Category Archives: Donna’s Reviews

Review: ORDER OF PROTECTION (A Courting Justice Novel) by Lexi Blake

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ORDER OF PROTECTION (A Courting Justice Novel, Book 1) by Lexi Blake

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

ADFF5BEA-97BC-4A54-B0A9-7589334D6B1EA sexy and suspenseful new contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake where love and law entwine for a conviction of the heart.

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes–born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win’s entire life is upended, she must look to the people she’s closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

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Donna 4 stars

I love that this mystery kept evolving each time I thought I had it figured out. I didn’t warm up to Henry though, he was a little too emotionally needy for me. I liked Win from the start. She was a smart and caring person surrounded by callous people, yet she managed to stay true to herself and pull Henry out of his nonsense. I’m glad that the story wasn’t filled with courtroom stuff, but rather the gathering of information and clues while dodging the killers. It was a nicely told mystery filled with smoking hot romance. I can’t wait for the next book.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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About the Author

imageNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

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Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: THE ONE YOU CAN’T FORGET by Roni Loren

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THE ONE YOU CAN’T FORGET (The Ones Who Got Away Series, Book 2) by Roni Loren

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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FCA975B5-87DD-4418-86B3-E435F3D853DEMost days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter…

The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn’t deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she’s thrown herself into her work. She can’t dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca—the attorney who helped his ex ruin him—his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca’s secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other

She laughed and kissed him. This morning she’d melted down. But somehow this man had her laughing and turned on only a few hours later. Everything inside her felt buoyed.

She felt…light.

She’d forgotten what that felt like.

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Donna review 4.5 stars

This lovely contemporary romance is filled with flirty banter and lots of smiles. Granted Rebecca and Wes have a few skeletons in their closets, so they both resisted the blooming relationship. Thankfully, they didn’t wait until the end of the story to end that. I enjoyed watching their planned futures change and morph in to something that fulfilled their lives, making them whole and open to love. It made me smile.

