Tag Archives: new release reviews 2024

THE GUESTS (A Psychological Thriller) by Adriane Leigh -a review

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THE GUESTS (A Psychological Thriller) by Adriane Leigh -a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /B&N Paper /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19 , 2024

Six guests are invited to paradise. Some of them will die.

Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.

She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.

Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment.

Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.

Cole is a local. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want.

After last summer, this is his final chance. He can’t afford any distractions.

Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call twenty-four hours a day — a masseuse, chefs to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.

But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.

Then one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .

•••••

REVIEW: THE GUESTS by Adriane Leigh is a contemporary, adult, stand alone psychological thriller that follows a group of friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of the reading of a will of Henry Lange on Stonecliffe Island.

Told from five first person perspectives THE GUESTS focuses on the fall-out of secrets, lies and greed. Decades earlier, four friends, including Henry Lange, pooled their money and bought Stonecliffe Island, a small island on Lake Michigan but the death of Henry Lange, the last surviving original investor, sees the island ownership transferred to family members, friends and the embroiled island caretaker but all is not as it appears to be when two of their own go missing, and the finger of guilt is pointed to everyone in attendance. Kip Lange, his wife Kerrigan and Mika are the descendants of the original owners but six people arrive (Kip and Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s friend artist Ryleigh Halstrom and her best friend writer Daniel, Mika and her husband Stavros). Inevitably nine people are involved including caretaker Cole Mayer, Henry’s best friend Jon Caruso, and Jon’s daughter Lyra, and in the end, ownership of the island comes at a cost.

The characters are eclectic; their actions are questionable; everyone is unlikeable, unredeemable and suspect. Cole Mayer, the island caretaker is caught in a downward spiral not of his making, when a violent storm becomes the catalyst and backdrop for murder placing Cole in the middle of something out of his control. Kip and Kerrigan’s marriage is imploding; Ryleigh and her friend Daniel’s relationship is faltering, then Kerrigan and Mika go missing.

Adriane Leigh pulls the reader into a dark, dramatic and thought-provoking story of who and why. From the outset, secrets and lies lead to infidelity ; jealousy and greed threaten any peaceful transition of ownership; murdered and missing heirs make for real crime fodder; and the breakdown of marriages, friendships and family all culminate in finger pointing, wrongful accusations, death and final karma.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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BAD DEMON (Hell on Wheels 1) by Sherliee Gray-review

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🧡BAD DEMON (Hell on Wheels 1) by Sherliee Gray-a review🧡

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play /  Apple Books​

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

It was Fern Honeycutt’s eyes that gave her away. Not witch. All demon.

Her coven saw her as an abomination, handing her over to pure evil.

She escaped, but a lone female is an easy target. When breeder scouts start hanging around her store, the only way to protect herself is to break the rules she swore to uphold—adding a whole new problem.

Relic, an emotionless and arrogant hellhound, witnessed those crimes and now he’s stalking her. But the unpredictable beast is the only thing standing between her and mortal danger, so Fern chooses the lesser of two evils and plays dirty, forcing him to protect her.

However, the sinfully handsome Relic isn’t easily controlled. He surrounds her with a quiet dominance and easy affection that’s breaking through her pain—and as hard as she tries to protect her heart, he’s even more determined to claim it…

•••••••

REVIEW: BAD DEMON is the first instalment in Sherilee Gray’s contemporary, adult HELL ON WHEELS, dark, erotic, paranormal, fantasy series-a spin off from the author’s THE THORNHEART TRIALS series. This is six hundred year old, Hellhound Relic, and witch/ demon Fern Honeycutt’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Fern and Relic) using present day and memories from the past, BAD DEMON follows the building relationship between Hellhound Relic, and witch/ demon Fern Honeycutt. Fern Honeycutt has spend most of her life imprisoned, tortured and experimented upon but in an effort to discover the truth about her family and her past, Fern finds herself ‘paying’ someone else to find the information. Hellhound Relic is struggling with the woman who claims to be a witch, a witch who is more than she appears to be but someone is targeting our story line heroine, and Relic has proclaimed himself guardian and protector of the woman with whom he will fall in love. When the past refuses to let go, Fern is once again pulled into the nightmare that was once her life, a nightmare that refuses to stop.

