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Review: Happily Ever Maybe by Carrie Ann Ryan
Happily Ever Maybe
Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink Legacy #4.5
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 13, 2024 by 1001 Dark Nights Press
NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink Legacy continues with a workplace romance that started with a fling and ends with something more.
It was only supposed to be one job.
I know the rules.
Get in. Get out.
Protect the girl, then move on.
Only it never works out the way it should.
Now Jennifer and I work with each other and there’s no going back to normal.
Then it turned into something more.
Gus isn’t for me. I know that.
Only the chemistry that burns between us won’t fade away.
We promise it will only be one night.
Then another.
But when our actions have consequences that could mean the end of our future, we’ll have to figure out exactly what we want.
Even if it means walking away broken before it begins.
* *Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.* *
4 Stars
Hang on my reading friends, this one is fast and full throttle. Carrie Ann Ryan gives us a quick and hot read to warm us up on a winter day with Happily Ever Maybe.
Gus and Jennifer work for Montgomery security and have been partners for about a year. There’s no denying that they both are attracted to one another but with a job like theirs you have to put your feelings to the side. Or can they? Finally, they decide to put it all on the line for one night. But life steps in and handy them something else. We see a lot of things happen very quickly, but most of all we see two people stop, denying something that they will truly want and seeing how much their friends back them up in the process. This may be a quick read, but it packs the punch of a full novel and gives everything we love from a romance read.
Review: Holiday Spirits by Yasmine Galenorn
Holiday Spirits
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 6
When Kip gets himself in serious trouble, a strange spirit enters the house—one that at first poses as Santa Claus. But beneath that jolly exterior, lies a dark creature from legend and lore. Join Emerald O’Brien for the holidays, as she battles both psychic turbulence as well as the demons every mother faces when her child lands in trouble with the law.
4 Stars
A nasty Christmas spirit has taken residence in Emerald’s basement causing more than ghostly activity to be revealed. Kip is growing up and getting himself into trouble. Emerald shows that a mother’s love is sometimes tough but is always with love.
I so enjoyed seeing Joe and Emerald settling into being a family. The care they all show for each other is wonderful. I love seeing family traditions being passed down from one generation to the next. Yasmine Galenorn treats readers with a little visit with Emerald and family in Holiday Spirits. A little mystery, some lessons learned and humor make this visit very enjoyable.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review.
Release Day: Hard to Serve by Laura Kaye
We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Laura Kaye’s HARD TO SERVE! Brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights, HARD TO SERVE is a standalone novella in her Hard Ink Series that also introduces her upcoming Blasphemy Series. Check out the note and excerpt from Laura below and grab your copy of this steamy novella today!
So many readers asked for more stories in my bestselling Hard Ink series, and I’m so excited to be able to give you just that in my new, super sexy HARD TO SERVE! HARD TO SERVE is an edgy stand-alone love story about a Baltimore police detective whose red-hot BDSM relationship with a new submissive seems like the perfect distraction from a trumped-up investigation against him until he learns that the woman is his boss’s daughter. Talk about sparks flying! I had so much fun writing this book, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And if you enjoy it, you might like to check out the whole Hard Ink series, now complete! Happy reading!
Excerpt:
Mia found herself alone with a kinda pissed-off looking Master Kyler. He wore angry well. As in, the harshness of the set of his jaw and the tight press of his lips and the narrow cut of his eyes—they were all hot, especially coming from a Dom. But she didn’t understand it.
“Um. Hello, Sir,” she finally said when he didn’t say anything.
“Mia,” he said, his gaze raking over her. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.” His voice was like gravel, rough and strained.
“Thank you. Are you okay, Sir?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t…I don’t know.”
“Do you want to sit and talk?” Mia asked, concern for him flooding her.
Suddenly, Kyler pinned her to the cool wall. He braced his hands on either side of her head, and he was erect against her belly. She wanted to drop into a crouch and take him into her mouth. “Do you want vulgar honesty or watered-down politeness?” he asked.
