Tag Archives: Adult

WICKED DESIRES(The Terlizzis 2) by Cora Kent-review

Posted on by
12

WICKED DESIRES/ Simple Pleasures (The Terlizzis 2) by Cora Kent-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 November 16, 2024

Marked by vengeance, branded as mine—Lucia Terlizzi will be the key to my revenge.

Dante Terlizzi has to pay.
Two years ago, he broke his betrothal to my sister.
Two months ago, his brother stole the bride meant for my best hitman.
There’s an unwritten rule about family members and children…
But f*ck the rules.

Lucia is the baby of the Terlizzi family.
Now I’m going to put my baby in her.
We’ll see how Dante likes it when I take what’s his.
I’ll dress his pretty little sister in the finest clothes.
I’ll shower her in diamonds and jewels.
I’ll make Dante regret ever double crossing me.
And in the process, I will make my heir.

All I need is a bouquet of roses, a bottle of bourbon, and a good girl to bend to my will.

••••••

REVIEW: WICKED DESIRES is the second full-length instalment in Cora Kent’s contemporary, adult THE TERLIZZIS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is primary school teach Lucia Terlizzi, and head of the Castiglione Crime Family Saverio Castiglione’s story line. WICKED DESIRES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

For backstory, I recommend reading the FREE prequel to Saverio and Lucia’s story-SIMPLE PLEASURES

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lucia and Saverio) WICKED DESIRES follows the acrimonious relationship between our story couple. Saverio Castiglione has claimed the right to marry our story line heroine but in the face of betrayal Saverio is determined to make the Terlizzi family pay for the sins of the past by destroying their only sister, bringing shame and embarrassment to everyone involved but Saverio struggles with his attraction to the woman who calls to his heart, a woman who is hiding a secret that haunts from the past. As Saverio continues to seduce the woman with whom he is falling in love, our hero must join forces with the Terlizzi family in an effort to protect our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on the back and forth relationship between Saverio and Lucia but a night out for drinks forces Lucia to reveal the truth, a truth that threatens the peace between our story line couple. And Saverio reveals his large extended family few people knew anything about. On that note, the blurb is a little misleading, so be aware.

The relationship between Lucia and Saverio is an age-gap, arranged marriage in the face of a prior betrayal. Dante refused the betrothal to Saverio’s sister Lucrezia, a woman with a questionable direction, and in doing so set into motion Saverio’s need for vengeance against the Terlizzi family. As Lucia continues her back and forth attraction to the man in question, all is not as it appears to be when Lucia’s past is connected to the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Lucia’s twin brother Luciano, Niccolo, Dante, and Salvatore; Saverio’s right hand man Raffaele; several of Saverio’s half siblings, as well as Lucia’s co-worker and best friend Brooklyn.

WICKED DESIRES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and jealousy, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is dark and dramatic but not as dark as the previous instalment. The characters are determined and energetic; the romance is provocative and intense.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Corrupt Saint
Ruthless Sinner
SIMPLE PLEASURES (see below)

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

SIMPLE PLEASURES
Terlizzi Family Prequel)
by Cora Kent
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark,erotic, Mafia romance

FREE prequel short story Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 29, 2024

Love is found in the darkest of places. I met the love of my life at a funeral.
She was darkness surrounded by light.
And I knew from that moment on she was the only one for me.

Simple Pleasures takes place in the years before Wicked Desires, featuring the blossoming relationship between Saverio Castiglione and his dandelion, Lucia Terlizzi.

•••

REVIEW: SIMPLE PLEASURES is a prequel short story in Cora Kent’s contemporary, adult TERLIZZI FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia series. SIMPLE PLEASURES introduces Saverio Castiglione, and Lucia Terlizzi.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saverio and Lucia) SIMPLE PLEASURES reveals some of the background and introduction of our story line couple who met at the funeral for Lucia’s baby brother Gianluca. Lucia was only fourteen years old, and Saverio was twenty six. Ten years would pass before Lucia and Saverio would meet once again, this time at the funeral for Lucia’s father, wherein Saverio and Lucia’s hidden relationship is about to be revealed.

