Tag Archives: New Adult

Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy-Review Tour

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

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Ej9vVP

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2022

Knox Maguire is the king of our college campus.

Star offensive tight end on the football team.

He is the complete opposite of me in every way.

I’m quiet. He’s loud.

I’m shy. He’s definitely not.

Everyone loves him. No one knows me.

Fresh out of a breakup, I don’t really trust him, and why should I? Knox is the ultimate player. When I become his English tutor, I tell myself we need to keep things between us strictly business. Watching my mother deal with my ex-athlete father long, long ago taught me to stay far away from that type of man.

Yet Knox is impossible to resist. Next thing I know, we’re getting hot and heavy in the library—and that was never part of the plan. When Knox admits he can’t stop thinking about me, I have a realization.

I can’t stop thinking about him either.

Instead of keeping my distance, I pull him in closer. Until somehow, we’re spending all of our time together and I find myself falling for Knox. Hard.

Will this actually work between us? Or am I getting played?

••••••

REVIEW: PLAYING HARD TO GET by Monica Murphy is a contemporary, new adult, erotic, romance story line set in the world of the author’s ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND series. This is college senior/quarterback Knox Maguire, and junior / book store employee Joanna Sutton’s story line. Knox is the son of Owen and Chelsea Maguire (Four Years Later/One Week Girlfriend).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Joanna and Knox) PLAYING HARD TO GET follows the building romance and relationship between Knox Maguire and Joanna Sutton. Joanna Sutton doesn’t pay attention to football or jocks but the numerous appearances of Knox Maguire at her place of work have our heroine fantasizing about the star quarterback. Knox Maguire is the star quarterback, a quarterback with a reputation amongst the girls on campus but Knox is struggling to pass his English classes and finds himself face to face with the woman that has been starring in his fantasies and dreams. Enter Joanna Sutton, Knox’s new English tutor, and the woman with whom Knox will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Knox and Joanna, and the potential fall-out as Knox made a vow that he is about to break

Joanna Sutton is fresh out of a three year, long distance relationship that ended when she discovered her ex-boyfriend with someone else. Not ready to jump back into the cycle of dating, she reluctantly agrees to ‘see’ Knox Maguire but Knox wants to keep everything on the down low. Knox Maguire made a bet with some of his teammates, and he was about to lose a butt load of money but Knox refuses to walk away from the only woman that has stirred his heart, a woman who continues to struggle with memories of the past.

The relationship between Knox and Joanna begins as tutor and client that quickly turns into something more. Joanna never expected to cross the invisible line but her attraction to Knox is visceral and intense. Knox Maguire doesn’t do relationships but some advise from his father forces Knox to reconsider his life going forward. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive 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 Knox’s parents Owen and Chelsea, and his sister Blair. We are introduced to Joanna’s co-worker Leon, her roommate Natalie, as well as Knox’s teammates Cam and Derek. There is something developing between Blair and Cam.

PLAYING HARD TO GET is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating, engaging and heart warming-the conflict is limited; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

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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BAD FOR A WEEKEND (Blurred Lines) by Misty Walker-review tour

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BAD FOR A WEEKEND (Blurred Lines) by Misty Walker-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 23, 2022

Owen Rollins’ life mission is to protect the young and innocent. But when he took the job to protect Baylor Giles, he miscalculated the situation.

Baylor may be young, but she’s not innocent. The way she prances around in her cheerleader skirt, throwing her coy smile his way. . .
No, she’s not innocent at all.

Still, he has a job to do, and he needs to remain focused. The threat to Baylor’s life is real, and he can’t let what happened last time happen again. Even if it would feel so good to show her the punishment for naughty girls who flirt with their bodyguard.

Nothing can happen. His resolve is firm, and his fortitude is unyielding.
Or is it?

Baylor Giles was a carefree, fun-loving teenager until that terrifying night everything changed.

Then Owen came into her life.

He makes her feel safe for the first time in a long time. But she also feels other things for the much older man. . . things she shouldn’t. And no matter how many times he turns her down, she knows he wants her too.

