Monthly Archives: April 2020

The Money Man (The Consultants #1) by Nancy Herkness-a review

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The Money Man (The Consultants #1) by Nancy Herkness-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N paper /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 14, 2020.

New Jersey bookkeeper Alice Thurber has a carefully constructed risk-free life. Everything in perfect balance. Until little discrepancies show up in her clients’ accounts. Most would ignore it. Not the impeccably precise Alice. In desperation she reaches out to a high-powered consulting firm for help. New York City’s movie-star handsome financial wizard Derek Killion reaches back. All he has to do is smile and Alice’s fantasies stir. A girl can dream, can’t she?

A cofounder of KRG, Derek’s promise is to advise small-business owners in trouble. He never guessed that assisting the diffident but sexy Alice would be so captivating and make it so hard to keep his desires in check. But just as intriguing is the alarming puzzle behind the computer glitch that’s unsettled his client. As the investigation unfolds, they must also confront an attraction too palpable to ignore. Every new dark twist they follow is only bringing them closer together—in passion and in danger.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE MONEY MAN is the first instalment in Nancy Herkness’ contemporary, adult THE CONSULTANTS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on three friends and business partners Derek Killion, Leland Rockwell, and Tully Gibson who own KRG Consulting Group. This is KRG co-founder Derek Killion, and bookkeeper Alice Thurber’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Derek and Alice) THE MONEY MAN focuses on the building relationship between KRG co-founder Derek Killion, and bookkeeper Alice Thurber, and the search for the truth. Alice Thurber owns a small bookkeeping business but struggles with a few questionable results since installing a new accounting software that leaves her frustrated and looking for help. Enter Derek Killion of KRG Consulting Group, and the man with whom Alice will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Alice and Derek, and the potential fall-out as Derek, Alice and Derek’s partners uncover a dangerous trail of espionage, fraud, computer hackers and the possibility of financial ruin for thousands of small businesses.

Derek Killion doesn’t do relationships in the wake of his engagement that ended badly. Meeting Alice Thurber drew Derek like a moth to a flame but a flame with the potential to burn if he got too close. Alice Thurber believed Derek was out of her league in all things including romance and love. Growing up the daughter of a professional model, Alice never measured up to her mother’s ideals, and in this Alice considers herself less than worthy of Derek’s affections and love. Working together to uncover the truth behind the software anomalies, Derek would soon discover there is more to Alice than book smarts and a pretty face.

The relationship between Alice and Derek begins as a business arrangement when his firm offers ‘free’ services to small, independent firms. From the outset, Derek and Alice fantasized about one another but neither one had dared crossed the line from professional to personal until Derek offered Alice a night out of town. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Derek’s business partners Leland Rockwell, and Tully Gibson; Alice’s mother, and her friends Gabrielle, Natalie and Dawn.

THE MONEY MAN is a story of betrayal and fraud; friendships and partners; romance, relationship, and falling in love. The fast paced premise is imaginative and inviting; the characters are flirty, sassy and real; the romance is spicy and inspiring. THE MONEY MAN is an edgy and captivating introduction to Nancy Herkness’ THE CONSULTANTS series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

reviewed by Sandy

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Dangerous Engagement / Lethal Wedding by Charlotte Byrd-reviews

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Dangerous Engagement / Lethal Wedding (Wedlocked Trilogy 1 & 2) by Charlotte Byrd-reviews

DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT
(Wedlocked Trilogy 1)
by Charlotte Byrd
Genre:adult, contemporary, erotic,romantic suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 17, 2020

Not long ago, there was nothing I couldn’t have. Now, I don’t even have the choice of whom to marry.

To save my father’s life and our family’s legacy, I have to marry a cruel man who wants me only as a trophy.

Henry Asher was just supposed to be a summer fling, but we fell in love. We thought we would be together forever, but life got in the way. After we broke up, I vowed to never tell Henry the truth about my engagement.

