Tag Archives: New Adult

BITTER PRINCE (Stolen Empire 1) by Eva Winners-review tour

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BITTER PRINCE (Stolen Empire 1) by Eva Winners-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 17, 2023

Once upon a time, a lion saved a girl. His little cinnamon girl.

That lion grew up into a prince. Dark, bitter, and so beautiful that it
hurt to look at him.

But underneath it all, the girl saw the man. She saw his hunger for love
and affection, and she had plenty to give.

I was that girl. I fell in love, even though he told me not to. I gave him
everything, because that was who I was.

I was determined to show him the light in this world, and his smiles
were what I lived for. He was my art, my melody, my muse. We were beautiful together.
So I gave and gave, all to my bitter prince. Until I had nothing left to give.
Until he left me empty.

No one warned me love would push me into darkness so cold, it’d tear me apart.
To survive, I’d have to kill the cinnamon girl and become someone else. Someone I didn’t recognize.

•••••

REVIEW:  BITTER PRINCE is the first instalment in Eva Winners’ contemporary, new adult STOLEN EMPIRE dark, erotic, Mafia romance trilogy. This is heir to the Yakuza throne Amon Leone, and Omerta princess Reina Romero’s story.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amon and Reina) covering approximately twelve years BITTER PRINCE follows the building relationship between heir to the Yakuza throne Amon Leone, and Omerta princess Reina Romero. Years earlier Reina met Amon during one of their fathers’ questionable meetings but throughout the next twelve years our couple would come in and out of one another’s lives. Reina fell in love with Amon Leone, true heir to the Yakuza empire, but the Leones and Romeros were enemies at best. With a long and colorful history between the two families, Reina and Amon were warned away from one another but the pull was too strong for our story line couple. With the approach of Reina’s eighteenth birthday, Amon was about to claim the woman he loved but secrets reveal a dark and dangerous past, a past that will push Reina out of his life. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Amon and Reina, and the fall-out as sins of the father are about to destroy our story line couple.

The world building is detailed and complex. The reader is pulled into two families, fractured by betrayal and abuse, power and control, secrets and lies. Amon’s heritage is mixed and therefore he will never ascend to the throne, and our heroine is about to be used as payment for a debt.

The relationship between Amon and Reina covers approximately twelve years as Reina knew Amon to be the man she would love. Six years difference in age meant Amon would keep his distance but whenever there was a problem, Amon was the first to protect the woman with whom he would fall in love. Professing their love was easy but secrets from the past were about to destroy them both. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Reina’s parents, grandmother as well as her sister Phoenix; Amon’s parents, his brother Dante; Reina’s friends Isla, Raven and Athena. The family dynamics are questionable on both sides, and it is the dysfunctionality of the family that is about to destroy our story line couple. The requisite evil has many faces.

BITTER PRINCE is a story of betrayal, secrets, lies, power and control. The premise is edgy, intricate and multi-layered; the slow building romance is seductive; the characters are determined, desperate and broken. BITTER PRINCE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails, yoga or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

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Riot Act /Riot Reunion (Crooked Sinners 3 & 4) by Callie Hart-review tour

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??Riot Act / Riot Reunion (Crooked Sinners 3 & 4) by Callie Hart-review tour ??

RIOT REUNION
Crooked Sinners 4
by Callie Hart
Release Date: August 8, 2023
Genre: new adult, contemporary, erotic, mystery, dark romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August

The residents of Riot House have graduated, but the events of the past year are far from forgotten. Life might be pulling the former students of Wolf Hall Academy in opposite directions, but no distance on Earth can sever the ties that bind them.

JACOBI

I craved her. wanted to hurt her, to cause her harm. Instead, she healed me. Smoothed out the hurts of the past. Stole my soul so elegantly that I didn’t even notice her taking it. Now, Elodie Stillwater is all that matters. I’ll f@#k!ng die before I let him ruin our shot at happiness…

DASH

I lied to her.I needed to protect her. But now that Carina is safe, I’m so done fighting this. We were made to be together. Our new life in England is picture-perfect, but somehow Seattle keeps drawing us back. Carrie’s guardian can plot and scheme all he wants; it’ll be a cold day in hell before I get pulled into his criminal underworld…

PAX

I hated her.I saved her life and then regretted it. How could such a timid little redhead be so goddamn addicting? How the hell did she manage to work her way so deep beneath my skin? She brought me to my knees. Made me fall so deep that the descent damn killed me. And now she’s keeping secrets? She’s a fool if she thinks I’ll let her slip away that easily…

Riot Reunion is a full-length novel told from multiple perspectives and contains dark, violent, and graphic themes that some readers may find triggering.

••••

REVIEW:It’s over!! Riot Reunion is the last and final installment in the Crooked Sinners series by Callie Hart. I’m so sad that this series is over, but also so pleased with how it ended. *Rubs hands together* Before taking into this walk down memory lane, I strongly recommend you read the previous books and check the trigger warnings. The Riot House series is a new adult, dark romance that has dangerous situations and harsh language.

