Monthly Archives: March 2024

The Loves We Lost (Iron Outlaws MC 6) by S. Cole-review tour

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The Loves We Lost (Iron Outlaws MC 6) by S. Cole-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 7, 2024

Viola
Once upon a time, I loved a man with my whole heart.
But unlike the romance stories I write, it wasn’t enough for a happily ever after when he chose the violent Iron Outlaws motorcycle club over me.
Now, I write books, enjoy a quiet life, and look after the miracle we created, the little girl I never told him about.
Except, suddenly, there are men at my door looking for him.
And there is only one place I can go for help.

Bates
Viola broke my heart when she turned down the cut and engagement ring I offered and disappeared from my life.
Now, she’s turned our love story into a steamy bestseller, complete with the happily ever after she wouldn’t give us.
But that isn’t the only secret she’s been keeping from me.
And now our biggest rivals plan to use her and the little girl with blue eyes and dimples just like mine as collateral to control my club leaving her no choice but to ask me for help.
She’s going to hate me for bringing violence to her door, but I’ll die trying to keep the two loves I lost alive.

•••

REVIEW:THE LOVES WE LOST is the sixth instalment in Scarlett Cole’s contemporary, adult IRON OUTLAWS MC erotic, romance series. This is Iron Outlaws enforcer Miles ‘Bates’ Graydon, and MC romance author Viola Mills’ story line. THE LOVES WE LOST 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 (Miles and Viola) with a final chapter from Halo, THE LOVES WE LOST follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Approximately six years earlier, Viola struggled with Miles’ need and participation with the MC lifestyle, and walked away from the man that she loved. Fast forward to present day, Miles aka Bates will discover that Viola is now writing steamy MC romance novels, using his last name as part of her author persona. Desperate to confront the woman who broke his heart, Bates will soon discover that the life of the MC is about to threaten the life of the woman he still loves, and the daughter he knew nothing about. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Viola and Miles, and the potential fall-out when the criminal organization known as the Righteous Brotherhood takes aim at the Iron Outlaws MC, and the family Miles is so desperate to reclaim as his own.

The world building focuses on the war between the MC and the Righteous Brotherhood, who want to control the docks and the import of drugs. Seizing whatever opportunity they can to stop the organization, the MC will discover that their actions have consequences, and Viola and her daughter are next in line.

The relationship between Viola and Bates aka Miles is one of second chances: a rekindling relationship in which Viola continues to struggles with the MC lifestyle, a danger that will become front and center for her and her daughter. Miles is hoping for a second chance to start over, to know his daughter but threats from the outside take aim at our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting couples and characters, many of whom we have met in the previous story line. We are introduced to three new prospects, as well as Viola and Miles’ daughter Avery.

THE LOVES WE LOST is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is dramatic and captivating; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are determined, dynamic and desperate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

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

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/
Newsletter: http://www.scarlettcole.com/contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsscarlettcole/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2QlE6f2
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3xwjykG
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsScarlettCole
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scarlett-cole

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Mercy in Betrayal by Vi Carter / ER Whyte-review tour

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Mercy in Betrayal (Son of the Mafia 4) by Vi Carter / ER Whyte-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 7, 2024

The is my prize and my penance…my obsession and possession.

I want to shake the hand of the person who gunned down my father. He was a rotten b*stard.
It’s just a pity I didn’t get to take his life myself.
Now, with my father gone, I am the new Don of the Scarpetta family.

A don’s murder requires retribution, though, and when I take my rightful place, the means presents itself.
She’s small, innocent, and kept locked away by her brother Cassidy.
I’m all about force and brutality, and I like to take what is mine. But even I can’t just snatch the Princess from the head of the Irish mafia.

No. I must woo her out of her cage, only to trap her in one of my own.
This little bird wants to fly…and for some reason I want to show her all the sky has to offer.

Even if it causes war between every mafia family in NYC.