What happens when the lies that were supposed to save me start to drown me?

Henry Asher
I didn’t always have wealth or power. There was even a time when I didn’t want any of that.

Then I met her: Aurora Tate is an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune. She grew up on Park Avenue, had a house in the Hamptons and skied in Aspen. Our first summer together was magical. We were naive enough to think that love was going to be enough.

Now, she’s forced to marry a man she hates to save her father’s life.

To get her back and to make her my wife, I need to become the man she needs me to be.

Can I do it in time?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT is the first instalment in Charlotte Byrd’s contemporary adult WEDLOCKED erotic, romance trilogy focusing on twenty-five year old heiress Aurora Tate, and high school teacher Henry Asher.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Henry and Aurora) DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT follows the building romance and relationship between twenty-five year old Tate Media heiress Aurora Tate, and high school teacher Henry Asher. Aurora Tate was raised in a bubble of wealth, and as such our heroine is completely oblivious of the world around her but a summer fling with the Henry Asher, the ‘hired help’ , gave Aurora a first hand look at how the other half lived. Falling in love had never been so easy until Henry loses his job, and Aurora is incapable of making ends meet.But not all is well behind the scenes at the Tate Media empire when Henry is offered a job in their crime reporting division, a job that will pull Henry away from the woman he loves. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Henry and Aurora, and the fall-out as betrayal and behind closed door negotiations force Henry and Aurora in opposite directions.

DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT sets the background and premise for the author’s WEDLOCKED series, a series that focuses on power and control; manipulation and betrayal; secrets, lies and fractured family dynamics. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the characters are energetic and colorful; the romance is passionate and intense but will struggle in the face of preconceived notions, secrets and deception.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

___________

LETHAL WEDDING
(Wedlocked Trilogy #2)
by Charlotte Byrd
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense,

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

About the book: Release Date April 14, 2020

To save my father’s life and our family’s legacy, I have to marry a cruel man who wants me only as a trophy.

I thought Franklin Parks was a bad man before, but now I know he’s a monster.

To survive, I will have to beat him at his own game. But then Henry Asher, my one and only love, comes back into my life and things get a lot more complicated.

Franklin is not only my fiancé but also Henry’s boss, and he will stop at nothing to get everything he wants…

Henry Asher

I was a fool to let her go. Now, I’ll have to do everything to get her back…

Aurora never thought I could be a rich dirtbag who would do anything to get what he wants but I am proving her wrong.

To help her, I had to teach myself a few things.

To protect her, I had to become my worst enemy.

To save her, I will have to do the unthinkable.

The problem is that she doesn’t want saving. She has her own plans. But the wedding is approaching and time is running out…

••••••

REVIEW: LETHAL WEDDING is the second instalment in Charlotte Byrd’s contemporary,adult WEDLOCKED romantic, suspense trilogy focusing on twenty-five year old heiress Aurora Tate, and high school teacher turned investigative reporter Henry Asher. LETHAL WEDDING should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one DANGEROUS ENGAGMENT.

NOTE: If you have not read book one Dangerous Engagement, there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Aurora and Henry) LETHAL WEDDING follows in the aftermath of several events resulting in the break down of the relationship between Aurora and Henry, and our heroine’s subsequent engagement to her father’s business rival. Aurora Tate would soon discover that she had become a pawn in a much bigger game, a dangerous game of power and control, and our heroine is but a piece in a much bigger problem. With her father facing financial ruin, bankruptcy and prison, Aurora is forced into an arrangement that will free her father, but trap our heroine in a gilded cage. Meanwhile, Henry Asher’s friend and PI begins digging into the event and circumstances surrounding Aurora’s about face and engagement to one of the most powerful men in the world, a man who now controls every aspect of Aurora’s family and life. As Henry continues to drown his sorrows from afar, Aurora struggles with a future that will end very badly.

