Tag Archives: new release reviews 2024

A VAMPIRE’S MATE (Dark Protectors / Rebels) by Rebecca Zanetti

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A VAMPIRE’S MATE (Dark Protectors 16.5/ Rebels) by Rebecca Zanetti-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 3, 2024

There’s nothing Jasper Maxwell likes better than a good chase. He is patient and cunning, and he is known as one of the coldest hunters in the immortal realm. As a vampire with a hint of demon blood in him, he stands out even amongst the finest trackers in the shifter world. So the fact that his mate has managed to escape him for the past five decades is something that keeps him intrigued and more obsessed with every passing year. The game is beyond delicious until a century old enemy resurfaces, putting his sweet little mate in danger. At that point, he has no choice but to secure her.

Leah Ferry enjoys immortality almost as much as she thrills at the cat and mouse game she’s playing with the Maxwell hunter. Once human, she figured she’d live her life wearing pearls and vacuuming in pressed dresses only to be thrown into the immortal world where freedom is intoxicating. On a mission to take down degenerate humans and make them pay, things go wrong, so per her usual arrangement, she starts to run. But this time, her sexy and deadly vampire mate stands in her way. She quickly learns that the sensual chase between them was nothing compared to the real danger coming for her.

••••

REVIEW:  A VAMPIRE’S MATE is instalment 16.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DARK PROTECTORS / REBELS crossover, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is four-hundred year old vampire Jasper Maxwell, and spy Leah Ferry’s story line. A VAMPIRE’S MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but some prior knowledge or background information may be required.

Some background: The vampires and their enemy the Kurjans are currently existing in a tepid détente but all is not well as it concerns the Maxwell family. The brokered peace is not acceptable by the family that continues to blame the Maxwell’s for thousands of years of war.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Leah and Jasper) A VAMPIRE’S MATE focuses on the tempestuous relationship between our story line couple. In 1944, Leah Ferry worked as a spy but a mission that went all to h*ll left Leah battling to survive if not for the intervention of vampire Jasper Maxwell.Jasper Maxwell knew Leah was his mate, and he desperately wanted to save the woman who would become the bane of his existence. Fast forward to present day, Jasper returns to claim the woman with whom he had fallen in love but Leah’s latest assignment place the couple in jeopardy as the hunt for the leader of a child trafficking ring takes aim at both Jasper and Leah.

The world building focuses on Leah’s determination to hunt and take down the men who procure and use humans as their playthings and slaves. Jasper Maxwell has reached the end of his tether, and his need to re-claim his mate is paramount to their survival.

The relationship between Jasper and Leah begins as a rescue but Leah wants nothing to do with being tied down to a man for all eternity. As an enhanced female, Leah is the perfect match for our story line hero but Leah’s need to be independent threatens the relationship going forward. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jasper’s brothers Klyde and Dax, their mother Odette, and sister Nia. The requisite evil has many faces.

A VAMPIRE’S MATE is a fast paced story of power and control, secrets and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. The action packed premise is enchanting and consuming; the romance is limited ; the characters are determined, powerful and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance
Alpha’s Promise
Hero’s Haven
Vixen
Guardian’s Grace
Vampire
Rebel’s Karma
Immortal’s Honor
Garrett’s Destiny
A Vampire’s Kiss
Warrior’s Hope

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Website  * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

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THE SUBSTITUTE (Single in Seattle 5.5) by Kristen Proby-review

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THE SUBSTITUTE (Single in Seattle 5.5) by Kristen Proby-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2024

Derek Langley can’t keep an assistant to save his life. He’s grumpy, demanding, and sometimes mean, which mirrors his reputation in court. Derek doesn’t have time to coddle an employee, so when the temp agency informs him their next placement will be the last, he knows he’s doomed.

Maya Sterling is excited to move to Seattle. She wants to be closer to her siblings and her new friends, and a position with a temp agency fits the bill for her new life in the city. She doesn’t plan on walking in and finding a sexy British grouch for a boss, but his gruff nature doesn’t really bother her. In fact, she’s attracted to his rough-around-the-edges nature.

