Monthly Archives: September 2021

Watching Trin (On Call 7) by Freya Barker-Review Tour

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Watching Trin (On Call 7) by Freya Barker-Review Tour

 

Watching Trin
On Call 7
by Freya Barker
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 14, 2021

Freelance journalist and single mom, Katrina (Trin) Paige, has recently returned to her hometown to help her sister care for their elderly father. They’ve barely settled back into Durango’s daily life when her rebellious teenage son gets himself in tumultuous waters. While being rescued by the local fire department, he unwittingly uncovers a decades-old crime hidden underneath the churning rapids of the Animas River.

Once Trin’s life is back on an even keel, her sharp nose for a compelling story starts twitching and she dives headfirst into an investigation of her own. The more she uncovers, the closer she gets to the firefighter who not only pulled her son from the river, but who also seems present everywhere she turns.

Bodhi (Roadkill) Jones doesn’t believe in things like fate, although, he can’t deny the way his life seems to be entwined with the spunky redhead is more than mere coincidence. In fact, he’s been wondering how it is possible she escaped his attention growing up in the same town, even though she is a few years older. Swept up in an unfamiliar current, he finds himself looking for ways to spend time with her and her family.

However, when a murder investigation touches his personal life, it invades Trin’s as well, leaving him scrambling to make sure the woman he’s fast falling for is protected.

••••••••

REVIEW: WATCHING TRIN is the seventh instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult On Call: Police and Fire: Operation Alpha multi-authored erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on side characters first introduced by author Susan Stoker. This is thirty-eight year old firefighter Bodhi ‘Roadkill’ Jones, and forty-two year old, journalist and single mother Katrina ‘Trin’ Paige’s story line. WATCHING TRIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: For fans of Freya Barker, there is a slight cross over with several characters from the author’s ARROW’S EDGE MC series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bodhi and Trin) following several intersecting paths, WATCHING TRIN follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-eight year old firefighter Bodhi ‘Roadkill’ Jones, and forty-two year old, journalist and single mother Katrina ‘Trin’ Paige. With her aging father’s health worsening, forty-two year old, single mother Trin Paige, along with her fourteen year old son Tucker, returns to her home town of Durango Colorado, in an effort to help her sister Victoria, look after their dad. A few days in, Trin’s father go missing, and with the help of local firefighter Bodhi Jones, Trin soon comes to realize the family may have bitten off more than they can chew but things go from bad to worse when her son is injured while rafting, and a body is found in a decades old car, submerged deep in the water. An investigation by Trin begins to a reveal a close connection to several people in town, a connection that may or may not have placed our heroine in the direct line of fire. As Trin’s investigation begins to take a more personal turn for our story line hero, Trin finds herself on the receiving end of more than one threating message, and mysterious accidents. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bodhi and Trin, and the potential fall-out as the past comes full circle, in an attempt, to reclaim what doesn’t belong.

Trin Paige has been on her own for a very long time but her father’s declining health means moving back to a town she left years before. Along with her fourteen year old son Tucker, Trin finds it difficult to settle after her father’s health worsens, and her bi-racial son struggles to adjust at a new school. Meeting Bodhi Jones stirs something long thought buried and gone but the chaos at home doesn’t leave time for a start up relationship. Bodhi Jones knew immediately that Katrina Paige was someone he wanted to know. Working alongside Trin’s sister Victoria brought Bodhi up close and personal with his future but a future that is threatened by someone from the past.

The relationship between Bodhi and Trin is one of immediate attraction but Trin battles between head and heart knowing that all is not well with her father at home. From the outset, her bi-racial son struggles to fit in, and with it, thoughts of discrimination and racism are not far behind. With Bodhi Jones in her life, Trin begins to adjust to life in Durango but all is not well in the small town where everyone knows everyone else. The $ex 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 Trin’s son Tucker, her sister/ fire fighter Victoria, and their father Bruce Paige; Bodhi’s parents Nira and Chuck Jones, and his sister Anika; several members of the Durango Fire Department, as well as several members of the Arrow’s Edge MC.

WATCHING TRIN is a story of obsession, betrayal, vengeance and jealousy, family and friendships, mental health, bullying, acceptance and love. The premise is engaging, twisted and edgy; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are spirited and lively.

