Monthly Archives: September 2024

HOCKEY WIFE (Rookie Rebels 10) by Kate Meader-review tour

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HOCKEY WIFE (Rookie Rebels 10) by Kate Meader-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 16, 2024

“I need us to stay married, Big Guy.”
Recently traded to the Chicago Rebels, hockey veteran Dylan “Banks” Bankowski is adjusting to what might be his last team and his final year in the NHL. That means taking care of his battered body while he strives for the one goal that’s managed to elude him: a championship ring. What he does not need is a visit from the woman to whom he gave a different kind of ring months ago.

His young, flighty, socialite wife.

Apparently, signing the annulment papers within a week of their quickie wedding in Vegas didn’t quite take, and now she’s back, right before the playoffs when he needs his focus most. Only this time she has a different request: let’s keep up the charade. He should say no, but he once said “I do” and surely that means something …

Georgia Goodwin has good reasons for wanting to keep her hockey player husband. Convincing the big lug to cooperate is the easy part. Not so easy? Ignoring the flutter in her chest when he grunts in jock, kisses her neck, or calls her wife. But it’s only for a few weeks, and as soon as the playoffs finish, so will they.

But the more time Georgia and Banks spend together, the more real their marriage feels. Less Vegas mistake, and more like the start of something amazing. They said goodbye once. Can they do it again … or will they figure out that a love this good is worth fighting for as much as that championship ring?

•••••••

REVIEW: HOCKEY WIFE is the tenth instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS erotic, hockey romance series. This is thirty six year old professional hockey player Dylan ‘Banks’ Bankowski, and twenty-four year old, socialite Georgia Goodwin’s story line. HOCKEY WIFE 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 omniscient third person perspectives (Banks and Georgia) HOCKEY WIFE follows in the wake of a one-night stand and accidental Las Vegas marriage between our story line couple. Dylan Bankowski is nearing the end of his professional hockey career but the All-Star weekend in Vegas proved to be much more than his fourth appearance at the annual event. Waking up married to socialite Georgia Goodwin, and his new bride on the run, the anticipation of divorce papers was on the horizon. Fast forward two months, Dylan discovers the annulment did not go through and his young wife wants a second chance with our story line hero. The caveat-Dylan Bankowski also needs to remain married to keep his grandmother happy, two birds, one stone-so to speak. Agreeing to stay together with an end date on the horizon, Dylan begins to fall for the woman who could break his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Banks and Georgia, and the potential fall-out as perceived betrayal pushes Georgia out of Dylan’s life.

The world building focuses on Dylan’s waning career, potential injuries, and the ‘run’ for the Stanley Cup. Georgia is struggling with a direction in life, wanting to start a charitable foundation for those in need but her parents have other plans for their socialite daughter.

The relationship between Dylan and Georgia begins as a one-night stand, accidental Las Vegas wedding, and Georgia’s need to run when the things begins to spiral out of control.A reputation as a party-girl who tends to straddle the line with her public behavior, Georgia is desperate to keep up the charade in the face of losing everything including her struggling reputation. The $ex scenes are provocative and impassioned.

Several of the previous story line couples return as secondary and supporting characters including Dylan’s teammates on the Chicago Rebels: Ashley and Dex, Tara and Hale, Theo and Elle, as well as Dylan’s extended family, and Georgia’s parents.

HOCKEY WIFE is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is entertaining, inviting and thought provoking; the romance is seductive and compelling; the characters are animated, sassy and desperate.

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player
Dear Roomie
Rebel Yule
Jock Wanted
Superstar Rookie
Wild Ride

 

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Reader’s Group | Bookbub | Goodreads | Newsletter | Amazon Author Profile

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood – a Review

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Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood – a Review

 

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Description:
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.

Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.

But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .

With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you’ve been waiting for.

