Monthly Archives: April 2022

Shadow Fallen (Dream Hunter 6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon-Review Tour

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Shadow Fallen (Dream Hunter 6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon-Review Tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 12, 2022

For centuries, Ariel has fought the forces of evil. Her task was to protect the souls of innocent mortals when they die. Captured by a powerful sorceress, she is transformed into a human who has no memory of her real life or calling.

And is plunked into the middle of the Norman invasion of England.

Cursed the moment he was born with a “demonic deformity,” Valteri wants nothing of this earth except to depart it and will do his duty to his king until then. When a strange noblewoman is brought before him, Valteri realizes he has met her before…in his dreams. When others come for her, bringing with them preternatural predators, he is faced with a destiny he had no idea was waiting. One he wants no part of.

The truth is that Valteri isn’t just a knight of William the Conqueror. He is the son of one of the deadliest powers in existence, and if he doesn’t restore Ariel to her place, she is not the only one who will be in peril. The world itself hangs in the balance, and he is the necessary key to hold back the powers of evil. But only if he can find a way to work with the woman who stands for everything in the universe he hates.

••••

REVIEW:SHADOW FALLEN is the sixth in instalment in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s adult DREAM-HUNTERS paranormal/romance series-a part of the author’s DARK HUNTERS world. This is Valteri the ‘Godless’ and Ariel the Arelim’s story line. SHADOW FALLEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: SHADOW FALLEN is a mediaevil story line that takes place several hundred years before modern times, and reveals some of the events leading up to one god’s powerful need for revenge- a deity war between heaven and h*ll- a prequel of sort, in preparation for the author’s QUEEN OF ALL SHADOWS and SHADOWS WITHIN.

Told from third person perspective SHADOW FALLEN follows Ariel, a Arelim, in the wake of a curse against our story line heroine. The Arelim are the guardians of humanity who escort the souls upon the death of the body but an old crone, with the help of demon spawn Belial, has cursed our heroine for taking the soul of the son who died in battle. Having lost her heavenly powers and any memory of the past, Ariel finds herself falling for her would-be rescuer, a warrior known as Valteri the Godless, a man whose true nature has been bound by a seal. As Valteri fights his attraction to Ariel, Ariel will recover her memories, and discover the truth about the curse, and the man with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ariel and Valteri, and the fall-out as both Ariel and Valteri sacrifice themselves for the love of each other.

Valteri the Godless is thought to be demon born, and has spent his life indebted to his ‘brother’ William, fighting on the fields of battle and war. Cursed from birth for his heterochromia aka different colored eyes, Valteri has always considered himself to be the spawn of the devil, and has suffered at the hands of religious men all of his life. Believing himself unworthy of friendship or love, Valteri is caught off guard with the appearance of our story line heroine, a woman that calls to more than his heart. Ariel can no longer remember who she is or what she had done in the past but as her mind begins to heal, flashes of memory reveal a heavenly connection but also a connection to the man with whom she is falling in love.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several who have been previously introduced in the author’s Dark Hunters series: Thorn, Shadow, Jaden and Acheron, as well as Mildred the old crone; several friars and monks; Belial the prince of all evil, and his father Kadar, the king of all evil.

SHADOW FALLEN is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; retribution and suffering; acceptance and love. The premise is gritty, emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive and tempting; the characters are powerful, broken but healing.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Paladins (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Paladins online at MySherrilyn.com and www.facebook.com/mysherrilyn

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Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne – Review & Excerpt

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Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
As the older sibling to identical twins Violet and Lily, Cami Porter was always the odd sister out. The divide grew even wider when their parents split up—while the twins stayed in Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited mother, Rosemary, fourteen-year-old Cami moved to LA with her attorney father. Nearly twenty years later, when Cami gets the terrible news that Lily has drowned saving a child’s life, her mother begs her to return home to help untangle the complicated estate issues her sister left behind.

Navigating their own strained relationship, Cami readjusts to the family and community she hasn’t known for decades, including the neighbor who stands in the way of her late sister’s dream, while Violet grieves the loss of her twin and struggles to figure out who she is now, without her other half, as the little girl Lily saved pulls her back into the orbit of the man she once loved.

 

 

Review:

Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne is another one of her wonderful family themed romantic novels. Cami Porter, one of our heroines, goes to Cape Sanctuary, where her mother begs her to help with paperwork for the new glamping resort set up around their property.  Cami is one of three sisters (twins Violet and Lily), who was only 14 at the time, when she was separated because of their parent’s divorce, with her staying with her dad in California, and Violet/Lily going with their mom to Cape Sanctuary. Though she did see her sisters and mother on occasion, such as holidays, Cami never felt at home; and concentrated on becoming a lawyer in her father’s law firm.  Twenty years later, Cami learns that Lily died, saving two young girls from drowning.  The family was deeply affected by Lily’s death, with Violet emotionally dealing with the loss of her twin; Rosemary pushing herself to finish Lily’s dream of the glamping resort and Cami still grieving over the loss of her sister.  Cami and Violet both arrive at the same time to support their mother, though it’s only been 4 months since Lily’s death, the family is still very much in turmoil. 