*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

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Fifteen minutes. That was how long it took for Marco and Kincaid to abandon Rebecca and Wes in the kitchen under the auspices of Let me show you the view from Marco and Does this building have original details? from Kincaid.
Kincaid had motioned at Rebecca as she slipped out of the kitchen, some invented sign language that probably meant Talk it out with the hot chef but looked more like a drunken game of naughty charades.
Rebecca had promptly flipped her off.
But now here she was. Alone with Wes again.
Wes stood behind the large island, black bandanna keeping his hair back, gray T-shirt putting all that colorful arm ink on display, and forearms flexing as he sliced and diced an onion with practiced precision. If not for the simmering annoyance, it would’ve been a nice show to watch from her spot sitting on a stool on the other side of the counter. But he hadn’t said a word to her since they’d gotten into the condo. Just chop, chop, chop and irritated grunts.
“Do you need any help?” she asked for lack of anything else to say.
“Can you help me murder my brother?”
“I was thinking we could get rid of them both in one go. How far is the drop from the balcony?” Rebecca tapped her chin. “We could make it look like an accident. I know someone who could defend us.”
Wes smirked.
The little break in the wall helped her relax some. “Why’d you give in anyway? I was about to get us out of it. I had a whole argument prepared. There were bullet points. Closing statements. We could’ve saved ourselves this lovely moment.”
He frowned and dumped the onions into one of the prep bowls. “Yeah, but you didn’t see the look on my brother’s face.” He pushed a basket of strawberries and a paring knife toward her. “Can lawyers hull strawberries?”
“Sure.” She took the berries and stole one of his empty prep bowls. “So what kind of look was that?”
“The Don’t ruin this for me look. The Remember all the times I’ve helped you out look. That look.”
“That’s a lot for a look to say.”
“Yeah, well, it wasn’t hard to get the point. He’s always working and doesn’t get to go out and meet women. He likes your friend, and she seems to like him for whatever reason”—he shrugged and grabbed a bell pepper from the stack of vegetables—“so I’m hanging out with my ex-wife’s lawyer and taking one for the team.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. I’m just having a high school flashback.” Thankfully not the kind she’d had Friday night, but one that was unpleasant enough in its own right.
“How’s that?”
She concentrated on cutting the stem off a strawberry. “I had a friend whose parents would only let her go on group dates. So I always got dragged out with her and had to be the date of her boyfriend’s best friend, who pretty much reminded me every ten minutes that he was there as a favor and was taking one for the team by hanging out with me. It was super awesome for my fifteen-year-old ego.”
“Ouch. What an idiot.”
“Yeah, I should’ve just told her to leave me out of it and sneak out like everyone else.”
“No, I meant him. What a douche.”
“Oh. Yeah. He was.” But even as she said it, she felt a pang of guilt in her gut. Craig hadn’t made it through prom night. So douche or not, she felt guilty talking bad about the dead. “We were just in a doomed-to-fail setup. Popular jock and high-strung goody-goody were not a wise combination. Two different planets and all that. He probably thought I was an insufferable Miss Priss.”
His lip curled. “Were you?”
She lifted her hand and held her index finger and thumb an inch apart. “Maybe a little. I wasn’t…not. When they brought weed to date night, I couldn’t just say no and let them do their thing. I gave everyone a lecture about how long it stays in your system and how having something on your record could ruin your college chances.”
He cringed. “Ahh, you were that girl. We had one of those at my school, too.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “Laney Becker. And she thought I was a douche.”
“Were you?”
He lifted his fingers, repeating her motion back to her but widening the gap further.
“Nice.”
“I probably would’ve done better if I’d been friends with someone like her. I could’ve used a girl telling me not to blow off class and get high. Or doing a lot of other things I shouldn’t have been doing back then.” He tossed more chopped veggies into a bowl. “And I’m sorry about the ‘taking one for the team’ comment. I didn’t mean it that way. This is just…a screwed-up situation. I’m willing to call a temporary let’s-forget-we-have-history truce for today.”
“I’m on board with that.”
“Good.” He frowned down at her chopped berries. “Hold up. That’s not how to hull.”
She looked down at the berry in her hand. She’d cut off the top. The stem was gone. She didn’t see any problem. “What’s wrong?”
He set down his knife and stepped around the island. “You’re wasting a big part of the berry that way. Here.” He held out his hand for the paring knife, and she handed it over. He shifted until he was right next to her and held the fruit in front of her. “The woody part is just under the leaves. That’s what you’re after.”
He poked the tip of the knife right beneath the leaves and then made a circle around the stem. He popped out the stem and only a little piece of the berry, leaving much more of the fruit intact.
“See.” He held the strawberry in his palm, the sweet scent of the ripe fruit wafting up to her. “Lots more berry, and you also don’t lose the shape of the fruit that way.”
“Oh.” She tried to focus on what he was showing her and not on the fact that he was so close and she could feel his body heat against her arm. Her hormones apparently had no qualms about this man. They remembered what his lips tasted like and were ready to ignore everything she knew about him. Stupid, misguided hormones.

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Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

3 Copies of The Ones Who Got Away

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that’s it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Review: LOCK ‘N’ LOAD (Federal K-9 Series Book 1) by Tee O’Fallon

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LOCK ‘N’ LOAD (Federal K-9 Series Book 1) by Tee O’Fallon

Publication Date: May 28, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Synopsis

E647660F-B996-4143-B8D8-78DE83BB7D1CCrack CIA analyst Trista Gold is a whiz with the computer, but not so much with people. She hides behind her job, analyzing Top Secret code and making recommendations on national security. She doesn’t need a man in her life. But she will, very soon…

CIA K-9 officer Sgt. Matt Connors suspects that beneath Trista’s uptight appearance, there’s a sexy woman itching to cut loose. But he doesn’t dare act on his attraction. He’s a loner and always will be. Keeping away from Trista is a must-do directive. Until he doesn’t have a choice…

During a routine assignment, Trista stumbles across a cryptic exchange. She doesn’t think much of it…until someone tries to murder her—twice. Both times, Matt had been there to save her. But now she has to hide. And her new bodyguard, Matt, and his K-9 are the only hope she has against the powerful forces that want her dead.

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Donna 4 stars

What a wild action-packed story! Full of intrigue and romance. There were only two things that kept it from being perfect: 1. Trista, a CIA Agent, did a few reckless things that weren’t in keeping with what her training would have been. 2. I tend to get frustrated when one person is fighting their love all through the book. That being said – I couldn’t put the book down. I kept rooting for them both and couldn’t get enough of Matt’s co-workers and K-9’s. Ms. O’Fallon wrote a story that didn’t delve too far into CIA or computer jargon, yet still managed to give a place and time that kept me riveted. I enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read the next one.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

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About the Author

Tee O’Fallon has been a federal agent for twenty-two years, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee’s job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic and sexy men in law enforcement on a daily basis. For Tee, research is the easy part!