 

 

Review:

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is a standalone novel revolving around witches.  Belladonna Blackthorn, loves her job at Lunar Books, even though her boss is very toxic to work for.  Belle hides her ability as a witch from her friends and other workers, though her mother is also a witch.   On her 30th birthday, Belle is summoned by her coven for a trial that could strip her of her magic; though she has not done much with her magic lately.  She risks losing her magic forever; and must prove herself worthy of the magic she possesses.

With the month of October (Halloween), to fix things, Belle will find help from some wonderful secondary characters; an older retired mentor, Arty, who will train her; her mother, Bonnie; and Rune, a charming watchman, who is sworn to protect her; as well as her bff, Ariadne, who will eventually learn about Belle being a witch.

The story follows Belle, as she learns to come into her magic and herself more. Arty turned into a wonderful (elder) who was always helpful working with Belle, and teaching her how to build up her magic.  I love Rune, who was determined to be the protector, while at the same time, found himself falling for Belle.   Both Belle’s mother, as well as her friend, Ariadne were great.  I also got a kick out Jinx, Belle’s cat.

The two sister witches with one determined to have Belle’s magic removed, but the other sister turns out even worse later on.  Things got difficult when the evil begins to bring the coven down, and Belle will have to bring her magic forward to save everyone.  The last third of the book was extremely exciting, with Belle’s powers rising to stop the evil sisters. 

Rewitched was a wonderful, heartwarming, paranormal story, though a bit slow early on.  It is a story of healing, building self-confidence, accepting their ability and learning to love. Rewitched was very well written by Lucy Jane Wood, as this was a cozy fantasy that was wonderful tale of family and slow-burn romance. The end was very exciting, with a magical and fantastic read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Sworn To Serve (Sworn Navy SEALS 4) by Charlee James-review

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Sworn To Serve (Sworn Navy SEALS 4) by Charlee James-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Grief locked his heart. Can she hold the key?

Navy SEAL Archer “Silver” Ross has watched his teammates fall in love ignoring his twinges of envy. After a childhood tragedy, he’s only let his team close. But when he meets his teammate’s twin sister, she wakens a part of him he thought long dead. Addison Desmond is warm and adventurous and everything he never knew he wanted, and is afraid to lose, yet he resists her lure knowing her protective brother will never approve.

Addison survived a childhood in the Alaskan bush where she and her brother relied on their wits and each other to survive. Her work studying indigenous cultures continues to fascinate, but lately she’s craving stability. Meeting the sexy, brooding Asher is a revelation. The pull between them is exciting, and when she’s tasked to accompany his SEAL team on a crucial mission as an expert civilian consultant, their bond deepens.

The chemistry scorches, and Addy’s falling hard. Can she convince Asher to take a leap of faith so they can grasp the future they want?

•••••

REVIEW:SWORN TO SERVE is the fourth instalment in Charlee James’ contemporary, adult SWORN NAVY SEALS erotic, romantic suspense series. This is forty-one year old, US Navy SEAL Archer ‘Silver’ Ross, and anthropologist Addison Desmond’s story line. SWORN TO SERVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Addison is the sister of US Navy SEAL Julian ‘Joker’ Desmond (Sworn to Honor 2).

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Archer and Addison) SWORN TO SERVE follows the building relationship between Addison and Archer. Approximately six months earlier, Addison received a call that her brother’s fiancé had been injured, and left her research in Paraguay to be with her brother but Addison never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of brother’s Navy SEAL teammate Archer ‘Silver’ Ross, a man who was struggling with the demons of his past. Six months would pass before Addison and Archer would reconnect at a mutual friend’s wedding, just hours before discovering Addison and her research team would be working with Archer’s Navy SEALs. A trip to the Amazon jungle for rescue a group of women and children would all but threaten our heroine’s life, a threat that came from an unlikely source. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Archer and Addison, and the potential fall-out as someone else is working behind the scenes, placing everyone in danger.

The world building follows several pathways including Julian and Sam’s (Sworn to Honor) road to recovery ; the journey to rescue several missing women and children, and the threats to our couple’s lives upon their return.