Over the summer, Cami and Violet will begin to bond even more, helping each other heal from the tragedy, as well as possible romance for both. We meet Jon, a neighbor’s son, who returns home to help his father, who is in the early stages of dementia.  Cami must work with him, as he refuses to accept that his father would allow the glamping resort to be partially on their land.  Jon does find himself attracted to Cami, but is determined to fight it, as well as take control of his father’s estate.

At the same time, Violet runs into her ex-boyfriend Alex, whose daughter was one of girls who Lily saved.  Violet fights off her feelings that still remain for Alex, since she still hasn’t forgiven him for marrying someone else years before.  Slowly, both Cami and Violet will allow themselves to open their hearts to the future.  I really like both Jon and Alex, and kept rooting for them to win over the ladies, but it did take most of the story.  I loved seeing how close they became with both Cami and Violet working with their mom, Rosemary, supporting one another; as well as the success of the glamping resort (not to mention all the wonderful breakfast, lunch, dinner foods).

Summer at the Cape was a sweet, emotional and heartwarming, poignant story that was very well written by RaeAnne Thayne.  This was a wonderful read, with many heart wrenching moments, revolving around the family, tragedy, neighbor’s father dealing with dementia, and the fantastic epilogue at the end.  Cape Sanctuary continues to be a beautiful setting for this story, and makes me want to go there.  I really enjoyed this story, and suggest you read Summer at the Cape. If you have not read RaeAnne Thayne, you need to start.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

