Category Archives: romance reviews

Review: LETHAL LIES (Blood Brothers) by Rebecca Zanetti

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LETHAL LIES (Blood Brothers, Book 2) by Rebecca Zanetti

Publication Date: May 16, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis IMG_8251A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

With twists and turns that will take your breath away, LETHAL LIES is sexy, action-packed suspense at its very best from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

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Donna 5 Stars

Wow! What a fantastic ride! The danger kept me glued to the pages, as well as the hot romance. Sexy, Heath sure met his match in Anya, and she was perfect for all the twists and turns in the story. She was strong, yet vulnerable, and I liked her from the start. I also love how the Lost Bastards interact with each other. Not a lot of banter, but a solid brotherly relationship that is heartwarming. Bad guys you love to hate, heart-pounding action, and a feel-good romance. It ticked off all my requirements.

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

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Buy Links

Kindle http://amzn.to/2qsCzkH | Amazon Paperback http://amzn.to/2pz5l2N

Amazm Series Link http://amzn.to/2r1ANYS

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About the Author

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over twenty-five romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestseller lists. She has received a Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review for Wicked Edge, Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Nominations for Forgotten Sins and Sweet Revenge, and RT Top Picks for several of her novels. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

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Review: THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Amanda Quick

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THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Amanda Quick

Publication Date: May 9, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance/ Mystery/ Thriller

Synopsis

IMG_8241The New York Times bestselling author of ’Til Death Do Us Part transports readers to 1930s California, where glamour and seduction spawn a multitude of sins…

At the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel on the coast of California, rookie reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool…

The dead woman had a red-hot secret about an up-and-coming leading man, a scoop that Irene couldn’t resist. Seeking the truth about the drowning, Irene finds herself drawn to a master of deception. Once a world-famous magician whose career was mysteriously cut short, Oliver Ward is now the owner of the hotel. He can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago…

With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under…

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Excerpt

Read an Excerpt Here

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Cori 4.5 Stars

I loved this book! Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz. She writes historical romance novels under the Amanda Quick name and romantic suspense novels under the Jayne Ann Krentz name. THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is an incredible combination of both genres. It’s a murder mystery set in 1930s Hollywood. I felt like I was swept up in the story and couldn’t put this book down. The romance was a little  light but the story was great. I love Amanda Quick/ Jayne Ann Krentz’s writing style and the plot of this book would be a great movie. I really loved it and highly recommend it for readers looking for a good murder mystery with a love story.

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

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Hardback | Amazon Author Page

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About the Author

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Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author, under various pen names, of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers; there are more than 35 million copies of her books in print. She has written contemporary romantic thrillers under the Krentz name as well as historical and futuristic romance novels under the pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, respectively. Learn more at jayneannkrentz.com and connect with her on facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz.

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Spotlight, Review, Guest Post & Giveaway: SWEET SOUTHERN TROUBLE by Michele Summers

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SWEET SOUTHERN TROUBLE (Harmony Homecomings Series, Book 4) by Michele Summers

Publication Date: May 2, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

9781402293641-PRAn ambitious Southern belle

Marabelle Fairchild knows she’s a gal who can get things done. Feeling unappreciated at the exclusive private school where she’s a kindergarten aide and varsity tennis coach, Marabelle determines to score with the next big fundraiser. What she doesn’t expect? A smokin’ hot football coach to throw her off her game…

A reclusive NFL bachelor…

NFL coach Nick Frasier is Raleigh’s most eligible bachelor, but he wants to focus on his career…not his playboy status. He doesn’t need a smart-mouthed, pint-sized kindergarten teacher pestering him. So he cuts Marabelle a deal—in exchange for Nick sponsoring a bachelor auction starring him and his gorgeous celebrity pals, Marabelle will pose as his fiancée to ward off unwanted advances.

What could possibly go wrong?

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Donna review 4.5 stars

I completely enjoyed this story full of southern charm and southern vipers. Marabelle was a lot of fun to read, even though her inferiority complex got a little tiring at spots. Nick was the perfect leading man, taken unawares by the clueless girl. Their friends also made the story enjoyable, the perfect counterpart to the rich snobs engaged in their power-plays. This sweet romance also holds enough heat to spice things up. A fun read.

