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🐺RELEASE BLITZ🐺-MONSTER IN MY SHADOW: A DARK PARANORMAL SMALL-TOWN SHIFTER ROMANCE (RAVENSWOOD BOOK 1), BY LANA SKY

#ParanormalRomance #NewSeries #AuthorLanaSky #TwistedRomance #ShifterRomance #FatedLovers #DarkRomance #SmallTownRomance #FangsAndClaws #Cursed #NeedToReadItNow #ReadMoreRomance #Bookstagram #NewRelease #booklover #bookish #bookworm #bookaddict⁠

BLURB

Note to self: Beware of the tall, beautiful stranger with feral eyes.

Small-town life is all I’ve ever known—until he appears. He stalks me from the shadows while wordlessly begging me to draw near. After a fateful night, my world will never be the same.

I should want to run from him.

He claims he won’t hurt me—even though every fiber of his being urges him to.

I don’t have a choice but to trust him.

We’re linked in a way that goes beyond mere attraction, or even lust—and anyone who threatens that bond will rue the day he ever crossed their path.

Even if that person is me.

A new dark paranormal small-town shifter romance from Lana Sky. Enter the world of Ravenswood where curses are as real as the things that go bump in the night and sprout fangs and claws. Monster in My Shadow is the first book in a trilogy.

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My Review

Fantastic start to a new trilogy – 5 stars

Monster in My Shadow is a fantastic start to a new trilogy by Lana Sky. This slow burn shifter romance, set in a small town, is full of mystery, danger and suspense and an overriding sense of menace. I was glued to my Kindle throughout and particularly liked the unique take on the fated mate’s trope.

Kaydee Blanchette, a young woman who works in a local bar, has felt the eyes of the handsome and mysterious Liwai Raven on her for years. His attention has gotten under her skin, and although he attracts her something about seems off. A shocking event brings them together, affecting them on a visceral level and they both struggle with the consequences as their lives and their plans for the future are turned upside down…

Indeed, both Kaydee and Liwai are in for a hell of a ride as secrets, and more are revealed, and they strive to come to terms with the decisions they make. I loved their pairing – the bookish, innocent, and bespectacled heroine with the character of Liwai, the dark and brooding outcast who is rumoured to have done very bad things… Kaydee feels drawn to him, but at the same time is fearful of what she may find. As for Liwai, his actions are mercurial, and he appears at war with himself. He says she is safe with him, but what if it is a lie?

I enjoyed how the character of Kaydee, grows as she ventures out of the comfort zone of her hometown, and embarks on a journey to make sense of events and their impact on her and others. There are so many layers to this book outside of the central romance and it is a cracking read! The character of the schoolgirl Renae, a member of Liwai’s household is also worthy of special note, as she plays such a key role in the book and is a fascinating character in her own right.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to Monster in my Heart, the next book in the trilogy.

Please note, 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.

AUTHOR LINKS

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REVIEW – Blood Diamond: A Dark Cartel Romance, El Mundo de Sangre #4, by Lana Sky

#CartelRomance #DarkRomance #RomanticSuspense

Blurb

When it comes to family, there’s little Lupita Sanchez won’t do—even if it means throwing herself in the path of a man as feral as his predatory namesake.

Julian “Jaguar” Domingas has carved out a violent reputation as one of the most powerful and dangerous drug lords alive. He’s exactly the kind of beast Lupita has learned the hard way to run far, far away from—but desperate times call for insane measures.

Jaded and cynical, Jaguar has seen it all when it comes to the multitude of schemers and spies eager for even a taste of his power—and convincing him to help her won’t be easy.

Protecting her heart, however, will be child’s play—or so she thinks.

After all, what can a man like Jaguar want more than her body? Certainly not her soul…

And definitely not her love.

El Mundo de Sangre is a world of linked dark romance trilogies. Diamante de Sangre continues where Dinero de Sangre ends. Each trilogy can be read as a standalone, but will be better enjoyed if read in order. The first two books in each trilogy end in cliffhangers which will be resolved in book three.

