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Shadow Storm by Christine Feehan – Review & Excerpt

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Shadow Storm by Christine Feehan – Review & Excerpt

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2021

Description:
A long-simmering feud between two families comes to a head in this gripping novel in Christine Feehan’s New York Times bestselling Shadow Riders series.

As the youngest member of the Ferraro family, Emmanuelle has watched each of her brothers find happiness in love while her own heart was shattered by a lover’s betrayal. For two years she’s stayed as far away from Valentino Saldi as possible—until she learns that he’s been shot during a hostile takeover of his family’s territory.

Emme’s first instinct is to call her brother Stefano for help, and soon the entire Ferraro clan arrives to bring Val back from the brink of death and protect the Saldis from further attack. With one choice Emme has re-exposed herself to Val’s intoxicating pull and dragged her family into the Saldis’ private war.

A deadly storm is brewing, and only time will tell who survives…

 

 

Barb’s Review::  Shadow Storm by Christine Feehan is the 6th book in her fantastic Shadow Rider series.  I have waited for Emme’s story, and Shadow Storm was so good, I just pray Feehan continues this series; as this has become my favorite.  This entire series has been great so far, and Emmanuelle and Valentino’s story is the best one yet.

Emme has been a major character throughout every book, as she is a fabulous heroine, and after seeing all her brothers find their mates, she is determined to allow herself to enter an arranged marriage.  But she has not gotten over her love of Val Saldi, the forbidden love; a man who helps run the Saldi crime family.  When Emme receives a desperation phone call that Val has been shot, and they need her help, she immediately drops everything to go to his rescue; but she smartly alerts her brother Stefano, and the entire Ferraro family will meet Emme, and help the Saldi’s against a hostile attack within the Saldi family.  Emme has not seen Val for two years, and she is immediately drawn back to him. 

The hostile attack is stopped, and Val slowly recovers from his injuries, hell bent on winning Emme back into his life.  It is here that Emme will explain to her family, how when she was younger, she saw strange things like ropes all around her shadow.  Stefano and Ricco question Val, who claims he knows about the binding, but did not know much else, except what he researched from the old days of rumors.

The Ferraro’s know Emme loves Val, and they will support her, as well as make a deal with Saldi to help stop the hostile takeover from another family member of the Saldi family.  Val loves Emme, and does not plan to allow her to run away again, he wants her to marry him.  Will the Ferraro’s allow Emme to marry their old enemy and make her happy?

I loved how the Ferraro’s began to work closely with Val, Dario to find the culprits in the family, as well as discover who is behind the horrible trafficking ring selling very young children.  This was an emotional story on many levels; the mob war, the child porn ring, as well as the sizzling romance between Val and Emme.  He wasn’t happy that she wanted to remain a shadow rider, and she was determined to do what she was trained to do.  Over time she will not only work with her family, but at the same time use her ability to be in the shadows to help Val and Dario find the enemies within.

Shadow Storm was an exciting, tense, heart pounding, nonstop edge of your seat action, from start to finish.  Their romance was steamy and I did love them together.  I loved seeing all the Ferraro’s again, as they were such a great family (not the mother Eloisa, who was horrible).  Dario turned out to be a great character, and I would love for him to find a woman that could handle him.  ?  I also would like a story on Elie, who was also great, and Emme’s best friend. 

Christine Feehan once again gives us a fabulous story, which as noted was the best one yet.  Shadow Storm was a great read, and so very well written by Feehan.  If you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book.  If you have read them all, you will love this one.

•••••••

Sandy’s Review:  SHADOW STORM is the sixth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW RIDER erotic, paranormal romance series series focusing on the Ferraro family. This is Emmanuelle Ferraro and Valentino Saldi’s story line. SHADOW STORM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Shadow Rider male must find his mate –a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow-riding gene. Within the family, the Ferraro siblings are tasked with finding a mate, fated by DNA, who is capable of continuing the family line. People with the ability to ride the shadows are few and far between, and future generations are at risk if no mates are found with the shadow-riding gene. The Ferraro’s are also part of the Chicago Underworld-a crime family linked to both legal and criminal activity.

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

Told from dual third person perspectives (Emmanuelle and Valentino) SHADOW STORM focuses on the forbidden relationship between Emmanuelle Ferraro and Valentino Saldi. The Saldi and Ferraro family have been at war for as long as anyone can remember . Both are a powerful members of the criminal underworld, and in this, are in direct competition with one another but Emmanuelle’s attraction and need for Valentino has not gone unnoticed-there is something about their shadows that cannot be contained. Valentino Saldi has known Emmanuelle Ferraro is his fated mate the day his shadow reached out and started to intertwine with Emmanuelle’s shadow but the Saldi’s are not Shadow Riders, and in this, their shadows are something else, something ‘other’. An attack against the Saldi’s at their exclusive and heavily armed compound points a heavy finger at an inside job revealing a dark and dangerous secret of human trafficking. With the help of the Ferraro family, Valentino takes control of the Saldi crime family, cleaning house at all costs but someone has targeted our story line heroine, and Valentino is taking no prisoners in his fight to protect the woman he loves.

The relationship between Emmanuelle and Valentino is one of the forbidden; a Romeo and Juliet style of relationship where the potential for war is always close at hand but Emmanuelle struggles with the realization that something else plays a large part in the attraction between our leading couple, something of which Emmanuelle was never in control. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and aggressive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and powerful secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples, as well as several cousins and members of the extended Ferraro family, and the Ferraro matriarch Eloise and her significant other Henry. We are introduced Valentino’s cousin and right hand man Dario, and Valentino’s father Giuseppe. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHADOW STORM is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; horrific crimes against children and women. Christine Feehan’s stories have become increasingly more violent and graphic with references to child trafficking, slavery and abuse, killings and rape, and most of it directed at the female characters, therefore, a warning of potential triggers is definitely a must. The premise is raw and gritty; the romance is fated and impassioned; the characters are animated, forceful and captivating. SHADOW STORM is a dark, emotional and heart breaking story of about the abuse of power, and the twisted world of human trafficking.

