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My Review

Action-packed and intense – 5 stars

I LOVED the continuation of Loren and Bill’s story in this action-packed and emotionally intense read. The push and pull between the couple continues – cue more angst and smoking hot sexual tension. It’s a cracking read as Bill helps Loren navigate the complexities of the lycan world and solve the mystery of her heritage, whilst coming to terms with his own issues.

Bill’s methods often confuse Loren (he is one tortured guy) and I loved how her increasing confidence allows her to not only surprise herself and Bill but also others. The journey her character takes is one hell of a ride.

The author does a great job of revealing the traumatic events of their respective pasts, a past they must face head on if they are to move forward and have a future together. The world building of the shifter worlds and the descriptions of the diffreent packs is particularly well done as are the characterisations of the couples’ friends and foes. I was on pins throughout and loved how all of the various threads came together.

I would love to see more books set in this world featuring Bill and Loren and/or the other characters featured in the duet.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lana Sky is a reclusive writer in the United States who spends most of her time daydreaming about complex male characters and parenting her Cockapoo Joey. She writes dark, twisted romance across several genres. Her titles include everything from mafia romance to vampires.

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ARC REVIEW – When it Rains, by Mark Allan Gunnells

#horror

Blurb

It may be dangerous to go out in the rain…but it may be even more dangerous to stay inside.

Just after noon on a sunny spring day at Friedkin University, a layer of strange clouds smudges across the sky, and a mysterious rain begins to fall. This isn’t just a surprise spell of rain—this substance is slimy and gelatinous… and it’s not letting up any time soon.

The rain spreads across the country, the hemisphere, and the globe, with growing ripples of panic and paranoia gathering behind it. Is it a natural, undocumented phenomenon? A chemical weapon? Some kind of bacterial contagion? As fear turns theories into conspiracies and no clear answers are given, factions start to form between those who have been exposed to the rain and those who stayed dry. Who is safe? Who is marked? Who is dangerous, and who is not?

The rain keeps falling, and at Friedkin University, the sanctuary of the campus bookstore swiftly becomes a dangerous battlefield. Is it man versus nature? Or man versus man?

My Review

Mysterious and thought-provoking horror – 5 stars

This novella, reminiscent of an episode from the Twilight Zone, is a mysterious and addictive read, with a brilliant and surprising twist at the end!

The main focus of the story is the campus bookshop, where a number of patrons have been exposed to the mysterious rain that has started to fall. I enjoyed how fear turns to paranoia when the news stations start to report that the rain is not just confined to the local area but has spread around the globe, and its effects may not be benign… The situation gives rise to increasing panic and a fundamental disagreement about how to deal with those that have been ‘infected’ and could well be a potential danger to others.

I was fascinated by the whole concept of the story and enjoyed how the author used the many characters to explore themes which are topical due given the current global pandemic. The ratcheting up of the suspense and horror of th threat and what it means is particularly well done.

It made me sympathise with some characters and not others and encouraged me to examine how I would react in a similar situation. I found it to be a frightening but sadly realistic read, exploring how humans, given the right encouragement, can easily turn on one another when faced with an unknown threat.

Recommended to lovers of horror but also to those who enjoy a mysterious and thought-provoking read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW – SHIFT: A Dark Paranormal Shifter Romance (Black Mountain Pack Book 1), BY LANA SKY

#Dark #Paranormal #ShifterRomance #NewAdult #AgeGap

Release Date: February 1^st, 2022

Blurb

Eighteen-year-old Loren Connors is just another angst-ridden teen with a world of problems to hide. Bill McGoven is the strange police officer who seems to be watching her every step.

Loren doesn’t know that Bill—the reclusive owner of the one place she sees as a safe haven—is a werewolf. One who’s had his eye on her for longer than she can remember…

And one whose past and present are bound to hers in a way she can’t even imagine. When one tragic night brings him from the sidelines of her life and into her orbit, there is no turning back.

They’re bound together, whether they want to be or not.

