Timeless and Timeless Encore - Kaylene Winter

Timeless: Zane & Fiona
Kaylene Winter
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

TIMELESS:

A Steamy, Coming-of-Age, Friends-To-Lovers, Rockstar Romance

“I vowed nothing would keep us apart…”
Fiona Reynolds is my other half.
It’s been that way from the day I was born.
I’ve dedicated my life to keep my promise.
Fate just laughs in our face.
She’s always out of reach, this time for good.
I’ll do anything to prove she’s my destiny –
if only she’d trust me one more time.

“After what I’ve done, how can I deserve him?”
Zane Rocks is my everything.
There’s no one I love or trust more than him.
It wasn’t his fault when he left me.
I always knew he’d find his way back.
Fear overwhelmed me, and I broke his heart.
Will the most celebrated musician on the planet,
really give me another chance?

When a rash decision changes their lives forever, hope for their future is all but shattered.
Stakes are high.

But Zane’s determined to prove a love this pure is TIMELESS.

TIMELESS ENCORE:

A steamy, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance between a sexy billionaire rockstar and his plus-size soulmate

“Restraint is not my strong suit.”

I’m finally reunited with the woman I’ve loved since birth.
Why do I feel so untethered?
Fiona’s living her dream and I’m doing my best to support her.
But, with so many dark secrets revealed, my very foundation is rocked to the core.
Will we ever outrun our past to have the life we deserve?

“My lifelong dream blew up in spectacular fashion”

Zane and I overcame many obstacles to achieve our destiny.
We’re best friends and soulmates—with a love life other couples only dream of.
Anxiety and self-doubt still threaten my confidence.
When neither of us have reconciled our past,
Can we find the courage to embrace our future?

Happily ever after can mean so many things.
Life happens.
Faith is tested.

Will Zane and Fiona overcome decades of deception?
Is true love really TIMELESS?

TIMELESS ENCORE is Book 8 in the Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance Series, and is the sequel to TIMELESS

It is strongly recommended you read Books 1-4 before reading any of the “ENCORE” sequels, otherwise you’ll be spoiled!

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

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My Reviews

Less than Zero

In all of the previous Less than Zero books, Fiona has been an almost shadowy figure. We see glimpses of her and there were hints that there might be something between her and Zane, but that's all they were, hints. I wasn't sure if I was going to take to her as a character, simply because I'd seen so little of her. When it came to Fiona and Zane's story though, that didn't matter, it was clear that they were going to be together one way or another and that was the way that it was supposed to be.
Zane and Fiona are best friends from when they are small children. Although they always remain close, the pressures that their parents put them under, due to their own mistakes and issues mean that for much of the time they are kept apart. It seems throughout their life, things are working against them to stop them from being together. Perhaps all that really means is that they stay apart until they are truly ready to be together properly, but it all takes a toll on them as people and individually.
This is a love story and so you can expect that they get their happy ending and it is a satisfying one. Having said that, there was one element that I wasn't happy with. Fiona's mother is emotionally abusive. Once she is old enough Fiona leaves her, but later in the story, there is a reconciliation of sorts. I just don't think that her mother deserved that in any way. I certainly wouldn't be allowing my children to have a relationship with someone like that and I was disappointed that it all seemed to be explained away and accepted that she was just being a protective parent.
Overall this was a great read and a fantastic way to wrap up the Less Than Zero series. I believe that we've got some spinoffs to come and I'm looking forward to reading them.

Less than Zero Encore

I have to admit that of all of the Less than Zero couples, Zane and Fiona were my least favourite. Before I read their first book (Encore), I didn't like Fiona. I warmed to her throughout that book, but she still wasn't great. This second instalment changed all that. I thought it was really well done and I enjoyed the development of her character and her relationship with Zane.
In this encore book, Fiona is battling with her weight, she's also trying to establish her own business as something separate to Zane. I don't know if I fully buy the reasons that she doesn't open her business on time. To be honest, if you're really going to cut it in the restaurant world, let alone aim for a Michelin Star, then you have to be able to ignore everything else and just crack on with it. Deal with the real world later. It doesn't really matter though as that was something that drove the story on.
I've enjoyed all of these encore books, I've often thought that some romances are a little too simplistic, no matter what issues the characters are dealing with, it's all fixed by the end. This book shows that this isn't always the case, but we still get our HEA.
I really enjoyed the whole LTZ series. A great read.

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The Match-Maker's Royal Mess - Frieda J. Downing

The Matchmaker’s Royal Mess
Frieda J. Downing
Publication date: November 25th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’d rather give a mountain lion a bikini wax than mess with love again.

