Tag Archives: romantic

Hades (Sentinel Security 2) by Anna Hackett-review tour

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Hades (Sentinel Security 2) by Anna Hackett-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2022

He’s a gorgeous former Interpol agent.

Tall, dark, and Italian.

He’s way out of her league, but when danger explodes around them, she finds herself on the run with the sexiest man she’s ever met.

CIA analyst Gabbi Hansley has a plan—escape her dysfunctional family, excel at her job, and build a safe, stable life for herself. Boring? Maybe, but she likes boring. When tasked to meet a security contractor and give him an encrypted drive, a quick, simple job goes terribly wrong.

Gabbi didn’t expect her contact to be the hottest man she’s ever seen. Nor was she expecting the bad guys who turn up and spray the restaurant with bullets.

After years of wading through the muck, dismantling mafia crime syndicates in Italy, former Anti-Mafia officer and Interpol agent Matteo “Hades” Mancini likes his job at Sentinel Security. He also knows he has nothing permanent to offer any woman, so he keeps things fun and temporary.

But when his dangerous past rears its head, he finds himself trapped with the tough, no-nonsense Gabbi, and on a second glance, he sees past her sensible exterior to the tempting woman beneath.

Now Gabbi and Matteo are in a race for survival. While they work to track down who’s after them, attraction burns hot and bright. Gabbi knows a man like Matteo won’t be interested in her for long, and she asks him to show her all the things she’s been missing in the bedroom. But the possessive need to keep her safe is growing in Matteo, and soon he has two mission objectives: take down the bad guys, and convince Gabbi Hansley that she’s his.

•••••••

REVIEW:HADES is the second instalment in Anna Hackett’s contemporary, adult SENTINEL SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series- a spin off from the author’s Norcross Security series. This is CIA analyst Gabbi Hansley, and former Interpol agent Matteo ‘Hades’ Mancini’s story line. HADES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabbi and Matteo) HADES follows in the wake of an attack against our story line hero. Gabbi Hansley was on her way home when a fellow analyst asked for a favor, a favor that would place Gabbi in the direct line of fire. Matteo Mancini had made many enemies in his life but none more so than when he worked for the DIA-Direzione Investigative Antimafia group, a group known for hunting the mafia syndicates. With a target on their backs, Gabbi and Matteo are forced to work together in an effort to uncover the people responsible for the attacks, working together is about to push our couple together. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gabbi and Matteo, and the potential fall-out as Gabbi struggles with issues of low self-esteem, believing to be a minor convenience for our story line hero.

Gabbi Hansley isn’t a CIA operative; she doesn’t do field work but finds herself working with the team at Sentinel Security. Betrayal from someone close forces Gabbi to choose sides in a war she knows nothing about. Matteo Mancini prefers to work alone but Gabbi refuses to stay behind when Matteo continues to place his life in danger. Falling for Gabbi was easy but Matteo must find a way to convince our heroine what they have is real.

The relationship between Gabbi and Matteo is one of immediate attraction but an attack by four gunman leaves our couple running for their lives. Forces to stay with the team, and of course, Matteo Mancini, Gabbi finds herself falling for a man whose own life is spiralling out of control. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are re-introduced to Nick’s fellow Sentinel Security specialists: boss Killian ‘Steel’ Hawke; former US Navy SEAL and CIA agent turned security specialist Nick ‘Wolf’ Garrick: former MI6 agent Hadley ‘Striker’ Lockwood; hacker Jet ‘Hex’ Adler and Bram ‘Excalibur’ O’Donovan, as well as the introduction of CIA agent Devyn, Cain aka Shade, and British billionaire Bennet Knightley. The requisite evil has many faces.

HADES is a story o betrayal and vengeance, power and control, espionage and danger, family and friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and captivating; the characters are powerful, determined and charismatic; the romance is seductive and passionate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WOLF

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

My parents are to blame for my insatiable need to mix action, adventure, and romance. When I was young, I raided my mother’s romances and my father’s action adventure thrillers. I love being exhilarated and left just a little breathless. I’m a sucker for that moment when the team is walking in slow motion, shoulder-to-shoulder heading off into battle.

