Monthly Archives: May 2023

DELIVER ME FROM EVIL (Augustine Brothers 2) by Natasha Knight

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DELIVER ME FROM EVIL (Augustine Brothers 2) by Natasha Knight

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with my wife. That wasn’t part of the plan.

From the moment I first laid eyes on Madelena De Léon, I felt a primal urge to protect her. Keep her safe. Her father had failed her. I would not.

She is innocent, and I have no business taking her to my bed. But Madelena and I are bonded. Our destinies inexplicably linked. As is our survival.

My past is dark. I’ve made many enemies and betrayal runs rampant in my world. But sometimes those closest to you are the most dangerous of all.

If I was a better man, I would let her go. I know it’s the only way to keep her safe.

But any goodness I had in me vanished long ago. I am a man condemned. I want what I want.

And what I want is her.

••••••••

REVIEW: DELIVER ME FROM EVIL is the second instalment in Natasha Knight’s contemporary adult AUGUSTINE BROTHERS dark, erotic, Mafia, romance duet. This is thirty year old, head of the Augustine Family Santos Augustine, and twenty year old Madelena De Leon’s story line. DELIVER ME FROM EVIL should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff-hanger of book one FORGIVE ME MY SINS. If you have not read book one, there may be spoilers in my review.

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

SOME BACKGROUND: 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.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Santos and Madelena) DELIVER ME FROM EVIL picks up immediately after the cliff hanger of FORGIVE ME MY SINS in which an injured Santos worries about the whereabouts of his new wife but things go from back to worse when Madelena believes she has witnessed a murder, and the primes suspect may be someone close. As Madelena battles between head and heart, Santos must come to terms with a family history he knows is hiding many sins from the past. What ensues is the continuing relationship between Santos and Madelena, and the potential fall-out as Madelena is targeted by dark and dangerous monsters that focus their sights on controlling a powerful family.

Santos Augustine is slowly discovering the family he knows may be worse than the family that almost destroyed his life. Abused and tortured as a child, Santos knows the agony of betrayal but the family has set their sights on the woman he loves, and he refuses to go down with a fight.

The relationship between Santos and Madelena is an age-gap, enemies to lovers in which Santos never expected to fall in love with a woman he was forced to marry, an arranged married meant to pay for sins of the past but a marriage meant to ensure future power and control. Madelena struggled to trust the man with whom she is falling in love but it is the extended family that threatens our couple from outside and within. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters continue to be questionable, dangerous, vindictive and power hungry. We are reintroduced to Madelena’s brother Odin, and their father Marnix De Leon; Santos’ half brother Caius, and their mother Evelyn Augustine, as well as Caius side piece Ana Hollis, a former classmate of Madelena; Santos’ friend and security Val, and Father Michael. The requisite evil has many faces.

DELIVER ME FROM EVIL is another story of dysfunctional family dynamics; power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and torture, forgiveness and love. The premise is dark, gritty, suspenseful and dramatic; the characters are desperate, broken yet determined; the romance is passionate with some scenes of spanking and discipline.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one FORGIVE ME MY SINS

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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Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

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Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler – a Review

 

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Description:
When you find your fated mate, don’t let go, no matter what… The problem with Jenna Malone is that she’s SWAT werewolf Trevor McCall’s best buddy’s sister. Trevor suspects she’s The One, but how the heck can he make a move? When Jenna invites Trevor to visit her in Los Angeles, he figures he can withstand the temptation. But what’s hiding in LA is much more dangerous and complicated than any of the SWAT team could have guessed, and Jenna’s right in the middle of it…

 

 

Review:

Loving the Wolf by Paige Tyler is the 14th book in her fantastic SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series. I have been a big fan of Paige Tyler’s books, as she always gives us wonderful, paranormal romance suspense stories, that are exciting, pulse pounding action filled, as well as great couples and hot alpha men (werewolves) that are part of the SWAT team.

Jenna Malone, our heroine, has returned home from visiting her brother, Connor (last book hero); and after trying to convince him that he needs to help find their missing sister, Hannah (kidnapped 10 years ago). Connor has always thought Jenna was hallucinating, with her seeing Hannah being taken by a creature, and she angrily leaves to go back to LA.

While in Dallas, she met Trevor McCall, another member of the SWAT team, and they spent time together, enjoying their company. Jenna invites Trevor to visit her in LA, and he makes plans to take a vacation, as he begins to feel she is the ‘One’.
Jenna takes Trevor around LA, and while sightseeing, they hear a scream, with both running to help save the woman being dragged by a creature. Trevor has never seen this type of creature, but manages to save the woman. He later learns from Jenna that the creature is the one who kidnapped Hannah all those years ago. Trevor calls Hale to get some backups to help discover about the creatures, and to tell Gage, not to bring Connor. That didn’t work out, as Hale, Mike and Connor are send to help. Connor is upset, as he is angry that Trevor is around his sister; despite Jenna saying Trevor is staying at her place.

