The Big, Bad Billionaire (Billionaire Fairy Tales #4) by Jackie Ashenden-a review

THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE (BILLIONAIRE FAIRY TALE #4) by Jackie Ashenden-a review

The big Bad Billionaire

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2017-11-18

An intensely sexy Billionaire Fairy Tales standalone novel by Jackie Ashenden that is billionaire romance meets Little Red Riding Hood with a happily ever after.
Wicked. Ruthless. Obsessed.

Sent away from his family as a boy because he couldn’t be controlled, Rafe DeSantis’s new guardian turned him into a monster. One who wants only two things out of life: To get revenge on the father who destroyed his life. And to possess the woman who was kept from him. Ella Hart has been his obsession for years, and now that he’s her guardian he’s finally in position to black mail her into his bed. And once he has her there? He’s going to eat her up.

Innocent. Alone. Hunted.

Ella has been living with her grandmother since the death of her parents when she was a child. She’s learned to pour her grief and pain into dance, and it’s become her escape. Her passion. Now she’s set her sights on a prestigious dance school in Paris. But there’s one problem. Ella was so young when her parents died, her money was left in the hands of the DeSantis family…and it’s now controlled by Rafe. A man she’s always found compelling and terrifying at the same time. Rafe offers her an ultimatum: Give herself to him, body and soul, and she’ll get the money she needs.

Ella isn’t in a position to refuse, though she tries to resist the sexy billionaire. It feels good, until her heart becomes involved. Does the big bad billionaire want to capture her heart? Or does he only want to own her body?

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE is the fourth instalment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary adult BILLONAIRE FAIRY TALE erotic, romance series focusing on the DeSantis’s siblings-Xavier, Nero, Raphael, Lorenzo and their sister Olivia. This is thirty two year old CES of DS Corporation Raphael DeSantis, and twenty year old ballerina Ella Hart’s story line. THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Rafe and Ella) THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE focuses on the building by acrimonious relationship between twenty year old ballerina Ella Hart, and her guardian, billionaire CEO Raphael ‘Rafe’ Desantis. Eighteen years earlier, a then two year old Ella, adored the man she has now come to hate- a man whose once violent temper forced his father to send Raphael away to teach the young teen a lesson-a lesson that came back with a vengeance as Raphael took control and possession of DS Corp’s CEO.

Throughout the years, Rafe never forgot about the young girl who would one day grow into the woman that stole his heart but a series of painful losses found our heroine the sole keeper of her elderly grandmother, as she herself struggled between her head and her heart, and the prospect of dancing in Paris France. When our heroine is accepted into the prestigious European ballet school she is forced to confront the man who now controls all of her money. Enter Rafe DeSantis, Ella’s new guardian and financial controller, and the man with whom Ella will fall in love. What ensues are Rafe’s terms (and manipulation) for funding Ella’s European adventure; the building romance between Ella and Rafe; and the potential fall out as Rafe has yet to come to terms with the demons from his past.

THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE is a modern retelling of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD with all of the fairy tale markings including Ella’ bedridden, elderly grandmother, a ballet production of Red Riding Hood, and a hero who considers himself more wolf-like than human. Raphael DeSantis’s brutal and abusive childhood formed the man who would one day take down the father who all but gave up on our story line hero but childhood memories that now control every aspect of his adult life. Rafe and Ella’s fathers were best friends, and as such Rafe was a part of Ella’s early life but our heroine does not remember the good times with the man she would grow to love.

The relationship between Ella and Rafe is enemies to lovers; a second chance, of sorts, for two people whose earlier years were destroyed by heartbreak and sorrow, abuse and suffering, loss and revenge. We learn of Rafe’s overwhelming need to rekindle his friendship and relationship with the woman who has now become the focus of his fantasies and dreams; and of Ella’s unresolved and indeterminate hatred for the man she once loved and adored. The $ex scenes are erotic, seductive and intense. The sexual attraction is palpable.

