Monthly Archives: December 2023

GLORY (Devil’s Handmaidens MC:Timber-Ghost Montana 5) by DM Earl

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GLORY (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost Montana 5) by DM Earl-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2023

All it takes is a little guts and Glory….

As the VP of the DHMC Timber Ghost Montana Chapter and Tink’s right hand woman, Nora ‘Glory’ Winfield is struggling to keep everything balanced. But a past that keeps her guilt-ridden and on edge, she’ll do anything to protect those she loves–and she loves the sisters in her club. Watching them fall in love and start lives of their own gives her a sense of family and belonging–feelings Glory lost long ago. But she can’t help wondering when it’s her turn for something more than just toe-curling flings and fun.

Meeting her Boo changes everything. Suddenly, she wants more, but Glory fears getting too close and letting down her guard will only bring her more heartache. However, the desire between Boo and Glory can’t be ignored. But when Glory’s past comes back with a vengeance, it’s up to her sisters and her Boo to save the woman who’s everyone else’s savior. Will they protect her or go down in a blaze of Glory?

••••••

REVIEW: GLORY is the fifth instalment in DM Earl’s contemporary, adult DEVIL’S HANDMAIDENS MC: TIMBER-GHOST MONTANA dark, erotic, MC romance series. This is Devil’s Handmaiden’s VP thirty-seven year old,, Nora ‘Glory’ Winfield’s story line. GLORY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

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

The Devil’s Handmaiden’s MC: Timber-Ghost Montana is an all female MC with deep ties to the Grimm Wolves and Intruders MC.

Told from several first person perspectives including Glory GLORY follows the building but secret relationship between Glory and her ‘Boo’. Nora ‘Glory’ Winfield’s past is dark and heartbreaking. Rescued from a human trafficking ring, Glory has made a name for herself in the Devil’s Handmaiden’s MC but Glory’s past refuses to let go, taking aim at our heroine, and the people she loves. What ensues is the building relationship between Glory and ‘Boo’, and the potential fall-out as the Thunder Club Knuckle Brotherhood sets its’ sight on Glory, and the youngest members of the DHMC.

The world building focuses on Glory, her past, her present, and the future she struggles to believe. Having fallen in love with a younger man, Glory fears her past will take hold, destroying everything and everyone she loves. As the DHMC and their brother counterparts Grimm Wolves MC and Intruders MC, search for the people who have destroyed Glory’s life, a ghost from the past is about to haunt our story line heroine.

The relationship between Glory and her ‘Boo’ is one of immediate attraction but Glory wants to keep their affair a secret, a secret that doesn’t go well for the man that she loves. ‘Boo’ wants nothing more than to claim Nora ‘Glory’ Winfield, but Glory takes the first step towards their own happily ever after.The $ex scenes ere intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and determined secondary and supporting characters from all three aforementioned MCs, as well as the youngest members, survivors of a human trafficking ring using men, women and children.

GLORY is a dark, complex and gritty story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and murder, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, raw, haunting and tragic; the romance is provocative and seductive; the characters are desperate, edgy and determined.

Heed my trigger warning-they are graphic and dark.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Tink
Shadow
Taz
Vixen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.

“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.

For the latest news and updates on books and upcoming releases, you can subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/dmearln…

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THE VOWS WE KEEP (Iron Outlaws MC 5) by S. Cole -review tour

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THE VOWS WE KEEP (Iron Outlaws MC 5) by S. Cole -review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2023

Catalina
As the daughter of a Los Reyes motorcycle club vice president and an assassin, I understand the risks of this life. Yet the club won’t tell me why my father went on a ride to New Jersey and never came home. So the Iron Outlaw I just kidnapped and tied to a chair is going to tell me instead. Except nothing I do to this man scares him. His strength and courage match my own. But this is a battle only one of us can win.

