Monthly Archives: April 2023

Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost – a Review

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Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost – a Review

 

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Description:
If you thought you learned more about the dangerous and sexy alpha vampire, Bones, in The Other Half of the Grave, you haven’t seen anything yet…

Cat disappeared from Bones’ life to protect him, but this Master vampire will keep his promise to find her.

Two hundred years of bounty hunting made Bones the best at what he does, yet it’s still taken him four long years to find Cat, the half vampire now known as the “Red Reaper.” There’s a price on Cat’s head, and not even her job as a secret government agent can save her. Only Bones can. But has time hardened Bones too much to love again? Or will his passion for Cat burn through every obstacle—alive, undead, or otherwise—between them?

 

 

Review:

Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost is the 8th book in her wonderful Night Huntress series. I have read and loved all of the Night Huntress series, which was one of my favorite paranormal series, written so very well by Jeaniene Frost.  I loved our heroes, Cat and Bones, as they were such a fantastic couple; with Bones being a Master Vampire, and Cat (known as the Red Reaper), being a Half Vampire. I could not wait to read Both Feet in Grave, which was in Bones’ POV, and happy to say I loved it.

It has been four years since Cat disappeared, when she left him to protect him. Bones finally finds her, using another name, but she is attending Denise’s wedding, and he plans to be there.  Bones had suffered during those 4 years, and when he sees her walking down the aisle, his love is still potent, and when Cat sees him, her eyes light up.  When the service is over, Bones convinces Cat that he will always be at her side, especially since someone is trying to kill her. Despite Cat’s concern, she cannot resist him, and the chemistry between them explodes.   Bones offers to join her team, and offers Don some of his powerful blood to increase their powers; though Cat wasn’t crazy about this, she convinces her team (Tate, Juan, Cooper and Don) to accept Bones.  He learns a lot about what the team does, and works closely with Cat.  

Ian, who is Bones sire, is determined to make the Red Reaper his own, and Bones makes plans to trick Ian, and the man, Max, who was Bones father, who also was trying to kill her.  I will say I never liked Don, but I totally hated Cat’s mother, who was a horrible mother, and evil. I enjoyed seeing some of our previous favorites, such as Mencheres, Charles, Denise, and Ian.  We also learn more about Annette and Bones time together years ago. But most of all, it was great to see Cat and Bones fight their enemies. As much as I love Bones, I loved Cat, who was one of the best kick-assed heroines in the paranormal world.

Both Feet in the Grave was a fantastic addition to this series, as it was very exciting, action, intense and very steamy. Cat and Bones continue to be one of the best couples in the literary world. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and if you are a fan of the Night Huntress series, you need to read this book from start to finish. Both Feet in the Grave was so very well written by Jeaniene Frost.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Tristan (San Francisco Shockwaves ) by Samantha Linde-review tour

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Tristan (San Francisco Shockwaves 3) by Samantha Linde-review tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 17, 2023

I was a forever-bachelor kind of guy.

I never planned on settling down.

I never wanted a family of my own.

Until a phone call came, the one woman I’d secretly loved my entire life needed my help.

I went from bars and hook-ups to late nights on the couch.

When her daughter is born, I find myself captivated by both of them, and falling deeper in love.

What happened to my forever-bachelor life, and is that the life I want?

••••

REVIEW:TRISTAN is the third instalment in Samantha Lind’s contemporary adult SAN FRANCISCO SHOCKWAVES erotic hockey romance series. This is Shockwaves’ player Tristan Henderson, and twenty-four year old Kendra Torres’ story line. TRISTAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tristan and Kendra) TRISTAN follows in the wake of the domestic assault against our story line heroine. Kendra Torres life had spiralled out of control landing her in the hospital where she would discover she was pregnant with her abusive ex partner’s child. With the help of her brother Jackson, and his best friend, pro hockey player Tristan Henderson, Kendra accepted Tristan’s offer of a home and support, far away from the nightmare back home. Recovering and living in California, Kendra must consider her future going forward, a future that may or may not include the man she has lusted after most of her life. Tristan has been in love with his best friend’s sister for as long as he can remember, and with Kendra at his side, Tristan knows that marriage and family together is just around the corner. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kendra and Tristan, as they navigate married life, a new baby, and changing careers in the future.