My Review

Heady cocktail of desire, danger and deceit! 5 stars

Blood Diamond is the first book in a new trilogy by Lana Sky, and I LOVED IT! It is a heady cocktail of danger and desire as Lupita, having nowhere else to turn to seeks the help of Jaguar Domingas, the most ruthless cartel kingpin of all. Jaguar was featured in earlier books in the El Mundo de Sangre world, and I have been longing to learn more about him since he first appeared as he truly is a bête noire type of villain, a man to be reviled and feared, with no hope of redemption.

My sympathies were well and truly with Lupita, a woman who is desperate, a little crazy and traumatised by a past where she had a lucky escape from a man such as Jaguar. She thinks she knows exactly what she risks yet is nevertheless prepared to sacrifice herself for the sake of another. What she is not prepared for is Jaguar’s level of ruthlessness as he seeks to peel back her layers and reveal her secrets and the true woman beneath.

The sexual tension between the couple is electric. Jaguar finds Lupita a challenge as she is so unlike the women he is used to and in return for his help and protection he demands everything, including her soul… after he has had a taste will he decide to keep her, or will he destroy her and spit her out? Can she trust him to keep his side of the bargain?

I hugely enjoyed this multi-layered read which is awash with danger, tension, and deceit and full of unexpected twists and turns. I also enjoyed the side characters who are part of this world. I love that this author’s work is never predictable, neither the reader nor the characters never quite know what is around the corner for them. The book ends on a cliffhanger which left me begging for more and the next instalment, Blood Debt, cannot come soon enough!

Please note I received a copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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Author Links

August 12, 2022 by Tina Williams

REVIEW – Sinners and Saints (Sinners and Saints #1), by Lana Sky and Molly Doyle

#Dark #MCRomance

Blurb

Traumatized by a family tragedy, Frances “Frey” Heywood resorts to committing the unthinkable—only to be saved at the eleventh hour by a man more troubled than even she can comprehend.

Daze Keaton is bad news. A criminal and a drug dealer, he’s a far cry from the safe harbor Frey craves, but all her doubts pale in the face of the way he numbs that cold, broken place inside her.

If only for a little while.

Though Daze’s comfort is a welcome gift, his true motives are far darker than she can ever fathom. While he might have saved her life, her future is in far more danger with him in it.

Not that her head will listen. Or her heart…

A brand-new dark romance collaboration from authors Lana Sky and Molly Doyle full of mystery, suspense, angst, and spice.

My Review

Crazy and intense dark MC read – 5 stars

Sinners and Saints is the first book of a trilogy and I found it to be one crazy ass ride from start to finish. I am a huge fan of Lana Sky’s writing, and I really enjoyed this collaboration with Molly Doyle, an author who is new to me.

After Daze, a mysterious stranger prevents Frey, grief stricken and traumatised after her brother’s death, from ending it all, her life becomes entwined with his and she begins to question everything about herself and those close to her.

The couple are polar opposites, and I relished the contrast and the constant push/pull between them: Daze is a dangerous criminal, involved in drugs and God knows what else, and Frey the innocent and closeted daughter of an influential man who heads up the religious organisation the Covenant.

I loved how Frey is equally drawn and repelled by Daze throughout. There are some hot scenes between them which I lapped up, yet the read is also full of twists and turns in a book which has a solid and engrossing plot line.

Indeed, the story kept me on toes throughout, taking Frey and reader to unexpected places, physically and emotionally. I appreciated how the evolving plot drip feeds the reader small details, revealing secrets which build up a picture of their shared past and present, increasing the level of suspense, tension and danger. As their lives begin to overlap who can Frey trust? I found myself constantly asking myself whether Daze will be Frey’s saviour or the agent of her destruction.

This addictive read ends on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

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

Purchase Links

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Author Links

Lana Sky Website

Molly Doyle Website

May 23, 2022 by Tina Williams

Release Blitz & Review — Daemon’s Blood, A Dark Paranormal Romance (Atiernan Book 1): Daemon Blade Book 1 by Lana Sky

#ParanormalRomance #NewSeries #AuthorLanaSky #TwistedRomance #DaemonRomance #WitchRomance #MagicRomance #MatedLovers #DarkRomance #RevengeAndHate #NeedToReadItNow #ReadMoreRomance #Bookstagram #NewRelease

😈 Daemon’s Blood Release Blitz 😈

Daemon’s Blood

by Lana Sky

Now LIVE!