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

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Excerpt

“Tinker Bell, we need to talk.” Nick caught up with Marabelle on the courts the next afternoon shortly after the gala committee meeting. She was in the middle of running drills for the team. She growled in his direction like a feral cat, but that didn’t deter him. He opened the gate to court one and forged ahead.
“I have nothing to say to you.” She continued to feed balls like a machine, with a death grip on her racket.
He watched the boys hitting behind the baseline. “Now, honey, is that any way to talk to your intended?”
“Get back on your court and keep drilling,” she ordered the boys as some of them started to gawk and work their way over to him. She threw her racket in the basket of balls and grabbed his arm to pull him off the court.
Nick allowed himself to be turned and then stopped. “Where’re we going, Thumbelina? Behind the bleachers to neck?”
“Fat chance. Away from the courts. Those boys have a fanboy crush on you, and I don’t want them to hear us.”
Nick strolled next to her toward the bleachers. “I think their crush is on you, not me.”
Marabelle stopped, eyes snapping as she dug her small fists into her hips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means…those teenage boys have the hots for their tennis coach.”
Marabelle’s eyebrows shot so far up they got lost under her tennis hat. “Are you insane?” She put up both hands. “Don’t answer that. What kind of fiancé are you? You don’t write; you don’t call. I’m sitting on pins and needles here. This charade has gone on long enough,” she whispered fiercely.
Nick bit back a grin. “Awww, it’s only been two days. Have you been missing me?”
“Of course not. That’s not what I meant.” Nick started to chuckle. “I don’t think I can keep up this lie. In case you didn’t notice, those committee members want to lynch me,” she said, eyes flashing. “They’re very upset that the man of their dreams has taken himself off the market and gotten engaged to me.”
Nick had shown up at the meeting unannounced, and walked in on complete pandemonium with a lot of hysteria thrown on top. He’d managed to settle everyone down. Pledging a shitload of money will do that. Marabelle should be kissing his ass for saving hers.
“And that’s a problem because…” Nick shrugged.
“Because now the entire committee thinks I’m a slut. Hazel Cartwright asked how long I’d been ‘boinking’ you.”
“Really? Well maybe we should—”
“Look, can’t we pretend we had a big falling-out and broke up? I’ll tell everyone you dumped me for…for Jennifer Aniston. That’s totally plausible.”
Nick hated to burst Marabelle’s bubble, but he needed her more than she needed him. Marty Hackman loved the idea of his “engagement” and told Nick not to fuck it up…his exact words. And Nick had no intentions of disappointing the gruff, cigar-chewing owner of the Cherokees. If he asked Nick to join hands and sing Joni Mitchell songs, then he would do exactly that.
Nick placed his hand over his heart. “Tinker Bell, I’m wounded. Besides, Jennifer and I didn’t get along all that well.”
“You’ve actually dated Jennifer Aniston?” Marabelle drew back as her mouth formed a perfect O.
“We went out a few times. What’s the real problem here? I think the committee bought our story. We had them eating out of our hands.”
“Eating out of your hand. Look, it’s time we go our separate ways.” Marabelle ticked off on her fingers. “You do what you do best…date groupies. And I’ll do what I do best…make my mother’s life miserable. It works.”
Nick gave an exaggerated sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Anybody ever tell you you have no sense of adventure? You need to get out more.”
“I’m adventuresome. I’m all about adventure. Adventure is my middle name.”
Nick shook his head. “Huh-uh. My mind is made up. We’re engaged, and you’re just going to have to accept it. The sooner you do, the sooner we get to the good stuff.” He waggled his eyebrows at her scowling face.
“How can someone so gorgeous be so wicked and depraved?” Marabelle wondered aloud. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?”
“Honey, I’m not picking on you. I’m playing with you.” Nick allowed his gaze to roam over the tennis sweats swallowing her petite body. “I can’t wait to play doctor and get to the part where I undress you,” he said in a husky voice, moving in close and invading her space.
“Oh my God…you’re impossible.”
“Sh-h-h, you’re drawing a crowd.” Nick pointed at nobody over her head.
Marabelle whipped around to see who was listening, and Nick took advantage by gathering her in his arms.
“Marabelle, honey, stop fighting. Trust me.” He slipped his arm around her waist and lifted her up on her toes.
Then he kissed her silly. Or did she kiss him silly? Because the second his lips met hers, he forgot what they were arguing about. He’d never had to work this hard to get a girl on board. Frustrated didn’t begin to describe his feelings. Maybe he was losing his touch. He lifted his head, and Marabelle’s whacked expression matched his. Nah.
“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he murmured.
Marabelle lowered herself and licked her bottom lip as if tasting him there. “Mmm. Okay. We’ll pretend. But only when others are around. And no sex.” She narrowed her eyes to slits. “I’m no groupie. I worship only from afar. It’s safer that way.”
He pressed another hard kiss to her lips, wishing he could scoop her up in his arms and take her home. “Get back to work. I’ll call you later.”
“Yeah, right,” she mumbled. Nick watched as she trotted back to the courts, wondering how he was going to survive the next few months.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon PBK | Kobo | B&N | iBooks | Alibris

Amazon.com’s Michele Summers Page

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Author Guest Post

The best things about the South can be debated until the cows come home. For me, the list changes as often as our weather. I was born and raised a Carolina Blue Tarheel, but after college, I made my home in Miami, Florida and stayed for over twenty years (A different kind of south altogether). But since returning to my Tarheel state, it’s quite evident, some things have changed…and some things have not!