•••••

REVIEW:MERCY IN BETRAYAL is the fourth instalment in the contemporary, adult SONS OF THE MAFIA dark, erotic, crime world romance series co-authored by Vi Carter and ER Whyte. This is Don Enzo Scarpetta, and Irish Mob princess Rowan O’Rourke’s story line. MERCY IN BETRAYAL 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 for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing theme throughout.

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

If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Enzo and Rowan) with a final chapter from Vivi, MERCY IN BETRAYAL follows in the wake of Enzo Scarpetta’s ascension to Don. The murder of his father and brother places Enzo on the proverbial throne of the Scarpetta Crime Family. With the approach of his sister Carina’s wedding to Luca Marzano (Enemies in Ruin 3), and the potential for war with the Five ruling families, Enzo Scarpetta finds himself facing a dilemma when a strong suggestion from the Romanov Bratva forces Enzo to consider claiming the hand of our story line heroine. Single, innocent and struggling with the demons from her past, Irish Mob princess Rowan O’Rourke is ripe for the picking but is about to discover that Enzo’s seduction is shrouded in secrets and lies. With the constant chatter and push from Ivan Romanov, Enzo learns that the ultimate betrayal may come from someone he knows, someone within the family organization. What ensues is the building relationship between Enzo and Rowan, and the potential fall-out when a fight for power takes aim at the ruling Five Families.

The world building is, once again, complex and intricate, as a struggle for control threatens the people at the top when other factors and families violently demand their place in power. Enzo Scarpetta has been thrown to the proverbial wolves with the murder of his father and brother, and in this, there are others who know more than he could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Enzo and Rowan begins as a seduction when Enzo targets our story line heroine. Rowan is completely unaware of Enzo’s criminal connections, and in this, she will discover, that an affair with Enzo means the possibility of another betrayal. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and aggressive.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters Rowan’s brother Cassidy and his wife Evie: Enzo’s sister Carina and her husband Luca, as well as several members of the Irish, Italian and Russian Crime families.

MERCY IN BETRAYAL is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is detailed, twisted and tragic; the romance is spicy, seductive and provocative; the characters are determined, stubborn and spirited. MERCY IN BETRAYAL ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Sins of the Mafia
Vengeance in Blood
Enemies in Ruin
Redemption in Cruelty

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? The prequel novella-SINS OF THE MAFIA is FREE at these retailers: –>  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

VI CARTER: When Vi Carter isn’t writing contemporary & dark romance books, that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or watching Netflix.

Married with two children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an Author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge

AUTHOR LINKS

Newsletter and FREE book / Website / Facebook/Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Goodreads

ER WHYTE: E.R. Whyte is a multi-genre author, writing contemporary and new adult romance under E.R. Whyte, reverse harem romance under Evie Rae, and sweet romance under Elle Rae Whyte. Although it would no doubt make life easier to simply choose a genre, she loves romance in all its forms too much to ever do that.

She’s a simple girl at heart, living in a teeny-tiny Virginia town and spending her time finding herself, catering to various fur babies, and indulging her reading, writing, and photography habits. She loves being alone, bananas foster, and Pepsi.

Whyte worked as a high school English teacher for around a decade before she decided she really wanted more time to devote to her family and other fun stuff. Now she thinks up new ways to make tacos on Tuesday, explores the Marvel universe with childish enthusiasm, and spends entirely too much time on the computer.
Life is good.

AUTHOR LINKS: Facebook/ TikTok

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If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting-review tour

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If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting-review tour

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. March 7, 2024

My new roommates are two pro hockey players.
First, my f-boy of an older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).
This was a last resort.
No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and man sweat.
But here I am, trying to get my life together.

Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence.
He never wears a shirt.
We can’t seem to stop fighting.
He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen but that was a long time ago.
I know better than to trust him.

I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place.
And not accidentally let Tristan show me exactly how well deserved his reputation is.

