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Submission Impossible by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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Submission Impossible (Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded #1)by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt Tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 16, 2021

He loves the sweet life

Greg Hutchins is reluctantly adulting these days. He’s settled in his job, recently bought his first house, and has a network of friends he can call family. But there’s something missing in his life, and he can’t quite put his finger on it. When he’s assigned to a case that involves investigating a biochemical company, he meets a woman who’s sweeter than any candy. Maybe she’s just the thing to make him feel complete.

She’s ready for the future

Noelle LaVigne has faced plenty of tragedy in her life, but she’s on the right path now. Between her new job and settling into a new city, she’s got no time for dating or relationships. She’s worked hard to get where she is, and no man is going to push her off track. Except the minute Hutch crosses her path she can’t seem to think about anything but the handsome security expert. He’s there to find a corporate spy, but late-night work sessions make her think they’ve both found something much more meaningful.

A twist they never saw coming

When the case becomes dangerous, both of their futures are on the line. And when the bullets start flying, they will have to learn to trust in each other if they hope to survive.

•••••••

REVIEW:SUBMISSION IMPOSSIBLE is the first instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: RELOADED erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten, which in turn is a spin off from the original Masters and Mercenaries. This is Greg ‘Hutch’ Hutchins, and scientist Noelle LaVigne’s story line. SUBMISSION IMPOSSIBLE can be read as a stand alone, you do not have to have read the previous series to follow or understand. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s LAWLESS series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there are some scenes of bondage and discipline, domination and submission including spanking and rope play.

Told from third person perspective SUBMISSION IMPOSSIBLE follows Greg ‘Hutch’ Hutchins, as a member of the McKay-Taggart security force, tasked with the protection of scientist Noelle LaVigne in the wake of a suspicious death of a fellow researcher at Genedyne Labs. Along with fellow security specialist Kyle Hawthorne, Hutch goes undercover as Noelle’s boyfriend, in an effort to stay closer to the woman with whom he will fall in love but all is not well at the Genedyne Labs, when our heroine is targeted for her work, and the people hired to protect her come under scrutiny from the man in charge. What ensues is the building but contemptuous relationship between Noelle and Hutch as our couple navigate a minefield of corporate espionage, secrets, lies and attacks against Noelle, Hutch and Kyle Hawthorne.

Greg Hutchins struggles with what was and what will never be but our hero knows that Noelle is the woman that calls to his heart, and the submissive to his Dominant side but protecting Noelle becomes increasingly difficult as she refuses to believe she is a potential target at Genedyne Labs. There is more than one team investigating the who, what and why at Genedyne Labs, and our heroine will be caught in the middle of a fight for control.

The relationship between Hutch and Noelle begins acrimoniously as Hutch refuses to ‘babysit’ a spoiled scientist, and our heroine refuses to accept protection from the man with whom she will fall in love. Pretending to be in a committed relationship Hutch agrees to become Noelle’s Dominant when her introduction at Sanctum spirals out of control. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the characters including Big Tag and Charlotte (Masters and Mercenaries), Grace and Sean play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to IT specialist Mae Beatrice Vaughn aka MaeBe, security specialists Michael Malone and Kyle Hawthorne, Genedyne CEO Jessica Layne , Noelle’s father Armie LaVigne and his wife Lila, engineer Peter Moore, Dallas PD Chris Taylor, and Cara Dover.

SUBMISSION IMPOSSIBLE is a story of betrayal, power and control; corporate espionage; money, murder, relationships and love. The premise is engaging, intriguing and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are animated, energetic and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“I’ve spent a lot of my evening researching your boss, and she’s dangerous. I think her corporate structure is sketchy, too. I think there’s a good chance she’s under some kind of investigation, and you’re going to get dragged into it. Is there any way you could take a couple of weeks off?”
It was the conclusion he’d come to. He would feel safer if she didn’t go back into that building again.
She shook her head. “I can’t. If I leave, I leave my research behind, and I’m close. If I prove my processes can work I’ll be able to hire on anywhere, and that would be remarkable at my age.”
Well, it was the answer he’d expected. “I want you to keep your eyes open and call me the minute you feel like anything’s weird. Trust your instincts.” He let out a breath and admitted the answer he’d come to. “I’m going to let Kyle go in with you tomorrow.”
“Good, because I have it on the highest authority he was going to take that job anyway.”
It was good to know he was in charge. He closed the screen of his laptop. He should go to bed and let her have some peace. She had to be at work early in the morning. He would lay on her couch and stare at the ceiling.
He was about to stand when Noelle beat him to it. “Hey, you didn’t get your prize.”
“Prize?”
“That’s kind of what you wanted, right? I’m supposed to give you something for opening up to me.”
“I wasn’t thinking about it as a prize, though I can see where you would.” He wanted to explore this thing between them, and having her talk to him or tell him something important about herself would do that. But he wasn’t going to push her. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
He was going to go slow. He was going to get to know her and ease into a friendship that could become something more. He had to be patient.
“I want to.” She crossed the space between them. “I want to give you this.”
She had another Red Vine in her hand. He’d wanted something personal from her. Something that would let him know this woman better. He got his own candy back. Story of his life. Still, he gave her what he hoped was a game smile and reached out. “Thanks.”
She pulled her hand back before he could take the candy. It wasn’t even a full one. It was the last little piece of what he’d given her.
“I want you to take it from me.” She licked her lips and put it in her mouth.
He was fully awake now, and about three thousand reasons this was a bad, bad idea went through his head.
It was too soon. She was sheltered and inexperienced. He was not. He had needs that would shock her. She’d literally said she didn’t do weird sex stuff. He did. A lot of weird sex stuff.
He should wait because she wasn’t doing this because she was in love with him. She was doing it because they had wild chemistry and she couldn’t help herself. He should be the senior partner and end this experiment of hers.
She settled on his lap. Suddenly every muscle in his body was tense and waiting to see if she was doing what he thought she was doing.
“Noelle?”
She lifted her face to his, offering that last bit of sugar, and he gave up the idea of waiting.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Bayou Dreaming (Bayou Butterfly 3) by Lexi Blake-Review tour

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Bayou Dreaming (Bayou Butterfly 3) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2020

Roxanne King left the big city looking for a simpler life, but after years of proving herself on a SWAT team in New York City, being deputy in a sleepy Louisiana parish is something of an adjustment. She’s settling in, but she knows she made some mistakes in the beginning–Zep Guidry being the worst of them. Zep drifts through life on his looks and Cajun charm. Roxie learned the hard way he’s not for her.

Zep is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Roxie. He’s just not sure how to get her. They spent one hot night together a year before and now all the lovely deputy seems interested in doing to him is arresting him. He’s not used to a woman he can’t charm, but Roxie seems immune. He’s determined to win her back by any means necessary. Including becoming the kind of man she desires.

