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Devil’s Breath by Lang Johnson – Review by Megan Conley

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Devil's BreathDevil’s Breath by Lang Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark, Spicy, Edge-of-Your-Seat Suspense…this book has it all. I was hooked from the blurb of the book and Lang Johnson just kept pulling me in. This is definitely not a book for the faint-of-heart. There are lies, betrayals, *spicy* times, love, hurt, anger, and so much more. I loved how Johnson developed Sera’s character and made her this total badass who knows want she wants and goes and gets it. She is smart, feisty, sexy, and knows how to use each of those to her advantage. Cassius is my favorite type of character…broken and flawed, but not ready to give up on the world yet. He’s kind and loving and is a genuinely good guy. I love the banter between Sera and Cassius as they are figuring each other out and what they mean to one another. Johnson’s plot development is also *chef’s kiss* amazing. It was a very fast-paced novel, but it never felt rushed. The drama and action sequences were done extremely well, as were the spicy portions of the book. Lang Johnson is definitely an author I will be putting on my To-Read list. I highly recommend this book!

Review by @meggs1717

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Megan Conley

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns)Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m such a sucker for a good YA novel. Fantasy has never been a genre that I gravitate toward but what drew me in right away was the amazing cover. I mean…LOOK at it! And once I read the summary, I had to give it a chance. This is a spin-off of another series by Kay L. Moody; however, you don’t need to have read that series to understand what’s going on in this one. I’m sure reading the previous series would give you a deeper/better understanding of some of the events alluded to in this series, but the author does a great job of skimming over the events and filling in any blanks the reader might have. I will definitely be going back and reading the other series by Moody.
I absolutely love how the author completely immerses the reader into not only Chloe’s mortal world, but Quintus and Elora’s fae world. Moody’s descriptions are great and while I would call this book a slow burn, it still kept my attention and I had a hard time putting it down. Moody moves the plot forward at a great pace and I love how she develops her characters.
Chloe isn’t your typical main character heroine. She’s indecisive, reserved, and insecure; HOWEVER, she also has a sharp tongue, is witty, and will fight for what she believes in. Quintus is my favorite type of character…you love to hate him, but deep down inside you really love him. He’s broody, surly, and demanding, but he’s also protective, caring, and smitten with Chloe. I really like the slow, but clean 😉 burn between Chloe and Quintus. There is definitely some history between the two that (unless you’ve read the other series) we aren’t privy to, but I think it adds to the mystery of their relationship.
I can’t wait to see what Book 2 holds because WHEW! that ending! Be prepared to be left on a cliff so steep you’ll wonder how you’re ever going to get off. Overall, I would highly recommend this series!

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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Collateral Damage (Mafia Elite Series Book 6) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Collateral Damage: A Second Chance Mafia Romance (Mafia Elite Book 6)Collateral Damage: A Second Chance Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series by Amy McKinley and (I know I’ve said it before) but this was the best yet! I love the intertwining of all of the characters and their lives and how we never really “lose” any characters once their book is done because they will always show up in another one, one way or another. I love McKinley’s character building and her plot development. She really takes her time building and sculpting her characters, individually and as a couple. The way McKinley moves her plot throughout the novel is just *chef’s kiss*. I don’t feel like the plot is ever stagnant or that McKinley rushes anything. It’s really a perfect pace.
Trey has to be my favorite of the Mafia guys. He’s just so sweet and wholesome (not my typical type) and has a really good heart. While he doesn’t play a full-time role in the Five Families, his role as physician/surgeon is just as integral. He also doesn’t flaunt his connections around, but uses them wisely and discretely. He is still grieving the loss of his girlfriend and has push Hailey away previously. But when she’s in trouble and Trey is asked to help, he can’t help feeling drawn to her once again.
Hailey is no stranger to tragedy and grief. She lost her sister and her father in a tragic accident. Hailey’s mother has remarried and pushed Hailey to the side leaving Hailey to deal with everything on her own. Hailey has been pining after Trey ever since they first met at a gala and they danced the night away. She’s friends with Sofia, Trey’s sister, but has never had the courage to ask her to set them up.
Once Hailey and Trey meet again (cue second chance) the passion and sparks fly. The sexual tension is there; however, it’s pretty PG throughout the book…but hey…we can use our imaginations, right? There are twists and turns you won’t see coming and your heart may break a time or two, but it’s definitely worth it.
I cannot wait for the next (and final?) book in this series to come out. While you can read each one as a standalone, I really recommend reading in order to get the most out of it. You really get a sense of the characters and the family dynamics. But either way…JUST READ THEM!!

