That was my husband Jesse’s dying promise, a vow I’m certain he’ll keep. This wasn’t the first lifetime Jesse and I shared, and since love never dies, we knew, someday, we would be reunited.
After he passed away, I thought I’d never experience a love like that again—not in this lifetime anyway—and I accepted that.
But fate had other plans for me…
I met Dev Abramson when his white German shepherd plowed into me in Central Park, knocking me flat on my back, then slathering my face with her effervescent kisses. I was instantly drawn to Dev’s calm, centered presence and to his dog, Sheba, who welcomed me like a long-lost friend.
Dev gave me his card, but I failed to follow up, something I deeply regretted. So, when our paths crossed a second time, I wasn’t about to let him slip away again. I needed to know more about the handsome jazz pianist.
I never expected to fall in love with Dev, but now that I have—I’m afraid if I tell him that I was married to Jesse, one of the most famous rock stars in the world, and that we have shared previous lifetimes—I’ll lose him.
But my connection with Dev was instantaneous and so deep—as if I’d known him forever.
And I can’t help but wonder, maybe I have…
THIS BOOK IS THE SEQUEL TO LOVE ON THE EDGE OF TIME WHICH MUST BE READ FIRST.
Julie has done it once again – blown me away with her astounding & talented writing.
First and foremost, you must read this book AFTER you read Love on the Edge of Time. This is the conclusion to that book and cannot be read as a standalone.
Now, where do I begin with this one. It’s been 6.5 years since Julie released the first book but it resounded with me so well, that after reading the blurb, it all came back to me as if I just read it. And no doubt, Love on the Edge of Forever is the same way.
This book touched my soul so deeply. I won’t go into details of this book – the blurb gives you all you need to know. But this book truly shows what a true soulmate is.
Julie delivers a profound story that will is very thought-provoking and will bring you to your knees. The emotions I felt while reading were jaw-dropping intense and I could not walk away from this story.
Love on the Edge of Forever is more than a romance – it’s the story of many lifetimes. It’s a story that will forever stay with me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.
This fake marriage is starting to feel a little too real.
Cold Hearted Casanova, an all-new forced proximity, opposites attract, billionaire romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is now available!
Riggs Bates may be a billionaire, but he knows money can’t buy happiness. He keeps his financial status a secret and takes his women the same way he takes his meals—a different one three times a day. That’s until he’s caught sleeping with a married newswoman by none other than her ambitious assistant.
Daphne “Duffy” Markham wants two things in life: marry well and stay in the States. So when her almost-fiancé takes off to “find himself” and her work visa approaches expiration, Duffy resorts to the only thing she has left—blackmail. Luckily, Riggs needs an excuse to stay in New York as badly as she does, so their first meeting quickly leads to a begrudging engagement.
Armed with strict house rules and their mutual distaste for one another, Riggs and Duffy soon find there’s no denying the spark between them…or the fact that this fake marriage is starting to feel a little too real.
Keep reading for a look inside Cold Hearted Casanova!
“Does Mary Poppins have a name?”
“Daphne Markham.” Gretchen twisted her mouth in repulsion, as though the very thought of me depressed her. “She’s my assistant.”
Now I was standing there in my flowery Ellie Nap jigsaw dress—I couldn’t leave my flat in the same jammies I’d collected biscuit crumbs on—being roasted by these two cheaters. The amount of rock bottoms I’d hit today had me sinking to a whole different galaxy.
“Assuming your temper out of bed is as ferocious as it is inside it, I’m guessing there’s not a whole lot of motivation on her part to keep her mouth shut,” Demigod said to Gretchen.
“Please. As though if she liked me, it’d have made a difference.” My boss began buttoning her torn blouse. “Money is money, and she’s very fond of it.”
What gave it away? My weakness for designer clothes or the fact I dated BJ Abbott, the heir to a real estate mogul?
Formerly dated, I reminded myself.
“Then how ’bout we grease her palm a little?” Demigod suggested. “Make it worth her while to keep her pretty little mouth shut.”
My eyes ping-ponged between them. For once, I held back my snarky remarks. I wanted to see where this was going.
Gretchen huffed. “Take it seriously, Riggs!”
Riggs. What a peculiar name for a peculiar person.
And a single one too.
