Content Advisory
This book contains off the page but referenced miscarriage, threat of sexual assault, reference to child abuse, dementia, murder, explosions, house fire, along with common tropes found in the Romantic Thriller/Romantic Suspense genre, including violence, sex, and strong language. If you are sensitive or easily triggered, please take that into consideration and read responsibly.
Find more information HERE
Cold Spite by Toni Anderson
Rating -
Book 5 of Cold Justice: Most Wanted
Release - October 14, 2024
Genre - Romantic Thriller / second chance
POV - multiple 3rd person
Heat - vaguely descriptive
Source - eARC provided by the author (THANKS GIVEMEBOOKS)
Length - 446 pages
When FBI Agent Delilah Quinn survives an attempt on her life, she pretends to be dead in order to outwit her attacker. There is only one person she can turn to for help—a man she never wanted to see again…a man who abandoned her five years ago and left her heartbroken. A man definitely on the killer’s hit list.
FBI Hostage Rescue Operator Cas Demarco lives with the burning regret of choosing to join HRT and leaving Delilah behind. News of her death devastates him. Then she calls him out of the blue and he can’t help but seize this one last chance to make things right.
With both Delilah and Cas targeted for death, a task force is set up to catch their would-be killer, who they believe is a disgraced former Navy SEAL they helped convict of drug trafficking. Out of prison and on a ruthless quest for retribution, the former SEAL is eliminating everyone who wronged him—without leaving a shred of evidence behind.
Can Delilah and Cas prove who’s responsible for the attempts on their lives and have a second chance at a future together? Or will the rogue ex-SEAL double-down on his promise to destroy them both?
FBI Hostage Rescue Operator Cas Demarco lives with the burning regret of choosing to join HRT and leaving Delilah behind. News of her death devastates him. Then she calls him out of the blue and he can’t help but seize this one last chance to make things right.
With both Delilah and Cas targeted for death, a task force is set up to catch their would-be killer, who they believe is a disgraced former Navy SEAL they helped convict of drug trafficking. Out of prison and on a ruthless quest for retribution, the former SEAL is eliminating everyone who wronged him—without leaving a shred of evidence behind.
Can Delilah and Cas prove who’s responsible for the attempts on their lives and have a second chance at a future together? Or will the rogue ex-SEAL double-down on his promise to destroy them both?
Five years ago, Cas and Delilah worked an op together and fell in love. The future was theirs until Cas sabotaged everything.
Both were left devastated.
Both were unable to move on.
Fast forward to the present, they're both in danger and there's no one else they'd rather have at their side. Cas has regretted the pain he caused Lilah and she's not sure she can ever forgive him. But a little mayhem and a lot of murder have a way of bringing stubborn people together and I loved how the author gave me that.
These characters had to confront a ton of pain, but they eventually got through it and seemed to be better for it.
There were times that I had to remind myself this wasn't just a love story, despite the many scary events that occurred to and around this couple. They took center stage and the author nailed their second chance together for me.
Toni Anderson writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She's been a finalist in both the Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America. More than two million copies of her books have been downloaded.
Best known for her "COLD" books perhaps it's not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean, but is lucky enough to travel for research purposes. In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center. She hopes not to get arrested for her Google searches.
Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing four books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!
Tristitia by Colette Rhodes
Paranormal Romance; one night stand; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 128 pages
A monster x monster novella set in the Shades of Sin universe.
It is best read as 3.5 in the series, after Gula.
Suitable for readers age 18+
Rating -
How sweet was Calix?
From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.
So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.
Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.
What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?
Loved this book!
How sweet was Calix?
From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.
So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.
Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.
What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?
Loved this book!
A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne
Paranormal Monster Romance; forbidden; dual 3rd person pov; filthy heat; 501 pages
All Mayumi ever wanted was to hunt Demons.
After being discharged from the Demonslayer guild, Mayumi chose to isolate herself within the forest. The best place to hunt and kill Demons. But, one night, she’s surprised when a different monster is lured by her baits.
Just before she unleashes an arrow that’s aimed to kill, Mayumi pauses. She realises she’s seen that skulled, feline face before and that it had once saved her life.
All Faunus ever wanted was her.
After the Demon King cracked his skull, Faunus returns to watch over the only human he has ever cared for. He knows what his future holds, she would never become his bride, but he wants to spend what remains of his life protecting her.