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Teaser

For the first time in her life, Loren Connors didn’t want to hide. She wanted to…

Kill. The impulse wasn’t coherent—more like a writhing mass of urges, she felt all at once. A need to draw blood, attack…bite? Experimentally, she snapped at the air. Oh hell, yeah, she wanted to bite, but something firmer. Her teeth ached with a sudden need that had her glancing down, through a haze of red.

She wanted flesh…

My Review

Great start to a new series – 5 stars

This is a suspenseful and well written shifter romance between Loren Connors, a young woman with a LOT of problems and a local police officer, the mysterious Bill McGovern, who has a habit of always being on hand when she is in a crisis. Events propel Loren into Bill’s world, little knowing what impact it will have on her life.

Neither are what they seem; Bill is not just a regular police officer and Loren is not only hiding a whole lot of hurt but is totally unaware of events past and present that will change her life forever… I soon found myself invested in the push and pull of the couple’s slow burn relationship and the high stakes of the overarching plot.

Bill is a reluctant and somewhat ‘grumpy’ hero. Circumstances bind him to Loren and I found myself questioning some of his decisions, all of which become clearer as we learn more about him and his world. He is so very conflicted when it comes to how to react to Loren and what best to do to help her. Despite all that Loren has been through, by the end of the book, she is starts to tap into her inner strength, which I enjoyed. It is this strength, that calls to Bill and I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops in the next instalment.

Despite the read containing some violence and scenes of and reference to past abuse, I did not find the read as dark as other books written by the author. The world building is excellent and the manner in which new characters are introduced set the scene well for subsequent instalments. The novel is a fantastic start to a new series and will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, especially those who enjoy shifters.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Coming March 1, 2022: Howl: A Dark Paranormal Shifter Romance(Black Mountain Pack Book 2)

Blurb

When the undeniable bond between herself and her reclusive savior reaches a tipping point, there can be no turning back.

She must either embrace her newfound primal heritage and all that comes with it, or shun her true nature—and Bill—forever.

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REVIEW – Her Rebel Scot (The Highland Warrior Chronicles), by Christina Phillips

#Prequel #HistoricalRomance #HighlandRomance

Blurb

Even the threat of the Vikings won’t keep him from her side…

Tavish O’Eochaid, favored son of the King of Dal Riada, has no plans to settle down until forced to by duty. But when he enters Pictland on a diplomatic mission, he’s captivated by an enigmatic noblewoman, who hides secrets in her eyes.

Bound by blood to the shadow of the royal court, Catriona cannot afford to fall for the charms of a visiting Scots warrior. As a chosen one of her goddess, she knows where her duty lies. Yet as her visions of a splintered future grow ever darker, she risks everything for a few stolen hours in his arms.

But when betrayal rocks the foundations of Pictland herself, Tavish must choose between sacrificing his honor – or surrendering to his enemy, for the woman he has grown to love.

My Review

Romantic and Spellbinding – 5 stars

Her Rebel Scot, set in 795, is a romantic and spellbinding prequel to the author’s Highland Warrior Chronicles. It focuses on the romance between the Scot warrior Tavish O’Eochaid and the Lady Catriona Magaidh, a member of the Pictish royal court and can be read as a standalone. It also provides the backstory to Kenneth MacAlpin before he became king of the Scots, a man who plays a pivotal role in the series.

Now what did I think of the read? I LOVED Catriona, sidelined by the Pictish court, due to the circumstances of her birth, but who nevertheless remains such a strong and determined character. She is dedicated to her half sister the princess Clodrah and also to serving the will of the goddess who bestows visions upon her.

Catriona is blindsided when the handsome and charming Scot’s warrior Tavish enters the royal court and I ADORED that he only had eyes for her, becoming drawn to her unlike he had to any woman before. The couple’s first meeting and their subsequent clandestine relationship against the machinations and secrets of the court and others makes for a delightfully romantic read, culminating in a number of exquisite love-making scenes.

Catriona is assaulted by a number of visions from her goddess and wonders where her future lies – just what is her destiny and does it involve Tavish? I was glued to the pages to find out whether they would end up together, or if the goddess had other ideas…

Recommended for lovers of Historical Romance who like determined heroines and strong alpha heroes with a heart.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, an ARC pf this book was given to me by the author and I am leaving a honest review.

