Tag Archives: new release reviews 2024

Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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

Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/BakingItMerryGoodreads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Everyone in the building loved the bake shop a lot.
Except for the guy on the top floor, who most certainly did not.
If it were up to him, there wouldn’t be a hint of Christmas in the building.

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.

One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

When Tristan finds himself in the middle of a delicate family situation, only Daphne can help him. Now, he’ll have to beg and plead and promise to be on his best behavior while dealing with her exuberant holiday joy. But the more time he spends with her—and the more awkward situations she saves him from—he begins to realize there’s more to her than over-the-top holiday cheer. And maybe, when you’re with the right person, Christmas can mean a little bit more.

••••

REVIEW: BAKING IT MERRY by Samantha Chase is a contemporary adult, holiday romance focusing on architect Tristan Knight, and website designer / baker Daphne Noelle.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Tristan and Daphne) BAKING IT MERRY follows the enemies to lovers, fake relationship between architect Tristan Knight and baker Daphne Noelle. Every holiday season, Daphne Noelle and a group of artisans are contracted to set up a mini holiday market on the ground floor of a local office complex but this particular season Daphne finds herself the unwitting target of a holiday Grinch with the name of Tristan Knight. For some particular reason, Tristan aims his anger and attitude at our story line heroine until the day he discovers his mother is demanding Tristan take control of the holidays parties. With his tail between his legs, Tristan contracts Daphne to cater the family and business parties, a contract that that quickly evolves into something more but Tristan’s mom sees a happily ever after, and caught in a ‘compromising position’ Tristan offers up a fake relationship to appease everyone involved. As the holidays ensue, so does their relationship, a relationship that will implode with the appearance of manipulation and betrayal.

The world building focuses on the fake relationship that quickly grows into something more but Daphne struggles with the false narrative of their workplace affair, a narrative in which friendships and family will lose in the end.

The relationship between Tristan and Daphne is an enemies to frenemies to lovers, fake relationship. Tristan’s mother is desperate to see her son married and happy, and sees an opportunity to set a plan into motion, a plan that will see our couple, heart broken and lost. Tristan is quickly falling for the woman that calls to his heart but Tristan is a snob, and his earlier behavior will threaten any chance at a happily ever after. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including both Tristan and Daphne’s parents, as well as Tristan’s assistant Faye, co-workers and local artisans.

BAKING IT MERRY is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is enchanting and charming; the characters are sassy and determined; the romance is subtle and seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley -review & giveaway

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A Legend in the Baking (Sugar Blitz 2) by Jamie Wesley -review, excerpt & giveaway

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

August Hodges was supposed to be the silent partner in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes. Emphasis on silent. That is until his impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn’t a threat to masculinity goes viral, making him the hottest bachelor in town. With a new location in the works, August and his partners decide to capitalize on this perfect opportunity to help cement their place in the community. But the hiring of his best friend’s younger sister, the woman who has haunted some of his best dreams for years, was as much of a shock as his new-found fame.

Social media manager Sloane Dell fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. Still, she accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity, knowing it’s the big break her fledgling career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still August, i.e. sexier and sweeter than any man has a right to be. And that he drives her crazy with his resistance to all her ideas.

They vow to leave the past in the past. But when an explosive make-out session makes it clear their attraction burns hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams.

As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.

•••••

REVIEW:A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is the second instalment in Jamie Wesley’s contemporary, adult SUGAR BLITZ erotic, romance series focusing on professional football players and business owners Donovan, August and Nicholas. This is San Diego Knights fullback, divorcé and co-owner of Sugar Blitz Cupcakes August Hodges, and twenty-nine year old, social media manager Sloane Dell’s story line. A LEGEND IN THE BAKING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Sloane and August) focusing on two timelines, A LEGEND IN THE BAKING follows the building relationship between our story line couple. After a rant defending femininity and masculinity goes viral, August Hodges finds himself at the mercy of the internet but when Donovan Dell’s sister is hired to help control the social media content, August Hodges finds himself facing the woman who stirs all of his urges, a woman whose heart he destroyed years ago. Enter twenty-nine year old Sloane Dell, his best friend and teammate’s younger sister. As Sloane attempts to navigate and control the online media explosion surrounding August Hodges, our couple find themselves facing another type of vitriol when Sugar Blitz Cupcakes sets about to open a second location.