She’ll never convince him to be her forever, but can she convince this good guy to be bad for a weekend?

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  BAD FOR A WEEKEND by Misty Walker is a contemporary, new adult to adult, erotic, romance story line found in the multi-authored BLURRED LINES series. This is thirty-two year old, former police officer turned security specialist Owen Rollins, and eighteen year old Baylor Giles’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Owen and Baylor) BAD FOR A WEEKEND follows in the aftermath of the abduction of our story line heroine. Eighteen year old student Baylor Giles was the victim of a kidnapping by an unknown assailant, and in the wake of the assault and ongoing threats, Baylor’s father, actor Corey Giles, hires personal security specialist Owen Rollins to protect his beloved daughter but Owen and Baylor’s attraction to one another is immediate, and Owen struggles to keep his distance from the woman with whom he will fall in love. A weekend in Mexico results in Baylor seducing our story line heroine, a seduction that will destroy our story line couple, resulting in the loss of a job for Owen Rollins. High school graduation with culminate in a targeted attack that will leave Baylor struggling to survive, while Owen finds himself on the outside looking in. Three years will pass before Baylor and Owen reconnect, a reconnection that will pull our couple together again but Baylor suspects Owen has moved on from their love. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Owen and Baylor, and the potential fall-out when their affair is discovered, and Owen must walk away from the woman he loves.

The relationship between Owen and Baylor is one of immediate attraction; a forbidden, age-gap romance in which Owen was hired to protect a young woman whose life has been threatened by an unknown assailant but Baylor and her friends refuse to stay under the radar, and make life difficult for our story line hero. Baylor is a head strong, sometimes immature heroine who pushes all of Owen’s proverbial buttons but Owen gives as much in return, knowing that to cross the line would mean the end of his career, and his relationship with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

We are introduced to Baylor’s father Corey Giles, and her best friends Ziggy and Sara, and housekeeper/nanny Brandy, as well as Owen’s brother and boss Hudson.

BAD FOR A WEEKEND is a story of the forbidden; an age-gap romance between a young woman experiencing first love, and a man who struggles with demons from the past. The premise is engaging, emotional and entertaining; the romance is seductive and provocative with some scenes of ‘daddy-kink’ that felt awkward and unnecessary; the characters are charismatic, struggling and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Misty Walker is a USA Today Best-Selling contemporary romance author with books in multiple subgenres including, age-gap, forbidden, biker, and gay.

​She’s been in the book and audiobook industry for many years, though she’s only been publishing since 2019.

​Misty currently resides in the high desert of Reno, NV with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys camping in her comfy travel trailer, reading, and writing.

FOLLOW: Website / Goodreads / Facebook/ Twitter/ TikTok / Instagram / Pinterest

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Crybaby by Monica James /Michelle Lancaster-review tour

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Crybaby (Revenge is Sweet 1) by Monica James /Michelle Lancaster-review tour

ebook ONLY 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 11, 2022

My name is Rev.

I like long walks on the beach.

A neat scotch.

And I like stealing from rich losers who have no idea the town’s Big Bad Wolf screwed their wives six ways to Sunday.

Such a scandal, indeed.

I have one end goal—to get out of this town.

I’m a loner. And that’s by choice.

People aren’t really my thing. That is…until I meet her. The little firecracker who sets more than my soul on fire.

No one has ever stuck around.

But Darcie is different. She seems to be as broken as me, and when our worlds collide, nothing but trouble looms.

