Monthly Archives: March 2020

A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke-a review

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A Duke is Never Enough (Spitfire Society #3) by Darcy Burke-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2020

Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is gracing the gossip pages for a new reason: the rumors he may have murdered his swindling cousin. His quest for answers regarding his cousin’s death leads him to an incomparable self-declared spinster, and he is—for the first time—beguiled beyond reason. Neither is what the other wants, and yet their intense mutual infatuation is inescapable.

After abandoning her philandering betrothed at the altar, Phoebe Lennox fled from London only to return an heiress who refuses to follow the ton’s rules. She won’t risk a relationship of any kind—until she meets the notorious Marquess of Ripley. Swept into his seductive embrace, her resolve falters in the face of a pleasure she never anticipated. But when the truth about Marcus and the murder come to light, Phoebe could lose everything she holds dear, including a love for all time.

••••••••

REVIEW: A Duke is Never Enough is book two of the Spitfire Society by Darcy Burke. This is a wonderful add to her new series.

This is a historical romance and features some characters from the Untouchables series. This is the story of Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley (Rip) and Phoebe Lennox.
Marcus is a bit of a rake. His reputation is a bit more than he deserves, but he has had quite a few ladies in his life. Phoebe, if you remember from previous novels, left her betrothed, Laurence Sainsbury, at the alter and left London. However, her aunt left her a fortune and she declared herself independent and helped form the Spitfire Society. She is a self-proclaimed spinster and not looking for a husband.

When Marcus confronts his cousin, Archibald Drobbit, for swindling people (Graham, the Duke of Halstead from previous novels) a fight ensues and before he runs away, Drobbit throws a rock at Marcus’s head wounding him slightly. This was a public display Marcus hadn’t wanted to have. He rides away on his horse but is bleeding and he stops to clean himself up. A lovely young woman rides up on a horse and helps him. He’s intrigued by her and wants to see her again, but she won’t give him her name. He has the handkerchief she used, and he promises to return it tomorrow. She doubts he can find out who she is that quickly. Bets are made and the adventure begins.

This is a thoroughly intriguing novel with lots of great conversations, adventure, danger, and of course sizzzzzling romance. I don’t do spoilers, and nobody does romance like Darcy Burke! Don’t miss it!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Never Have I Ever
A Duke Is Never Enough

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Rogue Sentinel by Tom Wither-Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Rogue Sentinel by Tom Wither-Review, Interview & Giveaway

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 31, 2019

Lieutenant Commander Mathews’, an experienced Tier One Operator is sent on a solo mission to capture an American who has joined ISIS, planning operations that have killed hundreds. After an extended close surveillance while undercover in Jordan, Mathews and his trusted NCO, Senior Master Sergeant Simms attempt to capture the man known as ‘al-Amriki’ – The American. As they close in, weapons at the ready, they inexplicably receive orders to let al-Amriki go – from the President of the United States. Why is the President of the United States letting a known terrorist live, and what can be done by Mathews to stop The American from killing more innocents?

Supported by David Cain, chief of the Counter Terrorism Shop in Fort Meade, MD, Mathews locates and positively identifies Objective FULLBACK – called ‘al-Amriki’ (The American), and begins to surveil him to establish a pattern of life to enable a capture operation. After locating and tracking him for several days, Mathews, supported by trusted NCO, Senior Master Sergeant Simms, executes the operation to capture al-Amriki. Mathews and Simms stand toe-to-toe with al-Amriki in a deadly standoff when Mathews receives the order to abort the mission. After being recalled to the U.S. embassy in Jordan, Mathews is told why – ‘al-Amriki’ is a CIA deep cover operative, and Mathews is ordered to help him identify and eliminate the senior leadership of ISIS. Al-Amriki arranges a covert meeting with the heads of ISIS to enable the strike, but his cover has been blown – now Mathews and Simms need to save al-Amriki’s life – and their own!

••••••••

REVIEW:Rogue Sentinel begins with Lieutenant Commander Mathews, along with his girlfriend, on a trip to San Diego for some R&R. Mathews is still having a hard time with the fact that he lost a team member on a previous mission. When his girlfriend tries to get him to talk about the loss, it leads to Mathews losing his temper a bit and yelling at her. When Mathews is contacted and advised he’s been tagged for a mission to Jordan, they cut their trip short and head back to base. The trip back is tense between the two of them and only gets worse once they land.

