Tag Archives: romantic

Lethal Torture (Lethal Legacy 4) by Paula Walshe-review

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Lethal Torture (Lethal Legacy 4) by Paula Walshe-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 6, 2025

ZINAIDA

My world is too dark for love. Which is exactly why Luke Macarthur is the wrong choice to protect me. But I have a leak. And that means hiring from outside. I expect him to turn down the job. I want him to turn it down. He’ll have your back. I hate how dangerously seductive I find those few words. Sooner or later, people either betray me, or become a weakness to be used against me. It’s the price I pay for being Zinaida Melikov. So why doesn’t Luke run the first time he sees what he’s dealing with? But keeping a poker face for half an hour is one thing. Living in the murky darkness of my world for months on end is quite another. There’s only one way a good man like Luke leaves my world: in a body bag, buried by forces much darker than he will ever be. Luke Macarthur might well be the killer Mak says he is, but he’s also as wholesome as apple f***ing pie. And a wholesome man has no place beside damaged goods like me.

LUKE

There’s no way I should take this job. I don’t sleep with clients. Ever. And Zinaida Melikov is the most dangerous smokeshow I’ve ever laid eyes on. But someone is definitely trying to kill her, which is the kind of mystery I can’t resist. And I need danger the way some men need to breathe. She’s a renowned psychopath. Except I know she isn’t. I saw her mask slip. It was barely a split second, the briefest loss of control. Most men wouldn’t have noticed. But I’m not most men. I’m trained to see what other men don’t. And in that moment, I saw past the dead eyes. Past the performance, the mask, and the game. I caught a glimpse of the woman who lives behind the masquerade. And now I can’t stop thinking about her.

•••••

REVIEW:: LETHAL TORTURE is the fourth instalment in Paula Walshe’s contemporary, adult LETHAL LEGACY dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-nine year old, former British SAS (Special Forces) agent turned private contractor Luke Macarthur, and business woman Zinaida Melikov’s story line. LETHALTORTURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines 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 (Luke and Zinaida) using present day and memories from the past, LETHAL TORTURE follows in the wake of several assassination attempts against our story line heroine. Zinaida Melikov’s life has been anything but easy, and she fights to save those unable to save themselves but the latest attempt on her life forces Zinaida, a stubbornly independent and dangerous woman in her own right, to seek outside help, eventually and reluctantly contracting with former SAS agent Luke Macarthur. Luke is a man on a mission, determined to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love but an internal review reveals both a professional and personal betrayal.

The world building is, once again, dark, detailed and multi-layered as our couple, along with several members of Luke’s business partners and board members on the Mercura Crypto Platform, most of whom of are connected to the Russian Bratva or former Special Forces operatives, begin a deep dive into people associated with our story line heroine.

The relationship between Zinaida and Luke begins as a professional arrangement but from the outset Zinaida is determined to unbalance our story line hero. Zinaida owns several high end, private $ex clubs, and the elite of society depend upon our heroine to keep their secrets. Luke refuses to cross the invisible line with his client but their attraction is immediate and strong. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of thought provoking, questionable, dangerous and twisted secondary and supporting characters including the return of Roman Borovsky, and his wife Darya, Ofelia, Alexei, and Dimitry Stevanovsky. We are introduced to Makari ‘Mak’ Tereschenko; specialist Paddy; Luke’s sister Liana; as well as Zinaida’s security team(Charlie, Anatoly, Enzo), employees, survivors, and several business acquaintance, competitors, and political powers. The requisite evil has many faces.

LETHAL TORTURE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dark, edgy and dramatic-heed the trigger warnings. The characters are desperate, charismatic, determined and often tragic; the romance is spicy and passionate.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Lethal Legacy
Lethal Alliance
Lethal Abduction

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Embedded (Stonewall Trilogy 2) by JL Drake-review tour

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Embedded (Stonewall Trilogy 2) by JL Drake-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Apple / Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK:Release Date November 18, 2025

Nicole Winter has many facets—a war correspondent, a protector, a mother in all but blood.

But those are just titles.

Nicole’s relentless drive for the truth was forged in war zones and honed by years of experience. Her instincts catch the shifts others overlook, and what whispers now is clear— the Cartel is gathering strength, and war is coming. Once, she would have chased the story, but for the first time, she is in a position more dangerous than she has ever faced.

A secret.
A bond.
A betrayal.

