Monthly Archives: October 2021

Broken Sparrow by Chelle Bliss-Review tour

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Broken Sparrow by Chelle Bliss-review tour

 

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3kaGz89

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 5, 2021.

A chance encounter. An unlikely hero.

Morris has always dedicated himself to his brothers in the MC, choosing the freedom of the open road over the monotony of family life. But a chance encounter with a single mother on the run causes his protective alpha instincts to kick into overdrive.

Alice Sparrow thought she had planned her escape perfectly, but everything that could go wrong, did. Bank account emptied. Broken-down car. No place to stay. But when she bumps into a handsome biker, she doesn’t have the luxury of walking away from his help, especially when she must keep her daughter safe.

What is supposed to be a simple act of kindness quickly turns into something bigger and more complicated than either expects…especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Broken Sparrow is a steamy age-gap, single mother, hot biker standalone romance that’s guaranteed to bring the steam and the feels.

••••••

REVIEW:  I have NEVER devoured a MC book so quickly and I’ve read my fair share of MC books. I couldn’t wait to get Morris’ story, after meeting him back in the Heatwave series, I was waiting and waiting for him to get his lady. It was worth the wait.

When I started Broken Sparrow, I wasn’t expecting it to hit so hard in the feels. I knew I was going to like it, but not as much as I do now that I have finished it. Alice has crap luck when it comes to men. The only good thing that has come from her life is her daughter, Zoey. Now Alice and Zoey are running. Trying to get away from her past, but as always, the past has a way of catching up to her.

While running, Alice and Zoey meet Morris. The connection between Alice and Morris is static, you can feel it coursing through the pages. When Morris first meets Alice, his protection instincts kick into overdrive. He knows she’s running, and even though he has never been a tied down kinda guy, he knows there is something different about Alice.

Ms.Bliss, I am going to need you to start paying rent on the space you take up with your fabulous writing in my brain. I loved this book! Morris, Alice and Zoey made a perfect little family. Morris needed the gentleness of the girls, and Alice and Zoey needed the strength of Morris. Five Stars! I need more in the series please!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

 

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

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

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

 

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Fallen Royal (Mafia Royals 4) by Rachel Van Dyken-review tour

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Fallen Royal (Mafia Royals 4) by Rachel Van Dyken-review tour

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Goodreads: https://smarturl.it/FallenRoyalGR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 5, 2021

“The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever.”—Ryan Bigge

I grew up knowing it would happen one day.
Believing that I would fall into my father’s footsteps and become a monster of my own making.

So I fought it.
I lived.
I loved.
I teased.
And then one day… I destroyed.
And realized I loved the pain.
Obsessed over the feeling.
So I cut again and again and again.

She saw my rage, my madness, and tried to stop me from destroying myself, and I hated her for it, pushing her away past the point of no return.
Izzy Abandonato was supposed to be mine.
But there are some things people can never come back from. I hurt her, she hurt me, and now I’m living a lie. Telling the ones I love that I’m on one side when for years I’ve been forced to play both.

I’m not the hero.
I’m the villain.
And I may single-handedly bring down the Cosa Nostra—by default.

I, Maksim Sinacore, will have my vengeance.
I will win her back.
Even if it means I have to kill everyone in my path.
The pain masks the betrayal.
I never realized that one day—I’d be the very rat that I hated. That I was sent to kill. But once you’re deep in a lie—you’ll do anything to hide the truth.

She fell for the bad one.
She fell for the sinner.
So why does that make me smile?

••••••••

REVIEW: FALLEN ROYAL is the fourth full-length instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult MAFIA ROYALS erotic, dark, Mafia romance series-a spin off/next generation from the author’s Eagle Elite series. This is twenty-one year olds, Maksim Sinacore, and Izzy Abandonato’s story line. FALLEN ROYAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Izzy and Maksim) FALLEN ROYAL follows Maksim Sinacore as he spirals into darkness, pushing the woman he loves, his soulmate, out of his life. Months earlier Maksim, to prove his allegiance to Chase Abandonato and the ‘family’, and his worthiness of Izzy, was sent to do a job, a job that would initiate Maksim’s slide into darkness but with each ‘assignment’ Maksim would lose a little more of himself, leaving a shell of the man with whom Izzy had fallen in love. Not all was well in Maksim’s less than well ordered life, and his shift into darkness was becoming a threat to everyone he loved.

