Showing posts with label 30-Second Chance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30-Second Chance. Show all posts

Review // Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross

November 30, 2023


I was done waiting for her to realize she could trust me. As her only lover. As her partner in life. As her devoted mate.


Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross


Rating - ★★★★
Standalone - Stay a Spell #5
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / second chance
Release - October 31, 2022
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 366 pages

Twelve years ago, Jules Savoie ended her relationship with the vampire overlord of New Orleans, Ruben Dubois. For good reasons. A woman in power must often make sacrifices to protect others. She knows the truth of it down to her aching heart.

When Ruben watches his best friend Devraj get married, a stinging realization hits him hard…he’s done waiting. They say time heals all wounds. In this case, it merely sharpened the pain and made one fact crystal clear. Jules Savoie is his soulmate, and nothing would keep him from her. Not anymore.

Forced to work side by side to fight for the werewolf cause, they campaign together at covens from New Orleans to London. The reignited spark burns hotter than ever before. But when a power-hungry vampire sets his predatory sights on Jules, will their love be strong enough against black magic? Or will he lose her again? And this time, maybe…for good.

Previous books in the series:



"Since the day I realized you were my whole heart,
I've never stopped loving you.
Not for one painfully paralyzing minute."
~ Ruben


My Two Cents

Finally!! I can't tell you how excited I was to get to the truth behind what was brewing between Jules and Ruben. I knew it was something, but I couldn't even being to imagine how huge a deal what they shared was. It was deep and painful and these two were hurting for TWELVE YEARS!

I really enjoyed the power dynamic between these characters. Jules, as the eldest sister, was used to being the caregiver and didn't know what it was to have someone take care of her. Ruben wanted to worship and adore her and she finally opened her eyes to see all of the greatness they could have together.


Hindsight is a vicious bitch, but an excellent teacher.


There was an element of suspense in this one, like the others, but I think this one was more difficult to handle because it was extremely personal. That's about all the spoiler-y information I'm going to reveal. I did like the mystical chaos that was introduced and those scenes were incredibly entertaining.

I will admit that I'm not happy about this series coming to an end any time soon, but I think the next book, which will finally be about Clara and Henry, is the last. Say it ain't so!


The Author

Juliette lives in moss-laden Cajun country in Louisiana where she lives with her husband, four kids, and black lab, Kona.

She is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance with confident, persevering heroines and dark, sexy heroes.

While she enjoys reading and writing the dark, broody types, she also appreciates the fun, levity of humor in a good love story, so she tries to give her characters both on their way to their HEA.

Visit http://juliettecross.com for more information

Review // Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds

July 18, 2023

Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds

She's the center of gravity for me, the thing that keeps me tethered to earth and reminds me every single day that although this world is f*cked up, there is still so much beauty to experience while you're here.

Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds


My Rating - ★★★★¼
Standalone
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / second chance / single parent
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit
Source - borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 299 pages

Tucker Beckett and I likely never would have met if our spouses weren’t having an affair.

Newly divorced with a young son to raise Tucker Beckett is the last man Miranda Owens should be itching to figure out, to make smile, and hear laugh. Still there is something about the detective with haunted blue eyes and a dirty mouth that draws her in from the moment they meet.

If only life were so simple.

As Tucker and Miranda begin to navigate their new relationship, Tucker is tasked with solving the murder of a young woman, while their ex’s begin to play games in an attempt to split the two of them up.

Before they fall, these two will need to figure out if the only thing tying them together is the circumstances that brought them together in the first place or if it’s something more.

Love isn’t complicated but sometimes life is.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds

My Two Cents

Tucker and Miranda met under very unusual circumstances—his wife was sleeping with her husband. It should have ended there. Their marriages over, their lives in disarray, and trying to figure out what to do and where to go next. Who knew that the greatest love of their lives would be found in betrayal?

I loved how unorthodox the relationship between Tucker and Miranda was. I loved that through the devastation, they found a connection with each other, a connection that went beyond their common pain. They fell into each other so easily and made this such an amazing read.

