Tag Archives: Sandy’s Reviews

Church Girl by Naima Simone-review tour

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Church Girl by Naima Simone-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 26, 2024

She’s a preacher’s daughter, a runaway bride and now the (not quite) qualified nanny for a sexy tattoo artist with a beautiful daughter—and a dirty mouth.

What’s a bad boy to do with a woman like her?

Everything…

Aaliyah Montgomery isn’t just ditching her wedding. She’s also fleeing her suffocating small town and her family’s expectations. She’s got plans—for college, for finding herself. But landing a job in Chicago that fits her schedule isn’t easy. Good thing Von Howard is desperate to find a live-in nanny. Bad thing that he’s a gritty, grumpy, gorgeous tattoo artist carrying as much baggage as he has ink.

Von’s new hire is inexperienced and a fire hazard in the kitchen. She’s also all thick curls, thicker curves, and a distracting mix of innocence and sensuality. After the upheaval of a divorce, he just needs a nanny, not a sneaky link. Meanwhile, Aaliyah is bonding with his seven-year-old and showing an unexpected flair for tattoo art. Who could resist?

Yet deep down, Aaliyah’s still running—from her feelings and her fear of losing herself to someone else’s expectations again. Even as their pasts return to haunt them, their undeniable heat says maybe it’s time to stand and fight for a love they didn’t see coming.

•••••

REVIEW:CHURCH GIRL by Naima Simone is a stand alone, contemporary, adult , erotic, romance story line focusing on twenty-four year old university student/ nanny Aaliyah Montgomery, and thirty-four year old, single father / tattoo artist Von Howard.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Von and Aaliyah) follows the forbidden but building relationship between Aaliyah Montgomery and Von Howard. Aaliyah Montgomery left her fiance at the altar, a man she didn’t love,a man chosen by her father. As the only child of an Alabama Bishop, Aaliyah is expected to act and behave a certain way, and running to Chicago with her stripper cousin was never in the cards. Desperate for work, Aaliyah applies to work as a nanny, and her first interview doesn’t go according to plan. Von Howard is a tattoo artist who struggles with Aaliyah’s lack of experience and perceived innocence, and in this, the aggressive interview questions push Aaliyah out of his life. When all else fails, Von becomes desperate enough to call Aaliyah back, and in the ensuing time, begins to fall for the woman that calls to his heart but when both Aaliyah and Von’s pasts refuse to let go, Aaliyah finds herself, once again, pushed out of Von’s life, having lost a chance at loving our story line hero.

The world building follows several paths including the destructive nature of betrayal and divorce; controlling families, obedient demands, and perceived expectations. Von’s ex-wife takes aim at our story line hero, and everyone will lose in the end. The author uses some street-slang, and African American vernacular throughout the story.

The relationship between Von and Aaliyah begins acrimoniously as Von struggles with his attraction to Aaliyah, as well as her lack of experience but Aaliyah refuses to accept Von’s aggressive attitude, and within minutes, gives as good as she gets. Working for Von finds Aaliyah becoming guardian and protector of a seven year old child, a child who sees and hears more than her parents imagined. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative.

We are introduced to Aaliyah’s controlling parents, her ex-fiance Gregory, and her cousin Tamara, as well as Von’s ex-wife Sheree, and their daughter Gia.

CHURCH GIRL is a story of betrayal, secrets, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating yet slightly predictable ; the romance is passionate; the characters are POC, determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

  

AUTHOR LINKS

 Website: https://naimasimone.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naimasimoneauthor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naimasimoneauthor 

Newsletter: https://naimasimone.com/newsletter 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naimasimoneauthor 

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From Air (Wildfire 1) by Jewel E Ann-review tour

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From Air (Wildfire 1) by Jewel E Ann-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 26, 2024

When Jamie Andrews moves in with a house full of firefighters, things start heating up fast. Battling the wilderness of rural Montana, these guys are always charging into danger—for a living, for duty, for the rush—and since Jamie is a psychiatric nurse, they fascinate her analytic mind. She can’t help but fixate on Calvin, a grumpy, enigmatic smoke jumper ten years her senior. She makes playfully tormenting him her pet project, trying to get him to open up. It turns out he gives as good as he gets.

