Monthly Archives: December 2023

Subjected to the Alien / Pledged to the Alien by Tammy Walsh

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SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN / PLEDGED TO THE ALIEN (Fated Mates of Enchor’s Heart 5 & 6) by Tammy Walsh-reviews

SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN
(Fated Mates of Enchor’s Heart 5)
by Tammy Walsh
Genre: adult, sci-fi, alien, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2024

With our home on the verge of being repossessed, my brother convinces me to stick up a rich alien lord. We’re successful but the lord refuses to go down without a fight and gives chase. When he falls and gets knocked unconscious, I’m left with a terrible Leave him to die or nurse him back to health?

•••••••

REVIEW: SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN is the fifth instalment in Tammy Walsh’s adult sci-fi FATED MATES OF ENCHOR’S HEART alien romance series. This is Nora Rothwell, and scientist Fika’s story line. SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nora and Fika) SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN follows in the wake of the robbery and assault against our story line hero. Nora and her brother David Rothwell were desperate to save the family land and home, and came up with a plan to become highwaymen, who robbed unknowing travellers but Nora and David were about to find themselves in a bit of a quandry when their first ‘victim’ accidentally falls, and is knocked unconscious. Enter Chi alien Fika. Unable to live with the guilt, Nora brings Fika to her family home where she will nurse Fika back to health but all does not go according to plan when a Memory Relocator device reveals the truth to our story line hero. What ensues is the building relationship between Fika and Nora, and the potential fall-out as Fika’s memories return, and our couple facing a future without one another.

The relationship between Fika and Nora begins by accident when Nora and her brother David rob our story line hero. Weeks in recovery, Fika finds himself falling for the woman acting as his nurse but will struggle with the truth going forward. The lone $ex scene is passionate but mostly implied.

We are introduced to Fika’s sister Irvisa, and their ‘friend’ Ulwana, as well as Nora’s brother David, and sister Primrose.

SUBJECTED TO THE ALIEN is a fast paced, quick read focusing on secrets and lies, betrayal and forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining and imaginative; the romance is subtle and sweet; the characters are interesting but not fully developed

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

________

PLEDGED TO THE ALIEN
(Fated Mates of Enchor’s Heart 6)
by Tammy Walsh
Genre: adult, sci-fi, alien, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2024

After I’m attacked by a huge pair of alien males and rescued by an even more savage stranger, I realize just how vulnerable I am in the galaxy. So when he offers to protect me while he carries out some business, I leap at the chance. But when his business partner turns out not to be what he appears, I discover there’s more to my hero than meets the eye…

••••••

REVIEW: PLEDGED TO THE ALIEN is the sixth instalment in Tammy Walsh’s adult, sci-fi FATED MATES OF ENCHOR’S HEART alien romance series. This is Crown Prince Rurdrax aka Lorik, and Madison’s story line. PLEDGE TO THE ALIEN 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 (Rurdrax and Madison) PLEDGED TO THE ALIEN follows Chi Prince Rurdrax aka Lorik and his guard Aznai as they travel by beast, through a dangerous and sentient fog, to investigate the purchase of a mine but not all goes according to plan when Rurdrax and Aznai find themselves on the run, searching for shelter at a traveller’s inn. Enter fellow traveller, human female Madison, the woman with whom Rurdrax will quickly fall in love . Declaring himself guardian and protector of our story line heroine, Rurdrax must navigate the potential for betrayal, when he and his companions find themselves the prisoner of a questionable seller. What ensues is the building relationship between Rurdrax and Madison, and the potential fall-out as our couple are targeted in a fight for power and greed.

The relationship between Rurdrax and Madison is quick to build as Madison will become the target of a pair of unruly males. Beholden to Rurdrax, Madison finds herself a co-prisoner along with our story line hero, a man who is much more than he presents to be. The few $ex scenes are intimate but mostly implied.

