Tag Archives: new release reviews 2025

Always (Follow Me 6) by Helen Hardt-a review

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Always (Follow Me 6) by Helen Hardt-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 10, 2025

Take his breath away…

Braden and Skye have an electric connection that gets stronger with every boundary and every limit they push. There’s nothing Braden won’t explore with Skye…with one exception. Only now she’s the one who’s challenging him. Because what Skye wants is the one thing Braden can’t give her. And the only way he’ll be able to keep the woman he loves is to relinquish the one thing he’s mastered above everything else: control.

•••••

REVIEW:Always by Helen Hardt is Follow Me Always but told from Braden’s point of view. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, it is HIGHLY recommended you do.

As always with this author she writes with such depth to her characters. Skye and Btaden’s story is so engaging and interesting to read, so getting to experience a little more of it from a different perspective was so perfect. Braden is a silent enigma of a man, his story with Skye throughout the books dominates the plot so much so that the reader can’t help but want more and more.

Digging into his past from his own point of view was like finding buried treasure, it’s so rare and fragile, but that just makes you want it even more. While Braden buried treasure, Skye was the one to uncover him, she pulled him out from behind a closed heart and brought him into the light. She challenged him more and more, and that was such a strong dynamic in their relationship. Now when the spicy parts hit; of course they were off the charts. Even more so when being viewed from Mr. Bossypants point of view, the man lived for Skye.

While some might consider Always to just be a retelling of the same book, I wholeheartedly disagree. Always adds depth to characters readers already know and love, and a little extra to the plot as well. Skye and Braden’s relationship survived secrets, death and major conflicts that frankly most relationships don’t and because of this readers (like myself) will always want to come back for more from this talented author.

 

Reading Order and Previous reviews

Follow Me Darkly
Follow Me Under
Darkly
Follow Me Always
Under

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sarah

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#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

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Playing Mr. Perfect: Clay Braden by Melissa Foster-review tour

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Playing Mr. Perfect: Clay Braden (The Bradens at Ridgeport 1) by Melissa Foster-review tour

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4eNzV0w

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 12, 2025

What happens in Paris, stays in Paris, right?
Oh, Pepper. If only…

Okay, I admit it.

Sleeping with the NFL quarterback who the media has dubbed Mr. Perfect might not have been the smartest move, but I’m in the City of Love, I’d had a few drinks, and was jacked up on giddy girl talk and hopeful hearts—two things I never buy into—and I threw caution to the wind.

I want to sneak out before he wakes up, but when I open my eyes, he’s already up.

In more ways than one.

Convincing the ridiculously cocky (pun intended) man that I’m not the woman he slept with last night is awkward.

Actually, he makes it impossible.

The thing is, I don’t even know who that woman was.

And now he’s determined to find out.

••••••

REVIEW: PLAYING MR. PERFECT is the first instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary,adult THE BRADENS AT RIDGEPORT erotic, romance series- a spin off from the Bradens & Montgomerys -Pleasant Hills/Oak Falls, set in the author’s interconnected Love In Bloom world. This is thirty-five year old, New York Giants quarterback Clay Braden, and thirty-year old scientist Dr. Pepper Montgomery’s story line.

Told from dual firsts person perspectives (Clay and Pepper) PLAYING MR. PERFECT focuses on the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. For months Clay Braden has lusted after Dr. Pepper Montgomery but Pepper struggles to see beyond her research and work. With the Braden and Montgomery families together in Paris France for Johnny Bad’s final tour, Clay is determined to seduce Pepper Montgomery, proving there is more to life than work but Clay’s own career is hanging in the balance when he must come to a decision about his future in football. With only a few months before training camp, an old injury continues to flare, and the constant reminders add fuel to Clay’s future decisions. Clay and Pepper’s return to America comes with the promise of nothing more but Clay is determined to claim Pepper as his own.

The world building follows the building relationship between Clay and Pepper, and Pepper’s need to push Clay out of her life. Their mutual attraction is palpable but Pepper doesn’t do relationships, preferring to spend time with her research and experiments. Clay is struggling with his attraction to a woman who refuses to accept our hero in her life, a man who wants nothing more to fall in love with Pepper Montgomery.

