Review ~ The Eddie Flynn Series by Steve Cavanagh

One of my favourite crime series ever! From a lawyer's POV, suspense, intrigue, twists aplenty!

Book Description: The Defense ~ Eddie Flynn #1

Eddie Flynn used to be a con artist. Then he became a lawyer. Turned out the two weren't that different.

It's been over a year since Eddie vowed never to set foot in a courtroom again. But now he doesn't have a choice. Olek Volchek, the infamous head of the Russian mafia in New York, has strapped a bomb to Eddie's back and kidnapped his ten-year-old daughter, Amy. Eddie only has forty-eight hours to defend Volchek in an impossible murder trial - and win - if he wants to save his daughter.

Under the scrutiny of the media and the FBI, Eddie must use his razor-sharp wit and every con-artist trick in the book to defend his 'client' and ensure Amy's safety. With the timer on his back ticking away, can Eddie convince the jury of the impossible?

**Featuring an extract from Steve Cavanagh's new thriller, The Plea**

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2GKH05B

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ByaqAA

Book Description: The Plea ~ Eddie Flynn #2

When David Child, a major client of a corrupt New York law firm, is arrested for murder, the FBI ask con artist-turned-lawyer Eddie Flynn to persuade him to testify against the firm.

Eddie is not someone who is easily coerced, but when the FBI reveal that they have incriminating files on his wife, he knows he has no choice.

But Eddie is convinced the man is innocent, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. With the FBI putting pressure on him to secure the deal, Eddie must find a way to prove his client's innocence.

But the stakes are high - his wife is in danger. And not just from the FBI . . .

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TRhEqs

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2GFy8hC

Book Description: The Liar ~ Eddie Flynn #3

***WINNER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD 2018***

A MISSING GIRL. A DESPERATE FATHER.

A CASE WHICH WILL TEAR THEM APART.

'Plotting that takes the breath away' Ian Rankin

'A fantastic thriller writer' Mark Billingham

* * * * *

WHO IS DEADLIER ...

Leonard Howell's worst nightmare has come true: his daughter Caroline has been kidnapped. He can't rely on the cops, so Howell calls the only man he trusts to get her back.

THE MAN WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH

Eddie Flynn knows what it's like to lose a daughter and vows to bring Caroline home safe. Once a con artist, now a hotshot criminal attorney, Flynn is no stranger to the shady New York underworld.

... OR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES A LIE?

However, as he steps back into his old life, Flynn realizes that the rules of the game have changed - and that he is being played. But who is pulling the strings? And is anyone in this twisted case telling the truth...?

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2SyhB6k

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Gqi8Ri (paperback)

Book Description: Th1rt3en ~ Eddie Flynn #4

THE SERIAL KILLER ISN'T ON TRIAL.

HE'S ON THE JURY...

****************

'Books this ingenious don't come along very often.' Michael Connelly

'THIRTEEN is my favourite read of the year.' Sarah Pinborough

'Outstanding.' Lee Child

'Smart and original. This is a belter of a book.' Clare Mackintosh

****************

'To your knowledge, is there anything that would preclude you from serving on this jury?'

Murder wasn't the hard part. It was just the start of the game.

Joshua Kane has been preparing for this moment his whole life. He's done it before. But this is the big one.

This is the murder trial of the century. And Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house.

But there's someone on his tail. Someone who suspects that the killer isn't the man on trial.

Kane knows time is running out - he just needs to get to the conviction without being discovered.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2UXDnNK

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Ifec7H (pre-order)

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna 

The Defense ~ 4.5 stars

The Plea ~ 4.5 stars

The Liar ~ 4.5 stars

Th1rt3en ~ 5 stars

 I read Twisted by Steve Cavanagh after a recommendation in the group Crime Fiction Addicts and absolutely loved it. This led me to look at other books by this author, and so the Steve Cavanagh marathon began, I could not put this series down. Four books devoured in three days and they weren’t short! Early starts and late nights were the order of the day with my earbuds permanently fixed, and I soon realised I had found another favourite crime author. 

I love legal dramas and add the crime aspect into it, and I had the best dessert with a cherry on top. This was the perfect blend of both with serial killers, suspense and intrigue and one of the most lovable lawyers ever. Eddie Flynn was not your usual lawyer; bad boy turned good with the right guidance from one of the good guys, who is now a senior judge. Eddie was a con-man, and when up in court in front of said Judge Harry Ford, using his gift of the gab, he got himself off the charges The judge was impressed and told Eddie he had the gift and should think about law school. Under the judges’ tutelage, Eddie turned his life around until he became disenchanted with lawyer life. Now forced out of his self-imposed retirement, Eddie returns when a slew of cases come his way. Only defending the innocent, Eddie is tested to his limits over these four books with police and FBI impeding and helping in various guises. 

Eddie was definitely a natural and I loved the way the author put Eddie front and centre in these cases. Going above and beyond, proving his client's innocence, immersing himself into the investigations and solving them before the relative authorities. Eddie’s old con-man life helps in many ways and being able to think like a criminal only aids his case building and solving. 

