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Out of the Fire/Into the Dark by Jessica Ames-review tour

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Out of the Fire/Into the Dark (RBMC: Liverpool, UK) by Jessica Ames-review tour

OUT OF THE FIRE
Royal B*stards MC: Liverpool, UK 2.5
by Jessica Ames
Release Date: September 11, 2022
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, MC, dark, romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: I’m Angel, the President of the Royal Harlots MC. My role is clear: take care of my club sisters and help defend our brothers in the Royal Bastards when needed.

When women start to go missing off the streets of the city, it takes the joint resources of both our clubs to find out why.

I never expected a Private Investigator to get in my way.

Joel is working on this case too. I want to protect him, just as much as he wants to protect me, but there is nowhere we can hide from the danger that is coming. All I can hope is that we both survive the oncoming storm.

•••••••

REVIEW:OUT OF THE FIRE is the second instalment in Jessica Ames’ contemporary, adult ROYAL HARLOTS/ ROYAL B*STARDS MC: LIVERPOOL , UK dark, erotic, MC romance series, a part of the multi-authored RBMC series. This is president of the Royal Harlots all girl MC Angelica ‘Angel’ Burton, and private investigator Joel Armstrong’s story line.

WARNING: Due not the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, spousal and child abuse, there will be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Angel and Joel) OUT OF THE FIRE focuses on the search for a number of missing women in Liverpool, England. With the police refusing to put any effort into the search, a local private investigator Joel Armstrong is hired, bringing his hunt to the Royal Harlots MC. The Royal Harlots and their president Angel Burton, specialize in rescuing and housing abused women and children, and Joel hopes the Royal Harlots may know something he hasn’t been able to uncover. As Angel and Joel begin to unearth a possible connection to the Liverpool docks, rumors reveal another connection to the Russian Bratva.

The relationship between Angel and Joel is one of immediate attraction but their first priority is to locate the missing women Both Angel and Joel’s backstories are heart breaking, making their need to find the women immediate and personal. A few days working side by side, ends with a proclamation of love and forever. The $ex scenes are fast and furious.

OUT OF THE FIRE is a quick read; a fast paced story that reveals the back story for the author’s INTO THE DARK. The premise is dark, gritty, raw and dramatic; the romance is provocative; the characters are desperate and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________

INTO THE DARK
Royal B*stards MC: Liverpool, UK 3
by Jessica Ames
Release Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, MC, dark, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Marleigh

One night was enough to change my life. I was taken, plucked out of my life and forced into hell. Gaining my freedom didn’t unshackle the chains around me. It made them tighten. I’m fuelled by my need to avenge the wrongs done to me and those I was forced to leave behind. I’ll stop at nothing to achieve that.
I don’t need a brave knight riding a motorcycle and wearing leather to save me. He doesn’t agree. He thinks I’m a damsel in distress, but I’m focused on my task—destroying the man who ripped my world apart.

Machete

Marleigh needs to realise I’m not walking away and leaving her to face these demons alone. This fight is mine as much as it’s hers. We’ve been tracking the men who are operating in our city without our permission and we’re ready to bring them down. We’ll stop at nothing to return safety to our streets, but Marleigh seems determined to get in my way at every turn. She needs to back off before she gets hurt. She’s under my skin and as much as I want to deny it, I want to claim her as mine. The problem is she’s walking into danger and I’m not sure if I can save her.

••••••

REVIEW: INTO THE DARK is the third instalment in Jessica Ames’ ROYAL B*ASTARDS MC, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND dark, erotic, MC romance series, a part of the multi-authored RBMC series. This is Marleigh, and Blake aka Machete’s story line. INTO THE DARK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

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

Told from three first person perspectives (Marleigh, Machete, Pretty Boy) INTO THE DARK continues to focus on the search and take down of a human trafficking ring in Liverpool, England. Three months earlier Marleigh and her best friend Ellie were abducted and trafficked by a powerful Russian oligarch but Marleigh escaped, and has spent the last few months placing herself in the direct line of fire, hoping to find where her best friend was taken but Marleigh will find herself reluctantly working with the Royal B*stards, and the Royal Harlots MC, in an effort to take down the man in charge. All does not go according to plan when the RBMC discover the Liverpool Port is but a small part of a global chain of human trafficking. What ensues is the building relationship between Marleigh and Machete, and the potential fall-out as Marleigh once again finds herself in a precarious position, with both her life and the life of Machete, hanging in the balance.

The relationship between Marleigh and Machete is one of immediate attraction but Marleigh’s only goal is to locate her friend, and bring her home. Machete suspects her friend may no longer be alive but Marleigh isn’t willing to give up until she uncovers the truth. As the relationship develops, Marleigh continues to place herself in danger, working with the Russian oligarch currently in charge. The $ex scenes between our leading couple are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including RBMC: Liverpool president Mouth and his old lady, gang leader Genevieve (Into the Flames 1), as well as the president of the Royal Harlots Angel, and her boyfriend Joel (Into the Fire 2), and Angel’s brother Pretty Boy.

