Velvet Cruelty by Eve Dangerfield is now available!
Blurb:
Once upon a time I was promised to a powerful man. I was raised to be dutiful and innocent. But on my wedding day, I'm stolen by four men. Men who loathe my fiancé. They're going to use me to fulfill their vendetta.
One of them only wants my body. One of them wants me as his wife. Another one offers freedom... at a price. And the last wants me dead.
I was raised to be a good society wife. Now I'm facing a battle of wits and breathless desire. My only hope is to set aside my innocence. Or learn to use it as a weapon.
Author's Note: VELVET CRUELTY is a scorching romance between a woman and four beautifully dangerous men in which she never has to choose. Read at your own discretion.
Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty... The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.
WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk...
Review:
4 stars
****
Wow! This was a good book and is different than anything else I've read by Ms. Dangerfield! Velvet Cruelty is book one in a new trilogy set in the Midnight Dynasty world. This trilogy is a reverse harem with January, who was a very naïve virginal young girl arranged to be married, to a much older billionaire who she barely knows, who is kidnapped by a crew of 4 bad guys from her wedding as revenge on her fiancé. The story is loosely based on Snow White with the similarities woven in seamlessly and not in a cheesy way at all. I won't go into much more detail than that about the story so I don't spoil anything.
Velvet Cruelty has an engrossing, interesting story. I am a big fan of this author, but this book was definitely darker than what she normally writes and what I normally read. I usually don't read books that have any cruelty or violence towards the heroine, but I was on board for it this time. January was super innocent and the guys all four had moments of goodness and moments of badness in their behavior towards her. They are all different in personality and in their approach to January. I'm not in love with any of them yet, but I can see the potential for their relationships to grow in the future and I can't wait to see what happens. January and her men have begun a roller coaster of a journey with plenty of heat. The book has a wicked cliffy to top it off.
Overall, I really enjoyed Velvet Cruelty. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to see what happens with January's story in the future!
A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet is now available!
Discover an all-new adventure in USA Today Bestselling author Amanda Bouchet’s thrilling, white-hot fantasy series, The Kingmaker Chronicles!
The queen has been cursed, and no one knows who’s behind the plot to threaten the realm’s fragile peace. Desperate to help, Jocasta hatches a plan to find Circe’s Garden, a fabled island where she hopes to discover an antidote. But she can’t do it alone. She needs the strong arm and unflinching bravery of the warrior she’s loved since childhood—her brother’s right-hand-man and captain of the guard, Flynn of Sinta.
Together they can do the impossible. Yet with treachery brewing on Mount Olympus, one thing is clear: Thalyria and its new royals are still pawns in an epic game of power—one that might end in a War of Gods.
This is a pretty good book and long-awaited continuation of this series. A Curse of Queens is a new couple's story- Jocasta (the younger sister of Griffin) and Flynn (one of his best friends). Jo is a healer without magic. She longs for the simple life when her family lived in the village. Everything changed now that her brother Griffin is king and her family is royalty. When she lived in the village she fell in love with her brother's friend, Flynn, but when she told him her feelings, he pushed her away. Flynn had a life of loss with his family members dying over the years. He doesn't want to take the risk of loving anyone else and losing them too. Now it is several years later and there is danger on the horizon for the royal family, with Cat and Griffin's unborn baby's life at risk. Jo and Flynn must go on a quest to find the cure to save the baby. Together, they must face their unresolved feelings and save the world as they know it along the way.
This was a good read. The last book in the series came out 4 years ago, so it took me a minute to reacquaint myself to this world. I really liked both Flynn and Jo, but I felt the story was a little slow for them to get together. I really liked them once they did. But I also felt the book was a little slow overall. The story picked up in last third of the book, which was my favorite part. Still, I enjoyed the book and I'm still enjoying this series. I look forward to more from Ms. Bouchet and I hope I don't have to wait four more years for more from this fun series!
No Time to Lie, an exciting second chance romance in the Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded Series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is out now!
A grandmaster of lies and deception
Drake Radcliffe has spent half his life in the shadows. Recruited by the CIA when he was barely out of high school, Drake doesn’t know how to have a normal life. While most people his age were playing sports or video games, he was playing spy games with the world’s most dangerous adversaries. It has been a life filled with thrills and adrenaline, but it’s also been lonely. All that might change when a mistake from Drake’s past rears its ugly head and he’s forced to face the only woman he ever loved—the one he’d vowed to stay away from.
A beacon of love and compassion
Taylor Cline committed the cardinal sin in her world—she fell for another operative. Drake was everything she wanted in a man, until he broke her heart. She had one unforgettable night with him and then he never looked back. Her future threatened and family in ruins, she shut down and moved on, hoping to never see him again. Just as she is beginning to put it all behind her, a critical assignment puts her under his authority and right back in his arms.