They quickly realize the attraction is mutual and steam up the office. But Maya’s position with Derek is temporary, and she knows she must maintain a professional distance to preserve her sanity.

Will they be able to resist each other? Or does fate have other plans?

••••••

REVIEW: THE SUBSTITUTE by Kristen Proby is a contemporary, adult, erotic, novella found in the author’s SINGLE IN SEATTLE series, and a part of the 1001 Dark Nights multi-authored series. This is attorney Derek Langley, and PA Maya Sterling’s story line. THE SUBSTITUTE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. May is Grayson Sterling’s sister (The Scandal)

Told from dual first person perspectives (Derek and Maya) THE SUBSTITUTE follows Maya Sterling as she struggles with a direction in life. Having spent six months touring Europe, Maya returns home, excited about a move to Seattle but leaving her parents is hard, in the face of her mother’s ongoing failing health. Working for a temp agency, Maya begins a thirty day trial period with attorney Derek Langley, a man whose reputation as a difficult boss, and toxic environment precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but form the outset Maye refuses to bow to Derek’s demands, and in the end, places her own boundaries when they both cross the line. What ensues is the rapidly building relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out as Maya’s time with Derek comes to a close.

The relationship is one of immediate attraction but Derek doesn’t do relationships; he’s demanding and over bearing; and expects perfection from everyone in his life. Falling for Maya was never in the future but Derek knew Maya was the woman to calm his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

We are reintroduced to several members of Maya’s family including her brother Grayson Sterling, and both Maya and Derek’s parents.

THE SUBSTITUTE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is enthralling and captivating; the romance is fast and furious; the characters are determined, strong and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
The Secret
The Surprise
The Scandal
The Scramble
The Score
The Set Up
The Stand In

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband and their four pets, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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Played by Naima Simone-review

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Played by Naima Simone-review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 3, 2024

Being a firefighter isn’t easy. Especially for a Black woman. Working with family helps a little. But when somebody from your company doesn’t come back from a call, it’s brutal—as in, “How’m I supposed to go on?” brutal.

And one death took me to a really dark place.

A year later, I’m at the Pirates’ hockey training facility. Just another day on the job. Until I find a charred journal. I look inside for the owner’s name, but the words on the page punch me in the gut. It’s like reading my own thoughts. Reliving my own pain.

The journal belongs to Solomon Young, left-winger for the Pirates—a father and widower. When I return it, I’m racked with guilt for the invasion of privacy. The look Solomon gives me is cold as ice.

But damn if that man isn’t hot as hell.

Now he’s stuck in my brain. And fate seems intent on making us face off.

••••••

REVIEW:PLAYED by Naima Simone is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, POC, erotic, hockey / firefighter romance focusing on thirty year old professional hockey player and single dad Solomon Young, and firefighter Adina Wright’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Adina and Solomon) PLAYED follows the building but reluctant romance and relationship between our story couple. Solomon Young has loved and lost, and struggles to move forward especially when he is has become co-dependant upon his in-laws for support in the wake of his wife’s death but his father is the team owner, and Solomon is about to cross a line as far as his former in-laws are concerned, a line that involves our story line heroine. Adina Wright is a firefighter, as are most of her family and siblings but Adina has also loved and lost knowing the pain of which Solomon continues to hide. A perceived act of betrayal threatens any hope of friendships, pushing Adina to the side, until a young boy discovers there is more to life than waiting on the sidelines for his father to come home. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out as emotions get the best of everyone including our story line hero.

The world building follows several paths. Adina is struggling with harassment at work: Solomon is battling his own guilt ; someone else is targeting our story line couple, and the fall-out is affecting Solomon’s play and his private life.

The relationship between Solomon and Adina begins acrimoniously as Solomon accuses Adina of a horrible betrayal. Not only does Adina feel threatened and abused but vengeance will come in many forms, threatening our heroine’s personal and work life. As Solomon and Adina begin to build the relationship, someone else give Solomon reason not to trust the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are provocative and impassioned.

