Tag Archives: Sandy’s Reviews

Sweet Little Spies (M&M:New Recruits 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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Sweet Little Spies (Masters & Mercenaries:New Recruits 3) by Lexi Blake-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Since he was a kid, Aidan O’Donnell has known two things about the world. Tristan is his best friend, and Carys is the love of his life. Sharing her with Tristan was oddly easy. They both loved her deeply, and they never cared what anyone else thought. They were a team and everything was wonderful. Until the day it ended.

Carys Taggart has spent the last year and a half of her life living a lie. A lie Tristan forced on them all. She understands that it was meant to protect her and Aidan, but lately when Tristan says he doesn’t love her, it feels more like the truth. The wedding she’s dreamed of has been put off far longer than he promised. When he asks her and Aidan for another delay, she’s ready to move on without him.

Tristan Dean-Miles has a good plan and the best of intentions. Go undercover as a ruthless arms dealer so he can find a deadly bombmaker at the top of the agency’s wanted list. It might be taking longer than expected, but he’s so close he can taste it. Unfortunately, getting this close meant getting in way too deep. He knows he will succeed, but if he can’t convince the love of his life and his best friend that he’s worth the wait, his victory will cost him everything.

•••••

REVIEW:SWEET LITTLE SPIES is the third instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS & MERCENARIES: NEW RECRUITS erotic, Dom/sub romantic suspense series-a spin off-next generation series set in the author’s Master & Mercenaries worlds. This is Black Ops Agent Tristan Dean Miles, Dr. Aidan O’Donnell, and Dr. Carys Taggart’s MFM story line. SWEET LITTLE SPIES can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back stories and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout. Aidan is the son of Liam O’Donnell; Carys is the daughter of Sean Taggard and Grace Hawthorne: Tristan is the son of Jack Dean, Adam Miles and their wife Serena.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, including D/s situations, spankings and violence, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Carys, Tristan and Aidan SWEET LITTLE SPIES follows several intersecting pathways including the struggling relationship between Carys , Tristan and Aidan. Our trio have been best friends most of their lives, and like many of their parents and close family members have chosen to become a threesome but two years earlier Tristan Dean Miles opted to dark, undercover in the world of espionage and arms dealings, leaving a broken hearted Aidan and Carys in his wake. Fast forward to present day, Aidan and Carys have reluctantly chosen to get married without the man that they love, a man who was about to bring chaos and mayhem to the McKay-Taggart families. An invitation to a medical symposium in Montreal finds the team at McKay-Taggart facing down an enemy and a possible betrayal, and in this, the next generation have found themselves struggling in the face of madness and vengeance. What ensues is the rekindling and highly sexual relationship between Trystan, Carys and Aidan, and the potential fall-out as the events in Montreal spiral out of control due to sins of the past.

The world building is detailed, multi-layered and intricate as the large extended Taggart family of spies and mercenaries must face a madman determined to satisfy his need for revenge; and the possibility of a betrayer close to them all. As Trystan,Carys and Aidan’s relationship slowly unravels, Trystan’s two years undercover threaten Carys’ sense of trust and love for a man who broke her heart.

The relationship between Trystan, Carys and Aidan is a life-long friendship that blossomed early into something more. Trystan and Aidan both love Carys equally but Carys has a need to reevaluate the future going forward, struggling with issues of trust, fidelity, and a need to be dominated. The $ex scenes are provocative and fated.

Several couples and characters from the original Masters and Mercenaries series are accorded a heavy presence in the current timeline including Sean and Grace (The Dom Who Loved Me 1), Serena, Adam and Jacob (The Man with the Golden Cuffs 2) Liam (A Dom is Forever 3), Charlotte and Ian aka Big Tag (Love and Let Die 5). We are reintroduced to Captain Zach Reed, CSIS Agent Ben Parker, Big Tag’s twins Kala and Kenzie, their sister Tasha, Cooper, TJ, and Dr. Emmanuel Huisman.

SWEET LITTLE SPIES is a complex, dramatic and intense story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is melodramatic and powerful; the romance is intoxicating; the characters are determined, dynamic and charismatic. SWEET LITTLE SPIES ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Love the Way You Spy
Live,Love, Spy
The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

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TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus-a review

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TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

He thinks his neighbor is out of his league…

Kyran got into a fair amount of trouble as a teenager, but after eight years in the military, he’s left his troublemaking past behind him, built a successful business and put down roots. Unfortunately, the sheriff of his hometown has a long memory. To him, Kyran will always be a loser, no matter how much he’s cleaned up his act.

