Monthly Archives: January 2021

Reputation (Mason Family 2) by Adriana Locke-Review Tour

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Reputation (Mason Family 2) by Adriana Locke-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2021

Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/Ccy4

Coy Mason is a jerk.

If there is one truth that Bellamy Davenport knows, it’s that. Hands-down. (Well, that and the fact that she didn’t mean to hurt him. Physically. Coy can’t be hurt emotionally because he doesn’t have a heart.)

Coy is not just the small-town, literal boy-next-door. He’s a heartbreaking, womanizing, mischief-making (and delicious) man and was all of those things well before he became a hot-shot country music sensation.

He’s a dream standing in her doorway with no shirt, messy hair, and a ‘Do you wanna?’ grin. But he’s also a nightmare for her heart and she knows it.

Their enemies-to-lovers relationship always ends the same way—heavy on the enemies, light on the lovers.

So why is she still standing there?

•••••••

REVIEW:The Mason family has always been one of my most favorite series by Adriana Locke. Her family stories have a way of burrowing in and becoming family. The stories are happy, whole and oh so saucy. This is the second book in the Mason Family series and can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended to read the series in order.

Coy and Bellamy are friends and from the same hometown, but when Coy gets his music deal that all changes. Coy is what I think many guys would be if they hit it big, cocky and full of themselves. Like the world is at their feet. Bellamy is a down to earth, small town girl that wants the simple life. Reading this I got major small-town Jessica Prince vibes for sure.

Adriana Locke has always been able to draw out real emotions from her characters and Reputation is no less true. Coy and Bellamy have funny banter, quirky moments that make them even more endearing and the best support from family that any book could have. As always with Locke’s book, the family in the book is truly family, the ones who always have your back and the ones that will do anything to help. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the Mason family series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys dreamed up by other authors, she decided to create her own. She is the author of Tumble, the first novel in her Dogwood Lane series; the Exception series; the Gibson Brothers series; and the Landry Family series.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, her sons, two dogs, two cats, and a bird. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice, and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket. Besides cinnamon gummy bears, boxing, and random quotes, her next favorite thing is chatting with readers. She’d love to hear from you! Look for her at www.adrianalocke.com.

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Dark (Dangerous Web 2) by Aleatha Romig-Review tour

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Dark (Dangerous Web 2) by Aleatha Romig-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2021

Darkness has fallen upon the Sparrow world.
What seemed secure was breached, and what was assumed unattainable is possible.
In this dangerous underground world, we Sparrows took our power by force. As dusk gave way to dark, we Sparrows are once again determined to use any means necessary to recover what is ours, secure our stronghold, and defeat those who appear unconquerable.
The gauntlet has been thrown.
We will not retreat.
Darkness be damned. It is time for triumph.
I am Reid Murray.
For my wife and my brothers-in-arms, nothing, not even darkness, will stop the Sparrows from victory.

From New York Times bestselling author comes a brand-new dark romantic suspense trilogy, Dangerous Web. DARK, book #2, is set in the dangerous world of the Sparrow Webs. You do not need to read Web of Sin, Tangled Web, or Web of Desire to get caught up in this new dangerous and intriguing romantic suspense saga, Dangerous Web.

••••••••

REVIEW:DARK is the second instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult DANGEROUS WEB erotic, romantic suspense trilogy set in the author’s Sparrow Webs world. This is Reid Murray and Lorna Pierce-Murray’s continuing story. DARK should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliffhanger of book one DUSK. I recommend reading the other series in the Sparrow Webs World for back story and cohesion, as the current story line premise references things that have happened in the other trilogies.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lorna and Reid) using two timelines (present day and twenty-six years in the past) DARK continues to follow in the aftermath of the abduction of Reid’s wife Lorna, and Sparrow’s wife Araneae. Rescued and recovering from their ordeal, Lorna and Araneae are unable to remember the events leading up to, and during their imprisonment but DNA tests and blood work reveal the duo had been drugged by a familiar formula, and the identity of one of the men involved. Working together with Lorna’s brother Mason, Reid goes on the hunt for the truth as Lorna’s memories begin to flash between the present and the past pushing Mason and Reid to avenge the sister, and woman they love.

