#Review ~ Emerald (Colors of Crime, Book 5) by Sophie Lark

ASIN : B0838R9XKZ
Print Length : 207 pages
Word Wise : Enabled
Publication Date : February 12, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

She Tried To Kill Me...

She crept into my room with a syringe full of poison.

Now she’s my prisoner.

She refuses to tell me who sent her or why.

But I’ll get every last secret out of her. Through pleasure or through punishment.

I captured her and now she belongs to me…

“Emerald” is a dark and dominating mafia romance, Book 1 in the Colors of Crime series. It’s a stand-alone novel, full of intrigue, danger, and sexy bedroom scenes. Contains spanking, so if such material offends you, do not read.

Review:

Don't let the synopsis of Emerald fool you. Ivan may be a tough Bratva leader with men that cower at his size, demands, and show of force but Sloane is not one of his men. She is an assassin sent to kill him. They payout is huge and, even as she eyes his sexy, sleeping form, she knows she has to fulfill her contract. That is, until he captures her and holds her in a cell in the basement. Based on Ivan's MO, Sloane should be dead, not sitting almost naked in front of him, leaning into his touch and wanting more. 

Sloane's character is great. She's mouthy, insolent, and when it comes right down to it, can hold her own. She's been an assassin for years and until Ivan, able to get in, do her job, and get out. By the time they find the body, she's only a fleeting memory, one people never associate with dead body. Sloane knew going into this job that Ivan wasn't going to be easy to take down. He's much larger and stronger than she so convention wasn't going to work. Ivan catching her and not immediately killing her allowed for one of the sexiest romances to bloom. They both have a maniacal mafia overlord breathing down their necks, each for a different reason, but if they work together, Ivan and Sloane may just take him down. 

Sloane is Ivan's match in almost every way, making this a book about partnership, exploration of unfamiliar feelings, and being ready to risk it all for the one you love. The book is filled with suspense, action, and thrilling moments. I love the characters in the Colors of Crime series. 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. Emerald hits 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 the book to read.

Review ~ The Blood King (Inferno Rising, Book #2) by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks #PNR #Dragon #Phoenix @EntangledPub

Book Details:

Publication Date : August 25, 2020
Publisher : Entangled: Amara
ASIN : B084V1ZBPC

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31xud0l

About the Book:

Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap.

Except he may have met his match.

The feisty Amon sister has no fear — of him or any other dragon shifter — is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers.

Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn't believe in the whole destined mates thing and believes all dragon kings to be dangerous. But if it means taking out the High King who murdered her parents, she'll put up with Ladon... temporarily.

But the fates have other plans. And when Skylar disappears in the middle of a battle, Ladon will burn down the world to find her.

My Review:

The Blood King is a perfect example of one of my favorite romance tropes: enemies to lovers. The fact this story is also full of paranormal shifters, specifically dragons, makes it even better.

Skylar Amon is one of a quadruplet of phoenixes, a rare occurrence since there's only supposed to one phoenix at at time. Hidden from the Rotting King of the Red Dragon Clan and each other, Skylar has finally located one of her sisters, Kasia. Skylar manages a stealthy entrance to the Blue Dragon lair only to find her sister is mated to a Gold Dragon. Dragons are supposed to be their enemy. Rescuing Kasia takes an unexpected turn when Kasia doesn't to be rescued and Kasia's mate, Brand, heartily agrees. Kasia and Brand are such a cute couple and the author makes their love and affection shine from the pages. The relationship does not impress Skylar and she's even less impressed with the feelings she's starting to have for Ladon Ormarr, king of the Blue Dragons, also known as The Blood King.

Ladon doesn't understand his attraction to Skylar. It goes long beyond just needing to secure her as a mate because she's a phoenix. Skylar is stubborn and doesn't want to be claimed or chained to a mate who only wants her for who she is and the powers she has. She's willing to take one for the team, however, if it means putting the Rotting King down permanently. As the war between the various dragon clans heat up, so does the chemistry between Skylar and Ladon. When everything is all said and done, Skylar may not be able to just up and walk away from the one man who burns her from the inside out and fires her up like no one else.

Amazing, this book is simply amazing. I read the book in under 2 days and I have a full-time job and a family. Oops, sorry guys, didn't mean to neglect you. The chemistry between Skylar and Ladon is off-the-charts hot, from the minute Skylar stepped out of hiding and through all the stubbornness, suspense, and drama this paranormal romance brings to the table.

