Monthly Archives: December 2022

Dark Kingdom (Kings and Villains 1) by Jagger Cole -review tour

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Dark Kingdom (Kings and Villains 1) by Jagger Cole -review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2022

He’s my husband. I’m his prisoner.

Adrian Cross is the most ruthless kingpin in London’s criminal underworld.
Dangerous. Powerful. Undeniable. Venom wrapped in Savile Row linen.
He’s also my ex-husband.
Or rather, my not-quite-technically “ex” husband.
Now someone wants me dead, and the man I ran from might be my only chance of survival.
But his help won’t come for free.
In exchange for his protection, he gets all of me: body and soul.
No limits. No mercy. No catching feelings for the man who hates me for what I did.
I tell myself my heart isn’t part of our sinful pact.
But the deeper we sink into our twisted games, the more impossible that might be.
Because Adrian never gave it back in the first place.

••••••••

REVIEW: DARK KINGDOM is the first instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary adult KINGS AND VILLAINS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is twenty-four year old Adrian Cross, and Celeste Margaux’s story line.

NOTE: For fans of the author’s books and stories, there was a prequel short story release in the multi-authored DARKLY EVER AFTER Organized Crime Anthology, a short story that is now a part of current 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 (Adrian and Celeste) DARK KINGDOM follows the tempestuous second chance relationship between Irish crime lord Adrian Cross and Celeste Margaux. Four years earlier Celeste’s father discovered his daughter’s relationship with the hired help aka Adrian Cross, and sold his daughter to the highest bidder, a Saudi billionaire looking for a deal but not before crushing Celeste with a series of lies. Fast forward to present day wherein Celeste is in desperate need of protection- there is a price on her head, and the man she was forced to marry has been killed by an unknown assailant. Enter Adrian Cross, now the head of the Cross Crime Family, and the man with whom Celeste is still in love. What ensues is the acrimonious but rebuilding relationship between Adrian and Celeste, and the potential fall-out Celeste remains the target of an unknown assassin.

Celeste Margaux thought she had been betrayed by the man that she loved, and for four years struggled to survive in a marriage of convenience but all was not as it had appeared to be, and Celeste finds herself on the run, desperate to find protection from the man she once loved. Adrian Cross has struggled in the four years since Celeste married someone else, destroying his heart in the process. Now at the top of the criminal underworld, Adrian is determined to reclaim the woman he once loved, even if he has to break her will and destroy her heart.

The relationship between Adrian and Celeste is one of second chances but a relationship predicated upon control and humiliation. Adrian is a jerk, an a$$hole of epic proportions, and his treatment of Celeste is often demeaning and cruel. In an effort to save her life, Celeste must succumb to Adrian’s demands, forcing herself to become a virtual prisoner of the man that she loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and provocative but not without some issues of questionable consent.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in previous story lines, duets and interconnected series written by Jagger Cole including the Cinder Duet, and the Hunted Duet. We are introduced to Celeste’s father Jean Margaux, and Celeste’s friend Adele. The requisite evil has many faces.

DARK KINGDOM is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, money and greed, family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is often cruel and demeaning; the characters are desperate, determined, dangerous and dark.

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

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Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Description:
It’s been five years since Andi McDermott lost her husband, and she’s finally starting to feel like herself again, ready to live fully–she’s even started dating again. But when her holiday plans with her stepson and his fianc�e fall through, she refuses to spend another Christmas alone while everyone is celebrating with their families. Impulsively, she decides to go up to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, a place she used to love to visit but hadn’t gone to in years, not since the feud started between her husband and their nearest neighbor.

Andi starts to rethink her decision when being alone at the cabin proves to be more challenging than she expected–a heavy snowstorm hits the area, and Andi finds herself trapped there with no one to help except for her neighbor, Wolf Enders. A military vet who lives full-time on Lake Arrowhead, Wolf is as grumpy and intimidating as Andi remembers. But he’s also unexpectedly kind and uncomfortably sexy–his presence reminds Andi that she may be older, but her body still works perfectly fine, thank you very much. But can this good girl tame this sexy beast of a man, and will this snowy fling turn into a love of a lifetime?

