Monthly Archives: April 2021

Embrace Me (Stark Ever After Novella) by J. Kenner-a review

Posted on by
10

EMBRACE ME (Stark Ever After Novella) by J. Kenner-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2021

Growing up, I never expected to have so much love in my life. My childhood had been a nightmare, but despite our challenges, my life now with Damien and our daughters is nothing short of miraculous. Even better, we have a baby boy on the way, and I’m walking on clouds as I await the big day.

These final weeks should be magical, but when my mother appears on our doorstep with a promise that she has changed and a plea for us to welcome her back into our life, I’m suddenly adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Now, I’m floundering once again, tossed back into the nightmare of my past. And as the whirlpool of memories and fear once again tries to suck me under, I can only hope that Damien’s strength is enough to pull me back again.

••••••

REVIEW: EMBRACE ME is the latest instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK EVER AFTER series of novellas focusing on Damien Stark, and his wife Nikki Fairchild-Stark.

Told from first person perspective ( Nikki) and third person EMBRACE ME follows in the days before the birth of their first son. As Nikki’s associate begins interviewing potential interns to work during Nikki’s maternity leave, Nikki and Damien must consider the possibility of another nanny for their growing family but all is about to come crashing down with the reappearance of Nikki’s mother, a woman who is looking for more than a family reunion.

EMBRACE ME is the continuing story of Damien and Nikki, their relationship, their friendships, their undying love, and their building family. Both Nikki and Damien’s childhoods have been marred by abuse and power, and dysfunctional family dynamics. J. Kenner give the reader another peak into the lives and loves of the Stark-Fairchild relationship, a relationship that has blossomed like a rose on a support of thorns. The love between Nikki and Damien is envious and palpable. The premise is wonderfully romantic; the characters like a welcoming family reunion.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Anchor Me
Play My Game
Seduce Me
Unwrap Me
Hold Me
Please Me
Lost With Me
Damien
Indulge Me
Delight Me
Cherish Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

Share

The Rancher by Julia Justiss-Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
17

The Rancher (The McAllister Brothers 1) by Julia Justiss-Review & Giveaway

THE RANCHER
The McAllister Brothers 1
by Julia Justiss
Release Date: April 8, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 8, 2021

When he sets out to regain his family’s heritage, he never expects to fall in love.

Cowboy Duncan McAllister has worked tirelessly to make the family ranch profitable enough to buy back the section of land hard times forced them to sell a decade ago. When the owner of that land unexpectedly dies, leaving the ranch to his city-based daughter, Duncan finally sees his opportunity.

After her business partner boyfriend runs off with an intern—and all their clients—CPA Harrison Scott retreats to her Daddy’s Hill Country ranch to decide her next move. Her father’s sudden death leaves her floundering—does she rebuild her professional career or carry on the ranch he loved? After rebuffing Duncan’s offer to buy her out, Harrison is forced to turn to her handsome neighbor to learn the ropes of ranching.

Duncan tells himself he’s just being neighborly, but their immediate attraction soon deepens. How can he convince her that he wants her even more than his beloved land when she’s already been betrayed once before?

••••••••

REVIEW:Duncan is the oldest of the McAllister siblings, he’s worked the land his family has owned for as long as he can remember, and finally things are going his way, the land that use to belong to them is almost within reach, then in one sweep all his dreams come crashing down! How can he fulfil a promise he made to get back the land his stepmother had sold?

Harrison has had enough, losing her business partner/boyfriend was bad enough, but to find out he took clients and stole money was the last straw. Going home to lick her wounds seems like the best course of action. Then to add salt into the wound, she loses her father to a heart attack!

It’s not exactly love at first sight for Harrison and Duncan. They’ve known of each other for the last ten years, but not had an awful lot to do with one another. But losing her father has Duncan feeling sorry for her, he lost his own father and knew how close Harrison was to her dad. He comes to make an offer for the land that was sold to Harrison’s father. He goes away angry and empty handed! But over time they come to an understanding, and when Harrison needs help she turns to her neighbour. Spending time in such close proximity has them both taking another look at one another in a different light.

The first book in a trilogy of McAllister brothers.

