Tag Archives: New Release reviews 2023

Ethan / Owen (SEAL Protectors 1 & 2) by Katie Knight-reviews

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ETHAN / OWEN (SEAL Protectors 1 & 2) by Katie Knight-reviews

ETHAN
(SEAL Protectors 1)
by Katie Knight
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2023

A Navy SEAL never, ever quits.
Navy SEAL Ethan Lee is facing his toughest mission yet when he’s hit with divorce papers. For too long the Navy came first and now he’s lost Helen, his only light during many dark missions. But Ethan has never backed down from anything and he’s not about to start now—especially when he finds out she’s pregnant.
Helen can’t take being second best any longer. She loves her husband, but her heart is broken and she’s not sure if it can ever be put back together. Then Ethan returns home, and her heart starts to flutter once more… but she’s not falling for it—her decision is final.
But keeping her distance from Ethan is hard when she’s forced to seek out his protective arms. After witnessing her boss receive a huge drug shipment, he’s now desperate to silence her and there’s no safer place than under Ethan’s watchful, smouldering gaze.

Facing danger together, will Helen realize that love can be just as unyielding as a Navy SEAL?

••••

REVIEW: ETHAN is the first instalment in Katie Knight’s contemporary, adult SEAL Protectors erotic, romantic suspense series. This is US Navy SEAL Ethan Lee, and museum education director Helen Lee’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Ethan and Helen) ETHAN follows the break down of a marriage in the wake of Ethan’s long absences from home. Served with divorce papers while on assignment, Ethan is granted some time off in an effort to save his struggling marriage, a marriage he believed was better than ever but Ethan’s return is met with more anxiety and conflict when he discovers his wife is pregnant, and she is the target of a man desperate enough to take revenge at all costs. On the run together, Ethan and Helen continue to battle about the future, a future in which Ethan has no desire to change the direction of his life. What ensues is the ongoing, embattled marriage between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out as Ethan and Helen’s issues of trust and a lack of communication threaten the life of our story line heroine.

The world building sets the tone for the series as the issues of the drugs and the people involved continues to be a part of the ongoing conflict. With each secret revealed, Helen, and journalist Sophie find themselves facing more complications, and threats by the people involved.

The relationship between Helen and Ethan is one of a crumbling marriage. Helen wants Ethan to settle down, and with the news of their surprise pregnancy, she needs her husband more than ever but Ethan is first married to his job: a Navy SEAL forever, a part of who he is not just what he does. Ethan refuses to step back even though his marriage is threatened, and in doing so, finds himself, looking towards the future alone. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Ethan’s friend and fellow SEAL Owen McCormick, journalist Sophie Carter, as well as Helen’s boss’ former sister in law Julie Hart; security guard Mason, and museum curator Benjamin Wilson.

ETHAN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, the break down of a marriage, forgiveness and love. The premise is compelling and heart breaking; the romance is subtle; the characters are desperate, determined and broken. ETHAN ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-the overarching conflict has yet to be resolved.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

OWEN
(SEAL Protectors 2)
by Katie Knight
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 29, 2023

A journalist and a smouldering Navy SEAL team up as fake-married to take down a drug lord…

Sophie Carter is on the trail of a news story about a deadly new street drug. It’s an assignment that could make her career…but it’s a big risk.

When her investigation lands her in the cross hairs of a ruthless drug smuggler, she’s forced to hide out at a couple’s retreat—without her imaginary second half. Until Owen McCormick shows up, and announces he’s her husband. Now she’s got a smoking hot fake husband lending a helping hand, in more ways than one…

Owen and Sophie have never got on, but thanks to her investigaiton, they’re getting closer to proving who’s behind this deadly drug smuggling ring. But Sophie is gorgeous, whip-smart, and oh so tempting… pretending to her husband is driving him crazy. Owen’s been a player all his adult life. But Sophie’s making him realize the only way he can win this game may be to keep her in his heart forever.