Paul is recovering from his wounds, but the scars no one can see cut deepest. He can’t forgive Nicole for putting his son in the spotlight, yet the child he never claimed is bound to her. She’s a risk he can’t afford, yet the only one who can protect his future.

Fueled by vengeance and ambition, Bruno Perez’s recklessness gives Nicole the chance to do the unthinkable and return to the viper’s pit, even if it costs her life.

As the team closes in and loyalties fracture, the green light unleashes the unimaginable. Blood is shed in the most unlikely places, and no one is beyond the line of fire.

••••••

REVIEW:EMBEDDED is the second instalment in JL Drake’s contemporary, adult STONEWALL romantic, military suspense trilogy set in the author’s WORLD OF MAYHEM focusing on war correspondent Nicole Winter, and Stonewall Agent Paul. EMBEDDED should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book one EXTRACTION. If you have not read book one, there may be spoilers in my review

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

Told from three first person perspectives (Paul, Nicole and Bruno) EMBEDDED follows in the aftermath of the rescue of Nicole Winter, and Chase, a small child she rescued from the Mexican Cartel.Having eluded the Cartel, with the help of the agents from the dark Ops group known as Stonewall, Nicole will come face to face with a man she thought was dead but upon their return to the US, and a debrief by the man in charge, Nicole is forced to reveal her own secrets, secrets that will see our heroine poised on the precipice of returning to the scene of the crime. Paul is a man with secrets of his own, secrets of which very few people are aware, and in this, Nicole struggles to trust the man with whom she will fall in love but against Paul’s objections, Nicole is sent back to the Cartel in an effort to retrieve information she left behind.

The world building is detailed, complex yet slow as the agents at Stonewall, as well as our story lie heroine find themselves journeying towards danger as the Mexican Cartel is determined destroyed them all.

The relationship between Paul and Nicole continues to be contentious as Nicole struggles to trust a man she does not know, a man whose secrets are dangerous and dark. As Nicole battles between head and heart, the truth may be something she is unable to believe. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including many crossing over from the Broken, Blackstone and Blackwater series, as well as several members of the Mexican Cartel.

EMBEDDED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is detailed, complex and dramatic; the romance is edgy; the characters are desperate and dynamic. EMBEDDED end on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE  for Sandy’s review of book one EXTRACTION

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J.L. Drake is a bestselling author with multiple series published in several different countries. The Broken Trilogy is her best seller, and her next series, Quiet Mafia, has the same kind of homey feel sprinkled with some yummy darkness.

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to southern California. Though she loves the weather in Cali, she would sell her left kidney for a good rainstorm. Jodi’s love of the seasons back home in Canada definitely put in an appearance in her books.

When she’s not writing, you can often find her sitting somewhere along the coast of Huntington Beach, reading, or at home curled up on a couch with her two children and husband, binge watching Marvel movies.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Website / Goodreads / Facebook /  Instagram/

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ICE COLD CHRISTMAS (Ice Breaker Cold Case 15) by Cynthia Eden

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ICE COLD CHRISTMAS (Ice Breaker Cold Case 15) by Cynthia Eden-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 14, 2025

She’s coming home for the holidays…and there’s gonna be hell to pay.

Last Christmas, Melody Mage vanished without a trace. The wealthy socialite was presumed dead by her loved ones. But on the anniversary of her disappearance, Melody appears on the doorstep of her family’s estate. Her memories are fractured, her past shrouded in fog and confusion, but she knows one thing—someone attacked her. Left her for dead. She just has to figure out who the guilty culprit is. Then she’ll make the person pay.

In other words, Melody has to solve her own cold case mystery. And she’s going to do it—no matter what it takes. No matter how many skeletons she has to drag out of her wealthy family’s closet. And no one will get in her way. Not even her father’s intense—and dangerously attractive—protégé, Victor Alexander. Victor has just taken over as the company’s new CEO. He’s driven, powerful, and he stares at her with eyes that glitter with far too much…longing?

He ripped apart the world looking for her, and the love of his life just casually knocked on the front door.

Except Melody doesn’t know that Victor had his heart carved out of his chest when she vanished. Their relationship had been secret. On the outside, he and Melody had appeared to barely tolerate each other. In private, they’d touched—and ignited. She’d been his obsession. He’d been her personal attack dog. Now she’s back, saying she’s looking for justice, and he’s going to give it to her. He will give her anything. Unfortunately, Melody has no idea that she once promised to love him forever—or that when she vanished, she was wearing the engagement ring he’d given to her.