Previous review

Dissecting Meredith

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FreyaFacebook
Twitter: http://bit.ly/FreyaTwitter
Instagram: http://bit.ly/FreyaInstagram
Web: http://bit.ly/FreyaWeb
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/FreyaGoodreads
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/Freya_Newsletter
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/FreyaBookBub

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A Rogue Cowboy’s Second Chance by Stephanie Rowe-review tour

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A Rogue Cowboy’s Second Chance (Hart Ranch Billionaires 1) by Stephanie Rowe-review tour

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3eaDUHR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 14, 2021

Fifteen years ago, he shattered her heart. Now she needs to trust him with her life. First in a new billionaire cowboy series by New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Rowe.

Billionaire rancher Brody Hart protects others…no matter the cost to himself. When the woman he lost a decade ago needs his help, he has a second chance with the sassy country music star he never stopped loving.

Tatum Crosby lives for her music, but when a stalker targets her, there’s only one man she trusts to keep her alive. But Brody wants a second chance with her heart, too. Can she trust him with both?

When Brody takes Tatum to his ranch to keep her safe, attraction burns hot and bright, while betrayal, passion, and danger close in. Can the loyal, protective cowboy heal the scars on Tatum’s heart before she returns to her life and leaves him behind…again?

••••••

REVIEW:A ROGUE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE is the first instalment in Stephanie Rowe’s contemporary, adult HART RANCH BILLIONAIRES romance series. This is billionaire rancher Brody Hart, and country music star Tatum Crosby’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tatum and Brody) A ROGUE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE follows the rekindling romance and relationship between thirty-three year old, billionaire rancher Brody Hart, and thirty-two year old country music start Tatum Crosby. Brody and Tatum grew up in the foster care system but abuse and neglect found our couple one of many teens living under bridge, they had come to call home. But after profession his love for Tatum, Brody married someone else, pushing our heroine out of his life. Fast forward to present day wherein Tatum Crosby is a country music star but a star whose life is quickly spiralling out of control. From an unknown stalker to an ex who refuses to back down, Tatum finds herself on the run, into the arms of the man she once loved. Enter billionaire rancher Brody Hart. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Brody and Tatum, and the potential fall-out as Tatum’s past demands everything, and a stalker reveals a story of unrequited love.

Brody Hart is a fixer, a protector but a man who knows he screwed up fifteen years earlier. Having never stopped loving our story line heroine, Brody finds himself rescuing Tatum when everything spirals out of control, a spiral that comes with a threat against her life, and the possibility of never having the chance to say he’s sorry. Tatum Crosby’s heart was destroyed the day Brody pushed her out of his life but it was the push that forced Tatum on the road to stardom, a road that was lonely in more ways than one. Reconnecting with her past gave Tatum the reassurance of protection and love, and with it, the determination to change her path going forward.

The relationship between Tatum and Brody is one of second chances; a rekindling romance and relationship between two people destroyed by one man’s need to protect those unable to protect themselves. Believing Tatum has always been his happily ever after, Brody is determined to prove she is worthy of his love The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Tatum’s band mates, ex-husband and manager Donny; and all eight of Brody’s foster siblings. The requisite evil has many familiar faces.

A ROGUE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE is a story of family, betrayal, jealousy and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, determined, and charismatic.

Reviewed by Sandy

Copy supplied for review

 

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is the author of more than forty-five novels, and she’s a four-time nominee for the RITA® award, the highest award in romance fiction. As an award-winning author, Stephanie has been touching readers’ hearts and keeping them spellbound for more than a decade with her contemporary romances, romantic suspense, paranormal romances, and YA contemporary romances.

A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn’t realize it was her dream until she was an adult.

Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind “work” as the world defines it and went to “work” as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.

Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.

Stephanie currently lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, her dogs, and her amazing family.

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True Dead (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter – a Review

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True Dead (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter – a Review

 

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Description:
Jane used to hunt vampires, but now she’s their queen. She’s holed up in the mountains with the Yellowrock Clan, enjoying a little peace, when a surprise attack on her people proves that trouble is brewing. Someone is using very old magic to launch a bid for power, and it’s all tied to the place where Jane was first drawn into the world of Leo Pellissier—the city of New Orleans.

Jane is compelled to return to NOLA because someone is trying to destabilize the paranormal world order. And because she now sits near the top of the vampire world, the assault is her problem. She will do what she must to protect what’s hers. Her city. Her people. Her power. Her crown.

 

Review:

True Dead by Faith Hunter is the 14th book in her fantastic Jane Yellowrock series.  As I have said previously, this series just keeps on getting better and better. I had previously noted that the last two books were the best in the series, and now I have to say True Dead is also a fantastic read. I pray Faith will continue giving us these great stories on our fabulous Jane Yellowrock.

