Monthly Archives: April 2020

by

*REVIEW* ~ A Wanton Indescretion (Wild, Wicked and Wanton Book #5), by Natasha Blackthorne

#HistoricalRomance #EroticRomance #AmericanHistoricalRomance

Adult/18+ read

Blurb

What can a scandalous seducer of women teach a governess about life and love?

The dark-eyed, raven-haired governess haunts Mr. Isaac Pierce’s waking and sleeping dreams. And she’s right next door. But the prim and proper young woman rebuffed his attempts to make her his mistress. He has tried to forget her. Yet he can’t. He aches to possess her.

One glance at the tall, gorgeous merchant prince and Miss Abigail Francis finds herself irresistibly attracted to him. The ironclad control over her emotions and expectations had seen her through years filled with deprivation, disappointments and loss, begins to slip away.

A domestic crisis brings them into close, daily contact and she begins to see the man behind the handsome face, gorgeous body and scandalous reputation. When he shares the truth of his greatest loss and grief with her, for the first time, her heart is touched by a man. Now she knows what it is to crave a man as much as she craves air to breathe. But she’d best be careful. Her livelihood and that of those she loves depend on her stern discipline and spotless reputation.

After a life directed by prudence, responsibility and duty, Abigail finds herself questioning her life choices. She is tempted to be indiscreet. Just once. And no one would ever know or be hurt.

But Abigail doesn’t realize that the repercussions of her newfound freedoms might just prove dangerous in a way she least suspects. Who protects the protector?

Scorching Hot Regency Historical Romance
Standalone Within a Series
HEA
Darker Emotional and Psychological Themes

Reader Advisory: A Wanton Indiscretion contains aspects of devastating grief and loss in the backstory.

My Review ~ 5 stars

Moving, sensual & erotic – beautifully done

A Wanton Indiscretion, by Natasha Blackthorne, is a thoroughly emotional, sensual and erotic read. It is the 5th instalment in the author’s Wild, Wicked and Wanton series, but can be read as a standalone.

I just adored that Isaac and Abigail are such opposites when it comes to their characters: Isaac is a handsome philanderer, notorious for his affairs and reviled by many in society despite his wealth. Abigail is a respectable governess who has eschewed marriage and her own children, to instead support her brothers through her job as a governess, their own parents long gone. The scene where Isaac and Abigail first met is pure perfection, sparks flying between them from the off!

It is to the author’s credit that these two people, seemingly so different in their natures, come together over the course of the novel in such a beautiful and moving way. Both are harbouring secrets from their past  – Isaac in particular has a tragic back story. and I loved how each of them slowly revealed themselves to each other as their relationship progresses. For Abigail it is a difficult process as she has her reputation to think about: one step out of line could ruin her in society’s eyes and she could lose all she has dedicated her life to –  there are plenty of people who may notice a potential fall from grace.

I enjoyed reading how single minded Isaac was in his pursuit of Abigail as he slowly breaks down her defences. Will he win this game of seduction and if he does what next for them both? Society’s expectations weigh heavily on them and I was eager for them to find a satisfactory resolution. Abigail is unlike any other woman Isaac has met and his obsession grows to an extent that he must have her. I loved how the domestic crisis brought them into daily contact, bringing to a head their feelings for each other. After refusing to be Isaac’s mistress, Abigail wonders whether a brief indiscretion will hurt. What follows has consequences for them both…

Natasha Blackthorn excels at writing scorching sensual and erotic historical romance that are at the same time deeply psychological, touching on sensitive themes and this read is no exception. The read involves much soul searching as to what they want from life and each other. Emotions are high as both characters need to bare their past hurts to each other in order to find their true selves and each other and being totally transformed by the process. .

