Monthly Archives: September 2024

If I Were You by Cesca Major-review, interview & giveaway

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🩷If I Were You by Cesca Major-review, interview & giveaway🩷

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

Amy and Flynn have been dating for two years. And they love each other. Don’t they?

Only Amy can’t read Flynn’s mind and Flynn can’t read Amy’s. Little do they know this weekend is make or break.

Amy’s nervous older sister is getting married at the world’s swankiest wedding venue in rural Devon and is relying on her younger sister to be the perfect Chief Bridesmaid. Frustrations on the way to the wedding escalate until both Amy and Flynn are shouting at each other in a country lane during a thunderstorm. Why can’t they see things from the other’s point of view? When lightning strikes, Flynn and Amy are thrown to the ground, and when they stand back up they realize—they’ve switched bodies.

Forced to attend the glamorous wedding weekend as each other is surely an impossible task. With spa mornings, exes, flash mob rehearsals, speeches and more, getting through this swap will test their relationship to breaking point. And when they each discover big secrets in the other’s past—it seems that switching bodies could be the least of their problems. Even if they do manage to swap back—can their relationship survive?

•••

REVIEW:IF I WERE YOU by Cesca Major is a contemporary, adult, body-swap, romance story line focusing on Flynn Waller and Amy Norman.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Flynn and Amy) using present day and memories from the past, IF I WERE YOU focuses on the embattled relationship between our story line couple. Amy’s sister is getting married, and our couple is struggling with their own relationship but a sudden rain storm and flash of light results in a body swap between our story line couple. Having to attend the weekend activities in one another’s bodies, secrets are revealed, misunderstanding and miscommunication threaten the breakdown of their floundering relationship.

The world building follows the struggle of two people caught in an unimaginable situation but a situation that reveals a lifetime of secrets and regrets. Flynn is hoping for a future, Amy is battling between head and heart, reconsidering her relationship with our story line hero.

The secondary and supporting characters include Amy’s sister Laura and her fiance Jay, as well as Amy and Laura’s mother Trish, and her husband Geoffrey, and Flynn’s ex Tanya and her boyfriend Eddie.

IF I WERE YOU is a story with a little bit of everything: drama, heart break, humor and fantasy. The premise is entertaining and intriguing but often confusing as the reader had to remember the Amy/Flynn / Flynn/Amy dynamic. The characters are colorful and desperate. There is little to no romance as throughout most of the story line the embattled couple are not themselves, and the world around them is not what they expected.

Copy supplied for rview

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Cesca, and welcome to The Reading Cafe. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram / Facebook / X (Twitter) /  Amazon Author Page /

CESCA: I live in the UK with my husband and three children in a bungalow – so every time a friend of theirs visits I get asked why we don’t have stairs.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

CESCA: I grew up on a diet of Danielle Steele and Jilly Cooper who taught me books could be big and fun and clever and funny and I think that stuck with me. Up until then I’m not sure I thought books could be as entertaining as television, a film or a play and that idea went out of the window.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

CESCA: It transpires writing a body swap novel is hard because you have to constantly try to remind the readers whose head you are in so they can picture what is happening – but do it in a subtle way. I think coming up with twists and surprises in the plot was always going to be a challenge too and I hope I’ve pulled that off.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of IF I WERE YOU?

CESCA: It’s about a couple – Amy and Flynn – who are in very different places in their relationship. They’re good together but communication is not great. On the way to Amy’s stressed sister’s wedding weekend they get into a huge row in the middle of a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes and they discover they have swapped bodies. They have to survive the wedding weekend as each other as they try to swap back…

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning IF I WERE YOU?

CESCA: I always have a detailed chapter outline and try to research as I go along. I interviewed some fancy wedding planners for this one which was great fun and also researched wedding venues with flamingos! I think I probably spend a lot of time (months, sometimes years) thinking about the plot but probably come up with an outline over a few months. It’s a working document and always changing as I write when the characters start to take over and fresh ideas hit you.

TRC: What were your thoughts and emotions when your book was featured on Reese Witherspoon’s book club?

