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Cold Bastard (Dark Sparrow #2) by India Kells – Review by Jana Teppih

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Cold Bastard (Dark Sparrow #2)Cold Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cold Bastard is the second story in India Kells’ Dark Sparrow’s series. It is the first book I have read by this writer and I am a committed fan now! Now that I have finished the Cold Bastard, I will move on to the first book and also to her Women of Purgatory after meeting Beatrice and Gabrielle and ….
Anyhow, Cold Bastard is the story of Zoe and Archer and both of them are more than what they appear on the surface – Zoe is more than the feisty curvy redhead and Archer is more than a ruthless businessman. They are thrown together when Zoe goes undercover at Archer’s company to find out how to protect Archer who is in the midst of a bloody family war.
The book is a true page turner, I could not put it down until my eyes closed and luckily I did not have to go to the office the next day so I could finish the story. The complexity of the story, the layers, the interconnectivity of characters, the shocking revelations and oh my goodness, the electric chemistry …
It is a great story and it is a great series so I will be heading for the first book of the series now and I cannot wait for the Kai and Izzy’s story now!

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Donut Be Shy (Men of Lakeview) by F.G. Adams – Review by Jana Teppih

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Donut Be Shy (Men of Lakeview)Donut Be Shy by F.G. Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Donut Be Shy by F.G. Adams is a novella in her Men of Lakeview series AND it has been written for the Donut Collection (indeed). I have read every single book and novella in the series as I got hooked on it from the first book on! It goes a bit weird (with the order) but never mind as it is so good that you do not care and simply crave for the next one! The only ‘complaint’ I have is that I wish it had been a full length novel as I would have liked more but I always want more….
So Donut Be Shy is gives us Amy Young and Tanner “Moose” Mason’s story! They both are part of the Lakeview gang – Tanner is part of the Trident Security and brother in arms to all the guys that are married to the Blackwood women! I mean they meet on the beach of Keagan and Jo’s beach house (the ones who have read the series know what I mean!)!
It is the story of how lack of communication can really mess up a potential relationship and how our insecurities (women, listen up!!) can hinder us to find love! It is also a story of friendship and encouragement and persistence and hope! And of course, let’s not forget about the delicious desserts – I wish I could have a bakery…yeah…make yourself a cup of tea and pick up a pastry and enjoy couple of hours with Amy and Tanner and I promise you, you will want to read the other stories in the Lakeview series as well!

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Crime Lord’s Captive (Crime Lord, #1) by Mia Knight – Review by Jana Teppih

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Crime Lord's Captive (Crime Lord, #1)Crime Lord’s Captive by Mia Knight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Crime Lord’s Captive by Mia Knight is the first book in her Crime Lord series. This is my first encounter with this writer and I am not sure how to describe it. This book is intense and insane, in a good way as it is as brutal as you can imagine when you think of organized crime and mob war and anti-hero and a heroine on the run and …. Man, what a twisted story the writer has spun and it does end with a cliff hanger though do not worry, the whole series is out (I am just late to the Vegas party) so you can just jump into the next book in the series and eventually get your closure and I will be along on the ride!
So, Crime Lord’s Captive is the story of Lyla (the Captive) and Gavin Pyre (the Crime Lord) and man, isn’t that one messed up relationship! Gavin is intense, brutal, cold, rich and once you see beyond the surface, I do not think you’d dare to picture a relationship with him unless you are willing to give up who you are … and obviously Lyla was not up to it so she is on the run, living a ‘normal’ life that does not include designer clothes and jewels and … well, but in this first book her life is blown out of the water as Gavin finds her and blackmails her to return … and please do not forget that there is a mob war brewing in the side lines so be ready, the first book ends with a cliff hanger! I am looking forward to finding out what’s next and if there is any redemption for Gavin …

@teppih

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Beachcomber Danger (Beachcomber Investigations, #8) by Stephanie Queen – Review by Jana Teppih

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Beachcomber Danger (Beachcomber Investigations, #8)Beachcomber Danger by Stephanie Queen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beachcomber Danger is another instalment in Stephanie Queen’s Romantic Detective series “Beachcomber Investigations”! I have read most of the series since I fell in love with Shana and Dane the first time I met them!
Beachcomber Danger is another brilliant Shana-Dane story! Shana would like to concentrate on planning their wedding but well, nothing goes as one hopes for! The couple is pulled into national emergency as there is a threat to the President of the Free World and who would be better to assist then the legend of special ops aka Dane Blaise … but of course, everything is not as simple as it seems on the surface and the further down we go the rabbit hole, the more gets revealed and the more Dane struggles with his feelings for Shana as they make him weak and vulnerable (or so he thinks) …
The story can be read as a standalone and apart from Shan and Dane we will meet again with the rest of the Island gang and let’s not forget about Archer and the Governor and … The writer has created a world that keeps inviting you back, story after story … a world inhabited by characters that are so easy to relate to and that make you laugh and cry … Cannot wait for the next story!