LETHAL WEDDING is a story of power and control; of betrayal and manipulation; of lost love, resignation, secrets and lies. Aurora Tate is a pawn; a doormat; a little TSTL but her father’s schemes and business practices have placed our heroine in the direct line of fire. Resigned to her fate, Aurora will once again walk away from the man that she loves in an effort to save her family’s legacy and name. The premise is intriguing, dramatic and intense; the romance struggles in the face of revelations and time apart; the characters are tragic and heart breaking.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Suddenly Enthroned (The Royals #1) by C.R. Riley-a review

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Suddenly Enthroned (The Royals #1) by C.R. Riley-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 17, 2019

It is a long-standing tradition that a Royal marries the person who was been chosen for them by those that believed they know best. Which would have probably been the case for King Antonio, if he hadn’t become King before he had the chance to do just that.

While he was determined to not wed out of obligation, like those before him had done. He planned to marry for love instead. It had been his intention long before he found himself as King, he had expected to have at least five more years to win that argument with his father. Now he is the first King in the history of his kingdom to be without a Queen.

King Antonio remains unwed for longer than anyone considered acceptable. The reason he is about to allow those who believe it is time to rectify that, attempt to secure him suitable wife. That is until he meets Larkin Cross, an architect who will be traveling to his country to do some historical restoration for his family and country.

Larkin had no idea who Antonio was when she first met him; therefore, she treated him like he was just a man, rather than a King. Something that had never happened to him until that very moment, and it was exactly what he found he liked most about her.

Now Antonio is determined to risk it all for love. He knows it will not be easy; that he will face off with those who believe it is wrong to break tradition. However, Larkin is his only hope to provide him a life that will be unlike any other, giving him the strength to fight for her.

Will love win, or will those powers fighting against him prevail?

•••••••

REVIEW:This is a new series, not sure where this series will take us, but this book tells us about the new king. Antonio thought he had five years to accomplish his tasks, to become a good king and when it was time, to find a wife that will rule by his side to love him for the man, and not the King. But that wasn’t to be, sadly his father died and Antonio became the King.

Larkin loves her job. Restoring historical buildings is her passion.

She was accepted into the master’s program at UIC for architecture. And her love of architecture was born. Larkin has ADHD, (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that includes symptoms such as inattentiveness hyperactivity and impulsiveness.) so learning was always a little difficult, as was her social life, but that never stopped Larkin.

And after the death of her best friend, she was determined to make him proud. Now if she gets this job, it will cement her career.

Antonio knew where he was going, I felt like he had a good head on his shoulders but, to find love instead of obligation? We all know a Prince is suppose to marry for position, so how will Antonio get around it?

Loved most of the secondary characters, love/hate the stepmother, Antonio’s siblings were a lot of fun to read. Larkin I felt made the book, her lack of filter was a breath of fresh air, to say what you feel instead of what your brain says must make for a refreshing change.

But I couldn’t help but feel something was missing. Maybe a little more passion wouldn’t have gone amiss. It felt a little cold.

But I Loved the way Larkin spoke to Antonio, she never treated him any differently, not even after she found out who he was. His musings to himself were a little off putting, but once I’d gotten use to his way of thinking and acting, it made a little more sense.

It read like a movie script rather than a book. Lots of background, lots of history pertaining to the family. The wording felt a little stilted and stiff. Not usually a fan of the characters narrating the story, but I could see where the author was going with it. And why she did it.

I’m hoping the brothers get books.

So will Antonio get his wish? Will he marry for love and not duty? And how will Larkin react once she knows Antonio really is the king of his castle?

It’s a fun read, it’s a short read. And it made a change to read it from the man’s point of view as well as the female’s.

? Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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My One True Cowboy (River Ranch 4) by Soraya Lane-a review

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My One True Cowboy (River Ranch 4) by Soraya Lane-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release March 31, 2020.

