Cover Reveal ~ The Demons of Montmartre by Laurence Raphael Brothers (Nora Simeon Investigations, Book 4) ~ @lbrothers @MirrorWorldPub #UrbanFantasy #UF

 

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions are excited to reveal the cover of The Demons of Montmartre by Laurence Raphael Brothers. Book four in the Nora Simeon Investigations series, The Demons of Montrartre will release on September 1, 2023.

About the Book:

Private Investigator Nora Simeon and her partner Eyre work for the Commission, the secret organization that regulates the summoning of demons in the financial industry. It’s the Commission’s job to suppress all public knowledge of sorcery. So when a mysterious letter from a person who calls themselves l’Invocateur threatens to expose the secret to the world, it’s Nora’s job to track him down.

In search of L’Invocateur, Nora and Eyre are off to Paris, but before they go, Madame Villiers, Nora’s mother and one of the Commission leaders in New York, reveals that Nora’s father may be in danger.

Nora has never known her father, a man named Simeon who disappeared when she was an infant. Spurred by her mother’s warning, Nora hunts both her father and l’Invocateur in France. From the elegant halls of the Société Générale to the altar of the Sacré-Cœur, Nora and Eyre find the threads of their search coming together in The Demons of Montmartre.

Meet the Author:

Laurence Raphael Brothers is a writer and a technologist. He has published over 25 short stories in such magazines as Nature, the New Haven Review, PodCastle, and Galaxy's Edge. His WWI-era historical fantasy novel Twilight Patrol was just released by Alban Lake. For more of his stories, visit https://laurencebrothers.com/bibliography, or follow him on twitter: @lbrothers.

Meet the Publisher:

https://mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Tour Presented by:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/p/book-promotions-information.html

#Romance #Review ~ A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans

A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street

A picture-perfect town; a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

About the Book:

Will a kiss at midnight change her life forever?

Sadie Winters has spent her whole life doing as she’s told. But when her overbearing aunt forbids her from going to the farewell ball at the beloved local castle, Sadie has had enough!

One magical makeover, one midnight curfew, and wearing a dress of her own creation, Sadie is unrecognizable as Ever After Street's shy seamstress.

Sadie might dream of meeting a handsome prince but the only person to cross her path is Witt – the slightly awkward estate agent intending to sell the castle and dash Sadie’s dreams forever.

As the clock strikes midnight, Sadie and Witt share a magical kiss and Sadie knows her heart is in serious danger. Surely Witt must feel the same way…? Sadie can't hang around to find out.

But as reality dawns the next day, and fate brings Witt to Sadie’s door again, Sadie realises that her mystery estate agent prince has absolutely no idea who she is!

Sadie can’t forget their midnight kiss, but is she brave enough to change her life and find love along the way…?

My Review:

A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street is so much more than a Cinderella retelling. Loosely based on a childhood favorite fairytale, the author magnificently modernized the story. Of course, the story is similar but the author added in a few unique twists, gasp moments, and differences to bring readers a completely different tale. One I loved so much I read it in one sitting. The characters, setting, theme, and writing style had me hooked from the first page.

Sadie is a dynamic character with a great personality. She's not perfect, however, and doesn't do a lot of standing up for herself against her controlling aunt. Aunt Ebony is not a nice person and when you find out why there are the dynamics that there are between Ebony and Sadie, I guarantee you'll like Ebony even less. But then again, what's a fairy tale (or a retelling) without the evil character.

Will was fantastic. I loved everything about him. I used to date a guy with the same disorder and the similarities between the two allowed me to connect with Will as more than just a character inside a book. His backstory was interesting and I loved learning more about him.

I was provided a copy of this book.  

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

https://amzn.to/3O9cHb3

Visit the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimieadmansbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/be_the_spark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimieadmans1/

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jaimie-admans

Stuck With My Ex’s Best Friend (Lovin' the Pines, Book 1) by Kristine W. Joy #RomCom #EnemiesToLovers

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BD5XDWN6
Publication Date: ‎ September 18, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 205 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NXDW7p

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62311139-stuck-with-my-ex-s-best-friend

About the Book:

Now I’m stuck in a tiny mountain town, at the mercy of a man who hates my guts — my ex-husband's infuriatingly attractive best friend...

All I got in the divorce was this unfinished ‘cabin.’

The plan was to sell it and move on.

A modeling career is useless in the woods, and my savings are nonexistent.

But I can’t list the home in this condition.

So now I’m living in a construction zone in the middle of a literal forest...

Relying on a billionaire architect, who is also my ex-husband’s best friend, and seemingly determined to sabotage the whole thing.

Small towns have a way of bringing people together...

And suddenly, I’m finding myself attracted to him, wondering if I should stick around here longer…

Now I have to make a choice — Follow my head, or risk it all again and follow my heart.

My Review:

Stuck with My Ex's Best Friend is a well-written contemporary romance. Emily just finalized a rather nasty divorce where the only asset she was awarded is an unfinished cabin. An unfinished high-end "cabin" in the woods. A "cabin" that is currently under construction, leaving Emily homeless and without any money. The construction is being overseen by her ex's best friend, who clearly has issues with her. What ensues is a game of cat-and-mouse between Emily and Silas. 