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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Collateral Damage (Mafia Elite Series Book 6) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Collateral Damage: A Second Chance Mafia Romance (Mafia Elite Book 6)Collateral Damage: A Second Chance Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series by Amy McKinley and (I know I’ve said it before) but this was the best yet! I love the intertwining of all of the characters and their lives and how we never really “lose” any characters once their book is done because they will always show up in another one, one way or another. I love McKinley’s character building and her plot development. She really takes her time building and sculpting her characters, individually and as a couple. The way McKinley moves her plot throughout the novel is just *chef’s kiss*. I don’t feel like the plot is ever stagnant or that McKinley rushes anything. It’s really a perfect pace.
Trey has to be my favorite of the Mafia guys. He’s just so sweet and wholesome (not my typical type) and has a really good heart. While he doesn’t play a full-time role in the Five Families, his role as physician/surgeon is just as integral. He also doesn’t flaunt his connections around, but uses them wisely and discretely. He is still grieving the loss of his girlfriend from a few years ago and has push Hailey away previously. But when she’s in trouble and Trey is asked to help, he can’t help feeling drawn to her once again.
Hailey is no stranger to tragedy and grief. She lost her sister and her father in a tragic accident. Hailey’s mother has remarried and pushed Hailey to the side leaving Hailey to deal with everything on her own. Hailey has been pining after Trey ever since they first met at a gala and they danced the night away. She’s friends with Sofia, Trey’s sister, but has never had the courage to ask her to set them up.
Once Hailey and Trey meet again (cue second chance) the passion and sparks fly. The sexual tension is there; however, it’s pretty PG throughout the book…but hey…we can use our imaginations, right? There are twists and turns you won’t see coming and your heart may break a time or two, but it’s definitely worth it.
I cannot wait for the next (and final?) book in this series to come out. While you can read each one as a standalone, I really recommend reading in order to get the most out of it. You really get a sense of the characters and the family dynamics. But either way…JUST READ THEM!!

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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The Fighter (An Underground Bad Boys Romance Book 3) by India Kells – Review by Megan Conley

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The Fighter (An Underground Bad Boys Romance, #3)The Fighter by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 3rd book in the series by India Kells. While it works just fine as a standalone, you can tell that there is more backstory between Gage and his friends. That doesn’t mean you can’t read this book by itself; however, if you want all the backstory, I would recommend that you read the first two books in the series.
Gage is your typical bad boy with a tragic backstory who has the heart of an angel. Juliet and Ten are two down on their luck roommates who turn to the seedy underground of cage fighting to try and get by. Gage steps in to help Ten and all three end up in a bad situation, making enemies of a powerful boss in the fighting world. Gage offers to help Juliet and Ten by providing them a place to live and training Ten for the upcoming fight.
As you can imagine, things get *spicy*. This is a MMF story and the sexy scenes are steamy. I love how the author incorporates each characters’ feelings into the scenes and the readers really get to see what the characters are thinking and their inner turmoil. I like Kells descriptive writing; however, I felt that some of the plot was forced, or at the very least, not fully developed. This could also be because I haven’t read the first two books. Overall, I really enjoyed my first book by India Kells.