 

 

Review:

Flirting with the Beast by Jane Porter is the second book in her Modern Love series.  We meet our heroine, Andi McDermott from the start, when she is preparing a Christmas dinner for her stepson and his fiancée.  Andi lost her husband 5 years ago, and now she is slowly starting to live again, including dating.  When her stepson cancels in the last minute, Andi is devastated, and decides to go to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, which she hasn’t been in years.

Andi runs into her neighbor, Wolf Enders, who had a feud with her husband in the past.  When a major snow storm hits, she loses power, and Wolf invites her to come to his cabin to have dinner and even stay until power returns, he also has a dog, Jax, who will slowly get used to Andi.  In a short time, Andi begins to see Wolf in a different light, with the chemistry between them sizzling, they start an affair. Wolf is a loner, having been in the military for a long time, and early on, he comes comes across as rough & tough, but he finds himself enamored with Andi; as she is to him.   What I really liked about this romance, was that both Andi and Wolf were older characters, both close to 60; but they were awesome together.

Where Andi has no children, with the exception of her stepson, whom she rarely sees; Wolf is divorced, with two sons (a third son died tragically in the military), and his grieving daughter in law, Lindsay, who has a 4-year-old son, Charlie.  Wolf’s ex-wife hates him, and Lindsay isn’t happy staying with her mother-in-law, and decides to move in with Wolf.  Quickly, Andi and Lindsay become friends, with Andi helping her move on. I really loved how close they became, and Charlie was the cutest and fun child.

This is not only a romance, but the story was very emotional, with a number of obstacles along the way, including issues such as mental health, depression, grief, therapy, loss of beloved family members, and taking care of a child.   The last ¼ of the book had me not happy with Wolf, as his behavior was not good, with lots of drama.  Will they end up together?

Flirting With the Beast was a wonderful story, that was also emotional and intense at times.  I loved most of these great characters that Jane Porter created, which was also very well written by Porter.  I totally suggest you read Flirting with the Beast.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Widow by Kaira Rouda-Review and Interview with the Author

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The Widow by Kaira Rouda-Review and Interview with the Author

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2022

Jody Asher had a plan. Her charismatic husband, Martin, would be a political icon. She, the charming wife, would fuel his success. For fifteen congressional terms, they were the golden couple on the Hill. Life was good. Until he wasn’t.

Martin’s secret affair with a young staffer doesn’t bother Jody personally. But professionally? It’s a legacy killer. Soon a reporter gets word of this scandal in the making, and Martin’s indiscretions threaten to ruin everything Jody has accomplished.

When Martin suddenly dies, it’s a chance to change the narrative—but the reporter won’t let go of his lead. As the balance of power shifts in the Asher house and on the Hill, it’s time for Jody to take control. And there’s nothing the ruthless widow won’t do to secure the future she’s entitled to. Even if she has a secret of her own.

•••••

REVIEW: THE WIDOW by Kaira Rouda is a stand alone, contemporary, adult political suspense story line focusing on Congressman Martin Asher, his social climbing wife Jody, and Washington Think Tank operator Mimi Smith.

Told from three first person perspectives (Martin, Jody and Mimi) THE WIDOW follows in the wake of the death of Congressman Martin Asher, an elected official facing the downfall of a rapidly building scandal. In the weeks before his only daughter’s lavish nuptials, Martin Asher takes ill and succumbs to his ailment on the day of the wedding. In an effort to keep her position as part of the political machine of Washington DC, Jody Asher invokes the Widow’s Succession Mandate, a little used practice that allows a widow to succeed or run for office upon the death of their politician spouse. Jody, ever the manipulator and power hungry politician’s wife, uses every dirty tactic available at her disposal but Jody has overestimated her popularity and her husband’s reputation on Capitol Hill. Facing down an aggressive,investigative reporter, a Think Tank manipulator whose own secrets are dangerous and dark, and a past shrouded in secrets and lies, Jody must tread carefully, in an effort to get what she believes she rightfully deserves.

