Monthly Archives: September 2020

Follow Me Darkly (Follow Me #1) by Helen Hardt-Review Tour

Posted on by
11

Follow Me Darkly (Follow Me #1) by Helen Hardt-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

I’ve always been a control freak. But he makes me crave submission…

Working for a hotel heiress and social media influencer may not be my dream job, but at least it allows me time to do what I really love—take photographs. Pretty good for a wholesome farm girl from Kansas trying to make it in Boston. Life may not be easy working for a diva, but at least I know what to expect.

Until blue-collar billionaire Braden Black strides into the office. He’s beyond handsome and sexy, but also domineering with a definite hard edge. I’m not sure why he’s interested in me, but within a few weeks, he’s showing me a world I never knew existed.

He’s opened up a side of me I can only face in the dark, and it’s quickly becoming an obsession. How can I give up something this addictive—even if his secrets could ultimately destroy me?

••••••

REVIEW: Follow Me Darkly is the first in the Follow Me series by Helen Hardt and it is one fantastic of a read.

Follow me Darkly introduces us to the Kansas farm girl, turned hopeful photographer; Skye Manning and Braden Black, the new business mogul and his need for control in all things in life. Skye is the personal assistant to hotel heiress and social media star Addison Ames, now this isn’t of course what Skye wants to do with the rest of her life. She has a dream of taking pictures of things that matter and working for National Geographic. Life is a normal as normal gets for the Kansas sweetheart, until Braden Black comments on her bosses picture, and then poor Skye is sent down a road she isn’t quite prepared for.

Braden Black, business tycoon, social media king and not to mention over the top good looking, comes waltzing into Skye’s work place and the sparks between them are off the charts. Braden is a over the top alpha, and a Dom as well, he needs control from his partner, but when he meets Skye things don’t go the way he thinks they will.

And now he can’t get her out of his mind.

The game for control is on, Braden wants Skye’s control, but she holds onto like it;s going to save her life. Their game of cat and mouse is one of the best reads I have had all year, even better is when things finally come to a head. There are things that slowly start to come to light, things from Braden’s past that he hasn’t shared, but Skye needs to know. The ending! Oh the cliffhanger on this will leave you with the worst book hanger, but also have you craving for more. 5 Star review from me, this book has chemistry, angst, suspense and so much more!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Follow:Goodreads/ Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

Share

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher – a Review

Posted on by
11

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Harry has faced terrible odds before. He has a long history of fighting enemies above his weight class. The Red Court of vampires. The fallen angels of the Order of the Blackened Denarius. The Outsiders.

But this time it’s different. A being more powerful and dangerous on an order of magnitude beyond what the world has seen in a millennium is coming. And she’s bringing an army. The Last Titan has declared war on the city of Chicago, and has come to subjugate humanity, obliterating any who stand in her way.

Harry’s mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. And the attempt will change Harry’s life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever.

 

 

Review:

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher is the 17th book in his excellent urban fantasy The Dresden Files series.  I have read a few of the books in this series, since most of Butcher’s books are huge, it is hard to catch up; especially since its been a number of years having passed without a new addition of The Dresden files, though in July Peace Talks was released giving fans two Dresden File book in one year.  Even though I did not read Peace Talks, I had no problem as I loved Battle Ground; which was an amazing nonstop action filled adventure from start to finish.

Harry Dresen, our Wizard hero, is star of this series.  Harry is the Winter Knight, beholden to Mab, who is the Queen of Air and Darkness. We knew something big was on horizon when Peace Talks ended, and Battle Ground begins immediately after, with a ultra-powerful Titan, Ethniu, is on her way to destroy Chicago and all humanity. Ethniu is filled with hatred of humans and Mab, and will stop at nothing to cause utter chaos and destruction to all of Chicago with her creatures and army of thousands. From the immediate start, Harry was attacked by some of those creatures, and manages to survive with the help of Lara, Molly and Murphy. But this is only the beginning, as the battle to come is epic, and constant, with death defying situations having us holding our breaths so often, we were exhausted by the time this book ended. 

