Tag Archives: Kate Douglas

Awakened (Intimate Relations 3) by Kate Douglas-a review

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AWAKENED (Intimate Relations 3) by Kate Douglas-a review

Awakened

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2016

PASSION NEVER SLEEPS.

Small-town barista Mandy Monroe will never forget the first time she saw the man of her dreams. Every morning, this impossibly gorgeous hunk would ride his bike past her coffee shop, fueling her wildest romantic fantasies. But when she learns that her crush is none other than vineyard owner Marc Reed, one of America’s hottest young entrepreneurs, Mandy knows her fantasy will never become a reality. That is, until Marc’s home burns down and he moves in with her…

As a roommate, Marc is as warm, friendly, and down-to-earth as he is rich, famous, and heartstoppingly handsome. But beneath his laidback exterior beats the heart of a red-blooded man with an uncontrollable urge to take Mandy in his arms and make mad, passionate love to her. Mandy is everything he’s ever wanted; she’s sweet, smart, funny, and irresistibly sexy. But how he can tell her the truth about his past? How can he explain the nightmares that haunt him every night? And how can he tell Mandy he loves her…without putting her heart, and her life, in danger?

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REVIEW: AWAKENED is the third and final installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a tight knit group of friends. This is billionaire/IT developer/vineyard owner Marc Reed, and barista Mandy Monroe’s story line. AWAKENED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order of back story and information about the friendships and hardships the characters have had to endure.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Marc and Mandy) AWAKENED follows the building relationship between billionaire Marc Reed, and coffee shop barista Mandy Monroe. Throughout the series Marc and Mandy have been dancing around one another; the sexual attraction is palpable but neither one made any movement to attract the other’s attention. When Mandy’s roommates and their significant others leave town for the week, Marc makes his move and the couple is quick make up for lost time. The mystery and suspense weaves itself from the beginning when Marc’s nightmares reveal the truth about happened in the past as Marc and Mandy begin to unravel the clues that have remained dormant in Marc’s mind. A search for the truth brings danger and threats to our leading couple.

The story line follows several paths including a small look at each of the couples from the previous installments including photographer Jake Lowell and his fiancé/model Kaz Kasanov; US Army major and Jake’s brother Ben Lowell, and his fiancé/PA Lola Monroe (Mandy’s sister); and Nate and Cassie Dunagan from the prequel novella-TANGLED- that can be found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015).

AWAKENED is a story of romance and intrigue; betrayal and revenge; family and friends. The premise is fateful; the characters are passionate and colorful; the romance is intimate and affectionate. AWAKENED wraps up several loose ends between all of the couples, as well as the introduction of a new couple considered a part of the extended family. Kate Douglas’s INTIMATE RELATIONS series is engaging, enjoyable and will captivate your imagination.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Tangled (Hot Alphas)
Intimate
Redemption
Awakened

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Intimate / Redemption (Intimate Relations 1-2) by Kate Douglas-double review

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INTIMATE / REDEMPTION (Intimate Relations 1-2) by Kate Douglas-double review

Intimate

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

HER BEAUTY IS POWERFUL.

They call her Kaz. She’s a gorgeous model with a good head for business—until now, at least. Kaz has just been fired from her latest photo shoot for having the wrong tattoo in the wrong place at the wrong time. But a chance encounter with photographer Jake Lowell could make everything right again . . . if Kaz is willing to accept his proposition. What does she have to lose?

HIS DESIRE IS DANGEROUS.

Jake has been searching for the perfect model to pose for a body-jewelry shoot—one that will leave no room for modesty. Is Kaz, who is nothing if not professional, ready to bare it all for a man she is not sure she can trust? It’s an offer that’s too good to refuse . . . and as Kaz finds herself growing more comfortable with Jake, the attraction between them reaches arousing new heights. But while the artist and his subject learn more about each other in the intimacy of wine country, evil lurks in the shadows—and soon it becomes clear that someone else has designs on them.

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REVIEW: INTIMATE is the first full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONS erotic romance series. This is photographer Jake Lowell, and model Kaz Kasanov’s story line. There is a prequel novella –TANGLED-found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015) but it is not necessary to understand the series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kaz and Jake) INTIMATE focuses on the building relationship between Kaz and Jake, and the many attempts against their lives. For his latest assignment with Intimate Winery and Jewelry, Jake needed an edgy model-a woman with tattoos and piercings for a body jewelry photo shoot-and Kaz fit the bill to perfection- but from the moment Jake was introduced to Kaz, someone started sending Jake mysterious texts. Combined with the number of attempts on their lives over the next several days, Jake begins to wonder if the sins from his past have finally caught up.

