Monthly Archives: June 2024

Craving Chaos (Moretti Malice 1) by Jill Ramsower-review tour

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Craving Chaos (Moretti Malice 1) by Jill Ramsower-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N paper/

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 12, 2024

Renzo
Stranded in the frozen Canadian wilderness with Shae fucking Byrne.
I’m not sure which part is worse.

It’s her fault we’re here, after all.

I should want to strangle her.
Instead, my fantasies have warped from murderous to something infinitely more dangerous.
More seductive.

I don’t want to kill Shae Byrne.
I want to possess her—to own every piece of her.

As the new boss of the Moretti family, I shouldn’t even look in her direction.
Anything between us would be an impossibility back home.

But out here in the Arctic North, there are no rules.

Shae
Arrogant men like Renzo Donati are the reason I usually date women.

Yet, of all the people in the world I could be trapped with,
Fate has bound me to Renzo.

We need one another to survive.

That should be the extent of it.
But when his hard body wraps around mine at night to stave off the cold,
Survival is the last thing on my mind.

•••

REVIEW:CRAVING CHAOS is the first instalment in Jill Ramsower’s contemporary adult MORETTI MALICE erotic, Mafia romance series, a spin off from the author’s Byrne Brothers series. This is Renzo Donati, and Shae Byrne’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Shae and Renzo) CRAVING CHAOS follows in the wake of the abduction of our story line couple. A gun deal gone wrong finds Renzo Donati and Shae Byrne the victims of a kidnapping, a kidnapping that ends with a plane crash in Canada, and our couple fighting the elements and a bear for water and food. Three weeks alone pushes Shae and Renzo together but a lie of omission threatens the growing love between our story line couple. A return to civilization comes with an ongoing betrayal, and the Byrne family the target of revenge. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Renzo and Shae, and the potential fall-out as the past returns taking aim at everyone involved.

The world building focuses on the possibility of betrayal , and the growing but forbidden love between our story line couple . The Byrne and Donati crime family rivals but love has focused on another crime world couple

The relationship Shae and Renzo is one of the forbidden as they are from opposing families but families that are not currently at war. Someone else is taking aim at our story line couple, careless of who is caught in the cross fire. Renzo is hoping for something more with Shae Byrne, but another perceived betrayal may push Shae out of his life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the previous series’ couples and characters return in secondary and supporting roles but for most of the story line our couple are the main focus, alone in the Great White North.

CRAVING CHAOS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, family and relationships, forgiveness and acceptance. The premise is dramatic and captivating; the romance is fated and passionate; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she’s a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.

With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.

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Should Have Been Me (Pembrooke 4) by Jessica Prince-review tour

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Should Have Been Me (Pembrooke 4) by Jessica Prince-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 10, 2024

She’s a sunny, sassy photographer.

Jolie Prescott has always been in love with love. She spent most of her life walking around with hearts in her eyes and immediately jumped at the chance to start a wedding planning company with her two best friends. So when her own fiancé called off their wedding and immediately started dating someone else, it was a major blow she never saw coming. The gossip about it finally starts to die down in her small town. Then her ex announced he’s engaged again. And his new fiancée just happens to be Jolie’s worst enemy. Which makes it really inconvenient that she can’t seem to stop thinking inappropriate thoughts about that woman’s moody half-brother.

He is the ultimate grump.

Vaughn Cavanagh never thought he’d set foot back in Pembrooke, Wyoming after moving away when he was thirteen, but when his father gets sick, he uproots his life to try to repair their frayed relationship. The only thing standing in his way is his spoiled brat half-sister, her determination to throw the ultimate wedding, and her beef with a certain wedding photographer he can’t get out of his head.

When one impulsive act leads to Vaughn announcing he and Jolie are dating, the two have no choice but to fake their relationship to save face. But when feelings enter the picture and lines start to blur, Vaughn has to decide if he’s willing to give up his quiet, solitary life and stay in Pembrooke for a woman he never intended to fall for, or if he’s going to risk losing everything because he’s too afraid to take that leap.

