Okay, well, I’ve been doing lots of reading and reviewing recently and not a great deal of thinking about books LOL although they are constantly on my mind.

I really enjoyed my first ever BLOG TOUR with Golden Czermak and Seal of Solomon and we had a great response to the giveaway that was done for it, over 700 people came for a look and that was fab!

I have been going through a number of ARCs recently as well as some new authors recommended by the Furious King himself; Mr Golden Czmerak. I have along the way found a new group of bloggers and readers who are getting ready for signing next year in the UK!

There is a signing in Manchester, UK next November and it is being run by the Four Brits – how exciting! They are still in the process of announcing all the authors, I’ve been a bit cheeky and messaged a few that I know might be interested in coming too, but they have a whole series already confirmed! Eek!

Well, I have never been to a book signing. Unless, I guess, if you include going to Waterstones one day and an author was there with lots of books and nobody to talk to so we had a little chat for 10 minutes and he signed a book for me. But … it wasn’t really planned, or intentional, and the book was reasonably good at least!

So I am hoping to be able to get tickets for the husband and I to be able to go. It’s November 2017 so the youngest will be nearly 2 years old and able to stay with someone for a couple of hours by then. If I manage to get some of the VIP tickets then we can be in and out and back without the kids in a morning, that would be so super awesomely amazing!

I have been really enjoying the announcement nights, they are fab! There are plenty of giveaways and some amazing new authors to meet and chat with. I have won free books and been added into new arcs and blog groups and all sorts, its fabulous. I am going to be putting some money away ready for the signing next year so I can get books and bits and bobs while we are there without having to worry about the HUGE cost, because I’ll want everything!

So far the confirmed authors are

Terri Anne Browning …
Beth Ehemann
WS Greer
RL Griffin
SK Hartley
Amo Jones
Lesley Jones
K Langston
Molly E Lee
Isabel Lucero
KC Lynn
Corinne Michaels
Monica Murphy
Krista & Becca Ritchie
LJ Shen
J Sterling
Lindy Zart

So far, all but one of these authors are new to me, so I’ve got plenty to be working through LOL I am in the process of reading Kingpin by WS Greer, this is the first in a two part series that he has gifted me to read and review. I have book 1 and 3 of a series by Molly E Lee to read, I will buy book 2 so that I can read all of them together in order and will read and review those too.

There are a couple of books that have been posted recently or discussed in the announcements that have grabbed my eye so hopefully I will get time to go through some of the below in the not so distant future:

Monica Murphy – Just Friends
Lesley Jones – Spiralling Skywards
Izabel Lucero – Think Again
KC Lynn

I already have on my kindle to read and review:

WS Greer – Kingpin (Book 1)
WS Greer – Long Live the King (Book 2)
Molly E Lee – Edge of Chaos (Book 1)
Molly E Lee – East of Redemption (Book 2)
Molly E Lee – Depths of Salvation (Book 3)

There are still plenty of authors to be announced between here and November, when the tickets go on sale, so I’m reasonably sure that this list is going to get longer LOL

I will be posting up reviews and updates as we go along over the next 14 months, providing I manage to get tickets of course!

Title: Unleashed
Author: Penelope Marshall

This is book 1 in the Mr Black Series

Penelope Marshall is a new to me author, she posted for reviewers in one of the groups I am on so signed up. It was nice going into a new book knowing nothing about the author, story or characters for a change. With no preconceived idea’s of the story or people within I really enjoyed the web that unfolded. I haven’t read a lot of military romance books so this was new territory too.

Lieutenant Elijah Xander Black, now what we can I say about him? He is a hard core Navy Seal, he is a love em and leave em kinda guy, not interested in working for sex never mind a long term relationship he picks up whatever spreads its legs for the uniform. He’s classy like that! He works along side his mentor and commanding officer and runs his own team of Special Ops Navy Seals. When they go in for a black file extraction, all hell breaks loose!

Nasima is a nurse, she works alongside her cousins tending to the injured in the name of the cause. We all know that kindness breeds affection, that over time affection can be fueled to lust and sometimes that lust can simmer to love. A young woman, alone every day, tending to the wounds of an injured soldier could be in real trouble of this – if she weren’t devout and of pure mind and conscious, as Nasima is.

