Review: What Lies Between Us by H.D. Carlton

September 13, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

WHAT LIES BETWEEN US
Series: Heartless Heroes Anthology
Genre: MM Romance, Dark Romance
Author: H.D. Carlton
Release Date: September 13, 2022

Some heroes want to save the world. Some will burn it down for the one they love.
Call them villains, anti-heroes, criminals, and monsters.
But these dark men love deeply and fiercely, and are ready to go to the ends of the earth to save their soulmate.

They will tempt you.
Captivate you.
Drag you into darkness, and leave you breathless.
They’ll show you how good love can be in the dark.

There’s a spark between these pages, and these Heartless Heroes will set your world on fire.

Morally grey is the favorite color of these twenty new and bestselling authors. Grab your copy now to read all the dark shades of love painted by these Heartless Heroes.

Authors in this set include:
J.L. Beck & C. Hallman, Sahara Roberts & Dori Pulitano, Sonya Jesus, H. D. Carlton & CE Ricci, Lola West, D.S. Wrights, Elizabeth Miller, Lily Wildhart, Morgan James, A.R. Breck, Brynn Ford, Indie Black & Sienna Cousins, Isabella Phoenix & Victoria Pauley, Suki Williams, Ashley Gee, D.W. Marshall, M.L. Philpitt, and Ember Evans

AMAZON

Review for What Lies Between Us by H.D. Carlton

“Which makes you angrier, golden boy? The fact that you want to fuck your sister’s ex-boyfriend or that you want to fuck her murderer?”

The second that I saw H.D. Carlton is writing a dark MM romance, I was immediately salivating. But I was not at all prepared for the savage chokehold this story would have on me.

This is a novella and a bit of preview to what will be a full length novel for Link and Echo. But what I loved is how H.D. is able to give us a deliciously addictive hook and have it be equally satisfying while still making you salivate for more. She gave readers just enough to get them hooked on this story, but didn’t drop your typical shock value cliffhanger and I could kiss her for it.

The set up for this story? OHMYGAWD! If I was more hooked I’d be hunting her ass down at her house and standing over her shoulder glaring menacingly until she finished the story and immediately gave it to her. What? The woman created Zade, I think she wouldn’t mind this. But I digress.

Echo is whispered about through the halls of the Godric University. But it isn’t for his sinful good looks or manwhore ways. He’s the guy who brutally killed his ex girlfriend and got away with it. Or so everyone thinks, even though he was found innocent. He’s used to the whispers, but they’re no less hard. Especially when he’s forced to deal with the violent hate from his ex’s twin bother and ex best friend. Who he kinda, sorta also has the hots for. Talk about complicated.

But I’m making too light of what this story was. Because it was full of signature dark and creepy undercurrent that only HD can write so well. There’s a dark mystery that runs parallel to the chemistry between Link and Echo of who truly killed Link’s twin and getting Link to see the truth of what Echo is saying.

The novella was enough to immediately hook you and I do mean immediately. I loved a dark academia romance and this one ticked all the boxes. I’m seriously salivating for the full dose of this story because the whodunnit mystery just may kill me in the wait.

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Review: Hannaford Prep series by J Bree

September 8, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

HANNAFORD PREP (The Complete Series)
Series: Hanaford Prep
Genre: Why Choose
Author: J Bree
Release Date: July 27, 2020

The most exclusive school in the entire country, Hannaford Preparatory Academy, has offered me a full-ride scholarship and a chance to escape the dangerous streets of Mounts Bay.

The only problem is, no scholarship student has ever made it through freshman year.

None of the rich kids understand the need for survival that runs through my veins, the throne I’ve fought and killed to sit on, and there are more deranged killers stalking me than I can keep count of.

The think the can break me.

They’re wrong.

No one touches the Wolf.

AMAZON

We were both born into cages. Mine was poverty, drugs, the threat of gangs and violence.

Did I just binge read this entire series in 3 days? Yes. Yes I did.
The plot, while you do have to suspend your disbelief for, was addicting as hell.

