Monthly Archives: April 2025

STEEL BEAUTY: Alex & Magnolia (Beauty Series 4) by Georgia Cates

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STEEL BEAUTY : Alex & Magnolia (Beauty Series 4) by Georgia Cates-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2025

They agreed on three months… but neither expected to fall.

Alex Sebring is a former professional rugby star—and a man with nothing left to prove. Fame, fortune, and adoration were once his everyday normal… until injury ripped him from the game and the headlines turned brutal. Now, he lives in quiet exile.

No press. No relationships. No complications.

He’s content to lick his wounds in peace.

Until her.

Magnolia Steel is in Australia on a three-month work assignment. Just career focus… and maybe a little fun on the side. She never expects to connect with a stranger from behind a wall in a blind-dating suite. No faces. No names. Just voices—and something that feels dangerously real.

At the urging of his best friends, Jack and Laurelyn McLachlan, Alex proposes a deal: three months together, no expectations, no labels. But what begins as a simple arrangement turns into something far more complicated when hearts get involved.

They promised it would end when she left. But what if walking away is the one thing neither of them can do?

Your favorite Australian caveman and his American girl return—a decade later—with a fresh twist on the love story that started it all. Meet Alex and Magnolia.

••••

REVIEW: STEEL BEAUTY is the fourth instalment in Georgia Cates’ contemporary, adult BEAUTY erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year old, former professional Australian rugby star turned hotel magnate Alex Sebring, and thirty year old interior designer Magnolia Steel’s story line. STEEL BEAUTY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for back story and enjoyment, I highly recommend the original BEAUTY Trilogy.

NOTE: For fans of Georgia Cates and her original BEAUTY trilogy, Laurelyn and Jack McLaughlan play a significant role as Alex’s best friends. The story line advances the series approximately ten-years.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Alex & Magnolia) STEEL BEAUTY follows American interior designer Magnolia Steel as she, and two other employees, are offered a three month position in Sydney, Australia introducing the high-end matchmaking business Soul Sync to Australian singles. As a designer, Magnolia aka Charleston is tasked with developing a quiet and romantic ambiance where determined singles can meet but our heroine never expected to meet and fall in love with one of the clients. Alex Sebring aka JC, has watched from the sidelines as his former teammates and friends have found love but a career ending injury forced Alex into the Sebring hotel business, a business that he struggles to enjoy. Without giving their real names, Alex and Magnolia begin a forbidden relationship behind the scenes but Magnolia’s time in Australia is coming to a close, and Alex’s past is determined to destroy them both.

The world building follows the forbidden romance and relationship between Alex and Magnolia. Alex’s high profile in Australia makes him a magnet for social media and the paparazzi but Alex is determined to keep their relationship a secret to protect Magnolia’s career but all is not well when Alex’s past threatens our couple, and in doing so, reveals a potential betrayal for our story line heroine.

The relationship between Magnolia and Alex is one of immediate attraction although Magnolia is unaware of Alex’s fame, fortune and all-star past. Alex is determined to prove he and Magnolia have a future together but Magnolia struggles with a past in complete opposition to our story line hero. For fans of the BEAUTY series, the familiarity of Alex and Magnolia’s relationship is very similar to Laurelyn and Jack’s including but not limited to the three month timeline, American heroine with a questionable family history, and a billionaire Australian hero , as well as the heartbreak of impending separation, and the hand written goodbye as an expression of love and impending loss. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Magnolia’s co-workers Violet, Elijah, Sophie, Whitney, Rebecca and their boss Gabby; Alex’s parents Alexander and Malie, his siblings, and large extended family of cousins; as well as Alex’s conniving ex Celeste. We are reintroduced to Laurelyn and Jack McLachlan (Beauty Trilogy 1-3).

