Archives for April 2023

* Review * CLOSE HER EYES by Lisa Regan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CLOSE HER EYES by Lisa ReganClose Her Eyes by Lisa Regan
Series: Detective Josie Quinn #17
Published by Bookouture on May 3, 2023
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five-stars

The young woman lay among the rocks next to the creek like a broken doll, strands of her long dark hair covering her face. Her body was the kind of cold that only the dead can be…

A body lies beside Kettlewell Creek, the waters rushing and churning next to her broken form. When Detective Josie Quinn arrives at the scene, she finds few clues and a victim with no enemies. Nineteen-year-old Sharon Eddy was cherished by her beloved grandmother, who raised her, and her death shocks the Denton community where she worked at the local animal hospital.

When Josie is called to the morgue to hear the results of Sharon’s autopsy, the case takes a sinister turn. She is horrified to see that a mark has been burned on to Sharon’s left hip with a cattle brand: a horseshoe shot through with an arrow. Shaken and terrified, the usually cool and collected Medical Examiner Anya Feist lifts her own top to show Josie an identical mark. Ten years ago, Anya fled her hometown after her marriage to her high school sweetheart ended in terror.

But Josie can find nothing to connect Anya’s ex-husband Vance Hadlee to the murder. Her search of his family farm leads to more questions than answers.

Then another body is found. A young woman in a red coat, lying in her final resting place, her hip bearing the same tell-tale horseshoe mark. As Josie gets closer to finding the truth, the killer creeps ever closer to home, threatening the lives of those Josie loves the most. Can she put together the pieces of this terrifying puzzle before it’s too late?

 

An emotional gut punch! Fans of Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series are in for a powerful read with book 17 as the storyline grabs our attention very quickly and doesn’t let go throughout. The shocking past of one of their own unravels to provide a starting point for lots of mystery, and the ride only gets more and more wild as the story continues. I’m not usually overly emotional in this series because it keeps me on the edge of my seat with excitement of what is yet to come instead of yanking on my heartstrings too much, but this book is gut wrenching and raw. I’ll be right here waiting for each and every book yet to come because I adore this series so much.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a highly intriguing storyline revolving around a police force digging deep to solve murders and mysteries around their small town. The members of the force are endearing and care deeply for one another.

five-stars

* Review * HIS ACCIDENTALLY PREGNANT PRINCESS by Jennifer Faye

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS ACCIDENTALLY PREGNANT PRINCESS by Jennifer FayeHis Accidentally Pregnant Princess by Jennifer Faye
Series: Princesses of Rydiania #1
Published by Harlequin Romance on April 25, 2023
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four-half-stars

The CEO, his housekeeper…

and her double confession!

When CEO Antoine meets a stranger in need, he offers her work and refuge as his temporary housekeeper. Their mutual attraction is intensely distracting, yet Antoine knows he should resist the woman who’s lost her memory. But when they give in to their undeniable desire, Antoine is faced with shocking consequences… Because Cecelia is actually a princess—and now she’s accidentally pregnant!

 

Highly addictive and entertaining! Jennifer Faye’s latest Harlequin Romance is book one in her new Princesses of Rydiania series. The drama begins early in the story and held my attention throughout as a romance and baby arrive on the scenes. I wanted a little more involvement and background of the royal family to feel truly fulfilled in the storyline, but I highly enjoyed Cecelia’s story and am looking forward to the continuation of the series.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a hidden royal aspect in their romance with an amnesia twist and compelling characters.

four-half-stars

* Review * THEIR TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT by Joss Wood

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THEIR TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT by Joss WoodTheir Temporary Arrangement by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: Calcott Manor #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 25, 2023
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five-stars

She’s ready to call her own shots

If only her boss wasn’t so seductive…

Personal assistant Ru Osman is tired of people trying to control her—from her parents to her notoriously difficult alpha boss. All she needs is enough money to leave New York. Sexy CEO Fox Grantham knows the determined beauty is the answer to his professional headaches, but the desire she evokes leads to all-new problems. Will Fox drop his guard long enough to let new love in?

 

Fast paced and exhilarating! The second book in Joss Wood’s Dynasties: Calcott Manor series with Harlequin Desire is heating up when Fox meets his match when he least expects it. The characters were quick to hook me with their drama and charisma and I kept turning page after page enjoying them together. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series to anyone who enjoys a little family drama as a backdrop for each sibling falling for their forever love as they support each other in daily life.

five-stars

* Review * THE WEDDING PLANNER by Danielle Steel

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE WEDDING PLANNER by Danielle SteelThe Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on May 2, 2023
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four-stars

Faith Ferguson is New York’s most in-demand wedding planner, an arbiter of taste for elegant affairs, lavish ceremonies, and exclusive fêtes. She appreciates a simple celebration as much as a dazzling event, for she knows that a dream wedding is not necessarily the most expensive one.