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Cougarlicious by Lily Ryan – Review by Jana Teppih

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CougarliciousCougarlicious by Lily Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cougarlicious by Lily Ryan is a story of second chances after a tragic loss with an added twist of an older woman/younger man. This is not my first encounter with Ms Ryan so I jumped on the story after reading the blurb! It is great to read so skilfully and artfully written books where the dynamics between women and men have turned upside, sort of …. There are not so many stories with older women/younger men that do not come cross too sleazy or …
Cougarlicious is the story of Kim Doherty, who is the mother of an 11-year old Timmy, and Chance Carter, her son’s wrestling coach who is in twenties. I have read the other reviews where they call it a story of forbidden relationship but I think it is only forbidden when you look at it from a narrow moralistic point of view – they are both grownups and consensual and they are not hurting anyone or cheating on anyone … it is the society that looks down on them …
It is a beautiful journey of two people that pulls at your heartstrings and makes you to take stand and keep reading … I would have loved to have heard more ‘from’ Chance as that would have given his characters more depth and layers but at the same time, the writer has taken on a challenge in itself with the topic. I will be on a lookout for more of her writing!

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Blossoming Flower (Wildflowers, #1) by Vivian Winslow – Review by Jana Teppih

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Blossoming Flower (Wildflowers, #1)Blossoming Flower by Vivian Winslow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blossoming Flower is the first book in Vivian Winslow’s new adult series Wildflowers. It is my first encounter with this writer and I am looking forward to many more hours with her as there are 3 more books (currently) that have been published in the series!
Blossoming Flower is the story of Flor da Lima, the daughter of ex-billionaire Gustavo da Lima who is in housearrest at the beginning of the story. I actually got a feeling that Flor is more resentful towards her mother, a typical Latina drama queen, who is the reason that all the pieces came down tumbling. She is not resentful because her father lost everything, she is resentful for how her mother behaved as a woman… Flor does not care for the trappings of her father’s world; the only thing she really truly loves is horses and her dream of becoming a veterinarian and at the beginning of the story she sets out to the horse ranch Belo Horizonte where the rest of her story unfolds … Here she will grow into her own as a delicate yet fierce woman who speaks her mind … here she meets Collin Taylor, an amazing horse trainer and hottie to die for AND what I loved was the fact that they took it slow and built their relationship slow and sweet until they ended up in bed together.
In addition there were a number of other intriguing characters that I hope we will meet in the next books. As it seems that the characters overlap then I hope to hear more about Flor and Collin as well as yes, there is no cliffhanger at the end but they are young and life can get in the way of all the best intentions. Totally going to dig into next book now!

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Chain Reaction (Nite Fire, Book 2) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Jana Teppih

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Chain Reaction (Nite Fire, Book 2)Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chain Reaction is the second book in C. L. Schneider’s Nite Fire series. I am so happy to continue my acquaintance with the half-dragon shapeshifter/police advisor Dahlia Nite who is protecting humans in Sentinel City! I hope the writer will not keep us waiting that long again for the next instalment in the series!
SO, we got Dahlia’s backstory in the first book so this one is full-blown come-on-a-ride-of-your-life-story that leaves us with a cliffhanger! WHY!? Well, Dahlia and Detective Creed are on the hunt, they are trying to figure out who is leaving dead bodies left and right … the city is in panic … to raise the stakes and make the story more twisted, there is a new drug in the city that causes people to act weird along the strange things that happen to their bodies … Of course it is not a simple drug and Dahlia takes us on an epic journey that leaves us longing for more!
There are a bunch of characters we know from the first book and some new ones and all of them bring the story to life … the reason I love reading books like Nite Fire is that I can picture it all in my head and I am telling you the fireworks of Chain Reaction … they will not leave me soon! If you like paranormal and shapeshifter stories then this one are for you!