The relationship between Clay and Pepper is one of mutual attraction but Pepper has kept her distance, refusing to admit there is something more. Time spent together proves to Pepper that there is life outside of work. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

As per Melissa Foster’s style of writing, there is another large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are re-introduced to Pepper’s siblings, all of whom we met in the previous series ( FALLING FOR MR. BAD #11 The Bradens & Montgomerys Pleasant Hills/Oak Falls) : Kane Bad and Sable Montgomery, Flynn Montgomery and Sutton, Brindle Montgomery and Trace, brothers Noah and Axsel; Graham and Morgyn, Seth Braden, as well as Pepper’s co-workers and researchers.

PLAYING MR PERFECT is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating, enchanting and entertaining with little to no conflict ; the romance is passionate; the characters are dynamic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

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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FROM FRIENDS TO FOREVER by Darynda Jones, J. Kenner, Susan Stoker

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FROM FRIENDS TO FOREVER (1001 Dark Nights) by Darynda Jones, J. Kenner, Shayla Black, Susan Stoker-review tour

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The sweetest love stories often bloom from friendship. From Friends to Forever is filled with heartwarming romances where bonds of friendship evolve into something deeper. Whether they’ve always known each other, or their friendship stood the test of time, these characters will find that the best love grows from the most unexpected places.

Release Date February 11, 2025

•••••••

THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON by Darynda Jones

For more information about Darynda Jones, visit:

https://darynda.com/

REVIEW: THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON is instalment 13.6 and novella in Darynda Jones’ contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON paranormal, UF series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is twenty-seven year old demon tracker Quentin Rutherford, and psychic/traveller Amber Kowalski’s story line. For fans of the series, Amber and Quentin were first introduced in the earlier instalments of the Charley Davidson series. Amber is the daughter of Charley’s assistant Cookie.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Amber and Quentin) THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON focuses on two of the secondary characters in the author’s Charley Davidson series. Approximately ten to twelve years have past since we were last up close and personal with our story line couple, teens who have been in love for one another for a very long time but Quentin Rutherford disappeared from Amber’s life, a disappearance that ripped out her heart, and destroyed her soul but both Quentin and Amber have psychic abilities, abilities that grew stronger, through their teen years into adulthood.

Amber Kowalski hadn’t seen Quentin for close to ten years but investigating the possible murder of a recently deceased brings Amber up close and personal with Quentin Rutherford, the boy turned man, who is much more than she could ever have imagined.

THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON is a quick read; a fast paced, action packed story of vengeance and betrayal; friendship and love; second chances and hope. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are familiar and energetic. THE GRAVEDIGGER’S SON is a welcome return to the Charley Davidson’s series, a return of which there will be so much more. Here’s hoping the author has plans for a spin-off series focusing on Amber and Quentin.

•••••••••••

MEMORIES OF YOU by J. Kenner

For more information about J. Kenner, visit:

https://www.juliekenner.com/

MEMORIES OF YOU is instalment 5.5 and novella in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SECURITY erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s numerous Stark Series . This is former US Navy SEAL turned security specialist Renly Cooper, and Nikki Fairchild-Stark’s business partner Abby Jones’ story line. MEMORIES OF YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person (Abby) and third person (Renly) points of view MEMORIES OF YOU follows the rekindling friendship and relationship between Renly Cooper and Abby Jones. Renly and Abby were childhood best friends and neighbors but a Renly’s parents’ divorce pulled Renly out of Abby’s life. A few letters here and there ended any chance of staying in touch, and our couple eventually lost contact with one another. Fast forward to present day wherein Renly Cooper, tired of working security for the Hollywood elite, finds himself contracted with Stark Security where he will reconnect with his childhood friend but all is not well in Abby’s life-a potential stalker has laid claimed to our heroine, and targets Renly in his attempts to take what doesn’t belong. What ensues is the quick rebuilding romance and relationship between Renly and Abby, and the potential fall-out as Abby finds herself facing a man whose obsession is quickly spiralling out of control.

Renly Cooper doesn’t do relationships but a one-night stand with Abby is all he is willing to offer the woman he cannot forget. Abby Jones knows that one night with Renly will never be enough but the heart wants something Renly isn’t willing to give. Pressure to prove she is worthy of Renly’s love finds Abby accepting his terms to keep him in her life but Renly has a secret, that if revealed, may affect his future going forward. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense with a single scene of voyeurism at a local $ex club.

MEMORIES OF YOU is a story of second chances; a rekindling friendship that leads to romance for one couple whose lives were torn apart years before. The fast paced, character driven premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and dynamic including the cameo appearances of Damien and Nikki, and the introduction of Renly’s brother Red whose story is next in RAVAGED WITH YOU.