Admittedly, I walked into this series a bit blind. Had I done my research or read all the blurbs, I would have seen that this is set in high school and the MCs are 15 in the first book. Had I read if I knew? Probably not. But by the time I got through the first few chapters, I was already fully invested and couldn’t stop.

This is a series that spans a year per book, so by the time we reach the final book, they’re all seniors. It’s a poly romance with no sword crossing, but the spice doesn’t start until book 3 when the MCs are 17. This actually worked out for me because I couldn’t read it had the spice started before that, but do bear in mind that it’s very much a slow burn.

Now for the plot. Did I have to suspend my disbelief of a 15 year old being a feared member of The 12 (an infamous criminal underworld) and a killer. Yes. Yes I did. Lips has lived a hard life and she’s a survivor. She survived an addict mother, foster care, and every curve ball life threw at her. Desperate to leave that life behind, she comes to Hanford Prep as a scholarship kid, and immediately gets on the wrong side of the reigning kings (and queen) of the school.

My one and only quibble in this series is why it’s set in high school. These kids act and talk like grown adults. The guys are manwhores with a rep in their freshman year of HS and one of them is a famous rockstar. On the one side, it made it easy to age them up in my head. On the other side, I just didn’t understand the reason to base this in high school. As for the writing and the story, it was addictive. The plot and character development is top notch. Which is a feat considering 99% of the POV in each book is Lips. There is one chapter per book that you get of the guys POV but it’s not much. I didn’t mind this, even though my preference is dual POV, because we learn so much about them through Lips and I loved the pacing and development. The romance doesn’t really kick in until book two, and the spice not until book 3. However, the mystery and suspense is what ultimately kept me glued to the pages. Hooked enough that I now want to jump into the spinoff and also read Illi’s book in The Butcher of the Bay.

If you like a suspenseful poly romance with elements of bullying and a fierce heroine and don’t mind it being based in high school with all the drama that comes with it, definitely check this out.

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Review: Nicky The Driver by Cate C. Wells

September 7, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

NICKY THE DRIVER
Series: Underboss Resurection #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Cate C. Wells
Release Date: September 2, 2022

He can’t take his eyes off me.

I remember Nicky Biancolli from school. Back then, he was always staring. My cousin warned him off, and after that, he faded into the background.

Now, ten years later, he’s in my mother’s kitchen at two in the morning, and there’s a dead man in a pool of blood on the floor. Lucca Corso—the rat who killed my father—says that if I don’t marry Nicky to make peace between our families, the little brother I raised is next.

I don’t have a choice.

I have to go with the man who looks like he wants to eat me alive, and I have no idea whether this is about following orders or something much darker.

All I know is that Nicky isn’t stalking me anymore. He owns me now, and no one is going to stop him from taking what he wants.

Nicky the Driver is a dark mafia romance. It’s the second book in The Underboss Insurrection series, but it can be read as a standalone. Intended only for adult readers. HEA guaranteed.

NOTE: This story contains scenes that may be difficult for some readers. Please check the Look Inside for details.

AMAZON

Some men have Jesus. God and country. A dream. Ambition. I have Zita.

I became instantly obsessed with this world when I first read Run Posy Run. And when I saw that it will be a series? Sign me up immediately!!! And when I read the blurb to this book, I had to have it! I love me a good stalker, and beyond the cold blooded killer for hire persona, Nicky is a dang cinnamon roll. He’s completely and entirely obsessed with Zita beyond all reason, and when I tell you I was here for it, I mean I WAS HERE FOR IT. Oh and an arranged marriage? Yes please!

Is this when you rape me?” I squeeze my balled fists tighter, so hard my knuckles ache.
He rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling, his mouth twisting in the corners. “Not tonight. I got a headache,” he says.

Zita is a mafia princess who grew up in the life and no stranger to the darkness of it. After the death of her cold and brutal mafia boss father, she’s still dealing with the fall out. Her only desire is to keep her family safe, especially her younger sibling. She’s happily engaged to her high school sweetheart, but the sins of her father still hang over her family. So when their life is on the line and she has the choice to keep them safe in exchange for marrying her stalker from school, she’s not thrilled, but she agrees.

