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EXCERPT

I suck in a breath. His back sports a new tattoo. An orange tree runs from his flank up to his shoulder. The roots branch out over his lower back and side. It’s so well drawn it looks as if the network of roots are grafted with his skin. A branch with orange blossoms runs up to his shoulder. The petals curl over the arch, only the tips of a flower visible on the curve as he faces me again.

Why did he get it? The answer is obvious. The truth stares me in the face. He never said it, but he declared it in permanent ink on his skin next to the values that govern his behavior, his life.

“It’s not some kind of gravestone,” he says in a quiet voice.

My gaze slips to the pendant on the leather string that hangs in the center of his breastbone. “What’s not a gravestone?” I ask, pretending not to know what he’s talking about. It’s too deep, too personal. We don’t share that kind of intimacy any longer.

“The tattoo. It doesn’t symbolize grief.”

I can’t help from asking, “What does it symbolize?”

“Love.” His gaze intensifies. “The kind that gets under your skin.”

AVAILABLE NOW

#1 Stolen Lust

#2 Stolen Life

AUTHOR BIO

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.

After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published over twenty novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her shorts have been selected by the International Literary Society for an anthology from across the African continent.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in France with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

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GIVEAWAY

There is a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card. CLICK HERE

May 23, 2021 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW – Goodnight, Sinners (Sinner’s Empire, book 3)

#MafiaRomance

Blurb

Goodnight, Sinners is the third and final book in International Bestselling Author Nikita Slater’s mafia romance Sinner’s Empire Trilogy.
A mafia war.
A fallen empire.
A family destroyed and scattered.
Jozef and Shaun must pick up the pieces and rise to the top of a criminal empire together. If they fail, they will lose everything.
Shaun must fight for her beliefs and her career if she’s going to be happy as a mob wife.
Jozef is on a precipice. One wrong step could mean the end of his rise to power, his wife and even his life.
Together they will show the world a new Koba empire, built from the ashes of destruction and put back together with the strength of their love.

My Review – 5 stars

Emotional and action-packed

I have loved every instalment in this series and the third and final book in Shaun and Jozef’s story is by far no exception. The journey to their HEA, which takes place within the world of organised crime, is not an easy one as it is full of danger, deception and drama, but it does make for a fantastic emotional and action-packed read.

The couple are clearly very much in love with one another and whilst Jozef will do anything to keep Shaun safe, his actions sometimes go against what she wants and needs, given she is such a strong and independent woman. I enjoyed reading how they learned to open up to each other, working to resolve their differences and growing as a couple, although it was not always an easy ride in the dangerous world they live in. The tension between Shaun, a surgeon dedicated to saving lives, and Jozef for whom violence and killing has been a way of life, was palpable and kudos to the author for sharing their story with us in such a realistic and sensitive manner.

The surprises and plot twists in this instalment just kept coming, events drawing together the many threads woven into earlier books. At times I was only just recovering from one revelation when I was hit with another. I loved how the author developed a number of secondary characters, weaving parts of their stories into Shaun and Jozef’s romance, and I hope that they will feature in future books.

Recommended to lovers of mafia romance and also romantic suspense.

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 US

Amazon UK

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May 18, 2021 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW – Stolen Life, A Diamond Magnate Novel. Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy #2), by Charmaine Pauls.

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: May 18, 2021

BLURB

Ian Hart stole a night of my life but he took so much more. His obsession pinned a label on me. His lust put me in an impossible situation. Now I have to choose sides. I have to decide between right and wrong. Only, no matter what choice I make, each comes with dreadful consequences. There’s only one way this can end—how every tragedy ends.

*Stolen Life is Book 2 of the Beauty in the Stolen trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Book 3 will be released on 22 June 2021.

Other books in the Diamond Magnate collection:

Beauty in the Broken (Standalone)

Diamonds are Forever trilogy

Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1)

Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2)

Diamonds are Forever (Book 3)

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EXCERPT

His voice lowers with intent. “Know this, if you do run, I’ll slap a pair of ankle cuffs on you so fast you won’t have time to say my name. There’ll be no more playing nice. I’ll tie you to my bed if that’s what I have to do.” Cupping my jaw, he delivers the threat with a soft kiss on my lips. “The choice is yours.”

The heavy blow is dealt with tender words. They sift down like snowflakes to settle cold in my heart. I tremble as he pushes me down onto the hood and leans over me.

“What will it be, Cas?”

He’s not asking if I’m on board with this limited version of freedom. When he unbuttons my jeans, he’s asking a different question, and, as always, when he slips his hand into my underwear, he gets the truth.

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 Stolen Lust

COMING SOON

#3 Stolen Love – Releasing June 22

AUTHOR BIO

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My Review + 5 stars

Dark Masterpiece

As dark romances go this has all of the feels: emotional highs and lows, scorching hot lovemaking scenes, a hero and heroine to die for and danger and suspense in spades. If you love the genre you need to read this amazing trilogy.

The crime lord Ian and his strong-willed captive Cas are just so perfect for each other and I enjoyed reading how their connection grows. The life Ian leads is dark and dangerous and the burning question throughout is how can a feisty and free loving Cas submit to being his captive without losing her sense of agency. This battle between them is a theme throughout and I enjoyed how Cas constantly pushes Ian’s boundaries and how she never ceases to surprise him and those around him.

Although he is certainly no pushover, I loved how despite being a big bad anti-hero Ian is so thoughtful when it comes to Cas’ personal needs and her safety. Cas has to earn his trust as she constantly strives to test his boundaries and win the freedoms she craves within the dangerous world she has been thrust into. For Ian trust is all and he does not give it easily, however much his attraction to Cas ties him in knots.