                                            2
VIOLET

WILD, FRENZIED BARKING RANG OUT WHEN Violet Porter let herself into the back door of her mother’s comfortable kitchen at Moongate Farm.
Rosemary was nowhere in sight. Instead, a cranky-faced schnauzer–toy poodle mix planted himself in front of the door, telling her in no uncertain terms that she was an intruder who wasn’t welcome here.
“Hi, Baxter,” she said, mouth stretched thin in what she knew was an insincere smile. “How are you, buddy?”
Lily’s dog only growled at her, baring his teeth with his hack-les raised as if he wanted to rip her throat out.
The dog hated her. Violet wasn’t exactly sure why.
She might have thought he would look more fondly toward her, considering she was the identical twin to his late owner. But maybe that was the problem. Maybe the fact that she looked so much like Lily but clearly wasn’t her sister confused the dog and made him view her as a threat.
He had never really warmed to her, even when he lived in her condo with Lily. Since Lily’s death, he had become down-right hostile.
“Stop that. What’s gotten into you? I could hear you clear back in my bedroom.”
Her mother’s voice trailed out from down the hall, becoming louder as she approached the kitchen, still fastening an earring.
She stopped dead when she spotted Violet.
“Oh! Violet! You scared me! What are you doing here?”
“You invited me. Remember? You’ve known for months I was coming to help you out during my summer break.”
“You were coming tomorrow. Not today!”
Okay. That wasn’t exactly the warm welcome she might have expected, Violet thought wryly. Instead, her mother was staring at her with an expression that seemed a curious mix of chagrin and dismay.
She shrugged as Baxter continued to growl. Wasn’t anybody happy to see her?
“I finished cleaning out my classroom and calculating final grades this morning. Since all my things were already packed and loaded into my car, I couldn’t see any reason to wait until the morning to drive up. Is there a problem?”
Rosemary, usually so even-tempered, looked at her, then at the giant wrought iron clock on the wall of the Moongate Farm kitchen with a hint of panic in her eyes.
“No. It’s only…this is, er, a bit of a complication. I’m expecting dinner guests any moment.”
“That must be why it smells so good in here.”
It smelled like roasting vegetables mixed with garlic and cheese. Violet’s stomach rumbled loud enough she was certain her mother had to hear, but Rosemary didn’t seem to notice, looking at the clock again.
Why was she so nervous? Who was coming? If she didn’t know better, Violet might have suspected her mother was expecting a date.
Not impossible, she supposed. Her mother was still a beautiful woman, with high cheekbones, a wide smile and the deep blue eyes she had handed down to Violet and her identical twin.
Rosemary didn’t date much, though she’d had a few relationships since her divorce from Violet’s father.
As far as Violet knew, she had broken up with the most re-cent man she had dated more than a year earlier and Rosemary hadn’t mentioned anyone else.
Then again, just as Violet didn’t tell her mother everything that went on in her life in Sacramento, Rosemary likely had secrets of her own here in Cape Sanctuary.
“No problem,” she said, trying for a cheerful tone. “You don’t have to worry about feeding me. If I get hungry later, I’ll make a sandwich or something. I’ll get out of your way.”
“You’re not in the way,” Rosemary protested. “It’s just, well…” She didn’t have time to finish before a knock sounded at the back door. Baxter, annoying little beast, gave one sharp bark, sniffed at the door, then plopped down expectantly.
Violet thought she heard a man’s deep voice say something on the other side of the door and then a child’s laughter in response.
Something about that voice rang a chord. She frowned, suddenly unsettled. “Mom. Who are you expecting?”
“Just some…some friends from town,” Rosemary said vaguely. She heard the man’s voice again and her disquiet turned into full-fledged dismay.
No. Rosemary wouldn’t have. Would she?
“Mom. Who’s here?” Her voice sounded shrill and she was quite sure Rosemary could pick up on it.
“I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” her mom said defensively. “You told me you were coming tomorrow, so I…I invited Alexandro and his daughter for dinner. He’s been such a help to me with Wild Hearts. I could never have set up all those tents or moved in the furniture without him. I’ve been meaning to have him and his daughter over for dinner but the time got away from me, until here we are. I’m sorry. You weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow and I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
The news hit her like a hatchet to the chest. Alex was here, on the other side of the door. Alex, who had once been her best friend, the man she thought would be her forever.
Alex, who had betrayed her.
She had seen him exactly twice since they broke up a decade ago.
One previous encounter had been a few years after he married Claudia Crane, when she had bumped into him at the grocery store while home from college for a brief visit.
The second time had been four months earlier at Lily’s memorial service.
That was two times too many, really. Three encounters was asking far too much of her.
She wanted to jump back into her car and head back to Sacramento.
No. This was silly. She had known she would see him this summer. How could she avoid it? Cape Sanctuary was a small town. Not only that, but his house and boat charter business were both just down the road from Moongate Farm.
The concept had seemed fine in the abstract. Like algebra and the periodic table.
It had been nearly a decade, after all. She was a completely different person from that besotted girl she had once been.
He meant nothing to her anymore. She should be able to blithely chat with him about what he had been up to the past decade.
Yeah. Not happening.
Maybe she could turn around, climb back into her car and go hang out at The Sea Shanty until he was gone.
No. That was just kicking the can down the road. She had to face him eventually. Why not now?
She could come up with a dozen reasons, but none of them seemed compelling enough for her to flee without at least saying hello.
“I’m sorry,” Rosemary said again, her hand on the doorknob. “It’s fine, Mom. Don’t worry about it. Don’t leave them standing outside. I’ll just say hello and then head over to the bunk-house to settle in. You won’t even know I’m here. It will be fine.”
She didn’t believe that for a minute, but she forced herself to put on a pleasant smile as her mother opened the door.
And there he was.
As gorgeous as ever, with those thick dark eyelashes, strong features, full mouth that could kiss like no one else she had ever met…
Her toes curled at the unwelcome memories and she forced her attention away from Alex to the young girl standing beside him. She had dark hair that swung to her shoulders, bright brown eyes and dimples like her father.
Right now she was staring at Violet like she had just grown a second head.
“Miss Lily?” she whispered, big brown eyes wide and mouth ajar.
Of course. Ariana thought Violet was her sister. It was a natural mistake, as they were identical twins, though as an adult, Vi had mostly seen the differences between them.
She approached the girl with the same patient, reassuring mile she used in her classroom when one of her students was upset about something.
“Hi there,” she said calmly, doing her best to ignore Alex’s intense gaze for now. “You must be Ariana. I’m Violet. Lily was my twin sister.”
“You look just like her,” the girl said breathlessly. Her gaze narrowed. “Except I think maybe your hair is a little shorter than hers was. And she had a tattoo of flowers on her wrist and you don’t.”
When they were in college, Lily had insisted on getting a tiny bouquet of flowers, intertwined lilies and violets and camellias to represent the three Porter sisters.
She had begged Violet and Cami to both get one, too. Cami, older by two years and always far more mature than either Vi or Lily, had politely explained that she didn’t want any tattoos because of the serious nature of the law career she was pursuing. Violet had promised she would but then kept putting it off.
She still could go get a tattoo. After Lily’s death, she had thought more seriously about it, but the loss of her sister was always with her. She didn’t need a mark on her skin to remind her Lily wasn’t here.
She forced a smile for the girl. “Right. No tattoo. That’s one sure way of telling us apart.”
Plus, she was alive and Lily wasn’t. But she wasn’t cruel enough to say that out loud, especially not to this child.
Lily had drowned after rescuing Ariana and a visiting friend when a rogue wave from an offshore winter storm dragged the girls out to sea. Lily had somehow managed to get both girls back to safety, but the Pacific had been relentless that day, and before Lily could climb out herself, another wave had pulled her under.
Violet certainly couldn’t blame this child for a cruel act of nature.
Or for her parentage.

Excerpted from Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne. Copyright © 2022 by RaeAnne Thayne. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

 

 

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful norhtern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her stories have been described as “poignant and sweet” with “beautiful honest storytelling that goes straight to the heart.” She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.
 

