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Corvus Ascending by Dale Sale-Review & Interview

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Corvus Ascending (Corvus Ascending 1) by Dale Sale-Review & Interview

ebook only 99¢ USD->  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

When wisecracking star-sailor Gus Johansson hauls a 1400-year-old accident-prone robot out of the sea and boards a long-lost sentient spaceship his beach bum retirement goes from boring to blazing.

Captain Harrison “Hazy” Grey is out for revenge and convinced that he can finally get his Admiral’s flag, if only he can capture that ship; and he doesn’t care who he has to kill to do it.

Gus must assemble a team of old friends and add some new ones to escape. Maybe he should have stayed on the beach.

••••••

REVIEW:CORVUS ASCENDING is the first instalment in Dale Sale’s TALES OF CORVUS sci-fi adventure series focusing on the crew of the space-ship Corvus.

Told from third person perspective CORVUS ASCENDING follows former Chief Warrant Bosun and star-sailor Guster Johansson as he is tasked with captaining a sentient spaceship that has returned from the depths of the sea. With his trusty side kick, a 1400 year old robot named HAM, Gus Johansson begins to amass a crew of oddballs and renegades but not before our hero finds himself a prisoner of Captain Harrison Grey and the ruling Governance, who sets their sights on acquiring the spaceship Corvus. Outfitting the Corvus for potential war, Gus and the crew find themselves the target of Captain Grey, a target that must out maneuver a mad man desperate to claim the Corvus for his own.

CORVUS ASCENDING is a fast paced, sci-fi adventure ala Star Wars™, Star Trek™, Battlestar Galactica ™ and Babylon Five™. Dale Sale meshes together AI, cyborg and robots, a sentient star ship, a holographic constructed intelligence (CI), and an eclectic assortment of humanoid personas resulting in a quirky yet talented crew whose journey has only started. The premise is captivating; the world building includes some scientific and fictionalized terminology; the characters are diverse, distinctive and unconventional but such are the personalities of every entertaining story of science fiction.CORVUS ASCENDING begins slowly but accelerates at ‘warp speed’.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Dale and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of CORVUS ASCENDING.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Dale Sale: I served in the US Coast Guard for over 30 years. I was a Chief Warrant Officer (like my characters) for over 20 years. I served at rescue stations, large and small patrol cutters, a construction tug, and 4 different icebreaker tugs. Lots of sea time, lots of time to dream up ideas.

Social Media links:  Website / Goodreads/ Facebook / Amazon Author page / Newsletter

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing? In writing Science/Speculative fiction?

Dale Sale:I grew up reading the classic science fiction authors: Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein as well as great pulp writers like Robert E. Howard. The experimental stuff from the 1960s and 70s just doesn’t do it for me.

I did a lot of technical writing in the Coast Guard. I worked at the school that trains mechanics and electricians writing curriculum and reviewing lessons. I was happy to go back to sea after that, lol.

TRC: For those who do not know, what is the difference between Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction?

Dale Sale: All Science Fiction is Speculative Fiction, but all Spec Fiction is not Science Fiction. I would say that Spec Fiction is the big tent and Science Fiction is one of the bleacher sections inside. Spec Fiction could be anything from Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale to King’s The Stand. For example: one of the hardest science fiction books recently is Weir’s The Martian. It is very detailed and follows real principles of science and physics. Contrast that to Man in the High Castle which is an alternate history. Both could be called Speculative Fiction but only The Martian is Science Fiction.

One of my pet peeves is searching for Science Fiction and seeing Epic Fantasy or Urban Fantasy lumped in there.

TRC: Why do you think there are a limited number of female / women authors of Science Fiction, and what do you think can be done to increase the female / women readership?

I am hoping that as more women enter the STEM fields it will encourage them to also write and read science fiction. I think that people want to write what they know about and that women without a STEM background may not be comfortable writing those stories. I enjoy writing strong female characters. They definitely aren’t damsels in distress.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your first book?

Dale Sale: The oddest problem I had actually occurred because of my name. Amazon’s bots always think that I am trying to trick them using my name, Sale, to fool the algorithm. I have to send a copy of my driver’s license to prove that is my legal name.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of CORVUS ASCENDING?

Dale Sale: The main character, Gus Johansson, has been involuntarily retired and put out to pasture on an out of the way planet. Gus is bored and feeling sorry for himself. While fishing he drags an ancient robot out of the sea that is connected to a sentient spaceship. An old enemy, Captain Harrison Grey, wants the ship for himself and will do whatever it takes to get it. Gus has to assemble a team of misfit veterans and his robot friends to avoid destruction.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the TALES OF CORVUS series?

