Monthly Archives: October 2020

Nash (Dirty Aces MC #3) by Lane Hart & DB West-a review

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Nash (Dirty Aces MC #3) by Lane Hart & DB West-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 10, 2020

Whenever Nash Kincaid looks in the mirror, he only sees a monster who ruins lives. Thanks to his involvement with the Dirty Aces MC, there’s so much blood on his hands he’ll never wash them clean again. Violence is just part of the outlaw lifestyle. That’s why he’s not all that surprised when he’s hit with divorce papers three years after his wife walked out on him.

The last thing Nash needs right now is a nosy new neighbor who refuses to leave him alone. If Lucy knew Nash’s dark secrets, he’s certain that she would run the other way rather than try her best to get into his bed. Thanks to a failed marriage, he knows he can never be the man Lucy needs him to be, not while he’s a member of the MC with a life sentence hanging over his head.

Lucy Stafford didn’t survive cancer and a cheating boyfriend just to give up on finding happiness. Her only plan for the future is to live each and every day to the fullest by helping others. Not even the grumpy biker who lives upstairs can bring her down, no matter how hard he tries. Lucy made a deal with the devil. So if she wants to stay out of trouble, she’ll have to get on Nash’s good side – if she can find it.

Nash convinces himself that the only thing he has in common with Lucy is a broken heart. He refuses to let himself fall for her, only to eventually hurt her or have her bail when his past crimes comes crashing down on him.

But Lucy has a few secrets of her own – secrets that she hopes will finally prove to Nash that she’s tougher than she looks.

••••••••

REVIEW:NASH is the third instalment in the contemporary, adult DIRTY ACES MC erotic, romance series co-authored by Lane Hart and DB West. This is thirty-year old, club VP Nash Kincaid, and twenty-five year old computer hacker Lucy Stafford’s story line. NASH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The Dirty Aces series is a spin-off from the author’s Savage Kings MC but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the story.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lucy and Nash) NASH follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-year old, club VP Nash Kincaid, and twenty-five year old computer hacker Lucy Stafford. Lucy Stafford didn’t know what to do when she found a drunk and belligerent biker on the roof of her building until finding his gun and a broken bottle of booze. Nash Kincaid has been MIA from the Dirty Aces MC for close to two weeks, drowning his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle, since being served with divorce papers but when he finds his nosy and pixie-life neighbor cleaning his apartment and serving him food, Nash quickly discovers there is more to Lucy than meets the eye. An upcoming wedding, and the probability of Nash’s subsequent arrest finds our couple ‘on the run’ where Nash will come face to face with his past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Nash and Lucy, and the potential fall-out as sins of the past place a target on Nash’s back.

Lucy Stafford’s arrival in Carolina Beach is no accident but she isn’t about to tell Nash her darkest secrets. When the Dirty Aces MC president discovers the truth, Lucy finds herself ‘babysitting’ the man with whom she will fall in love. Nash Kincaid struggles with his impending divorce having never forgotten about the woman he thought he loved but the MC is our hero’s family, and the MC comes first in all matters of the heart.

The relationship between Nash and Lucy begins acrimoniously when Lucy is hired to ‘clean up’ Nash Kincaid but Lucy’s secrets are about to be exposed, and in this Lucy finds herself falling for a man who may still be in love with someone else. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Club president Malcolm Hyde and his significant other Naomi: Devlin Boyd, and Jetta James; club members Fiasco,Silas and Wirth. We are introduced to Nash’s ex Ellie, and Lucy’s ex Barry.

NASH is a story of family (both blood and other), relationships, acceptance and denial. The premise is edgy and dramatic; the romance is captivating and steamy; the characters are broken but healing and strong.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Malcolm
Devlin

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lane Hart has more than forty steamy stories currently available on Amazon. Sign up for her newsletter to receive updates on new releases and free promotions by copying and pasting this link into your web browser: http://bit.ly/LHDBWNewsletter Lane lives in North Carolina with her husband, author D.B. West, their two daughters, a few lazy cats and a pair of rambunctious Pomeranians. She has a Masters in Criminal Justice and spent ten years working as a paralegal for a criminal defense attorney before walking away to become a full-time writer.

