In the Penalty Box by Lynn Rush & Kelly Anne Blount – a Review

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Barb

In the Penalty Box by Lynn Rush & Kelly Anne Blount – a Review

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Description:
Willow
Figure skating was supposed to be my whole world. But one unlucky injury and now I’m down…but I’m definitely not out. I just need to rehab–a boatload of rehab–and who’d have thought I could do it on the boys’ hockey team?

Of course, the infuriatingly hot captain of the team seems to think I’m nothing but sequins and twirls. What’s a girl to do but put him in his place? Game on.

Brodie
Hockey is my whole world. I’ve worked my tail off getting my team in a position to win the championships–hopefully in front of major college scouts, too–so what’s a guy to do when a figure skater ends up as our new goalie?

Of course, the distractingly sexy skater thinks I’m nothing but a testosterone-laced competitive streak. And surely she’s only biding her time to heal, then she’s gone. Game over.

Review:

It’s been a while since I’ve read any Young Adult stories so took me a while to wrap my head around this one. Thankfully it was based around my favourite sport of hockey so it helped to pull me in and get me into the story. In the Penalty Box features Willow a figure skater who suffered a devastating injury that knocks her off the Olympic team and Brodie a star hockey player hoping to make a college team with a full scholarship. Thanks to a chance meeting with Brodie, Willow finds herself on the town’s hockey team as their star goalie. Yes a figure skater turns hockey player, I really liked that twist in this story.

Of course becoming their star goalie isn’t an easy task as at first the guys are hesitant about a figure skater becoming a goalie and she’s a girl to top things off. However, Willow has a feisty, competitive and spunky attitude about her that quickly wins the majority of the team over. The more she’s around the guys and playing goalie she learns what it’s like to be on a real team and is enjoying herself. She finds herself torn between her love of figure skating and the love of hockey she’s developing. On top of all this she’s hopelessly falling for the teams captain Brodie.

Brodie is you typical jock on the ice. He’s got everything it takes to be a star hockey player including the charms on and off the ice. Hockey is his life and his escape from what’s going on in his home life. If it wasn’t for hockey and his teammates Brodie would’ve been lost like his father after his mom died in a bad accident. Enter Willow the figure skater, Brodie sees something in her that he believes can transform her into the goalie the team needs. Convincing Willow that she can do this and helping to train her, Brodie finds himself hopelessly falling for her even though he’s sworn off relationships off the ice.

Both Brodie and Willow have a lot going on in their lives off the ice. Willow with her injury and wanting back on an Olympic team and Brodie dealing with his father throwing their lives away after his mom died. Together they wind up leaning on each other and supporting one another through thick and thin. Spending all this time with each other both on and off the ice they begin to develop feelings for one another and have to keep their budding romance a secret as the coach put out a no fraternizing with teammates order. Of course there’s your typical teen drama that happens and the drama that comes about when the team finds out they’ve been lying about their romance. In the end everything does work itself out and Willow and Brodie get their HEA.

If you’re a fan of the young adult genre and the sport of hockey then this one’s for you.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Marcie

A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY by Kayley Loring-Review tour

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Sandy

A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY by Kayley Loring-Review tour

ebook only 99¢ (USD)Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 14, 2021

EDDIE: Cancel your dinky little roomette on the train. I’m booking us two of the big bedroom suites.

BIRDIE: I’ll cancel it AFTER you’ve booked the other sleeper rooms. And reimburse you.

EDDIE: Don’t worry about it. Just cancel your tickets. I got this. Round trip. I’m on the Amtrak website right now.

BIRDIE: You don’t have to leave NYC when I do! You’ll hardly be able to spend any time with your Instagram girlfriend that you’ve never met!

EDDIE: It’s fine. She’ll be fine with it. Cancel your tickets.

BIRDIE: You aren’t going to stop texting me until I’ve canceled them, are you?

EDDIE: Damn right I’m not. Just do it. You can thank me later.

***

EDDIE: Um. Did you cancel your tickets?

BIRDIE: Yes, Edward. I canceled them.

EDDIE: Okay, because it turns out they only had one Family Bedroom from LA to Chicago. But the good news is I booked it for us. It’s the biggest room they had. The bad news is I booked it for us. And it’s the only sleeper room they have left now.

