Tag Archives: romantic

Montana Silence (Resting Warrior Ranch 7) by Josie Jade-review

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Montana Silence (Resting Warrior Ranch 7) by Josie Jade-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2023

Raised in a cult where opinions and freedom in women were not tolerated, Mara Greene narrowly escaped a life as a child bride—one where she would’ve been shared and owned by all the men in the compound.

Her testimony helped put the cult leader in prison, but she’s never truly gotten past the horrors inflicted on her. Her conditioning to keep silent persists even now—despite having found a safe haven at the Resting Warrior Ranch.

Here she’s safe, but still always alone and trapped in her silence.

Liam Anderson is always the first team member to crack a smile or a joke. No one—not even his Navy SEAL brothers—know about his painful past or the truth he hides behind his charming mask.

He’s captivated by fragile Mara and wants to help her heal. Watching her find her voice is the most amazing thing he’s ever known. And it doesn’t take long to realize she’s healing him just as much.

When Mara’s past resurfaces, Liam won’t let her face it alone. He’ll be her personal protector no matter what it cost.

No one is going to steal her voice again.

••••••

REVIEW:MONTANA SILENCE by Josie Jade is the seventh instalment in the contemporary, adult, romantic suspense RESTING WARRIOR RANCH series co-authored by Janie Crouch and Josie Jade. This is former US Navy SEAL Liam Anderson, and Mara Greene’s story line. RESTING WARRIOR RANCH focuses on the men and women who own and work for Resting Warrior Ranch-a spin off from Janie Crouch’s Zodiac Tactical series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Liam and Mara) MONTANA SILENCE follows the building romance and relationship between former US Navy SEAL Liam Anderson, and Mara Greene. Mara Greene was raised in a cult, and escaped to find solace at the Resting Warrior Ranch but Mara never felt safe; always felt like she was being watched; and refused to speak about what happened or why. Proclaiming himself to be Mara’s protector former US Navy SEAL Liam Anderson became Mara’s guardian when she needed him the most but all did not go according to plan when Mara discovered the man who was once in charge of the cult was up for parole, and Mara was to be the prime witness against a man who had threatened her life. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mara and Liam, and the potential fall-out as several members of the former cult target our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on Mara’s struggle for independence, and her inability to trust in the wake of betrayal and obsession. Mara never thought she would ever fall in love but Liam made it easy for our story line heroine. When several mysterious packages threaten to push Mara over the edge, Liam knows he must step up and claim Mara as his own.

The relationship between Mara and Liam begins as friendship and security as both work at the Resting Warrior Ranch. Liam has been attracted to Mara from the first time they met but Mara continues to struggle with issues of trust, having learned that someone else may be taking control of the once powerful cult. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met in the previous story lines. We are introduced to new hireree at the coffee café Brynn. Mara’s attorney Claire, as well as former cult leader Malcolm Novie, and cult member Neil. Not everyone is as they present themselves to be.

MONTANA SILENCE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and fanaticism, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is heart breaking and engaging; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and broken.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Montana Sanctuary
Montana Danger
Montana Desire
Montana Mystery
Montana Storm
Montana Freedom

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Shattered Dreams (Beautiful Nightmare 3) by Abbie Roads-review tour

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Broken Dreams / Shattered Dreams (Beautiful Nightmare 2 & 3) by Abbie Roads-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2023

A crooked cop. Corruption. A woman convicted of murder. A man determined to prove her innocence.

When Helena Grayse is released from prison, all she wants is to say a final goodbye to her old life. But when a man finds her trespassing on his property, instead of turning her in, he takes her in. Accepts her. Loves her.

But someone decides to serve Helena with a death sentence.

••••••

REVIEW:SHATTERED DREAMS is the third instalment in Abbie Roads’ contemporary, adult FATAL DREAMS paranormal, romantic suspense series. This is police department consultant Thomas Brown, and former inmate Helena Grayse’s story line. SHATTERED DREAMS 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 back story. SHATTERED DREAMS is the re-release of the author’s NEVER LET ME FALL (Fatal Dreams Series).

