Monthly Archives: March 2023

To Tame a Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham – a Review

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To Tame a Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham – a Review

 

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Description:
Surrounded by a hostile environment, Shemaine has needed to fight for her very existence all of her life. Things are about to change.

Ranolf was only after revenge, not a potential bride. Nor was he about to accept one as a peace offering from a homicidal maniac. Things are not as they first seem, nor are the people who surround his prize who or what he thought.

As secrets unfurl, thoughts change, and so does the playing field. Can either side learn to live with the world that is changing around them? Or will they be forever enemies

 

 

Review:

To Tame the Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham is a standalone novel. Shemaine, our heroine, has had a tough life, as her Father hated her, since he lost his wife during her birth.  The Father wanted to have her killed at birth, but the brother and sister, stopped their father, and from then on he treated her like garbage.   Over the years, her brother and sister brought her up, and trained her to become a powerful warrior.  With war on the horizon, her Father made plans to offer Shemaine to an enemy King, and despite help from her brother and sister, King Ranolf accepts the offer.  But to everyone’s surprise, Ranolf kills the father, as payback for the murder of his family. 

Ranolf finds himself very attracted to Shemaine, though he knows he needs to go slow with her; especially since she has always learned fight, as a warrior.  Helen, her sister, tries to convince her to open herself to Ranolf; and her brother, now King Allender is determined for Shemaine to marry Ranolf.  The relationship between Ranolf and Shemaine starts off bad, but slowly she realizes how caring Ranolf is, and a slow burn relationship will change everything for her. 

What follows is an army heading their way to start a war, and both Helen and Shemaine realizing that the visiting females have been plotting against them.   Ranolf will call his army, as well as Rogan’s to fight off the enemy.  The battle is violent, with many deaths,  but more help is on the way; and Shemaine was seriously injured.  I did like Shemaine, though I did think early she was annoying. I really liked both Helen and Allender, who protected Shemaine all her life, from their terrible father. I also loved Ranolf, who was the perfect man for Shemaine; as he was kind, caring, loving, and willing to allow her to slowly fall in love with him.  To say too much more would be spoilers.

To Tame the Warrior Princess was very well written by M.A. Abraham.  I read this story in one day, as I could not put the book down; as I really enjoyed To Tame the Warrior Princess. I wholly suggest you read this story, as it was an excellent story line.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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BOOMER (Cerberus MC 25) by Marie James -review tour

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BOOMER (Cerberus MC 25) by Marie James -review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2023

Secrets are poison.
They eat away at you from the inside.
I doubt there’s a single person in the club that would have a problem with who I am.
Keeping my mouth shut is all about my own shame.
Who I am isn’t acceptable.
That’s what my Fundamentalist family raised me to believe, but even after leaving home, I couldn’t be myself.
Fighting against it never really became a struggle until the flirty bartender set his eyes on me.
He made me wish for things I couldn’t have.
Resisting him was easy until that first kiss.
Now there’s a very real chance my shame will ruin us both.

•••••••

REVIEW: BOOMER is the twenty-fifth instalment in Marie James’ contemporary, adult CERBERUS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is former US Marine Alexander ‘Boomer’ Smith, and bartender Drake Hill’s story line. BOOMER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: BOOMER is an LGBTQ story line focusing on a same $ex relationship between two consenting adult men. Some of the events of BOOMER cross over with some of the events of book twenty-four ARO.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Alex and Drake) BOOMER focuses on the building but struggling relationship between former US Marine Alexander ‘Boomer’ Smith, and bartender Drake Hill. Alexander Smith grew up in a strict Fundamentalist religious family, with draconian rules and regulations that would leave Alexander battling the demons from which he continues to run. The Fundamentalist teachings about God, $ex and homosexuality have scarred Alexander Smith such that he is unable to discern his attraction to Drake from a mortal sin. Drake Hill has flirted with Alex, suspecting our hero has yet to come out of the ‘proverbial closet’ but Drake will soon discover that Alex’s inability to let go of the past controls every aspect of his present including his attraction to the man with whom he will fall in love. As Alex and Drake’s relationship becomes more personal and physical, Alex wants to keep their affair a secret but with issues of trust, Alex will quickly push Drake out of his life, refocusing his attention on the teachings from the past, needing forgiveness for his transgressions and sins. What ensues is the building but heart breaking relationship between Alex and Drake, and the potential fall-out as Alex continues to struggle with his attraction to Drake, and what he perceives to be judgement by the Cerberus MC.

