ARC Review of “Roses & Thorns: Conquer”, by Bry Ann

THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS SERIES!!! I love this series and the ending of it was bitter sweet. I loved the end, but I hate to see it end. I love being in Sven, Rose, Lacey’s, and Boss’ lives. I love reading the twists and drama going on in their lives, and meeting new friends in their lives. The characters in this series are well developed and really came out of the book for me. They were broken, beaten, strong, lovable, and a joy to read.

The end of Roses & Thorns: Conquer was perfect. The HEA for two women who had a lot of drama and trauma in their young lives it perfect. They deserved it more than anyone. Rose’s strength comes out when Sven is near and when he pushes those buttons that make her annoyed and push her strength and sassiness to come out. I love Rose, but I hate seeing her be so dejected and scared. I like the strong Rose and her character is much better when she is strong. Lacey is still a bada** and one of the strongest women I have read in awhile, even considering all she has been through. I know that Boss is her strength and he helps her overcome the darkness that can seep in.

Sven has grown so much in this series and his reaction to Rose when she returns is great. He doesn’t show any anger towards her until later in the story. They’ve overcome a lot in their relationship considering how it started. It is great to see how Sven and Boss have grown so much throughout this series. Their relationship has grown as much as they have and it’s great. They are a great team.

I thinks this series has been one of my top reads for this year so far. I am so happy to see that other characters will get their own story and I look forward to visiting these characters again in other stories. I give this book a 5 star review and highly recommend it to anyone who likes mafia romance, alpha males, kick butt heroines, or just a story with great characters and a well written story. I can’t wait for Cut’s story. I love a dark, brooding, sexy man.

ARC Review of “Ven: The V Games”, by Ker Dukey and K Webster @KerDukeyauthor @KristiWebster @IndieSagePR

The patriarchs of the Vasiliev, Vetrov, and Volkov families are ruthless and despicable in their daily lives. The V Games were created by Yegor Vetrov and his own son was the first victor of the Games. The children of these men are ruthless as well, but their youthfulness and understanding of life around them has made them smarter than their fathers and when they have the power for their families things will be different. Women will not be treated as an accessory and they will be able to prove their own knowledge and power to rule beside their men.

Veniamin Vetrov is a young man who follows his fathers rules to keep the peace for now. He does not believe in all that his father does or says to run their family and he can’t wait until the day comes when he can be the one to rule the Vetrov name. However, when that time comes will he actually take the reigns? A lot will change for him in this story and he will find himself as well as the one woman who can keep up with him and stand beside him to show their world that they were meant to be together.

Diana Volkov is a young woman who is smart, strong, and vicious in her world. She will have to prove herself in this story and unfortunately, she will have to fight for her own life more than once in this story. I love Diana, she is a woman who knows her place in the family, but she will not take much more from the men around her before she cracks and shows them all that she is not just a woman to hang on a mans arm. She is a business woman and she thrives when she has something to focus on and a business to run. She knows what her family does and she may not agree with everything, but she is a business woman and will do what she can to make sure that her family business thrives and makes money.

If you like a story about mafia families, dark love, strong heroines and alpha males, then I highly recommend that you read this story. I would suggest that if you have not already read the first book, Vlad: The V Games, that you read it first as this book takes up after that one. They are both very good and I was cheering for Diana a lot in this book. Sorry, but I still don’t like Vika. I give this book a 4.5 star review and look forward to the next story in the future. I need to know more about these families.

 

RELEASE BLITZ: Ven by K. Webster & Ker Dukey

Ven

by K. Webster & Ker Dukey
Publication Date: June 29, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Dark, Mafia, Romance

Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

The Vetrov name comes with expectation.
My role in this world is simple: do as Father asks and live my life how he planned it.

My future is already written: run the empire.
Old Values. Old Rule. Old Money.
Until her.

Everything I do lacks purpose.
Everything I do is empty.
Women. Money. Power. It meant nothing.
Until her.

When the Volkov rose showed up at my home a disgraced package, hand-delivered by a Vasiliev prince, I began paving my own path.
I vowed to make her bloom once more.

She consumed me.
Her. Her. Her.

But you can’t love a rose and expect not to be damaged by her thorns.
She cut me too deep.
And I bled out.
My soul fled.
All that’s left is a cold, calculating monster.

