Monthly Archives: October 2023

Kiss Me Again/One Pucking Night by Charlotte Byrd/Ronan Byrd

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Kiss Me Again/One Pucking Night by Charlotte Byrd/Ronan Byrd

KISS ME AGAIN
(Somerset Harbor: MacMillan Brothers 1)
by Charlotte Byrd and Ronan Byrd
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 30, 2023

Get ready to dive into a love story that’s hotter than the summer sun! Meet Cormac, the smooth and successful CFO of the MacMillan empire. He’s not just a numbers guy; he’s a single dad juggling the wild world of business and raising two adorable kids. Oh, and did we mention he’s about to launch a swanky luxury resort that’ll have everyone talking in Somerset Harbor? But wait, here comes Lily, the fierce and talented chef straight out of the hustle and bustle of New York City. Her restaurant dreams went up in smoke, but she’s got the resilience of a superhero. When fate decides to play matchmaker, Cormac finds himself in need of a nanny for his little rascals, and Lily jumps on the opportunity for a fresh start in the lap of luxury.

Sparks fly like fireworks when these two meet! The chemistry between Cormac and Lily is off the charts, but they’re playing it cool. Both have their fair share of baggage from the past and don’t want to mess up their carefully crafted lives. But with each passing day, the walls they’ve built start to crumble, and that friendship of theirs is turning into something way juicier! Just when things are heating up, drama knocks on the door. Cormac’s ex-wife catches wind of their sizzling romance, and Lily’s got an offer she can’t refuse – a chance to open a brand-new restaurant! Will they give in to love’s call or let fear hold them back?

•••••••

REVIEW: KISS ME AGAIN is the first instalment the contemporary, adult MACMILLAN BROTHERS erotic, romance series, set in the Cargill Brothers/Somerset Harbor series co-authored by Charlotte Byrd and Ronan Byrd. This is businessman Cormac MacMillan, and chef turned nanny Lily Olson. KISS ME AGAIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lily and Cormac) KISS ME AGAIN follows in the wake of a one-night stand between our leading couple. Lily Olson lost everything the day her restaurant went up in fire, and drowning her sorrows at a local bar, Lily would meet a man she knows only as Cormac, wherein a one-night stand will ensue. Desperate for a job, a friend recommends taking a position as a nanny, unaware her new boss is none other than her one-night stand. Enter businessman Cormac MacMillan, and the man with whom Lily will fall in love but all does not according to plan when Cormac’s resort plans threaten the livelihoods of Lily’s family and friends, and the return of his ex-wife makes life more complicated for our story line couple.

The world building follows several paths including the upcoming MacMillan resort that is in direct competition to several businesses in around Somerset Harbor. Some of the conflict is revealed in the Cargill Brothers series, and the MacMillan Brothers series focuses on the MacMillan family.

The relationship between Lily and Cormac begins as a one-night stand then quickly evolves into employee and employer, then fake girlfriend and lovers but Lily struggles with her position as nanny, her affair with Cormac, and the potential fall-out if someone were to discover the truth. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to B&B owners/ Lily’s parents Geoffrey and Ellen Olson; Cormac’s children Aiden and Franny, and his ex-wife Abigail as well as Cormac’s brother Beau, and Lily’s best friend Aria Bueller.

KISS ME AGAIN is a story of family and friendships, business and conflict, forgiveness and love. The premise is entertaining and compelling; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic and charming.

________

ONE PUCKING NIGHT
(Why Choose Hockey: Palm Springs Raptors)
by Charlotte Byrd
Genre: adult, contemporary, reverse harem, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2023