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Blood Will Tell (The Blood, #1) by Colleen S. Myers – Review by Jana Teppih

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Blood Will Tell (The Blood, #1)Blood Will Tell by Colleen S. Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood Will Tell is the first book in Colleen S. Myers’ new series called The Blood. I had not read anything else by this writer before and I have to say the synopsis was very ‘sterile’ and the only thing that made me to actually pick up a copy was that someone wrote it is ‘Twilight meets Divergent’ and as I am a hard core fan of both then I decided to give it a go! And I tell you I am happy to report that it was a very fortunate decision and I would not really say it is ‘Twilight meets Divergent’, I think it does disservice to the writer and to the story! Yes, it is a series that is a bit of a YA/NA paranormal fantasy mixes with science fiction sprinkled with a dash of romance but that does not mean that it does not stand in its own rights!
Blood Will Tell gives us the opening to the world after 2019 and is ruled by different vampire clans. They live in cities surrounded by walls made of pure steel and control the humans to the minutiae – how and where they work, that they exercise daily regardless of weather, take vitamins and … breed …and of course they give blood every month! In this world we meet Isabelle or Isa and she is our heroine and it is her journey that we will be taken on and then of course there is betrayal and danger and despair and hope and love triangle with Roke (a Vampire) and Alex (a human who captains the ship Roke and Isa use to escape the city) and … there are so many layers and intrigue and at the end of the first book you are left with ‘WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE BEING PUBLISHED’ and the story keeps hounding you and it probably will until Colleen hands us the next instalment in the series!

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Broken by L.M. Mountford – Review by Jana Teppih

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BrokenBroken by L.M. Mountford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Broken is a hot like hell AND in a twisted way romantic short story. It is the first story I have read by the writer and he left me wanting … wanting to find out how Jake and Vickey’s story ends as this story is just a beginning … or at least I hope it is a beginning and the writer will give us more as the glimpses we got into Vickey’s past and Jake’s reality … oh boy, it really wets one’s appetite!
Even though the story is short, the characters are complex and both of them have a secret side to them and for sure they take us on a merry ride … and I have to say, I absolutely love the Britishness of the language the writer uses to tell the story … it makes me miss the good ole England! The story is peppered with hot sex scenes and I have to say that I did not care too much for the way how they were told, they felt a bit … hmmmm … forced …funny, right? They did fit the storyline and gave us more understanding of who Jake and Vickey are … Pick up a copy and I am sure you will join me in hoping that their story will continue!

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Bound: Four Book Boxed Set by Shandi Boyes – Review by Jana Teppih

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Bound: Four Book Boxed SetBound: Four Book Boxed Set by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bound by Shandi Boyes is her emotional symphony in four parts and this one is like a precious gift – all four parts in one boxed set! The parts that the whole is made out of are Chains, Links, Bound and Restrained! I am sure you can get a slight feeling for the story by just reading the titles … and for sure, these stories are not for faint of heart and you really should be over eighteen to read them …
Bound is Cleo’s journey into the world of dominance, it is filled with secrecy and intrigue and hatred and love and submission and everything that one has ever thought of the BDSM world. And then there is Marcus … a true Master … of the shadowed world reigned by rigid sets of rules of dominance though isn’t there an exception to every rule known to the man … Their story is like a maze and you are constantly left wondering if they do find a way out of it into the light, into the existence where they both blossom … remind yourself not to jump into conclusions and keep your fingers crossed …
In addition to Cleo and Marcus there is a number of other characters that keep you on your toes and make you wonder where their loyalties lie … we also meet once again characters from Shandi’s other stories and that is something that I have always loved about her books! Keep them coming! Cannot wait for her next story!

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Break Away (The Baltimore Banners, #5) by Lisa B. Kamps – Review by Jana Teppih

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Break Away (The Baltimore Banners, #5)Break Away by Lisa B. Kamps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Break Away is the fifth book in Lisa B. Kamps’ Baltimore Banners series and a hockey romance in its true form! I have not read the other stories in the series but I have read another book by the writer, also a hockey romance, so I knew that I will be graced with something good!
Break Away is the story of Jean-Pierre “JP” Larocque and Emily Poole. These two went through a tragic event five years earlier and it has marked their lives ever since … I can see how some people would feel that they miss hearing more about their backgrounds as everything in the story is shadowed by that tragic event but I do not mind actually as it is a beautiful example of the ‘now’ … how our lives get interrupted and how do we deal with tragedy and what do we need in those horrible moments … Not all of us get a second chance so Break Away is a heart-breaking and heart-warming story of what could happen when the two people who were torn apart by one defining tragic event meet again … is there a way forward, together or are the memories too hard to bear to even remotely to imagine a possible future together…
I love the writer’s style, it is simple and to the point and grabs you by your heart strings. I know I will be reading more of her writing!

