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Audio Review: Courage by Kristen Proby
Courage
Kristen Proby
Stephen Dexter
Heroes of Big Sky Series, Book 2
Natasha Mills feels like she’s loved firefighter Sam Waters her entire life. Since she first met him during middle school, she’s harbored a secret crush on her best friend’s big brother. It’s just something she lives with every day—too bad he doesn’t notice her. To Sam, Tash is his little sister’s best friend and that’s it.
Disaster strikes the Waters family, leaving Sam’s sister and her husband dead, and their young children in the hands of Sam and Natasha. Suddenly, these two are navigating the loss of people they loved, while trying to figure out parenthood together. The grief is devastating, and raising twins is harder than either of them bargained for. But in working together, and leaning on each other, Sam and Tash learn that family comes in all different shapes and sizes.
The more time he spends with Natasha though, the more Sam realizes just how sweet and sexy she really is. He finds himself slowly but surely falling for her. But when the time comes for him to let her go—will he be able to walk away from the family he’s helped build?
Emotional and heartwarming.
Suffering the loss of a loved one is hard enough as it is but then having parenthood rusted into your hands it’s a bit more than anyone could possibly ask for. Finding a delicate way to balance your emotions while raising twins is almost impossible. Natasha and Sam are doing all the can to support, help and get this co parenting thing down. Both have had secret feelings for the other for years, the time spent together and all the emotions broke a barrier and they both gave in. As they navigate the waters and start to become a family parts of life that were put on hold leave a choice lingering.
Courage is an emotional ride of a story that leaves you feeling so good at the end. I got choked up so many times while listening. The amount of emotions that come through the words of the story are unbelievable. Natasha and Sam I have a unique situation that they try to make the best of. Feelings that they’ve had for one another for years come to the surface which is only natural considering the situation that they are now in. They came together as a family, And made a new family of their own. I have to give amazing credit to the narrators. Their talent through the audio narration of this book truly gives another layer of emotion to this Hit you hard in the heart story.
Audio Review: Off the Record by Kristen Proby
Off the Record
Kristen Proby
With Me in Seattle: Mafia Series, Book 3
Rafe “Rocco” Martinelli was never one for the family business. Alas, being born into a crime syndicate means doing the family’s bidding and making sure you’re connected—and, yes, breaking a few kneecaps. Rafe would love nothing more than to hang up his enforcer apron and live a quiet life, but as more and more higher-ups in rival clans turn up dead, Rafe realizes he doesn’t have a choice. Especially not when the captivating and gorgeous bratva princess needs his help.
Dr. Annika Tarenkov learned early on that her life belongs to her family. She’s a pawn in the long game, a bargaining chip for power and prestige. She gave up the only person in her life she thought she could be happy with, all for the greater good of the family. Now, a newly made widow and desperately seeking answers, she’s forced to confront her past as it converges with her present. But all it does is make her wonder about her future and how she can make Rafe hers again. While being with him is like wrangling a toddler at times, he still makes her heart race and her breath catch. And she wouldn’t feel safer with anyone else.
With the chips seemingly stacked against them, they must work to uncover the perpetrators of the nefarious plot that’s been brewing for some time—before it’s too late.
Audio Review: Headhunter by Kristen Proby
Headhunter
Kristen Proby
With Me in Seattle: Mafia Series, Book 2
As the son of one of the States’ most prominent mob bosses, Shane Martinelli’s always been immersed in society’s shady underbelly. Learning to navigate it and keep to the edges was working just fine until an acquaintance turns up missing, and he fears the worst. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he hasn’t stopped thinking about her. Luckily, as an ex-special operative, he’s uniquely qualified to track her down and keep her safe. Unfortunately, nobody’s making that easy—not the people who took her nor the woman herself.
Ivie Jordan has led a pretty uneventful life, and that’s just how she likes it. Especially since she’ll be the first to admit that she doesn’t do so well in social situations. She’s a proud business owner, and while she doesn’t have family, she does have a network of people who look out for her. Little did she know that being accepted into that fold came with a laundry list of issues. When the worst happens, and she’s forced to rely on the ruggedly handsome alpha hero who comes to her rescue, she discovers her inner badass—and the sultry vixen on her other shoulder.
Too bad the two of them are literally running for their lives and trying to ensure the safety of those they love. There is way more at stake than meets the eye.
It’s time for the hunted to become the hunters.
Kristen Proby has a thing with Mafia Romance!
Hang on tight, because Headhunter will keep you on the edge from beginning to end! Also if you read Underboss you know this one is set up for intensity.