I am Veniamin.
Volcanic. Victorious. Valiant. Vetrov.
When you enter my world to play games, prepare to lose.
In the end, I always find the thorn in my side, and I pluck it right out.

Haven’t read book one? Catch up here!
Vlad (The V Games, #1)
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About K. Webster

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

 

About Ker Dukey

My books all tend to be darker romance, edge of you seat, angst filled reads. My advice to my readers when starting one of my titles…prepare for the unexpected.

I have always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be through lyrics or bed time stories with my sisters growing up.
My mum would always have a book in her hand when I was young and passed on her love for reading, inspiring me to venture into writing my own. I tend to have a darker edge to my writing. Not all love stories are made from light; some are created in darkness but are just as powerful and worth telling.

When I’m not lost in the world of characters I love spending time with my family. I’m a mum and that comes first in my life but when I do get down time I love attending music concerts or reading events with my younger sister.

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NEW RELEASE: “SHAMELESS KING”, BY MAYA HUGHES @MHUGHESWRITES

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RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Shameless King
Author: Maya Hughes
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: June 28, 2018

Blurb

A deliciously steamy enemies with benefits romance.

Declan McAvoy. Voted Biggest Flirt. Highest goal scorer in Kings of Rittenhouse Prep history.
Everyone’s impressed, well except one person…

After a blow out in high school, Makenna Halstead and I were happy to never have to cross paths again. Except life has a way of knocking you straight in the teeth with a puck when you least expect it. She hasn’t just returned to my life, she crashed into it like a wrecking ball…into my college kingdom, into my class, and smack dab into the seat next to mine. My new lab partner to be exact.

For years we hated each other… I may be King on the ice, but she is the Ice Queen. She has no problem calling me out, doesn’t back down, and her piercing blue eyes have me picturing more than than just my arms wrapped around her.

Now we’re stuck with each other and there’s no getting around that fact that we have to work together. My hockey career hangs in the balance. Problem? Oh, yeah.

I can’t deny it. I want her. More than I ever thought I could want a woman. I’ve got one semester–only four months–to convince her everything she thought about me was wrong.

Will my queen let me prove to her I’m the King she can’t live without?

Only one way to find out…

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GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39669992

 

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AUTHOR BIO

Maya Hughes is a Jersey girl, no not that kind! And she also thinks it’s super weird to talk about herself in third person 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, the music I listen to, and the people I know to create stories that sparkle and shine.

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe and traveling with my family.

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AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayahugheswrites
Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/MayaHughesGroup
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Website: http://mayahughes.com

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FREE PREQUEL – Kings of Rittenhouse

PURCHASE LINKS – FREE!

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MY REVIEW:

Makenna and Declan are two people who put on a good outside face but they are both actually a couple of kids who have a lot in common, even though no one think they did.

Makenna a young girl who comes from a family that is hurting due to a painful loss and she is trying to make up for it by being the best she can be and living a life that she thinks she has to live, rather than a life for herself. She puts too much pressure on herself and keeps herself from those around her that would like to get to know her better and be her friend.

Declan, a young boy who goes to a prep school on a scholarship. He has a lot to prove to himself and his father who walked away from him. His dreams are centered around proving himself and making things better for his mother. He lives his life to prove that he is good enough, if not better than the man who gave him life.

I really enjoyed meeting Declan and Makenna and would love to read more about the Kings and their lives after high school as well. The life lessons these two learn from each other is what makes them a strong couple. The fact that they can both be who they really are around each other is great. Thats the way any relationship should be. It’s too bad that they both feel that they have to keep their lives a secret and not let people in. I do wonder why Declan didn’t share his secret with anyone. If you like YA romance and coming of age stories, then I would highly recommend this story. Its well worth the read. I give this story a 4 star review and look forward to more about the Kings in the near future.

SHAMELESS KING TEASER 2SHAMELESS KING TEASER 1

NEW FROM BETHANY-KRIS

CAPTIVATED

by Bethany-Kris
Publication Date: July 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance, Standalone

#PREORDER NOW!

SYNOPSIS REVEAL

A shadow meets the light …

When someone needs to disappear, the Chicago mob calls on Joe Rossi. A man who can move without a sound, and kill without a word, they don’t call him the Shadow for nothing.

This time, it’s a New York crime family in need of his skills, but it takes one glimpse of her to make him agree to the job.

Liliana Marcello is every inch a principessa della mafia. Her life has taught her to be wary of strangers, yet her ballet career contradicts everything by putting her on display.

