Monthly Archives: December 2020

Not What I Expected by Jewel E Ann-Review tour

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Not What I Expected by Jewel E Ann-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2020

Are humans meant to mate for life?

After four kids and an unfortunate but fateful end to her twenty-two-year marriage, Elsie Smith meets the new guy in town.

Kael Hendricks is … a little younger, a lot sexy, and too confident for his own good. He also doesn’t believe in marriage and all that goes with it.

And …

He’s just opened a new business that threatens the livelihood of Elsie’s family’s store—just in time for the holidays.

The problem?

There’s an undeniable attraction that leads to out of control situations, a loss of inhibitions, and a lot of small town gossip.

As Elsie tries to redefine herself and convince her family she isn’t having a midlife crisis, she’s forced to answer the biggest question of all …

Can she love an enemy who will never surrender?

•••••••••

REVIEW:NOT WHAT I EXPECTED by Jewel E Ann is a contemporary, adult story of women’s fiction focusing on forty-two year old, widow Elsie Smith.

Told from first person perspective (Elsie) NOT WHAT I EXPECTED follows in the aftermath of the death of forty –two year old Elsie Smith’s husband. With three of their four children in college and living away from home, Elsie finds herself struggling to keep the Smith family business viable, a business that is about to get some stiff competition from a new, upscale store catering to the hottest trends. Enter thirty-year old businessman Kael Henricks, and the man with whom Elsie will fall in love. What ensues is the clandestine and secretive relationship between Elsie and Kael, and the fall-out as Elsie battles between head and heart, and struggles with jealousy, envy, insecurity and loss.

Elsie Smith never expected to ever again fall in love, and a secret relationship with the hot, young newcomer throws our heroine into a personal spiral. Living in a small town with all of the small-town gossip finds Elsie struggling with perception, and the potential for judgement in the eyes of not only her neighhbors’ but in the eyes of God, for our heroine is very religious, and their sexual relationship is so much more.

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED is a beautifully written story of second chances, of a sorts, but I struggled to like or sympathize the story line heroine. She is immature and often adolescent in behaviour, jumping to conclusion and throwing tantrums in public at the slightest provocation. Following the dictates of the bible, Elsie often finds herself in opposition to the teachings of her church, teachings that are reinforced at her weekly group grief meetings. Meeting Kael Henricks stirs something deep within widow Elsie Smith but Kael doesn’t promise forever, and his personal convictions , like his store, are in direct competition with our story line heroine.

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED is a character driven story line about a heroine who is lost, angry, stubborn and raw. The premise is emotional; the characters are energetic and flawed; the romance is spirited and edgy.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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.

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Silent Night, Deadly Night (Suspense) by Kaylea Cross-Review Tour

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Silent Night, Deadly Night (Suspense #6) by Kaylea Cross-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2020

It’s Christmas in Charleston.

Luke and Emily Hutchinson are hosting the entire crew at their home in Charleston’s historic district for an early Christmas celebration. It’s the first time they’ve all been together since Em was captured and Luke almost died taking down his nemesis in Beirut a year ago, and everyone is looking forward to sharing some Christmas magic together. Except one of them has unknowingly brought a deadly threat to their doorstep.

But evil doesn’t take holidays.

When a shocking threat suddenly shatters the calm, Luke and his team must risk everything to save two of their own. And when the rescue attempt goes wrong, the consequences are more costly than they ever could have imagined.

•••••••

REVIEW: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is the sixth instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary adult SUSPENSE romantic, military suspense series. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is the culmination of  five storylines wherein the author follows-up with the couples we had previously met. 

NOTE: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT timeline advances the series approximately one year but it has been close to ten years since the release of the last book –ABSOLUTION #5 (Luke and Emily).

Told from third person perspective SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT focuses on the days before Christmas Eve wherein the former and current military warriors will be gathering for a holiday celebration at former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Luke Hutchinson’s house but a former foe sets his sights on Luke and his crew. The killing of a Middle East terrorist is only the catalyst in a series of events that results in the abduction of two of the wives when a flash drive containing secrets and codes is mailed to Samarra Sinclair (No Turning Back #3). Meanwhile Emily and Luke are waiting for the results of Emily’s latest tests, results that could break our story line couple.