FALLEN ROYAL is an emotional, heart breaking and difficult story line as the reader is pulled into a tale of power and control, family and friendships, issues of mental health, love and understanding.From the outset the author and the characters, circumvent and dance around the reality of what is happening such that the back and forth, up and down of our leading hero is questionable on so many levels. We are up close and personal with Maksim’s descent into madness, a madness from which he may never return but for the love of a woman who slowly begins to understand the man with whom she has fallen in love.

On the flip side, there are a few ‘debatable’ and ‘problematic’ issues with what was happening and how it was handled but this is a story of fiction, and often, we have to suspend reality in an effort to enjoy and feel the story.

Reading Order and previous reviews
.5 Royal Bully
1. Ruthless Princess
2. Scandalous Prince
Destructive King
Mafia King

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the MAFIA ROYALS series?

ROYAL BULLY is FREE ebook Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

Follow: Website / Facebooks / Goodreads / Twitter /  Instagram

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

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The Butler by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Butler by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Joachim von Hartmann was born and raised in Buenos Aires by his loving German mother, inseparable from his identical twin. When Joachim moves to Paris with his mother in his late teens, his twin stays behind and enters a dark world. Meanwhile, Joachim begins training to be a butler, fascinated by the precision and intense demands, and goes on to work in some of the grandest homes in England. His brother never reappears.

Olivia White has given ten years of her life to her magazine, which failed, taking all her dreams with it. A bequest from her mother allows her a year in Paris to reinvent herself. She needs help setting up a home in a charming Parisian apartment. It is then that her path and Joachim’s cross.

Joachim takes a job working for Olivia as a lark and enjoys the whimsy of a different life for a few weeks, which turn to months as the unlikely employer and employee learn they enjoy working side by side. At the same time, Joachim discovers the family history he never knew: a criminal grandfather who died in prison, the wealthy father who abandoned him, and the dangerous criminal his twin has become. While Olivia struggles to put her life back together, Joachim’s comes apart.

Stripped of their old roles, they strive to discover the truth about each other and themselves, first as employer and employee, then as friends. Their paths no longer sure, they are a man and woman who reach a place where the past doesn’t matter and only what they are living now is true.

 

Review:

The Butler by Danielle Steel was another one of her excellent standalone novels.  The Butler is a saga about a family that is broken by some of its past, with twin brothers, one bad, and the other good.  The story starts off in Argentina, with the mother and son moving to Paris, with her remarrying; the bad (Javier) brother refuses to leave, and later becomes deeply involved with the drug cartel.

Joachim, our hero, is the good son, who loves his mother, and since many years pass without any knowledge of his twin, he moves on.  Sort of like a Cain and Able story, but Joachim is the hero in this book, with the other reappearing nearer to the end for a very short period.

Joachim decides while still home in Paris with his mother and step father, to go to Butler school, and from there he rises to become the main butler in a wealthy mansion in London for over 16 years, and when the family passed on, he moves back home temporarily to spend time with his now elderly mother.    

We meet our heroine, Olivia, who lives in New York, and recently ran a decorating magazine, which after 10 years failed.  Oliva lost her mother, and decides to use the money bequeathed to her, to spend a year in Paris.  She decides to rent for one year a beautiful charming apartment, and realizes she will need an assistant to help her set up and arrange everything. 

