Tag Archives: New Release Reviews 2016

Trophy Wife by Noelle Adams-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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TROPHY WIFE by Noelle Adams-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

 

TROPHY WIFE
by Noelle Adams
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: December 6, 2016

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /  iBooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016

Allison Davies used to just be a trophy wife. Now she’s just flat broke. Thanks to an ironclad prenup, she’s worse off than she was before the day she rushed down the aisle with a wealthy jerk eight years ago. After her steep fall from riches to rags, Alison refuses to shackle herself to any man who treats her like a possession—no matter how good he looks in a pair of well-worn jeans, or how his muscles ripple while he’s carrying her couch.

Underneath his rugged exterior, Rob West is a gentleman. So when he sees his beautiful new neighbor moving in, he’s going to help her out no matter how loudly she protests. In fact, Alison’s determination to go it alone just strengthens his resolve—and his desire to find out what makes her tick. But after one spur-of-the-moment tumble in the sheets, it’s clear that their connection goes way deeper. And that Rob won’t be happy until Alison surrenders to the passion they share.

••••••••••

REVIEW: TROPHY WIFE by Noelle Adams is a stand alone, romantic story line focusing on two people whose prior relationships have ended badly. This is small businessman Rob West, and Allison Davies’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Rob and Allison) TROPHY WIFE focuses on a second start for our story line heroine. At eighteen years of age, Allison became the trophy wife to a much older man but her fantasy about living the life of a pampered housewife soon came crashing down when she found herself going through the motions-one day at a time. Fast forward eight years and Allison Davies Collins walks out on her loveless marriage and embarks on a new path in life in Fielding, North Carolina-her grandmother’s hometown. Enter Rob West, a twice-divorced, small businessman whose attraction to Allison is met with resistance and a ferocious streak of independence by the story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Rob and Allison, and Allison’s attempts to make it on her own.

TROPHY WIFE focuses on Allison as she struggles with life as an independent and newly single woman. With no education or job-related experience Allison is forced to work as a waitress at the local Fielding diner. Allison’s need to be independent of everyone and everything finds our heroine battling between her attraction to Rob West, and Rob’s need to help everyone in need. Rob West is twice divorced but isn’t gun shy about pursuing his new neighbor, a neighbor who wants to keep their relationship a secret from the local townspeople. Although a successful businessman and jack of all trades, Rob’s insecurities will push Allison in the opposite direction.

The relationship between Allison and Rob begins acrimoniously. Allison’s desire and need to be independent finds our heroine’s attitude abrasive and rude on a number of occasions believing that Rob’s need to help is akin to her ex-husband’s need to control his trophy wife. Rob and Allison’s love affair begins slowly but becomes their ‘dirty little secret’ as Allison refuses to go public with their romance and their relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top graphic sexual language and text.

We are introduced to a number of townspeople including Rob’s ex-wife Dee, and her daughter Cali. Dee’s constant presence in Rob’s life is troubling for Allison as Rob is quick to jump when Dee calls for help.

The world building focuses on Allison’s fight to remain independent; her stubborn need to be free of the past finds our heroine refusing help when she needs it the most.

TROPHY WIFE is a slow building story line of second chances. There is some redundancy, and the use of ‘trophy wife’ is repetitive and unnecessary as though the reader needs constant reinforcement regarding the heroine’s previous relationship status. It is the ‘trophy wife’ syndrome that Allison fears once again. The low angst, story line conflict comes from within Allison and Rob’s relationship but more so Allison’s need to be independent and free. The premise is realistic-Allison and Rob’s insecurities and worries are believable; their relationship is not perfect nor are the couple in question. The romance is intimate but I struggled with the lack of palpable energy although Rob’s daily notes of affirmation are sweet and romantic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

excerpt

 

She was leaning over into the trunk to gather up as many bags as she could carry when a voice behind her surprised her. “You need some help?”
She straightened up with a jerk, turning to see a man beside her wearing faded jeans and a white T-shirt. He looked to be in his thirties. He needed to shave and his brown hair was too long, and he had the rough look of a man who worked with his hands. He’d startled her so much she just stared at him. “What?”
“Do you need some help?” he asked again, gesturing toward her trunk. “Carrying all that in?”
She frowned. Who the hell was this guy? And did she really look so helpless that she couldn’t unload her own trunk by herself. “Oh. No. I’ll be okay. Thank you.” Several bags were already hooked over her arms, so she gave him an absent smile and turned to walk up the steps to the front door.
She had some trouble getting her key into the door with the bags on her hand, but she’d almost gotten the door unlocked when she suddenly felt someone behind her, swinging open the storm door that had been propped against her back.
She gave a little squeal of surprise as she turned to see the man she’d thought she’d dismissed. He had twice as many bags hooked over his arms as she was able to carry.
“I’m Rob West,” he said with a slight mountain drawl in his deep voice. “I’m your neighbor across the street.”
She felt flustered now and annoyed that a strange man was walking into her house as if she’d invited him. “Okay, but I said I could get the bags by myself.”
“I was already over here. Why shouldn’t I help?”
Because she’d said she didn’t need his help. Any basically civil person would have respected her wishes. She really hoped everyone wasn’t as rude and pushy as this man was.
“Where’s all your furniture?” Rob asked, looking around the empty house after he’d dumped his load of bags on her kitchen counter.
“It’s in the basement. I just got here today.”
He focused his gaze on her, looking her up and down. His eyes were actually quite nice—a really deep, melting brown. “Are you Chris and Sharon’s girl?”
She was startled by the question, but then realized that, if he lived across the street, he’d probably known her parents. “Yes.”
“I thought you lived in the city.” He glanced down at her left hand, and she realized he was looking for a wedding ring.
She’d taken off her rings six months ago. “I’m moving here now.”
He nodded slowly, as if trying to piece together her situation, something he had no business knowing. “Well, welcome to town. I’ll get the rest of your stuff.”
“I don’t need any—” she began.
He just ignored her, striding back outside as if she hadn’t spoken. Arthur had done that all the time—completely disregard what she was trying to say. She hated it.
Rob might be a small-town, blue-collared guy, but he obviously wasn’t all that different from Arthur at heart.
He came back into the house a minute later with another huge load of bags. She couldn’t help but notice he had really good shoulders, and his biceps were very impressive, clearly visible beneath his shirt sleeves as he held the bags. He set them on the opposite counter and then turned to look at her. “That’s it from the car. Do you want me to haul some stuff up from the basement for you? You at least need a chair or two and a bed.”
“I’m fine,” she said, managing to smile although she really wanted to scowl at him. “Thank you.”
He frowned. “You can’t get it all up yourself. Do you have some guys who are coming to help?”
Now she frowned too. “I said I was fine. Thank you.”
“What are you all snippy about?” he asked, looking at her curiously.
She gave a gasp of indignation at his clueless rudeness. “I’m snippy,” she bit out, “because I’ve said several times that I’m fine, and yet you refuse to listen to me.”
His expression relaxed into almost a smile, as if he’d finally figured out her mood. “Oh, I get it. I’m not some creepy asshole, so no need to worry about that. I live across the street. I knew your folks. I just figured you could use some help, especially since you’re all dressed up and everything.”
She looked down at herself in surprise. “I’m not dressed up!” She wore a sleeveless pale blue top, black capris, and sandals. The sandals had heels on them, but almost all of her shoes had heels. In terms of her wardrobe, the clothes were very casual.
He chuckled—a surprisingly pleasant sound. “Okay. If you say so.”
Allison heard a familiar sound just then—that damned toilet was running again, after she’d spent five minutes jiggling the handle before she left.
Rob must have heard the sound and seen her expression. “Sounds like it just needs a new flapper. I can look at it for you.” He actually turned around and took a step toward the bathroom.
“That’s okay,” Allison said quickly, relieved when he stopped at her words. “I’m sure I can take care of it.”
He turned to face her again, not looking like he believed her, but fortunately he didn’t argue. “There’s a hardware store in town—just a block down from Dora’s. You can get a new flapper, and they can talk you through replacing the old one.”
There was he was, assuming she’d need help again, based on nothing but her appearance. He could have no idea whether she was capable of fixing a toilet, and he shouldn’t make assumptions.
She didn’t like this guy at all. She really wanted him to leave.
She took a deep breath, making sure her voice was polite as she said, “I appreciate your help, and it was nice to meet you.”
“You really don’t mean that, do you?” he drawled, an irresistible half-smile on his face.
She narrowed her eyes. “I’d like to unpack my bags now.”
“Got it,” he said, still smiling as if privately amused. “I’ll see you around.”
Finally, he turned to leave. Allison was very glad to see him go, and it wasn’t because her eyes drifted down to his very nice ass as he walked away. 


