Category: Romantic Suspense

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Off Her Game by Zoe Forward

Hi, everyone!

Today’s Feature Post/Bog Tour and Book Review is for the first book in a new romantic suspense series with a unique plot setting – the world of on-line gaming.

OFF HER GAME (The Game Lords Book 1) by Zoe Forward is a unique suspense plot which will continue to arc over more books in this series, but the romance is a complete HEA in each book. Below you will find the book description, my book review, author social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway.

You will enjoy this new romantic suspense series whether you are a on-line gamer or not and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Title: Off Her Game  (The Game Lords Book 1)

Author: Zoe Forward

Release Date: March 11, 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Quincy Marin

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Buy links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2SvwpTl

Nook: https://bit.ly/2SFfQUh

iBooks: https://apple.co/2GDYD7h

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/off-her-game-2

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4XRgp1

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Book Description:

Tori Duarte’s big dreams to be a video game designer…well, they haven’t panned out. And a girl’s gotta eat. Enter: the Stadium, a secretive video game gambling ring. As a world ranked eGamer, winning should be cake. Until it’s not. Gambling debts suck her in deep.

A chance encounter with the media shy, ridiculously handsome video game CEO Noah Harrison offers her a way out. The deal: 1) Assist the FBI to catch the underworld eGaming kingpin (doable but dangerous). 2) Keep the FBI connection secret by pretending to date Noah (not optional but keeping it PG is problematic).

Noah’s never been more attracted to a woman in his life. Maybe because he’s never been the focus of anyone as sexy, smart, and badass as Tori. But while the dates are fake, the threat to Tori’s life is real. What neither expected was an explosive chemistry that’s more than convincing—it’s sizzling. Falling for each other is the most dangerous thing they could do…

Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43789233-off-her-game

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MY BOOK REVIEW

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

OFF HER GAME (The Game Lords Book 1) by Zoe Forward is the first book in a new romantic suspense series set in the unique world of on-line gaming. The suspense plot was very intriguing and keeps the pages turning. The romance has a gamer nerd turned hot hunk game creator, rich CEO still being a nerd in personal situations in a fake relationship with a feisty, sexy female gamer, game creator.

Tori Duarte is ranked as one of the top female gamers in the country. She attended MIT, she can program and code and she has a video game she is trying to sell. She also has a big chip on her shoulder because of the gender bias in the gaming world. When she needs help with money, she gets involved in a secretive on-line video gambling ring called the Stadium. The game is rigged and she just keeps getting further and further in debt.

CEO Noah Harrison is co-owner of a major gaming company. He is set up on a chance meeting with Tori. He lost his brother to the Stadium and is now helping with an FBI sting. He wants Tori’s help to stop them from killing more people and bring them to justice. They will pretend to date to cover for the FBI.

Tori and Noah play at dating, but with the sparks flying between them, could this lead to more? As they are caught up with this dangerous cyber-criminal, the stakes continue to rise. Can Tori get out of the Stadium to have a real relationship?

Tori and Noah were an interesting pairing. The shy CEO who is inept with women, but can sure turn it on and take control during sex with the snarky, but insecure gamer girl. When they were together it was really hot, but I felt the author pulled them apart too frequently. There was too much insecurity coming from such a supposedly smart and talented heroine. The sex scenes were explicit, but not over the top. All of the secondary characters were well fleshed out and I am looking forward to seeing how the author continues on with their stories, also. I did like the twist during a very well written suspense plot when the heroine faced the kingpin without the hero at her side. Overall, I loved the suspense plot and that the Stadium plot will arc over future books with this book having a complete HEA romance.

I can recommend this first book in this new series and I am looking forward to reading more.

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About Zoe:

Award winning author Zoe Forward is a hopeless romantic who can’t decide between paranormal and contemporary romance. So, she writes both. Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

When she’s not typing at her laptop, she’s cheering her son on at baseball, chasing the toddler or cleaning up the newest pet mess from the menagerie that occupies her house. She’s a small animal veterinarian caring for a wide range of furry creatures, although there has been the occasional hermit crab.

She’s madly in love with her globe trotting conservation ecologist husband who plans to save all the big cats on the planet, and she’s happiest when he returns to their home base.

Social media links:

Website: http://www.zoeforward.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorzoe.forward/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorZForward

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6591244.Zoe_Forward

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/zoe-forward

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Giveaway:

Prize:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

Html:

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Link:

https://bit.ly/2NOgdXB

Book Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Brooks (Gold Team #1) by Riley Edwards

Hi, everyone!