SIMPLE PLEASURES is a fast paced, quick read with a determined crime boss, and a stubborn heroine who gives as good as she gets. The premise is engaging; the characters are determined and defiant.

Own a copy

reviewed by Sandy

Share

Graveyard Dog (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones-review tour

Posted on by
15

Graveyard Dog (Charley Davidson 13.9 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Darynda Jones-review & excerpt 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 19,2024

Michael Cavalcante has one thing on his mind when he knocks on Izzabel Walsh’s door at two in the morning, half-dressed and a bit toasted: fix the woman’s heater and get back to bed. He vows never to cover for his maintenance tech again, especially after he gets tased and knocked out with a frying pan for his efforts.

Izzy thought she was safe. She’d dyed her hair, changed her name, and moved 1,500 miles away, and still they found her. When a member of her ex’s motorcycle club knocks on her door in the middle of the night, supposedly to fix a perfectly good heater, Izzy panics. Not only have they found her, but they would soon discover she has a daughter. Aka, a weakness. Aka, leverage. She needs time to think. To plan. To figure out how to keep the sexy neanderthal quiet. But she has no idea how to, short of murder. Can she win him over to her side? Or will he be just like all the others once he finds out what she is capable of?

Michael has one chance to convince Izzy he doesn’t want to harm her or her daughter, but more than that, he wants to know who does. And why. And where he can find them. After all, how else is he going to make sure the two sprites, who have wound their way into his heart, are safe?

••••••

REVIEW:GRAVEYARD DOG by Darynda Jones is a contemporary, adult paranormal romance novella set in the author’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON series, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 DARK NIGHTS series. This is Michael Cavalcante, and single mother Izzabel Walsh’s story line. GRAVEYARD DOG can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order or having some background knowledge of the series.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Michael and Izzabel) GRAVEYARD DOG follows in the wake of the attack against our story line hero. Michael Calvalcante owns the building wherein single mother Izzabel Walsh and her daughter Emma reside but a late night phone call finds Michael struggling with an attack by our story line heroine. Izzabel and her daughter Emma are on the run, and Michael’s appearance threatens their safety and their future but Izzabel and Emma are more than they appear to be, and it is Izzabel’s special abilities that keep her on the run, ahead of anyone trying to control her life. When the past returns, Izzabel struggles to keep Emma safe, and knows in her heart, Michael is willing to do anything to protect Izzabel’s daughter.

The world building covers approximately twenty-four hours in the life of our story line couple as Michael begins to suspect his presence in Izzabel’s life has been ordained by the heavens, or at the very least, the daughter of two powerful gods 😉. Izzabel is desperate to keep her daughter safe but it is Izzabel’s special abilities that have placed a target on their backs.

The relationship between Izzabel and Michael is one of immediate attraction but Izzabel’s attack on Michael has left our hero with a number of questions. Unaware that Michael is more than capable of accepting the specialities in both Izzabel and Emma’s lives, Izzabel struggles with revealing the truth, a truth that Michael and his ‘friends’ are able to see. The lone $ex scene is passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are familiar and flirty, powerful and determined. We are reintroduced to Donovan St. James and Sia, Elwyn aka Beep, Eric Vause, and Agent Carson. I am so pleased that Darynda had plans for Donovan and the MC.

GRAVEYARD DOG is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, magic and the supernatural, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and inviting ; the characters are animated and determined; the romance is limited but seductive. There is a slight twist you won’t see coming.