Dale Sale: This first story arc will be three books. I do plan to continue writing in the Corvus Universe, but I want to branch out from the large ensemble cast of the first three books to focus on some smaller first-person stories. I’m thinking about writing a set of adventures for a female detective character from the second and third books.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning CORVUS ASCENDING?

Dale Sale:  started with a loose plot and let the story unfold. I do research as needed during the writing process.

TRC: Do you believe that science fiction/ speculative fiction should be based in factual statistics or information?

Dale Sale:  I’m really trying to keep from breaking physics too badly in this story. As such, there are no faster-than-light spaceships, instant communications, super aliens, or teleporters etc. I don’t think those are bad things, but that’s not the story I’m telling. I used several online calculation tools to help with orbital mechanics and asked questions of some actual scientists about the orbital behavior of asteroids.

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

Dale Sale:I did use a professional cover designer. I feel that a trope heavy genre, like military science fiction, should convey that basic genre information on the cover. You really need a good cover.

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

Dale Sale:I do use a loose outline for the story, but the characters often start thinking for themselves. One of my characters owns an arms manufacturing plant, she decided to load her fancy space yacht full of guns in the next book and take them to the underdogs in the big battle. I was just writing along and there she was!

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

Dale Sale:I think dialogue is key to expressing your characters emotions. You really need to avoid exposition data dumps and let characters talk. Exposition is common in science fiction because writers are trying to compress the world building and get right to the story.

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

Dale Sale:I play the concertina, poorly.

TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

Dale Sale:Philip K. Dick, that guy was one strange dude.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Dale Sale:I’m working on book three of the series. It should be out by June. I need to tie up some loose ends and plot lines.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Dale Sale: I would love to hear from readers. You can email me at author@DaleSaleBooks.com. I have some free stories available at www.DaleSaleBooks.com if you sign up for my newsletter.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Good pizza with a nice porter for the beverage

Favorite Dessert: Anything sweet

Favorite TV Show: Black Mirror

Last Movie You Saw: The Old Guard on Netflix

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush:  Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

Last Vacation Destination: No vacations due to the Covid, booo.

Do you have any pets? : I got volunteered to take care of my stepdaughters Pomeranian “temporarily” 3 years ago.

Last book you read:  Reading Deacon King Kong now

TRC: Thank you Dale for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of CORVUS ASCENDING.

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Playing for Keeps (Hope Valley) by Jessica Prince-Review Tour

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Playing for Keeps (Hope Valley) by Jessica Prince-Review Tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 29, 2021

When it came to the men in her life, Charlotte Belmont was cursed. She’d known losers, cheaters, abusers, and criminals, so it went without saying, she stopped trusting her judgment a long time ago. Then Dalton came into her life; a good, dependable man who made her heart race and her body hot. When she felt herself falling for him, she did the only thing she could think to protect them both . . . she ran like hell.

Dalton Prescott was a protector by nature, so when the woman he’d been tasked to keep safe was almost killed on his watch, he carried that guilt like a weight on his shoulders. What made matters worse was that before everything went south, Dalton had started to care for Charlotte in a way that had nothing to do with his job.

She’s determined to ignore their attraction and keep him at a distance, but he’s playing for keeps and has no intention of losing. However, when ghosts from the past start popping up, bringing with them a whole new threat, Dalton may be the only man who can keep her safe this time.

•••••••

REVIEW: The Hope Valley series is one that I will always find myself rereading over and over again! Playing for Keeps; the tenth in the series, is a powerful story of love, friendship and inner strength. Author JP has become an icon in the world of small-town romance with her quick wit and magical mind.

Charlotte “Charlie” Belmont is a survivor. She’s known the worst of the worst, suffered pain and lose, but always gets back up again. Bad relationship after bad relationship, lost trust and a good few beating, Charlotte has become a rock, not letting anyone in anymore. Or so she thought. Now she finds herself surrounded by a new family of friends, one that she has struggled to build, but the secrets are still there. The pain. The toxic that is her is life. For that reason, she won’t let herself have the one thing she wants. Or rather, the one person.

Dalton.

