Tag Archives: Elle Casey

Amber / Emerald /Rose (Red Hot Love 1-3) by Elle Casey-Series Review

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Amber / Emerald /Rose (Red Hot Love Series1-3) by Elle Casey -Series Review

OVERVIEW

The RED HOT LOVE  series follows the lives and loves of three sisters who grew up together, having never known their fathers, or knowing the truth about their mothers’ earlier lives.  An offer of ten million dollars apiece finds our heroines struggling with the past, a past they never knew existed.  An intriguing and engaging series focusing on the fall-out of secrets and lies, the RED HOT LOVE series is imaginative and thought-provoking.

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AMBER
(Red Hot Love #1)
by Elle Casey
Genre: adult, contemporary, rock, romance

ebooks only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters/Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 9, 2018

In the bright lights of the big city, she’ll find red-hot music—and red-hot love.

Fiery, free-loving Amber Fields has just discovered she’s the daughter of a 90s rock legend. Amber is determined to know more and heads to the bright lights of New York City, a world away from the hippie commune she’s grown up on in Maine.

She tracks down the band but answers seem hard to come by. And then there’s the new lead guitarist—troubled, sexy, intriguing Ty who is anything but welcoming.

Ty is not into commitment and Amber is not into the music yet, soon, sparks begin to fly. The more time they spend together, the hotter things get. They’re bound by music—could they also be bound by love?

••••••••

REVIEW: AMBER is the first instalment in Elle Casey’s contemporary,adult RED HOT LOVE rock, romance series focusing on three sisters-Amber Fields, Emerald Collins, and Rose Lancaster. This is rock star Ty Stanz, and twenty five year old Amber Fields’ story line.

Told from first person perspective (Amber) AMBER follows twenty four year old Amber Fields as she goes in search of the truth. For twenty –four years Amber and her two ‘sisters’, Emerald and Rose, have lived a quiet, hippie-like lifestyle with their mothers, mothers who sought the peace and solitude of a free existence, an existence far from the life they once grew to love. When a powerful attorney shows up offering the sisters a lump sum payment for sins of the past, Amber is about to get the experience of a lifetime when she heads to New York, and discovers the secrets about her mother’s life. Enter rock star Ty Stanz, and the man with whom Amber will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Amber and Ty, and the potential fall-out as all is revealed to the world to see.

Ty Stanz is the new lead guitarist for the 90s rock group Red Hot but as weeks lead to months where Ty does not feel like a member of the group relegated to errand boy and punching bag for Red Hot’s die-hard fans, our hero struggles with his place in the band. Meeting Amber Fields gave Ty a chance at his own happily ever after, a happily ever after that is threatened by secrets of the past, secrets that may destroy the woman he loves, and the band he hopes to call his own.

The relationship between Ty and Amber begins acrimoniously as Ty is unhappy as escort and chaperone for Amber Fields. Amber is a strong willed, independent young woman who is willing to go head to head with anyone discrediting her family or her life but secrets from the past are about to blow wide open the family she thought she knew. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble of colorful secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to the members of Red Hot: lead singer Red Wylde, drummer Mooch Gyllenhaal, rhythm guitar Cash Stagger, bassist Paul Goldman, former band member Darrell Ford, and their lawyer Greg Lister and his niece Linny Lister, as well as Amber’s mothers Barb Fields, Carol Collins and Sally Lancaster.

AMBER is a story of family, secrets, betrayal and lies. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are flirty, cautious, sassy and real. AMBER is a wonderful and compelling story line with a kind-hearted heroine is determined to protect the people she loves.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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EMERALD
(Red Hot Love #2)
by Elle Casey
Genre: adult, contemporary, rock, romance

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters/Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 12, 2018

Emerald Collins is nothing like her strong-willed sister Amber. When she found out her father was a member of the legendary rock group Red Hot, sensitive Em was determined to carry on as normal—she had no interest in finding out more about her dad or leaving her quiet sanctuary in Maine.

But while visiting Amber in New York, Em meets Sam, a tortured, sexy, and utterly unsuitable musician. Sam and Em are used to life behind the scenes but their undeniable attraction is about to put them right in the spotlight.

When Sam reveals a shocking secret about his past, Emerald has to make a choice. Will she follow her head and return home or is the magnetism between them and the excitement of the big city enough for her to follow her heart?

