Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron – a Review

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron – a Review

 

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Description:
Magic has a price—if you’re willing to pay.

Born into a family of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. But each year she fails to call forth her ancestral powers, while her ambitious mother watches with growing disapproval.

There’s only one thing Arrah hasn’t tried, a deadly last resort: trading years of her own life for scraps of magic. Until the Kingdom’s children begin to disappear, and Arrah is desperate to find the culprit.

She uncovers something worse. The long-imprisoned Demon King is stirring. And if he rises, his hunger for souls will bring the world to its knees… unless Arrah pays the price for the magic to stop him

 

 

Review:

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron is her debut novel and the 1st book in her YA fantasy Kingdom of Souls series.  We meet our heroine, Arrah from the start, who comes from a family of powerful witchdoctors in Central Africa.  Arrah has prayed all her young life for some kind magic ability, which all the rest of her family has; once again, as she is tested with other children, she has no magic. 

Soon Arrah learns that many of the young children in her city have disappeared, and to her dismay she suspects her mother, the Priestess, of having something to do with it. Arrah is desperate to find out the truth, and begins to learn about the demons and other species at war with each other; and the plan to help the Demon King, who has been imprisoned for many years, escape and wreak havoc on the world again.

Arrah’s mother arranges to have a demon impregnate her, a sister will be born, who ages quickly to be the same age as Arrah.  This is fantasy ?   The sister, Efia becomes ultra powerful, and in time very evil, destroying everything she touches.  

Arrah, who is a very good heroine, will soon realize that she is destined to save everyone, and is willing to sacrifice her life to do so.   Arrah and her friends, especially Rudjek, her love interest and the son of the leader, will eventually help her fight the evil, but will they survive?

I did have mixed feelings about all the details that did drag the book a bit, but that happens a lot in first books of fantasy series.  I am hoping that Barron continues the flow with less details in the future books. To say too much more about the story would be spoilers, and the last half of the books picks up dramatically, and I do not want to ruin it for you.

Arrah turned into a very strong and tenacious heroine, and I really liked Rudjek and their friends.  It was nice to see how much Arrah loved her father, and watched him come under the power of her mother, but it is Efia who will need to be stopped or the world as they know it will end. Kingdom of Souls was a tense, at times dark story, with much death and destruction.  There were many battles, as well as POV’s from the gods.   Rena Barron wrote a very imaginative and dark story (less details please), especially being her debut novel. I look forward to seeing where Barron will take us in the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

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Description:
The predator becomes the prey in the newest thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring homicide detective Eve Dallas.

She calls herself Lady Justice. And once she has chosen a man as her target, she turns herself into a tall blonde or a curvaceous redhead, makes herself as alluring and seductive as possible to them. Once they are in her grasp, they are powerless.

The first victim is wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy. His company’s human resources department has already paid out settlements to a couple of his young victims—but they don’t know that his crimes go far beyond workplace harassment. Lady Justice knows. And in one shocking night of brutality, she makes him pay a much steeper price.

Now Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are combing through the evidence of McEnroy’s secret life. His compulsive need to record his misdeeds provides them with a wide range of suspects, but the true identity of Lady Justice remains elusive. It’s a challenging case, made even more difficult by McEnroy’s widow, who reacts to the investigation with fury, denial, and threats. Meanwhile, Lady Justice’s criminal crusade is escalating rapidly, and if Eve can’t stop this vigilante, there’s no telling how much blood may be spilled…

 

 

Review:

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb is the 49th book in her wonderful In Death series.  I am a huge fan of this series, with our fantastic heroine Eve Dallas, and her awesome sexy husband, Roarke.  Forty Nine books later, not to mention novellas, I still cannot get enough of Eve and Roarke.

Vendetta in Death was an intense and exciting story, with a violent murderer called Lady Justice.  Eve is dispatched to the scene of a horribly mutilated body, and from there, she, Roarke and Peabody become enmeshed into a case that is not only violent, but also emotional, as the victims are not nice men.

