Monthly Archives: September 2022

The Hunter King / The Hunted Queen by Jagger Cole-reviews

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The Hunter King/ The Hunted Queen (The Hunted Duet 1 & 2) by Jagger Cole

THE HUNTER KING
The Hunted Duet 1
by Jagger Cole
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 15, 2022

He’s my twisted nightmare. And my most depraved fantasy.
He was sent to kill me on my twentieth birthday.
Instead, the beautiful monster with the lethal blue eyes takes me.
Kidnapped to the woods, the hauntingly gorgeous man shrouded in mystery, scars, and savagery doesn’t want my blood.
He doesn’t want a ransom from the powerful Bratva family I’m the only heir to.
He only wants me to run.
And he wants to chase.
Dark woods. Dark games. Dark desires.
But the deeper I sink into our sinful fantasies, the more I realize, my domineering captor isn’t playing games at all.
He’s playing for keeps.
And I’m the prize.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE HUNTER KING is the first instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult THE HUNTED dark, erotic, Bratva, romance duet focusing on twenty year old Bratva princess and heir Tatiana Fairist aka Harriet, and thirty -five year old, Bratva assassin Kristoff Zima. The Hunted Duet is set in the same worlds as the Savage Heirs / Bratva’s Claim.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tatiana and Kristoff) using present day and memories from the past THE HUNTER KING focuses on the abduction of heroine, and the building but forbidden relationship between twenty year old Bratva princess and heir Tatiana and Kristoff Zima. One month earlier, , Tatiana lost her father to a supposed car accident but our heroine is missing several months to years of memories, and in this Tatiana struggles to uncover the truth. As the heir to her father’s Bratva empire, Tatiana has been targeted, and finds herself the prisoner of Bratva assassin Kristoff Zima but all is not well in Kristoff’s world as betrayal and power threaten to usurp everyone at the top. What ensues is the building relationship between Kristoff and Tatiana, and the potential fall-out when secrets and lies reveal a different past that neither Kristoff nor Tatiana are able to remember.

Tatiana Fairist grew up the only child of Peter Fairist, the head of the Balagula Bratva, and with her father’s death, Tatiana is about to face the wrath of the ‘high council’ in the face of inheriting her father’s money and control but someone else is waiting to assume the chair of the Balagula Bratva, and our heroine finds herself at the mercy of a killer who is quickly falling for his wounded prey. Kristoff Zima wants out but he has to do one more job before obtaining the final piece of information to locate someone he has lost but something about Tatiana stirs at Kristoff’s heart, and our hero finds himself falling for a woman who own life is spiralling out of control.

Their relationship between Tatiana and Kristoff begins acrimoniously as predator and prey. Tatiana is no stranger to looking after herself but she has no recollection of how or why she is able to fend off those trying to take her down. Keeping Tatiana safe means claiming Tatiana as his own but there is more than one predator taking aim at our story. Line heroine, and in this Tatiana must decide who is telling the truth, and who is telling the lie. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and aggressive, and not without some issues of questionable consent.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Tatiana’s former step-mother Jana; Kirstoff’s ‘boss’ Boris Tsavakov; head of the Ghost Syndicate Mikhail Arakas; Kristoff’s friend and fellow assassin Marko. There is a slight cross over with some of the characters from The Bratva’s Claim series.

THE HUNTER KING is a story of power, control and obsession, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession and delusion, fear and hate. The premise is dramatic, dark, gritty and twisted covering approximately two years in the life of our couple; the characters are broken, tragic, powerful and edgy; the romance is provocative and intense. THE HUNTER KING ends on cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

THE HUNTED QUEEN
The Hunted Duet 2
by Jagger Cole
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 15, 2022

She’s my darkest obsession. And my only salvation.
Violence shattered us.
But she’s the one who stomped on the pieces.
Now, she thinks time, distance, and hiding from me means she’s escaped our games.
She’s wrong.
This time, when I catch her, I wont be letting go, no matter how hard she begs.
At least, that was the plan, until I realize I’m not the only shadow hunting her.
But she’s my prey. My obsession. She belongs to me, and me alone.
Our dark games have only just begun, printsessa.
And this time, there are no rules.

••••••

REVIEW: THE HUNTED QUEEN is the second instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult THE HUNTED dark, erotic, Bratva romance series set in the author’s Bratva Heirs, and Bratva’s Claim worlds. This is the continuing story of Bratva princess/heir Tatiana Fairist aka Harriet Marshall, and assassin Kristoff Zima. THE HUNTED QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE HUNTER KING.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Harriett and Kristoff) using present day and memories from the past, THE HUNTED QUEEN advances the series approximately five years. At the end of book one, Tatiana Fairist now known as Harriet Marshall discovered that everything she thought was the truth, was a lie. On the run for five years, staying one step ahead of the man she once loved, Harriet owns a local bar where she has re-established herself as someone else but the past has found our story line heroine, and as the only surviving heir to the Balagula Bratva, Harriet, once again, finds herself the target of power and greed. As Harriet struggles with a future that could end her life, the future of the man that she once loved is now in the hands of someone else. As the truth about the past is slowly revealed, Harriet’s life begins to unravel when her memories return revealing a past she doesn’t remembers, and someone she no longer recognizes.

