Avonna

Book Review: Devoted to Pleasure by Shayla Black

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DEVOTED TO PLEASURE (Devoted Lovers Book #1) by Shayla Black is a sexy contemporary romance with the added subplot of the hero being the bodyguard for the heroine. This is a page-turning start of a new series with as many twists and turns in the romance as in the suspense.

Shealyn West is the sexy, beautiful and down to earth co-star of a steamy nighttime TV drama. Her fame came quickly and it is not everything she wished for. To help her friend and co-star, Shealyn fakes a relationship with him. In a moment of emotional weakness, she makes a mistake which could be career ending and is now being used to blackmail her. She hires a bodyguard to protect her for the money drop and finds a real attraction that is too powerful to avoid.

Cutter Bryant is ex-military and believes in duty above all else. He loves his high-octane job in private security, but he is a small town boy at heart. Cutter’s childhood friend is in trouble and Cutter wants to solve her problems for her out of obligation, but it means sacrificing his own chance for love. When he is sent to Hollywood to work for Shealyn, he cannot believe the chemistry between them. He has never crossed the line between work and personal before, but there is something between them that is worth trying to find a way to be together.

As Shealyn and Cutter work together to discover who is blackmailing Shealyn, their attraction becomes as explosive as the secrets they need to expose. Will Cutter be able to protect Shealyn from the mounting danger? Can Shealyn believe in and trust a real HEA is possible?

I feel this is a very solid start to this new series. Cutter and Shealyn complimented each other very well. I found the background information on both the H/h’s troubled childhoods which impacted how they behaved in the present compelling. I did have a problem with how often Cutter’s situation back home came up. I found the friend in trouble an immature whiner, not sympathetic and Cutter too self-sacrificing even though it worked out in the end. The blackmail and physical danger had enough twists to keep me anxiously turning the pages and the sex was explicit and smoking hot. I will be looking forward to more books in this series!

Thanks very much to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Change of Pace by Freya Barker

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

A CHANGE OF PACE (Northern Lights #3) by Freya Barker is an absolutely wonderful and emotional romance with a mature hero and heroine in their late forties. The romance moves at a slower pace and grows to a beautiful mature love. The believable situations and struggles that occur at differing points in the story show a couple dealing with real-life struggles without the miscommunication or melodrama in other romances.

Newt Tobias is the single father of a teenage daughter who is having emotional difficulties. Newt feels the best way to help Millie is to change the pace of their current way of living. He retires early from his job with the police force and moves them both to a small cottage community.

Frederique “Freddie” Marchand had to deal with many personal tragedies all at once several years ago. It was very difficult to reclaim a sense of peace in her life, but she has it now living on her small piece of land with her therapy dog, Boulder and menagerie of rescue animals in her small hometown. She works with troubled adolescents, and does not suffer fools or bullies, so when she has a run in with a handsome man, she has never seen in town before, she puts him in his place.

When Newt discovers the therapist recommended to him for Millie is the woman he had a previous confrontation with, he puts his daughter’s welfare first. Freddie discovers that her first impressions of Newt may not be correct and he is more than willing to accept her help to help his daughter. As Newt and Millie work together to help Millie, they soon discover that they may be able to help each other, too.

I get very excited when I find a book like this. There are so few mature romances compared to all the others and when I find one this well written, it makes me very happy. Newt and Freddie are so true to life. The way that Newt and Freddie fall in love and the blossoming of Millie just make me warm all over. There are a few sex scenes that were well placed and written realistically.

Even though this is book 3 in the Northern Lights series, it is a standalone. I am looking forward to reading many more books by Ms. Barker. This is a beautiful mature romance that I highly recommend!

Thank you very much to Buoni Amici Press and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. It was definitely my pleasure!

Release Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Recovering Ivy by Riley Edwards

Hi, everyone! I am very happy to be sharing this Feature Post/Release Blitz and my Book Review of RECOVERING IVY (Special Forces: Operation Alpha Series) (Red Team Book 4) by Riley Edwards. This is an AMAZING addition to the series, but can be easily read as a standalone. Below you will read a short synopsis, my book review, get links to the other books in this series + a free book link from Ms. Edwards and all of the author’s social media info.

You have got to get this hot, sexy romantic suspense!

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

IVY

We met in a bar.

The sex was phenomenal.

Then I walked away.

That’s where our story should’ve ended.

But he found me. Now he knows my real name, my secrets, and all the details of my sordid past.

