Archives for June 2024

* Review * HIT ‘EM HARD by Kat Mizera

June 26, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Hit 'em Hard by Kat Mizera
Series: Bang Brothers #3, LA Phantoms
on July 9, 2024
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Hit 'em Hard is Book 3 in the Bang Brothers hockey series.
The Phantoms are back with a vengeance… and the City of Angels will never be the same.

JENSEN:

Chasing my pro hockey dreams in the City of Angels has been a relentless battle. Each season feels like starting over, and being miles away from my family only adds to the struggle. I don’t know what I would do without my online gaming friends. Especially @Empress.

I know nothing about her—not even her real name—but what I do know with certainty is that our chats are my lifeline. I wish she would let me in, but she guards her secrets even more closely than I do.

A chance encounter puts us in the same room together, and the attraction IRL is next level. But before I can make my play, she disappears. I'm desperate to find her again and my meddling, matchmaking mother shows up just in time to help. Can I convince her that I'll be there no matter what she's hiding? Or will we both get hit hard in this real life game of love?

Bang Brothers Hockey Series Titles:
6/11/2024–Lace ’em Up by Elise Faber
6/25/2024–Show ’em How by Jami Davenport
7/9/2024–Hit ’em Hard by Kat Mizera
7/23/2024–Lock ’em Down by Gina Azzi
8/6/2024–Light ’em Up by Kelly Jamieson
8/20/2024–Hook ’em Hard by Cathryn Fox

Fast paced and addictive hockey romance! The third Bang Brother Jensen is super easy to like and already has his sights set on an online gaming friend before his matchmaking mother arrives. He’s a member of the LA Phantoms hockey team and the storyline veers a bit to go back in time from where we have already reached in that series from Kat Mizera, so that was a bit of a let down, but overall I really enjoyed Jensen’s story and look forward to more to come with the rest of his siblings. Great characters, just enough angst to keep it moving and lots of steamy passion from this sweet couple. Looking forward to more in the Bang Brothers series as well as from the LA Phantoms!

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* Review * ONE LITTLE SIGH by Shannon Hollinger

June 26, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE LITTLE SIGH by Shannon Hollinger

One Little Sigh by Shannon Hollinger
Series: Chief Maggie Riley Series #4
Published by Bookouture on June 28, 2024
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The small child floats so gently in the water, he could be peacefully asleep: but the cold blue of his skin reveals his fate. One mother’s little boy is never coming home again.

When Chief Maggie Riley sees the body of the small boy still dressed in pajamas in Beaverhead Lake, her heart breaks. Little Patrick Warner went missing last night. Despite immediately calling the entire town of Coyote Cove into action, Maggie’s desperate search failed. Even worse, it’s clear it was murder: Patrick took his last breath long before he entered the water.

Maggie is devastated—Patrick reminds her so much of her beautiful younger brother, gone for so long. Visiting the tiny, rumpled bed where Patrick’s teddy bear still lies, and where Patrick was last seen by his mother Jenny, Maggie’s grief turns to rage. She is determined to bring whoever hurt Patrick to justice.

In this isolated community, someone must know something. But no one will talk. And if his family had nothing to do with it, why are they so secretive? As Maggie’s investigation gathers pace, her emotions threaten to overwhelm her. She still doesn’t know her brother’s fate—she won’t let that happen for little Patrick.

But when Jenny suddenly disappears, suspicions whirl around her role in Patrick’s death. Could she have been lying all this time? Or is Jenny herself in terrible danger too? To uncover the truth before more innocent lives are lost, and lay her demons to rest, Maggie will have to risk not only those closest to her but her own life too…

Deliciously unputdownable! Shannon Hollinger is pouring on the angst with her latest addition to her Chief Maggie Riley Series and I am here for every single minute of it. Maggie finds herself in the middle of a missing child case that hits all too close to her memories of the past and finds her questioning herself and others as we learn more about her prior life before she came to Maine. Fiance Steve is also finding himself knocked for a loop when his past begins to come back to haunt him just when his family arrives to meet Maggie. Lots of twists and turns as the current case develops and Maggie’s personal life becomes shaky. I’m really enjoying this series and looking forward to seeing them again.