Joachim is bored after a bit, as his mother continues to work, so he decides to take a job as an assistant to pass the time.  With Olivia his employer, Joachim begins to enjoy the different kind of work, as he and Olivia visit places for furniture, antiques, as well as Joachim hiring the help to fix and put all the pieces together.  Olivia finds herself dependent on Joachim, for he has done a fabulous job helping her, and they become friends.   Both Joachim and Olivia are older adults (early 50’s), and each has their own issues to never allow themselves to become involved.  I loved Joachim and Olivia, as they were true and wonderful people, and rooted that they would end up together.

With things going smoothly, Olivia takes a trip to New York to take care of things, and asks Joachim if he wanted to go with her for the weekend.  All hell breaks loose when they arrive, as the police pull Joachim into custody, thinking he is Javier, a known drug cartel member.  When proof is found that he is not Javier, they return to Paris, but things fall apart. Joachim also learns the truth from his mother about the dark days when he was a child, and the family that were criminals. Joachim knowing how dangerous his brother has been all the 25 years he was missing; decides he needs to be protective to both his mother and Olivia. He abruptly will make a decision to leave, in order to keep them safe. Will he find a way to return to them? Will Olivia be able to forgive him for leaving?

The Butler was very well written by Danielle Steel. It was a beautiful story line revolving around two people who led different lives, and a friendship that slowly changed everything.  The story also has a lot of history for both families, with some dark secrets along the way. I suggest you read The Butler, as I enjoyed it very much.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley – a Review

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The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley – a Review

 

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Description:
In the autumn of 1707, old enemies from the Highlands to the Borders are finding common ground as they join to protest the new Union with England. At the same time, the French are preparing to launch an invasion to bring the young exiled Jacobite king back to Scotland to reclaim his throne, and in Edinburgh the streets are filled with discontent and danger.

Queen Anne’s commissioners, seeking to calm the situation, have begun paying out money sent up from London to settle the losses and wages owed to those Scots who took part in the disastrous Darien expedition eight years earlier—an ill-fated venture that left Scotland all but bankrupt.

When the young widow of a Darien sailor comes forward to collect her husband’s wages, her claim is challenged. One of the men assigned to investigate has only days to decide if she’s honest, or if his own feelings are blinding him to the truth.

The Vanished Days is a prequel and companion novel to The Winter Sea, with action that overlaps some of the action in that book. The Vanished Days goes back in time to the 1680s and introduces the reader to the Moray and Graeme families.

 

 

Review:

The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley is a prequel to her The Winter Sea novel.  I have not read the first book in this series, but this did read well as a standalone.  The Vanished Days is a historical fiction that takes place in Scotland during the 1700’s. There is a lot of history throughout the book, which covers in the early 18th century and back to the late 17th century; with rising chaos & danger between various protests between the Union with England & the Jacobites to bring back their King. 

The Vanished Days is somewhat slow for the first half of the book, since there is a lot of information, history, politics, which makes it a difficult review to write; however when we get to spend more time with the heroes of this story, it keeps us glued.  

Adam Williamson, our hero, is the narrator of the story, as he is assigned to decide on a case.  Lily Aitcheson /Graeme, a young widow, is requesting compensation for her deceased sailor husband’s pension, but no one can prove she was married.  Adam and another person assigned to the case (Gilroy), meet with Lily to question her about her marriage, and the certificate she has given them.  The story then unfolds between Lily as a young girl, who struggled between threats of abuse, and into a family that she spent her later years, as well as the current timeline, trying to prove her marriage was valid.

I really liked Lily, and saw the harshness she suffered to survive a difficult world, and admire her strength.  Jaime Graeme was her childhood boyfriend and best friend, who promised that he would always be there for her; but with all the chaos surrounding the families, Lily was moved around to different homes.  Many years later, she runs into Jaime, and now upon his death during the wars, she is desperately trying to fight for her rights. Adam quickly finds himself attracted to the sweet and beautiful Lily, and is determined to do everything in his power to help her. 