Each book is different and unique and as this series progresses the plots just get twistier and more developed as Steve Cavanagh hits his stride and the gem that is Th1rt3en is testament to that. The in-court drama is what really brings this book to life as some others I have read centre on what happens outside. However, Steve Cavanagh takes you through the trials, with the opening arguments, cross-examinations and summations and even jury selection at some points. Steve Cavanagh brings the courtroom to life, and you are just as enthralled inside as you are out. 

With fantastic side characters, this series has something for everyone, and there is definitely never a dull moment. Eddie’s moral character and personality are what drives this series, and his stalwart, tenacious attitude both in and out of the courtroom are what cements him as a firm favourite of mine. With plot twists I never saw coming, every single one of these books kept me on my toes, adrenaline pumping. Not once did I guess the twists, each book had my jaw hitting the floor, each book had me second guessing everything. The relationship between Eddie and Judge Harry Ford is perfection and only adds to this series. Fast paced, action packed and taughtly written, this is one series that held me from the first page of the first book to the last page of the last. Now I feel bereft, Eddie Flynn is missing from my life, and I can only hope that Steve Cavanagh writes quick because I need my next Eddie fix.

Review ~ Twisted by Steve Cavanagh

Book Description:

BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THREE THINGS:

1. The police are looking to charge me with murder.

2. No one knows who I am. Or how I did it.

3. If you think you've found me. I'm coming for you next.

After you've read this book, you'll know: the truth is far more twisted...

Buy Links:

Amazon UK Kindle: https://amzn.to/2BkAPlb

Amazon UK Audible: https://adbl.co/2SdDPdC

Amazon US: Not available

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

I am still on my crime thriller kick and to be honest, I cannot get enough them, and this one ticked all my boxes. Set around the literary world, this one had me hooked from first to last page, and I couldn’t put it down. I tend to listen to my thrillers rather than read them, enjoying the narration as the narrators get into character and give that suspenseful edge, and in this case, the narrator did just that. The author does a fantastic job, and the book certainly lives up to its title, the ending I never saw coming and the overall “winner,” if you can call the person that, left a bitter taste. But alas, conniving is the name of the game.

This was definitely a rollercoaster of a ride with some seriously unhinged characters, but it is this that just made this book. In this case insanity bred creativity, and murder created best selling books. JT LeBeau is a best-selling crime author, and as soon as his books are released they go straight to number one and stay there. Superbly talented, written under a pseudonym and no-one knows his true identity, not even his publisher. Anyone that does find out his true identity ends up dead and the main character in his next book.

Steve Cavanagh gently brings the characters to life in the beginning, but when the story really gets into its own, the hits just keep coming. I had to rewind a few times just to make sure I understood what was said which often left the jaw-dropping at the most inopportune times. My brain was running a mile a minute as I tried to piece together the clues and just when you thought you had it sussed, Steve Cavanagh spins it in another direction.

Twisted was certainly an entertaining read, sick and twisted with plenty of suspense and intrigue and a fast-paced plot that won’t let you get off the ride. My earbuds were permanently cemented into my ears until the last dulcet tone of the narrator had wormed its way into my psyche and the jigsaw pieces that had been missing throughout, finally slotted into place. Trust no-one, trust nothing you read and you’re good to go. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and if this is anything to go by, I am in for a treat.

Review ~ Birthday Suit by Lauren Blakely

Book Description:

There is no rule in the Man Code as unbreakable as this: no matter how beautiful, smart, clever, and witty she is, do not—under any circumstances—fall in love with your best friend’s woman. 

Yeah. So there’s that. Look, it’s not like I didn’t know I screwed up by falling for her. 

Also, for the record, unrequited love sucks big time.

And, I might have cut myself some slack by now, given everything that went down in the last few years, but Lulu just walked back into my life in a big way.

***

There are three things I've never been able to resist—my friends, my family, and chocolate.

Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He's been a true friend—a friend who walked through hell and back with me.

Now, I'm stepping into my new future. I didn't expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City.

With Leo.

Suddenly, I'm looking at this man with new eyes...

But my life spun out because of a man once before, and I can’t risk my fresh start, no matter what the temptation. And Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety. 

More irresistibly delicious than chocolate...

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2RCIEgw

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2VSbbgi

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars

“…there is no organ more susceptible to trickery, subterfuge, or sabotage than the heart. Embrace it, treat it as something precious, and be very wary of it.”

Lauren Blakely never fails to deliver and Birthday Suit is no exception. This was a great friends to lovers read with a touch of the forbidden romance thrown in. Lauren Blakely’s characters are always relatable, and these two will capture your heart from the very beginning. Mancode is always written in stone, and our hero took a step back when he realised the woman that he was falling for was more interested in his best friend. Over a decade of unrequited love seriously hurts, but when circumstances and fate throw these two together once again, can they think of their future rather than their past?

Sometimes timing sucks, and it never sucked harder for Leo. The girl that he had been crushing on and chatting to on the regular meets his best friend for the first time, and the sparks fly. The trio become the three amigos and standing on the sidelines while your best friend gets the girl of your dreams was no mean feat. It hurt, and hurt bad. Being both their best friend for over a decade only ingrains that hurt and makes it fester. Leo was such a great friend to both of them, always there, reliable and only had their best interests at heart even if that meant his own fell by the wayside.