Drake Hill is a flirt; he flirts with everyone including Alexander Smith but Drake only has eyes for our story line hero, a man who is unable to accept who he is, and what he wants. Drake knows that to push Alex could mean to push the man a little too far but Drake never expected to find himself blamed for something he would never do. Drake’s own past is mired is abuse and regret, and as such Drake battles between head and heart knowing the man that he loves is struggling with who he is and what he wants. Alexander Smith battles between head and heart with his attraction to Drake, an attraction that would never be condoned by the family with whom he grew up but that family destroyed Alex’s heart and his soul, leaving Alex a shell of his former self.

The relationship between Alex and Drake begins awkwardly as Alex is unable to admit to his attraction to Drake. Alex believes he will be judged not only by God but by the Cerberus family and the other MCs.Struggling to move beyond the teachings of his past, Alex will eventually break the heart of the man with whom he will fall in love, a heart that was willing to accept Alex, ‘sins’ and all. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and charismatic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in the previous story lines including Sawyer ‘Ugly’ Maddox, and President of the Cerberus MC Kincaid. Ugly’s story line is next.

BOOMER is a story of power, betrayal, grief and acceptance. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive and heart breaking; the characters are broken, dynamic and determined. BOOMER ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Previous reviews
Jinx
Thumper
Apollo
A Very Cerberus Christmas
Legend
Grinch
Harley
Landon
Spade
Aro

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Let’s see…where to begin…

I’m inching up on the BIG 4-0. The gray hairs are doubling what seems like daily, and the wrinkles and laugh lines are more pronounced than ever.

I have an amazing husband (Married just over 15 years.)

We have two boys we’re doing our best to raise as respectful gentleman.

I have a master’s degree in criminal justice which I used to work as a juvenile probation office until deciding to write full-time in June of 2019. So that means there’s usually always some criminal/law element to my novels.

If I’m not writing; I’m reading.

My favorite genres recently are bully/reverse harem and enemies to lovers. Maybe I’m reliving my traumatic teen years through the girls who actually end up with the boys. (Not that I would change my history since it’s gotten me exactly where I need to be!)

I love coffee. I miss carbs. Music is LIFE. I try not to be too serious.

FACEBOOK / Twitter / Bookbub / Instagram / Amazon Author Page / Book and Main / Goodreads / Pinterest / Youtube/ Reader Group/ NewsLetter/

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Vampire Valentine by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Vampire Valentine by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
How bad can a blind date with a vampire really be?

The last thing Ryan Harding needs is his brother setting him up on dates with random women. Yes, he’s been avoiding relationships and burying himself in work, but come on, a blind date? Surely things aren’t that desperate. Still…the cute blonde at the bar is pretty amazing. Kind of sexy as hell. Why did he think a blind date was so bad again?

Grace Stanhope has no interest in dating mortals, but she owes her best friend one hell of a favor. A blind date with a human can’t be all that bad right? She might even have a nice time…but oh god is he three of her most favorite things? Tall, dark, AND handsome!?!

Before the night is through, sparks fly, spells are cast, and this blind date just might have a bite to it…

 

Review:

Vampire Valentine by Lauren Smith is a standalone novel.  Grace is a 160 year old vampire, who is about to go on a blind date with a human! Reading that, I wasn’t expecting much of a story. It’s a Valentine story, yawn!! 

But get past the first chapter and something happens that will have you inhaling the book until it’s done. It’s only 133 pages (9 chapters) long, so it won’t take long. But nothing is missing, nothing is skipped, and you won’t feel cheated (you’ll only want it to last a little longer ?) 

Grace and Ryan are a great couple, once we get past the cheese that Valentine’s seems to bring out in people, you’ll enjoy the interaction and chemistry between the two characters. Grace has loved and lost lovers before, so she’s hesitant to let love in again…. 

Ryan lives to work, he throws himself into his job (?) he doesn’t want or need that special someone in his life, and he certainly doesn’t need his brother fixing group in a blind date thank you very much. Although when he spots his date at the bar, he’s not so certain ? 

Meeting up for a blind date on Valentine’s Day could have had disastrous consequences, but the couple hit it off. But someone wants to split the new couple up! Who and why? 

I’ve read a few of the author’s historical books (loved them) I’ve read and loved her contemporary romances, but as I’m a PNR (paranormal romance) reader, and I love her PNR works. 