I am not sure who was carrying more secrets. The wickedly sexy Shane Martinelli or beautifully sweet Ivie Johnson. One ran away from a past that is now catching up with her and the other holds so many secrets that the average man would break. Shane and Ivie have mastered the dance of flirting with one another. Now at that life or death situation Shane steps in to protect Ivie. As the danger brews so does the attraction. The passion becomes as intense as the danger.
Headhunter is a fast paced, intense yet intimate story of danger and romance. There’s something Maria stories that intrigue me. To find out there is a sub genre in romance, excitement is an understatement. Kristen Proby hits it out of the park on so many levels. The danger is on point. The family ties and rivalries are intense and intriguing. The romance is as dangerous as the danger. The narration of this story gave me chills in all the right way. Ms. Probly’s story very much walked off the pages with narrators Lee Samuels and Kristen Leigh.
Audio Review: Underboss by Kristen Proby
Underboss
Kristen Proby
With Me in Seattle Series, Book 1
Audiobook
March 9, 2021
Narrated by Tor Thom and Kelsey Navarro
From New York Times Bestselling Author Kristen Proby comes an all new family in her With Me In Seattle world! Hold on to your seat as we introduce you to Kristen’s new MAFIA FAMILY!
As the eldest son of Seattle’s current mob boss, Carmine Martinelli’s life has never really been his own. But he doesn’t mind because his family means more to him than his life. Which is why he’s determined to make those responsible for the death of his aunt and uncle pay—in inventive and gruesome ways. And what better way to do that than to infiltrate the Russian mafia from the inside? It’s a good thing the bratva’s princess is stunning and seemingly willing to do whatever he asks. This vengeance could be the perfect mix of business and pleasure.
Nadia Tarenkov has several things stacked against her: she’s a woman, and she’s not the eldest child in her family. But it doesn’t matter. She has her sights set on ruling the syndicate, and she always gets what she wants. When the heir to one of the States’ most powerful crime families comes knocking, Nadia sees it for the gift it is. He thinks he has her fooled, but she’s smarter, more cunning, and always two steps ahead. She’ll beat the gorgeous mobster at his own game, and secure her place in the fold.
What neither of them takes into consideration, however, is that they aren’t the only ones with deadly plans in motion. To survive, they’ll have to come clean and work together—and acknowledge that the growing love they’ve been pretending isn’t there, is very real.
4.5 Stars
Dark, dangerous and wickedly sinful. I love a good Mafia story and Kristen Proby has my attention!
Carmine Martinelli is sexy and smooth. Eldest son to Seattle’s boss, he’s got power and knows how to use it. As loyal as they get, Carmine takes his family obligations and responsibilities with everything he’s got. Wanting justice for a family death Carmine’s plan to infiltrate the enemy just may put him into a battle he might not be sure he can win.
Nadia Tarenkov is known as the Ice Princess. Daughter to the head of the Bratva, this girl packs a punch. She has goals that her position in the family doesn’t automatically give her but she’s more than willing to prove herself able. She’s willing to plan in the lion’s den but she just might end up caught in an unexpected trap of her own making.
Underboss is a fantastic start to the With Me in Seattle Mafia Series. Carmine and Nadia are amazing together. From that first exploratory kiss many many years before you could see the chemistry in the making. Individually they are both powerful and together they are near unstoppable. Their attraction to each other is undeniable and their chemistry is beyond explosive. Watching them tease each other or try to avoid her feelings was almost comical in a way. Yet when you see them working together taking down people on their tail you see an amazing team. Underboss is dangerous and dark with some intensely romantic moments and combustible passion. Kristen Proby rocks this Mafia romance.
Underboss was narrated by the wonderfully talented Tor Thom and Kelsey Navarro. Together they brought another level of intensity to this story. Tor Thom’s Voice is dark and sultry. It’s like a siren, keeping you listening, enticing you to listen to the entire story in one sitting. Both of these narrators are new listens for me and I was completely impressed. They very much do justice to Underboss.
Audio Review: The Director’s Cut by Steve Higgs
The Director’s Cut
Steve Higgs
A Patricia Fisher Mystery, Book 3
She’s over fifty, overweight, and in way over her head!
It’s well known that working in movies can be cutthroat, but no one expected that to be taken literally.
It’s party time on board the Aurelia! On the LA to Hawaii leg, a Hollywood film crew are shooting scenes for a new action movie and Barbie has been given a bit-part role. It’s all great fun and Patricia isn’t surprised when her cute, blonde friend attracts the attention of the handsome A-lister male lead.