Reading Order and previous reviews
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (novella)
The Dirt on Ninth Grave
The Curse on Tenth Grave
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave
The Graveyard Shift
The Gravedigger’s Son
The Graveside Bar and Grill
The Grave Robber

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

She had hair the same color as the girl’s, hanging in soft waves around her face and past her shoulders. A similar bow-shaped mouth and eyes the same ashen brown confirmed their relationship.
“She’s not my daughter,” she said, frantically clutching the girl to her.
Or not.
“Mama,” the girl pouted, placing the accent on the second ma, her lower lip jutting out.
“She’s the neighbor’s kid. They’re British. I just watch her from time to time.”
The girl tried to shake out of her grip. While she failed, she did manage to turn in the woman’s arms and look up at her. “Why do you always say that?” she asked in her soft British accent—one the woman didn’t have.
The laugh that escaped the older woman was so exaggerated and forced that Michael was appalled such talent had somehow eluded Hollywood scouts. She pulled the girl to her and petted her hair until he worried the child might go bald. “She’s a bit dramatic.”
The girl pushed at the brunette’s hands. “Mama, stop.”
“Look,” Michael said, growing impatient. And numb. “Like I said when you answered the door this morning, I got a call about your heater.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my heater.”
“Then why did you call?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“I didn’t. But you know that already.”
“I do?” He did? He was lost. Had he come to the wrong apartment? Damn it. How much had he drunk? He tried to count on his fingers but could no longer feel them.
The woman pushed the girl behind her as she walked closer to him. So close he could have easily taken her out with a single sweep of his leg and a triangle chokehold. And it wasn’t like an oven—dishwasher?—door handle could hold him if he didn’t want it to. Maybe for a few seconds. But he’d once fought a bear. Long story. He was fairly certain he could take an appliance door under the right circumstances.
Clearly not a criminal mastermind, the woman leaned close to him, the scent of peach shampoo washing over him, and said the oddest thing he’d heard all day. And he’d heard a lot of strange things already. “Be still.”
He could barely move as it was. How much stiller could he get?
“You will forget the girl in sixty seconds.”
“Mama!” the girl shouted in protest, tugging at the woman’s robe—a micro-thin garment that did little to conceal the curves underneath.
How the fuck was he just now seeing them? The curves. It was the frying pan; it had to be. Because as she leaned even closer, her beautiful face came into focus, and he felt a rippling punch to his gut.
Unhinged and beautiful.
Just his type.


 

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter /Goodreads

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Share

SIN & MISTLETOE anthology with Jade Marshall & Allison MacKenzie

Posted on by
13

SIN & MISTLETOE anthology with Jade Marshall & Allison MacKenzie-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

This Christmas, forget about tinsel and trees.
Get ready for dark and dirty, jealous and possessive.

In the darkness, a tempting surprise waits for you.
There will not be an exchange of gifts, only shadows waiting to claim you.

This holiday season, forget about happiness and family.
Instead, we welcome you to embrace the darkness.

Featuring stories by:
Eirca jaden
Amanda Holly
Allison MacKenzie
M Kay Noir
Jade Marshall

___

DARKEST OBSESSION by Jade Marshall

DARKEST OBSESSION by Jade Marshall is a contemporary, adult , erotic, Mafia romance novella focusing on heir to the DeLuca Mafia Dante Deluca, and physiotherapist Echo Campbell.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dante and Echo) DARKEST OBSESSION follows several years in the life of our story line couple. Dante and Echo were step-siblings following the marriage of Dante’s father to Echo’s mother but in the wake of her mother’s death, Echo became the fixation of the man in charge. Fast forward to present day, Dante DeLuca, heir to the DeLuca Crime family returns injured and broken from the Marines, coming face to face with our story line heroine but Echo withdraws from the man she once loved, a withdrawal that send Dante on a mission of discovery.

The world building follows some of the events of the past. We are witness to Dante’s indoctrination into the DeLuca Crime Family, and Echo’s loss of innocence at the hands of an evil man.

The relationship between Dante and Echo is a step-sibling relationship but the death of Echo’s mother, and Dante’s enlistment in the Marine meant Echo was no longer safe in the house she never called home. Time spent together at Echo’s cabin would find our couple reconnecting and rebuilding what was once lost. The $ex scenes are limited but impassioned.

The secondary and supporting characters include Dante’s father and current head of the DeLuca Crime family Thomas, his second in command Amos, as well as several friends of our story line heroine.

DARKEST OBSESSION is a story of betrayal, abuse, loss and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

______

A RED CHRISTMAS by Allison MacKenzie

A RED CHRISTMAS is the first instalment in Allison MacKenzie’s contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance series focusing on the head of the Volkov Crime Family August Volkov, and Ashleigh Campbell.