“I am serious.” Riggs flashed a perfect set of teeth. “As you said, money is money, and you’ve got a fuck ton of it, babe.”
Riggs had a tattoo of a mountain on his inner bicep, and beneath it, a list of famous mountains: Mount Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and so on. The entire list had been crossed off, other than Denali.
He was a mountain climber. How odd that the only major mountain he hadn’t climbed was in Alaska.
How odd that you’d be thinking about his mountain-climbing career while contemplating blackmailing him. Which, by the way, was the direction I was currently leaning toward.
“Fine!” Gretchen swiveled, training her venom-filled gaze on my face. “What’s your price?”
“Take me with you to DC,” I blurted out.
It was the only way I could stay here and wait for BJ, which, for a reason beyond my grasp, was something I was still entertaining, even after he’d screwed me over tonight.
She stared at me for a long moment before tossing her arms in the air and bursting into a tearless sob.
“They won’t let me bring my own staff. Let alone consider a foreigner for a White House job.”
“I need someone to sponsor my visa.” I laced my arms over my chest.
“I can do that!” Gretchen’s eyes lit up. “I can get you interviews with all the networks in Manhattan.”
I shook my head. “I’m not talking interviews. I’m talking about a visa. One I could use to gain employment anywhere. No strings attached.” I was done being metaphorically squeezed by the bollocks by a network that knew I depended on it to stay in the country. Plus, I wanted to make my own hours and negotiate a better salary. And though my inclination was to remain in the news industry—it was fast paced, glamorous, and full of opportunities—I couldn’t help but internally admit to myself that I found the news . . . well, quite boring.
I turned to look Riggs in the eye. “Mary Poppins here isn’t thick.”
“But I am.” Riggs winked mischievously. He was in the process of rolling himself another joint, licking the edge of the paper with expertise. “And no offense, but smart people don’t usually work for tyrants.”
“At least I’m not sleeping with one,” I said pointedly.
He offered me the spliff. I shook my head. He shrugged. “Assholes make great lovers and shitty employers. Source: science.”
“I don’t think you know what science means.” I glared at him.
“Of course I do. It’s that thing with the test tubes and smoke bubbling out of them. Oh, don’t forget the funny goggles.”
He treated the entire thing like it was a joke.
“So you’re okay with this behavior?” I motioned to Gretchen, who was busy crying into her palms theatrically, producing zero tears and loads of drama. “She’s my fuck buddy, not my mother.”
“Back to the topic!” Gretchen interjected, not seeming to be bothered by how she’d been openly labeled as an abuser by both of us. “How am I supposed to secure you a visa? The last thing I need is to meddle with the immigration office while I work for POTUS.”
“There are other ways to secure a visa.” I examined my fingernails, which were squarely trimmed and cream colored. I idly wondered if I’d lost my mind, with what I was about to propose. It was possible. Probable, even. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
“There are?” Gretchen eyed me warily.
“I could marry him.” I pointed at Riggs.
The man was so surprised he actually whipped his head around to see if there was another person behind him. He turned back to me, stubbing his bare chest. “You weren’t talking about me, were you?”
“Indeed I was. You’re American, aren’t you?”
He lit up his spliff, taking a long drag. “I’d like to think of myself as a citizen of the world.”
“Do you travel said world with a blue passport issued in the United States of America?” I arched an eyebrow.
His flat-lined expression said it all. “If you want to get all technical.”
“Good enough for me. So. When’s a good time for us to get married?” I asked, businesslike. I produced my phone from my purse and checked my calendar. “I have a mani-pedi tomorrow after work, and a facial on Saturday, but otherwise I’m free.”
Though I could probably cancel the facial if he needed me to be flexible. Teamwork was one of my fortes.
“Sorry, it might be the accent.” He fished his black tee from between the pillows of the couch, then slid it on. “But it sounded like you just dropped the m-bomb.”
“Marriage is not profanity.”
“No. It’s not.” Riggs slam-dunked his empty bottle into a bin across the room as he sucked on his rollie. “Marriage is worse than profanity. Profanity is fun, creative, humorous; take cum dumpster, for example. Great word, right?”
“You mean two words.” I wrinkled my nose. “Let’s hope you don’t pass your dazzling math skills to our children.” Now I was just being cheeky. Since sperm was mentioned, and all.