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may not be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Thomas and Helena SHATTERED DREAMS follows the building relationship between police department consultant Thomas Brown, and former inmate Helena Grayse. Ten years earlier Helena was sentenced to prison for a crime she did not commit but Helena found herself the target of a prison gang, a gang determined to end her life. Upon release from prison, a battered and battle -scarred Helena headed back to the family home, a home now owned by consultant Thomas Brown. When the attacks against Helena’s life continue on the outside, Thomas is determined to protect the woman that literally calls to his heart, a woman with whom he is psychically tethered. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Thomas and Helena, and the potential fall-out as Thomas’s past is determined to own him body and soul, a malevolent past that is closely connected to the woman he loves.

Thomas Brown has a special ability of which only a few are aware. With his ability to ‘read’ and ‘see’ the shadow of death, Thomas is surprised when Helena’s aura is a beacon of colour and light, colour he hasn’t seen in too many years. Helena has survived the prison abuse but was unaware of the how and why. Keeping to herself, remaining quiet in the face of danger and death, Helena continues to be targeted for sins of the past.

The relationship between Thomas and Helena is one of immediate attraction. Thomas knows immediately, with one touch, that Helena is his soulmate -her nearness allows Thomas to see colours and light; his touch heals that which would have killed a lesser human. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

SHATTERED DREAMS is a story of heartbreak and pain; family and loss; betrayal and vengeance. The premise is dark, gritty and raw; the romance is fated; the characters are broken, damaged and lost.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dangerous Dreams
Broken Dreams (see below)

Copy supplied for review by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

BROKEN DREAMS (Beautiful Nightmare 2) by Abbie Roads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release Date June 13, 2023

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

A stalker. A killer. A virgin hero who will sacrifice himself to save the woman he loves.

FBI Special Skills Consultant Lathan Montgomery has a genetic anomaly that he uses to solve cold cases, but it forces him to live in seclusion. When he saves a woman from a roadside attack, instead of her presence causing him to lose control, she soothes him. For the first time in his life, he experiences love.

But someone is watching them and planning to make them both suffer.

Broken Dreams is the second book in Abbie Roads’ Beautiful Nightmare Series of dark romantic thrillers. It features a virgin hero who never thought he’d find love. If you devour true crime and romance novels then you’ll love a series that combines both in a roller-coaster ride of danger, mind games, and swoon worthy love.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  BROKEN DREAMS is the second instalment in Abbie Roads’s contemporary, adult BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE paranormal, romance series. This is FBI consultant Lathan Montgomery, and waitress Evanee Brown’s story line. BROKEN DREAMS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. BROKEN DREAMS is the re-release of the author’s  HUNT THE DAWN (Fatal Dreams 2).

NOTE: BROKEN DREAMS contains graphic and implied scenarios of violence, torture, sexual and emotional abuse.

Told from several third person points of view including Lathan and Evanee BROKEN DREAMS focuses on the hunt for a serial killer. Lathan is a special investigations consultant with the FBI and his latest assignment is the search for a serial killer whose number of victims is increasing at an alarming rate. Enter Evanee Brown, a young woman whose nightmares become tangible in the presence of our story line hero. What ensues is the building relationship between two people caught in the supernatural world of psychic abilities, and a psychopathic murderer.

Lathan Montgomery suffers with debilitating scent memories -odors and smells trigger memories of the people around him. Along with the olfactory abnormality touch brings about another form of memory recall. Evanee’s abusive past is darkened by a familial connection that wants to rekindle the dark relationship. With her connection to Lathan Montgomery Evanee’s nightmares become real as our heroine connects with the serial killer’s victims. Lathan and Evanee together will protect one another from the approaching demons and a psychotic killer.

