Review: Mafia King - Rachel Van Dyken

Mafia King by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Mafia King is the new novella by Rachel Van Dyken in the 1001 Dark Nights anthology. For me this was a one-click purchase and I wasn’t disappointed. Mafia King tells the story of Tank and Kartini ‘Tiny’. Kartini is the oldest daughter of Sergio (who we’ve met in previous novels) and although one of the younger siblings, she feels like she doesn’t fit in with either adults or the children. That is until one night she has to make a decision which will change the course of her life.

Tank also has to start making decisions. Is he going to be part of the Family or the FBI? He has also sworn to protect Tiny, not a small feat, especially when her snarkiness and need for self-destruction seems to be everywhere he turns. He also can’t deny the attraction that he has for her, even though he continues to fight her wily ways.

Together both Tank and Tiny just make this story, they are so suited for one another. The book has enough actions, drama and passion to keep you turning the pages. The rest of the family are here too to add their opinion as well as letting us see what they are up too. The only downside to this novella is how short it is. I would have loved a longer book, but I feel that way about all of Ms. Van Dyken’s novels….there just aren’t enough pages.

Overall, this was a great edition to the Mafia Royals series, and I can’t wait to see whose up next.

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Review: Stealing Ronan - Isabel Lucero

Stealing Ronan by Isabel Lucero
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Stealing Ronan is a super sweet MM novel by Isabel Lucero. The story is about Lorenzo (Renzo) and his growing infatuation for his sister’s boyfriend, Ronan. Renzo is cocky, self-assured and overly confident. He hasn’t met a guy that he couldn’t get, that is until the preppy looking, quiet and gorgeous Ronan turns up and spins Renzo on his access.

The story follows the two men as their relationship develops (with the help of a snowstorm), whilst Renzo tries to fight the attraction that he has to Ronan as he doesn’t want to hurt his sister. This was a really sweet story with low angst, some sexy times and some sad moments, highlighting the importance of love, acceptance and support when ‘coming out.’

Renzo’s family, including his sister and friends were hilarious at points and supportive as Renzo comes to terms with how he feels about Ronan. This is in comparison to Ronan’s family who are flip side different! Both have a powerful impact to the reader; especially what Ronan’s mum says to him.

If you like your MM books sweet and sexy, then this one is going to hit the spot for you! A good, easy read!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Mercy - K.L. Savage

Mercy by K.L. Savage
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Mercy is the first book in the new Ruthless Hellhounds series by K.L. Savage and boy is it a heartbreaker. Having read the previous series, you would have been introduced to Mercy and Michelle who are Daphne’s parents. Well, this is their story and it’s going to give you all of the feels!

This book takes us into the past as we see the development of Mercy and Michelle’s relationship, going from friends to something more, which is full of hot and steamy passion. To make the story even more complex are the challenges that are thrown in the way for both of them which shows their strength as a couple and also as individuals. Alas, we know that this story is going to be a heartbreaker, so get your hankies ready as you’re going to need them!

There isn’t too much I can say without giving away the story. Just know that once you start reading, you’re going to binge read this beautifully written book.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Release Blitz: Brutal Winter - Quirah Casey

                                                                       

                                                                         RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Brutal Winter

Series: Brutal Winter #1

Author: Quirah Casey

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 20, 2021

BLURB 

I’ve always hated winter. This year when it comes, I’ll belong to them.

When you sign your soul over to the devil, there are no take backs.

I knew the terms of the contract when I signed it. 

For one year, my life isn’t mine.

For one year I am to obey, to be seen not heard. 

For one year I’m theirs, mind, body, and soul. 

The bodyguard. The fixer. The maniac. The boss.

Four men on a path to ruin me.

I may be theirs for a year, but the damage they plan on doing to me will last a lifetime. That’s if I even survive, because between the family and their enemies, the odds of me even making it past the end of winter are low.

This is the first book in a dark reverse harem contemporary romance series that will contain explicit language and graphic scenes. This series will contain triggering material such as dub con and non con. It is not for the faint of heart.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57053707-brutal-winter 

PURCHASE LINKS 

US: https://amzn.to/3tg9EAY
UK: https://amzn.to/3a7G9tA
CA: https://amzn.to/3e1o3dV
AU: https://amzn.to/3mIpgLg 

Free in Kindle Unlimited

EXCERPTS

#1

He leans over until his face is right in front of mine. His warm breath moves over my face. His voice is low and coiled with tension. "Did that make you feel better?"

I can only stare at him, my jaw tight, because no that didn't make me feel better, not even close. There’s still this right tension inside of me demanding to be satisfied.

My eyes drift down to Vito’s lips, to the way they're pulled down and oh so close to my face. And again, I act without thinking, pressing my lips to his.

Neither of us move for a second, our lips touching but nothing more until I move a fraction closer. Vito's hand wraps in my hair and he pulls, pressing my lips harder against his and I let out a startled gasp. He takes the moment to dip his tongue between my lips, drinking in the moan that leaves my mouth.

I reach out, gripping his neck roughly. I dig my fingernails into his skin as heat moves through my body. His lips move away from mine as he jerks my head back, his mouth dancing over the skin of my neck. Goosebumps break across my flesh.