Here’s one of my favorite things about the south:

Weather: Most people love the South for its four seasons and the fact that our climate is mild. Okay, I’m basically on board with this, except I’d ix-nay winter altogether and order up two summers, one fall and one spring. Not a fan of winter, obviously due to the years I spent under the Miami sun. I know, you’re thinking—she’s freakin’ nuts—but the 90-degree temps never really bothered me. And Miami winters are amazing, because let’s face it, they’re basically non-existent.

Back home in NC, I start shivering mid-November and don’t stop until mid-April. Gone are my favorite flip-flops replaced by boots and clogs…anything I can wear with thick socks. But alas, I’m in the minority on this whole winter-should-be-outlawed thing and therefore will concede that overall the South’s weather is pretty darn nice.

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Giveaway

5 Copies of SWEET SOUTHERN TROUBLE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

  Michele Summers writes smart romances with spunky heroines, hunky heroes and wacky characters, with sigh-worthy emotion and a satisfying happily ever after. She never tires of creating fictional towns with lovable but flawed characters. When not writing, Michele loves her career as an interior designer and works with clients in NC and Miami where she lived for over 20 years. These days she stays busy herding her college freshman and high school sophomore and spends a lot of time watching them compete in tennis.

Presently she resides in NC where she grew up with her family, but still misses sunny South Florida, swaying palm trees and wearing open-toed shoes…everyday!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon Author Page

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Blog Tour, Review, Q&A & Giveaway: NEVER TRUST A PIRATE (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman

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NEVER TRUST A PIRATE (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8136The rules of engagement were never so scandalous. . .

A rumored pirate and the scurrilous black sheep of his well-to-do family, Cade Cavendish relishes his world of rebellion, deception, and seduction. Nothing and no one can hold him to be the duty-bound, honorable man he is expected to be. But when an unexpected run-in at his twin brother’s estate with a ravishing, raven-haired maid leads her to believe he’s actually a viscount, Cade’s renegade life is thrown wildly off-kilter. And even though a case of mistaken identity can be quickly set to rights, matters of the heart are quite different…

Miss Danielle LaCrosse is startled to learn that the handsome gentleman who radiates sin and has the devil in his eyes is not her employer the Viscount, but rather his infamous brother. A former heiress, orphaned and left penniless, Danielle has more than a few secrets of her own. Cade may be skilled at coaxing even the most hidden desires out of Danielle but can he earn her trust—and win her heart—as they embark on an adventure to confront a dangerous enemy from both of their pasts . . . and uncover the identity of the so-called Black Fox along the way?

Never Trust a Pirate is part of the Regency-set Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman.

