Monthly Archives: June 2024

RUTHLESS (Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation) by Kathryn C Kelly

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RUTHLESS (Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation 4) by Kathryn C Kelly-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 31, 2024

Like Father
Known for his fearlessness and unwavering love for his woman, Outlaw grapples with his past mistakes and strives to protect his family. He finds himself in a precarious position when the club’s dark origins are unearthed, threatening their hard-earned peace.

Like Son
Outlaw’s son, CJ, navigates his own dangerous path within the world of violence and betrayal. His first taste of club life has whetted his appetite for more. With Harley Banks vying for CJ’s affections and secrets unraveling, the Death Dwellers face challenges that could shake their foundations. Harley wants him for herself, but CJ’s attention is still on Molly Harris, a girl in deep trouble and possibly dead.

Amidst the chaos, Outlaw is determined to show his beloved Megan the depth of his devotion, even as the club is on a collision course to doom. In a story of love, loyalty, and the shadows of the past, “Ruthless” explores the complexities of family, power, and redemption in the unforgiving world of motorcycle clubs.

••••••

REVIEW: RUTHLESS is the fourth instalment in Kathryn C Kelly’s contemporary, adult DEATH DWELLERS MC: LEGACY GENERATiON dark, erotic, MC series-a spin off from the author’s DEATH DWELLERS MC series. RUTHLESS continues to focus on the multi-generational membership in the Death Dwellers MC. Most of the original couples and characters from the Death Dwellers MC series play significant roles in the current timelines. I recommend reading the original series as well as RECKLESS book one of The Legacy Generation as many of the past events are referenced. Many of the characters are under sixteen years of age, the series is intended for mature readers only.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, strong language and questionable themes, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives using present day, memories from the past , divided into Acts and Interludes RUTHLESS continues to follow several intersecting pathways, focusing on the struggling relationship between Death Dwellers MC president Christopher ‘Outlaw’ Caldwell, and his ol’lady, wife and mother of his seven children Meggie. Another woman is threatening our story line couple but for all intents and purposes Outlaw refuses to destroy the woman who is trying to destroy his life while a ghost from the past continues to stalk the woman he loves. While his own brother Johnnie continues his downward spiral, Outlaw considers ending the lives of everyone who has ever crossed the line, targeting his family.

Once again, secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, murder and abuse are at the forefront of the story line premise. Deceit and pretense, subterfuge and hypocrisy are but a few of the perceptions and views throughout the series, gaining a strong foothold as distrust, suspicion, fear and concern are heightened as Christopher ‘Outlaw’ Caldwell continues to lose control not only of his family, his club, but of his own mind. Outlaw is unable to trust those closest to him, and the fall-out is threatening everyone he loves.

There is a large ensemble cast of questionable, dislikable, controversial and tragic characters most of whom we have met in the original series and the current spin-off. Most of the characters are not redeemable; are manipulative and destructive on many levels; the lack of maturity and education is obvious; there is no romance; $ex is a tool, morals are absent, ethics non existent ; obsession is rampant but the professions of love are numerous and somewhat questionable. Outlaw struggles to protect his wife, his daughter and his club but protection comes at a cost.

RUTHLESS is another dark, gritty, dramatic and tragic story of several generations lost to the violence that controls their lives. The Death Dwellers MC: Legacy Generation is not a story/series about hearts and flowers-happily ever afters are for fairy tales and romance novels.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Reckless
Restless
Relentless

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely-review

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THE ACCIDENTAL DATING EXPERIMENT (How to Date 4) by Lauren Blakely

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 6, 2024

I’ve spent the better part of eight years resisting my best friend’s little sister. What’s one more week? The hardest week ever when it includes a proposition to be her dating coach.

Eight years ago I fell into a secret summer fling with the bright, big-hearted Juliet before our lives went in different directions.

Now, I’m the grumpy to her sunshine on a popular dating podcast we host, and when a wealthy fan gives us a charming coastal cottage as the biggest thank you ever, we head to the town where I grew up to give it a makeover.

And find the house has only one bed.

Located under a mirrored ceiling.

To make matters even harder, the woman I’ve been pining for tells me she wants to try to find the one and would I please be her dating coach for the week?

Like hell I’ll let her date other men. I’ll coach her on three dates with me.

But the second I take her out, I don’t feel like her teacher. I feel like she’s mine, especially when the first night ends with us tangled up together in that bed.

Each night we grow closer, but this dating experiment forces me to face my greatest fear – whether a man like me is worthy of her love.