Beautifully written, you could imagine yourself riding out and viewing the magnificent countryside. Seeing all those bluebonnets and watching as the cattle graze. The scenes just came to life through the authors writing. Duncan wasn’t really making me smile at first, he gave me the impression of an arrogant landowner, yes his family might have owned all the land, but he gave off a entitled vibe!!

Harrison I really liked and felt so sorry for. Being taken for a mug by the boyfriend was bad enough, losing him as a business partner stung, all that she could cope with as long as she had her father to give her love and support. So when she loses him, your heart just breaks. I did like how they worked together, the snarky comments and witty comebacks.

So can Duncan really show the woman he’s fallen for how much she means to him? Or will the past get in the way of Harrison really trusting Duncan?

A really good read, and one I’d recommend happily.

And now I’m eager to read the next book in this trilogy……

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Award-winning historical romance author Julia Justiss has written more than thirty-five novels and novellas set in the English Regency and the Texas Hill Country.

A voracious reader who began jotting down plot ideas for Nancy Drew novels in her third grade spiral, Julia has published poetry and worked as a business journalist.

She and her husband live in East Texas, where she continues to craft the stories she loves. Check her website for details about her books, chat with her on social media, and follow her on Bookbub and Amazon to receive notices about her latest releases. For special subscriber giveaways, discounted books, character sketches and more, sign up for her newsletter at:

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h7r3n5

Website: www.juliajustiss.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliajustiss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaJustissAuthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/juliajustiss/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julia-justiss
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliajustissauthor/
Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2RK34RO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/63842.Julia_Justiss

Julia Justiss  is graciously offering an ecopy  of THE RANCHER  to ONE lucky commenters 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.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE & follow Julia Justiss on Facebook

4. Please Follow Julia Justiss on Goodreads

5. Please LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway is  international

10. Giveaway runs from April 8-12, 2021

Share

Deep River Promise by Jackie Ashenden -a review

Posted on by
13

Deep River Promise (Alaska Homecoming 2) by Jackie Ashenden -a review

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

Welcome to Deep River, Alaska

Damon Fitzgerald’s only desire is to get back to LA and out of the tiny Alaskan town he’s somehow inherited. But first he has to keep a promise he made to his old army buddy and look out for his friend’s son. That would be a whole lot easier if the kid’s mother wasn’t the mayor of Deep River…

Astrid James didn’t ask to be mayor of Deep River but since she is, she intends to do right by the town and her son. The last thing she needs is an arrogant outsider coming in and taking charge, no matter how attractive he is. But when Astrid starts to realize that Damon is more than just a pretty face, she’ll have to decide whether she can risk her heart and her son’s happiness on a man who’s mission is to leave Deep River.

•••••••

REVIEW:DEEP RIVER PROMISE is the second instalment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult ALASKA HOMECOMING romance series focusing on three friends who inherited the small town of Deep River, Alaska when their best friend died in a place crash. This is bush pilot Damon Fitzgerald, and Deep River Mayor and librarian Astrid James’ story line. DEEP RIVER PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Thirteen years earlier Silas Quinn (Home to Deep River 1), along with his best friend Caleb West, swore never to return to Deep River but with Caleb’s death came the ownership of the town of Deep River, owned by the West family for close to one hundred years, now passed on to our hero Damon, and his friends Silas and Zeke.

Told from dual third person perspective (Damon and Astrid) DEEP RIVER PROMISE follows Damon Fitzgerald as he endeavors to come to terms with partial ownership of the small town of Deep River, Alaska but Deep River sits on a field of oil, a field of which the Big Oil companies are hoping to own. In an effort to strengthen the town, and bring in some much need tourism and money, Damon Fitzgerald, along with his best friend Silas Quinn, and the town’s Mayor Astrid James, begin to ferret out a number of possibilities but Damon never expected to lose his heart to the town and the woman with whom he would fall in love. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Astrid and Damon, and the potential fall-out as Damon struggles with demons from the past, and an ailing mother back home in Los Angeles, California.