Watch out, baby…down the rabbit hole we go

•••••

REVIEW: CRYBABY is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult REVENGE IS SWEET dark, young adult romance series co-authored by Monica James and Michelle Lancaster. This is high school teenagers Augustine ‘Rev’ Blackwood, and Darcie’s story line.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence and sexual assault, there will be triggers for more sensitive readers. Although the characters are teenagers, high school aged, the topic and content is not intended for younger readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Darcie and Rev) CRYBABY follows high school teenagers on a tear seeking revenge and retribution for pain, suffering and humiliation at the hands of so-called friends in the aftermath of the prom from h*ll. With the help of bad boy, lady-killer, gigolo and her absent prom date Augustine ‘Rev’ Blackwood, Darcie goes on a journey of vengeance, a journey not unlike Bonnie and Clyde, or Natural Born Killers™, or any number of couples whose lives are spiralling out of control. Taking aim at everyone, and anyone standing in their way, Darcie and Rev find themselves on the run, targeting the guilty and the damaged on their bloody adventure. What ensues is an odyssey of madness, mayhem and murder in which Rev discovers the truth about his past, and Darcie must come to terms with the world as a whole.

The relationship between Darcie and Rev is one of mutual delusion and unbalance. Rev’s childhood has created a young man determined to take down the people who destroyed his life, while Darcie’s grief and inability to forgive herself, sets her on a path towards the ultimate betrayal.

CRYBABY is a dark, gritty, graphically detailed story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, assault, abuse, murder and madness. The premise is shocking and unconventional; the $ex scenes are aggressive and intense; the characters are broken, betrayed, and determined.

Although I do not consider the content suitable for young adult readers, the main characters are teenagers caught up in a world of adult problems. The premise contains many YA scenarios including bullies, mean girls, evil or oblivious/controlling parents and vindictive adults, secrets and lies.

MONICA JAMES

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

TWITTER /  FACEBOOK /  PINTEREST / AUTHORGRAPH /  WEBSITE

ABOUT MICHELLE

Monica and Michelle are best friends who have combined their love for dark comedy, crime documentaries, and bad boys to write dark romance that will steal your heart and haunt your mind.

Follow the white rabbit…

Connect w/Michelle:

Instagram: @lanefotograf

Instagram: @lanefotograf_2

TikTok: @lanefotograf

Tik Tok: @MichelleandMonicaBooks

Website: www.michellelancaster.com

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Flickering Heart / Revive by Tricia T LaRochelle-review tour

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Flickering Heart / Revive (Sara Browne 1 & 2) by Tricia T LaRochelle-review  & excerpt tour

 

FLICKERING HEART
Sara Browne 1
by Tricia T Larochelle
Release Date: June 2022
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

FREE ebook-> 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

Eighteen-year-old Sara Browne is about to step off a cliff. She is taking a giant leap into the world of college—a normal transition for most—but not for Sara. A car accident that scarred her body and soul—and left her orphaned—has dictated six years of isolation, but that was all in her past. She is ready to leave those dark days behind. Her new goals: make a friend, behave irresponsibly (if she’ll allow herself), and go on an actual date.

The last thing Sara is looking for is a complication, but that is exactly what she finds in the hot, six-foot-three blond named Scott Williams, who she meets at the beginning of the school year. Sara is drawn to Scott in a way that she cannot explain, and he seems just as into her. She wants to trust her heart, but Scott’s promiscuous past keeps creeping into their lives. Jealous ex-girlfriends are one thing, but the stranger who defaces her car, sabotages her laptop, and who sends Sara threatening letters is far worse. Someone is determined to destroy her relationship with Scott and the life Sara is trying so hard to rebuild.

By the time Sara finds out who is behind all the trouble, her life is in shambles and she must fight with every ounce of strength and courage to save herself and the man she loves.

••••••••••

REVIEW: Flickering Heart is book one in the Sara Browne series by Tricia T. Larochelle.

Eighteen year old Sara Browne has just started college at Commonwealth University in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This is a huge leap of faith for her as her body, mind and soul is scarred from losing both of her parents to a car accident at a young age. Sara has spent the last six years after becoming orphaned at the private school, away from everything and everyone she knows. As excited as she is for college she is also very scared as this is her first time navigating life as an adult. Luckily she has made a friend in Amy, her new suite-mate.