Meanwhile Kristoff Zima struggles with the perceived betrayal by the woman he loved but continues to search for the one person he lost years before. Secrets and lies exposed reveal a deeper connection to our story line heroine, a woman whose life is out of her control.

The relationship between Kristoff and Harriet begins as an enemies to frenemies to lovers in the wake of betrayal and pretense. Harriet doesn’t remember the events of the past, and it is the past that reveals the truth about a secret organization that destroys the lives of so many, so young. With Harriet and Kristoff’s relationship struggling to survive, a familiar face is hoping to inflict as much pain as humanly possible. The $ex scenes are aggressive and provocative with some scenes of questionable consent.

The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic and intense, playing a significant role in the fall-out, both past and present, of our story line couple.

THE HUNTED QUEEN is a haunting story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is gritty, raw and climactic; the romance is a second chance at forever; the characters are broken, heart breaking, and deadly.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.

Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.

When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside–rain or shine.

You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com

Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd

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Reckless Sinner (Made for the Mafia 3) by Erika Wilde-review tour

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Reckless Sinner (Made for the Mafia 3) by Erika Wilde-Review & Excerpt tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2022

Growing up, I had sworn never to join the family mafia business.

Still, I knew too much and I had to, at the very least, be an associate for the Russo family. In the end, I was sent to law school. In an underworld of criminals, I was a necessary commodity—especially when my brothers had recently spilled so much blood and were currently under investigation.

I found myself watching out for everyone. Only, I never saw Delaney coming. She was the beautiful daughter of one of the partners at the firm where I worked. She was strictly off limits during a time when I couldn’t afford to be distracted.

She was also driven, determined, and refused to accept no for an answer. I never should have touched her, but once I had my first taste, I couldn’t let her go. Delaney stole my heart and I didn’t even know I had one.

But things were about to get ugly. Her father was running for Attorney General, his goal to take down organized crime and end the mafia reign once and for all. And, my father and brothers were in his crosshairs.

There was no way Delaney and I would get a happy ending. No way we’d come out unscathed, especially when my father gives me a very specific job to do that could only end one way. . . with Delaney hating me.

•••••

REVIEW: RECKLESS SINNER is the third instalment in Erika Wilde’s contemporary, adult MADE FOR THE MAFIA erotic, Mafia, romance series. This is thirty year old, attorney and ‘fixer’ Dante Russo, and Delaney Weston’s story line. RECKLESS SAINT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of RECKLESS SINNER cross over with, and run parallel to, the events of book two RUTHLESS SINNER.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Delaney and Dante) RECKLESS SINNER follows the building romance and relationship between thirty year old, attorney and ‘fixer’ Dante Russo, and Delaney Weston, a relationship predicated upon a lie. Dante Russo has been made junior partner at the law firm for which he works but Dante’s life is about to become a little more complicated when senior partner Alan Weston all but gives him permission to date his only daughter Delaney. Dante suspects he is being set up but his attraction to Delaney Weston is immediate and intense, and Dante wants to see how far it will go. Delaney Weston is a bit of a doormat; someone who must abide by, and do her father’s bidding but Delaney struggles with her latest ‘assignment’, an assignment to report back to her father, the man running for Attorney General. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dante and Delaney, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed about Alan Weston’s plans for the future.

Delaney Weston has been used all of her life, and she doesn’t have the backbone to stand up and say no. Falling for Dante Russo meant falling for a potential criminal but Delaney continued to battle between head and heart knowing she was about to destroy the man with whom she is falling in love.

The relationship between Dante and Delaney is one of immediate attraction but Delaney’s presence in Dante’s life is by no means, an accident. Dante suspects all is not well in our heroine’s life but Dante must bide his time until the truth is revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited but include Delaney’s father Alan Weston, as well as the return of Dante’s brothers Marco and Vincent, and their father Antonio Russo.

RECKLESS SINNER is a story of power, abuse and control, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional family relationships and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Heartless Sinner
Ruthless Sinner