A deadly mission that brings them together
From the wilds of Wyoming to the glittering cities of Europe, Drake and Taylor must race against time to uncover the truth and expose an evil organization. The stakes couldn’t be higher. If they fail, the world could crumble. If they succeed, they could finally have everything their hearts desire.
Drake’s attention was completely focused on her. “I think I want to be honest and upfront with you. I’m attracted to you, Taylor, and I think you feel the same.”
She felt a jolt of heat power through her. “Even if I was, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Can I ask why?”
She didn’t sense any threat from him. With any man who hit on her, she had to assess the potential of him taking rejection poorly. She didn’t think Drake was one of those
guys. The last couple of days had made her comfortable with him. “I don’t think it’s smart to get involved with someone I work with.”
“You don’t work with me. From what you’ve said, you won’t be with the Agency for much longer.”
“Yes, and you will be,” she pointed out.
A thoughtful expression came over his face. “That’s kind of what makes it workable in my mind. I can’t tell anyone what I do. That makes for difficult relationships. You already know, and it won’t surprise you that I don’t talk about my work. You won’t get upset if I have to be gone for a couple of weeks without notice. I have a hard time making connections to people, but it was easy with you. Even if you’re not interested in me in a physical way, I hope we can be…friends.” He said the word like it didn’t quite make sense to him. Like it was a foreign word on his tongue.
There was no way for her to deny the electricity between them. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to. That inner voice kept getting stronger.
What would be the harm in seeing if it could work? You might get an orgasm or two out of it. He’s not saying he’s going to walk at the end. He’s actually saying he wants to see you outside this cabin. Why not try?
She was a careful woman. She’d learned that lesson from watching her father throw himself into deadly situations again and again.
But what was she risking? He was right. It was hard for her to connect. She’d had a couple of boyfriends over the years, and she had to hold back so much of herself to even have a chance at making the relationship work. She couldn’t talk about what her father did, couldn’t mention her own work. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have no secrets between them?
“Did I make you uncomfortable?” Drake asked. “Because we can pretend like I didn’t say anything. This snow is going to stop soon, and I should be out of here in a couple of days.”
She reached for his hand. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I’m glad you were honest with me. The last couple of days have been…nice.”
A slow smile spread across his face, and he threaded his fingers through hers. “Nice? Awful sexual tension is nice to you?”
“I wouldn’t say awful. Anticipation can be fun.” It was good to know she hadn’t been the only one who felt the heat between them.
“Are you saying yes?” Drake asked.
Did she want to let him walk out of here and never know what it felt like to be in his arms? They’d been thrown together for a reason. It couldn’t be some random thing that they’d met again. She would hate herself if she didn’t give it a shot.
In a couple of months she would be out of this life and might be able to find some kind of normalcy. Maybe it was time to take a chance.
“Yes,” she said.
“Then come here and let me kiss you and tell you how the night’s going to go,” he said in a commanding tone.
Her whole body responded. She moved, standing and twisting so she sat on his lap. “How is my night going to go, Drake?”
One big hand cupped the nape of her neck while his other arm wound around her waist. “Let’s find out.”
**************
Review:
3.75-4 stars
****
This was a good book! No Time to Lie is book four in the Masters and Mercenaries Reloaded series and is Drake and Taylor's book. Drake has been working for the Agency and we got to know him in the past few books. Taylor and Drake are both children of Agents who raised them to become Agents themselves as adults. They are both affected by it and don't have many personal connections and friends because of their upbringing. But when they find themselves at the same safe house, they find a connection in each other for a few days of happiness. However, their fragile trust is broken and they are separated. Now, they are thrown together again to help bring down the dangerous Consortium and find Drake's evil sister, Julia. This time Drake is determined to make up for his past mistrust and convince Taylor to give him another shot at love.
No Time to Lie is an enjoyable romantic suspense story. I liked Drake and Taylor and felt they made a great fit. I wanted a bit more relationship resolution after the big climax, but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the jump ahead epilogue and I seriously can't wait for the future of this series.
Overall, Drake and Taylor's story was entertaining, sexy, suspenseful and exciting. I can't wait for more to come from Ms. Blake and one of my favorite series!
About Lexi Blake
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance novels that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.
No Time to Lie, an all-new action-packed, second chance romance in the Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded Series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is now available!
