April 23, 2018 by Tina Williams

‘*Release Day Blitz ~ Sergio: A Dark Romance, by Natasha Knight

#NewRelease #Sergio #NatashaKnight #DarkMafiaRomance #NowLive #Standalone

Buy the Book

Synopsis

I’m the first-born son of the mafia king. The favorite. Destined to rule, I’m a dangerous man, a ruthless one. But in my world, you have to be.Then Natalie stumbles into my life. Wrong place. Wrong time.

Twice, fate put her in my path.
Twice, fate placed the innocent lamb at the mercy of the monster.

I gave her a chance to walk away. Told her it would be better for her if she did.
But she didn’t listen.
And now it’s too late.
Because I’m not good. I never wanted to be. And I won’t let her go anymore. See, I’m not the hero. When I touch her, it’s with dirty hands.

I know my reckoning is coming though. I know I’ll burn for the things I’ve done, the sins I’ve committed. And I don’t deny hell is where I belong, but I want my time first. I want my time with her.

She’s mine.
Forever.
No matter what.

Author’s Note: Sergio: a Dark Mafia Romance is an intensely emotional, steamy and dark standalone romance set in the Benedetti Brothers Mafia world. Be prepared: this is not a traditional romance.

Excerpt – Sergio’s POV:

I go straight into my study when I get home. Even though I’m alone, I close the door out of habit. I sit with just the lamp on the desk turned on and I look at the photos. I scroll through each one. Study her face in them. I see her anger. Her fear. Her humiliation. I see it in that order. I study more too. More of her. And my dick’s hard.

“I wasn’t ever going to talk.”

I knew that. I knew it all along. She’s right. I am a pervert. Sick. Only a sick person would do this, would violate an innocent like this. It wasn’t necessary to do what I did. I just wanted to.

But I came to terms with this darker part of me a long time ago. And I’m not psychoanalyzing it now.

The last picture, the one with my hand on her hip, has my attention. The Benedetti family ring is prominent on my finger, my hand big, masculine and rough on her softly curving hip. It’s not even the gleaming pink of her pussy that’s got my eye. It’s how she’s looking at me. Watching me with those dark eyes through that veil of hair. Like she’s seeing me. Really seeing me.

I stare at them. I can’t look away. What I see, it’s not what I expect. Not hate. Not even fear. Something else. It has me curious. It’s almost as if there’s something familiar about her.

I can still smell her if I try. Was she aroused or is that just my sick brain at work? Making something up that wasn’t there. I wonder if she’s thinking about it now. If she’s lying in bed with her fingers between her legs remembering my hands on her. My eyes on her. She’d hate herself for it, I know.

I scroll back to the first image. The one of her sitting on the floor, knees pulled up, hands covering as much of herself as she can. Her chin is bowed into her chest, her hair like a curtain hiding her face from me. But if I look close, I see her accusing eyes through that fall of hair.

There’s something about this girl that I can’t put my finger on. Something that’s got me thinking about her long after I should forget.
“Insurance,” I say to myself, standing. I turn on the printer and send all the photos to it. Listen to the slow hum and buzz as each one prints. Watch Natalie’s face as each slowly slides out, stacks on top of the last. When they’ve all printed, I put them in a locked drawer of my desk before going upstairs to jerk off.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.

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August 16, 2016 by Caroline Barker

Book Blitz The Veritas Deception by Lynne Constantine

Title: The Veritas Deception

Author: Lynne Constantine

Genre: Thriller

Date released: August 10th, 2016

Length: 302 pages

Blurb: Days after he changes his vote on a bill he sponsored, US Senator Malcolm Phillips is murdered and his death disguised as an accident. He contacted one man before he died: investigative journalist, Jack Logan. He leaves Jack one clue that is supposed to help him uncover the truth and keep Phillip’s widow, Taylor, safe: search for Jeremy. But Jeremy who?

Friedrich Dunst, pardoned for war crimes and living in the States, never gave up the quest for what he believed to be relics of evil that provide untold power. Upon his death, his adopted son, Damon Crosse, took up the cause, and now helms a vast network of corrupt authority, controlling everything from social media and television programming to law enforcement and US legislation. His elite and well-known training facility recruits top students from around the world, but its legitimate programs are a front for something more insidious. Shrouded in secrecy and guided by dark forces, Crosse’s true agenda is known only to his own son who has now jeopardized it all by betraying him.