As much as Faith enjoys her work, her two failed engagements leave her with no desire to get married herself. She finds fulfillment in her close relationship with her twin sister, Hope, her role as a mentor for her assistant, Violet, and her career.

This year, new clients have flocked to her, and she signs up an extravagant reception, a mid-sized gathering, and an intimate soirée, in addition to her mother’s next marriage and Violet’s modest ceremony. Faith finds herself forming bonds with her new clients and their loved ones—most notably the handsome brother of one of her grooms.

But weddings are not always all champagne and roses, and in no time, Faith is grappling with private quarrels, unplanned pregnancies, family scandals, dark secrets, and the possibility of cancelled ceremonies. Through her own journey, Faith will prove once and for all that there is not just one path to happily ever after.

 

Steel’s signature charm always manages to sweep her reader up in a whirlwind of romance, family saga and the road to forever. I’m always quick to be engrossed into reading page after page as drama ensues and romance dazzles. I was more invested in Faith this go round than the clients we were getting detailed stories on, but the entertainment value of a Steel novel is always spot on.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a central character that has her hand in the daily lives of several other characters while living her own life in the background. There is drama, scandal and happily ever afters all around.

four-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * THE DEVIL’S DEN by Penny Dee

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * THE DEVIL’S DEN by Penny DeeThe Devil's Den by Penny Dee
Series: De Kysa Mafia #1
on April 26, 2023
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five-stars

Nico De Kysa.
Cold. Detached. Ruthless.
And my new husband.

I didn’t want to marry the despicable mafia don.
But my father made a deal with the devil and lucky me, I’m the currency.

If I leave…
He’ll destroy my father’s fortune.

But if I stay…
He’ll obliterate my heart.

Because in this union, the lines between love and hate are blurred.
So blurred.

He’s a cold-blooded monster with ice in his veins and frost in his heart.
But in bed, Nico De Kysa burns like wildfire.
And in the heat of the night, I begin to forget why I hate the mobster.

I’m trapped in a world I despise.
With a man too wicked to fall for.
Yet, I can’t leave.

Maybe if I knew what was coming it would be easier to run.

The Devil’s Den is book 1 in the De Kysa Mafia series. A scorching hot enemies-to-lovers romance with tension-filled banter and sizzling chemistry. Expect ‘touch her and die’ vibes, forced proximity, and all the delicious darkness of a mafia romance. For readers 18+. Please read author’s note for trigger warnings.

 

Powerful, intriguing and totally addictive! With the first book in her brand new De Kysa Mafia Romance series Penny Dee takes us on a roller coaster ride of crime, passion and so many twists and turns we never see coming that all tie into an awesome kickoff for the series. I was hooked from start to finish and cannot wait for the next book to come!

Domenico is a powerful mafia don with a score to settle. He’s loyal and heartfelt but beneath the surface he’s still the guy that loved a girl and had it all explode in front of his face.

Bella is naive yet sincere. She believes Nico let her down when in reality she doesn’t know what happened behind the scenes. Watching them reconnect and then begin to unravel the drama is fulfilling.

I highly recommend this book to fans of mafia romance. The family background is fleshed out in a way that adds to the storyline instead of overburdening it. Looking forward to more to come!

 

 

 

 

 

Title: The Devil’s Den
Series: De Kysa Mafia #1
Author: Penny Dee
Genre: Mafia Romance
Trope: Enemies to Lovers
Release Date: April 26, 2023

 

BLURB

 

Nico De Kysa.

Cold. Detached. Ruthless.

And my new husband.
I didn’t want to marry the despicable mafia don.
But my father made a deal with the devil and lucky me, I’m the currency.
If I leave…
He’ll destroy my father’s fortune.
But if I stay…
He’ll obliterate my heart.
Because in this union, the lines between love and hate are blurred.

So blurred.
He’s a cold-blooded monster with ice in his veins and frost in his heart.
But in bed, Nico De Kysa burns like wildfire.
And in the heat of the night, I begin to forget why I hate the mobster.
I’m trapped in a world I despise.
With a man too wicked to fall for.
Yet, I can’t leave.
Maybe if I knew what was coming it would be easier to run.