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of betrayal and vengeance, espionage, secrets, blackmail and lies. Kaylea Cross pulls the reader into an emotional, heart pounding and captivating story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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A Warm Heart in Winter by JR Ward-Review & Giveaway

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A Warm Heart in Winter (Black Dagger Brotherhood 18.5 / A Caldwell Christmas) by JR Ward-Review & Giveaway

A Warm Heart in Winter
A Caldwell Christmas
(Black Dagger Brotherhood 18.5)
by JR Ward
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1,2020

In this romantic and sexy addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, a beloved couple has everything arranged… until it all goes horribly wrong.

Blay and Qhuinn always intended to do a proper mating ceremony, but life has a way of getting in the way. With a pair of young, responsibilities to the King, and a grueling fighting schedule, the two are exhausted and overwhelmed. When Qhuinn gives his male the proposal of a lifetime, however, they are excited for their special night and more in love than ever.

Everyone in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s mansion gets into the preparations, and the after party takes on epic- and immortal- proportions when Lassiter forms the Party Planning Committee. The celebrations promise to be all that the couple deserves… until a Nor’easter land locks Caldwell in a fierce storm, and things go from lighthearted to deadly dangerous.

Battling nature and responding to emergencies, Blay and Qhuinn get separated, and when a catastrophic chain of events puts one of their lives in jeopardy, the night they had so looked forward could mean the end of everything..

••••••

REVIEW:A WARM HEART IN WINTER is instalment 18.5 in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal romance series focusing on a group of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood. A WARM HEART IN WINTER is the continuing story of Blay, aka Blaylock, son of Rocke, and Qhuinn, aka son of Lohstrong. A WARM HEART IN WINTER can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

NOTE: A WARM HEART IN WINTER contains scenes of M/M sexual situations and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective A WARM HEART IN WINTER focuses on a winter storm that is about to shut down Caldwell, New York, and leaving a deadly path of destruction in its’ wake. On a late night call, Quinn finds himself the victim of an attack while helping a young girl after a motor vehicle accident. Fearing for his mate’s life, Blay comes to the decision that he and Qhuinn should embark on an official mating, to make their union formal in the eyes of the people they love. Meanwhile, Qhuinn’s brother Luchas continues to struggle with his recovery, in the aftermath raids three years earlier, raids that have forced Luchas to reflect on his life, and everything that has happened, before, during and after. As Qhuinn comes to terms with what happened in the past, Luchas makes a decision about his life going forward.

A WARM HEART IN WINTER is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love; of struggle and acceptance; of heart break, pain and loss. JR Ward pulls the reader into an emotional and tragic story but a story that is impassioned, genuine and real.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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J.R. Ward is the author of more than thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are more than fifteen million copies of her novels in print worldwide, and they have been published in twenty-six different countries around the world. She lives in the South with her family.

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JR Ward’s publisher (Simon and Schuster) is offering a paper copy of WHERE WINTER FINDS YOU  to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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10. Giveaway runs from December 5 to December 9, 2020

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A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe by Crimson Syn-Review

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A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe (Royal Bastards MC) by Crimson Syn-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2020.

Meet the founding members of the Royal Bastards New Orleans National Chapter!

Troy ‘SADDLE’ Maverick

Falling in love is the last thing on my mind.
It’s a far-fetched notion that doesn’t exist in my world of death and mayhem.
That is, until Crystal Tanenbaum walks into my life.
More like drops…onto my lap.
All curves and sweetness wrapped into a beautiful package.
She is not the type of woman that could handle my world.
Completely innocent.
Completely out of my league.
I know I’ll destroy her, but I can’t keep myself away.
She’s captured my heart and now she’ll have to deal with the consequences.

Cowboys and bikers in one Holiday Read-you can’t go wrong with this one!