Besides reading and writing, Tee loves cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and her Belgian sheepdog.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Review & Giveaway: SHADOW KEEPER (Shadow Riders Series) by Christine Feehan

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SHADOW KEEPER (Shadow Riders Series, Book 3) by Christine Feehan

Publication Date: May 29, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

4457DFDF-CEA5-4444-9E75-3C3B4DF38499One family brings its own brand of justice to the streets of Chicago’s shadowy underworld as #1 New York Timesbestselling author Christine Feehan returns to a series hot enough to burn…

The paparazzi can’t get enough of infamous bad boy Giovanni Ferraro. But unknown to them–and the women he beds–he’s just playing a role. Keeping the spotlight on himself keeps it off the family business. And if this lethal shadow rider can’t hunt in the dark, he’ll find his pleasure elsewhere…

Sasha Provis grew up on a Wyoming ranch and thought she knew how to protect herself from predators. But in the nightclub where she works, she’s fair game–until one of the owners steps in to protect her. Giovanni is gorgeous. He’s dangerous. And his every touch takes her breath away.

The devil at her heels may have finally met its match…

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Donna review 4.5 stars

I loved this installment in the Shadow Rider series. The threat against Sasha was a complete mystery with twists and turns until the end. That made for a pulse-pumping read. I also liked that Sasha didn’t spend most of the book fighting the strong attraction to Giovanni. Although he came across as domineering and controlling, he also listened to her and gave her space to be semi-independent. In real life, I would kick chauvinistic men like the Ferraros to the curb, but it makes for a scintillating read. Like most of her books, it has super-hot sex – and a lot of it. I enjoy the series and can’t wait to read the next one.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

PAPERBACK COPY of SHADOW KEEPER by Christine Feehan 

ENTER ON FACEBOOK POST HERE

Winner will be announced Saturday (6/2) by 6PM EST. Paperback provided to Reading in Pajamas by Berkley Romance. Reading in Pajamas is responsible for this giveaway and shipping. 

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image image#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series. Each of her four series has hit #1 on the NY Times. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature for 1999. Since then she has been published by Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards.

She is pleased to have made numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Bookscan, B. Daltons, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Waldenbooks, Ingrams, Borders, Rhapsody Book Club, Washington Post, and Walmart. She has received numerous honors throughout her career including being a nominee for the RWA’s RITA. She has received a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times and the Borders 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award.

She has been published in multiple languages and in many formats, including large print, palm pilot, e-book, and hardcover. In October of 2007 her first manga comic, Dark Hunger was released in stores. This was the first ever manga comic released by Berkley Publishing and it made #11 on Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller’s List. Her ground-breaking book trailer commercials have been shown on TV and in the movie theaters. She has been featured on local TV, appeared on the The Montel Williams Show, and her book Dark Legend was featured on the cover of Romantic Times Magazine.

Christine Feehan has also appeared at numerous writers’ conventions and book signings including: Romantic Times Convention, Get Caught Reading at Sea Cruise, Celebrate Romance Conference, Emerald City Conference, and numerous Romance Writers of America Conferences.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING by Laura Kaye

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FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING (Warrior Fight Club) by Laura Kaye

Publication Date: May 22, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

45D2175E-B07A-42CB-95E6-2036DB40CF9ELoving her is the biggest fight of his life…

Home from the Marines, Noah Cortez has a secret he doesn’t want his oldest friend, Kristina Moore, to know. It kills him to push her away, especially when he’s noticing just how sexy and confident she’s become in his absence. But, angry and full of fight, he’s not the same man anymore either. Which is why Warrior Fight Club sounds so good.

Kristina loves teaching, but she wants more out of life. She wants Noah—the boy she’s crushed on and waited for. Except Noah is all man now—in ways both oh so good and troubling, too. Still, she wants who he’s become—every war-hardened inch. And when they finally stop fighting their attraction, it’s everything Kristina never dared hope for.

But Noah is secretly spiraling, and when he lashes out, it threatens what he and Kristina have found. The brotherhood of the fight club helps him confront his demons, but only Noah can convince the woman he loves that he’s finally ready to fight for everything.

