THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP (Indiana Summers 2) by Lori Foster-review

THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP (Indiana Summers 2) by Lori Foster-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

How did her love life become a community affair?

Since her divorce, Emily Lucretia—affectionately known as the flower lady to the people of Cemetery, Indiana—has been focused on her flower shop and taking care of her aging aunt and uncle. Her love life is hardly the centerpiece of her busy days.

Saul Culver, the town’s favorite bachelor and owner of the local barbecue joint, has been interested in Emily for a while. But as much as Emily knows about flowers, she can be a little oblivious to her own appeal. Saul is determined to show her just how special she is.

Saul isn’t the only one trying to get Emily out of her shell. Well-meaning locals have started tagging photos of Emily with #theflowerlady on social media—and now the entire town is involved in finding her Mr. Right. Saul won’t give up easily. He’s finally caught her attention, and he’s determined to convince Emily—and the town—that this is the real deal and not just some passing trend.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult INDIANA SUMMERS romance series focusing on the people of Cemetery Indiana. This is thirty-nine year old, restaurant owner Saul Culver, and forty-one year old, divorcee and florist Emily Lucretia’s story line. THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-nine year old, The Pit Stop restaurant owner Saul Culver, and forty-one year old, divorcee and florist Emily Lucretia. Saul Culver is Cemetery Indiana’s most eligible bachelor but Saul has his sights set on florist Emily Lucretia. A slow seduction of Emily begins to involve a number of locals, and someone is posting Emily’s picture of the town’s social media account but Emily is batting between head and heart as her beloved uncle is injured in a fall, and her heart is lost to our story line hero.

Meanwhile, Emily’s employee Gentry McAdams is working above and beyond at Emily’s shop but Emily suspects someone has captured Gentry’s heart, a young woman who is currently working for the man Emily loves. Mila Nash is trying everything to grab Gentry’s attention but Gentry struggles with demons from the past.

The relationship between Emily and Saul is a friends to lovers; a slow building romance between two people who live and work in Cemetery Indiana, a small town of friendly residents who love and support their local citizens. Saul has lusted after Emily from afar but is determined to seduce the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Emily’s Aunt Mabel and Uncle Sullivan; Gentry and Mila; Pit Stop waiter Wheeler; Saul’s Godson Beck t-shirt shop owner Lawson Salder; town busybody Betty Cemetery, and Kathleen, who appears everywhere and anywhere.

THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP is a sweet story of family and friendships, love and happily ever afters. The premise is heartwarming -there is little to no conflict; the romance is tender; the characters are impassioned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Mafia Sinner (Mancinelli Brotherhood 2) by Sabine Barclay-review

MAFIA SINNER (Mancinelli Brotherhood 2) by Sabine Barclay

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9,2023

She disliked me when we were twelve. She loathed me at eighteen. Now I’m not the man she thinks I am. Now I’ll make her mine. Let them try to keep us apart. Let them test us. No one threatens what’s mine. I’m the man she will turn to. I’m the man she will want. I’m the man who will save her. I’m the man who will push her to her limits, then give her everything she desires.

••••••

REVIEW: MAFIA SINNER is the second instalment in Sabine Barclay’s contemporary, adult MANCINELLI BROTHERHOOD dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is twenty-eight year olds Carmine Mancinelli, and bakery owner Serafina Carosi’s story line. MAFIA SINNER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. The MANICINELLIBROTHERHOOD series is a spin/interconnected off from the author’s IVANKOV BROTHERHOOD series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers including violence, BDSM and Daddy/baby girl dynamic (but no age play).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Serafina and Carmine) MAFIA SINNER follows the rebuilding relationship between twenty-eight year olds Carmine Mancinelli, and bakery owner Serafina Carosi. Ten years earlier Carmine Mancinelli humiliated Serafina ‘Fina’ Carosi on the night of their intended betrothal to join two powerful Mafia families but Serafina wanted nothing to do with Carmine, and returned to Sicily with her tail between her legs. Fast forward to present day, Serafina owns a bakery in New York City where she will come face to face with the man who broke her heart. Carmine Mancinelli wants a second chance with our story line heroine but someone behind the scenes is working against our story line couple. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Carmine and Fina, and the potential fall-out as our couple are targeted, and Serafina is caught in the cross fire of a potential war between the Mancinelli’s of New York, and the Carosi’s of Venice, Italy.