With reunion, it is just that, a reunion of all the couples back together again, and what a reunion it is. Life has gone on with each of the couples, each going their own way, each chasing their own dreams, but as always, if one of them needs something, the group comes running. When the events of the past start to happen yet again, the Riot guys and their women are brought back together again. Let the suspense and drama ensue.

Being brought back to the Riot house reminded me how much I loved this series, there is heartbreak, angst, and the twists…oh the twists! Callie Hart developed these characters so well, the relationships they have built were so meaningful and really gave them another depth. I’m sad to see the series over, but I would definitely recommend it to others. Way to go to Ms. Callie!

Reading order and previous reviews
Riot Rules
Riot House

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

_______

RIOT ACT
Crooked Sinners 3
by Callie Hart
Release Date: October 11, 2021
Genre: new adult, contemporary, erotic, mystery, dark romance

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

Want something? Pax will take it from you.

Love something? Pax will destroy it.

Love him? Heaven help you. You’d have to be the stupidest person to walk the face of the earth.

PAX

I don’t do complicated. I sure as hell don’t do love. With graduation in sight, I’ve made it almost four years at Wolf Hall without getting tangled up in BS with girls.I especially want nothing to do with her:Presley. Maria. Witton. Chase.The timid little mouse with the red hair, who can’t even look my way without hyperventilating. She’s nothing to me. Beautiful, sure, but I’ve had plenty of beautiful women.I’m perfectly content ignoring her……until her life is suddenly in my hands.

PRES

I’ve loved him from the moment I laid eyes on him.The cruel, inked anarchist of Riot House.He’s wicked, and he’s cold, and there’s nothing good left in him. I fear him almost as much as I crave him. With only a few weeks left until graduation, all I have to do is keep my head down, and then I’ll be free; I can leave Mountain Lakes and my obsession with Pax Davis in my rearview mirror.But the demons I’ve been hiding for years now are growing restless……and Pax is thing that will keep them at bay.

This is not an act of kindness.Not an act of love.Not an act of forgiveness.You’ll find no redemption here.This is the final riot.

ACT ACCORDINGLY.

••••••

REVIEW:Pax has arrived for the final Riot! If you have been invested in this series then grab your kindle and get ready. Pax has finally arrived! Riot Act is book three in the Crooked Sinners series by the ever talented Callie Hart. If you haven’t read the previous book, go read them, it is a MUST for this book.

Pax is near and dear to me, he is the coldest, darkest, most menacing member of the Riot House and I just can’t get enough. There is so much emotional trauma in this book, Presley and Pax make up an entire new level of crazy together. As the book continues, we start to get more and more of both of their pasts; why they are the way they are and why they have so much trouble opening up to one another. To say this book isn’t going to have you on the seat of your chair would be a joke, these characters are damaged, but they keep trying for connection. The connection they find with each other as friends, then as lovers, is truly touching. Be warned, this book does come with trigger warnings as it is a new adult, dark romance. Take a gander at those before you adventure in.

Own a copy

Reviews by Sarah

Callie Hart is a USA Today bestselling author of dark romance novels. She is an obsessive romantic who loves throwing a dark twist into her stories. Her characters are imperfect, flawed individuals who dictate when she eats, sleeps and breathes. She loves to travel, and often pens her books when she’s on the road, drawing inspiration from unique and wild surroundings.

If she’s not writing, you’ll undoubtedly find her with her nose buried deep in a book, hiking a mountain, or trying to perfect her downward-facing dog.

 

Callie’s Instagram: http://bit.ly/callieinstagram

Callie’s Newsletter: http://bit.ly/callienewsletter

Callie’s Amazon Page: http://bit.ly/callieamazon

Callie’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/calliehartauthor

Callie’s Reader Group: http://bit.ly/calliesdeviantdivas

Callie’s Bookbub: http://bit.ly/calliebookbub

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Playing to Win (The Players 3) by Monica Murphy-review tour

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Playing to Win (The Players 3) by Monica Murphy-review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3pw7oZM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 10, 2023

Ace Townsend is the biggest player on campus.

The sexy new quarterback on the football team.

I should probably mention he’s also a complete flirt. The life of the party wherever he goes.

Someone I should avoid at all costs.

It’s difficult though, when I’m on the social media crew for the football team and we’re out on the field during practice almost every day, filming them. On the sidelines at games. Hanging out with them at bars. The more I spend time with Ace, the more I’m drawn to him. The attraction is there, but it’s more than that. I actually like him. We have a connection, and he definitely feels it too.The problem?

I signed a contract when I started on the social media team with a ‘no dating athletes’ clause. They’re strictly off limits. If we get caught together? It’s cause for my immediate termination. I love my new job and don’t want to risk it, but I’m falling for Ace.

Hard.

We’re all for sneaking around and keeping our growing relationship secret, but it’s starting to wear on us. Ace is determined to win me at all costs, though he doesn’t want to be the reason I lose my job, but…

Maybe the two of us being together is worth the risk.