Even though I’m already head over heels for her.

•••••

REVIEW: THE ACCIDENTAL DATING EXPERIMENT is the fourth instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult HOW TO DATE erotic, romance series. This is psychiatrist turned counselor/podcaster Monroe Blackstone, and thirty year old, break-up party planner/ podcaster Juliet’s story line. THE ACCIDENTAL DATING EXPERIMENT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Juliet and Monroe) THE ACCIDENTAL DATING EXPERIMENT follows the friends to lovers/best friend’s sister relationship between our story line couple. Juliet and her brother’s best friend Monroe Blackstone, host a dating podcast often using Juliet’s string of disastrous first dates as a premise for their shows but when their number one fan ‘gifts’ the couple a house in Juliet’s home town of Darling Springs, California, our heroine is hoping to find that someone special, never suspecting, her someone special has been with her all along. Monroe Blackstone offers Juliet his services as a dating coach but jealousy threatens, and Monroe will become all of Juliet’s date, going forward. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Juliet and Monroe, and the potential fall-out as Monroe struggles between head and heart believing he is not capable of love or a happily ever after.

The world building focuses on the friends to lovers relationships as Monroe battles his attraction to the woman with whom he works and is currently at play. Having loved and lost, watching his own family implode, Monroe watches from the sidelines as his friends fall in love but something about Juliet pulls at Monroe’s heart, as their time in Darling Springs comes to a close.

The relationship between Juliet and Monroe is a friends to lovers/best friend’s sister affair but Monroe believes Juliet is off limits. Juliet and Monroe’s attraction to one another is apparent to everyone but the couple themselves, an attraction that gains momentum as time spent together reveals a connection they never suspected. The $ex scenes are provocative and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Juliet’s mother, who is jumping into the dating game: and Monroe’s father who if stepping into retirement with a new look at life.

THE ACCIDENTAL DATING EXPERIMENT is a familiar story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is endearing and entertaining but one that has been done over and over; the romance passionate; the characters are energetic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of books 3 THE ALMOST ROMANTIC

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow – a Review

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Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow – a Review

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Description:
What you don’t know can hurt you….

It’s been months since the accident that killed Ella’s best friend, Hayley, and Ella can’t stop blaming herself. Now Ella is back at school, and everywhere she looks are reminders of her best friend—including Sawyer, Hayley’s boyfriend. Little by little, they grow closer, until Ella realizes something horrifying . . .

She’s in love with her dead best friend’s boyfriend.

Racked with guilt, Ella turns to Hayley’s journal, hoping she’ll find something in the pages that will make her feel better about what’s happening. Instead, she discovers that Sawyer has secrets of his own and that his relationship with Hayley wasn’t as picture-perfect as it seemed.

Ella knows she should stay away but finds herself inextricably drawn to him—and scared of everything she never knew about him. Perhaps it’s his grief. Or maybe his desires, cut short by tragedy. Or could it be something twisted only Hayley knew about?

 

Review:

Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow is a standalone YA thriller novel.  We meet Ella, a 17-year-old senior, returning to school, and still grieving the death of her best friend, Hayley. Ella, who was in a car accident that killed, Hayley, continues to blame herself for what happened, and has no memory of that tragic night. With her feelings of guilt, Ella seeks the assistance of the school therapist. She also is told by Sawyer, Hayley’s boyfriend, that it was not her fault, which calms her down; and they bond together, sharing their grief. The Pov’s switch between Ella and Sawyer, as well as Hayley’s diary, which Ella discovers and read throughout.  

Ella and Sawyer both begin to have strong feelings for each other. But once she starts reading Hayley’s diary, what she discovers change things.  When Ella starts reading more of the diary, she is horrified about violent attempts on Hayley by Sawyer; especially as she reads about her boyfriend “S”.  Was this Sawyer?

Ella goes to the school therapist for help, as she fears another side to Sawyer, would make him dangerous. The therapist will get her help, with the police interviewing Sawyer. The further she reads, Ella will find herself in danger, as new revelations reveal a dark secret that Ella never knew regarding Haley.

The story was easy to follow, as the pacing was very good, and it kept my attention from the start. There were a number of twists throughout.   I will note that there were some sex scenes, which should have been more of NA novel.  Ella resumed her friendship with Seema, as they became distant after her friendship with Hayley; but Seema turned out to be a good friend helping Ella get past her grief.

