Monthly Archives: November 2023

Starting Line (For Puck’s Sake 2) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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??Starting Line (For Puck’s Sake 2) by Crea Reitan-review tour??

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 9,2023

Every game begins with a good starting line.

Ethan

I’ve been secretly married for eight years. Why is it a secret? Because having an open marriage splashed all over headlines isn’t a good look. We’d constantly be under the spotlight; our lives and relationships judged. That’s not the kind of hockey player I want to be known for. Especially because we play for different teams.

Although most of my relationships outside of my marriage are passing, I’ve been pining over my best friend and teammate for years. YEARS! Just as I decide that maybe it’s time to see where this leads, management throws an unexpected play in our faces.

It might be over before it begins and I’m not sure what to do about it.

Creed

Since the day I was swapped to Buffalo, I’ve been in love with Ethan Wilder. He’s an intense player, breaking records every year. But he’s also fun, sweet, thoughtful, and gorgeous. He’s everyone’s perfect dream.

When he tells me he wants to be more than friends, I almost jump him right there in the locker room. Things between us heat up quickly and I’ve never been happier. Everything is perfect.

Except our starting line. We’ve been through four right wingmen in the last three seasons but no matter who management brings on board, they just don’t gel with me and Ethan. Now they’ve thrown us a trick play that I’m not sure we’re going to be able to work around – on the ice or off.

It’s not just the starting line we need to worry about. In fact, this complication could put the entire team – and our new relationship – on ice.

••••••

REVIEW: Yay, one of my favourite authors has another book out. It’s an MMM read and another book to add to her “For Puck’s Sake” series. You don’t need to read book one to get this story. (But it’s my favourite so far, so if you haven’t read “Shiver” and you like this type of book, then go grab it, you won’t be sorry)

Ethan doesn’t hide who he is, and that’s a gay man playing ice hockey. He’s good at his sport. He’s also known in the press as a bit of a player, always with a new man…..
But Ethan has a secret, and if it ever got out…. Well it could be bad news for anyone associated with him…..

But since meeting and playing with his teammate Creed, Ethan hadn’t looked at another man…. He wants Creed, but dating a teammate can get messy and Ethan feels if he lets go then his feelings for Creed could turn into something more!

Creed has crushed and loved his teammate Ethan almost as long as he’s known him. He knows his feelings would be reciprocated, but something is hold Ethan back. He just wants a change at a happiness he never had as a young man. Will Ethan ever love him back?

And the third person in this story …. Jakub. Also a hockey player, and Ethan’s secret husband! He’s the caregiver in this long distance relationship, he loves Ethan with every molecule in his body. He’s also aware of Ethan’s attraction to Creed.

Creed has known about Jakub, and vice versa. Ethan is the center of both their world. But as the book continues, you get the sense that Jakub would spoil and care for Creed as well.

I loved how the three of these wonderful characters held each other up. I liked how vastly different they are, but gel so well when they are together. The chemistry between Ethan and Creed is strong and fierce, between Ethan and Jakub it’s loving and a power exchange. And even between Creed and Jakub there is a tentative relationship growing. I loved how understanding Jakub was with Ethan. A long distance secret relationship couldn’t have been easy on them, but you get the intensity of their love for one another clearly coming across the pages.

Then the sh!t hits the fan!! And the unthinkable happens!! It pops their bubble and has the potential to tear their worlds apart!! Can they really be together, or will the media/family and friends pull them apart?

I loved this story. I also liked the explanation given in this book by the author. it’s a little heavy on the politics of gender and sexuality. But you can see where the author is going, they are her views, and I might not agree with everything, they are still out out there and not rammed down your throat.

I adored Ethan and Creed’s teammates, and hope they all get a story ?

If you like sports romance, MMM romance and a tangled love story then grab it now.

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one SHIVER

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Broken by Faith by Eve L Mitchell-review tour

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Broken by Faith by Eve L Mitchell-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10, 2023

Faith
I left the world of my strict upbringing long ago, embracing a new life with no restrictions. But now a relentless private investigator is hot on my trail.