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* Release Blitz/Review * THE FEUD by Sawyer Bennett

June 25, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * THE FEUD by Sawyer Bennett

The Feud by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Bluegrass Empires #1
Published by Big Dog Books, LLC on June 25, 2024
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New York Times bestselling author, Sawyer Bennett, welcomes you to Bluegrass Empires, a sweeping series of sexy romance standalones. Set among the rolling hills of Kentucky horse farms and bourbon distilleries, these seductive tales are steeped in bloodline feuds that run deep and without forgiveness.

As the oldest of his siblings, Ethan Blackburn bears the weight of responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Blackburn Farms, the largest Saddlebred breeding and training facility in Kentucky. Serious, gruff and solely focused on the success of the family business, Ethan isn’t one to mince words or waste time on anything that doesn’t further his interests. But when his meticulous world is upended by a shadowed secret brought into the light, Ethan is sent into a tailspin.

Marcie DeLeon just navigated her way through a bitter divorce, now intent on reimagining her life as a single career woman. She’s not looking to revisit the burden of a relationship anytime soon but when Ethan turns to her for help, she can’t help but lend a sympathetic ear to the handsome and broody man.

Ethan and Marcie are strangers who find a common thread to weave them together, creating a bond neither were seeking but both are loathe to walk away from. When Ethan faces a high-stakes battle against his family’s bitter enemy, he knows without a doubt there is nothing he won’t do to win the fight. Ready to give of himself completely, Ethan prepares to face-off with his foe hoping that no matter what the outcome, Marcie will be by his side in the end.

The Feud: A Blackburn Novel is a friends to lovers novel within the Bluegrass Empires series. All books in the series can be enjoyed as standalones.

The rolling hills of Kentucky horse country and this close-knit family have just stolen my heart! I loved every minute of Ethan and Marcie’s story and can’t wait for more to come in the series. The characters are well developed with intriguing backstories and a supportive familial cast behind them. I enjoyed the way they forged together to overcome turmoil when it was needed most. There’s light angst, warm romance and lots of drama as huge upset occurs in Ethan’s life and he steps up to embrace it and shows what type of man he wants to be. Loved the heart, humor and general warmth of the series.

New Release from Sawyer Bennett
The Feud (Bluegrass Empires, Book #1)

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author, Sawyer Bennett, welcomes you to Bluegrass Empires, a sweeping series of sexy romance standalones. Set among the rolling hills of Kentucky horse farms and bourbon distilleries, these seductive tales are steeped in bloodline feuds that run deep and without forgiveness.

As the oldest of his siblings, Ethan Blackburn bears the weight of responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Blackburn Farms, the largest Saddlebred breeding and training facility in Kentucky. Serious, gruff and solely focused on the success of the family business, Ethan isn’t one to mince words or waste time on anything that doesn’t further his interests. But when his meticulous world is upended by a shadowed secret brought into the light, Ethan is sent into a tailspin.

Marcie DeLeon just navigated her way through a bitter divorce, now intent on reimagining her life as a single career woman. She’s not looking to revisit the burden of a relationship anytime soon but when Ethan turns to her for help, she can’t help but lend a sympathetic ear to the handsome and broody man.

Ethan and Marcie are strangers who find a common thread to weave them together, creating a bond neither were seeking but both are loathe to walk away from. When Ethan faces a high-stakes battle against his family’s bitter enemy, he knows without a doubt there is nothing he won’t do to win the fight. Ready to give of himself completely, Ethan prepares to face-off with his foe hoping that no matter what the outcome, Marcie will be by his side in the end.

The Feud: A Blackburn Novel is a friends to lovers novel within the Bluegrass Empires series. All books in the series can be enjoyed as standalones.

Grab your copy of The Feud directly from Sawyer by shopping the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore!

