Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book wasted no time getting hot! It’s as sexy and intense as it is intriguing and suspenseful! If I could rate Noah and Callie’s story 10 stars I would, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series, if this book is any indication it will be a scorcher of a series!
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW! I am completely amazed with this book. Some steamy books go extra on the sexy stuff and kind of forget about the storyline. I am happy to report that Hard Lover does NOT make that mistake. While it has plenty of hot scenes from the very beginning, I still loved the depth and evolution of Callie and Noah’s story.
Noah has always seen Callie as a friend and someone he should help look after. Her brother, Grant, is his best friend and they have always looked out for each other as well. But when Callie goes to The Stable sex club and sees Noah, his view of her changes completely. Will Grant understand his feelings for Callie, or will it end their friendship? Can Noah protect Callie from his past or will it get them killed?
I can’t think of anything else I would have wanted in this book. It had wonderful character development, and you could feel the chemistry in each relationship. Deborah Garland knocked me off my feet! She is one of my favorite authors and somehow keeps raising the bar higher and higher!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hard Lover is an erotic romantic suspense tale that is hot and spicey and lives up to its title. Who doesn’t love a country boy with a little kink. With sizzling chemistry, forbidden love, some drama, a little laughter, definite danger and a lot of kink it will keep you captivated and the pages turning.
I have read a few of Deborah’s books and I really enjoy her writing style. The characters are strong and the steamy romance is not always smooth sailing it has complexities with twists and turns. I love that the story is told in dual pov as it makes the story richer knowing what the other is thinking.
His past comes back to haunt him. Can he keep her safe?
The chemistry between these two is palpable but she is his best friend’s little sister.
I can’t wait to see what Deborah has instore for us next.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is not typically a book I would read, but since my name is Callie I felt like I had to read it. Let me tell you I was not disappointed! I was hooked from the first chapter with the juicy details from the Stable. Follow that up with several HOT scenes that keep upping the anti. The plot has suspense and mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Callie has had a crush on Noah for six years and it finally acting on it to get what she wants. Only Noah is her brothers best friend and thus ‘forbidden’. Noah has a past of his own and must face it in order to be with Callie, the only girl he wants. Will Callie and Noah be able to work through their past and be a couple together?
Review by @callielamarche
Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow-O-Wow! What an amazing story! It is well built with characters that I could not help but grow to love as the story moved along. I was Wowed over the telling and everything that happens! I was thrilled, surprised and shocked over events that happened.
I absolutely adored the characters! Leah…impressed me while trying to save Silver. She did not quit or give up! Learning about her crazy fantastical life…its almost like she is a storybook character. Haha! Dom was scary then he became sexy and he really alternated between the two. He is a hard read. The connection between these two is Smokin’ H-O-T! I loved all their time together.
Secondary characters are just as good as the main. I enjoyed meeting the Bratva family. I did have a few favorites! Also I had mixed feelings about one character on Leah’s side…a blast from her past.
Overall I LOVED this story! Its very creative and kept me reading late into the night. This is one of those stories that made me think and worry about the characters even when I wasn’t reading. I did see who the next story is about and I eagerly look forward to it!
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn’t too sure about this one when I decided it to add it to my collection to read. I am a little unsure on my review on this one.
Firstly it has a trigger warning – I somehow missed this fact when I read the blurb and I found it quite confronting on a personal level.
Secondly – when reading a series I always make sure I have the next book or two so that if there is unresolved business I can read on. Having said that the unresolved business may not even feature in the next book….
Having said that I absolutely loved this book. It’s the first that I have read by this author but I am definitely going to keep an eye open for the next one in this series.
It’s a good read!
Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay- LOVED this one. I haven’t read the other books in this series but I REALLY liked this one. There is something yummy about the main characters- and the way they met! I’m a sucker for mafia romance and man was this one a treat! The chemistry between Dom and Leah was off the charts and I’m pretty sure I could physically feel the flames from the sizzle in this book! The secondary characters were nearly as interesting as the mains, probably because some of them have their own books and now I NEED to read those. This is definitely my favorite mafia read of the month and I am so excited to have more to read by this author.
Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was so interesting to read. I loved the odd pairing of an alpha mafia with the mysterious celebrity. That’s what kept drawing me in. I really enjoyed reading this book!
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This being the 7th book in the series I was very familiar with the writing style, characters and what to expect in this book and I was not disappointed at all. McKinley did a great job again of making me immediately like these characters. I’m not sure how anyone could read about Mia and not love and admire her. The first chapter was gripping and I was intrigued immediately. I have been very curious about Nico’s characters for several books now and seeing him get his happy ending felt very satisfying for me. Mia using him as a safety net to help protect her while she takes down her own family and the terrible things they have done was one the more interesting backstories i think from the series. It was equally tragic and angering to the point that you are just as upset as the characters and want to see an end to it and the people responsible. A complaint I have had with a few of the more recent books in this series is how fast they go and everything happens in just a few pages. These aren’t exactly instalove stories but they kind of feel that way in the sense that after 2 days of being with Nico she is thinking she loves him claiming she knew him long before because she would sneak into her fathers files and read about him and look at pictures of him. I did find that a little corny but as always the strong sense of family and loyalty these books always have was present here as well and it is easily one of my favorite parts of these books in this series. I do wish we had more girl time with the whole group of ladies because I especially love the way the girls rally together, shop together, cry together but also will kick ass together. Most bad-ass women I’ve ever read about are in these books. There were a few twists that I should have expected but certainly did not and I enjoyed the turn of events towards the end and the way this all played out and was a happy ending was lovely. The perfect balance between steamy romance and violence. I would still recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys mafia romances. I think McKinley does them very well.
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book literally roped me in right from the start I do always very much enjoy the writings and books by this wonderful author, but this one was a special read. I got a lot more than I expected, and I do not mean just romance, I mean story, plot, characters and all that jazz! This book was more than just a good time!
What I loved about this book, was that it really held its realistic notes right to the very end. I felt the characters were very connectable, and able to visualize without faults. I loved the whole forbidden romance, being Noah is Callie’s BFF and that means off limits. I didn’t expect the romance and building between these two to be as hot as it was! I loved their moments and the fire they had between them together. And Noah was great, everything you dream of having n a guy, plus great at those steamy moments sure were a bonus! I loved the dept of the characters, and how they grew within themselves as well around each other! Loved this book!
Once again this author has truly nailed it! I could not put this book down, and certainly did not want it to conclude! High recommendation from me for sure, do not pass up this must read book and author!
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The author did it again. Rivals is the story of Nico and Mia. It draws you in from the first chapter and there is enough action, romance, and mystery to keep you going until the very end. I have never been disappointed with anything by this author and she did it again.
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in the series I have read and just like the others, it was a great read!
Mia is looking to marry Nico for protection from her mafia family after finding out they are involved in a sex trafficking ring.
To their surprise, the marriage becomes more than a business move. I loved watching their emotions come to light!!
Would absolutely recommend this one!
Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Have you ever considered going to one of those…clubs here in town?” These words start Callie on a steamy path with Noah, the man she has had a crush on for years. He just happens to be her brother’s best friend (forbidden property). The chemistry between them is off the charts. When Callie is attacked, Noah is called into duty to be her bodyguard. The story has romance, suspense, drama. It’s a light read that romantic suspense lovers will enjoy. The characters feel very relatable. The plot flowed very smooth and even had a twist or two. An entertaining read that makes a weekend. Book 2 of the series, this can be a stand alone or read with the series.
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So before I start I just want to say 3 things
1) Pay heed to the content warning
2) Have nerves of steel . Expect the unexpected. Have a strong i constitution.
3 There’s a cliffie!
Ok so I was as keen as mustard to get into this book and at a stage I felt it was a little slow but man hang in there you will not be disappointed!
