Tag Archives: Romance

Forsaken Oath (Avalon Falls 2) by Penelope Black-review tour

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Forsaken Oath (Avalon Falls 2) by Penelope Black-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2024

Beau Carter: kingpin, blue-eyed playboy from across town, and the only man I’ve ever shared my secrets with.

And now, my fiercest competition.

I never planned on racing in the Gauntlet, but with my sisters depending on me, winning this tournament is the only way to keep our heads above water. I work for a crew that trades in secrets, and Beau runs the underground races that keep this town alive. We both play on the edge of the law, but getting involved with him? It’s more than dangerous—it’s forbidden.

Five races. Five chances to cross the finish line before him. Five steps closer to the money that could change our lives. But with each race, the stakes get higher and so does the danger. Sabotage, threats, and accidents are piling up, and it’s clear someone doesn’t want me to cross that finish line.

Every race brings me closer to victory—and closer to Beau. But as the final race closes in, I realize not only is my life on the line, but so is my heart.

•••••

REVIEW:FOSAKEN OATH is the second instalment in Penelope Black’s contemporary, adult AVALON FALLS erotic, small town romance series. This race-track owner/businessman Beau Carter, and Eloise Hawthorne’s story line. FORSAKEN OATH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Eloise and Beau) FORSAKEN OATH follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Eloise Hawthorne is raising her two younger sisters in the face of their mother’s neglect but living and staying in the town with a less than stellar reputation finds our heroine on the fringes of illegal activity. IN the hopes of earning more money, Eloise enters the illegal underground race circuit known as The Gauntlet where she will find herself a target. Enter Beau Carter, the man with whom Eloise will fall in love. Beau comes from money, and his family represent the haves to the have-nots, running the underground Gauntlet but Beau never expected to face off against Eloise Hawthorne, a woman whose secrets run dangerous and deep. With threats and attacks against Eloise compounding , Beau goes on the offensive to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The world building follows several intersecting paths all focusing on the questionable world and people of the Seven Pines. Hoping to make a better life for her sisters, Eloise straddles the line of legality, and in this, finds herself in a precarious situation. Independent and determined, Eloise struggles to go it alone, in the face of threats and targeted desperation.

The relationship between Eloise and Beau is one of mutual attraction but neither one is aware of the other’s family or pasts. Eloise keeps her previous life close to her heart but the past refuses to let, forcing Eloise to take steps to protect the people she loves including our story line hero. Beau Carter is quickly falling for the woman whose secrets are about to be exposed, secrets that threaten her safety and life. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include the return of Beau’s sister Coralie and her boyfriend Jagger (Broken Pact 1); Jagger’s MC brother Hawke who may or may not have an interest in Margot Hawthorne; Beau’s brother Graham who hacking abilities are questionable ; and their parents Hazel and Lucas; Eloise’s sisters Margot and Vivie, and their mother Darla Hawthorne; Eloise’s best friend Nathan Thomas, and garage owner and leader of the Seven Pines Crew Levi Walker.

FORSAKEN OATH is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, madness and mayhem, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is dramatic, intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic .

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BROKEN PACT

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penelope Black is a romance author who's 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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Pump Fake (Fall Lake Ballers 2) by Isla Vaughn-review tour

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🩵Pump Fake (Fall Lake Ballers 2) by Isla Vaughn-review tour🩵

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2024

A fake relationship between a fiery teacher and a notorious football star heats up into something dangerously real—but is this game worth the risk?

Brielle

Starting my teaching career as the butt of a prank gone wrong is not how I imagined things going. The hits keep coming when it’s none other than the notorious Ares Bellingham’s nephew who pulls the prank.

Ares, Fall Lake University’s most controversial rising football star, is the last person I expect—or want—to see standing in my classroom, but here he is, infuriatingly smug as he tries to fix things.

Just when I think things can’t get worse, my past resurfaces, threatening to disrupt the life I’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

But Ares has a plan, one that might be worth the Hail Mary he’s throwing my way, and suddenly my life becomes even more complicated.

Ares

One ridiculous mistake almost cost me everything—my shot at the NFL, my reputation, and my family. Now, I’m just inches away from getting benched for good.