As Taylor and Logan begin to unravel the complex web of lies, they discover that the hunt for the set of ancient relics, dating back to the time of Christ, has driven Crosse and those before him to acts of atrocity and violence. But what do these relics have to do with a senator’s death? How long has a puppet master been pulling their strings—and will Logan and Taylor trust the right people long enough to win what becomes a colossal battle for souls?

Author bio:

Lynne Constantine is a coffee drinking, Twitter-addicted fiction author always working on her next book. She likes to run her plots by Tucker, her golden retriever, who is always enthusiastic about her ideas. Lynne is the co-author of CIRCLE DANCE, and the author of THE VERITAS DECEPTION as well as several short stories. Visit Lynne at www.lynneconstantine.com

https://www.facebook.com/LynneConstantineauthor/

https://twitter.com/LynneConstantin

Purchase Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2au1NI2

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2axChUJ

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2aq9Ffy

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aLKYKe

Apple: http://apple.co/2aPXPhp

July 15, 2016 by Caroline Barker

Book Blitz & Giveaway Higher Ground by Nan Lowe

Title: Higher Ground

Author: Nan Lowe

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Chick-lit

Date released: July 12th, 2016

Length: 292 pages

Blurb: Nearly a decade after leaving her tumultuous high school years and New Orleans behind, Dr. Violet Foster is thriving in Atlanta. She’s landed a job in the English Department of a prestigious school and shares a home—and her heart—with Wade Price, the love of her life.

Everything’s going according to plan.

Until a phone call from Violet’s younger brother thwarts her holiday plans and upends her carefully constructed life. She’s managed to avoid her hometown for years and dance around the secrets she left buried there. A wedding reception and an ailing grandmother beckon her return to The Big Easy, but as her departure nears, Violet is forced to reconcile the person she was with the woman she’s become.

Even if it means losing everything she holds dear.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON UK & AMAZON US

Author bio

Nan Lowe grew up in Memphis with barbeque and blues in her veins. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and is raising a son and daughter in a tiny town north of Graceland that has more cows than stoplights. Half farm girl and half city chick, she’s a little bit country and a whole lot of rock and roll. Most days, you’ll find her reading, writing, plotting, or listening to Pearl Jam, usually with a dog or two on her lap.

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/NanLoweAuthor
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanLoweAuthor/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/28N2I4S

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/28NPkjR

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/higher-ground-28

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/642870

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30623643-higher-ground

The author is hosting a $25 Amazon GC Giveaway!

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June 6, 2016 by Caroline Barker

Release Blitz Tour All That We Are by Holly J. Gill

Adult Contemporary Romance

#lovestory #adult #sexy

Blurb

Holly knows that sitting behind her computer isn’t going to bring
one of her romance heroes to life. And despite her matchmaking friend’s
attempts, she’s still lonely, looking for her Mr. Perfect. Fairytales happen,
right?

As a bestselling author, Ashton Noir doesn’t need anyone or anything
in his life other than his imagination. That is until he comes across Holly’s
Promotional Services’ website. Further exposure for his books can’t hurt.

Communicating through the Internet and then phone calls,
professional interests turn personal. Realising they lack trust and confidence
in different ways, can they have a future as a couple? Or are their dreams
forever going to be their safe haven?

Excerpt

Holly read through the material, thinking of
promotional tac-tics, banners, teasers, etc., one file was full of teasers, brilliant
for her to work with and design.

Shocked, she was still trying to figure out why on
earth he’d turned to her for help, when he could go massive, go for the larger
blogs and networking sites. Her little site was nothing compared to the larger
companies he could have chosen. Why the
heck did he pick me? Surely he’s after something else!

She popped back to their messages and found a reply.

Before she replied to his original message, she had to
ask a question.

Are
you really Dean McClough?

She watched him typing.

Yes,
yes I am, I am the real man himself, the man behind Jordan Hale, mastering and enjoying
the female form.

Her jaw dropped. Holy
crap! She was starstruck. A large lump filled her throat; unsure how the
hell she could continue the conversation without him thinking she was a freak.

Oh!

He typed.

Are
you okay?

Yes…I
cannot believe I am talking to Dean McClough, have you anything to prove you
really are him? Sorry, but I cannot believe it is really him, you are him, my
words are messed up…lol.