The attraction between Jake and Kaz is immediate. Their relationship goes from professional to lovers very quickly; and a proclamation of love is not very far off. The $ex scenes are numerous, intimate and seductive.

We are introduced to Kaz’s roommates and best friends, Lola and Mandy Monroe, as well as the reappearance of Nate and Cassie from TANGLED. Nate and Cassie Dunagan are winery owners, and Jake takes advantage of the beautiful location for his Intimate photo shoots. Jake’s best friend and Intimate Jewelry owner Marcus Reed plays a secondary role; and Jake’s long lost brother Ben has finally come home after twenty years overseas.

INTIMATE is a story with a little bit of everything: romance, love, $ex, mystery, suspense and a happily ever after. The premise is intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. Ben and Lola’s story will be told next in REDEMPTION.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Redemption

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

SECRETS THREATENING TO CONSUME

Lola Monroe knows that appearances can be deceiving—even in the most beautiful of places and angelic of faces. She’s seen how the ugliest rumors and lies can destroy women’s lives and careers. So when roommate’s brother-in-law shows up at Lola’s doorstep—unannounced, unassuming, and unbelievably gorgeous—she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something behind that handsome face, that sly smile, and those tempting lips…

PASSION WORTH FIGHTING FOR

A battle-scarred veteran with devilish looks, Ben Lowell has spent his entire life running from his past, his family—and his deepest, darkest secrets. When he meets Lola, he knows in his heart he can trust her with the truth, even if it means baring his soul and losing her forever. Lola wants to help Ben find redemption by reconciling with his family. But when she discovers more skeletons hiding in his closet—and more dangers waiting in the shadows—the powerful love that binds them together could be the one thing that tears them apart..

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REVIEW: REDEMPTION is the second full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS romantic, suspense series. This is office manger Lola Monroe, and US army major Ben Lowell’s story line. REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order as there is quite a bit of background information revealed in the previous installments. Some of the timeline of REDEMPTION overlaps with the events of INTIMATE. There is also a prequel novella-TANGLED- that can be found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lola and Ben) REDEMPTION focuses on Ben Lowell’s return to civilian life, and the family he left behind twenty years earlier. Ben and his brother RJ aka Jake (INTIMATE #1) haven’t seen one another for close to twenty years and in the ensuing time Ben has lived with so much guilt that it threatens to destroy his life. Ben will discover that everything and everyone he knew has changed, and with it comes the realization that to move forward you have to forget about the past-a past steeped in guilt, heartbreak and the biggest mistake of his life. Enter Lola Monroe-Jake’s fiance’s former roommate- and the woman who would save Ben from himself.

REDEMPTION is a romantic suspense story where Ben’s time in the Middle East follows our hero home to San Francisco and into the lives of the people he loves. The secrets military operations, and possible government involvement find Ben searching for the truth about the attack in Afghanistan that left him for dead, and the continuing attacks at home on US soil. Saying that, there is plenty of background information and history about the time Ben spent in the Middle East, and the possible connections to US Senator back home.

The relationship between Ben and Lola is quick to develop: there is an immediate and visceral attraction between our leading characters one that is sated within hours of introduction. The quick friends to lovers scenario finds Ben and Lola proclaiming their love for one another within a matter of days. The $ex scenes are seductive and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Ben’s brother Jake and his fiancé Kaz (INTIMATE #1); Nate and Cassie Dunagan (TANGLED .5); Lola’s roommate/half-sister Mandy Monroe, who may or may not have a thing for Jake’s best friend and IT specialist Marcus Reed. We are also introduced to several law enforcement officers, agents from the FBI, and the requisite evil that comes with many faces-some familiar and some not. There is plenty of action, mystery, and suspense.

REDEMPTION is an entertaining story line where the intrigue builds throughout the story. There are twists and turns, betrayal and revenge, family and friendship, forgiveness and looking forward towards a happily ever after. The premise is infinitely detailed; the main characters are flirty, friendly and intense; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. REDEMPTION is a great read for fans of romantic suspense and family love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Hot Alphas Anthology by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker & Kate Douglas-a review

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HOT ALPHAS anthology with Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker and Kate Douglas-a review

Hot Alphas

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2015

HOT ALPHAS is a four part anthology of contemporary, adult romance storylines. Each short story has a little romance, $ex, and a happily ever after while a couple stories have mystery, intrigue and suspense. Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, and Burn For Me by Shiloh Walker are each part of an existing series by the respective authors, while misTaken by Laurelin McGee is the introduction to a new series co authored by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee.

