All I Ask - Tamara Lush

All I Ask by Tamara Lush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third book in the Paradise Beach series builds on the great start of the first books. While this is a series, I really don't think it would matter if you hadn't read the previous books in the series. The characters who were in those first two books do make small appearances in this book and I'm guessing that the characters who are yet to get their stories also appear. It works fines as a standalone book.
All I ask focuses on lawyer Tate and European Princess Isabella. When Isabella comes to Paradise Beach to avoid the paparazzi and media circus that surrounds her life, she hopes to remain under the radar for a while. Unfortunately, after a quite amusing encounter with some of the local wildlife, she finds herself in court and in the spotlight. Fortunately, Tate is there to help her out of a sticky situation and she soon finds herself falling for him.
This is quite a sweet story. Tate is lovely and he and Isabella are very well matched. I enjoyed the growth of their romance. The story moves along quite quickly and although there is a bit of a misunderstanding, this isn't really much more than a little blip on their trip to happiness together.
This series is a lovely, quiet lighthearted read. There's romance, a bit of heat and a lovely humourous touch which make this just the kind of read for a bit of light escapism. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Jack's Heart - Demi Vice

The Jack's Heart by Demi Vice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I have to admit that when I read the description I was intrigued, but not completely convinced that it would be that great. I was wrong. As with many stories, it's the characters that draw you in. Jack has so much enthusiasm and lust for life, despite his history, that it's hard not to warm to him from the start. There's always a danger that stories about prisoners or ex-prisoners are a little too cliche or that there's a miraculous change in character where they suddenly see the error of their ways and reform. Not so here, Jack may be 'retired' but he's still the dark and troubled soul that went to prison in the first place.
Books, where the characters are flawed always attract me and both Jack and Ahrianna, are certainly flawed. Victims of their upbringing both have known pain and loss. Jack seems to have dealt with it all and finally got what he's always wanted, while Ahrianna is struggling daily just to survive.
I loved the way that these two were together. The chemistry between them was explosive. This isn't a sweet love story. It's one of passion and darkness, but it's all the better for it. This is the start of the series. I think I that at least one of the characters in the next book has made a couple of cameo appearances in this book. I shall just have to read and find out if I'm right.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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After She Fell - Amber Laura

After She Fell
Amber Laura
Publication date: July 30th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s tried for years to convince herself that she isn’t in love with him. If it hasn’t worked, at least she’s managed to convince him of it, anyway.
A tragic love affair from her past had shattered Christina’s illusions of romance—it’d shattered her entire world, left her utterly broken and blamed. She’s fallen once before. She isn’t about to make the same mistake twice!
Jason Gordman is off-limits. Charming, playful, confident—he’s everything dangerous to her defenses. Worse yet, he’s the boss’s son. Hiding behind antagonism and indifference, Christina manages to keep him at a careful distance. That is, until one fateful night when she finds herself snowbound with him in a blizzard and she slips, allows herself one, forbidden kiss…
Struggling to reconcile her feelings, Christina is entirely unprepared for where that one stolen moment will lead her.

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Author Bio:
Amber Laura’s biography, also known as “Five Fun Facts about the Author”:

1. As a writer, Amber Laura does her best daydreaming as a window-gazing passenger on long car rides.
2. If there’s creamer, she’s drinking coffee. When she edits, there’s always creamer.
3. A blogger, she also writes web fiction—(free stories updated chapter-by-chapter, week-by-week). Check it out at www.litliber.com.
4. Psst! Her debut novel, Topaz and Lace, a contemporary romance set in a fictitious Texas town, got its start on that same blog.
5. While she may physically reside in the beautiful country of Northern Minnesota, in her imagination, Amber Laura lives all over the world. She considers it one of the best perks to being a writer: easy, cheap travel. That and the oddball characters she meets along the way….

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My Review

I'm going to start by saying just how much I enjoyed this book. This was possibly, in part at least, because it was a little different to the other things that I've been reading recently. In part, but also just because it is a really good book. 

This book is a love story, but although there is romance in there, it's not really a romance story in the traditional sense. In fact, most of this story is about a number of different love stories. The main character, Christina has been in love with her bosses son, Jason, almost from the moment that she met him. He clearly feels the same, but the antagonistic relationship that they have has stopped anything from happening between them. When she was younger, Christina made a mistake and as a result, her family cut her off completely. This has then defined all of her relationships and friendships since then. 