The drama from the exes was hilarious, although I'm not sure I was supposed to laugh so hard. I also liked the details given from Tucker's job. It gave a cool dimension to the story that strayed from the romance without taking anything away from it. It just gave me more layers to a character that I had already come to care deeply about.

I only wish I could have had more of this couple building something together because I wanted more time with them. I guess they were so wonderful together that I got greedy!

Before We Fall by Aurora Rose Reynolds

The Author

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.

Find her here:
Facebook: @AuthorAuroraRoseReynolds
Twitter: @Auroraroser
Website: AuroraRoseReynolds.com

Throwback Thursday // Finding Love... Again

July 13, 2023


Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! This week, I'm taking us back... way back. Back to beginning, if you will. I'm sharing with you the first Second Chance Romance books I five-starred on the blog. This trope is one of my absolute favorites and I've got tons of recs for it, but I'm gonna give them to you slowly. So here are 5 recs and please let me know if you've read them, plan to read them, or just want to hear more.



Preppy Part One by TM Frazier

Preppy Part One by T.M. Frazier


Let me tell you... I'm very much Team Bowtie. Preppy is one of the first bad boys I fell in love with, realizing that bad boys deserve love and happy endings too.
This story is full of action, suspense, humor and so much love.

You can find my review HERE


Written in the Scars by Adriana Locke

Written in the Scars by Adriana Locke


Elin and Ty were married, but separated. They were still very much in love, but foolish pride and plain old stubbornness really got in their way.
This story taught me the angst of trying to win back your lover's affections.
I watched a man desperate to get his wife back and a woman who made him really work for it.
Tons of love and heartwarming moments to be found in this book.

You can find my review HERE


Collecting the Pieces by L.A. Fiore

Collecting the Pieces by L.A. Fiore


This was the book that solidified my love for this author.
It made me cry and laugh and cry and by the end, I felt so full...
I knew I needed more books like this.
This story forced me to cry tears of sadness, grief and so much joy.
If you enjoy angst, this book has it in spades!

You can find my review HERE


Bedwrecker by Kim Karr

Bedwrecker by Kim Karr


If you haven't read this series, you really should.
The heroes are hot, the heroines are spunky, the stories are good.
A quote from my review: You know those books that make you want to laugh at them, cry with them, kick, punch and slap them, then make you want to laugh and cry with them again??? This was that book!!

You can find my review HERE


Heat Wave by Karina Halle

Heat Wave by Karina Halle


I think Logan was my first grumpy hero. Aren't they so deelish?
There are so many feels in this book. Ronnie is grieving the loss of her sister. Logan should be off-limits.
And the tropical paradise this story takes place in sounds magical.
If you enjoy authentic characters with sincere emotions, this book is for you.

You can find my review HERE

Review // Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson

July 01, 2023

Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson

"You may not have been all my firsts, Savannah Shaw,
but you've always been my forever.
You've always been my one.
My only.

────── ♔ ──────


Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson

Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson


My Rating - ★★★★
Standalone
Release - June 23, 2023
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / rockstar / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 484 pages

She was the first rule I ever broke.
She’ll be the last.


In the beginning, there was Savannah Shaw.
Teasing me with a mischievous, merciless grin by day.
Crawling through my window with tear-stained cheeks by night.

I was ordered to avoid her.
Lectured on her misdeeds.
Forbidden from seeing her.
But my need to protect her was innate.
So natural I never questioned it.
So visceral I couldn’t fight it.

She was the first rule I ever broke, and it’s why I lost her the first time.

Now, out of nowhere, there is Sav Loveless.
World famous frontwoman for The Hometown Heartless,
Hollywood’s newest up-and-coming film star,
and my daughter’s idol.

Her reputation for trouble precedes her,
but the celebrity who sets foot in my small town is no longer a girl in need of protection.
She’s a woman who has saved herself,
and this time, it’s my life that’s falling apart.

Maintaining the distance between us is imperative,
but everything about her pulls at every part of me.
My need to touch her clouds my logic.
My need to have her, to own her, to love her.

She’ll be the last rule I ever break,
but this time, it will be to keep her.


Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson

My Two Cents

I've found a new author to follow and I blame Jessica @Chatterbooksbookblog. If it weren't for her spectacular review, I wouldn't be typing this up.