The world building focuses on the building relationship between Fern and Relic. Relic knows Fern is his mate but he suspects Fern is not ready to accept a Hellhound as her happily ever after. As Relic slowly seduces our story line heroine, Fern struggles with the possibility everything about Relic is a fabricated lie.

The relationship between Fern and Relic is that of fated mated but Relic bides his time with the woman that calls to his soul. Fern believes she has magically seduced the man that calls to her heart therefore everything they shared is based upon a lie. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are magical and powerful . Several characters and couples cross over from the author’s THE THORNHEART TRIALS series, as well as the introduction of a number of witch/ demon hybrids: Fern’s great grandmother Agatheena, Phoebe, Sutton, and Hellhounds Lothar, and Jagger. The requisite evil has many faces.

BAD DEMON is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, magic and madness, acceptance and love. The action packed premise is dark, dramatic and twisted; the characters are dynamic, sensitive and determined; the romance is fated and spicy.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Website / Goodreads  / Facebook / Instagram / Amazon Author

Sherilee’s always had a big (some say warped) imagination, and as a kid scared herself conjuring up horror stories full of ghosts and other terrifying creatures. She never dreamed of actually writing down any of those wonderful imaginary people or places, not until many years later when her sister introduced her to the wondrous world of romance novels, and her very large book collection.

She’s pleased to say, she still has the big imagination… only now her characters are chasing their happily ever after.

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn’t writing sexy, edgy contemporary and paranormal romance, searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of Cadburys Rocky Road chocolate in the other.

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Speak of the Devil (Rock Star Romance) by S. L. Scott -a review

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Speak of the Devil: (A Second Chance Rock Star Romance) by S. L. Scott -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 November 14, 2024

It was always you, babe.

A Slow Burn, Surprise Pregnancy, Second Chance, Rock Star, Standalone Romance from S.L. Scott, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

The hottest rock star in the world walking into my work wasn’t on my bingo card. Speak of the devil .

My soon-to-be ex-husband.

Shane Faris is taller than I remember. Scruffier. More attractive than ever and sporting a sinful smirk that tells me he hears “Yes” too much. Figures.

He offers me the divorce I want, but on one condition . . .

A weekend together, for old times’ sake.

He’s partied his way through time zones, collecting ink on his skin to commemorate events I wasn’t a part of. While I struggled to earn my degrees, Shane chased fame and made memories without me.

It’s time to move on.

So why does his presence cause my heart to kick up a beat and my cheeks to blush when he sends me a wink? I can’t resist him. And he is my husband, after all, if only for a few more days.

When that weekend becomes two lines on a pregnancy test, we must decide whether this is a second chance worth taking together.

••••••

REVIEW: Rockstar Romance/Second Chance Romances/Unexpected Pregnancy tropes aren’t my usual go to reads. I have to be in the mood. And Rockstar Romances are a relatively new trope to me. But I love S.L. Scott’s work, and I’d read the first book in this series (Never Have I Ever) which I loved.

Catalina is a nurse, who loves her job and patients. She’s worked hard to get there, and when an opportunity to buy her own home arises, Cate jumps at the chance. Only problem…. Her husband!!!

Shane is a drummer in a rock band. He’s loving life and all the perks that come with it. Receiving a few messages from a name he hasn’t thought of in a while piques his interest, so he heads out to find out more…..

Cate and Shane have no idea how they are actually married, they connected in high school and had one conversation and a kiss. So both are stunned to find out they are legally married! Who did this? And why? Cate is going to lose her dream home if this doesn’t get sorted. And if the paparazzi find out about Shane and Cate, it’s going to be a media nightmare!! (Shane doesn’t want that for Cate.) Just when you think it’s all going to be ok, Shane up and leaves…. 🤔 and at that point I just wanted to put the story down! I thought there was a connection, I’ll admit I was a little disappointed!

But in the meantime, Shane has been thinking, he’s ready for commitment, he’s ready to claim Cate as his. Only one problem, the way he left, he doesn’t think she will give him another chance! It’s time to up his game if he wants the girl. So how do they proceed?

Well….. Shane proposes a weekend together, then the divorce will be settled and they will be free to go their own ways!

Then the unthinkable happens…. An unplanned pregnancy!! Shane and Cate want kids, but just not yet! Their relationship is being taken slowly, and a child might not be the right thing right this minute. So what happens next?

I did like the two epilogues. They made me smile. And a great way to end a really good book.