•••••

REVIEW:IF YOU HATE ME by Helena Hunting is a stand alone, contemporary adult, erotic, hockey romance story line focusing on professional hockey player Tristan Stiles, and accountant Beatrix ‘Trix/Bea’ Madden.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bea and Tristan) IF YOU HATE ME follows the acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. Tristan Stiles is best friends/roommates and plays for the same team as his best friend Phillip ‘Flip’ Madden, and the arrival of Flip’s sister Beatrix sets off a storm of reactive issues for our story line hero. Beatrix and Flip grew up in a loving albeit a family that struggled to make ends meet, and in this Beatrix was always the third wheel whenever Tristan and Flip were together but the loss of her job, and a pair of contemptible roommates finds Beatrix couch surfing with her brother and Tristan for the forseeable future. As Tristan and Bea’s disdain and hatred for one another hides a barely veiled, palpable sexual attraction, one night together quickly turns into something more but hiding their relationship from Flip is about to implode, and the fall-out pushed Beatrix out of both of their lives. What ensues is the building but defiant and stubborn relationship between Bea and Tristan, and the fall-out when Flip discovers the truth, and Tristan is unable to let go of the ghosts from his past.

The world building introduces some of the players and management, family and friendships, and the ‘forbidden’ relationship between our story line couple. Flip’s questionable $ex life and choices comes into play throughout the entire story, and Bea watches from afar as the man that she loves, slowly spirals out of control.

The relationship between Bea and Tristan is an enemies to lovers: a best friend’s sister/forbidden relationship in which Bea and Tristan hide the truth from Bea’s brother Flip, and the fall-out as a life-long friendship is destroyed through secrets and lies. As Bea and Tristan begin to navigate the possibility of a future, Tristan continues to struggle with the demons from his past. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including teammates and management, extended family and new friendships. We are introduced to Bea’s brother Flip, as well as her best friend Essie.

IF YOU HATE ME is a story of secrets and lies, friendships and betrayal, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is erotic and aggressive; the characters are determined, desperate and broken.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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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Roman (Men of the Falls 2) by Melanie Moreland-review tour

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Roman (Men of the Falls 2) by Melanie Moreland-review tour

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3NSmzp0

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 6, 2024

I rescued her because I had to. I fell in love with her because she gave me no choice.
Roman Costas
Powerful. Intensely private.
Cold. Dangerous.
When he unwittingly puts an innocent woman in danger, he does something he never planned.
Becomes involved.
He didn’t anticipate the feelings Effie Warner brought out in him.
He didn’t expect the woman he rescued to become his world.
All he knows is that he’ll burn down the city to keep her safe
No matter the consequences.

•••••

REVIEW Roman is the next installment of the Men Of The Falls series by Melanie Moreland. As always, I recommend reading a series in order to get the most out of it, but each book can be read as a standalone. Roman is a romantic suspense, mafia read with some trigger warnings.

Effie and Roman meet in book one of the series (Aldo) and from the first moment Roman laid eyes on her he was smitten. No matter how much he denied it to himself or others around him, he was. These two couldn’t be more different, Effie is tiny, Roman is massive, Effie is soft and gentle, Roman is a battering ram. Effie is all things good and sunshine, Roman, Roman is his own form of dirty. There is so much to their story and their relationship, parts that make my heart ache. Effie throws the walls that Roman has built around himself to the person he doesn’t show to anyone. Anyone but her. As the plot progressive; it’s easy to see why Effie and Roman work the way they do, and when the spice really gets going, the spicy readers will be blushing.

Ms. Author is newer to me, but I am quickly becoming a big fan. The world building is top notch, the characters are interesting and entertaining to read, and the plot to the stories are easy to keep up with, but suspenseful enough to keep the reader intrigued for more. I only wish there was more!

Click HERE for Sarah’s review of book one ALDO

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of thirty-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She’s learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

 

Connect with Melanie

Website | www.melaniemoreland.com

Goodreads | http://bit.ly/MMorelandGR

Amazon | https://amzn.to/30LukFd

Facebook | http://bit.ly/MMAuthorFacebook

Facebook Group |  https://bit.ly/MMGroupFB

Instagram |  http://bit.ly/MMorelandIG

TikTok |  http://bit.ly/MMorelandTikTok

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Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison – a Review

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Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison – a Review

 

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Description:
Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic—and that’s never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she’s parlayed her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin’s spellwork—into a decent life working at the mages’ university.

