Monthly Archives: July 2020

Wonderlust /Wonderment by BL Wilde-Review & Giveaway tour

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Wonderlust / Wonderment (Steel Roses 1-2) by BL Wilde-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

WONDERLUST (Steel Roses #1)
by BL Wilde
Release Date:August 1, 2015
Genre:adult, contemporary, rock, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Natasha White has always been unlucky in love. The men she falls for only want one thing from her, and it isn’t commitment. When her boss and on/off fling announces his engagement to another woman, she finds herself running from her feelings for him by taking a job as a personal assistant to the legendary rock god, Alex Harbour—half a world away.

Her new boss is sexy, damaged, and insatiable, but Natasha has been a fan since she was a young girl. Conflicted by her emotions, she begins a love/hate relationship with the egotistical rock star.

Alex’s intentions toward her are clear from the moment they meet, but Natasha isn’t about to run from one emotionless connection to another. She is determined to keep her distance from her childhood crush, by any means necessary.

When lust begins to cloud her mind, however, she becomes hell bent on protecting her heart. What good could ever come out of falling for a rock star, anyway?

••••••••

REVIEW:Wonderlust begins with Natasha White at her wits end. David, her boss at Flavour Records, with whom she has had an on again/off again relationship, announces that he’s engaged. She’s known for a while that she needed to something different and get away from David, but that engagement sealed the deal.

Natasha goes in for a job interview with Gina, who handled lots of people in the music industry, thinking her chances of landing the job were small. She finds herself surprised when she makes it to the next round, even though they haven’t told her that she would be the personal assistant for. When they head to the penthouse in the building for the second interview, she is assured it is for security purposes. Intrigued, she enters the space only to turn around and see none other than Alex Harbour from the band, Steel Roses. The same Alex that she and her best friend have been fans of for years. He is, after all, a legend. Even though the band had broken up several years before, Alex had gone on to have a solo career and was still very much in the public eye. He was known for a few things: his rock god status, his battle with addiction and going through women like wildfire.

Alex Harbour thought that Natasha was yet another fan who had gotten past security and was more than willing to give her what they all wanted. When Natasha assured him that that was not what she was there for, Alex then assumes she’s a reporter, only to have Gina walk in to tell him that Natasha is his new PA. After his bawdy actions, Natasha knows she could never work for Alex, even though she had idolized him for years.

However, Gina knows that Natasha is perfect for the job. It takes some doing, but Natasha finally takes the job and moves to Los Angeles (from England) to be Alex Harbour’s PA. When she arrives in Los Angeles, her and Alex’s working relationship is strained, to say the least. He has always gotten his way and won over whomever he wanted to, but he found that Natasha was not just anyone. Natasha finally finds her bearings and becomes friends with Alex’s best friend and stylist, Diego, and his head of security, Shane. As the job progresses, she finally sees that there is more to Alex than just the tabloid headlines and that somewhere along the way, something bad had happened causing him to shut the world out.

Alex knows he’s a lot to deal with and makes it his mission to break down Natasha’s walls, but after a while, it takes him by surprise when he finds himself wanting to do it for the “right” reasons. She’s a no-nonsense person who is very good at her job. She’s also very good at making him see things he thought he never would again………real interest in a woman, but more importantly, real interest in himself.

Wonderlust is a WONDERFULLY written story that draws you in from the beginning. Natasha is such a relatable character with her fiery streak and sense of loyalty. Alex Harbour is your typical ego driven rock start until you get to know him and understand that he has closed in on himself and closed everyone else out. The chemistry between the two of them is utterly palpable and leaves you wanting more. The secondary characters were so well written that I hope they get their own books, even if they’re just novellas. Diego?! He is simply amazing. The world that Wilde has built with Steel Roses is second to none. If you’re a romance fan, you have got to give this one a go. Well done, B.L. Wilde!!!! Very, very well done!

_________________

WONDERMENT (Steel Roses #2)
by BL Wilde
Release Date: June 26, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, rock, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Natasha has dreamt of going on tour with Steel Roses ever since she was a little girl. She never thought she would be dating the front man when it happened, though.

Now she has been immersed into Alex’s world of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Can she keep them both safe with temptation lurking around every corner?

Going on tour is going to test their relationship on levels they never even fathomed, and when Alex’s past comes back to haunt them can their love survive?

The wonderlust might be over, but their love story is only just beginning. One thing is for sure—surrendering your soul to a rockstar never hurt so good.

•••••••••

REVIEW:Wonderment picks up not long after Wonderlust ends. The powers that be have finally convinced Alex Harbour, rock god, to go on a world reunion tour with his former band, Steel Roses. Natasha, Alex’s PA and girlfriend, cannot believe that she is actually going on the tour with Alex and his band. She also knows that it’s going to be hard. They have kept their relationship from the press and from everyone else, except those they were closest to.