She’s beautiful. Her smile fucks my heartbeat up. Her body haunts my dreams. I know she doesn’t see it that way, though.

I loved the build up of this book. I loved how obsessed Nicky is with Zita yet he handles her with kid gloves. He will literally do anything for her and my heart swooned. Zita in turn took a bit to warm up to. She’s a complex character and watching her deal with her ED was very painful, particularly when you see how aware she is of the toll it takes on her and yet unable to stop. At times I wanted to scream at her for the way she pushed Nicky even though you can see the man would sell his soul for her. But given that she was happily engaged and forced into the marriage, I understood it too.

Up until the end this was a solid 4 star read for me. But then the lackluster rushed ending brought it down. It felt like there should have been half a book left when I finished. It didn’t feel satisfying nor complete. We literally go from 0 to 60 to come a screeching halt to 0. There was so much that was left unresolved, but the main part was the relationship. I just didn’t buy it. They spend the entirety of the book with Zita pushing Nicky away. We don’t get the satisfaction of seeing her fall for him. We didn’t get the satisfaction of the love. It just felt very surface level. I also felt like for the big chunk of the book that Zita’s ED made up, it was also left not dealt with. I did see that Cate will have a bonus epilogue in her newsletter, but I can’t help but feel this book needed more. It could have easily been twice longer and not suffered for it. I would have loved more of these two and felt so much was left unresolved by the time we hit the end, that I couldn’t felt a pang of disappointment.

Did I enjoy the story? Absolutely! Was it my favorite, not quite, but you can’t love them all. Ultimately this was one of those middle of the road reads that I enjoyed but just didn’t love.

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Review: Force of Nature by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

September 6, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

FORCE OF NATURE
Series: Deserted Island #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MMF
Author: Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde
Release Date: September 6, 2022

Carter Morelli survived a dark childhood and dangerous missions. But when he emergency lands a small aircraft on the ocean, he faces something worse: having someone depend on him. He has to keep innocent June Porter safe on the deserted island.

Except they aren’t alone here…

A man hides among the broad leaves. He’s almost feral.

There are secrets in his cabin. Desire, too.

Carter doesn’t want to care about beautiful June. He doesn’t want to care about the mysterious and sensual man who’s almost part of the wilderness.

Scorching chemistry draws all three of them deeper.

They already survived the plane crash, but will they survive the fall?

Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty world… The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

AMAZON

Envy is a sin, and I’m sick with it. I’m jealous of his hands on her skin when I could be touching her. And I’m jealous of his hands on her when he could be touching me.

Welp, it’s officially official, I AM HOOKED. This is like espionage meets Tarzan and I am here for it because holy hotness, batman!

I’ll kiss her, if that’s what it takes to stop her panic. I’ll drag her into the jungle and hold her naked in my arms, if that’s what it takes to keep her warm. I’ll suffer through being painfully hard every time I look at her until I’m dead, if that’s what it takes to survive.

First of all, friends, Carter mother effing Morelli. This man. Dare I say I may have met my favorite Morelli brother of the series. I know, I know, big statement. Especially considering he’s related to Leo Morelli. But professor Carter is now a proud owner of my ovaries and I don’t want them back. He’s such a fascinating enigma. There’s the professor part of him that kicks in one particular scene and let me just tell you. HOLY SIZZLE. When Professor Carter’s class of sexual education is in, it’s IN. But I digress.

If you’ve read the prequel novella than you’ve already been introduced. And if you haven’t, then don’t worry, because the book starts with that story. Carter is a professor by day but beneath that veil, he’s also a secret government agent. When a routine flight that should be nothing more than a stopover on his way to his true mission gets tempered with, he and the photographer he’s flying crash land on a deserted island. Only it’s not as deserted as they think.

After reading the novella, I was dying to meet the man who inhabits the island. But nothing prepared me for Theo and the instant fiery chemistry that sparks to life between these three.