 

about the author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Connect with Noelle:
Website: http://noelle-adams.com/Home_Page.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoelleAdamsAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoelleAdams3
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572847.Noelle_Adams

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Hunt The Dawn (Fatal Dreams #2) by Abbie Roads-a review

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HUNT THE DAWN (Fatal Dreams #2) by Abbie Roads-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016

Out of darkness and danger…

You can’t hide your secrets from Lathan Montgomery—he can read your darkest memories. And while his special abilities are invaluable in the FBI’s hunt for a serial killer, he has no way to avoid the pain that brings him. Until he is drawn to courageous, down-on-her-luck Evanee Brown and finds himself able to offer her something he’s never offered another human being: himself.

Dawns a unique and powerful love

Nightmares are nothing new to Evanee Brown. But once she meets Lathan, they plummet into the realm of the macabre. Murder victims are reaching from beyond the grave to give Evanee evidence that could help Lathan bring a terrifying killer to justice. Together, they could forge an indomitable partnership to thwart violence, abuse, and death—if they survive the forces that seek to tear them apart.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: HUNT THE DAWN is the second installment in Abbie Roads’s contemporary, adult FATAL DREAMS paranormal, romance series. This is FBI consultant Lathan Montgomery, and waitress Evanee Brown’s story line. HUNT THE DAWN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: HUNT THE DAWN contains graphic and implied scenarios of violence, torture, sexual and emotional abuse.

Told from several third person points of view including Lathan and Evanee HUNT THE DAWN focuses on the hunt for a serial killer. Lathan is a special investigations consultant with the FBI and his latest assignment is the search for a serial killer whose number of victims is increasing at an alarming rate. Enter Evanee Brown, a young woman whose nightmares become tangible in the presence of our story line hero. What ensues is the building relationship between two people caught in the supernatural world of psychic abilities, and a psychopathic murderer.

Lathan Montgomery suffers with debilitating scent memories -odors and smells trigger memories of the people around him. Along with the olfactory abnormality touch brings about another form of memory recall. Evanee’s abusive past is darkened by a familial connection that wants to rekindle the dark relationship. With her connection to Lathan Montgomery Evanee’s nightmares become real as our heroine connects with the serial killer’s victims. Lathan and Evanee together will protect one another from the approaching demons and a psychotic killer.

We are introduced to Lathan’s friend and FBI partner Gill Garrison whose relationship with Lathan struggles as our hero finds solace in Evanee Brown. Lathan’s parents battle with their son’s idiosyncrasies; and Evanee’s past is out to destroy any semblance of love for our story line heroine. Xander Stone and Ileen Walker (Race the Darkness #1) play secondary characters. The requisite evil has many faces and names.

HUNT THE DAWN is a dark and gritty story line; an emotional and moving story about two people on the periphery of ‘normal’ society whose abilities single them out from the ‘maddening’ crowd. The premise is intense and inventive; the characters are passionate and dynamic; the romance is intimate and fated. HUNT THE DAWN is a suspenseful and enthralling look into the mind of the supernatural and a serial killer.

Reading Order and Previous review
Race The Darkness
Hunt The Dawn

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Blood Eclipse (Sons of Navarus #6) by KM Scott-a review

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BLOOD ECLIPSE (Sons of Navarus #6) by K.M. Scott-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29, 2016

I am everything you dream of. I am vampire.

Life is good for Dante. Well, better than for most vampires. While they’re consigned to roaming the earth at night to avoid the rays of the sun that can incinerate them, as a clyten Dante can safely walk in the sunlight. The only clyten in the Sons of Navarus, he’s unique.

And he knows it. Confidence has never been something he’s lacked. With the war against the Archons coming any day now, he’ll need all his cockiness, especially since he’s in charge of bringing the American coven of witches onto the Sons’ side and watching over Theron as he rapidly moves toward the time when he’ll be able to join the Sons of Navarus.

Scarlett Adamson knows a thing or two about cockiness herself. A powerful witch, she’s also an accomplished ballerina. Or at least she used to be before the accident. Now she’s mostly just a great witch and leader of the American coven, which she knows is no small feat for a woman in her mid-twenties.

But now her group has chosen to stand behind the Sons of Navarus in their upcoming civil war, and that has brought a certain vampire into her world who has upended all her long held beliefs about the witches’ archenemy. Dante is nothing like the dark creatures of the night she’s always thought vampires were, and after just one night with him, she can’t imagine the world without him in it.

For the Sons of Navarus, time is running out. The war with the Archons can’t be stopped. Will Theron be able to fulfill the Prophecy of Idolas, or will he never get the chance? The fate of the vampire world hangs in the balance.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: BLOOD ECLIPSE is the sixth installment in KM Scott’s adult SONS OF NAVARUS paranormal, romance series focusing on a group of vampire warriors known as the Sons of Navarus, the Prophecy of Idolas, and the impending war with their enemy the Archons. This is vampire and Son Dante, and witch Scarlett Adamson’s story line. BLOOD ECLIPSE can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as each installment builds towards a final showdown between the Sons and the Archons.

Told from several third person perspectives BLOOD ECLIPSE follows several intersecting paths including the building relationship between Dante and Scarlett Adamson; the young vampire Theron’s rise to power; and the potential for betrayal from one of their own. A formerly controversial Son learns to forgive for sins of the past; and Hades’ collection of vampires in the Underworld continues to grow.