He never expected that she would ever befriend him, or that she would openly desire him. She’s as fiery as her burning passion, and he’s desperate to let her consume him.
But his time in this world grows short, and Faunus doesn’t know how he can be with Mayumi when he knows nothing will save him.
Rating -
I would give anything to be closer to you, Mayumi. - Faunus
This had to be the most angsty story of the series. At least it was for me because there were a couple of times I swear I was on the verge of tears.
Faunus was by far the most emotional Duskwalker of the bunch. His well of humanity seemed to be depthless, especially when it came to Mayumi. His heart beat for her. His very essence held onto this side of the veil simply to protect and be near her.
And wasn't it awesome how easily she welcomed him to her side?
"I've never lost someone who made me feel so whole. How am I supposed to find my place in a world I know for certain you're not in?... How am I to find someone who felt like they were the other half of me when I know it was you... in all your big, fluffy glory? I hate you so much for doing this to me... And I love you so damn much that it feels like my heart is burning." - Mayumi
There was plenty of absolutely naughty scenes to be had, but it was the growth of their relationship that I concentrated on. It was easy to see how much they cared for each other, even though they were more the "show and not tell" kind of people. And they showed... a lot.
I loved getting to see some familiar faces and also a new one. It gave me a bit more knowledge of demons and elves and hints at more. I'm hoping to find out everything and have every questioned answered by the end of this series.
I would give anything to be closer to you, Mayumi. - Faunus
This had to be the most angsty story of the series. At least it was for me because there were a couple of times I swear I was on the verge of tears.
Faunus was by far the most emotional Duskwalker of the bunch. His well of humanity seemed to be depthless, especially when it came to Mayumi. His heart beat for her. His very essence held onto this side of the veil simply to protect and be near her.
And wasn't it awesome how easily she welcomed him to her side?
"I've never lost someone who made me feel so whole. How am I supposed to find my place in a world I know for certain you're not in?... How am I to find someone who felt like they were the other half of me when I know it was you... in all your big, fluffy glory? I hate you so much for doing this to me... And I love you so damn much that it feels like my heart is burning." - Mayumi
There was plenty of absolutely naughty scenes to be had, but it was the growth of their relationship that I concentrated on. It was easy to see how much they cared for each other, even though they were more the "show and not tell" kind of people. And they showed... a lot.
I loved getting to see some familiar faces and also a new one. It gave me a bit more knowledge of demons and elves and hints at more. I'm hoping to find out everything and have every questioned answered by the end of this series.
Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross
Paranormal Romance; fated mates; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 368 pages
Clara Savoie is so confused. She is absolutely positive that Henry Blackwater is practically in love with her. But for some strange reason, he won’t even ask her on a single date. Time to take matters into her own hands.
When Clara shows up on his doorstep with an unusual invitation, tempting cupcakes, and naughty innuendo, Henry has no choice but to say yes. Now he’s the newest member of the High Tea Romance Book Club. While Clara learns the haunting secrets of her broody grim, Henry shows her what commitment from a necromancer truly means.
But when his father is arrested for murder, Henry is dragged back into the nightmare he’s been avoiding all his life. When he steps back into his father’s world, he isn’t just endangering himself but also the bright, beautiful woman he can no longer live without. But he just might have to.
Rating -
The last book of the Stay a Spell series might just be my absolute favorite!
Clara and Henry have been dancing around each other for ages. We all knew that they were into each other, they knew they liked the other, but they never acted on their feelings. That is until Clara can't take it anymore and decides to make the first move.
She brings him closer by sharing their love of romance books, but that is just her first step. She's got a course of seduction set up that Henry has no clue he's been enrolled in. These characters were so oohey gooey and sweet and sexy and I loved them to pieces. Clara with her innate goodness and belief in the greatness of others. Henry with his damage and yet hopeful outlook on life. Their future together was all but guaranteed and I loved witnessing it.
Once again, there were some suspenseful bits and they just about broke my heart, but they also gave Henry a chance to shine, to finally embrace his power, and to heal after his trauma (read the book to learn more). I'm so happy with the endings everyone got and I only wish I could stay longer with these characters I've fallen in love with. I can only imagine the mischief the Savoie sisters and their mates could get up to.
