Review…A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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“A perfectly woven tale rife with secrets, lies and seduction. Plenty of action with a perfect dose of snark. High Fantasy done the JLA way!” -Lily Alexander, author

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, the enthralling and epic second book in A Blood and Ash Series by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, is available now.

KingdomofFleshandFire ebook

Is Love Stronger Than Vengeance?

A Betrayal…


Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice….

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

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Start the series with FROM BLOOD AND ASH!
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Excerpt

“We go home to marry, my Princess.”
As in get married?
To him?
Suddenly, I thought of all those girlish fantasies I’d had before I learned who I was and what was expected of me—daydreams given life because of the love my parents had for one another.
Never once did those little-girl dreams include a proposal that wasn’t remotely an actual proposal. Nor did they incorporate it being announced at a table full of strangers, half of which wanted me dead. And those dreams surely hadn’t involved what had to be the kingdom’s worst—and possibly most insane—non-proposal of marriage to a man currently holding me captive.
Perhaps I had some sort of ailment of the brain. Maybe I was experiencing hallucinations brought on by stress. After all, there had been so much painful death to process. His betrayal to deal with. And I’d just learned I was descended from Atlantia, a kingdom I’d been raised to believe was the source of all the evil and tragedy in the land. Stress-induced hallucinations seemed a far more believable reason than what was actually happening.
All I could do was stare at the larger hand holding my much smaller one. His skin was slightly darker than mine as if kissed by the sun. Years of wielding a sword with deadly, graceful precision had left his palms callused.
He lifted my hand to an indecently well-formed and full mouth. To lips that were somehow soft yet unrelentingly firm. Lips that had spun beautiful words into the air and whispered heated, wicked promises against my bare skin. Lips that had paid homage to the many scars that riddled my body and face.
Lips that had also spoken blood-soaked lies.
Now, that mouth was pressed against the top of my hand in a gesture that I would’ve cherished for an eternity and thought exquisitely tender just days or weeks ago. Simple things like hand-holding or chaste kisses had been forbidden to me. As were being wanted or feeling desire. I had long since accepted that I would never experience those things.
Until him.
I lifted my gaze from our joined hands, from that mouth that was already curving up on one side, hinting at a dimple in the right cheek, and from the slowly parting lips that revealed just a hint of fatally sharp fangs.
His hair brushed the nape of his neck and toppled over his forehead, and the thick strands were such a deep shade of black, it often shone blue in the sunlight. With high and angular cheekbones, a straight nose, and a proud, carved jaw, he often reminded me of the large, graceful cave cat I had seen once in Queen Ileana’s palace as a child. Beautiful, but in the way all wild, dangerous predators were. My heart stammered as my eyes locked onto his, orbs a shade of stunning, cool amber.
I knew I was staring at Hawke—

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A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire is the second book in Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series. It starts off exactly where From Blood and Ash ended and if I dare say, is even more intriguing than the first one.

AKoFaF has even more character development and world building to keep in stride with the high fantasy genre. However, it’s needed to keep the plot moving along. Armentrout does a really phenomenal job of having the deep world building and time frame blend into the story line and add to it, instead of just coming across as filler. The depth is needed in order to understand the entire plot and what is to happen.

Poppy and Cas/Hawke are now thrown into a whole new scenario with them each having their own agenda but they somehow intertwine with the other. There is also this building chemistry between them that is going to blow up at any given moment. There is a lot of suspense not only in the plot, but in the underlying pull between Poppy and Cas. The angst is unreal in this book. It’s amazing to see Poppy learn more about herself and her abilities. We also get to delve deeper into Cas and who he is.

Along with Poppy and Cas, Armentrout has written some amazing secondary characters that add another layer to the story and brings some amusing moments to the story. Cas and Kiern have this bromance that is quite entertaining yet so endearing. It shows another side to who Cas is and has readers loving him even more.

While there is still a lot of world building in this book, readers will see a lot more action in this book. The pace is a lot smoother and things move a much faster pace. I think a lot of that is because there’s better balance in this book between the world building, the action scenes and the interactions between characters.

Armentrout always knows how to pull her readers in, keep them vested not only in the story but the characters and leaves them waiting with bated breath. We do get answers in this book, but we find ourselves having some many more new ones. I for one, cannot wait to see what the next brings us and how this all comes together.

Bravo Jennifer. You have written another top rated book to add your never-ending pile of top sellers.

About Jennifer L. Armentrout
#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Border Jack Apollo. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was an Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over a hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

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Website: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com

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Excerpt…Slash by Laurelin Paige

Slash, an all new sizzling hot 1,001 Dark Nights Standalone Novella in the Slay series by New York Times bestselling author Laurelin Paige is available now!

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Camilla Fasbender has a secret.

Underneath her posh accent and designer clothes lies the evidence of her pain.

Every heartbreak, every bad day, every setback has left a scar.

From behind her camera, she shows the world what to see. And it isn’t her.

Until him.

He sees right through her carefully constructed facade.

And he’s going to slash it all to pieces.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Slash ipad available now

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Excerpt

Hendrix didn’t strike me as ridiculous. Or impulsive. Or silly.
Why on earth, then, would he believe that there could be something worth seeking out with me? If that’s what he meant at all. Which…he did, didn’t he?
It’s confusing, and confusion makes me hide, on the whole. But since I can’t hide because I’m the fucking teacher in this class—seriously, how did this happen?—and for some reason the educator is expected to stay present, I find my confusion turning to anger. It works itself through me until the beauty of our night together is cropped out of my memory and what’s left is trite and fleeting. His presence feels nothing like flattery—which it did feel flattering, admittedly, for a half second there in the midst of everything else. Now, though, it just feels invasive and unprofessional and mean.
Perhaps I’d confront him about it, if I were a different sort of person, one who isn’t afraid to stand up to a challenge. One who isn’t afraid to live her life.
But I’m not that sort of person, so after I give out the assignments and send the students on their way, I plan to gather my things and get on my way as soon as possible, so fond of hiding that I am. I was stupid enough to believe—or perhaps hopeful is the better term—that Hendrix would let me do that, as he’d let me leave that night in Paris, not that I’d given him a choice.
He doesn’t, though, of course. Of course. He approaches me, his leather camera bag slung over his shoulder, a man satchel underneath.
“Camilla,” he says in that American accent that makes me both cringe and swoon all at once, and for the briefest of moments I find myself considering something different for a change. I consider staying.
But underneath my long sleeve polo neck, my skin throbs with an intensity that equals the blaring of a car alarm, and I think of Fred waiting for me at home to take him out for ice cream and the dead husband who hurt me as much as he loved me and the ugliness that marks me inside and out. And in the chaos of those thoughts, there is no option to stay.
“You being here is in bad taste,” I say before he has a chance to say anything else. “Don’t do this to me.”
I brush past him then, and with the heat of that brief contact following me in radiating waves, I rush outside to disappear among the Saturday-morning Londoners who are out enjoying the early signs of spring.

