Showing posts with label Best of 2021. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best of 2021. Show all posts

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase // Review

April 26, 2021

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

I can't remember wanting anything as much as I want this — as much as I want her.


Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase


Standalone - Royally #1
Release - Octobe 16, 2016
Genre - Romantic Comedy
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few explicit scenes
Format/Source - Amazon Kindle purchase
Length - 272 pages
Publisher - Emma Chase, LLC

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn't bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn't what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There's a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they've traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven't chopped anyone's head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

This story had me swooning so hard that I thought there might be a problem. Seriously, there was almost too much to love about this book!!

Nicholas was the crowned prince, next in line to rule the made up country of Wessco. Olivia was a broke, barely holding it together waitress in her family's failing coffee shop. There should have been no reason for these two to meet, however, one stormy winter's night... You already know how that goes.

So they meet and it's instant sparks.

From her:

He’s wearing a tuxedo, the black tie hanging haphazardly around his neck, and the top two buttons of his pristine white shirt are open, teasing a glimpse of bronze chest. The tux hugs him in a way that says there are hard, rippling muscles and taut, heated skin beneath it. His jaw is chiseled—fucking chiseled—like it’s made of warm marble. His chin is strong, beneath the planes of prominent cheekbones that a GQ cover model would kill for. His nose is straight, his mouth full and perfectly made to whisper dark, dirty things. Masculine eyebrows sit above gray-green eyes—the color of sea glass in the sun—framed by sooty, long lashes. His hair is dark and thick—a few strands fall over his forehead, giving him an effortless, edgy, I-don’t-give-a-fuck kind of look.


From him:

Delicate midnight tendrils frame a face that belongs in a museum — with stunning dark sapphire eyes that should be commemorated in vibrant oils and soft watercolors. If Helen launched a thousand ships, this girl could raise a thousand hard-ons.

She's prettily made, the top of her head coming only to my chin, but fantastically curvy. Great full tits that strain the buttons of a wrinkled white blouse, shapely hips in a black skirt tapering to a tiny waist I could wrap my hands around and toned legs encased in sheer black tights finish off the whole package very nicely.


It's lust at first sight. And yet, within moments, they both know that what they could share, what they would share, was far more than a physical connection. He's showing her everything a man should be, introducing her to a world that would have forever remained unknown to her, while she's given him something no one else ever has — the freedom to be himself.

Going in, we already know the conflict Nicholas and Olivia will face. He's destined to be king, she's a commoner, and never the two shall meet. They can't have forever. They can't last. Or can they? I loved that although they both felt their time together was finite, the author had them throwing themselves all in to make the most of the experience. It was passionate and sexy. It was hilarious and tender. It was beautiful and bittersweet.
I want the world for Olivia.
I want to show her every corner of it, explore it while holding her hand. I want the stars for her — and the moon and the heavens — and everything in between.
And for a moment, I truly thought I could give them to her. I believed there was a way.

It has been far too long since I've read from Emma Chase, but this story has reaffirmed my faith in her stories and I will definitely be coming back for more. I spied a little something being teased for Nicholas's brother, Henry, and a bookishly awkward Lady that had me eager to find out if they would be getting their own tale. And they are! I'm off to get my hands on Royally Matched and I'm hoping to see Nicholas and Olivia again!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Chase writes contemporary romance filled with humor, heat, and heart. Her stories are known for their clever banter, hilariously authentic male POVs and sexy, swoon-worthy moments. Emma’s novels have been translated into over twenty languages around the world.

Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and two misbehaving dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

For more about this author and her AMAZING books, visit her website: https://authoremmachase.com/

Hissy Fit by Lani Lynn Vale // Review


Ezra was my unicorn. The man that I wanted above all others, and I knew nothing else would ever do.


Hissy Fit by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - The Southern Gentleman #1
Release - March 19, 2019
Genre - Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - Kindle Amazon purchase
Length - 240 pages
Publisher - Indie

He is the one that never looks her way.
He is handsome and strong.
He is rough around the edges and mean.
He is everything she’s ever wanted.
He doesn’t even know she exists.
Her life is a joke.