Social Links:

Author Website
Twitter: @raeannethayne
Facebook: RaeAnne Thayne
Instagram: raeannethayne
Goodreads

 

 

 

 

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STOLEN SOUL (Ruthless Revenge 2) by Kristen Luciani-Review tour

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STOLEN SOUL (Ruthless Revenge 2) by Kristen Luciani-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 8, 2022.

He put his ring on my finger and a knife through my heart…
Massimo Marrone is pure evil disguised by ripped muscles and a gorgeous face.
His dark secrets and blackened heart have turned him into a monster before my eyes.
And I’ve become his prey.

He promised me protection and committed the worst betrayal with his lies,
Breaking my heart in the process.
Because Massimo is no white knight.
He’s a ruthless mafia prince who is determined to destroy me at all costs.

Now I’m being forced to wear his ring and be paraded around as his princess as a show of power and strength to our enemies.
Or else.
But I’m nobody’s trophy.
I refuse to be anyone’s pawn.
And Massimo will never own me.

I repeat those words to myself every time he appears in my bedroom to punish me for not being his dutiful fiancé.
My mind screams the words with every smack of his palm, with every brain melting kiss.
Still, he commands my body with his rough touch and dirty, steamy promises.

I resist his devious advances but just being near him makes my entire body sizzle with desire.
And I find myself craving him more and more.

When a near-tragedy forces me to trust the man who stole my life to protect it, I have a choice to make.
But how much can you really trust the devil?
And will he make me submit to him as payment?

••••

REVIEW:STOLEN SOUL is the second instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS REVENGE dark, erotic, Mafia romance series focusing on criminal underground heirs Massimo Marrone, and Kristina Ivankov. STOLEN SOUL should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one KILLER KISS. The RUTHLESS REVENGE series is set in the author’s RECKLESS REIGN and SINFULLY SAVAGE worlds Several characters cross over for cohesion and familiarity.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Massimo and Kristina) STOLEN SOUL follows the continuing but acrimonious relationship between criminal underground heirs Massimo Marrone, and Kristina Ivankov. Weeks earlier Kristina’s parents were killed, and Kristina is the sole heir to her father’s fortune and dynasty but our heroine will quickly discover that all is not as it appears to be. Betrayed by the man with whom she is falling in love, Kristina struggles with her attraction to and need for our story line hero, a man whose demons runs dangerous and dark. Caught between several factions of the criminal underworld, Kristina and Massimo are forced into a marriage not of their making, a marriage that is meant to unite two powerful families for control at the top but our couple battle between head and heart to trust anyone connected to the Leota Commission, a group of connected underworld families vying for leadership, money and control. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Massimo and Kristina, and the fall-out as our couple begin searching for the truth, a truth that places a target on our heroine’s back.

The relationship between Massimo and Kristina is a highly sexual affair; a relationship of forced proximity; an arranged engagement brought about by threats and intimidation; a love that struggles in the face of secrets and lies. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, and intense.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Kristina’s sisters Sofia and Maria; Massimo’s business partner Patty Mulligan and his wife Kyla; Quinn Mulligan; Massimo’s childhood best friend Joey, Joey’s sister Cari, and their parents Teresa and Dino; Gemma and Ronin Valenti; Dante Villani; and Massimo’s father, mob boss Savio. The requisite evil has many faces.

STOLEN SOUL is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, money and manipulation, discovery and corruption, love and hate. The premise is dark, gritty and engaging; the romance is provocative; the characters are powerful, energetic, and strong. STOLEN SOUL ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one KILLER KISS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur, beauty product junkie, and USA Today bestselling romance author with a penchant for stilettos, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis.  As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…

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Famous in a Small Town by Kylie Scott-Review Tour

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Famous in a Small Town by Kylie Scott-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 7, 2022.

What chance does a small-town girl have with a world-famous rock star?

Two years after his wife’s death, rock star Garrett Hayes hasn’t moved on. But he has moved out of L.A. Where better to escape his past than a small town in the Northern California mountains? If only he could get the townsfolk of Wildwood to leave him the hell alone.

Ani Bennet returned to her hometown for some much-needed serenity. The last thing she needs is a grumpy, too hot for his own good, rich and famous rock star living next door—and rent-free in her brain.

She set her fangirl tendencies aside and deleted his photo off her cell when they became neighbors. But when Garrett asks for help, she can’t say no. The problem is, spending time together is making those fangirl feelings resurface—and bringing them to a whole new level.

What chance does a small-town girl have with world-famous rock star? It’s time for Ani to set her fears aside and find out.

••••••

REVIEW:FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN by Kylie Scott is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, rock romance story line focusing on thirty seven year old, widower and front man for the rock group The Dead Heart Garrett Hayes, and thirty year old cashier Ani Bennet.

