Monthly Archives: October 2020

In The Deep by Loreth Anne White-a review

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In The Deep by Loreth Anne White-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 25, 2020

I hope you don’t find him. And if you do, I hope he’s dead and that he suffered…

Real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith is the best thing that has ever happened to Ellie. After her daughter’s devastating death, a divorce, and an emotional breakdown, he’s helped her move as far as possible from the grief, the rage, and the monsters of her past. Ellie imagines her new home with Martin in an Australian coastal town will be like living a fairy tale. But behind closed doors is another story—one that ends in Martin’s brutal murder. And Ellie seems almost relieved…

Naturally, everyone thinks Mrs. Cresswell-Smith is guilty.

Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi has reasonable doubt. She sees evidence of a twisted psychological battle and a couple who seemed to bring out the worst in each other—adultery, abuse, betrayal, and revenge. If anything Ellie says can be believed, that is. As the case takes twist after spiraling twist, Lozza can’t shake the gut instinct that she’s being manipulated. That Ellie is hiding something. That there are secrets yet to surface. Lozza has no idea.

•••••••

REVIEW:IN THE DEEP by Loreth Anne White is a contemporary, adult, psychological thriller focusing on Canadian heiress and children’s book artist Ellie Hartley Cresswell-Smith, and the investigation into the murder of her husband, real estate mogul Martin Cresswell Smith.

Told from several first and third person perspectives including Ellie Hartley and Senior Constable Laurel ‘Lozza’ Bianchi, IN THE DEEP follows Canadian heiress Ellie Hartley in the months following her whirlwind romance with Australian real estate mogul Martin Cresswell Smith. Within days after meeting Martin Cresswell, Ellie Hartley reluctantly agrees to a working European vacation culminated by their marriage in Las Vegas, Nevada. Four months will pass before Ellie joins Martin in Australia where her life is about to spiral out of control. Frequent unexplained blackouts blamed on the use of alcohol and drugs finds our heroine the prime suspect in her husband’s murder, a murder predicated on secrets and lies. As the investigation, by Senior Constable Detective Lozza Bianchi, into Ellie’s husband’s murder takes on a life of it’s own, the author pulls the reader into the backstory and history of Ellie’s life including her first marriage, her controlling father, her friendship with Dana Bainbridge in Vancouver BC, and her descent into madness at the expense of her own happiness and sanity.

IN THE DEEP takes place in Agnes Basin, New South Wales, Australia where Ellie becomes suspicious within minutes upon arrival. Although welcomed into the bosom of small town life, Ellie finds herself on the outside looking in, and the unenviable target of her new husband’s anger and rage. Not all is well in Ellie’s less than well-ordered life but she never expected to find herself on the defensive with strangers who meant more to her husband than she could ever have imagined.

Loreth Ann White pulls the reader into a suspense filled, psychological thriller of murder, deception, secrets and lies, intricate games of life and death. With a colorful, energetic and eclectic cast of secondary and supporting characters, IN THE DEEP is a complex and detailed story with so many twists and turns- you won’t be able to stop reading until the very end.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Just a Little Bet (Where There’s Smoke) by Tawna Fenske-a review

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Just a Little Bet (Where There’s Smoke #2) by Tawna Fenske-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 26, 2020.

After a night of too many drinks, smokejumper Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, come to the realization that they’re both bad at love. They even tried dating each other, but that crashed and burned, too. Now he’s got the hangover from hell and the certain conclusion he’s just a shit boyfriend. But Kayla thinks he’s a straight-up commitment-phobe.

So they make a bet—they’re going to hunt down his exes and decide once and for all why he’s so unlucky in love. Terrible boyfriend or commitment-phobe. Why does either answer feel like he’s still losing?

But between roadside burgers and late night detours, they discover some fires never burn out—like the one slowly smoldering between them. And suddenly losing feels a whole lot like winning again.