Riggs shuddered. “The c-word. You really are a sadistic creature, Poppins.”
Gretchen looked between us, growing desperate. “Riggs, please.”
He sneered. “You’re nuts if you think I’d ever entertain this, sweet cheeks.” “It’s just a piece of paper. She could destroy my career!” Gretchen threw herself at him suddenly, like a damsel in distress. I stood there, having the distinct feeling tonight was stretching over approximately five months. Was Mercury in retrograde?
But Riggs gave no indication he was about to cave in, instead shaking her off his arm. “Find another career then. I’m sure there’s a small repressed country in need of a new authoritarian. I’m not marrying anyone, for any reason, at any time.”
“You owe me!” Her palms collided with his chest, and she seemed more mental than ever. “Please. This can’t be the end of my career. You know there’s no going back from a sex scandal for a woman in politics.”
She slid down his body, begging him on her knees now.
He stared her down, his jaw square, his eyes dead. What was it that revolted him more, I wondered—the fact that she’d begged him to sacrifice his freedom for her, or the prospect of marrying me?
I knew I wasn’t the sort of woman men like Riggs went for. While I was perfectly decent looking, I wasn’t as in-your-face sexy as Gretchen, who, at forty, looked like a Hollywood bombshell, with curves for miles, luscious blonde hair, and a pout that had seen more syringes than a drug addict. I’d taken the Kate Middleton route. With fresh brunette locks, conservative dresses, and a willowy frame without much to grab. Le sigh. If only anxiety and insecurities were grab-able.
Riggs clasped her chin, tilting her face up.
“This is not the kind of begging I’m into, and my mind won’t change.” His voice was soft but final. “Now get up and dust off.”
“Bloody hell!” It was my turn to lose my temper. “I was just joking about the children part. I’d rather remove my own teeth with a pair of tweezers than have you contaminating my DNA pool. Give it up, mate.”
“Sorry, Poppins, I don’t do monogamy.” He finished the last of his spliff.
“I don’t do delusional,” I responded with an eye roll. “It’s going to be completely fake. On paper only.”
“It is not going to happen.”
“I’ll pay you,” I blurted out in a fit of desperation.
His jaw dropped mockingly. “You mean I’ll have access to the unfathomable wealth and splendor accumulated by a lowly cable news assistant?”
“National,” I corrected. “And judging by your clothes, you could use all the help you can get.”
His shirt was faded, his belt halfway torn off. My comment left a sour taste in my mouth—commenting on people’s clothes was bad form, but the adrenaline coursing through me made me say and do unlikely things.
Riggs’s eyes widened, and I had a feeling that his funds, or lack thereof, were a very serious business for him. “You’re the shallowest, bitchiest, meanest woman I’ve ever met—and I’ve met plenty.”
My belly slithered with venomous snakes. I was usually thick skinned, but Riggs’s impression of me hit home, because . . . well, because I rather agreed with him.
“Just go, Riggs.” Gretchen’s voice cracked. Her head lolled between her shoulders, like she was boneless. “You’re not going to help me, and you’re not making things better.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” He shoved his feet into dirty army boots and slung an old backpack over his shoulder. “Good luck.”
He stormed away, leaving both of us to stand there, like we were in a duel.
Maybe it was a duel. Maybe it had always been a duel between Gretchen Beatty and me.
Only now, one thing was for certain.
She knew my gun was cocked, loaded, and ready to fire.
Cold Hearted Casanova is the third and final book in the Cruel Castaways series and can easily be read as a standalone.
I enjoyed this story and it helped that it was written in dual POVs so readers are able to get a better understanding of the characters and their mannerisms.
While the blurb gives you an idea of what happens, things don’t exactly play out that way. However, I did enjoy what did happen and how things played out.
Cold Hearted Casanova plays out at a great pace and while there are parts that seemed too out there (even for a fictional story), and the lack of communication in parts, it did not take away from the overall story.
All in all, I enjoyed this one and found it entertaining.
For more information about L.J. Shen and her books, visit her website:
From Amazon #1 bestselling author Amy Daws, comes an all-new small town, spicy romance sure to hit you in the gut with laughs, feels, and mountain man grunts. Help Wanted: Grumpy Mountain Man seeks baby momma. Job is an incubator position only. Surrogate must be impervious to grunting in the form of communication and nosey brotherly neighbors. Rustic mountain range housing available upon request.
