Review: Hart To Handle by K. Bromberg

July 2, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

HARD TO HANDLE
Series: Play Hard #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date: June 30, 2020

At first, the request seemed simple—sign a new athlete to the agency.

Then I found out the new athlete was none other than the most wanted man in hockey today: Hunter Maddox

Gifted. Sexy. At the top of his game. And the only man who has ever broken my heart.
If signing him will help save our family business, I’ll swallow my pride and do what’s asked.

But when it becomes clear his uncharacteristic antics off the ice are a hint of something deeper, keeping things strictly professional between us becomes more than complicated.

But I know better than to cross that line.

I’ll never date a client. Not even for him.

***
Win the Stanley Cup and do it before time runs out.

Not a small feat, but it’s what’s motivated me since the start of my career.

And time is running out.

Enter Dekker Kincade.

Feisty. Dogged. Damn gorgeous. The one I let get away.

I have no idea why she’s traveling with the team, but hell if resisting her is going to be easy.

But I have a job to do, and I refuse to lose sight of that end game. Even if she confuses me. Even if she sees parts of me I’ve hidden from the world.

I can’t lose focus. Not even for her.

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I stare at Hunter. At his shirt plastered with sweat and how it clings to his body, despite the chill of the ice his skates are standing on. He has his warm-up pants on and is without a helmet, his hair curling at the ends from the sweat.

And all I see in his eyes is anger I didn’t put there. Or maybe I did. Rejection can do that to a man . . . but there’s something more here. Something I walked in on that doesn’t make sense.

“Don’t give me that look, Kincade,” Hunter mutters as he skates over to the penalty box where his electrolyte drink sits.

“What look?” I ask.

He half laughs, half snorts and meets my gaze across the distance. “Disappointment. Disproval. Disdain. I’m the king of all of them, so save your breath—or in this case—your glare, because it’s not going to work with me.”

“Are we working on emotions that start with the letter D today?” I ask. A hint of my embarrassment and anger over how I acted last night creeps into my voice, but I mask it with sarcasm. “If that’s the case, I’m more than impressed with your answers thus far.”

He clenches his jaw in response and then skates back over to line up more pucks so he can shoot them. And he does, one after another, each shot taken with laser precision and a healthy dose of fury behind it.

He goes through the first ten lined up and then stops to catch his breath.

His talent and skill are undeniable, but so is the beer bottle in my hand.

“Just because you’re the captain and star of this team, doesn’t mean management won’t frown upon this,” I say, unable to let this go.

“Screw the management.”

“No one likes a player who’s hard to handle and honestly, Hunter, you’re becoming hard to handle.”

“No one likes unsolicited advice from someone who has no bearing on his career, either,” he counters, the rebuke stinging but deserved.

The problem is, I do care about him. Doesn’t he get that’s where my hostility stems from?
And only a crazy person would say that, Dekker.

I put my hands up in surrender to both him and my own thoughts. “You know I only want the best for you.” I take a few steps in his direction in the first row of the stands. I’m close enough to catch the hitch of his movement and to see uncertainty flicker in his eyes. It’s almost as if he needs to talk but doesn’t see me as someone he can trust. I hate that. “What is it, Hunter?”

“Nothing. It’s . . . never mind.”

But I see it, and he knows I see it. The question is what do I see, though?

I knew that the minute I laid eyes on him. I knew that there was going to be a casualty in all of this. And most likely, it was going to be my heart.

GOD. Rip my heart out, why don’t ya, K. Bromberg. Holy hell. This story was a one two punch straight to the feels. I was expecting another amazing book from one of my favorite authors. What I was not expecting, was to blubber my way through every emotion it seemed to wrangle out of me. And oh my GOD, the emotion!

The premise of this new series is addictive. Four sisters who barely get along and couldn’t be more different are brought together by a common goal to save their father’s failing sports agency. First on the docket is Dekker who is assigned to win over a hockey super star from an agent that keeps stealing their clients out from under them. The only problem? The man she’s assigned to go after is also one that turned out to me more than she bargained for 3 years ago with what was only supposed to be sex.

Hunter Maddox is a hockey god. Captain of the team, he battles demons that no one knows about that are quickly causing him to spiral out of control in a cloud of rage and guilt. He may be an incredibly talented professional hockey star on the surface, but on the inside he’s burned out and hurting. He hasn’t seen Dekker since she walked out of his hotel room three years ago. They were only supposed to have hot sex between them, but it didn’t take long for it to become something more for him. He doesn’t know why she’s back in his orbit now, but he’ll be dammed if he’ll let her walk away before rekindling the fire that burned so hotly between them before.

I was instantly hooked on the story. I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance, especially one between a tortured pro hockey player and a ballsy sports agent. I loved Dekker’s smart mouth and stiff spine. Although admittedly, the longer she went without admitting to Hunter’s question on why she was there, the more frustrated I became with her. She was stuck between doing her job to sign him and save their agency and knowing she’s barely resisting the temptation of the man that stole her heart. It was a torture dance of frustration and wanting to shake her to just admit it to him.