We are introduced to Lathan’s friend and FBI partner Gill Garrison whose relationship with Lathan struggles as our hero finds solace in Evanee Brown. Lathan’s parents battle with their son’s idiosyncrasies; and Evanee’s past is out to destroy any semblance of love for our story line heroine. Xander Stone and Ileen Walker (Race the Darkness #1) play secondary characters. The requisite evil has many faces and names.

BROKEN DREAMS is a dark and gritty story line; an emotional and moving story about two people on the periphery of ‘normal’ society whose abilities single them out from the ‘maddening’ crowd. The premise is intense and inventive; the characters are passionate and dynamic; the romance is intimate and fated. BROKEN DREAMS is a suspenseful and enthralling look into the mind of the supernatural, and a serial killer.

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Abbie Roads loves Snickers Parfaits and acrylic pour painting. It’s her new obsession. The pour painting. Not the parfaits. Though the parfaits would qualify as an obsession too. She spends her days a mental health counselor always looking on the brightside, but at night she likes to write dark and dangerous things—with kissing and sexy times. She loves reading inspirational quotes and stories about serial killers. She is married to her favorite fellow and they have two cranky old rescue dogs that are not spoiled. Not at all. Okay. Maybe a little. Alright, the dogs are terribly spoiled, but they do give lots of cuddles and kisses in return.

Her first book RACE THE DARKNESS was a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick for Fall.

You can find Abbie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…and Pinterest.

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THE GHOST ASSASSIN (Lilah Love 9) by Lisa Renee Jones-review tour

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THE GHOST ASSASSIN (Lilah Love 9) by Lisa Renee Jones-review tour

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 25, 2023

When someone close to Lilah is murdered in what is clearly an assassination, Lilah finds herself looking to Ghost, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. But is Ghost a friend or an enemy? Lilah’s about to find out. But Ghost isn’t the only one close to Lilah who may well be an enemy. Apparently, the line between friendship and murder, is bloody thin.

••••

REVIEW: THE GHOST ASSASSIN is the ninth instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’s contemporary, adult LILAH LOVE romantic, suspense series focusing on on foul-mouthed, aggressive, contentious and prickly FBI agent Lilah Love-Mendez, and her husband, businessman /Cartel heir Kane Mendez. THE GHOST ASSASSIN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book eight THE PARTY IS OVER. If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

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

Told from first person perspective (Lilah), and several chapters from Kane Mendez, THE GHOST ASSASSIN picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book eight in which someone working closely with our story line heroine is dead, an assassin’s bullet meant to send a message to Lilah Love. Throughout the series, Lilah has been looking into an organization known as The Society, a powerful group that controls many of the politicians, law enforcement personnel, and the rich and famous, and it is this group that may or may not be targeting the people at the top. As Lilah and her intrepid group of specialists begin to slowly unravel the clues, Lilah finds herself facing down the person who may be responsible for killing them all.

Meanwhile, Lilah’s husband, and Mexican cartel heir Kane Mendez, finds himself at a crossroads. As the heir apparent, Kane must come to terms with his future going forward but similar to Lilah’s investigation, the people surrounding Kane are dying at the hands of someone in charge.

The world building continues to focus on Lilah Love’s frenzied determination to take down the bad guys but the bad guys are often someone Lilah knows. As Lilah’s investigation takes on a personality of its’ own, Lilah’s home life is sitting on the precipice of a hole from which neither she nor Kane will be able to recover.

Once again, there is a large ensemble of secondary and supporting characters including Lilah’s bodyguard Jay, Kane’s bodyguard Kit; NYPD Chief Houston, interim FBI Director David Ellis ; Lilah’s brother Andrew; hacker Lucas Davenport; forensics tech Jack Cox, medical examiner Danica Day; and Lilah’s IT guru Jeff ‘TicTac’ Landers, most of whom are the hunter/gatherers of Lilah’s investigations. We are introduced to a new team of FBI agents, an assassin who goes by Ghost; and the return of someone long thought buried and gone.