I wanted to pummel my irritating brothers when they posted their own version of a wanted ad to help me with my life.
But I can’t fault the results once the right woman lands on my lap.
Becoming a single father is not a decision I made lightly. In fact, it’s the biggest decision of my entire life.
Which is why when I interview Trista, I know she’s perfect.
She’s wild, she’s opinionated, she wears cowboy boots. Even my pet goat loves her…
She’s the exact type of person I was holding out for.
And to my great horror, I realize on our first night of attempting this baby making dance…when the lights are low, the cheap wine is flowing, and the home insemination supplies are laid out on the kitchen counter…
I want to do a lot more than just make her my surrogate. I want to make her mine.
Nine Month Contract is a full standalone featuring the Wyatt (one of four Fletcher brothers) and Trista. There are characters from a pervious book (Last on the List) but you can go into this book without having read it before and still enjoy this fully.
I love how Amy had this story played out. I love that she takes a very personal decision and shows all the different aspects that comes with going down the surrogacy road. But what I appreciate alot, is that Amy shows not one person is the same in their response to this decision.
This story plays out in a very entertaining yet realistic way with these characters. Trista and Wyatt are very open and honest with one another from the start and that continues throughout the story as they have no problems with communication.
Amy stays true to these characters and their mannerisms throughout the story. Trista tends to laugh through difficult times and that bleeds into her very humorous personality. Wyatt is very protective of anyone he truly values and those he loves and you see that throughout the story.
You can see how Wyatt and Trista navigate their new normal. I love that these two are serious but also lighthearted about it to keep things from getting too serious, which fits their personalities well. Neither of these characters ever take anything lightly but their upbringings play a huge role in how they both respond to different situations and that makes this story all the more authentic.
Overall, Amy writes a truly entertaining and enjoyable story that readers will appreciate.
Excerpt
“By the way…I’m ovulating right now, so I say we get this show on the road when I get back to the mountain tonight.”
Trista, my hired surrogate, sped off in her van, leaving me in a wake of nerves and anxiety. I wore a path on my wood floor, pacing my house and waiting for her to return. I knew this day was coming. I just didn’t know exactly when. And now that it’s here…I’m not sure how to prepare for it.
A knock interrupts my obsessive thoughts, and I realize it’s her.
Time to make a baby.
I open the door and stupidly grunt out, “I went to the Mercantile and picked up pizza.”
She holds up two brown bags in her hand. “I picked up booze.”
She kicks off her beat-up cowboy boots and marches past me, dropping her purse on my small farm table like she’s been in my place a million times…which she hasn’t. I watch her curiously as she props her hands on her hips and assesses the space for a second before making her way toward the kitchen, giving no outward reaction to the home I built with my bare hands.
Not that I need her approval on this house, but I guess I just…I don’t know what I want. A baby. That’s what I want. That should be all that I want from this woman.
She sets the brown bags on my butcher-block island and pulls out two bottles of white wine. Without pause, she twists the cap off one and takes a swig straight from the bottle.
My brows lift. It’s going to be that kind of night.
“These were two for seven bucks at the gas station, and it tastes like it.” She coughs and winces at the taste.
“Do you want something else?” I offer, making a move to my refrigerator. “I only have beer.”
“No,” she mutters and takes another quick sip. “I’m not a very big drinker, but I’m nervous as shit, and lots of people get pregnant drunk, so…science. How are you doing?”
Her candid response is more comforting than she realizes. I haven’t known Trista for long, but I like that she calls a spade a spade. I move to stand next to her at the island, noticing how much smaller she is out of her boots.
I point at the second bottle. “Is that other one for me?”
She silently slides it over, and I twist the cap off and join her in the wine-bottle-chugging experience. I shudder at the horrible taste because I’m not a wine drinker…but I will be tonight. I want her to feel supported through this, and if that means choking down a disgusting bottle of cheap wine, I’ll do it.
“Pizza?” I point at the box on the other side of her.
She nods and helps herself, mindlessly chomping down on a bite.
