#Review ~ Snow (Colors of Crime, Book #6) by Sophie Lark

 

A Love Worth Fighting For…

In the ring they call me Snow, because I’m stone cold. I don’t feel fear or pain... I don’t feel much of anything.

Or at least, that’s how it was until I met innocent little Sasha.

She doesn’t belong in my world. She’s trapped here because she owes a debt she can’t possibly pay...

I want this girl more than I’ve ever wanted anything. The problem is, she already belongs to a Bratva boss who plans to sell her virginity to the highest bidder.

I have to find a way to set her free.

I want to be her first, and her last…

“Snow” is a virgin dark mafia romance.

Publication date: April 15, 2020
ASIN: B085N73T1S
Print length: 279 pages
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

Snow is a fighter in an underground boxing circuit. He has little use for anyone, including the Bratva bosses who him to work for them. He fights and he leaves. That changes when he sees her, an innocent, on the arm of one of the most dangerous men he knows. 

Sasha can't believe her life has been reduced to being the personal doctor of a Bratva boss and his unsavory group of men. They call her at all times of the day and night, forcing her to do unthinkable things. She spend all that time in school and in order to save her father's life, she sold herself to Krupin. Now, it seems, he needs her to be present at his underground boxing tournaments. 

When Snow and Sasha meet, the chemistry is solid and the sparks fly. Neither is prepared for the onslaught of feelings. Snow knows he has to rescue her from Krupin or she and her virginity are going to be sold to the highest bidder. The bidder being a boss even higher and nastier than Krupin. Be prepared for a dark Russian mafia story.

I love the characters. They are written well and are realistic. The suspense and twists in the story keep me on the edge of my seat. Lyrically, the author is a star. Her use of descriptive language, metaphors, and vivid imagery take this book to the next level. Snow hit all of positives for story, character development, world building, passion, and suspense. I look forward to getting my hands on the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

#ContemporaryRomance Review ~ You Can't Buy Love (Life Lessons, Book #3) by Melanie A. Smith @MelASmithAuthor

 

Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can pride …

Julianna Magnusson is tired of working her tail off at her thankless job as a nurse practitioner for the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital. Tired of having little to no time for her own life. But most of all, she’s tired of pretending that she’s happy about it all. So when her boss insists she attend the annual hospital charity gala, spending a ton of money on a dress to impress a bunch of stuck-up snobs doesn’t exactly sound like her idea of a good time.

Still, ever the dutiful employee, she makes an appearance. Only to meet a handsome stranger named Noah who stops her from drunkenly confronting the man who owns the hospital about all the issues at work. Then Noah does so much more, giving her a night of passion that she’ll never forget. Still, Jules has no intentions of taking it further. As timely as meeting him was, Noah is many things she’d never want in a man: Clearly elitist, arrogant, and bossy, he’s nothing more than a one-night stand.

Which was a great plan until he turns up at her hospital with a mind to shake things up in a way that could affect her career and her decision to write him off, igniting an epic battle between them as the chemistry that sparked the initial attraction transforms into a battle of wills. Their clash could jeopardize everything Jules has worked for — or, if she can look past her own pride, it might lead to everything she needs. In the fight between what we think we want and what life has in store for us, what wins?

Publication date: August 11, 2020
Print length: 227 pages
Publisher: Wicked Dreams Publishing
ASIN: B08B51WKPH

Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

Julianna "Jules" Magnusson is a nurse practitioner in the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital. Her hard work and loyalty prevent her from having a social life, especially since the hospital keeps downsizing even though the patient population continues to increase at alarming rates. When she's forced to attend a charity gala for the Rutherford Group, she plans to give good ol' Mr. Rutherford a piece of her mind. Fortunately, a mystery man named Noah steps in to prevent her career suicide. One night of passion her satisfied and she pushes him into unavailable category. Jules most likely won't ever see him again anyway, since they move in different social circles. The game changes when Noah steps foot in her hospital and makes thing worse than they already are right now.

