Monthly Archives: October 2022

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour

Posted on by
11

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 18, 2022

When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files are digital videos from Darcy’s ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it’s wrong to keep watching these personal videos, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She’s only human. And it’s not long until she starts sending e-mails and video diaries to his discontinued NASA address. Since they’re bouncing back, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to see them…right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA’s IT department forwards him the e-mails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can’t help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love with each other, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other’s baggage?

•••••

REVIEW: A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE by Samantha Young is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on thirty-five year old, US Air Force Captain and NASA Astronaut Captain Christopher Ortiz, and thirty year old, event planner Hallie Goodman.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hallie and Christopher ) using present day and video diaries, A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-five year old, US Air Force Captain and NASA Astronaut Captain Christopher Ortiz, and thirty year old, event planner Hallie Goodman. Hallie Goodman is a successful Manhattan event planner who finds herself the recipient of a series of video emails sent from Captain Christopher Ortiz, on the International Space Station, to his then fiance Darcy Hawthorne back home. Darcy is newly engaged to someone else, and is hoping Hallie will plan the events of her upcoming engagement and wedding but Darcy had unknowingly sent Hallie Captain Christopher Ortiz’s video letters to home, videos that found our heroine fantasizing about the Captain, himself. Hoping to correct any mistakes, Hallie notified Christopher’s assistant but all of her messages were returned unopened. Several months earlier Captain Christopher Ortiz returned from the ISS (International Space Station) to a less than welcoming home coming when his fiancé announced she had fallen in love with someone else but an unexpected invite to his ex’s engagement party found Christopher face to face with our story line heroine, a woman who has drawn his attention when she insisted on letting him know about the videos she had received. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Chris and Hallie, and the potential fall-out as people behind the scenes begins to manipulate our story line hero, and Hallie is caught in the middle of her parents’ toxic relationship and divorce.

Hallie Goodman is a bit of a mess; a bumbler whose accidents and antics did not endear her to her latest boyfriend. Dumped for many reasons including her choices in employment and pink hair color, Hallie places all of her focus on a successful career, a career that will push her together with the man with whom she will fall in love. Meanwhile, Hallie’s parents’ toxic relationship and subsequent divorce are pulling our heroine into the middle of their fight, a fight of which is out of control. Chris Ortiz has never been good enough for his successful father, and no matter how hard he has tried, Chris finds himself second place to his father’s business, and the brother he once loved. Meeting Hallie gave Chris a second chance at love but someone else is pulling his strings, and Christopher is caught between the woman he loves, and his inability to say no to everyone else.

The relationship between Chris and Hallie begins by accident as each finds themselves watching from the sidelines, personal videos and vlogs in which they inadvertently begin a virtual dance of attraction and love. Christopher struggles with his venomous relationship with the father he barely knows, and Hallie wants to be taken seriously for herself and her choices in life. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Christopher’s ex-fiance Darcy Hawthorne, his father Javier Ortiz, and his mother’s sister Richelle; Hallie’s long suffering parents, her father’s girlfriend Miranda, Hallie’s best friend and co-worker Althea, and their boss Lia Zhang.

A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE is a very slow building story line that does not pick up until about sixty percent of the story line has passed, when our couple finally take their relationship to the next level. The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are frustrated, struggling, energetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Share

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

Posted on by
13

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed…until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

 

 

Review:

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt is the 3rd book in her The Lange Brothers series.  Harley Cole, our heroine, is a teacher and volunteer for all activity in River’s Edge, as well as a huge Christmas fan.  Harley is not only beautiful, but also makes the perfect girl next door, though she has no boyfriend.

Becker Lange, our hero, is the Chief for River’s Edge Fire and Rescue.  Becker is divorced, and keeps walls around his heart.  After his divorce, Becker returned to River’s Edge, assumed the responsibility of this family, being loyal to his two brothers and mother; their father abandoned them years before, showing up for money on rare occasions.

Becker has always been friends with Harley, and with Christmas near, she is determined to get him to help her with all the preparation, including putting up trees and decorations at her place, his place, and fire department.  With Harley dragging him everywhere, Becker begins to awaken his feelings, which keeps him still trying to be nothing more than friends.  Best laid plans never work. 