Assuming they both live long enough to tell each other how they really feel

•••••••

REVIEW:OWEN is the second instalment in Katie Knight’s contemporary, adult SEAL Protectors erotic romantic suspense series focusing on three former US Navy SEALs. This is SEAL turned security Owen McCormick, and journalist Sophie Carter’s story line. OWEN can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout. Owen and Sophie were first introduced in book one ETHAN.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Owen and Sophie) OWEN focuses on the search for the truth. Sophie Carter is a journalist who is researching a story about a the influx of drugs in their town. When her best friend Helen (Ethan) discovers her boss is importing drugs, Sophie begins an investigation that is about to place a target on her back. Desperate to protect her friend, Helen asks her Navy SEAL husband to suggest someone to help. Enter former US Navy SEAL Owen McCormick, and the man with whom Sophie will fall in love. Under cover and in hiding as a married couple at a local retreat, Sophie continues her investigation, an investigation wherein someone will die, and their lives will be threatened on more than one occasion. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Sophie and Owen, and the potential fall-out a new player in the drug game takes control,taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building continues to focus on the search for the truth. Sophie Carter is willing to do just about anything for the story including placing herself, and everyone else in the direct line of fire. Her best friend Helen is still in hiding, now the threats have been directed at our story line heroine.

The relationship between Sophie and Owen is an enemies to friends to lovers. Sophie doesn’t want protection or help, and Owen’s presence is a threat to her acquiring a story. At every opportunity, Sophie places herself in danger, and in doing so, more than one person is about to lose their life. As Owen struggles to convince Sophie her life is in danger, our heroine, often TSTL, ignores Owen’s warnings. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

We are introduced to couple’s resort counsellor Luna, drug lieutenant Razor, and fixer Quinn, as well as the return of Helen, Ethan and Julia. Julia and Sean’s story line is next.

OWEN is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are determined; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Secret Pages by Bob W. Anderson-a review

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Secret Pages by Bob W. Anderson-a review

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release December 12, 2023

Sharmaine was a sensational hit on Broadway by age 19. That wasn’t her only passion. She was about to win the heart of her first love. But suddenly, her storybook life was devastated by an explosive love triangle. In one horrific moment, her dreams were turned to ashes. Her only chance for recovery would hinge on a carefully guarded secret buried between the pages of an old diary . . . and on the undying tenacity of a new friend who refuses to believe that Sharmaine is a murderer.

•••••

REVIEW:Secret Pages by Bob W Anderson is a romance mystery with an old Hollywood vibe and thrilling suspense. This was a first time read for this author for me and while the story was intriguing and did keep me interested, it fell a little flat with the interactions between its main characters.

The story follows Sharmaine and her journey in Hollywood. At a young at she becomes extremely sought after, and is living her dream life. The only thing that can make it better is her fella, the one fella she knows she loves more than anyone else. Or so she thinks…

When the unthinkable happens and a new spotlight is on her; the friends she thought she had are no where to be find. She is alone and facing murder charges. The only person she has left to relay on is a stranger, but one that knows her better than most it seems.

Secret Pages is a fast paced mystery romance that transports the reader into the life its characters lives and emotions. This has major old school Hollywood vibes and that part I really enjoyed. Overall and decent read.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

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Sabotage (Raiders of Valhalla MC 8) by Elizabeth Knox-review

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Sabotage (Raiders of Valhalla MC 8) by Elizabeth Knox-review

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2023

She’s the one thing I want more than anything else, and I’ll have her, no matter the cost.

Aesir

Our club has been knocking down one enemy after the next, and soon enough, we might be able to finally live in peace.
At least, that’s what we’re all hoping for. I, on the other hand, know that any peace we have will be short-lived. There’s always someone else lurking around the corner, waiting to cause problems.

The club is hunting Roque down like the rabid dog he is, and after that, Dag asks for help tracking down his abusive former stepfather. A few weeks ago, his mother and sister were attacked by him after his prison release, so they’ve been staying at the club while Loren can’t be located.

There is never a dull moment in the club, but even with all of the chaos, there is one woman who demands my attention—Aziza.

She’s one of Magnolia’s closest friends and occasionally works with her. She’s also someone I’ve been sleeping with casually for the last few months whenever she’s broken up with her deadbeat boyfriend who doesn’t deserve her.

I told Aziza I’m not continuing anything unless she’s done with Tyler, and she tells me she is, but I know better. He might treat her like crap, but the man is her first love, and she has a soft spot for him.

Even so, I’ll do anything I need to have her as mine. I don’t care what I need to do, but I am going to sabotage his efforts.
Aziza will be mine.

•••••

REVIEW:SABOTAGE is the eight instalment in Elizabeth Knox’ contemporary adult RAIDERS OF VALHALLA MC erotic, MC romance series. This is Aesir and Aziza’s story line. SABOTAGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information form the previous story lines is revealed where necessary..