Steamy one night stand with two hot strangers…what can go wrong?
My life always had a plan. After graduate school in sports psychology, I will have my dream wedding to the perfect guy and start my career in Los Angeles. Then reality blindsides me—I walk into our apartment and find my fiancé in bed with someone else.
I dump the cheater but I’m broken. In an attempt to drown my sorrows, I find myself at a bar flirting with two captivating strangers.
Ash and Soren are magnetic, charming and irresistible. Oh yeah, they’re also HOT. They say and do all the right things, drawing me in until I throw caution to the wind and give into everything.
The three of us spend the night together.
This is my first and only one-night stand.
I like them a lot, but I can never see them again. It’s only going to be a one-time thing, nothing more. I even throw away their numbers to not be tempted.
Little do I know that destiny has other plans.
Ash and Soren are the star players of the Palm Springs Raptors’ hockey team, and I am going to be their new sports psychologist.
Things are about to get complicated…

•••••

REVIEW:ONE PUCKING NIGHT is a contemporary, adult prequel novella in Charlotte Byrd’s WHY CHOOSE HOCKEY: PALM SPRINGS RAPTORS reverse harem romance. This is sport psychologist Harlow, and hockey players Ash and Soren’s introduction.

Told from three first person perspectives (Harlow, Ash, Soren) ONE PUCKING NIGHT focuses on the one-night stand between Harlow, Ash and Soren. Harlow, along with her best friend Ruby, have just discovered Harlow’s boyfriend Kyle has been cheating on our story line heroine. A night out at the local bar, Harlow spies Ash and Soren, and invites the duo home for one-night together. A glorious night, followed by a goodbye kiss, Harlow believes this is the end of their time.

ONE PUCKING NIGHT is a short story that introduces the potential for conflict when Harlow is offered a new position as the sports psychologist to the Palm Springs Raptors, unaware that her fantasy men are two of the players she is about to meet. The fast paced premise is entertaining and indulging; the characters are determined; there is no romance-all is said and done in the blink of an eye. ONE PUCKING NIGHT ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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SHADOW MAGIC (Sisters of Magic 1) by Donna Grant -review tour

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SHADOW MAGIC (Sisters of Magic 1) by Donna Grant -review tour

ebook FREE for a limited time Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: re-release October 10, 2023

With a past soaked in sin and darkness slowly closing in around him to claim his soul, Drogan only wants to live his life in solitude. Years in the king’s service and his numerous deeds directed by the crown have left Drogan with horrendous nightmares and immeasurable guilt?

Serena is a witch, cursed and forever alone. She accepts her future. Until she meets Drogan. With Drogan a passion deep and unyielding awakens inside her. She is willing to sacrifice herself for his love, but can he put his past to rest and embrace the future?

••••••

REVIEW: SHADOW MAGIC is the first instalment in Donna Grant’s adult SISTERS OF MAGIC historical, paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is Serena of Hawthorne, and Lord Drogan of Wolfglynn.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Serena and Drogan) SHADOW MAGIC follows Serena of Hawthorne, a witch with the ability to ‘see’ the future but a witch whose entire lineage has been cursed, a curse that is threatening the continuation of the line. A vision of approaching evil has Serena desperately trying to convince her friend Maris, and her husband Gerard to run, run in an effort to protect their family the darkness demanding revenge. Enter Lord Drogan of Wolfglynn, best friends with Gerard, and a man who has also been targeted by sins of the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Drogan and Serena, and the potential fall-out as Serena believes her time with Drogan is fast approach an end, as the evil takes aim at our story line hero.

The world building reveals the curse that has destroy a long line of witches, and the evil that is determined to take down King Henry’s former knights. Drogan, Gerard and their compatriot Cade has been tasked with protecting King Henry and his men but someone else was determined to take down everyone else.

The relationship between Drogan and Serena is one of mutual attraction but Serena believes she is cursed to lose the man that she loves, and Drogan is forced to face the darkness alone. 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 Drogan’s friends and fellow knights Cade, Gerard and his wife Maris; commander Grayson; witch Francesca and her mate Phinneas, as well as several people who work at Wolfglynn castle.