DARK is a dark, gritty, heart breaking and emotional story line of abuse, betrayal, and revenge; secrets and lies; of power and control. The premise is dramatic, raw and haunting; the characters are edgy and tragic; the romance is provocative and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines. Aleatha Romig pulls the reader into a tragic, tense and complex story of love, vengeance, and power.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DUSK

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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Treoir Dragon Chronicles of the Belador World:# 4 by Dianna Love

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Treoir Dragon Chronicles of the Belador World:# 4 by Dianna Love

 

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Description:
Book 4 in New York Times Bestseller Dianna Love’s new series in the Belador™ world continues with explosive changes. In TÅμr Medb’s library, Casidhe discovers she doesn’t know Daegan at all. While Daegan battles to survive a satyr attack, a preternatural being offers him a chance to live, but at a price only a dying man would take. Reese is blindsided by the one person she thought she could depend upon at her worst moment. Atlanta is overrun by demons being created by an unknown supernatural with a hidden agenda and Daegan’s time to save three Beladors facing execution by a VIPER Tribunal runs out.

With hours left to prevent the execution of three Beladors locked beneath VIPER headquarters, Daegan and Quinn race a clock no one can stop ticking.

 

 

Review:

Treoir Dragon Chronicles of the Belador World by Dianna Love is the 4th book in this 9-book arc.  I am a big fan of Dianna Love, as I have read all of her series. Refresher: Daegan and his team are attacked by Immortiks, who were supposed dead many years ago. Many of his Belador team are being held prisoners, with the threat of death if Daegan can’t find the missing ‘grimoire’ volumes. The information on the Immortiks and the grimoire is difficult to find, as it dates back thousands of years ago.

As the story continues, Daegan has been captured and unable to use his powers due to being poisoned.  He is also concerned about Casidhe, whom he promised to come back to her, not knowing that Queen Maeve has now captured her. In his desperation to get free, he makes a deal with an entity, who needs his help to find something; and slowly Daegan begins to heal.  Tristan is now free, and he and Daegan make plans to try to find Casidhe.  Quinn is acting for Daegan at the Tribunal, to try and save the imprisoned Beladors, whose lives are on the line, and Evalle is forced to take over for Quinn. When Daegan makes a quick appearance at the Tribunal, he pushes for Maeve’s appearance and learns exactly where Casidhe is.  Will he be able to rescue her?  Does she trust him now after Maeve’s misguided influence?

Reese, who is pregnant and trying to hide, is thrown for a loop, when the one person she thought would help her refuses.  This brings her back to Atlanta, and the danger of the demons who desperately want her. It was great to have glimpses of many of our favorites again, such as Evalle, Tristan, Adrianna, Quinn, Reese, Tzader, Brina, just to name a few. 

What follows is a non-stop action filled, pulse pounding story, with each chapter wild and exciting.  I am not going to tell too much more, since I do not want to give spoilers, as these are short stories and saying too much would be too revealing; not mention each book ends in a cliffhanger. Since this is a 9-book series arc, you truly do need to read these books in cohesion.  If you are new and love paranormal, urban fantasy, suspense, romance, great characters, you should be reading Dianna Love.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

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All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz – a Review

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All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz – a Review

 

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Description:
North Chastain possesses a paranormal talent that gives him the ability to track down the most dangerous psychic criminals. When his father suddenly falls into a coma, North is convinced it was caused by a deadly artifact traced back to the days of a secret government laboratory known only as the Bluestone Project. North knows his only hope of saving his father is to find the artifact. He is good when it comes to tracking down killers but to locate the relic, he’s going to need help from a psychic who knows the shadowy world of obsessive collectors, deceptive dealers, and ruthless raiders…

With her reputation in ruins after a false accusation, antique expert Sierra Raines is looking for a fresh start. She turns to the murky backwaters of the paranormal artifacts trade, finding and transporting valuable objects with a psychic provenance. When North Chastain approaches her for help, Sierra takes him on as a client, though not without reservations. North represents the mysterious Foundation, the secretive organization established to police the underworld populated by psychic criminals and those, like Sierra, who make a living in the shadows of that world.