Cooper Carter seems determined to return me to the prison I escaped. He’s an enigma, cold and unfeeling, yet I sense the fire within him waiting to be unleashed.

My plan is simple. If I must return to the nightmare that I ran from…I’m taking Cooper with me.

Cooper
It was just another job, a straightforward seek and retrieve, but Faith Hunter is far from simple. Her sharp wit and spirited nature make her a captivating challenge.

Faith says her past is full of monsters who only want to use her for their own gain. An arranged marriage awaits her return, and somehow she’s talked me into faking a relationship.

Yet, Faith’s plan has a crucial flaw. She doesn’t truly know me, or how far I’ll go to get what I want. Soon she’ll realize that the only monster she needs to be wary of…is me.

•••••

REVIEW:BROKEN BY FAITH is the second instalment in Eve L Mitchell’s contemporary, adult, dark, romance series. This is PI Cooper Carter, and twenty-seven year old, heiress/dancer Faith Hunter’s story line. BROKEN BY FAITH 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 (Cooper and Faith) BROKEN BY FAITH follows the search for our story line heroine. Cooper Carter is a private investigator who has been hired to find and return heiress Faith Hunter back to her family but Faith Hunter does not want to be found, and when she discovers Cooper’s connections to her family, our heroine is determined to go deep and go dark. As Cooper’s virtual prisoner, Faith struggles with her captor’s attitude but will quickly fall in line when he reveals there is more to the story than a family looking for the daughter who didn’t come home. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Faith and Cooper, and the potential fall -out when our couple begin a real but fake relationship in an effort to stop Faith’s family from destroying her life.

The world building focuses on the contemptuous relationship between our story line couple but Cooper is more aware of a deeper betrayal than Faith could have ever imagined. To protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Cooper offers up marriage, a marriage with an expiry date that neither one wants. We are up close and personal with the details of both family histories, histories that are dark, vengeful, greedy and cold.

The relationship between Faith and Cooper begins as captor and captive. Cooper has been tasked with bringing home our story line heroine but there is more to both stories, as each side sees something different and vulnerable, and morally questionable. The $ex scenes are aggressive and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and questionable. We are introduced to Faith’s ex fiancé Howard, her brother Reese, their parents, as well as Cooper’s mother Regina Carrington, and the return of Grace and Dallas (Torn by Grace 1).

BROKEN BY FAITH is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and avarice, secrets and lies, forgiveness and acceptance. The premise is edgy and riveting; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are spirted, animated and desperate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one TORN BY GRACE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Social Media links: Goodreads / Website/. Twitter / Facebook / Instagram/ Newsletter / Bookbub / Amazon Author /

Eve L. Mitchell is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes contemporary romance and urban fantasy.

Being an avid reader from a young age, Eve still considers herself to be a reader first. She believes there is nothing better than getting that new book either on your e-reader or in your hands, and the fact she may bring that excitement to a fellow reader, fills her with wonder. She writes under a pen name because otherwise her Secret Agent status will be revoked.

Eve lives in the North East of Scotland, with her three coffee machines and her significant other, Mr. M. She enjoys NFL Football, music and having long conversations with the voices in her head, which sometimes turn into the stories she writes.

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His Wicked Ways(The Wickeds) by Melissa Foster-review

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His Wicked Ways(The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside 5) by Melissa Foster-review

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Blaine Wicked can spot trouble a mile away. As the eldest of five and raised in a Dark Knights biker family, he has always been a protector. Rescuing a stripper from a bad situation comes with the territory, regardless of the hell the mouthy, slightly awkward, and seriously hot leggy blonde gives him for it. She’s far too innocent to bend to his wicked ways, but the more he learns about her, the harder it is for him to walk away.

