*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.

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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.

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*COVER REVEAL* ~ The Danger You Know, by Lily White

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

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*ARC REVIEW* ~ Nemesis (Realm of Flame and Shadow Book 2)

#paranormal #romance #urbanfantasy #enemiestolovers

Blurb

When a vampire hunter cursed by her tainted heritage falls for an archangel out for her blood, an ancient covenant threatens to claim more than their lives…

All dhampir Rowan Moreton wants is a normal life, but as an assassin of the Enclave of the Phoenix, she knows that’s impossible. She learned the hard way it’s too dangerous to be distracted, when her enemies lurk in every shadow. But one night with the gorgeous Azrael has her wishing things can be different. Is it possible to keep her sordid life a secret from him, without endangering him?

The archangel Azrael only cares about one thing. To hunt down the dhampir army of his sworn enemy. But when he meets the bewitching Rowan, he’s tempted to break every rule in the book to keep her by his side.

As outside forces close in on them, neither will sacrifice the other. But after a bitter betrayal, their pasts come back to haunt them, and the hunters become the hunted.

Caught in a deadly web of deception, and with time running out, they must risk everything to survive. But sometimes power isn’t everything, and the price of freedom is just too high…

My Review

Powerful, passionate and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance  ~ 5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this latest instalment of the author’s Realm of Flame and Shadow series. Nemesis is an enemies-to-lovers romance telling the story of the archangel Azrael and his fateful relationship with dhampir assassin Rowan. It’s a sexy, fast-paced paranormal/urban fantasy read containing secrets, danger and betrayal plus oodles of passion and hotness! Azrael is a side character in the first book Redemption, which I also enjoyed (click on the title for my review), but this book can easily be read as a standalone.

Both Azrael and Rowan are such strong characters but each have their vulnerabilities which are well portrayed by the author. The powerful immortal Azrael is drawn to Rowan like no other woman and she, despite knowing a normal life is not her destiny, is equally enamoured.  I  adored that she is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with when the truth is out. Indeed, her very existence is entwined with that of Azreal’s despised vampire enemy, for whom his hatred runs long and deep.

Their battle to overcome their preconceived ideas about each other – their kind are after all mortal enemies, and the many threats to them over the course of the book made for a memorable and thrilling read. When the chips are down how will their relationship survive? Will they choose each other or defend their own kind? It’s a powerful, passionate and emotional read.

Azrael and Rowan are so perfect for each other but there are just so many obstacles to their pairing that I really despaired of their chance of a HEA. This fact, not to mention the addictive plot and well fleshed out secondary characters kept me on my toes and I didn’t want to put the book down until I found out what was in store for the couple.

The series is shaping up to showcase the author’s ability to craft memorable characters and world building, not to mention unforgettable romantic pairings! I thoroughly recommend it to fans of paranormal/urban fantasy.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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*REVIEW* ~ Strangeways, by Addison Cain

#alieninvasion #interspecieslove #scifi #erotic #romance

Adult/18+ read

 

Blurb

“Beyond twisted and filthy hot, Strangeways is the most unique sci-fi romance I’ve read in years!” NYT Bestselling author, Anna Zaires

I have been chosen.

One moment I was leaving work, the next I was entertaining a silvery-green alien intent on knowing me fully.

Their invasion of our world nonviolent, seamless.

They dress as human men, eat in human restaurants, vote, pay taxes, and are controlling every last one of us.

I don’t understand how no one else can see what I see? That their beauty is a trap.

They have come here for women, intent on creating life partners—through seduction, mental manipulation, employing muscular bodies capable of fulfilling any female desire. Shaping themselves to our wants.

Until we’ve each been claimed, marked, and changed. Assimilated.

We don’t have a choice. They can make us like it. They can make us desire them. They can make us do anything they want.

Goodreads

My Review – The ultimate in alien invasion… 4 stars

This sci-fi novella by Addison Cain is aptly named! It not only contains some sizzling and highly erotic inter-species loving – and as a fan of alien/human interactions for me this ticked a LOT of boxes, but it is also a thought -provoking read, representing the ultimate in alien invasion.