The promise of those words made her core clench with need. “Vulgar honesty.”
He nailed her with a blue-eyed stare. “I don’t want to sit and talk. I want to fuck. Hard. I want to be aggressive. Maybe I even want to be a little mean.”
Mia’s heart was suddenly a runaway train in her chest. Because, sign her up! She let out a shaky breath. “That sounds…like someone’s going to have a good night,” she managed.
Kyler dropped his head to her shoulder on a groan. He knocked his forehead against the bone there once, twice.
“Did I say the wrong thing?” she asked. Because he was totally confusing her.
“That’s the thing, Mia. I don’t know.” He lifted his gaze to hers again.
“How can I help?” she asked.
For a moment, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, and when he opened them, it was like he’d centered himself and made some kind of resolution. “Are you game for what I just described?” He fingered the chunky silver-and-gold choker she wore around her neck.
Heat swept over her, her body already answering, already preparing. “Yes, Sir. I am.”
He gave a tight nod and backed up a step. “Let me show you the room I have in mind.” Taking her hand, he led her down the long hallway that shot off the side of the nave. She wasn’t sure if this was still part of the church building or something else, but she didn’t have long to wonder before Kyler stopped at a door and keyed in a code.
Lights came on as the door opened, and Kyler guided her inside with his hand at the small of her back.
Just the room’s theme turned Mia on. Concrete floor. Cinder-block walls with peeling paint. Light thrown from bare light bulbs surrounded by little cages. An iron cot bed with only a white fitted sheet. Rusted metal cabinet at the side that undoubtedly held a variety of toys and supplies. It looked like a basement or a warehouse—a place where a woman in a beautiful cocktail dress had no business being. A role started taking shape in her mind.
“Do you see where my head is tonight, Mia?” Master Kyler asked, his body almost rigid with tension.
God, she was going to enjoy helping him work out whatever had him so wound up. “Yes, Sir.”
About HARD TO SERVE:
To protect and serve is all Detective Kyler Vance ever wanted to do, so when Internal Affairs investigates him as part of the new police commissioner’s bid to oust corruption, everything is on the line. Which makes meeting a smart, gorgeous submissive at an exclusive play club the perfect distraction…
The director of the city’s hottest art gallery, Mia Breslin’s career is golden. Now if only she could find a man to dominate her nights and set her body—and her heart—on fire. When a scorching scene with a hard-bodied, brooding Dom at Blasphemy promises just that, Mia is lured to serve Kyler again and again.
As their relationship burns hotter, Kyler runs into Mia at work and learns that he’s been dominating the daughter of the hard-ass boss who has it in for him. Now Kyler must choose between life-long duty and forbidden desire before Mia finds another who’s not so hard to serve.
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Announcing a New Erotic Romance Series from Laura Kaye…
BLASPHEMY – the club first introduced in Hard to Serve
From the ruins of an abandoned church comes Baltimore’s hottest and most exclusive BDSM club. Twelve Masters. Infinite fantasies. Welcome to Blasphemy…
Bound to Submit is coming September 13, 2016
PRE-ORDER BOUND TO SUBMIT
Amazon | Barnes & Noble (Coming Soon) | iBooks | Kobo
About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp| HARD TO SERVE on Goodreads
ARC Review: Pure Wicked by Shayla Black
Pure Wicked
Shayla Black
Wicked Lovers Series, Book 9.5
1001 Dark Nights Series, Book 24
100 pages, EBOOK
Publish Date: September 8, 2015
Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
During his decade as an international pop star, Jesse McCall has lived every day in the fast lane. A committed hedonist reveling in amazing highs, globetrotting, and nameless encounters, he refuses to think about his loneliness or empty future. Then tragedy strikes.
Shocked and grieving, he sheds his identity and walks away, searching for peace. Instead, he finds Bristol Reese, a no-nonsense beauty scraping to keep her family’s business afloat while struggling with her own demons. He’s intent on seducing her, but other than a pleasure-filled night, she’s not interested in a player, especially after her boyfriend recently proposed to her sister. In order to claim Bristol, Jesse has to prove he’s not the kind of man he’s always been. But when she learns his identity and his past comes back to haunt him, how will he convince her that he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to make her his forever?
