Tag Archives: New Release Reviews 2018

Quintus (Immortals of New Orleans #9) by Kym Grosso-Review Tour

Posted on by
11

QUINTUS (Immortals of New Orleans #9) by Kym Grosso-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28, 2018

Powerful vampire, Quintus Tullius, returns to New Orleans after a demon attacks. Elusive and lethal, he conceals his true powers from all others, wielding his strength over the centuries as he sees fit. When he’s healed by an attractive stranger, he quickly realizes her altruistic actions are driven by more than kindness, and she is not who she appears to be. Unsure if he can trust the dangerous beauty, he swears to protect her, captivated by the one creature he’d never expected to flame his desire.

Gabriella Savoie has been on the run since she was thirteen years old. Determined to survive, she practices a unique blend of magick to hide from the coven who seeks her death. Desperate, she leads a treacherous existence in underground clubs, selling her mystical blood to vampires to survive. Drawn to the one person who can save her, she spirals into an erotic journey, exploring her hidden fantasies within the arms of the seductive vampire.

From Louisiana to New York, their sensual and perilous adventure leads them to discover ancient secrets, searching for the artifact that will set her beast free. As Gabriella accepts her fate, will she sacrifice her magick to be with the vampire who is her true mate? Will Quintus trust her and reveal his powers, acknowledging the unexpected bond to a woman who isn’t human? And will he be able to save her, thwarting the impending evil that descends on Big Easy?

••••••••••

REVIEW: QUINTUS is the ninth instalment in Kym Grosso’s contemporary, adult IMMORTALS OF NEW ORLEANS erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient vampire Quintus Tulllius, and witch/ hybrid Gabriella Savoie’s story line. QUINTUS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: QUINTUS contains scenes of M/F/M sexual situations, and may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quintus and Gabriella) QUINTUS follows the building relationship between ancient vampire Quintus Tullius, and witch/ hybrid Gabriella Savoie. Quintus Tullius found himself the victim of a demon attack. Imprisoned and weakened by poison, Quintus would be rescued by a stranger; a witch of unknown powers but a woman that calls to the vampire’s heart. Enter Gabriella Savoie, witch and hybrid supernatural on the run, and the woman with whom Quintus would fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Quintus and Gabriella, and the potential fall-out as Gabriella is targeted for who and what she is.

Quintus Tullius is an ancient vampire; well respected in the world of the supernatural but someone is hoping to take down the powerful vampire. Believing he had lost the only woman that called to his heart, Quintus is surprised when his would-be rescuer stirs something within. Gabriella Savoie doesn’t have time for relationships especially a relationship involving a man who could destroy her life. On the run since the death of her mother, Gabriella knows revealing her true identity could very well get her killed.

The relationship between Gabriella and Quintus is one of immediate attraction but there is something about Gabby’s blood that calls to the world of the supernatural including a family heritage that threatens the people in charge. Quintus is desperate to protect the woman that calls to his heart but our heroine is determined to go on-alone. The sex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some M/F/M sexual situations.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and animated secondary and supporting character including Quintus’ brother Viktor; and alpha wolf shifter Hunter Livingston, as well as the return of a number of previous story line characters. The requisite evil has many faces targeting both Quintus and Gabriella –together.

QUINTUS is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance, power and love. The action-packed, premise is entertaining and enthralling; the characters are colorful, charismatic and energetic; the romance is spell-binding and passionate. QUINTUS is a spirited, animated and provocative story of fated mates and enchanting powers.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

KADE’S DARK EMBRACE: FREE ebook Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

LUCA’S MAGIC EMBRACE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

TRISTAN’S LYCEUM WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble/ KOBO / Smashwords

LOGAN’S ACADIAN WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

LEOPOLD’S WICKED EMBRACE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

DIMITRI: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

JAX: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

JAKE:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / ibooks / Smashwords /

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

Follow: Goodreads / Website /Twitter /Facebook /

Sign Up for Kym’s NEWSLETTER

Kym GrossoKym Grosso is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. She also has a new erotic romantic suspense series, Club Altura Romance. In addition to romance novels, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She is also a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.

Kym enjoys reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.

Share

Dark Sentinel (Carpathian / Dark Series #28) by Christine Feehan-Dual Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
38

DARK SENTINEL (Carpathians / Dark Series #28) by Christine Feehan-Dual Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

DARK SENTINEL
Carpathian / Dark Series #28
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: September 4, 2018
Genre: adult, paranormal, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4,2018

After the devastating loss of her entire family, Lorraine Peters heads to the woods searching for peace of mind and anything to quell the anger in her soul. Instead, she stumbles upon a scene of horrific violence, as one man lies helpless in the face of three attackers.

Andor Katona’s existence has been a harsh one, living for centuries as a monk in the Carpathian Mountains. Unable to find his lifemate, he almost welcomes his release from a colorless and unfeeling world at the hands of the vampire hunters who have mistaken him for their prey. That is, until a whirling ball of fury bursts onto the scene, determined to save him.

In one glimpse, in one breath, Andor recognizes Lorraine as his lifemate, but it will take more than their telepathic connection to convince her of their immortal bond. Lorraine is a lethal combination of cunning and courage. So much so that she captures the attention of a master vampire, one who has already lost what was once irreplaceable to him. One who will strike with deadly precision at Andor and his ancient Carpathian comrades in a war to end all wars.

•••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: DARK SENTINEL is the twenty-eighth instalment in Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIANS/DARK erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient warrior Andor Katona, and Lorraine Peters’ story line. DARK SENTINEL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although there is an ongoing series arc that continues in Dark Sentinel. Several of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles including a number of warriors, from a Carpathian monastery, who have yet to find their lifemates.

SOME BACKGROUND: All Carpathian males must find their lifemates before they turn vampire or greet the dawn. Without a lifemate, the males no longer see in color, feel pain or experience emotions. A lifemate is the light to their dark. She is the keeper of his heart and the keeper of his soul. As the unmated Carpathian male ages, the darkness begins to envelope his soul.

 Told from dual third person perspectives (Andor and Lorraine) DARK SENTINEL continues to focus on a group of ancient Carpathian warriors, nearing the end of their search for a lifemate, who had previously locked themselves away from the world in a monastery high in the Carpathian mountains. A call to help their fellow warriors in America found our hero Andor Katona fighting the evil that had once been a proud Carpathian male. Close to death, Andor would face his future in the guise of human female Lorraine Peters, a woman willing to risk her life to protect a stranger who was telepathically announcing the end of his life. With just a few spoken words from our story line heroine, Andor knew that the brave but stubborn female was his fated lifemate. What ensues is Lorraine’s effort to help heal the man with whom she is falling in love, as a powerful vampire resurfaces in an effort to find his own fated mate.