Told from dual first person perspectives (August and Ashleigh) covering approximately twenty-four hours, A RED CHRISTMAS follows Ashleigh Campbell, whose family is a part of the Irish Mob, as she prepares to spend the rest of her life in jail but the family’s Christmas vacation finds Ashleigh facing down the enemy who is determined to take his vengeance out on our story line heroine. Enter August Volkov, the new head of the Volkov Bratva in the wake of his sister’s murder, a murder blamed on Ashleigh Campbell. Desperate to take down the woman who killed his sister, August Volkov finds himself trapped in a cabin with our story line heroine when an avalanche buries them alive. Time spent together reveals the truth, an unsuccessful escape, and the palpable sexual attraction between our story line couple.

The relationship between Ashleigh and August is enemies to lovers. Snowbound, trapped in a cabin, our couple must come to terms with what happened and why, and in the wake of the information, August is reconsidering everything going forward. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Ashleigh’s parents Denis and Marisol Campbell; August’s parents Igor and Natasja Volkov.

A RED CHRISTMAS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is dramatic and intriguing; the romance fast and furious; the characters are desperate and broken. A RED CHRISTMAS ends on a cliff hanger -you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

Posted on by
13

Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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

Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/BakingItMerryGoodreads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Everyone in the building loved the bake shop a lot.
Except for the guy on the top floor, who most certainly did not.
If it were up to him, there wouldn’t be a hint of Christmas in the building.

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.

One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

When Tristan finds himself in the middle of a delicate family situation, only Daphne can help him. Now, he’ll have to beg and plead and promise to be on his best behavior while dealing with her exuberant holiday joy. But the more time he spends with her—and the more awkward situations she saves him from—he begins to realize there’s more to her than over-the-top holiday cheer. And maybe, when you’re with the right person, Christmas can mean a little bit more.

••••

REVIEW: BAKING IT MERRY by Samantha Chase is a contemporary adult, holiday romance focusing on architect Tristan Knight, and website designer / baker Daphne Noelle.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Tristan and Daphne) BAKING IT MERRY follows the enemies to lovers, fake relationship between architect Tristan Knight and baker Daphne Noelle. Every holiday season, Daphne Noelle and a group of artisans are contracted to set up a mini holiday market on the ground floor of a local office complex but this particular season Daphne finds herself the unwitting target of a holiday Grinch with the name of Tristan Knight. For some particular reason, Tristan aims his anger and attitude at our story line heroine until the day he discovers his mother is demanding Tristan take control of the holidays parties. With his tail between his legs, Tristan contracts Daphne to cater the family and business parties, a contract that that quickly evolves into something more but Tristan’s mom sees a happily ever after, and caught in a ‘compromising position’ Tristan offers up a fake relationship to appease everyone involved. As the holidays ensue, so does their relationship, a relationship that will implode with the appearance of manipulation and betrayal.

The world building focuses on the fake relationship that quickly grows into something more but Daphne struggles with the false narrative of their workplace affair, a narrative in which friendships and family will lose in the end.

The relationship between Tristan and Daphne is an enemies to frenemies to lovers, fake relationship. Tristan’s mother is desperate to see her son married and happy, and sees an opportunity to set a plan into motion, a plan that will see our couple, heart broken and lost. Tristan is quickly falling for the woman that calls to his heart but Tristan is a snob, and his earlier behavior will threaten any chance at a happily ever after. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including both Tristan and Daphne’s parents, as well as Tristan’s assistant Faye, co-workers and local artisans.

BAKING IT MERRY is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is enchanting and charming; the characters are sassy and determined; the romance is subtle and seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Share

What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-review

Posted on by
14

What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N paper/

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 13, 2024

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me…

Cecilia has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she’s a long way from perfect.

She’s let me into her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she’s on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, I rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex-husband.

It’s a shame that Cecilia doesn’t have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognise me. I’ve been following her for a while, after all.

