Tag Archives: Suspense

Review: The Great and Terrible by Gena Showalter

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When twenty-year-old college dropout Moriah Shaker runs into an empty chapel to escape an unexpected storm, she’s catapulted into another world Wizard of Oz style. Unfortunately, she winds up in the treacherous realm of Hakeldama, a fantastical but brutal land where justice is twisted and innocents pay for crimes committed by the elites—and she’s now marked for death.

On the run and determined to get home, Moriah heads for the City of Lux, where a rumored portal between worlds exists. At her side are the most unlikely of companions. A scrappy hustler, a cranky ex-mayor, and a growing beast-dog. But the one who fascinates her most is Jasher, a heartless executioner who hides a terrible secret. Together, they’ll battle bounty hunters, lethal poppies, and winged monsters. Though Moriah doesn’t yet know it, there’s nothing more dangerous than their forbidden attraction.

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MY REVIEW

Moriah certainly isn’t in Kansas anymore and when I say this isn’t your mama’s Wizard of Oz story, I mean you are in for one heck of a wild and twisted ride…

Caught in an unexpected storm, Moriah Shaker runs into an empty chapel to seek shelter. When Moriah comes to, she quickly discovers that not only is she not in Kansas anymore, but the rumors are true; an Oz-style land does exist. But, Hakeldama is nothing like the fairytale stories. This land is brutal and twisted. It’s a place where innocents pay for the crimes of the elites and Moriah has now been marked for death.

Moriah Shaker runs into an empty chapel to escape an unexpected storm, she’s catapulted into another world Wizard of Oz style. Unfortunately, she winds up in the treacherous realm of Hakeldama: a fantastical but brutal land where justice is twisted and innocents pay for crimes committed by the elites—and she’s now marked for death. On the run and more determined than ever to find a way home, Moriah finds herself in the most unlikely company. Together, they’ll battle the unexpected and hopefully find a way out of this mess…

The Great and Terrible is a unique and fascinating take on the Wizard of Oz. And while there are some definite similarities, this story is more mysterious and wicked than one might expect. The Great and Terrible is a merciless tale filled with action and suspense. Even your greatest allies could turn into your enemy. This story will take you on one heck of an adventure and will certainly keep you on your toes. And if all that wasn’t enough to get your heart racing, the budding romance between Moriah and Jasher certainly will.

Filled with secrets, lies, romance, and mythical creatures, this book is not to be missed. With a great cliffhanger ending, The Great and Terrible will leave readers begging for more. I for one, can not wait to see what adventure is in store for Moriah and Jasher next!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

RELEASE BLITZ: A Violent Agenda: The Complete Series by Mallory Fox

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A Violent Agenda: The Complete Series by Mallory Fox is now live! 

A Violent Agenda: The Complete Series contains the following books:
– A History of Violence: A Violent Agenda Book One
– A Legacy of Sorrow: A Violent Agenda Book Two
– A Promise of Torment: A Violent Agenda Book Three
– A Destiny of Carnage: A Violent Agenda Book Four

Additional Content:

– A Violent End Epilogue

Fire burns the worst sins. Trust is overrated.
Killing for pleasure is messy, bloody, chaotic…

He was supposed to die.

But now I have him where I want him, I can’t help but taste him a little.

All of them.

They’ve gotten under my skin. These Sacred Heart boys.

The way they look at me, a need, a hunger clawing inside, I recognize it in the mirror. It’s their eyes. They tell me they don’t give a fuck if they live or die. That I’m the prey and they’re the carnivores. That they’re soulless.

But in the end, they all beg.
Violent, bloody, and raw.
Because I’m the real monster.

They just don’t know it yet.

 Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://mybook.to/AViolentAgenda

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/45jZjb5

Meet Mallory


Mallory Fox is a USA Today best-selling author who is addicted to reading big books that never end, eating chocolate-covered pretzels, and looking deep into heart-melting, big brown eyes…the canine kind. She loves to write deliciously dark romance with wicked, twisty plots.  Mallory currently lives in London with her bean-shaped dog and the rest of her non-furry family. When she’s not at her desk writing up a storm, she’s walking her overgrown cocker spaniel, or trying to learn how to cook, badly.

Connect with Mallory 

Website: http://www.malloryfoxauthor.com/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/malloryfox 

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/malloryfox  

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foxyreadingden/   

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mallorythefox    

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@malloryfoxauthor  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mallory-fox   

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/malloryfoxauthor      

Review: Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen

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With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Isolated and embroiled in a custody battle, Mary needs a friend more than ever. When she meets the charming and enigmatic Willa at a Brooklyn playground, the women’s connection feels fated. Finally, she has someone on her side. During a margarita-fueled moms’ night out, though, Mary shares her darkest secret about her ex, George, and Willa simply disappears. No calls, no texts, nothing. 

