Monthly Archives: April 2023

Freeing Sully / For The Love of Whiskey by Melissa Foster-reviews

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Freeing Sully / For the Love of Whiskey (The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch 2) by Melissa Foster-reviews

 

FREEING SULLY
(The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch 1.5)
by Melissa Foster
Genre: adult, contemporary,

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 5, 2023

FREEING SULLY and FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY are part of The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series, a small-town, big-family collection of standalone romance novels featuring fiercely loyal, insanely sexy bikers who give horses—and people—a second chance. All Whiskey novels are written to stand alone, so dive right in and buckle up for a wild ride in Hope Valley, CO, as these big-hearted badasses and their sassy sisters wrangle in their forever loves.

•••••

REVIEW: FREEING SULLY is the prequel short story to Melissa Foster’s FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY focusing on Sullivan ‘Sully’ Tate, and Callahan ‘Cowboy’ Whiskey.

FREEING SULLY follows Sullivan Tate, as she struggles to escape the compound from which she has been trapped for close to fifteen years. Raised in the cult, Sullivan is desperate for freedom, and her escape comes with knowledge of leaving her only friend behind.

FREEING SULLY is a quick read; a short story; a teaser revealing some of the background and atrocities inflicted upon Sullivan ‘Sully’ Tate, and the man that controlled all of their lives.

Own a copy

_________

For the Love of Whiskey
(The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch 2)
by Melissa Foster
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance,

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 19,2023

When Sullivan Tate escaped from a cult, leaving behind the only life she’d ever known, she thought she’d already endured the most difficult things she’d ever have to deal with. She knew she needed to figure out who she was, but she hadn’t expected to fall for overprotective and sexy-as-hell Callahan “Cowboy” Whiskey along the way. How can she give her heart to a man who has always known exactly who he is, when she’s only just begun figuring that out about herself?

••••••••

REVIEW:FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY is the second full-length instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult THE WHISKEYS: DARK KNIGHTS AT REDEMPTION RANCH erotic, romance series. This is Callahan ‘Cowboy’ Whiskey, and Sullivan Tate aka Cassandra ‘Casey’ Lawler’s story line.FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary. For back story, there is a prequel short story FREEING SULLY focusing on Sully’s escape from a local cult.

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

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sully and Callahan) FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY follows in the aftermath of Sullivan Tate’s escape from a cult where she had been groomed to service the man in charge. With the help of a trucker and his wife, Sully finds herself at Redemption Ranch in Hope Ridge, Colorado where our heroine will come face to face with her future in the guise of Callahan ‘Cowboy ‘ Whiskey. Callahan’s parents own and work at Redemption Ranch, a safe harbor for those struggling with fall-out of life and loss but Callahan never expected to fall in love with our story line heroine.As the Dark Knights put together a plan to take down the cult, Sullivan Tate must come to terms with the reality of who she was, and the family she knew nothing about. Kidnapped at the age of four, Sullivan Tate only knew the control of the cult; freedom was always a dream too far out of reach. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sully and Callahan, and the potential fall-out when the family she never knew is hoping for Sully to return to their home.

The relationship between Sully and Callahan begins when Callahan becomes guardian, protector and mentor to a woman who knows nothing about the outside world. With the help of the therapists and rehab workers at Redemption Ranch, Sully will make great strides in her recovery, a recovery that now includes the man with whom she will fall in love. Callahan’s slow seduction of Sully may come at a cost when our hero is warned about crossing a line from whence he may never come back. The $ex scenes are seductive, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in the author’s numerous, interconnected series. We are reintroduced to Sully’s biological sister Jordan Lawler and her husbandJax Braden (THEN CAME LOVE: The Bradens & Montgomerys:Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls ), as well as Callahan’s siblings Birdie, Sasha, Dare and Billie, and their parents Wynnie and Tiny.

FOR THE LOVE OF WHISKEY is a story of recovery and healing, acceptance and understanding, lost and found, love and moving forward. The premise is both heart breaking and heartwarming; the romance is tender and provocative; the characters are broken, healing and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE TROUBLE WITH WHISKEY

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook  or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….