Kendra Torres has no career options but she loves to cook. An idea for ready-made home cooked meals finds Kendra on the rapid path to success with the help of the wives of the San Francisco Shockwaves. Tristan Henderson never thought he would settle down let alone start a family but one night with Kendra changed Tristan’s direction in life, a direction in which they will travel together.

The relationship between Tristan and Kendra is a best friend’s sister romance in which our couple have lusted after one another for years but Kendra’s brother Jackson has laid down the law, daring Tristan not to cross the proverbial line between friendship and $ex. Living together pushes our couple into one another’s arms, a push that will lead to their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text .

The secondary and supporting characters include the previous two couples:Ryker and Avery, Aiden and Tori, as well as the introduction of Kendra’s brother Jackson Torres.

TRISTAN is a quick read; a fast paced story of domestic abuse and survival, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is heart breaking and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic, and determined to thrive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ryker
Aiden

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Samantha Lind is a USA TODAY Bestselling contemporary romance author. When she’s not dreaming up new stories, she can often be found with her family, traveling, reading, watching her boys on the ice, or watching her favorite professional hockey team (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.  She can be contacted by email or found on Facebook. 

Keep up with Samantha Lind and subscribe to her newsletter: http://bit.ly/FDSLNL

FOLLOW: Website / Newsletter / Facebook/ Facebook Group/ Instagram/ Twitter/ Goodreads/ Amazon Author /Bookbub

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Annie’s Apple (Second Chance 2) by John A Heldt-a review

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Annie’s Apple (Second Chance 2) by John A Heldt-a review

 

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Six years after emerging from a fountain of youth, siblings Bill, Paul, and Annie Carpenter, time travelers from 2022, make their way in 1911.

In New York, Bill and wife Cassie finish a year as educators and struggle to start a family, while Annie tries her hand as a society reporter. In Arizona, Paul and Andy Lee, sergeants and brothers-in-law, attempt to keep the Mexican Revolution from spilling across the border.

For all, life marches on. Then the soldiers receive new orders, Paul and Annie meet alluring strangers, and the family’s fortunes take dramatic turns.

In ANNIE’S APPLE, the sweeping sequel to THE FOUNTAIN, five young adults find love, danger, and adventure in the age of factory fires, high society, and the sinking of the Titanic.

••••

REVIEW: ANNIE’S APPLE is the second instalment in John A Heldt’s adult SECOND CHANCE historical, time travel series focusing on the Carpenter siblings-Paul, Bill and Annie.

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

SOME BACKGROUND :The Second Chance series focuses on the search for the Fountain of Youth. In May of 2022, 81 year old William Carpenter is a retired professor of folklore, learns the mythology about the Fountain of Youth may be the reality he and his siblings are looking for. Having just buried his wife, William believes he has nothing more to lose, and convinces his siblings Paul 75, who has terminal cancer, and Annie 72, a paraplegic, to test the proverbial magic waters in La Paz, Mexico but the myth comes with the caveat of time travel, a caveat wherein the siblings have no idea where in the world or when they will land.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives ANNIE’S APPLE advances the series approximately five years. The year is now 1911, and the Carpenter siblings, all in their twenties and thirties, are about to face and experience some of the most painful and heart breaking events in history from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Manhattan, to the sinking of the HMS Titanic. The Carpenter siblings are witness to, and unwitting participants in historical happenings and developments of 1911-1912 but the Carpenter’s are not the only time travellers to arrive in Manhattan in 1911, and Paul will find himself flirting with another broken heart from the future. As the Carpenter family grows, and the next generation is born, the siblings must come to terms with the past, a past that is now a part of their present. Annie will have loved and lost, not once but twice; and Bill, having never had children in his previous life, will learn the meaning of true love and acceptance.