•••••••

REVIEW:  A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is the fourth instalment in Crimson Syn’s contemporary, adult ROYAL BASTARDS MC erotic, MC, romance series focusing on the members of the RBMC. This is RBMC Vice President Troy ‘Saddle’ Maverick, and PA Crystal Tannenbaum’s story line. A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE takes place approximately thirty years in the past, focusing on the founding members of the Royal Bastards MC.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saddle and Crystal) A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE follows the building romance and relationship between the Vice President of the RBMC Troy ‘Saddle’ Maverick, and PA Crystal Tannenbaum. One year earlier, on New Year’s Eve, Saddle and Crystal had a brief encounter but an emergency pulled Saddle out of Crystal’s life, and in the ensuing year neither one would forgot about the other. Twelve months later, and the Royal Bastards MC have become the target of the town’s new mayor who has secretly paired with the Bloody Scorpions MC. Wanting to control everything that comes in and out of his town, Mayor Tanenbaum goes after the RBMC and the man with whom his daughter will fall in love. As Troy and Crystal take their relationship to the next level, Crystal will quickly discover that all is not well in her father’s life, and our heroine has become a pawn in a war between the Royal Bastards, and the Bloody Scorpions MC.

Saddle Maverick never expected to fall for Crystal Tannenbaum but his latest assignment means getting closer to Crystal, an assignment that is about to break our heroine’s heart. Crystal Tannenbaum is neither innocent nor bad, but falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to her relationship with Troy Maverick. Secrets and lies are about to spiral out of control as Crystal quickly discovers that every man in her life can no longer be trusted.

The relationship between Crystal and Saddle is one of immediate attraction but their first encounter is sexy and quick. In the ensuing year their paths will cross almost daily, wherein Crystal believes Saddle does not remember their initial meeting. A shove from a stranger finds our heroine in Saddle’s lap, and their relationship starts to build from that moment forward. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters including club President Paul ‘Bulldog’ Jameson , Sargent at arms Hart, fire Lieutenant Tail Gunner Mason ‘Brimstone’ Hudson, Siege, club treasurer Cipher, Bruiser, Mayor Larry Tannenbaum, cafe owner Rachel , and the mayor’s press secretary Roger Dixon.

A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a quick read; a fast paced story that looks at the beginning of Crystal and Saddle’s relationship, and the fall-out from a town controlled by the local MCs. The premise is engaging; the romance is steamy and hot; the characters are colorful and energetic.

Previous Review
Scarred by Pain

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

My name is Crimson Syn, not really, but what fun is it to use my real name. Instead I’ll use my inner goddess’ name, it’s much more fun that way. I grew up in New York City where I had a wonderful education, loving parents and awesome friends. What more could a girl ask for?

I started writing at the age of sixteen. The first romance I read was Stephanie Laurens’ Devil’s Bride. Since then I have been influenced by dozens of flourishing romance authors and even more dashing and daring rogues. I must say it, but Fifty Shades was not my first erotic romance, nor did it influence me to start writing them. If you’ve never read Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Bertrice Small or A.N. Roquelaure’s Sleeping Beauty trilogy, then you’re missing out. Those were my sweet introductions to erotic romance, and boy were they hot.

So here I am, after reading so many wonderful stories, I have too many sinful tales of my own not to share. I like my alphas rough and possessive, and I have no shame in saying it or writing it. I had delightfully wicked teachers growing up, their books took me to new worlds and brought me new loves. So, I want to do the same for you. I want to indulge my readers in those steamy reads that will send them into the arms of dangerous alphas and deliciously sexy rogues, without leaving the confines of their nice warm bed. If I am able to entice your inner goddesses, then I have done my job and I am satisfied.

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Tongue (Ruthless Kings MC #8) by KL Savage-Review Tour

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Tongue (Ruthless Kings MC #8) by KL Savage-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2020

I’m too dark for her light.

I am who I am, and I won’t apologize for it.
I don’t know how to be…
Normal.

I have my reasons.
I’ve been through hell.
I’ve touched the flames themselves and I’ve danced with the devil.
Intimately.

Damnation torched my soul until it was black.

Then I see her.
I’m enthralled, but I can’t speak to her.
She’s too pure.
Too fragile.
Too innocent.
She doesn’t need to see my torched soul.
She doesn’t need to taste my damnation.

I watch what I can’t have.
I swear I’ll protect her.
Even if she doesn’t know I’m there.
I get more…
Enthralled.

She loves books.
I wonder if I could love them too.
She loves wine.
I imagine us sharing a glass.

Imagination. What a tease.
Enthralled. Entranced.
Obsessed.

She feels me there.
Sees me out of the corner of her eye.
I’m the reason the hair on the back of her neck is standing up.
But I stay in the shadows where I belong.

Until I can’t.
Until the day I see her cry.