Savannah and Levi grew up together. Both of their lives were full of torment and they were each other's only true comfort. They were friends and loved each other before they even knew what love was. And when circumstances separated them, that love continued to beat within their hearts, not allowing anyone else to touch it.

Fastforward and now Levi's a widower with a child and Savannah is an infamous rock star. Circumstances once again forced them into each other's orbit and after a thankfully brief time of miscommunication, these two found their way back to each other. There were plenty of hurdles and obstacles that they had to leap and punch their way through, but it was incredibly easy to root for these two.

I loved that the author didn't shy away from sharing Savannah's addiction and how it was wrecking not only her life, but those around her. I felt proud and hopeful of the woman she was becoming and that's all because of this author's writing. It was easy to be a little imp on this character's shoulder, egging her on, supporting her, shouting NO, and celebrating every one of her triumphs. I couldn't be more pleased with the way this story played out.

I'm not even going to get started on how much I loved the dynamic between Levi, Boss and Savannah. Throw in Sharon and the love growing between all of these characters, including the members of the band... so sweet!

So yeah, I'll be keeping a keen eye on this author's releases because if they're anything like this one, they're going to be amazing.

Between Never and Forever by Brit Benson

The Author

Brit Benson writes real, relatable romance novels that depict epic love. She likes outspoken, independent heroines, dirty-talking, love-struck heroes, and plots that tug on every emotion.

Brit would almost always rather be reading or writing. When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s getting lost in someone else’s fictional world. When she’s not doing that, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods, sniffing candles and touching things she’ll never buy.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, dogs, and an obscene number of books.

Visit https://authorbritbenson.com for more information

Review // Code Name: Genesis by Sawyer Bennett

March 07, 2023

Code Name: Genesis by Sawyer Bennett

I force every bit of worry, planning, and strategy out of my head, and I concentrate on this amazing woman in my arms.
The woman I once loved with all my heart—who I'm fairly certain I've fallen right back in love with. Thus, keeping her safe and taking this stalker down just became the most important thing I'll ever do in my life because I'm ready to see what waits on the other side of that for Joslyn and me.

────── ♔ ──────


Code Name: Genesis by Sawyer Bennett

Code Name: Genesis by Sawyer Bennett


Standalone - Jameson Force Security #1
Genre - Contemporary Romance with suspense elements / second chance / security
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format - ebook
Length - 306 pages

Years ago, we were in love. She was an up-and-coming superstar and I was the security professional hired to keep her safe. We fell hard and fast, no matter how much we tried to resist one another. But not everyone around us was happy about our relationship, and a string of lies and deceit destroyed what we once had. I moved on from her and didn’t look back.

Now I’ve taken the helm of a nationally renowned protective services company, and I’m looking to rebrand my career. The newly crowned Jameson Force Security is moving from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the mountainous steel town of Pittsburgh, and the last thing I have time for is to deal with my past.

More than a decade has passed since our split, but even a bruised and battered heart remembers its first love. So when Joslyn Meyers comes to me for help, I reluctantly agree to keep her safe from a terrifying stalker who keeps threatening her life.

As the danger continues to intensify, it becomes clear that I’ll stop at nothing to protect the woman who turned her back on me all those years ago. Because one thing is certain—no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise, Joslyn still has my heart.

My Two Cents

4 "When a stalker brings back your true love" stars

Years ago, Joslyn and Kynan fell in love. She was a music and acting superstar. He was her bodyguard. Think you've heard this story before? Think again because even I was surprised by some of the things that happened here.

Joslyn is back... and she's not alone. After being attacked in her home by her stalker, she basically begs Kynan for his help. But he's not in a very charitable mood. He's still hurt by her actions years ago. She left him without any kind of explanation and he's still messed up when it comes to her. However, she's truly in distress and he can't resist her case.

First let me tell you what I liked...

❥ the creep factor of the stalker. I liked that I couldn't figure out who it was and the smooth moves he made to keep himself unrecognizable.
❥ Bebe. This woman has been through hell and I'm excited to see her happy ending. Her reunion scene with her son and her mom was so touching.
❥ Cruce and Saint. I know they get their own books and I'm looking forward to finding out more about these intriguing men.