“I checked on the animals in the barn before I came in here, and they both looked very content in their pens,” she says around a mouthful. “That was really sweet of you to buy those troughs for Reggie. Sorry if I was a bitch about the pen thing.” She takes another swig.
“You weren’t a bitch.” I take another swig, eyeing her baggy T-shirt that’s covered in Millie hoof prints and a substance I can only assume is from the pig.
It’s odd to have Trista in my house. All of our meetings thus far have been pretty professional. And this whole concept of me hiring a surrogate felt like something that was never actually going to happen. It feels more real now that we’re here, face-to-face, without a lawyer talking for us. More personal. Like we’re letting our guards down.Probably because you’re about to put your cum inside her, my inner voice adds with a dirty sneer. I take a big drink.
Number 1 Amazon Bestselling author Amy Daws writes spicy love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond. She’s most known for her footy-playing Harris Brothers and writing in a tire shop waiting room. When Amy is not writing, she’s likely making charcuterie boards from her home in South Dakota where she lives with her daughter and husband.
Follow Amy on all social media channels, including Tik Tok under @amydawsauthor
For more of Amy’s work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com
Historical Romance (Medieval); Dark Romance Series; Fairy Tale Retellings: Book Two (Standalone)
Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.
Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she made to her grandmother on her deathbed.
Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.
United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.
Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?
Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a passionate, slow-burn historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the longing for a world at harmony.
*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined fairy tales. Due to graphic content and mature themes, reader discretion is advised.
What you can expect from Red Kingdom…
Dark, Medieval Setting
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Broken Alpha Hero
Fierce Heroine
He Falls First
Age Gap
A Wolf Animal Companion
Angst
Redemption
Warring Kingdoms
Historical Intrigue
Epic Battles
Game of Thrones Vibes
WOW!! Fantastic read from Rachel!
For someone who’s not a fan of historical romance, Rachel definitely knows how to keep a reader vested in the story.
Red Kingdom is a unique take on the retelling of the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood.
The story starts off with some great action but then Rachel takes readers into a deeper story, allowing readers to see who these characters are.
Red Kingdom is definitely more heavy on the plot & character development and less reliant on the romance and chemistry between Rowan & Blanchette. And honestly, that’s what made this story even more enticing.
Rachel delivers a story that has depth, many layers, and characters that readers will empathize with. I truly loved watching Rowan and Blanchette grow in their own ways as the story unfolded. It was just another layer to a very well plotted out story that gives readers the HEA they enjoy.
Red Kingdom is highly recommend to any fantasy or historical romance reader.
About the author
I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!
I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.
I’m passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.
In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.
Before he discovered my age, he uncovered my heart.
Bruised and abused, and victim to a loveless household, I shimmered with new life the moment he found me drowning my sorrows in a lake beneath the stars.
A chance encounter. An unspoken connection.
I was smitten; he was curious.
But, as everyone knew, fate could be decidedly cruel.
He called me Halley, like the comet.
I called him Reed.
And my best friend?
Well…she called him Dad.
Older is a forbidden, slow-burn, age-gap romance standalone, ending in a HEA.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
My first book by Jennifer and definitely not my last one.
Older is an age-gap, forbidden romance that definitely took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
This story is definitely character driven and readers get to truly see these characters struggle and grow as time moves forward.
This story is a true slow-burn and while I wanted to see more of their connection and not just Halley’s day-to-day doings, I could still get an idea of how things developed.
Jennifer knows how write a gripping story and even though this one had some mundane bits in the middle, overall it was a great story.
Definitely a forbidden romance that any romance reader will enjoy.
Meet Jennifer
Jennifer Hartmann resides in northern Illinois with her own personal romance hero and three children. When she is not writing angsty love stories, she is likely pondering all the ways she can break your heart and piece it back together again. She enjoys sunsets (because mornings are hard), bike riding, traveling, bingeing Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and that time of day when coffee gets replaced by wine. She loves tacos. She also really, really wants to pet your dog.
Cold Hearted Casanova, an all-new forced proximity, opposites attract, billionaire romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is now available!
Riggs Bates may be a billionaire, but he knows money can’t buy happiness. He keeps his financial status a secret and takes his women the same way he takes his meals—a different one three times a day. That’s until he’s caught sleeping with a married newswoman by none other than her ambitious assistant.