CESCA: Well I was even luckier than most because I was kindly flown out to join the Hello Sunshine team at their annual Shine Away Event where it was announced live – so I got to meet Reese and the brilliant book team. That made it even more surreal and amazing. It’s such an amazing club to be a member of and I have met so many other RBC authors who all feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a wonderful group. The team truly adore books and are serious about lifting up stories by women – I love them.

TRC: Do you have plans for a series focusing on the secondary characters?

CESCA: Oh that would be fun. I think Reggie should get his own dog picture book series for starters.

TRC: Is any of the story line premise based in fact?

CESCA: I stole my son’s friend’s excellent name (Flynn) to be my hero but no the book isn’t based on fact. Some settings are – I lived in Bristol in England for seven years and still love to go back there so enjoyed basing Amy there. And I was born in Devon so enjoyed returning there for the wedding.

TRC: Do you have any interest in writing, or have you ever written for another genre?

CESCA: I have written in a number of different genres – I write darker stuff as C D Major. Those books are always based loosely on something true, or supernatural and I fictionalise them. I love jumping from dark books to lighter books and I’m so lucky I get to be published in both.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines .How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

CESCA: This was definitely a concern for a body swap! I think the character’s emotional responses have to be as real as you can make them. So if you know them well, know their back story then hopefully you know how they would specially react in any given scenario. Then I think the reader comes with you. Even if the plot itself is magical.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

CESCA: I know we shouldn’t judge by covers but inevitably we do and publishers have teams of people who work really hard to try to get covers to fit the book. I think the IF I WERE YOU cover is just so clever and reflects the tone and story perfectly. I think it’s harder in some genres sometimes to sign post to the reader what a book is and, with so many books out there, I think a cover can be a useful way of telling a reader “you might like this.” I do love shops that cover all books though and get you to choose a date with a book on the description alone. Such Fun.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

CESCA: I try to control them but inevitably things get completely out of hand.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

CESCA: I think we need to know our characters so well to ensure the emotional responses feel genuine, and not hold back on taking the reader with us. I also think balancing the light with the dark helps too. So the reader doesn’t become numb to one emotion. I think some writers struggle to convey any emotion because they are too busy trying to get across the plot. I think that can be fixed in the edit.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

CESCA: I have to have silence or just background noise. I wish I could listen to music but anything with lyrics is just a total distraction.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

CESCA: I was a big Nintendo player as a child and appeared on TV aged 9 to compete in a Nintendo Challenge. I took my mascots on the show “Funky and Spunky” and the presenter lost the button on his Mario dungarees halfway through our episode. I lost to an eleven year old and did not take it well.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

CESCA: I’m currently working on another big love story with a hefty dose of magical realism. This time it’s not an established love but first love and focuses on what makes someone perfect for you.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

CESCA: Thank you so much for having me and for reading IF I WERE YOU!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Any sweet stuff – coffee cake, donuts etc

Favorite Dessert – Lemon Meringue Pie

Favorite TV Show – probably HACKS and I am desperate for the return of SEVERANCE

Last Movie You Saw – I rewatched The Lord of the Rings because I listened to the brilliant What went wrong podcast about the making of it.

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk

Secret Celebrity Crush – there is nothing secret about my love for Julia Roberts.

Last Vacation Destination – Cornwall on the west coast of England

Do you have any pets? I have three children

Last book you read – the gorgeous UNDER YOUR SPELL by Laura Wood

 

The Reading Cafe and HARPER COLLINS are graciously offering a paper copy of IF I WERE YOU to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

NOTE:If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE Cesca Major on Facebook

4. Please LIKE/FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Harper Collins on Facebook for an addition entry.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from September 26-30, 2024

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SUNDAY MORNING by Jewel E Ann-review

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SUNDAY MORNING by Jewel E Ann-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

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4caMm5y

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2024

Her boyfriend’s older brother should be off-limits, but he’s a sinful temptation.

Sarah is a preacher’s daughter and a people pleaser. She’s also on the verge of graduating high school and following her dream of singing in Nashville. The only thing standing in her way is that the entire town of Devil’s Head, Missouri, thinks she will marry Matt, the son of the town’s richest rancher.

But Sarah’s not sure he’s her future husband, especially when his older brother, Isaac, returns home after serving six years in the Army. He has tattoos on his arms and bad habits that are not “father-approved.”