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About Laurelin
With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Killing Eve, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

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Blog Tour…Vixen by Rebecca Zanetti

Vixen, an all new novella in the Dark Protectors/Rebels series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti is available now!

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Tabi Rusko has a simple to-do list: Rob a bank, steal a recording, set up a lucrative factory, and survive the assassins on her tail. Sure, she’s a demoness with the cunning and instincts that come with her species, but she’s always spent more time exploring than training, and her fighting skills are okay at best. One sexy man, a human cop no less, is responsible for her being stuck in a small hick town and forced into a human anger-management group that’s crazier than her. To make matters worse, his dangerous blue eyes and hard body leave her breathless and ready to rumble, and his overbearing attitude is a challenge a demoness can’t refuse.

Evan O’Connell just wants to enjoy his time out of the military by policing a small town and hopefully pulling cats from trees and helping old ladies cross the street before he succumbs to the disease plaguing him. The last thing he needs is a stunning, too sexy, pain in the butt blonde casing his bank and causing a ruckus everywhere she goes. There’s something different about her that he can’t figure out, and when she offers him immortality in exchange for her freedom, he discovers that isn’t enough. One touch of her, a whirlwind beyond his imagination, and he wants the Vixen to be his forever, as soon as he takes care of the centuries old killers on her tail.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

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Excerpt

“If you need an alibi taking that twerp out, just let me know,” Tabi whispered to Raine as she strode out of the abandoned schoolhouse after the useless anger management class. Johnny Baker was a waste of space, as far as she was concerned.

“Thanks,” Raine said, not smiling, the darkness surrounding him. The early spring breeze rustled through the night, chilly and unwelcoming. At least it wasn’t raining.

She nodded and moved down the crumbling cement sidewalk toward her car as Raine turned and jogged across the street to his silver truck. Stopping at her car, she paused, not surprised to see the detective heading her way through the night. “You really have a hard-on for me, don’t you?” she murmured.

“Yes.” Both of his eyebrows rose. “You sure have a way with words.”

She unlocked her vehicle, her body flaring to life at his honest response. “I was raised by a woman who called it like she saw it.” Sometimes the pain at losing Janet still took Tabi by surprise. Why did humans have to die? “Unless you’re going to give up my video, I suggest you head to work like your boss ordered you to do.”

Evan opened her door, his sexy scent of smoked honey wafting around. “I’ll give you the recording.”

She jolted and turned to face him directly. “What did you say?”

His blue eyes seemed darker than usual, deep with what looked like pain. “I’ll give you the recording. Come down to the station tomorrow morning for one more interview, and then I’ll take you to the bank myself.”

It was as if he knew she was going to blow town the second she got her hands on the video, even though her business was here. She bit her lip. If she got the footage, she could meet Abby at the factory and give her instructions before running. Man, she hated to run.

Evan smiled. “You’re sure thinking hard. Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on? I can protect you.”

Warmth flushed her. The man truly believed that. The only way he could come close would be if she—no. No way. She shouldn’t even think of that. Was it even possible? Did she want a mate? 

“Tabitha? What’s barreling through your head?” As if unable to help himself, he reached out and smoothed a lock of hair away from her face.

Shocking electricity zapped beneath her skin.

His brows drew down. “Did you feel that?”

She nodded. “Why are you now willing to give me the recording?”

He sighed and looked across the vacant street. “I don’t like that the sheriff’s kid is in the anger-management group with you, considering you definitely injured his pride along with his body. Chances are, he’ll come after you. Since you’re planning to run, I thought to make it easy for you.” His gaze scouted the area, something he seemed to do often.

“Do you miss the service?” she asked softly, wanting to know more about him. Abby had told her that he’d served in the navy a while back.

He blinked. “Yeah.”

“Why did you leave?”

His gaze shuttered closed faster than a bank vault.

“I know you’re ill,” she said quietly. 

Meet Rebecca

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Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over fifty romantic suspense and dark paranormal romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. The New York Times reviews has found that in her books, “humor surfaces in even the tensest moments, giving the high-stakes drama humanity and warmth.”  She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. 

Connect with Rebecca

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Review…Ritual by Kandi Steiner

“If Gossip Girl and Riverdale had a love child, it would be PSU.” — #1NYT Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken

Ritual by bestselling author Kandi Steiner is now live! 

Written like your favorite drama television show, the Palm South University series has been called “a mix of Greek meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Friends.” Follow seven college students as they maneuver unrequited love, teacher/student romance, the tangles of “no strings” relationships, love triangles and more. Each “season” has six “episodes,” and just like when your favorite show hits Netflix, you can read just one episode at a time or binge the entire thing. With the perfect mix of angst, emotional romance, and romantic comedy, the Palm South University series is your next guilty addiction.

Drama. Lies. Sex.

Welcome to Palm South University.

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up in South Florida. At a school where fraternities and sororities don’t exactly play by the rules, relationships are bound to be tested. Parties and sex are definitely key ingredients in the Palm South recipe, but what happens when family issues, secret lives, and unrequited love get tossed in the mix?

Follow Cassie, Bear, Jess, Skyler, Erin, Ashlei, and Adam as they tackle college at a small, private beach town university. Written in television drama form, each episode of this serial will pull you deeper and deeper into the world of PSU.