And now she’s his alibi…

When he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, no one is more surprised than Kyran when prim and proper Lucie Miller provides him with an alibi—one that’s a complete lie. Determined to find out why his sexy next-door neighbor stepped up, he soon finds himself in danger of losing something far more important than his newfound respectability—his heart.

•••••

REVIEW: TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR by Katie Reus is a contemporary, adult, romance novella focusing on former US Marine turned mechanic Kyran O’Callaghan, and his neighbor Lucie Miller.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Kyran and Lucie TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Lucie Miller has watched from afar as her sexy neighbor went about doing his business. When her car started acting up, Lucie knew the perfect man to get things done but a visit from the local sheriff pushed Lucie to become Kyran’s alibi for a crime he did not commit. From that point forward, Kyran and Lucie would become friends and lovers as the accusations against Kyran and harassment by the Sheriff were ongoing. Kyran’s younger years were spent getting into trouble, and in this, the Sheriff would continue to place blame whenever he could.

The relationship between Kyran and Lucie is a neighbors to friends to lovers. Kyran is hoping for something more from the woman that controls his heart but the Sheriff is determined to destroy Kyran O’Callaghan, with a little help from someone else. Lucie and Kyran’s fall is quick, sexy and sassy without the use of over the top, sexually graphic langauge and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Lucie’s over protective brothers Andrew and Jake: Sheriff Terrance Hill, and his nephew Henry.

TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR is a fast paced, quick and easy read about betrayal and blame, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are energetic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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HOCKEY WIFE (Rookie Rebels 10) by Kate Meader-review tour

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HOCKEY WIFE (Rookie Rebels 10) by Kate Meader-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 16, 2024

“I need us to stay married, Big Guy.”
Recently traded to the Chicago Rebels, hockey veteran Dylan “Banks” Bankowski is adjusting to what might be his last team and his final year in the NHL. That means taking care of his battered body while he strives for the one goal that’s managed to elude him: a championship ring. What he does not need is a visit from the woman to whom he gave a different kind of ring months ago.

His young, flighty, socialite wife.

Apparently, signing the annulment papers within a week of their quickie wedding in Vegas didn’t quite take, and now she’s back, right before the playoffs when he needs his focus most. Only this time she has a different request: let’s keep up the charade. He should say no, but he once said “I do” and surely that means something …

Georgia Goodwin has good reasons for wanting to keep her hockey player husband. Convincing the big lug to cooperate is the easy part. Not so easy? Ignoring the flutter in her chest when he grunts in jock, kisses her neck, or calls her wife. But it’s only for a few weeks, and as soon as the playoffs finish, so will they.

But the more time Georgia and Banks spend together, the more real their marriage feels. Less Vegas mistake, and more like the start of something amazing. They said goodbye once. Can they do it again … or will they figure out that a love this good is worth fighting for as much as that championship ring?

•••••••

REVIEW: HOCKEY WIFE is the tenth instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS erotic, hockey romance series. This is thirty six year old professional hockey player Dylan ‘Banks’ Bankowski, and twenty-four year old, socialite Georgia Goodwin’s story line. HOCKEY WIFE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Banks and Georgia) HOCKEY WIFE follows in the wake of a one-night stand and accidental Las Vegas marriage between our story line couple. Dylan Bankowski is nearing the end of his professional hockey career but the All-Star weekend in Vegas proved to be much more than his fourth appearance at the annual event. Waking up married to socialite Georgia Goodwin, and his new bride on the run, the anticipation of divorce papers was on the horizon. Fast forward two months, Dylan discovers the annulment did not go through and his young wife wants a second chance with our story line hero. The caveat-Dylan Bankowski also needs to remain married to keep his grandmother happy, two birds, one stone-so to speak. Agreeing to stay together with an end date on the horizon, Dylan begins to fall for the woman who could break his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Banks and Georgia, and the potential fall-out as perceived betrayal pushes Georgia out of Dylan’s life.

The world building focuses on Dylan’s waning career, potential injuries, and the ‘run’ for the Stanley Cup. Georgia is struggling with a direction in life, wanting to start a charitable foundation for those in need but her parents have other plans for their socialite daughter.

The relationship between Dylan and Georgia begins as a one-night stand, accidental Las Vegas wedding, and Georgia’s need to run when the things begins to spiral out of control.A reputation as a party-girl who tends to straddle the line with her public behavior, Georgia is desperate to keep up the charade in the face of losing everything including her struggling reputation. The $ex scenes are provocative and impassioned.

Several of the previous story line couples return as secondary and supporting characters including Dylan’s teammates on the Chicago Rebels: Ashley and Dex, Tara and Hale, Theo and Elle, as well as Dylan’s extended family, and Georgia’s parents.

