Review – Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow @KayWidow

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

All I had to do was see the cover and title and I knew I had to read Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow. I love vampires, and the thought of a vampire baby made me very curious.

The book shifts between Julia and Laurent’s point of view.

“She is the girl I expect you to kill. She is the girl from the prophecy.”

We have an Oracle, a prophecy and danger in the form of the Solar Sisters, who are vampire hunters. Is she one of them? Is she just an innocent that literally stumbles into him?

The story unravels in a slow and steady way, picking up the action as we go along. I didn’t expect Bloody Billionaire’s baby by Kay Widow to be deep, dark and meaty, and I got what I expected, some steamy sex, some angst and some danger. All in all, an enjoyable glimpse into the world of vampires.

This was my first ‘taste’ of Kay Widow’s work and I would gladly read more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

I’m not the hero. I’m the rich villain…
But hiding my identity will save my vampire baby.

She speeds around the street corner, bleeding.

I nearly expose my fangs before she passes out in my arms.

Now that I’ve patched her at my nearby manor, she must leave…fast.

But she’s still recovering.

We butt heads constantly, and I try to keep a distance.

She can’t discover what I am.

Interacting with her is melting my cold heart, even with the walls I’ve put up.

I want to feel her heat against my skin.

One night of weakness, and now she’s carrying my vampire baby,

And she has no idea I’m prophecized to kill her.

  • List: Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
  • 186 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published May 13, 2023

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

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Review – Unearthing The Past by W L Brooks @pumpupyourbook #WLBrooks

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Not only did someone out there know her secret, but they’d dug it out of its grave, chopped it in pieces, and left it at her door.

They had stuck a note in his mouth warning her that her secrets would be revealed. Seems the whole town and everyone in it has a secret, especially the McKays. I have been loving the series and spending time with the family, so I anticipate trouble.

Casey, Alexandra and Fletcher were at the same orphanage and the McKays had adopted them at the same time. Charlie came along five years later and they immediately bonded. I love that they would hold meetings in the attic, deciding who they would let into their lives and what their actions would be when a problem arose. Even as adults, they hold their meetings, but now, they are learning to let others in. Casey is the oldest, Charlie the nicest, Alexandra the bitchiest and Fletcher the meanest. I have a weakness for Fletcher. I feel she is the most fragile, yet she can take down a man three times her size.

Mack is stealing the show. She is the two year old daughter of Charlie and cute as a button. I have become sappy and love when an author can bring a character to life with her writing and the dialogue is spot on, giving me plenty of smiles.

Charlie is usually too busy taking care of everyone else, to worry about her own life. Or, is it just deflection, so she doesn’t have to deal with her own issues….especially when she meets Craig. Mack falls in love with him and wants him for her daddy. Charlie is torn, her past making it hard to trust. The first man she gave her heart to broke it. Would she be able to open herself to him? How hard will he have to work to reach her?

“Like a missing ingredient?” A little dash of pepper was all you needed.

Mack gave Craig the nickname Pepper, because he smelled like it. Children and animals are a good judge of character, and Mack likes Craig, wants him for her daddy. Now, if she can just bring her mom around…

W L Brooks has brought just the right amount of danger, suspense, spice, and romance to the story. She makes it impossible to quit reading until the last page is read, which I did in one sitting. Her writing is easy to read, with the pacing flowing smoothly. I smiled, got a little ticked off at times, held my breath at times, and settled for an almost happy ever after. I guess we will have to see what happens in the next McKay adventure, Book IV, The Truth Behind The Mask.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Unearthing The Past Us by W L Brooks.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Charlie McKay couldn’t be happier with her life. Taking care of her daughter and everyone else around her is a labor of love. But the truth she’s buried lurks beneath the surface and letting the oh-so-tempting Craig Sutton into her world is the last thing she needs.
Purchasing the small-town bar is only one of the reasons Craig Sutton moved to Blue Creek. Despite having his own agenda, Craig is unable to resist getting involved with the McKays. And the closer he gets to Charlie, the more entangled he wants to become.
But secrets in this town run deep, and someone is dead set on exposing Charlie’s. She isn’t the only one with something to hide, and deception threatens their happily ever after. The danger increases, and Charlie must come to grips with the past that haunts her or lose everything.

  • 282 pages, Paperback
  • Published March 11, 2020 by The Wild Rose Press
  • Series McKay (#3)

ABOUT W L BROOKS (from her website)

W.L. Brooks was born with an active imagination.  When characters come into her mind, she has to give them a life- a chance to tell their stories. With a coffee cup in her hand and a cat by her side, she spends her days letting the ideas flow onto paper.  A voracious reader, she draws her inspiration from mystery, romance, suspense and a dash of the paranormal.

A native of Virginia Beach, she is currently living in Western North Carolina. Check out the latest book in her McKay Series, The Truth Behind the Mask, and stay tuned to see what’s next!

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MY W L BROOKS REVIEWS

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Giveaway – Broken Dreams by Abbie Roads @Abbie_Roads @xpressotours

Broken Dreams
Abbie Roads
(Beautiful Nightmare, #2)
Publication date: May 9th 2023
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance

A stalker. A killer. A v!rg!n hero who will sacrifice himself to save the woman he loves.