•••••

REVIEW: As a reader and a long time fangirl of JP’s books, I was over the moon to get my hands on the latest release of the Pembrooke saga. Should Have Been Me is book four in the series and can be read as standalone, but as always, I recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of it. SHBM is a grumpy-sunshine, fake dating romance that is sure to bring joy to all its readers. Not to mention the spice is just….yum!

Jolie is a girls girls, she has the best friends a girl could ask for, a family that loves and supports and a dream job that makes her happy. The only thing missing is love, a guy to spend that with. She had thought she found that in her ex, but nope, he turned out to be a total dud and not worth the years they spent together. Now she is focusing on her business that she and her two besties have, an event coordinating business with a focus on weddings. Life is good that is until her smooshy faced cat escapes and Mr. City Slicker crashes into her life.

Vaughn is a Pembrooke native, returned to his hometown to help his newly diagnosed father with her health. Over the years his relationship with his father took a hit, and the health scare gave him the much needed kick in the rear end to fix their relationship. Vaughn is cold, distant and grumpy and he is fine being that way, when you’re raised like the mother he had, there really isn’t any wonder. Determined to not let this change affect him or his work, Vaughn does his best to stay away from people and the town of Pembrooke, no use in getting comfortable when he isn’t staying for long.

Or so he thought.

Vaughn and Jolie are everything. They aren’t your typical relationship and I love that for them. Jolie doesn’t take Vaughn’s personality laying down, she thrives off it just like he does off hers. She doesn’t try to change him, she protects him and loves him the way he is and that is why their relationship works as well as it does. The goofy grin I had on my face for the majority of this book made me look all kinds of silly, but it was just that good. This couple proves that opposites not only attract, but make the best kinds of partners. Give me a guy that calls me Calamity any day of the week! Way to go to Ms. Author!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

