Tag Archives: New Release Reviews 2018

Driven to Distraction (Road to Love #1) by Lori Foster-Review & Excerpt Tour

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DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION (Road to Love #1) by Lori Foster-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2018

When desire gets this hot, you’d better buckle up…

Mary Daniels doesn’t let anything get in the way of her job acquiring rare artifacts for her wealthy boss. But this particular obstacle—huge, hard-muscled, unashamedly masculine—is impossible to ignore. Stuck in a cramped car with Brodie Crews for hours en route to their new assignment, Mary feels her carefully crafted persona—and her trademark self-control—is slipping, and she won’t allow it.

Brodie can’t imagine what secret in Mary’s past has left her so buttoned-up, though he’d dearly love to find out. Maybe then she’d trust him enough to explore their explosive chemistry. But he needs this job, so he’ll play by her rules and bide his time…until an enemy determined to outwit them strikes and he needs to get close—in every way—to protect her. Otherwise they could lose much more than a precious collectible. They could lose it all.

••••••••••

REVIEW: DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult ROAD TO LOVE erotic, romance series. This is mechanic Brodie Crews, and acquisitions manager Mary Daniels’ story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Brodie and Mary DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION follows the building romance and relationship between mechanic Brodie Crews, and acquisitions manager Mary Daniels. Mary Daniels works for eccentric billionaire Therman Ritter, a man who collects oddities and strange items that require his own private ‘courier service’ to ensure prompt and immediate delivery. Mary Daniels has been tasked with ensuring their delivery including a ride along with Therman’s new courier Brodie Crews. What ensues is Brodie and Mary’s developing relationship on the road, and the potential fall-out as the couple are targeted in a game of one-upmanship, when Therman’s collection is wanted by a competing collector.

Mary Daniels is a conventional woman; an uptight female whose clothing is more for armor than attracting attention. When our heroine is assigned to hire Brodie Crews, the attraction is immediate but Mary doesn’t mix business with pleasure, and everything about Brodie screams all kinds of trouble. Brodie Crews sees beneath Mary’s attempts to hide but protecting Mary will become his number one priority when the couple becomes fodder for some illegal collectors.

The relationship between Mary and Brodie begins as a business arrangement in which Mary struggles to accept Brodie’s gruff exterior and he-man attitude. Quick to judge, Mary battles her attraction to the man with whom she would fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

We are introduced to Brodie’s brother Jack Crews; their mother Rosalyn Crews; Jack and Brodie’s secretary Charlotte, as well as Brodie’s dog Howler, and Gina, a woman who is hoping for a chance with our story line hero; billionaire Therman Ritter, his PA Jolene, housekeeper Vera and chef Burl. The requisite evil has many faces.

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION has a little bit of everything: mystery and intrigue; family and friendships; fun, romance, fighting and falling in love. The premise is engaging and inviting; the characters are spirited, animated and sassy; the romance is spicy and arousing. DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION is a playful, captivating and energetic story line.

Copy supplied for Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Mary had a hundred questions about him, but she didn’t want to chance stirring Brodie’s curiosity again.
Her past was strictly off limits.
The music, a mellow, country tune, drifted in the air. She was more of a rock-and-roll woman, but she appreciated the sight of Brodie moving ever-so-slightly with the music, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel.
If a boulder could be relaxed, she’d say he was just that. Yet, while his expression seemed peaceful, his shoulders stretched his dark T-shirt and his biceps bunched and flexed with each small adjustment.
How exactly did a man go about getting a body like that?
“Do you work out?”
Mouth kicking up in amusement, he glanced at her. That dark-eyed gaze flashed over her before he returned his attention to the road. “You realize that’s a pickup line, right?”
Oh Lord, his eyes were…well, amazing. And hot. If it wasn’t for the unfamiliar lick of heat that intense look caused, she might’ve been embarrassed. Instead, her reaction threw her off.
Oh, she had her fair share of male attention, but usually it left her indifferent.
Not so with Brodie Crews.
Her MO was to steer clear of interested, or interesting, men, but really, what harm would it cause to look? She’d see him during this ride, then not again for a while. For that reason, she’d looked her fill—without being obvious.
His profile fascinated her, the way those thick, dark lashes shadowed his eyes, the high bridge of his strong nose and the curve to his mouth. His dark, thick hair held a slight wave, and no matter how many times he tunneled his fingers through it, it fell forward over his brow. The growth of whiskers on his jaw made her curious to know how it would feel to her fingertips.
And her lips.
“I’m just wondering,” she said, trying to play it off as idle chitchat. “You’re muscular for a man who makes his living driving a car.”
“I also work on cars.” He slid her an intimate smile. “As you know.”
The reminder of her first sight of him sent another flush over her skin. Coolly, she replied, “Is that what you were doing? I got an entirely different impression.”
“Because of the way Gina groped me?”
He said it without an iota of shame, making her jaw loosen and her mouth fall open.
Obviously, she was out of her league.
Brodie chuckled. “If I hadn’t been struggling to stay upright, I’d have shaken her off sooner, but Gina can always sense weakness. She thought she’d sneak in there while my defenses were down.”
“Your defenses?”
“I’m not at my best after a night of drinking.”
“Then why did you do it?” Personally, she’d never seen the draw. She sometimes had wine on very special occasions, which were few and far between. Drink, drugs…they caused a loss of control, leaving you not only vulnerable, but oblivious to all that really mattered.
“I’ve turned her down more times than I can count.” Brodie’s mouth went sideways, then he scratched the top of his head. “She’s persistent, I’ll give her that.”
“Is she in love with you?”
“Ha! No, not even a little.” Laughing, he shook his head. “Gina likes me okay, but that’s it. Mostly she wants bragging rights to say she’s banged Jack and me, both.”
It took all Mary had not to drop her jaw again.

LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 55 titles, beloved for her contemporary romance novels revolving around alpha males and the women they fall for. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at LoriFoster.com, or check out these online locations where she interacts with readers: Facebook.com/LoriFoster, Twitter.com/LoriLFoster, Goodreads and Pinterest.com/lorilfoster.

