Showing posts with label Instalove. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Instalove. Show all posts

Review // Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale

February 27, 2024

Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale

It was kind of exciting that Zip knew so much about me and my career.
I wasn't sure why.


Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale

Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale


Rating -
Standalone - Welcome to the Circus #6
Genre - Contemporary Romance / instalove
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 262 pages

Every single thing you want is going to require you to be uncomfortable.

Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable.

Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy.

For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone. Every single race, PR event, ESPN interview—she was there for it. He was the one thing that kept her sane while having to live the life her father forced her to.

That was all he’d ever be to her, though. A face on the other side of the screen.

Until he showed up at her apartment complex, carried her sister down hundreds and hundreds of stairs during a fire, and changed her opinion of him.

Nash Christopherson was Mean. With a capital M. And he couldn’t stand her.

***

He thought he had everything under control. Then he met her.

Nash knew from the moment he saw Zip waiting in her apartment, looking panicked, that she was going to damage him. She was going to pull him in, chew him up, and spit him out.

What he didn’t know was just how much damage he could take.

Nearly a year passed as he tried and failed to stay away.

A full year of her smiles, her playful jabs, her teasing, her eyes on him.

Then he got news that changed his life, and she finally took matters into her own hands, forcing herself into his life and pretty much giving him everything he ever wanted.

Everything was great, until it wasn’t. Life smacked him hard, and when the dust settled, she was gone. The only sign that she was ever there was the cracked and bleeding heart, half beating inside his chest, that yearned to hold her one more time.

Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale

Previous books in the series:
Fun House * Freak Show * Show Off * Clown Motel * Sold to the Circus



Sweet baby love, this story wrecked me and I'm sitting here kinda rocking in my couch, typing this review, wondering when I'll start feeling normal again.

Zip was a firecracker. She was cranky, sweet and so tenderhearted even when she was mad.
Nash was a sweetie, even when he was doing his best to be cruel and push people away.
Their dynamic was intense, full of feels and I'm a mess here in the end.

I'm being intentionally vague here. There is so much to experience in this book and you really to experience it all for yourself.

Know this: This story will tear your heart out. It will also make you smile and swoon and believe in the love between Nash and Zip, far sooner than they did.



Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.

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

Review // The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

October 04, 2023

The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

Vera was willing to show me her soft sides and her vulnerabilities.
She didn't hesitate to share her feelings with me, good or bad.
A Naga female would never do any of those things.


The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor


My Rating - ★★★1/2
Standalone - Serpents of Serant #1
Genre and Trope - SciFi Romance / instalove and forced proximity
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - descriptive scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 219 pages

Vera
My family maneuvered me like a worthless pawn, then cast me away. I was supposed to be executed but even that didn’t go right. When I wake up, my whole world is tilted on its axis when I lock eyes with a monster.

He’s half snake, half man and somehow he’s the most alluring thing I’ve ever seen. When he touches me I can understand him and he says I’m his mate. But how’s that possible? I’ve never belonged anywhere.

When more of his kind chase us, cast us out, and try to do everything they can to keep us apart. I must fight for what I want, fight to keep the one place where I’m wanted. In the arms of my mate.

Zathar
Cast out by my own Clan, by my very mother the Queen. I am left adrift until a skyship falls from the heavens, carrying with it my mate.

She is curvy and soft, everything I never knew I wanted. She’s perfect, and I will give up anything, climb any mountain, even crawl through the haunted ancestral caves if it means I can keep her. If only she’ll believe me when I swear she’s my heart.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon (FREE with KU)


The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

My Two Cents

Zathar, the first-born serpentine son of the Queen, was cast out of his tribe for not finding a mate. Vera had a family that didn't want her and she never found a place to belong... until now. Crash landing on a strange planet delivered everything both of them could ever want—a home, found family, and eternal love.