When Angelina Ford returns home to her family’s sprawling Texas ranch, she’s hiding a secret from her super successful siblings. With her business empire left in tatters back in Los Angeles, the former high-flying lawyer has nothing and she doesn’t want anyone back home to know.

But a chance encounter with her childhood best friend, Logan Brody, changes everything. The soldier turned rancher has been to hell and back himself, and he refuses to leave her to lick her wounds and be miserable.

Neither Angelina nor Logan wants to risk their friendship, but when sparks start to fly, everything changes. And Angelina is left wondering if her big city life is everything it’s cracked up to be, or if happiness has been waiting at home in Texas for her all along.

•••••••

REVIEW:MY ONE TRUE COWBOY if the fourth instalment in Soraya Lanes contemporary, adult RIVER RANCH erotic, romance series. This is thirty year old, California business woman Angelina Ford, and Texas rancher Logan Brody’s story line. MY ONE TRUE COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Angelina and Logan) MY ONE TRUE COWBOY follows the friends to lovers relationship between thirty year old, California business woman Angelina Ford, and Texas rancher Logan Brody. Years earlier Angelina Ford left Texas to start her own business in Los Angeles, California but her father’s worsening condition found Angela back in Texas with a secret that was slowly breaking her heart. Coming face to face with her childhood friend Logan Brody, meant feelings and emotions of a time long ago, but Logan struggled with demons from his past, demons that are about to resurface within days. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship and romance between Logan and Angelina, and the fall-out as neither Logan nor Angelina is willing to commit to something more.

Logan is a retired member of the US military, and battles PTSD and the guilt of surviving an attack against his team and the loss of his best friend Brett. Believing himself to be broken and unworthy of his own happily ever after, Logan continues to sabotage his relationship and friendship with Angelina Ford, a woman who struggles with her own guilt of failure and loss.

The relationship between Logan and Angelina is a friends to lovers romance that is doomed to fail on so many levels. Logan fights his attraction and need for our story line heroine, and Angelina is quick to run at the first sign of trouble. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to all of the previous story line couples, as well as the introduction of Bretts widow Kelly and their daughter Lucy.

MY ONE TRUE COWBOY is a story of family, friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is heart breaking; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic and colorful but frustrating. The up and down, back and forth, yes and no between Logan and Angelina was disheartening and often discouraging, and affected my overall enjoyment of the story. In the end I didn’t care whether or not the couple remained together or went their separate ways.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cowboy Stole My Heart
All Night With a Cowboy
Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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As a child, Soraya Lane dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Soraya describes being an author as “the best career in the world”, and she hopes to be writing romance for many years to come.

Soraya loves spending her days thinking up characters for books, and her home is a constant source of inspiration. She lives with her own real life hero and two sons on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze. She is the author of The Devil Wears Spurs, Cowboy Take Me Away, and I Knew You Were Trouble.

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Deadly Surrender by Katie Reus-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Deadly Surrender (The Serafina: Sin City 5) by Katie Reus-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April l7, 2020.

Getting too close could end their friendship…

Good old-fashioned heartbreak sent Grace running to Las Vegas for a new start. There, she has the support of a college buddy and her social group, which includes Logan…funny, sexy, protective Logan MacNeil. They’ve become close friends, but that’s all Grace is willing to offer. Logan’s a known player, and Grace has been hurt enough for one lifetime, thanks. Getting left at the altar will do that to a woman.

Being apart could end their lives…

Logan’s reputation is more than a little exaggerated, and he’s never cared. Until Grace. She’s worth risking his heart again, if he can convince the brave, independent woman he’s not the playboy he seems. Right now she needs a friend…and a protector. Someone has already targeted them both—twice. Logan suspects he gained an enemy for his part in his boss’s recent failed business deal. But until he’s sure, he’s keeping Grace close. Achingly, torturously close… And when things turn deadly, he’ll lay everything on the line to make her his.

