Review: Dark Corners (True Heroes #3) by A.M. Madden

****3.5 Stars****

This is David's story, who we met in the previous book in this series as Angela's brother. Now finished in the armed forces he's trying to get his life back on track, taking a degree in psychology but his PTSD is holding him back. He's a toured hero plagued with nightmares of his time at war. 

Then he meets Maygen and she brings light back into his life. Beautiful, independent and stubborn she keeps him on his toes, but our tortured hero struggles with his insecurities that she's too good for him and the baggage he comes with. 

I found this book to be a different pace to A.M. Madden's usual work, I found it to be quite slow paced for a good three quarters of the book and then, bam, plot twist I didn't see coming. The last 25% was more in keeping with A.M. Madden's usual writing style, lots of action and intense and emotional scenes. I'm rating this book a lot lower than I usually rate her books because of the very slow start, honestly I struggled with it in parts. I loved the last quarter and the ending, I enjoyed the involvement of characters from previous books who's stories I was incredibly invested in. But with this one I just didn't connect. It could have been down to the slow start or it could just have been me, I'm not ruling that out, it's a strong possibility that I just wasn't in the mindset to read this book at this time and that hindered my enjoyment. I can only rate it based on my experience but if you are following this series then no doubt you'll be intrigued by David from the last book and his involvement in Angela's story. He's definitely a character that evokes your sympathy and you want to know more about him and understand him better. 

That being said A.M. Madden is still one of my favourite authors and someone whose books I always tend to recommend, if you follow her work then you need to read this to complete the story of this group of characters. If you're yet to read her books then definitely give this series a go, start with book one though as although each book is about a different main character, this series as a whole is about a group of characters and they feature in each others books. I think I probably would have benefitted from rereading the previous book where David was introduced so that the connection I felt to David's character was still there to carry me through, I think possibly if I had my experience reading this book would have been different.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Love is war when shadows play games with the heart. In this thrilling romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Stone Walls and Glass Ceilings, a decorated veteran facing the darkest battlefield finds a guiding light to trust and tenderness.

David Cavello is no longer in uniform, but the memories of combat still haunt his every waking moment. Driven to protect and serve, he accepts an undercover job he has to keep hidden from everyone. But David’s mission goes against orders the second he makes contact with gorgeous and spirited Maygen Whitney. The intense attraction he feels for Maygen drives him crazy—almost as crazy as he feels about hiding information from her.

After growing up with an overprotective father, Maygen feels like she’s finally claiming her independence. Sure, she’s been lonely, but David seems to make all her dreams come deliciously true—until the sting of betrayal sends her world spiraling. Now Maygen’s caught in a tragic web of lies, leaving her more vulnerable than ever to an enemy hidden in the shadows. But when Maygen most needs a hero, David leaps into action—intent on doing whatever it takes to save the woman he loves.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ctWeJy

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2d0QAks

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Review: Blow (Virtuous Paradox #1) by Heidi McLaughlin

***3 Stars***

I loved the sound of the blurb for this book and having enjoyed this authors work before I expected more from this book but sadly it fell a little flat for me. I just couldn’t connect with Bohdi and found him whiny for the most part, a spoilt brat that seemed a lot younger than the character age was meant to be.

Bohdi has a privileged life with A-list parents and now his own success in one of todays manufactured boy-bands but he seems to be chasing more all the time and after finding solace in drugs, things are spiralling out of control. When he ends up in re-hab he has to face up to what he wants out of his life but for me his pursuit of Kimberley was a substitute for the drugs he had craved. 

I liked Kimberley and enjoyed reading her POV much more than Bohdi’s, she had a depth to her that I liked but that all seemed to go out of the window where Bohdi was concerned. I just felt someone in her position, and I know this is fiction, wouldn’t put themselves or a patient in the situations she does with Bohdi. At times, I found the situations uncomfortable to read as the boundaries were crossed. 