The secondary and supporting characters include Solomon’s teammates, his son Khalil, as well as his in-laws Nate and Caroline; Adina’s siblings Malik, Malcolm, her mother professor Viviane Wright, her father Captain Nolan Wright; as well as her best friend Noni Crawford, and several other members of the Providence Firefighters squad including Matt and Jared. I hope the author has plans for several more stories.

PLAYED is a story of power and control, grief and guilt, family and friendships, relationships and love. The thought provoking premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive but struggles with issues of trust and guilt; the characters are dynamic, determined and animated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Return of the Alpha/ Buying the Omega by Jade Marshall-reviews

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Return of the Alpha/ Buying the Omega by Jade Marshall-reviews

RETURN OF THE ALPHA
(Katu Wolves 8)
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult ,contemporary, paranormal, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 22, 2024

Can the animal I have become take a step back and allow the man inside to reclaim his life?

For so many years I have been locked up, caged like the beast I had always been accused of being. My rescue comes from an unexpected avenue, but I couldn’t be more grateful. Not only have I been reunited with my daughter, but I have also been welcomed into a new pack, and the Goddess has seen fit to bless me with a second chance at life and love, with a new mate.

Even though I am happier than I have been in years things are never simple. My mate is not what she seems and will not simply fall at my feet. This may be the hardest I have ever had to fight for anything.

••••

REVIEW: RETURN OF THE ALPHA is the eighth instalment in Jade Marshall’s contemporary, adult KATU WOLVES erotic, paranormal, shifter romance series. This is forty-eight year old, Alpha James, and twenty-one year old April’s story line. RETURN OF THE ALPHA 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 (April and James) RETURN OF THE ALPHA follows in the wake of the rescue of our story line hero. Years earlier, the Alpha of the Hatcher Pack lost his mate, and eventually lost his way. Believing their Alpha was dead, the Pack endured abuse under a self-appointed Alpha but most left, becoming part of the Katu wolves. Fast forward to present day, Alpha James is rescued from a lab that experiments on shifter species, a rescue that brings James up close and personal with the past, and a new mate. Enter twenty-one year old April, best friends with James daughter Peyton, and the woman that pulls James towards a happily ever after.

The world building focuses on the past, losses and loves, forgiveness and acceptance. James struggled in the wake of his first mate’s murder but never expected to find a second chance, and a possible ready made family.

The relationship between April and James is a fated mates; an age gap romance in which April battles between head and heart believing an imminent rejection from her mate and the people she had come to call family and friends. James knows April is his second chance at a happily ever after but April has a secret that may threaten any chance. The $ex scenes are provocative-there is a bit of a daddy-kink between our story line couple.

We are reintroduced to several members of the Katu Pack including James’ daughter Payton, and her mate Alpha Caine.

RETURN OF THE ALPHA is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, family and acceptance. The fast paced novella length premise is entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_________

BUYING THE OMEGA
(The Sanctuary 2)
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult ,contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

The Sanctuary is my way out, a way to escape my father and the strangle hold he has on my life. I don’t want to be sold into a loveless marriage to help my father further his agenda and grow his wealth.

But standing in an empty room, waiting to meet the man who paid for the pleasure to strip me of my virginity, I know I have made a mistake. It is too late though. There isn’t a way for me to walk back what I have done so I will have to live with the consequences.

What I wasn’t expecting was to find the one man that wanted to free me from my father’s hold, only to cage me in his own.

••••••

REVIEW: BUYING THE OMEGA is the second instalment in Jade Marshall’s contemporary adult THE SANCTUARY erotic, romance novella series. This is forty-seven year old, former personal security guard ,and Alpha Jonah and twenty one year old, Omega Autumn’s story line. BUYING THE OMEGA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jonah and Autumn) BUYING THE OMEGA follows Autumn as she signs herself up for the Omega auctions in an effort to avoid a forced marriage arranged by her father. Sold to the highest bidder, Autumn finds herself the temporary property of Alpha Jonah, a man who is familiar yet not. Jonah is desperate to claim Autumn as his own, Jonah must first protect our heroine from her controlling father.