Big, Burly, Bearded Dalton. An alpha to his core, his protectiveness knows no bounds, and Charlotte, she’s his to protect. Weather she wants it or not. *As a side note, the previous book does have details that help with the back story, but it is somewhat explained in PFK as well*

When Charlotte is shot on his watch, Dalton’s perspective on things shift. They have chemistry, they have spark, they have connection, but Charlie has her secrets clutched tight. Can she let her past go long enough to try with Dalton? Will she cave to their connection?

Dalton and Charlotte were so much fun to read, I always love new books in a series, but I also really enjoying see past characters. Charlie suffered so much by her own hand by turning everything inward. I loved her friendship Hayden and Micah, he plays the big brother and that alone is worth reading the book. The only thing I wish there was more of is Dalton. We don’t get very much in his POV, it would be nice to see more of him through other books. With the ending to Playing For Keeps, I think we will see more of Charlotte and Dalton, it’s a cliffhanger and unfinished for sure. Either way, All Hall The Mighty JP lol

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

His eyes were still dancing with humor when he finally got a hold of himself and looked back down at me. “What’s so funny?”
“The fact you thought you had to convince me you weren’t perfect,” he said, a chuckle still shaking his chest. “Believe me, Thumbelina, I’m well aware of the fact you aren’t perfect.”
My eyes narrowed into slits when he started cracking up again. “All right,” I said snootily. “You don’t have to laugh so damn hard about it.”
“You did everything you could to make my life miserable when I was put in charge of keepin’ you safe. You were loud, you picked fights constantly, you’re hardheaded, you had shit taste in music, you’re messy, and you were constantly eatin’ my yogurt, even though I put my name on it before stashing it in the fridge. Christ, baby. You pretended to have menstrual cramps just so you could sneak out on me when I was tryin’ to protect you. Straight up, you were a pain in my ass, so trust me when I say you don’t have to warn me.”
I squirmed in his arms until he was forced to let me go, and took a step back, planting my hands on my hips while shooting fire from my eyes. “First off, I do not have shit taste in music.”
“Babe, every one of your playlists is like bein’ trapped at the g***** Lilith Fair with no escape.”
“Second,” I continued, ignoring his dig, “I’m not messy. I know exactly where everything is.”
His brows climbed high on his forehead as he looked around my apartment to the piles of clothes and shoes strewn about.
“I got really tired after finishing my laundry,” I defended snappily.
“But I’ll have you know, they’re all clean, and like I said, I know exactly what is in each and every pile.”
He grinned arrogantly, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do more, kiss it or smack it off his sexy, stupid face. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
“And last, that yogurt was in my fridge. That means, labeled or not, it was fair game.” 


 

Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.

Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.

In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.

Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.

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Only a Cowboy Will Do by AJ Pine-Review & Giveaway

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Only a Cowboy Will Do (Meadow Valley 3) by AJ Pine-Review & Giveaway

ONLY A COWBOY WILLL DO
Meadow Valley 3
by AJ Pine
Release Date: March 30, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, cowboy, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2021

A small-town woman is swept off her feet by a caring stranger in this charming western romance.

Forty candles, and one for luck. Jenna Owens wants one thing for her birthday this year: a fairy-tale ending of her own and a little relaxation at a quaint California ranch. What she didn’t want was to get caught in a storm on her way to Meadow Valley. Or to get stuck with a ridiculously hot, too-charming-for-his-own-good cowboy—one who makes Jenna reconsider her “I don’t date younger guys” rule. But a little vacation flirtation might be just what she needs.

Colt Morgan isn’t interested in long-term relationships. Not since his last one crashed and burned after his fiancée found out he wanted a big family. So when he learns that Jenna has a list of items to accomplish on her trip—including having fling—Colt is all too happy to oblige. Yet the more he and Jenna get to know each other, the more Colt starts to wonder if maybe they have a chance at a real future. But when Jenna’s past upends everything Colt thought he wanted, are all bets off? Or will they find a way to make both their dreams come true?

•••••••

REVIEW:ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO is the third instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult MEADOW VALLEY romance series. This is thirty year old,rancher Colt Morgan, and forty year old farmer Jenna Owens’ story line. ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO 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 third person perspectives (Colt and Jenna) ONLY A COWBOY WILL follows Jenna on a two-week vacation to Meadow Valley, California, a vacation gifted from the nephews she raised as her own. Hitching a ride with rancher Colt Morgan, our couple never expected to be caught in a rain storm, having to spend the night together with another couple. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Colt and Jenna, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes to a close.