I really enjoyed this story. From the moment I was introduced to the language barrier between the aliens and humans and the unique method the author chose for them to communicate, I was intrigued by this story. I liked Vera and Zathar, the world building, and the secondary characters who I'm sure will get their own stories some day. Even the characters who caused SO MUCH DRAMA kept me entertained. There was such warmth to these characters... well, most of them anyway... I found them so endearing.

While there were several sensual moments between Zathar and Vera, they took a backseat to the plot and the developing intimate bond growing between these characters. I really liked how although there was plenty of instalove and instalust vibes to this story, the relationship never felt rushed. There was a learning curve for these characters, forcing them to find common ground and to build a solid foundation for their future.

I would definitely read more from this series.

The Author

Robin O’Connor is the pen-name of an author who loves to write about strong, super sexy, alien heroes and quirky heroines. She lives with her husband and four year old son along with a couple hundred books (hers, definitely hers) and probably just as many computer parts (her husband’s). Her house therefore resembles something like a mad-scientist’s lab on any given day.

She’s always working on at least a half dozen projects at the same time but is never without time to answer questions, write up funny extras, or post fun quotes and cover WIPs from her books on Instagram.

Visit www.robinoconnor.ink for more information

Series Review // Decadence After Dark by M. Never

October 03, 2023

Decadence After Dark by M. Never

Today's flashback is the Decadence After Dark series by M. Never. This is a dark erotic romance book so pay attention to the warning! It has intense sexual situations, a Master/slave relationship, mild abuse, and some violence. Reader discretion is advised.

Have you ever read this series? Interested in trying it?


Owned by M. Never

Owned (book #1)


Ellie Stevens has lusted over Kayne Roberts since he first walked into the import/export company she works for a little over a year ago. As Expo’s most important client, Ellie has always kept a safe distance from the man with the majestic blue eyes — until temptation finally gets the better of her. Impulsively, Ellie invites Kayne to one of Expo's infamous company parties her flamboyant boss is notorious for throwing. Unbeknownst to Ellie, the god in the Armani suit isn’t just the suave entrepreneur he portrays himself to be. Underneath the professional exterior is a man with a secret life, dark desires, and nefarious contacts.

In a hidden corner of a trendy New York City lounge, the spark kindling between the two of them ignites. Unable to resist the sinful attraction, Ellie agrees to leave with Kayne, believing she is finally bedding the man of her dreams. Little does she know when she walks out the door, she’s about to be Owned.

My Rating: ★★★★★ ~ This book was exceptionally good. I love when the characters are described in a way in which I can actually picture them. Each scene was detailed enough that I felt like a voyeur. I was a little bit bothered by Ellie's defiance. I guess it confused me because she kept denying that she was submissive but that's exactly how she was described. Nothing about her behaviour prior to or during her interactions with Kayne hinted at a dominant personality. I understand not accepting or wanting the hand that was dealt to her, I just believe she could have fought against it in another way.

I knew it!! I knew Kayne was hiding something. I had a strong inkling that he was an undercover good guy. I appreciate getting his POV because I would fail to realize how wonderful he truly was if his character had to rely solely on how Ellie perceived him. I feel really bad for him in the end. I hope Ellie quickly realizes how unappreciative she has been in the next book.


Anyway, these two love each other so I hope book 2 has more romance.


Claimed by M. Never

Claimed (book #2)


With one look he consumed me.
With one touch he marked me.
With one kiss he owned me.
With one whisper he claimed me.

"No matter where you go or who you're with, you'll always be mine."

Ellie Stevens thought she had moved on from the domineering man who abducted her. Now living in Hawaii and following her dreams, no one is going to keep her down. But things aren't always as they seem.

Kayne Rivers reluctantly let Ellie go, but just because she's gone now, doesn't mean she'll be gone forever. She is his, and he won't stop until he's reclaimed her as his own.

My Rating: ★★★★★ ~ This book was a little bit different from the first one. I personally found it more enjoyable. I'm just glad that Ellie didn't let what happened to her ruin her. We really get to see her strength and fighting spirit in this one. I appreciate the lengths that Kayne was willing to go to in order to protect her. And the fact that he stayed by her side while they both healed from the wounds that life inflicted upon them.