And when Roxie’s past comes calling, it might be the opportunity Zep needs to show Roxie that the town bad boy might just be the man of her dreams.

••••••

REVIEW:BAYOU DREAMING is the third instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult BUTTERFLY BAYOU erotic, romance series. This is former NYPD police officer Roxanne King, and Zephirin ‘ Zep’ Guidry’s story line. BAYOU DREAMING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information for the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Roxanne and Zep) BAYOU DREAMING follows the building romance and relationship between former NYPD police officer Roxanne King, and Zephirin ‘ Zep’ Guidry. Four years earlier police officer Roxanne King’s life imploded when she discovered complaints about sexual harassment had been ignored and dismissed by the old boys club in the department, a department where her now ex-husband and father worked. Walking away from a job that she loved, and a marriage that was quickly grinding to a halt, Roxanne King landed a job as a deputy in Papillon, Louisiana. But a one night stand with local bad boy Zep Guidry never amounted to fruition until several reports of strange incidences with a mythological creature found Roxanne and Zep working together following an accident that left our heroine with a mild concussion. The appearance of Roxanne’s family added to fuel to Roxanne’s already crazy life, an appearance that pulled Zep into a pretend romantic relationship with Roxanne King. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Roxanne and Zep, and the potential fall-out when Roxanne is offered a job she cannot refuse.

The Louisiana Parish of Papillon has its’ fair share of mythologies but the most recent ‘sighting’ of a werewolf type rougarou, has Roxanne shaking her head at the stories and phone calls to the local PD but Roxanne’s problems only escalate when her family visits Papillon Louisiana, a visit meant to encourage our heroine to finally come home.

The relationship between Roxanne and Zep is one of immediate attraction but Zep’s bad boy reputation precedes his introduction to our story line heroine, a reputation predicated on history, rumors, gossip and lies. Meeting Roxanne King gave Zep a hope for a future but Roxanne had no plans to remain in Papillon long term, and with it went the hopes of a man who was quickly falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Sheriff Armie La Vigne, and practical nurse Lila Daley (Butterfly Bayou 1), Lisa and Remy Guidry, deputy Major, Harry and Seraphins ( Bayou Baby 2), Sera and Zep’s mother Delphine Guidry. We are introduced to Roxanne’s parents who area infuriating, stubborn and disappointing , her brother Brian and his fiancé Shawna, and her ex-husband Joel Nelson, as well as several townsfolk in Papillon Louisiana.

BAYOU DREAMING is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and loss. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is captivating and decadent; the characters are colorful, dynamic, and spirited.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Butterfly Bayou
Baby Bayou

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

The door opened and Lila walked in. “I’ve got good news and bad news. You do have a concussion, but it’s minor and my brother says the rest of your brain looks great. So you’ll be fine, but I either need to send you to the hospital for observation for the day or someone needs to stay with you.”
“I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t about to go to the hospital. No way. “Just give me some instructions and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll be completely in my hair because, like I said, I need to know someone is watching you for the next twelve hours,” Lila explained. “I can do that by driving you an hour and a half to the hospital, checking you in, and then having someone pick you up late in the evening. Or you can have a friend stay with you today. I would tell you to hang out here at the clinic, but we’re closed this morning. I’m going to Noelle’s science fair. If we can ever trick another NP to come down here, well, we’ll still be closed sometimes.”
It was weird since hospitals didn’t close in New York, but this clinic was the nearest thing they had to a hospital in Papillon. Lila would definitely insist on driving her since she wasn’t even letting her lie on the couch by herself. There was no way Lila would let her get behind the wheel.
“I swear I’ll be cool,” she promised. “I’ll sign one of those forms and everything will be okay. I don’t mind signing it.”
“You want to sign an AMA?” Lila’s eyes had widened slightly but not in a surprised way. Nope. Roxie knew that look. It was the “dumbass said what” look.
“You’re not leaving against medical advice,” Armie declared with a frown.
She didn’t have anyone to call. She quickly went through the short list of people she knew well enough to ask for a favor. She pretty much only knew the guys she worked with. She worked and then went home. She got the occasional beer, and sometimes she hung out with Lila. That was the sum of who she might be able to ask.
Major was working. He would have been called in to take over the rest of her shift and his own. Armie would be at his daughter’s school event. Vince would be working with Major, and the fourth deputy, Chris, had recently hired on and was moving today.
The door opened and Zep walked in, Daisy on a leash, though she obviously wasn’t trained. She squirmed and strained against the leash the minute she got in the room.
“Sorry, I wanted to make sure you were all right before I head into Houma,” he said. “Also wanted to give you the chance to say good-bye to Daisy.”
If she didn’t find someone to “watch” over her, Armie would likely do it himself. Or they would have to spend their whole day driving back and forth to the hospital. He would miss his daughter’s science fair, and it wasn’t some elementary event where they showed off homemade volcanoes. Noelle was in her senior year of high school and competing for scholarships.
Also, she might save the puppy from having to go to some horrible shelter.
She looked at Zep. She knew what she was about to say was a mistake, but she didn’t see that she had any other choice. She was desperate. “I need someone to make sure I can wake up every couple of hours.”
Zep stopped and looked around as though trying to make sure she was talking to him. “You want me to call my sister or something?”
His sister and her husband, Harrison Jefferys, owned a B and B, the nicest one in town. That could be the solution. She could check in for the day and sleep on the couch in the great room. She’d heard their family dog was almost like a nanny to their little boy. Maybe he could be a nurse, too. “Does she have any rooms open?”
Armie huffed and Lila started shaking her head as though they both knew she planned to ask a dog to help her out before she’d ask the human male in the room.
Zep nodded as though that was what he’d expected. “Sorry. I was talking to Sera and Harry last night and they’re completely booked. They’ve got a big family coming down for the week. From somewhere back East.”
Then she didn’t have a choice. She closed her eyes and wished the ground would swallow her up. It would be easier than doing what she had to do now. She sighed and opened her eyes because the ground was still firm beneath her. “Would you do it?”
The slowest, sexiest smile crossed his face. “I can definitely wake you up, darlin’. Though I’m more used to putting pretty ladies to sleep. Wait. That came out wrong. Never mind. I can do it.”
She already regretted the choice.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Happily Ever After in Bliss by Lexi Blake-a review

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Happily Ever After in Bliss (Nights in Bliss, Colorado #11) by Lexi Blake-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 27, 2020

A man hiding from his nature

Henry Flanders never dreamed his past would catch up to him. After all, the man he used to be is dead and buried. He made a clean break with life in the CIA. He moved to Bliss under a new name. For years he has been living a dream, married to his lovely Nell. Now a miracle has happened, and they have a baby on the way. Life is perfect, or rather it was until a violent cartel showed up in Bliss ready to reap their bloody vengeance on the man he used to be.