Niro
Catalina wants answers I can’t give her, but I’m intrigued by this woman. Because I buried every Los Reyes club member that day, and her father wasn’t one of them. I need to stay alive long enough for my club to find me. But the more time I spend with Catalina, the more I want to help this leather-clad assassin who challenges my view that I’m better off alone. Even if helping her keep her vows of revenge could kill us both.

••••••

REVIEW: THE VOWS WE KEEP is the fifth instalment in S. Cole’s (Scarlett Cole) contemporary adult IRON OUTLAWS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is twenty-seven year old, club treasurer Colton ‘Niro’ Brewer and twenty-five year old, contract specialist Catalina Flores’s story line. THE VOWS WE KEEP 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 first person perspectives (Niro and Catalina) THE VOWS WE KEEP follows in the wake of the suspected murder of Catalina’s father. Catalina’s father was the vice-president of the Los Reyes MC, and Catalina suspects the Iron Outlaws MC were responsible for her father’s demise. Believing she had kidnapped King aka the Iron Outlaws President, Catalina holds Niro prisoner, struggling to get the information about her missing father. Upon the rescue by his brothers, Niro brings Catalina back to the Iron Outlaws MC, where a relationship will ensue, and a negotiation to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. As Cat and Niro’s relationship begins to grow, the members of the Iron Outlaws MC struggle to trust the woman who is the daughter of, and assassin for the Los Reyes MC. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cat and Niro, and the potential fall-out as Cat’s time with the Outlaws is perceived as a betrayal threatening her sense of peace going forward.

The world building focuses on the Iron Outlaws MC relationships, and their struggle with Niro, and the woman he loves. Niro has longed battled issues of mental and emotional challenges, and with it, Niro often alienates the people he loves the most. As Cat and Niro begin their dance around one another, Cat is desperate to avenge her father, a desperation that must remain in check as the MC faces a war with someone else.

The relationship between Cat and Niro begins as an abduction in which Cat is desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to her father. Niro knows Cat’s father was not one of their targeted threats but someone else would lay claim to destroying Cat’s heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met in the previous instalments including Gwen and Clutch, Iris and Spark, Saint and Briar, King and Rae, Bates, Switch and Wrinkle, as well as the introduction of Cat’s friend Nava. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE VOWS WE KEEP is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, murder and mayhem, mistrust and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is gritty, dramatic and intense; the romance is passionate; the characters are desperation and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

The Sins We Hide
The Games We Play
The Lies We Tell
The Bonds We Break

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada where I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I’m getting the chance to follow that dream.

To find out about S. Cole’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

Connect with Scarlett Cole:

Website: http://www.scarlettcole.com/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsScarlettCole
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scarlett-cole

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The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson – Review & Giveaway

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The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

Mackenzie Carter has had some very bad dates lately. Model train experts, mansplainers, guys weirdly obsessed with her tail—she hasn’t had a successful date in months. Only a year out of residency, her grandmother’s obsession with Mackenzie finding the perfect mate to settle down with threatens to drive Mackenzie barking mad. Out of options, it feels like a small thing to tell her grandmother that she’s met someone. That is, until she blurts out the name of the first man she sees and the last man she would ever date: Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General.

Noah Taylor, interventional cardiologist and all around grump, has spent his entire life hiding what he is. With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas that have people wondering if they still howl at the moon, Noah has been careful to keep his designation under wraps. It’s worked for years, until an anonymous tip has everything coming to light. Noah is left with two options: come clean to the board and risk his career—or find himself a mate. The chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asking him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he’s called to meet the board has to be kismet, right?

Mackenzie will keep her grandmother off her back, and Noah will get a chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate—a mutually beneficial business transaction, they both rationalize. But when the fake-mate act turns into a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realize love is a whole different kind of animal.

 

 

Review:

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson is a standalone steamy romantic novel.  We meet Mackenzie (Mack) Carter, our heroine, who is an ER doctor at Denver General; she is a wolf shifter (Omega).  Mackenzie has not had any successful dates recently, and is pressured by her grandmother, who wants her to find a mate to settle down. To get her grandmother off her back, she tells her she that she has met someone, though still in early stages. While in the lunch room, Mackensie is desperate and looks for the first man who walked in the room.