 

 

“Did he really betray you, Emme? The way you said he did?”
Emmanuelle nodded slowly, the hurt ripping through her every bit as physical as it was emotional. She stood in the shadows, in his bedroom. She hadn’t been able to hold out any longer, and she’d gone to him, ready to commit to their relationship.
“I was going to tell him I loved him. I would have given up shadow riding for him. Being a Ferraro. Everything I am, to be with him. I went to him, and he was with another woman. In his bedroom. She asked about me, told him she’d heard he was with me. He kind of snickered and said I was just business. He’d been ordered to make me fall in love with him and was fucking me to get me to spill the Ferraro secrets. Did he really want to be with a spoiled baby who didn’t know jack about sex? That’s why Vittorio beat the shit out of him at the hotel that day. I inadvertently said something. I had before, but no one was really listening to what I said, I guess.”
Elie groaned. “For fuck’s sake, Emme. I practically said the same thing about Brielle. How can you even look at me?”
“Clearly, you aren’t Valentino Saldi,” Emme said. “You hate what you did to Brielle and tried to apologize. She just didn’t give you the chance.”
Elie was silent for a long time. He swirled his straw and then looked up at her, his dark eyes pure velvet. “Has Val ever tried to explain to you what he said and did?”
She felt the color drain from her face. Her body went stiff with shock. “Yes. Many times. I can’t listen to him. I don’t dare let myself.” She whispered the confession like a terrified child.
“Why, Emme? You’re a Ferraro. A Shadow Rider. Why are you so afraid of Valentino Saldi? It shouldn’t matter how sexually attracted you are to him or how emotionally attached. You can hear lies. You can hear them. You know if he speaks the truth. Brielle could have heard the truth if she wanted to hear it. She didn’t. She chose to live with that hurt, and she condemned me and someone else to an arranged marriage because she didn’t have the courage to at least let me explain. Yeah, what I did was wrong. It was so fucked up it wasn’t funny, but she’s not without blame, either, because she didn’t even once let me try to explain in all the times I reached out to her.”
Emmanuelle wanted to put her hands over her ears and drown him out. “Sometimes the cut is so deep, Elie, you can’t bear to ever go there again.”
“Maybe you’re right, Emme. But think about the poor bastard you’re condemning to living with you who will never have real love from you. Your loyalty, yes, but never your love, and he’ll know it. He’ll feel it every damn day of his life.”
“That’s not fair and you know it. You can hardly compare Valentino Saldi, a criminal, with your situation. That’s what you’re doing.”
“Technically, Emme,” Elie said, complacent as always, “we’re criminals. We’re assassins. We kill people, any way we look at it. You don’t know what Val does or doesn’t do. Even Stefano isn’t certain of Val. I know because I asked him.”
Emmanuelle’s phone vibrated, and she pulled it out of her pocket with a little sigh, grateful for the respite. She didn’t want to talk about Valentino Saldi anymore. She didn’t want to think about him. She hadn’t slept in months. She’d cried so many tears she was pretty certain she could have filled a lake. Still, there was an emptiness in her, a pain that just wouldn’t go away. There was no way to explain that to Elie. He’d said hurtful things to a woman, but he didn’t know her. She’d spent time with Valentino for years. He’d made love to her. He’d taken her rough, gentle, slow, fast, looking into her eyes.
She was not going to cry right there in the pizzeria. She clutched her phone like a lifeline and looked down at the message. For a moment she didn’t actually comprehend what she was seeing. Not who it was from or what it meant. Dario. Val’s bodyguard and lieutenant. She thought she’d purged every number. Blocked them all. Why would he reach out to her of all people, even if there was an emergency? This made no sense. Her heart began to pound in alarm.
911. Tell no 1 or he’s dead. Hurry. Place you met last.

 

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Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

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Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

 

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Description:
My mother vanished ten years ago.
So did a quarter of a million dollars in cash.
Thief. Bitch. Criminal.
Now, she’s back.
Her bones clothed in scarlet silk.

When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband.

But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that’s housed the same influential families for decades.

The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night ten years ago.

Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he’s determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance…but no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark.

Even the dead aren’t allowed to break the rules in this cul-de-sac.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Quiet in her Bones by Nalini Singh is a standalone mystery thriller. Aarav Rai, our hero, is a well-known famous author who writes thrillers.  10 years ago, his mother disappeared, as well as a quarter of million in cash; and he has never gotten over his mother leaving him.   Aarav, who was 16 years old at the time of her disappearance, continues to have nightmares of that night; he goes to two doctors for his multiple issues with a broken foot, as well as a brain injury that causes him confusion. To his shock, a body was discovered in the nearby forest area of the elite area for the rich where he lives.  Turns out the body (totally in bones) was his mother, wearing the same clothes from that night; which means she never left the family, but was murdered.

The story revolves around Aarav, as he is determined to find the truth of what really happened.  Even though he is the hero in this story, he is very much fragmented, with his physical and mental issues (memory loss, delusions, forgetfulness, etc), causing confusion as to what is real.  Aarav loved his mother, though despite her love for him, she was a passionate, but hard women who drank and cheated; which is not surprise as the father was the worst of them, equally hated by wife, son, and all the cul de sac neighbors.  Who killed Nina and why, especially with many people being suspects?

Aarav becomes obsessed with solving the crime, questioning everything he remembered from that night years ago, and questioning all the neighbors who were possible suspects. There were so many twists and turns along the way, that at times was riveting and holding our breaths; but also confusing with all the mind games.  I will say for the most part, I did not care for most of the characters, as they were difficult, with only a select few being nice.  I did like Shanti, Par, Lily and Diana; the detectives on the case were good.  Aarav was a good hero, but his issues were really wacked out, making me question what was a dream or real.

What follows is an exciting, challenging mystery that was changing the game quite often.  I can’t say too much more, as it would be spoilers and that would ruin it for you.  Nalini Singh created a mindboggling mystery that held our attention throughout.  If you like mystery thrillers, I suggest you read, Quiet in her Bones.

 

 

Sandy’s Review:QUIET IN HER BONES by Nalini Singh is a stand alone, contemporary, adult thriller focusing on the potential murder of socialite Nina Rai.

Told from first person perspective Aarav Rai (Nina’s son) using present day and memories from the past, QUIET IN HER BONES follows ten years after the disappearance of Aarav’s mother, a disappearance under mysterious circumstances in the wake of his parents’ numerous affairs. Aarav was only sixteen years old when his mother went missing from their family home. A late night fight between his parents saw Aarav’s beloved mother leave, never to return until, ten year later, a search crew found her remains, along with her car, buried deep within a ravine now covered in branches and leaves. A now famous mystery author whose only book became a number one best seller turned movie, Aarav begins an investigation of his own only to realize that everyone was suspect including his father and himself.