When we last left off, Jane had just recovered from her cancer battle, but she continues to have issues with her shifting (with Beast), and never knows what she will look like each time.  When a surprise attack in New Orleans happens, Jane and her team (Bruiser, Eli, Alex, Brute) know it is time to return to NOLA, as a powerful magical evil is bent on eliminating Jane, and take control of the paranormal world.  Jane had already made plans to return to NOLA, since she was attending Wrassler and Jodi’s wedding.

As the Dark Queen, Jane has always been the one who would step forward and defeat the enemy. In True Dead, things are slowly changing, as Jane now has added security to protect her, not to mention help in defeating their enemies.  I have to say I loved all these new people, who are there for Jane, such as Koun, Quint, Thelma, Kojo, and Brute played a big part. She is after all the Queen, and with evil once again coming for her, the extended team is up for the task, and will protect her with everything they have. Jane does need to get used to others fighting with/or for her.  An amazing group…love them.

From start to finish, the story is action-packed, constant danger, deaths, and surprises along the way (someone you may have been waiting for).  There are a few times I held my breath that we would lose one of our favorites.  I loved Beast even more, as she pushes Jane aside to come forth and fight; and the banter between them is fun, as they are now fully one; stronger, better, smarter and unbeatable.  Jane’s brother does come forth to help her battle a surprising enemy within the family. 

What follows is an exciting, intense, action-packed thriller, with Jane and team in constant danger, especially from those who have taken the side of the enemy.  She, Beast, Eli, Bruiser, Alex and the rest of their extended team, will need to use all those who have sworn loyalty to Jane, as well as other help, such as the Aya, Mithrans, Arcenniels, Infermieri, just to name a few. To tell too much more would ruin this for you, and this must be read to see some of those surprises.

True Dead was another fantastic addition to the Jane Yellowrock series.  I was thrilled with all the changes and new characters, as well as excited to see where Faith Hunter will take us next. For those of you who have not read this series (which you need to start at the beginning), you are missing a great series, a super wonderful bad-ass heroine in Jane Yellowrock, and author who kills it (& us) every time.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Crossing the Line (Whitecap 1) by Jessica Prince-Review Tour

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CROSSING THE LINE (Whitecap 1) by Jessica Prince-Review & Excerpt Tour

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 14, 2021

Some lines are meant to be crossed.

Trent Montgomery knew all about loyalty and responsibility. Tracking down his friend’s long-lost sister and making sure she was safe was just another job, a favor from someone he cared about. He wasn’t supposed to get attached. But when he started to fall for the woman who had been hiding from the world, things got a lot more complicated than he ever expected.

Cheyanne Knightly knew all about living in fear. The life she’d made for her and her daughter was as stable as a house of cards. One stiff breeze could send her whole world crumbling. But when a new guy blew into her small town, stirring up Whitecap’s rumor mill, she found herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.

Lies were told. Secrets were uncovered. Lines were crossed. When the truth finally came out, Trent had to find a way to protect the woman who stole his heart while he tried to earn her trust back

•••••••

REVIEW:A swoon worthy, heartwarming small town romance!

What a way to start a new series! JP never let’s her readers down. The first book in the newly found town of Whitecap gives readers a major Hope Valley feel. This comes as no surprise as it’s a spinoff of that series. Whitecap is a small seaside town with all the feels of Hope Valley, but with it’s own twist on things.

Our story starts off with Cheyanne (Sawyer) and her Little Bit, Renee aka the cutest kiddo of all time and the life they have built in the scenic seaside town. Chey’s story is one of both fear and strength, from a young age her life and the life of her twin sister Charlotte hasn’t been easy. Filled with the loss of their parents, then the loss of each other, and then for Chey the loss of freedom. Cheyanne breaks away from the psycho control of her garbage can of a husband and forges a new life for her and her daughter. Life was good, normal and content.

Until Trent.

Trent Montgomery is on a mission for his friend, find Dalton’s womens long lost sister. When he finds her in Whitecap he makes his approach and is knocked off his feet. He knows he needs to keep things professional, not only for his job, but for his own peace of mind. Well that plan gets knocked to hell pretty quickly, he soon falls under the spell of not one girl, but two. Chayanne and her tiny daughter Renee. As hard as he tries to pull away, to be “friends” with Chey, the more time he spends with her the harder he finds it to stay away and ignore his feelings. Just as Cheyanne and Trent finally have their moment, the secret Trent has been hiding comes to light. Now Trent must find a way to get Chey to forgive him, win back her trust and keep them safe from the threats that are coming for her.