Been there, went viral, never going back. Hattie Montague’s life as a backcountry guide for the spoiled and famous suits her just fine, thanks. It’s the only place she feels completely safe being herself. So what if she has nightmares that she can only speak squirrel and craves pine cones for breakfast? It beats leaving yourself vulnerable to humans. Fine, all of them aren’t bad. She likes probably three, so when one needs her help, she drags herself back to civilization. If she can navigate white water rapids, she can babysit a matchmaking office for a weekend. It’s not like she’ll have to deal with people or, you know, be nice. Ew.

Alexander Greye ruined her life ten years ago. Not his proudest moment. Known as the Winter Warlocke, he’s a man born and raised to lead a country with logical precision. Yet around her, he can’t seem to think rationally. He’s never met anyone who dives into the unknown like she does or tames chaos like she can. In a world as perfectly controlled as his, that makes her irresistible and utterly dangerous. And he’s willing to risk it all to thaw his frozen heart.

It’s half past too late when he realizes his carefully laid plans to win her over covered everything except the theft of the Crown Jewels, an abandoned mine where they’d have to face their deepest fears, and the betrayal that forces them to let go.Quite literally.

Warning: Not for the faint of heart. Sassy romantic adventure, with instances of chaos, misunderstandings, and feels. Oh, and the occasional sheep. Sparks will fly, it’s gonna get awkward, and the Happily-Ever-After will be well-earned.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Nice to meet you. I’m Frieda. I write sweet contemporary romance as well as romantic adventure.

I blame it on my childhood babysitters. For some reason they thought I shouldn’t ride our family’s buffalo. Believe me, I was just as shocked as you. Though I never did get that buffalo ride, I found plenty of other creative outlets for my adventure needs. Some were good clean fun, some got me kicked out of various and sundry events, and others ended with me getting lost in catacombs. (Not metaphorically speaking. Somewhere there’s an Austrian catacomb caretaker? guy whom I owe dinner and a large apology.)

I like to think I’ve gotten a tiny bit wiser.

I married my best friend and dove head first into the magnificent cyclone known as raising kids. I mountain bike every chance I get, lose my coffee cup daily, and bake a mean lemon merengue pie, if I do say so myself. I may indulge in shenanigans on a regular basis, but I plead the fifth every time.

I suppose it’s important to me that you know how very much I love us crazy, broken humans. We dream so big. We try so hard. Yet somehow, so often, things just go terribly, horribly wrong.

That’s where my books begin… because that’s where the real love story’s found. I hope you enjoy reading them. Most of all, I wish you adventure, joy, and more love than you knew was possible,

Frieda

You can find more at www.friedajdowning.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

My Review

There's no doubt that this is a romance story, it does have a substantial comedy element. Our heroine Hattie's life was ruined after she became the subject of a viral video while at high school. The person responsible for what happened in the video was her rush at the time, Alexander Graye. She hasn't seen him since, but now he's back apparently wanting to make amends.

The book is set in the US, but Alexander is a prince from a small island off the UK. This Kingdom seems to be inhabited by some weird Disney-style Scots, but I think that just adds to the humour really. As I said, this book does have a lot of funny moments. For the most part they good, but there is the odd one that was, for me at least, a little overly done which only served to actually reduce the comedy element. I really could have done without the sheep too. 

This was a fun read and one that didn't take itself too seriously, which is what you want sometimes. 

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The Girl in the Photo - Catherine Hokin

 1944. ‘I have to go away, my darling. Please, be brave, stay alive, for me.’ Her mother’s voice breaks. The little girl tries to stop the forbidden tears from falling, as the train takes her mother, and she is left alone in the camp…

Berlin, six years later. When Hanni Winter shows her new husband the heartbreaking photos she captured during the war, his reaction is unexpected. His face white, Freddy can’t take his eyes off the photo of a young girl around four years old. ‘That’s Renny,’ he whispers, ‘my sister, she was taken by the Nazis…’

Hanni remembers her perfectly – the child with the wide eyes and bitten lips, who wouldn’t let herself cry despite the chaos and cruelty all around them in the camp. Her heart had broken for the little girl as she took her picture, desperate to reveal the truth about the Nazis to the world. If that child is Renny, then they must try to find her. They must return to hell on earth.

But when Hanni arrives at the black and white arch of the camp, she comes face to face with a man she fears more than any other. Can she find the strength to fight again, or will every hope for the future be lost forever?

A heart-wrenching novel about love and courage in the face of terrible odds. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will need a box of tissues handy.

Author Bio:

I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don't try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.

I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I'm not at my desk you'll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.