Where the sun is hot and the clothes are scarce, anything can happen.

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Also Available in the Palm South University series:

Rush

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CVlAmJ

Anchor

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30SV0CF

Pledge

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30UvzAC

Legacy

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hBtRuI

Excerpt:

“Do you have pole tomorrow?” he asks, checking his side mirror before he pulls onto the road.

“No, I need a rest day.”

“And it’s Sunday, so you wouldn’t have class, right?”

My suspicion rises. “No… but I do have Chapter at six.”

“Chapter…” he muses, side-eyeing me with a grin. “Damn sorority.”

I smack his arm playfully.

“Do you think you could skip it, just this once?”

“Probably not without a death threat from Ex,” I say seriously. “But… what are you proposing?”

We pull up to a red light, and Brandon bites his lip before turning to me. “The Bahamas.”

“The Bahamas?!”

“The Exumas, technically.”

“The Exumas,” I repeat, sounding like a freaking parrot at this point. “You’re proposing we go to the Exumas tonight,” I clarify. “As in… the place where you swim with pigs.”

“I was thinking more like the place where I fuck you on my yacht and drink fruity cocktails out of coconuts with you on the beach,” he says on a smirk, and the light turns green, making him turn back to the road with a shrug. “But if you’d rather swim with pigs…”

I laugh, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of it. I’m tempted to say We can’t just go to the fucking Bahamas, Brandon, but I know that’s a lie.

He has a yacht.

And more money than he knows how to spend.

Technically, we can go to the Bahamas.

I’m quiet for a long while, and Brandon glances at me from the corner of his eye before pulling into a random restaurant parking lot. It’s a Mexican diner, not even open yet, since it’s only ten in the morning. When he’s parked, he turns to me, grabbing my hands and pulling them into his lap.

“Look, we’ve both been busy this summer — you with your exec position in the sorority, and pole… me with this national client we’re in the bidding war for… both of us working hard at Okay, Cool after everything that went down in the spring with Kim… and now, school is back in session, it’s the last semester before you graduate, we’re both hard at work, and I just…”

He smooths his dark thumbs over my wrists, his eyes that are usually so intense, soft and vulnerable now.

“This might be our last chance to spend some real, quality time together before life gets even crazier than it already is.”

My heart melts into a puddle right there on the floorboard of his expensive ass car, and I lean over the console, kissing him long and hard.

“Let’s go to the Bahamas,” I whisper between kisses. “You’re right. Everything else can wait.”

He sighs, wrapping his arms around me until he’s pulling me into his lap. I squeal and laugh, but then my next breath is stolen by the erection growing in his slacks.

“This would be a lot easier on the yacht,” I say, rubbing the seam of my leggings against his hard-on.

“Maybe,” he says, sucking on my bottom lip and releasing it with a pop. His lips trail down my neck as my head rolls back. “But these windows are tinted, and you’re sexy when you say I’m right.”

Ritual is the fifth installment in the PSU series.  Yes, these books must all be read in order.  Each book has six episodes in them and the episodes give you POV from each of the characters.  It truly reads like you watching a show play out in front of you.  It is my guilty pleasure summer read and I cannot get enough of these characters.

When it comes to the PSU series, I never have a problem devouring these books in one sitting.  I get so caught up in the all drama, the inner workings of sororities and fraternities along with the dynamics between everyone.  This series is one of my top 5 favorites written and we aren’t done yet!!

Ritual is the start of a new semester for all these college kids.  Some will be graduating this semester and while others have another year or so to go.  Many have grown in new ways while others are still trying to find their way.

I normally go through each character but realize all that does is summarize what happens and that takes away from the experience when a readers knows it is going to happen.  Just know that there is a lot that goes on and being that Kandi is queen of angst, she does not let us down in that department at all.

I will tell you these few things:

Cassie  – she surprises me and comes across as somewhat selfish in how she handles a situation.  

Adam – that boy a heart of gold.  That’s all I am saying

Jess- she has me fist-bumping her and cheering her on.

Asheli – girl shocked me. I am torn up on this one.

Skyler – love her so much!!

Bear – he made me the most emotional this time around.  I want to bearhug him so hard.

Erin – I am still undecided on her.  She’s the one I struggle with the most.


As always – just when we think things are going to go one way, Kandi tosses in a few stumbling blocks.  Now we are left on bated breath wondering what happens with these seven college friends in the future.

PSU is a series that everyone needs to binge read.  You can thank me later.  😉

Meet Kandi

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi

Website:  www.kandisteiner.com

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Stealing Summer by Lexi Blake…Excerpt

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A daughter lost
A mother discovered
A queen exiled

Stealing Summer, the all-new, exceptional final installment in the epic Hunter: Thieves series by New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is available now!

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From New York Times and USA Today bestseller Lexi Blake comes a new epic-length story in her Thieves/Hunter world…

A daughter lost

Summer has spent her whole life wondering about the family she left behind. On the night she came into being she only had a few moments with them. In that brief time, she reached out to her father, looking deep into his soul, and gifted him the will to go on. But now she is the one in need. Once a child made of pure magic, she is forced to live as a mortal. Her power caused great harm, and she has sworn never to let it happen again. With her friends beside her, she tries her best to help those she can. If that requires her to do a little thievery, well, she is her mother’s daughter, after all.

Everything changes when a woman falls from the sky and Summer meets the handsome vampire named Marcus Vorenus. Just as her past begins to catch up with her, she might have finally met her future.

A mother discovered

Kelsey Owens went searching for Dev and Marcus but all she found was a trap. She was pulled through a magical painting and thrown smack into the middle of a battle on a foreign plane of existence. Luckily she’s good in a fight. Saving the woman targeted by the horde of brutal soldiers, Kelsey is shocked by her resemblance to her queen. As Kelsey investigates the mystery surrounding Summer Donovan-Quinn, she also hunts for a way back to the husbands and son she just claimed.

A queen exiled

Zoey Donovan-Quinn is not happy. The wizard Myrddin is back, her marriage is troubled, and she is sure those two problems are connected. But nothing is more worrying than Dev’s sudden disappearance. When she and Daniel go looking for him, they are drawn into a world thought lost to the Earth plane. Danger awaits them there, but so does the daughter they thought they would never see again. She hopes they survive their reunion.