E-Book: https://bit.ly/STORE_TheFeud
Audio (narrated by Sean Masters and Kit Swann): https://bit.ly/STORE_TheFeudAudio
Signed paperback (available to US mailing addresses): https://bit.ly/STORE_TheFeudPB

You can also get The Feud at the following retailers:

Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo | Google

Try it before you buy it! Click below to READ or HEAR a sample of The Feud:

READ the first three chapters | HEAR the first chapter

About the Author:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer:

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* Review * SHOW ‘EM HOW by Jami Davenport

June 24, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHOW ‘EM HOW by Jami Davenport

Show 'em How by Jami Davenport
Series: Bang Brothers Hockey #1, Portland Icehawks
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on June 25, 2024
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Show ’em How by Jami Davenport is book 2 in the Bang Brothers Hockey series

Meet the Bang Brothers—five hot hockey-playing brothers who are allergic to commitment.

The brothers are about to face off against their newly-retired mother…who suddenly has plenty of time to play matchmaker. Add in their baby sister and some secret dating, a single dad, an accidental pregnancy, a marriage of convenience, and a wrong bed—or two—and these siblings are not going to know what hit them!

JAKOB:
I'm a professional hockey player and a single dad with two rambunctious five-year-olds. My boys have driven away every nanny that's stepped foot in our house--except one--the one I don't want to keep, but they do. Tatted and pierced Gardenia Bliss is everything I dislike in a nanny and woman. She's a mouthy whirlwind, an obsessive recycler, a buyer of organic only food, and a lover of loud music. She's disrupted my household and destroyed my comfortable routine with her spontaneity. I want her gone, but I also want her naked, which is all kinds of messed up.

My plans to send her packing are thwarted by a road trip and no other options available. By the time I return, she's completely entrenched herself in my house, my life, and my dirty thoughts. She has to go, but I haven't found a way to extract the boys from her clutches. They adore her.

Then my meddling, matchmaking mom shows up for the holidays and enlists Gardenia to help her find the perfect woman for me. The two of them are forces of nature I'm powerless to combat. They'll never know the truth--I don't want those other women. I want Gardenia, but I can't have her. She's all wrong for my boys and me, but tell that to my stupid heart.

Highly addictive and super satisfying! Jami Davenport took the reigns in book two in the Bang Brothers series she is doing with a group of hockey romance authors and delivered a story I could not have loved more that took place in her Portland Icehawks world. Gardenia and Jakob were both sincere characters who were super easy to like and connect with, and the humor and heart taking place on every page of the story was lots of fun. I loved his precocious kids and the buttinsky family. I was however surprised that we only learned the name of two of his brothers and his parents when the entire family is supposed to be center stage in this series. A bit lacking there in carry-thru, but overall a really great read and perfect addition to both hockey worlds. Can’t wait for the next brother’s book!

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* Review * HER BILLION-DOLLAR BUMP by Dani Collins

June 24, 2024 Leave a Comment

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* Review * HER BILLION-DOLLAR BUMP by Dani Collins

Her Billion-Dollar Bump by Dani Collins
Series: Diamonds of the Rich and Famous #3
Published by Harlequin Presents on June 25, 2024
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Cinderella’s confession:
“I’m pregnant.”

Housemaid Fliss gave up her fashion dreams to care for her late grandmother. So finding a discarded invitation to the year’s most exclusive event feels like her last chance to get her designs noticed. She just never imagined that attention would come from notorious Saint Montgomery…

Knowing she doesn’t belong in the billionaire’s world, innocent Fliss can’t resist one night of Saint’s expert seduction. Except when his “thank you” diamonds land her in the headlines, she’s drawn back into his powerful presence. Because she has news of her own—and the bump to prove it!

Subterfuge is front and center, but leads the way to a very enjoyable read! Felicity might use somebody else’s invite to get into the high society event that puts her into Saint’s realm, but it’s all her own charisma and spark that winds up with her sharing his bed for the night. Several fumbles of mistaken identity, paparazzi fueled issues and unknown names lead to a mad dash to find each other again. The characters both have interesting backstories and seeing them realize the other is more than they expected is heartwarming. When an unexpected baby comes from their night together, we get to follow them on a journey of falling for each other and creating that happily ever after neither was exactly expecting. I highly enjoyed their story and found it stands alone without issue as I had not read the previous books in the Diamonds of the Rich and Famous series that this is the third book in.