Bobbi has a lot going on in her life then you add a new job , new people , new department oh and a deranged serial killer … quite the combination
There’s a lot going on and I don’t say that in a bad way , it keeps you interested . I like Bobbi and Max as individuals and as a team . I felt both horror and sadness for victims , survivors and their families . There’s we’re also characters that bought out the ugly in me , like I would not spout on them if they were on fire , real nasty folk …
So before I devour the read I’m letting my nerves settle ❣️📕😱
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First, let me say I like that it’s made in the mid-1990s which drew me in alone. Second of all, the action surrounding these partners trying to catch a killer makes your heart race even further but it’s also a connection between the characters as we witness their friendship intensify right before our eyes. The story, the action, the characters: All of this won’t let you put this one down. Get into it!
‿)づ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE (づ‿)づ
I’m an exhibitionist. For a reason. And not the one you think.
I’m not complaining. Having people watch me at my club is a new kink I’m enjoying.
Until I look down in the voyeur pit and see the one person who should never be watching me and my pierced (coughs)…
My best friend’s little sister.
I should stop and she shouldn’t be touching herself watching me.
Now I’m hooked on someone I shouldn’t be thinking about.
When she’s attacked and her brother, my boss asks me to guard her in my cabin for a week, it’s easy to suspend reality and play hard with her. See how much of me she can take.
For one week only. Those are my terms.
Only it’s too good to stop. Callie has me doing things I considered unthinkable like opening my heart and falling for her.
Until my past catches up to me and now Callie is in danger because I dared to make her mine.
If I’m going to make this right, I need to come clean about who I really am. But will Callie still want me?
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Hard Lover (Houston After Dark Book 2) by Deborah Garland
Deborah Garland is a four-time Award-Winning Author!
In addition to a great book, she loves pugs and chocolate and eats her bacon cheeseburgers with a Grey Goose Cosmopolitan.
After years of doing the whole corporate thing, it was finally Deborah’s turn to make the dream come true of being a published author. Her 2017 debut novel, Wait for Me, was a Golden Leaf finalist for Best Contemporary Romance. She writes strong and witty heroines and the heroes fall hard for them.
Deborah’s novels have received words of praise from RT Book Reviews, Kirkus Reviews, InD’tale Magazine, Library Journal, and Uncaged Magazine. She’s won The Carolyn Award, The Book Buyer’s Best Award, and The Golden Leaf Award twice.
Give her your heart and fall in love with her flirty dirty romance novels.
Don’t be afraid to jump in. The water’s fine 🙂
Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Every good thing said about this book is true! The drama, angst, sexual tension, and danger were only a few of the highlights. All of the sexy Bratva bad boys left an impression and I officially have already backtracked to book 1 to experience where it all began.
Dom was sexy and together he and Leah were just pure fire. I loved how protective he was of Leah, but I also loved Leah’s fierce and strength. They are both terrified of relationships and where things can lead, but the overall need to be together causes them to both give in. This story was a great read!
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mystery, Romance, Drama, Friendships, Murder – this book has it all! I thought I would be on the fence with this book and ended up absolutely loving it. I could not put it down and found one of my new favorite authors.
Bobbi is a strong-willed woman that came from a rich family, as everyone reminds her constantly. She is trying to make her own way in life after finding her passion for becoming a police officer. Her partner, Rose, is one tough lady who takes every task head on and accepts no excuses. Most of the guys in the precinct have eyes for Bobbi but only one catches her attention, Max. He feels he has finally found The One when they begin their relationship, but can he protect her from the Bathtub Murderer?
