#BookReview: Unbound by Christy Healy @christykhealy @BlackstoneAudio

Synopsis: For fans of Hannah Whitten and Rebecca Ross, Unbound is a gender-bent reimagining of the classic tale of a monstrous beast and the beauty determined to tame it, set against the lush backdrop of Irish mythology and folklore. Rozlyn Ó Conchúir is used to waiting--waiting for the king, her father, to relent and allow her to leave the solitude of her tower; waiting for the dreaded and mysterious Beast of Connacht to at last be defeated; waiting for the arrival of the man destined to win her heart and break the terrible curse placed on her and her land. So when she meets Jamie--a charming and compelling suitor--she allows herself to hope that her days of solitude and patience are over at long last. But as she finds her trust betrayed--and newer, more sinister threats arising--Rozlyn learns that some curses are better left unbroken ...

#BookReview: A Not So Meet Cute (Cane Brothers, #1) by @AuthorMegQuinn @Read_Bloom

Synopsis: "How did you two meet?" It's the quintessential question asked to every couple, and the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey-dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid's arrow. But Lottie Gardner's meet-cute was a little different. She was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take her as his bride―you know, to make the arch nemesis who just fired her jealous. And billionaire Huxley Cane was conveniently stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong. That's when they bump into each other. No sparks. No fireworks. Not even the first seed of blossoming love. But the next thing Lottie knows, she's scarfing down chips and guac, listening to Huxley lay out his problems, and then he tells He lied to a crucial client, and he needs a huge favor. A fake fiancée. He's talking living in his mansion together, going on intimate double-dates, and pretending they're head-over-heels in love…and engaged. It's ridiculous, but people do ridiculous things when they're desperate. And Lottie and Huxley both reek of desperation. So, she strikes up the deal. Except her one mistake might be accidentally falling for the incomparable, insufferable Huxley Cane.

#BookReview: Tattooed Heart (Stagwood Falls: Love in Ink #2) by Elizabeth Barone

Synopsis: Sabella makes a living covering up people’s bad tattoos, creating art out of regrets and mistakes. When she finds herself separated from her high school sweetheart turned heartbreaker, she doesn’t just go into hiding; she takes her best friend up on an offer for a fresh start at her new tattoo shop and runs all the way to Stagwood Falls, an idyllic town reinventing itself after its own heartache. It’s the perfect place to hide, and it’s where she finds a new purpose: teaching the healing power of art to a community that's desperate to move on. Unfortunately, to put her plan into action, Sabella must enlist the help of one sexy, sensitive town social worker, Benton Rhinehart—AKA the guy who wants nothing to do with her after their first encounter ended in hurt feelings and a wounded ego. 

Benton gives everything to the people of Stagwood Falls, but the bank still took all he had when the recession hit. Instead of rebuilding himself, he eagerly dove headfirst into solving other people’s problems. So when Sabella comes to him with her community art program plan, Benton doesn't hesitate to throw himself fully into it, even if that means working with the woman who shamelessly snubbed him the first time they met. Despite their rocky start, it's hard to ignore that Sabella and Benton make a great team. Their business relationship quickly turns into a friendship they both desperately need. Even though they're better off as friends, the more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore that there's something much deeper going on. But when Sabella’s ex comes to town saying everything she wants to hear, she has to choose between her heart and her dream. Both feel like the same thing, and choosing wrong is one mistake she won’t be able to cover up.

#BookReview: Forged by Magic (Falling for Fables #1) by Jenna Wolfhart

Synopsis: A heartwarming, feel-good fantasy romance…with a helping of spice and only a pinch of danger.

Trapped in a tower by the emperor who conquered her homeland, Daella yearns for an escape. But as one of the few half-orcs left in the world, she knows she’ll never be free, much less find her own happily ever after.

Destiny takes an unexpected turn when the emperor offers her a deal. To earn her freedom, she must journey to the mysterious Isles of Fable and track down wielders of outlawed dragon magic. Eager to seize her chance, Daella agrees.

When a brutal storm tosses her ship off course, she washes up on the wrong island—right at the feet of Rivelin, a gruff but handsome elven blacksmith, who seems more likely to stab her than help her. To her surprise, he offers her shelter until the next ship passes through in six weeks’ time.

Daella soon realizes he’s hiding something big. It could be the very magic she’s been tasked to hunt down—the key to her long-awaited freedom. But as they bicker over the flames of his forge, her heart kindles with something she’s never felt before. 

When his secrets finally come to light, Daella must decide what’s more her freedom from the wicked crown or the desires of her heart.

Forged by Magic is a complete, stand-alone fantasy romance novel set in the whimsical world of Falling for Fables.

#BookReview: Love Me Like You Do (The Five Senses #1-5) by Minx Noir

Synopsis: The Five Senses Series, combined for the first time! 

Discover why readers are calling this journey back to happily ever after "Smoking hot and so good!" 

