Tag Archives: new release reviews 2025

STOLEN VOWS (Avalon Falls 3) by Penelope Black-review tour

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STOLEN VOWS (Avalon Falls 3) by Penelope Black-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 27, 2025

Graham Carter: ethical hacker, resident grump of Avalon Falls, and the man who’s about to make me his wife. For convenience, of course.

I need an escape plan—fast. My family expects me to marry a man I can’t stand, and Graham needs a wife to secure his inheritance. A simple deal, no emotions involved. Just one year of marriage, and we both walk away with exactly what we want.

But living with Graham isn’t easy. He’s infuriatingly perceptive, impossible to ignore, and fiercely protective in ways I never expected. Every touch feels too real. Every glance lingers too long. And every threat from the man I left behind pulls me closer to the one I secretly wished for all along.

This was never supposed to be more than a transaction. But the longer we pretend, the harder it is to remember what’s real. And the most dangerous thing about Graham Carter?

I think he might want me, too.

•••••

REVIEW: STOLEN VOWS is the third instalment in Penelope Black’s contemporary, adult AVALON FALLS erotic, romance series. This is cybersecurity specialist Graham Carter, and book store owner Francesca Ashburn’s story line. Graham is Beau Carter’s brother (Forsaken Oath 2).STOLEN VOWS 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 (Graham and Francesca) STOLEN VOWS follows the building romance and relationship between Graham Carter and Francesca Ashburn. Approximately ten years earlier, Graham Carter met Francesca Ashburn as a college party but their interaction was limited because of Francesca’s twin sister’s interference, and our coupe would meet again not once but twice every five years. Fast forward to present day, Francesca Ashburn has moved to Avalon Falls following the death of her beloved aunt, a death from which Francesca inherited a small and independent book store but Francesca never thought she would come face to face with the man who stole her heart all those years before. Enter Graham Carter. Graham is a cybersecurity specialist, and has been searching for our story line heroine but Francesca has a secret, and Graham is determined to claim Francesca as his own. A mutual agreement to a marriage of convenience, a marriage that will poke at the proverbial bee hive, threatening our story line coupe in the process.

The world building follows the growing relationship and love between our story line couple; Graham’s work as he struggles to diffuse a series of security threats including one of his own; and the dysfunctional family dynamic that threaten Francesca Ashburn, and the battle to take down the people in charge.

The relationship between Graham and Francesca is one of acquaintances to friends to lovers in which both will benefit from a marriage of convenience but Graham is transfixed with the woman with whom he will fall in love, a woman whose family refuses to let go. The $ex scenes are numerous, provocative and erotic.

The energetic secondary and supporting characters include Francesca’s twin sister Florence, and their controlling parents, as well as the reintroduction and return of Graham’s brother Beau, their sister Cora, and parents Hazel and Lucas. The requisite evil has many faces.

STOLEN VOWS is a story of power and control; betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, captivating and engaging but the conflict resolution was too quick and mostly behind the scenes-the guilty party is easily deduced; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined and desperate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Broken Pact
Forsaken Oath

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penelope Black is a romance author who is obsessed with collecting book boyfriends and the women who bring them to their knees.

With a loving husband, two kids, and a mischievous Labradoodle by her side, she
resides in the heartland. Fueling her creativity, she revels in over-the-top action movies
and indulges in iced chai lattes often. Her sunny backyard serves as a sanctuary for
reading and writing, where she immerses herself in fictional worlds that feel real.
Known for her electrifying narratives, Penelope weaves vibrant prose, unforgettable characters, and heart-pounding twists.

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Facebook / Facebook Group / Instagram / Amazon Author Page /

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BEAST (MC Fables 1) by Penny Dee -review tour

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BEAST (MC Fables 1) by Penny Dee-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 February 27, 2025

“There is nowhere for you to run, little one…”

Beast
I am the president of The Knights of St. Bon Motorcycle Club.
A seven-foot mountain of muscle and bone in a pair of motorcycle boots and a leather cut.
Cursed with demons and darkness and secrets that run deep.
To the people of St. Bon, I am a monster.
To my club brothers, I am a fearless leader.
To her, I am a nightmare.