HOCKEY WIFE is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is entertaining, inviting and thought provoking; the romance is seductive and compelling; the characters are animated, sassy and desperate.

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player
Dear Roomie
Rebel Yule
Jock Wanted
Superstar Rookie
Wild Ride

 

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Reader’s Group | Bookbub | Goodreads | Newsletter | Amazon Author Profile

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE (My Vampires 2) by Jenna Levine-review

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MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE (My Vampires 2) by Jenna Levine-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2024

Amelia Collins is by definition successful. She would even go so far as to say successfully single. But not according to her family, and she’s tired of the constant questions about her nonexistent dating life. When an invitation to yet another family wedding arrives, she decides to get everyone off her back once and for all by finding someone–anyone–to pose as her date.

After a chance encounter with Reginald Cleaves, Amelia decides he’s perfect for her purposes. He’s a bit strange, but that’s fine; it’ll discourage tough questions from her family. (And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s very handsome.) For centuries-old vampire Reggie, posing as her plus-one sounds like the ultimate fun. And if it helps his ruse of pretending to be human, so much the better.

As Amelia and Reggie practice their fauxmance, it becomes clear that Reggie is as loyal to her as the day is long, and that Amelia’s first impressions could not have been more wrong. Suddenly, being in a real relationship with Reggie sounds pretty fang-tastic.

••••••

REVIEW: MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE is the second instalment in Jenna Levine’s contemporary, adult MY VAMPIRES erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is CPA Amelia Collins, and vampire Reginald Cleaves’ story line. MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Reginald and Amelia) MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE follows the fake relationship between CPA Amelia Collins, and vampire Reginald Cleaves’. Reginal Cleaves is a vampire, almost three-hundred years old, and is the target of an organization known as The Collective, for sins of the past. Amelia Collins is a CPA, leads a quiet, unassuming life until she meets a stranger with eccentric taste in clothes. Needing a plus-one for her cousin’s wedding, Amelia is desperate until she reconnects with said stranger. Enter Reginald Cleaves, the man with whom Amelia will fall in love. Entering into a fake-relationship to keep her parents and family at bay, Amelia finds herself falling for a man whose idiosyncrasies are getting stranger by the minute. A snow storm, a new client at work, and the revelation of Reginald’s true identity push Amelia to her limits until she discovers the identity of the people taking aim at the man with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is the building but fake-relationship between Amelia and Reginald, and the potential fall-out as the group targeting Reginald are closer than anyone suspected.

The world building follows the fake relationship between our story line couple as Reginald traverses a world in which he struggles to fit in. Flamboyant, and eccentric, Reginald is a bit of an enigma but the perfect foil for our story line heroine. As The Collective take aim at our story line hero, Amelia enacts a plan to save the vampire who calls to her heart.

The relationship between Amelia and Reginald begins by accident. Pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend, Amelia and Reginald must face Amelia’s family, and Reginald’s friend Frederick who is currently dating Amelia’s brother’s friend Cassie. But when their fake relationship turns into something more, Amelia must come to terms with the reality of who and what is Reginald Cleaves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic. We are introduced to Amelia’s family and extended family; accounting clients, fellow employees, as well as the return of Frederick and Cassie.

MY VAMPIRE PLUS-ONE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise entertaining and enchanting; the romance is spicy; the characters are animated and honest.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one MY ROOMMATE IS A VAMPIRE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

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TWILIGHT MASK by BB Hamel-review

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2024

“Take off your mask, little demon.
Show me everything.”

I first meet the masked man at an art gallery opening where he nearly drops me off a roof.

Now I can’t stop obsessing over his thrill-seeking games, and I fall hard for the way he makes me feel alive.

Except the man behind the mask is Marco Vitale, former Capo of my family’s greatest enemy. He’s back from the dead to get revenge for his fallen Don.

Marco’s gorgeous and brilliant, and we spend our nights hiding who we are and playing twisted games of sin and pleasure together.

Until we can’t stay in the shadows any longer, and all our truths and all our lies come out into the light.

My father ruined his life, and now he wants to ruin mine.

We’ll have to decide between family, revenge, lust, and honor.

And I’m not sure I’ll survive when my masked man takes what he wants.