Those tears feel like open wounds.
I want to heal them.
But all she does is run.
So I follow.

Enthralled.
Entranced.
Obsessed.
RUTHLESS.

I won’t stop until she no longer has a reason to cry.
Even if it means I have to ride through the fires of hell one more time.

•••••••

REVIEW:TONGUE is the eighth instalment in KL Savage’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS KINGS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is Ruthless Kings enforcer Wayne ‘Tongue’ Hendrix, and twenty-five year old, book store worker Daphne Lace’s story line. TONGUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as this particular arc of the series began in A Ruthless Halloween 6.5.

WARNING: Due to the extreme violence, abuse and dark subject matter there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tongue and Daphne) TONGUE follows the unconventional relationship between Ruthless King enforcer Wayne ‘Tongue’ Hendrix, and book store worker Daphne Lace. Tongue is the enforcer for the Ruthless Kings MC but a horrific childhood has warped Tongue’s need for vengeance and payback, and as such Tongue has earned his name within the MC brotherhood but Tongue’s obsession with Daphne Lace may have placed our heroine in the direct line of fire when she finds herself targeted by more than one man’s sick and twisted mind. As Tongue’s life begins to spiral out of control, Daphne reveals she is more than worthy of Tongue’s need for violence, pain, blood and death-two kindred souls whose lives become intertwined like a crown of thorns meant to bleed and scar.

The relationship between Tongue and Daphne is unconventional; unique and unorthodox but it is a relationship upon which they both agree. No one is safe when Tongue perceives a threat to the woman he loves but perception is one thing, reality is another. The $ex scenes are erotic, dark, gritty and angry.

TONGUE is a dark, dramatic, raw, and intense story focusing on two severely broken and wounded people whose sense of reality borders on the psychotic and insane. Daphne accepts all that is Tongue-from his blood and knife play to his perception of right and wrong yet it is Daphne’s grip on reality that will be questioned on more than one occasion.TONGUE is an emotional, painful and difficult story with graphic details that will break your heart, and crush your soul.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Reaper’s Rise
Reaper
Boomer
Tool
Poodle
Pirate
A Ruthless Halloween
Doc

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

K.L. Savage decided they were tired of looking for the kind of books they wanted to read. They had an itch that needed to be scratched, and as every girl knows, nothing scratches better than an alpha.

They write about gritty, alpha males, sometimes their dark sides, and the women they love.
If you have the same itch, their alpha males should fix that.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k.l.savage.author
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The Rise of the Altereds by Marisa Noelle – a Review

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The Rise of the Altereds by Marisa Noelle – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
GENETIC MODIFICATION HAS BEEN OUTLAWED.

THE REMAINING ALTEREDS WANT REVENGE.

When Silver’s mother is abducted by a rogue scientist who releases a deadly new virus on the populace, she and her now unadjusted friends are faced with an impossible choice.

They can hide from the virus for as long as possible, or they can regain their abilities and take the battle to the mountains. But Silver doesn’t count on a new, rogue power growing within her. She can’t control it and soon all her friends are in danger. And there is something evil hiding in the snowy Sierras.

Can Silver learn to control her new, deadly power in time to rescue her mother as well as defeat the one who seeks to destroy them all?

 

 

Review:

The Rise of the Altereds by Marisa Noelle is the 2nd book in her The Unadjusteds trilogy.  When I read the first book, I wasn’t sure that there would be more, and I was happy to find out that this is now a trilogy.  Refresher:  The Unajusteds is a YA Dystopian story, with Silver Melody, our wonderful teenage heroine.  Silver is very strong, fast and has abilities that make her special. In a world with most people having been altered with enhancements, Silver was one of those that were unadjusted.  At the end of the last book, Silver and her friends defeated the President and freed those altered and unadjusted.

In The Rise of the Altereds, Silver’s father is working on a vaccine to fix those altered back to normal.  Silver, Matt, Paige, and the team is still together, but another evil presence has taken over the role of leader (Earl) using a virus that is killing everyone, as well as creating evil entities and creatures to destroy the world as they know it. Silver’s mother is still in captivity, and they all get together to try and rescue her mother. Silver’s father is able to give them back their altered abilities to help fight the horrors they will face. Silver is the most powerful of all of them, especially with an unknown dark ability that she has not learned how to use.  Along the way, Silver will pick up some more abilities just by touching someone, which includes seeing into the future. 