I love the author's writing style, conversational and easy to follow. The pacing of the story is perfect, not too fast, not too slow. There aren't any boring or dull spots, as the author created 3-dimensional characters and a 3-dimensional world. I was engrossed in this book from the very beginning and was drawn in by the action, romance, snark, and strength of both Skylar and Ladon. Abigail Owen is now one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to dive into more of her books.

Yes, I was provided a copy of this book to review but my thoughts, opinions, and praise are my own.

My Rating:

Visit the Author's Website:

https://abigailowen.com/

ARC Book# Review: The Haunting on Palm Court by Stephanie Edwards ~ An Isle of Palms Suspense ~

Book Details:

Publication Date : September 1, 2020
Print Length : 253 pages
ASIN : B089QXJHPV
Publisher : Stephanie Edwards Writing Services

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YvpJp8

About the Book:

After Blake Nelson catches her abusive fiancé, Parker, with another woman, she seeks serenity at her late grandmother’s beach cottage. He follows Blake to the island and attempts to kill her, but instead, he dies in an accident while fleeing the police. His malevolent spirit returns to the cottage to finish what he started.

The haunting intensifies when Blake reconnects with her first love, Clint. Will Blake discover how to banish Parker before it’s too late?

My Review:

Blake has been in an abusive relationship with Parker for a while. He verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive to Blake and is the type of person who hurts her then tries to buy her forgiveness. When Blake catches Parker in a compromising situation with another woman, Blake doesn't think of the repercussions, she just flees Tennessee to her late grandmother's cottage in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The author does a great job showing the reader what Parker's abuse looks, sounds, and feels like and Blake's reactions to the treatment. I felt her sadness, horror at his actions, and loneliness. Finding Parker cheating was the best thing to happen, it gave her an excuse to leave, to preserve herself, to clear her head. 

Parker is able to track Blake to her late grandmother's cottage and tries the unimaginable. He accuses her of being there with someone, then tries to kill her. She's able to get help but Parker disappears. Constantly looking over her shoulder, Blake's worries are over when Parker is killed while eluding police. She mourns for the man Parker could have been and the life they could have had but the relief is also very pronounced. Knowing she can now move on with her life, Blake rekindles her youthful romance with Clint. Parker, however, has other plans. 

The location and setting really drew me to the story. I vacationed in Isle of Palms a couple years ago and I love to read books set in either the state I live in or in places I've been fortunate enough to visit. I just wish there were more descriptive passages about the cottage, the town, when there were trips to other cities. The characters, while enjoyable, lacked some depth. There were some inconsistencies and missing dialogue and events between thoughts or scene shifts. The premise of this book is amazing. The Haunting on Palm Court is a wonderful mixture of romance, suspense, thriller, and paranormal genres. The combination of genres pulled me in and kept the story interesting.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

 

Release Day ARC Review - The Wedding Date Disaster by Avery Flynn @AveryFlynn @EntangledPub

Print Length: 233 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B086J3T31K
Amazon

I can’t believe I have to go home to Nebraska for my sister’s wedding. I’m gonna need a wingman and a whole lot of vodka for this level of family interaction. At least my bestie agreed he’d man up and help. Too bad he had to catch a different flight than me. Then his plane got delayed. And finally—because bad things always happen in threes—instead of my best friend, his evil twin strolls out of the airport.

If you looked up doesn’t-deserve-to-be-that-confident, way-too-hot-for-his-own-good billionaire in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Will Holt. He’s awful. Horrible. The worst—even if his butt looks phenomenal in those jeans.

Ten times worse? My buffer was supposed to be there to keep me away from the million and one family events. But Satan’s spawn just grins and signs us up for every. Single. Thing.

Fine. “Cutthroat” Scrabble? I’m in. I can’t wait to take this guy down a notch.

But somewhere between Pictionary and the teasing glint in his eyes, our bickering starts to feel like more than just a game…



The Wedding Date Disaster is another excellent book by Avery Flynn. Her books are sassy, romantic, filled with a taste of strife, and fun. 

Hadley Donovan is headed to Nebraska for a week to prepare for her younger sister's wedding. Her family is a lot to take so she asks her best friend Web to accompany her. When Web's plane lands in Denver shortly after her's, Hadley can't wait to see him. What better way to spend a 5-hour road trip to her family's ranch than with her bestie?! Except, as her tall, good-looking friend swaggers across the airport toward her, Hadley realizes is isn't Web - it's his identical twin brother, Will. The evil twin, the twin that Hadley can't stand. Now she has to figure out how to survive the week with not only her family but the nuisance in the best looking pair of jeans and cowboy hat ever. This week is going to be a nightmare.