The book tells the stories of Christina's blossoming relationship with Jason as well as her relationship with surrogate parents Mary and Matthew (her boss and his wife) and the relationship with her parents. All of these elements come together as Christina struggles to come to terms with her past and accept a future.

I loved the characters. Christina was quite prickly and difficult to relate to at the beginning, but as the book developed we see more of why she is how she is and it becomes easier to sympathise with her. The whole story was very well written and I have to admit that I really wasn't sure how it was going to end, it really could have gone a number of ways. In the end, I think that the way that it all worked out was perfect for the book. 

Amber Laura is a new author for me, but I'll certainly be on the lookout for more of her books in the future. 

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Seduced by the Stranger - Alyssa J.Montgomery

Seduced by the Stranger by Alyssa J. Montgomery
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I tried with this one, I really did. But it just wasn't for me. It didn't start well when the beginning of the book didn't make a lot of sense. The female lead has lost her memory and is marrying a man that she can't remember in a Church. I'm fairly confident that if one of the people who was getting married had lost their memory then it wouldn't be allowed to take place. Added to that she's only been out of a coma for five weeks, then there wasn't time for the banns to be read and the whole thing organised. I don't want to give away spoilers, but the whole way that her stepbrother and stepsister in law treat her just seems to over the top and to be honest pointless and it's never really explained. As to why she feels compelled to marry someone just because she's pregnant, no idea what that was about. Much of the book felt as though it should have been set in the 1950s or possibly earlier, but as at one point she uses the internet, that wasn't the case.
I will forgive a lot in a book if I like the characters and buy into their romance. In this case, I didn't take to either of them. In fact, at more than one point I was wondering if Max was going to be revealed as the villain after all. I didn't feel that there was any chemistry between them at all and they seem to go from Jenna not remembering Max at all, to being madly in love with him.
I realise that this is quite a harsh review and to be honest, other people might enjoy the story more. It just didn't do it for me.

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Fallen - Rebecca Zanetti

Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I haven't read the first book in the Deep Ops series, but I have read a couple of Rebecca Zanetti's books before. I did enjoy this one and would certainly read more in the series, but I wasn't as completely sold on this one as I have been on her other books.
I enjoyed the overall story and the characters are all interesting. For me though, the chemistry between the two lead characters, Brigid and Raider was a little bit off. It wasn't that there wasn't chemistry there, it was more that there was a small element that just didn't seem to click. I don't know what it was and it may only be something that bothered me.
The group that makes up the HDD group are an odd band of damaged people. They work well together and I liked the dynamic between them. I have to admit that I'm not sure about the dog, I'm not entirely sure what the story is there, but for me, it doesn't really work. He was a little bit too 'human' and unless there's something unexpected going on where he really is a person, then I'm not sure what the plan was there.
I don't want to make it sound like I didn't enjoy this one, because I did. it's just that there were some elements of it that just weren't great and detracted from the overall read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Knowing Nichelle - Tinsley Sellers

Knowing Nichelle
Tinsley Sellers
Publication date: August 16th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s just met the man of her dreams…but he’s not who he said he was. Neither is she. Until they get a second chance to make a first impression.
Is he a sophisticated big-city lawyer, or an easygoing small-town woodworker? And if she’s not a career-driven high-powered attorney, then who is she? Hiding behind their masks is second nature until circumstances force them to see beneath the surface and realize just how alike—and in love—they really are.
He’s only got one rule: no lawyers. She’s a lawyer.
Burned by experience, Buck’s got a rule for a reason. After walking away from a lucrative legal position, he found his peace in Beckley. Life on the farm is simple, and his woodworking business is thriving. He’s not interested in trading his work boots for wingtips and rejoining the rat race. So what if she’s the most compelling woman he’s ever met?
She’s only got one requirement: no a**holes. He’s an a**hole.
After a disastrous encounter in a trendy bar, Nichelle’s convinced that he’s an over-muscled a**hole. She’s got a sleek car, luxurious condo, and elegant designer clothes. Family comes first, and her legal career is on the fastest track. She’s never met a problem she couldn’t solve on her own. So what if he can see beneath her carefully constructed façade?
They’re perfect together. They just don’t know it yet.
Welcome back to Beckley, Michigan! Autumn is in the air and as the days get shorter, the air gets cooler and the calm lakes reflect the blue skies and red-gold trees for a double-dose of fall color. The people are just as warm, friendly, smart, funny, and real as you remember. When you need a place to call home, Beckley welcomes you—and sometimes the family you choose is as strong as the bonds you’re born with.
If you like small-town romance, you’ll like Beckley. If you like smart heroines who balance demanding professional careers with a commitment to family, friends, and finding love, then you’ll definitely like it here. If you like strong, sexy, hard-working heroes who have not-so-secret soft spots for kids, dogs, and classic cars, you may find that you never want to leave!
Knowing Nichelle is the third in the Beckley’s Daughters Romance series. It can be read as a stand-alone story, but continuing readers will recognize many of the characters and locations. This series is recommended for adult readers and contains explicit language and intimate situations.

