The Rivals by Dylan Allen // Review

May 30, 2021

The Rivals by Dylan Allen

He listened to me. He thought about what I said and found value in it. I think this man might be a unicorn.


The Rivals by Dylan Allen

The Rivals by Dylan Allen


Rivers Wilde #1-3.4
Release - December 14, 2020
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 1353 pages
Publisher - Gold Coast Girl Publishing

THE LEGACY

Heir to a fortune, Hayes Rivers has been raised to lead.
Just as he finally claims his legacy, he falls in love with a woman who is the opposite of everything he should want.
Family secrets call everything he believes into question - and put him and his new love on opposite sides of a lawsuit.
Can he salvage his family’s name and his new relationship?

THE LEGEND

At the same time a scandal turns his family upside down, Remington Wilde’s first love comes back into his life.
He wants a second chance to get things right,
But can he convince her to trust him again?
And can he forgive her when he finds out the real reason she’s back?

THE JEZEBEL

The last time he saw her, loving Regan Wilde had been an impossible dream for Stone Rivers.
When a chance encounter brings them together again, their complicated past and messy family connections threaten to put her out of his reach again.
This time, Stone won’t stop until he can claim her as his own.

THE GATHERING

After their obstacle defying happily ever afters, our favorite couples are ready to tackle their biggest challenge yet- Getting this family of rivals together for a holiday meal.
Plans are made, invitations are sent, and decorations are hung.
But as the evening approaches, surprise guests and announcements are as plentiful as the good cheer.
Will it take a holiday miracle to make- and keep - this season bright? Or are these rivals destined to remain that way?

Find your copy of The Rivals by Dylan Allen on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wG13sI
You can also read it for FREE with Kindle Unlimited


Dylan Allen... you're a marvel! If you've read from this author, then you agree. And if you haven't yet, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. She writes beautiful words about incredible characters who have a ring of authenticity you just can't find everywhere. Read her books y'all!

The Legacy by Dylan Allen

The Legacy by Dylan Allen


4 stars
Rivers Wilde #1
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5

He's my river. I am drowning in him. And I don't want to be rescued.

Hayes was sexyyyy! Rich, arrogant, with a heart of gold. Confidency was also sexy. She was a warrior for social justice who had a huge chip on her shoulder. They meet and it's lust at first sight. Then hate because of a little misunderstanding. Then straight back into lust again. I guess that's what hanging off a cliff ledge will do to you. Their lust quickly grew into love and it was beautiful...

Until it wasn't...

This was shaping up to be a five star read. But when Confidence had Hayes humbling himself a step too far, I wasn't having it. I'm all for a good grovel when a man has done his woman wrong. But Hayes wasn't completely to blame and Confidence needed to get off of her cross. Can a man get a moment to explain? Especially for thinking and saying stuff before he even knew you? When a man consistently shows and proves his love and devotion, can you maybe throw him a bone and not throw it back in his face? Maybe don't be unnecessarily disrespectful and rude. I get feeling hurt, but if there's love in your heart, which there obviously although she tried to hide it, you should never be so cruel.

Whew! Glad I got that off my chest! Overall, it was a great read.

The Legend by Dylan Allen

The Legend by Dylan Allen


5 stars
Rivers Wilde #2
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4.5 out of 5/several explicit scenes

All legends are lies. Make your own truth.

The Rivers and the Wildes are supposed to be enemies. That's hard to maintain when the two heirs of those kingdoms, Hayes and Remi, are not only best friends, but connected through secrets. And that's just one small piece of this story.

Remi's life was always planned for him and he finally took it upon himself to start making his own decisions. Constantly forced to measure up to the ghost of his father, when his family's secrets are exposed, he's left shattered. The only person who could possibly reach him, heal him, and lead him back to the light was the one person who was always just out of his grasp... Kalilah.

Remi always finds a way to take something terrible and reshape it into something beautiful.

This second chance romance was full of drama, angst and feels. Dylan Allen took me on a roller coaster of emotions. From the wistful optimism for young love, the anger and betrayal of deceit and lies, to the never-ending hope for reconciliation, I was utterly swept away by the journey Remi and Kal were on to be with one another.