Two months later, Mary’s divorce is almost finalized, and she’s trying to build a new life for her son in upstate New York. On her first day in town, she runs into Willa…only Willa’s name is Annie now, and she’s got an entirely new family in tow. When George turns up dead and Mary becomes the prime suspect, she has no choice but to turn to her only friend in Willa.

As coincidences—and evidence—pile up, Mary begins to wonder whether Willa had something to do with George’s death. Is the other woman a friend or a foe, a confidante or just a con? Mary must uncover the truth before she loses everything.

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MY REVIEW

Talk about one crazy read! Keep Your Friends Close starts off with a bang and never looks back.

Told from not only dual point of view but also, past and present tense, Keep Your Friends Close follows the story of Mary. Mary’s life has been quite the tailspin since leaving her husband. She’s isolated, alone, and in desperate need of a friend. When Mary meets Willa one day at the playground, she feels as though her prayers have been answered. Finally, she has someone on her side, someone she can turn to. But when Mary shares her darkest fears about her ex, Willa disappears without a trace…

Keep Your Friends Close had me hooked from the very first page. I was completely invested in Mary’s story and couldn’t put it down. Mary’s life had been completely turned upside down and I could not wait to see how everything would come together in the end.

This story was deliciously twisty and left me with a million questions. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, I would be thrown for another loop. I loved all the coincidences, drama, and moments that left me shaking my head.

Not gonna lie, I’m normally a romance-heavy reader, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was glued to the pages, right until the very end. Keep Your Friends Close is my first book by this author and I can not wait to read more from her in the future.

*Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.*

Release Tour for The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek

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Release Tour for The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek

There’s no problem Charlie Kingsley can’t solve with tea, but when it comes to love, she doesn’t do love potions. So when her client asks about poison instead, Charlie thought she was kidding, that is until her client’s husband turns up dead. Fans of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple Series will devour The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek, a fun, twisty cozy mystery.

Read Now!

If you’ve got a problem, Charlie Kingsley probably has a tea that’ll help make it right.

EXCEPT when it comes to love. She does NOT do love potions.

Not even for Courtney, her pregnant new client who showed up three weeks before Christmas seeking a love potion because her husband was cheating on her.

So, Courtney asked about poison, instead.

She said she was joking That’s what happens between wives and husbands. They get angry and talk about killing each other. They don’t really mean it.

It seems to make sense … until Courtney’s husband turns up dead on Christmas Eve.

He was poisoned, of course.

And who is the number one suspect? Courtney. Of course.

But did she actually do it? Or is she being set up?

It’s up to Charlie to sort through all the twists and turns in a case that gets more complicated the deeper she digs.

Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this quirky, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

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Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Michele Pariza Wacek

 “Why are you here again?” Officer Brandon Wyle asked me, his chair squeaking as he shifted his lean, lanky figure into a more comfortable position. His dark hair was longer than he normally wore it, curling around his collar and into curtain bangs that he absentmindedly brushed off his forehead. I found myself wondering if this was a new hairstyle, or if he kept forgetting to make an appointment with a stylist. His expression was carefully blank, but his dark eyes didn’t miss a thing.

I hadn’t quite figured it out myself, but was doing my best to sound more confident than I felt. The longer I sat there, the more convinced I was that it was a huge mistake. But at that point, it would have been even worse if I’d left, so I had to brazen my way through it. “She’s my client,” I said, which was true. She had bought some tea from me. Once. “And you’ve seen her condition.”

Wyle’s eyebrows went up. “Condition? You mean her pregnancy?”

“Exactly. Stress isn’t good for mothers-to-be. Well, stress isn’t good for any of us, but it’s especially not good when you’re pregnant. And she’s already dealing with the stress of losing her husband …”

“Who she likely poisoned,” Wyle said.

Now it was my turn to raise eyebrows. “Are you saying she’s a suspect?”

More squeaking as he moved again. We were sitting by his desk, which was tucked away in the corner of the police station. The room was too hot—Wyle had mentioned there was something wrong with the heater—but the combination of the heat, cigarette smoke, and the burnt-coffee-old-sweat odor made my stomach turn. Even though we weren’t alone, no one appeared to be paying any attention to us. The constant collective noise of the phone ringing, typewriters clacking, and people talking filled the space. “Oh come on, Charlie. You’re smarter than this. Everyone is a suspect in the beginning. Heck, you even made the list.”