If she knew who I was then I don’t think I’d be so invisible. And she wouldn’t be so surprised one morning when little Peyton’s cot is found empty…

••••••

REVIEW: WHAT THE NANNY SAW is the second instalment in Kaira Rouda’s contemporary, adult FAMILY SECRETS suspense thriller set in the author’s BEST DAY EVER world. WHAT THE NANNY SAW focuses on Cecilia Strom, her estranged husband Paul; ex baby daddy Evan, and the nanny Lizzie.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cecila and Lizzie) WHAT THE NANNY SAW pulls the reader back into the life of Cecilia Strom. At the end of THE SECOND MRS STROM, Cecilia found herself struggling to heal in the wake of a near death experience. Starting anew, Cecilia is now a mother but her most recent significant other is often absent or in the arms of someone else. Battling her own demons, Cecilia will meet her neighbor’s nanny Lizzie, who offers her expertise to Cecilia in the face of Cecilia’s own apparent inabilities to do it all but Cecilia finds herself at odds with the new nanny, and begins to realize, all is not as it appears to be.

WHAT THE NANNY SAW is another dark and dramatic thriller of secrets and lies, obsession and madness, betrayal and vengeance, power and control. We learn a little bit about Lizzie’s history, and the who and what that is the local nanny. Kaira Rouda pulls the reader into a tragic and melodramatic saga with characters as unlikable as they are deceiving and disturbing, conniving and conspiratorial.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE SECOND MRS. STROM

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster-review

Posted on by
12

THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N Paper /

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/TMRC_GR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she’ll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

••••

REVIEW: THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic romance story line focusing on dog groomer / marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor, and sociology professor Ryan ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Fletch and Destiny) THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST follows the building but fake relationship between our story line couple. Destiny Amor is the groomer for Ryan Fletcher’s dog Molly but Destiny sees nothing but a ‘grumpy Gus’ whenever Ryan enters the store but when Destiny’s inaugural marriage proposal event goes off the rails, Ryan aka Fletch offers a proposal, a fake relationship to keep his family of matchmakers off his back. Little does Fletch know but Destiny has a check-list of criteria for her own Mr. Right, and Fletch doesn’t check off too many boxes on our heroine’s list. As Fletch and Destiny’s relationship slowly builds into something more, neither one is willing to acknowledge their growing love, instead focusing on the end date, and nothing more.

The world building focuses on Destiny’s slow building marriage proposal business, and the growing relationship between our story line couple but Destiny is so fixated on her Mr. Right Check-list she doesn’t see that she has already found the man that she loves. Destiny is willing to walk away as their expiry date approaches because Fletch doesn’t check all of the boxes on her list. While Fletch struggles with a prior betrayal that refocuses his heart on something else he quickly realizes that Destiny may be his chance at love.

The relationship between Fletch and Destiny begins acrimoniously and quickly spirals down hill. In an effort to appease his family, Fletch proposes a fake relationship with our story line heroine, a relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Their sexual chemistry is real and strong. The $ex scenes are spicy intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic and fun. We are introduced to Destiny’s boss and best friend Ruby and her husband John ; Fletch’s best friend Marshall, and brothers Chuck, Jimmy and his wife Beth.

THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, loss and grief, acceptance and love. The premise is spirited and heartwarming ; the characters are flirty and fun; the romance is seductive and fated.

Copy suppled by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….
Share

Sinister Intentions / Dangerous Devotion by Kat Bammer-reviews

Posted on by
13

Sinister Intentions / Dangerous Devotion (Ruthless Rogues 3 & 4:Dangerous Intentions 1 & 2) by Kat Bammer-reviews

SINISTER INTENTIONS
Ruthless Rogues 3 & 4: Dangerous Intentions 1 & 2
by Kat Bammer
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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 15, 2024

“I don’t honor the rules. I make them.”

In the dark, dangerous world of organized crime, Vincenzo Salvini’s name is
whispered behind hands.

And not just in the Italian mafia circles he lords over.
His reputation? Brutal, strategic, emotionless—if he singles you out, it’s game over.