A woman shaken to her foundation

Nell Flanders has never met a problem she couldn’t handle, but discovering her husband isn’t the man she thought was more than she was prepared for. How can she trust Henry, when John Bishop—the ruthless man he used to be—keeps bringing deadly problems to their door? She has a beautiful life growing inside her, and now she isn’t sure her marriage can survive long enough to welcome their child into the world.

A reckoning that will shake Bliss to its core

Henry isn’t willing to give up on his life with Nell, but it’s going to take some Bliss magic to overcome the forces pulling them apart. When the full weight of Henry’s past comes to bear on the town and the bullets start flying, it might just be Bishop, and some old friends, who can save the day and win back her heart.

••••••••

REVIEW:HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS is the eleventh full-length instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series focusing on the small town of Bliss, Colorado. This is the continuing story of former US army soldier/former CIA operative turned history professor John Bishop aka Henry Flanders, and his wife Nell Flanders . HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading ONCE UPON A TIME IN BLISS for Henry and Nell’s backstory.

SOME BACKGROUND: Nell Flanders is an idealist; a naïve dreamer; an optimist who is hoping to change the world one protest at a time. A vegan, a pacifist, a woman who believes that even little white lies are unacceptable in the grand scheme of peace and unity. John Bishop is a former US army soldier/former CIA operative turned history professor who now identifies as Henry Flanders but Henry is always on the offensive knowing his past is always one step behind

Told from dual third person perspectives (Henry and Nell) HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS fast forwards Nell and Henry’s life approximately six years wherein Henry’s past is about to destroy any semblance of peace for our story line couple. Now pregnant with their first child, Nell Flanders has no idea about the life her husband once led, and with the past now intent of destroying their lives, Nell is no longer sure if the man that she loves, is the man with whom she will continue her life. With both the CIA, and the Mexican cartel hot on his heels, John Bishop attempts to head off any further attacks, but in doing so continues to anger the people he’s wronged.

The relationship between Nell and Henry struggles in the face of Henry’s secrets and lies. Nell, a woman with strong convictions against war, killing, eating meat and any number of ideologies and actions she which she is willing to protest, protect or panhandle-in other words, the complete opposite of the man with whom she had fallen in love. With the revelations about Henry’s past, and the life she knew nothing about, our heroine struggles going forward including the belief that the father of her child is capable of killing another human being. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate with some light discipline and Dom/sub scenarios.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar secondary and supporting characters from a number of Lexi Blake’s interconnected series including the Masters and Mercenaries series including Ten Smith and Ian Taggart, and The Lost Boys.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. A story of secrets and lies; revelations and acceptance. The premise is emotional, heart breaking and engaging; the characters are energetic and captivating. HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS BLISS is a spicy, imaginative and intriguing second look at one of the oddest couples in Lexi’s series.

Click HERE for reviews of books 1-7 of the TEXAS SIRENS series

Pure Bliss
Changing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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No Love Lost (The Forgotten) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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No Love Lost (Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten #5) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

When Ezra Fain joined the ranks of the CIA, the last thing on his mind was romance. After meeting Kim Soloman, it was difficult to think of anything else. A tragic mistake drove them apart, leaving him shattered and unable to forgive the woman he loved. But when his greatest enemy threatens her life, Ezra leaps into action, prepared to do anything to try to save her.

Solo accepted long ago that she won’t get over Ezra. She’s worked for years to get back into his life, looking for any way to reignite the love they once shared. Unfortunately, nothing seems to penetrate the wall he has built between them. When she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, she believes she’s on her own.

Racing across the globe, Ezra and Solo find themselves together again, caught in the crosshairs of the agency they sacrificed so much to serve. Days on the run soon turn to steamy nights, but Levi Green isn’t about to let them find their happily ever after. And when the smoke clears, the men and women of McKay-Taggart will never be the same again.

•••••••

REVIEW: NO LOVE LOST is the fifth and final Instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: THE FORGOTTEN erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series focusing on six former military soldiers (Jax, Dante, Sasha, Tucker, Owen, Robert and Ezra/Beck) whose minds and lives were eradicated and erased by a secret, unauthorized military experiment. This is former CIA operatives Kimberly ‘Solo’ Solomon, and Ezra Fain aka Beckett Kent’s story line. NO LOVE LOST should not be read as a stand alone as the story line has been building throughout the series. THE FORGOTTEN is a spin off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series; several characters from the aforementioned series as well as the Nights in Bliss, Colorado and Texas Sirens series cross over for familiarity.

NOTE: If you have not read Lexi Blake’s original Masters and Mercenaries series, their may be some confusion as it pertains to the Lost Boys and their backstory.

WARNING: There are some BDSM scenes as well as Dom/sub sexual scenarios.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months (years) earlier, the mercenaries from the McKay-Taggart Black Ops group rescued, from an unauthorized military lab, run by Dr. Hope McDonald, six men they labelled the ‘Lost Boys’. With their memories wiped clean, no ID, and no traceable DNA, the Lost Boys were essentially ‘new born’ soldiers trained to kill and destroy. The Forgotten are their stories.

Told from third person perspectives, covering several years beyond the present, NO LOVE LOST focuses on the acrimonious and caustic relationship between former CIA operatives, former lovers, and the now divorced couple Kimberly ‘Solo’ Solomon, and Ezra Fain aka Beckett Kent. Divorced for years, our couple struggled with the reality that the fine line between love and hate goes a long way when Beck continues to blame Solo for the death of his brother but Levi Greene, a common enemy who has set his sights on our story line heroine, will pull Beck back into Kimberly’s life but in doing so Beck’s anger and pain would push her away one last time. Fast forward seven years wherein the team at McKay Taggart will discover Solo’s whereabouts which will inadvertently threaten everyone Kimberly loves. What ensues is the rebuilding but tempestuous on again, off again relationship between Beck and Kim, and the fall-out as too many lies and secrets, once again, threaten the fragile hold on trust and love .

Beckett Kent aka Ezra Fain is a man with a temper who lashes out at the woman he loves. Issues of trust, miscommunication, words said in anger and haste between the couple add fuel to an already simmering pain. As Solo struggles with her need for a man who pushes all of her buttons, the enemy is biding his time in an effort to destroy Beckett and Kim.

The relationship between Beckett and Kim is a second chance relationship that has been burned one too many times. Beckett blames Kim for the loss of his brother but it will be the secrets and lies that will push Becket over the edge. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some light BDSM, Dom/sub and spanking scenarios.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar, colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several of the author’s previously mentioned series. The timeline of NO LOVE LOST jumps approximately seven years wherein the author is setting the stage for her next spin off: Masters and Mercenaries-Reloaded.