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

I tried to hold back with Delaney. I really fucking did.
The things I wanted to do to her—I wanted to pin her down and fuck her. I wanted her screaming my name and coming so hard she couldn’t even move afterwards. I wanted to bury myself into that sweet softness.
But I had always held back when it came to my sexual partners (few and far between though they were). I had fought for years against the more… base instincts that were inside me. I was a gentleman and I would be that way in every aspect. I wasn’t going to be that mafia son who just took what he wanted. There was a reason I didn’t sleep with women who just wanted that bad boy experience.
But Delaney wasn’t like those women. She thought I was good. She liked to listen to me ramble about my hobbies. And the way she looked at me the entire way to my apartment—it was like she’d been bowled over by her own lust. Like she couldn’t even handle the desire that raged inside of her. I’d never seen someone so completely at the mercy of their own want, like her lust was a wave crashing over her and dragging her under.
Honestly, it only made me want her even more. I wanted to manage her lust, mold it, help her to give it over to me. I could handle it, I could handle her, and fulfill everything she wanted. If she couldn’t even think straight, then I’d do the thinking for her.
Consume me. Did she even know how needy she sounded? How she trembled and shook, how pleading her eyes were? I had never let myself go and given into the fantasies I’d had—the fantasies of power and control, of domination—because I refused to be a fucking cliché. But Delaney wanted it so badly.
How could I refuse her?
I pulled her into the apartment and closed the door behind her. Delaney looked seconds away from begging, her hands shaking. God, when was the last time she’d been with someone? Had anyone ever touched her the way she wanted to be touched? Given her the firm hand she clearly craved?
I circled her, stripping as I did so—my tie and jacket, then undoing my cufflinks and rolling up my sleeves. “What do you want?” I asked.
Delaney jumped a little. Like she hadn’t been expecting me to ask her that. “I… whatever you want.”
“That’s a dangerous statement.” I pressed myself up against her back and slid an arm around her waist. Delaney inhaled sharply. “I could want a lot of very bad things.”
“I’m not going to break,” she snapped, apparently offended that I thought her weak.
I liked when she dropped the demure side of herself and would just snap at me or get sassy. “This isn’t about my fear of you breaking. This is about not wanting to do anything that you’ll actually hate me for later.”
I pressed my nose into her throat and inhaled deeply. I could smell her arousal all the way from here, could lick the sweat off her warm skin if I wanted to. She was coiled so tightly, her breaths coming in tiny little gasps instead of steady inhales and exhales.
“Tell me what you want,” I repeated, my voice a low growl.
“Fuck me,” Delaney whispered.
“How?” I slid my hand up to her breast, squeezing it lightly through her dress. Fuck, it fit perfectly into the palm of my hand. “Slow and gentle…”
“Hard. R-rough.” Delaney put more of her weight on me. I wasn’t even sure she realized she was doing it.
I nosed behind her ear. “You ever been fucked like that?”
“N-no. But I thought about it. About you. I’d touch myself—thinking about you fucking me as hard as you wanted, until the bed shook—about your hand around my throat…”
Oh, that was kinkier than I’d expected from this sweet little creature. Delaney really did have some hidden depths to her.
I moved my hand up around her throat, just lightly trailing my fingertips up and down against the skin there. “Fantasy and reality can be two very different things,” I murmured. “Are you sure about this?”
Delaney nodded. “Yes.”
I wanted to just let go. I wanted to give in, for the first time, to my own needs. Because the idea of pinning her down and fucking her roughly, my hand around that lovely throat—that had me so hard I felt momentarily blinded with how much I wanted it. But I had spent my entire life ignoring that part of myself.
It was hard to give in now.
With a groan, I tilted Delaney’s head back and up towards mine and sealed my mouth over hers. Delaney melted against me, my arm around her waist the only thing keeping her upright. She was plaint but eager, definitely participatory.
Experimentally, I tightened my hand the barest bit around her throat. Delaney shivered and made a small, desperate noise of arousal, pressing further into me.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Fuck. Fuck. How was I supposed to hold back after that?

The excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to language and content

 

Erika Wilde is a New York Times Bestselling author. She is best known for her super sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series, and has also co-written the Dirty Sexy Series and the Book Boyfriend Series with Carly Phillips, her best friend and writing buddy for the past twenty years. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit her website at www.erikawilde.com and sign up for her mailing list for updates and news! .

Website / Goodreads /  Author Fan Page /  Twitter /  Amazon Author Page / Bookbub

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No Time To Lie (M&M Reloaded) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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NO TIME TO LIE (Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded 4) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3uakSZp

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2022

A grandmaster of lies and deception

Drake Radcliffe has spent half his life in the shadows. Recruited by the CIA when he was barely out of high school, Drake doesn’t know how to have a normal life. While most people his age were playing sports or video games, he was playing spy games with the world’s most dangerous adversaries. It has been a life filled with thrills and adrenaline, but it’s also been lonely. All that might change when a mistake from Drake’s past rears its ugly head and he’s forced to face the only woman he ever loved—the one he pushed away.

A beacon of love and compassion

Taylor Cline committed the cardinal sin for an analyst—she fell for the operative she was working for. Drake was everything she wanted in a man, until he broke her heart. She had one unforgettable night with him and then he never looked back. Her career threatened, she shut down and moved on, hoping to never see him again. Just as she is beginning to put it all behind her, a critical assignment puts her under his authority and right back in his arms.

A deadly mission that brings them together

From the wilds of Wyoming to the glittering cities of Europe, Drake and Taylor must race against time to uncover the truth and expose an evil organization. The stakes couldn’t be higher. If they fail, the world could crumble. If they succeed, they could finally have everything their hearts desire.

