Hesi-Dating - Zoe Forward.

Hesi-Dating
Zoe Forward
Publication date: January 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

I warn all my dates: Don’t fall for me.
I’m good for a date or two of no-strings fun, but then I’m a ghost.

Until the sheriff. He saves me from a jerky ex-date. Now I owe him a favor. Almost a decade older than me, funny, and insanely attractive, my chemistry with Seth is off the charts. His post-divorce hurt makes me want to heal his wounded soul. For the first time in ever, I say no. He doesn’t deserve my heartbreaking ways. I tell myself I must walk away since me dating law enforcement is a no-can-do. I’m not a felon, but I do have connections from my past that make it dangerous. If I’m truthful, it’s self-preservation. Seth threatens to awaken the desiccated organ inside my chest.

Then he needs a favor.
Calling in favors becomes our not-dating game.

I should have stopped helping him. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t resist. I have a connection to this guy. One that has me acting irrationally. One that snags the attention of the gang leader I wished would leave me alone.
I want to nurture our burgeoning spark, but I must protect us from the deadly dangers of my past.

Hesi-dating features a hesitant sheriff, a player girl hiding a big heart and dangerous past, a lame horse, and the world’s worst home security dog. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling meddling, an awkward naked handcuffs scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.

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My Review

I wasn't really sure what to expect with Hesi-Dating. The cover suggests a light-hearted romance, but it was so much more than that. (I know, I know, never judge a book by it's cover.) Joley is a woman with a past, one that she has tried to move on from, but she can't bring herself to date anyone seriously. When she meets the local heart-throb sheriff, there's something about him that she can't resist. Unlike every other date she's been on, she decides to avoid him because she thinks he deserves better.
I loved watching Joley try and avoid Seth, but it was inevitable that they would come together eventually. I enjoyed watching their story unfold. As I say, this isn't a light hearted rom-com. Joley has had a hard life and it's amazing that she's as lovely as she is.
I really enjoyed this book, a great read.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author, parent, wife, veterinarian, chocolate lover. Author of spicy paranormal and contemporary romances. Zoe Forward brings readers the perfect combination of action adventure, romance, humor and a bit of magic.

Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

You can find her residing in the South with a menagerie of four-legged beasts and two wild kids.

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Trapped in Love - Danica Flynn

Trapped In Love
Danica Flynn
(MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company, #2)
Publication date: July 19th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

When my boss forced me on vacation to think about my career at the brewery, I wanted to scream. Then my sister suggested I spend the week at our dad’s cabin in the Poconos to think about what I really wanted.

Hoping for a relaxing week of fishing, hiking, and drinking lots of beer, I didn’t expect to find my sworn enemy already there. It was clear we had been setup by my meddlesome sister.

I had no desire to work out my differences with Felix freaking Jameson. He already broke my heart twice and I wasn’t going to let him do it a third time.

I just hoped the cabin was big enough for the both of us. And that I could forget how good it felt when his mouth was on mine. I definitely wasn’t going to let him into my bed again. Definitely not.

Trapped in Love is a small-town summer vacation romance set in the Poconos. If you love enemies to lovers and forced proximity, this one is for you.

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Author Bio:

Danica Flynn is a marketer by day, and a writer by nights and weekends. AKA she doesn’t sleep! She is a rabid hockey fan of both The Philadelphia Flyers and the Metropolitan Riveters. When not writing, she can be found hanging with her partner, playing video games, and reading a ton of books.

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My Review

Trapped in love tells the story of Felix and Gemma. They've fancied each other from the moment that they first met, but after Felix stood Gemma up on what would have been their first date, they've been at each other's throats. When they both end up away on holiday together, it's clear that their obvious attraction is going to be impossible to ignore.

I did enjoy the romance between these two. They worked well together as a couple. The main reason that they can't be together though is because Felix is single-handedly raising his thirteen-year-old younger sister. I'm not sure exactly how hands he thinks he needs to be, she's thirteen and I'm sure that he could manage a relationship as well as his sister. Single parents with much younger kids certainly seem to manage things one way or another. I think that it was this that stopped me from giving this book a higher rating. Yes, he has a few things going on in his life, who doesn't? It's certainly not enough to make him drop all attempts at living his own life and I think that this 'conflict' was dragged out a little too long, making things slightly repetitive at points.