She doesn’t step on cracks in the sidewalk.
She laughs at inappropriate times.
She talks when she shouldn’t.
She is clumsy and trips on air.
She is finally on his radar.
God help her now.

I wasn't reading for long before I realized that I loved this story. The characters, their chemistry, the subplots... I loved this book!!

Like the ninny I am, I read this series out of order, but it didn't even matter in the grand scheme of things. These books truly do read as standalones. I did find this one to be a more well-rounded and developed story than the ones that followed it, which only made me enjoy it more.

This is the story of Raleigh and Ezra. She's crushed on him for most of her life. He didn't even know she existed until recently. She hero-worshipped him and he didn't know how much weight his kind words and actions carried with her. While she was mooning over the most popular guy in school, the football star, he vaguely knew she was there. Nothing she did got his attention until she was a grown woman who embarrassed herself in front of the man of her dreams. And he could never look away from her again.

I loved how the author illustrated the growth of these characters. Raleigh may still have been the awkward, accident-prone, hot mess of a person as she was growing up, but she had evolved into an incredible woman with so much heart. However, it was Ezra whose strength of character shined the most. He went from being an oblivious jock to an amazing, intuitive, compassionate man. The ways in which he cared for Raleigh had me swooning all over the place. She owned him every bit as much as he owned her!

And again, with this story, Lani Lynn Vale has proven why I will be one of her staunchest supporters. She gave me a story full of heart, heat and humor that I was only sad because it ended. Luckily there are still tons of her books I have yet to read and I'm going to happily make my way through them. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get to see these charming characters again 😊😊

“Jesus,” she breathed. “The things you do to me.”


The things I did to her? What about the things she did to me?


Kind of like right now.


She was pressing that small, soft palm of hers against my length and stroking it. She was unskilled, clumsy, and it felt like the best thing that had ever happened to me.


Her forehead was resting on mine, and the only thing separating us at this point was a thin sheen of sweat that had collected on my body the moment that she came near me.


The woman had the power to bring me to my knees.


“The things you do to me have no comparison,” I told her honestly. “You may not like hearing this but…you are the best I’ve ever had, hands down.”


She stiffened.


“And that’s because what I feel for you isn’t the same as what I felt for other people,” I told her bluntly. “You make me want forever.”


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.

You can find out more about her and her amazing books on her website: https://lanilynnvale.com/

A Battle of Blood and Stone by Sawyer Bennett // ARC Review

April 08, 2021

A Battle of Blood and Stone by Sawyer Bennett

We don't exchange words of love. The way we look at each other often speaks louder.

A Battle of Blood and Stone by Sawyer Bennett

A Battle of Blood and Stone by Sawyer Bennett


Book 4 - Chronicles of the Stone Veil
Release - April 13, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley/1st and Carrick/3rd
Heat Level - 2.5/spoken about but not descriptive
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 239 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC

Another day, another step closer to Hell on Earth being unleashed.

With every piece that falls into place for the queen of the Underworld, Kymaris gains strength and power that will make it more difficult to defeat her when the time comes. It feels as if we’re in a desperate race to get just one step ahead of her, but my demise feels closer than it ever has before with still so much to do.

The first order of business is to unlock the angelic powers with which I was gifted at birth, and Carrick insists on getting help from my archnemesis to do so. Yes, I have to save the world, but my priority has now become rescuing my sister from the Underworld. While there are many questions still to be answered about my long-lost twin, I know I will not win this battle without her by my side.

In the midst of all the doom and gloom, Carrick has become my beacon of shining light. Our connection unimaginable, my heart recognizes his as the other half of its whole. Inexplicable and deeper than one could ever imagine, the love I hold for him is forged by destiny, however ill-fated it may turn out to be.

And those are the feelings I must hold close…to keep me going. Because a painful lesson is on the horizon—betrayal never comes from your enemies.