DARK SENTINEL follows the building relationship between ancient warrior Andor Katona, and Lorraine Peters. Lorraine easily accepts the existence of vampires and the Carpathian species but struggles with the ‘fated lifemate’ aspect of their lives. As a human female with strong psychic capabilities Lorraine soon finds herself traversing between ‘planes of existence’ as the Carpathian healers battle to save Andor’s life but our heroine remains hesitant to give up control of her human life.

Andor Katona gave up all hope of finding the light to his dark; his other half knowing to hide away in a mountainous monastery would in effect hide the warriors from any potential mate. Moving to America to aid in the war against the growing army of vampires, Andor knows that Lorraine is his salvation but convincing the woman, is a task on its own. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

DARK SENTINEL follows all the hallmarks of Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIAN/ DARK series including the stubborn heroine, and a Carpathian male who is duty bound to protect the woman he loves. There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the reappearance of infamous healer Gary Daratrazanoff, as well as a number of former Carpathian monastery warriors. Details continue to emerge regarding the Malinov brothers and their decision to turn vampire, including new information not previously revealed. The vampires have acquired the ability to formulate plans, something else that is slowly changing the series arc. The premise is entertaining and revealing but bogs down with too much repetition; the characters are bold and colorful; the romance is fated and spicy. DARK SENTINEL is an intriguing and detailed story , one that will be enjoyed by die-hard Feehan fans.

 

Barb’s Review: Dark Sentinel by Christine Feehan is the 28th book in her fantastic Dark/Carpathian series.  I must say that I am thrilled that Christine Feehan has returned to what made the Dark series so successful.  After a number of books where the Carpathian men were very abusive, I had thought perhaps the time had come to move on, but that has happily changed.

Andor Katona, our hero, is one of the men who spent years in the monastery living as a monk, and is now living with Tariq’s group in their compound in the US. After a major battle where he killed a few vampires, Andor is attacked by humans who have become puppets by a master vampire, and he lays badly injured; he decides that perhaps now is the time to end his life.  But out of nowhere comes a woman swinging a saucepan at the three men to protect Andor.  To his shock her voice reaches him and he begins to see color; finally after centuries, he has found his lifemate.

Lorraine Peters, our heroine, loves the peace and quiet of the woods, and while camping she discovers the badly beaten man being attacked, and instincts push her to help save him. Of course, Lorraine doesn’t believe in vampires, and in a short time, she will learn that there is a different life out there.   Lorraine tries to protect Andor, whom she feels some attraction to, from being attacked further.  A few of Andor’s friends come to his rescue and to Lorraine, when she is attacked.  One of our favorites, Gary, plays a big part in this story, as he is the healer who will save Andor, along with two other Carpathians. 

What follows is a wonderful story, where Andor and Lorraine, work with Gary, Sandu and Ferro to destroy the puppets, and quickly return to Tariq Asenguard’s home, to prepare for whatever Sergei Malinov is planning against them. When Lorraine was attacked, they feared Malinov implanted something in her, but nothing was found.  In the previous book, we learned that Sergei is trying to take Elisabeta, who is underground healing. I expect we will learn more about her in the next book.

I loved Andor and Lorraine together.  She was a great heroine, a tough fighter, who willingly accepted Andor’s and Carpathian’s lifestyle.  Andor was so wonderful & patient with Lorraine, such a welcome change. Their romance heated up quickly, but though very sexual, Andor was so good with Lorraine.  It was also nice to spend time with Tariq, Charlotte, Genevieve, Emeline, Dragomire, and the children we got to know in the previous two books. 

In Dark Sentinel, so much happens to keep us glued to our seats, and I could not put the book down.  The exciting storyline plots; the return of Sergei Malinov;  a strong wonderful  heroine and a hero who not only worshipped his life mate, but treated her  like a queen, and the great recurring characters in Tariq’s compound. I loved Dark Sentinel.

Dark Sentinel was a fantastic, exciting, non-stop pulse pounding story, with a wonderful couple we rooted for from the beginning. The story does end somewhat abrupt with knowing that we still have more with the Malinovs still around, I can’t wait to see where Christine will be taking us in the next book.

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

“Are you comfortable?” Andor kept his gaze fixed on Lorraine’s face. She clearly had no idea how beautiful she was, or what danger she was in. She was confident in her skills to protect herself, and he understood why. She had training. She was far better than average when it came to defending herself, man or woman. The problem was, she was dealing with a Carpathian, not a human and he had no intentions of letting her get away.
“Yes. I should ask you the same thing.” She turned her head to look down at him.
She had finished covering him up to his neck in rich, dark soil. Already he could feel the healing properties working on his wounds. He wasn’t out of the woods, so to speak. He needed more blood and a good healer. He had sent out the call to his brethren, using their common path, not the one used by most Carpathians. Vampires would have been able to hear that one as well.
“I am as comfortable as possible.” He was, as much as he could be under the circumstances, but he needed to shut down his heart and lungs, to keep from losing any more blood. He had definitely slowed the leaks, but until he could get a healer there to help him, he was still in trouble.
He sent her a small smile. “You’re indulging me.”
She turned on her side and propped her head up with one hand. “Yes. I figure if you’re right, and the soil helps, it’s all to the good. If you’re wrong and you get some raging infection, at least I granted your last wish before you died.”
“I have decided I want to live.”
“The great debate you had going earlier. It didn’t make sense until I saw all those wounds on your body. You really were in a battle before the three stooges showed up.”
He picked up from her mind that the reference to “three stooges” was from a long-ago television show. Her natural shields were lowered because she’d started to grow comfortable with him. He knew he would have to work on that with her. They could never take the chance that a vampire nearby might read her thoughts, or creep into her mind.
“I was in a battle. I know I look like I didn’t do very well against them, but in my defense, there were several of them. I managed to defeat them, and while I was trying to heal the wounds, the band of assassins showed up.” There was just the slightest bit of ego in telling her the truth. He didn’t want her to think her lifemate couldn’t take care of her.
“I wondered how they managed to sneak up on you and do so much damage.”
“To heal a body, one has to shed their own body and become pure spirit. I didn’t have anyone guarding the empty shell I left behind. That gave them their opportunity.”
Her eyes widened. “Could you do that now? I could guard you. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Her tone was skeptical but hopeful.
He nearly groaned. He wasn’t making a good showing as a potential husband or mate. “I’m too weak.”
“I’ll give you more blood.”
It was a generous offer considering she didn’t like anything to do with blood and she would have to remove the shields completely from her mind as she’d done before. “Thank you, sívamet. I appreciate your offer and certainly will take you up on it later, but at the moment, I wish to hear your voice. It soothes me and keeps the pain at bay.”