We get enough of a taste to get the reader completely hooked only to be slapped with a cliffhanger so painful, I’m not sure I’d survive the wait for the next book. GAH.

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Review: Hide & Seek (novella) by H.D. Carlton

September 6, 2022 by ·

HIDE & SEEK
BOOKS: Dissent Anthology
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: H.D. Carlton
Release Date: September 6, 2022

For National Read a Book day, DISSENT will be releasing in eBook and paperback!

DISSENT is a charity romance anthology with NEW, never before published content from over 150 authors of all romance genres. All proceeds from the eBook and paperbacks will be donated to organizations benefiting reproductive rights in the United States, particularly in areas where people need them more than ever.

DISSENT will only be available for a very limited time, so grab your copy today!

We are not affiliated nor endorsed by any of these charities. We are simply a community bound by a single cause: protecting the basic human right of body autonomy.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Brighton Walsh, Nicole French, Kennedy Fox, A.M. Roark, A.R. Hall, Aarti V Raman, Aidy Award, Alexis Anne, Amanda Richardson, Amelia Wilde, Amie Knight, Amy Quinton, Anna Michael, Aria Wyatt, Ashley Lane, Autumn Jones Lake, B. Celeste, Blair Babylon, Brenda St John Brown, Brenna Aubrey, Bri Blackwood, Cara Dee, Carmen Jenner, C.L. Matthews, Cassie Graham, Celia Kyle, Charity Ferrell, Claire Wilder, Claudia Burgoa, Dakota Willink, Dani René, Daniela Romero, Dee Garcia, Dee Lagasse, Deidre-Ann Anderson, Donna Grant, Echo Grayce, Elena Aitken, Elle Thorpe, Ellis Leigh, Emily Colin, Emily Goodwin, Erica Alexander, Erin Parisien, Eva Charles, Eva Moore, Evelyn Adams, Glenna Maynard, H.D. Carlton, Haley Jenner, Heidi McLaughlin, Holly Mortimer, Hope Jones, Ines Johnson, Iris Morland, J. Saman, J. Sterling, J.H. Croix, J.L. Beck & C. Hallman, J.M. Walker, Jane Blythe, Janet Berry, Jasmin Miller, JD HOLLYFIELD, Jen Stevens, Jenika Snow, Jenna Hartley, Jenna Lynn, Jennifer Sucevic, Jessica Florence, Jillian Liota, Julia Kent, Kait Nolan, Kat Latham, Kat Savage, Kate Canterbary, Kate King and Jessa Wilder, Kate Meader, Kathy Coopmans, K.B. Cinder, K.D. Proctor, Kelly Maher, Kim Loraine, Kym Grosso, Lainey Davis, Laramie Briscoe, Laura Hall, Laura Lee, Lauren Stewart, Lea Coll, Len Webster, Lili Valente, Linnea May, Lisa Shelby, Lissanne Jones, Lucy Lennox, Mary Ann Marlowe, Max Henry, Megan Ryder, Melissa Andrea, Melissa Marino, Melonie Johnson, Mia Harlan, Mignon Mykel, Molly O’Hare, Monica Corwin, Morgan Jane Mitchell, N.A. Moore, Natasha Raulerson, Nicole Blanchard, Nina Levine, Pamela DuMond, Patricia D. Eddy, Persephone Autumn, R.L. Kenderson, Rachel Brookes, Raven James, Rebecca Paula, Rebecca Yarros, Regina Kyle, R. Castro, Roxie Noir, S. Cinders, Sade Rena, Saffron A. Kent, Samantha Lind, Sarah M. Cradit, Scarlett Cole, S.E. Rose, Shaw Hart, Sydney St. James, S.J. Sylvis, Skye Alder, Stephanie Anne, Suzanne Baltsar, Sylvie Stewart, T.K. Leigh, Tabatha Vargo, Tamara Lush, Taryn Quinn, Tawna Fenske, T. Gephart, Toni Aleo, Tracy Krimmer, Tricia Lynne, Trish Milburn, V.F. Mason, Vanessa Booke, Vivian Wood, Zoe Ashwood, and Zoe York

AMAZON

Oh my God,” I breathe, shuddering as he sinks deeper, his palm sliding up to my breast and cupping it tightly.
I feel him grin against me before he whispers, “I am your God, and you, little mouse, are my favorite creation.”