Find your copy of A Battle of Blood and Stone here:
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3t1HZDF
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/39Taz2z
iBooks: http://apple.co/3oSs3Ro
Nook: https://bit.ly/3pSgGud
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3iWcPtr


Saying that this book was full of surprises would be a gross understatement. At the end of The Evolution of Fae and Gods, I was left at a loss. What was Carrick's fate? After his information dump, I expected him and Finley to grow closer. I wanted them to. I wished for them to. Did I get all that I had hoped for?

Well, when this was said...

I can't help but sound petulant. "He has time to reach out to his businesses but not to me?"

"It's not like that, Finley," Zaid chastises. "If Carrick hasn't reached out to us, it's for a good reason. Trust me on that."

"Trust you on that?" I ask, incredulously.

"I know Carrick, so —"

"See, that's just it," I snap harshly, throwing my hands out to the side in frustration. "I don't know him. Apparently, I've fallen in love with him over and over again throughout history, yet I don't know a damn thing about him. You might trust him, but don't ask me to."


I honestly didn't think I was going to get what I was looking for. How could I when Finley was once again being so annoying? I felt like I was back to the beginning. Where was the growth? Where was the girl I was starting to care for? And then it all changed and I was caught up in a story that was more than I could ask for.

A Battle of Blood and Stone has magic, murky alliances, family, love, hope, and a surprising betrayal, all of which make it such an enchanting read. I'm in love with the epic romance that is steadily building between Carrick and Finley. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a hopeless romantic or if I just can't get enough of the demigod. With one powerful, intense, unreal mindboggling cliffhanger, I'm left on edge until I can get The Rise of Fortune and Fury in my hands. Will Finley finally truly connect with her twin? Will there be a trip to the Underworld in my future? And will Finley actually survive the prophecy, Rune's curse, and get a happy ending with Carrick? I'm telling you now... Carrick better get everything he deserves. The male has been put through enough and needs to be freaking happy!!

Check out my reviews of the previous books of the series:

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).

For more information about this author and her books, check out her website: https://sawyerbennett.com

Step Into My Web by Cynthia Eden // Review

March 28, 2021

Step Into My Web by Cynthia Eden

I mean it. Chloe is mine. I'm hers. Because they were partners. Good. Bad. All the stuff in between—they were partners.

Step Into My Web by Cynthia Eden

Step Into My Web by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - Death and Moonlight #1
Release - October 27, 2020
Genre - Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5/a couple of scenes
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 417 pages
Publisher - Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc.

Step into my web…and you’ll never get out.

Chloe Hastings doesn’t like rules, and she doesn’t exactly play well with others. But she does have one amazing talent—she can get into the mind of killers like no one else. A police consultant and profiler, Chloe is definitely not like anyone that Joel Landry has ever encountered. From the moment they meet—in the middle of a bank robbery—she throws him off balance and pulls him under spell. She seems to have no fear, she plots constantly, and…Joel quickly finds himself trapped in her web.

She needs a new partner…and he’s just the man for the job.

There’s a sadistic killer hunting in the streets of New Orleans, and Chloe plans to catch him. First, though she needs a partner she can trust, and she’s decided that Dr. Joel Landry is the best fit for the job. Sure, he has a dark past. The doctor was attacked by a serial killer, but Joel survived while his attacker did not. Now the ruggedly handsome doctor has turned to the shadows. He’s learned how to hunt, how to fight, how to kill in a thousand brutal ways—in short, he’s acquired all of the skills that Chloe absolutely adores in a man.

He’s exactly what she wants. She could become the only thing he needs.

Together, they should be a perfect fit. She knows the minds of criminals better than anyone else, and Joel can protect her from any threat that comes their way. They’ll have one hell of a time tracking down the bad guys, provided Chloe and Joel don’t kill each other first. Another unanticipated twist for the new partners? Their attraction to each other is explosive, their desire uncontrollable. One reckless kiss seals their fate, and their need won’t be denied.

And neither will the killer who waits for his moment to attack.

Once you step into a spider’s web, there is no going back.

Author’s Note: Chloe Hastings always has a plan in play. Her investigations are unusual, her friends are generally on the shady side, and her social skills? Well, those are pretty much non-existent. But Chloe solves every case that crosses her path, and she never, ever backs down. When she teams up with her new partner, all bets are off. Joel is gorgeous, sinful, and about to break through every wall that Chloe possesses. He’ll fight for her, she’ll fight for him, and the criminals in their path had better get ready. There is a new crime-solving team in town.