It was exhilarating to outsmart him…and incredibly foolish.
I thought I hid successfully. But he found me, and his hungry eyes speak of sinister intentions.

He insists on an arranged marriage with his brother.
But here’s the kicker…my father agrees.

Salvini wants to destroy me, cage me, control me.
But he underestimates me—I’m not the naive mobster princess, he thinks.
I’m ready to break free from this life, to be independent and true to myself.

Not a mafia bride. Not a plaything of men. And definitely not Vince Salvini’s personal amusement.

••••

REVIEW: SINISTER INTENTIONS is the third instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, and the first instalment in the Dangerous Intentions Duet. This is heir to the Salvini Mafia, thirty-two year old, Vincenzo ‘Vince’ Salvini, and twenty-one year old, Irish Mob princess Jemma Donnelly’s story line. Jemma was first introduced in book two TAINTED DESIRE. SINISTER INTENTIONS can be read as a stand alone with out any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vince and Jemma) SINISTER INTENTIONS follows in the wake of the arranged engagement between Matteo Salvini, and Jemma Donnelly. Jemma and Matteo want nothing to do with the marriage arranged by Vince Salvini and Jemma’s father Craig Donnelly, and from the outset Jemma is determined to run as soon as possible but Vince Salvini sees something in Jemma that stirs within his soul. Jemma has a secret that will force Vince’s hand into marriage, a secret that threatens the stability of the Salvini Mafia. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship between Jemma and Vince, and the potential fall-out as someone else is taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building follows a fight for power and control. Vince Salvini is the eldest son, a man who is struggling with the demons from his past but Vince never expected to find himself attracted to the woman he arranged for his brother, a woman who continually pushes all of his buttons. Meanwhile, Vince’s father is playing games with the Russian Bratva ,and Vince is about to be caught in the crossfire; and Jemma’s secrets are about to be exposed.

The relationship between Vince and Jemma is heated and turbulent. The back and forth vitriol between our story line couple barely masks a sexual attraction that pulls Jemma into the bearing that is our story line hero. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate .

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Alex Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Fiona: Gabe Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Sophie; as well as Vince’s siblings Dante, Matteo, Hero, and Isabella, as well as their father Alfredo Salvino; Craig Donnelly, and Russian mobster Ivan Zotov.

SINISTER INTENTIONS is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family, relationships, and acceptance. The age-gap, enemies to lovers premise is dark, melodramatic and consuming; the characters are desperate and charismatic; the romance is limited to the palpable sexual attraction . SINISTER INTENTIONS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

________

DANGEROUS DEVOTION
(Ruthless Rogues 4: Dangerous Intentions 2)
by Kat Bammer
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 15, 2024

“I’m a lot of things, punk, but gentleman ain’t one of them.”

I should’ve heeded my dangerous mafia boss’s warning because claiming your brother’s bride as your own is anything but gentlemanly.
But here I am, on the precipice of making a life-altering…and incredibly risky choice.

Despite our tumultuous beginning, our conflicts, and the vast differences that separate us, I want Vincenzo Salvini.

All of him.
The good and the bad, the caring, and the ruthless.

His possessive gaze and seductive whispers make me forget everything that stands between us.
Make me fall in love.
But that “yes” means walking into a storm of electrifying passion, lurking danger, and a tangled web of uncertainty.

And a fake marriage–that just might cost me my life.

•••••

REVIEW: DANGEROUS DEVOTION is the fourth instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, and the second book in the Dangerous Intentions Duet. This is heir to the Salvini Mafia, thirty-two year old, Vincenzo ‘Vince’ Salvini, and twenty-one year old, Irish Mob princess Jemma Donnelly’s continuing story. DANGEROUS DEVOTION should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of SINISTER INTENTIONS.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jemma and Vince) DANGEROUS DEVOTION picks up immediately after the events of SINISTER INTENTIONS in which our couple have been targeted, and Jemma finds herself in hiding with the man with whom she is falling in love. As Vince Salvini continues to battle for the top, Jemma focuses on the future with our story line hero but Jemma’s secrets will reveal a connection to the man whom she loves, secrets that will threaten the women in Vincenzo’s life. As Vince must come to terms with the actions of the man currently controlling the New York Mafia, the safety of his soon-to-be wife is his paramount objective. Several attacks against the Salvini household push Vince to take control, and in doing so, he finds himself facing another rival in the war for control.