Astrid James is a single mother to thirteen year old Connor James but Astrid’s secret is about to be exposed with the arrival of Damon Fitzgerald, a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Having loved and lost, and loved and lost again, Astrid ‘ran’ to Deep River, Alaska, a town with too many memories but a town that has accepted Astrid, and the boy that she loves. Damon Fitzgerald never wanted to own Deep River, Alaska, and is preparing to walk away once a plan has been put into action to save a town that meant much to his former best friend but Damon never expected to meet a feisty, single mother, a woman who isn’t afraid to call Damon out on his excuses and fears. After his death, Caleb’s request meant Damon had a responsibility, a responsibility that now included Astrid and her fifteen year old son, Connor.

The relationship between Damon and Astrid is one of immediate attraction but Damon’s time in Deep River comes with an expiry date, and Damon refuses to hang around for the long haul. Falling in love was never on the agenda but Astrid, and her son Connor, made it difficult for Damon to walk away. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Silas Quinn and his girlfriend Hope Dawson; Astrid’s son Connor; Caleb’s sister Morgan West; as well as ferry operator Kevin Anderson; general store owner Malcolm Cooper; tourism operator Sandy; and wannabe luxury motel owner Mike Flint. Zeke and Morgan’s story line is next.

DEEP RIVER PROMISE is a story of family, betrayal, loss and love; a story of survival and reflection; promises and happily ever after. The premise is inspiring; the romance is spirited and heart breaking; the characters are sassy, determined and lost.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Forever in Cape May by Jennifer Probst-Review Tour

Posted on by
13

Forever in Cape May (The Sunshine Sisters 3) by Jennifer Probst-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 6, 2021

Taylor Sunshine and Pierce Powers vowed to keep things platonic. They already have the best of each other: loyalty, friendship, and trust. Why ruin the perfect relationship? That kind of forever love isn’t in the picture anyway for a restless, aspiring artist like Taylor. Her sights are set beyond the horizon of Cape May and Sunshine Bridal.

The oceanfront hometown is part of Pierce’s heart—just like Taylor is. And it breaks at the thought of her leaving. As her closest friend since high school, he supports her desires, even if she must follow them away from Cape May. But when their defenses are down, all it takes is one impulsive, vulnerable night to change all the rules.

From old friends to overnight lovers, they make a new pact: explore a summer fling, no strings attached. But as the nights heat up and their connection grows deeper, hard choices must be faced. As summer nears its end, will Taylor and Pierce fulfill their individual dreams? Or are new dreams just beginning to come true?

••••••••

REVIEW:FOREVER IN CAPE MAY is the third instalment in Jennifer Probst’s contemporary, adult THE SUNSHINE SISTERS erotic, romance series focusing on the Sunshine sisters: Avery, Bella and Taylor. This is artist Taylor Sunshine, and photographer Pierce Powers’ story line. FORVER IN CAPE MAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Taylor and Pierce) FOREVER IN CAPE MAY follows the best friends to lovers relationship between artist Taylor Sunshine, and photographer Pierce Powers. All of her life Taylor Sunshine wanted to be an artist, travelling the world, getting out of Cape May, experience life on the move but her best friend Pierce Powers had always felt at home in their childhood town, thus leaving the friends at odds when the time came to move on. Weeks before Taylor was set to move to Paris, her relationship with Pierce turned into something more but Taylor had no plans with Pierce beyond their ‘friends with benefits’ affair. As Taylor furthered her career in Europe, Pierce made inroads with his own future, a future with which he was hoping Taylor would become a part. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Taylor and Pierce, and the fall-out as Taylor refuses to accept anything beyond the present, and pushes our hero, out of her life.

The relationship between Pierce and Taylor is a best friends to lovers that struggles in the face of miscommunication, misunderstand, and the heroine’s need for independence and personal success, something she is hoping to achieve without her best friend by her side. Pierce and Taylor have always loved one another but falling in love was never in the plans. Pierce struggled with his love for the woman who all but pushed him out of her life, and Taylor never knew how much damage she was about to inflict on the man with whom she would fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Gabe and Bella, and Bella’s daughter Zoe (Temptation on Ocean Drive 2) ; Avery and Carter (Love on Beach Lane #1); and newcomer Samantha, and Parisian art promoter Luis.