Jenna Owens doesn’t date younger men. Having raised her three nephews after the death of their parents, Jenna has spent most of her time living on the farm, tending to the animals, and the nephews she loves but a two week vacation in Meadow Valley, California finds our heroine writing a ‘bucket list’ of things to do, a list Colt Morgan is more than willing to help her complete. Colt Morgan doesn’t do relationships having been burned in the past but something about Jenna draws Colt like a moth to a flame, and our hero is about to get burned when Jenna’s secrets are eventually revealed.

The relationship between Jenna and Colt is slow to develop as neither one is looking for anything permanent but Jenna’s bucket list includes a short term fling, and Colt is a willing participant until his heart is lost the our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are implied and fade to black.

We are reintroduced to Sam Callahan and Delaney Harper (My One and Only 2); Jenna’s nephews Jack, Luke and Walker Everett.

ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO is a story of family and relationships, secrets and acceptance; romance and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is passionate; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Cowboy to the Rescue
My One and Only Cowboy
Make Mine a Cowboy

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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A teen librarian by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she finds that 25th hour in the day, she might indulge in a bit of Netflix and Hulu, nourishing her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs where she resides with her two amazing kids and three little devils disguised as cats.

A.J. Pine’s publisher (Forever) is graciously offering a paper copy of ONLY A COWBOY WILL DO to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe:

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

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

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3. Follow A.J. PINE on Facebook.

4. LIKE on FOREVER ROMANCE on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ .

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10. Giveaway is open to USA & CANADA only

11. Giveaway runs from April 2-7, 2021

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Undercurrent (Kill Devil Hills 1) by Kaylea Cross-Review tour

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Undercurrent (Kill Devil Hills 1) by Kaylea Cross-Review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2021

She’s looking to reinvent herself.

After the worst two years of her life, Aspen Savich has just moved across the country to the Outer Banks, looking to start over and leave her painful past behind. But it follows her anyway, bringing consequences she never could have imagined. Someone is watching her. Targeting her—and they don’t care who gets in the way. She has no one to turn to except the sexy local mechanic who has found a way past all her defenses, never dreaming the kind of danger they’re up against.

He’s about to have his world turned upside down.

Tragedy made Coast Guard vet Bowie Davenport withdraw from the world around him. He’s lived in Kill Devil Hills his whole life, focusing on work and family. Being alone is something he made peace with long ago—until the sexiest woman he’s ever seen pulls up to his garage in a little red Woody asking for help. There’s no way he can say no, even with his unwanted attraction to her. He tries to fight it, but soon he’s fallen completely under her spell. And when the unthinkable happens, he won’t hesitate to stand between her and the deranged enemy bent on taking her life.

•••••••••

REVIEW: UNDERCURRENT is the first instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult KILL DEVIL HILLS romantic, suspense series. This is thirty-five year old, Coast Guard vet turned mechanic Bowie Davenport, and thirty-one year old, Aspen Savich’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Bowie and Aspen UNDERCURRENT follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-five year old, Coast Guard vet turned mechanic Bowie Davenport, and thirty-one year old, Aspen Savich. Aspen Savich’s move to Kill Devil Hills (KDH), North Carolina came in the wake of her beloved great uncle’s death, having inherited his home and so much more but Aspen’s arrival in KDH requires a mechanic when her uncle’s old ‘woody’ begins to break down. Enter mechanic and garage owner Bowie Davenport. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bowie and Aspen, and the potential fall-out as demons from the past control Bowie Davenport, and Aspen’s move to Kill Devil Hills is followed by a series of accidents and break ins that may be related to her uncle’s will.

Bowie Davenport struggles to move on from the past having never forgiven himself for sins of the past. Meeting Aspen Savich stirred something deep within our story line hero something he hasn’t felt for a very long time but someone is targeting our story line heroine, and Bowie is desperate to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. Aspen Savich knows loss but moving to Kill Devil Hills gives our heroine a new chance at life but the past refuses to let go, and with it, comes the guilt, and a grudge meant to destroy everything she loves. A spunky woman with a fancy for retro-chic, Aspen hopes to open a food truck in the small town of Kill Devil Hills.

The relationship between Aspen and Bowie is one of immediate attraction but Bowie battles between head and heart having loved and lost. Meeting Bowie gives Aspen thoughts about a future, and permanently settling down in North Carolina but neither one was prepared for the firestorm of palpable sexual attraction and chemistry. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Bowie’s siblings: Harper and Chase, as well as Aspen’s next door neighbour Jack, and his dog Sinbad. The requisite evil has many faces.