The relationship between Addison and Archer is one of immediate attraction but Archer continues to pull back, fearing future loss and heart break. Addison has no idea as to why Archer’s obvious attraction to her is stifled and withdrawn but working together in the Amazon jungle pushes our couple closer together. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous story line couples, as well as Addison’s co-workers Wyatt and Dr. Marks. Archer’s SEAL team is a supportive and protective family.

SWORN TO SERVE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is captivating and intriguing; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, charismatic and real.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE (My Vampires 2) by Jenna Levine-review

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MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE (My Vampires 2) by Jenna Levine-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Amelia Collins is by definition successful. She would even go so far as to say successfully single. But not according to her family, and she’s tired of the constant questions about her nonexistent dating life. When an invitation to yet another family wedding arrives, she decides to get everyone off her back once and for all by finding someone–anyone–to pose as her date.

After a chance encounter with Reginald Cleaves, Amelia decides he’s perfect for her purposes. He’s a bit strange, but that’s fine; it’ll discourage tough questions from her family. (And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s very handsome.) For centuries-old vampire Reggie, posing as her plus-one sounds like the ultimate fun. And if it helps his ruse of pretending to be human, so much the better.

As Amelia and Reggie practice their fauxmance, it becomes clear that Reggie is as loyal to her as the day is long, and that Amelia’s first impressions could not have been more wrong. Suddenly, being in a real relationship with Reggie sounds pretty fang-tastic.

••••••

REVIEW: MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE is the second instalment in Jenna Levine’s contemporary, adult MY VAMPIRES erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is CPA Amelia Collins, and vampire Reginald Cleaves’ story line. MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE 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 (Reginald and Amelia) MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE follows the fake relationship between CPA Amelia Collins, and vampire Reginald Cleaves’. Reginal Cleaves is a vampire, almost three-hundred years old, and is the target of an organization known as The Collective, for sins of the past. Amelia Collins is a CPA, leads a quiet, unassuming life until she meets a stranger with eccentric taste in clothes. Needing a plus-one for her cousin’s wedding, Amelia is desperate until she reconnects with said stranger. Enter Reginald Cleaves, the man with whom Amelia will fall in love. Entering into a fake-relationship to keep her parents and family at bay, Amelia finds herself falling for a man whose idiosyncrasies are getting stranger by the minute. A snow storm, a new client at work, and the revelation of Reginald’s true identity push Amelia to her limits until she discovers the identity of the people taking aim at the man with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is the building but fake-relationship between Amelia and Reginald, and the potential fall-out as the group targeting Reginald are closer than anyone suspected.

The world building follows the fake relationship between our story line couple as Reginald traverses a world in which he struggles to fit in. Flamboyant, and eccentric, Reginald is a bit of an enigma but the perfect foil for our story line heroine. As The Collective take aim at our story line hero, Amelia enacts a plan to save the vampire who calls to her heart.

The relationship between Amelia and Reginald begins by accident. Pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend, Amelia and Reginald must face Amelia’s family, and Reginald’s friend Frederick who is currently dating Amelia’s brother’s friend Cassie. But when their fake relationship turns into something more, Amelia must come to terms with the reality of who and what is Reginald Cleaves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic. We are introduced to Amelia’s family and extended family; accounting clients, fellow employees, as well as the return of Frederick and Cassie.

MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise entertaining and enchanting; the romance is spicy; the characters are animated and honest.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one MY ROOMMATE IS A VAMPIRE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2024

“Take off your mask, little demon.
Show me everything.”

I first meet the masked man at an art gallery opening where he nearly drops me off a roof.

Now I can’t stop obsessing over his thrill-seeking games, and I fall hard for the way he makes me feel alive.

Except the man behind the mask is Marco Vitale, former Capo of my family’s greatest enemy. He’s back from the dead to get revenge for his fallen Don.

Marco’s gorgeous and brilliant, and we spend our nights hiding who we are and playing twisted games of sin and pleasure together.