When something smoldering between them sparks, they’ll have to keep it quiet, which makes Jamie start to wonder about Calvin’s secret, the one he won’t explain. She’ll learn more after life pulls them apart. But as she follows the truth like a trail of flame into the dark, will it lead her to hearth and home with Calvin…or will it all go up in a blaze?

•••

REVIEW:FROM AIR is the first instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary, adult WILDFIRE romance series. This is thirty-five year old smoke jumper Calvin ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald, and twenty-five year old psychiatric nurse Jaymes ‘Jamie’ Andrews’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Fitz and Jamie) FROM AIR follows psychiatric nurse Jamie Andrews as her latest contract takes her from Miami Florida to Missoula Montana where she will meet her future in the guise of smokejumper Calvin Fitzpatrick.
Jamie is a travel nurse, a position that in which she journeys from city to city , a position where her present will collide with her past, and in the ensuing spiral, break her heart in the process. Calvin ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick is a smoke jumper, who lost everything more than twenty years earlier, and he has spent his adult life fighting the fires that destroyed his life but Fitz never expected to fall in love, let alone meet the woman who would control his heart, a woman whose own heart will be shattered by our story line hero.

The world building follows several interlocking pathways in which the reader is up close and personal with Calvin’s past, a past he is reluctant to reveal but a past that will pull our heroine into an emotional spiral. As Jamie finds herself falling for a man who doesn’t do relationships; a man who refuses to acknowledge the past, our heroine discovers not everything and everyone are who they claim to be.

The relationship between Jamie and Fitz is a ‘grumpy-sunshine’. Fitz struggles to move on from the past, as Jamie battles to uncover the truth about her own. Two people broken by loss, and the declaration of reality, mired in heartbreak and guilt. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of charismatic and colorful secondary and supporting characters including co-worker, friends and family. We are introduced to Calvin’s roommates tanker pilot Maren Bernabe, and thirty-seven year old Engine Chief / firefighter Will Landry; Jamie’s best friend back in Florida Melissa, as well as Jamie’s co-worker Dr. Everleigh and Betty O’Neil, and fellow firefighters Gary and Todd.

FROM AIR is a story of grief and loss, secrets and revelations, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is twisted, heart breaking, emotional and dramatic; the romance is sensitive and moving; the characters are sassy, spirited and determined.

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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Mace (Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham 1) by Jessica Ames-review tour

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Mace (Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham 1) by Jessica Ames-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 Novembre 22, 2024

MACE

The Pioneers are gone, but my club is fighting a new war—one from within. Our president is a disgrace to the patch, but removing a king from his throne is not an easy task. It will take all of our cunning to take the head off the snake.

The last thing I need is to be distracted by a woman when the stakes are so high, but the moment I see her, I’m consumed with the need to own her. Maylie is sunshine in a cloudy sky, and even though I know I am not good for her, I can’t walk away.

MAYLIE

From the moment my mother died, I’ve been raising my two younger siblings and trying to protect what remains of my shattered family. I never expected to be a guardian at eighteen, and I never expected at twenty-two to never have been kissed. All I want is to be a normal girl, in love with a guy, so when Mace barrels into my life I fall hard and fast. He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of, but when he finds out my secrets, he’ll run and he’ll break my heart…