Three heroines. One mystery. And an ending that will change the Thieves world forever…

Stealing Summer out now

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Excerpt

He was stunning, his face all harsh planes and predatory lines. There was no question in my mind that this vampire was a hunter. Often the vampires I’ve met seem civilized, and it’s easy to forget that they evolved from ancestors who preyed on living beings. Now they’re all about meal pills and pretending there isn’t a savage predator under all that civility. Though I understand that when a vampire takes a consort, they exchange blood in the old ways. Vampires try to distance themselves from their bloody past.

This vampire didn’t even try to hide his nature. The beast inside him was every bit on display as he breathed in the air around him, likely trying to catch my scent.

I will not harm you, bella. This I promise to you. Come out and let us talk. I know you can hear me.

I could. I could hear him in my mind, feel his voice brushing against my brain with an odd sensuality. Like he could stroke my very thoughts with silk.

You have nothing to fear from me.

I had everything to fear from this man. He could speak thoughts into my head. That wasn’t a vampire talent. Vampires are excellent fighters. Some of the royal vampires are stronger than the rest, but I’ve never once heard of a vamp with such powers. These were strange creatures coming after me.

Come out and let me prove myself to you.

The words were meant to coax me, to seduce me. I could feel his intentions. He wanted me. My light drew him in. It made me wonder if he could hear me when I wanted him to.

I know what you want, vampire.

I could feel his satisfaction like a wave against my skin.

You know nothing yet, bella, but I will show you.

I couldn’t give in to that voice. It was meant to trick me. This was not some friendly male who’d happened upon me in the forest and wanted to help. He’d been sent by someone. I should run, but I rather thought he would follow me, and forcibly. Perhaps I should show him what I was capable of.

He was moving my way but didn’t seem to realize I wasn’t on the ground. He moved with grace, his feet not making a single sound.

Bella, please come out. There’s no need to hide from me. I have a million questions for you, but you should know there are no wrong answers. If you’re in trouble, I will help you. I don’t care what you’re in trouble for. I will help you.

Oh, he was good. He seemed to understand exactly how to talk to me, what words to use. I could feel his will. If I’d done something bad, he would find a way to fix things for me. He could be my protector. All I had to do was present myself to him and he would shelter me. He was strong. He could make the world right for me and only me.

If only I could have believed him.

He stopped beneath my hiding place, his hands on his hips as though he knew I should be there.

I needed him in the right position. Look up, vampire.

The minute he turned, I pounced, my stake coming up. I hit his body and he fell back to the forest floor with a hard thud. I lifted my stake, but I had questions first.

“Who the hell are you?” I asked the question out loud because I wasn’t going to let him into my head again.

The vampire’s lips curled up in the sexiest smile I’d ever seen. If he was scared, he didn’t show it. He seemed perfectly comfortable to have a female on top of him. “My name is Marcus Vorenus and I am entirely at your service. Would you like me to take off my shirt? It might be easier to stake me. I wouldn’t want you to miss my heart, and honestly, if I am about to die then I would like to feel your hands on my skin one time.”

Not the reaction I’d been going for. I straddled him, my knees on either side of his lean waist. He was even more devastating up close, and I did actually want to see him without his shirt on. It had been a long time since I’d had any kind of sexual pleasure, and this male did it for me. I’m reasonably attractive, but it can be hard to find a date when your nickname is the Destroyer. Males discover I’ve destroyed worlds and suddenly they aren’t so hot to take care of my physical needs.

“If I decide to kill you, I won’t need better aim. I assure you, I can do it right now.”

“I’m sure you can. You’re obviously a woman of great physical skills.” His fangs were out. White and dangerous, I found those fangs way too sexy for my own good.

Blake_Lexi_2

About Lexi Blake

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

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Twisted Circles by Claire Contreras….Excerpt & Review

Twisted Circles by  New York Times bestselling author, Claire Contreras, is now live!

When someone tells you who you are, do you believe them?

The first question the cops asked me was if anything out of the ordinary happened to me lately.

When I woke up this morning in the room of a mental institution I couldn’t remember a thing – not my name nor how I got there. Not how I left or how I ended up in that interrogation room.

The only thing I knew came from the contents inside my bag. A wallet, a student ID, a key that opened an unknown door, and two notebooks.

They tell me my name. It matches my IDs.

They tell me my story. I shut my eyes and try to piece it together, but can’t.

They tell me why they picked me up in the first place. They thought I was my sister. My brain stays stuck there. I try to rewind and fast-forward, as if my memories were on a videotape, but it’s no use. I can’t recall having a sister.

They put me back in the car and drop me off in front of a mansion they call The Manor and I discover what the mysterious key in my backpack opens the front door, and just as quickly wish I’d never unlocked it at all.

Twisted Circles is a complete standalone that takes place in the same “world” as Half-Truths.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Excerpt

 “What the hell did I just see?” My voice was hoarse, the screams I’d contained ripping the tone from it.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you . . . ” I shook my head, covering my face. “You’re not going to tell me. You wouldn’t tell me. You’re the president of this freakish cult. Of course you wouldn’t tell me.”

“I don’t know.” His voice carried and brought my gaze back to his. “I really don’t know.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That’s too bad.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m not lying.”

“I should have left with your brother.”

“My brother?” His expression turned serious. He glanced away for a long moment, staring at the portrait beside us. I had no idea who it was, but it was a man wearing a black little hat and a cross. A priest of sorts. Adam looked at me again. “My brother can’t help you.”

“And you can?” I nodded toward the back of the room. “You won’t even tell me why I just saw what I saw.”

“I don’t know the answer to that.” His jaw set.

“Your brother said you were going to bury me.”

“What else did Nolan decide to tell you?”

“Not much.”

“He shouldn’t have spoken to you. He knows better.”

“Free country and all.”

“Not in here.” Adam’s lip tilted. “You’re under our command in here.”

“Are you going to do to me what they’re doing to that woman?”

“No.”

