Archives for July 26, 2021

* Review * A COWBOY’S HOMECOMING by Leigh Riker

July 26, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A COWBOY’S HOMECOMING by Leigh Riker

A Cowboy's Homecoming by Leigh Riker
Series: Kansas Cowboys #9
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 27, 2021
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Can she show him how to be a rancher…

And a family man?

Noah Bodine is paying the price for missing his sister’s wedding by temporarily running his family’s Kansas ranch. But the corporate cowboy is way out of his element. Thankfully, neighbor Kate Lancaster is there to help, though the pretty single mom isn't pleased to spend time with Noah. She still blames Noah for her husband’s death. That is, until Kate’s little boy decides to make Noah his new best friend…and changes both Kate’s and Noah’s meaning of home.

Sweet and sentimental! It’s always a pleasure to return to Leigh Riker’s Kansas Cowboys series because she always writes a solid, feel good romance with lots of emotion, all the feels and just general down home goodness. A COWBOY’S HOMECOMING peaked my interest early on and held it throughout. The adorable and atrocious kiddo in the story was one of my favorite highlights, along with the emotional healing of all involved.

Kate and her adorable son Teddie are easy to like and sympathize with in this tale of forgiveness and acceptance. Her story is developed well and has both high and low points that make her connect well with the reader.

Noah is kind and good, and this forced proximity back home in Kansas is doing him a world of good. He’s been living the corporate life for so long that he forgot the good things that ranching brought to his soul.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a wholesome romance filled with family drama, romantic connections and happily ever afters.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE CHOSEN HEIR by Monique Moreau

July 26, 2021 Leave a Comment

The Chosen Heir by Monique Moreau
Series: The Lupu Chronicles #1
on May 20, 2021
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

I am Alexandru, the chosen one. The ruler of the Romanian mafie Lupu clan.
Nina is my little sister’s best friend, and an outsider.
Will my duty to the family tear us apart?

Nina

I’ve been in love with Alex for as long as I can remember. I know he wants me, but he’s a self-contained perfectionist who will never break with tradition in his rigid world. The tradition in question: an arranged marriage with a mafie princess.

Alex
With my ambition, I must follow in my father's footsteps. I will be the perfect head of the family, the perfect husband and father, the perfect... man. In this dog-eat-dog mafie world, a single mistake could end in bloodshed.

After years of conflict with a rival family, my sister is contracted to marry and bring peace. But when the bride runs away and threatens the truce, I need to convince Nina to help me track down my wayward sister.

A replacement must be found and it makes sense that it should be me. The only problem is Nina. The little minx is everything I want in a woman and a wife. And it doesn't help that I can't stop fantasizing about her underneath me, either.

As our chemistry heats up, a soldier's irreparable mistake starts a war that can only be stopped with the ultimate sacrifice. Myself. Marrying your own kind is the primal rule that reigns over my world, but as I uncover secrets, I learn my perfect father may not have been so perfect after all...

Decadently dark and addictive! With the first book in The Lupu Chronicles series Monique Moreau brings the Lupu Romanian mafia clan to life that we caught a glimpse of in her Demon Squad MC series in Whistle and Tasa’s book. Because I read WHISTLE’S WAR first, I already knew Tasa’s background and had a good bit of groundwork in my mind, but if you’re coming into this one first I’m not sure there is enough detail to make you appreciate it quite as much. I wanted to see a bit more development of Alex and Nina’s ultimate relationship play out, but overall I loved the book and am looking forward to watching this series unravel in future books. It’s dark and dangerous but oh so fun!

Alexandru Lupu is dark and deadly and does what has to be done on a daily basis, but beneath it all he’s a man who loves his family more than anything. I enjoyed seeing his side of the Tasa drama and seeing him fall for the girl least likely.

Nina is sweet and loyal. Some might call her gullible, but I liked the hint of that about her because she was able to look past the dark deeds and see the heart and soul of the matter.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dark mafia romance with a depth of heart built in.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * FIGHTER’S SECRET by A. Rivers

July 26, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * FIGHTER’S SECRET by A. Rivers

Fighter's Secret by A. Rivers
Series: Crown MMA #3
on July 24, 2021
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He’s too wild, too unpredictable, and completely off-limits by my coach’s decree.

My life imploded and now I’m halfway around the world, sleeping in my brother's spare room, and trying to get my sh*t together. A new relationship is the last thing I need. Especially one with my coach-slash-brother’s protégé, cocky cage fighter Devon Green.