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ARC REVIEW – No Mercy: A gripping, action-packed British noir crime thriller (A Trigger Cullen Novel Book 1), by AJ Adams

#Crime #Thriller

Blurb

Trigger Cullen left home to forget his past, but when his family run into desperate trouble, he can’t say no. But returning to Ringmere is fraught with tension. With his family’s crisis and his manipulative cousin Alex trying to lure him back into his old job as enforcer, Trigger has his hands full. To complicate matters, Rachel Fox, an old flame, is back.

Stunningly beautiful, clever and hardworking, Rachel is a rising cam star. But money attracts predators. Trigger deals swiftly and ruthlessly with Jaffa, chief enforcer for the Razors. But Rachel is also falsely accused of blackmailing her ex, Ringmere’s married and publicly pious mayor, Lucian DeVere.

Trigger fears that entering the fray will ensnare him into returning to his old life. However, the murder of Rachel’s cam partner, plus his family’s urgent need combine to force his hand.

To Alex’s delight, Trigger promises to hunt down the blackmailer turned killer. But he can’t guess how violent his quest will become. Trigger Cullen is about to be catapulted into a web of blackmail, murder and deceit.

My Review – 5 stars

Compelling Crime Thriller

This book, a new genre for AJ Adams, is a crime thriller, involving blackmail, violence, murder and deceit, with a whodunnit at the centre of the plot. It’s a compelling, suspenseful read, with strong and authentic characters and a new morally suspect anti-hero, Max ‘Trigger’ Cullen, whom I loved.

Trigger is a man with a reputation for violence, a survivor, who has done some time in the military. He has now returned home, determined to avoid resuming his old enforcer role within the Cullen family business empire. However, he is soon drawn in to the world of crime when he comes to the aid of Rachel, an old flame, who is threatened by a local gang. When Rachel is accused of blackmail and her friend is murdered, Trigger’s protective instincts kick in and he comes to her defence. He soon finds himself at the centre of the fray; a corrupt politician, an over enthusiastic local police inspector and a murderer are just some of the challenges he faces.

I loved that Trigger is a complicated character, one with a darkness inside of him, who will stop at nothing to protect those he cares about – he even tries to keep Rachel at a distance as he thinks he is not good enough for her. Rachel is a complex character too and as danger closes in on her, I was on pins to find out if Trigger could save her and solve the mystery of the blackmailer/murderer before it was all too late.

I enjoyed how the book delves into the underbelly of local politics and its links to business and often organised crime. As with all the author’s books the plot contains some humour which for me is a definite plus. I also loved how some of the characters in the author’s other books make a brief appearance or are referenced, adding depth and breadth to the world building. This book is a standaIone read and I can’t wait to read what Trigger gets involved in in future instalments.

Recommended for readers of crime thrillers who enjoy a fast-paced, character driven read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW – Mended Crown: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 4), by Lana Sky

#Dark #MafiaRomance

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.

My Review – 5 stars

Intense and dramatic conclusion – an all-nighter!

After the revelations at the end of the last book, I virtually inhaled this, the final book in the series. It’s another intense and emotional read from this author who certainly knows how to put her characters through the mill and back. It contains a number of plot twists including one biggie and is a wild ride!

In it, secrets and hidden agendas are revealed from all angles as Willow and Donatello decide if they are to have a future together whilst danger from an unknown and powerful adversary threatens all they hold dear. The battle of wills between Donatello and Willow is still as big as ever, except this time there is more to consider than their own future.

Their relationship is as complex as they come. Donatello in particular continues to be one crazy tortured and guilt-ridden character and I enjoyed the push/ pull of his relationship with Willow, who really comes into her own in this instalment, growing in confidence.

Haunted by their tragic past, involving trauma and deceit, can they possibly come together to forge a future together? I was really rooting for their HEA as the suspense and danger came to a head.
I also enjoyed the battle of wills between Evgeni and Briar and how the author has woven their increasingly complex relationship into the book.