NO LOVE LOST is the culmination of five interwoven storylines about The Forgotten-a group of men who lost their lives, their minds, their family and respect; a detailed story of family and friendships; betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies; love, loss, and forgiveness. The premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is heart breaking yet seductive; the characters are struggling to find a place in the world.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Lost Hearts aka Memento Mori
Lost and Found
Lost in You
Long Lost

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Kim, stop.” Beck sighed, an exhausted sound. “Please.”
It was the please that did it. He was so rarely polite to her. She took a deep breath and turned to him. They needed to ratchet down the emotion. It was what always tripped them up. “I don’t think we can work together.”
“We certainly can’t if I continue to be a massive asshole.” He moved toward her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. You’re still a touchy subject for me.”
She nodded, unable to say a word for fear of unleashing a tidal wave. Not seconds before she’d told herself to tamp down the emotion, but here it was, threatening to overwhelm her and all he’d had to do was touch her.
“How about we agree that Levi Green is a problem for both of us and we work together to solve it,” he offered. “Kim, we’ve been going in circles for years. Maybe it’s time we find a way to move on. I know I’m tired of hating you.”
She stepped back. She couldn’t have his hands on her when he used that word. It was wrong when all she’d ever done was love him. “Ariel pointed out that it would be easier on both of us if I stopped showing up in your life.”
His gaze softened. “Would it? I didn’t see you for a couple of years and it didn’t feel any easier.”
She let a moment pass. How was it she felt even more vulnerable than she had when she was with Levi? “I know. I’ve tried to move on. I don’t seem to be able to.”
His hands moved as if he wanted to touch her, but he seemed to rethink the idea. “So maybe we should go about this another way. Maybe we should take this time and do what we didn’t do before. Talk. Try to find a way to get through this. I’m sorry I said what I did about you and Levi. It still hurts and I’m lashing out. All I know is when I thought you were in danger, I knew I couldn’t sit on my hands and let it happen. I can’t do it now either. Let me come with you. Let me help fix this.”
No. It was the only word she should say to him, and then she should turn and walk out and never look back. If she let him in, he would hurt her no matter how good his intentions were. Beck had always had a well of rage inside him that he wouldn’t deal with, wouldn’t acknowledge even existed. He hadn’t changed.
“Okay.” She hadn’t changed either. She was still helpless when it came to this man. She was still in love with him and likely always would be.
He let go of a heavy breath. “Good.” He was silent for a moment, looking her over. “Did he hurt you? Are your wrists okay?”
She’d managed to get what was left of the zip ties off in the car. She had some red marks on her wrists. “They’re sore, but all right. He didn’t slap me around this time.”
She watched as Beck’s hands formed fists and wished she hadn’t said that. His rage was always simmering under the surface when she was around.
He seemed to let it go. “All right. We should get on the road. Can you grab some water and protein bars? I don’t know what we’ll find when we get to Paris.”
She kind of thought she did know. She’d done a lot of homework on Big Tag, and if Rene was who she thought he was, then Beck would feel right at home.
Still, she grabbed the water bottles and bars and stuffed them in the duffel Steph had provided for her. There were a couple of T-shirts and a pair of sweatpants that would likely be too short, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
This was all she had in the world. It was odd. She would have said possessions were meaningless, but now that she had no access to any of the things that brought her comfort, she missed them with all her heart.
She had one thing. She reached up and found some peace knowing her ring was still there. All these years and she still had her wedding ring. It hung low around her neck, and she always hid it under her shirt when Beck was around.
It was all she had left of her marriage.
“You ready?” Beck fitted a cap to his head and passed her another. “You might want to put your hair up. I know if I was looking for you, all that hair would be the first thing to catch my eye.”
How many nights had he tangled his fingers in her hair and gently tugged, had he told her how beautiful it was and that he never wanted her to cut it? “Yeah. I’m ready.”
He stepped in front of her and placed the cap on her head, his gorgeous eyes staring down at her. “I really am sorry I said what I did. Can you forgive me?”
Her whole soul threatened to melt. She nodded.
“Can I hug you? I want to. I want to reassure myself that you’re really okay.”
She nodded again and then she was in his arms for the first time in years.
“Promise me he didn’t get a chance to hurt you,” Beck whispered.
He sounded like he actually cared. His arms around her made her feel safer than she had in forever. “He threatened me with a bunch of stuff, but I don’t want to talk about it. I will, but not now.”
“Okay.”
They stood there for the longest time, the sound of his heartbeat the only thing she could hear.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Bayou Baby (Butterfly Bayou 2)by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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Bayou Baby (Butterfly Bayou #2)by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 25, 2020

Seraphina Guidry loves Butterfly Bayou. A young, single mom, she’s trying to find a place for herself in the town she cherishes, but past mistakes have made her wary. She adores her son but has sworn off men. She’s dedicated herself to restoring an historic house and building her own business. A quiet life is all she wants.

Harrison Jefferys never expected to find himself in small-town Louisiana, but he has a job to do and a family to reconnect with. After years in the Army, he’s happy to spend time with his Aunt Celeste and his cousins in such an idyllic spot. When he meets Seraphina, he starts to think Papillion might be a great place to call home. But a secret from Sera’s past rears its head and threatens to tear the community apart.

Caught between the woman he’s coming to love and the only family he has left, Harry knows he has to follow his heart and with the help of the crazy, loving, meddling locals find a way to keep them both.

••••••••••

REVIEW:BAYOU BABY is the second instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult BUTTERFLY BAYOU erotic, romance series set in the Butterfly Bayou of Papillon, Louisiana. This is former US soldier and licensed contractor Harrison ‘Harry’ Jefferys, and single mother/hair stylist Seraphina ‘Sera’ Guidry’s story line. BAYOU BABY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives BAYOU BABY follows the building relationship between former US soldier and licensed contractor Harrison ‘Harry’ Jefferys, and single mother/hair stylist Seraphina ‘Sera’ Guidry. Sera Guidry is a single mother whose reputation in the small town of Butterfly Bayou is tainted by her lack of a husband and the narrow minded attitudes of the small minded community, but adding fuel to the proverbial fire is Celeste Beaumont, whose son Wes was once in love with Sera Guidry until rejection sent him off to war. In town for a couple of jobs including attending his cousin’s wedding, Harrison ‘Harry’ Jefferys is drawn to the aura that is Seraphina Guidry but while Seraphina is from a local family, Harry’s well connected, rich and powerful aunt Celeste despises our heroine, and intends to destroy what’s left of her life. When Sera inherits her late great aunt Irene’s mansion, Celeste makes it known she wants the mansion and the land for her personal use. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sera and Harry, and the potential fall-out when Sera’s secret is exposed further alienating the Guidry and Beaumont families.

The relationship between Sera and Harry is one of immediate attraction but Sera struggles with Harry’s connections to the Beaumont family, and the potential ramifications if and when Celeste discovers their clandestine affair. Already a target of the Beaumont family, Sera battles between head and heart knowing when her secret is revealed, more trouble will follow. Harry is a bit of a wanderer; a nomad who has yet to settle down since his return from Afghanistan and the loss of his leg but meeting Sera Guidry gives Harry a hope for a future but a future that is marred by his aunt’s obsession with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Lila and Lisa Guidry; Zep and Remy Guidry, Hallie Rayburn, attorney Quaid Havery; Calvin, Angela and Celeste Beaumont, and Sera’s mother Delphine Guidry.