The banter between these two had me chuckling, and the chemistry had me reaching for 🧊 😉 it was definitely a he falls first, I feel. And Shane does his best to get Cate to feel the same way.

Will Shane and Cate get their once in a lifetime love? Or will it just be a fun weekend memory? Can they walk away even though it was a fake marriage?

Lots of emotions, medium angst, and me thinking Cate really shouldn’t have given Shane such an easy pass…. maybe a little more grovelling 😉

I didn’t want to give too much away, as I hate reading reviews with huge spoilers. But I will recommend this book if you love the author, and like your romance with a slow burn, but lots of great moments. And I can’t wait to read the next book in the series (and maybe get to see more of Cate/Shane.)

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Living in the capital of Texas with her family, Scott loves traveling, avocados, beaches, and cooking with her kids. She’s obsessed with epic romances and loves a good plot twist.

Scott writes character driven, heart-racing, and swoony romances to suspense that will leave you glued to the page. Her stories are regarded as emotion-filled and soulful. With stories ranging from light and witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, Scott has a story for all readers. Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.

Connect w/S.L. Scott:

Website: www.slscottauthor.com or https://geni.us/slscott
Newsletter: https://geni.us/intheknow
Amazon: https://geni.us/SLSAm
Goodreads: https://geni.us/SLGR
Instagram: https://geni.us/IGSLS
Facebook: https://geni.us/SLSPage
Bookbub: https://geni.us/SLScottBB
Facebook Reader Group: https://geni.us/SLScottBooks
Twitter: https://geni.us/SLTwitter

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INHERITED HOLIDAY by M. Robinson -review tour

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💜INHERITED HOLIDAY by M. Robinson-review tour💜

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

Bah freaking humbug.
I hate Christmas—always have, always will. From the gaudy trees to the over-the-top decorations and the traditions everyone clings to like they’re sacred.
Particularly my family.
They own Mistletoe Town—a Hallmark movie come to life and a place most people only dream about. Thanks to an unexpected inheritance from my great-grandfather, it’s my personal nightmare.
I’m stuck running this Christmas-obsessed town with an avalanche of memories I’ve spent thirteen years trying to forget.
But it’s not just the town I abandoned… it’s her.
And no matter how much I play the Scrooge, I’m about to find out some ghosts from the past can’t be ignored—or outrun.
Especially now that she’s my sweet new employee, baking spirits merry and bright.
If I want to stay off the naughty list, I have to learn how to play nice.
And let go of the past.

••••

REVIEW: INHERITED HOLIDAY by M. Robinson is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, holiday romance story line focusing on general contractor and heir to Mistletoe Town Nicholas Saint Clair, and baker Noelle Woods.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nicholas and Noelle) INHERITED HOLIDAY follows Nicholas Saint Clair as he returns to Mistletoe Town in the wake of his grandfather’s death. Nicholas wanted something different for his life, and left the family owned town years before but with his grandfather’s death came the surprise announcement that Nicholas had inherited Mistletoe Town, and was expected to make an appearance at the next town meeting. Nicholas had always wanted to do something else with his life, and when the woman he loved refused to leave, Nicholas walked away without looking back. Noelle Woods loves living and working in Mistletoe Town, and as the local baker, Noelle is looking forward to everything Christmas but the return of Nicholas Saint Clair brings with it too many heart breaking memories including the heart breaking reality of Nicholas walking out of her life. Reconnecting with Nicholas meant helping him overcome his Christmas Grinch ways, and in doing so, found the happiness she lost so many years before.

The world building focuses on the rekindling romance between our story line couple, a romance broken but Nicholas need to run from the town his family owned. Having always wanted to do something else, Nicholas found himself on the outside looking in upon his return to Mistletoe Town.

The relationship between Nicholas and Noelle is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which Nicholas and Noelle never stopped loving one another, and were quick to forgive for sins of the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Nicholas brother Felix, and their sister Holly, parents and grandmother.

INHERITED HOLIDAY is a holiday story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is inviting and spirited; the characters are animated, sassy and determined; the romance is spirited and tender.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Wall Street Journal & USA Bestselling Author M. Robinson loves to read. She favors anything that has angst, romance, triangles, cheating, love, and of course sex! She has been reading since the Babysitters Club and R.L. Stein.

She was born in New Jersey but was raised in Tampa Fl. She was pursuing her Ph.D in psychology, with two years left. However, she dropped out of school and became a fulltime writer.