THE BIG, BAD BILLIONAIRE is a story of betrayal and trust; redemption and fractured family dynamics; second chances and falling in love. The premise is enchanting and imaginative; the characters are broken and tragic; the romance is dramatic and passionate.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
The Billionaire’s Virgin
The Billionaire Beast
The Billoinaire’s Intern
The Big, Bad Billionaire

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Falling Into Right (Redemption County #2) by Sharon Kay-Review and Giveaway

Falling Into Right (Redemption Count #2) by Sharon Kay- Review and Giveaway

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FALLING INTO RIGHT
Redemption County #2
by Sharon Kay
Release Date: October 24, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

Falling Into Right

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 24, 2017

How do you recover when life kick-boxes your soul?

Becca Gable is fighting to stay on her feet after a series of crushing losses. She’s always been the good girl until the events of the past year push her to make a mistake she can’t take back. Now, her corporate finance job and her fiancé are gone thanks to her newly-acquired criminal record.

Shane Marlow survived an IED blast during his service in Iraq—but half his team did not. Physically healed, he returns to his home county as a K9 officer. The scars of loss run deep and though local folks admire him, no one truly gets him—until Becca literally lands in front of him.

Their bond of shared tragedy evolves into a connection both fiery and healing. But a stalker decides that Becca’s crime should stay front and center. As the unsettling episodes reveal that no part of her life is secret, Shane is all that stands between her and the enemy.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: Life is full of ups and downs. When it comes to downs like traumas or bad mistakes with nasty consequences such events can be life changing. Either it can invite more bad events that follow or make you second guess some things about yourself. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the pity party tirade of “why me?” Who would’ve guessed that bad events can lead two people together? For Shane and Becca that seems to be the case.

I really enjoyed Shane and Becca as a couple. Perfect amounts of red hot attraction and deep emotional intimacy that would cause any bystander to have to look away. When it comes to opening up about their traumas or mistakes, they both showed tremendous compassion and understanding to each other it really gives you the feels. Which brings me to my favorite part of the book. I felt like it was an emotionally a huge turning point in the book. Shane was on Redemption Hill alone with his dog, Denver having a beer due to a bad day of old demons riding him. Becca joined him later. More discussion and feelings about their pasts. I must say it was the most romantic part of the book. Aside from the emotional stuff, the physical love scenes are as much enjoyable and did not disappoint. Especially the scene where it happened on the stairs in Shane’s house because they could not make it to his bedroom upstairs. All this happened all because they met in the funniest way possible.

Throughout the book, Becca has a stalker wreaking havoc on her life. I have to admit it was a little easy to guess who the stalker was. Though I admit that it kind of pissed me off that the stalker was not letting Becca’s mistake go like she was undeserving of happiness she found with Shane and that the mistake should be held over her forever or something. Quite frankly the way of thinking of the stalker was quite sick.

With Shane being a mystery in the first book, it was great to see Shane get a book as well as a chance to get to know him. You get to see cameos of the characters from the previous book and it is great seeing them again. Again like the previous book, I really liked this book and look forward to who is next to get their story told.

Click HERE to read Xtina’s review of book one-RECORD OF WRONGS

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied for Review

About The Author beige

Sharon KayFollow : Facebook/ Website/ Twitter/ Goodreads

Sharon Kay writes award-winning fiction and can never get enough reading time. She loves winter and black coffee, and is endlessly inspired to write kick-ass heroines and the men strong enough to capture their hearts. Sharon lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son, and one weekend the idea for her Lash Watchers and tough leading ladies formed in her head, refusing to stay quiet until she put pen to paper. Her characters tend to keep her up at night, as they banter, fall in love, and slay endless varieties of power-hungry demons.

Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter to keep up with her demons, see early cover reveals and be entered in periodic giveaways HERE

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Sharon Kay is graciously offering a signed, paper copy of FALLING INTO RIGHT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from November 4-8, 2017

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The Reluctant Thief (Stolen Hearts #4) by Mallory Crowe-a review

THE RELUCTANT THIEF (Stolen Hearts #4) by Mallory Crowe-a review

The Reluctant Thief

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2017

Former cop Scott Hart’s life as he knew it was taken in a fraction of a second when his wife was murdered. After years of research and questionable alliances, he’s finally about to come face to face with the man who killed her. Except when he’s arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, his revenge plans are put on hold. But he has one ace in his pocket. He has one of the best hackers in the world on his side.