Serafina’s father is the don of the Mala Del Brenta of Venice, and the marriage of his daughter with Carmine Mancinelli, the nephew of the don of New York would solidify the power between New York and Italy but Carmine’s betrayal was about to start a war of a different king. A second chance relationship was about to stir up old feeling, and new feelings for potential rivals for Serafina’s hand in marriage. Carmine Mancinelli has always considered himself the black sheep of the family having endured years of mental, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his extended family but Carmine needs to prove he is worthy of his position within the family, and making amends with Fina is first on his list.

The relationship between Fina and Carmine is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people destroyed by the betrayal of Carmine Mancinelli. Serafina and Carmine both participate in the BDSM world, and our heroine, although not a submissive, likes to be controlled in the bedroom, and calling Carmine daddy. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including extended family, security, Mafia, Cartel and Bratva members threatening war.

MAFIA SINNER is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, family and relationships, friendships and love. The premise is captivating and entertaining ; the romance is provocative and seductive ; the characters are dynamic and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one MAFIA HEIR

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Stay For Me (Balefire 5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-review tour

Stay For Me (Balefire 5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-review tour


ebook ONLY 99¢   Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 27, 2023

I needed redemption.
She needed a sure thing.

Garrett

I’ve made a few mistakes over the last decade, but the one I regret most was letting Olivia Carter go. When I see her again, the past crashes over me, reminding of everything I ever wanted and gave up when I let our dreams separate us.

Managing Balefire into the world’s biggest rock band came at a personal cost—walking away from my only love. When fate brings her back into my life, I’m determined not to screw up again. After Balefire hires her studio to produce their next music video, I have a second chance to rewrite our song—if I can convince her I’m a changed man.

Olivia

Ten years ago, Garrett Phillips chose to go with “his boys” and leave me in the dust of a ratty old tour bus. Now I’m working my ass off to make a name for myself as a Hollywood music video director. Unfortunately, my fledgling studio is bleeding money, and my only hope of saving it is to make a video with the biggest rock band on the planet. Too bad that means working with the man who tore my heart out of my chest when he chose his rock ’n’ roll dream over me.

He says he’s grown up. He says we can make things work. But can I truly trust that this time he will stay for me?

••••••

REVIEW:STAY FOR ME is the fifth (and final ?) instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, adult BALEFIRE rock band, erotic, romance series. This is thirty-six year old, Balefire band manager Garrett Phillips, and thirty-three year old, producer/ director Olivia Carter’s story line. STAY FOR ME can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as Garrett’s story with the band begins in book one.

Told from dual omniscient first person perspectives (Garrett and Olivia) STAY FOR ME follows the second chance relationship between thirty-six year old, Balefire band manager Garrett Phillips, and thirty-three year old, producer/ director Olivia Carter. Ten years earlier, Garrett Phillips walked away from a heart broken Olivia Carter as he went on to pursue a career managing the rock band Balefire. Olivia had her own ambitions, and fast forward to present day wherein the two will work together on Balefire’s latest video, a video that is hoping to garner the group an Oscar nomination but all was not well between Garrett and the band, and Olivia would soon discover Garrett’s rocky road to stardom came at the expense of the members of the band. As Olivia and Garrett work together to ensure the perfect video production, threats from another source threaten to take down Garrett, once and for all. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Garrett and Olivia, and the potential fall-out as Garrett walks away before his the band reacts to his latest screw-up.

The relationship between Garrett and Olivia is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which Olivia struggles to let go of the past, and Garrett is hoping for a second with the woman he has never stopped loving. Throughout his years on the road, Garrett never forgot about Olivia Carter but his actions behind the scenes almost destroyed the band he pushed to the top. 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 all the members of the band including their significant others, as well as Olivia’s assistant Jeremy Rowland; Garrett’s assistant Landon Berg, as well as trouble maker Jennifer Hartwell.

STAY FOR ME is a story of betrayal, forgiveness and acceptance; family and friendships, love and understanding. The premise is edgy and entertaining; the romance is tender and seductive; the characters are broken and dynamic.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Play For Me
Sing For Me
Wild For Me
Hot For Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Tam DeRudder Jackson is the author of the paranormal romance Talisman Series and the contemporary romance Balefire Series. Her favorite “room” in her house is her back patio where she dreams up stories of romance and risk. When she’s not writing her latest paranormal or contemporary romance, you can usually find her driving around with the top down in her convertible or carving turns on the slopes of the local ski hill. The mom of two grown sons, Tam likes to travel, attend rock concerts, watch football and soccer, and visit old car shows with her husband. She lives in the mountains of northwest Wyoming where she spends most of her free time trying to read all the books. Her TBR piles are threatening to take over her office, and she’s fine with that.