STEEL BEAUTY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and manipulation, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is endearing and captivating; the romance is seductive and spicy; the characters are determined, charismatic and spirited. STEEL BEAUTY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Beauty From Pain
Beauty From Surrender
Beauty From Love

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Georgia Cates is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author—and a former labor and delivery nurse who now delivers swoony love stories instead of babies. A lifelong reader and proud cat wrangler of three, she writes romance with heart, heat, and a dash of Southern charm. Originally from rural Mississippi, she’s married to her best friend and is the proud mom of two amazing daughters.

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How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin – a Review

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How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin – a Review

 

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Description:
Annie Adams is caught in a new web of murder that spans decades, returning us to the idyllic English village that holds layers of secrets.

Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane crosses her path and shares a cryptic message. When Peony Lane is found dead only hours later inside the locked Gravesdown Estate, Annie quickly realizes that someone is out to make her look guilty while silencing Peony at the same time. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of Castle Knoll in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before the new life she’s just begun to build comes crashing down around her.

1967: A year has passed since her friend Emily disappeared, and teenage Frances Adams finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that claimed the lives of Ford’s family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?

 

Review:

 How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin is the 2nd book in her Castle Knoll Files series.  Annie Adams, our amateur sleuth/heroine, is caught up in another sinister mystery. Annie has been living at Castle Knoll for a few months; after she solved the murder of her great-aunt Frances. Annie looks into all the paper work from her aunt, learning through POV’s in the past, as well as her discovering the truths in the present. Annie inherited the entire Gravesdown Hall and the surrounding properties.  Most of the same characters are present in this 2nd book, with many years having passed.

Annie runs into Peony Lane (fortune teller) that her aunt used to follow.   Peony has a few secrets she wants Annie to investigate, about an old accident years ago.  A few hours later, Peony is found murdered inside the Gravesdown Estate, and Annie begins to realize that someone is trying to make her look like the guilty person. Even though she was with her friend, Jenny having tea outside.  Annie knows she needs to start digging for information, especially from Frances papers and diaries.

In the past (1967), a teenage Frances will team up with Archie, to investigate a car crash that killed 3 members of the Gravesdown family; it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident, with lies and betrayals. Dark secrets are revealed, as the deeper Frances digs, everything becomes tangled. Frances finds herself attracted to two men, Ford Gravesdown and Archie Foyle. Ford is the only member of his family left, with him known for his wealth and power.  Archie was always out of work, occasionally working in the pub.

How to Seal Your Own Fate was a captivating, cozy, intriguing, murder mystery, with a quite a few suspects, who were involved from the past. The story did start slow early on, but the second half was a wild and intense thriller. Annie worked closely with her friend, Jenny, as well as her Detective friend,

How to Seal Your Own Fate turns into a wild gripping ride that will have you unable to put the book down. The plot was extremely well done, with a number of surprising twists.  This was a very exciting masterpiece of a thriller, that was very well written by Kristen Perrin.   You need to read this book from start to finish.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Destructively Mine (Webs We Weave 2) by K&B Ritchie-review tour

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Destructively Mine (Webs We Weave 2) by Krista & Becca Ritchie-review tour

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3WlOEZv

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2025

As the daughter of a con artist, Phoebe Graves only knew a life of swindling the rich until her best friend and fellow grifter, Hailey Tinrock, proposed an idea to start a new, honest life in a wealthy college town of Connecticut. Once there, they decided to leave behind their deceitful tricks and be truthful for once. But you know what they say about best intentions. . . .

While Phoebe is fake-dating Jake Waterford, the third-born son to an uber-wealthy and influential family, she’s actually dating and falling deeper in love with Brayden “Rocky” Tinrock—Hailey’s older brother. To make matters more complicated, Phoebe’s mother shows up out of the blue with conniving match-making designs of her own.

Her mother’s arrival threatens to unravel Phoebe’s plans. To keep her love, her friends, and her newfound happiness, Phoebe will have to return to her old games . . . and win.