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Lassiter (The Blackdagger Brotherhood 21) by JR Ward-review

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Lassiter (The Blackdagger Brotherhood 21) by JR Ward-review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Lassiter, the fallen angel, is too good at the savior business. In his new role overseeing the fates of all vampires, he’s influenced outcomes he shouldn’t have- so the Creator is calling him home. But the angel has a reason to stay in Caldwell. He’s bonded with a mysterious female who’s seemed to appear from out of nowhere… and has powers that defy all reason.

Rahvyn is well aware that she doesn’t belong in the present. And she never intended to stay, for her true place is in the past. Lassiter proves to be undeniable, however, and she lets herself fall for the angel- until a secret he’s been keeping comes out and she fears that for him, it’s not about love, but duty.

As the Omega’s son reestablishes the Lessening Society, and the Brotherhood must resume the deadly war- an unfathomable tragedy occurs. In the aftermath, Rahvyn has to decide whether to stay and help- or save herself from an immortal heartbreak she knows will crush her very soul…

•••••

REVIEW: LASSITER is the twenty-first instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on a group of warrior vampires known as the Blackdagger Brotherhood. This is fallen angel/ Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn’s story line. LASSITER should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading book twenty LOVER ARISEN for back story and cohesion-the current timeline has been building for most of the series.

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

**If you have not read any of the previous, recent instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives LASSITER follows several paths including the building relationship between fallen angel turned Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn. At the end of LOVER ARISEN Lassiter had sacrificed his soul to save the Band of B&stards warrior Balthazar, and in doing so, felt himself unworthy of love, especially the female that called to his heart but something or someone was pushing our story line couple together, a push that would end with the possible destruction or savior of the BDB.

Meanwhile, the Lessening Society has returned with a new Omega. Lash, the son of the previous Omega, was desperate for power and control but found himself falling for Devina, the demon, who using the ancient Book of Spells, called Lash back from extinction. As Lash considered his journey towards the ultimate battle for power, he never considered someone else or something else has been marked into play.

Nate, the adopted son of Muhrder and Sarah returns as he continues to pine for our story line heroine. Nate, whose life once hung in the balance between life and the Fade, has returned, his immortality no longer in question but his future questionable in the face of the return of the Lessening Society. The Lessers are growing in numbers with the return of the Omega but someone else Is building their own army of Lessers, Lessers who are now of the female persuasion.

Like most of JR Ward’s recent story lines, there are many plot lines and characters called into play. As to the numerous pathways, several events begin to unfold but not all of the Brothers are present or accounted for. By way of mention, some return in the wake of the near destruction of the vampire society, while Lassiter’s mating brings together the love and support of many of the Blackdagger Brotherhood. Two fallen angels have returned to reclaim our story line hero but Lassiter continues to have business on Earth, he refuses to abide by the Creator’s demands.

Now to the numerous unanswered questions and concerns. Is LASSITER the end of the series, or the current series ARC? Does the author have plans for a spin off? -she already attempted with the Blackdagger Legacy. The epilogue advances the series thirty-three years, where we are witness to a few of the next generation. The thirty-three year time jump leaves many unanswered questions yet reveals a couple of surprising twists: More Needings? More Young? More Brothers? More Mates? More Angels and the purpose of more fallen angels? What happened to the Lessening Society? The Lessers? Davina and Lash? And of course, the reformation of the Glymera and its’ need to rule with discrimination and power? Or with the return of the fallen angels-Adrian Vogel and Eddie Blackhawk, and of course the demon Devina (originally from the Fallen Angels series)-does the author have more stories planned for her Fallen Angels?

As to some of these questions, when an author recalibrates a series that may be struggling, they inevitably return to what was once popular and strong: the Lessers, the Omega; the Glymera for example-all part of the original BDB series and wars. Ward is not the first, nor the last, to try a recharge using previous premise and plot lines but it often screams of desperation. Long time readers and fans know when a series is struggling and bringing back what was, is not necessarily, the way to go.