SHADOW MAGIC is a slow building story of betrayal and vengeance, madness and retribution; magic and secrets, forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is fated; the characters are determined and dynamic. SHADOW MAGIC ends on a happily ever after -for now.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK |  NEWSLETTER SIGNUP / TUMBLR / PINTEREST / GOODREADS

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Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown – a Review

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Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown – a Review

 

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Description:
The oldest of seven sisters, Ursula Simmons has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a novelist. With a bad case of writer’s block, she brings her notebooks and computer home to the old brothel called Paradise where they all grew up, in the hope that being home for the holidays will inspire her—and since it’s Christmas, all her sisters will be there too. The sisters take the holidays very seriously, and as soon as they’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, it’s on to decorating for Christmas. As all pitch in to make the spirits bright, younger sister Endora is dismayed to find some of the handsome men who’ve come to help doing more flirting than anything else. She’s determined to show her sisters that no relationship is worth the heartbreak. But it might be Ursula who reminds the family that Christmas is a magical time, and finding new love is always a gift.

 

 

Review:

Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown is the 1st book in her new Sisters in Paradise series. We meet Ursula Simmons, who is the oldest daughter of the seven sisters in this family.  Ursula has decided to move back home to Paradise, which used to be an old brothel, with her mother still living there with her husband, Joe Clay (she was divorced at a young age, with the first husband leaving her to bring up seven young girls).  The story revolves around the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all seven children return home to be together to decorate and celebrate the holidays, (we meet the Simmons sisters, Ursula, Ophelia, Tertia, Rae, Bo, Endora and Luna)

The girl’s mother, Mary Jane is a famous novelist, and Ursula is also a writer, in the midst of a writer’s block that she hopes coming home will find her muse. She is trying to write a historical novel, based on Daisy, a mail order bride, who made friends with the madam during the old days.  Ursula meets Remy, who lives next door, and someone she had a crush on in high school.  In a short time, both Remy and Ursula will begin to have feelings for each other, as well as Remy helping her find old books about the brothel and Daisy, her muse.  I really enjoyed Remy and Ursula, who were so great together. 

Luna, the youngest sister (she is a twin, Endora), and she too finds someone she is falling in love with.  Shane is her boyfriend, and their relationship escalates over time.  They too were both great together.  However, Luna and all the sisters try to help Endora get over her broken heart, when her boyfriend, was she caught having an affair with her best friend.   

It was nice to see all the sisters return home to help celebrate the holidays, as well as all seven of them spending the day together buying presents for all.  They all take the holidays very seriously, jumping from Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I loved how Mary Jane and Joe Clay (all the girls called him Daddy, since he was always part of the family) created such a wonderful family. I thought Aunt Bernie (a former bar owner) was a hoot, always pushing and using curses forcing Ursula and Luna into relationships. This was a great family with wonderful strong bonds.

Paradise For Christmas was an enchanting delightful family-oriented story that not only captured the holiday spirit, but emphasized a family filled with love, support, happiness and heartwarming. Paradise for Christmas was so very well written by Carolyn Brown. I look forward to seeing who will be the next two sisters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden – a Review

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A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden – a Review

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Description:
Captured by a king of darkness. Forced to find the light within.

Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.

But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

To make it out of enemy territory, she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.

 

 

Review:

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden is the first book in her new debut The Sacred Stones series. We meet Arwen Valondale, our heroine, who lives all of her life in a small town, taking care of her sick mother and her younger sister; she also has the ability to use her healing powers to help people.  Arwen’s brother is in the army, helping to fight against a war against the Kingdom of Onyx; when her brother escapes a battle, he also steals some Onyx gold. The family knows they need to leave to another Kingdom, as the brother is being chased; Arwen runs back to get something and is captured by soldiers of the Onyx Kingdom. Arwen offers herself in exchange for her families lives; where she ends up in the dungeons, next to a handsome stranger. Arwen begins to work as a healer to help the injured in Onyx, where she will meet the feared King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane Ravenwood, our hero and the Onyx King, is charming, sexy, mysterious and cute flirtations; which Arwen will learn a short time that he was the handsome stranger, who was indeed the King. From the start, Kane found himself attracted to Arwen, being very protective, supporting her along the way; his devotion to her was wonderful, despite her determination to escape and find her family. Arwen was very well liked, as she seemed happy to be able help cure the injured, and made friends on Onyx; especially Mari, who became a great friend to Arwen.