Stepping out of her comfort zone Amy and her head to their first tailgate, where things don’t go quite as planned. Having never partied before, Sara gets grabbed from behind and spills her beer on Rachael and her Versace outfit. As Rachael loses her mind on Sara, a six three god – Scott comes to her rescue – telling Rachael to calm down. Sara was pretty sure Scott and Rachael were a thing with the way she saw Rachael touching him earlier. But that wasn’t the case. Not at all.

Scott and Sara start hanging out, and despite all of everyone’s warnings of Scott being a “player”, Sara is interested. They spend more time together and the girls from Scott’s past are not happy about it. Sara starts to receive threatening letters, Vandalized messages on her car and someone poured water on her laptop. Sara begins to realize that someone does not like that she is getting closer to Scott. In a whirlwind of romance, Sara falls quickly for Scott and vice versa. But outside conflicts continue to plague their relationship. Someone really isn’t happy that Sara cares for Scott.

When Sara trusts the wrong person, her life gets turned upside down. She has been drugged and raped. When Scott finds out he wants to kill the person that has done this to his Sara. Scott beats the perpetrator within in an inch of his life. Sara must figure out a way to save Scott from ruining his life and going to jail. She knows exactly what she must do.

But can Sara convince the right people that Scott was only protecting her? And what will happen when to Scott. Will his life be ruined by a rash decision to hurt the person that harmed Sara?

This book was a whirlwind of a first relationship for Sara. With everyone telling her that Scott was a “player” and not to be trusted – she has a hard time trusting his word. When Scott keeps information from Sara it only makes matters worse. But will Sara be able to forgive Scott and move past what has happened to her?

Highly recommend – fast read, twists and turns of a first time relationship. The budding relationship of Sara and Scott was heartwarming. You want nothing but the best for Sara, who has had a rough life.

Looking forward to book two in this series.

(Would add a trigger warning for sexual assault.)

 

___________

REVIVE
Sara Browne 2
by Tricia T Larochelle
Release Date: September 29, 2022
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

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

Add to Goodreads!

Goodreads → https://bit.ly/3Qyv1sU

Traumatic events follow in the footsteps of Sara Browne’s life. On a wobbly foundation, she attempts a new start, with Scott by her side. Trying to navigate a relationship and college life, Sara struggles, looking for ways to heal. She latches onto a story about a student named Carrie Stevens who went missing the year before. As a diversion from her own problems, Sara obsesses over Carrie and what happened to her. She digs deeper, unleashing a terrible secret that rocks her to the core.

••••••••

REVIEW: Revive is book two in the Sara Browne series by Tricia T. Larochelle.

This book centers on Sara’s recovery from her sexual assault. It also caters to Sara and Scott’s relationship and rebuilding trust. The onset begins with Sara having nightmares; Scott is there to help her through each one. Scott becomes the most patient and understanding man ever after experiencing the trauma with Sara.

Absolutely loved their relationship!

Sara spends a lot of time contemplating and thinking while trying to recover.   Sara becomes obsessed with a student that went missing last year – Carrie Stevens.  She picks up bits of information here and there and the more she finds out the more she needs to know.   Carrie disappeared without a trace. With soft encouragement from Amy, Sara seeks out counseling for not only the trauma of her sexual assault, but unresolved issues stemming from her parents passing.   (One session left me a crying, blubbering mess – because what a lesson!!)

Each session of counseling helps Sara take steps forward in the right direction. Sara also decides to join a self-defense class to be able to always protect herself.

 A press conference from the parents of Carrie Stevens for the one year anniversary of being missing, lends more to Sara’s curiosity.  Sara questions Scott if he knew Carrie and he was quick to answer that he only knew her from the posters that were up around the school.  He also gets upset and tells Sara to let it go and stop pursuing information, which was weird to Sara.  Just when Sara starts to get some answers into what happened to Carrie, her best friend Amy goes missing.

Sara begins to track down the people that she had doubts about with Carrie’s disappearance.   Coming too close to the perpetrator,  Sara finds herself kidnapped also and in a shocking twist it is revealed who has kidnapped them.