Aarav Rai’s life is spiralling out of control. An accident that left our hero recovering at the family home finds Aarav suspicious of everyone and everything, bordering of paranoia, psychosis, heart break and pain but as Aarav’s search for the truth begins to reveal a disturbing possibility, there may have been more to his mother’s disappearance than anyone could have ever imagined.

QUIET IN HER BONES is a slow building, intricate and complex story line of mystery and suspense. The Rai family live in a well-to-do Cul-de-Sac where infidelity is rampant, and secret and lies are the order of the day. Similar in feel to Peyton Place, and former American prime time television series Knot’s Landing, and Desperate Housewives, QUIET IN HER BONES reveals the soap-operaesque lifestyle of the rich and famous whose scandalous lives are fodder for gossip and lies.

The back and forth between present day and memories is a little difficult to navigate at times as there is no delineation between the present and the past, often addressed within the context of the same paragraph. The slow build reveals a mosaic of possible suspects, their lives, their loves, their secrets and sins.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Reckless Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

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Reckless Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

 

 

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Description:
While Gedeon “Player” Lazaroff is one of Torpedo Ink motorcycle club’s roughest members, he’s also one of the calmest. Little rattles Player, except for the times his gift gets the better of him. When that happens, he has to just lie down in the dark and hope for the best. But on a night when he’s on the verge of losing it, he meets a woman who manages to soothe his fractured mind.

Zyah is a striking, ethereal beauty who seduces him with every word and move. Their night together is one of pure, exquisite bliss. But when Player gets confused and thinks their intimate encounter was nothing more than a dream, his careless dismissal leaves her humiliated and angry.

Now, Player will have to devote his every breath to convincing Zyah to give him a second chance. Because she might be the only one who can save him from himself….

••••••••

Sandy’s Review:

RECKLESS ROAD is the fifth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK erotic, paranormal, MC romance series, a spin off from the author’s Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart series which in turn is a spin off from the Drake Sisters series. This is Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff, and Zyah Gamal’s story line. RECKLESS ROAD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: RECKLESS ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men, and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The violence is a part of the history and lives of the Torpedo Ink crews. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children and women in similar situations.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zyah and Player) RECKLESS ROAD follows in the aftermath of Player’s return to the Torpedo Ink compound following a recent road trip. With the ability to create lifelike illusions, Player’s mind continues to fracture, and his own grip on reality begins to falter. Believing his ‘brothers’ have procured him the services of an exotic dancer, Player indulges for one night, only to discover the woman, Zyah Gamal is no wh*re but his fated mate. Hoping to make amends, Player enlists the help of his Torpedo Ink family but all is not well in the seaside town of Caspar when a series of home invasions escalates, and Zyah and her grandmother have been targeted on more than one occasion. With the Torpedo Ink members keeping watch over Zyah and Mama Ant, Player is ambushed, and spends his recovery with Zyah and her grandmother but the psychic fall-out of his injury worsens, and threatens the people he knows and loves. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zyah and Player, and the potential fall-out as Player’s mind continues to deteriorate, and the break in reveals a familiar pattern and foe.

Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff believes his psychic gifts have caused more heartache and pain than have done any good for his brothers and sisters in Torpedo Ink. As the fall-out of his psychic gift continue to haunt and further destroy what’s left of his mind, Player will get some much needed healing and help from the woman with whom he is falling in love. Zyah Gamal moved to Caspar in an effort to be closer to her beloved grandmother but Zyah never expected to fall for a man who would break her heart, a man who is broken both inside and out. Time spent with Player reveals a man whose tortured past continues to inflict wounds that refuse to heal.

The relationship between Player and Zyah begins as a one night stand that quickly spirals out of control. Believing she had found the man that called to her heart, Zyah would be pushed aside by a man whose demons rode very close to the surface. Player never expected to find his own happily ever after but making amends to Zyah is about to push our hero over the edge. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters move of whom we have met throughout the previous series or two. We are introduced to Zyah’s grandmother Mama Anat, as well as Hannah Drake ’s (Sea Haven series) assistant Sabelia. The requisite evil has many faces.

RECKLESS ROAD, like the previous instalments, continues to focus on the graphic details, rape, torture and abuse inflicted upon the characters as children, children trained to be killers and assassins. The PTSD and constant reminders push at the members of Torpedo Ink, leaving guilt, grief and loss in its’ wake.

RECKLESS ROAD is a story of family, relationships, secrets and lies; of pain, tragedy and heart break; of betrayal, vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark, staggering and raw; the romance is edgy ; the characters are broken, wounded, and tragic.

_______

Barb’s Review:
Reckless Road by Christine Feehan is the 5th book in her Torpedo Ink series. Brief refresher: Czar, who is married to Blyth, is the president of Torpedo Ink, and together with the men and women he brought with him to Sea Haven they built their Torpedo Ink MC club in Casper, which is close to Sea Haven.  Each of these members have suffered terrible abuse in their childhoods in Russia, being forced to all become lethal assassins; each still very much trying to find the light inside their darkness.  They are all determined to protect each other, and in each book, one of our heroes meets their mate.

Gedeon (Player), our hero, has a hard time dealing with his migraines and after returning to Casper and the Torpedo Ink MC Club, he quickly goes to his room, as he feels unstable.  Upon arriving, he sees a girl dancing in his room, which seems to calm him, and learns she was waiting for a friend in this private room, since she was a designated driver.  With his brain in overdrive, Player finds himself enjoying the girl’s company, and when he gets up in the morning, she is in the bed with him.  He thinks he is dreaming, and pushes her away, only to learn later on that it was not a dream, and when she left one of the members saw her crying.

Zyah, our heroine, is a beautiful young girl, who left her successful job, to come to Casper and take care of her grandmother.  Her love of dance promotes her special gifts of being able to read and heal fractured minds, especially those in dire need of help.  Zyah knew she had some king of bond with Player, but was hurt how he mistreated her when he pushed her away, after a wonderful night and leaving money on the table for her, which she did not take.

When Player finally explains to his club members why Zyah was crying, and how she was able to rid the horrific memories while she was with him; they insist he needs to find her and apologize.   In a short time, they discover that Zyah was working at Inez’s Country store, which they begin to notice some bad people hanging around the local neighborhood, and especially the homes being ransacked. The Torpedo Ink group take turns to spending time at both the store, and at Zyah’s grandmother’s house to protect them.  When a couple of the villians approach Zyah, Player steps in to protect her, and in doing so, gets shot in the head. 