Oh Oh Oh it’s magic, ya know….lol sorry this lyric was in my head the entire time I read the book. Trent and Chey were so much fun to read. The struggle was real for these two. Cheyanne not wanting to be found by her ex-husband and poor Trent keeping all the secrets, both clearly wanting each other, but too scared to do anything about it. Thankfully JP has a magic mind and knows just what we want. I loved the people from Whitecap and can;t wait to see what stories come from it. Luna is officially on the best book friend list, she is too funny! Whoever ties their wagon to that woman is in for a treat. Visiting with Dalton and some of the people from Hope Valley was awesome too, when Cheyanne and Charlotte reunited, I was freaking sobbing into my kindle! The namesake too! Holy Sprinkles! It was just perfect!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

“Monica said the dude was ogling you like you were a three-course meal and he hadn’t eaten in a month.”

“Like I said, she exaggerated.”

Right?

Nope, I silently screamed to myself. I wasn’t going to start questioning it because it didn’t matter. Not at all.

She looked at me, her expression pinched with skepticism. “Was she also exaggerating when she said she thought you’d stroked out for a minute and lost the power of speech when he came up and introduced himself to you?”

I snorted and took a gulp of my margarita, smiling as I admitted, “No, she might have been spot-on with that one.”

Luna’s head fell back on a laugh. “At least you’re willing to own it.”

“It’s not my fault! There isn’t a woman on the planet who could help it,” I exclaimed. “I mean, the dude had dimples, for Christ’s sake. Dimples.”

 

 

Jessica Prince

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Code Name: Tiara by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

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Code Name: Tiara (Jameson Force Security 7) by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2021

I joined Jameson Force Security for three reasons: the missions, the danger, and the money. I definitely didn’t join the team to be an overpriced babysitter for a spoiled princess. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you Jackson Gale is an adventurer through and through. Yet here I am, halfway across the world, watching over Princess Camille of the House Winterbourne. Even her name sounds stuck up.

After arriving in Bretaria, I realize that Princess Camille is nothing that I expected. Beautiful, smart, and sophisticated, Camille is the very picture of elegance and grace. But under her perfect façade, she is funny, adventurous, sexy as hell, and impossible to resist. And that is a dangerous combination.

The closer Camille and I become, the more obvious it is that while she and I are compatible in many ways, our destinies are not. She has a duty to the monarchy, and I’m just an average American who’s fallen for a princess. Everyone says we can’t be together, but how does one walk away from the other half of their heart?

•••••••

REVIEW:CODE NAME: TIARA is the seventh instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult JAMESON FORCE SECURITY, erotic, romance suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Jameson Force Security . This is former US Navy SEAL Jackson Gale, and twenty-four year old Bretaria princess Camille Winterbourne. CODE NAME: TIARA 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 first person perspectives (Camille and Jackson) CODE NAME: TIARA focuses on the protection of soon to be twenty-five year old Princess Camille Winterbourne. Interpol has caught chatter on the dark web alluding to a potential assassination of the royal family of House Winterbourne but more specifically Princess Camille, who is expected to be named the heir apparent on her twenty-fifth birthday. Hiring the services of Jameson Force Security places former US Navy SEAL Jackson Gale face to face with his future, a future that is meant for someone else. As the princess embarks on a two-week tour of America, Jackson is by her side the entire time, time that pushes the couple closer together. As the security team back home in Bretaria continue to monitor the dark web, Jackson and Camille act of their attraction, an attraction that does not go unnoticed upon their return. Invited to remain until Camille’s twenty-fifth birthday, Jackson is forced to accept that Camille is not his happily ever after, and may have to watch her fall in love with someone else. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Camille and Jackson, and the potential fall-out as an assassin sets their sights on the royal family.

Camille Winterbourne knows it is her duty to produce the next generation heir but our heroine has fallen in love with someone her father does not deem suitable for royal life. Given the option to relinquish her crown, Camille must decided between duty and love but not before watching the man that she loves walk away. Jackson Gale never expected to fall for his latest charge. Expecting a spoiled little princess brat, our hero is surprised to discover that Camille is much more than he was given credit, and walking away will be the hardest thing he has ever done.