••••

REVIEW:MACE is the first instalment in Jessica Ames’ contemporary, adult UNTAMED SONS MC: BIRMINGHAM dark, erotic, MC romance series-a spin off from the author’s interconnected UNTAMED SONS MC. This is Road Captain Mason aka Mace, and twenty-two year old, bar waitress Maylie Fernsby’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maylie & Mace) focusing on two timelines, MACE follows the building relationship between Mace and Maylie. Maylie Fernsby has been raising her younger brother Toby and sister Ivy since the death of their mother years before but working as a bar waitress is barely paying the bills; her seventeen year old sister is spiralling out of control, she is behind on the rent and her landlord is pushing for something more; and the Untamed Sons MC is about to take over Temptation, the club where she works yet Maylie never expected to come face to face with her future in the guise of Untamed Sons MC Road Captain Mace, the man with whom Maylie will fall in love. From handsie customers, a lecherous landlord, and her sister’s questionable boyfriend, Maylie is targeted at every turn. With the help and protection of Mace and the members of the Untamed Sons MC, Maylie and her sister begin to rest easy until the past returns, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building follows several paths including the imploding hierarchy of the Untamed Sons MC; the take over at Temptation ; the fall-out of dysfunctional family values; and a young woman’s desire to find first love.

The relationship between Mace and Maylie is one of immediate attraction but Maylie has responsibilities back home, and is struggling to pay the bills. Desperate in the face of threats and the breakdown of her family, Maylie goes to Mace in an effort to seek protection for the people she loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to MC members Nicky, Nate aka Riot , Crank; Maylie’s siblings Ivy and Toby; and the return of Howler, Nox, and Ravage. The requisite evil has many faces.

MACE is a story of power and control; betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies;violence and murder; family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive; the characters are dynamic and determined. MACE ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jessica Ames lives in a small market town in the Midlands, England. She lives with her dog and when she’s not writing, she’s playing with crochet hooks.

CONNECT WITH LINKS:

Website: http://www.jessicaamesauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaAmesAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaAmesAuth  | @JessicaAmesAuth
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaamesauthor | @JessicaAmesAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5342827.Jessica_Ames
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Ames/e/B07D5VDFH4 
Newsletter: https://www.jessicaamesauthor.com/newsletter
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jessica-ames
Personal Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JessicaAmesClubhouse

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Fix You (The Irish Rogues 3) by Katie Ashley-review tour

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Fix You (The Irish Rogues 3) by Katie Ashley-review tour

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

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FREE in Kindle Unlimited

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 25, 2024

Raphael

From the moment I became the head of my family, hands stained with my father’s blood, I knew my path was set—a marriage arranged for power, not love. But that all changed the night I met Maeve Kavanaugh. One glance and I was lost. She’s everything I never knew I wanted, yet she’s also the one woman I can’t have. My duty to my family should come first, but every moment I’m near her, I crave the impossible—a life where I can follow my heart instead of my obligations. Maeve is my greatest temptation, and in our world, temptation can be fatal.

Maeve

Raphael Neretti was never meant to be my forever. He was supposed to be a brief escape, a fiery passion in the midst of chaos. But the man who saw beyond my broken pieces became my lifeline, and now I’m caught in a web of love and danger that threatens to destroy us both. I ran from the mafia’s darkness knowing about his arranged marriage, but when Rafe found me, I couldn’t resist the pull between us. Now, as shadows close in, I realize our love might be the most dangerous secret of all.

In this explosive tale of passion and power, love is a dangerous game—and only the strongest will survive.

•••

REVIEW:FIX YOU is the third instalment in Katie Ashley’s contemporary, adult THE IRISH ROGUES dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Irish Mafia princess Maeve Kavanaugh, and Italian Mafia capo and businessman Raphael ‘Rafe’ Neretti’s story line. FIX YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty, but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. Some of the events of FIX YOU cross over with, and run parallel to the events of book one POISON and WINE where our couple are first introduced to one another.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maeve and Rafe) FIX YOU follows the building but forbidden relationship between Irish Mafia princess Maeve Kavanaugh, and Italian Mafia capo Raphael ‘Rafe’ Neretti’. One year earlier Maeve Kavanaugh was sold and betrayed by her father, forced to marry a violent man but her freedom would come at a cost. Fast forward to present day, Maeve, a shell of her former self, must make an appearance at her brother Callum’s wedding to Italian Mafia princess Caterina Neretti, where she will meet the man with whom she will fall in love but Raphael Neretti has been contracted in marriage to someone else, and our heroine is about to experience freedom for the very first time. As Caterina and Rafe dance around the proverbial elephant in the room, Rafe pulls Caterina out of her shell, into the woman who is capable of handling her own.