He never stopped loving her. Too bad she believes he’s the enemy.

Victor has been working with the Ice Breakers, a cold-case solving crew, and he suspects that Melody’s attacker is someone in the family’s inner circle. He also knows that there is no way on earth he will ever let Melody vanish again. He’ll protect her, he’ll win her heart once more, and he will see to it that the person who hurt his Melody is buried in an icy grave before the new year dawns.

•••••••

REVIEW: ICE COLD CHRISTMAS is the fifteenth instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult ICE BREAKER COLD CASE romantic suspense series. This is heiress Melody Mage, and CEO Victor Alexander’s story line. ICE COLD CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Melody and Victor ICE COLD CRHISTMAS follows one year after the disappearance of heiress Melody Mage. Newly engaged, and looking forward to Christmas, Melody would disappear without a trace. Fast forward one year, our heroine returns to her father’s estate, a shell of her former self, a woman whose memories are lost but for a few snippets of betrayal at the cost of her life. Victor is determined to reclaim the woman who owned his heart but first our couple must search for the truth, in the face of continuing betrayal, greed and lies.

The world building follows Victor and Melody as they begin an investigation of their own. As Melody’s memories slowly return, bits and pieces reveal a possible connection to the man whom she loves, and a betrayal by the family to whom she returned.

The relationship between Victor and Melody is one of second chances. Engaged one year earlier, Melody disappeared sending Victor into a spiral. Determined to find the woman he loves, Victor never stopped searching for the truth, a truth that would destroy the a family already torn apart. 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, questionable and desperate secondar and supporting characters. We are introduced to Melody’s ailing father Sebastian Mage’ step brother Dario Mage, Melody’s best friend Olivia Hatcher; Ice Breaker security specialists Hunter McQueen, Calista Connors, Luis Ortega; and Detective Angus Clinton.

ICE COLD CHRISTMAS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and madness, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is action packed, dramatic and edgy; the characters are determined and dynamic ;the rekindling romance is fated and seductive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Frozen in Ice
Falling for the Ice Queen
Ice Cold Saint
Touched by Ice
Trapped in Ice
Forged From Ice
Buried Under Ice
Ice Cold Kiss
Savage Ice
Locked In Ice
Brutal Ice
Cruel Ice
Forbidden Ice
Ice Cold Liar

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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DANIIL (Royal Protectors 5) by Kat Mizera-review tour

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DANIIL (Royal Protectors 5) by Kat Mizera-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10, 2025

My reputation as Europe’s most charming playboy suits me perfectly. As a prince, a member of Parliament, and a Royal Protector, my life is a constant balance between danger and duty.

Relationships have no place in my world. Until Courtney.

I wanted the fiery, red-haired beauty from the first moment I laid eyes on her. My sister-in-law’s military helicopter pilot friend is like no one I’ve ever met.

It only took one touch to know, once wouldn’t be enough. Then she disappeared without a word–twice.

Now she’s gone—completely off the grid—and no one has heard from her in months.

I’m called in to find her, but it takes no persuading. Because this hunt… it’s personal.

And I’m in no way prepared for the secrets she’s been keeping.

She doesn’t just dislike me—she despises everything I stand for. Everything I am.

But it doesn’t matter because I’m not a man who backs down.

Especially when the stakes are this high.

••••

REVIEW: DANIIL is the fifth and final instalment in Kat Mizera’s contemporary, adult ROYAL PROTECTORS erotic, romantic suspense series. This is thirty-eight year old, Royal Protector Prince Daniil Gustaffson, and thirty-four year old, military helicopter pilot turned bodyguard Courtney Grimshaw. DANIIL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. For followers of Kat Mizera, there is a slight crossover with one of her hockey series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Daniil and Courtney) DANIIL follows Daniil’s search for the woman who stole his heart. Approximately fifteen months earlier, Courtney resigned her position as a personal security guard for the royal family in Limaj , returning to America to restart her life but with her resignation Courtney stole more than Daniil’s heart, she stole a piece of the man he knew nothing about. Fast forward to present day, Daniil is determined to uncover the truth, and Daniil’s arrival in Las Vegas brings with it more surprises than he could have ever imagined. Convincing Courtney to return to Limaj for an extended holiday means a second chance to make things right but all is not going according to plan when the country’s enemies take aim at our story line couple.