I loved that in Battle Ground we get to see just so many of the regulars we have come to know, such as Murphy, Mab, Lara, Molly, Marcone, Butters, Sanya, Michael, Sarissa, River, Titiana, with a few surprises along the way. Mab was amazing in this story, as her faith in Harry excels, and she pulls her team together to help fight what is a desperate attempt to survive.  Poor Harry, each time he was able to stop one thing, so much more kept coming. Battle Ground was one of the most exciting books I have read this year, and I have read a few.  No surprise, as Jim Butcher is such a terrific writer.  There is so much action throughout the book, you don’t have a moment to blink.  Just when you think …whew, he got through that one, damned if you are not hit again, and again and again. 

This is a difficult review to write, as everything that happens is a spoiler.  Harry is phenomenal, and he suffers badly, but like the energizer battery, he keeps going.  I cannot say the last half of the book was wild, crazy, mind-boggling; since the entire book was nonstop action all the way to the end.  Amazing ride… If you have not read The Dresden Files, it is time to do so.  Harry Dresden is one of the best heroes, and it is hard pressed to find a writer such as Jim Butcher, who can keep this story fresh, and the hero still awesome.  Battle Ground is a must read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Share

No Love Lost (The Forgotten) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

Posted on by
12

No Love Lost (Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten #5) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

When Ezra Fain joined the ranks of the CIA, the last thing on his mind was romance. After meeting Kim Soloman, it was difficult to think of anything else. A tragic mistake drove them apart, leaving him shattered and unable to forgive the woman he loved. But when his greatest enemy threatens her life, Ezra leaps into action, prepared to do anything to try to save her.

Solo accepted long ago that she won’t get over Ezra. She’s worked for years to get back into his life, looking for any way to reignite the love they once shared. Unfortunately, nothing seems to penetrate the wall he has built between them. When she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, she believes she’s on her own.

Racing across the globe, Ezra and Solo find themselves together again, caught in the crosshairs of the agency they sacrificed so much to serve. Days on the run soon turn to steamy nights, but Levi Green isn’t about to let them find their happily ever after. And when the smoke clears, the men and women of McKay-Taggart will never be the same again.

•••••••

REVIEW: NO LOVE LOST is the fifth and final Instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: THE FORGOTTEN erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series focusing on six former military soldiers (Jax, Dante, Sasha, Tucker, Owen, Robert and Ezra/Beck) whose minds and lives were eradicated and erased by a secret, unauthorized military experiment. This is former CIA operatives Kimberly ‘Solo’ Solomon, and Ezra Fain aka Beckett Kent’s story line. NO LOVE LOST should not be read as a stand alone as the story line has been building throughout the series. THE FORGOTTEN is a spin off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series; several characters from the aforementioned series as well as the Nights in Bliss, Colorado and Texas Sirens series cross over for familiarity.

NOTE: If you have not read Lexi Blake’s original Masters and Mercenaries series, their may be some confusion as it pertains to the Lost Boys and their backstory.

WARNING: There are some BDSM scenes as well as Dom/sub sexual scenarios.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months (years) earlier, the mercenaries from the McKay-Taggart Black Ops group rescued, from an unauthorized military lab, run by Dr. Hope McDonald, six men they labelled the ‘Lost Boys’. With their memories wiped clean, no ID, and no traceable DNA, the Lost Boys were essentially ‘new born’ soldiers trained to kill and destroy. The Forgotten are their stories.

Told from third person perspectives, covering several years beyond the present, NO LOVE LOST focuses on the acrimonious and caustic relationship between former CIA operatives, former lovers, and the now divorced couple Kimberly ‘Solo’ Solomon, and Ezra Fain aka Beckett Kent. Divorced for years, our couple struggled with the reality that the fine line between love and hate goes a long way when Beck continues to blame Solo for the death of his brother but Levi Greene, a common enemy who has set his sights on our story line heroine, will pull Beck back into Kimberly’s life but in doing so Beck’s anger and pain would push her away one last time. Fast forward seven years wherein the team at McKay Taggart will discover Solo’s whereabouts which will inadvertently threaten everyone Kimberly loves. What ensues is the rebuilding but tempestuous on again, off again relationship between Beck and Kim, and the fall-out as too many lies and secrets, once again, threaten the fragile hold on trust and love .

