Tag Archives: romantic

SCORNED QUEEN ( Strictly Business 2) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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SCORNED QUEEN (Wall Street Empire: Strictly Business 2) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 25, 2024

The protégé king wants the king un-seated but it will be war, and a bloody one.
And you can only push a future queen so far before she says enough, and proves she’s as worthy for war as her man. Damion and Alana will come together to fight but first the boundaries of the past must fall.

•••••

REVIEW: SCORNED QUEEN is the second instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult WALL STREET EMPIRE: STRICTLY BUSINESS erotic, romantic suspense series. This is thirty-three year old acquisitions/mergers/investor Damion West, and real estate agent/reality star Alana Blue’s continuing story. SCORNED QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book one PROTEGE KING.

NOTE: The author previously released the first thirteen chapters as Scorned Queen Part 1 but the current story line includes both parts one and two.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Damion and Alana), in two parts, using present day and memories from the past, SCORNED QUEEN follows in the wake of the rebuilding relationship between our story line couple. Damion is desperate to protect the woman he loves but Alana struggles to trust the man who broke her heart.Threats to Alana, by the man hoping to destroy Damion, are taken seriously when Damion brings in the team from Walker Security but even Adam and Savage are unable to protect the people Alana loves.

The world building continues to focus on Damion’s war with the man in charge. Trying to sway support to his side is met with opposition, and Alana is about to come face to face with the man threatening to destroy our story line hero.

The relationship between Alana and Damion is one of second chances. Years earlier, in an effort to protect the woman he love, Damion walked out of Alana’s life, leaving a heart broken and angry woman in his wake. Fast forward to present day wherein Damion has returned to claim our story line heroine but the predator has become more dark and dangerous. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

All of the previous secondary and supporting characters return including Alana’s embattled parents, Damion’s father, as well as the appearance of Blake Walker, Adam and Savage.

SCORNED QUEEN is, once again, a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, greed and jealousy, issues of trust, blackmail and deceit. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and dramatic; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic but there is too much waffling, back and forth from our story line heroine. SCORNED QUEEN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one PROTEGE KING

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists.

​Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

To find out about Lisa Renee Jones’ upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Lisa Renee Jones  and her books visit: https://www.lisareneejones.com/

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Hero’s Flight (Linear Tactical:Oak Creek 2)by Janie Crouch-review

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Hero’s Flight (Linear Tactical:Oak Creek 2)by Janie Crouch-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 17, 2023

Air Force Combat Controller Derek Bollinger knows what it is to feel that every breath might be his last. Enduring hell in an enemy prison for five weeks taught him that.

The only thing that got him through it was the thought of his family, his hometown of Oak Creek, Wyoming, and especially of Becky Mackay.

He survived, but with blood on his hands. His own. His friends’ who died beside him. His enemies’.

And then…Becky’s.

A night that should’ve been perfect for them both turned into a nightmare Derek can never wake up from, leaving him with only one option: staying the hell away.

But Becky has almost lost the man she loves too many times—first to that prison camp, then to his own demons.

She’s not going to lose him again.

Yes, that night between them changed everything. Changed her. But change isn’t always a bad thing. And it’s time for them to stand together to face his PTSD and their future.

Especially when an unexpected danger comes after them both. Together will be the only way to survive.

••••••••••

REVIEW:HERO’S FLIGHT is the second instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary adult LINEAR TACTICAL: OAK CREEK romantic suspense series-a second generation spin off set in the author’s LINEAR TACTICAL world. This is Air Force Combat Controller Derek Bollinger (son of Finn and Charlotte ), and veterinarian Dr. Becky Mackay’s (daughter of Zac and Anne) story line. HERO’S FLIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line and series is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Derek and Becky) HERO’S FLIGHT focuses on the rebuilding relationship between our story line couple. Years earlier Derek Bollinger suffered abuse at the hands of his captors in Afghanistan but upon his return, Derek struggled with issues of PTSD and guilt but as he continued to battle with his demons, he pushed his childhood best friend and the woman he loved, Becky Mackay, out of his life, leaving a trail of heart break and pain in his wake. Fast forward to present day, following eighteen months without communication, Derek will return to Oak Creek wherein he will come face to face with the woman he has never stopped loving but all is not well between our story line couple, and matters go from bad to worse when a series of questionable accidents befall our story line heroine. As Derek battles between head and heart with his need for the woman he almost destroyed, someone else is taking aim at Becky Mackay.