North and Sierra soon find themselves at the scene of The Incident that occurred decades ago in Fogg Lake. The town and its residents were forever changed by the disaster in the nearby Bluestone Project labs. The pair unearth shocking truths about what happened that fateful night, but they are playing with fire—someone in town knows what they’ve discovered and will do anything to make sure the secrets stay buried.

 

 

Review:

All The Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz is the 2nd book in her Fogg Lake series. Refresher: 40 years ago in the small town of Fogg Lake, an explosion caused various paranormal effects on many of the residents; such as visions, auras and other unique abilities.  The community kept to itself, not revealing anything about those strange effects; leaving the town bare of updated mechanics, such as wifi, computers, cell phones, as the dense fog blocked those signals.  

We meet our heroine, Sierra Raines, at the start, when she finds herself in a dangerous situation, with a client threatening to kill her; but with some of her paranormal ability to use mirrors, she was able to escape.  Sierra is a psychic expert on artifacts, working for a firm that trades those artifacts, as she finds and delivers them, since she is one of the best in her field.

North Chastain, our hero, also has paranormal ability as a ‘cleaner’ for The Foundation, tracking down bad psychic criminals.  North has recently begun to worry that he is losing his powers, as his specialty for seeing psi lights has suddenly gone wacky.  When North’s father is attacked and in a psychic induced coma, he suspects that someone is determined to find a dangerous artifact in the secret Fogg Lake lab 40 years ago; in order to save his father, he asks and is given Sierra to help him find the artifact. At first, North isn’t sure Sierra can be trusted, but in a short time he realizes how good she is and together they make a great team.  Right from the start, Sierra discovers that those glasses North wears has some bad paranormal effects and tells him this is why his powers are going away. Over time, she does come through helping him often, and North begins to find himself falling for her, as Sierra is smart, brave and a bad ass, not to mention beautiful. 

They will learn that the man who attacked North’s father was part of a psychiatric institution, forcing experiments on people with little paranormal ability. As they get closer to finding the truth, the trail leads North and Sierra to Fogg Lake, where they discover the lab, where his grandfather worked leaving hidden clues and artifacts.  Who is behind the attacks and threats on their lives?

What follows is an exciting, intense, action filled adventure, with many twists and turns. North and Sierra were a wonderful couple and a great team.  It was nice to see their romance build; especially as they were able to save each other numerous times.  To tell too much more would be spoilers.  All The Colors of the Night is a fast-paced suspenseful mystery thriller, with supernatural elements that add to the storyline.   Jayne Ann Krentz once again gives us another wonderful story in this series; which I look forward to reading the next book.  If you enjoy suspense mysteries, great couple and a dose of supernatural, you need to read this new series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Unveiling (Mythical Creature 1) by Zel Winter-a review

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Unveiling (Mythical Creature 1) by Zel Winter-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19,2020

Dan Noble is an old Vampire, perhaps the oldest in the world. One night on the prowl, he is inexplicably drawn to a plain-looking university student. But Nina Wright is not as boring as she seems: she meets Dan’s charm with the allure of her own, and the two share an unforgettable night. When Dan tries and fails to compel Nina to forget their encounter, he suspects that she is no ordinary human. And when a gang of bloodthirsty vampires singles her out for a vicious kidnapping, he realizes the girl he has fallen head over heels for may very well be a Human Immortal, a being of awesome power. Nina will be able to reclaim her supernatural gifts if she chooses a mate of her own lineage, Nature’s Immortals: a Dragon, Were, or Fae. As a Vampire, Dan would only stand in the way of her destiny.

Will he find the courage to give up his true love just as soon as he has found her?

Unveiling is Book 1 of the Mythical Creatures Series, in which powerful Immortal beings battle for justice in a magical world just beyond the veil of our own.

••••••••••

REVIEW: Dan is a vampire. Now, in this book his vampire side seems to be a separate entity, the vampire side can exist on bagged blood and animal blood, but insists on the real thing once a week! Dan agrees, but the victim has to be of his choosing. I get the impression, Dan likes them attractive, interesting and easy.

Nina is looking for a job on campus, it seems she wants to go to school in this area. But she’s running out of time, meeting a stranger and having a drink with him isn’t in the schedule, but one orange juice won’t hurt, and he’s a cute guy.