•••••••••

REVIEW: EMERALD is the second instalment in Elle Casey’s contemporary, adult RED HOT LOVE romance series focusing on three ‘sisters’-Amber Fields, Emerald Collins and Rose Lancaster. This is twenty-seven year old, rock musician and song writer Sam Stanz, and twenty five year old Emerald Collins’ story line. EMERALD can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: If you have not read book one –AMBER-there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from first person perspective (Emerald) EMERALD follows the building relationship between twenty-seven year old, rock musician and song writer Sam Stanz, and twenty five year old Emerald Collins. Emerald’s sister Amber has fallen in love, and moved to New York, and our heroine misses her terribly. With an invite to visit, Emerald reluctantly sets her sights on the Big Apple but is unprepared to fall in love. Enter Sam Stanz, Ty Stanz’s (AMBER) younger brother, and the man with whom Emerald will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sam and Emerald, and the potential fall-out as Sam’s life begins to spiral out of control when ghosts from the past take center stage.

Sam Stanz is a song writer but struggles with the spotlight. Heading to New York to meet up with his brother finds our hero battling between the present and the past, a past that controls his head and his heart. Emerald is the quiet sister; shy and reserved but not afraid to defend the people she loves and protects. Meeting Sam Stanz stirs something deep without Emerald’s heart, a heart she is quickly losing to our story line hero. Still struggling with the truth about her mothers’ past, Emerald battles between curiosity, anger and rejection in light of the startling news.

The relationship between Sam and Emerald is one of immediate attraction but Emerald is only in New York for a short amount of time. With Sam’s home base in LA, Emerald struggles with the what ifs and whys of falling in love with a man whose own life is spiralling out of control. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

EMERALD is, like Amber, a story of family and secrets, revelation and acceptance, heart break and loss. The premise is captivating; the characters are affectionate, spirited and real; the romance is tender, sweet and encouraging. EMERALD is an emotional and inspiring tale of love, loss, and acknowledgement.

Own a copy

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ROSE
(Red Hot Love #3)
by Elle Casey
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters/Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 5 2018

Rose Lancaster has watched her two sisters find new lives and loves in the New York rock scene, but she’s too busy running her animal clinic in rural Maine to join them. If only she could get the town council off her back, things would be perfect. Unfortunately, the council has just served up papers for a lawsuit, and she’s at her wits’ end.

When straitlaced lawyer Greg Lister drops by on band business and gets wind of her predicament, he offers to help, and although Rose suspects it may come with complications she doesn’t need, she accepts. For a New York hotshot, he sure seems more than happy to spend time at Rose’s Maine retreat ensuring the service is completely personal.

Rose tries to resist the urge to connect but the attraction between them is undeniable…until Greg makes a shocking revelation that threatens Rose’s future in more ways than she could have imagined.

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REVIEW: ROSE is the third instalment in Elle Casey’s contemporary, adult RED HOT LOVE romance series focusing on three ‘sisters’- Amber Fields, Emerald Collins and Rose Lancaster. This is attorney Greg Lister, and animal rehabber Rose Lancaster’s story line. ROSE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

Told from first person perspective (Rose) ROSE follows the building relationship and romance between attorney Greg Lister, and twenty-five year old, animal rehabber Rose Lancaster. Greg is the attorney for the 90s rock band Red Hot but our hero struggles between head and heart as his attraction to Rose places Greg in a compromising position. As the representative of the men whose lives have changed Amber, Emerald and Rose, Greg is unable to reveal the truth to the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance between Greg and Rose, and the potential fall-out as Rose, and her animal clinic are targeted leaving a heart broken Rose in the wake.

Rose has always wanted to be a veterinarian but life and the quick take-off of her animal rehabbing hospital took priority in her life. Meeting Red Hot’s high powered attorney Greg Lister allowed Rose to consider her options for the future, options that would be quickly destroyed when the truth is revealed.

The relationship between Greg and Rose begins as a business arrangement as Greg is the purveyor of some intriguing and heart breaking news. Time together, and distance apart force Rose to reconsider what it is she wants to do with the rest of her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

ROSE is the final instalment in Elle Casey’s RED HOT LOVE romance series focusing on three young women who never knew their fathers but had always wondered about the who and why. The character driven premise is moving; the romance is spicy; the characters are spirited and sassy.

Own a copy

Reviews by Sandy

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Wrong Question, Right Answer (The Bourbon Street Boys 3) by Elle Casey-a review

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WRONG QUESTION, RIGHT ANSWER (The Bourbon Street Boys #3) by Elle Casey-a review

Wrong Question, Right Answer

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 23, 2016

As a member of the Bourbon Street Boys private security firm, Antoinette “Toni” Delacourte is one strong woman, but despite her reputation for being tough as nails, she is haunted by her past mistakes. Now they’re catching up to her, and throwing her for a loop.
Ten years ago, Toni kissed Lucky, her brother’s best friend. Worried it would break apart the group she’d come to see as family, she walked away—straight into the arms of Charlie, and an abusive relationship.