In a short time, both Arwen and Kane begin have feelings for each other, with the banter, tension and chemistry between them being fun. I did like Kane, as he was always protective, and willing to help Arwen.  I also liked Arwen, as she was finding herself happy in Onyx, but was determined to do anything to find her family; but at times she was foolish in her attempts.  This was a slow burn romance, with Arwen knowing she was falling for Kane, but she continued to try to escape. 

In the last third of the book, everything changes, as we learn the truths of the enemy leader Arwen thought was good, turns out to be a major enemy of Kane; and secrets are revealed. The warring kingdoms, fae magic, dark prophecies lead to danger.

A Dawn of Onyx was a fun fantasy, in a unique world that was not only romantic, but dark kingdoms, fae, humans, as well as an excellent world building. The ending was a cliff hanger, leaving us to having to wait for the next book.  A Dawn of Onyx was well written by Kate Golden. I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Darkest Need (Dark Ones / 1001 Dark Nights) by Rachel Van Dyken

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DARKEST NEED (Dark Ones Novella / 1001 Dark Nights ) by Rachel Van Dyken-review & excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 10, 2023

I see everything. I feel everything.
I watch people fall in love. I watch them burn with hate, anger, rage, and I see the cycle repeat over and over again. I take it on every night I work at Timber, aka Anubis’s bar in downtown Seattle, and then I help the rest of the immortals keep the very intense balance between Heaven and Earth.

I see everyone’s future but mine, and when I try to look, all I see is darkness, despair, need…

Until she walks into my bar with bruises on her face, getting pulled by one of the lesser demons. I do what any good bartender would do… I beat him within an inch of his life and turn my eyes to her.
By then, it’s too late.
She already has me in her grasp.
A succubus that has no other plan than to suck me clean of every inch of power that’s been bestowed on me by the Heavens.

I never thought my future involved getting kidnapped and tied up or that I’d die by way of sex—then again, maybe that’s for the best. Dying at the hands of my enemy rather than being one more burden to my already mated friends.

After all, giving into one last need before death, while selfish, may be exactly what my darkness means.

My need is great.
And she’s about to find out just how much.

•••••

REVIEW: DARKEST NEED is a contemporary, adult, novella found in Rachel Van Dyken’s DARK ONES paranormal, fantasy series, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is Tarek, werewolf prince, and demon/succubus Lilith’s story line. DARKEST NEED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order to learn about each member of the immortal council.

Told from three first person perspectives (Cassius, Lilith and Tarek) using present day and memories from the past DARKEST NEED focuses on the seduction of our story line hero. Lilith knows what she must do, and Tarek is her target but Tarek for all of the power of a prince quickly discovers that his life is to be forfeited for sins of the past. Lilith and Tarek have history, one that Tarek no longer remembers but it is their history that continues to bind the couple together.

The world building continues to focuses on life and death-someone must die in order for someone to live; sacrifice and survival, blood and memories, gods and goddesses, betrayal and revenge.

The relationship between Tarek and Lilith is one of need: Lilith is to seduce our story line hero, ensuring his death by $ex is one he will never forget. As Lilith ensures a sacrifice in order to live, she will realize that love may be stronger than the need to survive. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

Most of the previous story line couples return as secondary and supporting characters. The Fallen Angel Cassius continues to struggle with the life and death cycles, the sacrifices in order to survive, as he watches his friends suffer to keep the world in balance.

DARKEST NEED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, madness and mayhem, death and resurrection, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is limited to dreams, sacrifice and acceptance; the characters are magical, powerful and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________

THE DARK ONES
(Dark Ones Saga 1)
by Rachel Van Dyken
Genre: adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance

Amazon.ca / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ebook FREE at these outlets: Amazon.com / B&N /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2015

To touch a Dark One is death.
To talk to an immortal is suicide.
Yet, I’ve been marked by both.
A Vampire.
And the King of the immortals.
My life is no longer my own.
And now I know the truth, my life was never mine to begin with.
It was theirs.
It’s always been theirs.