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Author Bio:
Tinsley Sellers grew up in Chicago, spending her summers with her grandparents in a tiny town a lot like Beckley, Michigan. Life took her to Arizona, Washington, and Idaho before she finally found her home in Arkansas. She is married to an amazing, supportive (and handsome!) man, with whom she has rescued three dogs and two cats. When she’s not writing, she teaches physics and engineering at the local university. When she’s not writing or teaching, she’s probably trying new recipes. She enjoys fast cars, loud music, fine whisky, and big books. In no particular order.

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My Review

Knowing Nichelle is the third book from the Beckley's daughters series. I haven't read either of the previous two books, but it soon became apparent that while this is the third story, the timeline loops and crosses with the timeline of the other two books. You might be forgiven for thinking that this means that you really need to read the other two books. As I haven't and I really enjoyed this one, then I think that it's safe to say that that isn't the case. 

Our two main characters, Buck and Nichelle are both definitely not looking for a relationship with the kind of person that the other is. It soon becomes clear though that they are perfect for one another. In order to be together, they need to find a way to fit into each other's life. Not an easy task when they live so far away from one another.

Although this is a traditional romance in many ways, there is so much more to this story than that. There is passion and connection between them, but it almost plays a secondary role to the development of the characters and their battles to work through their problems on an emotional level.

I couldn't help but love Buck. There's something really strong and together, but at the same time very vulnerable about him. Nichelle is very much the strong and successful woman, but her reasons for being like this have far more to do with her past and her family than they do her own plans and desires. 

This was a great read and I'll certainly be back to check out more of the Beckley's Daughters titles. If you're looking for something with a little bit more depth than many romances seem able to offer, then you're looking in the right place. 

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Death at the Library - Betty Rowlands

Death at the Library: A completely gripping cozy mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that when I read the last Sukey Reynolds book Death at the Mariners Hotel I was a little disappointed. One of the things that I'd loved about this series was the characters that appeared time and time again. In book eight, however, Sukey had left her previous job and moved to Bristol, leaving behind the people that she had worked with before. I wasn't sure how the series would progress from here on in. Death in the Library appears in some ways to be a bit of a transition book. Sukey still has a little input from her son, Fergus, although now he is at University, he only has a small role. But, Sukey is beginning to gather a small cast of regular characters that I'm sure will grow in future books. She has a sergeant that she works with regularly and a friend and colleague, Vicky, who she is spending more and more time with. Hopefully, in future books, the cast of characters will build back to something similar to what existed before.
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one. As I said, I wasn't sure about the sudden change that had taken place. I think if you hadn't read any of the earlier books, then you wouldn't be at all bothered by this, as the mystery and the storyline is a good solid one. I really enjoyed this aspect of it and this time around I have to admit that I didn't guess who was guilty, although I was right about who wasn't. That probably doesn't make much sense, but if you read the book, you'll see what I mean.
The question of Sukey's relationship with Jim is finally resolved, although I have to admit, not quite the way that I would like. Although I do see why.
Overall this was a good read and I'm interested to see where next for Sukey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Eye of the Storm - Amy McKinley

Eye of the Storm
Amy McKinley
(Gray Ghost #2)
Publication date: March 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Deep in the untamed wilderness of the notorious Darien Gap, a soldier wakes. Injured, he has no memory of who he is or why he is there until a beautiful woman tells him his name. But can he trust her?
When Mari Dias stumbles upon Chris Shaw in the jungle—a place many risk but few survive—she enlists his help to escape a country ruled by the very family who hunts her.