What follows is an exciting and violent adventure, as well as a highly sexual erotic romance between two people who ended up needing each other.  I did love Player and Zyah together, as they made such a great couple, and her ability to heal Player, also brings them closer into solving a puzzle as to why Player was creating illusions of bombs.  This was a very interesting concept to this storyline. 

I love all the members of the Torpedo Ink family, including the equally lethal female members (Lana & Alena), and the ladies who become part of them (Blythe, Anya, Breezy and Soliel).  Each book we get to see how all our heroes were tortured as children, and suffered, with each of them doing all they could to protect each other.  I absolutely loved the scenes with Player and Hannah Drake (as well as Jonas), they were pretty funny.  Always great to see any of the Drake Sisters, which has always been one of my favorite series.

Reckless Road was so very well written by Christine Feehan, as well as being exciting, tense, and emotional story line.  The entire Torpedo Ink members are an amazing and wonderful group of characters that we fully care for.  Again, I will note that Feehan does have a lot of sex scenes, but at least the story was mostly in the forefront. Reckless Road was a great read, with a fantastic group of recurring secondary characters. If you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book.

Copies provided by Publisher

 

Excerpt provided by Random House Publishing

 

 

 

Zyah tried not to let her mind go back to that night of pure bliss, of perfection. Everything about Player had been exactly what she’d wanted it to be. Her complete fantasy man. Their connection had been so strong, on such an intimate level, she hadn’t even considered holding back. She’d surrendered everything she was to him.
Zyah’s hand crept to her throat. She could barely admit the truth to herself let alone to her grandmother. She whispered it, stroking the faint marks of possession he’d left on her body. She had them everywhere. She thought they meant something to him when he put them there. He’d acted like they did, but she knew better now.
“Can you come and sit with me, child?” Anat patted the bed beside her.
Zyah’s heart clenched. “I might cry, and I cried so much after the interviews, I thought my eyes would burn out of my head. At least I had enough discipline to get through both before I broke down. He isn’t worth more tears.” But she knew she would shed more. When she was alone in her bed, craving him. He’d set up some kind of terrible addiction.
“Tell me about him.”
Zyah closed her eyes against the sudden wash of sensation pouring over her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed at her skin as if she could rid herself of his touch. “He felt like fire every time he touched me. He could be so gentle and then turn rough and wild, like he couldn’t get close enough to me or get enough of me. I couldn’t get enough of him.” She made her confession in an even lower tone.
Her grandmother remained silent, something she often did to encourage Zyah to continue telling her something important. Zyah swung around to face her, a little defiantly, this time deliberately looking her straight in the eye. She knew there was no getting around what she was revealing. Anat would understand that she was talking about having been with her partner sexually when she barely knew him. There was no judgment, but then her grandmother wasn’t a judgmental person. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, that had always remained a constant trait in her—one Zyah counted on now.
“He was so beautiful. Everything about him was beautiful to me, Mama Anat. His body was covered in scars. So many they made me want to weep. I didn’t ask him about them, or the tattoos he had, which covered quite a few. The tattoos were intricate and intriguing. I just talked with him because he seemed to need to hear the sound of my voice. We laughed so much. He loves music the way I do. He loves working with wood. His voice . . .” She broke off again, waving her hands in the air in despair.
Looking straight into her grandmother’s eyes she asked the question that mattered the most, the one that nagged at her continually. “How could I have been so wrong?”
Anat regarded her just as carefully, never breaking eye contact. “You were so certain he was the one for you?”
Zyah nodded without hesitation. There hadn’t been any doubt in her mind or heart. Player had connected with her on such a level she felt complete. Soul to soul. She’d been that certain of him.
“I felt his heartbeat. When I danced. I was barefoot. He was barefoot. Something was wrong with him when he came into the room. His heart was straining. His mind was chaotic. His rhythm was off, but we were in perfect harmony. Movements, and the pitch of my voice—we connected, I know we did.” She faltered. “I was wrong. I connected with him, but he failed to connect with me. He didn’t. Not at all.”
“Tell me about him before you tell me what happened.” Again, Anat patted the bed beside her.
Zyah couldn’t help herself. She accepted her grandmother’s comfort. Her grandmother had been through hell, beaten and then robbed by intruders, but it was so like her to think only of Zyah and her anguish over losing what really had only been in her mind—an illusion caused by her reckless behavior. She wasn’t like that with men. She was cautious as a rule. Her last relationship had been two years earlier, and it had been a disaster in spite of the fact that she’d entered into it very slowly, taking her time, waiting to be physical with her partner for weeks. She hadn’t been with another man since until Player.

 

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The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken – Dual Review

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The Princess Knight (Scarred Earth Saga 2) by G.A. Aiken – Dual Review

 

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Description:
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.

The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day

••••••••••••••

Barb’s Review:
The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken is the 2nd book in her The Scarred Earth Saga series. I am a big fan of G.A. Aiken (aka Shelly Laurenston), and as I have said before, I will read anything she writes; as she is one author who I look forward with high anticipation to read her books, which are fun, exciting, enjoyable and so much laughter along the way. The Princess Knight is no different, as always it is another one of Aiken/Laurenston’s trademark of wild, crazy and wonderful characters.

In The Princess Knight, Gemma (sister to previous book heroine, Keely) is the main focus, but the storyline continues, with Queen Keely, the wonderful Centaurs (Quinn, Caid, Laila) and Princess Gemma (she is a war monk). I have to say I absolutely loved the demon wolves, who are loyal and adore Keely.  The story picks up two years after Keely became Queen of the Western Lands, and Gemma protecting her sister from the evil Beatrix (Queen of the East). Gemma being a war monk, is always ready for danger and has no qualms of killing Beatrix.  I did get a kick out of their younger sister, Ainsley, who is excellent at shooting an arrow.  I hope she gets a story in one of the future books.

Quinn, our hero, drives Gemma crazy, but though he pushes her buttons, he is always there to protect her.  We know there is a slow built relationship developing, but romance is in the background.  I did love Quinn, as he was funny, annoying and totally adorable and he was perfect for Gemma.