In October 2015, the paranormal romance anthology Wicked After Dark, including her standalone, Let Him Reign, hit #13 on the New York Times bestseller list. Since then she’s been climbing the Amazon charts with hot new releases. So whether you’re looking for MMA superstars, hot cops, arrogant football players, sweet millionaires, or romantic weddings, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

Lane loves to hear from her readers on Facebook, Twitter, on her website, or by email!

Author links:

USA Today bestselling author D.B. West was born and raised in the southern United States. While studying at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he met his wife and fellow author, Lane Hart. They now reside together with their two young daughters and their pets, a pair of Pomeranians.After losing his father to a lingering illness, West began writing ‘Awakening’ as a way to channel his emotions, and honor the memory of a true friend. In addition to writing, he enjoys video games, motorcycles, and traveling.

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More Than Protect You by Shayla Black-Review & Excerpt tour

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More Than Protect You (More Than Words 6.5 /1001 Dark Nights) by Shayla Black-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2020

Can I keep the gorgeous, gun-shy single mother safe—and prove I’m the man for her?

I’m Tanner Kirk—Certified firearms instructor and mixed martial arts enthusiast. When I filed for divorce at the end of an empty marriage, all I wanted was a vacation in paradise, not another woman in my life. But how can I possibly say no to Amanda Lund, a young single mom desperate to learn self-defense? Or refuse the banked desire on the guarded beauty’s face?

I can’t.

So I seduce Mandy until we’re burning up the sheets…and soon find my heart entangled with her bruised and battered one. But when a nemesis from her past tries to destroy our future by unearthing my secret, will she understand and forgive me—or give up on us forever?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

••••••

REVIEW:MORE THAN PROTECT YOU is instalment 6.5 in Shayla Black’s contemporary, adult MORE THAN WORDS erotic, romance series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is thirty-nine year old, certified firearms instructor and mixed martial arts enthusiast Tanner Kirk, and single mother/ PA Amanda Lund’s story line. MORE THAN PROTECT YOU 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 MORE THAN PROTECT YOU cross over with the events and timeline of More Than Dare You #6.

SOME BACKGROUND: Throughout the years billionaire investor Barclay Reed fathered several illegitimate children with at least four women, but his latest scheme was to swindle dozens of people in an elaborate Ponzi scheme leaving them high and dry in the wake of his death. MORE THAN WORDS focuses on his children, and the people whose life he destroyed.

Told from first person perspective (Tanner Kirk) with a final chapter from Amanda, MORE THAN PROTECT YOU follows in the aftermath of an attack against our story line heroine. Amanda Lund came from a well to do family but found herself looking for a daddy figure and discovered it with her father’s friend Barclay Reed. Now a single mother of a one-year old child whose father swindled billions of dollars from unsuspecting investors Amanda finds herself a target of an unknown assailant and has fled to Hawaii in an effort to get to know her son’s extended family. To everyone’s surprise, trouble has followed Amanda to Maui, and she is in desperate need of personal protection. Enter certified firearms instructor and mixed martial arts enthusiast Tanner Kirk, a man who has just arrived in Hawaii looking for a brand new start. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Tanner and Amanda, and the potential fall-out as issues of trust push Tanner out of Amanda’s life.

The relationship between Tanner and Amanda begins as an assignment but quickly turns into something more. Tanner is in the process of divorcing his wife of ten years, and Amanda is struggling to move on from the past. When Tanner and Amanda set up house, their attraction deepens, the sexual chemistry is hot but issues of trust are about to tear them apart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is as large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the Reed siblings: Griffin Reed (More Than Need You #2), Noah Weston and Harlow Reed (More Than Love You 3), Evan Cook and Nia Wright (More Than Crave You #4), Amanda’s brother Stephen Lund (More Than Pleasure You #5.5) Trace Weston and Macey (More Than Dare You #6), as well as Amanda and Steven’s father Douglas Lund, and investor Bruce Barrett.