We are introduced to Rurdrax’s travelling companion and security Aznai, as well as mine ‘owner’,

PLEDGED TO THE ALIEN is a fast paced, quick read of betrayal and vengeance, greed and power, secrets, lies and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is insta-lust to love; the characters are interesting but not very well fleshed out.

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

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SAVAGE ANGELS (Savage Angels MC 12) by Kathleen Kelly -review

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SAVAGE ANGELS (Savage Angels MC 12) by Kathleen Kelly -review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 31, 2023

Nothing good ever comes easy.

The Savage Angels have been at peace for a long time.

All of us will be tested when the Abruzzi Crime Family tries to seize what we’ve built. For years, we’ve worked hard to keep clean and move away from running drugs, guns, and all manner of illicit activities.

But they forget we are still savage men, and if you go after one of us, our president no less, you will not win.

Salvatore Agostino will need to choose sides. He’d best choose wisely, for although he’s connected to us by blood, we protect the club at all costs.

The Savage Angels are teetering on the brink, ready to carve their legacy with wings bathed in light or blood.

••••

REVIEW: SAVAGE ANGELS is the twelfth and final instalment in Kathleen Kelly’s contemporary, adult SAVAGE ANGELS MC dark, erotic,MC romance series. SAVAGE ANGELS is the culmination of twelve storylines that focuses on take down of old enemies, new alliances, and the next generation of Savage Angels MC.

Told from several first person perspectives including Savage Angels MC president Dane Reynolds, and his wife/ol’ lady Katarina Saunders, as well as soon to be Don Salvator Agostino, SAVAGE ANGELS focuses on the search and rescue of one of the their own, and the take down of the out of control Don of the Abruzzi Crime Family. As Dane struggles with the what-ifs, alliances will be made that may change the path going forward. From Mafia Crime families to the Obayashi Yakuza clan, the Savage Angels forge a new understanding and system for everyone concerned.

The world building closes some doors, and venture towards a new path and a new future for the Savage Angels MC. The epilogue fast forwards the series fifteen years, in which, we are up close and personal with a perceived betrayal, and the damage caused by secrets, lies and addiction.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar and charismatic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in the previous instalments. The next generation is about to come into their own but the rabbit hole of betrayal will claim another victim.

SAVAGE ANGELS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, madness and mayhem, family and friendships, relationships and alliances. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing, gritty and emotional; the relationships are established and enduring; the characters are determined and dynamic. SAVAGE ANGELS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned-new series, new spin off featuring the next generation.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? STALKER (ebook 1) is only 99¢ (usd) at Amazon


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Gift Wrapped / Sapphire by Jade Marshall-reviews

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Gift Wrapped / Sapphire by Jade Marshall-reviews

SAPPHIRE
(Burlesque Love 1)
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2023

I’m a burlesque dancer. Five shows a week.
But this isn’t what I plan to do with the rest of my life. I have goals.
One night.
One dance.
And everything changed.

Now I have a mate I never wanted and I am caught in pack politics that has nothing to do with me.
I should have followed my gut.
What I really should have done, was stuck to the house rules.

•••••

REVIEW: SAPPHIRE is the first instalment in Jade Marshall’s contemporary, adult BURLESQUE LOVE erotic, paranormal, omegaverse romance series. This is thirty year old, Alpha wolf Silas Anderson, and burlesque dancer/Omega wolf shifter Talulla aka Sapphire.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Silas and Talulla) SAPPHIRE follows the fated relationship between our leading couple. Silas’ beta Waylon is about to get married, and his bachelor party will be held at Burlesque Love but Silas never expected to come face to face with his future, in the guise of dancer Sapphire aka Talullah. Talullah is Silas’ mate but someone else is about to lay claim to our story line heroine. Another Alpha claims rights to Silas’ mate, and a fight to the death means someone will die.

The world building focuses on the politics of the pack, and the fight for control. As the Alpha, Silas’ word is law but there are some who would prefer to take his place.