She hit send not having a clue how he’d react or what
he planned to show her to prove he was him.

Okay…just
give me one second…would my office and pictures on my wall do the job? Never
done this before…lol

Yes,
that is fine…I think!

She waited a few seconds, to see a picture uploading.
The picture arrived, and there was his office, laptop, notes, his books, pens,
pictures framed on the wall of his front covers, and to finalize, their
conversation on his laptop. Stunned, speechless… He was a typical author, notes
and research all over the place. She laughed and then sucked in a deep breath,
releasing it slowly. She shook her head, going through so many emotions, her
tummy tied in knots, not believing a bestseller was on his laptop talking to
her. It didn’t make sense.

He typed.

Was
that okay?

Yes,
thank you, just shocked that you’re talking to me…why?

Buy Links

Holly Bio:

A wife and a mum to three grown up children and recently became a nana to twins and lives in the UK. Holly J. Gill is an author of contemporary romance, exploring many new channels, paranormal, action, sweet, erotic, wherever her imagination takes her. Holly has been writing since being a young girl, having characters talking to her constantly, and longing to get their stories written. Finally, her dream came true over two years ago, when getting her first contract with Secret Cravings Publishing for her erotic Desires series unfortunately they closed their doors, leaving Holly to go Indie. In Holly’s spare time she loves spending quality time with her family, camping with hubby, seeing friends, listening to music, watching movies and travelling around England visiting the beautiful countryside.

Writing is where Holly’s heart is…

Where to find Holly:

Facebook

Adult Romance Blog

Twitter

Google+

Goodreads

Tsu

Thank You

May 31, 2016 by Tina Williams

Release Blitz ~ Hold You Against Me, by Skye Warren (plus excerpt and $50 gift card giveaway)

Discover the dark contemporary romance of the summer from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren. HOLD YOU AGAINST ME is a brand new standalone romance that you can’t miss!

“Hold You Against Me quite literally grabs a hold and refuses to let go until the end. Truly one of the first Mafia books I’ve read that sucked me in with a completely original and brilliant storyline that had me guessing the entire time!” – #1 NYT Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken

Book Blurb

Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier…

This fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending.

My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we’ve lived in relative hiding ever since. I’m safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine.

Except there’s a chance that he’s still alive. And he’s fighting a war.

Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn’t the boy I left behind. He’s a violent man. A criminal. And he’s been waiting for me—the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love.

“Suspenseful and sexy, Hold You Against Me will leave you gasping for breath and wanting more. Skye Warren is the queen of dark reads and she comes through once again with Hold You Against Me. An absolute must read.” – USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Shea

Kindle ➝ http://amzn.to/1qSrcBW

iBooks ➝ http://apple.co/1Xqwtxl

Nook ➝ http://bit.ly/1X1eWNT

Google ➝ http://bit.ly/1TI8wT4

Kobo ➝ http://bit.ly/1TNyvXj

Print: http://amzn.to/22sZQjL

Excerpt from Hold You Against Me by Skye Warren

Something moves me gently, constant and rhythmic like waves. I’m warm. There’s something soft curling around my arms, wrapped inside my fists. Padding beneath my cheek that smells like home.

An unnatural darkness weighs down on me, keeping me from waking up—a demon’s whisper in my ear. You’re warm, you’re safe. Sleep.

But something is wrong.

I remember falling asleep, so suddenly, remember drinking water that I hadn’t filled. And I remember the phone call from Amy telling me that Giovanni’s alive. Impossible.

Awareness pricks my skin like a cold breeze. Wherever I am, I’m not alone.

I blink rapidly, forcing my eyes open. They adjust to the darkness quickly, taking in the tinted windows on either side and the wide leather bench curving beneath me. I’m in a car. A limo, to be exact. And it’s moving.

On the opposite side of the long space, a large body reclines. I can see the wide stance of his legs, the pale white of his shirt. A suit jacket tossed beside his hip. His face is hidden in the shadows of the vehicle.

I was raised by the head of the Las Vegas mafia, the capo. I grew up around guns and violence, so I know when a man is armed. It’s the way he holds himself, the warning shimmering around him like a dark halo.

This man is armed and extremely dangerous.

Every muscle in my body tenses. My mind still swims in thick water, because I must have been drugged. He drugged me, this faceless man. Why did he take me? It won’t be anything good, that’s for sure.