But when he is found murdered in the upper deck pool and the killer leaves a message saying Barbie is next, it falls to Patricia to work out who the killer is.
With her trusted butler, Jermaine, good friend, Barbie, and lame-duck Shane Sussmann, an odd-looking film extra she befriended, Patricia will have plenty of help as she unravels the truth. The prime suspect has an ironclad alibi though and there is definitely something going on with the film’s beautiful female lead.
Will there be more bodies? Will the new deputy captain be of assistance this time? Will Jermaine be able to serve tea at four o’clock?
It’s going to take more than luck to solve this one. Can she survive The Director’s Cut?
4 Stars
A cutthroat, conniving, hiding in the shadows kind of mystery filled with humor and entertainment.
Director’s Cut is the third installment of the Patricia Fisher mysteries. On this leg, from Los Angeles to Hawaii, a film crew hops on board bringing excitement and murder. Patty along with her faithful butler, Jermaine and her best friend on the ship Barbie, get caught up in a hot mess of Hollywood proportions.
Patty is such a wonderful character. Starting life over on an around the world cruise is definitely the way to do it. Patty is observant, resourceful and willing to bend the rules just a little bit. I love how she has befriended her Butler, Jermaine and allows him to dote on her even though she doesn’t feel she deserves it and Barbie. Her exercise obsessed friend, who lends a hand in many of the humorous parts of this novel. The characters are as lively as they are lovely. There’s lots of personality flowing right alongside the mystery of The Director’s Cut.
Director’s Cut is a fast paced, ever twisting plot, fun cozy read. The turns will keep readers guessing themselves throughout the entire read. Patty is smart and lively even if she jumps the gun from time to time. She may not be a professional when it comes to solving crime, however she does quite a good job at figuring it out. From the interaction to the characters down to the who done it, The Director’s Cut Will keep you fully entertained. I had the pleasure of enjoying the Director’s Cut as an audiobook. Narrator Katherine Anderson is amazing. She brings Patty to life with flair and charisma. Ms. Anderson’s performance earned an extra star on my review of this title.
Review: Dying to Cruise by Dawn Brookes
Dying to Cruise
Dawn Brookes
A Rachel Prince Mystery, Book 4
A ruthless killer intent on revenge. Can Rachel get to the bottom of an intriguing mystery before it’s too late?.
Rachel Prince is drawn to investigate when the body of the leader of a Bucket List tour party is discovered in the library on the first day of her Antipodean cruise. Can this seemingly harmless group of elderly people have a killer among them?
Rachel thinks she is living the dream. Taking a cruise around Australia and New Zealand as a guest lecturer and meeting up again with her best friend, cruise ship nurse, Sarah. The scene is set for the holiday of a lifetime!
Difficulties abound for everyone when an interim chief of security causes countless problems and appears to take an intense dislike of Sarah. Not trusting the new chief to get to the bottom of the murder, Rachel investigates on her own, soon discovering that the dead woman from the Bucket List tour party had been receiving anonymous threatening emails. To make matters infinitely worse, Rachel’s ex turns up on board, and things start to go horribly wrong.
The cruise ship sleuth needs to work fast to find out if one of the gentle elders on the bucket list tour is a murderer while avoiding her ex like the plague.
4 Stars
Rachel is back at sea for another adventure that could only happen to her in Dying to Cruise.
Rachel is aboard the Coral Queen to teach a self defense class and for some fun and relaxation but she has once again found herself in the mindless of a murder. When Florence, travel director for the Bucket List group, dies suddenly, Rachel finds herself in the thick of it again. With Rachel’s charming nature and humorous cast of friends weave readers with their witty banter and smile worthy antics through the twist and turns of Dying to Cruise.
I have enjoyed every story in the Rachel Prince Mysteries Series thus far. Dying to Cruise is a fantastic addition to this fun and entertaining series. Rachel is a top notch character with a lot of drive and will. I love how she has developed over the course of the series. Ms. Brooke balances the humor and suspense nicely giving read a fun. It makes you think read. Dying to Cruise is a quick paced, keep you guessing, laugh out loud cozy read. Narrator Alex Lee truly brings these amazing characters to life. Giving that extra that makes a good story great.
Audio Review: Falling For The Bad Boy by Kennedy Fox
Falling For The Bad Boy
Kennedy Fox
Bedtime Reads Series, Book 1
Audiobook
WELCOME TO KENNEDY FOX BEDTIME READS!
Steamy love stories you can read in one sitting! After everyone goes to bed for the night, snuggle up with a Kennedy Fox Bedtime Read! These are full-length standalone novels that are filled with humor, insta-lust, blistering heat, and are faster-paced, but still have everything you love about a Kennedy Fox book!