The last book of the Stay a Spell series might just be my absolute favorite!
Clara and Henry have been dancing around each other for ages. We all knew that they were into each other, they knew they liked the other, but they never acted on their feelings. That is until Clara can't take it anymore and decides to make the first move.
As I watched her now, I wondered, not for the first time, if she was in fact my hope and my guide. Because wherever she went, I helplessly followed.
She brings him closer by sharing their love of romance books, but that is just her first step. She's got a course of seduction set up that Henry has no clue he's been enrolled in. These characters were so oohey gooey and sweet and sexy and I loved them to pieces. Clara with her innate goodness and belief in the greatness of others. Henry with his damage and yet hopeful outlook on life. Their future together was all but guaranteed and I loved witnessing it.
Clara. My beautiful Clara. The gold that was mending all of my imperfect, broken pieces.
Once again, there were some suspenseful bits and they just about broke my heart, but they also gave Henry a chance to shine, to finally embrace his power, and to heal after his trauma (read the book to learn more). I'm so happy with the endings everyone got and I only wish I could stay longer with these characters I've fallen in love with. I can only imagine the mischief the Savoie sisters and their mates could get up to.
Rent Free by Lani Lynn Vale
Rating -
1/2Book 5 of Carter Brothers
Release - September 10, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit
Source - eARC provided by GIVE ME BOOKS PR
Length - 259 pages
Fuck me for choosing the wrong sister.
Atlas Carter was a protector. He was a police officer, had spent years in the Air Force, spent his entire teen years as a volunteer firefighter.
Being a protector was in his blood.
It was his dream.
So when a woman was in a dangerous situation, it was his every instinct to protect her. To shield her. To watch over her.
Only, that woman had played him.
She’d set him up.
She’d made sure that he only saw her.
Then, when the real woman who should hold his heart, the sister, comes into his life, he doesn’t see past the hatred of her to know that she’s only trying to protect him in return.
He spends the next year terrorizing the woman who’s supposed to be his. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly once again, she’s no longer there waiting for him.
Atlas Carter was a protector. He was a police officer, had spent years in the Air Force, spent his entire teen years as a volunteer firefighter.
Being a protector was in his blood.
It was his dream.
So when a woman was in a dangerous situation, it was his every instinct to protect her. To shield her. To watch over her.
Only, that woman had played him.
She’d set him up.
She’d made sure that he only saw her.
Then, when the real woman who should hold his heart, the sister, comes into his life, he doesn’t see past the hatred of her to know that she’s only trying to protect him in return.
He spends the next year terrorizing the woman who’s supposed to be his. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly once again, she’s no longer there waiting for him.
Previous books in the series:
No Cap * I Can't Even * Thirst Trap * Clap Back
No Cap * I Can't Even * Thirst Trap * Clap Back
Pepper was misunderstood and Atlas was an oblivious fool. He remains that way for much of this story, but there was no denying the chemistry between these characters. And when he finally woke up, he dove right in and I became his number one cheerleader!
I loved Pepper immediately and wanted her to only have great things. She had to put up with a lot and I kept thinking there were better ways to live, but my solutions wouldn't have helped this story and I get that. How her sister became a police officer, I'll never know, but it made me laugh uncontrollably.
Seriously? Did the police department not have a competent psych eval? Were the people of their community not discerning or skeptical?
I enjoyed this story so much, even the drama-filled bits that made me chuckle. The feelings were what mattered most and there was no doubt that Atlas and Pepper had those in abundance.
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.
I'm back with a series of books that I read a long time ago (2016), but I remember enjoying them.
The Taking the Fall series is an dual pov erotic romance featuring a woman who can't remember and the mafia man who is desperate to claim her.
Hopefully my reviews inspire someone to give this series a chance.
Book One
Layla O’Leary has had enough. For years she has been haunted by the night she can’t remember. When she learns the only man she's ever loved has betrayed her, she escapes and crafts a new identity. She's finally free...
Carter has waited eight years to claim his woman. Locking him up only fueled his obsession. The day he gets out he's coming for her. Taking the Fall was just the start. Now he'll stop at nothing to possess what's his.
Warning: this book contains a hero who grunts and growls his way through life, a heroine nicknamed Cherry looking to lose it, and instalove so fast and hard your panties might disintegrate. Note: Not responsible for exploding panties.