Devon’s big heart, sexy swagger, and determination to coax me out of my shell appeal more than they should. I’ve spent years building my defenses, but every stolen moment with him tempts me to tear them down. Unfortunately, I need to keep my hands to myself unless I’m willing to risk losing my home, my job, and my family.

I’ve stepped into the ring dozens of times before, but fighting for love is the most terrifying prospect of all. When the final buzzer sounds, will Devon and I be left standing?

Fighter’s Secret is a standalone sports romance with a confident hero who knows what he wants and a badass heroine who makes him work for it.

Seductively riveting! With the third book in her Crown MMA series A. Rivers brings on the adorableness and heat by the boatload in FIGHTER’S SECRET. I felt their story ended very abruptly and while we were given a glimpse into Seth’s story coming up next, I still wanted a more complete settling in for them as a couple. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Devon is just the sweetest! He’s self-assured and knows he’s all that, but the second he sets eyes on Harley, he knows she’s the one for him. He’s really quite adorable in his pursuit and I loved him.

Harley is hard to like. We only get a hint of the relationship that she’s coming off of that has her guarded and bitter, but hiding him away instead of owning her feelings was hard to overcome in my book. She really needed to let us see her softer side, especially in her relationship with her brother.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sport heavy romance circling around MMA and the close-knit core teammates at one gym.

Title: Fighter’s Secret

Series: Crown MMA Romance #3

Author: A. Rivers

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: July 24, 2021

BLURB

He’s too wild, too unpredictable, and completely off-limits by my coach’s decree.

My life imploded and now I’m halfway around the world, sleeping in my brother’s spare room, and trying to get my sh*t together. A new relationship is the last thing I need. Especially one with my coach-slash-brother’s protégé, cocky cage fighter Devon Green.

Devon’s big heart, sexy swagger, and determination to coax me out of my shell appeal more than they should. I’ve spent years building my defenses, but every stolen moment with him tempts me to tear them down. Unfortunately, I need to keep my hands to myself unless I’m willing to risk losing my home, my job, and my family.

I’ve stepped into the ring dozens of times before, but fighting for love is the most terrifying prospect of all. When the final buzzer sounds, will Devon and I be left standing?

Fighter’s Secret is a standalone sports romance with a confident hero who knows what he wants and a badass heroine who makes him work for it.

ADD TO GOODREADS

ADD TO BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

EXCERPT

“So,” Devon continues, rubbing circles on his chest. “This is the part where I ask you out again, yeah?”

I sigh. “If it was, I’d have to turn you down.” Strangely, I find myself regretting that fact, and not just because my body is still wired with attraction to him. He actually seems like a nice guy, but officially off-limits, and not the right match for me anyway.

“Damn.” His lips quirk, but he doesn’t seem upset at all. “Have you decided whether you want me to back off and stop flirting with you?”

My breath quickens. Why does he have to keep asking that and putting the responsibility on me to reject him? Why can’t he be like any other douchey guy who’d ignore what I want and flirt anyway? Because while I can’t date him, I enjoy exchanging hot looks across the gym floor and I don’t want it to end.

“No, I haven’t,” I say, something fizzing in my chest. “I need more time to think about it.”

“Okay, then.” He grins crookedly. “Can I ask what’s holding you back?”

I drag a hand down my face and battle to pull myself together. Dare I be honest with him? I moisten my lips. “The thing is, I’ve recently gone through something that makes it hard for me to trust people, and I’m not denying that I’m attracted to you, but you seem like a good-time guy and that’s not what I’m looking for.”

He cocks his head, the humor fleeing his expression, and his eyes become uncharacteristically serious. “I could be more than a good-time guy for you, Harley.”

A lick of heat runs down my spine. His gaze is so intense. So honest. But from what I’ve seen of him, I’m not sure whether to believe him. The fact is, I hardly know Devon. I knew Thaklaew much better, and I still didn’t see his betrayal coming. Why should I think I’m any better at reading this guy?

“Think on it.” He touches his glove to mine. “Ready for round two?”

ALSO AVAILABLE

FREE for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Always free in Kindle Unlimited

99c for a limited time!

(US & UK only)

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

COMING SOON

Releasing January 6

AMAZON US; / UK; / CA; / AU

AUTHOR BIO

A. Rivers writes romance with strong heroes and heroines who kick butt and take names. She loves MMA fighters, cops, military men, bodyguards, and the protective guy next door who isn’t afraid to fight the odds for love.

AUTHOR LINKS

INSTAGRAM

BOOKBUB

AMAZON

;