The world building focuses on the past and the breakdown of a dysfunctional family unit: the incident that pushed Sloane out of August’s life, ; the fall-out and of a marriage, and a career going nowhere fast. As August’s defense of femininity goes viral, so too does his popularity with the women, and the explosion of interest in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes.

The relationship between Sloane and August is a best friend’s younger sister, unrequited love. Sloane has been in love with her brother’s best friend August for as long as she can remember but Sloane was always treated as the little sister but the heart wanted something more, and August was about to destroy any hopes for a happily ever after. Working with August brings Sloane up close and personal with the fame and fortune of a professional football player, the fame of being pulled in several directions. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and entertaining including the return of Sloane’s brother Donovan Dell, and his girlfriend Jada Townsend-Matthews, and football player and Sugar Blitz co-owner Nicholas; August’s ex wife Melinda DeJesus; August’s father Dale Hodges; football fans and angry neighbors.

A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is edgy and entertaining; the characters are animated and determined; the romance is spicy and spirited.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

From A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley. Copyright © 2024 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
 

 

 

This is it. Your time is now.
Sloane Dell beamed at Candace, her boss and the director of marketing at Organic Chemistry, who was seated across the glass desk from her. Sloane had put in the hours, the less-than-desirable assignments (which sometimes included literally scooping up dog poop) as a social media assistant at the organic pet food company for the last three years. But it was all for a good cause. The promotion to social media manager was about to be hers. Finally.
Candace’s head was bent down as she reviewed Sloane’s work file, no doubt cataloging all the metaphorical gold stars Sloane had received from colleagues over the years.
Sloane is the best! Sloane is such a team player! Sloane comes up with the best, most innovative ideas! We couldn’t survive without her!
Okay, maybe that last one wouldn’t be in there, even though it was true. She wasn’t cocky, but she loved her job and was good at it.
Sloane’s smile spread as Candace lifted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her bright pink lipstick had started to bleed in the right corner.
Concentrate, Sloane! Now’s not the time.
Candace cleared her throat and adjusted the black frames that always seemed to be slipping down her nose. “Thanks for coming to see me, Sloane. I wanted to let you know we enjoy having you here at Organic Chemistry.”
Here it came. The big promotion. Sloane’s chest swelled with hope and excitement. She was already starting to think of all the ideas she wanted to implement to further the company’s goals, the student loan payments she could increase . . .
“. . . believe you still need more experience before you can move up to the manager position.”
“Tha—” The rest of that word petered out as Candace’s words sank through Sloane’s body like a lead stone, anchoring her to the stiff leather chair.
What the fuck?
Only the self-control she’d learned to assert over herself even through the most trying of times stopped her from blurting out that way-too-real question. Instead, she went with the much more sedate, more “professional” “Excuse me? Could you repeat that, please?”
Candace sighed and pushed up her glasses again. “Yes, it’s true. We agonized over this decision, but don’t feel putting you in a position you’re not quite ready for is the right move. It can only hurt your career.”
Such bullshit. Over the past two years, she’d put in countless hours for this company, come up with several campaigns that went viral, tripling their social media followers and directly correlating to an increase in sales, only for her immediate supervisor, the assistant director, Daniel, to take the credit. She’d let him get away with it because Sloane was a team player. And now her generosity had officially blown up in her face.
What a bunch of horseshit. Cow shit. Bear shit. Whatever excretions from whatever animal you could think of.
But she had to play the game.
After all, this was corporate America, where fakeness ruled and Black women were often punished for having the unmitigated gall to be both Black and female, so she was going to smile and play the game with the sunshiney-est smile possible. It was the only way to reach her ultimate goal of receiving the promotion she most definitely deserved. “I appreciate you looking out for me.”
Candace pressed a hand to her chest, the pink shade of her polish perfectly matching her lipstick, because appearances were always important. Her beady little green eyes gave off earnest vibes. “Thank you so much for understanding that this was such a tough decision for us. We agonized, but truly think this is the best for you.”
“I quit.”
Sloane froze. Wait. Who said that? The voice sounded familiar. Wait. She, Sloane Renee Dell, had said that. Sloane’s chest filled, not with panic, as she’d initially assumed, but a sense of rightness. Damn right she quit.
Candace’s mouth had fallen open in pure shock, her eyes bugging out behind her very tasteful, yet very expensive frames.
Sloane rose as a sense of purpose surged throughout her entire body. “I deserved that promotion. You know it. I know it. Everyone in this office knows it, and I’m not going to let you gaslight me into thinking it’s my fault you didn’t offer it to me. Consider this my resignation letter. I won’t need two weeks.”
Sloane whirled and strode confidently out of the office. With laser focus, she headed to her little cube—because offices were reserved for managers and directors and the like and not little pesky assistants who apparently didn’t deserve promotions. She quickly collected the few personal items she kept on her desk—the framed photo of her mom and siblings, her lucky shamrock plushy—and headed for the elevator.
Bethany, who worked in accounting, blinked when she saw Sloane. “Where are you going, Sloane?”
“I quit!”
Perhaps she’d said that a little too loudly, because heads began popping over the top of cubicle walls like the creatures in the Whac-A-Mole arcade game. She regally nodded at them all and gave them her best Duchess Meghan wave as she glided down the hall.
Her best friend, Felicia, the admin assistant, gave her a questioning look as she passed the front desk. Sloane shook her head but didn’t stop. Later. She would explain later. If she stopped now, she’d end up screaming at the top of her lungs about the injustice of it all and wind up being escorted off the property by building security.
Reality didn’t hit her until she was behind the wheel of her Mazda. Her vision went hazy for a second as she sucked in unsteady breaths.
Oh, God. What had she done? She had bills to pay. Student loans to whittle away at. She couldn’t quit a good job without another one lined up. But she had. She pressed a shaky hand to her abdomen. That mocha latte she’d treated herself to as a midday snack and pre-promotion celebration was now curdling in her stomach with the fury of sour milk.
But if the powers-that-be didn’t have her back, did she really want to work there?
No. She. Did. Not.From A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley. Copyright © 2024 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.