The world building follows several paths including the breakdown and dysfunctional family dynamics; betrayal by blood from within both families; and a potential war on the horizon for power and control.

The relationship between Maeve and Rafe begins as acquaintances where they will meet at their respective siblings’ wedding. Maeve is reluctant and scared to take steps beyond that which she is no longer in control, and Rafe suspects there is more to Maeve’s story than he could have ever imagined. A relationship begins to develop but Maeve knows that she only has Rafe for a limited time regardless of their palpable sexual attraction. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense .

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including family and siblings from both crime world families: Maeve’s siblings (Quinn, Dare, Callum, Kellan, Eamon), their mother Orla; Raphael’s siblings (Leo, Gianni, Caterina) and their father , the ruthless and brutal Alessio Neretti. The requisite evil has many faces.

FIX YOU is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, dysfunctional family dynamics, acceptance and love. The premise is haunting, edgy, dramatic and tragic; the romance is healing and provocative; the characters are desperate yet spirited.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Poison and Wine
Dust to Dust

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her spoiled mutt, Duke. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she hung up her red pen and expo markers to become a full-time writer. Each and every day she counts her blessings to be able to do her dream job.

Although her roots are firmly planted in the red Georgia clay, she loves traveling the country and world to meet readers and hang out with fellow authors. When she’s not writing or chasing down her toddler, you might find her watching reruns of The Golden Girls, reading historical biographies, along with romance novels, or spending way too much time on Facebook.

CONNECT WITH KATIE

➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY’S ANGELS):facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv

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A VAMPIRE’S STAR by Marie-Claude Bourque-review tour

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A VAMPIRE’S STAR (The Order of the Black Oak-Vampires 5) by Marie-Claude Bourque-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 25, 2024

An Unexpected Pregnancy Slow-Burn Paranormal Romance

When music producer and banshee Tilly Davenport learns that her pregnancy puts her and her child at risk from evil sorcerers who would use her as sacrifice to unleash powerful magic, she has no choice but appear at her powerful vampire baby daddy’s concert to ask for his protection.

Easy-going Montreal immortal and rock star Cass St-Amand is shocked when his one-night flame shows up heavily pregnant with his child, disturbing his carefree lifestyle. But panic gets the best of him when a mysterious prophecy threatens the life of his expected child, and he vows to protect mother and baby at any cost.

•••••

REVIEW: A VAMPIRE’S STAR is the fifth instalment in Marie-Claude Bourque’s contemporary, adult THE ORDER OF THE BLACK-OAK VAMPIRE paranormal romance series. This is music producer and banshee Tilly Davenport, and immortal vampire / rock star Cassiodore ‘Cass’ St. Amand’s story line. A VAMPIRE’S STAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Cass and Tilly) A VAMPIRE’S STAR follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Approximately eight months earlier, rock star Cass St. Amand spent a glorious night with his music producer Tllly Davenport, and in the ensuing time he never forgot about the woman he left behind. The band’s latest tour stop in Montreal finds Cass face to face with our story line heroine, a woman who is pregnant, claiming she is carrying his child but Tilly is desperate, and in need of protection, as she is now a target, for anyone hoping to sacrifice to the Underworld. As Tilly and Cass begin rebuilding their friendship and relationship, someone else is taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building follows several pathways including the implosion of the band; a family history of abandonment and betrayal; rekindling relationships between Cass and Tilly, as well as Tilly’s desperate attempt to stay alive in the face of a fight for power.