The world building focuses mainly upon the up and down, back and forth between our story line couple. Courtney has issues of trust, and refuses to come second place to everyone else including the man with whom she will fall in love but Courtney knows that to survive everything that is coming their way, she may have to give up the one thing she never thought she would have.

The relationship between Courtney and Daniil is one of second chances; a rekindling romance in which Courtney struggles to trust, and fears the fall-out of political turmoil. As a Royal Protector and a member of the Royal family, Daniil will always place the safety of the crown before everyone else, and in this Courtney is no longer willing to place herself in the direct line of fire for everyone else. Daniil is determined to claim Courtney as his own but proving she is safe will come at a cost. The $ex scenes are provocative and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in previous story lines. We are introduced to Courtney’s half-brother Landon, as well as Daniil’s ex Jesper.

DANIIL is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and intriguing; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic and determined. DANIIL introduces a new spin off series-SHADOW SECURITY owned and operated by our story line couple.

Reading Order and previous reviews

Sandor
Xander
Axel
The Reading Cafe

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.

Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.

To find out about Kat Mizera’s  upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here!

For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter (X)/ Facebook/ Amazon Author / Instagram

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Duty Compromised (Citadel Solutions 3)by Dominic Pierce-review

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Duty Compromised (Citadel Solutions 3)by Dominic Pierce-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

Ty Hughes handles the most dangerous protection assignments on the planet—it’s what Citadel Solutions is built for. So babysitting some old computer scientist for a few weeks?

Boring as hell, but no problem.

Until he meets Dr. Charlotte Gifford.

She’s not the gray-haired researcher Tyler expected—she’s young, brilliant, and gets adorably flustered every time he looks at her. When her quantum-encrypted signal research is stolen by terrorists, someone wants her dead before she can rebuild what they need.

Charlotte has spent her whole life in labs, more comfortable with code than people. She eats lunch alone, speaks in programming logic when nervous, and definitely doesn’t know what to do with a bodyguard who makes her forget her own name.

Now they’re on the run with assassins on their trail and a traitor somewhere in her inner circle. Charlotte can reconstruct the tech that could save thousands—if Tyler can keep her alive long enough.

She’s a genius with code, not running from terrorists.
He’s trained for warfare, not falling for the woman he’s protecting.

But when every ally becomes suspect and death waits around each corner, breaking all the rules might be their only chance at survival.

•••••

REVIEW: DUTY COMPROMISED is the third instalment in Dominic Pierces’ contemporary, adult CITADEL SOLUTIONS romantic suspense series. This is former US Army Ranger turned security specialist Ty Hughes, and computer scientist Dr. Charlotte Gifford’s story line. DUTY COMPROMISED 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 (Charlotte and Ty) DUTY COMPROMISED focuses on the protection of proprietary information that if stolen, could mean a world wide disaster. Someone is stealing Dr. Charlotte Gifford’s research, and in doing so, selling online to the highest bidder but the same someone is possibly targeting our story line heroine, and in this, Ty Hughes has been assigned Charlotte’s guardian and protector, a favor called in from the FBI. As Charlotte struggles to find a solution, Ty and the team at Citadel Solution is battling time to uncover the who, how and why, only find themselves with a possible mole.

The world building focuses on time sensitive solutions in the face of a possible worldwide catastrophe. As Charlotte battles not only the clock but a possible sabotage from inside, Ty is determined to take down the people responsible.

The relationship between Ty and Charlotte begins as an assignment but Charlotte is uneasy in social situations, and Ty is hoping to free our heroine from her cloistered existence. On the run, in hopes of staying one step ahead, Ty begins a slow seduction, one that our heroine is happy to accept. 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 colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several members of Ty’s Citadel Solutions team. We are introduced to Charlotte’s co-workers and fellow researchers, as well as FBI handler George Mercer.