••••••

REVIEW:DESTRUCTIVELY MINE is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult WEBS WE WEAVE erotic, romance series co-authored by Krista and Becca Ritchie. DISTRUCTIVELY MINE focuses on twenty-four year old Phoebe Graves, her best friend Hailey Tinrock, and twenty-seven year old, Brayden ‘Rocky’ Tinrock. DESTRUCTIVELY MINE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the cliff hanger of book one DISHONESTLY YOURS.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Graves and the Tinrocks are a family of grifters, several generations of con men, women and children but Hailey Tinrock claims she wants a new start following a con that went wrong, taking her brothers Rocky and Trevor, and her best friend Phoebe, and Phoebe’s siblings Nova and Oliver along for the ride but Rocky is unaware of what happened or why, and their pasts are about to land in Victoria Connecticut demanding reparations for secrets and lies.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Rocky and Phoebe) using present day and memories from the past, DESTRUCTIVELY MINE picks up immediately after the events of book one in which the uber-rich of Victoria, Connecticut are taking aim at the Tinrock and Graves’ families, and the reappearance of their mothers Addison and Elizabeth sets into motion more lies and betrayal. All is not as it appears to be, and as Hailey begins a deep dive into the family history, someone else is targeting the siblings and friends. In an effort to keep up appearances, Phoebe and rich-kid Jake Waterford begin a fake relationship, a relationship in which Jake is hoping to take down the people he blames for destroying his life, while Rocky stands guard over the woman he loves.

The world building continues to be detailed and complex; elaborate and twisted. The small but wealthy town of Victoria Connecticut holds the answers to many of siblings’ questions but the results may not be the answers they want to hear.

There are several developing and ongoing relationships playing out throughout the story line premise including the impassioned affair between Phoebe and Rocky. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

All of the previous story line characters return including Nova and Oliver Graves, Trevor and Hailey Tinrock, Jake Waterford, Addison and Everett Tinrock, and Elizabeth Graves; Jake’s brother Trent, and their mother Claudia.

DESTRUCTIVELY MINE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, obsession and intimidation. The premise is dramatic, edgy and tragic-if you are a fan of K&B Ritchie, you will recognize many familiar scenarios and similarities to their Addicted Series. The characters are broken and struggling. DESTRUCTIVELY MINE ends on a happily ever after-for now.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DISHONESTLY YOURS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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NYT & USA Today Bestselling Authors Krista & Becca Ritchie are identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.

To stay up to date on new releases, bonus content, and more, sign up for Krista & Becca’s Newsletter: www.kbritchie.com/newsletter

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On The Fly (Sierra Hockey 4) by Elise Faber-review tour

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🤍 On The Fly (Sierra Hockey 4) by Elise Faber-review tour 🤍

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 28, 2025

She’s the one woman I can’t have.
And yet I can’t let her go…
I’ve respected Joey—Josephine—Banks from the moment I first came to the Sierra Hockey organization.
Over the years, that respect grew into friendship…and eventually, it became something more. Something dangerous. Something that I could never allow myself to have.
So I stayed away.
But then I discover the truth about Joey’s past with the team’s former head coach and everything changes.
I can’t stay away.
I don’t care about bad press or dumb decisions or all the ways a relationship between us can implode.
I just know I’ll do everything to make her mine.

••••••

REVIEW:ON THE FLY is the fourth instalment in Elise Faber’s contemporary adult SIERRA HOCKEY erotic, hockey romance series. This is general manager of the Sierra Hockey team Damon Connors, and head coach Joey Banks’ story line. ON THE FLY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Joey and Damon) ON THE FLY follows the building but potentially forbidden relationship between Sierra Hockey team GM Damon Connors, and head coach Joey Banks. Joey Banks isn’t new to hockey but her position as the head coach of the Sierra Hockey team places our heroine in the spotlight. Joey has secrets she refuses to reveal until the man who controls her career, also control her heart. Damon Connors doesn’t do relationships but his attraction to his new head coach stirs something deep within our story line hero. Damon has secrets of his own, and in this, he sees the missing parts of the woman with whom he is falling in love but when the past returns, Damon is determined to protect our story line heroine, even if she is willing to take a stand on her own.