THE WIDOW is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, manipulation and collusion. The fight for control is dirty; power is manipulated and abused; the political machine is deceitful, unethical and unscrupulous. Back room deals are the norm; blackmail is rampant; illegal and controversial deals are an everyday occurrence, and no one is above the ultimate betrayal. THE WIDOW is gritty and intriguing story of fiction; an up close and eye opening look at the what ifs, the probabilities, and the disturbing reality / unreality of the people in charge; the characters are relentless and destructive -politicians are a different breed of people, their humanity and hearts are non-existent.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi Kaira and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE WIDOW.

Kaira Rouda:  Thank you. I’m excited about this one, and hope everyone enjoys my first political thriller.

TRC:  We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Social Media Links: Amazon Author Page/ Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/ Facebook/ Instagram/

Kaira Rouda: Sure. I live in Southern California with my husband and two dogs. We are lucky that all four of our 20-something kids live in various parts of Southern California, too. I’m a Pickleball fanatic and I’m so happy to be living near the beach.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Kaira Rouda: My dad is a professor and an author, business books, and my mom is an elementary school teacher, so our home was filled with books. In elementary school, my third grade teacher asked us to write to the person we wanted to be when we grew up. I wrote to Robert McCloskey, of Make Way for Ducklings fame. I knew then I wanted to be an author. My first published book was in fifth grade. My librarian, Mrs. Gardier, lamented my story and put it on the shelf for checkout. I was thrilled.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Kaira Rouda: I’m impatient, and my background is marketing. So the speed of publishing – the very slow process involved in bringing a book to life — is something I’ve struggled with. But I’m so grateful to be doing the career I dreamed of as a child.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of THE WIDOW?

Kaira Rouda: The Widow’s premise is based on the tradition of The Widow’s Mandate. When a sitting member of congress dies in office, their spouse is often appointed by the governor (senate) or runs for the seat in a special election (house) to complete the term. The tradition is the way the first women began to serve in congress. In fact, statistically speaking, for women aspiring to serve in congress, the best husband has been a dead husband. I thought that was a good starting point for a political thriller.

TRC:  Are any of the events in THE WIDOW based in reality?

Kaira Rouda: Some of the settings are based on real events I had the chance to attend while we were in DC: The Congressional Dialogue Dinners at the gorgeous Library of Congress, the First Lady’s Luncheon, The Congressional Club. Congressman Asher’s office set up is based on the office my husband had. If you’re referring to the plot points, those are all my imagination. Although I will say Chinese spies are everywhere in DC, and there are a lot of stories about corrupt lobbyists.

TRC:  How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Kaira Rouda: I’m a pantser, who writes by the seat of her pants. I don’t plot. So I just let my characters loose on the page and hope for the best.

TRC:  Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Kaira Rouda: I do think people judge a book by its cover — thus the expression!

TRC:  When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Kaira Rouda: The characters are in charge.

TRC:  The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Kaira Rouda: Characters, even the killers, need to have relatable traits. I hope my characters are the kind you love to hate, at least some of them. The ones up to no good.

TRC:  Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Kaira Rouda: No. I write with no music, no noise. I’m not a cafe writer, either. I like to be at my desk, by myself.

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Kaira Rouda: My agents are great first readers, and my friend Andrea Katz of Great Thoughts is a fabulous brainstorming partner.

TRC:  What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Kaira Rouda: I’m not sure. Do you know? 😀

TRC:  What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Kaira Rouda: I love to hula hoop. And, I’m afraid of heights. Oh, and I’m shy, but people never think I am.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Kaira Rouda: I’m in edits on my next novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE, out September 2023. So excited.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Cheese

Favorite Dessert
Cheese

Favorite TV Show
Just binge watched LOOT. Loved it. Huge fan of Succession.

Last Movie You Saw
A Simple Favor. So good.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
I am one of the few people in the world that does not like chocolate. Halloween was tough growing up!