The amount of pure giddiness that this novella gave me. You have no idea. NO IDEA. Now I am not usually a reader who likes bonus content for characters who already got a satisfying HEA. Unless these characters are Adeline and Zade. Because I swear to god, these two can spend the entire book reading off their grocery list, and I’d read it. Because Adeline and Zade!!! And if you haven’t yet read the Cat and Mouse duet, you haven’t lived. Trust me on this. If you’re a fan of dark romance with psycho stalkers who would burn the world down for their woman, you will fall head over ovaries for Zade. But I digress.

Hide and Seek is a bonus story for these two and when I tell you it was incendiary, I mean my loins are on fire. This was the hottest freaking novella I have read. And when I tell you it hit the spot just right, I will say it was one of the most satisfying novellas I have ever read. Pun intended. Because holy mother this was hot! It was bonus content I didn’t know I needed but I am so happy to have! SO. FREAKING. GOOD.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: ,

Review: Never Look Back by A.L. Jackson

August 29, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

NEVER LOOK BACK
Series: Redemption Hills #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: August 29, 2022

From NYT and USA Today bestselling author A.L. Jackson comes an enemies-to-lovers, close-proximity, second-chance romance…

Logan Lawson won me in a bet.
The second I saw him sitting at the illegal card table, I knew I was in trouble.
Years ago, he sealed my fate and condemned me to a life I didn’t want to lead.
Yet he’s filled with untamed fury and thirsting for vengeance against the husband I hate.

Aster Costa is everything I never should have wanted.
The second she showed with her pompous, prick of a husband, I should have gotten up and walked.
But there’s no looking away from the woman who wrecked me.
Worse, I can’t stop myself from plotting to get her back.

I want nothing more than to be free of my husband.
I’m afraid Logan Lawson is the only one who can make that happen.
He might hate me for our past, but now it’s me on my knees begging for help.

Finding each other in the middle of it wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain.
But once Logan touches me, I’m gone.
A torch is rekindled. A fire is lit.

Aster Costa has always been mine.
And this time, no matter the cost, I won’t give her back…

Read Amazon or Free with Kindle Unlimited | Listen to the Audio Narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon | Order a Signed Paperback or Hardback

You’re going to make me regret this, aren’t you?”
“It seems fair since I’ll be regretting you for the rest of my life.”

If there’s one thing that AL Jackson knows how to do, is to hit her readers right in the feels with the force of a Mac truck. And this book? Well, it didn’t just hit you in the feels. It ran them over. Then backed up and ran over them again for good measure. And this girl? I was so here for it!

I hate you. You’d do well not to forget it.” It sounded of pain. A rush of regret. Hurt that slayed. My arms curled tighter around his neck.
“I hate you, too.” I guessed we were both good at tellingeach other lies.

I love a second chance romance. There’s just something so utterly delicious about the angst of a second chance. And Aster and Logan’s journey to a hea was a special kind of emotional torture that I couldn’t get enough of.

I fell hard for the Lawson brothers the second I met them in Give Me a Reason. And I never thought I’d love an MC more than the uber intense Trent. But Logan definitely made a liar out of me. The youngest brother is a genius when it comes to numbers, and it makes him a dangerous man to sit across a card game from. Especially when the stakes are as high as what he plays for. When a man from his past walks to the table, he knows immediately what he wants. His wife. And what’s a girl to do when your husband bets you in a poker game and then loses? Take the chance to run and grasp to a better life that you didn’t dare dream of. Even if the man you dreamed of it with now wants nothing more to do with you.

I loved this emotional story so much. Logan hates Aster for what he thinks happened years ago. But nothing is at it seems, and the life that Aster had been forced to endure made my heart hurt reading about. Especially seeing Logan’s contempt to her. But that contempt didn’t take long to disappear in the midst of their explosive chemistry, no matter how much they fight it. Though I did wish they fought it a bit harder and longer. What can I say? Angst addict problems, right?