Emily is a downtrodden waitress, taken advantage of by her boss and her surviving family. She attracts the interest of the alien Phi, a member of a race who have lived peacefully alongside humans since they appeared on earth decades ago. Emily finds it impossible to resist Phi, however much her mind reminds her that ultimately his kind are invaders. Phi, however, is both persistent and persuasive and goes all out to satisfy her needs on ALL levels!

Phi, like all of his kind, is adept at mental manipulation designed to bond them to their chosen mates ever further. Whilst Phi is certainly the ultimate controlling male, I found his actions, given his true nature, caring and sweet, albeit in an oftentimes creepy way. The read is certainly a crazy one and has me questioning my own sanity as I enjoyed their relationship!

I enjoyed how the book explored the concept of assimilation/control versus free will through the relationship of the main characters, leaving the reader at liberty to examine their own thoughts with regards to the notion. It is far from your traditional romance as it pushes the boundaries, but that is what I love about this author. I found this read not as dark as many of her other reads such as Cathedral and Omegaverse books, but pure Addison Cain nonetheless.

Will Emily go along with his seduction? – after all he constantly reminds her it is in her best interests, or will she be able to resist? Indeed, does she want to, and how much compulsion is Phi willing to put on this human female he has decided he wants to bond with? As the story progresses both Emily and the reader come to fully understand what it really means to be assimilated by the invaders.

All in all a highly original and thought provoking erotic read and I would like to see more of the new world the author has created!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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*REVIEW* ~ Moonstone: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance Novella (Jewels Cafe Book 11), by Lucy Felthouse

#erotic #romance #reverseharem

 

Blurb

Moonstone Guinevere ‘Ginny’ Miles is in Silver Springs visiting her parents for the holidays. They moved to the town five years ago, and adore their new life here. Used to the hustle and bustle of London, England, Ginny isn’t convinced at first—what’s so great about a small town in Upstate New York, anyway? Despite her own opinions, it’s clear to Ginny the move has done her parents the world of good—they look years younger. There’s clearly something magical about this town.

Following some exploration of her own, Ginny discovers Silver Springs has its charms—Jewels Cafe is amazing, for starters, as is its pumpkin spice latte. Ginny’s drunk a lot of lattes in her thirty-three years, but nothing quite like this.

Her taste buds are still tingling from the tasty treat when she comes across a broken-down truck on the way back to her parents’ place. And when she spots the three gorgeous guys with the vehicle, it’s not just her taste buds that are tingling.

Is Ginny’s vacation in Silver Springs about to get a whole lot more interesting?

Moonstone is a standalone contemporary reverse harem romance. It is part of the Jewels Cafe series.

Goodreads

My Review – 

Fun, sexy and damn hot! – 5 stars

I loved this light-hearted and sexy novella penned by Lucy Felthouse, which is full of seasonal fun and magic.

The heroine, Ginny, is visiting her parents in the US town Silver Springs, when trudging through the snow on her way back from town she comes across a broken down truck. She is instantly bowled over by not one but three sexy men. For some unexplained reason her hormones are on overdrive after drinking a pumpkin spice latte at Silver Springs’ Jewels Café, recommended to her by her loveable and quirky matchmaking parents. The scene is then set for some serious love action and some sizzling scenes!

This reverse harem novella is just the ticket if you are after a fun-loving erotic romance with all the feels. It is set during the Christmas holidays and I felt that this added to my enjoyment of the read as the warmth Ginny and her parents feel for each other was a lovely backdrop to the passion between Ginny and her trio of gorgeous men friends. The trio are equally enamoured with Ginny from the off – they are more than willing to share, and are not shy of letting her know their intentions. All three men have different personalities and I was left feeling that Ginny is one lucky girl to have them all to herself! I am off to google the recipe for pumpkin spice latte!

Perfect for fans of erotic romance and fun and loving reverse harem reads.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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*RELEASE BLITZ & EXCERPT* ~ Moonstone, by Lucy Felthouse

Out Now—Moonstone by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985) #reverseharem #rh #whychoose #ku #kindleunlimited

Do you love reverse harem romances? Love Christmas books? Then check out Moonstone! Moonstone is a standalone contemporary reverse harem romance, which is part of the Jewels Café series—all of which can be read as standalones.

Blurb

Christmas gifts aren’t the only surprises Ginny is going to get this year.