 

St. Martin’s Press is graciously offering a paper copy of A LEGEND IN THE BAKING by Jamie Wesley to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

 

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10. Giveaway runs from November 19-22, 2024

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What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-review

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What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-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 November 13, 2024

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me…

Cecilia has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she’s a long way from perfect.

She’s let me into her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she’s on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, I rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex-husband.

It’s a shame that Cecilia doesn’t have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognise me. I’ve been following her for a while, after all.

If she knew who I was then I don’t think I’d be so invisible. And she wouldn’t be so surprised one morning when little Peyton’s cot is found empty…

••••••

REVIEW: WHAT THE NANNY SAW is the second instalment in Kaira Rouda’s contemporary, adult FAMILY SECRETS suspense thriller set in the author’s BEST DAY EVER world. WHAT THE NANNY SAW focuses on Cecilia Strom, her estranged husband Paul; ex baby daddy Evan, and the nanny Lizzie.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cecila and Lizzie) WHAT THE NANNY SAW pulls the reader back into the life of Cecilia Strom. At the end of THE SECOND MRS STROM, Cecilia found herself struggling to heal in the wake of a near death experience. Starting anew, Cecilia is now a mother but her most recent significant other is often absent or in the arms of someone else. Battling her own demons, Cecilia will meet her neighbor’s nanny Lizzie, who offers her expertise to Cecilia in the face of Cecilia’s own apparent inabilities to do it all but Cecilia finds herself at odds with the new nanny, and begins to realize, all is not as it appears to be.

WHAT THE NANNY SAW is another dark and dramatic thriller of secrets and lies, obsession and madness, betrayal and vengeance, power and control. We learn a little bit about Lizzie’s history, and the who and what that is the local nanny. Kaira Rouda pulls the reader into a tragic and melodramatic saga with characters as unlikable as they are deceiving and disturbing, conniving and conspiratorial.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE SECOND MRS. STROM

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster-review

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THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster-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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/TMRC_GR

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she’ll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

••••

REVIEW: THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic romance story line focusing on dog groomer / marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor, and sociology professor Ryan ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Fletch and Destiny) THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST follows the building but fake relationship between our story line couple. Destiny Amor is the groomer for Ryan Fletcher’s dog Molly but Destiny sees nothing but a ‘grumpy Gus’ whenever Ryan enters the store but when Destiny’s inaugural marriage proposal event goes off the rails, Ryan aka Fletch offers a proposal, a fake relationship to keep his family of matchmakers off his back. Little does Fletch know but Destiny has a check-list of criteria for her own Mr. Right, and Fletch doesn’t check off too many boxes on our heroine’s list. As Fletch and Destiny’s relationship slowly builds into something more, neither one is willing to acknowledge their growing love, instead focusing on the end date, and nothing more.