As they are getting ready for the tour, he has a meeting with his label, only to find out from Gina that there has been a “girlfriend ban” added to his contract for the entire tour. Of course, Alex is furious. They were going to go public at some point when Natasha was comfortable with it, but that feeling is nothing compared to the fury when he sees who his label has hired to oversee his tour. As Natasha enters the room, she is surprised to see David there. She then finds out that he is the one who’s added the ban to Alex’s contract and tries to talk him out of it. David assures her that that will not happen. He also assures her that he wants her back and he always gets what he wants.

It’s surreal when Natasha meets the other members of Steel Roses. This is a band that she has been a fan of her entire life. However, she soon finds out that the tension Alex had warned her about between him and Matt had not been a lie. Matt literally seethed whenever Alex was in the room but had vowed to make the tour work.

While they travel the world from one venue to the next, things between Alex and Matt seem to get better, which makes Natasha happy……….for a minute. What doesn’t make her happy is that Alex reverts to his old habits and leaves her feeling vulnerable and alone.

The tour continues as Alex’s old demons rear their ugly heads. Not knowing if she can be what he needs her to be, Natasha needs to decide if it’s all worth it. The fame and all of the trappings that comes with it is a lot to deal with, but when Alex finally reveals the reason behind the tension between himself and Matt, Natasha’s heart breaks for him. However, when she realizes what she thought were Matt’s good intentions with Alex and the band were actually not good for anyone but himself, she wonders what else she has been wrong about.

Wonderment is an amazing addition to the Steel Roses series. Just when you think you can’t love the two main characters any more, you find new reasons to root for them. Once again, the chemistry between Alex and Natasha burns bright. Once all of the secrets are out, your heart breaks for everyone involved, but especially for Alex. Having to drag all of the demons around is exhausting, but when he finally opens all of the way up to Natasha? You actually feel the weight lifted yourself. And, when Alex finally takes charge of his life? Man………….. Once again, what an amazing world Wilde has built with this series. This one will take your breath in more ways than one. We once again get to see all of the secondary characters we loved from the get-go and they add beautifully to the story. The final scene before the epilogue though??? YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! I truly have no idea if there is another one in the works for this series, but I sure do hope so. Well done, B.L. Wilde! Very, very well done!!!!!!

Copies supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

 

It didn’t take Diego long to do my makeup. Alex was pacing back and forth at that point, waiting for me. Patience wasn’t something he was very good at. I’d even thrown him a chocolate bar to pacify him, but it only kept him busy for a few minutes.
“There you go, Cupcake. Don’t let Alex smudge your lipstick straight away. You don’t look like the easy type.” After swatting my butt, Diego pushed me toward Alex.
“Finally,” he teased, circling his arms around me. “You look beautiful, Straight Lace.” All I could do was smile in response as his lips pressed urgently against mine. Diego sighed behind me, but I didn’t really care about my lipstick right then.
“We’re going on your bike?” I gasped as he handed me a helmet. Alex’s Harley was legendary, but Shane had once told me that he only rode it alone.
“Is that a problem? You’re not scared, are you?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve wanted to go on this bike since I was a kid!” My excitement was obvious. Alex let out a loud laugh and shook his head.
“You’re not that much younger than me, Nat. Don’t make me sound so old.” I got onto the bike behind him and hugged him tight. “Whoa. Don’t hold me too tight. I need to breathe,” he joked, looking at me over his shoulder. I was still beaming like a Cheshire cat.
Alex’s bike was fast. I loved the adrenaline rush that I got as we rode. The growl of the engine sent tremors through my body. With my arms around his waist, I held on tight as Alex accelerated. The sudden rush of wind made my hair that was free from the helmet dance frantically behind my back. The world around us was flashing by so fast it was a blur. I couldn’t get enough of this feeling. I’d never felt so free on an open road before.
Alex took us to a secluded restaurant on the outskirts of LA. It was lit up with hundreds of twinkle lights and had ivy climbing the walls of the whitewash building.
“Where did you find this place?” I asked as he entwined his fingers with mine. “It’s really pretty.”
“I found it on my last ride up here. It looked like our kind of place.” I knew he meant no one would interrupt us here, which I was really looking forward to. It wasn’t very easy to find places outside of his mansion that we could be together.
He allowed me to go in first. The restaurant was empty. A single table laid up for two was all I could see. “You booked out the entire restaurant, didn’t you?” Realisation hit me. His actions always took my breath away.
“I wanted to apologise for my outburst earlier. The way I treated you in front of my personal trainer was wrong of me.”
“You should have brought him instead. He was the one you shouted at.” Truthfully, his outburst had me more concerned than offended.
“I don’t think of you as a possession. If you thought…”
“Alex, I know.” Touching the side of his face, I tried to make him understand. “You didn’t have to do all of this to prove it to me.” I waved my arms around at his grand gesture.
“It’s just…I’ve been so stressed these last few weeks. I don’t want to mess this up. You mean too much to me. You know that, right?”
“You need to stop worrying about that. I’m not going anywhere. You couldn’t get rid of me even if you paid me to leave. Like it or not, you’re stuck with me.” I nudged him playfully with my shoulder so he knew I was teasing.