John A Heldt, once again, blends a little fact with fiction, taking literary license with events from the past. The reader is up close and personal with the what ifs and whys of yesterday, as the sibling bear witness without interfering in the history of the past. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romances are passionate but ill-fated; the characters are impassioned and struggling.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE FOUNTAIN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Superstar (Rookie Rebels) by Kate Meader-a review

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Superstar (Rookie Rebels) by Kate Meader-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

He never saw her coming …

After almost a year away from hockey, Bastian Durand’s return to the game should be a triumph.

Instead he’s taken down by the Chicago Rebels mascot.

It can’t get worse. Or maybe it can. Because the human inside the Rowdy Rebel costume is none other than Pepper Calhoun.

His friend’s sister.
His coach’s daughter.
And the woman Bastian has wanted for the longest time.

Pepper has always been a magnet for bad luck and now she’s ruined superstar Bast Durand’s big comeback. So that tracks. Everyone, from her father and brother to the fans and press, heck, even the NHL commissioner, hates her.

Everyone but the one guy who should.

Hiding away is the only thing she can think of, except Bast has the same idea. To her utter dismay, he’s determined to protect Pepper from anyone who dares breathe a word against her.

And to convince her that crashing on the ice isn’t all that different from … falling in love.

••••••

REVIEW:SUPERSTAR is the seventh instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS erotic, hockey romance series- a spin off from the author’s CHICAGO REBELS series. This is twenty-six year old, Chicago Rebels player Bastian Durand, and twenty-two year old Chicago Rebels coach’s daughter Pepper Calhoun’s story line. SUPERSTAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Bastian is the half-brother to Reid Durant (Dear Roomie #5).

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Bast and Pepper) SUPERSTAR follows the building romance and relationship between twenty-six year old, Chicago Rebels player Bastian Durand, and twenty-two year old Chicago Rebels coach’s daughter Pepper Calhoun. Bastian Durand spent months nursing an almost career ending wrist injury when he met embroiled Chicago Rebel’s coach’s daughter Pepper Calhoun. Bastian was in no position to face down a woman whose reputation was in tatters but a trade to the Chicago Rebels placed our couple in the direct line of fire. Struggling with a direction in life, Pepper would find herself the team’s newest ‘mascot’, a mascot that was about to reinjure Bastian’s wrist and also his pride. Needing a break from ..well..everything, Bastian’s brother offers up his cabin in Michigan, a cabin Bastian was about to share with our story line heroine. Pepper Calhoun wasn’t given a choice when her father forced her to drive Bastian to his home away from home, the cabin where Pepper and Bastian would come clean about demons from the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bastian and Pepper, and the potential fall-out as their return home forces Pepper and Bastian to confront the people who continue to make their lives miserable.

Pepper Calhoun’s reputation was destroyed when she supposedly ‘broke the heart’ of another professional hockey player but all was not as it appeared to be, and Pepper refused to reveal the truth about what happened or why. Bearing the brunt of the online and media hate Pepper would become the target and punching bag of everyone who wanted someone to blame including the father and brother she so desperately wanted to please. Bastian Durand’s family dynamics was in tatters having been forced to compete against his half brother Reid, who in turn almost destroyed Bastian’s career months earlier. Needing time to reconsider his future going forward, Bastian would have to face his demons as well as admitting his attraction and love for our story line heroine.

The relationship between Bastian and Pepper is a frenemies to lovers relationship in which secrets revealed would shine a different light on our story. line couple.Few people were aware of the truth: about Pepper’s break up with left winger Kent Gallagher; fewer people knew about the forced rivalry between the brothers on the ice. Forced to spend several nights together in the wake of a Michigan snow stormed, helped Pepper and Bastian free themselves from the demons they continued to ride. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to several members of the Chicago Rebels hockey team, as well as coach John Calhoun, Bastian’s half brother Reid and his wife Kennedy; Pepper’s brother Connor Calhoun, and via text Pepper’s ex Kent Gallagher., and Bastian’s father Henri Duranc.