And that's it. Notice I left out the main characters. Here's why:

❥ Joslyn left Kynan because of a dossier that outlined he was a cheating jerk. She asked no questions. She didn't confront him. Just up and left him.
❥ Kynan's opening scene with a strange woman he met at a club... it was 10 times hotter than anything her shared with Joslyn. Yet she was the love of his life. She was the one woman he truly wanted.
❥ Kynan flaunted this one-night stand in Joslyn's face. I couldn't get past it. And even though my feelings did warm up towards him in the end, it didn't take away my distaste for his earlier behavior.
❥ Joslyn didn't trust the man she hired. The man she loved.

Overall, I obviously enjoyed this book. I will be reading the others in the series. And I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a romance with a bit of suspense and a second chance at love.

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).

Find more information here: https://sawyerbennett.com

Review // The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

January 03, 2023

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Whatever it was, when Moses came to Levan, he was like water—cold, deep, unpredictable, and, like the pond up the canyon, dangerous, because you could never see what was beneath the surface.

────── ♔ ──────


The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon


Standalone
Release - November 18, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 2 out of 5 / fade to black mostly
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 366 pages
Publisher - Indie

If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear. You will know it’s coming, and it will hurt. But you’ll be able to prepare.

Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.

It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.

And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.

And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all...a love story.

My Two Cents

4 "My heart hurts" stars

Anyone who's read a story from Amy Harmon has had their heart put through the wringer. No doubt. Even I, the queen of no tears, have had to battle them back. This book tried to break me and I feel like I'm better for it.

It's a small town with small town values, small town minds, and small town drama (or lack of). So when Moses, born a half-Black crack baby in a mostly White town, came to be... he was newsworthy. People called him weird. Wrong. Evil. He was constantly talked about and did almost nothing to deserve it. Is it his fault that the dead won't leave him alone?

I was unhappy about the fact that the first person of color I've found in one of this author's books was depicted in such a negative light, but I loved the way this story was written. It grabbed a hold of me, broke my heart, and made me smile.

Georgia wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I could see her appeal. I did wish that she was more understanding and supportive of Moses. How can you say you love someone without really loving them?

I loved the friendship that grew between Tag and Moses. They both knew little more than pain, but together, there was such comfort and caring. Their brotherhood was very special.

And the connection Moses had with those who had passed... intense and magical.

I'm in awe of how powerful this story was and how it affected me.

The Author

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in seventeen different languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written eightteen novels - the Washington Post bestseller What the Wind Knows, the USA Today bestsellers The Bird and The Sword, The Smallest Part, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as the #1 Amazon bestselling historical From Sand and Ash, Where the Lost Wander, The Songbook of Benny Lament, The First Girl Child, The Second Blilnd Son, The Queen and The Cure, The Law of Moses, The Song of David, Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times bestseller, A Different Blue. Her latest novel, The Unknown Beloved, a historical romance, was released April 19, 2022 by Lake Union Publishing and is now available for purchase.

Visit http://www.authoramyharmon.com for more information

Review // Knotted by Pam Godwin

December 27, 2022

Knotted by Pam Godwin

Not everything's meant to be, but Jake and I are inevitable. We're knotted together, and damn if he doesn't know how to tie a knot that withstands the test of time.

────── ♔ ──────


Knotted by Pam Godwin

Knotted by Pam Godwin


Standalone - Trails of Sin #1
Release - April 25, 2018
Genre - Contemporary Romance with dark elements
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 311 pages
Publisher - Indie

I try to forget her.
It’s impossible.

Growing up together, Conor and I shared all our firsts.
First love, first kiss, first…
Not all our firsts.

We were sixteen the night she was violently assaulted while I helplessly watched.
I’ll never forget the sounds of her suffering.
Or my inconsolable agony when she left Oklahoma.

Years later, she returns to honor our teenage pact.
Except the boy she loved is gone, replaced by a ruthless cattle rancher knotted with secrets.
She doesn’t know my dark cravings or the trails of sin that lead to her.