••••••

REVIEW: THE DARK ONES is the first full-length instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s adult DARK ONES SAGA paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is ancient vampire Ethan, and human Genesis’ story line.

NOTE: There is a prequel novella DARK ORIGINS that explains some of the history but it was either released in a newsletter or part of an anthology.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ethan and Genesis) THE DARK ONES follows in the wake of the immortals choosing a human. It has been fifty years since the immortals have chosen a human female, a female that has been educated in the ways of the supernatural but Genesis will quickly discover that her education had been wrong, misleading and full of lies. Throughout her life Genesis was lead to belief she was never good enough, pretty enough or smart enough to be one of the chosen but when her ‘number was called, Genesis would discover that more than one immortal was willing to claim Genesis as his mate. Enter ancient vampire Ethan, and the man with whom Genesis will fall in love. What ensues is the re-education of our story line heroine, and the potential fall-out as our heroine will discover that to mate an immortal means to live and die precariously at the hands of the people in charge.

The world building introduces the who, how and why of the chosen human females. Genesis comes from a long line of females educated and prepared to be one of the chosen but fifty years has passed, and the last female chosen didn’t survive to her fate. As Genesis, Nathan, and his family of supernaturals struggle to make sense of what happened and why, a fallen angel will reveal the secrets he has kept to protect them all.

The relationship between Ethan and Genesis is that of fated mates. Genesis has been chosen, marked by both vampire and the fallen but in an effort to protect our story line heroine, Ethan will have to claim Genesis to save her life. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Ethan’s family of immortals: werewolf Mason; fallen angel Cassius; sirens Alex and Stephanie; as well as several Archangels. Not everyone who is they claimed to be, and not necessarily of their own choosing.

THE DARK ONES is a story of power and control, death and immortality, betrayal and punishment, madness, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is detailed, complex and enthralling; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate, dynamic and determined.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

Listen, I know I have chains wrapped strategically around my wrists and that every second that goes by, said chains are burning a mark into my skin that may or may not mean I’m about to get completely demolished by a succubus demon.
But this is not how the story starts.
I mean, maybe it’s how it ends since I’ve been in this exact spot for the last two days without food or water, waiting for a rescue from my immortal friends, knowing full well they’re probably all just having sex and enjoying marital bliss without realizing I’m actually missing.
Me.
The manager of the Seattle demon bar, Sin.
Werewolf prince.
All around really upright kind of guy—or so I like to think. But do you know where that got me?
Here.
Chained.
See also: Demon goddess who has not come back to check on me even once and says she wants to kill me via sex.
Bartending is looking great right now. Immortal life in my werewolf clan did not prepare me for this or the fact that saving one succubus would actually turn me into her prey.
She was bruised.
Beaten beyond recognition.
I was going to kill the vampire that attempted to slaughter her, but that’s a longer, more violent story since she ended up doing the deed once she got a bit of my blood. But I did give her water, thinking, wow, I’ve done this person a total solid. I mean, despite the fact that she was pretty. Even her tears were pretty. The bruising and swelling on her face didn’t even hide how beautiful she was—or is.
Maybe my first wrong act was comforting her. Because the minute we touched, her eyes flashed a creepy red, and well…see also actual burning handcuffs around my wrists.
It’s clearly been a fun forty-eight hours. Maybe she’ll make it quick, though a weird part of me kind of wants my last few moments being sucked dry via sex to last for a while, so long that it’s all I focus on, all I care about, all I see.
I see visions of the future, but I never saw this.
So, strap in because I’m sure it’s going to be a great story. I just may not make it all the way to the end with you.

Follow: Website / Facebooks / Goodreads / Twitter /  Instagram

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

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WRATHFUL KING (Stolen Empire 3) by Eva Winners-review tour

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WRATHFUL KING (Stolen Empire 3) by Eva Winners-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2023

It killed me to leave her behind.

