Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Book Review: Beyond the Thistles

Title - Beyond the Thistles  
Author - Samantha Young  
Genre - Contemporary, Romantic Suspense 
Series - The Highland Series #1
Format - Ebook Kindle Unlimited  
Published - May 1st 2023 
Buy it on (Amazon
Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

He's a brooding bodyguard. She's a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can't hide from their fierce attraction...


It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.


Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.


However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.


Review 

Sloan never expected her life to take spiral in this direction but she finds herself a single mother living in Scotland after fleeing half way around the world from her ex. She's done everything she can to survive and life is simple in the small village. Almost everything as she's been crushing on the broody security guard Walker who doesn't even act like he sees her. What happens when her past comes back to get her and she finds herself in Walkers arms. 

First off can we take a moment to admire just how beautiful the cover is! I love Sloan she's smart bakes and willing to do anything for her daughter even moving around the world to start a new life. I just loved Sloan she just such a sweetheart and I just adore her character so much. Walker is just the perfect swoon worthy hero. I love that we get a dual POV so I was able to really connect with Walker as well. I love the chemistry between the two it's steamy. 

Beyond the Thistles is a fast paced action packed steamy romance that captures the heart as well as well as my imagination. I ended up devouring it in just 2 reading session and if real life hadn't gotten in the way I would have finished it in one. I loved Beyond the Thistles it's beautifully written emotional story that had me crying tears for the pasts that shaped the characters into who they are. 

I'm a huge fan of Samantha Young and have been reading her books since the beginning. She blew this one out of the park! The characters are lovely I connected with them both and the story is a perfect balance of plot and steamy. I hate to admit that it may have knocked On Dublin Street as my favorite of her books. I so in love with her style of storytelling every book I've read is amazing. I can't wait to start the next one in this series because I know it's going to be wonderful. Beyond the Thistles is in my top 10 for 2023. Highly recommend for all fans of romance. 

Waiting on Wednesday


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by 
 
Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

This has always been my favorite weekly because it allows me to seek out new books coming in the future. 
Decided this week to spotlight upcoming Dark Romance 

Filth: A Dark Romance Standalone by Torri Heat - Expected Publication Dec 21st 2023 @Torriheat


Infatuation: A Slow Burn Dark Mafia Romance by Jane Henry - Expected Publication Nov 30th 2023 @janehenryauthor


Ruin My Life: A Dark Mafia Reverse Harem by Luna Pierce - Expected Publication Dec 15th 2023 @lunapierceauthor


Little Mouse: Dark Mafia Romance by Emily Rose - Expected Publication Dec 8th 2023 @emily.rose.author


The Kingpin: A Dark Mafia Romance by Piper Stone - Expected Publication Dec 8th 2023 @authorpiperstone


Bloody, Broken Fate: A Dark Vampire Romance by Hazel Jonas - Expected Publication Dec 13th 2023 


Carved in Scars: A Dark High School Bully Romance by Elle Mitchell - Expected Publication Jan 8th 2024  @ellemitchellbooks


Godless Creatures: A Dark Romance by V Brown - Expected Publication Jan 31st 2024  @vbrown.author


Skin of a Sinner: A Dark Childhood Best Friends  Romance by Avian St. Graves - Expected Publication Dec 12th 2023


Blood & Steel: A Dark Fantasy Romance by Shana J. Caldwell - Expected Publication Jan 8th 2024  @shanajcaldwellbooks



What's are you waiting on? 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Teaser Tuesday: Beyond the Thistles

 

It's Teaser Tuesday time! 

New week all new books. I'm currently reading the new series by Samantha Young and really enjoying it. 
Beyond the Thistles 
by Samantha Young 
Published May 2nd 2023
Contemporary Romance 

Teaser 

"Do you want a coffee." I asked quietly.

"I don't drink coffee after noon," he shared, turning to look at me. "I drink tea."

That little slice of information mad me smile, despite the circumstances."Would you like tea?"

"I'll make it. You Sit." 


Synopsis

He's a brooding bodyguard. She's a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can't hide from their fierce attraction...


It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.



Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.


However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.


What are you currently reading? 


Happy Release Day! Book Review: Reserved

Title - Reserved 
Author - Ashley Jacobs & S.S. Rich 
Genre - Contemporary, Grumpy/Sunshine, HEA, Insta-love 
Series - South Bay Billionaires Book 2 
Format - Kindle Review Copy 
Published - November 28th 2023
Buy it on (Amazon
Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

Reserved is a spicy contemporary age-gap romance about a perky entrepreneur and the brooding billionaire who always gets what he wants–and he has his sights set on her.