Until we can’t stay in the shadows any longer, and all our truths and all our lies come out into the light.

My father ruined his life, and now he wants to ruin mine.

We’ll have to decide between family, revenge, lust, and honor.

And I’m not sure I’ll survive when my masked man takes what he wants.

••••••

REVIEW: TWILIGHT MASK is the first instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, a spin off set in the author’s Bianco Crime family world. This is twenty-eight year old, artist/sculptor Laura Bianco, and the former Capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale’s story line. TWILIGHT MASK can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history regarding Laura Bianco, I recommend reading the Bianco Crime family 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 (Laura and Marco) TWILIGHT MASK follows the forbidden relationship between our story line couple. the Bianco Crime Family and the Santoro Crime family are at war; enemies in the wake of a fight for power, and the murder of several high ranking family members on both sides. Laura Bianco is a recluse; an talented artist whose family but especially her brother Don Simon Bianco is pushing Laura outside of her comfort zone with a series of of gallery displays and art sales but the push backfires when Laura comes face to face with her future at a masquerade art sale, where she will meet a man she only knows as the Jackal. Enter the former capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale, the man with whom Laura will fall in love. Marco’s obsession with Laura is dark and dangerous; their relationship hidden in dark rooms and secrets rendezvous, an obsession that will threaten everyone concerned. With revenge at the forefront of the Santoro war with the Bianco Crime family, Laura will be caught in the middle between family and love.

The world building follows the forbidden and highly sexual relationship between our story line couple, and the ongoing war between the Santoro and Bianco Crimes families. The Santoro family is amassing a contingent of supporters , families who have been attacked or targeted by the Bianco family, and in the, Marco must choose sides if he expects to continue his relationship with the woman he loves.

The relationship between Marco and Laura is one of the forbidden. Laura is unaware of Marco’s true identity, and in this, the titillation factor is palpable. For years Laura has locked herself away from the outside world but a little bit of freedom pushes Laura to cross a line of no return with her family’s enemy. Marco is a man on a mission-his need for Laura borders on obsession but blood will be shed, and Marco is caught in the middle. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense but I question Laura’s easy acceptance of Marco/Jackal in life under the circumstances and her over ten years of self-imposed seclusion.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including the return of Laura’s brother Don Simon Bianco (Stolen Sin 2), Elena Bianco (Brutal Power 3), Davide Bianco (Cruel Tyrant 1), as well as the introduction of several crime lords, and Marco’s best friend Valentina Santoro.

TWILIGHT MASK is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession and relationships, family and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and impassioned; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic .

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Collide (Rainbow Dorset University 1) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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🏒🏈Collide (Rainbow Dorset University 1) by Crea Reitan-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 September 12, 2024

Hockey and football coaches on a collision course….

Lemon

With years of hard work, I’ve made the Rainbow Dorset University Unicorns football team the pride of the state. My reputation speaks for itself, so the school stays out of my way, and that’s how I like it. If they can’t handle my sparkle, they have no business in my shine.

Now there’s someone new on campus—a washed up hockey player hired to whip the team into shape. The school had the audacity to cut my budget to pay him!

Needless to say, I’m furious. He just made an enemy he definitely doesn’t want. But why does he have to be so gorgeous?! Why does he have to have a beautiful wife and a perfect life? And why can’t I keep my hands off him and just yell at him like I intend?

Hansley

I was directionless when I retired from hockey. So I jumped on the offer from Rainbow Dorset University to be their head hockey coach. The campus is like nothing I’ve ever seen; full of rainbows, community, kindness, inclusivity. It feels like I’m in a brand new world—a better world—and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Everything is amazing until I meet Coach Lemon Frost, who clearly despises me, though I don’t know why. He’s definitely out for my job. But then he keeps kissing me and sending my entire world spinning on its axis.

I can’t tell if he hates me or wants me. The line is blurred. All I know is Lemon is about to make my entire world implode when I tell my wife I’ve been having an affair. Yet… I think I’m here for it.