“Get it off!” His voice was muffled beneath Smoosh’s considerable fur. It might have been short, but it was thick as hell, and it looked like she was trying to suffocate the poor guy. “Getitoff, getitoff!”
I was trying, really, but the man’s flailing was making it difficult. “Smoosh, bad!” I scolded, reaching up and grabbing her around the middle. I gave her a tug, earning another one of those death screams as she dug her claws into his suit even deeper. Given my job, I’d seen my fair share of tuxes and suits, and I knew how to spot expensive fabric and high quality from a mile away, and the one this guy was wearing—that Smoosh was currently destroying—probably cost double my monthly mortgage payment.
That sound must have freaked the man out as much as it did me, because his flailing became more frantic. “What the hell is that?” I couldn’t see his face, thanks to my cat, but I could hear the panic in his voice. “Is this thing about to kill me? It’s trying to kill me, isn’t it?”
I tugged again, but the dude was so tall, it was difficult to get a good hold on her. “Just be still. And maybe crouch down for me. That’s it. A little lower,” I guided when he bent his knees so we were face to face—or face to cat fluff.
I wrapped an arm around her middle and really pulled. “Ah, fucking fuck! It’s clawing the shit out of me! Get it off, goddamn it!”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry! Just hold on. I’ve got her.” Holding Smoosh by the middle with one arm, I used my hand to pry her claws out of the man’s wide shoulders. “Almost got her . . . there!” I let out a breath of relief once I managed to extract Smoosh’s claws from the expensive material and curled her up to my chest.
Just then, Tarryn came running up, the cat carrier swinging wildly from the handle she was gripping. “I got this!” she exclaimed proudly, hoisting the plastic bin that had caused all the problems to begin with. “Holy crap! That was insane! Your cat’s totally nuts, babe.”
From the sounds she was making, I knew Smoosh was gearing up for another meltdown, and I didn’t want to risk her getting free again. “Hurry up. Open the door!”
She flung it open, and I shoved the feline in, despite her wailing, slamming the door closed and latching it on a relieved breath. “Thank God that’s over,” I started as I turned back to the man, able to see his face for the first time. “I’m so so—” The apology died on my tongue, because holy chiseled perfection, Batman! This dude didn’t just have a body of sin packed into an expensive suit. He was freaking gorgeous.
His features were sharp and masculine, from his high, cut cheekbones to the straight ridge of his nose to a jaw that looked like it had been carved from marble. But his eyes hit me dead center in the chest and stole all the air right out of my lungs. I’d never seen eyes like his before. They weren’t blue or brown, but an insane combination of both, somehow. The color around the pupil was a gorgeous blue that reminded me of the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean ocean, but the iris was rimmed with a band of burnt umber. His eyes reminded me of oxidized copper, trailing from dark to light, and were so unique, that even the rage in them just then didn’t detract from their beauty.
I shook myself out of my stupor and cleared my throat before trying again. “I’m really sorry about my cat messing up your suit, but thank you so much for stopping. I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to her.”
Unfortunately, when he opened his mouth and spoke, all that awe-inspiring beauty was clubbed to death like a caveman going to town on a woolly mammoth.
“I’ll tell you what would happen. The world would be a better place for it. That feral creature needs to be put down,” he declared, lips curled back from his teeth as he brushed fruitlessly at the front of his clothes—like brushing the cat hair off would undo the damage her claws or, what looked like an entire cup of coffee, had already done. “Do you have any clue how much this suit cost?”
“Uh . . .” I’d forgotten all about Tarryn standing there until that moment. She cleared her throat uncomfortably and reached to take the carrier from my hand. “I’ll just go put this little hellion in your car.”
I offered her a grateful smile over my shoulder before turning back to the six-foot-three wall of muscle and pissed-off energy standing in the middle of the road with me.
I curled my lips between my teeth to keep my snippy retort at bay. “I don’t suppose offering to pay for dry cleaning would make the situation any better?”
His nostrils flared on an exhale, reminding me a lot of an angry bull. An angry bull that just so happened to have the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen. “You really think dry cleaning is going to be able to fix this?” He waved his hands down his front.
“In my defense—or, well, my cat’s defense—we didn’t do the coffee.”
I could have sworn I heard a low growl from deep in his chest. “I spilled the coffee all over myself when I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting that menace to society over there!”
I slammed my hands on my hips indignantly. “Hey! Don’t call her that. It was an honest accident. She was just scared about going to the vet and tried to make a break for it.”

Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.

Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.

In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.

Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.

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BROKEN DESIRES (Silverbrook University 3) by RG Angel-review tour

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BROKEN DESIRES (Silverbrook University 3) by RG Angel-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 June 12, 2024

An unlikely romance between two contrasting souls sparks against all odds.

Vanessa
I am the embodiment of chaos—a free spirit recently liberated from the weight of an overbearing family. Spontaneity is my mantra; I revel in the unpredictable whirlwind of life. Then there’s Liam—Mr. Order himself. His life is meticulously planned and ruled by discipline, making him the epitome of structure and control. Yet beneath his composed exterior lies Silverbrook’s most enigmatic figure, a man whose actions defy the very rules he lives by. In his most daring act, he captures the one thing I never expected to surrender—my heart.

Liam
I have spent my years in Silverbrook avoiding any entanglements, never allowed to lose focus, always waiting for the moment when my freedom will be swept away along with my dreams of normalcy. I live by rules, order, and structures—things that prevent me from growing attached. That was until I met Vanessa, the goth princess who cursed me with just one look. In a world of rules, she became the ultimate rebel by stealing the one thing never meant to be hers—my heart.

Join Vanessa and Liam for one last adventure in the final installment of the Silverbrook University series. Dive into a tale of passionate love and complex dilemmas, where the lines between right and wrong blur, and hearts risk everything in the name of love. It’s a story of stolen moments, unexpected journeys, and the thrilling dance between chaos and order. Don’t miss the epic conclusion where every heart finds its destiny.