MORE THAN PROTECT YOU is a story of family and relationships; betrayal and trust; desperation, power, money and control. The premise is engaging ; the romance is tender and seductive; the characters are energetic and edgy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
More than Want You
More Than Need You
More Than Love You
More Than Crave You
More than Tempt You
More than Pleasure You
More Than Dare You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy



There’s nothing like Bon Jovi waking me up before five a.m. on a Sunday morning. I eye my phone, now blasting “You Give Love a Bad Name,” my soon-to-be ex-wife’s ringtone. She only ever calls when she wants something, so this ought to be interesting.
I grope the device off the nightstand and flop back to my pillow. “What, Ellie?”
“It’s Elise now.”
The day I met her, working on a ranch a hundred miles outside of Pueblo, Colorado, she was Ellie. She was a happy-go-lucky nineteen and didn’t have an uncompromising thought in her head. I took one look at her sloppy ponytail, hazel eyes, crooked smile, and very short shorts—and I fell. We got married a few years later, bought a house, and started a business together. Everything was going all right…until it wasn’t. Eight years had gone by when I looked up and realized I was married to a stranger. When she asked for a trial separation, I didn’t fight. That night, I packed a bag and walked out the door. I haven’t missed her since.
“Do you know what fucking time it is in Maui, Elise?”
“Early. I know. But since you haven’t been available during reasonable daytime hours lately, I thought I’d try this.”
So me ignoring her three phone calls yesterday wasn’t subtle enough? “What do you want?”
“Did you get the paperwork yet? I signed it. The carrier shows it was delivered to you on Friday.”
She’s itching for our divorce to be final. In truth, I’m feeling the same. We separated nearly two years ago, and finally this long road is almost over.
“Yeah.”
“And? Is that all you have to say?”
“Yeah.” Mostly because it drives her crazy. I’m not trying to antagonize her simply to be a vengeful asshole. I’m just hoping if these phone calls are painful enough she’ll stop.
She sighs like she’s grappling for patience. “Tanner Maxwell Kirk, please give me a straightforward answer once and for all. Are you going to sign the papers?”
“Yeah.” Why would I stay married to her now?
“This week?”
“You in a hurry?” I ask out of curiosity more than anything. And maybe because I want to yank her chain.
“Not that you care, but yes.”
“Why? You’re not looking to get married again, are you?”
She hesitates. “I don’t see that it’s any of your business.”
“Then I don’t see why I have to sign right away.”
“Ugh, you are the most frustrating, infuriating man! I only married you because I wanted off that damn ranch, and I didn’t know how damaging the traditional, patriarchal institution of marriage was…”
I tune out. I’ve heard this speech. She didn’t find marriage demeaning or oppressive until she decided to go back to college and took a bunch of classes that turned her thinking inside out. Fine. I never wanted to hold her back. The moment she asked, I set her free. A few months later, I even hired an attorney to make it official.

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. For over fifteen years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold well over a million copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past seven years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and a very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

➣ Follow Shayla Black on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shayla-black

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THE ROOKIE by Kimberly Kincaid-Review & Excerpt Tour

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THE ROOKIE (The Intelligence #1) by Kimberly Kincaid-Review & Excerpt Tour

ONLY 99¢ USD Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Apple /

Add THE ROOKIE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33kT4UZ

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

Book one in the Intelligence Unit series, coming fall 2020. Also published in “Danger and Desire: A Romantic Suspense Anthology”.

Police recruit Xander Matthews has two goals: to keep his head down and his dark and dangerous past where it belongs—behind him. He never thought he’d see brash, beautiful ADA Tara Kingston again. But now they must catch a brutal killer before it’s too late.

••••••••

REVIEW: THE ROOKIE by Kimberly Kincaid is the first instalment in the author’s new contemporary, adult INTELLIGENCE UNIT erotic, romantic suspense series-a spin off from her Station Seventeen and Remington Medical series. THE ROOKIE focuses on ADA Tara Kingston and police recruit Xander Matthews. Xander Matthews was first introduced in Down Deep (Station Seventeen #5). You do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current time line although several characters cross over for back story and cohesion.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tara and Xander) THE ROOKIE follows in the aftermath of an attack against Tara’s confidential informant, an informant scheduled to testify against a gun running murder. Coming face to face with Xander Matthews, a man she once tried to prosecute for arson two year earlier meant facing down a man who stirred something deep within our story line heroine. As Xander and the Remington Police Force take the informant into protective custody, Tara finds herself falling for Xander Matthews. What ensues is the ongoing protection of Tara’s CI, and the potential fall-out as Tara becomes fodder in a game of murder and revenge.