-I’m an Australian
-I live in Perth, Western Australia
-I am the mother of two busy little boys
-Before I became a full-time author, I worked as a mining engineer at mines all around the world
-I love action movies
-I love sci-fi movies and TV shows
-I have always been a romance reader

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Refuge for Ailsa (Bluegrass Bravery) by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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Refuge for Ailsa (Bluegrass Bravery/Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) by Deanndra Hall-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

A vindictive psychopath is on the loose …

Thirty-nine-year-old Tavish Stewart is content being alone and focusing on his career as a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer. After all, love has never come easy to him. His parents resented him, and his ex-girlfriend destroyed him. The water and wildlife are all he knows—and wants. But when an accident on the water forces him to start questioning witnesses, Tavish is blown away by the red-haired Scottish beauty who runs the store.

Ailsa MacDougal is still reeling from failing to save her late husband from his addiction and rage. All she wants is to live quietly on her boat and fly under the radar. But meeting the sexy conservation officer rocks her to the core.

As Ailsa and Tavish begin to navigate the waters of a new, budding relationship, Tavish’s past threatens to destroy what they’re attempting to create. Suddenly, Ailsa’s life is on the line. Come Hell or high water, Tavish will do anything to save the woman who finally stole his heart. Will he find refuge for Ailsa before it’s too late?

••••••

REVIEW:REFUGE FOR AILSA is the fifteenth instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult Police and Fire: Operation Alpha Bluegrass Bravery erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on characters first introduced by author Susan Stoker. This is thirty-nine year old, Kentucky Department of Fire and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Tavish Stewart, and forty-four year old marina operator Ailsa MacDougal’s story line REFUGE FOR AILSA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tavish and Aisla) REFUGE FOR AILSA follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-nine year old, Kentucky Department of Fire and Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Tavish Stewart, and forty-four year old marina operator Ailsa MacDougal. While on patrol, Officer Tavish Stewart is called to the scene of a possible murder, a murder AILSA MacDougal may have witnessed from afar. A call to the police finds Tavish interviewing our story line heroine, an interview that sparks a romantic interest between our story line couple but Tavish’s past refuses to let go, and takes aim at our story line heroine. What ensues is the rapidly building romance and relationship between Tavish and Ailsa, and the potential fall-out when Ailsa finds herself facing her mortality at the hands of a possible psychopathic killer.

The relationship between Ailsa and Tavish is quick to develop but both struggle with issues from the past. Having endured the abuse from, and the addiction of her late ex-husband, Ailsa was in no hurry to again fall in love. Tavish has always felt unwanted, and his parents made no attempt to show him love or understanding but his past is about to lay claim to the future, a future he wants with someone else. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense-our couple like to talk dirty in the bedroom or wherever they happen to land. ?

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and numerous: Tavish’s sister Maureen, and her boyfriend Donovan aka Ailsa’s brother; Tavish’s parents Pete and Bonnie; Ailsa’s parents Magnus and Maeve, as well as Tavish’s ex Bridget Gilchrist, and deputy Harley Wright. We are reintroduced to Susan Stoker’s Conor Paxton and Morris Young.

REFUGE FOR AILSA is a story of obsession and madness; betrayal and vengeance; love and acceptance; family and friendships. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is passionate and provocative; the characters are charismatic and colorful.

Previous Reviews

Shelter for Tanna
Justice for LIella
Fighting For Lorna
Justice for Maisey
Shelter For Nita
Justice forJoElla
Refuge for Flora
Fighting for Amethyst
Refuge for Phaedra
Refuge for Cherilyn

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

Amazon | BookBub

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Wolf (Sentinel Security 1) by Anna Hackett -review tour

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Wolf (Sentinel Security 1) by Anna Hackett -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 August 9, 2022

He’s her best friend’s older brother.

The hot, tough former Navy SEAL.

The man she’s had a crush on her entire life and now the man pretending to be her lover to keep her safe.

CEO Lainie Madden has her hands full. In charge of a growing tech company, her work and her employees are her life. She’s sworn off love, because the sad reality is that she stinks at choosing men who aren’t self-absorbed cheaters. But when she starts receiving disturbing death threats and her company’s website gets hit with relentless cyber-attacks, she’s in over her head.

What she never expected was her best friend’s bossy, rugged brother to steamroll in to play her fake boyfriend and very real protector.

Former SEAL and CIA agent Nick “Wolf” Garrick is second in command at Sentinel Security. He’s spent most of his life fighting and protecting others, proving he’s nothing like the ex-con who fathered him. He’s also spent years ignoring his scorching attraction to his little sister’s best friend. Lainie is sweet, fresh, smart…and off limits.