The close proximity of Silas and Emily has them both considering things neither have been interested in after dealing with such devastating past relationships. The closeness of the townsfolk has a huge affect on Emily and requires her to make some rather large decisions. Decisions that won't only affect her. Decisions that have Silas feeling guilty since Emily's ex is his best friend. One that will find Silas talking to his best friend about.

The confrontation between Silas and Martin, Katie's ex was lackluster, at best. I didn't expect a knockdown drag out but something about it left me unsettled and unsatisfied. I appreciated Silas going to bat for Katie but I was let down by their conversation.

Despite the Silas/Martin letdown, Stuck with My Ex's Best Friend was a wonderful book. The characters where likable (except Martin) and complex. I really enjoyed the setting and how the town came to be in existence. The author crafted a unique enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. One that I truly enjoyed.

My Rating:

The Paid Bridesmaid: A Novel by Sariah Wilson #Montlake @sariahwilson #DestinationWedding #Review

ASIN: ‎ B08ZCM38MB
Publisher: ‎ Montlake
Publication Date: ‎ January 1, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 304 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CXGk8R

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57886856-the-paid-bridesmaid

Rachel Vinson is a bridesmaid for hire: part confidante, part wedding planner, and one hundred percent pretend BFF. Discretion guaranteed. Her next gig is a destination wedding—livestreamed and sponsored—for an Instagram influencer. That means a paradise of new contacts, which could be a boon to her already booming business. If Rachel can keep the very handsome and slightly too interested best man at bay, that is.

High-tech entrepreneur Camden Lewis must know: Who is this gorgeous, intelligent, and mysterious woman? Too good to be real. Convinced she’s a corporate spy out to tank his company, Camden’s not letting her out of his sight. But the constant surveillance is also opening his eyes to things about Rachel that he likes. If she’s a spy, she’s certainly the cutest one he’s ever seen.

As the week’s worth of wedding events march along, Rachel and Camden are learning almost everything there is to know about each other. Rachel’s made a career out of always a bridesmaid…but perhaps there’s a chance for her own trip down the aisle?

My Review:

The Paid Bridesmaid was a cute romcom about a women who brides pay to be their BFF. An interesting premise, for sure, I was pulled in from the very beginning. The author's writing style, characters, and setting kept me engaged. I loved the influencer destination wedding. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the heroine's career. Rachel's character is closed-off to romance for a couple reasons: her backstory, revealed later in the book, and her corporate rules. Her employees are not allowed to mess around with anyone from the bridal party. 

All that goes up in smoke when Rachel meets Camden, the best man at the wedding she's attending as the maid of honor. Too quick to ignore inconsistencies, Rachel has her work cut out for her as she maneuvers around Cam. She wants to protect Sadie and keep to their confidentiality clause, but Cam makes it difficult for her to remember why she needs to avoid him. Their chemistry quickly ignites and is undeniable from their very first meeting. 

I enjoyed everything about The Paid Bridesmaid. Fun, quirky characters, beautiful location, imperfect situations, and true-to-life conflicts. I can't wait to read more by this author.

I'm a Prime member and this was available to me to read as such.

My Review:

#Review ~ The Wicked Truth: Madigan Wicked (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside, Book 4) by Melissa Foster #MCRomance #DarkKnights

The Wicked Truth by Melissa Foster

About the Book:

What happens when you’re not looking for love, but it walks in the door?

Madigan Wicked’s heart is not up for grabs. She’s been there, done that, and she’s not going back for seconds. She pours her heart and soul into her family, her greeting card line, puppetry, and storytelling performances. But she’s not opposed to having a night of fun, and the gruff, sinfully hot, definitely-not-looking-for-love mysterious stranger she runs into at a bar might be just the right man to enjoy it with.

Ex-con Tobias Riggs has lost enough for one lifetime. The only family member in his corner doesn’t remember him, and the people who he thought would always be in his life, walked away. He’s just trying to make it through each day, and the last thing he’s looking for is any sort of connection. When chemistry ignites with the snarky, sexy storyteller, with lips he can’t stop thinking about, he gives in to a night of passion.

Though neither is open to love, it’s been known to bully its way into even the most resisting hearts. But can it survive the wicked truth of Tobias’s dark past?

My Review:

I devoured The Wicked Truth by Melissa Foster. Madigan and Tobias are spectacular characters separately and together. I was pulled into their romance from the second I read what the book was about.

I was completely engaged in Mads and Tobias's story. I loved Mads's spunk and sassiness and Tobias's grumpiness and his protector vibe. Their personalities intersected and I enjoyed how they interacted and the chemistry that popped off the book's pages. Mads and Tobias just fit together.