A grandmaster of lies and deception
Drake Radcliffe has spent half his life in the shadows. Recruited by the CIA when he was barely out of high school, Drake doesn’t know how to have a normal life. While most people his age were playing sports or video games, he was playing spy games with the world’s most dangerous adversaries. It has been a life filled with thrills and adrenaline, but it’s also been lonely. All that might change when a mistake from Drake’s past rears its ugly head and he’s forced to face the only woman he ever loved—the one he’d vowed to stay away from.
A beacon of love and compassion
Taylor Cline committed the cardinal sin in her world—she fell for another operative. Drake was everything she wanted in a man, until he broke her heart. She had one unforgettable night with him and then he never looked back. Her future threatened and family in ruins, she shut down and moved on, hoping to never see him again. Just as she is beginning to put it all behind her, a critical assignment puts her under his authority and right back in his arms.
A deadly mission that brings them together
From the wilds of Wyoming to the glittering cities of Europe, Drake and Taylor must race against time to uncover the truth and expose an evil organization. The stakes couldn’t be higher. If they fail, the world could crumble. If they succeed, they could finally have everything their hearts desire.
This was a good book! No Time to Lie is book four in the Masters and Mercenaries Reloaded series and is Drake and Taylor's book. Drake has been working for the Agency and we got to know him in the past few books. Taylor and Drake are both children of Agents who raised them to become Agents themselves as adults. They are both affected by it and don't have many personal connections and friends because of their upbringing. But when they find themselves at the same safe house, they find a connection in each other for a few days of happiness. However, their fragile trust is broken and they are separated. Now, they are thrown together again to help bring down the dangerous Consortium and find Drake's evil sister, Julia. This time Drake is determined to make up for his past mistrust and convince Taylor to give him another shot at love.
No Time to Lie is an enjoyable romantic suspense story. I liked Drake and Taylor and felt they made a great fit. I wanted a bit more relationship resolution after the big climax, but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the jump ahead epilogue and I seriously can't wait for the future of this series.
Overall, Drake and Taylor's story was entertaining, sexy, suspenseful and exciting. I can't wait for more to come from Ms. Blake and one of my favorite series!
About Lexi Blake
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance novels that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.
Bitter Sweet Heart, a forbidden hockey romance from New York
Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is now available!
From the outside looking in, I live a charmed life: hockey legend for a
father, my own promising future in the league, a great family, awesome friends. It’s not untrue, but it’s
not quite that simple either.
My dad’s advice has always been to make hockey my number-one
priority—at least until I make it to the pros. So, going into my senior year of college, I have a plan. I’ll put
in the effort required to pass my classes, play hockey like my life depends on it, and avoid relationships.
All I have to do is stay focused on the end game, and I’ll walk away with a degree and into a career in the
NHL.
It should be easy.
But when a woman literally floats into my dock, just before summer
ends and my senior year begins, I can’t resist one last hookup. What harm could a one-night stand do?
It’s not like we even exchanged numbers.
Everything is fine until I run into her on campus.
It’s a big school. I should be able to avoid her.
Except she happens to be in my class.
And she’s not a student.
She’s my professor.
Read today, exclusively on Amazon and in Kindle
Unlimited!
Keep reading for a look inside Bitter Sweet
Heart!
When seven o’clock arrives, I introduce myself and explain that I’ll be
taking over for Professor Connelly. I field a few questions and reassure the students that he’s okay. I also
brought in a get well soon card for them to sign. I pass it to the student directly in front of me, then pull
up my attendance list and start calling names.
The door opens when I’m halfway through, and a student straggles in.
It happened in my English class earlier, but in a class of three hundred students, it’s easier to slip in the
back door and quietly find a seat. That’s what I expect this student to do.
Except his phone starts ringing. And it’s not a normal ringtone. It’s a
song blaring through the room at full volume.
“Fuck. Shit.” He’s standing in the middle of the room, facing the back of
the class, every single student staring at him in wide-eyed horror.
He rummages around in his pocket and pulls out the offending device
as Justin Bieber croons “I’m so fucking lonely” to the entire class. Instead of silencing it, he answers the
call—on speaker.
A male voice that sounds like an angry father starts yelling. “Why the
hell am I getting calls about you being late for practice, you’re—”
He spins around, gaze moving over the class as he takes in their looks
of horror. He’s wearing a baseball cap, and the lights above cast a shadow over his face. “Oh, fuck me,”
he mutters. “Hey, Dad, I’m in the middle of class. I’ll call you back later.” He rushes the words, so it all
sounds quite garbled. Then he drops into the closest empty desk and slams his elbow on the edge on his
way down. He sucks in a groan.
I give the student a look that I hope conveys how unimpressed I am.
“Are you quite done?” I’m ready to go off on him, but he raises a hand and knocks his hat off his
head.