FBI Special Skills Consultant Lathan Montgomery has a genetic anomaly that he uses to solve cold cases, but it forces him to live in seclusion. When he saves a woman from a roadside attack, instead of her presence causing him to lose control, she soothes him. For the first time in his life, he experiences love.

But someone is watching them and planning to make them both suffer.

Broken Dreams is the second book in Abbie Roads’ Beautiful Nightmare Series of dark romantic thrillers. It features a v!rg!n hero who never thought he’d find love. If you devour true crime and romance novels then you’ll love a series that combines both in a roller-coaster ride of danger, mind games, and swoon worthy love.

Buy this dangerously dark romance today!

Trigger warning: Depictions of SA and violence.

Previously published under the title Hunt the Dawn

Goodreads / Amazon


EXCERPT

Psstt… Lathan is hearing impaired.

He opened the throttle on his Fat Bob and surged forward at a reckless speed, full concentration locked on navigating the twisting roads. Countryside blurred by him. Bad thoughts got left behind, replaced by the thrill.

A tow truck parked in the middle of the narrow pavement forced him to slow.

Vehicles rarely traveled this far out into the country. Probably horny teenagers, frantic for a place to screw, had broken down and needed a tow. He skirted the edge of the pavement and started to pass.

The lollipop-red Miata on the other side of the tow truck grabbed his attention for only a second, but the woman standing in front of the car, waving her shoes at him, completely captured him.

Her skyscraper legs ended in a pair of miniscule black shorts. The neckline of her shirt plunged to the valley between her breasts. And those shiny black shoes she gestured with were hooker-sexy in her hands—he didn’t dare imagine what they’d look like on her feet.

Pressure built inside his torso like a dangerous case of indigestion. The air flowing over his face stung like a charge of electric current. His grip on the handlebars faltered. The bike wobbled. He felt unsteady as a kid without training wheels.

When he drove by her, the pungent scent of garlic permeated the air. Fear. Fear always stunk.

Was she frightened of his appearance? Typical reaction. One he counted on to keep people away. He steadied the bike, and continued forward without increasing his speed.

Something was peculiar about her. Something felt peculiar within him.

He had to meet her.

He gripped the brake. Hard. His Fat Bob fishtailed around on the pavement. He turned the bike in a tight U-ey in the middle of the road and saw what scared her. A guy crouched in the ditch, nearly hidden by her car, creeping toward her as stealthy as a hawk stalking a rabbit.

“Behind you!” As he shouted the words—words he wasn’t certain she could hear over the roar of his bike—the guy sprang. Grabbed her arm. She whirled around, awkward in her movements, her limbs loose like a rag-doll ballerina. She pushed at the guy, tried to pull away from him, but the guy shook her, shoved her. She fell to the pavement, landed on her butt and elbows, shoes bucking from her hands. Pain hacked across her face.

Every muscle, every tendon, every cell inside Lathan clenched. Fury zipped along his neural pathways, then outward to his extremities. He shot forward on his Fat Bob, closing the distance between them in mere seconds. He didn’t even stop the bike, just dropped it and launched himself at the guy, tackling him, driving him back until the car stopped their momentum.

Underneath him, the guy’s muscles strained like a slingshot pulled back, ready to snap. Lathan tensed, bracing for the blow, the swing toward his ribs the only move open. “Go ahead. Try it.”

The guy punched. Lathan blocked, then mashed his fist into the guy’s ribs. Lathan stepped back, watched the guy fold over, clutching his side. A plug to the ribs hurt, but it wasn’t on the scale of a knockout. Someone who buckled from a simple rib shot probably only picked on women and the weak. When confronted with someone he couldn’t easily dominate, this guy wimped out.

Lathan turned to the woman sprawled on the road.

She didn’t quite wear the holy-crap expression he expected, but she gaped at him with wide doe eyes the color of the sky on a full-moon night. Flecks of gray twinkled in the irises. Her eyes drew him in, engulfing him in their depths. He swore he glimpsed a shard of heaven.

His heartbeat shifted to a lackadaisical rhythm. His breathing relaxed until the metallic mineral tang of blood mixed with the garlic of her fear. She was injured and still scared.

“Are you okay?” His gaze locked on her lips to read her words, but she didn’t speak. He’d read that telling a person your name put them at ease. “My name is Lathan.” He knelt next to her, careful to keep the guy in his peripheral vision, and held his gloved hand out to her.

She grabbed his hand with greedy strength. She sat up but didn’t release him. “I’m a funny.”

His eyes read her words, but his ears heard nonsense.

I’m a funny?  Did she hit her head? Or was he not reading the words right? V’s and f’s looked exactly same. Vunny? Avunny? Didn’t make sense.

The guy lurched to his feet, reached into his shirt pocket, and removed a yellow paper. Stitched across that pocket was the name Junior. Great. Somewhere out there was a Senior, who was probably just as big a jerk as his son.

“She’s none of…business.” Junior’s volume was loud enough Lathan heard the essentials. He rose to his full height. He had at least four inches and fifty pounds on Junior.

Still clutching his hand, the woman scrambled to her feet and hid behind him. He had a solid hunch that if she could, she’d open a door on his spine, crawl inside, and hide until Junior left.