THE GHOST ASSASSIN is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, murder and assassinations, struggles, acceptance, friendships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, thought provoking and fascinating, and covers but a couple of days in the life of Lilah Love and her husband Kane Mendez; the characters are determined and dynamic. THE GHOST ASSASSIN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

 

READING ORDER and Previous Reviews
Murder Notes
Murder Girl
Love Me Dead
Love Kills
Bloody Vows
Bloody Love
Happy Death Day
The Party is Over

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t read book one MURDER NOTES? It’s currently FREE

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

 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

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. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

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.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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A Broken Man (Appalachian Star 3) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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A Broken Man (Appalachian Star 3) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2023

Can they recover from crashing and burning?

GHOST:

Resurrection

It’s been a tough road, but I’m tougher. There’s nothing that can break me; I’m already broken. After serving time for ending the dirtbag who killed my daughter, I’m ready to get my life back. Signing on as a MEDEVAC pilot with the team of Iron Oak Farms is exactly what I need. And the last thing I need is something or someone serious or permanent. Before my life went to crap, I used to be a highly regarded nurse. It’s time to start taking care of myself—and others.

IZZY:

Resurrection

After my husband died during duty, I never thought I’d breathe again. As a military pilot, I know I have courage and strength, but sometimes, it’s all too much. Meeting Ghost changes everything. He makes me feel alive and desirable again. However, I refuse to be someone’s pastime. He’s just looking for fun. Leaving him is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But when our enemies find me and my life is on the line, my only hope is in Ghost.

•••••

REVIEW:A BROKEN MAN is the third instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult Appalachian STAR romantic suspense series set in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha series featuring characters first introduced in the books and series by Susan Stoker. This is forty-nine year old MEDEVAC pilot, nurse and former inmate Marvelle ‘Ghost’ Connors, and helicopter pilot/instructor Isolde ‘Izzy’ Bruce’s story line. A BROKEN MAN 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.

SOME BACKGROUND: Appalachian STAR is a search and rescue operation set in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, an operation that hires former inmates from the US prison system.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ghost and Izzy) A BROKEN MAN follows the building relationship and fall-out between forty-nine year old MEDEVAC pilot, nurse and former inmate Marvelle ‘Ghost’ Connors, and helicopter pilot/instructor Isolde ‘Izzy’ Bruce. Izzy Bruce is Ghost Connors’ helicopter instructor, and Ghost believes Izzy has chosen him for her latest series of booty calls. Upon graduation, Ghost discovers Izzy has been invited to participate in the celebration with Appalachian STAR, something with which Ghost is not too thrilled. Ghost will quickly discover Izzy has applied to, and is now working with another search and rescue, a team that will work closely with Appalachian STAR. Struggling with the demons from his past, Ghost pushes Izzy out of his life, a push that continues to spiral when Izzy goes missing in the wake of a jail break, and several domestic terrorism attacks. What ensues is the building but reluctant relationship between Izzy and Ghost, and the potential fall-out as words said in anger threaten any chance of Ghost finding his own happily ever after.

The world building continues to focus on the search and rescues involving the team at Appalachian STAR. From missing hikers and children, to aiding the local and state first responders, the men and women of Appalachian STAR are tasked with finding those unable to help themselves.

A BROKEN MAN reveals some of the back story for each of our story line couple, back stories of which neither one is completely aware. As Izzy struggle with what happened and why, Ghost is unable to let go of the loss, he blames on himself. As the relationship between Ghost and Izzy struggles in the wake of our hero’s inability to accept Izzy for who she is, Izzy battles between head and heart knowing she may have fallen in love with a man who is unable to love her in return. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and aggressive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and sometimes embattled secondary and supporting characters including several from a number of Deanndra Hall’s Bluegrass Bravery instalments, and books by Susan Stoker. We are reintroduced to Patrick aka Patch and Penny, Miles ‘ Bear’ McMillan; Porter aka Hollywood and Penny, Priest, Reboot, Paddy and Bulldog, As Bulldog continues to struggle, the team must come to terms with losing one of their own.