Sara does everything in her power to save herself and Amy.  She has lost so much in her life, she wasn’t about to lose her best friend also.  Will she be able to save them both?   And what will Scott do when he finds out Sara is missing.

I read this entire book in one sitting.  It was an amazing second book in an equally wonderful series. Looking forward to the next installment. 

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Erin K

 

 

Copyright 2022 Tricia T. LaRochelleI pried my laptop from my backpack, powered it up, and typed the words, “Carrie Stevens, Commonwealth University.” Within seconds, several article headlines flashed onto the screen, along with some random pictures below them. None of the women in the photos looked anything like Carrie, so I clicked on an Instagram link instead, where I found a treasure trove of images. The first thing I noticed was Carrie’s short, blue hair and thick makeup. This girl wasn’t the all-American-poster girl I had seen at the press conference at the Student Union Building earlier, although there were similarities: her eye color was the same and her facial structure. I scrolled through a picture of Carrie kissing a guy with greasy, long black hair—a wild party exploding in the background. I found another pic of Carrie holding a shot glass in the air, her eyes bloodshot. The last one I saw included Carrie smoking a tightly wrapped cigarette. I peered closer, maybe not a cigarette.
At that moment, Amy entered through the door. When I didn’t look up, she stopped short.
“What are you doing?” She leaned over my shoulder.
“That’s Carrie Stevens.” I glanced over at Amy. “She looks much different, doesn’t she?”
Amy furrowed her brow. “Who? Oh, you mean the girl who went missing? The one from the press conference?”
I nodded. “Yeah, weird, huh?” I pointed haphazardly over the screen. “It looks like she’s changed a lot since her high school graduation photo was taken. She could be your sister, Amy.”
“Why, because she dyed her hair and put on some makeup?” Amy shrugged, before crossing my room and plopping down on my bed. “She looks better if you ask me.”
“Well … yeah. It’s not a bad look. It’s just different. Do you think they questioned Henry—you know when Carrie went missing?” I turned to look at her.
Amy squinted at me. “Who?”
Oh my God, Amy, how could you forget HIM?
I raised both hands in the air, exasperated. “You know. Henry—the man you were just screaming at.”
Amy’s face opened, showing clarity. She nodded. “Oooooh, you mean, Norman Bates. Yes, I’m sure they did. Why?”


 

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.

 

Follow: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | Pinterest | Newsletter

 

 

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THE RETURN PLAY (Oleander Springs 1) by Mariah Dietz -a review

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THE RETURN PLAY (Oleander Springs 1) by Mariah Dietz-a review

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 September 12, 2022.

Oleander Springs, North Carolina was my second home, but my first love.

The humid days and warm nights provided the perfect backdrop for discovering the magical bliss that comes without expectations or routines. Secrets with my best friend, Hudson McKinley, were shared. sewn together with promises, one summer after another.

I never thought we’d grow up and grow apart.

Now four years later, I’m back in Oleander Springs out of obligation, convinced nothing could be the way I remembered. My first sight of Hudson confirms it. He’s no longer a gangly boy who barely reaches my brow but several inches taller than me, built like Thor, and the starting quarterback of the Knights.

As I focus on how much has changed, Hudson is determined to prove that not everything is different, including the quick smiles, ease, and banter we’ve always shared. Only now, the jokes and innuendos keep pushing the limits of our … friendship, dipping into honesty and an attraction that has me forgetting why I returned to Oleander Springs.

A temporary return.

Now the end of summer is looming and I don’t know if I can leave.
Or if I dare to stay.

Three months, one book of records, and a lifelong friendship is about to prove the ultimate sacrifice.

••••••

REVIEW: THE RETURN PLAY is the first instalment in Mariah Dietz’s contemporary, new adult OLEANDER SPRINGS erotic, romance series. This is twenty year old college football players Hudson McKinley, and eighteen year old Evelyn Watts’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hudson and Evelyn) THE RETURN PLAY follows in the aftermath of Evelyn Watts walking away from a volleyball scholarship at New Mexico State, in the wake of verbal abuse and burn out at the hands of her coach. Needing time to herself, and away from the family that is quickly spiraling out of control, Evelyn heads to Oleander Springs, North Carolina, her home away from home, where she will reconnect with the people from her past. Enter twenty year old, college football player Hudson McKinley, and the man with whom Evelyn will fall in love. What ensues is the rebuilding friendships, and relationship between Evelyn and Hudson, and the potential fall out when Hudson sees red, and pushes Evelyn out of his life.

