Monthly Archives: September 2024

Craved by You (Stark Security) by J. Kenner-review & excerpt tour

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💜Craved by You (Stark Security/ 1001 Dark Nights) by J. Kenner-review & excerpt tour💜

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Maxim Wilder is finally exactly where he needs to be in the Manhattan cell of Group Ultra, a deadly and lucrative arm of a major criminal organization. Everything is in place for him to pull off the biggest job of his career—until a woman he’s never been able to forget shows up and threatens to destroy all his hard work. So what choice does he have but to snatch her? To keep her hidden, safe from everyone. Except him.

Cami Green has more secrets than most. The terrible family she left behind. The boy who destroyed her when he walked away. Even her covert job at Stark Security. It’s a life that keeps her mind busy and her heart safe.

Then the job puts her face to face with him. Max Wilder. The boy who broke her heart. The dark and seductive man at the center of a dangerous conspiracy. The bastard she’s determined to take down. Too bad she didn’t count on being kidnapped. Locked up. The only way to get free is to play along and look for an opportunity. And as his touch draws out lost memories, all Cami can do is hope to keep her head, and not fall for the criminal she’s come to destroy.

••••••

REVIEW:CRAVED BY YOU by J. Kenner is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense instalment in the author’s STARK SECURITY series,-a spin off set in the author’s interconnected STARK worlds, and a part of the 1001 Dark Nights multi-authored series. This is Maxim Wilder and Stark Security Agent Cami Green’s story line. CRAVED BY YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person (Cami) and omniscient third person (Maxim) CRAVED BY YOU follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Maxim and Cami were childhood best friends-Cami came from an abusive and broken home, Maxim’s father disappeared early in his life. A perceived betrayal pushed Maxim out of Cami’s life, each of them entering into the world of international espionage and security. Fast forward to present day, Cami’s latest assignment with Stark Security finds her facing off against the man who broke her heart, a man who is now working for the other side but Cami’s assignment spirals out of control when she finds herself the prisoner of our story line hero, a prisoner who discovers not all is as it appears to be. What ensues is the quick rebuilding relationship between Cami and Maxim, and the potential fall-out as a madman is determined to destroy the world.

The world building focuses on the past and the present; betrayal and vengeance for sins of the past; and dysfunctional family dynamics that threaten to take down our story line couple.

The relationship between Cami and Maxim is one of second chances. Childhood friends whose lives imploded by secrets and lies, secrets that reveal betrayal by someone they knew. Determined to destroy the woman he once loved, research will reveal the truth about what happened and why. The $ex scenes are limited but intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited. We are introduced to madman Killion Lambert, as well as the return of Braxton and Samantha (Entwined With You 8), and Ryan Hunter (Stark International Series).

CRAVED BY YOU is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and suspenseful but the conflict resolution and any fallout is limited and off page-I also guessed the twist; the romance is hot and heavy; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shadows of You (1.5)
Shattered with You
Broken with You
Ruined With You
Wrecked with You
Destroyed with You
Memories of You (5.5)
Ravaged with You
Hidden With You
Charmed with You
Tangled With You
Entwined With You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

For years, there was only him. The boy I’d loved with his shining blue eyes and a laugh that could brighten the darkest of days.
We were one, he and I. Two halves of a whole.
That’s what he’d always said.
That’s what I’d always believed.
Together, our childhood days had been marked with laughter and sunshine. Our teenage nights with heat and hunger, the days with plans and promises, caresses and kisses.
We’d shared our dreams. Our hopes. Our bodies.
We discovered passion in each other’s arms. There was trust. There was love.
And there was betrayal.
That’s when my world tilted without warning. He was gone, with only a scribbled note as proof he’d existed at all. His absence like a wound upon my soul.
I thought I’d never see him again. The boy who’d once been mine. The man who’d disappeared, taking my broken heart with him.
But now he’s back, swathed in a cloud of danger and betrayal, tied up in a conspiracy that could destroy everything I hold dear. Cold where once he was warm. Hard where once he was soft.
Deceitful. Dangerous.
Desirable.
I want to hate him. I want to hurt him as he hurt me. And yet the bond we shared still tugs at my soul, and all I can do is hope that I have the strength to hold fast to my mission. To fight the man he has become…and not lose myself in the memories of the man I wish he was.


 

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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The Rules of Dating a Younger Man by Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward

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🩷The Rules of Dating a Younger Man (The Laws of Opposites Attract 4) by Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward-review tour🩷

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

I was the last of my group of friends to find “the one.”
The guys would always tease me that I needed to hurry up and settle down.
But I was in no rush.
Until I met someone worth rushing for.