Forensic scientist Reese Wilder never imagined herself as the entertainment at a bachelor party, but she’d do anything to keep food on the table for her teenage sister. With their mess of a mother in rehab—Third time’s a charm, right?—Reese is stuck paying off their mother’s debt to a dealer and trying to make ends meet. Reese has had it rough, and she knows better than to rely on anyone for help, much less a pushy biker with piercing blue eyes who probably has dozens of women at his beck and call.

The more flames Reese throws, the more determined Blaine is to walk through them. The closer he gets, the hotter they burn—and the more curious she becomes. But Blaine Wicked has the power to torch Reese’s walls to embers, and with her sister’s well-being at stake, that’s a risk she can’t afford to take.

••••••

REVIEW:HIS WICKED WAYS is the fifth instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult THE WICKEDS: DARK KNIGHTS AT BAYSIDE erotic, romance series- a part of the author’s LOVE IN BLOOM world.. This is thirty-four year old, businessman Blaine Wicked, and twenty-six year old, forensic scientist Reese Wilder’s story line. HIS WICKED WAYS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Blaine and Reese) HIS WICKED WAYS follows the building relationship between our story line couple. While attending a late night gathering at a local bar, Blaine suspects one of the ‘dancers’ is out of her element, and struggling to keep the perverts and creeps at bay. Rescuing our heroine comes with troubles of their own, when Reese Wilder confronts a car that doesn’t work, and a house party thrown by her fifteen year old sister Collette. Always one to rescue and protect, Blaine takes control, pushing himself into the life of a woman who is determined to make it on her own but all is not as it appears to be when Blaine discovers Reese is forced to pay off her mother’s debts, debts that are threatening the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Blaine and Reese, and the potential fall-out when Reese and her sister Collette are targeted for someone else’s sins.

As with most of the author’s stories and series, the world building continues to focus on the large extended, supportive and colorful families, all interconnected by blood, marriage, friendships and love. Having raised her sister Collette from birth, Reese struggles to accept any help, and issues of trust complicate the matter.

The relationship between Reese and Blaine begins acrimoniously. Blaine is a protector, and he battles between head and heart knowing Reese does not want any help, and Blaine is the first to jump in when something goes wrong. As Reese and Blaine’s relationship begins to blossom, our couple’s secrets threaten the slow building love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters from all of the interconnected series and stories including Blaine’s large extended family, and Reese’s sister Collette.

Similarly to all of Melissa Foster’s books, HIS WICKED WAYS is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love, secrets and lies, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating, inviting, and gripping ; the characters are sassy, lively and spirited; the romance is edgy and emotional.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Tru Blue
Truly Madly Whiskey
Driving Whiskey Wild
Wicked Whiskey Love
Mad About Moon
Taming My Whiskey
The Gritty Truth
Running on Diesel
Crazy Wicked Love
The Wicked Truth

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

Find Melissa on the following sites….
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Claimed by Flames (Claimed by Flames 1) by Lauren Crowne-review

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Claimed by Flames (Claimed by Flames 1) by Lauren Crowne-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 7,2023

He was a demon in love with fire; she was destined to burn.

In the kingdom of Vestia, where demons reign and hidden truths lie in wait, Lilly, a human, struggles to repay a debt owed to a mob boss notorious for his cruelty and wealth. She spends her nights waitressing at one of the most exclusive clubs in the capital city where she catches the attention of Max, a mesmerizing demon who exudes a darkness and mischief that both intrigues and terrifies her.

Max’s scars bear witness to his hidden past, a past that intertwines with Vestia’s throne itself. And Lilly, with her own secrets, cannot escape the magnetic pull she feels toward him.

As their worlds collide, Lilly and Max must navigate the waters of trust and deception. Can they unravel the truths that bind them or will their secrets shatter any chance of happiness?

In this fantasy romance novel, Max and Lilly must decide if the risks they take are worth the ultimate reward: a love that defies the darkness.