The relationship between Silas and Talullah is one of immediate attraction; an insta-lust to love between fated mates but Talullah has issues of trust but nature is about to make the choice for them. The $ex scenes are intimate and aggressive.

The secondary and supporting characters include Silas’ brother Maddox, his beta Waylon, Talullah’s boss Riggs, as well as pack member Daryl.

SAPPHIRE is a story of power and control, fate and love, relationships and forever. The fast paced premise is entertaining and exciting; the romance is fast and furious; the characters are powerful, determined and strong.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

GIFT WRAPPED
(Twelve Dates of Christmas 3)
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2023

Welcome to Love -N- Shenanigans, where Fate intervenes to find your perfect match—literally! It’s a cold, cruel world and the dating scene is no different. Except for twelve lucky souls who’ve recently signed up for a curious new dating app and quickly find themselves face-to-face with exactly what they were looking for, whether they knew it or not. This Christmas, dive into a brand-new shared world and set off on twelve spicy, heart-pounding adventures of love … and shenanigans!

Gift Wrapped, Book 3

Do you want to hear a joke? What do you get when a ligress signs up on a dating site? Chaos. I don’t think it’s funny either, but it’s still true. My life should be good. I’m single and climbing the corporate ladder. But I still feel unfulfilled. There is a side of me that I keep hidden. But fate intervenes and I find the perfect man, on a dating site. His words touch parts of me I never knew existed and I can’t wait to meet him. But life has other plans and I soon find myself alone with my grumpy boss, on a private island, at Christmas. I don’t know how this can get any worse but I’m sure it will.

••••

REVIEW: GIFT WRAPPED by Jade Marshall is the third instalment in the multi-authored contemporary, adult TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS erotic, romance anthology. This is CEO and tiger shifter Wilder Smith, and PA/ligress shifter Lake Roman’s story line. GIFT WRAPPED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lake and Wilder) GIFT WRAPPED follows the forbidden but building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Lake Roman is a ligress shifter, and after dumping her boyfriend of eighteen months, our heroine signs up at Love N Shenanigans dating website, where shifters are able to find some of their kind but Lake never expected to find her forever in the guise of her billionaire boss Wilder Smith, a tiger shifter who knows Lake is his fated mate.

The world building is fast and furious as the reader is pulled into the world of aggressive and protective shifter males but Lake is about to discover that her Love N Shenanigans match is the man for whom she works.

The relationship between Lake and Wilder is one of insta-lust to love. Wilder’s tiger knows immediately that Lake is their mate but Lake is struggling with the unwanted attention of her ex, a man who refuses to walk away. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited. We are introduced to Lake’s ex boyfriend Chad, as well as a few fellow employees .

GIFT WRAPPED is a fast paced, quick read; a short paranormal story of insta-lust to love between feline shifters during the Christmas season. The premise is captivating; the characters are determined and charismati

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy.

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Wild Magic (Magic for Hire 1) by Alexandra Ivy-review

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Wild Magic (Magic for Hire 1) by Alexandra Ivy-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo paper /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 2, 2024

From a Wyoming ranch to a New Jersey bookstore-café, when old-world demons, modern-day mages, and irresistible attraction collide, desire becomes the most powerful and dangerous weapon of all.

There was a time when demons reigned. That was before they were forced to retreat to the shadows. Today, in hidden corners across the globe their evil blood still pools, and the authority of their new rulers—the Vampire Cabal—must never be challenged. Leave it to a Jersey girl to change ancient
history . . .

At sixteen, when Peri Sanguis’s wild magic first appeared, she was forced to flee her Wyoming ranch—and her suddenly murderous family—to save her own life. On the East Coast, tutored by mages who run the Witch’s Brew bookstore-cafe, Peri’s world seems magically tranquil—until her estranged mother and a coven of witches are slaughtered. Now, to solve the violent mysteries of her past, she must put her trust, body and soul, in a sensual immortal who is every woman’s darkest fantasy . . .