B.L. Wilde is a British author who has always loved the written word and takes great pride in bringing her stories to life.

She lives in Worcestershire with her partner and their two spotty dogs.

B.L is a sucker for happy endings but will always make her characters work for it.

If you enjoy romance, suspense and erotica let your imagination run ‘Wilde’ with one of her books today.

Website:  www.bl.wilde.com

Twitter: @beewilde1

Website Blog: https://bit.ly/2Ww1uqi

BookBub: https://bit.ly/3bz5bzN

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3bxaNKY

Instagram:  https://bit.ly/360fI5Q

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fLwDO9

Personal Blog http://bee-wilde.blogspot.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/B.L.Wilde1/

Newsletter http://eepurl.com/g5NH8H

BL Wilde graciously offering an ebook copy of both books Wonderment and Wonderlust to ONE (1) lucky commenter  at The Reading Cafe. 

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8. ebook giveaway is open internationally

9. Giveaway runs from July 5-10, 2020

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Lead Me Back by C.D. Reiss-a review

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Lead Me Back by C.D. Reiss-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 7, 2020

Cutting all ties, Kayla Montgomery drives cross-country to Los Angeles. New start. New life. And an unexpected new job: assistant to Justin Beckett.

The Justin Beckett.

The boy band rebel with the cocky attitude and dreamy bed head who casts a spell over his fans and tests the patience of his handlers.

Now at the peak of Mount Adulthood, he has to build a clean-cut, movie star image. It’s in his contract. No partying. No attitude. No groupies.

To tie it together, he needs a normal girl.

Suddenly, Kayla’s swept up in Justin’s glamorous world, and his arms. But the most dizzying thing is Justin himself. Sweet, generous, reliable, and as eager to shed his past as Kayla is hers.

About that…

Those ties she thought she’d cut? They’ve followed her across the country with her secrets in tow, and they’re about to test Kayla’s courage, Justin’s loyalty, and a love that wasn’t part of the deal.

••••••••

REVIEW: LEAD ME BACK by CD Reiss is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance storyline focusing on clothing designer Kayla Montgomery, and one-time teen heartthrob turned actor Justin Beckett.

Told from dual first person points of view (Kayla and Justin) LEAD ME BACK follows the building romance and relationship between twenty five year old one-time teen heartthrob/ musician turned actor Justin Beckett, and clothing designer Kayla Montgomery. Justin Beckett was once on top of the world with his boy band turned pop artists but everything quickly spiralled out of control when alcohol, drugs and rumoured infidelity destroyed what was left of the friendships and love. Now on a strict schedule with no outside contact from his former mates, Justin needs to succeed in the world of acting, or say good bye to what’s left of his career.

Kayla Montgomery needs a new start after her life imploded back in New York. A new phone number found our heroine with the former number of rock star Justin Beckett, a number that would pull Kayla into the world of our storyline hero. Working on Justin’s latest movie in the costume department brought Kayla up close and personal with a man who was about to push all of her buttons but demons from the past were about to resurface for both Kayla and Justin pushing Kayla out of Justin’s life when issues of trust threaten their already tenuous situation.

The relationship between Justin and Kayla begins acrimoniously when Kayla begins receiving all sorts of phone calls for our storyline hero, phone calls from one-time bandmates and friends who would rather Justin jumped off the face of the earth. Kayla has come to LA for a fresh start, and dating Justin Beckett was about to implode when the paparazzi and Justin’s manager begin to stalk our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Justin’s bandmates who are all struggling with what was and what will never be: Shane, Gordon and Chad; Justin’s PR manager Ken Braque; Kayla’s sister Talia, and their father Raymond;and several members of the movie crew including Evelyn, Eddie, and Francine. Here’s hoping the author has plans for more story lines focusing on the members of the band.

LEAD ME BACK is a story of betrayal and vengeance; miscommunication and misunderstanding; secrets, lies, romance and love. The character driven premise is fast paced, captivating, heart breaking and poignant; the characters are colorful, animated, playful and lost; the romance is emotional and provocative. LEAD ME BACK is an impassioned story of two people who found one another when no one else was willing to give them a chance.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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BABY (Linear Tactical #9) by Janie Crouch-a review

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BABY (Linear Tactical #9) by Janie Crouch-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date July 1, 2020

Baby. Don’t let the name fool you.

Being Linear Tactical’s easiest-going younger brother has never been a problem for Baby Bollinger. He likes people. He likes laughing. He likes life.

But he has secrets buried deep under his charming smile that would change everything.

Quinn Harrison-Pritchard doesn’t have secrets. What she does have is a big mess of a life that’s painfully public.

Jobless. Blacklisted. Broke. Alone. Exactly where nobody wants to be as they hit their 39th birthday.