Jules and Noah are truly fantastic characters. Jules is strong, caring, and wants nothing more than the powers-that-be to take a good look around at what's going on in their hospital and make appropriate changes. When Noah steps in and begins making changes that may affect her job, the jobs of her co-workers and friends, and still doesn't attend to the problems at hand, Jules assumes her her battle stance. The battle of wills between Jules and Noah stems from the chemistry displayed during their initial meeting but continues to evolve into something else entirely. They are good for each other but Jules and Noah need to work a few things out that require discussion, not conversations with themselves. 

I really enjoyed You Can't Buy Love. The author's writing style is conversational and invited. The book is engaging, with wonderfully developed characters, and a setting that is described perfectly. I was able to get into the story, stay connected to the characters, and work through the frustrations of both Jules and Noah. I understand Jules' concerns with the continued decrease in personnel, leading to an increase in responsibilities. The author did a great job realistically delving into the methodical way employers continue to eliminate jobs, requiring current employees to absorb those tasks along with their own. It's frustrating, stressful, and completely unethical and shameful. Yet, it happens all the time, in every industry. 

You Can't Buy Love is a great book and I highly recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

ARC #Review: Snowed in with the Firefighter by Victoria James @VicJames101 @EntangledPub @MissRiki #ContemporaryRomance #TeamFinn (Shadow Creek, Montana #7)

Dr. Melody Mayberry’s life just took a turn that’s left her questioning everything. Where better to hide out than the remote family cabin in the mountains? The last thing she expects to find there is her swoon-worthy brother-in-law, the one man who may have more baggage than her.

Finn Matthews is not ready to face the fact that the recent injury he sustained in a fire may have ended his firefighting career. He’s not interested in sharing the cabin with anyone, let alone Melody, and their family just texted with yet another unwelcome surprise—they’ll be there Christmas Eve.

To keep their meddling family at bay, the two team up to fake a little holiday cheer. But between ridiculously competitive Monopoly games, marathon Christmas decorating, and a storm that strands them together with nothing but a fire and a warm couch, they realize something major—their fake holiday cheer isn’t feeling so fake anymore, and that’s something neither of these two Grinches expected...

Print length : 156 pages
Publisher : Entangled: Bliss
Publish Date: November 16, 2020
ASIN : B08L1Q7HMX

Pre-Order: Amazon

Melody Mayberry and Finn Matthews are two broken souls trying to hide away from the world. When Melody shows up at her sister and brother-in-law's mountain cabin, she soon discovers she's not alone. As she hauls her belongings inside, Melody is met by Finn, her brother-in-law's brother. She just wants peace and quiet, to be alone, and wallow in her grief. Finn is trying to come to grips with his life-altering injury that may just end his career as a firefighter. He has no time to entertain Melody, or anyone for that matter. 

After amicably agreeing to share the house and stay out of each other's way, they are hit with another surprise...Their family will be joining them for Christmas. In an effort to get back at their family for meddling, Melody and Finn join forces to pull a fast one on them. All bets are off, however, when the fake front they portray backfires on them.

Melody and Finn have a humiliating backstory that punched me right in the gut. My eyeballs leaked a little bit of moisture as I relived the event that wrecked her. She may be a successful doctor now, but her childhood was horrible. Despite her upbringing, Melody is a kind and compassionate character. She's struggling with a recent event but she's closed up tight and has a hard time opening up to Finn. Finn, on the other hand, opens up to Melody, surprising himself. His pain is both physical and emotional and the author did a spectacular job with his character. I'm #TeamFinn all the way.

Snowed in with the Firefighter is another fantastic book by Victoria James. She is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is realistic and her subject matter for each book is believable. Her heroines and her heroes are not perfect but they are perfect for one another. She writes impassioned and realistic contemporary romances. I've read most of her books and each one manages to evoke emotional responses from me. At the very least, I tear up during some part of the novel. Her characters are believable and realistically written. She touches on topics that are sensitive but she writes them with class and respect.