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Donna 5 Stars

This book touched all my emotions and held on. Kristina and Noah were two people I could relate to and made me want their happy ending, while enjoying their journey. I normally get tired of the friends-to-lovers stories when one keeps fighting it, but this story was deeply touching and totally worked for me. Ms. Kaye wove a sexy romance filled with inner-battles and deep desires that kept me in their world long after it was over. I’m now happy to have a new series to sink my teeth in to…I only wish I could binge read them all right now.

*Review copy provided by InkSlinger in exchange for an honest review.

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Excerpt

“Noah, are you down here?” Kristina called from the top of the basement steps.

Despite the lack of response, she continued down and crossed the room to the mostly closed door in the back corner–Noah’s bedroom since he’d returned just before last Christmas. God, Kristina had thought she’d received the best Christmas present ever–Noah, home from Iraq, safe and sound.

Well, mostly sound, anyway. An IED blast had taken the hearing and most of his vision on his left side, and he’d struggled with bad migraines and equilibrium problems when he’d first returned. But he was home and he was alive, and having him back again had made it feel like she could finally breathe after years of knowing he was in danger every second of every day.

She knocked softly. “Hey Noah, it’s me.”

All she heard was a long exhale of breath, but it was enough.

Why hadn’t he answered her? Her stomach clenched as she pushed open the door far enough to see Noah standing in the dark doorway to his bathroom, his back against the door jamb, his arms crossed, and his head hanging on his big shoulders.

She didn’t need to ask if he was okay, because he was radiating not okay loud and clear. Kristina walked right up to him. “What’s going on?” she asked. Dim light from the rec room filtered over him, allowing her to just make out the tight clench of his square jaw, the narrowed cast of his dark brown eyes, the harsh set of his beautiful mouth.

Wait. What? Where had that little observation come from?

Noah shook his head, forcing Kristina to drop the ridiculous line of thought.

She stepped closer so that she could look more directly into his eyes. “Come on, Noah. It’s me.” She ached for him to open up, but what she noticed even more was the low buzz rushing through her body. From how close she stood to all his taut hardness. It wasn’t like she was just noticing that Noah was hot, like, dayum hot, but nearly five years in the Marines had matured him and built hard muscle that hadn’t been there before. And clearly her body was just noticing, probably because they hadn’t had the chance to spend much time together since he’d gotten back.

“Kristina,” he said, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper, or a plea. He leaned his forehead against hers. It was such a sweet, needful gesture that Kristina’s chest seized.

“First, I’m hugging you. Then we’re talking, buddy,” she said, wrapping her arms around his big shoulders and planting her cheek against his chest. The embrace wasn’t unusual-they’d always been affectionate with each other. She’d lay against him while they watched a movie or he’d sling an arm over her shoulders while they were out together. When things were bad with her dad, he’d hold her when she finally gave into her grief about it and cried. That’s how they’d always been.

He embraced her right back and leaned his face against her hair.

After a long moment, Kristina pulled away–

Noah wouldn’t let her go. His grip on her tightened, and he held her fast against him. Was he breathing faster? Was he trembling?

Against her belly, he hardened.

Kristina’s breath caught in her throat. Noah was aroused…by her? Or just, like, in her general vicinity? Or…? She swallowed hard as her thoughts flew.

As they stood there, suspended in the dark, stolen moment, the air around them flashed hot and closed in, narrowing the world to all the places their bodies touched. His erection grew, pressing against her with more insistence. Heat bloomed over her skin everywhere and she held herself perfectly still. Because this was different. This was not friendly. This was more.

A strange tension wrapped around them, and it scared and attracted Kristina in equal measure. She shuddered out a breath as her body came to life against his. Her breathing quickened, her nipples peaked, her core clenched.

Noah made a noise in the back of his throat like a moan, and his arms tightened around her, pulling their bodies totally flush.

Kristina’s breath caught at the hard press of his body and at the shocking arousal it unleashed in her.

This is Noah. This is Noah. This is Noah.

But it didn’t seem to matter to her body. The soft cotton of her dress became heavy and irritating against her skin, and all she wanted was for it to be off. So he could be all over her. This sudden, intoxicating need was brand new to her-in general and certainly with Noah. She wasn’t a virgin, but she’d never felt with another man the kind of desire rocketing through her just then. And all they’d done was touch.