BAYOU BABY is a heart breaking story of secrets and lies; power and control; discrimination and alienation; friendships, relationships, family and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and colorful.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BUTTERFLY BAYOU

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Harry found himself standing in the doorway of the church reception hall. There were a bunch of people milling about, most with red cups in their hands. “For a crazy old lady she drew quite a crowd.”
“Oh, everyone comes out for funerals in these parts,” Cal admitted as he made his way to the big crystal punch bowl and got himself a cup. “There’s not a lot else to do so weddings and funerals are big social events.” He took a long drink. “And, damn, but Zep’s got a heavy hand with the rum. There’s way more rum than punch. The Guidrys might be trash, but trash around here usually knows how to party.”
He wasn’t sure he liked his cousin referring to anyone as trash, but he didn’t know the family well. He did know he’d heard the name Guidry from his aunt’s mouth and it was obvious she didn’t think much of them. “I think I’ll try the lemonade.”
“Suit yourself.” Cal refilled and looked around the crowd. “Introduce yourself around. I’m going to see what Josette has going on. Now there’s a woman I could spend some time with. Some fun time.”
His cousin winked and walked off toward a slender blonde.
He was rapidly discovering his cousin was a bit of a douchebag.
“You’re the new guy.”
He turned to find his own pretty blonde staring up at him. She was petite, barely coming up to his shoulders, and he would bet half her weight was in that hair. It flowed past her shoulders almost to her waist, and there was so much of it. Thick, honey-colored silk. Sky blue eyes found his own and held him there. Her arms were crossed over her chest and he noted that she was drinking the lemonade.
“How do you know that? Maybe I’ve been here all along and no one’s noticed me.”
Her nose wrinkled sweetly. “Oh, they all notice you. That’s how I know you’re the new guy. Welcome to Papillon. I came over to give you fair warning. I think single people need to stick together in an effort to stay single despite the societal pressure to give in to the patriarchy. If my mother tries to convince you to let me show you around, she’s really trying to find me a husband.”
Oh, but he might not mind her showing him the town. Beyond being gorgeous, he liked the sass she was throwing his way. He was self-aware enough to admit that women had come easy to him. He wasn’t hard on the eyes, but finding one who got him was a different story. “That seems to be a theme. The church secretary already tried to have her granddaughter show me around.”
A single brow rose over those heavenly eyes of hers. “Debra? Yeah, you have to be careful with her.”
“I’ve heard she’s handsy.” He nodded. “And she talks a lot.”
“Yeah, she also drinks a lot more than Helena will admit, and she’s started a couple of spectacular bar fights. She likes to pit her suitors against each other and make them fight for her.”
“Good to know.” He glanced around and sure enough, every eye was on him. “Well, I don’t suppose you would show me around. Maybe if you showed me around, people would stop offering up their daughters. I noticed no one has asked me if their sons could show me the town. Do the men of Papillon not know their way around?”
“Well, you could say that about a lot of them. But no, it’s because there aren’t many available men and when a new one comes to town it’s like a medieval parade of who has the best dowry. You need to remember that whatever my momma tells you, I’ve got no dowry whatsoever. I come with a lot of baggage. Tons of baggage.” She gasped as though she’d just had a thought. “Unless you would rather have a nice man show you around our town. I hadn’t considered that and it was awfully backward thinking of me. I know a great guy. His name is Michael Hendricks and he’s such a doll. You would get along so well.”
Whoa. That had taken a turn. She was smiling, and that smile took her from beautiful to gorgeous. That smile kind of lit up his world, but she was working under a big misconception. “I’m comfortable with women showing me the sights. Did you get excited about setting me up with your friend?”
A hand cupped her hip, and the sass factor went sky high. “Is there a reason you wouldn’t like my friend?”
He had to chuckle. This one was obviously a fierce warrior. “I’m sure I would like him but I would only like him, not like like him because I like women. Like like them.”
The cutest frown came over her face. “You’re a confusing man.”
“So I’ve been told.” Oh, he liked her. A lot. She would be a ton of fun, and not in the way Cal meant it. He would very much enjoy getting to know this woman. “How about tomorrow? It’s Sunday. I can take the afternoon off.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you hitting on me at my great-aunt’s funeral?”
He had probably gone a nice shade of red. He hadn’t thought this through, and he definitely hadn’t realized she was related to the deceased. He thought she was one of those people who’d come for the gumbo. “Well, that would be rude of me so no, I am not.”
She looked him up and down. “It would be rude, and I was only coming over to warn you that my mom will likely try to trick you into dating me. Don’t fall for it.”
She turned on her heels and started to walk away.
“Hey, you didn’t even tell me your name. How will I know who to avoid if you don’t tell me your name?”
She glanced back, that blonde hair swaying. “Seraphina Guidry. Remember it so we don’t have to go through all of this again. Welcome to Papillon, Mr. Jefferys. I hope you enjoy your stay.” 

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Charmed (Masters and Mercenaries) by Lexi Blake-Review tour

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Charmed (Masters and Mercenaries / 1001 Dark Nights) by Lexi Blake-Review tour

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

Add CHARMED to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2WRMJye

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 23, 2020

JT Malone is lucky, and he knows it. He is the heir to a billion-dollar petroleum empire, and he has a loving family. Between his good looks and his charm, he can have almost any woman he wants. The world is his oyster, and he really likes oysters. So why does it all feel so empty?

Nina Blunt is pretty sure she’s cursed. She worked her way up through the ranks at Interpol, fighting for every step with hard work and discipline. Then she lost it all because she loved the wrong person. Rebuilding her career with McKay-Taggart, she can’t help but feel lonely. It seems everyone around her is finding love and starting families. But she knows that isn’t for her. She has vowed never to make the mistake of falling in love again.

JT comes to McKay-Taggart for assistance rooting out a corporate spy, and Nina signs on to the job. Their working relationship becomes tricky, however, as their personal chemistry flares like a wildfire. Completing the assignment without giving in to the attraction that threatens to overwhelm them seems like it might be the most difficult part of the job. When danger strikes, will they be able to count on each other when the bullets are flying? If not, JT’s charmed life might just come to an end.

••••••••

REVIEW: CHARMED is the 20.5 instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES erotic, romantic suspense series, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is thirty-two year old, billionaire oil businessman JT Malone, and former Interpol agent and McKay Taggart’s newest operative Nina Blunt’s story line. CHARMED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Nina and JT, CHARMED follows the building romance between thirty-two year old, billionaire oil businessman JT Malone, and former Interpol agent and McKay-Taggart’s newest operative Nina Blunt. Nina Blunt’s latest assignment with McKay-Taggart is working undercover to ferret our a potential spy at Malone Oil but a one-night stand with JT would bring Nina face to face with a number of suspects thus ensuring their one-night stand becomes something more. A fake romance and engagement ensues in an effort to smoke out the person(s) responsible for trying to steal industry secrets, and sell them to the highest bidder. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between JT and Nina, and the potential fall-out as JT and Nina’s relationship begins as a lie, a lie between our leading couple.