Mathews is briefed on his mission: he is going in solo to capture an American who has joined ISIS, and is the mastermind behind some of their attacks. As Mathews readies for the mission, things between him and X go from bad to worse when she tells him he’ll have to find someone else to feed his fish while he’s gone. Mathews heads to Jordan, knowing that he has to keep his focus on the task at hand. But, he does hope that she’s waiting on him when, and if, he gets home.

al-Amriki (The American) has established himself as one of the top minds in ISIS. Even though some do not trust him, Akil, to whom al-Amriki reports to, trusts him almost implicitly. Once Mathews arrives in Jordan, it doesn’t take long, to his surprise, to run into al-Amriki face to face in a local shop. al-Amriki is suspicious of Mathews but stays the course. As Mathews reports back to his superiors, the decision is made for him and a fellow soldier, Simms, to go in under the cover of darkness to capture their target. Once they gain entrance to al-Amriki’s modest house, they are literally feet away when the mission is called off, which leaves Mathews furious and al-Amriki shaken. What follows leads Mathews and Simms down a covert path that will see them not only working with al-Amriki, but fighting against some of the top leaders of ISIS.

Rogue Sentinel is a story full of intrigue and surprises. The characters are well written and relatable. However, there is a lot going on in this book. Lots of secondary characters and lots of acronyms that lost me at times. Parts of the book almost read like a screenplay with it’s descriptive dialogue. Once I got used to the author’s way of telling his story, I really enjoyed the book. Mathews was a great character. HIs real life issues with losing a teammate on a mission makes him believable and relatable. His support team was great as well. I loved the action sequences and the interactions between the characters. Rogue Sentinel deals with real life, modern day life and death issues faced every day by members of our military. If you’re a fan of the intelligence and military world, you’ll enjoy this one. Well done, Tom Wither!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed By Vickie K


TRC: Hi Tom and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of ROGUE SENTINEL.

Tom Wither: Thank you very much.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

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Tom Wither: I’m originally from Connecticut, but reside in Maryland, outside of Baltimore. Professionally, I’ve worked for Air Force intelligence for more than 30-years, and while I’ve be a writer since 2002, my writing career was officially launched in 2012 when I signed my first contract. ROGUE SENTINEL is my third novel.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Tom Wither: I’ve always been a reader, and when I was in my teens, my mother introduced me to the novels of James Clavell and Robert Ludlum. As much as I enjoyed Clavell’s Asian Saga novels (Tai-Pan, Noble House, and Shogun especially) Ludlum’s thrillers, particularly the Bourne Identity and the Parsifal Mosaic really caught my attention. Later, as Tom Clancy began to find success with his Jack Ryan novels, I devoured those as well. After 9/11, as the intelligence community was being castigated in the media, I coupled my love of reading with a desire to give people an ‘insider’s view’ of intelligence and military operations, driven by characters reflective of the real world people I’ve had the privilege of working with and the realities of modern warfare.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Tom Wither: The biggest challenge is mapping everything in a story, so everything is synchronized – all the plot elements and activities across the global scale of my novels need to line up, especially in the massively interconnected world we enjoy. For instance, I can’t have a character sending an e-mail during a sunny late afternoon in Washington D.C. and then have another character reading that e-mail moments later in downtown Kabul in a setting I describe as a sunny day, when in fact, it’s 2 AM in the morning the following day. When it comes to publishing, the challenges vary. I’ve worked with two publishers so far and I do my very best to be responsive to their timelines, which can be challenging if a publisher needs a quick approval on a manuscript change or I’m having a disagreement with an editor – at the end of the day, it helps to keep in mind that the goal for both author and publisher is to see the book in print and deliver a story they both think readers will enjoy.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of ROGUE SENTINEL?

Tom Wither: Sure. Lieutenant Commander Mathews’, an experienced Tier One Operator is sent on a solo mission to capture an American who has joined ISIS, planning operations that have killed hundreds. After an extended close surveillance while undercover in Jordan, Mathews and his trusted NCO, Senior Master Sergeant Simms, attempt to find the man known as ‘al-Amriki’ (The American). Supported by David Cain, chief of the Counter Terrorism Shop in Fort Meade, MD, Mathews locates and positively identifies al-Amriki. Mathews begins to surveil him to establish a pattern of life to enable a capture operation, resolved to make al-Amriki pay after the recent death of one of Mathews’ men. After tracking him for several days, Mathews and Simms execute the operation to capture al-Amriki. As Mathews and Simms close in, weapons at the ready, the CIA intervenes – ‘abort immediately!’ Why does the CIA want them to stop and allow a known terrorist to escape only to kill more innocents? The mission has changed…but action only grows. How can Mathews stop al-Amriki and deal a death blow to the Islamic State?