The world building focuses on Derek’s struggled with PTSD, and Becky’s need to forgive the man she will always love. As a pilot for a local search and rescue operation, Derek knows firsts hand the dangers of flight but never suspected he and Becky may be the next victims of a devious mind.

The relationship between Becky and Derek is a best friends to lovers, second chances relationship. Derek’s battle with his PTSD is threatening his relationship with the woman he loves but more so his own ability to forgive himself for what happened and why. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large and familiar cast of dynamic secondary and supporting characters including many of the original Linear Tactical couples including Finn and Charlotte Bollinger (EAGLE), and Zac and Anne Mackay (CYCLONE), Riley, Dorian, as well as a number of the now adult children Colton, and Lincoln Bollinger.

HERO’S FLIGHT is a story of betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, second chances, forgiveness and love. The premise is emotional and dramatic; the romance struggles in the face of self destruction and doubt; the characters are broken but determined and healing.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HERO UNBOUND

 

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.

Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband’s job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she’s not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.

Website | https://www.janiecrouch.com
Goodreads | https://bit.ly/3yzgLGp
Amazon | www.amazon.com/author/janiecrouch
Facebook | www.facebook.com/janiecrouch/
Facebook Group | www.facebook.com/groups/crouchcrew/
Instagram | www.instagram.com/janiecrouch/
TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@janiecrouch
Bookbub | www.bookbub.com/authors/janie-crouch
Newsletter | https://sm.read-jc.com/vip

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TREVOR’S REDEMPTION (Arresting Onyx 3.5) by Amber Daulton-review

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TREVOR’S REDEMPTION (Arresting Onyx 3.5) by Amber Daulton-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 22, 2023

The danger and lies are more than she can handle.

Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.

Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.

When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.

•••••

REVIEW: TREVOR’S REDEMPTION is the fifth instalment (book 3.5) in Amber Daulton’s contemporary, adult ARRESTING ONYX erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of a criminal organization known as Onyx. This is thirty year olds, construction worker/musician/ enforcer Trevor Madero, and television station employee Shea O’Bannon’s story line. TREVOR’S REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order. Trevor was first introduced as a secondary character in the previous story lines.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Trevor and Shea) TREVOR’S REDEMPTION follows the second chance romance and relationship between our story line couple. Several months earlier, Shea caught her boyfriend Trevor an embrace with another woman. Fast forward to present day wherein, a drink with a co-worker at a local bar, finds Shea face to face with the man who broke her heart. Enter Trevor Madero, a man with many secrets that are about to be exposed. From work place harassment and assault, to drug running, take downs and bribes, Shea will discover she has more connections to the criminal organization than she could have ever imagined. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Shea and Trevor, and the potential fall-out as our couple become the target of a very powerful man.

The world building follows the seedier side of organized crime. The enforcement of rules, payment for protection, dysfunctional family dynamics, and the power of a brotherhood connected by secrets and crimes.

The relationship between Trevor and Shea is one of second chances. Trevor’s reputation with the women becomes an issue for our story line heroine, especially when a past ex refuses to let go but all is not as it appears to be when Trevor’s lies threaten our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom have connections to the criminal organization known as Onyx, many of whom were introduced in the previous instalments.

TREVOR’S REDEMPTION is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, love and loss, forgiveness and acceptance. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining but reads like the final chapter in the series. The romance is seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

This was my introduction to, and first book in the Arresting Onyx series, therefore I felt a little lost having limited to no background knowledge of, or reference about Onyx or any of the previous story line events and characters. I had hoped for a little more background or history, especially as it pertained to the criminal organization Onyx as many of the secondary characters had direct involvement and history.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Tango (Dark Water 4) by JL Drake-review tour

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Tango (Dark Water 4) by JL Drake-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November. 21, 2023

Major Ty Beckett

A ghost returned with one of our own.
A rescue has been made.