•••••••

REVIEW: JUST A LITTLE BET is the second instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult WHERE THERE’S SMOKE romance series (formerly known as Smokejumper). This is smokejumper / firefighter Tony Warren, and thirty-one year old, photographer Kayla Gladney’s story line. JUST A LITTLE BET can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective JUST A LITTLE BET follows former lovers now friends smokejumper / firefighter Tony Warren, and photographer Kayla Gladney as they embark on a cross country journey to face down a number of Tony’s ex-girlfriends in an effort to understand why all of his relationships fail. Meanwhile, Kayla has been contracted to do a coffee table book of photography focusing on the burned-out remains of several forest fires so their journey together forces Tony to remember a painful past that is about to come full circle. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Tony and Kayla, and the potential fall-out as Tony believes he is incapable of love or ever being loved, in return.

Tony and Kayla dated in the past. For whatever reason their romantic relationship fizzled and died but the embers remained hot and the palpable sexual energy continued to burn. But Tony’s dark past is about to rear its’ proverbial ugly head, and in the aftermath Tony struggles with his relationship to the woman with whom he had fallen in love. As Tony faced down the women from his past, Kayla offered support, sometimes pretending to be Tony’s new girlfriend. As their journey continues Kayla begins to examine all of her own failed relationships and comes to the conclusion that she and Tony were meant to be.

The relationship between Tony and Kayla is a former lovers to best friends to lovers, once again, relationship wherein our couple agree to a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship while on the road but the heart wants something more when Tony professes his love then everything begins to spiral out of control. Late night dinner dates and sunrise photography sessions pull our couple closer together but the past is about to intrude once again, forcing Tony to push Kayla away. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Willa and Grady (The Two-Date Rule #1), Kayla’s friend Aislin, as well as Tony’s best friend Leo , nurse Nyla, Tony’s mother Connie, and Kayla’s mom Patty, Tony’s brother Joel, and a string of Tony’s ex’s who let him know exactly how they feel.

JUST A LITTLE BET is a story of second chances, revelations, expectations and moving forward. The premise is heart warming and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are little bit broken, colorful and energetic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE TWO DATE RULE

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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One Charmed Christmas by Sheila Roberts-a review

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ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts- a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

Catherine Pine is hoping her Christmas is a bit more jolly than last year’s. That one was her first without her husband, and with her kids and their families absent this year, she’s worried. But things change when her good friend invites her on a Christmas cruise to lift her spirits. Suddenly every day is an adventure and she’s making a bunch of new friends, including the lovable Sophie Miles.

It’s like a gift from Santa when Sophie and Catherine meet the charming Dr. Rudy Nichols, a perfect match for hypochondriac Sophie. But he comes with a two-legged lump of coal, his guard-dog daughter. And then there’s chocolatier Trevor March, who’s also interested in the scrumptious Sophie. Can he convince her that chocolate is the perfect cure for what ails her? Who knows what Santa has in store for these holiday travelers? Anything could happen this charmed Christmas!

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts is a contemporary, adult story line focusing on several passengers who have embarked on a pre-Christmas holiday boat cruise through Europe ( or more specifically Germany).

Told from third person perspective ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS follows sisters Sophie and Sierra, Dr. Rudy Nichols and his daughter Athena, brothers Trevor and Kurt March, and friends Catherine and Denise.

Breaking down the passenger agenda and backstory: Sophie Miles is a hypochondriac who reluctantly agreed to the European cruise when her sister Sierra’s husband bailed on his Christmas cruise tickets. Hoping to meet her future husband, Sophie will latch onto Dr. Rudy Nichols, a man several decades older but a man who has eyes for someone else. Meanwhile, Sophie’s sister Sierra struggles with the possible demise of her marriage, and begins to pull away from the other passengers, choosing to remain behind while the others play tourist.