What follows is an exciting and intense adventure that once again pits Silver and her friends against so many dangerous situations, including making sure they do not catch the virus, as well as the creatures, birds, hellhounds they come across.   From start to finish, this was filled with action, danger, violence, as I held my breath to see who will survive.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and ruin it for you.

The Rise of the Altereds was a very well written, intense and emotional story line that held my attention throughout.   Marisa Noelle did a fabulous job giving us an exciting story, wonderful heroine and great secondary characters. The ending was exciting, wild and emotional.  I loved Silver, as she made a great heroine. I look forward to the final book in this trilogy.  I wholly suggest if you like an action-packed dystopian theme, you should be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Axel (Men of Mirror Lake Mountain 1) by Penny Dee- Review Tour

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Axel (Men of Mirror Lake Mountain 1) by Penny Dee- Review & Excerpt  Tour

ebook ONLY 99¢: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2020

Lauren Carmichael is going to be kidnapped.

And the last thing I want to do is get involved.
But when I overhear the plans to abduct her on the eve of her wedding, I know I have to do something.
My past stops me from going to the authorities, and I don’t know how deep this conspiracy goes in the small town of Mirror Lake Mountain, so asking for help is too risky.
I can only trust myself.
I have no choice.
To keep her safe, I’ll have to kidnap the pain-in-the-ass heiress myself.

Call the fire department because things are about to get hot in here! Axel, book one in the Men of Mirror Lake Mountain series is straight up what fantasies are made of, with an over-the-top sexy hero, a heroine who gives as good as she gets, and so much Kindle-melting deliciousness you will lose your mind!

So, sit back, check reality at the door and get ready for one lip-biting, toe-curling read!

•••••

REVIEW:AXEL is the first instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary, adult MEN OF MIRROR LAKE MOUNTAIN erotic, romance series of ‘Spicy Bites’ novellas. This is bride to be Lauren Carmichael, and hotel worker Calder ‘Axel’ Christofferson’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lauren and Axel) AXEL follows the building romance and relationship between Lauren Carmichael and Calder ‘Axel’ Christofferson. On the eve of her destination wedding, Lauren Carmichael finds herself the possible target of a potential abduction only to have a hotel worker claim he is there to rescue and save her life. Hiding out in Axel’s mountain cabin, Lauren will learn that her life is worth twenty-five million dollars but the who and why would take her by surprise. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Axel and Lauren, and the potential fall-out as information comes to light about Axel’s past, and the truth about the person behind the plans to abduct our story line heroine.

The relationship between Axel and Lauren begins acrimoniously when Axel steps in to save Lauren after hearing about a kidnapping plot against our story line heroine. Believing her life in danger, Lauren goes with Axel, only to realize she may have ran from one attempted kidnapping, into another. Axel’s attraction to Lauren is immediate but knows Lauren’s life is spiralling out of control, and she is technically engaged to another man. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Axel’s cousins Ragnar and Cooter, as well as Lauren’s fiance Vince Preston, her father Christoper Carmichael and Sheriff Willard.

AXEL is a story of betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies; second chances and love. The fast paced premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is hot and heavy; the characters are energetic and colorful.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