The golden-eyed vampire, Valen, has never wanted more than to claim an untamed female like Peri. Lured into each other’s orbit, and working together against a resurrected evil brings them intimately closer—to danger, blood betrayals, all-consuming passion, and to sacrifices that must be made to save themselves and the world . . .

••••••

REVIEW: WILD MAGIC is the first instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult MAGIC FOR HIRE paranormal, fantasy, romantic suspense series focusing on three friends: Peri, Maya and Skye. This is mage Peri Sanquis, and ancient vampire king Valen’s story line.

Told from omniscient third person perspectives WILD MAGIC follows in the aftermath of the murder of an entire coven of witches, a coven ruled by Peri’s mother Brenda. Having been estranged from her mother and coven since the age of sixteen, and the attempt on her life by both, Peri is reticent yet she needs to uncover the truth. With the assistance of ancient vampire Valen, an assistance Peri is reluctant to accept, Peri goes in search of the truth only to discover an ancient power has been released, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building is detailed and complex. We learn some of the back story and history involving Peri and her mother Brenda-Brenda’s need for power, and her attempt to take the life of her only child. As Peri begins to uncover the truth, the past refuses to die, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The relationship between Peri and Valen begins acrimoniously. Valen knows instantly that Peri is his mate, a woman he never suspected in all of his vampire life. Peri doesn’t do relationships; has issues of trust, constantly fearing she is targeted for the powers within. There is one lone passionate $ex scene without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Peri’s friends and witches Maya and Skye, as well as witches Tia and Destiny ; vampire Gabriel Lyon, and mystery man Joe.

WILD MAGIC. Is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, vengeance and betrayal, magic and mayhem, murder, mystery, acceptance and love. The premise is edgy and enchanting; the characters are animated and stubborn; the romance is mostly implied as Peri continues to refuse any and all of Valen’s attempts at seduction and love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

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Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

 

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Description:
When Cook Kat Holloway is blamed when a dinner guest mysteriously takes ill after eating one of her meals, she sets out to prove she had nothing to do with the gentleman’s sickness. She discovers a whole host of people who might wish to do away with the man, and she and her friends—Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and various members of the household staff—begin to hunt for the would-be killer.

Simultaneously tasked with crafting the perfect Christmas feast, including the pièce de résistance, the Christmas plum pudding, Kat frantically works to finish all, fearing she’ll have to choose between stopping a murderer and cherishing her few precious Christmas moments with her daughter.

 

Review:

Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley is a wonderful Christmas novella in her fantastic Kat Holloway Mysteries series. Refresher: This series takes place in Victorian, England, centered around our heroine Kat Holloway, who is a cook extraordinaire, as well as a great detective.  Kat is smart, savvy, independent, loyal and is very protective of her below the stairs staff. This was a very enjoyable and quick Christmas treat for us to read.

The story starts off when a guest becomes ill after eating one of Kat Holloway’s dinners, and the mistress of the house blames her. Kat is determined to prove that her meal had nothing to do with the man taking ill, with her friends defending her.  As always, Kat begins to investigate a number of people who may have poisoned the man, with help from Daniel, Cynthia, Thanos, Tess, James.  The hunt is on, as each of them finds ways to get information from those in his household, as well as his family. 

What follows is a wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat having to discover who was the poisoner, and her going to the victim’s house to reveal the real person behind the attempt to kill him.  Surprisingly, I never guessed who the culprit was.  The twisty plot was well done, with a number of suspects.

Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us a fun short Christmas story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway.  Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding was very well written by Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy owned

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Love Grudge (Angels and Devils MC 1) by Chantal Fernando-review

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Love Grudge (Angels and Devils MC 1) by Chantal Fernando-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 26, 2023

Romeo

I was born to rule the Devils MC. Every decision, every move I made was to further that goal—until I met Julianna. Falling in love with the granddaughter of the man who ripped our club apart was not in the cards, especially not now, when it’s finally time for me to take over as president. Duty to the MC comes first, but that battle cry feels empty when it means giving up the woman I love.