FOREVER IN CAPE MAY is a story of family, friendships, and misunderstanding; independence, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating yet heart breaking; the romance is seductive and emotional; the characters are determined, colorful and stubborn. I did struggle with the heroine’s attitude towards our story line hero, never once taking into consideration how he might have felt or potential for everything and more.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Love on Beach Avenue
Temptation on Ocean Drive

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Twitter / Goodreads/ Facebook / Website / Newsletter

Jennifer Probst is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her novel, The Marriage Bargain, was the #6 Bestselling Book on Amazon for 2012. Her first children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, was co-written with her 12 year old niece, and her short story, “A Life Worth Living” chronicles the life of a shelter dog. She makes her home in New York with her sons, husband, two rescue dogs, and a house that never seems to be clean. She loves hearing from all readers! Stop by her website at http://www.jenniferprobst.com for all her upcoming releases, news and street team information.

Share

Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Posted on by
13

Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

 

Description:
The girl looked so peaceful, she could have been asleep. Except her eyes were open, blankly reflecting the flickering flames spreading towards her…

When firefighters discover the body of a teenage girl at an abandoned house, Detective Amanda Steele hurries to the scene. Dumfries, Virginia is a small town, yet no one seems to have any idea who the dead girl is until Amanda finds a dragonfly pin with the name Crystal engraved on it.

Working tirelessly, Amanda traces the pin to Crystal Foster, a thirteen-year-old who disappeared three years ago from her wealthy parents’ home. Breaking the news to the distraught parents won’t be easy, but the loss of her own daughter still haunts Amanda, and she knows this will bring them closure. But when Amanda goes to see the Fosters, they do not recognize the girl. She isn’t Crystal.

Before Amanda can react to this new development, she gets an urgent call. A fire has consumed another vacant house, and the remains of two more girls have been found. Who are these girls, and why are they being picked off? Amanda must stop this killer before the pattern continues, and the death toll climbs.

When Amanda receives a taunting note from the killer, she realizes that she holds the missing piece of this puzzle. The victims are connected to Amanda’s past, to a case she can never forget, and which almost claimed her life. As she follows the clues to their deadly conclusion, can she save more innocent lives… even if it risks her own?

 

 

Review:

Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted before, I have been a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series.  I feel this series is her best one yet, and love its wonderful heroine, Amanda Steele.

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  She is called to the scene where a young girl’s dead body was found in an abandoned building fire.  As she and her partner, Trent begin their investigation, they discover that the girl was part of a sex trafficking ring. Shortly thereafter, a woman who had called in the fire to the police,  is also found murdered; they suspect this may be the work of a serial killer. As they interview the family of some of the missing children over the years, Amanda is consumed with finding these missing girls.

Amanda is determined to stop the killer before they kill again, but then there is another fire, with two more dead girls who were probably part of the sex trafficking; the danger escalates as the killer is now setting their site on Amanda.  How does the killer know about her past, and the deaths of her husband and daughter?

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, pulse pounding mystery that kept me unable to put the book down, especially knowing how Amanda continually put herself in danger.  We did get a POV of the killer throughout, giving us a look at his madness. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a very good story that needs to be read from start to finish.  I like all of the secondary characters that Arnold has created, but I was not crazy about the chief, who was trying to get rid of Amanda; even though she was their best detective.

Stolen Daughters was an excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, dark, intense, and kept us glued to the end. Amanda, Trent & Sergeant made an excellent team.   I really liked Amanda, as she was a great heroine, and a fantastic detective.  Stolen Daughters was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in future books, especially with the surprise ending. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

Share

KANSAS (Ruthless Kings MC:Atlantic City) by KL Savage-Review tour

Posted on by
12

KANSAS (Ruthless Kings MC: Atlantic City 2) by KL Savage-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 6, 2021

