TEMPT ME (Kings of Hell’s Kitchen 1) by Tara Wyatt -a review

TEMPT ME (Kings of Hell’s Kitchen 1) by Tara Wyatt-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 30, 2023

Violent, ruthless, and obsessed, Killian Byrne is a man who rose from the ashes of chaos to make a new life for himself. One in which he does what’s needed to protect the city he’s come to love, even if that means a life of loneliness. He’s damaged and scarred after years as a mob enforcer. Broken. And that means he’s better off alone.

But then he meets Whitney Vanek, a woman who is sunshine to his storm clouds, light to his darkness. She’s everything he can never have.

Over the years, his obsession with Whitney grows, until finally the temptation to make her his proves too much for Killian, especially knowing that Whitney’s life is in danger and he’s the only man who can keep her safe.

Outspoken, charming, and confident, Whitney Vanek has never met a man immune to her charms—until Killian.

And she tries to convince herself that she doesn’t care that he doesn’t want her. He’s broody, grumpy, and more than ten years older than her.

But she can’t deny the chemistry between them despite their differences. And when her estranged father resurfaces, putting her life in grave danger, there’s only one man who can protect her.

And when obsession and temptation become something so much more, everything is on the line.

••••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the first full length instalment in Tara Wyatt’s contemporary adult KINGS OF HELL’S KITCHEN dark, erotic, Mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s THE PRESCOTT series.. This is forty -one year old assassin Killian Byrne, and twenty-eight year old, author Whitney Vanek’s story line.

For readers, there is a FREE prequel novella TEASE ME that reveals some of the back story and relationship between Killian and Whitney. The prequel may be included with the copy of TEMPT ME.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Killian and Whitney) TEMPT ME follows the building romance and relationship between Killian Byrne and Whitney Vanek. Three years earlier Killian Byrne kissed Whitney Vanek at Lucian Prescott and Olivia Walsh’s wedding but Killian is a killer, an assassin and he believes he wasn’t worthy of love or his own happily ever after. Fast forward to present day, Killian struggles to stay away from our story line heroine, a woman who is being stalked by a stranger, a man who is known to Whitney yet not. Declaring himself guardian and protector, Killian and Whitney go into hiding while Lucian and his team begin a search for the man threatening her life. What ensues is the building age-gap romance and relationship between Killian and Whitney, and the potential fall-out when Whitney finds herself promised to someone else.

Killian Byrne has lusted after Whitney for years, since he first spied Whitney with her best friend Vivian but Killian’s life is not longer his own ,having spent most of his adult life in service to the mob.Whitney Vanek fell in love with Killian Byrne years before but Killian broke Whitney’s heart, pushing our heroine away when she needed him the most.

The relationship between Killian and Whitney is one of mutual attraction and unrequited love. For three years Killian has lusted after Whitney from afar, while Whitney’s pined for a man who continues to break her heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Lucian and Olivia (Bad Intentions/The Prescotts), Luca, Kate, and Nicole.The requisite evil has many faces.Luca and Kate’s story line is next.

TEMPT ME is a story of family and friendships, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is provocative; the characters are broken, desperate and determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of the prequel novella TEASE ME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Tara Wyatt is an award-winning romantic suspense and contemporary romance author known for her fast-paced writing, humor, and sexy love scenes. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario with the cutest dog in the world and a husband who makes all of her heroes look like chumps.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website http://www.tara-wyatt.com/
Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/tarawyattauthor/
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/taradwyatt
Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/taradwyatt
Goodreads https://goo.gl/epuD3i
Amazon https://amzn.to/2Gaqehj

Share

Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2022

He hates the holidays. She lives for them. Let the games begin.
A small town, grumpy/sunshine romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase

Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world’s cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward.

Tessa Sullivan believes in always looking at the bright side. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is the most negative man on the planet and seems to have made it his mission to ruin her good mood on a daily basis. She loves to sing, she loves to smile, but more than anything, she loves to decorate for the holidays. The fact that this seems to bug her new neighbor is simply a perk.