Meeting Nina in a bar, at first glance she is nothing like Dan’s usual type! But her smell is so unique and alluring that he decides she’s going to be his next meal! But getting Nina to agree isn’t as easy as he thinks, she’s not sure, she feisty and she’s no fool.
But with a little charm and good luck they have a drink, pay her dorm fees and then decide on dinner……

I loved the mythology the author has created at the beginning of the book. Who the mythical creatures are created, how the humans feared them, and now human females hold inside them great power.

We get they have sex, we don’t get the details, so I’d say it’s geared towards the YA bracket.

Dan tries to make Nina forget their time together, but for the first time ever it doesn’t work! But before he can figure it out, Nina is kidnapped!! Nina is just wondering what the hell is going on, a drink with a total stranger and now she’s tied up and headed god knows where, could her day get any worse?

Dan manages to track Nina down. Rescues her, but now she’s frightened! She doesn’t understand why she was taken.He now has the unpleasant task of telling her she’s an immortal and has gifts that no mere human has, but to tap into them she needs to mate with a supernatural, but one of her bloodline (were, fae, dragon) Nina wants to know why she can’t mate a vampire, Dan is both pleased and annoyed (well the vamp side of him is annoyed) pleased she’s listening, but annoyed she’s not going to be with him!

Setting off to see the elders is the only course of action left open to Nina, she’s intrigued, who would’ve want to become immortal? But sad it won’t be with Dan! But who says she has to mate? It’s her choice, but her past is what motivates her to meet the elders.

It is a little immature in places (reminds me of the twilight series) as an adult I liked the premise, I thought the narration was good. An adult version probably would have been more graphic (sex scenes ). But I’m interested in finding out more in this world.

Meeting the elders is another level of weird. She’s being prompted to meet and mate! But Nina only wants Dan….

So can Dan and Nina really be together? It would be simpler to mate one of her kind, but that wouldn’t make for a good story now would it? And the story is pretty good. Written really well, descriptions jump out from the page. Nina and Dan are really well thought out. Dan becoming dust to travel, using mind control and having a separate entity living inside him, some ideas are tried and tested, others are new ideas and really clever.

So sign me up for the next adventure, it’s going to be a good one I think. Why? Well ….. no you’re going to have to read the book to find out why.

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

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His: Dominic (The Sabatini Family 1) by Fiona Murphy-Review Tour

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His: Dominic (The Sabatini Family #1 ) by Fiona Murphy-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 1, 2021

Any minute I am going to wake up from this nightmare. Being tied up and thrown in the trunk of a car doesn’t happen in real life. Except the silk tie around my wrists feels very real. And my father, Johnny Conti, the head of the Outfit, is telling me to be a good girl—that I’m to be the wife of the man who tied me up and has me over his wide shoulder.

Some women might swoon over gorgeous Dominic Sabatini with his blue eyes, dimples, and muscled body in a silk suit. Not me. Those are just distractions from who, what he really is: a ruthless killer with blood on his hands and ice in his veins.

There is no way Dominic could actually want to marry me. A virgin, curvy, buried in an all-girls Catholic boarding school for most of my life and seventeen years younger than him. He’s marrying so far beneath him it’s absurd.

No to all of it. Tomorrow I’m going to marry the man of my dreams, a nice, kind accountant. I’m going to have the safe, boring life I’ve always longed for. I have to escape this nightmare. But Dominic growls I belong to him and he keeps what is his.

•••••••

REVIEW: HIS : Dominic is the first instalment in Fiona Murphy’s contemporary, adult THE SABATINI FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia, romance series-a spin off from the author’s Dirty Billionaires series. This is forty year old, capo/soon to be underboss Dominic Sabatini, and twenty-two year old, translator Regina ‘Gina’ Conti’s story line. HIS: Dominic can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous series is revealed where necessary. Dominic Sabatini is the cousin to Cesare, Enzo, and Dante Sabatini from the Dirty Billionaires Series.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dom and Gina) HIS : Dominic follows the acrimonious, age-gap, arranged marriage between forty year old, capo/soon to be underboss Dominic Sabatini, and twenty-two year old, translator Regina ‘Gina’ Conti. When Johnny Conti, head of the Chicago Outfit calls in a promise from Tony Sabatini, his son Dominic quickly discovers that his life as a single man is about to come to an end. Johnny’s illegitimate twenty-two year old daughter is about to marry a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and Dominic is tasked with ‘rescuing’ the woman from potential disaster. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dom and Gina, and the potential fall-out as Gina struggles with the ongoing secrets and lies surrounding the Outfit, and the possibility of living a life without love or children.