But when he finds out she’s in danger, it flips a switch inside him. Whatever the risk, whatever it takes, even pretending that they’re lovers, he’ll protect Lainie and take down the person hunting her.

The more time Lainie and Nick spend together, the more the lines blur. As danger swirls around them, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But Nick doesn’t do relationships and Lainie doesn’t want to get hurt again…

••••••

REVIEW:WOLF is the first instalment in Anna Hackett contemporary, adult SENTINEL SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s Norcross Security series. This is former US Navy SEAL and CIA agent turned security specialist Nick ‘Wolf’ Garrick, and CEO Lainie Madden’s story line. WOLF can be read as a stand alone-you do not have to have read the previous series. Some of the characters cross over into the current time line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Nick and Lainie) WOLF follows in the face of a series of death threats against our story line heroine. Lainie Madden is the CEO of the billion dollar design company Pintura, and a recent series of cyber breaches and threats to our story line heroine find Lainie Madden facing down her teenaged crush Nick Garrick. Nick is Lainie’s best friend Nola’s older brother but a man who has struggled since his last CIA assignment went all to h*ll. Working for Sentinel Security, Nick is the perfect guardian for our story line heroine but as Lainie is his sister’s best friend Nick believes our heroine is off limits, and struggles to keep their relationship professional but whomever is behind the threats is getting closer, and Nick refuses to leave Lainie’s safety in the hands of someone else. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Nick and Lainie, and the potential fall-out as a ghost from the past set their sights on our story line heroine.

The relationship between Nick and Lainie is a best friend’s brother affair in which Lainie is open to something more but Nick battles between head and heart, not wanting to cross an invisible line. Nick has been hired, and has proclaimed himself Lainie’s protector, a proclamation that allows his friendship with Lainie to grow into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Nick’s fellow Sentinel Security specialists: Nick’s boss Killian ‘Steel’ Hawke; former MI6 agent Hadley ‘Striker’ Lockwood; hacker Jet ‘Hex’ Adler; Matteo ‘Hades’ Mancini, and Bram ‘Excalibur’ O’Donovan, as well as Interpol agent Gisele Aubert. The requisite evil is familiar to our story line heroine.

WOLF is a story of perceived betrayal and revenge; obsession and power; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and dramatic; the characters are animated, charismatic and dynamic-the camaraderie is fast, flirty, friendly and furious between the Sentinel Security employees; the romance is sizzling and provocative.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

My parents are to blame for my insatiable need to mix action, adventure, and romance. When I was young, I raided my mother’s romances and my father’s action adventure thrillers. I love being exhilarated and left just a little breathless. I’m a sucker for that moment when the team is walking in slow motion, shoulder-to-shoulder heading off into battle.

-I’m an Australian
-I live in Perth, Western Australia
-I am the mother of two busy little boys
-Before I became a full-time author, I worked as a mining engineer at mines all around the world
-I love action movies
-I love sci-fi movies and TV shows
-I have always been a romance reader

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Montana Mystery by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch-a review

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Montana Mystery (Resting Warrior Ranch 4) by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 12, 2022

Some nightmares you don’t wake up from.

Noah Scott spent two months in an enemy prison camp but made it out alive—unlike most of his SEAL team. He’s one of the lucky ones but doesn’t always feel that way with his scarred body and daily fight against PTSD.

Working with the animals at the Resting Warrior Ranch helps. So what if he trains service dogs, fosters a couple of kittens, and has an alpaca as one of his best friends?

He’ll take whatever holds back the darkness.

When beautiful Kate Tillbeck arrives at the Resting Warrior Ranch neck deep in danger, Noah knows he can’t stand by silently. Especially when the threat centers around a dog fighting ring—and some of the pups he trained may be involved.

But to save the animals he loves and the woman he can’t get out of his mind, Noah will have to embrace the darkness he’s pushed down for years.

And hope he doesn’t lose himself in the process.

•••••••

REVIEW: MONTANA MYSTERY is the fourth instalment in the contemporary, adult RESTING WARRIOR RANCH erotic, romantic suspense series co-authored by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch-a spin off from Janie Crouch’s Zodiac Tactical series. This is former US Navy SEAL Noah Scott and professional house sitter Kate Tillbeck’s story line. MONTANA MYSTERY 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 (Noah and Kate) MONTANA MYSTERY follows in the aftermath of the attack against Kate Tillbeck’s brother Brandon. Finding a name in her brother’s belongings, Kate heads to the Resting Warrior Ranch where she comes face to face with former Navy SEAL Noah Scott. Weeks earlier Brandon Tillbeck left Resting Warrior Ranch, never to be heard from again until a call from the hospital had Kate wondering where everything went wrong. Believing Noah Scott and the other former SEALs were the cause of her brother’s problem Kate is both surprised and frightened to discover that her brother’s problems were much deeper and darker than she could have ever imagined. As Noah and Kate begin an investigation into the who, how and why, Kate finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kate and Noah, and the potential fall-out as our couple are targeted in the name of revenge, power and control.