Instincts are all we have to rely on.
And mine were spot on.
There are a few things I don’t like to talk about in life.
My father.
And Kansas.
I hate him, and I hate that godforsaken state.
To this day, I haven’t loved because there’s a fear.
An inkling.
An instinct that I will be just like him.
I convinced myself our blood was rotten, tainted, and sour.
I believe I didn’t have the ability to be faithful or loyal.
But then after a blizzard, a sailboat washed to shore.
And she was there.
She’s here at the clubhouse now.
Violet Winston.
A name that matches the fields of lavender of her eyes.
I have no right to want her.
I can’t love her.
I’ll ruin her.
The more I get to know her, the harder I fall.
Usually, there’s a calm after the storm.
But not this time…Between her father being a drug dealer.
The drugs hidden in the boat.
And the man that wants his drugs.
We are about to feel the havoc of a hurricane.
Truths hit us out of nowhere and they hurt worse than a lie ever did.
Love tests us and rips us open. Friendships are lost. Loyalty is damned.
I’m not in Kansas anymore.
But Jersey hurts just the same.

•••••••

REVIEW: KANSAS is the second instalment in KL Savage’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS KINGS MC: ATLANTIC CITY erotic, MC, romance series-a spin off from the author’s Ruthless Kings MC. This is Sargent at Arms Amos ‘Kansas’ Taylor, and twenty-two year old Violet Winston’s story line. KANSAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines and series is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Violet and Kansas) KANSAS follows in the wake of a storm and a boating accident that left Violet Winston, and her two sisters Veronica and Victoria fighting for their lives. Rescued by the Ruthless Kings MC: Atlantic City chapter, Violet finds herself falling for their Sargent At Arms, Kansas Taylor, a man whose own secrets run dangerous and deep. As Violet and her sisters begin to heal, secrets are revealed, forcing Violet to reconsider everything she thought she knew, including a possible connection to the Irish mob. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kansas and Violet, and the potential fall-out as Violet is targeted, threatening the growing love between our leading couple.

Amos ‘Kansas’ Taylor knows betrayal first hand but our hero never expected to fall in love until meeting Violet Winston, the woman who now controls his heart but someone is after our story line heroine, and the MC believe the connections lead back to the Irish mob. Violet Winston finds herself both mother and father to her young sisters in the wake of their parents death but our heroine struggles with Veronica’s attitude, and the need to protect the man that she loves

The relationship between Kansas and Violet is one of immediate attraction from the moment Kansas rescues Violet in the storm. Feeling responsible for her life, and ultimately her future, Kansas quickly fall for our story line heroine, a fall that is about to place her in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Violet’s sisters Veronica and Victoria; Kansas’ parents ; his best friend Nigel; and Lorcan O’Crowely, head of the Irish Mob. Several members of the Ruthless Kings MC: Atlantic City play secondary and supporting roles including MC President Boomer and Scarlett , One-Eye, Arrow, Wolf, Pulse, Decay, Colt, Warden and Bane.

KANSAS is a story of family, betrayal, secrets and lies; acceptance, love and moving forward. The premise is heart breaking, engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and energetic; the characters are colorful and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BOOMER’S RISE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

I wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of whimpering. For a second, I don’t know where I am, but then I hear a soft beep of a monitor and realize I’m with Springs. I glance down, and my nose gets buried in the bush of her unruly, wild, curly hair. I’ve never seen hair like this before. It’s how I came up with the name Springs. Each strand of hair looks like a tightly wound coil or spring.
Since I don’t know her name, I’ve been calling her Springs.
She quiets down and settles against me again, and I do something weird, something I’ve never done before, and I’m glad she’s asleep for it.
I inhale the scent of her hair, and my eyes roll to the back of my head when I smell peaches. I have to hold back a groan and many, many other things that are not appropriate right now.
I’m such an ass.
She rolls away from me, and blood rushes through my arm. Static tingles my fingers, and I slide my arm out from under her and then fix the sheet as it slides down her shoulders. She has a small tattoo right under her collarbone, simple, delicate, and sophisticated. It’s a simple flower, a rose. The line work is thin, which gives it a feminine, elegant appearance. I want to lean down and kiss it so badly, but it’s selfish thinking, considering everything she’s been through. I shouldn’t want her like I do. I have no right.
There are a few things I tell myself to stay away from.
Love.
And hate.
I like to be balanced. Being right in the middle means nothing can go wrong. There are no expectations to be met. No promises can be broken. No disappointment can be felt. No love can be lost.
I live life in the middle for the most part. Personally, I think it’s worked out pretty well, minus being whipped and strung up like a pig for standing up for what I believe in.
Keeping my desires close to my heart saves me, even if what I want suffocates me every day.
Even though I want love, even though I want more, and I don’t want to slide between the legs of a club whore, I’m scared.
What if I’m just like my father? What if what I have isn’t enough, and I’ll want another life, another family? What if his bad blood runs through my veins, and I’m just this piece of shit human being? Maybe I try too hard to be a decent man because inside I know just how rotten I am.
My stomach growls, yanking me out of my pity party. I rub my hands over my face and look at the time. It’s four in the morning. No wonder I’m hungry. I missed dinner, and that means she did too.
I sit up and swing my legs over the bed as I stretch my neck left, then right, getting the cricks out. My boots hit the floor with a soft thud, and I look over my shoulder to make sure I didn’t wake her. Her curly hair looks like a huge cotton ball on the pillow. Her body is covered by the sheet and all I see are those curly coils. I chuckle to myself and fight the urge to reach up and run my fingers through her hair.

