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BURN / ICE (Alaska Heat ) by Stephanie Rowe-a review

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BURN / ICE (Alaska Heat ) by Stephanie Rowe-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2020

Five years ago, Charlotte Murphy’s brother tracked down her family through a DNA ancestry test. Charlotte was the only one he left alive. And now he’s back to finish the deadly game he started.

When reclusive Mack Connor is summoned to Alaska by his best friend, he’s not prepared to play bodyguard to a spunky, sexy bartender fighting to reclaim her life from the stalker who killed her family. But when Mack falls hard for the sassy Alaskan, the stakes suddenly become much higher than he can afford.

Charlotte’s scared. She’s in danger. She’s afraid to trust. Until Mack walks into her life, with shadows in his eyes, a gun at his hip, and a heart he keeps under lockdown.

When the serial arsonist heats up his game, can Charlotte and Mack find a way to survive, or will her death be the final victory for the brother no one would ever want?

••••••••••

REVIEW: BURN is the fourth instalment in Stephanie Rowe’s contemporary, adult ALASKA HEAT romantic, suspense series set in the wilderness of Alaska. This is cyber security specialist Mack Connor, and waitress Charlotte Murphy’s story line. BURN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Mack and Charlotte’s story begins in book three GHOST. Mack is Ben Forsett’s childhood best friend, and Charlotte is Mari Walsh’s co-worker at the local bar.

NOTE: For fans of the series, there is a six year gap for the author in writing the series, and a continuity error as it pertains to Charlotte’s family.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mack and Charlotte) BURN follows in the aftermath of Charlotte and Mari’s abduction by Charlotte’s former boyfriend Joseph. Struggling to move on with her life, Mari is determined to pack up and leave Alaska until Ben Forsett introduces Charlotte to the man with whom she will fall in love. Enter security specialist Mack Connor. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Mack and Charlotte, and the potential fall out as Charlotte’s past has returned in an effort to take down Charlotte and everyone connected to our heroine’s past.

Charlotte Murphy lost everything five years earlier when her step-brother Dexter took the lives of her mother and father. Swearing to return to finish the job and kill the ‘sister’ he never knew, Charlotte has been hyper aware and in seclusion fearing Dexter will make good on the promise. Mack Connor’s last mission went all to h*ll, and in the ensuing months Mack has come to believe he is unworthy of love, relationships, friendships or help. Meeting Charlotte gave Mack a hope for the future but Charlotte’s issues of trust, may be something Mack is unable to overcome.

The relationship between Mack and Charlotte is one of immediate attraction but Charlotte’s confidence is shattered, and she waffles between trusting our hero and the uncertainty of his ability to protect her life. Both Mack and Charlotte are a little bit broken and struggle with their demons both day and night. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many who have been introduced in the previous instalments: Cort and Kaylie (Ice #1), Luke and Isabella (Chill #2), Ben and Mari (Ghost #3) ; local Haas Carter; bar manager David Hampton; and Trooper Trey Hooper.

BURN is a story of betrayal and vengeance; trust and uncertainty; relationships, friendships and love. The premise is intriguing and dramatic; the romance is captivating, tender and emotional; the characters are energetic and impassioned. BURN is an engaging and intense story of jealousy, retribution, hatred and hostility.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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ICE
(Alaska Heat #1)
by Stephanie Rowe
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2009

Most people find beauty in Alaska’s austere mountains. To Kaylie Fletcher, there is only death – her whole family gone after a disatrous climbing expedition. Then again, maybe not. A raspy call in the middle of the night leads Kaylie to believe her mother might still be alive. For now…

A strange message in a bar. A bloody knife. A fiery explosion. There’s a killer inching closer, but Kaylie has nowhere to run. Except straight into the arms of Cort McClaine. The rugged bush pilot is too much of an adrenaline junkie to be considered safe, but Kaylie can’t resist the heat of his touch amid the bitter cold.

Caught in a high-stakes race against a murderous madman, Kaylie and Cort know that with one wrong step they’ll be…iced.’

•••••••••

REVIEW: ICE is the first instalment in Stephanie Rowe’s contemporary, adult ALASKA HEAT romantic suspense series set in the wilderness of Alaska. This is pilot Cort McClaine, and Kaylie Fletcher’s story line.