For the past decade she’s tried to keep her feelings for Lucky platonic—he’s her friend, her colleague, and he’s got his own past to deal with. Free of Charlie but unable to shake his memory, Toni finds herself feeling vulnerable and unable to deny her attraction to Lucky any longer.

She’s always thought that kiss was her first mistake, but now she’s wondering whether the real mistake was running away.

••••••••

REVIEW: WRONG QUESTIONS, RIGHT ANSWER is the third installment in Elle Casey’s contemporary, adult THE BOURBON STREET BOYS romantic, suspense series focusing on the New Orleans private investigation firm of the same name. This is team members Antoinette ‘Toni’ Delacourte, and Chance ‘Lucky’ Larieux’s story line. WRONG QUESTION, RIGHT ANSWER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history.

Told from first person point of view (Toni) WRONG QUESTION, RIGHT ANSWER is a story of second chances/friends to lover romance between co-workers and friends Toni and Lucky. Toni and Lucky shared a fated kiss close to fifteen years earlier, and in the ensuing time Toni has never forgotten the man with whom she fell in love. Trying desperately to separate herself from Lucky our heroine ran headfirst into a ten year, abusive relationship that ended with Toni making the biggest mistake of her life. Fast forward to present day wherein Lucky and Toni both work for The Bourbon Street Boys, and one drunken night of sex will change their lives forever. While the team continues to investigate the latest criminal gang activity in the Sixth Ward, Toni and Lucky struggle with their renewed friendship and relationship.

Toni is a strong-willed, physically aggressive and bitterly angry female heroine. She is a woman whose attitude and cold emotional persona is difficult to accept under any circumstance but she is also a woman embroiled in so much crippling guilt it eats away at her heart and soul. Toni’s self-deprecating attitude, and TSTL (too stupid to live) immature actions make for some troublesome and stressful issues throughout the story. Lucky is a man whose past haunts him on a daily basis, and one final straw finally pushes our hero over the edge. The relationship between Toni and Lucky is one of mutual and unrequited love; it will take a major shift in priorities and Toni’s inability to leave the past alone to make our couple understand that what it is lies before them is the most important issue in their life. The $ex sense are limited; seductive and intense.

All of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. Boss man Ozzie and his girlfriend May (Wrong Number, Right Guy 1) take their relationship up a couple of levels while the team prepares for their upcoming nuptials.

The world building continues to focus on the private investigations and friendship dynamics of the Bourbon Street Boys team. The camaraderie and interactions are reminiscent of family and love. But I did question the direction of the current investigation as the conflict was over rather quickly and in the end the reader is never truly aware of the meatier investigation details or the who, what and why.

WRONG QUESTION, RIGHT ANSWER has moments of romance, humor, action and suspense. The premise is entertaining; the main characters are broken and somewhat tragic; the romance struggles with surprises and revelations, and ghosts from the past.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wrong Number, Right Guy
Wrong Place, Right Time
Wrong Question, Right Answer

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wrong Place, Right Time (Bourbon Street Boys #2) by Elle Casey-a review

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WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME (The Bourbon Street Boys #2) by Elle Casey-a review

Wrong Place, Right Time

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 10, 2016

Jenny’s single-parent life revolves around her kids and her job, which means that hours of Animal Planet and strings of computer code are about all she has time for. Not that Jenny’s looking for adventure or romance—she’s the type of woman who believes in playing it safe.

When Jenny is called upon to do some consulting for the Bourbon Street Boys—a New Orleans private security firm—she knows she should stay away. They conduct surveillance on known criminals and put themselves in harm’s way pretty much every day, so No is the obvious answer…Problem is, there’s a guy on the team with a body to die for and a dimple that just won’t quit luring Jenny in, tempting her to throw all caution to the wind.

Will Jenny take the risk or will she do what she’s always done—play it safe and wait for the right time?

••••••••••

REVIEW: WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME is the second installment in Elle Casey’s contemporary, adult THE BOURBON STREET BOYS romantic, suspense series focusing on the New Orleans private security firm of the same name. This is training specialist Dev, and IT /computer engineer Jenny Wexler’s story line. Jenny is May’s sister –the heroine introduced in book one. WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from first person point of view (Jenny) WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME follows single mother of three children –Jenny Wexler- as she is offered a temporary position with The Bourbon Street Boys. Jenny’s specialty as a computer engineer is the perfect addition to the private security firm, and her introduction to the team does not go according to plan. Locked in a panic room with a seven foot Adonis, when the team’s warehouse is attacked, Jenny finds herself oddly attracted to Dev but determined to run at the first sign of freedom. Initially her personality is acerbic and terse; she is clearly out of her element with the private security firm. What ensues is the slow build of a relationship between Dev and Jenny, and Jenny’s integration onto The Bourbon Street Boys team.