I only had one real hangup with this story. Here's the thing... Remi is half-Jamaican and half-Irish. What a coinkidink! I'm also Jamaican and Irish. I'm not in touch with most of my family on the Irish side, but I was raised by a single Jamaican mother. I got her values. I got her culture. I was immersed in it. I know what it is to be a Jamaican. Our food, our words, our every whim is unique. So I know when it isn't exact. And while this book came close, it did have mistakes, which I won't list out because really I'm the only one who cares. Some of the patois was off and for the life of me... I've never heard of curry stew. I've made curry goat, curry chicken, curry cow foot, curry chicken foot, even curry duck, curry meatballs, curry soya, curry about everything... but no curry stew.

The Rivals by Dylan Allen

The Jezebel by Dylan Allen


5 stars
Rivers Wilde #3
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4.5/several explicit scenes

"Just because you're not like everyone else, doesn't mean there's a single thing wrong with you. You're perfectly made." - Regan

I think Regan was the character I was able to identify with most. Similar backgrounds (aside from the wealth, obviously) and the way she deals with her emotions (or doesn't) made it easy for me to draw parallels. So here's what I took away from this book:
☆ She's got 3c hair and I'm between a 3b and 3c. Her hair care was a little off considering, but I enjoyed that little touch
☆ Her first year of college, the whole experience of trying to find and understand her identity... who hasn't gone through that, especially when you're mixed. I too joined both the Jamaican and Irish associations at university
☆ I loved the evolution of her relationship with her mother. All of the lies and secrets have been exposed and all they're left with is the truth. It's humbling and both mother and daughter showed a lot of growth

Regan was an easy woman to love and respect. I admired her loyalty and integrity when it came to those she loved. As a mother, even when she doubted herself, she was incredible. Allen did an amazing job with building this character.

Then there's Stone... this man was flipping awesome! Hot, intelligent, compassionate, passionate, honorable... He was extremely swoon-worthy.

"I water you, you water me. Together, we're going to grow."

And Tina... mama bear... matriarch of the Wilde clan... she blew me away with the levels of her development. Once a cold, hard queen, by the end she was a different woman. I was finally able to see the love and care she had for her children. I was finally able to sympathize with her suffering. She became beautiful to me and her words to her daughter...

"New rule — romanticize yourself. You are the stuff of fairytales, my Reggae Queen, and it's time you started living like it."

Yes mum!

Again, there were some discrepancies that I made note of, such as some of the Jamaican cuisine, culture and patois, of what it is to be mixed race and the challenges one faces, and some of the French (question structure). Again, there was nothing that could detract from how much I was able to enjoy and be entertained by this story.

The Gathering by Dylan Allen

The Gathering by Dylan Allen


4 stars
Rivers Wilde #3.4
Multiple POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5

The highlights: everyone's leaving! Just kidding, but not really.

I loved getting a glimpse into where the Rivers and the Wildes are right now. Everyone's still very much in love and while what was happening between Kal and Remi was a bit annoying (once again she was being selfish and I didn't like that he encouraged it), I still liked seeing where they all were at.

Surprise of all surprises... Tina's got her groove back and I loved it!!

There was even a teaser for what will be Tyson Wilde's story. He hasn't featured in any significant way so far, but if he's anything like the rest of his family, his story is sure to be lovely.

Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author, Dylan Allen writes compelling, dramatic, emotional romances with exceptional, diverse characters you'll root for and never forget.

A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, she loves creating stories where her characters find a love worth fighting for. When she isn’t writing or reading, eating, or cooking, Dylan indulges her wanderlust by planning her next globe-trotting adventure.

Dylan was born in Accra, Ghana (West Africa) but was raised in Houston, Texas. Dylan is a proud graduate of Tufts University, Howard University School of Law and the London School of economics. After twenty years of adventure and wild oat sowing, Dylan, her amazing husband and two incredible children returned to Houston where they now make their home.

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

Bjorn Cursed by N.J. Walters

May 27, 2021

Bjorn Cursed by N.J. Walters

She was magnificent with her long, dark blond hair falling to her waist. She had several smaller braids in front, but the bulk of it was free of confinement. Her eyes were the dark blue of the water on a stormy day. Her lips were full, nose narrow, and cheekbones high. Her chin was tilted up.
His heart stuttered, and he blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing — it was the face that filled his dreams.