Evelyn Watts’ homelife is struggling to survive, and when she quits the volleyball team, the reality of her family slowly unravels. In an effort to regroup and reconsider her options for the future, Evelyn heads to Oleander Springs, to a place where innocence and first love were all that mattered. Hudson McKinley never forgot about the young girl that had stolen his heart but Evelyn is struggling with a direction in life, and Hudson is hoping to convince Evelyn Oleander Springs is her final destination.

The relationship between Hudson and Evelyn is one of second chances, of a sorts. A rekindling friendship that slowly blossoms into love, a love that is threatened when Hudson is unable to forgive and forget. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

As this is the introductory story line, we are introduced to several secondary and supporting characters including Hudson’s family, friends and teammates: Nolan Payne, Greyson Meyers, and Corey Bishop; Hudson’s brother Griffin;, and their divorced parents; Mila Atwool, as well as Evelyn’s embattled parents, her brother Shane, her great Aunt Pat, and Evelyn’s friend at home Trinity.

THE RETURN PLAY is a slow building, lengthy story of friendships, relationships, family and love- the author is building the back story for several upcoming instalments therefore not all of the focus was on our story line couple. The premise is engaging and interesting but the conflict is mostly limited to the behind the scenes dysfunctional family problems; the characters are charismatic and flirty; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams – a Review

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Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
When Kennedy bans the werewolves from The Rain Hotel, she threatens the stability—and secrecy—of the entire paranormal world.

Tragedy forces Kennedy back to The Rain Hotel, a magic-free haven for vampires and werewolves and all things other. She might have been reluctant to return to her ancestral home, but now that she’s running things, she will use all her resources to discover who betrayed her family and why.

As the clues pile up and evil forces threaten Kennedy and her friends, three powerful individuals compete for her trust. But things aren’t what they seem, and each man has ulterior motives. She’ll need to build strong walls against their magic and manipulations, and she’ll especially need to be cautious around one charismatic werewolf who seems determined to tempt her into his bed.

Can Kennedy unravel the mystery and find her place in the paranormal world? Or will her decisions lead to The Rain’s destruction and the loss of innocent lives?

 

 

Review:

Bound by Bloodsong by Sandy Williams is the 2nd book in her wonderful Kennedy Rain series.  Refresher: Kennedy Rain, our heroine, returned home to her family’s unique Rain Hotel, to run it while her parents were on vacation. With the death of her parents, she is now in sole control of the hotel. What makes the Rain Hotel unique?   The hotel is a null zone for paranormals, with a treaty that has been in effect for hundreds of years; a place to recover, be at peace, or just time to relax with no pressure; a werewolf can avoid the full moon or a vampire can see the sun, or recover from an injury. The Werewolves and Vampires, plus some other unknow species take turns to come and stay at the hotel. 

Kennedy is determined to find out who killed her parents, and bans both werewolves and vampires from the hotel, at last until she can find who betrayed her family. At first, Kennedy feels the werewolves are behind the murder, but things change when an evil enemy becomes a major threat.  Kennedy is also determined to keep her human friends safe, as they never knew about the hotel. She’ll need to build strong walls against their magic and manipulations.

I liked Kennedy, who was a great heroine, though I thought she was a bit unreasonable at times.   Blake, the second in command, for the werewolves was a hunk, who truly liked Kennedy, and I expect a possible romance in future books; but she never allowed herself to succumb to his advances. It was nice to see Nora (werewolf) and Jared (vampire) again, with the leaders of the werewolf/vampires determined not to allow them to marry.  Kennedy learns her family was trying to help Astrid, a lone and ancient witch, who was Kennedy’s friend, and soon suspicions arise about a major coven trying to force Astrid to their group.