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In Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?

REVIEW: 3.75 stars–ERIN’S KISS is part of the Wound Warriors Series by Lora Leigh focusing on a group of former military operatives who work for the CIN-Covert Information Network. This is ex Marine Turk Rogan and Erin Masters romantic/suspense storyline.

The novella follows Turk and Erin as both work undercover at the Broken Bar Saloon keeping an eye on the thugs, politicians and people connected to the mob. The Broken Bar is home to a number of CIN operatives and when Erin becomes the target of an unknown assailant, the CIN and Turk move into action. The secondary and supporting characters include several CIN agents, Erin’s step brother and step father, as well as the ‘regulars’ at the bar.

ERIN’S KISS is a quick erotic read about two people who have lusted after one another for a number of months. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative. The background and world building is limited but followers of the series may be more in tune with what has happened than new readers to the series. The novella does not end with a cliff hanger but a bit of a ‘wait and see’ what is going to happen next.

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In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn’t so sure he is who he says he is.

REVIEW: 3 stars–MISTAKEN is the introductory novella to Laurelin McGee (aka Laurelin Paige/ Kayti McGee) new romance series focusing on the world of modern matchmaking. This is high school English teacher Jaylene Kim and Noah Harrison’s storyline. With her rigid feminist ideals and preconceived notions Jaylene is having difficulty adjusting to other people’s (both men and women) view of life. Enter Noah Harrison, a man with too many secrets that Jaylene is dying to uncover and a man who makes Jaylene question her feminist ways.

The $ex scenes are exploratory but Jaylene has a difficult time giving up control. Throughout the storyline our heroine’s rigid feminist views leave something to be desired both in and out of the bedroom; I question the couple’s attraction to one another as I did not feel the sexual chemistry or burning need.

As this is the introductory storyline to Laurelin McGee’s new series, I am hoping with the future installments the heroines are not so uncompromising or mired in such strict feminist beliefs. The overriding premise of feminism was too much for a romance storyline. I am all for equal rights, but I don’t like the ideals of radical feminism to be pounded into me from my romance heroines. I have a degree in sociology and took several courses in women’s studies but there are times when the idealists need to consider the target of their attacks and romance readers are not the ideal targets.

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In Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate’s unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?

REVIEW: 4 stars–BURN FOR ME is the introductory novella in Shiloh Walker’s Secrets and Shadows romantic, suspense series (Originally released April 1, 2014) focusing on the Bell family. This is car restoration expert Tate Bell, and single mother and part owner of a pizza cafe Ali Holmes storyline- a friends with benefits relationship where Ali wants something more.

The storyline follows the back and forth between Tate and Ali; Tate’s inability to let go of the past; the disappearance of his mother fifteen years earlier; and the introduction of Tate’s younger sister Chrissie, their sister Detective Jensen Bell, as well as Noah Benningfield and Trinity Ewing. While Tate struggles with issues of betrayal and hurt, Ali makes a heartbreaking decision about her future. The novella ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-looking towards a resolution of a fifteen year mystery.

Shiloh Walker does an amazing job in a short period of time with the world and character building. I was never confused or concerned about the direction of the story; the information revealed was just enough to spark my interest in the series.

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In Tangled by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance…

REVIEW: 3.75 stars–TANGLED is a quick story of insta-love between Nate Dunagan and Cassie Phillips. Cassie’s family once owned the Tangled Vines vineyard, where Cassie and Nate now work and manage. As Cassie’s father’s increasing dementia forced the family to sell the winery, Cassie remains behind as the leading wine maker for Tangled Vines vineyard. What ensues is a building relationship between our leading couple that eventually leads to a happily ever after…but in between Cassie and Nate become the victims of someone hoping to bury the past.

TANGLED is a storyline with a little bit of romance, $ex and intrigue. As our couple struggle with the daily business of operating a vineyard, Cassie and Nate also struggle with their building attraction. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the over the top erotic factor. If you like a storyline of insta-love and a promise of forever, than TANGLED is the perfect read.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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