Overall, it was a good romance, but just not a brilliant one. Still a good read.

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Find me in the Dark - Dea Poirier

 She’d been running for so long, it felt like her legs were on fire. Her heart was pounding so hard, she was sure it would give out. Around her, the snow was falling, casting an eerie silence over the
town. A crack behind her, a foot snapping a branch, it warned her that he was still coming. She whipped around and saw the knife gleaming in his hand…

As the snow begins to melt across Plattsburgh, New York, the body of a young woman is found buried in a snowbank. When Detective Harlow Durant arrives at the scene she discovers that the victim has lain there for months: her arresting beauty, brightly-coloured nails and a distinctive gold bracelet perfectly preserved in the ice.

Searching missing person reports, Harlow soon identifies the victim as college student Alyssa Trent. Her grieving family describe her as someone who had no enemies and was a dedicated student. But Alyssa’s tutor has a different view: they claim Alyssa had another life that she kept hidden. But who would want her dead?

Harlow knows all about secret lives. She has spent years running from her past and from her father, a convicted serial killer. As the only female detective at the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Harlow has vowed to bring killers to justice. Now she needs to find justice for Alyssa.

When another female student is found in the thawing snow, Harlow knows that she is hunting a twisted killer. The victims knew each other but what dark secret connects them? With the small-town reeling in shock and more snow coming, Harlow knows she needs to stop a killer dead in their tracks before another innocent life is lost.

From the bestselling author of Next Girl To Die comes an addictive crime thriller perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot and Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series.

Author Bio:

Author Dea (D.H) Poirier is the author of NEXT GIRL TO DIE, which hit #1 in the Amazon charts. She was raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she got her start writing in creative writing courses. She attended The University of Central Oklahoma for Computer Science and Political Science. Later, she spent time living on both coasts, and traveling the United States, before finally putting down roots in Central Florida. She now resides somewhere between Disney and the swamp. She spends her days at her day job as a President of Digital Marketing, and her nights writing manuscripts.

https://www.dhpoirier.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dhpoirier/

https://www.instagram.com/deapoirier/

https://twitter.com/deapoirierbooks

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ax5vki

My Review

Find Me in the Dark by Dea Poirier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do enjoy a crime novel with a strong female lead. Detective Harlow Durant is certainly that. She has plenty of baggage to deal with too and I'm sure that's what has led her to be so strong and capable. As the story unfolds and we learn more about the crime that she and partner Lucas are dealing with, we also learn more about Harlow's past. Some chapters are dedicated entirely to Harlow's past and what happened with her father.
This wasn't a mystery that could really be solved by the reader. We are given some clues and more information about everything, but there wasn't an obvious trail to follow and when we did find out who was behind it all, I wasn't completely sure who this person was. That didn't matter though. It was still a gripping read, following the characters as they attempted to get to the bottom of what had happened.
It's clear that there is much more to come for Harlow and I also wonder if we are going to get more of Lucas' back story as things unfold. They both have a past that still affects them and is something that they might want to address. As it is, the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, although the mystery that makes up most of this book does seem to have been addressed. I'm looking forward to seeing where everything is going to go.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.



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You Came Like Hope cover reveal

~ Cover Reveal ~

Title: You Came Like Hope

Author: Jyoti Arora

Word length: 53,000 words

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Peehu:

“I heard them mourn my death. I lay in the next room. Motionless, silent, and staring at the ceiling.”

Adih:

“When it comes to a broken person, some of them are expert at blinding you. Spend an entire evening with such a person, but you may still not know how he is crushing inside.”

Uday:

“Who would say no to him? He is smart, intelligent, super handsome, rich, suave and sophisticated. He’s perfect!”

Pooja:

“Pooja gave no explanation. She asked no forgiveness. She just arrived in his home, resenting him for being her husband.”

Arunav:

“He had smiled as if nothing was wrong.

He had behaved as if he still had his dreams and hopes.

He had pretended as if it didn’t hurt.

But it did.”

Does Destiny hold the key to our happiness?

Is it always the feeble that is the victim?

Love can be the embrace of heaven. But what happens when it unleashes hellfire?

Lose yourself in the intense narrative of You Came Like Hope as it unleashes a rollercoaster of emotions, uncovers some bitter truths, challenges widespread prejudices, and forces you to reconsider your beliefs.