I'd love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me, so jump in via my website https://www.catherinehokin.com/ or on my Cat Hokin FB page or on twitter @cathokin

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My Review

Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster. From the moment that we joined the Hanni Winter series, we knew that her past would catch up with her. While she might have been an unwilling pawn in her father's evil ways and not directly responsible for anything that he has done, she hasn't been able to expose him or admit who she really is. Now, she is left with no choice but to finally face up to everything and admit who she really is. Facing the very real possibility of losing everything in the process.

I don't really want to give too much away here, the book was a great read and I wouldn't want to spoil anything. It left me on the edge of my seat and I really wanted everything to work out for Hanni and Freddie. I will say though, that we don't end this book with everything wrapped up in a neat bow. There's at least one more book to come and Hanni and mostly likely Freddie have much more to face.

These books are great reads. Set after the second world war they deal with the long shadow that the evil that occurred in that period cast. It's easy to think that Nazi Germany fell and everything was sunshine and flowers from that point on, but of course, that was far from the case, the scars were deep.

I can't wait to see what happens next for Hanni and I hope that things are finally going to be alright for her.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Village Fete Murder - Katie Gayle

 Julia Bird can’t wait to attend the annual village party at the local stately home, with its tea tents, cake stalls, and… dead body in the maze?

The annual village celebration at Berrywick House is underway, complete with over-decorated cake stalls, fiercely contested flower competitions, and even a maze for the disappointed losers to hide in. Julia Bird, now a well-known – even notorious – member of the community, with her trusty Labrador Jake, has thrown herself headlong into the festivities. But her reputation for adding drama to any event stands up yet again when she discovers a dead body in the maze…

It seems Ursula Benjamin, village know-it-all and prickly baking competition participant, has been strangled – and the killer has to be someone at the fete. As Julia grapples with finding yet another murder in Berrywick, she starts to wonder, could one of the competitive cake-bakers have taken the contest to deadly new heights? Or is there something darker in Ursula’s life that led to her untimely demise?

Embroiled once again in a murder enquiry, Julia isn’t about to leave the investigation to the police. Like it or not, she’s involved, and she’s going to help them solve the mystery. But when there’s another death, and it’s clear the murders aren’t isolated incidents, the stakes become even higher. Can Julia figure out the identity of the killer, and prevent any further dastardly deeds, before the wholesome spirit of the village is ruined forever?

If you like utterly gripping English mysteries, then you’ll love A Village Fete Murder. Perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands.
 
Author Bio:

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.

https://www.facebook.com/KatieGayleWriter

https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks

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Buy Link:

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My Review

A Village Fete Murder sees us joining Julia again and somehow she seems to have stumbled on yet another body! Like the previous books, Julia can't help but try and find out who is behind this latest murdering spree. There are plenty of suspects, for the first murder at least and she wastes no time in trying to find out what happened.

Books like this do amuse me, who anyone could be so unlucky to find so many murder victims I don't know, but Julia seems to take it in her stride. It was nice this time to find out a little more about Julia herself. We learn about her life as a social worker and what came before her retirement. We also learn a little more about her daughter Jess.

I didn't manage to solve this one before it was revealed, but I still enjoyed the book and giving it a go. I don't think that Julia was any further ahead though and her friend in the police wasn't either. In fact, the police don't seem to be able to spot anything without Julia's help!

This is a great fun series, if murder can be fun that is! I can't wait to see more from Julia soon. 

Immortal Sins - Anya J Cosgrove

 

Immortal Sins - Book 3 in the Dark Falls Academy Series.

Cole had to flee to Faerie. His best friend Flynn—my bully and tormentor—holds all the answers. My family secrets are like a noose, slowly tightening around my neck.

To vanquish my demons, I’ll break all the rules. I’ll kneel before my dark prince and infiltrate his world.

Mortals shouldn’t eat Faerie fruits.
Every witch knows the rule.

Can I handle just one bite? Or two? What about a taste of forever?

My Review

I'm really enjoying the Dark Falls Academy series. There was quite a wait between books one and two, but fortunately, this latest instalment came quite quickly. It picks up where our last book left off, Cole has been exiled, and Jules and her friends are trying to work against new headmaster Oz and also to clear Cole's name. To do so, she must work with Flynn, Cole's best friend but someone who has never really been on Jules's side.

This story sees Jules and Flynn travelling away from Dark Falls academy, following Cole into Faerie, somewhere that she has never been before, but has heard plenty about. It's clear that as she does things are going to change and Jules will have to try and come to terms with these changes.

I really enjoyed the developing relationship between Jules and Flynn as well as the growth of the relationship that she has with Cole. I'm not sure where any of these are likely to go next, but I have a few theories.

This book doesn't conclude things, with a cliffhanger at the end which just makes you desperate to read on and find out what will happen next. Sadly, we have to wait a little longer, but with the fourth (and final?) book due out in May, it's not too long.