Oak Creek is supposed to be a fresh start. A chance to lick her wounds and figure out a plan. One that doesn’t include Baby Bollinger. But the vigorous, mouth-watering mechanic—anything but a baby—is pursuing her with a single-minded focus.

And doesn’t seem to care that she’s twelve years his senior.

But danger has followed Quinn to Oak Creek, someone from her past who is convinced she’s wronged him. And that she needs to pay with her life.

Only Baby can save her. But to do so, he’ll have to face the secrets he’s let define him for way too long. And resurrect the warrior buried inside.

•••••••••

REVIEW: BABY is the ninth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Linear Tactical. This is twenty-seven year old, auto mechanic / part time Linear Tactical specialist Blake ‘Baby’ Bollinger, and thirty-nine year old, professor /waitress Dr. Quinn Harrison-Pritchard’s story line. BABY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of BABY cross-over with the events of book eight PHOENIX.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quinn and Baby) BABY follows the building relationship between twenty-seven year old, auto mechanic / part time Linear Tactical specialist Blake ‘Baby’ Bollinger, and thirty-nine year old, professor /waitress Dr. Quinn Harrison-Pritchard. Quinn Harrison’s arrival in Oak Creek brings with it all sorts of problems. Divorced, broke and blacklisted by the university for which she used to work, Quinn struggles daily to survive. Meeting Blake ‘Baby’ Bollinger is all kinds of wrong when our heroine discovers that the man who is about to steal her heart is a student at the local college, a college for which she is currently teaching. For the past two years everything that could have happened, happened to Quinn Harrison, and the accidents and questionable events continue with her arrival in Oak Creek, the town in which her brother, Linear Tactical owner Riley ‘Phoenix’ Harrison currently resides. Trying to keep her whereabouts secret is increasingly difficult as not only do the police want to question Quinn about a series of events, but her arrival continues to draw red flags wherever she goes. When the ‘accidents’ begin to take on a familiar pattern, Baby calls in the Linear Tactical team in an effort to uncover the truth about what is happening and why. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Baby and Quinn, and the potential fall-out as Quinn’s past is determined to take down our story line heroine.

Quinn Harrison-Pritchard is Riley Boy’s sister but our heroine keeps secrets everything that happened including her arrival in the town of Oak Creek but the town gossips spread rumors faster than an out of control fire, gossip that increases with the number of questionable incidences pointed at our story line heroine. Blake ‘Baby’ Bollinger is a high-school drop out but is focusing on making his place in the world. Baby Bollinger is also keeping secrets, a secret that is about to upend his well-ordered world.

The relationship between Baby and Quinn is one of immediate attraction but Quinn struggles with their age difference, and the tainted past that continues to threaten her sanity and peace. Baby knows Quinn is the woman he loves but as Quinn’s life continues to spiral out of control Baby must uncover the truth before Quinn is lost to our hero, forever. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles including Zac and Annie (Cyclone #1), Finn and Charlotte (Eagle #2), Shamrock (Aiden & Violet #), Angel (Gabriel & Jordan 4), Ghost (Dorian), Echo (Cade & Peyton), officer Gavin Zimmerman, as well as café owner Lexi Johnson. Baby’s nieces and nephews are good for a couple of chuckles and ‘poo’. Gavin and Lexi’s storyline is next in Redwood.

BABY is a startling story of vengeance and retaliation, relationships, family, secrets and love. The character driven premise is suspense filled and edgy; the characters are energetic and edgy; the romance is tender and seductive. BABY is a passionate and fated story of second chances and happily ever after.

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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ANCIENT PROTECTOR (Ancients Rising #1) by Katie Reus-Review Tour

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ANCIENT PROTECTOR (Ancients Rising #1) by Katie Reus-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30 2020

Even as he fights for their future…

With the world still rebuilding after massive dragon attacks, famous singer Star isn’t willing to rely on a stranger to protect her family—though dragon shifter Lachlan is difficult to resist. Something about him is strangely familiar, but she doesn’t understand why. He’s already helped Star rescue her sister from a recent abduction, but trust doesn’t come easy when his kind has nearly hunted her race to extinction. When her sister’s kidnapper launches another violent attack, Star has no choice but to accept Lachlan’s aid. But no matter that he’s stepped up to protect her, she’ll never allow the ancient Scottish dragon into her heart.

They’re bound by the past.

Lachlan lost the woman he was meant to mate millennia ago. Unable to live in a world without her, his pain drove him to hibernation. He never thought he would move on—until Star. He’s well aware the feisty shifter is his new destiny, so if tailing her to New Orleans is what he has to do to be near her, then so be it. When Star is attacked, Lachlan resolves to protect her at all costs. And he won’t have to do it alone. It will take Lachlan, his clansmen, and Star’s misfit band of friends to rain fiery vengeance down upon their enemy if she and her sister are to ever be truly free. Only then can he claim her and discover the shocking truth that lies buried in their past.