“She’s standing with me, holding my hand. I’d say she’s my business.”

Author Bio:

Abbie Roads is the best-selling author of the Fatal Dreams Series and the Fatal Truth Series. Her novels have been finalists in many prestigious contests including The Golden Heart, The Greater Detroit Booksellers Best, The Oklahoma National Readers’ Choice Award, The Write Touch, The Strut Your Stuff Contest, The Aspen Gold Contest, The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, The Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award, The Midnight Sun, The Kathryn Hayes Contest, The Chanticleer, The Daphne du Maurier, The National Readers’ Choice Award, The New England Readers’ Choice Contest, The Beverly Award, and The Maggie Award. Her debut novel Race the Darkness was Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick for Fall and Never Let Me Fall is an Amazon Editor’s Pick.

By day Abbie Roads is a mental health counselor always focusing on the bright side. By night she writes on the dark side, putting her characters through the wringer before she gives them their happily-ever-after. She loves a good inspirational quote and is a fan of true crime.

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Giveaway – Some Day Soon by Anna Lindgren @XpressoTours

Some Day Soon
Anna Lindgren
Publication date: May 24th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Everyone wants something…

But why can’t I figure out what Noah James wants out of our relationship? His sister hates me hell, the whole town fears me, and if he knew what I’m capable of, he’d leave like everyone else.

I’ve terrorized the quaint town of Smugglers Cove, blazing a trail of self-destruction when anyone gets too close. So when Noah buys the cottage next door and finds out about my past, he creates a list of childish activities to complete together.

I try to keep him at arm’s length, but every-time I think I’ve scared him off, he’s back for more. He’s always there when I need him and even when I don’t.

One thing’s for certain, people like me don’t end up with Noah James.

***

Noah:

Samantha Simmons stole my heart the minute I saw her standing near the bar, in an off-white dress, at my little sister’s wedding. Everyone warned me about the infamous villain of Smugglers Cove, but I never thought it’d be impossible to stay away.

When I move in next door, she lets me in on some of her secrets and reveals a side of her few have uncovered. The more she lets me in, the more I want to defend her and prove there’s more to her than a bad reputation.

Each-time I think I’ve earned her trust, all hell breaks loose. She’s scared to let me in but I’ll wait until she sees,

She may be the villain in everyone’s story but I think she deserves a happily ever after.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Don’t do that,” I say. “Don’t shut me out.”

“Go away,” she warns.

“No,” I say. “Talk to me, Sammy.”

“I can’t!” she yells at me.

I step toward her, lowering my voice as emotion threatens to crack my voice. “I can’t help if you keep fucking pushing me away.”

“Stop it,” she spits the words.

“I’m not going to leave you,” I say, holding onto her hands before she rips them away. “Nothing you say to me, nothing you do is going to convince me you aren’t worth it.”

Her chest heaves as tears stream down her cheeks. Her lips are parted, ready to fight back, ready to tell me how wrong I am, how I won’t understand.

This moment is do or die, leave it all on the table.

I take another step toward her, and crush my lips against hers, showing her how I feel before I tell her.

“I love you,” I pant against her lips. “I think I’ve loved you since the first day I met you when you wore white to my sister’s fucking wedding.” I laugh. “I fucking love you, Sammy girl. Don’t push me away. You can shut the world out. Just leave me in this one with you.”

She leaves her forehead pressed against mine, our noses breathing in the smell of one another.

“I can’t,” she whimpers, swallowing down the building emotion. “I can’t love you, Noah. I can’t risk losing you.”

Her voice cracks with each word. My ears ring as though a bomb has detonated near us, and I guess, in some metaphorical sense, one has.

“You lose all the fucking time when you push everyone away,” I say, my voice cracking under the pressure of each word. “Isn’t it worth trying to stay for once? To work through it rather than shut me out?”

“I’ll never be what you need,” she says. “I’ll never be able to give myself to you completely, to trust you fully.”

“Bullshit,” I snap.

“It’s not bullshit. You made a mistake ever thinking you could change me.” She sighs before hammering the final nail in our coffin. Her eyes locked on mine full of honesty and meaning. “I was your biggest mistake. You’re just too stubborn to acknowledge it.”


Author Bio:

In the 3rd grade, Anna won a notable mention for her holiday story in her small hometown’s daily paper. Since then, no awards have been won but the writing has, fortunately (or not––depends on who you ask) continued. She is now the author of two small-town Alaskan romances with a third set to be released in 2022. Her stories feature tales of friendship, bouts of laughter, and lots of swoon-worthy moments. She shares stories of adventure, love, and loss all the while remaining true to the quirkiness of the loveable small town she grew up in.

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Giveaway – Atilla by Harley Wylde @XpressoTours

Atilla
Harley Wylde
(Savage Raptors MC, #2)
Publication date: May 26th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Solena — At the age of fifteen, my parents forced me to give my baby up for adoption. I never got to see his little face or hold him. All these years later, it still hurts — so much that one night I decide to dull the pain with alcohol and sex. There’s only one man I want, but the President of the Savage Raptors MC might be more than I can handle. I’ve had a crush on him for a while now. He says he can only offer one night. I want more. I want it all.