Side note: how great were Jett, London and CJ? A great support system.

Fave quote: “You fill a piece of me I never knew existed, never thought I deserved. You’re the best part of all my sides, all my faces. You’re the glue. Thank you for being everything. My strength, my light, my hope, my warmth.”


Ruined by M. Never

Ruined (book #3)


Kayne Roberts.
Kayne Rivers.
Kayne Stevens.

No matter his name, one fact remains the same. He's the man who enslaved me, ensnared me, claimed me and ruined me... For all other men that is.

My life.
My love.
My happiness.
All belong to him.
I belong to no one but him.

He owns me.
And I own him.

My Rating: ★★★★ ~ Damn. Although this book was short it was extremely HOT!! I'm glad the story of what happened with Kayne's mom was resolved. The ending was sweet and it was wonderful to see Ellie and Kayne living the life they wanted. Kayne absolutely deserved it!

Review // Lor by Lily Mayne

August 21, 2023

Lor by Lily Mayne

He felt like a gift. A treasure.
I wanted to show him off to the entire fiefdom, to show them how lucky we were that out of the many, many people in his world—five billion of them—it had been Jugs who'd stumbled through the void to come here. But at the same time, I wanted to keep him hidden away, safe from the council and any others who wouldn't understand.
Just him and me, in our own new little world that we had forged with pieces of the different places we came from.


Lor by Lily Mayne

Lor by Lily Mayne


Standalone - Monstrous #7
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / instalove / apocalypse
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - absolutely filthy
Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 619 pages

My role as Moric—ruler of a small and prosperous fiefdom in a quiet corner of the world—has always been painfully dull and stifling.

Until a beautiful, otherworldly creature with pink skin and a mane of golden hair falls through a strange void that has appeared in my guestroom.

And I am instantly captivated by him.

I have never seen anything like him. I have no idea where he came from, and what else is through that unsettling void—another world filled with soft-skinned, defenceless creatures like him? No tails, no horns, no claws, no sharp teeth. Tiny clothing, rounded ears, bright blue eyes. He is fascinating. And I want to keep him.

But I have no idea how my citizens and councillors will react to his presence—to the knowledge that a whole other world exists, and there is a portal to it in my guestroom. As much as I try to keep him my secret, the truth starts to slip out.

And those in my fiefdom who cling desperately onto power do their best to tear us apart. To take him from me.

I won’t let them.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

My Rating - ★★★★★


A himbo from Earth falls into a void and lands at the feet of monsters. He's scared, they're scared, and there's a language barrier. It didn't take them long to figure things out and turn an awkward meet-cute into something beautiful. Jugs was an absolute sweetheart and Lor was no slouch.

I really enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the monster world. Learning about all of the monsters, how they interact, the politics that are way too similar to real life, how they live... it gave me all that I thought I could want from this series.

So the monsters we've met and their human mates are in the monster world. I'm so excited to see how all of these people act when they're together.

How is it possible that this series just keeps getting better and better? I'm already in love with the world-buiding, the connections between the characters (both monsters and humans alike), and everything in between. This author captures the bonds these people share so beautifully and I can't get enough!

Here's some fantastic fanart!!


Lor by Lily Mayne

Lor by Lily Mayne

The Author

Lily Mayne writes what she loves to read: achingly sweet yet gritty romances against unusual backdrops—dark, futuristic, dystopian and more.

She enjoys reading and writing (duh), cooking and baking, watching terrible horror movies and many other hobbies that would have potentially made her an ideal Victorian maid. Just a really lazy one.

She currently lives in the UK with her husband and several fluffballs, who like to make a lot of noise while she’s writing.