Even worse, I suspect this has something to do with my past, with my family. It’s messed up that I’d rather be taken by some random psycho. But at least then I’d have a chance of getting away.

“Who are you?” I demand, my voice hoarse from whatever drugs they gave me.

There’s a long pause, the weight of his regard as heavy as a finger trailing down my neck.

“Have I really changed that much, bella, that you don’t recognize me?”

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March 24, 2016 by Caroline Barker

Release Blitz & Review Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy (The Debt & the Doormat #3) by Laura Barnard

Release Blitz

Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy

Release date: 23rd March

Hosted by Two Ordinary Girls and their Books

What is it about turning thirty that sends rational women into a tailspin?

Suddenly going from having all the time in the world, to cringing at the ticking of her biological clock, Poppy is drowning under the strain of trying to get pregnant.

With a dad in the throes of a mid-life crisis, a crazy mother-in-law and time racing towards Lilly’s wedding, will she be able to cope with it all…and give Ryan the baby they so desperately want?

Finally able to inherit her dad’s porn money, Jazz can’t wait to be rich! She can buy a house in Chelsea, go out partying with her old mates and start living how she deserves.

But with Ollie, Jemima and Meryl each clawing at their own little piece of her happiness, will she have to leave behind those closest to her in exchange for it?

The real question is, can Poppy and Jazz rescue their own lives before everything gets ruined, or will their own stubbornness destroy the lives they’ve created?

Author info

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or ‘chick lit’ as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She’s a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

http://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks

https://twitter.com/BarnardLaura

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490836.Laura_Barnard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links

UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CO08HW6
US – http://amzn.com/B01CO08HW6

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

A few pages into chapter 1 and I find that I have laughed out loud at least three times already! Yes, I LOVE Laura Barnard‘s humour, and her Debt & the Doormat series is the best. The story opens with Christmas day at Poppy’s parents house; it’s a large family get together where her mum, Meryl, is already sloshed at 11am! Poppy’s mum is hilarious – cringeworthy, but hilarious. It’s a great opening from the onset.

The Debt & the Doormat series continues in a fun and natural way as we meet our favourite characters a little further on in their lives; Poppy is now married to Ryan and trying desperately for a baby, whilst Jazz is living with Ollie at his and Poppy’s parent’s house with their little Jemima. Whilst the pressure is on for Poppy, with no sign of a baby, the story is set up for some embarrassing doctors visits, all the while she is trying to keep it a secret from her family, which proves difficult when it’s rubbed in their face when super-bitch, sorry, sister-in-law, Grace is pregnant. Oh… and Ryan’s ex, Nicole! And, then there is Jazz, Poppy’s BFF, who inherits her father’s money of £20 million. Yes, £20 million!!! Of course, Jazz can throw her money around, party, go crazy, but will it be at the expense of her loved ones? It’s a great read for fans of the series to continue reading the antics of this crazy bunch, but it also can be read as a stand-alone for new fans.

With so many characters in the series, it amazes me how I remember them all, but they all have their own traits, and the storyline incorporates them all so well, with many sub-story lines happening with each of them. The art of Laura Barnard‘s writing lies where she draws all of these stories together; they generally connect with either Poppy, the ‘doormat’, taking pity on them and helping as many people out as possible, despite her own stresses, or with Jazz acting selfishly and pushing people away, with a lack of consideration of their feelings.

Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy is a wild, fast-paced ride with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing the outcome at every turn. It is the height of chick-lit fun, and I have always placed it next to Bridget Jones and Miranda. Therefore, if you are fans of these, you will also LOVE this series.

Aside from the chaos and the characters, another aspect I love about Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy is just how contemporary it is, e.g. there are references to how schools treat kids, and a fun mention of The Walking Dead! There are also some new characters to welcome; one being Aunt Beryl’s new fellow, Simon, who will leave you in stitches, and then there’s Rupert who is only briefly mentioned but I wouldn’t mind hearing more from him! This really is a gem of a series and shouldn’t be missed!

A copy of Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

The series also includes The Debt & the Doormat and it’s sequel, The Baby and the Bride. Both books have been reviewed on this blog, and both received a brilliant 5* from us on Goodreads and Amazon! The Debt & the Doormat was one of my Top Reads of 2013! Check our reviews by clicking on the links below:-

The Debt & the Doormat

This first book is FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US. Go grab a copy now!