The world building follows Autumn as she sets into motion a plan to escape an unwanted future. Jonah only has eyes for our story line heroine, and is determined to claim our heroine from the start. Autumn is desperate to escape the restrictions back home, and Jonah is the perfect foil to move on from the past.

The relationship between Jonah and Autumn begins as an arrangement. Jonah’s attraction to our heroine started years before, and he has been planning his seduction for just as long. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense including a little bit of daddy kink.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited. We are introduced to Autumn’s father.

BUYING THE OMEGA is a story of obsession, family and love. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is erotic; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one OMEGA FOR SALE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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WE CAN FOREVER (Silent Journey 1) by Lenna Phoenix-review

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WE CAN FOREVER (Silent Journey 1) by Lenna Phoenix-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4, 2024

Michael Greer is a second-generation fire chief and a single dad of a precocious 11-year old, so there’s not much that scares him.

(Admittedly, more because of the second than the first.)

When Pine Island’s new craft shop owner accidentally backs into his car, he takes that in stride too. And does what any fire chief would do.

Invite her out on a date.

It doesn’t take long to figure out that Hannah Lewis is gorgeous, quirky, smart as hell, and…hiding something.

Hannah has learned the hard way to keep the truth about her life as hush-hush as possible.

At best, people don’t understand. At worst, they call her lazy or a liar.

Better to just keep her secrets to herself and keep her distance from almost everybody.

But this tiny town’s sexy fire chief won’t seem to accept her attempt at solitude. He keeps showing up all patient and witty and a great dad. Everything Hannah has ever hoped for if she allowed herself to admit it.

He says he’s ready to fight her battles with her.

Will he still feel that way when he finds out the truth?

•••••

REVIEW: WE CAN FOREVER is the first instalment in Lenna Phoenix’s contemporary, adult SILENT JOURNEY romance series focusing on the small town and people of Pine Island. This is former teacher turned crafter Hannah Lewis, and fire chief / single father Michael Greer’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hannah and Michael) WE CAN FOREVER follows the building romance and relationships between Hannah Lewis and Michael Greer. Hannah Lewis moved to Pine Island for the slower pace and to start her own business including a weekly group of like minded crafters and individuals, a support group for Chronic Pain sufferers. Meeting Pine Island’s fire chief Michael Greer was an added bonus but Michael’s life was often dangerous, and Hannah struggled with her own secrets and private affairs. As their relationship slowly turns into something more, Hannah begins to back away, fearing losing the man with whom she is falling in love.

The world building focuses on Hannah’s growing business and her personal health; Michael’s struggle to step out of his father’s shadow; the over protective nature of family; and the busy bodies of small town life.

The relationship between Hannah and Michael begins as a blind date. Michael’s sister is part of Hannah’s support group, and Hannah is the newcomer on Pine Island. Michael is the single, sexy, handsome fire chief, and Hannah struggles to keep up with her love life and health, going forward. The $ex scenes are limited but 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 most of whom live and work on Pine Island. We are introduced to several members of Hannah’s knitting/support group including yarn dyer Flick, art teacher Maya, food blogger Alexis; Hannah’s aunt Carol, and Michael’s daughter Katie, sister Jenny, mother Cynthia, and his friend and mechanic Nathan. Flick’s story is next.

WE CAN FOREVER is a story of secrets, chronic illness, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is endearing and engaging-most of the conflict is personal; the romance is impassioned; the characters are charismatic and charming.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Dark Restraint (Dark Olympus 7) by Katee Robert-review

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Dark Restraint (Dark Olympus 7) by Katee Robert-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 6, 0224

He was my savior. My monster. My obsession. My destruction.