I don’t deserve her, but one truth remains.
She’s mine.

My Two Cents

4.5 "Healing all of her pieces" stars


I went in blind and was completely blown away by everything this book had to offer. I figured it would be a light western read about a cowboy and his girl. It was about so much more than that.

This story was full of lies. So many lies that I'm still not sure if the whole truth has been revealed to my satisfaction. And while the lies and deceit were supposed to be for the greater good, to protect Conor... I'm still feeling hurt.

Ain't that some shit?!


I get why Conor couldn't know the truth. And honestly, I had to repeatedly remind myself that these characters were young because they had to make adult choices and decisions way before they should have. Three men and a woman when they were still babies!!

Their lives just weren't fair. I get all of that.

This is what death feels like. The shattering, unstoppable separation between life and the bleeding remains of the soul. There's no countermeasure. No resuscitation. I've taken my last breath as Jake Holsten's girl.


And yes, it's so cool that Jake found a way to give himself to Conor, even if she was kept in the dark about it for years.

But why did he have to sleep with practically everyone while he was pining for Conor and keeping her away for her own good? And yes, yay for him not kissing any of the numerous people he screwed.


And yes, let's celebrate that he still loved Conor after all that time. Still wore her bracelet while he pounded away through the women in town. Still carried her in his heart while he devastated her.

But was it necessary? Because here at the end, when they've got their happy for now ending, I'm still thinking that he didn't need to do all that. I'm still hurting and he ain't even my man!

However, because this story touched me so deeply, that even now my heart is hurting, I can't help but realize how very much I enjoyed it. Can you imagine reading all of that and feeling nothing? I'm feeling everything and although I don't love these emotions, I'm loving that the author was able to bring them out of me.

It's impossible to describe the bond we share. We're too great for words. Too sacred. We're a feeling that goes beyond starts and stops. We're stronger than hellos and goodbyes and deeper than beginnings and ends.


I believed in Jake's devotion to Conor and her's for him. I believed in their love, their connection, their future, their everything. Them coming together was truly a solace to the excrutiating parts of this story. I can't wait to dive back into their world in the next book, which is Jarret's story—Buckled.

The Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their retired greyhounds, and a foulmouthed parrot.

When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

Review // Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

December 22, 2022

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

"They said I was a monster. They're about to see just how much of a monster I can truly be." - Cash

────── ♔ ──────


Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #6
Release - May 30, 2017
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted * Shattered * Torn * Taken


SHE LEFT HIM ONCE.

LOST Agent Ana Young was only fourteen when she was abducted by a madman, but unlike many kidnapping victims, she did go home. Now, her mission is to find the missing. But her new case has her on the hunt for the escaped convict who’s obsessed with her. And Ana has an unlikely partner—the sexy, supposedly-by-the-book FBI agent she had one amazing night with and had to forget.

NOW HE HAS TO PROTECT HER 24/7…

FBI Special Agent Cash Knox knows that Ana, the petite, tough-ass former bounty hunter, can get the job done again. But this time, someone else leads them to “Bernie-the-Butcher,” someone who’s been watching Ana. Waiting for her.

FROM A CRAZED KILLER.

Now, catching a deranged murderer means Ana must trust her guarded heart to the gorgeous, complicated G-man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

My Two Cents

4 "No on hurt Ana" stars

It's the last book of the series and it ended things off with an incredible bang. The reader is sure to figure out who the killer is really fast... or will they?

Every time I thought I had figured it out, another twist was thrown my way. And if the thrill of the chase (or the hunt) wasn't enough, what was brewing between Cash and Ana had me excited to keep on reading. I was able to piece together rather quickly that their pasts were linked in a tragic way, but the way it all unfolded had me feeling terrible for them. Such pain, but it was that same pain that bonded them. It's what drew them to each other in the first place. Like recognized like and they had something so special together.

The author did an amazing job with this conclusion and I'm only left with one question in the end that still hasn't been answered... What happened to Murphy?

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com for more information!