This is a captivating story of pain, pleasure, love and lust. Gently guiding us through a relationship in the midst of this war torn place. Penelope has a fantastic way of tempering the hard with the soft while still being true to the characters themselves. The pick up in temperament from our hard headed hero, when it would be too much for anyone else, really shows his true inner strength. Nasima is not a heroine to be written off, to hold her own in a place like this is a hard thing to do, to be the devout woman and yet still maintain respect, to be present not passive.

I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more from Penelope 🙂

Title: Hard Up
Author: Vivian Wood

This is definitely an introduction to a series rather than a standalone book. This sets up all sorts of things ready to follow up in subsequent books and there is tons of scope for opening things up.

I liked Viola, she is smart, sassy and  not afraid to say what she thinks. A quiet girl, tending bar in a little town, nothing unusual about that, or is there?

Callum has a story to tell! Three young, muscled, tattooed blokes come in to a bar for a few weeks and trouble unsurprisingly follows them. One of them happens to have taken a liking for the girl behind the bar. Let’s see where that one goes!

All in all, a good little intro to the scene with plenty of scope for opening things up in subsequent books. This is a fast paced story with plenty of steamy scenes and lots of action.

Unfortunately, because it is so fast paced there were a few errors and it got a little difficult to follow in some of the speaking. There is definitely range for this book filling out a little more as it can be quite low on the description in some areas. It could be made better with some more linking through the scenes and explanation throughout, although these could be left to explore further in the following books.

Blurb

Only two things matter to Callum Connor – his gang, the Black Saints, and himself. When the former SEAL isn’t protecting The Family or gunning down made men, he’s burning his way through the women in Savannah.

Even though he knows not to sh*t where he eats, one night he finds himself with his smoking hot bartender, Viola. She’s nails-down-the-back, screaming-his-name kind amazing, but Callum has a rule: no f*cking the same woman twice.

If only he could forget that night.

Until an armed gunman comes into her bar, and Viola saves Callum’s life when she shoots him where he stands. With the Valetti Family after the two of them, Callum has no choice but to protect the fiesty, beautiful hellcat.

Not that Viola’s interested. She’s sooner be stuck with a hungry grizzly bear, but Callum knows that without him by her side, she’s as good as dead.

The tension between them is more than they can handle. She’s fiery and independent, and she makes his protective side come out. Too bad all he can think about is her smart mouth wrapped around the one part of him that just won’t go down.

Hot damn.

When her walls come down and he gets the truth out, will he have the guts to keep what he loves?

Either way, Callum is HARD UP.

Title: Cage
Author: Harper Sloan
Published 2013

This is Book 2 in the Corps Security Series, read the review for previous books:
1 – Axel Review

Okay, so I was kind of hoping that Beck and Dee would be book two … but they weren’t! Instead it was Greg. Now who couldn’t love our fierce protector from book one? He swooped in and saved Izzy from her horrible husband, kept her safe and put her life before his own when the time came. I mean really, what is not to love?

Well … this is a rollercoaster if I have ever read one! When our loyal protector realises what he is missing, the love and hope Izzy finds with Axel. The complete contentment that he doesn’t quite have any more. When he realises that there is more to life than protecting those you love, letting them love you and letting them into the dark spaces inside is hard!

I really, really liked Melissa. She is strong, confident and independent, you know, all those things that we strive to be! She knows what she wants and what she doesn’t want and isn’t afraid to say no, she can look after herself and those she cares about and that is what is important to her.

The dynamic between the two of them and how they join in with the rest of the group is great. I love that they are both parts of the group as independent individuals, that their support circles cross is great fun! I particularly liked the bits with Dee and Melissa winding each other up, it was so true to life and could have been my own friends.

Just when I thought that I knew where the story was going, there was another turn in the plot. This kept me on the edge of the page all the way through and took us through some emotionally GREY areas. There were some tough bits and some gentle bits, I laughed, I cried, I swore and cheered.

This is the perfect ending for our hero and I can’t wait to read Dee’s story!!

Blurb

Greg Cage was born to protect. While growing up, he was his mother and sister’s shield against the world… until he failed. For the last decade, he has carried that guilt and need for vengeance around… until it was stripped from him. Now, with his best friend getting married and no longer needing his protection, he is even more lost, completely adrift, and desperate for some control. All he has ever known was how to protect: his family, his friends, and his country. Can he go against everything he has ever known, and give up that control?