What follows is a slow detailed history of the past and the current times, with Adam trying to prove Lily’s innocence, and Gilroy feeling she is lying.  There are many secrets revealed along the way, as well and a wild amazing surprise closer to the end.  With that said, I do not want to reveal anything else, as it would be spoilers. The Vanished Days was well written by Susanna Kearsley, with a lot of intrigue, action, suspense, and surprising twists.  If you enjoy historical romance with lots of detailed history, you should read The Vanished Days.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Wild War/Wild Heart (DirtyWild 2&3) by Laurelin Paige-Review Tour

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Wild War/Wild Heart (Dirty Wild 2&3) by Laurelin Paige-Review Tour

WILD WAR
Dirty Wild 2
by Laurelin Paige
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: June 29, 2021

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

As soon as I saw him, it was war.

I thought at first it would be between me and him.
Cade was cold and hard and didn’t want anything to do with the headmaster’s daughter.
I was off-limits.
He didn’t need that kind of trouble.

I didn’t need that kind of trouble, either. And since I did my best to avoid any kind of trouble, that should have been the end of it.

But when I saw him, he also saw me.
All of me.
The lonely parts. The dark parts.
The secret parts.

He became my ally.
I lost the battle with myself and fell in love despite the risk.

But the war isn’t over for either of us.
Not as long as my father is alive.

••••••

REVIEW:WILD WAR is the second instalment in Laurelin Paige’s contemporary, adult DIRTY WILD erotic, dark romance trilogy focusing on thirty-five year old, businessman and ad executive Cade Warren , and grade school teacher Julianna ‘Jolie’ Stark’s story line. WILD WAR and the Dirty Wild trilogy is the final trilogy in Laurelin Paige’s Dirty Universe which includes The Dirty Duet, and Dirty Games Duet. Some of the premise in Wild War crosses over with some of the events of the aforementioned duets. WILD WAR should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one WILD REBEL.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cade and Jolie) using present day and memories from the past, WILD WAR picks up after the events of book one Wild Rebel in which thirty five year old Cade Warren and Julianna Stark seek revenge against the man who destroyed their lives. Seventeen years had passed since Cade and Julianna were torn apart, having lived as step-siblings for less than a year, but Julianna aka Jolie is desperate to take down the man that ruined their lives, and in this, she needed Cade’s help to enact her revenge. Having both barely survived the torment and abuse of their pasts, Jolie keeps secret some of the reasons for vengeance, a reason Cade is about to discover at the very last moment.

WILD WAR reveals some of the horrific events and abuse endured by our story line couple at the hands of the Stark Academy headmaster, Julianna’s father, Langdon Stark. A vicious and sadistic man whose legacy continues, is about to be exposed but a legacy that may be more dangerous and deadlier than anyone could have ever imagined. As Cade works with Donovan Kincaid (Dirty Duet series) behind the scenes in an effort to gather the information and proof, our hero is unable to withstand the pull towards the woman he once loved.

The relationship between Cade and Jolie continues to be acrimonious as Cade is completely unaware of some of the past events. Cade barely survived his last encounter with his step-father, and Jolie has been paying the price all of her life. Jolie has secrets that are about to be exposed, and in this, it is Cade’s mother who knows more than she is willing to reveal. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

WILD WAR is a chilling and emotional story of abuse and terror, power, control and vengeance. The premise is dark and twisted; the characters are desperate and lost; the romance struggles in the face of secrets, lies and a need for revenge.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WILD REBEL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_________

WILD HEART
Dirty Wild 3
by Laurelin Paige
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: September 28, 2021

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Secrets, surprises, and second chances.

This trip down memory lane with Jolie has mended as much as it’s torn up.

I promised her I could handle anything. Whatever she was hiding, my wild heart would always belong to her.

But I could never have imagined this truth.

And she can’t blame me for how this will all end.