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* Review * LOVE BETRAYAL by Chantal Fernando

June 24, 2024 Leave a Comment

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* Review * LOVE BETRAYAL by Chantal Fernando

Love Betrayal by Chantal Fernando
Series: Angels & Devils MC #2
Published by Carina Press on June 25, 2024
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In a world of monsters, falling in love requires sacrifice.

River

I'm VP of Devils MC, and every decision I make is to protect the Club. I’m the one they call when things go south. That means getting my hands dirty—a lot. Outsiders think I’m a monster. I agreed. Until Bella. She was able to look past the violence and see…me. I never thought love was in the cards, but now she’s mine. I’ll protect her. No matter the cost.

Bella

It was supposed to be a fling—a way for us both to scratch an itch. But River wasn’t what I expected. I’ve seen monsters, and River isn’t one. Our relationship isn’t all rainbows and butterflies—but it’s real. I’d never betray him, even when my ex-boyfriend threatens to destroy me if I don’t. I’m not a damsel in distress. I can solve this problem without sacrificing the man I love.

Even if it costs me everything.

Angels & Devils MC

Raw, gritty and sensuous! The second book in Chantal Fernando’s Angels and Demons MC series picks up soon after book one and the main characters this time around are cousins to Romeo and Julianna who we fell in love with in the first book. River and Bella are equally intriguing and easy to like. He’s rough around the edges but willing to learn what she needs when they agree their fling has come to mean too much to them to be anything less than forever. I like the realness in them letting each other see the truth over time and I enjoyed their connection. I felt like there were too many flames left dangling in the fire to make it feel totally wrapped up and I’m sure some of that is intentional to lead into another book for the series, but I felt a little was lacking in the deliverance of a complete story. I do love this world and will happily come back time and time again!

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* Review * TEXAS RANCH COLD CASE by Virginia Vaughan

June 24, 2024 Leave a Comment

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* Review * TEXAS RANCH COLD CASE by Virginia Vaughan

Texas Ranch Cold Case by Virginia Vaughan
Series: Cowboy Protectors #4
Published by Love Inspired Suspense on June 25, 2024
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Solving a decades-old crime

will leave no place safe…

Twenty years after her mother vanished, Ally Fulton returns to Harmon Ranch—the last place she was seen—and barely makes it out alive. Someone doesn’t want Ally digging up the truth. With a target on her back, she reluctantly accepts protection from Officer Tucker Harmon. Can he keep Ally alive—and right his family’s wrongs—before she’s silenced for good?

The exciting conclusion to Virginia Vaughan’s Cowboy Protectors series did not disappoint! Filled with twists and turns that keep us guessing and really easy to like and connect with characters. I liked Ally from the start and really liked how Tucker was quick to jump in and help her find out what happened to her mother all those years ago. They fell in love super fast without a lot of relationship development, but the storyline carried the momentum well. I felt the ending was abrupt and would have liked to have seen that fleshed out a bit more, but overall a very solid read and a great conclusion to the series. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a faith based romance filled with top notch suspense.

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* Review * THE WILDFIRE GIRL by Carolyn Arnold

June 22, 2024 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE WILDFIRE GIRL by Carolyn Arnold

The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #11
Published by Bookouture on June 20, 2024
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The woman panics as the thick smoke starts to curl under the locked door. She can’t breathe and desperately tries to open the window, but it’s been sealed shut. Falling to the floor, she finally accepts there’s no way out of this room alive. And as her vision starts to fade, she prays she dies before the flames find her.

When human remains are discovered behind a dumpster in Woodbridge, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele rushes to the scene. Her heart drops when she arrives and is hit by the unmistakable stench of gasoline. Soon, her worst fear is confirmed: the victim was burned alive.