What follows is a non-stop action adventure filled with bloody battles, deaths, intrigue, power struggles and so much humor that has us laughing even in serious situations.  With Gemma bringing her war monks to help Keely, we get to see witches, nuns, monks, warlock, assassins and Gemma’s dead horse who is wild but still alive (though missing various parts lol).  Ragna is another crazy leader of the war monks who help fight the upcoming battles, and her interactions with Gemma and Keely are a riot.

The Princess Knight was a fun filled, exciting amazing ride, with fantastic characters that G.A. Aiken creates so well. The epilogue blew my mind, and I so look forward to the next book in this series wondering where Aiken will take us. If you enjoy Aiken/ Laurenston, you need to be reading this series. 

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Sandy’s Review: THE PRINCESS KNIGHT is the second instalment in G.A. Aiken’s the SCARRED EARTH SAGA fantasy series. This is War monk Gemma Smythe, and centaur/Amichai warrior Quinn’s story line. THE PRINCESS KNIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from several third person perspectives THE PRINCESS KNIGHT follows War Monk Gemma Smythe two years after her strange and emotionless sister Beatrix became Queen of the East, and her blacksmith sister Keeley ascended to the throne as the Queen of the West. Always Keeley’s protector and guardian, Gemma would go on the hunt for Cyrus, one of the Old King’s sons, who is murdering monks, ransacking and destroying religious communes in an effort to steal artifacts for their magic and power. Along with Amichai Warrior Quinn, amassing a small entourage of warriors, witches, warlocks, assassins, nuns, monks, virgins, and a zombie horse, Gemma will discover that Cyrus is not the only enemy desperate for power but her sister Beatrix is tunneling forward to a land of dragons and magic.

THE PRINCESS KNIGHT follows several intersecting paths as Gemma and Keeley set into motion a series of events that will culminate in the discovery of a number of underground tunnels wherein Gemma and Keeley’s psychopathic sister Beatrix would eventually execute her plans to usurp power from neighboring lands.

As per G.A. Aiken’s style of writing, THE PRINCESS KNIGHT is awash in sarcasm, humor and snark, seamlessly blending paranormal with fantasy in a cross-country adventure that culminates with a wonderful twisty surprise. The humorous moments are giggle worthy; the back and forth snippy yet playful banter is fast and furious; the familial dysfunction so reminiscent of the author’s Dragonkin series, it feels like coming home.

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Archangel’s Sun (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

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Archangel’s Sun (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

 

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Description:
The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.

It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.

There is no one left…but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift…

•••••••••••

Sandy’s Review: ARCHANGEL’S SUN is the thirteenth full-length instalment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/ paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. This is the archangel of Africa Titus, and Angel Lady Sharine, aka the Hummingbird’s story line ARCHANGEL’S SUN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order. For followers and fans, the Hummingbird is Illium aka Bluebell’s mother.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Titus and Sharine) ARCHANGEL’S SUN picks up in the aftermath of the Cascade that destroyed many of the Archangel’s strongholds and cities throughout the world. At the request of New York’s Archangel Raphael, Lady Sharine has been tasked with helping archangel of Africa Titus in his struggle to rebuild but the war continues in Africa as Lijuan and Chrisemnon’s creations-the reborn- are terrorizing and destroying everything and everyone in their path but a more dangerous weapon and heinous creature is about to be revealed, and with it the possibility of the destruction of angelkind. What ensues is the continued battle with the reborn, and the building romance and relationship between our leading couple.

Lady Sharine is an artist among the angels, the mother to Illium, and a mother –like figure to Archangel Raphael but Sharine’s past is shrouded in heart break and despair, and our heroine has struggled with the knowledge that everyone she has loved has been taken from her or destroyed her faith in the world. Believed to have been wounded, insane and broken, Lady Sharine is a strong woman, and an even stronger ‘warrior’ with a hidden ability of which nobody is aware. Titus knows he comes off as obnoxious and loud, preferring to yell rather than coddle his warriors but with the arrival of Lady Sharine something softens within our story line hero, as they work together to rid his holdings of the zombie-like reborn, and in doing so, search for a possible link and antidote to the flesh eating virus.

The relationship between Titus and Shirane begins acrimoniously as Titus believes Shirane is too frail and sickly to help with the rebuild. Centuries of rumors and innuendo regarding Shirane’s mental and emotional health have weighed heavily amongst the angels and Archanges but Shirane is about to surprise Titus with her abilities and powers, not only as an artist, but an angel worthy of being a consort. The lone $ex scenes is passionate but mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of virtual secondary and supporting characters most of whom we have met in the previous instalments: Archangel Raphael, Sharine’s ex and Illium’s father Archangel Aegaeon, Raphael’s mother Archangel Caliane; Archangels Suyin, Neha and Alexander; vampire Trace; Titus’ spymaster Ozias; angels Tanae, Tzadiq, Orios; as well as Titus’ sisters Zuri, and Nala.

ARCHANGEL’S SUN is a story of betrayal and revenge; recovery and revelations; friendships, relationships and love. The premise is edgy and tragic ; the characters are energetic, colorful, captivating and strong; the slow building romance is sensitive. Another wonderful addition to Nalini Singh’s GUILD HUNTER series.

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Barb’s Review:
Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh is the 13th book in her fantastic Guild Hunter series.  Once again Nalini Singh continues to amaze us with another fantastic addition to this series.  The last book was so intense, exciting and mindboggling from start to finish, and I thought perhaps Archangel’s Sun would be at a slower pace; but even though this book was not as epic, it was an amazing wonderful story that also kept the flow continue to be seamless.

With all the world affected, the Archangels are all working overtime to fight the horrific situations throughout.  Titus, our hero, has taken over as the Archangel of Africa, where the evil now deceased Lijuan, created the horrible reborn (rotting creatures/crazed vampires).  Titus has his hands full, with all of his angels and warriors struggling and working night and day to kill the reborn; as well as trying to stop the other deceased Archangel Charisemnon’s (Archangel of Disease) creations that could be even worse.   To his surprise, Raphael sends help in the form of the infamous Hummingbird (Sharine); which he isn’t too pleased about, since she is a well-loved woman with gifts, but not someone who is able to help in this battle.  Of course, he will be in for a big surprise

Sharine, our heroine, (Illium’s mom, as well as Aodhan’s adopted mom) has been helping run Lumia, but accepts Raphael’s decision to go to Africa.  Sharine has spent many years slowly putting herself back together (recovering from her tragic fractured mind, and from a deep slumber),  to rise up become what she was meant to be.  I absolutely loved Sharine, her confidence, toughness, and her learning the powers she had fully forgotten about.  She was such a delight, and it was so much fun to watch her early on stand up to Titus, and his shock at her behavior, as she was supposed to be a quiet gifted and fragile woman who people adored, not someone constantly answering him back. 