Computer hacker Toni knows Scott is off limits. Even if he weren’t totally hung up on his late wife, they work together. In her line of work, pesky things like crushes and emotions get you killed. But when Scott is framed, Toni knows she needs to pull out the big guns to get him out of trouble.

As much as she wants to get over Scott, she knows she can’t let him go at it alone. So she’s going to stick with him as long as he needs her, come hell and heartbreak. Who knows? Someday he might even love a thief like her.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the fourth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult STOLEN HEARTS romantic, suspense series. This is computer hacker Toni Murray, and former Chicago police officer Scott Hart’s story line. THE RELUCTANT THIEF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: Following a theft that went horribly wrong, professional thieves and sisters Toni, Melody and Jennifer Murray vow revenge against the men who killed their mother.

Told from dual third person points of view (Scott and Toni) THE RELUCTANT THIEF focuses on the hunt for a killer. Several weeks earlier Toni, Jennifer and Melody’s mother was murdered on the job- a job meant to set the family up for life-but the theft of a thirty million dollar piece of jewelry resulted in the death of their mother, with the sisters on the run. Vowing to avenge their mother’s death each sister set into motion a series of events to track down the man responsible. Toni Murray will make things a little more personal when she gets up close and personal with the man ultimately responsible for her mother’s demise but interference from a former cop pushes all of Toni’s buttons and riles up her independent side. Enter Scott Hart, a man with a personal agenda of his own, and the man with whom Toni has fallen in love.

THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the culmination of four story lines that saw three sisters seek retribution and revenge for their mother’s death. With the formation of a new security team by Scott and Toni, THE RELUCTANT THIEF introduces the readers to a new series arc, as well as Peter Slade, Gage and Tristan-three men whose owns lives were destroyed by the man the Murray sisters had targeted for revenge. Slade’s story line is next in THE VENGEFUL THIEF. The premise is suspenseful and engaging; the characters are colorful and animated; the $ex scenes are limited without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Reading Order and previous reviews
The Cocky Thief
The Beautiful Thief
The Dangerous Thief
The Reluctant Thief

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Rocky Mountain Home (Six Pack Ranch #11) by Vivian Arend-a review

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME (Six Pack Ranch #11) by Vivian Arend-a review

Rocky Mountain Home

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 18, 2017

There’s no distance you can run to escape the past.

Too stubborn to face his sins, Jesse Coleman bolted from the Six Pack Ranch, only to fall straight into the arms of a beautiful stranger. Twelve hours later, the seductive firebrand is nothing but a whiskey-laced memory—but one powerful enough to convince Jesse tracking down his elusive lover is worth the effort.

Darilyn Hayes figured it was her lucky night when the sexiest cowboy in Alberta interrupted her annual drink-until-I-fall-over wake. At least until four weeks later when she discovers she’s pregnant and her one-night-stand is nowhere to be found. Still, as she’s shared with her devoted blog readers, Dare has dealt with life’s not-so-gentle surprises before. She’ll make it on her own.

When an internet picture gone viral leads to their reunion, Jesse’s floored by Dare’s news. She’s very clear she’s not looking for a commitment, but screw that. He’s going to do the right thing by her and his unborn kid. The fact they lit the sheets on fire is a bonus, but with a baby on the way, both their lives are gonna change.

Jesse’s got a ton of family to reconnect with, including his estranged twin. Dare holds family loosely—even though she loves them—because she knows too well how fragile life can be. Between her and Jesse, they’ve got enough baggage to open a store.

But they still have a shot at forever—if they’re willing to fight for it.