Find your copy of Step Into My Web here:
Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo



And this is why I will never ever question why Cynthia Eden is on my one-click list! Step Into My Web was on the right side of creepy (if creepy could be right) and gave me the thrilling story I was looking for.

After surviving an attack by a serial killer, Dr. Joel Landry was trying to get by. Surviving but not really living. He was scarred both physically and emotionally and Chloe Hastings believed she could offer him a way back. Be her partner. Help her catch a killer. Fall in love. No biggie.

She'd already made the first move. She'd gotten him out of his home, into her car, and at her side. He would be with her, so he'd be protected. He could thank her later.

There was so much to love about this story:
⭐ Chloe's mind, her secrets,her insights
⭐ Joel's strength and determination, his fight, his integrity, his endurance
⭐ the side characters that made their team — I hope to see more of them
⭐ the killings. I was seriously caught up in trying to find connections and didn't quite figure out whodunit until it was shown to me. I love to be kept guessing!

My only issue was the part about Chloe's ex, Morgan, who seemed to warrant more of an explanation. However, knowing that there will be another book, I'm hoping it will provide all that I found missing. I will definitely be one-clicking Save Me From the Dark when it releases in April.


"You're changing me. I feel like I've been sleeping. Or, hell, maybe I just haven't been living. Ever since that bastard put me in the ground, I haven't been the same. Nothing mattered. I dug myself out of the grave, but I felt like I was still buried. The days just passed and passed..."

"We should go —"

"Then I met you. You matter, Chloe. You matter." She'd changed everything for him.

She was searching his eyes. Searching —

"Joel?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Please touch me again."

Please. A fucking magic word. He slid his hand under her chin.

"Lean toward me.

He leaned close.

Her lips pressed to his. A soft, tender kiss. "You matter, too."


Read a preview, with Chapter One, HERE

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.

For more about this author and her books, check out her website: http://www.cynthiaeden.com/

Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright // Review

March 22, 2021

Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright

“Oh no, honey, I'm an angel, I swear. The horns are only there to hold up the halo.”


Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright

Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright


Standalone - The Phoenix Pack #1
Release - March 3, 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 4.5 out of 5/plenty of scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 428 pages
Publisher - Montlake Romance

NOTE: this is a review of the edited version of this book. Not a menage scene in sight!!

When female wolf shifter Taryn Warner first encounters Trey Coleman, an alpha male wolf shifter with a dangerous reputation, she’s determined to resist his charms. After all, Trey—who was only fourteen when he defeated his own father in a duel, winning the right to be alpha of his pack—can’t have anything to offer the talented healer besides trouble, or so she thinks.

Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him. If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.

But there are a lot of potential pitfalls to this plan—including the very real possibility that the wolf shifters, overwhelmed by their growing attraction to each other, will be unable to maintain the clear heads needed to pull off the deception.

Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright

Whoever created this collage did an amazing job. I love it!!

I knew there had to be a good reason why this book kept popping up on my radar, but until now, I didn't know why that was. This book is incredible. It's definitely being noted as one of my favorite paranormal romances of all time!

What I found:
⭐ a damaged, tortured, brooding Alpha male who happened to be freaking gorgeous and had no clue about all of the greatness he deserved — I loved TREY!!
⭐ a latent Alpha female who was constantly ridiculed and reviled, frequently underestimated, and the queen of zingers — under all of her thorns, Taryn had a heart of gold, one huge enough to heal her hero
⭐ an intriguing and hilarious cast of secondary characters (I'm looking at you, Greta). All of these characters demanded their own story to be told
⭐ deadly consequences to anyone who thought to separate the mated pair
⭐ oodles of sexy times — dang, but this author can write a sex scene. Two Alphas fighting for dominance and Trey's dirty mouth certainly did the trick!
⭐ a well-developed plot. I love when the sex seems to feed the plot instead of being the plot. I felt that the author created a great balance of heavy story, funny dialogue, intimacy and suspense.