Beckett Kent aka Ezra Fain is a man with a temper who lashes out at the woman he loves. Issues of trust, miscommunication, words said in anger and haste between the couple add fuel to an already simmering pain. As Solo struggles with her need for a man who pushes all of her buttons, the enemy is biding his time in an effort to destroy Beckett and Kim.

The relationship between Beckett and Kim is a second chance relationship that has been burned one too many times. Beckett blames Kim for the loss of his brother but it will be the secrets and lies that will push Becket over the edge. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some light BDSM, Dom/sub and spanking scenarios.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar, colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several of the author’s previously mentioned series. The timeline of NO LOVE LOST jumps approximately seven years wherein the author is setting the stage for her next spin off: Masters and Mercenaries-Reloaded.

NO LOVE LOST is the culmination of five interwoven storylines about The Forgotten-a group of men who lost their lives, their minds, their family and respect; a detailed story of family and friendships; betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies; love, loss, and forgiveness. The premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is heart breaking yet seductive; the characters are struggling to find a place in the world.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Lost Hearts aka Memento Mori
Lost and Found
Lost in You
Long Lost

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Kim, stop.” Beck sighed, an exhausted sound. “Please.”
It was the please that did it. He was so rarely polite to her. She took a deep breath and turned to him. They needed to ratchet down the emotion. It was what always tripped them up. “I don’t think we can work together.”
“We certainly can’t if I continue to be a massive asshole.” He moved toward her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. You’re still a touchy subject for me.”
She nodded, unable to say a word for fear of unleashing a tidal wave. Not seconds before she’d told herself to tamp down the emotion, but here it was, threatening to overwhelm her and all he’d had to do was touch her.
“How about we agree that Levi Green is a problem for both of us and we work together to solve it,” he offered. “Kim, we’ve been going in circles for years. Maybe it’s time we find a way to move on. I know I’m tired of hating you.”
She stepped back. She couldn’t have his hands on her when he used that word. It was wrong when all she’d ever done was love him. “Ariel pointed out that it would be easier on both of us if I stopped showing up in your life.”
His gaze softened. “Would it? I didn’t see you for a couple of years and it didn’t feel any easier.”
She let a moment pass. How was it she felt even more vulnerable than she had when she was with Levi? “I know. I’ve tried to move on. I don’t seem to be able to.”
His hands moved as if he wanted to touch her, but he seemed to rethink the idea. “So maybe we should go about this another way. Maybe we should take this time and do what we didn’t do before. Talk. Try to find a way to get through this. I’m sorry I said what I did about you and Levi. It still hurts and I’m lashing out. All I know is when I thought you were in danger, I knew I couldn’t sit on my hands and let it happen. I can’t do it now either. Let me come with you. Let me help fix this.”
No. It was the only word she should say to him, and then she should turn and walk out and never look back. If she let him in, he would hurt her no matter how good his intentions were. Beck had always had a well of rage inside him that he wouldn’t deal with, wouldn’t acknowledge even existed. He hadn’t changed.
“Okay.” She hadn’t changed either. She was still helpless when it came to this man. She was still in love with him and likely always would be.
He let go of a heavy breath. “Good.” He was silent for a moment, looking her over. “Did he hurt you? Are your wrists okay?”
She’d managed to get what was left of the zip ties off in the car. She had some red marks on her wrists. “They’re sore, but all right. He didn’t slap me around this time.”
She watched as Beck’s hands formed fists and wished she hadn’t said that. His rage was always simmering under the surface when she was around.
He seemed to let it go. “All right. We should get on the road. Can you grab some water and protein bars? I don’t know what we’ll find when we get to Paris.”
She kind of thought she did know. She’d done a lot of homework on Big Tag, and if Rene was who she thought he was, then Beck would feel right at home.
Still, she grabbed the water bottles and bars and stuffed them in the duffel Steph had provided for her. There were a couple of T-shirts and a pair of sweatpants that would likely be too short, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
This was all she had in the world. It was odd. She would have said possessions were meaningless, but now that she had no access to any of the things that brought her comfort, she missed them with all her heart.
She had one thing. She reached up and found some peace knowing her ring was still there. All these years and she still had her wedding ring. It hung low around her neck, and she always hid it under her shirt when Beck was around.
It was all she had left of her marriage.
“You ready?” Beck fitted a cap to his head and passed her another. “You might want to put your hair up. I know if I was looking for you, all that hair would be the first thing to catch my eye.”
How many nights had he tangled his fingers in her hair and gently tugged, had he told her how beautiful it was and that he never wanted her to cut it? “Yeah. I’m ready.”
He stepped in front of her and placed the cap on her head, his gorgeous eyes staring down at her. “I really am sorry I said what I did. Can you forgive me?”
Her whole soul threatened to melt. She nodded.
“Can I hug you? I want to. I want to reassure myself that you’re really okay.”
She nodded again and then she was in his arms for the first time in years.
“Promise me he didn’t get a chance to hurt you,” Beck whispered.
He sounded like he actually cared. His arms around her made her feel safer than she had in forever. “He threatened me with a bunch of stuff, but I don’t want to talk about it. I will, but not now.”
“Okay.”
They stood there for the longest time, the sound of his heartbeat the only thing she could hear.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Share