Belle
He comes out of the shadows and turns my world upside down.
He forces me to marry him to pay off my uncle’s debt to the motorcycle club.
The stakes are high. I must be convincing as his old lady or there will be consequences for the both of us.
But I could never imagine the real reason he wants to marry me.
Or the secrets he is guarding in the forbidden room.

•••••

REVIEW: BEAST is the first instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary, adult MC FABLES dark, erotic, MC romance series focusing on The Knights of St. Bon MC. This is club president, thirty-one year old Adam ‘ Beast’ Vale, and former nanny twenty-nine year old, Belle Rose’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Beast and Belle) BEAST follows the building relationship and forced marriage between our story line couple. Belle’s uncle Maurice is in debt with the local MC, and in an effort to pay off her uncle’s debts, Belle is forced to marry the new president of The Knights of St. Bon MC, Adam ‘Beast’ Vale but all is not as is appears to be, someone is circulating a deadly drug on the streets, and the MC has been targeted for who they are, and sins of the past.

The world building follows several interconnected pathways including The Knights of St. Bon’s search for the people distributing a deadly new street drug; the potential war with the Unhinged Psychos MC; a grudge held by the town mayor, and the secrets that may push Belle out of Beast’s life.

The relationship between Beast and Belle is a forced marriage but a marriage that quickly turns into something more. Beast has many secrets, that if revealed , will destroy any chance of a happily ever after with the woman he love, and Belle is determined to prove our hero is worthy of his own relationship and love. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative

We are introduced to a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including all of the member of The Knights of St. Bon MC; Beat’s brother Gaston; Belle’s uncle Maurice; Sheriff Coulter, and Mayor Boney. The requisite evil has many faces.

BEAST is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, madness and obsession, forgiveness and love. The premise is dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is fated and flawed; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between.She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.

You can connect with Penny Dee : Goodreads / Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website / Instagram

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DELAY OF GAME (Game Time 4) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-review tour

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DELAY OF GAME (Game Time 4) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 29, 2025

Danny Chambers is back.

I lost my heart to Danny Chambers in high school, even though he parked me in the friend zone five minutes after we met. It’s taken years to stop thinking about him at least once every hour. It helped when he enlisted in the Air Force. But he’s back, and he’s walking onto the football team. He could go to college anywhere, so why does it have to be Mountain State?

Even best friends keep secrets from each other.

When Danny earns a spot playing receiver for the Wildcats, I’m in the clear. I can admire him from the stands and go back to my boring life of finishing my undergrad and resigning myself to being married to my career. After what went down with my one-and-only boyfriend last semester, well, I need to stop dreaming about happily-ever-after. Which makes the head games Danny is playing with me so painful. Why is he acting like he wants something more with me?

Five years ago, I made a colossal mistake.

I need a second chance. Growing up a military brat, the one constant in my life was playing football. Though I met all kinds of people while switching schools on the regular, one look at Taryn Hamilton and she’s my girl. Yet after we met, I discovered quick she was off-limits if I wanted to catch passes on Friday nights. I paid a big price for my bad choice. Now after giving Uncle Sam four years so I could attend college, I’m at Mountain State where I’m taking every opportunity to show Taryn how I truly feel—how I have always felt about her. She is so much more than my best friend.

Football was my first love. Now I’m playing for my only love.

Game Time.