I absolutely loved the part where Becker finds a kitten outside his house, and in a short period he finds himself loving Lucy and adopts her; of course, Harley falls in love with the kitten too.  The parts with the kitten were precious.  I really loved Becker and Harley together, and prayed they would give in to their feelings. 

Closer to the end, Becker is surprised to see his father (many years later), and learns why he has come.  Becker and his brothers, as well as his mom will make amends in this time of need. Beck’s past does hold him back, but will he find happiness with Harley and be her happy place? 

Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was terrific, with a sweet romance, and wonderful friends to lover’s story.

The Fireman’s Christmas Wish was a terrific story, that was very well written by Nan Reinhardt. If you enjoy pure fun, enjoyable romance, wonderful couple, and great secondary characters, then you need to read all three books.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber – a Review

Posted on by
11

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light–and each discovers a new love to cherish–their lives are forever changed.

In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all.

 

 

Review:

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is another of her wonderful delightful novels that take place during the Christmas holidays. The story centers on two men, who have been best friends since their elementary school days, which each choosing a different path in life.   Hank Colfax runs a popular family-owned tavern; Peter Armstrong is a local pastor, dedicated to his faith and community. They meet weekly at a restaurant (Mom’s Place), and both discuss who has the harder job. Peter claims that Hank has it easier compared to him, and the two best friends decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve.  To both of their surprise, they discover that things are more difficult than they expected.

Peter has to deal at the tavern with regulars, who insist he knows nothing about pouring beer, causing long delays; he also meets the local bikers, who spend lots of time at the bar; not to mention the young women who work at a strip club.  This was a fun story how they learn about Peter being a pastor, and help him along the way. 

Hank takes over Peter’s job, and has to deal with Peter’s sister, who is very difficult.  Hank knows that Grace has changed over the years, but he finds that he still has a crush on her; he will slowly get her to open up and relax more.  Hank also must deal with a mean old lady, who after meeting Hank, decides she will no longer donate to the church or pay for the new roof.  When Grace learns about this, she is beside herself, but Hank convinces her that the old lady is cruel and has no faith, especially not helping her family. When Hank meets the board, he makes some suggestions to make more money (bingo, etc), with Grace beginning to realize how Hank was making things better.

While Hank begins to win Grace over, Peter meets Millie, who works at the restaurant.  Millie needs a job to pay the bills, and Peter offers her a job to help at the Bar; with Hank’s approval.  Slowly, both men find love during the course of the week.  This really was a wonderful feel-good story.  It was also wonderful how everyone joined together (at the bar and church) to plan a wonderful Christmas Party, with many from the bar and church going out of their way to brings things together.

I really loved most of the characters, and totally enjoyed this story. The Christmas Spirit was a quick and wonderful story, centered on the holidays and community spirit.  The Christmas Spirit was so very well written by Debbie Macomber. I suggest you read this sweet wonderful story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

House of Curses (Royal Houses 3) by KA Linde-review tour

Posted on by
10

?House of Curses (Royal Houses 3) by KA Linde-review tour?

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: RElease Date October 18, 2022

Against all odds, Kerrigan Argon passed her dragon training. She’s now an official member of the Society. Everything should be well. But somehow, nothing is.

Her dark prince, Fordham Ollivier, has disappeared in hopes to beak his curse.

An unwanted wedding looms in her future.

And the council election draws ever nearer. An election that she’s been unceremoniously nominated for.

If all of that wasn’t enough, the Red Masks, an anti-half Fae, anti-human terrorist organization, are gaining ground. All because they have a spy inside the mountain, inside the Society itself.

Someone is leading these monsters.

And Kerrigan is determined to stop them at all costs.

••••

REVIEW::  This is the third book in the series, and the series definitely needs to be read in order. We do get a little background from the previous books, but it’s more to refresh the memory. And it doesn’t get too bogged down with the past books.

Kerrigan has made it!

Against all the odds stacked against her, she’s now a dragon rider. But not without loss and sacrifice made by Kerrigan, and just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, now she has to marry the enemy! Her friends although loyal are few and far between. Ford is missing (her one true love left saying it was safer for her!) The red masks are still a problem for Kerrigan (it’s an organisation filled with beings who hate half breeds) they are hooking followers and power, they are becoming a force to be reckoned with!