Told from first person perspective (Ani) FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN follows the building romance and relationship between thirty seven year old, widower and front man for the rock group The Dead Heart Garrett Hayes, and thirty year old cashier Ani Bennet. Ani Bennet likes the small town life of Wildwood having left her troubled past behind in Los Angeles, California but the arrival of her new neighbor, Garrett Hayes, front man for the rock group The Dead Heart means the possibility of paparazzi and fans to her quiet town but from the outset Ani and Garrett clash from their first meeting, and Garrett fears Ani revealing his whereabouts to the world. Ani Bennet refuses to play into the hands of the social media crowd, and with a few well placed words, the small town of Wildwood, California will protect Garrett Hayes like one of their own. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Garrett and Ani, and the potential fall-out as betrayal and vengeance for sins of the past put the focus on Wildwood, and our story line couple.

Ani Bennet has secrets of her own; demons that run dark and deep; secrets with which she struggles on a daily basis. Meeting Garrett Hayes give Ani a second chance at a normal life, a life that is about to be upended when their relationship becomes fodder for the paparazzi and social media.

The relationship between Ani and Garrett begins as neighbors. Garrett needed to get away from the fame and bright lights of rock and roll stardom, starting over in Wildwood Californa but Garrett struggles to move on from the past; and Ani may be unable to compete with the ghost of Garrett’s former love. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Garrett’s bandmate: Smith, Adam, and Lucas, as well as security Riley and Van; Wildwood residents and Ani’s friends: Linda, Claude, Maria, Heather, Harry, Christian, and a cameo from Ani’s ex Chad.

FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is a story of grief and acceptance; friendship and relationships; family and love. The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is provocative ; the characters are charismatic, energetic and healing.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy


 

My new neighbor arrived at midnight on a Thursday. First came the moving truck, followed by a Jeep Wrangler. Mrs. Cooper, the former owner of the house, passed a while back. A damn shame. The woman was not only nice, but she made biscuits like you wouldn’t believe. For years the grand old Victorian house sat empty at the end of the cul-de-sac. Not unusual for a small town. Few people wanted to move to the middle of nowhere in Northern California, no matter how picturesque it might be. While the place had been sold not long after listing, there’d been no sighting of the new owner until now.
“What the heck?” I mumbled to myself, standing at the window.
Who moved in the middle of the night? It seemed covert and suspicious. Like something a criminal or government agent would do. Although, maybe they just traveled far and this happened to be the time they arrived. But most people would stay at a hotel and wait for daylight to do this sort of thing. Surely.
The only things ever happening at midnight in Wildwood were: 1. Harry, the town drunk, performing Bob Dylan classics in the middle of Main Street. 2. Me, an insomniac, wandering aimlessly around my house. That was it. Everyone else in the whole wide world—or our corner of it—was fast asleep.
Half hidden behind a curtain, I watched the truck being unloaded. A full moon shone down through the pine trees as the moving men hauled stuff inside. The first guy, the one who drove the Jeep, went straight into the house. He was tall and wore a ball cap. That was about all I could see. Maybe he was setting the place up for his wife and family. Maybe he had a boyfriend. He couldn’t possibly be single, heterosexual, under sixty, and emotionally mature. My luck just wasn’t that good. Not that I intended to date again in this lifetime.
Whoever he was and whatever he was doing, it would all be known in due course. Such was the joy of small-town life.
Once the furniture was moved inside, things got a little dull. There’s not much you can tell about a person from their boxes.
I took the opportunity to once again check the locks on all my windows and doors. After that, I made a cup of chamomile tea. Neither of these things helped me sleep, but the rituals were soothing. Mom always said I had a busy mind. I didn’t necessarily think about anything useful, I just thought a lot. At night, I tended to think about books, bad memories, and ex-boyfriends. The last two were often one and the same.
As a child, I was the daydreamer who got busted humming in class when everyone else was concentrating. (Like anybody actually needed algebra. If you can work out the discount at a sale, you’re good to go. Then again, this attitude might explain why my life had gone approximately nowhere.)
I returned to the window just in time to see my mystery man reappear. The new neighbor strode out to the Jeep and opened up the back. When he once more headed toward the house, the ball cap was gone and his short hair was on display. In each hand he carried a guitar case.
I perked up. Musicians were cool. Unless he owned electric guitars and believed in turning the volume up to eleven. That could get old fast.
As he got closer to the house, the porchlight hit him and…huh. Something about his profile tugged at a memory.
Guess he felt my gaze, because he turned toward my place. And whoa. His lips were a thin line, his jaw set to cranky, and none of it mattered—the man was beautiful. Though he really was strangely familiar.
Meanwhile, with only a lamp on behind me, I couldn’t have been more than an outline. A shadowy person lurking in the dark. Great. Nothing like being spied on to make you feel welcome in your new neighborhood. So much better than a casserole or cookies.
Wait! I knew where I recognized him from. Only it couldn’t be, because that would be crazy. Absolutely fucking wild. Yet there he stood.
“Holy shit,” I whispered.
My new neighbor was a goddamn rock star. 