Hunter was impossible not to love. My heart hurt so badly for him. Especially as we got more and more details on all that transpired to bring him to where he is today. His relationship with his family and his brother broke my heart. I blubbered like a baby through a good chunk of it.

This was the start of what is definitely going to be one incredible series, if this book is anything to go by. I was glued to the pages, put through the ringer of emotion, and SO FREAKING INVESTED. If you love a good sports romance, welcome to your next addiction! Seriously. This one is not to be missed!


New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate but can’t help to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow and her mind scattered in too many different directions.

Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Kristy has sold over one and a half million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over thirty times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform, Passionflix, with the first movie (Driven) out now.

With her imagination always in overdrive, she is currently scheming, plotting, and swooning over her latest hero. You can find out more about him or chat with Kristy on any of her social media accounts.

Connect with K. Bromberg:

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Review: Absolute Power by Jeana E. Mann

July 1, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

ABSOLUTE POWER
Series: Absolute Power Duet #1
Genre: Dark, Suspenseful Romance
Author: Jeana E. Mann
Release Date: June 30, 2020

The devil in my nightmares is the man of my dreams.

For the past three years, I’ve been running from a man I’ve never met. A man who carries a grudge. A man who specializes in revenge. I thought I had it all—a career and a new home in a sleepy small town. My world comes crashing down when a sexy gang member from the city arrives at my job, wrapped in tattoos and sinful smiles. Beneath his flirtatious facade beats the heart of an angry man. I’ve committed the one sin he can never forgive. I stole from him, and he won’t be satisfied until he’s repaid with the money or my life.

They say there are two kinds of power: power derived from fear and power obtained by acts of love. Cash Delacorte holds them both over my head. He’s everything I never wanted: dark, deceptive, and dedicated to a life of crime. He’s determined to pull me into the darkness with him, and the thing is—I want to go. Every kiss, every lie, every punishment propels me into a future I never dreamed possible.

Start reading today for only $.99!

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The devil in my nightmares is the man of my dreams.

Oh Mr. Delacorte, I’ve been REALLY waiting for you.

If you’ve read Nicky and Calliope’s story in The Ruthless Knight, the name Cash will sound very familiar to you. Because he’s the bad boy boyfriend that Calliope stole from and skipped town. If you haven’t read it, no worries, because you will easily pick things up here.

Jagger is Callie’s younger sister. Just like her sister, Jagger is a talented thief, but she’s also one that’s trying to turn her life to the straight and narrow. She used the money her sister stole from Cash to restart her life, but it’s not long before her sister’s debts start calling int he form of a sinfully sexy and tatted up stranger that’s intent to turn her world upside down.

If there’s one thing that this author can do phenomenally well, it’s craft one intense alpha male. Cash is brooding and mysterious with an aura of dangerous that’s a one-two punch straight to the ovaries. I was instantly drawn to him and starving for every little detail of who this man really is. The secondary character, Gage, his friend, was equally magnetic. Cash is rich criminal with a dark history. He knows he can’t get to Callie so he’ll take his pound of flesh from her sister. The chemistry between them is instant and sizzling.

This is a quick read, and while I devoured every page, I also wished it was longer. The pacing was great, but there were some integral parts that were missing in both Jagger and Cash’s characterization. I would have loved for some of the story to be further fleshed out. As it was, the puzzle pieces and the why’s just didn’t quite click for me. One of my most anticipated scenes was when Jagger finally gives into Cash, but I felt like that chapter was taken out and instead we get diluted flashbacks. I couldn’t help but be frustrated with that. I suppose I just needed a little bit more from this story to fully connect to the why. It felt like chunks of the story were missing.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Heck, I read it in one sitting. It was quick-paced and entertaining. I’m definitely curious to see how everything ends, especially with the plot twist at the end here. If you’re looking for something quick but satisfying, this will certainly hit the spot.


Jeana is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author from Indiana. She gave up a career in the corporate world to write about sexy billionaires and alpha bad boys. With over twenty books and several awards beneath her belt, she’s never regretted her choice to live out her dream. She’s a free spirit, a wanderer at heart, and loves animals with a passion. When she’s not tripping over random objects, you’ll find her walking in the sunshine with her rambunctious dogs and dreaming about true love.

You can follow Jeana here:

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The author is giving away an EPIC giveaway of a Michael Kors purse, a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed set of Absolute Power and Absolute Trust. Stop by her page to enter! https://www.facebook.com/JeanaEMann/

 

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Review: Pawn by TM Frazier

July 1, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

PAWN
Series: The Pawn Duet #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: TM Frazier
Release Date: June 25, 2020

Born into hell. Baptism by betrayal. 


His life revolves around violence.

 

Pawn, the highly-anticipated conclusion to The Pawn Duet from USA Today bestselling author T.M. Frazier, is available now!

 

My life is on the line.

I’m trapped both physically and emotionally. A pawn in a game I didn’t know I was playing.

Until I met him.

Pike acts without emotion, but I know he feels something for me.

I see it in his eyes when he looks at me. I feel it when he’s close.

I know it’s real because I feel it too.

Lust. Desire.

It complicates everything.

I know that I’m part of Pike’s plan for revenge.

He doesn’t know he’s part of mine.