Review // Never Trust the Living by Lani Lynn Vale

September 16, 2022

Never Trust the Living by Lani Lynn Vale

"You can get as close as you want to me. My soul's been living in hell for a while now. Your demons can come play with mine. Or I can straight up take them from you if you want." - Bram

────── ♔ ──────


Never Trust the Living by Lani Lynn Vale

Never Trust the Living by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - Battle Crows MC #7
Release - October 4, 2022
Genre - Contemporary Romance / Second chances
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a few descriptive scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by Uplifting Author Services
Length - 249 pages
Publisher - Indie

It’s not every day that someone tries to pin a murder on you and a random girl you just met. But Bram Crow isn’t your average, everyday guy, either.

One second, he’s hiding evidence with the girl, and the next, he has to marry her so a police detective doesn’t get suspicious.

Did he mention that he had a long-term girlfriend at the time?

To say that things didn’t go as planned would be an understatement.

To say that falling in love with his wife definitely wasn’t part of the plan either.

Nor was her leaving him when h finally realized she was his world.

My Two Cents

4 "Never Gonna Give You Up" stars

I don't know about you, but I've been waiting for this story for a minute. From the moment that I discovered that there was more to the dysfunction of the relationship between Bram and Dorcas, I needed to know more. I needed to know why the Crows were so unaccepting of her. I had to know why she put up with everything handed to her. And I needed to know what Bram's true feelings for her were.

This was a heck of a lot more than I bargained for.

I wasn't prepared for all that Dorcas had gone through. Her brother was a horrific monster, but at least he did something right... he brought Bram into her life. And while their beginning was rough and in no way romantic or the stuff of dreams (more like nightmares), it created a bond between them that should have flourished. Instead, it was trampled upon, taken advantage of, and abused. When Bram finally wises up, is it too late?

I really enjoyed the way the author brought this story almost full circle. Everyone came together in the end to fully support and love this couple and it was all that I was waiting for. As for Bram and Dorcas, they had to fight for their happy ending, and it was at once painful and beautiful to watch. When you survive the worst, life has new meaning and these two realized just how much they meant to each other.



About the characters:


Bram's family:

* Derringer - father
* Reedy - mother
* Haggard - brother found in Always Someone's Monster
* Price - brother found in Rattle Some Cages
* Tide - brother found in Not a Role Model
* Callum - brother found in Make Me Your Villain
* Channel - sister found in Chalk Dirty To Me

About the Author

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!

Review // One by Jewel E. Ann

July 22, 2022

One by Jewel E. Ann

Fuck gravity.
We would be Cage and Lake.
We would be unpredictable.
We would be reckless.
We would push the boundaries of sanity and give normality the middle finger.

────── ♔ ──────


One by Jewel E. Ann

One by Jewel E. Ann


Standalone - part of the Jack & Jill world of books
Release - July 28, 2016
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 2.5 out of 5 / more talking than doing, no actually descriptive scenes
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 444 pages
Publisher - Indie

Goodreads * Amazon (FREE with KU)

Lake Jones is a cover girl for cutting-edge prosthetic legs, a binge-watcher of Netflix, known to spy on her neighbor through her door’s peephole, and fond of laser games with her hairless cat. She’s also a bit sexually-frustrated.

Until …

God bestows a breath of mercy upon her in the form of Minnesota’s NFL starting quarterback. But this gift is no stranger. Lake met Cage Monaghan three years earlier.

It was one day.
One moment.
One kiss that resurrected her dreams of finding love.

His dimpled smile distracts from his imperfections, which include: a love for country music, fishing, and a feline-hating girlfriend.

When life finally gives them their chance, it’s a humorous and heart-wrenching journey to find their place in the world.

My Two Cents

5 "Living and thriving" stars

I loved this book so much and my only issue is that I can't give it more stars!

With how much I absolutely adored the Jack & Jill series, I was hoping that this story would have a huge impact on me. And it did!!

Not only was I gifted with an incredible heroine in Lake, but I was blessed with one heck of a new book boyfriend in all that was amazing in Cage. After a chance encounter years ago, time and circumstance bring them back into each other's orbits and they didn't let this opportunity go to waste.