When he’s not working on the ranch or roping at the rodeo, Isaac hangs out in the barn, playing his guitar. He’s trouble, but Sarah’s music-loving heart gravitates toward him.
Isaac loves consuming Sarah’s mind, crawling under her skin, backing her into corners, and whispering inappropriate things in her innocent ears.

After weeks of playful banter and guitar lessons blurring the line between right and wrong, Issac makes Sarah a proposition she can’t refuse.

But when the unthinkable happens, and everything she knows is destroyed, will Sarah make the right choice?

•••••

REVIEW: SUNDAY MORNING by Jewel E Ann is a new adult, romance story line set in 1985 focusing eighteen year old preacher’s daughter Sarah Jacobsen, and twenty-four year old, former US soldier /rancher Isaac Cory.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sarah and Isaac) SUNDAY MORNING follows the building romance and relationship between Sarah and Isaac, and the slow spiral of a life-long friendship, secrets and lies.

Sarah Jacobsen is the eldest daughter of Devil’s Head preacher Pastor Peter Cory, and as such, every aspect of her life is predicated upon the Church and God. Her future has been mapped out including her relationships and marriage to the local hero Matt Cory but it is Matt’s brother Isaac who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Devil’s Head, a small town Peyton Place, keeps its’ secrets close to the heart but the truth will eventually destroy many lives. What ensues is the breakdown of Matt and Sarah’s relationship, and the building love between two people whose lives will implode when those who claim to be virtuous sit in judgement of their own.

The world building is flooded with Christian religious undertones from commandments to morality, purity and God. Virginity is a social construct driven by religion, and in this, our heroine will pay the price for loving Isaac Cory, a man not approved by her father or the town. Sarah grew up in an ultra-conservative, religious family and her naivety is often at the forefront of her social world.

The relationship between Isaac and Sarah is one of immediate attraction. Sarah is in a relationship with Isaac’s younger brother Matt but a relationship that is awkward, innocent, expected and forced by both families. Isaac is the local bad boy whose reputation was destroyed and perpetuated by secrets and lies; Sarah sees something in Isaac including a way to break free from the stifling world in which she grew, a man whose own heart begins to beat from the love of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Sarah’s sisters Eve and Gabby whose own secret rebellion is just starting to grow; their parents Pastor Peter and Janet Jacobsen; Sarah’s best friend Heather, and Joanna; Matt and Isaac’s parents Wesley and Violet Cory.

SUNDAY MORNING is as story of secrets and lies, betrayal and infidelity, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is impassioned; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

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House of Fire and Magic by Sherrilyn Kenyon-review

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House of Fire and Magic (Myths & Outlaws 1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

TAKE BACK YOUR KINGDOM

Unicorns and Dragons never mix. For centuries, they’ve been bitter enemies and their kingdoms at war. But desperate times call for desperate measures. Tanis’s beloved older brother and heir to their throne has been slain by a human who continues to flaunt her brother’s death.

To restore her family’s honor, she’s willing to make a deal with a Unicorn shapeshifter so that she can infiltrate the human kingdom and recapture what was so cruelly taken.

But Dash Coeur de Noir isn’t just any Unicorn, as the High King he’s the most hated and feared of his breed and he’s on his own mission when the Dragon, Tanis, crosses his path– to reclaim his sister’s horn that was brutally taken. In the wrong hands, that horn could destroy the fragile peace that has kept the Thirteen Kingdoms from destroying each other.

In a world built on magic, blood, and betrayal no one can trust anyone. With a bounty on their heads and assassins and enemies out to claim them both, they must somehow learn to trust each other or watch their kingdoms burn.