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Aesir and Aziza) SABOTAGE follows the building relationship between our story line couple. As the Raiders of Valhalla continue to work on prior issues, and the take down of the people who have taken aim at their members and family, Aesir is determined to claim Aziza as his own but Aziza’s on-again, off-again history with her ex Tyler, threatens any long term happiness or forever for our story line couple. Tired of Tyler’s constant betrayals, Aziza proclaims her love for Aesir but Tyler refuses to quietly walk away. What ensues is the romance and relationship between Aesir and Aziza, and the potential fall-out as Tyler becomes a problem for the woman Aesir loves.

The world building follows several paths including Aziza’s foray into owning her own business. A baker by trade, Aziza get the opportunity to work alongside her friend and fellow old lady Magnolia but at every turn Aziza’s ex make his presence known. Meanwhile, the Raiders of Valhalla MC must continue to clean up and take down those who use their power to destroy, and in doing so, take down the people who have betrayed the ones whom they love.

The relationship between Aesir and Aziza is one of second, third, fourth chances, of a sorts. Every time Aziza breaks up with Tyler, she runs to Aesir for companionship and strength but both Aziza and Aesir are tired of the back and forth, and Aesir is willing to walk away, one final time. 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 and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including Aziza’s new bestie Magnolia, and several members of the Raiders of Valhalla MC.The requisite evil has many faces.

SABOTAGE is a story of power and control, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is thought provoking and compelling; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are determined, driven and strong.

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour

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?? Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour ??

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2023

The entire game can be determined by a lucky shot.

PrettyInLace

Even a gay athlete has an appearance to uphold. There are a handful out in every sport and while every trashy magazine wants to get the scoop on what the gays are up to, looking for a scandal and a way to ruin us, every one of us is constantly on our best behavior. Acting a certain way; dressing a certain way; speaking a certain way.

If the world knew the real me, it’d shudder. Lace. Pearls. Dresses. Collars. All I want is to be someone’s pretty little doll that they dress up and tell me how pretty I am. I want to be loved for the real me; not the image I’m forced to show to the world just so I can keep my spot on the ice.

The only place I find that escape is in an online role playing game where I can be the sexy femme mage and get my flirt on. Find the man of my dreams.

And I do. He’s a big, hot druid ready to sweep me off my feet. Now if only I could find the courage to tell him who I am and trust that he won’t share it with the rest of the world. I’m not ready to end my career yet.

DemiDefenseKip

I’m known for my defensive plays. Aggressive. Precise. Quick. Strong. On the ice, I’m an icon that the world loves to put on a pedestal and worship. I’ve carefully cultivated everything about my public appearance to capitalize on my short career. Considering I’m a noted ‘queer athlete’ – a title that never strays too far from any article – I’m truly living a charmed life.

What the world doesn’t know is that it’s not just my sexuality that makes having a relationship in the spotlight difficult. It’s also because I’m demisexual. Finding someone interested in me and not my jersey or bank balance has proven especially challenging.

So how does someone with a recognizable face the world over find love? If you figure it out, let me know.

***

This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

••••••••

REVIEW:You think you’ve read your favourite book by this author. Then she throws another contender into the ring.

I absolutely loved this one, and didn’t put it down until I finished it….

Noah and Elixon (Lix) have known each other for a few years. A nod or a “how are you?” have really been their only form of communication.Noah is a great hockey player, but sometimes feels like they only see his face! He’s tired of being called “pretty” he is well aware of what he looks like, he just wants someone to notice him, and to dress him up….. Noah really wants to be someone’s treasured possession, for someone to see past his face and to get to know the real him…. And so far no luck!

Elixon (Lix to friends and family) might be a gay hockey player, but he hates the fact that people assume he’s always up for a one night stand! He’s selective in who he spends time with, but unless he makes an emotional connection with someone, Elixon just isn’t interested. So if Elixon and Noah know of each other through their sport, why haven’t they hooked up before? And this is where this book is different from the rest of the hockey romances I’ve been reading recently.

They meet online…. Nope, not a dating app, but a Role Playing Game. You create a character, do challenges and basically have fun and do stuff you wouldn’t do in the real world. They meet, they hang out, they accept and do challenges together, and along the way find out about one another, whilst remaining anonymous.

Both Noah and Elixon spend every waking hour in this pretend world, they are both drawn to one another and tell each other their hopes/dreams and darkest desires. Whilst in the real world not having a clue they’ve just spent time with one another (there are moments in the book that will have you laughing) The role playing game leads them to exchanging phone numbers, that lead to texting one another, that lead them into phoning each other. Until a date with a FaceTime meeting changes their whole relationship…..