“Uh, sorry, Professor. I think I might be in the wrong class.” His eyes
dart around the room. “Or maybe not?”
“Professor Connelly is out for back surgery. Professor Sweet is taking
over the class,” the student beside him says.
“Oh shit.” His vibrant green gaze, ringed in hazel, meets mine.
All the air leaves my lungs on a whoosh. The room tilts, and I’m
suddenly light-headed. I can tell instantly that he recognizes me, and the silence in the room is
deafening. Fortunately, he fills it by rambling out an explanation.
“Sorry about the phone call. And for being late. Coach kept me after
practice and my dad’s on my ass because I had a bad game. I’m so sorry, Cl—” He clasps his hands in
front of him and bites his lips together.
“Don’t let it happen again.”
My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton, and the rest of me feels
disconnected from my body. Because this student, sitting in the middle of my sophomore class, is my
summer fling.
My one-night stand who left behind an origami crane and a lot of
memories I wish I could now erase.
Review:
3.5 stars
***
This was an enjoyable read. Bitter Sweet Heart is book two in the Lies, Hearts and Truths series and is Maverick Waters's book. Maverick is the brother of Lavender, from book one, and the son of Alex and Violet from Pucked. He is a senior in college and plays on the hockey team with plans to play in the NHL after he graduates. But on the inside, he is going through some emotional turmoil. He is dealing with his sister and his best friend finally becoming a couple, which finds him growing further away from them, and his own trauma surrounding their childhood and his sister's kidnapping. He is unsure about what he really wants to do with his career and to make matters more complicated, he finds that his new professor turns out to be his summer hookup. Clover is a visiting professor, teaching creative writing for a year, on hiatus from her job as a librarian to fill in for a professor on leave. She is also going through an emotional time, separated (and still being harrassed) from an abusive ex who refuses to grant her the divorce she has wanted for years. Clover and Maverick are both shook by their new circumstances but they can't stop their attraction to each other. They both have so much on the line but are they willing to risk it all for the chance to be together?
This was a pretty good story, although a little slow at times. I liked Maverick and Clover as characters. I think their age difference was a lot for me to overcome mentally. Mav was 21 and Clover was 30. It could just be a "me" thing, but I had a hard time feeling their connection and chemistry. I never felt them letting down their guard and having fun together. But I liked them overall and found the book entertaining still. I was glad they didn't have any big blow ups or misunderstandings late in the book as well.
Overall, Bitter Sweet Heart was an angsty, enjoyable read. I didn't quite like it as much as book one in the series. But I am liking this series in general and look forward to more from it and H. Hunting in the future!
About H. Hunting
NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting, writing as H.
Hunting, lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately
intolerant cats. She started her writing career with new adult angsty romance and branched out in
sports romance and romantic comedies that will make you laugh and swoon. But sometimes she likes to
serve up a little heartache on the way to the happily ever after.
50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover
by Kelly Siskind is now live!
From Kelly Siskind comes a slow-burn romantic comedy about one man’s creative attempt to win back his high school sweetheart after a change in fortune gives them a second chance at love.
Growing up, I had it all—my art, close friends, a gorgeous girlfriend who owned my heart—but then my life exploded.
Turns out my father was laundering money, and my whole family got shoved into witness protection. No notice. No chance to explain. I was ripped away from beautiful, blue-eyed Delilah Moon, shattering both our worlds.
A decade later, fate has given us a second chance.
The cartel my father worked for has been wiped out. I’ve returned to my hometown, determined to win back the love of my life. But Delilah is engaged.
Or . . . is she?
I’m almost positive she’s lying about her fiancé to protect her heart. Which means I need to up my game.
I’ve made a list of fifty ways to prove we’re meant to be. Except Delilah’s barely looking at me, never mind swooning. I have a feeling my disappearance scarred her more than she’s admitting, and no one in town will tell me what happened . . .