The Baby & the Bride (incl. interview with Laura Barnard)

You can find The Baby & the Bride on Amazon UK and Amazon US for a small price.

You an also check out her subsequent releases, Tequila & Tea Bags, Dopey Women, and the festive short read, Sex, Snow & Mistletoe.

Tequila & Tea Bags

This stand-alone is available at AMAZON UK and AMAZON US for a small price.

Dopey Women

Available at Amazon UK and Amazon US

Sex, Snow & Mistletoe

Festive short available at Amazon UK and Amazon US

March 22, 2016 by Caroline Barker

#FREE until Friday The Unfinished Tale of Sophie Anderson by Martyn J. Pass

From the author of the post-apocalyptic fantasies ‘The Wolf and the Bear’ and Haggart’s Dawn, comes a new romantic read with The Unfinished Tale of Sophie Anderson. Released on March 17th, this fresh read is FREE until Friday, and has been added to my reading list for the near future.

Title: The Unfinished Tale of Sophie Anderson

Author: Martyn J. Pass

Genre: Romance

Release date: March 17, 2016

Length: 133 pages

Blurb: Welding, a Jack Reacher novel and a night in with a bottle of red wine seems to be as exciting as Sophie Anderson’s life gets.
That is until a stint of on-site work brings Tom into her life. He’s been her foreman for years now but when they’re forced to work together for the first time, Sophie begins to see that happiness might have finally taken a chance on her and that the often overlooked manager might just be the man of her dreams.

But Mel, her best friend and flat mate, has a harrowing past that returns with devastating results and Sophie is forced to wonder whether happiness is real or just a fairy tale told to hide the bars and walls of a man-made prison.

Love, heat and passion are as much a part of Sophie’s tale as the grief and suffering which follows her every step. Expect to find her unfinished tale a real and painful journey into the life of someone who might be working a cubicle down from you or in the welding bay on the other side of the workshop.

BUY LINKS:-

AMAZON UK

AMAZON US

Prices are subject to change after Friday, so please order before then for your FREE COPY.

You can find out more about Haggart’s Dawn (with an excerpt), Martyn J. Pass and The Wolf and the Bear by following this link.

February 8, 2016 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Antihero (Imperfect Heroes prequel) by C.J. Pinard (novella, part of the Sexy Bastards Anthology by a collection of authors)

SEXY BASTARDS ANTHOLOGY

Bad Boy, Biker, Alpha, Motorcycle Club, Contemporary Romance Collection

Available February 8th, 2016!!!

Featuring New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors. 12 top selling authors bring you 12 never-before-published Hot and Steamy Romance stories

Christine Bell – SWITCHBLADE
Michael Blade has always thought of Kaitlin Pepper as the irritatingly prissy girl next door, but when she mistakes him for his twin and shows up at his house wearing only a trench coat and a shaky smile, he starts to reconsider…

Bella Wild – BAD BOY BIKER
Jessie used to think being a parolee psychologist was her way of helping ex-cons get a second chance as they integrated back into society–until she met Jace. He’s the angry, inked, biker ex-con who refuses rehabilitation and insists on getting under her skin.

Sierra Rose – FORBIDDEN
This is the fu—- up version of Romeo and Juliet MC Club style…imagine Juliet a pistol, and Romeo a sexy, bad ass with wicked tats….oh, did I mention there’s lots of cursing, leather-clad bikers, motorcycles, and sex?

Lexy Timms – BILLIONAIRE BIKER
Katie’s not your usual rich girl, and Morgan’s not your typical biker. Falling for each other is inevitable, but what will happen when their worlds collide?

Dale Mayer – SALVATION
Beaten. Broken. Finished.
An abused wife meets the most unlikeliest of angels – a man who looks like the very devil himself. He won’t let her give up. Nor will he let her go. Will he be yet another captor or will he become her salvation?

Lisa Ladew – THE BIKER’S SECRET TORMENT
He’d loved her for as long as he could remember, but he would never pursue her, because he alone knew he was responsible for the one thing she would never forgive anyone for. When she starts to pursue him though, he doesn’t think he can keep his distance.