••••••

REVIEW: WILD HEART is the third instalment in Laurelin Paige’s contemporary, adult DIRTY WILD, dark, erotic romance series. This is the continuing story of thirty-five year old businessman Cade Warren, and Julianna ‘Jolie’ Stark. WILD HEART should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two WILD WAR.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cade and Jolie) WILD HEART picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two WILD WAR wherein Jolie’s secret has been revealed, destroying Cade’s heart and soul in the process but Jolie and Cade’s need for revenge currently overrides reflections of the past, and in this, Cade makes it his personal mission, with the help of Donovan Kincaid, to take down the man, Langdon Stark, who destroyed so many lives. As Cade professes his love for our story line heroine, he must come to terms with a part of Jolie he knew nothing about. With the authorities preparing their own case against an abusive monster, Cade is determined to get his own revenge for the woman he loves.

WILD HEART is an emotional journey of redemption and revelations, betrayal and revenge, moving forward, freedom and destroying the past. The Dirty Wild series is a dark, gritty and raw series of abuse and power but in the end, the bad guy always gets what he deserves. Laurelin Paige writes a remarkable story of courage and survival, courage to take the steps to redeem oneself from a life imprisoned by power and pain.

For followers of this series, WILD HEART was to be the last instalment in the Dirty Universe but the author has plans for an additional story focusing on Donovan and Sabrina.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however.  

When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Killing Eve or Letterkenny, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman. 

Follow: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook Fan Page

Sign up for Laurelin’s Newsletter: HERE

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BEWITCHED IN DREAMS (Hellhound Protectors) by Jen Katemi-a review

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BEWITCHED IN DREAMS (Hellhound Protectors 2) by Jen Katemi

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 28, 2021.

Dream walking has always been exciting—until now. This time, I’ve walked straight into a fallen angel’s nightmare…

Amethyst’s witch magic is strongest when she traverses the gap between dreams and waking. When her cousin Topaz is hunted by a demon determined to take her soul, it is time for these witches to turn the tables on the monster hunting them, and track him through his dreams.

Hellhound shifter Dane is appointed by his pack leader as Amethyst’s protector—much to their mutual disgust. Witches and hellhounds are sworn enemies, which is problematic when they cannot keep their hands off one another.

Amethyst doesn’t need the ongoing distraction of Dane’s attentions. When she finally faces the demon threatening her loved ones, she needs to do it on her own.

The hellhound shouldn’t be able to follow her into the Otherworld, where demon dreams abound—and yet, he does. Now, the enigmatic man who has managed to capture her heart, might end up as dead as everyone else Amethyst cares about.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BEWITCHED IN DREAM is the second instalment in Jen Katemi’s contemporary, adult HELLHOUND PROTECTORS erotic, paranormal/fantasy series focusing on three witches, the Redferne sisters: Topaz, Amethyst and Sapphire. This is Amethyst Redferne, and Hellhound Dane’s story line. The Hellhound Protectors is a spin off from the author’s Blood Fae Chronicles series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amethyst and Dane) BEWITCHED IN DREAMS picks up shortly after the events of book one BEWITCHED IN BLOOD in which Topaz Redferne has been targeted by Luthor, demon of the Underworld. Topaz escaped death and Luthor wants another soul to even the score, so he sets his sights on Amethyst Redferne. Amethyst needs protection as she sets out on her own, so Kyan, the new Alpha of the Hellhound pack sends his second in command Dane to protect his mate’s cousin. Meanwhile, a fallen angel is threatening to destroy the supernatural order, targeting our heroine as she dream walks in her sleep. Desperate for help, Dane and Amethyst set out to find the Accord Council Headquarters, where they will be met by a supernatural force that is may or may not be helpful to our story line couple. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dane and Amethyst, and the potential fall-out as a fallen angel sets his sights on our story line couple.

The relationship between Dane and Amethyst begins as guardian and charge when Dane is sent to protect our story line heroine. From the outset the sexual attraction is immediate but with a demon hot on their trail, and a fallen angel determined to destroy the world, Dane and Amethyst must bide their time before taking their relationship to the next level. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters included the return of Topaz and Kyan (Bewitched in Blood), Sapphire Redferne, Summer Fae warrior Aveen, and fallen angel Azriel.