My coach is breathing down my neck, the scouts are watching my every move, and I can’t afford another fumble.

But when my nephew’s prank lands me in Brielle Sinclair’s crosshairs, the fiery teacher with a no-nonsense attitude, I’m suddenly facing another fourth-and-long.

She needs help running interference on her past, and I need…well, I need her.

The Play

It’s simple, really.

I’ll be her pretend boyfriend to keep her tormentors at bay, and she’ll help me show the world I’m not the PR nightmare they think I am.

But as we spend more time together, faking it becomes harder, especially with sparks flying whenever I’m near her.

I’m ready to fight for her, but will she let me prove that what we have is more than just a game?

••••••••

REVIEW:Pump Fake is book two in the Fall Lake Ballers book series by Isla Vaughn.
Brielle Sinclair has the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is going to school, substitute teaching and trying to take care of her younger sister after her father lost their fortune and was charged with corporate fraud.

She is just trying to get through each day. Working around her college schedule, Brielle is a substitute teacher at an all-boys school called Linwood Prep. While teaching one day she has an issue with one of the students who pulled a prank on her. When she calls the boy’s grandmother, she can’t make the meeting. So, the grandmother sends her son, Ares Bellingham. Much to Brielle’s surprise! Everyone on campus knows Ares Bellingham. Senior star football player at Fall Lake University. And Brielle doesn’t have time for him or his horrible reputation.

Ares Bellingham is a star football player at Fall Lake University, who is having a rough time his senior year. After an indecent video got released – he can’t stop thinking about how one stupid moment has put his future football career in jeopardy. Not to mention trying to help his mom with his nephew Preston who lost both of his parents in a car accident a few years ago. His solution to at least part of his football problem is to find a serious girlfriend. So that it looks like he and his life is stable.

After a not so polite meeting between Ares and Brielle regarding Preston. They run into each other, literally at a bar one night, While Brielle is trying to appease her old snobby debutant friends, she asks Ares to pretend to be with her for a short period of time so that she can look good to her old friends. Ares agrees as he needs a fake relationship for very different reasons and what happens from there is a slow burn of anticipation and electrifying indifference. A wonderful frenemy to lover’s story.

A perfect addition to book one Quarterback Keeper. Highly recommend both!

Click HERE for Erin’s review of QUARTERBACK KEEPER

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin

Isla Vaughn is the author of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Her romance books are full of complex characters, strong alpha males, and the fierce women who bring them to their knees. When not writing, she can be found daydreaming about owning a beach house, reading, or drinking too much coffee while having in-depth conversations with her two adorable kittens.

Author Links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/3XJBIMU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.IslaVaughn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islavaughnauthor/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@islavaughnauthor
Website: https://www.islavaughnauthor.com/

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Crossover (Cross Duet 2) by Kathy Lockheart-review tour

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Crossover (Cross Duet 2) by Kathy Lockheart-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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4gDgf1z

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2024

One moment changed everything.
Gunshots echoing. Tires screeching.
Now she’s gone, and I’ll burn this city
to the ground to find her.
Kill anyone who stands in my way.

I thought I was her savior.
But as I unravel this web of lies,
a devastating truth emerges.

I killed her father… and he was innocent.
That truth is a bullet aimed at her heart.

To survive, she must trust her father’s killer.
And go on the run with me.
But will she let me protect her…
…when I’m the one who shattered her world?

•••••

REVIEW:CROSSOVER is the second instalment in Kathy Lockheart’s contemporary, adult CROSS romantic suspense duet focusing on CIA operative Grayson Lockwood, and ER nurse Ivy. Grayson was first introduced in the Vendetta Duet focusing on his brother Hunter. CROSSOVER should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one CROSSFIRE.

SOME BACKGROUND: Grayson Lockwood’s latest assignment spiralled out of control when a young woman interrupted what was supposed to be the takedown of a dangerous arms dealer . Curious as to the who what and how, Grayson goes on the hunt only to discover his next target is our story line heroine. Grayson has been ordered to kill the woman with whom he is falling in love but all is not as it appears to be. On the run, hoping to protect the woman he was ordered to kill, Grayson quickly discovers that the CIA is refusing to back down, and they are determined to terminate our story line heroine.