Melissa Larson will never let anyone hold the reins in her life. She has been the rock in her family for more years than she can remember, and the fight to keep them together is her main priority right now. She has always been fiercely independent and proud. The last thing she will ever do is ask for someone else’s help. But when that choice is out of her control, forcing her to rely on others to save her and her family, and pick up the pieces that are left, will she be able to let someone else be her strength?

The second Greg locks eyes with Meli, he knows that she is someone he needs. Someone he craves. Meli knew the second she met Greg that he would be nothing but trouble and heartache. Her life takes an unexpected turn, and that bitch Fate is back to wreak more havoc on another member of the Corps family.

All hell breaks loose, leaving Greg no choice but to call in a favor. He hooks back up with his old friend Braxxon Breaker from the Breakneck MC. Together, they make sure that nothing threatens anyone Greg loves again.

Title: Bad Boy
Author: Willow Winters

This is book 5 in the Valetti Crime Family series, previous reviews:

1 – Dirty Dom Review
2 – His Hostage Review
3 – Good Girl Review
4 – Bad Girl Review

I was really looking forward to Anthony`s story and I’m a bit at a loss now is over. It’s taken me a few days to be able to get the right words together for this review.

If I’m being totally honest I was a bit disappointed with Anthony. So far, the male lead characters have been cocky, confident, outgoing men and that is what I was expecting to see again, Anthony is a whole other ball game!

Anthony has been mentioned throughout the previous books, often on the outskirts of the situation, always quiet but acutely aware of what is going on around him and where he was needed most. What I never understood until this book, was why!

I was not expecting him to have such a low opinion of himself. Yes, he does some bad things, don’t they all, but for the most part other characters have accepted this is their life and who they are. Anthony not so much. Bless him, he has gone through some stuff! I can’t say too much I don’t want to give away the story but he is sad, happy, determined, driven, consumed and so much more through this book! He absolutely drove me crazy with his inability to explain himself to anyone at all, it’s like he could barely follow his own train of thought.

I loved Catherine! Getting to see her thought process and love of books was fantastic and really helped to get into her mindset, I’m sure lots of readers will be able to relate closely with her and be able to sink into this book!

It felt like there could have been more in this book. A bit more explanation into both their histories, a bit more link in with the family. I know Anthony is a bit of an outsider but he’s featured in every book so I kind of thought there might be more of a link there.

Overall it’s another steady story, nice easy read for a Saturday night with a glass of wine. There’s some amazingly hot scenes and plenty of action to keep you going through to the end. But be warned, this is an emotional rollercoaster and you are going to need the tissues! Enjoy 🙂

Title: Axel
Author: Harper Sloan
Published 2013

This is book 1 in the Corps Security Series

So Harper Sloan is a new author to me. She was recommended to me by the lovely Golden Czermak, and what a great recommendation that was! She has loads of books out so plenty to be going through, which is always a good start. I have started with Axel as it is the first book that came up on the list … there really isn’t any more justification than that unfortunately, it was completely luck of the draw!

There is a warning in the beginning of the book, there is a scene that may be difficult for some people to read. There is enough information that we get what she has been/is going through without having to drag all the dirty laundry out to air.

We meet Izzy lonely, broken and frightened. She has been through hell and made it out of the other side. She is feeling defeated and yet finds the strength within herself to carry on. With her two best friends she picks up, puts up and moves on. Or so she thinks. Life has not dealt her a very fair hand but again and again she rallies and goes forward.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on with Izzy’s story, there are bits that resonate with me on a personal level, unfortunately not all good bits. It definitely allowed me to enter into the world easier, I could see my decisions in the story and really get a feel for what was going on with the characters.

I loved relationship between Izzy, Dee and Greg and the twists and turns within it. They really are like a family. Being able to recover a friendship after having to do the right thing, even when the person doesn’t want it, is a skill all of its own. To be able to translate that to text and authentically deliver it is a much greater skill but Harper Sloan absolutely knocks it out of the park!

Of course this is also the story of the wonderful Axel. Our captain caveman! I swear if he could beat his chest, throw her over his shoulder and lock her in the bedroom he completely would have! Even within this group of amazingly hot (no surprise there 😉 ), stacked, alpha males he somehow manages to come out as more, he is like super alpha! Unfortunately this doesn’t always win him points and over the course of the book he has to learn to school his thoughts. It’s like we can see him growing within the pages.