Kerrigan has grown in power, she’s a force to be feared, but her fears for her friends and Ford have her not tapping into her potential power. Her marriage should have been a happy time, but she’s not marrying Ford! The council have decreed she marry an enemy! Something has to be done. Who can she turn to?

I’m really enjoying this book as it’s low on steam (just one dream moment) but filled to the brim with action. The story is largely told by Kerrigan, but we get little snippets from the villains in this story and a few other characters in the book. I’m not a huge fan as it slows the book down, but in some cases it does lend to the story.

We have turns/twists and more betrayal for poor Kerrigan to deal with!
How will she survive the next battle?

We will have to wait a whole year for the next book to find out….

A highly recommended book/series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
House of Dragons
House of Shadows

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Follow: Facebook /Twitter /Website /Google Plus / Instagram / Goodreads / BOOKBUB

K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding Series, Wrights, and more than thirty other novels. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, binge-watching Supernatural, traveling, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super-adorable puppies.

Share

Silent Vows (The Byrne Brothers 1) by Jill Ramsower-review tour

Posted on by
9

Silent Vows (Byrne Brothers 1) by Jill Ramsower-Review & Excerpt tour

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

GOODREADS: https://bit.ly/SilVowsGR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 17, 2022

I wanted out of the mafia and unexpectedly got my wish,
only it’s worse than I ever could have imagined.

I’ve been promised to the Irish.
An arranged marriage in the name of alliance.
I have no choice.
My father will kill me if I refuse.

In two short weeks, Conner Reid will become my husband.

The ruthless Irishman threatens my composure and intoxicates my senses.
He represents everything I hate in this world yet summons my darkest cravings.

I can’t escape him.

The worst part is, I’m not sure I want to.
Because my life is in danger, and Conner may be the only man who can save me.

•••••

REVIEW:SILENT VOWS is the first instalment in Jill Ramsower’s contemporary adult THE BYRNE BROTHERS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Irish Mafia heir Connor Reid, and twenty year old Noemi Mancini’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Noemi and Connor) SILENT VOWS follows the building relationship and arrange marriage between Irish Mafia heir Connor Reid, and twenty year old Noemi Mancini. Six months earlier, a car accident took the life of Noemi’s mother, and in the wake, our heroine opted to become a selective mute. Refusing to talk, fearing she would meet the same fate as her beloved mother, Noemi became a prisoner in her father’s home, a prisoner whose life was threatened on a daily basis. In the hopes of procuring more power and control, Noemi’s father Fausto Mancini offered his daughter to the Irish mob, an offer Connor Reid jumped at the chance to partake but Connor suspected all was not well in Noemi’s life, and with the help of his family, began to investigate the man who offered up his daughter to the highest bidder. What ensues is the building relationship between Noemi and Connor, and the potential fall-out as the Irish, Italian and Albanian Mafias are pushed together in a war for power and control.

Noemi Mancini is about to jump from the frying pan into the fire but the fire may be preferable to the potential future left waiting at home. Noemi knows that her father has plans, plans that involve our story line heroine but threats of a different nature continue to haunt Noemi in the wake of her mother’s death. Connor Reid hadn’t planned on marrying but something about Noemi gave Connor Reid pause. From the outset, Connor suspected Noemi was but a pawn in a much larger game, a reluctant pawn with a possible end date if she does not comply.

The relationship between Connor and Noemi is an arranged marriage between two powerful crime families but Connor never expected to fall for the silent daughter of the Italian Mafia, a daughter whose secrets run dangerous and dark. Noemi knew her time with her father was coming to an end, and marriage to Connor was a preferred alternative to what was waiting at home with her dad. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

We are introduced to Connor’s cousins Keir Byrne, and Shae; his right hand man Bishop; Noemi’s brother Sante, their father Fausto, as well as Noemi’s cousin Pippa, and several members of both extended families.

SILENT VOWS is a story of power and control, murder and obsession, betrayal and revenge, secrets and lies, family and relationships, friendships and love. The fast paced premise is captivating and intriguing but not as dark and gritty as many of the Mafia/crime world story lines; the romance is erotic and intense; the characters are determined, desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Read the First Chapter HERE!