This is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It was packed with steam, emotion, secrets and betrayals. I love Jackson’s way of weaving just the right amount of suspense into her romance to keep you eagerly turning the pages. Her signature prose gave it a bit of the lighter tone at the end, and I didn’t mind because it needed that. I can’t wait for more in this series. Particularly her sister’s story because YES!

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

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Review: Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

August 16, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

PEN PAL
Genre: Erotic Thriller
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Release Date: August 16, 2022

The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence:

I’ll wait forever if I have to.

It was signed by Dante, a man I didn’t know.

Out of simple curiosity, I wrote back to ask him what exactly he was waiting for. His reply?

You.

I told the mystery man he had the wrong girl. He said he didn’t. I said we’d never met, but he said I was wrong.

We went back and forth, exchanging letters every week that grew increasingly more intimate. Then one day, the letters stopped. When I found out why, it was already too late.

Dante was at my doorstep.

And nothing on earth could have prepared me for what happened next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WARNING:

This novel is an erotic thriller that contains content intended for a mature audience only. Due to explicit language, graphic sex, detailed depictions of death and grief, intense power play dynamics, and other possible triggers, it is not suitable for sensitive readers. (Full list of TWs on author’s website.)

AMAZON 

He’s pulled a string I didn’t know I had hidden inside and unraveled me from the inside out.

Holy.
Mind.
F*ck.

Wow. My mind is spinning and I’m left with my jaw on the floor. This book took me for a hell of a ride and I’m still taking my jaw off of the floor days after finishing.

I’ve seen an interesting debate on what to categorize this book. I saw JT changed it to an erotic thriller. I went into it knowing it’s a non traditional romance with a non traditional HEA, and found it to be exactly that. It was in the vein of Perfect Strangers type of mind f*ck, or Sinner’s Creed type of non traditional. But my one piece of advise, don’t go digging for spoilers on this book. Go in blind. Trust me. This is an experience unlike any other, but make sure you don’t read it alone in the dark, because it will f*ck with you.

Having read practically all of JT’s backlist, I have come to realize that the woman can craft one complex tale full of twist and turns. I’m obsessed with her words, and this book is the perfect example why. Whatever you’re expecting, she turns it on it’s head, puts it in a blender, and then adds some spice to it to make it an unputdownable read. Because this girl binge read it with shaking fingers turning the pages. It was spooky, thrilling, suspenseful, with JT’s signature brand of twisty that will leave you reeling.

While she can write a hell of a spice scene, I did find it to be a touch much here. Like it could have cut a scene or two and not suffered for it with the story in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it was hot as hell, but at times I did find it taking a bit away from the story. That aside, this is a convoluted story of a woman who is working through a devastating loss in a house that seems to have a pulse of it’s own. Through it she meets a man who turns her world on it’s axis and then things really take an interesting turn.

It was a thrilling page turner full of heat and emotion, a dark undertone, and enough twists and turns to suck you deep into story and not let you go until the end. I devoured it and won’t be forgetting it any time soon, and that’s something coming from someone who forgets most characters a day after finishing a book.

J.T. Geissinger is a bestselling author of emotionally charged romance and women’s fiction. Ranging from funny, feisty rom coms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold more than one million copies and been translated into several languages.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. She has also been a finalist in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Her first novel was published in 2012. Since then she’s written eighteen more novels. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking wine, surfing the internet, and daydreaming about all the things she’s going to be when she grows up. She lives near the beach in Los Angeles with her husband and deaf/demented rescue kitty, Ginger.

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Review: Ruthless by Gena Showalter

August 9, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

RUTHLESS
Series: Immortal Enemies #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: August 9, 2022

Forbidden. Powerful. Ruthless. 