Dominic Sabatini doesn’t want to be the next Don in the Outfit but since the death of his brother, and imprisonment of his father years before, Dom has inadvertently and purposely positioned himself in the line of succession. His power and control is only matched by the head of the Outfit, a man whose time on Earth is coming to an end. Forced to marry Regina Conti finds our hero falling for a woman whose issues of self-esteem and poor self-image have been reinforced by the men in her life, and the forced proximity to a man who refuses to fall in love. Gina Conti thought she was in love with a quiet accountant but said accountant is not the man he pretends to be. Blinded by love, Gina finds herself a virtual prisoner of the Sabatini family, a prisoner who will eventually fall in love with her personal kidnapper.

The relationship between Dom and Gina is tempestuous at best. Gina has been promised to the Sabatini family since the moment of her birth, and in this Gina had no idea since she never felt love or affection from the man who claims to be her father.Meeting Dominic Sabatini forces Gina to take a long, hard look at the man she thought she loved, a man more evil than the man she is about to marry. Falling for Dom was easy but life with Dom was always going to be hard. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense including some scenes of bondage and spanking.the sexual tension and chemistry is heavy and hot.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the original couples and characters from the Dirty Billionaires Series: Cesare and Alicia, Dante and Bethany Enzo and Chloe; Dom’s father Tony Sabatini; Outfit guards-Vincent, Marco and Dario; Regina’s father Johnny Conti; Dom’s housekeeper Mary; underboss Carlo Toro and his son Luca, and Regina’s former fiancé Richard Taylor. Tony’s story is next in HIS: TONY.

HIS: DOMINIC is a story of blood and family; power and control; secrets, lies, promises and love. The premise is edgy and gritty; the characters are energetic, animated and spirited; the romance is raw, spicy and provocative. The epilogue fast forwards the story line twenty-five years.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

It hits me. I’m not getting out of this. I won’t be able to get away from Dominic Sabatini. Not today, a month, or even a year from now. If somehow, some way I got away, he’d find me. I have no idea why instead of scaring me, the realization thrills me.No, no. Fear shakes me out of my reverie. I can’t just give up. There has to be a way. There is always a way, isn’t there?

I startle at the knock on the bathroom door.

“Regina, get moving. I’m starving. I want to grab something to eat then get back on the road.”

Looking down at the dress, anger at Dominic and myself fuels me. Today was supposed to be my wedding day, this is my wedding dress. I refuse to make this easy, for either of us.

Hands shaking, I put on the pretty white lace bra and plain cotton white briefs. Forcing my fear down, I slip into the white dress.

When I open the door, Dominic is standing by the door leading out of the room, carrying his leather duffle. His eyes go cold. “Change.”

“No.” I’m defiant, refusing to back down from the dark energy vibrating around him.

He drops the duffle and crosses the room in all of three steps. A hand goes around my throat and my stupid body betrays me, going instantly limp against him. “Take it off or I will.”

I shake my head as much as I can. I blink and holy fucking crap, his other hand finds the neckline and tears it from my body. We’re both breathing hard and fast. The hand around my neck lets me go and fucking shit, I stumble into him. His hands wrap around my arms as he catches me close, his mouth at my ear. Hot air is sliding down the skin of my neck and I can’t fucking breathe.

“You are mine. You belong to me. I can make you tremble in ecstasy or fear. The decision is yours.”


 

Due to commitment issues I have lived in many different cities and my favorite is Chicago but I have managed to settle into Austin and perhaps my commitment issues are behind me. 

I have enjoyed reading from a very young age and it wasn’t long before the children books bored me and I read the books my mother enjoyed Stephen King and Dean Koontz and I didn’t sleep without the light on until I was about ten.

I came across my first Harlequin by accident and it was love at first read, no one died and happy endings? It was a whole new world and I loved it.

I wrote my first story at eight and everyone died, of course. Since then I would like to think I’ve gotten better and now I’m writing the happily ever afters I first fell in love with, with some hot sex thrown in along the way. 