Victoria's writing is phenomenal. Her characters, the plot, themes, drama, and passion pull the reader in and keeps them engaged. There is true emotion that can be felt by those readers who become one with the books they read (like I do). I am able to get lost in the novels and put myself right into the middle of them. I feel for the characters and drawing on my emotions is what makes a book worth 5 stars for me. If I hurt with them, cry with/for them, laugh, or get angry, then the author did a fantastic job and has written the perfect book for me.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

#Review: Bane's Choice (Vampire Motorcycle Club, Book #1) by Alyssa Day #PNR @Alyssa_Day @EntangledPub

 

Bane lost his humanity ages ago. Nothing is more important than protecting his Vampire Motorcycle Club from the death magic invading his territory. The most ancient of vampires, he seeks cold, unfeeling, bloody vengeance...until a frustratingly sexy human doctor is thrust into his path. She tempts Bane to distraction. And distraction is deadly in his world.

Buttoned-up and meticulous Dr. Ryan St. Cloud never thought she’d find herself in the mix of a motorcycle club, let alone one full of terrifyingly badass vampires. Or how intrigued she is by their dark and enigmatic leader, who seems balanced on the knife’s edge of killing her...or claiming her.

But Bane’s choice is harder than it seems, because when that danger hits too close to home, he’s forced to choose between her life and everyone else’s…

Publication date : October 27, 2020
Publisher : Entangled: Amara
ASIN : B082RTW4SW
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jUwlFA

Bane is the leader of the Vampire Motorcycle Club. He's tough, unfeeling, and brutal - he's also a vampire. His club is a mix of those most loyal, human and vampire. When nasty and dangerous death magic infiltrates his territory in South Caroline, Bane and his crew bring forces together to combat the enemy. He wasn't counting on a mouthy doctor who is immune to the thralls he and his vamps toss her way.

Dr. Ryan St. Cloud refuses to believe in the odd occurrences one evening in the hospital where she works. Disappearing patients, beautiful men, and weird interactions are not all in a night's work and Ryan can't let the events go. Ryan suddenly finds herself immersed in a motorcycle club and surrounded by vampires. One of the many questions she has is whether or not she's going to get to leave, or, after falling for Bane, she's going to want to leave.

Bane's Choice is a dark and broody book. Bane and his vampire crew are lowkey, dangerous, and deadly. Ryan brings light, strength, and a bit of stubbornness to the vampires. Sparks fly between Ryan and Bane. Their chemistry jumps off the page even when both are trying to deny the attraction. When Ryan becomes a target, Bane becomes overprotective. Ryan isn't exactly helpless, however, but her revelations shock everyone. 

The several side characters really strengthen the dynamics of the book. All of the characters are likable and I enjoyed their companionship. The story is long but paced well. I was hooked from the very beginning and the author wrote wonderful characters that kept me engaged. This is the first book I've had the chance to read by Alyssa Day and it won't be my last. She has mad writing skills and wrote a book I could sink my teeth into. Lovers of paranormal romance stories will become absorbed in this book.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review: Try As I Smite (Brimstone Inc. #4) by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks @EntangledPub #TryAsISmite

Alasdair Blakesley is the head of the Covens Syndicate. He shouldn't need to look beyond the witches and warlocks he governs, or his own abilities, to solve any problem. But a demon infestation means he can’t trust anyone who may be possessed. The last person he wants to ask for help is also the only person who can fix this, so he sucks up his pride and storms into her office.

And she turns him down cold.

As the owner of Brimstone Inc., Delilah’s passion is helping others with their supernatural problems. But Alasdair is the last man Delilah wants to tangle with. The infuriating man sees too much and demands even more. And did she mention the way he sets her body on fire?

Not that it matters—demons are the only things with which she cannot interfere. Too bad a higher power steps in and sends them both on a crash course of each others' pasts, presents, and futures.