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#1-click today!

Release Date: May 23^rd, 2022

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Series

A new paranormal series of duets for each couple in a greater world of linked books. Each duet can be read as a standalone, but will be better enjoyed if read in order.

Blurb

Miranda Lightwood is a good witch. A status she still strives for, despite being shunned by her coven and having her every move dogged by poisonous rumors to the contrary.

When a powerful daemon lord takes her hostage, trapping her inside his fortress, Miranda knows she’s about to face her most difficult trial yet. All that she stands for hinges on her ability to withstand his demands, no matter the cost.

But Atiernan subverts her expectations in the worst way. The savage, evil monster she’s been taught to loathe is the polar opposite of the strangely kind, and complex man he appears to be—and maybe, deep down, Miranda isn’t the saintly, innocent witch he requires to further his own manipulative ends.

The passion between them is strong enough to forge a bond capable of unifying their races toward the common good, but one wrong move and Atiernan knows he risks causing a rift that will usher in an ancient evil destined to consume the whole world.

The stakes are too high. He knows he can’t fail. No matter how strongly his little witch resists…

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Teaser

He had refrained from the practice for so long. One small lapse in sobriety wouldn’t hurt, and as his prize dripped onto his tongue, he felt not one ounce of guilt. Hot and sweet, her blood filled his mouth, and Atiernan couldn’t silence a groan.

My Review

Fantastic start to a new series! 5 stars

Daemon’s Blood is a fantastic start to a new series. The enemies-to -lovers trope is my absolute favourite in the romance genre and I just adored the push and pull between the daemon lord Atiernan and the witch Miranda, not to mention the sexual tension and smoking hot scenes! The worldbuilding is well done, as is the supporting cast.

Miranda is a complex character – strong minded but fragile due to how she is regarded within her coven. The author does a brilliant job of portraying her emotions and how she aches for acceptance within her kind and her determination to thwart the demands of her captor.

Atiernan is equally complex and has his own reasons to despise those of Miranda’s ilk, as she does his. I enjoyed the complexities of his character too and how, as the book progresses, we learn snippets of his own tragic back story. Although dangerous to Miranda he is not the monster she expected, and they are drawn together even as they remain enemies. Yet can their tenuous bond survive when trust is in question and secrets abound? Powerful forces are at play, intent on destroying all that Atiernan holds dear, and he cannot let a witch stand between him and saving his people from the evil that threatens to destroy them.

There were so many twists and turns in the plot I was kept entertained throughout. The book ends on a number of revelations and a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read the second book in the duet which will conclude the couple’s story, not to mention other stories set within the world the author has created.

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

Daemon’s Kiss: A Dark Paranormal Romance (Atiernan Book 2): Daemon Blade Book 2

Release Date: June 20^th, 2022

Blurb

As the relationship between him and the captive witch, Miranda, deepens, Atiernan knows that he is playing a dangerous game. A witch nearly destroyed him in the past, is he willing to risk enduring such pain again?

If only Miranda was more like the cunning women she blindly idolizes. Determined to bring honor to her coven, she declares herself willing to do anything her captor asks of her.

And everything he desires.

As outside forces conspire to destroy them both, Atiernan and Miranda come to realize that they must either trust each other completely…

Or stand back and usher in a destruction centuries in the making.

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Excerpts and Bonus Material

Author Info: Lana Sky

March 15, 2022 by Tina Williams

*RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW – Howl,(Black Mountain Pack Book 2) by Lana Sky

#NewRelease #DarkParanormalShifterRomance #AuthorLanaSky #TwistedRomance #ShifterRomance #NewSeries #NeedToReadItNow #ReadMoreRomance #Bookstagram #RomanceBookAddict #Romancelandia #BookWorm #BookObsessed #RomanceBooks #SteamyReads⁠ #DarkRomance #ParanormalRomance

Released March 15^th 2022

#1-click today!

BLURB

With the help of the man who turned her life on its head, Loren must learn to navigate the new world she’s been thrust into—all while discovering the secrets of her parentage and the ways of a lycan.

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.

🐺 Howl Excerpt 🐺

Impulsively, she seized his bottom lip between her teeth before he could, and tugged.