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

Reviwed by Tina Williams

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ARC REVIEW – Killing Me Softly: A Romantic Suspense Anthology

#DarkReads #RomanticSuspense #Romance

Blurb

Are you brave enough to wander on the dark side?

Do forbidden desires and tantalizing temptations call to you?

Get ready to step into the world of lies, deceit and revenge.

Worlds where you can’t look away. No is not an option.

Where strong men but even stronger women reside.

Test the boundaries between love and obsession with these 20+ romantic suspense novels that will leave you breathless, and your sheets soaked.

Delve between the pages and find out if happily ever afters can come from love that’s born in the dark.

For fans of Lisa Renee Jones, Meghan March, Willow Winters, and Aleatha Romig.

Authors in this set include: Lena Bourne, Lexy Timms, Charlotte Byrd, Lisa Lang Blakeney, Lux Miller, Drethi Anis, Linnea May, Ivy Fox, Sahara Roberts, Adelaide Forrest, Adora Crooks, Emily Bowie, Theresa Sederholt, LC Taylor & Allie Rose, Paige P. Horne, K.A Knight, Avery Sen, Margot Scott, Nikita Slater, Ashley Lane, Molly Sloan, Jas T. Ward, and Kristin Alexander.

My Review of Nikita Slater’s story, 7 Days

Quirky but Sexy Stalker Story! 5 stars

Nikita Slater’s story, 7 Days, is part of the anthology and I recommend it to readers who love a crazy alpha hero and a sassy heroine who just might be his perfect fit – if only he can persuade her!

Criminal for hire Erik becomes obsessed with safecracker Letty whilst they are on a job together. After stalking her he becomes convinced she is the perfect woman for him. Nothing and no one, not even Letty, will stand in his way. When Letty wakes up one morning to find she is held captive by Erik in her own apartment, the fun begins. Just what is a girl to do when faced with a man declaring his undying love to her, especially when he won’t take no for an answer and just tells her he will convince her to love him in seven days.

I found Erik to be one creepy, crazy individual, but like Letty, I increasingly found it difficult not to be attracted to him. I was so conflicted! I loved Erik’s attempts to woo Letty and her attempts to foil him and also that Letty is a fighter and resists Erik’s plans for her.

Erik in an interesting character – emotionally detached from everyone in his life, apart from Letty. During her forced captivity Letty gets to know him and starts to understand him. Yet how caan such a strong independent woman possibly fall for someone who is so controlling? I really enjoyed how this story played out and hope the author is planning to treat us to more stories set in the world Letty and Erik inhabit, possibly featuring secondary characters we meet in the book.

Recommended for lovers of romantic suspense.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this story from the anthology was provided to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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REVIEW – Blood Bound, Dinero de Sangre book 3, by Lana Sky

#DarkRomance #CartelRomance #MafiaRomance

Blurb

In this twisted dark cartel romance, revenge and hate collide with the past…

Hunted by a dangerous enemy, Ada Pavalos is forced to place her faith—and her life—in the hands of the man who has been holding her captive in his own twisted bid for revenge.

But the truce they’ve forged between them is fragile, impeded by Ada’s struggle to trust where Domino’s loyalties lie—because what if the deadliest threat isn’t Jaguar after all?

What if it’s Domino who will destroy her in the end?

My Review

Dark and Gripping – 5 DARK stars!

After reeling from events at the end of the previous book Blood Ties, I was so pleased to get my hands on this instalment. Once again, Lana Sky has penned a fast-paced, intensely dark and emotional read full of nail-biting suspense, violence and sizzling sex scenes. It is though, essential to read the series in order to appreciate the complex plot and characters.

In Blood Bound, Ada Maria and Domino are on the run, having escaped Jaguar. Yet has Ada rejected one monster only to be in the clutches of another, Domino, a man who she thought she once knew but has been far from a knight in shining armour? Caught between two dangerous and deadly men, just who can Ada Maria trust? The world she finds herself in is so far removed from the lap of luxury she was used to before she was so cruelly taken from it and she has been reduced to a commodity. The couple are up against enemies at every turn and trust is a moot point.