The relationship between Camille and Jackson is a forbidden romance. Protecting Camille is Jackson’s assignment, and his relationship is more of a threat to protecting her heart. As the relationship continues to build, our couple know that their love affair comes with an end date, a date to which that neither one is looking forward. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, hot and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There secondary and supporting characters are limited to Jameson Force Security head Kynan McGrath, the King and Queen of Bretaria, Camille’s best friend Marius, as well as the King’s head of security Dimitri, and security specialist Paul.

CODE NAME: TIARA is a story of family and betrayal, riches and royalty, relationship and forbidden love. The premise is captivating and intriguing; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are feisty, sassy and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Wicked Force
CODE NAME: GENESIS
CODE NAME: SENTINEL
Code Name: Heist
Code Name: Hacker
Code Name: Ghost
Code Name: Rook

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray-review tour

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Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 12 2021

He needs a wife so he can get his inheritance.
I’m up to my eyeballs in debt with a sick father who needs treatment.
When he offers me a million dollars to be his fake wife, am I supposed to say no?

Chad Holdsworth is one of the wealthiest football stars in the country.
We’ve been best friends since birth.
So his shenanigans are nothing new to me.
The idea of getting married should have been easy.

Until he kissed me.

We then forgot we were supposed to be pretending.
And broke all the rules.

I know better than to fall for a playboy.
Even if he is my friend.
But I’m so lost in him I can’t see my way back.
With that panty-melting smile and his bedroom baby blues, he could get a nun in trouble.
What chance do I have of resisting?

If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Loving this man might be a mistake I’m not prepared for

•••••••

REVIEW:GREAT PRETENDER by Khardine Gray is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line in the multi-authored Cocky Hero Club series inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. This is thirty year old, former professional football quarterback Chad Holdsworth, and twenty-eight year old physician Piper St. Claire’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Piper and Chad) GREAT PRETENDER follows in the aftermath of a social media nightmare wherein former professional football quarterback, and soon to be team owner, Chad Holdsworth finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Laying down the law, Chad’s father and current team owner, gives his son an ultimatum, stop the manwh*ring ways, settle down and find a wife. Enter Chad’s best friend, and recently single Dr. Piper St.Claire. Desperate to prove he is worthy of his father’s respect and ownership of the team, Chad makes Piper an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the fake relationship between Chad and Piper, and the fall-out when Chad’s past comes looking for a second chance.

Chad Holdsworth has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember but Piper had been in a relationship with another man, someone who doesn’t respect our story line heroine. When disaster strikes, Chad is desperate, and the only woman to save his life, is the woman with whom he has fallen in love. Piper St. Claire needs the money Chad has offered to ‘play his wife’ but Piper knows Chad’s reputation may be more than she can handle. Already making paparazzi headlines, Chad and Piper must play the loving couple, a fake relationship that begins to feel all too real.

The relationship between Chad and Piper is a friends to lovers, a fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Chad and Piper have only ever shared one previous kiss, but Chad is about to make up for lost time with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense. Saying that, the relationship does not get sexual until about the 80% mark.

We are introduced to Chad’s best friend and co-worker Murray, as well as Piper’s father, her co-worker Elodie; Piper’s former boyfriend Heath; Chad’s father Richard Holdsworth; his cousin Georgiou, and Chad’s ex Tiffany Carmichael.

GREAT PRETENDER is a predictable story of family, relationships, friendship and love. Chad had been a bit of a wild child, believed to be spoiled by his father’s standards but our hero has placed himself in the direct line of fire. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet and seductive; the characters are charismatic and impassioned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Khardine Gray is a USA Today Bestselling author who loves writing sizzling hot contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance.

Her books have sexy, drool-worthy heroes who will make you melt, and sassy, fun loving, ambitious heroines.

She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

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Codename Firefly by C.J. Daugherty – a Review

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Codename Firefly by C.J. Daugherty – a Review

 

Amazon

 

 

Description:
Assassins are hunting the daughter of the Prime Minister… How long will she hide before it’s time to fight back? Gray Langtry is on the run. As the only child of the British Prime Minister, Gray’s life has been in turmoil ever since her mother was chosen to lead the country. Both she and her mother are targets of a Russian assassination plot. And what’s worse, members of her mother’s own cabinet are involved. A team of bodyguards never leaves her side. The press attention is relentless. And then there are the death threats. Now, after an attempt on Gray’s life, she has been moved to an elite boarding school in the British countryside. Shielded by high walls and locked gates, Gray finally feels safe, but the plotters are still hunting, and soon they will find her. Gray’s personal bodyguard, Julia, and the school’s young headmistress are determined to protect her. They both know how dangerous things are. The assassins searching for Gray are highly trained. And when they arrive they will aim to kill. Dylan, a mysterious American student, seems to know more than he should – but he’s always there when Gray needs him. Can she trust him? Can she trust anyone? As winter closes in and darkness falls, Gray will have to think fast. The hunters are coming.