The relationship between Cass and Tilly is one of second chances. Cass never believed he could father any children, and the arrival of Tilly threatens the future of the band and the tour. With only weeks left before the baby’s birth Tilly is targeted for who and what she is. There are no $ex scenes.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and magical secondary and supporting characters including the member of the band, Cassiodore’s brothers, their spouses, and Tilly’s godmothers

A VAMPIRE’S STAR is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating and detailed; the romance is subtle; the characters are supernatural, powerful and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of A VAMPIRE’S FATE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

She watched him silently, studying his features deep in concentration, and was hit with a tide of woefulness. He’d had that exact same face in the studio. No longer Cass St-Amand, charmer rock star adored by the masses with the fast smile and twinkle in the eye, but Cass the artist. Deep into his creations with the serious expression on the well-cut jaw.

Cass, her one-time lover. 

And now the father of her baby. She couldn’t deny the feelings she still had for him. Couldn’t forget how he’d made her laugh, had made everything lighthearted and easy when he’d been around.

But being strongly attracted to her baby’s father was not part of her plans.

 

Marie-Claude Bourque is a Montreal-born Seattle-based author of slow-burn paranormal romance and the winner of the American Title V award with her first novel ANCIENT WHISPERS.

Her writing features modern-day fantasy skillfully weaved into infinitely romantic supernatural stories between smart strong women and complex passionate heroes. 

Happily Ever After always absolutely guaranteed!

On the web:

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BROKEN PROMISE / THE GIFT by Jade Marshall-reviews

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 22, 2024

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

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

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

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

••••

REVIEW: BROKEN PROMISE is the first instalment in Jade Marshall’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SEVERN erotic romance series. This is bar owner Wesley Blake, and Karmen Jones’ story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Wesley and Karmen) BROKEN PROMISES follows the tempestuous relationship between our story line couple. Approximately six years earlier Karmen’s brother, and Wesley’s best friend Tommy died, and Wesley made a promise to protect our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day, the relationship between Wesley and Karmen is at a stand still, and after Karmen professes her love for our story line hero, Wesley continues to push Karmen out of his life but another tragedy brings Karmen back home, soon to be followed by threats against the people she loves.

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

_______

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2024

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

•••

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading Order and Previous reviews

The Wolf
The Pope
The Dog
The Beast

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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HE IS JENSEN: Part One (Windwalkers 4) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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HE IS JENSEN: Part One (Windwalkers 4) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 25, 2024

He loved only one, but he was never what she needed, never the right man for her. The best thing he ever did was walk away from Layla before he destroyed her life. Proven over and over again, most recently when he ended up tricked by his own government into taking an “immunization” that turned him into something not quite human, a super soldier, a GTECH.

But as a threat develops that could destroy the world, he believes one beautiful, talented scientist might be able to help them find much-needed answers. That woman is Layla. The problem is that the enemy knows this, too, and he must get to her before they do. And once he finds her, will she hate him too much to accept his help and to offer hers? Because what neither of them can know, is that they might just mean life or death to each other.

•••••

REVIEW: HE IS JENSEN: Part One is the fourth instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ adult WINDWALKERS sci-fi, urban fantasy series. This is US GTECH soldier Jensen Prescott, and astrobiologist Layla Walters’ storyline. HE IS JENSEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty, but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory.

SOME BACKGROUND: Some years earlier, government scientists working at Area 51, injected US soldiers with alien DNA creating a super soldier known as GTECH who continue to evolve with super powers but along the way the soldiers have split into two warring factions: The Zodius group who follow a former Renegade-Julian Rain, the leader of the rebel movement, a man determined to control the world: and The Renegades,a special operations group comprised of GTECH and civilians, desperate to save humanity from the addictive street drug known as ICE.