DUTY COMPROMISED is a story of betrayal and vengeance, espionage and terrorism, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is detailed, dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate and dogged.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Duty Unbound
Devoted Duty

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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THE FIX by Mia Sheridan-a review

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THE FIX by Mia Sheridan-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 1, 2025

A chilling take on second chances, where a brutal break-in comes back to haunt the sole survivor with a new threat—and another victim.
Eleven years ago, Cami Cortlandt’s mother and sister died cruelly in a violent home invasion. The trauma and notoriety still linger, but Cami has managed to build a life in her hometown despite everything she’s lost.
Then one day it all comes rushing back.
A distorted voice on the phone: Would you like a do-over? A disturbing video of a room with bars on the window, trapping a young boy inside who looks achingly, impossibly familiar. Four days to find him.
With the help of Rex Lowe, an old classmate whose past is inextricably tied to her own, Cami races to uncover everything she can about the boy—where he is, who he is, and why she’s the only one who can save him.
But as Cami and Rex unravel one clue after another, the past and present converge in an explosion of secrets they never saw coming…and a truth they never could have imagined.

•••••

REVIEW: THE FIX by Mia Sheridan is a contemporary, adult, dark, romantic, suspense thriller focusing on Camille ‘Cami’ Cortland, and cyber specialist Alexander ‘Rex’ Lowe.

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

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives, following three time lines, THE FIX follows in the aftermath of a brutal, violent and deadly invasion at the Cortland household leaving Cami and her father the sole survivors but Cami’s world was about to be shattered once again, and in this, our heroine was forced to move on with her life, always wondering about the what ifs and why. Fast forward eleven years, a mysterious phone call, a video of a young boy trapped in a cell, and four days to uncover the truth force Cami to contact the one man who had every right to refuse her request. With the help of high school classmate and US Marine Cyber specialist Alexander ‘Rex’ Lowe, our couple go in search of the truth., a truth that will bring our couple full circle, as the past collides with the present, and the ultimate betrayal in the name of power and control.

The world building follows three times lines that will converge in the present, intersecting at a point of murder and vengeance. Deception and cruelty in the present overlap with a vindictive past that refuses to acknowledge the truth, and in doing so, set into motion a reunion, a second chance and an avenging murder.

The relationships between Rex and Cami is a friends to lovers relationship that started as high-school acquaintances and classmates, to one of betrayal, eventually leading to a second chance and love. Rex had lusted after Cami from afar but the fall-out of the home invasion would force our couple towards diverging paths. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting diverse cast of characters are numerous, destructive, questionable and tragic. We are introduced to Cami’s immediate family, Rex’s embattled mother, and a long list of suspects, victims, killers and puppets.

THE FIX is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, greed and madness, murder and mayhem, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic, edgy and suspenseful; the romance is reserved but fated; the characters are determined, desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Half-Light Harbor (Scottish Isles 1) by Samantha Young-review

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Half-Light Harbor (Scottish Isles 1) by Samantha Young-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 23, 2025

I went to Scotland looking for answers about my past. The last thing I expected was getting trapped on a private island with my stoic, brooding, gorgeous contractor.

Ramsay McRae is a man with secrets. He prefers the company of his dog to people and silence to any semblance of politeness. He says I’m too young, too sweet, too innocent.

Only he doesn’t know the truth. That I’m haunted by a crime that tore my life apart two years ago. I’ve come to Half-Light Harbor not just to start over, but to bring the monster who killed my parents to justice.

The last thing I need is a tortured Scot distracting me from my mission. But when his restraint snaps and my walls crumble, the results are explosive.

We say it’s only a no-strings-attached affair. A temporary moment to burn out this fire between us.

However, when my search for the truth brings danger to my door, it’s Ramsay stepping in to protect me. But it might be the secrets from his past that tear us apart forever…

•••••

REVIEW: HALF-LIGHT HARBOR is the first instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult SCOTTISH ISLES erotic, romantic suspense series, a spin off set in the author’s Adair Family and The Highlands interconnected series. This is American hotel heiress Tierney Silver, and former UK Royal Marine / wood worker Ramsay McRae’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ramsay and Tierney) HALF-LIGHT HARBOR follows American born but Scottish descendant Tierney Silver as she moves to grandmother’s beloved Scotland in the wake of her parents’ murders and discovering her fiance’s affair. With the hope of setting up a bed and breakfast, Tierney moves to the Isle of Glenvulin, Scotland where she will fall in love with a man who will break her heart. Former UK Royal Marine (Special Forces) , recluse, woodworker and all around brooding hero Ramsay McRae doesn’t do relationships, people or friends but Tierney Silver is about to place herself directly into the orbit of our story line hero, a man who is willing to do anything to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love but both Tierney and Ramsay have dark secrets and dangerous pasts, and in this, both refuse to reveal the truth , or acknowledge the threats, or possible perils to everyone else.