You can also sign up for her monthly newsletter at LoriFoster.com/Newsletter.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | YOUTUBE

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Christmas With You Anthology by LP Dover, Cindi Madsen, Amy Briggs, RJ Prescott & Heidi McLaughlin-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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CHRISTMAS WITH YOU by LP Dover, Cindi Madsen, Amy Briggs, RJ Prescott and Heidi McLaughlin-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2018

Bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin, L.P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R.J. Prescott, and Amy Briggs invite you to celebrate Christmas in Friendship, Massachusetts, where small-town values mean that everyone gets into the holiday spirit and lends a helping hand. When an unlikely newcomer decides to join in and play matchmaker, five couples—each a complete love story by each of our five authors—get their happily ever afters during the happiest time of the year. And these authors share what the season truly means to them.

••••••

OVERVIEW: CHRISTMAS WITH YOU is a multi-authored Christmas anthology focusing on the people of Friendship, Massachusetts, and Gabe, an apparent homeless man who is determined to help people find each other or rediscover the magic of Christmas. Charming and magical, CHRISTMAS WITH YOU is a festive and merry collection of clean romances and growing love stories perfect for the holiday season.

••••••••

SNOWFLAKE LANE INN by LP Dover

REVIEW: Told from dual first person points of view (Colin and Layla) SNOWFLAKE LANE INN follows the building romance between Snowflake Lane Inn owner Colin Jennings, and fashion designer Layla Aberdeen. Layla Aberdeen was struggling. Her latest fashion line was a failure, and our heroine needed some time alone to rethink in which direction she wanted to go. Christmas in Friendship, Massachusetts seemed like the ideal retreat but meeting Colin Jennings found our heroine reconsidering the direction of her private life. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Colin and Layla, as our couple celebrate the holidays together.

SNOWFLAKE LANE INN is a sweet story; a cute romance between two people pushed together by a stranger, a homeless ‘Santa’ playing matchmaker for the people of Friendship, Massachusetts. The premise is a charming story with a clean romance, and an adorable couple.

••••••

RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE by Cindi Madsen

REVIEW: Told from dual third person perspectives (Emmett and Regina) RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE follows in the aftermath as Regina is dumped at the altar. Heading to places unknown, our heroine arrives in Friendship, Massachusetts where she proceeds to get drunk, and is welcomed to town by Sheriff Emmett Haywood. What ensues is the building relationship between Emmett and Regina, when Regina is booked at the Cozy Cottage, and the old ladies of Friendship begis to play matchmaker for our leading couple.

RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE is another sweet story; a clean romance wherein two people are pushed together by a homeless ‘Santa’, and the nosy busybodies of Friendship Massachusetts. A delightful novella wherein our heroine is given a second chance at love.

••••••••••

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS by Amy Briggs

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Samantha and Jason Hayes) CHRISTMAS LIGHTS follows Samantha as struggles to enjoy the Christmas holidays since the death of her beloved parents. Heading from the warmth of Florida, to the cold snowy sights of Friendship, Massachusetts, Samantha will meet mechanic and pilot Jason Hayes, who will make all of her dreams and wishes come true, starting with ‘Operation Christmas Flamingo’.

We are introduced to Samantha’s sister Robin, and Robin’s daughters Delilah and Daisy, as well as Jason’s eight year old daughter Emily. Hoping to recreate the Christmas’ from her past, Jason sets a plan into motion to give Samantha the perfect holiday experience. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a charming, clean, and animated short story .

••••••••

CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER by RJ Prescott

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Jensen and Lauren) CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER follows British Formula One driver Jensen Caldwell, as he heads to Friendship, Massachusetts for the funeral of a close friend. Meeting grifter Lauren Matthews tugs at something within Jensen’s heart but Lauren’s father’s reputation in Friendship has marked our heroine, for all of the wrong reasons. A few days together finds Jensen in love but Lauren knows it is only a matter of time before things spiral out of control.

CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER is a little darker than the previous story lines. A tale of betrayal, heartbreak, and humiliation, CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER is a colorful and dramatic tale about two people thrown together by circumstance and love.

••••••••••

IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY by Heidi McLaughlin

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Rory and Gwen) IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY focuses on investment banker Rory and his wife Gwen. On the verge of a divorce from his beloved Gwen, workaholic Rory Sutton struggles to let go of the memories of what was and what may never be. When a homeless stranger gives Rory some sage advice, our hero takes the steps necessary to bring his family back together.

IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY is a reimagining of Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. An investment banker seeks the meaning of life only to discover he had everything all along. An enchanting and moving story IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY is a charming tale, with spirited characters and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt from Heidi McLaughlin’s IT’S A WONDER HOLIDAY!

 

The mid-afternoon holiday shoppers walk by the large picture window of my office. The blowing snow, which piles up on the window ledge like a quintessential painting from Norman Rockwell, gives the town of Friendship a classic New England feel.
Like most storefronts in town, the Bank & Trust building has large picture windows that look out onto the town square. Sighing, I stare out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gwen coming out of a store, parking her car, or even walking down the street. I haven’t seen her since I moved out.
The blotter on my desk, with its sporadic notes and dates, piques my attention. Leaning forward, I push a small pile of papers out of the way so I can read what today says. Meet divorce lawyer.
Instant melancholy sets in as I frown at the calendar and what my life has become. A divorce is the last thing I want, but I haven’t done a very good job of showing Gwen that she and our daughter Ruby were important. Are important.
My sports coat hangs on the back of my chair. I grab it, slip my arms into it, and take my long winter coat off the rack. A quick glance at the clock shows me I’m about out of time and need to leave now if I’m going to make my appointment.
It seems colder than when I was outside earlier, and I find myself pulling my coat closer and pushing my hands deep into its pockets. Despite the coat’s thickness, it does nothing to take the bite out of the air or keep the wind from stinging my cheeks.
I cross the street and head up the granite stairs leading to my attorney’s office. The heat inside the building is stifling, and my frozen fingers work to undo my coat. Taking the staircase two steps at a time, the old wood creaks under my weight.
The law office is small but has an odd homey feel. I hang my wool coat and give a slight nod to the receptionist. She smiles, sort of. It’s more like a half smile-half grimace. Living in a small town, everyone knows your business.
“Mr. Sutton, please come in.” Terence Sims has been an attorney longer than I’ve been alive. My parents used him for a few legal transactions, and it only made sense I seek out his help as well. “Have you given much thought to how you want to respond to Gwen’s proposal?” he asks. He swivels in his chair to look at me over the rim of his glasses.
“Honestly, I haven’t looked at it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want this divorce.”
Terence leans back, and his fingers form a steeple. “Divorce is hard, especially when one party is blindsided. Do me a favor. Talk to Gwen. See if you can work something out that benefits the both of you.”
He has given me an idea. I’ll talk to Gwen, but it won’t be regarding a settlement. I’m going to do what I should’ve done all along, be the husband and father I’m supposed to be.
I’m going to get my family back.