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.

Newsletter + FREE book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/wvr02b395h
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/K.L.-Savage-Savage/e/B085S54K2S
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klsavage_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k.l.savage.author
Website: http://www.klsavage.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-savage

Share

Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia)by Kristen Proby-Review tour

Posted on by
12

Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia)by Kristen Proby-Review tour

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2L5Q9db

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 6, 2021

As the son of one of the States’ most prominent mob bosses, Shane Martinelli’s always been immersed in society’s shady underbelly. Learning to navigate it and keep to the edges was working just fine until an acquaintance turns up missing, and he fears the worst. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he hasn’t stopped thinking about her. Luckily, as an ex-special operative, he’s uniquely qualified to track her down and keep her safe. Unfortunately, nobody’s making that easy—not the people who took her nor the woman herself.

Ivie Jordan has led a pretty uneventful life, and that’s just how she likes it. Especially since she’ll be the first to admit that she doesn’t do so well in social situations. She’s a proud business owner, and while she doesn’t have family, she does have a network of people who look out for her. Little did she know that being accepted into that fold came with a laundry list of issues. When the worst happens, and she’s forced to rely on the ruggedly handsome alpha hero who comes to her rescue, she discovers her inner badass—and the sultry vixen on her other shoulder.

Too bad the two of them are literally running for their lives and trying to ensure the safety of those they love. There is way more at stake than meets the eye.

It’s time for the hunted to become the hunters.

••••••

REVIEW:HEADHUNTER is the second instalment in Kristen Proby’s contemporary, adult WITH ME IN SEATTLE MAFIA romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s With Me in Seattle series. This is mob boss’ son Shane Martinelli, and medical receptionist Ivie Jordan’s story line. HEADHUNTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line (or series) is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Shane and Ivie) HEADHUNTER follows the building romance and relationship between Shane Martinelli, and Ivie Jordan. At the age of fifteen Laryssa Pavlov ran when gunmen took control of the family home. Fast forward to present day, wherein Laryssa Pavlov, now known as Ivie Jordan finds herself the victim of a kidnapping that links directly back to her earlier years, years she had long thought buried and gone. Rescued by the heir apparent to the underground world of mobsters and men, Ivie finds herself under the protection of Shane Martinelli, the man with whom Ivie will fall in love but everything continues to spiral out of control, as Ivie continues to be the target of some very powerful people. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ivie and Shane, and the potential fall-out as Shane refuses to commit to a future, and Ivie’s past demands everything and more.

Very few people knew about Ivie’s life before settling in Denver, Colorado, but her world was about to implode, and all of her secrets revealed to her would be rescuer Shane Martinelli. Shane himself, knows firsthand the darkness that can take hold and never let go, and in this Shane is determined that Ivie never experience the life he continues to lead. Believing there is no room in his life for a happily ever after, Shane continues to push away our story line hero, all the while falling more deeply in love with each passion hour. Hunted for who she once was, and what she might know, our heroine is a little TSTL (too stupid to live) believing she is capable of handling things on her own.