••••••••

REVIEW: DELAY OF GAME is the fourth instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, new adult GAME TIME erotic, football romance series. This is former US Air Force member Danny Chambers, and Taryn Hamilton’s story line. DELAY OF GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty, any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The events of DELAY OF GAME run parallel to and cross over with all of the previous instalments.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Danny and Taryn) DELAY OF GAME follows the childhood friends to lovers relationship between former US Air Force member Danny Chambers, and Taryn Hamilton. Years earlier, while still in high school, Danny Chambers reluctantly placed his best friend Taryn Hamilton in the friend zone, and Taryn has never forgiven or forgotten about the humiliation. Fast forward to present day, having served his time in US Air Force, Danny has returned and enrolled in the same college as our story line heroine, and was granted a walk on position with the football team. Starting a slow seduction of Taryn Hamilton, Danny is met with trepidation and apprehension, and struggles to uncover the reasons why. Determined to keep her distance, Taryn finds herself distressing about the past, and a former relationship that refuses to let go.

The world building follows several paths including Danny’s growing friendships with his teammates; his need and love for the woman who’s heart he broke; and the determination of Taryn Hamilton to make it on her own.

The relationship between Danny and Taryn is a childhood best friends to lovers relationship that struggles with the demons from the past. Taryn’s humiliation, and the constant reminder of her previous relationship failures continue to beat at our heroine’s ego but Danny Chambers is determined to claim Taryn as his own in the face of her need to push Danny away. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive.

The second and supporting characters include Danny’s sassy teammates and roommates Callahan O’Reilly and Jamaica Winslow, Wyatt ‘Bax’ Baxter, Finn McCabe, Tarvarius Johnson, Tamatoa Hall, as well the introduction of Taryn’s siblings and parents, friend Zoe Lampee, co-worker Hailey, and hometown bully Derek Watson. There may be something developing between Tarvarius and Zoe.

DELAY OF GAME is a story of harassment and vengeance, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is edgy, inviting and engaging; the characters are animated and spirited; the romance is tender and heart warming.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Finding the End Zone
Out of Bounds
Offsides

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads/ Website/ Facebook/ Instagram/ Bookbub / Amazon

Tam DeRudder Jackson is the author of the paranormal romance Talisman Series and the contemporary romance Balefire Series. Her favorite “room” in her house is her back patio where she dreams up stories of romance and risk. When she’s not writing her latest paranormal or contemporary romance, you can usually find her driving around with the top down in her convertible or carving turns on the slopes of the local ski hill. The mom of two grown sons, Tam likes to travel, attend rock concerts, watch football and soccer, and visit old car shows with her husband. She lives in the mountains of northwest Wyoming where she spends most of her free time trying to read all the books. Her TBR piles are threatening to take over her office, and she’s fine with that.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!


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JUST TROUBLE (Carpe Diem Cafe 1) by Deborah Cooke -review

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JUST TROUBLE (Carpe Diem Cafe 1) by Deborah Cooke -review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 18, 2025

If I recognize trouble when I see it, it’s because I grew up with a huge crush on my best friend’s older brother, Luke Jones. Born with sinful good looks and enough charm to talk himself out of almost any situation, he’s always been a rebel with attitude to spare—as well as gorgeous, reckless and dangerous for good girls like me to know. Though he’s found fame, fortune and all the fan-girls with his band, Luke remains the star of all my secret fantasies.

But now, he’s back—one sizzling look is enough to set my world on fire— and he wants a favor. (From me!) Time to make the world a better place, Luke says, but I recognize half a story when I hear one. Does it really matter? I need to ditch this crush before it’s too late for me to fall in love for real and find my own happy ending. Luke doesn’t need to know that it’ll be more than a favour for me. He also won’t linger in the sleepy little town of Empire, and when Luke leaves this time, he’ll be gone forever.

The problem is that the other half of the story is the kind of revelation that hooks me hard. Luke’s on a quest to right old wrongs, and making the world a better place is pretty much my theme song. Am I crazy to hope for more from the man who has only ever committed to his music? By the time I learn the whole truth, will my heart be lost forever? For once, though, I’m not going to play it safe. Win or lose, my time to seize the moment is now.

•••••

REVIEW: JUST TROUBLE is the first instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult CARPE DIEM CAFE romance series. This is rock star Luke Jones and attorney Daphne Bradshaw’s story line.