Noah Taylor, our hero, is a top cardiologist, who is the one in charge at the hospital; he is also a wolf shifter (Alpha). To his surprise, he is approached by Mackensie, if he would take a picture of her and him, to send to her grandmother, as a fake boyfriend.  At first Noah tries to ignore Mack, but he comes back to her with another deal.  Seems that Noah is being summoned to the board, regarding a tip that he is an Alpha (who might have violent tendencies), an identity that he has kept secret. Noah needs to convince the board that he has a mate, who keeps him in control.  Mack agrees to be Noah’s fake mate, if she will be able to tell her grandmother that he is her boyfriend. 

 People at the hospital are shocked to learn about Noah and Mack being mated; especially with Noah being very private, intimidating, and keeps to himself. Mack is the opposite, as she is sweet, friendly, and very outgoing, with friends throughout. Together, they both make appearances to show that they are mated, with Noah meeting Mack’s friends Priya, Parker and she meeting a friend of his (Peter), as well as Noah’s nasty coworker, Dennis.  

In a short period, slowly Mack and Noah become attracted to each other, with Mack being the one to get Noah to open up; as they were so perfect together.  The chemistry between them was sizzling and very steamy, as the fake mate does turn into friends with benefits; and soon they will find themselves inseparable falling in love. But Noah will be threatened by the nasty Dennis, promising to tell the board that he is not mated, and Noah will do anything to protect Mack, including breaking things off with her, as she could lose her job.  After being broken hearted, Mack with help from Parker, will discover about what truly happened, and finds proof to win Noah back, and stop the evil Dennis.

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson was a fun, entertaining and very steamy romantic story line. I really liked both Mack and Noah, and rooted for them to stay together.  I will say, I thought the steamy sex scenes were a bit too many.  The Fake Mate was very well written by Lana Ferguson.  If you like romance, shifters, steamy sex, then you should read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

BERKLEY ROMANCE is graciously offering a paper copy of THE FAKE MATE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.    

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9. Giveaway runs from December 7 to December 11, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

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Broken Arrow (Open Road 4) by Chelle Bliss-review tour

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Broken Arrow (Open Road 4) by Chelle Bliss-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2023

Annie Hancock is finally following her dreams, studying for her graduate degree to become a professional artist. But when someone starts to leave threatening notes around her studio and dorm, Annie can’t help but wonder…who’s after her and why? She doesn’t know who to trust or keep herself safe.

Arrow has been grinding for years as a bounty hunter and private investigator. After setting down roots and opening his own office, his business doesn’t take off the way he’d hoped. Just when he’s about to change course, a beautiful woman is in desperate need of his services.

But what starts out as a simple assignment becomes more complicated when they’re forced into hiding. And as the threat gets closer, and the attraction becomes hotter, they’ll need to decide if what they have is real or driven by danger.

•••••••

REVIEW: Broken Arrow is book four in the Open Road series by the ever talented Chelle Bliss. While the book is a standalone, it is recommended to read in series order.

Annie is working at living her dream with her art, things are finally starting to come together. But there is a dark cloud following her. Someone is sending her threatening notes and stalking her. After the last one, she finally decided to seek some help. Too bad no one is taking it seriously. On a final last ditch effort, Annie takes a chance on one last PI, Arrow’s.

When Arrow meets Annie he sees a damsel in distress so of course he wants to help, but it’s something more. He’s drawn to her. When she tells him about her case, he is concerned and agrees to help her. Very quickly Annie’s drama takes turn after turn of crazy.

To throw off the person behind Annie’s stalking; the pair decide to fake date. And what a way this does for them.