“I took my own vow that day. No matter what, I had to get over her. There were no runners-up in love.”

LuLu has had it tough and now leaving NYC and moving to California she gets the job of her dreams. A master chocolatier, a flair for recipes that tingle every taste bud, LuLu is in her element and being reunited with her best friend, Leo was the icing on the proverbial cake. Having been single for a while, LuLu isn’t blind, and when she sees Leo for the first time, thoughts she had never had come to the forefront, when had she become so blind?

Lauren Blakely touches on all your emotions in this book as Leo and LuLu carefully navigate their feelings and try to shake off their past. A past that keeps pulling Leo back. When the woman of your dreams is presented before you, you feel like all your Christmases have come at once, but there is always that niggling doubt with Leo. Leo faces the biggest battle of his life… heart vs. conscience.

“You’re a dream chaser. A go-getter. Have you found your dreams?”

“Most of them. Some slipped away though.”

Leo was swoon-worthy with a capital S, and I dare anyone not to fall for his heart of gold and his effortless charm. LuLu was a character that had learned from her mistakes and to see her take her life back by the horns was fantastic. With some great secondary characters there was nothing I didn’t love, and by the end, I didn’t want to leave these two. Such a cute read.

Release Day Blitz & Review ~ We Shouldn't by Vi Keeland

A Standalone Contemporary Romance 

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Vi Keeland

Book Description:

Bennett Fox walked into my life on one hell of a crappy Monday morning.

I was late for the first day at my new job—a job I’d now have to compete for even though I’d already worked eight years to earn it, because of an unexpected merger. 
While I lugged my belongings up to my new office, a meter maid wrote me a parking summons.

She’d ticketed a long line of cars—except for the Audi parked in front of me, which happened to be the same make and model as mine.

Annoyed, I decided to regift my ticket to the car that had evaded a fine. Chances were, the owner would pay it and be none the wiser.
Except, I accidentally broke the windshield wiper while slipping the ticket onto the car’s window.

Seriously, my day couldn’t get any worse.

Things started to perk up when I ran into a gorgeous man in the elevator. We had one of those brief moments that only happened in movies.

You know the deal…your body lights up, fireworks go off, and the air around you crackles with electricity.

His heated stare left me flush when I stepped off the elevator.

Maybe things here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Or so I thought.

Until I walked into my new boss’s office and met my competition.

The gorgeous man from the elevator was now my nemesis. His heated stare wasn’t because of any mutual attraction. It was because he’d seen me vandalize his car. And now he couldn’t wait to annihilate his rival.

There’s a fine line between love and hate—and we shouldn’t cross it.

We shouldn’t—but straddling that line could be so much fun.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  https://amzn.to/2HlPpOJ

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2RGbtsn

iBooks ➜ http://smarturl.it/hmp0xb 

Amazon paperback ➜ http://amzn.to/2sgA0oP 

B&N ➜ http://smarturl.it/5zqpdu 

Google Play ➜ http://smarturl.it/f6prjg 

Audio ➜ http://smarturl.it/e2gv12 

Sign up for Vi’s mailing list now and be the first one notified when it goes live! ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/i6h3o5 

Do you like texts better than email? Receive text notices of Vi’s new releases by texting the word BOOKS to 77948 You will ONLY receive a text when a new book goes live - no other messages at all!

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4.5 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“I didn’t see you coming, Texas. Didn’t see you coming.”

Vi Keeland merges two of my favourite tropes with a delicious office romance inter-laced with a hilarious at times enemies to lovers. The banter between these two was fantastic and a great catalyst to a slow burn from hate to like to love. This book though has a good dose of the feels, and it is this emotion together with the character connection that really cemented this book as another winner. Vi Keeland has this knack of delivering relatable, swoon-worthy characters that embed themselves into your heart and soul and Annalise and Bennett are no different. My heart definitely melted into a puddle of goo with these two.

“By day we fight like enemies, by night we fuck like warriors.”

Annalise has just come out of an eight-year relationship and is rather jaded with love, the complete opposite to her usual hopeless romantic. Add to the fact that the ad company that she has worked so hard for is merging with another and her job is on the line, her life is nothing but crises. Going head to head with Bennett is not what she anticipated and with the loser being transferred to Texas, she is not going to go down without a fight.

“You know that old saying…keep your friends close and fuck the shit out of your enemies.”

Bennett was incredibly handsome, smart and successful in his job, a job he had done for a long time. Finding out that this is now on the line, Bennett prepares himself for the biggest fight of his career and it doesn’t help that his nemesis is a little spit-fire and drop dead gorgeous. Bennett has to dig deep in more ways than one, but nothing could have prepared him for the hellion that shows us a totally different side to him.

“Beast syndrome is when a man constantly roars at you to scare you away. Perhaps he was less than magnanimous in his early days, which he thinks defines who he’s forever banished to be. So he tries to keep people from getting too close. But he’s not really the villain he thinks he is, and every once in a while, a peek of the prince underneath shines through.”