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Megan Conley

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Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was intrigued with this story as soon as I saw the cover and once I read the synopsis, I was hooked. I love how Brazeau pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let you go. Her character development is spot on and her plot is thought out and polished. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author poses ethical/moral dilemmas all the while forcing the reader to question the things they would do for the ones they love.
This is the first installment in the Casket Girls series by A. D. Brazeau. Greer wakes up on a boat far from her “home” and cannot remember how she got there. She quickly makes acquaintances with a few other girls around her as they disembark in New Orleans. As the story goes on, we meet Theron, a vampire cursed to his fate by Hades himself. We briefly catch glimpses of who Theron really is versus who he is seen as, as we get both Greer’s and Theron’s perspective. As Greer and Theron’s stories intertwine, complications arise and there are twists and turns throughout the book. I could not put this book down and cannot wait for the next installment!

Reviewed By @meggs1717

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The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Megan Conley

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The Last Cabin GirlThe Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great read! The Last Cabin Girl is set in the not so distant past of 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic. I’ll admit, I was a little weary at first because it’s still happening, but I was intrigued. It was definitely an out-of-body experience to see a character in a novel behave in ways that were common practice just 2 years ago. I remember thinking to myself, if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was weird to be wiping down your groceries with a disinfecting wipe…but that was the norm at the beginning of the pandemic. It was definitely eye opening and a bit disconcerting LOL.
I really liked the pace of the book. Swyers keeps his readers interested and hooked from the beginning. There are twists and turns throughout the entirety of the novel. Some I saw coming and others I didn’t. At first, I really didn’t like Josie, the protagonist, because I found her to be heavily unreliable; however, all-in-all, it was her unreliability that came through in the end. I really admire her tenacity throughout the novel even when she was faced with what seem to be very truthful facts. I really liked the underlying theme of family that Swyers addresses and I think that it can resonate with many people, especially during the pandemic. Overall, the book was really well done and I would definitely recommend!

Reviewed by – @meggs1717

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Deacon (Saints vs Sinners Series) by CJ Warrant – Review by Megan Conley

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Deacon (Saints vs Sinners Series Book 1)Deacon by CJ Warrant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first MC romance book and boy did the author deliver! I absolutely loved that there was more than just *spicy* romance. You really get to know the characters, especially Deacon and Olivia, and the good, bad, and ugly of them. This was an amazing way to start off the series and I cannot wait for the next book! I’m totally hooked!
Deacon Saint comes home after being away for 10 year for a funeral he doesn’t want to attend. While grappling with his feelings over losing one of his best friends, finding out his mother has Alzheimer’s, and a life-changing job decision, Deacon runs into Olivia Bane, the former love of his life. He still hasn’t forgiven her for what she did 10 years ago and she hasn’t forgiven him either. Still reeling from the loss of her father, Olivia doesn’t want to deal with Deacon, but she has too…per her father’s will. There’s definitely more to the story with these two and there’s no denying the fireworks and electricity between them. But there are trials and tribulations that they have to overcome together and on their own. Deacon and Olivia’s story is full of twists and turns, but well worth it! C.J. Warrant definitely knows how to hook her readers in and keep them coming back for more!

Reviewed By – @meggs1717

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The-Know-It-All-Pencil (Invisible Magic Wand Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review By Megan Conley

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The Know-It-All PencilThe Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very cute children’s story! Caspian’s grandpa has given him another “unbirthday” gift and this year it’s a pencil. The pencil gives Caspian clues and he has to figure out what they mean. While the premise of this idea is good, I’m not sure a child would be able to figure out what the author was intending. The illustrations were bright and descriptive. The sentences were fairly simple so someone working on learning to read would be able to read this book. Overall, good children’s book.