Throughout, there were fights between Trevor and Connor (he was really annoying), but Trevor knew Jenna was his soulmate.
The mystery behind Hannah’s disappearance, was an enthralling non-stop action filled adventure. The SWAT members go underground to battle the creatures (Ghouls), and try to rescue the people kidnapped, as well as find Hannah. When Hannah is seen, Connor realizes the error of his ways, knowing Jenna was right, and he did nothing to try and find Hannah. The team will work with Hannah to help rescue others, as she worked with a group of Ghouls, who want peace and stop the others.

What follows is a suspenseful, exciting, intriguing, action filled mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down. I loved Jenna and Trevor, as they made a great couple; especially when they both know that they are soulmates. I also loved the pack members who were there, Madeline, Jenna’s friend, and other great secondary characters.

Loving the Wolf was a fantastic addition to this wonderful series, as well as very well written by Paige Tyler.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The House on Prytania by Karen White – a Review

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The House on Prytania by Karen White – a Review

 

 

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Description:
Nola Trenholm may not be psychic herself, but she’s spent enough time around people who are to know when ghosts are present, and there are definitely a few lingering spirits in her recently purchased Creole cottage in New Orleans. Something, or someone, is keeping them tethered to this world. And not all of them are benign.

But with the sudden return of Sunny Ryan, Beau Ryan’s long-lost sister, Nola has plenty to distract her from her ghostly housemates. Especially when the tempting–yet firmly unavailable–Beau, wanting to mete out justice to those he blames for Sunny’s kidnapping, asks Nola for a favor that threatens to derail her hard-won recovery and send her hurtling backward. He asks her to welcome Michael Hebert back into her life, even though Michael is the reason for Nola’s bruised heart. Beau is convinced that Michael’s powerful family was behind Sunny’s disappearance and that Michael is the key to getting information the police won’t be able to ignore–if Nola is willing to risk everything for which she’s worked so hard.

Torn between helping Beau and protecting herself, Nola doesn’t realize until it’s almost too late why the ghosts are haunting her house–a startling revelation that will throw her and Beau together to fight a common enemy. Assuming Nola can get Beau to listen to what the spirits are trying to tell him, because ignoring them could prove to be a fatal mistake…

 

 

Review:

The House on Prytania by Karen White is the 2nd book in her Royal Street series. The story continues with Nola Trenholm (heroine) still working on her new Creole cottage in New Orleans, which is haunted with ghosts (some good and some evil). Nola learned a lot of historic preservation, especially being the step daughter of Melanie, who has the ability to talk to ghosts (Tradd series).  We follow Nola, as she tries to get Beau (who does see ghosts, but refuses to talk to them); and with Beau’s sister (taken as a young girl) returning home, he is bent to find those who kidnapped her. Though Nola loves working on the house, she does fear the evil entity that seems to cause problems.

Beau is convinced that Michael’s (Nola’s ex-boyfriend) family was behind Sunny’s disappearance and that Michael is the key to getting information the police won’t be able to ignore.  Nola has second thoughts, but agrees to meet with Michael and his family to discover the truths, but first she welcomes her family who are visiting.  

It was great to see Mellie, Jack and the twins (Sarah and JJ), as well as an old flame, Cooper.   Sarah is only 13 years old, but she had the ability of seeing and hearing ghosts, which she gained from her mother, Melanie (Mellie).  Sarah was such a great addition, always giving Nola information she gained from reading certain books, as well as revealing what the ghosts are telling her.  Jolene, who has become Nola’s best friend, is such a fun and awesome character, always making sure Nola dressed properly, and cooking/baking for everyone. Thibeau and Jorge continues to help Nola with renovating the house, despite the ghosts. 

What follows is the mystery as to who kidnapped Sunny all those years ago, as well why the ghosts who haunt her house. As we reach closer to the end, some surprising secrets are revealed, and lives are threatened, with Nola and Beau working together to fight the evil entity.

The House on Prytania was so very well written by Karen White, which was an excellent story, with a fabulous heroine in Nola, in a town that has so much history, with ghosts, mystery, suspense and historical homes. I loved the wonderful secondary characters, especially Jolene. Karen White once again gives us a fabulous addition to this series and I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Hero Worship (King of Shadows 2) by Amelia Wilde-review tour

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Hero Worship (King of Shadows 2)  by Amelia Wilde-review tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

Hercules always wanted the innocent young Daisy, but he could never have her. She was perfect in every way. He was born of violence and shadows. His birthright is sacrifice. Never love.