•••••

REVIEW: BROKEN DESIRES is the third and final instalment in RG Angel’s contemporary, new adult SILVERBROOK UNIVERSITY erotic, romance series. This is twenty-two year old Liam Ashford, and eighteen year old Vanessa Caldwell’s story line. BROKEN DESIRES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of BROKEN DESIRES runs parallel to, and crosses over with, BROKEN RIVALRY #1, and BROKEN HEARTS #2.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vanessa and Liam ) BROKEN DESIRES follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Liam Ashford has a big secret that if revealed could change the course of his current situation but Liam never expected to fall in love with Vanessa Caldwell, Silverbrook University’s ‘goth girl’, a young woman who has secrets of her own. Liam’s two roommates Cole and Ethan have respectively fallen in love with Vanessa’s roommates Eva and Poppy, both with secrets that kept them away from the men that they loved but Liam’s situation is different, and Liam finds himself face an uncertain future without the woman that calls to his heart. Vanessa Caldwell’s home life has molded our heroine into a rebellious teenager who life has been slowly spiralling out of control. At Silverbrook University, Vanessa will meet her friends, forming a new family who both love and support, but a family whose own secrets reveal trauma of their own. As Vanessa and Liam’s relationship turns into something more, Liam is forced to return home, taking with him the secrets that will break Vanessa’s heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Vanessa and Liam, and the potential fall-out when Liam and Vanessa’s time together is forced apart by family and duty.

The world building reveals Vanessa’s heart breaking childhood and the lack of support from the people she once called family and friends. Liam’s secret reveals something more powerful, more complicated than anyone could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Vanessa and Liam begins as friend of a friend but Liam is in no position for a permanent relationship, as Vanessa finds herself a cast away from the only family she has ever known. With determination, Liam forces Vanessa to accept a new direction in life, a direction that may or may not be with our story line hero. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Poppy and Ethan, Cole and Eva, as well as Vanessa and Liam’s extended families. All is not well in the Caldwell family, and Vanessa finds herself always on the outside, looking in.

BROKEN DESIRES is a story of family and relationships, secrets and lies, acceptance and forgiveness, friendships and love. The premise is impassioned and moving; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Broken Rivalry
Broken Hearts

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Social Media: Goodreads/ Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub/

In addition to being an International Bestselling Author, I wear many hats – a trained lawyer, a globe-trotter, a coffee addict, and a cheese aficionado.

When I’m not immersed in lawyerly mayhem or crafting Contemporary Romance stories filled with heart, heat, and a touch of darkness, you’ll find me enjoying indoor activities in rainy (yet beautiful) Britain. These activities often include reading, indulging in TV series, and playing with my crazy puppies.

I hope my stories transport you to dreamlike worlds and bring as much joy to your heart as they bring to mine while writing them.

For the latest updates and news, join my reader group ‘R.G.’s Angels’ on Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter.

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The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

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Description:
Anna Moore didn’t just wake up one day and decide to go on a wild quest — especially since her life no longer lends itself to wild anything — so how in the world does she end up racing against the clock with Owen Harris, a sexy, enigmatic adventurist, to prove her beloved dad innocent of stealing a million-dollar necklace? 

It’s all Wendy’s fault. Her older, bossy sister, who’s seven months pregnant and on bed rest in their small Lake Tahoe hometown, is desperate to clear their dad’s name. Owen though is convinced he’s guilty as hell and wants to return the jewelry back to its rightful owner—his elderly great aunt. Together they go on a scavenger hunt for clues to the past (with Wendy remotely along for the ride via an ear bud, supplying a running wry commentary to boot).  

On opposing sides and suspicious of each other as they are, Anna and Owen still can’t deny the inexplicable and explosive chemistry between them on this heart-stopping adventure, the outcome of which will prove the necklace isn’t the only thing stolen — their hearts have been as well.