Told from three first person perspectives (Luke, Daphne, Sylvia) JUST TROUBLE focuses on the return of rock star Luke Jones to his home town of Empire, Ontario. After the death of his band mate Taylor Tate, Luke lost his way, lost his muse and struggled going forward with the grief and guilt of his best friend’s demise but his return to Empire comes with a series of requests, and acts of contrition, in an effort to help the people he wronged along the way. Luke’s first stop is to attorney Daphne Bradshaw, with the hope of setting into motion the purchase of several properties and pieces of land, properties and land owned by someone who is refusing to sell. With the help of our story line heroine, Luke begins a slow revival of a town destroyed by one man’s greed, and in doing so, Luke is hoping to prove he is a changed man, a man worthy of his own happily ever after.

The world building follows several paths including Luke’s need to make amends for sins of the past; his need to prove he is much more then the blood that flows through his veins; and his growing love for a woman who has been burned in the past.

The relationship between Luke and Daphne is a friends to frenemies to lovers relationship in which Daphne struggles with Luke’s rock star reputation, and the fact that he is only in Empire for a limited time. Battling between head and heart, Daphne refuses to lose her heart to a man whose lifestyle is unlike her own but a man who is slowly breaking down her walls. The $ex scenes are passionate but often fades to black or are mostly implied.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and dynamic. We are introduced to Daphne’s father and fellow attorney Richard Bradshaw; Luke’s brother Mike, and their father Patrick Cavendish; Chef Sylvia Kincaid and her daughter Sierra; and new restaurateur Merrie.

JUST TROUBLE is a story of grief and loss, power and control, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance seductive and impassioned; the characters are charismatic and charming.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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TEXTING DR. STALKER by Pepper Winters-review

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💀 TEXTING DR. STALKER by Pepper Winters-review 💀

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 16, 2025

I have a stalker.
A masked man who watches me from the shadows. A guardian who says he’s there to protect me—to help me heal from almost dying at the hands of another man.
He says he’s willing to do anything to help me move on. That I needn’t be afraid of him.
I agree to keep him my secret and share how much I’m truly struggling.
In return, he guards me. Even if it means guarding me from himself.

I’ve known her my entire life.
She’s the girl next door who I share a childhood betrothal with thanks to our two grandmothers wishing to turn their lifelong friendship into family.
I’m also the doctor who tended to her in the ER after her ex tried to kill her. I want to help her in any way I can, but I also know she’ll never accept my help because I’m the reason he tried to kill her in the first place.
But I can’t stand by and see her suffer, so…I come up with a plan.
A highly illegal plan that ends with me breaking laws, rules, and my own heart…

•••••

REVIEW: TEXTING DR. STALKER by Pepper Winters is a contemporary, adult, erotic, stalker romance focusing on twenty-nine year old, Dr. Alexander ‘Zander’ ‘X’ North, and twenty-three year old Sailor Rose.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zander and Sailor) TEXTING DR. STALKER follows in the wake of a physical assault against our story line heroine. Sailor’s now ex-boyfriend sent her to the ER with near-fatal injuries, and in the ensuing time Sailor would find herself with not one but two presumed protectors in the guise of her neighbor Dr. Zander North, and a mystery man known only as X but all is not as it appears to be and Sailor will be caught in a game of deception and duplicity as she begins to fall not only for her faceless guardian, but the neighbor she has known all of her life.

The world building focuses on the disturbing actions of a man who claims he was only trying to help. Zander and Sailor have known each other most of their lives but Zander struggled with his attraction and need to protect, therefore ‘inventing’ a persona that would claim to be guardian and protector of the woman with whom he had fallen in love.