The anticipatory factor surrounding the story for certain characters is always fierce and strong but there is often a let down due to the excitement and build up of a beloved character(s). I have seen this happen before in this series, and with many other authors and their own series, and the results have always been the same. Yes, there are those diehard readers and fans that will accept everything and anything but a critical eye will see what is missing; what is not there-satisfaction, realization and accomplishment. Lassiter and Rahvyn were not the primary focus of the story but Lash, Devina and the return of the Lessers, as well as Nate and the future of the BDB. LASSITER felt like an introductory story to the next chapter/arc of the series, and in doing so, lost much of the momentum that is our Fallen Angel Lassiter. Lassiter’s free spirit, sassiness and innocence is missing.

LASSITER is a detailed and complex story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love, secrets and lies. The premise is impassioned; the characters are numerous, animated and brooding; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of secrets and the unknown.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website/

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

Visit the JRWard Facebook Page

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FORGIVE ME MY SINS (Augustine Brothers 1) by Natasha Knight

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FORGIVE ME MY SINS (Augustine Brothers 1) by Natasha Knight -review tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2023

I’m not supposed to fall in love with my husband. It’s not part of my plan.

Forgive me.

Those were the first words Santos Augustine spoke to me before we sealed an unbreakable oath. A contract signed in blood binding me to him as payment for my father’s sins.

Wearing the mask of legitimacy, this powerful crime family has returned to Avarice to punish those who have wronged them and take what they’ve always been denied, a place among the elite.

Forced to marry my enemy, I’m thrust into his world of secrets and betrayals.

My husband is a dangerous man. And he has dangerous enemies. But it’s when I’m attacked that his fury is unleashed.

It’s then I see what it means to belong to Santos Augustine.

And although I know the safest place for me is in his bed, I can’t let myself fall in love with my husband.

*Please note this age-gap, arranged marriage mafia romance contains references to past self-harm.

•••••••••

REVIEW: FORGIVE ME MY SINS is the first instalment in Natasha Knight’s contemporary adult AUGUSTINE BROTHERS dark, erotic, Mafia, romance series. This is thirty year old, head of the Augustine Family Santos Augustine, and twenty year old Madelena De Leon’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Santos and Madelena) FORGIVE ME MY SINS follows the arranged,age-gap marriage and relationship between thirty year old Santos Augustine, and Madelena De Leon. Five years earlier Madelena De Leon became a pawn in the war between the Augustine and De Leon families. Sold to the Augustine family for sins of the past, at fifteen years old, Madelena found herself promised in marriage to Santos Augustine but between private school and her father, Madelena was never safe. At eighteen years old, Madelena was sent to a convent for her own protection, protection that came at a cost. Fast forward to present day wherein Madelena is forced to marry Santos Augustine, where she will discover that secrets and lies are as harmful as the physical abuse she once endured at home. Santos knows it is his duty to marry Madelena De Leon,duty meant to secure the family position but nothing is at is appears as danger and darkness continue to threaten from outside and within. Ghosts from the past return as Santos’ life hangs in the balance, as Madelena’s life continues to spiral out of control. What ensues is the contemptuous but building relationship between Santos and Madelena, and the fall out as the enemy continues to circle, smelling the blood in the proverbial waters.

The relationship between Santos and Madelena is an age-gap, arranged marriage between crime family enemies. Madelena’s life has never been easy, both she and her brother have born the madness of their father’s abuse but hoping for some sense of security is never on the table as Madelena’s welfare is precarious at best. Santos Augustine knows family and duty above all else but Madelena’s safety and protection are paramount, safety against his enemies and his own family but the past has returned, destroying Santos’ in the process, and with it, threatening the life of the woman he has come to call his own. As Madelena struggles with her attraction to, and hatred of the man that she married, there are others waiting to take them down. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are all questionable at best, and dangerous at worse. Everyone is out for power and blood, regardless of relationships or love. We are introduced to Madelena’s brother Odin, and their father Marnix De Leon; Santos’ half brother Caius, and his parents Brutus and Evelyn Augustine, as well as Caius side piece Ana Hollis, a former classmate of Madelena. The requisite evil has many faces.