Fighting for his country left him battered and broken. He built a successful business in technological security. Wealth. Fame. None of it makes him worthy of her.

Then she’s caught in the sights of dangerous men.

He has to protect her. Except the forces that target her are the very ones that threaten his past. Can he save her without exposing his own desperate longing? Or will his secrets tear them both apart?

••••••

REVIEW: HERO WORSHIP is the second instalment in Amelia Wilde’s contemporary, adult, KING OF SHADOWS slightly paranormal/ fantasy, dark, erotic romance focusing on former Special Forces soldier turned security specialist Hercules and artist Daisy, with a large ensemble cast of characters from Greek Mythology-a modern day retelling of the gods of Olympus. HERO WORSHIP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line 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 (Hercules and Daisy) HERO WORSHIP follows in the wake of several attacks directed at our story line heroine. Daisy is battling a horrific disorder that is slowly robbing her of her life and her will to live, a disease that worsens with bright lights, stress, and has now been affected by her nightmares and dreams. Desperate to protect his daughter, Hades, with the help of his brothers Zeus and Poseidon, calls in help from former Special Forces soldier Hercules, the man with whom Daisy had fallen in love but as Daisy’s disorder worsens, Hercules calls in reinforcements, returning Daisy to her family, in search for help or a possible cure. What ensues is the building but highly sexual relationship between Hercules and Daisy, as Daisy and Hercules’ nightmares merge, invoking the demons from both of their pasts.

The relationship between Daisy and Hercules started several years earlier when Hercules saved Daisy from a sexual assault. Daisy has never forgotten about the boy who saved her life but as Daisy’s disorder worsens, she is reluctant to call in help from the people she loves. Hercules has loved Daisy for as long as he can remember but struggles in the wake of his own nightmares that refuse to let go. As Daisy and Hercules’ relationship quickly turns into something more, it is the something more that Daisy needs to feel alive. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of mythological Greek gods and goddess including Zeus, Hades (and Persephone), Poseidon and Demeter, and their significant others, extended family, as well as Ares, Artemis and Apollo. Artemis and Apollo’s story is next in TWIN FLAME.

HERO WORSHIP is a modern retelling of the Greek gods of Olympus, who live and work in California- a story of betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, health and happiness, family and love. The premise is entertaining, intriguing and enchanting;the romance is provocative; the characters are familiar yet powerful and dynamic.

 

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW:Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Amazon Author Page

Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.

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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Coming home will always give you a second chance… When Riley Leighton and Levi Duncan finally meet again, the chemistry between them is as hot as ever. But as much as Levi has missed Riley all these years, he still remembers the heartbreak when she left him the first time… Riley has spent a lifetime running from love. Now that she’s home again, starting her dream job at the local pet rescue, she also has another chance to get it right with Levi. Everything Riley’s wanted but thought she couldn’t have is almost within reach.

 

 

Review:

You’re My Home by Debbie Burns is the 7th book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books.

Riley Leighton (our heroine) has returned home to support her mom during her cancer treatment; it has been 12 years since she left home.  To her surprise, Riley runs into her ex-boyfriend from school, when she left town and broke his heart.

Levi Duncan (our hero), suffered a terrible accident during his deep-sea diver job, and has been warned that he cannot continue to do that job because of his severe concussion.  Taking time off to decide on his career, he receives a message from his friend Marcus to help out at his dog training camp. When Levi runs into Riley, he still feels the chemistry between them, even after all those years.  There friendship between them resumes, as Riley keeps their feelings as friends only, since knows she will eventually be leaving again.

When she discovers a Great Dane, who seems to be lost, she brings him to High Grove Animal Shelter, where she meets some of those she knew, such as Meghan, the director, Tess, Kelsey and Patrick.  Riley offers to help work at the shelter, and begins to love her job walking the dogs, as well as taking control of the social media for the shelter.  She realizes that she has fallen in love with Arlo, the Great Dane, which in time, she will adopt.

Riley and Levi spend a lot of time together, with both helping to promote the plans for Marcus’s training camp, and the fundraiser for the Shelter; not to mention their love of the dogs they help.    Slowly, their feelings bring them back together, and will need to decide what the future holds for them.