His cool stare held me captive, eyes inches from mine. “Is your father going to be a problem?”
My lips parted in surprise.
I’d expected innuendo and manipulation. Such a direct line of questioning hit at the very heart of my worries and unsteadied me.
I shook my head and tried to dart beneath his arm. Conner wedged his body in front of the door, blocking my path completely and bringing us chest to chest. I sucked in a shock of air, then narrowed my eyes defensively.
He wasn’t remotely unsettled by my display of irritation. If anything, his intensity only darkened further in the dimly lit basement hallway—a villainous storm threatening to crumble me to my foundations.
“Protective is one thing. I get the sense this is more, and I think I ought to know if it’s going to be a problem.” His eyes narrowed a fraction, the difference between tension and savage ferocity in one tiny twitch of a muscle. “He ever hurt you?” The words were deadly calm.
Oh God. Why was he doing this?
He needed to stop asking questions, and I needed to stop thinking his questions meant he cared. This was all probably about control and power, not me. I had to shut it down. Now. The best way to accomplish that was not to look like a scared little girl.
Taking a small step back, I opened my clutch and pulled out a pen, then took his hand in mine, palm up. It’s so much wider than I expected. Rough and solid muscle. Hands that knew hard work, like squeezing the life out of an enemy.
I mentally scolded myself to focus and wrote two letters across the full surface of his palm.
NO.
Releasing him, I peered up in challenge. Conner stepped forward, placing his leg between my thighs and swiveling us until my back was against the wall next to the door. I didn’t squirm or respond, knowing I couldn’t show doubt or weakness if I was going to shut down his questions.
“Not so fragile as they implied, are you?” he purred above me.
I took his tie in my hand, pulling him slowly lower until our noses almost touched, and shook my head slowly side to side. His hands came to rest on either side of my head as he brought his cheek to mine, his hint of stubble creating a delicious friction against my skin.
“Good, because I’m not remotely gentle.” The words were a black promise, raw and demanding and utterly intoxicating.

FOLLOW: GOODREADS / Facebook /Website / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram .

Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she’s a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.

With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.

Share

Trapped (The Protectors 6) by Karen Fenech-a review

Posted on by
10

Trapped (The Protectors 6) by Karen Fenech-review

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 17, 2022

THE PROTECTORS: Though they work independently and at times are oceans apart, their ties to each other remain strong. They’re related by blood or bond — these men in law enforcement, government intelligence, and the military who do what others cannot to serve, defend, and protect.

TRAPPED: THE PROTECTORS SERIES — BOOK SIX

Former Navy SEAL Gavin Chase, now second-in-command of a Special Ops organization, resumes his cover in a small town in West Virginia to catch an assassin. Further complicating this mission is the woman Chase had met when he was last undercover there, a woman he has not been able to forget, despite time, distance, and his abhorrence for the lies he’d had to tell her to maintain his cover.

When she learns that Gavin Chase is back in town, Rachel Abbott’s heart gives three hard thuds. The first for the man she can’t stop thinking about. The second in anger for his deceit. And the third in dread. While she’d once wanted Chase to return, that time has passed. Chase’s return now threatens the most important person in Rachel’s life, Noah, her son, and the son Chase doesn’t know he has.

But there is more to this mission than Chase knows and when he finds himself on a collision course with his past, Chase will put his life on the line for the woman and child he loves.

•••••

REVIEW:TRAPPED is the sixth instalment is Karen Fenech’s contemporary, adult THE PROTECTORS romantic suspense series focusing on the members of a Special Ops organization. This is former US Navy SEAL Gavin Chase, and waitress/single mother Rachel Abbot’s story line. TRAPPED can be read a a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective TRAPPED follows the second chance relationship between former US Navy SEAL Gavin Chase, and waitress/single mother Rachel Abbott. Fifteen months earlier, Gavin Chase, while on assignment in Lindsay, West Virginia, met and fell in love with Rachel Abbott. A three week affair ended when Gavin’s mark was assassinated, and Gavin was recalled by organization for which he worked. Fast forward to present day wherein Gavin Chase returns to West Virginia in an effort to take down the people involved, only to discover the woman he left behind is now the mother of his six month old son Noah. As Gavin struggles with the knowledge of the family he never knew, Rachel is caught between head and heart knowing Gavin is not the type to stick around for the long haul but Gavin’s assignment is about to go all to h*ll, when betrayal and vengeance threaten the woman he loves. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Rachel and Gavin, and the potential fall-out as Rachel is targeted for sins of the past.