Releasing on 23^rd November 2017!

About the Author:

Jyoti Arora is a novelist and blogger from Ghaziabad. You Came Like Hope is her third novel, coming after Dream’s Sake and Lemon Girl. She is Post Graduate in English Literature and Applied Psychology. Besides reading and writing novels, Jyoti enjoys checking out latest technological innovations, watching movies, and listening to old Bollywood songs.

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Choosing Hope - Holly Kammier

Choosing Hope
Holly Kammier
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

Choosing Hope is a harrowing story of passion and deceit, the things we do for love and the rabbit holes we tumble into chasing elusive fairy-tale endings. Dark around the edges with a shocking twist I didn’t see coming, this is the kind of book you’ll be passing around to your friends so you can talk about it. Holly Kammier delivers romance, suspense, and a strong, smart heroine who turns out to be nobody’s victim. Don’t miss this one! – Kat Ross, best-selling author of The Midnight Sea
A broken marriage.
A love affair.
A lie that changes it all…
Hope Rains Sullivan is living the dream—a successful husband, two beautiful young boys, and a charming home in Northern California. She should be happy. She almost convinced herself she was, until Adrian came along.
Adrian, appears to be everything her husband isn’t. He works with his hands, and is even willing to use them in a fight. He’s sexy, strong and fit, with warm brown skin that alludes to his Spanish background. Best of all, he lives for spending time with his kids. Feeling alone in her marriage, Adrian offers her a way out
Hope’s affair is just the beginning. Her journey inward will require untangling her complicated past and surviving an astonishing revelation. Her lover is not who he pretends to be.
She’s searching for her happily-ever-after, and no matter how painful the journey, she’ll find what she’s been looking for all along—the chance to choose Hope.

My Review

I'm going to start by saying how much I enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. Always a good sign. I found myself tied up in Hope's life. At times I was cheering her on and at others, I just wanted to give her a really good shake. Sit her down and say 'Hope, get a grip.' Of course i was talking about a character in a book, so I had to get a grip myself instead.

This isn't your usual romance story. This is actually a story about a woman who needs to discover what she really wants out of life. To take control and find her happiness herself, rather than hoping that someone else, some man else, will give it to her.

Hope was believable and it was easy to connect to her and buy into her story. There were times, that she seemed to be a little too trusting and a little two willing to smooth things over to keep people happy, rather than thinking about what she wanted. Of course, there are plenty of women who are like this really, so that shouldn't be surprising.

The whole book and the journey that Hope goes on was, ultimately, very satisfying. Of course, these things are never straightforward or completely easy, but in the end I was pleased with where she went. Highly recommend this slightly different and unusual read.

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Author Bio:
Co-owner of Acorn Publishing, Holly Kammier is a UCLA honors graduate and an accomplished content editor. With a background in journalism, she has worked everywhere from CNN in Washington, D.C. and KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, to the NBC affiliate in small-town Medford, Oregon.
Holly is the best-selling author of the novel, Kingston Court, and Could Have Been Hollywood, a memoir. She recently completed her third book, Choosing Hope, a spin-off from Kingston Court. Choosing Hope is a harrowing story of passion and deceit, and the things we do for love.
Holly resides in her hometown of San Diego, California, close to family and friends. A world traveler in her younger years, these days when she isn’t writing or working with new authors, she spends much of her time hanging out with her two boys, Josh and Alex. Holly is an avid reader with a passion for timeless books and beautiful writing. She also enjoys long walks with her Jack Russell Terrier, romantic movies, and making her mischievous sons smile wider.

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The Smallest Thing - Lisa Materfield

The Smallest Thing
Lisa Manterfield
Publication date: July 18th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

The very last thing 17-year-old Emmott Syddall wants is to turn out like her dad. She’s descended from ten generations who never left their dull English village, and there’s no way she’s going to waste a perfectly good life that way. She’s moving to London and she swears she is never coming back.
But when the unexplained deaths of her neighbors force the government to quarantine the village, Em learns what it truly means to be trapped. Now, she must choose. Will she pursue her desire for freedom, at all costs, or do what’s best for the people she loves: her dad, her best friend Deb, and, to her surprise, the mysterious man in the HAZMAT suit?
Inspired by the historical story of the plague village of Eyam, this contemporary tale of friendship, community, and impossible love weaves the horrors of recent news headlines with the intimate details of how it feels to become an adult—and fall in love—in the midst of tragedy.