Except Grady’s relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she’s stuck working on his team—whether she wants to or not.

Only Benedict doesn’t understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world.

 

 

Review:

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison is the first book in her new The Shadow Age series. We meet Petra Grady, our heroine, who is a sweeper extraordinaire, who has the unique ability to handle dross, a damaging, magical waste. Dross is magical garbage that is left behind by mages performing magic. Petra has never been able to perform magic, but she has the rare talent to in handling the dross: dross if left lying around, can turn into bad luck for anyone who touches it.

Benedict Strom, a former friend, has been working to crack a code by neutralizing dross. He needs someone like Petra, with her unique abilities, to help research aimed at making it less dangerous. Petra wants nothing to do with what she feels is dangerous and hopeless, but her boss forces her to become part of Benedict’s team. Her life is about to change drastically.

After a terrible accident blows up the lab, both Petra and Benedict are on the run. Seems Benedict is being blamed for the explosion, and Petra decides to seek out an exiled outcast, who knows everything about the Mages, Dross and Shadows. Upon meeting the man who was close to her deceased father, Petra shortly will learn that she does have hidden talents, which will change everything.

Petra comes into contact with Shadow, which is feared by all magic users. Petra manages to build on her contact with shadow, with mental talking to each other, which also leads her to have magical ability.    I did felt bad when her lovable dog, Pluck, dies; but later on, the Shadow Pluck becomes an important part of the changes, especially her having weaver abilities.  What follows is an exciting last third of the book, with Petra, Benedict, her father’s friend, and Len (a militia member) who will fight the mages.  I will say I really hated her roommate, Ashley, who turned into an evil person. 

Three Kinds of Lucky was a very good start to this new series, and was very well written by Kim Harrison.  I look forward to what she has in store for us, with the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Grim (Havoc of Sins 1) by JL Drake-review tour

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Grim (Havoc of Sins 1) by JL Drake-review tour

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

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204591208-grim

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 5,2024

Many sins lay in the creases of my hands. Darkness and corruption are part of my life.
After hints from my brother that all is not right with the family business, I leave Mexico and return to Vegas. I have a responsibility to protect what’s ours, no matter the price or who gets in the way. Those who don’t fall in line will soon realize why I’m called The Vegas Reaper.

I demand order and obedience, so when I come head-to-head with our beautiful new hire, I’m faced with an unusual challenge, one that infuriates yet intrigues me.

When my hotel goes up in flames, my anger flares along with it. I pull on my cut and join The Devils Reach. The desert ride pays off, but there’s more at play here than I ever imagined, and I’m caught in a chess game of power from an unseen force. Deception, secrets, and chaos threaten my world. Could our new hire hold the key to it all?

Warning: This story is meant to be read in the reading order that can be found in my Amazon bio and website. There is a heavy crossover from my Devil’s Reach Trilogy through the Quiet Mafia Series, and my Dark Water Series, where Grim is first introduced.

••••••

REVIEW:GRIM is the first instalment in JL Drake’s contemporary, adult HAVOC OF SIN dark, erotic romance series, a cross over with the author’s Devil’s Reach Trilogy, Quiet Mafia Series, and the Dark Water Series. This is Las Vegas businessman and Devil’s Reach MC member Grimson ‘Grim’ Gates, and hostess Kenna Tame-Lodge.

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

Told from three first person perspectives (Grim, Kenna, Simon) GRIM follows in the wake of the return to Las Vegas of Grim ‘Grim’ Gates. As part of the billion dollar hotel and casino business, Grim Gates return to Las Vegas is quickly followed by betrayal and trouble, trouble in the form of our heroine, Kenna Lodge, a young, abrasive and determined hostess who knows how to seal the deal, and get things done but all is not well in the high stakes games that control the criminal underground of Las Vegas, death and destruction are about to wreak havoc in the lives of Kenna and Grim . What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Kenna and Grim, and the fall-out as Kenna is targeted for the sins of someone else.