  • Grumpy/sunshine
  • He falls first
  • Insta-love

  • Opposites attract
  • Possessive MMC
  • Guaranteed HEA

Cami

In the Bay, Van Costa is synonymous with ruthless. Broody and stoic with a side of tall, dark, and fucking gorgeous, he's a savvy, successful businessman who never loses focus. So imagine my surprise when the indomitable Van Costa relentlessly pursued me after a single meeting, then fell to his knees for me the first chance he got. And he's been doing his damnedest to convince me I'm his ever since. But I have reservations–I've been used before, taken advantage of by someone I thought loved me to my core. How do I know Van won't do the same?


Van

I had built my career with a single-minded focus–for myself, my business partner, and my family. But the day she waltzed into my office with her lunch trolley and a smile that lit the room, she became all I could see. Now, I'm focused on how to prove I'm worthy of a permanent role in her life and in her bed. Camellia Maria Rivera is everything I never knew I needed and definitely don't deserve. But I'm determined to pursue her–without reservation.


Reserved is the second full-length standalone in the South Bay Billionaires series. This story features a sunshine female lead and a grumpy, alphahole billionaire who only melts for her. It's medium angst, high spice, with a guaranteed happily ever after. Recommended for 18+ only.


Review 

I received Reserved in return for an honest review from the authors. 

The moment Van see's Cami delivering lunch at his work he knows that she's the one it just took a little convincing to get her to give him a chance. However, over the next few days he wins her over launching them into a whirlwind romance that leaves Cami feeling abandoned when he's forced to head out of town all the sudden right after an encounter with his ex.

I just love Van he's kind of perfect in a older guy who knows what he wants and is willing to give it all up for the right girl. I adore Cami she's just a sweetheart who's working hard on her own business proving she can do it. They have this sweet and adorable connection that is sizzling as they strengthen the connection. I loved that we get to see Parker and LB from the first book as the characters are connected. 

Reserved is a steamy fast paced whirlwind romance that captures the heart as well as the imagination.  I love that I'm in the East Bay area and they went to visit Napa which is just down the highway from me. I absolutely loved the story for Van and Cami it captured my attention right from the start and I ended up devouring the book in just a few short hours. I couldn't put it down without seeing how the story would play out. 

 I loved Arrived so much but this one blew it out of the water. The characters are lovely and the story is just so perfect. I hate to admit it might be my favorite of the two as Cami and Van just stole my heart. I absolutely loved every moment of Reserved it's just a beautifully written story that stole my heart. I love the authors story telling they nailed it again with another fantastic billionaire romance. Highly recommend checking out the series it's one of my favorites. I can't wait for the next book to come out. 



RELEASE BLITZ - Surrender by Terri Anne Browning




Title: Surrender
Series: Angels Halo MC Next Generation #13
Author: Terri Anne Browning
Genre: MC/Mafia Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Age Gap/Dark Romance/Obsessive Stalker
Release Date: November 28, 2023

BLURB
All she wants is his surrender.

Samara

I’m more like my brother than anyone knows.
I knew who was meant to be mine as soon as I was old enough to understand what the definition of “want” was.
Some would say it is an obsession.
They may even whisper that I am…crazy.
But when I set my mind on something, I don’t stop until I have it.
And what I want is him.
Elias Reid.
No one knows how twisted my mind has turned for him.
How tangled up my heart has gotten over the older, sexy biker.
My plans are in place.
Every step precisely executed.
I have been playing the long game, and now, he is within my grasp.
The life we are meant to have together is so close.
I just need him to surrender to the inevitable.



PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU


ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES
Salvation (Book One) is FREE
for a limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU


AUTHOR BIO
Terri Anne Browning is a Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author. She writes contemporary romance featuring rockers, bikers, and mafiosos--but mostly about the strong female characters who rule what has become known as the Rocker Universe.

RELEASE BLITZ - Never Plan a Billionaire's Wedding by Julia Kent




Title: Never Plan a Billionaire's Wedding
Series: Whatever It Takes, Maine #1
Author: Julia Kent
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Tropes: Forbidden/Billionaire/Mistaken Identity
Second Chance Romance
Release Date: November 28, 2023

BLURB
Rule #1: Don’t fall in love with the groom

Stalker exes. Momzillas. Drunk uncles. Hurricanes. Jealous siblings. Paparazzi.

You name it, Kari Whitevelt has seen it all.

And that’s why brides and grooms hire her.

Because she makes it all go away.

Wedding Protectors, Inc., is here to make sure that special day stays special.

Whatever it takes.

No matter what.

But when her newest client turns out to be her own long-lost high school sweetheart, rising tech star billionaire Caleb Mikelmas, suddenly Kari’s not sure whether she’s protecting the wedding couple —

Or her own heart.