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

Told from several third person perspectives including Cort and Kaylie ICE focuses on Kaylie Fletcher’s search for her family. Mountain climbing was her parents’ passion but a phone call telling Kaylie her mother survived a fatal climbing expedition on Mount McKinley forced our heroine to venture into the wilds of Alaska, something she promised herself she would never do. Hoping to stay with her friend Sara and her husband Jackson, Kaylie found herself facing pilot Cort McClaine, a man who stirred something within our story line heroine but all was not well when Cort and Kaylie arrived, and in the ensuing melee our couple will discover that death was awaiting them upon their return. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Cort and Kaylie, and the potential fall out as Kaylie becomes the target of an obsessed stalker, someone who knows too much about Kaylie, and the family she lost.

The relationship between Kaylie and Cort is one of immediate attraction but Kaylie is a city girl and wants nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the Alaska wilderness. Cort’s life is in the air, and the surrounding greenery of the state of Alaska but falling in love with Kaylie brought too many memories of another woman from his past, another woman who wanted nothing to do with Cort’s lifestyle or the land upon which he lived. The back and forth, up and down, constant push and pull between our leading couple is filled with anxiety, stress, sexual tension and the arrogance of two people who refuse to accept the other for who they are, and what they represent. Saying that, Cort and Kaylie had nothing in common but the sexual tension that ran tight and strong-at every opportunity Kaylie was pushing Cort away, and Cort’s demons from the past continue to push him over the edge. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Kaylie’s brother Mason; Cort’s friend Luke Webber; Charity Simms; Old Tom; Troopers Bill Man, and Richie Parker.

ICE is a story of family, friendships, obsession and betrayal. The action packed premise is dramatic and intense; the romance struggles in the face of preconceived notions; the characters are animated, compelling but vulnerable. This one was a bit of a struggle -perhaps a little less friction between our leading couple would have made for a more believable happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

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Burn (Men of Inked:Heatwave #2) by Chelle Bliss-Review Tour

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Burn (Men of Inked: Heatwave #2) by Chelle Bliss-Review Tour

 

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2019

She thought she’d never fall in love, but then he rode into her world covered in ink and wrapped in chaos.

He never expected his past to follow him into his future, but nothing stays hidden for long.

Burn is book two in the Men of Inked: Heatwave series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss. The Men of Inked: Heatwave series features steamy romance, hot heroes, and strong women.

•••••••••

REVIEW:Burn begins where Flame left off………..Someone had broken into Gigi’s apartment and attacked her, only to find out when Pike storms in that it is none other than his dad, Colton Moore. Shocked to their core, Gigi’s family is called in to take care of the intruder whom the Feds have been looking for.

Pike’s life growing up was not an easy one. He left as soon as he was old enough and never looked back. He kept in touch with his grandmother some, but not his little brother nor his mother. When Pike learns that tragedy has struck back in Tennessee, he makes the hard decision to head back to Tennessee to help with the arrangements. Gigi informs him that she is going with him, to which he strongly disagrees, but Gigi being Gigi and all, they head out. Once the arrive, Pike’s little brother, Austin, is so glad to see him. It’s when the two of them spend some time together talking, Pike discovers the truth about what happened and what Austin had to endure. With Pike being all Austin has left, other than his aging grandmother, the not so easy decision is made by Pike to take Austin home with him.

Once Pike, Gigi and Austin get back home and head over to Gigi’s family’s home, Austin overhears Pike expressing his frustration with the whole situation and takes off. Once apologies are made, Pike thinks that, finally, his life may straighten out and the bad stuff is over. However, their father’s criminal activities seem to have no end in sight as Pike and the Gallos are targeted by someone wanting what Colton Moore has hidden that is worth a fortune. Pike knows one thing: he will never let anything happen to Gigi or a member of her family, which puts his life on the line….

Burn is another amazing story written by Chelle Bliss. Pike and Gigi are great together and I loved their interactions. I love that Gigi is her own person and that Pike lets her be just that. And, once again, it’s Pike who just breaks your heart. Once deeply buried memories resurface for him, your heart will break even more. But, it’s the decisions he makes regarding his life that makes him one of my favorite characters I’ve read in a very long time. Add to all of this the Gallo family, and you find yourself not being able to turn the pages fast enough. The world that Bliss has created will suck you in from the very beginning. Well done, Chelle Bliss!! Very, very, very well done!!!