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Abandoned Love (Love Sick, #2) by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle – Review by Jana Teppih

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Abandoned Love (Love Sick, #2)Abandoned Love by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Abandoned Love is the second book in Sydney Aaliyah Michelle’s Love Sick series. I had not read the first book when I picked up this one and I had not read any other books by this writer either … and now I know that I have lost out on beauty! She is a writer that should be on your radar and she definitely is on mine now!
Abandoned Love is the story of Cody Travis and Briann Hobbs – a wannabe NFL player and a personal trainer … sounds boring, right? In reality, it is a great BWWM Sports Romance that takes place in New Orleans (YEY!) and these two, they are so opposite so that it totally makes sense! I enjoyed the ride that they took me on and even though at times I got a bit annoyed with Briann (though I totally got why she acted the way she did), I still hoped for them to find their way!
It was also great how the writer gave us glimpses of Ryan and Leah who were the leads in her first book … I need to pick up their book as well for sure! What a story they have (at least that is what I got from the bits and pieces that the writer gave us here!). Pick up a copy and join Cody and Briann in the hot and humid New Orleans!

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Bellissimo Fortuna by Leigh Ann Lunsford – Review by Jana Teppih

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Bellissimo FortunaBellissimo Fortuna by Leigh Ann Lunsford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bellissimo Fortuna by Leigh Ann Lunsford is the first book in her new The Family Trilogy and it is her first mafia based story! I have read most of her other books so I was hoping that even though it is a different genre, she would not disappoint and indeed, she did live up to her reputation so now I can with clear conscience say that I have not read any of her books that I did not like!
Bellissimo Fortuna is the story of Callie and Bronson and they have loved each other since they were kids … their journey is not for the faint at heart, I am sure you can imagine (to certain extent) when remembering that this is a mafia story! I felt for Callie and I cried for her and I was keeping my fingers crossed that she would make it and find her way to happiness … at times I felt there were way too many obstacles on their way but then … most of us struggle and that without having our loyalty tested and our decisions having deadly consequences …
I loved how the writer was using the dual POV to tell the story so that we could get deeper into the characters … on the other hand it also made it so much more painful … Oh man, does Leigh Ann knows how to pull us in and keep us on the edge of our seat and reaching for the next book in the series!

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After All These Years (A Cedarville Novel Book 7) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Jana Teppih

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After All These Years (A Cedarville Novel Book 7)After All These Years by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After All These Years by Bree Kraemer is the seventh book in her Cederville series and what a beautiful second chances story it was! I have read all of the other books in the series and yes, you could read the story as a standalone but you’d miss out so much out on the dynamics and subtleties by doing so!
The story is Julia and Wes’ story of second chances … They had been together for four years when teenagers and unfortunately they got into experimenting with drugs and it got out of control! Julia got clean but Wes didn’t and for the sake of staying clean, Julia left Wes … for fourteen years! It is in some ways a very heart-breaking story of how far reaching our mistakes can be – for fourteen long years both Julia and Wes have tried to have other relationships but no one, no one has filled the spot the other had left behind … They both have rebuilt their lives, they both are successful in their own rights and the writer is taking us on a journey of re-discovery … can they forgive and move on? Will their families still be supportive when the old secrets come to light?
I love all of the Centerville stories and I invite you to join us and become friends with all these amazing characters that Bree has introduced to us! Every book she introduces us someone new who ends up getting their own story so I cannot wait for the next Centerville adventure!

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A Force of Nature (Tryst of Fate, #2) by Kara Liane – Review by Jana Teppih

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A Force of Nature (Tryst of Fate, #2)A Force of Nature by Kara Liane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Force of Nature by Kara Liane is the second book in her Tryst of Fate series. I have not read the first book that was her debut but after having finished this one, I know I will need to pick up the first one! Yes, you can read this military romance as a standalone but personally, when I like the writing, I always like to go and read the other books in the series … it gives so much more!
It was pretty cool to know that the story is loosely based on the writer’s own story, on her love story to her airman husband but let’s get to the book! A Force of Nature is the story of Brent & Everly, a military hero and a smart aleck reporter! Sparks flying … emotional baggage …. PTSD and anxiety … humour and sex … oh my gosh … What do you end up with when you put it all together – a pure rollercoaster ride! I love the level of detail that the writer has put into her writing, it makes it all so much more real and relatable … my heart ached for Brent and I admired Everly’s compassion and understanding … Thank you Kara for a memorable story and I am sure that all of that have read your stories are all impatiently waiting for the next one!