The relationship between Zander and Sailor is a childhood friends to stalker to frenemies to lovers in which Zander aka X proclaims himself guardian and protector of the woman who stole his heart years before but Zander‘s need to remain anonymous grew exponentially until the two sides of Zander began to compete for the affections of our story line heroine. Sailor having fallen in love with stranger, struggled with her attraction to the reality that lived next door. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

We are introduced to Sailor’s best friend Lily: Zander’s best friend and fellow physician Dr. Colin Marx, and Zander’s sisters Christina and Jolie.

TEXTING DR. STALKER is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, mystery and obsession, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is questionable yet bewitching; the characters are broken, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 Apple Books bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Romance Thriller.

Pepper currently has close to 40 books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists almost 40 times, is a self-confessed hermit, yoga convert, has a house rabbit, six horses, and a long suffering husband.

To learn more about Pepper please visit: www.pepperwinters.com where she regularly posts videos of behind the scenes writing, horses, books, and more.

STALK Pepper: Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads / Amazon Author / Instagram / Bookbub / Verve

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ROYAL HEART (Black Rose Auction 6) by Nana Malone-review tour

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ROYAL HEART (Black Rose Auction 6) by Nana Malone-review tour

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4g85Jh6

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2025

Damon Hunt, the world’s most ruthless thief, wants my skills for a dangerous job. Worse, he wants me…as his wife.
When Damon Hunt—the thief my father trained instead of me, his protégé, the same one responsible for his death—strolled back into my life after years, I shot first and asked questions later.
Then he had the nerve to ask for my help to recover the stolen Royal Heart, a Winston Isles Crown Jewel, from the underground Black Rose Auction.
Despite how I used to feel about him, I see him for who he really is. And I’m not getting sucked back into the world that cost me everything. Not to mention, I’m not a damn thief.
I’ve built my career at a recovery firm, avoiding the field. I might be the best safecracker around, but I won’t go back to my private hell.
Until Damon dangles the one thing I can’t resist, the man who shot my father.
The catch? We have to pose as husband and wife to infiltrate the auction and steal back the Royal Heart for the Winston Isles.
Navigating the underground deals brings back old wounds and undeniable attraction. Damon is like a beast from my past—dangerous, captivating, and hiding secrets behind his fierce exterior. I have to decide if I’m falling for the monster who broke my heart—or the man determined to win it back.

••••••

REVIEW: ROYAL HEART by Nana Malone is the sixth and final instalment in the contemporary adult, romantic BLACK ROSE AUCTION multi-authored suspense series. This is professional thief Damon Hunt, and analyst Ari Denton’s story line. ROYAL HEART can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the other story lines is revealed where necessary (all of the instalments will be released on the same day). Several characters from Nana Malone’s Winston Isles Royals series cross over for cohesion and familiarity.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Daman and Ari) ROYAL HEART follows former childhood friends as they are forced to work together in an effort to steal back the ROYAL HEART, A Winston Isles Crown Jewel. Weeks before his brother Prince Sebastian’s wedding, Prince Lucas discovers the Royal Heart is a forgery, and is desperate to retrieve the original jewel. GT Securities has been hired to reclaim the stolen property, and Galen Trent brings in professional thief Damon Hunt who knows of only one woman able to help with the job. Enter Ari Denton, Damon’s former mentor’s only child, and the woman Damon has loved most of his life but years earlier, while on a job, Ari’s dad Paul Denton was murdered, and Ari blames Damon for the death of her father. Working together may prove to be a problem as Ari and Damon must pose as a married couple, hoping to ‘buy’ the Black Heart jewel at the Black Rose auction, only to come face to face with the man who started it all.

The world building focuses on the past; the search and recovery of a crown jewel, and the rekindling relationship between our story line couple. While Ari Denton blames Damon Hunt for the death of her father, Damon refuses to reveal the truth in an effort to protect the woman he loves.