Widower Dr. Rudy Nichols found himself attracted to widow Catherine Pine but Catherine is hiding a secret that will affect all relationships going forward. Catherine’s adult children wanted nothing to do with their mother in the face of her continued grief after the death of their father so Catherine’s friend Denise invited Catherine along for the cruise. Meanwhile, Rudy’s daughter Athena is a little over protective of her father believing him to be naive. Playing guard dog to her father, forty-something Athena makes more enemies than friends, and struggles to leave her father alone.

Chocolatier Trevor March agreed to the cruise when his brother’s girlfriend was unable to attend. Kurt March is chaperoning a history class of students on the holiday cruise but nineteen year old Harriett, one of the students, takes a liking to Kurt’s brother Trevor, and won’t leave him alone. Trying to distance himself from his brother’s class, Trevor finds himself attracted to Sophie Miles, a woman whose penchant for over reacting and believing she is going to die of any number of diseases pushes Sophie to follow Dr. Rudy like a love-sick puppy, in the hopes of marrying a doctor to cure whatever ails her.

In short: Harriett wants Trevor: Trevor wants Sophie: Sophie wants Dr. Rudy: Dr. Rudy wants Catherine: Catherine wants to survive another year: Athena doesn’t want anyone seducing her father: Sierra wants to save her marriage: and Denise is having the time of her life. Got it? Good. It’s like high school all over again !

ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS follows several intersecting pathways where love will blossom for some but not for others but saying that ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS has all of the ingredients of a YA (young adult ) novel, and in this I was disappointed with the attitudes and theatrics of most of the storyline’s unlikable characters. There are the jealous rivalries, mean girl comments, pouting and whining, secrets, lies, rejection and love. Poor Dr. Rudy was oblivious to his daughter’s attempts to keep Catherine and Sophie away from her father; and Sophie’s obsessive behavior regarding germs, illness and disease may have been funnier if not for the reality of COVID19 and the numerous deaths reported at sea. ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS is a well-written story line but missed the mark with annoying and unpleasant characters that detracted from a potentially sweet plot.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

reviewed by Sandy

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DEADLY PAST (Verona Bay #2) by Katie Reus-a review

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DEADLY PAST (Verona Bay #2) by Katie Reus-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 20, 2020

She lost everything once…

Autumn Perez was just twenty-two when she witnessed a brutal murder and gave up her entire life to put the killer behind bars. A decade later, witness protection has her settled in picturesque Verona Bay, teaching art at the local high school. It’s a quiet life…until she’s caught up in another harrowing event and she worries that the US Marshals will try to move her again. But Autumn is done running—she’s built a life, has friends. And now she’s pregnant after an intense one-night stand with her sexy neighbor.

This time she’s not running…

Lincoln Jordan has been biding his time with Autumn, his talented, gorgeous neighbor. The attraction between them is undeniable, and after their one incredible night together he wants more. But she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. When it becomes clear that someone wants her dead, he steps up to protect her. He needs to earn her trust, and fast. Because the enemy is closer than they ever imagined.

•••••••

REVIEW: DEADLY PAST is the second instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Verona Bay. This is Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez’ story line. DEADLY PAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Lincoln and Autumn DEADLY PAST follows the building romance and relationship between Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez. Thirty-two year old, Autumn Perez is in the witness protection program for testifying, ten years earlier, against a murderer with political connections. A local bank robbery in Verona Bay is about to reveal Autumn’s location to the people in charge but our heroine refuses to move one more time. Sheriff Lincoln Jordan has desired his neighbor, Autumn Perez, for as long as he can remember but a phone call from our heroine after witnessing a local bank robbery pulls Lincoln into the orbit that is Autumn Perez. One -night together finds Autumn pregnant with Lincoln’s child but Autumn is in no position to demand anything permanent. Knowing a life on the run is not in the cards for the man that will call to her heart, Autumn refuses to make plans with her father’s child but the past demands reparations, and is targeting our couple with deadly consequences.