After twelve years in the Marines, Liam is more than ready to come home and start the next phase of his life. He’s starting a business, reconnecting with his mildly over-bearing family, and loves the fact that he’s finally got a place of his own. If only his neighbor’s decorations would stay on her side of the property. There isn’t one thing about Tessa that tempts him…until there is. Now she’s all he can think about.

Being friends makes sense.
Becoming lovers was inevitable.
But having Tessa be his forever is more than tempting.

••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the third instalment in Samantha Chases’s contemporary adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan’s story line. TEMPT ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Liam and Tessa) TEMPT ME follows the building romance and relationship between former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan.Tessa Sullivan is a widow, having married her best friend prior to his death but Tessa struggles to move forward, constantly living in the past where life was easier and calm. Her new neighbor, former US Marine Liam Donovan was about to become the bane of Tessa’s existence as Liam’s grumpy attitude was harshing on Tessa’s perpetually happy outlook until their relationship turns from frenemies to lovers, a relationship that will struggle with ghosts from the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and Liam, and the potential fall out as Tessa struggles between head and heart, and Liam feels like a third wheel in Tessa’s life.

The relationship between Tessa and Liam begins acrimoniously as Liam struggles to accept Tessa’s always positive outlook on life. Liam’s relationship with his siblings is fraught with jealousy and misunderstanding, and their issues begin to affect both his personal and professional life. Tessa has yet to realize her inability to let go may push Liam out of her life but a one on one with someone else shows Tessa that letting go doesn’t me forgetting the past. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Liam’s siblings Patrick, Rhyllie, Jamie and Arianna, Arianna’s fiance Will, and their parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan. The siblings continue to have a love -hate relationship with one another, fraught with jealousy, misunderstanding and heartache but the parents attitude is a one-eighty from the first two instalments, more empathetic and compassionate towards their adult children.

TEMPT ME is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of grief and acceptance, understanding and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is sweet and passionate; the characters are emotional, charismatic but struggling to be.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DARE ME

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Share

TEMPT ME (Dark Odyssey #4) by Faith Summers-Review Tour

TEMPT ME (Dark Odyssey #4) by Faith Summers-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

Add to Goodreads

Love is a weakness for a man like me…

Two years ago my enemies murdered my wife.
They took away the mother of my newborn son.
That’s how I became the beast…
A merciless, heartless, soulless creature.

That’s why I made the deal with Ava:
Take her to repay her father’s debt…

I couldn’t resist.
Not when I saw she feared me as much as she wanted me.
I wanted the beauty, a woman nearly half my age.
I wanted to own her and possess her.
Then I wanted more.
More than her obedience and submission.
I wanted her body, heart, mind and soul.

I never knew I was signing my death warrant when our paths collided.
I never knew who she truly was: A Bratva princess who’s supposed to be a ghost.
Her dark secrets unearth old enemies who want her dead.

I’m Vincent Giordano, underboss to the Giordano family .
I should know better than to start a war.
I should know better than to let love into my cold heart.
This isn’t a fairytale.
When she kisses me I won’t turn into a prince.
I’ll still be the beast.
Yet, I can’t let them take her.
I just don’t know what it will cost me this time.

••••••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the fourth instalment in Faith Summers (aka Khardine Gray) contemporary, adult DARK ODYSSEY erotic, mafia, dark romance series focusing on the Giordano family who own and operate the exclusive Dark Odyssey Sex Club, and the reigning family in the Chicago mob. This is the new boss of the Chicago and the Italia Giordanos, and single father Vincent Giordano, and journalist Ava Knight’s story line. TEMPT ME 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 graphic nature of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ava and Vincent) TEMPT ME follows several converging paths including two million dollars in missing money, and a potential partnership with the Russian Bratva. When her father was discovered to have stolen two million dollars from the Giordano family, Ava Giordano offers up herself as payment for her father’s sins but Ava’s naïvete found our heroine unaware that she would become the personal possession of Vincent Giordano, to do with as he pleases. From a sexual plaything to the woman with whom he would fall in love, Vincent will discover that there is much more to Ava than he could have ever imagined. As the Russian Bratva continues to seek a partnership with the Giordano family, a background search uncovers the truth, and the danger that awaits for everyone involved. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ava and Vincent, and the potential fall-out as Ava’s past comes seeking revenge, and Vincent believes himself unworthy of his own happily ever after.