You’re My Home is a charming second chance romance that is delightful, heartwarming and fun story of two people trying to get beyond their past, and move forward. It was great to see some of the past characters who lead the previous books, but most of all, I adored the dogs and the adorable & lovable, Arlo.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful addition to her Rescue Me series, which was a delightful, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  You’re My Home was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand – a Review

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A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand – a Review

 

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Description:
Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She’s young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.

Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.

Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud—slay the demon, end the feud.

But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.

 

 

Review:

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand is the first book in her new The Middlemist Trilogy.  Each book is expected to follow each of the Ashbourne sisters. We meet Lady Imogen ‘Gemma’ Ashbourne at the start, as she is the youngest sister of three Ashbourne sisters.  The Ashbourne family was anointed by the gods, blessed with amazing abilities.  Gemma is the only one who does not have magic abilities; instead, her body suffers from chronic illness from magic surrounding her.  Gemma is beautiful, and outgoing, but also lonely, since her sister Mara was taken away to the Middlemist, to be a guard protecting Rosewarren.  Her father and other sister, Farrin see how much she suffers, and tend to often forget about her; not to mention her mother abandoned the family many years ago.  

During a party, Gemma meets Talan d’Astier, a charming handsome man, who immediately forms an attraction to Gemma.  Talan is determined to restore his family name and business, and Gemma offers a proposal to help her defeat the Basks (enemies), and she’ll help him redeem the family honor and respect.  In a short time, both Talan and Gemma began to have deep passionate feelings for each other.  He was so sweet and caring, especially with his ability to take away Gemma’s pain.  Gemma will learn more about Talon that will cause her to lose trust in him, especially with a demon called The Man with the Three Eyed Crown having some control over Talon. Can she help him fight this evil demon and save him?

Gemma is kidnapped by evil necromancers, as she shows signs of coming into her powers, with her slowly winning the friendship of some of the Villa group, such as Phaidra, Lulath, Nesset who will help her escape and become part of her group.  What follows is the increasing attacks in the Middlemist, which brings Mara and Farrin into the mix to fight the attacks, as well as the Basks (Ryder & Alastrina), who also join in to help defeat the enemies, as well as the demon controlling Talon. 

A Crown of Ivy and Glass was a very good story focusing on sisterhood, romance, mystery, gods, demons and magic. I really loved Gemma and Talon together, as well as her wonderful sisters. The secondary characters were very good. The last half of the book was very exciting, especially when Gemma uses her powers to defeat the enemy, and fight the demon inside of Talon.  A Crown of Ivy and Glass was very well written by Claire Legrand. I look forward to see which sister is next, as well as Talon hiding from the demon, and when he may return.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence – a Review

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence – a Review

 

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Description:
A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.

A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never even noticed them. That’s about to change.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

 

 

Review:

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence is the first book in his new The Library Trilogy. Lawrence creates a series revolving around a library, with a record for every book and places they are ruled to live; filled with knowledge, as well as truths and lies.

This story follows two main characters, a young girl, Livera, who lived in the Dust, and soldiers saved her and other young children’s after an attack by Sabbers (enemies); a young man, Evar, trapped in an isolated huge chamber within an ancient library that has many chambers.

As the years pass, Livera, who is fiery and passionate, constantly asks questions to increase her knowledge, as she finds books that allow her to learn more about the library. Livera, coming from the dust, is not respected by many on the council, as well as the king, but her amazing abilities that she has discovered, allows her to find things no one else can.  Evar is the calm one between his brother and sister, who are more violent than him.  During his constant traveling to find a way out, he meets a young girl (livera), whom they spent time together, and when a few years pass, he runs into her again. That seems to be the pattern, with Evar meeting up with Livera every few years, and now she is around 20.  Together they will explore all facets of the library and the various chambers.  We know that Livera and Evar became close, even with the many missing years, but together they were able to explore so much of the library, trying to find a way out.  Malar was one of the great characters, as he was the soldier to saved Livera, and over the years, he became her protector when necessary.  There were many very good characters between Livera and her friends, as well as Evar and his family.

This is a difficult review to write, as the whole concept was about books to reveal secrets, knowledge, freedom, and the first half of the book was very slow.  It does pick up in the latter part of the story, though a lot did remain somewhat confusing, but many things do fall into place closer to the end. 

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn was a different kind of fantasy, set in a huge immense library, with many chambers, with those who were trapped inside. The library had its own mechanism, with protectors of history, and the power of knowledge from those special books. The overall theme is knowledge, power, responsibility and war.  The Book that Wouldn’t Burn was a complex and intriguing story line that was well written by Mark Lawrence. However, I will note that I have loved a number of series by Lawrence, and this book was a bit slow for a big part of the book, but it was an exciting end. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Heart Stings by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Heart Stings (Elemental Assassin 19.5) by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

 

 

 

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Description:
Heart stings can be the most dangerous wounds of all . . .