She is married to an amazing man who she loves to pieces. They have two German Shepherd mixes, Kobe and trooper, a Wheaten Terrier, Teddy and a Tabby cat, Gio.

She feels blessed to be living her dream.

Keep up with M. Robinson and subscribe to her newsletter.

To learn more about M. Robinson & her books, visit here!

Website:www.authormrobinson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authormrobinson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormrobi…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMRobinson
Snapchat: AuthorMRobinson
Reader Group: www.facebook.com/groups/M.RobinsonVIP

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BODY SHOT (Lauderdale Knights 8 ) by Kat Mizera-review tour

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BODY SHOT (Lauderdale Knights 8 ) by Kat Mizera-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

He’s not looking for love, and she isn’t looking for him… but when opposites attract, the rules of the game change.

Anders
As a pro hockey player for the Lauderdale Knights, my life is great—friends, hockey, and casual flings are all I need. Love isn’t even on my radar. But I’ll admit, dating my teammate’s hot sister sounds like a fun distraction.

Until I see her shy, nerdy friend sitting alone at the team party. Claudia’s nothing like the women I usually go for. She’s awkward, brilliant, and inexperienced, and I still find myself wanting more.

The problem? She’s headed back to Philadelphia, and I’m stuck here in Lauderdale.

Claudia

One bad experience left me done with men. I’ve got a great job, supportive family, and friends who mean the world to me. The last thing I need is a smooth-talking playboy hockey hunk trying to worm his way into my heart— and pants.

But then I meet Anders, my best friend’s brother’s teammate, the swoon-worthy Swedish player who’s breaking through my walls.

What started as one week together turns into something I never expected. But I can’t trap him like his ex did. I love him too much.

So I’ll let him go… even if it breaks my heart.

••••••

REVIEW: BODY SHOT is the eight instalment in Kat Mizera’s contemporary, adult LAUDERDALE KNIGHTS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the professional hockey team Lauderdale Knights. This is twenty-seven year old, Swede Anders Nyberg, and twenty-four year old computer wiz Claudia Pomeroy. BODY SHOT 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 (Anders and Claudia) BODY SHOT follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Weeks before the season opener, the Lauderdale Knights embark on their infamous, yearly beach party where Swedish hockey player Anders Nyberg will come face to face with his future in the guise of twenty-four year old computer wiz Claudia Pomeroy, Johan’s sister Hana’s best friend but a woman who struggles with a painful past. Determined to pull Claudia into their crazy Lauderdale Knights family, Anders begins a slow seduction of our story line heroine only to discover they have several days together before real life takes over. Claudia is starting a new job in Philadelphia, and the hockey season opener is just weeks away. Trying a long distance relationship is their only option until Claudia pulls away, breaking Anders’ heart in the process.

The world building focuses on the building romance and relationship between Anders and Claudia. Anders has watched from the sidelines as his teammates have fallen in love, started their families, while he has faced betrayal from a woman he thought he could. Meeting Claudia stirs something deep within our story line hero, something he wants to lock down for his own happily ever after.

The relationship between Anders and Claudia is one of immediate attraction but Claudia struggles with a painful past, and battles between head and heart believing she has little to no future in the romance department. Anders is determined to take things slow, including a careful seduction of our story line heroine until Claudia pushes Anders out of her life. 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 familiar and colorful secondary and supporting characters including several members of the Lauderdale Knights: Vaughn and Juliet; Jude and Cloe; Wolf and Scarlett;Cam and Sutton; Slava and Zoe; Johan and Sloane: as well as teammates Felix Lessard, Jordan Palmer and Aiden Barbeau; Johan’s sister Hana; Claudia’s parents Jeff and Laura.

BODY SHOT is a story of secrets and lies, heartbreak and sorrow, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is heartwarming, captivating and realistic; the romance is sensitive and spicy; the characters are determined, sassy and spirited.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.

Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.

To find out about Kat Mizera’s  upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here!

For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/

Connect with Kat Mizera:

https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat

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WICKED DESIRES(The Terlizzis 2) by Cora Kent-review

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WICKED DESIRES/ Simple Pleasures (The Terlizzis 2) by Cora Kent-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 16, 2024

Marked by vengeance, branded as mine—Lucia Terlizzi will be the key to my revenge.