Rachel Abbot has struggled in the months since Gavin Chase walked out of her life. Mother to his son, Rachel want nothing to do with our story line hero, the man she blames for abandoning her in her time of need. Gavin Chase had no idea he left behind a part of himself when his assignment ended but returning to West Virginia meant a new start for Gavin, if only he can convince Rachel, she is the only one but more than one person has returned to the scene of the crime, Rachel and Noah are in the direct line of fire.

The relationship between Gavin and Rachel is one of second chances. Rachel battles between head and heart, Gavin is desperate to claim the woman and the son that he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Zach Corrigan and Sloane Turner, Hamilton and Lauder, and well as the cameo of several previous story line characters. We are introduced to Rachel’s grandfather Wilf and his girlfriend Violet, and cafe waitress Crystal Hastings. The requisite evil has many faces.

TRAPPED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and acceptance. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is passionate; the characters as energetic, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

My first novel, Unholy Angels was written over a two-year period and, in part, in some very unlikely places such as line-ups at deli-counters and cash registers, and doctor and dentist waiting rooms. While I was out running errands, I jotted down scenes for the story in a notebook I toted around in my purse, and then typed them up when I returned home.

Writing novels is what I have wanted to do since I was ten-years-old and undertook to write a book based on my beloved Nancy Drew mysteries. As I grew older, I continued to read mysteries but I found that as much as I enjoyed attempting to solve the puzzle, I became enthralled whenever a new development occurred in the romantic relationships of the characters. When I thought of writing Unholy Angels, I knew it would have to be a romance.

Of course, my love of mystery and suspense meant that while my characters were finding love, they would also face life-threatening danger.

I live with my husband and daughter. When I’m not writing, or spending time with my family, you can usually find me curled up with a good book, or out shopping for one.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KarenFenechsFriends

Website:  https://www.karenfenech.com/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/465885.Karen_Fenech

Share

Montana Storm by Josie Jade & Janie Crouch-review tour

Posted on by
9

Montana Storm  (Resting Warrior Ranch 4) by Josie Jade & Janie Crouch-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 18, 2022

Kill first, ask questions later.

It’s the instinct former-SEAL Jude Williams must fight every time someone touches him. His six months being tortured in an enemy prison camp may be long over, but he’s got scars—all over his body and mind—keeping that time at the forefront of his psyche.

So how could he even consider giving in to the desire he has for the town’s coffeehouse owner?

Lena Mitchell has big gray eyes and a bigger smile—she’s full of life, right down to her purple and teal streaked hair.

There are so many reasons Jude should stay away from her. So many ways he’s bad for her. But when danger shows up on Lena’s door, keeping his distance is no longer an option.

He’ll protect her from any threat.

But who will protect her from him?

•••••••

REVIEW: MONTANA STORM is the fifth instalment in the contemporary, adult RESTING WARRIOR RANCH erotic, romantic suspense series co-authored by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch- a spin off from Janie Crouch’s Zodiac Tactical series. This is former US Navy SEAL Jude Williams, and bakery owner Lena Mitchell’s story line. MONTANA STORM 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 MONTANA STORM cross over with, and run parallel to some of the events in book four MONTANA MYSTERY.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lena and Jude) MONTANA STORM follows the building romance and relationship between former US Navy SEAL Jude Williams, and bakery owner Lena Mitchell. Five year earlier, while on deployment with the US Navy, Jude Williams, along with fellow SEALS Noah and Isaac, were captured and tortured but not all would survive. Fast forward two years, Jude Williams and Lucas Everett (Montana Sanctuary) would rescue bakery owner Lena Mitchell and Evie Taylor in the aftermath of an attack by Evie’s ex. Three more years dancing around one another would result in Lena’s humiliation when Jude apparently rejects our heroine’s attempts at seduction, a rejection that finds Jude struggling with what happened and why but all is not well in both of their lives as Jude continues to battle the demons from his past, and Lena becomes the target of madness and vengeance. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jude and Lena, and the potential fall-out as Jude’s past takes aim at our story line heroine.