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Beneath: Two Book Boxset by Shandi Boyes – Review by Jana Teppih

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Beneath: Two Book BoxsetBeneath: Two Book Boxset by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beneath: Two Book Boxset by Shandi Boyes is a beautiful gift to all of her readers – you get both books in one go and do not need to come up for air when drowning in this smashing contemporary romance. I have read quite a few books by Shandi Boyes and though you can read these two books as standalones, they are actually in some ways part of the bigger series (Enigma). I am sure once you finish these two, you will feel compelled to go looking for more!
Beneath is the story of Hugo and Ava. They are meant for each other but of course nothing is that simple when it comes to life! It is a story about love, family; friendships that go beyond the mundane, sacrifice, guilt … you just name it! Hugo is battling demons and at times they win, Ava has her own baggage that brings along its own challenges … nothing is straight forward here! There are 5 YEARS between the first and second book!!! After these five years Hugo returns to face the music, to try to make amends and pray that Ava’s heart is big enough to give him another chance …
I cried and I laughed and mostly I cried … The story will take you hostage, play with your emotions and at times you are not sure where is up and where is down, it is such a rollercoaster, such emotions … and it is not just women who feel here, it is also those strong alpha males! I could not put the story down … Do yourself a favor and read it! You will not regret it!

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Brant (Secrets #2) by D.B. James – Review by Jana Teppih

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Brant (Secrets #2)Brant by D.B. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brant by D.B. James is the second book in her Secrets series. I know that it seems that one can read it as a standalone and I have to admit I had not read the first book or the novella that was published before Brant and at times I was missing having not read them as I could not get some of the references so I would recommend that you start with book one and the novella! I will be reading book one next, have it already downloaded on my app.
Brant is the story of … well, Brant Ashley and Tessa ‘Cherry’ Annabelle. The writer has given us a beautiful book with a great (dream) boyfriend and a spunky heroine that it was so easy to fall in love with! Brant is a true frat boy on the outside but a committed honourable and totally lovable inside … the little things he does for Tessa … oh my goodness … they make you weak in your knees … and yes, he is a liar and he has been lying for ten years and now, the time has come for him to come clean … and man, the story behind the story … it will blow your mind! Tessa is a survivor and one of the ‘most beautiful women, inside and outside, that Brant has ever met’! She has made herself a promise after surviving the nightmare in her ex-husbands hands and that promise does not allow her to fall in love … well, all the best promises are made to be broken so welcome everyone on the ride that those two take us on!

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Enterrador (A Silent Sons MC Novella #2.5) by Ambere Sabo – Review by Jana Teppih

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Enterrador (A Silent Sons MC Novella #2.5)Enterrador by Ambere Sabo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enterrador is a dark romance novella by Ambere Sabo in her Silent Sons MC series and it should be read after the second book and personally I think that it is absolutely vital that one reads the first two books before tackling Enterrador. There might be some who say that well, it does not really matter if you have read the first two books but hi, if you plan to read the one that comes after Enterrador and you really want to understand who where what why, please, do read the first two books to start with!
Enterrador is the story of a man who has descended into the bowels of hell … he works for the Diablo himself and his name means The Undertaker…Take everything you have in your imagination and you still would be missing some pieces … It might be sacrilege to say about an MC book that it broke my heart and the suffering that a human being can take before it breaks has no limits but it is so true … this is his story … what happens to a man whose light has been put out and who has nothing to live for but a revenge … who has so much power that the other search for a new light for him no matter what the cost of it is to that light and her family …
The writer has an amazing way about her writing, it pulls you in and does not let you go and you are left craving … for more … for next … and so it is also with Enterrador … Ambere Sabo gave us his journey, his past, his darkness, his rise to power … and now, the present will unfold and none of us knows where the chips will fall …

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Appetite of Envy by Amabel Daniels – Review by Jana Teppih

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Appetite of EnvyAppetite of Envy by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Appetite of Envy by Amabel Daniels is another book in her Newland siblings’ series. After having read Better Than the Best about Kelly Newland and Will Parker, I was looking forward to her older brother’s story and she did not disappoint! It is a contemporary romance peppered with some suspense that keeps you on your toes!
Appetite of Envy is the story of Finn Newland and Lia Gardella. Finn has worked for Lia’s dad since he was 15 years old and he knows that he wants to do nothing but run Gardella’s until he breaths … making food is his passion! Lia has not set a step into her father’s restaurant for 10 years since she set fire to it, accidentally of course as she is one of the klutziest persons I have read about! At the same time she was also one of the most lovable persons I have read about ….
The writer is taking us on a suspenseful rollercoaster of emotions, pranks, hidden threats … and love … love that conquers all and love that once you acknowledge it, will open up a world where you feel that you can do anything if that other person is there for you … that other person becomes your home and nothing, nothing can go wrong (even if it actually does but your perspective on it is different).
I love the Newland family and I am looking forward to reading about the other brothers! I hope that the writer will not keep us too long in suspense! I am sure she has many amazing stories to share with us!