A BROKEN MAN is a fast paced story of love and loss, misunderstanding and second chances, forgiveness, acceptance, family and love. The premise is detailed, imaginative and realistic ; the characters are animated, determined and broken ; the romance struggles in the face of misconceptions, judgemental attitude, and prior love and loss.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
A Desperate Man
A Bitter Man

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).

 

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Bishop (Cerberus MC 27) by Marie James-review tour

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Bishop (Cerberus MC 27) by Marie James-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 6, 2023

In the grand scheme of things five years isn’t a very long time.
It goes by in a blink, literally.
Waking up with no recollection of the last five years is devastating.
The woman I remember loving is with someone else.
The only family I had is gone, and I’m forced to relive those losses all over again.
I’m now a member of Cerberus, and I can’t even recall if I signed on to get Rivet back or if I got over her before joining.
I have no other choice but to cling to the woman hired to help me recover because she’s the only one that knows less about me than I do.
I was afraid of never getting my memory back, but the closer I get to her makes me terrified of what will happen if I do.

•••••

REVIEW:BISHOP is the twenty-seventh instalment in Marie James’ contemporary, adult CERBERUS MC erotic, MC romance series focusing on the members of the Cerberus MC- all former members of the US Marines. This is Brent ‘Bishop’ Porter, and nurses aide/single mother Sunshine Holt’s story line. BISHOP can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading UGLY book twenty-six for Bishop’s back story.

NOTE: If you have not read UGLY, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bishop and Sunshine) BISHOP follows in the aftermath of the attack by a serial killer against the Detective Lennox Maison (UGLY 26), leaving Brent ‘Bishop’ Porter fighting for his life. Approximately one month earlier, Bishop was working security when Lennox Maison was attacked, and our hero is in recovery at a local extended care home. In an effort to always keep someone on duty, the Cerberus MC hires nurses aide Sunshine Holt, a young woman whose own life is slowly imploding. Awakening from thirty days in a coma, Bishop has no memories from the previous five years but finds himself attracted to the familiarity of our story line heroine. Upon his release, Bishop continues to recover with the help of Sunshine Holt, the woman with whom Bishop will fall in love but all is not well in Sunshine’s life, when Bishop discovers our heroine is keeping a secret, he knows nothing about.

The world building focuses on Brent ‘Bishop’ Porter’s recovery, and regaining the memories of the previous five years. Struggling to understand the loss of the past, and to understand the memories of the present that no longer exist, Bishop finds himself falling for Sunshine Holt, the woman with a past that refuses to let go.

The relationship between Sunshine and Bishop begins as a job when Sunshine is hired to care for our story line hero. Throughout his recovery, Sunshine talks to Bishop about her life, a life Bishop begins to believe is part of his own. As Bishop’s health improves, Sunshine begins to believe she is no longer needed by the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include several members of the Cerberus MC including Legend and Faith, MC president Kincaid; Sunshine’s ex Travis, and her co-worker Rachel, as well as Bishop’s ex Angeline aka Rivet. All of the members of the Cerberus MC work together to help in Bishop’s recovery, and Sunshine’s ability to move on from her past.

BISHOP is a story of recovery, understanding and acceptance, addiction and trauma, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are dynamic, determined, struggling but surviving.

Previous reviews
Jinx
Thumper
Apollo
A Very Cerberus Christmas
Legend
Grinch
Harley
Landon
Spade
Aro
Boomer
Ugly

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Let’s see…where to begin…

I’m a full-time author, mother of two boys, and wife of 18+ years. Dog Mom to four great danes: Maximus, Nala, Freya, and Hagrid.

I’ve spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. Currently residing in a sleepy little town in East Tennessee.

Writing is my passion, and I absolutely love being able to sit down and put all of my thoughts and emotions into my stories.

I love dogs, coffee, making handmade cards, and steamy romance novels!

Keep up with Marie James and subscribe to her newsletter.