••••••••••

REVIEW:DEADLY SURRENDER is the fifth instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult THE SERAFINA: SIN CITY erotic, romantic suspense series. This is security specialist Logan MacNeil, and school guidance counselor Grace Foster. DEADLY SURRENDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Logan and Grace) DEADLY SURRENDER follows the friends to lovers relationship between security specialist Logan MacNeil, and school guidance counselor Grace Foster. Months earlier Grace Foster was heart broken when she found herself left at the altar. Starting over in Los Vegas, Grace will be introduced to security specialist Logan MacNeil, a man whose reputation as a ladies’ man is difficult for Grace to overcome but when her ex-fiancé arrives in Vegas with his new wife, Logan steps up in defence of our story line heroine. Meanwhile one of Logan’s last assignments has quite possibly followed him home, targeting our couple as they run for their lives. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Grace and Logan, and the potential fall-out when, at every attempt to secure safety, is met with an attempt on their lives.

The relationship between Grace and Logan is a friends to lovers that continues to build while on the run but Grace battles between head and heart fearing losing her best friend if their romance crashes and burns. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Graces ex fiancé Kevin. We are reintroduced to Logan’s twin brother Roman and his significant other Taylor (Dangerous Surrender 4), Angel and Vadim (Sweetest Surrender 3), Sierra and Hayden (First Surrender).

DEADLY SURRENDER is a story of betrayal and revenge, friendship and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are determined and charismatic. DEADLY SURRENDER is a welcome return to the Serafina: Sin City.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Breaking Her Rules (RSS #6)
1.First Surrender
2.Sensual Surrender
3.Sweetest Surrender
4.Dangerous Surrender

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Ever since she’d walked into his orbit, he’d had one focus. Grace. The first time he’d met her, her bright smile had nearly knocked him on his ass. When he looked at her, he wanted to smile too. Hell, it was impossible not to.

“I’ve gotta have some secrets.” He pulled her close as they reached the dance floor.

She was five foot seven and fit perfectly against his six foot two frame. Tonight she had on some sparkly, multicolored dress he’d never seen her in before but it hugged all her curves, dipping low in front and flaring out with every step she took. It definitely fit in with the Vegas club scene. Every time she moved, a rainbow of colors shimmered across her body. Normally she wore jeans and flowy tops, but this? Oh, he liked this so much.

“Fine, be that way.” She mock pouted as she started swaying her hips to the music.

He wasn’t a big dancer, mainly because he didn’t have much rhythm—but no way was he letting her out on the dance floor without him. He was claiming her for everyone to see even though she clearly had no idea how he felt about her. And she was pretty much the only one who didn’t realize how into her he was.

He understood though. She’d gotten burned so bad before she’d moved here, so he was simply biding his time until she was ready for him. And if she decided she never wanted to take a shot with him, well, at least they were friends. Though that was something he didn’t want to think about. Because he would always want more, and he couldn’t even pretend to himself that he was okay with that. So he shut the thought down hard.

When some guy started creeping up behind her and getting a little too close, he gave the man a look that immediately made him back off.

It made Grace laugh and dance even closer to him. Good God, the way she moved was pure erotic fantasy. And her laugh? He wanted to drown in that too. To just soak up everything that was her.

“Heads-up, your ex is here,” he murmured as he leaned down closer. He didn’t want to hurt her with the knowledge, but he wanted her aware that the loser had just stepped onto the dance floor. “Want to put on a show?”

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. And he noticed that she didn’t look around to see if he was telling the truth. No searching looks for that loser who’d left her on their wedding day. Maybe she didn’t care about her ex anymore. She never talked about him. Maybe…she was ready to move on?

“What do you have in mind?” She raised her voice again, still moving in tune with the music.

He leaned down, making his intentions clear. Things were about to change between them, even if this was just for show. Because he knew once he got a real taste of her there was no going back.

Her eyes widened slightly but she didn’t pull back. Instead she leaned into him, and when he slanted his mouth over hers, he hoped that this was more than just a show for her.