As a plus size woman myself, I have started writing the stories I always wanted to see myself in but never did. And now I’m ecstatic to give BBWs the happily ever afters with hot Alphas I want to read.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionainamurphy 

Website: https://www.fionamurphywrites.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionaainamurphy 

Email: fionaainamurphy@gmail.com

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -Reviews

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -reviews

‘Tis The Season for Romance anthology features NINE NEVER BEFORE RELEASED novellas from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, and was only available for a limited time in December 2020.

I have posted my  reviews for six of the novellas, and the links for the individual books now available for purchase.

•••••••

THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg

Release Date: January 1, 2021

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Bestselling author, Harley Humbug, needs an escape.
From the current state of her own love life.
From her deadline she blew past weeks ago.
From Christmas that’s just around the corner and the bad luck it usually brings with it.

When a snowstorm causes a road closure, she chalks it up to one more thing to go wrong.
Little does she know the detour will take her to a town she never knew existed, and right into the path—and possible arms—of a man who might just be her real-life muse.

______

REVIEW: THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg is a contemporary, adult Christmas short focusing on romance writer Harley Humbug, Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick and a snowstorm that strands our heroine in Saint Nick’s Hollow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saint and Harley) THE DETOUR follows the quick building relationship and one-night stand between romance writer Harley Humbug, and Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick. Harley Humbug has lost her muse; she is struggling to write, and the holidays are something of which she is not looking forward. Stranded in St. Nick’s Hollow, a virtual Christmas village Harley will get the inspiration she needs from the man that stirs something she hasn’t felt in a very long time-magic.

THE DETOUR is a character driven, short story with a sexy hero and a lost heroine who will find her muse in the unlikeliest of places. The story ends abruptly, I am hoping for more.

•••••••••••

 

SHIELDING JAYME by Susan Stoker

Available : January 5, 2021

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ABOUT THE BOOK: After a decade of hard work and dedication, Jayme Caldwell’s dreams of a Seattle bakery are whisked out from under her. She’s licking her wounds in Killeen, Texas, living with her memaw, Winnie, while contemplating her future. Of course, Memaw knows exactly the kind of future her granddaughter needs…and it starts with a handsome young man she tricks into having dinner with Jayme. She’d be upset…if the man wasn’t something straight out of any red-blooded woman’s fantasies.

Rocket Long never suspected the sweet little old lady he’d befriended at the grocery store would turn out to be a conniving matchmaker, cleverly setting him up with her beloved granddaughter. But once he lays eyes on Jayme, Rocket can’t be too upset. Especially when, at forty, he’d already given up on finding “the one.” Suddenly, the love and family he’d all but given up on could be his for the taking.

But life is precious. And short. And happiness can be snatched away in the space of a breath. All things Rocket may discover the hard way…before he even gets his ring on Jayme’s finger.

________

REVIEW: SHIELDING JAYME is the fourth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult DELTA TEAM TWO, romantic suspense series. This is baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jayme and Rocket) SHIELDING JAYME follows the building romance and relationship between baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. Having moved from Seattle to Killeen Texas after her dreams of owning her own bakery died, Jayme moved in with her Grandmother in an effort to reconsider her future plans but Jayme never expected her Memaw to play matchmaker. Enter helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rocket and Jayme, and the potential fall-out as danger comes to Killeen on Christmas Eve.

SHIELDING JAYME is a story of family, friendships, goals and ideals. The premise is impassioned; the characters are flirty and passionate; the romance is tender, provocative and intense.

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CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY by Devney Perry

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

Release Date: January 1, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK: From USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry comes an Eden series prequel.

Cleo Hillcrest would rather cancel Christmas than endure another one of her father’s pretentious holiday parties, making small talk with his rich colleagues and her stepmother’s shallow friends. She’s leaving home to spend three peaceful and quiet days in Quincy, Montana, trading gifts and grandeur for room service and slippers.

But she should have expected her family to thwart her plans. The minute she finishes unpacking her suitcase at the quaint Eloise Inn, Austin Myles knocks on her room door.