I should have known better than to trust a demon.
I should have seen past his smirk and paid closer attention to the scars that run up and down his arms. Maybe then I would have seen the truth and realized who Max really was.
Then again. . . where’s the fun in that?

•••••

REVIEW: Although this book is set in the same world as “The Sins of the Blood War”, it’s not necessary to read them before this book. It’s a completely different set of characters.

Lilly is a human (well almost ?) working in a demon bar. How she got there will be revealed in the book (what? I’m not giving all the story away ?) a little like a hostess (find a guy and make him pay for drinks all night, if he’s happy then he usually leaves a tip) and Lilly is almost done with paying the demon she owes money too (also explained)

It’s all going well, when a fight breaks out….

Max has been watching Lilly for a while now, he’s never interacted with her, but he’s wanted too. And now he knows her name. (Think someone is a little smitten with the human ?) Living in the demon realm his whole life, Max hasn’t had it easy. His character on the outside is arrogant and brash! But get past his exterior and we have a demon with a tortured past (one of my favourite kind ?)

Their first meeting happens when Lilly breaks up a bar fight. Second meeting is when her boss wants her to play “nice” and get information out of Max!

Max is definitely taken with Lilly, but he doesn’t know why she is with Jae (her boss) or even working in the club, he wants to find out but his boss/ruler wants him to use Lilly to get to Jae!!

Can Lilly and Max really have a future? Can they give up their secrets to one another and trust that the person they are becoming involved with won’t break their heart and trust?

I loved the detail this book was given. All the backgrounds were in great detail, nothing was missed. You could imagine the club Lilly worked at really clearly.

Same went for the characters, their traits and thoughts were all on the page for you to digest and ponder.

Next book is all about Blaise (a weapons master) & Charlee, (a human thief) they are in this book, so hoping we still get to interact with Lilly and Max (that have a place in my heart and mind for the time being) ?

A highly recommend read if you like paranormal romance with a little mystery thrown in.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Lauren Crowne writes sexy, funny, action-packed fantasy and paranormal romance, transporting readers into a world of fae, demons, wolf shifters, and more. You’ll want to root for her bold heroines and hot heroes, neither of which are afraid to fight for the ones they love. Sold to the Demon Prince is the first book in the Sins of the Blood War trilogy, with all three books following the same couple as they try to hold on to their passion for each other even when the world seems against them. When she isn’t writing, Lauren is addicted to drinking iced coffee, forcing her husband to watch funny TikToks, and traveling with her husband and three kids.

 

Connect with the Author:

Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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The Beautiful and the Wild by Peggy Townsend – a Review

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The Beautiful and the Wild by Peggy Townsend – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s summer in Alaska and the light surrounding the shipping-container-turned-storage shed where Liv Russo is being held prisoner is fuzzy and gray. Around her is thick forest and jagged mountains. In front of her, across a clearing, is a low-slung cabin with a single window that spills a wash of yellow light onto bare ground. Illuminated in that light is the father of her child, a man she once loved. A man who is now her jailor. Liv vows to do anything to escape.  

Carrying her own secrets and a fierce need to protect her young son, Liv must navigate a new world where extreme weather, starvation, and dangerous wildlife are not the only threats she faces. With winter’s arrival imminent, she knows she must reckon with her past and the choices that brought her to the unforgiving Alaskan landscape if she is ever going to make it out alive.

A story of survival in the wilds of Alaska, The Beautiful and the Wild explores the question of whether we can ever truly know the person we love—or ourselves.

 

 

Review:

The Beautiful and the Wild by Peggy Townsend is a standalone thriller.  We meet Liv Russo, at the start, when she finds herself being locked up in a storage container, by her supposed dead husband. The story takes place in Alaska, with POV’s in current time and in the past. Liv had thought her husband committed suicide jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge a few years ago.  With her financials dwindling, she gets a lead that her husband (Mark) is still alive in Alaska, and takes her young son, Xander to leave California and find him.