FORGIVE ME MY SINS is a story of power and control,vengeance and betrayal, abuse and darkness. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and raw; the characters are broken, determined and powerful; the romance struggles in the face of secrets, lies, and forced proximity. FORGIVE ME MY SINS ends on a cliff hanger- you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.

Website: https://natasha-knight.com/
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The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton – Review

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The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton – Review,Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen.

Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief). So when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case. 

But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice’s greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband. Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans. 

Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.

 

 

Review:

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton is the 3rd book in her Dangerous Damsels series.  We meet Alice Dearlove (Agent A), who is one of the top agents within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (AUNT). This is a secret government intelligence group that sends out spies; with Alice successfully handling many roles, such as a lady’s maid, witches, pirates, wealthy ladies, etc.   Her boss notifies her that she is being assigned to another job, and to her dismay, she is partnered with Daniel Bixby (Agent B), who is also a top-notch agent.  Daniel recently worked undercover as a butler to Alex O’Reily, a famous pirate.

Alice and Daniel are not too happy to be working together, but the task at hand is important, as they may need to thwart a possible assassination of Queen Victoria; they are told they have to pretend to be married.  Their assignment is to steal a secret weapon held by pirates, and they arrive at an English house party, filled with a group of high-class people who are secret pirates (Wisteria Society- League of Gentlewomen Witches). Many of the heroes in the first two books (Cecilia and Ned-book 1 & Charlotte and Alex- book 2), as well as a wild group of ladies and men, who think nothing of doing dangerous things for their enjoyment. 

Alice and Daniel are determined to work together as professionals, but in a short time, the attraction between them grows, as their chemistry heats up; they know any kind of relationship is forbidden by AUNT rules. Despite the danger, they cannot resist each other, as the sexual tension between them increased.  The romance was a slow burn, but with little experience they embraced their feelings and slowly accepted that they were falling for each other. Alice and Daniel are wonderful together, as they made a great couple; it was fun to watch them slowly act on their sexual chemistry, and at the same time continue to do their job to find the weapon.

What follows is a wild fun exciting story, filled with flying houses, pirates, witches, mad scientist, spies and many dangerous situations.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and with so much action from start to finish, you need to read this in its entirety. This was a wild escapade of a ride throughout, and this book completes the series.   The Secret Service of Tea and Treason was very well written by India Holton.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON by India Holton

Berkley Romance Trade Paperback Original | On sale April 18th, 2023

                              Excerpt

Three years Daniel Bixby had worked as a butler for the rogue pirate Rotten O’Riley. Three years flying a rickety, ensorcelled house at speeds one could only describe as improper, smuggling pennyroyal tea into Ireland, and washing O’Riley’s laundry. Yet after just one week in Dahlia Weekle’s service he was exhausted. Criminal life had nothing on the rigors of shopping with an aristocratic lady.

This purse-snatching offered the best entertainment he’d had since his return to London (or, to be fair, second best, since nothing could surpass yesterday’s discovery of a Utopia edition in the original Latin). Indeed, he might have stopped the hoodlum at once by using a phrase from the magical incantation that pirates employed to fly their battlehouses and witches to move small objects-O’Riley’s witch wife had taught him how to bring down a man with just one enchanted word-but it was invigorating to give chase (not to mention that witchcraft was highly secret, highly illegal-and, according to pirates, highly, er, low behavior.)

About three hundred feet along the street, he caught the thief. After a struggle, he twisted the man’s arm behind his back, relieved him of the purse, and held it out of reach.

“Thank you,” said a woman’s voice behind him.

Daniel felt the purse removed efficiently from his grip. Glancing around, he was astonished to see the lady’s maid. Time seemed oddly suspended as he stared, arrested by the sight of her. You, said something inside of him, like a memory or a dream. It had whispered to him in the dress shop but spoke louder now, as if she’d removed a mask and he could see her more clearly. Her delicate face was framed by a coiffure so severe it made him think of backboards and plain, starched undergarments-

At which point, time dropped into the pit of his stomach with a crash that sent reverberations through his entire nervous system.