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Author Guest Post

  1. What is your favorite scene in Never Trust a Pirate? I truly do love the whole book but I think everything that happens after they get on the ship is especially fun. The book is sort of pre-ship and post-ship.
  2. What’s your favorite underappreciated romance novel?
 One of my favorite romances ever is Dark Future by KC Klein. It’s a futuristic scifi romance, which is not normally something I gravitate toward (I like to read historical romance!) but I picked up KC’s book and couldn’t put it down. It’s fantastic. She also has me reading contemporary cowboy stories.
  3. Are you methodical in your writing, certain hours of the day, certain rituals you may perform before you sit down? Or are you one of those writers who binge write when the mood is upon you? I’m a binge writer, but it’s not about the mood striking so much as it’s about having more time to write on the weekend because I’m not at my day job.
  4. Are there particular tropes you are fond of using? My favorite trope is probably reunited lovers or old friends who fall in love. I love the brother’s best friend trope, too. I’ve used all of those and am currently writing a story where a married couple (who haven’t seen each other in ten years) are forced to work together again. Of course hijinx (and romance) will ensue!
  5. What lead you to writing historical romances? My love of reading them. I read them a lot as a teenager. They made me so happy.
  6. How would you describe Never Trust a Pirate using only three words? Racy Regency Romp. That’s how I describe all of my books, actually.
  7. What is your advice for other writers? Write! It’s simple. I see a lot of would-be writers taking classes and reading books about writing but the best thing to do is just write, write, write. Worry about the mechanics later. You do need to study craft and learn the business but you’ve got nothing to improve if you’re not actually writing.
  8. Do you, or your publisher decide on your beautiful covers? If your publisher, do you have any input? My publisher makes the covers for the books and I love them. They send them to me for input but it’s usually quite minimal. They are gorgeous! I’m very lucky.
  9. Why this setting and why pirates? Inquiring minds want to you, or me anyway. I unabashedly love pirates! I love to read stories about them and when I was a kid I wanted to be one. Of course I get horribly seasick and am about the least adventurous person you’d ever meet. Swashbuckling would stress me out. I guess that’s why I have to write about it instead.
  10. What do you do to relax, after a day of writing? And how, do you set your writing day in order to achieve your goal of a certain number of pages? My favorite way to relax is to take a nap. I should have been born in a country that embraces the concept of siesta. That’s where I belong. Ha! I don’t count pages so much as I count words. So if I have to get twenty thousand words (about ¼ of a novel) written in a weekend, I would need to write about 6,600 Friday night, 13,000 on Saturday, and 6,600 on Sunday. I have a day job so weekends are very important to me as far as hitting my word count goals.
  11. Another inquiring minds want to you, approximately, how long does it take you to write a full length novel?  How many books can you write in a year? It takes me about two months to actually write the novel (working mostly nights and weekends around my full-time job) but it takes months to plot and think about the novel which is why I only write two novels per year.
  12. Which Hollywood stars would you like to see as the main characters in NEVER TRUST A PIRATE? I actually have a Pinterest board set up with my idea of who all the main characters in the Playful Brides series look like. For Cade Cavendish and Danielle LaCrosse it’s Chris Pine and Zooey Deschanel. You can find the board at: https://www.pinterest.com/valeriegbowman/playfulbrides/.
  13. Do you write fulltime? No and I actually have a theory that if I did write full-time I would get much less writing done. I think having to be so disciplined about my writing time forces me to focus. At least that’s what I tell myself.
  14. Twitter or Facebook? Both!
  15. Favorite TV show? Of all time? Gilmore Girls. As for what’s on today, I love Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda. I’m a sucker for true crime.
  16. Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend? My book boyfriend is Jason Fielding from Judith McNaught’s Once and Always. Talk about the perfect tortured hero!
  17. What are you reading right now or what’s on your TBR? I’m currently reading Kerrigan Byrne’s, The Duke, and I can’t wait to dive into Anna Bennett’s, I Dared the Duke!
  18. 2017 Movie you’re most looking forward to? I just saw a trailer for Dunkirk and I got goosebumps! I can’t wait. I love WWII-era history almost as much as the Regency. 
  19. Give us the “elevator pitch” for your new book. I call Never Trust a Pirate: The Scarlet Pimpernel meets Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in Regency England.
  20. Series or stand alone?  If series do you already have a set number of books that you plan to write? Series. When I began to write the Playful Brides series, I planned three books. I’m happy to say it’s going to be eleven altogether, plus a novella. Plans change!
  21. What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? I’ve been to Bath and seen the Jane Austen museum there. Does that count?
  22. What are your future project(s)? Right now, I’m editing book 8 in the Playful Brides series. It’s called The Right Kind of Rogue and comes out on Halloween. I’m also writing book 9 of the Playful Brides series. And I’m always plotting future books in my head. In this case I’ve already got a lot of ideas for how I’m going to end the series with book #11 (Delilah and Thomas’s book) in Spring 2019. 
  23. For novices who haven’t read a novel of yours what is it that they will find unique in your work? I hope they will find a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is filled with humor and heart. Above all, I just want my stories to entertain. I’m not here to give anyone a history lesson. I just want readers to smile and sigh. 
  24. Do you find that you base any of your characters on people in your life? Have you gotten any inspiration for scenes in your novel from things that have happened to you in real life? The entire Playful Brides series was conceived based on my friend’s terrible boyfriend. She wouldn’t break up with him and I kept telling her to let me call him and break up with him for her (I was kidding, sorta). On a drive home from dinner with her one night, after she’d filled my ear yet again with a bunch of stories of the awful things he’d done (forgot her birthday, asked her to pay his cell phone bill), I started thinking how funny it would be if there was a service that you could call to break-up with your boyfriend for you. The opposite of Cyrano de Bergerac. I decided that would be great story and immediately began to think about how I could set it in the Regency. That was the idea for The Unexpected Duchess, the first story in the series.
  25. Are there any books or authors that have really influenced you and made you want to write? What about those authors inspired or influenced you? Lisa Kleypas was a huge influence on me. I was snowed in at an airport in 2007 and picked up Scandal in Spring. Many hours later (I couldn’t put the book down) I considered giving romance writing a try. She is a brilliant writer and a lovely person both inside and out.
  26. Have you read anything lately that you loved? Julie Anne Long’s The Legend of Lyon Redmond was sheer perfection if you ask me.
  27. Do you usually work off of an outline while writing or do you tend to just start writing and see where the story takes you? I don’t have an outline per se, but I sketch out a few sentences for each chapter in my Word .doc so I know where the story is going. I’ve been working lately on making my stories more character driven so I may change this up a bit.
  28. Where did you get the inspiration for your main characters? What other books or movies or music influenced this novel? As with all of the stories in my Playful Brides series, Never Trust a Pirate was inspired by a play. In this case it’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. I loved the concept of a character with dual identities.
  29. What advice do you have for pair wanting to get into the writing field? If you want to write romance, join Romance Writers of America (RWA.org). Hands down it was the best thing I did to learn how to write a romance novel. Leslie Wainger’s book, Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies, is also fantastic.