PLAY MINE (Brooklyn Dawn3) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott-review

Posted on by
11

PLAY MINE (Brooklyn Dawn #3) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 28, 2020

Sleeping with your bandmate is wrong, right? But what if it feels really good…

I’m a keyboardist on probation with the mega huge band Brooklyn Dawn.

No fights. No drama.

No problem.

Until Cooper, our drummer, steps in when my dangerous ex approaches me for the first time in years.

Cooper defending me—protecting me like no one ever has—rattles me. Turns me on. Makes me long for something I’d vowed would never be mine.

I didn’t mean to sleep with him.

Exactly.

Now we’re lying to everyone, hiding what’s happening. Hoping my ex will just disappear again, although Cooper thinks that’s the coward’s way out.

Except I’ve been hiding my past from the band, upholding my promise of no drama. Whether or not it’s my fault.

But Cooper wants to keep me safe. Wants me to be his, in every possible way.

No matter the consequences.

••••••••••

REVIEW: PLAY MINE is the third instalment in the contemporary, adult BROOKLYN DAWN erotic, rock, romance series co-authored by Cari Quinn and Tary Elliott. Focusing on the members of the rock band Brooklyn Dawn, this is twenty-eight year old, ex-Ranger and drummer Cooper Dallas, and keyboardist Teagan Daly’s story line. PLAY MINE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. Several characters cross over from the authors’ Oblivion World series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cooper and Teagan) PLAY MINE follows the friends (bandmates) to lovers relationship between twenty-eight year old, ex-Ranger and drummer Cooper Dallas, and keyboardist Teagan Daly, and the threats against the musicians who work for Ripper Records. With the latest threats focusing on Teagan Daly, Cooper Dallas, a former US Army Ranger and Teagan’s band mate declares himself the personal guardian of our story line heroine after a suspicious fire forced Teagan to move in with the band’s drummer. As the team at Ripper Records places a security guard with each of the band’s members, an investigation into the who, how and why reveals no suspects or motives until Brooklyn Dawn’s guitarist Zane is drugged resulting in a paparazzi nightmare. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Teagan and Cooper, and the potential fall-out as the band goes on the road in the aftermath of attacks against our story line heroine.

