Monthly Archives: December 2024

Designs on You by Jaci Burton – a Review

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Designs on You by Jaci Burton – a Review

 

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Description:
Natalie Parker is in her mid-thirties, divorced, and firmly focused on her newly resurrected career and her two children. When her sister asks her to help design the backyard in the new home she shares with her boyfriend, Linc, Natalie’s more than happy to take on the project. What she isn’t prepared for is Linc’s younger brother, video game designer Eugene Kennedy. He’s smart, incredibly good-looking, and constantly flirts with Natalie. He’s also too young for her, which makes him totally off-limits.

Eugene is intrigued by Natalie’s beauty, smarts, and especially her sarcastic wit. When he teases her, she throws it right back at him. Besides that, they have an instant chemistry, but she keeps trying to get rid of him despite the sparks that fly between them. And Eugene never backs down from a challenge. 

Natalie is running out of reasons to think being with Eugene is a bad thing. Her kids adore him, her sister loves him, and even her always negative mother does, too. The only person holding her back is…her. Maybe it’s time she take that leap and design herself a love for the ages. After all, if she can create the perfect home, she sure as hell can design a happily ever after.

 

 

Review:

Designs on You by Jaci Burton is a sweet romantic novel. We meet Natalie Parker, who is divorced, with two young children, (7year old Cammie and 4year old Christopher); her and her ex-husband share custody of the children. Natalie has a job doing interior design, as she works with another woman and loves her job. Her sister asks her to help design her new home, where she lives with Linc: as well as a number of sheltering dogs.

At dinner in her sister’s Hazel house, she meets Linc’s younger brother Eugene, who is a few years younger than Natalie. At first Natalie wants nothing to do with Eugene, as she feels he is too young for her; but Eugene finally persuades her to agree to a date.  Natalie finds herself fighting off her attraction to Eugene, as he is determined to win her over, especially with the sparks between them, giving in to their instant chemistry. Natalie worries about the age difference between them, and Eugene, not caring about the short difference age, finds himself falling deeply in love with Natalie.

Eugene has Linc fixing up his new house, and he convinces Natalie to do the interior design. She agrees and they slowly add all new furniture and designs, making both very happy, as their feelings start getting serious.  

I really like the romance between Natlie and Eugene, despite worry about their age difference.  Eugene was great with Natalie’s kids, and was always there for her when needed.  The kids were great, and I loved their new adopted dog, Grizelda.  Their romance escalated, especially when her ex-husband had the kids for the weekend, and they would spend time together, with the heat between them sizzling.  I also like the relationship between Hazel and Linc, as they were living together, and the four of them spent lots of time together.

Natalie was determined to break things up with Eugene, since she thought he was better off finding someone closer to his age; but she finds it difficult, as she knows she loves him.  Eugene is loved by his brother, by Natalie’s children, as well as Hazel and their mother.  Natalie realizes that she is running out of reasons to leave, as she is the only person holding her back.

Designs on You is a sweet heartwarming romance, with a terrific couple that are destined to be together. Designs on You is so very well written by Jaci Burton.  I really enjoyed this book. I suggest you read Designs on You. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Risky Vows (Chicago Mafia Bosses 1) by Carmen Falcone-review

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Risky Vows (Chicago Mafia Bosses 1) by Carmen Falcone-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 2, 2024

Amara
Marrying the mafia boss is the last thing I want. But, like everything else in my life, I have no choice.
So I’m forced to marry a hot, dangerous man to save my family’s business. He’s moody, ruthless, and stubborn, all wrapped into one tempting, tattooed package.
We need Massimo Gallo and his family.
Little do I know—I need him too. I can’t resist the intense chemistry between us.
The problem is, if he finds out the secret I’ve been keeping, he’ll get rid of me for good.

Massimo
As the head of an influential mafia family, I must fulfill my duty. I’ll marry Amara.
Do I want to? No. But she’s a means to an end, even if I don’t trust her fully—or her family.
But the sexy, curvy brunette has a lot to offer, even if she doesn’t know it yet.
I vow to make this sinful marriage work… by any means necessary.

••••

REVIEW:RISKY VOWS is the first instalment in Carmen Falcone’s contemporary, adult CHICAGO MAFIA BOSSES erotic, Mafia romance series. This is forty-one year old, Mafia boss Massimo Gallo, and twenty-three year old Mafia princess Amara Montefiore’s storyline.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Massimo and Amara) RISKY VOWS follows the arranged/forced marriage between forty-one year old, Mafia boss Massimo Gallo, and twenty-three year old Mafia princess Amara Montefiore. In the wake of the head of the Montefiore family’s health struggles, and their plummeting business ventures, their only daughter Amara has been offered up in marriage to Gallo Mafia boss Mossimo Gallo but Amara has previously loved and lost, and a forced marriage to Gallo means a loveless union for our story line heroine. Mossimo Gallo is only doing his duty as the head of the Gallo Family but something about Amara pulls Mossimo in like a moth to a flame, a moth that will be burned when the truth is revealed.