I'm the idiot who took forever to finally read this and introduce herself to the wonder of Suzanne Wright. I have definitely learned from my mistake and I will absolutely be reading more from her. Dante's story is next and I've already got it loaded up!

Feral Sins is FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited! https://amzn.to/394irxN

In her words...

I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing something, whether it was stories, poems, or even songs – though I can’t carry a tune. I only have one rule when I’m writing a book which is that it has to have a happy ending. Other than that, pretty much anything goes. I write stories that I would enjoy reading and then I just hope that others will enjoy them too.

I was born and raised in England where I live with my husband (a person who doesn’t judge me for hearing voices in my head – how often do you come across people like that?), and my two demanding children.

For more information about this author and her books, check out her website: http://www.suzannewright.co.uk/

The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett // ARC Review

March 21, 2021

The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett

"One Bean is destroyed."

"I know," he murmured.

"I almost died," she said.

"I know," he replied softly.

"You saved me." Her tone was filled with a bit of awe.

"I won't ever let anything bad happen to you," Carrick vowed.

He said it while looking her straight in the eye and with the purest of intent, for he cared about Finley more than she could ever imagine.

But he also knew he was most likely telling her a lie because he didn't think he could protect her from the horror that was coming.


The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett

The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett


Chronicles of the Stone Veil #3
Release - March 23, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley/1st & Carrick/3rd
Heat - 3 out of 5/a bit descriptive and yet still pretty vague
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 269 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC

Evil is coming.

A dark malevolence the likes of which this world has never seen, and it comes straight from the depths of Hell. Darkness meant to destroy. A prophecy I am fated to fulfill but will most likely not survive.

Through it all, Carrick Byrne has stood strong by my side. Something has deeply changed between me and the man I once despised, and all it took was a kiss of provocation for both of us to feel it. I know deep in my soul we’re being guided by destiny, but I don’t know if I can trust it. Carrick is holding something back, and I fear the consequences could be deadly once his truth is revealed.

We’re not ready, but calamity waits for no woman. I have discovered a power within myself I must learn to master. A new connection in the Underworld has been revealed to me, one that I hope is friend but is just as likely foe. We are in a race against time as we try to figure out how to stop the end of the world from occurring. The battle is coming, and I can only hope we’re prepared for what happens next.

The Evolution of Fae and Gods is book three of the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series and is best enjoyed if read in series order.

I'll tell you this... this book gave me so much of what I've been wanting since I started this series, such as:
Answers — although some of them led me to more questions
Moving Plot — obviously I ain't spoiling but so much happened, some of which I predicted, which led to those answers I needed and the new questions I now have
Romance — WOOHOO!! It happened and I couldn't have been more thrilled. What was brewing between Carrick and Finley in the first two books finally boiled over and it was amazing! Walls came down, communication became easy, and their connection... their feelings for one another... I can't get enough of all of it.
Further Character Development — not only did the people I had come to care for seem to expand in personality, but my feelings towards Finley have turned a corner. Was she still annoying? Yup. Was she still bogging me down with the minutiae of her daily life? Absolutely. But either she's growing on me or she's growing up because I was far less frustrated with her than I've ever been.

This series has quickly turned into something I'm going to be recommending to all urban fantasy readers and to those who are looking to try it. It's character-driven, plot-heavy, and I cannot wait to get my hands on A Battle of Blood and Stone.What's going on with Carrick? How will the heroes stop fake Fallon? And what other world will they be hopping into?

Check out my review of book 1, The Revelation of Light and Dark:


Check out my review of book 2, A Discovery of Secrets and Fate:

Find your copy of The Evolution of Fae and Gods at the following retailers:
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2NJjlbO
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3tEOkFa
iBooks: http://apple.co/36HKTEN
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3iWaT49
Kobo: http://bit.ly/39uE0It


The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett
It was after this confrontation that my feelings for Finley changed. She changed.