Ivy and I fight to stay strong while the team leans on one another and goodbyes are laid to rest.
Missing pieces to an old puzzle form a picture that will send a shockwave through the house.

I return for one last mission on familiar ground to bring justice to light.
Then I focus on one of the biggest fights Blackstone will ever face.

We call in every favor we are owed because it’s time for revenge.

Eric Noah

I am a ghost with a recognizable face racing to cross the border unseen.

Once on home soil, I’m met with confusion and doubt.
There’s a lot to explain.

I gather information and continue to watch those who feared me.
Secrets spill as tempers rise and the truths start to surface.

I can’t change the past, but I can help mend the future.

•••••

REVIEW:TANGO is the fourth instalment in JL Drake’s contemporary, adult DARK WATER romantic suspense series, a spin off series, interconnected with the author’s BLACKSTONE and BROKEN worlds. This is the continuing story of Major Ty Beckett, and psychiatrist Dr. Ivy Knight. TANGO should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of books two and three WHISKEY and ALPHA, referencing numerous past missions and plot lines, as well as focusing on the embattled relationship between Lexi and Keith (ESCAPE: Blackstone series 2), and the appearance of someone long thought dead.

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

Told from several first person perspectives including Ty, Ivy and Paul, following several paths using present day and memories from the past, TANGO follows in the aftermath of an undercover operation in Mexico where everything spirals out of control. Working undercover in an effort to rescue the most vulnerable from the human trafficking rings in Mexico, several members of Dark Water find themselves struggling in the aftermath of betrayal and vengeance, where one of their own will not survive.

Meanwhile, Major Ty Beckett has proclaimed his love for psychiatrist Dr. Ivy Knight but Ty has unfinished business in Afghanistan, and is desperate to retrieve that which he lost. As the team at Dark Water mourn the loss of one of their own, the reappearance of an another may threaten all sense of trust going forward.

The world building is complex, detailed and therefore, I strongly recommend reading the series in order, as well as the interconnected books. The overarching premise of the Dark Water series is dependant upon knowing about previous events and character involvement in the other series, as well as the building conflict throughout the current timeline.

The relationship between Ty and Ivy continues to grow. Ivy struggles with her attraction to Ty but a proclamation of love and forever pushes our couple together, only to see Ivy struggle with Ty’s need to return to Afghanistan.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and charismatic characters, all of whom we have met, once again, throughout the interconnected series. Some will die, some will return, others will be betrayed by the people they know.

TANGO is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, love and lost, friendships, relationships and family. The premise is heart breaking, emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, dynamic and determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of ALPHA

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J.L. Drake is a bestselling author with multiple series published in several different countries. The Broken Trilogy is her best seller, and her next series, Quiet Mafia, has the same kind of homey feel sprinkled with some yummy darkness. 

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to southern California. Though she loves the weather in Cali, she would sell her left kidney for a good rainstorm. Jodi’s love of the seasons back home in Canada definitely put in an appearance in her books.

When she’s not writing, you can often find her sitting somewhere along the coast of Huntington Beach, reading, or at home curled up on a couch with her two children and husband, binge watching Marvel movies.  

SOCIAL MEDIA: Website / Goodreads / Facebook /  Instagram/

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Code Name: Gemini by Janie Crouch & Danielle M Haas-review

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Code Name: Gemini (Zodiac Tactical/Injured Heroes) by Janie Crouch & Danielle M Haas-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 9, 2023

Tasha Volkov has been on the run for three years from a brutal cartel who want her dead.

Aka: her family.

She already paid a heavy price for crossing them, and has the scars to prove it. Her only choice is to keep running, even if the tiny town of Pine Valley feels more like home to her than anywhere else she’s ever been.