Dante is a ‘clyten’ with the ability to walk in the sun that sets him apart from the other Sons of Navarus. His attraction to Scarlett finds our story line hero straddling a line between honor and duty. Dante’s relationship with Theron struggles with Theron’s need to exercise his newfound abilities as the one prophesized to save the world; while Dante’s attraction to Scarlett is ingrained in his DNA. As Theron begins to test his powers, the Sons prepare for the upcoming war.

Once again KM Scott does not shy away from controversy with regards to her story line characters. Not everyone will make it out alive; someone will betray the Sons; and a much-loved little vampire is called upon too soon. The premise is revealing; the characters are playful. The romance was a struggle for me -I did not feel the passion or the emotional pull between a vampire and his fated mate. KM Scott’s BLOOD ECLIPSE is the second to last installment in the Sons of Navarus series-here’s hoping for a climactic ending to an intriguing paranormal series.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Dashing Through the Snowby M.Leighton-Review & Release Blitz

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DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW: A Sexy, Snowy Christmas Tale by M. Leighton-Review and Release Blitz

 

99¢ at : Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / ibooks /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2016

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

Dilyn Hart hates Christmas, so when her boss (and ex-boyfriend) hands her an assignment to interview champion snowboarder and gorgeous playboy extraordinaire, Dash Grainger, on Christmas Eve, she takes it. There are several things she doesn’t plan for—a surly driver, a chalet in the middle of nowhere, a freak snowstorm—but the biggest surprise of all is Dash himself.

Dash Grainger lives for the high, and so far in his twenty-six years, he’s never met anyone or anything he loves more. Nothing has ever thrilled him as much as slick snow, cold air, and breakneck speed.

Until he meets Dilyn.

But one perfect night doesn’t mean clear, blue skies the next day. There are some storms that can’t be weathered.

Christmas Day might just be one of them.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW: A Sexy, Snowy Christmas Tale by M.Leighton is a stand alone, romantic novella of insta lust/love between professional snowboarder Dash Grainger, and journalist Dilyn Hart.

Told from dual first person points of view (Dilyn and Dash) DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW follows the quick building relationship between professional snowboarder Dash Grainger, and journalist Dilyn Hart. Dilyn hates Christmas-too many bad memories from the past-and our heroine has been assigned a coveted Christmas Eve interview in Colorado with snowboarder Dash Grainger but there is one problem-twenty six year old Alexander Samuel ‘Dash’ Grainger has a reputation with the ladies that precedes his introduction, and Dilyn’s heart has never recovered from her most recent break up. What ensues is a story line of immediate attraction between two people caught together in a Colorado snowstorm, and an opportunity for Dilyn Hart to reconnect with her past.

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW is a fun, sexy and spicy story line; a quick read that will break you heart when misunderstanding threatens a possible future between Dash and Dilyn. The premise is sweet and entertaining; the characters colorful and animated; the romance is seductive and hot. A ‘Hallmark’ movie for the mind.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Dashing Through the Snow Teaser

About The Author Black and Red

M.LeightonNew York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, M. Leighton lives in the deep South with her super-hero husband and super-smart maltipoo. She has a fondness for coffee and chocolate, loves the color red, laughs at almost anything and often stares out her window, daydreaming of far-away places.

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Nico (Ruin and Revenge #1) by Sarah Castille-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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NICO (Ruin and Revenge #1) by Sarah Castille-Review,Book Tour & Giveaway

 

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NICO
Ruin and Revenge #1
by Sarah Castille
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, mafia romance

Nico

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016

A dangerous proposal

Las Vegas Mafia boss, Nico Toscani, is used to getting what he wants, whether it is having the City of Sin under his rule or a beautiful woman in his bed. But when he meets his match in the gorgeous, headstrong Mia Cordano, the daughter of a rival crime lord, all bets are off. . .

Sexy computer hacker, Mia, struggles to break free of her ruthless father’s Mafia ties…but she can’t resist the powerful and seductive Nico, who will stop at nothing to possess her. With their families locked in a brutal war for control of the city, Mia and Nico enter into a forbidden game. Will they surrender to the passion that burns between them—and risk tearing apart their families? Or will Nico be forced to betray the only woman who sets his blood on fire?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: NICO is the first installment in Sarah Castille’s contemporary, adult RUIN AND REVENGE erotic, mafia romance series. This is Las Vegas Mafia boss Nico Toscani, and computer hacker Mia Cordano’s story line.

Told from several third person points of view including Nico and Mia NICO focuses on the rivalry between two warring Mafia families-the Toscanis and the Cordanos. Years earlier Nico Toscani’s father was gunned down by a member of the Cordano crime family and in the ensuing years Nico has slowly planned his blood debt but when a sexy computer hacker hired by Nico’s security firm hacks into Nico’s heart our (anti) hero is taken by surprise to discover she is the daughter of his Las Vegas enemy. Enter Mia Cordano, the woman who will steal Nico’s heart.

Mia is a head strong, high spirited and courageous woman whose fashion sense borders on the gothic and punk; the daughter of the Cordano Don, Mia is a woman who refuses to accept her position within the Mafia family. Following years of abuse at the hands of her father and his men, Mia has ventured out on her own only to be pulled back in when her father has promised her, as payment, to the Toscani family. Nico is a man determined to destroy the man who took his father’s life but his attraction to Mia places Nico in a precarious position when the two families find themselves in a literal war. Nico’s place within the family is questioned and he has yet to assume the mantel of Don due in part to his mother’s status; he has a softer heart than most men in his position.

The relationship between Mia and Nico begins acrimoniously. Mia was hired to hack into Nico’s computers, and Nico believes our heroine is responsible for a bloody vendetta between the families. Mia and her sister are nothing more than a bargaining tool for the Cordano family, and it is Nico’s life that is threatened when Mia refuses to abide by the family rules. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

We are introduced to several member of the Cordano and Toscani families-both by blood and by Mafia association. Not everyone will survive.

NICO is a dark, gritty and somewhat brutal look at life in the Mafia. Women are considered fodder; collateral damage in a war between two powerful families; nothing more than a byproduct of negotiation and exchange. Some readers may find the treatment of women vulgar and abusive but such is the life in Sarah Castille’s Mafia families.