At times I was laughing, others sighing, the rest swooning—the perfect recipe for a contemporary romance. As I said above, the banter was perfect, the move from hate to love intoxicating, the chemistry was hot, hot, hot, the character connection on point and add a dose of emotion and it is perfect. Vi Keeland drew me into this story hook, line and sinker and the characters didn’t let me go until the end. Seeing the other side of Bennett and really understanding his back story was the biggest highlight and only endeared him to me even more. There is something for everyone in this book, and I can see this being another winner. Bring on the next one Vi Keeland.

About the Author:

Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in two dozen languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six. Sign up for Vi’s mailing list now and be the first one notified when books go live! ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/i6h3o5 

Do you like texts better than email? Receive text notices of Vi’s new releases by texting the word BOOKS to 77948 You will ONLY receive a text when a new book goes live - no other messages at all! 

Find Vi here:

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKeelandFanGroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vi.keeland https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vi-Keeland/435952616513958

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Twitter: @vikeeland - https://twitter.com/ViKeeland

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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vi-keeland

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Release Day Blitz & Review ~ When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann

“When Ashes Fall is a tautly written, complex, and emotionally-charged love story that takes the reader on an unforgettable, unexpected, and deeply moving journey.” —USA Today

When Ashes Fall, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from best-selling author Marni Mann is live!

Book Description:

It’s been said that you can’t love two men at the same time.

You can’t split your heart, soul, and body in half.

But I’m here to tell you, you can.

Dylan Cole is like ice, sharp and unpredictable, the thunder inside a tumultuous storm.

Smith Reid is warmth, soft and gentle, perfect like a sunny day.

Both are mine.

But I can have only one.

There are two sides to this tale. 

I'm here to tell you mine. 

If you think this story is about a cheater, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Buy Links:

Download your copy today!

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2C7oVuu

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Azqkdp

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WhenAshesFallMM

Apple Books: https://goo.gl/Bq4rkX

Nook: https://goo.gl/h6VMj8

Kobo: https://goo.gl/aXMkJW

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2E1u6zG

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“When ashes fall… That was the end.”

I first read this book about four months ago and having now read it again those first impressions, emotions, thoughts, and feelings just came flooding back…tenfold. I have been a huge fan of Marni Mann from more or less the beginning of her career when I stumbled across her book on Amazon, and I haven’t looked back since. Having read every book she has published I have to say that this is my new favourite book of hers, the raw, intense emotions and honesty that she has conveyed through her words will tug at every heartstring, will bring lumps to your throat and cause plentiful tears. But, despite the emotional wringer that this book puts you through, you cannot help but be affected, impacted and emotionally stirred by the profound story that this author delivers. You can tell that this book was written from the heart, you feel and experience EVERYTHING. Love is such a powerful emotion, one that you are lucky to experience once in a lifetime, some maybe twice, none are ever the same, but each leaves their mark. This is not a cheating book, far from it, but read this as the author intended, blind. Let her take you on this ride, it is one that you will never, ever forget.

“You’re asking to see my storm.”

We all want sunny days, the days where the sun on your face warms your soul and your heart, however, there are always storms too, and it is on those days that you keep your nearest and dearest with you. Life is full of moments, to learn by, to cherish, to love, they may be insignificant, they may be monumental, but they make up your map, your map is your own, and you never know when life is going to make you change direction. This is all about those directions, those left, and rights, some you anticipate and others you don’t, but they are there for a reason. It is how you cope and deal with them that determines your end destination.

“No, I don’t want to run… Unless it’s towards you, and then my answer is yes.”

Marni Mann delivers an extremely poignant, heartfelt, heart-destroying, heart-warming, raw, honest, extremely moving love story that will have you captivated from start to finish. The story grabs you from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go even after the very last words. This is a book that I will be thinking about for a very long time and one that I will definitely be re-reading. This is one of those stories that makes you think long and hard, both at what you have just read and about the characters. The journey that Alix, Dylan, and Smith embark on will have your heart in your mouth one minute, your heart fit to burst the next, tears aplenty and the cheesiest grins. This was a rollercoaster, and as your brain frantically tries to read between the lines, you can only sit back and admire how well the author has layered this story. This book was like an onion, every chapter was a layer and as each layer was devoured the possibilities got smaller and smaller. The author delivers the crux of this story with brutal honesty, and I dare anyone not to bawl their eyes out. Intense, yet beautiful for its innocence, no unnecessary drama, no angst for angst sake, just one incredibly unforgettable story.

“Alix and I weren’t perfect. We had cracks. And, as the months passed, I learned some deepened while others got filled in. I also learned that wasn’t the last night I’d sleep alone.”

Every character had their purpose, nothing superfluous, nothing artificial. Every character well defined and the character connection was on point. You will take these characters into your heart and soul as love takes centre stage. Alix is cut open for the world to see and her love, emotions, and pain were agonizingly honest. It is this honesty that embraces Alix into your heart and soul as she undertakes the hardest journey of her life. We all need a best friend like Rose, Rose was Alix’s rock, she centered Alix, was her confidante and always had her back. She had been through the rough and the smooth, and she always had Alix’s best interests at heart. Both the men in this book were extremely lovable, total opposites and yet congruous in their love for Alix. I will reiterate that there is NO cheating in this book, just two loves in one lifetime. I cannot say any more, I want to keep this review spoiler free, but all I will say is read this book. You won’t regret it, and you definitely won’t forget it. Marni Mann, take a bow. I sincerely hope that this book gets the recognition it deserves. You deserve it, these characters deserve it, and the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into it deserve it. This will definitely be one of my top reads of the year.