TRC: Do you plan on writing any more story lines focusing on Lieutenant Commander Matthews, or any of the characters found in Rogue Sentinel?

Tom Wither: I’ve written two other novels featuring Mathews, THE INHERITOR and AUTUMN FIRE. They first two novels of a trilogy that will close out with the story called SWIFT JUSTICE. These three novels take place before ROGUE SENTINEL, and l’m still working on crafting SWIFT JUSTICE. I also have two other projects under development – my project names for them are PALADIN 6 and PROJECT JANUS.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning ROGUE SENTINEL?

Tom Wither: I’m a detailed researcher and plotter, but I do leave room for creative license. I gather as much information as I can about the technology, aircraft, military vehicles, weapons, skills, and locations that I want to use in my stories – I’ve even traveled to some of the locations; either during my military career or on my personal time, to experience first-hand the sights and smells of the environment. Where it’s possible and permitted, I also take photographs or use publicly available imagery. When it comes to fictional elements, I’ll hand draw building designs or floorplans, and make sketches of areas where combat scenes will take place, then build the assault or action plans for the scenes, all of which I overlay on the real-world location – not quite storyboards, but good references I can use when writing. I also create a detailed outline for each chapter in the book to help synchronize locations and timing, include the scenes I want to have in each chapter, and then use that as the guide as I draft and re-write each chapter. ROGUE SENTINEL’s outline was close to 30 pages long, while AUTUMN FIRE’s outline was closer to 80 pages (I’ve become more concise in my outlining over time).

TRC: Is any of the story line based in reality e.g. characters, events

Tom Wither: Yes. The story itself it set against the coalition fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, led by Combined Joint Task Force Inherent Resolve (https://www.inherentresolve.mil/), a coalition of military forces that are still working to eliminate the remnants of the Islamic State, even after the re-taking of the territory ISIS held in Iraq and Syria.

TRC: How do you manage to keep the military story line authentic without ‘over simplifying’ details, or inundating the reader with overwhelming or confusing military jargon?

Tom Wither: I try to strike that balance in a few ways. I do my best to use a limited amount of internal dialog by characters in specific situations to explain the military technology, weapons, etc., and sometimes the jargon. I also try to leverage context in the conversation between characters to explain military jargon or technology. Lastly, I like to create a situation where one character who is unfamiliar with a term or technology as another character explains it. The first character acts as a proxy for the reader, who receives the explanation as well, which I also feel draws the reader further into the story.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Tom Wither: I think so, yes. The cover image needs to give a potential reader a clear and focused ‘at a glance’ look at the story inside. If the cover does not represent the story, it effectively deceives a potential reader (or fan), souring them on your work. It’s a key element that publishers must focus on getting right for each book. Also, the imagery and the colors used can make a book stand out on a shelf, and promise adventure, romance, exotic locales, etc. If a cover doesn’t attract a reader and get them to read the flyleaf or the synopsis on the back, you have little chance of gaining a new fan.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Tom Wither: It’s my world, and I build plot first, and then characters to experience the story and react to the events I want to take place in the plot. Once I have the plot elements I want sketched out, then I can design the characters to experience that plot and let them feel the joy and the pain of the storyline. Horrific car bombings in San Antonio, Texas part of the plot? I need a police officer on patrol discovering one of the rigged cars parked on the side of the road, who stops to check a text from his wife to bring milk home for his kids, just before he looks in the cargo area of the car as the timer on the bomb inside reaches zero. I want you to want Mathews to catch the car bomber, and you’ll keep turning pages the moment the husband, father, and first responder dies without ever knowing why or who took his life.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavour?

