That’s what the last girl I slept with said when she got her first sober glimpse of me. She laughed, walked out of my penthouse—and I never saw her again. It doesn’t matter that I’m a rich, professional athlete; what mattered was my face.
Beauty might only be skin deep for some—but I know better.
“Pay Up.”
That’s what the last girl I spoke to said over the phone when I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Desperate to sell a set of rare baseball cards, she’s clever and entertaining. I’m instantly smitten, but nowhere ready to reveal myself. Thank god she has no idea who I am—or what I look like.
I’m a professional athlete–how hard can playing the love game be?
Sara Ney keeps us on toes with Hard Pass. It is a sports romance but I love Sara’s take on these characters and the story line she gives us.
Noah is the shortstop for the professional baseball team, Steam. However is in it for the game and not the fame. So he is a bit of recluse when it comes to outings and does not really made any headlines because he keeps to himself so much.
Miranda is wanting to start up her own business now that she has finished college but has no money to do so. So she is left with selling her grandfather’s baseball collection that can easily earn her 6 figures for the whole set. But she isn’t looking to sell them all immediately and decides to sell one of them.
When Noah finds Miranda’s ad for the card, he can’t pass up the opportunity. However, being one to never leave his house except for his career, he sends one his teammates, Buzz to collect the card and pay Miranda for it (that whole scene alone was quite entertaining).
It’s after that first swap that things really get interesting and hilarious. Noah is sweet but shy and has his own self-confidence issues. Miranda owns who she is and truly does not care what others think of her, which I love so much.
I really enjoyed the pace and flow of this story so much. Noah and Miranda are so cute together – whether via text or when they are actually together. I love their banter and connection. Things unfolded well. I wasn’t a fan of the ending as it all felt rushed but I loved that Sara didn’t make it too unrealistic to where it hurt the book.
Overall, a hilarious sports romance that readers will enjoy.
Meet the Sara Ney
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
BREAKING NEWS: The Bad Boy of Baseball, Maddox Paige, is totally and utterly whipped.
Okay, that might not be the headlines in the newspaper this morning, but it’s the reality of my current situation.
It all started a month ago when I received a call from my best friend, Kinsley. She got a new job in Chicago and needed a place to stay. I’ve known the girl since I was five, what harm would it be to have her stay at my place for a while?
Ha! Total disaster.
Now instead of going out every night with my teammates, I’m couch surfing and sketching endless photos of my best friend . . . but that’s the least of my concerns.
The disaster, you ask? I’m rapidly falling head over cleats in love with my best friend, my roommate, and my number one fan.
And she has no idea . . .
PROLOGUE:
**MADDOX**
Have you ever said something you regret? Something you haven’t forgotten about an hour later? Something that sits with you, stews deep in your belly, and then seeps into your bones, burying itself so far into your marrow that all you can think about is the one thing you said . . . and how you wished you could take it back the minute it slipped past your lips? That’s where I am. Full of regret. People always say, “Don’t regret anything. It’s what makes you who you are.” That was said in a whiney, nasally voice. Did you hear it? Well, those people, the ones trying to spew rainbows and sunshine up your ass about blatant mistakes . . . yeah, they’re only saying that because they fuck up on a daily basis. Think about it, what REAL person is okay with all their regrets? No one. There is always that one thing you did, that one time, that you will always, always, always think . . . “What if I’d done that differently?” It keeps you up at night. You wonder, what transformed, what took over my brain, to utter such words. To alter your life completely and send it down an entirely different course. Yeah, my life has been fucking altered all right. Everything was fine. I was pitching one hell of a fucking season for the Rebels, my ride or die team. I was getting along with my teammates, even the infamous Cory Potter, who made a splash after last season. I’ll hand it to the man, he really is the boss. I was getting laid whenever I wanted, which is always a plus for a guy who has massive amounts of adrenaline pumping through him daily, especially on a pitching day. And there were no strings attached. None. Yeah, I might have a rotation of women I call, but any single player in the major leagues does. You need the outlet. Even the prestigious Cory Potter had some booty call numbers before he found Natalie. I was living a great life, and then it all changed. And it changed fucking fast. Before I knew it, I was staring into my fridge at dairy products not made from a cow, but rather from oat. What the fuck is that? Oat milk? Explain to me where an oat has a goddamn nipple. My toothbrush is made from bamboo, which gives off a very woody, splintery taste, and I’ve been using toothpaste tablets instead of paste from a tube . . . because apparently, tubes suck up life in the landfill. The eco-friendly toilet paper in my apartment disintegrates in my hand and is worthless, making bathroom breaks a fucking nightmare. And there’s a goddamn three-legged dog in a suit and tie sitting on my couch that goes by the name Herman, or Hermy for short. I don’t have any privacy, I don’t even remember what meat tastes like anymore, and “Hermy” has a goddamn staring problem. And the three-legged motherfucker, yeah, he’s stealthy. I find him waiting for me outside the shower . . . staring. When I wake up . . . staring. When I’m trying to make a goddamn tempeh sandwich . . . staring. Every time I tell him to “get a life” or to “fuck off” or for the love of Christ “get a new hobby”, he doesn’t even bat an eyelash. He just stares! I can’t fucking take it anymore. I’m losing my goddamn mind and I don’t know . . . maybe it’s because I haven’t had sex in what feels like forever, or because my burgers are now made of imposter “meat”, or maybe because I’m forced to do things I don’t want to do. Either way, something needs to give, because I’m pretty sure from all the vegan shit I’ve been eating, my armpits are just about ready to spring their own mung beans. Christ. One phone call. That’s all it took. One fucking phone call from a person I cannot say no to, a person who will forever and always be . . . my insanely beautiful and free-spirited best friend.