I much preferred the latter part of the book, it was more enjoyable and comfortable to read following Bohdi’s departure from rehab and found his situation with the band and their manager frustrating and infuriating. I wanted to shake Rebel and her pushy attitude so much. However, I still found some of the things Bohdi said to Kimberley would have set off alarm bells for anyone that works with recovering addicts. 

Overall a quick read, pretty much an insta-love romance that could have covered a dark subject matter a little better but the romance though forbidden overtook the story. However, I am intrigued by the other characters we met and will certainly look for the next book to see where their stories lead. 

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

Meet the complicated men behind the sexiest boy band in America! In Blow, the start of an emotionally charged series from bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin, an insatiable heartthrob gets blinded by the spotlight—and learns to fight for love.

Bodhi McKnight has always had everything handed to him on a silver platter: fame, success, money, girls. The raven-haired, blue-eyed hottie is the son of Hollywood A-listers, and when he’s asked to join the boy band Virtuous Paradox, his star shoots even higher. But so do expectations, leading Bodhi down a destructive path of addiction—until a drop-dead gorgeous guardian angel shows him her sizzling brand of tough love.

When Bodhi ends up in rehab, he doesn’t expect to meet someone as cool and down-to-earth as Kimberly Gordon. Although he’s enjoyed the company of beautiful, charming women before, none of them have tried to get to know the “real” Bodhi. But Kimberly isn’t fazed by his stardom. She’d rather go horseback riding, teach Bodhi to play guitar, or ask him about his feelings. Soon Bodhi realizes he’s fallen head over heels for her. He just hopes that he’s strong enough to protect what they have from all the pressures and temptations of the outside world.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eLhAUJ

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2eBCQhX

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Review: Someone To Love (Westcott #1) by Mary Balogh

****4 Stars****

Regency Romances have always been my first romance love. In recent years, I read less historicals than I used to, but when a favorite author releases a new Regency I still get that excited flutter in my stomach. Mary Balogh is one such author I am always excited to read. Her newest book Someone to Love, kicks off a new series and as I come to expect had her trademark wonderful writing, well written characters, great dialogue and an interesting premise that immediately sucked me right in.

Anna is an orphan who suddenly gets thrust into the ton, when she finds out she is the daughter of the late Earl of Riverdale. At first she is overjoyed to discover she has siblings, always having longed for a family. Once she arrives at her new home, though, she finds she is not welcomed with open arms. None of her previously unknown family want her there and are reeling from the news that she is the legitimate heir. Adding to the angst-filled family situation, she also struggles to fit in to a high society she has never been a part of.

Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby, is not happy to be given the burden of being the guardian of the new Early of Riverdale and the ensuing scandal is more trouble than he prefers to deal with. He lives his life keeping people at a safe distance, but cannot help feeling a need to come to Anna's aid. In shades of My Fair Lady, he undertakes the task of helping her learn to fit into society and deal with the initial scorn of her new family. In the process, feelings begin to develop between them that comes as a rather large shock to him. Both Anna and Avery were likable characters and the story was filled with interesting secondary characters I look forward to seeing in future books in this series. This story had a fabulous premise and I enjoyed Anna and Avery's developing romance. It was sweet and endearing, though at points I felt like the detailed premise may have overshadowed the romantic aspects of the story.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

The New York Times bestselling author of Only a Kiss launches a new series with the death of an earl and the revelation of a scandalous secret...

Humphrey Wescott, Earl of Riverdale, has died, leaving behind a fortune that will forever alter the lives of everyone in his family—including the daughter no one knew he had...

Anna Snow grew up in an orphanage in Bath knowing nothing of the family she came from. Now she discovers that the late Earl of Riverdale was her father and that she has inherited his fortune. She is also overjoyed to learn she has siblings. However, they want nothing to do with her or her attempts to share her new wealth. But the new earl’s guardian is interested in Anna…

Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby, keeps others at a distance. Yet something prompts him to aid Anna in her transition from orphan to lady. As London society and her newfound relatives threaten to overwhelm Anna, Avery steps in to rescue her and finds himself vulnerable to feelings and desires he has hidden so well and for so long. 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cFv3Pg

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2d3vHH0

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