This final novel in the series contains the following:
A sexy, dirty, cocky-as-hell prodigal son Coleman with massive bridges to rebuild. A woman able to see to the heart of the matter yet bold enough to speak the truth. A family of extraordinary resolve and endless love. A wedding or two. And babies—oh lordy, the babies…

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME is the eleventh and final installment in Vivian Arend’s contemporary, adult SIX PACK RANCH erotic, romance cowboy series focusing on the large extended family of the Coleman clan. This is prodigal son and Joel’s twin Jesse Coleman, and blogger Darilyn ‘Dare’ Hayes’ story line. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jesse and Dare) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME focuses on a drunken one-night stand, four months earlier, that results in a pregnancy for Jesse Coleman and Darilyn Hayes. Never catching one another’s last names, Dare Hayes takes to the internet, posting a picture of Jesse on her blog, in the hopes of locating her sexy one-night stand. Knowing his family would never accept anything less than a relationship with the mother of his child, Jesse proposes in the hopes of getting to know the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Jesse and Dare, and Dare’s overwhelming welcome into the Coleman clan.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME is a story of family and forgiveness as Jesse reluctantly returns to the family fold hoping to mend the bridges he burned several months before when guilt and betrayal forced Jesse away from the people he loved. Months have passed since Jesse’s disappearance but with his return comes love and acceptance that never waivered in light of his need to run.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most if not all of the previous story line couples, several Coleman/Thompson cousins, as well as the introduction of Dare’s extended family –the Stone family of Heart Falls- and the lead in to another spin off / cross-over series focusing on the Heart Falls cowboys with Tamara Coleman and Caleb Stone.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME brings together the growing Coleman clan; the loving family dynamics; and Jesse’s need to for forgiveness to move forward with his life. There are moments of humor and fun; heartbreak and guilt; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is energetic and inspiring; the characters are colorful, passionate and spirited; the romance is captivating and intense. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME and the SIX PACK RANCH series is perfect for lovers of cowboys, romance and happily ever afters.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lost Rider (Coming Home#1) by Harper Sloan-Review & Excerpt

LOST RIDER (Coming Home #1) by Harper Sloan-Review and Excerpt

Lost Rider

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2017

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: LOST RIDER is the first installment in Harper Sloan’s contemporary, adult COMING HOME erotic, cowboy, romance series focusing on the Davis siblings. This is rodeo star Maverick Austin Davis, and bakery owner Leighton James’s story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Maverick and Leighton) including memories from the past, LOST RIDER is a story of second chances, family, betrayal and heartbreak. All of her life Leighton James’s was in love with Maverick Davis but ten years earlier Maverick walked out of her life, leaving family, friends, and his hometown behind. Raised by an abusive father, and a mother who abandoned her family years before, Maverick’s need to leave was fostered by his love of bull riding. Fast forward ten years, wherein the now injured Maverick, returns home to Pine Oak, Texas for the funeral of the man who almost destroyed his life. Enter Leighton James, the woman that calls to Maverick’s soul, but the woman whose heart he broke without looking back. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Leighton and Maverick, and the revelation behind the many reasons Maverick left town so many years before.

Leighton has never forgiven Maverick for walking out of her life. A successful business owner, Leighton has a difficult time forgiving the man that destroyed her heart, abandoning his siblings to deal with the father from h*ll. Maverick’s younger years were filled with abuse and neglect, and Maverick believed the only option was to run when the opportunity presented. An all star rodeo rider whose career is cut short by too many injuries, Maverick returns home to reclaim the woman he loves, and move forward from a dark and destructive past.

We are introduced to Maverick’s older brother Clayton, and his younger sister Quinn. Quinn is Leighton’s best friend and champions her brother’s need for the woman that calls to his heart.

The world building looks at fractured family dynamics, abuse, betrayal, friendships and love. Pine Oak is a small town with a close-knit population where everyone knows everyone else’s business including Leighton’s broken heart, and Maverick’s abusive past. The slow building story line meanders as Maverick struggles with the truth, and the potential loss of his relationship with the siblings he left behind. There is plenty of self-loathing as it pertains to our story line hero.