••••••

REVIEW: TWILIGHT MASK is the first instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, a spin off set in the author’s Bianco Crime family world. This is twenty-eight year old, artist/sculptor Laura Bianco, and the former Capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale’s story line. TWILIGHT MASK can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history regarding Laura Bianco, I recommend reading the Bianco Crime family series.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Laura and Marco) TWILIGHT MASK follows the forbidden relationship between our story line couple. the Bianco Crime Family and the Santoro Crime family are at war; enemies in the wake of a fight for power, and the murder of several high ranking family members on both sides. Laura Bianco is a recluse; an talented artist whose family but especially her brother Don Simon Bianco is pushing Laura outside of her comfort zone with a series of of gallery displays and art sales but the push backfires when Laura comes face to face with her future at a masquerade art sale, where she will meet a man she only knows as the Jackal. Enter the former capo of the Santoro Crime family Marco Vitale, the man with whom Laura will fall in love. Marco’s obsession with Laura is dark and dangerous; their relationship hidden in dark rooms and secrets rendezvous, an obsession that will threaten everyone concerned. With revenge at the forefront of the Santoro war with the Bianco Crime family, Laura will be caught in the middle between family and love.

The world building follows the forbidden and highly sexual relationship between our story line couple, and the ongoing war between the Santoro and Bianco Crimes families. The Santoro family is amassing a contingent of supporters , families who have been attacked or targeted by the Bianco family, and in the, Marco must choose sides if he expects to continue his relationship with the woman he loves.

The relationship between Marco and Laura is one of the forbidden. Laura is unaware of Marco’s true identity, and in this, the titillation factor is palpable. For years Laura has locked herself away from the outside world but a little bit of freedom pushes Laura to cross a line of no return with her family’s enemy. Marco is a man on a mission-his need for Laura borders on obsession but blood will be shed, and Marco is caught in the middle. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense but I question Laura’s easy acceptance of Marco/Jackal in life under the circumstances and her over ten years of self-imposed seclusion.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including the return of Laura’s brother Don Simon Bianco (Stolen Sin 2), Elena Bianco (Brutal Power 3), Davide Bianco (Cruel Tyrant 1), as well as the introduction of several crime lords, and Marco’s best friend Valentina Santoro.

TWILIGHT MASK is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession and relationships, family and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and impassioned; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic .

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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MARRIED TO THE MAFIA (DeSalvo Mafia 4) by Rose Wulf -review

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MARRIED TO THE MAFIA (DeSalvo Mafia 4) by Rose Wulf-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 14, 2024

As far as Brandi Richardson was concerned, ‘family’ was a four-letter word. All hers had ever done was hurt her. So when her father sent her to work for Mikey De Salvo as a mole, she accepted the better-paying job—but not the rest. Her refusal to play his game meant she would be paying the consequence of his disappointment sooner than later.

At first, she was sure that was the explanation behind her new and highly dedicated stalker … but she was wrong.

When her stalker stepped up his game, leaving her bleeding and beaten on her bedroom floor, Brandi realized she had little choice but to run before he came back for round two.

Mikey De Salvo was a busy man. Operating a multi-faceted security company and maintaining the digital backbone of a mafia empire was not for the weak, or the easily overwhelmed. The last thing he needed was one more distraction—even if she was as brilliant as she was beautiful. So he kept his suspicious, yet undeniably gifted employee at arm’s length and under watchful eye.

When she showed up covered in bruises, visibly terrified and planning to run, he knew he couldn’t let her.

So he made her a counter-offer. Marriage, and all the protection and power that came with the De Salvo name.

•••••

REVIEW: MARRIED TO THE MAFIA Is the fourth instalment in Rose Wulf’s contemporary adult, DESALVO MAFIA erotic, Mafia romance series. This is youngest DeSalvo brother Michele ‘MIkey’ De Salvo, and IT specialist Brandi Richardson’ s story line. MARRIED TO THE MAFIA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Brandi and Mikey) MARRIED TO THE MAFIA follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Brandi Richardson is the daughter of Wesley Richardson, a man the DeSalvo brothers dislike and abhor but when Brandi is hired to work as an IT consultant for the DeSalvo Security firm, Mikey DeSalvo moves our heroine up to his floor in an effort to ferret out any possible espionage or spying but when Brandi shows up to work covered in bruises, one too many times, Mikey makes Brandi an effort she cannot refuse-a marriage of convenience to protect our heroine, and get his family off of his back. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mikey and Brandi, and the fall-out as more than one enemy takes aim at our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on the hunt for the people taking aim at our story line heroine.From Vegas loan sharks to the Ink Spots street gang, no one is safe when Brandi constantly places her self in the directly line of fire, often TSTL, and in this, her need to be independent threatens the security Mikey put into place.