Cassie Alexandra – TAMING THE BIKER
After a short fling with hell-raising womanizer, Taylor (Tail) Adams, Lauren Macey discovers that she’s pregnant with the biker’s child. Knowing that the MC lifestyle isn’t what she wants for their baby, and that Tail isn’t exactly ‘father’ material, Lauren decides not to tell him. This proves challenging, especially when she realizes that he isn’t ready to end their affair…

Tasha Lyons – BIKER BLUES BABY
Morgan and Jazz have dealt with most of the horrific problems that plagued their fledging relationship, at least they hope so. But just as one horrific set of troubles falls away, another interesting one comes into play. Will they survive this one too?

C.J. Pinard – ANTIHERO
Can a street punk on the wrong path be transformed into a Special Forces killing machine? Once he’s been “rehabilitated”, Ellis Anderson is determined to show the woman he loves that he’s nothing like both the lives he’s left behind. But actions speak louder than words – and he has a lot of work ahead of him.

C.C. Cartwright – JUST LOVE ME
Justin can’t get Sloane out of his head. He pushes her away for being his little sister’s best friend, but now that she’s filled out in all the right places, will he be able to resist the innocent, yet enticing woman she has become?

Bella Love-Wins – DOG
Kane is now top dog in the Rugged Angels MC, and has slept with half the eligible biker chicks in Tucson. He meets his match when Kim, daughter of his club’s former president, just won’t give in to his usual tricks.

Kylie Walker – INDECENT DESIRES
District Attorney Eric Steel is used to getting his way, and when he meets the new intern hired for his team, he wants her: preferably stripped down and bound to his bed. From the moment Crystal Reid first obediently whispers “Yes, Mr. Steel,” he knows she’s perfect for him. He has less than 1 week to convince her…and he doesn’t plan on taking no for an answer.

Kendra Wild – BADASS
The company recruited Nick Taylor from the US Army Special Forces and turned him into a mean machine. His first undercover assignment – to pursue and protect Nicole Hunt.

Antihero by C.J. Pinard – REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

As a fan of C.J. Pinard‘s work I have enjoyed every book, and feel that this author comes back stronger and stronger with each new story. If you enjoyed the previous military romance series, Duty & Desire, you will absolutely LOVE Antihero.

Ellis Anderson is given an ultimatum in his young life after being caught doing wrong with a bad crowd. His choice could define exactly what sort of a man he will become. Yet, from one troublesome background to one of violence and terror in the military, Ellis is finding it a little difficult to settle into a civilian lifestyle.

When he first sets eyes on Talia he knows he wants her. But after a couple of dates, he finds himself in a rut of only seeing her during the evenings, sharing in some mad, hot passionate sex, and then leaving before she wakes. Is this really how it will be? Is this their relationship? She never lets on if she does want any more than this. Could he even give her more?

“I wanted to “wine and dine” her. I wanted to show her off to the world and let her meet my mom and new stepdad. But I didn’t know how to broach that conversation. I didn’t know how to do anything but strip her bare and love her with my body and feel her body loving mine back. I always wished that would be enough, but with what little I knew about women, I just knew it wouldn’t and couldn’t be.”

In Antihero, the reader gets to hear both sides of the story; we read Ellis’s thoughts about his current predicament with Talia, his powerful feelings towards her, as well as his concerns regarding his troubled past and how it affects him now. He tends to doubt himself; wondering if he’ll ever be able to provide for Talia and her needs. Is deep, hot passion all he can offer?

Meanwhile, Talia struggles with fitting in her studies after a long day at work, especially as Ellis is quite demanding of her time. And yet, he doesn’t do the whole boyfriend/girlfriend routine; they don’t go anywhere together, and he obviously has some issues. But then again, she has some too. Maybe she should try and break free of him. They’re just no good for each other. But, he’s just so god damn sexy she can’t say no!

Talia: “I’m a weak addict and he was my fix.”

Contemporary and military romance readers will find Antihero sweet, sexy, hot and fun, as well as having a serious undercurrent with two well-developed characters. I didn’t want to put this book down, and it has left me wanting more! Being a short read it can easily be read in a day or two. It provides a great escapism as you find both characters in your head and don’t want to let them go.

Will Talia decide to say ‘no’ once and for all? Or, will Ellis tackle his inner demons and show her how he really feels? Will it be too much for them both if his past raises it’s ugly head?

The Antihero novella was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest opinion.