 

Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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FALL OF THE STARS (In Love and War 2) by Monica James-Review Tour

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FALL OF THE STARS (In Love and War 2) by Monica James-REVIEW TOUR

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2022

England is bleeding.

And there isn’t a thing I can do about it.

I am once again a prisoner to Wessex, captured by King Egbert because holding me hostage will bring them to him—my two Vikings who will risk heaven and earth to save me.

But I don’t need saving.

I am Princess Emeline, and I was taught by the best, and his name…Skarth the Godless.

The man whom I love more than anything in this world.

But things begin to blur when Ulf the Bloody reminds me of the promise I made, and that promise is that I belong to him.

We must work together to overthrow King Egbert, but the war I fight within my heart is far more dangerous than anything I will ever face on the battlefield.

The choice is not simple because we all must make sacrifices. But I soon realize that all is not fair in love and war.

Lives will be lost.

Hearts will be broken.

And come dawn, life as we know it will be changed forevermore.

••••••

REVIEW:  FALL OF THE STARS is the second instalment in Monica James’ adult, IN LOVE AND WAR dark, historical, Viking romance series. This is the continuing story of Northman Skarth the Godless, and Princess Emeline. FALL OF THE STARS should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one NORTH OF THE STARS.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Skarth and Emeline) FALL OF THE STARS picks up immediately after events and cliff hanger of book one NORTH OF THE STARS in which Princess Emeline, once again, finds herself the prisoner of another man, a king who sees the benefit of aligning his land with those of our story line heroine but secrets are revealed, alliances and allegiances are made, betrayal is but a daily occurrence and Emeline is caught between mother and son, brother and sister, son and father, a man and his past. As Emeline struggles to barter for her freedom she is yet another pawn, a bargaining chip between kings, to be used and abused by at every turn and rescue. Once again, God and Christianity are a force between the Vikings and other men, a force used to separate Emeline from the man that she loves.

FALL OF THE STARS is another viscerally dark, gritty, raw, tragic, twisted and often difficult read. Monica James pulls the reader into an intense, impassioned, and dramatic tale of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, torture and abuse, acceptance and love. Like book one, there are no lighthearted moments, and the happily ever after, for now is questionable. Heed my warning, there will be triggers,

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one NORTH OF THE STARS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

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Something Right/Something More by EH Lyon-Review Tour

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Something Right/Something More (Blisswood Brothers 1 & ) by EH Lyon-Review Tour

SOMETHING RIGHT
Blisswood Brothers 1
by EH Lyon
Release Date: January 26, 2022

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

It wasn’t in my plan to take care of my teenage sister, but with our parents now gone, I move back to the town I left 12 years ago to do just that. My sister is full of attitude and doesn’t miss the opportunity to remind me that I’ve traded off my corporate office for small-town antics or that Brooke Rivers, of all women, is living next door with an adorable three-year-old kid who may just wrap me around her finger—the kid, I mean… okay, the mom too.

But it’s complicated.

It involves a weekend way back, in a bed Brooke and I never left—the memory of me hurting her, and the moment Brooke got her chance to hurt me too. In her head, she’s built a giant wall between us. In my mind, I’m determined to tear it down. And as luck would have it, I need her cookies for the high school bake sale, and she needs my skills at putting together her daughter’s new playhouse. Soon we are exchanging favors, and even better, our clothes are ending up on the floor in the process.

But she’s adamant that there is too much at stake for us. And when a twist of fate hits us, unexpectedly revealing a secret, I’m beginning to think that she may be right, or just maybe what she and I have may finally be something right…

•••••

REVIEW:SOMETHING RIGHT is the first instalment in EH Lyon’s contemporary, adult THE BLISSWOOD BROTHERS erotic, romance series. This is former high school sweethearts, architect Grayson Blisswood, and single mother/ hospital administrator Brooke Rivers’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Grayson and Brooke) SOMETHING RIGHT follows the second chance romance and relationship between former high school sweethearts, architect Grayson Blisswood, and single mother/ hospital administrator Brooke Rivers. Twelve years earlier Grayson Blisswood left the small town of Bluetop Illinois heading for bigger and better things, leaving a heartbroken Brooke Rivers’ behind. With only the occasional visit back home, Grayson would eventually settle down in Chicago, never forgetting about the woman he left back home but weeks after their last visit, Brooke announces she is pregnant with someone else’s baby, sending Grayson into a spiral of loss and love. Fast forward to present day, Grayson returns to Bluetop, Illinois in the wake of his father’s death, to look after his sixteen year old sister Lucy but Grayson never expected to pick up with Brooke, from where they left off, until the heart demands more than a passing interest. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Brooke and Grayson, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed throwing our couple into another spiral from where they may not return.