The first victim, Nigel McEnroy was a wealthy respected businessman, who was devoted to his family; but behind the scenes he was a dark and evil man, who preyed on women, either women he hired for his company, or those he picked up in bars. Nigel would drug the women, and rape them, then he would blackmail them to keep it quiet.  The second victim left his wife for a younger woman, and stole the business from under her.  The third victim brutally beat his wife into submission, and though now divorced, she still felt threatened by him.  Most of these women belong to a private support group that enabled them to share amongst themselves their stories and get past the trauma they suffered.  Lady Justice was part of this group, taking it upon herself to secretly take vengeance against the men who tortured these women, by torturing, mutilating and murdering them.

Eve and Peabody begin their investigation by finding the names of the women in the support group, and to interview all of them.  Half way through, we can guess who the murderer is, but Eve needs to find proof, and time is of essence as now there are three murders, and another one may be near.  What follows is an exciting, intense and thrilling story line that will keep us glued to our seats, unable to put the book down.  It many ways this was a different type of story, with the evil men deserving justice, but not at this horribly violent manner.  Eve having spent many years coming to terms with her abusive childhood, does not allow herself to be sympathetic, despite the evil men. Eve always stands for the dead; she is determined to stop this murderer.

Again, I have to say I just love the relationship between Eve and Roarke, and in this book it was even better; they are so great together, with their love and banter…… the best literary couple ever.  I also love Peabody, who has come a long way to not only be the perfect partner, but also stepping up more.  It is always great to spend time with the fabulous recurring secondary characters in this series; Peabody, Nadine, Mavis, McNab, Baxter, Feeney, Trueheart and Morris.

Vendetta in Death was very exciting, emotional, as well as tense and even dark, but it was a fantastic read.  From start to finish, there was never a dull moment.  J.D. Robb once again gives us a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, which I hope keeps on rolling for many years to come.  This was so well written by Robb, and if you have not started this series…..What are you waiting for?

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

 

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Description:
Cursed and betrayed, Valynda Moore died as the result of a Voodoo spell gone wrong– one that left her trapped in the form of a living Voodoo doll. Until the Hellchaser leader, Thorn, offers her a chance at redemption and a new life that could return her to a human body.

But bargains have never turned out well for Valynda. The only thing she can depend on is betrayal and backbiting politics, especially now that the Malachai, the darkest of evil that she and the crew of Deadmen have sworn to defeat, has risen. And this time the king of all demons will not be defeated, and he, too has the one thing Valynda wants most. Against her will, she is pulled into a most dangerous game where she has to choose between her worst enemy and her best friends. Winner takes the world, and her immortal soul . . .

It’s a demon-eat-demon world where the stakes have never been higher—will the Deadmen succeed or will Valynda be the one who finally sinks them all and takes the world with her?

 

 

Review;

At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the final installment in her triology Deadman’s Cross.  This series has been a fun ride with all the new characters we’ve met along the way.  At Death’s Door continues with the fun and this time centers on the characters of Valynda and Nibo(Xuri).  We learn that Nibo is a Ghede/Spirit of the Dead, also known as a psychopomp. It’s Nibo’s job in his realm to guide souls to the place of the dead. I must admit I had to look up the term psychopomp because I had no idea what it was, even though mythology was a favorite subject of mine in school.

It’s through a Voodoo ritual that Valynda and her friends perform in their youth that the two first encounter each other.  Usually seeing Nibo in his true form causes human’s to run in fear or faint, Valynda of course doesn’t.  Instead she stands her ground with him and actually antagonizes and insults him. Nibo is surprised by her reaction and finds he’s attracted to her but can’t figure out why.  There is a reason why both are instantly attracted to each other but I refuse to spoil any plot points, so I suggest you read this installment and find out why.  🙂  I’m grateful that Kenyon gave us a lot of backstory on Valynda and how she came to be straw doll otherwise I would’ve been completely lost in this book.  The backstory helps to fuel the plot and advance it forward, creating a fun and crazy ride for both characters.  Not only is Valynda’s backstory important to the plot, but so is Nibo’s.  It’s through his backstory we learn of his twin and why there is such hatred between them.  It’s this hatred that plays a major role in Valynda and Nibo’s road to their HEA.  Again sorry no spoilers for you!  🙂