Moonstone Guinevere ‘Ginny’ Miles is in Silver Springs visiting her parents for the holidays. They moved to the town five years ago, and adore their new life here. Used to the hustle and bustle of London, England, Ginny isn’t convinced at first—what’s so great about a small town in Upstate New York, anyway? Despite her own opinions, it’s clear to Ginny the move has done her parents the world of good—they look years younger. There’s clearly something magical about this town.
Following some exploration of her own, Ginny discovers Silver Springs has its charms—Jewels Cafe is amazing, for starters, as is its pumpkin spice latte. Ginny’s drunk a lot of lattes in her thirty-three years, but nothing quite like this.

Her taste buds are still tingling from the tasty treat when she comes across a broken-down truck on the way back to her parents’ place. And when she spots the three gorgeous guys with the vehicle, it’s not just her taste buds that are tingling.
Is Ginny’s vacation in Silver Springs about to get a whole lot more interesting?

Buy now or read in Kindle Unlimited
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Excerpt

Moonstone Guinevere Miles—known as Ginny to people who didn’t want to incur her fierce and everlasting wrath—heaved her suitcase off the luggage reclaim belt with an “Oof!” and placed it on the floor, a sigh of relief escaping her. At least the thing had wheels—she didn’t really have the energy for carrying a heavy suitcase all the way through Customs and out to Arrivals. The long, tiring flight had seen to that. No matter how much she tried, no matter how exhausted she was, she simply could not fall asleep on a plane. Ever. Eye mask, ear plugs, meditation, bloody whale music—nothing helped. She’d long since resigned herself to staying awake while snores from other passengers emanated around the cabin. At least it had only been about seven and a half hours since taking off from Heathrow—she couldn’t imagine what state she’d be in if she ever flew any longer than that—to Australia, New Zealand or somewhere.

Doubtful that would ever happen, though. It had taken long enough for her to get her backside out to the east coast of America, where her parents had been running a retreat since retiring five years ago. But then, things were different now, weren’t they? Which was why she was even here in the first place—it wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

Thinking of her parents brought an inevitable smile to her face, and inserted a little more spring in her step. Despite the energy and mood suck that had been the flight, she was excited to be here. She was eager to see her parents, and to find out exactly what they’d built up over the last five years. She’d seen photos and videos, but it wasn’t the same as actually being there.

When they’d first announced they were using their retirement nest egg to open a retreat in Upstate New York, she’d been floored. Who the hell retires, only to take on a massive project like that? Surely the whole point of retiring is to wind down, enjoy some free time, relax? But no, her mum and dad—who, to be fair, had never been what one would call conventional—had set their hearts on it. They’d had a huge purge of their belongings, sold their cars and house, and jetted off across the pond, leaving Ginny shocked and not a little bereft. She’d been so used to having them close by and had quickly realized just how much she’d taken that for granted.

At the same time, her own career had taken off and she’d become so busy that her parents’ sudden distance hadn’t made the blindest bit of difference. She barely saw the inside of her own flat, never mind her friends and family. This was the first Christmas she’d had off work since then, too, and she was looking forward to spending it with her parents more than she could put into words. They’d been big on the festive period ever since she was a baby, and as such, Ginny’s brain was stuffed full of warm, fuzzy memories of Christmases past. They’d been useful to get her through the last five crappy ones, too, where a microwaved ready meal was the best she could hope for, if she hadn’t managed to wangle a free meal from the place she’d been working at at the time.

Her smile widened, and she walked faster still—God, just how big was this bloody airport?—desperate to see her mum and dad and start the Christmas holiday with a bang. Anticipation rushed through her. They’d have turkey and roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, mounds of vegetables, desserts laden with enough calories to last them until Valentine’s Day, Christmas carols, amazing decorations, a beautiful tree, fairy lights…

And Santa Claus. Two of them, in fact, jumping up and down enthusiastically and waving wildly at her, with not a rotund belly in sight.

Ginny was so excited, she couldn’t even be bothered with the embarrassment she might have felt at being greeted in a public place by her parents dressed up in Santa outfits. Plus, nobody knew her here anyway, so who cared?