I am so excited to share this Feature Post with you. Riley Edwards is starting a new series featuring the Gold Team which is a crossover with Susan Stoker’s new Legacy SEALs. BROOKS (Gold Team #1) is full of action, adventure, ex-SEALs, ex-military, spies and the hot men and women who work behind the scenes to protect us.

If you love hot, sexy romance on the run with plenty a twists and turns in the action, this is definitely the series for you.

Below you will find the book description, book review, the author’s social media and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Good luck on the giveaway!

Title:Brooks (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Gold Team Book 1)

Author:Riley Edwards

Genre:  Military Romance

Release Date: March 12, 2019

Hosted by:Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Buy links:

#KindleUnlimited

https://amzn.to/2SDLLAp

Book Description:

Tatiana Jones is no stranger to the battlefield. One look at her scarred flesh tells the tales of her time in captivity. But it’s not only her skin the bears the marks her failures, doubt and a healthy dose cynicism now clouds her vision. She has also mastered the fine art of deception. In her line of work it is a necessity.

Former Navy SEAL Brooks Miller is living the good life working as a mercenary. Employed by the highly sought-after Z Corps, a private, special-ops company, there are no shortage of contracts sending him around the world. He lives wild and free with nothing tying him down—just the way he likes it.

When the Gold Team’s latest mission takes them to Bahrain, Brooks thinks it will be a quick in and out. That’s until he walks into a shitstorm and comes face to face with the woman who’s about to turn his world upside down. There was something working behind her intelligent eyes, and it looked a lot like pain. Not the physical kind, the emotional aftermath of heartache. And when she tries to hide behind snark and sass he decides on the spot he wants to know more.

Tatiana doesn’t have time for games. She’s on the hunt for the man who left her life in ruins. Brooks has something else in mind, something more, something far more permanent than the no strings fun Tatiana is offering. He had her right where he wanted her until the hunters become the prey and their world explodes. It will take more than the Gold Team to bring down a Saudi Prince out for blood. Their only hope is the one and only, king of all things cyber, John “Tex” Keegan. Can Tex get search and rescue team to them in time, or will it be a recovery mission?

Brooks: Book 1 in the all new Gold Team series features Susan Stoker’s new Legacy SEALs. *

Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44017810-brooks

My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BROOKS (Gold Team #1) by Riley Edwards is the first book in a new romantic suspense series which will have crossover with Susan Stoker’s new Legacy SEALs series. This book takes off from the first page with ex-SEALs, ex-military, spies, action and suspense that engrosses you in the story and keeps you turning the pages.

Tatiana Jones knows the risks of being a spy intimately. Ex-CIA and working for a private firm now, she has the scars on her body from days of torture. She made a mistake. Now she is out for revenge.

Former SEAL Brooks Miller is now working for Z Corps. Z Corps is a private special-ops company with no shortage of contracts for their highly specialized work. He loves his team and the freedom of working for a private company.

While in Bahrain, the Gold Team’s latest mission crosses Tatiana’s mission with an assassination attempt on her life. Brooks does not know what it is about this snarky, sarcastic female, but he sees beyond her attitude and scars to the emotionally wounded female inside. Tatiana does not have time for this man who sees far too much. She is out to get the man who left her life in ruins.

Brooks has Tatiana’s back and she has his, but will it be enough as they face multiple enemies and life and death situations?

This book is fast paced, exciting, emotional and hot. Brooks is the definitely an alpha hero, but Tatiana is with him every step of the way with her kick-butt self. Tatiana’s emotional past includes a failed marriage to a mentally abusive adulterer and physical torture from terrorists which makes her exterior tough, but Brooks works to prove to her that that is not who she is. Ms. Edwards does an excellent job of balancing emotional turmoil, hot sex, action and suspense. The suspense plot twist and turns with surprises and thrills. The sex scenes are explicit and steamy. I started this book and could not put it down.

I am looking forward to reading many more books in this series!

About Riley:

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.

Social Media:

Facebook profile:  https://www.facebook.com/Novelist.Riley.Edwards/
Facebook Group—Riley’s Rebels: https://www.facebook.com/groups/882567735208878/
Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/rileyedwardsromance/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rileyedwardsrom
Amazon: author.to/RileyEdwardsAmazon
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/riley-edwards
All Author: https://allauthor.com/profile/rileyedwards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15080716.Riley_Edwards

Giveaway:

Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card

Html:

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Book Review: Salvaging Truth by Joanne Jaytanie

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

SALVAGING TRUTH (Hunters & Seekers Book 1) by Joanne Jaytanie is the exciting start of a new romantic suspense series. The books revolve around a salvage and investigation company called Hunters & Seekers run by three ex-SEAL friends.