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of book one FLAME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie

 

USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over ten books and has two series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

 

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in History. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

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Burn (Breathless #3) by Maya Banks-a review

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Burn (Breathless #3)  by Maya Banks – a review

Burn

Book 3 in the Breathless Trilogy

About the book: Release Date August 6, 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Ash, Jace, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Ash, it’s the woman who changes everything he’s ever known about dominance and desire…

When it comes to sex, Ash McIntyre has always explored his wilder side—extreme and uncompromising. He demands control. And he prefers women who want it like that. Even the women he’s shared with his best friend, Jace.

But Jace is involved with a woman he has no intention of sharing. And now even Gabe has settled into a relationship with a woman who gives him everything he needs, leaving Ash feeling restless and unfulfilled.

Then Ash meets Josie, who seems immune to his charms and his wealth. Intrigued, he begins a relentless pursuit, determined she won’t be the one who got away. He never imagined the one woman to tell him no would be the only woman who’d ever drive him to the edge of desire.

Review:

Ash has given his best friends and business partners, Jace and Gabe hell over falling in love and settling down. After all, their motto for years has been play hard and live free. And he had no plans in giving up on their mantra. Oh, but fate has different plans for Ash….

Burn begins with a chance, albeit brief, encounter between Ash and Josie in the park. Josie is there sketching and Ash just needed a breath of fresh air. And, what a breath he got. After their initial encounter, Ash becomes obsessed with finding out all that he can about Josie and the man she belongs to. Because when Ash wants something, he stops at nothing to get it.

Josie is a bit of a free spirit. She is an artist and jewelry designer and doesn’t do the regular nine to five. She has broken it off with her boyfriend and has fallen on hard times. Her art isn’t selling and she has to make her rent. Little did she know that her trip to the pawn shop would be life-changing. Once she heads back to the pawn shop to buy back her mother’s jewelry, she discovers that it has been purchased by someone and there is no way to get it back. Until she leaves the shop and runs into Ash, who immediately tells her he’ll give her back her jewelry……..for a price. Dinner. She is apprehensive, but will do anything to get the only thing of her mother’s she has left, and to get to know a bit more about the man before her.

Once they meet for dinner, Ash lays it on the line. He wants her to be his in every way. Josie finds his offer intriguing and knows that she will be his, but asks for a few days to wrap her head around the idea. They part ways, with her telling him she’ll be in touch in a couple of days with her decision. However, when Ash doesn’t hear from her in several days, he sets out to find her. And, what he finds leaves him cold. Seems Josie’s ex wasn’t happy about her dumping him and he physically attacked her. Ash packs her up immediately and takes her to his apartment, where he takes care of her and doesn’t rush her into anything. He gives her that one night, because the next? She will be his.

They embark on their relationship and they are both happier than they could have ever imagined. They fall into a routine that suits them both. Josie’s art is selling and she feels that she can take care of herself, if need be. Even though Ash would never allow it, she has a sense of independence and starts to fall in love with him, and he with her. She’s introduced to his friends, Gabe & Mia, and Jace & Bethany, and loves how close they all are. She can finally imagine a long term relationship with Ash, until she discovers what she thinks is a betrayal that sends her reeling. And, when she confronts Ash and goes back to her old apartment, they are both devastated. Only they had no idea of the events that would play out. An old threat returns and the actions taken against Josie not only threaten her being with Ash, but threaten her very life…..

I liked the first book in this trilogy, Rush. I loved the second book, Fever. I absolutely ADORED Burn! I knew that Ash’s would be my favorite. He is estranged from his family and had made his own way and his own fortune. Something that his family did not like. He was always the laid back, easy going one of the trio. But, I just knew that there was more beneath the surface. God, I love it when I’m right!! Even though he and Josie’s relationship developed quickly, it worked. I loved them together. The “old threat” that returned?? I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING!! And, it affected them all, in one way or another. Of course they closed ranks and took care of business. Some of the best scenes in all three books are the girls’ nights out. Seriously!! The books are worth reading, if only for those scenes alone! They are hysterical and so much fun to read. I have my fingers crossed that Maya Banks will at least do a novella that lets us check in on this trio and their wives to see how things are going. The worst part of this being the third book of the trilogy? It’s over…………. Well done, Maya Banks. Very well done.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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BURN (Celestra series #3 YA) by Addison Moore -A Review