Over the few months they’ve grown to love one another, and both Noah and Lix can’t wait to finally see each over….. So can you imagine their shock and surprise that they’ve literally known one another and not known who they were interacting with! So meeting up is just a matter of a plane flight away. But Noah can’t get his head around it, and is worried it will all fall apart once the hockey season begins again!

Can Lix convince Noah that what he feels for Noah is real, and it won’t go away?

I loved both Noah and Lix for different reasons. Their characters were so different from both one another and from characters I’ve read about. This author brings to life their struggles that happen in the real world. I got so excited when they finally saw each other for the first albeit over a FaceTime. And couldn’t wait for them to meet in person. The airport scene was so touching.

So another fantastic read from one of my favourite MM authors.

A highly recommended read from me.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Hateful Promise (Costa Crime Family) by BB Hamel-a review

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Hateful Promise (Costa Crime Family) by BB Hamel-a review

ebook ONLY 99¢ USD Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2023

He’s a creature of black velvet and cold steel.And I’m his new obsession.When my father steals money from three powerful casino bosses, I’m taken captive by the worst of them Erick Costa, notorious gangster and vicious criminal with violent tastes and sickening delights.He cuts me a deal. Create forged paintings for him to sell on the black market, and he’ll let me work off my father’s debt.Except that’ll take forever, and in the meantime, I’m stuck at his pleasure.If I don’t do what he says, he’ll dump my body in the desert like all his other victims.Erick Costa’s big, gorgeous, reserved, and intelligent. I want to pretend like I’m not attracted to him, but the man isn’t shy about flaunting his stacked abs and tattoos.Soon it becomes clear there’s no way this arrangement will work.And when he finds the secret paintings I’ve been making of him?He’ll know exactly how I feel, and he’ll never let me go.The next Costa brother gets his story! Hateful Promise is a standalone, full-length novel, with no cheating and no cliffhanger, so dive in and enjoy!

••••

REVIEW:HATEFUL PROMISE is the third instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult COSTA CRIME FAMILY erotic, Mafia romance series. This is casino owner Erick Costa, and artist Heloise ‘Hellie’ Accardi’s story line. HATEFUL PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives Erick and Hellie) HATEFUL PROMISE follows in the wake of the theft of several million dollars from several local crime organizations in Las Vegas. Professional thief Daniel Accardi has skipped town, and with it, left his only daughter to pay for his sins. Heloise Accardi is an artist, a painter who is about to discover that to pay for the sins of her father, she must either forfeit her life, and work with the Las Vegas gangsters in an effort to defraud collectors of millions of dollars. Enter mobster and billionaire casino owner Erick Costa, the man with whom Hellie will fall in love. Hellie will become Erick’s prisoner and in-house artist, a position that pushes Hellie to the edges of sanity. What ensues is the building relationship between Hellie and Erick, and the potential fall-out when Hellie is forced to betray herself and go against her moral code.

The world building focuses on betrayal and vengeance, forgery and fraud, acceptance and love. Erick finds himself falling for his captive, a woman with a target on her back, and a father who is missing without a trace. In an effort to pay back the millions of dollars in missing money, Heloise Accardi is forced to re-capture the Masters, a feat only a few have ever accomplished. As the days and weeks pass, Erick finds himself falling for his captive, a woman who continues to struggle with what is happening and why.

The relationship between Hellie and Erick begins as prisoner and warden. Hellie must pay for her father’s sins but with Erick as her guardian, she is protected from those wanting vengeance including the death of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

We are introduced to Erick’s right hand man Ren, his housekeeper Marina, as well as local crime lords Clifton Frost, and Alberto Gallo.

HATEFUL PROMISE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twisted Wedding
Wedding Disaster

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

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RUTHLESS PASSION (Gallo Famiglia 3) by Brooke Summers-review

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RUTHLESS PASSION (Gallo Famiglia 3) by Brooke Summers-review tour

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2023

All I’ve ever wanted is to feel safe. He wants to upturn my carefully constructed world.

Losing my father shaped me. Pushing me into the dark.

Having my stepfather want to sell me made me run. Forcing me into the shadows.

Living on the streets wasn’t the plan, but it’s all that I could do. And I’d do anything to survive.

Until him.

Dario Gallo has bad news written all over him.

He wants to deconstruct the meagre life I’ve built for myself and force me back into the light.