Tom Wither: I think I might have partially answered this in the last question. I think a reader turns the page because they care about the characters and what’s happening to them. I think the challenge for any good writer is to make your reader identify with the characters by making them relatable – they need to be real and flawed and challenged by a plot that makes a reader want to turn the page, and another page, and so on.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Tom Wither: No, the background noise would be distracting. I re-read my outline for that scene, visualize it, and then use that image and the dialog I come up with to write – background noise would distract me from concentrating on the process of getting the creative image out of my head and onto the paper. I do usually have CNN on with the volume muted. It lets me keep an eye on world events that might inspire another book idea.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Tom Wither: The biggest misconception I’ve come across so far is that everyone I’ve spoken to at signings, etc. thinks that publishers pay for every author to go on actual book tours, traveling the country signing their books.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, knows about you?

Tom Wither: I’m a pretty open book to my friends and family. Certainly, the government knows a great deal – I’ve been vetted several times for security clearances. Once you fill out a form nearly 100 pages long that covers everything you’ve done since you were in your teens, there isn’t much left to tell people.

TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

Tom Wither: Choosing just one is tough. I’m a fan of James Clavell, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, Eric Van Lustbader, Tom Clancy, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Stackpole. If we go by longevity and number of times I’ve read his work, James Clavell wins hands down.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Tom Wither: I’m currently completing a series bible for a project I’m calling PALADIN 6. Once it’s complete, my agent plans to offer to the streaming services for consideration. I’ve also completed a synopsis for my next novel, a project I’m calling PROJECT JANUS, and I’ll start work on the chapter outline for it as soon as the series bible for PALADIN 6 is complete. At that point I’ll spend time working on JANUS and SWIFT JUSTICE.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Tom Wither: I’d just like to say thank you to Sandy and team at The Reading Café for taking the time to interview me; and my thanks to Vickie for reviewing ROGUE SENTINEL. I hope The Reading Café patrons enjoy the story and my other work. Best of luck to everyone who participates in the giveaway.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – How about meal? Filet Mignon w/twice-baked potatoes and broccoli.

Favorite Dessert – Chocolate Mousse

Favorite TV Show – Mission Impossible (the 1960s & 1970s series)

Last Movie You Saw – Star Wars – The Rise of Skywalker

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk

Secret Celebrity Crush – (Only one?) Salma Hayek

Last Vacation Destination – South Dakota

Do you have any pets? – Not at the moment. I am a big fan of German Shepherds. Grew up with one, and raised one.

Last book you read – Clive Cussler’s SHADOW TYRANTS

TRC: Thank you Tom for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of ROGUE SENTINEL. We wish you all the best.

Tom Wither is graciously offering a hard cover copy of ROGUE SENTINEL to FIVE (5) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from March 15-20, 2020

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Phoenix (Linear Tactical #8) by Janie Crouch-a review

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Phoenix (Linear Tactical #8) by Janie Crouch-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 10, 2020

Adrenaline junky.
Adventure traveler.
Extreme sport sensation.

They’re all labels Riley Harrison—known to the world as Phoenix—wears as easily as the tattoos covering his body.

But it’s his role as undercover operative for Linear Tactical’s kidnap and ransom unit that makes his blood sing. Riley uses his celebrity status to help infiltrate locations and situations nobody else can get into.

In. Out. The fight is usually over before the bad guys know it’s begun or that Riley was involved.

But his skills and celebrity status won’t help when he discovers the woman he loves is keeping unbearable secrets and in a danger he never could’ve imagined.

She wants Riley to stay far away from her.

That’s not going to happen.

But he’ll have to be willing to lose everything to save her. To save them.

Phoenix will learn you have to burn before you can rise.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW:PHOENIX is the eighth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former Special Forces soldiers who own and operate Linear Tactical, an Oak Creek, Wyoming business specializing in survival skills, security and protection. This is extreme sports athlete and Linear Tactical undercover operative Riley ‘Phoenix’ Harrison, and nurse Riley ‘Wildfire’ Wilde’s story line. PHOENIX can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary. And YES, both of the characters’ names are Riley, so to avoid further confusion, like the characters in the book, our heroine will be called ‘girl Riley’, and our hero ‘boy Riley’.

Told from dual third person perspectives ( Riley and Riley) PHOENIX follows extreme sports athlete and Linear Tactical undercover operative Riley ‘Phoenix’ Harrison, several days after a successful rescue by the team in the Egypt. With the Linear Tactical extreme WAR games about to commence boy Riley is dumbfounded when the woman he has loved for close to 3 years breaks it off without a reason or why but boy Riley isn’t willing to give up without a fight, and with girl Riley’s job as part of the medical personnel team, boy Riley is determined to find out the truth, and prove he is worthy of her love. Meanwhile, girl Riley struggles with some personal news of her own and refuses to allow boy Riley to suffer along side. Hoping to push boy Riley out of her life, girl Riley keeps secret the truth until events at the WAR games prove that someone is out to destroy his life. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Phoenix and Wildfire, and the potential fall-out as boy-Riley becomes the target in a dangerous game of betrayal and revenge.