The relationship between Damon and Ari is one of second chances, of a sorts. Ari was never a part of Damon and her father’s world of high end thievery, and in this, Ari has watched from the sidelines as her fathered mentored someone else. Desperate to prove he is worthy of a second chance, Damon’s slow seduction of Ari is aided with their masquerade as a married couple. The $ex scenes are erotic, and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Winston Isles Royals Penny Walsh (Cheeky Royal /Cheeky King) and Prince Lucas (Royal Bastard/ Bastard Prince): Security specialist Galen Trent owner and head of GT securities. The requisite evil has many faces.

ROYAL HEART is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and acceptance, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is fated and provocative; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Nana Malone

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

USA Today bestseller Nana Malone’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she “borrowed” from her cousin.

It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion, and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is

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The Drummer’s Heart by Penelope Ward-review tour

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The Drummer’s Heart by Penelope Ward-review tour

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 February 25, 2025

Don’t say her name.
That was the one rule my bandmates followed, because they knew how much it messed me up to think about her, especially on tour.
My ex, Nicole.
The one who got away and the woman who still owned every piece of my heart.
After our divorce, I threw myself into the rock scene, trying to forget my heartbreak.
Three years after we split, a phone call from Nicole changed everything.
She told me her grandmother wasn’t doing well.
Mimi was still family to me, and she apparently had one wish before dying: to spend time with us—Nicole and me.
With Mimi’s caretaker away on vacation, it would be the ideal time for us to move in with her for a couple of weeks.
Of course, I couldn’t refuse.
But there was a catch.
Nicole apparently never told her that we’d gotten a divorce.
She hadn’t believed Mimi could handle it, because her grandmother loved me so much.
So, not only would I have to see Nicole again, but I’d be pretending to still be her husband.
Two weeks in a tiny house in a small town with the woman who broke my heart. Or was it me who broke hers?
It was complicated.
And it was about to be a heck of a lot more complicated sharing one bed in the guest room with a woman who wasn’t mine anymore.

••••

REVIEW:THE DRUMMER’S HEART by Penelope Ward is a contemporary, adult , erotic, romance story line set in the author’s THE ROCKER’S MUSE world. This is thirty-four year old, Delirious Jones drummer Atticus Marchetti, and thirty-one year old, hair stylist Nicole Marchetti’s story line. THE DRUMMER’S HEART 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 (Atticus and Nicole) using present day and memories from the past, THE DRUMMER’S HEART follows the second chance romance and relationship between our story line couple. Approximately fifteen years earlier, Atticus Marchetti fell in love with the woman he would one day marry but the success of the band, and the possibility of life on the road, would tear the couple apart. Fast forward to present day, the couple have now been divorced for three years but Nicole needs a favor from Atticus, and two weeks together would bring back memories from the past and feelings that had never been buried. As the band prepares for their upcoming tour, Nicole has both good and bad news, and Atticus is prepared to reclaim our heroine as his own.

The world building focuses on the rekindling relationship; the past betrayals and heart breaking admissions; the future of each member of the group, and the next direction for the band.

The relationship between Atticus and Nicole is one of second chances. Atticus has never stopped loving the woman who stole his heart years before; Nicole must come to terms with what happened and why. As Atticus struggles to prove they are worthy of a second chance, Nicole struggles with the memories of the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of band members Rona, Tristan and Emily (The Rocker’s Muse), as well as the introduction of Nicole’s ‘Mimi’; Atticus’ sister Tina, and niece Kenzie.

THE DRUMMER’S HEART is a story of love and loss, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is emotional and captivating, and a little bit twisty; the romance is fated and uplifting; the characters are determined and charismatic .

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE ROCKER’S MUSE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Private Fan Group

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Little Goddess (Black Resorts 3) by Layla Frost-review

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Little Goddess (Black Resorts 3) by Layla Frost-review

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

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

If three’s a crowd, then what’s four?

A happily ever after.

All my life, my parents bounced around hippie communes, dragging me along for the shroom-fueled ride. When they announced we were moving again, I expected more of the same—group cabins, rundown shacks, or flimsy yurts. But Eternal Sun was nothing like the other places. It was a dream come true.