Liv eventually finds Mark alive, in a remote cabin, within a wilderness area of forest and mountains; and he has a mistress.  Mark at first is happy to see Liv, especially Xander; but when Liv threatens to leave with Xander, and get a divorce; he then locks her up in the storage container.   Liv is determined to find a way to escape, though she knows she needs to convince Mark and Angela (mistress) that she will work with them living off the land and free love. Mark wants her to conform to his needs (sexual) and wishes. A bit later on, another woman (Diana, who has another son, Rudy) returns, bringing Mark having three women to fill his needs and do chores.  I will say that the first half of the book was a bit slow, and redundant in Liv’s trying to find a way to escape.

Part of the POV in the past, revolves around Liv and the life she lived with her mother and father; as well as her spending time in jail, upon the death of the mother and father. We do see many flashbacks during that time, and the trauma Liv suffered. Mark is also hiding from someone who he owes money too.

What follows is a wild time for Liv, pretending she is happy to live in the wilderness, and help with all the chores, including setting traps for animals/fish, gardening; in the extreme Alaska weather and dangerous wildlife.   As we reach the last quarter of the book, the story does get more exciting, with Liv getting surprising help from Rudy, to find what she needs (car keys, car, phone). But can she escape Mark and Angela, who will do anything to stop her, especially Xander?

The Beautiful and the Wild was an interesting story line, though slow and redundant through more than half the book, which also made it a bit depressing early on. But I did like the last quarter of the book, which had a very good and exciting ending. The Beautiful and the Wild was well written by Peggy Townsend.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Rebel Witch (Outlaws 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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The Rebel Witch (Outlaws 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/45m6IFx

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 7, 2023

Kelsey Owens just wants to settle in with her gorgeous husbands, surrounding herself with her reclaimed family. Preparations should be made for the arrival of their new son. The world has other plans. War is brewing, powerful forces are lining up against everyone she loves, and her latest prisoner also happens to be her best friend in the world. Being the sheriff of the supernatural world really sucks sometimes.

Olivia Carey lost everything. Stripped of the magic that gave her life color and substance, she thought it couldn’t get worse. Then Kelsey was gone. She found a light in the darkness. A path back to her magic, but claiming it somehow put her on the opposite side of a war with everyone she knew and cared for. She knows that her cause was just, but lately things are confusing. Captured by the rebels she tormented and once called friends, she is forced to question everything she knows.

When someone dear to them both is struck down, Kelsey and Liv must join forces again. Only Liv can work the spell to save them, but that spell requires a unique ingredient found only on the Hell plane. Stealing it will mean risking everything—including the growing bond between Liv and her old boyfriend, Casey Lane. Hell has some tricks up its sleeve for both Liv and Kelsey. And in the midst of battle, Liv will be forced to decide between saving their world and burning it all down.

••••••

REVIEW:THE REBEL WITCH is the third instalment in Lexi Blake’s adult OUTLAW erotic, paranormal/fantasy series set in the world of the author’s world of the THIEVES. This is the continuing story of witch Olivia Carey, and guardian/hunter/wolf Kelsey Atwood. THE REBEL WITCH should not be read as a stand alone as many of the events of the current timeline are as of a direct result of the previous instalments and the original THIEVES series. Kelsey’s story begins in book six of THIEVES. I strongly recommend reading both series in order.

SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately twelve years earlier, along with the Queen of all Vampire / and the wife of the high priest of the Seelie and the Unseelie Zoey Donovan-Quinn, and king of the vampires Daniel Donovan, Kelsey Atwood travelled through a portal, a magical painting where they would spend four days in the land of the Faery but upon their return discovered twelve years in real time had passed, twelve years in which a war between the supernatural creatures killed many, destroying friendships and families, leaving Kelsey struggling for the years that she lost with her friends, husbands, family and children.