I was aghast. “Me?”

“Yes, you. Don’t you think it’s pretty suspicious you’re even in here?”

“I never even met Dennis,” I said.

“You don’t need to meet the guy to sell his wife some poison.”

“I don’t sell poison,” I said firmly, deciding I would definitely not be mentioning Courtney’s request for something to kill her husband to Wyle. “I sell teas and tinctures.”

“Uh huh.” Wyle tapped his pen on his notebook, which was balanced precariously on top of a stack of paperwork. His eyes continued to study me.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

When Michele was 3 years old, she taught herself to read because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories to be exact, ranging from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she also hosts a virtual book club you can check out and join (for free!) at MPWNovels.com.

Michele holds a double major in English and Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently she lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband Paul and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

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Review & Excerpt Tour: He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker

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We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for K.A. Tucker’s HE WILL BE MY RUIN! HE WILL BE MY RUIN is a Suspense novel, published by Atria books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, and is set to be released February 2, 2016!

He Will Be My Ruin -cover

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

IndieBound | Book Depository | Audible

 

K.A. Tucker’s HE WILL BE MY RUIN – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

January 25th

Wrapped Up In Reading – Review & Excerpt

Bookaholics Reading Haven – Review & Excerpt

For The Love of Fictional Worlds – Review & Excerpt

Krista’s Dust Jacket – Review & Excerpt

Lost in Literature – Review & Excerpt

Myriad Inklings – Review & Excerpt

TSK TSK What to Read – Review & Excerpt

January 26th

thebookdragon – Review & Excerpt

The Book Hookup – Review & Excerpt

Reading Addict – Review & Excerpt

No BS Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Confessions of a YA and NA Book Addict – Review & Excerpt

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

Latte Nights Reviews – Review & Excerpt

January 27th

Blushing Babes Are Up All Night Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Dark Faerie Tales – Review & Excerpt

Ficwishes – Review & Excerpt

Reviews by Tammy and Kim – Review & Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

The Review Loft – Review & Excerpt

Three Girls and a Book Obsession – Review & Excerpt

January 28th

Reading is Sexy – Review & Excerpt

Novel Ink – Review & Excerpt

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review & Excerpt

Desert Divas Book Addiction – Review & Excerpt

Curled Up and Cozy – Review & Excerpt

Obsessive Book Nerd – Review & Excerpt

January 29th

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

All Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Grownupfangirl – Review & Excerpt

Love Affair With Fiction – Review & Excerpt

Typical Distractions – Review & Excerpt

Up All Night Book Addict – Review & Excerpt

January 30th

Art, Books, & Coffee – Review & Excerpt

Book Baristas – Review & Excerpt

Girl Plus Books – Review & Excerpt

The Phantom Paragrapher – Review & Excerpt

Stormy Nights Reviewing &Bloggin’ – Review & Excerpt

Cocktails and Books – Review & Excerpt

January 31st

Vera is Reading – Review & Excerpt

A Bookish Escape – Review & Excerpt

Her Book Thoughts – Review & Excerpt

Naughty and Nice Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

PBC – Review & Excerpt

MysteriesEtc – Review & Excerpt

February 1st

Southern Belle Book Blog – Excerpt

Rock Hard Romance – Review & Excerpt

Book Bitches Blog – Review & Excerpt

Four Brits and a Book – Review & Excerpt

Red Cheeks Reads – Review & Excerpt

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review & Excerpt

The Reading Date – Review & Excerpt

February 2nd

Oh The Book Feels – Excerpt

Books to Breathe – Excerpt

Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt

Read Love Blog – Review & Excerpt

Mean Girls Luv Books – Review & Excerpt

Literati Literature Lovers – Review & Excerpt

February 3rd

I Read Indie – Review & Excerpt

2 girls who love books – Review & Excerpt

BFD Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Book Bellas – Review & Excerpt

Sanaa’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Brandie is a Book Junkie – Review & Excerpt

Got More Books – Review & Excerpt

February 4th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

Author Groupies – Review & Excerpt

Books I Think You Should Read – Review & Excerpt

Bridger Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Collector of book boyfriends – Review & Excerpt

The Book Avenue – Review & Excerpt

Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads – Review & Excerpt

Book Babes Unite – Review & Excerpt

February 5th

The Book Hoarders – Review & Excerpt

Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Itching for Books – Review & Excerpt

Liezel’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Have Book Will Read – Review & Excerpt

Our Kindle Konfessions – Review & Excerpt

In Between The Pages – Review & Excerpt

LuLo Fangirl – Review & Excerpt

Nose Stuck In A Book – Review & Excerpt

He Will Be My Ruin -tour teaser 1

About HE WILL BE MY RUIN:

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.