Dagger Eastin, Kaleb LaSalle and Stone Garrison are partners and friends who run Hunters & Seekers. As ex-SEALs, they all have a love of the sea and have found the perfect way to carry on in the private sector while still getting that punch of adrenaline they all still seek by being private investigators.

Riley Rawlings is in shock as she listens to her mother’s message on her phone. The research vessel Claudia is on is sinking. Riley does not know exactly what her mother was working on when she died, but it was going to change the balance of power in the energy business world. Riley was left clues by her mother to follow in a scavenger hunt to retrieve her research and get it into the right hands.

Riley needs help solving her mother’s murder and someone watching her back as she follows the clues to her mother’s research. It seems everyone wants Claudia’s research and are willing to kill to get it. Riley and Daggar have to deal with universities, the military, energy corporations and Russian spies. Daggar has Riley’s back as they follow the clues, but can Riley trust him with more?

I really enjoyed the whole premise of this story and the execution. Ms. Jaytaine’s writing was easy-to- read and the scavenger hunt kept me turning the pages. Riley was an intelligent heroine with an interesting career. Daggar was the strong ex-SEAL hero. I had a little difficulty with the romance because for me it felt forced. The author gave reasons for the back and forth, but for me, it was not really believable if he cared for her so much, but the suspense plot in the book more than made up for the weakness in the romance. Kaleb and Stone are strong characters in this story and I am looking forward to reading about future adventures featuring each.

I can highly recommend this first book in this series and I am looking forward to reading more.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Release Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Finding Mercy by Riley Edwards

Hi, everyone!

Today I am happy to share with you this Feature Post/Release Blitz and Book Review for Riley Edward’s new book FINDING MERCY (The Next Generation Series#3).

Below you will find the book description, my book review, the author’s social media and a Rafflecopter giveaway. I am always excited every time I get a new Riley Edward’s book and this one did not disappoint!

I hope you enjoy the info below and as always good luck on the giveaway!

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Book Description

DEA Jason Walker became a widower at Twenty-eight. Two years later he’s still torturing himself with guilt. They’d married young, and she’d been his first love, but her illness changed everything. They’d fought a losing battle and he’d held her to the very end. Now he just wants to be left alone with his misery and memories.

Mercy James is no stranger to grief and loneliness. Her brother’s death of a drug overdose, and her police officer father’s death in the line of duty were the driving forces behind her pursuit of a career in the DEA. In spite of—or maybe because of—her past, Mercy doesn’t believe in feeling sorry for others, or for herself.

When a case brings Jason and Mercy together, and their attraction heats up, can her tough, straightforwardness help Jason learn to live in the light again? He’d lost his first love, but is he ready for a forever love?

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

FINDING MERCY (The Next Generation Series Book #3) by Riley Edwards is her new romantic suspense in the Next Generation Series. This generation of brothers, sisters and cousins are all a close extended family who serve in a variety of ways and in each book they meet their perfect match. This story is especially emotional and leans more to the romance of the story than the suspense. It can be read as a standalone because the crossover family characters are easily explained by the author.

DEA Agent Jason Walker married his first young love. He was faithfully by her side through her battle with cancer, but it changed their relationship. When the cancer returned, he refused to leave her side and held her until she died. For two long years, he has pushed his family away and wallowed in his self loathing, memories and misery.

DEA Agent Mercy James knows what it is like to grieve and be alone. Her mother died while giving her birth, her brother died of a drug overdose and her father died avenging his son’s death. Even with her loss, Mercy works to keep an upbeat attitude and moves always forward with her career and life. She also recognizes the sadness in Jason’s eyes.

When Jason and Mercy are partnered together on a case, sparks begin to fly. Mercy is straight-forward and a breath of fresh air in the self-imposed isolation Jason has surrounded himself in. He cannot resist her and her love of life. After having lost his first love, can Jason move forward to claim the forever love that Mercy is offering him?

This story had me emotionally wrapped up in Jason’s past and present. Ms. Edwards’ writing was so authentic in regards to how we can become so caught up in an emotional loop in our heads and how we need family, friends, whomever to sometimes help us find a way out. Mercy is a strong heroine which I always enjoy reading about. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous to the story. The suspense subplot in this book took a backseat to the romance, but it was a page turner especially at the end and it did tie into hopefully the next book in this series.