Daphne “Duffy” Markham wants two things in life: marry well and stay in the States. So when her almost-fiancé takes off to “find himself” and her work visa approaches expiration, Duffy resorts to the only thing she has left—blackmail. Luckily, Riggs needs an excuse to stay in New York as badly as she does, so their first meeting quickly leads to a begrudging engagement.
Armed with strict house rules and their mutual distaste for one another, Riggs and Duffy soon find there’s no denying the spark between them…or the fact that this fake marriage is starting to feel a little too real.
Heartless Monster is the first book I have read by Rachel Leigh. And I absolutely devoured this book in one day. I could not get enough of Elodie and Rome.
From the start, Heartless Monster drew me in. And the story and these characters kept me turning the pages.
Elodie might come across as this quiet, mousy girl, but she is quite the spitfire.
Rome is used to getting what he wanted and people just doing what he wants and asks for until he met Elodie.
One night changed both their lives, but in two completely different ways.
Rachel wrote a fantastic angsty story. The push and pull between Rome and Elodie was addicting. While Rome was beyond an asshole at times, Elodie wasn’t going to go down easily. And I loved that she knew when to submit and when to push back.
Heartless Monster moves at the perfect pace. The tension, chemistry, and with the added suspense of secrets lurking around the corner, this book keeps you right on edge the whole time.
I pray we get more from this family in the future.
Meet Rachel
Rachel Leigh is a USA Today and International bestselling author of new adult and contemporary romances.
She loves to write—and read—flawed bad-boys and strong heroines. You can expect dark elements, a dash of suspense, and a lot of steam.
Her goal is to take readers on an adventure with her words, while showing them that even on the darkest days, love conquers all.
Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband, three little monsters (who aren’t so little anymore) and a couple of fur babies. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s likely lounging in leggings, with coffee in her hand, while binge watching her favorite reality tv shows.
I never claimed to be a good man, but I’ve always done what was expected of me.
Find a nice girl. Get married. Have children.
That was my duty as a good Christian man.
And everything was going as planned when I met Briar.
Beautiful. Charismatic. Sexy.
But marriage is hard, and after seven years, I feel like I’m failing.
Then, a figure from my past enters the picture.
Dean Sheridan is cocky and charming. When this twenty-five-year-old needs a place to stay, I should turn him away—especially after I notice the spark between him and my wife. But I don’t.
When I pressure him about his relationship with Briar, he does the last thing I expect.
He dares me.
He thinks he can take what’s mine.
And if it’s a challenge he wants, it’s a challenge he’ll get.
What started as a game becomes so much more.
Between them. Between us.
This isn’t how normal couples behave.
The games we’re playing are dangerous.
And the roles we’re playing are far more.
But God help me, I can’t seem to stop.
What we’re doing is wrong, but it feels so right, and before long, I don’t recognize the good husband I used to be.
I have a new favorite Sara Cate book!! Damn, woman – you can write a phenomenal story.
“You might be married to him, but you belong to me.”
I want to start off with stating for those who hate cheating in their books, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let that fear stop you from reading this one. Sara Cate handles this area so well; I can’t explain it because I will give everything away, but just give this book a chance.
I had not anticipated for this spicy and sexy book to bring out so many emotions in me. The love that absolutely shines throughout this book, just made it all the more hotter.
Sara wrote this story beautifully. She showcased each character wonderfully and shined a light on their own struggles and triumphs while blending everything together and intertwining their stories. The pacing is perfect and these characters are exceptional in so many ways.
We don’t sacrifice who we love just to make our lives a little easier.
I could not get enough of this story. Sara crafted a beautiful, deep, hot and emotional story that I will not be forgetting any time soon. This will definitely one of those books I will be re-reading many times over.
Meet Sara Cate:
Let’s skip the boring About the Author bit where I tell you how I’m a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Arizona with her kids, husband, and dog and enjoys baking in my free time. Boring.
Instead, I’d like you to know I strive to be a taboo and forbidden romance author who dares to tell stories with heart-wrenching plot and toe-curling heat.
My passion in life is to normalize a reading experience that pushes boundaries and empowers women to own their sexuality. Things that trigger my soapbox rants are discrediting the romance industry or belittling its readers by calling it “trash.” You’ve been warned. I could quite literally go on for days.