••••••

REVIEW: NO TIME TO LIE is the fourth instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: RELOADED erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten which in turn is a spin off from the Masters and Mercenaries series. This is former CIA agents and McKay-Taggart operators Drake Radcliffe, and Taylor Cline’s story line. NO TIME TO LIE can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is a continuing theme / plot line throughout. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s NIGHTS IN BLISS, Colorado series written as Sophie Oak.

Told from third person perspective NO TIME TO LIE focuses on the acrimonious relationship between operatives Taylor Cline and Drake Radcliffe, and the search for a killer who is obsessed with the take down of the employees at McKay-Taggart. Approximately eighteen months earlier, an injured Drake Radcliffe found himself on the mend in a safe house in Romania with CIA operative Taylor Cline, the woman with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life but a take down was in progress and Taylor was pulled out of his life, never to be seen again. Fast forward to present day wherein Drake discovers his new assignment involves the search for a woman he long thought dead, and his partner was none other than the woman he could never forget but all was not well within the Agency, McKay-Taggart or with international relations, and our couple, along with the operatives at McKay-Taggart would find themselves in the middle of a dysfunctional family plot to rule the government and eventually the world. What ensues is the second chance relationship between Drake and Taylor, and the potential fall-out as betrayal is at the heart of the entire operation.

Taylor Cline thought she found love the day an injured Drake Radcliffe arrived at the safe house in Romania but secrets and lies lead to another betrayal wherein Taylor found herself in custody, with the possibility of never again seeing the outside world. Drake Radcliffe had no idea the fall-out of his latest operation would result in a betrayal at the highest level but when he discovered he would be working with the woman’s whose heart he destroyed, Drake was determined to claim our heroine as his own.

The relationship between Drake and Taylor begins on the job wherein Drake will fall instantly in love with our story line heroine. Eighteen months apart where Drake believed Taylor was no longer in his life found Drake determined to reclaim what he once thought was lost but all was not well within the Agency, as a possible mole was working to take down everyone involved. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense with some BDSM and Dom/sub scenarioq.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic, fun and familiar characters many of whom we have met in the previous series including Big Tag and Charlotte, Sarge and Grace Taggart as well as Grace’s son Kyle Hawthorne who has been at the centre of the McKay-Taggart fall-out.

NO TIME TO LIE is a detailed, complex and multi-layered story line of betrayal, loss and vengeance, obsession and infatuation, power and control, ambition and rule, family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is twisted, dramatic, intriguing and driven; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are powerful, strong, animated and impassioned. The epilogue, once again, reveals a glimpse into the future-the second generation of McKay-Taggart agents, CIA operatives, and espionage and spies.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Submission Impossible
The Dom Identity
The Man From Sanctum

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Drake’s attention was completely focused on her. “I think I want to be honest and upfront with you. I’m attracted to you, Taylor, and I think you feel the same.”
She felt a jolt of heat power through her. “Even if I was, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Can I ask why?”
She didn’t sense any threat from him. With any man who hit on her, she had to assess the potential of him taking rejection poorly. She didn’t think Drake was one of those guys. The last couple of days had made her comfortable with him. “I don’t think it’s smart to get involved with someone I work with.”
“You don’t work with me. From what you’ve said, you won’t be with the Agency for much longer.”
“Yes, and you will be,” she pointed out.
A thoughtful expression came over his face. “That’s kind of what makes it workable in my mind. I can’t tell anyone what I do. That makes for difficult relationships. You already know, and it won’t surprise you that I don’t talk about my work. You won’t get upset if I have to be gone for a couple of weeks without notice. I have a hard time making connections to people, but it was easy with you. Even if you’re not interested in me in a physical way, I hope we can be…friends.” He said the word like it didn’t quite make sense to him. Like it was a foreign word on his tongue.
There was no way for her to deny the electricity between them. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to. That inner voice kept getting stronger.
What would be the harm in seeing if it could work? You might get an orgasm or two out of it. He’s not saying he’s going to walk at the end. He’s actually saying he wants to see you outside this cabin. Why not try?
She was a careful woman. She’d learned that lesson from watching her father throw himself into deadly situations again and again.
But what was she risking? He was right. It was hard for her to connect. She’d had a couple of boyfriends over the years, and she had to hold back so much of herself to even have a chance at making the relationship work. She couldn’t talk about what her father did, couldn’t mention her own work. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have no secrets between them?
“Did I make you uncomfortable?” Drake asked. “Because we can pretend like I didn’t say anything. This snow is going to stop soon, and I should be out of here in a couple of days.”
She reached for his hand. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I’m glad you were honest with me. The last couple of days have been…nice.”
A slow smile spread across his face, and he threaded his fingers through hers. “Nice? Awful sexual tension is nice to you?”
“I wouldn’t say awful. Anticipation can be fun.” It was good to know she hadn’t been the only one who felt the heat between them.
“Are you saying yes?” Drake asked.
Did she want to let him walk out of here and never know what it felt like to be in his arms? They’d been thrown together for a reason. It couldn’t be some random thing that they’d met again. She would hate herself if she didn’t give it a shot.
In a couple of months she would be out of this life and might be able to find some kind of normalcy. Maybe it was time to take a chance.
“Yes,” she said.
“Then come here and let me kiss you and tell you how the night’s going to go,” he said in a commanding tone.
Her whole body responded. She moved, standing and twisting so she sat on his lap. “How is my night going to go, Drake?”
One big hand cupped the nape of her neck while his other arm wound around her waist. “Let’s find out.” 