The relationship between Cooper and Teagan is a best friends to lovers, Brooklyn Dawn bandmates wherein their forced time together pushes the couple closer together. Cooper Dallas has lusted after his best friend for as long as he can remember but Teagan has been oblivious to the sparks between our leading couple. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, spontaneous and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including all of the members of Brooklyn Dawn: Lead singer Lindsey York (Alex Nash), lead guitarist Jamie DuCaine, rhythm guitarist Zane Landry, bass guitarist Oz Taylor, and stylist Daisy Flannigan; Roth Defense specialist Noah Jordan, and Cole Riggs, Ripper Records executives CEO Donovan Lewis, and Lila Ronson Shawcross Crandall and her husband Nick (Oblivion), and several members of from the other bands at Ripper Records including Ricki (Warning Sign), Michael Shawcross (Warning Sign), and Deacon McCoy (Oblivion).

PLAY MINE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. A story of betrayal and vengeance, threats and protection. The fast paced premise is powerful and emotional; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic and charismatic. PLAY MINE ends on a happily ever after-for now as the conflict has yet to be resolved.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Play Dirty
Play Fast

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Seduced in Ink (Montgomery Ink) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review Tour

Posted on by
13

Seduced in Ink (Montgomery Ink: Boulder #4) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk / Amazon au / Apple /B&N / KOBO / Google

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49628519-seduced-in-ink

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

The Montgomery Ink: Boulder series concludes with a fake relationship where the heat and emotional connection are anything but false.

The moment Madison McClard’s parents tell her that her ex is getting married, there’s no getting out of their latest scheme. One moment she’s trying to get out of their clutches. The next, they’re telling her exactly who she’ll marry to save the family name. The one thing her parents don’t count on, however: Aaron Montgomery.

Aaron Montgomery didn’t mean to lie. Still, as soon as he overheard Madison’s dilemma, the words fell out of his mouth. Now, he’s fake engaged to a woman he barely knows, who also happens to be his new brother-in-law’s cousin.

As the deception mounts, so does the attraction. They told themselves it was only a ruse, but as feelings ramp and dangers surge, this Montgomery may have just met his match.

He simply has to fight to keep her.

•••••••

REVIEW:Seduced in Ink is the next in the Montgomery Ink Boulder series, and what a funny adventure this one is. This book can be read as a standalone, but it’s always best to read a series in order in my personally opinion. Ms. Carrie Ann Ryan has gifted us with a lovely story of a woman learning herself and seeing her family in a different light. A story that is sure to make you scream in anger and laugh at the funny in the next moment.

In this grand adventure we meet Madison, a sassy business owner of a sinful bakery and alpha hottie; Aaron, the famous artist. Madison is under the thumb of her horrid parents, who now want to marry her off to a total stranger. Now be warned now readers, Madison’s parents are going to make you want to spit, but grin and bare it, the story must go on. Aaron is a family friend and in the attempt to help Madison out from the viper tongue of her Mother, comes up with the grand plan to tell everyone that they are engaged.

That’s right, a fake engagement.

Over the course of the book, Madison and Aaron navigate the waters of a fake relation that feels anything but fake. From sassy exchanges with Madison’s horrible parents, a weird man that her Mother keeps trying to “sell” her to that give her the creeps and hot nights that fuel hot dreams, Madison and Aaron wormed their way right into my favorite couples list! 4.5 stars for the lovely author.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Follow: Goodreads  /Website  /Facebook  /Twtter  /Instragram

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

Share
Share

A Highlander is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham – a Review

Posted on by
12

A Highlander is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo  / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
You better watch out. . .

Holt Pierson is dreading Christmas. His parents absconded to Florida for the season and left him to handle the family farm which will be his one day―whether he wants it or not. Driven by duty, Holt has always followed the path expected of him. But lately, he’s been questioning what he wants and where he belongs. Will assuming the responsibility of the Pierson farm make him happy or is there something―or someone―else out in the wider world calling to him?

To Claire Smythe, the Scottish lead singer of a touring band, Highland, Georgia, is the perfect place to hide . . .until a very handsome and deeply curious Holt begins to ask all the questions Claire doesn’t want to answer. As Holt draws Claire out from under and into the fabric of small-town life, can Claire put the past behind her and embrace the unexpected gifts of the season―including the new and lasting love?