She scurried around the barrier, almost flipping her case in her haste to turn a corner, then covered the remaining distance between them in seconds flat and released the handle of her suitcase. A series of squeals and exclamations went up—from all three of them—and then everything went dark as Ginny was enveloped in a warm, fluffy embrace, her face crushed up against what she suspected was the white fur trim on her mother’s jacket, and kisses rained down on her. It was all she could do to suck in oxygen as she was squeezed and squeezed them right back. She was assailed by the scents of clean clothes, shampoo, perfume, and cologne—all perfectly lovely smells by themselves, but somewhat overwhelming all at once. Unintelligible murmurings reached her ears, but she didn’t bother to reply since she had no idea what was being said. And she didn’t need words, anyway. All she needed at that moment in time was to soak up the enormous outpouring of love she was experiencing.

She was so bloody happy, she thought she might pop.

Eventually, her parents loosened their hold enough so she could step back and actually look at them. She took in her father’s handsome face, his steel-gray hair—or what she could see beneath the hat, at least—his wide grin, and her mother’s long, light gray, waist-length plaits, the glint in her eyes and the glow of her skin.

“Guys, you look fantastic! If this is what retirement does for you, I think I might sign up now.”
Her mother, Deborah, gave a nonchalant shrug—which, given her attire, was way more amusing than it should have been. “What can I say, sweetheart? I feel fantastic. I’ve got so much more energy than I ever had in London, even when I was much younger.” She shrugged again. “It’s the retreat, I’m sure of it—the moment your father and I first set foot there all those years ago, I felt there was something magical about it. Silver Springs is the most wonderful little town, and we’re lucky enough to live and work in the most spectacular part of it—though it hardly feels like work.”
Ginny gave her mother a kiss on the cheek, then turned to her father, Charlie. “And you, Dad? You look twenty years younger, but how do you feel?”

His face took on a beatific expression. “The same as your mother, kiddo. Exactly the same. If I’d known just how wonderful it would be, I’d have thrown in the towel and moved out here years ago. Decades, even.” He grabbed the handle of Ginny’s case in one hand, then looped the other around her neck and pulled her in to drop a kiss on her chin-length blonde hair, which he then ruffled. “I’m so thrilled you’re here, Moony. You’re going to love it in Silver Springs. Just love it! Come on, let’s get going. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us, and the weather’s on the turn.”

Ginny bit back comments on both his use of her childhood nickname, and his messing up of her hair. She didn’t want to dampen the almost euphoric mood that seemed to float between the three of them—a combination of being pleased to see each other, and her parents’ obvious appreciation of their new home. Though five years was hardly new anymore, was it? She really should have visited before now, but the circumstances had been impossible. Now they weren’t, and she was here, in the bosom of her family, at Christmas time, and it was going to be magical.

And, at some point, she’d enlighten her parents about the fact she had nothing in particular to rush home for, either. But that could wait. No need to burst the happy, everything-is-perfect bubble just yet. She’d let them all enjoy their first Christmas together in years before thinking about that.
They made their way out of the airport building. The cold air slapped Ginny in the face, momentarily taking her breath. Her slight gasp drew her mother’s keen eye. “I hope you listened to me, sweetheart, and brought warm clothes with you. It’s even colder up in Silver Springs, you know.”

“The car’s not far,” her dad piped up. “I’ll get the heating on as soon as we’re inside, and we’ll soon have you snug as a bug in a rug.” He tipped her a wink, and warmth flooded her veins. She hadn’t realized until now just how much she’d missed her wacky yet lovable parents. They might be unconventional, but they’d given her a wonderful childhood. When she’d reached adulthood, they’d remained incredibly close, with them managing to achieve the perfect balance of loving and supportive without being controlling. They’d let her forge her own path, make her own mistakes, and had been there to help pick up the pieces without uttering so much as a “I told you so.”
They’d definitely earned this idyllic new life they’d carved out for themselves, and she couldn’t wait to experience it for herself, if only for a little while. Though she wasn’t sure how much fun there was to be had in the back end of beyond. It was hardly going to be lively. Perhaps it was a good thing she was only here for an extended holiday.

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Author Bio

Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight and The Heiress’s Harem series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 170 publications to her name. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Join her Facebook group for exclusive cover reveals, sneak peeks and more! Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. Subscribe to her newsletter here

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