Dante Terlizzi has to pay.
Two years ago, he broke his betrothal to my sister.
Two months ago, his brother stole the bride meant for my best hitman.
There’s an unwritten rule about family members and children…
But f*ck the rules.

Lucia is the baby of the Terlizzi family.
Now I’m going to put my baby in her.
We’ll see how Dante likes it when I take what’s his.
I’ll dress his pretty little sister in the finest clothes.
I’ll shower her in diamonds and jewels.
I’ll make Dante regret ever double crossing me.
And in the process, I will make my heir.

All I need is a bouquet of roses, a bottle of bourbon, and a good girl to bend to my will.

••••••

REVIEW: WICKED DESIRES is the second full-length instalment in Cora Kent’s contemporary, adult THE TERLIZZIS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is primary school teach Lucia Terlizzi, and head of the Castiglione Crime Family Saverio Castiglione’s story line. WICKED DESIRES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

For backstory, I recommend reading the FREE prequel to Saverio and Lucia’s story-SIMPLE PLEASURES

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lucia and Saverio) WICKED DESIRES follows the acrimonious relationship between our story couple. Saverio Castiglione has claimed the right to marry our story line heroine but in the face of betrayal Saverio is determined to make the Terlizzi family pay for the sins of the past by destroying their only sister, bringing shame and embarrassment to everyone involved but Saverio struggles with his attraction to the woman who calls to his heart, a woman who is hiding a secret that haunts from the past. As Saverio continues to seduce the woman with whom he is falling in love, our hero must join forces with the Terlizzi family in an effort to protect our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on the back and forth relationship between Saverio and Lucia but a night out for drinks forces Lucia to reveal the truth, a truth that threatens the peace between our story line couple. And Saverio reveals his large extended family few people knew anything about. On that note, the blurb is a little misleading, so be aware.

The relationship between Lucia and Saverio is an age-gap, arranged marriage in the face of a prior betrayal. Dante refused the betrothal to Saverio’s sister Lucrezia, a woman with a questionable direction, and in doing so set into motion Saverio’s need for vengeance against the Terlizzi family. As Lucia continues her back and forth attraction to the man in question, all is not as it appears to be when Lucia’s past is connected to the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Lucia’s twin brother Luciano, Niccolo, Dante, and Salvatore; Saverio’s right hand man Raffaele; several of Saverio’s half siblings, as well as Lucia’s co-worker and best friend Brooklyn.

WICKED DESIRES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and jealousy, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is dark and dramatic but not as dark as the previous instalment. The characters are determined and energetic; the romance is provocative and intense.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Corrupt Saint
Ruthless Sinner
SIMPLE PLEASURES (see below)

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

SIMPLE PLEASURES
Terlizzi Family Prequel)
by Cora Kent
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark,erotic, Mafia romance

FREE prequel short story Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 29, 2024

Love is found in the darkest of places. I met the love of my life at a funeral.
She was darkness surrounded by light.
And I knew from that moment on she was the only one for me.

Simple Pleasures takes place in the years before Wicked Desires, featuring the blossoming relationship between Saverio Castiglione and his dandelion, Lucia Terlizzi.

•••

REVIEW: SIMPLE PLEASURES is a prequel short story in Cora Kent’s contemporary, adult TERLIZZI FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia series. SIMPLE PLEASURES introduces Saverio Castiglione, and Lucia Terlizzi.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saverio and Lucia) SIMPLE PLEASURES reveals some of the background and introduction of our story line couple who met at the funeral for Lucia’s baby brother Gianluca. Lucia was only fourteen years old, and Saverio was twenty six. Ten years would pass before Lucia and Saverio would meet once again, this time at the funeral for Lucia’s father, wherein Saverio and Lucia’s hidden relationship is about to be revealed.

SIMPLE PLEASURES is a fast paced, quick read with a determined crime boss, and a stubborn heroine who gives as good as she gets. The premise is engaging; the characters are determined and defiant.

Own a copy

reviewed by Sandy

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Graveyard Dog (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones-review tour

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Graveyard Dog (Charley Davidson 13.9 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Darynda Jones-review & excerpt 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 November 19,2024

Michael Cavalcante has one thing on his mind when he knocks on Izzabel Walsh’s door at two in the morning, half-dressed and a bit toasted: fix the woman’s heater and get back to bed. He vows never to cover for his maintenance tech again, especially after he gets tased and knocked out with a frying pan for his efforts.