“I wish I knew now what I hadn’t known then.”

About the Author:

Best-selling Author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.

Connect with Marni:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarniMann

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnimann/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marnimann/

Stay up to Date with Marni by signing up for her mailing list here: http://marnismann.com/about/

http://marnismann.com

Review: Third Strike (Chances #3) by BJ Harvey

RELEASING TOMORROW!!!!

Book Description:

Falling for your best friend's sister has never felt so bad yet so damn right. 

From USA Today Bestselling author BJ Harvey comes the third and final standalone in the Chance series, this time it's the much anticipated story of Drew and Ashley.

***

I have a long history of acting first and thinking it through later. In fact, I'm the definition of a screw up. 

Case in point - I’m having a baby with a woman I can’t stand, my ex is now my best friend’s wife, and I’m in love with a woman I can never have.

My biggest secret is falling for my best friend’s sister twelve years ago.

My biggest mistake is thinking I could live without her.

And now my biggest regret is the look on her face the moment I tell everyone I’m already married to the woman they hate most.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2RB74WD

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Qwh1Qt

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“The day I stop believing will be the day I know I’ve lost you, and that’s not something I’m willing to think about.”

BJ Harvey waited 4 years for a five-star review from me, and now she has had two on the trot. I absolutely adored Second Chance, but she blew it out the water for me with Third Strike, my new favourite of this series. This is testament to how her writing has grown in leaps and bounds and as she adds layers, depth, builds the angst, her character connection and a huge dose of emotion she has crafted a winning series.

“Do it right and make it count.”

“I’ll make it right, then I’ll make her mine. I promise.”

Third Strike is almost all written through the male POV with our hero, Drew. Drew has been a side character throughout this series, and now BJ Harvey has given us his story, and what a doozy it was. There is something for everyone in this book, with second chance romance, best friends’ sister and a forbidden love trope that was executed to perfection. Spanning more than a decade, BJ Harvey ramps up the angst as Drew fights his love for someone he knows is totally off-limits and no matter which way he swings, he knows he will lose someone…the love of his life, or his best friend.

“I’d never want to hurt you. This is the only time I’ll ever do it willingly.”

Throughout this series we have had glimmers of Drew as a character and if you thought you knew him…scrub the slate clean, because Drew is something else altogether. Drew wears his heart on his sleeve in this book and BJ Harvey cuts him open for the reader to see, there was no hiding for Drew in this book. The angst, the heartbreak and the pure devastation is testament to the deep-rooted feelings that both these characters have for one and other and knowing on the other hand that it would never, ever work.

“I’m a hot mess, wrapped up in a cloud of fuck-ups, with no light at the end of the tunnel to show me the way to future happiness.”

My heart was put through the wringer in this book, every ounce of compassion, love and anger were expertly extracted as the tears fell, the frustration built and the anger bubbled to uncontrollable levels. If you have read this series you are well aware of she who shall not be named, and she is back to her vile best in Third Strike. This book was pure torture at times, but those are often the best kinds of books, infuriating, heart-breaking, heart-warming, stunningly beautiful, emotional and down-right tragic at times.

“You’re either all the way in or you let me go. One of us has to draw a line in the sand.”

Drew will capture your hearts as easily as he did Ashley’s, Millen’s sister and our flawed hero’s heart is pulled in all directions. Despite being confident, assured and sexy as hell, Drew still has his issues and being the “adopted” son of Millen’s family only pulls his moral compass even further from his hearts. Drew had so much to lose and always tries to do the best he can to juggle all the balls and keep everyone happy, even if that meant he was the loser in the end. Drew is the king of mistakes as he fumbles through his conscience and what his heart is telling him, but his heart was always in the right place. There is so much I want to spill, but I cannot ruin it for you, but wrap your Kindle in bubble wrap, as it is in for one hell of a bumpy ride. I cannot wait to see what comes next from BJ Harvey as we sadly say goodbye to this motley crew.

“Forever and always.”

Review ~ The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen

What a start to 2019 and this stunning book releases on January 9th. You are not going to want to miss this one.

You can add it to your TBR here: http://bit.ly/2F8O1wd

Book Description:

They say your first kiss should be earned. 

Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky.

They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred.

Mine were broken before we left church.

They say your heart only beats for one man.

Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.

I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit.

Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage. 

They say that all great love stories have a happy ending.

I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.

One kiss.

Two men.

Three lives.

Entwined together. 

And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“You said I taste like a villain, but you taste like the victim.”

So, my first book of 2019 was a winner, winner chicken dinner and after a three-month romance book funk was just the book the doctor, in this case, LJ Shen ordered. No one writes an alphahole like LJ Shen, and the author pulls out all the stops with Senator Wolfe Keaton. There is something for everyone in this book, from the mob to arranged marriages, to younger woman/older man and one of the best virginal brides I have ever read. Everything about this book was delicious, so much so I pulled my first all-nighter in a very long time. Starting this book in bed was definitely a bad idea because once I started, I devoured it, couldn’t put it down and saw a little light peak through the curtains before I’d even had an ounce of sleep.