Melissa Foster wove a realistic and steamy romance in with drama, humor, and so much emotion. The emotions, chemistry, and steam explode around this couple. Melissa Foster has become my go-to for new/adult contemporary romance. I read everything I can get my hands on by this author.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BkjyYl

Add to Goodreads: 

https://bit.ly/3SaTqVm

#Review ~ The Duke’s Secret Cinderella by Eva Devon ~ @EntangledPub #HistoricalRomance #NeverAWallflower #thedukessecretcinderella

The Duke’s Secret Cinderella

Eva Devon

Entangled – Amara

February 21, 2023

Adult Romance, Retelling

Purchase from Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3ZmSh0Z

About the Book:

Charlotte Browne could just kick herself. What on earth possessed her to tell the Duke of Rockford that she is a lady? But something about the duke's handsomeness and kind intelligence makes Charlotte blurt out the teeniest, tiniest falsehood. Now it's too late to admit she's just plain Charlotte of no particular importance—with cinder-stained hands, a wretched stepfather, and no prospects for marriage...

Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has done what every self-respecting duke must do—avoid marriage at all costs. But the only thing stronger than the duke is his mother. When she lays down the highest ultimatum, he'll need to find a duchess. Immediately. Only, when he calls on a potential bride, he instead finds the pert, fresh-faced Lady Charlotte. Rafe was warned to never mix the business of marriage with pleasure, but when it comes to her...oh, business would be a splendid pleasure.

One passionate, illicit kiss sends Charlotte fleeing, leaving only a delicate blue ribbon behind. For Rafe can never discover her secret, or it will ruin her beloved sister's chance at marriage. But the duke knows that when you've found the one person that ignites you, body and soul, nothing can keep you away.

My Review:

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was a fascinating fairytale retelling. The story has a twist in that their isn't a wicked stepmother. Charlotte has a wicket stepfather. He's actually more than just wicked. He's cruel, heartless, and power- and money-hungry. As such, he's pulled Charlotte out of polite society and banished her to the servant's quarters, all while his children maintain their stations within the ton.

When Charlotte is downtown trying to free one of the servant's from horrific conditions in the debtors' prison, she is accosted by a street person. A handsome gentleman intervenes and even assists Charlotte in securing the release of the servant. Upon the rescue, Charlotte learns she's been aided by none other than the Duke of Rockford. What ensues is a tale of deceit, maltreatment, and unspeakable behavior. This is also a tale, however, of love, chemistry, and revelations. 

The path Charlotte and Rafe travel is a bumpy one. Charlotte tells Rafe a small white lie which, throughout the book, escalates. The lie, and its snowball effect, opens the door for Charlotte's stepfather to twist and misconstrue her tales into something more beneficial to him rather than her or others involved. The ending, while epic, is also sad and maddening. Justice is served but, as in real life, it doesn't take away the pain and loss.

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was fun, eye-opening, and a fantastic retelling. I enjoyed the characters, even the bad ones, because they had a part to play in making this story so good. The twists, turns, and ending were surprising and I didn't see them coming. The author wrote a wonderful historical romance as the Cinderella fairytale re-imagined. I really enjoyed this book.

I was provided a paperback of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Review ~ Because You Loved Me by Beth Moran @bethcmoran @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

Because You Loved Me

About the Book:

Marion Miller needs a fresh start.

Her childhood in Northern Ireland wasn’t easy, with a father who passed away when she was young and a mother who got lost in grief. Now grown-up and with family relations as tense as ever, Marion heads to England, to find out the truth about her father’s mysterious past – and hopefully an extended family who will love her as much as he did.

Scarlett Obermann runs a holiday park in Sherwood Forest with her daughter Grace, but what’s she’s best at is making people feel like they belong. With her merry band of waifs and strays, Scarlett welcomes Marion with open arms, and it isn’t long before Marion finally understands what it means to find a home.

As she tries to uncover her father’s story, Marion slowly blossoms, even daring to indulge in her crush on Reuben, the son of the Lord of the Manor, but she hasn’t quite out-run her past. And as Scarlett faces her own tragedy, it’s Marion’s turn to take care of everyone.

Because you can’t choose your family, but you can make your friends the family you choose.

This novel was first published as Making Marion.

My Review:

Because You Loved Me started off slow and I wasn't quite sure what to think. The heroine, Marion, had low-functioning anxiety. While others go through daily tasks smoothly and effortlessly, those with this type of anxiety shut down and have difficulty performing even easy, mundane tasks. I have high-functioning anxiety but I'm still affected by some of the same things as one does with low-functioning anxiety. Some of Marion's actions baffled me (not calling the police during specific events, among other things) and I found myself becoming detached. However, the story finally sunk its claws into and captivated me at about the 20% mark. 

I loved watching Marion blossom during her days at the holiday park. Scarlett took Marion in with open, unquestioning arms. She slowly encouraged Marion to engage in social settings that would normally send her running. In fact, Marion does that quite a few times. Marion is finally able to let people into her heart and make friends. This slow transformation makes it easier for Marion to talk to people, paving the way to her real reason for landing in Sherwood Forest. She lost her dad at a young age and wants to learn more about him and his family.

The setting and world-building were cleverly written and I (eventually) found myself immersed in Marion's tale. She gained a wonderful family in the secondary characters. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. The author wrote a very realistic book with plenty of emotion, passion, and realism. The characters were complex and fully developed. I enjoyed watching Marion grow and shed her childhood trauma. The trauma will never fully go away but her new life paves the way through the pain and opens her eyes to the life she deserves. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

https://amzn.to/3CQ0iTo