Nibo and Valynda’s adventure is a fast read, full of plot twists, spoilers for future books, clues to character’s parentage/family trees that we’ve already met in her other series, etc. This final installment was chalked full of so many points it’s hard for me to get them all in without going on a tangent.  Needless to say Kenyon did a great job on this one. I was happy with how she ended it, but sad at the same time because I really love these characters and I feel there’s so much more that can be written about them.  I feel we will cross paths with all of them again as the battle with the Malachai rages on.  Ooo speaking of the Malachai we do learn something very important about him and a specific Dream Hunter who goes by the name of M’adoc.  I so want to say what, but I can’t spoil it for you, it’s too good a plot point.  Not only does this plot point concern Adarian Malachai, but it also concerns Acheron.  See it’s so hard to do up a review for one of Kenyon’s books and not give away spoilers because they are always so good, and tossed into the plot at just the right time.   Speaking of timing, once again we are treated to fun scenes between current and recurring characters like Ash and Thorn to provide not only plot advancement but the comical aid to get through the rough patches in the story.  Her typical off the wall Kenyon humour is there in her characters and it adds a certain dimension to her characters that just endear them to us even more. 

For any fellow Menyon At Death’s Door is a must read to finish of this trilogy. I’m looking forward to meeting up with this crew again in future series/stories. 

Until then, happy reading my fellow Menyons!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Giveaway

Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Description:
A mage and a warrior must see beyond their facades and embrace the bond that links their souls in this powerful Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan. 

At any other time, Julija Brennan would find solace in the quiet of the Sierra Mountains, but now the mage is in the race of her life. Having broken free from her controlling family, Julija’s attempt to warn the Carpathians of the coming threat has failed and put a target on her back—and those who are hunting her are close behind.…

After centuries locked away in a monastery in the Carpathian Mountains, Isai Florea can’t believe he’s finally found his lifemate—the missing half of his soul. The second he sees Julija, his world blazes with color. But despite their explosive connection, Julija rebels against what she sees as Isai’s intent to control her and rejects the bond that would prevent him from becoming a monster.  

As their unfulfilled bond continues to call to them both, Julija and Isai aim to complete the task that brought them together. They are used to facing danger alone, but now the mage and the ancient warrior must learn how to rely on each other in order to stop a plot that threatens all Carpathians.…

 

Barb’s Review:
Dark Illusion
by Christine Feehan is the 29th book in her wonderful Carpathian series.  I am happy to say I really ended up loving this story, but at the very beginning I was a bit turned off by the abusive behavior of the Carpathian man; worried that we were going back to that again.  But thankfully, that was just the beginning, and everything was great from there on in.

Julija Brennan, our heroine, is a mage and Carpathian.  We met her in a previous book (Dark Legacy), where she tried to warn the Carpathians about the threat, but ran away to help find the book of evil spells that could destroy all Carpathians.  Julija knows how dangerous the book is, as well as how powerful her father and brothers are (they are products of the evil Xavier) and their determination to find her, get the book and kill her.  She has the ability to sense the Carpathian man who has the book and is attempting to hide it; using her mage sense she keeps tracking him, knowing her family will attempt to kill the man.  Before she could go too much further, she is accosted by a powerful Carpathian warrior who thought she betrayed the Carpathians.

Isai Florea, our hero, and the Carpathian sent to track down Julija, is shocked to discover that she is his lifemate. Isai is an ancient from the monastery, struggling with his lack of emotions or color, and treats Julija abusively at first, since he felt she belongs to him, and she must obey him.  Fortunately, Julija is powerful in her own right, and in time, she will teach him how women need to be treated equally.  Julija has suffered her whole life, as her family brutalized her often.

Isai began to change quickly, as his love for Julija grew, and his admiration how powerful she was becoming, being both a mage and Carpathian. Together their goal was to get the book and destroy it, but they knew they were being followed by Julija’s family.  What I loved the most about this book, was not the wonderful romance that was sweet and steamy, but how they both fell hard for the Shadow cats (panthers) that the mages beat and forced them to hurt people.  I loved how Julija and Isai helped treat them, and remove the spells on them.  Blue and Belle were the first two, and their loyalty to Julija and Isai was wonderful, and eventually 4 more would eventually join them.  I loved how they would become part of them, much like Ivory and her wolves.  