Riley Wilde does not want to complicate Phoenix’s life any more than it already has, and by walking away, she believes, is the better alternative than path on which she is currently headed. Keeping her secret means hurting Phoenix further, especially when someone is determined to take down our story line hero. Riley ‘Phoenix’ Harrison fell in love with Wildfire within days of their first meeting, and currently struggles with girl Riley’s rejection especially in light of their love for one another.

The relationship between the two Riley’s is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose lives are spiralling out of control. From girl Riley’s secrets, to the person attempting to destroy their lives, our couple are in for an uphill battle, a battle that will become more dangerous when Phoenix’s past demands vengeance and payment. The $ex scenes are hard and fast.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic secondary and supporting characters including several members of the Linear Tactical team including Zac & Annie (Cyclone #1), Gabriel Collingwood (Angel #4) ,Peyton and Cade (Echo #7), Finn’s brother ‘Baby’ Bollinger, Wyatt Highfield, and Gavin Zimmerman; extreme sports athletes Damon Sullivan, Gunnar ‘Iceland’ Jefferson, Bo Gonzales and Amber Lowe; and Egyptian billionaire Sayed El Kadi. Baby Bollinger’s story line is next in BABY.

PHOENIX is a story of family and friendships; secrets and lies; betrayal, revenge, power and control. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance struggles in the face of secrets and timing; the characters are colorful, charismatic and spirited. PHOENIX is a heart warming and encouraging story of strength and acceptance.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cyclone
Eagle
Shamrock
Angel
Ghost
Shadow
Echo

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Forbidden Queen by R.J. Vickers – a Review

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Forbidden Queen by R.J. Vickers – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

 

Description:
Her power is forbidden. But she’s next in line for the throne. 

When Princess Kalleah is born with a forbidden magic power, her mother takes her into hiding to keep her safe. 

Now, at eighteen, she is back to claim her throne. 

People with Kalleah’s deadly power aren’t allowed into the city of Baylore, let alone the palace. If she is to rule, her people will need to overcome centuries of prejudice against the forbidden races. 

But the timing for her return could not be worse. 

Baylore was once a haven for the magic races that were persecuted and killed in other lands. 

Now, a small but dangerous group calling themselves Truthbringers have stirred up public sentiment against all magic–not just the forbidden races. 

If Kalleah can’t claim her rightful place on the throne, the once-peaceful city of Baylore will fall to chaos. Hatred and bigotry threaten to overthrow everything Baylore once stood for. 

But as she seeks support in her bid for the throne, she faces enemies at every turn. 

Can Kalleah win the throne and hold Baylore together? 

Or have the Truthbringers already sown the seeds of discontent too deep? 

 

 

Review:

Forbidden Queen by RJ Vickers is the first book in her new Forbidden Queen series.  Kalleah, our heroine, lives in hiding in a small village with her mother, as she hides a magical power (she can draw energy from people)  all of her life.  Now at 18 years old, her mother decides it is now time for her to return to Baylore, where her mother once again becomes Queen and Kalleah will meet her father the King.  Her mother left Baylore when Kalleah was a baby for her safety, and now it’s time for her to claim her rightful heir to become Queen of Itrea.  But her forbidden magical power is still considered bad, and many fear her powers, especially the Truthbringers, who preach that Kalleah is dangerous and are determined to make sure that she will never be Queen.  This includes her father’s brother, who plans on pushing his son, Leoth to be King, even if they have to destroy her.  At first Leoth was scheming, but in a short time they became friends, with Kalleah finding herself falling for him.  But was his feelings toward her real; can she trust him?

While the story revolves around the upcoming election of either a queen or king, Kalleah was the center of the story. Kalleah, had many enemies, tried to make friends, as she knew she would need them to be able to win the election, in which she needed 20 votes to win.  I really loved Kalleah, as she made a terrific heroine, being smart, brave, powerful and she needed to find a way to ensure the people that she wanted peace and they had no reason to fear her.  Will Kalleah survive and win the election?  To tell too much more would be spoilers and I do not want to ruin the story for you.