The last place Zodiac Tactical agent Andrew Zimmerman expected to find the missing Volkov sister was with his friends at the Crossroads Mountain Retreat in the mountains of Tennessee—a place for wounded law enforcement and veterans to heal.

Tasha may not have been the one who gave the order that killed his wife—and very nearly killed him and his twin baby girls—but she can lead Andrew to the man who did.

And Andrew’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

No matter how much Tasha’s vulnerability pulls at him. No matter if everything about her screams innocent, not guilty. No matter how his gut says to keep her safe and close to him.

He thinks he knows all her secrets. But he doesn’t.

•••••

REVIEW:CODE NAME: GEMINI is the sixth instalment in the contemporary adult ZODIAC TACTICAL romantic suspense series co-authored by Janie Crouch and Danielle M. Haas. This is yoga instructor Tasha Volkov, and Zodiac Tactical agent Andrew Zimmerman’s story line. CODE NAME: GEMINI can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: CODE NAME: GEMINI by Janie Crouch’s blends the author’s Zodiac Tactical series, and Danielle M Haas’ Injured Heroes series.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Tasha and Andrew) CODE NAME: GEMINI focuses on the take down of the man who destroyed Andrew Zimmerman’s life. Approximately three years earlier, while working undercover for the Volkov Bratva, Andrew and his family would become the targets of the man in charge, leaving Andrew a widow, raising two children on his own. Fast forward to present day wherein Zodiac Tactical believes the Volkov Bratva has returned to their old ways, and someone else may be along for the ride. Hoping to end the Volkov reign of terror, Zodiac Tactical sets their sights on Tasha Volkov, and Andrew Zimmerman is determined to destroy the woman before she destroys anyone else. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Tasha and Andrew, and the potential fall-out as the past returns taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building focuses on Andrew’s need for revenge. Three years earlier the Bratva destroyed his family, leaving Andrew a shell of his former self but our hero never expected to discover a ghost from the past, living and working with the people he knew. Determined to have his revenge, Andrew ‘volunteers’ to go under cover in an effort to ferret out the woman with whom he will fall in love.

The relationship between Andrew and Tasha is predicated upon a lie. Andrew is hoping Tasha knows more than she is willing to reveal, and Tasha suspects Andrew may be the beginning of the end of her peace and well-being. As the relationship develops, the assignment begins to darken, forcing Tasha to run, to save 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 colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters from ZODIAC TACTICAL and INJURED HEROES bringing familiarity and cohesion between both series.

CODE NAME: GEMINI is a story of betrayal and revenge, power and control, obsession and madness, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is captivating, edgy and dramatic; the romance is seductive and emotional; the characters are broken, desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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BECAUSE OF HER (Jack and Jill #5) by Jewel E Ann-review tour

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BECAUSE OF HER (Jack and Jill #5) by Jewel E Ann

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 2, 2023

“If sin weren’t pretty, it wouldn’t be so tempting.”

I was an accomplished music professor.
Happily single.
Perfectly content.

Now, I’m unemployed.
Pining for a dark, brooding guy named Jack who lives in a garage with a piano.
And I’m plotting to seduce a married man because his daughter is responsible for my nephew committing suicide.

I don’t know why teenage girls are so mean.
I don’t know why rich men cheat on their wives.
And I don’t know why Jack has serial killer vibes, even though he leaves me speechless every time he speaks.

All I know for sure is that I feel safe in a stranger’s arms and understood by someone I don’t understand.

“You should be a little scared of everyone because humans are unpredictable.”

How far will I go for revenge? More than that …
How far will he go to save me?

*This book contains material involving sexual assault and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

•••••••••

REVIEW: BECAUSE OF HER is the fifth (and final?) instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary, adult JACK AND JILL erotic, romantic suspense series. This is fifty-something Jackson Knight aka Jude Day, and forty-one year old, music professor Francesca ‘Frankie’ Holter’s story line. We were first introduced to Jackson Knight as one half of the twin brother / sister duo in books 1-3 of the Jack and Jill series, as well as his return in book five Out of Love. BECAUSE OF HER can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order. There is quite a bit of history that is relevant to Jackson’s current state of mind.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WIIL BE triggers for more sensitive readers. Although most of the graphic details are behind the scenes or fade to black, the triggers may be upsetting, none the less.

