Tag Archives: stand alone

Crooked by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward-review tour

Posted on by
13

Crooked by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward-review tour

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 March 29, 2026

The last thing I needed was a live-in bodyguard. And I definitely didn’t want him. Six foot two, with broad shoulders that were impossible to ignore and a talent for getting in my way, Wes Callahan was a walking bad decision.

But when you’re the daughter of a notorious mob boss, apparently your opinions stop mattering the moment your father ignites another war. I’d spent my entire life trying to escape that crooked world—new name, new city, newfound freedom. At least until I was suddenly shacked up with my new bodyguard.

Wes knew exactly how to push my buttons. He was also infuriatingly protective. And smart. And funny. And thoughtful when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. Little by little, the walls I’d built started to crack, and falling for the bodyguard became the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. Because if my father found out, Wes wouldn’t just lose his job. He’d lose his life.

Getting involved with him was reckless, yet I couldn’t find a way to stop it, no matter how hard I tried. But while I was busy losing my heart, the man who took it was hiding a secret.

And it turned out, the most dangerous man in my life wasn’t my father after all—it was the one who threatened to break my heart.

••••••

REVIEW:CROOKED is a strand alone, contemporary, adult, Mafia adjacent, bodyguard romance story line focusing on twenty-seven year old, Juliette Ginocassi , and bodyguard Wes Callahan.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Juliette and Wes) follows in the aftermath of Wes Callahan’s latest assignment, guarding Mafia princess Juliette Ginocassi. Hired by mob boss Vince Ginocassi to protect his daughter, Wes knows never to cross the invisible line between business and pleasure but their time together pushes Juliette and Wes closer together. When the threats against Juliette become more dangerous and deadly, reality is about to push Wes out of Juliette’s life, betrayal at the forefront of emotional heart break.

The world building focuses on the protection of our story line heroine but Wes Callahan’s role in Juliette’s life is about to spiral out of control. Wes has a secret, that once revealed , will threaten any chance at a happily ever after between our story line couple

The relationship between Juliette and Wes begins as an assignment that quickly turns into something more but Wes struggles with the threats against our story line heroine, threats that are about to place Wes in the direct line of fire. As Juliette and Wes’ relationship steps to the next level, the danger increases, and possibly from an unlikely source. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and dynamic. We are introduced to Juliette’s parents Vince and Francesca, Wes’s mother Joanna, as well as several Hollywood agents, and mobster adjacent security guards.

CROOKED is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, power and control, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is edgy; the characters are charismatic and impassioned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Best Selling author. Over the last three years, ten of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and three on the New York Times Bestseller lists.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

Share

My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt-review tour

Posted on by
16

My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 28, 2024

Some days I can almost see the person I used to be. See the version of myself that felt joy, even passion. But she’s gone…just out of reach.

Life moves on for everyone else, though, and as my best friend’s maid-of-honor, I have a bachelorette party to plan—in Jamaica, no less. And that means working side by side with the best man: Benjamin Black.

Billionaire. Workaholic. Ultimate bachelor. The perfect catch for any woman—unless she’s lost her sense of self.

Apparently my body hasn’t gotten the memo. Because from the second we meet, something begins stirring, warming my blood.

And when our hands touch, it’s a heady reminder that even if I feel numb, my heart still beats.

He’s nothing like I thought. Every moment with him unshackles a little more of my fears, cracks another layer of ice.

But I should be afraid—and so should he. Because the past never lets go so easily.

Trigger Warning: My Heart Still Beats is a dark, emotional romance with a happy ending. However, the story includes elements that might not be suitable for all readers. Sexual assault, physical assault, rape, child molestation, suicidal thoughts, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, murder, and blood are shown in the novel. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

•••••

REVIEW:Check the triggers on this one folks. For readers that have anxiety/depression, this is not a book I would recommend reading unless you have your person ready and available to you. That being said, Helen Hardt introduces a new book in My Heart Still Beats; a lengthy, intense emotional journey about self growth and forgiveness. In one word, traumatic.

There is much to unpack in this book. The story and plot really focus on people’s connections, how to heal and find those people in your life that are meant to be in it, to help you even when you don’t know what you need, when connection is more important than touch. The author is more than amazing in this book and the connections she draws with her characters, even more so with Ben. He is so different at the end of the book than when his journey first starts.