Secret Celebrity Crush
Cheryl Hines

Last Vacation Destination
Hawaii

Do you have any pets?
Two dogs! Mine is a shipoo named Tucker. He’s thirteen and my right-hand man. My husband’s dog is a crazy bernedoodle named Cali, who is a year and a half.

Last book you read
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

Thank you Kaira for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your new release.

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My Bratva Christmas (XXXmas) by Mika Lane-review tour

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My Bratva Christmas (XXXmas) by Mika Lane-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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2022

This Christmas, bullets will fly and my heart will be on the line.
As a party planner, I watch the rich and powerful glitterati of New York enjoy the fruits of my back-breaking labor.
Caviar? Check. Champagne? Check. Flowers imported from the far corners of the earth?
Check.
And when it’s all done, I go home.
Alone.
If I’m lucky, with leftover food from the caterer.
But a Christmas Eve party shootout changes everything.
Three handsome men with guns kill everyone…
Except me.
One minute, I’m a hard-working party planner. The next, I’m a prisoner.
These men claim I’m in danger. And the only way to protect me is by abduction.
So, I end up kidnapped by the terrifying, dangerous Bratva, New York’s powerful crime syndicate.
And yet, just beneath the surface of my fear is a blazing, unsettling attraction.
When I wake on Christmas morning at their hideout, everything changes.
These violent killers have a soft side.
Lavishing me with attention and gifts.
Until, all I want for Christmas is—them.

•••••

REVIEW: I know what I’m adding to my Christmas this year. Three over the top Bratva alpha’s. Mika Lane’s latest release is most definitely an early Christmas present for her readers. My Bratva Christmas is a reverse harem romance filled with spicy scenes, funny comments and all the hot alpha’s you possibly need to keep warm at night.

When Lily’s simple job at an art gallery lands her in the arms of three of the hottest men she has ever seen, she isn’t sure if her luck has changed or if it’s run out. What do they want from her? They say they want to protect her, but the look in their eyes is anything but protection, it’s more carnal. More primal. Will Lily, the party planner give in to the three men or is her fate already sealed?

Artem, Grisha and Valentin are Bratva brothers and they have finally found their one. Lily. Put into a not so great situation, the mafia brothers must not only protect her, but also convince her that she is theirs. To protect her though, they must kidnap her, to keep her from something much more dangerous. Now and forever. But can they make the relationship work?

Oh. My. Christmas!

Mika Lane has done it again. Bratva Christmas is just the thing to get you into the heat of the holidays! I always look forward to this author’s books, and this one sure didn’t disappoint! This quick read is nothing but fun and enjoyable, to my fellow readers who love a good spicy read, you will love this book.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE MULTI-AUTHOR XXXMAS SERIES

US: https://amzn.to/3Xkb50L
UK: https://amzn.to/3XmDIdx
CA: https://amzn.to/3XopOb9
AU: https://amzn.to/3OtqgRo

CONNECT WITH MIKA LANE: https://mikalane.com

Please join my Insider Group and be the first to hear about giveaways, sales, pre-orders, ARCs, and other cool stuff: HERE 

Writing has been a passion of mine since, well, forever (my first book was “The Day I Ate the Milkyway,” a true fourth-grade masterpiece). These days, steamy romance, both dark and funny, gives purpose to my days and nights as I create worlds and characters who defy the imagination. I live in magical Northern California with my own handsome alpha dude, sometimes known as Mr. Mika Lane, and an evil cat named Bill. These two males also defy my imagination from time to time.

A lover of shiny things, I’ve been known to try to new recipes on unsuspecting friends, find hiding places so I can read undisturbed, and spend my last dollar on a plane ticket somewhere.

I have several titles for you to choose from including perennially favorite Billionaire and Reverse Harem stories. And have you see my Player Series about male escorts who make the ladies of Hollywood curl their toes and forget their names? Hottttt…. And my brand new anti-hero/mafia books are coming out in audio as I write this.