 

 

Review:

A Highlander Coming to Town by Laura Trentham is the 3rd and final book in her Highland, Georgia series. I have read the previous two books, and this book does read very well as a standalone. 

Claire Smythe, our heroine, is a former singer for a Scottish band, which participated in the Highland, Georgia festival.  Claire is hiding out, as she does not want people to pay too much attention to her.  It seems that Claire dreads returning to Scotland, where her family is waiting for her to return, and assume her responsibility, as she is an heiress to a major whiskey empire.  Claire lives with Ms. Meadows, an elderly woman, who needs help, and Claire is her caregiver.  One day returning from the store on her bicycle she has a slight accident, and someone comes to her rescue.

Holt Pierson, our hero, runs the family farm, while his parents are away on vacation for the summer.  Even though Claire doesn’t want a ride in his car, she has no choice as the bike is damaged.  Ms. Meadows see Holt, points a rifle at him, until Claire tells her he was helping her.  Seems Holt’s family and Ms Meadows had a falling out years ago about her land, which is next to Holt’s family.

At first Claire avoids Holt, but she slowly becomes more comfortable with him, as he continues to pop up often. Holt was a great hero, always nice and caring and well liked in town; he tries to find out more information from Claire, as to what she seems to be hiding.  They begin to spend a lot of time together; Holt finds himself falling for Claire.  She too has feelings for him, but knows she will be leaving Highland soon. 

Because of her newfound friendship with Holt, Claire finds herself meeting other people, such has Anna and Iain (last book heroes), and agreeing to hang out at the bar.  She ends up singing, and begins to open up enjoy her stay at Highland.  Holt and Claire’s friendship escalates into a slow build romance, and Holt learns that Claire is an heiress, but their relationship continues to sizzle, as she tries to come to terms with what she will do. Will Claire return home to Scotland and claim her inheritance?  You will need to read this book to find out what happens.

What follows was a fun enjoyable romance, which included two couples, mostly though with Claire and Holt, who ended up being a great couple.  I love the wonderful secondary characters in the town.  It was a great ending, with both sets of parents coming to Highland at the same time.  As I have said before, Laura Trentham always gives us sweet wonderful romances, great characters, and an amazing small town.  If you love romance and Highlanders, you need to be reading this series. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

Out of Love by Jewel E Ann-Review & Excerpt tour

Posted on by
12

Out of Love by Jewel E Ann-Review & Excerpt tour

 

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 27, 2020

Conspiracies. Corruption. Serial killers.

You name it—I’m fascinated by it. My mom always blamed my overly curious and highly suspicious mind on my dad.

My incredibly overbearing dad.

Mr. No One Is Good Enough For My Daughter has been terrifying my dates since I turned fifteen.

College is my chance to be free from his control and date any guy I want.

I’m absolutely certain he would hate Slade Wylder—almost as certain as I am that I do too.

Since when have I shied away from trouble?

Slade fascinates me. He lives in a house I’m certain is haunted. His dog is trained as well as any guard I’ve ever seen. Rumor on campus is that he deals drugs. It would explain a lot.

But it doesn’t explain why he saves me from my darkest moment.

It doesn’t explain why I can’t stop thinking about him.

And the explanation I finally discover is far more dangerous than any rumor.

••••••••

REVIEW:OUT OF LOVE by Jewel E Ann is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romantic suspense story line set in the author’s Jack and Jill world. This is Livy Knight, and Slade Wylder’s story line. Livy is the daughter of Jackson Knight and Ryn Middleton (Middle of Knight-Jack and Jill 2-3). OUT OF LOVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the Jack and Jill series for back story and history.