 

The Devil’s Den is book 1 in the De Kysa Mafia series. A scorching hot enemies-to-lovers romance with tension-filled banter and sizzling chemistry. Expect ‘touch her and die’ vibes, forced proximity, and all the delicious darkness of a mafia romance. For readers 18+. See author’s note for trigger warnings. A full-length, standalone novel.

 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited

 

COMING SOON

 

Releasing August 8
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

AUTHOR BIO

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rock stars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between. Her stories bring the suspense, the feels and a whole lot of heat.

She found her happily ever after with an Australian hottie who she met on a blind date.

AUTHOR LINKS
five-stars

* Review * A BABY TO MAKE HER HIS BRIDE by Dani Collins

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A BABY TO MAKE HER HIS BRIDE by Dani CollinsA Baby to Make Her His Bride by Dani Collins
Series: Four Weddings and a Baby #4
Published by Harlequin Presents on April 25, 2023
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five-stars

Unexpectedly pregnant…

Scandalously wed!

Fleeing her very public divorce, socialite Vienna is shocked to find her private hideaway already occupied. Gruff and brooding Jasper was presumed dead—just like Vienna’s love life. So her instant connection to him is unexpected, yet completely undeniable…

One night is all Jasper can offer Vienna. The people closest to him always get hurt. Then scandal strikes, forcing them to fly to Chile as a couple for the whole world to see! But when Jasper learns Vienna is carrying his baby, he must take things one step further to protect them both…with his diamond ring!

 

Passionate and endearing! With the final book in her Four Weddings and a Baby series Dani Collins is bringing two familiar faces to the forefront when Hunter’s sister Vienna meets her match in Amelia’s brother Jasper. The characters were quick to catch my attention and the drama surrounding them held my attention throughout. I loved getting to see little pop ins from the previous couples in the series as well. Great ending to a satisfying series.

Vienna is a captivating character. She has big dreams and let them be cast aside by life and inappropriate choices for too long, so she’s finally putting an end to it and steering her life back on course.

Jasper is easy enough to like and quick to catch the reader’s eye as the story of his recent past comes to life and continues to unravel.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that likes a whole lot of drama mixed in with your romance. True love wins, but there are lots of curves getting them there.

five-stars

* Review * FAST TRACK by Victoria Denault

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FAST TRACK by Victoria DenaultFast Track by Victoria Denault
Series: Racing Hearts #2
on April 28, 2023
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five-stars

I may be a bodyguard, but I can't protect my heart from her.

She's fire and ice. She's emotional and yet logical. She's beautiful and sexy. She's everything I have ever wanted. But she's not mine. Not anymore. Lucia and I blew up a few months ago after she almost died in a racing crash, and I carelessly told her something about herself she didn't know.

I stopped working for her sister, got a new job, and let her live without me. That's what she wanted. We were supposed to be a casual fling, but apparently, my heart didn't read the fine print. Now she's traveling the world in her first F1 season, and I'm guarding an annoyingly self-absorbed pop star.

Until I get a frantic call from her Dad telling me someone is stalking Lucia. He wants to hire me back, and whether she wants me in her life or not, I'm taking the job. I can handle her better than anyone. And when she decides to let me handle her again — in all the ways I used to — I can't say no. Even if it means she speeds off with my heart yet again.

 

Explosive and heartfelt! The second book in Victoria Denault’s Racing Hearts series quickly brings drama and passion to life as Frankie’s little sister Lucia gets her chance in the spotlight. The characters are easy to become invested in, the setting is action packed and exhilarating and the family drama adds an interesting dimension.

Nick is my very favorite. He’s such a nice guy with a kind heart and he gets the raw end of the stick when it comes to Lucia for a good bit of the book, but I adored him and his good nature.

Lucia is setting out to knock down the standards of auto racing being a men’s sport and her determination is admirable, as is her get up and go attitude when it comes to life … I had to dislike her and how she treated Nick some though. Overall I like her and loved their final outcome, but she was a bit much sometimes.

I highly recommend this book as well as the first book in the series to anyone that enjoys sports romance and high intensity drama and passion all rolled into one great read!

five-stars

* Review * SHOOTOUT by Jami Davenport

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHOOTOUT by Jami DavenportShootout by Jami Davenport
Series: The Scoring Series #9
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on April 25, 2023
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four-half-stars

I’m the new guy on the team, and I’m struggling to earn my teammates’ respect and forgiveness for the dirt I’ve slung at the Sockeyes in the past.

I played my entire life with my twin brother by my side, even in the pros. Now I’ve been traded to the Sockeyes, and my brother has been selected in the expansion draft by the Portland Icehawks.