Izzy thought she was safe. She’d dyed her hair, changed her name, and moved 1,500 miles away, and still they found her. When a member of her ex’s motorcycle club knocks on her door in the middle of the night, supposedly to fix a perfectly good heater, Izzy panics. Not only have they found her, but they would soon discover she has a daughter. Aka, a weakness. Aka, leverage. She needs time to think. To plan. To figure out how to keep the sexy neanderthal quiet. But she has no idea how to, short of murder. Can she win him over to her side? Or will he be just like all the others once he finds out what she is capable of?

Michael has one chance to convince Izzy he doesn’t want to harm her or her daughter, but more than that, he wants to know who does. And why. And where he can find them. After all, how else is he going to make sure the two sprites, who have wound their way into his heart, are safe?

••••••

REVIEW:GRAVEYARD DOG by Darynda Jones is a contemporary, adult paranormal romance novella set in the author’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON series, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 DARK NIGHTS series. This is Michael Cavalcante, and single mother Izzabel Walsh’s story line. GRAVEYARD DOG can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order or having some background knowledge of the series.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Michael and Izzabel) GRAVEYARD DOG follows in the wake of the attack against our story line hero. Michael Calvalcante owns the building wherein single mother Izzabel Walsh and her daughter Emma reside but a late night phone call finds Michael struggling with an attack by our story line heroine. Izzabel and her daughter Emma are on the run, and Michael’s appearance threatens their safety and their future but Izzabel and Emma are more than they appear to be, and it is Izzabel’s special abilities that keep her on the run, ahead of anyone trying to control her life. When the past returns, Izzabel struggles to keep Emma safe, and knows in her heart, Michael is willing to do anything to protect Izzabel’s daughter.

The world building covers approximately twenty-four hours in the life of our story line couple as Michael begins to suspect his presence in Izzabel’s life has been ordained by the heavens, or at the very least, the daughter of two powerful gods 😉. Izzabel is desperate to keep her daughter safe but it is Izzabel’s special abilities that have placed a target on their backs.

The relationship between Izzabel and Michael is one of immediate attraction but Izzabel’s attack on Michael has left our hero with a number of questions. Unaware that Michael is more than capable of accepting the specialities in both Izzabel and Emma’s lives, Izzabel struggles with revealing the truth, a truth that Michael and his ‘friends’ are able to see. The lone $ex scene is passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are familiar and flirty, powerful and determined. We are reintroduced to Donovan St. James and Sia, Elwyn aka Beep, Eric Vause, and Agent Carson. I am so pleased that Darynda had plans for Donovan and the MC.

GRAVEYARD DOG is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, magic and the supernatural, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and inviting ; the characters are animated and determined; the romance is limited but seductive. There is a slight twist you won’t see coming.

Reading Order and previous reviews
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (novella)
The Dirt on Ninth Grave
The Curse on Tenth Grave
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave
The Graveyard Shift
The Gravedigger’s Son
The Graveside Bar and Grill
The Grave Robber

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

She had hair the same color as the girl’s, hanging in soft waves around her face and past her shoulders. A similar bow-shaped mouth and eyes the same ashen brown confirmed their relationship.
“She’s not my daughter,” she said, frantically clutching the girl to her.
Or not.
“Mama,” the girl pouted, placing the accent on the second ma, her lower lip jutting out.
“She’s the neighbor’s kid. They’re British. I just watch her from time to time.”
The girl tried to shake out of her grip. While she failed, she did manage to turn in the woman’s arms and look up at her. “Why do you always say that?” she asked in her soft British accent—one the woman didn’t have.
The laugh that escaped the older woman was so exaggerated and forced that Michael was appalled such talent had somehow eluded Hollywood scouts. She pulled the girl to her and petted her hair until he worried the child might go bald. “She’s a bit dramatic.”
The girl pushed at the brunette’s hands. “Mama, stop.”
“Look,” Michael said, growing impatient. And numb. “Like I said when you answered the door this morning, I got a call about your heater.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my heater.”
“Then why did you call?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“I didn’t. But you know that already.”
“I do?” He did? He was lost. Had he come to the wrong apartment? Damn it. How much had he drunk? He tried to count on his fingers but could no longer feel them.
The woman pushed the girl behind her as she walked closer to him. So close he could have easily taken her out with a single sweep of his leg and a triangle chokehold. And it wasn’t like an oven—dishwasher?—door handle could hold him if he didn’t want it to. Maybe for a few seconds. But he’d once fought a bear. Long story. He was fairly certain he could take an appliance door under the right circumstances.
Clearly not a criminal mastermind, the woman leaned close to him, the scent of peach shampoo washing over him, and said the oddest thing he’d heard all day. And he’d heard a lot of strange things already. “Be still.”
He could barely move as it was. How much stiller could he get?
“You will forget the girl in sixty seconds.”
“Mama!” the girl shouted in protest, tugging at the woman’s robe—a micro-thin garment that did little to conceal the curves underneath.
How the fuck was he just now seeing them? The curves. It was the frying pan; it had to be. Because as she leaned even closer, her beautiful face came into focus, and he felt a rippling punch to his gut.
Unhinged and beautiful.
Just his type.