 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

The Reading Cafe and Christine’s Feehan’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of DARK SENTINEL to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE Christine Feehan on Facebook

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from September 4-8, 2018

Share

Nimue’s Gift (Dragons of Incendium 5.5) by Deborah Cooke-a review

Posted on by
12

NIMUE’S GIFT (Dragons of Incendium 5.5) by Deborah Cooke-a review

ebook only 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4, 2018

The birth of three royal babies in rapid succession calls for a celebration! King Ouros and Queen Ignita invite the best and the brightest to share their joy in the arrival of their grandchildren from daughters Thalina, Anguissa, and Percipia.

But the ritual of esteemed guests granting each child a gift brings a surprise that will cast a long shadow…

•••••••••

REVIEW: NIMUE’S GIFT by Deborah Cooke is a short story that falls between Wyvern’s Angel and Wyvern’s Wizard in the author’s paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy series focusing on the twelve royal dragon princesses of Incendium. NIMUE’S GIFT can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order. NIMUE’S GIFT is the first instalment in the Dragons of Incendium featuring a slight cross-over with the author’s Dragonfire series but I am not sure in which series the story line will continue.

SOME BACKGROUND: The twelve female dragon princesses of Incendium search for their ‘HeartKeeper’-their mate and the carrier of the seed-but the princes of Regalia are not necessarily the male that calls to the princesses’ heart. As each female dragon shifter finds her mate, another sister waits in the wings for the ‘Carrier of the Seed’ and male that calls to her heart.

Told from several third person perspectives NIMUE’S GIFT follows a number of paths as a visitor imparts a gift to several members of the ruling family. The birth of three royal babies is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare but one being of immense power and magic has claimed the original dragonfire bestowing an invaluable legacy and offering upon the youngest members of the royal family.

NIMUE’S GIFT is a short story that opens up a realm of possibilities for both the Dragonfire series and the Dragons of Incendium with a potential cross-over between characters and back stories. A revealing and intriguing instalment NIMUE’S GIFT is a well-written narrative wherein the story is told through observation as the reader is up close and personal with the author as she begins to weave endless possibilities for the dragons we love.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wyvern’s Mate
Nero’s Dream
Wyvern’s Prince
Arista’s Legacy
Wyvern’s Warrior
Kraws’ Secret
Wyvern’s Outlaw
Celo’s Quest
Wyvern’s Angel
Nimue’s Gift

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Under Control (Boston Fire #5) by Shannon Stacey-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
11

Under Control (Boston Fire #5) by Shannon Stacey-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

UNDER CONTROL
Boston Fire #5
by Shannon Stacey
Release Date: August 28,2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28, 2018

When faced with the opportunity to change shifts while staying in the same house, veteran firefighter Derek Gilman jumps at the chance. His new schedule means not working Saturdays, which means more time to spend with his two kids. His divorce may have been amicable, but being a firefighter and a single dad is a lot to juggle. And when fate brings a gorgeous, wealthy woman into his life, he’s pretty sure he can’t handle more than he already is.

Olivia McGovern loves plans. She planned to start her own business and planned its growth. It’s earning her seven figures now, but her personal life simply doesn’t exist. Getting trapped in a broken elevator figures in exactly nowhere, and freaking out in front of a sexy firefighter definitely isn’t on the agenda. Especially not one with two kids and an ex.

What would have been a random incident with an attractive stranger becomes something more when a charity event brings them back together. They’re from different sides of the tracks, literally—with friends, family and careers to consider. But as Derek and Olivia are discovering, chemistry doesn’t allow for plans, and love doesn’t bother with logistics.

•••••••••

REVIEW: UNDER CONTROL is the fifth instalment in Shannon Stacey’s contemporary, adult BOSTON FIRE romance series focusing on Boston’s first responders. This is firefighter and single father Derek Gilman, and business consultant Olivia McGovern’s story line. UNDER CONTROL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.’

Told from dual third person perspectives (Derek and Olivia) UNDER CONTROL follows the building relationship between firefighter and single father Derek Gilman, and business consultant Olivia McGovern. Trapped in an elevator was never in the plans for Olivia McGovern but trapped with firefighter Derek Gilman made Olivia think about the possibilities of something more. Approached to help with a children’s fund-raiser Olivia is shocked to learn that the fireman starring in her fantasies is also a member of the fund-raising board. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Derekk and Olivia, and the potential fall-out as Olivia struggles to step outside of her comfort zone in an effort to make time for the man, and his family, with whom she is falling in love.

Olivia McGovern is a well-organized and detailed planner; a consultant whose own life is revolves around a schedule of meetings, business appointments, and very little time for personal affairs. Meeting firefighter Derek Gilman throws all of Olivia’s plans into disarray especially where is concerns emergency call-outs, and family considerations. Derek Gilman never again thought he would find love but life proved him wrong falling in love with the woman who stole his heart. Hoping to make Olivia his happily ever after Derek struggles with Olivia’s current life-style, a life-style he believes isn’t conducive to family or a happily ever after.

The relationship between Derek and Olivia is one of immediate attraction; an accidental meeting between two people whose lives go in opposite directions. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line ‘firefighters’ and their spouses play secondary and supporting roles, We are introduced to Derek’s ex-wife Amber, and her husband Jason, and their children Julia and Isaac, as well as Olivia’s PA Kelsey. Firefighter Grant and Wren’s story line is next in FLARE UP.

The world building focuses on the relationship between Olivia and Derek as they must come to terms with their diverging careers. Olivia battles between head and heart while Derek believes Olivia’s career matters more than his kids. Herein lies the conflict when Derek addresses the elephant in the room, a presumptuous elephant that is about to stomp all over Olivia’s heart.