The Change Up is a really sweet sports romance by Meghan Quinn. This one caught be by surprise as I was expecting more humor (it is Meghan Quinn writing this and she is my queen for romantic comedies) and this one had the humor but it was definitely not at the forefront of this story.
Maddox Paige is known to all as the Badboy of Baseball. He’s constantly defending his teammates on the field with his fists and has no qualms about it. He’s a great ballplayer, true friend but keeps to himself most of the time.
Kinsley is Maddox’s best friend since they were kids. They have been through everything together and even when Maddox was called up to the big league, she has continued to be his biggest cheerleader. They may be further apart in physical distance, but they remained just as close as when they were kids.
Kinsley is offered a job of a lifetime for her but she doesn’t have the funds to support the move to Chicago. In steps Maddox offering up his place to share with her until she can afford her own place and is settled in at her new job.
Meghan delivers a very real and life-like picture of two friends growing in their relationship in an organic way at a natural pace. Readers will easily see the connection between Maddox and Paige even though they are complete opposites. It’s their encouragement of one another and support they show that adds depth to their friendship.
Maddox was a surprise for me because he has so much more depth than I expected. He truly won me over as the book progressed. Kinsley is probably one of the sweetest and loveable characters I have read and has this heart of gold that shines through everything she does.
The Change Up is a friends to lovers sports romance that will have readers loving these characters so much. I loved seeing Corey and Jason as secondary characters in here and their interactions definitely added the humor to this book. I am so looking forward to Lincoln’s book next!!
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
The Graveyard Shift, an all-new, not-to-be-missed novella in the award winning paranormal Charley Davidson Series by New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones, is available now!
Guarding a precocious five-year-old who is half-human, half-god, and 100% destined to save the world is no easy feat.
Garrett Swopes was the ultimate skeptic until he met a certain hellion and her husband. They vanished after stopping a catastrophic event and left him, a mere mortal, in charge of protecting their gift to mankind. But when she disappears as well, he needs the help of another breed of hellion. One who can see past the veil of space and time. One who betrayed him.
She will get a truce in the deal, but she will never earn his forgiveness.
Marika Dubois’s son—a warrior in the coming war between heaven and hell—was foreseen long before his birth. But to create a child strong enough to endure the trials that lay ahead, she needed a descendant of powerful magics. She found that in Garrett Swopes and tricked him into fathering her son. A ploy he has never forgiven her for. But when he knocks on her door asking for her help, she sees the fierce attraction he tries to deny rise within him.
And Marika has to decide if she dares risk her heart a second time to help the only man she’s ever loved.
**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.**
NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that legacy. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
At Santa Cruz Central High School, they called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys…
The Girl in the Love Song, book one in the Lost Boys, an interconnected coming-of-age series of standalones, from USA Today bestselling author Emma Scott,is live!
Miller Stratton is a survivor. After a harrowing childhood of poverty, he will do anything it takes to find security for himself and his mom. He’s putting all his hopes and dreams in the fragile frame of his guitar and the beauty he creates with its strings and his soulful voice.
Until Violet.
No one expects to meet the love of their life at age thirteen. But the spunky rich girl steals Miller’s heart and refuses to give it back.
Violet McNamara’s life hasn’t been as simple as it looks. Her picture-perfect family is not so perfect after all. Her best friend Miller is her one constant and she is determined not to ruin their friendship with romantic complications.