EDDIE: In related news, there was also only one room left from Chicago to New York.

EDDIE: Hands up if you’re excited! *man raising hand emoji*

BIRDIE: I am so mad at you right now.

***

BIRDIE: I’ve compiled a list of ground rules re shared train bedroom. Check your email, please read carefully, and refer to it again on the ninth of February. Thank you.

EDDIE: *nerd face emoji* Received. I have some notes.

•••••••••

REVIEW: A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY is the second instalment in Kayley Loring’s contemporary, adult, erotic, holiday, rom-com series. This is twenty-six year old actor Edward ‘Eddie’ Cannavale, and archivist Birdie Backett’s story line. A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Eddie is Gavin’s brother (A VERY BOSSY CHRISTMAS).

Told from three first person perspectives (Eddie, Birdie, Piper) A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY follows the best friends to lovers relationship between twenty-six year old actor Edward ‘Eddie’ Cannavale, and archivist Birdie Backett’. Birdie and Eddie have been best friends since the day they met in college, six years earlier, but Eddie’s star is on the rise, and he is currently in a virtual relationship with a woman he met on social media, a woman he has never met in real life. Birdie, afraid to fly, books a train trip to New York, a trip in which Eddie invites himself, in an effort to meet the woman he has never met but a series of comical errors finds our couple together on the Valentine’s Day ‘Love Train’ trying desperately to keep their palpable sexual attraction from going ‘off the rails’. As the trip enters sexual territory, Eddie gets waylaid on a stop over in Chicago, and realizes he has fallen in love with his best friend. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Eddie and Birdie, as our couple must navigate Eddie’s career, and the social media that follows their every move.

The relationship between Eddie and Birdie is a friends to lovers romance that is strong in texting, and a drunken profession of love from our story line hero. The back and forth banter is flirty and fun; the $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and hot.

The secondary and supporting characters include Eddie’s brother Gavin, as well as their large extended loud and boisterous Irish/Italian family (mostly via phone). We are introduced to Birdie’s best friend Layla; Eddie’s instagram girlfriend Alana, who we only know through texts and messages; Nancy, the sleeping car attendant on the train who sees more than most; casting director Debra Silver, as well as Rupert Norton III, a stranger on the train who takes an interest in our story line heroine. The majority of the story line follows the couple on the train to New York.

A VERY FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DAY is a fun and flirty , spicy and inviting story. The character driven premise is amusing and engaging; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are sassy, lively and spirited.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one A VERY BOSSY CHRISTMAS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Before writing steamy romantic comedy novels, Kayley Loring got a BFA in creative writing from a Canadian university and had a fifteen-year career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles (under a different name). She mostly wrote PG-13 family comedies that studios would pay her lots of money for and then never make into movies. In 2017 she decided to move to the Pacific Northwest and write about all the fun stuff that she wasn’t allowed to write about in those PG-13 scripts. Now she’s breathing cleaner air and writing dirtier words. It’s an adjustment she’s happily getting used to.

The Patriot (Hayden Family #1) by Jennifer Millikin-Review Tour

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Sandy

The Patriot (Hayden Family #1) by Jennifer Millikin-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 11, 2021

I’m a soldier.
A cattle rancher.
A Hayden.

My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire.

When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want.

And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory.

It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after.

I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country.
I was wrong.

Turns out, I want it all.
Including her.

••••••

REVIEW:THE PATRIOT is the first instalment in Jennifer Millikin’s contemporary, adult HAYDEN FAMILY romance series focusing on the Hayden siblings (Wesley, Warner, Wyatt and Jessie). This is thirty-seven year old, former US army explosive specialist and rancher Wes Hayden, and real estate developer/ investor Dakota Wright’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Wes and Dakota) THE PATRIOT follows Dakota Wright as she is tasked by her father with purchasing and developing several acres of land owned by the wealthy and powerful Hayden Cattle Company in Sierra Grande, Arizona but the surprise is on our heroine when she discovers that her one-night stand from five years previous is none other than heir to the Hayden Cattle Company Wes Hayden. Struggling to maintain her professionalism Dakota comes to realize that Wes refuses to acknowledge what was, and struggles to accept the sale of some of the family land. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Wes and Dakota, and the potential fall-out as the Hayden Cattle Company has been targeted for sins of the past, and our heroine is caught in the cross-fire.