The world building is detailed and busy. There are several big name and big game players both entering and leaving Las Vegas, and in this, Kenna finds herself on the precipice of losing it all. Grim suspects betrayal by someone he knows, yet when the players begin to surface, all bets are off except protecting the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Kenna and Grim is tempestuous at best/ Kenna is hard headed, reckless, defiant, stubborn and plays a somewhat risky game of cat and mouse but she has met her match in Grimson Gates. Grimson doesn’t do relationships, yet he wants something more from our story line heroine, a woman who is pushing all of his buttons and more. As Grim and Kenna’s relationship becomes more personal, someone else is watching from the sidelines waiting to destroy them all. Grim is dangerous and dark, bossy and demanding, and in this, his reputation precedes his introduction to everyone he meets. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and questionable secondary and supporting characters, many of whom were introduced in the Devil’s Reach trilogy including Brick and Minnie; Trigger and Tess., Rail and Morgan. We are introduced to Grim’s brothers Knox, Leo, and their parents Laurel and Jim; Jim’s attorney Cameron Tame aka Kenna’s father, and her sister Calli; Manager Jayden Wallace; PI Simon Gable; chef Dale, and Grim’s right hand man Jesse. The requisite evil has many faces including the Mexican Cartel, Vegas Mafia, local gangs, and someone very close to our story line couple.

GRIM is a dark, gritty and complex story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, dysfunctional family dynamics. The premise is edgy, raw, detailed and haunting; the characters are animated and charismatic; the romance is spicy and lively. GRIM ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J.L. Drake is a bestselling author with multiple series published in several different countries. The Broken Trilogy is her best seller, and her next series, Quiet Mafia, has the same kind of homey feel sprinkled with some yummy darkness. 

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to southern California. Though she loves the weather in Cali, she would sell her left kidney for a good rainstorm. Jodi’s love of the seasons back home in Canada definitely put in an appearance in her books.

When she’s not writing, you can often find her sitting somewhere along the coast of Huntington Beach, reading, or at home curled up on a couch with her two children and husband, binge watching Marvel movies.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Website / Goodreads / Facebook /  Instagram/

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LIVE,LOVE,SPY (Masters & Mercenaries:New Recruits 2)by Lexi Blake

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LIVE, LOVE, SPY (Masters & Mercenaries: New Recruits 2) by Lexi Blake -review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 5, 2024

Life can often be awkward when you are a child genius. For Louisa Ward, that came in the form of meeting her one true love at age 12. TJ Taggart was perfect. But being a year younger and a full year ahead of him in school always made things weird. Working in the CIA has made her into a strong and capable woman. Until she sees TJ. Fifteen years later, she still gets butterflies every time she sees the gorgeous soldier, but she’s tired of waiting and ready to find love, even if it can’t be with him.

Not everyone knows what they want out of life when they are a teenager, but TJ Taggart could always see exactly where he wanted to go. But joining the Army would require a sacrifice. Since meeting Louisa, TJ knew his cousin’s brilliant, oddball friend was the woman he wanted to spend his life with. He couldn’t ask her to live that life with him. She was meant to change the world at some prestigious research job or maybe teach a new generation of geniuses like herself at an Ivy League school. There would be a chance to sweep her off her feet when his time in this dangerous life was done, and their happily ever after could begin.

Before he can make it home on his latest leave, TJ is kidnapped by an unknown adversary. As he waits to die, all he can think of is the time he wasted and how badly he wants to be with Lou. He’s more than a little surprised when his sweet, quiet girl shows up leading a CIA special ops squad to bust him out. Back in Dallas, it’s time to claim the woman of his dreams. He has a plan to win her over, until the adversary who almost killed him returns to finish the job.

