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BROKEN PROMISE/ BROKEN TRUST by Nana Malone & M. Malone-review tour

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BROKEN TRUST / BROKEN PROMISE (Broken 1 & 3) by Nana Malone & M. Malone

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2023

I am the ghost that haunts your dreams. I am a liar, a protector … a killer… I am death.

You think you know my story, but you have no idea. My death was just the beginning. In the years since I escaped the shadow organization that owned me, my vow to protect my family is the only thing keeping me alive.

Until I meet her.

Too bad I need the monster to protect her from the demons of her past.

Too bad she’s not that innocent.

•••••••

REVIEW: BROKEN PROMISE is the third instalment in the contemporary, adult BROKEN erotic romance suspense series co-authored by M. Malone and Nana Malone. This is former assassin/former FBI agent turned security specialist Rafe DeMarco, and Diana Renquist-Vandergraff’s story line. BROKEN PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading book one BROKEN TRUST for back story.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Diana and Rafe) BROKEN PROMISE follows the building relationship between Rafe DeMarco and Diana Rehnquist, a relationship predicated upon a number of lies. Ten years earlier Diana lost everything, and blames Rafe DeMarco for it all. Having set a plan into motion to destroy our story line hero, Diana lies about who she is, in an effort to get up close and personal with Rafe DeMarco but Diana never expected to fall in love. As Diana and Rafe’s relationship becomes more serious, Diana begins to execute her plan only to come face to face with people intending to destroy them all. What ensues is the building relationship between Rafe and Diana, and the potential fall-out as the past collides with the present; secrets and lies are revealed; and Rafe finds himself in an impossible situation when he discovers the truth about the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The world building continues to focus on past assignments and contracts, and the vengeance wreaked by those who have been betrayed. Rafe DeMarco is no longer an assassin for hire or an agent with the FBI but he is unable to let go of the past when the past continues to haunt his days and nights.

The relationship between Diana and Rafe is predicated upon a lie. Diana needs revenge for sins of the past but the sins may not be Rafe’s alone. Never expecting to fall in love, Diana struggles between head and heart knowing her time with Rafe is nothing more than a mission to take down the man she blames for her broken heart. Rafe, for all intents and purposes, is easily manipulated by our story line heroine, and finds himself at a disadvantage on more than one occasion. The $ex scenes are numerous, provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and determined secondary and supporting characters most of whom play a role, past and present in our hero’s life. We are reintroduced to the team at Blake Security: Noah and Lucia, Jonas, Oskar, Ian and JJ, as well as Interpol Agent Emelie Durand.

BROKEN PROMISE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, family, friendships, forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced, character driven premise is detailed and intriguing; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are dynamic and desperate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book two BROKEN TIES

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

BROKEN TRUST
(The Broken Series 1)
by M. Malone & Nana Malone
Genre:adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release January 24, 2023

I’m what some people call the bogeyman. Most people have the good sense to be afraid of me. Unfortunately, my best friend’s little sister is NOT most people.

She’s not afraid of me at all. But she should be. She doesn’t know the secrets I’m hiding.

Look, Lucia Demarco is a handful. She’s stubborn, gorgeous, a magnet for trouble, and sets my blood on fire.

Ignore that last part. I can’t have her. I promised my best friend on his deathbed that I’d always take care of her. And I have…never you mind about the thoughts that plague me at night

The point is, she’s been poking her head where it doesn’t belong and now some idiots are about to find out why they call me the reaper.

I hear former hitmen make the best bodyguards. True story!

I’ll keep my word and keep Lucia safe. And I absolutely refuse to give in to her sunny smile or sharp wit.

I can be strong. Or will I risk just one taste?

•••••

REVIEW: BROKEN TRUST is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult BROKEN erotic, romantic suspense series co-authored by M. Malone and Nana Malone. This is security specialist Noah Blake, and twenty year old fashion designer Lucia DeMarco’s story line.

NOTE: BROKEN TRUST is a revised and expanded story line originally released in the Shameless Series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Noah and Lucia) BROKEN TRUST follows the building but tempestuous relationship between security specialist Noah Blake, and twenty year old fashion designer Lucia DeMarco. Six years earlier Lucia’s brother and Noah’s best friend Rafe DeMarco was gunned down on assignment, and in the ensuing years Noah has vowed to protect Lucia with his life but all is not as it appears to be, and Lucia will find herself the target of an assassin, and a pawn between the past and the present. What ensues is the building relationship between Noah and Lucia, and the potential fall-out as a contract targeting Lucia reveals a past shrouded in betrayal and deceit.

The world building is detailed and complex focusing on secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, Dark Ops, secret organizations, government spies, double crossing, double agents, and triple threats. There are code names, undercover operatives, IT specialists, and international systems of espionage and threats. There is a blurry line between right and wrong.