SUPERSTAR is a story of secrets and lies, misunderstanding and judgemental family, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is captivating and passionate; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

 

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player
Dear Roomie
Rebel Yule
Jock Wanted

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Reader’s Group | Bookbub | Goodreads | Newsletter | Amazon Author Profile

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Blythe and her friends—Gabrielle, and brother and sister Tucker and Tanya—have always been a tight friend group, attending a local high school and falling in and out of love with each other. But an act of violence has caused a rift between Blythe and Tucker . . . and unexpected bursts of aggression and disturbing nightmares have started to become more frequent in their lives.

The strange happenings culminate in a shocking event at school: Gabrielle is found covered in blood in front of their deceased principal, with no memory of what happened.

Cracks in their friendship, as well as in their own memories, start appearing, threatening to expose long-forgotten secrets which could change the group’s lives forever. How can Blythe and her friends trust each other when they can’t even trust their own memories?

•••

REVIEW:SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING by Kelley Armstrong is a contemporary, young adult, psychological, suspense thriller focusing on the small town of Darlington Hills and a research facility owned by CMT.

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

Told from first person perspective (Blythe Warren) and several third person omniscient perspectives SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING follows in the aftermath of the so-called suicide of the local high school principal but from the outset everything is spiralling out of control, memories are erased, and the truth is definitely stranger than fiction.

Our heroine, sixteen year old Blythe Warren, is worried that something has happened to her best friend Gabrielle, who prior to the apparent suicide of the high school principal was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. Blythe had followed Gabrielle to the principal’s office but her memory of what happened or why is non-existent except for small flash-backs that do not make sense. As Blythe’s memory begins to reveal something more sinister at work, her group of well-connected and close knit friends begins to unravel a secret closely connected to the CMT Research Facility, where all of their parents work.

Blythe, along with her sisters, and friends all attend a private and prestigious STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school, sponsored by the local CMT Research Facility but all is not well within the student body when Blythe begins to receive messages from an unknown sender, and encoded emails reveal an long term experiment that went horribly wrong.

SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, murder and mystery, memories and madness, twists and turns where nothing is as it seems, and people are not whom they claim to be. Kelley Armstrong invites the reader into a psychological thriller, an intense story of mystery and suspense wherein it takes a group of sixteen year old high school students to break through the veil of power and control. The thought-provoking premise is dark, gritty tragic and dramatic; the characters are flawed, broken and easily manipulated.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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ANCIENT WARRIOR (Ancients Rising 8) by Katie Reus-a review

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ANCIENT WARRIOR (Ancients Rising 8) by Katie Reus-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

The last time she saw him…

Long before The Fall, before the world changed forever, tiger shifter Harlow worked in Black Ops for the safety of all shifters. She excelled at her job, loved everything about it, until the male she loved tried to kill her. So she was forced to kill him first.

She killed him.

Now Aodh is back. And this fierce, dominant dragon shifter won’t stop until he gets answers. But things aren’t what they seem and now he has more than a battle with Harlow on his hands. If they want a chance at a future, they’ll have to take down an ancient enemy who has targeted not only them, but their friends—and it’s going to take uniting all their skills to survive.

•••••

REVIEW: ANCIENT WARRIOR is the eight instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult ANCIENTS RISING paranormal, fantasy romance series. This is dragon shifter Aodh, and Siberian Tiger shifter Harlow’s story line. ANCIENT WARRIOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Months earlier, several dragons rose from their sleep, and in the aftermath destroyed much of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, in an apocalyptic showdown known as The Fall, but in doing so revealed the existence of the supernatural world to humankind. Ancients Rising focuses on the recovery of the city, and the group of supernaturals and dragons who have come to call New Orleans their home.

Told from third person perspective ANCIENT WARRIOR in the wake of the rising of dragon shifter Aodh. Approximately fifteen years earlier, Aodh was betrayed by the woman he loved, left to suffer at the hands of an energy witch. Having been imprisoned underground in the world of the Fae, the magic around Aodh began to wane, and he found himself on the hunt for the woman he used to love. Enter tiger shifter Harlow, a woman whose heart was broken by the man she once loved, a dragon who is determined to destroy her life. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Aodh and Harlow, as Aodh, Harlow, and her team go in search of a serial killer targeting entire Fae villages.