Julianna

My greatest sin was being born a woman. I’ve proven my worthiness in spades, but my father still won’t let me lead the Angels MC on my own. I’m nothing but his pawn, to be sold off to the successor of his choice. He wants me to fall in line, give up Romeo and keep the peace, but my loyalty comes with a price.

I’ll fight for what I want, even if it means going to war.

•••••

REVIEW:LOVE GRUDGE is the first instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult ANGELS AND DEVILS dark, erotic, MC romance series. This is the new Devils MC president Johnny ‘Romeo’ Montanna, and Angels MC princess Julianna Callistos’ story line, a modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Romeo and Julianna) LOVE GRUDGE follows the building but forbidden relationship between our story line couple. Johnny ‘Romeo’ Montanna is about to step up to the mantle of the Devils MC president, a position long held by the first born sons in his family but Romeo never thought he would meet his Juliet in Julianna Callistos, the only child and daughter of Angels MC president Paulie Callistos, and the Devils MC closest enemy. As a woman, Julianna is unable to assume the position as president, and she has been betrothed to a man she does not love. Falling in love with the enemy means a potential war on the horizon, a war that has been building for many years. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Julianna and Romeo, and the potential fall-out as both MCs must come to terms with sins of the past.

The world building reveals the backstory and hatred between the Devils MC and the Angels MC. Once a single entity, love and threats of destruction broke apart the MC, and in the years to follow, a cool détente ensued.

The relationship between Julianna and Romeo begins by accident. A funeral, a broken-down car, and our couple found themselves caught in the pull of attraction and love. Knowing Julianna was promised to another man, Romeo is determined to claim our heroine as his own but in doing so set into motion a potential war. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

We are introduced to several members of both the Devils MC And the Angels MC including family, friends, and enemies. Not everyone will survive.

LOVE GRUDGE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and murder, acceptance and love The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is seductive and fated the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Chosen by Love (Bellevue Bullies 8) by Toni Aleo-review

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Chosen by Love (Bellevue Bullies 8) by Toni Aleo-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2023

Cameron White is the most famous student influencer on the Bellevue campus. Not only that, she is one hell of a gymnast, ready to stick every landing her senior year. It’s time to go out with a bang.

In order to think outside the box for her final marketing project, she has a proposition for the only other popular content creator on campus, a guy who just happens to be someone she trusts, Benson Jeannott—her lover from her freshman year.

Given everything that went down between them three years ago, surely, he won’t say yes to her fake-dating idea. Though what she doesn’t know is that Benson has been chomping at the bit for a second chance with the one who got away.

Benson Jeannott is on his way to the NHL draft, but first, he has to help his Bellevue Bullies win the cup. He is supposed to focus only on his grades and his ice time. But if he thought he couldn’t sign up for the draft quick enough, that has nothing on how quickly he agrees to “date” Cameron.

Problem is, she wants this to be an arrangement, while he wants to be her forever.

Freshman year, the choice was Cameron’s to make. Now, can Benson make it clear he’d do anything for her to choose him?

••••••

REVIEW:CHOSEN BY LOVE is the eighth instalment in Toni Aleo’s contemporary, new adult BELLEVUE BULLIES erotic, college, hockey romance series. This is college gymnast/ influencer Cameron White, and college hockey player Benson Jeannott’s story line. CHOSEN BY LOVE 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 (Benson and Cameron) CHOSEN BY LOVE follows the second chance romance and relationship between our story line couple. Cameron and Benson were high school lovers but choices were made, and Cameron ghosted our story line hero. Fast forward three years, both attend Bellevue College, and Cameron needs a subject for her final paper in social media. Pushed by her mentors into a fake relationship with Benson Jeannott, very few people were aware of their previous history. When Benson agrees to six months with our story line heroine, Benson is determined to reclaim our heroine, in the wake of secrets and their fake affair. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Benson and Cameron, and the potential fall -out as Cameron continues to struggle with what happened in the past, taking blame for their relationship fall-out.