••••

REVIEW:PLAYING TO WIN is the third instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, new adult THE PLAYERS erotic, college football romance series, set in the author’s ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND world. This is quarterback Ace Townsend, and Ruby Maguire’s story line. PLAYING TO WIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Ruby is the sister of Knox Maguire (Playing Hard to Get #1), and the daughter of Owen and Chelsea Maguire.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ace and Ruby) PLAYING TO WIN follows the forbidden romance and relationship between quarterback Ace Townsend and social media member Ruby Maguire. Ace and Ruby meant several months earlier but Ace’s behavior left Ruby struggling with betrayal and rejection. Fast forward to the new school year, Ace is the new college first string quarterback, and Ruby has been hired by the social media crew but there is a strict policy in place regarding romantic relationships between between the crew and the sports teams, and Ruby and Ace are about to push the limits of school policy. What ensues is the building relationship between Ruby and Ace, and the fall-out when their relationship is discovered by the people in charge.

The world building continues to focus on the second generation; the children of the original One Week Girlfriend characters. As Owen and Chelsea’s children pave their way through college and onto the professional circuit, love and relationships begin to interfere, and push the proverbial envelope between friendships and love.

The relationship between Ace and Ruby is one of the forbidden. Due to a previous incident, there is a contract set in place prohibiting any member of the social media crew to become romantically involved with any member of the college sports teams but the attraction between Ace and Ruby cannot be denied, and our couple struggle to keep their relationship secret in the face of a potential threat to them both. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

Most of the previous story line couples make cameo appearances, as well as the return of Owen and Chelsea, Drew and Fable (One Week Girlfriend) . Another marriage proposal and wedding are in the future; Ruby is willing to sacrifice for the love of her man.

PLAYING TO WIN is a story of rules and regulations, family and friendships, love and understanding. The fast paced and character driven premise is enticing and entertaining; the romance is seductive ; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Playing Hard to Get
Playing by the Rules

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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Sara Browne Series Boxset by Tricia T LaRochelle-review and tour

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Sara Browne Boxset by Tricia T LaRochelle-review and tour

HANDFAST
Sara Browne 3
by Tricia T LaRochelle
Release Date: May 29, 2023

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Three years after her freshman year from hell, Sara graduates college a stronger and more well-balanced woman. Her relationship with Scott is strong, their future together bright. If only her parents could be there to join in the celebration.

Just when she thinks the craziness of the past is finally over—and for good—a mysterious stranger shows up at her graduation that turns Sara’s world upside down. This man may just be the answer to her prayers or another devastating blow to her already traumatic life.

••••

REVIEW:Handfast is book three in the Sara Browne series. This book has Sara and Scott graduating from college and planning for an amazing summer of family, travelling, and adventure – before beginning their lives and careers with each other.

Sara Browne has not had an easy time in life. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was twelve. With no family coming forward to claim her at that time, she knew nothing of the estranged relationships of her father and his family. Her college career began shakily at best, but it was there that she met Scott at a tailgate party. While their love and friendship began to blossom, Sara endured a sexual assault and kidnapping. And while Scott stayed by her side, their relationship and trust would be tested dramatically over time.

Sara spent years recovering from the trauma and abuse she endured, and slowly began to build the life with Scott that she wanted and dreamed of.
On their third year anniversary Scott proposed and they became engaged. Sara was healing and looking forward to a summer with Scott of spending time with family, travelling to Europe and then settling down in their life and careers.

On graduation day surrounded by her pseudo family and friends Sara sees what she believes to be the ghost of her dead father. Turns out to be her long lost Uncle Aiden, her father’s brother. And while she briefly remembers glimpses of memories of her father where his brother is concerned. She has no idea what he would be doing in her life now.

When Sara finds out that upon graduation from college she receives an inheritance of land in Ireland, her fathers homeland, she begins to believe it’s just a coincidence that her Uncle had chosen this time to show up in her life.

When her and Scott decide to add a trip to Ireland to their summer itineraries her Uncle is more than happy to have them stay with him while they are there.
But what exactly does her newly found Uncle want. And what secrets will Ireland hold?

I absolutely love how each book in this series continues to build and strengthen the relationship of Sara and Scott.

They withstand some traumatic events in their relationship and you want nothing but the best for the two of them. This book shows how

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Flickering Heart
Revive

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin

Haven’t started the series? All three books in the SARA BROWNE series are now available in a boxset

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

 

 