The relationship between Autumn and Lincoln is one of immediate attraction but Autumn struggles with her past, and refuses to place Lincoln in the direct line of fire, regardless of his position as the Verona Bay sheriff. Lincoln Jordan knows only that Autumn is the woman he holds close to his heart but our hero has no idea about her past, and the possibility that Autumn’s life is constantly in danger. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

We are reintroduced to Serenity and Lincoln’s brother Lucas Jordan (Dark Memento #1); Easton Jordan; pet shop groomer and Autumn’s friend Adeline; Mac Collins; FBI handlers Derek Ryman and Erica ;and the requisite evil Rand and Tom Coventry, and Mark Cadman. There is definitely an attraction between Adeline and Mac.

DEADLY PAST is a story of vengeance and betrayal; murder and retribution; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is provocative; the characters are dynamic and spirited.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DARK MEMENTO.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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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The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth – a Review

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The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s the opportunity she’s dreamed of…

After spending two years focused on her career, Rowan West is finally up for an advertising manager promotion. Holiday parties and gift-buying are on hold as Rowan travels to New Hampshire to create a marketing campaign that can revive a struggling, Christmas-themed resort and adventure park. Rowan’s brains and ambition make her shine, and she won’t allow anything to get in her way—especially not her far-too-handsome competitor with a sense of humor and high-up connections.

He needs to prove himself…

Jeremy Kincannon is competitive enough to fight tooth and nail for a promotion he doesn’t even want. Because his stepfather owns the company, no one believes he earned his spot despite having climbed up from the bottom like everyone else. He’s intrigued by his button-upped, business-only colleague who’s distractingly pretty. So he lays down a challenge—he’ll call a truce to their verbal sparring if she tries to have fun.

As their rivalry wanes and attraction grows, will Jeremy and Rowan embrace the magic of Christmas?

 

Review:

The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth is a wonderful sweet Christmas standalone romance.  We meet our heroine, Rowan West, who is a workaholic trying to get a promotion in her company, as an advertising manager. With the company having a holiday party, the owner announces a surprise; he is sending Rowan and her competitor, Jeremy to a job in New Hampshire.  The one who creates the best marketing campaign, will get the promotion. Rowan doesn’t care for Jeremy, and to make matters worse, he is the step son of the owner.  Jeremy Kincannon, our hero, is determined to prove himself for the promotion, even if he doesn’t really like working for his step-father. 

They both travel to New Hampshire to develop a campaign to revive a struggling, Christmas-themed resort and adventure park.  They discover the hotel is doing very well, especially with the new owner; but the problem is the attached adventure park, which is old fashioned and doesn’t attract people.  Their job; find a way to salvage the park, to make it compatible to work with the resort hotel, without breaking the bank.

What follows is a nice enemies to lovers romance, that is fun story with a great couple.  Jeremy tells Rowan for the week they are at the resort, declare a truce, and work together, as well as enjoy the fun.  Rowan finds herself having fun and relaxing, which is something she rarely does, and discovers that her impressions of Jeremy was so wrong.  In a short time, they both spend time together, working and having fun, they begin to have feelings for each other.  Jeremy also is being pulled to change his job, which he doesn’t like, to work with his friend.  Will Jeremy take that job and open the door for Rowan?  Will their strong competitiveness destroy their relationship?

The Magic of Christmas was a quick enjoyable story, so very well written by Christi Barth. If you are looking for a sweet romance, great couple, and a Christmas theme, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.  

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.  Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series. Christi can always be found whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.

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Copper(Royal Bastards MC: Tulsa OK #2) by K. Webster-review tour

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Copper (Royal Bastards MC: Tulsa, OK #2) by K. Webster-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Apple /Eden Books /

Goodreads https://kwebsterbooks.com/CopperGR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 13, 2020

I’m a Fed.
Rigid. Rule follower. One of the good guys.
I uphold the law…when it suits me.
My loyalty lies first with my brother, Koyn, and secondly with his motorcycle club.
Jeremy Koynakov was the man I used to be.
I’m Copper now.