FIRST IN NEW SERIES

•••••••••

REVIEW: ANCIENT PROTECTOR is the first instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult ANCIENTS RISING paranormal, romance series. This is ancient dragon alpha of the Donnachaidh clan in Scotland, Lachlan, and singer Star’s story line. The ANCIENTS RISING series is a spin-off from the author’s DARKNESS series but you do not have to have read the original series to follow the current time line. A few characters from the Darkness Series crossover for cohesion and familiarity.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lachlan and Star) using present day and memories from the past, ANCIENT PROTECTOR follows the building relationship between ancient dragon alpha of the Donnachaidh clan in Scotland, Lachlan, and singer Star. Star is on a mission in England to rescue her sister Aurora who was abducted one year earlier. Performing at a concert for dragon alpha Osgar, the beast currently holding her sister in prison, Star will come face to face with another dragon alpha, Lachlan, the man who will steal her heart. Upon their return to America, Lachlan will become guardian and protector of our storyline heroine knowing Osgar is determined to take back what doesn’t belong. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Lachlan and Star, and the potential fall-out as Lachlan and Star are caught up in a battle between ancients vying for control.

Star and Aurora keep secret their true identities having never let the world know about their supernatural abilities but Star’s recurring dreams bring with them memories from a time long ago, where our heroine had fallen in love with a beast of immense powers. Lachlan lost his mate thousands of years earlier, and sent himself into Protective Hibernation in an effort to quell the grief and loss. Meeting Star gave Lachlan a hope for a second chance, a second chance at love and a happily ever after.

The relationship between Lachlan and Star is one of immediate attraction but Star struggles with the alpha’s need to protect and control. An alpha herself, Star is capable of holding her own, and in this their combined powers make for a powerful pair. 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, fun and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Star’s sister Aurora; her bandmates and security staff: Axel, Harlow, Lola, Taya, Kartini and Brielle; half demon Cynara; wolf alpha King; and Lachlan’s brother Cody, and dragons Teague, and Cian. There is something developing between Aurora and King.

ANCIENT PROTECTOR is a story of second chances, fated mates, family, vengeance, power and control. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the slow building romance is seductive; the characters are dynamic and animated. ANCIENT PROTECTOR is a great start to a new series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Lachlan,” she murmured, the feel of his name on her tongue familiar.

“I like it when you say my name.” His Scottish accent got just a little bit deeper, and a whole lot sexier.

She fought off a shudder as something echoed inside her. Damn it, she needed to shut this down now. “Look, tonight was pleasant—”

“Pleasant? Already giving me the brush-off, lass?”

“Not the brush-off. Lachlan—”

He groaned. “I told you I love it when you say my name. Are you just trying to drive me mad now?”

His Scottish brogue was so crazy sexy and damn did she feel that all the way to her toes. “Fine, I won’t say your name again.”

“Oh, I want you to say my name. Particularly while my head is between your legs—”

“Lachlan!” She turned to stare at him. No one ever talked to her like that. People usually kissed up to her, and on the occasion a man or male worked up the courage to ask her out, they were usually douchey frat bro types. Or mega-rich assholes who assumed she would say yes. This… She had not expected this boldness.

He shrugged his broad shoulders, looking more delicious than she could handle. “I believe in honesty.”

“I don’t care,” she spluttered. “You can’t just say stuff like that.”

“Why not? I know you want me.”

“You’re a very maddening, arrogant dragon,” she muttered. “What?” she asked when he gave her a strange look and stopped. “That can’t be the first time someone’s said that to you. I feel like you probably drive people crazy all the time with your ‘honesty.’”

“No…it’s not the first time.” Still, the look he gave her was almost guarded.

She looked away for a moment as they stood in the alley that ran behind shops and restaurants. It was quiet, though she could hear people in the distance—laughter, little strings of music coming from somewhere. But here in this moonlit alleyway, there was only the two of them. The knowledge that it was just the two of them here heated her blood.

She wanted to say his name but didn’t want him to drop another sensual statement on her. Instead she pressed her palm to his chest, intending to… She wasn’t sure what her intentions were. But the instant her fingers curled against his shirt, he let out another groan and dipped his head toward hers. He didn’t pause, didn’t wait as he brushed his lips over hers.

As if he had every right to.

She was the one who deepened the kiss, grabbing onto his shirt and tugging him closer. As she did, it felt like a dance they’d done a thousand times before, like coming home. Something inside her broke free as she sank into this teasing, the sweep of his tongue against hers.

Immediately he took over, a low rumble emanating from his chest as he hoisted her up, as if he couldn’t get close enough to her. She wrapped her legs around him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She had the feeling he wanted to pin her to the brick wall, but instead he simply wrapped his arms around her, cupping her ass and pulling her tight to him as he delved his tongue into her mouth.

Teasing, tasting, tantalizing. Triple Ts, and the man was making her crazy.