Why was this happening?

Her hips shifted without her meaning to do it, and it made her belly grind against all that hardness.

Noah hissed in her ear. His fingertips dug into her back…and then wandered, one hand pressing low against her hip, one skimming up her neck into her hair. Holding her tight. Bringing her closer.

She was half sure she was imagining that they were locked inside this raging bubble of attraction, except that his heart thundered beneath where her head rested, his breathing had gone rough, and his skin felt every bit as feverish as hers.

She had to stop this…whatever this was.

Tilting her head back, the words were on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes locked with his, and even in the dimness she could see that they were blazing hot and almost predatory in their directness. It stole her capacity to speak, because she was unequivocally sure he’d never looked at her like that. Need roared off of him and through her, making her heart beat like a bass drum.

Kristina swallowed hard. What would she do if he kissed her? One kissing experiment aside, she’d never had to ask that in regard to him. Another question followed close behind: what would she do if he didn’t?

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Buy Links

Image Map

Kindle | Amazon Paperback 

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✿Warrior Fight Club Series by Laura Kaye✿
✦FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING (Book 1) ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2HXS7WC
✦FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S HIS (Book 2) (Releasing 08/07/18) ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2rUaiXl
✦WORTH FIGHTING FOR (Novella 2.5) (Releasing 03/12/19) ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2rU8ZYr

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Giveaway

$10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card for 3 Winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

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Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up

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Review: FORGED IN EMBER (A Red-Hot SEALs Novel, Book 4) by Trish McCallan

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FORGED IN EMBER (A Red-Hot SEALs Novel, Book 4) by Trish McCallan

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Synopsis

1CF0E6FB-96FF-475B-8316-A255AFAAA6C0In the final novel in the scorching Red-Hot SEALs series, a desperate mother and a Navy SEAL fight fire with fire to protect their love and save the world…

Amy Chastain has made a lot of enemies—none so ruthless as the insanely powerful New Ruling Order (NRO). When they killed her husband, it was hell. Then they targeted her children by injecting them with a dangerous, experimental isotope. Now Amy trusts only one man to help her: the ex-commander of SEAL Team 7.

In the company of Navy SEALs, Jace “Mac” Mackenzie was in his physical element. Now he’s on the run from the same cabal that poisoned Amy’s children. That doesn’t stop him from launching a mission to bring down the NRO—and find an antidote. But the clock is ticking. And as the sparks fly between him and Amy, Mac realizes he has more to lose than ever before.

As Mac closes in on the NRO, he uncovers a plot that threatens more than Amy’s children. Now it’s a race against time to stop a global conspiracy, save the woman he loves, and protect the family that’s starting to feel like his.

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Donna 4 stars

This novel had non-stop action bombarding the team and their families. At times it seemed a bit too desperate, full of anxiety and sadness as they combatted the crippling attacks from the NRO. That made the romance between Mac and Amy seem sporadic and strained at times. That being said, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what happened next. The happily-ever-after was satisfying, and left enough hints as to where the next book will go….I can’t wait. I enjoyed it!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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✦Red-Hot SEALs Series by Trish McCallan✦ 
✦Book 1: Forged in Fire ➢ Kindle
✦Book 2: Forged in Ash ➢ Kindle | Review 4.5 Stars
✦Book 3: Forged in Smoke ➢ Kindle | Review 5 Stars
✦Book 4: Forged in Ember ➢ Kindle

You can borrow for free via Kindle Unlimited if you are a member. If you’re not a member you can signup for a Free 30-Day Trial Here: http://amzn.to/2t4xstj

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About the Author

Trish McCallan was born in Eugene, Oregon, and grew up in Washington State, where she began crafting stories at an early age. Her first books were illustrated in crayon, bound with red yarn, and sold for a nickel at her lemonade stand. Trish grew up to earn a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a concentration in creative writing from Western Washington University, taking jobs as a bookkeeper and human- resource specialist before finally quitting her day job to write full time.

Forged in Fire, the first book in her Red Hot SEALs series, came about after a marathon reading session, and a bottle of Nyquil that sparked a vivid dream. She lives today in eastern Washington. An avid animal lover, she currently shares her home with four golden retrievers, a black lab mix and two cats.