The world building focuses on Destiny’s slow building marriage proposal business, and the growing relationship between our story line couple but Destiny is so fixated on her Mr. Right Check-list she doesn’t see that she has already found the man that she loves. Destiny is willing to walk away as their expiry date approaches because Fletch doesn’t check all of the boxes on her list. While Fletch struggles with a prior betrayal that refocuses his heart on something else he quickly realizes that Destiny may be his chance at love.

The relationship between Fletch and Destiny begins acrimoniously and quickly spirals down hill. In an effort to appease his family, Fletch proposes a fake relationship with our story line heroine, a relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Their sexual chemistry is real and strong. The $ex scenes are spicy intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic and fun. We are introduced to Destiny’s boss and best friend Ruby and her husband John ; Fletch’s best friend Marshall, and brothers Chuck, Jimmy and his wife Beth.

THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, loss and grief, acceptance and love. The premise is spirited and heartwarming ; the characters are flirty and fun; the romance is seductive and fated.

Copy suppled by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….
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In Too Deep (RBMC: Toronto 1) by JA Collard-review tour

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💀💚 In Too Deep (RBMC: Toronto 1) by JA Collard-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 12, 2024

Two words.
Two words that I have drilled inside of me and never forgotten.

Words I swore to my best friend, the one who saved my life by taking a bullet for me.

Two words he asked of me before he closed his eyes and took his last breath.
Promise me.

An oath that I would look after his wife Theresa and son Harry.

Theresa is part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who lives and breathes her job. A job she excels. So, when she asks me for a favor, I know I can’t deny her.

Going undercover in one of the country’s most notorious motorcycle clubs, I’m drawn to the men and their lifestyle. It’s a brotherhood, something I miss from when I served in the Military.

Instead of helping Theresa bring them down, I’m fighting to prove their innocence.

Her name is Belle, and she’s the daughter of the president of the Royal Bastards MC. She’s spoiled, hot-headed, and sexy as hell, and I’m falling for her—something I never planned.

So how do I choose between a woman to whom I owe my life? Or the woman who has my heart?

All I know is that I’m in too deep and need to decide before my secret is exposed.

•••••

REVIEW:IN TOO DEEP is the first instalment in JA Collard’s contemporary, adult RBMC: TORONTO dark, MC romance set in the multi-authored RBMC world. This is Canadian soldier Cole Brennan aka Seth Hawkins, and RBMC princess Belle’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. This book is a Novella and part 1 of a duet. Book 2 will be released in September 2025 as part of the RBMC 7th run.

Told from dual first person perspectives ( Cole/Seth and Belle) IN TOO DEEP follows the introduction of Seth Hawkins to the RBMC: Toronto. Cole Brennan has returned from assignment in Afghanistan where his team was ambushed, leaving Keith, his best friend dead. Upon his return home, Keith’s widow, RCMP Officer Theresa approaches Cole about going undercover in an effort to infiltrate the RBMC: Toronto Chapter, an undercover assignment as Seth Hawkins. All goes according to plan until the unthinkable happens, just ours into his introductory operation.

The world building follows Cole as he embarks on a new path as Seth Hawkins, mechanic to the RBMC: Toronto, but a man whose mission it is to uncover the truth. As Seth, Cole never expected to get up close and personal with the club president’s daughter Belle, a position that has placed him in the direct line of fire.

The relationship between Belle and Seth is just beginning but Seth has been warned to keep away, in the face of his own demise. There are no $ex scenes, just a few stolen kisses in the dark.

We are introduced to Keith’s widow and RCMP officer Theresa, her son Harry; RCMP agents Ben and Tyler aka Jack, as well as several members of the RBMC Toronto including prez Vinney, VP Mikki, and Shooter.