Recommended for those who love to read erotic historical romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

Facebook

Blog

 

by

*BLOG TOUR & REVIEW* ~ The Danger You Know, by Lily White

Title: The Danger You Know
Author: Lily White
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: April 22, 2020

Ari is going to maul your heart and stalk your senses. ~ Shabby, BookBistroBlog

This is how a dark stalker book should be written!! This was top notch!! In a league of its own!! ~ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books

Probably the best stalker romance I have ever read! ~ I like Books Best

You’ll judge me.
Hate me and tell me I’m wrong.
Refuse to see how my darkness is what she needs.
While I don’t particularly care about your feelings in the matter, and while I pursue her despite the wedding bells that rang for another, only I can see how she is drowning beneath mediocrity.
How many times must I remind her?
It can’t matter that I am the person who ruined her life.
The man who killed her father.
The constant shadow that watches her sleep.
The lover who prefers dirty alleyways to freshly laundered sheets
She’s mine. Always has been. 
I’m the worst thing for her, yet I’m the only salvation she knows.
He had his chance to make her happy.
He failed.
He didn’t see how she was dying inside because he couldn’t know her.
Not like I know her.
I am her stalker.
Her protector.
And the only man that can bring her back to life.

My Review – 5 stars!

Intoxicating dark & twisted read

I was blown away by this intoxicating dark and twisted read – a stalker novel par excellence. Indeed, my dark heart did a happy dance whilst reading this novel! Once again Lily White has shown herself to be up with the very best of the authors of the genre.Ari, an assassin is alpha to the core, with no moral compass – he is paid handsomely to carry out his hits and moves on without regret to the next kill. Except the time he hid in the shadows, catching sight of Adeline mourning the death of her father. Since then he has stalked her, protecting her from harm, his obsession and need to own her intensifying to fever pitch as the years pass.

As for Adeline, she is the archetypal wild child, living her life on the edge. She senses a dark shadow in her life but brushes it off as she has her own personal demons to contend with. Marriage to a respectable businessman promises to give her the chance to put her youthful follies to bed and finally embrace adulthood. All the time unbeknownst to her Ari continues to watch over her…

I loved that Ari could not dismiss his obsession with Adeline, her personal demons calling to him like no other. Her marriage and its aftermath compelling him to take a more hands on role in her life – I just loved how their story played out. Neither can resist the attraction they have for one another and Adeline is not only ignorant of who and what Ari is, but is oblivious to the role that he has played in her past and the devastating impact he threatens to have on her present… As Ari seeks to set Adeline free once more will he replace one prison for another and what happens when the truth is out?

The novel is one of dark obsession, which quickly spirals into one ****ed up read in a way that only Lily knows how to write! Ari and Adeline are explosive together: their relationship is one screwed up hot mess. It’s a morally questionable tale, full of secrets and lies, suspense and sizzling passion, a truly addictive dark read. I was quickly rooting for a HEA for Adeline and the assassin Ari, the bad guy, the ultimate anti-hero. What should be so wrong just felt so damn right!

All in all a superb sizzling and suspenseful read. Recommended for fellow addicts of the dark side.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Clearing my throat, I whisper, “I’m a married woman.”
“You keep saying that, but I’m not sure I care.” A pause. “I’m not sure you care either.”
He runs a fingertip along the curve of my hip, and I jump, my throat slamming closed as I attempt to hide the reaction.
“Are you planning on having any fun tonight, Adeline? Or has your life become so boring, you’ve forgotten what it is?”
I don’t answer him, but it doesn’t stop Ari from having his fun.
Another soft slide of a fingertip, this time down the center of my nape, the secret touch hidden by the fall of my hair.
“I hope you know I plan to wrap my fist in this hair the first time I sink inside you.”
My entire body shivers, my lungs struggling to breathe as he pulls his hand away.
Voice a low croon, he asks, “Will you dance with me?”
Swallowing several times before I can answer, I lie to him. “I don’t dance.”
But it makes me remember when I used to lose myself to the beat of music, the hours I would spend happily working myself into a full body sweat, my hair wild, my heart pounding. I’d felt so free then. So unencumbered by the weight of responsibility that came with being the wife of Grant Cabot.
“I think you do,” he whispers.
“My husband doesn’t dance,” I say, my voice firmer because it makes me angry to admit it.
A soft chuckle. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not your husband.”
Lily White is a romance writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and Asylum. In addition to dark romance Lily writes contemporary romance, taboo romance, and psychological thrillers. Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