 

Pawn is book two of The Pawn Duet. Pike is book one.

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Start the duet with Pike!

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Pike bends me over the sink. I grip the edge to prevent falling face-first against the porcelain. I glance up at him through the mirror to where he’s standing behind me, appraising my body with fierce heat in his fiery eyes. He molds his body against mine. I close my eyes at the sensation I’ve been dreaming about feeling since the last time I saw him. I relish in his scent, his heat.

“Open your eyes, Mic,” he orders. “I want you to see this. To see us.”

My only response is a whimper. I have no words.

Only need.

As ordered, I open my eyes.

Pike grazes the back of my neck with his lips. “I want to see your reaction in the mirror as you take my cock. I want you to see mine as I give it to you. I’m not just going to fuck you. This is a message. One I want you to hear loud and fucking clear so that there will be no more misunderstandings between us.” He reaches between my legs under my skirt, cupping my pussy over my damp panties.

I push back against him with a loud groan. Pike holds me in place, pushing my panties down my legs before resuming his touch, this time against bare and soaking wet flesh.

He groans when he feels what’s waiting for him. “This belongs to me.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder, closing a hand over my throat, biting at my earlobe. His next words are both a statement and a warning, delivered while the shaft of his thick cock presses against the cleft of my ass.

“You. Belong. To. Me.”

The only person who can hurt me right now, is you. It’s your fucking move, Mic. Make sure you make the right one.”

How does this woman do it? She creates the most damaged and screwed up characters and makes me love them? OK rhetorical question, but still. I was itching to get my hands on the conclusion of Pike and Mickey’s story but dang, I was no expecting all this!

I already fell head over ovaries for Pike in the first book. Mickey, while being a genius, definitely had some screws loose, but in the most endearing of ways. This woman is damaged in every sense of the word. She’s survived what most people would get broken by, and while her coping mechanism isn’t the healthiest, it’s what makes her tick. That comes out in spades in this story as we jump further into the rabbit hole that is her brain.

Pike is just as delicious in this installment as he was in the first, except now he’s come to make peace with his growing feelings for Mic and his protectiveness comes out in full force. And this girl was SO HERE FOR IT.

There’s quite a few revelations and jaw dropping plot twists that I didn’t see coming in a million years. I literally had to pick my jaw off the floor after the first, and the second made me stare at the wall utterly dumbfounded with a holy shit moment. I love a story that can take me by surprise, and this one totally did. It was one revelation after another and this kept me glued to the pages from beginning to finish.

It was fast paced, suspenseful, sexy, and utterly messed up in parts. But I gobbled it up with a spoon. Not to mention the cameos from all of my favorites here, and I can happily say that this totally hit the mark for me.

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier never dreamed that a single person would ever read a word she wrote when she published her first book. Now, she is a five-time USA Today bestselling author and her books have been translated into numerous languages and published all around the world.

T.M. enjoys writing what she calls ‘sexy wrong side of the tracks romance’ with morally corrupt anti-heroes and ballsy heroines.

Her books have been described as raw, dark and gritty. Basically, what that means, is while some authors are great at describing a flower as it blooms, T.M. is better at describing it in the final stages of decay.

She loves meeting her readers, but if you see her at an event please don’t pinch her because she’s not ready to wake up from this amazing dream.

Connect with T.M. Frazier

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Twitter: @TM_Frazier

Stay up to date with T.M. by signing up for her mailing list: http://bit.ly/TMFrazier Website: http://www.tmfrazierbooks.com

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Review: Fraud by Lily White

June 30, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

FRAUD
Series: Antihero Inferno #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: Lily White
Release Date: June 24, 2020

Eighth Circle.
Fraud.
Also known as Gabriel Dane.

He is a ray of sunshine that warms your heart with kind eyes and a dazzling smile.

Don’t let him fool you with that silver tongue or lure you in with a body that draws every woman’s eye. This man is fluent in deception and a devil who only offers pretty lies.

Gabriel is my old nemesis.
I’m the girl that always fought back.
He has every reason to hate me as much as I hate him.

Now that he found me, he’s determined to make me pay for our past.

Except, there are two small details Gabriel doesn’t know that will be his ultimate downfall:

There are no rules when it comes to our war.
And I’ve learned to lie just as good as him.

***Each novel in the series depicts a unique romance, but the plots through each book connect in one world. For the best experience, read the series in order.

Nine ruthless men. Nine unrepentant sinners. Nine irresistible manipulators.

AMAZON

I hate to break this to you, Ivy, but payback is a bitch.”
Smiling at that, I turn my head just enough that the corners of our mouths touch. “I hate to break this to you, Gabriel, but so am I.”

This series has quickly become my book crack of choice and I’m officially obsessed. I’ve said it after reading the first book, and I’ll say it again, because these books are seriously crackalicious. Like finger-lickin’ good. You need to read these damn books is what I’m telling you here. Seriously. Stop whatever else you’re doing and read it. READ IT. You’ll thank me after. Trust me.

A broken prince. The spoiled princess. And a war where the players had two different objectives.