A woman who almost had it all . . .

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin.

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.


My Review

“This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin.”

Wow!!! What a crazy, crazy ride!!! He Will Be My Ruin was nothing like I expected and I enjoyed every moment of it. He Will Be My Ruin follows the story of Maggie Sparkes. Maggie finds herself in New York after her best friend commits suicide. Everyone is having a hard time coming to grips with the loss of Celine; especially Maggie. As Maggie starts going through Celine’s apartment, things aren’t quiet adding up and Maggie is left with a lot of questions. In her quest for the truth, Maggie may end up finding out more than what she bargained for. And in this case, the truth may get Maggie killed…….

He Will Be My Ruin was a gripping and captivating read. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop myself from devouring this book. I had so many questions and was dying to find out those answers. I was intrigued by Maggie and the lengths that she would go to find out what happened to Celine. With each new piece of evidence or discovery, I found myself holding my breath, trying to solve the mystery. And I have to tell you, this book had me guessing right until the very end. I will admit that I thought I had the story figured out, pretty early on. However, the twists that were thrown in there were so good, that I found myself questioning whether or not I was on the right track. And I gotta tell you, it was so much fun, trying to solve this mystery.

He Will Be My Ruin is fast paced and is the type of read that is impossible to put down. This book is filled with mystery and suspense. Yes, there are some steamy moments, but make no mistake this story is not centered around romance. This book will have you asking lots of questions and hopefully you will enjoy the journey to getting those answers as much as I did!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review*

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Author PhotoAbout K.A. Tucker:

Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

 

 

 

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Release Week Blitz with Review: Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC #2) by Pepper Winters

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“Some say the past is in the past. That vengeance will hurt both innocent and guilty. I never believed those lies. Once my lust for revenge is sated, I’ll say goodbye to hatred. I’ll find a new beginning.”

SIN & SUFFER

She came from a past Arthur “Kill” Killian never forgot. She made him sin and made him suffer. She tugged him from the shadows and showed him he wasn’t as dead as he thought. And with her resurrection came betrayal, deceit, and war.

But then they took her. Stole her. Imprisoned her.

Now Kill’s carefully laid plans for vengeance are complete. He craves action, retribution-the blood of his enemies. War has begun. War is all they’ll know until they’ve paid their penance. He will get her back-and rewrite their destiny . . .

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PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F1Tm7TKI&h=1AQHJj0U4&enc=AZOTPiZcTcKnXhzoxgoU4x_8qlKVTlgpCgFR-IK0M0Atirtl_juDn4vL6sheVT1DmbHYvNm79dd0olOGoHf0x406KTvZBw-vqYR_i6Pv8Tu2vW194j2-qUVLdWvugBRZMKHDEPqKN4BWwz4xIn5MoACJ&s=1
B&N: http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F1S9pqDv&h=lAQGvJ0Z-&enc=AZNpnCUVda7nxDr6sEO7BpIBHCoshvkgkTYbSFBGInN5NHc5ObMdQtQh0AOAa88xmay8hI0BvYkxg2ptVQrQbWBNLdDoS_TMqPpxmOqxFbvG4ap5N8MZ09uy5xeMdOBJRLQ7qXOAssLBbx0o21te9Ws4&s=1
iBooks: http://apple.co/1ZHuBOY
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1MfyF3l
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Rl9GCh


My Review

“Cleo made me sin and she made me suffer. With her resurrection came deceit and war. But then they took her. Stole her. And my carefully laid plans for vengence were now my reality. They’d brought everything I was about to do on themselves. They had no one else to blame, nowhere else to hide. War had begun. It’s time to rewrite our destiny.”

“To the outside world, I was just a biker. To my brothers, I was just a president. To Cleo, I was just Arthur the mathematician from her past. But everyone was wrong. Only Wallstreet knew the real me. He knew me because he’d groomed me into what I’d become.”

Oh, how I have been waiting for the conclusion to Kill and Cleo’s story. After the way things ended in Ruin & Rule, I have been on pins and needles waiting to see how things would play out! I was left with so many questions and was dying to find out those answers!! And I gotta tell you, Sin & Suffer delivers!!

Sin & Suffer picks up right where the last book left off, and let me tell you, this book hits the ground running. As soon as I opened this book on my kindle, as soon as I read that very first page, as soon as I read this quote: “War had begun. It’s time to rewrite our destiny”, I was hooked! I had to know more. I couldn’t read those pages fast enough. And the more I read, the harder it was to put this book down!