“Are you going to bury me?” I swallowed, waiting.

“Yes.”

Yes. No hesitation.

“Are . . . are you going to kill me?”

“No.”

“You’re going to bury me alive?”

“Yes.”

Again, no hesitation. My heart skipped. Where was I and who were these people? I realized that I could scream, I could punch him, I could try to run, but I wouldn’t get very far.

“Is that part of the initiation?” I licked my lips, mentally preparing myself.

“Yes.”

“Were you buried?”

“We all were.”

“Has anyone died?” My lip quivered again. I blinked my eyes, more tears fell. I wiped them quickly.

He didn’t answer, but with the way his lips set into a hard line, he didn’t have to. 

Claire delivers another mind-blowing, suspenseful story.  Twisted Circles is just that – a lot of twists and with everything circling back to one another.  WOW!

Twisted Circles is a standalone in the Secret Society series and is told in dual POVs.  You don’t need to read the first to read this one or have any background on anyone or anything to have a full understanding of what is happening.  Readers are thrown back into the college environment with the many different secret groups with a lot of suspense and twists.

I love that Claire focused more on the psychological aspects, the inner workings of the secret society and how all of that is intertwined. However, it is the mystery surrounding Eva that I loved the most about this book.  Claire plotted this out beautifully. I enjoyed how things unraveled yet opened another door.  It kept me glued to the pages and had me constantly trying to work things out.

Claire does a phenomenal job of keeping readers interested in the Secret Societies and wanting to know more about them.  I love how she brings in things from her own personal experience to enhance the story.  I love that this story is just as fresh as the first one.

Twisted Circles is the perfect suspense story with a touch of romance to keep her romance fans pleased. But for us suspense readers, you will love that this book is highly focused on the suspense and the romance blends in but never overtakes anything.  Bravo, Claire!!

Meet Claire

Connect with Claire

Claire Contreras is a New York Times bestselling author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages. 

She was born in the Dominican Republic, raised in Miami, and now lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, two adorable boys, and French Bulldog. When she’s not writing, she’s usually lost in a book.  

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Release Blitz & Review….Be My Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy

⚓️⚓️⚓ REVIEW TOUR ⚓️⚓️⚓️
The highly anticipated BE MY BRAYSHAW by MEAGAN BRANDY is NOW LIVE !!!
Grab your copy today, also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Universal → https://geni.us/BMBC
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Add to your TBR → https://geni.us/BMBCG
Synopsis
“Cross one, cross all.”
That’s the Brayshaw way.
She should have realized this before sliding into our world with secrets too big to bury.
She didn’t and now the target is on her back.
The day her lies came crashing down, I should have forced her out.
Instead, I locked her in, and with the promise I would never be hers.
I resisted, fought against us.
I caved.
I tasted what became my newfound favorite flavor and fell hard for the little liar.
But then the depth of her treachery reveals itself, and with it a reminder.
Our town is a twisted place, and with truth comes trouble.
In the blink of an eye, my world is split at its core, and I’m faced with an impossible decision, one that leads to a single outcome…
Betrayal.
Read Chapter One Here → meaganbrandy.com/bmb
Listen to the playlist on Spotify here → https://geni.us/BMBCPlaylist
Be My Brayshaw can be read as a complete standalone.

I read the first book this series and went no further (many reasons on why). When I was given the option review this book since it was a standalone within the series, I figured I would give it a go.

First off – I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading this book without reading the prior ones. The Brayshaw boys are too connected to be left out of each other’s stories and that proves true in this book. Yes, this book evolves around Captain mostly, but you need to have an understanding of their dynamics to know why. As for Victoria, it’s just as though she is there out of nowhere (obviously introduced in early book) and it felt like I was thrown into a story that had already started and was playing catchup as I read along.

As for the story itself, once I felt like I had somewhat of an understanding as to how Victoria fit in, things began to make more sense and the story got more interesting. It’s definitely a slow buildup plot and things unravel at a decent pace most of the time. There is one particular thing that I felt was built for no reason because the outcome was somewhat of a letdown. (If you wish to know what, they’re hidden as a spoiler on my review on goodreads).

The tension between Victoria and Captain was another addition to the plot. While I can’t say there was any love between them, there was definitely lust. They both challenged one another so that push and pull added to things but I was not sold on them being together for love. But they definitely make things hot even when they are tangoing between the sheets. So that’s a plus.

Overall, while there were parts that annoyed me and there was parts that I really enjoyed. It was good enough for me to finish, even though lit took longer than normal. Those who read the first three books and loved them, I have no doubt will love this one. Those who haven’t read the books at all, may be a tad confused at the beginning but should stick it through and finish it because it’s an entertaining read, even if there’s a lot of drawn out angst and overused dramatics.

Will I read the next one?? More than likely because these boys are entertaining. 🙂

Connect With Meagan Brandy

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Review…Jackson by Siobhan Davis

Jackson - BT banner

“Jackson has everything you expect from a Davis novel: Incredible writing. Multi-dimensional characters. Plot that has you frantically flippings pages. It was devious and dark. Explosive. Hot. Passionate.”- Coralee June, International bestselling author

Jackson, an all-new standalone dark romance in the fan-favorite Rydeville Elite Series from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis, is available now!

Jackson_ecover2 Book 5

The devil came to me in disguise. Too bad I didn’t notice until it was far too late.

Vanessa:

The devil doesn’t always wear an evil mask.

Sometimes, he appears in the most beautiful form.

Like the super-hot bad boy with the dirty-blond hair and a wicked glint in his blue eyes who swept in out of nowhere, stealing all the air from my lungs.

I thought he was my savior.

But he’s my ruination.

And he’s just taken a machete to my heart.

Jackson:

For years, my rage seethed under the surface. Hidden behind a cloudy haze of my poison of choice.

But now, the fog has cleared.

And I’m out for blood.

I will annihilate those responsible for taking my sister from me.

Except he’s not here, so I go for the next best target.

The woman he abandoned.

Until it suited him to drag her into this messed-up elite world.

Sucks to be her.

Because when I’m done with Vanessa, she’ll wish she was dead.