Told from first person perspective (Frankie) and third person (Jackson) BECAUSE OF HER follows in the aftermath of an horrific family tragedy in Boone Kansas, a tragedy that continues to spiral out of control. Francesca Holter has come to Boone to settle a number of family affairs but never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of Jackson Knight, a man who keeps his secrets close to his heart. Frankie is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to her family but the deeper she digs, the more dangerous her life is about to become. With the unwanted assistance of Jackson Knight, Frankie finds herself falling down a rabbit hole from which there may be no return. Meanwhile, Jackson Knight’s business in Boone, Kansas is not far off from Francesca’s target. Jackson is determined to end a lifetime of tragedy but saving Frankie may be the last thing he every does. What ensues is the building relationship between Frankie and Jackson, and the fall-out when Frankie crosses a line from which she may never come back.

The world building is complex, heart breaking and emotional. As warned, the suicides are troubling and distressing but one in particular has been ripped from the headlines of hometown America. A seemingly normal family loses everything and everyone, and our heroine is left to pick up the pieces of the people she thought she knew but as Frankie continues to dig for answers, she too, will face the ultimate betrayal, a betrayal from which she struggles to heal.

The relationship between Frankie and Jackson begins acrimoniously. Jackson is a man with a particular skill set that he needs to focus on finishing the job. Vengeance is the only thing, in many years, that has mattered to our story line hero but meeting and falling for Francesca Holter meant Jackson had more to lose than he could have possibly imagined. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Archer and Corinne Sanford, and their seventeen year old daughter Molly, as well as the return of Jackson’s daughter Livy Knight, and her husband Slade Wylder (Out of Love 5), and Jackson’s twin sister Jessica Knight (Jack and Jill 1-3).

BECAUSE OF HER is a multi-layered, impassioned and thought-provoking story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, loss and grief, determination and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is dramatic, edgy, and visceral; the romance is seductive and aggressive; the characters are broken, dynamic, desperate and single-minded.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
End of Day
Middle of Knight
Dawn of Foerever
Out of Love

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

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Sharp Edge (Security Operations Group Bravo) by Kat Bammer-review

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Sharp Edge (Security Operations Group Bravo 4) by Kat Bammer-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 27, 2023

One night—no names.
Almost seven years later, I can still appreciate the idiocy of that arrangement.
I didn’t plan to fall hard for the much younger woman.
Or obsess over her.
But I never stopped thinking about her.

As a former Army Ranger, giving up isn’t part of my DNA.
So, for years, I’ve been searching—without success.
Hoping to get a second chance.

And suddenly, she’s right before me.

Battered, bruised, scared.
A single mother.

When her boy gets kidnapped, and danger closes in,
it’s a race against time.

And I realize the math checks out.

Protecting them means confronting my demons and her trauma.
But failing is not an option.
Not when all I’ve lost, all I ever longed for, is almost
within reach.
Almost.

••••••

REVIEW:SHARP EDGE is the fourth (and final?) instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult SECURITY OPERATIONS GROUP BRAVO romantic suspense series. This is single mother/café owner Felicia Cleaver and former Army Ranger , DEA agent Jeremy ‘Edge’ Mulberry’s story line. SHARP EDGE can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order. The SECURITY OPERATIONS GROUP BRAVO is a spin off, set in the Moon Lake Protectors series.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Felicia and Jeremy) SHARP EDGE follows rekindling relationship between our story line couple. Approximately seven year earlier Felicia Cleaver and Jeremy Mulberry spent one glorious night together but Felicia ghosted Jeremy the next morning, neither one knowing the other’s name. Fast forward to present day, Jeremy Mulberry is in town for work, and comes face to face with his one-night stand, the woman he never forgot, a woman running from an abusive ex but Jeremy’s life is about to come full-circle when he discovers the woman bore his son, a child he knew nothing about. With the Sormiza Cartel closing in, Felicia and her son Bobby become targets, in a game of betrayal and revenge. What ensues is the second chance romance between Jeremy and Felicia, and the potential fall-out as Felicia goes missing, a statistic of a human trafficking ring set up near Moon Lake.