I’m out for revenge and no one will stop me; not even the pragmatic Zane Lewis. If he thinks he can silence me with the promise of more mind-bending sex, he’s wrong.

ZANE

Ivy Matthews is the most frustrating female I’ve ever known. I’ve broken terrorists faster than I can pull information from her sweet lips.

The only time she’s pliant is when she’s under me, or when my mouth is exploring her sexy curves, and then the most exquisite filthy words and breathy moans fill my ears.

If she thinks she can walk away from me, she’s wrong.

I’ve found the one–my perfect match–my equal.

Come hell or high-water Ivy is mine.

MY BOOK REVIEW:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

RECOVERING IVY (Special Forces: Operation Alpha Series)(Red Team Book 4) by Riley Edwards is a romantic suspense with an off the charts hot and sexy military ALPHA (in all ways!) and a heroine who is living with secrets from her past that she refuses to let destroy her and her quest for justice for her sister. This book is the fourth book in this series, but can be easily read as a standalone. Believe me though, I will be going back to read the previous Red Team books with the other hot team operatives and the women they have their HEAs with!

Ivy Matthews is independent and tough on the outside, but it is a cover. She is working undercover for the man she believes killed her sister. Both sisters were brought up by an abusive, drug-addicted mother and Ivy feels responsible for not being able to save her sister, so she wants revenge for her death.

Zane Lewis is the head of a private firm of elite ex-military operatives. Being the leader, Zane believes he is responsible when they lose a team member no matter the circumstances. He believes his sole is dark and no woman will ever be able to love him, so he satisfies his sexual needs with one night stands with woman who are never repeated.

Zane picks up Ivy in a bar. Their night together is steaming hot and unforgettable. Zane wakes up alone and cannot believe, Ivy left. He is usually happy to get rid of his one night stands, so he cannot figure out why this one is different. Ivy does not have time for a relationship and even though she left nothing behind, Zane finds her. Zane will not be happy until he has all of Ivy’s secrets and can figure out why she alone can calm his darkest demons even as she gives him attitude, sass and fights him every step of the way believing she is not good enough for Zane.

I absolutely love when a hero and heroine, who both feel unworthy of love, find it with each other. Zane is hot, sexy and take-charge with a vulnerability for Ivy that none of his friends and co-workers have ever seen in him before. Ivy has grown up abused and always leaves a relationship before they break it off with her. She cannot believe an honorable, rich and gorgeous man like Zane will want her when he learns her secrets. The sex scenes are explicit and hot, but also show the amount of caring and love building between the H/h.

Ms. Riley has written a believable and beautiful romance for these two wounded souls. The suspense adds to the romance and will make you turn the pages even faster. I cannot recommend this romantic suspense enough. I am looking forward to reading many more books in this series and the fictional world this book is tied to.

Amazon: http://geni.us/recoveringivyB

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

Nightstalker – http://geni.us/Nightstalker

Protecting Olivia – http://geni.us/SfWxqL

Redeeming Violet – http://geni.us/redeemingviolet

New to Riley Edwards? Download your FREE BOOK and discover what you’ve been missing.

https://www.subscribepage.com/rileyedwardsfreebook

AUTHOR INFO:

Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.

Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley’s favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Free Book Claim – Unbroken – https://www.subscribepage.com/rileyedwardsfreebook

Follow on Amazon:

http://geni.us/amazonre

Follow on Bookbub:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/riley-edwards

Follow on Goodreads:

http://geni.us/goodreadsre

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Novelist.Riley.Edwards/

Facebook Fan Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/882567735208878/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/rileyedwardsromance/

Twitter

@rileyedwardsrom

https://www.facebook.com/TurnedOnByWords/

http://wtmowordsturnmeon.blogspot.com/

Book Review: How To Train Your Baron by Diana Lloyd

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BARON (What Happens in the Ballroom #1) by Diana Lloyd is a historical romance with a mystery of suspicious deaths in the hero’s family and a naïve heroine who seeks adventure, but ends up in hilarious situations. This entertaining story kept me reading to solve the mystery and laughing out loud at the heroine’s antics.

Elsinore Cosgrove, the youngest of six daughters of a duke, wishes only to seek out adventure and make her own decisions. When she believes she sees Lord Byron at a ball, she follows to get her copy of his poems signed. What happens is a comedy of errors that have her hastily engaged to a Scottish baron who does not even know her name. Elsinore is not happy to once again not have a say in her future, but she believes she can train her baron into the husband she wants.