I lead her through the cabin.
“There’s only one bed,” she says.
“Yeah, but it’s big enough for two.”
“You can’t be serious.”
She tries to look mortified. But I can see the heat in her eyes.
“Oh, I’m serious.”
“Can’t you take the couch or something?”
“Why, when the bed is big enough for the both of us?” I cock an eyebrow at her. “Or are you worried you won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself?”
Indignation replaces her look of horror and she raises her eyebrow. “Oh, I assure you that isn’t the case.”
I sit down on the bed and pat the space beside me, grinning wickedly at her.
While she stands across the room and murders me with her eyes. “I’ll take the couch.”
I shrug. “Suit yourself.”
She folds her arms. “You’d seriously make me sleep on the couch. So much for chivalry.”
“I’m not making you do anything.” I pat the bed again. “There’s plenty of room.”
Her arms fall to her sides as she gives in. “Fine. But I’m building a giant pillow wall between us.”
I can’t help myself and laugh. For something so little, she sure has a lot of spunk.
I stand up and take a step toward her.
“Knock yourself out. But look at me, darlin’, I’m a big man. You should know I can huff and I can puff, and I can blow that giant pillow wall down.”
My voice is gravelly. Rough. And flowing with the lust I’m feeling coiled in my belly. The push and pull between us is turning me on, and I’m aching to give in to the hunger and take her mouth with mine.
Again, her throat works hard as she struggles to swallow.
Yeah, she’s turned on. Mortified, yes, but turned on, nevertheless.
Her eyes sharpen. “You should know, I’m a light sleeper and did martial arts for six years.”
“Good, I like it rough.”
She raises her chin. “Don’t be fooled by my size. I may be small, but I can kick ass.”
“Rougher the better.”
It is a war of wills now. And it’s making me fucking hard.
“I know what part of the body to aim for to cause the most impact.”
I take a sweeping look up and down her beautiful body. “Ditto.”
Her jaw tightens. “I’ll escape while you’re sleeping.”
“Maybe I’ll tie you to the bed.”
She gasps. “You wouldn’t dare!”
I’m not sure why, or how, or what the fuck is happening, but before I can get any understanding of the situation, I back her up toward the bed and she has no choice but to sit down. She looks up at me, her eyes blazing.
And in that second, I know without a doubt I am going to tie her to my bed.


 

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between. She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.

You can connect with Penny Dee : Goodreads / Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website / Instagram

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Bayou Dreaming (Bayou Butterfly 3) by Lexi Blake-Review tour

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Bayou Dreaming (Bayou Butterfly 3) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2020

Roxanne King left the big city looking for a simpler life, but after years of proving herself on a SWAT team in New York City, being deputy in a sleepy Louisiana parish is something of an adjustment. She’s settling in, but she knows she made some mistakes in the beginning–Zep Guidry being the worst of them. Zep drifts through life on his looks and Cajun charm. Roxie learned the hard way he’s not for her.

Zep is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Roxie. He’s just not sure how to get her. They spent one hot night together a year before and now all the lovely deputy seems interested in doing to him is arresting him. He’s not used to a woman he can’t charm, but Roxie seems immune. He’s determined to win her back by any means necessary. Including becoming the kind of man she desires.

And when Roxie’s past comes calling, it might be the opportunity Zep needs to show Roxie that the town bad boy might just be the man of her dreams.

••••••

REVIEW:BAYOU DREAMING is the third instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult BUTTERFLY BAYOU erotic, romance series. This is former NYPD police officer Roxanne King, and Zephirin ‘ Zep’ Guidry’s story line. BAYOU DREAMING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information for the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Roxanne and Zep) BAYOU DREAMING follows the building romance and relationship between former NYPD police officer Roxanne King, and Zephirin ‘ Zep’ Guidry. Four years earlier police officer Roxanne King’s life imploded when she discovered complaints about sexual harassment had been ignored and dismissed by the old boys club in the department, a department where her now ex-husband and father worked. Walking away from a job that she loved, and a marriage that was quickly grinding to a halt, Roxanne King landed a job as a deputy in Papillon, Louisiana. But a one night stand with local bad boy Zep Guidry never amounted to fruition until several reports of strange incidences with a mythological creature found Roxanne and Zep working together following an accident that left our heroine with a mild concussion. The appearance of Roxanne’s family added to fuel to Roxanne’s already crazy life, an appearance that pulled Zep into a pretend romantic relationship with Roxanne King. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Roxanne and Zep, and the potential fall-out when Roxanne is offered a job she cannot refuse.

The Louisiana Parish of Papillon has its’ fair share of mythologies but the most recent ‘sighting’ of a werewolf type rougarou, has Roxanne shaking her head at the stories and phone calls to the local PD but Roxanne’s problems only escalate when her family visits Papillon Louisiana, a visit meant to encourage our heroine to finally come home.