Someone is trying to steal secrets from Malone Oil, and the group at McKay-Taggart is on the job. Going in as a happily married couple, Nina and JT must remain in character as Nina continues to do her job but all does not go according to play when our couple are targeted, and JT struggles to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. As a Dominant both in and out of the bedroom, JT battles between head and heart when Nina places herself in the direct line of fire, doing her job.

The relationship between Nina and JT begins as a one-night stand, an affair wherein Nina had no idea as the identity of the man with whom she would fall in love. Caught the morning after by the people involved, JT and Nina would quickly label their relationship as the newly engaged, an engagement that was suspect by on so many levels. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, with some light Dom/sub sexual scenarios.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Big Tag and Charlotte, Alex McKay, agent Sandra Croft, JT’s brother and McKay -Target agent Michael Malone, as well as JT’s assistant Dianna, and several Malone Oil employees.

CHARMED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power, money, and control; secrets, lies, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are charismatic; the romance is frenzied, seductive and hot.

 

“If I’d had drink number four, would we be here?” Nina was curious. She’d had more than one man try to ply her with drink to get what he wanted. It never worked, but she wanted to understand his reasoning.
He stared at her for a moment as though assessing the situation and then he leaned against the wall. “No. I would have made sure you got back to your room, but I don’t know your threshold. I have zero interest in coaxing you with liquor. I would far rather know you wanted me and not some random guy to forget your troubles with. And I didn’t want to get drunk either. Three’s a good limit for me. I don’t need anything to dull this experience.”
He was forthright. She liked that quite a bit, and he hadn’t had a fourth drink either. He’d been perfectly in control. Another thing she liked. She couldn’t exactly come out and tell him she would very much enjoy it if he dominated her sexually. Or could she? “But I am trying to forget my troubles. That doesn’t mean I don’t want you in particular. If you hadn’t been in the bar this evening, I would have settled for a book.”
His lips curled up in the sexiest smile. “What kind of book?”
“Romance.” Somehow she didn’t think he would be derisive. Some people had contempt for the genre, but they were usually the ones who could use it the most.
He moved in, his hand coming up to brush a stray hair off her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I like the sound of that. It’s your turn to tell me something. What would the hero of that book you would have read do right now?”
He’d backed her against the wall, but not in a way that felt threatening. He was taller than she was and loomed over her, his broad shoulders blocking most of her line of sight. She was still in her heels and for most men that put her at eye level or taller. Not with this one. It was nice to look up to a man for once. “I think he would invite her back to his room where they wouldn’t shock anyone who happens to walk down the hallway.”
He watched her like he was studying something fascinating, something he wanted desperately to learn. “I happen to know there are only two rooms on this floor, and I saw the couple in the other room go upstairs a few hours ago. They seemed like they were ready for sleep. Not that older couples can’t party the night away, too, but they didn’t seem like the type. So we don’t have to worry about anyone catching us, though I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t be ashamed to get caught touching you.”
He was pushing all her buttons. The good kind. The kind that got her in trouble.


 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Butterfly Bayou by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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Butterfly Bayou (Butterfly Bayou #1) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5, 2020

Life in Dallas took a tragic turn for nurse practitioner Lila Daley. In need of a fresh start, she retreats to Papillon, Louisiana, a tiny town on the bayou. Sure she’s greeted by a gator, finds herself in the middle of golf cart wars, and unwittingly adopts a scruffy dog, but Lila remains undaunted. She’s focused on running the town’s medical clinic, but fitting into the quirky community is harder than she imagined.

As a single dad, Sheriff Armie LaVigne embraces routine. But there is nothing routine about the town’s newest resident. Lila is a gorgeous fish out of water and he’s ready to catch her. In fact, in no time at all, Armie knows Lila is the woman for him and he plans to win her heart. But when the past threatens their happiness, Armie will have to decide if he has the courage to trust Lila enough to find a true happily ever after.

•••••••••

REVIEW: BUTTERFLY BAYOU is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult BUTTERFLY BAYOU erotic, romance series focusing on the people who live and work in Papillon Bayou Louisiana. This is forty year old, single father and Sheriff Armie La Vigne, and practical nurse Lila Daley.

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 (Armie and Lila) BUTTERFLY BAYOU follows three distinct paths: the building relationship between forty year old, single father and Sheriff Armie La Vigne, and practical nurse Lila Daley; a couple of cases of domestic abuse that place Lila in the direct line of fire; and the relationship between Lila, Armie and Armie’s sixteen year old daughter Noelle, a young woman confined to a wheelchair since the accident that claimed the life of her mother.

Eight months earlier Lila Daley’s life imploded when a gunman killed her co-worker taking Lila hostage in the process. Fast forward to present day wherein our heroine, struggling to move on from the past accepts a position as a practical nurse, moving from Dallas Texas to Papillon Bayou, Louisiana, a town that is unwilling to accept Lila as one of their own. Having to deal with the small-town mentality and discrimination that comes with the inability to change, Lila finds herself on the outside looking in when Papillon Bayou, Louisiana refuses to accept Lila into their arms. Enter Sheriff Armie LaVigne, the man with whom Lila will fall in love. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Lila and Armie, and the potential fall-out when Lila finds herself on the receiving end of death threats, anger and Armie’s inability to accept Lila’s methods and means of tough love towards his only daughter.

Lila Daley is a strong, independent, intelligent, practical nurse with attitude to spare; who gives as good as she gets, and who isn’t afraid to speak her mind but speaking her mind in Papillon Bayou, Louisiana means alienating the townies who struggle to accept Lila as their new primary care personnel. Used to the ways of the old doctor, the residents of Papillon Bayou begin to make Lila’s life miserable until an accident threatens the life of one of their own. Armie LaVigne is a single father who cares for his daughter, a young woman whose carefree attitude hides a darker fear but it is Armie’s personal battle with Lila’s stance that threatens his relationship with our story line heroine.

The relationship between Lila and Armie begins when Armie pulls over Lila Daley in an effort to get to know Papillon’s newest resident but everything backfires when Lila’s ego, demeanor, mindset and temperament continues to annoy the townsfolk, including the man with whom she will fall in love. Lila believes she is better than the people of Papillon Bayou, and it’s this philosophy and perspective that begins to push away any future relationships. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Armie’s daughter Noelle, Lila’s sister Lisa Guidry and her husband Remy, her brother Will and his wife Laurel, nurse Mabel; townies Rene Daron, Zep Guidry, Quaid Havery; town deputies Major and Roxie; real-estate agent Miranda Jossart; Carrie Petrie, her husband Bobby, his brother Donny , and their mother Lorna, as well as several other town folks who push in and out of our heroine’s life.