 

LP DOVER

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.

Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Google+ / Amazon / Goodreads / Newsletter

•••••••

CINDI MADSEN

Cindi Madsen is a USA Todaybestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, and one overly-dramatic tomcat.

You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books. Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen. 

Connect with Cindi:

Website| Twitter| Facebook| Street Team| Instagram| Pinterest| Goodreads| Newsletter

•••••••••••••

AMY BRIGGS

Amy Briggs is a Texas based writer. Formerly a firefighter and EMT in New Jersey living next to a military base, Amy was initially drawn to creating stories around emergency services and the military, and draws on her experiences to show the depth and emotional side of the lifestyle. Her love of fairy tales carries through each of her novels and she hopes to inspire readers to fall in love with love.

Amy loves being in touch with her readers and can be found on all the social media here:

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter /

RJ  PRESCOTT

RJ Prescott was born in Cardiff, South Wales although she left to study law at the University of Bristol, England. Four weeks before graduation RJ fell in love, and stayed. Ten years later she convinced her crazy, wonderful fire fighter husband to move back to Cardiff with her where they live with their two equally crazy sons. Juggling work, writing and family doesn’t leave a lot of time, but curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for family movie night is definitely the best part of her week. “The Hurricane” is her debut New Adult Novel.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot.

When she’s isn’t writing one of the many stories planned for release, you’ll find her sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, will be in theaters on October 27, 2017, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter /Instagram /Pinterest

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Signed copy of Christmas With You by all of the authors ( Open Internationally)

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Unspeakable (Deadly Secrets #4) by Elisabeth Naughton-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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UNSPEAKABLE (Deadly Secrets #4) by Elisabeth Naughton-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2018

All his siblings have moved on from their troubling pasts, but Rusty McClane can’t leave his behind. Not even when his freedom is in jeopardy.

Legal investigator Harper Blake can sense a bad boy. She’s drawn to them—like she is to her mysterious and brooding new client. The police believe that Rusty is involved with the case of a missing underage girl. Harper’s job is to find evidence to defend him. But is her sexy suspect a predator…or something else?

If Rusty is guilty of anything, it’s of stirring something primitive in Harper. The closer they get, the harder it is to believe the worst of him.

But in an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, Harper will need to be cautious about whom she trusts. Because Rusty isn’t the only one with secrets.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:UNSPEAKABLE is the fourth instalment in Elisabeth Naughton’s contemporary, adult DEADLY SECRETS romantic suspense series focusing on the four adopted McClane siblings (Ethan, Alex, Kelsey, Rusty). This is vintner and vigilante Russell ‘Rusty’ McClane, and legal investigator Harper Blake’s story line. UNSPEAKABLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives (Rusty and Harper) UNSPEAKABLE follows vintner Russell ‘Rusty’ McClane, and legal investigator Harper Blake as they cross paths investigating a potential human trafficking ring with possible connections to a number of murdered and missing sex workers and strippers in and around the Portland, Oregon area. When Russell is ID’d as a possible suspect in the disappearance of an underage stripper, former police officer turned legal investigator Harper Blake believes Russell is hiding more than meets the eye. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Harper and Rusty, as our leading couple work together to uncover and reveal the truth.

Rusty McClane has devoted his life to protecting those unable to protect themselves. A past mired in darkness and loss, Rusty specializes in locating the missing and lost- a one man operation determined to avenge for sins of the past. Former police officer Harper Blake has never met a man like Rusty McClane but Harper suspects Rusty is not whom the police report him to be. There is something about our hero that draws Harper like a moth to a flame, a flame that burns hotter with every encounter.

The relationship between Harper and Rusty is one of immediate attraction but Rusty is the Portland PD’s current suspect in a rash of missing under-aged girls, and for all intents and purposes is off limits. Working together Rusty will reveal the truth behind his vigilante tactics, as Harper slowly falls for the man before her eyes. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Rusty’s siblings: Ethan and Samantha (Repressed #1), Alex and Raegan (Gone #2), Kelsey and Hunter (Protected #3), as well as youngest brother Thomas, their parents Hannah and Michael McClane; Harper’s boss Andrew Renwick, detectives Brett Callahan, and Noah Pierce. The requisite evil has many faces, some familiar to both of our leading couple. I am not sure if the author has plans for Thomas-he is a senior in high school, and his story would require an advance of several years in the series.

UNSPEAKABLE is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and intelligent; the characters are spirited and dynamic; the romance is provocative and edgy. UNSPEAKABLE is an engaging and intense story of mystery wherein two people are pulled together by the seedy underbelly of the human sex trade.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Repressed
Gone
Protected
Unspeakable

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

They turned in a slow circle, neither talking, then quietly, in his ear, she said, “So they’re auctioning off one girl tonight?”

Harper’s warm breath sent tingles all along his neck, but he fought from shivering. Fought from pulling her in closer as well. “Yeah. This party is a cover for it. Only a handful of the richest men here will be escorted down to the auction.”

“It’s somewhere in the back?”

“Supposedly.”

“Sick.”

They were. Rusty glanced around the dimly lit room, checking masked faces for any he recognized. He didn’t see any.

“Do you think she’s being held back there?”

“That’d be my guess. Probably in a lower level.”

“I came in through a lower level. There was a corridor with several locked doors, but I didn’t get a chance to check any.”

For the first time, he realized she’d come in through a side door, not the elevator he had used. “How did you get in here anyway?”

“The tunnels.”

He drew back just enough to look down at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

She shook her head. “A friend at the city got me a blueprint. From there I just had to jimmy a lock into the boiler room.”

“Jimmy a lock,” he muttered, looking over her head. “I don’t know many girls who can do that. And I know even fewer who’d go into those tunnels alone.”

“Well, I’m not a normal girl.”

“No kidding.”

A smug little smile curled the edges of her lips. One he liked too damn much.

They swayed to the music for several more minutes, neither speaking, and neither making any move to pull apart. And damn but she felt good. It’d been so long since he was this close to a woman he was attracted to, he’d nearly forgotten how great it could feel.