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Broken Butterfly: A Fortis Security Novel Book 5 by Maddie Wade – Review by Jana Teppih

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Broken Butterfly: A Fortis Security Novel Book 5Broken Butterfly: A Fortis Security Novel Book 5 by Maddie Wade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Broken Butterfly by Maddie Wade is the fifth book in her mind-blowing Fortis Security series! For some reason I ended up reading the fifth book first and I am telling you all, do not make the mistake I did! START WITH THE FIRST ONE! Once I was done with Broken Butterfly, I was so hooked on the story and the Fortis ‘family’ so I went and read the first 4 books!
Broken Butterfly is the story of Zin “The Viper” Maklavoi and Celeste “Pixie” Bourdain. The prologue killed me … the way the writer sets the scene … the way she sucks us into the emotional landscape … the way she builds our expectations … and we are ONLY at the prologue! I loved Zin, this on the surface hard and cruel man who has lived his life in the world of subterfuge and espionage, meting out justice for the ones who could not protect themselves … he believes he is lost to the world of shadows and he is so broken that there is no way to fix him … And then we have Celeste with an incredible gift that has burdened her life and brought her nothing but pain … the little Pixie that makes Zin to wish for a different life …
The writer has created this amazing world that is so intricate and mesmerizing that you simply cannot look away and you cry and you pray for the best and you laugh and you feel as if you are living it all along the Fortis family and …Pick up the first book and ‘live’ through all of five to find out if the Viper and the Pixie will save each other!

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Better Than the Best by Amabel Daniels – Review by Jana Teppih

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Better Than the BestBetter Than the Best by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Better Than the Best by Amabel Daniels is a fantastic suspense/romance read. I read it as a standalone and it was my first encounter with the writer. I fell in love with her writing so after I finished the book I went and checked out what else she has published and I was delighted to see that there are 2 more books of the Newland family so I know what I will be reading next!
Better Than the Best is the story of Kelly Newland and Will Parker. Kelly is a former ER nurse from Atlanta who quit her job and divorced her husband and is looking of r a new start and meaning of life. She decides to go and try to start anew in Myrtle Beach but she never makes it there … she ends up in a small town Churchston. She has no idea that her life is going to take a tumble for the worse … Will is a black sheep of the sleepy small town and he is suffering from PTSD. He is anti-social and you could probably say that he hates the world (including Kelly)…
What do you get when you mix a sunny beach and lurking danger and quirky characters? You get a neck breaking rollercoaster ride where you hang on to the edge of your seat and try to keep your fingers crossed at the same time that please, please, let there be a happy ending and please please, I do not want anyone to die! Well…I guess you need to pick up your own copy to find out what the body count is (and if there is a body count on the first place) and while you hold your breath to get to the end, enjoy the great dialogue and all the supporting characters! I know that two of Kelly’s brothers have their own books but I really hope that Amabel will come back to Churchton and give Will and Kelly’s friends their own stories!

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Eternal Bloom by A.E. Gamrat – Review by Jana Teppih

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Eternal BloomEternal Bloom by A.E. Gamrat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eternal Bloom by A.E. Gamrat is the follow up on her New Bloom and absolutely should not be read as a standalone as you would be totally lost! It is an amazing coming of age story that is as raw as the reality, no fluffy, romanticized version that one very often ends up with when trying to find something in that genre (or at least I have found…)
It is a continuation of Gwen’s story … the first book left us with an intense (and not in a good way) relationship between Gwen and her mom and her mom in the hospital in a quite serious condition … and of course Kame. Eternal Bloom is filled with anxiety and uncertainties … will her mother recover? Will the secrets that Kame is keeping pull them apart or make them stronger? Will they find a way to communicate clearly? Will Gwen and her mom find a way forward and improve on their relationship?
The story is filled with internal dialogue that gives us a window into how Gwen is feeling and thinking and I could so relate to it as I used to do so as well when I was her age … the chaos and how she struggles to make sense of it all … simply loved the story! The pains of growing up …

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Chains of Life – Perception #6 by Shandi Boyes – Review by Jana Teppih