Exciting news: in June 2020, I will be publishing with Vi Keeland’s and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club as one of their contributing authors. Stay tuned for more on this or follow my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mikalaneauthor. And, as if that’s not cool enough, I am also writing in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heros world. Look for that later in the year.

I’ll always promise you a hot, sexy romp with kick-ass but imperfect heroines, and some version of a modern-day happily ever after.

I LOVE to hear from readers when I’m not dreaming up naughty tales to share. Join my Insider Group so we can get to know each other better HERE , or contact me HERE 

Newsletter: https://mikalane.com/join-mailing-list
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Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Ej9vVP

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2022

Knox Maguire is the king of our college campus.

Star offensive tight end on the football team.

He is the complete opposite of me in every way.

I’m quiet. He’s loud.

I’m shy. He’s definitely not.

Everyone loves him. No one knows me.

Fresh out of a breakup, I don’t really trust him, and why should I? Knox is the ultimate player. When I become his English tutor, I tell myself we need to keep things between us strictly business. Watching my mother deal with my ex-athlete father long, long ago taught me to stay far away from that type of man.

Yet Knox is impossible to resist. Next thing I know, we’re getting hot and heavy in the library—and that was never part of the plan. When Knox admits he can’t stop thinking about me, I have a realization.

I can’t stop thinking about him either.

Instead of keeping my distance, I pull him in closer. Until somehow, we’re spending all of our time together and I find myself falling for Knox. Hard.

Will this actually work between us? Or am I getting played?

••••••

REVIEW: PLAYING HARD TO GET by Monica Murphy is a contemporary, new adult, erotic, romance story line set in the world of the author’s ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND series. This is college senior/quarterback Knox Maguire, and junior / book store employee Joanna Sutton’s story line. Knox is the son of Owen and Chelsea Maguire (Four Years Later/One Week Girlfriend).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Joanna and Knox) PLAYING HARD TO GET follows the building romance and relationship between Knox Maguire and Joanna Sutton. Joanna Sutton doesn’t pay attention to football or jocks but the numerous appearances of Knox Maguire at her place of work have our heroine fantasizing about the star quarterback. Knox Maguire is the star quarterback, a quarterback with a reputation amongst the girls on campus but Knox is struggling to pass his English classes and finds himself face to face with the woman that has been starring in his fantasies and dreams. Enter Joanna Sutton, Knox’s new English tutor, and the woman with whom Knox will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Knox and Joanna, and the potential fall-out as Knox made a vow that he is about to break

Joanna Sutton is fresh out of a three year, long distance relationship that ended when she discovered her ex-boyfriend with someone else. Not ready to jump back into the cycle of dating, she reluctantly agrees to ‘see’ Knox Maguire but Knox wants to keep everything on the down low. Knox Maguire made a bet with some of his teammates, and he was about to lose a butt load of money but Knox refuses to walk away from the only woman that has stirred his heart, a woman who continues to struggle with memories of the past.

The relationship between Knox and Joanna begins as tutor and client that quickly turns into something more. Joanna never expected to cross the invisible line but her attraction to Knox is visceral and intense. Knox Maguire doesn’t do relationships but some advise from his father forces Knox to reconsider his life going forward. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Knox’s parents Owen and Chelsea, and his sister Blair. We are introduced to Joanna’s co-worker Leon, her roommate Natalie, as well as Knox’s teammates Cam and Derek. There is something developing between Blair and Cam.

PLAYING HARD TO GET is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating, engaging and heart warming-the conflict is limited; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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Cruel North (The North Brothers 4) by JB Salsbury-review tour

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Cruel North (TheVanessa and North Brothers 4) by JB Salsbury-review tour

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

Add Cruel North to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3BO81ju

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29, 2022

A teenage girl with my eyes and a familiar glare, strolls into my life and she’s calling me Dad.

Vanessa was my high school girlfriend and the smartest person I knew. She had a plan, a future, and she swore nothing would get in the way. Until she became pregnant. I thought we agreed on our plan. I sent her the money. Then she disappeared.