 

 

Review:

The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis is the 6th book in her wonderful Sunrise Cove series. Anna Moore, our heroine, is a private investigator, who is very good at her job. Her sister, Wendy, is pregnant, carrying triplets, and Anna, aside from her work, is always bringing food or rushing to help Wendy. One day, when looking at their deceased father’s belongings, they discover a rare coin; which turns out to be part of a missing million-dollar necklace.

We meet Owen Harris, who visits Anna to look at the coin, and he explains that the missing necklace was stolen years ago from his aunt Ruby. Owen suspects that maybe Anna’s dad might have stolen the necklace, with Anna determined to prove her dad’s innocence.  Owen owns an adventure guide business, and they begin an adventure looking for clues in this mystery.  Wendy is bedridden, and she connects remotely to an ear bud, during Anna and Owen’s escapades; which actually turned into fun and hysterical highlights, throughout the book.  

Owen and Anna fight off the strong and hot chemistry between them. They both feel they are not right for each other, but the more time they spend together, they know that they are falling hard.  Anna fears commitment, as well as previous abandonment from past relationships, and Owen is the first to show his feelings to Anna. Of course, Wendy constantly pushes them to open their hearts; she was a riot, especially when she eavesdropped on their phones. 

I loved the camaraderie between Anna and Wendy, and how devoted they were to each other. Anna was always running around, on the case, her work, and always watching over Wendy.   So much fun. Another wonderful part of the story was when Wendy, Hayden and Anna, would pick crazy names for the triplets; for example Buffy,Willow,Cordelia; Phoebe,Monica,Rachel, just to name a few.  Lots of laughter. As they get closer to the end, the danger escalates, with lives on the line. The epilogue was very good.

The Summer Escape was a heartwarming story about family, love, humor, mystery, intrigue, danger, and so much laughter.  I loved Anna and Owen, as they were great together.  I also loved Wendy and her husband Hayden, as well as the secondary characters.  The Summer Escape was so very well written by Jill Shalvis. If you have not read Jill Shalvis, you are missing a gem; as she is one of the best at wonderful sweet fun romances.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vicious Tycoon (Billion-Dollar Men 2) by M. Robinson-review tour

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💜 Vicious Tycoon (Billion-Dollar Men 2) by M. Robinson-review tour💜

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2024

Bailey McGraw Pierce is Hollywood’s sweetheart, and I’m their bad boy.

She’s everything I’m not.

Proper.

Composed.

Polite.

Little Miss Goody Two-shoes can do no wrong in the limelight. That’s who she is to the world and her family. But I know the girl behind closed doors, the one I experienced all my firsts with, on and off screen.

Now, seven years later, my career depends on America’s sweetheart agreeing to be my love interest for the next romantic blockbuster titled, “Say You love Me.”

There’s just one huge problem…

I’m still in love with her.

•••••••

REVIEW:VICIOUS TYCOON is the second instalment in M. Robinson’s contemporary, adult THE BILLION-DOLLAR MEN erotic, romance series. This is twenty-five year olds, former Hollywood child actors Bailey McGraw Pierce, and Nicholas Aires’ story line. VICIOUS TYCOON can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bailey and Aires) VICIOUS TYCOON follows the second chance romance and relationship between our story line couple. Years earlier, Bailey McGraw Pierce and Nicholas Aires were Hollywood child actors then sweethearts but life and everything else got in the way. Fast forward to present day where our couple would meet again, wherein Nicholas Aires find himself taking the fall for the woman he loves. Enter Bailey McGraw Pierce. The studio wants our couple to play sweethearts in an upcoming movie but secrets from the past are about to implode, taking aim at our story line couple, throwing Bailey down a rabbit hole from which she may never return.

The world building focuses on the rekindling romance between our story line couple, a romance that is mirrored in the movie the pair will make but betrayal will break the heart, and vengeance comes at a cost.