BUTTERFLY BAYOU is a story of family, friendships, acceptance and love; of struggle and betrayal; vengeance and drama. The premise is edgy and intense; the characters are spirited, sassy, judgemental and snobs; the romance is seductive and moving but struggles in the face of preconceived notions, issues of trust, misunderstanding, and spurious reactions to events and outcomes. BUTTERFLY BAYOU is a wonderful introduction to the people and town of Papillon Bayou, Louisiana but you have to set aside first, second and third impressions about our leading characters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

What was the speed limit? It had been seventy earlier. He was pulling her over for going five miles over the limit?
With a long sigh, Lila maneuvered to the side of the road and put the car in park. Surely she could talk her way out of this. Small-town cops liked to ticket out-of-towners, and her car still had Texas plates. She would explain that she was a new resident and he could go back to his donut eating and preying on tourists.
She glanced in her side mirror. He was taking his time. Probably thought he could intimidate her. Well, he was in for a surprise. She’d worked with cops all her life. She could absolutely handle some paunchy small-town deputy who likely had taken the job because there wasn’t anything better to do.
The door to his SUV opened and then she was staring for a different reason.
A large man with intensely broad shoulders stepped out of the vehicle. He reached back in and brought out a hat that he settled on ridiculously dark hair that had more curl to it than she’d seen on a cop. DPD tended to keep it high and tight, but this man might be able to pull his back in a ponytail. No. That wasn’t the word. A queue. Despite the long hair, there was absolutely nothing feminine about the man walking her way. Swaggering.
He was probably six foot four, and if there was an ounce of paunch on that man, she couldn’t see it.
He was the man from Lisa’s wedding, the one who had slid her that sensual smile.
She shook her head and forced herself to focus. He wasn’t her type. She liked academic types. Nice men who were nonthreatening.
Boring. That’s the word you’re looking for. Boring and easily controlled so you can pretend that they can’t hurt you. How’d that work out for us?
A hard tap on her driver’s-side window brought her out of her inner monologue and she lowered the window. He wore mirrored aviators that covered his eyes. His jawline was sharp as a razor and there was a hint of sexy scruff coming in across his face.
Lord, the man was hot.
“License and registration, please.” His tone, however, was cold as ice.
It was the chill in his voice that allowed her to find her footing again. The man in front of her probably had twenty women dangling on his string, and a wife and kids at home, too. No man that hot didn’t. She could handle him. “Would you like to explain why you’ve pulled me over, Officer?”
He stepped back and for a moment she could have sworn he was surprised, but then she was sure almost no one would question this man’s authority. He recovered quickly, his hands going to those lean hips of his. “You were speeding. The speed limit on this part of the highway is forty-five. I clocked you going thirty miles over the speed limit. License and registration.”
“The speed limit went from seventy to forty-five? Are you kidding me?”
His lips curled up in a slightly crooked, wholly devastating smile. “That’s what speed limits do, ma’am. They go up. They go down. You look familiar. Have you been through town before?”
She wasn’t falling for his charm. Maybe invoking her brother-in-law’s name would work some magic on him. “I’m Lila Daley. Remy Guidry is my brother-in-law.”
That smile went flat, his whole body going back into cop mode. “The last time someone came into town looking for Remy, I got shot. You planning on shooting up the town?”
She winced inwardly. She remembered Lisa saying something about an incident that had led to a police officer being shot in the line of duty. “Sorry about that. No. I’m taking over the clinic in town. I’m your friendly neighborhood nurse practitioner. Next time you get shot, I will totally sew you up.”
He stared at her and she wished she could see his eyes. “You’re taking over for Doc Hamet?”
How to explain? “Sort of. I’m going to run the clinic, but he kind of supervises.” A handful of states let nurse practitioners handle their own practices, but Louisiana wasn’t one of them. Neither was Texas. She would have an enormous amount of freedom, but it would be in conjunction with the doctor who had served the parish for over forty years.
She intended to learn a lot from him.
“So you’re his new nurse,” the cop said. “I didn’t know he’d fired the old one.”
“No. I’m a nurse practitioner. I’m like a general practitioner, but I can’t prescribe certain controlled substances. I can perform some surgeries. I spent over a decade working as a trauma RN before I finished getting my NP. I assure you I can handle the parish’s medical needs.”
“I don’t think you understand the parish, but I’m willing to help out. You have to be better than the doc we have now. You have to catch the man early or not at all, if you know what I mean.”
She gave him what she hoped was a friendly smile. “All right, then. Sorry about the misunderstanding. I’ll be on my way. I was hoping to get everything in the new house before it gets dark.”
“License and registration.”
She gritted her teeth and reached for her purse. “The only reason I sped up was to get away from that freaking alligator.” A thought occurred to her as she opened the Chanel wallet her brother had given her for Christmas. “Did you put that alligator out there as part of your speed trap?”
The sunglasses came off and she was staring into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Well, she’d seen them before, but not up close. They were even more devastating up close. “Did you accuse me of colluding with a reptile?”
“Yes.”
His laughter seemed to fill her whole world. When that man lit up so did the sky around him. He doubled over, his laughter infectious. When he finally took a breath there was a chuckle in his words. “Oh, that is absolutely the best joke I’ve heard all day. Your sister never mentioned your sense of humor.”
Probably because Lisa didn’t think she had one. “Well, I’m known for my quick wit.”
He stared at her for a moment and she could feel the connection. It was like an invisible tether drawing her to him. She’d been right to run the first time she’d seen him. Something deep inside had told her she wasn’t capable of handling this man.
Didn’t want to handle a man like him, she mentally corrected.
Oh, you had it right the first time. That man wouldn’t let you be in charge all the time. He would challenge you.
Bully her was more like it. A man that gorgeous was used to getting his way.
But if it meant she would get out of this ticket, she could flirt a little.
He shook his head and sighed. “Unfortunately, you’re also known for your lead foot. License and registration.”
She bit back a growl because her first day in the new town wasn’t going the way she’d hoped. 

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Long Lost (The Forgotten #4) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

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Long Lost (Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten #4) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 4, 2020

A stolen past

The only thing Tucker remembers of his past is pain. Used in a doctor’s evil experiments, his memories and identity were erased, and his freedom taken. He believed his nightmare was over when he was liberated by the men and women of McKay-Taggart, until he heard the name Steven Reasor. The idea that he could have been involved in the terrible experiments that cost his “brothers” everything crushed him. A desperate attempt to force him to remember the truth almost cost him his life. Now his world is in chaos and his only path to finally uncover the truth and atone for his sins leads to Veronica Croft.