The secondary characters are well drawn and the descriptions of the African bush and the local community, are sublime, painting a vivid picture in my head.

There are several scenes in the book where I felt myself tear up at what transpires, but the ending was on a different level entirely- an absolute sucker punch! Charmaine Pauls how can you be so cruel? The scene was the last thing on my mind when I fell asleep last night and the first thing I thought of when I woke this morning! Stolen Life cannot come soon enough.

A dark masterpiece for fans of the genre. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

GIVEAWAY

There is a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card

Direct Link: CLICK HERE

May 18, 2021 by Tina Williams

Review – Shattered Throne: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 3), by Lana Sky

Release Date: May 18, 2021

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance

Blurb

With her family’s safety in jeopardy and her heart on the line, Willow finds herself trapped in a hopeless situation—marry the man who betrayed her and trust in his plan? Or can she navigate the deadly political landscape alone and save the ones she loves?

The question may be easier said than done when an unearthed secret from the past flips her entire perspective on its head. Is Donatello the monster she’s been led to believe?

Or is he as much a victim of past events as she is…

With a war looming and their relationship brewing, both find their loyalties tested to their breaking point—and a new threat on the horizon leaves them little time to waste.

As the past and present finally collide, will they rise above the fray…

Or will old grudges finally tear them apart?

Mice and Men is a new standalone series in the War of Roses Universe.

LS_ST_2

Giveaway

Click HERE

My Review – 5 stars

A Collision Course of Lust, Hate, Secrets and Betrayal

Lust, hate, secrets and betrayal collide in Shattered Throne, the latest instalment in Lana Sky’s Mice and Men series, set within her War of the Roses universe. The book, which I strongly recommend is read alongside others in the series, does not disappoint with its complex, larger than life characters, edgy plot and dark themes. I particularly love how the author’s words transport me right into the head and the heart of her crazy mixed-up characters and how the tangled sub plots are woven into the main narrative.

I went through a myriad of different emotions whilst reading this story, not least because it is heart breaking in so many respects, for both Don and Willow. In this book, we learn more revelations about Don’s tragic past, and whilst they do not absolve him and raise even more questions, they shed further light onto his actions. I enjoyed how Willow grows in strength when faced with Donatello’s changing moods and the many challenges thrown her way. Yet what is it she wants from him exactly, this man who betrayed her so badly in the past?

As secrets are revealed can Don and Willow reach a truce or will it all be ripped from under them and others they care about by events outside of their control? I was on pins and unsure as to what would be thrown at the couple next. There are many players with their own agendas and the sense that something big is about to go off creates a sense of danger and foreboding which impacts on their troubled relationship.

This author certainly writes anti-heroes who are borderline crazy and with Donatello I think she has excelled herself. Willow is as a moth to Donatello’s flame as he threatens to self-destruct in the wake of past and present events for which he feels responsible. The question is will he consume Willow in the process or will she be able to save her family without being destroyed alongside him?

Highly recommended for fellow lovers of dark 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.

Release Info for other Books in the Series

Copy of Teaser Template (1)

Ruthless King: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 1)

A new spin-off series in the War of Roses Universe. Mice and Men is a standalone series. Ruthless King ends in a cliffhanger to be continued in book two, Queen of Thorns.

Blurb

To avoid bloodshed, former crime lord Donatello plans to arrange a union between his nephew and a rival family. Instead, he’s drawn to beautiful young Willow himself — despite their dark and painful past…

Book one in a series of sinister romances.

After a decade spent claiming a throne for himself in the seething violence of the criminal underbelly, all Donatello Vanici craves now is peace.

Only a union forged between his heir and the most powerful mafiya family in existence could ever be strong enough to end the bloodshed for good, but the Stepanov head resists his overtures at every turn…

Until tragedy strikes, and forces Donatello’s hand.

Haunted by a past that dogs her every thought, Willow Stepanov will do anything for the man who adopted her—until a chance encounter with the enemy lands her right in the middle of a dangerous power struggle and a war that grows more violent and vicious each day.

But it’s not just her future her captor holds hostage.

He is a man with nothing left to lose—while she may just lose everything.

Her life, her family, and her heart…

Mice and Men is a new standalone series in the War of Roses Universe.

Queen of Thorns: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 2)

Blurb

With all hope of the peace shattered beyond redemption, Donatello Vanici is waging his most violent, bloody war yet.

And caught in the heart of the carnage is Willow Stepanova, the adopted daughter of his dangerous enemy and the girl who once adored him to the depths of her soul.

Torn between her loyalty to her family and her volatile connection to Donatello, Willow quickly realizes that it’s not just her life at stake in this vicious battle…

But what will be left of her in the end?

Mice and Men is a new standalone series in the War of Roses Universe.

Mended Crown: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 4)

Release Date: October 28, 2021

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance

Blurb

A broken engagement should signal the end of the feud blazing between the Stepanovs and Vanicis—barring one small hitch no one foresaw: a surprise pregnancy that could turn this petty misunderstanding into outright war.

For Donatello, this new baby is a shred of hope after nearly a decade of misery—one he won’t forfeit without a fight.

For Willow, this ordeal is a glaring reminder of her own conflicted loyalty, leading to a choice she will have to live with for the rest of her life…

Salvaging this union will be the hardest, bloodiest war Donatello has fought yet. But, as the danger looming above the city reaches a breaking point, will they outlast the violence with their lives—and hearts—intact?

Mice and Men is a new standalone series in the War of Roses Universe.