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Cori 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this one! I was in the mood for a good historical romance and Valerie Bowman’s NEVER TRUST A PIRATE fit the bill. It was fun and sexy, with a bit of mystery that added to the story. It satisfied my historical romance craving and had me craving more. I’ll be checking out Valerie Bowman’s previous books and I look froward to the next book in her Playful Brides series. NEVER TRUST A PIRATE is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I recommend this book for historical romance lovers looking for a good book to curl up with.

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

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Excerpt

Read an Excerpt Here

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Buy Links

Kindle | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

Paperback Copy of NEVER TRUST A PIRATE by Valerie Bowman

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Paperback provided by St. Martin’s Press. 

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About the Author

IMG_8135Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzer, Huckleberry. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. She is the author of the Secret Brides series, starting with Secrets of a Wedding Night, Secrets of a Runaway Bride, and Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage.

Website | Facebook | Twitter |Pinterest

Review: LOVE ME AGAIN (Hope, Book 7) by Jaci Burton

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LOVE ME AGAIN (Hope, Book 7) by Jaci Burton

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8109The seventh sweet and sexy contemporary romance in the Hope series from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

Loretta Simmons has returned to her hometown of Hope, Oklahoma, to start over. She’s determined to show her daughter that she doesn’t need to rely on someone else—especially a man. The only thing standing in her way is Deacon Fox, the man whose heart she stomped on years ago when she left him to marry someone else.

Deacon Fox was certain he was over Loretta, but working on a renovation project next door to Loretta’s bookstore puts him in daily proximity to the woman he once loved, and her daughter tugs at his heartstrings in ways he didn’t expect. Throw in one ridiculously oversized dog, and they’re almost a family. Only he can’t be that guy. Loretta broke his heart once and he sure isn’t going to let her do it twice.

But love has a funny way of re-opening a door you thought was firmly closed.

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Donna 5 Stars

I fell in love with this book. Deacon is the perfect man to fall in love with. Understanding, caring, hot and sexy. Who can ask for more? I was glad that I could relate to Loretta right away, so that I could care about her and her little girl, Hazel. I’ve enjoyed the Hope novels, but this one gave me the warm fuzzies without going overboard. Smoothly written, believable and reinforced my desire to live in Hope. I can’t wait for the next installment.

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

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Excerpt

Read Excerpt Here: http://jaciburton.com/books/again.php#excerpt

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Buy Links

Kindle | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

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The Hope Series by Jaci Burton – Amazon Series Link
Novella: Hope Smolders
Book 1: Hope Flames
Book 2: Hope Ignites
Book 3: Hope Burns
Book 4: Love After All
Book 5: Make Me Stay
Book 6: Don’t Let Go
Book 7: Love Me Again

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About the Author Jaci Burton Bio PicAfter spending too many years to count in the high stress business world, New York Times and USA Today Bestelling Author Jaci Burton is happy to be living her dream of writing passionate romance. She has written over forty-five novels and is contracted to write ten more. Jaci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business that she is thrilled not to be using in the corporate environment anymore. She grew up in Missouri but migrated to California, where she lived for thirteen years, but now makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband and five dogs. She enjoys being outdoors in the summer and she and her husband are avid Harley riders.

Jaci writes in multiple genres, from erotic romance to romantic suspense to contemporary romance. She has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award, and has been nominated for the award four times. She has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best and National Reader’s Choice Awards, and has won The Romance Studio’s CAPA Award four times.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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

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RED WOLF: A Shifters Unbound Novel by Jennifer Ashley

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8117The tenth novel in the New York Times bestselling paranormal romance series.

Lupine Shifter Dimitri has always had to defend himself to other Shifters. As a red wolf, he’s not considered a “pure” wolf, and the battles have honed him into a tough fighter, a champion of the fight clubs. Jaycee Bordeaux, a leopard Shifter, is Dimitri’s staunchest defender and oldest friend. Dimitri is determined to turn that friendship into a mate bond.

Jaycee loves that idea, but she knows that a mate bond can’t be forced. And when Dimitri and Jaycee are called on to go undercover to protect collared Shifters, she knows the dangers ahead will make or break their future together.

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Donna 5 Stars

I truly enjoyed this installment of the Shifters Unbound series. Jaycee was a strong, capable female without coming across as bitchy. Even her reluctance to accept the mate claim was handled well. (I tend to get frustrated at all the females refusing a relationship over and over.) I absolutely loved Dimitri. Sexy, strong and….with a stutter. That too was written so that it only added to his charm. They made such a charming pair, loyally covering each other’s back as things got weird. Sentient houses, fae and shifters all have a voice and I loved it.