Tech billionaire Caleb never thought he had a chance, much less a second chance with his first love and high school sweetheart, Kari. When a case of mistaken identity turns their reunion into one big misunderstanding, unraveling his feelings about the one who got away while supporting his brother’s nuptials means facing old demons.

And kissing Kari.

He likes kissing Kari far more than that whole demon thing.

But if kisses were enough, Kari would already be his wife.

Maybe it’s time to revisit the past and right some wrongs.

One vow at a time.

Welcome to the Whatever It Takes series:

Every bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue -

But you know what brides don't need?

Complications.

Welcome to Wedding Protectors, Inc. Have a spritzer or a latte or some lovely Zen tea and sink into a comfortable chair in our sunlit offices as we listen to your wedding problem – and form the perfect solution to every possible contingency.

We plan for everything.

Except our own love lives.

But that's not your problem. ;)


PURCHASE LINKS


EXCERPT
Carolina was introducing him to his former fiancée.
Fine. Near fiancée. It had been a promise ring, not an engagement diamond, but still.
The run he'd just finished was apparently unnecessary from a cardio standpoint, since his heart was now racing, crashing into his ribs as if it were fleeing a crime scene. Not that he was the bad guy. But still.
Kari. No way.
It was his Kari. And okay, maybe she was never formally his fiancée, but until college and distance broke them up, they always planned on it. He’d given her a promise ring in high school, so that was close enough.
When Carolina had mentioned she was meeting two wedding professionals named Katie and Carrie, he'd heard it as the more familiar spelling. She'd never spelled it out, and she hadn't bothered to tell him Kari's last name.
“Caleb, have you swallowed your tongue along with your manners? Shake the poor woman's hand, for goodness sake!” Carolina crooned, giving him side-eye while managing a puzzled smile at Kari as the two stood awkwardly in front of each other, gaping.
Kari had changed in some ways, for sure, but it was her, alright. Her brown hair was a darker shade but still thick and shiny, framed in soft layers around her face, brushing the edges of straight, strong shoulders. He recognized those whiskey brown eyes, deceptively sleepy unless you knew her, knew that behind them, her brain was working constantly at warp speed.
She was taller now–or anyway, she didn’t wear four-inch heels back then–so instead of having to bend to kiss her lips, he could just dip his head.
If he wanted to kiss her.
If wanting to kiss her wasn’t the only thing he could think about.


COMING SOON

Releasing February 29
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU


AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).

She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, on Facebook at @jkentauthor, and on Instagram @jkentauthor. Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

AUTHOR LINKS

Monday, November 27, 2023

Book Review: Monstrous Heat

Title - Monstrous Heat 
Author - Joely Sue Burkhart 
Genre - Reverse Harem, Sci Fi, Aliens, Shapeshifters, Monster Romance
Series - Dynosauros #1 
Format - Kindle
Published - August 26th 2023
Buy it on (Amazon
Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

I’m lost in the jungle, and something is stalking me.


Discovering a Mayan ruin in the Guatemalan jungle should have catapulted my archeology career, but I’m lost hours from camp. Worse, something is stalking me. It’s not a jaguar. It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever seen before and wicked fast. I can’t outrun it. I don’t have any weapons.


When it catches me…


I can’t help but think I’ve fallen back through time to the Jurassic Period, because the creature looks like a T-rex and raptor had a very vicious baby. It’s hungry, too. Very hungry. Though it doesn’t hurt me. Yet.


Then a naked man comes to my rescue. Not sus at all.


Kroktl says his squad is on a top-secret mission to Earth, and his outrageous physique certainly fits the part of a lab-created super-soldier alien. Who coincidentally smells exactly like the dino-predator that chased me.


He claims that I can help him through the heat. By the burning way he looks at me, he doesn’t mean air temperature. In fact, I suspect that I’m next on the menu. After he plays with his food. He’s even calling his squad to come see what he caught.

I don’t think I’m getting out of the jungle alive.


This is Book 1 in the Wounded Hearts series. While it can be read as a standalone, your experience will be better if you read this book first.


Review 

I've had my eye on this one since it came out as I've always been dinosaur obsessed add in some aliens and it's a must read. I've been in my alien romance era and the Dynosauros are awesome they are shifters but with a dinosaur form but aliens who are genetically engineered as elite fighters. They are awesome and I loved getting to know Kroktl. Throw in that Natalie's a archeology student who happened to run into a dinosaur creature in the jungle. 

This is a fast paced whirlwind steamy monster romance.  It's an interesting twist on the alien concept, the idea of an alien race that comes from dinosaurs. I enjoyed really enjoyed the story it was a quick read I devoured it in just over a hour and have the rest of the series on my kindle ready to go. I can't wait to see how it all plays out as Natalie meets the rest of the squad. I'm on a monster romance kick and this one just hit the spot. Perfect for fans of alien romance with a twist.