Told from first person perspective (Kelsey and Olivia) THE REBEL WITCH follows in the aftermath of the return and imprisonment of witch turned demon Olivia Carey. Olivia appears to have been the confident and uncaring slave to a man determined to destroy them all but Olivia has been missing for as long as her best friend Kelsey, and upon her return, Olivia is steadfast in the belief that the people she once called family and friends abandoned her, and left her to be used and abused. A curse has threatened the life of someone close, forcing Olivia to work alongside the people she blames for the past torture , torture that has ultimately blocked her magic, leaving her broken and lost. As Olivia struggles through the memories of the past, it will become readily apparently not everything was as it appeared to be. Returning to the Underworld at Lucifer’s command, in an effort to save their friend from final damnation, Olivia and Kelsey along with a large number of family and friends including Kelsey’s mates Trent Wilcox and Gray Sloane, find themselves at a crossroads, when Olivia is unable to mediate her own memories of truth and lies.

The world building is complex and multi-layered; detailed and intricate with many of H*ll’s more notable characters including Lucifer Morningstar and his first love Lilith. We are up close and personal with Olivia’s memories, both real and false, as our heroine must come to terms with what she had done, and with whom she has recklessly and unknowingly betrayed.

THE REBEL WITCH is a story of secrets and lies, magic and mayhem, betrayal and vengeance, manipulation and control, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is meticulous and elaborate; the romances are fated; the characters are broken, determined, desperate and lost. THE REBEL WITCH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous reviews

The Rebel Queen
The Rebel Guardian

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.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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The First Day Without You by Melissa Hill – a Review

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The First Day Without You by Melissa Hill – a Review

 

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Description:
Leonie has left behind everything and everyone she loves for a fresh start in California. Desperate to outrun the mess she’s come from, she hopes the change of scenery can mend her broken heart and bury her secrets forever. But when she discovers a bundle of unread love letters hidden in the back of a wardrobe in her new apartment, she is intrigued by the mystery behind them…and can’t help but notice the similarities between them and her own story. With the help of her new friend Alex, a news reporter toting around baggage of her own, Leonie embarks on a quest down the West Coast to find the ill-fated lovers from the letters and reunite them, whatever it takes. Even if it means confronting the hurt she’s buried deep within herself. Because if the couple behind the love letters can find a happy ending, then perhaps she just might too.

 

 

Review:

The First Day Without You by Melissa Hill is a sweet romantic standalone novel. The story revolves around Leonie, our heroine, who left her home in Dublin, Ireland, leaving due a broken heart and a fresh start in San Francisco, California. She finds a nice apartment, and gets a job at a flower shop.

Leoni meets her neighbor, Alex and the two become great friends.  Leonie discovers a bunch of unopened letters, addressing Helena from Nathan; Leonie becomes intrigued and enlists Alex’s help (she is a reporter) to search for the elusive Nathan, as well as Helena. At first Alex, did not think it was a good idea, but with Leonie’s determination to find them, and reunite the couple, and return the letters; Alex becomes completely involved in the search.

We get to see flashbacks with Leonie in Dublin, with her boyfriend, Adam, but we learn more about how her heart was broken nearer to the end. Will Leonie be able to exorcise her own demons?  I liked her best friend in Ireland, Grace who called her often to plead with her to return home.  Grace does visit Leonie for a long weekend, getting a view of San Francisco, as well as meet Alex. 

Alex also has her own romantic issues, which turns out that she is married, and has been trying to get divorce papers signed.  Seth, her husband, has not responded or signed papers for over a year, frustrating Alex. When Alex and Leonie follow up on a trip to investigate Nathan, Alex runs into Seth. Alex pressures Seth that she wants him to sign the divorce papers, as she is now seeing someone else. Though he has been gone so long, Seth wants to win Alex back, and is determined to meet her current boyfriend, and convince her to resume their marriage; which he claims he still loves her.