BEWITCHED IN DREAMS is a fast paced, character driven story of obsession and vengeance, family and friendships, fate and love. The premise is dramatic, captivating and engaging; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic and powerful.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BEWITCHED IN BLOOD

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Holiday Rescue/ Santa’s Subpoena by Rebecca Zanetti-reviews

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Holiday Rescue/ Santa’s Subpoena (Anna Albertini 3.5 & 4) by Rebecca Zanetti-reviews

HOLIDAY RESCUE
(The Anna Albertini Files 3.5)
by Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2021

The Albertini Family is Back in this Holiday Romance!

Quint Albertini likes his life as a smokejumper and search and rescue expert. He has his dog, his friends, and his freedom. He’s had it with women who can’t commit or who want him to change, and now all he has to do is dodge the family match-makers so he can live his peaceful life when he’s not leaping head first into danger.

•••••••••

REVIEW: HOLIDAY RESCUE is a contemporary, adult, novella found in Rebecca Zanetti’s THE ANNA ALBERTINI FILE romance suspense series. This is firejumper Quint Albertini, and children’s book author Heather Davis’ story line. HOLIDAY RESCUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective HOLIDAY RESCUE follows the rescue of children’s book author Heather Davis. Heather moved to the small town of Silverville following the death of her beloved grandmother but never expected to find herself at the bottom of a ravine, having fallen when she tried to spread her grandmother’s ashes. Enter firejumper and US Forestry Technician Quint Albertini, and his dog Zena. Rescued and recovering at her grandmother’s home, Heather will be inundated with offers of friendship and food from the Albertini family, including attorney Anna Albertini and the rest of her clan but someone is stalking our story line heroine, and Heather refuses to involve the people she now calls family and friends. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Heather and Quint, and the potential fall-out as Heather finds herself the target of more than one aggressor, both taking aim at our story line heroine.

Heather Davis is struggling to move on from the past, a past that refuses to walk away or let go. Hoping to start anew in the small town of Silverville, Heather never expected trouble to follow in her wake, trouble that is about to pull Heather into a potential disaster. Quint’s last two relationships ended very badly, so much so, that both of the women refuse to back down. Meeting Heather Davis finds Quint focusing on a potential happily ever after but an out of town fire pulls Quint away from the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and fun secondary and supporting characters including several Albertini cousins, as well as Nonna Albertini, Quint’s exes Jolene and Chrissy, his brother Rory, and Heather’s ex Jack.

HOLIDAY RESCUE is a quick read; a fast paced story of family and friendships, rescue, recovery, obsession and love. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous and energetic.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

__________

SANTA’S SUBPOENA
Anna Albertini 4
by Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense
Release Date: September 28, 2021

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

So Much for Peace During the Holidays

Anna Albertini has her hands full during the holiday season. Her boyfriend Aiden is back in town after being undercover across the country for the last three months, and his sudden over-protectiveness is a little too much. In addition, Nonna’s latest matchmaking scheme has been so far thwarted by the two most stubborn candidates alive, and Nonna is out of patience and bringing out the big guns. Anna is forced to both protect her sister and run interference, when she’d like to jump in and find a happily ever after for everyone instead.

To add to her already hectic life, her life-long stalker is about to make a move and doesn’t hide that frightening fact, although Anna is more than ready for him. In fact, she’s willing to draw him out to finally bring him down—regardless of the consequences. Finally, Santa has been arrested and charged for murder, needing a good lawyer. Who would arrest Santa? Anna can’t let this stand. It’s a good thing Christmas is a time of magic and miracles, because she’s going to need one.