“Ma’am,” he said, taking refuge in politeness even while his nerves clamored and the thief swore and kicked in an effort to get free. “It was a pleasure to be of assistance.”

“You are too kind,” she replied, her voice civil but her expression making it clear she was speaking literally. She turned and handed the purse to the thief.

Daniel blinked, trying to comprehend the evidence before his eyes. He had not been so confused since hearing Wordsworth described as a poetic genius. And confusion was dangerous in his line of work (i.e., when he felt it, other people became endangered). He twisted the thief’s arm further, causing the man to holler, and took the purse from him once more.

“I beg your pardon,” he reproved the lady’s maid.

At his somber tone she cringed, her big dark eyes filling with tears, her lashes trembling. Daniel felt like an utter cad. “Please don’t cry,” he said, holding out his hand in apology.

And she grabbed the purse in it, tugged hard, and jabbed the fingers of her free hand up into his armpit.

Daniel gasped at the sudden pain. His grip weakened, and the purse disappeared once more from his possession. The woman returned it to the thief, who took it with an attitude of bemused uncertainty.

“For goodness’ sake,” Daniel muttered. Although years of piracy had presented little opportunity for heroics, he felt certain they did not usually involve the victim attacking her rescuer. Wrenching the thief about, he snatched the purse from him and-

The woman grasped his wrist with both hands. Daniel attempted to shake her off, and she attempted to emasculate him with an upthrust of her knee, and he saved himself (and his future children) by quickly blocking her with his own knee, leading to her stomping down on his foot, and him twisting her arm, and both of them stopping abruptly to watch the thief escape along the street.

“Is that your pearl necklace he’s carrying?” Daniel asked mildly.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Oh dear.”

She shrugged. “Hopefully he won’t bite the pearls to see if they’re real. They are in fact cyanide capsules.”

As the thief turned a corner and disappeared from the narrative, Daniel released the woman. She took a careful breath, her fingers twitching at her skirt, and he frowned with concern. “Are you hurt?”

The look she gave him was such that Daniel immediately wanted to find a chalkboard and write I will not ask stupid questions one hundred times upon it.

“Yes,” she said in a quiet, terrifyingly precise voice. “I have a headache, my feet ache, and it has been six hours since my last cup of tea. Six hours! And now I even sound like her. Do you realize how much work went in to shepherding that woman into position so her purse could be stolen? How many boutiques I have endured this week? Do you realize how many conversations about penny-dreadful novels I have been forced to endure?”

“I-“

“One such conversation would be too many, but there in fact have been dozens, all mixing together into a ghastly, giggling blur. And yet there goes Putrid Pete back to his gang’s headquarters without the tracking device in Miss Tewkes’s purse, thanks to your dratted chivalry.”

“I-“

“Furthermore, what were you thinking, bringing Miss Weekle shopping on Bond Street today? Her servants coordinate with Miss Tewkes’s servants so as to ensure the ladies never meet. The last time they did, there was a fracas over a parasol, and Miss Weekle’s footman ended up with his nose broken. You have disrupted everything. Therefore I say good afternoon, sir. This ends our acquaintance.”

And grabbing the purse from him, she turned and marched away.

Daniel stared dazedly after her. His memory was shouting for attention . . . His body, however, drowned it out with a hot, uncomfortable throbbing. Perhaps he had strained something in his fight with the thief. He would have to consult a medical encyclopedia this evening.

The woman took an unrelenting course along the footpath, obliging more genteel ladies to leap out of her way. She moved with the dangerous grace of someone entirely aware of her surroundings and entirely unafraid. He watched her, knowing she would know that he did.

And for the first time in living memory, Daniel Bixby grinned.