Everything We Never Said was a wonderful YA Thriller, with real life issues that led to a mystery that Ella triggered reading Hayley’s diary; leading to a dark secret filled with tension and suspense. Everything We Never Said was a gripping, emotional and intense novel; which was very well written by Sloan Harlow.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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All My Kisses For You by Monica Murphy-review tour

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All My Kisses For You (Lancaster Prep: Next Generation 1) by Monica Murphy-review tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3HYWQYS

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 4, 2024

Everyone loves Willow Lancaster, and every girl wants to be her. She’s the perfect student. Stylish, kind to all and always flashing that beautiful smile.

After spending her junior year studying in Europe, she returns to Lancaster Prep, eager to kick off being a senior with her friends and maybe even start something up with her old crush?

But everything has changed. Her supposed best friend is dating her crush, new cliques have formed and everyone is OBSESSED with the new guy on campus.

Rhett Bennett is gorgeous. Lethally charming. Absolutely full of himself. He’s also the star quarterback of the football team and suddenly everyone on campus is a sports fan.

He is everything Willow should never want yet…he’s all she can think about. And when she realizes Rhett might feel the same way about her, she’s desperate to throw away her good girl reputation and do bad things.

•••••

REVIEW:ALL MY KISSES FOR YOU is the first instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, YA/NA LANCASTER PREP : NEXT GENERATION erotic, romance series, a spin off from the author’s Lancaster Prep, with characters are references to the author’s ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND and THE CALLAHANS series. This is high school/ Lancaster Prep seniors Willow Lancaster, and Rhett Bennett’s story line. Rhett is the son of Eli Bennett and Ava Callahan (Addicted to Him), and Willow is the daughter of Crew and Wren Lancaster (A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Rhett and Willow) ALL MY KISS FOR YOU follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Willow Lancaster has return to Lancaster Prep, having spent her junior year in Europe but Willow never expected to discover the boy with whom she had a crushed had fallen in love with her best friend Alana. Trying to see the positive, Willow will come face to face with her future in the guise of senior quarterback Rhett Bennett, a young man with a reputation that precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but as Rhett and Willow’s relationship quickly turns into something more, there is someone else behind the scenes, desperately pulling our couple apart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rhett and Willow, as the couple must navigate the ups and downs of senior year.

The world building focuses on the final year at Lancaster Prep; the rich and uber rich, the famous and infamous, as well as the reintroduction and mention of several characters we had previously met in both The Callahans, and Lancaster Prep series.

The relationship between Rhett and Willow begins slowly. Willow is shy, a bit of a recluse but able to hold her own when she has to but the attention from Rhett sets Willow’s world into a frenzy, and someone else is taking aim at our story line couple. Rhett Bennett knows Willow is the woman to call to his heart but Willow is pulling away, and Rhett is desperate to uncover what happened and why. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Willow’s cousin Iris Lancaster and her boyfriend Brooks Crosby, as well as Willow’s brother Rowan; Rhett’s brother Callahan; Silas Fortner, Alana Kirkpatrick, and the return of several characters previously introduced in the aforementioned interconnected series.

ALL MY KISSES FOR YOU is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is endearing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, stubborn and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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My Royal Showmance (Park Avenue Promise 2) by Lexi Blake-review

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My Royal Showmance (Park Avenue Promise 2) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3QHfGZE

Anika Fox knows exactly where she wants to be, and it’s not on the set of a reality TV dating show. She’s working her way up at the production company she works for and she’s close to achieving some of her dreams. The big boss just wants one thing from her. She’s got a potential problem with the director of The King Takes a Bride and she wants Anika to pose as a production assistant and report back.

As the king of a tiny European country, Luca St. Marten knows the world views him as one of the pampered royalty of the world. It couldn’t be further from the truth. His country is hurting and he’s right there on the front lines with his citizens. When he’s asked to do a dating show, his counselors point out that it could bring tourism back to Ralavia. It goes against his every desire, but he agrees.

When one of the contestants drops out at the last minute, Anika finds herself replacing the potential princess. She’s sure she’ll be asked to leave the first night, but Luca keeps picking her again and again. Suddenly she finds herself in the middle of a made-for-TV fantasy, and she’s unsure what’s real and what’s simply reality TV.