The relationship between Noah and Lucia is a best friend’s sister relationship in which said best friend is dead and gone. Noah has promised to protect the woman he has always loved, a woman who begins to suspect there is more to her brother’s death than she is acutely aware. At every turn Noah hopes to be one-step ahead of our story line heroine but someone else is targeting Lucia, and there is more than one player in the game. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, strategic and powerful secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Noah’s team at Blake Security: Jonas, IT specialist Matthias and Oskar; Noah’s former handler Ian, as well as Lucia’s best friend and designer Jessica JJ Jones, and Lucia’s Nonna DeMarco. JJ and Jonas’ story line is next.

BROKEN TRUST is a story of secrets and lies, espionage, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is captivating, twisted and elaborate; the characters are numerous, dynamic and spirited; the romance is seductive, tender and consuming.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Nana Malone

Follow: Goodreads / Website/ Amazon Author/ Bookbub/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram /

USA Today bestseller Nana Malone’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she “borrowed” from her cousin.

It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion, and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.

M. Malone

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M. Malone is a RITA® Award winner and a NYT & USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband and their two sons in the picturesque mountains of Northern Virginia even though she is afraid of insects, birds, butterflies and other humans.

Since starting her indie publishing journey in 2011,  she has sold over a million books and her titles have hit the NYT and USA Today bestseller lists more than a dozen times. 

She also holds a Master’s degree in Business from a prestigious college that would no doubt be scandalized at how she’s using her expensive education.

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Broken Promise (Sons of Broad #3) by Tara Thomas-Review & Excerpt

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BROKEN PROMISE (Sons of Broad #3) by Tara Thomas-Review and Excerpt

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About the book: Release Date June 26, 2018

In this next novel in the explosive, brand-new romantic suspense Sons of Broad series from Tara Thomas comes a novel of deadly secrets and hidden danger. In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…

SHE SWORE TO KEEP HER PROMISES.

BUT CAN SHE KEEP THEM SAFE…AND PROTECT HER HEART?

Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams made a promise years ago to protect innocent women from harm. Now, she won’t rest until she can reunite every lost daughter with her family.Bring closure to every grieving husband. And, most of all, find out what happened the night her own sister disappeared, more than ten years ago…

As the eldest of the Benedict brothers, Kipling will stop at nothing to protect his family from a threat that aims to destroy them once and for all. But when a long-lost sibling is kidnapped by a powerful adversary, Alyssa is the only one he can turn to to get her back.

As Alyssa and Kipling band together to find their lost siblings, a powerful attraction builds between them that they can’t ignore. As the truth comes to light, will one broken promise tear them apart?

••••••••••

REVIEW: BROKEN PROMISE is the third full-length instalment in Tara Thomas’ contemporary, adult SONS OF BROAD romantic suspense series.This is Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams, and billionaire businessman Kipling Benedict’s story line. BROKEN PROMISE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory as there is a continuing premise and theme throughout.

Told from several third person points of view including Alyssa and Kipling BROKEN PROMISE follows the building but forbidden relationship between Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams, and billionaire Kipling Benedict. Weeks earlier Officer Adams arrested Kipling Benedict on suspicion of murder but in the ensuing time Alyssa is all too well aware that there is more going down than meets the eye. With the body count rising, and each successive murder linked back to the Benedict brothers and their significant others, Alyssa’s own family history begins to unravel as threats against our heroine finds Kipling and Alyssa working together to reveal the truth. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Alyssa and Kipling, as they are pulled into a game of cat and mouse wherein Alyssa and Kipling have been targeted by someone from the past.

BROKEN PROMISE is the culmination of several story lines including the original three-part serial that focused on deception and revenge; jealousy and envy. The Benedict brothers have been pulled into the ‘Gentleman’s’ game of vengeance, a game that involved murder, torture and the ultimate act of betrayal. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are charismatic; the romance is passionate and fated. I did struggle with the slow progress of events throughout the story; I am hoping the author has plans for Jade.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
.5 Shattered Fear
.6 Hidden Fate
.7 Twisted End
Darkest Night
Deadly Secret
Broken Promise

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Though he would deny it if asked, Kipling Benedict felt oddly out of place at his younger brother’s vow renewal. He chalked it up to both of his younger brothers now be- ing in committed relationships, but that didn’t make him feel any better. In fact, as he stood by Knox and listened as he pledged to love, honor, and cherish his wife, Bea, Kipling actually felt worse.
Worse because he was envious of what his brothers had. Though he could pound his fists into something, it wouldn’t change anything. He’d accepted a long time ago that his station in life was to be alone. Having fallen in love hard and fast in college, paired with only being seen for his net worth, left him not wanting to try again. Being alone was so much easier.
However, at times such as this, he became acutely aware of the differences between acceptance and contentment. Because while he may have accepted that he would be alone, he was not content.
“You may kiss your bride,” the minister said, dragging him back to the small historic chapel Bea had selected for the renewal.
Kipling clapped as his brother took his wife in his arms