Copyright 2023 Tricia T. LaRochelleWhile Derek handed Amy his last beer and tried to convince her to stay, my eyes took a tour of the small crowd, which mainly consisted of men. Wearing pastel-print Oxford shirts (sleeves rolled up to the elbows), khaki shorts, and loafers with no socks, a few of them looked like they just stepped out of an ad. As they threw beanbags into the cornhole board, drank, and carried on animated conversations with fist bumps and head bobs from the loud hip-hop music playing, they exemplified what I’d envisioned a typical fraternity would look like. One large guy with tree trunks for arms smashed a beer can into his forehead and guzzled the foamy fluid that spewed out. Another guy put his fingers to his mouth, kissed them, and yelled, “The taste when it hits your lips.”
Amy and Derek looked at each other.
“Old School,” they said in unison before they smiled, which made no sense to me.
A few girls were there, laughing with each other, hanging onto guys near them, or drinking. Everyone had a cell phone, which most of the women used to take selfies.
I needed to get myself acquainted with my cell phone and especially social media. I was basic when it came to technology. Then again, I was basic when it came to most things. Very lame—unlike the girl who had just come to the party wearing a floral romper, wedge sandals, and large hoop earrings. Everything about her was stunning, from her long, shiny brown hair to her sleek body.
She approached a guy who had his back to me, placing her hand on his arm. He must’ve been six-three. His light-blue T-shirt hugged his muscular back and powerful arms, outlining a body that caught my attention and kept it. I liked his hair and the way his caramel curls danced in the late-day breeze. What did his face look like? As if he heard my question, he turned around and stared right at me.
I’d fallen off my bike once when I was a kid and knocked the wind out of myself. For a few agonizing seconds, I literally couldn’t breathe. As I struggled to breathe now, my lungs reminded me of that moment.
While Amy continued to rib Derek, I caught sight of hot guy’s strong jaw and perfectly proportioned face. The sun reflected off his baby blue eyes that were nothing short of stunning. The corners of his soft, plump lips curved upward into an enticing smile. Enough already. Before I started drooling, I tore my eyes away.
I’d thought about guys—obsessively—but I’d never dreamt up one who looked like him. The boarding school I went to was for girls, but if it had allowed guys, I imagined he and his romper girlfriend would have been king and queen of every prom. Picture perfect. And totally not for me. I was looking for chill, sweet, and cuddly. I didn’t need a runway model or a guy who could audition for the next Marvel movie. No need to get crazy.


 

Since she was a little girl, Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No
beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central
Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in
central Virginia where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all.

Flickering Heart is the first book in the Sara Browne Series. Stay tuned for updates and announcements on Instagram, Twitter, or sign up for her email list at TriciaLaRochelle.com.

 

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The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward-dual review

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The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward-dual review

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Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2023

Heathers meets The Secret History in this thrilling coming-of-age novel set in a boarding school where the secrets are devastating—and deadly.

When Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she’s carrying more baggage than just what fits in her suitcase. She knows she’s not like the other girls—if the shabby, all-black, non-designer clothes don’t give that away, the bottle of lithium hidden in her desk drawer sure does.

St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, picks Sarah as a target from day one and the most popular, powerful, horrible girl at school is relentless in making sure Sarah knows what the pecking order is. Thankfully, Sarah makes an ally out of her roommate Ellen “Strots” Strotsberry, a cigarette-huffing, devil-may-care athlete who takes no bullshit. Also down the hall is Nick Hollis, the devastatingly handsome RA, and the object of more than one St. Ambrose student’s fantasies. Between Strots and Nick, Sarah hopes she can make it through the semester, dealing with not only her schoolwork and a recent bipolar diagnosis, but Greta’s increasingly malicious pranks.

Sarah is determined not to give Greta the satisfaction of breaking her. But when scandal unfolds, and someone ends up dead, her world threatens to unravel in ways she could never have imagined. The St. Ambrose School for Girls is a dangerous, delicious, twisty coming-of-age tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

•••••

Sandy’s Review: THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS by Jessica Ward is a young-adult, coming of age, suspense thriller set in 1991, focusing on fifteen year old Sarah Taylor and her first few months at the prestigious St. Ambrose School for Girls.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. Although most of the characters are underaged teens, the subject of the story line is adult and dark.

Told from first person perspective (Sarah) THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS follows fifteen year old Sarah Taylor’s arrival at St. Ambrose School For Girls in the wake of winning an essay contest. Sarah does not come from money; she has won a scholarship to the all girl school but it is her need for Lithium that will set her apart. Sarah struggles with bi-polar disorder, and in this, she is about to meet her match in the school bully Greta Stanhope but all is not well at the illustrious school when secrets reveal a twisted scandal that results in a murder-suicide.

The world building follows the struggles of fifteen year old Sarah Taylor, a young woman who is battling a debilitating mental disorder where she will often disassociate, and in this Sarah doesn’t often know reality from imagination. There are plenty of issues behind the scenes at the St. Ambrose School for Girls, and these issues are about to spiral out of control. As the new girl at school, Sarah will become the target of Greta Stanhope, a target that will become aware of the secrets hiding behind the closed doors.

The secondary and supporting characters included Sarah’s roommate Ellen ‘Strots’ Strotsberry who has a past with Greta Stanhope, a past that is about to push Ellen in more ways than one. Greta ‘s own secrets become fodder for those in the know but money is power, and power is control.

THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS is a slow building story line in which we only see one side of the story. Most of the conflict takes place off page wherein the reader is only witness to the fall-out and spiral. Most of the characters are not likeable including Sarah Taylor, although the reader may have sympathy for her struggles and her plight.

Throughout the story we are witness to Sarah’s endeavor to fit in but Sarah is so far outside of the box she becomes a target of those taking control. Befriended by her roommate, a sympathetic teacher and pharmacist, as well as the RA who is aware of Sarah’s emotional turmoil, Sarah hopes to move forward but secrets and lies begin to overwhelm a young woman who is unable to navigate the world as it is. The premise is intriguing and fascinating but felt stilted in its’ presentation; the characters are desperate and broken. As per the usual YA requisite trope parameters, the author included the mean girls, and the questionable and oblivious adults.