Will knows that Hadley is just playing with her brother, trying to figure out some way to latch on to all the Holt money. When Web is unable to fly to Denver to meet Hadley, Will volunteers. What better way to keep Hadley away from Web and prove that she's just like all the other golddiggers, right? Eventually, the chemistry between them changes from hatred to something else and Hadley and Will fight against it until it's no longer possible to deny. When they open up to one another the truth in Hadley's past made me emotional for her loss and how that loss set her up and made her the person she is today. Finally discussing her past trauma also allowed her to open up and be truthful with her family. She is not all put together and successful like they think she is. In fact, she's currently the exact opposite, but she put on a brave face and tried to fake it-til she made it.

Will also has a traumatic past concerning an ex-girlfriend. His experiences with the ex are why he's the way his is today. When you have a lot of money, people who say they are your friends and love you, come out of the woodwork. He and Web have worked extremely hard to keep Holt together, profitable, and successful. His ex stomped on his feelings and his heart and now Will assumes all women who show him and Web any sort of attention are just out for their money and their name.

The Wedding Date Disaster may be classified as a romcom but it is so much more. The author took two imperfect characters and made them completely perfect for each other. There are tears, judgments made, assumptions to boot, but there is also family, truthfulness, love, and joy. And let's not forget about PawPaw!!

One of my favorite romance tropes, this book is one of the best enemies-to-lovers book I have ever read. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Book #Review ~ Besting the Billionaire by Alison Aimes @alisonaimes @EntangledPub ~ (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 2)

Book Details:

Print Length: 262 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Publication Date: January 15, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B0786Q1YWT

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2FhwioD

About the Book:

Billionaire Alexander Kazankov always wins. But he didn’t count on high-heeled, drop-dead sexy Lily Bennett getting in the way of his latest deal. She’s a distraction he doesn’t need, not when he’s so close to making things right for his family.

Lily may walk and talk like a Southern piece of fluff, but she’s been underestimated before. She's determined to succeed—and no entitled, arrogant asshole, especially the too-gorgeous-for-his-own-good-kind, is going to get in her way.

Oil meet water. Gasoline meet spark. It’s all out war as these two enemies go toe-to-toe in an ugly, take no prisoners battle to prove they’re the right choice to be CEO of the same company. All too soon playing dirty in the boardroom leads to playing even dirtier in the dark. It’s destined to end in personal and professional disaster. So why the hell can’t they stop?

Each book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series is STANDALONE.

Everything about this book worked for me. 

Hot Russian - check 

Feisty Widow - check

Fight over CEO of a company that means something to both of them - check

Unbridled Passion - check

Alexander Kazankov never loses and his latest deal is one he's been working on for years. A deal he will stop at nothing to finish. The acquisition of Winslow Industries from the Winslow family has been on Alexi's radar for years. After the death of patriarch Russel Winslow, Alexi in now preparing to go head-to-head with Russell Winslow's widow, Lily Bennett.

Lily is a lot smarter than anyone has ever given her credit for. She might have a cringe-worthy past but it should not define who is now. Unfortunately, there are those in the world who love to reveal the mistakes, tragedies, or other private matters that are no one's business. I'm not talking about illegal actions, I'm talking about poor decisions, choices that seemed okay at the time but maybe weren't really, or associations with less-that-desirable companions. Lily is bound and determined to run Winslow according to her deceased-husband's wishes. Except, Lily has way more against her than for her, including the children of Russell, wary board members, and hot Russian businessmen. The only way to come out on top is to prove she's exactly who Winslow Industries needs.

I really enjoyed this book. The glass ceiling is real and this book takes it on. Lily encounters several board members who subscribe to the good ole boys club. Their attitude and connections make it harder for Lily to obtain the number of votes necessary for a CEO. She's consistently trying to outmaneuver Alexi, while simultaneously pushing aside her attraction for him. Of everyone she deals with concerning the board, Alexi is the only one who doesn't hold her being a woman against her. He realizes just how strong and capable she is and how shrewd and cunning she will be as a CEO.