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Chains of Life - Perception #6Chains of Life – Perception #6 by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chains of Life by Shandi Boyes is the sixth book in her Perception series and I am warning you now, you will have a seriously hard time with controlling your impatience as the book ends with a cliffhanger!!! We have to wait for the second part?! Oh…I am sure we will survive, I know how I will cure my impatience – I will be reading the first 5 books of the series! I have read all of the Enigma books but I had not gotten to the Perception series and what a great opportunity I have now … curing my ‘hangover’ … The book is very steamy so if you are not into that kind of reading … be prepared to jump over pages … we others will get kicks out of it!
Chains of Life is the story of Cleo and her assignment, a mysterious dominant business man… So basically Chains of Life is the story of Cleo and her finding herself, her struggles with integrity (I mean she has this insane chemistry with the man she is assigned to investigate, she feels … so much …) and financially while also having a sole responsibility off her younger sister after her parents and younger brother died in an accident.
The mysterious businessman, if you have read Enigma series and thought that Isaac was dark and hot and …. everything we secretly fantasize/dream about … well, this man is so much more! Be ready to be swept away … still, remember he is just a man and he makes mistakes like everyone …
I loved the story line, I love Shandi’s writing style, the way how she makes us to relate to all of her characters, how we find humanity in all of them … I love how she has given us a beautifully told story of an alternative lifestyle…
If you have read any of the other Shandi’s books, you will not be disappointed … it feels as if her writing is getting better with every single book … oh my, cannot wait for the next one!

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Confusion (The Marcy Series, #2) by Linda Burson – Review by Jana Teppih

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Confusion (The Marcy Series, #2)Confusion by Linda Burson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Confusion by Linda Burson is the second book in her Marcy series and I promise you, it is definitely not a standalone! Do not even try! You will be sooo lost! And it is very different from the first book … what a crazy rollercoaster indeed …
The second book finds Marcy going between Brad and Liam while still plagued by the disjointed memories of her past … What a lucky woman she is, loved by two … both of the men making her feel special … still, she needs to decide, doesn’t she? Who she will spend her lifetime with … or does she need to? I have to say that the title absolutely fit the story line … Marcy is one confused woman who cannot understand why she feels drawn to both Liam AND Brad …
The book is a combination of action, romance, psychological elements and twists that no one saw coming … Thank you Ms Burson for giving us a story that in some ways is so simple to relate to and on the other hand leaves us again, reaching for the next one in the series …

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A Love Fulfilled by Angela K. Parker – Review by Jana Teppih

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A Love FulfilledA Love Fulfilled by Angela K. Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Love Fulfilled by Angela K Parker is the second book in her Life & Love duet. I have to say that unfortunately I have not read the first book in the duet as I did not know there was another book though after having read A Love Fulfilled and meeting the main characters’ friend Michael and her fiancé/future wife Elona, I am not surprised they had their own story … I will be checking it out next …
A Love Fulfilled is a beautiful friends-to-lovers story of Laurence “Ren” Drake and Jessica “Jess” Morrow. They have known each other since they were kids and there has always been something special about how Ren feels about Jessica and he has never given up on the hope that they might be together, one day … meanwhile, he is her best friend and does nothing to jeopardise that as he cannot imagine not having her in his life.
I loved the story, it kept you engaged from the first page and you kept hoping with Ren and prodding him on in your mind … It was well written, the story flew smooth and at no point did I feel that hi, where did this come from or hi, what happened here… Thank you Ms Parker for the pleasurable hours that I spent with Ren and Jess and the secret that was ready to surface … I absolutely recommend you to pick up the book when you need some picking up and need to reinforce your faith in ‘what is to happen will happen’!

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Beachcomber Test (Beachcomber Investigations #7) by Stephanie Queen – Review by Jana Teppih

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Beachcomber Test (Beachcomber Investigations #7)Beachcomber Test by Stephanie Queen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beachcomber Test by Stephanie Queen is the 7th book in her Beachcomber Investigations series that is fondly called “a romantic detective series”. This is my first read and as I have always been a fan of detective stories I jumped in feet first (why the hell not when the leads are a tough and gorgeous ex-Scotland Yard detective and an ex-special ops legend working as a private-eye on Martha’s Vineyard. I guess you could read this story as a standalone like I did but after finishing it, I have to admit, I wish I had read at least some of the stories before!
This particular story is a simple divorce case turning into a dangerous affair and I am sure the ex-special ops legend Dane Blaise cursed the day when the gorgeous ex-Scotland Yard Shana George made him crazy enough to take the follow-the-cheating-spouse case!
I loved their chemistry; I loved their idiosyncrasies, their perception of each other, their drive, their close friends and their local ‘fans’. I promise you couple of phenomenal hours where you laugh and bite your nails and once you get to the end, you will seriously consider giving yourself a Christmas present aka the first 6 books and novellas of the Beachcomber Investigations! You will not regret! And you might even start considering a short trip over to the Vineyard …