The relationship between Noah and Kate begins when Kate appears at the Resting Warrior Ranch in an effort to uncover the truth behind her brother’s injuries. Kate is unaware of her brother’s troubles but finds herself falling for a man who has troubles of his own. Noah Scott struggles with PTSD, and as a partner at the Resting Warrior Ranch, he knows the potential fall-out of going untreated. Falling for Kate means revealing the horrors of his past, horrors that often continue to control our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate.

We are reintroduced to Kate’s brother Brandon Tillbeck, as well as most of the previous story line couples including Liam, Jude, Daniel and Lucas. The requisite evil is still on the loose

MONTANA MYSTERY is a story of power and control, vengeance and betrayal, family and friendships, relationship and love. The character driven premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are energetic, determined and strong but Kate is often a little TSTL (too stupid to live), placing herself in the direct line of fire.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Montana Sanctuary
Montana Danger
Montana Desire

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Deadly Protector (Red Stone Security 19) by Katie Reus-a review

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Deadly Protector (Red Stone Security 19) by Katie Reus-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 12, 2022.

He’s a former thief.

Dimitri’s world is turned upside down when he meets Zamira. The sweet single mom knows nothing about who he used to be. He should stay away, because he’s the last thing she needs in her life. But when she’s targeted by a threat from her past, he can’t keep his distance any longer.

She’s been burned before.

Zamira is a widow raising her twins with the help of her big family. After a devastating betrayal by her deceased husband, dating hasn’t been on her radar in years—until she meets a man who makes her feel alive again. But before she can think about taking the next step with him, a deadly secret threatens to rip her world apart. She knows she can’t handle things alone, yet when Dimitri steps in she realizes he has secrets too. He’s more dangerous than anyone she’s ever met. And the biggest threat he poses is to her heart.

•••••

REVIEW:DEADLY PROTECTOR is the nineteenth instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult RED STONE SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Red Stone Security. This is thirty-two year old, physical therapist and single mother Zamira Nowak LeBlanc, former thief turned businessman/security specialist Dimitri Lenkov’s story line. DEADLY PROTECTOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Zamira is Mila’s sister (Secret Enemy 16).

Told from several third person perspectives including Dimitri and Zamira DEADLY PROTECTOR follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-two year old, physical therapist and single mother Zamira Nowak LeBlanc, former thief turned businessman/security specialist Dimitri Lenkov. Zamira Nowak was Dimitri Lenkov’s physical therapist but now that their relationship was no longer professional, Dimitri crossed the invisible line asking Zamira out on a date but a a former acquaintance of Zamira’s late husband is demanding something Zamira does not have, a demand that pulls in the Red Stone Security team to protect our story line heroine. All does not go according to plan when Dimitri is recognized for who and what he once was, and our hero gets pulled into a world of which he is no longer a member. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dimitri and Zamira, and the potential fall-out as Dimitri’s guilt about his past forces our hero to reconsider his plans for the future/

The relationship between Dimitri and Zamira is one of immediate attraction but Dimitri began as Zamira’s client, and neither one was willing to cross the line. With her children on vacation, Zamira accepts Dimitri’s invitation for a night on the town, wherein our couple will begin their courtship that is threatened by people from their pasts. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters included several members of the Red Stone Security Team including Porter and Lizzy Caldwell (No One To Trust 1),Lyosha Vasiliev and Mila (Secret Enemy 16), as well as hotelier and businessman Viktor Ivanov. The requisite evil has many faces.

DEADLY PROTECTOR is a story of obsession and vengeance, betrayal and greed, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are captivating, determined and strong willed.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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Red on the River by Christine Feehan-Dual Review & Giveaway

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Red on the River by Christine Feehan-Dual Review & Giveaway

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2022

Vienna Mortenson isn’t your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there’s no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She’s not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.

Zale Vizzini’s job constantly puts him in harm’s way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn’t exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he’s determined to win her back, and he’s ready to lay all his cards on the table.