UNDER CONTROL is a story of family and friendships, heartbreak and misunderstanding. The premise is engaging and real; the characters are colorful and charismatic; the romance is passionate and spirited. UNDER CONTROL is a sexy, sassy and animated look at the reality of life and everything it has to offer.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

A woman stepped out of an office ahead and turned, walking ahead of him in the same direction. She was notable for two reasons. One, she wasn’t looking at a cell phone. That in itself was enough to make her stand out in this crowd.
But it was her looks that captured Derek’s attention. He only got a glimpse of her profile before she turned, but she had delicate features and dark blond hair drawn up off her neck in a loose bun. Her navy suit looked as if it had been tailored specifically for her body, and the coat flared slightly, accenting the curve of her hips. Her legs were long, and his gaze lingered on her calves before sliding up to the soft spots behind her knees that were playing peekaboo with the hem of her skirt.
And he’d never realized how sexy the click of high heels on a marble tile floor could be. When he was a kid, he’d hated the sound because the high heels usually belonged to an angry teacher he was following down the hallway to the principal’s office. But following this woman as she walked down the hallway with long, confident strides was a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
Of course, she reached the elevator just as the door opened and a man stepped out. Because he’d slowed to leave enough space to appreciate the view, Derek knew there was a good chance the door would close before he reached it and there was no way in hell he was taking the stairs if he didn’t have to.
“Hold the door, please,” he called as the woman stepped in and pushed a button on the panel.
She looked up at him and he saw the hesitation in her body language. She didn’t want to, but he watched the fact he was a firefighter register, plus it would be rude to pretend she hadn’t heard him after making eye contact. He smiled as she hit the button to hold the doors.
“Thank you.” The button for the lobby was already lit, so he stepped back as the doors slid closed.
She only nodded and pulled her phone out of the back pocket of the leather journal she was holding, which was stuffed with notebooks and paper from the looks of it. But Derek could see her reflection in the highly polished metal door and she was looking at him. And not a quick glance to make sure the stranger was staying on his own side, but a lingering look.
He should say something, but he wasn’t sure what to say, since women wearing power suits in the Back Bay were way out of his league. The floors were ticking past like seconds on the clock, though, and he was running out of time.
She was taking a step forward, probably in anticipation of reaching the lobby level soon, when there was a grinding sound and the elevator lurched to a stop. Off-balance, she stumbled and—thanks to good reflexes and maybe some good luck—he ended up with an armful of beautiful woman.
Apparently he was getting an extension.
She tilted her face up to him, and he saw the distress in her pretty greenish-blue eyes. “What’s happening?”
“We stopped,” he said, hoping she’d find the obvious answer funny. In his experience, humor relaxed people. She didn’t even crack a smile, and he cleared his throat before continuing. “There are a few reasons it could happen, but the system probably has a problem or a malfunction somewhere and it shut the elevator down to be safe.”
“This is not safe.” She wasn’t in a full-blown panic, but her anxiety practically crackled around her, and she was clutching his arm so tightly he could feel her grip through the heavy bunker coat. “And what do you mean by a malfunction? So something could be more wrong than the fact we’re not moving anymore?”
“Everything’s fine.” He had to let his arms fall away from her as she backed away, wincing a little. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” He wasn’t reassured by the quick way she said it, as if it was a reflex and maybe not the truth.
He pulled out his phone to send a quick group text to Danny Walsh—Engine 59’s LT—and Rick Gullotti. Elevator’s stuck. Why? Then he peeled off the heavy coat and tossed it on the floor, dropping the helmet on top of it while she sent a text message of her own to somebody. “We’re okay in here. Just try to stay calm and we’ll be out in no time.”
“Stay calm,” she muttered as her phone vibrated and she sent another text. “That’s easy for you to say. Being brave in the face of death is part of your job.”
That was a little dramatic, but she wasn’t totally wrong. About his job, anyway. “You’re not facing death. I promise.”
His phone vibrated with a response from Walsh. Working on it. Stand by.
The woman’s face was slightly flushed. “Shouldn’t you… I don’t know. Go up through the ceiling hatch and climb up the cable or something?”
Derek managed—barely—not to laugh outright at her, but he couldn’t hold back a short chuckle. “I’m a firefighter, not John McClane.”
“Who’s John McClane?”
Oh, she did not just ask that. “The greatest action hero of all time? The guy from Die Hard?”
“I’ve heard of those movies, but I’ve never seen any of them.”
If he’d needed any more of a definitive sign this woman wasn’t his type, that was it. There were six movies, so she had to work at not seeing any of them. “You’re missing out. So, what’s your name?”
“Olivia.”
“Pretty name.” Classic and elegant, and it suited her. “I’m Derek.”
“Can you pry open the doors?” she asked, clearly not in a place to be distracted by small talk.
“With my bare hands?” He held them up, showing off his lack of tools. “I work out a little, but not that much.”
Her gaze flicked over his body, and he stood up straighter and sucked in his gut. Not that there was much to suck in, but he wasn’t in his twenties anymore. Hell, he was barely still in his thirties. “You work out more than a little.”
Her tone of voice made it sound like just an observation, but he didn’t miss her gaze lingering for a second on his chest or the way her eyebrow lifted as her mouth curved into a hint of a smile. She wasn’t flirting, but she liked what she saw and he’d take the win. He’d need all the ego boosting he could get once the other guys started giving him shit for having to rescue him from an elevator.
Then she shifted her weight and, when she winced again, Derek gave her a stern look. “You’re hurt.”
“No, I’m not. I twisted my ankle a little when the elevator stopped.”
“You need to get those shoes off and let me look at it.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t care how nice this elevator is, I am not touching the floor with my bare feet.”
Derek picked up his coat, letting the helmet roll free, and—with a flourish—spread it over the floor in front of her. “Your carpet, milady.”


 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author SHANNON STACEY lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her two favorite activities are writing stories of happily ever after and off-roading with her friends and family. You can contact Shannon through her website, www.shannonstacey.com, as well as sign up for her newsletter.

Website http://www.shannonstacey.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shannonstacey.authorpage
Twitter https://twitter.com/shannonstacey
Goodreads https://goo.gl/h4Z1wW
Amazon http://amzn.to/2Fu9RbN

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

To celebrate the release of UNDER CONTROL by Shannon Stacey, we’re giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!

LINK:   http://bit.ly/2LyyGp5

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Carina Press.  Giveaway ends 9/11/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted.

Share

Memento Mori (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #1) by Lexi Blake-Review & Excerpt Tour

Posted on by
11

MEMENTO MORI (Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten #1) by Lexi Blake- Review & Excerpt Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28, 2018

Six men with no memories of the past
One leader with no hope for the future

A man without a past

Jax woke up in a lab, his memories erased, and his mind reprogrammed to serve a mad woman’s will. After being liberated from his prison, he pledged himself to the only thing he truly knows-his team. Six men who lost everything they were. They must make certain no one else gets their hands on the drugs that stole their lives, all while hiding from every intelligence organization on the planet. The trail has led him to an unforgiving mountainside and a beautiful wilderness expert who may be his only hope of finding the truth.

A woman with a bright future

River Lee knows her way around the Colorado wilderness. She’s finally found a home in a place called Bliss after years lost in darkness. The nature guide prefers to show her clients the beauty found in the land, but she also knows the secrets the mountains hold. When she meets Jax, something about the troubled man calls to her. She agrees to lead him to the site of an abandoned government facility hidden deep in the forest. She never dreamed she was stepping into the middle of a battlefield.