Told from three first perspectives (Livy, Slade and Jackson) covering several years in the life of Livy Knight, OUT OF LOVE focuses on the building romance and relationship between Livy Knight, and Slade Wylder. A senior in college Livy Knight will meet the mysterious Slade Wylder, a new student and now her neighbour but a man whose secrets run dangerous and deep. Believing Slade is a drug dealer or deaf (because of the constant presence of what Livy believes is a support dog) or an escort for hire, Livy’s curiosity will pull our heroine into the aura that is Slade Wylder, a man who refuses to reveal the true extent of his business in town. But all is not well in Slade Wylder’s life, when the past demands payment for sins, and Livy may be more than just collateral damage. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Slade and Livy, and the fall-out when the truth is revealed.

OUT OF LOVE covers approximately eleven years in the life of Livy Knight-a wild child who constantly defies her father Jackson Knight, a man whose need to protect his daughter, is based upon experience and fact but our heroine is unaware of her father’s history, a history that is about to repeat itself, in more ways than one. Slade Wylder is a man of many secrets having led a life of danger and death. Meeting Livy Knight gives Slade a hope for some normalcy but reality will pull Slade back and force him to make a heart breaking decision.

The relationship between Livy and Slade is tempestuous at best as Livy is unable to let go of her curiosity as it pertains to Slade Wylder. Slade is a bit of an enigma; a man whose secrets spark Livy’s need to know, a need that will place our heroine in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

For fans of the author’s Jack and Jill series, the appearance of Livy’s father Jackson Knight, and her aunt Jessica (Jackson’s twin) brings the familiarity of old friends but also the pain of loss of what was and what will never be.

OUT OF LOVE is a story of family and love; betrayal and vengeance; secrets, lies, power and control. The thought provoking premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is fated but heart breaking; the characters are energetic, spirited and colorful. OUT OF LOVE is a raw, emotional, haunting and surprising return to the author’s Jack and Jill world, and the characters we loved.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

After their kissy-huggy greeting ended, they walked toward the house with
Jericho in tow. I waited for him to glance back at me. He saw me. There was no way he
passed me a few seconds earlier on the street and didn’t see me. Yet, he made no
attempt to acknowledge me.
Until …
My boy Jerry stopped abruptly and turned like he caught whiff of my scent. All
the warm fuzzies filled my chest. A dog gave me more feels than any man had given me
in a long time. Maybe ever.
Jericho liked me. Hell, maybe he loved me.He protected me.
He smiled when he saw me—tongue out, tail in a low wag. I continued my way up
the sidewalk, feigning surprise when he trotted toward me in spite of Slade barking his
own command.
“Hey, Jerry.” I squatted down to give him double the love Miss Sophisticated gave
him … and I had a treat in my pocket because part of me anticipated—hoped for—a
chance encounter. “Oh, buddy … I love you too.” I closed my eyes and turned my face
side to side while he showered me with kisses.
Slade cleared his throat.
I opened my eyes—noticing his friend must have gone inside. “Sorry.” I stood,
sliding a treat into Jericho’s mouth along the way. “I know it’s hard for you to know he
likes me more.” On a shrug, I bit my lips together to keep my shit-eating grin under
control.
“Inside,” he said to Jericho while looking at me.
Jericho turned and headed to the back door.
“If you have a job to do … Jerry can hang with me tonight. I’m alone this
evening.”
“Jericho. And he doesn’t need a babysitter.”
“Maybe I do.”
His brow tensed a fraction, contemplation settling into a slight frown for a few
seconds, before he whistled and Jericho came running. “Send him home when your
friends get back.”
Why was the only word that sat on the tip of my idle tongue? Why protect me?“What are you going to do?” Okay, apparently “why” wasn’t the only word on the
tip of my tongue after all. Six other words were in line first.
“Does it matter?”
Letting my gaze settle over his shoulder to the firehouse and images of Miss
Sophisticated waiting for him, I lifted a single shoulder. “No. Just curious. Is she your
girlfriend?”
“Does it matter?”
“I hate you.” I rolled my eyes. “Worst communication skills ever.”
“Good. Hate me. I prefer it.”
I recoiled. I didn’t really hate anyone. It wasn’t my personality to be hateful,
vengeful, or hold grudges. Why did Slade Wylder want me to hate him? It was a joke. I
hated his lack of sharing information.
“If you’re selling her some shit that will ruin her life, may I suggest you rethink
that? Not cool, Wylder.”
“Noted.”
Tipping my chin up, I gave him several tiny nods. “Okay then. I’ll take Jerry to my
house and spoil him. Maybe he comes back to you … maybe he doesn’t.”
Slade let his gaze slide down my body, a slow and easy trip. He didn’t do that
when we met. Somewhere along the way, he decided it was okay. I wasn’t sure what
reaction he desired from me.
Maybe nothing.
Maybe he did it out of pure selfish desire.
“I’m only allowing this because I love Jerry.”
Curious eyes met mine, slightly squinted.I smirked. “Stripping me with those eyes of yours.”
Moments …
I collected moments in my mind, my heart, my soul, like Aubrey collected rare
coins—my mom dying, my dad spending a few years thoroughly drunk. Mostly bad
moments—permanent scars.
That moment I tucked into my memory forever as one of the first truly great
moments.
Wylder …
The corners of his mouth quirked into pure sin. If Satan was hot as fuck, his
name would have been Slade Wylder, and I would have been in a whole helluva lot of
trouble.