Website: http://trishmccallan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trish.mccallan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@TrishMcCallan

Review: THE BIG ALPHA IN TOWN by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden & Kate Baxter

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THE BIG ALPHA IN TOWN by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden and Kate Baxter

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

B59AB5FC-38A4-4D95-A340-BDB87F9FDDA3Three hot stories about three sexy shifters from a trio of today’s hottest paranormal romance authors, headlined by bestselling authors Eve Langlais and Milly Taiden!

Bearing His Name
Meeting his mate should have been cause for celebration. There’s just one teeny tiny problem. Jade thinks Ark might have impregnated her sister. He didn’t, but convincing Jade is going to take a bit of honey.

Owned by the Lion
Keir’s been told to stop playing the field and settle down—difficult advice for a hard and hot man with a lion’s heart to follow. But his sights have always been set on Ally. She’s his mate, plain and simple. With her sweet and delicious curves, she’s nothing but sugar and trouble all rolled into one. But he’s known her and sparred with her for years. She’s his best friend’s little sister, and it’s going to take a whole new level of convincing that he’s the mate for her.

No Need Fur Love
Moving with his pack to the tiny town of Stanley, Idaho has Owen Courtney a little on edge. With literally no women in sight, Owen will be lucky to find a date, let alone his true mate. But you know the saying about a werewolf walking into a bar…

Gorgeous wood nymph Mia Oliver is on a mission: Find a suitable male to get her good ‘n pregnant and provide her with an heir. But when Mia decides to pick up a gorgeous and oh-so willing werewolf at the bar, she realizes she might be in over her head.…

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Donna review 4.5 stars

This was a fun and lively anthology. Each story fit perfectly in my daily routine and kept me wanting more. BEARING HIS NAME by Eve Langlais was a fun and sometimes goofy, yet sexy romance. Who doesn’t love Greek bear shifters and their rowdy families? I just wish it were longer. OWNED BY THE LION by Milly Taiden was an enjoyable romance filled with sexual tension. Ally had her hands full with Keir’s past flames and his helpful matchmakers – but it was worth it. NO NEED FUR LOVE by Kate Baxter was a romantic romp through miscommunication and assumptions. Poor Owen had his work cut out for him with Mia. I especially liked that all three stories had the same feel to them. It didn’t go from something light and fun, to a story dark and harrowing. They blended well.

*Review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. 

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

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Review: ROYAL HEIR by Ruth Cardello

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ROYAL HEIR (Westerly Billionaire Series, Book 3) by Ruth Cardello

Publication Date: April 17, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

E55AFC59-50FE-495D-8686-1B9F58F6C4ABRuth Cardello, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Up for Heir, turns a fairy-tale romance into a sizzling bedtime story.

Rachelle Westerly needs a break. After years of acting as the family peacekeeper, she’s finally ready to take a step back. Her movie-star brother has offered her the perfect escape. But on the very first day of her vacation, she steps onto a red carpet and straight into the arms of a real-life prince—and the promise of just the kind of flash and fortune that tore her own family apart.

As the soon-to-be leader of Vandorra, Prince Magnus de Bartelebon always gets what he wants—and the regal bad boy wants the sweet American schoolteacher. Although he should be announcing his engagement of convenience to a neighboring princess, Rachelle is the one he desires in his bed and by his side.

While the drop-dead gorgeous Magnus might be almost everything she craves, Rachelle can’t help but think that falling for him would be a royal mistake. He may be ruling a kingdom one day, but she’s in charge of her heart. And he’ll have to win it with more than a lap of luxury—as inviting as it is.

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Donna review 4.5 stars

I truly enjoyed this romantic tale between Prince Magnus and school teacher, Rachelle. It held a nice balance between contemporary romance and romantic suspense that was fun to read. The characters were easy to like, even Magnus showed enough of his tender side to get me past his domineering and entitled actions. The side characters added an interesting depth as well. Yes, some things fell into place too easily, but that’s because it was a fun and spicy adult fairytale.