Carrick doesn't yell. No, he thunders. "How could you be so fucking stupid as to leave this place alone? I don't know how many times I need to impress upon you the danger you face, but, apparantly, your skull is obviously thicker than concrete because it's not penetrating. You not only put yourself in danger, but you also put the fucking planet in danger, which speaks to your inherent selfishness, which is only outmatched by your stupidity."

"I am not stupid," I yell back, the constant stream of insults too much for me to take.

I note the red in Carrick's pupils and it's not the hazy film I'd seen before, but it turns fiery. To my surprise, Carrick actually shakes me hard enough to rattle my head. Putting his face even closer to mine, he snarls, "You are, without a doubt, the most idiotic person I've ever encountered in my almost five thousands years of living."

Okay, that's overboard. Surely, he's met someone dumber. But I don't get a chance to retort because I'm threatened again.

"I think," he says in a low rumble, far scarier than when he was yelling, "that you might just need to be secured in this condo."

Secured?" I whisper fearfully.

Carrick's eyes glitter with malice, the red still glowing while the irises dull to a muddy brown. "I think I'd like you in chains down in the library."

"You can't do that to me," I sputter in outrage. "I am not yours to command."

For a moment, Carrick doesn't reply — he merely gives a slow shake of his head while looking me dead in the eye. "No... you're something far more infuriating. You want to act like a woman, trying to play the seductress with me, but do you want to know the reason it doesn't work?

A stab of pain lances through my heart because now he's getting personal.

I don't want to know.

Please don't tell me.

"It doesn't work," he says darkly with scorn in his expression, "because you're a fucking child, not a real woman. A spoiled little brat, actually, and I find none of those traits attractive."

Oh, God.

My eyes immediately well with tears, and I hate myself for the weakness. Does he honestly think that? Was that kiss we shared in the gym all in my imagination?

Does he think so little of me?

In my entire life, I have never felt so small.


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).

For more information about this author and her books, check out her website: https://sawyerbennett.com

Unspoken by Ari Reavis // ARC Review

March 08, 2021

Unspoken by Ari Reavis

I feel myself losing control again. Feel the magic churning in my gut like it wants to completely overtake me and burn this palace to the ground. I have never felt so desperate, so reckless. And even with so much power, more than I've ever felt before, I have never flt more powerless. I have magic I cannot use. A title that offers me no protection here. And a father who is feeding me to a monster piece by piece, and all with a smile because he thinks it will save him from the very same fate.

Unspoken by Ari Reavis

Unspoken by Ari Reavis


Standalone - Nur Series #1
Release - April 12, 2021
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Single POV - Ameera (heroine)
Heat Level - 3.5 (a couple of scenes)
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 295 pages
Publisher - Indie

The Unspoken One has been banished for many years, his very existence erased. Ameera must find his true name and summon him if she has any hope of saving her kingdom from war, and herself from marriage to a ruthless king.

The Kingdom of Nur has been suffering for years under Ameera’s father’s rule. She's bid her time, carefully keeping her secret hidden and waiting to become queen so she can repair what her father has broken. Then an unwanted marriage to the brutal king of Nur’s enemy threatens everything she’s worked towards.

With her wedding drawing near and the future of her kingdom in peril, she finds the forbidden name. She knows The Unspoken One is her last chance to save Nur, but she risks much in summoning him. His magic is not understood, the crime he was banished for is unknown, and speaking his name carries an unbearable punishment.

For Nur, for herself, she must risk it all. Or lose everything she holds dear.

She speaks the name too many have paid a painful price for uttering. Nothing, not the kingdom, their lives, or her heart, will ever be the same.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PGWXAo
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2O7tnnc


Unspoken by Ari Reavis

I have read every book that Ari Reavis has published and Unspoken is unlike anything that I've read from her before. And it's not just because it's a fantasy romance, something new the author has done. It's the story's tone. At once somber and hopeful. Dark and light. It had an optimistic lean to it that got me through its darkest moments. This author's voice is beautiful and needs to be heard!!

Ameera is the last living child of a ruthless and tyrannical king. Desperate to save himself from impending war, he promises his daughter's hand to an equally devious, if not murderous, king to unite the kingdoms. Too bad Ameera has no intention of tying herself to man who cares only for himself, imposing death, conquering lands, and starving his people.