Bjorn Cursed by N.J. Walters

Bjorn Cursed by N.J. Walters


Standalone - Forgotten Brotherhood #4
Release - January 16, 2021
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few descriptive scenes
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 270 pages
Publisher - Entangled: Amara

Lucifer is up to his old tricks, causing problems for the Forgotten Brotherhood. This time, he’s had a woman removed from the Norse afterlife and placed her right in the path of Bjorn Knutson. After the slaughter of his wife and family centuries ago, tortured and broken, Bjorn was cursed as the first Norse werewolf. Now he’s been tasked by Odin himself with killing the woman who escaped. Failure is not an option.

Before he can track her, he stumbles across a woman being accosted by three men in the middle of the night. Even though she’s human, he intervenes and is shocked to recognize the face of the one woman he could never kill — his wife Anja.

She’s also the one he’s hunting…and if he doesn’t kill her then both their lives are at stake.

Find your copy of Bjorn Cursed on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fJo6Mt


After learning a bit about Bjorn's past through the crumbs left in the last book, I needed to know the whole story about this gorgeous Viking. Knowing that over a thousand years ago he had tragically lost his wife and children... leaving him broken, miserable and alone... how did he make it through?

As Odin's creation, when called upon, Bjorn must answer and obey. So when he's told that a soul has escaped the afterlife and returned to Earth, that he's being tasked with finding and killing her, he thinks nothing of it. However, when he finally comes face-to-face with his target... he sees the face of his beloved wife. He quickly realizes that he's willing to defy the gods to keep her safe.

This story was exactly what I needed. Bjorn got the best kind of ending, one I couldn't even imagine. Without giving anything away, he got his answers, he and Anja were reunited, the gods and Lucifer were as ridiculous as ever, and The Forgotten Brotherhood have never been stronger. They're even two members richer! I love this team so much and I'm hoping that this isn't the last that I'll see of them.

I need books for Sven and Death! Seriously, doesn't Death give you goosebumps in the best of ways? And Sven... he has to learn to live again. He has to find a way to make real connections, especially with his parents. Maybe he'll officially join The Brotherhood. Find love. I'm not asking for too much. I sense a beautiful story there.

Find my reviews of the previous books here:


“Bjorn—”

“Can we discuss this later? We have company.”

He’d always had a sixth sense about such things. It was one of the reasons he’d been such a fierce warrior. “Where?”

“Two behind and at least one ahead.” Bjorn jerked his head to the left. “Across the street.”

She didn’t need him to point out which man he meant. Over six feet tall, he wore jeans, boots, and a leather jacket. He looked similar to the ones who’d accosted them earlier. “Do they all look alike?” she muttered. “Is it a requirement or something?”

Bjorn’s fingers tightened around hers, but he was smiling, his lips tilted up slightly, his eyes filled with laughter. He hadn’t forgotten for one second they were being stalked and hunted, but he’d always been good at living in the moment. It’s how they’d been raised, as much a part of them as their physical appearance.

Laugh when you could, cry when you needed, revel in the joys of life, fight for honor and glory, and die well.

“What can I do?” She would fight alongside her man, no matter what they faced.

“Stay close. When I tell you to run, you run.”

“Where are we going?” It bothered her that she had no idea where they were or where they were headed.

“My truck isn’t much farther. About four blocks up the road. When we get there, turn right. It’s the black one.” He rattled off some letters and numbers. “Crap, can you even read them?”

“Yes. I have some knowledge of this world. Not everything, but I understand much, including how to read the language.”

“Good. The truck will have a piece of metal on the back with those on it. Here are the keys.” He reached into his pocket and pulled them out. “Hit this button when you’re close.” He showed her which one. “That will unlock the doors. Get in, hit this other button, and wait for me. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Got it.” She gripped the keys and had her thumb near the button he’d showed her. Her heart was racing as they kept a fast steady gait. She wanted to run, but that was the wrong thing to do. Any animal would take that as a challenge, see her as prey and sprint after her. And these men were essentially animals in human flesh.

Werewolves? They were the stuff of myth and legend but, like the gods, were real. Their kind never came to Freya’s Hall. Odin was rumoured to have all sorts of beasts in Valhalla, but she’d never seen proof, as she’d been unable to leave. That had been part of her pledge to the goddess, which is what made her being here all the worse.