••••

REVIEW: HOUSE OF FIRE AND MAGIC is the first instalment in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s adult MYTHS AND OUTLAWS paranormal, fantasy romance series. This is unicorn shifter High King Dash aka Deciel Coeur de Noir, and dragon Princess Tanis Dragomir’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Tanis and Dash) HOUSE OF FIRE AND MAGIC follows in the wake of the murder of Tanis’ brother, and Dash’s sister. Dash is the High King of the thirteen kingdoms, and is determined to exact revenge for those who took his sister’s life. Someone is collecting supernatural treasures, a trophy hunter determined to sell his wares to the highest bidder: Tanis’s brother’s head, and Dash’s sister’s horn are his most prized possessions, and in this, Tanis and Dash are determined to work together to bring the perpetrator down but the unicorns and dragons are mortal enemies, and Tanis must sacrifice her beast in an effort to get her revenge. Meanwhile, as Dash goes on the hunt for a killer, betrayal will come at a cost. Several of the thirteen kingdoms are rebelling, taking aim at our story line hero and his throne, war is inevitable, only a matter of when.

The world building is complex with numerous magical and supernatural creatures from virtually every paranormal field. Enemies will align with one another in an effort to gain control; Princess Tanis will discover that betrayal comes in every form.

The relationship between Tanis and Dash begins when our heroine captures the unicorn/man with whom she will fall in love. Tanis is desperate to locate the person responsible for killing her brother, and Dash is determined to make Tanis pay with her magic. As our couple journey towards vengeance, they can only depend upon themselves for safety and security. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are magical, enchanted, innumerable, and powerful. We are introduced to Tanis’ extended family, as well as Dash’s brother and mother. The requisite evil has many faces. Betrayal will come from within.

HOUSE OF FIRE AND MAGIC is a detailed and multi-layered story of betrayal and vengeance, magic and mayhem, power and control, family and relationships, discrimination and speciesism, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, enchanting and entertaining with a little bit of humor and fun; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are magical, desperate and animated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook/ Website/ Twitter/ Amazon-Author/

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Paladins (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Paladins online at MySherrilyn.com and www.facebook.com/mysherrilyn

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Then You Came Along by Samantha Lind-review

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🩷Then You Came Along by Samantha Lind-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 26, 2024

Cameron Burgress was ready for a new start.
New city, new job, and maybe one day, a new love. She just didn’t realize how quickly that could all happen until she walked into a tattoo shop, finally ready to get the ink she’d wanted since her fiancé died, nearly four years ago.

Ethan O’Neill had everything. Until one day, he didn’t.
After an off-ice injury stripped him of his hockey career, he started over in life, pursuing his other passion—tattoos. He’d never been the kind of guy to want to settle down, but that all changed one day, when a knock-out beauty strolled into his shop and into his life.

An instant attraction and a little bit of ink is the perfect mix for two people ready for change.

*Previously published as Until You*

•••••

REVIEW:THEN YOU CAME ALONG by Samantha Lind is a stand alone, contemporary, romance novella focusing on school services coordinator Cameron ‘Cam’ Burgress, and former professional hockey player turned tattoo artist Ethan O’Neill.

NOTE:THEN YOU CAME ALONG is the re-release of the April 2018 UNTIL YOU.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cam and Ethan) THEN YOU CAME ALONG follows the rapidly building romance and relationship between Cam and Ethan. Three and half years earlier, Cam lost her fiancé to cancer, and needing a change, Cam set off to Nashville for a new job but finding love along the way. Wanting a commemorative tattoo, Cam finds herself at Inkers Tattoo where she will meet her future in the guise of tattoo artist Ethan O’Neill. The palpable sexual attraction is immediate, and our couple begin their life-long journey together.

The world building focuses on the past, the present and the future. Cam honors the man she once loved but will step towards a future with our story line hero.

The relationship between Cam and Ethan is one of immediate attraction. A night out for drinks turns into something more, something that will blossom with their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited . We are introduced to Cam’s friend Holly, and her husband, Ethan’s friend Carson.

THEN YOU CAME ALONG is a quick read; a fast paced, novella length story of second chances, of a sorts. The premise is heart warming; the romance is impassioned; the characters are charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Lind is a USA TODAY Bestselling contemporary romance author. When she’s not dreaming up new stories, she can often be found with her family, traveling, reading, watching her boys on the ice, or watching her favorite professional hockey team (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.  She can be contacted by email or found on Facebook.