Until that dream plummeted into a nightmare.

When the leader of the luxurious wellness center shared where I fit into his prophecy, I was forced to run away from everything I knew and loved—including my parents. I landed a coveted job at Black Resorts and got my first taste of a normal life.

It was also where I met Cole, Marco, and Freddy.

A hot tech nerd, a mountain of a bodyguard, and a cocky chef who was also my boss. Three very different men who made me feel an intense attraction I’d never experienced before.

But then Eternal Sun stole them from me, too.

Or so I thought.

Because when things went from bad to worse, they were back. Taking care of me. Hovering over me. Annoying the hell out of me.

I tried to keep my distance. When that didn’t work, I ignored them. They didn’t let that happen, either. The longer I spent with the three possessive men, the harder it was to choose. But I had to….

Right?

•••••

REVIEW: It’s over and I am sad! Little Goddess is the third and final installment in the Black Resort series by the ever talented Layla Frost. Each book can be read as a standalone in the series, but I do recommend reading them in order. Triggers warnings early, this is a why choose romance with a bi-awakening, if that isn’t your thing, best not to read. If it is; buckle up Buttercup, it’s a wild ride!

Callie has lived a rough life, escaping a cult and now trying to make her way in Las Vegas, things aren’t going the best. Growing up and having to not only take care of herself but her parents as well didn’t leave her much time to herself, and let’s face it living in a cult isn’t the norm. When she finally has had all she can take, and goes out on her own, she finds herself working for who you guess? That’s right, funny and sweet Freddy, the Chef at the Black Resort kitchen.

Freddy and Callie hit it off right off the bat and their interactions cooking together are sweet and kind and maybe even a little flirty. While Freddy starts to develop feelings for Callie he is also struggling with his feelings for his best friend, and a secret crush he doesn’t dare tell another soul about.

-Que dramatic music-

Cole is one of the few men Maximo trusts (we all remember Daddy Max right, previous book) and Cole takes that seriously. Change is happening and poor Cole is taking hit after hit, he hates being alone, even more so now that he has moved out of the pool house, his internal turmoil over his attraction to Freddy, and then finish it off with his growing attraction to Freddy’s new employee. Poor man is living in his own personal hell. Oh and then Marco, beasty, built like a freight train, Marco. This man is the living personification of built for protection, one look at Callie and he is gone for her.

When it comes to light that all three guys are trying for Callie’s attention; they do what all guys do when it comes to more than one of them wanting the same thing. They compete, well kinda. This doesn’t last long as Callie has feelings for all of them, and Freddy and Cole also have feelings for each other. Drama and chaos ensues but oh what a book it makes.

For writing a why-choose for the first time, Ms. Layla you have knocked our socks off! The Black Resort series varies with its genres but for Little Goddess to produce a Why-Choose with an MM romance as well was such a great way to end the series. Callie, Cole, Freddy and Marco have a dynamic that works so well; Freddy and Cole share this spicy yet soft connection that brings a great add on to their relationship with Callie. And don’t count Marco out now, he may not be into guys, but he IS all about Callie, and I think that works about perfect for their little quad group. Callie grew up without much love, so for her to receive love, attention and protection from these men, it makes my heart just flutter.

There is so much more I could add, but alas, the page only holds so many words. For fans of this author and the Why-Choose genre, get, read it, love it!

Click HERE for Sarah’s review of book two LITTLE SUNSHINE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

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Growing up, Layla Frost used to hide under her blanket with a flashlight to read the Sweet Valley High books she pilfered from her older sister. It wasn’t long before she was reading hidden Harlequins during class at school. This snowballed into pulling all-nighters after the promise of “just one more chapter”.

Her love of reading, especially the romance genre, took root early and has grown immeasurably until it was time to write her own stories.

When she’s not writing, Layla Frost is an insomniac with a deep love of iced coffee, tchotchkes, plants, and her hens. She’s also the world’s okayest mom, but her kids think she’s cool… ish.

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