INTO THE DARK is another dark and gritty story of power and control, danger and death, trafficking and abuse, acceptance and love. The premise is raw; the romance is limited; the characters are numerous, struggling, powerful and determined. INTO THE DARK ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jessica Ames lives in a small market town in the Midlands, England. She lives with her dog and when she’s not writing, she’s playing with crochet hooks.

CONNECT WITH LINKS:

Website: http://www.jessicaamesauthor.com
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Ames/e/B07D5VDFH4 
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Into the Dark by Karen Rose – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Into the Dark by Karen Rose – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When Michael Rowland saves his younger brother Joshua from the clutches of his stepfather, he runs for his life with his brother in his arms. From his hiding place he sees the man who has made their lives a misery taken away in the trunk of a stranger’s car, never to be seen again.

Doctor Dani Novak has been keeping soccer coach Diesel Kennedy at arm’s length to protect him from her dark secrets. When they are brought together by the two young brothers who desperately need their help, it seems they might finally be able to leave their damaged pasts behind them.

But as the only witness to the man who kidnapped and murdered his stepfather, Michael is in danger. As Diesel and Dani do all that they can to protect him, their own investigation into the murder uncovers a much darker web of secrets than they could have imagined.

As more bodies start to appear it’s clear that this killer wants vengeance. And will wipe out anything that gets in his way…

 

 

Review:

Into the Dark by Karen Rose is the 5th book in her Cincinnati romance suspense series.  The last book I had read in this series, I had noted that it was one of the best thrillers of the year.  I have read a few of Rose’s other series, and they were equally as awesome.  I was thrilled to find out that Into the Dark returns to the Cincinnati series, which has some wonderful secondary characters. Once again, Rose gives us a sensational book, which not only keeps us on the edge of our seats with intense and exciting action, but was also an emotional and heartwarming story. 

The book starts off with a bang, as teenager Michael Rowland is being chased by first his step father, trying to run away with his 5-year-old brother, Joshua.  Michael is protecting Joshua from his evil father, and just when he thinks he is safe, he sees his father murdered by another man. 

Michael, who is deaf, will run into his coach Diesel Kennedy (our hero), who will notice that Michael is bleeding and brings him to Doctor Dani Novak, who will treat Michael.  Dani, our heroine, is also deaf in one ear; works with abused children, and is able communicate with the deaf using sign language.  She is also an emergency foster care provider. The police find the father’s body, and early on suspect Michael may have killed his father, since his mother claims he did.  But evidence will prove that Michael is innocent, but his life is in danger, as the murderer will find out that Michael can identify him.

Both Dani and Diesel will take on the responsibility of taking care and protecting both Michael and Joshua at her place.  The best part of this is all the wonderful secondary characters we have come to know in the previous books (Marcus, Stone, Scarlett, Meredith, Deacon and Adam, just to name a few), who are cops, FBI, doctors, therapists; who all come to their aid and work together to protect the boys, as well as try to find the murder; especially since so many bodies are showing up. 

There are two main parts of this story; a mystery revolving around a murderer, who is a vigilante, killing anyone who was trafficking or abusing children, even if he killed innocent people along the way; and the romance between Diesel and Dani.  Make no mistake this is a very heartbreaking and emotional story, with topics such as child sexual abuse, HIV, human trafficking, etc. We couldn’t help but feel sorry for both Michael, and Joshua, and I loved how Diesel and Dani were with them.  We know that Diesel has always love Dani, but she has held him off due to her lack of confidence (losing a boyfriend to suicide) and mostly due to her HIV status.  It was great to watch as she slowly brought down her wall to open her heart to Diesel, and both boys.

This is just the beginning of an intense & complex murder mystery that will result in more murders. What follows is an amazing story that held me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  Even though we knew who the murderer was, it was an action-packed thriller, with Diesel, Dani and the rest of this great team in danger so many times. We held our breaths, as their lives would hang by a thread.  In between these many tense moments, I loved how Diesel and Dani opened their hearts to Michael and Joshua, and the close bond between them and their strong, smart and loyal team of close-knit friends and family.