Every night I closed my eyes to the images of her lifeless body in the hospital.

Her second chance came, but it wasn’t with me. It was with my brother.

I wanted to kill him and take his place.

Except it wouldn’t change anything. She hated me.

But then secrets unraveled. The truth would twist into something bitter before it set me free.

Masks dropped. Gloves were off.

I’d fight for her. I’d bring her back. I’d protect her even if it was the last thing I did.

We made a promise. She was mine, and I was hers.

To win, I’d risk it all. My heart and life included.

••••••

REVIEW: WRATHFUL KING is the third and final instalment in Eva Winners’ contemporary, adult STOLEN EMPIRE dark, erotic, Mafia romance trilogy focusing on twenty-six year old, heir to the Yakuza throne Amon Leone, and twenty-one year old, Omerta princess Reina Romero. WRATHFUL KING should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book two UNFORGIVING QUEEN.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL be triggers for more sensitive readers. If you have not read any of the previous instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier Reina met Amon during one of their fathers’ questionable meetings but throughout the next twelve years our couple would come in and out of one another’s lives. Reina fell in love with Amon Leone, true heir to the Yakuza empire, but the Leones and Romeros were enemies at best. With a long and colorful history between the two families, Reina and Amon were warned away from one another but the pull was too strong for our story line couple.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amon and Reina) WRATHFUL KING picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two Unforgiving Queen. Reina has become a pawn; a target of a madman; payment for a debt; a life forfeited for sins of the past. Amon is desperate to find his missing wife, and with rescue, a long road to recovery would be needed to heal but Amon needed vengeance against the people responsible, and secrets proved a twisted history of betrayal, deception, affairs and illegitimacy, revealing all was not as it appeared to be, and familial bloodlines would take unexpected turns. What ensues is the search and rescue of our story line heroine, and the potential fall-out as betrayal will come at a cost for everyone concerned.

The world building continues to focus on the power at the top; the extremely dysfunctional family dynamics, and the search for the truth.

The relationship between Amon and Reina is one of second chances, of a sorts. Married but struggling to come to terms with the secrets and lies, Amon will be gutted when his young bride goes missing in the name of retaliation and revenge. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Reina’s father Tomaso; Amon’s mother Hana and her boyfriend Hiroshi, his brother Dante; Reina’s friends Isla, Raven and Athena. The dysfunctional family dynamics continues to be questionable; the Cartel is taking aim at everyone involved.

Dante’s story is told in THORNS OF SILENCE (Thorns of Omertà 4)

WRATHFUL KING is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, terror and abuse, search and rescue, recovery and love. The dramatic premise is dark, raw and tense; the characters are desperate, determined, dynamic and struggling; the romance is slow to recover in the face of issues of trust and pain.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Bitter Prince
Unforgiving Queen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails, yoga or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

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Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher – a Review

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Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher – a Review

 

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Description:
Grimsby, the newest Auditor in the magical Department of Unorthodox Affairs, finds himself in hot water when he intercepts a friend’s case in this fast-paced and thrilling urban fantasy.

Against all odds, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby has become an Auditor, enforcing laws about magic for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. But Grimsby soon realizes the daily grind of his job is far removed from the glamour he imagined. Overlooked for every exciting case, Grimsby tires of being told to handle mundane magical troubles, and appropriates a case file intended for a friend.

Alongside Leslie Mayflower, the temporarily unretired Huntsman, Grimsby aims to crack the case and discover the origin of a strange, unfinished ritual—one that seems to imitate the handiwork of a foe Mayflower put down twenty years ago.

Together, they’ll have to deal with escaped werewolves, a cursed artifact, and a perilous journey to the mysterious subterranean city below Boston, all to uncover the shocking truth. At any cost, Grimsby must stop this ritual from finally being completed. Yet the cost may be paid not by himself but by his friends. . . .

 

 

Review:

Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher is the 2nd book in his urban fantasy The Unorthodox Chronicles series. Refresher:  The Unorthodox Chronicles is a magic world, with human Usuals and paranormal Unorthodox; the Department of Unorthodox Affairs and Auditors are government magical elites, with witches who use spells to control their power.  It is a world where magic is out in the open but tightly regulated.