It’s a man with a dark smile and a constantly changing demeanor that makes her feel safe again, but it’s the unknown that holds her back.

It takes one look …
One dance …
One word …
One smile to captivate a man.

And one second to kill a woman because of it, too.

Not all monsters hide in the shadows.
How are you supposed to see them coming?

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

Shoving the phone back in her pocket, she headed out of the bathroom, and damn near crashed into what felt like a fucking brick wall the second she left the room.

Liliana couldn’t have caught herself from falling even if she tried. For all her balance, strength, and grace … none of it helped very much when she ran headfirst into something as unexpected as—

“Careful there,” came a dark, rich voice.

Like a bass rumbled with his words.

Like a melody colored up his chuckles.

A strong arm had caught her easily—just one, it seemed he didn’t need two—and righted Liliana to her feet probably before she even realized what had happened. Pushing her wild waves of dark blonde hair back out of her face, she blinked.

And came face to face with him.

The mysterious man from earlier in the driveway.

He was not quite the same as he had been earlier, though. Getting a closer—really up close and personal, considering how she was balancing herself by putting her palms to his chest, and was close enough to feel his warm mint-scented breath wash over her face—look at him was bad for her insides.

Bad, because he was gorgeous. More so than she realized. Bad, because her stomach clenched, and her palms felt sweaty already. For a second, she tried to make her voice work, but nothing came.

The dark lines of the man’s face were shadowed by the hall, but it only added to the appeal of his square-cut jaw, strong cheekbones, and inviting grin. He was taller than her five foot eleven by at least six inches or more. She had to wonder if he played football, or rugby, because under her fingertips, his chiseled-from-stone muscles jumped from her touch.

Jesus.

“You okay?” he asked.

Liliana nodded quickly. “Yeah, sure.”

“It’s Liliana, right?”

She blinked.

He grinned deeper.

Right?” he pressed.

“Liliana, yeah, but if you call me Lily, I’ll probably gut you.”

Might as well get that right out in the open and over with. She expected a bit of surprise in the man’s eyes at her warning, but he actually tipped his head back and laughed. And sweet Christ, that laugh of his was dangerous.

The sound made her breath catch.

The sight made her heart race.

“Good to know,” he said.

Laughter echoed from down the hall—her cousin, sister, and friends voices followed right after. Conversation about the movie they wanted to pick, or something like that. It didn’t really matter.

“Ah, that’s what I was trying to find,” the guy said.

Liliana’s brow dipped. “Pardon?”

“I heard noise, but this place is so big that I couldn’t find out what it was or where it was coming from. I think I got lost.”

She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “Well, the mansion is pretty big.”

Liliana had a good mind to ask him what exactly he was doing at her grandparents’ mansion, and why she had caught sight of her father and uncles waiting for him and the other man before she left with the girls. She didn’t ask any of that because if the guy was in any way connected to her father and uncles’ business in the mafia, he probably wouldn’t tell her anyway.

Besides, sometimes it was better not to know.

That’s what life as a Marcello principessa had taught Liliana. It was also pretty quick to teach her that even men who weren’t connected to the life were their own particular brand of dangerous when it came right down to it.

“I bet your friends are wondering where you are,” he said.

It was only then that Liliana realized how close and alone the two were in the dark hallway. Sure, someone might hear her shout if she needed to, but none of that had even factored in to her usual cautiousness.

In fact, the last thing she felt in that moment was unsafe.

“They probably are,” she agreed.

“Would you do me a favor first?”

“Shoot.”

He cocked a brow, and shrugged one large shoulder like it wasn’t a big deal before he said, “Give me directions to the downstairs—I don’t want to miss supper later. I hear that’s rude, and I’m going to be around for a while. I would hate to make a bad first impression and all.”

Liliana laughed, but not for the reason he probably thought. The last thing he did was make a bad first impression.

Far from it.

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

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Review of “Roses & Thorns: Men”, by Bry Ann @AuthorBryAnn

Oh My!!!! I am so loving this series. I only wish that the books were closer together. I have already pre-ordered the next book, Roses & Thorns: Conquer. Talk about cliff hangers…

Lacey is a badass survivor. I love her strength and her powerful heart. When she lets someone in, they are there for life and she is fierce in her loyalty to those people. Even when she is mad at someone that she cares about, she doesn’t quit caring. She may be angry, but she knows that they are in her circle for life. They will have to prove them self to her, but she will always care about them and be loyal to them. She has suffered so much in her young life, but in Roses & Thorns: Men, we see a completely different person emerge. She finds her strength and her power in this book and she grows even more. I love this character. She is perfect. Her scars inside and out have made her the powerful woman she is becoming and I only see her getting stronger and more fierce.