 

Barb’s Review:  St Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward is a YA suspense standalone novel that takes place in a boarding school. When 15-year-old, Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she knows that she is not like the other girls in the school; as she has a bi-polar disorder.  Especially since she was an unlikely candidate for the prestigious school, as her mother was the one who submitted her essay without her knowledge. She makes an ally out of her roommate, Strots (Ellen), who is an athlete, cigarette smoker and is gay.

St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, targets Sarah from the start, as she is evil and a classic mean girl.  Greta constantly pulls vicious pranks on Sarah, making her life difficult. Nick Hollis, is a teacher who is assigned to the upper floors, and since he is very handsome, all the students adore him; of course, Sarah also is infatuated with him. 

Sarah tries to hide her bi-polar disorder, as well as her previous attempts to commit suicide. We spent a lot of time seeing Sarah’s episodes that take over her mind; obsessive thoughts not in reality, blanking out, losing time, suicidal attempts, etc. This was very dark, somber and at times depressing, to watch a young girl going through her disorder with some confusing and detailed descriptions. 

What follows is an exciting and wild last third of the book; when scandals are revealed, as well as murder; with everything at the school falling apart. I did like Strots, as she was always willing to protect Sarah from the evil girls.  I was not a fan of the rest of the characters, which included Sarah.  I also thought Sarah’s crazy thoughts were too much and a bit of overkill.  The St. Ambrose School for Girls was an interesting, wild, suspenseful YA tale that had a decent finish.

 

 

Copies supplied by the publisher

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Lunamare (The Luna Duet 1) by Pepper Winters -review tour

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Lunamare (The Luna Duet 1) by Pepper Winters -review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

“Is it true…that you pulled a lion from the ocean and fell in love with him?”

ASLAN

The sixteen-year-old boy named after a lion.
A boy with his entire life ahead of him.
A boy running from a terrible secret.
All it takes is one awful night to change everything.
One secret, one smuggler, one boat, one storm.
And he wakes in an entirely different existence.
Staring into the ocean-blue eyes of his twelve-year-old rescuer.

NERIDA

The twelve-year-old girl named after a sea nymph.
A girl with lofty dreams and absolute faith that she’ll achieve them.
All it takes is a bright, sunny morning to change everything.
One boy clinging to wreckage, one sea cradling him close, one chance at keeping him safe.
He’s illegal and unwanted.
She’s stubborn and so sure.
He’s lost absolutely everything.
And she’s found the only thing she ever wanted.

They begin as rescued and rescuer.
Slowly growing from twelve and sixteen.
He’s not allowed to touch her.
She’s convinced he is the one.
But as each day dawns on his illegal existence, Aslans’s secrets creep ever closer, the death he ran from hunts ever faster, and the darkness that he can’t get free of finally finds him.
And it costs him…
everything.

••••••

REVIEW: LUNAMARE is the first instalment in Pepper Winter’s adult THE LUNA DUET coming of age story line focusing on the love affair between Nerida Taylor and Aslan Avci.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives including memories from the past and an interview between Neri and two journalists Margot and Dylan, LUNAMARE covering approximately six years in real time, follows in the aftermath of the rescue of Turkish born Aslan Avci by our heroine Nerida ‘Neri’ Taylor. At the age of twelve, Neri Taylor rescued sixteen year old Aslan Avci from the oceans surrounding her home near Australia. The boat on which Aslan was travelling was caught in a storm, and our hero was the only survivor. Living with the Taylor’s meant keeping his past a secret, a secret that could destroy his life going forward. Falling for Neri Taylor was forbidden but fall he did, a fall that would ultimately destroy our story line couple.

LUNAMARE is an intense and angst-ridden love story between two lost souls who have bonded over loss, love, family and revelations but LUNAMARE is also a story of secrets and lies, discovery and exploration, soul mates forever tied by death and the sea. Akin to James Cameron’s retelling of the TITANIC™, LUNAMARE is the retelling of fated mates tied to one another through desperation and sins, desperation that is about to pull our couple apart.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 Apple Books bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Romance Thriller.

Pepper currently has close to 40 books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists almost 40 times, is a self-confessed hermit, yoga convert, has a house rabbit, six horses, and a long suffering husband.

To learn more about Pepper please visit: www.pepperwinters.com where she regularly posts videos of behind the scenes writing, horses, books, and more.

STALK Pepper: Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads / Amazon Author / Instagram / Bookbub / Verve

 

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I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU (Lancaster Prep 4) by Monica Murphy-review

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I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU (Lancaster Prep 4) by Monica Murphy

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 18,2023

Weston Fontaine is the hottest senior at Lancaster Prep.
And he knows it.
He’s gorgeous. Confident. Smart.