4.5 Stars
Pure Wicked is a treat for the fans of the Wicked Lovers Series.
Jesse McCall was introduced to readers in Decadent, book two of the Wicked Lovers Series. A Rockstar, bad boy with the reputation to go with. A man who got what he wanted, when he wanted. Fully indulging in his lifestyle, Jessie’s life was on a dangerous path. Fast forward 10 years, tragedy strikes very close to his heart. While cleaning up his own act, his friend and band mate, continued to walk a fine line between life and death, and lost.
In a moment of unexpected chivalry, while laying low, Jesse’s eyes open to what he wants and truly needs in life. A changed man, Jesse learns what love and real passion truly are. Like all men of the Wicked Lovers series, they fall hard and fast. The chemistry is intense and off the charts. The passion is wickedly sexy and scorches the pages. I loved seeing how some time and growing up made a bad boy into a wickedly good man. Shayla Black knows how to raise the temperature and cause a reader’s heart to race.
An ecopy of this title was provided for an honest review!
Review: Wild Ride by Opal Carew
Wild Ride
Opal Carew
Ready To Ride Series, Book 2
Invitation To Eden Series, Book 17
Published September 16th 2014 by Opal Carew
Print Copy
Her friend told her dreams come true at Eden, but this is more like a nightmare.
Marissa is shaken when her bad-assed biker ex-boyfriend begins to stalk her. The solution? Take a trip far away to an exclusive resort called Eden with her friend.
But even in paradise, she can’t escape the man from her past. As he’s closing in on her, a passing stranger on a motorcycle pulls up and orders her to get on his bike. For some reason she trusts him, and does as he says.
Now the chase is on. Her knight in supple leather knows how to ride and they manage to lose her ex. For now. But soon, Marissa wonders if she’s jumped from the frying pan into the fire as she clings to the tough, tattooed man who saved her. All she knows for sure is — it’s going to be one Wild Ride!
4 Stars
Paradise becomes a nightmare that turns to sexual bliss. A Wild Ride!
Marissa’s life has her on edge when that elusive invitation to Eden arrives. Indulging in paradise and a fantasy or two, has become a heart pounding ride that hangs on the edge of danger and pleasure.
Killer is overpowering, intimidating and dangerous. He’s also so flippin hot, you can’t help to melt. When the damsel in distress has a little more spunk and imagination, Killer finds she’s an addiction he can’t be without.
Opal Carew never fails to give the read on hot book. Add in the temptation that the Invitation to Eden series is known for. This one’s a scorcher! With a few added surprises from the Ready to Ride crew that will make the temperature rise. As the danger fades to pleasure, the ride just gets better.
Personal print copy.
Audio Review: Lost Embrace by Kym Grosso
Lost Embrace
Kym Grosso
The Immortals of New Orleans Series, Book 6.5
Narrator: Ryan West
Release date: July 28, 2015
Dominant vampire leader, Kade Issacson, is devastated when his fiancée, Sydney Willows, is nearly killed by a demon and her transition into the supernatural tests the limits of their bond. Deep in the heart of New Orleans, they struggle to keep her alive while searching for an escaped killer who promises to end Sydney’s life once and for all.
4.5 Stars
Life Changes even for Immortals.
Once again Ms. Grosso gives her readers an intense, sexy and on the edge of your seat read. Lost Embrace has Kade and Sydney hitting a wall hard. Strength, trust and bonds are stretched and made deeper through love, friendship and passion. Fast paced and action packed this novella packs the punch of a novel. Action or passion will keep you turning the pages. Oh, the epilogue had my jaw on the floor and speeches.
Ryan West gives a excellent performance. Bringing a warmth and sensuality to Lost Embrace that intensifies the story.