UNDERCURRENT is a story of loss and grief; jealousy and desperation; love, relationships, and friendships. The premise is fast paced, intriguing and engaging; the romance is tender and seductive; the characters are flirty, broken and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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Custom Made (Fast and Fury 2) by Chantal Fernando-Review Tour

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Custom Made (Fast and Fury 2) by Chantal Fernando-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2021

Cameron Davies has the job she’s always wanted—designing custom motorcycles at Fast & Fury. No way is she going to screw this up. But when her wild, sexy one-night stand ends up being the shop’s new VIP client, her life is suddenly turned on its head.

Orion Stenton radiates power, danger and, most of all, sex. His lavish lifestyle is fraught with dangers for Cam—and a far too intimate link to her past. She has to keep things professional, but it’s impossible to forget the feel of him or the way he whispers her name.

The connection between them demands far more than a quick fling. But when Cam’s past puts Orion in danger, she must face her demons if she’s going to save them both.

••••••

REVIEW: CUSTOM MADE is the second instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult FAST AND FURY romance series focusing on the men and women who work for Fast and Fury Custom Cycles. This is businessman Orion Stenton, and artist/mechanic Cameron Davies’ story line. CUSTOM MADE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. FAST AND FURY is a spin off form the author’s Knights of Fury MC series. Many of the characters play secondary and supporting roles.

Told from first person perspective (Cameron) CUSTOM MADE follows the building romance and relationship between artist/mechanic Cameron Davies, and businessman Orion Stenton. Cameron Davies served her time, and in the ensuing three years made a name for herself as the creative designer at Fast and Fury. A night on the town with the wives of the Knights of Fury MC, and a one night stand found our heroine facing down her future, a man with a questionable reputation but a man whose custom order forces Cameron to face down her past. Enter businessman Orion Stenon, and the man with whom Cameron will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cameron and Orion, and the potential fall-out as Cameron’s past demands everything and more.

Orion Stenton is a man of questionable means but a man who has quickly fallen for our story line heroine. Cameron Davies has been burned in the past, having landed her a stint in prison, along with issues of trust regarding secrets and lies. As their relationship begins to build, Cameron’s past resurfaces, and promises to make trouble for our story line heroine.

The relationship between Cameron and Orion begins as a one-night stand that quickly turns into something more. Orion is a VIP client at Fast and Fury, and Cameron had no idea that she was about to work for the man with whom she will fall in love but Cameron struggles with issues of trust and Orion is about to put her trust to the test. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

We are reintroduced to several members of the Knight of Fury MC: Temper and Abbie, Skylar and Saint, Renny and Izzy; PI Billie; Orion’s sisters Isla, Luna and Asta, as well as their mother Maria; Orion’s cousins Teddy and Bjorn; MC members Dee and Chains; and new prospects Diesel, Atlas and Aries.

CUSTOM MADE is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and vengeance; a story of love, acceptance, forgiveness and happily ever after. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful, animated and inspiring.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record but I wish the author told the story in dual first person perspectives or third person. We are completely unaware of Orion’s side of the story, his business, and his questionable actions that are a bit of concern for the local MC. The world building would be so much richer with dual points of view.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one CUSTOM BUILT.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, Amazon & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is thirty years old and lives in Western Australia.

Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the best selling books Dragon’s Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.

When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Chantal loves to hear from readers.

Follow Chantal: Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Goodreads

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No Turning Back (Breaking the Rules 4) by AM Madden-Review Tour

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No Turning Back (Breaking the Rules 4) by AM Madden-Review Tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 29 2021

Helping people is what I do best. I’ve made a career around it and dedicated my adult life to it. So, when my two best friends decided to start a family but weren’t able to conceive, it made total sense for me to become their surrogate.

Once I pleaded my case, and they finally agreed, I moved from New Jersey to Florida, excited for a much-needed change. But no one could’ve predicted crossing paths with the love of my life, the one who’d left years earlier, the one man I never got over.

Ryder Carter.

Despite how much we’d loved one another, life happened and circumstances pulled us apart. But he was back now, in Florida, single and still as gorgeous as ever. Even better, he wanted to pick up where we had left off. He wanted me.

Ryder appearing when he did couldn’t have come at a worse time. Because, even as just a surrogate, I had to wonder: Would he still want me when he learned I was pregnant with another man’s baby? Would he wait out the nine months to be with me? And even more important, how could I ask him to?