A love that could heal a broken soul

Spending time with River, Jax discovers a peace he’s never known. Their passion unlocks a side of himself he didn’t even know he was missing. When an old enemy makes his first move, Jax and River find themselves fighting for their lives. But when his past is revealed, will River be caught in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: MEMENTO MORI is the first instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: The Forgotten erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on six former military soldiers (Jax, Dante, Sasha, Tucker, Owen and Robert) whose minds and lives were eradicated and erased. This is Jax, and mountain tour guide River Lee’s story line. The Forgotten is a spin-off from the author’s Masters and Mercenaries series, and the characters were first introduced and play an important throughout the original series.

NOTE: If you have not read Lexi Blake’s original Masters and Mercenaries series, their may be some confusion as it pertains to the Lost Boys backstory.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier the mercenaries from the McKay-Taggart Black Ops group rescued, from an unauthorized military lab, six men they labelled the ‘Lost Boys’. With their memories wiped clean, no ID, and no traceable DNA, the Lost Boys were essentially ‘new born’ soldiers trained to kill and destroy.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jax and River) MEMENTO MORI follows the building relationship between Jax, and tour guide River Lee. Jax, and his fellow Lost Boys are desperate to uncover the truth about their pasts, and the drugs used to control their lives, but without any memories of the who, how, or why, the where was a mystery until the probability of a secret government lab in the mountains near Bliss, Colorado. Enter mountain tour guide River Lee, a woman whose own life spiralled out of control with the death of her father, and the subsequent fraudulent marriage to a serial con-man. What ensues is the building relationship and love between Jax and River, and the potential fall-out as Jax must keep secret the truth about the mission that is about to go horribly wrong.

Jax is a man frustrated about his lack of a past. Along with the men he calls ‘brothers’ Jax is willing to risk it all to discover the whereabouts of the secret lab but risking the life of the woman he loves means going it alone. River Lee is unable to move past the her husband’s betrayal, and falling for a man like Jax meant another round of betrayal when the truth was revealed.

The relationship between Jax and River is one of immediate attraction but Jax’s handler ‘Big Tag’ has warned the Lost Boys that their mission must remain a secret; and affairs of the heart will only lead to heartbreak and pain. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the men that Jax calls brothers: Dante, Sasha, Tucker, Owen and Robert, as well as Big Tag; Heather aka Solo; Andy and Ty. The requisite evil has many faces, some of whom may be working for the same side. You may need a spread-sheet to keep track of all of the characters, and their relationships to one another. There is plenty of confusion as well, with the numerous names and aliases for all of the story line characters, which makes for a difficult time trying to keep track of the familial relationships, government departments and connections.

MEMENTO MORI is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and loss focusing on six men who have had to relearn the skills of life, as well as their struggle to move on from the evil that continues to permeate their minds. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are broken, colorful, dynamic and lost; the romance is passionate and heated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“This place is beautiful,” he said when she hesitated.
She nodded but didn’t move from her seat. “I love it here. I went to college in Denver, but I always missed this place. When I was younger, my dad had a house in Creede. He started the business there, but when he could, he moved us out of town. My dad was a loner, I suppose. Creede has a population of four hundred and Dad thought that was way too many people.”
“I know the feeling. I lived in London for a while. That was definitely too many people.” He kept his tone even. It was odd. Now that he was here, that hunger he always felt was tempered by her fear. He’d thought he would take anything offered to him, but he couldn’t having met her. If the blonde had offered herself up, he would have turned her down. Over the two hours they’d sat in the booth, eating fried food and drinking beer, he’d figured something out. Some people were more special than others. River was special. He should be more cynical. He could hear Damon Knight telling him to be cautious, but he couldn’t make himself do it. Perhaps it was the fact that he didn’t have a long well of history to draw from and to teach him that this was likely a mistake.
It didn’t feel like a mistake.
“Wow. I’ve never been farther than Kansas City.” She still wasn’t moving and her voice had taken on a tremulous tone.
His heart constricted, and it was surprisingly easy to not listen to his dick. His dick was pleading with him to get aggressive. His dick was trying to convince him that if he could get inside her, she would accept him.
Yeah, he wasn’t going to listen to his dick.
“If you’ve changed your mind, I can call my brother to pick me up. I have a phone and so does he. His number is programmed in. I don’t want to scare you. I had a good time talking to you tonight. It was one of the nicest nights I’ve had in a long time.” Ever. It was the best night ever. It was the first night he felt normal, though he wasn’t exactly sure what that word meant. Comfortable was a better one. That tight feeling in his chest had eased as he’d sat in the booth with River and Tucker and Heather.
Although he’d hated lying to her.
She finally turned, looking at him. Her eyes shone in the moonlight. “You mean that, don’t you?”
He wanted to touch her. He’d had to force his hands not to move toward her all night long. The most he’d allowed himself was to have their hips and shoulders touch as they’d sat next to each other. He’d decided it had been a good thing he’d sat next to her because he was fairly certain he had a case of Big Tag’s crazy eyes, and she would have seen them had he sat across from her.
“I do mean it. Please don’t get me wrong. I want you. I would like nothing more in the world than to take you into that cabin, lay you out, and make a feast of you. I want to kiss you and when I say that I don’t merely mean your lips. I want to put my mouth all over your body. But more than I want that, I want you to like me.” It was important somehow. He wouldn’t see her after tonight, but he couldn’t stand the idea that she was afraid of him.
Everyone was afraid of him. Everyone he knew was waiting for his powder keg to blow, but he’d sworn to himself earlier in the evening that it wouldn’t blow around her. He would protect her even if it was only for one night.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Share

Easy Going /Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy .5 & #1) by Erin Nicholas-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
11

EASY GOING / GOING DOWN EASY (Boys of the Big Easy .5 &  #1) by Erin Nicholas-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28, 2018

As far as flings go, single dad Gabe Trahan is pretty sure that Addison Sloan is his best bet. Once a month, Addison comes to New Orleans and then…It. Is. On. Until Addison returns to New York, it’s just hot, happily-no-strings-attached sex. And beignets. And jazz. But lately for Gabe, it isn’t nearly enough.

Sure, maybe Addison’s gotten a bit hooked on Gabe. After all, who can resist a guy who’s so sexy, so charming, and so…available? But maybe he’s too available for her right now. Addison’s just moved to New Orleans, and relationships are definitely off the table. Besides, guys always bail when they learn her secret: she’s a single mom.