Forbidden Queen was captivating and intriguing story and held my attention throughout the book.  This is well written by RJ Vickers, as she has created a unique world building.  I look forward to the next book in this series, Innocent Queen.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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A Cowboy’s Song (Redemption Ranch #3) by Megan Ryder-Review Tour

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A Cowboy’s Song (Redemption Ranch #3) by Megan Ryder-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 12, 2020

Can they build a future on a shaky foundation?

Tyler “Ty” lost everything in a car accident when he was twelve, retreating into his shell so tightly that it took months for him to come out again. Music and the ranch saved him, and he will always be grateful to his foster family for saving his life. Now, with the ranch on financial tenterhooks, he wonders if he can use his music to contribute to the solution.

Piper Raines is the daughter of a legendary country music family. While her parents and brother are all famous, her attempt at an independent career went off the rails, and, with exhaustion and stress and bad press dogging her every step, she needs a place to recover. When Piper is invited to vacation at the ranch, Piper and Ty connect through horses and music. After a video duet of Piper and Ty goes viral, they’re invited to sing in Nashville, which also provides added pressure, stressing their new relationship.

••••••••

REVIEW:A Cowboy’s Song is book three in The Redemption Ranch Series by Megan Ryder.

Book three finds Tara and West finishing up plans for their wedding that is taking place at Redemption Ranch. We met them in book one – A Cowboy’s Salvation. The wedding is a few weeks out and Tara solicits the help of her best friend and country star Piper Raines.
Who after a mediocre tour is more than happy for the break from the road.

Piper is a hard working country music star who comes a family of country singers. With a much needed break from touring she hopes to find herself at Redemption Ranch. She hates touring and performing for large crowds anymore. She knows her life and her show needs a makeover. Will she find what she is looking dir at the ranch? But Piper has no clue she is about to meet one of West’s foster brothers – Ty Evans.

Ty is the quiet one of the brothers. The one thats stayed at the ranch to make sure everything went smoothly and running in the positive. Giving up his dreams, for the home that he came to find when he was orphaned at 12 years old. Ty loves to sing at the local bar The Rock, but his place is his home and the ranch. Maybe one day when everything is settled and the ranch is in full working order full of tourists, he would pursue his dream of singing professionally. But Ty wasn’t expecting to be swept away by Piper Raines.

Their relationship starts out based on Ty’s preconceived notions of the type of person Piper is. She quickly proves to him that she is so much more than a country / pop star. And when they both let down their guard – they make beautiful music together. Literally!

But Piper’s time at the ranch is limited. After the wedding she will be returning to Nashville. What will the future hold for both of them.
Will Piper convince Ty to come to Nashville with her? Will Ty be able to get Piper to settle into ranch life?

I love that we have gotten each of the brothers stories! I hope that the stories continue with the other characters mentioned in the book! Such as Cam!!!
This book and all the Redemption Ranch books show you the struggles that each brother has gone through to find happiness. Ty’s story touched my heart and truly was a beautiful awakening of the man that he is. Highly recommend for a quick read on a rainy weekend.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
A Cowboy’s Salvation
Coming Home to the Cowboy

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.

Website:  https://www.meganryder.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeganRyder1

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

Newsletter:  https://www.meganryder.com/subscribe.html

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14121151.Megan_Ryder

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

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The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels – a Review

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The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels – a Review

 

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Description:
No groom? No Problem. When her fiancé tries to turn their wedding into a publicity stunt, Jenna ditches the nuptials—and the groom she shouldn’t have been with in the first place—and skips straight to the honeymoon. The getaway driver, her ex-fiancé’s former business partner, Zach, is the perfect guy to help reshape her romantic newlywed itinerary into an anti-couple, anti-romance, anti-honeymoon adventure for two. They trade couples yoga for kickboxing lessons. Five-star dining on the beach for pizza and beer at a dive bar. Forget couples massage—Jenna’s getting that tattoo she’s always wanted, and dares Zach to get one, too. And those naughty boudoir pics she took in place of romantic sunset snaps? Those aren’t going in anyone’s wedding album. Not that Zach will forget them anytime soon. As each item on Jenna’s anti-couples list is checked off, the anti-honeymoon with Zach feels more and more like the real thing, and she wishes the list was just a little bit longer…and even steamier.