••••••••

MORE THAN POSSESS YOU by Shayla Black

For more information about Shayla Black, visit:

https://shaylablack.com/

MORE THAN POSSESS YOU by Shayla Black is a contemporary adult, story line found in her MORE THAN WORDS erotic romance series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 DARK NIGHTS series. This is businessman Hayes Elliott, and twenty-two year old, college grad Echo Hope’s story line. MORE THAN POSSESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Hayes) with two final chapters from Echo MORE THAN POSSESS YOU follows the graduation celebration of Echo Hope in Maui Hawaii. As a gift, Hayes Elliott gave his best friend Echo Hope a trip to Hawaii, a business trip for Hayes but a trip wherein Echo hopes to lose her ‘V-card’ to their mutual friend Xavian Costa but Hayes sees red as he struggles with his best friend going elsewhere, a best friend he refuses to accept as anything more. Friends for eighteen years, Hayes and Echo, along with Xavian Costa have done everything together but Hayes never expected to watch from the sidelines as his bestie lost her virginity to someone else. As Hayes does his best to foil all of Echo’s plans, our heroine must comes to terms that the man that she loves, doesn’t love her in return.

The relationship between Echo and Hayes is a friends to lovers relationship, one in which Echo has been in love with her best friend for close to eight years. Hayes Elliott never saw Echo as a woman, as a sexual being but a few days in Hawaii proves that Echo has been hiding behind baggy clothes for far too long. The $ex scenes are intimate, enthusiastic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in the previous instalments of the More Than Words series. We are introduced to Hayes’ Gramma Liddy, as well as Xavian’s large but well established extended family.

MORE THAN POSSESS YOU is a story of family, relationships, friendships and love. A story of conflict, acceptance, revelations and realizations. The fast paced premise is captivating and exciting; the romance is passionate and fated; the characters are energetic and animated.

•••••••

SECURING JANE by Susan Stoker

For more information about Susan Stoker, visit:

https://www.stokeraces.com/

SECURING JANE is the last instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL of Protection: Legacy romantic suspense series, and the latest addition in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is SEAL Admiral Storm North, and fifty-one year old, mail room civilian contractor Jane Hamilton’s story line. SECURING JANE 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 third person perspectives (Jane and Storm) SECURING JANE follows the building romance and relationship between SEAL Admiral Storm North, and fifty one year old, mail room civilian contractor Jane Hamilton. Jane Hamilton has had a ‘crush’ on Commander Storm North for as long as she can remember but one morning Storm North took an interest in our story line heroine, an interest that would find Storm up close and personal when a mail bomb, intended for Rear Admiral Creasy, blows up and injures Jane Hamilton in the process. Hoping to get closer to our story line heroine, Storm North, begins a slow seduction of the woman that is calling to his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Storm and Jane, and the potential fall-out as Jane and Storm become collateral damage in the vendetta against Rear Admiral Creasy.

Jane Hamilton never expected to find love again, least of all at the age of fifty-one. Her first marriage had been failure, and the one positive, her daughter, struggled in the aftermath of her parent’s divorce. Storm North had been married to the job. As the commander to several teams of Navy SEALs, Storm never had time for love or marriage but now that he was no longer going on overseas missions, Storm watched from the sidelines as his men found love. Lonely, looking for his own happily ever after, Storm goes after our story line hero but almost loses her before their relationship truly begins. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the previous story line male characters play secondary and supporting characters. As Storm introduces his fellow SEAL team members to our story line heroine, Jane slowly overcomes some of her issues of low self esteem, including the negative body image and ageism.

SECURING JANE is a story of vengeance and retaliation; mystery and suspense; romance and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are mature, energetic, and enjoyable-there was never any conflict between our leading couple.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills-review tour

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The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills-review tour

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

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4gt5tdc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 11 2025

Roses are red, violets are blue—someone in Rose has feelings for you…

Yeah, bad ones. Everly Davis didn’t leave her tight-knit hometown on the best terms. It’s been ten years, but you don’t forget heartbreak like that. Then again, the anonymous invite to the annual Kiss Lottery in Rose, Tennessee, gives Everly content for her podcast. And she has a bone to pick with that old heartbreak anyway.