The relationship between Bailey and Nicholas aka Aires is one of second chances. Nicholas has never stopped loving our story line heroine but his adult reputation has preceded his reintroduction, and someone else is aiming to take him down. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Bailey’s extended family, as well as her agent Robert: Aires embittered parents, and his agent Thomas.

VICIOUS TYCOON is a story of second chances; of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is inviting; the characters are animated ; the romance is seductive.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BOSSY BILLIONAIRE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Wall Street Journal & USA Bestselling Author M. Robinson loves to read. She favors anything that has angst, romance, triangles, cheating, love, and of course sex! She has been reading since the Babysitters Club and R.L. Stein.

She was born in New Jersey but was raised in Tampa Fl. She was pursuing her Ph.D in psychology, with two years left. However, she dropped out of school and became a fulltime writer.

She is married to an amazing man who she loves to pieces. They have two German Shepherd mixes, Kobe and trooper, a Wheaten Terrier, Teddy and a Tabby cat, Gio.

She feels blessed to be living her dream.

Keep up with M. Robinson and subscribe to her newsletter.

To learn more about M. Robinson & her books, visit here!

Website:www.authormrobinson.com
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Havoc (Havoc of Sins 2) by JL Drake -review & excerpt tour

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Havoc (Havoc of Sins 2) by JL Drake -review & excerpt tour

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

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2024

My family and friends are targets of an unseen enemy. How can I fight them when I have no idea when and where they will strike next?

Kenna lives by the same moral code as her friends who wear the cut of the Reaper. When she spills her secret to me, I’m enraged. The knowledge she carries affects us all but puts her directly in the crosshairs. This driving need to protect her is new for me.

As the truth is revealed, I discover those who were like friends are nothing more than traitors in this dangerous game.

When it happened, I never saw it coming. I was blinded by her. Guilt and pain send me into a dark spiral as I try to survive. Blood would spray across the city of Vegas until the truth showed its ugly face.

My world has been turned upside down. The true enemy could be in plain sight, but even if they are revealed, it could still be too late to save our empire—and the lives of those sworn to protect it.

••••

REVIEW:HAVOC is the second instalment in Jl Drake’s contemporary, adult HAVOC OF SIN dark, erotic,crime world 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. HAVOC should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the cliff hanger of book one GRIM.

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) HAVOC picks up immediately after the events of book one GRIM. Grimson ‘Grim’ Gates is the up and coming king of Las Vegas but any number of crime lords, wanna-bes, and powerful businessmen are taking aim at Grim Gates starting with his on again, off again relationship with our story line heroine but as the vultures begin to circle, Grim’s world will come crashing down, and he aims his grief and pain at the woman that calls to his heart. With vengeance at the forefront of his mind, Grim sets out to destroy those who are quickly destroying the world in which he lives.

The world building is, once again, complex and detailed, with many predators targeting our story line couple. Kenna finds herself caught between the love for a man who is unable to love back, and the knowledge that she may never be ready for what the future unfolds. Kenna has a target on her back, and someone close, may be responsible for her life, and that of Grim Gates’ life that is spiralling out of control.

The relationship between Grim and Kenna is turbulent, emotional and impassioned. Grim doesn’t do love or relationships yet his past keeps threatening the current woman in his life. Grims’ darkness screams danger and death, and in this, Grim takes aim at our story line heroine. For all of her knowledge and ability to ferret out problems, Kenna is often TSTL and in this, she can be frustrating on so many levels. Where Grim is unable to trust, Kenna trusts too easily. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in the previous story line. Most are questionable at best, controversial in intent, and not trustworthy from the start. Someone will die; everyone is suspect but there are too many probabilities and possibilities- Grim struggles to believe even those closest.