What follows is a wonderful fun, tense and exciting story, with Kennedy in the middle of it all.  There is a dark enemy out there who will stop at nothing to sabotage the treaty, including causing her harm, and she has no idea who to trust. But as we race to the climax, we learn more about the powerful coven, who want to destroy everything.  Kennedy must come up with a plan to stop the enemy, keep the hotel safe, and get magical friends to help her.  Can she survive?

I do not want to say too much more, as it would spoil things, since you do need to read this book from start to finish.  Bound by Bloodsong was an excellent addition to this series, which was very well written by Sandy Williams.  I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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BAD BLOOD by Faith Summers -a review

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BAD BLOOD by Faith Summers-a review

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 August 15, 2022

I never asked to be the monster’s new obsession.

Chad Volchkov is as merciless as he is beautiful.
He’s the savage leader of the gods of chaos who walk Raventhorn Academy’s campus.
He’s determined to ruin me and make me pay for my father’s sins.
I fight fire with fire.
Until he discovers a secret that could cost me everything.
Now that I’m at his non-existent mercy, he wants to break me.
Claim me.
Own me.
Make my body bend to his will.
I know how to choose my battles.
But this is a fight he promises I won’t win.
His twisted mind has him focused on a new prize—
Keeping me.

•••••••••

REVIEW:  BAD BLOOD by Faith Summers is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult, dark Mafia, bully romance novella set in the author’s Raventhorn Academy and Dark Syndicate worlds. This is Bratva heirs Chad Volchkov, and Billie Fairchild’s story line.

NOTE: Bad Blood was originally released in the April 2022 FILTHY ELITES anthology.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Chad and Billie) BAD BLOOD focuses on Billie Fairchild’s arrival at Raventhorn Academy, a prep school for the infamous, rich, powerful and elite. Billie’s arrival at Raventhorn is unwelcome by Bratva heir Chad Volchkov, a young man who blames Billie’s father for everything that has gone wrong in his life. Chad is determined to destroy our story line heroine, and in doing so, break what’s left of Billie’s psyche and soul. What ensues is the bullying and destructive attachment between Billie and Chad, and the fall-out as someone else seeks revenge against our story line couple.

Billie Fairchild’s only sin is to be the daughter of a sick and twisted man. Billie’s father is blamed for the destruction of Chad Volchkov’s family and his mother’s life, and in this, Chad is determined to seek vengeance against our story line heroine but all does not go according to plan when Chad begins to fall for the young woman he was hoping to destroy.

The relationship between Chad and Billie begins acrimoniously within minutes of Billie first arriving at school. From the outset Chad sets his sights on our story line heroine-stalking, emotionally and mentally abusing, blackmailing and a number of acts of questionable consent. Billie struggles in the face of the threats against her life and her heart, and in this, she gives in to the demands and orders of the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are aggressive and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters include the requisite mean girl(s), easy girls, young Bratva crew in training, and the questionable actions of the people in charge.

BAD BLOOD is a fast paced, and heart breaking story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, abuse, bullying and aggression, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark and often disheartening; the characters are broken, desperate and dynamic; the romance is questionable on so many levels.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Boyfriend Material by Ilsa Madden-Mills-review & excerpt tour

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Boyfriend Material (Hawthorne University 2) by Ilsa Madden-Mills-review & excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 25, 2022

Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.
I’m talking about Eric Hansen.
Rich prick.
Glorified hockey star.
Thinks he’s amazing.
Yeah. The Golden Boy and I are well acquainted. In prep school he trampled on my heart and kept right on going.

Three years later, he’s living the high life with frat parties and puck bunnies at Hawthorne University. On the other hand, people barely notice me. I’m the nobody, surviving in the seedy part of town as I struggle to keep my head above treacherous waters.

The avoidance game we’ve been playing was working—until he rescues me from a bad guy and claims he wants to help me more. Hello. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. This girl saves herself.