Only Gabe’s not running. Worse, he’s thrilled. But Addison never signed up for ever-after romance, and Gabe won’t settle for anything less. Now it’s a battle of wills—and when it comes to the woman he’s falling for, Gabe isn’t above playing a little dirty

•••••

REVIEW: GOING DOWN EASY is the first full-length instalment in Erin Nicholas’ contemporary, adult BOYS OF THE BIG EASY erotic, romance series. This is bar owner and single father Gabe Trahan, and architect /single mother Addison Sloan’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Addison and Gabe) GOING DOWN EASY follows the building relationship between bar owner and single father Gabe Trahan, and architect /single mother Addison Sloan. For months, New Yorker Addison Sloan and New Orleans’ bar owner Gabe Trahan kept up their once monthly affair when Addison returned to the Big Easy for work and play. No personal information was exchanged by our leading couple; no history no stories, just time together one weekend per month. With Gabe and his brother Logan’s Trahan Tavern due for an extensive historical overhaul Gabe had no idea that the woman with whom he had was having a fling is part of the architectural firm about to renovate his bar. Enter Addison Sloan, and the woman with whom Gabe will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and love between Gabe and Addison, and the potential fall-out when Gabe’s life as a single father begins to spiral out of control.

Throughout their earlier affair Addison and Gabe never revealed intimate details about their personal lives including that inevitable reveal that each was a single parent to a five-year old child. Addison Sloan is a reluctant single mother whose life changed the moment her daughter was born. A successful architect, Addison struggles to be the kind of mother her daughter deserves but a mother who has taught her child to be independent and strong. Gabe Trahan has always had the support of family and friends when it comes to his bar, and raising his five-year old son but an incident at school has Gabe questioning his parenting abilities, questions that may threaten his relationship with the woman he loves. An over-protective father Gabe may have done his son a disservice in his attempts to protect him against outside harm.

The relationship between Addison and Gabe is one of immediate attraction that started out as a monthly affair, and soon grew into something more. With Addison’s move to Louisiana, Gabe saw the opportunity to pursue our heroine for a full-time relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Gabe likes to talk dirty both in and out of the bedroom.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including a number of single parents at a local single-parent club. We are introduced to Gabe’s five-year old, quiet and unassuming son Cooper, and Gabe’s brother Logan Trahan; Addison’s exuberant five-year old daughter Stella; and the members of the Single Parents Support Group: Roxanne, Dana, Bea, Lexi, Ashley, Caleb and Corey. I did question the ‘maturity’ level of two five-year old children-a maturity level that, at time, outstripped the maturity of their parental guardians. Logan and Dana’s story line is next in TAKING IT EASY.

GOING DOWN EASY is a story of family, friendship, romance and love. Addison’s attitude and earlier behavior was a bit of a turn off but our heroine quickly realized that her opinions about motherhood and children weren’t necessarily wrong but difficult to acknowledge. The premise is engaging and heart breaking; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are numerous, dynamic, flirty and animated. GOING DOWN EASY is a captivating, spicy and realistic look at family struggles, and building love.

Check out  EASY GOING for FREE-the prequel novella (see below) for Addison and Gabe’s introduction

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

_________________

EASY GOING
(Boys of the Big Easy .5)
by Erin Nicholas
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

 FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Apple / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 17, 2018

A sexy, New Orleans bartender with a panty-melting grin and a panty-dropping drawl.
A little jazz.
A few beignets.
And ONE hot weekend…

Yep, just one.

Supposedly.

••••••••

REVIEW: EASY GOING is the prequel novella to Erin Nicholas’ contemporary, adult BOYS OF THE BIG EASY erotic, romance series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabe and Addison) EASY GOING is a quick introduction to Gabe Trahan and Addison Sloan. Gabe, along with his brother Logan, own and operate Trahan’s Tavern in the Big Easy. Meeting Addison Sloan, friend to Elena LeBlanc, an architect in the restoration of historic buildings, stirred something in Gabe long thought dormant. Propositioning Addison was easier than imagined, as both were down with a weekend of no-strings attached.

EASY GOING reveals some of the background and events leading up to Addison and Gabe’s introduction, as well as the build-up to GOING DOWN EASY. A very quick and sexy read EASY GOING will leave you wanting more.

Reviewed by Sandy

Developing My Hero and Heroine by Erin Nicholas

Going Down Easy is a hot, contemporary romance set in one of the sexiest cities in the country: New Orleans. I’ve loved New Orleans since my first visit there in 2011 and have been back multiple times. I never get tired of the place. There’s just something about the city that calls to me. The music, the history, the laid-back attitude, the food…there’s just so much to love. So finally, the right characters and stories came along and it was time to write a series set there.

Gabe and Addison were some of the easiest characters I’ve ever written about. Gabe is so…just everything I love in a hero: sexy, protective, funny, charming, a dirty-talker, loving, surrounded by friends and family. And then I added in being a single dad and like magic, Gabe Trahan was real just like that.

I love to write about heroes like Gabe. The strong, protective, hot guys who are very alpha but who also have this laid-back, charming, fun side. Him being a dad made that side very easy to show, but these laid-back charmers are very much my favorite guys to write and I have a lot of them 🙂 The main difference is the dad thing. I’ve written a few other single dads, but their kids were older so writing a guy who’s raising a little boy on his own and interacting with a five-year-old who is, actually, very different from Gabe was really a lot of fun.

Addison…oh, Addison…she is a mix of all the moms I know. She is tough and protective and in love with her daughter and totally fine with going it alone, yet vulnerable and never quite totally sure she’s getting it right. I love her honesty about that as well as her honesty about the mom thing not always being sunshine and roses. I know super moms and I know moms who struggle every day to get it right and I think ALL moms can relate to both really. That’s Addison for me—a real woman, a real mom, who’s doing her best, and not always getting it right, but loving her daughter more than anything. Which is what really matters in the end. Seeing her soften and open up with Gabe and Cooper was just so much fun.

I’ve written very strong, confident women before, but Addison, too, is unique in being a single parent. I haven’t done that with a mom before and I loved it. It was so fun to explore the thoughts and emotions of a single mom coming from her point of view. I’m a mom of two but have always had my husband, their dad, by my side. I’ve always admired single moms so much and this series is letting me really get into how amazing they, and really just parenthood in general, are.

In addition to my main characters, Gabe’s family, his brother and mom, are integral parts of the story because they’re integral parts of his life as a single dad. He’s also a part of a single parent support group (that also draws Addison in) and is made up of a number of awesome people who all need a story! So, the Boys of the Big Easy series is a very natural flow from this first book.

Erin Nicholas is the New York Times bestselling author of sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).