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My Reveiw

I'll have to start by saying that I absolutely loved The Smallest Thing. I will admit that I was predisposed to like it. I grew up in Derbyshire and the story of Eyam and it's villagers is one that was already well known to me. I have to admit, that it didn't occur to me at first that this was a modern retelling of the story. I was a little confused as to why the villagers hadn't got more to say about something like this happening for a second time in one small place, but I soon realised that that was because in this version of the story, it hadn't.

The fear and helplessness that Emmott faces, seems all too real. How would you cope if you found yourself trapped in a little village with a deadly disease infecting everyone around you. At the start of the story, Emmott is a teenager with a little bit of an attitude, who is desperate to escape the life that she has always known. To get out of her village and see the big wide world in London. She soon discovers that sometimes things don't quite go to plan. We see her character grow from a self absorbed child, to an adult who sees her role and place in the wider world.

It wasn't just the story line and subject matter of this book that drew me in. It was well written and the characters, both the minor players and main characters, were very well drawn and believable. I really really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Author Bio:
Lisa Manterfield is the award-winning author of I’m Taking My Eggs and Going Home: How One Woman Dared to Say No to Motherhood. Her work has appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, Los Angeles Times, and Psychology Today. Originally from northern England, she now lives in Southern California with her husband and over-indulged cat. A Strange Companion is her first novel. Learn more at LisaManterfield.com.

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Temptation Trials - B Truly

Temptation Trials Part I
B. Truly
Publication date: June 3rd 2017
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance

Will you be Tempted? Will Love save your Soul?
One nation under his reign.
Cardinal sins of man caused humanity to pay the price. Cali Nasser grew up in a world succeeding World War III. The aftermath forced the world dictatorship that she must now live in. A new Regime arose from the ashes. They demanded obedience and cooperation from every citizen, even in matters of the heart.
One domain … One accord … One nation. That is the moral code. In Cali’s eyes, it all revolves around a twisted plot for control.
It used to sicken Cali how people would allow the Regime to test their love through the Temptation Trials. That is, until she met Kincade. Cali’s entire point of view changes when she falls for him. She struggles with herself, debating if she should challenge the government’s law of arranged marriage.
Cali’s childhood friend, Stefani, always kept a positive perspective about their lives until she was threatened with the same dilemma, at odds over the man she loves.
Now Cali and Stefani face a desperate choice—submit to the Regime’s will, or fight for what they value most—love. Although lust, mistaken for love, could lead to damnation. Do they give up on love or sign up for the Temptation Trials, a reality TV show where every temptation is laid before them?
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Can love save their souls?
Rated Mature 18 +
Adult, Dystopian Romance with sensuality and sexual content.

My Review 

What would you do if the government chose your spouse for  you? If the person that you had fallen in love with, couldn't be the person that you ended up with. Would you put yourself in the pubic eye, putting yourself in the way of ultimate temptation, on a reality tv show? If this was your only chance to stay with the partner of your choice? No one who has ever taken this choice before has been successful and every relationship that has allowed itself to be tested in this way has fallen down.

Cali and Stefani decide to take this test and enter with their boyfriends, in an attempt to win the chance to stay together. It becomes clear, that the government doesn't play fair and there are reasons that no one has managed to stay together.

The story was well written and I liked all four of the main characters. I did think that they were perhaps a little slow to pick up on what was happening and why they were behaving in a certain way. There is still much to find out in the next installment, what's happening and why it is going on.

I don't want to give anything away here, so I'll not say very much more. This is the first part of a two part series. From the way that this ended, I'm pretty sure that you couldn't read either as a stand alone novel. So far, I've only read the first book, but I really want to know what's coming next. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. In the mean time though, I'd recommend you get your hand on The Temptation Trials Part one, and give it a go.

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Author Bio:
B Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old and is grateful to have accomplished this dream. She has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of action and suspense. She writes New Adult and Adult Romance, Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Paranormal.
B Truly has three wonderful children and a husband who defines the person she today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Sugarland, Texas.