“So our plan is to blend in with the crowd back there, sneak off and find the girl, then what? How were you planning to get her out of here?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet.”

She drew back and looked up at him with surprise. “Seriously? That’s how people get caught.”

“I was planning to wing it.”

She laughed and slid in close again. “I don’t know many guys who could wing that. And I know even fewer who would risk their life for someone they don’t even know.”

“Yeah, well. I’m not like most guys.”

She drew back and looked up at him again, only this time there was no surprise in her eyes. Only warmth. A warmth that lit off a host of butterflies in his stomach. “I know. You’re Robin Hood. I’m still not sure how or why, but I am sure if you’d told me that from the start, I wouldn’t have screwed up your plans the other night. I also wouldn’t have been so rude.”

Shock hit him. That she knew who he was. That she was basically apologizing. But it was overridden by a heat that spread all through his body, making him hot, making him crave things he shouldn’t be craving. “You weren’t that bad.”

“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips in such an adorable way he itched to kiss the sarcastic expression from her face. “You thought I was a crazed man-hater when we met.”

“Well . . . maybe not crazed.”

She laughed and smacked her clutch against his shoulder. “Careful, buddy.”

His lips twisted into a smile—the first full smile he could remember feeling in months—no, years. “Hey, watch it. That kind of stuff’s restricted to the back rooms.”

Her eyes widened just a touch. “Please tell me that is not what’s back there. A little raunchiness I can handle, but the whole BDSM thing is not my scene.”

A laugh tumbled from his lips—something else he hadn’t done in years. “I think you’re safe. BDSM night is on Thursdays.”

She sent him another of those adorable little frowns. “You’d better be joking.”

He was. And damn, but it felt good to have something to joke about.

She sighed and relaxed against him as they swayed a little more, each growing more comfortable against each other. After several bars of the music, she said, “So we find the girl and make for the tunnels.”

“Yeah.” It was as good a plan as any. But he suddenly wasn’t ready to put it into motion. He wanted to stay here, doing just this a little while longer.

“I guess we should probably get on with it, then.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Neither made any move to pull away.

“McClane?”

“Rusty.”

“Rusty,” she repeated with a warmth in her voice that told him she liked saying his name. “I was wrong about you. I’m not usually wrong about people, but I’m not above admitting my faults. Whatever happens back there, I just want you to know that I’ve got your back.”

Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home.

Follow Elisabeth: Facebook / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

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A Rancher’s Bride (Heart Falls #4) by Vivian Arend-a review

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A RANCHER’S BRIDE (Heart Falls #4) by Vivian Arend-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2018

Welcome to Heart Falls, where there’s more at stake than the future of the Silver Stone ranch.

With the ranch teetering on the brink of disaster, accepting an invitation to the gala of the year is a top business priority for Luke Stone. Having a significant other on his arm isn’t merely a good idea, it’s a necessity. Doesn’t matter that he’s currently single—there’s a logical solution. Kelli is easy company, a vital part of ranch operations, and willing to sing Silver Stone’s praises all day long. She’ll be perfect.

Kelli James has kept a lot of secrets over the eight years since she boldly walked onto the ranch. Her biggest challenge, though, has been hiding her crush on the sexiest cowboy she’s ever laid eyes on. When Luke informs her they’re headed to the mountains for a week-long, work-related event, she’s not sure what to expect.

That he signed her up to play the part of the perfect rancher’s bride-to-be wasn’t it…

••••••••••

REVIEW: A RANCHER’S BRIDE is the fourth instalment in Vivian Arend’s contemporary, adult HEART FALLS erotic, romance cowboy series focusing on the Stone Siblings of Heart Falls, Alberta-Caleb, Luke, Walker, Ginny and Dustin. This is thirty-something, rancher Luke Stone, and twenty-three year old, ranch hand Kelli James’ story line. A RANCHER’S BRIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficult. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The HEART FALLS series is a spin off from the author’s SIX PACK RANCH series, but you do not have to have read the original series to follow or understand the current story lines.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Luke and Kelli) A RANCHER’S BRIDE follows the friends to lovers relationship / fake fiancé trope between thirty-something, rancher Luke Stone, and twenty-three year old, ranch hand Kelli James. Eight years earlier, lost and on the run, Kelli James found her way to Silver Stone ranch in the hopes of procuring a place to live, and a much needed job. Meeting Luke Stone stirred something deep within the young teenage girl but Luke was about to enter into another relationship that forced Kelli to watch from the sidelines as the man with whom she would fall in love, fell in love with someone else. Fast forward to present day wherein Luke, now single and desperately trying to save the Silver Stone ranch, invites Kelli to the Triple Crown Gala, where the who’s who of horse breeders gather to schmooze and set up deals. What ensues is the building romance and sexual relationship between Kelli and Luke, and the potential fall-out as their time together draws to a close when the gala comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Luke and his brothers are desperately trying to save the Silver Stone ranch since the death of their parents years before. An invitation to the Triple Crown Gala meant the possibility of saving the ranch, and securing a financial windfall but the hosts were all about ‘family’ meaning Luke needed Kelli to pose as his fiancé in order to put up a united front. What they never expected was to fall in love, or have their future relationship threatened by someone from the past.

The relationship between Kelli and Luke is one of friends to lovers; a fake fiancé / employee and boss arrangement between two people desperate to find something more. Luke’s previous relationship ended in disaster, and Kelli was in no position to become the rebound lover but offers herself up for their time away. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Caleb and Tamara (A Rancher’s Heart 1), Walker and Ivy (A Rancher’s Song #2), Hannah Lane (A Firefighter’s Christmas #3), youngest brother Dustin; veterinarian Josiah Ryder; Tamara’s sister Lisa Coleman : Ivy’s sisters Tansy and Rose; Silver Stone ranch foreman Ashton Stewart; Triple Crown gala attendees Jack and Diane, and Timothy Carlyn. Josiah and Lisa’s story line is next in The Cowgirl’s Forever Love, the first instalment in the author’s new spin-off series The Colemans of Heart Falls.

A RANCHER’S BRIDE is a story of family and friendship; romance and love. The premise is engaging, heart warming and inviting; the characters are spirited and moving; the romance is seductive. THE RANCHER’S BRIDE is a delightful romance between two people who deserve their own happily ever after.