Yet, I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us.
(It’s not even a spark; it’s a full-fledged, blazing fire.)

Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will this be a game we both lose?

••••••

REVIEW: BOYFRIEND MATERIAL is the second instalment in Ilsa Madden-Mills’ contemporary, new-adult HAWTHORNE UNIVERSITY erotic, sports romance series. This is college seniors, hockey star Eric Hansen, and Julia Lauren’s story line. BOYFRIEND MATERIAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

WARNING : Due to the nature of the story line premise including sexual assault and slut shaming, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Eric and Julia) BOYFRIEND MATERIAL follows the building relationship between college seniors, hockey star Eric Hansen, and Julia Lauren. Eric and Julia met in prep school but one night together pushed Julia out of Eric’s life. Now seniors in college, Eric is struggling with a direction in life, hoping to make it big in professional hockey but his parents have plans Eric does not want to follow; Julia has some struggles of her own, having lost everything when her mother’s life spiralled out of control. Now Julia is drowning in debt, owing money to someone from her mother’s past, a debt she is paying through questionable means but when Eric witnesses an attack against our story line heroine, Eric becomes protector and guardian of the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Eric and Julia, and the potential fall out as Eric’s parents take control, pushing our heroine out of his life.

The relationship between Eric and Julia is an enemies to lovers, a bully romance in which most of Eric’s friends are misogynistic and bullies, aiming their vitriol at women and our story line heroine. Eric battles between head and heart knowing his parents had other plans for his future but his attraction to Julia comes with the possibility of losing it all. 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 many with questionable ethics and behavior. We are introduced to several members of Eric’s hockey team, as well as the troubled Kappa fraternity; Julia’s friends Poppy and Taylor, and Eric’s grieving parents.

BOYFRIEND MATERIAL is a story of addiction and abuse, desperation and convictions, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is dramatic, emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive and impassioned; the characters are broken, struggling and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Eric’s large frame and rugged handsomeness takes the air from my lungs. His hair is pulled back in a man-bun, my fav look on him.
No. I do not have a favorite look for him, but it does show off his ridiculous cheekbones and aristocratic, slightly bent nose.
He’s wearing jeans, gold Converse, and a HU shirt. The lion on the front seems to glare at me—much like he is now.
I lean against the doorjamb. Be cool, be cool. “Howdy, partner.”
He doesn’t smile. “That guy at the laundromat is scary. Stay away from him. I mean it.”
I huff. The nerve of him to tell me what to do.
“That’s what I told you. I repeat, you could have been hurt. Let me handle Connor.”
His arms cross. “How did you get involved with him? Are you on drugs?”
I tuck my hands in my pockets and dip my head so he can’t see how much his words hurt. I know I strip, no one has to remind me, but in prep school, I was the goody-two shoes who never wavered. I had to keep my grades up to keep my scholarship—not that I was ever invited to parties. I wrote poetry. I drew. I daydreamed about him. “Do I look like an addict?”
His golden eyes roam over me. Assessing. “Maybe.”
My throat tingles with words I want to say but know I shouldn’t.
The less he knows, the better.
His nose flares. “I’m trying to help you and you’re giving me the cold shoulder. What’s wrong with you?”
I swallow thickly as I gaze at him. “Eric. Please. Being around me will only smear your good name—”
“Stop,” he calls out, then rubs his face, his anger seeming to deflate like a popped tire. “Don’t put yourself down like that. You’re a person, Julia. One that people care about.”
And I want to protect those people.
I chew on my bottom lip. “You shouldn’t have interfered.”
He lets out a long sigh, gives me a searching look, goes to leave, then stops. He reaches into his pocket and holds something up. “This is yours, I assume.”
I stare at the ring, my lips parting. “How did you . . .?”
But he’s already out the door.

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Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Fourteen of her Eighteen novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Not My Romeo #1; The Revenge Pact #1; Dear Ava, Fake Fiancée, I Dare You, and I Promise You #2; I Hate You #5; Not My Match, I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females.

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