In order to protect myself and those I care about, what else can I do but push him away?

Even though he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel protected. Safe.

He wants me, but he’s part of a life I want nothing to do with.

The chemistry between us is undeniable.

Will he destroy me just like the Mafia did my father.

Or will he be the solace that I have craved for so long?

•••••

REVIEW: RUTHLESS PASSION is the third instalment in Brooke Summers’ contemporary, adult GALLO FAMIGLIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, set in the author’s MADE SERIES. This I underboss Dario Gallo, and nineteen year old, Portia Leone’s story line. RUTHLESS PASSION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one RUTHLESS ARRANGEMENT for back story and cohesion. Some of the events of Ruthless Passion run parallel to, and cross over with some of the event of book one Ruthless Arrangement.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dario and Portia), covering several years RUTHLESS PASSION follows in the wake of the murder of Portia’s father Davide Leone. At sixteen years old, Portia hears the killing of her father, and within minutes her mother and herself become the prisoner of a man who traffics women and children. After a successful escape, Portia lives on the streets for close to four years where she will meet people who will become her lifelong friends. All is not well when the traffickers beginstargeting the people she knows but a familiar face will claim Portia as his own, and in doing so, set into motion months of heart break and pain for our story line couple. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Portia and Dario, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building follows several intersecting paths focusing on the take down of a sexual trafficking ring. Young women and girls go missing, and our heroine finds herself working for the people willing to do everything it takes to rescue those most vulnerable but as Portia struggles to locate and find, Dario battles between head and heart knowing he pushed Portia out of his life. A good portion of the story line our couple are separated, living separate lives without the other, therefore, there is a definite lack of cohesion in the struggling relationship.

The relationship between Dario and Portia is one of immediate attraction for our story line hero. Dario knows immediately the identity of the woman with whom he will fall in love but Portia struggles to trust or accept that everyone does not have an ulterior motive. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters from both the Gallo Famiglia and MADE series including Dario’s brothers Rocco and Elio, and Portia’s best friends Teagan (Elio) and Nell. The requisite evil has many faces.

RUTHLESS PASSION is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, forgiveness , acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic and raw; the romance is seductive and intense but struggles with issues of trust and months apart; the characters are determined, desperate,dynamic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Ruthless Arrangement
Ruthless Betraya

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today Bestselling Author Brooke Summers is a Mafia Romance author and is best known for her Made Series.

Brooke was born and raised in South London.   She lives with her daughter and hubby. Brooke has been an avid reader for many years.She’s a huge fan of Colleen Hoover and Kristen Ashley.

Brooke has been dreaming of writing for such a long time. When she was little, she would make up stories just for fun. Seems as though she was destined to become an author.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://www.brookesummersbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookeSummersAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_brookesummers
Newsletter: https://www.brookesummersbooks.com/newsletter
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/brookesummers
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brooke-summers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookesummersauthor

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UP IN FLAMES (Baton Rouge Bachelors 1) by KE Osborn-review tour

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UP IN FLAMES (Baton Rouge Bachelors 1) by KE Osborn-review tour

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 11, 2023

An inferno.
That’s what my life became the second I laid eyes on her.
I’m ruthless, calculating, cold-blooded. Second in charge of an underworld establishment that men fear and the elite strive for membership—there’s no room in my world for an innocent like her.

The Baton Rouge Bachelors run this town. Politicians, celebrities, and high society are known to use our services. But make no mistake, the Bachelors are cruel, brutal, and malicious.
You need something done, we will do it—for a price, of course.

But the women who stand beside us need to be hard. Cunning. And just as heartless as we are. So when I meet Makaylie, and she is anything but, I know I must protect her from my vile world at all costs.
Even if it means I have to watch everything I have worked for, everything I have built, go up in flames.

•••••

REVIEW: UP IN FLAMES is the first instalment in KE Osborn’s contemporary, adult BATON ROUGE BACHELORS dark, erotic, romance duet. This is Cain Barrington, and twenty-six year old Makaylie Rayne’s story line. UP IN FLAMES and the Baton Rouge Bachelors is a spin off from the author’s NOLA Defiance MC series. Several characters cross over for continuity and cohesion.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Makaylie and Cain) UP IN FLAMES follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Makaylie Rayne is an aspiring author, and she is about to meet her muse in the guise of second in command of the crime group known as Baton Rouge Bachelors Cain Barrington. After her car breaks down, Makaylie will be rescued by a stranger-enter Cain Barrington. Cain recognizes our heroine, as they both live in the same building but Makaylie has no idea as to what is about to unfold. As their relationship begins to build, Cain continues to warn Makaylie that he is not a good man but a man with a dark past, and a darker present. As life with the Baton Rouge Brotherhood grows more troubling by the day, Cain fears the fall-out will affect his relationship with the woman he is growing to love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Makaylie and Cain, and the potential fall-out when Cain’s loyalty to the Brotherhood comes into question.