HOSTED BY:

 

by

*NEW RELEASE* ~ Surrender, A Club XXX Novel Maxim Book 3, by Lana Sky

#DarkRomance #DarkRead

Adult/18+ Read

Release Info:
Title: Surrender: XXX Maxim Book 3
Release Date: April 14th, 2020

Blurb

In the final round of their twisted game, Francesca and Maxim have the ultimate choice to make: surrender to their dangerous attraction, or succumb to the many dangers driving them apart.

With her heart at stake, Francesca must weigh her family’s safety over her own, and trust that Maxim can truly triumph over his past trauma…

Or it will be game over for them both.

All Retailers
Goodreads
Bookbub

Teaser

If I were a normal lover, he would hurt me, there is no question. But his voice drips into my ear, an awed growl, revealing the difference that makes me just as deranged as he is. “So wet for me.” He inhales sharply and then groans with another brutal thrust. “Always so wet for me.”

His mouth finds my ear, nipping at the lobe as his mangled, grunted words punctuate the movement of our bodies. “You know what I need, don’t you? You give it to me. You take me… Fuck! You aim to tame me…”

I close my eyes, savoring the violent contrast of gnashing teeth, and broken groans, and sweat as his body ruthlessly claims mine. The sex isn’t about pleasure—I know that. I’m climaxing anyway, biting a mouthful of sheets to silence my cries as every muscle goes taut. I see stars, speckling my vision as he grunts, slamming inside me one final time.

Author Info: Lana Sky

Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Website
Amazon Author Page
Bookbub

 

by

*ARC REVIEW* ~ The Duke of Diamonds, by Emily Windsor

 #NewRelease RegencyRomance

Heat Level: Sensual. Moderate. Tone: Warm. Witty. Romantic. 

Release Date: 2nd April 2020
Length: 70,000 words

 A brusque duke bound by duty. A brazen heroine bound by poverty. Art. Trickery. Friendship. Diamonds. And Cleopatra…

Blurb

A lady intent on deception…
A duke who knows every trick in the book…
A passionate obsession with fiery consequences.

With a coldness to match the diamonds that adorn his cravat, Casper Brook, the eighth Duke of Rothwell, possesses all a nobleman could desire…almost. So when a seductive minx perches upon his desk and claims to know the whereabouts of his one deepest obsession, temptation beckons to uncover all her secrets.

With a boldness to match the red flame of her locks, Miss Evelyn Pearce possesses naught but an ailing young sister and an ebony-black cat…almost. So when she perches upon a duke’s desk and claims to know the whereabouts of his one deepest obsession, temptation beckons to discover all his desires.

Her plan to deceive a duke of ruthless reputation is audacious, but in true society, weren’t all dukes buffle-headed with jovial smiles and far too many acres? Plots unravel, guises fall and deceiving the flawless Duke of Diamonds has sparkling consequences…

My Review ~ Delightful Regency read, full of humour, warmth and romance

5 Stars *****

This new release by Emily Windsor is just the ticket if you are after a feel good romance. Full of wit and charm, it features a handsome duke with a reputation of being cold and brutally efficient in his business dealings, and a desperate woman intent on deceiving him to safeguard the health of her sister and escape poverty.

It has oodles of humour and warmth and the hero and heroine are a perfect fit for each other. I just loved how the hero Casper reacts as soon as he claps eyes on Evelyn –  his well-planned and ordered world is rocked on its axis and starts to unravel…

Although immediately attracted to Evelyn, he is resolved to reveal the truth of the matter but also unmask her true character. In the process he reveals more than he ever expected, not just about Evelyn but himself and others dearest to him in the process.