For a decade, I aided my brother in his quest for revenge.
We thirsted for vengeance. Hunted the villains together. Killed when necessary.
He finally found some semblance of peace in a mouthy pageant girl, and all was right in our screwed-up world.

But a certain blonde within our ranks ruined everything.
Tried to wreck our home, our lives, and our freedom.
She betrayed us.
Because of me.

It’s my responsibility to deal with this little storm who was set on destroying our world.
I could end her. It’d be easier. Simple and clean.
But that’s not the MC way.
We pride ourselves on being brutal and messy.

For a man who’s spent the better part of ten years, aching to make those suffer who’ve wronged my family, it’s a simple choice: Take her. Punish her. Make her pay.

I’m done following rules.
That time of my life is over.
I’ll finally patch in and become how I’ve been groomed to be.

I’m ready to embrace this new life where I’m not a good guy…

Every villain needs a pet.
And she just became mine.

•••••••

REVIEW: COPPER by K. Webster is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult ROYAL BASTARDS MC: Tulsa OK, dark, erotic, MC multi-authored, multi-chapter RBMC romance series. This is FBI agents Jeremy ‘Copper’ Koynakov, and Brenda ‘Stormy’ Gale’s story line. COPPER can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history I recommend reading book one KOYN in K. Webster’s RBMC: Tulsa OK where the reader is first introduced to our story line couple.

WARNING: COPPER is intended for mature readers due to strong language and graphic violence (including rape, dismemberment and sexual assault) that may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Stormy and Copper) COPPER picks up shortly after the events of book one in which our heroine, undercover FBI agent Brenda ‘Stormy’ Gale attempts to but is unsuccessful in taking down the Royal Bastards MC of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Having spent weeks and months worming and sexing her way into the lives of the RBMC members, Stormy is about to discover that she is in way over her head. With her ‘partners’ dead, Stormy finds herself a prisoner of FBI agent Jeremy ‘Copper’ Koynakov, the RBMC president’s brother where months will pass, pulling the couple together after an initial few weeks of hatred and fear. With another suspected ‘mole’ in the membership of the Royal Bastards MC, Copper and Stormy work together in an effort to uncover said mole, and a possible connection to a human trafficking ring that will lead directly back to the local MC. What ensues is the tempestuous but building relationship between Stormy and Copper, and the potential fall out as Stormy is abducted and finds herself one of many in the arena of kill or be killed.

Jeremy ‘Copper’ Koynakov is not a patched-in member of the Royal Bastards MC, and as such continues to work with the FBI. Discovering Agent Brenda ‘Stormy’ Gale was h*ll bent on destroying his family and friends, and the local MC, Copper claims first rights to interrogate our story line heroine but in doing so offers protection from his brothers in the Royal Bastards MC.

The relationship between Stormy and Copper is acrimonious at best. Stormy betrayed the MC, having ratted out the membership in an effort to protect a friend who was now a permanent and protected member but in doing so found herself a potential victim, believing her life would for forfeit after torture and pain. Copper has no idea what to do with his beautiful prisoner but betraying the MC is grounds for death. Hoping to protect Stormy from a potential death sentence, Copper claims Stormy as his own but life is about to become more difficult for everyone involved. The $ex scenes between our couple are erotic, intense and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including Koyn and Hadley (Koyn #1); Dragon, Katana, Blake aka Nees, Filter, Gibson, Halo, Payne and Bizzy, as well as Copper’s superior Dan Greene; Stormy’s siblings Calla and Cove, and her friend Erin.

COPPER is a dark, gritty, and graphic story line of power and control; betrayal and revenge; human trafficking, secrets, and hidden pasts. The premise is violent and raw; the larger than life characters are tough and energetic; the romance struggles in the face of betrayal and issues of trust. COPPER is not a story for everyone due to the graphic nature of the story line content but if you are a fan of the hard-core MC story lines, than the Royal Bastards MC is for you.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Social Media: Website /Facebook  /Instagram /Twitter /

K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in “Tornado Alley” with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads! 