•••••••

REVIEW:MY ROYAL SHOWMANCE is the second instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary adult PARK AVENUE PROMISE erotic, romance series focusing on three friends: Ivy, Harper and Anika. This is PA Anika Fox, and King Luca St. Marten’s story line. MY ROYAL SHOWMANCE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Anika) MY ROYAL SHOWMANCE follows Anika Fox as she is tasked to go undercover as a production PA on the reality bachelor-style TV ‘The King Takes A Bride’. All does not go according to plan when one of the ‘bachelorettes’ is a no show, and Anika is appointed the next in line but Anika has a secret, and if revealed, could take down the show and everyone involved. What ensues is the building relationship between Anika and Luca, and the potential fall-out when everything begins to spiral out of control.

The world building follows several paths including the behind the scenes manipulations and bullying; the possiblity of harassment and abuse; and the heart breaking realization about the unreality of reality TV.

The relationship between Luca and Anika is one of the forbidden: a behind the scenes affair that will end with heart break and the emotional fall-out of perceived betrayal and rejection. The $ex scene are limited but intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters including the return of Anika’s friends Ivy and Harper, as well as the introduction of Anika’s boss Jessica Wallace, director Joe Helms, production assistant Patrick Dennings, Luca’s bodyguard Hans, as well as several contestants vying for the crown.

MY ROYAL SHOWMANCE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heartbreak, acceptance and love.The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is seductive -the attraction is palpable; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one START US UP

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Tormented by Regret (RBMC: National 7) by Crimson Syn-review tour

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💀💚 Tormented by Regret (RBMC: National Chapter 7) by Crimson Syn 💀💚

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 21, 2024

POWERTRAIN

I’m not anyone’s Forever.
At least that’s what I kept telling myself,
Until I met her.
It was supposed to be an easy job.
Find the girl, grab the girl, and drag the girl home.
But when it came to Whisper Hudson, nothing was easy.
The woman was as wild as her father and as stubborn as her brother.
Being an RBMC Princess meant she was off limits to all of us.
She challenged me every step of the way, bringing out the worst in me.
So why did I crave her?
Why did she tempt me?
To make matters worse, we were being hunted.
Hunted by a past that had no mercy.
A past that wanted to take away everything that mattered to me,
And Whisper mattered more than I wanted her to.
Denying it was futile.
Now, if only she’d trust me enough to let me in.

WHISPER

I harbored a secret.
A curse that I carried with me since the day I was born.
I didn’t let anyone near me so easily,
Afraid I’d be trapped- my wings clipped.
It was not in the cards to fall in love with a biker,
An infuriatingly, irresistible biker,
Who was under orders to take away the one thing that mattered to me.
My freedom.
But despite my resistance, the tension between us grew thicker,
And with one touch, we both lost control.
I had spent my whole life alone,
running away from everyone and everything.
But for the first time, I was afraid of being left behind.
I had found my forever, and despite the dark secrets that haunt us,
I am not willing to let him go.

••••••••

REVIEW:TORMENTED BY REGRET is the sixth instalment in Crimson Syn’s contemporary, adult RBMC: New Orleans (National Chapter) erotic, MC paranormal romance series-a part of the multi-authored RBMC series. This is thirty-five year old, Lee ‘Powertrain’ Berwick, and twenty-one year old, Whisper Hudson’s story line. TORMENTED BY REGRET can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

RBMC: New Orleans series crosses over with the National Chapter series

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Whisper and Powertrain) TORMENTED BY REGRET follows the building but forbidden romance between our story line couple. Lee ‘Powertrain’ Berwick has been tasked by his president to retrieve Spectre’s daughter Whisper (Spectre’s Raven) aka Macabre’s sister (Belle Macabre) but Powertrain has no idea what he is about to find. Whisper is a bit of a fireball; a spoiled MC princess who doesn’t like to be told what to do, and in this, Powertrain is about to discover Whisper is so much more than he could have ever imagined. Meanwhile, Powertrain’s past is taking aim at our story line hero, and Whisper is about to find herself collateral damage as vengeance is dark and deadly. What ensues is the cross country journey, and building relationship between Whisper and Powertrain, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to forgive or forget.

The world building follows several paths as the RBMC is preparing for war with the Bloody Scorpions but one of their own now has a target on his back. The National Chapter has had to deal years of betrayal and madness at the hands of the people in charge, and the madness is about to return in the form of Powertrain’s past.

The relationship between Whisper and Powertrain is one of the forbidden. Powertrain has been warned to keep his hands off of our story line heroine but the attraction is immediate and intense, and despite all of Whisper’s protestations, she is hoping for something more from our story line hero. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative including some scenes of spanking.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and questionable secondary and supporting characters including several from interconnected RBMC, and the mention of others. We are introduced to Whisper’s mother, a woman who is struggling with the loss of her mind.

