Ballrooms & Blackmail (Eagle’s Hockey/ Oakridge Vineyards 4) by Elise Faber-review tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 22, 2026
This was supposed to be a simple bargain… Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. I know better than to trust powerful men—especially one whose world is built on secrets and careful control.
He wanted a way to get close to me. I only wanted to keep my distance. But someone out there is watching us. Waiting to destroy everything I’ve fought to keep safe.
Now the only person standing between me and ruin is one I can’t dare to trust…the man who makes me believe in stolen kisses, whispered promises, and moments that feel too much like forever.
Walking away will keep us safe. But some risks are impossible to ignore…even when the cost could be everything.
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REVIEW: BALLROOMS AND BLACKMAIL is the fourth instalment in Elise Faber’s contemporary, adult EAGLES HOCKEY: OAK RIDGE VINEYARDS romantic suspense series. This is billionaire Thorn Wilkenson, and baker River Turner’s story line. BALLROOMS AND BLACKMAIL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (River and Thorn) BALLROOMS AND BLACKMAIL follows the building but struggling relationship between our story line couple. Thorn’s past refuses to let go, and by default, River has been targeted. Meanwhile, River’s history of relationships makes her leery of men but her attraction to Thorn comes with a danger, a danger that Thorn is determined to prevent.
The world building reveals Thorn’s past that has created the man he is today. Overwhelmed with grief, Thorn refuses to brings another woman into his life, a life he struggles to reveal to the woman he loves.
The relationship between Thorn and River is one of mutual attraction but Thorn battles between head and heart knowing his history and past could destroy any chance at a happily ever after but when River is targeted, Thorn is determined to walk away to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate and mostly implied.
There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, intriguing and questionable secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in the previous story lines, including the return of Angela Rousseau. Angela’s story line continues in the author’s interconnected CEDAR HOLLOW universe.
BALLROOMS AND BLACKMAIL is a story of family and relationships, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic and edgy; the romance is limited but captivating; the characters are determined and charismatic.
The author’s use of nicknames and pet name is often redundant noting the use of ‘Little hen’ used 65 times- I started to wonder if Thorn forgot River’s name 😉
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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