 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE /Goodreads / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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The Boyfriend Comeback by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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The Boyfriend Comeback (The Boyfriend Zone 1) by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2022

A standalone, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers, second chance MM sports romance full of secrets, first times and forbidden love…

Some men are just off-limits. Like, say, all the other football players in the league….

I have to stop replaying the one night I spent with my rival. Trouble is, that white-hot encounter with the other quarterback answered a lot of questions I’ve had about myself, but it also led me into this mess where he hates me.

I never showed up for our second date. Since, well, life happened, and the worst part is he’ll never know how much that night meant to me.

But when I’m traded to his cross-town rivals, that’s not the time to serve up my secrets to him either. My team’s PR department wants to double down on our rivalry. I need to focus on football, not on my interest in men. Except, the more time I spend doing media appearances and charity events with the sexy, generous, popular guy, the hungrier I am to finish what we started.

It’s a bad idea to knock on his door late one night. I could lose everything. He’s probably not even home.

But when the door swings open and I’m face to face with the man I want desperately, I have a choice to make.

•••••

REVIEW:THE BOYFRIEND COMBACK is the first instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult THE BOYFRIEND ZONE erotic, LGBTQ, MM, romance series, set in the same world as the author’s HOPELESSLY BROMANTIC duet. This is cross-town, rival, football quarterbacks Jason McKay , and Beck Cafferty’s story line.

NOTE: There is a prequel novella THE BOYFRIEND KICKOFF focusing on when Beck and Jason first met, but most copies of THE BOYFRIEND COMEBACK include our couple’s introduction.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Beck and Jason) THE BOYFRIEND COMEBACK follows the building romance and secret relationship between cross-town, rival, football quarterbacks Jason McKay , and Beck Cafferty. One year earlier, following an almost one-night stand, Jason McKay was ghosted by rookie quarterback Beck Cafferty. Beck had been traded to Jason’s cross-town rival but Beck’s personal life was beginning to fall apart. Fast forward to present day wherein Jason struggles with his attraction to Beck, believing Beck wanted nothing to do with him but Beck’s attraction to Jason is just as strong, and our couple begin a secrets affair in the face of Beck having yet to come out of the closet. What ensues is the building but clandestine relationship between Beck and Jason; their weekly Monday Morning Quarterback podcasts, and the potential fall-out when our couple are discovered, in the wake of a potential Super Bowl rivalry.

The relationship between Beck and Jason is one of immediate attraction but Beck is bi-sexual, and hasn’t revealed his personal status to anyone else. Jason is willing to keep their relationship a secret, a secret in the face of the cross-town rivalry. Late night rendezvous, and early morning escapes place an additional level of pressure on our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense, without the use of over the stop, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to both Jason and Beck’s fellow teammates, as well as team owners Nadia Harlowe, and Wilder Blaine; Beck’s landlord Portia, IT specialist Zena Palladium, and Beck’s friend Rachel; his therapist Rosemary, coffee shop owners Cheyenne and Mitch, and Jason’s father, and his brother Nolan (Shut Up and Kiss Me).

THE BOYFRIEND COMEBACK is a story of secrets and seclusion; attraction and obsession, friendships, relationships, family and love. The premise is enjoyable and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are charming and charismatic.

I would like to note that Lauren Blakely’s LGBTQ world is a world with little to no homophobia. The story lines barely scratch the surface of gay -life in professional sports.

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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Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams – a Review

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Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams – a Review

 

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Description:
When Kennedy bans the werewolves from The Rain Hotel, she threatens the stability—and secrecy—of the entire paranormal world.

Tragedy forces Kennedy back to The Rain Hotel, a magic-free haven for vampires and werewolves and all things other. She might have been reluctant to return to her ancestral home, but now that she’s running things, she will use all her resources to discover who betrayed her family and why.

As the clues pile up and evil forces threaten Kennedy and her friends, three powerful individuals compete for her trust. But things aren’t what they seem, and each man has ulterior motives. She’ll need to build strong walls against their magic and manipulations, and she’ll especially need to be cautious around one charismatic werewolf who seems determined to tempt her into his bed.

Can Kennedy unravel the mystery and find her place in the paranormal world? Or will her decisions lead to The Rain’s destruction and the loss of innocent lives?