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Review - Until Ray

You may have seen my post last week about the new release from Cheryl Robinson; Until Ray. I had been supposed to be posting a review at the same time, but due to a mix up, I didn't get the book in time. Fortunately, I've now managed to get my hands on a copy and can share my review.

My Review of Until Ray

Until Ray is a bit of an unusual story, in some ways, it is a love story, although not in the usual sense. Ray comes from a messed up background, his father left when he was small and he has been raised by a mother who seems to resent her son for this. She continually tells him that he is just like his father, who she clearly hates and won't even allow him to call her Mum (sorry, Mom) or even Mother. Although Ray tries and in some ways has his heart in the right place, a relationship with someone with this kind of back ground is always likely to be tricky.

Sarita has issues of her own. From an incredibly sheltered background, in her early 20's she hasn't even kissed a man, let alone anything else. While she might have a fantastic education and be doing very well in her career, her personal life just hasn't begun. Suddenly she is faced with not one, but two admirers. The safe, chosen by her parents, Dr Emerson, and the dangerous and exciting Ray. 

I really wasn't sure where this was going to go. Ray isn't a particularly likeable character. Although, I did feel sorry for him at times, he's his own worst enemy and causes most of his problems himself. Sarita is more likeable, but I still wanted to shout at her at times to grow up a little. She really needed to live life a bit, get out from the control of her parents and find out who she was and what she wanted before making any major decisions.

This is only book one in a trilogy, so I assume that we have more to come from these characters. I'm not sure where it's going to go as yet. I'll be very interested to find out. This is a good read that offers something quite different from a lot of the formulaic offerings out there.

Until Ray - Cheryl Robinson

Title: Until Ray

Author: Cheryl Robinson

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Two people in the same city but worlds apart.

Until Ray is an unconventional love story of how two young people transitioning into adulthood find each other and develop a bond that will be tested through three decades.

HE IS LOST…

Ray lives in northwest Detroit in a four-family flat with his mother. When he’s not at home, Ray’s either at the mall selling women’s shoes or in the club. In both places, he’s focused on one thing—picking up women. Dissatisfied, dysfunctional, and leagues behind his peers, Ray’s ready for a change but isn’t sure how to make it happen.

THEN SHE ARRIVES…

At twenty-four, Sarita has an MBA, is a CPA, and works in upper-level management at GM. But all that success comes at a cost: she’s lonely and craves the one thing she’s never had—attention from men. Until now. Dr. Graham Emerson wants to marry Sarita, and her parents expect her to, but Sarita isn’t convinced he’s the one for her. On a blind date, she meets Ray Saint and is immediately drawn in by his good looks and sense of humor. But his reputation for being a ladies’ man raises several red flags. Ray swears he’s changed. Is giving up a sure thing for a maybe worth the risk?

Set in the mid-eighties, Until Ray explores life and love through the lenses of colorism, classism, and family dysfunction.

Author Bio

Cheryl Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest in a family of five. She grew up in Palmer Woods, a residential historic district that is now one of the settings in her forthcoming novel, Until Ray. For the past fifteen years, she has been busy writing contemporary women’s fiction. For  Penguin/NAL, Cheryl wrote six novels: If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Like That, Sweet Georgia Brown, In Love with a Younger Man, When I Get Where I’m Going, and Remember Me. Cheryl is now an independent author and the owner of Rose Colored Books. With her company, she has published The One, Like Mom, and the forthcoming Until Ray Trilogy.

Cheryl currently resides in Florida.

To learn more about Cheryl and the Until Ray trilogy, please visit www.untilraytrilogy.com

Links

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The Scent of Roses - Sienna Blake

THE DARK ROMEO SERIES IS NOW COMPLETE!!

HANGING IN THE STAR IS LIVE!!

RELEASE DAY ONLY

Hanging In The Stars is ONLY 99¢!!! 

TWO BIG GIVEAWAYS GOING ON NOW!!

Title: Hanging In The Stars

Book 3 in the Dark Romeo Trilogy 

Author: Sienna Blake 

Genre: Erotic Romance 

Formats: Paperback & ebook 

Cover Designer: Romacdesigns

The finale to the Dark Romeo trilogy…

Roman and Julianna are rocketing towards a fiery end. But it’s not over until it’s over. Betrayals will be revealed. The twisted truth will come to light. Nothing is what it seems.

