Author Archives: Sandy

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Grief locked his heart. Can she hold the key?

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

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

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

•••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

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

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

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

••••••

REVIEW: MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE is the second instalment in Jenna Levine’s contemporary, adult MY VAMPIRES erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is CPA Amelia Collins, and vampire Reginald Cleaves’ story line. MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

••••••

REVIEW: TWILIGHT MASK is the first instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, a spin off set in the author’s Bianco Crime family world. This is twenty-eight year old, artist/sculptor Laura Bianco, and the former Capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale’s story line. TWILIGHT MASK can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history regarding Laura Bianco, I recommend reading the Bianco Crime family series.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Laura and Marco) TWILIGHT MASK follows the forbidden relationship between our story line couple. the Bianco Crime Family and the Santoro Crime family are at war; enemies in the wake of a fight for power, and the murder of several high ranking family members on both sides. Laura Bianco is a recluse; an talented artist whose family but especially her brother Don Simon Bianco is pushing Laura outside of her comfort zone with a series of of gallery displays and art sales but the push backfires when Laura comes face to face with her future at a masquerade art sale, where she will meet a man she only knows as the Jackal. Enter the former capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale, the man with whom Laura will fall in love. Marco’s obsession with Laura is dark and dangerous; their relationship hidden in dark rooms and secrets rendezvous, an obsession that will threaten everyone concerned. With revenge at the forefront of the Santoro war with the Bianco Crime family, Laura will be caught in the middle between family and love.

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 12, 2024

Hockey and football coaches on a collision course….

Lemon

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

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

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

Hansley

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

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

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

••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

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

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

Author Links:

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

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

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 14, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

•••••

REVIEW: MARRIED TO THE MAFIA Is the fourth instalment in Rose Wulf’s contemporary adult, DESALVO MAFIA erotic, Mafia romance series. This is youngest DeSalvo brother Michele ‘MIkey’ De Salvo, and IT specialist Brandi Richardson’ s story line. MARRIED TO THE MAFIA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Brandi and Mikey) MARRIED TO THE MAFIA follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Brandi Richardson is the daughter of Wesley Richardson, a man the DeSalvo brothers dislike and abhor but when Brandi is hired to work as an IT consultant for the DeSalvo Security firm, Mikey DeSalvo moves our heroine up to his floor in an effort to ferret out any possible espionage or spying but when Brandi shows up to work covered in bruises, one too many times, Mikey makes Brandi an effort she cannot refuse-a marriage of convenience to protect our heroine, and get his family off of his back. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mikey and Brandi, and the fall-out as more than one enemy takes aim at our story line heroine.

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

•••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wicked Grind
Wicked Dirty
Wicked Torture

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Heartbreaker (Spade Hotel 4) by Marni Mann-review tour

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The Heartbreaker (Spade Hotel 4) by Marni Mann-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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3WytkSh

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 12, 2024

Captivated.
Addicted.
Mesmerized.

All the things I felt the minute I saw Addison Lark.
The last thing I’d expected was to fall in love at a strip club.
But Addison was the woman of my dreams.
It didn’t matter that I spent an obscene amount of money just to talk to her.
The fiery redhead made me feel things I’d never felt before.

But she didn’t want anything to do with me.
And she left without a backward glance.
Making me crave her even more.

Imagine my shock when we unexpectedly met again, presenting the most unexpected problem—Addison Lark was forbidden.

But did that stop me?
Did that stop us?

I’d made a promise to start living my life, and I wasn’t going to let that woman walk away for a second time.

••••

REVIEW: Heartbreaker is the fourth installment in the Spade hotel series by the ever brilliant Marni Mann. As most of the other books in the series are the same, HB is a single bad, age gap,billionaire romance, each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but as I always recommend, reading the series in order gives a much better feel for the character and the plot.

In typical Marni fashion Ridge and Addison meet in a not so normal way, AKA a strip club, so of course Ridge wants to get to know her better. They meet, they converse, they get it on in a hot and sweaty night of passion. Ridge waits for Addison to contact him, but she never does. Poor Addison isn’t one for hookups, let alone strip club hook ups, to say she is mortified is an understatement so she does the last thing she can think of, she ghosts him. After all, being a dancer isn’t bad, but she has her reasons for being so, reasons that she doesn’t want to share.

The plot twist on this one, to say that Ms. Author was hiding the punch line! Low and behold, after thinking she will never see Ridge again, Addison gets a surprise in the form of being Ridge’s daughter’s teacher. Her teacher, she slept with a student’s parent. Oh that was such a kick in the pants to read. Addison and Ridge have a strong connection, and Ridge is like the perfect mixture of supportive guy and take charge guy.

I really enjoyed the story on this read, the interaction between Ridge, Daisy and Addison made some of the sweetest moments. The mix between the sweet moments and the spicy bits really made the story quick and memorable for me. Ridge went above and beyond to make himself clear to Addison that he didn’t just want her in his bed, he wanted everything with her. I really loved the big gestures he made for her, not because she needed them per se but more because HE wanted to do them for HER, he wanted her to know how much he wanted her. Heartbreaker left me smiling and ready for another happy ending.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

The Playboy
The Rebel
The Sinner

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Best-selling Author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a review

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a 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 10, 2024

Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.

A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.

Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.

•••••

REVIEW:THE SWIMMER by Loreth Anne White is a contemporary, adult, psychological thriller focusing on forty year old bartender Chloe Cooper, Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler, and Gloria Bergson.

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

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives (Chloe, Adam,Jemma, Gloria) following two timelines (present day and 2019) THE SWIMMER focuses on the murder of a woman swimming in Jerrin Bay. Chloe Cooper is a bit of an oddball who has returned home to British Columbia, Canada to take care of her dying mother but with the arrival of their new neighbors, Chloe begins to spy and stalk Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler . Every morning, Chloe would watch Jemma Spengler swim in the bay but one morning Chloe witnesses the gruesome murder of the woman in question, a woman she believes to be Jemma Spengler. As the truth begins to unravel, Chloe finds herself caught in the middle of a storm of betrayal and vengeance wherein she will become the prime suspect in another grizzly murder.

THE SWIMMER is a detailed, dramatic, gritty and raw look at madness and obsession, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, and dysfunctional family dynamics. With a surprise gesture to one of Canada’s most prolific serial killers, Loreth Anne White pulls the reader down the rabbit hole of murder, distrust, delusion and fascination.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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