Wes Hayden struggles with PTSD, and his one-night stand five years earlier with Dakota Wright has left our hero with issues of guilt and embarrassment in the wake of his need to run. Reconnecting with Dakota brought with it the palpable sexual attraction to a woman he believes he does not deserve but an outdated family mandate forces Wes to make Dakota an offer she cannot refuse.

The relationship between Wes and Dakota is one of immediate attraction; a second chance romance wherein five years has past, and Dakota struggles to forgive the man with whom she will fall in love. Wes returned from three tours of duty a changed man, and in this, his family worries that Wes is no longer the son to take over the ranch. The sex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Dakota’s father Mitch Wright; Wes’ siblings Warner, Wyatt and Jessie; their parents Beau and Juliette Hayden; real estate agent Jericho Barnett; café server Josephine; several townies, and ranch hands Dixon, Troy, Josh, Ham, Denny and Bryce. I am hoping the author has plans for Josephine as well.

THE PATRIOT is a story of family and relationships; betrayal and revenge; guilt and acceptance; romance and love. The premise is heart breaking, engaging and captivating ;the romance is seductive and sensual; the characters are broken, impassioned, and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

••••••••

-> READ the FIRST CHAPTER

http://bit.ly/FirstChapterThePatriot

Jennifer Millikin is a contemporary romance and women’s fiction author. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, two children, and Liberty, her Lab who thinks she’s human. Jennifer craves vegetables and refuses to apologize for it, can probably beat you in Spot It, and believes chips and salsa should be a food group.

Website: https://www.jennifermillikinwrites.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferMillikinwrites/
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenmillwrites/ | @jenmillwrites
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Millikin/e/B0161EZ30K
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/l3i4n4
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-millikin
Personal Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jennifermillikinreadergroup
Bookstagram Box Form: http://bit.ly/BookstagramBoxThePatriot

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author.

RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY

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Her Kind of Cowboy by Dylann Crush – a Review

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Barb

Her Kind of Cowboy by Dylann Crush – a Review

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Description:
No wedding is too much for the little town of Ido, Texas to handle…or is it?

Having successfully established themselves as a destination for weddings, the town of Ido is ready to kick it up another notch. Zina Baxter has stood on the sidelines during most of the matrimonial mayhem. But when a disaster at the pit bull rescue has her relocating the pups to share space with a winter wonderland scene, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of planning the craziest wedding yet.

Alex Sanders ran as far and fast as he could from his hometown–all the way to Antarctica. But a job opportunity as the penguin handler for an over-the-top wedding jerks entices him back. Being home means he can finally help his overwhelmed sister wrangle their unruly grandpa–at least until the next opportunity comes around and he can hit the road running again. The last thing he expects to find in Texas is a shot at love…

Once Alex crashes into Zina’s life–literally–there’s no denying their chemistry. But are their feelings for each other enough to keep Alex in Texas for good, or will he follow the march of the penguins back to the South Pole?

Review:

Her Kind of Cowboy by Dylann Crush is the second book in her Tying the Knot in Texas series. This is the first time I have read this author, and I am happy to say I really enjoyed this story. Her Kind of Cowboy was a fun read, but what is not to love about it; dogs and more dogs, even penguins, and hot couple who were steamy together.

Zina Baxter, our heroine, is Lacey Cherish’s best friend (previous book heroine), and owner of a dog shelter, as well as Lacey’s right hand in handling weddings for the town of I Do’s wedding destination business. Lacey is the mayor, as well as in charge of building up the town with planning weddings; but she is pregnant and desperately needs Zina help. Zina has her own problems, as the roof of her shelter has fallen apart, and she needs to find a place to bring the dogs, until the place is fixed

Alex Sanders, our hero, has returned home from his time in Alaska, to visit his sister and grandfather. Alex’s time in Alaska made him a penguin handler, and when he receives a call from a wealthy man who is planning his daughter’s wedding, and she wants penguins to be a part of it. When Alex visits Lacey at the office, he asks if he can use the warehouse across from the wedding venue, in order to bring the penguins into a safe environment, until the wedding which is months away. Zina ends up taking Alex to the warehouse to view it, and decides she will need some of that room for the dogs.