 

 

Review:

Codename Firefly by C.J. Daugherty is the 2nd book in her Number 10 series, which is a spin off of her Night School series.  I did not realize this was the 2nd book in this series, but was happy that this read very well without having read the first book.  Gray Langtry, our heroine, is the daughter of the British Prime Minster, and her life, as well as her mother’s is in danger, as they are targets of assassination plots by a terrorist organization.

Gray survived previous attempts on her life (first book), and now is sent with her bodyguard, Julia to an elite boarding school that is known for their security (Cimmeria Academy). Besides Julia, the school has other bodyguards, with high walls, gates and cameras, which gives the vibe that Gray, and many school mates (political families) are very safe.  Allie (heroine from Night School) is now the headmistress, and she is determined to protect Gray and the other students. Allie and Julia do not get along at first, since they knew each other in the previous books, but when things get dangerous, everyone must work together to protect Gray, against the attacks.

What follows is an exciting, fast paced, action packed thriller, with Gray’s life constantly in danger.  I loved Julia, as she was a terrific bodyguard, as well as many of those who came to help (from Night School), Allie, Chase, Zoe, Cameron, etc.   I really did enjoy Gray’s interaction with other students, especially those who were in similar situations, but not currently targeted, like Gray.  I also liked Dylan, who was American, and seemed to stick closely to Gray, with both feeling an immediate attraction. I look forward to their romance heating up in future books.

Codename Firefly was very well written by C.J. Daugherty, and exciting and tense from start to finish, with a few twists along the way.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I think you should read it from the beginning.  Codename Firefly had me on the edge of my seat often, as it was a captivating adventure, especially with the constant attacks and lives on the line.  I suggest you read this Codename Firefly. I for one will look into reading more from C.J. Daugherty.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

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The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding…six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

 

 

Review:

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is a cute fun and sexy rom-com novel.  Olive Smith, our heroine, is working on her Ph.D in her third year at Stanford; she is a workaholic, always in the lab.  Olive keeps to herself, with the exception of some of her close friends, and isn’t interested in dating.  When one of the students, Jeremy, asks her out, Olive discovers her best friend, Anh is interested in Jeremy.  In order to convince her friend that she isn’t interested in him, she claims she has a boyfriend, and when she sees Anh walking toward her, Olive runs to the nearest man and kisses him.

Adam Carlsen, our hero, is a professor at the school, with many students not liking him, as he is tough.  Adam is shocked when Olive kisses him out of nowhere, and pushes her to tell him why she kissed him. When she apologizes and explains she is trying to convince her friend that she already has a boyfriend.  To her shock, Adam will agree to be the ‘fake-boyfriend’. She meets him weekly at the coffee shop to continue their pretense, and Adam convinces her they need to appear more expressive showing off their feelings in front of others.  In reality, both of them will slowly become very comfortable around each other, and their relationship will heat up, though it does take time.  Olive tries to ignore her feelings, especially looking at the hot professor, who is her pretend boyfriend.  Adam goes out of his way to always help Olive, as well as give her more confidence.  I loved them together, and constantly wished they would succumb to their lustful feelings, which was fun to watch.

Olive’s mother died of pancreatic cancer, and she had devoted her life to become a scientist, to find a cure for that cancer.  Olive was a great leading character, with a number of issues, being nervous, awkward, lack of self-confidence; but she is also loyal, fun and adorable when she is with Adam.  She does excel at her work, and gets the attention of other labs away from Stanford to give her more room and help in her work.  When she gets an offer from another professor at Harvard, who happens to be Adam’s friend, Olive is ecstatic. 

What follows is a fun, humorous, sexy and entertaining rom-com, with a fabulous couple, excellent secondary characters (Anh, Malcom, Holden, Jeremy), great banter, as well as being steamy.  There are some surprising developments closer to the end, and I loved how Olive was able to stand up to fight some issues. But most of all I loved Adam, how he put Olive first, always helping her throughout. Adam and Olive where such a wonderful couple, who were so much fun together, not to mention steamy.  I suggest you read The Love Hypothesis, so very well written by Ali Hazelwood.   This was too much fun to miss.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Ali Hazelwood’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from September 12th – September 16th, 2021

 

 

 

 

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