Beckett Whitfield has never left Rose—and he’s never forgotten Everly. He even named the villain in his latest bestseller after her. Turns out she’s not happy about that. Nothing about their reunion is particularly happy, and after the way they left things, what did he expect?

When the Kiss Lottery pairs them together, Everly and Beckett will have to confront old feelings that never went away and the secrets they never shared. But finally telling each other everything might be exactly what they’ve needed all along.

••••

REVIEW:THE KISS LOTTERY by Ilsa Madden-Mills is an adult, contemporary, stand alone romance story line focusing on author Beckett Whitfield, and travel pod-caster Everly Davis

Told from dual first person perspectives ( Everly and Beckett) THE KISS LOTTERY focuses on the town of Rose, Tennessee’s annual Kiss Lottery . Everly Davis left Rose Tennessee ten years earlier; a high school betrayal broke not only heart but her soul, and in this, her return comes with emotional memories of the past, and another heart break from the man she once loved. An anonymous invitation to the Kiss Lottery finds Everly matched with our story line hero, a match that brings with it reconciliation but secrets from the past.

The world building focuses on the rekindling romance between Everly and Beckett, high school sweethearts torn apart by betrayal, secrets and lies. Their reconnection brings with it memories from the past, a rehashing of high school antics, loves and losses. Beckett has never stopped loving the woman he pushed out of his life but life and everything it had to offer was quickly spiralling out of control.

The relationship between Beckett and Everly is a second chance romance. Beckett is determined to reclaim everything he lost, and Everly is struggling to make sense of the past. The lone $ex scene is 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. As with all small towns, there is the local gossip, mean girl, busy bodies, family and old friendships,

THE KISS LOTTERY is a story of secrets and lies, friendships and forgiveness, acceptance and love. The quick paced premise is endearing, entertaining and captivating; the romance is fated; the characters are fun, sassy and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Fourteen of her Eighteen novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Not My Romeo #1; The Revenge Pact #1; Dear Ava, Fake Fiancée, I Dare You, and I Promise You #2; I Hate You #5; Not My Match, I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females.

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A Rebel Without Claws by Juliette Cross-dual review

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A Rebel Without Claws (Southern Charm 1) by Juliette Cross-dual review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Indigo/Chapters (Paper) /

After yet another bar fight and arrest, bad boy Ronan Reed leaves Texas to live with his Uncle Shane, alpha of the Blood Moon pack. Since werewolf cage fighting isn’t illegal in Louisiana, Ronan makes big plans to lead his own team in the ring. But when he sets eyes on sweet Celine Cruz, his whole world stops and she becomes a tantalizing distraction he doesn’t need.

As an Aura witch, Celine always wants to help heal the broken. She knows all too well what it’s like to battle anxiety, and so she’s dedicated her life to helping those in need. But the second she meets Ronan, she knows she’s in trouble. He’s everything her close knit family would hate: a werewolf with a hot temper and a sinful grin to match, who runs with a dangerous crowd. So why can’t she stay away?

Ronan thinks she’s a good girl. Little does he know, all Celine wants is to do wicked things with the bad boy werewolf, who revels in breaking all her rules. But as their forbidden romance becomes too tempting to resist, Ronan notices that the wolves are circling…and they’re coming after his mate.

••••••••

Sandy’s Review:

A REBEL WITHOUT CLAWS is the first instalment in Juliette Cross’ contemporary, adult SOUTHERN CHARM erotic, paranormal, romance series , a spin off , set in the author’s STAY A SPELL world. This is twenty-seven year old, MMA fighter/ mechanic/ werewolf Ronan Reed, and aura witch Celine Cruz’s story line.
 
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ronan and Celine) A REBEL WITHOUT CLAWS follows the building romance and relationship between werewolf Ronan Reed, and aura witch Celine Cruz. Fifteen years earlier, following the death of his mother, Ronan found himself juggling between family members as his temper and grief refused to back down. Having moved to Louisiana, living with his uncle Shane, Ronan forges forward with a new MMA team, fellow shifters and friends who have his back but meeting Celine Cruz pushes Ronan out of his comfort zone, and the fact that Celine is his fated mate, makes the threats against our story line heroine, all the more dangerous. With an over protective father, and two brothers taking aim at the man whom she love, Celine finds herself falling for a wolf who is in a battle for his life.
 
The world building focuses on grief and loss; fated mates and acceptance; betrayal and obsession. Werewolf cage fighting is an outlet for Ronan as his struggles with his wolf, an outlet that now threatens the woman he loves.
 