Reading Oder and Previous Reviews
A Rancher’s Heart
A Rancher’s Song
A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift
A Rancher’s Bride

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Tequila High (100 Proof Series) by M. Leighton-a review

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TEQUILA HIGH (100 Proof) by M. Leighton-a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: November 18, 2018

Haley Brandt isn’t the one-night-stand type, but too much tequila and a man with two sinfully black eyes left her breathless and willing to break her own rules. Her only solace was the fact that she’d never see him again.

Until the next morning when she finds out he’s her ride out of town and back to the ranch where she grew up.

Nixon Holt works with Haley’s father, so Haley makes her position clear—she doesn’t get involved with ranch employees. Ever. At nineteen, she’d learned her lesson the hard way, and it became her one unbreakable rule.

But Nixon makes his position clear, too: He’s going to wear down Haley’s defenses and he won’t stop until she breaks all her rules for him. He’s well on his way when Haley finds out the one thing that could make her hate him. Nixon is left with two choices: walk away or break all his rules for her.

••••••••••

REVIEW: TEQUILA HIGH is the first instalment in Michelle Leighton’s contemporary, adult, 100 Proof, romance series. This is fashion boutique owner, twenty-nine year old, Haley Brandt, and ranch hand Nixon Holt’s story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Nixon and Haley) TEQUILA HIGH follows the building but forbidden relationship between fashion boutique owner, twenty-nine year old, Haley Brandt, and ranch hand Nixon Holt. Ten years earlier Haley Brandt’s heart was destroyed by the young man she loved, and in the aftermath our heroine ran from friends and family to places unknown. Fast forward to present day wherein Haley has been summoned home to the family ranch, a place that holds too many bad memories of the past. An almost one-night stand upon her return, involving too much tequila, turns into something more when she is introduced to her father’s new ranch hand Nixon Holt, the man with whom Haley will fall in love. What ensues is the secret romance and relationship between Haley and Nixon when they are forced to live and work together at the Circle B Ranch, and the fall-out as Nixon’s lies by omission push Haley to run, once again.

Haley Brandt knows love and betrayal; not once but twice, Haley’s heart has been destroyed, and returning to the Circle B Ranch stirs up too many memories of a time long ago. Meeting Nixon Holt gives Haley the opportunity to put everything behind but Nixon’s lies by omission threaten any new-found stability for our story line heroine. Nixon Holt knows he must come clean with Haley Brandt but his secrets are not his to reveal. Nixon doesn’t do relationships; he’s never fallen in love, and our hero isn’t willing to accept that his happily ever after is his almost one-night stand.

The relationship between Haley and Nixon begins as a dare. Haley’s best friend Lia dares a boozed-up Haley to get ‘back on the proverbial horse’, and in the aftermath Haley must deal with the fall-out of kissing her father’s new ranch hand. Nixon is immediately drawn to the sexy red-haired siren, and is hoping for a mutual arrangement for everybody concerned. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Haley’s best friend Lia, as well as Haley’s sisters Hannah, Harper and Hope, and their father John Brandt. The back and forth, sibling camaraderie is fun and familiar. I am hoping the author has plans for the Brandt sisters.

TEQUILA HIGH is a fast paced, realistic, and emotional story. The premise is engaging and moving; the romance is sexy and sassy; the chemistry is immediate; the characters are colorful, captivating and dynamic. TEQUILA HIGH has a little bit of everything: romance, humor, fun, betrayal, anxiety and heart break.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

About Michelle: I love coffee and chocolate, even more so when they are combined. I’m convinced that one day they could be the basis for world peace. I also love the color red and am seriously considering dying my hair.

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Seasons of Sorcery Fantasy Anthology with Jennifer Estep, Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy and Amanda Bouchet-dual reviews

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SEASONS OF SORCERY: A Fantasy Anthology by Jennifer Estep, Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy and Amanda Bouchet- Dual Reviews

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

About the book: Release Date November 13, 2018

Description:
WINTER’S WEB BY JENNIFER ESTEP
An assassin at a renaissance faire. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, if you’re Gin Blanco. This Spider is trapped in someone else’s icy web—and it seems like they don’t want her to leave the faire alive . . .

A CURSE FOR SPRING BY AMANDA BOUCHET
A malevolent spell strangles the kingdom of Leathen in catastrophic drought. Prince Daric must break the curse before his people starve. A once-mighty goddess trapped in a human body might be the key—but saving his kingdom could mean losing all that he loves.

THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER BY JEFFE KENNEDY
As unofficial consort to the High Queen, former mercenary Harlan Konyngrr faces a challenge worse than looming war and fearsome dragons. His long-held secrets threaten what he loves most—and he must make a choice between vows to two women.

A WILDERNESS OF GLASS BY GRACE DRAVEN
The stretch of sea known as The Gray rules the lives of those in the village of Ancilar, including widow Brida Gazi. In the aftermath of an autumn storm, Brida discovers one of the sea’s secrets cast onto the shore—a discovery that will change her world, mend her soul, and put her in the greatest danger she’s ever faced.

 

SANDY’s Review:

SEASONS OF SORCERY is a multi-authored fantasy anthology by Jennifer Estep, Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy and Amanda Bouchet. A great mix of writing styles, the anthology is a fantastic and entertaining peek at the other.

_______

WINTER’S WEB by Jennifer Estep
 WINTER’S WEB by Jennifer Estep is instalment 17.5 in the author’s contemporary, adult ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Gin Blanco aka The Spider aka The Assassin –the reigning Queen of the paranormal Underworld of Ashland. WINTER’S WEB can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Winter’s Web takes place after Venom in the Vein.

Told from first person point of view (Gin Blanco) WINTER’S WEB follows Gin and the gang as they are ‘coerced’ into participating at Ashland’s annual Winter’s Web Renaissance Faire. Surprising himself and everyone he loved, Gin’s lover Owen Grayson won tickets to the local fair but things don’t go according to plans when Gin finds herself stalked by a group of giants, and the man that she loves, goes missing. As Gin battles to save her life, Owen faces a familiar face in a battle between money, his life, and power.

WINTER’S WEB is a quick read; a fast paced, action packed story of power and greed, elemental magic, and love. A heart pounding tale with familiar faces, energetic fight scenes, and a captivating couple WINTER’S WEB is the perfect addition to Estep’s Elemental Assassin series.