The Sexy Bastards Anthology is available on Amazon US and Amazon UK from February 8th!

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

You can catch up with C.J. Pinard’s books with our review list below:

Contemporary Military Romance

Patriotic Duty (Duty & Desire, Book 1)

Tour of Duty (Duty & Desire, Book 2)

Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) (Duty & Desire #3)

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4)

Paranormal

Enchanted Immortals (Enchanted Immortals Book 1)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vortex (Enchanted Immortals Book 2)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vampyre (Enchanted Immortals Book 3)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vixen (Enchanted Immortals Book 4)

BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (an Enchanted Immortals novella)

Unscathed (written with Tim O’Rourke)

Soul Rebel (Rebel Riders #1)

Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2)

Soul Release (Rebel Riders #3)

Lotus (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part I

Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II

October 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Book Blitz The Grand Dissolute by Joel Van Valin

Title: The Grand Dissolute

Author: Joel Van Valin

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy/Time Travel Romance

Release date: October 1st, 2015

Released by: 5 Prince Publishing

Length: 271 pages

Blurb: The year is 1998 and Jimmy Pagley is falling in love—with a pretty, foreign cafe waitress named Haydee. What he doesn’t know is that Haydee is a temvelar, a time traveler from the 29th century, on a mission to find her old mentor. Soon Jimmy and Haydee find themselves caught up in a dark conspiracy of rogue temvelars and government agents, on a search that leads through airports and space stations, art museums and suburban bakyards, Greek temples and Medieval castles, and beyond time itself. The Grand Dissolute is a traveler’s portrait of a tumultuous, romantic age—our own.

Author Bio

Joel Van Valin is the author of the fantasy novel, The Flower of Clear Burning and the publisher of Whistling Shade literary journal. He lives with his wife Lisa, a veterinarian, in St. Paul.

http://www.amazon.com/author/joelvanvalin

Author Page on Publisher site: http://www.5princebooks.com/joelvanvalin.html

Author Website: http://www.whistlingshade.com/joel.html

August 11, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release tour w/Review Dopey Women by Laura Barnard

We have followed Laura Barnard from the very beginning, from The Debt & the Doormat/The Baby & the Bride to Tequila & Tea Bags. We are absolutely delighted to be taking part in this super blog tour to celebrate the release of her latest contemporary romantic comedy/chick-lit, DOPEY WOMEN! Please keep reading for our full review, and for a chance to enter a great giveaway!! 🙂

“I’ve flipped the crazy switch and there’s no going back.”

Title: Dopey Women

Author: Laura Barnard

Genre: Romantic comedy, chick-lit, contemporary

Release date: August 12th, 2015

Length: 453 pages

Blurb: Sadie had a bumpy upbringing but she’s still managed to drag herself out and carve a career for herself. That all comes crashing down when she, along with the women she manages; Mags, Lexi & Steph, get made redundant. She’s screwed. In hindsight she shouldn’t have attacked her colleague in a moment of rage. There goes the reference.

When they all bump into each other a few months later at the job centre Sadie finds she’s not the only one in a hole. Steph’s boyfriend has left her holding the baby, Lexi’s stuck in an abusive relationship and poor Mags has breast cancer. They’re all struggling to keep on top of their bills. They all need money to get out of their situations, its as simple as that.

Mags mentions that some women find marijuana helps ease the sickness caused by chemo. With the desperation mounting and the coffee spurring them on they somehow decide to start growing it. They’re only going to sell to ladies going through chemo, so its not too bad, right? They’re not going to be proper drug dealers. And its only temporary.

They didn’t bet on the business taking off so well though. Before they know it they’ve got orders coming out of their ears, a sexy detective on their trail, suspicious neighbours and drug dealers angry they’re working on their patch.

Can Sadie pull them out of this dangerous world they’ve found themselves in? And can she do it before they end up in prison?

REVIEW

Laura Barnard has nailed it again! Not only has she created several well-developed characters, a romance embedded in a super plotline, she also has the gift of humour! In every single one of her books, thus far, I have been in stitches, and never without a smile on my face, and Dopey Women is no exception! Dopey Women is full of ‘sexcapades’, adventure and suspense that will keep you glued to the very end.