The relationship between Roxanne and Zep is one of immediate attraction but Zep’s bad boy reputation precedes his introduction to our story line heroine, a reputation predicated on history, rumors, gossip and lies. Meeting Roxanne King gave Zep a hope for a future but Roxanne had no plans to remain in Papillon long term, and with it went the hopes of a man who was quickly falling in love. 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 secondary and supporting characters including Sheriff Armie La Vigne, and practical nurse Lila Daley (Butterfly Bayou 1), Lisa and Remy Guidry, deputy Major, Harry and Seraphins ( Bayou Baby 2), Sera and Zep’s mother Delphine Guidry. We are introduced to Roxanne’s parents who area infuriating, stubborn and disappointing , her brother Brian and his fiancé Shawna, and her ex-husband Joel Nelson, as well as several townsfolk in Papillon Louisiana.

BAYOU DREAMING is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and loss. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is captivating and decadent; the characters are colorful, dynamic, and spirited.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Butterfly Bayou
Baby Bayou

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

The door opened and Lila walked in. “I’ve got good news and bad news. You do have a concussion, but it’s minor and my brother says the rest of your brain looks great. So you’ll be fine, but I either need to send you to the hospital for observation for the day or someone needs to stay with you.”
“I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t about to go to the hospital. No way. “Just give me some instructions and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll be completely in my hair because, like I said, I need to know someone is watching you for the next twelve hours,” Lila explained. “I can do that by driving you an hour and a half to the hospital, checking you in, and then having someone pick you up late in the evening. Or you can have a friend stay with you today. I would tell you to hang out here at the clinic, but we’re closed this morning. I’m going to Noelle’s science fair. If we can ever trick another NP to come down here, well, we’ll still be closed sometimes.”
It was weird since hospitals didn’t close in New York, but this clinic was the nearest thing they had to a hospital in Papillon. Lila would definitely insist on driving her since she wasn’t even letting her lie on the couch by herself. There was no way Lila would let her get behind the wheel.
“I swear I’ll be cool,” she promised. “I’ll sign one of those forms and everything will be okay. I don’t mind signing it.”
“You want to sign an AMA?” Lila’s eyes had widened slightly but not in a surprised way. Nope. Roxie knew that look. It was the “dumbass said what” look.
“You’re not leaving against medical advice,” Armie declared with a frown.
She didn’t have anyone to call. She quickly went through the short list of people she knew well enough to ask for a favor. She pretty much only knew the guys she worked with. She worked and then went home. She got the occasional beer, and sometimes she hung out with Lila. That was the sum of who she might be able to ask.
Major was working. He would have been called in to take over the rest of her shift and his own. Armie would be at his daughter’s school event. Vince would be working with Major, and the fourth deputy, Chris, had recently hired on and was moving today.
The door opened and Zep walked in, Daisy on a leash, though she obviously wasn’t trained. She squirmed and strained against the leash the minute she got in the room.
“Sorry, I wanted to make sure you were all right before I head into Houma,” he said. “Also wanted to give you the chance to say good-bye to Daisy.”
If she didn’t find someone to “watch” over her, Armie would likely do it himself. Or they would have to spend their whole day driving back and forth to the hospital. He would miss his daughter’s science fair, and it wasn’t some elementary event where they showed off homemade volcanoes. Noelle was in her senior year of high school and competing for scholarships.
Also, she might save the puppy from having to go to some horrible shelter.
She looked at Zep. She knew what she was about to say was a mistake, but she didn’t see that she had any other choice. She was desperate. “I need someone to make sure I can wake up every couple of hours.”
Zep stopped and looked around as though trying to make sure she was talking to him. “You want me to call my sister or something?”
His sister and her husband, Harrison Jefferys, owned a B and B, the nicest one in town. That could be the solution. She could check in for the day and sleep on the couch in the great room. She’d heard their family dog was almost like a nanny to their little boy. Maybe he could be a nurse, too. “Does she have any rooms open?”
Armie huffed and Lila started shaking her head as though they both knew she planned to ask a dog to help her out before she’d ask the human male in the room.
Zep nodded as though that was what he’d expected. “Sorry. I was talking to Sera and Harry last night and they’re completely booked. They’ve got a big family coming down for the week. From somewhere back East.”
Then she didn’t have a choice. She closed her eyes and wished the ground would swallow her up. It would be easier than doing what she had to do now. She sighed and opened her eyes because the ground was still firm beneath her. “Would you do it?”
The slowest, sexiest smile crossed his face. “I can definitely wake you up, darlin’. Though I’m more used to putting pretty ladies to sleep. Wait. That came out wrong. Never mind. I can do it.”
She already regretted the choice.

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

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