The world building continues to focus on the building relationship between Jemma and Vince, a relationship that is now based on attraction and love. Someone is taking aim at our story line couple, and Vince begins to suspect there is more than one player in the game.

The relationship between Jemma and Vince is one of mutual attraction; a loving yet protective love affair in which in an effort to protect the woman he loves, Vince must claim Jemma as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive as the couple continues to fight for their lives.

Once again, the dynamic and familiar secondary and supporting characters include the return of Alex Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Fiona: Gabe Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Sophie; as well as Vince’s siblings Dante, Matteo, Hero, and Isabella; their father Alfredo Salvino; Jemma’s father Craig Donnelly, and Russian mobster Ivan Zotov. The requisite evil has many faces.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and infatuation, acceptance and love. The premise remains dark and dramatic; the romance is impassioned; the character are desperate, determined and driven. DANGEROUS DEVOTION ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-the conflict resolution is incomplete.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Sinful Honor
Tainted Desire

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

Share

Mainely Mayhem (Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery 6) by Matt Cost

Posted on by
14

Mainely Mayhem (Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery 6) by Matt Cost-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 13, 2024

Things are not right in Brunswick. Chabal is wracked by the nightmare that was the Wendigo. Langdon is hired to investigate the questionable moral integrity of one of Brunswick’s favorite sons and gets thunked in the head and left to die on a boat mooring in the Atlantic Ocean. And that is just the beginning of the bad.

Judge Cornelius Remington is being fast-tracked to be a Supreme Court Justice. Why?

After only a five-day investigation of Remington, Langdon is pulled from the case, suggesting that the judge had already been rubberstamped and that the White House staff and FBI were just going through the motions. But there are questions about the man’s past that Langdon can’t shake, a past that might still live in the present.

Welcome to Maine: The Way Life Should Be. Or so the billboard reads upon entering the state. But that was before MAYHEM seeped in and tainted the idyllic nature of the place. A corruption that was born in Brunswick has seeped throughout the state and is threatening the entire nation.

It is up to Langdon to find and stop MAYHEM before it is too late. And the clock is ticking.

••••

REVIEW:MAINELY MAYHEM is the sixth instalment in Matt Cost’s contemporary, adult GOFF LANGDON MAINELY MYSTERY suspense series focusing on fifty something part time PI / book store owner Goff Langdon, and his motley crew of friends and family. MAINELY MAYHEM can be read as a stand alone but some of the events of Mainely Mayhem are connected to the events of book five Mainely Wicked. MAINELY MAYHEM advances the series a little over one year.

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

Told from third person perspectives MAINELY MAYHEM follows several paths in the wake of the potential nomination of a local judge for the SCOTUS. Goff Langdon has been hired by the FBI to investigate Judge Cornelius Remington but five days into his search, the investigation is closed without resolution, and Goff begins to consider the reasons why. All of Goff’s information leads to a troubling past for the supreme court nominee, and when anyone connected to the judge disappears or is found dead, all is not as is appears to be when Goff becomes a target because of a job he was hired to do. No one in Washington appears to care about the past, a past that is taking aim at Goff Langdon.

Meanwhile, Goff’s wife Chabal is struggling in the aftermath of her abduction and assault by a Satanic cult, who used Chabal as their unwilling sacrifice. With issues of PTSD, and emotional trauma, Chabal is spiraling even with the help of her family and friends.

MAINELY MAYHEM is another detailed and intriguing story of suspense, secrets and lies. Once again, the premise is edgy, dark, and startling; the characters are eclectic, larger than life and determined. MAINELY MAYHEM is another thought-provoking tale that makes you reconsider what secrets lie behind the people at the top.

 

Reading Order and previous reviews
Mainely Power
Mainely Fear
Mainely Money
Mainely Angst
Mainely Wicked

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Follow: Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook/

Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

Share