I really enjoy reading dual point of view, which this book is, as it really helps to engage with both characters. It was fairly easy for me to join along with Izzy and I really enjoyed being able to see things from Axel’s more male point of view.

Their lives have twisted and turned and they have been brought back together again to fight another day. I love a second chance romance and this is one of the best ones that I have read for a while. I am really looking forward to heading off into book 2 🙂

Blurb

Fate hasn’t always been friends with Isabelle West. In fact, fate has been a downright bitch.

Isabelle has learned the hard way how hard life can be when fate isn’t by your side. It can hand you dreams on silver platters, but it can snatch them right back and hand you nightmares. One thing Isabelle knew for sure fate was consistent with was taking away everything she ever loved.

For the last two years Isabelle has been slowly clearing the clouds of her past. Happiness is finally on the horizon. She has a thriving business, great friends, and her life back. All she has to do is jump over the last hurdle…her ex-husband.

When problems start causing her to fear her new life, and memories that are better left forgotten start rushing to the surface the last thing she needs is a ghost from her past to come knocking on her door.

Axel never thought he would look into the eyes of Isabelle West again, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to now. He’s carried his anger for so long he isn’t sure he can just turn it off, but when he is faced with protecting her and an unexpected desire to have her again, life gets a little more complicated.

How will Axel and Isabelle deal when all their cards are put on the table and everything they thought was true blows up in their faces?

Title: Seal of Solomon
Author: Golden Czermak

This is book 2 in The Journeymen Series, see the review for previous books:
1 – Homeward Bound Review

Another action packed adventure with the amazing Gage Crosse. This book literally continues on from the last so make sure you remember what is going on, or have a little refresh before you start!

We meet our hero sad and alone, bloody, beaten and waiting for it to get worse before it gets better. There is no time to mourn or grieve before he is thrown into the deep end once again. Unfortunately, Gage has just stuck a proverbial target on his back and can’t just stop. He has to plow through and make it back to their safe haven where Joey will be waiting for him.

We meet a whole host of new characters in this book but still manage to keep the dynamic between the central group in tact which is great. We see a little of Marcus in Homeward Bound and how things are ‘working’ within the council, but that comes to the fore this time.

I really enjoyed seeing how things work in the council, the market style meeting places, lectures and gathering of people. It is great to get an idea of who is in charge of the Journeymen and meet a few others along the way. Up to this point we have only met Joey, Ady and Gage so to see a few other field agents really helps to put in perspective the difference between Gage and the rest of the world, he really is MAN +1.

Joey is a bit soppy in the first book, he wants Gage but he can’t have him, in this book we see his stronger side come out. Gage and Joey are both going through a difficult time after losing Ady and we see Joey not only pull himself back into the world but also drag Gage back in too. There is amazing comradery between the boys, which means that not only do they know how to put each other back together, but they also know how to tear each other apart!

Obviously Gage is our main character, and he’s awesome! He is cheeky, charming and has a whole new take on how to eat breakfast but … I have a secret crush for Marcus! I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of him in the following books 🙂

As well as being completely action packed there is an emotional side to this book that comes through strongly. The connection between the main characters comes through really well and is a testament to the storytelling of the author. We have entered into an entirely new world and yet the characters are so relate able that you don’t even notice, certainly some impressive writing!

Now we are stuck, sat on our hands waiting for the next installment, I have absolutely no doubt that it will be worth the wait! Another fantastic read from Golden Czermak, can’t wait for the next one!

Blurb

With no answers and a weapon of mass destruction slung around his neck, Gage Crosse is left with little choice but to travel with Joey Mosely to New York, seeking aid from the Order Council itself. Little do they know that they are about to embark on what may be the greatest adventure of their lives: to find the mysterious Seal of Solomon.

Meanwhile, the fragile threads holding the demon army and its monstrous allies together are unraveling. Keli must act quickly to maintain her position as ruler, else have all their efforts fall into the flames of ruin.

Can the Journeymen keep the Seal of Solomon out of demon hands, or will the Noctis succeed in wrenching all three artifacts from their control?

Title: Bad Girl
Author: Willow Winters

This is book 4 in the Valetti Crime Family Series, read previous reviews:
1 – Dirty Dom Review
2 – His Hostage Review
3 – Good Girl Review

Well, where to start? Another fantastic book from Willow Winters!