Boss is the same as he has been in the other books, but his soft side is emerging with watching Lacey come into her own in this book. We see his vulnerable side in this book and it only makes him more human. It is great to see that Lacey can make him such a humble man. Everyone has seen his fierce side in the previous books, but there is a whole new side of him in this book and I am liking him more now.

Sven, such a broken man. After Rose’s death he pretty much disappears into a bottle. It takes a while for him to find his way out, and that is only after Boss orders him to get help. We see a more mature and softer side to Sven in this book too. I love Sven, his cockiness, confidence, and brashness take a bit of a side trek in this book, but it will reappear towards the end of it.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out. This is a great series and I highly recommend it for readers who like dark love stories, and mafia men! I was crushed at the end of Roses & Thorns: Women, I am more hopeful now that I have read Roses & Thorns: Men. Roses & Thorns-Men

Thank you Bry Ann for writing such great characters. I will say that this book had me in tears often and I was laughing at some of the lines as well. These characters are great together and I would love to read more about Cut as well. I enthusiastically give this story a 5 star review. It just keeps getting better with each book!

BLOG TOUR – Dead Smart, by Stephen Puleston @Books_n_all @Inspector_Marco #InspectorMarco #DeadSmart #BookReview #CrimeFiction #BookReview #PoliceProcedural

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Dead Smart

Nobody can hide from the truth …

Eddie Westford is found dead outside the Cardiff City Football ground. His throat has been cut in a cold-blooded attack.  Inspector Marco discovers photographs of Westford sitting in various luxury cars and Westford’s connections with the organised hooligan gangs of Cardiff points to a connection with hardened criminals.

Evidence suggesting Westford is a suspect in a drug related inquiry means that Marco faces having to transfer the investigation to another officer.  But Marco’s gut instinct believes that Westford’s death may be connected to some powerful people in Cardiff and he resists the attempts from his senior officer to have the murder case allocated to another officer.

Marco embarks on a final last minute attempt to prove his theory with disastrous consequences before he finally identifies Westford’s killer.

Dead-Smart-cover

Biography

I write crime fiction based in Wales and about Wales. The rural landscape of north Wales provides the backdrop to the Inspector Drake novels. And Cardiff the capital of Wales provides the setting for the Inspector Marco novels set in a modern urban environment.
I love the novels of Raymond Chandler, Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid – the list could go on! And I enjoy watching detective series on the television the recent Hinterland series based near Aberystwyth in Wales was great. One of my favourites is the French series Spiral but The Bridge and Broadchurch and the Rebus series with Ken Stott and Kenneth Branagh in Wallander are great too.

I have been on writing courses at the Welsh Writers Centre in Llanystymdwy, North Wales tutored by Matt Whyman and Marcus Sedgwick as well as crime writing courses with Peter Robinson and Andrew Taylor at the Scottish Writers centre.

I was born in Anglesey an island off the north Wales coast and after leaving school in Holyhead I went to University in London before training as a solicitor/lawyer. I practiced in a small family business doing criminal work in the magistrates and crown courts, divorce and family work. I still live on Anglesey, North Wales near the beach and the mountains of Snowdonia.

Stephen Puleston author photo

My Review:

This is a fast-paced story that brings the reader through a tough murder case. A man is found dead outside the stadium after a football game. His murder is investigated by Inspector Marco. He is a detective who wants to solve the case, but with a deadline looming over him he feels the pressure.

This is a well written story and the character of Inspector Marco shows that his job means something to him and that he wants to solve his cases, not just push them off to someone else or rush the investigation because the victim is not a man of honor. Inspector Marco still treats the victim as an important person and knows that he had a family who wants answers as to how he really died.

I enjoyed reading this story and I look forward to reading more about Inspector Marco and see where his life will lead. The story kept me interested and I was eager to find out who the criminal is and what lead to the murder. The twist of the story was interesting, and I was not leaning that way at all. I was thinking along the same lines as Inspector Marco for a while, but I was surprised by the final arrest. I give this story a 4-star review and look forward to more from Mr. Puleston.