With only an engraved gold wedding band surviving the blaze, Amanda knows it could be days before they have a confirmed ID. But when her partner Detective Trent Stenson arrives, he pales at the sight of the ring, recognizing it as belonging to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don.

Trent is convinced his aunt isn’t involved, but as more is unearthed about her troubled relationship with her husband, and she fails to provide an alibi, Amanda isn’t so sure. Desperate to prove his aunt’s innocence, Trent soon discovers someone from Don’s past is back in Woodbridge—someone who wants revenge. But Amanda and Trent are shaken to their core when that person is discovered brutally murdered.

Convinced the cases are linked, Amanda knows she has to find the cold-blooded killer before they strike again. And as Trent becomes even more emotionally entangled in the case, she’s terrified he could become the next victim…

Exhilarating excitement! With the next book in the Detective Amanda Steele series we get quickly thrust into a new case that hits too close to home for Amanda’s partner Trent and delivers twists and turns that have us reeling throughout. I enjoyed the case as a whole, but I’m still getting a little put-off by how long the will they or won’t they cat and mouse attraction is dragging on with Amanda and Trent. Great characters and police procedural with ongoing drama and always an enjoyable read.

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* Review * ALL OUR TOMORROWS by Catherine Bybee

June 22, 2024 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ALL OUR TOMORROWS by Catherine Bybee

All Our Tomorrows by Catherine Bybee
Series: The Heirs #1
Published by Montlake on June 18, 2024
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When Chase Stone’s estranged father dies, leaving his multibillion-dollar business to his children, no one is more surprised than Chase. Growing up outside of the high-stakes world filled with human vultures, Chase and his sister, Alex, are less than enthusiastic about stepping into their father’s shoes. That is until they learn of a half brother they didn’t know existed and must find to share their inheritance with.

Piper Maddox was the elder Mr. Stone’s übercapable assistant—abruptly fired two weeks before his death. She knows everything about Stone Enterprises and the man who built it. But Piper has no desire to work for another member of the Stone family. Even one as down-to-earth as Chase.

Desperately needing financial security, Piper agrees to return so long as kissing up to Chase and accepting unwanted advances are not part of her job description. A promise that becomes a serious hurdle for both of them. Piper and Chase scramble to find the third Stone sibling before the media does, sharing secrets along the way. Secrets that can bring them together or tear them irrevocably apart.

Catherine Bybee can pour on the drama like nobody’s business! I was hooked from beginning to end on the first book in her new series The Heirs and couldn’t put it down until I devoured every page. It ends on a smidge of a cliffhanger because they have finally located the unknown sibling and are going to see him, but it just leaves room for our excitement to build leading up to Max’s book later in the year. I really hope Alex gets her own story as well.

Great characters with an addictive storyline kept me entertained throughout. Their story was fast paced and very satisfying.

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* Review * FOUL PLAY by Kat Mizera

June 22, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Foul Play by Kat Mizera
Series: L.A. Phantoms #2
on June 18, 2024
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The Phantoms are back with a vengeance… and the City of Angels will never be the same.

When the world's top supermodel’s friend zones you, what's a determined hockey player supposed to do?

Change her mind.

But it’ll take more than a trick play to convince her.

Cheyenne is more than a stunning beauty; she's a part of my life, my bed, and now my heart.

But she has a plan—one that doesn't include marriage or serious relationships.

She likes me, but its not enough. I need to know if I’m enough.

It’s time to man up and lay it all on the line.

It’s now or never.

Sweet, sexy and sentimental! The second book in the L.A. Phantoms hockey series by Kat Mizera was a fast paced delight. I loved Ivan with all of my being and adored watching him commit and enjoy his happiness. Cheyenne was too aloof for my liking and while I did enjoy her, I felt a disconnect from her a bit. I loved their story and everything about this series. I think Harper and her fight to make the team what it is was downplayed more than it should be and would love to see that angle kept front and center a bit more going forward, but I’m wholeheartedly enjoying this series. If you haven’t started it yet, this is a great book to kick off with!

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