I am in awe of Karen Rose, as her books are so well written with fantastic characters, evil villains, a great couple, and a totally intense mystery that keeps you in suspense to the very end.  If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, you should be reading anything by Karen Rose. I know I will.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Cincinnati, Ohio Saturday, March 16, 4:00 p.m.
Michael winced at the ball of fear lodged in his gut. It actually hurt. What was the doctor going to do? What was she going to ask?
He’d seen the understanding in her eyes when he’d asked if the lady cop could be the witness instead of one of the two men. Dr. Dani knew.
Dammit.
He’d followed her into the same exam room he’d been in before. Sitting on the paper- covered table, he watched as the lady cop took po¬sition in the corner, her expression kind.
Shit. She knew, too. His face flushed hotter than fire. Now they’d all know. They’d tell the two men outside. They’d tell Coach Diesel. Everyone will know.
His stomach churned in misery as the nurse came in. She looked businesslike, at least. The interpreter came in last and met his eyes.
“I’m here for you,” she signed without voicing for the others. “I’m bound to confidentiality. You get that, right? I’ll never share what you say with anyone outside this room.”
He nodded. “I get it.” It didn’t really help. She’d still know. And he wasn’t worried about her telling anyone anyway. It was the others who’d tell. Especially the cop. She had to report abuse. So did the doctor and nurse. They were required to by law. Just like teachers. Which was why he’d never told any of his teachers.
He fought the tears stinging his eyes. He would not cry, dammit. This was humiliating enough without him crying.
The interpreter closed the door and suddenly the room was very crowded. More crowded than it had been before, even though Coach Diesel had also been here, taking up more space than two of the women put together.
At least the social worker had stayed outside to talk to the two detec¬tives, but this room was too crowded. Too many people. Michael’s chest began to hurt, his breath coming faster and faster, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, afraid he’d be sick. Fan- fucking- tastic.
Dr. Dani had been preparing to check his shoulder, but from the corner of his eye he saw her pause, her gloved hand slowly rising to touch his face, like she was afraid he’d bolt.
His gaze shot up to meet hers. Gentleness. That was what he saw and felt. All that he saw and felt. She was stroking his face gently, her oddly colored eyes so patient.
No blame. No mockery. No questions. Just . . . gentleness.
“Breathe with me,” she signed with her free hand, then placed it on her chest. He watched as she breathed in and out, realizing that he was matching her pace without even trying. The nausea slowly went away, leaving him . . . tired.
“So tired,” he signed and she smiled sadly.
“I know. You can rest later. I’m not going to leave you.”
He swallowed hard. “They’ll put me in jail. You can’t stay with me then.”
Her jaw tightened, not in anger, but in determination. “I’ll fight for you, but try not to worry just yet. I want to check your shoulder, okay?”
He thought about his bruises, the deep scratches from the night he’d fallen in the woods, Joshua in his arms. The bruises had faded, but some of the scratches were still there. They’ll think I fought him. They’ll think I did it. That I killed him.
His anxiety rose once again and his head spun.
Dr. Dani’s hand cupped his face again, squeezing lightly so that he looked at her. “Breathe, honey. Breathe with me.”
He tried. He really did. But he was so damn tired. He felt the sob surging from his gut, clogging his throat. He tried to fight it, but he couldn’t. It broke free and he dropped his head, unable to keep his cries silent.
He hated to cry out loud. Hated the sounds he made. His mother used to tell him that he sounded like an animal when he cried. So he’d learned to cry with no sound at all.
But not today. He could feel the sobs coming out of his throat and the tears coming out of his eyes and he couldn’t stop them.
Dr. Dani’s arms came around him and held him tight, rocking him gently, stroking his hair.
Like he wished his mother had done, every time he’d cried. But she never had. Not once.
Tentatively he reached around the doctor’s back and gripped hand¬fuls of her white coat. She nodded against his cheek and he held on until he exhausted himself with weeping and was able to choke back the stupid sobs. They’d seen. All the women in the room had seen him cry.
Heard him, too.
God.
New humiliation washed over him. But he was too tired to panic anymore. Someone tucked some tissues into his hand and he pulled back from the doctor’s warm hug to mop his face and blow his nose, his eyes now fixed downward. He couldn’t face her. Couldn’t face any of them.
He drew a deep breath through his nose, hoping he wasn’t snorting too rudely. Then froze. He drew another deep sniff, realizing he could smell chocolate.
He looked up then, but all he saw was Dr. Dani, dabbing at her own eyes.
She cried, too. For me. It was . . . a lot more than he’d expected.
His hands were moving before he realized it. “You smell like chocolate.”
She smiled, blinking away more tears. “My shampoo,” she answered, then drew a breath of her own. “I’m not going to tell you that everything will be okay, because I don’t know what’s going to happen. Except that I won’t abandon you.”
“Or Joshua?”
She nodded firmly. “Or Joshua.”
He chanced a look around, saw that the other women were waiting patiently. His interpreter’s eyes were wet, as were the nurse’s. And the cop’s. That surprised him. No one looked angry. No one looked dis¬gusted.
They just looked sad.
He turned back to the doctor. He trusted her word, that she wouldn’t abandon his brother. Still, Joshua was not her responsibility. He’s mine. He’d do what he needed to do to get him back. Starting with this exam. Nervously he ran his fingers through his hair, wincing when he brushed over the stitches he’d all but forgotten with the arrival of the detectives. “Okay, I’m ready. You can check my shoulder.”
He just prayed she wouldn’t need to see anything more. That she knew that he’d been hurt by a man was humiliating enough. Her seeing it? All the women seeing it?
That was too much.Posted by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Karen Rose, 2019.


 

 

Karen Rose’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of INTO THE DARK to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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9.. Giveaway runs from November 26th to 30th, 2019

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