Can’t find a certain book? Maybe it’s too hot for Amazon! Don’t worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K’s website in both ebook and paperback format.
Website: www.authorkwebster.com

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Pretty When She Cries by A. Zavarelli-Review tour

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Pretty When She Cries (Black Mountain Academy) by A. Zavarelli-Review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 23, 2020

Your first kiss is supposed to be sweet. Ours was baptized in fire.

I was the new girl trying to find her place.

Landon was the brooding neighbor I tutored over the summer.

I didn’t know he was a legend at Black Mountain Academy.

I didn’t know they worshipped him like a religion.

But I fell for him before I knew those things.

To me, he was just the tortured soul who drew me in like a magnet.

And then he did something so unspeakable, so unforgivable, it shattered me.

I ran away then because I was weak, but I’ve shed my tears.

He stole my heart and my dignity, and I’m here to take it back.

The only problem is… he’s not giving it up without a fight

•••••••

REVIEW:PRETTY WHEN SHE CRIES by A. Zavarelli is a contemporary, young adult, dark, high school romance set in the multi-authored Black Mountain Academy series. This is teen actor Landon Blackwood, and high school student/ dancer Kailani Hale’s story line. PRETTY WHEN SHE CRIES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Landon and Kailani) PRETTY WHEN SHE CRIES follows several years (ages 15-20) in the lives of teen actor Landon Blackwood, and high school student/ dancer Kailani Hale. Kailani Hale is the ‘new girl’ at Black Mountain Academy and had never quite fit in with the popular crowd. A summer assignment tutoring her neighbor Landon Blackwood would end with a wild party wherein Kailani would disappear for the next two years, rumours and innuendo following in her wake. Upon her return to BMA, Kailani would discover she has become the pariah; persona non grata with a reputation she did not deserve.Accusations of blackmail and orgies, drugs and prostitution would pit Landon and Kailani against one another but someone else is pushing all of the buttons, buttons that are about to spiral their lives, out of control. What ensues is the acrimonious but building romance and relationship between Landon and Kailani, and the potential fall-out as jealousy and resentment threaten the lives of our leading couple.

Landon Blackwood is a teen heart throb who only wants to be left alone. Wild, uncontrolled weekend parties are only the tip of the iceberg for a man who has lost all control of his young life. From a troubled childhood and absentee parents, to the crowd of wanna-be friends and lovers finds Landon seeking the comfort and quiet of the girl he blames for almost destroying his life. Kailani Hale never told anyone but her best friend what happened that night two years before but Kailani doesn’t remember what happened, and in the ensuing time will discover that all is not well when she returns to Black Mountain Academy. Someone is determined to take down our heroine, someone who has lost and is determined to take everything back, at a cost.

The relationship between Landon and Kailani begins as tutor and student when Landon returns to BMA to finish his education. Kailani has no idea as to the who or what of Landon Blackwood, and in this Landon finds her friendship a balm to his frenzied lifestyle but a summer’s end party destroys any semblance of normalcy for our leading couple when accusations, lies, betrayal and vengeance ensure there is no going back to what was or what could have been. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Kailani’s best friend Courtney, as well as Kailani’s mother Alana and step-father Theo; Landon’s friends Carson and Jared, as well as Landon’s mother, several teachers and coaches, and the obligatory mean-girls, controlling parents and vindictive students all vying for control.

PRETTY WHEN SHE CRIES is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; secrets, lies, drug, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. With all of the requisite young adult, story line requirements PRETTY WHEN SHE CRIES is an emotional and heart breaking story of two young people torn apart by jealousy and madness. The premise is captivating; the romance is impassioned; the characters are colorful, energetic, broken and young.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About A. Zavarelli:

Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies. 