How is a Christmas Carol nightmare supposed to solve his demon problem without breaking the rules she’s bound by?

Print Length: 123 pages
Publication Date: October 26, 2020
Publisher: Entangled: Amara 
ASIN: B08K74WY85

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mtMX8E

My Review:

Alasdair has a demon problem. As head of the Covens Syndicate he must find a way to keep his people safe. He turns to the one person he didn't want to ask for help and she says no, referring him to someone else who can help. Delilah is a compassion person, always helping the supernatural in need. Until Alasdair comes knocking. The problem he has with demons is one in which she cannot intervene.

When Alasdair and Delilah are swept away into vision together, they soon discover it's a take on A Christmas Carol, and are subjected to their past, present, and future. As they try to figure out how this is going to help Alasdair's demon problem, especially when Delilah cannot be of any assistance, sparks fly. Their chemistry is hot and spicy. The banter between them is fun, sexy, and witty. The suspense due to the demon problem, Delilah's binding problem, and their growing attraction kept me on the edge of my seat as the story played out.

Try As I Smite is a quick, fun read, blending paranormal romance and dark versus light in a novella that packs a punch. Both Delilah and Alasdair are terrific characters and I really enjoyed the chemistry the author created between them. The world building was done well and I was able to visualize the story as I read along. The loose depiction of A Christmas Carol brought another level to the paranormal romance and I fell in love with the characters and the story.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Release Day Review: Runaway Fate (Moonstone Cove, Book #1) by Elizabeth Hunter @EHunterWrites @jennw23

A professor, a housewife, and a mechanic walk into a gym… and walk out as partners in a twist of fate they never saw coming!

About the Book:

Katherine wasn’t looking for anything extraordinary in her life. She had a job she loved, a husband she adored, and a home in the beautiful seaside town of Moonstone Cove.

Okay yes, she worked too much and had fallen out of touch with all her friends, but that happened to everyone, right? And sure, she was feeling a little creaky in the mornings and couldn’t drink coffee after noon, but that was just life in middle age.

Four minutes was all it took for fate to run away with anything that resembled normal.

Now Katherine is trying to place mysterious psychic visions into her previously ordered life. She’s playing referee between a displaced Southern mama and a sarcastic mechanic with a chip on her shoulder. And her quiet life has been upended by a mysterious rash of violent acts by students at her school.

Thankfully, her new friends have powers of their own, and together they just might discover who or what has it in for the quiet citizens of Moonstone Cove.

Runaway Fate is the first book in the hot new Paranormal Women’s Fiction series, Moonstone Cove by USA Today bestselling author, Elizabeth Hunter. It’s fiction for lovers of magic, mayhem, and a solid afternoon nap (when they can squeeze one in.)

Publication Date : October 27, 2020

Publisher : Recurve Press, LLC (October 27, 2020)

ASIN : B08GQW1554

Print Length : 304 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JaX4Rx

My Review:

Runaway Fate is the first book in the new Moonstone Cove series by Elizabeth Hunter. Set in California, Runaway Fate follows the life of a trio of new friends and their newly minted psychic abilities. Katherine the professor, Toni the mechanic, and Megan the housewife and mother are the latest stars of the Paranormal Women’s Fiction (PWF) series. These are 40-something women, strong and accomplished, and closer to my age, experience, and lifestyle. Characters I can relate to better than those in their twenties or thirties. 

Katherine, Toni, and Megan are as different from each other as night and day. One life-threatening event at their local gym pulls them together as they seek out answers to what exactly happened that day. Disbelief, anxiety, and denial abound as non-believers are tossed right into the middle of abilities they refused to believe were real. Surprise! The trio also must figure out why there has been an increase in violence by students at Katherine's school.