Most people know I truly love the Immortals of New Orleans Series. Lost Embrace is a great addition to the series. Really leaving this reader wanting more.
Review: Hard to be Good by Laura kaye
Hard to be Good
Laura Kaye
Hard Ink Series, Book 3.5
Published April 14th 2015 by HarperCollins Publishers
Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother’s stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy’s whole world has been turned upside down—not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever.
Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he’s drawn into the SF team’s investigation of his army colonel father’s corruption, he’s surprised to find acceptance and friendship—especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie’s opposite in almost every way.
With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can’t help but wonder why they’re trying so hard to be good…
4.5 Stars
Charlie and Jeremy have forged a friendship through a very twisted and hot mess of a situation. When the sh*t hits the fan these two realize they both want more than to be friends. Disaster pushes the feelings to the surface, making thoughts and fantasies a reality.
Laura Kaye just gave me my favorite friends to lovers story. Two unique and charismatic people comes together, find something worth living for in a beautiful and natural way, amongst the chaos going on around. Yes this is a M/M novella. But the story is more than two men getting together. Look at the sensuality and passion between two loving and caring people creating something stronger together. It’s a beautiful, sexy and endearing story that will get to your heart.
Print book from my personal library.
Review: Picture Her Bound by Sidney Bristol
Picture Her Bound
Sidney Bristol
Bayou Bound series, Book 1
Officer Odalia Foucheaux is a desperate woman. Incriminating photographs of her after-hours job as a fetish model have been stolen, and she’s willing to break rules to get them back. Standing in her way? The very dominant bounty hunter Jacques Savoy.
Jacques has been watching out for Officer Foucheaux. He wants her safe from harm as much as he desires her body, her soul—and her submission. Odalia’s in trouble and struggling to walk the line of the law. His solution? Work together to find out who stole her pictures, what the thief wants and how to stop him. And if they find a pleasure unlike any other along the way, well, laissez les bons temps rouler.
4 Stars
Ms. Bristol’s Picture Her Bound gives the reader a taste of the beautiful intensity of BDSM.
A raw passion entwined with naughty desire. Odalia and Jacques have chemistry off thecharts. Each unique in their own right however neither was like your typical dominant/submissive. Personalities complementing each other in the most natural way on a deeperlevel from the start. A beautiful display of BDSM with a little suspense make this short read pack a sexy punch.
Picture Her Bound is my first Sidney Bristol read. What was I waiting for???
Great characters, good story line and HOT! I love New Orleans, Ms. Bristol made me feel like I was right there while read. A high compliment!
Loving the Omega by Carrie Ann Ryan
LOVING THE OMEGA (REDWOOD PACK # 7.5)
Carrie Ann Ryan
Fated Desires Publishing, LLC
Maddox Jamenson almost lost his mate before he knew she existed, but his life is now exactly how he’d dreamed it. The war with the Centrals is over, and his family is healing one day at a time. Ellie is reveling in the simple perfection that is her life and family now, but that doesn’t mean she can shed the self-doubts and concerns that come with being a new mother, mate, and Redwood.
When a disturbance in their quiet life threatens to ruin everything they’ve fought for, Maddox and Ellie will have to learn not only to rely on each other more than ever, but find within themselves the power to forgive.
Author’s Note: This is a novella set after book 7 to give you a taste of Maddox and Ellie. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.
4 of 5 Stars
As the redwoods try to come to peace after having triumphed over a major threat and dealing with loss, Maddox and Ellie learned quickly that there are thing scarier than what they have just lived through. Family and love you have for them.
Loving the Omega shows the bond of Maddox and Ellie growing deeper while coping with what it means to be parents. Passion and emotions scorch the pages as we get to see what life is like after for one of my favorite couples of the Redwood pack. Ms. Ryan shows that there is more than love to being mated. More to being pack than family.
Loving the Omega was an emotional and suspenseful filled story that made me believe that just like her readers, Ms. Ryan is not ready to say goodbye to the Redwood pack either.
Complimentary copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
Coffee Books Life 