•••••••

REVIEW:NO TURNING BACK is the fourth instalment in AM Madden’s contemporary, adult BREAKING THE RULES erotic, romance series. This is sports and entertainment agent Ryder Carter, and fund raiser Riana Carter’s (no relation) story line. NO TURNING BACK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Riana was first introduced in book three UPSIDE DOWN.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Riana and Ryder) NO TURNING BACK follows the rekindling romance between sports and entertainment agent Ryder Carter, and fund raiser Riana Carter. Three years earlier New Jersey native Ryder Carter was offered the opportunity to work in California, and left his heart broken girl friend Riana behind. Fast forward to present day wherein Riana is about to lose her job but an offer of a different kind pulls Riana to Florida where she will become the surrogate for her ex boyfriend’s baby but to Riana’s surprise Ryder has been transferred to Florida, and wants a second chance with our story line heroine. What ensues is the quick rebuilding romance and relationship between Ryder and Riana as Riana discovers she is carrying another man’s baby.

Riana was devastated in the wake of Ryder’s surprise move to California. Having had only one serious relationship in the aftermath Riana remained close friends with Cooper Stanton, a man who fell in love with Ricky Burrows. Wanting to help out her friend, Riana offered to be a surrogate, never expecting to reconnect with the man she has never stopped loving. Ryder Carter knew he made a mistake when he left Riana in search of something more. Reconnecting with the woman he has always loved, Ryder quickly asked for a second chance, a second chance that came with more than he could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Ryder and Riana is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people destroyed by one man’s need to move on with his life. A welcome to Florida get together brought Ryder back into Riana’s life, and Ryder quickly wanted to pick up where everything left off. Within a matter of hours, Ryder and Riana have scheduled a date, and there is no looking back for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the us of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Riana’s ex-boyfriend Cooper Stanton and his new love Ricky Burrows (Upside Down#3 ): Cooper’s sister Rebecca and her husband and cruise line owner Marco Puglia (Love on the Horizon #1): and Riana’s former co-worker Janie.

NO TURNING BACK is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a rekindling romance and second chances. The premise is heart warming and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Click HERE For Sandy’s review of book 3 UPSIDE DOWN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today BESTSELLING ROMANCE AUTHOR

A.M. Madden’s romance debut is The Back-Up Series, consisting of Back-Up, Front & Center, and Encore.

A.M. Madden is a wife, a mother, an avid reader of romance novels and now an author. In Back-up she aspired to create a fun, sexy, realistic romantic story. She wanted to create characters that the reader could relate to and feel as if they knew personally.

A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she loves getting lost in a good book. She uses every free moment of her time writing, while raising teenage boys.

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HIS: Tony (The Sabatini Family 2) by Fiona Murphy-Review Tour

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HIS: Tony (The Sabatini Family 2) by Fiona Murphy-Review & Excerpt Tour

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A Sabatini may be a lot of things: an asshole, rude, ruthless, even a killer. But one thing we never are is sloppy, not with our money, not our business, and especially not with our bodies.

Until the moment I got sloppy with the most dangerous thing I could: a woman. I’m third generation in the Outfit. I’ve killed more than my share of men, have had more than a few guns held to my head. Christy wasn’t the first person who tried to kill me, she wasn’t the last, and I’m sure there will be more in the future.

I knew how we started was messed up. I’m old enough to be her father. She was thirty to my fifty, I should have spanked her, taken the gun away from her, and killed her the way I planned. She wanted me dead to pay for her childhood trauma. The way I saw it, I’ve done a lot of messed up things but I wasn’t to blame for what she went through. If she wanted me dead, there was only one thing for me to do: kill her before she could kill me to save me from looking over my shoulder for her to take a second shot. Only the moment I laid eyes on her everything changed: the plan, me, her.

When I put the ring on her finger and she promised forever I believed we had a future. There was no hint I would wake up the next morning and find her gone. I tried to let her go, I can’t. She promised forever, I’m holding her to it. It doesn’t matter how far she’s gone. I will find her.

Christy belongs to me, and a Sabatini keeps what is his.

This is a dark mafia romance with elements that may be disturbing to some readers.
While this is the second book in a series it can be read as a standalone and does not end in a cliffhanger.