As the head of her father’s security team, Austin’s been ordered to drag Cleo back to California. Only when she refuses to leave, he has no choice but to stay. After a Christmas in Quincy, everything between them is about to change.

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REVIEW: CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is the introductory novella in Devney Perry’s contemporary, adult THE EDENS romance series focusing on the town and people of Quincy, Montana. This is twenty-eight year old, bakery owner Cleo Hillcrest, and thirty-three year old, security specialist Austin Myles.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cleo and Austin) CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY follows tech heiress and bakery shop owner Cleo Hillcrest n the few days before Christmas. Wanting to spend some time alone, our heroine heads to Quincy Montana, only to find herself facing a member of her father’s security team, sent to bring our heroine back into the fold. Enter Austin Myles, Cleo’s long time crush, and the man with whom Cleo would fall in love. As Austin struggles to bring Cleo back home, our heroine finally comes to terms with the who and what of what she wants.

CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is a story of family, relationships, honesty and love. The premise is spirited ; the characters are sassy and energetic; the romance is edgy and intimate.

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CODE NAME: GRACE (Jamieson Force Security 6.5) by Sawyer Bennett

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the resident psychiatrist at Jameson Force Security, I make it my business to know all about our team—the good, the bad, and everything in between. But for every secret of theirs I hold close, I have secrets of my own I hold closer. I’m not trying to hide my history, but…it’s complicated. And that’s putting it mildly. It’s easier to keep my past firmly in the past, until the day a familiar face walks through my office door.

Clay Brandeis is the only one who knows my whole story. Through the darkest period of my life, he was by my side. A friend and confidant. I once thought he was something more, but he walked away and left me wondering how I got it so wrong.

After all these years, one look at him and I know I wasn’t wrong at all. His handsome face, his strong and steady demeanor, despite the icy glare he’s throwing my way. My heart wasn’t wrong about Clay Brandeis, and this Christmas, I’m determined to make sure he knows it too.

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REVIEW: CODE NAME GRACE is the latest novella in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult JAMIESON FORCE SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Jameson Force Security. This is twenty-nine year old, psychiatrist Dr. Corinne Ellery, and thirty-seven year old, FBI Agent Clay Brandeis’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clay and Corinne) CODE NAME: GRACE follows the rebuilding romance and relationship between our leading couple. Nine years earlier, Agent Clay Brandeis was the leading investigator on the Salt Slasher serial killer case, and Corinne’s parents were the killer’s final victims. Believing his inaction caused the death of Corinne’s parents, Clay ran from the woman who had stolen his heart. Fast forward to present day wherein a Christmas Eve snowstorm has ‘trapped’ our hero with the woman he failed. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Clay and Corinne as Clay continues to struggle with the guilt of Corinne’s parent’s death.

CODE NAME: GRACE is a wonderfully sexy and decadent second chance Christmas romance. The premise is heart warming; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic, a little bit broken and lost.

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BOYFRIEND (True North) by Sarina Bowen

REVIEW: BOYFRIEND is a contemporary, new adult, hockey romance short found in Sarina Bowen’s world of the TRUE NORTH series,and the upcoming multi-authored Moo U anthology. This is waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Abbi and Weston) BOYFRIEND focuses on the fake relationship between college junior/ waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.With the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, Canadian Weston Griggs, choosing t remain in Vermont, hires himself out as a temporary boyfriend, something our heroine needs in the face of returning home for the holidays, a home where she no longer feels comfortable or welcome. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Abbi and Weston, as Weston must run inference on more than one occasion.

BOYFRIEND is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and lust. The premise is engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are colorful and fun but the story line ends rather abruptly. I am going to presume the author has plans for their continuing story.

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BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy

REVIEW: BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy is the most recent instalment in the author’s contemporary, adult DATING romance series. This is twenty-six year old. jewellery clerk Amelia Lee, and twenty-one year old Isaac Jones’ story line. Several characters from the previous DATING instalments appear as secondary and supporting characters.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amelia ad Isaac) BLIND DATE follows Amelia as she is tasked to select a Christmas tree for the family owned jewellery store, and runs into twenty-one year old, tree farm worker Isaac Jones (first introduced in HOLIDATE #3), a young man who would unknowingly become her blind date aka plus one for her friend’s wedding To Isaac and Amelia’s shock, neither one was aware of their impending matchup, a matchup that would become a happily ever after.