The world building focuses on the group of former Rangers and SEALs who have sworn to protect those unable to protect themselves but Jeremy never expected to come face to face with his past, a past he wants to claim forever.

The relationship between Jeremy and Felicia began as a one-night stand in which neither one knew anything about the other. Seven years would pass before they would come face to face, seven years in which neither one forgot about the other. 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 colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters from both of the aforementioned series- SECURITY OPERATIONS GROUP BRAVO and the Moon Lake Protectors series. There is definite camaraderie and friendships, as well as familiarity between the the characters from both series.

SHARP EDGE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing, engaging and exciting; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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HOW THE HITMAN STOLE CHRISTMAS by Katie Reus-review

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HOW THE HITMAN STOLE CHRISTMAS (Holiday with a Hitman 1) by Katie Reus-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 24, 2023

‘Tis the season for a grumpy-sunshine romance with a side of murder and mayhem!

She hates Christmas and everything that goes with it…

Explosives expert Elliana hates Christmas—and the only good thing about this holiday season is that her gorgeous neighbor seems allergic to shirts and clothes in general. She knows because she’s been watching him for months with her drone. She’s never stalked anyone before, but he not only doesn’t seem to mind, he puts on nightly strip shows just for her. When she finally works up the courage to talk to him, she stumbles right into a murder—that he’s committed.

But this holiday is one she’ll never forget…

According to him, the whole murder thing is no big deal—the dead guy needed killing. And while her hot neighbor wants her, protecting her is his main priority. So when she’s targeted, this cinnamon roll hitman kidnaps her for her own good. With a deadly threat hunting them and a hot hitman who keeps handcuffing her to him “for her own protection”, Elliana is starting to reconsider her grinchy stance on the holidays. And when everything finally comes to a head, the results are bound to be…explosive.

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REVIEW: HOW THE HITMAN STOLE CHRISTMAS is the first novella in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult HOLIDAY WITH A HITMAN romantic suspense series. This is hitman/ assassin for hire Theo Contos, and US Marine explosives expert/business woman Elliana Reed’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspective (Theo and Elliana)HOW THE HITMAN STOLE CHRISTMAS focuses on the building relationship between our story line couple. For close to a year Elliana Reed has been stalking her neighbor Theo, a neighbor who is well aware of Elliana’s propensity for voyeurism but Elliana is about to come face to face with the reality of her neighbor’s job when he reveals a contract has been issued for our heroine’s death. Finding in herself a victim of an abduction by Theo, Elliana will quickly discover there is more to Theo than she could have ever imagined. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Elliana and Theo, and the potential fall-out as someone has placed a target on Elliana’s back, and Theo will call in reinforcements from the people he trusts the most.

Elliana despises Christmas, and her new neighbor has decided to decorate for our story line heroine but Theo has an ulterior motive, and getting close to Elliana means protecting the woman with whom he will fall in love.

The relationship between Theo and Elliana is slow to build. Elliana has been spying on her new neighbor for close to a year, learning nothing except his need to pose naked for her cameras. Theo Contos knows just about everything he needs to know about Elliana but when a new contract comes in to take down Elliana, Theo takes drastic measures to protect our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Elliana’s business partner Weston Davis, singer Rebel Martinez, as well as Theo’s interesting and professional parents Nestor and Lorna, his sister Aileen and niece Nessa. The requisite evil has several faces.

HOW THE HITMAN STOLE CHRISTMAS can only be described as a ‘reverse’ grumpy-sunshine, holiday, romantic suspense novella with a little big of fun and lively interactions. The fast paced premise is captivating and exciting; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, charismatic and amusing.

But…with the introduction of several characters and couples, I did feel as though I was missing some information-that the secondary characters had already been established with backstories I missed.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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