Website /  Newsletter  /  Goodreads  / Amazon /  Facebook /  Twitter  / Blog

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

If We Leap / If We Fall (What If Duet .5 & 1) by Nina Lane-Review & Excerpt Tour

Posted on by
12

If We Leap / If We Fall (What If Duet .5 & 1) by Nina Lane-Review & Excerpt Tour

IF WE FALL
(What If Duet #1)
by Nina Lane
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: August 30, 2018

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 30, 2018

We fell in love. Then our world fell apart.

I wished so hard for Cole Danforth. And one day, he came true. He was my first boyfriend, my first lover, my first and only love. He should also have been my last.

But in a split-second, we were ripped apart, our lives broken, my heart shattered.

After ten years, I’ve returned to my hometown, the place of my greatest joy and darkest pain.

Cole is still here, but the beautiful boy I’d loved is gone. Now he’s a ruthless, unforgiving man determined to feed both my hatred and my lust.

Then our torturous past encroaches again, trapping us in a violent storm.

But this time, there is no escape.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: IF WE FALL is the first full length instalment in Nina Lane’s contemporary, adult WHAT IF Duet focusing on artist Josie Mays, and distillery owner Cole Danforth. For backstory and history I recommend reading the prequel novella-IF WE LEAP (see below).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Josie and Cole) IF WE FALL follows in the aftermath of a rekindling relationship between artist Josie Mays, and distillery owner Cole Danforth. Ten years earlier Josie Mays’ life was destroyed; her heart broken; and the boy that she loved walked away without looking back. From childhood best friends to high school / college sweethearts and lovers, Josie and Cole had been everything for one another but one night destroyed it all. Fast forward to present day wherein Josie May returns to her hometown of Castille, Maine in an effort to pay homage to the people she loved by painting a mural for the Castille Historical Society. Enter Cole Danforth, the only man that Josie has ever loved, and the man that broke what was left of her shredded heart. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Josie and Cole, and the potential fall-out as the truth about what happened years before may send Josie into a spiral from which she may never return.

IF WE FALL is a story of family, friendship, secrets and revenge. Cole has struggled all of his life to fit into the mould his father endeavored to present to the world. In private, Cole’s earlier years were a living h*ll but the public only saw what his father wanted them to see- a dedicated and respected businessman whose only son struggled to fit into his life. Years later, Cole’s actions begin to divide a town that was once dependant upon his father’s power, a power Cole is unwilling to propagate and pretend. Cold and damaged, Cole keeps secret the truth about the who, how, and why including what appears to be a calculated attempt to destroy the town. Josie Mays had fallen in love with the misunderstood Cole from the time she was nine years old, a love that has never waivered in the face of rejection, heartbreak and engulfing darkness. Returning to Castille, Josie suspected she would come face to face with her past but her past continues to push Josie out of his life.

The relationship between Josie and Cole is a friends to lovers/ second chance romance between two wounded souls who have loved one another for most of their lives. Josie knew that Cole’s home life wasn’t all hearts and flowers, and in this Josie was determined to be Cole’s anchor in an every worsening storm. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

IF WE FALL is an emotional, heart breaking and raw story line about love, lies and deception; hidden secrets and public perception. The premise is gritty and gripping; the romance is intimate and breath-taking; the characters are broken, tragic and lost. Nina Lane’s impassioned writing style is palpable; her characters and series come to life with every turn of the page. IF WE FALL ends of a cliff-hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

____________

IF WE LEAP
(What If Duet .5)
by Nina Lane
Genre: new adult,contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2018

Will he take the leap with me?

Cole Danforth was a troubled kid with a bad reputation. When I was nine years old, he rescued me from bullies trying to steal my Halloween candy. Thus began my decade-long crush on him.

Now, the summer after my freshman year in college, I discover the boy has turned into a gorgeous man who makes me melt. Every part of me wants him — my heart, my mind, my body. But Cole, struggling with the burden of his past, refuses to accept how good we are together.

I believe in us hard enough to take the chance. But will Cole take the leap of faith with me?

This novella prequel takes place ten years before If We Fall, Book One in Nina Lane’s What If duet.

••••••••

REVIEW: IF WE LEAP is the prequel novella in Nina Lane’s contemporary, adult WHAT IF Duet focusing on Cole Danforth, and Josie Mays.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Josie and Cole) IF WE LEAP takes place ten years (and more) prior to the events of book one IF WE FALL. The reader is up close and personal as seven-year old Josie Mays meets her would-be rescuer, ten-year old Cole Danforth, a trouble young boy who grows into a broken young man. From first love to heart breaking sorrow IF WE LEAP follows the building relationship and romance of two college age sweethearts whose lives are about to spiral out of control.

IF WE LEAP tells some of the backstory and history between our leading couple, and Cole’s dysfunctional family fall-out as a troubled reputation follows wherever he goes. The premise is revealing and inviting; the romance is passionate and tender; the characters are spirited, edgy and tragic.

Reviewed by Sandy

________

IF WE FLY
What If Duet #2
by Nina Lane
Release Date: September 13, 2018

Pre Order: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

We fell in love. Then our world fell apart.

I wished so hard for Cole Danforth. And one day, he came true. He was my first boyfriend, my first lover, my first and only love. He should also have been my last.

But in a split-second, we were ripped apart, our lives broken, my heart shattered.

After ten years, I’ve returned to my hometown, the place of my greatest joy and darkest pain.

Cole is still here, but the beautiful boy I’d loved is gone. Now he’s a ruthless, unforgiving man determined to feed both my hatred and my lust.

Then our torturous past encroaches again, trapping us in a violent storm.

But this time, there is no escape.

 