NICO is an abrasive, raw and imaginative story line about forbidden love, Mafia politics, power and control. The premise is emotional and heartbreaking; the characters are controversial, tragic and colorful; the romance is provocative and passionate. NICO is a seductive and dramatic story line from the pen of Sarah Castille.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

“Is this everything?” Tony thumbed through the envelope. “This is half of what you brought us last month.” He shared a glance with Charlie Nails and smirked. “I thought you fancied yourself an old- style mobster. In the old days, the casinos were a license to print money. This is hardly enough to pay our staff.”
Nico steeled himself to show an outer calm as he raged inside. “That’s just the casino money.” He reached into the pocket of his double- breasted suit jacket, and pulled out a second envelope. “This is from the other businesses and the pay up from my crew.”
Santo’s eyes narrowed when Nico tossed the second envelope on the table. Although not a clever man, like Nico’s father had been, Santo had a sixth sense for when he was being ripped off. “Is that everything?”
No, of course it wasn’t everything. Despite the risk, Nico had several businesses on the side, including a nice little condo racket in which the main condo developers in the city exclusively hired interior designers controlled by Nico’s associates, giving Nico a share of every condo development. His connection with the steelworkers’ union had also given him a line into the rapidly developing construction of new casinos from a wave of foreign billionaires looking for a place to park their money.
Unlike his uncle, who had taken the family into the drug trade against Cosa Nostra rules, Nico was all about real estate. The online scams and Internet fraud that many of his associates claimed were the new wave of business were of no interest to him, nor were any rackets where he had to enforce his will through vio lence. Although he would mete out punishment if it was due, attracting the attention of the police and FBI was not the way he wanted to do business. Nico liked to talk to the people he did business with, he liked to make connections, and his casino was the perfect place to wine and dine potential partners before comping them a few evenings in the high- stakes room, and taking even more of their money.
“That’s it.” Nico moved to leave and Santo held up a hand.
“Since you’re here and you are family, I want you to be the first to know. Tony’s getting married.”
Tony Crackers married? What kind of woman would agree to marry a man with a reputation for brutal violence?
“Congratulations, cugino.” He shook his Tony’s hand. “Who’s the lucky woman?”
“Mia Cordano.” Tony gave him a sly smile. “I heard you were with her the other night. I didn’t know you were so close to the Toscanis.”
Nico understood the implied threat, but he didn’t address it because he was still trying to process the information. Political marriages were very common in the upper level of the Mafi a, but usually the women involved in the arranged marriages were of a type— docile, submissive, fully indoctrinated in the Cosa Nostra culture, and willing to help the family through an alliance that would benefit both sides. He couldn’t see an assertive, intelligent, sophisticated businesswoman like Mia Cordano marrying a violent, uneducated criminal like Tony Crackers unless she was forced to do it— and although some women were pressured by the families into marriages, how did one force a woman who so expertly wielded a knife?
“Vito hired her to do cyber- security work for the casino.”
Santo sucked on his cigar, blew a ring of smoke. “You should keep better track of what your employees are doing, especially when we are involved in a faida with her family of your making.”
“You don’t support the faida?” Nico scowled. “What man of honor would not want to avenge his brother after he was shot in the back by a coward who didn’t even have permission from the New York bosses for the hit?”
“Don’t disrespect your uncle,” Charlie Nails warned. “He has his reasons for doing what he does and they are not your concern.”
Nico shot him a scathing look. Aside from some minor gambling and loan sharking, Charlie Nails, a lawyer, ran a legitimate law firm and helped the family out with legal issues as well as liaising with important “bought” figures such as politicians or judges. He had been a trusted and close friend of Nico’s father, but Nico had no tolerance for a man who would sell his loyalty to the highest bidder.
Santo raised a hand to silence Charlie Nails. “He should know that his actions have led to this marriage. Don Cordano has eyes on his daughter. When he found out she had been seen with you, Nico, he called me with concerns about her safety. He accused us of disregarding the rules regarding the sanctity of women and children in the faida.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. She was there for business. Her safety was never in question.”
Santo waved a dismissive hand. “Both sides have lost many soldiers in this senseless war. Don Cordano fears for the life of his son, Dante, as I fear for the life of my Tony. We shared our concerns and discussed a truce. As a show of good faith, he offered one of his daughters in marriage to the Toscani family. It was not an opportunity I was prepared to pass up. The Cordanos have a solid foothold in the drug trade. Marriage will bring us together. Don Cordano thinks to gain strength through the union, but Dante is weak, not worthy to lead. Once Dante and the don are out of the way, Tony will have a claim to lead by marriage and he will take over as boss. Together, he and I will push aside the other Cosa Nostra families and take control of the city.”
Nico pulled his pen from his pocket and spun it around his thumb as he struggled to hide his anger. His father had intended to pass the pen down to Nico when he became a made man, just as his father had done for him.
But he hadn’t lived to see the day. Nico had only started carrying the pen after he was made, and he intended to pass it on to his son.
“My father has not yet been avenged,” he spat out. “And what of all the soldiers and capos who will lose their lives? You dragged this family into the drug trade against Cosa Nostra rules. Everything my father tried to do for the family, you have undone. But this . . . betrayal of the other Cosa Nostra families, a full- out war for control of the city . . . How many will be left standing at the end?”
Charlie Nails, quiet until that moment, ran a hand through his silvery hair. “I have to agree, Santo. Not just because of Nico’s father, Maximo, but because our involvement with the drug trade has already brought us to the attention of the FBI. When Maximo was boss, we were able to fly under the radar. If we expand our drug operation, and the bodies start to pile up, they are going to come down hard on us. Even if our men don’t get whacked in the civil war you propose, they’ll wind up in jail.”
“Cazzo!” Even more volatile than usual, Tony reached for the weapon holstered at his side, and Santo held up a hand.
“Stand down. Charlie Nails is old and slow, and Nico is maybe upset that you have stolen his woman. But he understands that this is a sacrifice that must be made for la famiglia.”
Nico’s stomach tightened at the thought of his crazy cousin married to Mia, the girl he’d once held, trembling in his arms, who had become a beautiful woman who stirred a longing in him he had long thought dead. Did her father, Don Cordano, understand the risk? The danger she was in? “Did she agree to this?”
Copyright © 2016 by Sarah Castille and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Paperbacks.


 

About the Author

ollow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Sarah CastilleNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah Castille, graduated with a B.A Honors degree in History and an LL.B. (law degree) and practiced law on the West Coast for several years before succumbing to the lure of foreign travel. She obtained a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Edinburgh and then practiced at one of the world’s largest law firms in London, England during which time she traveled extensively, wrote moderately, and developed a taste for tea, European footwear and Greek cuisine.

She traded in her life of European glamor for the comforts of the frozen North and the excitement of home renovation, during which time she wrote extensively, never traveled, and developed a taste for beef jerky, Tim Horton’s coffee and Sorels.

After her first book, Legal Heat, won prizes in nine Romance Writers’ Association chapter contests, including the Grand Prize in the Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Contest, Sarah decided to take a break from high heels and legal practice to write about red-hot alpha males and the women who tame them. Her second book, Against the Ropes, was named as one of Publishers Weekly’s Top Ten Picks for Romance & Erotica for fall 2013, and her third book, Unraveled, hit the New York Times Bestseller’s list. Sarah’s current release, Barely Undercover, was named as the “Must Read Erotic Romance of the Year” in the Sneak Peek Reader’s Choice Awards (2013). She hasn’t dusted off her briefcase yet!

Sarah lives with her husband, munchkins and a family of owls in the shadow of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, where she is currently working on her next novel.