Excerpted from The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton Copyright © 2023 by India Holton. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

THE READING CAFE & BERKLEY ROMANCE are graciously offering a paper copy of THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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RIDE IT, MY PONY (RBMC: Omaha Chapter 2) by Kristine Dugger

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RIDE IT, MY PONY (RBMC: Omaha Chapter 2) by Kristine Dugger -review tour

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 15, 2023

Pony Boy
Everyone has a past. Mine was the standard American dream. I grew up on the right side of town, had the right set of parents, went to all the right schools, and even got one of those fancy degrees. My life was meaningless until I started riding. It was then I found my calling and became a Royal Bastard. I was content to bang a new girl every night and be the playboy. Then I am forced to protect Brooke and somewhere along the way the lines turn blurry. The life I told myself I did not want suddenly became the life I crave.

Brooke
They say when you grow up with the perfect childhood your life turns to crap at some point. I happen to agree with this statement. I was just minding my own business and working my way through the chains in the ER when all of that came crashing down. When the life I thought was perfect, was turned upside down and everything I thought I knew was a lie. Now my life is in danger, and it is up to a local MC to keep me safe. Now I have a bodyguard that I hate but at the same time he makes me want to ride it. His pony, I mean his Harley.

••••••

REVIEW: RIDE IT, MY PONY is the second instalment and novella in Kristine Duggar’s contemporary, adult RBMC: OMAHA CHAPTER erotic, MC romance story line, and the introduction to the author’s new Mafia Series focusing on the Chicago Irish Mob. This is Dr. Brooke Lancaster and RBMC SAA Chase ‘Pony Boy’ Montgomery’s story line. RIDE IT, MY PONY cover approximately twenty-four hours.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Chase and Brooke) RIDE IT, MY PONY follows in the wake of an accident wherein Chase ‘Pony Boy’ Montgomery will meet his future in the guise of Dr. Brooke Lancaster but upon his release, Pony Boy receives a new assignment, guarding the biological daughter of the Chicago Irish Mob-Dr. Brooke Lancaster. Brooke has no idea that she is the daughter of the next leader of the Chicago Mob, having grown up with two parents she always believed were her blood but the past has resurfaced, and Brooke has been targeted for her biological father’s sins, and the RBMC have been tasked with protecting our story line heroine. What ensues is the quick building, lust to love relationship between Brooke and Chase, and the potential fall-out as the threats hit too close to home.

The relationship between Chase and Brooke begins as frenemies when Chase’s over the top, misogynistic flirting pushes all of Brooke’s buttons. Believing Chase is nothing more than a gang-banger and roughian, she has no idea that ‘Pony Boy’ is from a well to do family, with a university education but a man who wants our story line heroine. Desperate to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love Chase must prove himself worthy to the next ‘king’ of the Chicago Irish Mob. The $ex scenes are intimate, fast and furious.

We are introduced to several members of the RBMC: Omaha Chapter including their president The Irishman, and his very pregnant wife Sapphire, as well as Brooke’s parents David and Meredith Lancaster, and her biological father Sebastian O’Farrell.

RIDE IT, MY PONY is a quick read; a fast paced story of secrets and lies, family and relationships, betrayal and vengeance, insta-lust to love. The premise is captivating; the romance is limited due to the nature of the story; the characters are energetic and dynamic. RIDE IT, MY PONY ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-Brooke and Chase’s story will continue with the Kristine Duggar’s new co-authored/ sponsored spin off Irish Mafia romance series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Kristine’s Books: https://books2read.com/ap/8VyelA/Kristine-Dugger

Kristine’s Website: http://kristinedugger5.wixsite.com/kristinedugger

  Kristine’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rdnovelist/

️ Website/Series Links: https://www.royalbastardsmc.com/

️ Follow RBMC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalbastardsmcbooks/

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Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
She’s determined to start a new chapter, so why is she still drawn to a man from her past?

When Jasmine Weaver, the chief of staff to a powerful D.C. congresswoman, chose integrity, she didn’t anticipate ringing in the New Year disgraced, unemployed, and sleeping in her childhood bedroom. Now back in River’s Edge, Indiana, identical triplet Jazz has her sisters’ support while she plans her next steps. She agrees to lead the committee for their high school’s fifteenth reunion, never dreaming that her co-chair is the man who broke her teenage heart.