The relationship between Ronan and Celine is one of fated mates: immediate attraction and palpable sexual energy but Celine knows that her family may struggle to accept the man that she loves, a wolf who knows Celine is his heart and soul. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
 
We are introduced to Ronan’s uncle Shane; his MMA teammates  Zack and Bowie: Celine’s cousins vampire Morgan and Samara; brothers Diego and Joaquin; their parents Evie and Mateo Cruz .The requisite evil has many faces.
 
A REBEL WITHOUT CLAWS is a story of loss, family acceptance and love. The fast paced,character driven premise is exciting and entertaining; the romance is fated and impassioned; the characters are magical and determined.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
A Rebel Without Claws by Juliette Cross is the first book in her new Southern Charm series. This series is a spinoff with the new generation of the Stay a Spell characters that we have come to love, returning to New Orleans.  We meet Ronan Reed, our hero, who left his home in Texas to live with his Uncle Shane, alpha of the Blood Moon pack. Ronan makes plans to set up his own werewolf underground cage fighting team, which is legal in New Orleans.      

Ronan quickly meets Celine Cruz, an Aura witch, whom he immediately knew she was his fated mate. He is warned by friends to stay away from her, because of her scary family, such as father, brother, uncles.   

Celine is the daughter of Evie and Mateo (Stay a Spell), and it was fun seeing both of them, playing a part in Celine’s life.  Celine is a child therapist who does art therapy for supernatural kids, as she always wants to help others.  Celine also finds herself very attracted to Ronan, and in a short time the chemistry between escalates.  Celine learns from Ronan that he has not shifted in wolf form since he was 12-year-old, due to the death of his mother.  He ends up going to a therapist, that will help him deal with his past traumas, as well as being able to eventually release his wolf.

I really loved how Ronan and Celine fell in love, especially being fated mates. They made such a great couple, with both always there for each other, as well as being supportive.  I got a kick out of Ronan’s experience his first Savoie family dinner. It was great to see many of our favorite characters from Stay a Spell.  It was nice seeing Mateo and Evie (Celine’s parents), and loved when Evie would always keep him in his place. During the werewolf cage fighting, things became intense, and when Celine was in danger, Ronan’s wolf finally came out to save her.

A Rebel Without Claws was a wonderful start to this new series, in the same world as Stay a Spell; with witches, werewolves and vampires.  I really loved Ronan and Celine together, as they were the perfect fated mates. If you were a fan of Stay a Spell, you really need to read this new Southern Charm series.

 

Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Amazon Author Page / Newsletter

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BOUND TO A MONSTER (Zeitsev Bratva 6) by BB Hamel -review

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BOUND TO A MONSTER (Zeitsev Bratva 6) by BB Hamel -review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 31, 2025

I showed a gorgeous stranger my fencing form…
And humiliated myself in the process.
Now he wants a private demonstration.

All I need is one night of sin before I walk down the aisle with my arranged husband. Just one night to feel like I have control of my life.

Which is how I give myself to a gorgeous, built-like-heaven stranger after an extremely mortifying accidental stabbing.

But it turns out, we both have secrets.

My drunken mistake is none other than Lev Federov, the man I’m supposed to marry.

He’s terrifyingly hot with a black hole where his empathy’s supposed to be, but somehow that only makes him more attractive.

Too bad he hates my guts and wants nothing to do with our marriage.

Now my stupid mistake is turning into a total nightmare as my wedding day approaches and I get one more wicked

A positive pregnancy test.

How am I supposed to tell a man who clearly loathes me that he’s the father of my child?

•••••

REVIEW: BOUND TO A MONSTER is the sixth instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult, ZEITSEV Bratva dark, erotic, Bratva romance story series . This is Lev Federov, and Carmela ‘Carmie’ Marino’s story line. BOUND TO A MONSTER 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 (Carmie and Lev) BOUND TO A MONSTER follows the arranged marriage between Lev Federov, and Carmela ‘Carmie’ Marino’. In an effort to secure more power for the Marino Crime Family, Carmie is forced into marriage to a man she doesn’t know, so a one-night stand is Carmie’s last hurrah before becoming a pawn in the criminal underworld. Lev Federov is the second in command of the Federov family but his father Oleg Federov is losing control, and his people are starting to rebel. Forced into marriage to secure his position, Lev will come face to face with his one-night stand, the woman he will marry, the woman who is now pregnant with his child. As Lev and Carmie dance the proverbial dance between love and hate, the Federov family will suffer a loss, and Lev finds himself on the precipice of power or losing everything to an assassin’s bullet.