Too smart.
Everyone loves him. He could have any girl on campus, except for one.
Me.
I’m a Lancaster, meaning I’m basically untouchable–or so I thought. It’s my family who owns this God forsaken private school that I don’t want to attend. But according to my parents, I have to endure my senior year at Lancaster Prep before I can return to what I love the most: ballet.
West doesn’t make my time here easy. He’s arrogant. Crude. Insufferable. He torments me in the worst way, to the point that I can’t stand him. Yet he’s the only boy I’ve ever let touch me…
You see, West and I? We share a secret. On a hot summer night in Paris, we hooked up. And I never do that. Ever. I revealed parts of myself to him I’ve never shown anyone else. He’s seen me at my most vulnerable. I told him my secrets. And he told me his. In Paris, he was sexy. Protective. Even dare I say…sweet.
Now he’s the villain in my story, yet I can’t help but chase after that feeling only West can give me. Despite our hatred for each other, we somehow burn brighter when we’re together. So what happens when you helplessly fall for the one person you know is bad for you?
If you’re like me, you go ahead and fall for him anyway.

••••••

REVIEW: I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU is the fourth instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, young adult to new adult LANCASTER PREP erotic, romance series. This is Fontaine Champagne heir Weston Fontaine, and dancer Carolina Lancaster’s story line. I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH you can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order. Some of the events of book three PROMISES WE MEANT TO KEEP cross over with, and run parallel to the events of I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Caroline and West) I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU covers a few years in the life of Fontaine Champagne heir Weston Fontaine, and dancer Carolina Lancaster. At the ages of seventeen Carolina Lancaster, and Weston Fontaine met in Europe while Weston was on vacation, and Carolina was attending a prestigious dance school in London. One night together ended with Carolina expelled, and the resulting fallout found Carolina attending the family owned Lancaster Prep school in America, where she will come face to face with the young man that will break her heart. Weston Fontaine is part of the popular crowd at Lancaster Prep, and believing Carolina had lied, bullied our heroine along with several others in the popular crowd but Weston struggled to stay away from the young woman that called to his heart, and continued their relationship in secret but all was not well behind the scenes are their extended families were battling with illness and disease, and as such Weston would be called home, leaving a heart broken Carolina in the wake. Two years will pass before Carolina will once again face down with our story line hero, two years in which she will discover the truth, a truth Weston struggled to reveal. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between West and Carolina, and the potential fall-out as issues of family threaten any chance at a happily ever after.

The relationship between Weston and Carolina begins as a weekend summer fling where neither one expected anything more. Meeting at Lancaster Prep left each with issues of trust, secrets and lies in which struggles, illness and a lack of communication threaten any attempt at their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

The secondary and supporting characters include Carolina’s parents, her sister Sylvie (Promises We Meant to Keep), and brother Whit (Things I Wanted to Say but Never Did #1), friend Sadie Swanson; Whit’s parents; and friends Brent and TJ, as well as the requisite mean girls, and questionable actions.

I’LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU is a story of secrets and lies, miscommunication and misunderstanding; mental illness; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are young, desperate and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Things I Wanted To Say
A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
Birthday Kisses 2.5
Promises WE Meant to Keep

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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Reckless Lies (Rebels of Sandland 1-4) by Nikki J Summers-tour

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Reckless Lies (Rebels of Sandland 1-4) by Nikki J Summers-tour

RECKLESS LIES
Rebels of Sandland #4
by Nikki J Summers
Genre: contemporary, new adult, dark, romance

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 28, 2023

They say when you die, your whole life plays over in your mind like a Hallmark movie. A rose-tinted reflection to remind you what a great life you’ve led.

But for me, that wasn’t the case.

There was no romantic, nostalgic ending for me.

All I had was pain, darkness, and despair on the day I died, dragged by fire into the depths of hell. That’s where I live now. A shadow of the man I used to be. A ghost living in my former life.

Life goes on, but not for me.

She burst into my world with her smiles and her sledgehammer, ready to smash down my walls. She thinks she can save me, but she won’t. I don’t want to be saved. But I’ll play along. After all, that’s all I have left now, a life of pretend and a world of lies, where I play the role they want me to play.

Zak Atwood.Son.Brother.Friend.But boyfriend?

That’s never going to happen.How can I live that life when all I feel is dead inside?

••••••••

REVIEW: I’ll admit, Zak was never my favourite character, all through the books he came across as an a$$, selfish and a total player. But the way Nikki wrote this book….. I’d forgotten and forgiven him his past discretions.

This character went through sooooo much, his fight to reach the top of his hill was just jaw dropping.

After a fire that left him fighting for his life Zak withdrew from the world. For five long years he thinks himself a monster and a burden to family and friends, he lives away from his “Rebels of Sandland” gang, he lives in shadows. But his boys have never given up on him. They know the old Zak is under there somewhere, he just needs time.

A wedding is just the excuse they need, they badger Zak until he relents and agrees to the wedding. Where he meets Morgan. She hits him like a bolt of lightning, but he’s not going to give her what she wants, oh no sir, it’s his way all the way….

Morgan for me was the perfect foil for Zak, bright and cheery to his dark and bitter. But Morgan also has issues that she’s trying hard to constantly work on.