THE ROOKIE is a character driven, fast paced novella that introduces the Remington Intelligence Unit. A detailed and intriguing story line THE ROOKIE is an impassioned tale of second chances, karma and love. The premise is suspenseful; the romance is seductive; the characters are spirited and inspiring.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Tara took a step toward him, her arms softening at her sides. “You’re a really nice guy, you know that?”
The urge to correct her was strong, but Xander bit it in half and said, “Just doing my job.”
“The standard answer when someone says ‘you’re a nice guy’ is usually ‘thank you’.”
The words carried none of her usual heat, filled instead with curiosity, and hell, Xander would take her ire a million times over the beautiful, wide-open look on her face right now. “Thank you.”
Another step, and now Tara was right in front of him, close enough to touch. “How come you don’t like being called a nice guy?”
His pulse flared, but that shit about old habits was real.
This time, he stepped toward her, cutting the distance between them to inches. “The standard answer when someone says ‘thank you’ is usually ‘you’re welcome’.”
“Oh,” Tara breathed. Her lips parted to release the sound as a sigh, and suddenly, there was nothing in the universe other than him, her, and the red-hot urge to claim her mouth. “You’re welcome, Xander.” 


 

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

 

Connect with Kimberly

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2V66LBB

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WzKg8B

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2YzkLWU

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2JRt3WT

Stay up to date with Kimberly by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2WwXAKW

https://kimberlykincaid.com

 

 

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The Last Rule of Makeups by Nina Crespo – a Review

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The Last Rule of Makeups by Nina Crespo – a Review

 

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Description:
Cori Ross is thanking her lucky stars. Sure, her long-time boyfriend just dumped her, but that’s a good thing. In her rush to find Mr. Right, she realizes she almost settled for Mr. Just Okay. And that’s definitely not okay. So, tonight, she’s out with her friends at the Breakup Bash—a private party for women celebrating their break-ups—and she’s actually celebrating. Still, it was too close a call. So she makes a deal with herself—no guys for six months.

Unfortunately, just as she’s leaving the club, she runs into her old boyfriend, Grey Latham—the guy she’d always wanted to be Mr. Right. Great. What a time to swear off guys. Maybe she needs to change the deal—no relationships for six months. There’s no reason why she can’t have a fling, right? Because Grey still holds the title of the best sex she’s ever had. 

There’s no way this could go wrong. Grey is on his way to international DJ fame—he’s only in town for a short time, and then he’ll be gone again. No harm in burning up the sheets while it lasts. 

Too bad neither expected what happened next… 

 

Review:

The Last Rule of Makeups by Nina Crespo was a steamy fast read.  From the moment Cori runs into her ex Grey at the nightclub she’s attending with her girlfriends, sparks fly between them and they keep the fire burning through the rest of their adventure.  It’s quite obvious that they never completely fell out of love with each other or properly dealt with those feelings after their breakup.  The chemistry between them is electric, but their easy going friendship and what they mean to each other is what really shines through during their road back to each other.  Both are easy going, yet career driven and know what they want in a relationship.  It’s obvious they are meant to be together, but can they both over come the issues from their past together, and the demons that haunt their past from previous situations. 

Grey is sort of at a crossroads regarding his DJ career because of what happened to a fellow friend and DJ.  He feels responsible for his friend’s death and just doesn’t have the drive or interest in music anymore.  He decides maybe it’s best to join his father’s firm that he really isn’t interested in doing. Cori on the other hand is coming off another breakup and feels like maybe it’s time to just swear off men.  That is until Grey accidentally crosses paths with her one fateful night.  It’s almost like fate had this planned for a while and just needed the right time to have them cross paths again.  Cori helps Grey not only deal with his guilt over his friend and fellow DJ, but restores his faith in himself where his music and DJ’ing is concerned.  She always believed in him and knew he was destined for stardom in the DJ industry.  Grey in turns helps Cori to come to terms with her breakup, and restores her faith in them as a couple and that just maybe this time things will end differently for them.  Of course they have their little hiccups along the way, and once again Cori is faced with possibly loosing Grey to his career by not fully trusting in what they have and following him where his career will lead.  In the end with her family’s blessing Cori plans to go after Grey but he beats her to it by coming back to her and asking her to marry him.  I absolutely loved this part, it couldn’t have been written more perfectly.  Grey’s proposal was perfect and it was exactly what he’d have done for Cori. 

Nina Crespo writes a fun, flirty, fast steamy read in The Last Rule of Makeups.  Cori and Grey are a well written couple with personalities that grab the reader from the get go and carry you along on their adventure.  They never seem to miss a beat and their easy going nature and friendship with each other just moves from one scene to the next, and before you know it you’ve come to the last page.  If you enjoy you adventures fast and steamy then this one is for you.