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Ariadne and her Minotaur.*

Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She’s betrayed her father—and his dangerous benefactor—and now she’s left to rely on Olympus’ questionable mercy. But in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a sham marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there’s only one man she’s ever wanted—a man she fears just as much as she desires.

The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos’s plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of their bloody work, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. She’s meant for him, and he intends to have her, no matter the cost.

Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur—she’s all too aware of how hot a passion like theirs can burn. Besides, she can never forgive him for the terrible things he’s done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

••••

REVIEW:DARK RESTRAINT is the seventh instalment in Katee Robert’s adult DARK OLYMPUS erotic, romance series-a modern day retelling about the gods and goddesses of Olympus. This is Ariadne Vitalis, and Asterion aka the Minotaur’s story line. DARK RESTRAINT should not be read as a stand alone as there is an ongoing premise throughout the series.

SOME BACKGROUND: Not all is well in Olympus. The barrier between Olympus and the rest of the world is collapsing, and the attacks in the upper city have become dangerous and deadly. The fight for power and control within the ruling circle of Thirteen has resulted in a number of deaths-someone is determined to destroy that which is no longer theirs to control.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ariadne and Asterion) DARK RESTRAINT continues to focus on the fight for power. Ariadne Vitalis’ life was spiralling out of control, and with her father targeting the people in charge, Ariadne begs for sanctuary from the enemy, but in doing so, invokes the wrath of her father Minos. Enter Asterion aka the Minotaur, Ariadne’s father’s ‘fixer’, and the man with whom Ariadne has fallen in love. A one night stand weeks earlier forced Ariadne to run from the man that she loved but the barrier between the upper and lower city of Olympus is failing, and Ariadne’s father is taking aim at the Dodona tower, the centre of power for the ruling of Olympus.

The world building is detailed and complex. The gods and goddesses of Olympus have chosen sides; chosen their heroes; chosen who is going to live and die. With each successive death, a new god or goddess is proclaimed, thus the fight for power becomes dangerous and deadly.

The relationship between Ariadne and Asterion aka The Minotaur is a second chance relationship, of a sorts.Ariadne and Asterion have been dancing around one another since their early teens but Asterion is Minos’ fixer, and his latest target is our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar and colorful secondary and supporting characters including Her, Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes; Ariadne’s brother Icarus, and their father Minos.

DARK RESTRAINT is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession and madness, forgiveness and love .The premise is intricate and entertaining; the romance is fated and passionate; the characters are desperate, purposeful and stubborn.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Neon Gods
Electric Idol
Wicked Beauty
Radiant Sin
Cruel Seduction
Midnight Ruin

Please Note: The author has release several novellas and short stories that are not included in my reading order

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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2040: A Silicon Valley Satire by Pedro Domingos-review

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2040: A Silicon Valley Satire by Pedro Domingos-review

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2024

The 2040 presidential election is unlike any in US history. The Republican candidate is an AI named PresiBot, created by a tech startup, KumbAI, who are in deeply over their heads. The Democratic candidate is a fake Native American chief seeking to abolish the United States. What could go wrong?

With PresiBot plummeting in the polls and tech giants like Happinet scheming to take over, KumbAI’s brash CEO Ethan Burnswagger and reluctant CTO Arvind Subramanian struggle to keep their company, their friendship—and their lives—under control. But the center cannot hold, and KumbAI, the campaign and America careen inexorably toward disaster.

Fast-paced and dialogue-driven, as befits our ADHD age, 2040 is a scathing critique of the current state of America—from the tech giants’ all encompassing empires and the fear and hype surrounding AI to the invasion of the mainstream by ever-kookier political ideas. Set in a dystopian San Francisco in a near future we can all too easily anticipate, it features characters, entities and incidents whose resemblance to actual ones may or may not be purely coincidental.

If you want to have wicked fun while discovering what AI really is, how the tech industry works, where our deepening polarization might lead us, and—most important—how to break out of this cycle, this is the book for you.