Gabe is the epitome of a broken prince. He hides a wealth of pain and dark secrets behind his charming smile and lethal lies. The man lies as easily as he breathes and is the go-to when it comes to the inferno boys needing someone charmed into their bidding. He’s handsome, cunning, and the ultimate liar. Where the rest of the Inferno men look their part, Gabe is deceiving. Because he looks like the easy going one, when he’s anything but.

He’s just a monster disguised in gorgeous wrappings. A man that wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped him in the face.

Ivy has been his favorite pawn to play with for years. Their back and forth begins when they were just kids and Ivy saw something that Gabe punishes her to this day. But Ivy is so beyond a pawn. This is a woman that gives as good as she gets. I’m saying the woman is fiendish in her own right and I absolutely loved how much hell she gives Gabe. She doesn’t take any of his BS lying down and when he hits with one of his twisted games, she makes sure to hit back twice as hard.

The war we have is a drug, and I’ve always been an addict.

Ivy is impossible not to love. She’s fierce and takes no sh*t. She’s beautiful but vulnerable with plenty of daddy issues the daughter of a powerful yet corrupt aspiring politician can have. She wants to be the good girl her father needs and leaves behind her party girl ways in the past. But Gabe also brings out the worst in her. And when he comes calling for an old bet, well, the gloves definitely come off on their games.

We’re two opposing forces, strong enough when we’re together that lightning cracks the pristine skies, and the earth shakes beneath our feet. We’re destructive. Disastrous. The blinding chaos of a tempest storm.

Ivy once went to Tanner for a favor and now years later, the Inferno is here to collect. But Ivy is faced with an impossible choice of doing the right thing and betraying her father or running from the truth that keeps creeping its way up.

This is most definitely not meant to be read as a standalone. There’s an continuing story arc that continues through each book. So while each book is a new couple, the story line continues. Secrets continue to emerge regarding the truth behind Luca’s father’s death and the involvement of the guys’ fathers. It’s a dark and twisted game full of twists that I couldn’t get enough of.

Gabe and Ivy burn up the pages together. Their chemistry is incendiary. I loved their hate lust almost as much as when they give into the temptation and burn up the sheets together. I loved how Ivy’s fierce nature balances out Gabe’s twisted charm. She makes him work for everything. For every little morsel of trust she grudgingly gives him with time. I’m so invested in this series, it’s not even funny. Every time I finish a book, my need for the next one is rabid. I just can’t get enough. Of course the man I’m absolutely dying for (Jase) will be second to last. But I’m absolutely giddy to get my grabby little hands on Ezra’s story next.

If you’re looking for a deliciously twisty and sexy romance with plenty of angst, chemistry, and all of the banter, you need this book in your life!

Lily White is a romance writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and Asylum. In addition to dark romance Lily writes contemporary romance, taboo romance, and psychological thrillers. Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

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Review: Seducing The Enemy by Shayla Black

June 29, 2020 by ·

SEDUCING THE ENEMY
Series: Forbidden Confessions #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Shayla Black
Release Date: June 25, 2020

Seducing the Enemy, an all-new sexy, must-read forbidden romance from New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black is available now.

Once he takes his pound of flesh from her, will she steal his heart?

I’m Jett, self-made billionaire.
I have everything I could ever want—except revenge.
Eight years ago, my best friend and I planned to start a business together…
Until I fell for his little sister.
After he found out, he stole my idea and made a fortune.
She took his side and stabbed me in the back.
Now he’s in financial straits, while I’m richer than I ever dreamed.
So I made Whitney a bargain: forty million dollars in exchange for a week of her body.
But now that she’s in my bed, what if it’s not animosity I feel?
What if I fall for her again?

Enjoy this Forbidden Confession. HEA Guaranteed!

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Dallas
4 p.m.
Jett

She’s late.

Maybe she’s not coming, a$$*#!%.

That’s a distinct possibility.

What did you expect? You’re the enemy.

I am, and she’s too smart not to realize I’m springing a trap. She also knows I’m powerful enough to destroy her and all she holds dear.

But I’d rather not. Does she know that, too?

I shove the thought away. What’s in Whitney Chancellor’s mind—and heart—now shouldn’t matter. She made a choice, and I’m going to make her regret it.

You made a choice, too. And she probably hates your guts for it.

But that doesn’t change anything. If she doesn’t show today, I’ll keep coming at her. I have ways to bend her to my will.

She will give me what I want.

I tap an impatient thumb on the charred wood of the handscraped bar. The faux-rustic room is designed to be a “laid-back” watering hole, but since it sits in the middle of a horribly pretentious hotel in an exclusive, five-star part of town, I’m calling bullsh!t.

I’ve been here ten minutes, and I already despise this place.

You’re just nervous.

No sh!t. But this site is less than two miles from her house, so I’m here.

It’s been eight years, and I traveled halfway around the world for this. For her.

That doesn’t mean she’ll come, especially since you ordered her to.

In hindsight, that may not have been my best strategy, but cushioning my approach would have been counterproductive. It’s best if she understands I’m a world-class bastard, and nothing—not even her—will soften me.