A sound like the roar of a jet engine broke from the back of his throat. He wrenched her closer, palming her waist, pressing her against his chest.

“Stop,” she heard him whisper again—even as he brushed his lips over hers—but, considering how the next second his tongue plunged deep, it was kind of a moot point.

His mouth slanted against hers, but as his hands fanned out over her lower back, Loren sensed his true aim—not a kiss, but submission. He demanded it with every brush of his lips, and she couldn’t find the strength to match his pace.

So, without an ounce of guilt, she bit down. Hard. The flavor of copper exploded over her tongue. Blood? His—and she relished the taste, greedily seeking out every single drop. Disgust didn’t even cross her mind.

This felt right. Natural. The salty tang melded with the overall musk of him, creating a more visceral picture of who William McGoven was at his core. Someone dangerous. Virile. Wild.

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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

February 1, 2022 by Tina Williams

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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Author Info: Lana Sky

January 14, 2022 by Tina Williams

MY TOP READS OF 2021

We are still living in strange times and once again reading has been a welcome escape and at times a balm to my senses. That authors have continued to create such amazing stories in the middle of a pandemic is definitely something to be celebrated. In this post, I have highlighted my top reads of the year (in no particular order), followed by extracts from the blurb for each book and from my review. Click on individual book titles to read its review in full and find out more, including author and purchase links.🙂

Her Baseborn Scot (The Highland Warrior Chronicles #3), Christina Phillips

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

Romance, Secrets and Intrigue – 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. #Scotland #HistoricalRomance

The Isle of Sin and Shadows, by Keri Lake

This island alone boasts more ghost stories than all of Louisiana combined.
And I’m one of them.

Southern Gothic par excellence – If you fancy a walk on the dark side, The Isle of Sin and Shadows by Keri Lake, a standalone Southern Gothic Romance fits the bill perfectly. This suspenseful and atmospheric read features ghostly goings on, voodoo, crime lords and a slow burn/tension filled romance which set alight my Kindle when the couple finally get it together. I loved it! #Romance #SouthernGothic #Mystery #Suspense

Ensnared: The Spider’s Mate #1, Tiffany Roberts

He’s spent years as a hunter, but now he’s the one ensnared in a creature’s trap.

Original, Sexy and Fun! – When I started to read this book, it was not without some trepidation as I am a HUMONGOUS arachnophobe. Yet, whilst the male lead is well and truly spider-like, the author writes in such a way that by the end of the story it mattered not as his character and his relationship with Ivy transcended any physical attributes and differences between them. #MonsterRomance #Romance #SciFi #Fantasy

The Last Hour of Gann, R Lee Smith

It was her last chance: Amber Bierce had nothing left except her sister and two tickets on Earth’s first colony-ship. She entered her Sleeper with a five-year contract and the promise of a better life, but awakened in wreckage on an unknown world. For the survivors, there is no rescue, no way home and no hope until they are found by Meoraq—a holy warrior more deadly than any hungering beast on this hostile new world…but whose eyes show a different sort of hunger when he looks at her.

In a word EPIC! This sci-fi/fantasy is a long and intense read and one to truly savour. The tale, which also contains a beautiful love story, is mind blowing and emotional and I was totally sucked into the world and the characters created by the author. #DarkFantasy #Scifi #Epic #Romance #LoveStory

The Rake of Hearts (A Lady to Suit #2), Emily Windsor

Sensual Regency romance with warmth and wit, this tale also includes a seductive rake, an icy widow, a castle, a disreputable aunt with a secondary love story, Cotswold country fairs, sinful masquerades and…a goat.

Beautiful – I absolutely adored Hebe and Ernest’s story. It is full of wit, charm and romance and such an emotional read – It brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion, but also a gladness to my heart as it is such a love affirming tale.

The young widow Hebe despises rakes and she has very good reason to. She has decided that Lord Ernest Brook, a shallow and self-confessed libertine, is a man to avoid at all costs. Ernest is attracted to Hebe and sees her icy demeanour as a challenge. Yet as soon as the couple inadvertently find themselves spending the summer together at Ernest’s childhood home in the Cotswolds, it becomes clear that both are not what they seem and the scene is set for a heartfelt and unforgettable Regency romance. #RegencyRomance #HistoricalRomance

Cut and Run. A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance Novel. (The Dreadnoughts #2), Lucy Felthouse

Kim’s on track to save the world—but will she pay with her life?