TORMENTED BY REGRET is a story of murder and mayhem, madness and obsession, secrets and lies, surprises and acceptance, family and love. The fast paced premise is haunting, edgy and tragic ; the characters are animated and desperate; the romance is spirited.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Inked in Vengeance
Scarred by Pain
Afflicted with Desire
Wrecked From Malice
Belle Macabre
The Winter Biker

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

My name is Crimson Syn, not really, but what fun is it to use my real name. Instead I’ll use my inner goddess’ name, it’s much more fun that way. I grew up in New York City where I had a wonderful education, loving parents and awesome friends. What more could a girl ask for?

I started writing at the age of sixteen. The first romance I read was Stephanie Laurens’ Devil’s Bride. Since then I have been influenced by dozens of flourishing romance authors and even more dashing and daring rogues. I must say it, but Fifty Shades was not my first erotic romance, nor did it influence me to start writing them. If you’ve never read Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Bertrice Small or A.N. Roquelaure’s Sleeping Beauty trilogy, then you’re missing out. Those were my sweet introductions to erotic romance, and boy were they hot.

So here I am, after reading so many wonderful stories, I have too many sinful tales of my own not to share. I like my alphas rough and possessive, and I have no shame in saying it or writing it. I had delightfully wicked teachers growing up, their books took me to new worlds and brought me new loves. So, I want to do the same for you. I want to indulge my readers in those steamy reads that will send them into the arms of dangerous alphas and deliciously sexy rogues, without leaving the confines of their nice warm bed. If I am able to entice your inner goddesses, then I have done my job and I am satisfied.

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BARELY EVEN FRIENDS by Mae Bennett-a review

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BARELY EVEN FRIENDS by Mae Bennett-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 4, 2024

Bellamy Price has just been offered the job of a lifetime: lead contractor on the restoration of the mysterious and sprawling Killington Estate. If she meets the owner’s ridiculous timeline, she’ll finally make a name for herself in this male-dominated industry. But when she rolls up her sleeves, slips on her suspenders, and shows up at the crumbling mansion, Bellamy finds the estate very much occupied.

After a traumatic car accident that left his parents dead and himself injured, Oliver Killington, heir to the Killington empire, took up residence as the grumpy caretaker of his grandfather’s mansion. None too pleased by the presence of the hammer-wielding woman who’s moved into his house, Oliver tries to block her at every turn.

But when Bellamy discovers Oliver’s facing his own ultimatum from his grandfather, the two form a cautious truce, which leads to flying sparks that are definitely not from faulty wiring. As Bellamy restores the gleam to the Killington Estate, she’ll have to decide if the walls she’s built around herself are worth knocking down to make space for someone else.

This clever, steamy debut novel will have readers rooting for this Beauty and her Beast until the very last page.

•••••

REVIEW: BARELY EVEN FRIENDS by Mae Bennett is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on interior designer Bellamy Price, and reclusive Killington heir Oliver Killington.

Told from first person perspective (Bellamy) BARELY EVEN FRIENDS focuses on the growing but tempestuous relationship between our story line couple. Years earlier, Oliver Killington lost his parents and his future in the blink of an eye, and retreated to the privacy and darkness of the family owned Killington Estate. Having fallen into disrepair through years of neglect, Oliver’s grandfather Adrian Killington hired Price Renovations to rehab and renovate the mansion but the mansion was not completely empty, and Bellamy Price would discover the missing ‘heir’ living on the estate. Enter Oliver Killington, the man with whom Bellamy would fall in love. Struggling in the wake of his parent’s death, a death he has always blamed on himself, Oliver sought the seclusion of the only home he has ever known, a home that his grandfather was preparing for someone else. What ensues is the building relationship between Bellamy and Oliver, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes to a close.

The world building focuses on what was and what will never be. Oliver has struggled in the years since his parents death, cutting himself off from his family and friends but Oliver’s grandfather is tired of waiting for Oliver to take his place in the family line, and issues an ultimatum that forces Oliver to step up and step out.

The relationship between Oliver and Bellamy begins acrimoniously as Oliver wants nothing to do with renovating the Killington Mansion. Oliver wants to be left alone, even the limited number of staff is too much for our story line hero but Bellamy’s arrival for a six month stay is about to tip Oliver’s world over the edge. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, although only used once, more for shock value than anything else.