IN TOO DEEP is a novella length story of secrets, lies and betrayal, power and control, mayhem and madness. The premise is fast paced,intriguing and entertaining, introducing some of the players and history of the RBMC: Toronto. IN TOO DEEP ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Author J.A. Collard: www.facebook.com/j.a.collard.2024

Subscribe to my Newsletter: www.jacollard.com

Website/Series Links: https://www.royalbastardsmc.com/

Follow the Royal Bastards MC here: https://www.facebook.com/royalbastardsmcbooks/

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Sinister Intentions / Dangerous Devotion by Kat Bammer-reviews

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Sinister Intentions / Dangerous Devotion (Ruthless Rogues 3 & 4:Dangerous Intentions 1 & 2) by Kat Bammer-reviews

SINISTER INTENTIONS
Ruthless Rogues 3 & 4: Dangerous Intentions 1 & 2
by Kat Bammer
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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 15, 2024

“I don’t honor the rules. I make them.”

In the dark, dangerous world of organized crime, Vincenzo Salvini’s name is
whispered behind hands.

And not just in the Italian mafia circles he lords over.
His reputation? Brutal, strategic, emotionless—if he singles you out, it’s game over.

It was exhilarating to outsmart him…and incredibly foolish.
I thought I hid successfully. But he found me, and his hungry eyes speak of sinister intentions.

He insists on an arranged marriage with his brother.
But here’s the kicker…my father agrees.

Salvini wants to destroy me, cage me, control me.
But he underestimates me—I’m not the naive mobster princess, he thinks.
I’m ready to break free from this life, to be independent and true to myself.

Not a mafia bride. Not a plaything of men. And definitely not Vince Salvini’s personal amusement.

••••

REVIEW: SINISTER INTENTIONS is the third instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, and the first instalment in the Dangerous Intentions Duet. This is heir to the Salvini Mafia, thirty-two year old, Vincenzo ‘Vince’ Salvini, and twenty-one year old, Irish Mob princess Jemma Donnelly’s story line. Jemma was first introduced in book two TAINTED DESIRE. SINISTER INTENTIONS can be read as a stand alone with out 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 may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vince and Jemma) SINISTER INTENTIONS follows in the wake of the arranged engagement between Matteo Salvini, and Jemma Donnelly. Jemma and Matteo want nothing to do with the marriage arranged by Vince Salvini and Jemma’s father Craig Donnelly, and from the outset Jemma is determined to run as soon as possible but Vince Salvini sees something in Jemma that stirs within his soul. Jemma has a secret that will force Vince’s hand into marriage, a secret that threatens the stability of the Salvini Mafia. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship between Jemma and Vince, and the potential fall-out as someone else is taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building follows a fight for power and control. Vince Salvini is the eldest son, a man who is struggling with the demons from his past but Vince never expected to find himself attracted to the woman he arranged for his brother, a woman who continually pushes all of his buttons. Meanwhile, Vince’s father is playing games with the Russian Bratva ,and Vince is about to be caught in the crossfire; and Jemma’s secrets are about to be exposed.

The relationship between Vince and Jemma is heated and turbulent. The back and forth vitriol between our story line couple barely masks a sexual attraction that pulls Jemma into the bearing that is our story line hero. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate .

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Alex Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Fiona: Gabe Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Sophie; as well as Vince’s siblings Dante, Matteo, Hero, and Isabella, as well as their father Alfredo Salvino; Craig Donnelly, and Russian mobster Ivan Zotov.

SINISTER INTENTIONS is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family, relationships, and acceptance. The age-gap, enemies to lovers premise is dark, melodramatic and consuming; the characters are desperate and charismatic; the romance is limited to the palpable sexual attraction . SINISTER INTENTIONS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

________

DANGEROUS DEVOTION
(Ruthless Rogues 4: Dangerous Intentions 2)
by Kat Bammer
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 15, 2024

“I’m a lot of things, punk, but gentleman ain’t one of them.”

I should’ve heeded my dangerous mafia boss’s warning because claiming your brother’s bride as your own is anything but gentlemanly.
But here I am, on the precipice of making a life-altering…and incredibly risky choice.

Despite our tumultuous beginning, our conflicts, and the vast differences that separate us, I want Vincenzo Salvini.

All of him.
The good and the bad, the caring, and the ruthless.