This is a fast paced, spicy read that will tug on your heartstrings and spice up life. Arrow and Annie are cute and funny together, and their situation while unconventional, makes a really good read.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Broken Sparrow
Broken Dove
Broken Wings

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Haven’t started the series? Book 1-BROKEN SPARROW-is only 99¢ 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SKIyOZ
Apple Books: http://smarturl.it/brsp-apple
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/brsp-kobo
Nook: http://smarturl.it/brsp-nook
Google: http://menofinked.com/bs-gp

 

USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over ten books and has two series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in History. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

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Among the Heather (The Highlands 2) by Samantha Young-review

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Among the Heather (The Highlands 2) by Samantha Young-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2023

He’s a disgraced actor. She’s the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Both are hiding in the Scottish Highlands, but despite their antagonistic attraction, they can’t seem to hide from each other…

North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.

As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defensive. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.

But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.

•••••

REVIEW:AMONG THE HEATHER is the second instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLANDS erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is Scottish actor North Hunter, and American Hospitality Manager for Ardnoch Castle Arielle ‘Aria’ Howard’s story line. AMONG THE HEATHER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where. You do not have to have read the Adair Family series to follow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (North and Aria) AMONG THE HEATHER follows the building but acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. For close to two years Aria Howard treated Scottish actor North Hunter as nothing more than the bane of her existence. Nobody knew why, yet it was blatantly obvious to everyone else. The arrival of Aria’s younger sister Allegra forced Ari to look deeper into her attitude and actions, firmly convincing herself that North was nothing more than a friends with benefits but both Aria and North had personal stalkers, and with it came the fear of the unknown, and threats to the significant others in their lives. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Aria and North, and the potential fall-out as both stalkers make good on their threats to our story line couple.

The world building focuses on Aria’s inability to let go of the past. As the eldest daughter to the entertainment industry parents, Aria struggled with issues of self esteem, in the face of her mother’s constant criticism, and her father’s numerous trips from home. Believing she was unworthy, Aria battled between head and heart, having suffered at the hands of her previous boyfriends. Meanwhile North Hunter’s life was destroyed as a child when he was placed in foster care upon the death of his parents. A childhood accident became an entertainment industry scandal, a scandal from which he hid in the Scottish Highlands.

The relationship between Aria and North begins acrimoniously as Aria is completely indifferent to our story line hero. Her actions are questionable; her disdain and contempt a case of mistaken belief but in doing so she hurt the man with whom she would fall in love. A heartfelt acknowledgement of love would bring our couple together but issues of trust were forever at the forefront. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

As a spin off series, the secondary and supporting characters are numerous and familiar. We are introduced to North’s best friend and writer Theo Cavendish, housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, Sarah McCulloch, as well as Aria’s sister Arielle, and their parents -Hollywood legend Wesley Howard, and supermodel Chiara Bellucci Howard. The requisite evil has many faces. Theo’s story is next.

AMONG THE HEATHER is a story of family and relationships, trust and understanding, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional and impassioned; the romance is passionate and heart breaking; the characters are broken, determined and in the case of Aria Howard, at times difficult to like.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BEYOND THE THISTLES

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra – Review & Giveaway

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The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Dorothy “Dee” Gale is searching for a place to belong. After their globe-trotting mother’s death, Dee and her sister Toni settled with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, where Dee attends graduate school. But when Dee’s relationship with a faculty member, a bestselling novelist, ends in heartbreak and humiliation, she’s caught in a tornado of negative publicity. Unable to face her colleagues—or her former lover—Dee applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin.

Dee’s journey to Ireland leads her to new companions: seemingly brainless Sam Clery—who dropped out of college and now runs a newsagent’s shop—is charming and hot, in a dissolute, Irish poet kind of way; allegedly heartless Tim Woodman—who stiffly refused to take back his ex-fiancée—seems stuck in his past; and fiercely loyal Reeti Kaur, who longs for the courage to tell her parents she wants to teach underprivileged girls rather than work in the family business.

In a year of opportunities and changes, love and loss, Dee is mentored by powerful women in the writing program, challenging her to see herself and her work with new eyes. With her friends, Dee finds the confidence to confront her biggest fears—including her intimidating graduate advisor, who may not be so wicked after all.