Sin & Suffer is dark, intense and gritty. Told from dual points of view, this book is everything that I’ve come to know and love from a Pepper Winters novel and more. It captivates you and pulls you in. You connect instantly with the characters. Their frustrations and emotions so palpable; so real you feel as though they are your own. Kill and Cleo’s road to HEA, is definitely not an easy one. Their journey is hard. But, the love that these two share is so undeniable. Nothing and no one can come between them. Not their pasts. Not amnesia. Not injury. Not ever death. Yes, these two are fated to be together and I feel sorry for anyone who would dare try to separate these two….

There’s not much that I can say about Sin & Suffer because I don’t want to spoil it for you. Here is what I will share with you….Sin & Suffer is one thrilling read. It will shock you. It will frustrate you. It will anger you. And with all that bad, comes good. You will see light in the dark. You will find some happiness. You will fall in love and be rooting for a HEA. This book has action and suspense. There is never a dull moment or shortage of sexy good times. And you can’t forget about all the twists and turns. I’m telling you, this book has it all. Sin & Suffer is the exciting conclusion to Ruin & Rule and should not be missed!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via the publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*


Excerpt

I’d been raised on a motorbike, and tonight was the first time that I didn’t find that freedom—that

peace. The loss of Cleo ate at my soul. The pain of failing her all over again threatened to crumble me into destruction.

I rode fast.

I rode hard.

But I felt as if I treaded water. Fought against demons. Got fucking

nowhere.

The hum of tires and growl of engines only worsened my emotional torture. Peace? What was that? I’d never find peace again if I failed her a second time.

Fuck!

The speedometer needle climbed higher, teasing the boundaries of red danger.

Hurry up, for Christ’s sake!

The journey from Pure Corruption to Dagger Rose was an endless fucking marathon.

Every stop sign was a mortal enemy, every traffic light my ultimate nemesis.

An hour we’d been driving and we hadn’t even passed the halfway point.

My teeth clenched harder as I hunched farther over the bike.

We were late.

We were late and I was fucking pissed.

I was livid at my weakness.

I was furious at my condition.

And I was incandescent with rage at Mo and Grasshopper for not finding some way to fix this clusterfuck.

The nurse at the hospital had filed charges against me and called the police. She’d done everything in her power to detain me, all because I couldn’t leash my temper. She’d refused to give me the forms to sign out. She’d held my fucking clothes hostage. She’d deliberately antagonized me to the point where I would’ve probably killed her if Grasshopper hadn’t taken me into a janitor’s closet, stolen some fat man’s clothes, and thrown them at me.

I growled under my breath, anxiety and anger circulating hot in my blood. I needed to fly. I needed this journey to fucking end.

I need her.

I shivered as hurtling wind sliced through the horrific Hawaiian print shirt encasing my broad torso. The sleeves were too short, the chest too tight, and I couldn’t look at the god-awful

track pants clinging to my legs.

I missed my leathers.

Shit, I missed my own damn bike.

Grasshopper’s custom Triumph was all wrong. The acceleration sluggish compared to my beast. The Pure Corruption logo of skulls and all-important abacas was drawn freehand with glowing flames on the frame.

The flames seared my heart.

Cleo.

My mind whooshed with burning houses, smoking remains, and charred dreams of ever growing old with the girl I loved. She’d witnessed her parents’ double homicide.

She’d almost burned to death.

All because I wasn’t strong enough to save her.

And I’m not strong enough to save her now.

The agony of the never-ceasing headache hollered in agreement.

I’m a liability. I don’t deserve her.

Every mile we charged, my injuries and shortcomings became more apparent.

My head hurt like a motherfucker.

My vision was frighteningly narrowed.

My mind slothfully slow.

The joy of thinking in algorithms, the speed of dealing with figures and equations was . . . damaged.

I was fuzzy.

I was lost.

I hated to admit it, but the doctor was right.

There’s something wrong with me.

Everything raged inside. I couldn’t find that calm—that control. I was on the cusp of wreaking my revenge—on the precipice of having everything I’d been working toward coming true.

I couldn’t afford to be broken now.

I can’t bear to be ruined when she needs me.

The roar of another Triumph coasted beside me.

I looked to the side.

Mo matched my speed, still managing to look badass even with

Grasshopper riding bitch on the back.

I felt empty, vulnerable at not having my usual weapons. But I’d refused to waste more time by returning home. Instead, I’d commandeered Grasshopper’s knife and his unregistered pistol and straddled his machine without asking.