What follows is an exciting, intense story line where both Isai and Julija and the cats have to be one step ahead of her family, and another powerful mage, Barnabas, who are set to destroy them.  Along the way, they must find the book and destroy it.  Dark Illusion was a pulse-pounding, edge of your seat thriller, that kept me unable to put the book down; as well as having a wonderful couple to root hard for.  Dark Illusion though tying most ends, did end a bit abruptly, especially with the powerful Barnabas still around. We know the Malinovs are still around, but now the Mages are too.  So much more to come.  If you read this series, do not miss Dark Illusion

 

Sandy’s Review:

DARK ILLUSION is the twenty-ninth instalment in Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIAN / DARK erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient Carpathian Isai Florea, and mage Julija Brennan’s story line. DARK ILLUSION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: All Carpathian males must find their lifemates before they turn vampire or greet the dawn. Without a lifemate, the males no longer see in color, feel pain or experience emotions. A lifemate is the light to their dark. She is the keeper of his heart and the keeper of his soul. As the unmated Carpathian male ages, the darkness begins to envelope his soul.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Julija and Isai) DARK ILLUSION continues to focus on a group of ancient Carpathians, nearing the end of their search for a lifemate who have isolated themselves away from the world in a monastery high in the Carpathian mountains. As his search for his younger brother Iulian takes him to the Sierra Mountains, Isai comes across a woman he discovers to be his fated lifemate. On the run from her family and her past, Julija Brennan believes herself to be an enemy of the Carpathian people due to her family’s attempts to destroy them all. What ensues is the building relationship between Julija and Isai, and the potential fall-out as our couple come under fire from some very powerful mages.

Julija Brennan doesn’t believe she is worthy to be a Carpathian mate, and immediately refuses Isai attempts to claim her as his own. Having struggled through the abuse and captivity of her earlier life, Julija battles between head and heart when Isai is willing to walk away without a fight. Isai Florea knew immediately Julija Brennan was his lifemate but her stubbornness amounted to silence in an effort to protect the man with whom she would fall in love. As Julija and Isai search for Isai’s missing brother, our couple find themselves the target of Julija’s past, and the family that is determined to imprison her, once again.

The relationship between Julija and Isai is one of immediate attraction but our heroine believes she is an enemy of the Carpathian people. Unable to resist the pull between one another, Julija and Isai will complete the bonding but to both their surprise Julija is so much more than a powerful mage. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

DARK ILLUSION is a revealing story line, one that begins to reveal the history and back story of one of the Carpathian’s most hated enemies, an enemy who was and is determined to take down a race of people using any means necessary. Christine Feehan has pulled from one of her more successful story line arcs where the Carpathian people had to fight and discover the truth, in order to survive. The premise is engaging, entertaining and edgy; the romance is steamy and seductive; the characters are strong and determined but there is limited interaction with any of the previous story line characters.

Copies provided by Publisher

Christine’s Feehan’s publisher is graciously offering a Hard copy copy of DARK ILLUSION to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Falcon (Trinity Academy #1) by Michelle Heard-Review & Excerpt tour

Falcon (Trinity Academy #1) by Michelle Heard-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019

Wealth and power make them untouchable.
The monarchs of Trinity Academy.

Falcon Reyes.
With a sharp, intelligent look, he reeks of arrogance wrapped in an icy layer of indifference.
A life of luxury has left him with the notion that everything is attainable.
Power. Wealth. Status.

He’s a god and I a mere mortal.
He’s Jupiter, and I am Mercury.
There’s so much power in this man.
He has the kind of influence most people can’t even begin to imagine.

And me… I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who managed to make him lose control.
I’m the girl who showed him there’s a kaleidoscope of colors outside the high walls of his black and white world.

•••••••

REVIEW: Falcon by Michelle Heard is book one in the Trinity Academy Series.

Falcon Reyes, Lake Cutler and Mason Chargill best friends since childhood. They are the heir apparents to CRC Holdings and the gods of Trinity Academy.

Trinity Academy is an elite school for only the extremely wealthy. Falcon and his friends have everyone’s utmost respect. They should – their grandfathers started Trinity Academy. And this is their last year before joining the legacy of their fore fathers.

This year everyone is vying to be these three young men’s assistants. Everyone that is, except for Layla Shepard. Layla’s mother Stephanie is assistant to Falcon’s father Grayson Reyes, CEO of CRC Holdings. And she has received a free ride to Trinity. She knows she doesn’t belong in their world, but she needs this to get her degree in journalism. She just wants to stay below the radar and not let anyone find out she doesn’t come from money.