Can Roman and Julianna find a way to be together or will Shakespeare’s curse befall our star-crossed lovers?

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this is a retelling for mature audiences. Don’t enter the Underworld if you’re scared of the dark. 


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RELEASE DAY ONLY

Hanging In The Stars is ONLY 99¢!!! 

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Love Sprung From Hate is available for ONLY 99¢

Start the series NOW!! 

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MY REVIEW:  

If you've been reading my other blog posts about this trilogy, then you'll already know how much I've enjoyed it. (By the way, if you haven't read my previous reviews, then you can find them here and here.) I was a little nervous about starting this, the third and final book. Would Roman and Juliana find a way to be together? Was this version of Romeo and Juliet destined to end in the same way as the original story?

I don't really want to give anything away, but I think that it's fair to say that I really enjoyed this installment, just as much as the first two. I (again) couldn't put it down and polished it off in record time. When I got to the end, I was left feeling slightly bereft that it was over, as often happens when you finish a series that you've become really invested in. But that's all I will say about that.

If you've read the first two installments, then please, dive in and get this second one. If you haven't read the others, then you have to go back and read those first. This isn't the type of series where each one works as a standalone. Don't let that put you off, go back and get Love Sprung From Hate, you won't regret it.

Sienna Blake is a pen name for a USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves all things that make her heart race — rollercoasters, 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.

Follow Sienna 

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🎉WIN ONE YEAR OF ROMANCE🎉I'm celebrating the upcoming release of the Dark Romeo trilogy with this HUGE Giveaway!!• 1 Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet• 12 months Kindle Unlimited subscription• 24 romance paperbacks I LOVED (full list in T&Cs)• 1 Lucky winner!

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Scent of the Past - Erin Marie Bernardo

Scent of the Past

Scent of the Past by Erin Marie Bernardo
A secret diary. A forgotten past. Another time.

​​
When people think of time travel, they think of the clichéd manufactured kind. Of giant electronic machines with flashing lights and buttons calibrated to shoot you into the past with one press. But it doesn’t work that way. You need a reason, a connection, and—most important—a link. But you can’t choose when and why you go. That would be too easy, and we’d all be snapping our fingers in hopes of seeing lost treasures of yesteryear. It must choose you.

Close cousins Addison and Elissa live in present day New York City and lead somewhat ordinary lives. When uncertain circumstances surrounding a set of antique perfume bottles sends them back to eighteenth-century France, they must uncover the truth behind their travel.

Disaster strikes when Addison finds herself in a nearly identical situation to a mishap she experienced in the present—the witnessing of a murder and release of a secret. Only this time the truth could destroy the entire French monarchy. With Addison’s head on the line, the young women search for answers before Addison suffers her unlucky fate twice. It is only when they discover the haunting connections to life in the present, that they understand why they both were sent, and why a repeating past…may not always be such a bad thing.

My Review

This was quite an unusual book, the two main characters, Addison and Elissa travel back in time to previous incarnations of themselves when they lived in France in the 1700's. It takes them a little while to adjust to their new surroundings and work out why they are there. History, it seems, really does repeat itself. By journeying back, maybe they can avoid the mistakes that they always seem to make, back in modern day America.

I liked the idea of this story, it was an unusual take on the idea of time travel and self discovery. We saw far more of Elissa's experience, although in many ways, it was Addison that had more to learn. Having modern day characters, in the historical setting, meant that the inevitable anachronisms that a modern writer will use, no matter how careful they are, were easily explained away. There were still a couple of small things, (chocolate croissants? I don't think so)but that didn't really matter.

Scent of the past drew you in and I found myself thinking about it for days afterwards. The story was well thought out and written and I really enjoyed it. If there was one small thing that didn't work so well, it would be that the ending seemed a little sudden. Although Addison and Elissa were there for a reason, once they had an idea of why, it was quickly over. If you're looking for a good read, with a historical setting, then I think that you will enjoy Scent of the Past.

The Scent of Roses - Sienna Blake

THE SCENT OF ROSES IS LIVE!! 

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Title: The Scent Of Roses 

Book 2 in the Dark Romeo Trilogy 

Author: Sienna Blake 

Genre: Erotic Romance 

Formats: Paperback & ebook 

Cover Designer: Romacdesigns

The sequel to Love Sprung From Hate, Dark Romeo #1.