The world building pulls the reader into a timely and heart breaking backstory of neglect, abuse of power, and personal and professional betrayal. The Sierra Hockey Club is struggling to come back from an horrific scandal, and with Joey as the new head coach, Damon is determined to prove the team is worthy of winning it all.

The relationship between Joey and Damon is one of the forbidden although the power dynamic is more than equal. Damon doesn’t want to get involved with the team’s new head coach but the heart wants what the head is refusing to deny. Joey Banks is determined to prove she is worthy of the position of the Sierra’s new head coach but a relationship with the GM could mean the end of her hockey career. The $ex scenes are intimate and passion without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are re-introduced to several team members of the Sierra Hockey Team including Lake, Leo, Riggs, Storm, and Colt Madden, as well as Damon’s sister Kylie, and Joey’s parents John and Beth.

ON THE FLY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love . The premise is emotional, heart breaking and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, dynamic and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys.

She lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or email her at elisefaberauthor@gmail.com

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Play It Off (Kings of Campus 2) by Monica Murphy-review tour

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🩵Play It Off (Kings of Campus 2) by Monica Murphy-review tour🩵

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3PxU0O1

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2025

Sienna

I’ve had a thing for Gavin Maddox ever since I was a freshman, but it’s a mission doomed to fail. Of all the guys I could have picked on campus, I had to go too far with the quarterback, my brother’s best friend.

We’ve spent the last two years avoiding each other. It’s not that easy when you have the same friends, not to mention I can’t forget the way it felt to be with him. But I can be civil. Polite. Detached.

I think…

Gavin

Sienna Cooper is off limits—except for that one time. I can’t forget it, but I need to forget her if I want to keep my head in the game. This is my senior year and, more importantly, my last season of college football. I can’t let anything distract me.

I’ve respected Sienna’s boundaries for this long. I can do it for another year.

…Can’t I?

••••••

REVIEW: PLAY IT OFF is the second instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, new adult KINGS OF CAMPUS erotic, romance series. This is UC Santa Mira quarterback Gavin Maddox, and Sienna Cooper’s story line. PLAY IT OFF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of PLAY IT OFF run parallel to, and cross over with the events of book one END GAME.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gavin and Sienna) PLAY IT OFF follows the building but forbidden romance and relationship between Gavin Maddox and Sienna Cooper. Approximately two years earlier, Sienna Cooper met and fell in love with her brother’s teammate Gavin Maddox but after their almost night together, Gavin and Sienna ghosted one another, ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room. Fast forward to present day, Sienna is determined to call out Gavin’s need to keep his distance but all does not go according to plan when our couple struggle to remain neutral in the face of their sexual attraction. Tired of Gavin’s constant push and pull of our story line heroine, Sienna reconsiders her attraction to Gavin but a disappointing visit with family sends Gavin into a spiral from which they may never come back.

The world building follows the ‘forbidden’ relationship but also the US Santa Mira’s football team’s race to the championship. We are up close and personal with the dysfunctional Maddox family dynamics, and Gavin’s downward spiral in the face of the constant belittling and heart break.

The relationship between Gavin and Sienna is a teammate’s sister/forbidden romance in which our couple keep their relationship on down-low. Gavin battles between head and heart fearing the fall-out of their relationship reveal, and in doing so, is constantly pushing Sienna out of his life. Sienna has loved Gavin since the first time they met but Gavin struggles to feel worthy of his own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar, colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including the return of Nico and Everleigh (End Game 1), Frank Dollar, Sienna’s brother Coop, and their parents. We are introduced to Sienna’s roommate Destiny, and his school acquaintance Ryland.

PLAY IT OFF is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive ; the characters are dynamic, determined and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one END GAME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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Personal Security (Bachelor Bodyguards 15) by Lisa Childs-review

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Personal Security (Bachelor Bodyguards 15) by Lisa Childs-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2025

He’ll risk anything to protect her…

Even his heart.