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Author Bio:
Amy McKinley is the romantic suspense thriller author of the Gray Ghost Novels, the Five Fates paranormal romance series, and several standalone books. Her edge of your seat books are filled with surprising twists and just the right amount of heat and danger. She lives in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, two sons, and three mischievous cats. You can find her at www.AmyMcKinley.com

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My Review

Eye of the Storm is the second book of the gray ghost series. I haven't read any of the other books, so I can tell you with confidence that this works well as a stand-alone novel. I certainly enjoyed it and didn't feel that I was missing out on anything by not having read any of the other books. 

This book is mostly set in the jungle. Mari is on the run from some men who want to get hold of her, Chris doesn't know who he is or how he has got there, but together they have to try and survive and escape the dangerous environment.

This was a bit of an unusual romance. There is a great deal of action and at points, the romance takes a second place to that and at others, it's more important, but the action is still very much present. I found that I couldn't put this book down, wanting to know what was going to happen for the couple and if they would be successful. I have to admit that I'm a little bit sceptical of stories with larger than life 'hero' type characters who seem to be able to do things that are physically impossible for the rest of us. Both Chris and Mari seem to have almost superhuman survival and fighting skills, but in all honesty, I didn't actually mind that. I enjoyed reading about the growing feelings between the two of them as well as their attempts to escape the danger.

This is a thrilling and exciting read that drags you in quickly. I really enjoyed it and if this is what the other books in the series are like, I'd be keen to read those too.

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The Year I Left - Christine Brae

The Year I Left
Christine Brae
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: August 20th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

“A thousand half loves must be forsaken to take one whole heart home.”
Carin Frost doesn’t understand what’s happening to her. A confident businesswoman, wife, and mother, she begins to resent everything about her life. Nothing makes sense. Nothing makes her feel. Maybe it’s the recent loss of her mother in a tragic accident. Or maybe she’s just losing her mind.
Enter Matias Torres. As their new business partnership thrives, so does their friendship—and his interest in her. Carin is determined to keep her distance, until a work assignment sends them to Southeast Asia where a storm is brewing on the island. In the midst of the chaos, Matias asks her to do something unimaginable, exhilarating, BOLD. Carin knows the consequences could be dire, but it may be the only way to save herself.
An honest look at love and marriage and the frailties of the human heart, this is a story of a woman’s loss of self and purpose and the journey she takes to find her way back.

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Author Bio:
Christine Brae is a senior executive with a full time career, who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Christine has written six books since her first release in 2013. She is the author of The Light in the Wound and His Wounded Light (2013), Insipid (2014), In This Life (2016) and Eight Goodbyes (2018).
Her latest book, The Year I Left is scheduled for release in August, 2019.
When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.
Christine is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management.

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My Review

Sometimes when I'm reviewing books I struggle to know where to start. I have to admit that The Year I Left is one of those times. The book tells the story of Carin and her dissatisfaction with life. She meets a younger man through work, who she is drawn to irresistibly and her life begins to unravel around her as she tries to find her way again. 

I think part of my struggle with the review is not that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, but rather I didn't really like the main character. While I understood that she wasn't happy and felt for her feeling so trapped, there was also a lot that I didn't like and didn't really understand. I don't want to give away the things that happened in the course of the story, but on more than one occasion it was hard to understand why she acted the way that she did, or why she didn't just follow her heart without making a huge and drastic change. 

The story is beautifully written and it was next to impossible to put down, particularly in the second part of the book. I couldn't see where it was going to go and how things were going to be resolved, which of course kept me turning the pages. The storyline as a whole is thought-provoking and I can certainly see what the author was doing, it was just a shame for me at least, that I couldn't relate to the main character and didn't really have a lot of sympathy for her. Having said that, I was left satisfied with the end of the story and did warm to her a little eventually.

This was a great read, it dragged you along, pushing your emotions all the way and I think was ultimately attempting to get you to question what was really important. I'd definitely recommend it.