Because it was real to him. The taste of champagne on her lips made him go lightheaded as she leaned into him, holding on to his shoulders as she teased her tongue against his. He clutched onto her hips, savoring the feel of her curves pressed against him.

He hadn’t had sex in forever, not since he’d met Grace. Hell, since before then. He’d been tired of the dating scene long before he met her. But he had a reputation and everybody assumed he was this giant player. He had been once upon a time, but that phase hadn’t lasted long. He’d gotten tired of one-night stands and meaningless hookups but the reputation had stuck. Probably because he was a huge flirt.

He shoved thoughts of his past and everything else away as Grace plastered her body to his, wrapping her arms around his neck.

This didn’t feel like a show; this felt totally real. So damn real he was afraid to hope for more.

And as he nibbled on her bottom lip, he realized he didn’t want anyone else seeing them making out. Her kisses and moans and everything else were just for him. And the way she was melting against him completely caught him off guard. He’d just wanted a little taste. Now? God, she couldn’t be acting. He sure as hell wasn’t.

Holding her tight, he nibbled his way along her jaw, not bothering to hide his reaction to her. And she didn’t seem to mind. “Want to get out of here?” he murmured before gently biting her earlobe.

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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HATE TO DATE YOU (Dating 4)by Monica Murphy-Review & Excerpt Tour

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HATE TO DATE YOU (Dating #4) by Monica Murphy-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 7 , 2020

Stella Ricci is bored.

Her overprotective family barely let her out of their sight, despite the fact she’s a grown woman. Yes, she loves her job at her family’s café and she’s the best barista in the entire Monterey Peninsula, but is that enough? She’s thinking no. But what else can she do?

Enter Carter Abbott. Burnt out after the never-ending grind of selling high end real estate in Los Angeles, he’s returned home, unsure of what to do next. He needs someplace to crash temporarily until he gets back on his feet.

It’s easy for Stella to suggest Carter move in. Temporarily of course. It’ll give her someone to talk to. The only problem?

That one night stand Stella and Carter had about a year ago. They never talked about it. They still don’t really talk about it. Despite the fact that the old chemistry has come back full force. Living together has made that obvious. Should they admit that one night wasn’t enough? Or will dating each other turn into an epic fail?

Only one way to find out…

••••••••••

REVIEW: HATE TO DATE YOU is the fourth instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, adult DATING romance series. This is café owner Stella Ricci, and real estate agent Carter Abbott’s story line. HATE TO DATE YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Stella and Carter) HATE TO DATE YOU follows the best friend’s brother relationship between thirty-one year old real estate agent Carter Abbott, and twenty-something café owner Stella Ricci. One year earlier Stella and Carter had a drunken one-night stand but when Stella woke up Carter was gone, and ghosted our heroine for close to one year. Fast forward to present day wherein Carter has returned to his home, having quit his position in Los Angeles, and desperately needs a place to stay. Enter Stella Ricci, his one-night stand; his sister’s best friend, and the woman with whom Carter will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret relationship between Carter and Stella, and the potential fall-out as Stella is unwilling to commit to something more.

Stella Ricci has always been attraction to her best friend’s brother but struggles with their relationship and their one-night stand. With Carter her new roommate, Stella finds herself willing to accept a friends with benefits relationship but refuses to admit to something more. Carter Abbott knows he screwed up one year before but hopes to convince Stella to give him a chance. Falling for Stella was easy, but Stella refuses to settle down, and in this, pushes Carter out of her life.

The relationship between Stella and Carter is a sister’s best friend or best friend’s brother (however you want to see it 😉 ). Stella is fearful of revealing the truth to her best friend Caroline but Stella’s Nonna sees something between our couple that everyone else is struggling to see. As Carter begins a slow seduction of our story line heroine, Stella begins to pull away fearing losing her friends, her family and her independence. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Stella’s friends Caroline (Save the Date #1), Sarah (Fake Date #2) Candice (Holidate), Eleanor, Kelsey and Amelia; Stella’s parents Vera and Lorenzo Ricci, brother Michael, their grandmother Graziella ‘Grace’ Ricci.