She has hopes that when it is her turn to rule, she can fix what her father has broken. She can begin to rebuild her once glorious home. But she cannot accomplish all she hopes for alone. She must invoke the name of the man who was banished from Nur. A man who is called upon to right wrongs, to fight for justice. A man who could bring about her end before she's even started.

I found it impossible not to want to join in on Ameera's fight. This woman, who has been beaten down by her father since her birth. This woman, who has been humiliated before the entire kingdom. This woman, who only wants to bring prosperity and success to her people. This woman, who is absolutely deserving of the greatest of loves... How could I not want her to triumph?

And the love story that developed? I couldn't have asked for more. So much can be said without saying a word and the author did an incredible job of capturing that. The tension between Ameera and Hamza... their chemistry... I lived for their every interaction!

With Unspoken, I was lost to the magic and the wonder that was created. I was easily able to picture the halls of Ameera's palace. I believed I could feel Nur's cool autumn breeze or the bitter cold of Sameer. From the downtrodden and the oppressed to a princess who was treated as a pauper, this story made the fantastical seem real.

Ari Reavis is a wife and mother of five. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, she enjoys staying in, devouring books and watching movies. Her kids are running around, her husband is trying to show her martial arts moves, and she's trying to write. Her day in a nutshell.

Find more about Ari and her books on her site: https://arireavis.wordpress.com/

Conjugal Visits by Lani Lynn Vale // ARC Review

February 13, 2021

Conjugal Visits by Lani Lynn Vale

"There won't be anyone else. You're..."
"You're it for me, too," I interrupted her thoughts. "There won't be anyone else."
How could there be, when I was so in love with Beckham Spurlock that I couldn't even think about being with anyone else?


Conjugal Visits by Lani Lynn Vale

Conjugal Visits by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - Souls Chapel Revenants MC #2
Release - February 23, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance/second chance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/frequent
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 236 pages
Publisher - Indie

Don’t ever, ever, ever go near that boy. Not unless you want to be a single mother at seventeen. That boy is Bad with a capital B.

The words that my father spoke to me when it came to Trouper Aoki didn’t scare me like they probably should.

In fact, they only made me intrigued all the more.

When it came to Troup, there was just no resisting fate when it came to the two of us.

Even at eighteen, when we went our separate ways with the promise to come back to each other once we were done pursuing our careers, I knew he would always be it for me.

And color me surprised when eight years after making that pact with Trouper, we were once again reunited. Only this time in an undercover FBI investigation—me, the FBI officer, and Troup call sign ‘State’ as a military liaison.

Trouble always finds him. You’d do better to run far, far away.

Truer words had never been spoken.

From the time Troup was a young boy, he’d been in some kind of trouble.

So it only goes to show when he winds up in the FBI investigation with none other than Beckham Spurlock, his high school sweetheart, things are bound to go wrong.

Only, he has no idea how wrong until things go bad. Really, really bad.

All it takes is saving her by hurting another for him to see the wrong side of a jail cell.

To make matters worse, he has to live the next fifteen years in prison knowing that his son will grow up without him. And the woman he loves will likely move on to a man that isn’t so much trouble.

Trouper Aoki and Beckham Spurlock are endgame! They know it, I know it, and pretty soon, you'll all know it. Why? Because no matter the distance, the obstacles, the interfering, or the years, they belonged together. It was so obvious to anyone who reads about them and the author did an incredible job of showcasing their bond.
She was it for me, and I was it for her.
Troup was literally the bad boy next door. The one Beckham's father (Foster) wanted her to have nothing to do with. The one who didn't quite fit in but fit so well with her. From high school and beyond, what they had is what everyone should aspire to have. Shoot, not even prison could keep these two apart. They needed each other like one needs air, food and water. What they had was so freaking beautiful and their love, their story, deserves all of the stars!!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZqJ2QJ
Nook: https://bit.ly/2OoOYan
iBooks: https://apple.co/3jM5o8p
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3jOk0Eu