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Craving Christmas (Craving, #5) by Multiple Authors – Review by Jana Teppih

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Craving Christmas (Craving, #5)Craving Christmas by A. Gorman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Craving Christmas is a collection of 14 short stories that make you look at Christmas slightly different … or not … It is the fifth book in the Craving series. I have to say that all the writers were new to me and I loved how I could get a sense of who they are and what they write in such a pleasing way!
The stories are different and there are turns and twists and they are a mix of suspense and romance and some of them are so steamy that you need a mental cold shower … The great thing with anthologies is that you can spread the stories out over multiple nights so that you have something to look forward to after a day at work, something for ‘me time’!
The stories range from second chances to Angels and from finding a reason to live to Christmas spirits with a bit of BDSM thrown in … As there are 14 stories that keep bringing you back again and again, I guarantee that everyone can find at least one story they like! So join us in finding out who has been naughty and who has been nice!

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Amelia and the Viscount (Bluestocking Brides, #1) by Samantha Holt – Review by Jana Teppih

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Amelia and the Viscount (Bluestocking Brides, #1)Amelia and the Viscount by Samantha Holt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amelia and the Viscount by Samantha Holt is the first book in her Bluestocking Brides series that is a sweet short read that takes you among the British nobility where a lot is going on under the polite and shiny surface.
It is the eldest of the Chadwick girls, Amelia, and Lord Nicholas Wentworth who are the heroine and hero of this particular Bluestocking Brides’ story. Amelia has been in love with Lord Nicholas for ever but he thought himself to be in love with Amelia’s younger sister Lavinia who did not choose him and married a Scottish lad (that of course the titled crowd had a lot to say about). So the whole story is about Amelia trying to get over Nicholas and Nicholas finally realizing what has been in front of him and all this happens while the sisters banter back and forth and …
The writer has a way with words and the story is enjoyable and as it is a short one so how much can you expect? I did miss to know more about the sisters and also who Nicholas really was but as I said, short story has its limitations. If you want to mingle with the titled ones and feel good, make yourself a cup of tea (or hot chocolate or toddy) and pick up Amelia and the Viscount!

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Bulletproof Butterfly by Anna Brooks – Review by Jana Teppih

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Bulletproof ButterflyBulletproof Butterfly by Anna Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bulletproof Butterfly by Anna Brooks is the second book I have read by this writer and I am happy to state that I was sooo right, she is one hell-of-a-writer! The way she writes, oh my, it pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until you get to the end where you read that there will be another book and you make mental ‘whoopee doo” and set a mental reminder to keep a look out for it!
Bulletproof Butterfly is a heart breaking witness protection story of Jay “Jaybird” and Livvie “Butterfly”. Jay is a young cop chasing a mob boss who has managed to slip through cracks for ever. Livvie is an aspiring event organizer at a bar who dreams of becoming a wedding planner. They have been together for 2 years and they are starting to merge their lives until their existence is blow into smithereens. It results in them being apart from each other for years … So the story that is told from alternating point of views spans over many years and throughout the reading you are holding your breath and wishing for them to find a way back to each other and … The writer takes us on a journey of re-discovery and at no point it is given that we will have our happily ever after, she has kept it all as close to the reality as possible. Thank you for not cutting corners and letting us run gamut with the doubt and hope and love and misunderstandings and … simply what it means to live. I will be on a lookout for the next story!

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All the Light There Is (The Healing Edge, #3) by Anise Eden – Review by Jana Teppih

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All the Light There Is (The Healing Edge, #3)All the Light There Is by Anise Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All the Light There Is by Anise Eden is the conclusion of her Healing Edge trilogy and what a bang it ends with! You cannot read it as a standalone, it is part of the trilogy and you’d be so lost not having read the previous 2 books. It is sad to have come to the end of the journey we started a while ago but all good things come to an end.
All the Light There Is continues where the previous story ended. Cad and Ben think that they are going on a vacation, a working vacation but still a vacation … could they be less wrong? Have they forgotten that they are on an adventure where paranormal mysteries pop up left and right and that their special skillset are needed to solve them?
Cade and Ben cannot solve the mysteries alone so we will have the whole MacGregor Group gang along on the ride where we find out more about who Cate is, who is after them, where we learn what it takes to come out at the other end! It is a story full of mystery, romance and paranormal! It gets so twisted that you are no longer sure who you can trust and who not … The writer has taken a notch up and the way she gives us these heroes and the bad guys … oh man, she really knows how to spin a story! I love the how the different characters contribute to the story in their unique way and they are all needed to bring it home!

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