Two years earlier Vincent’s wife Sorcha was killed in a war between competing mob families. Unable to forgive himself for the loss of his wife, Vincent’s grief is palpable and painful. Meeting Ava Knight give Vincent a second chance at happiness and love but threats to Ava’s safety force Vincent to push away the woman with whom he had fallen in love. The $ex scenes are passionate and erotic.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Vincent’s brothers: Nick (Tease Me #1), Gabe (Taunt Me #2), Salvatore (Thrill Me #3), parents Julian and Angela Giordano; their cousins Christian and Georgiou; Vincent’s son Timothy and her nursemaid Marguerite; Ava’s father Mark; as well as several members of the Russian Bratva.

TEMPT ME is a story of family, betrayal, relationships and love; power, control, vengeance and death. The premise is gritty and dark; the characters are animated, real, wounded and edgy; the romance is provocative and intense. TEMPT ME is a startling and intoxicating look at the one family’s struggle to remain on top.

 

Reading Order and Previous Review

Tease Me
Taunt Me
Trill Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Faith Summers is the Dark Contemporary Romance pen name of USA Today Bestselling Author, Khardine Gray.

Warning !! Expect wild romance stories of the scorching hot variety and deliciously dark romance with the kind of alpha male bad boys best reserved for your fantasies.

Dive in and enjoy her naughty page-turners.

Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/tempt-me-book-tour-and-giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

Tempt Me (Bodyguard Bad Boys #2) by Carly Phillips-Review Tour

Tempt Me (Bodyguard Bad Boys #2) by Carly Phillips-Review Tour

TEMPT ME
Bodyguard Bad Boys #2
by Carly Phillips
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date:January 16, 2018

Amazon Kindle   / B&N Nook / Kobo /  iBooks  / Google Play

Bodyguard Bad Boys… Sexy, hot and oh so protective!

Burned by an ex with a wandering eye, Austin Rhodes has sworn off women. His sole focus is his young daughter – and despite his good intentions, the little girl’s live-in nanny. He hired Mia Atwood to care for his child but he finds himself lusting after her instead. Keeping his distance isn’t easy but he’s determined to be a gentleman. Until Mia’s past comes back to haunt her and she’s in need of Austin’s brand of protection. Suddenly she’s his in every sense of the word — and he’ll do whatever it takes to shield the woman who tempts him beyond reason.

•••••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the second instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult BODYGUARD BAD BOYS romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Alpha Security-a spin off from her Billionaire Bad Boys series. This is bodyguard and single father Austin Rhodes, and nanny Mia Atwood’s story line. TEMPT ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mia and Austin) TEMPT ME follows the forbidden relationship between single father and bodyguard Austin Rhodes, and his daughter’s nanny Mia Atwood. For months Austin and Mia have been dancing around one another; their attraction to one another palpable but the fact that Austin was Mia’s employer, and he didn’t want anything to do with a permanent relationship pushed all thoughts to the side until threats of a personal nature found Austin both lover and protector to Mia Atwood. With his ex-wife demanding custody of their five year old daughter, and the upcoming retrial of an embezzler where Mia is the primary witness, Austin finds himself calling in favors to protect the woman and daughter that he loves. What ensues is the building relationship between Mia and Austin, and the potential fall out when Mia believes everyone will be better off is she leaves the area and runs.

The relationship between Mia and Austin begins as a business arrangement that turns into something more. Months of family-like togetherness find our couple taking the next step in a relationship that was fated from the start. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Austin’s parents John and Sarah Rhodes, as well as his ex-wife Kayla, and Austin’s daughter Bailey.