Jenny and Dev are both single parents whose first priority are their kids. Jenny’s first assignment finds our heroine investigating a case of corporate espionage that solidifies her position with the team. Dev is a giant teddy bear of a man who has a difficult time making his feelings known especially as it concerns Jenny Wexler.

WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME has a large ensemble cast of characters including Ozzie and May from book one, and the entire team of The Bourbon Street Boys. The premise follows several paths including issues of self esteem, fat shaming, single parenthood, dueling exes, children with special needs, online dating, discrimination, bullying, revenge and computer hacking. The romance takes a backseat –pun intended for those who have read the story-and the limited $ex scene is physically awkward 😉 . The unusual attempts at online dating left me confused and wondering about the rude behavior of our story line heroine-who sets up a dating profile while another man is sitting in your house?

WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME is an entertaining story line that I enjoyed more so than the first installment. Jenny and Dev’s relationship is a little bit awkward with uncomfortable moments of reluctance and self-conscience awareness. The premise is heartwarming with additional moments of humor and fun; the characters are energetic; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after –for now.

Click HERE for Sandys’ review of WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY book 1 in The Bourbon Street Boys series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wrong Number, Right Guy (The Bourbon Street Boys #1) by Elle Casey-a review

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WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY (The Bourbon Street Boys #1) by Elle Casey-a review

Wrong Number, Right Guy

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

ABOUT THE BOOK: release date September 22, 2015

When a mysterious text message summons May Wexler to a biker bar in downtown New Orleans, she knows something is very wrong. Her sister has sent out an SOS, but when May gets there, she’s nowhere to be found and May is the one in trouble—she’s wearing pink espadrilles, she’s got a Chihuahua in her purse, and she’s in the middle of a shootout.

After tall, muscular Ozzie comes to her rescue, May has no choice but to follow him to safety. At the headquarters of his private security firm, the Bourbon Street Boys, she finds a refuge for the night—and the offer of a job. But it’s not long before a gun-toting stalker isn’t the only complication in May’s life: the more time she spends with Ozzie, the less she can deny that they’ve got some serious chemistry. A wrong number got her into this mess…Will it also get her the right guy?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY is the first installment in Elle Casey’s contemporary adult THE BOURBON STREET BOYS romantic suspense series focusing on the Bourbon Street Boys (BSB) private security firm. This is owner Ozzie, and professional photographer May Wexler’s storyline.

Told from first person point of view (May) WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY focuses on a case of mistaken identity-or-accidental text messaging wherein May receives texts from a number she believes belongs to her sister. When the messages become more incessant, rude, and demanding our heroine show up at a local biker bar, May is all about keeping her sister happy. What May doesn’t know is that the phone text is from a man deep undercover whose messages are being sent to May’s phone. When May shows up at the bar, gunfire and a car pursuit find May in the protective custody of the Bourbon Street Boys, who will soon offer May a position within their group.

The relationship between May and Ozzie is one of immediate attraction as May finds herself drawn to the man in charge. Following a number of threats against May’s life, Ozzie has May move into the BSB headquarters wherein a sexual relationship between our leading couple ensues. Ozzie is the epitome of tall, dark and dangerous to May’s ‘Bo-Peep’ in pink outward façade. The $ex scenes are limited, provocative and intense.

There is a large cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Ozzie’s Bourbon Street Boys security personnel. We are introduced to Toni-the only other female specialist-and a woman with secrets of her own. May’s sister Jennifer plays a small recurring role; a support system for her sister, and quite possibly a potential new member of the BSB team.

The world building focuses on the men and women of the Bourbon Street Boys. We are witness to their individual pursuits and job descriptions as well as their current series of investigations and special operations. There is a building storyline at the local Marina where income and expenses don’t meet up.

Elle Casey adds some humor and asides throughout the story as we listen to May’s internal dialogue, banter and jokes pertaining to her current situation. Some of the humor was palatable but there were several instances where the flippancy and blatant attempts at comedy fell flat reminding of a young boy vying for attention with jokes and one-liners. I also had a few issues with the lack of character description and development as it pertained to our leading couple, and the lack of heat in the romance department. I think May’s characters lacked some maturity as it pertained to relationships making for some uncomfortable scenarios and relationship talk.

WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY is an easy read; an entertaining storyline where two people from different walks of life find happiness and love all because of a wrong number and a few misdirected texts. Aside from some few bumps with the writing style WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GUY is a welcome introduction to Elle Casey’s THE BOUBON STREET BOYS romantic suspense series. I am looking forward to what’s in store for the BSB security team.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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