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Sarah Castille’s publisher is offering a paper copy of NICO (Ruin and Revenge #1) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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3. LIKE Sarah Castille on Facebook

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from December 2-6, 2016

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The Hero (Sons of Texas #1) by Donna Grant-Review & Book Tour

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THE HERO (Sons of Texas #1) by Donna Grant-Review & Book Tour

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THE HERO
Sons of Texas #1
by Donna Grant
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, military romance

The Hero

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM / Indiebound/ ibooks / Tantor Audio

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016

THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved…

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE HERO is the first installment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult SONS OF TEXAS military romance series focusing on the Loughman brothers – our story line hero Owen, oldest brother and Marine recon captain Wyatt, and youngest brother/Marine Cullen- and their Navy SEAL father Orrin Loughman. This is Navy SEAL Owen Loughman, and language expert Natalie Dixon’s story line.

Told from three different third party perspectives (Owen, Natalie and Orrin) THE HERO follows the search for Orrin Loughman and the people responsible for the murder of the Loughman’s Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Virgil. While on assignment overseas, all three Loughman brothers are called home to Texas to discover that their beloved Aunt and Uncle have been murdered, and their Navy SEAL father Orrin is missing. Enter Natalie Dixon, a woman whose own relationship with Orrin Loughman is that of father and daughter, and a woman who is in the direct line of fire when she is targeted by the same people who killed Charlotte and Virgil Loughman. What ensues is hunt for Orrin Loughman, and Owen’s need to protect the woman he has always loved.

THE HERO is a story of second chances. Fourteen years earlier Owen walked out of Natalie’s life believing his presence could risk her life and everyone that she loves. Owen has never stopped loving Natalie Dixon, and in the ensuing years finds himself wondering if she would ever forgive him when the time was right. Natalie is a woman scorned, not once but twice, and is reluctant to renew her relationship with the man who destroyed her heart. The $ex scenes limited but romantic without the use of over the top graphic sexual language and text.

The world building focuses on three distinct scenarios: Orrin Loughman and his struggle to survive; the battle to stay one step ahead of the people who have targeted Natalie Dixon; and the search for the people that have destroyed their lives.

The Loughman family is a dysfunctional family unit that has struggled since the death of the matriarch Melanie Loughman-a murder that has gone unsolved, and brothers blame their father for their grief and suffering. We are introduced to Owen’s family-Marines Wyatt and Cullen, as well as Callie Reed who may or may not have had a prior relationship with Wyatt Loughman. Air Force pilot Mia Carter, the last person to have seen Orrin Loughman alive, is a person of interest in the case. Mia and Cullen’s story is next in THE PROTECTOR-January 2017.

THE HERO is an engaging, action packed, emotional story line of suspense and mystery; murder and the Russian mob; international espionage and affairs of the state. The premise is exciting, complex and creative; the characters are intriguing and powerful; the romance is passionate and seductive. Because the SONS OF TEXAS focuses on the Loughman family, THE HERO does not end with a happily ever after but a happily ever after for now as the search continues for Orrin Loughman.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

Excitement or dread? She wasn’t sure she knew.
This wasn’t the first time she’d been on the ranch since her breakup with Owen. In fact, she’d been there several times since discovering Ragnarok, but this time was different.
This time, Owen could be there.
“I’m close,” Callie said.
The line disconnected. Natalie didn’t see the black fence that lined either side of the drive, or the cows and horses that grazed peacefully.
Her gaze was locked on the white house that drew closer with each second. By the time she parked in front of the two- story ranch home with its wide, wrap- around porch, all she could think about was the dinner she’d had the week before with Callie, Virgil, and Charlotte.
She put the car in park and glanced around. There was no sign that anyone else was there. Since she expected someone to come out at the sound of her car, she assumed Owen and his brothers hadn’t yet made it to the house.
Or perhaps, luck was on her side, and those choppers hadn’t been bringing the brothers.
She got out of her car, but it was more difficult than she imagined making herself go up the steps to the porch. She might be involved in all of this, but she’d never witnessed a murder scene firsthand.
Frankly, she didn’t want to.
But Orrin’s life was on the line. Everything she and Callie could discover only helped their chances of learning who took Orrin and where Ragnarok was.
She reached the front door. At least she wouldn’t have to see Virgil’s and Charlotte’s bodies. They had already been taken away.
That was her last thought as she walked through the doorway and found herself fl at on her back. Natalie knew the instant the large hands grabbed her that it was Owen.
Her heart skipped a beat, even as she instinctively reacted and used her momentum to pull Owen over her head. She got up, but in the next heartbeat, he had her pinned to the wall.
The heat of him was the first thing she felt. Then it was his hard body trapping her. She felt herself softening, needing to feel him after all these years.
She thought he would threaten her. Instead, he knocked off her cap. His dark brown eyes widened in shock.
How she wished her heart didn’t feel like it was about to explode out of her chest. He was . . . breathtaking. She drank in the very sight of him. Sharp, chiseled features that looked as if they had been fashioned from granite stared back at her. Gone was any hint of the teenager she’d known. Before her stood a man in all his masculine glory.
He’d always been tall, his muscles honed at an early age from working on the ranch. Now, however, Owen filled out his wide shoulders. His light tan tee stretched tightly across his chest, molding to every ripple of muscle in his arms and shoulders. The shirt was tucked into camo pants she imagined were for the desert by their sand and khaki color. His hair was longer, the dark strands shoved away from his face in long waves.
Her surprise at having Owen against her was quickly hidden. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted two more figures. How she wished she would’ve waited for Callie.
“Hi, boys,” Natalie said. It was the only thing she could think of. Owen frowned, the irritation clear in his sensual chocolate gaze. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“She’s looking for me.”
At the sound of Callie’s voice, most of the apprehension left Natalie. Now she wouldn’t have to face the Loughman men on her own.
She barely paid attention to anything going on around her. She was too intent on staring into Owen’s eyes. It was obvious that he was irritated to find her there, but he had yet to release her.
And she didn’t remind him of that fact.
Her allowing him to keep her pinned was an indication of how long it had taken her to get over him. And how she hated herself for it. After all she’d suffered, she should be shoving him away.
Her body had other ideas, however. With her blood burning through her and her nipples hard, she ached for his touch.
Yearned for it.
His eyes dropped to her mouth. Her breath hitched, caught in her throat. Yes! She wanted his kiss. It didn’t matter where they were or who was around.
Dimly, she heard Callie and Wyatt talking. Much to her annoyance, Owen released her. She was more hurt than she wanted to admit.
Perhaps it was for the best. She’d sworn off all men. Especially Owen. She quickly moved to stand beside Callie.
“Someone please tell us what’s going on?” Owen demanded. Callie shrugged. “I work here.”
Natalie looked at Owen and said, “I came to help.”
Owen’s breath locked in his lungs as he stared at Natalie’s long, brown hair streaked with strands of copper.
He wanted those deep green eyes of hers to land on him again, to fill with desire . . . again.
She was even more beautiful than he remembered.
The years had transformed her into a seductress who left him breathless and needy.
The girl had become a woman, and what a woman she was. He knew the weight of her breast in his hand, knew how it felt to sink into her body and hear her scream in pleasure.
And yet, the woman before him now held a hint of wariness that hadn’t been there before. What happened to her to take away that lighthearted girl he once knew?