Review by – @meggs1717

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The Hunted (Vampire Navy SEAL: Sam & Layla) by S.B. Alexander – Review by Megan Conley

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The Hunted (Vampire Navy SEAL: Sam & Layla, #1)The Hunted by S.B. Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book does NOT disappoint! From the smexy tension between Sam and Layla to the bond the Aberdeen sisters share to the supernatural aspect of the novel, S.B. Alexander keeps her readers on edge. With her well thought-out plot lines, character development, and descriptions, Alexander has her readers turning pages faster than vampire falls for vampire huntress. I absolutely love how Sam and Layla’s relationship develops over the course of this book, but it’s not overpowering. Alexander has put multiple plot lines in place and she does an excellent job of developing each at a pace that seems very appropriate. The spicy scenes are *chef’s kiss* amazing. They aren’t over-the-top nor are there too many or too few.

This is Sam & Layla Book #1 in the series and it does end on a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for Sam & Layla Book #2 to be released! It has made its way to the top of my TBR list! If you like romance, paranormal/supernatural, or are just looking for something different to read; definitely pick this book up and give it a shot…You won’t be disappointed!

Reviewed By – @meggs1717

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Ruthless Heir (Mafia Elite Book 5) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance (Mafia Elite, #5)Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great installment to the series! I absolutely love the way McKinley develops her characters. They are so well-rounded and she doesn’t play into the stereotypical role of women. I must say that I am missing some of the characters we’ve grown to know and love, but that’s only because I still want to know what’s going on with them! But McKinley doesn’t disappoint with her characters. I love the way Luc and Summer’s story evolves throughout the novel.
McKinley does an awesome job of driving the plot forward without rushing the development of the characters or timeline. And her *spicy* scenes are perfect! There is just enough of them to entertain without being gratuitous. I absolutely love this author! I can’t wait for the next installment to the series!

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Reviewed by @meggs1717

Seductively Yours (Titans of Manhattan Book 3) by Anise Storm – Review by Megan Conley

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Seductively Yours (Titans Of Manhattan, #3)Seductively Yours by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whew! This story has so much to offer! All the feels, *spicy* time, angst, suspense, twists and turns…you name it, Anise Storm delivers! Absolutely loved the way the author not only develops the characters independent of each other, but also the way she develops and moves the plot along at such a natural pace. This book is very well written. She also gives little bread crumbs into the lives of the other Titans which leaves the reader wanting to know more about them.
Mason is a powerhouse in Manhattan and Rhyann is a small town girl from Kansas chasing her dreams of dance in NYC. The attraction between Rhyann and Mason is electric from the beginning. An anonymous one-night stand turns into more when Rhyann and Mason realize who the other is when she applies for a job dancing at one of Mason’s clubs. The sparks continue to fly even though both are trying to stay away from the other. Rhyann is looking toward the future while Mason is stuck in the past. Definitely a fast-paced read, but Storm doesn’t rush anything!
While this is book 3 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. Anise Storm has definitely been added of my list of authors to read!

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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Doctor D’s Orderly Affair (Doctors of Eastport General) by C.A. King – Review by Megan Conley

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Doctor D's Orderly AffairDoctor D’s Orderly Affair by C.A. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While the story has a great plot line, it wasn’t as nearly developed as it could have been. Everything felt rushed. I also wish there were more *spicy* scenes. The 2 that were in there were decent, but they could have been developed better. I also feel like the author put emphasis on unnecessary details. I feel like random, inconsequential details or places where described too in-depth and other scenes should have been more descriptive.
I really enjoyed the premise of the characters of Emily and Dr. Desmond Danielson; however, the development of them is seriously lacking in this story. I liked Emily; however, I feel like the author did her a disservice. There were times when she was a strong, independent woman and then there were times when she was so wishy-washy and portrayed as a stereotypical woman that I wondered if the author had written two different characters. I feel like the author could have done a better job of developing the characters. The start was there, but she just didn’t finish it.
Overall, I feel like there is a lot to be left desired by this book. It was a quick read; however, I was frustrated most of the time because I felt rushed.