So can a vampire and a workaholic really make a go of it? Or will Grace have cold feet? Does she really want to see another lover grow old and die? And can Ryan leave his laptop alone for long enough to embrace a little fun and romance? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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CLAIM ME SINFULLY (Dark Alliance 5) by Kira James-a review

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CLAIM ME SINFULLY (Dark Alliance 5) by Kira James-a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 23, 2023

For years the only thing that’s matter is staking my revenge, annihilating the fanged scourge who killed my sister in cold blood.

And thanks to my newest assignment, I finally have the chance to do just that. The FBI doesn’t suspect vampires are to blame for a series of bizarre homicides in LA, but I know better. And a sexy stranger named Serge does too.

He’ll go to any length to help me, leaving me to wonder… Why? Unfortunately, he remains enveloped in shadows, even as our work brings us together and our passion brings us closer still. And his strange knowledge of the monsters we’re hunting raises devastating questions.

I feel so safe in his arms, but could his embrace mean my death?

This book features Sergius and Kate

Originally published as the Shadowkeepers series this paranormal romance series has been extensively revised.

••••••••

REVIEW: CLAIM ME SINFULLY is the fifth instalment in Kira James’ contemporary, adult DARK ALLIANCE paranormal, romance series. This is two thousand year old vampire Sergius aka Serge, and former FBI agent Katherine Martin’s story line. CLAIM ME SINFULLY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as Serge’s story begins at the beginning.

NOTE: THE DARK ALLIANCE series was originally published as the Shadowkeepers paranormal romance series but has been re-released and extensively revised.

SOME BACKGROUND: Vampires all have a serpent within known as the Azag Mahru, a darkness left over from their days as a human that takes control when hunger strikes but Serge lost control of his serpent hundreds of years earlier, a control now masked by something else. His best friend Luke aka Lucius is worried about Serge in the wake of Division 6, and the PEC (Preternatural Enforcement Commission), a Division of Homeland Security, setting their sights on our story line hero, believing Serge has gone rogue, having lost control of the darkness inside.

Told from third person perspective, using present day and memories from the past, CLAIM ME SINFULLY follows former FBI agent Katherine Martin as she hunts for the vampire that killed her sister. With the help of Leena, a powerful witch, Katherine uses her experience as a former FBI agent to ferret out information leading to the one who destroyed her life but Katherine never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of ancient vampire Sergius, the man who is much more than anyone could have imagined. Something about Katherine calls to the ancient vampire, something that soothes the beast within. Serge is determined to claim Katherine as his own but he must first find the vampire controlling the rogues, rogues controlled by the group known as the League. Taking down the man in charge means placing Katherine’s life in the direct line of fire, a line that leads back to the days of Serge’s most heinous of crimes. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Serge and Katherine, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed about Serge’s past.

Sergius aka Serge is over two thousand years old but Serge is much more than an ancient vampire. Serge has powers beyond explanation, powers that are about to baffle and confuse everyone concerned.

The relationship between Serge and Katherine begins when Serge saves Katherine’s life in the wake of a vampire attack. Not only did Serge save Katherine, but the life of a young girl, whose mortality was lost to a vampire fight. Serge needs Katherine to calm the Beast; to quiet the serpent but Serge also wants Katherine as his very own. Katherine never thought she would fall for a vampire, the very creature that killed her sister but Katherine’s heart wants something she cannot control. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

We are reintroduced to several members of the Shadow Alliance: Lucius Dragos aka Luke-Lieutenant Governor of Los Angeles; Luke’s wife and mate Sara Constantine, an attorney with Division 6; Nikki Leviathan (Director of Division 6) ; Orion-chief medical officer of Division 6; Tiberius-Chairman of the Alliance; half-demon PEC Agent Ryan Doyle ; enhanced human Agent Severin Tucker, with the ability to read the thoughts of the recently deceased; vampires Christopher Mitre, Derrick, and Bella; and Katherine’s friend Leena. The requisite evil has many faces.

CLAIM ME SINFULLY is a fast paced, and detailed story of retribution and forgiveness, betrayal and vengeance, power and control. The premise is intriguing and riveting; the romance is seductive; the characters are powerful , determined and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

If you haven’t started the series, the introductory novella  CRAVE ME ROUGHLY is FREE  at Bookfunnel

Crave Me Roughly .5
Embrace Me Darkly
Torture Me Gently
Tempt Me Deadly
Crush Me Tenderly 4.5
Hold Me Wickedly

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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