The world building follows the growing relationship between our story line couple as Mossimo struggles with his attraction to a woman he does not trust. Calling her ‘rat’ at every opportunity, the lack of respect for our heroine does nothing to prove his actions have changed but secrets revealed prove Massimo is willing to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, defending her against the people who should have loved her the most.

The relationship between Massimo and Amara begins as an age-gap, forced marriage in which both families are to benefit from the questionable arrangement but the Montefiore family has secrets, and Amara may pay the price for the sins of the family. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

We are introduced to Massimo’s brothers Dante, Nico and Rocco; Dante’s girlfriend Andie, as well as their father Aldo Gallo; Amara’s parents Enzo and Vittoria, her brother Alonzo, their questionable security guard Ugo, and Massimo’s friend with benefits Daphne.

RISKY VOWS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and intense but not as dark as some other Mafia story lines-there was more telling than showing . The characters are determined and desperate; the romance is impassioned but I did not feel any palpable sexual attraction-there was more $ex than passion, more hostility than chemistry.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Thorns of Blood (Thorns of Omerta 6) by Eva Winners-review tour

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Thorns of Blood (Thorns of Omerta 6) by Eva Winners-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 2, 2024

I had spent my life trapped in a gilded cage, surrounded by villains.

The cruel man I was forced to marry saw me as a lesson to be taught, stripping away every piece of my spirit until all that remained was my shadow. He left me in darkness, alone, except for the one flicker of light in my miserable existence: my adoptive daughter.

Then they took her away from me too.

It didn’t kill me, but something deep inside me died that day.

Or so I thought.

Giovanni Agosti kidnapped me to “save” me, or so he claimed.

But I was done being a pawn in anyone’s game. I would show this captor, with his smoldering gaze and dangerous allure, that no one touched Liana Volkov without consequences.

Not even the man I found myself wanting.

••••

REVIEW:THORNS OF THE BLOOD is the sixth instalment in Eva Winner’s contemporary, adult THORNS OF OMERTA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s KINGPINS OF THE SYNDICATE. This is Giovanni Agosti, and twenty-six year old Liana Volkov’s story line. THORNS OF BLOOD 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 WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Giovanni and Liana) using present day and memories from the past THORNS OF BLOOD focuses on the search and rescue of our story line heroine. Approximately eight years earlier, in an effort to save her twin sister Louisa, Liana Volkov sacrificed herself, and spent several years at the mercy of a violent man, and a woman only known as the Mistress. Fast forward to present day, Giovanni Agosti, having located the missing daughter of Emory and Killian ( RAVENOUS KINGPIN: Kingpins of the Syndicate 4), Giovanni Agosti takes off for places unknown where he will find our story line heroine. Forced into marriage with Giovanni to protect her life, Liana struggles with issues of trust, nightmares and the loss of a child that wasn’t her own. As Liana and Giovanni’s relationship develops, there is someone else taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building is dark and gritty. Liana’s past is filled with torture and abuse, loss and abandonment, betrayal and intent. Giovanni Agosti knows the betrayal by family, and in this, the ultimate deception ends with a dramatic flourish.

The relationship between Giovanni and Liana begins acrimoniously in the wake of Giovanni’s ‘rescue’ and ‘abduction’ of our story line heroine. Liana has never known love, and the loss of everyone she has every loved is amplified when as Giovanni’s rescue hides a heartbreaking truth. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and familiar secondary and supporting characters from the author’s interconnected series and story lines. The duplicitousness of the family blood lines wreaks havoc for everyone involved.

THORNS OF BLOOD is a story of betrayal and vengeance, abuse and madness, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic and intense; the characters are broken, tragic yet determined; the romance is unavoidable yet provocative and passionate.

Previous Reviews and Reading Order
Thorns of Lust
Thorns of Love
Thorns of Death
Thorns of Silence
Thorns of Desire

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails, yoga or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

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The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan-review

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The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan-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 December 1, 2024

In this twisted journey into the shadows of the Golden Gate, an inspector and an FBI agent must track down the source of an unknown drug, but their attraction and their own secrets keep getting in the way.

The streets of San Francisco aren’t as sunny as the city pretends they are. Inspector Lennon Gray has learned this the hard way, and it’s starting to wear on her. When a new case plunges her into the depths of the transient community, Lennon must once again face ugly truths about humanity.

Her new partner makes things a little easier, though.

Agent Ambrose Mars is charming—innocent, somehow, despite his own hard years in the field. The combination leaves Lennon fascinated and disturbed at the same time, and she’s even more drawn to him for it.

As they investigate the hallucinogenic drug that’s forcing homeless citizens into bizarre and dangerous role-plays, Lennon and Ambrose find their relationship intensified with every new twist. But when these revelations begin to uncover secrets she wasn’t prepared to know, Lennon will have to decide how much more she can take…before something important is taken from her.