Whitney has probably discerned that. After all, I’ve put her in a terrible position. One of two things will happen next: she’ll sweetly capitulate like she seemingly did all those years ago…or she’ll tell me to go f*ck myself. With her, I’ve got a fifty-fifty shot.

I’m almost hoping she chooses the latter.

At the sound of heels clicking across the tile floors in the otherwise empty bar, I snap around.

And I nearly drop my jaw.

I’ll send a car to pick you up at precisely nine o’clock. Bring nothing with you. Anything you need, I’ll provide. When you arrive, the front door will be unlocked. Once inside, you will strip. And you will kneel. Then you will wait for me. You will be completely mine. While you’re with me, you will forget two things: any other man who’s ever fucked you and the word no. You will do anything I desire with, to, or for me during our week together. Am I clear?”

*dirty shiver*

Well, then. Wasn’t this just utterly delicious? Dare I say, this was one of the most satisfying novellas I’ve read in a while. Is it a little cliche? Sure! Did I care? Not in the least. Shayla Black is my go to for yummy uber alphas and the heroines that give them hell. What can make it better? A second chance romance with a deliciously dirty revenge plot.

Whitney has just made a deal with the devil. When Jett was 21 years old, he fell fast and hard for the beautiful younger woman. They shared a stolen kiss that ultimately cost him everything. Now, years later, he’s back to exact his pound of flesh. Whitney’s brother betrayal is still a fresh wound. And when he can use the woman that he used to love to exact revenge on the man that cost him everything? Well that’s even better. He offers Whitney a deal; a week submitting to him, and in exchange he’ll bail out her brothers $40 MIL mistake.

Whitney is not about to give in so easy and is content to give him hell. Jett thinks that his feeling are long ago buried, but everything floats back to the surface the second they’re back in each others orbit. This was sexy and oh so fun. It was quick paced and oh so satisfying. I devoured it with a giddy little smile on my face.

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty novels. For over twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Connect with Shayla

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Review: Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner

June 25, 2020 by ·

MAKE ME HATE YOU
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kandi Steiner
Release Date: June 25, 2020

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me.

Make Me Hate You is a best friend’s brother romance that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

AMAZON

Seven miles and an hour later, and all the anxiety I’d felt the night before was completely gone.

At least, until I rounded the foyer into the kitchen and saw I wasn’t the only one up early on Sunday morning.

Tyler sat at the kitchen island, still in his navy blue sweat pants and simple white t-shirt, with one foot planted on the ground and the other hooked casually on the lower bar of his stool. His hair was an absolute disaster, the boyish waves sticking up this way and that. He had both hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea, his eyes focused on the iPad he had propped up in front of him, and BlueTooth headphones in his ears.

At first, he didn’t notice me, and I slowed my steps, standing silently at the entry of the kitchen and watching him. I’d done everything I could last night to avoid his gaze, to not look at him, and now that I had a stolen moment to observe, I found my chest tightening again, my mouth dry and sticky.

His brown eyes were hidden beneath bent brows, expression serious as he watched whatever was on the screen. Small lines creased the edges of his eyes — lines that weren’t there when we were kids. He’d grown into a man somehow, overnight, it seemed. Then again, it had been years.

I’d seen him on social media, watched from afar as his YouTube channel took off. I’d seen pictures of him on Instagram — traveling through Europe, hiking in Australia, swimming in hot pools in Iceland. I didn’t follow him, of course, but his profile was public, which allowed me to flip through picture after picture on the nights when I was a pathetic mess.

But, pictures and videos didn’t do justice to the actual man who sat studiously at that kitchen island.

He was something between the boy I used to love and the man I’d never know, familiar and unreachable all at once.

Tyler shook his head at something, letting out a frustrated sigh and kicking back the bar stool a little before taking a sip of his tea. His eyes flicked to me then, back to the screen, and then, he did a double take, this time fixing his gaze on me and leaving it there.

Something changed in his eyes when he looked at me, like a shadow passed over them and held him captive. I was dressed in jogger shorts and a modest tank top, but from the way he watched me, I might as well have been completely naked.

That’s what his gaze did to me, what it always had done.

It stripped me bare.

It’s you who brings me pain. It’s you who is killing me. It’s you, and us,” I added, motioning between us. “It’s this thing that never was, but always is, that never will be and will never not be.”

I have a confession to make: *whispers* I’m a Kandi Steiner virgin *looks around for side eyes*

Clearly I’ve been living under a rock, okay? Quit judging me. I finally rectified my mistake so better late than never, right? RIGHT? But I digress. The second I read the blurb and heard whispers of angst, I was all over this book like a fly on poop. What? Bad analogy? OK, let’s go with white on rice here then. Jeez. What I’m trying to say is this angst whore was all over it. A second chance romance with best friend’s older brother and all of the feels? SIGN ME UP.

Jasmine and Tyler grew up together. And while Jaz was best friends with his sister, Tyler being just 11 months older became an escape for her and one of her closest friends as well. She longed for the sort of family her best friend had while dealing with the shambles of her own. Then one night of comfort and passion lead to the irreparable break of her and Tyler’s friendship. Jasmine ran as far as she could from their town after graduating high school and hasn’t turned back. Now, years later, she’s back in town for her best friend’s wedding and forced to deal with all of the things that were left unsaid between her and Tyler.