 

 

Review:

Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams is the 2nd book in her wonderful Kennedy Rain series.  Refresher: Kennedy Rain, our heroine, returned home to her family’s unique Rain Hotel, to run it while her parents were on vacation. With the death of her parents, she is now in sole control of the hotel. What makes the Rain Hotel unique?   The hotel is a null zone for paranormals, with a treaty that has been in effect for hundreds of years; a place to recover, be at peace, or just time to relax with no pressure; a werewolf can avoid the full moon or a vampire can see the sun, or recover from an injury. The Werewolves and Vampires, plus some other unknow species take turns to come and stay at the hotel. 

Kennedy is determined to find out who killed her parents, and bans both werewolves and vampires from the hotel, at last until she can find who betrayed her family. At first, Kennedy feels the werewolves are behind the murder, but things change when an evil enemy becomes a major threat.  Kennedy is also determined to keep her human friends safe, as they never knew about the hotel. She’ll need to build strong walls against their magic and manipulations.

I liked Kennedy, who was a great heroine, though I thought she was a bit unreasonable at times.   Blake, the second in command, for the werewolves was a hunk, who truly liked Kennedy, and I expect a possible romance in future books; but she never allowed herself to succumb to his advances. It was nice to see Nora (werewolf) and Jared (vampire) again, with the leaders of the werewolf/vampires determined not to allow them to marry.  Kennedy learns her family was trying to help Astrid, a lone and ancient witch, who was Kennedy’s friend, and soon suspicions arise about a major coven trying to force Astrid to their group.

What follows is a wonderful fun, tense and exciting story, with Kennedy in the middle of it all.  There is a dark enemy out there who will stop at nothing to sabotage the treaty, including causing her harm, and she has no idea who to trust. But as we race to the climax, we learn more about the powerful coven, who want to destroy everything.  Kennedy must come up with a plan to stop the enemy, keep the hotel safe, and get magical friends to help her.  Can she survive?

I do not want to say too much more, as it would spoil things, since you do need to read this book from start to finish.  Bound by Bloodsong was an excellent addition to this series, which was very well written by Sandy Williams.  I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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BAYOU TONIGHT / GOTTA BE BAYOU by Erin Nicholas-review tour

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BAYOU TONIGHT / GOTTA BE BAYOU (Badges of the Bayou 1) by Erin Nicholas-review tour

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How do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem,under in the first place?

Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine–Max–Keller and their one hot night together, there’s a threat made against her and Spencer’s protective instincts get all riled up. Again.

So now they’re shacking up on the Louisiana bayou and pretending to be in love so he can keep Max safe until the guy is apprehended.

Considering their chemistry and that he can not stop thinking about the gorgeous-and-doesn’t-know-it, smart-mouthed, bold-and-yet-vulnerable redhead, this could be a fun few days, right?Nope. She’s all wrong for him.And she hasn’t forgotten he can be kind of a jerk.

Sure, the naked-times are great, but he told her exactly what he wants— a bubbly, sweet school teacher who bakes him brownies and loves to cuddle—and Max ain’t it.Max not only doesn’t bake, no one has ever called her sweet. And cuddling? Shudder.

Plus his bossiness is super annoying for someone who’s been taking care of herself all her life. But now they’re stuck together and dammit, besides being hot and very good with his mouth, Spencer is pretty irresistible with baby goats, little kids, and attempts at baking. And don’t forget alpha-protective. All of which makes her stomach feel very swoop-y. No wonder her clothes keep falling off.

But this is a temporary situation and they’re only faking it. So falling for the guy is a terrible idea. She really should have kept that in mind.

•••••••

REVIEW:GOTTA BE BAYOU is the first instalment in Erin Nicholas’ contemporary, adult BADGES OF THE BAYOU erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s BOYS OF THE BAYOU GONE WILD. This is FBI Agent Spencer Landry, and investigative journalist Maxine ‘Max’ Keller’s continuing story line. Max and Spencer’s story begins in the prequel novella BAYOU TONIGHT (see below). Bayou Tonight was originally released in the multi-authored TEN FIRST DATES (August 2022). I recommend reading BAYOU TONIGHT for the backstory between Max and Spencer, who first met in SAY IT LIKE YOU MANE IT (Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild).

Told from third person perspective GOTTA BE BAYOU follows the building romance and relationship between FBI Agent Spencer Landry, and investigative journalist Maxine ‘Max’ Keller. Approximately one year earlier Journalist Maxine Keller journeyed to the Bayou to investigate the illegal sale and transportation of exotic animals, alongside her best friend Caroline Holland (Say It Like You Mane It #5). Fast forward to present day wherein Max returns to the Bayou where she will connect at a friend’s wedding with FBI Agent Spencer Landry , a connection that is about to save her life. Someone is threatening our story line heroine, and Spencer has made himself guardian and protector of the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Spencer and Max, and the potential fall-out as Max’s investigations take aim at some powerful people.