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Hunter and devour everything she writes. She has never written anything but the best stories. I’ve been one of her biggest fans since I devoured A Hidden Fire, her first book in the Elemental Mysteries series. All of Elizabeth's novels reach deep within my emotional center and manage to trigger reactionary responses. These types of books are my favorite. The emotions don't have to always include tears; it is just the ability to invoke proper emotional responses to scenarios being played out. 

And, isn't this cover absolutely gorgeous?!

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Meet the Author:

ELIZABETH HUNTER is a USA Today and international best-selling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family. She has published over thirty works of fiction and sold over a million books worldwide. She is the author of Love Stories on 7th and Main, the Elemental Legacy series, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.

 Connect with Elizabeth

 Facebook: http://bit.ly/2P1f95f

Twitter: http://bit.ly/33UT9xp

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2VUJzrk

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2J6TWD8

YouTube: http://bit.ly/33PeLet

Tumblr: http://bit.ly/33HxatB

Stay up to date with Elizabeth by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/35QNMAL

http://elizabethhunterwrites.com

#Fantasy #Romance Review ~ Arcane Ambition by H.P. Mallory ~ Episode 5

Episode 5: Arcane Ambitions

What happens when Sinjin finally finds himself face to face with Bryn? Will it be a love reunion or will sparks fly?

Meanwhile, Emma’s school is attacked by possessed werewolves, who glow with an eerie blue light. Emma knows she needs Stone’s help but how will she respond when she learns Stone’s secrets?

And Pagan is starting to realize Nyx isn’t all she seems. Can he trust her or will doing so mean his downfall?

And what happens when Jolie finds her feelings for Morse developing?

Find out what happens in the fifth episode of the Mists of Magic and Mayhem Series!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31KWtfV

ASIN : B08L41L9B3
Publication Date : October 11, 2020

Arcane Ambition is the 5th episode in the Mists of Magic and Mayhem serial by H.P. Mallory.

Episode 5 spends a lot of time with Bryn and Sinjin as they come face-to-face for the first time in 10 years. A lot of emotion erupts and I can't help but feel sadness for Sinjin and anger toward Bryn.  Bryn keeping their daughter Rowan away from her father disgusts me. The issues between them should have never led to Sinjin missing out on 10 years of his child's life because Bryn was angry at him over something that did not involve Rowan. I actually see Bryn in a completely different way now than I did in the Bryn and Sinjin series and it's not in a good way.

All to often this scenario happens in real life and while outsiders are quick to label him a deadbeat dad and her a strong, single parent, it's really her fault a child, or children, miss out on having a father in their lives. Please don't argue with me about this. I've been, and still am, part of a situation just like this (I don't have biological children so don't assume I'm the "her" in any of this discussion) and I've seen it happen. It disgusts me. 

While I view Bryn differently now, her character is still an integral part of the series (and I will eventually move past the anger I feel toward her in this particular episode). Her strength and tenacity lead her to the Abyss where she's sure her sister dwells. Despite her treatment of him, Sinjin still follows her into the Abyss and it's a good thing. The Abyss is full of evil and having Sinjin by her side helps keep her safe.

In the meantime, back at the school Emma attends is attacked oddly glowing wolves. Fortunately, Emma and her friends are ushered to safety by Stone. As they try to run and hide, Stone's protection leads to devastating consequences. Emma and her friends also learn several secrets Stone has been keeping under wraps.

The fourth episode in the Mists of Mayhem series is action-packed, fast-paced, pulls the reader in effortlessly, and keeps them engaged. I am excited to be back in this world. Along the way through this fresh, new adventure we get to meet new characters, venture into new settings, and learn new things. The story is engaging and branches in several directions, but it's done smoothly.

This series is amazing. I love that we are back in the world of Jolie Wilkins and we get to see what they are up to 10 years after the end of the Bryn and Sinjin series. Each book draws you in and the endings keep you wanting more. I’m constantly on edge, waiting for the next book.

Each episode ends with a mild cliffhanger and I'm not ashamed to admit the ending of Arcane Ambition made me cry. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.