To learn more about Marie James & her books, visit here!

Website/ FACEBOOK / Twitter / Bookbub / Instagram / Amazon Author Page / Book and Main / Goodreads / Pinterest / Youtube/ Reader Group/ NewsLetter/

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COLD SNAP(Cold Justice-Most Wanted 3) by Toni Anderson

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COLD SNAP (Cold Justice-Most Wanted 3) by Toni Anderson-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, 2023

Grady Steel returns to the insular community of Deception Cove, Maine, where he spent his troubled youth unfairly labeled the town’s bad boy. Now a member of the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, Grady is on a risky undercover mission, hunting one of the FBI’s Most Wanted fugitives.

Recovering from a broken marriage, Brynn Webster comes home to the sleepy small town—where nothing ever happens—to help her parents run their seaside cafe during her mother’s illness. After diving into the frigid waters of the winter harbor to rescue a dead man, Brynn begins to realize that the ocean isn’t the only place swirling with dangerous undercurrents.

Grady befriends the pretty manager of the local cafe in an effort to unearth the town’s closely guarded secrets. Deceiving Brynn isn’t easy, though, especially when he starts to fall for her. Then, when decades-old crimes lead to modern-day murder, Grady’s mission becomes a race against time as he strives to catch a ruthless killer—before Brynn becomes the next victim.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: COLD SNAP is the third instalment in Toni Anderson’s contemporary, adult COLD JUSTICE-MOST WANTED erotic, romantic suspense series- a spin off, set in the author’s Cold Justice series. This is FBI Operator Grady Steel, and graphic designer/café owner Brynn Webster’s story line. COLD SNAP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Brynn and Grady COLD SNAP focuses on the hunt for an FBI fugitive who has been missing for twenty-seven years, a fugitive whose finger prints have been found in Grady’s home town of Deception Cove, Maine. Undercover as a disgrace FBI agent, Grady returns home only to discover his sister has rented out his home to the woman with whom he will fall in love. Enter graphic designer turned café owner Brynn Webster. Brynn Webster has taken a six month leave of absence to help her parents in the wake of her mother’s cancer diagnosis but Brynn never suspected the small town of Deception Cover, Maine would become the epicenter of murder, Russian spies and the former KGB, animal abuse, and bank robberies, all blamed on our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Brynn and Grady, and the potential fall-out as Brynn discovers everything about her life, Deception Cove, and the man the she loves has been predicated upon a number of lies.

Grady Steel never wanted to return to Deception Cove having escaped a life of abuse and pain but when one of the FBI’s most wanted is suspected of living in his home town, Grady must go undercover to search for the truth. All does not go according to plan as Grady becomes the number one suspect in a bank robbery, a string of murders, and a fire meant to hide suspicions of abuse. Grady’s father’s reputation has tainted our hero, and the sheriff is determined to take him down. Meanwhile Brynn Webster is struggling with the impending death of her mother, and her attraction to a man that may be a serial killer but Brynn’s world is about to be upended when she discovers that everything about her life is a lie.

The relationship between Brynn and Grady is one of mutual attraction but their time in Deception Cove comes with a deadline. Grady is working undercover, and Brynn has been pulled into an undercover operation that may or may not get both of them killed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters most play a significant role in the story line progress: FBI Agents Payne Novak, Ryan Sullivan, Megan Donnelly, Aaronn Nash, Cowboy, Will Griffin, Kelly Ropero, Noel Dobson and Seth Hopper We are introduced to Brynn’s parents Paul and Gwen Webster, Sheriff Darrell York, security guard Saul Jones, veterinarian KalpaVilamitjana, and widower and temporary bank manager/owner Edith Bodurek. The requisite evil has many faces.

COLD SNAP is a story of secrets and lies, murder and deception, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing, captivating and twisted; the characters are animated and energetic; the romance is seductive and provocative.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cold Silence
Cold Deceit

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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TRAPPED IN ICE (Ice Breaker:Cold Case 5) by Cynthia Eden-review

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TRAPPED IN ICE (Ice Breaker: Cold Case 5) by Cynthia Eden-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 20, 2023

She never expected her hero to be the bad boy from her past…

They hate each other .