Atilla — Lost my woman seventeen years ago. Thought I’d lost my daughter too… until she showed up on my doorstep. Now I have a pregnant teen living with me, and a woman who wants more than I’m able to give her. Solena is far too young for me. Hell, she’s barely older than my daughter. So why is keeping my distance so damn difficult? Is it really okay to fall in love again?

WARNING: Atilla has a guaranteed happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. There are subjects some readers may find difficult to read. Recommended for readers 18+ due to adult content.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Solena

I didn’t know why I was here. This wasn’t my scene. The music was too loud, the women too wild, and the smoke nearly choked me. So why the hell hadn’t I turned around and gone home? The man at the end of the bar was the only reason I hadn’t run for the hills.

I’d seen him around town. In fact, he often came to the café where his daughter worked. The pregnant teen was working on her GED and waiting tables. I’d once been in her shoes, so I could sympathize. Except, I didn’t get to keep my baby. I’d been fifteen when my boyfriend didn’t take no for an answer. The result had been a little boy. One I’d never even gotten to hold. My parents had told the doctor to take him away before I even got a good look, and I had no idea where he was now.

I’d tried to find out, but I had had no luck. The place my parents supposedly used for the adoption had never existed. My stomach churned every time I thought about it. What had happened to my little boy? Was he okay? Did a loving family get him? Today he was especially on my mind, since it was his birthday. Which was the second reason I’d come here. I’d wanted a distraction so I wouldn’t think about him. Obviously, it wasn’t working.

I took a swallow of the cocktail I’d ordered and tried to get the courage to speak to the President of the Savage Raptors. He’d always seemed nice when he’d stopped by to visit Casey. We’d exchanged a few words here and there. Every time I got close to him, my heart raced, and I fought the urge to reach out my hand and touch him. Something about him called to me. I’d never been the type to go for bad boys or rough men. Atilla looked like both, and yet, I’d seen how gentle he was with Casey. Perhaps it was that side of him I yearned for.

More than once, I’d gone to sleep hugging my pillow, wondering what it would be like to have Atilla lying next to me. I didn’t know what I found so fascinating about him. I knew people would say he was too old for me. Their opinions didn’t matter. I’d never been so drawn to someone before, and I found him to be the sexiest man in town. Possibly in the entire world.

“You going to keep staring at him or go make a move?” someone asked from beside me. I startled and glanced in the man’s direction. Spade was on his leather cut, along with Vice President.

“Was I being that obvious?” I asked. Should I wipe my chin? Had I been drooling over the man? Wouldn’t be the first time. One of my co-workers once threw a napkin at me after Atilla left the café. I’d literally been salivating over him like a dog after a bone.

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure you’ve seen him wave off every woman who approached so far. I have a feeling he won’t turn you away. You’re different from the other women here. I can’t quite figure out why you came to a party at the clubhouse. You don’t seem like the sort to do this kind of thing.”

“I’m not. It’s my first time doing anything like this, and I’m extremely nervous.”

Spade smiled faintly. “You came for him, didn’t you?”

I nodded. I couldn’t deny it. The alcohol in my system hadn’t been enough to give me the courage to go up to him. I wasn’t sure anything could help me. What was I expecting from this, anyway? I wasn’t the one-night-stand type, and I didn’t think the man had come here to find a girlfriend. When I’d thought about getting a drink and possibly getting closer to Atilla, my brain hadn’t gone as far as the next step.

I yearned to speak with him. Get closer to him. If he kissed me, I might die from both pleasure and a shock to my system. In all this time, I’d never desired anyone. With Atilla, I found myself watching him whenever he was nearby, and wanting nothing more than to cuddle up to him. I couldn’t help but think if a man like him were part of my life, things would be different. It wouldn’t change my financial issues, but having someone to lean on, to give me their support and a little affection would have meant the world to me. Not just anyone… him. It had to be Atilla or no one.

Truth be told, I hadn’t slept with anyone since that one time. Then again, I didn’t consider what my boyfriend had done to me to be considered sex. He’d raped me. I knew it. He knew it. Everyone else thought I’d given consent, then changed my mind after the fact and made a fuss over nothing. Even my parents hadn’t believed me.

“Maybe I should just leave,” I said.

“Or you could follow me.” He snatched up my glass, and I hurried after him, keeping an eye on the open beverage. I knew nothing about these men, or what they were capable of. He wouldn’t put something in it, would he? I chased him down, only to come to a halt next to Atilla. Spade set my glass on the bar beside Atilla’s beer, then motioned to the empty stool. “Sit. Talk. But stop staring at him like a creeper.”

My cheeks warmed, and I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. Atilla’s lips kicked up on one corner and I saw the amusement in his eyes. I sat down and took another swallow of my drink. Then drained the glass. Atilla motioned to the guy behind the bar and before I knew it, I had a fresh drink sitting in front of me.

“You’re Solena, right?” he asked.

He remembered my name? It pleased me more than it should have. It wasn’t like he said I was special or anything. Just because he knew who I was didn’t mean anything. For all I knew, he remembered every person he ever met.

“Yeah. I work with Casey at the café.” Way to state the obvious, idiot.

“So, why did you come here?” Atilla asked.

“To see you.” I winced. I hadn’t meant to blurt it out. It seemed the alcohol was affecting me more than I’d realized.