Never trust a man who answers the door wearing nothing more than a pair of low-cut jeans and a panty-melting smirk.
That should’ve been my first sign.
I write about guys like him for a living–sexy and charming, yet reluctant to get into a serious relationship. His body screams sex appeal, but his condescending personality makes him a classic f*ckboy.
And I want nothing to do with that.
Writing romance novels comes with its perks—traveling, meeting new people, creating characters from the voices in my head—but Ethan Rochester enters my life and rearranges my preconceived notions about writing what inspires you.
Meeting him was fate, but falling for him was inevitable.
And forgetting him will be impossible.
**This is a complete STANDALONE novel–filled with plenty of humor, steam, & romance! 18 & up only due to explicit sexual content, language, and adult content.
Previously published as My Week with the Bad Boy by Brooke Cumberland & Lyra Parish**
4 Stars
Vada has had trouble finding the words to complete her latest romance novel. Trying to ignite her create a flow, Vada rents a guest house in Charleston. Her spunk and sass come out full force, when the hottie she is renting from gets her creativity flowing while tying her body in knots.
Ethan has a bit of an ego and all the looks to make the ladies swoon. A very talented artist, who knows how to use his hands very well. His ego is a cover for a past that keeps sad memories lurking in his present. Once Ethan allows his cockiness to fall to the side, the man is pretty likable, well make that lovable.
Narrators Joe Arden and CJ Bloom are fantastic. Their voice talents truly bring My Week with the Bad Boy alive. The reader or in this case listener can truly feel the emotion throughout the story. Lots of humor and amazing banter keep the laughs coming through the entire story. The emotions are present, however the amount of humor keeps the story on the lighter side. Vada and Ethan get each other twisted in knots and have a good time doing it. My Week with the Bad Boy is hands down a fun story.
A copy of this audio title was provided for an honest review.
Audio Review: The Promise of Surrender by Liliana Hart
The Promise of Surrender
Liliana Hart
Narrator: Carly Robins
MacKenzie Family Series
1001 Dark Nights
Published December 15th 2015 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
Mia Russo spent ten years working undercover, entrenched in the dregs of society before handing in her shield. Opening her own pawn shop is a piece of cake in comparison. All she needs is the bad attitude she developed on the streets and the shotgun under her counter to keep law and order. Until the day Zeke McBride walks into her shop.
Zeke knows Mia has every right not to trust him. He was the one who chose the next op instead of her. And all he can hope is that somewhere under the snarl and cynicism is a woman who can forgive. Because whether she trusts him or not, they’re going to have to work together to bring down the gang that’s decided Mia is their next target.
4 Stars
Mia is a strong-willed, take no crap and feisty woman. She’s tough in every manner of the word. A former undercover agent, having seen and experienced things that still shakes her to the core. She left that life and her love behind. Mia is now the proud owner of a pawn shop in Surrender. Her strength, sassiness and quick mouth make her a very likable character.
Zeke is still living the undercover life. Chasing after criminals and putting his life on the line. The years have started wearing on him, realizing something he should have a long time ago. Brave, charming and stubborn, Zeke is a good man even if he shows it in ways that are not the norm.
Liliana Hart’s The Promise of Surrender is a quick, feisty and naughty read. Both Zeke and Mia are wonderful characters. The history they share is deep, a bit dark and highly emotional. Their chemistry is amazing. The passion Mia and Zeke share shines through every action they make. They are fun even when being stubborn and hardheaded. The heat level is about as hot as it can get as Zeke and Mia are combustible together. A bonus to the story is a visit with the MacKenzies that Ms. Hart has make us all fall in love with. A great short read.
Carly Robins perfectly delivers very emotion through her narration of The Promise of Surrender. She makes it easy to distinguish character voices, delivers the emotion spot on and you can tell she has fun narrating the story. You can hear the passion and emotions flowing through her voice as she creates a perfect picture of the story.
Audio Review: Jack and Coke by Lani Lynn Vale
Jack and Coke
Lani Lynn Vale
Uncertain Saints MC Series, Book 2
Narrators: Mason Llyod and Kendall Taylor
Lies
Mig’s wife is a bitch.
How else do you describe a woman that lies, cheats and steals to get what she wants?
That’s exactly what happens when she traps him into a marriage he wants nothing to do with, saddling him with a kid that he knows doesn’t deserve to be in a world like his.
He’s doing a pretty bang-up job at ignoring everything but his responsibilities as a DEA officer and a member of The Uncertain Saints MC.