Grayson Blisswood has never stopped loving Brooke Rivers but school, life and a career as an architect sent Grayson to the big city where he started on the ladder of success. Never expecting to come home to look after his younger sister, or work the family owned winery and farm, Grayson struggles with his return to Bluetop Illinois but none more so than Brooke Rivers. Brooke Rivers is a single mother who battles between head and heart for a man who is about to break her heart, again. Brooke has struggled in the years since Grayson left for something more, a struggle that continues with the possibility of breaking her heart, all over again.

The relationship between Grayson and Brooke is a second chance romance; a rekindling romance in which our couple never stopped wanting one another but life, death and children sent them in different directions, coming full circle with the realization that Bluetop Illinois may be where they begin anew. The $ex scenes are intimate passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Grayson’s brothers Knox and Bennett, as well as their sister Lucy; Brooke’s three year old daughter Rosie, and Brooke’s friend and salon owner Kelsey. Bennett and Kelsey’s story line is next in SOMETHING MORE.

SOMETHING RIGHT is a story of second chances; heart break and forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating and engaging- the twist was easily deduced; the romance is impassioned and intense; the characters are energetic, colorful and animated.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

____

SOMETHING MORE
Blisswood Brothers 2
by EH Lyon
Release Date: April 12, 2022

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

Bennett Blisswood isn’t searching for more, but fate has other plans…

The one-night stand with Kelsey was my comfort when I needed it and the escape she wanted. The friends-with-benefits arrangement that followed was our fun —barn trysts included. No strings, simple, and easy. That’s us. Except Kelsey just threw multiple sticks with two pink lines at me. Looks like our best-laid plans have hit a plot twist.

Now we’ve been thrown together on a deeper level as we are about to become parents.

With no hesitation, I’m stepping right up for her and our kid—even making a crib with my bare hands. Of course, the town gossip mill is in full swing as they attempt to figure out the relationship status of Kelsey and me, and they’re not the only ones confused. Kelsey is beautiful, stubborn, and makes me want things. Call me traditional, but I make my intentions about our future very clear. She thinks I’m blinded by her growing belly, but her hesitation about us only challenges me to prove her wrong. And if she takes a chance on me, I can’t let her down. That’s the last thing I can do. Because I’m beginning to feel that Kelsey and me… we may just be something more

•••••

REVIEWSOMETHING MORE is the second instalment in EH Lyon’s contemporary adult THE BLISSWOOD BROTHERS erotic romance series. This is salon owner Kelsey Bridge, and Bennett Blisswood’s story line. SOMETHING MORE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storyline is revealed where necessary.

Note: Some of the events of SOMETHING MORE cross over with and run parallel to some of the events of book one SOMETHING RIGHT.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bennett and Kelsey) SOMETHING MORE is a friends to lovers relationship focusing on salon owner Kelsey Bridge, and Bennett Blisswood. After the death of his father, Bennett Blisswood found solace in Kelsey Bridge, both agreeing to a friends with benefits relationship but nothing more. Weeks later Kelsey surprises Bennett with the announcement that she is pregnant, and Bennett is the father. Wanting everything with Kelsey going forward, Bennett must tread carefully as Kelsey struggles with issues of low self esteem, aggravated by a lack of support from her immediate family.What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kelsey and Bennett, and the potential fall-out as feelings get hurt over misunderstandings.

The relationship between Kelsey and Bennett is a friends with benefits relationship that turns into something more. Bennett has watched from the sidelines as his brother’s life first imploded when he discovered he missed the first few years of his daughter’s life. Bennett wants to be in his child’s life from the beginning but Kelsey is struggling with their relationship going forward. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Kelsey’s parents Dr. And Cheryl Bridge, and Grayson’s new carpentry assistant Drew. We are reintroduced to Bennett’s siblings Knox, Grayson and Brooke (Something Right #1), and their sister Lucy. Knox’s story line is next in SOMETHING GOOD.

SOMETHING MORE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is predictable but engaging, captivating and emotional; the romance is provocative; the characters are dynamic and charismatic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kismet (Happy Endings 3) by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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Kismet (Happy Endings 3) by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58310656-kismet

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 8, 2022

–> Dear Reader: 100% of all preorder and release day proceeds for Kismet will be donated to animal welfare groups in the Ukraine that are working to house, feed, and care for animals affected by the ongoing crisis. Thank you for preordering and helping the animals, and, by extension, the people.<–

When a scorching hot one-night stand with a stranger turns into a deliciously forbidden office romance…
My first evening in London feels like kismet when I bump into a charming, book-loving Englishman, and by the end of the night, he’s making me see stars. I’m floating when we make plans to meet again.
Then fate decides to pull a fast one on me.
Turns out my smoldering new lover is my red-hot competition, and we’re vying for the same promotion at the elite auction house I crossed an ocean for.
If that’s not enough, the hottie and I are forced to work together on a brand new collection.
Every. Single. Tempting. Day.
What’s an American woman in London to do?
Staying far, far away would be the safe choice, especially when I learn about his past and how it mirrors mine.