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All I Want - Tamara Lush

All I Want by Tamara Lush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm really enjoying this series from Tamara Lush, this is the second Paradise Beach book that I've read in the last few days and I don't think that it will be the last. While the first book focused on Damian and Kate who fall in love after reconnecting years after they knew each other at high school, this second book is about Damian's brother Max and Kate's best friend Lauren.
Max is a workaholic who owns a real estate business in New York. Lauren is a social media influencer. After an accident at Paradise Beach, Lauren finds that she has to stay there for a while and as they spend more time together she and Max fall for one another.
This is quite a fun, lighthearted series. Having said that, despite it being lighter, it does at least touch on some more weightier issues. Lauren is dealing with (or it might be more accurate to say not dealing with) having an addict for a parent and how that has made her who she is. It also talks about the way social media projects lies and that much of it is fake. The combination of this fairly easy read, with something a little deeper, makes for a very interesting and entertaining read.
This is a romance and there's plenty of that. Max is a sweetheart and Lauren lovely, they work well together. I think that one of the things that I like about this series so far is that although they all have issues to deal with, the conflict doesn't feel contrived or over the top, as can happen in this type of book. The characters don't spend pages battling with their feelings or not really understanding what they are beginning to feel for the other person, even if they don't know how they feel. Somehow it's all much more natural than some other books.
I really enjoyed Lauren and Max's book and I suspect that we will see more of them in future books. Kate and to a much lesser extent Damian appeared in this one. All in all this a great series that I'm really enjoying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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All I know - Tamara Lush

All I Know by Tamara Lush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In many ways, this is a very American story, I'm not sure that it could take place anywhere else. Not because of the characters so much, but the things that happen to them. Firstly our two main characters Kate and Damien have known each other (and been in love with each other since high school). After rumours and gossip that more than a kiss happened between them back then, Kate kept her distance, leaving for college and Nate joined the marines. I can't imagine anything like this happening back when I was at school, of course, there were rumours and of far worse than this, but no one would have cared.
The other thing that makes this a very American story is that after getting together, Kate and Damien decide to get married as she is sick and doesn't have health insurance and can't afford her medicine. I'm not going to make a comment on the politics of this, but I think it's fair to say 'only in America.'
The romance is quite sweet, although there's certainly plenty of chemistry there, Kate and Damien don't fall into bed together the instant that they get together. Instead, they actually go out together and do things before getting there. In fact, other than the getting married so quickly, this is quite a believable romance. They are reluctant to admit to each other how they feel, but I think that just adds to it. This is quite a sweet story and they clearly really care for one another.
What I really liked about this is that although there is a happily ever after here, there's still room for plenty more to come and I believe that they are going to get another story further in this series.
I really enjoyed this book and it made me keen to read more in the Paradise Beach series, probably a good thing as I have book 2 ready to go soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Debt - Jackie Ashenden

The Debt by Jackie Ashenden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about a good romance is that even though you ultimately know where it's going to end up, it's the getting there that is so enjoyable. The Debt certainly was a good romance and I enjoyed every second of it.
I have to admit that I like a damaged hero and Ash is certainly damaged. Not only has he got a face marred by knife scars from his youth, streetfighting, but rejection from his father and a fallout with his half brother has left him emotionally damaged. Ellie has her own issues with the loss of her mother at a young age and a father who is at best emotionally stunted (actually, he's an arsehole, if the truth be told). But when they come together, the passion between them helps them move beyond their past.
I really loved the chemistry between these two. It was easy to see how drawn to one another they were. Ash tried hard to be ruthless and uncaring, but underneath his bravado, he was clearly nothing of the sort. I also really liked how they were both able to bring out the best in each other.
This was quite a quick read, but one that I really enjoyed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Magnetic - Anya J Cosgrove

Who said life was a fairy tale? Because I’d gladly slice that jerk’s head off. 

I’m Vicky, though that’s not really my name.

I never expected to end up half-naked in the woods with my guts hanging out. I didn’t plan to stumble upon the most powerful shifter clan in North America and three of the sexiest men I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Dominic, the fun and reckless new wolf. 

Sam, the hot doctor with glacial-blue eyes.

And Gabriel, the intense, secretive alpha who wants nothing to do with me.

My real name is a one-way ticket back to hell, and my secrets need to stay buried like the girl I used to be.

Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Red Riding Hood—I can be all three.  I can use my powers to earn a place in their werewolf town, away from the bite of my past mistakes. I can use them—and their bodies—to survive.

The only thing I can’t do is fall for them. 

My Review

Having read and loved the bloody hearts trilogy, I couldn't wait to read Anya J Cosgroves next book, magnetic. This is set in the same world and features Vicky, who was a minor character in that series. I was interested to see how Vicky's character would develop, as to be perfectly honest, I wasn't that keen on her. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed, either in the way that this story was told or Vicky herself.