Rating -
Why oh why did no one tell me how freaking fantastic Alexa Riley are?! I feel like I'm so late to the game!! They are bloody phenomenal!! Although the storyline is a bit OTT and unrealistic, it's crazy good. Throw in their brand of amazingly appealing smut and you've got yourself another winner. I'm completely absorbed with Carter and Layla. Shoot, I'm even rooting for Jeannette and Saint (Michael). I really want to know what happened on the night that Layla can't remember. And Carter... Damn he's my kind of hero I'm sure!
Why oh why did no one tell me how freaking fantastic Alexa Riley are?! I feel like I'm so late to the game!! They are bloody phenomenal!! Although the storyline is a bit OTT and unrealistic, it's crazy good. Throw in their brand of amazingly appealing smut and you've got yourself another winner. I'm completely absorbed with Carter and Layla. Shoot, I'm even rooting for Jeannette and Saint (Michael). I really want to know what happened on the night that Layla can't remember. And Carter... Damn he's my kind of hero I'm sure!
Book Two
Carter has finally claimed his woman and he's never letting her go... Having her has only seemed to fuel his obsession.
Old demons are coming for Cherry and he’s doing everything in his power to protect her. Can he keep her safe while looking over his shoulder? Will her new secret send him over the edge? Can they find peace in chaos?
Maybe the very thing that started it all could give him more than he could have ever dreamed of.
Warning: Volume 2 contains more sexy hotness, sweet gooey love, and an alpha male who would do anything for his Cherry.
Rating -
I'm not even sure how to further convince people about how great this team of writers is. I thank them for providing me with an awesome and entertaining escape from the everyday. Yes, there's a plot and it's exciting but it's not in-depth. If you're looking for a meaty story, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a story with an interesting plot and amazing... amazing... Amazing sex!!!!! Read the f*ck on!! Orgasms out the yingyang people!! Gushes and spurts and splashes oh my!!
I'm not even sure how to further convince people about how great this team of writers is. I thank them for providing me with an awesome and entertaining escape from the everyday. Yes, there's a plot and it's exciting but it's not in-depth. If you're looking for a meaty story, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a story with an interesting plot and amazing... amazing... Amazing sex!!!!! Read the f*ck on!! Orgasms out the yingyang people!! Gushes and spurts and splashes oh my!!
Book Three
Carter has spent years protecting her from this man, but now Layla has fallen right into his hands. With his world crashing down around him, Carter won't stop until he gets the vengeance he deserves. But will he succeed in saving the only person he has ever loved?
Warning: Vol. 3 contains triple the steam, triple the love, and triple the cheese. Not responsible for Kindles covered in Velveeta.
Rating -
4 gush-for-you stars!! These damn books have me sweating lol!! I wish I could post some quotes to give people an idea of what they're in for, but it would be too dirty for GR. It is safe to say that this is another book of smut-worthiness. Oooh Carter is freaking hot. His dirty talk, his descriptions... Not gonna say more. It was great as usual!
4 gush-for-you stars!! These damn books have me sweating lol!! I wish I could post some quotes to give people an idea of what they're in for, but it would be too dirty for GR. It is safe to say that this is another book of smut-worthiness. Oooh Carter is freaking hot. His dirty talk, his descriptions... Not gonna say more. It was great as usual!
Falling In
They met by chance. Or so she thought...
Losing her wasn't something he was willing to do. Sometimes life takes you to the edge, but Jeanette had a Saint to catch her.
This is the short story of how they met, how they fell in love, and how much Saint loves going down on her.
Rating -
I thought Jeannette's story would be more complicated than it actually was. Go figure. I wonder what history she was talking about that prepared her to act knowledgeable with guns and cover stories? Ah well. This was okay for me. There's a lot of sex (as per usual), a murder, a wedding, a birth, a lot of sex, and then some generational stuff thrown in to prepare us for the next book. Did I mention hot sex?! Lmao!!
I thought Jeannette's story would be more complicated than it actually was. Go figure. I wonder what history she was talking about that prepared her to act knowledgeable with guns and cover stories? Ah well. This was okay for me. There's a lot of sex (as per usual), a murder, a wedding, a birth, a lot of sex, and then some generational stuff thrown in to prepare us for the next book. Did I mention hot sex?! Lmao!!
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