I’m facing the unthinkable, competing against my brother in a game where only one of us emerges as the ultimate winner. And that’s not my only problem. I’ve developed a huge crush on one of my teammates’ sisters, and he’s not taking kindly to my interest in her, especially since he and I have butted heads in the past.

She’s not interested in me, but I’m not able to walk away. There’s something special about her, and I have to find a way to convince her that there’s also something special about me, even if her brother hates my guts.

 

Action packed and filled with passion, heart and just enough strife to keep us on our toes until the end! The ninth book in The Scoring Series hockey series by Jami Davenport brings a familiar family to the forefront again when Jason Wilder’s little sister moves to town and sparks fly with the new trade that the team isn’t excited to see. The tension is high and the characters are fun to get to know. I wanted a bit more interaction with his fam, especially the twin that owns his heart … but overall I loved their story and await more steamy goodness to come in this great series.

Banks is at a turning point in his life when he gets an unexpected trade and has to play without his twin by his side for the first time in his life. He’s a sincere guy and wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to his bro. Watching him fall in love was heartwarming.

Jessie is accomplished and determined to succeed where no woman has before so she’s quite the inspiration. Her attachment to the ex that broke her heart grounds her a bit and makes us dislike her just a smidge, but overall she’s a great match for Banks and fun to get to know.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys hockey romance revolving around a great group of guys who have each other’s backs and share in each others joy as love finds one after another.

four-half-stars

* Review * ONE STORMY NIGHT by Jules Bennett

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE STORMY NIGHT by Jules BennettOne Stormy Night by Jules Bennett
Series: Business and Babies #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 25, 2023
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four-half-stars

All the rules change once the lights go out…

Up-and-coming plus-size model Mila Hale couldn’t chance another scandal ruining her newest job. That means keeping her eyes and hands off billionaire playboy—and her potential boss—Cruz Westbrook. Until a storm traps Mila and Cruz at his palatial estate. Now all bets are off. Their chemistry ignites into a whirlwind fling…but what will they do once the lights come back on?

 

Flirty and exhilarating! Book two of the Business and Babies duet by Jules Bennett brings us the story of Zane’s twin brother Cruz. The characters are relatable and easy to like and their chemistry is instantly off the charts hot. I enjoyed watching them overcome their hang-ups and obstacles to become a match.

Mila is a refreshing character. She knows what she’s dealt with in life has skewed her outlook, so she goes above and beyond to make sure she never settles for less than she deserves.

Cruz is successful and kind-hearted, but watching him grow into the man that can let his partner prosper without his interference is very satisfying.

I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the duet to anyone that enjoys a rich playboy who changes his ways and quickly hands over his heart when he meets “the one”.

four-half-stars

* Review * DEEP TIDE by Laura Griffin

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DEEP TIDE by Laura GriffinDeep Tide by Laura Griffin
Series: The Texas Murder Files #4
Published by Berkley on April 25, 2023
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four-half-stars

With two brothers on the police force, Leyla Breda is well aware of the rising crime in her small beach town, but she never expected it to show up on her doorstep. When Leyla finds one of her employees murdered in the alley behind her coffee shop, she’s deeply shaken, and as a new law enforcement officer in town begins to circle her place of business, her instincts only sharpen.

Sean Moran is on an undercover mission: The seaside community of Lost Beach may look like a picturesque postcard, but his team suspects it’s a point of intersection for several crime syndicates that the FBI has been investigating for years. Even so, when the brash and beautiful Leyla Breda starts bossing him around, he's immediately intrigued. He knows her brothers want him to back off, but every time he sees her, he feels more of a spark.

Leyla’s connections in the local community and Sean’s skills allow them to go deeper into the case together than they would be able to go alone. But when a single crime spirals into something much darker, Sean’s carefully planned mission takes a deadly turn.

 

Captivating and addictive! Laura Griffin is turning up the sass when she brings Leyla Breda to the forefront with the fourth book in her Texas Murder Files series. A crime quickly occurs that holds the reader’s attention throughout while the chemistry between Leyla and the new cop hanging around town begins to intensify. I loved both the intrigue and the romance, the only thing missing for me was more interaction to showcase the sibling bond. I have whole-heartedly enjoyed this series!

Leyla is accomplished and witty, so getting to know both her business side as well as a deeper delve into her as a person was a satisfying addition to the series.

Sean is intriguing from the start and watching him development a relationship with Leyla is rewarding.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a smalltown intrigue that wraps the town around the reader’s heart just as much as the case captivates them.

four-half-stars