There's a lot going on in this book, with the story of Vicky's past coming out alongside her present situation with the three werewolves that she finds herself living with. Seeing things from Vicky's point of view certainly helped me to relate to and sympathise with her. 

This is a reverse harem romance, so there are not one, but three male leads. That said, they, all being different, have different roles to play and we see more of Sam and Dom than we do Gabriel. In fact, most of the action takes place between Vicky, Dom and Sam until later in the book.

If I had to find a small fault with this story, it would be that for me, it was all over a little bit too quickly. That's partly because I greedily read it all as soon as I could, but also because I think I'd been a bit spoilt with the last books being a trilogy. Even so, this was a really enjoyable read. I think that there might be more to come from this small community of werewolves and certainly hopefully from this world. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more books from Anya. 

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Teaser: attached

Author Bio:

Anya J Cosgrove lives in Québec with her husband, her beautiful son, and two mischievous cats. She works as a veterinarian by day. She’s a travel and Disney junkie and is passionate about her favourite paranormal series. What would Buffy do? Kick ass!

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Sign-up for free, exclusive content, giveaways and the latest news here: http://bit.ly/anyaslair

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Steal My Heart - Aimee O'Brian

Steal My Heart
Aimee O’Brian
Published by: Tule Publishing
Publication date: August 5th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

When a fantasy turns into a cold reality
Lexanne Harris had a plan down to the last sexy detail. Never did she think her attempt to spice up her love life with her boyfriend would involve her in a burglary with a sexier than sin thief whose emerald eyes and serious between the sheets skills are impossible to forget. As a police detective she is expected to stand on the side of the law and fight for justice. But what happens when the lines of justice blur and what’s wrong becomes way too tempting?
The situation might be challenging but Lexanne is determined to get assigned to the case, recover the jewels and catch the culprit.
The question is: What will she do with her sexy cat burglar when she catches him?

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Author Bio:
Having lived in both California and Texas, Aimee O’Brian now resides in the beautiful wine country. With her three children grown and experiencing their own adventures, she and her husband are free to explore the world. When she’s not reading, writing, or planting even more perennials in her garden, she can be found stomping through ancient ruins and getting lost in museums.

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My Review

This is quite a short little romance, but don't let that fool you into thinking that there's nothing here, far from it. I will admit that I read this in pretty much one sitting, but sometimes so instant satisfaction is just what I'm looking for.

What is a little unusual about this one, is that we only really get things from the point of Lexanne, in fact she doesn't even know who her mysterious lover is until a few chapters into the book. In many ways, the idea of accidentally having sex with someone, thinking it was someone else could be quite creepy. Fortunately, the mystery man is quite the gentleman and clearly doesn't fully realise that she thinks that he's someone else. It also helps that the man she had intended to sleep with is a creep of the highest order.

Although our couple do meet each other and get together, when they know who each other are, there isn't really a lot of time for them to get to know one another. It doesn't really matter, the chemistry is there and the connection between them doesn't come across as forced or contrived.

Steal My Heart is a fun romance, ultimately satisfying and exactly what I was in the mood for.

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Wylde Fire - Sarah Robinson

Wylde Fire by Sarah Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a three and a half stars rounded up to five stars read. This is the story of Sam Wylde, Tennessee whiskey producer who is out to prove that he is more than his family. Holly Glen has had a crush on him since high school, ten years previously, but Sam never even knew she existed. When they get thrown into one another's paths again they soon find a way that they can help each other and it quickly turns into something far more than a fake relationship.
I really liked both Sam and Holly in this story. Sam is a caring, genuine type of guy and although he's had previous heartache it's not something that completely defines him. Holly is feisty and despite the fact that she has been in love with Sam from afar for years, she isn't a pushover, which is something I always like in this kind of book.
Overall I really enjoyed the romance and I'd be keen to find out more about the other characters in the book. I assume that Sam's business partners will also get their own stories. There were a couple of small things that stopped me from giving this a higher rating. Firstly there were a couple of times that information was repeated unnecessarily. Not just that the author keeps telling us something, but a whole paragraph reproduced almost word for word. There were two examples that I spotted, one being the fact that the distillery was surrounded by a lot of land. When it happened it threw me out of the flow of the story for a second, which was annoying. The other thing that I wasn't completely on board with was that somethings either were glossed over or happened too fast. For example, there was a pretty major event for Holly that wasn't really even mentioned until it was touched on in passing in the epilogue. For me, it would just have added a bit more to the story with things like this actually being part of the book.
I did really enjoy this read and I'd been keen to read the next two when they come out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Fire God Tour - Michele Sims