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Fallen Foe (Cruel Castaways 2) by LJ Shen- a review

Fallen Foe (Cruel Castaways 2) by LJ Shen- review 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

Arsène Corbin does not intend to marry for love. His fiancée has always been a means to an end, a woman he wants to conquer. But when she dies suddenly in an accident, Arsène’s grand plan unravels.

Still reeling from his fiancée’s death, he meets Winnifred Ashcroft, a struggling actress who lands a coveted role in a play at his theater…and knows things about his late fiancée no one else does. The only problem? They can’t stand each other.

Backstage at Arsène’s theater, Winnie begins to let down her guard around the tempestuous billionaire. She appreciates his wit and quirky affection for astronomy. And Arsène, jaded as he is, respects Winnie’s headstrong personality.

Tragedy and betrayal bring them together, but will their painful pasts hold them back—or fuel their desire?

••••••

REVIEW:FALLEN FOE is the second instalment in LJ Shen’s contemporary, adult CRUEL CASTAWAYS erotic, romance series focusing on three friends: Christian Miller, Arsène Corbin, and Riggs Bates. This is thirty-five year old, multi-millionaire businessman Arsene Corbin, and twenty-eight year old, stage actress Winnifred Ashcroft’s story line.FALLEN FOE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from present day and memories from the past, using dual first person perspectives (Arsene and Winnifred) FALLEN FOE follows the enemies to frenemies to lovers relationship between thirty-five year old, multi-millionaire businessman Arsene Corbin, and twenty-eight year old, stage actress Winnifred Ashcroft. Months earlier, while in the Italian Riviera with his soon to be fiancée Grace, Arsene Corbin will meet American actress Winnifred, and her husband, Grace’s boss Paul Ashcroft but from the outset their meeting is tempestuous at best, fueled by Grace’s barbs and condemnation of the woman in question. Fast forward several weeks and months wherein Arsene will lose his father, his fiancée, and discover that not everything is at it appears to be. Winnifred will have lost her husband as well, and the mutual commiseration between Winnifred and Arsene begins to reveal the secrets and lies neither one knew anything about. What ensues is the search for the truth, as Winnifred’s star begins to rise, and Arsene’s heart is destroyed in the process.

Arsene Corbin doesn’t do relationships but his relationship with his ‘fiancee’ is a convenience at best but all is not well, as secrets will reveal a life and past Arsene knew nothing about, a life that will directly affect the woman with whom Arsene will fall in love. Arsene Corbin considers Winnifred Ashcroft a country bumpkin; an unskilled actress with no sense of taste or style, all predicated upon first impressions and other people’s comments. Winnifred Ashcroft is a woman who wants to thrive but a woman whose personal and private life are spiralling out of control.

The relationship between Arsene and Winnifred is turbulent, emotional and stormy. Winnifred doesn’t know Arsene yet his actions constantly place Winnifred below his station, actions that are continue to break Winnifred’s heart. As their relationship grows from enemies to frenemies, a series of discoveries pull Winnifred away from New York, and back into the arms of her family in Tennessee. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Arya and Christian (Ruthless Rival #1), professional photographer Riggs Bates; Alice Gudinski; Arsene’s fiancée Gracelynn Langston, and her mother Miranda: Winnifred’s husband Paul, and her agent Chrissy.

FALLEN FOE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, money and obsession, forgiveness and love. The premise is tragic, emotional and intriguing; the romance is heart breaking and raw; the characters are animated, broken and flawed.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one RUTHLESS RIVAL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

L.J. Shen is USA Today, WSJ, Washington Post and #1 Amazon Kindle Store bestselling author of contemporary romance books.

She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Elon Musk’s tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).

HEAs and groveing are guaranteed.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three sons, and a disturbingly active imagination.

Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
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Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com

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Twisted Hearts (Twisted Intentions 3) by Savannah Rylan-review

Twisted Hearts (Twisted Intentions 3) by Savannah Rylan-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

They think I’m afraid of them. But I’m only scared of how much I want them…
I’ve drifted through my life wanting more but never knowing what was missing—until three members of the Shadow Boys MC walked into my bar and changed everything.
Lance. Pike. Blaze. They’re all I can think about.
The attraction is electric, and not even seeing firsthand how dangerous they are can stifle the sparks that flare in me when I’m around them.
They don’t think there’s a place for me in their brutal world, but I refuse to back down until they see that I’m not too fragile to handle them and everything they stand for.
I don’t need to be protected, and I’m determined to prove it—but my need makes me reckless. I’ve set in motion something I can’t undo.
And it just might get us all killed.

•••••

REVIEW:TWISTED HEARTS is the third instalment in Savannah Rylan’s contemporary, adult TWISTED INTENTIONS erotic, reverse harem, romance series. This is Shadow Boys MC members Lance, Pike and Blaze, and bartender Dalia’s story line. TWISTED HEARTS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

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

Told from four first person perspectives (Lance, Pike, Blaze and Dalia) TWISTED HEARTS follows in the wake of threats against the Shadow Boys MC territory by a rival MC, and the take down of a man suspected of working with the MC in question. Dalia is a bartender who is stiffed not once but twice by our story line heroes but Lance, Pike and Blaze are on the hunt for the MC encroaching on their territory, taking down one business at a time. When a suspicious stranger begins inquiring about Lance, Pike and Blaze, our heroes begin to suspect that their friendship with Dalia has now become a threat to our heroine, a threat that is about to implode for everyone concerned. As the attacks against the Shadow Boys MC become personal and deadly, Dalia is about to be caught in the cross-fire, when she is targeted by demons from her past. What ensues is the building relationship between Lance, Pike, Blaze and Dalia, and the potential fall-out as war between MCs threatens the lives of the everyone involved.

The relationship between Dalia and Lance, Pike and Blaze is a reverse harem relationship. This is not the first polyamorous relationship for Lance, Pike and Blaze but memories of what was, threaten to destroy what has yet to happen with our story line heroine. Each of Dalia’s lovers brings something different to the relationship including heart break and sorrow about memories from the past. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters include Dalia’s co-workers, as well as several members of the Shadow Boys MC.

TWISTED HEARTS is a story of love and loss, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession and madness, family and acceptance. The premise is impassioned and dramatic; the romance is steamy and seductive; the characters are desperate and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twisted Metal
Twisted Glass

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Savannah Rylan is a romance writer that spends most of her time writing and reading with her cat, Gris. When not writing about sexy bikers and the women that love them, you can find her on the beach with a drink in her hand or at the gym testing out some strange new position. Yoga, obviously. She lives in Southern California with her husband and Gris, the true love of her life.

Website: https://www.savannahrylan.com/
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A Bitter Man (Appalachian Star 2) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

A Bitter Man (Appalachian Star 2 / Special Forces: Operation Alpha) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

It takes the right woman to sweeten a bitter man.

HOLLYWOOD:

Rebirth.

Betrayed and framed by my brother, I walked away from everything–the fortune, the lifestyle, and the world that used to be mine. Now I’m living in Kentucky, working with my hands, and finally loving the life I have here. When I meet Audrey and her son, I know one thing for certain: I’d move mountains for them, and destroy anyone or anything that tried to hurt them.

AUDREY:

Rebirth.

Destitute and desperate, my son and I are on the verge of starvation. The job offered at Iron Oak Farms is just the lifeline we need, and working with Porter “Hollywood” Winthrop is one of the many perks. But the demons of our pasts threaten our chances at a future. Navigating the rocky waters of a relationship seems perilous and uncertain, and trust is hard to come by for two people so damaged and destroyed. Can he save me from drowning in a world that seems too hard to endure?