Keep up with Samantha Lind and subscribe to her newsletter: http://bit.ly/FDSLNL

FOLLOW: Website / Newsletter / Facebook/ Facebook Group/ Instagram/ Twitter/ Goodreads/ Amazon Author /Bookbub

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Taking What’s Ours (RBMC:Durango 5) by Nicole James-review tour

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Taking What’s Ours (RBMC:Durango 5) by Nicole James-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

Add to your Goodreads TBR ➩ https://t.ly/LcIW2

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

ELAINA—
When my groom makes a fool of me at our reception, the only man to come to my defense is Dylan, his brother and best man—a man I’d only just met.

Standing in the midst of embarrassment and humiliation, with my hours-old marriage in shambles, Dylan swept into my life and made it his mission to show me the way I deserve to be treated. I’m beginning to see he really is the best man.

BAJA—
I have no clue what this beauty ever saw in my brother, but when I see how he treats her, I plan to make sure she escapes a certain life of cruelty with that bastard.

I know my brother, and apparently he’s fooled her with his good guy act. But I know better. He’s a wolf is sheep’s clothing.

Elaina knows nothing about me, other than I’m Elliott’s brother. She certainly has no clue I’m a member of the Royal Bastards MC or that my club brothers call me Baja.

I’ll protect her at all costs. She’s got my oath on that.

•••••

REVIEW:TAKING WHAT’S OURS is the fifth instalment in Nicole James’ contemporary, adult RBMC: DURANGO CO dark, erotic, MC romance series. This is thirty-five year old, Dylan ‘Baja’ Whitmore, and Elaina’s story line. TAKING WHAT’S OURS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Elaina and Baja) TAKING WHAT’S OURS follows in the aftermath of Elaina’s marriage to Dylan’s brother Elliott but betrayal, humiliation and embarrassment pull Elaina out of Elliott’s life, when she finds herself on the run with Elliott’s brother Dylan. Settling in Durango CO, Elaina discovers there is more to family than blood, more to life than a controlling fiancé. Living with Dylan, Elaina finds herself a family with the RBMC: Durango but the past refuses to let go for our story line couple, forcing both Dylan and Elaina to acknowledge the truth.

The world building focuses on Elaina’s struggle to see beyond the veil. From a controlling fiancé to a jealous rival, Elaina must come to terms with her life going forward. Baja continues to struggle with the ghosts from his past, and in this, he believes he is not worthy of love or a second chance.

The relationship between Baja and Elaina begins as a ‘rescue’ of a sorts. From friends to lovers, Baja and Elaina find themselves quickly falling but enemies and close, closer than they could have ever imagined. The $ex scenes are limited but seductive and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, fun and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples, and several members of the RBMC: Durango. We are introduced to Baja’s brother Elliott, as well as his parents.

TAKING WHAT’S OURS is a story of betrayal, seduction, acceptance and love. The premise is edgy and dramatic; the characters are animated ; the romance is passionate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Club Princess
Climbing the Ranks
Keeping The Throne
Enforcing the Rules

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Nicole James is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who loves writing about hot alpha men who’ll do anything for the women they love! Her stories are filled with struggle, conflict and real human emotion. She is the author of the Evil Dead MC series, the Brothers Ink Tattoo series and more.

Nicole loves to hear from her readers! You can contact her via e-mail, her website contact form or on her social media accounts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authornicolejames
Twitter-X: https://twitter.com/Nicole_James1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authornicolejames
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicole-james
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6571986.Nicole_James

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In the Air Tonight by Marie Force -review tour

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In the Air Tonight by Marie Force -review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

I was there. I saw what you did.

Blaise

I wasn’t supposed to be there that night, but my friend Sienna talked me into going to the party in Land’s End so she could spy on her boyfriend. While hiding out in the woods, we witnessed an unspeakable crime. And we did everything wrong afterward.

Connections run deep in our small town.

I was pressured into keeping my mouth shut, even though every part of me objected. I assumed I’d always do the right thing in any situation. I was wrong about that and a lot of other things.

I was wrecked by what I saw and how the victim was treated by kids I’d known all my life. I’ve been sick over it ever since, even as I moved on, far away from the town where I was raised.

Fourteen years later, I learn that the guy who committed that unspeakable crime is running for Congress, and something in me snaps.

I can’t bear the weight of that knowledge for another second.

Finally, I report what I saw, and all hell breaks loose for me and others who were at that long-ago party. Some of them will do whatever it takes to keep the truth from coming to light…even if they have to kill me.