Lacey learns that the wedding planner is one of the most famous and she is thrilled, as it will help enhance her destination weddings. With her on bed rest, Zina is put in charge of working with Alex to plan the wedding (wild crazy setup), bring in the penguins to be trained, and have a place for the dogs. Alex is also being pressured to help his sister, who wants to put the grandfather (Morty) into a home, as he has become difficult.

What follows is a slow build romance between Alex and Zina, as well as the wild crazy group, staying at the warehouse, including the dogs, penguins, grandfather, nieces. I loved both Alex and Zina, as their chemistry was off the wall. The secondary characters were all very good, and I got a kick out of the niece’s parrot, and loved the dogs. Zina knew she was falling hard for Alex, but he was a wanderer, unable to stay in one place too long. Will Alex stay in Texas?

Her Kind of Cowboy was a fun, sweet, humorous & charming small-town romance. The bantering between our couple, as well as all the wonderful secondary characters was great. Dylann Crush did a great job writing this wonderful story, that was totally enjoyable. Her Kind of Cowboy reads well as a standalone, but it might be a good idea to read the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Dirty Deeds Anthology – Review & Giveaway Tour

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Barb

Dirty Deeds Anthology-Faith Hunter, R.J. Blain,Devon Monk,Diana Pharaoh Francis-Review and Giveaway Tour

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Dirty Deeds: An Urban Fantasy Collection (Magical Romantic Comedies)
by Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Devon Monk and R.J. Blain

Dirty Deeds: Urban Fantasy Collection is an anthology with novellas written by Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Devon Monk and R.J. Blain. I am a huge fan of Faith Hunter, and reading any novella or short story is a must for me. I will write a short review on Hunter’s stories, revolving around her Jane Yellowrock series, and can only say that the other books are also part of their series, which I have not read.

Description:
When the going gets tough, the tough get their hands dirty. Join NY Times Bestselling author Faith Hunter, USA Today Bestselling author R.J. Blain, and National Bestselling authors Diana Pharaoh Francis and Devon Monk on a wild romp where the damsels bring the distress and what can go wrong will go wrong.

Venture into a thrilling spinoff tale from the world of Jane Yellowrock; join vacationing gods in what appears to be a quiet, ordinary town; visit a supernatural hotel where the bedbugs could very well eat you; and dive into the zany, deadly world of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series.

In this collection of all-new urban fantasy novellas and other stories, no job is too big or too small—if the price is right.

Review:

Bound Into Darkness by Faith Hunter
Bound into Darkness takes place between the last two novels in Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series; the story revolves around Eli Younger and Liz Everhardt. Liz has had a crush on Eli for a while, but after she was seriously injured, she has been in recovery and Eli has not been around. When Liz gets a call for help to find a missing dog, she asks Eli to help her. They head to the steep and dark mountain, looking for the dog, only to find Liz encountering a skeletal demon, who comes to life and wanting to possess her. Liz manages to escape, with Eli’s help and together they build a hedge circle, but time is of essence, as the demon is trying to break through. To make matters work, a group of rogue werewolves are on the way to kill them. The question is: who set this trap to have Liz killed and why?

What follows is an exciting, tense novella that kept my attention from start to finish. The last half of the book was amazing, as we got to see many of our favorites try to rescue Eli and Liz; including Jane, Cia (Liz’s twin sister, also a witch), Alex, Brute, Lincoln, just to name a few. We also learn who was behind this trap, which also gets explained more in the next short story; Ties That Bind. I really loved this new addition to the Jane Yellowrock series.

The Ties that Bind by Faith Hunter
Bedelia is the mother of Liz and Cia Everhardt, and she senses something is happening. Linc Shadrock, who fathered her children, and whom she has not seen in many years, once he became the Master of his territory. When he visits Bedelia late night, he explains about the woman who is threatening to kill her daughters. The Mayhew witches blame Liz for killing one of their own, and they were behind the current attack. Linc needs Bedelia’s help before he leaves to help save his daughters, with the help of Jane Yellowrock and team.