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

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Buy Links

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

(Paperback Copy of RED WOLF by Jennifer Ashley)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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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REVIEW: WICKED ABYSS (Immortals After Dark) by Kresley Cole

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WICKED ABYSS (Immortals After Dark) by Kresley Cole

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8032This fairy tale doesn’t end with a kiss… A spellbinding Immortals After Dark tale from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole!

The terrifying king of hell…

As a boy, Abyssian “Sian” Infernas had his heart shattered by a treacherous fey beauty who died before he could exact vengeance. Millennia later, a curse has transformed him into a demonic monster—just as she’s been reincarnated. Sian captures the delicate but bold female, forcing her back to hell.

Meets his match.

Princess Calliope “Lila” Barbot’s people have hated and feared Abyssian and his alliance of monsters for aeons. When the beastly demon imprisons her in his mystical castle, vowing revenge for betrayals she can’t remember, Lila makes her own vow: to bring down the wicked beast for good.

Can two adversaries share one happily-ever-after?

As Calliope turns hell inside out, the all-powerful Sian finds himself defenseless against his feelings for her. In turn, Lila reluctantly responds to the beast’s cleverness and gruff vulnerability. But when truths from a far distant past are revealed, can their tenuous bond withstand ages of deceit, a curse, and a looming supernatural war?

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Cori 5 Stars

I loved WICKED ABYSS! It was a sexy twist on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale with the King of Hell and a fairy princess. I loved this couple and I’m excited about the direction of the series storyline with the Møriør. I’m hoping we’ll get another member of the Møriør’s story next. Please be the soap opera watching Dragon!  The Immortals After Dark series is a series I can read over and over again and never get bored. I love Kresley Cole’s heroes and all of her heroines are kick-ass and so much fun. If you’re a PNR fan and haven’t read this series yet, you should grab them now and settle in for a great binge read. The stories are always exciting, scorching hot and so much fun. Kresley Cole is one of the queens of paranormal romance.

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

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Buy Links

Kindle http://amzn.to/2cLoKXl
Amazon Hardback http://amzn.to/2qaPacP
Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1n7zlRw

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★THE IMMORTALS AFTER DARK SERIES BY KRESLEY COLE★

Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1KMYWZ2  | ►Series Blog Post: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2pI
✦Novella: The Warlord Wants Forever ➢ $1.99 Amazon http://amzn.to/1yh1Ktf
✦A Hunger Like No Other ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/145JxdA
✦No Rest for the Wicked ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/18Y0dqP
✦Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1cd4HeS
✦Dark Needs at Night’s Edge ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1e13idc
✦Dark Desires After Dusk ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1crWLGR
✦Kiss of A Demon King ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/19VY9k8
✦Deep Kiss of Winter Anthology ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/17qDvby
✦Pleasure of a Dark Prince ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1crXnfN
✦Demon from the Dark ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/14gGejG
✦Dreams of a Dark Warrior ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/145Kdzt
✦Lothaire ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1aM2glC
✦Not part of the series, but I recommend reading before MACRIEVE ~ Shadow’s Claim (The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist Series, Book 1) ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/18t6DvY
✦MacRieve ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/18WSMQx
✦Dark Skye ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/1FG1h3z | Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1uk
✦Sweet Ruin ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/1LGNadZ
✦Shadow’s Seduction ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2e2xg73
✦Wicked Abyss (Releasing 04/25/17) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2cLoKXl

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imageKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.

A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. 

Her IAD books have been translated into twenty foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

Cole lives in Florida with her family and “far too many animals.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKSHELF | YOUTUBE

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: DRAKON’S PREY (Blood of the Drakon) by N.J. Walters

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DRAKON’S PREY (Blood of the Drakon) by N.J. Walters

Publication Date: April 24, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

Drakon's Prey CoverValeriya Azarov turned her back on the family business to write and illustrate children’s books. But with a sister who leads the Knights of the Dragon, it’s impossible to get away from the secret society whose mission is to destroy and enslave dragons. When information falls into her hands along with the opportunity to save at least one of the ancient creatures, she can’t turn away any longer.

When a woman moves into the cabin above Tarrant Cooper’s secret underground lair, he’s both suspicious and intrigued. He hasn’t lasted four thousand years being careless, so when he suspects her of being a part of the Knights, the plan is to kidnap her and find out how much the organization knows about him and his brothers.

He’s drawn to Valeriya, but trusting her could get him killed. Even if she’s a pawn in the war between drakons and Knights, giving her his heart would mean forever.

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Cori 4.5 Stars

I loved Tarrant! DRAKON’S PREY is the second book in N.J. Walters new paranormal series, Blood of the Drakon. I love dragons and if you’re a dragon fan I highly recommend this series! DRAKON’S PREY had plenty of danger and smoking hot romance plus it features a sexy dragon who’s a computer genius and a heroine readers can cheer for. N. J. Walter’s new world of dragons and knights, set in present day, gives readers a new and unique paranormal world to get swept up in. I’m loving this series and I can’t wait for the next book!