The plot to the story (while hard for me to read) was easy to keep up with, even if it was heartbreaking, the family ties, the lies, the grief and of course the end, where love begins to heal all wounds. My Heart Still Beats is raw and emotional. As a long time reader and fan of this author, this new standalone book is one that absolutely broke my heart, healed it, and gave me a little hope back to humanity all in one sitting.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Follow: Goodreads/ Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

Share

The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
16

The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

THE SOUND OF VIOLET
by Allen Wolf
Release Date: September 21, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

Desperate to find his soulmate, Shawn goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute.

Shawn thinks he’s found a possible wife while Violet thinks she’s discovered her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story takes all kinds of twists and turns and has been adapted into a major motion picture.

••••••••

REVIEW:THE SOUND OF VIOLET is a contemporary, adult, stand alone story focusing on twenty-four year old computer programmer Shawn Lambent, and prostitute Violet ‘Olivia’ Black.

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

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shawn and Violet) THE SOUND OF VIOLET focuses on one man’s desire for love and to be loved. Twenty-four year old, computer programmer Shawn Lambent, is a young man on the autism spectrum, who ‘sees’ sounds in color. Shawn Lambent develops apps for a dating website, and wishes to one day find his own happily ever after. Meeting Violet Black gives Shawn a hope for the future but Shawn is unaware of Violet’s lifestyle, a lifestyle of which she struggles to leave. As Shawn quickly falls for Violet Black not all is well in Violet’s life, and our heroine must battle the man in charge. What ensues is the building relationship between Shawn and Violet, and the potential fall-out as Violet’s life begins to spiral out of control.

Shawn Lambent wants to find love. Having lived with his aging and ailing grandmother most of his life, Shawn fears one day, living alone, and in this, actively searches for someone to love. As a high functioning young man with autism, Shawn struggles with some of the basic day to day life skills, skills that come easy for the average person. Violet Black is a victim who has found herself in a precarious situation. Struggling to get herself free, Violet knows that her life is no longer under her control. ‘Dating’ Shawn Lambent, Violet sees a way out of her life but getting out will be dangerous for everyone involved.

The relationship between Shawn and Violet is predicated on a series of lies. Shawn has no idea that he has fallen in love with a prostitute, and Violet is reluctant to reveal the truth believing she has found an easy mark.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic, reflecting the overall feel of the story line message. We are introduced to Shawn’s grandmother, and his brother Colin, both desperate to protect our story line hero; Violet’s fellow prostitutes Aleesha and Natasha who are caught in a vicious cycle, their pimp Anton; as well as Shawn’s co-workers Tammy and Flynn, and their boss Jake.

THE SOUND OF VIOLET is labelled hilarious and dramatic but I struggled to find anything funny or ‘hilarious’ about the story line content. Allen Wolf addresses autism, discrimination, sexual trafficking, abuse, power and control, and in this the story line is dramatic and intense. There are also several references to religion and religious beliefs, sometimes quoting bible verses in times of stress. As the book has been adapted into a major motion picture, perhaps the tone of the ‘film version’ plays out differently than the book. The premise is imaginative and spirited but often reads like a movie script.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Allen Wolf is an award-winning novelist, filmmaker, and game creator. He is also the host of the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast.

His debut novel “The Sound of Violet” has won multiple accolades and is described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual” by Kirkus Reviews. It is now a major motion picture. (www.TheSoundOfViolet.com)

He has won 39 awards for his games that are available as books, including You’re Pulling My Leg! and You’re Pulling My Leg! Junior. They’ve brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

As a filmmaker, Allen wrote, directed, and produced “In My Sleep,” which was released worldwide, won multiple film festivals, and is available on iTunes and Amazon Prime. Hollywood Reporter raved, “In My Sleep never rests, a credit to the tight, psychologically astute pacing of filmmaker Wolf.”

Allen graduated from New York University’s film school. He married his Persian princess, and they are raising two kids together. He enjoys traveling around the world and hearing other people’s life stories. Allen also cherishes spending time with his family, eating chocolate, and visiting Disneyland.

Allen Wolf’s publisher (Morning Star Publishing) is graciously offering a signed,  paper copy of  THE SOUND OF VIOLET to ONE (1) lucky commenters 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 & follow ALLEN WOLF on FACEBOOK

4. Sign up for the Morning Star Pictures NEWSLETTER.

5. Please LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK .

6. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from September 20-24, 2021

Share