••••

REVIEW:Yessssss another new series for me to obsess over.

If you’ve read the “For your Love” series, then you’ll recognise one of the main male characters. If you haven’t, then it’s not really an issue, but the four book series gives a little insight to the spiky football coach.

Lemon by name, lemon by nature🍋 he’s sour, rude, obnoxious, arrogant and a total diva!! He’s taken his football team to the finals many times, his players go on to be picked to play for major teams! Does that give him a big head? Yes it does!

Hansley is the total opposite to Lemon. He played ice hockey, he won many games, numerous trophies, management wasn’t really an option, but courted by the university, he’s decided to give coach a go.

Another gay for you story, for this author knows how to write these stories.

Meeting Lemon has Hansley confused. A hetro-male, he’s never looked at men. But something about this feisty man has Hansley questioning his sexuality.

Their relationship has so many ups and downs that it gives you motion sickness 😜 they take one step forward and two steps back. Given the fact that Hansley is still married (hmm) is a bone of contention between the couple. And Lemon is a hard man to please, he’s opinionated, his thought process is the only one he listens too.

But he’s also just a man looking for love. He’s lonely, his prickly exterior keeps people at bay. His first opinion of Hansley is totally out of order. His spending has been cut considerably, and Hansley is at fault.

I loved this couple. I liked how Hansley took on Lemon and “tamed” him 😝 he wanted to make the sparkly coach all his. 💕

So can they really make a go of this relationship? How will Hansley explain to his wife he has a new love? And will Lemon finally mellow?

If this book doesn’t make you go back and read the “for your love” series, then your missing out on meeting Lemon Frost in all his rainbow glory 🌈 😜

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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MARRIED TO THE MAFIA (DeSalvo Mafia 4) by Rose Wulf -review

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MARRIED TO THE MAFIA (DeSalvo Mafia 4) by Rose Wulf-review

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 September 14, 2024

As far as Brandi Richardson was concerned, ‘family’ was a four-letter word. All hers had ever done was hurt her. So when her father sent her to work for Mikey De Salvo as a mole, she accepted the better-paying job—but not the rest. Her refusal to play his game meant she would be paying the consequence of his disappointment sooner than later.

At first, she was sure that was the explanation behind her new and highly dedicated stalker … but she was wrong.

When her stalker stepped up his game, leaving her bleeding and beaten on her bedroom floor, Brandi realized she had little choice but to run before he came back for round two.

Mikey De Salvo was a busy man. Operating a multi-faceted security company and maintaining the digital backbone of a mafia empire was not for the weak, or the easily overwhelmed. The last thing he needed was one more distraction—even if she was as brilliant as she was beautiful. So he kept his suspicious, yet undeniably gifted employee at arm’s length and under watchful eye.

When she showed up covered in bruises, visibly terrified and planning to run, he knew he couldn’t let her.

So he made her a counter-offer. Marriage, and all the protection and power that came with the De Salvo name.

•••••

REVIEW: MARRIED TO THE MAFIA Is the fourth instalment in Rose Wulf’s contemporary adult, DESALVO MAFIA erotic, Mafia romance series. This is youngest DeSalvo brother Michele ‘MIkey’ De Salvo, and IT specialist Brandi Richardson’ s story line. MARRIED TO THE MAFIA 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 omniscient third person perspectives (Brandi and Mikey) MARRIED TO THE MAFIA follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Brandi Richardson is the daughter of Wesley Richardson, a man the DeSalvo brothers dislike and abhor but when Brandi is hired to work as an IT consultant for the DeSalvo Security firm, Mikey DeSalvo moves our heroine up to his floor in an effort to ferret out any possible espionage or spying but when Brandi shows up to work covered in bruises, one too many times, Mikey makes Brandi an effort she cannot refuse-a marriage of convenience to protect our heroine, and get his family off of his back. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mikey and Brandi, and the fall-out as more than one enemy takes aim at our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on the hunt for the people taking aim at our story line heroine.From Vegas loan sharks to the Ink Spots street gang, no one is safe when Brandi constantly places her self in the directly line of fire, often TSTL, and in this, her need to be independent threatens the security Mikey put into place.