Copyright © 2016 by Donna Grant and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

 

 

About the Author

donna_grant_newDonna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

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Ares (Guardians of Hades #1) by Felicity Heaton-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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ARES (Guardians of Hades #1) by Felicity Heaton-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 26, 2016

Ares, book 1 in New York Times best-seller Felicity Heaton’s hot new paranormal romance series, Guardians of Hades, is now available in ebook and paperback. To celebrate the release of Ares and Megan’s romance, she’s holding a FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY and sharing sneak peeks of the book.

Enter the ARES international giveaway (ends December 11th) and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate by using the Rafflecopter form at her website, where you can also download a 4 chapter sample of the novel: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/guardians-of-hades-ares-paranormal-romance-book.php

 

Here’s more about the book and the sexy Greek god hero and his heroine…

Ares

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

Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Fire, Ares was banished from his home by his father, Hades, two centuries ago and given a new duty and purpose—to keep our world and his from colliding in a calamity foreseen by the Moirai.

Together with his six brothers, he fights to defend the gates to the Underworld from daemons bent on breaching them and gaining entrance to that forbidden land, striving to protect his home from their dark influence. Caged by the manifestation of his power, held apart from those he loves by his own fire and starved of physical contact, Ares lives a cold existence driven by duty and the desire to return to his world.

Until his world collides with a daemon who steals his power and a mortal female who shatters the ice around his heart and awakens the true fire within him—a soul-stirring passion both dangerous and seductive.

Megan has wandered far from her home, driven from everyone she loves by the devastating realization that she is different to them all. Unsure who to trust in the world, she keeps to herself, until a fateful stormy night brings a temptingly handsome warrior crashing into her life and into her heart—a warrior who seems to hold powers more frightening and marvelous than her own.

When the New York gate comes under threat, and Ares is put to the test, will he choose his duty and regain the power he needs in order to save his world or will he choose the desires of his heart and sacrifice his fire so he can be with the woman becoming his whole world?

••••••••••

REVIEW: ARES is the first installment in Felicity Heaton’s adult GUARDIANS OF HADES paranormal, romance series based in mythology, focusing on six brothers- the sons of Hades and Persephone -sent to earth to guard the gates to the Underworld. This is Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Fire Ares, and Megan’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives ARES focuses on the brothers’ battle to protect the Gates to the Underworld. With the recent influx of ‘daemons’ in searching for the elusive Gates Ares and his brothers have had to step up their nightly patrol but Ares finds himself out maneuvered in a battle where he will have his powers stolen by a daemon of unknown origin. Enter Megan, a human with some powers of her own, who witnesses the struggle of the man who will steal her heart. What ensues is the building relationship between Ares and Megan, and Ares battle between recovering his powers and the love of a woman that calls to his heart.

The relationship between Ares and Megan is one of immediate attraction. Ares believes Megan is his mate, and with the loss of his powers he is helpless against the feelings and emotional fall out of their physical relationship.

We are introduced to Ares brothers, each with their own power and abilities but brothers who know that once Ares recovers his powers Megan may be destroyed by the man that she loves.

ARES is a sexy and decadent story of ‘forbidden’ love told through character introspection, reflection and plenty of internal dialogue. Felicity Heaton invites the reader into a passionate tale about one man’s search for what he lost, and the love of a woman who offers everything and more. The premise is enchanting: the characters are colorful and animated; the romance is emotional. There is plenty of exciting and lively action as the brothers battle for their lives.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

Megan kept her head down, using the hood of her coat to keep the rain off her face. She wasn’t sure why she bothered. The storm had already soaked her to the bone. Maybe she did it because the streets in her neighbourhood were pitch-black due to the power outage and she had already passed several unsavoury characters on her route from the bus stop to her apartment. The only light came from passing cars and the lightning forking across the heavy clouds.

She had never seen such a violent storm before and it unsettled her, bringing thoughts of Armageddon and the end of the world. A man passed her on the opposite side of the street, running hard through the heavy rain. He crossed the road further up, moving to her side.

She wrapped her arms around herself as he paused on the pavement and looked in her direction. When her manager had told her she could knock off early from her nightshift at the packing warehouse because of the power problems, she had thought it would be a good thing. Now she wasn’t so sure. She hadn’t considered how dangerous it might be to cross several blocks of New York in total darkness.

The man hadn’t moved.

She turned left down the next street.

It was a shortcut she often used on her way home. Normally, she only did it during the day when there were plenty of people around. It cut several minutes off her journey but it was also an alley. She quickened her pace until she was verging on jogging.

A creeping sense that someone was watching her washed over her and she glanced back into the darkness behind her.

Lightning split the sky and illuminated the main street.

Her heart jumped into her throat as shadows danced around. No sign of the man. She was just being paranoid again. He had probably stopped to figure out where he was going. It was easy to become disorientated in the darkness.

Her footsteps echoed along the alley, loud despite the thunder rolling overhead and the sound of rain battering the tarmac.

She turned to face forwards again.

Lightning flashed.

Her heart leaped into her throat.

An immense figure strolled towards her from the other end of the alley, long coat flaring out from his waist in the wind that gusted from behind her, pushing her towards him. His hand reached down to his side, she caught a flash of metal in the next lightning strike, and then he was running at her.

Chills erupted down her spine and over her arms.

“Move.” The word was a dark growl and her heart stopped dead.

Before she could convince her feet to do as he had ordered, he reached her. A bright burst of light illuminated his face, revealing chiselled features set into a black scowl and eyes that burned her with their intensity as they briefly locked with hers, and then he was running up the wall beside her and flipping over her head like some damned action hero.

He landed hard behind her and her heart exploded into action.

Megan whirled on the spot and brought her hands up in front of her, expecting him to attack her. Her dark eyes widened. The man from the street was there at the other end of the alley.

The larger man ran at him and she caught flickers of both men in the lightning strikes and another flash of metal. The slimmer male had a gun too. Her breath hitched and she tried to run but found that she couldn’t. Her legs refused to respond, no matter how desperately she tried to get them to work. The one who had spoken to her reached the smaller man and they both moved incredibly quickly, beyond humanly possible.

Was it the lightning causing them to look as though they were moving faster than her eyes could track?

It had to be.

They clashed and before either of them could fire their gun, they had both knocked the other one’s away. The big man drew two large blades from inside his long black coat, his broad back to her, and clashed again with the slimmer man. She only caught snippets of their fight as the storm raged above them.

Was it a gang fight, or perhaps a mugging?

Megan wasn’t sure what was happening but she knew what she should be doing. She had to run, or maybe call the police. She pulled her bag towards her and fumbled with it. She couldn’t see a damn thing in the darkness. Where was her phone?

Lightning flashed again and the slimmer man was only a few feet from her, his wet blond hair plastered to his forehead and dark gaze locked on her. The large man tackled him from behind and they rolled past her as she shrieked and leaped away from them, hitting the wall of the alley. Her legs trembled and her bag fell from her shoulder.

“It will take more than steel to win this fight,” the blond man snarled and she frowned at his accent. French?