The relationship between Brandi and Mikey begins as boss and employee. Mikey struggles to keep his distance from our story line hero, and to do this, Mikey is reckless in his treatment of our story line heroine, and Brandi believes she may have traded one jailer for another. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are dynamic and daring. We are reintroduced to Romeo and GraceDante De Salvo and his wife Iris: Christiano and Felicity, their mother Eleanora, as well as several other security specialists, and enemies. The requisite evil has many faces.

MARRIED TO THE MAFIA is as story of power and control, secrets s a lies, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and heart breaking; the romance is energetic and seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of ASSISTANT TO THE MAFIA

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wicked Heat (Wicked Nights 4) by J. Kenner-review

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Wicked Heat (Wicked Nights 4) by J. Kenner-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

From the moment he’d seen her at the home of his billionaire father, former race car driver and bad boy Ashton Stone craved Bree Bernstein, his half-siblings’ stunning nanny. He couldn’t have her though—not when his life was so entwined with secrets and scandal.

Then he’d seen her at the airport bar and instead of walking away, he’d bought her a drink. Then another. And when a storm grounded their flights, he’d made a mistake and tried to take her to bed. That’s when she’d bolted.

For years, Bree has hidden the truth of those nightmarish days when she’d been held captive, forced into despicable acts that, once rescued, she’d believed were in the past. Until the tapes.

Now, she’s being blackmailed, and if those tapes go public, it won’t be just her life that’s in tatters, but that of an innocent child caught in the crossfire.

Desperate, she goes to the only man who can help her pay the blackmailer and keep the secret—Ashton Stone. Now, her future is in his hands—but the price he demands is one she’s not certain she can pay—Her.

•••••

REVIEW:WICKED HEAT is the fourth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult WICKED NIGHTS (formerly Stark World) erotic, romance series. This is former race car driver turned investor Ashton’ ‘Ash’ Stone, and former nanny turned romance author Bree Bernstein’s story line. Ash Stone is first introduced in ENCHANT ME. Bree Bernstein is scattered throughout the interconnected series but for back story I recommend reading LOST WITH ME.

If you have not read any of the previous story lines, 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 (Bree) and third person (Ash) WICKED HEAT follows four months after an almost one-night stand between our story line couple. Approximately six years earlier, Bree, and Nikki and Damien Stark’s daughter Anne were abducted, and Bree is struggling with the loss of memories and ongoing nightmares. Fat forward to present day, Bree is blackmailed with a video of her time in captivity, the only person that can help is the man that she continues to push away. Enter Ashton Stone, Damien Stark’s son from a previous relationship, and the man with whom Bree will fall in love. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Bree and Ash, and the potential fall-out as the betrayal against Bree, comes at a cost for our story line hero.

The world building reveals some of the childhood trauma endured by Ashton Stone, and the abuse suffered by our heroine that she is unable to remember. For a price, Ash is willing to pay Bree’s blackmailer, a price that may be too steep for our heroine’s heart.

The relationship between Bree and Ash is a friends to frenemies to lovers. Due to the past trauma, Bree struggles with any emotional attachment or the possibility of falling for a man who could destroy her heart. With issues of trust, and ongoing PTSD, Bree is willing to walk away before ever trusting again. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters included Noah Carter and Kiki Porter (Wicked Torture 3), as well as Bree’s friends Aria, producer Matthew Hold, and TV personality Maggie Bridge. Aria and Matthew’s story line is next in Wicked Fortune.

WICKED HEAT is a story of betrayal and greed, obsession and determination, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, captivating and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate and broken.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wicked Grind
Wicked Dirty
Wicked Torture

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a review

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.

A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.

Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.

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REVIEW:THE SWIMMER by Loreth Anne White is a contemporary, adult, psychological thriller focusing on forty year old bartender Chloe Cooper, Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler, and Gloria Bergson.

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

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives (Chloe, Adam,Jemma, Gloria) following two timelines (present day and 2019) THE SWIMMER focuses on the murder of a woman swimming in Jerrin Bay. Chloe Cooper is a bit of an oddball who has returned home to British Columbia, Canada to take care of her dying mother but with the arrival of their new neighbors, Chloe begins to spy and stalk Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler . Every morning, Chloe would watch Jemma Spengler swim in the bay but one morning Chloe witnesses the gruesome murder of the woman in question, a woman she believes to be Jemma Spengler. As the truth begins to unravel, Chloe finds herself caught in the middle of a storm of betrayal and vengeance wherein she will become the prime suspect in another grizzly murder.

THE SWIMMER is a detailed, dramatic, gritty and raw look at madness and obsession, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, and dysfunctional family dynamics. With a surprise gesture to one of Canada’s most prolific serial killers, Loreth Anne White pulls the reader down the rabbit hole of murder, distrust, delusion and fascination.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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