Titus is a well-respected and fierce 3000 year warrior, who found himself after a rough beginning falling for the wonderful Sharine.  I loved watching them together, as she managed to bring him down a peg or two, especially when their feelings for each other became apparent.  Together they worked to find clues as to what Charisemnon was hiding, and we also got to see Sharine learn to use her powers to help Titus and his team.

Archangel’s Sun was a wonderful, sweet, fun, romantic, as well as emotional story that made this into a fabulous addition to this series.  Both Titus and Sharine were a fantastic couple that had us rooting for them from the start.   As in just about every book I read from Nalini Singh, I could not put this book down.  Though enough details are given through the book, I do suggest you read the previous book for cohesion.  If you are new to the series, you should start where it all began. Bravo to Nalini for giving us a fantastic couple in Titus and Sharine.    Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, and if you are not reading her books, you need to start now.

 

Copies provided by Publisher

 

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Bane’s Choice by Alyssa Day – Dual Review

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Bane’s Choice (Vampire Motorcycle Club #1) by Alyssa Day – Dual Review

 

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Description:
When a centuries-old vampire in search of redemption meets a doctor who’s on a mission of her own, a searing, world-destroying passion is the last thing on either of their minds.

Minds can be changed.

A doctor with secrets of her own is drawn to a dangerous predator in this pulse-pounding paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Day.

What better way to hide the existence of vampires from humans than in plain sight? Thus, the Vampire Motorcycle Club was born. Bane, the 300-year-old vampire who leads the club, has fought for years to protect his kind. But the truth about vampires is not only that they exist, it is that they are creatures of pure desire. Conscience and restraint has been burned out of them by the process of Turning. Any woman Bane meets is either prey—or food.

Dr. Ryan St. Cloud finds out that vampires exist when one steals her patient out of the hospital right beneath her nose, leading her to question her own sanity. But when the dangerous man whose touch inflames her senses and whose gaze enthralls her comes to her for help, she is unable to refuse. Bane is a dangerous predator, but somewhere beneath his arrogance and power, she can see his heart—and she knows it could belong to her if she is strong enough to claim it. She is bound to a vampire, but loving her would be … Bane’s Choice.

 

 

Barb’s Review:

Bane’s Choice by Alyssa Day is the first book in her new Vampire Motorcycle Club series.  I have been a huge fan of Alyssa’s Atlantis series, and I did not know what to expect from this new series. I am happy to say I absolutely loved Bane’s Choice.

Bane, our hero, is a 300-hundred-year-old vampire, who runs Savannah, as well as the Vampire Motorcycle Club; the Club is mostly humans and vampires (though the humans do not know what they are), who help those in need of medicine.  Bane and his sister run the fund raisers to spend money to purchase the medicines for the poor.  When Bane’s human firefighter friend is near death from being seriously burned, Bane kidnaps him from the hospital and to save his life begins the transformation to a vampire.  Before Bane leaves the hospital, he is accosted by a beautiful woman, who threatens him to leave the man alone, as she is a doctor.  When he tries to compel her, he sees that it is not working, and also notices she is glowing a bit.  Who is this woman he cannot control?

Dr. Ryan St. Cloud, our heroine, doesn’t understand when she asks everyone in the hospital to find the patient, only to discover no one has ever heard of this patient (vampires can erase memory). In a short time, Ryan herself is kidnapped and brought to Bane, who cannot get this woman out of his mind; as he begins to feel things for her, especially those he has not had for all these years.

While this is going on, there are evil warlocks and sorcerers who try to do mind control on a group of werewolves to kill and destroy Bane and his team and take over Savannah and all of Georgia.  Bane manages to meet with the werewolf leader to work together to stop the warlocks, as war is on the horizon. Ryan did not understand why she was in this house with Bane, Meara, and their team; to her utmost surprise, they tell her they are vampires, which she laughs off.  But learns quickly that vampires do exist, as do werewolves, warlocks, necromancers and many other paranormal beings.  This was pretty funny when she begins to believe them, and ends up trying to help Bane’s friends, as well as begin to fall hard for Bane, who is already unable to let her go.  The chemistry between them was sizzling, and so much fun to watch them together.  I loved Bane’s team, especially his sister, as Day has created a wonderful group of secondary characters.

Bane was a wonderful hero, who at first was rough and unbending, willing to kill anyone who stands in his way; but once Ryan comes into his life, he is determined to keep the woman who has opened his heart.  Ryan was a very good heroine, independent, smart, savvy and feisty, willing to stand up and fight on her own.  We will learn why she does glow. 

Bane’s Choice was a fun, exciting, action filled romantic adventure, with a great couple, and wonderful secondary characters; as well as evil villains.  I look forward to seeing what Alyssa Day has in store for us in the future books.  If you enjoy paranormal romance thrillers, I suggest you read Bane’s Choice.

•••••••••••

Sandy’s Review: BANE’S CHOICE is the first instalment in Alyssa Day’s contemporary, adult VAMPIRE MOTORCYCLE CLUB paranormal, romance series. This is three hundred year old vampire, and VMC president Bane, and physician Dr. Ryan St. Cloud’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Bane and Ryan BANE’S CHOICE follows the building romance between three hundred year old vampire, and VMC president Bane, and physician Dr. Ryan St. Cloud. Bane’s friend Hunter Evans was burned so badly he would never survive but a quick trip to the hospital to bring home his friend, is anything but when Bane comes face to face with Dr. Ryan St. Cloud, and finds himself in a stand off with a feisty woman who may or may not be completely human. Unable to control her mind, Bane quickly realizes that there is much more to Ryan than he could have imagined. Hoping to see Dr. St. Cloud again, Bane sets out to locate the woman that stirs something deep within our story line hero but all is not well in Bane’s territory when warlocks, necromancers, and a group that call themselves the Chamber enter into a battle to take over Bane’s territory. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bane and Ryan, and the potential fall-out as the fight for Bane’s territory pulls Ryan in as collateral damage.