BLIND DATE is a story of family, friendships and love. The premise is inviting; the romance is sweet but mostly implied; the characters are feisty and flirty.

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The Agent (The Consultants 3) by Nancy Herkness-a review

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The Agent (The Consultants 3) by Nancy Herkness-a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2021

Letting down her guard leaves a woman vulnerable to love—and to a menacing stalker.

After fleeing her abusive ex, New Jersey salon owner Natalie Hart is reclaiming her life and self-esteem. Her fragile recovery doesn’t need a player like former FBI agent Tully Gibson, no matter how tempting a fling sounds. Then Natalie starts receiving anonymous notes, each more frightening and threatening than the last. To help track her stalker, Natalie knows whom to call. Their explosive chemistry together is an emotional hazard she’s willing to risk.

A high-powered security expert at KRG Consulting, Tully has intimacy issues of his own. The stirring hum of attraction he feels with his new client comes with boundaries. Tully’s job: just keep Natalie safe. But keeping his distance is getting harder. Whoever is playing games with Natalie wants to take things one deadly step further. The deeper Tully and Natalie are drawn into danger, the closer they become.

It’s time for Natalie and Tully to face their fears—of falling in love and of falling prey to a vengeful killer.

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REVIEW:THE AGENT is the third instalment in Nancy Herkness’ contemporary, adult THE CONSULTANTS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on three friends and business partners -Derek Killion, Leland Rockwell, and Tully Gibson who own KRG Consulting Group. This is former FBI agent, KRG co-founder and security specialist Tully Gibson, and hair stylist/salon owner Natalie Hart’s story line. THE AGENT 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 third person perspectives ( Tully and Natalie) THE AGENT follows in the wake of a possible stalker for our story line heroine. Having met and connected through mutual friends (Alice and Derek- The Money Man #1) Tully felt drawn to Natalie Hart but never expected a phone call from Natalie fearing for her life. A series of questionable and aggressive emails from an unknown sender had now escalated to hand delivered messages threatening physical violence, and Natalie knew she was ill-equipped to uncover the identity of the person involved. Enter Tully Gibson and the guys at KRG Consulting Group. As Tully works to ensure our heroine’s safety including twenty-four hour security and surveillance, he struggles with his attraction to the woman that is calling to his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tully and Natalie, and the potential fall-out as Natalie battles between head and heart knowing Tully will never commit to forever, and Natalie’s stalker calls in reinforcements in his effort to seek vengeance against our story line heroine.

Natalie Hart has lived through an abusive marriage, and works behind the scenes to help women find somewhere safe to escape but Natalie is now facing the possibility that one of her client’s has brought the danger to her front door, and Tully Gibson is determined to stop the suspect at all costs. Tully Gibson, in his attempt to protect our story line heroine finds himself falling for a woman who is about to pull away before he breaks her heart. Tully is determined to remain single, never committing himself to one woman, and in this Natalie knows their time together comes with an expiry date.

The relationship between Tully and Natalie is one of immediate attraction predicated on their mutual friends, and wedding participation. Tully admits to being attracted to our heroine since the first time they met, and Natalie started to swoon when he asked her to dance. As the threats to Natalie become more personal and dangerous, Tully moves Natalie into his life but Natalie knows there time together is only temporary until they find the person trying to destroy her life. 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 secondary and supporting characters including the previous story line couples: Derek and Alice (The Money Man 1), Leland and Dawn (The Hacker 2): security guards Pam Santos, and Jenya; several of Natalie’s co-workers and clients; abused woman Regina Van Houten; and Natalie’s tenant Deion. I am hoping the author has plans for Deion’s story.

THE AGENT is a story of family and friendships; domestic abuse, power and control; romance, relationships and love. The character driven premise is intriguing and engrossing; the characters are dynamic, animated and inspiring; the romance is spicy and seductive but I did have a couple of issues, all pertaining to our heroine’s need to be ‘independent’ and placing herself in danger because she is upset with the direction of her relationship with the man that she loves…a little TSTL (too stupid to live) that results in our heroine positioning herself in the direct line of fire.

Reading Order andPrevious Reviews
The Money Man
The Hacker

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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