“Try not to fall in love with me.”

Francesca Rossi is the only child of a mobster, heir apparent and a woman that has wanted for nothing. Francesca has been groomed by her parents, and the only thing on her parent's mind is a kept woman and trophy wife. Sent to boarding school for the best education she is now back, and her appearance on the social scene has got men's heads turning. However, Francesca’s head has only been turned by one man and one man only, Angelo Bandini, her childhood best friend. Francesca is not your typical heroine, although she is young, she is independent, fierce, protective, loyal, brave, fearless and a romantic at heart. I absolutely adored her. The life she had dreamt of her whole life was taken away in a heartbeat, and she took it on the chin and made the best of a bad situation while keeping her integrity and her backbone.

“My heart has room for him, he just needs to claim it.”

Senator Wolfe Keaton will melt your hearts although in the first instance you’ll want to rip his out. Wolfe is a force to be reckoned with, hell-bent on revenge and yet the proverbial white knight. Wolfe uses his political career and connections to rid the state of those that have caused him the most harm and continue to do so to others. The way he goes about it isn’t necessarily legal and morally unethical but it gets the job the done and that is always his end goal, but his heart is in the right place, you just have to dig deep to find it. Wolfe keeps his emotions to himself, his heart is nowhere near his sleeve, but you see little glimpses. The more and more Francesca batters his emotional fortress, you can see the moat he has built around himself slowly begin to dry up.

“I had a control issue. I lacked it. She had all of it.”

When these two first meet at a social gathering, the tension is palpable. Each have made their minds up about the other based on first impressions, assumptions and generalisations and neither of them are correct. Hate would be a tad strong, but not far from it. Leigh Shen though nails that character building, the character connection is on point and that gradual change from hate, to lust to love was an incredibly delectable journey. I shed quite a few tears, my heart was in my mouth many times, I screamed at my kindle, came close to throwing it a few times, but the more I read, the more I fell down the rabbit hole and didn’t want to leave these characters alone. I lived and breathed their story, and when that final page was turned, I was exhausted but had the biggest smile from ear to ear. Emotionally spent, but totally in love with two characters that stole my heart.

“No love is fully requited. No love is equal. No love is fair. There is always one side that loves more. And you better not be that side—because it suffers.”

Another fantastic read from LJ Shen. I cannot wait to see what comes next and what a fantastic start to the year.

Review ~ Cards of Love: The Devil by Ashley Jade

Book Description:

The Devil is a prelude novel that is part of the Cards of Love Collection. You do NOT need to read any other books in the collection to read The Devil. 

They'll tell you I seduced them. Used my looks and body to lure them into my playground. 

They'll tell you I'm a sinner. A demon who held them captive with temptation and lust. 

They'll tell you I'm evil. A monster obsessed with the both of them. 

They'll tell you they made a deal with the devil.

What they won't tell you...is how much they liked it. 

Please note: This story contains content that may be offensive to some readers.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TAGlaQ

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2OU7gLb

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

“There are no heroes in this story. Only devils.”

Ashley Jade is a new to me author and was introduced on the promise of a buddy read, said buddy went AWOL, but I forgive her. But…can I forgive this author for leaving me hanging? The Devil is a prelude to a book due out next month called The Devils Advocate, one book that I will be desperately waiting for and reading the minute it hits my kindle.

“Don’t hurt the only person who ever gave a fuck about you, okay?”

Jaw meet floor…that was me at the end of this book, everything I thought I knew went “POOF” up in smoke, and I was left staring at the walls, thinking what the ever loving fuckkkkkk. I love it when an author manages to catch me off guard, and this author hit me with a doozy, and I could only admire the evil, conniving mind that dreamt this plot up in the first place.

“There are two types of people in this world, Cain. Those who are capable of greatness, but don’t bother trying. And those who still try even though they’re not capable of greatness.”

This book was a complete mindfuck, cleverly orchestrated to draw the reader in and never let them go until the author wanted to hit you where it hurts, in the solar plexus. Damn, damn, damn, I cannot believe this book, if this is just the prelude then I cannot begin to imagine what is still to come, all it does is have me rubbing my hands in glee and eager anticipation. This book was soooooo clever, seriously, I HAD NO IDEA, I am in awe and bow down to this author. My book mojo has been non-existent, but this one certainly hit the spot, and I am hoping it has reignited my reading flame.

“Sometimes the only difference between love and obsession is a broken heart.”

The Devil is a story of betrayal first and foremost, unrequited love and trust that was decimated beyond repair and leads to the ultimate story of revenge. Unhealthy obsession in a variety of forms, one of love and lust and one of success and acceptance. Whereas one is somewhat in control, the other definitely isn’t and will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to get what they want, no matter who gets in the way. Cunning and conniving, the devil in this book is a chameleon, ever-changing colours and you never know what one comes next. I seriously cannot stop thinking about the ending of this book, WOW, just WOW. If you find yourself tempted to cheat and read the end, DON’T YOU DARE!! You need to experience this as the author intended and what a bloody ride.