Alex was one of the weekend volunteers at Ryan’s House—a charity I founded to build housing near hospitals.
Little did I know she was the same person I’d been arguing with over email before the project started. At the time, I’d thought Alex was a dude.
In reality? She was a smoking hot blonde who captivated me from the moment we met in person.
Our chemistry was off the charts, and I fell hard pretty fast.
Unfortunately, Alex insisted I was too young for her. I hated that she felt that way. Because age was just a number.
Not only that, her words didn’t match the way she looked at me—like she was very interested.

I lived for the weekends we’d spend out of town volunteering. Alex and I side-by-side hammering during the day, while sharing intimate dinners together at the hotel at night.
Eventually, the walls she’d put up to protect her heart began to crumble.
Until fate threw us a doozy that I wasn’t sure we could come back from.
If I’d thought our age gap was the biggest hurdle, I didn’t know anything yet.
Rule number one for dating an older woman who insists you could never be together?
Don’t fall in love.

••••••

REVIEW: THE RULES OF DATING A YOUNGER MAN is the fourth instalment in the contemporary, adult THE RULES OF OPPOSITES ATTRACT erotic romance series co-authored by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. This is thirty one year old businessman/ contractor / landlord Brayden Foster and spa owner Alexandria ‘ Alex’ Jones’ story line. THE RULES OF DATING A YOUNGER MAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND : Approximately ten years earlier, Brayden Foster, Owen Dawson,Colby Lennon and Holden Catalano lost their best friend Ryan to leukemia, and in the wake of his death, Ryan left the foursome a building, where they will work, live and play, in memory of the friend whom they lost.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Brayden and Alex) THE RULES OF DATING A YOUNGER MAN follows the building but struggling relationship between our story line couple. Brayden Foster is the managing director of a renovation project known as Ryan’s House in honor of his best friend Ryan, but one of the ‘volunteers ‘ is the bane of Brayden’s existence, always contradicting Brayden’s ideas and suggestions for the home. Enter Alexandria ‘Alex’ Jones, the woman with whom Brayden will fall in love. Alex Jones is a business owner, who lost her first husband to cancer, and in his memory, has volunteered to help build Ryan’s House but from the outset her attraction to Brayden is tempered by the apparent age-gap in their relationship. Brayden wants something more from our story line heroine but Alex is struggling with the age difference, and tries desperately to keep her distance. Weeks pass, the attraction increases until one fateful weekend where their lives will implode forcing Alex out of Brayden’s life. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Alex and Brayden, and the fall-out when the past resurfaces, pulling our couple apart.

The world building follows the back and forth relationship between our story line couple. The closer Alex and Brayden feel, the further Alex wants to pull apart. Alex is worried about the age difference, what people will think, including the step-daughter she has raised as her own. As the renovations continue, life pulls the couple in opposite directions, until the past pushes our couple apart.

The relationship between Alex and Brayden is one of immediate attraction but an attraction tempered by our story line heroine. The palpable sexual attraction is obvious to everyone including our story line couple but Alex’s back and forth, up and down, is threatening any possible future. The $ex scenes are limited but intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Brayden’s friends Colby, Owen and Holden, their significant others, as well as several volunteers at Ryan’s House, cancer patients and Alex’s step-daughter Caitlyn.

THE RULES OF DATING A YOUNGER MAN is a story of secrets and lies, life and death, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is detailed, captivating and thought provoking; the romance is spicy; the characters are animated sassy and spirited. On the flip side, we never know the true age of our heroine, although it is alluded to less than ten years.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Rules of Dating
The Rules of Dating My Best Friend
The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Private Fan Group

••••••••

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Best Selling author. Over the last three years, ten of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and three on the New York Times Bestseller lists.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Sweet Little Spies (M&M:New Recruits 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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Sweet Little Spies (Masters & Mercenaries:New Recruits 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49nFUHx

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Since he was a kid, Aidan O’Donnell has known two things about the world. Tristan is his best friend, and Carys is the love of his life. Sharing her with Tristan was oddly easy. They both loved her deeply, and they never cared what anyone else thought. They were a team and everything was wonderful. Until the day it ended.

Carys Taggart has spent the last year and a half of her life living a lie. A lie Tristan forced on them all. She understands that it was meant to protect her and Aidan, but lately when Tristan says he doesn’t love her, it feels more like the truth. The wedding she’s dreamed of has been put off far longer than he promised. When he asks her and Aidan for another delay, she’s ready to move on without him.

Tristan Dean-Miles has a good plan and the best of intentions. Go undercover as a ruthless arms dealer so he can find a deadly bombmaker at the top of the agency’s wanted list. It might be taking longer than expected, but he’s so close he can taste it. Unfortunately, getting this close meant getting in way too deep. He knows he will succeed, but if he can’t convince the love of his life and his best friend that he’s worth the wait, his victory will cost him everything.

