Romance Readers Retreat: October 2015

Another excellent read from Tess Oliver!! This one was a bit different to her usual stuff, there's more intrigue and suspense, lots of mystery going on. And of course there's one hell of a hot romance going on and a scorchingly sexy alpha male hero, this is Tess after all! Boy does she write a hot hero well!
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I just HAD to find out what happened to Tashlyn and her dad all those years ago.
This story is about Tashlyn who lost her dad when she was a child to a trucking accident leaving her an orphan. She was raised by her hippy aunt in a commune, and now at 23 she's returned to the town of the site of her dad's accident. She needs answers, not least to how she came to be wandering around the forest as a lost and scared seven year old child on the night of her dad's death. There she meets Jem Wolfe, town bad boy living under the shadow of his family's bad name. She warned about him, told if she's any sense she'll stay away, but she's drawn to him and feels a connection to him right off the bat.
This story intrigued me greatly, as did the characters. Other than the main characters, Dane in particular piqued my interest. I'm wondering if he'll get his own book, he's a bit mysterious and it's evident he has some difficulties and issues, I'd love to read more of him.
I definitely recommend this book, those of you who have read Tess before will know she can do no wrong when it comes to her books, I've yet to find one I haven't loved. Those of you who haven't read her yet, well why the hell not?!

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Tashlyn Younglove has returned to Blackthorn Ridge, the town where her dad died sixteen years earlier. As she unravels the mystery behind her father's death, dark secrets are revealed, putting her in grave danger. All the while, Tashlyn finds herself falling hard for Jem Wolfe, the youngest son of the town's most notorious family. Can she trust the man who has stolen her heart?

Jem Wolfe returned to Blackthorn Ridge to keep his brother, Dane, out of trouble. When Tashlyn Younglove moves to town, she dredges up the town's dark history, a history that involves Jem's dad. At the same time, Jem finds himself falling hard for her. Will a long buried ugly truth push Tashlyn from his arms for good?

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1PWwxTa

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1l0SNys

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Review: Superstition by Lucy Fenton

****4 Stars****

This is my first witch paranormal read and won't be the last!!! I've read about vampire's before so I couldn't wait to get started and I wasn't disappointed!!!

Arden has recently lost her mother and her father has just informed her that he's accepted a job near the beach as he thinks a fresh start is what they both need, Arden comes round to the idea and starts to think she could make a fresh start in her new school but things go from bad to worse as the school bully takes an instant dislike to Arden and attacks her in front of the whole school and no one intervenes.

As Arden finds making friends hard she thinks of a new hobby to fill her time so starts Surfing on the way back on day she finds an injured animal and takes it to the local vets this is where she finds out her life isn't so normal and she has powers not only that but witches, vampires and trolls exist and her life is in danger and needs to fight to save it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, Arden was ballsy and stood up and fought for what's right, the storyline was really good even though it was slow paced in the beginning but the pace soon picked up to the point I couldn't put it down.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

What happens when your childhood nightmares of being bitten by strange creatures in a dark wood aren't just dreams? Sixteen-year-old Arden St. John's life takes a strange turn when she finds an unusual animal injured near her new house on the south east coast of Australia. When she takes it to the local vet, a terrible truth is inadvertently exposed to her. She discovers a secret underworld, where witches are commonplace and trolls masquerade as queen bees, terrorising the other students with impunity. A world where vampires traffic in the lives of children, draining their bodies once they reach maturity. Where adults auction their own children to extend their lives. Arden finds out she's one of those kids, her life traded by the mother she never knew. Now she's caught up in this ancient and corrupt economy operating just below the surface of modern society. She's a hot commodity, and it's only a matter of time before the vampire who bought her comes to claim his prize. But Arden's not going down without a fight.

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1N1HQDe

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1XHdVrN

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Thursday, 29 October 2015

Review: The Redeemer (Rouge Passion #2) by J.D. Chase

*****5 Stars*****

This is the second and last book in the Rouge Passion series and bloody hell, I was hooked! Although I really enjoyed book #1, this second book was brilliant!

It picks up right where we were left off in book #1 and Isla cannot believe that she's been duped again! Worse still, she feels like the bad guy in this situation, her own nightmare turned reality. Feisty as ever, Isla is determined to make someone pay and she knows just how she's going to do it.