As their friends’ wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna’s heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them.

•••••

Sandy’s Review: RED ON THE RIVER is a contemporary, adult, slightly paranormal, romantic thriller set in the author’s MURDER AT SUNRISE LAKE world. This is professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini’s story line. RED ON THE RIVER can be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Vienna Mortenson was first introduced in book one.

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

Told from third person perspective RED ON THE RIVER follows the second chance relationship between professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Months earlier, a serial killer targeted Stella Harrison (Murder at Sunrise Lake), and in their wake threatened Stella and her close-knit friends including our heroine Vienna Mortenson. Taking some time for herself in the aftermath of the life-threatening events , Vienna would set out on an outdoor adventure where she would meet one of their rescuers, undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Six weeks together ended when Zale ghosted our story line heroine, leaving a heart broken Vienna in his wake. Fast forward to present day, wherein an invitation to a Las Vegas Poker Tournament brings Vienna up close and personal with the man who broke her heart, a man whose secrets may push Vienna out of his life.

All was not well in Las Vegas, Nevada; two undercover operatives were missing and presumed dead, and Zale and his partner Rainier claimed to have been hired to protect the hotel owner Daniel Wallin, but someone has targeted our story line heroine in the process, leaving Vienna exposed and unaware of what happened. Vienna Mortenson would find herself under the protection of Zale Vizzini, protection that would pull our couple together even though Vienna struggled with events from the past. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Zale and Vienna, and the potential fall-out as secrets are revealed, a contract needs to be fulfilled, placing a target on the back of our story line heroine.

The relationship between Zale and Vienna is a rekindling romance. Zale had previously ghosted Vienna following a six week whirlwind romance in which Vienna found herself falling for a man whose lifestyle was constantly on the move.Vienna’s past was mired in rejection and loss, and in this, our heroine struggled to trust the man who walked away without looking back. There are no $ex scenes.

We are re-introduced to a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including a few ‘Mafia’ members that may or may not have a future story line: Zale’s partner Rainier, operatives Rush, and Wilder; Stella and Sam (Murder at Sunrise Lake); nurse/photographer Harlow Frye; café owner Shabina Foster; computer IT expert and contracted government employee Raine O’Mallory; nurse Zahra Metcalf; Sam Rossi’s father Don Marco Rossi; and hotel owner Daniel Wallin. The requisite evil has many faces.

RED ON THE RIVER is another complex, detailed and informative story line often over-focusing on poker, poker play, and card combinations, as well as an exhaustive account of hiking, and mountain climbing. As per Christine Feehan’s style of writing, there is a slight paranormal aspect to the series but the author steers clear of any erotic $ex scenes or the use of strong language.

A side note- the author’s use of the paranormal aspect is virtually nil in the story, and in this, I believe the story line and series would benefit without the supernatural element.

________

Barb’s Review:
Red on the River by Christine Feehan is another one of her of suspense novels. We got to see some of the characters from her Sunrise Lake series.  We meet Vienna Mortenson, our heroine, who is in Vegas, participating in a live high stakes Poker tournament; she usually only plays online and rarely loses, but having received an invitation to this tournament, Vienna plans to win. She is one of the best in playing poker, but she also is a nurse, as well as helping in Search and Rescue. Vienna is helping prepare her best friend, Stella’s upcoming wedding, and this trip is also a bachelorette gathering with a wonderful group of ladies, who love hiking and bouldering. Vienna also wants to repair her relationship with her mother, while in Vegas. 

Zale Vizzini, our hero, works undercover on assignment to protect his boss; and is constantly in the middle of danger.  He met Vienna months ago, with both falling hard for each other, as they spend weeks together; but one morning he just quietly walked out of her life.  Now Zale is Vegas on assignment, and determined to win her back.  When Zale tries to explain that he left to keep her safe, as his job was dangerous, but he now wants to her back permanently.   Vienna feels her attraction to Zale awaken, but can she trust him?

The tournament was a huge success for Vienna, but threats are made on her life, and Zale knows he needs to protect her from an enemy.  At this point of the story, the focus is on Vienna, Stella, and the other magnificent ladies who are part of the bachelorette trip, which takes place in rugged territory in Nevada and the Sierras, as they hike and climb.  We get to meet all the ladies, and enjoy their friendship, and bantering. I loved how each of the ladies excel at many things, making them a wonderful group.  Not long after they continue on their trek, their lives are put in intense danger, with threats against them; Zale and his partner Rainer push to help the ladies. 