***Despite what you may have read in Dominic’s story. This is not safe-on Tony’s side. After she leaves he loses it for a little while. Once he calms down yes it becomes safe but I know this is an issue for some readers.
Safe from her side.***

••••••••

REVIEW:HIS: TONY is the second instalment in Fiona Murphy’s contemporary, adult THE SABATINI FAMILY erotic, Mafia, dark romance series-a spin off from the author’s Dirty Billionaire’s series. This is fifty-one year old hitman Tony Sabatini, and thirty year old nurse Christy Teller’s story line. HIS: TONY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of HIS: TONY cross over with, and run parallel to HIS: DOMINIC.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tony and Christy) HIS: TONY follows two time lines ( present day and five years in the past) focusing on the acrimonious relationship between fifty year old Tony Sabatini, and thirty year old Christy Teller. For years, Christy Teller has wanted revenge against Tony Sabatini, blaming him for the destruction of her family and her life but meeting Tony stirred something deep within our story line heroine. Having set out to kill our story line hero, Christy found herself falling in love with a man who took control of her life and her heart but Christy struggled with Tony’s affections believing she would always wait for the proverbial ‘other shoe’ to drop. Running from the man that she loved, Christy would disappear for close to five years where her life was about to change in a matter of days. Fast forward to present day wherein Tony has finally located the woman that had stolen his heart but a woman whose secrets are about to be exposed. What ensues is the back and forth, tempestuous and rebuilding relationship between Tony and Christy, and the potential fall-out as Christy continues to struggle with Tony’s intentions, and the possibility that he never loved her the way she loved him in return.

The relationship between Christy and Tony begins as a business arrangement but our heroine had every intention of seeking vengeance for perceived wrongs of the past. Tony knew that Christy had every intention of taking down our story line hero but Tony’s need for Christy outweighed the possibility of the ultimate betrayal. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and provocative including some scenes of spanking.

We are reintroduced to Tony’s son Dominic and his wife Regina: his housekeeper Carmella; Luca Tora, as well as several Mafia personnel.

HIS: TONY is a story of family, power, betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies. The premise is entertaining and exciting ; the characters are head strong, determined and fierce; the romance is dramatic and edgy.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HIS: Dominic

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt is intended for mature readers due to strong language and content.


“Tony, you moved my stuff here?”
An eyebrow goes up as he turns to me, “Yeah, of course.” He says the words slowly. I want to slap him so badly.
“There’s no, of course. What the hell is this?”
“What’s what?” He frowns down at me.
“This. What am I doing here? I’m going to follow you around for the next what week, two weeks. I don’t even really understand why I’m still alive right now. And I’m trying not to freak out over how that can change at any minute.”
His frown deepens. “Where the hell did you get the idea—”
Oh my god, is he serious? “Maybe from the way you offered to have my death be an easy one not even twenty-four hours ago. Which I totally fucking get. I deserve it. I don’t deserve to be standing here and now—”
Hot, angry, consuming his mouth is on mine. I’m weak in an instant, clinging to him. I groan when it ends far too fast. Shaking his head, “What I was trying for, my sweet Christy was to give you time to come to terms with it. Slip the bridle on nice and easy before you even realized you were wearing it, but you have to keep pushing.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Do you think you’re speaking English right now?”
“We settled this the first damn day, yes, less than twenty-four hours ago and again less than an hour ago. You’re mine. I’m keeping you.”
It doesn’t make sense to me. Even though, yes, not even an hour ago he claimed me again. This is Tony Sabatini, a cold, ruthless, killer. Was he really going to let the whole trying to kill him thing go like it never happened? “What? Locked in the basement or something?”
The fucker laughs. I know I thought I wanted to hear him laugh, but not right now. Especially because it makes me wet and I need to focus.
“No. You’re mine. You belong to me. I’m keeping you with me here in this house, in my bed and hopefully,” he reaches out and the touch of his finger along my stomach is tender. “Before long you’ll help me fill this house with the children I always wanted.”
A baby, he wants me… “You’re serious. You’re really. Oh god.” My knees go weak and I sink to the floor.
Tony hauls me up and puts me on the island. Damn that’s cold. He studies me intently. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not okay. You’re telling me I’m going to stay here and have your babies like it’s not the most fucked up think I’ve ever heard in my life. What woman would be okay with that? I’m trying really hard to wake up from this insane nightmare.”
His face goes hard. “You are awake. This is real life—yours and mine. Accept it fast. Because the alternative is killing you.” I flinch. He sighs. “I don’t want to fucking kill you, Christy. To keep you alive, I’m keeping you at my side, as my woman in every sense of the word.”