I can highly recommend this book and the whole series for a great romantic suspense read!

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About Riley

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.

Social Media

Facebook profile:  https://www.facebook.com/Novelist.Riley.Edwards/
Facebook Group—Riley’s Rebels: https://www.facebook.com/groups/882567735208878/
Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/rileyedwardsromance/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rileyedwardsrom
Amazon: author.to/RileyEdwardsAmazon
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/riley-edwards
All Author: https://allauthor.com/profile/rileyedwards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15080716.Riley_Edwards

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Giveaway

Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card

Html:

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Link: https://bit.ly/2T6P0V7

Book Review: Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

SAY YOU’RE SORRY (Sacramento #1, Romantic Suspense #22) by Karen Rose is an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense with a hero and heroine who are both damaged and yet extremely strong and a twisted serial killer who is only discovered when he picks the wrong victim. Every page of this dense thrill ride kept me guessing, surprised, tense and turning the pages. I love Karen Rose books and I feel this is the best Karen Rose romantic suspense to date!

Daisy Dawson is the sexy female voice on the morning drive radio show. Daisy involves herself whole-heartedly in her community and events with her emotional support dog, Brutus always in her carry bag. Seven years sober and away from her extreme upbringing on an isolated ranch, Daisy has done her best to live a normal life, until the night she confronts a man following her and her friend from AA.

FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds would normally have nothing to do with a local attack, but one of the detectives handling Daisy’s attack recognizes the design on a locket that Daisy ripped from her attacker’s neck. It is the same design that he once had tattooed on his chest. This is the first lead Gideon has to another who may have escaped the cult he was raised in until his escape at age 13.

When Gideon meets Daisy, he is surprised by his reaction to her. He has never disclosed his full past to anyone and yet he has the need to tell it all to Daisy. Daisy and Gideon are immediately thrown into a maelstrom of murders and as much as Gideon protects Daisy, Daisy will surprise Gideon with how prepared she is to face these threats on her own.

Thank goodness this is the first book in this new Sacramento series because I want so MUCH more! There is so much happening on these 640 pages. You have a current serial killer to catch and then you have a secretive, perverted religious cult to learn about and find which will story arc into future books. Gideon and Daisy are absolutely brilliant together. All of the secondary characters are starting to take shape and you want to know all of their secrets, too. This is an amazing start to this series and I am anxiously awaiting more!

Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC. It was everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense and more.

Book Review: A Merciful Fate by Kendra Elliot

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

A MERCIFUL FATE (Mercy Kilpatrick #5) by Kendra Elliot is the latest romantic suspense, mystery/suspense, FBI procedural, who cares what you call it, cannot put it down read featuring one of my favorite main characters! This is a series I recommend you read in order because each book builds on all of the characters’ relationships and secrets besides giving you new crimes and/or mysteries in each.

Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is thrown into a notorious, decades old bank robbery when the skeleton of one of the robbers is found in a decaying cabin. The mastermind of the team was captured and put in prison, but the money and the rest of the gang seem to have disappeared into thin air. Just as Mercy starts reinvestigating the robbery, a young tabloid reporter shows up in Eagle’s Nest asking questions that are threatening long buried secrets.

Police Chief Truman Daly gets pulled into the investigation when the reporter is found dead in her car. Some of the people have secrets and are not who they appear in the Eagle’s Nest community. Whether they are related to the old robbery or not, they want them kept secret. Mercy and Truman need to reveal them all to find the threat to their community and family. Some long held friends and neighbors are not who or what they seem.

This series just keeps getting better and better. The old, unsolved robbery is an intriguing crime plot that builds the suspense and threat level at a rapid rate throughout the story. I was very surprised throughout the resolution. I love Mercy and Truman’s relationship and how Mercy is learning to navigate their relationship while balancing everything with her long held prepper lifestyle. All of the secondary characters are becoming fully fleshed out characters that I look for now in each book.

My only slight criticism of this series is that I believe Mercy’s father may have a point. Not his indifference or stubbornness, but the people around Mercy seem to be injured or killed quite frequently. In most series the main character is injured or almost killed so many times you wonder how they can keep recovering and working, but it is those around Mercy who suffer this author’s wrath.

That said, I highly recommend this series and Mercy! I always look forward to reading these books and catching up with all of the Eagle’s Nest community.