However, once her temper is set alight, it has some far reaching and mortifying consequences and I've got to be honest, I was just about on the floor with laughter at times.
Once her temper settles to a simmer, will she be able to listen to the reasons or will all she hears, be excuses?

This is a real rollercoaster and I've got to be honest, at times, I wanted to slap Isla but throw in a mega-bitch and my blood was boiling!
Of course I still had the deliciously dirty Xander to set my blood on fire for a whole different reason...he is still hot, hot, hot!
Ooh! There's a huge tough ex-marine too...just in case your hormones weren't already raging!

So now the fight is on. With exes, bitches, bimbo staff members, a back stabber or two and some of the most panty-drenching sex scenes you'll come across, this is a definite must read!

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer

The sequel to The Player. The second and final installment of the Rouge Passion series.

Xander’s secret sends Isla reeling. Frustrated with her own stupidity, and in full denial of the pain she’s feeling, she resolves to teach him a lesson. As the legal owner of Rouge Passion, she’s in the perfect position to do just that. And boy, she could give lessons on how to deal with cheats. She goes all out to protect her position, including enlisting the services of two former Marines.

Although fiercely independent, she has to rely on the staff to help her, something that proves difficult, especially after a drunken liaison.

Can Xander outmanoeuvre her or, with the odds stacked against him, should he walk away?

Is everything always black and white? Or do grey areas exist?

Xander is forced to regret holding his cards so close to his chest but, when all is revealed, will he be left holding the winning hand?

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1MWHwpw

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1PWJAD6

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Review: The Fall Up by Aly Martinez

*****4.5 Stars*****

This is one of those books where I went in with absolutely no expectations and came out the other side thinking WOW!

Levee is a huge pop star who has it all, but behind the scenes life has just taken its toll, to the point where she considers taking her own life. Luckily for her she meets Sam on a bridge in San Francisco, who I have to say is my ideal book boyfriend.

I loved the authors writing style. The characters personalities, especially Sam's, really shone through. The change in points of view were clearly defined leaving no room for confusion as to who's thoughts we were reading. I also felt that it was refreshing to have the female of a book be the musically talented one, instead of the hot rocker type books that frequent mine and so many others Kindle.

I cannot do this review without mentioning Sam a little more, because he was so sexily adorable, if that's even a phrase, but it seems the best way to describe him because he is simply the perfect blend of hotness and caring in the way he is with Levee. And despite not actually being a multi platinum recording artist myself, I really could imagine myself in Levee's designer shoes.

The sex scenes were way hotter than I expected (probably all thanks to a little piercing, which I have to say is virtually a recipe for a great book in my eyes), but what made this book for me was the couple's emotional chemistry and witty banter. It was literally love at first sight for them both.

This was my first book by Aly Martinez and I have to say I shall be definitely looking out for her books in the future.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

I wanted to jump.
He made me fall.

As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.

Until he found me.

Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.

But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.

Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?

Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1P7QW60

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1jUdUlU

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Review: The Truth of a Liar by Cassie Graham

*****4.5 Stars*****

Wow where do I start???
I have to admit I hadn't read Anyone But Him this is where we first meet Lark so I was slightly confused in the beginning BUT this soon changed.

The storyline is brilliant, Lark is an FBI agent who is assigned to look after Rowan who is the female lead in a Broadway production as she is being targeted by a human trafficking gang in New York.

As its no longer safe for Rowan to be in her own apartment Lark and his colleagues move her into a secret home and things soon start to develop between the pair as Lark changes from the brooding silent type into Rowan's night time saviour, Rowan decides she wants to visit her parents back home for the holidays so they all pack up and this is where the storyline really kicks it up a notch and you will not want to put your kindle down, we have action, suspense, drama and hot sex!!!!

This book has it all a brilliant storyline, characters that you can easily connect with and brilliant writing by the author Cassie Graham.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

“Life doesn’t always go according to plan. In fact, it has a nasty habit of veering off the map. So when my job led me to New York City, something extraordinary happened…her script merged with mine.”

Hadley Theater, New York City, New York - Night

ENTER STAGE LEFT-Rowan Townsend, a twenty-nine year old Broadway starlet, strolls onto the dark, ominous stage. The bright spotlight finds her and she smiles broadly, her body buzzing in anticipation.