I enjoyed how secrets from Ada’s past concerning her parents, Domino’s sister and Domino himself are slowly revealed to Ada and the reader. The author’s skills at plotting an addictive read are showcased to full in this novel which is full of unexpected twists and turns. The complex plotline was always at least one step ahead of the reader and I could not guess where the story was going. Also, for much of the book I could not fathom whether Domino would be Ada’s saviour or play a role in her eventual destruction, once his own goals were reached. Only Domino, the master manipulator, seemed to be ahead of the game and even he, at times, was struggling against his many adversaries.

Although Ada Maria is as vulnerable as ever in this book, I loved how she is determined to hold her own with Domino and admired how she held up against all that she endures. Many questions are answered during the read, including the true motivations behind Domino’s actions. I was hugely entertained throughout this thrilling read and am pleased that there are more books to come in the same world.

The book and the series is a perfect fit for lovers of dark romance, particularly those who enjoy reads set in the world of organised crime.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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ARC REVIEW – Her Baseborn Scot (The Highland Warrior Chronicles #3), by Christina Phillips

#HistoricalRomance #Scotland

Blurb

A warrior with cursed royal blood. A princess who will never submit to the enemy. A forbidden love that could cost them everything…

Tough Scots warrior Finn Braeson dreams of finding a gentle lass to love and share his life with. But when he is commanded by his king to marry the princess of Pictland he has no choice. It’s the only way to protect his mother and younger stepsisters from the king’s wrath. But before he can wed the elusive princess, he must first go undercover and find her.

Bound by a deathbed promise to her husband to never reveal her true identity as the princess of Pictland, Mairi is a fugitive in her own land. Following her beloved goddess and the omen of the Blood Moon, she’s determined to avenge her people against the upstart king, and has no intention of falling for the silken charm of any Scots warrior. Except Finn is like no other man she has ever known, and despite the danger of discovery, and the secrets she must keep, she cannot resist his allure.

Captivated by the wit of the beautiful Pictish lady who has ensnared his heart, Finn craves for a future with her. But when betrayal rocks their fragile alliance, they must fight the political intrigues that surround them and put their trust in each other – or risk being torn apart forever.

My Review

Romance, Secrets and Intrigue – 5 stars

Romance, secret identities and royal intrigue abound in the latest instalment in Christina Phillip’s Highland Warrior Chronicles. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favourite tropes when it comes to romance so I just loved the pairing of a Scottish warrior with a Pictish princess and the push/pull of their relationship. There is also a supernatural element to the story which adds depth and interest.

King McAlpin (a man who should not be trifled with), is intent on subsuming Pictland into that of Dal Riada, instructing Finn Braeson to search for a widowed princess and make her his bride. Finn is wary of the King and is shocked by recent revelations concerning himself, but he is not in a position to refuse his bidding if he wants to keep his family safe.

During his search for the princess he meets a mysterious noble woman Mae, who steals his heart. Finn does not realise the woman he admires and is growing to love is none other than the woman the King has instructed him to marry. Likewise, Mae does not realise Finn’s true identity. I loved how the author sets up their relationship and how it develops. I particularly liked the banter between them and the lovemaking scenes which were both tender and passionate, It is clear that the couple are perfect for each other, despite their reservations – Finn as he is bound to do his King’s bidding and Mae because she needs to keep her true identity secret and also avenge her people. I enjoyed the tension within Finn and Mae and how the author portrayed their inner struggles.

When circumstances force Mae to reveal her true identity and Finn reveals his hand their budding relationship is jeopardised. Not only has trust been lost but the couple are drawn further into royal intrigue, putting their future at risk. I was on pins as Finn seeks to keep his new bride safe and earn back her trust and Mae tries to thwart the plots that are afoot. Can she trust her new husband? Can Finn protect her? Do they have a future together when their respective kingdoms are at war? What are the meaning of the visions Mae’s goddess sends her?

The read is perfect for lovers of Historical Romance, particularly those containing alpha warriors and strong and feisty women destined for each other,

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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