What was his was mine. He’d get over it.

He worked for me. Not the other way around.

I’d been dead for too long believing Cleo was lost. I wouldn’t live in such hell again.

Yes, I had a shit-stirring headache. Yes, something was seriously fucking wrong with me.

But none of that mattered.

Cleo.

I have to get to Cleo.

Excerpted from SIN & SUFFER by Pepper Winters.

Copyright © 2016 by Pepper Winters. Used with permission of Grand Central Publishing. All rights reserved.

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 About Pepper Winters

Pepper Winters is a New York Times and USA Todayinternational bestseller. She loves dark romance, star-crossed lovers, as well as the forbidden and taboo. She strives to write a story that makes readers crave what they shouldn’t, and delivers complex plots and unforgettable characters that keep readers talking long after the last page is turned.

On a personal note she loves to travel, has an addiction to creme brulee, and is married to an incredible Canadian who puts up with her endless work hours and accompanies her on signings. She’s also a firm believer that the impossible can become possible.

http://pepperwinters.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Pepper-Winters-539976006062848/
https://twitter.com/pepperwinters
https://www.pinterest.com/pepperwinters/

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Review: Sever by J.M. Miller

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severOne simple decision can end a future.
One simple persuasion can sever a life.

The moment Annisyn Kane slips her rake pick into the lock of a stranger’s door, the straight life she’s led the last few years is scratched out. In the past, the goal was never theft. It was to escape. From life. From death. To quiet the dreams that replayed an affliction she longed to forget. This night, though, was different. She was out of options.

The isolated house was supposed to be an easy target. In and out. No problems. But the simple job takes a twisted turn when Annisyn comes face to face with the only real love she ever had.

Five years ago, she could have persuaded Damian Mead to stay. She wasn’t willing to be the end of his future, so she let him go. Before the emotions from their tangled past have a chance to spin between them, Annisyn discovers that their startling encounter is the least of the night’s problems. There’s someone else in the house, and the only thing on his mind is revenge.

*recommended ages 17+ for mature content*


My Review

“I told you once that you were like the lens and all the prisms, opening my eyes to what I could do, daring me to see something more, to face my fears.”

Sever follows the story of Syn and Damian. Syn has been trying hard to turn her life around. For the past few years, she’s been on the straight and narrow, and she’s been trying to build her career as a DJ. Syn was making a promising start, but in just one moment, everything was about to change. When Syn returns home one day, she notices that all over her DJ equipment has been stolen. She is left with nothing. That reality forces her to make a phone call that she never thought she’d have to make. It forces her to pick a lock and go back to the life that she used to know. What she wasn’t prepared for was the truth of who’s home she was breaking into. This discovery shocks her as she is again faced with her past. But, that’s not the only turn this night will take. No, Syn will not only find her self face to face with her ex, but she will find herself caught up in the strangest revenge plot….What will happen to Syn and Damian now that they’ve come face to face after all of this time? Will they make it out of this situation alive?

Overall, I thought Sever was an ok read. It was quick and easy to read.  It was fast-paced and intriguing. I thought the story-line was original and entertaining. I thought the characters were likable and I wanted to know more about them. However, I did have a few issues with the story. As much as I loved the fast pace, I did feel a little like something was off; like I was missing something. I would have liked to have seen Damian and Syn hash out more of their issues and see their relationship grow towards the end. These two have been separated for quite some time, and even though Damian and Syn were both hurt, they seemed to move past their issues a little too quickly for my taste. Now, this just might be me, but I just needed more from Damian and Syn in the end.

Other than that, I really did enjoy this book. I easily read it in just a few hours. I think this story had a ton of great potential. This is definitely going to be one of those reads that you’re either going to love or hate. And for me it was just a ok. Even though it wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I would definitely be in to reading more from this author in the future.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

Review Tour: Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

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BS Review Tour

Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

January 19, 2016

An Assassins Novel

Thriller

betweenshadows

A sexy new thriller about love and revenge from the author of the Capital Confessions and International School series…

X lives by three rules: Show no weakness. Trust no one. Don’t get caught. She lives by the rules they gave her.

The Academy—set in London, shrouded in secrecy—it trains spies, computer experts, and assassins. Their mission? Dispensing justice and altering the course of world politics. Or so they think. In a world where secrets are weapons and some kills are impossible to forget, everything X thought she knew about her life is about to change.

They taught her to fight. To blend into the shadows like a ghost, to operate on the fringes of society, to change her identity with ease. They taught her to kill.