Her parents told me she was in South America for a year. They told me she needed space. I never heard from her again.

Seventeen years later and she’s back. I’m staring into those green eyes that used to tempt and taunt me. But it’s not just about us anymore. We have a daughter.

Wanting to get to know her, I convince them to move in with me for one month. I’m so angry with Vanessa and she seems to be equally upset. Every insult from her smart mouth invites me to engage. The brutal chemistry between us ignites old embers. I wish I could hate her. Instead, I want her.

But too much time has passed, and I fear some hurts run too deep to heal.
At the end of thirty days, I’ll have to let them go.
Unless I figure out a way to keep them.

••••••

REVIEW: CRUEL NORTH is the fourth instalment in JB Salsbury’s contemporary adult THE NORTH BROTHERS erotic, romance series. This is thirty-five year old attorney Hayes North, and thirty four year old single mother/app developer Vanessa Osbourne’s story line. CRUEL NORTH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vanessa and Hayes) CRUEL NORTH focuses on the second chance romance and relationship between Vanessa Osbourne and Hayes North. Vanessa Osbourne and Hayes North were high school sweethearts. Hayes wanted to be a professional hockey player, and Vanessa wanted to delve into computer technology but a surprise pregnancy was something neither expected, and Hayes was in no position to become a young father. Fast forward to present day wherein, Hayes is blindsided with the appearance of Haven, a seventeen year old young woman claiming to be his daughter, a daughter he never knew existed. Vanessa Osbourne never told her daughter the truth about her father, but a box full of heart breaking memories becomes the catalyst to push Haven to go in search of the father she knew nothing about, a father who now lives and works in New York City. With her daughter searching for Hayes, Vanessa goes in search of the daughter whose heart she broke. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Hayes and Vanessa, and the potential fall out as Vanessa and Haven’s time in New York comes to an end, an end predicated upon perceived betrayal and misunderstanding.

Vanessa Osbourne’s hatred for Hayes North is powerful in the wake of Hayes pushing Vanessa out of his life. As a single mother Vanessa struggled with every aspect of their lives but not only did Hayes walk out of her life but so too did her parents who refuse to acknowledge their granddaughter’s existence. Hayes North had no idea that Vanessa kept the child he never wanted.Having watched his father’s life implode, Hayes refused to follow the same path, as he battled between head and heart in an effort to get to know the daughter he never knew.

The relationship between Vanessa and Hayes is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people torn apart by immaturity, misunderstanding, heartbreak and dysfunctional family relationships. Hayes wants a chance to get to know the daughter he never knew but Vanessa struggles to get past the hurt of being abandoned by the man that she loved. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to Hayes siblings: twin brother Hudson and Lillian, Alexander and Jordan, Kingston and Gabriella, as well as their father August; security specialist James, Hayes and Vanessa’s daughter Maven, Vanessa’s parent Nicholas and Annabella; Vanessa’s best friend Tag, and Hayes’ best friend Ellie.

CRUEL NORTH is a story of misunderstanding and mistakes, family and friendships, betrayal and forgiveness, love and acceptance. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are independent, determined and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of TRUE NORTH

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: Excerpt intended for mature readers due to strong language and content

 