•••••

REVIEW:SWEET LITTLE SPIES is the third instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS & MERCENARIES: NEW RECRUITS erotic, Dom/sub romantic suspense series-a spin off-next generation series set in the author’s Master & Mercenaries worlds. This is Black Ops Agent Tristan Dean Miles, Dr. Aidan O’Donnell, and Dr. Carys Taggart’s MFM story line. SWEET LITTLE SPIES can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back stories and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout. Aidan is the son of Liam O’Donnell; Carys is the daughter of Sean Taggard and Grace Hawthorne: Tristan is the son of Jack Dean, Adam Miles and their wife Serena.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, including D/s situations, spankings and violence, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Carys, Tristan and Aidan SWEET LITTLE SPIES follows several intersecting pathways including the struggling relationship between Carys , Tristan and Aidan. Our trio have been best friends most of their lives, and like many of their parents and close family members have chosen to become a threesome but two years earlier Tristan Dean Miles opted to dark, undercover in the world of espionage and arms dealings, leaving a broken hearted Aidan and Carys in his wake. Fast forward to present day, Aidan and Carys have reluctantly chosen to get married without the man that they love, a man who was about to bring chaos and mayhem to the McKay-Taggart families. An invitation to a medical symposium in Montreal finds the team at McKay-Taggart facing down an enemy and a possible betrayal, and in this, the next generation have found themselves struggling in the face of madness and vengeance. What ensues is the rekindling and highly sexual relationship between Trystan, Carys and Aidan, and the potential fall-out as the events in Montreal spiral out of control due to sins of the past.

The world building is detailed, multi-layered and intricate as the large extended Taggart family of spies and mercenaries must face a madman determined to satisfy his need for revenge; and the possibility of a betrayer close to them all. As Trystan,Carys and Aidan’s relationship slowly unravels, Trystan’s two years undercover threaten Carys’ sense of trust and love for a man who broke her heart.

The relationship between Trystan, Carys and Aidan is a life-long friendship that blossomed early into something more. Trystan and Aidan both love Carys equally but Carys has a need to reevaluate the future going forward, struggling with issues of trust, fidelity, and a need to be dominated. The $ex scenes are provocative and fated.

Several couples and characters from the original Masters and Mercenaries series are accorded a heavy presence in the current timeline including Sean and Grace (The Dom Who Loved Me 1), Serena, Adam and Jacob (The Man with the Golden Cuffs 2) Liam (A Dom is Forever 3), Charlotte and Ian aka Big Tag (Love and Let Die 5). We are reintroduced to Captain Zach Reed, CSIS Agent Ben Parker, Big Tag’s twins Kala and Kenzie, their sister Tasha, Cooper, TJ, and Dr. Emmanuel Huisman.

SWEET LITTLE SPIES is a complex, dramatic and intense story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is melodramatic and powerful; the romance is intoxicating; the characters are determined, dynamic and charismatic. SWEET LITTLE SPIES ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Love the Way You Spy
Live,Love, Spy
The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus-a review

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TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

He thinks his neighbor is out of his league…

Kyran got into a fair amount of trouble as a teenager, but after eight years in the military, he’s left his troublemaking past behind him, built a successful business and put down roots. Unfortunately, the sheriff of his hometown has a long memory. To him, Kyran will always be a loser, no matter how much he’s cleaned up his act.

And now she’s his alibi…

When he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, no one is more surprised than Kyran when prim and proper Lucie Miller provides him with an alibi—one that’s a complete lie. Determined to find out why his sexy next-door neighbor stepped up, he soon finds himself in danger of losing something far more important than his newfound respectability—his heart.

•••••

REVIEW: TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus is a contemporary, adult, romance novella focusing on former US Marine turned mechanic Kyran O’Callaghan, and his neighbor Lucie Miller.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Kyran and Lucie TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Lucie Miller has watched from afar as her sexy neighbor went about doing his business. When her car started acting up, Lucie knew the perfect man to get things done but a visit from the local sheriff pushed Lucie to become Kyran’s alibi for a crime he did not commit. From that point forward, Kyran and Lucie would become friends and lovers as the accusations against Kyran and harassment by the Sheriff were ongoing. Kyran’s younger years were spent getting into trouble, and in this, the Sheriff would continue to place blame whenever he could.

The relationship between Kyran and Lucie is a neighbors to friends to lovers. Kyran is hoping for something more from the woman that controls his heart but the Sheriff is determined to destroy Kyran O’Callaghan, with a little help from someone else. Lucie and Kyran’s fall is quick, sexy and sassy without the use of over the top, sexually graphic langauge and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Lucie’s over protective brothers Andrew and Jake: Sheriff Terrance Hill, and his nephew Henry.

TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR is a fast paced, quick and easy read about betrayal and blame, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are energetic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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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.

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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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