Harlow and Aodh never knew the real truth, only the truth they had been lead to believe. A witch of enormous power had entrapped our story line hero, leaving him in hibernation for close to fifteen years. Harlow struggled to move on from the loss of the man she once loved, a man who believes Harlow left him to die.

The relationship between Aodh and Harlow is one of second chances. Aodh believes he was targeted year before, target by the woman that had stolen his heart. Reconnecting with the past, Aodh and Harlow enter into a journey of redemption, in an effort to take down a serial killer. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of supernatural secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Brielle and Harlow’s parents, as well as Brielle’s fated mate Vita.

ANCIENT WARRIOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, murder, madness, determination and love. The fast paced and character driven premise is inviting and intriguing; the romance is fated and edgy; the characters are dynamic and determined.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Ancient Protector
Ancient Enemy
Ancient Enforcer
Ancient Vendetta
Ancient Retribution
Ancient Vengeance
Ancient Sentinel

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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The Ruin of Gods by Sawyer Bennett-review tour

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The Ruin of Gods (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 8) by Sawyer Bennett-review tour

 

 

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

PLEASE NOTE: The Ruin of Gods will be available WIDE until Sunday, April 16. It will then be removed from Nook, Apple, Kobo, and Google, and will enter Kindle Unlimited on (or around) Tuesday, April 18.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

A demigod ready to commit for eternity. A god who isn’t ready to commit at all. An unseen danger that may kill them both.
​​​​​​​
For centuries, I’ve traveled the realms, fighting wars, providing peace, causing havoc and everything in between. I’ve also sown my wild oats across those realms, taking pleasure when and where it’s offered. It’s a work hard, play harder lifestyle but I’m just the demigod to do it.

Zora is the god of Life but before that she was a mortal held captive, growing up without love or affection. Raised in the pits of Hell, she was a pawn in a sinister plan to destroy the world. Tossed into the life of an immortal deity, Zora is understandably closed off and confused about who she is and where she fits in. But the one place she fits perfectly is in my bed and the more time I spend with her, the more I’d like to keep her there permanently.

My attempts to win over the ethereal beauty are thwarted when a nefarious plan begins to unfold, leaving Zora missing and me scrambling to solve a mystery no one saw coming. As an immortal, time is of little importance but becomes a precious commodity where saving Zora is concerned.

I’ve lived centuries never knowing true love, but I know one thing with absolute certainty—Zora is what I need to complete my eternal life. Now I need to make sure she lives long enough to realize the same about me.

•••••

REVIEW:THE RUIN OF GODS is the eighth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s adult CHRONICLES OF THE STONE VEIL paranormal/fantasy/mythology series. This is demigod Maddox, and the god of Life and Death Zora’s story line. THE RUIN OF THE GODS can be read as a stand alone but for back story I recommend reading the series in order but more specifically books one to five where Zora’s story begins. Zora is the sister of Finley Porter books one to five.

SOME BACKGROUND: Abducted at birth, raised in the Underworld as a human, Zora knew nothing but darkness and hate until the day of her twenty-eight birthday where she will come face to face with the sister she never knew. Sacrificing her life to save her sister, Zora would awaken a goddess, a goddess who continues to battle between head and heart with what was and what will never be.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zora and Maddox) THE RUIN OF GODS follows goddess Zorasha aka Zora, as she struggles with her new found powers. With the ability to revive the recently deceased but an ability that requires the consensus of the gods, Zora is hoping to save Maddox’s brother Lucien from eternal damnation in the Crimson River but all is not well with the veil between the Underworld and the First Dimensions, and the gods have other issues to consider in the wake of a potential war. Old enemies seem to rise from the dead or escape their magical prisons, and in this the gods are at risk including our story line heroine. What ensues is the ongoing but struggling relationship between Maddox and Zora,and the potential fall-out as the all powerful Blood Stone goes missing, and the fight for power forces Zora to consider everything going forward.