Kim Medhurst, ex-British military intelligence officer turned scientist and climate activist, has a vitally important project on her hands. The mysterious object she set out to retrieve from the remote Scottish island has the potential to power the entire planet. All she needs to do is figure out exactly how to make it happen, and the Scottish Highlands seems the perfect place to complete her research in peace—as well as enjoy the company of the gorgeous Greig twins.

Superpowered and sexy! – Cut and Run is the second book in the Dreadnoughts series and I found it to be a suspenseful, sexy and action-packed read. I recommend that you read the first in the series, Search and Rescue, before this one to get maximum enjoyment as this instalment starts off where the previous one ended: Chastain goes missing in London and Kim and the Greig twins go all out to rescue him, calling on their recently acquired superpowers to do so – I just loved these scenes! #Romance #ReverseHarem #Suspense #Superheroes

Blood Money, Dinero de Sangre #1, Lana Sky

In this twisted dark cartel romance, revenge and hate collide with the past… Ten years after a devastating betrayal, revenge has come back to bite Ada Pavalos. Literally. Once her family’s trusted bodyguard, Domino Valenciaga is out for blood. Or her heart. Whichever goal takes more violence to achieve…

An Emotional Tsunami – This book is DARK, an emotional tsunami of hate, anger, despair, violence and lust and I LOVED it! I am familiar with the author’s work, having read most of her back catalogue, and it is one of the darkest reads she has penned to date. I devoured it as soon as I got my mitts on it, in one single read. #DarkCartelRomance #TwistedRomance #RevengeAndHate

Stolen Lust: A Diamond Magnate Novel (Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy #1), Charmaine Pauls

Ian Hart is the most notorious criminal in the country. Like the thief he is, he came in the dark and stole a night of my life. He left me with souvenirs. Disaster and fear are my new realities. I’ll forever look over my shoulder, terrified he’d return, because when he took me, he stole more than just a few hours of my time.

Hot and Intense – Hold on to your hats! This is one hot and intense ride from start to finish and as a huge fan of the dark romance genre, I lapped it up! I loved both the heroine Cassandra (Cas) and the anti-hero Ian. Cas is vulnerable in so many ways, but despite this she stands up for herself and does so with plenty of sass and is nobody’s fool. Due to Ian’s actions, her life speedily spins out of control as the truth of who he is and his deeds come to light I hugely enjoyed the story and their evolving relationship and found Cas to be a plucky character and a perfect match for Ian. #RomanticSuspense #Crime

Flame to Frost (The Last Triton #1), Myra Danvers

The Last Tritan is perfect for fans of the Grishaverse. Those who fell completely in love with the Darkling―a smoldering villain we wanted to see win…

Amazing Dark Fantasy – I absolutely inhaled this amazing dark fantasy read. It is the first book I have read by the author Myra Danvers and is one of her earlier works, reworked as part of her Triton Evolution series. I have now found another awesome author to add to my list!

I loved the central character of Mila and her journey from a pampered and orphaned escapee to when she becomes a thorn in the side of her enemies, until she is finally captured. She is strong, empathetic and kick-ass, but with a secret that she is at great pains to conceal, lest it lead to her downfall. The contrast between her frugal existence in hiding in the forest and the debauched life of the world she is thrust into is well done, as is the worldbuilding. #DarkFantasy

Dirty Dealings (A Zeta Cartel Novel #3), A J Adams

Enrique ‘Quique’ Ramas is having a bad time. Back in Mexico his marriage has fallen apart and his wife has made him a laughing stock by cheating on him. Now he’s in London and out of his depth with a complex commercial deal. To make things worse, Natalia Truelove, a chef and pub manager, is blackmailing him. Quique is ready to commit murder and he’s pretty sure who his first victim will be.

Dirty Dealings is an enthralling tale of deceit, murder, cartel violence and finding love in the darkest of times.