In the midst of an epic battle, a new love gives me the strength to stay strong, to fight for my life and to right a terrible wrong.

••••

REVIEW:IN THE AIR TONIGHT by Marie Force is a contemporary, adult, stand alone thriller focusing on several former students from Hope High School, Rhode Island.

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

Told from several first person perspectives including Blaise Merrick,IN THE AIR TONIGHT covers two timelines, and the sexual assault of a seventeen year old girl (Denise ‘Neisy’ Sutton) by a fellow student, a rising football star and wanna be Marine. Seventeen year old Blaise Merrick and her best friend Sienna Lawton were excited to attend a field party in Land’s End, a party of which they were forbidden to go but Sienna was determined to attend, and Blaise would spend the next fourteen years struggling with guilt and grief in the aftermath of witnessing the rape of a fellow student. Fast forward to present day, the man who committed the unspeakable crime is running for US congress, and Blaise refuses to remain silent, any longer. Previously hushed by Sienna, and the power and popularity of the former football hero’s family and friends, Blaise could no longer stand by, and reports the incident to the local police. What ensues is the fall-out and ensuing spiral for everyone concerned when the truth is revealed about what happened years before.

IN THE AIR TONIGHT is a heart breaking, dark and dramatic look at sexual assault, fear, popularity, desperation and guilt. Blaise Merrick will become a target, a victim and a survivor all for reporting the truth but will find love in the unlikeliest of places. Marie Force pulls the reader into an emotional, tragic and thought provoking thriller -what would you do if you witnessed a crime?

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

I shower and change into jeans and a sweater before heading out to return to my childhood home for the first time since my dad died of a heart attack seven years ago. That’s the only time I’ve been home since I left for college, a stance that’s caused significant friction in my family. They’ve asked for years why I stayed away until they quit asking and stopped reaching out. I still talk to all of them, but we’re not close. That’s how I wanted it, for reasons only I know, but now… If everything comes out, will it drive us further apart or bring us closer together?
I don’t know how that’ll go, and the not knowing only adds to my anxiety as I drive across the bridge into Hope.
Every nerve in my body is on full alert as I take the familiar roads to home, traversing the same route I did on that long-ago night after witnessing the crime that changed everything.
I park behind my mother’s silver Toyota Camry and take a long moment to look at the two-story Colonial home where I was raised. It’s been painted a darker shade of grey, and the shutters are now black. They were red when I lived there.
Mom comes out of the house, smiling with excitement that’s been sorely lacking in her since Dad died. She’s visited me often in the city, but I know she’s yearned for me to come home.
I hug her on the sidewalk.
“It’s so good to have you here, my sweet girl.”
“It’s good to be home.”

Follow: Facebook / email newsletter / Website / Instagram / Reader Groups

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Fatal, First Family, Gansett Island, Butler Vermont, Quantum, Treading Water, Miami Nights and Wild Widows.

Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Spiegel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list  news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

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The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan – a Review

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The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
To the outside world, Imogen is a marketing dynamo. Her colleagues don’t know that while her high-achieving professional image is real, the happy childhood stories she spins are as fake as her pretend enthusiasm for Christmas. Working 24/7 has always been her solution to surviving the festive season—until burnout leads to a catastrophic blunder.

Suddenly, Imogen is handed a holiday gift she definitely doesn’t want: enforced time off work to recuperate. Then an invitation arrives from her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at her guest cottage in the Cotswolds. From the thatched roof to the cozy open fireplace, Holly Cottage is a picture-perfect haven… Can it provide the fresh start Imogen so desperately needs?

For Dorothy, helping Imogen offers a longed-for chance to make reparations for her own past. But as her daughter Sara keeps reminding her, it brings risks, too. Yet Dorothy knows that only a leap of courage will allow her family to grow and heal. And perhaps this Christmas, with Dorothy’s help, the new life that Imogen is slowly piecing together could be better than anything either of them could imagine…

 

 

 

Review:

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan was a wonderful heartwarming modern Christmas story. We meet Imogen, who is very successful and happy in her marketing job; as she devotes all of her time to her job and clients.  Privately everything she reveals to her co-workers are in actuality illusions; such having, a boyfriend, family, and a dog.   Imogen had a terrible childhood, with a mother, Tina, who wanted nothing to do with her daughter, other than giving her money.  When Imogen is called to the hospital to visit her mother, she is late to a work-related project; which leads to her boss telling her she is burnt out, and needs to take a break for month away from her job.