Hayes
“Let’s go.” I open the passenger side door to my car, and when Haven climbs in, I give Hudson a chin lift, thanking him for having my back.
He nods back with a look that says I better be nice.
Fuck me. My own twin acts like I’m the enemy here. Like I’d hurt my own daughter?
I climb behind the wheel and fire up the engine, grateful for the steady hum of the supercharged V8 that cuts through an uncomfortable silence.
“Nice ride,” Haven says and touches all the buttons and knobs. “Is this real leather?” She runs her hands along the seats, and I notice that she has long elegant fingers that are exactly like Vanessa’s.
“Yes.” I force my eyes to the road, feeling oddly uncomfortable with such precious cargo.
“I have a Jeep,” she says. “It’s a piece of shit.”
I’m not great at conversation on a good day, so I grunt like a fucking caveman.
“So what’s it like?”
I see out of my peripheral that she’s facing me. “What’s what like?”
“Being a millionaire.”
I lose the battle with my eyeballs, and they dart toward her before I wrangle them back to the road. Vanessa’s family has a net worth equal to mine. I can’t imagine Haven grew up without.
I clear the discomfort from my throat. “I hear you’re a pretty good athlete.” My tone sounds like I’m accusing her of something, and I don’t know why. Maybe I should’ve just let Hudson take her home. I suck at this.
“I am. I’m good at a lot of things.”
Confident, like her mom. Good.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm-hm.” She doesn’t elaborate.
I take the bait. “Like what?”
She shrugs and looks casually out the front window. “You want the condensed version of my life so that you don’t have to actually invest?”
“No,” I say dryly and grip the steering wheel tighter.
The uncomfortable silence is back and goes on for so long that I start to sweat. I flip on the AC and aim the vent right at my face.
“Listen, uh… Haven… I…” I sound like an idiot who can’t string two words together. “I’ve been thinking—”
“About how you wanted my mom to abort me?”
Fuckin’ hell. “No.”
“About how you abandoned her and left her to have a baby alone at—”
“Jesus, no.”
“About how you’re a rich selfish asshole who couldn’t even be bothered to look for the woman who carried your unwanted child to see if maybe she needed anything like money for food or clothes or a safe place to live or—”
“Haven, stop.”
“—or money so that kid could play sports and afford equipment so she wouldn’t get made fun of for wearing the wrong shoes or sweatpants to games.”
“What are you talking about? Your mom’s family is wealthy.”
“Yeah, well, thanks to you and your mighty sperm, they disowned her.” She tilts her head, just like her mother does before she delivers a brutal tongue lashing. “Ohh, you didn’t know that, did you?” She makes a tsking sound. “You would’ve if you looked for us. Ever heard of Google, asshole?”
“That’s enough.”
“Hey, you’re the one who wanted me to ride with you—”
“I get it. You want to hurt me. I’d do the same in your shoes.”
She slams her mouth closed without response. She faces forward and crosses her arms at her chest. “Whatever.”
“We need to… get to know each other. The three of us have a lot to talk about.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
I cough out a laugh. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“Are we almost to Uncle Hudson’s house?”
He gets to be Uncle Hudson, and I’m Asshole? My jaw ticks. “Yes.”
I use the rest of the time in the car to breathe in and out and try to calm my temper. Vanessa’s parents disowned her. I shouldn’t be surprised, and yet, I am. She’s their only child, for fuck’s sake.
I have a million questions and worry I won’t get the chance to ask Vanessa if we can’t even be in the same room without fighting. Time feels like it’s slipping away, and I don’t know how to grab onto it. But I know I have to try.
I pull up to Hudson’s building. Haven makes a reach for her seatbelt.
“I have a proposition for you.”
Her hand freezes on the buckle, and her eyes narrow.
My God, it’s like looking in a mirror. “One month in New York. Rent free, all expenses paid, you and your mom.”
She eyes me cautiously. “What’s the catch?”
Here’s where I might lose her. “You live with me.”
“Yeah, right.” She snorts. “Mom will never agree to that. I’m pretty sure she hates you.”
She’s not exactly my favorite person right now either. “Leave the convincing to me.”
Her smile is a little wicked. “You’re either really brave or really stupid.”
“I’m not stupid.”
Her brows pop high on her forehead. “You clearly don’t know my mom.”
I don’t respond because she’s right. But she’s also wrong. I got the fiery Vanessa Osbourne to care for me once. A month in New York shouldn’t be too hard. 


 

J.B. Salsbury is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and two kids.

Her love of good storytelling led her to earn a degree in Media Communications. With her journalistic background, writing has always been at the forefront, and her love of romance propelled her career as an author.

She spends the majority of her day behind the computer where a world of battling alphas, budding romance, and impossible obstacles claws away at her subconscious and begs to be released to the page.

Website: http://www.jbsalsbury.com/
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