The relationship between Zora and Maddox is a friends to lovers to frenemies to broken hearts as Zora struggles with her direction going forward. For one year, since coming into her powers, Zora and the demigod Maddox have had a mutual agreement and attraction that is slowly destroying Zora’s heart. Zora is a goddess, wandering aimlessly through life, and she believes there is no place in her life for love or our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful gods and goddesses, Light and Dark Fae, many of whom we have me in the previous story lines: Zora’s sister Finley and her mate, King of the Underworld Carrick #1-5, Thalia and Bastien #6, Nyssa and Amell #7, as well as several gods and goddesses: Veda (god of Humanity) , Onyx (god of Conflict), Cato (god of Nature), Circe (god of Fate). The requisite evil is familiar and has many faces.

THE RUIN OF GODS is another complex and detailed story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, influence and magic, acceptance and love focusing on mythology, gods and goddesses, Fae and demons.. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are powerful, mythological and often mad.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Clash of Yesterday (prequel)
The Revelation of Light and Dark
A Discovery of Secrets and Fates
The Evolution of Fae and Gods
A Battle of Blood and Stone
The Rise of Fury and Fortune
The Shadow Princess
The Midnight Realm

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM |  Join Sawyer’s Newsletter

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Merciless Monster / Dark Deviant by Kristen Luciani-review tour

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Merciless Monster / Dark Deviant by Kristen Luciani-review tour

 

 

DARK DEVIANT
(Vengeful Villains 5)
by Kristen Luciani
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,dark, Mafia romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 6, 2023

Too much booze and a laundry list of regrets landed me in bed with a gorgeous blonde halfway around the world.
It was a one-night stand gone very wrong, plagued by deadly secrets and deceit.
I was never supposed to see her again.
But the curves of her body, fierce glow of her eyes, and mouth that begged for more made her impossible to forget.
And now, two and a half years later, she’s staring into the barrel of my gun.

Her brothers came to Miami for revenge…against me.
But they hit the wrong target, killing my mother instead.
Now our families are at war,
And justice can only be served through death.
Her death.

But she has a secret, too…a baby girl who looks just like me.
So my plans changed.
Killing her was my mission.
Kidnapping her is my compromise.

As the days pass, my need to possess her consumes me more than my need for revenge.
Punishing her defiance becomes my obsession.
My smart-mouthed vixen resists at every turn, igniting my anger…
And desire.

But when my beautiful captive commits the worst betrayal of all, I have a choice to make…
Kill the mother of my child for her lies or ruin her life forever by marrying her?

••••••

REVIEW:DARK DEVIANT is the fifth instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult VENGEFUL VILLAINS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series focusing on the Malikov Bratva. This is Danil Malikov, and pianist Larysa Moroz’s story line. DARK DEVIANT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing plot line throughout.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Larysa and Danil) DARK DEVIANT follows in the wake of a one night stand. Approximately two and a half years earlier Larysa got some bad news, ended up in a hotel room with a stranger, only to be awoken by even more devastating news, and ghosted the man she would never forget. Fast forward to present day wherein Larysa and her family have been targeted by the Malikov Bratva for the sins of someone else. The Malikov Bratva and the Moroz family are at war, a war that is quickly spiralling out of control. Larysa Moroz is a pawn between the two warring families by it is her two year old daughter Daniela that may be the biggest loser of them all. As Danil battle between head and heart discovering he had a daughter with his one night stand, the larger issue is that two warring families are now connected by a two year old child, and another family has taken aim at everyone involved. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Danil and Larysa, and the potential fall-out as betrayal, vengeance and greed are at the heart of a war that should have never been.

The relationship between Danil and Larysa begins as a one night stand but Danil has no idea as to our heroine’s identity. Fast forward to present day, the Malikov Bratva believe the Moroz family are guilty of killing their beloved mother, and the Moroz family believe the Malikov’s are trying to destroy them all. Larysa is about to become fodder in a war not of her making, a war that is predicated upon secrets and lies, and a need for control. The $ex scenes are aggressive and intense, and not without some issues of questionable consent.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic, and powerful secondary and supporting characters including many of whom we have met in the previous story lines. Not everyone will survive.