Quin Graham has secrets, but rather than bring more scandal to his name, he agrees to an arranged marriage. Quin believes that once his bride gives him his heir, he will send her away for her own safety, but he begins to care too much for his curious and clever wife. As the threat escalates, Elsinore fights to not only stay with her new husband, but to uncover all of Quin’s secrets, while Quin tries to protect his new wife at all costs, including his heart.

I enjoyed this book so much. Elsinore is quirky, witty and so much fun. The predicaments she gets herself into are hilarious and the two books she has as guides for her marriage had me laughing out loud. Elsinore is also steadfast, smart and willing to fight, even Quin, to make her marriage a love match. Quin has had a tragic year before he meets Elsinore and fights to protect his heart, but Elsinore sneaks in and proves she is perfect for him and is willing to fight by his side for their future. The sex scenes are well written, hot and appropriate to the story.

Ms. Llyod has written a historical romance with an intriguing plot, wonderful characters, humor, heat and a much deserved HEA. I am looking forward to more books in this series.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

Once again, upon opening a Mimi Matthews Victorian romance, I am completely absorbed into the era’s mores, clothing and prose as well as a beautifully written, emotional romance. THE MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT (Parish Orphans of Devon #1) is the first book in a new historical romance series.

Helena Reynolds is desperate to escape London. Her last hope is to be picked by ex-army Captain Justin Thornhill after answering an advertisement posted for him by his friends for a wife. She prays the coast of North Devon is far enough away from London and the protection of a husband is enough to save her.

Justin Thornhill returned to North Devon from being tortured as a captive in an Indian prison. After working for several years to improve his fortunes, he now owns Greyfriar’s Abbey and should be happy that his revenge is complete, but he realizes he wants a woman to help with the Abbey and occasionally warm his bed. He goes along with his friends’ advertisement idea and is shocked when a beautiful, refined young woman responds. Justin knows she is hiding something, but he cannot resist the opportunity of having Helena as his wife.

Justin will do everything in his power to protect Helena, even as he learns the secrets she keeps, because what started as a marriage of convenience from a matrimonial advertisement is turning into more. Helena feels safe with her husband and is bravely willing to share her secret to free herself and help others, but will she understand Justin’s own secrets that torture him and he has yet to share with her?

Ms. Matthews is my go-to author for historically accurate Victorian era romance. Her characters are so vivid and true to their time. The romance grows from meeting, to friendship, to caring, to love without any sex scenes. The emotional depth of Helena and Justin’s romance is portrayed in their pain, fear, ultimate caring and understanding. I always become emotionally attached to Ms. Matthews’ heroes and heroines. This book also uses two significant historical issues blended with the romance to add depth to Helena and Justin’s past and present decisions and actions. This is a story, romance and characters that will stay with me for a very long time to come. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Book Review: Undercover: City of Seduction by Vivien Clark

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

UNDERCOVER: CITY OF SEDUCTION by Vivien Clark is the beginning of a romantic suspense series, I assume, because it is not described as such, but it leaves you on a huge cliff-hanger.

FBI Agent Tess Flynn is on an undercover assignment in her hometown of San Francisco. Working as a special assistant to the mayor, her focus is to uncover the political corruption that is currently plaguing the city she loves. Tess is bright, fearless and driven in all areas of her life. None of her friends know of her FBI connection, which proves to be a problem when she runs into the brother of her childhood best-friend on the San Francisco police force.

Jack McGrath is back from serving his country and is on the SF police force. He received a Congressional Medal of Honor, but is still having severe nightmares and emotional difficulties. None of that matters, as he has the longtime love of his life home again. He has loved and tried to watch out for Tess since she was a little girl of eleven. Now that she is home, he won’t let anything get in his way of finally claiming Tess as his own.

Tess is surprised by her feelings for Jack. He is no longer the goofy older brother of her best-friend, but a hot man she is intensely attracted to. Jack wants to protect Tess, but Tess has her secret life and an investigation that at no cost can be compromised.

This is a short read at only a little over 230 pages with the romance growing at a steady pace and the political corruption beginning to come into focus. There is a shadowy figure that is still unknown, but gives you a look into his evil deeds at the beginning of each chapter. Tess is also being followed for some unknown reason by a person she knows, but does not know the reason why. I was interested in Tess and Jack, but never really believed in their relationship because of the secrets Tess kept. Though it was an intriguing read, there were more than a few times it felt more like a soap opera than a true romantic suspense. What also did not work for me was the huge cliff-hanger at the end. I will not be continuing on in this series.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.