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BURN (Book 3 Celestra Series) by Addison Moore

For the next few days, The Reading Cafe will feature the books of Addison Moore.  Stay tuned for our Interview and Giveaway with Addison on Wednesday March 28, 2012

BURN is the 3rd story in Addison Moore’s Young Adult Celestra series. Focusing on the life of 16 year old Skyla Messenger and her friends & family of Angels and Demons, Addison continues her series, delving deeper into the darkside of a YA paranormal adventure. Once again the cast of characters range from the angelic Celestra, the evil demon Fems, the Countenance (enemy) and Marshall Dudley-the all encompassing Sector.

BURN is a much darker novel than the previous 2 books, so much so that I was hoping it was all a dream-that the ‘heroine’ Skyla, would wake up and everything would be back to normal. But this particular storyline revolves around revenge and hatred. Skyla is seeking those who murdered her father 2 years prior, and like the previous 2 instalments, she is still refusing to listen to reason and continues her Light travel through time. Her headstrong and take no prisoners attitude, escalates into a killing spree around the world, where she is aided by Gage, with his need to protect her at all costs.

There are several murders and attempted murders throughout the storyline. Skyla is sexually attacked and in self-defense, murders the young man thinking he was one of the Countenance. But when it is revealed that he truly was an enemy of the Celestra, it is only the beginning of Skyla’s murderous rampage on those hoping to claim her blood. A near fatal throat slashing, a car accident where a ghostly apparition gains control of the vehicle, and several attacks by the demon Fems, would be enough to send any normal teenager into a headlong case of psychosis. But Skyla Messenger takes it all in stride, knowing that one day-she will make a difference (right or wrong) in everybody’s life. And to further add irony to her already crazed life, Skyla is occasionally possessed by one of her victims.

Skyla’s desire to ‘reanimate’ Chloe, pushes her further into the world of the past, but there is a price to pay, when one meddles with the creation or re-creation of life. Thinking Chloe has the answers to all of her questions, she inadvertently crosses a threshold of no return. Her weekly donation of ‘angel’ blood is so powerful, that the past will meet in the present much quicker than anyone had realized. But Chloe has other plans, and it is within the pages of Chloe’s diary, that Skyla’s looks at the future, that had already been written in the past.

Gage and Logan continue their ‘wooing’ of Skyla, knowing she loves both young men equally. But Logan’s altruism pushes Skyla deeper into the arms of Gage, even though she is well aware that her feelings for Logan will never change. Hoping to keep their relationship platonic, Logan and Skyla agree to disagree about the arrangements. But Gage’s declaration of love sends Logan spiraling slowly out of their lives.

Marshall Dudley, or Studley-Dudley, the resident math teacher, continues his seduction of the female population. But it is Skyla in whom his sights have been set. We are not sure at this point, whether Marshall the Sector is good or evil. He genuinely aids Skyla with her discovery of the many Counts living on Paragon Island, but every time he reveals the true nature of the population, Skyla must pay. Although his desires for Skyla seem genuine, what is not apparent are his reasons. And to complicate the scenario, Marshall has a propensity for having intercourse with many of the young female students and his fertility factor runs high.

Skyla’s mother Lizbeth and step-father Tad are continuously at odds about how to handle their teenage delinquent. As far as Tad is concerned, Skyla is a walking disaster, but her mother is hoping that this is only an awkward stage in her daughter’s young life. But there is something about Tad’s aggression towards his step-daughter, that at times you wonder, if he is truly human. And like many parents of rebellious teens, they appear to have lost control.

Skyla’s group of cheerleading frenemies continue to provoke and attack at every chance. She has become the target of not just the Fems and the Countenance, but also the ‘mean-girl’ pep squad and their family of gossip girls and neighbors.

Overall, BURN is an adventure worthy of a crime-story episode. There are enough murders, missing people, accidents and blood spillage that the local authorities should be a bit more concerned about the strange happenings occurring on the island of Paragon. But on the evening of Skyla’s 17th birthday party more surprises are revealed and Marshall Dudley may have shown Skyla more information than she had ever wanted to know. What would it be like to know-your entire family may just be your worst enemy?

Reviewed by Sandy

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