Then his neighbor knocks on his door, and everything he thought he knew is blown out the window.
Deceit
Annie teaches Mig that not every woman is out to get him.
Her love for Mig stretches past what’s appropriate for two friends, and Annie soon straddles that invisible boundary between appropriate and inappropriate.
Annie’s not a cheater, though.
When she tries to say goodbye, Mig won’t let her leave, and soon the tiny town of Uncertain blows up with the news of Annie and Mig’s innocent friendship.
Betrayal
Matters of the heart are foreign to Mig, and it takes Annie being gutted for him to see the wrong he’s done.
He waits too long, though, and Annie’s heart is broken.
She wants it all, or she wants nothing. She can’t take anymore half-hearted attempts at being just friends.
The heart wants what it wants, and it doesn’t take long for Mig to realize that.
But just when Mig finally has it all in the palm of his hand, his life is ripped to shreds by a new player in the game, and it takes all of Annie’s love and devotion, as well as help from the men of The Uncertain Saint’s MC, to put Mig back together again.
4.5 Stars
Mig lives by a code of honor that has most people wondering what is wrong with him. A total alpha man that is caught up in a bad situation. I loved and felt for Mig. His heart is like no other. His past has him sticking to a code of ethics that are not only honorable but crazy in the same. His heart is longing for another while a new life is what keeps him walking in circles of misery.
Anne recently divorced a guy who turn into total scum while they were married. She’s a spunky and bold woman. She says what she means and what’s on her mind. Anne’s an independent woman, owning her own business and is building a new life after her years with a no good man. This woman has a heart of gold, the patience of a saint and the will to take on the world.
Lani Lynn Vale gets me hooked every time. Mig and Anne have a roller coaster ride of a story. That’s putting it kind of light. Their chemistry is something beyond what either one of them has felt before. Circumstances do not allow them to act upon the feelings, readers feel the pain right along with Mig and Anne. Cheating is a no go for me, while this story may go to shades of gray at times it NEVER crosses the line. An honorable and admirable man suffers tremendously, while a good woman stands beside him while the one who should, wouldn’t. Mig is a total alpha with code of morals that makes him damn near saintly. Anne is strength and patience. Two amazingly strong people have a raw and bumpy road filled with deep emotion, humor, a few crazy people and passion that is worthy of a book!
Lani Lynn Vale captures steamy passion, raw emotion and intense personality that has readers feasting on her words. Jack and Coke is a fine example of Ms. Vale’s unique writing style that captures a reader instantly and has them hanging on every word. I can’t get enough of LLV!
Audio Review: Captured in Surrender by Liliana Hart
Captured in Surrender
Liliana Hart
MacKenzie Family Series
1001 Dark Nights
Narrator: Carly Robins
Kindle Edition, 122 pages
Published March 11th 2014 by Evil Eye Concepts
This is a story about one of Cooper’s deputies so is a story that is very loosely connected to the MacKenzies, but is a standalone and can be read separate from the series.
Bounty Hunter Naya Blade never thought she’d step foot in Surrender, Montana again. Especially since there was a warrant out for her arrest. But when her skip ends up in the normally peaceful town, she has no choice but to go after him to claim her reward. Even at the cost of running into the cop that makes her blood run hot and her sense of self-preservation run cold.
Deputy Lane Greyson wants to see Naya in handcuffs, but he’d much prefer them attached to his bed instead of in a cold jail cell. She drove him crazy once before and then drove right out of town, leaving havoc in her wake. He’s determined to help her hunt down the bad guy so he can claim his own bounty—her.
4 Stars
Naya Blade is a badass, motorcycle ride bounty hunter. Strong, smart and sassy. Naya’s use of snark and sarcasm along with with her quick tongue make her a very likable character. She’s good at what she does and know how to shake things up.
Lane Grayson ex military turned small town cop. Confident, charming and dominant. Lane is one hell of a man. Dominant and confident with a heart every woman wishes for. Hands down sexy and just enough of those alpha tendencies that makes you want him even more.
From their first encounter on the street Naya and Lane’s sexual tension was beyond intense and just got hotter page after page. Their interactions towards and with one another are bold, complementary and extremely tantalizing. Lane’s loner ways have been overcome with the need of spitfire of a woman. Naya is as fierce as the storm rolling in, and her want for Lane has never left her mind. Prepare to feel the passion and emotion with each turn of the page.
A short and quick read that is so hot you just might be sweating at the end. Narrator Carly Robins delivers all the passion, emotion and humor that Miss Hart treats readers with in a way that you feel the book, not just read it.