••••••

REVIEW:  2040: A SILICON VALLEY SATIRE by Pedro Domingos is a satirical look at American politics, specifically the past eight years. In 2040, KumbAI has developed a robot, an AI Republican candidate for president named PresiBot; The Democratic candidate is a fake Native American calling himself Chief Raging Bull. A televised debate sets the scene as the ‘puppet’ candidate goes off-script, and the ‘panic button’ is lost in the ensuing melee of rioting and anarchy. No longer able to control their candidate, KumbAI sells their company to rival tech giant Happinet but the result is another spiral into chaos leading up to the day of election, and the resulting win.

2040, set in a futuristic America, reflects upon much of the past eight years of American politics, the run for president, and the ensuing fall-out when a political dare becomes reality, and the people in charge lose control of their presidential candidate. A caustic, cynical and farcical look America’s current political machine, reminiscent of an extended SNL satirical skit, 2040 mirrors the spiral of respect; the growth of racism and discrimination; the sectioning off of the American people, and the narcissistic attitude of the people in charge.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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SCANDALOUS KINGPIN (Kingpins of the Syndicate 3) by Eva Winners

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SCANDALOUS KINGPIN (Kingpins of the Syndicate 3) by Eva Winners -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 August 29,2024

Christian “Priest” DiLustro.
A charming prince.
Only when it suited him.

I had a taste of him and got addicted. But he was a heartless bastard and an arrogant mafia prince whose only goal was to ignore me after we scratched the itch.
Just when I thought we both moved on, he swooped in, claiming he made a promise and he intended to keep it, even if it killed us both.

Ivy Murphy.
An Irish mafia princess.
Mine.

We might have started as a dream, but now I was her nightmare. I was damaged goods, scarred by my past. Still, I couldn’t allow anyone else to have her.
So I stole a marriage contract and her heart. It wasn’t mine to own, but I took it anyway.
For better or worse, in sickness and health, I intended to keep her.
Until death do us part.

•••••••••

REVIEW: SCANDALOUS KINGPIN is the third instalment in Eva Winners’ contemporary, adult KINGPINS OF THE SYNDICATE dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Christian ‘Priest’ DiLustro, and Ivy Murphy’s story line. SCANDALOUS KINGPIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from three first person perspectives (Christian, Ivy, Frank) SCANDALOUS KINGPIN follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Approximately one year earlier, Christian DeLustro made a move on Irish Mafia princess Ivy Murphy but walked away believing he was unworthy of happiness or love. Fast forward, Ivy Murphy is struggling with the murder of her father, and his final bequeath that she marry someone she doesn’t know. Enter Christian DiLustro, the man with whom Ivy will fall in love but the ghosts from Christian’s past refuse to let go, and her father’s killer hits too close to home for our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ivy and Christian, and the fall-out as perceived betrayal, secrets and lies, threatens the growing love between our story line couple.

The world building follows several pathways including the heartbreaking abuse suffered by our story line hero; the abandonment by his birth mother, and the need to avenge those unable to protect themselves. Ivy’s own family history pushes our heroine to hunt down the woman she blames for destroying their lives.

The relationship between Ivy and Christian begins as a mutual attraction but Christian keeps his distance before making his move. ’Rescuing’ Ivy from a marriage to someone else, Christian finds himself falling for a woman whose heart he is about to destroy. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative .

The secondary and supporting characters include the previous story line couples, as well as Ivy’s over protective brothers, Christian’s siblings, his father Frank and his mother Aisling. The requisite evil has many faces.