Rowan
Serendipity is a funny thing, isn’t it? It jumps out from behind the bushes and offers an unbelievable chance at happiness. It’s hopeful and intriguing, and maybe even a little terrifying.

ENTER STAGE RIGHT-Lark Hawthorne, a striking twenty-nine year old FBI agent and self-proclaimed liar, marches to Rowan and grabs her arm, coaxing her off stage.

Lark
Rowan, what are you doing? We need to leave. It’s not safe here.

Rowan and Lark look out into the audience and a menacing shadow in the back of the theater catches their attention. Her eyes expand in panic and he grips her hand tighter, offering reassurance.

Lark
It’s now or never. Are you ready?

EXIT STAGE RIGHT. Fade to black.

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1GyMQTe

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1P0ax9N

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New Release from Lesley Jones!

Brace yourselves because it's now LIVE!!

The long awaited sequel to Carnage, Marley by Lesley Jones is now available for purchase!!

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1WjgYJp

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/20d7gYi

Review: Unlawful Seizure (Filthy Florida Alphas Book 1) by Baylee Rose

*****5 Stars*****

What happens when Tess gets to meet the man she's been dreaming about (literally) for ages? Will he be as hot as his photo? Can a photo accurately portray his character? She knows so much about him from simply reading his file but when she comes face to face with Max Kincaid at his parole hearing, she's not expecting the tough, gruff male she encounters....and he's not remotely interested in her help.

Things go from bad to worse when alarm bells sound and Tess is thrust into the belly of the prison.

Max is a great character! Hot doesn't adequately describe him...he's tough, forceful, completely alpha and angry with the hand life has dealt him. He doesn't have time to babysit Tess but he's not the type of man to leave her to the wolves, so he's taking her with him.

Tess is feisty and even though she knows that's she's found herself in a dangerous situation, the lust she feels for Max overrules all her common sense.

The sass she delivers is amusing and there's loads of drama packed into this book - escaped prisoners, a bitch from hell, bullets and a dingy underground hideout but mostly, there sex and it is scorching!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. It's captivating!
Although this book is a standalone, there's another book in the series, called Unjustified Demands and I can't wait to read it!

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer

Ruthless, Demanding, Wicked and Running from the Law.

Tessa

It was a routine parole hearing, until I get caught in the middle of a prison break.
Now I’m property of Max Kincaid, Florida Correctional Inmate Number 91428

I should be terrified.
I should be demanding my freedom.
Instead I’m begging him to deliver on all the wicked promises in his eyes.
The longer I’m with him, the more I need him.
His touch answers cravings I never knew my body had.
Now, all I crave is him.

Max:

My life ended years ago.
I have no right to touch Tessa. I should let her go.
I can’t. Instead, I lose myself in her body.
I’m living on borrowed time.
But when the devil comes to collect his due,
It will be with her taste on my mouth.
My brand on her body.
And her name on my lips.

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1MkCPFe

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1KHS0Ho

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Review: WANT by Emma Rider

*****4.5 Stars*****

Is a professional cuddler even a thing? I have no doubt it is and surprisingly it works within the confines of this book.

This unusual occupation is how Jade, the professional cuddler meets Ryland, the Mixed Martial Artist who reminded me very much of another well known fictional fighter. The fact he wants her and will do anything to get her and the way he does it was what struck me as similar.

Because of the similarities between Rylands character it was hard not to love him and there were enough differences in the story to make it unique.

I loved Jade, she was down to earth, loyal and at her very heart a fighter.

This was a great book and really well written and despite it being a stand alone I can only hope there is more from the other characters in the book.

It maybe my first book from Emma Rider, but it most definitely isn't the last.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

Savage in the cage. Savage in the bedroom.

Powerful. Brutal. Mixed Martial Artist, Ryland “The Savage” Cole doesn’t play by the rules. He wants it. He takes it. And he wants Jade.

Professional cuddler Jade has not only been hurt but also deceived by the one she once loved. She’s not going to make a mistake again by giving her heart to a man. Especially since she’s now free.

When a motorcycle club threatens her best friend, she puts her life on the line in order to save him, but in order to do that, she must spend every night in Ryland’s arms.

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/20d01jf

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1GyIL1w

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Saturday, 31 October 2015

Thursday, 29 October 2015