LOST RIDER is an emotional and heartbreaking story about one man’s need to escape his past, and one woman’s struggle to heal her broken heart. The premise is engaging; the characters are broken, tragic, passionate and inspiring; the romance is captivating and fated.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Lost Rider teaser

 

Excerpt beige

 

I should tell Quinn and Clay that he’s here. But one look at him and it’s like the last ten years have never passed and I’m back at the bonfire, the awkward high schooler uncomfortable in her own skin. Marching away from him in the woods. It was the last time I saw him. How is it possible that he can affect me this much after all this time?
He hasn’t noticed me, not with his head bowed, so I quickly turn around and focus on Pastor John as he finishes up his prayer. Him being here means nothing. I should be happy that I remember the pain from that night so well, it will make keeping my walls up around him so much easier.
“On behalf of the Davis family, I want to thank everyone for coming today. At this time, the family has asked for some time alone as they say their good-byes. They wanted me to remind everyone that the PieHole will be opening up for a few hours tonight starting at five for anyone that wishes to join them.”
I keep my arm around Quinn, not looking back to where I saw Maverick. I can hear the church slowly emptying and I feel a frown pull at my lips. I had hoped that when everyone started to leave that he would have come up front to be with his family, but so far, the pew we’re in is still empty save for the three of us. We sit and wait for everyone to leave, something that Clay had asked Pastor John to make arrangements for in place of the customary recessional, knowing that no one in this town would really mean a word of it anyway. Plus, I know Quinn is having a hard time. Regardless of the fact that she wasn’t the closest with her father, she was really counting on this—Maverick home. She’s still shaking in my arms, but when I look over at Clay I realize his silence isn’t because of the heaviness of Buford’s death, but instead anger over his brother’s absence that has started to build to a boil. I fear that he’s seconds away from tipping over the edge.
I stand when Clay and Quinn do, but hang back at the edge of the row we had been sitting in as they meet Pastor John and gather their father’s ashes. I can’t wait to get out of these heels. If it would have been acceptable to wear my boots, I would have, but Quinn would have killed me. As it is, I feel like I can’t take a deep breath with how tight my dress is against my chest. I never wear tight shirts. I haven’t since my boobs became beasts of their own right. I’m too busy fiddling with the straps of my dress, trying desperately to get some of the pressure against my chest to ease up so I could take a deep breath, when I heard Quinn gasp.
“Mav!” Next thing I know she’s running past where I’m standing, her black hair streaming in the air behind her as she speeds forward right into her brother’s arms. Clay moves to stand next to me and I look up to meet his green eyes, the questions he isn’t vocalizing dancing in their emerald depths. He’s not stupid and I’m doing a crappy job at hiding the memories haunting me right now. He gives me a small smile, shifting his hold on the urn to wrap his free arm around me and pulls me into a strong hold.
“You’re shakin’,” he says against my temple and I just nod.
“I’m good, Clay. Go see your brother.”
“I’m fine right where I am, sugar.”
I keep my eyes to the ground, focusing on his worn boots instead of looking up, hating myself for making this moment about me when I should be focused on them. Like it or not, I can’t fight the feelings that being near him bring me. I’m that stupid, naive sixteen-year-old all over again. “Let’s get out of here,” he says after a few silent seconds. I look up and give him a smile, hoping that it looks a hell of a lot braver than I feel. Inside I feel like I might puke.
“You think I could have a second with my family?”
My head shoots up at the coldness I hadn’t anticipated in Maverick’s voice. He’s not focused on me, though, instead looking at his brother with a hard expression and one brow raised upward.
“Mav!” Quinn gasps and he moves his attention from his brother to her.
“Sorry, Quinn, but I’m thinkin’ that Clay’s lady friend would understand that this should be a moment for our family and give us time alone.”
“I’ll just—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, sugar,” Clay all but spits through clenched teeth and drops his arm to take a step forward. “You’ve got something to say, Mav, then say it.”
“Nothing to say, Clayton, I just think it would be nice for your girlfriend to give us some space.”
“My girlfriend,” he parrots sarcastically, his deep voice vibrating in anger.
“Mav.” Quinn attempts to butt in, but stops when Maverick leaves her side and turns to stalk out of the church. I should find it comical that he obviously didn’t recognize me, or hell, maybe he did and he’s just picking up where he left off ten years ago in the middle of the dark woods. I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. He’s right. Y’all need some time as a family. I’ll head over to the PieHole and start settin’ up for tonight.”
Quinn brushes a tear from her cheek and just shakes her head. I look at Clay to see him staring in the direction that his brother just left.
“You’re family,” he finally says, not looking in my direction.
“Clay, really, it’s okay. It’s been a long time since y’all were back together and I don’t need to be there for that reunion. It sucks that it takes all of this to finally bring him home, but he’s here and y’all need to make up for a lot of time lost.”
“Shut up, Leighton.”
“Don’t, Clay.”
“Don’t what? You’ve got every right to be here. You’re just as much a part of our family as he is. Hell, maybe even more so than he is at this point. So just shut up, come with us, and ignore him.”
I shake my head, the fight instantly leaving my sails, knowing I would be arguing until the end of time if I
pressed this issue.
“I can’t believe he doesn’t even recognize you,” Quinn whispers.