Watching over Blair Etheridge as she reopens her family’s art gallery is Ivan Chekov’s first chance to prove himself as a bodyguard. He hopes it’s also a chance to start over. But this job brings up bad memories, and Blair doesn’t want him anywhere near her. Ivan overcomes her stubborn streak after an attack on her life proves she’s in danger. The undeniable attraction sizzling between them makes posing as her boyfriend easy, while the thought of losing her frightens him more than he’s willing to admit.

•••••••

REVIEW:PERSONAL SECURITY is the fifteenth instalment in Lisa Childs’ contemporary, adult BACHELOR BODYGUARDS romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Payne Protection Agency in River City Michigan. This bodyguard Ivan Chekov, and art gallery owner Blair Etheridge’s story line. PERSONAL SECURITY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order or having some prior knowledge of past events.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Ivan and Blair PERSONAL SECURITY follows in the wake of several threats against our story line heroine. Upon the death of her father, Blair struggled to make something of her life, and reopening the family owned art gallery finds Blair the target of an unknown suspect. Hiring Payne Protection Agency finds Blair facing down the demons from her past when Ivan Chekov’s connections to her father’s questionable partnerships continues to threaten our story line heroine. Ivan Chekov knows the pain of loss, betrayal and control. Having escaped his uncle’s control, Ivan sought work with the Payne Protection Agency, only to be constantly watched because of his name, and who he represents but Ivan never expected to fall for our story line heroine, a woman whose life is constantly in danger, and no amount of investigation is able to prove who is the guilty party.

The world building focuses on the hunt for a potential killer. Someone is threatening Blair Etheridge, and the upcoming opening of the gallery is at stake. Too many suspects, art forgeries and questionable law enforcement for the Payne Protection Agency to decipher.

The relationship between Blair and Ivan begins as an assignment. Blair is being threatened, and the threats are getting more personal and dangerous. Ivan struggles with attraction to Blair, and crossing the line was never in the plans but someone has personally requested Ivan’s presence, and in doing so, places Ivan in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including many whom we have met before.-Logan Payne, Garek Kozminski, Milek Kozminski, Josh Staford,Blade Sparks, Viktor Lagransky. We are introduced to Detective Spencer Dubridge, Officer Sheila Carlson; artists Jean-Paul and Z, Insurance backer Mason Hull, and Ivan’s uncle Viktor Chekov, Blair’s landlord Lionel Sims, and Blair’s father’s former partner Blair Noto.

PERSONAL SECURITY is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and relationships acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and determined but the constant jumping between third person points of view without notice or a break is a little bit confusing and disconcerting.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of HOSTAGE SECURITY

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle – a Review

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To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle – a Review

 

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Description:
On a journey to find hope and purpose, Rosemary is determined to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, despite the possibility of a tropical storm. On the way, she stops at Tug’s Diner, where she quickly develops a bond with the kind and helpful owner, Tug.

But soon, Tug’s diner is a destroyed by the storm, adding to his grief from losing the love of his life last year. In the aftermath, Rosemary sees the heavy sadness in Tug and is determined to help him heal. Alongside Tug and his friend Paul, Rosemary helps them provide meals and support to the community.

When Amanda and Paul reunite after being out of contact because of the storm, the take-it-slow plans they’d committed to feel unrealistic. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple move forward in their relationship, they discover that love might be possible for them too, reminding everyone that life is meant to be lived in one direction…forward.

 

 

Review:

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle is a wonderful heartwarming story; that brings together friendships, as well as an elder romance.  This is a sequel (The Shell Collector), which brings together some of the main characters into this new book (Amanda, Tug, Paul, Hailey, Jesse). With a dangerous Hurricane Edwina finding their way to Whelk’s Island, North Carolina; Amanda takes her two kids (and dog, Denali) to safety, and Paul gets Tug (owns Tugs Diner) to stay at his Paws land, to be safe.

Newcomer, Rosemary is not happy staying with her daughter, after the death of her husband.  She decides to visit a friend in Whelk’s Island, and packs her car; along the way she runs into Amanda, Hailey and Jesse, leaving for safety.  Rosemary’s first friendship on Whelk’s Island. As she enters Whelk’s Island, she stops at Tug’s Diner, and though he was closing the diner, Tug does go out of his way to cook a hamburger for Rosemary to take. Another friendship will bond.