“That right?” He grinned. “And what were you hoping to gain from it?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

He eyed me up and down. “Well, you’re showing off more than you usually do, but you’re still overdressed for a place like this.”

I looked around the room and noticed most of the women were naked already. And the things they were doing… I quickly turned my head. It felt like my face was on fire, and I knew I could never be like those women. Not that I condemned them for being so free. It just wasn’t something I could ever do. I had stretch marks from my pregnancy, and a little extra around the middle. I’d be too embarrassed to strip naked in front of everyone.

“Come on. I’m getting a fucking headache. Grab your drink.” Atilla stood, picking up his beer.

I picked my cocktail up and followed him toward the back of the building. He entered a door at the end of the hall and flipped on the lights. It looked like a boardroom. Well, a rustic version of one. The wood table looked sturdy. He pulled out one of the leather chairs and motioned for me to sit.

“Is it okay for me to set my glass down?” I asked.

He snorted. “Not going to hurt anything.”

With the door closed, it was far quieter than it had been in the main room. The fact we were alone made butterflies riot in my stomach. I didn’t know why he’d brought me in here. Did he expect something?

Author Bio:

Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil’s Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series.
When Harley’s writing, her motto is the hotter the better — off the charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place. She doesn’t shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.

The times Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more. She’s also fond of TV shows and movies from the 1980’s, as well as paranormal shows from the 1990’s to today, even though she’d much rather be reading or writing.

You can find out more about Harley or enter her monthly giveaway on her website. Be sure to join her newsletter while you’re there to learn more about discounts, signing events, and other goodies!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bookbub / TikTok


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Review – Honor ‘N’ Duty (Federal K9 #6) by Tee O’Fallon @TeeOFallon

.

I won a copy of Honor ‘N’ Duty by Tee O’Fallon and kept it on the top of my reading list.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am so excited to have won a copy of Honor ‘N’ Duty (Federal K9 #6) by Tee O’Fallon. It is the only book I have read in the series, but now I have my eye on her. I love romantic suspense and the characters quickly grew on me. After reading her impressive bio, I saw why she could write such a believable story with realistic characters. I think most of us know how dangerous and savage cartels can be, but would they kill a child to get what they want?

I was gripped from the meeting in the elevator. Do you believe in love at first sight? What if the woman is marrying your brother? Even though I knew MOST of what was to come, it didn’t stop me from rapidly flipping pages, having to know what comes next. Kade, hubba hubba. Laia, sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do, no explanations. At times Rosa and Smoke steal the stage. I mean, who doesn’t love pineapple pizza and whipped cream directly from the can.

I highly recommend the series and have my fingers crossed that more will come my way.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Two years after his brother’s murder in jail, Department of Homeland Security K-9 Officer Kade Sampson is still haunted by guilt. No man should ever have to arrest his own brother, even if he is laundering money for a drug cartel. Fortunately, Laia Velez—his brother’s gorgeous widow—never learned the truth about Kade’s involvement. But when she asks him for help, he knows that trouble with the cartel is far from over…

Kade is the last person Laia wants to call. But between her house being thoroughly trashed and the uneasy sense that she and her young daughter are being watched, Laia isn’t taking any chances. The cartel wants something from her. And Kade and his K-9 partner, Smoke, are her only chance to survive whatever fresh hell is coming their way…

Now Laia and Kade are trying to stay one step ahead in a game that’s growing more deadly by the minute. But what the cartel wants, the cartel gets. And Kade is running out of time to save the woman he loves from the same fate that killed his brother…

ABOUT TEE O’FALLON

Tee O’Fallon is the author of the K-9 Special Ops, Federal K-9, and NYPD Blue & Gold Series. Tee spent twenty-three years as a federal agent conducting complex, long- and short-term criminal investigations, including undercover operations, across many agencies at the federal level, and multi-state investigations as a police investigator. It felt only natural to combine her hands-on experience in the field with her love of romantic suspense. Tee has lived in New York State most of her life with a five-year stop in Colorado. When not writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine.

Be sure to follow Tee on BookBub for the latest on sales and new releases: https://bit.ly/BookBubTeeOFallon

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Tee loves hearing from readers and can be contacted via her website https://teeofallon.com.(less)

Giveaway – Of Light And Shadow by Tanaz Bhatherna @XpressoTours

Of Light and Shadow
Tanaz Bhathena
Publication date: May 23rd 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it.

Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala’s most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor’s atrocities and corruption. Roshan’s goal: to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.

Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan’s province, raising questions about its governor and Navin’s own family.

To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?

Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old question: can love conquer all?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT

The morning of the raid Sunheri hung full and brassy in the sky, dappling the black water with a trail of gold. The blue moon, Neel, was invisible and would remain so until the night of the moon festival next year—a small blessing as far as Roshan Chaya was concerned. The light of one moon was bad enough, two moons together would have likely given away her position by the riverbank, along with every other member of the Shadow Clan.

Her breath fogged the air before her; nights were chilly here in Jwala’s westernmost province, no matter the time of the year. But tonight, Roshan barely felt the cold. She watched the vessel emerge from the darkness, a large cargo dhow slowly making its way across the gleaming river, its sails rolled up. The carved figurehead of the fire goddess gleamed eerily on the bow, protective enchantments lending it a dull blue sheen.