Lorelei Parker has had plenty of “heart stings” in her life—moments that are both happy and sad. With her grandmother’s recent marriage, Lorelei has had far more good times than bad lately.

That all changes when a ruthless Ashland underworld boss starts threatening her, but Lorelei is determined to figure out why the other crime boss is so interested in her thriving business. She vows to use her elemental Ice and metal magic to do whatever it takes to defend herself and her family.

Also in the mix is the mercurial Hugh Tucker. Lorelei doesn’t know what the vampire is up to, or if he’s a friend or an enemy. Tucker might even be something else, something more—if Lorelei can stay alive long enough to figure out whose side he’s really on . . .

Note: Heart Stings is a 38,000-word novella from the point of view of Lorelei Parker. It takes place after the events of Last Strand, book 19 in the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Heart Stings by Jennifer Estep is a novella (19.5 book) from her wonderful Elemental Assassin series.  This novella takes place after Last Strand (finale), and is focused on Lorelei Parker. Lorelei has become friends with Gin and her gang, and with Gin away on vacation, she helps her grandmother plan a wedding, since the last one was destroyed by an attack (Last Strand).

Lorelei is being threatened by the underworld boss, Clyde, who wants to buy her shipping business, and she keeps refusing.  She knows he will attempt to force her to accept, but Lorelei is ready to defend herself and her grandmother, with her elemental ice and metal magic ability. At a restaurant, having dinner with her family, Hugh Tucker stops over to say hello.  The attraction between the two of them sizzles, but both do not trust each other.  Lorelei overhears Tucker accepting a job working for Clyde, and is concerned if he is an enemy to her, or he has other plans. When she and Tucker end up in the same room, the both succumb to their feelings.

At the party, Lorelei is kidnapped by the underworld boss, and she learns the real reason for his wanting her shipping business. Clyde plans to find what he is looking for; he also plans to kill her; as well as kill Tucker. But Lorelei doesn’t worry, as she uses her elemental ice magic to stop Clyde, saving herself and Tucker, who also joins in to help defeat Clyde and his giants.

What follows is an exciting, romantic and wonderful story! I loved seeing Lorelei and Tucker together, as they were very steamy. Since this was a novella, it was nice to spend time with Lorelei, and see how she uses her powers to protect others.  Though I was not a big fan of Tucker in this series, he turned out very good in this story.

Heart Stings was very well written by Jennifer Estep, which was a fun short story, and I loved every minute.  Lorelei was a great heroine in this book. I hope sometime in the future, we get to see the heroes of Elemental Assassin, such as Gin, Finn, Owen, Bria, Silvo, Sophia, Jo Jo, along with Lorelei and Tucker. If you have not read the Elemental Assassin series, it is time for you to start now.

 

Sandy’s Review:

HEART STINGS is instalment 19.5 and novella in Jennifer Estep’s contemporary, adult ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN paranormal/urban fantasy series. This is business woman, ice and metal elemental Lorelei Parker, and vampire Hugh Tucker’s story line. HEART STINGS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading LAST STRAND for back story and cohesion. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. HEART STINGS takes places approximately one month after the events of book 19-LAST STRAND, and the disastrous wedding reception of Lorelei’s grandmother Mallory Parker and her new husband Stuart Mosley.

NOTE: Heart Stings first appeared in the Dirty Deeds 2 anthology in 2022.

Told from first person perspective (Lorelei Parker) HEART STINGS follows Lorelei, a one time smuggler turned shipyard owner who is struggling with the likes of crime boss Clyde O’Neal. A dead body in her backyard, threats against her life, and vampire Hugh Tucker working for Clyde meant Lorelei Parker was in the direct line of fire, as Clyde O’Neal demanded ownership of Lorelei’s shipping yard but there is something in the shipyard that Clyde desperately wants, and Lorelei is standing in the way of Clyde’s demands.

HEART STINGS is a story of desperation and greed, flirtation and attraction, forgiveness, acceptance and love.The fast paced premise is intriguing and enchanting; the romance is subtle; the $ex scene is passionate; the characters are magical and determined. HEART STINGS is an exciting and interesting addition to the Elemental Assassin series where two previous- secondary characters finds their own happily ever after.

Copies supplied for review

 

 

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4. Please LIKE and Follow Jennifer Estep on TWITTER

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open Internationally

9. Giveaway runs from May 8– 11,  2023

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