We are introduced to Bellamy’s father Maurice Price, and her best friends Sebastian and Finn: chef Rue, IT genius Nick, Ambrose the butler, and house AI Bl8z3 aka Blaze: Oliver’s sisters and social media influencers Remy and Grace, and cousin Carter.

BARELY EVEN FRIENDS is a Beauty and the Beast-esque style story line; a grumpy-sunshine couple who find themselves pulled into the aura that is one another. The premise is familiar yet entertaining ; the characters are energetic-the back and forth banter is often humorous and fun; the romance is fated yet seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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HARD KNOX (RBMC Knoxville TN 1: 6th run) by Morgan Jane Mitchell

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💀💚

HARD KNOX (RBMC Knoxville TN 1: 6th run) by Morgan Jane Mitchell -review

💀💚

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 28, 2024

Knox
President of the Royal Bastards MC in Knoxville, my life’s a ride on the wild side. Besides my brothers, I ride alone. Then, Eliza comes crashing in, a beautiful light in my dark world. The moment I accidentally hosed her down at that charity bike wash, I knew she was something special. Eliza’s not just smoking hot when she’s soaking wet and angry. She’s a teacher and a single mom, trying to piece her life back together after a nasty divorce. A respectable lady, educated, when I graduated from the school of hard knocks. Yeah, she’s smart so she doesn’t date bikers like me. I don’t blame her. Just as I’m trying to win her over, showing her how a dumb guy like me could love her, her ex-husband turns up cold. Suddenly, I’m in the eye of the storm, a suspect. Sure, I decked him that one night, but I didn’t kill him. I’ve got to clear my name, not just for me, but for Eliza. She’s tangled up in this mess with me now, and I need to protect her, even if it means diving back into the darkness of my past – a past I planned to keep secret. How can a woman like Eliza possibly love an outlaw like me once she learns the truth?

Eliza
I’m a teacher and a mom, curvy girl and proud, but still healing from the sting of rejection. I never thought I’d find love again or attract someone as hot as Knox. He’s danger and mystery covered in tattoos and wrapped in a leather jacket. As much as I fight the pull of the bad boy, he’s determined to touch my heart along with the rest of me. He’s everything I never knew I wanted –protective and passionate, jealous even. Oh, the butterflies. But our potential romance is cut short when my ex-husband is found dead, and Knox is the prime suspect. Every instinct tells me to run, to protect my heart and my kids. Yet, I see the truth in Knox’s eyes, the honesty in his fight to clear his name and mine. I’m drawn into this mystery, not just for the sake of my own heart, but for the truth. But what do I do when the truth is darker than I could ever have imagined?

••••••

REVIEW; HARD KNOX is the first instalment in Morgan Janet Mitchell’s contemporary, adult RBMC KNOXVILLE TN slightly paranormal, erotic, MC romance series -a part of the multi-authored, sixth run RBMC series. This is elementary school teacher / single mother Eliza Martin , and RBMC Knoxville president Knox’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Knox and Eliza) HARD KNOX follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Knox is the president of the RBMC in Knoxville Tennessee, and a school fundraiser will bring Knox up close and personal with elementary school teacher Eliza Martin. From their first introduction, Knox finds himself pulled into the aura that is our story line heroine but Eliza is trying to keep things slow, in the face of a heart breaking past but the past refuses to let go, and Knox is about to pay the price for some else’s jealousy and obsession. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Knox and Eliza, and the potential fall-out when Knox is accused of a murder he did not commit.

The world building focuses on both the present and the past. Knox reveals his past, his current situation, and the fact that he and several members of the RBMC are not quite fully human. Eliza tries to keep her past where it belongs but the past refuses to remain in the past, and with a little help from someone Eliza once trusted, the darkness takes hold threatening everyone Eliza holds dear.

The relationship between Knox and Eliza is one of immediate attraction but Eliza must keep up appearances. She is a grade school teacher whose students and parents question Eliza’s choice of a partner, and in this, betrayal is always at the forefront of Eliza’s struggle to move on from the past. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to several members of the RBMC:KNOXVILLE family: Sergeant at Arms Dynamite aka TNT, and Smokey: Eliza’s best friend Birdie, and Eliza’s ex Mark Martin.

HARD KNOX is a story of betrayal and vengeance, trust and misunderstanding, secrets and lies, power and control, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is entertaining and enchanting but the paranormal aspect is virtually non-existent with only a small mention at the end of the book. The romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and engaging.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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