Micah the Unwilling, fae King of the Forgotten, can tame even the most violent of beasts. Forged on the battlefield, this iron-willed warrior considers his soldiers his family, and he will stop at nothing to reclaim their dispossessed land. Gearing for war with a sadistic enemy, he is disciplined and focused—until a feral beauty he encountered long ago wanders into his camp. 

Viori de Aoibheall wields a terrifying ability to sing monsters to life. Having spent her childhood in a forest, raising herself and her frightening creations—the only friends she’s ever known—she’s ill prepared for the scarred royal and his fearsome brutality. Not to mention the ferocity of their connection and the carnality of his touch. But the real problem? Her brother is Micah’s greatest foe. And though the sensual king makes her burn, she must stop him, whatever the cost.

AMAZON 

I pledge nothing but your downfall!”
“Consider your pledge fulfilled.” He sounded deadened inside. “I fell the first moment I saw you.”

How does the woman do this? Every. Single. Time. She just knocks it right out of the park leaving me a happy pile of satisfied goo and yet desperate for my next fix. I am OBSESSED with this series! OBSESSED and beyond loving it.

Imagine an entire series based on your all time favorite trope of all time; enemies to lovers. And while this is a standalone with a new couple, I highly recommend you start with Heartless for a full experience. Trust me on this. You may be lost to a lot of the various details and characters if you don’t. Ruthless brings us the story of Viori de Aoibheall, the baby sister of Kaysar the Unhinged One.

Micah the Unwilling, fae King of the Forgotten, has been fighting to protect his people from the ruthless Belua for as long as he remembers. A chimera, a rare fae who is born with dual glamaras that were constantly at odds, his kind has never been accepted by fae and feared in all realms. But his viciousness on the battlefield and cunning mind has left him in charge of them, though still yearning for the acceptance he will never get. He’s good enough to fight for them, but will never be good enough to stand equally among them.

Micah and Viori have a unique history as teens, which only gets more unique as they reunite as adults. Viori has been on her own for too many years to count. Ever since she lost first her parents, and then her beloved brother, she’s been fending for herself, with only her terrifying creations to keep her company. Longing to be reinitiated with her beloved brother, she somehow ends up with her brother’s biggest enemy. A scarred warrior that both enrages and calls to her all at the same time.

If there’s one thing that Gena knows how to bring, it’s the banter. I love her sassy and fierce heroines almost as much as I love her grumpy, broody, and tortured heroes. And I really loved Micah and Viori together. The pacing of the story was on point, and the romance was deliciously engaging. You can’t hope but root for these two as they make countless mistakes and assumptions with one another. Leaving you both frustrated and wanting to shake them, and rooting for their HEA.

This was another deliciously satisfying installment and if you like fast paced PNR, unique world building, banter, and enemies to lovers, you don’t want to miss this!

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Review: Blackmail by Amelia Wilde

August 2, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

BLACKMAIL
Series: Controlling Interest #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Amelia Wilde
Release Date: August 2, 2022

Bristol Anderson will do anything to protect her younger siblings.

Even if it means embezzling from the company where she’s a temp.

No one will find out.

And the wealthy owner of the investment firm will never notice.

Except Will Leblanc doesn’t miss a thing.

He could call the police, but he has more interesting plans for her.

In the copy room.

On the conference table.

Under his desk.

The coldhearted venture capitalist will make her pay back every last cent.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | KOBO | B&N | GOOGLE PLAY

Bristol Anderson is a beautiful young woman who made a terrible mistake and I’m barely human. I just want to fuck her. And hurt her. And destroy her.

The second the LeBlanc showed up as secondary characters on the pages of Dark Reign, I was immediately enthralled.

If you thought Emerson had baggage from their youth, Will puts him to shame with his brand of damage. This is a man with some serious demons, and I couldn’t wait to peel back the layers on this man. After all, it takes a special breed to blackmail his temporary assistant to sell her body when you find she embezzled $50k from your company.

Bristol Anderson is as down on her luck as she gets. With a con artist father who constantly lands them in some form of trouble, she’s forced to be the caretaker of her younger twin siblings. When her father’s latest scheme leaves his family vulnerable for payback, Bristol is forced to do something she’d never thought she would…steal. The last thing she expects is for her dangerously sexy rich boss to find out, and then demand she pays him back…but not with money.