Her vow had been broken.

“Another one just ahead.”

“Should we detour?” She pulled her attention back to the present situation. Her immediate goal—protect her husband.

“That’s what they want. They’re trying to herd us down that street, which means there are likely more of them. We go straight. They’ll do nothing until we make the turn onto the quieter street. As soon as we do, you run. I’ll hold them off and be right behind you.”

“I won’t leave you.”

“I know.” He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. It was over far too soon. She licked her lips, wanting to savor his taste. It was familiar yet strangely new. Maybe because of all the years they’d missed. They were both different people than they’d been when they’d wed and started a family, shaped by their experiences. But one thing hadn’t changed. He was still a hunger in her blood.

He groaned. “Stop looking at me like that, woman. Now is not the time.”

She knew he was trying to lighten her spirits. Tension radiated from his big frame. He squeezed her hand. “Get ready, Anja. It’s just there on your right.” He kept his voice low. “As soon as we reach the corner, run hard and fast, and don’t look back.”

Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.

One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel and life would never be the same. N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

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

The Prince's Bride: Beginning Forever by J.J. McAvoy

May 26, 2021

The Prince's Bride: Beginning Forever by J.J. McAvoy

When I looked down, I saw the rings on both hands. The ring... the seal of the king on my pinky and the wedding band on the other. I never thought I'd have either.
Yet here I was.
I never thought I'd be in love, either.
And yet, here I was.


The Prince's Bride: Beginning Forever by J.J. McAvoy

The Prince's Bride: Beginning Forever by J.J. McAvoy


The Prince's Bride #3
Release - February 12, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance (royal, interracial)
Multiple POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5
Format - Kindle purchase
Length - 533 pages
Publisher - Indie

With the fairytale wedding now over and the reality of their new roles placed on their shoulders, can Gale and Odette survive the sea of politics, family secrets, and scandal that awaits them? Can they still be true to themselves and their hearts?

The whole country...even the world is watching and not everyone is happy for them.

Check out my reviews of BOOK ONE and BOOK TWO

Find your copy of The Prince's Bride: Beginning Forever on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wxKHSJ


I didn't think it was possible to fall more in love with this couple, but I did. Gah, their story is incredibly beautiful!

They're married. As king and queen, they are an unstoppable force. No matter what is thrown at them, they seem to come out stronger. Bad politics, death, family drama, not even bullets can stop them. Their love, their beauty, and their grace made their story such a joy to read.

I even loved getting inside the heads of the secondary characters: Wolfgang and his endless optimism; Iskander and his stoicism even in the face of hilarity; and Wilhelmina was too funny for words! I still want to know what ended up happening to Augusta. That girl did a disgusting 180 and her karma should be harsh!

I leaned over, taking the ties off his eyes. He blinked as he looked around the retro van I had customized. He glanced at the array of all his favorite treats beside him, then the pictures of us and love notes I'd glued to the ceiling among the twinkling lights. Then back toward the front of the car, where a large screen was before us. Slowly a smile spread across his face. "A drive-in movie?"
"My informant told me you've always wanted to do one of these. I've picked all the classic movie food: Twizzlers, popcorn, a few of your favorite, and..." I got up slightly and moved to the back to pull out a small crockpot, lifting the lid for him to see. His eyes lit up.
"Cherumoran Kosowens?" He grinned.
"It's super hard to make well, but I waited until I had perfected it and got a seal of approval."
He looked up at me, surprised. "You made this?"
"All the food tonight, besides the candy, was made by yours truly," I said. He stared at everything all over again. "Do you like it? I didn't wnat to make it too girlie —"
"This is amazing." He reached up and touched one of the notes I'd written. "Wow. I'm very touched right now."
Thank God.
"Dear Gale —"
"Don't read it out loud!" I gasped, and he glanced down at me.
"Why?"
"Because it's... it's embarrassing?"
His eyebrow rose. "Your love is embarrassing?"
"I only want to do one super embarrassing thing right now."
"And that is?"
I made a face before I grabbed the guitar.
"You wrote me a love song?" He gasped, grinning wide.
"Stop looking at me like that! You are going to make me mess up." I bit my lip while sitting in place before him. "I tried doing the whole love letters thing. I didn't feel like they were as good as yours, so I decided to switch back to what I'm good at — music."
"Now I'm very excited," he mused, leaning back on the pillow to watch.
I rolled my eyes and focused on my fingers. "I'm not as good with this as the piano —"
"Encore!" he called out, pumping his fist in the air.
"I haven't even played yet!"
"Doesn't matter. I'm in love and I'm going to want more," he said.
Oh God... focus.
Trying to ignore him, I began to play, singing the first verse, "Before I met you I never knew, how bright the stars shine at night, I never knew how sunshine made every morning all right, how beautiful the world is when I wake up, and you are the very first thing in my sight..."
The thing about music for me was that once I got started... once I was into it... everything faded away and I could just melt into it. The song, the sound of the music... it felt like swimming in the current of memories... and all the memories of this song was of him. From the first time, I saw him, to us laughing together, teasing each other. It hadn't even been two whole years, and yet everything felt like... magic.
"Loving you is like magic, Gale —" Before I could finish the words, his lips were on mine, his hand cupping my face.
When we separated, he rested his forehead on mine, his eyes glazed over with lust. "I don't think I can handle much more right now... I want you too badly. Can I have you?"
"You already do," I replied, kissing him again.