Jackson - AN

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
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Jackson_Teaser1

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Excerpt

“Enjoy your day off, bitch,” Chloe says as we pull down the blinds and lock the diner up after another busy day.
“Don’t work too hard,” I singsong. I’m in a great mood because I get to sleep late in the morning and I have a full day off to myself.
A throat clearing interrupts our banter. “Is this a good or bad time?” Jackson asks, and the rich undertones in his voice send shivers dancing up my spine.
“Oh, this is a good time,” Chloe answers for me, and I spot a devilish glint in her eye. “A very good time.” She thrusts her hand out. “I’m Chloe. Van’s best friend. You must be Jackson.”
I glare at her. Okay, I’ve got zero game, but that doesn’t mean Chloe has to rub it in.
“You told your bestie about me.” He smirks, and I can’t decide which one of them I want to punch more.
“Didn’t you tell Sawyer?” I ask.
“Guilty. Guess that makes us even.” He flashes me that panty-melting smile, and my lace thong evaporates from my body. Like poof, and it’s gone.
“Oh fuck,” Chloe murmurs, totally getting it now.
“Yep,” I reply, not removing my eyes from Jackson.
“You’re fucked, girl,” she adds, her eyes shamelessly raking over every inch of Jackson’s semi-naked torso. He’s in shorts and sneakers again, and damn, if that isn’t such a good look on him.
“Not yet she isn’t,” Jackson purrs, “but if she keeps looking at me like that, I’ll have my cock buried balls deep inside her before we’ve even gotten upstairs.”
I fan my face while Chloe looks like she might faint. “I’m trying to work out if that’s a threat or a promise,” Chloe admits.
“It’s a promise,” Jackson says, winking at me. “I don’t do threats.”
“He’s a keeper,” Chloe decides, tugging on my arm. “And I’m detouring to Jon’s place because I need his dick now.”
I fight a smile.

Jackson is the fifth book in the Rydeville Elite series, but the second inter-connected standalone. You don’t need to read the previous books, however, I would highly recommend that you do to get a better all-around feel for these characters and second characters. Siobhan does try her best to do a quick synopsis on certain things to help understand parts of the plot, but it is a lot to summarize and wholly understand.

This book surrounds Jackson Lauder and his urgency to exact revenge on those who caused his sister’s suicide years ago; the very men who are the founding fathers of the Elite organization. And he’ll do whatever is necessary to see those who caused her harm, pay the price. And that includes seducing an old acquaintance.

Jackson and Vanessa partied in the same circles when they were starting out in high school. However, they were never what you consider as friends. They were both big drinkers, dabbled in drugs and were quite promiscuous. But now that they are older, they realize they both did not act in the best ways and are trying to start over.

I won’t go into details about either of their pasts beyond that because it’s their pasts that shape things in this book and prompt things to happen. The blurb explains that Jackson will be using Vanessa for his own personal revenge and that’s all you need to know.

Siobhan plays this plot out well and with lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you know how things are going to play out, there is another surprise thrown into the plot line. And it’s not an out of nowhere surprise that doesn’t make sense, but it’s one that takes the plot even deeper and has the reader pondering what happens next.

There are a lot of previous characters mentioned in this book, which is a necessity. As I said earlier, Siobhan does her best to keep new readers abreast on how everyone and everything interconnects and not become too overwhelming. This series is very addicting and I feel with these new standalones, Siobhan keeps things interesting while keeping Elite organization just as enticing as they were in the first book.

There are also characters from another series that are mentioned. I love that she has found a way to inter-connect another series with this one without taking away from either one. If anything, it will make new readers want to read that other series (Kennedy Boys).

I cannot wait to see what Siobhan brings us next.

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About Siobhan
USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime!
Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Siobhan

Subscribe to romance newsletter: http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList

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Excerpt & Review….Ruthless Princess by Rachel Van Dyken

I’m going to say this not once, but many times. Everyone should read this book. RVD wrote one of the most epic mafia romance’s I have ever read. She came in swinging to remind everyone why she’s the queen of mafia. Amo Jones, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

Ruthless Princess: A Mafia Royals Romance about best friends turned enemies, by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series is LIVE.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend…

I never thought my father would ask this of me, to become the second generation at Eagle Elite University, to rule with an iron fist, and to take care of anyone who gets in our way.

But ever since the incident.

Ever since Him.

There’s been a war in our little clique.

After all, a house divided cannot stand.

He’s the problem, not me.

He used to kiss me like I was his oxygen.

Now he looks at me like I’m his poison.

But we both drank it, again and again, never believing there would be a day when our love would start a war.

And our friendship would shatter into a million pieces.

Then again, the worst thing you could do in the mafia is hang on to hope that your life will be normal.

The second worst thing?

Fall in love with your best friend.

Enemy.

And heir to the Nicolasi throne.

Download your copy today!

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Excerpt: 

He licked his lips and repeated what he always did when we had to perform, when we had to do our jobs. “I won’t be gentle with you.”

Our foreheads touched, my chest heaved with exertion like it was hard to breathe when he was so near, but really it was the promise that killed me, a promise that he wouldn’t enjoy touching me ever again, that I was more curse than cure, and yet, I knew it was all we would ever get, these fleeting moments where we did our job too well. “Then make it hurt, baby.” My voice cracked. “Make it hurt.”

His lips parted in a groan as he spun me into his arms and crushed his mouth to mine. It was part pain, part pleasure as he pulled my hair then slid a hand up my shirt like nobody was watching when everyone was.

We broke apart, mouths swollen, my lower lip was bleeding.

A reminder for both of us—this was no cease-fire, this wasn’t real, it was all a carefully constructed show.

“Mmmmm…” I smirked. “Looks like Junior’s not playing around tonight, ladies.”

Screams went up as Junior grabbed my ass and squeezed so hard, I knew I would bruise later. He roughly pulled me against his chest and nipped at my neck.

I told my body it didn’t feel good.

I told my heart we were safe.

And I forced myself to believe the lie every single time we touched.

Because to do otherwise—would destroy me.