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

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Excerpt

“What’s your name?” she suddenly demanded. She’d kissed him and didn’t even know his name.

He opened the refrigerator door and pulled out several packages.

“Hey.” She knew it was crazy to demand anything from this man, but she was past all caution. “I asked you a question.”

“And if I answer it, you’ll never be able to leave here.” The way he said it, with little inflection, stopped her in her tracks.

It was a variation of “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” It was used in the movies all the time, but Valeriya didn’t think this man was joking. “We both know I’m never getting out of here anyway, so why don’t you tell me who you are?” Maybe if she befriended him, she could get him to release her.

And then where would she go? The Knights were everywhere.

She swayed as her knees went weak. All she’d wanted to do was warn Darius Varkas about the Knights and go back home to her life. Now she feared she was truly going to die.

“What the hell?” Her captor was around the counter and caught her before she hit the floor. He scooped her up as though she weighed nothing and set her on one of the stools on the far side of the island. “Are you all right?” He hovered beside her but was no longer touching her.

It was as though he was afraid to touch her. She wasn’t sure if that was for her benefit or for his. She should be trying to figure out a way to escape, fighting the growing attraction she had for her captor. She wasn’t a guest here, but an unwilling visitor.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite feel that way. It suddenly occurred to her that her intuition was silent. Yes, he was a very dangerous man, no doubt about it, but she didn’t feel as though he was a danger to her.

Her gift had chosen a really bad time to go haywire.

“What does it matter, if you’re going to kill me?” She’d rather get it over with than to drag it out indefinitely. And she really didn’t want to be tortured.

He swore, long and fluently, and in a language she didn’t understand. Did that mean he wasn’t American, or did he simply know other languages?

“Tarrant. My name is Tarrant. And I told you I wasn’t going to kill you.”

She rested her elbows on the counter to steady herself. “For now. You said you weren’t going to kill me right now.”

He swore again. “No one is killing anyone.

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Buy Links

Kindle | iBooks | Kobo | B&N

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CHECK OUT BOOK 1: Drakon’s Promise – Kindle | Review

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Giveaway

$15 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who 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.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: RIDE ROUGH (Raven Riders Series) by Laura Kaye

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RIDE ROUGH (Raven Riders Series, Book 2) by Laura Kaye

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Synopsis

RIDE ROUGH - coverMaverick Rylan won’t apologize for who he is—the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club Vice-President, a sought-after custom bike builder, and a man dedicated to protecting those he loves. So when he learns that the only woman who has ever held his heart is in trouble, he’ll move heaven and earth to save her.

Alexa Harmon thought she had it all—the security of a good job, a beautiful home, and a powerful, charming fiancé who offered the life she never had growing up. But when her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, Alexa realizes she’s fallen for a façade she can’t escape—until sexy, dangerous Maverick offers her a way out.

Forced together to keep Alexa safe, their powerful attraction reignites and Maverick determines to do whatever it takes to earn a second chance—one Alexa is tempted to give. But her ex-fiancé isn’t going to let her go without a fight, one that will threaten everything they both hold dear.

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Donna 5 Stars

I enjoyed this fast-paced exciting story of Maverick and Alexa. The problems in her life were so realistically portrayed and the characters real. Her mother’s mental health issue was handled realistically without dramatization, including how it affected Alexa. The portrayal of her abusive fiancé and how the situation had progressed was also spot-on. All that played well into the sexy love story and made Maverick even more perfect. Love, sex, friendship and hardship all rolled into one nice story.

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

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Excerpt

“What am I going to do? My entire life is wrapped up in him. My job. Where I live. My car. Where Mom lives. Everything. Oh, God. This is going to be a nightmare, isn’t it?”

Maverick grasped Alexa’s hands. “One thing at a time. You’re out. You can stay here as long as you need to. I have plenty of room. I’ll help you through it. That’ll give you time to figure out what it is you want. There’s no rush.”

“Okay,” she said. “Okay. God, thank you.” A shiver raced over her skin.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’m so relieved for you that I might fall the fuck over,” he said, his thumb rubbing over her knuckles. She almost managed a little smile. “Your hands are like ice, Al. I shouldn’t have made you stand her all this time when you’re soaking wet.”

Alexa shook her head. “It felt good to get it out, Maverick.”

“Glad to hear it. Would a hot shower make you feel better? I can find you a T-shirt and a pair of boxers to change into while your clothes dry.”

All the TLC and understanding he was giving her reached right inside her chest. When was the last time someone had taken care of her this way?

The last time you were with Maverick. The truth of that thought made her breath catch. “Yeah. I’d like that,” she managed.