In her words:

So I’m a writer (duh that’s how you found me), movie enthusiast, and self-proclaimed chef. I love music even though I can’t sing or dance to save my life. (That doesn’t necessarily stop me but you’ve been warned.)

I started Ruthless People the summer of 2013 in hopes of giving myself a new type of love and crime drama. I never knew so many people thought like me! I feel truly blessed to have fans like you all! Writing is my true love and having you all enjoy my words is a dream come true.

For more information, visit the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjjmcavoy
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jjmcavoy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JJMcAvoy

The Prince's Bride Part 2 by J.J. McAvoy

May 25, 2021

The Prince's Bride by J.J. McAvoy

"I will not let you burn to keep me warm, but I will burn everything else so you can stay." - Gale


The Prince's Bride by J.J. McAvoy

The Prince's Bride Part 2 by J.J. McAvoy


The Prince's Bride #2
Release - November 27, 2020
Genre - Contemporary Romance (royal, interracial)
Multiple POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 348 pages
Publisher - Indie

In book one, he was just a spoiled playboy prince whose family was in desperate need of money. Now everything has changed Odette Wyntor has a choice.

Stay or Run.

Royalty is not for the weak of heart.

Can they handle what is to come?

Find your own copy of The Prince's Bride Part 2 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fkFOXH
It's FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited!


After getting that cliffhanger in the first book, I couldn't wait to get part two in my hands. Now here I am at the end of this book and I. Am. SWOONING!!

Gale and Odette gave me everything I thought I needed and so much more...
👑 connection - even though, in the beginning, they were apart and Odette had doubts about where they stood, once they were in the same room, their spark was back! It was magical. They fell together as if no time had passed. Their love was so beautiful.
👑 drama - why was every bit of their angst and contention either adorable or hilarious?
👑 ease - weird right? They were navigating the monarchy, trying to find a way to be themselves and stay united, and there was such an easiness between them. It translated in a way that made me truly believe in their forever.
👑 authenticity - in ways that were so simple. It was so easy to relate to Odette's hair care regimen. Yup, I too wear a tie-head to bed!

While there was a bit of mayhem mixed in with their magic, I had no worries when it came to Gale and Odette. I fell in love with them. I fell in love with their story. And I know I'm going to fall in love with whatever comes next for them. I've already got their extended story downloaded and I can't wait to read it!!

In her words:

So I’m a writer (duh that’s how you found me), movie enthusiast, and self-proclaimed chef. I love music even though I can’t sing or dance to save my life. (That doesn’t necessarily stop me but you’ve been warned.)

I started Ruthless People the summer of 2013 in hopes of giving myself a new type of love and crime drama. I never knew so many people thought like me! I feel truly blessed to have fans like you all! Writing is my true love and having you all enjoy my words is a dream come true.

For more information, visit the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjjmcavoy
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jjmcavoy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JJMcAvoy