Ashley Jade, how have I not read you before? I will definitely be checking out this authors backlist. If this is a taste of what this author can deliver, then I have some fabulous books to discover. READ THIS BOOK!!

Review ~ Misadventures on the Rebound by Lauren Rowe

Book Description:

***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***

After getting canned from her dream job this morning and played in spectacular fashion by her boyfriend this afternoon, Savannah “Savvy” Valentine is having a truly awful day. Which is why she’s currently drowning her sorrows in whiskey and self-pity in a shabby bar along the route to Las Vegas.

In light of today’s double whammy, Savvy isn’t sure why she’s still heading in the direction of her five-year high school reunion. The only reason she’d wanted to attend the reunion in Vegas in the first place was to show the captain of the football team, the guy who took her virginity and then promptly rejected her, that the captain of the math team grew up to have all enviable hot things: hot body, hot boyfriend, and hot career. Now, the only “hot” thing about Savvy Valentine is her mess.

But when a gorgeous stranger with sandy hair, a leather jacket, and motorcycle helmet walks into the bar, Savvy’s awful day suddenly looks a whole lot brighter. The man is perfection. Sexy and mysterious. And he’s heading to Las Vegas, too.

Can one wild night with a sexy stranger in the middle of nowhere lead a girl to fall desperately and deeply in love in Las Vegas? Savvy Valentine is about to find out.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PGEKSv

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2QZ55rQ

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“You’re imprinted on my heart forever.”

Lauren Rowe delivers another fabulous read with Misadventures on the Rebound. Character driven, hilarious yet adorable and cute, there is something for everyone in this book as one craptastic day takes this heroine on a ride she will never, ever forget.

Savannah Valentine is currently in a job she loves, she works hard, and has huge aspirations and yet as she goes into work at the beginning of this book, her life changes when she is let go. Upset and worried for her financial future, Savannah goes home and then finds her boyfriend is doing the dirty on her. Could this day get any worse? Savannah was a fantastic heroine, incredibly clever, a little naïve and low on the street smarts, but this only made her more endearing. Down on her luck, and upset, Savannah takes off to her high school reunion in Las Vegas, even though it is the last place she wants to be, but it takes her away from her current situation and at least will bring a little respite.

“I said I have no street smarts, Aiden. I didn’t say I’m a moron.”

Stopping en-route in a bar, Savannah has a chance encounter with one hot as sin man, a night definitely to remember, the perfect, dreamlike rebound, but what happens when one night just isn’t enough…for either of them.

Aiden was perfection for Savannah; neither was looking for it and yet it landed in their laps anyways. Fate has a way of bringing people together, and fate certainly knew what it was doing with these two. It was once these two hit Las Vegas that the real shenanigans began. Lauren Rowe goes Oceans 11’esque in this book, and it was this that really brought a different dynamic for our number crunching heroine.

“And, suddenly, I know for a fact I’m not going anywhere. Ever. Because, for the first time in ten fucking years, I finally feel like I’m home.”

This was an unputdownable read, with a fast-paced plot and endearing characters. Funny in places, cute and hot in others and with that added extra action that really pulled this book together. Totally loved it!!

Blog Tour & Review ~ One Week Hating You (One Week #2) by Roya Carmen

Title: One Week Hating You

Author: Roya Carmen

Genre: 2nd Chance Love/Hate Story

Release Date: October 25, 2018 

Cover Design: Calico Images

Book Description:

Maeve is over the moon: life is good and she's about to get married to Peter. But when she loses her job and gets jilted at the altar, her world crumbles and she runs into her momma's arms.

She's back in her small hometown for a week, and she has a plan - make Peter insanely jealous and win him back. Enter Blake Taylor, the boy who broke her heart. She'd rather avoid him at all costs, but with his 'bad boy' good looks and their shared history, Blake is the perfect man for the job, as long as she can stand him long enough - it's just one week, after all.

She'll show Peter that she's not the sweet wallflower he thinks she is, and he'll come running back soon enough.

But when he does, will she still want him?

A second chance love hate story.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Jpcptz

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2P0pRKq

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2zrAixo

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2MXQWrW

B&N: https://bit.ly/2N0VzkT

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2QU9lZM

Apple: https://apple.co/2DDRnsf

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars

***ARC received for an honest review*** 

“None of them were you.”

Roya Carmen delivers a fabulous love/hate, second chance romance with One Week Hating You. I couldn’t get enough of this story, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. This book had a little bit of everything, a man that you should hate in the beginning and yet can’t because you can see what lies underneath and another man that was a spineless asshole that needed no second chances. A heroine who was sweet and innocent, a little naïve and someone I wanted to shake on a regular basis, but at the end of the day, she just thought the man she was supposed to marry, was the one. However, alas, he wasn’t.

“I hate you because I want you, and I can’t have you.”

On what should be the best day of her life, Maeve’s life is left in tatters as her fiancé and boyfriend of seven years jilts her at the altar. Completely stunned and devastated, Maeve feels like her life has imploded and with her family begging her to come home and get away from it all, she relents and makes the trip. Home is like stepping back in time in more ways than one, this quaint town hasn’t changed, everyone knows everyone and the boy that broke her heart still lives next door. You never forget your first love, and when these two set eyes on one and other for the first time, it seems first love only lies in wait to be reignited back to life once again.