This was a good book! 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover is the first book in the Bower Boys series and is Edgar/"E" and Delilah's book. E and Delilah met as kids and became childhood sweethearts. They have a soulmate connection and no one has any doubt they will be together forever. But at seventeen, the night after their "first time" together, Feds come and get their family to move them to witness protection. Unbeknownst to their family, E's dad has been money laundering, angering a dangerous cartel, and in order to save them all, he must turn state's witness. No one has a chance to tell anyone goodbye and E must leave Delilah behind. But he had a very hard time and has not let a day go by without mourning their relationship. Now ten years later, he is living life undercover as "Brian" with his family in another state when he happens to board a plane that Delilah is also on. He can't help speaking to her, even though it hurts them both because Delilah doesn't understand why he left her, and he finds out she is now supposedly engaged. Very soon after that, E's family finds out their stint in WITSEC is over when the cartel they are hiding from is wiped out by a rival gang. He is determined to go back to his hometown and win back Delilah's heart.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it very well-written and it had such a unique premise with a great story. Edgar/"E" was such a doll. He absolutely adored Delilah and was still very much in love with her 10 years after being ripped apart. They grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. He knew everything about her and was so sweet to her, willing to do anything to get her back. He had such strong emotions and guilt about everything that happened, when none of it was actually his fault. I felt bad for him. I liked Delilah too, but I didn't connect to her as much because the book is only in E's POV. I would have loved to get even a little bit of Delilah's POV. I'm not a huge fan of male only POV books and didn't know this was one going in. But if I have to live in any guy's head, it would have been E's. He was simply adorable. He and Delilah had a soulmate connection and were truly meant to be together. The small town setting, potential for E's brother's books, and the fun side characters all helped to make this an entertaining read. I had a hard time putting this book down.
Overall, 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover was a winning read! I am so intrigued by this unusual premise and I can't wait to see E's four brothers get books to see how it all plays out. I look forward to more from Ms. Siskind in the future!
Meet Kelly Siskind
Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Kelly Siskind moved from the city to enjoy the charm of northern Ontario. When she's not out hiking or home devouring books, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.
Sign up for her newsletter and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books: www.kellysiskind.com. And connect with her on Twitter/Instagram (@kellysiskind), and Facebook (@authorkellysiskind).
"The heart, the raw authenticity, the original lens, this has become my
favorite series of the year and I'm begging for more!" ~ Catherine Cowles, USA Today bestselling
author
Bitter Sweet Heart, a steamy, reverse age gap, hockey romance from
New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting writing as H. Hunting, is now available!
From the outside looking in, I live a charmed life: hockey legend for a
father, my own promising future in the league, a great family, awesome friends. It’s not untrue, but it’s
not quite that simple either.
My dad’s advice has always been to make hockey my number-one
priority—at least until I make it to the pros. So, going into my senior year of college, I have a plan. I’ll put
in the effort required to pass my classes, play hockey like my life depends on it, and avoid relationships.
All I have to do is stay focused on the end game, and I’ll walk away with a degree and into a career in the
NHL.
It should be easy.
But when a woman literally floats into my dock, just before summer
ends and my senior year begins, I can’t resist one last hookup. What harm could a one-night stand do?
It’s not like we even exchanged numbers.
Everything is fine until I run into her on campus.
It’s a big school. I should be able to avoid her.
Except she happens to be in my class.
And she’s not a student.
She’s my professor.
Download your copy today, exclusively on Amazon and in
Kindle Unlimited!
This was an enjoyable read. Bitter Sweet Heart is book two in the Lies, Hearts and Truths series and is Maverick Waters's book. Maverick is the brother of Lavender, from book one, and the son of Alex and Violet from Pucked. He is a senior in college and plays on the hockey team with plans to play in the NHL after he graduates. But on the inside, he is going through some emotional turmoil. He is dealing with his sister and his best friend finally becoming a couple, which finds him growing further away from them, and his own trauma surrounding their childhood and his sister's kidnapping. He is unsure about what he really wants to do with his career and to make matters more complicated, he finds that his new professor turns out to be his summer hookup. Clover is a visiting professor, teaching creative writing for a year, on hiatus from her job as a librarian to fill in for a professor on leave. She is also going through an emotional time, separated (and still being harrassed) from an abusive ex who refuses to grant her the divorce she has wanted for years. Clover and Maverick are both shook by their new circumstances but they can't stop their attraction to each other. They both have so much on the line but are they willing to risk it all for the chance to be together?
This was a pretty good story, although a little slow at times. I liked Maverick and Clover as characters. I think their age difference was a lot for me to overcome mentally. Mav was 21 and Clover was 30. It could just be a "me" thing, but I had a hard time feeling their connection and chemistry. I never felt them letting down their guard and having fun together. But I liked them overall and found the book entertaining still. I was glad they didn't have any big blow ups or misunderstandings late in the book as well.
Overall, Bitter Sweet Heart was an angsty, enjoyable read. I didn't quite like it as much as book one in the series. But I am liking this series in general and look forward to more from it and H. Hunting in the future!
About H. Hunting
NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting, writing as H.
Hunting, lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately
intolerant cats. She started her writing career with new adult angsty romance and branched out in
sports romance and romantic comedies that will make you laugh and swoon. But sometimes she likes to
serve up a little heartache on the way to the happily ever after.