I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled to see this turn into a trilogy for a standalone. I find myself really burned out on trilogies that don’t have enough meat on the bones of the story to warrant being stretched out into 3 books. I’m curious how this would get enough steam to call for more than 2 books. Ultimately, I did like this, and binge read it in one sitting. I also couldn’t help wishing it was longer. But that’s my own personal bias at play.

If you like damaged heroes and down on their luck sassy heroines, this will hit the spot nicely.

Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of dangerous contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.

 

Connect with Amelia

Website: https://awilderomance.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14671616.Amelia_Wilde

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Wilde/e/B01C38CNJ2

Facebook: facebook.com/awilderomance

Instagram: https://instagram.com/awilderomance

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ameliawildeauthoress?

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amelia-wilde

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Review: The Night Blossoms by Leylah Attar

July 28, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

THE NIGHT BLOSSOMS
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Author: Leylah Attar
Release Date: July 28, 2022

 

New York Times bestselling author Leylah Attar returns with a page-turning romantic suspense/thriller that careens down an emotional highway toward a chilling finale. Dark, thrilling, and ingeniously unpredictable.


“Do you ever really know someone, or do you just know the parts they want you to see?”

When her husband goes missing after a heated argument, Vee Roza finds herself caught in a dangerous web of deceit.

Not only must Vee clear her name and uncover the truth about Rafael, but also survive a high-risk pregnancy while guarding secrets of her own.

Is Rafael’s disappearance the ultimate betrayal or the ultimate sacrifice?

A full-length standalone based on a supporting character from the New York Times bestseller, The Paper Swan.

AMAZON

Memories had teeth, and sometimes they took a big chunk out of you.

Years ago, I read The Paper Swan and fell in love with Leylah Attar’s words. When I saw she’ll be releasing another standalone in this world, to say I was giddy with excitement is an understatement. I was desperate for this book.

Now if you’re expecting a book in the same vein of Paper Swan, this isn’t it. While it has dark undertones, it felt all encompassing for a completely different reason. This is a romantic thriller with a mystery that has you questioning your sanity, gripped to the pages, and not knowing up from down. It’s a suspense that leaves you with your heart in your throat, an erratic pulse, and desperately turning the pages to figure out how it all ends. And when the end comes? You’re left absolutely reeling.

Leylah Attar masterfully crafted a page turner of a thriller full of twists and turns you never see coming and a love that spans years. It jumps between past and present, giving you morsel by morsel of details. It’s perfectly paced and it’s incredibly written in a way where it gives you not enough and yet just enough. It was sucked me in from beginning to end.

If you’ve read The Paper Swan, you’ll remember Rafael. And if you haven’t, I highly recommend you do. Interestingly enough, where the Paper Swan felt all encompassing for the romance, The Night Blossom felt all encompassing for the mystery. As much as I loved both Rafael and Vee as individual characters, their romance didn’t fully reel me in. I loved it, don’t get me wrong, but it also didn’t feel like the romance is what took center stage. Which is funny to say, because the romance was there. I think for me, I just didn’t feel that same gravitational pull to the romance as I did the story itself, if that even makes sense.

Did I love it? Absolutely. Will it stay with me? Without a doubt. Do you need to read it? Right now! My one recommendation? Do yourself a favor and go in absolutely blind!

Leylah Attar is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A recipient of the Writer’s Digest Award (for Moti on the Water) and the Indie Reader Discovery Award (for Mists of The Serengeti), Leylah writes unique, emotionally compelling stories that range from rom-com to dark romantic suspense.

 

Connect with Leylah

Website: https://www.leylahattar.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8126161.Leylah_Attar
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leylah-Attar/e/B00KPV5GRQ/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leylah.attar
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/689895874417304
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leylah.attar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leylahattar
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leylah.attar
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leylah-attar
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/leylahattar/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcPf7StrxqJvjbGJi71SM0w

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