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Savage Secrets (Mafia Elite, book 4) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Savage Secrets (Mafia Elite, #4)Savage Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I swear! The books in this series just get better and better! McKinley does it again with a deeper look into two lesser known characters. I absolutely love the way she develops her characters and she doesn’t disappoint with Elena and Marco. These two have a complicated relationship to say the least. Elena was promised to another mafia boss through an arranged marriage, but her “death,” and a few other factors, lead to that be voided, and Marco couldn’t be happier. Elena, however, has mixed feelings about not only her own feelings towards Marco, but his feelings towards her. I absolutely love seeing these two characters develop over the course of this book.

This book is action-packed and filled with suspense. There are so many twists and turns that you’ll forget which way you are going. While I did see some of the twists coming, there are others that completely blindside you! McKinley does answer quite a few questions leftover from the previous books so a lot of loose ends are tied up. This one really grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the end. And we can’t forget the spicy parts! I love the way Marco and Elena are so cautious in their feelings toward each other because it just builds and builds!

As always, I recommend reading the books in order. As a reader, you just get so much more and can appreciate what McKinley does not only with her characters, but also with the plot. Wonderfully written! Honestly one of my favorite series!

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Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite, #3)Born in Darkness by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series just keeps getting better with each book! As always, I absolutely love McKinley’s character development, especially with the female characters. Her consistency in keeping the female characters strong, independent, and badass is something I really appreciate. I’m also enjoying how we are getting to see the male characters more in-depth. McKinley’s character development is something that I’ve appreciated since the first book and will, hopefully, continue to appreciate in the next two books of the series. I also enjoy the fact that McKinley keeps characters from the previous books as integral aspects, but continues to move the storyline along.

Stefano and Emiliana’s relationship has been building since they were teenagers when they were forced to keep their attraction to one another secret. Stefano took a risk to help save Emiliana when she was previously abducted but it was worth it to both of them. Since then, Stefano has allowed Em the space she needs to heal, but he is always there when she needs him. We also get to see how Stefano was raised and how that has shaped him into the man he is now. It’s truly heartbreaking to see why he is so quiet and pensive, but it has made him into a strong man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.

I definitely recommend reading the books in order since there are two significant relationships that have come from the previous books. In this book, questions are starting to be answered from the previous two books and we are starting to see how the Five Families are beginning to transition into a new generation of mafia bosses. I cannot wait for the fourth installment of this series.

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Blood Oath (Mafia Elite, book 2) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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Blood Oath (Mafia Elite, #2)Blood Oath by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am totally in love with this series and it’s only Book 2! I absolutely love how McKinley is incorporating characters from the previous book. I would definitely recommend reading these books in order. You will get more of an appreciation of the characters and their development. Much like the first book, McKinley hooks you in! I absolutely love the flashback at the beginning of Sofia and Enzo. I think it gives incredible insight into their feelings and ultimately, their relationship. I really enjoyed seeing Sofia and Enzo’s relationship grow. There are many times throughout the book where the reader isn’t sure if they will or if they won’t end up together. Normally this type of push and pull irritates me, but McKinley does it well and gives the characters valid reasons for making the decisions they do.

One of the aspects I love of this series is McKinley’s development of her female characters. They are strong, independent women who can handle business on their own, but they don’t mind asking for or accepting help. They aren’t wimpy, scared girls hiding in the corner; they are right up front with the men when it goes down. I really appreciate the way McKinley has developed her female characters.

This is an excellent continuation of The Mafia Elite series.

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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Megan Conley

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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, #1)No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy McKinley was a new author for me and she did not disappoint! She hooks you from the beginning and never lets go. This is an incredible mafia romance filled with intrigue, spice, and twists and turns you won’t want to miss. She had me invested in Max and Liliana from the beginning. I love her character development of them individually and together. I’d have to say that Liliana is by far one of my favorite female characters. She is a strong, beautifully independent badass who can definitely handle herself!

I also love how McKinley alternates between Max and Liliana so that the readers are able to see both characters inner thoughts and workings. You aren’t left guessing how either character feels about any situation. She does a great job of moving the plot forward without adding a bunch of extra floof! I cannot wait to read book 2!

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