As for Evelyn, she is by far my favourite Emily Windsor heroine to date! She is no shrinking violet and speaks her mind, her time spent surviving amongst London’s slums giving her even more spunk and backbone. I so sympathised with her situation and how circumstances led to her and her younger sister being in such dire straits. The path she has embarked on, of deceiving a Duke, is not one she is proud of but in the dire circumstances they are in she feels she has no choice.

She is a strong and intelligent woman who is not afraid of going toe to toe with Casper and is selfless in her love and devotion to those she cares for. As the plot evolves she realises that Casper is not the stuffy Duke that she thought him to be.

Can Evelyn go through with her ruse? What will Casper – a man who despises untruths and artifice, do if he realises the extent of her ruse? Will she manage to deceive the Duke and secure a safe and secure future for her and her sister away from London and the dangers that lurk there or will her past catch up with her? I enjoyed both the evolution and the pacing of the plot and the supporting characters added to the drama and general mayhem.

The Duke of Diamonds is a thoroughly well-constructed and delightful Regency caper with a HEA, which I recommend to all lovers of the genre.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

More about Emily can be found at:

Amazon
Facebook
Bookbub
Goodreads

Facebook Group Lady of Windsor

Pininterest

by

*REVIEW* ~ Beautifully Broken (The Broken Series Book 1), by Stacy Rush

Adult/18+ read

#newadult #bdsm #darkread

Blurb

Kassidy has always been the good girl. Always studying, earning her straight A’s, never went to parties, and never dates. She lives for dance. As a student Julliard, she has worked hard to get the performing roll in the Nutcracker…her life-long dream. When tragedy hits, she has to decide between continuing her dream as a dancer…or taking over her family’s legacy. An unforseen circumstance arises in the form of a certain tall, dark stranger.

Tristan is the VP of a world famous robotic technology company. When he loses his boss and mentor, he becomes responsible for the new CEO of the company. It’s his responsibility to teach her about the business and look after the young woman. He never expected to fall for the stunning dancer. She is too young…too innocent for his world. He fights the desire burning within, but it’s too much…she’s too beautiful…and way too curious about his personal life. Breaking Kassidy is going to be the sweetest moment of his life…and the most challenging, but there are others who want the job for themselves.

Kassidy and Tristan’s story is not your typical love story. Although there is a HEA…their journey is full of dark and twisted bends. Find our what happens when the innocent meets the darkness.

Goodreads

My Review – Dark, Suspenseful and Heart-rending ~ 5 stars

This book will have you riding the highs and plumbing the depths of despair along with the characters – it is not, I emphasise, a read for the faint-hearted. It IS a romance and does have a HEA, but it is hard won and the heroine Kassidy goes through SO much before it is realised. Her journey, from a young ingénue, unfamiliar with the  BDSM lifestyle, to one experiencing it in all of its many facets was an emotional read.

Kassidy is such an innocent at the start of the novel and my heart bled for her as the story unfolds. Tristan, older and more worldly than Kassidy, is heavily into the world of BDSM, and as a dom likes to play hard with his submissives. That said, Kassidy is somehow different; he wants her for himself but at the same time tries to resist involving her in his world on account of her youth and lack of sexual experience. Kassidy however, has other ideas and she is soon drawn into his world…

In addition to exploring the world of BDSM, it also contains scenes of violence and non-consent which some may find triggering. What shines through however, is the love Tristan and Kassidy have for one another, even when all seems lost.

As characters Kassidy and Tristan are really put through the mill by the author, questioning themselves and their love for each other. I will not reveal much of the plot, suffice to say that Kassidy finds this world a dangerous one. The novel has many unexpected twists and turns which left me reeling. I am familiar with BDSM reads and dark romantic suspense and this author manages to combine the two in a page-turning read.

Recommended to readers who enjoy dark BDSM reads and/or dark reads with a HEA.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Connect with the Author

Amazon

Goodreads

Facebook