NOTE: HE IS JENSEN is the re-release and reimagined story first introduced as Sterling /The Storm That is Sterling (Zodius Series) but has been completely rewritten with new content, characters, names and premise.

Told from three first person perspectives (Jensen, Layla and Julian) HE IS JENSEN follows in the wake of Layla’s abduction by the Zodius Group. Approximately fourteen years earlier, Layla and Jensen were newly embarking on a high school relationship when Jensen disappeared leaving Layla wondering what went wrong. Fast forward to present day, Layla is an astrobiologist who finds herself a prisoner of Julian Rain, a prisoner forced to research the street drug called ICE, looking for a cure to its’ deadly withdrawal but Layla isn’t Julian’s only prisoner, her would be rescuer is the boy she knew in school, the man who would discover there is more to Layla than meets the eye.

The world building focuses on the past, the present and a potentially deadly future for our story line heroine. Julian Rain is determined to take control, creating a world dependent upon the street drug ICE but Jensen is struggling to come to terms with a possible betrayal from his own Renegade troops.

The relationship between Jensen and Layla is one of second chances, of a sorts. A high school romance that was abruptly halted before is began, is forced to pick up in the wake of death threats against our story line couple. There are no $ex scenes as our couple find themselves fighting for their lives.

The secondary and supporting characters include the introduction of Tad Bensen, and the return of Creed, Maddox, Caleb and Julian Rain.

HE IS JENSEN: Part One introduces the next arc of the series, as the Renegades must stop the distribution and production of the street drug ICE, before humanity loses control. The premise is intriguing, dark and dramatic; the characters are dynamic and desperate. HE IS JENSEN: Part One ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HE IS CREED Part One

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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THE GUESTS (A Psychological Thriller) by Adriane Leigh -a review

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THE GUESTS (A Psychological Thriller) by Adriane Leigh -a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19 , 2024

Six guests are invited to paradise. Some of them will die.

Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.

She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.

Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment.

Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.

Cole is a local. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want.

After last summer, this is his final chance. He can’t afford any distractions.

Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call twenty-four hours a day — a masseuse, chefs to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.

But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.

Then one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .

•••••

REVIEW: THE GUESTS by Adriane Leigh is a contemporary, adult, stand alone psychological thriller that follows a group of friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of the reading of a will of Henry Lange on Stonecliffe Island.

Told from five first person perspectives THE GUESTS focuses on the fall-out of secrets, lies and greed. Decades earlier, four friends, including Henry Lange, pooled their money and bought Stonecliffe Island, a small island on Lake Michigan but the death of Henry Lange, the last surviving original investor, sees the island ownership transferred to family members, friends and the embroiled island caretaker but all is not as it appears to be when two of their own go missing, and the finger of guilt is pointed to everyone in attendance. Kip Lange, his wife Kerrigan and Mika are the descendants of the original owners but six people arrive (Kip and Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s friend artist Ryleigh Halstrom and her best friend writer Daniel, Mika and her husband Stavros). Inevitably nine people are involved including caretaker Cole Mayer, Henry’s best friend Jon Caruso, and Jon’s daughter Lyra, and in the end, ownership of the island comes at a cost.

The characters are eclectic; their actions are questionable; everyone is unlikeable, unredeemable and suspect. Cole Mayer, the island caretaker is caught in a downward spiral not of his making, when a violent storm becomes the catalyst and backdrop for murder placing Cole in the middle of something out of his control. Kip and Kerrigan’s marriage is imploding; Ryleigh and her friend Daniel’s relationship is faltering, then Kerrigan and Mika go missing.

Adriane Leigh pulls the reader into a dark, dramatic and thought-provoking story of who and why. From the outset, secrets and lies lead to infidelity ; jealousy and greed threaten any peaceful transition of ownership; murdered and missing heirs make for real crime fodder; and the breakdown of marriages, friendships and family all culminate in finger pointing, wrongful accusations, death and final karma.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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