•••••••••

REVIEW: SANTA’S SUBPOENA is the fourth full-length instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult ANNA ALBERTINI FILES romantic suspense series focusing on attorney Anna Albertini. SANTA’S SUBPOENA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order, as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

Told from first person perspective (Anna) SANTA’S SUBPOENA continues to follow Timber City, Idaho attorney Anna Albertini and the turmoil that is her life. The love of her life, ATF agent Aiden Devlin, is working undercover so our heroine is left to her own devices as her potential stalker is upping the stakes, threatening our heroine at every opportunity-flowers, deadly gifts, bleeding hearts, dead bodies and random parts, and the occasional gunfire to add furor to the mayhem. Meanwhile, a local Santa is found dead, having been stabbed following a night of drinking and poker, a stabbing where the prime suspects are another Santa and the man’s estranged son. Hired for the defense, Anna begins to investigate only to discover a long list of potential suspects, buried secrets, unrequited love and more threats to her life. Devlin’s return brings with it a desperate need to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love but a bungled undercover operation points to a possible mole in the ATF department.

The approach of the Christmas holidays finds Anna on the hunt for the perfect gift, a hunt that reveals she doesn’t know the man with whom she is falling in love. With each purchase, a question remains, but the ultimate choice has been with her all along.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met in previous story lines: DA Nick Basanelli Anna’s siblings Donna and Tessa Albertini; file clerk /cousin Pauley; office helper Oliver Duck; Nana O’Shea and Nonna Albertini: wanna-be PIs Thelma and Georgianna; ATF agent James Saber; Detective Grant Pierce, reporter Jolene Sullivan; as well as several Santas who call themselves the Kringle Club, and the woman in the middle Florence McLintock.

SANTA’S SUBPOENA is a story of jealousy and rivals, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, honesty and love. The premise is intriguing, entertaining and captivating; the romance is subtle yet moving; the characters are energetic, animated and edgy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Disorderly Conduct
Bailed Out
Adverse Possession

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Spark (Steel Brothers Saga 19) by Helen Hardt-Review Tour

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Spark (Steel Brothers Saga 19) by Helen Hardt-Review Tour

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Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_Spark

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 28, 2021.

He’ll do anything for his family…

Donovan “Donny” Steel is on a partnership track with a major Denver law firm. He loves his city career and his luxurious downtown loft, and life is going just how he planned it…until his mother, the city attorney for his hometown of Snow Creek, Colorado, asks him to move back and work for her when her assistant retires. Mom asks? Donny goes. Because he’ll do anything for the family who took him in twenty-five years ago. The fact that he can pick up where he left off with gorgeous Callie Pike is simply a fringe benefit.

Caroline “Callie” Pike was looking forward to finally beginning law school at age twenty-six, but the western slope fire that destroyed most of her family’s vineyards put that plan on hold. At least she has Donny Steel’s return to look forward to. After she spent an evening with him at a recent party, he hasn’t strayed far from her mind.

When Donny and Callie meet again, sparks do more than fly. They shoot like rockets to the stars. But their chemistry can’t protect them from the emerging mysteries regarding the Steel family’s past…or the secret Callie is keeping as well.

•••••••

REVIEW: Helen Hardt delivers the next installment in the ever going Steel Brothers Saga. Book 19 devils into Donny Steels story. Like every other installment in the brothers saga, the author captivated us with her words. Spark gives us all the feels as well as the twists and turns of family drama that we all so look forward to reading about.

After returning home at the request of his mother, Donny Steel is after one thing and one thing only.Callie Pike. Their history is long, their chemistry hotter than ever, but can the new neighbors let go of the past and reveal their secrets long enough to give their new found love a chance again? Will the Steel family drama ever really stop?

Spark is a fast paced, page turning read that no reader will be able to put down. As in so many of her books Ms. Hardt weaves her wonderful words into a world of mystery and intrigue. Callie and Donny are a couple that readers root for, after turning each page we can’t wait to see how they get their happily ever after. And better yet? What comes in the next book!?

Previous reviews
Ravenous
Insatiable
Fate
Legacy
Descent
Awakened
Cherished

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Haven’t started the series? CRAVING book one is FREE

Amazon.com 
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Apple Books: http://apple.co/1KZrHnc
Google Play: http://bit.ly/27w3fC6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1oPBthR

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#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

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