HATE TO DATE YOU is a story of family, friendships, indecisions, and second chances. The premise is engaging and inviting ; the characters are flirty and feisty; the romance is spicy but struggles in the face of Stella’s reluctance for something more.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Save the Date
Fake Date
Holidate

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

I’m in the bathroom applying one last coat of mascara to my eyelashes when Carter suddenly appears behind me, his gorgeous face looming over my shoulder. Of course, like the dork that I am, I yelp with a jolt when I first spot him, stabbing myself in the eyeball with the mascara wand.
And like some sort of romcom hero, he rushes for me, his big hands curling around my shoulders and turning me around so I have no choice but to face him. Though I can’t even look at him, considering I’m bent over and holding both hands over my wounded eye.
“Are you all right? I didn’t mean to scare you.” He sounds troubled. Which is good. He should definitely feel bad for causing my injury.
Though really, I’m the one who overreacted and stabbed myself in the first place.
“I’m okay.” I stand up straighter, still cradling my watery, stinging eye. “It only hurts a little.”
“Drop your hand.” He turns away from me, snagging a tissue out of the Kleenex box that’s perched on the back of the toilet, then faces me once more. “Drop it,” he repeats when I still haven’t removed my hand.
Reluctantly I remove my hand from my face, my eyelashes practically stuck together. I’m sure I look a mess and I swallow hard, reaching up to dab at the tender skin beneath my eye, but Carter bats my hand away.
“Let me,” he murmurs as he brushes the tissue underneath my eye, picking up all the excess mascara. “Does it still hurt?”
“A little.” He’s so close. I can see all of his eyelashes, and they’re thick and dark and don’t need a lick of mascara on them, the jerk. He’s freshly shaven, his face nice and smooth, and I sort of want to rub against it. Like a cat.
“I’m sorry I startled you,” he says with the utmost sincerity. “I didn’t mean for you to try to take your eye out.”
A soft laugh escapes me. “I’ve stabbed myself in the eye before with a mascara wand. I’m sure this won’t be the last time.”
He finishes cleaning up the mess I made and then turns me so I face the mirror once more. “Now you’re perfect,” he says, squeezing my shoulders for the briefest moment before he lets go and exits the bathroom, heading straight into his bedroom.
I’m shaken by the encounter and it takes me a minute to get moving again. Since the afternoon at my nonna’s house, we’ve been friendlier. Not so friendly that we fall into bed together, but friendly enough. Which is…nice. I don’t like having hostile feelings toward Carter. What exactly did he ever do to me anyway?
Oh, he just rocked your world and turned you into a firm believer in multiple orgasms, then left you in the dust and never talked to you again.
Right. He did that. And it sucked.


 

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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An Unsuitable Lady for a Lord by Cathleen Ross – a Review

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An Unsuitable Lady for a Lord by Cathleen Ross – a Review

 

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Description:
Lord Aaron Lyle has one hell of a choice: a bankrupt dukedom, or marriage to some simpering society miss so his spendthrift father can get his hands on her huge dowry. He won’t do it. He has a reputation to maintain, and besides, he’d rather run naked through the streets of London than marry anyone at all. Surely, there must be a third option.

Then Lady Crystal Wilding walks into his life, a bluestocking, full of subversive thoughts, who hates the notion of marriage even more than he does. He is intrigued…and suddenly he has an idea. He invites the totally unsuitable lady home on the pretext of presenting her as a possible match…but in truth, Aaron has something far more pleasurable in mind. For her part, Lady Crystal has her own reasons for going along with his harebrained scheme.

Imagine their shock when his highly proper family loves her and starts planning the wedding. Good lord. Now what?