The world building focuses on the rekindling romance between our leading couple but also looks at the Benson’s brother by another mother Quinn whose own love life is about to implode. As Cameron and Benson’s ‘fake relationship’ becomes something more, one family is ready to walk away, while the other welcomes the couple with open arms.

The relationship between Cameron and Benson is one of second chances. Three years earlier Cameron pushed Benson out of her live but in the ensuing time neither one stopped loving the other. As Benson’s hockey career pushes toward a professional life, Cameron finds herself at a crossroads between gymnastics and a social media empire. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several of Benson’s teammates and friends, including Quinn, as well as Benson’s hockey parents, and Cameron’s embittered and resentful mother, and loving step-father.

CHOSEN BY LOVE is a story of secrets and lies, heart break and guilt, forgiveness and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is spicy, sensual and passionate; the characters are animated and sassy.

Previous Reviews
Boarded by Love
Changing Lines

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.
I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.
… and did I mention I love hockey?

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An Inconvenient Earl by Julia London – a Review

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An Inconvenient Earl by Julia London – a Review

 

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Description:
Bold. Beautiful. Beguiling.

It’s been over a year since Emma Clark’s no-good husband left on an expedition. The Countess of Dearborn has played the abandoned wife, but people are beginning to presume the earl is dead, which doesn’t suit Emma at all. Emma likes being head of household in Albert’s absence and does her best to keep his family believing he is alive and well. She’s thirty years old and finally having some fun. If the earl is in fact dead, his family is waiting in the wings to swoop in and throw Emma out, leaving her destitute.

Then along comes Luka Olivien, the Weslorian Earl of Marlaine. He’s traveled all the way from Egypt, duty bound to return to the countess her deceased husband’s precious pocket watch—only to discover she doesn’t know he’s dead… Or does she? It’s hard to tell. Luka catches glimpses of the desperate vulnerability beneath the party girl exterior and can’t help being drawn into the beguiling countess’s ruse.

 

 

 

Review:

An Inconvenient Earl by Julia London is the 4th book in her A Royal Match series. We meet our heroine, Emma Clark (Lady Dearborn), who has not seen her husband for over a year, with him on an expedition in Egypt.  Emma is content since he was nasty and abusive, and she is not missing him at all; as she manages the estate. Her sister-in-law, Adele who is also nasty, lives with her young son in the Guest House.   

One day, someone arrives from Egypt, to tell Emma that her husband is dead due to yellow fever.; but before he could explain, the man drops dead on the floor. Emma is beside herself, knowing Adele will throw her out of her home, as her young son is the heir apparent. Emma decides to pretend that the dead man was only here to give updates on her husband and plans to keep the secret of his death to herself.  Emma continually pretends to Adele that Albert is enjoying his adventures, always getting out of any possible situations.  She is also very good at keeping the estate in good condition, but she also loves throwing parties.

Luka Olivien, the Earl of Wesloria, arrives from Egypt to present Emma a watch from her husband, ready to reveal his death.  Emma quickly changes the subject, which she is very good at, and tells Luka to stay at the estate, until she can throw a party for Albert’s friend.  Luka is shocked, and he tries to tell Emma many times about her deceased husband, but she manages to avoid it.  In a short time, both Emma and Luka find themselves attracted to each other; with Luka slowly falling hard for her, and keeping the secret for a while, as he gets to know her better.

It was a slow burn romance between Emma and Luka, as they did make a great couple, with Luka coming for her closer to the end. I wasn’t crazy about Emma early on, but mid-way I began to like her, especially her relationship with Luka.  She is a bit flighty with having so many parties, and telling so many different stories, to hide the truth about her deceased husband; but she still managed to keep the estate profitable.  Emma will get help from the series regular matchmaker, to reveal the truths, and find a place to move on; until Luka arrives. An Inconvenient Earl was intriguing, witty, entertaining romantic story, with a very good epilogue at the end. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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