Archives for May 28, 2024

* Review * VICIOUS THRONE by MJ Crouch

May 28, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Vicious Throne by MJ Crouch
Series: Gilded Empire #4
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on May 31, 2024
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It all comes down to this.

Mari Marcosa's family—the three men who are her very world—is back together.

She won’t let anything tear them apart. Not again.

May God have mercy on her enemies.

Because she won’t.

•••••

Author’s note: Vicious Throne is the conclusion of the Gilded Empire series, and cannot be read out of order. This is a "Why Choose?" romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men.

Crouch delivers the angst and does not disappoint with her first dive into mafia romance and polyamory! I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but if the characters draw me in enough I’m willing to pull out my patience once in awhile and these characters definitely held my attention. This series was powerful and dramatic as danger and secrets lurked around every corner. Each book delivered on drama, angst and sexy allegiance. I loved the characters, the plot had lots of twists and turns and this final one really revealed some unexpected secrets that no one was expecting. I wanted a tad more sewing up of a few tidbits, but overall a very solid series with so much to enjoy. Highly recommend!

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* Review * TATE by Victoria Denault

May 28, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Tate by Victoria Denault
Series: Hockey Royalty #2
on May 28, 2024
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She’s always been off limits, but when she shows up with my baby, it’s a game changer.

I’m the only son of one of the best forwards in the history of hockey. I play for a team on the brink of winning the Cup, and I’m about to break one of my dad’s league records. Life is absolutely golden.

Until Mallory Echolls comes to my game in Los Angeles with a baby. She says the little guy is mine, and as soon as I see his green eyes and the dimple in his pudgy chin I know she’s not lying.

The tragic twist? He’s not Mallory’s baby. An awful accident on the other side of the world took his birth mom, and now I’m all he’s got. Well, me and my ninety-seven relatives… once I find the guts to tell them.

Mallory offers to stay in L.A. and help with the baby until I can wrap my head, and my life, around him. She’s amazing with my son. She always knows what to do and what to say and… was she always this gorgeous?

Our families back home hate each other so just being friends with her was always a risk. Now the stakes are higher than ever. My son needs her. And I can’t stop the feelings I have from growing stronger.

I always take my shot on the ice, but do I dare take this one?

Denault is pouring on the angst with her Hockey Royalty series and I’m loving every minute of it! Strong minded characters are front and center as we delve into a life turned upside down and how the pieces are assembled to put it back together again, better than ever. The storyline is well developed, the main couple is super easy to like and sincere in their connection and the feels are all I needed and more!

Tate is a really great character. He’s a young hockey playing playboy, but he has been raised well to be kindhearted and honest in his relationships. I loved seeing him bond with his kiddo and watching him find that forever love was heartwarming.

I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance revolving around close knit families of blood and of hockey as each leading man meets the one that knocks him off his skates.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MIND GAMES by Nora Roberts

May 28, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Mind Games by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Press on May 21, 2024
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As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.

Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse—because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them—and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…

Nora Roberts weaves a story that takes her reader into the heart of her character’s turmoil as we follow along on an emotional journey of healing and survival! I was quickly hooked from the very first description of this family and once the drama really started to play out, there was no way I could put it down. Fast paced and addictive with a family that is easy to love and pull for as twist after twist comes knocking. I loved Thea and Tyler made a really great sounding board for her to rely on in the end. Lots of angst, danger and romance mixed in. Highly recommend!

Filed Under: Book Reviews