My legs spread as he steps closer before he's lowering me back, my back slamming against the mattress. His hard body comes over mine and I wrap my legs against his waist, my head falling back to give him more access to my neck.

I know that it's wrong, that I shouldn't be allowing this to happen, to participate.

But with the hollow feeling in my soul, all I want is to feel.

And the way that Vito touches me, kisses me, it crushes the simple word and morphs into something stronger.

COMING SOON

#2 Ruthless Spring

US: https://amzn.to/3x2yMOb
UK: https://amzn.to/3seCn88
CA: https://amzn.to/3diIV1k
AU: https://amzn.to/32fdQVH 

AUTHOR BIO

Quirah Casey is a young author with more dreams than she’s capable of handling, but that doesn’t keep her from trying to make them come true. She writes any and every genre of romance with characters of all races and sexualities. She rarely sleeps and she lives off of Starbucks. For some reason, people keep leaving their kids on her doorstep, and she keeps taking them in. Otherwise, there are no kids or fur babies in the picture for her. You can typically identify her from her huge, colorful afro, lip ring, shorts, leather jacket, and shit kickers that get her crazy looks in north Louisiana.

AUTHOR LINKS

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

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

Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirahcasey 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Quirah-Casey/e/B00UPHEWHA 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/quirah-casey

Review: Brutal Winter - Quirah Casey

Brutal Winter by Quirah Casey
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Holy-Moley, this book ticked all of my boxes for a dark, RH read by the wonderful author Quirah Casey. From start to finish, this book is all actions, sexiness and twisted cruelness and I literally devoured it!

The story focuses on Winter, a young woman who is down on her luck and is paying a debt to keep her brother alive. For one year she has traded her life to The Boss and his men; The Bodyguard, The Fixer and The Maniac….and mind totally blown!

This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of epicness as Winter tries to stay alive whilst being at the beck and call of some dangerously hot (and one slightly deranged) men. Her life wasn’t easy before and it certainly isn’t easy now when she is tasked with a job that puts her in danger, not only from the enemy, but also from the men themselves! She is one strong and vulnerable woman with a backbone of steel. Reading about Winter and her story is intense and yes there may be some triggers for some readers, but you are totally warned before you even enter the first page of this book!

Now let’s get to the men! Wow, they are all so unique from each other and in this book, we only get glimpses of who they are and what role they play in the Family. (There is one who is definitely cray cray and needs a smack up in the head), but they are cruel, sexy and dangerous and I can’t wait to get more of them in the next book!

If you’re looking for something new, exciting and off the charts to binge read, you’re going to want to pick up this book right now! Note: there is a cliff-hanger!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Boss: Time Served MC Book 1 - Cee Bowerman

Boss: Time Served MC Book 1 by Cee Bowerman
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Boss is book one in the new series: Tenillo Guardians TSMC by Cee Bowerman and boy is it a great story. We’re introduced to Boss a man who has done his time and is trying to get on with his life being the President of the Time Served MC and the newly appointed Sherriff of the small town of Tenillo, but not everything is what it seems in town and it is certainly not smelling of roses. Enter Jennifer, a woman who is escaping her past and looking towards her future with her menagerie of animals and new business, she isn’t looking for a man, until Boss sets his sights on her and then everything is thrown out of the window.

This was a great MC read (which was different from other MC books) with older characters, a great storyline, some action and some sassy and strong women. I loved the relationship that Jenn not only had with Boss, but also with his men. She treated them all as equals and could banter with them like the best of them. Her relationship with her best friend Paula was hilarious and laugh aloud at times.

The relationships are deep in this book. We see the life that Boss and his other MC men have made from themselves after spending time behind bars (we only get snippets of backstories, so I’m hoping that every character gets a book!) as well as what it feels like to start a new relationship when you’ve already been in one previously for a number of years. I loved that there were sweet times in this book as well as times of action, where characters were put into precarious situations and had the help and backing of others to get them out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more. It has definitely made me go and look at Ms. Bowerman’s backlist to see what else I need to read!

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Review: What We Deserve - Lizzie Stanley

What We Deserve by Lizzie Stanley
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

What We Deserve is a contemporary romance by new author Lizzie Stanley. The story focuses on Emily and Eli and is beautifully written by a new author to me and one that I recommend. Emily is starting out in a new place after leaving a toxic relationship behind which has left her a little battered and emotionally bruised. Sweet and shy, she takes a risk applying for a new job at Wishbones tattoo parlour where she meets Eli and the rest of his crazy family. Eli has been hurt in the past and is finding it hard to put his heart on the line, that is until Emily walks into his business, and he is instantly smitten with the shy, sweet and vulnerable young woman.

As you read the book, you’re amerced into this wonderful family who all have scars, secrets and hilarity of their own. Both Emily and Eli evolve throughout the story. Emily becoming braver and starting to see the person she was before life got difficult and Eli as he puts his trust in someone new. I loved the banter that Emily had with everyone and the understanding and sweetness she shows the other characters when they are going through their own difficulties. Her relationship with the rugged Eli is sweet and sexy to read about and I loved that she was a quintessential geek and got the other in with her geekery!

There is a little bit of angst and drama in the book which just adds to the story and these amazing characters. I would definitely recommend this book and this refreshing new author. I can’t wait to see whose next in the series!

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