A bright flash exploded overhead, the thunder rolling in time with it, and she flattened against the wall. Both men had found their feet and were fighting close to her, heading back towards the end of the alley in a flurry of kicks and punches.

She caught brief flickers of the blond man’s thin face as he fought the bigger brunet. Rain rolled down his cheeks and dripped from his small goatee. He didn’t look scared as he fought a man twice his size.

That man circled with him, his expression a picture of darkness and intent. Strands of his overlong dark hair had fallen down and were stuck to his sculpted cheeks. Not a trace of fear lined his features either.

If anything, both of them looked angry.

The Frenchman attacked with a burst of punches, landing a few despite how quickly the other man moved to evade them and then he was on the defensive as the big man swiped with his twin knives. He grunted as one of the blades sliced across his arm and the sickening tinny scent of blood instantly joined the smell of earth and ozone in the air.

He flipped backwards towards the mouth of the alley and came to a halt. He straightened, facing the larger man, and squared his shoulders. The lights in the alley blinked back into life and Megan looked at the street beyond him. They were back on there too. The dim alley lights shone down on the two men as they faced each other, both casual despite the fact they were in the middle of a fight, as if this was an everyday occurrence for them.

The Frenchman tipped his chin up and his eyes narrowed. “I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time.”

“Your death?” the larger man growled, his voice deep and edged with darkness. “You should have dropped in earlier. I’m always happy to send scum like you into the afterlife.”

The Frenchman’s thin lips twisted in a cruel smile. “It is you who will die here tonight.”

“We’ll see.” The larger man launched himself forwards, boots pounding the tarmac.

The blond man raised his hand and suddenly the big one was flying through the air towards her.

She dived out of his path and hit the wet ground hard. Pain blazed through her right shoulder and she curled up on her side, covering her head with her arms. The brunet hit the wall and shards of brick rained down on her. When everything went quiet, she gathered the courage to crack her eyes open.

The large man lay face down on the ground near her. Above him, there was a huge dent in the brick wall of the building. What the heck had just happened? Was he dead? Her hands shook with the thought of witnessing a murder. It wasn’t possible that a man could survive something like that, at least not without broken bones and a severe concussion, but then everything that had happened in the last few seconds seemed impossible.

Her gaze darted between him and the blond man. She had faced some dire odds in her life and survived, but something told her that she wasn’t going to survive this. She should have run when she’d had the chance. She didn’t want to die here tonight.

The large man snarled something dark and her eyes widened as he moved. His hands shifted closer to his elbows and he pushed himself up onto his knees. He shook his head, causing the long strands of his wet hair to caress his face, and then got to his feet.

How the heck could he move after that?

He shouldn’t even be conscious.

His dark eyes shifted to her and she swore red embers lit their penetrating depths. He stared at her for a few seconds, as though they were the only two in the world and there wasn’t another man in the street with them.

A man who wanted to kill him.

“You okay?” he husked and she swallowed and nodded. He nodded too and then did something that surprised her. He smiled, his sensual mouth curving into it and setting her heart racing. How the heck could he smile when he had just been tossed into a wall with such force he shouldn’t be standing right now and was bleeding? “Stay down. I won’t let him near you. It’ll be over soon and you’ll be safe. Understand?”

He growled like a feral beast before she could respond and launched his right hand forwards, as though throwing something at the other man. A bright fierce orb of fire burst from his hand and shot down the alley, blinding in the darkness. He turned and chased it. It exploded against a wall and another flash of fire followed it.

Megan couldn’t believe her eyes.

The large man dodged and air whooshed past her, ruffling her wet shoulder-length hair. Trashcans further along the alley exploded as though something had struck them. Was that what had hit the large man and thrown him into the wall?

She crept to that brick wall and crouched there, keeping as small as possible. Her heart pounded and eyes darted, trying to take in the fight as fear turned to fascination.

The brunet unleashed another swirling orb of fire from his palms and the Frenchman evaded it, rolling forwards in the alley. The man levelled another fiery blast at him, catching him this time and sending him spinning through the air. He landed hard on the tarmac and rolled.

Awestruck didn’t cover how she felt as she watched them now. Both of them had powers. It was incredible.

The big man pounded towards the other one and he disappeared, reappearing right in front of him. They clashed again and the sound of material tearing cut through the thunder rumbling across the city. The brunet leaped backwards, towards her, distancing himself.

“You’ll pay for that,” he growled and she looked at the Frenchman. He stood in the middle of the alley, black cloth dangling from one of his hands. Had he torn the man’s clothes?

The slim blond smiled, tossed the piece of material aside and crooked a finger. “Come and make me.”

The brunet charged and they clashed again, each throwing punches. Megan flinched with every heavy blow and vicious kick, fear slowly trickling back in to wash away her fascination. She had seen some brawls in her time, but nothing like this.

This wasn’t a brawl.

It was a battle.

The lights on the walls flickered, flashes of lightning causing them to stutter. She couldn’t tell who was winning. She hoped it was the brunet because she had the impression that he wasn’t out to hurt her. Not like the other man. There had been moments when he had looked her way, and each time there had been a look on his face that said she was next.

The Frenchman ducked to evade a punch and threw his palm at the larger man. Was he trying to push him over? Megan couldn’t see why he would want to do that and it was the only explanation she could find for him pressing his palm against the man’s chest.

The immense brunet flung his head back and threw his arms out at his sides as he roared in agony at the storm. The lights on the wall of the alley died as his garbled scream filled the night, battling the growling thunder. He fell to his knees and arched backwards, the Frenchman’s hand still pressed against his chest. Orange light shone from the point where they connected, illuminating the blond man’s face as he grinned.

“It was too easy.” He drew his hand back and stared at his fingers.

Something glowed in the centre of his palm, strange light illuminating threads that ran around the back of his hand. He turned his cruel gaze on the large man.

The man collapsed forwards, palms pressing into the wet ground, and the lights on the wall blinked back into life again. His big body heaved as he breathed hard and she frowned as she realised something.

He was shaking.

Flames flickered over the Frenchman’s hand and a fireball grew from the centre of his palm. He aimed it down at the other man.

In an instant, Megan knew what he was going to do and she couldn’t allow it to happen. She couldn’t let this man kill the brunet. She wouldn’t stand for it. Her gaze quickly scanned the dimly lit street and darted back again. One of their guns lay on the wet tarmac only a few feet from her. She reacted on instinct, pushing off the ground and running for it.

She scooped it up.

Raised it.

Fired.

A loud crack like thunder split the silence and she jerked back from the force of the recoil.

The bullet nailed the Frenchman in his right shoulder, knocking him backwards, away from the other man.

An unholy shriek pierced her ears, more like the sound a bird of prey would make rather than a man, and the Frenchman turned his gaze on her. Megan hesitated, fear washing through her stronger than ever and her heart smashing like a jackhammer against her ribs. Eyes that glowed ethereally locked on to her.

What was he?

He raised his hand, the light from the fireball casting dark shadows across his face. She didn’t hesitate. She lifted the heavy silver gun and took aim again.

The fireball exploded from his palm.