Written in first person from Sadie’s point of view, the reader follows her character as we realise she hasn’t had a great life, despite what her colleagues think of her initially. She has came from a shady background, has experienced foster homes and homelessness. She has built herself up to management level, and for what? Just to be made redundant, leaving her barely able to pay her mortgage, not to mention her car and credit cards!!

“I’ve flipped the crazy switch and there’s no going back.”

After meeting up with her colleagues some time later, she begins to realise that none of them have had it too good either: Lexi is living with an abusive boyfriend, Steph has become a single mum since her man left, and poor Mags has recently lost her husband and is now suffering from breast cancer. And, none of them have been able to find work.

After spending time with Mags during her chemo sessions, Mags mentions to Sadie about wanting to try marijuana, hoping that it could help ease the pain. Sufferers like Mags are in a vulnerable position, not necessarily having a clue how to go about these things, or who to ask, and therefore Sadie has a lightbulb moment that between the four of them they could grow and sell their own weed. I mean, of course, with any luck it would take off and they could all be receiving a little profit to help with those bills!!

This is where the fun really starts. Believing that a sex shop sells Marijuana plant seeds, all four women decide to check it out. The scenes that take place in the store are hilarious, with Mags, Steph and Lex checking out the stock and playing with certain toys, while Sadie is trying to buy the seeds. With one member of the team having an orgasmic ‘seizure’ and someone later getting beaten with a dildo you will certainly be crying with laughter.

Before she knows it, Sadie has an unexpected visitor in Detective Harry McKenzie. He is investigating new reports that a new drug dealer is in town. Sadie is a suspect, but when they encounter each other they find a little more than what they were expecting. Arrogant, rugged and muscly Harry is taken in by this unlikely suspect. And she in turn finds herself thinking about him. But, she can’t get close to him with her being a suspect. Surely he’s trying to get close to get her to confess? Maybe she should get close to him to find out what he knows? These thoughts constantly go through Sadie’s mind. He’s so god damn sexy though and she just can’t stop thinking about what she desires him to do to her.

“… This will make him think I’ve been dreaming about him. When I have. A normal person wouldn’t have replayed the coffee shop in their head fifteen times, each time ending with us naked and covered in coffee beans. But I never claim to be normal…

… He knows my name. It sounds so sexy on his lips. He must have tracked me down. It seems I’m not the only one fantasizing about coffee beans.”

The author has done a great job in telling parts of the story from Harry’s perspective too in opening up the reader to Harry’s diary. Sadie is a suspect, but he finds her so hot that he just can’t stop having the most savage thoughts. He wants her, and just maybe then she’ll open up about the drugs too.

Not only has Sadie got Harry to worry about, but it also isn’t too long before the already established drug dealer of the area begins to threaten her when they realise that she is dealing on their patch. These moments are intense and suspenseful at times as the reader awaits what will become of Sadie and just how far these threats will go. Especially when Sadie and her friends think up incredible ways to encourage the drug dealer to back off.

I found Dopey Women slightly darker than Laura’s other stories possibly because of the criminal element and the hot, hot sex. However, this did not affect just how funny the author’s work is. Dopey Women is a bizarre combination of Breaking Bad (tv black comedy drama) meets Miranda (tv sitcom), with a dash of Bridget Jones (I have actually likened Laura’s work to the latter two in previous reviews). I mean, imagine Miranda and her friends setting up a drug business, to help people and pay their bills, but then they get caught up with a hot detective on their trail who ultimately himself gets caught up in erotic thoughts and dealings with one of his suspects, while they also have an enraged, aggressive drug dealer out to stop them at the same time! The girls’ methods of dealing with the fiasco, particularly Sadie’s, are outrageous, quirky and usually wind them up in further trouble…

…which is just what you should expect when reading a Laura Barnard book!

Enjoy!

An ARC of Dopey Women was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Dopey Women is available at AMAZON UK and AMAZON US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Laura previous work includes The Debt & the Doormat, it’s sequel The Baby and the Bride and stand-alone Tequila & Tea Bags. All books have been reviewed on this blog, and all have received a brilliant 5* from us on Goodreads and Amazon! The Debt & the Doormat was one of my Top Reads of 2013! Check our reviews by clicking on the links below:-

The Debt & the Doormat

This first book is FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US. Go grab a copy now!

The Baby & the Bride (incl. interview with Laura Barnard)

You can also find The Baby & the Bride on Amazon UK and Amazon US for a small price.