The world building focuses on Cain’s duties as second in command of the Baton Rouge Brotherhood, and his obsession with our story line heroine. As part of the criminal underworld element of New Orleans, the Brotherhood depend upon the allegiance and obedience of their members, and betrayal will come at a cost. Throughout the story, Cain struggles with Makaylie, and a perception of dishonesty but Cain’s secrets and lies are a threat to their growing relationship.

The relationship between Cain and Makaylie begins as a rescue. Cain’s attraction to Makaylie is immediate but our heroine believes Cain is nothing more than a stalker, unaware of who he is or where he lives. As their relationship continues to grow, Cain’s secrets are only partially revealed, and to protect our heroine, Cain will push Makaylie out of his life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters including Makaylie’s roommate Joey aka Josephine; Cain’s ‘roommate’ Rodberg, the man known only as Boss; Baton Rouge Brotherhood including Trap and Selene, Alfie, Morgan, and several members of NOLA Defiance MC- Hoodoo, Maxxy.

UP IN FLAMES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, power and control. The premise is gritty and dramatic; the romance is provocative; the characters are desperate and determined. UP IN FLAMES ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

KE OSBORN

With a flair for all things creative, International Bestselling Author K E Osborn, is drawn to the written word. Exciting worlds and characters flow through her veins, coming to life on the page as she laughs, cries, and becomes enveloped in the storyline right along with you. She’s entirely at home when writing sassy heroines and alpha males that rise from the ashes of their pasts.

K E Osborn comforts herself with tea and Netflix, after all, who doesn’t love a good binge?

Turn lust into love at www.keosbornauthor.com

AUTHOR LINKS

Website / Instagram / Twitter/Facebook / Goodreads / Bookbub / Amazon Author Page/ Newsletter /

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TREVOR’S REDEMPTION (Arresting Onyx 3.5) by Amber Daulton-review

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TREVOR’S REDEMPTION (Arresting Onyx 3.5) by Amber Daulton-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 22, 2023

The danger and lies are more than she can handle.

Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.

Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.

When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.

•••••

REVIEW: TREVOR’S REDEMPTION is the fifth instalment (book 3.5) in Amber Daulton’s contemporary, adult ARRESTING ONYX erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of a criminal organization known as Onyx. This is thirty year olds, construction worker/musician/ enforcer Trevor Madero, and television station employee Shea O’Bannon’s story line. TREVOR’S REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order. Trevor was first introduced as a secondary character in the previous story lines.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Trevor and Shea) TREVOR’S REDEMPTION follows the second chance romance and relationship between our story line couple. Several months earlier, Shea caught her boyfriend Trevor an embrace with another woman. Fast forward to present day wherein, a drink with a co-worker at a local bar, finds Shea face to face with the man who broke her heart. Enter Trevor Madero, a man with many secrets that are about to be exposed. From work place harassment and assault, to drug running, take downs and bribes, Shea will discover she has more connections to the criminal organization than she could have ever imagined. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Shea and Trevor, and the potential fall-out as our couple become the target of a very powerful man.

The world building follows the seedier side of organized crime. The enforcement of rules, payment for protection, dysfunctional family dynamics, and the power of a brotherhood connected by secrets and crimes.

The relationship between Trevor and Shea is one of second chances. Trevor’s reputation with the women becomes an issue for our story line heroine, especially when a past ex refuses to let go but all is not as it appears to be when Trevor’s lies threaten our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom have connections to the criminal organization known as Onyx, many of whom were introduced in the previous instalments.

TREVOR’S REDEMPTION is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, love and loss, forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining but reads like the final chapter in the series. The romance is seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

This was my introduction to, and first book in the Arresting Onyx series, therefore I felt a little lost having limited to no background knowledge of, or reference about Onyx or any of the previous story line events and characters. I had hoped for a little more background or history, especially as it pertained to the criminal organization Onyx as many of the secondary characters had direct involvement and history.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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