Find out more at lily-mayne.com

Review // The Wicked In Me by Suzanne Wright

August 03, 2023

The Wicked In Me by Suzanne Wright

It wasn't only his looks that did it for her. She was self-aware enough to know that what really rung her bell was that Cain wore power. Embodied it. It was in the depths of his eyes, the timbre of his voice, every single sensual move he made. And, well, she'd always had a weakness for dangerous men. It would no doubt one day be her downfall.

The Wicked In Me by Suzanne Wright

The Wicked In Me by Suzanne Wright


My Rating - ★★★★


Part of a series - Devil's Cradle #1
Genre / Trope - Paranormal / Instalove
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 397 pages

No one really knows what they are. Only that they're the first civilization. Aeons, they call themselves. They're immortal. Powerful. Secretive.

And they'll come for her.

Witch Wynter Dellavale knows that for certain. Because in unfairly trying to execute her, they started a chain of events they're struggling to stop. Needing safety, she flees to Devil's Cradle, the home of monsters. A place for the outcasts, the fugitives, the crazies. A place ruled by the Ancients, seven beings who were once banished by the Aeons. Among the Ancients is the infamous Cain, brother of Abel and embodiment of jealousy - who, on another note, wants her in his bed.

There's a heavy price for the safety the Ancients offer, but Wynter will have to pay it. She can't take on the Aeons alone. And she has no intention of dying - been there, done that.

Not that she'll be the easy prey the Aeons are expecting. They have no knowledge of the ... thing that lives inside her. You see, when witches are brought back from the afterlife, they don't always come back the same.

And they don't always come back alone.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

As a witch, Wynter could never remember a time when she fit in with her coven. So it came as no surprise when she was pushed out and exiled. On her own, she finds herself with surrounded by people who got her, who also knew what it was to be alone and hunted, creating the family she'd always wanted.

Out of options for survival, the group seeks shelter in Devil's Cradle. When they meet Cain (yes, that Cain), things start looking up. He offers them protection, for a price—a tether to their souls. After that, life is good aside from the Aeons who exiled Wynter constantly sending people to kill and/or capture her.

Fun times!

The Crew: Xavier was a compulsive and convincing liar, skilled at necromancy; Hattie was able to shift, was quite lovable, and had a penchant for killing her husbands; Delilah was a skilled witch with a penchant for karma potions; and Anabel was scared of her own shadow, except when her 'other' side came out.
Wynter: there was so much to learn about this incredibly fierce and loyal character. I still don't know all there is to know and am super excited to learn her secrets.
Cain: once a part of the Aeon group, he and his friends went to war with them and have been punished ever since. His thirst for vengeance is only matched by his obsession with Wynter. I can't wait to find out all there is that makes up this male. I'm very intrigued by him.
The other Ancients: they all offer something unique to the dynamic of this story. Even Ishtar's dramatics kept me entertained. I do hope that everything they wish for, especially their freedom, is given to them.

I'm the fool who read this book, not knowing that it was the first in a trilogy. When can I get the next book in my hands?

The Wicked In Me by Suzanne Wright

The Author

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.

Visit suzannewright.co.uk for more information

Review // The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin by Jennifer Cody

June 23, 2023

The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin by Jennifer Cody

"In me," he demands, and can I just say that dominant bottoms
are totally my thing now?

────── ♔ ──────


The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin by Jennifer Cody

The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin by Jennifer Cody


My Rating - ★★★★★
Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees #2
Release - July 1, 2022
Genre - Paranormal MM Romance / instalove
POV - Single 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 212 pages

Other book(s) in the series: The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer

Romily:
You know what I’d like to know? Where the hell my romantic, how-we-got-engaged story is. Am I going to get it any time soon? Where is my bigass diamond?

Unfortunately, all that relationship angst gets put on hold when my beloved son, Bellamy, is abducted by a werewolf-ish person I kinda like. Am I going to get my kid back? You betcha. The question is, how many people does Fox have to kill first?

The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin is the second book in the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Series. It's a 60k word M/M Paranormal Romance with plenty of sass, gore, and questionable decision-making skills, and now there are tiny tables too.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin by Jennifer Cody

My Two Cents

Could Romily get any more ridiculous? Why yes, yes he could!