The relationship between Ivie and Shane is one of immediate attraction. Ivie has lusted after Shane since the first time they met yet Shane refuses to cross the proverbial line from friendship to move knowing his life is not conducive to settling down or falling in love. Shane has a secret that cannot be exposed, and his secret could very well place Ivie in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Shane’s brothers Carmine and Nadia (Underboss #1), Rafe aka Rocco, Nadia’s cousin Annika, as well as Shane’s right hand man Curt. The requisite evil has many faces.

HEADHUNTER is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; secrets, lies, family and love. The premise is intriguing and exciting; the romance is captivating and provocative; the characters are energetic and dynamic. The ‘mobster and Mafia’ premise is limited and not the focus of the story line premise although the Martinelli connections and power are helpful in resolving the conflict but the majority of the story line follows the threats to our heroine’s life, and Shane’s overwhelming ability to protect the woman he loves.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one UNDERBOSS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow:Facebook /  Bookbub / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband and their four pets, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Share

Zorak (Lunar Uprising 1) by Cyndi Friberg-a review

Posted on by
10

Zorak (Lunar Uprising 1) by Cyndi Friberg-a review

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 18, 2021

When Cat’s father is kidnapped by her alien boss she turns to Zorak, one of the mysterious lunar raiders “cultivated” by the aliens to protect Earth. Cat isn’t sure she can trust Zorak, but she has nowhere else to turn. Lunar raiders are ruthless hybrids created for war, so why does Zorak make her feel safe? She has never been so intensely attracted to anyone before and has a hard time believing her feelings are real. They’re surrounded by conflict and deceit, and Cat’s father isn’t the only one in danger. If they can’t learn the truth about the aliens, the entire human race could be enslaved.

••••••

REVIEW: ZORAK is the first instalment in Cyndi Friberg’s sci-fi/paranormal romance series. This is lunar raider / guardian Zorak Savoy, and Catriona Barco’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: Eight years earlier, six Pylorian spaceships arrived on Earth asking for asylum claiming they were fleeing their immortal enemy, the wolf-like Morax, but in the ensuing years, the Pylorian began to take control, using their considerable powers to force the governments of Earth to do their bidding. In an effort to protect Earth, the Pylorian’s claim to have cultivated aka created the lunar raiders, a hybrid of three alien species (Morax, Pylorian, Dox Tory) one of which reacts instantly when their destined mate is near.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zorak and Cat) ZORAK follows the building relationship and mating between lunar raider Zorak Savoy and Catriona Barco. Catriona Barco, a human ambassador at large between the Pylorians and the US Government, despises her position as assistant to Advisor Erot, a Pylorian warrior who demands more from our heroine than she is able to give but when her father is imprisoned by Advisor Erot, Catriona finds herself asking for help from a group of ‘cultivated’ hybrid aliens, known as lunar raiders, created to protect Earth from the marauding Morax. Enter lunar raider Zorak Savoy, and the male with whom Cat will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Cat and Zorak, as the lunar raiders begin to uncover the truth, as they set out to rescue our heroine’s father.

The relationship between Cat and Zorak is one of immediate attraction predicated upon fated mates, and DNA. Cat acknowledges there is definitely something between them but refuses to accept Zorak’s claiming until she fully understands his need to mate. As the story line progresses, Zorak’s need for his mate intensifies with every encounter. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the stop, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including lunar raiders Zorak’s friend Prime Commander Vosic Parso, recon-class commander Leko, munitions-class commander Rogar; medic-class commander Benlon, Cat’s father Matthew Barco; DC One Governor Yaved Kreth, infantry class Dracus, Secretary of State Danielle Schweitzer, Ambassador to the UN and Cat’s friend Marisol Conti, and Morax adolescent Max.

ZORAK is a tale of specieism and discrimination, power and control. A detailed introductory story that reveals some of the history and background between planets, the different species, and the war that destroyed so many lives. The Pylorians are determined to destroy everyone they consider beneath them and unworthy, using Earth and her moon to secure their position within the system. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is captivating and seductive; the characters are colorful, determined and animated.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share