Grimsby, our hero, has recently become an Auditor, working for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. He is partnered with Mayflower (Huntsman), an assassin for the Unorthodox; but lately Mayflower hasn’t been around, thinking of retiring; and Grimsby is stuck doing menial jobs.  When he is in his boss’s office to complain, he sees a folder for a friend (Rayne) and switches folders to take on an exciting case.  When Grimsby shows the folder to Mayflower, he becomes interested, as he sees something long in the past, that bring them together to find out the truths.

Together, they begin an investigation to discover who performed a recent incomplete ritual, that reminds Mayflower of someone he eliminated 20 years ago. Mayflower does not have certain abilities, such as Grimsby’s witch powers, which helps them discover the danger in the horizon. In a short period, Grimsby becomes concerned about his friend, Rayne, and worries she is in danger, pushing Mayflower to help him find Rayne.

I had noted in my first book review, that Grimsby was a bit unsure of himself, always bumbling things; this does continue in the second book, though nearer to the end he got better.  Having Mayflower as his partner eventually gave him more confidence. I did like Grimsby’s pet friend, Wudge, who was off the wall for the most part.  I also liked Rayne, but the ending was left so open. Because of the cliffhanger, I have not decided if I want to read the next book.

Long Past Dues is an urban fantasy adventure, slow going at times and suspenseful closer to the end.  The last half of the book, Grimsby and Mayflower are constantly thrown into chaos and danger. Long Past Dues was a good story written by James J. Butcher, though I did think there was too many details and redundancy. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: ENDGAME -Inciting Incident by Dean C Moore

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THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: ENDGAME -Episode 1 -Inciting Incident by Dean C Moore

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 3, 2023

The seven divisions of Earth’s space force are waking up to the fact that something big is about to go down. There have been too many signs, however vague and ominous. Big is what these guys do for breakfast, so the fact that all seven divisions are increasingly disquieted is highly disturbing; especially when you consider that each of the seven divisions is technologically more advanced than the others. And no one feels prepared for what’s coming. The timeframe extends from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

So just what is coming?

Something that may well humble, even unite all seven divisions—which are often at odds with one another. In-fighting over who controls what planets and for what purposes is nothing new. But the mysterious communiqués from outside of space-time is.

Join me as the various extraterrestrial races and interests take to the scrimmage lines. The game is only just beginning.

•••••

REVIEW: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN : ENDGAME Episode 1-Inciting Incident is the first instalment in Dean C Moore’s adult THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN : ENDGAME sci-fi series that takes aim at everything and everyone.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives, INCITING INCIDENT is a complex, detailed, and thought provoking story of an alternate history if billions of years of alien technology fell into the hands of the twentieth century Nazis. Following several intersecting timelines, pathways and probabilities, set somewhere between 1980 to 2020 but not relegated to a specific time, INCITING INCIDENT is a sociological look at the build up of power, of war and the potential for total annihilation throughout the universe, a universe larger than we could have ever imagined but for Dean C Moore’s own imagination.

Reading like a blend of Star Trek™, Star Wars™ and numerous science fiction storylines and series, we are up close and personal with AI, cyborgenic organisms, robots, ETs, aliens, anthropomorphic beings, enhanced humans, time travel, and sentient ‘everything’,in a story of ‘what if it were possible?’ . Dean C Moore pulls the reader into flight of fancy, a fantasy of imagination referencing many of Earth’s own more popular movies, books, and even some questionable politicians, oligarchs and megalomaniacs .

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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While action-packed sci-fi/techno-thrillers set in the near future are my forte, I also stray into other genres from time to time, such as space operas, paranormal fantasy, and detective stories. All my novels can be described as action-thrillers, no matter the sub-genre.

You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.

I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature’s balance. When I’m not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.

If you’d like to know what compels me to write, it’s simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.

I’ve remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.

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