Bedelia agrees to call in her witch friends, who had set up a circle from years before, and try to trap the Mayhew leader. Once the ladies arrive at the circle and set up the trap, they find themselves under attack by both witches and werewolves.

I enjoyed seeing how Linc loved Bedelia, and explained that he still loved her. That was a nice addition. Great short story.

Reviewed by Barb

As noted above, the stories below just have a glimpse from the description above:
Vacationing gods in what appears to be a quiet, ordinary town; visit a supernatural hotel where the bedbugs could very well eat you; and dive into the zany, deadly world of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series.

Sealed with a Tryst by Devon Monk

At Death’s Door by Devon Monk

The Pixie Job by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Doggone Mess by R.J. Blain

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dragon Revealed (Dragon Kings #1) by Donna Grant-Review Tour

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Sandy

Dragon Revealed (Dragon Kings #1) by Donna Grant-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 12, 2021

The capture of a Dragon King is cause for celebration. Jeyra never dreamed she would actually face one of the creatures who destroyed her home. But the longer she’s around him, the more she finds herself gravitating to him. All it takes is one reckless kiss that unleashes desires and the truth that has been hidden from her to set them both on a course that could be the end of them.

Varek, King of Lichens, has known nothing but a life with magic. Until he finds himself on a different realm unable to call up his powers. Worse, he’s in shackles with no memory of how it happened. When he sees an enthralling woman who leaves him speechless, he believes he can charm her to free him. The more she rebuffs him, the more he craves her, igniting a dangerous passion between them. Can he protect the woman he’s fallen for while uncovering the truth – or will peril that neither see coming tear them apart?

••••••

REVIEW:DRAGON REVEALED is the first instalment in Donna Grant’s adult DRAGON KINGS erotic, paranormal, fantasy romance series-a spin off from the author’s DARK KINGS series. This is Lichen King Varek, and warrior Jeyra’s story line. DRAGON REVEALED links the Dark Kings with the Dragon Kings series, and can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading INFERNO (Dark Kings #18) for back story and cohesion.

Told from third person perspective DRAGON REVEALED follows Lichen King Varek, trapped in a world he knows nothing about. From a weekend in the Orkney Isles with fellow dragon Merrill, to waking a prisoner in an otherworldly cell, Varek struggles with his loss of magic,and a stranger who is determined to gather as much information about our hero as possible. Enter Jeyra, a woman of unknown origins but a woman determined to destroy any and all dragons who enter their realm. What ensues is the building relationship between Varek and Jeyra, and the potential fall out as Jeyra discovers that all is not as it seems in the city of Orgate.

Years earlier, Jeyra lost everything when a dragon destroyed her family and home. In an effort to take revenge, Jeyra goes in search of the elusive Dragon King, any Dragon King, and finds herself breaking the laws to secure a captive in her need for vengeance. What Jeyra never expected was the palpable sexual attraction to her sworn enemy, an enemy who knows nothing about what happened or why. Varek had no idea how he ended up in a world where his ability to shift is curtailed within the walls of the city of Orgate. Discovering his captor is his fated mate, forces Varek to straddle a line between need and revenge, and in doing so finds himself falling for a woman who has been duped into believing the dragons intend to destroy their world.

The relationship between Varek and Jeyra is one of immediate attraction but Jeyra struggles with her attraction to a creature she believes is her enemy. Only ever having seen one dragon up close, our heroine believes all dragons are evil, and deserve to die. Varek knows Jeyra is his intended mate but his first priority is to save his life, and the lives of the other dragons held captive in the dungeons underground. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jeyra’s ‘mentor’ Rankin; the members of the Orgate Council; Reaper Cael and his mate Death aka Erith, as well as the introduction of dragon twins Brandr and Eurwen.