Besting the Billionaire is engaging with strong character development, and impressive world-building. The author's writing style is clear, concise, and conversational with perfect pacing, and likable characters. I highly recommend this book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Contemporary#Romance #Review ~ Served Hot (Best Revenge #2) by Marie Harte @MarieHarte @EntangledPub

Print Length: 202 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Publication Date: November 13, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B076PPXJ6W

Twelve years ago, geeky Dexter Black blackmailed Maya Werner into a prom date, and she was shocked when she had a good time. But for a strong-willed, hot-tempered artist who’s used to having the upper hand, that night has never sat well with her.

Fast forward to the present, where Maya indulges in weekly wine night with friends and ends up pledging to get revenge on Dex. Except the nerd she remembers has transformed into a hot, sexy Marine who has the audacity to blackmail her again.

Dex is back in town with one goal in mind: to win the girl of his dreams. His strategy? Keep her off balance enough until she melts into the passion between them. But when a misunderstanding stokes old hurts, Maya backs away, and Dex has to go with a contingency plan: pour on the charm until he gets what he wants—Maya, forever.

Maya and Dex have a complicated history. Back in high school, Dex blackmailed Maya to get her to go to prom with him. Which, of course, was a problem for Maya. Fast-forward 12 years later and Dex is back in town and Maya has never forgotten his manipulation. Except, Dex has always held a spot in Maya's heart, whether she admits it or not and Maya has been the only one for Dex. Now that he's back in Bend, it's time for them to stop avoiding each other. Let the games begin!

Served Hot is a steamy story filled with great characters and a lot of sex. The chemistry between Maya and Dex is off the charts, believable, and rolls between them in waves. Unfortunately, the past history rears its ugly head, mostly in the form of Selena Thorpe, and Maya jumps to incorrect conclusions. Dex and Maya's story is about lost love, redemption, and facing your past before you can live in the present, or look forward to the future. Maya has baggage and Served Hot forces her to face her past head-on. Emotional is an understatement about this book. 

All of the characters from book 1 are back. Ann and Riley are supportive of Maya but don't hesitate to call her out when necessary. Jack and Anson fulfill their roles, as necessary. All 6 characters are likable and written well. Another great story in the Best Revenge trilogy.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

**Story contains light BDSM

Contemporary #Romance #Review ~ Served Cold by Marie Harte @MHarte_Author @EntangledPub ~ Best Revenge, Book #1

Print Length: 202 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Publication Date: November 13, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B076PBX5BP

Amazon

Ann Weaver knows getting ditched by Jack Bloom back in high school was for the best. He may have been her first, but she’s twenty-nine now and way over him. When a night out with friends—and a couple of glasses of wine—starts them all talking about regrets, Ann decides it’s time to confront the past. Luckily, hers has recently moved back to town, and he looks just as good as ever.

There’s something different about Jack, though. He’s funny, kind, and amazing in bed—but he’s also sweeter than she remembers. Soon Ann starts to forget she’s in it for revenge.

Jack is older and wiser now, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes for a chance at a future with very grown-up, gorgeous Ann. But once Jack learns about her motive for rekindling their romance, he has to decide if love can push through the lie.

Each book in the Best Revenge series is a STANDALONE story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Served Cold is the first book in a standalone three-book series about revenge by Marie Harte. Ann Weaver and Jack Bloom were a couple back in high school when a series of unfortunate events caused a break-up. Having both gone their separate ways, Ann stayed in Bend while Jack left. Now Jack's back though and Ann is still hurt by the events in their past. After a night with Maya and Riley, the trio decide it's time to exact revenge on Jack.

Jack's PhD is allowing him to be choosier about where he teaches and does research, so he has decided to move back to Bend. When he picks up his nephew from school, he's surprised to learn his teach is Ann Weaver, the one who got away. He remembers the incident in high school differently than Ann does and he's still trying to figure out why he wasn't good enough for her.

What ensues is a truly combustible reunion between Ann and Jack that has the reader rooting for them. At the same time, though, also wondering, if the pasts they each remember have scarred them so badly, why it took so long for them to talk about the truth. I know, I know - as my husband would tell me when I ask a question like that about something we are watching - if Ann and Jack discussed this earlier there would be no book (or movie or tv episode). 

The story was cute and I enjoyed Ann and Jack together. Maya and Riley are awesome best friends, and Ann is lucky to have them. Served Cold is the starting point for the trilogy and I love how the author weaved the stars of the other two books through this one. Not much, but enough to know who the couples will be and what happened in the past causing them to butt heads. 

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

**Story contains light BDSM