If you have not read book one, there may be spoilers in my review

Told from Told from dual first person perspectives (Grayson and Ivy) CROSSOVER is the continuing journey between CIA operative Grayson Lockwood, and ER nurse Ivy. Having fallen in love without story line heroine, Grayson Lockwood knew his latest assignment may be all a ruse. With the help of his brothers, and a fellow CIA agent, Grayson’s need to uncover the truth follows a trail of betrayal, vengeance, secrets and lies. Ivy, desperate to prove her father’s death was not a suicide, has caught the attention of some very powerful people, people who are refusing to back down or let go. With a target on their backs, Grayson and Ivy must come to terms the possibility of an agent gone rogue, and the inevitable revelations as to the who, how and why.

The world building continues to focus on the search for the truth as Ivy struggles with her father’s death, and the betrayal by the man with whom she had fallen in love. Not all is at it appears to be, as the CIA discovers they are no longer in control of an operation that was never meant to be.

The building relationship between Ivy and Grayson struggles in the face of secrets and lies. Heartbreaking betrayal from the past gives rise to the truth; acceptance and forgiveness will come at a cost. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, we are reintroduced to Grayson’s brothers Jace, Bryson, Hunter and his wife Luna, Detective Mitchell, Grayson’s handler Daniel, as well as Ivy’s mother, her grandmother; CIA agent Seth. The requisite evil has many faces.

CROSSOVER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, murder and mayhem, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is action packed, dramatic and intriguing; the romance is provocative but struggles with issues of trust; the characters are charismatic and determined.

CLICK HERE for Sandy’s review of book one CROSSFIRE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Kathy Lockheart is an author of Romantic Suspense novels. Her books—which have a unique blend of emotional elements typically found in women’s fiction and the romance and danger elements found in romantic suspense—contain themes of dark romance, antiheroes, and forbidden romance. When she’s not writing, you can find her silently cursing the person who put fluorescent lights in dressing rooms.

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Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson – a Review

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Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson – a Review

 

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Description:
Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.

 

 

Review:

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson is standalone romantasy novel set in Scotland.  We meet Keyanna “Key” MacKay, who recently lost her father, and wants to honor his last wish, to spread his ashes in Scotland.  Key flies to her father’s hometown in Scotland, and is determined to meet her estranged family, where he had never returned to Scotland; and needing to learn more about his past.  Key will meet her grandparents, as they learn that her father passed away; her grandfather welcomed her with open arms, but her grandmother still held grudges, having never seen her son again; in time her grandmother will openly love Key. Key will try to mend the broken ties between them; and her cousin, Brodie.

Lachlan Greer has his secrets, which he keeps quiet, with only two friends at the pub, who have known his secrets for years.  He meets Key, and tends to be nasty to her, with Key not liking him at all.  Lachlan, works for Key’s grandparents, gets a view of the lukewarm welcome from her grandmother. When Key attempts to spread her father’s ashes, she slips and comes face to face with the Loch Ness monster.  

Key learns that Lachlan is affected by an old curse that affects all Greer men in a Scottish urban mythology revolving around the Loch Ness monster. Key begins to understand that Lachan has been trying to find clues to end the curse. They will begin to work together on trying to find the clues behind the curse; and their attraction brings them even closer and they fall very much in love.  Key needs to help save Lachlan and find a way to break the curse.  She also discovers that she has been developing strange powers, such as fire from her hands, as well as opening windows and stopping rain.  