 

 

Review: 

The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels is a funny book….. 

Poor Jenna feels like the whole of her wedding is a publicity stunt, the dress is horrid, the shoes too tight, but when her fiancé puts her two favourite people in the world in a tiny corner, Jenna’s had enough. It doesn’t feel right and after talking to Aggie (one of the people she invited) Jenna has some serious thinking to do….. 

Zach doesn’t know why he’s come to this stupid wedding, he and Eliot haven’t been friends for a while, and when his ex-best friend walked away with the company they both worked on, that was the final nail in their friendship. Was Elliot trying to reach out with an olive branch? Or was it something else? 

But before he can pull away, the back door of the car opens and a pile of while lace falls in….. 

Zach helps Jenna to escape from the wedding. He then helps her get to the resort she’d booked for the honeymoon.  Zach hits a snag, he’s beginning to really like Jenna, would it be inappropriate for him to hit on the ex-fiancée of his ex-best friend? 

Jenna and Zach seemed a much better fit than Jenna and her ex. The “to-do list” Jenna has compiled made me chuckle, from couple yoga to kick boxing. It’s all in the name, it’s the opposite of whatever she had written. 

I got the feeling that Jenna and Eliot were more of a parents wish for them to be together (they’d also known each other for years, until he’d asked Jenna to marry him).  Jenna and Zach are totally different, both into each other, ready to have a laugh and complement each other. With both hoping that the anti-honeymoon will last for just a little longer….. 

But what happens when the Anti-honeymoon is over? Where will it leave them both?  And is Zach using Jenna for information on a failing company that he use to half own? 

I must admit it’s the first time I’ve heard of any of those things being done on honeymoon. But it did have me chuckling at odd moments. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Yours In Scandal (Man of the Year #1) by Lauren Layne-Dual review

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Yours In Scandal (Man of the Year #1) by Lauren Layne- Dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 10, 2020

Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.

Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.

Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?

••••••••

SANDY’S REVIEW:YOURS IN SCANDAL is the first instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE YEAR romance series. This is twenty-eight year old, event planner Adeline Blake, and thirty-five year old, New York Mayor Robert Davenport’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Adeline and Robert) YOURS IN SCANDAL follows the building relationship between event planner Adeline Blake, and New York Mayor Robert Davenport. Robert Davenport’s second term as the mayor of New York is coming to an end and our hero wants to make a run for the Governor but his campaign chairman first wants dirt on the incumbent, and what better way than to pull skeletons from the closet, starting first with the Governor’s estranged daughter. Adeline Blake knows scandal and heart break better than anyone else, and as such, has distanced herself from her father, a man for whom she has no respect but when she is called to the Mayor’s office, our heroine is both surprised and leery when the Mayor asks Adeline to plan a party for the end of his term. What ensues is the slow building friendship and relationship between Robert and Adeline, and the potential fall-out as Adeline’s past is revealed with the intent to destroy our story line hero.

Adeline Blake was the proverbial wild child but secrets from her past destroyed all hopes for a future with her father, and in this Adeline changed directions in life, including a new identity, and no affiliation with the man she once loved. Meeting Mayor Robert Davenport sent warning flags for our story line heroine knowing the Mayor was hoping for a run for the Governor,against her father, a man she hates and despises. Robert Davenport never wanted to play dirty politics but his campaign chair insisted there was a story to tell. Thirty-five and single, Robert had never found his own happily ever after but meeting Adeline Blake gave Robert a hope for the future, a future that could very well be destroyed if Adeline discovered the truth behind their original meeting.

The relationship between Adeline and Robert begins as a business arrangement albeit a business arrangement meant for underhanded purposes. As the date for the party nears Robert finds himself wanting something more from our story line heroine but something more could mean disaster when the truth is revealed. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

We are introduced to Robert’s campaign chair Martin, and his chief of staff, thirty-seven year old Kenny Lamb; PA Darlene, as well as Adeline’s friends Rosalie and Jane Kim.