Spencer Landry and Maxine Keller have nothing in common including family, friendships, likes and dislikes but a night of drunken conversation finds Spencer trying to convince our heroine into something more, something that will change their lives forever. When the threats against Maxine become personal and deadly, Spencer takes Maxine to the Bayou where she will be surrounded by his family and friends.

The relationship between Max and Spencer is a frenemies to lovers. Max doesn’t want Spencer’s protection but our heroine is a little bit TSTL when it comes to her own safety and the threats against her life. As an investigative journalist our heroine claims to know all about the risks and rewards but the latest threats follow our heroine to Spencer’s home town. 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, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including most of the couples and people we met in the previous series.

GOTTA BE BAYOU is a story of obsession and vengeance, obsession and power, family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is riveting and captivating but the conflict resolution was limited and mostly off page; the characters are charismatic and dynamic; the romance is spicy and seductive.

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Sandy

BAYOU TONIGHT
Badges of the Bayou .5
by Erin Nicholas

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2022.

She’s so not his type. But he’s been thinking about her for almost a year now.
He needs to figure out a way to get over her.
Though kissing her at their friends’ wedding probably isn’t it…
FBI agent Spencer Landry is looking for a sweet, bubbly sunshine at home to balance out all the darkness he sees in his work.
Investigative journalist Max Keller is anything but.
Oh, she’s gorgeous, and funny, and smart. But she’s also quirky and sarcastic, loves crime scenes, and can’t bake a brownie to save her life.
They’re never going to work out.
He really should stop kissing her.
So this will be the last time.
Maybe.

••••

REVIEW: BAYOU TONIGHT is the prequel short story to Erin Nicholas’ contemporary, adult GOTTA BE BAYOU erotic, romance story line focusing on journalist Maxine ‘ Max’ Keller and FBI Agent Spencer Landry, the first instalment in the author’s new BADGES OF THE BAYOU-a spin off from the author’s BOYS OF THE BAYOU GONE WILD. Max was first introduced in book five SAY IT LIKE YOU MANE IT

NOTE: BAYOU TONIGHT was first released in the multi-authored anthology TEN FIRST DATES.

Told from third person perspectives BAYOU TONIGHT focuses on journalist Maxine ‘Max‘ Keller and FBI Agent Spencer Landry. One year earlier, Max Keller and FBI Agent Spencer Max met when Max began investigating a case of importing exotic animals.Max and Spencer would reconnect at a mutual friend’s wedding where Spencer would discover he had nothing in common with our story line heroine but a hungover Spencer will eventually offer an apology in the form of a cold case where our couple would begin to investigate anew.

BAYOU TONIGHT sets the back story and foundation for Spencer Landry and Maxine Keller’s  love story.  The premise is fast and furious; the $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Website /  Newsletter  /  Goodreads  / Amazon /  Facebook /  Twitter  / Blog

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So It Goes (Twist of Fate 2) by Jennifer Probst-review tour

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So It Goes (Twist of Fate 2) by Jennifer Probst-review tour

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

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3yMg53S

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2022

The truth? Lonely advertising rep Malia Evergreen is still waiting for a soulmate, marriage, and a family. The lie? Telling every busybody she knows that she’s met someone. Now it’s a matter of finding him. Malia needs a date for a wedding. In a pinch she strikes a bargain with her former client, CEO Palmer Matterson—an arrogant, defiantly single, alpha billionaire whose best quality is insincerity. The perfect fake date.

Palmer has wanted Malia from the first moment he saw her. A challenging, sexy career woman who knows what she wants. It’s just not him. Not yet, anyway. This is Palmer’s chance to win her heart.

As fate throws them together, Malia unravels the layers of the man she thought she knew and, against the odds, finds herself falling in love. Palmer’s falling too. If only they can convince each other what they share…a belief in a happy ever after

•••••

REVIEW:SO IT GOES is the second instalment in Jennifer Probst’s contemporary, adult TWIST OF FATE erotic romance series focusing on three friends (Chiara, Malia, Tessa) who own Quench, a women’s online magazine. This is thirty-two year old, advertising rep Malia Evergreen, and forty year old,CEO of Endless Vows Bridal Company billionaire Palmer Matterson’s story line. SO IT GOES can be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storyline is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Malia and Palmer) SO IT GOES follows the acrimonious relationship between thirty-two year old, advertising rep Malia Evergreen, and forty year old,CEO of Endless Vows Bridal Company billionaire Palmer Matterson. For approximately one year, Quench has been the primary online advertising firm for Palmer Matterson’s Endless Vows Bridal company but the business relationship between Palmer and Malia is tempestuous, at best. For some reason, Malia Evergreen took an instant disliking to our story line hero, a disliking that has affected their relationship going forward. Preconceived notions about the billionaire businessman haven’t set well with Malia Evergreen but when Malia left Quench to work for a non-profit organization, she quickly discovers her first big client is the man the pushes all of her buttons. Forced to work together for a cause, Malia continues to struggle with her attraction to a man she doesn’t like but a man who is about to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Malia and Palmer, and the fall-out as Malia and Palmer want something different going forward.