Connect w/A. Zavarelli:

Website: https://www.azavarelli.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZavarelli
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AZavarellibooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azavarelli/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-zavarelli
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13549895.A_Zavarelli
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2S3zrKS
Newsletter Signup: http://www.azavarelli.com/#!mailing-list/c46c

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Try as I Smite by Abigail Owen – a Review

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Try as I Smite by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
Alasdair Blakesley is the head of the Covens Syndicate. He shouldn’t need to look beyond the witches and warlocks he governs, or his own abilities, to solve any problem. But a demon infestation means he can’t trust anyone who may be possessed. The last person he wants to ask for help is also the only person who can fix this, so he sucks up his pride and storms into her office.

And she turns him down cold.

As the owner of Brimstone Inc., Delilah’s passion is helping others with their supernatural problems. But Alasdair is the last man Delilah wants to tangle with. The infuriating man sees too much and demands even more. And did she mention the way he sets her body on fire?

Not that it matters—demons are the only things with which she cannot interfere. Too bad a higher power steps in and sends them both on a crash course of each others’ pasts, presents, and futures.

How is a Christmas Carol nightmare supposed to solve his demon problem without breaking the rules she’s bound by? 

Reading Order:
Brimstone Inc Series
Book 1 The Demigod Complex
Book 2 Shift Out of Luck
Book 3 Bait N’ Witch
Book 4 Try as I Smite

 

 

Review:

Try as I Smite by Abigail Owen is the 4th book in her Brimstone INC series. I’ve read many of the books written by this author, but only one in this series. (Bait N’ Witch).  You don’t need to read the others, they are only loosely connected via the characters, but not vital to read. 

Alasdair Blakesley is leader of the Coven Syndicate, he monitors all the witches and warlocks. We meet him briefly in the last book, but you don’t need to read them to know what’s going on in this book. 

We’ve also met Delilah in the previous book, she owns Brimstone Inc (it’s like a dating agency amongst other things) she’s a Seer, she uses her powers to help people and the supernatural to find love and solve problems) But Alasdair is a blank, she can’t see his future, and that scares her a little! 

Alasdair and Delilah have met on numerous occasions, and it’s usually a battle of words and wills, but today Alasdair needs help from the woman that haunts his nights!  But he needs help sorting the demon possession troubles out, too many accounts are being reported, as much as it pains him, Delilah is his only hope!

But they aren’t a fan of one another, he thinks she’s an interfering busy boy, Delilah thinks he’s a pompous and overbearing warlock, but he is rather easy on the eye! But she can’t help him with the demon possessions, no matter what he threatens! It took a lot for Alasdair to ask that Seer for her help, and to say no!! But there is a reason why she can’t help, but she can’t tell anyone why! And she feels Alasdair’s frustration. She tries to tell him of another person who could help….. 

I loved Delilah she loved winding up Alasdair, and I have to admit it was fun to read. I can now see why both Delilah and Alasdair aren’t a fan of Christmas…..Alasdair was a little aloof, but with good intentions, he’s head of the coven for a reason, sympathetic but sensible, and his control is legendary. 

It’s a fun seasonal read, loved how the characters are lead through their pasts to see how connected they are. There are a few twists in the book that did have me reading the sentence again. Delilah and Alasdair are so suited for one another, her free spirit and generous nature would balance his control and dominance perfectly. But when Delilah’s past is fully explained, will Alasdair listen? The Coven needs him, but he needs her!! Could it get anymore tangled? 

I would have loved this to have been longer, but the story is told within the confines of a short story. Nothing is rushed, nothing is overlooked, details are given and explanations are fully met. Well written, with the descriptions coming alive on the page. A little sexy time thrown in for good measure. 

So…. can Alasdair and Delilah contain or remove the threat of demon possession on a huge scale? At one point I’d would have said it was a huge task, at the end….. nope, not telling you, I’d rather you pick the book up and find out for yourself. Bah humbug ?

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

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