YOURS IN SCANDAL is a cute but predictable story line; a sexy and easy read with a playful hero, and reluctant heroine. The premise is interesting and entertaining; the characters are tenacious; the romance is energetic and encouraging

 

BARB’S REVIEW:
Yours in Scandal by Lauren Layne is the 1st book in her new Man of the Year series.  Robert Davenport, our hero, is the youngest Mayor of New York city, has just been named the Man of the Year and he is single.  As his term as mayor is about to end in a couple of months, he and his top staff make plans for him to run for Governor.  As Robert plans to have a party to end his term, his campaign manager tells him to hire an event planner, who he says is the long missing daughter of the current governor, in disguise; the manager wants him to find out any secret information on her father.  Robert is enticed to meet this woman, but is not keen on being sneaky.

Adeline Blake, has a newly successful Event Planning business, and we learn immediately that she changed her name and appearance, to get away from her mean father, the Governor.  Adeline was Addie Bennett, the media’s wild child, who had left her life 5 years ago, as her father treated her very badly.  She is surprised when the Mayor wants her to plan his event, and she is determined to stay out of the spotlight and anything political.  But there is something about the Mayor that draws her attention, as he is not only charming, but very handsome. 

 What follows is a slow burn romance between two unlikely people; the mayor and a political force and a woman with a bad reputation as a wild child.  I loved Robert and Adeline together, as their chemistry was off the wall, and they were so good together.  Will Robert succumb to his feelings for Adeline, especially with the threat of ruining his political ambitions?  Will Adeline allow her feelings for Robert to be pulled back into the political field, which she ran away from?

Yours in Scandal was a quick read, that was a sweet, light, humorous fun story, which was very well written by Lauren Layne.  I absolutely loved the wonderful epilogue which left me with a happy face.  If you enjoy pure romances, great couples, and secondary characters, you should read this story.  If you have not read Lauren Layne, you need to start now.

 

Copy supplied by Netgalley

 

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Ruined Goddess (The Persephone Trilogy #1) by Carly Fall-a review

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Ruined Goddess (The Persephone Trilogy #1) by Carly Fall-a review

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

About the book: Release Date March 12, 2020

When the goddess of the Underworld meets a mythical monster, all hell breaks loose.

Persephone used to be a goddess and a queen until she tried to take revenge on Hades for abducting her all those eons ago. Stripped of her magic, she’s just a lonely human, living in the small town of Saint’s Grove, trusting no one, and hiding her true identity. But at least she’s able to live on her own terms.

Jack, Ian and Grizzy make up the band Rowdy South. They’ve spent centuries in their human forms traveling the world and playing their soulful music. However, Jack is certain no one could ever love a monster like him.

In one night, the goddess and the monster ignite a passion that could burn forever… or take them both down in flames when they discover each other’s deception. As danger closes in around the band and Hades returns for unknown reasons, Jack realizes their love could be the stuff of legends… If only he can convince Persephone to trust again and leave the past behind her.

•••••••

REVIEW: RUINED GODDESS is the first instalment in Carly Falls’ adult THE PERSEPHONE erotic, romance, fantasy/paranormal, reverse harem trilogy focusing on goddess and Queen of the Underworld Persephone, and musicians Jack, Ian and Grizzy, three immortal men whose history has crossed paths with the gods of Olympus. THE PERSEPHONE TRILOGY is a spin-off from the author’s More Than Men Trilogy where we were first introduced to our story line heroine. For backstory and history, I recommend reading the More Than Men trilogy. The More Than Men trilogy is set in the multi-authored Saint’s Grove world where an eclipse and an alignment of the planets opened a portal to the Underworld and other worlds.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Persephone and Jack) RUINED GODDESS follows in the aftermath of Hades stripping Persephone of her goddess powers, imprisoning her in a life bound to the earth. In the previous series, Persephone had tried to kill the human woman with whom Hades, Poseidon and Dionysus had fallen in love. Punishment for her sins finds our heroine without her goddess powers struggling to survive in a world she knows little about. Meeting musicians Jack, Ian and Grizzy finds Persephone happy for the first time in hundreds of years but a happiness the will be short lived when she discovers the trio are more than men. Believing she has been lied to, Persephone will push Jack, Ian and Grizzy out of her life, but Jack is determined to prove she is worthy of love, even if he has some help for her famous ex. What ensues is the building relationship between Jack and Persephone, and the potential fall-out as Persephone continues to spiral out of control.

RUINED GODDESS is a story based in Greek mythology; the gods and goddesses of Olympus; and the creatures who now live and work in modern day America. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is erotic and passionate; the characters are energetic, colorful and charismatic. If you are a fan of Greek Mythology you will certainly enjoy Carly Fall’s take on their modern romances.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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