He gave a tight nod and stepped back, and she missed his heat immediately. “Uh, good. That’s good. You remember your way around?”

“Of course,” she said. How much time had she spent here over the years? Even before they dated? At one point, Maverick’s place had practically been a second home.

“You okay?” he asked, watching her.

She pushed off the door. “I don’t know yet,” she said, coming to him. “But what I do know is how grateful I am to you. For everything. For being there when I told you not to. For listening. For just . . . being you.”

“Always.” He crossed his big arms and ducked his chin, like something about the exchange made him uncomfortable.

“I mean it,” she said, and then she pressed onto tiptoes and kissed his cheek, his stubble tickling her lips. “You saved me tonight.”

“No,” he said, eyes flashing, one brow arched. “You saved yourself, Al. I was just your getaway driver.”

Staring into one another’s eyes, the tender moment stretched out, morphed, suddenly flashed hot. Being so close to him set her body on fire, and finally she could actually consider acting on it. Need roared through her, a living, breathing thing. “Maverick,” she whispered.

“Fuck, Alexa, I think you better go take that shower,” he said, his jaw ticking. “Now.”

She released a shaky breath and nodded. He was right. Of course, he was.

So, showering. She could handle that. Afterward, God only knew what she was going to do.

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Buy Links

Image Map

Kindle | Amazon Paperback 

Amazon Series Link

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RAVEN RIDERS SERIES BY LAURA KAYE
HARD AS STEEL (Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover Novella) ➢ Review 4.5 Stars
RIDE HARD ➢ Review 5 Stars
RIDE ROUGH
RIDE WILD (Releasing 10/31/17)

Order RIDE ROUGH by May 1st, fill out this form, and receive an email with a bonus short story of more of Hard Ink’s Beckett after Release Week! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!

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Laura Kaye’s Raven Riders Series is a spin off from her Hard Ink Series. Here’s our review links and buy links for the Hard Ink Series.

✿The Hard Ink Series by Laura Kaye✿
Amazon Series link: http://amzn.to/1PZd7fe
✦Book 1: Hard As It Gets ➢ Review 4 Stars
✦Book 2: Hard As You Can ➢ Review 4.5 Stars
✦Novella 2.5: Hard To Hold On To ➢ Review 4.5 Stars
✦Book 3: Hard To Come By ➢ Review 5 Stars
✦Novella 3.5: Hard To Be Good ➢ Review 4.5 Stars
✦Book 4: Hard to Let Go ➢ Review 5 Stars
✦Novella 4.5: Hard As Steel (1001 Dark Nights) ➢ Review 4.5 Stars
✦Novella 5: Happily Ever After ➢ Review 5 Stars

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Giveaway

$10 Amazon or B&N gift card for 3 winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 About the Author

Author Photo

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up

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Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: MIDNIGHT TARGET: A Killer Instinct Novel by Elle Kennedy

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MIDNIGHT TARGET: A Killer Instinct Novel by Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Contemporary Romance


Synopsis

IMG_7976From the New York Times bestselling author of The Score and Midnight Revenge…

Four years ago, Cate’s entire life changed when she discovered she was the daughter of a supersoldier. But Jim Morgan’s overprotectiveness has pushed her away. These days, she’s working as a freelance photographer and living the dangerous life Jim never wanted for her.

When Cate snaps a photo linking a corrupt South American politician with the leader of a notorious drug cartel, her mercenary father leads a team to rescue her—only to get shot and critically wounded in the process.

As Morgan’s operatives rally together on a revenge mission, they’re faced with new alliances and old heartaches. Cate is forced to work with David “Ash” Ashton, the man who broke her heart two years ago, while Liam Macgregor and Sullivan Port resurface after years apart to finally try to deal with everything they’d left unsaid.

Soon it’s all-out war between the cartel and the mercenaries—with two couples caught in the middle of the blood feud. Love and redemption are within their reach…but first they have to make it home alive.

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Donna review 4.5 stars

Wow! What an action-packed finale to this series. It brought back all the players from the past, for an all-hands-on-deck mission. Since it was a rather tense situation, there wasn’t as much banter as usual, but enough to keep me happy. The story wasn’t just about the hot romance between Cate and Ash, it also pulled back the love affair with Liam and Sully. So, there is some M/M action – which I found was more romantic than Cate and Ash’s. I really enjoyed the drama, romance and happily-ever-after.

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

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Excerpt

Read an Excerpt on Elle Kennedy’s website here: 

http://www.ellekennedy.com/books/midnight-target/#excerpt-9357

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Paperback

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Killer Instincts Banner

Series Information

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

PAPERBACK COPY

ENTER ON FACEBOOK POST HERE

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About the author
imageA USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently publishes with Signet Eclipse, Harlequin Romantic Suspense, Samhain Publishing and Entangled Brazen. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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