I flipped on the lights when she paused about halfway into the living and she gasped.
I knew what she was seeing.
The entire place was bare.
Sure, there was furniture, but there was no real 'life' to the space.
When you moved around a lot, you didn't really like to gather a lot of extra 'crap'.
Extra crap just meant that you would have to pack it and move it.
But there were a few personal items over my mantle, right underneath where I'd mounted the television.
Sometimes, during commercials, or hell, even during my shows, I'd find myself looking at the photos and not the television.
She walked to the photos and stopped in front of the most recent one that we had taken together.
The photo of us on Easton's graduation night.
Easton had taken it for us outside the restaurant that we'd gone to with his mother.
Even after an awkward as hell dinner, we still managed to have a good time.
And I knew that the woman that was the love of my life was the reason for that.
She could make any situation, good or bad, better just by being there.
That particular night it's been windy.
Beckham's hair had been flying all over the place.
The photo was of her hair flying, and her hands at her hair to try to hold it in place. Her eyes were shut, and there was a huge smile on her face as she laughed openly.
Then there was me, staring down at her in awe.
Love was plain to see on my face, and it was more than obvious that she was it for me.
She was my one and only.

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.

You can find out more about her and her amazing books on her website: https://lanilynnvale.com/

Forbidden Flame by Alison Aimes // ARC Review

February 08, 2021

Forbidden Flame by Alison Aimes

When he'd intercepted that package, he'd been searching for revenge.
He'd been delivered salvation instead.


Forbidden Flame by Alison Aimes

Forbidden Flame by Alison Aimes


Standalone - Ruthless Warlords #1.5
Release - February 8, 2021
Genre - SciFi Omegaverse Romance/revenge plot
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4.5 out of 5
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 138 pages
Publisher - Indie

He's out for revenge. She's out to escape. Neither intends to fall in love.

His instructions are simple: do not open the bag. To escape exile and enact revenge, crime boss Magnus Avitus agrees to play the part of errand boy. But when the volatile package he’s been tasked with delivering begins to squirm, he has to take a peek. He never expects to come face-to-face with her. Or to have everything inside him roar "mine."

Her plans are simple: escape the bag and those intent on using her. But when omega Amora Rose's prison is unpacked before she can free herself, she is claimed by ferocious, scarred warlord who makes her heart whisper "mine."

Except she has a secret that’s about to send all their simple plans up in flames.

I know I'm not the only one who loves a good revenge plot. When it's paired with an irresistible couple, set in an omegaverse, I'm gobbling it up! In Forbidden Flame, both Magnus and Amora have experienced their share of pain and betrayal. With each other, they found the unexpected - compassion, understanding, and fated love. He was determined to exact his vengeance on the traitors who exiled him and she was the perfect weapon. Together, they were fierce and powerful. Together, they could finally have it all.

I'm seriously in love with everything I've come across from this author. And again, Alison Aimes has delivered a must-read romance I have to recommend! I was in a huge book slump and this story was not only unputdownable, but easy and fun to read... oh and it was very, very hot!

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During all her abductions -- and there'd been plenty -- she'd never encountered an Alpha like this one before. He was bigger and stronger than any she'd ever come across. More savage and wild too. He could really hurt her.
But it was hard to hold on to that worry when each of his rumbled commands only made her burn hotter.
Because he was also the most mouthwatering, sexy Alpha she'd ever seen.
Too much more of his scent and dirty promises, and she'd be in heat.
Then they'd both be in real trouble.

Alison Aimes is the award-winning author of the sexy sci-fi romance series the Condemned as well as the sizzling contemporary romance Billionaire Bad Boys collection. A sci-fi fanatic with a PhD in Modern history, she’s an all-over-the-map kind of woman with a love for dramatic stories and great books, no matter the era. Now, she’s creating her own stories full of intrigue and passion, but always with a happy-ever-after ending. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two kids, and dog. When not in front of the computer, she can be found hanging with family and friends, hiking, trying to turn herself into a pretzel through yoga, listening to a fabulous TED talk, or, last but not least, sitting on the couch imagining her characters’ next great adventures.

Find all of her information and other books on her site: https://alisonaimes.com/