That is until a twist of fate has Falcon deciding that Layla will be his assistant. Layla wants nothing to do with any of this, she just wants to study and mind her own business. But by becoming Falcon’s assistant she is now front page news and not everyone is happy about it.

At the start of the book Falcon and his friends come off as quite conceited and overpowering. But once Layla comes into all of their lives you can see them slowly shift to the true men they are. The ones that have hidden themselves from the reputation they try to portray.

Obviously money can’t buy you happiness. And Falcon has a life of luxury and everything he ever wanted. But what he truly wants is someone to brighten up the world that he sees as only black and white. Once he chooses Layla as his assistant and she doesn’t cower or just simply fall at his feet. He starts to see her as something other than the charity case her father helped get into Trinity.

Layla is strong and opinionated, but she also sees the world much differently than Falcon. And when she starts to show him other ways of looking at situations, his eyes begin to open and a whole new world appears to him.

I loved everything about this book. I loved the beginning where Falcon and his friends were almost obnoxious and carefree. Going about their lives without a care in the world. I loved Kingsley for become Layla’s first friend at Trinity and for sticking by her once she knew her background and how she came to be at Trinity. I loved Lake in all his amazing greatness. He is the bond that holds the friends together and he would do anything for Falcon and Mason. I loved Mason in a his beautiful, brutal honestly.

You can see the pain and the hurt seeping from every page that contains Mason. I cannot wait to read Mason’s and Lake’s books. A wonderful book that shows you that money isn’t the root of happiness and that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

A wonderful quick read – that will leave you wanting more. And the ending of book one – I seriously was left blindsided. Book two cannot come soon enough.

Highly recommend.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin

“You have to pull away. I’m not strong enough to let you go,” he whispers, and it feels as if the words carry a deeper meaning.I lower my legs and squeeze myself out from the space between Falcon and the wall. With a trembling hand, I try to straighten my hair before I open the door. Blocking the inside of my suite with my body, I say, “I’m going to have to miss today’s class. Can you take notes for me?”

A slow smile spreads over Kingsley’s face. “Sure. We can exchange notes later, although I bet yours will be much more interesting than mine.”

I stick my tongue out at her, which only makes her laugh as she walks away. “Enjoy it.”

I shake my head as I close the door and turning around, I lean back against it.

Falcon is still standing exactly where I left him, bracing himself with hands against the wall. I let my eyes glide over the wide expanse of his back, his trim waist, perfect butt, and strong legs.

There’s so much power in this man.

Not only is he physically strong, but he has the kind of influence most people can’t even begin to imagine.

And me… I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who managed to make him lose control

 


 

Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.

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One Hot Summer Anthology by Heidi McLaughlin et al -Review Tour

One Hot Summer Anthology by Heidi McLaughlin, Caisey Quinn & Melanie Moreland -Review Tour

ONE HOT SUMMER Anthology
Contributing Authors: Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland, Amy Briggs, Caisey Quinn, Danielle Pearl, Shari J Ryan, Katy Regnery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 2, 2019

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

NOTE: My review focuses on three of the anthology entries.

_____________

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019

Melanie Moreland – The Summer of Us

She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.

We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.

Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.

How can I prove to her that summer was real?

How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?

How do we get back to the summer when we were us?

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE SUMMER OF US by Melanie Moreland is a contemporary young adult to adult novella focusing on childhood sweethearts Lincoln Thomas Webber, and Sunny Jenson.

THE SUMMER OF US follows Linc and Sunny as they embark on a summer camp romance that will be destroyed by Linc’s abusive and controlling father. At seventeen year old, Lincoln and Sunny were in love but life behind closed doors was a nightmare for Lincoln Thomas. Controlled by an abusive father Linc would find himself alone, without the girl that he loved, until it was time to come home and claim what was his. Fast forward ten years, and Lincoln Webber returned to the small town he once called home, a town he began to reshape one business at a time. After his father’s death, Lincoln knew that to complete his life, he would have to be forgiveness from the only woman he had ever loved.

THE SUMMER OF US is a quick read; a tale of young love destroyed by abuse and power; of one man’s battle to take it all back. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are broken and alone.

_____________

Caisey Quinn – Summer Seduction

Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.

When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.

Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.

The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.

Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.

Aiden knows he and Emersyn share something special. What he doesn’t know is that they also share a secret, one that could fracture both of their futures forever.