His possessive gaze and seductive whispers make me forget everything that stands between us.
Make me fall in love.
But that “yes” means walking into a storm of electrifying passion, lurking danger, and a tangled web of uncertainty.

And a fake marriage–that just might cost me my life.

•••••

REVIEW: DANGEROUS DEVOTION is the fourth instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, and the second book in the Dangerous Intentions Duet. This is heir to the Salvini Mafia, thirty-two year old, Vincenzo ‘Vince’ Salvini, and twenty-one year old, Irish Mob princess Jemma Donnelly’s continuing story. DANGEROUS DEVOTION should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of SINISTER INTENTIONS.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jemma and Vince) DANGEROUS DEVOTION picks up immediately after the events of SINISTER INTENTIONS in which our couple have been targeted, and Jemma finds herself in hiding with the man with whom she is falling in love. As Vince Salvini continues to battle for the top, Jemma focuses on the future with our story line hero but Jemma’s secrets will reveal a connection to the man whom she loves, secrets that will threaten the women in Vincenzo’s life. As Vince must come to terms with the actions of the man currently controlling the New York Mafia, the safety of his soon-to-be wife is his paramount objective. Several attacks against the Salvini household push Vince to take control, and in doing so, he finds himself facing another rival in the war for control.

The world building continues to focus on the building relationship between Jemma and Vince, a relationship that is now based on attraction and love. Someone is taking aim at our story line couple, and Vince begins to suspect there is more than one player in the game.

The relationship between Jemma and Vince is one of mutual attraction; a loving yet protective love affair in which in an effort to protect the woman he loves, Vince must claim Jemma as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive as the couple continues to fight for their lives.

Once again, the dynamic and familiar secondary and supporting characters include the return of Alex Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Fiona: Gabe Falcone, and Jemma’s sister Sophie; as well as Vince’s siblings Dante, Matteo, Hero, and Isabella; their father Alfredo Salvino; Jemma’s father Craig Donnelly, and Russian mobster Ivan Zotov. The requisite evil has many faces.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and infatuation, acceptance and love. The premise remains dark and dramatic; the romance is impassioned; the character are desperate, determined and driven. DANGEROUS DEVOTION ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-the conflict resolution is incomplete.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Sinful Honor
Tainted Desire

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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Mainely Mayhem (Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery 6) by Matt Cost

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Mainely Mayhem (Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery 6) by Matt Cost-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 13, 2024

Things are not right in Brunswick. Chabal is wracked by the nightmare that was the Wendigo. Langdon is hired to investigate the questionable moral integrity of one of Brunswick’s favorite sons and gets thunked in the head and left to die on a boat mooring in the Atlantic Ocean. And that is just the beginning of the bad.

Judge Cornelius Remington is being fast-tracked to be a Supreme Court Justice. Why?

After only a five-day investigation of Remington, Langdon is pulled from the case, suggesting that the judge had already been rubberstamped and that the White House staff and FBI were just going through the motions. But there are questions about the man’s past that Langdon can’t shake, a past that might still live in the present.

Welcome to Maine: The Way Life Should Be. Or so the billboard reads upon entering the state. But that was before MAYHEM seeped in and tainted the idyllic nature of the place. A corruption that was born in Brunswick has seeped throughout the state and is threatening the entire nation.

It is up to Langdon to find and stop MAYHEM before it is too late. And the clock is ticking.

••••

REVIEW:MAINELY MAYHEM is the sixth instalment in Matt Cost’s contemporary, adult GOFF LANGDON MAINELY MYSTERY suspense series focusing on fifty something part time PI / book store owner Goff Langdon, and his motley crew of friends and family. MAINELY MAYHEM can be read as a stand alone but some of the events of Mainely Mayhem are connected to the events of book five Mainely Wicked. MAINELY MAYHEM advances the series a little over one year.

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

Told from third person perspectives MAINELY MAYHEM follows several paths in the wake of the potential nomination of a local judge for the SCOTUS. Goff Langdon has been hired by the FBI to investigate Judge Cornelius Remington but five days into his search, the investigation is closed without resolution, and Goff begins to consider the reasons why. All of Goff’s information leads to a troubling past for the supreme court nominee, and when anyone connected to the judge disappears or is found dead, all is not as is appears to be when Goff becomes a target because of a job he was hired to do. No one in Washington appears to care about the past, a past that is taking aim at Goff Langdon.