What follows an exciting suspenseful mystery romance, with both Vienna, Zale and her wonderful smart ladies working together to try to find who is truly behind the attempt to kill Vienna and why.   As I had already noted, what made this a fantastic story was the amazing fabulous group of friends who were all smart, strong and savvy, as their friendship was bonded together (Vienna, Stella, Raine, Zahra, Shabina, Harlow).  I did like Vienna and Zale and rooted for them to stay together, as they made a great couple.  I do see a possible relationship with Rainer and Shabina in future books.

Red on the River was an excellent, fun and exciting romance suspense thriller, that was filled with action, suspense, as well as the fun bantering with the ladies.  Overall, this was a great story, with a terrific couple, fantastic friends and other secondary characters. I look forward to the next book in this series, which is so very well written by Christine Feehan. 

 

Copies supplied by the publisher

 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Christine’s Feehan’s publisher Berkley Romance is graciously offering a paper copy of RED ON THE RIVER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from June 28 to July 2, 2022

 

 

 

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Cold Silence (Cold Justice 16) by Toni Anderson-Review Tour

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Cold Silence (Cold Justice 16 / Most Wanted) by Toni Anderson-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 14, 2022.

FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Shane Livingstone is frustrated when an injury sidelines him during an operation to catch a sadistic killer. A killer who auctions off vicious ways to torture his victims and screens the events for money on the dark web. When a teammate dies during the op, a devastated Shane vows to track down the monster responsible—but to do so he’ll need access to specialized skills he doesn’t possess.

A bloody game of cat and mouse…

As a white-hat hacker at Alex Parker’s security firm, Yael Brooks knows how to track predators through the darkest recesses of cyberspace. She can’t say no to Shane’s request…even though she fears her own secrets may put her at risk.

With a serial killer who makes it personal…

Shane and Yael must work together as a team if they hope to stop this psychopath. As they begin to grow closer, Shane demands Yael’s complete trust, but trust is the one thing Yael is reluctant to give. As the chase intensifies and more people die, it becomes obvious.

••••••

REVIEW:COLD SILENCE is the sixteenth instalment in Toni Anderson’s contemporary, adult COLD JUSTICE romantic suspense series, and the first in the author’s Cold Justice: Most Wanted spin off. This is FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Shane Livingstone, and coder Yael Brooks’ story line. COLD SILENCE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING : Due to the nature of the story line premise including reference to a high school mass shooting, there may be triggers for more sensitive people.

Told from three third person perspectives (Shane, Yael, Killer) COLD SILENCE follows the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team search for a serial killer, a killer who is filming his kills, and auctioning his torture methods to the highest bidder. Injured on his last assignment FBI HRT member Shane Livingstone has been sidelined, forced to work from the home office where he will meet computer coder Yael Brooks, the woman with whom Shane will fall in love. As the killer continues his online auctions, Shane and Yael must go deep into the web in an effort to stop the man from killing his next victim. What ensues is the building relationship between Yael and Shane, and the fall-out as the killer sets his sights on our story line heroine.

Yael Brooks has been hiding in plain sight for close to fifteen years but a serial killer has tracked down our heroine, and is using her past to destroy her life. Shane Livingstone and his team have lost two of their own, and their need to take down a killer is personal and close to their heart.

The relationship between Yael and Shane begins when the couple are forced to work together to uncover the identity of a serial killer auctioning off torture and abuse but when Yael is targeted, Shane becomes guardian and protector, taking their relationship into something more. Shane doesn’t do relationships, and in this, Yael struggles to keep her heart from breaking. 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 secondary and supporting characters including many from the author’s COLD JUSTICE SERIES including Alex Parker (Yael’s boss) and his wife Mallory Rooney, (A Cold Dark Place), ASAC Lincoln Frazer (Cold Fear), computer hacker Ashley Chen (Cold Secrets), Special Agent Hunt Kincaid (Cold Blooded),Payne Novak (Cold Wicked Lies), as well as Ryan Sullivan, Will Griffin, Aaron Nash, and Yael’s best friend Laura Bay. The requisite evil has many faces.

