoid con- versation with His Imperial Nastiness to the best of my ability. Tertulyn has called me by my name since we were children, but only when no one can overhear, as etiquette demands.
As if she’d whispered them into my ear along with my name, the concerns of the realm immediately flooded my mind. The emperor’s emissary should have returned in the night and would want an audience with me—something I’d been dreading, as he never brought good news. Rumors had spread of slave uprisings, possibly even rebellion, as unlikely as that would be, that had the emperor both an- gry and insecure in his power. The worst possible combi- nation in a man like him.
If I believed a rebellion could succeed, I would rejoice in the battle to come. But I had no hope of that. No one could defy Anure’s vast power and ability to destroy the least whimper of resistance, as all those kingless and queenless lands testified, crying their hopelessness to me every night.
No, such rumors meant the Imperial Tyrant would only tighten his fist—one that already strangled us nearly to death. The prospect of worse to come made me inexpress- ibly weary, and I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet.
Nevertheless, I had to face the day. A realm awaited the sun of my presence, after all.

I opened my eyes and pasted a serene smile on my lips.Tertulyn—already wigged, gowned, and decked in fresh flowers—stood a decorous three steps back from my bed, hands folded over her heart. All equally polished and lovely as morning dew, my five junior ladies awaited in a ring around her. They’d all been up since well before dawn to dress themselves before attending me. And yet their eyes sparkled as brightly as the birds that had shown me the sun on the sea, pretty painted lips curved in delighted smiles. Though I was only twenty-six, they made me feel old.
If a witch offered me a magic potion to remove the last ten years and restore my youth—and the innocent belief I’d had then, that my life would be a good one—I’d down it without question. Even if it meant my death the next day. No, that was a lie. I would never shirk my duty to Calanthe, not even for such a fantasy. Not without an heir
to take my place. No matter how old and tired I felt.


 

 


JEFFE KENNEDY is an award-winning, bestselling author who writes fantasy, fantasy romance, and contemporary romance. She serves on the Board of Directors for SFWA as a Director at Large. 

Her most recent works include Prisoner of the Crown and the upcoming Exile of the Seas, from her high fantasy trilogy from Rebel Base books, The Chronicles of Dasnaria, in the same world as her award-winning fantasy series The Twelve Kingdoms and The Uncharted Realms. She is a hybrid author, and also self-publishes a fantasy series, Sorcerous Moons. Her books have won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015, been named Best Book of June 2014, and won RWA’s prestigious RITA® Award. 

She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com, every Sunday at the SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and on Twitter @jeffekennedy.

Author website: JeffeKennedy.com
The SFF Seven blog: https://sffseven.blogspot.com/ on Sundays
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffekennedy
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffe.kennedy
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1014374.Jeffe_Kennedy
SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts
SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

 

Jeffe Kennedy’s publisher is  offering a paper copy of The Orchid Throne to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered, please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging in, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

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3. LIKE JEFFE KENNEDY  on  Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Giveaway is open USA only

9. Giveaway runs from September  25-29, 2019

 

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