As the new CEO of Walker Construction, Elias Walker has taken the family business to new levels of success. He’s buried himself in work to ease the grief of losing his fiancé several years earlier and wants nothing more than to be a carpenter again. Elias grudgingly agrees to co-chair the high school’s reunion committee, but when Jazz Weaver blows into town, suddenly anything seems possible.

These high school sweethearts have lived half their lives apart. Can they reinvent themselves back in the town where it all began?

 

 

Review:

Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the first book in her new The Weaver Sisters series. We meet Jasmine Weaver, our heroine, when she is travelling back home to River’s Edge, having been fired from her job in Washington, DC.  Jasmine was the chief of staff for a congresswoman for many years, and when she discovers the woman she idolized was doing something disgraceful behind the scenes, she approaches her and gets fired. Now unemployed, losing friends, she sells her home and heads home to her family, which includes two sisters, with all three being triplets.

Eli Walker, our hero, is the CEO of Walker Construction, and has helped successfully increase the business.  Eli lost his fiancée a few years ago, and is still grieving from her death, burying himself totally into his work.  When a car slams into his fender, they both are shocked as they recognize each other from many years ago.  Jazz is shocked to see Eli, the man who broke her heart during her high school days.  Together they could see that each had their own hard times, with Jazz now unemployed and Eli not being able to go back to the house he was building, still grieving the loss of his fiancée.  While talking, they both agree that they need to move on, and a friendship begins.

With her sisters help, Jazz finally pulls out of her doldrums, and decides to help out at the local restaurant, until their helpers can return.  She begins to enjoy the comradery meeting old and new friends, including spending time with Eli, especially him able to return to fixing up his house, with her help.

Jazz agrees to lead the committee for the high school’s 15th reunion, and to her surprise, Eli is the co-chair person with her.  Eventually, Jazz will be offered a job as a councilwoman, working close to the Mayor, especially since her experiences is perfect for the job.  Eli and Jazz begin to have feelings for each other, and a wonderful slow burn romance begins. I really loved Eli and Jazz, as they were great together; I also loved the amazing wonderful secondary characters. The Weaver sisters were great, as well as the Walker family; it was fun to see many of the Lange family (previous series).

Home to River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, entertaining and heartwarming story. 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.

Home to River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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JUST ONE FLING: The Dirty Dares 4 by Carly Phillips-review tour

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JUST ONE FLING: The Dirty Dares 4 (Kingston Family 9) by Carly Phillips

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2023

It was just supposed to be a fling.
Now she’s having his baby.

Winter Capwell knows all about billionaire Harrison Dare’s bad-boy reputation.

His all-pleasure, no-commitment rule worked well for her, too. Until fate changed everything.

Harrison never wanted a wife or kids. His incredibly large family provides all the siblings and children he needs. Besides, no woman has ever tempted him to give up his bachelor lifestyle.

Until the mysterious and sexy Winter entered his life.

But when someone comes after the woman he loves, he will stop at nothing to protect her and make her his. For good.

•••••••

REVIEW: JUST ONE FLING is the ninth instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult KINGSTON FAMILY erotic, romance series- a series interconnected with the author’s Dirty Dare /Dare Nation series. This is actor Harrison Dare, and twenty-four year old journalist Winter Capwell’s story line. JUST ONE FLING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Harrison and Winter) JUST ONE FLING follows in the aftermath of a summer fling between Harrison and Winter, and the revelation that Winter is the half-sister to Nicolette Bettencourt (Asher Dare’s wife). Winter Capwell grew up never knowing who her father was, and the discovery that her father is a US State Senator meant Winter had a number of half-siblings that she knew nothing about. Befriending Nikki Bettencourt came with secrets and lies, lies that are about to reveal the truth about Winter’s independent past but a summer ‘fling’ with Nikki’s brother in law Harrison ended, and several weeks later, Winter would discover she is pregnant with Harrison’s baby. Struggling to understand what happened and why, Harrison leaves a heart broken Winter to question where everything went wrong but once the announcement hit the papers, Winter would find herself a target of an unknown stalker. What ensues is the second chance romance and relationship between Harrison and Winter, and the potential fall-out as the threats against Winter become personal and deadly, revealing a connection to everyone she knows.