HAVOC is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, family and deception. The premise is dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is intense and impassioned; the characters are determined yet broken. HAVOC ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one GRIM

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Zhar sensed I was awake and lifted his head, and his eyes glowed in the red lighting along the base of
the wall. A moment later, he let out a low whine, and I strained to hear what he’d tuned in to. I’d
locked the elevator and wasn’t concerned, as I was on the top floor and there was zero way anyone
could break in through the elevator doors. They only opened if you had the right card.
“No!” Kenna shot straight up in bed, and both dogs leapt to their feet. She sucked in a breath.
I gave a command for the boys to stand down. They listened, but both kept their eyes on her. Kenna
looked around then slowly turned to see me awake. It was dark, but I could sense her fear.
“Sorry,” she whispered as she rubbed her head like it hurt.
“I was awake, anyway.” I turned the low lighting up a bit so she could take in her surroundings.
“Maybe it’s best if I go.”
“No.” I yawned uninterested in the idea.
“And if I wanted to?” She raised her chin, and I saw a tiny spark in her eye. I missed that spark.
“I’d chain you to the bed.”
“Right.” I reached over and pulled a chain from the bedpost and let the cuff dangle from it. “Why
does that bring me comfort?” She rubbed her arms uneasily, and I could tell it wasn’t from the idea
of being bound but from what was weighing on her. She slowly lowered herself to the pillow.
“Reach out and feel the back of the nightstand.” I felt her reach over, and when she did, I rolled
over and put my hand over hers. “Feel that buckle?”
“Yeah.” Her glossy eyes blinked up at me. I could see the nightmare still cling to her mind.
“Unsnap, pull down, and it’s ready to fire.” She nodded. I moved her hand up and under the
headboard. “That’s a Talon knife, sharp as hell. Just pull forward and it will release.” She nodded
again, and I stared down at her worried expression. “You’re safe.”
“Okay.” She nodded a bunch of times, then I ran my hand down her extended arm, across her
collarbone, and up her neck. I brushed her jawbone, and her gaze dropped to my lips. I pushed my
interest into her hip.
I leaned down and caught her mouth with mine. It was a slow kiss, just lips at first, then my tongue
danced with hers. Her hand moved up my side and into my hair while my hand was under her chin
gently holding her in place. It felt different. She tasted just as she smelled, fresh but fruity, and it was
fucking with my head. My normal instinct was to ravish, to consume, flood her body with pleasure
and take whatever I wanted at the same time. But I felt an unusual need to be careful. Her body still
needed time to heal, and her head was in a bad place. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being split
down the center. I pulled back and studied her. Her confusion on what just happened mirrored my
own.
“You should sleep,” I said quietly.
“Yeah, I guess we should.” She waited for me to roll back, then she pulled the covers up to her chin.
When my head hit the pillow, I came nose to nose with Leal.
“Jesus!” I mouthed then glared at him. He stared just as hard back. I swore he cocked a brow at me. I
wondered what went through his brain in that moment. “Go.” I pointed. He waited for a beat then
did what he was told. His typical huff as he plunked back down in his bed was louder than usual.


 

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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Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

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Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

 

Description:
A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science.

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.

Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through – and he’s a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can’t stop thinking about. The woman who’s off-limits to him.

Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business – one that plays for keeps.

 

 

 

Review:

Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood is another one of her wonderful standalone romance novels. We meet Rue Siebert, our heroine, who is happy in her job, as a successful biotech engineer at Kline; well-known in the field of food science. Rue has two best friends, her childhood friend, Trish (they work closely together); and her loyal boss, Florence. Rue had a rough childhood, and is determined to keep her heart closed, not comfortable in any kind of relationship, only allowing some one-night stands. She is content in her life, until she learns that a hostile takeover threatens her calm and confident world.

Eli Kilgore, our hero, is part of the Harkness group doing the hostile takeover. Eli and his business partners plan to takeover Kline, for various past reasons. To his shock, he sees Rue, whom he met the night before, during a wild sexy evening. Despite Rue ignoring him, Eli finds himself drawn to her, as he can’t stop thinking about the night before.  Eli goes out of his way to visit or interview Rue, as their feelings for each other escalates, with the chemistry between them becomes sizzling. 

