Tag Archives: Romance

BROKEN PROMISE / THE GIFT by Jade Marshall-reviews

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BROKEN PROMISE (Men of Severn 1)/ THE GIFT (Gypsy Bastards MC 5) by Jade Marshall-review

BROKEN PROMISE
Men of Severn 1
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 22, 2024

Wesley Blake is my brother’s best friend.
He has been a part of my life longer than I can remember.
He’s seen it scrapped knees, birthday parties, and the worst moment in my life.
But I’m just a little sister to him.

To me, he is so much more.
He is all I have ever wanted.
I have never even considered anyone else.
But now that I am older, it’s time for me to make a decision.

Do I continue to wait for a man that doesn’t want me?
Or is it time for me to grow up?

Maybe it’s time for me to leave Severn and everyone I know in the rearview mirror.

••••

REVIEW: BROKEN PROMISE is the first instalment in Jade Marshall’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SEVERN erotic romance series. This is bar owner Wesley Blake, and Karmen Jones’ 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 (Wesley and Karmen) BROKEN PROMISES follows the tempestuous relationship between our story line couple. Approximately six years earlier Karmen’s brother, and Wesley’s best friend Tommy died, and Wesley made a promise to protect our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day, the relationship between Wesley and Karmen is at a stand still, and after Karmen professes her love for our story line hero, Wesley continues to push Karmen out of his life but another tragedy brings Karmen back home, soon to be followed by threats against the people she loves.

The world building is fast and furious as we are up closed and personal with grief and death, madness and mayhem, and the difficulty of letting go.

The relationship between Wesley and Karmen is a best friend’s sister; a story of rejection and pain in the face of a promise meant to keep everyone safe but a promise that will be broken when the heart finally awakes. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.
We are introduced to the dynamic Blake brothers: Shane and Adam; Karmen’s best friend Lenor, and brother and sister duo Jacob and Charlotte Wilson .

BROKEN PROMISE is a story of love and loss, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is fast paced, entertaining and captivating-the novella packs a ‘lotta punch’. The characters are desperate and charismatic; the romance is fated and provocative.

Copy supplied for review

_______

THE GIFT
Gypsy Bastards MC 5
by Jade Marshall
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, MC romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2024

I’m not too fond of Christmas.
Even as a kid, my family never celebrated. What makes it worse now, is my friends, my club, trying to make me fit into a lifestyle that doesn’t suit me.
I’m not a nice guy.
I don’t like people.
Instead of feeling welcomed, their affection makes my skin crawl and sends me running on Christmas Eve. I find myself in the only place where people like me are the norm—From Dusk Til Dawn, the strip club owned by the Gypsy Bastards MC.
I’m here to drink, watch a few girls dance, and escape from everything my life has become.
That is until I lay eyes on Allegra.
All my plans are shattered as the brothel manager for the Cammareri family entices me. She is the one absolutely off-limits woman. She is the one woman I can’t stop thinking about.
How much damage can one night of fun do?

•••

REVIEW:THE GIFT is the fifth instalment and novella in Jade Marshall’s contemporary, adult GYPSY BASTARDS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is twenty-two year old, brothel manager Allegra, and thirty-five year old, MC member Bishop’s story line. THE GIFT crosses over with the author’s Cammareri Family series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Allegra and Bishop) THE GIFT focuses on the one-night stand between twenty-two year old, brothel manager Allegra, and thirty-five year old, MC member Bishop. Both Allegra and Bishop despise the Christmas holidays, and find one another at the Gypsy Bastards MC owned strip club on Christmas Eve. One night together ends with Bishop disappearing from Allegra’s life, and in the ensuing time, our heroine will discover her life is about to change in many ways.

The world building reveals some of the background of our story line couple How Allegra met the Cammareri Family; and Bishop’s introduction to his life with the Gypsy Bastards MC.

The relationship between Allegra and Bishop is a friends to lovers in which a mutual disdains, and loneliness on Christmas Eve ends with only a good bye. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited except for hotel and bar employees.

THE GIFT is the introduction to our story line couple. Some of the background of who and what they are but an introduction that ends with Bishop walking away, wanting no more than one-night together. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are sassy and sexual. THE GIFT ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous reviews

The Wolf
The Pope
The Dog
The Beast

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

•••••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

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INHERITED HOLIDAY by M. Robinson -review tour

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💜INHERITED HOLIDAY by M. Robinson-review tour💜

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

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

••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

She feels blessed to be living her dream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 21, 2024

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

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

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

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

Claudia

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

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

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

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

••••••

REVIEW: BODY SHOT is the eight instalment in Kat Mizera’s contemporary, adult LAUDERDALE KNIGHTS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the professional hockey team Lauderdale Knights. This is twenty-seven year old, Swede Anders Nyberg, and twenty-four year old computer wiz Claudia Pomeroy. BODY SHOT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

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

The relationship between Anders and Claudia is one of immediate attraction but Claudia struggles with a painful past, and battles between head and heart believing she has little to no future in the romance department. Anders is determined to take things slow, including a careful seduction of our story line heroine until Claudia pushes Anders out of her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar and colorful secondary and supporting characters including several members of the Lauderdale Knights: Vaughn and Juliet; Jude and Cloe; Wolf and Scarlett;Cam and Sutton; Slava and Zoe; Johan and Sloane: as well as teammates Felix Lessard, Jordan Palmer and Aiden Barbeau; Johan’s sister Hana; Claudia’s parents Jeff and Laura.

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

Connect with Kat Mizera:

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 16, 2024

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

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

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

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

••••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 29, 2024

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

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

•••

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

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

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

Own a copy

reviewed by Sandy

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

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Graveyard Dog (Charley Davidson 13.9 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Darynda Jones-review & excerpt tour

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19,2024

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

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

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

••••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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


 

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

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SIN & MISTLETOE anthology with Jade Marshall & Allison MacKenzie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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DARKEST OBSESSION by Jade Marshall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A RED CHRISTMAS by Allison MacKenzie

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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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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