Heat flooded between her legs as he kneaded her ass, again in a way that felt so damn familiar. She didn’t question it but grinded up against him instead, rolling her hips against him as they made out like teenagers. Even as they kissed, she hated that there were clothes in the way. Her nipples tightened against her bra cups, the friction sending another rush of heat through her. God, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d simply made out with someone and it was invigorating and—

“Holy shit,” she heard someone mutter from nearby and pulled back.

That was when she realized she was glowing. Well, her purple fire was flickering all across her body and her hair. And her skin had a soft, violet glow to it. Oh goddess, no. No, she hadn’t felt the change come on at all.

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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Show Time (Juniper Ridge RC #1) by Tawna Fenske-a review

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Show Time (Juniper Ridge Romantic Comedies #1) by Tawna Fenske-a review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 26, 2020

It’s a wacky concept. Take an abandoned cult compound and cast the cops, teachers, farmers, and nurses needed for a self-contained community. Throw in some cameras and presto! Instant TV hit.

There’s only one family with the chops to make it work, so the Judsons pack up their LA lives for a fresh start in rural Oregon. Big brother Dean has brokered billions in Hollywood deals. Surely he can produce a tiny town from scratch? He just needs a finance guru to help him prep for showtime while Dean does his best to forget having his heart smashed to withered bits.

Vanessa Vincent ticks all the boxes, with the bonus of zero interest in the mating game aspect of Juniper Ridge. Just give her some spreadsheets and leave her in peace to turn her own wrecked romances into little more than bad flashbacks.

But Dean and Vanessa don’t count on their epic chemistry, or a stranger who’ll stop at nothing to keep Juniper Ridge from debut day. Can they build the dream without risking their hearts, or will it fade to black before the first act ends?

••••••••

REVIEW:SHOW TIME is the first instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult SHOW TIME romance series. This is CEO Dean Judson, and financial advisor Vanessa Vincent’s story line. Juniper Ridge is a spin off from the author’s Ponderosa Resort series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dean and Vanessa) SHOW TIME follows the building romance and relationship between CEO Dean Judson, and financial advisor Vanessa Vincent. Dean Judson, and his siblings bought land in Juniper Ridge, Oregon once owned by the controversial cult BONK (Benevolent Order of the New Kingdom) and with it they have plans to film a reality show focusing on a community of single men and women looking for love. Hiring a treasurer and CFO finds Dean Judson considering one-time childhood TV star turned financial consultant Vanessa Vincent, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line hero but not all is well at Juniper Ridge when a series of threatening emails, gifts and bloody photos take aim at our storyline heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Vanessa and Dean, and the potential fall-out when issues of trust threaten to tear the couple apart, and the intimidation turns personal and deadly.

The relationship between Dean and Vanessa is one of immediate attraction but neither one is looking for a permanent relationship having loved and failed in the past. Vanessa believes an affair with Dean could threaten her job at Juniper Ridge but Dean sees an opportunity to enjoy one another for as long as they can. Secret rendezvous lead to intimate nights that soon become fodder for someone hoping to destroy our storyline heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Dean’s wacky and wonderful family including sisters Lana, Lauren and Mari, brothers Gabe, and Cooper; café managers/computer hackers Colleen and Patti, police lieutenant Amy Lovelin; Vanessa’s twin sister Valerie, and Roughneck the dog.

SHOW TIME is a story of family, betrayal, obsession and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is sexy and hot…but I failed to ‘sees’ the comedic aspect of a story where issues of trust, and threats of a personal and dangerous nature set the tone for the premise. I guess one person’s comedy, is another person’s tragedy.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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ROMAN (Savage Kings MC ) by Lane Hart and DB West-a review

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ROMAN (Savage Kings MC –South Carolina #1) by Lane Hart and DB West

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 24, 2020

Roman McNamara is not only the president of the Savage Kings of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina but he’s also the king of one-night stands.

Growing up in a tourist town where there’s a party every night means living up the good life with no commitments to anyone but the MC.

There’s just one woman Roman can’t get off his mind no matter how hard he tries…

Five years ago, Charlotte Newsom’s husband, Adam, died for his country. She hasn’t been able to move past the death of her best friend and soulmate and fears she never will.

When tragedy strikes during a bachelorette weekend, Roman and Charlotte’s paths finally cross in the most unexpected way.