Until next time, happy reading everyone.   

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Cruel Paradise by JT Geissinger-Review & Excerpt tour

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Cruel Paradise (Beautifully Cruel #2 ) by JT Geissinger-Review & Excerpt tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2020

Anti-hero (noun):
1) A powerful and charismatic man lacking moral character
2) A magnificent bastard
3) Killian Black

You don’t know me.
You think you do, but you don’t.
The only thing you know is my name, and even that’s a lie.

I’m king of Boston, lord of criminals, ruler of an underworld empire. Or am I?

Only one thing’s for sure: I operate alone.

Until I cross paths with a brazen little thief who sets my whole kingdom on fire.

Just as two wrongs don’t make a right, two villains don’t belong together. Especially since she’s the daughter of my most deadly enemy.

Taking her would start a war.
Keeping her would be suicide.
Making her mine would break every code of honor and defy all common sense.

Then again, where’s the fun in following the rules?

•••••••

REVIEW:CRUEL PARADISE is the second instalment in JT Geissinger’s contemporary, adult BEAUTIFULLY CRUEL erotic, romance series. This is forty-year old, head of the Boston Irish mafia Killian Black and thief / PA Juliet Moretti Jameson’s story line. CRUEL PARADISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Juliet and Killian) CRUEL PARADISE picks up several months after book one BEAUTIFULLY CRUEL wherein Liam Black hands over the reigns of the Boston Irish mafia to his twin brother Killian. A ‘strange’ theft at one of Killian’s warehouses finds our hero hunting the person(s) responsible only to discover that said thief is a woman who stirs something deep within our story line hero. Enter Juliet Jameson. With access to information no one should have Killian sets out to uncover the real identity of his ‘little thief’, an identity that threatens all good sense in Killian Black. Juliet Jameson ‘robs from the rich, and gives to the poor’ but Juliet is hiding in plain sight having, years before ran from her father, a man whose ties to the criminal underworld are dangerous and deadly but Juliet is about to discover that Killian Black is not the only man wanting something from our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Juliet and Killian, and the potential fall-out as Juliet is targeted for the sins of her father; and Killian reveals the who, how and why of his Mafia past.

The relationship between Juliet and Killian is one of immediate attraction but Juliet refuses to get involved with a Mafia king. Killian, for a powerful and self-assured man, struggles with his attraction to Juliet, desperately trying to seduce a woman who doesn’t want to be seduced. The more determined Killian is, the more headstrong Juliet refuses to go along. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Juliet’s partners in crimes and best friends Max aka Maxima and Finley aka Fin; Killian’s associates Declan and Diego, as well as Killian’s brother Liam Black and his wife Truvy ‘Tru’ Sullivan. I am hoping the author has plans for both Declan and Diego.

CRUEL PARADISE is a story of family, friendships, power and control; of secrets and lies; of relationships and love. The character driven, fast paced premise is spirited and captivating; the romance is seductive and spicy; the characters are animated, energetic, and fun-the back and forth between Juliet, Fin and Max is sassy, entertaining and a pure joy.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BEAUTIFULLY CRUEL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy



I climb into the car. The driver shuts the door behind me. In a moment, we pull away.
All heat and coiled tension, Liam simmers in the seat beside me.
After we’ve gone three blocks, he says, “How long are you going to make me wait until you look at me?”
“I’m working on regulating my breathing so I don’t pass out. Maybe ten minutes?”
His chuckle is low and sensual, raising my blood pressure by at least two hundred points.
“You’re tougher than that. I’ll give you ten seconds.”
When the seconds have ticked by, I turn my head and glance at him warily from the corner of my eye.
He stares at me with such blistering intensity that for a moment, I can’t breathe.
His voice husky, he says, “Hullo again.”
Holy mother of god, he’s handsome. How can someone so evil be so hot?
My exhalation comes out in a burst. It’s accompanied by a shudder. Then I clear my throat and pretend I’m a mentally functioning adult. “Hi.”
He lets his gaze drift over me, head to toe, taking in every aspect of my clothing, posture, and expression.
“You still don’t trust me.”
I make a sound that’s supposed to be a laugh, but it sounds more like a small animal being strangled. “Trust? I’m sorry, did you just say trust?”
“I did.”
He’s serious. I stare at him in astonishment. “Of course I don’t trust you! You’re…you!”
The driver pipes in from the front seat. “That’s hardly fair, lass. You’ve only just met.”
Through gritted teeth, Liam says, “Declan.”
“Right. Sorry.” Falling silent, he turns his attention back to the road.
Liam smiles reassuringly at me. “It’s so hard to find good help these days.”
I look back and forth between them, gobsmacked by the whole situation. I could be hallucinating. Maybe that hipster bartender put something into my drink.
I’m still pondering that when Liam leans over and settles his huge, hot hand around my throat.
I grip his thick wrist in both hands, gasping and shrinking back into the seat.
Looking into my eyes, he murmurs, “I’m not going to hurt you.”
My voice comes out high and panicked. “This is a shitty way of proving that.”
“I’m not trying to choke you, lass.”
It’s true, the pressure of his hand on my throat is gentle, but still. “Then what the hell are you doing?”
He slides his thumb back and forth over the throbbing vein in my neck. “Feeling your pulse.”
Heart hammering, I stare at him. “Why?”
“Because I want to see how fast it gets when I kiss you.”
I freeze. “Don’t you dare.”
He quirks one dark brow. “Why not?”
“I don’t want you to.”
He leans closer, his eyes burning into mine, his body heat and the warm scent of his skin surrounding me. He growls, “If you were telling the truth, little thief, I’d honor that request.”
I blurt, “I’m not ready for that!”
Instantly, he stills. His dark gaze searches my face. Then, slowly, his full lips lift into a smile. “Then I suppose I’ll have to wait until you are.”
He stares hungrily at my mouth for a moment before releasing me.
I remain where he left me, frozen and wide-eyed, slumped against the door, staring at him and trying to convince myself of several important facts.
One, that I should be afraid. Because, two, that there’s at least a fifty-fifty chance he’s going to snap my neck. And three, that I really didn’t want him to kiss me.
Especially that I didn’t want him to kiss me. Because what would it say about my sanity if I did?
Adjusting his tie and looking straight forward, he says, “Don’t overthink it. But thank you for being honest. If this is going to work, we have to be honest with each other.”
My laugh is weak and disbelieving. “This? There is no ‘this!’”
He turns his head and sears me with his gaze. “Aye, lass,” he says, his voice thick. “There is.”

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads /Pinterest / Instagram /

A former headhunter, J.T. Geissinger is the author of more than a dozen novels in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Join her Facebook reader’s group, Geissinger’s Gang, to take part in weekly Wine Wednesday live chats and giveaways, find out more information about works in progress, have access to exclusive excerpts and contests, and get advance reader copies of her upcoming releases.

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DARE TO PLAY (Dare Nation #3) by Carly Phillips-Review tour

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DARE TO PLAY (Dare Nation #3) by Carly Phillips-Review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2020

He’s the bad boy of baseball who’s about to lose everything.
She needs a husband to get custody of her teenage sister.
Suddenly a marriage of convenience doesn’t look so bad.

Pitcher, Jaxon Prescott has a lot on his plate. Major league baseball. Reputation as a Player. And as of this morning? He’s on the verge of losing it all. He didn’t mean to sleep with his general manager’s daughter. Sometimes the paparazzi finds out who’s in your bed before you do. But a sizzling moment went viral and now everything he’s worked for is at risk.

What’s a bad boy to do? Marry his little sister’s best friend to save his image, even if it’s the opposite of everything he wants and believes in.

Macy Walker is the sole guardian of her step-sister until the girl’s mother returns and wants her daughter back. In order to win custody, Macy needs to provide stability and marrying someone would do the trick. Luckily for her, her best friend’s brother needs a wife.

They’re this close to getting exactly what they want — as long as they don’t fall in love.