Or at least, Smith Sanders always believed Madelyn Lake hated him. But when the city plunges into darkness and he finds himself trapped in an elevator with the prim and ever-so-reserved Madelyn, he realizes that hate and desire can be twined dangerously close together. The simmering tension that has existed between them since they were sixteen years old explodes in a sensual frenzy that sweeps past their control.

It won’t ever happen again.

Power returns. So does sanity. They go their separate ways except…he can’t get her out of his head. Madelyn is haunting him, and Smith already has more than enough ghosts dodging his steps. But he goes back to her, helpless against a desire that won’t end, just in time to save her from a vicious attack.

He never knew her at all.

Madelyn’s whole life has been a lie. A carefully orchestrated cover to protect her from the monster in her past. Only now that monster has found her once more. Protection from the past comes in a most unlikely form—the ever so sarcastic and far too sexy Smith. Former Special Ops, Smith is vicious, deadly, and, quite possibly, the answer to her prayers.

Needing him is dangerous. Falling for him? That’s so much worse.

Madelyn is ready to stop the killer who has taken so much from her, but she can’t do it alone. She needs Smith’s help—Smith and the Ice Breakers, a diverse group of hunters who excel at solving cold cases. Madelyn has spent years pretending to be someone else, and Smith is her key to finally ending her nightmare. But ending that nightmare means returning to her blood-soaked past, fighting an enemy who thrives in the dark, and putting all of her faith in Smith’s callused hands. Her faith, and her heart.

Because with every moment that passes, she finds herself starting to fall deeper and deeper for her unlikely hero…The bad boy from her youth is now the vicious protector who swears he will do anything to keep her safe.

A cold case is about to get brought back to red-hot life as Madelyn and Smith team up to stop a killer. TRAPPED IN ICE is a steamy romance with twists, danger, and a hero who enjoys laughing in the face of danger. Smith is sarcastic, fierce, and totally about to fall for the good girl from his past. Years ago, Madelyn was always out of his reach—even as she starred in his fantasies—but this isn’t a fantasy any longer. She’s his now, and he will do whatever it takes to protect her. Buckle up and get ready for the ice to melt…

•••••••

REVIEW: TRAPPED IN ICE is the fifth instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult ICE BREAKER COLD CASE romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Ice Breakers, an online team of crime solvers whose goal is to solve cold cases. This is security specialist Smith Sanders, and art authenticator Madelyn Lake’s story line. TRAPPED IN ICE can be read as stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: For fans of Cynthia Eden, there is a slight cross over with the author’s Wilde Ways series.

Told from third person perspective TRAPPED IN ICE follows the search for a suspected killer. Years earlier, at the age of thirteen Madelyn Lake aka Maggie was abducted by a stranger but upon her escape would discover she was not the only victim of a possible serial killer, a killer who was never found, and the murders never solved. Fast forward to present day, the demons from her past begin refocusing on our story line heroine, demons with a possible connection to the who, how and why. Enter security specialist Smith Sanders, a childhood acquaintance of Madelyn Lake, and the man with whom Madelyn will fall in love. What ensues is the protection of Madelyn; the rebuilding friendship and building relationship between Madelyn and Smith, and the potential fall-out as a killer sets their sights on our story line heroine.

Smith Sanders fell in love with Madelyn Lake at the age of sixteen but within days of introduction Smith would disappear never to be heard from again. Since her abduction Madelyn had been ‘warned’ not to draw attention to herself, and in doing so, kept her life separate from everyone else but as an adult Madelyn was always distrustful of people she didn’t know, but it may be the people closest that can cause the most harm.