I really loved Key, as she was great heroine; and learning to love her grandparents.  Lachlan turned out to be great, as he had fallen hard for her.  I will say I thought there was a lot of smut throughout the last half of the book. Under Loch and Key was fun, lighthearted, family oriented, heartwarming, forgiveness, with a mystery that Key might be able to solve. Under Loch and Key was very well written by Lana Ferguson. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Forever the Highlands (The Highlands 6) by Samantha Young-review

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💜Forever the Highlands (The Highlands 6) by Samantha Young-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: December 5, 2024

He’s her brother’s best friend. She’s totally off-limits. But when life takes an unexpected turn, she’s the only one he wants at his side…

Fyfe Moray raised himself. His only real family is his best friend, Lewis Adair. For that reason, Lewis’s sister Eilidh is totally off-limits. Fyfe is in deep denial about their intense attraction. Thankfully, Eilidh is a famous actor living in London while he runs his cyber security company from the Highlands. They’re worlds apart. Until one day, Eilidh reaches out asking for a lifeline and Fyfe can’t bring himself to turn her away.

Acting isn’t what Eilidh Adair expected. As a kid, she wanted to be just like her famous uncles. But the double-edged sword of fame cuts deeper than expected. Afraid to admit she’s made a mistake, Eilidh is spiraling. The only person who knows the truth is Fyfe, but her childhood crush has developed into a love he won’t return. Yet when she comes home intent on starting over, Fyfe can’t seem to stay away. His confused feelings might just be the end of them. Until a woman from Fyfe’s past abandons the baby daughter he never knew he had.

Now a single father, Fyfe needs support. He just never expected Eilidh to be the one he needed most. Fyfe can’t believe how quickly he falls for his child and how rapidly his world view changes. He’s ready to admit the truth: he’s madly in love with his best friend’s sister. And Fyfe’s done wasting time.

But someone else believes Eilidh belongs to them. Someone who has been watching her far longer than she realizes. Just when she thinks she might have everything she wants, Eilidh finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a person intent on destroying everything she holds dear.

•••••

REVIEW:FOREVER THE HIGHLANDS is the sixth instalment (and final?) instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLANDS erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is actress Eilidh Adair, and cyber security specialist Fyfe Moray’s story line. FOREVER THE HIGHLANDS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Eilidh and Fyfe) following several timelines, and several pathways, FOREVER THE HIGHLANDS focuses on the best friend’s sister/ forbidden relationship between actress Eilidh Adair, and cyber security specialist Fyfe Moray. From an early age, Fyfe Moray has never felt good enough, or wanted by the people in his life except for his friendship with Lewis, and his sister Eilidh. Throughout the years, Fyfe’s attraction to Eilidh has been hindered by his promise to Lewis, a promise he never intends to break but Eilidh’s life is about to spiral out of control, and her return to Ardnoch comes with the memories and rejection of the man she still loves. As Eilidh struggles to move on from the past, our heroine will become the target of several crazed people, and Fyfe must come to terms with his new life going forward.

The world building is complex, detailed and follows several scenarios as Eilidh must come to terms with her career; threats from three unlikely sources, and the unrequited love for a man who is unable to love in return. Fyfe Moray believes he is unworthy of every finding his own happily ever after. His inability to trust threatens any hope for a future with the woman he loves but Fyfe’s life is about to change, and he will need the love and support of everyone in his life.

The relationship between Fyfe and Eilidh is one of unrequited love; a best friend’s younger sister relationship in which Eilidh is willing to walk away of the man that she loves in an effort to find her own happiness going forward but Fyfe’s world is about to come crashing down, and Eilidh will be there to pick up the pieces. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but limited.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in the previous instalments and the original ADAIR FAMILY series. We are introduced to Fyfe’s estranged mother, as well as the requisite evil that takes aim at our story line couple.

FOREVER THE HIGHLANDS is a story of betrayal ,madness and obsession; family , friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, elaborate and multi-layered; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are determined, dynamic and charismatic but lost. FOREVER THE HIGHLANDS ends on an extended epilogue where the reader is up close and personal with several previous story line couples

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Emperor of Lust (Memento Mori 3) by Jagger Cole-review tour

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💜Emperor of Lust (Memento Mori 3) by Jagger Cole-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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/40gP6f8

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2024

To protect everything I love, I’m forced to marry a monster.
I made a huge mistake, and caught the attention of a lethally beautiful villain.
Damian Nikolayev is brutality incarnate. A psychopath wrapped in tattooed muscle and tailored charm.