Both need each other, both balance one another, but convincing Zak of that, yeah good luck. He’s happy to dominate and control Morgan in the bedroom (and man some of those scenes need to come with a glass of cold water) but he’s not boyfriend material, and he never will be….

But as I’ve said, Morgan won’t give up. She just keeps turning up, being there, lending Zak an ear…But there is always a twist in these books, and the twist came out of nowhere snd walloped me a good one. I didn’t not expect that!!!!

–>There are triggers in this book that will upset some people, please read the advisement before grabbing this book.

I personally loved it. I cried whilst reading it, I’m crying now as I write the final review in the “Rebels of Sandland” series.

It’s full of ups/downs/twists and turns. Plenty of laughter and banter, but it also shows the resilience, the determination that the soul has to rise out of the ashes and live once again in the light.

A highly recommended read. Grab the book, grab the series, then grab the spin off ? you really won’t be disappointed.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Julie B.?

____________

RENEGADE HEARTS
Rebels of Sandland #1
by Nikki J Summers
Genre: contemporary, new adult, dark, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: July 28, 2020

They are the boys your mother always warned you about. They’re every parent’s worst nightmare. Arrogant, cocky and self-assured.

They used the town of Sandland like it was their own personal playground. They didn’t follow the rules. They made their own. Most girls were drawn to them like a moth to a flame, but Emily Winters wasn’t like most girls.

A politician’s daughter. A good girl with morals and principles. She represented everything they despised. The only problem was she lived her life in a perfectly orchestrated smokescreen; and where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

They wanted to expose her for what she was; a pretty little liar hiding the ugliest truths.

But when the truth comes out and lies are exposed, who will be the one to eventually crash and burn?

Renegade Hearts is a New Adult Romance from Nikki J Summers, suitable for readers 18 years+. Please read the trigger warnings.

••••••

REVIEW: Boy meets girl…. Both can’t stand one another…. Enemies become lovers…..The same trope ….BUT….. the way it’s delivered….. OH LORD!!!

It’s full of betrayal/mystery and angst, oh and don’t forget the off the chart chemistry.

It is a slow burn, but that’s ok, we need time to get our heads around the mind games Ryan tries use with Emily, to determine if Dave’s as dirty as her father is!!

I’ve read this author before (her Soldiers of anarchy series, which is totally AMAZING) and technically this series should be read before that one (only because you’ll know who gets their happy ever after)

So I’m aware of the “Renaissance Men” as I’d met them in the soldiers of anarchy series. I’d been curious about the team from Sandland they had come off as real a$$holes, but maybe that’s the perspective of the characters from the previous books??

Ryan is the rebel your mother warned you about, rough, tough and smug. Illegal fights and secret parties are his way of making money. But scratch under the surface and you’ll find a boy who loves his father (his mother died) and will defend both family and close friends to the death.

Emily is the complete opposite, the world sees her as a good girl, devoted daughter to a politician father and a socialite mother. But Emily is sick of the false facade her family present to the world, to her parents Emily is just a face to parade in front of the press and their affluent friends! It’s a lonely life, made only bearable because of her brother, but sadly he died, so Emily is alone, thank goodness for her friends. Emily wants to change her life, but not sure how to go about it.

The list of supporting characters were a fascinating bunch of people. Emily’s gang of two (Liv and Effy) who were just great characters (especially Liv) and Ryan’s gang which consisted of Brandon (not a huge fan of that guy) Zak and Finn began to grow on me. I was not a fan of Emily’s parents!! But I loved Ryan’s dad (and his older brother Connor)

Their story will have your head and heart in a war…. Head saying let this dude go and move on, too much baggage. And the heart wanting to hang in there and it will all work itself out. It’s a push and pull, a war of words, of one up man ship

–> There are triggers warning, so please read them if you’re not sure,<–

So can Ryan let go of his anger, and thirst for revenge? Can Emily step out from her families shadow and become her own person? Will the betrayal that Emily feels when she’s exposed to the truth about their relationship be gotten over?

I loved this book and I’ll be hot footing it over to read the next bad boy (Brandon and Harper) In their story Tortured Souls.

________

TORTURED SOULS
Rebels of Sandland #2
by Nikki J Summers
Genre: contemporary, new adult, dark, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2020

They say the devil appears in many different forms. To the town of Sandland, his face was one of them.

He was a rebel. A brawler. A bare-knuckle boxer that you’d cross the road to avoid if you saw him coming the other way. When he left our town, no one shed a tear, because Brandon Mathers was trouble and trouble followed him wherever he went.

The night he disappeared, he left behind a lifetime of devastation for the rest of us to bear. He didn’t care. He enjoyed creating chaos and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

But he was never going to stay hidden for long. He had too much bravado; too much ego. He couldn’t cope with being ignored. So, in the dead of night, when the darkness welcomes all the dirty, filthy creatures to come out to play, so does he. He thinks nobody sees him or the wicked things he does. But I do. He thinks I don’t know that he watches. But I see him. I watch him too.