The chemistry and pull between her and Tyler is there the second they set eyes on one another again. But Jasmine has a wonderful boyfriend she’s in love with and Tyler is dating someone as well. The pull between them is undeniable, but the chasm of all the things that were left unsaid is too wide.

Admittedly, this wasn’t as angsty as I was expecting considering the dynamic between the two of them. It’s emotional, yes, but the angst that I was craving that would make me into an anxiety driven mess wasn’t quite there.

I enjoyed the story and was rooting for Tyler and Jasmine. I loved that Tyler had this sweet and vulnerable side to him. It was refreshing and endearing. Jasmine also had a good head on her shoulders and I loved that she knew what had to be done the second she realized her feelings for Tyler were not as resolved as she thought they were. They still went on a merry-go-round of push and pulls, but I was so here for it. While I enjoyed the story, it didn’t have as glued to the pages as I had hoped. I was invested, but I was also hoping for a little more oomph. Don’t get me wrong, this definitely brought plenty of feels. I suppose this angst addict just wanted a little more HURT. God, I’m such a masochist. If you’re looking for a second chance romance with an emotional punch, this will certainly deliver.

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional roller-coaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed it to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die-hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer, and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi:
Mailing List
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Facebook Reader Group: (Kandiland)
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Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
www.kandisteiner.com/events

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: , ,

Review: Wild Highway by Devney Perry

June 24, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

WILD HIGHWAY
Series: Runaway #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Devney Perry
Release Date: June 23, 2020

From USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry comes a small town, second chance romance.

Gemma Lane built an empire. Not a small feat, considering her home as a teenager was a makeshift tent in a California junkyard. She’s dedicated her life to turning pennies into millions. She has power, fortune and prestige.

And she’s leaving it all behind.

Gemma is headed across the country in her best friend’s Cadillac when a detour in Montana reunites her with old acquaintances and a man who hasn’t changed. Easton Greer challenges her every word and tests her every limit because he doesn’t believe she’s really abandoned her riches. She ignores his snide remarks and muttered censure—until the day she’s ready to return to the wild highway, and Easton taunts her to stay.

She’ll prove to him she’s not just running back to her wealthy life, that she’s more than her money. She’ll unlock her guarded heart and hope that this time around, he’ll treasure the key.

AMAZON

That man . . . grr. I wanted to strangle him and kiss him and kick him and lick him all in the same moment.

I simply adore this series. I cannot get enough of it. I was immediately hooked the second I read Runaway Road, and it seems to only get better with each book!

If you know me or follow my reviews, then you already know I’m a sucker for a second chance romance. So suffice it to say that I gobbled this story up with a spoon and licked my fingers after for good measure. It was delicious!

If you’ve read the first book, then you know the premise already. If you haven’t, it’s about a group of teenage runaways that chase their happy as adults in the fixed up cadillac that they slept in as kids. Now it’s Gemma’s turn and I couldn’t wait to get beneath this woman’s layers. Gemma is the uber successful one of the group. She’s put everything into building her business and her empire. So much so, that she’s left every other aspect of her life on hold. Nothing gives her meaning anymore. She got her success but she still feels numb. So she sells her business, gets the cadillac from her friend, and drives to the sleepy town that was once a stopover that left an imprint on her soul.

Easton and Gemma shared one night together before she left him and the town in her rearview. But it was so much more. So much, in fact, that neither forgot about the other. And one Gemma is unnerved to see the handsome man again, Easton appears flat out mad and eager to chase her out. A dare causes her to stay and soon the chemistry between them doesn’t take long to rekindle.

I loved the push and pull between the two of them. Gemma has plenty of scars left on her soul from her past. And nothing was more satisfying then watching her let Easton in, little by little, until he fully gets through all her walls. Easton was as stubborn as they come and Gemma’s leaving hurt him more than he wants to admit.

Everything about this story was fantastic. The small town feel and its inhabitants. Easton’s family and the way they so easily bring Gemma back into their fold. Gemma’s reunion with her best friend that she left behind and making things right. And the romance between her and Easton? Perfection.

I’m obsessed with this series and I’m already craving the next book. Unrequited love? SIGN. Me. UP.

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Review: Darkest Sin by J. Saman

June 23, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

DARKEST SIN
Series: Las Vegas Sin #3
Genre: Dark, Romantic Suspense
Author: J. Saman
Release Date: June 22, 2020

Everyone has an ex who haunts them.

Mine shot me in the arm and told me to run or he’d kill everyone I ever loved. And then he’d kill me.

Years later, he’s made good on that promise. I’m the only one left.

He’s got his sights set on finding me, and my options on places to hide are quickly running out.

Until I meet a gorgeous assassin with an agenda of his own…putting not only my life, but my heart in danger.

With piercing green eyes and irresistible confidence, Gavin tells me not to be afraid. Promises he’s on my side. Swears he’s here to protect me instead of doing what he does best…kill.

The desire to trust him is tempting. The passion between us, even more so.

But when everything I thought I knew is suddenly flipped upside down, and all that’s dangerous and forbidden comes to light, I have to make a choice.