My new favorite threesome were getting along quite nicely for the most part. Romily was still waiting for his engagement ring, Fox was still killing those who needed killing, and Bellamy had come to accept that these two men… this strange couple… were now his people.

Then Bellamy gets kidnapped and all hell breaks loose.

There’s a burning man, an assassin who can’t really be killed, the four dads, a messed up council, some intriguing inner workings for the paranormal world these characters are occupying, and a lot of tomfoolery going on.

Once again, I had a blast reading this. This author is a definite must-buy for me from now on. There was a delicate balance between the humor and the awesomeness and not once did it get overly ridiculous or OTT for me. I enjoyed every bit of it and I’m waiting for Romily to get his diamond!!

The Author

Jennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas.
She has three kids and a Beardo she loves.
Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly.
She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances.
Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.

Visit https://www.jennifercodyauthor.com for more information

Review // The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer by Jennifer Cody

June 19, 2023

The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer by Jennifer Cody

Oh, look at my man go. With a couple of on-point hits, the love of my life manages to disarm the taller dude, grab the sword—
Aaand now there's a head joining the arm in my lap.
Gross.

────── ♔ ──────


The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer by Jennifer Cody

The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer by Jennifer Cody


My Rating - ★★★★★
Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees #1
Release - February 9, 2022
Genre - Paranormal MM Romance / instalove
POV - Single 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / one explicit scene near the end, but plenty of filthy talk throughout
Format - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 188 pages

Third time’s the charm, right? At least that’s what I tell myself when I witness the same hot guy commit mass murder three times in a few days. I’m either the luckiest mute boy ever or possibly the unluckiest. Who knows, maybe him kidnapping me will turn into the greatest love story ever told? Hey, it could happen! You never know how these things will turn out. I happen to believe in love and soulmates, and if nothing else, Arlington Fox doesn’t treat my disability like a nuisance. It’s not everyday you find someone who just gets you, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth even if the horse in question is a man so good at killing people that I should probably introspect a bit about why that skews my moral compass and possibly my kinks. But c’mon, competence is sexy, amiright?

The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer is an MM Paranormal Romance with lots of sass, humor, a ridiculous 3000 year age-gap, and an inordinate number of tables.

My Two Cents

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! Romily was a first-class narrator, having me chuckle and giggle when I least expected it, and I’m so grateful to have experienced his voice. This man is hilarious and ridiculous. Over-the-top, sweet, entertaining, and full of heart, I never wanted this story to end!

Romily was a have-not. While I didn’t learn very much about his past, I knew he was homeless. He knew what it was to struggle. And he viewed life just a wee bit differently than the rest of us. When he witnesses a man murdering a bunch of people, he doesn’t run, cower or hide. He becomes enamored. He found the man’s confidence in killing to be a turn-on and bemoaned the fact that they probably wouldn’t meet again. Except they do and the killer is intrigued by the little man-boy who isn’t afraid.

The dynamic between Romily and Fox was amazing. While Romily couldn’t speak (he was mute), these two had so much to say to each other, even without words. When I learned that Romily was mute, I was intensely curious about how the story would work and was pleasantly surprised by how much depth and feeling there was to a man with no voice. Both of these characters were just so incredible and understood each other so well, that I never once felt like something was missing.

With tons of shenanigans and hilarity, this story gave me so much content to love. Knowing that there are more books with these characters, you better believe I’ll be reading them!

NOTE: I also read the companion novella, Fox Recruits a Mute Boy (and Falls in Love), which was a quick peek at Fox's perspective. I loved these two characters even more. Knowing that Fox fell just as hard as Romily at first sight, which I already knew, but reading about it... *chef's kiss*

The Author

Jennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas.
She has three kids and a Beardo she loves.
Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly.
She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances.
Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.