But the heart wants what it wants. As Miller’s star begins to rise to stratospheric heights, what will it take for Violet to realize that she’s the girl in all of his love songs?
The Girl in the Love Song features two original songs written by Emma herself.
Download today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
The Girl in the Love Song is exactly why I love contemporary romance books. This is definitely a YA/NA book but it is one that I think anyone who reads contemporary romance will enjoy.
This was my first book my Emma Scott (I know, I know – scold me later). And after reading this, I am really not sure why I have not before but this will definitely not be my last.
The blurb of this book gives you a small glimpse of what this book is about but this book is so much more. This story covers from when Violet and Miller first meet and continues on through becoming adults. Emma does a phenomenal job of setting the perfect pace with these two from start to finish.
Emma wrote this story beautifully with amazing characters. She introduces them all in a way that you won’t ever forget any of them but none of the secondary characters overpower the main characters. The mannerisms and characteristics fit the characters and their age very well, which makes this book so much relatable on different levels.
What I love so much about this story though was feelings expressed and life lessons taught throughout this story. I am not sure if Emma attempted to do this but they there. They feelings of empathy, compassion, love, hurt and anger. The life lessons of seeing beyond what people present themselves as, staying true to who you are, taking risks and never giving up. This book is so much more than story of love and for that, I love this book that much more.
Emma – thank you for writing a story that touched me in ways I had not expected. This book was so much more than the surface read that I had anticipated it to be. I am looking forward to what you bring us next with these Lost Boys.
About Emma:
Emma Scott is an internationally bestselling author whose books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and heroes with a heart of gold, you will enjoy her novels.
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. 🙂
“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!
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.
“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.
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.
A Falling Stars stand-alone romance from A.L. Jackson
“ “AL Jackson at her best. She’s a wordsmith. A magnificent storyteller. A poet and a romantic. Mix all of this with some page-turning suspense, and a climactic ending, in more ways than one, and you’ve got yet another must-read.””
-USA Today bestelling author Lauren Rowe
“All you need to know is this is a must read. I loved it 1,000 times.”
-Books and Prime
DETAILS:
TITLE: CATCH ME WHEN I FALL
RELEASE DATE: MAY 29TH, 2020
Synopsis
A Falling Stars STAND-ALONE NOVEL from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, A.L. Jackson . . .
Sometimes trying to catch a star will light your whole world on fire…
Emily’s entire existence was wrapped up in touring with her country-rock band Carolina George.
What she never expected was to spend a passionate night with a gorgeous, tattooed stranger.
Their chemistry was combustible.
Their attraction irresistible.
It was never supposed to follow her into the light of day.
Royce’s night with the lead singer of Carolina George was the worst mistake of his life. He needs the band to sign on to his record label or his family will pay the price.
He knows falling for her will threaten his carefully laid plans.
Royce’s past is littered with mistakes and heartache—will he overcome or will his love for Emily just be one more tragedy…
Catch Me When I Fall is the second standalone book in Jackson’s Falling Stars series. It’s another angst-filled, insta-love story that many readers will enjoy.
One thing I have to point out is that Jackson’s writing is one that takes some getting used to. She definitely writes more poetically than most authors that I read. But it works for her as most of her stories are about musicians and/or artists so it fits the characters styles well. Ok onto the story….
I am not a fan of insta-love because they are so difficult to write and make believable between the characters. Emily and Royce’s story I am still 50/50 on. There is an insta-attraction between these two and when things move in a direction that throws Emily off her rocker, it definitely makes things more entertaining. However, these two never get to know one another than more than surface-level. And while that issue is mentioned in the book, nothing is ever done about it.
Emily and Royce are both keeping secrets not just from each other, but from other members of the band. While I understand the need for some suspense to keep things intense, it felt as though these secrets were the only thing that was mentioned (yet never revealed til later) to keep readers interested in the story.
Overall, I felt this played out a little too long for me and I was beginning to skim pages just to see if anything new developed or happened. I am a huge fan of Amy’s so it hurts that this one was not a better read for me. I am definitely in the minority on this one. But it won’t stop me from reading her future books.
GIVEAWAY
Win a Kiss the Stars signed paperback + a $50 Gift Card!
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, and FALLING STARS novels. Check out for her latest stand-alone, CATCH ME WHEN I FALL, on Amazon and free with Kindle Unlimited!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.
Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and host of Living in the Pages podcast. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.
“Another impressive hit from Davis; nothing short of what I expect and love from her works!”
–S.E. Hall, New York Times 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!
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.
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
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.
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.
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!
“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.
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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.
About Siobhan