The relationship between Brandi and Mikey begins as boss and employee. Mikey struggles to keep his distance from our story line hero, and to do this, Mikey is reckless in his treatment of our story line heroine, and Brandi believes she may have traded one jailer for another. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are dynamic and daring. We are reintroduced to Romeo and GraceDante De Salvo and his wife Iris: Christiano and Felicity, their mother Eleanora, as well as several other security specialists, and enemies. The requisite evil has many faces.

MARRIED TO THE MAFIA is as story of power and control, secrets s a lies, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and heart breaking; the romance is energetic and seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of ASSISTANT TO THE MAFIA

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wicked Heat (Wicked Nights 4) by J. Kenner-review

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Wicked Heat (Wicked Nights 4) by J. Kenner-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

From the moment he’d seen her at the home of his billionaire father, former race car driver and bad boy Ashton Stone craved Bree Bernstein, his half-siblings’ stunning nanny. He couldn’t have her though—not when his life was so entwined with secrets and scandal.

Then he’d seen her at the airport bar and instead of walking away, he’d bought her a drink. Then another. And when a storm grounded their flights, he’d made a mistake and tried to take her to bed. That’s when she’d bolted.

For years, Bree has hidden the truth of those nightmarish days when she’d been held captive, forced into despicable acts that, once rescued, she’d believed were in the past. Until the tapes.

Now, she’s being blackmailed, and if those tapes go public, it won’t be just her life that’s in tatters, but that of an innocent child caught in the crossfire.

Desperate, she goes to the only man who can help her pay the blackmailer and keep the secret—Ashton Stone. Now, her future is in his hands—but the price he demands is one she’s not certain she can pay—Her.

•••••

REVIEW:WICKED HEAT is the fourth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult WICKED NIGHTS (formerly Stark World) erotic, romance series. This is former race car driver turned investor Ashton’ ‘Ash’ Stone, and former nanny turned romance author Bree Bernstein’s story line. Ash Stone is first introduced in ENCHANT ME. Bree Bernstein is scattered throughout the interconnected series but for back story I recommend reading LOST WITH ME.

If you have not read any of the previous story lines, there may be spoilers in my review.

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

Told from first person (Bree) and third person (Ash) WICKED HEAT follows four months after an almost one-night stand between our story line couple. Approximately six years earlier, Bree, and Nikki and Damien Stark’s daughter Anne were abducted, and Bree is struggling with the loss of memories and ongoing nightmares. Fat forward to present day, Bree is blackmailed with a video of her time in captivity, the only person that can help is the man that she continues to push away. Enter Ashton Stone, Damien Stark’s son from a previous relationship, and the man with whom Bree will fall in love. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Bree and Ash, and the potential fall-out as the betrayal against Bree, comes at a cost for our story line hero.

The world building reveals some of the childhood trauma endured by Ashton Stone, and the abuse suffered by our heroine that she is unable to remember. For a price, Ash is willing to pay Bree’s blackmailer, a price that may be too steep for our heroine’s heart.

The relationship between Bree and Ash is a friends to frenemies to lovers. Due to the past trauma, Bree struggles with any emotional attachment or the possibility of falling for a man who could destroy her heart. With issues of trust, and ongoing PTSD, Bree is willing to walk away before ever trusting again. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters included Noah Carter and Kiki Porter (Wicked Torture 3), as well as Bree’s friends Aria, producer Matthew Hold, and TV personality Maggie Bridge. Aria and Matthew’s story line is next in Wicked Fortune.

WICKED HEAT is a story of betrayal and greed, obsession and determination, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, captivating and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate and broken.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wicked Grind
Wicked Dirty
Wicked Torture

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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