••••••••

REVIEW: SUMMER SEDUCTION is the introductory novella in Caisey Quinn’s young adult to new adult story line focusing on twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler.

Told from three first person perspectives (Aiden, Emersyn and Drew) SUMMER SEDUCTION follows the summer romance between twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler. Forced to look after her younger brother for most of her life due to her mother’s chronic illness, Emersyn takes some down time for herself, only to come face to face with a young man she met in one of her summer school classes. But a night together ends with a trip the hospital when her best friend Drew is found beaten and barely alive. Struggling with her life at home, and the attack against Drew, Emersyn goes in search of Aiden Singleton, to finish the night that had barely begun.

SUMMER SEDUCTION is a quick story of forbidden romance; of secrets, betrayal, family and friendships; of whispers in the dark, and a taboo relationship. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. SUMMER SEDUCTION ends on a cliff-hanger. Aiden and Emersyn’s story continues in STUDENT SEDUCTION.

_________

Heidi McLaughlin – By The Seaside

Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changedafter one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.

Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.

•••••••••

REVIEW: BY THE SEASIDE by Heidi McLaughlin is a contemporary,adult stand alone novella following the rekindling romance and relationship between former high school sweethearts Dr. Danny Weatherly, and cafe owner Kelly Taft.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kelly and Danny) BY THE SEASIDE focuses on second chances. Fifteen years earlier Kelly’s life spiraled out of control. Embarrassed by the action of Danny Weatherly, Kelly left the seaside town of Gray, North Carolina, never looking back.Fast forward to present day wherein, Kelly, now a divorcee and mother of a five year old daughter, returns to Gray in an effort to start anew. But seeing Danny Weatherly brought too many memories of the past, memories that continued to pick at her still broken heart. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Kelly and Danny, as Danny makes amends for sins of the past.

BY THE SEASIDE is a story family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of second chances and forgiveness. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet; the characters are real and colorful.

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

 

Heidi McLaughlin   https://heidimclaughlin.com/

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Amy Briggs   https://www.amybriggsauthor.com/

Caisey Quinn   https://caiseyquinn.com/

Danielle Pearl http://bit.ly/daniellepearl 

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Katy Regnery https://www.katyregnery.com/

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Her Rough Ride (Red Dragon MC #2) by Heather Van Fleet-a review

Her Rough Ride (Red Dragon MC #2) by Heather Van Fleet-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019

My name was Sebastian. But now they call me Slade. I’ve reinvented myself, become a man, been sworn into the Red Dragon MC. I’ve got tattooed and ripped to hell, I’ve cut my hair and my face now bears the scars of all the fights I’ve seen. The last thing I need is to face her again…

It’s been eight years since Maya ran away from the club. Sweet, beautiful Maya. My first love.

Why do I have to ride halfway across the country to pick her up? Because the club is at war, she’s the niece of our President and I’m the only brother who can be trusted to protect her.

She broke my heart, but I still want her. Do I ever. This woman is my goddess. She’s also my curse.

I need to focus on getting her home. But as soon as our eyes lock, she’s looking at me all kinds of ways. Like I’m the sexiest, most perfect stranger she’s ever seen.

And then I realise, I look completely different to the boy she once knew and she doesn’t even recognise me. I could tell her who I am. Or I could have a little fun with her first…

•••••••••

REVIEW: HER ROUGH RIDE is the second instalment in Heather Van Fleet’s contemporary, adult RED DRAGON MC erotic, MC romance series. This is twenty-seven year old, Red Dragon MC road captain Sebastian ‘Slade’ Lattimore, and tattoo artist Maya Davenport’s story line. HER ROUGH RIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Slade and Maya) HER ROUGH RIDE follows the rekindling romance and relationship between Red Dragon MC road captain Sebastian ‘Slade’ Lattimore, and tattoo artist Maya Davenport. Eight years earlier Maya Davenport’s world exploded when she found the boy/man that she loved with someone else. Heading to California, Maya would move on with her life, a life without the man who destroyed her heart. Fast forward to present day wherein, for her own protection, Maya is ordered home by her uncle, Red Dragon MC vice-president Flick, a well-timed order in the face of Maya’s lack of employment and a place to live. Sent to retrieve Flick’s wayward niece, Sebastian ‘Slade’ Lattimore finds himself facing the woman who broke his heart, a woman he hasn’t stopped loving for close to eight years. What ensues is the rekindling friendship and relationship between Maya and Slade, and the potential fall-out as Maya’s past is determined to destroy everything and more.