Continue to run and hide…

Or risk it all, including the man who somehow captured my heart.

AMAZON

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His mere presence is a threat. A weapon I’d bet he wields meticulously yet unapologetically. He’s sinisterly beautiful. An intoxicating poison.

I told myself that 2020 will be the year that I try more new to me authors, and J Saman has been on my radar for way too long. So of course the second I saw the blurb to Darkest Sin, I knew this would be my first book by her. And after finishing, I can happily report that I’m hooked! And before you jump down my throat, yes, I started this series with book 3. If you’ve followed my reviews for even a hot minute, you should already know that I like to do things a bit backasswards. Quit judging. And while this novel certainly stands on it’s own and I had no trouble at all immediately diving into this world, I could definitely tell there were some story arcs that carried over from the previous two books. So I’ll definitely be going back to read those.

As for this book, I seriously enjoyed it. It was suspenseful, sexy, and totally addicting. I will warn you to suspend your disbelief here. There are some things that happen that are a bit out there and don’t get fully fleshed out and somewhat glossed over on the procedural side of things. But I also couldn’t find it in me to care. I was that sucked in. And this is coming from someone that reads a ton of suspense and is usually a stickler for these sort of details.

Gavin Moore…
Professional killer.
White knight and darkest sin.

Emma is on the run. The man she fell in love with is not at all the man she thought he was and has turned into her perfect nightmare. She’s lost everyone she’s ever loved and doesn’t spend long in any one place. used to constantly looking over her shoulder, she finds herself in Vegas, and in the crosshairs of someone else.

Gavin is not who he seems. While he wants Emma to believe he’s a perfect stranger that’s merely hitting on her for a date, he’s so much more. A professional killer and a man on a mission, he’s there for her but she doesn’t know why.

I won’t go too far into the story since you can get that from the blurb. But I will tell you that I was immediately hooked on Gavin. The man was sinfully delicious with an aura of danger that oozed from his every pore. GAH. And considering how much I dislike weak heroines, I was even more hooked on Emma. The woman is a fighter through and through. She’s not quite what she appears to be herself, and the more the layers were peeled back with her, the more intrigued I became. This is a woman that can fight her own battles and isn’t afraid to give as good as she gets. And considering that there’s a hit on her life, she doesn’t let the fear guide her. She takes everything head on, and I seriously loved that about her.

I had one minor quibble with the way that the dialogue is written, it was difficult to understand who was speaking in certain parts. But aside from that, I seriously enjoyed the writing. The story, was completely addicting. The mystery, the suspense, the non stop action made it a fast paced read that I couldn’t get enough of. And the romance? SIZZLING.

Suffice it to say, I’ve definitely found me a new author to add to my never ending TBR and plan on reading pretty much everything this woman writes (including the rest of this series).

To celebrate the release of Darkest Sin, J. Saman has a giveaway for you! Head here to enter: http://jsamanbooks.com/updates

J. Saman is a USA Today bestselling author who is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).

She’s an admitted lover of second chance romances, love triangles, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing contemporary romance filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side – especially for their women.

FACEBOOK | READER GROUP | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | BOOKS + MAIN 

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Review: This Time Tomorrow by Tessa Bailey

June 22, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

THIS TIME TOMORROW
Series: Phenomenal Fate #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: June 22, 2020

Roksana, heiress to the vampire slayer throne, has performance anxiety.

She’s supposed to kill Elias, but so far she’s only succeeded in maxing out his credit card. Now her failure to stake the brooding vampire has sent her back to Moscow in disgrace to face her mother’s wrath. Expecting punishment by death, she’s given a rare reprieve. She now has three tasks to complete, the last of which is to finally kill Elias. She will not fail this time.

If only the memories of one magical evening—back when Elias was human, would stop holding her back. He claims to have forgotten that night. Why can’t she? Three years ago, Elias was a SWAT team member on a guy’s weekend in Vegas. Playing poker and minding his own business, his life changed forever when a captivating blonde strolled past his table in a light-up bra. He followed Roksana as if compelled, his very bones demanding he do so, his soul resonating with the belief she would be important to him. Always. That turned out to be a vast understatement—and nothing has changed.

Roksana embarks on her mission, determined to win back her mother’s approval, but when an astonishing truth emerges in the eleventh hour, will her stake pierce the very heart that beats in her honor? Or will love triumph over duty?

AMAZON

I love you,” he whispered, shaken by the emotion expanding in his throat, cradling her in his arms and carrying her to bed.
“No matter what happens this time tomorrow, that will never change.”

You guys. YOU GUYS! I’m practically vibrating with glee as I write this review. Because OMG. I mean OH MY GOD. This was EVERYTHING.

I’m going to date myself a little here, but I have to say, that if you’re a die hard fan of Buffy and Angel like I was, this is the holy grail of romances here. I mean; a sassy and smart mouthed vampire slayer falls for the dark, brooding, and uber protective alpha vampire. HELLO?!!! This was my happy place for the few hours it took me to absolutely DEVOUR THIS BOOK.
Now I have a confession to make here, too….
*whispers* I didn’t love the first book in this series. *cringes* I KNOW! I felt awful. I love me some Tessa Bailey, so to not like a book of hers, I felt like I was broken. But everything that I wished the first book was, the second book turned out to be. I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that I devoured it. It was quick paced, emotional, and full of Bailey’s signature dirty talk that’s a one two punch straight to the ovaries. I LOVED IT.