But I don’t always play it safe with my heart…

••••••

REVIEW: KISMET is the third instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult HAPPY ENDINGS romance series. This is thirty-two year old Josephine ‘Jo’ Brennan, and forty year old Heath Graham’s story line. KISMET 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 (Jo and Heath) KISMET focuses on the building romance and relationship between thirty-two year old Josephine ‘Jo’ Brennan, and forty year old Heath Graham. Jo Brennan is an art curator whose firm has merged with a larger firm in the UK. Transferred to London England, Jo, with the help of her New York crew, enjoys a one night stand, a man who is about to star in all of her fantasies and dreams. Enter forty year old Heath Graham, a fellow art curator, and soon to be co-worker and co-competitor for the same job as VP. What ensues is the building but secret romance and relationship between Heath and Jo, and the potential fall-out as a decision about the vice-president position forces our couple to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives.

Jo Brennan battles between head and heart when she is offered a position in London, England but England holds too many bad memories and ghosts from years past, and in this our heroine fears facing the demons that broke her heart. Meeting Heath Graham means the possibility of something more until the realization that working together may be a forbidden attraction for workplace romance. Heath Graham lost everything four years earlier, and Jo Brennan is his first attempt at normalcy in a very long time but discovering they were working together, fighting for the same position meant one of both would be sacrificing for the sake of the other.

The relationship between Jo and Heath is one of immediate attraction but working together is going to be a problem, a problem not only for our couple but for their co-workers as well. Heath Graham has loved and lost, and finds himself wondering about a future alone but the arrival of Jo Brennan gives Heath a second chance at love, a second change at his own happily ever after.

We are introduced to Jo’s New York friends: Emerson, Nolan, TJ, Easton and Bellamy (Big Rock 7), as well as Heath’s brother Jude, and bookstore owner Nigel. Jude and TJ’s story begins in the Hopelessly Bromantic duet.

KISMET is a fast paced, story of insta-lust. The premise is entertaining and captivating ; the characters are flirty and fun; the romance is passionate and seductive.

READING ORDER AND PREVIOUS REVIEWS
A Wild Card Kiss
Shut Up and Kiss Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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Where The Night Consumes (Blood of Eith)by Gillian Grant-a review

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Where The Night Consumes (Blood of Eith 2)by Gillian Grant-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 5, 2022

When the lands they travel are as deadly as the enemies they face.

Bound together by friendship and the need to survive, the Wandering Sols loyalties are tested as their journey leads into the lands of eternal night. Evren Hanali, Gyda, Abraxas Kain, Arke, Solri Amet, and Sorin Trinity have no idea what’s coming for them.

Lured back to the Reino Terminan by the horrible news of her clan’s fate, Gyda finds herself under the thrall of the same unknown necromancer who now controls her undead kin. Her only hope is her new friends, but there are so many things she never told them.

Rescuing Gyda from a fate worse than death forces the ragtag team of adventurers to the very brink. But not only do the Wandering Sols have to save their friend, they’re going to have to confront a past that’s been haunting her and the secrets she kept. Their journey through the icy tundra is almost as dangerous as the enemies who are lurking in the shadows.

In the war against darkness itself, the biggest risk is exposing your secrets to the light of day.

•••••

REVIEW:WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES is the second instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult BLOOD OF EITH dark, high fantasy, adventure series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from third person perspective (Evren) WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES follows Evren Hanali and the Wandering Sols, in the wake of their latest contract, a job in which they came face to face with the walking dead. A suspected necromancer in the far north is reanimating the dead, and another group known as The Ashen Bond has been tasked with uncovering the truth. Refusing to sit by idly, half-giant Gyda of the Wandering Sols, who had previously lost her entire clan to The Long Night, offers her services to The Ashen Bond but in doing so sets into motion a journey where not everyone will return. Hoping to bring Gyda back into the fold, Evren and the Wandering Sols go in search of Gyda, only to discover they are ill-prepared for what comes their way.

Most of the previous story line characters return including Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, elf Abraxas Kain, Professor Elend and half giant Gyda. We are introduced to The Ashen Bond: Drystan, Sahar Al-Fasil, Nerezza Quill, and Vox, as well as Keres, and a young but powerful Vasa named Gail.

WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES is a detailed, complex and fascinating tale of adventure reminiscent of Lord of the Rings™ franchise; the varying facets of Dungeons and Dragons™, but most especially this instalment of the Game of Thrones™ fantasy saga wherein the story line delves deeply into a ‘whitewalker’ esque style of army and power. Evren, the Wandering Sols, and The Ashen Bond must face down an army of the ‘walking dead’, an ice-cold, frozen army of soulless men and women, who are of one mind, an army trapped in the ice and snow, protected by a monster of unspeakable terror.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WHERE THE SHADOWS BECKON

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Facebook /

Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.

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