These books can be read as standalones but personally, I would suggest reading them in order as it all makes much more sense that way!

I absolutely loved Tommy! He is everything I hoped he would be. Our quiet, muscle bound, business end of the familia is exactly that. He is here to take care of business and he’s not going to take any sh!t while he is at it.

We find Tommy in a sticky situation with the police, keeping his nose clean and trying to keep out of trouble. That is, until he meets her, and then there is no keeping his nose clean.

It is clear from the onset that Tonya isn’t your average beat cop, there is something else driving her forward and pushing her on. We have all sought for something, but Tonya does it so single mindedly that she forgot everything else that was going on around her. She saw a way to get what she wanted, and she took it, without thinking through the consequences.

She finds herself stuck between what she wants and what she can do, we’ve all found ourselves there! When your ability doesn’t quite meet up with what is required to get what you want. The emotional turmoil she goes through is harrowing. This is another heroine that has been through the wringer and you can really see it in her actions.

I love the way Willow manages to tie it all back together, taking your heart to pieces with the characters and then slowly piecing you back together is a skill. I love the tie over in to the next book too! Our familia is growing, the characters embedding themselves.

It would be nice to have a novella or two catching up with the family lives of some of the previous couples and I would definitely be up for a reflective novella from Ava, we can but dream 🙂

Blurb

She’s too good for me, but that’s not gonna stop me from taking her.

I’m not a good man, but I’ve never claimed to be. I’m the muscle for the Valetti crime family, and I fit the part with my hard, ripped abs, broad shoulders and cocky attitude.

I’ve never wanted for anything, until I met her… A woman I can never have.

She’s forbidden. Just being seen together would put a target on both our backs.

I can’t help imagining those lush, sassy lips wrapped around the one part of me that doesn’t give a damn she’s off-limits.

All I wanted was a taste of her tempting, forbidden curves. One moment of hot, wild passion, and I’m f*cking addicted.

Everything and everyone else be damned. I’m making her mine. 

 

Title: His Hostage
Author: Willow Winters

This is book 2 in the Valetti Crime Family series
Read the review for book 1 – Dirty Dom Review

Well, if Dom managed to make his way in this world without joining the familia, yet still being that fierce. It is no great surprise that Vince is everything you have ever dreamed of in a mob familia, and more!

Hot, stacked and backed by some big ass family, Vince and his friends literally own the room on arriving. They have presence, dominance and they know how to use it! When Vince crosses paths with an innocent, fun looking girl he just knows that he has to ruin her. But will one taste ever be enough?

When Elle needs somewhere to hide out and study she finds herself in a nice little bistro in town. Unknowingly entering the main house for the Valetti family she finds herself in a sticky situation! Kidnapped, frightened and alone. Not sure who to trust and where to turn. Is her captor also her saviour? Or is he just buying time?

This book literally had me on the edge of my seat all the way through, the chemistry between Vince and Elle is off the charts! Be prepared for some hot and heavy sex scenes and enough action to fill a movie. I completely get Elle, she could be any one I know, so it is really easy to slip into her mindset and drift along through the book. It takes you on a wild ride, one that you can’t just get off but have to plow through to the end.

I literally breezed through this book in a day! A fabulous read, looking forward to the next installment!

Blurb

He was supposed to take my life… Instead he made me his.

Valetti crime family underboss Vincent Valetti is hot. Like… jaw dropping, lip biting, panty wetting kind of hot. Tall and muscular, with the kind of dominant, cocky attitude that makes a girl’s knees go weak.

He commands respect and fear from the familia, and he deserves it. He’s earned it. As for women… they can have one night and the most amazing f*ck of their life, but that’s all they get.

Until Elle Hawthorne.

Gorgeous, curvy, and looking for an escape, she calls to Vincent. Her innocence begs him to take her… f*ck her, ruin her for all other men. Worse, he wants to protect her.

In Vincent’s care, Elle witnesses a terrible crime — and if she breathes a word of it, the Valettis are screwed. Torn between the woman he craves and loyalty to his family, Vincent is put to the test.

He should kill her, but he can’t let that happen. He won’t. Vincent’s a man who takes what he wants. And he wants Elle all to himself.

She was in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Now she belongs to him.

How far will Vincent go to protect the girl who should be next on his hit list?