DRAGON REVEALED is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and revenge; family and love. The premise is engaging, and revealing linking the author’s Dark Kings, Reapers and Dragon Kings series, introducing some of the characters who will play a significant role going forward. The characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is fated and captivating.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

She came to a sudden halt when her gaze landed on him. Varek had his back to her, and despite what little light was available from the torches, she saw he was naked from the waist up. There was a large bruise on his left side that extended onto his back. Her thoughts quieted when he dumped water over his head, and the sound of the chains rang loudly. She watched droplets run down his back and into the waist of his pants while more fell onto the packed ground and beaded there.
Even as she told herself not to look, her eyes moved to his head. His blond hair fell onto his forehead and cheeks as he bent at the waist. He splashed water on his face before dumping more over his head. Her eyes followed his right hand as it scrubbed at the back of his neck, then down his left arm. His left hand repeated the movements on the right side. He then tossed his head back, spraying her with water.
She barely noticed as her eyes ran over the thick sinew of his shoulders and arms. Varek twisted toward her and raked a hand through his wet locks before wiping a hand down his face to dispel the water.
“Good mornin’,” he said and sat back on a stool.
She frowned at the stool and the bucket of water. Neither had been there the day before. “I see you’ve already had company.”
“Aye,” he replied, not giving her any more.
Jeyra looked around, wondering if someone was in the shadows, watching.
“There isna anyone else here, lass.”
She snapped her head back to him. The retort she had died on her lips when she saw his chiseled abs. He didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on him. All the moisture left her mouth, making it impossible to swallow. Then her eyes saw something on his left arm.
Jeyra wanted a closer look. She moved forward before she realized what she was doing and found herself close enough to touch the bars of Varek’s prison. But she didn’t move away as she took in the artwork that covered his arm.
“Is this what has your attention?” he asked with a chuckle and turned so that she could see his arm.
“What is it?”
His brows snapped together. “Do your people no’ have tattoos?”
“Tattoos?” she repeated, testing out the word on her tongue. “No one decorates their body in such a way. Why do you have it?”
He shrugged and glanced down at the dragon. “When we shifted for the first time into this form, each Dragon King found one somewhere on his body. We might have always had them, but we didna see them in our true form. We honestly doona know.”

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

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Spark (Men Of Inked: Heatwave 6) by Chelle Bliss-Review tour

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Sandy

Spark (Men Of Inked: Heatwave 6) by Chelle Bliss-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N paper / KOBO /Apple / Google /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 12, 2021

Nick Gallo works hard.
He plays harder.
And always steered clear of drama.

Josephine Carmichael was born into Hollywood royalty.
She is used to being in the public eye.
She loves the finer things in life.

But when Josephine’s stranded with the paparazzi and a crazy ex-boyfriend on her heels, Nick’s protective instincts kick in and he can’t walk away.

What starts out as a simple favor leads them both down a road they never imagined.

Spark is the sixth book in the new steamy romance Men of Inked: Heatwave series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss.

••••

REVIEW:Perfect word to describe Spark; Swoon! Like the rest of the Men of Ink series, Spark is a hot, sexy read that leaves nothing to the imagination and everything to the feels.

Nick is an alpha, he’s protective, hot but a true sweetie at heart. My favorite type of guy! Jo and Nick’s story is full of character depth and inner struggle. Jo has always felt like a captive, her family and how the world sees them being the most important thing. When she meets Nick, he’s just the kinda guy she needs to show her all the things she has missed out on.

I loved Sparked! It was a sweet and spicy read that lightened my day and brought me some joy in a crazy time. Awesome job to Chelle Bliss for her newest release!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Flame
Burn
Wildfire
Blaze
Ignite

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over ten books and has two series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in History. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

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Fugitive (Houston Defiance MC 3) by KE Osborn-Review Tour

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Sandy

Fugitive (Houston Defiance MC 3) by KE Osborn-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 11, 2021

Even though I was a cop.
The moment I handed in my badge, I knew becoming an outlaw would change my life forever.

As an ex-cop turned biker, my job is to stay loyal. To the club and my brothers. That is my sole purpose. Even though the reason I joined is no longer with us.

Losing love is hard, but life must go on.
Especially for my kids.
Even if they’re just out of reach.

Now I’m a fugitive, an outlaw, a ghost.
But I’ve run into someone I didn’t see coming.
A ray of pure sunshine.