I like to take risks and write from the heart. And I want nothing more than to be an author readers trust to deliver books that are steamy AF but with a strong storyline and well-rounded characters.
What is The Sara Cate Experience?
The Sara Cate Experience means being pulled into a story and escaping reality a little bit for romances that are as emotional as they are arousing. The feelings are strong and the steam is scorching. There is never one without the other because when sex and love come together, it’s fireworks.
Then Hate Me by Alta Hensley & Zoe Blake, writing as Blake Hensley, is now live!
He dared to steal my bride, so it’s only fair I respond by kidnapping his innocent sister.
Only a monster with no morals would kidnap a woman from her brother’s wedding…
Which was precisely what I’ve become, a monster bent on revenge.
After all, as the billionaire Marksen DuBois, renowned for being a jilted groom, my reputation and business were in tatters.
There was nothing more dangerous than a man possessing power, boundless resources, and a vendetta.
I would torment him with increasingly degrading photos of his precious sister as I held her captive and under my complete control.
She’d have no option but to yield to my every command if she wished to shield herself and her family from further disgrace.
She was just a captured pawn to be dominated, exploited, and discarded.
Yet the more ensnared we become in my twisted game of revenge, the more my suspicions grow.
As she fiercely counters my every move, I begin to question whether I’m the true pawn… ensnared by my queen.
New York’s elite play a dangerous game of shadows, hiding scandalous truths and illicit desires behind their opulent masks. Step into this intoxicating world of dark romance, masterfully crafted by USAT Bestselling authors, Zoe Blake and Alta Hensley, now co-writing as the enigmatic Blake Hensley.
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Then Hate Me is the second book in this series. And while it is said that it can be read as a standalone, I would disagree with that to a point. I would definitely consider this to an interconnected standalone.
Then Hate Me is Marksen and Olivia’s story. However, you need to understand the dynamics between all the parties involved and you get all that in book one, The More I Hate. I was not lost per se, but it took me a bit to get fully vested in this story and feel like I understood how everyone was intertwined.
I found the plot intriguing and the pacing of the book was spot on. It was entertaining to see both Marksen and Olivia fight within themselves on feelings they were not suppose to be feeling towards one another. It may their passion even hotter.
I do wish that Olivia would have made Marksen gravel more in the end. She’s a strong heroine and throughout the story, definitely pushed back on him and I loved those parts. So I was hoping to see more of that in the end from her.
Overall, it’s a great second book in this series. I would definitely read the first book to get a much better understanding of the dynamics and to truly enjoy this one as a whole. I am definitely looking forward to book three – Harrison’s story.
Meet Blake Hensley
Introducing Blake Hensley, the sinfully decadent dream project of best friends and
USA TODAY bestselling authors, Zoe Blake and Alta Hensley.
Alta Hensley, renowned for her hot, dark, and dirty romances, showcases her distinctive blend of alpha heroes, captivating love stories, and scorching eroticism.
Meanwhile, Zoe Blake brings a touch of darkness and glamour to the series, featuring her signature style of possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists.
Together, as Blake Hensley, they combine their storytelling prowess to deliver “Twice the Darkness,” promising sordid scandals, hidden secrets, and forbidden desires of New York’s jaded high society in their new series,
Gilded Decadence.
Meet Alta
Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 10 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.
She lives in Astoria, Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and an Australian Shepherd. When she isn’t walking the coastline, and drinking beer in her favorite breweries, she is writing about villains who always get their love story and happily ever after.
Zoe Blake is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the romantic suspense saga The Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy inspired by her own heritage as well as her obsession with jewelry, travel, and the salacious gossip of history’s most infamous families.
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis, vacations, and red lipstick.
I’ve never had a problem convincing a man to take me home for a night of fun.
Until I meet Alexander Krum.
He leaves me wanting more at the end of every encounter. Despite our insane attraction to one another, we couldn’t be more opposite.
He wants to take me on a date.
I want to head straight to his bedroom.
He believes in romance.
I know men in romance books don’t really exist.
He always wants to help.
I can take care of myself.
But then he comes to me with a proposition: A marriage arrangement to save his family’s villa. His substantial offer has me overlooking our differences and saying “I do.”