 

Review:

An Unsuitable Lady for a Lord by Cathleen Ross is a novel in the Scottish Lords and Ladies series. This is the story of Lord Aaron Lyle the Marquis of Lyle and Lady Crystal Wilding, daughter of a celebrated warrior, Lord Wilder, recently deceased.

Aaron is the son of the Duke of Lomond and is being harassed by his father to find a suitable bride of the Duke’s choosing. He simply doesn’t want any of the suitable, but uninteresting women his father has paraded in front of him.

Lady Crystal Wilding’s father is recently deceased, releasing her and her sisters to find their own matches or none at all in the case of Lady Crystal. She’s intelligent and has sworn not to marry and be under any man’s control. She wants to dedicate herself to changing the minds of the gentry and letting women and men decide who to marry for themselves, or to not do so.

Aaron is entranced by the lovely blonde Lady Crystal’s wit and sense of humor. He finds himself aligned with her ideas as well as entranced by her beauty.

That’s the basic setup of the story. I won’t spoil the read for you. She’s a speaker and we are gifted with an appearance for speaking in the house of Sir Walter Scott.

Enjoy the lovely dialog, the steamy romance that grows between Aaron and Crystal. Is it really impossible for them to marry? Much danger and foul deeds are afoot as these two wonderfully crafted characters find their way to each other.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Easy Revenge (Boudreaux Universe) by LP Dover-Review Tour

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Easy Revenge (Boudreaux Universe) by LP Dover-Review & Giveaway Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 9, 2020

Clara and Zac thought they were headed for their happily ever after, until a break-up slathered in betrayal left them both jaded and vindictive.

Twelve years have passed since they left Wyoming, and during that time Clara found her calling at a prestigious PR firm in California while Zac moved to New Orleans to join his Boudreaux cousins at Bayou Enterprises. They thought they could forget each other and move on … until a local charity auction in their hometown of Snowy Creek sets Zac up for the ultimate revenge. If he wins, Clara will be at his mercy, forced to work for him for one full week. Tantalized by the sweet taste of revenge, he eagerly ups the ante to claim his prize.

But what starts out as a week of filthy manual labor and bitter rivalry leads to a shocking revelation. Someone has been plotting for over a decade to keep Clara and Zac apart. Can the pair band together to uncover who? Or will their rift from the past continue to ruin their chance at a blissful future?

•••••••

REVIEW:EASY REVENGE by LP Dover is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romance stand alone story line, a part of the multi-authored Boudreaux Universe series. This is thirty year olds, architect Zac Ward, and PR agent Clara Berkeley story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zac and Clara) EASY REVENGE follows the second chance relationship between thirty year old, architect Zac Ward, and PR agent Clara Berkeley. Twelve years earlier, Clara Berkeley spent a few weeks in Paris with her best friend Trina but a phone call from Home left Clara heart broken and destroyed. Fast forward to present day wherein Clara returns home to Wyoming in the wake of her father’s cancer diagnosis, a return that will bring Clara face to face with her past. A charity auction finds Clara working for the man who broke her heart, a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. What ensues is the rebuilding but acrimonious relationship between Clara and Zac, and the potential fall-out as our couple discover the truth about what happened years before.

Clara Berkeley has never recovered from the heart break of Zacs betrayal years before but not all was it appeared to be. Zac believed Clara was responsible for the destruction of their relationship and the truth would bring our couple together but have the potential of destroying a family, and ruining a life-long friendship.

The relationship between Zac and Clara is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people destroyed by betrayal, vengeance, jealousy and lies but a rekindling that would reveal to what extremes people will do to tear them apart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Claras parents Diane and Alexander Berkeley; her best friend and client Trina; Zacs cousin Savannah, and his best friend Drew, as well as his boss Galen Matthews.

EASY REVENGE is a story of opportunity and betrayal; good intentions, betrayal and acknowledgement. The premise is emotional and twisty; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are broken, angry, charismatic and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.

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