I wanted the man.
I wanted him.
I wanted to always remember that all my yesterdays didn't matter.
When he looked at me, when he touched me... that became my reality, my truth.

I starting loving this story from the start and at 17% I said to myself, you know what would make this story perfect? Cage's perspective. And do you know what happened?

I GOT CAGE'S PERSPECTIVE!!

It's like the author predicted my wants and needs and delivered them in the next instant. And that happened every. Single. Time!

When Cage and Lake got into a dispute and I wanted it resolved a certain way... the author delivered. When Cage or Lake became overwhelmed with emotion, almost sabotaging the magic that they shared, and I wanted it to stop... the author delivered. She delivered and delivered and created a story of beauty, simplicity and wonder.

He didn't complete me with a part of himself; he just put me back together with all my own pieces. I shattered and he crawled aroud on the floor handing me my confidence, my hope, my dreams, my voice, my future. He mended me then kissed my scars and looked at me like I was nothing short of a timeless masterpiece.

These characters were human. They made mistakes, acted restless, exhibited immaturity, and created drama for drama's sake. Their story was full of tragedy, grief, understanding, compassion, and so much love. Seriously, people would give up just about anything for an ounce of the feelings that were shown here. We all want to be loved in all the ways that Cage and Lake loved each other. All the ugly, crazy, silly, and beautiful ways. And let's not forget the laughs. I laughed so much during this read. SO. MUCH!

My Notes: I'm so happy that I already read Flint's book, Look the Part, which I loved, and was able to see him in a different light. I adore him harder now! And is it weird that I want a book for the genius known as Thaddeus? Is there a book out there for him?

About the Author

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author with a quirky sense of humor.

When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, walking her doodle, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Visit http://www.jeweleann.com for more information

Review // Fatal Affair by Marie Force

July 16, 2022

Fatal Affair by Marie Force

“Why haven’t you ever gotten married?”
“I don’t know. Just never happened.”
“Surely there had to have been someone you might’ve married.”
“There was this one girl...”
“What happened?”
“She never returned my calls.”

────── ♔ ──────


Fatal Affair by Marie Force

Fatal Affair by Marie Force


Standalone - Fatal #1
Release - June 30, 2021 (new edition)
Genre - Romantic Suspense / second chance
Primarily Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 476 pages
Publisher - HTJB, Inc


Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investigation.

The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O’Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Things get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O’Connor’s friend and chief of staff…and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can’t afford—especially when the bodies keep piling up.

My Two Cents

4 "Love and... Murder?" stars

Nick, the man behind the man, finds the man in his bed... murdered. And who happens to catch the case? The woman who he hasn't been able to stop thinking about since their one night together. It's been six years since he's seen Sam, but she has never been far from his mind... or he hers.

I really enjoyed this story and how the author meshed the romance with the chaos of the murder investigation. And while I did find Sam's attitude to be too aggressive and irksome on occasion, it wasn't enough to overshadow how truly wonderful she was. It was probably because of how well her character played off of Nick. She constantly had something to prove, but she had her reasons (psycho ex that she should never have married, boys club on the police force, legacy of her cop father, etc.)

I didn't enjoy the way that Sam worked the case. She created theories and tried to fit the evidence to her theories, which wasn't what I would expect from a seasoned investigator. It's like the evidence didn't mean as much as the story she was hoping the murder would tell. I knew from the start that she was offbase, however, I didn't know who the murderer was and loved being surprised.

My favorite person was obviously Nick (with Freddie coming a close second and I'm looking forward to reading more about the virgin homicide detective) and he definitely made this story for me. His compassion, strength of character, and capacity for love and understanding made him a standout in this story. So for every moment I was annoyed by Sam, I had to only remember that Nick was worth it.

Side Note:
I did have issues with the accuracy of police procedure in this book. I've both prosecuted and defended defendants and here in Ontario, the police don't have the power to throw around the way Sam did. She threatened arrests without probable cause, she demanded persons of interest to stay in town under threat, and basically abused the power of her station. Probable cause and evidence didn't seem to carry any weight. Not to mention the way she processed a case. Theories before evidence... just no.

About the Author

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.

Her books have sold nearly 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Visit http://marieforce.com for more information