The world building focuses on the betrayal and vengeance. The Federov family has lost control of the people upon whom they depend, and Lev refuses to back down when double crossers and betrayers refuse to give up power but Lev goes too far, and the Zietsev Pakhan issues an ultimatum that pushes our couple to places unknown.

The relationship between Carmie and Lev is an arranged marriage but one in which our couple have met before. A one-night stand results in an unplanned pregnancy, and Carmie struggles to like the man who is intent on destroying her heart. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are family and energetic-We are reintroduced to Valentin Zietsev (Under Control); Lev’s sister Natalya and her husband Alexander (Claimed by Desire); Carmie’s brothers Daniel and Luca; several of Carmie’s girlfriends (Gia, Frannie, Sofie); Lev’s father Oleg Federov. The requisite evil has many faces.

BOUND TO A MONSTER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and obsession, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and dark; the characters are powerful and strong; the romance is fated and impassioned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twilight Mask
Midnight Beast
Sunrise Malice
Under Control
Claimed by Desire

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Under an Endless Moon (Moonlit Ridge 2) by AL Jackson-review tour

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Under an Endless Moon (Moonlit Ridge 2) by AL Jackson-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 10, 2025

I should have known I’d break the oath I made when I offered to let my best friend’s little sister move in with me…

She’s the sweetest woman on the face of the planet.

And to my great misfortune, the sexiest one, too.

She’s been living under her brother’s roof her entire life, and she’s ready to spread her wings.

And I’m the masochist who offers she stay at my place until she can find an apartment.

When I hear her having a nightmare, the only thing I can do is go to her. Hold her so she knows she’s safe from her demons.

The second she’s in my arms, the attraction I’ve tried to hide sparks to life. I know better than to push past the boundaries I’ve set for us, but when she begs me to touch her in a way she’s never been touched, I can’t resist.

And with my name on her lips as I send her soaring for the first time, I know there’s no going back.

I’m willing to break every rule and oath I’ve ever made to keep her.

Accept every consequence.

Only she and I have a dark, dangerous history that no one knows about.

And I’m afraid the consequences of loving her have just caught up to us…

•••••

REVIEW:After finishing book one in theMoonLit Ridge series (From Here to Eternity) I knew I was going to be hooked. Under an Endless Moon couldn’t come fast enough. A brother’s best friend romance filled with angst, secrets and spice, Under an Endless Moon is one of this author’s best pieces. As always I recommend reading the series in order, book one introduces these characters, but can be read as a standalone.

Tension in this book is crazy! We meet Raven in book one as River’s little sister, she is the owner of her own flower shop in their tiny town. Lately however, she has been struggling with wanting to spread her wings and live life to its fullest. Otto is her burly bear who has been embedded in her life for almost as long as she can remember playing the big brother. Too bad that is never how she could see him.

Otto has demons, dirty, dark demons that he doesn’t share with anyone. Raven is the one light in his light, the one thing he always wants to protect and never hurt. Even if that means he can never have her the way he wants her.

There is so so much angst in this book, like so much more than I was expecting, but it is so well done. We get more of Otto’s back story, what happened to his sister and even more of the demons that he holds. Raven is a complicated character that is determined to move on from her past but when chaos hits Otto is the first one to take her back. The character growth on River’s side as he has to learn to let his baby sister live her grown adult life was moving and adds another level of depth to their relationship. There is one specific moment for Raven that gives her the push she needs to start out on her own, and while it is funny, it leads her to staying with Otto.

Raven staying at Otto’s home pushes him to the point of no return, he has to face his feelings for her or take the risk of losing her for good. Holy Lordt, the spice when it hits is HOT. When Otto finally confesses, it is simply everything, his strong emotions, his need, his love for Raven makes all their years of pining worth it.

If you haven’t read this series before or the author please do so, both are so amazing

Click HERE for Sarah’s review of book one FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com

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MY DARK PRINCE (Dark Prince Rd) by LJ Shen & Parker S Huntington

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💛MY DARK PRINCE (Dark Prince Road 3)by LJ Shen & Parker S Huntington-review tour💛

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 9, 2025

This Sleeping Beauty woke up…
In a nightmare.