___________

A CURSE FOR SPRING by Amanda Bouchet
 A CURSE FOR SPRING by Amanda Bouchet is an adult, stand alone, fantasy story line focusing on Prince Daric and the woman he loves as they journey in the hopes of ending decades of drought for the kingdom of Leathen.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Daric and Rain) A CURSE FOR SPRING focuses on the kingdom of Leathen, and the decades old drought. Daric has loved Rain for most of his life since the day he pulled her from the magical mist, but the ongoing drought is threatening the people of Leathen. Promised to another woman in exchange for water, Daris refuses to accept his father’s demands, hoping he and Rain will be able to find what is necessary to restore the land, and continue together towards a happily ever after. But Rain knows that her time with Daric has an expiry date, an expiry date that is tied to the Leathen drought, and the curse that surrounds the man that she loves.

Amanda Bouchet draws the reader into a love story; a cross-country adventure wherein our couple will profess their love as they search for a way to break the curse. A CURSE FOR SPRING is an intriguing and passionate tale of ill-fated lovers.

_____________

THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER by Jeffe Kennedy
 THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER is a novella set in the author’s Uncharted Realms fantasy series, and takes place after The Arrows of the Heart.

NOTE: THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER is an adult fantasy story line with recalled spousal violence that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from first person perspective (Harlan) THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER is a story of magic, dragons, war, secrets and struggle. Harlan is head of security for Castle Ordnung, and the people are preparing for a two-pronged attack. Tensions have been high between Harlan and the woman he loves, High Queen Ursula of the Thirteen Kingdoms, but betrayal from within, Harlan’s sacred vows to his family back home, and loyalties to the Queen, threaten the peace between our leading couple. Secrets from the past, dividing family and friends, once again threatens the relationship between Harlan and Ursula.

THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER is a revealing story line of family, betrayal, loss and love. A mesmorizing and intriguing story, THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER is a magical, sexy and spirited tale.

_____________

A WILDERNESS OF GLASS BY Grace Draven
A WILDERNESS OF GLASS is a novella set in Grace Draven’s fantasy World of the Wraith Kings.

Told from third person point of view A WILDERNESS OF GLASS follows Ancilar’s magical flute player and widow Brida Gazi and friends as they have accepted an invitation to perform for Lord Andras Frantisek at Castle Banat. Intrigued by her music, a stranger would embark on a journey in an effort to regain what was once lost. A sudden storm brought a bountiful harvest to the small village but a bounty rich with fantastical beasts and promises of more.

A WILDERNESS OF GLASS is an engaging and entertaining, forbidden love story; of family, friendship, betrayal and loss; a journey into the fantastic between a woman and the creature she has grown to love.

 


BARB’s Reviews:
Seasons of Sorcery Anthology are novellas written by Jennifer Estep, Amanda Bouchet, Jeffe Kennedy and Grace Draven.   I looked forward to reading this anthology, as some of my favorite authors have stories that I must always read.   I will write a short review of each arc to give you my thoughts on each book.

Winter’s Web by Jennifer Estep
This is a novella that takes place in Estep’s wonderful world of her Elemental Assassin series. Anything even short, is a must read for me, because we get more time to spend with Gin Blanco, our spider assassin heroine. 

In Winter’s Web, Gin and the gang (Owen, Bria, Finn, Sophie) all attend in costume the renaissance faire.  Gin isn’t thrilled to be in costume, but she is determined to have fun. Of course, anywhere Gin goes there is bound to be problems.  At the faire, she watches a woman that marvels the crowd with her sword expertise, and before the day is out, Gin is face to face with a dangerous enemy, who is out to kill someone she loves.  We have come to know that Gin will go through hell and back to save those she loves.  This was an exciting, action- packed short story that I savored from start to finish.  I will not tell too much more, as it would be spoilers.  If you are an Elemental Assassin fan, you need to read this and enjoy the fun.

A Curse for Spring by Amanda Bouchet
I looked forward to reading this short story, since I had read and loved Bouchet’s last series. Prince Daric is desperate to save his land, the Kingdom of Leathen.  They have been in a catastrophic drought for many years, and now they face losing their land to another kingdom.  Rain, our heroine, has lived with Daric and his family for many years, since they pulled her out of a magic weather mist; she was a goddess of Spring, and is now human. With the threat of having to merge Leathen with the enemy kingdom, as well as marry the enemy’s Queen’s daughter, Daric desperately needs to find a way to break the water curse, and save his family.  He and Rain, who have come to fall in love with each other over the years, go on a journey that will change their lives and destiny.  I loved Rain and Daric together, and this was a heartwarming quick fun story, that had moments of sadness. 

The Dragons of Summer by Jeffe Kennedy
This story revolves around our hero, Harlan, who is the consort of the High Queen, Ursula. With war on the horizon, Harlan, who is also head of security, is extra cautious protecting his Queen.  We learn quickly that Harlan and Ursula are lovers, but she also knows he is keeping secrets of his past, that threaten their relationship.  When members of the Queen’s team arrive to help plan on stopping the attack, Harlan loses his cool with some of the members of his family and must decide to reveal to Ursula his secrets of his past or lose her for good. What follows is a wonderful story where Harlan’s family betrayed him and his sister years before, and when he explains the terrible truth about his sister, Ursula is fully by his side.   As the group put differences aside, Harlan will come to terms with his brother and together they will all prepare to fight for survival in this war.  It is a wonderful story of family, love, loyalty, betrayal, with excellent characters, sexy romance and dragons.

A Wilderness of Glass by Grace Draven
Brida Gazi, our heroine, is a flute player with elements of magic.  When Brida plays her flute with others from her town at a Lord’s party, a stranger accosts her.  The stranger wants to know where she got the flute, which was created by her brother, using a bone found by the ocean.   When she walks during the evening by the ocean she comes across two strange species badly injured.  Brida will try to save them, and use her flute to communicate with sea creatures. What follows is a sweet and impelling story of Brida learning the secrets of the sea and her flute, and changing her life along the way with an unlikely romance, and the danger when evil rears its ugly head.  This was a different and well written story.