Roshan whistled: a passable imitation of a bulbul in a tree. An owl hooted back perfectly: confirmation that Governor Yazad Aspa’s weekly shipment of grain was on its way to the capital city of Prabha. Smack-dab in the middle of the river.

Completely out of reach.

Another hoot followed and Chotu rose into the air, small and wingless, his slender form slowly blending in with the sky. He would soon be invisible to everyone, except for Roshan, who knew exactly where to look. If she didn’t love the little boy with her whole heart, Roshan would have been envious of Chotu’s gifts. Levitation was hard enough magic without adding a reflector spell to the mix. Now she watched him float toward the dhow, his body but a blur against a scene that would have appeared tranquil—if not for the bloated corpse of a ruddy shelduck floating in the water nearby, its sour, peaty odor lingering in the air.

Without thinking, Roshan reached up to touch the amulet between her collarbones. Made of firebloom wood, it was a perfect, flat square embossed with a tree, the remnant of parents she had never known. That is . . . if it had been her parents who’d gifted her the one object that best amplified her magic—before abandoning her as a newborn eighteen years ago.

Do not dwell on the past, bitiya, Baba had told her whenever she’d asked him questions about them. It is best left behind.

It had been difficult for Roshan to drink in her bitterness. To leave thoughts of her parents behind. But for Baba, she’d done her best. Baba, who’d called her his bitiya, even though he wasn’t her father. Baba, who took her in, taught her to pick locks without magic, to fight. To kill, if necessary—and only if necessary.

After Baba’s death a year ago, Roshan had had no choice but to kill. As Bandit Bhim Chaya’s adoptee and favored successor, she had known that someday she would have to prove herself, even fight for the clan’s leadership. She had not expected a battle to the death mere hours after Baba was killed. Roshan still remembered the way her hands had locked around her rival’s throat. How she’d blocked his arteries with a magic normally used to fix broken bones, smooth bruised skin, and knit torn flesh. The world classified life magic and death magic as two separate things—the first wielded by healers and the second by warriors. But healers like Roshan knew that those who breathed life into a body or extended it with magic could also take it away.

Last year was the only time Roshan had used her life magic against a member of the Shadow Clan—an act that had earned her its leadership and also cleaved it in two.

She could hear some of the bandits behind her now: viperous susurrations followed by loud giggles, an intentional violation of her order for silence on this raid. Roshan hadn’t taken the bait before. And she wouldn’t tonight.

“When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it,” she whispered.


Author Bio:

Tanaz Bhathena is an award-winning Zoroastrian author of contemporary and fantasy fiction. Her books include Of Light and Shadow, Hunted by the Sky which won the Ontario Library Association’s White Pine Award and the Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, and The Beauty of the Moment which won the Nautilus Award for Young Adult Fiction. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. Born in India and raised in Saudi Arabia and Canada, Tanaz lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with her family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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Review – The Rising by Kerry Peresta @kerryperesta @partnersincr1me

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

First off, don’t ya just love that cover? Sometimes I will grab a book for that reason alone, but not so in the case of The Rising by Kerry Peresta. I loved her first book in the series, The Deadening, so I quickly dove into The Rising, which is an appropriate title as Olivia Callhan makes the most of her chance to remake herself after being in a coma following an assault and subsequent amnesia.

“You should’ve returned my calls, you idiot. It didn’t have to end like this.”

A great start to The Rising by Kerry Peresta, and I was immediately caught up in the mystery. And, of course, Olivia Callahan is smack dab in the middle of it.

Monty, her ex husband, is in prison, but that doesn’t stop him from manipulating people and complicating her life. She talks herself into visiting him. She is surprised at his appearance, Schwartzenegger in a room full of Danny Devitos. Had me laughing out loud. Her hope was to be able to move forward, but she needed some answers from him first. He is slick and I would be careful of anything he says.

‘Sherry’ plays a bigger part in each story and I love that my namesake is turning into a kickass character.

Olivia had written a book about her experiences and regrets doing so. It puts her in the limelight, recognized everywhere she goes. Her agent is constantly harping on her to write another one, but she has no interest in doing so.

Her love interest, Hunter Faraday, is a very patient man. He will have to be if he wants a relationship with her. She still doesn’t know who she really is, though her personality is done a three hundred and sixty degree turn and I am loving the new her. She falters now and then, but that is to be expected. She is still trying to learn her past.

Her girlfriends stick by her, but Hannah is now on my shit list. Can she redeem herself?

Bells and clangs and alarms sounded in my mind like a fire truck screaming down the freeway.

Want a profound quote. The whole book had me feeling that way. Murder, bombs, revenge, and a new start for Olivia. She’s not happy with the police investigation, so she is starting one of her own.

I was so sad for Niles. Can someone be all bad? Do they deserve a second chance?