Heir to a Bratva empire built on blood and control.
And now, I’m his. His fiancée. His plaything. His obsession.
He owns my darkest secret.
And he’ll keep it, for a price:

All of me.

Now, Damian has me bound to him, in more ways than one.
The harder I fight, the tighter his ropes ensnare me.
But his games are getting darker.
The line between lust and darkness is blurring.
And I’m starting to realize, there’s only one thing more dangerous than fake marrying a monster:
Really falling for one.

•••

REVIEW:EMPEROR OF LUST is the third instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult MEMENTO MORI dark, erotic, crime world romance series set in the author’s Venomous Gods world. This is heir to the Bratva throne Damian Nikolayev, and corporate CEO and Yakuza daughter Hana Mori’s story line. EMPEROR OF LUST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

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

Told from three first person perspectives (Damian, Hana, Takeshi) EMPEROR OF LUST follows the building but acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. IN an effort to keep peace between the Bratva and the Yakuza in Tokyo, Hana is forced into a relationship with Bratva heir Damian Nikolayev, a man who knows more about Hana than anyone else. Hana has secrets, dark secrets that are controlling her life, and when Damian discovers Hana’s extracurricular activities, our hero blackmail’s Hana into being his wife but all is not well in the criminal underworld, and our couple will be targeted for sins of the past.

Like the previous instalment, the world building is multi-layered, complex, and intricate with many of the characters crossing over between timelines and stories. Hana’s secrets, once revealed, play a pivotal role in the encroaching war between the Yakuza and the Bratva in Japan.

The relationship between Hana and Damian begins tempestuously when Damian uncovers Hana’s secrets, secrets layered such that, the lives of the people she loves are threatened because of the sins of the past. Damian doesn’t want a relationship but life is about to become much more complicated when he loses his heart to the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative with some scenes of Japanese shibari rope play. Once again, as the series progresses, the heroes’ aggression and anger towards the heroines, are not without some controversy and dubious consent and behavior.

There is another large ensemble cast of powerful and questionable secondary and supporting characters including the return of IT hacker Freya Holm (Emperor of Rage) ; Annika and Yakuza heir Kenzo (Emperor of Wrath), and his head of security Kai; their father-figure and head of the Nikolayev Bratva Kir Nikolayev, and his second in command Isaak; and Hana’s brother Takeshi. Not everyone can be trusted, the need for power is dark and controversial. The requisite evil has many faces.

EMPEROR OF LUST is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is melodramatic, tense and startling; the romance is challenging and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and purposeful.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Emperor of Wrath
Emperor of Rage

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.

Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.

When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside–rain or shine.

You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com

Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd

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Legacy of Chaos (Demonica Birthright) by Larissa Ione-review tour

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Legacy of Chaos (Demonica Birthright 2) by Larissa Ione-review & excerpt tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2024

The legacy continues…

It’s a gritty new world.

Three decades after the events of REAPER, the world is a different place. The secret is out. The existence of demons, vampires, shapeshifters, and angels has been revealed, and humans are struggling to adapt. Out of the chaos, The Aegis has risen to global power on the promise of containing or exterminating all underworlders, even if that means ushering in the End of Days.

Standing in their way is the next generation of warriors, the children of demons and angels and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

See how they become legends in their own right.

Legacy of Chaos

Stryke, son of Shade and Runa, grew up a happy, well-adjusted incubus alongside his four brothers. A supergenius, he took an interest in science and technology at an early age, with a dream of joining NASA…until a moment of carelessness resulted in the death of his little brother. Unable to forgive himself and desperate to prevent a similar tragedy from happening to others, he started up his own anti-demon tech company and sequestered himself behind its walls. Now he’s a household name and one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Cyan, a technomancer who works as a cybersecurity expert for DART, lost her best friend to a weapon designed by Stryke’s company. She’s hurt, angry, and wants revenge. So when an opportunity to work with Stryke on a project arises, she jumps at the chance to help DART and make Stryke’s life miserable.

At first, Cyan and Stryke butt heads about everything. But she soon finds that deep down, he’s desperately wounded and willing to sacrifice everything, including his family, to achieve his goals. Can she help him heal before he destroys himself—and everyone around him?