*Review copy provided Montlake in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Free via Kindle Unlimited! You can Sign Up for a free 30 Day Trial here: Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Amazon Series Link

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About the author

Ruth Cardello is a New York Times bestselling author who loves writing about rich alpha men and the strong women who tame them. She was born the youngest of eleven children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York, and Rhode Island (again) before moving to Massachusetts, where she now lives with her husband and three children. Before turning her attention to writing, Ruth was an educator for two decades, including eleven years as a kindergarten teacher. Royal Heir is the third book in her Westerly Billionaire series. Learn about Ruth’s new releases by signing up for her newsletter at www.RuthCardello.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF by Terry Spear

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ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WOLF (Silver Town Wolf Series, Book 8) by Terry Spear

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

54167AD1-37FA-4B27-AA3A-CEE9A4163D3BThe Silver Town wolf pack has your back

Wolf shifter Sarandon Silver’s in trouble with the law, and bounty hunter she-wolf Jenna St. James is determined to bring him in for trial.

Lucky for Sarandon, the entire Silver Town pack is ready to fight for his innocence. But until the case is solved, Jenna’s sticking to Sarandon like glue…

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Donna review 4.5 stars

This is a lovely romance blended in with a mystery. Jenna and Sarandon searched for clues, pulling in family and pack to navigate through the twists and turns. I enjoyed how everyone interacted and added a fun dimension to this cat and mouse story, they made you feel a part of it all, caring about their relationship as well as the criminal. This fun romance started out tame then sizzled. I liked it.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an review.

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Excerpt

 Looking forward to seeing Jake there, Sarandon climbed into the Suburban and took off. This might be even more fun than he had planned.
Sarandon headed into the wilderness, and after a couple of hours, he finally reached the Elk Horn cabin. He parked, got out, and stretched. Taking a deep breath of the pines and Douglas firs, he embraced the peace and quiet, the sound of a river flowing nearby, birds twittering in the trees, and the breeze fluttering the leaves.
Once he’d hauled all his supplies inside, he started a fire in the fireplace and planned to go for a run, something he couldn’t do while acting as a tour guide. Not unless he was taking a wolf group out.
Within minutes, he’d stripped off his clothes and shifted, then pushed through the wolf door. He dashed through the woods, exploring and scent-marking, letting any animal in the area know a wolf was on the prowl and this was his claimed territory.A29DAF24-EBB3-42D8-8BA7-D9F7A8A3490A
The sound of a car’s tires crunching on the private gravel road, heading toward the cabin, caught his attention. He stopped and listened from the shelter of the trees and brush. There was nothing out here but wilderness. And the cabins and the land were private property. He could tell by the engine’s purr that the car wasn’t Jake’s or anyone else’s he knew in the pack. The car parked, and the engine shut off in the distance.
If the driver were a hunter, Sarandon didn’t want to be caught in his wolf coat and end up getting shot. Cursing mentally to himself, he waffled about what to do. Hidden in the undergrowth in the woods, he could check out the person leaving the car, or he could run back to the cabin, shift, dress, arm himself with his rifle, and then see who it was and what he or she was up to.
Sarandon opted for returning to the cabin first and ditching his wolf coat. That way, he could tell the trespasser to leave.
When he reached the cabin, he dove through the wolf door, shifted, and rushed to dress. He removed his rifle from the locked gun cabinet and left the cabin, locking it behind him. Listening for any sign of where the person was, Sarandon headed down the road to where he’d heard the car park.
A quarter of a mile from the cabin, he stopped dead in his tracks. A woman was standing off the road, partially hidden in the woods, holding a rifle aimed at him. The way she was holding it, she looked like she knew how to use it. And he’d thought running as a wolf could cause him trouble!
“Hey, I’m just camping up here at one of my family’s cabins. I don’t have any intention of hurting you,” Sarandon said, trying to put the woman at ease, even if she was in the wrong. “This is private property .”
“Carefully, put the rifle down!” she commanded in an authoritative, no-nonsense way.
Well, this was bizarre. She was trespassing and pointing a rifle at him, and yet she was telling him to disarm himself when he belonged here? He considered her attire: black cargo pants, a black windbreaker, and boots. She didn’t look like a half-crazed criminal or a hunter either. He wasn’t afraid of her; he’d be much warier of a man holding a rifle on him than a woman. He just figured he’d spooked her.
“All right. All right. You don’t have to be afraid of me.” Being the nice wolf he was, Sarandon set his rifle on the ground, figuring the woman was going hiking, albeit on private property, and didn’t know privately owned cabins were located here, though signs were posted in the area. But the fact that she was carrying a rifle made him suspect something else might be going on. “I run photo-op tours, hiking, mountain climbing, and white-water rafting guided tours, one-on-one tours, and group tours.” He thought if he told her what he did, she would realize he was employed, not some mountain man living out here in the wilderness alone, and that his occupation meant he was one of the good guys who liked working with people. “Whatever customers might be interested in,” he continued.
She was someone he was interested in. If she was a wolf and would put the weapon down. Something about her straightforward and confrontational attitude appealed. He swore it was the wolf in him.
“Sarandon Silver?” she asked, her brow arched.
Learning that she knew his name surprised him. If she knew who he was, why was she pointing the rifle at him? Then he wondered if this had something to do with his brothers. Maybe they’d sent her as a plant, a way to get him to meet a new she-wolf, believing the standard boy-meets-girl routine wouldn’t cut it with him. Especially since he’d said he was trying to come up with an idea for a new adventure.
“Yeah, I’m Sarandon Silver. Do you want to tell me how you know me and why you’re still pointing a weapon at me?” She had to be his brothers’ idea, but he wondered where she was taking this.
If this was for real, he didn’t recall anything he’d done that would have aggravated anyone to the extent that she’d pull a weapon on him. He hadn’t taken a mate and pissed off her family. He hadn’t lost anyone on one of his excursions. His dad was the only one who’d ever committed any crimes in the family, and he’d paid for his sins with his life.
“Come this way, nice and slow,” she said, her voice firm and resolved.
He frowned at her. She sounded like a cop. He looked her over again, but her clothes didn’t indicate that. He couldn’t see what was underneath the jacket, though from the slight bulk underneath the material, it looked like she might have a sidearm holstered there. She hadn’t said she was a cop though. Plus, if she were, she wasn’t in her own jurisdiction. Her car was a silver Ford Expedition, with no indication it was a cop’s vehicle.
She was a beautiful brunette, her hair cut short and bouncy, her eyes a crystal-clear blue. If his brothers—and maybe his cousins—had put her up to this… Well, he didn’t want to appear as though he couldn’t take a joke. She’d share with them how growly he’d been, and they’d all have a good laugh over it—at his expense.
“Am I under arrest?” he asked with good humor, smiling a little. He couldn’t help it. He couldn’t take this seriously.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Between a Wolf and a Hard Place by Terry Spear