The world building focuses on the rebuilding and preparations for Tierney’s new B&B, as Tierney’s ex demands her return; a friend back home struggles in her own relationship, and a journalist looking into Tierney’s parents’ murder uncovers a dangerous path of murder and greed. Ramsay McRae has his own twisted tale of dangerous secrets, and our hero is determined to remain as isolated from the world as possible.

The relationship between Tierney and Ramsay is one of immediate attraction but, once again, Ramsay doesn’t do relationships and in this exclaims their ‘affair’ is only temporary but as the love begins to dawn, and both of their pasts are single minded in destroying their lives, Ramsay is about to push away the woman that calls to his heart. The $ex scenes are impassioned and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and animated, secondary and supporting characters who will become the large extended family Tierney has always wanted. We are introduced to contractor Quinn and his ex Taran, Cammie, Tierney’s ex fiancé Hugh Inchcolm, her best friend London and fiancé Nick, investigative journalist Perri Wilcox, and several locals who live and work on the Isle of Glenvulin. Quinn and Taran’s story line is next.

HALF-LIGHT HARBOR is the story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, money and greed, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The richly layered and character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic, and haunting; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are sassy, complex and edgy.

copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Fear of Flames by Aleatha Romig-review tour

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🔥🔥Fear of Flames by Aleatha Romig-review tour🔥🔥

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /  Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 20, 2025

She writes thrillers for a living, but nothing could prepare her for the one she’s living now.

By day, Michelle Holdcraft is the quiet woman-next-door in small-town Indiana. But by night, she’s D. Valentine, a bestselling thriller author with a mind for murder and secrets.

Her real life?

Completely ordinary. Until one unplanned trip to visit her estranged father in Iron Falls, Massachusetts, flips everything upside down.

She wakes to a gunshot only to find her father’s body in a pool of blood on the first floor and flames engulfing the walls.
She barely escapes the burning house. Fleeing barefoot into the snow, Michelle becomes the only witness to a crime that no one in Iron Falls wants solved. Especially the sheriff.

Hiding in the snowy pines as she watches her father’s home burn, Michelle doesn’t know what to do, until a mysterious man appears, offering to help her—to save her life.

Michelle has never met Fletch—surely, she would remember this handsome and dangerous man if she had. However, Fletch knew her father and knows a lot about her, including her alter ego and her mother’s mysterious death.

With limited options, Michelle accepts Fletch’s help. It isn’t until she sees the large tattoo across his wide shoulder blades that she is shaken to the core. Michelle has seen that exact tattoo before—on her father.

Fletch might be her only ally… but he is hiding something. Somehow, her life has become one of her thrillers.
This time, the heroine doesn’t get to write the final page. The story’s out of her hands—and the ending might just kill her.

•••••

REVIEW:  FEAR OF FLAMES by Aleatha Romig is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romantic suspense story focusing on author Michelle Holdcraft aka D Valentine, and Agency member Fletch aka Arrow.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Michelle and Fletch FEAR OF FLAMES follows in the wake of the murder of Michelle’s father Denny Holdcraft, a retired police officer from Iron Falls, Indiana. A bullet, a fire, and a woman on the run find our heroine rescued by a stranger, the man with whom Michelle will fall in love but all is not as it appears to be when an investigation into a series of murder begins to point to finger at our story line heroine, a woman who is caught in a web of secrets and lies. On the run with Fletch aka Arrow, Michelle will soon discover her entire life has been predicated upon a series of lies, lies that she will eventually take to the grave.

The world building follows several paths as Michelle aka Shelly quickly realizes there is no escape from the proverbial dumpster fire that has become her life. At every corner, Michelle and Denny find themselves targeted, and Denny’s secrets reveal a close connection to the past. From dirty cops, corrupt politicians and investigative podcasters, Michelle finds herself not only a suspect but a victim as well.

The relationship between Denny and Michelle is one of rescue but quickly turns into something more. Michelle believes she knows who murdered her father but Denny has proclaimed himself guardian and protector from everyone aiming to take her down. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic, determined and often questionable secondary and supporting characters. The requisite evil is numerous, problematic and evil.

FEAR OF FLAMES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing, dramatic and dark; the romance is subtle but impassioned; the characters are desperate and dynamic. FEAR OF FLAMES ends on a bit of a cliffhanger-here is hoping the author has plans to continue their story.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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