Maya Davenport doesn’t recognize the man sent to take her home. Familiar yet not, Maya struggles with her attraction to a man who is all kinds of grumpy, a man who had once stolen her heart. Slade Lattimore didn’t want his latest assignment-babysitting and escorting home the woman that broke his heart. Battling between head and heart Slade and Maya will soon come under fire as they struggle to make it home in the wake of a snow storm that leaves them stranded for days, targeted by someone from Maya’s past.

The relationship between Maya and Slade is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that was destroyed by betrayal and misunderstanding; broken hearts, secrets and lies. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to club VP Flick, club member Archer, Hawk and Summer (Her Wild Ride #1), Maya’s mother June, as well as several more members of the Red Dragons MC. The requisite evil has many faces.

HER ROUGH RIDE is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and revenge. The premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are colorful and energetic. HER ROUGH RIDE is an impassioned, suspense-filled and edgy story line.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HER WILD RIDE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Debt (The Billionaires Club) by Jackie Ashenden-a review

The Debt (The Billionaires Club) by Jackie Ashenden -a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 1, 2019

Ruthless billionaire Ash Evans finds the sexiest way to collect on a debt in the first installment in The Billionaire’s Club quartet!

Notoriously ruthless property developer Ash Evans never forgives a debt. And I have two days to convince the former street fighter not to pull his investment in my father’s company. Taking a job as his chauffeur in Paris is the only way to get close enough to ask the bad-tempered billionaire for a favor.

With his sexy tattoo, scars and magnificently cut body, he’s as powerful, sleek and difficult to manage as the sports cars my family designs. And after meeting his electric-blue eyes in the rearview mirror all night, I’m more than happy to rev his engine and take the boss for a ride!

But now Ash thinks I’m just using him to get what I want. And he’ll give me what I need, but there is a price—posing as his girlfriend to help him exact vengeance on his half brother. Pretending to love Ash is the easiest job I’ve ever had…and soon my heart is racing into danger. Will a man so full of anger ever be capable of loving me back?

••••••••

REVIEW:THE DEBT is the first instalment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporay,adult BILLIONAIRE’S CLUB erotic, romance series. This is billionaire property developer and investor Ash Evans, and car designer Ellie Little’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ellie and Ash) THE DEBT follows the building relationship between billionaire property developer and investor Ash Evans, and Australian car designer Ellie Little. The loan has been called in on Ellie’s family business, and hoping for her father’s approval, Ellie heads to London, England in an effort to persuade their number one investor to pull back on the upcoming payments. Enter Ash Evans, and the man with whom Ellie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ellie and Ash, and the potential fall-out as Ash is unable to let go of the past.

Ash Evans doesn’t do relationships, and believes he is not worthy of love but his need to succeed at all costs forces Ash to ‘blackmail’ Ellie LIttle into pretending to be his fake girlfriend. Determined to win the right to purchase a series of Caribbean islands Ash needs to present himself as a family man, and Ellie is desperate enough to go along with the ruse-pretend to be Ash’s girlfriend and Ash will hold off on calling in the loan. Ellie Little knows rejection first hand. Having lost her mother at an early age, and the ensuing dismissal by her father broke our heroine’s heart a long time ago. In an effort to be accepted Ellie heads to London to convince the man that will steal her heart.

The relationship between Ellie and Ash begins as a business arrangement. Ellie hires herself out as a limo driver in order to get closer to our story line hero. From the outset Ellie’s attraction to Ash is immediate and intense. Their first evening together finds our couple together but Ellie struggles with what has to be done. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

THE DEBT is a story of family, revenge, betrayal and acceptance. The premise is engaging; the romance is hot and seductive; the characters are desperate, colorful, and energetic. On the flip side I have to wonder if the author did enough research with regards to the travelling to Dubai. Our couple travel to Dubai in an effort to secure Ash’s purchase of the Caribbean island but the strict laws regarding the dos and don’ts of behavior do not appear to have been addressed, behavior that could landed our couple in some serious hot water.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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