Copy supplied for review

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Revenge of the Fae / Blood of the Fae (The Forbidden Fae #1 & #2) by Carly Fall-a review

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Revenge of the Fae / Blood of the Fae (The Forbidden Fae #1 & #2) by Carly Fall-a review

REVENGE OF THE FAE
(The Forbidden Fae #1)
by Carly Fall
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30,2018

A Fae hell-bent on Revenge. A shifter prison guard searching for answers. And a dangerous path to cross. When a family member is murdered, Avery Dubois is led to believe the murderer isn’t human. But her wildly dangerous journey for the truth ends when she is thrown into solitary confinement in a paranormal penitentiary. With the help of a were-shifter guard—Gabe—she discovers a theft from his pack may very well be connected the murder of her loved one. Gabe agrees to break her out of prison on one condition: she provides him with the information she discovered to hunt down the one responsible for both crimes. But rivalry between Fae and Shifters goes back several generations, and neither knows if they can really trust the other. And as they work together to solve both cases, Avery quickly realizes that helping Gabe could put her in more danger. If she doesn’t, however, they could both end up dead

••••••••••••

REVIEW: REVENGE OF THE FAE is the first instalment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, adult THE FORBIDDEN FAE paranormal series focusing on half-Fae Avery Dubois.

In the world of the supernaturals not everyone gets along including the rift between the shifters and the Fae. Working at a construction site with a group of wolves is only the beginning of a downward spiral that finds our heroine the survivor of a sexual assault, the murder of her mother, and the questionable investigation by a potentially dirty cop. Finding herself imprisoned in a jail for the supernatural, our heroine is once again targeted, only to be rescued by were-shifter and prison guard Gabe, whose own ‘mother’ is a powerful Fae. What ensues is the search for the person responsible for Avery’s mother’s death, and the hunt for the truth.

REVENGE OF THE FAE is a story of betrayal, revenge and the discrimination between supernatural species. Carly Fall pulls the reader into an imaginative and edgy story of one woman’s struggle to survive in a world that sees her as nothing more than a satisfying lunch. From ravenous vampires to violent shifters REVENGE OF THE FAE is a dramatic and spirited tale of the paranormal.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

___________

BLOOD OF THE FAE
(The Forbidden Fae Series #2)
by Carly Fall
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 15, 2018

Someone is murdering the Fae … and Avery may be next on their list

When Avery’s long-lost father shows up in Seattle, Washington, he warns her that her being half-Fae has placed her in grave danger. Once again, she’s thrust into the drama of the paranormal world she’s tried to avoid.

Were-shifter Gabe Turneaux has tried to stay out of Avery’s life, but when her father asks him to be her bodyguard, he becomes tangled up with her once again. The only problem is, Gabe has his own agenda when he takes the job … one of revenge. And he’ll stop at nothing until he gets it.

When the Fae of Seattle begin to disappear and turn up with the blood drained from their bodies, Gabe and Avery set out to find who is responsible before Avery is attacked. But a discovery soon reveals a deep betrayal that leaves them with no one to trust. Not even each other.

One wrong move, and they’ll both wind up dead.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BLOOD OF THE FAE is the second instalment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, adult THE FORBIDDEN FAE paranormal series. BLOOD OF THE FAE continues to focus on half-Fae Avery Dubois, and wolf-shifter Gabe Turneaux. BLOOD OF THE FAE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up shortly after the events of book one -Revenge of the Fae.

NOTE: BLOOD OF THE FAE contains scenes of graphic violence and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Avery and Gabe) BLOOD OF THE FAE finds our heroine, half-Fae Avery Dubois working as a diner waitress in Blaine, Washington, a town rife with supernatural species. An unexpected visit from wolf-shifter and Spectral Prison guard Gabe Turneaux reveals an underground supernatural element targeting the Fae for their blood and their power. Hiding under Gabe’s protection with the Bellevue Pack, Avery is abducted and learns quickly that everyone is suspect, and someone is going to die. Fae blood is a hot commodity, and someone close is caught in the mix.

BLOOD OF THE FAE is a fast paced, action packed story of family, friendship, betrayal and revenge. Carly Fall pulls the reader into a story of power, greed and deception. Avery Dubois struggles in the face of adversity and heartbreak; not all supernatural heroines are powerful or strong. BLOOD OF THE FAE is an imaginative and energetic instalment in Carly Fall’s THE FORBIDDEN FAE series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy 

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The Bastard (Filthy Duet #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review & Excerpt Tour

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THE BASTARD (Filthy Duet #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-Review and Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date November 14, 2018

ERIC MITCHELL’S STORY
I’m the bastard child, son to the mistress, my father’s backup heir to the Mitchell empire. He sent me to Harvard. I left and became a Navy SEAL, but I’m back now, and I finished school on my own dime. I’m now the right hand man to Grayson Bennett, the billionaire who runs the Bennett Empire. I’m now a few months from being a billionaire myself. I don’t need my father’s company or his love. My “brother” can have it. I will never go back there. I will never be the mistake my father made, the way he was the mistake my mother made.

And then she walks in the door, the princess I’d once wanted more than I’d wanted my father’s love. She wants me to come back. She says my father needs to be saved. I don’t want to save my father but I do want her. Deeply. Passionately. More than I want anything else.

But she’s The Princess and I’m The Bastard. We don’t fit. We don’t belong together and yet she says he needs me, that she needs me. We’re like sugar and spice, we don’t mix, but I really crave a taste. Just one. What harm can just one taste do?

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE BASTARD is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult FILTHY DUET erotic, romantic suspense duology focusing on billionaire/ Navy SEAL and second in command to Grayson Bennett, Eric Mitchell, and heiress Harper Evans’ story line. Eric was first introduced in the author’s DIRTY RICH BETRAYAL (Dirty Rich #4) but you do not have to have read the previous release to understand or follow the story. As per most of Lisa’s series, there is a slight cross-over with inclusion of some of the characters from the author’s Walker Security series including Blake Walker.

Told from dual first person perspectives THE BASTARD follows the building but forbidden relationship between billionaire / Navy SEAL and second in command to Grayson Bennett, Eric Mitchell, and heiress Harper Evans. Six years earlier, Eric Mitchell, the bastard son of Kingston Motors CEO Jeff Kingston met his father’s new step-daughter Harper Evans, a woman Eric dubbed The Princess, but a woman that stirred something deep within our story line hero. A one-night stand followed by the realization of who and what Harper Evans represented further pushed Eric away from his birth right, as the spare to the heir of Kingston Motors. Fast forward to present day wherein Harper Evans is in desperate need of Eric’s help, help Eric isn’t willing to give without a price. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship but growing romance between Eric and Harper, and the fall-out as Eric believes Harper is setting him up to be destroyed by the family who have rejected him from birth.