About The Author

Felicity HeatonFelicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

 

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk
Blog: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton
Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

giveaway

There are TWO (2) ways to win !!

In addition to the gift card giveaway, Felicity is graciously offering an ecopy of any ONE book in her  back list *excluding ARES* (international) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging in, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Felicity Heaton on TWITTER

4. Sign up for Felicity Heaton’s NEWSLETTER

5. LIKE Felicity Heaton on Facebook

6. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

7. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway is open internationally.

9. Giveaway runs from November 30 to December 3, 2016

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author

Find all the links, a fantastic 4 chapter downloadable sample of the book, and also enter the giveaway and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website: Find all the links, a fantastic 4 chapter downloadable sample of the book, and also enter the giveaway and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website HERE

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Duke of Pleasure (Maiden Lane #11) by Elizabeth Hoyt-Review, Interview & Book Tour

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DUKE OF PLEASURE (Maiden Lane #11) by Elizabeth Hoyt-Review, Interview & Book Tour

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DUKE OF PLEASURE
Maiden Lane #11
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Release Date: November 29, 2016
Genre: historical, romance

Duke of Pleasure

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29, 2016

N THE ARMS OF DANGER

Bold. Brave. Brutally handsome. Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle, is the king’s secret weapon. Sent to defeat the notorious Lords of Chaos, he is ambushed in a London alley—and rescued by an unlikely ally: a masked stranger with the unmistakable curves of a woman.

IN THE HEAT OF DESIRE

Cocky. Clever. Courageously independent. Alf has survived on the perilous streets of St. Giles by disguising her sex. By day she is a boy, dealing in information and secrets. By night she’s the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, a masked vigilante. But as she saves Hugh from assassins, she finds herself succumbing to temptation.

ONE KISS WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER

When Hugh hires Alf to investigate the Lords of Chaos, her worlds collide. Once Hugh realizes that the boy and the Ghost are the same, will Alf find the courage to become the woman she needs to be—before the Lords of Chaos destroy them both?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: DUKE OF PLEASURE is the eleventh full length installment in Elizabeth Hoyt’s MAIDEN LANE historical romance series. This is the Duke of Kyle, Hugh Fitzroy, and street urchin/Ghost of St. Giles Alf’s story line. DUKE OF PLEASURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although Alf’s story has been building for several installments.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Alf and Hugh) DUKE OF PLEASURE focuses on the hunt for the notorious and secretive Lords of Chaos-a well to do group of politically appointment men whose crimes are evil and notorious. After a late night attack by a group of thugs, the Duke of Kyle-Hugh Fitzroy- hires a young street urchin whose ability to ferret out information is well known in and around the streets of London and St. Giles. Enter Alf-a young woman who by day disguises herself as a young boy but by night is the infamous masked vigilante the Ghost of St. Giles. What ensues is the building relationship between Alf and Hugh, and the search for the people who have marked Hugh Fitzroy for death.

The relationship between Hugh and Alf is slow to develop as our heroine has presented herself as a young boy for most of her life. It is only with the accidental discovery of Alf’s true self does the Duke of Kyle begin to look at Alf in a different light.
Alf is a loner; a young woman whose independence was forged at an early age but a woman whose desire for love and a family finds our heroine on the outside looking in. Hugh Fitzroy is a widower with two young boys who struggles to raise his family without the benefit of wife and mother. His attraction to Alf is visceral as the young woman calls to his lonely heart.

DUKE OF PLEASURE is a story about family and survival. The premise is a mix of mystery and intrigue; the characters are charismatic and entertaining; the romance is seductive and tangible. As a single father Hugh Fitzroy battles the demons from his past including the death of his wife, and the years he was absent from the young boy’s lives. We are introduced to Hugh’s late wife’s best friend Lady Jordan aka Iris whose story will be told next in DUKE OF DESIRE. Hoyt’s DUKE OF PLEASURE is an enchanting and spirited tale of opposites attract and second chances at love.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Duke of Pleasure Teaser

 

Interview

TRC:  Hi Elizabeth and welcome back to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of DUKE OF PLEASURE.

Elizabeth HoytElizabeth: Thank you and thank you for inviting me back!

TRC: For anyone who does not know you, would you please tell us something about yourself?

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Elizabeth: I live in Minneapolis, have plowed my front yard under for a flower garden, drink too much coffee, and have three dogs. I think that tells most people about all they need to know about me. But in case that isn’t enough: I also write historical romance whilst two of the dogs sleep on my lap. I’ve been published ten years this fall (woo!) and, on the whole, it seems like a pretty good gig.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Elizabeth: When I first started out what I was reading: the romance writers of the late 1990’s/early 2000’s: Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens, Amanda Quick, Lisa Kleypas. Now I’m influenced more by pop culture I think. TV shows and things I hear and see on the internet. Stuff that other people are excited about. I like to take apart what makes them excited, what draws them in, and see if I can translate that to the written form.

Duke of PleasureTRC: Would you please tell us something about the DUKE OF PLEASURE?

Elizabeth: Why yes! Duke of Pleasure features reader favorite Alf, who if you’ve been following my Maiden Lane series you’ll remember as a tough boy who lives in the slums of St. Giles and makes his living by selling information. Except Alf is really a woman in disguise. And in Duke of Pleasure we find out that not only is Alf a woman, but at night she’s taken on the mantle of the Ghost of St. Giles, a masked vigilante helping the poor and downtrodden. She fights with two swords and is totally badass.

Assassins are pursuing the hero, Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle, when the Ghost saves him. Hugh is tasked with taking down a shadowy aristocratic society and hires Alf to help him. Except Alf is attacked and wounded and then she stays at Hugh’s townhouse to recover and it starts getting hard to maintain her disguise…

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Elizabeth: In writing them, I think just the everyday stuff of getting up and getting the job done. Writing is a very solitary profession. It’s all self-motivated and it’s all self-generated. Sometimes you have to have nerves of steel.

With the publishing side I’ve been pretty lucky—I really haven’t run into any real difficulties. I mean, people keep saying that the historical is tanking…but then they’ve been saying that since before I was published and here I am, so.

TRC: How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Elizabeth: Ooo! Good question! I get bored easily, which is probably why no two of my books are alike. So from my end, I’m not worrying about trying to write an unpredictable plot. I just want to have an interesting character who is in a situation that challenges me as a writer. If that produces what you describe above, well, great!

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Elizabeth: Yes. It’s the first thing the reader sees, especially in a physical bookstore or big box store. Obviously if the artwork can catch the reader’s eye that’s a plus. And once the reader has opened the book, than I’m confident that my writing can do the rest. 😉

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Elizabeth: I hope readers enjoy Duke of Pleasure!

TRC: Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release.

Elizabeth: Thank you!

Wicked Intentions price drop

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

WICKED INTENTIONS is now FREE for a limited time!

The ebook edition of WICKED INTENTIONS, the first book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s bestselling Maiden Lane series will be FREE from November 28 through December 12! This is a great opportunity to introduce friends to the series! On December 13 the price returns to $5.99.

 

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