They do begin a secret no-strings attached affair, with Rue making sure that Florence doesn’t find out. Rue will learn from Eli, what happened 10 years ago with Florence, and why they are determined to fix what she did to them.  She has every intention to team up with her boss Florence, only to learn more about the past truths, and the lies of her boss.    

 Eli was perfect for Rue, helping her through her emotional past, revealing little pieces of herself which she hid away for years.  Rue could not resist her feelings for Eli, who was hot, charming and very sexy. They made a great couple, very steamy together.  I will say that this book had so much sex, it was very different then previous Hazelwood stories.  I did like Trish, Rue’s best friend, who was totally loyal to her and a terrific bff.  Rue will learn that though she thought she was close to Florence, she will discover secrets that could cause Rue to lose her job.

As we get closer to the end, with the hostile takeover, it will be Eli, who will do everything he can to protect Rue; as he knows he has fallen in love with her.  Rue is entangled in a secret affair, that though she too has fallen for Eli, it does challenge the foundations of her past.  Can she find a way to act on her feelings and desires?

Not in Love is wonderful love story, very steamy, as well as emotional. I really like the end and epilogue, which was great.  Though, I do say there were too many sex scenes. Not in Love was very well written by Ali Hazelwood.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

`Ali Hazelwood’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of NOT IN LOVE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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Drawn to Darkness (Kings of Mafia 4)by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Drawn to Darkness (Kings of Mafia 4)by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Poverty is an understatement when it comes to describing my circumstances. My mother is a lost cause I can’t get rid of, and I work my fingers to the bone just trying to keep my head above water.

To ease the stress bearing down on my shoulders, I like to dance. Working as a janitor at a ballet company makes it easy for me to steal thirty minutes at night when the place is empty.

Or so I thought. Just my luck that the dangerously handsome owner catches me red-handed. He thinks I’m a hardworking ballerina, and I don’t bother correcting him… because, you know, I’d like to keep my job.

Dario La Rosa has every girl at the company swooning, hoping she’ll be the one to end his bachelor status. Me? I just want to keep my secret and try to avoid the man at all costs.
But then my mother’s sins burst through my dilapidated front door, and my life takes a turn for the worse.

Turns out Dario isn’t who I thought he was, and the man has the power to not only change my entire life, but to keep me from losing it.

Even though I’m drawn to the darkness coming off him waves, I’m not sure whether I should run or stay.

What would you do?

••••••

REVIEW:Dario La Rosa, 31, is one of the Cosa Nostra’s Mafia leaders. He is also the new owner of The Ballet Company, now named La Rosa Opera Ballet. That is where Eden Taylor, 24, works. Well one if her jobs. She’s a janitor there and she has heard tell about the how handsome and rich the new owner is.

Unfased, she has work to do. And every night she steaks away into one of the studios and just dances her stress and cares away. Its on such a night that Dario sees her. Unbeknownst to him, he has no idea who she is or that she even works for him. And after weeks of trying yo get this woman and her dancing out of his head he finally tracks her down.

There is chemistry that he has never felt before, with anyone. He wants nothing more than to get to know her. Eden knows that Dario is way out if league. She doesn’t belong in his circles. She barely makes ends meet and his is super rich. But she loves how he watches her dance. And how he wants to get to know her. But how will he feel when he finds out she is the janitor at his company. And what will happen when she finds out he is a Mafia King.

Their worlds collide in a beautifully well written dance, that leaves you wanting for more. But Eden’s past catches up with her and her life is at risk. Can Dario save her from the predicament she finds herself in? Will he get to her in time?

As with all of the Mafia Kings books, this one was sweet and beautifully written. I highly recommend each book in this series!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Tempted by the Devil
Craving Danger
Hunted by a Shadow

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

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