DARK DEVIANT is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, greed and deceit, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, raw and gritty; the characters are animated and impassioned; the romance is dramatic and tragic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Twisted Tyrant
Dirty Devil
Cruel Captor
Merciless Monster (see below)

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

MERCILESS MONSTER
(Vengeful Villains 4)
by Kristen Luciani
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,dark, Mafia romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2023

She is his desire.
His corruption.
When my business partner asked me to host an event at my club,
I didn’t expect his daughter to show up in a bikini straddling a motorcycle.
Her seductive gaze taunted me,
Her sinful body screamed of sex and sin.

He warned me to stay far away from her, and
Said he’d kill anyone who touched her.
Then he committed the worst betrayal against me,
Throwing his only daughter straight into the flames.

So I got my revenge
And kidnapped the gorgeous biker princess,
The forbidden fruit I was ordered to avoid.

Now she’s a pawn in our vicious power play,
A plaything to be used for my wants, my needs, and my pleasure.

But Alexis is defiant and reckless…dangerous and vengeful.
I punish her at every turn,
Stripping her of her innocence every time I spank her bright red.
She will learn her place.
And she will obey.

Because this beautiful captive is mine…
To possess,
To break,
And to marry.
Consequences…and her father…be damned.

••••••••

REVIEW: MERCILESS MONSTER is the fourth instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult VENGEFUL VILLAINS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Taras Malikov, and motorcycle mechanic/model Alexis Tretiak’s story line. MERCILESS MONSTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing plot line throughout.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Taras and Alexis) MERCILESS MONSTER follows in the wake of the destruction of Taras Malikov’s nightclub and the disappearance of Alexis’ father Vlad Tretiak, the president of the Iron Rebels MC. Alexis Tretiak’s star is on the rise, and a photoshoot at Taras’ nightclub Karma, ends in a shootout, several minutes after exits with a cryptic message. Believing he has been set up, Taras Malikov takes Alexis Tretiak hostage, in an effort to draw out the people responsible. Claiming Alexis as his own; as his property to do what he wants and he pleases, the enemies to lovers relationship focuses on the unequal balance of power between Alexis and Taras, and the violent need of Taras to take control of the woman with whom he will fall in love, but someone else is working behind the scenes, setting a plan into motion, a plan to take down the Malikov family, and Vlad Tretiak’s reign at the top. What ensues is the building but aggressive relationship between Taras and Alexis, and the potential fall-out as Alexis struggles to trust the man with whom she is falling in love.

The relationship between Alexis and Taras is an enemies to lovers predicated upon issues of trust, and a need for revenge. Taras’ sister is still missing, having fled an arranged marriage to a man she didn’t love, and the attack on the nightclub brings the focus back to Taras’ missing sister. Using Alexis as a pawn and a bargaining chip between the Mafia and the Iron Rebels MC, Taras finds himself out numbered and out gunned when the real power demands reparations for sins of the past. The $ex scenes are aggressive, violent and not without some issues of questionable consent.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Taras’ brothers: Luka and Natasha: Nikolai and Kenzie: Tori and Konstantin; Zak and Danil: Alexis’ father Vlad Tretiak; Iron Rebels MC VP Hockley, Shane, and mechanic BJ. The requisite evil has many faces.

MERCILESS MONSTER is a dark and gritty story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is graphic and complex; the romance is contentious ; the characters are powerful, struggling, broken and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Luciani is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and suspense-filled romance. She’s addicted to kickboxing, Starburst jelly beans, and swooning over dark, broken anti-heroes. Kristen is happily married to her own real-life hero of over 20 years. In addition to penning spicy stories, she also has a part-time job as her three kids’ personal Uber driver, which she manages to successfully juggle along with her other tasks: laundry, cleaning, laundry, cooking, laundry, and caring for her adorable Boston Terrier puppy.

Mafia romance is her passion…and her poison.

 

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