Faced with a choice with far-reaching consequences, Dee must apply the lessons she’s learned along the way about making a family, finding a home…and recognizing the power that’s been inside her all along.

 

 

 

Review:

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra is a standalone novel based on a modern reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. We meet Dorothy (Dee) Gale, who with her sister, Toni, grew up with their Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas. While a student at Kansas University, Dee had a relationship with a professor for a couple of years, only to discover that he wrote a bestselling novel, as she ends up with heartbreak and humiliation. He used their relationship as part of the story, though he did make heinous untruths.  Dee is devastated by his betrayal, and decides to make a change of venue, applying to pursue her degree at Emerald Isle’s Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland; she is accepted into a creative writing program at the school.

Upon arriving at Trinity College, she is surprised that the person who accepted her, is now deceased, and she ends up with having to deal with a leader, who is difficult to deal with.  In a short time, Dee makes new friends, who are also searching for their own paths.  Sam Clery, who runs a store, and has given up on his desire to learn more, as he left the university upon his father’s death. Tim Woodman, a former military man, who lost his heart to a woman who betrayed him.  Reeti, who is now Dee’s roommate, is lacking courage to tell her parents that she wants to be a teacher in London.  All three of her friends are very supportive of Dee.  Dee’s sister leaves school in Kansas and joins her in Dublin; her sister’s name is Toni (close to Toto). ? Dee had relationships with both Sam and Tim, but she realized that Tim was her muse.

During her journey, Dee learns of opportunities, changes, friendship, love, as well as challenging herself to open her mind to new ideas in the writing program, with her advisor giving her help to build her confidence, discovering what has been always inside her.

The Fairy Tale Life of Dorothy Gale was heartwarming and charming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz, but a modern version. It was a fun, entertaining story of self-discovery, with a bit of romance. The Fairy Tale Life of Dorothy Gales was very well written by Virginia Kantra.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

BERKLEY ROMANCE is graciously offering a paper copy of THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE  to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.    

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA only.

9. Giveaway runs from December 6 to December 10, 2023

 

 

 

 

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Where It Begins (Pucked 0.5) by Helena Hunting-review tour

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Where It Begins (Pucked 0.5) by Helena Hunting-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2023

The untold story of Skye and Sidney, and the origin story where Vi and Miller are teens when their parents start dating and fall in love…

I accidentally grabbed the wrong drink at the coffee shop. On the upside, the hot guy it belonged to chased me down to kindly swap with me. On the down side, the reason I grabbed the wrong drink in the first place is because the hot guy had just caught me checking out his ass…sets.

In my defense, his rear view is rather magnificent.

In true, humiliating form, I word-vomited a bunch of horrible nonsense. Including an unnecessary explanation of the trauma I’d evaded thanks to his chasing me down. Nothing could ruin my lactose-intolerant day faster than my one true dairy.

I did not expect him to ask me out on a date after that.

I also didn’t expect the date to go well since my tendency to truth-vomit is high, and not everyone finds that quality endearing.

But apparently he does. Because he asks me out again.
And again.

Sidney Butterson (yes, it’s a weird last name) ticks all my boxes.
He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s employed and he’s ridiculously hot.
There’s one catch.

We’re both single parents. With teens.

And if our kids don’t like each other?
Well, we’re doomed.

•••••••

REVIEW:WHERE IT BEGINS is the prequel novella in Helena Hunting’s contemporary adult PUCKED erotic, romance series. This is forty-two year old single father and pro hockey scout Sidney Butterson, and thirty six year old, single mother/accountant Skye Hall’s story line. WHERE IT BEGINS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Sidney is the father of Miller’ Buck’ Butterson (Pucked Up 2), and Skye is the mother of Violet Hall (Pucked 1).