She’ll need every skill they taught her, to stay alive.

snow bokeh texture on black background

Praise for the novels of Chanel Cleeton:

“Sexy, funny, and heart-wrenching–this book has it all!” – Laura Kaye, New York Times bestselling author

“A sexy hero, strong heroine, delicious romance, sizzling tension and plenty of breathtaking scandal. I loved this book!”–Monica Murphy, New York Times bestselling author

“A sexy fighter pilot hero? Yes, please. For anyone who’s ever had a Top Gun fantasy, Fly With Me is for you.”–Roni Loren, New York Times bestselling author of Call On Me

“A sassy, steamy, and sometimes sweet read that had me racing to the next page.”–Chelsea M. Cameron, New York Times bestselling author

“Scorching hot and wicked smart, Flirting with Scandal had me hooked from page one! Sizzling with sexual tension and political intrigue, Cleeton weaves a story that is as complex as it is sexy. Thank God this is a series because I need more!”– New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris

“Sexy, intelligent, and intriguing. Chanel Cleeton makes politics scandal-icious.”–USA Today bestselling author Tiffany King

“Fun, sexy, and kept me completely absorbed.”–Katie McGarry, author of Nowhere But Here

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1XFyQLJ

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1NoXMEb

iBooks: http://apple.co/1NlTw8F

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1JDZIsp

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Hn3boR

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Partc0


My Review

“No one can keep a mask on forever; there are always moments when it slips, moments when the darkness demands its time in the sun.”

What a thrilling, exciting ride!! I have to tell you, when I first heard about this book, I was pumped. I could not wait to read it. The synopsis sounded so exciting, I just knew I had to get my hands on this story. And I have to tell you, as soon as I picked up this book, I could not put it down. I was immediately sucked into X’s world. I wanted to know more about it and exactly who the “Academy” was. There was just something about the academy and their agenda that didn’t sit right with me. It had me asking so many questions and wondering who I could trust. I couldn’t wait to see how this story would unfold.

I loved everything about this book from start to finish. Between Shadows is fast-paced and entrancing. It has everything you could want in a good read and more. It had everything; from drama to danger, from romance to action, to adventure. I loved trying to solve the mystery of what was going on with the academy and the twists and turns along the way, were definitely exciting! There was certainly never a dull moment. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.

Between Shadows was such an exciting read. Chanel Cleeton continues to blow me away with her writing. This story is so different and so refreshing. She definitely knocked it out of the park with this book. Fans of Chanel Cleeton, you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend checking this book out!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*


AUTHOR INFORMATION:

AuthorPhoto copy

Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband.

Chanel writes contemporary romances, women’s fiction, and thrillers. She is published by Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the International School, Capital Confessions, and Wild Aces series.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website:   www.chanelcleeton.com

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleeton

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1545366192398558/

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/chanelcleeton

Goodreads:   www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton

Newsletter:   www.chanelcleeton.com/mailing-list/

Book Blitz: Walking Heartbreak by Sunniva Dee

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Walking Heartbreak
Sunniva Dee
Publication date: December 17th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

Don’t judge me.
I am not what you see.
I am the opposite.
—Nadia’s lipstick note on Bo’s mirror.

Indie-rocker Bo Lindgren is worshiped for his looks and musical genius. It’s been lonely at the top since his ex left. Bo will never take a girlfriend again though, because he doesn’t have the chops to love. He knows he’s poison, a heartbreak waiting to happen for anyone he allows too close—like his ex. Bo screws his way through the fangirls until he’s sick of it all. Until the dark gaze of Nadia Vidal appears in the door to his dressing room.

Saved from an arranged marriage by Jude, the love of her life, Nadia eloped and got married at nineteen. But now, two years later, life is wilted, dead, and not what anyone should have to endure.

Nadia, with her secret-keeper eyes and instant understanding of who Bo is, attracts and fascinates him without even trying. The ring gleaming on her finger should keep them apart, but morals can’t always resist destiny.

When brokenhearted meets heartbreaker, whose heart is really at stake?

Goodreads / Amazon

WH Obsession is music

EXCERPT:

BO

Her moods flow in gentle waves. The coffee of her irises swims with sadness then lifts into whiskey gold with the twang of my guitar. Left to ourselves in the back lounge, our silence is sinuous, laced with stories from my hometown, Skala, and Nadia’s anecdotes from growing up in a cult. But when we’re quiet, my fingers itch and find my guitar. Toy with strings and enunciate emotions she tries to conceal.