 

 

 

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

Share

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle – a Review

Posted on by
13

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she’s been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company’s property into warehouse space and shut down Porter’s, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she’s helping secure the town’s future.

Mike Marshall’s family founded Porter’s. For decades, the factory served as the lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather’s company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a widower raising a teenage daughter, he’s suffered enough losses in one lifetime. News of the factory’s closing means losing another piece of the town’s legacy.

Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they’ll cherish for many New Years to come.

 

 

Review:

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle is a delightful and sweet standalone novel that starts the Christmas season with a bang.  I really enjoyed this story and the wonderful characters created by Naigle.

Vanessa Larkin, our heroine, was planning a fun work  trip to Paris with her assistant, as she is one of the best employees.  Instead, she is assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina, to convert her company’s year old acquisition to close and clear out the property to sell.  Vanessa isn’t to happy to have to handle this case, “Best Fruitcake”, and to pull the plug with the holiday (Christmas around the corner).   She hopes to do this quickly, closing Porter’s fruitcake factory, offering retirement packages and new job opportunities to help the town, and then head home for Christmas. 

When she arrives and calls a meeting that evening, everyone (this is a small town) suspects the worse, giving Vanessa the negativity vibe at the meeting, but she manages to let people know she is investigating other possibilities such as a empty second warehouse to use.  This calms people hoping for the best, but she meets horse farmer, Mike Marshall, who at first was nice to Vanessa, but when he realized who she was, he was downright nasty.

Mike is a widower, and has a 15 year old daughter, Misty, who helps her father train the eight beautiful Percheron horses, and she is also very talented, especially at her age.  She will befriend Vanessa, much to her father’s unhappiness, until he begins to see Vanessa working hard on finding a solution to save the town.  In a short time, their friendship escalates into a slow build romance.   We also learn that Mike’s grandfather, is the one who owned Porters and sold it for money needed elsewhere.  The Marshall family took care of the town all these years, having found Porter’s.

It was also nice to meet Vanessa’s aunt, who came to spend time with Vanessa for the time they stayed.  There is a second romance between the aunt and Buck, Porter’s former owner.  I loved the town of Fraser Hills, and the wonderful secondary characters.  Misty was an amazing and talented young girl, whom Vanessa began to care for.  I loved loved the puppy (Scooter/Porter) who kept escaping; so adorable and such fun.  Vanessa surprised herself loving the taste of the dreaded fruitcake and cookies, and she slowly began to fall in love with the town and the wonderful holiday traditions (dinners, tree lighting, parade, etc).  

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise was a wonderful, heartwarming, sweet romance, with a great couple in Vanessa and Mike, and the friendship and townsfolk who opened their arms to Vanessa.  Though she was a workaholic, the town grew on her, not to mention her falling for Mike.  Vanessa will step up to save the town and realize that Fraser Hills is where she belongs.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share