Due to commitment issues I have lived in many different cities and my favorite is Chicago but I have managed to settle into Austin and perhaps my commitment issues are behind me. 

I have enjoyed reading from a very young age and it wasn’t long before the children books bored me and I read the books my mother enjoyed Stephen King and Dean Koontz and I didn’t sleep without the light on until I was about ten.

I came across my first Harlequin by accident and it was love at first read, no one died and happy endings? It was a whole new world and I loved it.

I wrote my first story at eight and everyone died, of course. Since then I would like to think I’ve gotten better and now I’m writing the happily ever afters I first fell in love with, with some hot sex thrown in along the way. 

As a plus size woman myself, I have started writing the stories I always wanted to see myself in but never did. And now I’m ecstatic to give BBWs the happily ever afters with hot Alphas I want to read.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionainamurphy

Website: https://www.fionamurphywrites.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionaainamurphy

Email: fionaainamurphy@gmail.com

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Hard to Lose (Play Hard 4) by K.Bromberg-Review tour

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Hard to Lose (Play Hard 4) by K.Bromberg-Review tour

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2021

I know finding and signing a military vet to the agency is a long shot–but it’ll be good press just letting him try out. That’s what I tell my family, rather than admit I can’t get the letter he wrote us five years ago out of my head.

But what I tell the bartender in his hometown is a lie. I know veterans protect each other. So I pretend to be a graduate student.

Sparks. Flame. Fire. I accidentally got in too deep.

I didn’t expect to develop feelings for Gunner Camden.

And there’s no way I can admit to my lies now, not without destroying what we share. So I’ll keep faking it.

***

There are two versions of me: before, and after deployment.

Back then I was a screwup kid. I’d lie, cheat, and steal my way out of everything. My only love was baseball.

After I started fighting, I found out there had been another path for me. One that involved my dream. But by then I had seen too much.

The old me was dead, so I put my dreams to rest, too.

Then Chase Kinkade walks into my bar and reminds me that life is meant to live. No regrets.

Fresh. Happy. Hopeful. I can start to see a new dream, with her.

But sometimes things are too good to be true… and dishonesty is the one thing I can’t forgive.

••••••••

REVIEW:HARD TO LOSE is the fourth instalment in K. Bromberg’s contemporary, adult PLAY HARD erotic, romance series focusing on the Kincade sisters who work for the family owned Kincade Sports Management (KSM). This is youngest sister Chase Kincade, and US Army Vet/bar owner Ryan ‘Gunner’ Camden’s story line. HARD TO LOSE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ryan and Chase) HARD TO LOSE follows the building romance and relationship between Chase Kincade, and US Army Vet/bar owner Ryan ‘Gunner’ Camden. Several years earlier Ryan Camden had a promising baseball career but a night of drinking influenced by a need for revenge found Ryan enlisting in the US army where his life would be forever changed. Fast forward to present day wherein Ryan, now a bar owner in the small town of Destiny Falls, a town that caters to military families and retired vets, comes face to face with the woman that will break his heart. Enter Chase Kincade. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Chase and Ryan, and the potential fall-out as Ryan discovers that Chase’s visit to Destiny Falls was all a ruse.

Chase Kincade needed something to push KSM over the top. A letter arrived, five years too late, but a letter that pulled our heroine to look for the sender, a young man whose baseball career ended before it began. Only know a name and a destination, Chase heads to Destiny Falls where she will fall in love with a hero, who continues to pay for sins of the past.

The relationship between Chase and Gunner is predicated upon a lie. Chase is in Destiny Falls looking for a soldier whose chance at fame ended when duty called. Meeting Gunner gave Chase thoughts for a future but Chase knew her time in the small town would end when her mission was complete. Gunner never expected to fall in love but falling for Chase was easy as ‘apple pie’ 😉 but secrets revealed meant everything about his relationship with Chase was nothing more than a lie. 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 Chase’s sisters Dekker, Brexton and Lennox, as well as their father Kenyon Kincade; sports agent Finn Sanderson; army veteran Richard aka ‘Nix’. We get a quick glimpse at Ryan’s long suffering mother, and a step-father whose out to destroy the son he never wanted. Finn Sanderson’s story is next in HARD TO LOVE.

HARD TO LOSE is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and loss. A story of grief and suffering, love and understanding, forgiveness and happily ever after. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is provocative and captivating; the characters are broken, colorful, healing and lost.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Hard to Handle
Hard to Hold
Hard to Score

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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