One crazy cartel read – loved it! – I just inhaled this crazy cartel read and I found it impossible to put down. If you are a fan of this genre and alpha heroes who develop a soft spot for strong and feisty heroines with a vulnerable side, than you too will love this enemies to lovers romance. It has oodles of suspense and action, great banter and sexual tension between the main couple and some super sexy scenes. #CartelRomance #Crime

July 29, 2021 by Tina Williams

💸 Blood Ties, Dinero de Sangre #2, by Lana Sky, Release Blitz with Review 💸

A new Dark Cartel Romance!

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Release Date: July 27^th

BLURB

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

As Ada adjusts to the hellish predicament she finds herself in, one thing becomes painfully clear—Domino isn’t the only monster with her life in his hands.

And by no means is he the most dangerous.

Jaguar brings with him a wealth of mystery—and violence—that threatens to rock what little ground with Domino she’s managed to gain.

In the end, Ada will have to make a choice with both her life and her body on the line.

Only one man can offer her mercy should he choose to.

The other…

Doom.

If only she knew which fate would hurt less—losing her freedom, or losing her heart?

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Read Book One: All Retailers ➜ https://books2read.com/BloodMoney

My Review

Dark, Gripping and Emotionally Intense!

5 stars

I was consumed by this emotionally intense read. It is full of secrets, deceit and revenge and the push and pull between Domino and Ada, the heartbeat of the novel, was just the perfect torture for readers like me who are addicted to dark, edgy and suspenseful romance.

I loved how just as the author reveals more about Ada and Domino’s troubled past and their motivations, she throws yet more spanners into the works, not least Jaguar, who looms large in this story. Poor Ada is fighting for her very life and all she can do is endure what Domino is putting her through and attempt to find any leverage she possibly can. She has no one to trust and Domino’s mercurial moods are unpredictable and painful – he is truly the monster he professes to be, yet the threat of Jaguar promises to be on another level entirely…

I was on pins to see what would happen as the plot veers from one shocking scene to the next and as for the ending… Suffice to say the conclusion to the trilogy cannot come soon enough.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

I was given an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Lana Sky is a reclusive writer in the United States who spends most of her time daydreaming about complex male characters and legless cats. She writes mostly paranormal romance, in between watching reruns of Ab Fab and drinking iced tea. Only iced tea.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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February 10, 2021 by Tina Williams

*RELEASE BLITZ plus REVIEW: Queen of Thorns: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe (Mice and Men Book 2), by Lana Sky

#DarkRomance #MafiaRomance

Release Date: February 10, 2021

Cover Design by: https://killastrationz.com

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. A new spin-off series in the War of Roses Universe. Mice and Men is a standalone series. Queen of Thorns is book two in Mice and Men. Ruthless King needs to be enjoyed before reading Queen of Thorns. Queen of Thorns ends in a cliffhanger to be continued in book three, Shattered Throne (TBR).

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My Review

An Explosive Read ~ 5 stars

This turbulent read follows on from the shocking events in Ruthless King. Donatello Vianci is one of the most crazy characters this author has created to date and it is a wild, white- knuckle ride! We witness Donatello descending ever further into madness, driven by a combination of visceral grief and guilt, and Willow is compelled to tread a fine line to save her own life and that of others. I loved that by the end of the book it is clear to Donatello, the reader and Willow herself that she is far from a willing victim – she truly is the Queen of Thorns as the title suggests and is not a mere pawn. The read is a deeply psychological one and I was swept into a maelstrom of violence and unpredictable emotions of Donatello Vianci, a tragic and mercurial figure. The connection between him and Willow goes way back and she feels inextricably tied to him, whilst fully cognisant of the danger he represents. Their chemistry is a constant throughout the novel and I enjoyed that Willow, despite Donatello’s warnings, cannot resist pressing his buttons, challenging him to his breaking point. I enjoyed meeting Misha again and am dying to find out more about Evgeni, whose voice the author introduces us to. The next instalment cannot come soon enough as I am itching to find out what happens next between Willow and Donatello and whether they will be each other’s destruction or salvation, not to mention the many unanswered questions relating to the wider story arc and the characters within it. If you love dark mafia reads with the most tortured of characters you will love this and other books within the series. 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.

Other Books in the Series

Ruthless King: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 1). Released: October 27^th, 2020. Shattered Throne: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 3). Release Date: TBD.