•••••

REVIEW:A BITTER MAN is the second instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult APPALACHIAN STAR erotic, romance series, a part of the multi-authored Special Forces: Operation Alpha series focusing on characters first introduced by author Susan Stoker. This is forty-one year old, former California inmate and tech mogul Porter ‘Hollywood’ Winthrop, and twenty-nine year old, single mother Audrey Sinclair’s story line. A BITTER MAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Appalachian STAR is a search and rescue operation set in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, an operation that hires former inmates from the US prison system.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Audrey and Porter) A BITTER MAN follows the hunt for a cook and housekeeper for the man at Appalachian STAR Search and Rescue. Porter ‘Hollywood’ Winthrop has been doing triple duty, working at Appalachian STAR, in the wake of his release from prison for a crime he did not commit. Patrick ‘Patch’ Scott recognizes that the operation needs someone to take on the job no one else wants to do, so Patch tasks Porter with hiring a cook to feed the growing numbers at Appalchian STAR. Porter is quick to discover the limited number of available people looking for work or qualified for the job until a response from a woman, desperate enough to reveal the true extent of her need for work. Enter twenty-nine year old single mother Audrey Sinclair, a woman and her son living in abject poverty, but a woman capable enough to look after the people at Appalachian STAR. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Audrey and Porter, and the potential fall-out when misunderstanding and miscommunication threaten the building love between our story line couple.

The relationship between Audrey and Porter begins when Porter hires to work at Appalachian STAR. Porter recognizes the desperation in our story line heroine, a heroine who has been used and abused, a woman who is willing to protect her son, at any cost. Porter Winthrop was betrayed by the one person he thought he could trust, a betrayal that landed him in prison for a crime he did not commit. Finding a kindred soul, of a sort, in Audrey Sinclair, Porter is drawn to Audrey, like a fated mate. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including many of whom we have me in the previous story line and interconnected series: Patch and Penny (A Desperate Man 1), Miles ‘ Bear’ McMillan; Ghost, Priest, Reboot, Paddy and Bulldog, as well as several townspeople in and around Mallie, Kentucky. Something is building with Bulldog.

A BITTER MAN is a story of betrayal and vengeance, addiction and recovery, desperation, misunderstanding and forgiveness, love and acceptance. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining but the story line conflict is limited to the relationship between Audrey and Porter, and her acceptance by the people at Appalachian STAR. There were a couple of other potential conflicts that fizzled and died, I was hoping for a little more romantic suspense. The characters are numerous, determined and charismatic; the romance is seductive and impassioned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one A DESPERATE MAN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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Unexpected Bliss by Lexi Blake-review tour

Unexpected Bliss (Nights in Bliss Colorado 13) by Lexi Blake-review tour

 

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Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3kU1HCI

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

Elisa Leal is looking for some joy in her life. Years of tragedy and struggle took their toll, and now she is searching for new connections to raise her spirits. When she discovers proof that her biological father is alive, she decides to find him and make contact. Her quest leads her to the small town of Bliss, Colorado, and the strangest man she’s ever met—Mel Hughes. He believes in aliens and sasquatch conspiracies, but he’s also kind of awesome. And there might be even more in Bliss to make her smile.

Sylvan Dean and Hale Galloway have enjoyed wandering their way through life, always in motion. Always searching for the woman who could make their life complete. Living in Bliss made them realize it’s time to settle down. Van’s finally going to college and has a job lined up with his brother when he finishes. That job is in Dallas, and while Hale is happy for Van, he can’t imagine leaving Bliss behind. It feels like everything is coming apart until they meet Elisa. She’s the one they have been searching for, and she is worth the wait.

The future looks bright until the guys’ past comes back to haunt them. Danger lurks in every corner, but it may not be the biggest threat to their happily ever after. The citizens of Bliss know how to handle a killer, but handling Elisa, Van, and Hale might require some cosmic intervention.

•••••

REVIEW:UNEXPECTED BLISS is the thirteenth instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO erotic, polyamorous MFM erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the small town of Bliss Colorado. This is thirty-five year old, former US military personnel Elisa Leal, twenty-seven year old , college student Sylvan ‘Van’ Dean, and renovator/handyman Hale Galloway’s story line. UNEXPECTED BLISS can be as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Sylvan ‘Van’ Dean is the young brother of Jake Dean (The Man with the Golden Cuffs/ Masters and Mercenaries 2).

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, some scenes may not be suitable for more sensitive readers including M/F/M sexual situations.

Told from three omniscient third person perspectives (Elisa, Van, Hale) UNEXPECTED BLISS follows the building romance and relationship between Elisa, Van and Hale. Having spent the better part of two years recovering from cancer and breast reconstruction, Elisa was on the hunt for the father she never knew, and the hunt was taking her to the small but peculiar town of Bliss, Colorado where she will meet her future in the guise of Van Dean and Hale Galloway. From the outset, Elisa is met with disquiet and uneasiness as she hunts for the man she believes is her father but Elisa never expected to find herself in a three way relationship with our story line heroes. Bliss, Colorado is a sanctuary, of sorts, for people involved in polyamorous relationships, and Elisa suspected Van and Hale just might be her future but all was not well when Elisa and Hale are targeted from an unknown source, someone who is threatening the lives of our story line trio. With her military experience, Elisa is offered a position with the local Sheriff’s office which affords Elisa the right to investigate what was going down. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Elisa, Hale and Van, and the potential fall-out as Hale struggles with the demons from his past, and Van believes his time in Bliss comes with an expiry date.