Malia Evergreen’s attitude is cantankerous and rude. Our heroine wants nothing to do with Palmer Matterson believing he is an arrogant and self-centered businessman out for himself but Malia’s ideas and feelings are not based in fact, and she continues to battle between head and heart, falling for the man who has stolen her heart. Palmer Matterson has lusted after Malia Evergreen since their first meeting together but Malia’s attitude bordered on abusive whenever they were together. Hoping to change her mind, Palmer offers a solution, a fake-relationship for public consumption but a relationship that is about to turn into something more.

The relationship between Malia and Palmer begins acrimoniously as Malia wants nothing to do with our story line hero. Her behavior and demeanor is often immature and childish, and it doesn’t bode well for the man with whom she will fall in love. Malia’s temperament is questionable in the face of preconceived notional and a judgemental attitude; Palmer Matterson wants Malia to give him a chance. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are numerous including several members of the charity organization, and Palmer’s assistants Andrea and Emeril, as well as Palmer and Malia’s extended families. We are reintroduced to Malia’s business partners at Quench, Chiara and Tessa, cafe owner Mike, and high school teacher Emma Primm.

SO IT GOES is a story of family, friendships, and relationships; of determination and independence, of acceptance and love. The premise is engaging and enjoyable; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic but desperate-Malia’s temperament and perspective did little to endear her to this reader. Similar to Chiara and Sebastian’s relationship and story, the heroine is difficult to like.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one MEANT TO BE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Twitter / Goodreads/ Facebook / Website / Newsletter

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

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Pieces of a Life (Life 3) by Jewel E Ann -review tour

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Pieces of a Life (Life 3) by Jewel E Ann -review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / Nook/ KOBO/Apple /

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

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3tdytQ1

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2022

The summer before fourth grade, Colten Mosley moved into the house across the street from mine, and we became inseparable.

He played the piano and baseball.
I had a penchant for dead things while at the same time imagining what it would be like to kiss Colten.
We were filled with curiosity and overly active imaginations.

We were also forbidden to be more than friends.
But that didn’t stop us.

Weeks before graduation, he annihilated my heart, and it’s been seventeen years since the day I knew I’d hate him forever.

Now he’s back in my life—a single dad and a homicide detective looking over my shoulder while I perform autopsies as one of Chicago’s most gifted forensic pathologists. Then fate throws us a curveball.

Colten saves my life, but he can’t erase the images that now keep me awake at night. And I can’t explain them.

Am I still the girl he’s always loved? Or nothing more than pieces of that life?

•••••

REVIEW: PIECES OF A LIFE is the third instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary, adult LIFE romance series, and the first in the Colten and Josie’s preternatural romance Duet. This is thirty-five year olds, Detective Colten Mosley, and forensic pathologist Josie Watts second chance romance story line. PIECES OF A LIFE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Josie and Colten) using present day and memories from the past PIECES OF A LIFE follows the rebuilding friendship and relationship between thirty-five year olds, Detective Colten Mosley, and forensic pathologist Josie Watts. Josie and Colten have been best friends since fourth grade but days before their high school graduation, Colten rejected Josie’s promise of forever and their own happily ever after, destroying our story line heroine in the process. Fast forward seventeen years, wherein Chicago PD Detective Colten Mosley is now working closely with forensic pathologist Dr. Josie Watts, on a series of murders that may or may not be connected to a serial killer but Josie struggles with ghosts from the past, ghosts that have haunted our heroine since the day Colten walked away with what was left of her broken heart. What ensues is the second chance romance and relationship between Josie and Colten, and the potential fall-out as Josie continues to struggle with Colten’s reappearance in her life, a life that is now affected by a shooting that leaves our heroine, once again struggling to move on from the past.

Josie Watts heart was destroyed when Colten pushed her out of his life, opting for the Marines instead of a future together. For seventeen years, Josie held a deep-seated, hate-filled, raging grudge against our story line hero, blaming him for everything that has gone wrong in her life but Josie never knew the circumstances surrounding Colten’s decision to move on without her, a decision that affected Josie’s personal, private and business life to the present day. Colten Mosley has never stopped loving the girl next door but life went on, and he is no longer the man he was when he walked away.

The relationship between Josie and Colten is a second chance romance; a rekindling friendship that struggles in the face of secrets and lies, life and death, family and relationships, fractured hearts and broken love. Colten wants desperately to reconnect with our story line heroine but Josie continues to battle between head and heart, having had her heart broken by the boy she refuses to love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Josie’s parents, Colten’s mother, as well as the local ME and some members of the Chicago PD.

PIECES OF A LIFE is well-written, thought provoking story of lost love. The premise is captivating-the world building is detailed, twisted, haunting and tragic; the romance is sensual; the characters are determined, charismatic and strong. PIECES OF A LIFE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Previous Reviews
The Life That Mattered
The Life You Stole

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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