Ryan St. Cloud is a physician but has no idea that she is something more. Quickly accepting the existence of vampires and werewolves, Ryan’s jump into the supernatural quickly turns onto herself when she defends the man and the family with whom she is falling in love. Bane is the President of the Vampire Motorcycle Club, a biker club hiding in plain sight although a number of their members are only human. Never having fallen in love, Bane is caught off-guard when he meets Dr. Ryan St. Cloud, a woman who is more than she appears to be. Believing Ryan is his fated mate, Bane goes all alpha and over protective but it is Ryan’s power that will that will draw trouble to their front door.

The relationship between Ryan and Bane is one of immediate attraction but Ryan struggled with Bane’s ‘kidnapping’ of her severely injured patient. Unable to explain their palpable sexual attraction, Ryan moves into Bane’s mansion in an effort to stay close to the injured man. As Ryan and Bane’s attraction builds, threats from an outside source release Ryan’s power, and with it the realization about who and what our heroine might be. The Sex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Bane’s family: vampires Meara, Edge and Luke as well as their human housekeepers Mr. and Mrs. C. There is a large assortment of werewolves including alpha Carter Reynolds of the Wolf Pack MC. The requisite evil has many faces including warlocks, necromancer and members of the group known as The Chamber.

BANE’S CHOICE is a story of betrayal and revenge; secrets, magic, power and control. The premise is engaging but struggles between sluggish and energetic; the romance is intimate; the characters are energetic and dynamic-Ryan’s need to call it she sees is often fun and snarky.

I would like to add that the ‘motorcycle club’ aspect of the story line is limited, and definitely not akin to the usual MC story lines. The motorcycle club plot point is negligible, and more of a background element than anything else.

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Love in the Wild by Emma Castle – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Love in the Wild by Emma Castle – Dual Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
A Sensual, Powerful, And Thought Provoking Tarzan Retelling

Eden Matthews stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime while photographing wildlife deep in the heart of Africa…

A gorgeous god of a man living in the wilds of the African jungle among a family of gorillas…

When he saves her life she’s compelled to uncover the man’s tragic past and the fate which led him to grow up in the wild.

But Eden soon learns she can take man from the wild, but she can’t take the wild out of the man…

When her savage savior soon shows her just want he wants of her…her sensual surrender, she finds she can’t resist him teaching her how to love…in the wild.

 

 

Barb’s Review:

Love in the Wild by Emma Castle is a standalone novel that is a wonderful modern retelling of Tarzan.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from this retelling, but I am happy to say that I absolutely loved Love in the Wild.  I am amazed how Emma Castle made this into such a great story that I was unable to put down, which I read in one day. 

The story starts off with a couple and baby having survived a plane crash in Africa, unable to get help. Then danger comes when a group of poachers (looking for gold) comes across the couple, and kills them, leaving the 3-year-old alone in the plane to die of natural causes.  Young Thorne is found by a band of Gorillas, with the mother of the leader enamored by the little human baby.  She takes him and he slowly learns to live in the wild, learns their language, and becomes part of their family, especially his new mother and brother

22 years later, we meet Eden Matthews, our heroine, who is a wildlife photographer. Her entire group of coworkers and friends are all killed by poachers (who years later are still looking for the gold mine), with the men planning to take Eden with them, until they hear a roar of the wild, and the workers who live in the area know that sound and run.  The leader then decides to kill Eden and run.  Only a wild man comes out and kills the bad man, and saves an injured Eden.

When he takes her to his cabin high in the trees, to help her recover, and though he doesn’t speak English, she slowly begins to trust him and not be afraid.  When he takes her to the river to clean up from the mud, she sees a gorgeous hunk of man, and in a short time manages to learn more about Thorne. She was amazed to learn he grew up in the wild with Gorillas, and knew when he became a teenager that he was different, but he still remained loyal to his only family.

What follows is a wonderful story of Thorne becoming enamored of Eden, and the feelings she gives him; he wants her as his mate.  Eden was so great with him, as she too is falling hard for the sweet wonderful Thorne.  A slow build romance begins, and it was so well done by Castle.

The last third of the book was Eden finding Thorne’s uncle, proving he is real, and bringing them together. This was a sweet scene when they realize the baby did survive to be Thorne.   But threats remain, as the man behind the killings 22 years ago, and in current, is still around. This evil man wants to find the gold mine, and will do anything to get what he wants.  Eden’s life is in danger, and Thorne with his newfound family will return to Africa to save her.  Will Thorne be in time to save Eden?

Love in the Wild was a such a great sensual romance between Eden and Thorne, as well as an exciting finish to the wild climax.  Bravo to Emma Castle for such a wonderful adventure. I wholly suggest to read this book, which was so well written.

Copy supplied for Review

 

Julie’s Review:

Love a good Tarzan and Jane story. It does jump around a little for the first couple of chapters. But bear with it, it’s worth the wait. 

Jane (Eden) is an up and coming wildlife photographer. With a chance of a lifetime trip to africa, Eden jumps at the chance. But the chance of a life time trip turns into a nightmare, her party is hijacked, and the people she bonded with were cruelly slaughtered! Thinking she was next, Eden closes her eyes and nothing….. but she hears noises to keep her eyes closed and hopes her death is a quick one. 

Tarzan (Thorne) is a modern day Tarzan, lost as a child, brought up by gorillas, friends to the animals. 

An innocent in the world of men (he lost his parents to killers at the age of three) he knows a little of the outside world (he had a tribesmen as a friend) but nothing prepares him as he gazes upon Eden for the first time. 

It’s beautifully written. With descriptions that bring the jungle alive. We wander through the jungle, trail our hands through clear cool water. Listening to birds and wildlife. It’s a descriptive joy. I was ready to swim in the waterfalls and lay on the furs. 

Thorne is aware he’s different from the animal in the jungle, he’s also aware that the female in from of him is no gorilla. He thinks she’s he’s mate, and will do everything in his power to care and protect her. 

After Eden gets over her initial shock of not being dead, and living in a treehouse, she needs to tame this wild man, and keep him at arms length (which proves difficult when he’s so sweet) she is amazed when he speaks to her (although a little rusty) he remembers a little of his past, and takes her to the plane that brought him here. 

With a little detective work Eden discovers Thorne has an uncle in England. She tries to persuade Thorne he needs to go, but he can’t leave the jungle, he needs to protect the animals that live there, so with a sad heart Eden makes the decision to leave Thorne. (There is also the matter of her dead companions, they need justice) 

And when Eden has to leave Thorne, you know your leaving your heart with that jungle man. He’s desperate roars of sorrow tug at your heartstrings, and your desperate for Eden to realize her mistake and turn back to Thorne. 