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author TERRY SPEAR has written over 35 paranormal romances featuring werewolf and jaguar shapeshifters. In 2008, Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world. She lives in Spring, Texas.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Review & Giveaway: MIDNIGHT WOLF: A Shifters Unbound Novel by Jennifer Ashley

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MIDNIGHT WOLF: A Shifters Unbound Novel by Jennifer Ashley

Publication Date: April 24, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

99A2153B-A6B0-49EB-8174-B9ED07C3039EThe eleventh novel in the New York Times bestselling paranormal romance series, Shifters Unbound.

Angus Murray, bouncer for a New Orleans Shifter bar, is sent to round up an elusive, Collar-less Shifter woman, Tamsin Calloway, who is causing trouble for Shifter Bureau, and possesses information they want. If Angus refuses, he risks losing his cub. He finds Tamsin but she’s slippery and not about to be rounded up quietly.

In fact, quiet is nothing Tamsin will ever be. She leads Angus on a wild chase, but he’s determined to bring her in to save his son.

Can Tamsin convince Angus she’s worth helping before she’s locked away by Shifter Bureau, Collared, or perhaps killed?

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Donna 5 Stars

Angus and Tamsin proved to be a fun couple on the run from the Bureau and shifters alike. Just when you think a storyline or trope has been overdone – a story is told with enough freshness to sweep you along for the ride. It fulfilled all my wants on a romance; A hateful villain, smoldering romance, favorite characters stepping in to help and an unexpected resolution to ensure the happily ever after. I had a good time reading this.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

Paperback Copy of MIDNIGHT WOLF by Jennifer Ashley

★ENTER FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY HERE★

 *Winner will be announced Saturday (4/28) by 6PM EST. Paperback provided by Berkley Romance.

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About the Author

 imageJennifer Ashley is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shifters Unbound novels, including Wild Wolf, Tiger Magic and Mate Claimed and the Mackenzie historical romances, including The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie, The Seduction of Elliot McBride, and The Duke’s Perfect Wife. A winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, she also writes as national bestselling and award-winning author Allyson James. She lives in the Southwest with her husband and cats, and spends most of her time in the wonderful worlds of her stories.

Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

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