RVD is going back to her mafia roots and I could not be more excited.  Her Eagle Elite series is what made me a hardcore RVD fan back in 2013.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every book she has written since, but her mafia stories hold special place in my heart and I jumped at the change to read an advance copy of her newest series.

Ruthless Princess is the start of Mafia Royals series and Rachels throws down the blades from the very start.  You do not need to read the Eagle Elite series to read this series because it is a whole new group of characters – kids of the Eagle Elite.  The Mafia bosses do make appearances, however it’s more with showing of a lineage and helps give you and understanding how all these kids related.  It is a lot to taken in, but Rachel does it with ease so you are not lost.

And when I say kids, I say that very loosely.  They are adults now – all in their college years.  But growing up in the mafia makes you mature much faster than a child normally would.  Rachel definitely lets her characters rule the pages and does not hold back on anything.  There is a lot of blood, sex and intense scenes.  And I LOVED EVERY DAMN BIT OF IT!!!

Ruthless Princess is truly Serena and Junior’s story.  But Rachel also uses it to set the stage for what is come of all the cousins within this series.  She does is gracefully and never deters from the main story – Serena and Junior’s their forbidden romance.

I will not into details about anything.  Just know that not once is there a slowdown in this book.  Rachel brings the perfect mix of suspense, steam and even some humor to keep things entertaining on the lighter side.  The new Mafia Regime is not holding back on anything and they are determined to not repeat the mistakes of their fathers.

As I said before, you can read this book as a standalone and not have a problem.  However, I can’t promise you that after reading this, that you won’t want to go back and read the Eagle Elite series.  Rachel does a phenomenal job of introducing the next generation in the Elite mafia and holds back on nothing.

Another great series that will give RVD fans something to look forward to every year with a new mafia progeny.

About Rachel: 

Rachel Van Dyken is the number one New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. 

She keeps her home in Idaho with her husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com
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Excerpt & Review…..Black Tangled Heart by Samantha Young

“Readers are in for a thrilling and emotional ride with this one! The storyline is engrossing, the characters are complex,  and the chemistry is off-the-charts palpable. It’s my favorite book by Samantha Young to date.” — K.A. Tucker, international bestselling author of The Simple Wild

Black Tangled Heart, by New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young, is LIVE!

To my siblings, Jane was a friend. A pseudo-sister, the girl we grew up with.

To me? She was everything.

Our passion consumed us.

When our world fell apart, I thought our love would be the thing that held us together. 

She was the love of my life. But she abandoned me when I needed her most.

And I’ll never forgive her.

For years I’ve been planning my revenge against the people who took everything from me. 

Jane won’t be an exception. I’m coming for her. 

She knows it. 

She says she wants to help me serve my version of justice on the people who hurt me. 

I’ll let her.

She probably thinks it will save her from me. 

It won’t.

Download your copy today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt: 

I stared dully at my painting. My creative mood had left the building, under the weight of the many questions going around and around in my head. Adrenaline made it hard for me to sit still. Cursing Jamie under my breath, I grabbed my laundry basket and headed toward the front door. Peering through the peephole, I double-checked his door was shut before I left my apartment. Glowering at his door as I passed, I hurried downstairs. How the hell had he maneuvered himself into my building? And why?

To my gratitude, the laundry room was empty as I crashed around inside it. I hauled out my stash of detergent and softener from my allocated locker and started separating my whites. That rat bastard. My heart raced, sweat gathered under my arms, and it agitated me. An encounter with Jamie was the equivalent of fifteen shots of caffeine.

And I hated that he knew I was lying to Asher. Something he could easily hold over my head.

“You are a very angry laundry doer.”

Jamie’s deep, rich voice startled me. Trying to control my breathing, I glared over at him standing in the doorway. Arms and ankles crossed as he leaned casually against the jamb. He wore a T-shirt and jeans. Nothing had changed there.

He was still the sexiest man I’d ever seen.

God, I hate him.

“What the hell are you doing in this building?” I turned my back on him, marching over to the stacked washers and dryers.

“I had no idea you lived here,” he lied, his voice growing closer as he crossed the room toward me.

Attempting not to react physically, to not hunch my shoulders in tension, I stared unseeing at the machines. What was I in the middle of doing again?

“What a surprise to find out you’re my neighbor.”

I snorted in disbelief and turned around, shocked to find him already in my personal space. “Liar.” I dragged my gaze insolently down his body and back up. “Move away. And I mean that in more ways than one.”

“Oh, does my presence bother you?” His wicked smile caused somersaults in my belly. 

“What are you doing here?” I ignored his proximity. Okay, I tried to ignore his proximity.

In answer, he stepped into me and I stumbled against the machines at my back. Jamie pressed the palms of his hands on the dryer, caging me in. My breath caught and held as his scent flooded me. That dark, earthy scent was enticing, and my body betrayed my emotions.

Feeling panic rise, I pushed at his chest, but he wouldn’t budge. “Jamie?” 

Those ocean eyes wandered over my face, cold, calculating. “He doesn’t know who I am. You haven’t told him.”

I lowered my hands. Touching him was even more discombobulating. “No.”

He bent his head toward mine until our noses almost touched. I sucked in a breath. “I wonder why you’re keeping it from him?”

Determined not to let him see how much he affected me, I glared up at him. He’d only have to touch me, hold my hand, to realize I was trembling. His face was so familiar. His lips were lips I’d thought I’d kiss for the rest of my life. Why did the pain of it never dull? Why did it still feel like a shard of glass through my chest? “Did you leak those tapes of Foster Steadman to Asher’s mom?”

Something menacing flashed in his eyes before he banked it. “And if I did?”

“Are you being smart, Jamie?”

“Are you asking out of concern for me or for your billionaire boy toy?”

“Jamie.”

“Never mind. I don’t care.” The bastard dipped his nose to my throat, and I tensed against the stacked machines. He inhaled, his nose brushing my skin, and my fingers bit into the washer behind me. “You smell different,” he whispered, lifting his head to my ear. “Expensive perfume. You’ve come up in the world.”

I felt his breath caress my skin seconds before his teeth touched my earlobe. Gasping, I instinctively pushed my palms against his stomach as he bit down hard, causing a flush of heat between my legs.