Visit https://www.jennifercodyauthor.com for more information

Review // Lucifer by Ava Martell

February 11, 2023

Lucifer by Ava Martell

The Devil doesn't come dressed in a red cape and horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for.

────── ♔ ──────


Lucifer by Ava Martell


Release - December 24, 2017
Genre - Paranormal Romance
POV - Primarily Dual 1st person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format - ebook
Length - 232 pages
Publisher - Indie

Eons ago, the Devil fell from grace.
Now, he might be falling for her.


Grace Celestin is no stranger to sin. Working in a dive bar on Bourbon Street will expose a girl to a lot of nastiness. But when a disturbing prophecy leaves her with more questions than answers, the only man who can provide them is more than just a little sinful. He’s Lucifer, the Devil himself.

Luckily, the Devil’s in New Orleans—Hell’s on hiatus and the tide of damned souls has dried up, leaving him between jobs. From the moment he bumps into Grace Celestin, however, he thinks he may have found a new one. She’s being hunted, and not even voodoo can keep rogue angels off her trail.

More intriguing still is the fact that Grace isn’t just beautiful—it’s that unlike every other human who’s ever lived, Lucifer can’t read her soul. And if he wants answers, and his throne back, he’s going to have to help her get some answers of her own.

For the first time since he fell, the Devil has been drawn to the light. And Grace, despite all she knows, finds herself tempted by the darkness.

My Two Cents

3 "The Devil's in the Details" stars

Lucifer: a male who finally grew tired of the status quo when a human woman made him feel for the very first time.

Grace: a woman who didn’t know her own worth until she was being hunted by someone intent on killing her. For years she was numb to everything, until Lucifer lit the spark to break her heart wide open.

I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was more in the way of character depth. While I liked what I was given, I knew there was so much more below the surface. And with the way this author writes, I know she could have brought it through.

Very well-written and descriptive with dynamic characters and steamy beginnings.

The Author


I was born on Friday the 13th, but I always believed in making my own luck and writing my own story. I'm a firm believer that love really does conquer all, but sometimes you have to take the long way around to get there.

I love a good gin and tonic to wind me down or wind me up, depending on the occasion.

If you’d like to get in touch, I'm always plugged in! msavamartell@gmail.com

Review // Taken by Cynthia Eden

December 21, 2022

Taken by Cynthia Eden

The two of them together—they had a chance for something special. She wasn't going to let that chance escape.
She'd fight for him. He'd better fight for her.

────── ♔ ──────


Taken by Cynthia Eden

Taken by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #5
Release - November 29, 2016
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 400 pages
Publisher - Avon

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


HE SWORE TO PROTECT HER . . .

Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel. But while her physical scars have healed, she can’t stop wondering about a woman she helped to escape, who simply disappeared. When LOST agent Asher Young is assigned to her case, Bailey instantly feels an attraction to the intense ex-SEAL who seems to be carrying dark secrets of his own.

BUT KEEPING HIS PROMISE . . .

Asher can’t afford to let his growing feelings for Bailey distract him from his job. Only she can soothe his horrific nightmares, but the last thing he wants is for the demons from his past to ever hurt her. Bailey has gotten past his guard, and the emotions he feels for her—they’re as dark and dangerous as the past he doesn’t want to face.

COULD COST BOTH THEIR LIVES

When corpses begin surfacing—all marked with the same tattoo depicting the Death Angel’s calling card—Asher must race to stop a twisted killer who wants nothing more than to claim his next prize: Bailey . . .

My Two Cents

4 "Is it really over?" stars

Bailey had already survived a serial killer's attack. But when she keeps remembering another living victim, she heads to people of LOST for help. What happens when the killer seems to strike again and Bailey is back to being hunted?

Well, lucky for her, she had Asher. He had also survived some shit and was a former Navy SEAL. If there's someone you need to have his back, they don't get better than him. This man was amazing and helped to make this book my favorite of the series. From the moment he met Bailey, he was all in. He hated seeing a woman hurt or in trouble and his protective instincts when it came to her... I loved it. I enjoyed their immediate emotional connection and how understanding and patient he was with her. With both of them having experienced trauma, they just got each other.