The game becomes more deadly as the lies get bigger. Risks will be taken, loyalties will be tested, but will Roman and Julianna take the biggest risk of all…giving into their hearts?

*Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this is a retelling for mature audiences. Don’t enter the Underworld if you’re scared of the dark.

FORM TODAY UNTIL JULY 17th GRAB BOTH BOOKS FOR 99¢
(The Scent Of Roses will increase to regular price July 17th) 

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~ Ebook Purchase links ~
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Love Sprung From Hate is available for ONLY 99¢

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MY REVIEW:  

I have to admit that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in Sienna Blake's dark romeo series. I'd polished off book one; Love Sprung from Hate pretty quickly and wanted to know what would happen next. (You can see my review of that here.) I wasn't disappointed.

If you know the story of Romeo and Juliet, then you know more or less the way that this is going to pan out. There are lots of subtle nods to the original story, but at the same time, Blake manages to tell this version in a way that makes it seem new and different. It has a feel of more of being inspired by, rather than being a simple retelling.

As we all know 'the course of true love never did run smooth' (yes, I know that's from a different Shakespeare play). Roman and Julianna find that finding true happiness with one another isn't as simple as just being together, not when everyone else is against it and they find themselves on opposing sides. The original Romeo and Juliet story is a tragedy and I can't help but wonder if the final book will take us to a similar conclusion. (I really hope not.) Either way though, I can't wait to get my hands on the final book in the series.

Sienna Blake is a pen name for a USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves all things that make her heart race — rollercoasters, 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.

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Giveaway #1

🎉WIN ONE YEAR OF ROMANCE🎉I'm celebrating the upcoming release of the Dark Romeo trilogy with this HUGE Giveaway!!• 1 Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet• 12 months Kindle Unlimited subscription• 24 romance paperbacks I LOVED (full list in T&Cs)• 1 Lucky winner!

Giveaway #2 

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Chance at Redemption - Samantha Harris

Chance at Redemption

Gwen Stevens had a privileged life until her father spoke three little words that turned her world upside down. “You’re cut off.”

Broke and desperate, Gwen is forced to accept a waitressing job, but this glimmer of hope has a price. As if being a cocktail waitress isn’t bad enough, she has to do it in a dive bar called The Den, and her bad luck doesn’t stop there. She also needs to deal with the new owner, a blue-eyed, self-righteous ass determined to make her life miserable.

Liam Sinclair walked away from the entitlement and obligation his family planned for him, vowing to make his own way in the world…

Adjusting to life as a new business owner, Liam has experienced more than his fair share of setbacks. When his only waitress breaks her leg, his sister takes it upon herself to hire a replacement—a spoiled, self-indulgent hothead with too much makeup and more than enough attitude. Gwen represents the world he’s trying to escape, a world of excess and greed that he was never cut out for.

Appearances can be deceiving, and first impressions aren’t always right…

Despite their apparent differences, the tension between them turns to a fiery passion that neither of them can resist. Together they find balance and learn to appreciate the simpler things in life. But Gwen soon discovers that old habits die hard, and one mistake is all it takes to ruin everything.

Forgiveness must be earned, but even a villain deserves a chance at redemption…

My Review

When I started this book, I really wasn't sure if I was going to get on with it. One of the key things about a good book, is how likeable the characters are. Gwen, when she is first introduced to us, is not particularly nice. She's a spoilt, selfish 'princess' who hasn't had to do a days work in her life. Unfortunately for her, her father has had enough and has cut her off. Finally Gwen has to make her way in the world.

To begin with, Gwen doesn't really improve, she's still the spoilt, privileged brat, who really doesn't care about anyone or anything else but herself. Fortunately, Liam is a lot more likeable. He struggles with Gwen to begin with, but the more he gets to know her, the more he sees behind the persona she projects.

Liam and Gwen can't deny their attraction, Gwen slowly leave behind the spoilt princess that she's always been before, and becomes a lot more likeable in the process. Has Gwen really changed though? Can Liam really trust her? Do they have the future that they dream of?

I enjoyed this story, I think the fact that Gwen starts out so unlikable, but then grows and redeems herself, really helps to drive the story along and you find yourself really hoping that they manage to sort out their differences. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a nice love story and people having the chance to prove that first impressions aren't always the right impression.

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