A painful present

Veronica “Roni” Croft knew Dr. Steven Reasor was bad for her, but she also saw a side of the man that no one else knew. Even as she began to believe their employer was hiding something sinister, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Their affair was passionate and intense, but also fraught with danger. When he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she took her first chance to run and never looked back. She has stayed hidden ever since, running from forces she knows are too powerful to overcome. But now the man she believed was dead, the man she mourned, has returned and needs her help.

A dangerous future

As Tucker and Roni unravel the secrets of his past, a dark force rises and threatens to destroy them. Their only chance for survival will require them to join forces with the Lost Boys’ worst enemy. Only together can they finally unlock Tucker’s past. But as Tucker’s memories begin to come back, will it free them both or tear them apart forever?

•••••••

REVIEW: LONG LOST is the fourth instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: THE FORGOTTEN erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on six former military soldiers (Jax, Dante, Sasha, Tucker, Owen and Robert) whose minds and lives were eradicated and erased by a secret, military experiment. This is Tucker aka Dr. Steve Reasor, and Dr. Veronica ‘Roni’ Croft’s story line. The Forgotten is a spin-off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series where the characters were first introduced and played an important role throughout. I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion, as several story lines are introduced throughout the FORGOTTEN series.

NOTE: If you have not read Lexi Blake’s original Masters and Mercenaries series, their may be some confusion as it pertains to the Lost Boys and their backstory.

WARNING: There are some BDSM scenes as well as Dom/sub sexual scenarios.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier, the mercenaries from the McKay-Taggart Black Ops group rescued, from an unauthorized military lab, run by Dr. Hope McDonald, six men they labelled the ‘Lost Boys’. With their memories wiped clean, no ID, and no traceable DNA, the Lost Boys were essentially ‘new born’ soldiers trained to kill and destroy. The Forgotten are their stories.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tucker and Roni LONG LOST follows the building romance between Tucker aka Dr. Steve Reasor, and Dr. Veronica ‘Roni’ Croft. Approximately three years earlier Dr. Steve Reasor and Dr. Veronica Croft embarked on an affair in Paris, France but hours later Steven Reasor disappeared leaving an angry and heart broken Roni behind, believing Steven had left her for another woman. Fast forward to present day wherein Roni discovers that Reasor had been Dr. Hope McDonald’s prisoner and fell victim to the same experiments that had been performed on so many others. As Reasor, now known as Tucker begins to recall his memories of the past, our couple must embark on a second chance romance wherein they discover that Roni has been targeted for who she is, and what she knows. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Tucker and Roni, and the potential fall-out as miscommunication and misunderstanding threaten their already floundering romance.

The relationship between Roni and Tucker is one of second chances but Roni has a secret that she knows must be revealed, a secret of which her mother struggles in the face of presumed betrayal and lies. Tucker’s memories will slowly return but his love for Roni has never waivered. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including the McKay-Taggart team, and several characters from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series including Ian Taggart. Solo and Ezra Fain’s second chance story line is next in NO LOVE LOST (September 2020)

LONG LOST is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and revenge; family, friendships, power and control. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the numerous characters are dynamic and charismatic. LONG LOST is an entertaining and wonderful addition to Blake’s MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: THE FORGOTTEN romantic, suspense series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Memento Mori
Lost and Found
Lost in You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Veronica took a deep breath. “The first time you kissed me we were at the lab. It was after hours and I’d stayed behind because I was finishing up some reports for Dr. Walsh. There were a couple of doctors there who thought they could mess around with me. One in particular made a nuisance of himself. He was married but he thought the younger women were all fair game. That night he’d stayed behind, too, and he was coming on to me. Hard. You walked in and he pretty much peed himself after you were done with him.”
“Did I hurt him?”
His question came out measured so she couldn’t tell if he wanted the answer to be yes or no.
“Not physically, but he didn’t touch me again. Anyway, afterward you stayed while I finished up. You said you wanted to walk me out to my car. I thanked you and we ended up talking.” She could remember how grateful she’d been to not be left alone. “It was the first time I saw you as something other than the ambitious doctor who handled things for McDonald. You stayed way longer than you had planned, and I felt bad for keeping you. You told me it was okay because it might be the only good thing you’d done for anyone in months. I don’t know what made me do it, but I went up on my tiptoes and kissed you. It wasn’t much. It was barely two seconds. When I moved back, you told me that wasn’t a kiss. You asked me if you could show me what a kiss was. And you did.”
He’d been careful with her, making sure she was all right.
Rather like he’d explained he would be now. He’d been careful right up until he’d been sure she was with him and then he’d taken over. Then he’d taken her someplace she’d never been before.
“Show me.”
She came out of the memory at the sound of his command. Show me. That was what he’d said to her that night.
She could come out of the memory because it was hers. That moment was there in her brain and she could call on it for the rest of her life. It was something so personal. Her memories were the sum of her soul. It struck her forcibly what he’d lost. What she’d lost. That memory had truly been theirs, a shared history that should have connected them for the rest of their lives.
Now she was the only one who knew what it had felt like that night. He was right there. He was standing in front of her asking for that connection again.
She went up on her toes. “Thank you. I didn’t want him near me, but I don’t feel the same way about you.” She let her lips brush his, the bare meeting of flesh that came from a woman who wasn’t sure of what she’d wanted then. Of what she wanted now. “And then you shook your head.”
Tucker shook his head and took the beer from her hand. He set it on the ledge and turned back to her. “Oh, that wasn’t a kiss. Let me show you how I kiss. Will you let me kiss you, Roni? I think about kissing you all the time.”
So close to what he’d actually said. She would take it. “Yes. Please kiss me.”
The air seemed to go out of the room and her vision focused in on him. It was like the rest of the world fell away. It was exactly as it had been that first night with him. Something had fallen into place when he’d looked at her and she’d known nothing would be the same.
If he kissed her again, they would have that connection they’d lost.
His hand went around the nape of her neck, sending a delicious warmth down her spine. He pulled her slightly, drawing her close in an easy show of strength. He brought their bodies together and her breasts brushed against his chest. His free hand wrapped around her waist and she took a moment to look into his eyes.
They were the clearest blue. Something about his eyes had always dragged her in. Even when they were cold, even when no one else had been able to see the emotion behind them, she hadn’t been fooled.
“I want to believe. But I don’t want to want to believe,” she said quietly.
“Because it would be easier if I was the bastard you’ve spent years believing I was. I know. Roni, I can’t imagine I was easy to care for then. I’m not easy now. But for however long we get together I want to try to be with you. We can take it slow and find a way to be friends again.”
She sighed at the thought because he was going to pull away and that was the last thing she wanted. Now that she was here and alone with him, she knew she couldn’t lose the chance to explore this side of the man. “We were never friends.”
She moved in and kissed him. It wasn’t what had happened that night, but that was all right. They were making a new memory, one no one could take away from them. It might all go to hell tomorrow, but she would kiss the father of her child again. She would have this new memory of him. 


 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

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