It took me a beat to warm up to this story in the beginning, but once it got going, I was hooked for good. I’m ready for the second book as soon as possible to find out what happens next. You won’t regret picking this up!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this story. I was sucked in immediately with the tough female detective not taking crap from her newbie partner and her new partner also female wanting to prove herself and thrive at being a cop. Where it starts to get a little frustrating for me is with the different point of views and all of the relationships. Rose and Marco, Rose and Brian. Rose and Marco again. I don’t really feel like that added anything to the story. Then the situation with Bobbi and her ex while the actual case they are working on is playing out. There is no way after the events that took place she should have been allowed to go undercover to catch a guy that’s going around killing and raping women. I still can’t grasp my head around it. She’s still getting help for her personal situation which they all know about and still went with the plan? Other than those things I did enjoy the story. The villain is smart and clever. It frustrates me that he hasn’t been caught yet but that’s what kept me reading. That and the relationship between Bobbi and Max. I think Max is the most realistic character in the story. He’s not a Prince Charming. But he’s trustworthy, loyal, caring, and loving. He proves over and over again that he’s good for Bobbi. His reactions to different situations are realistic. Overall the book is a page turner. Once the story starts unfolding you won’t want to out the book down.
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**This book comes with a trigger warning for violence against women, sexual encounters, and murder** Ritual Obsession is the first book in the Obsession series and centers around a rookie detective (Roberta, or Bobbi) who is placed into a prominent case. There is a serial killer on the loose, targeting beautiful hazel eyed, brunette women. He is leaving behind no clues at all, and is stumping the detectives at every turn of the coin. Bobbi, who looks exactly like his targets, decides to go undercover to try to lure out the killer, against others’ advice. I really liked that this book has a female detective as the main character, as opposed to the broody males in most other books. Romance thrillers are not typically what I pick up but this one seems very well balanced and not TOO much smut, or focusing only on that. There was also quite a bit of “filler” material, I think, or things that felt like it wasn’t necessary and just kind of rattled on. This wasn’t frequent enough to have me give up on it, and I am glad I pushed through. I also love stories that have multiple POV so you can get the “whole story” and not one character’s take on a situation. I wasn’t thrilled that the book ends on a cliffhanger (no spoilers!) but it has enticed me enough that I will be picking up the second book to get the rest of the answers!
Reviewed by @zoltrixes
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ritual obsession is a romantic suspense but from the book description I was expecting more of a ‘scary’ ‘cultish’ type story and it only barely scratched the surface of that with the crime they were trying to solve. If you are in any way, shape, or form sensitiveto rape, abuse against woman, etc., I would absolutely heed the content warnings here. Rose wasn’t my favorite character but I see why she is the way she is in the field she was in ms I think having Bobbi as a partner ended up being good for her. I was really rooting for Max. Overall, I enjoyed the book although the first couple chapters were slow it did start to pick up and hold my attention through to the end.
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story contains many trigger warning, so is only suitable for those over 18 and with a strong constitution, for other information, please see trigger warnings in the blurb.
Roberta “Bobbi” Wallace is a socialite and has been for her entire life, that is until she discovered that money doesn’t solve all problems and because of this and a dare that she wouldn’t get through basic training, she decided to become a police officer and has been slowly gaining experience and rising through the ranks over the last couple of years. Max Buckley is a detective in the NYPD and is working in a team of officers who have worked together for a while and have a companionship which involves banter, gentle mickey taking and sometimes annoying each other just for the fun of it, but that changes when the newest member of the team walks in for their first day.
The moment Bobbi walks into the NYPD office she is about to become a part of, the first person she comes across is a male detective who tries it on as soon as he claps eyes on her, but she isn’t interested and instead rebuffs him and goes to meet her new partner. Meanwhile, Max is determined to make a good impression and so plays Bobbi down to the rest of the team, that however, causes them to band together to rip into his misinformation, but this stops as soon as the Captain walks in and makes the introductions.
As Bobbi is learning the ropes and the ways of those around her, she is thrown into the deep end when a murder comes in, the victim is a hazel eyed and brown haired victim who has been brutalised, stabbed and left in a bathtub in a hotel room, thus the killer is named the “Bathtub Murderer”. She is thrown together with Max as part of the duty allocations and cannot deny that there is an attraction between them, despite trying hard to deny it, but Max has no such qualms and keeps plugging away and wooing Bobbi in order to convince her to let down her walls.