Sylvan ‘Van’ Dean is the family screw-up, and the last time his brother Jake had to rescue Van from the local jail, Van vowed to make good, finishing school, whereupon he would work with the brother to whom he owed his life but Van was falling hard to our story line heroine, and decided it would be better to walk away before he fell in love. Hale Galloway never had much of a childhood, having been shuffled between foster homes most of his life but Hale knew Elisa was their future, a future that could have ended before it began. Elisa Leal lost her mother but had never met her father until her sister Serena discovered a note in her mother’s possession. Hoping to meet the man she never knew, Elisa would come face to face with a man whose belief systems are out of this world, a man who was once a high-ranking member of the CIA.

The relationship between Elisa, Van and Hale begins when each of the men separately asks Elisa to dinner, never knowing the other was standing in the way. Van was quick to back away when he discovered his best friend was falling for our story line heroine, not realizing that Elisa was hoping for a three-way affair. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of fun and energetic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in the previous story lines. Several characters cross-over from some of the author’s interconnected series including Van’s brother Jake, his lovers Adam and Sabrina, as well as the return of Luthor Melvin Hughes and his wife Cassidy.

UNEXPECTED BLISS is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of obsession and greed, acceptance and moving forward. The premise is intriguing and suspenseful; the characters are fun and flirty, captivating and dynamic; the romance is provocative and seductive.

Previous Reviews

Pure Bliss
Up All Night in Bliss 6.5
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss
Happily Ever After in Bliss
Far From Bliss

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

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The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa – a Review

The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa – a Review

 

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Description:
After leaping through the portal to Evenfall, Meghan and her companions find themselves in a terrifying new world where Nightmares roam and glamour is nearly nonexistent. As their magic wanes and the creatures of Evenfall rise against them, the race to find the Nightmare King grows ever more desperate. But what they discover–about Evenfall, about the Nightmare King, about themselves–will shake everything they thought they knew to the core.

The Nightmare King stirs. A world hangs in the balance. And as twilight descends upon all the realms of Faery, Meghan and her allies must make one more impossible choice.

 

 

 

Review:

The Iron Vow by Julie Kagawa is the 3rd and final book in her fantastic The Iron Fey: Evenfall trilogy. I loved that Kagawa started this book with a summary of the previous books in this trilogy, giving us a chance to remember everything.  I loved this series, as Julie Kagawa has been added to my list of authors I must read.

Meghan and her group are now in Evenfall, a dangerous world filled with darkness, nightmares, creatures, and their determination to find the Nightmare King.   With their magic slowly depleting, the danger escalates, as they are willing to risk everything to save the people of Evenfall, as well as Faery. It was great to see all of them (Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, Kieran and Nyx) again. Along the way, they face such terrifying attacks and though they survive, the battles have left them all bruised and beaten, with very little glamour left. With Evenfall slowly fading, Meghan is determined to find a way to break the curse done many years ago by the First Lady, and allow them to live again.  Can they stop The Nightmare King from destroying all of Nevernever and Faery.

What follows is a fantastic, exciting, wild, action-packed dangerous adventure that brings everyone (including the courts) together to fight the evil entity that threatens the end of the world. Even with the ultra-powerful group, Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, Nyx, Keirran, as well as Evenfall soldiers who join them, the battles are brutal, horrific and dynamic. I do not want to give spoilers, as you need to read this book from start to finish.  Fabulous finale. 

The Iron Vow was a fascinating conclusion to this trilogy, and I loved all of the wonderful characters Kagawa created, such as Meghan, Puck, Ash, Grimalkin, and so many others.  The Iron Vow was so well written by Julie Kagawa, with wonderful characters, fun humor, and a wild exciting, tense, action filled story.  The amazing ending had a number of surprises, including the courts who needed to help to save the world. Thank you, Julie Kagawa for giving us such a fascinating series and conclusion.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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