Roksana is impossible not to love. I loved her as a secondary character, and I absolutely adored her as a main one. She’s so much more than just a smart mouthed slayer threatening to kill the vampires that she’s somehow been working along side with. Though her threats to kill them tomorrow sort of soften the intent. I was immediately gravitated towards the magnetic pull between her and Elias in the first book. But in this one? I was absolutely obsessed with it.

The story takes us back to the beginning of how these two first met and brings us into the now. Though you don’t find everything out right away, and you’re told in delicious bits and pieces until the puzzle begins to click together.

Elias was…GOD. This man was EVERYTHING. He loves Roksana beyond reason, even if she’s non the wiser for it. He’d die for her and would do anything for her, even if it’s sparing her the truth of something that has cost them both everything. His yearning for his woman was a tangible thing that you can practically taste from the pages. I’m not even kidding. It was utterly delicious. Their chemistry was absolutely incendiary. I couldn’t get enough of them and their push and pull. Talk about opposites attracting. Roksana’s mission is to kill him while he’d die to protect her. SWOON.

The world building here just did it for me. I was riveted to the quick paced story and all the side action it brought to the romance. And can we talk about this cover? PERFECTION. You bet your ass I’ll be buying the hell out of this paperback. And not just because I have every intention of re-reading this book countless times. If you’re looking for a sizzling hot PNR with one of the BEST couples that you will love to root for, don’t miss this one. Seriously. DO IT. Thank me for it later.

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Review: Healing of the Wolf by Cherise Sinclair

June 21, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

THE HEALING OF THE WOLF
Series: The Wild Hunt Legacy #5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Release Date: June 23, 2020

A decade in captivity tore away all hope.

But Margery never lost her resolve to help the sick. The village she’d hoped to serve as banfasa, caring for the ill and injured, is long gone. Humans captured the young shifters and killed the adults. Finally rescued, she has a chance at her dreams—at least for meaningful work. With her leg crippled and her face scarred, she knows she has no hope of ever finding love.

Tynan is ready to find their mate.

After years away from his littermate as a police officer among humans, Tynan is finally home, a beta in the wolf pack, and serving his people as a law officer. Assigned as Margery’s mentor in the pack, he patiently works to earn the skittish little wolf’s trust. Her captivity has left her with problems, including a fear of uniforms. But he’s a fixer at heart—and he’s starting to want more from the gentle female than just friendship.

Donal has no intention of making a family.

Separated from his littermate for years, Donal has remained unmated, devoting his energies to healing. Believing ugly rumors about their new neighbor—a banfasa—he won’t have her in his clinic or his life—no matter what his newly returned brother wants.

But a feral shifter’s attack on Tynan shows Margery in a whole different light. She’s levelheaded, compassionate, sweet—and far too appealing. What male could resist her?

But even as the brothers work to win their mate, cruel forces move to crush their entire clan.

AMAZON

It had taken him far too long, but he saw her in return. And liked everything he saw.

Cherise Sinclair books are my happy place. Whether she’s writing emotionally charged BDSM romance or just as emotionally charged MFM PNR, one thing is guaranteed; I’ll be glued to the pages.

If you haven’t read her Wild Hunt Legacy series, you, my friend, are seriously missing out. If you’re a fan of sexy PNR, I can guarantee this series is as unique as they come. Aside from the sizzle factor of each female getting not one but two alpha male mates, this series also packs one hell of an emotional punch which I’ve come addicted to.

Margery is a survivor. She’s spent years in captivity, surviving unspeakable brutalities and watching her fellow prisoners die at the hands of the vicious shifter hunters, Scythe. When she’s finally rescued, she’s experiencing a whole new world. She’s basically grown up in captivity, so the shifter life and traditions are a foreign concept to her. Margery is so easy to love. There’s just something so fierce about her. She’s a warrior in her own right. She’s survived horrors, but none of it has damaged her caring heart. She’s one of the most endearing heroines I’ve read. She’s just impossible not to love. Your heart breaks for her and you can’t help but yearn for her HEA.

Tynan is easy to love, too. He’s a cop in the human world, and the PTSD of her captivity with the Scythe soldiers makes Margery skittish around men in uniform. Tynan immediately puts her on edge. What I loved about him is just how patient and sweet he was with her. He recognizes her sweet soul right away and a woman that he needs to be with. He patiently waits her out and works through all of her fear and walls. This man was EVERYTHING.

Donal was a bit of a different story. The healer has some misconceptions of Margery that take him some time to work through. These misconceptions make him give her a bit of a cool reception and had me wanting to shake him in parts. However, when he finally sees the errors or his ways, he’s one determined man.

I loved the three of them together and I love how Sinclair manages to combine emotion and passion with a sizzling touch. I love this series, and can’t recommend it enough for all of my fellow PNR fans out there.

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