 

About The Author beige

Harper SloanHarper is a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestselling author residing in Georgia with her husband and three daughters. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books, hibachi, tattoos and Game of Thrones. When she isn’t writing you can almost always find her with a book in hand.

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The List (The List #1) by Tawna Fenske-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

THE LIST (The List #1) by Tawna Fenske-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

The List Banner

THE LIST
The List #1
by Tawna Fenske
Release Date: January 30,2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

The List

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30,2017

As the millionaire owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel isn’t normally hands-on with mundane repairs. But when a fretful brunette shows up with her fried laptop and killer green eyes, he makes an exception. And as it turns out, she needs more hands-on help than Simon imagined.

Brainy soil scientist Cassie Michaels has spent her whole life feeling like a grungy tree trunk beside her delicate flower sisters. To make herself more interesting, Cassie invented stories about her wild sex life—stories she’s expected to retell in vivid detail at a bachelorette party. Cassie’s attempt to catalog her biggest whoppers goes awry when she spills wine on her laptop and lands in Simon’s shop with her sexy list frozen on the screen.

But Simon’s interest is piqued, and the two strike a deal to make Cassie’s make-believe sexploits a reality. From steamy public romps gone hilariously awry, to sexy antics with kitchen utensils, their quest to conquer The List is equal parts scorching hot and adorably awkward.

As they near the end of The List though, Cassie and Simon second guess their pledge to shake hands and say goodbye when they cross off the last item. But will Simon’s big secret make that the one fantasy that can never come true?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE LIST is the first installment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult THE LIST erotic, romance series. This is soil scientist Cassie Michaels, and millionaire businessman / computer geek Simon Traxel’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Simon and Cassie) THE LIST focuses on a bucket list, of sorts, for Cassie Michaels. Cassie is the brain of the family; while her sisters afford the opulent and rich lifestyle of which they are accustomed, our heroine spends her time researching soil samples and the beauty of nature. But there is a competitive nature to Cassie Michaels as she continues to one-up her sisters in the kinky and wild sex department-a department that is not as entertaining as she leads her sisters to believe. Enter Simon Traxel, a millionaire who owns a string of computer stores across America, and the man who will help Cassie cross off the items on her ‘f*cket list’. What ensues is the building relationship between Simon and Cassie, and Cassie’s heartbreak when she discovers that Simon isn’t the man she thought him to be.

The relationship between Cassie and Simon is one of mutual benefit. Simon volunteers to help Cassie complete her ‘f*cket’ list of sexy things to do but is unwilling to reveal anything about himself or his past. Cassie understands that her relationship with Simon is purely for fun and excitement but her heart begins to fall for a man she knows nothing about. The $ex scenes are fun, erotic and seductive with a little bit of spanking, sex games as well as some girl on girl action.

Throughout the story line we begin to learn a little bit of Cassie’s life but Simon is reluctant to reveal his true identity to the woman with whom he will fall in love. Simon is a millionaire who has a difficult time trusting the women in his life, but his secrets will destroy Cassie when the truth is revealed.

We are introduced to Cassie’s sisters Missy and Lisa, as well as Simon’s younger sister Junie- a young woman that is the center of Simon’s world.