The relationship between Harrison and Winter began as a summer fling following an interview with our leading hero. As a journalist Winter wanted to report about the success of Harrison Dare but Harrison held back many secrets just as Winter held back many more. Together, Harrison and Winter would raise their child together but someone else is hoping to destroying our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is are large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the previous story line couples. We are reintroduced to Asher and Nikki; Asher and Harrison’s parents Serenity and Michael Dare, and their brother Zach, and Zach’s friend Raven, as well as Nikki’s brother Derek, and their parents Senator Corbin and Collette Bettencourt. Zach’s story line is next.

JUST ONE FLING is a story of secrets and lies, family and relationship, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is heart warming and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are charismatic and charming.

Previous Reviews and Reading Order

Just One Night
Just One Scandal
Just One Chance
Just One Spark
4.5 Just One Wish
Just One Dare
Just One Kiss
Just One Taste

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? Book one JUST ONE NIGHT is FREE at these ebook retailers:

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

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

Website  Mailing List   NewsletterGoodreads  Amazon  Facebook  Twitter

Text Updates of New Releases  Carly’s Corner!  Instagram

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FINDING TREASURE (Road Monsters MC 1) by Morgan Jane Mitchell

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FINDING TREASURE (Road Monsters MC 1) by Morgan Jane Mitchell-a 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 April 6, 2023

Welcome to the Road Monsters MC

They always called Leviathan, Enforcer of the Royal Bastards MC in Nashville, Tennessee a Monster
so he became one.

On a mission to find the woman who betrayed him and his club, he stumbles onto Maren’s horrible past.
The woman has more secrets than he ever knew.
Now called Treasure, the lady biker he seeks has become President of her own MC chapter since they last met, her reward for betraying him.
But Maren didn’t really do it, she swears.
She doesn’t intend to go back to his club and to her death willingly.
Is she simply taming his Monster again with her lies or is this a new beginning?

•••••••

REVIEW: FINDING TREASURE is the first instalment in Morgan Jane Mitchell’s contemporary, adult ROAD MONSTERS MC erotic, MC romance series set in the multi-authored The Mayhem Makers Series, and the multi-authored RBMC series. This is the continuing story of former RBMC Nashville Enforcer , thirty nine-year old Levi ‘Leviathan’ and former gymnast turned exotic dancer, twenty-eight year old Maren ‘Treasure’ Davidson. FINDING TREASURE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading CATCHIN’ LEVI ( RBMC: Nashville #5) where Levi and Maren’s story begins.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Levi and Maren) FINDING TREASURE follows Leviathan as he searches for the woman that betrayed his club. Maren Davidson was a plant, ordered to seduce our story hero but in the wake of her betrayal, Levi was about to suffer the consequences. Losing his patch and his club was nothing compared to losing his daughter, and his only recourse was to locate and bring back the woman who betrayed them all but not everything is at it appeared to be forcing Levi and Maren on the run for their live. With the hope of help from another MC, Levi will quickly discover help comes at a cost, betrayal is deep, and their lives will be forfeit when all is done.

The relationship between Levi and Maren began in CATCHIN’ LEVI, a story line in which Maren would infiltrate the RBMC, in the hopes of saving her life. Maren never expected to fall in love with Leviathan, and her betrayal cost the lives of a number of members from several MC. Planning on taking down our story line heroine, Levi battles between head and heart knowing the death of Maren could mean the death of his own heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters from several MC’s including the RBMC: Tennessee, the Road Monsters MC, and the Asphalt Gods MC. Levi and Maren’s lives hang in the balance.

FINDING TREASURE is another intense story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, love and loss, acceptance and forgiveness. The fast paced premise is dark and dramatic; the romance is aggressive; the characters are struggling, broken and lost. FINDING TREASURE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of CATCHIN’ LEVI

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

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