Charlotte has no idea that Roman served in the Marines with her husband, or that he’s been keeping an eye on her for years, all while continuing to keep her husband’s secrets.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ROMAN is the first instalment in the contemporary adult SAVAGE KINGS MC-South Carolina erotic, MC romance series co-authored by Lane Hart and DB West. This is Savage Kings MC –South Carolina President Roman McNamara, and Charlotte Newsom’s story line. The Savage Kings MC-South Carolina is a spin off from the authors’ Savage Kings MC series.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Roman and Charlotte) ROMAN follows the building relationship between Savage Kings MC –South Carolina President Roman McNamara and Charlotte Newsom. Five years earlier Charlotte lost her husband Adam to a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Fast forward to present day wherein Charlotte and her friends are spending a week in Myrtle Beach as part of a bachelorette party for their friend Tessa. A nuisance call to Roman McNamara, co-owner of the beach house where the party is underway, finds our hero mistaken for the hired stripper, a mistake that brings Roman face to face with his late friend’s wife Charlotte. A series of kidnappings and rapes against several women in the Myrtle Beach area pulls Roman and the Savage Kings MC into a search for the people responsible, responsible for hurting Charlotte’s friend Tessa, and at least three other women that they know. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Charlotte and Roman, and the fall-out as Roman reveals a secret that he promised to keep from Adam’s wife.

Charlotte Newsom believes in soul mates, and believes her soul mate is dead and gone. Meeting Roman McNamara gives Charlotte a hope for a second chance but with it comes the guilt and heart break of a loss she is unable to comprehend. Roman McNamara knows the secrets Adam Newsom took to the grave but Roman promised to never reveal the truth about what happened years before. With Charlotte on the verge of leaving Myrtle Beach, Roman struggles to reveal Adam’s secrets in an effort to open Charlotte’s eyes to the truth about the man with whom she was once in love.

The relationship between Charlotte and Roman is one of immediate attraction but a case of mistaken identity. An invite from Roman to meet him at Fluid, the Savage Kings MC nightclub, finds Charlotte and her friends enjoying another night on the town but when their friend go missing, Charlotte finds herself pulled into the web that is Roman McNamara. Feelings of guilt and pain follow Charlotte with every encounter until Roman is unable to keep secret the truth about the man that she loved. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive.

We are introduced to the members of the Savage Kings MC –South Carolina branch: Verek, Winston, Conrad, Hugo and Cannon; Charlotte’s friend Tessa, and Tessa’s fiancé Paul.

ROMAN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, second chances, relationships, survival and love. The premise is edgy and tragic; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are edgy and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Sacrifice of Darkness by Alexandra Ivy-Review tour

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Sacrifice of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity / 1001 dark Nights) by Alexandra Ivy-Review tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ZpK7cF

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2020

Javad has one rule. No fighting pits.

It doesn’t matter that the savage battles have been a tradition among demons for eons. As the manager of the Viper’s Nest in Vegas, his word is law. Period. Then he hears rumors that some fool has dared to create a fighting pit in the middle of the desert. He goes in search of the hidden location, only to realize too late it’s a trap by his former master Vynom. The powerful vampire is determined to force Javad to fight once again. This time to the death.

Terra is a rare fey creature known as a Seraf. Long ago she’d been captured by Vynom and forced to heal the fighters he used in his pits. Javad had rescued her, and she’d given him a medallion. If he ever needed her, all he had to do was to speak her name and the magic would lead her to him. When she hears his call she doesn’t hesitate to rush to his rescue. Even when it means returning to the dark violence that still haunts her dreams.

Can they escape the nightmare that nearly destroyed them in the past? And if they survive, are they willing to sacrifice the duties that have pulled them apart to battle for a future together?

••••••••••

REVIEW:SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS is the 15.1 instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal, romance series, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is vampire Javad, and Seraf Terra’s story line. SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Javad and Seraf, SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS follows the imprisonment, escape and recapture of vampire Javad, by his maker Vynom. For centuries, Javad had been forced to fight in the underground cages where he would meet Terra, a Seraf, a fey creature with the ability to heal. Upon his escape Javad would become the manager of the Viper’s Nest in Las Vegas but the possible reappearance Vynom running another underground fighting ring in Javad’s territory forces our hero, along with Levet as his guiee, to search for the man responsible. Imprisoned and forced to fight to the death, Javad would, once again, come face to face with his fated mate, Terra, when Vynom gets help In the recapture of both. What ensues is the fight to the death between Javad and Frack the Orc, and Terra and Javad’s struggle to free themselves from the underground cavern.

SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS is a quick read In which we revisit with our resident Gargoyle Levet; are introduced to the frost fairies; and see another vampire fall under the spell of his fated mate. The premise is fast paced and entertaining; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is passionate.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Javad’s eyes shimmered with a stunning bronze, his snowy white fangs lengthening as he reacted to the scent of her desire. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips down the length of her jaw before nuzzling the corner of her mouth.
“You are very distracting.”
Terra shuddered, her stomach cramping with pleasure. It’d been so long since a male had touched her. Not since Javad had kissed her goodbye in the sewers beneath Athens.
Now her entire body was going up in flames.
“Am I?”
He scraped the tip of one fang over her lower lip. “Yes.”

 

Like most writers, I was born with an avid love for reading. Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a book in my hand or wasn’t dreaming up wild stories in my head. And when I stepped into my local library for the first time I thought it was paradise. There were so many books on the shelves I didn’t know where to start!

Still, I didn’t plan to grow up and become a writer. I was much more interested in a glorious career as an actress on Broadway.