Well, The Rising by Kerry Peresta was a wild rollercoaster ride of mystery and emotion, and I expected no less after reading The Deadening. We have so much action and intrigue, I couldn’t stop reading, t times wanting to wring her neck and punch out some of the other characters. Other times, the characters rose to the occasion, making me glad to know she has people like that around her. I will immediately be cracking open The Torching. I guess we’ll be seeing a fire…maybe two…maybe more, going by the title?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Rising by Kerry Peresta.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

After an assault that landed her in a hospital as a Jane Doe two years earlier, Olivia Callahan has regained her speech, movement, and much of the memory she lost due to a traumatic brain injury. The media hype about the incident has faded away, and Olivia is ready to rebuild her life, but her therapist insists she must continue to look back in order to move forward. The only person that can help her recall specifics is her abusive ex-husband, Monty, who is in prison for murder. The thought of talking to Monty makes her skin crawl, but for her daughters’ sake and her own sanity, she must learn more about who she was before the attack. Just as the pieces of her life start falling into place, she stumbles across the still-warm body of an old friend who has been gruesomely murdered. Her dream of pursuing a peaceful existence is shattered when she learns the killer left evidence behind to implicate her in the murder. The only person that would want to sabotage her is Monty-but he’s in prison! Something sinister is going on, and Olivia is desperate to figure it out before another senseless murder is committed.

  • Fiction, Medical, Psychological, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

Published March 29, 2022 by Level Best Books

ABOUT KERRY PERESTA

Kerry Peresta’s publishing credits include a popular newspaper and e-zine humor column, “The Lighter Side,” and short stories in the published anthology, “That One Left Shoe,” and her first novel released in 2013 by Pen-L Publishing, “The Hunting,” contemporary women’s fiction. She spent twenty-five years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, and copywriter before deciding to devote more of her time to writing. She is currently working on her next novel, and the most current one, The Deadening, fiction, suspense; releases Feb. 23, 2021 and will be available for pre-order mid-January. Kerry has been published in several local magazines, including Local Life, Island Events, Bluffton Breeze, and Lady Lowcountry. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Island Writers Network of Hilton Head. She enjoys participating in writing conferences, and has served as chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association. Learn more about Kerry at www.kerryperesta.net, https://www.facebook.com/klperesta or https://www.instagram.com/kerryperesta

MY KERRY PERESTA REVIEWS

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Review & Giveaway – Shadow Wolf by Natascha Birovljev @ireadbooktours

Book Details:

Book Title:  Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  484 pages
Genre: Adventure 
Publisher:  North Raven Books 
Release date:  March 27, 2023
Content Rating: PG for romantic elements

MY REVIEW

It is wonderful to be back in Spruce View with characters I have come to know so well. Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains is the fourth book in the Rocky Mountain series. I have loved spending time with everyone, struggling through their issues ad the find their place in the world.

The Prologue shares a story of Two Wolves, loosely based on a Cherokee legend. I love that each book starts out with a different tribes legend. I love that we have an animal rescue center, and Kachina, a wolf pup is in dire need of their help.

We meet a new guy, Doug. All my spidey senses went on alert, but that could just be me. I am always looking around the corner for this or that bad thing or bad person to make an appearance.

I was able to spot some trouble coming and I had to know how everything would pan out. There is so much going on and so many new adventures for the characters, there was never a dull moment.

I have loved this series, reading one book right after the other. Natascha Birovljev is an amazing author, filling the book’s pages with vividly described environments, characters that had me laughing and even shedding a tear or two or three and mysteries to be solved. I feel like I have learned a lot about ranching and the Native culture.

Could there be more coming in the Rocky Mountain series? We could end here and I would be satisfied, but I would love to have more and keep up with the gang.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shadow Wolf by Natascha Birovljev.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Book Description:

What if the untamed wilderness held the key to unlocking the deepest desires of the heart?

In the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains, whispers of untold stories and hidden destinies come to life. Welcome to the world of The Shadow Wolf of the Rocky Mountains, the fourth installment in the gripping Willow Ranch series. Here, three humans and a she-wolf navigate a treacherous landscape of love, loss, and the unforgiving wilderness.

When fate intertwines the lives of Rosie, the resilient groom, Cody, the enigmatic cowboy, and Woodwind, the mystical Cree Indian, their fragile dreams and deepest fears are unearthed. At the heart of it all is the Willow Ranch, a place where passions ignite, and lives are forever altered. Can they trust the strength of their bond and the power of love to guide them through the storm?

In this haunting tale of self-discovery and the quest for redemption, each character is forced to confront their own demons. As Cody grapples with the crushing weight of his brother’s suicide, Rosie fights for her horses and her home amidst swirling deception. And Woodwind, haunted by self-doubt, must find the courage to save the she-wolf and the woman who has captured his heart.

As careless decisions threaten the future of the Willow Ranch, the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains presents a formidable challenge. With time running out, the friends and staff must pull together and believe in the magic of community to save their home and their happiness.

Dare to venture into the wild unknown, where heartache and hope collide, and where the call of the heart is a siren song that cannot be ignored. “Song of the Wild: Call of the Heart” beckons you to the Willow Ranch, where the secrets of the wilderness hold the key to love, courage, and the power of unity.

Embark on this unforgettable journey of love and self-discovery today – answer the call of the heart and unlock the secrets hidden within the wild. 

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Amazon.ca / goodreads

Meet the Author:

Natascha Birovljev is a storyteller at heart and author of the “Willow Ranch” book series.

Growing up in Germany, horses were always part of her life. After getting her Master degree in Religious Studies and German Literature, adventure was calling and she traveled to Alberta. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains and immigrated from Germany to Canada in 2005.