Lena Mitchell’s coffee shop and bakery, Deja Brew, is a great success and with the approach of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the orders are fast and furious but when a new bakery sets up shop, everything that could go wrong for Lena threatens her business and her future in Montana. Jude Williams suffers with PTSD, violent nightmares from his time held captive, and the result finds Jude struggling to move forward in his personal life but threats against Lena push Jude to take a stand, a stand that will reveal a possible connection to the events of the past.

The relationship between Lena and Jude begins as a rescue but slowly turns into something more. For three years, Lena and Jude have danced around their attraction to one another but both struggle in the wake of nightmares and memories, none more so than our story line hero. Talking to his friends and former Navy SEALs, Jude quickly realizes he is not the only one to battle the demons that control his life but taking control means taking the steps to accept what happened and why. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There are some scenes of light bondage.

The secondary and supporting characters include former US Navy SEALS: Lucas & Evelyn (Montana Ranch 1), Harlan and Grace (Montana Danger 2),Grant and Cori (Montana Desire 3), Noah and Kate (Montana Mystery 4) , Daniel, and Liam, as well as the introduction of auto mechanic Benjamin Phipps, and café owner Allison DeVries.

MONTANA STORM is a story of perceived betrayal and revenge, power and control, family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is passionate and seductive; ;the characters are charismatic and energetic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Montana Sanctuary
Montana Danger
Montana Desire
Montana Mystery

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

Posted on by
9

Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play

 

Description:
They are the ultimate weapon. The ultimate secret. They are the Crown’s wolves.

Lycan Ky Lanzo is bound by the Crown’s command. His latest mission directive was deceptively simple. Get yourself caught. Now, Ky’s been bound, drugged, and collared by an unknown enemy in a facility that knows enough about him to neutralize his lycan strength and his telekinetic magic. But he’s not alone in his cell. Because there’s someone else with him. Someone exquisite. Someone altogether forbidden…

For Vivi Kinley, another month gone by means another full moon trapped in a cell with a moon-crazed lycan. There once was a time I’d never kill a living creature. Only, Ky is different. He’s powerful, latently sexy…and wanting him is dangerous trouble. Because sexual attraction is exactly what their captors want—and it’ll be an icy day in hell before she’ll allow it.

Now, Vivi and Ky have one chance at escape and to discover what twisted organization did this to them—and make them pay. The good news is that Ky might have found his near-impossible lycan mate. The bad news is that she might be programmed to kill them all…

 

 

Review:

Under a Wicked Moon by Zoe Forward is the second book in her new Crown of Wolves series.  We meet our hero, Ky Lanzo, who is bound to the Crown’s command, along with his brothers, Roman and Flynn.  They are cursed to be the Crown’s weapons, to destroy all enemies.  Ky was sent on a mission by himself, only to be captured by Germans; being drugged and forced to wear a collar, which takes away his strength. When he wakes up, he realizes there is another person in the cell with him.

Vivi Kinley, our heroine, has been trapped in the cell for a long time.  She sees Ky, who just arrived, and senses that the villains seem to want them to bond together, especially sexually.  But Vivi will not allow that, nor does Ky, though he is attracted to her.  Neither understands why they are there, and quickly learn that Vivi has been locked up for two years.  Ky, whose head is messed up due to the drugs, realizes that Vivi is being brainwashed to do commands that require to kill. 

After a couple of months, Ky’s brothers rescue him and Vivi, and quickly they escape.  We learn that Vivi’s sister, whom she thought was dead, is in fact alive, and mated to Roman.  The family worries how dangerous Vivi is, since she is programmed to respond to a command; the fear is will she attempt to kill them, since she is not in control.  Ky knows he cannot act on his feelings for Vivi, but has a difficult time since he knows she may be his mate, but is she safe?

It was great to see the family together, trying fight off the enemies, including possible internal enemies of the Crown.  I liked how Vivi and her sister, Nova slowly respond to each other, despite their memories being removed.  I also loved Ky and Vivi together.  To say too much more would be spoilers, but the last half of the book was very exciting and entertaining.  

Under a Wicked Moon was exciting through most of the book, with non-stop action, great characters, and a world filled with secrets, enemies, monarch, gods, angels and lots of battles.  Under a Wicked Moon was so very well written by Zoe Forward.  I cannot wait for the next book in the Crown of Wolves series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share