Dorothy is one of Imogen’s favorite clients, and when she learns that Imogen is taking a break, she offers her to come to Cotswolds, and stay at her picturesque guest Holly Cottage for the month, which is close to Dorothy’s house.  Imogen accepts the invitation, where she will spend the Christmas holidays at the cottage.  Dorothy seeks her own redemption of her past, which will also change Imogen’s life forever.  Dorothy’s daughter Sara, who lives close by, with two children and her husband; as she fears that the secrets of the past, could cause a crumbling effect, if truths are revealed.

Imogene is thrilled to be able to stay at the cottage during the holiday season, and when she meets Dorothy’s family at the house, she accidently sees photos of her mother, and Dorothy’s family.  Imogene is shocked, and leaves the house, planning to go home; but when she slips in the snow, she is rescued by Miles and his dog. Imogen will learn from Miles many of the truths from the past, which make her willing have Miles and the dog help her go back to the cottage, where Sara and Dorothy find her.  As both Sara and Dorothy open their hearts revealing how they loved her, before Tina took her away. 

Slowly, Imogene learns the truths, and together Imogen, Sara and Dorothy will forge a bond, that brings them together, as a family.  Imogen realizes that her mother, was evil, and took away the family she never knew she had.  Her relationship with Miles also changes things, as they both will find love; not to mention the wonderful addition of the dog. 

The Holiday Cottage was a wonderful heartwarming story of family, friendship, hope, love, and discovering to cherish to their new found bond that will enrich their lives.   The Holiday Cottage is so very well written by Sarah Morgan. This was a captivating story filled with many emotions along the way.  I suggest you read The Holiday Cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Twisted Knight (Tangled Hearts 1) by K. Bromberg-review tour

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Twisted Knight (Tangled Hearts 1) by K. Bromberg-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2024

Holden

They thought they’d managed to get rid of me once and for all. They thought I’d just forget what they did to my brother.

But I’m going to make sure that they never forget.

If only I can stop thinking about her.

Rowan

No one sees me. Behind my brother, I’m a ghost, managing the family business that he claims to run. But I’m tired of second fiddle. I’m tired of pretending. I’m going to take what’s mine.

The only problem? Well, he just came back to town.

••••

REVIEW:TWISTED KNIGHT is the first instalment in K. Bromberg’s contemporary adult TANGLED HEARTS dark, erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year old, billionaire businessman Holden Knight, and heiress Rowan Rothschild’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Holden and Rowan) TWISTED KNIGHT follows in the aftermath of the hostile takeover of TinSpirits, the Rothschild family owned business. In the wake of her grandmother’s death, Rowan finds herself pushed to the side, as her brother slowly destroys the family business but selling to billionaire Holden Knight was something she never expected, a sale of which she never approved. Holden Knight is determined to destroy the Rothschild empire, starting with the woman with whom he is falling in love. Fifteen years earlier Holden’s life imploded, and a need for revenge is pushing our hero to destroy take down everyone involved.

The world building focuses on Holden’s long term plans for revenge; a need to take down the Rothschild empire but he never expected for fall for Rowan herself.Rowan struggles with her attraction to the man taking apart her family legacy but all is not well with the people in charge.

The relationship between Rowan and Holden is acrimonious at best. An enemies to lovers in which Holden and Rowan’s tempestuous back and forth is fraught with sexual frustration and palpable sexual attraction. Holden’s slow seduction of our story line heroine may be the catalyst that pushes Rowan over the edge. The $ex scenes are impassioned and intense.

We are introduced to Holden’s assistant Audrey; Rowan’s brother Rhett, and his best friend Chad.

TWISTED KNIGHT is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, vengeance, family and obsession. The premise is dramatic, dark, and gritty; the romance is gritty and heart breaking; the characters are determined and charismatic. TWISTED KNIGHT ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released late June), with many more already outlined and ready to be written.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales HERE

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

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