Fearless Duet - Kaylene Winter

Fearless: Connor & Ronni
Kaylene Winter
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A Steamy, Feminist, Protective Irish Hero Rockstar Romance

“Family is everything, I protect mine with my life…”
Connor McLoughlin had it all, a great family, a college scholarship and music.
Tragedy forced him to grow up too fast.
When his life finally is on track, Ronni Miller appears like a dream.
Kindred spirits in the most unlikely of circumstances.
There’s only one thing in the way— her dark past he’s determined to protect her from.

Will Connor’s protective instincts drive Ronni away for good?

“When your innocence is stolen, trust is a precious gift…”
Actress Ronni Miller tasted fame at a young age.
Her path to stardom was riddled with tragedy.
She never imagined falling for Connor McLoughlin, a rogue, Irish rock star.
The thing is? Ronni’s got revenge on her mind.
Regardless of the risk or the consequences— Or losing the one thing in her life that makes her feel alive.
Connor has only ever asked Ronni for one thing: her heart.
She risks losing the man who would do anything for her.

What happens when Ronni’s bravery is couched in lies?

When your future has been tainted by innocence lost, learning to trust is an uphill battle.

For Connor & Ronni, the fight for true love is FEARLESS.

The Connor & Ronni Duet:
 

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

My Reviews

Fearless

Fearless tells the story of Connor and Ronni. Like the previous book in the Less than Zero series that I have read, this book takes place over a long period of time, with the timeline flitting backwards and forwards as we learn more about their story. Although this is part of a series, you don't have to have read the others, although the characters do reappear and feature in each of the stories.
I really enjoyed this story. The connection between Ronni and Connor is strong and deep, even if it isn't always easy or straightforward, when is love ever? It also is much more than this. With elements of #metoo and some of the awful things that stars and want to be stars are sometimes subjected to in order to achieve their dreams. Ronni is an incredibly strong and determined character, and you can't help but cheer her on, even when it's at the expense of the sweethearted Connor.
This was a fantastic read and I'd love to read more in this gripping series.

Fearless Encore

What I love about this series is that although these couples belong together and are happy, there's also the acknowledgement that perhaps some things aren't an easy fix. We had the beginning of each couple's love stories in the first four books, but now, with the encores, we get to see what happens next. Just because a couple belongs together and has the right chemistry, it doesn't mean that everything is always perfect.
For Ronnie and Connor, it's a case of dealing with the pressures of fame. Caught up in the horror of sexual abuse in her teenage years, Ronnie is still facing the consequences of calling all of that out. For Connor, it's more a case of finding ways to support his wife's career while his own is falling apart.
This was a great read. the #metoo movement and the experience of what women faced at the hands of some of the movie executives are here as well as the juggle of trying to be both a mother and a career woman.
I love Ronnie and Connor as a couple and really enjoyed this encore to their relationship story. A great read.

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When the Heart Brings You Home - Robin Maderich

When the Heart Brings You Home
Robin Maderich
Publication date: November 1st 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

When the Heart Brings You Home, A Connor Falls Christmas Collection, is a heartwarming collection of three holiday novellas, all set in the small town of Connor Falls, Pennsylvania during the Christmas season, and each a story of family and love with a touch of romance.

Winter Light – a troubled little girl brings the Christmas Spirit back to her struggling single father and the woman he once kissed many years ago.

Light the Heart Home – two sisters with secrets reunite at Christmas, prodding old wounds and finding healing love.

Home for the Holidays – all Susan Hardwick wants is to find her way back home.

Comfort. Joy. Romance. Welcome to Connor Falls.

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Author Bio:

First published by Warner Books’ Popular Library, Robin Maderich has written numerous romance novels, from historical to contemporary paranormal, as Robin Maderich, Celia Ashley and Alyssa Deane. Ms. Maderich resides in Pennsylvania, the locale and inspiration for many of her stories. She is an avid fan of historical fact and fiction, as well as the infinite realm of possibilities.

Website

My Review

When the heart brings you home is actually three stories in one book. The novella's are just the right length to draw you into the romance and world of the people that populate them. I say romance, but I'm not entirely sure that they are all romances, at least in the traditional sense. Perhaps love story would be a better description. Although there is a romantic love element in each, there's also plenty of love between family members. It would be very fair to say that When the Heart Brings You Home is all about relationships and where you belong in the world.
I enjoyed all of these stories. I usually prefer my romance on the slightly hotter side and these are all strictly PG (actually they're probably U to be honest) but they are all quite sweet, enjoyable and satisfying. A great read with a nice Christmassy feel to them.

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