Later on, Rosemary tries to help people during the storm, especially when Paul cannot contact Amanda; with her phone working, she gets in touch with Amanda, allowing Paul to talk to her.  As the hurricane comes, the devastation is heartbreaking, especially for Tug, who diner was destroyed. Rosemary will work alongside Tug, Paul and herself to help provide meals to support the community.

Having enjoyed the main characters in The Shell Collector, I loved seeing Amanda, Paul, Tug, Hailey and Jesse again. The messages used on the shells continued to be a great addition, with quotes printed, and no one who knew who did it. I did early on get a kick out of “the Wife”, Tugs talking bird.  I thought Rosemary was a wonderful addition to this story. It was great to see Amanda and Paul finally get married. And I loved that Tug and Rosemary would discover that love would be perfect for them too.

To Light the Way Forward was a wonderful sweet heartwarming, delightful story, with hope, romance, restoration, relationship and passion. To Light the Way Forward was once again, written so very well by Nancy Naigle.  If you read The Shell Collector, you will love this book, too.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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RIOT (Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham 2) by Jessica Ames-review

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RIOT (Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham 2) by Jessica Ames

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2025

RIOT

I never expected to be fighting a war with my club, but there is no choice. We have to fix the things that are broken and to do that, lines will need to be crossed. No one sees me as a threat, but I have my ear to the ground, gathering anything that will help my brother and Nicky to dethrone our president.

The last thing I should be doing is fantasising about a woman, particularly one as off limits as Ivy. She’s too young and been through hell. If I were a good man, I’d leave her alone, but I’ve always been the villain and I can’t walk away from her, not even for my brother. Ivy is mine and I’m not giving her up.

IVY

Raising my daughter has been my only priority. I blocked out my trauma, buried my demons and focused on being a mother, but when my past comes back to haunt me, I find comfort from the one person I didn’t expect. Riot has never shown an interest in me like that until one reckless moment changes everything.

•••••

REVIEW: RIOT is the second instalment in Jessica Ames’ contemporary, adult UNTAMED SONS MC: BIRMINGHAM erotic, MC romance series set in the author’s interconnected Untamed Sons MC. This is twenty-eight year old, Nathan aka Riot, and eighteen year old Ivy Fernsby’s story line. RIOT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Ivy is the younger sister of Maylie (Mace #1).

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivy and Riot) RIOT focuses on the ongoing spiral of our story line heroine. Ivy Fernsby has been struggling with PTSD and nightmares in the wake of the abuse at the hands of her former boyfriend but is now under the protection of Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham Riot, the man who is will to give up his life for our story line heroine. As a new mother, Ivy is battling the demons that destroyed her world but her daughter’s well being and protection is paramount for our story line heroine but Ivy’s sisters Maylie, her ol’man Mace, and Riot are keeping secrets from our story line heroine, secrets that are causing more harm than good. As the demons from her past continue to haunt, Ivy struggles to move forward, even with the help of our story line hero.

The world building follows several paths including Mace and Maylie’s personal battles; Ivy’s struggle to let go of the past, a past in which Maylie, Mace and Riot have done our heroine no favors keeping the secrets that continue to control her life.; and the ongoing dilemma and embattled hierarchy at the Untamed Sons MC: Birmingham chapter.

The relationship between Ivy and Riot is one of protector and friends. Riot has declared himself guardian and protector of Ivy and her daughter Seren, a protector who is slowly falling in love with the woman who claims to be unworthy of love. The lone $ex scene is impassioned.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Mace and Maylie (Mace #1), Maylie and Ivy’s brother Toby; former school mate Jackson, several of Ivy’s friends, and club members Dash, Nicky, King and Blade.

RIOT is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, struggle and loss, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is dramatic and edgy; the characters are broken and haunted; the romance is limited but the sexual chemistry is tight.

Click HERE for Sandy’s reviews of book one MACE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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