He thinks he’s coming for me, but I’m already lying in wait. When the time is right, I’m going to destroy his blackened soul just like he’s tortured mine. He’ll never see it coming, but when it does, I’ll be there to remind him that Karma is real… And her name is Harper Yates.

•••••

REVIEW: Brandon….. Brandon …. Brandon….

I wasn’t too sure about you when I was reading Emily and Ryan’s book (Renegade Hearts) you came off as such a jerk in the beginning!! I wanted to wait, to process you and see you grow in other books. But I didn’t get my wish!! And you know what I’m glad you were the second book.

Brandon is a fighter through and through. He lives to fight and for his mates. But when an incident in book one alienates him from his pack, Brandon sees it as a betrayal! And he’s hold one person responsible……

Harper is out for revenge, her family is hurting because of one guy Brandon! She’s going to make him pay, prison would be too good for him, she wants him dead!

We see Brandon in a whole different light in this book. I don’t want to give too much away from the first book, but Brandon really was a loose cannon, he didn’t really care who he upset and that included his crew! And now in his mind, there are a lot of people he needs to repay for abandoning him, for making him a scapegoat and for ruining his life! He’s all alone and it’s making him crazy!

Harper and Brandon play cat and mouse, neither will give an inch in this game. Both want their lives back, but their lives will never be the same again.

So when does hate turn to love? When do they lean on each other instead of trying to kill one another? And when an unexpected announcement turns into something more, it rocks Brandon’s world!

We catch up with the same characters in the first book, which I love, I like seeing how the characters continue to evolve, and to get insights into the next story.

So can Brandon and Harper really get past all their issues?

Book one is still my favourite in the series, but Brandon definitely knocks on the door of my emotions. You can’t help but feel sorry for his situation and his upbringing. Harper had me in tears, I literally felt the sorrow she went through ?

This book has all the feels, has tons of emotion, and although a slow burn, it delivers on the steam when we finally get there.

–> Please read the triggers before opening this book.<–

It’s a great second book in a series that is becoming a firm favourite.

_________

FRACTURED MINDS
Rebels of Sandland #3
by Nikki J Summers
Genre: contemporary, new adult, dark, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2, 2021

The rebel without a voice, that’s me. But just because I choose to keep quiet, doesn’t mean there isn’t a raging fire burning inside. Still waters run deep, after all, and there’s a lot of secrets I’ve kept hidden from the world.

Art has always been my escape from the evil that’s tried to drag me down. It was all I had.

Until her.

Effy Spencer is like nobody I’ve ever met, but everything I’ve ever wanted. In my dreams, I’m her whole world. In reality, I’m her worst nightmare. I can’t let my darkness drown her. That’s why I stay away. That, and the fact that he’s back now, and he’s going to destroy my life if it’s the last thing he does.

__________

REVIEW: Boy meets girl…Boy has loved girl forever…But boy doesn’t think he’s good enough for girl!

Finn is the quiet one in the Sandland group, in fact he says very little to outsiders, so people look at him as weird! He also had a habit of retreating into his own world…..

Effy has loved Finn for ages, but he’s never really noticed her, and when he does notice her, it’s always a quick glance or a word then he’s back into his own space. But it doesn’t deter her, it cracks her heart a little every time, but she doesn’t want to give up on Finn, but if he doesn’t let her in soon, her heart won’t stand much more!

Something needs to give and give soon…..

This book I was both anxious and looking forward to reading. I’d read books one and two “Renegade Hearts” and “Tortured Souls “, and loved them. But they did hint at a side of Finn we hadn’t seen yet. Did I really want to know his dark past?

–>There are triggers in this book, and I would advise you to read the warnings. It is heartbreaking, it does make you see Finn as a survivor never a victim.

Effy is just a wonderful soul, the peacemaker, the caregiver, the shining star in Finn’s dark and soulless world. She does back down a lot in the previous books, and it did make her look like a doormat. But she does have a backbone, and for the people she lives, she will roar like the lioness she is.

Finn gets himself into a little bit of trouble with the “Soldiers of Anarchy” (this series is a spin off, and FYI it’s freaking brilliant) and they in turn blackmail him into doing things he would never usually do. (And the last task has dire consequences)

The push and pull between Effy and Finn really did a tap dance on my emotions, I’m left shouting at my kindle “for goodness sake kiss her” or “enough is enough Effy, walk the f@&k away!”

He doesn’t think he’s good enough, or that his darkness will taint her. She knows she can weather anything he throws at her.

With the darkness we also have light moments, we have scenes that will make you chuckle. And we catch up with the main characters from books one and two. And we also have the ending that will set the scene for book four “Reckless Lies” and that scene….. had me bawling like a baby…..

About Nikki J. Summers:

Nikki J. Summers is a romance addict who loves to write about strong, feisty heroines and dark, brooding alphas.

When she isn’t locked away in her writing cave, she’s teaching primary school children, or lost in her kindle. She currently lives in Staffordshire in the U.K with her husband and two children.

Connect with Nikki:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkijsummersauthor
Facebook group: https://bit.ly/2J1Hbwy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkijsummersauthor
TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeJ7DdMQ/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksSummers
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nikki-j-summers

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