Just when I’d given up on family, now I’m ready to stand and fight.
But perhaps the battle is not where I think it lies.
Maybe my ray of sunshine will warm my life.
Or maybe the darkness surrounding her will freeze me to my very soul.

••••••

REVIEW:FUGITIVE is the third instalment in KE Osborn’s contemporary, adult HOUSTON DEFIANCE erotic, MC romance series focusing on the members of the Houston Alliance MC. This is former cop turned biker Liam ‘Kevlar’ Rudd, and waitress Jovie Hannon’s story line. FUGITIVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jovie and Kevlar) FUGITIVE follows the building romance and relationship between former cop turned biker Liam ‘Kevlar’ Rudd, and waitress Jovie Hannon. Jovie Hannon, along with her best friend Savanah are on the run but a stop over in New Orleans finds Jovie up close and personal with biker Liam ‘Kevlar’ Rudd, and Savanah spending the night with music IT phenom Rush Dayley. Kevlar is a man in hiding now that he has been targeted by a dirty cop but Kevlar struggles in the years since his beloved wife’s death, and the battle between head and heart as it pertains to his two young children, currently living with Kevlar’s brother Ethan. Meeting Jovie stirs something deep within our story line hero, something he long thought buried and gone but all is not well in Jovie’s life, as she is only one step ahead of a syndicate desperate to pull our heroine into their family run organization. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jovie and Kevlar, as Kevlar brings both Jovie and Savanah back to the Houston MC, and the potential fall-out as the past comes back, h*ll bent for fury, demanding everything and more.

The relationship between Jovie and Kevlar is one of immediate attraction but Kevlar continues to struggle in the wake of his wife’s death. Unable to move forward, Kevlar is conflicted with his feelings towards our story line heroine, and in this Jovie is unsure as to her future with both Liam and the Houston Defiance MC. Jovie Hannon is a strong-willed heroine who has spent most of her adult life on the run, trying to avoid capture by the Slavers Syndicate, a family run group that is determined to take Jovie, at all costs. Jovie never expected to fall in love, let alone fall in love with Liam’s children, and in this Jovie is determined to protect the children and the man that she loves. The $ex scenes are sensual, seductive and steamy without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including members of the Houston Defiance (Houston Defiance MC: Club President Krew ‘Zero’ Walker and his old lady Rayne aka Cherry: Zero and Prinie’s younger brother Koda; Phantom, Kevlar’s brother Ethan, Fox and Bub, Texas, Neon, Chains and Chills (Dr. Rebecca), and their son Kobe, as well as prospect Luc, and his girlfriend Ruby, and attorney Finley Knight. ), New Orleans Defiance and the Chicago Defiance (Torque, Chains) MC Chapters. We are introduced to Jovie’s best friend Savanah; music IT wiz Rush Dayley; as well as Jovie’s brother River Hannon. Savanah’s story line is next in the multi-authored REIGN anthology.

FUGITIVE is a story of family, friendships and relationships, betrayal and revenge. A story of loss and love, grief, acceptance and moving forward. The premise is gritty, captivating and entertaining; the romance is heavy and hot; the characters are vulnerable, lost, energetic and charismatic. FUGITIVE is a wonderfully exciting addition to the Houston Defiance MC.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Explosive
Addictive

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Read the First Chapter HERE!

With my free hand, my pinky finger slides along Jovie’s. It’s not a massive move, but she turns to look at me, the corner of her lips turns upward. Keeping my eyes ahead, I thread my fingers with hers, taking her hand in mine, my skin tingling and sparking with electricity I haven’t felt before. I have no f*cking clue what this is. I felt a connection with Em, which was deep, emotional, but whatever this is with Jovie, it’s not only emotional, it’s physical as well.

Like our bodies are attuned to each other.
F*ck, if it isn’t scary as all hell.

With a flair for all things creative, International Bestselling Author K E Osborn, is drawn to the written word. Exciting worlds and characters flow through her veins, coming to life on the page as she laughs, cries, and becomes enveloped in the storyline right along with you. She’s entirely at home when writing sassy heroines and alpha males that rise from the ashes of their pasts.

K E Osborn comforts herself with tea and Netflix, after all, who doesn’t love a good binge?

Turn lust into love at www.keosbornauthor.com

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