The plot was a bit more complicated than I expected and I really liked that I didn't see a lot of it coming. Loved it!

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 // Shattered by Cynthia Eden

December 18, 2022

Shattered by Cynthia Eden

They'd both been through hell. Both battled their own demons, and they both weren't ever going to completely shake their pasts.

────── ♔ ──────


Shattered by Cynthia Eden

Shattered by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #3
Release - October 27, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted


Criminal psychologist Dr. Sarah Jacobs is all too familiar with the kind of bad boys who belong behind bars. But the dark, dangerous man she meets in the New Orleans underworld is a new kind of ruthless, and all too irresistible.

Jax Fontaine doesn't claim to be a good guy, but he's loyal to his own code and brutally honest about what he wants. He and Sarah may be worlds apart, but when they're skin to skin, nothing matters but the heat between them.

And when a deranged killer targets Sarah, Jax will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

My Two Cents

3.5 "When the past comes to haunt you" stars

Sarah knew evil. Her father was a convicted serial killer and she made it her life's mission to get in the heads of killers. So when she discovered bodies dropping, she refused to be afraid. And why would she be? The most dangerous man she'd ever met, Jax, was determined to keep her safe. What happens when the killer they're hunting is also hunting them?

I will admit, Sarah annoyed me for only one reason. She suffered from silliness, thinking that with multiple attempts on her life, that she could take care of herself. And I'm not saying she couldn't. There are women out there who have no choice but to do it on their own. But she wasn't alone. She had a team of people who did this stuff for a living. Why go it alone when you can have support? Stop your nonsense.

I really liked Jax and discovering the bits and pieces of his past. Finding out what made him the way he was made me a bit sad, but it gave his character such depth and I appreciated it. The author did a great job with his character. I even liked how his life had ties to Sarah's, without them even knowing it. Be it fate, destiny or kismet, these two were meant for each other in the most twisted of ways.

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 // Twisted by Cynthia Eden

December 17, 2022

Twisted by Cynthia Eden

Beneath that careful control, he was like her.

────── ♔ ──────


Twisted by Cynthia Eden

Twisted by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #2
Release - April 28, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 389 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken


Dean Bannon comes to New Orleans for one reason only: to track down a missing sixteen-year-old girl. That's before he meets the drop-dead gorgeous con artist who makes him want to lose his legendary control.

With her past, Emma Castille doesn't claim to be psychic. She just notices things other people don't. Like the fear in a runaway's eyes—or the pain in an ex-FBI agent's heart. Her chemistry with Dean is blistering, but Emma follows her passion . . . not someone else's orders.

Then a madman breaks into Emma's home and leaves a twisted message: You're next. Now Dean refuses to let her out of his sight until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. And suddenly Emma's aching to give him everything he wants.

My Two Cents

4 "You're Next" stars

A sixteen year old girl is missing and it's up to the LOST team to find her. The cops aren't concerned until everyone realizes that this isn't a simple case of a runaway—a serial killer is on the loose. For Dean, it's an uncomfortable truth that stems from his past. He was once a victim at the hands of a killer and he's determined to end this killer's spree. For Emma, years ago her help was too late and she wants to help any way she can.

Emma was a bit annoying with her unrealistic expectation of partnership. She couldn't understand why she wasn't given the same courtesy as the members of the LOST team. Could it be that her experience as a 'psychic' reader in the town square didn't quite equal that of an ex-cop, ex-FBI agent, ex-Navy SEAL, a profiler, and a forensic pathologist?

Maybe.

Aside from that, this was a wildly entertaining thriller. Although I guessed quickly at the identity of the killer, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of how everything unfolded. There were twists and turns and some oblivious professionals and I liked it.

There's a spark between Jax and Sarah. Both have dark pasts so I'm sure that will play into their connection and since their story is next, I'm off to go read it.

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!