Here she worked the first years as a guide for horseback vacations, exploring mountain trails and spending the summer months in tent camps in the wilderness.

Inspired by her adventures and connections to ranchers, cowboys and First Nation communities, she started writing her books. Natascha lives on her ranch in Alberta with her horses and dogs.

Her stories show her fascination with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and her love for the people she encounters.

connect with the author: website facebook instagram youtube ~ pinterest ~ goodreads

WILLOW RANCH Book Series Tour Giveaway

MY NATASCHA BIROVLJEV REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Review & Giveaway – Shadow Grizzly by Natascha Birovljev @ireadbooktours

Book Details:

Book Title:  Shadow Grizzly of the Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovljev
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  352 pages
Genre: Adventure 
Publisher:  North Raven Books 
Release date:  March 27, 2023
Content Rating: PG for romantic elements

MY REVIEW

Shadow Grizzly Of The Rocky Mountains by Natascha Birovjlev is the third book in the Rocky Mountain series and the best one…so far. The characters lives are moving forward as they face obstacles placed in their paths.

Each book starts with a Prologue, sharing a Native legend. The Great Bear is based on an Iroquois legend and, of course, I think most of us know of the constellation.

Natascha Birovjlev had me chuckling right off the bat. These are a couple of my favorite quotes:

“Wash it off, put a bandage around it, and I think you’ll live, Boss.”

He bent over and grabbed an apple and took a bite. “Hmm, these would make a great apple pie.”

“If you make it, I’ll eat it,” replied Lyla.

Rosie is a new character that has come to Willow Ranch. She is the niece of Eric LaForge, a trapper and friend of Lee’s father. We also have Woodwind, coming to join us. He is Lonefeather’s brother, recently released from prison. He will face some challenges, and I wondered what his story was. We will also meet Dorothy and Sam. OMG. This nine year old girl stole my heart. Her mother calls her Starshine. It is a fitting name, seeing she lights up the world around her. She is much older than her age, being raised by a single mother who shares the important things with her, preparing her…

“Seeing the world through the yes of a child can make us adults start to believe in dreams again.”

I love learning the history of the Natives and can see why they feel so much resentment and confusion when Natascha Birovjlev shares their story of the residential schools. I love when an author has me surfing the web, doing my own research, wanting to know more. I can feel their anger and disgust as I learn. But that is the past. Now, WE must figure out where we go from here.

He put his arm around Sam, who was also crying softly and pulled her tight. “Thank you for being here,” he whispered to the girl. “A shared burden is easier to bear.”

OK, here come the waterworks, even though I knew this was going to happen.

“Okay, but can I have whipped cream on top?” Sam replied between sobs, wiping her eyes.

The innocence of this sweet, sweet child breaks my heart and puts it back together again.

Shadow Grizzly Of The Smoky Mountains by Natascha Birovjlev is the third book of the Smoky Mountain series and the one that has hit me the hardest. I laughed with the characters, I cried with the characters, and, at the end, I felt all was right with the world. I am excited to find out what comes next for the Spruce View residents.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shadow Grizzly by Natascha Birovljev.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

Book Description:

Can love triumph in the face of adversity and the shadows of the past?

In the shadows of the Canadian Rockies, a gripping tale of love, danger, and destiny awaits.

Discover the enthralling story of rancher Lee, who finally gets permission to lead horseback tours in the wilds of Canada. His dreams of family and shaping the future of Willow Ranch hang in the balance. If he fails, he loses everything.

As Lee embarks on his quest, his sister Lyla returns from the Yukon to take charge of the wildlife station. Destiny reunites her with Lonefeather Jones, a Native American dreamcatcher weaver grappling with demons from his past. As the flames of their long-hidden feelings spark to life, they must confront the shadows that threaten to keep them apart.

Amidst the untamed beauty of the Rocky Mountains, new challenges test the courage and unity of Willow Ranch’s residents and friends. As relationships falter, death looms, and darkness threatens to consume the light, can the power of love prevail?

Join the unforgettable characters of the Willow Ranch series in this heart-stopping third installment. In a breathtaking landscape where mysteries lurk around every corner, you’ll be captivated by tales of love, adventure, and the unbreakable human spirit.

Uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows of the Rockies. Will love conquer the darkness before the last light on the horizon fades? The answer lies within these pages.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Amazon.ca /  goodreads

Meet the Author:

Natascha Birovljev is a storyteller at heart and author of the “Willow Ranch” book series.

Growing up in Germany, horses were always part of her life. After getting her Master degree in Religious Studies and German Literature, adventure was calling and she traveled to Alberta. She fell in love with the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains and immigrated from Germany to Canada in 2005.

Here she worked the first years as a guide for horseback vacations, exploring mountain trails and spending the summer months in tent camps in the wilderness.

Inspired by her adventures and connections to ranchers, cowboys and First Nation communities, she started writing her books. Natascha lives on her ranch in Alberta with her horses and dogs.

Her stories show her fascination with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and her love for the people she encounters.

connect with the author: website facebook instagram youtube ~ pinterest ~ goodreads

WILLOW RANCH Book Series Tour Giveaway

MY NATASCHA BIROVLJEV REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!