About the Book

Title: The Fire God Tour Author: Michele Sims Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense Miles
Moore is obsessed with fire. He can’t help it—it’s in his genes. He’s also the famous performer Ari, an international hip-hop sensation. There are some negatives that come with fame—death threats and life on the road among them—but there’s also a lot of good: fast cars, fast women, international travel, and more money than he can handle. When Bella Wahlberg joins his team as the chief of marketing, she seems like the antithesis of what he’s looking for, so much so that Miles dubs her Belsa the Ice Queen. It would be unprofessional for them to get together, but more than that, she’s unavailable—and deathly afraid of fire. But as they prepare for The Fire God Tour, Miles can tell something is changing. Is he ready to commit himself to one woman? Can fire and ice come together?    

Author Bio

Michele Sims is the creator of the Moore Family Saga and the Fire God Series. She loves writing hot love stories and women's fiction with multidimensional characters in multigenerational families. She is the recipient of the 2018 RSJ Aspiring Author Award and first runner up in the Introvert Press Poetry Contest for February 2018. She is a member of the LRWA, in Charleston, SC and the From The Heart Romance Writers’ online group. She lives in South Carolina with her husband who has been her soulmate and greatest cheerleader. She is the proud mother of two adult sons and the auntie to many loved ones. When she's not writing, she's trying to remember the importance of exercise, travelling, listening to different genres of music, and observing the wonders of life on this marvellous planet.  

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Links

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 Email: michelesims2122@gmail.com 

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 Purchase Act I. Seed on Fire and Act II. Playing with Fire.  

Temptation - Inara Scott

Temptation by Inara Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I started this book I was in need of something that would lift my spirits and remind me why I enjoy escaping into a book so much. Fortunately, Temptation was just what I was looking for. The book tells the story of Connor, who has been in love with Zoe since he first met her. The only problem is that he's rubbish with relationships and she is a lawyer with the company that deals with his company, which means that she's off-limits. After an accident on an e-scooter Connor and Zoe find themselves spending more and more time together and the attraction is not just one way.
Both Zoe and Connor are great characters. They both have issues with relationships from their past and their upbringing, but in many ways, it is this that makes them perfect for one another. Connor is very sweet and caring, despite thinking that he's not. I have to admit that I do love a caring hero in these kinds of books, so he was onto a winner already. Of course, their issues mean that it's not smooth sailing, but that's what we come to expect and want from these books after all. There was nothing insurmountable and I was left completely satisfied by the end.
The secondary characters are great, particularly Connor's mother and her friends. Who wouldn't love a group of geriatric female physicists who play bridge? This is the second in a series and while I think that the couple from the first book appear, I don't' think it mattered that I hadn't read their story. I also assume that a future couple already has a few sparks flying between them in this one.
This was an enjoyable read and exactly the kind of book that I was looking for. Great stuff.

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Nothing Else But You - Elle Wright

Nothing Else But You by Elle Wright (Boston, MA)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the idea behind this book. Rather than meeting in person or over the internet as so many people seem to do these days, the main characters join an anonymous letter-writing group. They can't give away any information that identifies them, but of course, this gives them more opportunity to be open and honest than they might otherwise be. Through the course of the letters, they fall for one another and pick up enough clues to track one another down.
I really liked the way that this story played out. Once they meet, things change and it quickly becomes more like a traditional romance. I would say that it perhaps happened a little too quickly and I think more could have been made of the letter writing, although I understand why it wasn't. Even so, I liked this 'old fashioned' approach to it all and it made the instant love/lust when they finally do meet a little bit more believable than it can be in some romance books.
There is a lot more going on in this book, with both of our characters having quite a dramatic back story and life. They work well together and there's certainly plenty of chemistry between them. I'm not sure if this is the start of a series, with more characters meeting this way? Obviously, if that is the case, then it's not likely to be a series in the usual sense as obviously, it's likely to be strangers that meet via letters. Having said that, I did wonder if the single cop that they are friendly with didn't seem quite interested in the idea. I guess that I'll have to wait and see. Overall, this was a good read and I really enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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