The relationship between Madelyn and Smith is a second chance, of a sorts. Smith never had time to get to know our story line heroine, as his own life was spiralling out of control. Now a chance to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love give Smith the opportunity to claim the young woman who had stolen his heart. Madelyn Lake also suspected that one day her past would return but she never expected to get up close and personal with the young man who was hoping for a second chance. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Aiden and Tony (Touched by Ice), Memphis Camden (Falling for the Ice Queen 2) , as well as the introduction of several people connected to our heroine’s past.

TRAPPED IN ICE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, murder and mayhem, mistrust and acceptance. The premise is intriguing, twisted and dramatic, ; the characters are animated, broken and desperate; the romance is seductive and energetic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Frozen in Ice
Falling for the Ice Queen
Ice Cold Saint
Touched by Ice

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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OPAL (GEM #1) by Freya Barker-review tour

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OPAL (GEM #1) by Frey Barker-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 22, 2023

GEM: A PRIVATELY-FUNDED ORGANIZATION OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE SEARCH FOR—AND THE RESCUE AND RECOVERY OF—MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN. ALTHOUGH, AT TIMES WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, GEM AIMS TO ENSURE THE VICTIMS RECEIVE JUSTICE…BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY.
____
GEM Operator Opal; multifaceted, versatile, a chameleon.

She hides in plain sight, adapts, and infiltrates.

When Opal goes undercover in a youth center several teenagers have disappeared from, she’s shocked to find a ghost of her own traumatic past at the helm. However, her worry for the missing kids is greater than her concern being recognized and she risks her own safety to discover the truth.

To complicate matters, a familiar FBI agent shows up conducting his own investigation and almost blows the whistle on her. It takes some doing to convince him to join forces with her but as it turns out, they work well together.

In the course of uncovering an organized group of child molesters, they find themselves falling—for each other.

••••••

REVIEW: OPAL is the first instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult GEM romantics suspense series focusing on three GEM agents and friends Opal, Pearl and Onyx. This is forty year old, marksmanship trainer for the US army, GEM Agent Katherine ‘Kate’ Jones aka Opal Berry, and FBI Agent Mitch Kenny’s story line.

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

GEM stands for Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize

Told from dual first person perspectives (Opal and Mitch) OPAL follows the search for several missing teens from a group home in the city of Lanark, Kentucky. Twenty years earlier, our heroine Kate, along with Janey and Raj, were abducted from a teen youth centre, held captive and abused by a madman who would eventually die in a fire at the same centre. Fast forward to present day wherein, several more teens would go missing, under similar circumstances to what happened years before, a similarity that brought with it ghosts from the past. Going undercover as part of the GEM investigation, Opal would come face to face with FBI Agent Mitch Kenny, a man determined to stop Opal before it’s too late but as the search turns dangerous, the investigation hits too close to home for the man with whom Opal is falling in love. What ensues is the search for, and rescue of the missing teens, and the potential fall-out the investigation becomes personal, pushing Opal out of Mitch’s life.

The relationship between Mitch and Opal begins when Mitch and Opal must work together in an effort to uncover the truth. A number of at risk teens are missing, pointing to a possible organized group of child molesters, a group of well connected and well known men in positions of power but as the names and faces are revealed, Opal finds herself facing down a ghost from the past. Mitch and Opal struggle in the face of work-place involvement but when the time comes to run, Mitch pushes Opal out of his life. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful , powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Pearl aka Janey, Onxy aka Raj, their handler and GEM founder Jacob Branch, FBI Agent Matt Driver, as well as Mitch’s daughter Sawyer, his ex-wife Becky, and her new husband Chad Miller, as well as several teens and volunteers at the Youth Centre. The requisite evil has many faces.

OPAL is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and obsession, acceptance and love. The premise is gritty and captivating; the romance is subtle and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FreyaFacebook
Twitter: http://bit.ly/FreyaTwitter
Instagram: http://bit.ly/FreyaInstagram
Web: http://bit.ly/FreyaWeb
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/FreyaGoodreads
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/Freya_Newsletter
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/FreyaBookBub

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