•••••

REVIEW:THE BROKEN PLACES by Mia Sheridan is a stand alone, contemporary,suspense thriller focusing on SFPD Inspector Lennon Gray, and Agent Ambrose Mars.

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

Told from omniscient third person perspective using present day and memories from the past, THE BROKEN PLACES follows in the wake of several murders and deaths possibility connected to a new designer drug in San Francisco. Inspector Lennon Gray has been assigned to investigate the latest series of murders but something about the killings doesn’t add up. As the body count increases, the FBI sends in one of their own, who may or may not have some knowledge about the ‘little blue pill’. Enter Ambrose Mars. Ambrose Mars has been temporarily assigned to search for the truth but Ambrose has a secret, a secret that will change the direction of the police investigation, a change that threatens Lennon’s future with the SFPD. As the case unfolds, Ambrose finds himself pulled back into the past, when his own life experiences gave way to a spiral out of control.

The world building is complex and intricate as the many of the victims have heart breaking stories of betrayal, abuse and loss. When the past comes full circle, Ambrose recognizes the how and the why, but it is Lennon Gray who may have come face to face with a possible killer.

The relationship between Lennon and Ambrose begins acrimoniously as Lennon struggles with a new partner, especially one from the FBI but all is not as it appears to be, and Lennon finds herself wondering where it all went wrong. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate

There is a large ensemble cast of law enforcements, homeless, addicts and victims. Throw in a podcaster, several family members, and the ghosts from the past, pushing our couple to reconsider the direction of their current line of thinking.

THE BROKEN PLACES is a story of betrayal and vengeance, addiction and abuse, retribution and obsession, forgiveness and love. The thought-provoking premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and driven; the romance is subtle and fated. The epilogue fast forwards the story line approximately twenty-seven years, wherein we see a glimpse into the future for everyone concerned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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All The Pretty Lies (Second Sons 1) by Avelyn Paige-review tour

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💚💜All The Pretty Lies (Second Sons Duet 1) by Avelyn Paige-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 November 29, 2024

Vesper Rossi has always known her life isn’t her own. Born into the notorious Rossi family, her destiny was set—to marry the heir of the ruthless Petrov empire and solidify a deadly alliance. Her intended’s twin cousins, Oscar and Zaire, offer her a dangerous lifeline and the chance to escape.

When their plan fails, Vesper is taken captive. For two years, she endures unspeakable horrors, her body exploited by a faceless enemy intent on breaking her. Once she serves her purpose, she is sold—not to strangers, but to the very men who failed her.

Oscar and Zaire, along with the rest of their Second Sons family, return with vengeance in their hearts and regret fueling their every move. Failure is not an option this time. When Vesper learns that her captivity held was the result of a more malevolent plot, she will stop at nothing to get back what was stolen from her.

With her body, heart, and mind scarred but unbroken, Vesper is ready to reclaim her power with the Second Sons at her back and in her bed.

Blood will be spilled, alliances will crumble, and no one will be spared.

••••••••

REVIEW:Check your trigger warnings with this one readers-

All The Pretty Lies is an intense reverse harem/Why Choose, mafia romance. Avelyn Paige weaves a web of mysterious lies and suspense with hidden layers that are slowly peeled away as the plot unfolds.

From her first breath Vesper has known that part she will play to her family. You see, her family isn’t a run of the mill family, no. She’s the daughter of the mafia, and thus her life is forfeit, she is to be married off to an unknown man for the benefit of her family. Life however has a different path in store for Vesper. As the doomsdate (as I like to call it) looms closer and closer, her brother hatches a plan to help her, betrothing her to the Russian Petrov twins. This little glimmer of hope Vesper has is quickly extinguished when she is brutally kidnapped and held prisoner.

Fast forward two long years and Vesper has had to endure being tortured and brutalized, broken down and shattered, all the passing fancy for this monster of a man. For two years, the Second Sons; Oscar, Zaire, Talon and Alex search for her to an obsessional degree. When they are finally able to locate her, she is a shadow of the person she used to be. Nevertheless, the men want to help her heal and recover, they want to give her a reason to live again.

To say this book is fabulous just doesn’t cover it. ATPL is dark, gritty and intense. There are moments when the guys have me panting, and others when I want to beat them upside their stupidly attractive heads. Talon and Alex are -Chef’s kiss- delicious, and when we got that little teaser from Alex I was practically feral. This book will take you for a ride of ups and downs, heartbreak and heat, sobbing and spice all in the same chapter. The ending, readers be warned, is the most frustrating cliffhanger of all time and I can’t wait to get the next part!

Tropes

💚Mafia Romance

💜Why Choose

☠️Touch her and die

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Avelyn Paige is a Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author of romantic suspense and motorcycle club romance. She lives in a small town in Indiana with her husband and four fuzzy kids.

When she’s not writing, Avelyn spends her days working as a cancer research scientist. Avelyn has been an avid reader her entire life, and it wasn’t until losing her father in 2015 that she started turning all those ideas in her head into stories. She hasn’t looked back since.

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