 

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NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

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SIN & MISTLETOE anthology with Jade Marshall & Allison MacKenzie

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SIN & MISTLETOE anthology with Jade Marshall & Allison MacKenzie-review

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This Christmas, forget about tinsel and trees.
Get ready for dark and dirty, jealous and possessive.

In the darkness, a tempting surprise waits for you.
There will not be an exchange of gifts, only shadows waiting to claim you.

This holiday season, forget about happiness and family.
Instead, we welcome you to embrace the darkness.

Featuring stories by:
Eirca jaden
Amanda Holly
Allison MacKenzie
M Kay Noir
Jade Marshall

___

DARKEST OBSESSION by Jade Marshall

DARKEST OBSESSION by Jade Marshall is a contemporary, adult , erotic, Mafia romance novella focusing on heir to the DeLuca Mafia Dante Deluca, and physiotherapist Echo Campbell.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dante and Echo) DARKEST OBSESSION follows several years in the life of our story line couple. Dante and Echo were step-siblings following the marriage of Dante’s father to Echo’s mother but in the wake of her mother’s death, Echo became the fixation of the man in charge. Fast forward to present day, Dante DeLuca, heir to the DeLuca Crime family returns injured and broken from the Marines, coming face to face with our story line heroine but Echo withdraws from the man she once loved, a withdrawal that send Dante on a mission of discovery.

The world building follows some of the events of the past. We are witness to Dante’s indoctrination into the DeLuca Crime Family, and Echo’s loss of innocence at the hands of an evil man.

The relationship between Dante and Echo is a step-sibling relationship but the death of Echo’s mother, and Dante’s enlistment in the Marine meant Echo was no longer safe in the house she never called home. Time spent together at Echo’s cabin would find our couple reconnecting and rebuilding what was once lost. The $ex scenes are limited but impassioned.

The secondary and supporting characters include Dante’s father and current head of the DeLuca Crime family Thomas, his second in command Amos, as well as several friends of our story line heroine.

DARKEST OBSESSION is a story of betrayal, abuse, loss and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

______

A RED CHRISTMAS by Allison MacKenzie

A RED CHRISTMAS is the first instalment in Allison MacKenzie’s contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance series focusing on the head of the Volkov Crime Family August Volkov, and Ashleigh Campbell.

Told from dual first person perspectives (August and Ashleigh) covering approximately twenty-four hours, A RED CHRISTMAS follows Ashleigh Campbell, whose family is a part of the Irish Mob, as she prepares to spend the rest of her life in jail but the family’s Christmas vacation finds Ashleigh facing down the enemy who is determined to take his vengeance out on our story line heroine. Enter August Volkov, the new head of the Volkov Bratva in the wake of his sister’s murder, a murder blamed on Ashleigh Campbell. Desperate to take down the woman who killed his sister, August Volkov finds himself trapped in a cabin with our story line heroine when an avalanche buries them alive. Time spent together reveals the truth, an unsuccessful escape, and the palpable sexual attraction between our story line couple.

The relationship between Ashleigh and August is enemies to lovers. Snowbound, trapped in a cabin, our couple must come to terms with what happened and why, and in the wake of the information, August is reconsidering everything going forward. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Ashleigh’s parents Denis and Marisol Campbell; August’s parents Igor and Natasja Volkov.

A RED CHRISTMAS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is dramatic and intriguing; the romance fast and furious; the characters are desperate and broken. A RED CHRISTMAS ends on a cliff hanger -you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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