“Every time I looked at your beautiful face, it hurt.”

For some reason, a reason that still baffles me, Maeve is desperate to win her jilting ass of an ex back, meek and timid Maeve gets a makeover. Maeve’s friends decide that making him jealous will only spur him into action, cue first love, Blake, his rippling muscles and his drop-dead gorgeous features, plus and this was a huge plus for Blake, he was adorable, OMG, totally and utterly adorable.

These two in close proximity to each other only brings all those old feelings flooding back, where loss and heartbreak drove them apart never to be spoken of again, well at least on Maeve’s side. The rekindling is far from easy as their pasts have to be dealt with before the present can have a chance, but Blake is adamant in his pursuit and with a flighty, heartbroken Maeve, he has to be one his A Game.

“…as much as I want to tell myself  that he’s just for fun, I know he’s a lot more than that.”

One Week Hating You was full of heartbreak, love, emotion, passion and fun, the character connection and dialogue was on point, the characters real and relatable and the fate love gods shooting their arrow to perfection. Absolutely loved it.

“You and me, we've had it rough…But now's our time. Our time to be happy.”

Excerpt:

“It’s complicated,” I try to explain.

“It’s not complicated,” he says. “We were just fucking, I get it. Parker’s the one you’re engaged to.” We’re trudging through his backyard and I’m suddenly taken back to so long ago, when we’d spend hours playing back here. The old tire swing still hangs from the large maple. That old shed is still standing, and so is the old swing set his dad built. His fishing boat sits in its usual spot.

I run after him again, and when I catch up to him, he takes me by surprise when he grabs my arm. “What do you want from me?”

“I…” My heart is pounding so hard. “I… I don’t know. I just want to make sure we’re all right. I don’t want to leave on a bad note.”

He pulls me to him and wraps his hands in my hair. He pulls at it as he draws me in closer, draws me in for a kiss. I get lost in him. I rub the palms of my hands against his neatly trimmed beard, savoring the taste of his mouth. I want him one last time. God, I want him.

He pulls away. “Is this what you wanted?” he asks, breathless. “Is this ending on a good note?”

I bury my hands in his hair and pull him back to me. I melt into him when he kisses me again. He grabs my ass and presses me hard against him. I want him to take me inside. I tear my mouth from his. “Take me to your room,” I beg. “Please.”

He trails a hand under the skirt of my dress, toys with my panties. “Nah…” he says.

My eyes grow wide, and my stomach feels like stone. He’s saying no.

“Nah,” he says. “Beds are for you and Parker. You and I… we just fuck, don’t we. Beds are not for us.” He pulls at the band of my panties, and with one swift pull, he slides them over the curve of my ass. I swallow and close my eyes. I let him do this, right in the middle of his backyard, where anyone can see us. I let him because it feels so good. I throw my head back when he slides his hand over my sex.

That’s when I grab onto his wrist and steady his hand. “We need to stop.”

“Why?” he asks, his voice hoarse. “Afraid Parker might see? Hey, why don’t you snap a pic for your Instagram, or are we not doing that anymore?”

I pull away from him but he’s quick to grab my arm. “Come with me,” he says, his voice soft. He takes my hand and leads me out back, towards the shed. I hike my panties back up with one hand and follow eagerly, not quite sure what he’s up to.

When we reach the shed, he swings the door open and pulls me in. He slams the door behind us, and we find ourselves in almost total darkness. It’s cold and damp. The full moon shines through the windows and gives us a bit of light. The small enclosed space is a mess; tools on one wall, lawnmower, tons of fishing gear, a stack of tires, and a table topped with bottles and cans. There’s barely standing room for the two of us. He spins me around and presses me against the door. It smells of peeling paint and rotten wood.

He presses his hot mouth on my neck. “Is this what you want?”

I throw my head back against his shoulder. “Yes…” I whisper, but it comes out as a moan, a desperate whimper.

“I’m going to give you the best fuck of your life.” He drops to his knees and buries his head under my skirt. He trails soft hot kisses up my legs as he slides my panties slowly down. “When you’re laying with Parker, in your fancy silky sheets, and he can’t make you come, you think about this.” His words melt into the flesh of my ass and my eyes roll into the back of my head.

I step out of my panties, one shaking leg at a time. “Yes…” I breathe.

He comes to a stand again and presses both his hands on either side of my head, holding me hostage. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

He pulls me hard against him, and before I can even think of what’s happening, I’m hiked up against him, and he’s inside me, one hand sliding down my clit. In mere seconds, he makes me come, and I know that he’s right.

I probably won’t ever be able to stop thinking about this. Remembering this. And wanting this.

Also Available:

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2K5v6VU

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JMmAfr

Apple: https://apple.co/2Gtl0Z3

Nook: https://bit.ly/2Gp2h0V

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2IP7ape

About the Author:

Roya Carmen is a busy mom, romance writer, designer, bookworm, chocoholic, and hopeless romantic. There’s nothing she enjoys more than making up stories about love, and sharing them with her readers.

Website: www.royacarmen.com

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2KANItJ

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2KACXHN

Author Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/2wV0MrU

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2wSLRP2

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2KE5k89