and dipped her low, snagging a kiss while he did so. They both looked so blissfully in love, he couldn’t help but smile at the joy and peace seen in the couple. If anyone deserved a happily ever after, they did. They had originally married in secret, but more than that, they’d both narrowly escaped with their lives after a security guard hired to protect Bea turned out to be the thug who had beat her up and left her for dead months earlier.
Kipling had asked Knox a few days ago if he was ready to give up his bachelor status forever since he was going public with his wedding this time. They’d been outside. Tilly sat at a nearby table in the garden and both Keaton and Bea sat with her. From what Kipling was able to pick up on, they were looking at a map and trying to determine the best location for a public vegetable garden. Bea looked up and winked at Knox.
His brother had only replied, “The wedding won’t come soon enough for me.”
Kipling felt the truth in his words that day, but now he saw it as the happy couple stood up, and laughed, only hav- ing eyes for the other.
Kipling felt his mouth curl up into a smile as the couple walked down the aisle, nodding to the small gathering of friends and family in attendance. Kipling’s hands froze when he saw who waited by the chapel doors.
Alyssa Adams. Officer Alyssa Adams.
The corner of his mouth lifted. He hadn’t expected her to be here today. It was ridiculous how happy he was to see her. Especially since she made no secret of the fact that she didn’t like him, his money, or anything about him. The way Kipling saw it, she presented him with a challenge and he never backed down from a challenge. But it was more than that. It was the way she never backed down from him

and how when she sparred verbally with him, it made him feel alive in a way he rarely felt.
He kept his eyes on her as he made his way down the aisle behind his brother. Though he had seen her wear a dress once before at the party announcing Keaton and Tilly’s engagement and the new division of Benedict Indus- tries, today she wore a more formal one. It hit above her knee, showing off her long legs and toned calves. He’d al- ways considered himself a leg man. Yes, breasts were great and he had no problem appreciating a woman’s backside, but legs . . .
There was just something about a woman’s legs. Espe- cially when they looked like Alyssa’s. Long and lean and strong. It was so easy to imagine them wrapped around his waist while he angled his hips to—
“Stop it.” His youngest brother, Keaton, punched his arm. “Seriously, man. What happened to your poker face?” They had made it out of the chapel and were waiting for the remaining guests to leave the church so they could
all walk to the reception area.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kipling told Keaton. In truth, he shouldn’t be the least bit interested in the police officer. It seemed as if each time he saw her, she only gave him disturbing news about his family. Or worse yet, arrested him. He didn’t understand how he could pos- sibly find her attractive, but he did. Not only that, but he wanted her. Badly.
“You don’t know what I’m talking about.” His youngest brother snorted. “Yeah, right.”
Kipling shot him a look that would have stopped an- other man in his tracks, but that apparently didn’t work on younger brothers. No, the look didn’t have any sort of im- pact on Keaton, who kept right on talking.
“You know,” Keaton said, nodding toward Alyssa who

was currently chatting with Janie Roberts, her old partner, who would soon become Bea’s sister-in-law. “If you wanted, you could, I don’t know, ask her out or something.”
He thought about playing dumb, pretending he wasn’t sure who Keaton was talking about, but he’d never been one to play the fool and he sure as hell wasn’t going to start now.
“It’s not as simple as that,” Kipling told his younger brother. It was a pat answer, but the truth. Looking at Al- yssa while she spoke to her friend, he wished things were different. Damn, but he could watch her for hours. Today, there was very little to be seen of the straight-laced in- vestigator she was around him and he found the contrast mesmerizing. She talked with Janie using her entire body. She was so animated and her smile so genuine, he couldn’t look away. Not only that, but he’d always seen her with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and today it was free to dance around her shoulders in soft waves. The sunlight made the normal brown a plethora of colors: blond, red, and even hints of black.
Keaton narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. “Why isn’t it that simple?”
“I’m not going to stand here and explain myself to you,” Kipling said. “You’re going to have to take my word for it.”
“If this is about that girl in college . . .” Keaton started, but stopped when Kipling raised his hand.
“Don’t go there,” Kipling warned his younger brother. “Not now. Not ever.”
He would live his life and never complain if no one ever brought up the girl he dated in college. The one he fell hard for. The one he planned to marry. The one who made a fool out of him.
His stomach twisted and he wondered if he’d ever think of her without wanting to throw up. He reminded himself

that at least he’d gotten out of the situation and hadn’t been stupid enough to elope. She’d actually suggested they do exactly that before they went to his house for Christmas break.
Even then, it appeared as if Keaton was going to argue with him. Fortunately, Tilly, his fiancée, came up to them and looped her arm through Keaton’s.
“Come on, you guys,” Tilly said. “The photographer wants to do some family shots.”
“Why do I have to get my picture taken?” Kipling mum- bled while straightening his tie. “It’s not my wedding.”
But he followed Keaton and Tilly to the front of the chapel anyway, unable to keep himself from looking over his shoulder at Alyssa one last time.

CREDIT: BROKEN PROMISE by Tara Thomas. Copyright © 2018 by the author and reprinted by permission of St Martin’s Press.

Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.

She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel THE MASTER earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was awarded Best Romance of 2016 from Best Book Awards, and is a 2017 RITA Finalist for Best Erotic Romance.

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