With a dark chuckle, Jamie released my ear after one last nibble and whispered, “Is he the jealous type, Jane?”

Black Tangled Heart is the epitome of a great romantic story.  It is a riveting, captivating, heart-stopping and heart-pounding story of passion, grief, revenge beautifully mixed with a rough edge of suspense to keep readers on their toes the entire time.

You can truly never go wrong when picking up a book by Samantha.  She writes the most complex characters and her stories are told in a monumental way that leave you feeling as though you lived through it personally.  And Black Tangled Heart is the perfect example of just that.

Jane and Jamie’s story plays out from childhood to adulthood and readers can easily see how relationship progresses over time.  This story is filled with passionate and steamy scenes along with some very tense scenes.  Everything plays out at a perfect pace and keeps readers glued to the pages.

I will not go into any details because this book needs to be read without knowledge aside form the blurb.  Readers need to experience every scene without any notion of what it is to come.  This story was nothing like I had anticipated and that’s what made it so much more better than anything she has written to date.

This book has easily made it’s way to one of my top reads of 2020.  Black Tangled Heart needs to be one book that everyone reads!

About S. Young:


Samantha Young is a New York Times and #1 International bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. On Dublin Street was Samantha’s first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in thirty countries. She has since published over thirteen romance titles including the New York Times Bestsellers Into the Deep, Hero, and her most recent contemporary romance Fight or Flight. When writing Adult Paranormal romance she writes under the pen name S. Young. 


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The Hunter by L.J. Shen….Excerpt & Review

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“The queen of enemies-to-lovers strikes again. I devoured every page, hooked on the sizzling chemistry between Hunter and Sailor. A ten star read.” –Parker S. Huntington, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

The Hunter, an all-new compelling and must-read contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!

HUNTER_FINAL 4.35.30 PM

Boston’s debauched elite is going up in flames, and it’s the Fitzpatrick family that set it on fire.

Hunter

I didn’t mean to star in a sex tape, okay?

It was just one of those unexplainable things. Like Stonehenge, Police Academy 2, and morning glory clouds.

It just happened.

Now my ball-busting father is sentencing me to six months of celibacy, sobriety, and morbid boredom under the roof of Boston’s nerdiest girl alive, Sailor Brennan.

The virginal archer is supposed to babysit my ass while I learn to take my place in Royal Pipelines, my family’s oil company.

Little does she know, that’s not the only pipe I’ll be laying…

Sailor

I didn’t want this gig, okay?

But the deal was too sweet to walk away from.

I needed the public endorsement; Hunter needed a nanny.

Besides, what’s six months in the grand scheme of things?

It’s not like I’m in danger of falling in love with the appallingly gorgeous, charismatic gazillionaire who happens to be one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors.

No. I will remain immune to Hunter Fitzpatrick’s charm.

Even at the cost of losing everything I have.

Even at the cost of burning down his kingdom.

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Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt

“Why?” I asked, blinking at him in confusion. I had two left legs and the coordination of roadkill. I couldn’t dance if my life depended on it. I’d tried dancing at the only party I’d ever gone to—sophomore year—and was subjected to such thorough humiliation. People took videos of me dancing and forwarded it to half my school. Saggy Sailor, they’d graffiti-ed on my locker. Apparently, my back looked hunched and droopy when I danced.
“Because…” He tilted his chin down, his voice low, smoldering. “You’re obviously bored, and my family is watching us, and I’m partial to fondling you.”
“It’s the dress,” I muttered.
“I’d actually prefer fondling you out of it.”
I sliced my gaze sideways, noticing that Aisling and Persy hadn’t picked up on my exchange with him. They were now watching a video, probably of the reality show they were arguing about. Even though Hunter was just after a friendly dance to show his family we were getting along, I couldn’t unglue my butt from my chair.
“No fondling.” I crossed my arms over my chest, buying time.
“No promises. Get up.”
“Did you tell anyone we live together?” I accused, my eyes narrowing into slits.
He stared at me, wide-eyed, mouth parted. “Negatory.”
“Did you tell anyone we were dating?”
“This is the lamest twenty-questions game I’ve ever participated in. No.
“Well, people are talking about us.”
“That’s what people do. They fill the air with useless words to entertain each other. It’s called gossip, and it sucks all the asses in the world. Doesn’t mean it was me. Our building employs more than a hundred people. All of them work for my father. That means he’s spreading whatever the hell he wants to spread.”

The Hunter is the first standalone contemporary romance in Shen’s newest series, Boston Belles. And she truly started this series off with a two-bunch and kept things moving at a high-pace octane.

L.J. Shen really knows how to write entertaining and quirky characters. Hunter and Sailor could not be any more opposite if they tried. Sailor keeps to herself and has always focused solely on her archery. Hunter lives in his life in the spot life and has no problems with all the attention he gets.

Hunter is the epitome of the classic playboy with broken pieces hidden on the inside. He keeps everything closed off and keeps people far enough away that they never see the pain he feels. Hunter puts on a great façade with his playboy antics and his “don’t give two shits’ mentality because he can get away with anything – well almost anything. When a sex tape gets out – that is the final nail in his coffin.

Sailor has been training harder and harder to make the Olympics’ Archery team. She’s never really cared for a social life and has truly only had 2 best friends her whole life. Her life has always been her family, her two friends and archery.

And now Sailor is Hunter’s only hope to prove to his father that he’s not just some playboy. Sailor wants nothing to do with Hunter and he does not make it easy to forget that he is around. I love the banter between these two so much. They are complete polar opposites in every single thing. But they force each other outside their norms without realizing it. They also gradually see and learn how to adapt to one another in ways they never anticipated.

The Hunter is an amazing enemies to lovers romance. Shen does a phenomenal job of showing that not all attraction has to be immediate and it can be something that is gradual as you get to know a person; their inner beauty can truly shine outwards.

Shen truly sets this series up perfectly with The Hunter. The story of Hunter of Sailor is written extremely well and Shen litters the other characters and their attributes perfectly without taking away from the main story. I cannot wait to see who’s story is next.

LJShen

About LJ Shen
L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to twenty different countries.
She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

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