Review of “Killing for Her”, by Alexis Abbott @AbbottAuthor

Nikolai

One kill is all it takes for her to be mine.

She’s just a pawn in the Bratva’s games. A virginal prize, exchanged from one boss to another. Her perfect curves and that sparkling smile, she’d be deadly if she hadn’t been sheltered from the mafia’s wicked world.

Now she’s being thrust into it.

A marriage to a man I know has a terrible temper and a cruel sense of torture.

She deserves better. Better than him.

Better than me.

But I never said I’d save her out of the goodness in my heart.

I’ll save her. I’ll protect her.

And I will claim her. Even if it means the wrath of every family in Brighton Beach descends upon me.

 

My Review:

The ruthlessness of Nikolai is so powerful in the beginning, but the sweet side to him is a whole different man. He’s a killer, but he’s only doing what he has to do.

I loved this story and loved reading Nikolai, Anastasia, and Maxym. The planning and the desire for revenge keep Nikolai going and help him to get through each day. When he has to take a detour from his plans though, he finds his light.

This was a quick paced book that kept me turning the pages. I hated to put it down I was sad when it was finished, but I loved the ending. I wanted more of Nikolai and Anastasia. I also wanted to know more about what happens to Nikolai’s friends. I look forward to more and hope that there is more to this story and Maxym.

Review of “Electric Impulse: Love, Life, and Sex, Book 1”, by Angel Hilson @AngeltheAuthor3

OfficialCoverEL

Love, Life, and Sex. Definitely! This book had all of that and more. The characters were fun, sassy, loving, frustrating, and hatable. I found Aria and her girls to be the most fun to read and get to know. They are sassy, funny, and strong women. I love that about all of them. Aria had a few meltdowns, but that was understandable with all that she went through to find her man. Mia and Penelope, were fun to read. They are strong women who know what they want out of life and go for it.

Aria Davenport a recent college grad who thinks that the man she is with while in college is the one. Sebastian is a young man who has been given everything by his parents. He doesn’t know what it’s like to struggle or to make ends meet. His mother is a snob and doesn’t think that Aria is good enough for her son. What mother ever thinks anyone is good enough for their son? However, she looks at Aria as if she stepped in something smelly and brought the stench with her. A mistake of identity leads to a nasty confrontation between Aria and Sebastian, and they have a messy public break-up. Aria works as a waitress at a local night club and while working met a man who is rich and powerful. Their first meeting was both great and not so great, by the end of the evening.

Phoenix Prescott is a man who has made the Forbes 30 under 30 magazine cover, and his wealth has given him power in the city. He is a man who does what he wants and enjoys life. His relationship with Aria, when it finally happens, is a roller coaster ride for Aria. She isn’t sure that it’s a good thing at times, but at others, she can’t seem to get enough of Phoenix.

This story has a lot of twists, especially when Aria and Phoenix’s relationship gets going. Every time I thought they would make it something else would come up. The final chapter title made my heart drop, until I read it.

I am so happy that this book was brought to my attention, I loved the story and the characters in it. I also love the cover! I hope to read more books with these characters and learn more about the lives of Mia, Riz, JC, and Penelope. I give this book 4 star review and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a love story that has a lot of ups and downs, but a Happily Ever After.

KILLING FOR HER, BY ALEXIS ABBOTT IS NOW LIVE!

One kill is all it takes for her to be mine.

She’s just a pawn in the Bratva’s games. A virginal prize, exchanged from one boss to another. Her perfect curves and that sparkling smile, she’d be deadly if she hadn’t been sheltered from the mafia’s wicked world.
Now she’s being thrust into it.
A marriage to a man I know has a terrible temper and a cruel sense of torture.
She deserves better. Better than him.
Better than me.
But I never said I’d save her out of the goodness in my heart.
I’ll save her. I’ll protect her.
And I will claim her. Even if it means the wrath of every family in Brighton Beach descends upon me.

This novel is a full length romantic suspense novel with no cliffhangers. Explicit language. Safe from cheating.

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❤️About the Author❤️

Alexis Abbott is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author who writes about bad boys protecting their girls! Pick up her books today if you can’t resist a bad boy who is a good man, and find yourself transported with super steamy sex, gritty suspense, and lots of romance.

She lives in beautiful St. John’s, NL, Canada with her amazing husband.

You can find all her books here:

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