Thursday 26 October 2017

The Guardian - Anna Del Mar

The Guardian by Anna Del Mar

The Guardian

From the Amazon Bestseller author of the The Asset comes The Guardian. 

Game Warden Matthias Hawking is a decorated ex-SEAL engaged in a grueling fight against ruthless poachers in Africa. He’s short on resources and long on enemies. There’s a price on his head. The last thing he needs is the unexpected arrival of a beautiful but stubborn journalist threatening to uncover his secrets, an alpha female challenging his alpha male and getting into trouble, a hurricane wearing boots. 

Jade Romo is a veteran of several different kinds of war. She’s survived her heroin-addicted mother, the foster care system, and the conflict in Afghanistan. Jade’s tough, confident, cynical, and self-reliant, a woman who doesn’t believe in forevers. But when she defies the poachers and lands at the top of the warlord’s kill list, she’s forced to rely on the skilled, attractive but supremely infuriating game warden who has captivated her body’s undivided attention. 

Haunted by his past but driven by his courage, her mysterious guardian will do anything in his power to protect the woman who has captured his heart. 

Book three of the Wounded Warrior series 

My Review

In many ways, I was torn by this book. On the one hand, I couldn't put it down. The action moved along quickly and I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Jade and Matthias. They were clearly suited to one another. On the other hand, I wasn't entirely convinced by the characters themselves. They did both seem a little bit larger than life. They seemed a little bit too capable to be real people. We were told pretty much continuously that Matthias used to be a seal.

The African setting, with poaching and the dangers that magnificent animals such as elephants and giraffes face was quite unusual. I really liked the way that the issues that are faced in that part of the world were woven into the story of Jade and Matthias.

On the whole I liked the development of the chemistry and relationship between Jade and Matthias. I did think that he was a little overbearing though. I think that if I were Jade I would have told him where to go. She was a strong woman in her own right and he really didn't seem to recognise that.

Over all this was a good, well written story. It moved along quickly and had plenty of action and excitement.

Tuesday 24 October 2017

Mr Blackwell's Bride - Cover Reveal



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Releasing Date: November 8, 2017


Drake
This marriage was supposed to be another business deal. My latest investment, a means to an end… I need an heir. Which means I want her belly swollen with my child before the year is out.

She was supposed to be my perfect little bride. Quiet. Uncomplicated. Unemotional.

I didn’t foresee the stunning firecracker who tumbled into my life and woke things in me I thought were long dead. I didn’t count on her turning my world upside down.

And I definitely didn’t plan on falling for this beauty.

Noriko
This marriage was supposed to be my sacrifice. A way to save my father, a means to an end… I need to remain childless. So I can exit the contract at the end of the year.

He was supposed to be a boring old man. Distant. Uncomplicated. Passionless.

I didn’t foresee the rude, arrogant and beautiful brute who made my body react like fire and smoke. I didn’t count on there being more underneath his gruff exterior.

And I’m definitely not supposed to fall in love with the beast.

This is a NEW story using old characters from the unpublished novel, Girl Wife Prisoner. This version has no Keir, no cheating and a Happily Ever After. Although this book is part of a series, it is a standalone novel.




Meet Author Sienna Blake


Sienna Blake is a storyteller & ink slinger, word spinner of love stories with grit, and alter ego of a USA Today Bestselling Author.
She loves all things that make her heart race — roller coasters, thrillers and rowdy unrestrained sex. She likes to explore the darker side of human nature in her writing.
If she told you who she really was, she’d have to kill you. Because of her passion for crime and forensics, she’d totally get away with your murder.
Sign up for my newsletter and get Paper Dolls, a full-length romantic suspense as a thank you gift. You'll also be the first to hear about new releases, sales and giveaways ► www.subscribepage.com/SiennaBlake
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Tuesday 10 October 2017

The Du Lac Princess - Mary Anne Yarde

When I first came across the Du Lac Chronicles a few months or so ago, I was immedeately hooked. I quickly read the first two full length books and the novella. When I heard that there was a new installment due out, I couldn't wait to read it. Fortunately I got my hands on an advanced copy, so I didn't have to.

The Du Lac Princess


The multi award-winning series The Du Lac Chronicles continues:

War is coming…

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.


My Review

I really love this series. The first two books were fantastic and this latest installment lived up to them. Armandine and Merton both believe each other to be dead and this leaves them not knowing where to turn or what to do. 

Merton is a shell of his previous self and all he can think about is getting revenge on Phillip. He is no longer the warrior that he one was, he is a cripple, unable to hold a sword let alone fight with one. He tries to make his way to Brittany and finds on the way that perhaps life isn't as hopeless as he may have first thought.

Armandine is friendless, left behind in Brittany. She find that with barely any contact with people that she can trust, she finds herself questioning all that she's believed and not knowing if people are really as they seem to be or not. 