SCANDALOUS KINGPIN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, dysfunctional family dynamics, forgiveness and acceptance. The premise is dramatic, dark and intriguing; the romance is heart breaking and seductive; the characters are broken, determined and desperate.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

He looked down, trailing up my bare legs before his emotionless gaze flicked up and caught mine. It was like he was looking straight through me. Goose bumps raised the hair on my arms, and I instantly knew who he was. Priest, the Syndicate’s kingpin who ruled Philadelphia.
Instinctively, I took a step back, and something dark moved through his eyes.
“Now what have we got here?” he said softly. My stomach dropped like lead and a quiver started in my chest. Being alone with him made it feel like there wasn’t enough oxygen in the small space. “You shouldn’t be out here alone, angel.”
He closed the distance between us in one powerful stride and a shiver ghosted through me. His eyes that locked on me were heartless. Invasive. Blue.
The moment stretched, stealing what little breath of air I’d managed from my lungs.
Just the idea of being this close to the man we were about to rob sent every nerve ending in my body tingling in expectation. I sensed danger, and I wondered how long it would be before my friends came looking for me.
Another step and I was cornered, his woodsy oak scent wrapping around me. His body singed as it brushed against mine, the heat powerful and impossible to ignore. My limbs felt heavy and light all at once, my skin buzzing like a live wire.
“I’m not alone.”
I swallowed when he remained quiet. He was the tallest man I’d ever seen in real life, his blond hair a halo framing his face. Except there was something dark and unhinged in his blue eyes, and I found myself unable to look away. That full mouth of his probably had ladies falling at his feet, and judging by his smirk, he knew it.
His gaze ran down my bare legs like ice melting on my heated skin and he chuckled, making my cheeks flame with heat.
“You enjoying yourself, angel?” His voice was an elusive timbre, each word twined with an abrasive edge. It was sinful, inviting erotic images into my mind. The kind that you kept locked in the pits of your soul. I averted my gaze a little too quickly, making it painfully obvious that I’d been staring. “Don’t be shy… I find myself quite fascinated by you too.”
He touched my red locks and curled one around his finger.
“I wasn’t… I’m sorry,” I said with a shake of my head, then immediately winced. His grip tightened, and I wondered what it would feel like if he tugged. “I need to go.”
“It was like a magnetic field surrounded us, leaving us alone in the darkened hallway while hordes of people mingled only a few feet away. He was brimming with raw sexuality and masculinity, his presence inescapable, leaving me frazzled. Everything about him warned me to run away, yet my body refused to move and my pussy chose that moment to clench with need.
“Not so fast,” he said, his voice low as he bent his head, bringing his mouth closer to my ear. “We should explore this.”
I blinked, suddenly turned on like never before. “Explore what?”
“This.” He nipped my earlobe and every thought I had withered away. Oh, dear God. This wasn’t part of the plan. “You want it too.”
I swallowed, shaking my head. We couldn’t do this. He, of all people, was not on the agenda tonight.
“I don’t think that’s wise,” I whispered.
“Then tell me to stop,” he said, his voice dropping another octave. He placed a hand on my hip and my skin bloomed with heat. “You aren’t even real, are you? An angel would never tempt the devil.”
Both hands on my hips now, he pulled me closer to him, our bodies flush.
“I’m not… tempting anyone,” I rasped. I couldn’t let this man touch me—I had to put a stop to it. And yet… my body leaned closer to his, light drawn to darkness.
“You can’t deny it, but something tells me you know that all too well.”
“I don’t even know your name,” I protested, but my voice was so quiet it was barely audible. Yes, Wynter had briefed me on this man, but “Priest” couldn’t possibly be his real name. “This is wrong.”
“Forget about right and wrong,” he commanded, ignoring my feeble reasoning. I nodded, almost as if in a trance. “Now look at me.”
I lifted my head, staring up at him. His pupils were so wide, the blue hue of his eyes almost swallowed by the black. But it was the longing in his gaze that captivated me.”
“I opened my mouth to tell him to stop, but no words came out. All I could focus on were his strong fingers flexing on my hips. My core contracted, flooding with heat and making me suck in a stuttered breath.
I licked my lips, every cell in my body vibrating with sexual energy. I didn’t know what it was about this man, but I wanted his hands on me, his fingers inside me. Just this once, I wanted to do something wild and reckless and let this gorgeous stranger ravish me and relieve this aching need.
“Now what?” I breathed out.
The man locked eyes with me as he trailed his hand up my thigh.
“Now I make you come,”

Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails, yoga or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave.

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