••••••

REVIEW:LIVE, LOVE, SPY is the second instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS & MERCENARIES: NEW RECRUITS erotic, Dom/sub romantic suspense series-a spin off-next generation series set in the author’s Master & Mercenaries worlds. This is Special Forces soldier TJ Taggart, and genius / CIA operative Louisa ‘Lou’ Ward’s story line. LIVE, LOVE SPY can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading book one LOVE THE WAY YOU SPY. Lou is the daughter of Boomer and Daphne Ward, and TJ is the son of Theo and Erin Taggart.

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

Told from omniscient third person perspective LIVE, LOVE, SPY follows the best friends to lovers relationship between our story line couple. TJ Taggart and Louisa Ward have been best friends most of their lives, and their developing love for one another was constantly being tested. Believing TJ didn’t feel the same Lou was considering looking elsewhere for love until an emergency call sent her team to Germany in an effort to rescue the man that she loved. A rescue, a seduction, an operation involving the CIA, MI6, CSIS and international espionage finds TJ and Louisa facing an adversary that may or may not be connected to the past. What ensues is the rescue and recovery of TJ Taggart, the developing Dom/sub/ love relationship between TJ and Lou, and the potential fall-out as the team is targeted for sins of the past.

Once again, the world building is innovative, intricate and complex; the characters are numerous, charismatic and captivating. The man in charge, Ian ‘Big Tag’ Taggart is overwhelmed by the shenanigans and sex lives of the next generation, often sending Big Tag into a tail spin in an effort to ‘bleach’ the images from his mind. The moments are humorous, fun and alone, worth the price of admission.

The relationship between Lou and TJ is a best friends to Dom/sub to lovers. TJ and Lou have struggled with their attraction to one another for as long as they can remember. Lou’s attempts at seduction have been rejected by our story line hero but both suffer with issues of low self esteem, both believing they are now worthy of the other’s love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate; the Dom/sub scenes are provocative.

LIVE, LOVE, SPY is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, espionage and deception, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is elaborate and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are powerful, determined and resolute.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one LOVE THE WAY YOU SPY

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

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Murder Road by Simone St. James – a Review

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Murder Road by Simone St. James – a Review

 

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Description:
July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.

When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.

 

 

Review:

Murder Road by Simone St. James is another one of her excellent psychological thrillers.  Murder Road takes place in the summer of 1995, centered between newlyweds April and Eddie. They are embarking on road trip to for their honeymoon destination, only to discover they had taken a wrong turn to Coldlake Falls; as they end up on a deserted highway called Atticus Line. On the dark road, a flash of lightning shows a woman slowly walking; they stop and offer her a ride, which she hesitates, but then accepts.  April notices blood on the girl, and they rush to find a hospital, to help the her; who in a short period dies. 

 Detectives Quentin and Beam show up at the hospital, and after being interrogated, they warn April and Eddie, not to leave town.  Instead of being good Samaritans, they now are considered suspects. Unexplained murders have been happening along the Atticus line for many years, and legend has it that a vengeful spirit roams the road, hunting for hitchhikers.  Rumors say twenty years ago, someone was murdered, unable to identify her, they name her Jane Doe, but legend calls her The Lost Girl.

Unable to leave, April and Eddie manage to have the owner of a B&B allow them to stay. At first Rose, was very weird, but in a short time, Rose opens up, and beings to help them, explaining the stories from the past. They learn more about the ghostly legends of The Lost Girl.  They also meet Beatrice and Gracie Snell, two teenage sisters, who are wannabe detectives, with lots of information about the missing people.  Truly, they were better then the detectives.  Both Eddie and April have their own secrets, which neither knew about; they both suffered from domestic abuse, adoptions, and personal drama.  As we reach closer to the end, there is a surprise that will reveal some things from the past.  Besides that, I really liked April and Eddie.

What follows is an exciting, dark, suspenseful and creepy mystery in both time periods, which kept me hooked to find out what happened.  Murder Road was an exciting and awesome mystery, with a slight paranormal element, as well as being chilling and captivating.  The mystery has so many surprises, which were gripping and horrifying at times; a page turner all the way. Simone St. James did an amazing job writing this captivating thriller. If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers with a ghostly background, you should be reading Murder Road.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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