“Sir?” The security guard phones in from downstairs. “There’s a woman here insisting she needs to speak with you.”
“Name?”
“Josephine Mays.”
“Let her in.”
I turn off the intercom and unlock my office door. A few minutes pass before the door flies open. Josie barges in, her hands fisted and an angry light in her eyes.
“You are an asshole,” she snaps.
“I’ve been told.”
“How dare you pull that kind of stunt?”
“It’s the truth.”
“And we both know damned well you brought it up only because I’m involved.” She tosses her backpack and art portfolio onto a chair. She’s trembling with anger. “I don’t care what you think about me, but bringing the people of this town into our personal shit is low, even for you.”
My shoulders tense. “Even for me? What do you know about me?”
“Nothing anymore.” She slams her hands to her hips, her features twisting. “But I used to know everything about you. Do you remember that? Then you walked out on me right when I needed you the most, proving you were never the man I thought you were. Now I find out that you run this company like a dictator, you’re crushing independent businesses and putting people out of work, and you’re publicly trying to stop me from creating a mural that’s intended for both this town and my parents. What the hell happened to you?”
“You happened to me.”
The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. The pencil I’m holding breaks in two with the force of my grip.
Josie steps back, her eyes widening. Her dark hair is windblown, her cheeks flushed, her chest heaving under her old army jacket. I’d once had the right to comb her hair back from her forehead, slide my palm over her neck before edging my fingers into her V-necked T-shirt…
Anger crushes my chest. I shove away from my desk and stride toward her. Fear flashes in her green eyes, which pisses me off even more. When the fuck was she ever afraid of me?
I grab the lapels of her jacket, yanking her closer. Our lower bodies collide. She gasps, a little catching noise in the back of her throat that used to get me hot in a second.
It still does. My blood starts to boil. She tilts her head back, her eyes flashing. I lower my head to look at her, fighting to ignore her scent—goddamned summer leaves and cherry candy.
“I once would have done anything for you.” The words grate roughly from my throat. “And then I failed you in the worst possible way. I failed you, I failed Teddy, and I failed your parents.”
She stares at me, her eyes widening. “Cole, I—”
“When you left, I hoped with everything I was that you’d have a chance at a normal life.” I pull her closer, anger warring with the undeniable flare of lust. “That you could be happy again if you weren’t constantly surrounded by reminders of everything you lost. Everything I took from you.”
“Goddamn you, Cole Danforth.” Fire flames over her expression. She plants her hands on my chest and shoves herself away. “The only thing you took from me was you.” 


 

 

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances about professors, bad boys, candy makers, and protective alpha males who find themselves consumed with love for one woman alone. Originally from California, Nina holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she’s that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

 

 

Share

The Artisan Heart by Dean Mayes-a review

Posted on by
12

THE ARTISAN HEART by Dean Mayes-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 1, 2018

Hayden Luschcombe is a brilliant paediatrician living in Adelaide with his wife Bernadette, an ambitious event planner. His life consists of soul-wrenching days at the hospital and tedious evenings attending the lavish parties organized by Bernadette.

When an act of betrayal coincides with a traumatic confrontation, Hayden flees Adelaide, his life in ruins. His destination is Walhalla, nestled in Australia’s southern mountains, where he finds his childhood home falling apart. With nothing to return to, he stays, and begins to pick up the pieces of his life by fixing up the house his parents left behind.

A chance encounter with a precocious and deaf young girl introduces Hayden to Isabelle Sampi, a struggling artisan baker. While single-handedly raising her daughter, and trying to resurrect a bakery, Isabelle has no time for matters of the heart. Yet the presence of the handsome doctor challenges her resolve. Likewise, Hayden, protective of his own fractured heart, finds something in Isabelle that awakens dormant feelings of his own.

As their attraction grows, and the past threatens their chance at happiness, both Hayden and Isabelle will have to confront long-buried truths if they are ever to embrace a future.

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE ARTISAN HEART by Dean Mayes is an adult, contemporary, stand alone romance story line focusing on ER paediatrician Dr. Hayden Luschcombe, and artisan baker Isabelle Sampi.

Told from third person perspective THE ARTISAN HEART, set in the small Australian town of Walhalla, follows Dr. Hayden Luschcombe in the wake of both personal and professional disasters. On forced leave from the hospital, Hayden returns to his hometown, searching for the peace that has long eluded our story line hero. An easy-going and well-respected paediatrician, Hayden Luschcombe, is lost and struggles to make sense of where it all went wrong. A welcome home by the locals is met with disdain by artisan baker Isabelle Sampi, a woman Hayden remembers from his childhood days. What ensues is the building relationship between Hayden and Isabelle, and the potential fall-out as Isabelle’s past comes looking for revenge, and Hayden’s past comes looking for a second chance.

On the surface, Hayden Luschcombe is the perfect man with the ability to do and fix anything with exception of his personal life. Years as a doormat for his ambitious wife pushes Hayden one final time until the realization of what was, and what will never be forces our hero back home. Isabelle Sampi is a struggling, single mother to a deaf, seven-year old daughter, a precocious child who captures Hayden’s attention from the very start. Isabelle remembers Hayden from their childhood days, memories that Isabelle had hoped to forget, along with a darkened past that threatens to her present and future.

THE ARTISAN HEART is a slow building story line and thusly a slow building romance. Family secrets are revealed; the past is revisited; lies, manipulation and revenge threaten our story line couple. THE ARTISAN HEART is a predictable story of family, love, betrayal and vengeance. The colorful people of Walhalla mean well but tend to gossip and know everybody’s business. Hayden’s wife Bernadette is nothing short of bitchy and manipulative, eliciting neither sympathy nor tears for her behavior and end result. The premise is enjoyable; the romance is sweet and affectionate; the characters are broken, real and uncomplicated.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

FOLLOW: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

When he emerged in 2010, Adelaide based Intensive Care Nurse and author Dean Mayes, had almost given up on the prospect of ever being published. by then in his 30’s with several abortive writing attempts under his belt, Dean believed he had missed his opportunity. But Dean had an idea for one last story he wanted to tell and, rather than allow it to wither and die in his imagination, he decided to blog it instead.

Quite unexpectedly, Dean’s blog took off and after a chance encounter with Canadian based publisher Central Avenue in mid 2009, Dean’s dream like tale about a young man who discovers he has taken on the memories and dreams of a complete stranger, became his first novel. Dean was signed to an initial two year contract and in 2010 “The Hambledown Dream” was published. The novel has since gone on to receive global attention and critical acclaim.

Dean set about penning a follow up novel that was not merely a repeat performance and in 2012 “Gifts of the Peramangk” a powerful Australian family saga. Chronicling a dysfunctional Aboriginal family in the struggle streets of Adelaide’s suburban fringe, “Gifts of the Peramangk” has been described as significant literary achievement. In October 2013, it was nominated as a finalist in the prestigious EPIC Awards for contemporary fiction.

Dean’s third feature length novel, a psychological thriller set in Melbourne called “The Recipient”, showcased his ability to cross genres and deliver a taut and gripping tome about a heart transplant patient who discovers her organ donor was a murder victim – and that the murder remains unsolved.

Dean is currently editing his fourth novel, a return to his romantic roots, called “The Artisan Heart”, which is scheduled for a September, 2018 release.

He lives in Adelaide, Australia with his partner Emily, their two children Xavier and Lucy. An Intensive Care Nurse with over 15 years of clinical experience in adult, paediatric and neonatal medicine, he can often be found lying on a hospital gurney at 3 in the morning with a notebook in hand, madly scribbling ideas while on his break.

Dean is represented by Michelle Halket and is published by Central Avenue Publishing of Vancouver, Canada.

Share