TEMPT ME is a quick read; a fast building romance between two people who struggle with the past but are willing to take a chance on a future together. The premise is enjoyable and character driven; the romance is sensual; the characters are dynamic, engaging and impassioned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one ROCK ME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About the Author:

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

Website /  Mailing List  /  Newsletter /  Goodreads /  Amazon /  Facebook /  Twitter / Text Updates of New Releases /  Carly’s Corner!  / Instagram. / Blog & Website Updates  / Bookbub

 

Share

Tempt Me (A Stark International Novella) by J. Kenner-Review and Excerpt Tour

TEMPT ME: A Stark International Novella by J. Kenner-Review and Excerpt Tour

 

TEMPT ME
Stark International Novella
by J. Kenner
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: February 14, 2017

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / ibooks / google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 14, 2017

Sometimes passion has a price …

When sexy Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter whisks his girlfriend Jamie Archer away for a passionate, romance-filled weekend so he can finally pop the question, he’s certain that the answer will be an enthusiastic yes. So when Jamie tries to avoid the conversation, hiding her fears of commitment and change under a blanket of wild sensuality and decadent playtime in bed, Ryan is more determined than ever to convince Jamie that they belong together.

Knowing there’s no halfway with this woman, Ryan gives her an ultimatum – marry him or walk away. Now Jamie is forced to face her deepest insecurities or risk destroying the best thing in her life. And it will take all of her strength, and all of Ryan’s love, to keep her right where she belongs…

•••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME by J. Kenner is a novella that revisits Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter, and Nikki Fairchild-Stark’s best friend / actress Jamie Archer. A couple of years have passed since Ryan and Jamie first fell in love and Ryan Hunter is hoping to make their relationship more permanent but our heroine Jamie struggles with the idea of marriage and a happily ever after so much so that when Ryan, once again, asks Jamie to marry him, Jamie is blindsided when her own parent’s marriage begins to implode.

TEMPT ME is an erotic story of romance; of one couple’s struggle to take the next step in their relationship. As per J. Kenner’s style of writing, the author’s use of some sexually graphic language is less than desirable and cringe worthy for this reader-I have a difficult time with a certain four letter word no matter the circumstance or usage.

TEMPT ME is a passionate and emotional story line. The premise is provocative; the romance is sexy and hot; the characters are familiar and engaging.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

excerpt

 

 

“I adore all of the women in my life,” he says. “I’d do anything for them.” He’s looking at me as he says it, and my heart flutters in my chest. But I’m not sure if he’s including me in that group, or if the hint of meaning I hear in his voice is nothing more than my imagination.
I shake my head as I frown, trying to clear my thoughts.
“You okay?”
“Fine,” I say, though it’s not true. Our rhythm is off, and it’s scaring me. We’ve always been in sync, even before we were dating. And now—well, now it almost feels like he’s deliberately keeping me off balance.
I want to get back to normal, and I don’t know the path, and my lack of confidence is frustrating me.
“Are you heading home?” Ryan asks.
I shake my head. “Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t decided. You?”
“Moira and I are taking Mom back to the hotel.”
I wait for him to invite me along, and when he doesn’t, I say, “It’ll be nice for you guys to have time to chat in the car. But she usually crashes early, doesn’t she?”
“Usually. Why?”
“Oh. Um.” I lick my lips. “Because I was wondering if you wanted to meet me somewhere. We could get a drink. We could talk.”
“Talk,” he repeats. He meets my eyes, and I see the question in them—have I changed my mind? Am I going to say yes?
I glance down at the floor.
“Talk,” he repeats. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
I look up, frustrated. “But, Ryan, I just—”
“I have plans. I’m going to Westerfield’s.”
“Oh.” Westerfield’s is one of the hottest clubs in town. It’s also a Stark property, which means when Ryan goes he gets the full VIP treatment. Something that never fails to snag the attention of the female patrons. Most of whom are usually drunk. And wearing outfits that are barely big enough to keep a Barbie doll modest.
“Oh,” I repeat.
I wait for him to suggest I join him there, but all he says is, “It really was great that you came.” Then the bastard leans in and kisses my cheek. He kisses my f*cking cheek.


 

 

about the author

J.KennerJ.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.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookPinterestInstagramTumblrGoodreads
Share