THE LIST is a fun, romantic story line. There is romance, love, heartbreak and betrayal although the angst is short lived. Simon keeps secret the truth about who he is and what he does, and in this our heroine is all but destroyed by his lies of omission. The premise is entertaining and imaginative; the characters are heartwarming; the romance is energetic and explorative. THE LIST is a quick read to enjoy on a lazy, Sunday afternoon.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About the Author yellow

Tawna FenskeTawna Fenske is a USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Her offbeat brand of romance has received multiple starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, one of which noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year.

Connect with Tawna:

Author Website: www.tawnafenske.com
Author Blog: http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com/
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/tawnafenske
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TawnaFenskeBooks/

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Intense Pleasure (Bound Hearts #14) by Lora Leigh-a review

INTENSE PLEASURE (Bound Hearts #14) by Lora Leigh-a review

Intense Pleasure

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 3, 2017

Sexy, scintillating, and secretive, Intense Pleasure is the story of hidden desires and illicit romance. When danger threatens a woman, the two men who crave her, cannot live without her, will stop at nothing to protect her life… and satisfy every burning desire she has. They must stay bound together to be stronger than what hunts her, and let passion consume them…

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Her name is Summer, as beautiful and occasionally fierce as her name suggests. Her past has just come back to haunt her, and suddenly she’s not sure who she can trust. Her longtime confidantes Falcone and Raeg seem to have Summer’s best interests at heart. . .but it’s clear that their desire for her still burns between them. Can they find a way to keep Summer safe—or will a bitter rivalry stand in their way?

Falcone and Raeg need to work together, now more than ever, if they intend to protect Summer from an old enemy who knows her dangerous secret. When Summer’s identity as a sweet, Southern socialite gets out, the two men must find a way to draw out the ruthless assassin on her trail. . .and keep their illicit romance with her under wraps. But some passions are so intense they can’t remain hidden.

What are Falcone and Raeg willing to risk for the woman they both crave like no other, in Intense Pleasure, the next Bound Hearts novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh.

••••••••

REVIEW: INTENSE PLEASURE is the fourteenth installment in Lora Leigh’s contemporary adult BOUND HEART erotic, romantic ménage, suspense series. This is former CIA agents Summer Calhoun, Estaban ‘Falcon’ Falcone, and John Raeg’s story line. INTENSE PLEASURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information is revealed where necessary. Falcon, Raeg and Summer were first introduced to the reader in the previous installment-SECRET PLEASURE-Summer is Alyssa’s best friend.

NOTE: INTENSE PLEASURE is a M/F/M storyline with graphic sexual situations and language.

Told from three third person perspectives (Summer, Falcon, Raeg) INTENSE PLEASURE is a friends to lovers story line that focuses on the struggling professional and personal relationship between former CIA operatives and one-time partners Summer Cahoun, and half-brothers Falcon Falcone and John Raeg.

Summer was tired; the threat of death always a step behind and our heroine is willing to walk away from the men that she loved to face a quiet future at home, and alone. But an old enemy has come out of hiding, and Summer and her family have been targeted in a game of revenge. Enter Falcon and Raeg, the two men who are willing to walk way from the woman they love in order to protect their hearts and her soul. What ensues is the struggle to remain professional in the face of danger; and the battle between family and the path your heart has chosen.

The professional relationship between Summer, Falcon and Raeg has already been established prior to the story line premise. It is Summer’s decision to walk away that forces half-brothers Falcon and Raeg to go after the woman that calls to their heart-a woman they know they do not deserve. Raeg’s backstory is heartbreaking, and his love for Summer struggles with demons from his past. Falcon is a man determined to hold onto the woman they love for as long as possible even if is means walking away when their latest assignment is done. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. There is plenty of palpable sexual energy between the leading characters, and some heartbreaking moments as Summer comes to terms with losing the men that she loves.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Summer, Falcon, and Raeg’s extended families-all members or former members of the CIA, Special Ops or various covert government agencies.

INTENSE PLEASURE is a seductive story of three people who have fallen in love but refuse to admit their deepest desires. The premise is moving and stirring ; the romance is passionate, intimate and captivating; the characters are colorful and inspiring. INTENSE PLEASURE is a sexy and engaging tale from the pen of Lora Leigh.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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