As the leads are getting them nowhere and the victims increase in number, it is decided that Bobbi will go undercover as she matches the description of the victims, however, Max and Bobbi are slowly becoming inseparable, but fate intervenes and others actions try and tear them apart. Will the team be able to work out the identity of the “Bathtub Murderer” before Bobbi becomes their next victim and will the relationship between her and Max survive the undercover operation? This is a thriller with a lot of adult themes and is not for the faint of heart, or weak of stomach with plenty of action and graphic scenes throughout as the you follow along and try to solve the case yourself.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed Rivals, the 7th book in the Mafia Elite series. In this mafia romance, we meet Mia, a prisoner of her own home at the hands of her father and step brother, members of the New York Mafia. Mia escapes with the hopes to take down her family and runs to the only hope she can think of, Nico, part of the Chicago Five Families. They enter into a marriage agreement for protection and we get entangled in their chemistry as they takedown Mia’s family. As also, these books are great and I love all the characters of the Five Families. While I did enjoy the story of Mia and Nico, I felt the chemistry was not as strong after the previous couplings from this series but still a fantastic read.
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW!!! What an awesome read.
I had no idea what to expect as I haven’t read any of the other Mafia Elite books. Totally loved it from the first pages. I am now hunting up the rest of the books.
Action, danger, drama, love and intrigue – what more could you want in a good book? This book was so well written. The characters were brought to life so well within the book.
I have never given any book I’ve reviewed 5 stars…. this was definitely well learnt that’s for sure! I highly recommend.
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Check trigger warnings before reading if you have any***
Romance with Mystery with some killing. my kind of book!
REVIEWED BY @momwhoreads0215
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A supernatural murder mystery with a bit of romance. New York City is under siege, by a serial killer designated as The Bathtub Murderer. Roberta is NYPD Detective and Max is a veteran detective, who team up to solve the case. As the story progresses Bobbi (Roberta) and Max begin to have feelings for each other. They must be careful that this doesn’t complicate the situation and put Bobbi in harms way. But she is faced with walking the line with life and death – between two worlds.
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
have loved this series so much. I never knew how much I needed the Mafia in my life until these books. Mia is a New York mob boss’s daughter who just wants out. Not of the mafia just from away from her family. Safe. For that to happen she needs protection. Nico is fine on his own, or at least he thought he was. Mia is a force all her own and she wants Nico. Will he take her up on her offer? I am so sad that this series is over. I see me rereading them in the future!
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is about how Bobbi, who grew up wealthy and had everything she could ask for, becomes a cop and is working the streets of New York. Her first day on the job and her co-worker, Max, starts flirting with her. She tried to not take anything he says seriously, but she feels a connection with him. They work together chasing down a serial killer when Bobbie becomes a victim. This book is filled with romance, suspense, thrills…and I WANT MORE! It’s an easy read and flows together well.
Rivals by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love that the book starts off with a list of each family and who each were married to etc.
Mia Tucci is a NY Mafia Princess who wants away from her family. Everyone knows there is no way out of the mafia life. She set her mind on Nico who could offer her the protection she needs to get away from her family. Nico is part of the Chicago mafia which has more power than the NY mafia. Nico never seen himself settling down until Mia propositioned him. She stirs so much in him from can he trust her, wanting to know why she wants out and is his heart opening to her.
I love that Mia is strong, stubborn and loveable. The fact the author includes all of the women that are part of the Chicago mafia and they are just as hard core as the men is a bonus. This book gives you anger, love, twist and turns and a sense of redemption.
Ritual Obsession by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the series, and it ends in a cliffhanger.
If you are sensitive to violence against women, please heed the content warnings as there are on-page scenes.
I wanted to love this book because the description seemed intriguing. Unfortunately, it has a slow start. I felt like the first nine chapters could have been condensed down into two, maybe three to get all the pertinent pieces of backstory.
Also, Rose… did not like her at all. She’s a colossal B. Even when she mellows, she’s still abrasive. I mean, I guess in a male dominated industry that might be a necessity, but I just could not find a way to like her.
All of that being said, the story picks up the pace in chapter ten and gets much more interesting.
I wavered between three and four stars on this book but settled on four because things eventually started holding my attention.