•••••••

REVIEW:DARE TO PLAY is the third instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult DARE NATION erotic, romance series a spin off from the author’s DARE TO LOVE series. This is twenty-eight year old, professional baseball pitcher Jaxon Prescott, and twenty-eight year old, Web Designer Macy Walker’s story line. DARE TO PLAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. You do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline but like the original series, there is a back story involving the Dare family, and by extension, the Prescott family as well.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Macy and Jaxon) DARE TO PLAY follows the marriage of convenience between twenty-eight year old, professional baseball pitcher Jaxon Prescott, and twenty-eight year old, Web Designer Macy Walker. Macy Walker is the guardian of her fifteen year old half sister Hannah since the death of their father eight months earlier but the return of Hannah’s mother is suspicious as the woman has not acknowledged Hannah’s existence in a number of years. Jaxon Prescott is the bad boy of baseball, and his off-field antics have pushed management too far- issuing our hero an ultimatum-either Jaxon settles down including a possible marriage, or face suspension or a trade to another team. A one-night stand with his sister’s best friend Macy results in a paparazzi nightmare for both Jaxon and Macy. In an effort to assuage team owners and thusly his family, by mutual agreement, a marriage of convenience between Macy and Jaxon would solve both of their problems. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Macy and Jaxon, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes to a close.

The relationship between Macy and Jaxon is a best friend’s brother/ little sister’s best friend relationship that begins as a one-night stand. When both of their lives begin to implode, a marriage of convenience is the best of scenarios in an effort to ease both of their problems. One week of wedding preparations, and the ongoing threats by Hannah’s birth mother, culminate in a destination honeymoon where our couple begin to fall in love but all is not well upon their return home as Hannah’s mother begins to show her true colors. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Jaxon’s siblings: sister Bri (and Macy’s best friend), Austin and Quinn (Dare to Desire), Damon and Evie (Dare to Tempt #2) and Dr. Braden Prescott, Uncle Paul, as well as the introduction of Macy’s half-sister Hannah, and her mother Lilah. Braden’s story is next in DARE TO STAY.

DARE TO PLAY is a novella-length story of family and friendships, relationships and love; a marriage of convenience wherein our couple will quickly discover they have more in common including falling in love. The character driven premise is sexy and inviting; the romance is seductive and captivating-the chemistry is spicy and strong; the characters are dynamic and colorful.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dare to Resist
Dare to Tempt

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

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Storm (Linear Tactical #10) by Janie Crouch-a review

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Storm (Linear Tactical #10) by Janie Crouch-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2020

Breathe in. Breathe out. Survive.

Marilyn Ellis is finally putting her life back together. The domestic abuse she suffered may be labeled textbook by therapists, but it’s the parts she’s never told anyone that haunt her.

She refuses to get trapped in that hell ever again.

Former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey is more than capable of training the delicate single mom in moves and tactics that will help her feel safe. But his own tortured past makes him decidedly less qualified for anything more.

No matter how much her big eyes—and even bigger heart—draw him in.

However, when unexpected danger arrives in their small town, Noah knows this is a woman worth fighting for. Worth fighting beside. And he’s going to be the one to do it.

She needs a hero.
He’ll have to remember how to be one.

••••••••

REVIEW:STORM is the tenth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL romantic suspense story line focusing on the men and women who work for Linear Tactical. This is former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah “Storm’ Dempsey, and women’s shelter manager / single mother Marilyn Ellis’ story line. STORM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. LINEAR TACTICAL runs parallel to, and crosses over with another of the author’s series- RISK EVERYTHING (Bree and Tanner Thriller #4). Noah is Tanner’s brother.

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

Told from dual third person perspectives (Noah and Marilyn) STORM follows the building romance and relationship between former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey, and women’s shelter manager / single mother Marilyn Ellis. Marilyn Ellis is a survivor of domestic abuse. She and her children live and work at the New Journeys’ women’s shelter, a shelter owned and operated by computer specialist Bree Daniels (Bree and Tanner Thriller). Meeting former Special Forces solider Noah Dempsey gave our heroine pause, and thoughts about a potential future but Bree’s safety and that of her children’s is threatened when someone sets the women’s home on fire, and a planned camping trip places everyone in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Noah and Marilyn, and the potential fall-out as Bree’s past returns to destroy her life; and a destination wedding for a fellow Linear Tactical specialist almost never comes to fruition.

Marilyn Ellis survived the beatings to come out stronger for her children and herself but suffers with PTSD and often finds herself caught between reality and panic. Working to shore up her defences with Noah Dempsey finds our heroine falling for a man with demons of his own. Noah Dempsey left the military life behind him, owning a ranch and occasionally working for Linear Tactical but Noah recognizes a kindred soul in Marilyn Ellis, knowing her demons run close to the surface.