Sometimes, my riffs turn to ballads while lyrics splash out in patches of color in my head. Sometimes, when Nadia curves a hip to get comfortable, my gaze float to her waist and shifts to her chest. The game of my chords turns loaded, adding a steady, slow beat, the way I do to make her climb when we’re together.

Without words, she still hears my hunger. Watches my fingers work metal strings with a need that becomes X-rated. And she sits up. Joins her legs and lowers her chin to her knees, demure, secretive, hiding behind her hair in shyness and not understanding that she’s sexier than ever.

All these females. So many women and vixens with a past, a present, and a future—a full life I never wanted to be a part of. But now, I crave to bury deep under the skin of a single girl who is not single.

It’s been a while since I spoke last, so my voice rasps deep when I say, “You kill me.”

“I don’t want to kill you. Do you know the person you are? How talented you are? You deserve so much, Bo, you don’t even know, and the last thing you need is dead weight like me.”

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Author Bio:

Sunniva was born in Norway, the Land of The Midnight Sun, but spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece—Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in California, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah. Sunniva has a Master’s degree in Spanish, which she taught until she settled in as an adviser at an art college in the South.

Sunniva writes New Adult fiction with soul. Sometimes it’s with a paranormal twist, like in Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love. At other times, it’s contemporary, as in Pandora Wild Child, Leon’s Way, Adrenaline Crush, and now Walking Heartbreak.

Sunniva is the happiest when her characters take over, let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep you on your toes until the end of each story.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

 

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Review: Perfect Ruin (Unyielding #2) by Nashoda Rose

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perfect ruin

Kai

There is nothing I care about.
No attachments.
No connections.
Outwardly, I’m a perfect gentleman.
Until my target sees my knife.
I fear nothing, not even death.
In my world, death is considered a privilege.
But my life comes with unbreakable cruel strings and
when I met her, I should’ve walked away.
I didn’t.
I was too selfish.
And that sealed her fate.
Because one week with me led her into the hands of ruin.

London

We all have unique layers that make up who we are.
What makes us vulnerable or strong.
What we fear and what excites us.
But peel back those layers and you’re left naked and exposed.
They did that to me.
Each piece was slowly stripped away then burned.
I merely existed.
But there was one layer they overlooked.
The most important of them all—the tie to one man.
The man responsible for me being this way.
The man who found me.
And the killer who would do anything to protect me.

Perfect Ruin is the story of Kai and London.


My Review

“I will always come for you, braveheart.”

“I never thought I’d love so firecely that it ruined me. Because no matter how I looked at it, that was what he did to me. Kai ruined me. For other men. For life without him. I’d hated him. Feared him. Desired him. Needed him. And loved him.”

Wow! Just wow! Nashoda Rose has done it again. I am totally blown away by the intensity and awesomeness of this book. Perfect Ruin is the second book in the Unyielding series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but is highly recommended that you read the first book beforehand. I have not read the first book in the Unyielding series and although I was not lost, I should warn you that there will be spoilers for that first book, so reader beware.

Perfect Ruin was a fantastic, action packed story, from start to finish. You will be taken on one heck of a rollercoaster ride. I loved every second of this book. It captivated me from the very first page and didn’t let go for one single second. I loved that this story was told from dual points of view and you really get to experience the pain, the heartbreak, the devastation and the romance throughout the years.

As a fan of the Tear Asunder series, I loved seeing the parallel between that series and this one. It gave me a little more insight to what Sculpt and Emily went through in Torn From You and if anything, I was more intrigued. I had a thirst to find out answers and a thirst for some much needed justice for all of the characters.

So, yes this book is intense, but that’s not all it. It is a story about survival. About doing things you never thought you would. It is a story about finding yourself again, when all hope is lost. It is a story about hope; hope is a dangerous thing in this world that Nashoda Rose has created, but even with everything these characters have gone through, they still have hope. And lastly, this is a story about love; intense, life altering love. “I didn’t know what love felt like, but what I felt for her was indescribable with a single word. It was more powerful. It was all consuming. “London, what we are can’t be explained with  a word, only experienced.” Kai and London may seem like an unlikely pair, but the connection and passion between these two is like no other. They are the perfect match. The light to the darkness.

Perfect Ruin was an intense and thrilling read for me. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. What I love most about this book, is the writing. It will take you out of your comfort zone with the intensity and the darkness, but it’s so well written that you can’t put it down, even if you tried. And there is so much more to this story than the darkness. There is light and there is love and there is heart. This is one of those stories that will completely captivate you and the story will linger with you long after you read THE END. Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes, I absolutely would. I can’t get enough of Nashoda Rose’s writing and I definitely can not wait to see where this series will take us next!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*