COLD SILENCE is a story of obsession and vengeance, murder and mayhem, relationships, friendships, family and love. The premise is intriguing and thrilling; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cold and Deadly
Colder Than Sin
Cold Wicked Lies
Cold Cruel Kiss
Cold as Ice

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Toni Anderson is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, RITA® finalist, science nerd, professional tourist, dog lover, gardener, mom. Originally from a small town in England, Toni studied Marine Biology at University of Liverpool (B.Sc.) and University of St. Andrews (Ph.D.) with the intention she’d never be far from the ocean. Well, that plan backfired and she ended up in the Canadian prairies with her biology professor husband, two kids, a rescue dog, and a laid-back leopard gecko.

Toni started writing while pregnant with her first child and never stopped. Her greatest achievements are mastering the Tokyo subway, climbing Ben Lomond, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and surviving fourteen Winnipeg winters (fingers crossed). She loves to travel for research purposes and was lucky enough to visit the Strategic Information and Operations Center inside FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2016, and she also got to shove another car off the road during pursuit training at the Writer’s Police Academy in Wisconsin. Watch out world!

Follow: Website / Goodreads/ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/  bookbub /  Pinterest

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THE PAYBACK (Team Zulu 2) by Julie Weaver -a review

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THE PAYBACK (Team Zulu 2) by Julie Weaver-a review

 

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2022

Sage

Three years ago, the Mafia murdered my first love and shattered my chance of happiness. I won’t stop searching for the gunman until justice is served, even if every step toward the killer is a step into the gaping jaws of Philly’s notorious underworld.

If only the new guy in my building, AKA Mr. Tall, Dark, and Annoyingly Alpha, would leave me and my secrets alone. My body might want him, but my head knows better. I’ve lost too much to risk giving my heart away again, especially to someone as deliciously tempting as Brandon Lewis.

When the Mob catches on to my revenge plans and delivers a deadly ultimatum, my persistent new neighbor discovers we share a common enemy. Brandon might be an incredibly skilled hacker, but why isn’t he scared of taking on the most dangerous men in the city? And how does a computer geek get the body of a warrior, bullet scars and all?

Teaming up with the fierce, overprotective man next door becomes a proposition too appealing to resist. Except the more I get to know Brandon, the more I realize he’s the last person I could let pay for my foolish mistakes. If it happened again, neither of us would survive.

••••••

REVIEW: THE PAYBACK is the second full length instalment in Julie Weaver’s contemporary, adult TEAM ZULU romantic suspense series focusing on the former members of an under cover Black Ops Unit known as Team Zulu. This is security specialist/IT hacker Brandon Lewis, and Sage Allen’s story line. THE PAYBACK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Some of the events of THE PAYBACK cross over with, and run parallel to some of the events in book one THE HIT.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Brandon and Sage) THE PAYBACK focuses on the take down of the Wolf Street Mafia. Three years earlier Sage Allen’s boyfriend was gunned down a drive by shooting, a shooting Sage attributed to the Wolf Street Mafia. In the hopes of taking down the people responsible Sage changed her major in college, and spends her free time stalking the Wolf Street Mafia. Meanwhile security specialist Brandon Lewis is on the hunt for the people responsible for the death of his sister, a hunt that crosses over with our story line heroine. When Brandon reluctantly agrees to work sided by side with Sage Allen, neither one had any idea how that their partnership would result in a future relationship both personal and professional. What ensues is the building relationship between Brandon and Sage, as our couple work together to take down the Wolf Street Mafia.

Brandon Lewis is desperate to stop the human trafficking ring organized and run the the Wolf Street Mafia but when his new neighbor Sage Allen is swept up in the chaos of the ongoing investigation, Brandon fears for her safety, and pulls our heroine into the take down of the people involved. Sage is a strong, independent and worthy ‘opponent’ for our story line hero, a woman who has prepared herself for all eventualities except falling in love.

The relationship between Brandon and Sage begins as neighbors but Brandon never expected to find the Wolf Street Mafia sitting at Sage’s front door. Sage’s stalking by the Mafia has been discovered, and our heroine is about to pay the price for sticking her proverbial nose where it doesn’t belong. Sage isn’t prepared for her attraction to Brandon Lewis but Brandon becomes a means to an end as Sage continues to hunt for the people who killed the man she once loved. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

We are reintroduced to fellow member of Team Zulu Hitman Elias ‘Shep’ Shepherd, as well as FBI Special Agent Maya Williams, the new head of the Wolf Street Mafia Dante Moretti, and his right hand man Maxim Orlov.

THE PAYBACK is a story of power and control, revenge and payback, friendships, relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating and intriguing; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, charismatic and dynamic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE HIT

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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