Six weeks. Five senses. One chance. 

When an attorney at a rival firm alerts Paul that his wife has been searching for a divorce lawyer behind his back, his whole world shatters. But, truth be told, the signs were there; he’d just ignored them. With both of their daughters now in college out of state, Laken is restless and lonely. And Paul–who’d once been a doting husband–is truly married to his career.

But when faced with losing the love of his life, Paul concocts a plan. Combining the five senses with Laken’s love of romance novels, he sets out to make her fall for him all over again, reigniting a spark that sets their hearts–and bed sheets–afire.

Not intended for readers under eighteen years of age. Content warning: there will be kinks! Food play, voyeurism, exhibitionism, BDSM, primal... to name a few.

#BookReview: Captive of the Stolen Empire by Megan Van Dyke

Synopsis: Forbidden love could turn the tide of war…or destroy the last hope of freedom. 

Ilya Valerious was born to rule the city-state of Sorrena in her mother’s footsteps—until the tyrannical emperor conquered her homeland. 

Held hostage to ensure her people’s obedience by the emperor’s first captain, Lucien, she plots a dangerous gambit to free her people: seduce the captain, source information for a growing rebel movement, and take them all down from within.

Beyond Lucien’s fearsome, masked appearance and powerful magic is a man trying to fulfill the emperor’s promise of peace and prosperity. A task that would be easier if the captive heirs under his watch would finally submit to the emperor’s rule. One in particular, Ilya, breathes defiance despite Lucien’s efforts to protect her from herself and win her to the emperor’s side. 

She’s a dangerous temptation he can ill afford, especially as she starts to uncover long-buried secrets that have him questioning not only his own past and his role in the empire, but the emperor he’s sworn his life to. 

When the fate of an empire rests on a knife’s edge, Ilya and Lucien must decide if their blossoming love is worth sacrificing everything they’ve worked for. But only if the emperor doesn’t kill them first.

This enemies-to-lovers epic fantasy romance filled with warring kingdoms, magic, life-changing romance, and intrigue will appeal to fans of The Bridge Kingdom and The Serpent and the Wings of Night.

#BookReview: Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher @Read_Bloom

Synopsis: Julian
If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile.
So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer.
At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex.
The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town.
But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue.
What happens if I want her to stay?

Dahlia
People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one.
Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy.
I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer.
Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits.
Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions.
Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love?
That isn’t part of the plan.

Love Redesigned is a steamy, small town romance about two family friends-turned-childhood rivals. It is the first book in the standalone Lakefront Billionaires series and has a happy ending.

#BookReview: Into the Skies (Loya Book, #1) by Kay Humphreys

Synopsis: I was not Placed. I wasn’t chosen by the fae as worthy or exceptional. Yet I—a fierce and mighty barmaid?—could change our entire world. This must be a dream. Though, it's beginning to feel more like a nightmare.

On Loya, balance is paramount. The star planet provides magic and as inhabitants use their powers, energy is released back into the star. All beings have a soulmate, a perfect counterpart. The High Council maintains balance by keeping species separated. The fae rule in their floating sky cities, divided by the nature of their powers. The elves inhabit the mountains, the hobbits live in the shires and the humans live in the flatlands.

Well, live may be an exaggeration.

Humans serve.

The exception to the separation is the few Placed humans who are set apart in beauty, strength or smarts. At 18, they are chosen, allowed to work for the fae in the clouds. Jaylyn Hoste was not chosen but she is content with her life below.

Until a royal spy walks into her tavern and changes everything.

Not only is she Placed, but Jaylyn also finds her mate, Aster Raellen, the charming, gorgeous fae Prince of Starlight. Her soul is overjoyed but her unique position as a royal mate allows her to uncover one fae atrocity after another until she must decide—

Can true love save her world and...is it even a world worth saving?

_____

Into the Skies is the first book in a fast-paced, dystopian, romantasy. This breathtaking new adult trilogy offers a simple yet compelling world, rich characters, star-crossed lovers, sparkling banter and a found family you'll wish you could join. It is not a dark fantasy but it does contain mature themes and explicit scenes. It is perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing, Red Queen, and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Kay Humphreys is the fantasy pen name for bestselling contemporary romance author Kelsey Humphreys known for her Heartlanders series.

#BookReview: Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley @BistroBookBabes Canary Street Press @HarlequinBooks

Synopsis: Ready or Scot...

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm. 

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself. 

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

#BookReview: Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley @BistroBookBabes Canary Street Press @HarlequinBooks @LexiLikesToRead

Synopsis: Ready or Scot...

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm. 

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself. 

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

#BookReview: One by One by Freida McFadden @lexilikestoread

Synopsis: One by one, they will get what they deserve...

A night spent sleeping on dirt and leaves is not how Claire Matchett expected to spend her vacation.

She thought this would be a break from the stresses of work and raising her young children. A chance to repair her damaged marriage. A week of hiking and hot tubs with two other couple friends. It sounded like heaven.