I followed my dream by acquiring a degree in theatre and performing for several years in summer-stock productions, but after I married my college sweetheart I decided to put the career on hold while we started a family. After the arrival of my two sons, Chance and Alex, I found myself seeking a new creative outlet and decided to turn my occasional scribblings into a genuine effort to get published.

I’d like to say that I was an overnight success, but the truth is that it took years before I finally got ‘the call’. The rejections were painful, but now I’m relieved. All those manuscripts that I thought were the next Great American Novel are now exactly where they belong…gathering dust under my bed.

They did, however, help me learn my craft, and just as importantly, they gave me the opportunity to enjoy writing in a wide variety of genres as I searched for my voice. Which no doubt explains why I started writing traditional regencies under the name Debbie Raleigh and then moved to steamy historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh before transforming into a contemporary paranormal writer as Alexandra Ivy. Now my career spans everything from erotica to romantic suspense.

When I’m not writing I love to travel, it doesn’t matter where I’m going as long as it doesn’t include any cooking or cleaning. I also love to spend time with my family who continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. And since some things never change…when I have a few minutes, you can still find me with a book in my hand!

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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Hometown Hero by Liza Kendall – a Review

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Hometown Hero by Liza Kendall – a Review

 

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Description:
Andrew “Ace” Braddock is a player in every sense of the word. The center fielder for the Austin Lone Stars, he’s also been at the center of numerous sports scandals involving beer, bars, and baseball bunnies. But when he takes the fall for a teammate, Ace wakes up in the hospital, injured and in serious trouble. He’s sent to lie low and recover at his family ranch in Silverlake, Texas, where he’s saddled with his worst nightmare: his high school nemesis–a beautiful nurse who refuses to play doctor with him.

Mia Adams has no time to fool around. The daughter of Silverlake’s high school baseball coach has three jobs and a pile of debt left behind by her missing ex. The very last thing she wants is to spend her time indulging hometown hero Easy Ace Braddock. If she didn’t need the money, she’d have nothing to do with the guy from her past who stole her dad’s time, attention, and love away from her before leaving for the major leagues.

As Mia does her best to corral the irrepressible Ace, keep a sense of humor, and fight her unwelcome attraction to him, he charms, sidesteps, and outmaneuvers her. Will the onetime enemies find love at home base, right in the town where they grew up?

 

 

Review:

Hometown Hero by Liza Kendall is the 3rd book in her sweet Silverlake Ranch series. Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, and I was looking forward to reading Hometown Hero, and am happy to say that I loved this one too. Liza Kendall continues to rise up on my list of must-read authors for fun pure romances.

Ace Braddock, our hero, is a famous pro baseball player, who breaks his ankle in a car crash.  Ace has not been home to Silverlake, Texas for a long time, with little contact with his brothers and sister.  But now he is ordered by his agent and team to go home and recuperate, as well as stay out of trouble.  Ace is a player in every sense of the word, either with women, drinking with his friends, or his ego.

Mia Adams, our heroine, is a nurse, who has other jobs to pay the many debts her ex left her.  She is offered a job by Declan Braddock (the team is going to pay for her services as a ‘sober companion’) to be keep a close eye on Ace, and make sure no drinking and staying out of trouble.  Mia makes it known she does not like Ace, especially since he is wild and a player; but most of all because her baseball coach father, always looked at Ace as a son, and sort of ignored her.

What follows heartwarming small-town romance bringing together an unlikely couple that was never in their destiny.  Ace and Mia were totally different, complete opposites; but the attraction between them was obvious, with both determined not to act on it.  In the beginning, I wasn’t crazy about Ace, as he had such an enormous ego, and thought he could do whatever he wanted, despite his family and Mia trying to tame the wild child, whom everyone else idolized.  Early on, Mia became very frustrated, as Ace did what he wanted, and even went to the bar to drink.  In a short time, Ace finds himself very interested in Mia, and why she is working so many jobs.  A friendship builds between them, as Ace learns more about how her ex took all her money and left her totally broke.  He decides to find a way to help her, especially now that he is starting to fall for her.  But as the norm for Ace, he screws things up, and causes Mia to be angry and walk away.  Can he convince her to give him a chance to change, and be the one for her?

It was fun watching Ace get himself into trouble with Mia, and his family so many times.  The bantering between him and Mia was fun too. I loved seeing the Braddock (Declan, Rhett, Jake, Lila, Charley, Jules) family again.  I got a kick out of the two dogs in the story, Declan’s dog Grouchy and Mia’s father’s dog, Stetson.  I did like towards the later part of the book, Declan and Ace slowly begin to bond, as they used to be when they were younger. 

Liza Kendall once again gives us another sweet emotional romance, with a small-town atmosphere, and another Braddock family member finding love.  Hometown Hero was a fun story, with fantastic characters.  If you enjoy pure romances, then look no further then Liza Kendall.  I suggest you read Hometown Hero.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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