•••

REVIEW:What an amazing world! Legacy of Chaos is book two in the Demonica Birthright series, a spin off/second generation continuation of the original Demonica/Deliverance series. If you haven’t read the original series, I would definitely recommend doing so before dipping your toes into the Birthright series. There are many, many characters and storylines from the OG series that come into play, and a new reader may find themselves a little lost.

Onto the juicy parts! Our story focuses on Stryke (Shade and Runa’s son from the previous book) and Cyan. Stryke is a tech genius billionaire, living with the pain and guilt over the death of his youngest brother. He believes it is his fault and because of that has cut himself off from friends, family and love, throwing himself into his work determined to make things that will protect people and not harm them. When Cyan joins the team that has commissioned his company to make, he is less than happy, but what DART wants, they get.

Cyan is less than thrilled when she is assigned to work next to Stryke. She used to worship the ground the man walked on, and would have loved to be working side by side with him then. Now? Now all she wants is to get the job done and get as far away from him as she can. He builds weapons afterall, and one of those weapons took someone very important away from her. As a technomancer Cyan becomes a vital part of the building process and the two work together to build said weapon. During this time Cyan slowly starts to see another part of Stryke, one that has been questioning how she feels about him. She sees the pain and regret that he lives with, and all that he has done to try and redeem himself.

I was a little surprised with how much I really clicked with this book, although I shouldn’t be surprised. Stryke and Cyan gave me such grumpy/sunshine vibes, even though I wouldn’t call Cyan a sunshine character, she does have a much more positive outlook and tried to use that to help Stryke with his PTSD. The plot and story were easy to follow, but had a great intrigue and intensity that kept me engaged and ready for the next page. Cyan healed a part of Stryke that I think his character really needed, his vulnerability and fear mixed with his guilt about his brother was weighing him down so much, and with Cyan that was lifted. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for us next!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

 

“Let’s go inside where it’s safe,” Cyan said, turning back to Stryke.
“You go. I’ll catch up.”
She stared at him through the dense tendrils of fog that swirled in the space between them. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”
He didn’t look at her, but she swore he said something like, “I couldn’t save him.”
Not so distantly, a sound like something wet slithering on metal sent a chill up her spine.
“Stryke,” she said with growing urgency. “Let’s go.”
His head swung around, and she drew a sharp breath at the gleaming gold burning in his eyes.
“I can’t,” he growled. “It’s not safe.”
A warm wave of arousal washed over her, and instantly, she understood. “Did you bring your medicine?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crushed injector pen. “This contained four doses.” He closed his eyes. “Blade was right. I’m an arrogant asshole. I couldn’t save him.”
“Er…yeah.” He wasn’t making sense. None of this made sense. Maybe he was experiencing a nervous breakdown. Too much stress or something.
“You did everything you could for Ubundi,” she said calmly, but his eyes popped open, and he looked at her like he didn’t understand.
“Not Ubundi.”
Not Ubundi? What was he talking about?
Something in the fog snarled, and closer, something hissed. She decided to worry about whatever was wrong with Stryke later.
“Okay, we’ll deal with it inside.” He didn’t move, but he did open his eyes. Somehow, they glowed even brighter, a molten gold that made her feel like whiskey flowed through her veins. She burned in the best way. “Stryke.” She extended her hand. “We really have to go inside.”
The wrench clattered to the deck, but he still didn’t move. Fiery turmoil as violent as the stormy sea filled his expression, drawing her in with a sense of almost morbid fascination. She wanted to touch that fire. See how badly it would scorch her.
She stepped closer, her heart pumping so hard she could hear it over the roar of the wind. Desire fluttered in her belly, even as her brain screamed that they were in danger. Screamed that he was the danger.
“Come on,” she whispered, taking his hand.
His grip snapped closed on her wrist, and he wheeled them both around lightning-fast, slamming her against a huge tank. He pinned her wrists above her head and pressed his big, warm body against hers.
Teeth bared, his face inches from hers, he growled, a sound that relaxed her muscles and turned her core liquid. Oh, wow. So, this was why lust demons were so dangerous. Here they were in a situation that could get them killed, and all she wanted to do was strip off her clothes and let him do whatever he wanted to her. Right here. In the cold rain. Likely with demons stalking them.
“Go…inside,” he gritted, even as he pushed his pelvis into hers, the hard ridge of his erection making her instinctively roll her hips against it. He sucked in a harsh breath, and the gold in his eyes swirled.
“I’m not going in without you,” she said, her voice sounding more breathless than she’d like.
“Yes, you are.”
Did he understand what he was saying? Did he really want to send her away? What the hell was wrong with him?
Her lust turned to instant fury, something she was far more comfortable with around him. She jerked angrily out of his grip. “What is your deal? If you stay out here, you’ll get killed!”
“I know. But I won’t make it easy on them, and I’ll take out as many of those bastards as I can.”
Oh, gods. He was serious. He really was prepared to fight to the death. And he wasn’t even bothered by the idea. It was all just very ho-hum.
“Stryke, you don’t have to die. Come inside.”