It’s not long before Eden and Thorne are reunited, and she persuades him to go to England. He will as long as she is by his side. His childlike wonder is infectious, it makes Eden look at her world through different eyes. She’s enjoying showing Thorne her world, but she wonders how he will cope when she has to go home? But with any luck his uncle will take care of him. But how will she explain that she has to leave him?! 

Oh and don’t forget the poachers/smugglers, they are hot on Eden’s trail, she can’t be a witness to the crimes they committed. And when they find out Thorne knows where vast amounts of treasure is hidden in the jungle, Eden becomes a target twice over! 

So will Eden and Thorne settle in the hassle and bustle of the modern world? Or will the call of jungle become too much for Thorne to ignore?  

I would love to read a second book (maybe visit them wherever they decide to settle. Another author I’ll be adding to my reading list. Another highly recommended book. 

 

 

 

Emma Castle is offering a Love in the Wild Facemask for today’s giveaway to ONE (1) commenter :

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).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE & follow EMMA CASTLE  on Facebook

4. Please LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

9. Giveaway runs from September 28 TO October 2, 2020

10. Giveaway open to USA only.

 

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Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne – Dual Review

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Yours to Keep (Man of the Year #2) by Lauren Layne – Dual Review

 

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Description:
Pro baseball shortstop Carter Ramsey is about to be Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, but the only title that matters to him is out of reach: World Series MVP. Benched by a recent injury, Carter retreats to his hometown to recover. His ten-year class reunion and a potential reconciliation with the sweetheart he left behind could be perfect distractions. Until another old acquaintance throws Carter a curveball.

Olive Dunn admits that her former high school science partner is still a handsome charmer. But she wasn’t swayed then, and she won’t be swayed now. Because Olive remembers Carter’s little shortcoming: he tends to bail the moment it suits him, without a backward glance. Best to keep her feelings strictly platonic while he’s in town.

Except the entitled boy she knew is a changed man: solid, reflective, and generous. As they ease back in to their familiar friendship, things take a surprising turn, and Carter and Olive must decide if what they have is a passing flirtation or a real shot at love.

 

Sandy’s Review: YOURS TO KEEP is the second instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE YEAR romance series. This is professional baseball player Carter Ramsey, and high school biology teacher Olive Dunn’s story line. YOURS TO KEEP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Olive and Carter) YOURS TO KEEP follows in the aftermath of a possible career ending injury for our hero, and Citizen Magazine’s Man of the Year Carter Ramsey. Returning to his home town of Haven for his ten year high school reunion, Carter finds that his pregnant sister has volunteered his time on the reunion committee where he will me his former lab partner Olive Dunn. Olive is now the high school biology teacher, having never moved from their home town but Olive never expected to fall for Carter, the boy who had fallen in love with someone else. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Carter and Olive, and the potential fall-out as Carter’s old flame returns looking for a second chances, and Carter’s time in Haven, comes to a close.

Carter Ramsey struggled in the aftermath of an injury with the potential to end his career but Carter had a couple of secrets including the real reason he had returned to his home town of Haven. Working with Olive meant getting a change to know the outspoken, animated and ‘perfect’ woman but Carter never expected to fall in love. Olive Dunn was never the prom queen or high school cheerleader, in fact, Olive was the high school nerd. Knowing that Carter was only in town for a few short weeks, Olive finds herself falling for a man who was about to break her heart.

The relationship between Olive and Carter is a friends to lovers relationship with an end date that will come sooner rather than later. Carter Ramsey’s career meant time in Haven had come to an end, as had his relationship with the woman with whom he had fallen in love. The back and forth banter between Carter and Olive is quirky and delightful. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Olive’s friend Kelly Blakely; Carter’s sister Caitlyn and her husband AJ; Carter’s high school friend Jacob Jakey Kutcher and his wife Becky; Carter’s parents Warren and Tracy, and his ex Felicity George.

YOURS TO KEEP is a sweet and sexy story line; a fast paced tale of attraction and love, friendship and happily ever afters. The premise is engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are sassy and fun.

Barb’s Review:
Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne is another one of her wonderful romances and the 2nd book in her Man of the Year series.  We meet Carter Ramsey, our hero, who is a famous professional baseball player who is now sidelined from an injury and will miss the rest of the season.  Prior to his injury, he knew that his face will be plastered on all magazines, as he was named The Man of the Year. Carter is a bit depressed about his injury, worrying he may never return to the game he loves. He decides to back to his home town, for a little privacy, and as his pregnant sister tells him that his high school sweetheart is also coming to town. When Carter arrives at his rented house, to his shock he learns that the girl next door is his old lab partner.

Olive Dunn, our heroine, has no qualms of pushing her way into people’s lives, and when she realizes that her temporary next-door neighbor is Carter, she immediately takes over everything that he needs to have done; a rented car, fix the house, make him help her co-chair their high school reunion, etc.  The town loves Olive, as she is friends with everyone, and they love her flamboyant way helping others and telling them what to do.  Carter is amused how Olive takes control of his life, as she is a whirlwind talking nonstop, that even I got a bit dizzy.  But who cannot resist a friend like Olive? 

While Carter awaits the arrival of his ex-high school sweetheart that he has not seen for 10 years, he and Olive become friends, as she has him helping her with everything, including fun outings, drinking with old friends.  They remember the old days when they were lab partners, and now Olive is a science teacher at their school.  Olive is not Carter’s type, but over time he begins to see her in a different light, and enjoys the fun flirty bantering between them.  In a short time, Carter realizes he is having fun, enjoying his time with Olive, even if she can be a bit complicated or even over board a few times, but as time goes on, he knows he is falling for her;  but he also knows she will never leave town as she loves her job, and he wants to go back to playing baseball.  Is there a future for them?

What follows is a slow build romance between two unlikely people.  Yours to Keep was a fun, enjoyable, fast paced story that was very well written by Lauren Layne.  Olive was a fantastic heroine, and Carter was fun, sweet and hot.  The chemistry between them escalated as we got closer to the last 1/3 of the story.  If you enjoy pure sweet feel good romances, look no further this Man of the Year series, and a fantastic writer in Lauren Layne.

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