Eric Mitchell knows the pain of betrayal; the heartbreak of rejection; and the loss of someone close but Eric has never forgotten the woman who currently works for the family who all but ignores his existence, a family he is hoping to take down, and destroy. Harper Evans is trying to save what’s left of her father’s legacy, a legacy ‘stolen’ through betrayal but a legacy she no longer controls. Asking Eric Mitchell for help is all kinds of wrong knowing his relationship with the Kingston’s is dangerous and dark, a relationship that continues to fester with secrets and lies.

The relationship between Eric and Harper is one of second chances; a forbidden romance, of a sorts, between two people connected by marriage, and the mutual betrayal by someone close. Eric’s distrust of Harper goes beyond their one-night stand, mistrust that continues to build as secrets are revealed. The $ex scenes are passionate, intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text. The palpable sexual attraction is heavy and real.

The world building follows the tempestuous and caustic relationship between Eric Mitchell, and the family thast refuses to acknowledge his existence. As the bastard son of Jeff Kingston, Eric’s presence is unwelcome but it is his relationship with Harper Evans that forces a show down between brothers, and father and son. As Harper and Eric begin an investigation into Kingston Motors, our couple are targeted from both inside and outside the family.

We are introduced to Harper’s mother; Eric’s grandmother Gigi; his half-brother Isaac, and father Jeff Kingston. The dysfunctional family dynamics are incredulous-trust is absent; doubt and uncertainty, secrets and lies are facts of life.

THE BASTARD is an intriguing, engaging and intelligent story line. The premise is imaginative and energetic; the characters are sassy, spirited and strong; the romance is sensual and provocative. Lisa Renee Jones pulls the reader into a thrilling, impassioned and suspenseful story of family, power and greed. THE BASTARD ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: Excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to content and strong language

 

“This is a bad idea,” she whispers, but her voice is raspy, affected, the taste of her hunger damn near on my tongue.

I kiss her, a quick brush of lips, and a lick that has the heat between us damn near explosive. “Still think it’s a bad idea?”

Her hands flatten on my chest but they flex rather than push. “We both know this is wrong.”

“And yet you followed me here.”

“You said that already,”

“You knew what would happen,” I accuse.

“I was angry.”

I certainly know where anger and family collide, in ways I won’t explain to anyone. My jaw sets hard and I release her, putting a wide step between us. “Stay or go, but if you stay, you’re going to end up naked.”

“I know your father’s an asshole, but my mother loves him and my father’s company is now a part of this one.”

“The part where I said that if you stayed, you’d end up naked.” I reach for her and pull her to me. “You did understand that, correct?”

“I don’t scare off that easily. If I did, I wouldn’t be working for your father and under your brother.”

“It’s me I want you under,” I say, molding her close, my hands sliding up her back.

“I’m too young and stupid for business, but I’m just right to fuck?” she challenges.

“I’m warning you, Harper, not talking down to you. And if you’re young and stupid, so was I.”

“You wanted to be here,” she says.

“Yes,” I say, tangling my fingers into her hair. “I wanted to be here, just like I want to be right here, right now, with you.” My mouth closes down on hers once more, a deep thrust of tongue that’s as unforgiving as my father would be if it came down to choosing her or Isaac. It’s all about demand and I expect her to push back, to give me the rejection that sends her to the door and me to the fucking airport. That’s not what I get.

Her hand on my chest doesn’t push me away. She moans and her elbow softens, those perfect curves I’d admired from a distance now pressed nice and close, right up to the moment she jerks back. “My God. What are we doing? You’re my stepbrother.”

I walk her back against the wall, my hands caressing up her ribcage to cup her breasts. “I told you,” I say, stroking my thumbs over her nipples. “I’m not your fucking brother. Not now. Not ever.” I cup her face, lean in and my mouth finds her mouth, and if she thought my tongue unforgiving before now, she was wrong. This is unforgiving. It’s in my blood. It’s who I am, who I was born to be. A bastard who wants her.

I have this sudden need that consumes me. I shove my hand into the top of her dress, fingering her nipple. She makes this soft, sexy sound that has my cock twitching, expanding beneath my zipper. As if she knows, she presses her hand to my crotch and holy fuck, I need inside this woman. I push off the wall and shrug out of my jacket, my gaze raking over the tops of her breasts. Her teeth scrape her bottom lip, and I want that mouth on my body. I want my mouth on her body.

I toss the jacket, rip away my tie, and she doesn’t run away as I half expect she will. She closes the space between us, her fingers on my buttons, working them down my shirt, but when one hand slides down to my crotch, I react. I slow things down before I fuck her and this is over, and when it is, I’m gone. Suddenly I’m not ready to leave, which is why I turn her to the wall, and force her hands to its surface, yanking down her zipper before I pull my shirt over my head. I step into her, my erection at her backside, my lips at her ear.

“You saw me watching you across the pool,” I say, my fingers catching the straps at her shoulders.

“Of course I saw you. You wanted me to see you.”

“Yes. I did. I wanted you to know I wanted to fuck you.” I shove the straps of her dress down her arms. “I wanted you to know I wanted you naked.” I pull the dress down, and with no bra to contend with I have it down her hips and to her feet. I lift her and kick it away, taking a moment to appreciate just how perfect her heart-shaped ass is before I turn her to face me.

My fingers tangle in her hair and I pull her to me. “And since you’re here,” I add, “I will assume you got that message loud and clear.”

“I’m still angry and you’re still an arrogant asshole, but apparently it doesn’t matter, so fuck me before I come to my senses.”

I press my cheek to hers, my hand on her cheek, lips by her ear. “I promise to use my tongue in all the right places to make sure you have no regrets.”

She pants out a breath that tells me my words affect her and I’m right there when she does, kissing her again, drinking her in, and damn she tastes good; one part innocence, one part a drug that knows how good it feels. And she does feel so fucking good.

I scoop her up and carry her through the living area to the bedroom, because hell, I don’t know, it just feels like I should fuck her on the bed, though I could have easily kept her right there by the door. I want this woman. I want her in a bad way and I wanted her from the moment I saw her by that pool. I set her on her feet and I pull her close. “This is where I lick and you come on my tongue.”


 

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Lisa Renee JonesNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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