Meanwhile, Goff’s wife Chabal is struggling in the aftermath of her abduction and assault by a Satanic cult, who used Chabal as their unwilling sacrifice. With issues of PTSD, and emotional trauma, Chabal is spiraling even with the help of her family and friends.

MAINELY MAYHEM is another detailed and intriguing story of suspense, secrets and lies. Once again, the premise is edgy, dark, and startling; the characters are eclectic, larger than life and determined. MAINELY MAYHEM is another thought-provoking tale that makes you reconsider what secrets lie behind the people at the top.

 

Reading Order and previous reviews
Mainely Power
Mainely Fear
Mainely Money
Mainely Angst
Mainely Wicked

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

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Rumor Has It (Longwood U 1) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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💜Rumor Has It (Longwood U 1) 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 NOVEMBER 14, 2024

The shiver of something new…

Dak

I don’t know what it is about this man that has captivated me like no one else. It’s made me question everything I think I know about myself. But that’s fine – I’ll obsess from afar until I graduate and move on with my life.

Then I’m handed an exclusive invitation to Rumor, the frat’s ‘gay chicken’ club that performs in front of a camera. The one who doesn’t back out first wins cash. Thinking maybe I can clear up this curiosity once and for all if I try my hand at dick, I go.

Imagine my surprise when the man I’m paired with is none other than the one guy that’s caught my attention. My only problem is the cameras freak me out and I know one of these times when I run, it’ll be the last time I see him.

Sparrow

Rumor is a game for straight men to use whatever excuse they can come up with to get acquainted with a dick not their own. I’m the unbeatable – a fan favorite. But I have a secret – I’m already gayer than a pink unicorn wearing a tutu. Still, I get invited back time and time again.

It’s all business until the most beautiful brown eyes look at me and the sexiest body is pressed against mine. However, this fucking man keeps running away. Thankfully, I’m able to give him private lessons in fucking a man, something I’m all to happy to oblige.

But Dak is more than just a good time. He’s a threat to everything I think I know, forcing me to acknowledge that maybe there’s something deeper between us.

Rumor has it all it takes is a single person to turn your life upside down. I think I just met that person and I’m not sure which way is up or if I’m going to crash and burn before I find the surface.

•••••••

REVIEW: We have the next chapter in the hockey world that of my favourite authors has created.

The kids have grown up and are ready for their stories. If you’ve followed/read books written by the author, then you’ll know that these have come from different series, the author has stated many times that her worlds just keep getting larger, and the cast of characters are large. (Which I love)

There is no need to read the parents books to enjoy this one, I have, so I was thrilled when I discovered that this book would be a continuation (not a spin off) of that world. We even get to catch up with families that are related to this story.

I must admit I didn’t know what a “gay chicken” was, looked it up… basically two straight men play at being gay until one of them “chickens” out. And Sparrow is excellent at the game, there is also money to win. But what most people don’t know, or look past is that in fact Sparrow is gay! He’s never hidden it, but he’s not your “typical” gay (whatever that means!!)

So both are invited to the club Rumor, (but Dak doesn’t realise that Sparrow is a regular), Dak immediately recognises his opponent. It’s only the guy he’s seen round campus, it’s only the guy he’s been secretly obsessing over! The “game” starts, and both are into each other, and the game. Until Dak remembers they are being filmed…. He bolts… leaving Sparrow a little sad!

Another encounter ends up with a different result. Dak says he’s wondering if he’s bisexual, as he’s only been dating girls. But he’s been thinking about Sparrow constantly. Sparrow doesn’t want a relationship, so friends with benefits suits him fine.

But we all know that won’t last for long.

I liked how this book developed, there isn’t a lot of hockey in here (considering Dak comes from hockey royalty) but I really wasn’t bothered, I was fascinated with the dynamics. I wanted to catch up with family. I loved how they were with their friends, I wanted to live in this world.

I also love the authors note at the end of her books. It challenges us (in a good way) to see better, not to make snap/harsh judgements before getting to know one another.

There is a warning about a few triggers in here. There are a few moments that had me red eyed and snotty, but mainly this book left me all warm and fuzzy.

I can’t wait to read the next book.

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:

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