I really liked Alex and Leoni’s friendship, as they were so much fun, and both fully into finding Nathan and Helena.  This was the best part of the story, with so many clues that turned out to be intriguing and misleading, leading to a surprising revelation about Nathan and Helena.  Very nicely done.  Leonie and Adam’s storyline was mostly in flashbacks, which reveals why she ran away. Though Leonie is happy being in America, she misses Adam and after reading all about Nathan’s romantic letters to Helena, she begins to realize her mistake in walking away.  This too will have a wonderful ending.

The First Day Without You was a very nice storyline, with multiple romantic relationships.  There were a number of wonderful secondary characters, such as Grace, Seth, Marcy, Adam, Andrea, Suzanne, Jon, Nathan & Helena.  I loved both Leonie and Alex, as their friendship was great, always there for each other. The First Day Without You was well written by Melissa Hill.

Reviewed by Barb

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The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher – a Review

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The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher – a Review

 

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Description:
For centuries the Cinder Spires have safeguarded humanity, rising far above the deadly surface world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses rule, developing scientific marvels and building fleets of airships for defense and trade.

Now, the Spires hover on the brink of open war.

Everyone knows it’s coming. The guns of the great airship fleets that control the skies between the last bastions of humanity will soon speak in anger, and Spire Albion stands alone against the overwhelming might of Spire Aurora’s Armada and its new secret weapon–one capable of destroying the populations of entire Spires.

A trading summit at Spire Olympia provides an opportunity for the Spirearch, Lord Albion, to secure alliances that will shape the outcomes of the war, and to that end he dispatches privateer Captain Francis Madison Grimm and the crew of the AMS Predator to bolster the Spirearch’s diplomatic agents.

It will take daring, skill, and no small amount of showmanship to convince the world to stand with Spire Albion–assuming that it is not already too late.

 

 

Review:

The Olympian Affaire by Jim Butcher is the 2nd book in his The Cinder Spires series.  Refresher: This series has a steam punk background in a different fantasy world, with aristocrats, magic, technology, ships and people who have some powers. For centuries the Cinder Spires have safeguarded humanity, rising far above the deadly surface world, with a war on the horizon.

The first half of the book was a slow burn, especially being 650 pages, with the story dragging early on. The story starts off with a villain from the previous book (Cavendish), who has become very powerful, ready to destroy humanity.  Tuscarora, Spire Aurora is using Cavendish’s secret weapon to destroy the populations of the entire Spires.

With the possibility of war, Lord Abion (Spirearch) calls Captain Grimm and his crew to bring the AMS Predator to help stop the expected attacks from Aurora.  It was great to get to see all of our heroes from the first book; Grimm, Gwen, Bridget, Benedict, Rowl (prince cat), Master Ferus, Miss Folly, as well as Bayard and Abigail and our adorable Fenli (kitten).

In the second half of the story, things change drastically. What follows is a wild adventure that will put each of our heroes in dangerous death-defying situations, with the evil Cavendish able to control a creature (mistmaw) to destroy humans & ships.  There was so much action throughout, holding our breaths if they will survive.  Captain Grim, Gwen and crew were willing to put their lives on the line to find a way to stop Cavendish in her evil destructions. Grimm also had to step up to save Bayard (his boss and friend) in a duel.

Once again, I really enjoyed seeing the Predator ship, always coming through, and loved how all the crew members were always on the side of their captain.  Most of all, I loved both Rowl and Fenli who added so much humor and fun: with them always being spunky and sure of themselves.  I did love Rowl’s arrogance, though he loved Bridget and swore to always protect her: and Fenli, though a kitten, was equally wonderful, with him eventually bonding with Benedict. Both are marvelous additions to this series.

The Olympian Affaire was another very good fantasy steampunk adventure. After the slow start, the last half of the book was wild and very exciting, with most of our heroes in danger till the end.  Though Captain Grimm is the lead character, the major secondary characters were all great; and the villains were evil. With the war still on the horizon, there is a slight cliff-hanger at the end.  The Olympian Affaire was very well written by Jim Butcher, and I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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