Then Claire’s minivan breaks down on a lonely dirt road. With no cell reception, the group has no choice but to hike the rest of the way to their hotel. But it turns out the woods aren’t as easy to navigate as they thought.

Hours later, they are lost. Hopelessly lost. 

And as they navigate deeper into the woods, the members of their party are struck down mysteriously one by one. Has a wild animal been hunting them? Or is the hunter one of them?

But as more time passes, one thing becomes clear:

Only one of them will return home alive.

#BookReview: When Among Crows by Veronica Roth @torbooks

Synopsis: Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.

Pain is Dymitr’s calling. To slay the monsters he’s been raised to kill, he had to split his soul in half to make a sword from his own spine. Every time he draws it, he gets blood on his hands. 

Pain is Ala’s inheritance. When her mother died, a family curse to witness horrors committed by the Holy Order was passed onto her. The curse will claim her life, as it did her mother’s, unless she can find a cure. 

One fateful night in Chicago, Dymitr comes to Ala with a bargain: her help in finding the legendary witch Baba Jaga in exchange for an enchanted flower that just might cure her. Desperate, and unaware of what Dymitr really is, Ala agrees. 

But they only have one day before the flower dies . . . and Ala's hopes of breaking the curse along with it.

#BookReview: Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley @BistroBookBabes Canary Street Press @HarlequinBooks

Synopsis: Ready or Scot...

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm. 

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself. 

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

#BookReview: Business Casual (Lovelight, #4) by @authorbkborison @BerkleyRomance

Synopsis: Two opposites will find out if one night together is enough to get each other out of their systems in the final book in the beloved Lovelight series.

Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations. 

In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him. 

And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.

#BookReview: When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

Synopsis: A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.

When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend―until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

#BookReview: Unleashing Chaos by @CAndFBooks Crystal J. Johnson & Felicity Vaughn @WattpadBooks

Synopsis: Desideria is looking for true love…
When your father, the king of demons, tells you to find an eternal partner in ninety days, you do it―because the alternative is worse.

Jace’s heart is shattered and guarded…
All I asked for was a quiet roommate to help with the bills instead I got a sassy demon princess.

Cannon wants everyone to be happy, but …
Sure, I want to help my friends, but I’ve got ambitions too.


Infernis help them.

A visit to the human realm is Desi’s last-ditch effort to find the partner of her dreams―she wants to marry for love―but with only three months to fall head over heels and take someone home to her chaotic family in Infernis, it seems impossible.

When every date Desi goes on ends in disaster, she enlists the help of her two handsome roommates. While one is friendly and fun, willing to help in any way he can, the other is stern and impenetrable, resolute in his theory that everlasting love isn’t possible. But as much as she’d like to deny it, Desideria is an agent of chaos, and she quickly starts knocking down walls and crossing boundaries–in every aspect of her romantic life..

Maybe it was kismet that landed Desi in Denver, but the choice she and her new friends have to make will define not only their futures, but that of an entire realm.

#BookReview: Mercy (Salacious Players Club #4) by Sara Cate @SaraCate3 @SourcebooksCasa

Synopsis: She doesn't want to hurt him ― she just wants to punish him…

Being the only female owner of the Salacious Players' Club, Maggie Anderson thought her life was hard enough. But as the club continued to grow, she felt more and more on the outskirts as the only one who didn't have a kink. Or so she thought… 

When she takes a kink quiz on the club's new app and learns that she's a Domme, she realizes that she might not be quite so vanilla after all. In fact, she's a lot more like her colleague, Emerson Grant, than she thought. There's just one problem ― she doesn't know how to be a Domme. Or she didn't, until the app matched her with someone willing to learn. But he's too young. Too stubborn. Too good looking. And, to top it off, Emerson's son.

Beau Grant is a brat. And Maggie would hate that about him it if she didn't love punishing him so much. Yet she's beginning to see that underneath his attitude, Beau is misunderstood, self-less, and in need of direction. But if it's mercy he's after, he'll have to earn it first. 

She finally knows what she wants, and she's ready to take it.

"Punchy, unputdownable…a must for every reader who likes their romances to walk on the wild side." ― Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author, for Praise

#BookReview: Kate (Madison Kate #4) by @TateJamesAuthor @Read_Bloom

Synopsis: "I never miss."

Riot Night changed my life.

Coming back to Shadow Grove turned it on its head.

I've been hunted, stabbed, stalked, tormented, and used. Hate fueled me, lies tore me apart, and in the end, everything I thought I knew turned out to be fake.

Except…Riot Night also brought Archer, Kody, and Steele back into my life. No matter how much I've fought my feelings for them, no matter how much I've hated them or how many of their deceptions I've uncovered―I want them in my life. I want to fight for them. All three of them.

No one owns me.

No one is taking them away.

This is my life, damn it, and these guys are mine to keep.

If a war is what it takes, then a war is what our enemies will get.