 

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career in meteorology to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her retired U.S. Coast Guard husband, her son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhounds, a King Shepherd named Hexe and a Belgian Malinois named Duvel.

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Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams-review & giveaway

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Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams-review & giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2024

It’s been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone. And Davina Klein-Roberts still isn’t sure how to move forward.

To escape her anguish, Davina throws everything into work, pushing Golden Oil Co., her self-built skincare line, to become a viral success. Now she’s poised to clinch a major endorsement deal too. But it’s bittersweet without Lew by her side.

A meeting with Deke Bishop, the hot NBA star she’s courting for her brand, leaves Davina flustered. With his dimpled smile and warm handshake, Deke’s a natural pitchman. And he’s clearly interested—not only in her lotions.

Davina soon discovers that Deke’s more than just another player and carries his own pain. But as her feelings for him grow, so does her guilt. Will the pain of a future already lost keep her from embracing hope for a new one?

••••

REVIEW:BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE by Shanora Williams is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on professional basketball player Declan ‘Deke’ Bishop, and thirty-one year old, skin care designer/ widow Davina Klein-Roberts.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Deke and Davina) BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE focuses on the building romance and relationship between professional basketball player DEclan ‘Deke’ Bishop, and skin care designer / widow Davina Klein-Roberts. Davina Klein-Roberts is the CEO of Golden-Oil Co, a designer skin care manufacturer, and she is hoping basketball player Deke Bishop will become the new spokesperson for her latest line but Davina goes into their introduction and meeting with a set of preconceived notions, and the her attraction to Deke is offset by her guilt in the wake of her late husband’s death. Several months earlier, Davina’s husband passed away, and our heroine had not desire to move on from the past. Deke Bishop fell immediately for Davina Roberts but Davina continued to struggle with her guilt and grief. Unable to compete with a ghost, a broken-hearted Deke walks away, leaving the woman he loves behind.

The world building focuses on the the growing relationship in the face of Davina’s overwhelming guilt and grief. Unable to let go of the past, Davina struggles with her attraction to the man with whom she will fall in love but Deke is determined to bide his time but there is no end in sight for Davina’s grief. Meanwhile, with the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, Deke’s embattled family want our hero to make amends with the man he blames for destroying their lives.

The relationship between Deke and Davina is one of immediate attraction but Deke is a client, and Davina is refusing to cross a line. In the wake of her husband’s death,Davina struggles to move forward, and her feelings for Deke add guilt to her ongoing grief. As their relationship grows, Deke’s past takes aim, targeting our story line heroine. 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 family, friends, co-workers and teammates. We are introduced to Deke’s teammate and single father Javier Valdez , and Davina’s sister Octavia, a nanny who may be a prospect for Deke’s daughter. I am hoping the author has plans for a series.

BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE is a story of grief and sorrow, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional and often heart breaking; the romance is passionate; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Shanora Williams currently lives near Charlotte, North Carolina and is the mother of three boys, has a fiercely devoted and supportive husband, and is a sister to eleven.
When she isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, binge reading, or running marathons on TV streaming services.

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The Reading Cafe and Montlake are graciously offering a copy of BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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