At the same time, the Du Lac Brothers are all trying to establish how they now relate to one another and if they can work together. Alden and Merton are both dealing with so much guilt that it is pulling their close relationship apart. Non of the brothers really want anything to do with Budic. Newly arrived Garren is struggling to find his way back into his family and to earn their trust.

I love the complexity of the characters in this book. They all have many dimensions and solutions to problems are not always simple. They don't overcome their immediate problems and find themselves completely whole and happy. 

I don't know what's going to happen next in this series, but I'm looking forward to reading the next book and finding out. 

Sunday 8 October 2017

Love on the Forbidden Side - Mariah Ankenman


Love on the Forbidden Side 

Assistant District Attorney Julie Ryder plans to hide out at her brother’s ranch house in Peak Town, Colorado after a killer she put away escapes. Hoping for a little peace and quiet, what she gets instead is hot and bothered when she discovers the good sheriff is gone, and his sexy best friend is house-sitting.
FBI agent Liam Graham is on medical leave after a career-jeopardizing injury. He's taking the time to rethink his professional choices while watching his buddy’s place, but he never expected to watch the guy’s sister, too. Julie is a fiery ball of sweet temptation he's been denying himself for years. When she finally reveals the real reason for her visit to Peak Town, Liam does everything in his power to keep her safe. But with his focus on protecting her body, Liam fears he may lose his heart.

My review

There are some series where the books work as stand alone novels and others where they don't. As I haven't read any of the other books in the Peak Town Colorado series, I was glad that Love on the Forbidden Side, worked really well as a stand alone. Having said that, it has whet my appetite sufficiently, to possibly go back and read the previous books. 

I liked both the leads in this book. Unlike some romance novels, this isn't an instant attraction that comes out of nowhere, but slow sexual chemistry that's been simmering away just under the surface for years. Somehow there's something a little bit more interesting and exciting about that kind of love denied, finally finding an outlet.

I did want to give Liam a good shake at quite a few points early in the book, as really it's him putting blocks in the way of happiness, that he really didn't need to. But fortunately, Julie has far more idea about what's good for both of them and manages to sort him out.

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick read, mostly because I didn't want to put it down and raced to the end. I'll be interested to check out the other books in the series and keep an eye out for any others that might be released.

Buy links:

Wednesday 4 October 2017

Grigori - Lauren Smith

Release Date: October 3, 2017
 

Synopsis

He’s one of the last of a powerful but vanishing bloodline … Grigori Barinov is the eldest in an ancient line of dragon shifters and the guardian of his family’s lands and fortune. Sworn to protect their history and magic, he won’t rest until he neutralizes any threat to their existence. When he discovers an ancient manuscript that exposes his family and their dragon lineage has fallen into a mortal woman’s hands, he knows he must get the book back by any means necessary. If that means seducing a nosy American woman with an intoxicating scent, he is more than willing to carry her off to his palatial home deep in the heart of Russia. She’s the one woman who could expose him to the world… Madelyn Haynes has never fit in. As an adopted child she grew up in a loving home but never felt as though she belonged. Plagued by mysterious dreams she’s had of a silver scaled beast ever since she was a little girl, she is convinced dragons are real. While in Russia working on her PhD in mythology in order to escape the ridicule from fellow professors, she unexpectedly crosses paths with the sexy and dominating Grigori, and after just one night with the man whose eyes seem to burn, she starts to change inside. Isolated in the Russian wilderness Grigori calls home, Madelyn can’t help but fall under his sensual spell, yet something deep inside her calls out that she can’t trust him. She has to show the world dragons are real to salvage academic reputation, even if it means costing her the heart of the dragon she’s falling in love with.

My Review

As I'm sure you'll already know (or at least if you've read my blog before you will) I'm a bit of a fan of Lauren Smith's books. Grigori is the first in a new series, Brothers of Ash and Fire. I have to admit that supernatural romances, aren't usually my genre of choice, but for an author I like, then I'm happy to give them a go. I actually really enjoyed Grigori, despite it being something different to the books that I usually go for.

One of the things that I really liked about this story, was that although Grigori himself is very strong and dominating, (he is a dragon after all) the female lead in this book is no wilting violet. In fact, it soon becomes clear that not only is she drawn to him in some inexplicable way, but there's more to her past and herself than first meets the eye.

I really enjoyed the first book in this new series and I'm looking forward to reading about Grigori's brothers and their stories. Lauren Smith has created a great world and characters and I'm looking forward to enjoying another story with them.

Goodreads

 

 

Purchase Links

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2jEDAHI
   

Giveaway

$20 Amazon Gift Card
 
 
 
 
 

About the Author

USA TODAY Bestselling author LAUREN SMITH is an Oklahoma attorney by day, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award.

 

Connect with Lauren

 
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