There is only one problem…he’s been hiding a secret from the media for the last four years. Pretending to be a wife is one thing, but this? I’m the last person he should want in this role.
Yet I can’t bring myself to walk away. The incentive is too great, and when it’s over, I will have my dream.
And it will be over. I’m not destined for happily ever after’s—no matter how real this charade is starting to feel.
This is my first read by Kristen but definitely won’t be my last.
Puck Pact is a full standalone featuring Aarya and Alexander.
Araya is a strongly independent and fierce woman who relies on no-one. She trusts no-one and lives life to the fullest and her number one love is her art goals.
Alexander is the captain of his hockey team but keeps alot close to his chest. He has his own secrets and while he loves fiercely, he doesn’t let many people in.
I absolutely loved watching these two knock down one another’s walls. The natural progression of their story was perfect and the pacing of this book was phenomenal. I loved watching each of them grow in different ways and realize things about themselves.
Kristen wrote an emotional and spicy sports romance. Alexander is every woman’s fictional dream man and Aarya is every woman’s best friend. I absolutely loved these two.
This is a definite must read!
Meet Kristen Granata:
Kristen Granata is a teacher by day, and a bestselling author by night. Known for writing emotional contemporary and new adult romance, she loves creating realistic characters who struggle through the darkest parts of life and come out stronger on the other side. Kristen is a self-proclaimed “bitter cynic trapped in a hopeless romantic’s body.” Her inspirational stories make you laugh, make you think, make you ugly cry – and they will always live happily ever after.
Kristen openly shares her mental health struggles with depression and anxiety with her readers. Her message is a beacon of hope to anyone who is suffering: You are not alone. She delicately weaves this theme into her writing, and her stories demonstrate the ability of love to heal after tragedy.
Kristen was born & raised in New York. She now resides in New Jersey with her wife & two step-daughters. When she’s not teaching or writing, Kristen is reading, tripping over something, indulging in her messy love affair with popcorn, and forever singing along to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Holly Renee, author of the Stars and Shadows series, comes a scorching new fantasy romance that ignites the pages with relentless danger, forbidden passion, and the intoxicating allure of enemies to lovers.
Fleeing my father’s cruelty, the wicked king who robbed me of a future, I face death in the streets, caught between a rebellion and a tyrant’s reign.
Captured by those sworn to kill me, the rebels remain blind to my true identity-the missing daughter of the despised king. Faced with an impossible choice, I stand before them: join the rebels or face their blades.
Yet, Dacre, the son of the ruthless rebellion commander, becomes torn between suspicion and a desire that mirrors my own. He allows no one to touch me, tries to protect me, yet threatens me at every turn.
As secrets are weaved beyond our hidden realm, a fierce battle unfolds within me. As I get closer to the rebels, and their cause, my loyalty to my kingdom clashes with my undeniable devotion to Dacre and the burning connection between us.
In a world where love and hate are two edges of the same blade, I find myself caught in a delicate dance between forbidden desire and my looming destiny.
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The Veiled Kingdom is a nice start to a new series, The Veiled Kingdom.
This is a fantasy romance that starts off a bit slow for us fantasy readers but still has the right touch to keep you intrigued and turning the pages. There was just something in this book that kept me glued to its pages and wanting to know what would happen.
I enjoyed the banter and relationship building between each of the characters. The story is told from both Nyra and Dacre’s POVs and that truly helps add another layer to this story. It’s very well written and the flow is perfect for what needs to happen and build up the plot intensity.
My biggest issue and the only reason I did not rate this book 5 stars was the lack of world building. A huge part of a fantasy romance is the world building and letting readers visualize this fantastic world and all the ins and outs of the people who inhabit it and their abilities. While there are some descriptions, there is alot missing that would give this book that perfect additional layer.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book and cannot wait to see what happens next with Nyra, Dacre and the impasse that they are currently at.
Meet Holly
USA Today Bestselling Author, Holly Renee brings readers a pinch of angst, an indulgence of heat, and the perfect amount of heart in every book.
Born and raised in East Tennessee, she is a married mom of two wild children. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, pretending to be a dragon for the hundredth time that day, being disgustingly in love with her husband, or chilling in the middle of the lake with her sunglasses and a float.
Holly is a lover of all things romance, Mexican food and yoga pants.