The relationship between Marilyn and Noah is one of immediate attraction but neither one was in a place to plan for the future. Marilyn has to think about her children first but it is Noah who will fall in love and offer himself to Marilyn and the family he will call his own. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Bree and Tanner (Bree and Tanner Thriller); Zac and Annie (Cyclone #1) , Trigger and Gillian; (several women and their children living at the shelter. The requisite evil has many faces including Marilyn’s soon to be ex Jared Ellis.

STORM is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and abuse, retribution and revenge. The premise is exciting and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic and colorful. Once again, as in my review of Risk Everything, my only concern is the questionable decision to move forward with a camping trip when threats to everyone’s lives are still in place-a little bit TSTL.

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Shelter for Tanna by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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Shelter for Tanna (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2020

Everyone else might give up, but he never will. Not until his last breath.

It was a simple accident cleanup, but when the tow truck driver turns to face him, firefighter Braden Nichols is lost in the greenest eyes he’s ever seen. His home is waiting for a family, and he realizes quickly that he’s found one in Tanna and her kids.

Being a tow truck driver isn’t easy for the widow. It’s only made harder by being in a man’s world, but it’s all Tanna’s found to feed her boys, teenager Daniel and eight-year-old Max, who’s special needs. The gorgeous firefighter who commits to her and her two kids is a love she never thought she’d find.

Then a simple tow from the side of the interstate puts her in the crosshairs of the wrong people. When the threats start, she keeps it all from Braden. He’s been too good to her and the kids, and he doesn’t deserve to be dragged into her problems.

But suddenly, she’s gone, and Braden’s world rapidly unravels. Knowing his lack of legal ties to the boys may mean he’ll never see them again, he knows he has to find their mother. They suffered enough when they lost their dad, and losing Tanna isn’t an option.

To Braden’s heart, it’s unthinkable. Unbearable. And unacceptable.

Just when they think their big break has come, the trail goes cold. The rain pours, the thunder rolls, and Braden’s heart breaks. He’s out of options and running out of time, and he fears the worst. But as dark as the night is, there’s something darker.

And it just might be their salvation.

••••••••

REVIEW:SHELTER FOR TANNA by Deanndra Hall is the latest instalment in the contemporary, adult, multi-authored POLICE AND FIRE: OPERATION ALPHA romance series focusing on characters first introduced in one of Susan Stoker’s fabulous series. This is thirty-seven year old firefighter Braden Nichols, and single mother / widow /tow truck operator Tanna Hilliard’s story line. SHELTER FOR TANNA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the original series is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tanna and Braden SHELTER FOR TANNA follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-seven year old firefighter Braden Nichols, and single mother / widow /tow truck operator Tanna Hilliard. A call-out to the scene of an accident finds Braden Nichols face to face with our testy heroine, a single mother whose day was going from bad to worse. In an effort to get to know Tanna Hilliard, Braden begins a strategic seduction of our story line heroine by first getting to know her children at home but a random call to pick up an abandoned car finds Tanna the target of a drug-addled duo, two men who were desperate to locate their car and the thousands of dollars in stolen goods. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Tanna and Braden, and the potential fall-out when Tanna becomes the intended victim in a game of desperation and revenge.

Braden Nichols knows Tanna Hilliard is the only woman he will ever want but Tanna is a single mother, struggling with a child with special needs, as well as a teenager who has taken on many of the responsibilities at home. Never expecting to fall in love, Tanna finds herself wanting forever with the man that is now buried deep in her heart.

The relationship between Tanna and Braden is one of immediate attraction but Tanna doesn’t have time for relationships or fun, and is hesitant to expose Braden to her family, especially her son who struggles to ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). As a single woman, raising her children on her own, our heroine is strong and independent but life and everything it has to offer is about to catch up with our Tanna Hilliard.Braden Nichols never waivered in the face of Tanna’s family situation having been raised to be accepting of those with special needs. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several of Braden’s co-workers (Braden,Joe, Harley and Captain William Bartlett, and dog handler Dean); Braden’s sister Jessica, and his parents Jake and Marsha; Tanna’s sons Daniel and Max, as well as Tanna’s boss Charlie. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHELTER FOR TANNA is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of struggle and acceptance. The premise is promising and entertaining; the romance is seductive and hopeful; the characters are charismatic and compelling.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

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