Told from four first person perspectives (Skye, Sidney, Violet and Miller) WHERE IT BEGINS focuses on the building romance and relationship between Sidney and Skye. Having met at a coffee shop, Sidney Buterson asks Skye Hall out for a date but from the outset of their growing relationship, everything goes wrong, a circus of catastrophes follows in their wake, and a team of horny teenaged hockey players adds fuel to the already raging fires. From one catastrophe to another, Sidney and Skye struggle for some time alone but Sidney’s son Miller is about to learn a hard lesson is responsibility and life.

The relationship between Skye and Sidney is one of immediate attraction but Skye struggles with Sidney’s career in hockey, having some experience with an ex she has fought hard to forget. Sidney knows Skye is the woman to claim his heart but one disaster after another constantly pushes the couple apart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate-Skye knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to ask.

Meanwhile, we are up close and personal with the budding relationship between soon-to-be step siblings Violet and Miller. Miller’s propensity to party, and Violet’s need to be a fixer.

WHERE IT BEGINS is a fun, humorous, and entertaining story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating; the characters are quirky and charismatic; the romance is provocative and impassioned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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FOLLOW: NYT and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.
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The Wonder of It All by Barbara Taylor Bradford – a Review

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The Wonder of It All by Barbara Taylor Bradford – a Review

 

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Description:
James Falconer–a tycoon and a self-made man, seems to have the world in the palm of his hand. But The Great War looms, and James decides to fight for king and country. The fighting is bloody and brutal, and James returns a changed man, with wounds both physical and mental. His beloved wife is dead, but a new woman returns to help nurse him back to health.

Georgiana Ward once held James in her thrall, but years have passed and bitterness has set in. Still, the old attraction is there and James is determined to make amends to both Georgiana and his child Leonie–now a grown woman and someone he hasn’t seen in decades. Leonie is having none of it, and is embarking on a dangerous journey with a man who might very well destroy her. As James fights to return to the man he once was, he needs to find a way to heal his body, soul, and family.

Told with Barbara Taylor Bradford’s inimitable style and flair for period detail , The Wonder of It All concludes House of Falconer trilogy that has followed the story of this remarkable family from Victorian times to the 20th-century.

 

 

Review:

The Wonder of it All by Barbara Taylor Bradford is the 3rd and final book in her House of Falconer series. The story continues with James Falconer, a self-made business tycoon, who runs Malvern; with the help of his brother and sister. James still grieves the loss of his wife, Alexis, and pushes himself to participate in the WW1 war, Major James Falconer goes to fight for his country, until he is hurt badly with multiple injuries and sent home to a hospital in England; once he is released, he still needs care, and Georgiana Ward returns after many years, to help nurse him back to health.

James has a daughter, Leonie, by Georgiana in the early years, and made sure they lived well. He would see her occasionally, but slowly when his daughter became a teen ager, he was buried with his business and she hardly saw him, eventually cutting her father out of her life. In the present, James wants to get to know his daughter, but Georgiana tells him that Leoni wants nothing to do with him. Once he is well, both Georgianna and James also terminate their relationship.  James did keep an eye on Leonie’s marriage, as he did not like the man she married.

With the war taking its toll on his business, James concentrates on rebuilding his empire, and eliminating some of the smaller stories, with help from Eddie, Rossi, and other partners.   James will be introduced to Annabel, an art connoisseur, and slowly they both become very attracted to each other.  James has feelings for Annabel, but the age gap difference (he is 13 years older than her), pushes him to break it off, and leaves London to work hard in rebuilding his business ventures.  

What follows is both and exciting and sweet final ¼ of the book, with James finally being able to meet his daughter, after her husband abused her, and Leonie realizing that her father was a wonderful man, and would always be there for her. James also realizes that Annabel, even with the age gap, was the woman he loved.  I loved Rossi and Eddie, who were always there for James, and together they brought the business back to the top.

The Wonder of it All was very well written by Barbara Taylor Bradford.  This is the 3rd and final book in this series, and if you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book in the House of Falconer series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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