Oliver
I don’t usually trap women with amnesia into marriage.
But I guess there’s a first time for everything.
When the woman of my dreams falls into my lap, I can’t help but wonder what else she can do in that position.
She’s here. In my house. At my mercy.
And she thinks we’ve been lovers the entire decade we spent apart.
Briar and I have always been unfinished business.
Now it’s time to seal the deal.

Briar
I’m marrying a beautiful monster.
A crooked fraud. America’s wealthiest bachelor.
He claims we’re in love, yet all I taste in our kisses is hate and lust.
I don’t remember why or how.
But I do remember he’s the enemy.
Now, I’m stuck inside a nightmare.
And Oliver will do anything to keep me in the dark.

•••••

REVIEW: MY DARK PRINCE is the third instalment in the contemporary, adult DARK PRINCE ROAD erotic, dark, romance series co-authored by LJ Shen and Parker S Huntington. This is thirty-four year old, billionaire Count Oliver von Bismarck, and thirty-three year old, Briar Rose Auer’s story line. MY DARK PRINCE 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 (Oliver and Briar) following a non linear timeline, MY DARK PRINCE focuses on the rekindling romance and relationship between Briar Rose Auer and Oliver von Bismarck. Briar Rose and Oliver were childhood best friends turned sweethearts but fifteen years ago, a tragedy would unfold in the von Bismarck family, and Briar Rose became an afterthought for our story line hero. Fast forward to present day, Briar Rose, working as a Hollywood intimacy coordinator would come face to face with her past in the guise of Oliver von Bismarck, and in the ensuing months Oliver would struggle to prove she is the only woman he has ever loved.

The world building is a modern, slight retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and follows several heart breaking and emotional paths. Briar Rose grew up never knowing love, having been abandoned by her parents, only to discover not everything and everyone where whom they appeared to be. Making her own way, Briar found herself no longer a part of the world in which she grew up, a world that no longer resembled the life she was knew. Oliver von Bismarck,along with his father, runs a large chain of luxury hotels, and is determined to reclaim the woman he lost but Oliver’s own life changed fifteen years earlier, and he has been serving a self-imposed penance ever since.

The relationship between Oliver and Briar is one of second chances; a rekindling in the face of presumed betrayal; heart break, secrets and lies. Briar struggles to trust the man she once loved, a man who is still keeping secrets at the insistence of someone else. As Oliver diligently works to prove he is not the man Briar believes him to be, Briar must come to terms with what happened in the past, a past that changed everyone going forward. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Romeo and Dallas (My Dark Romeo), Zach and Farrow (My Dark Desire), as well as the introduction of Oliver’s brother Sebastian, their parents Count Felix and his wife Agnes von Bismarck; Oliver’s friend Frankie, Cameron Cooper, and Briar’s estranged and contemptable parents Jason and Philomena Auer. I am hoping the author has plans for Sebastian, and Frankie.

MY DARK PRINCE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and greed, secrets and lies, power and control, forgiveness and acceptance, family and love. The premise is thought provoking,edgy, dramatic, haunting and complex; the romance is flawed and sensitive; the characters are broken, sassy, impulsive and inventive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Also available in the Dark Prince Road series

#1 My Dark Romeo https://amzn.to/4g9LfEZ
#2 My Dark Desire https://amzn.to/4hrk49O

L.J. Shen is USA Today, WSJ, Washington Post and #1 Amazon Kindle Store bestselling author of contemporary romance books.

She writes angsty books, unredeemable anti-heroes who are in Elon Musk’s tax bracket, and sassy heroines who bring them to their knees (for more reasons than one).

HEAs and groveing are guaranteed.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three sons, and a disturbingly active imagination.

Keep up with L.J. on all platforms:
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Website ➜ www.authorljshen.com

 

Parker S. Huntington is a stay-at-home dog mom from SoCal, where she discovered her allergy to rain. In spite of her shoddy attendance record and strong aversion to homework, she earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside and an A.L.M. in Literature from Harvard. When she’s not writing or exchanging food pics with her friends, she’s binge-watching an unhealthy amount of Netflix while curled up with her dogs.

Parker hates talking about herself and is (also) allergic to social media, but you can catch up with her in her newsletter at www.parkershuntington.com. Occasionally, she’ll post a TikTok video, which you can find at  www.parkershuntington.com.

Reach her at:

Facebook / Facebook Group / Website / Tiktok/ Amazon Author / X (Twitter)

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