Category Archives: Standalone

Horror, Standalone

#REVIEW – Death Blooms by Yolanda Olson

Leave a comment

I deal in beautiful things.

I’m paid to create unique masterpieces and I enjoy my work.

I’m the best there is because I’m patient, kind, and quick.

I wear the mask of humanity when I need to, and I play the part of just another stranger walking past you on the street, but there’s something I want that I can’t quite seem to get my hands on.

For all of the blood I shed—for all of the flesh I’ve stripped, there’s only one touch that I long to feel. I may be a master of manipulation, yet when it comes to the hope of something that’s just mine—something unexplainable toward another living creature that I long so desperately for, I’m a coward.

But there’s only so many times I’ll be willing to stand by and watch what I want walk away from me before I acquire it.

I’ve had enough patience and I’ve scolded myself more than once over this and I refuse to wait any longer.

We belong together.

Twinsie Jo’s Review

While we usually review romance books on our page, I decided to read something new. I’m a huge fan of Stephen King and he’s usually the only horror author that I read. Or have read anyway. But I’m taking 2019 to read all new to me authors. Or try to at least.

So I didn’t read the blurb to this book but fell in love with the cover when Yolanda shared it forever ago. I’ve also had this book on my kindle for awhile now and finally got a chance to pick it up. And I’m glad I did!

So we meet Gray. Gray is an artist of sorts and he has a secret. His best friend, Aiden, knows about this secret and supports him fully. She even helps him with his final art pieces.

Gray has had a crush on Penn for awhile. Aiden finally helps him in that department and both Gray and Penn end up together. Woot!

All through the book, Gray is working on his latest art project. He ends up showing Penn this piece as well and he’s also super supportive of Gray’s work. He even wants to help him.

I don’t want to ruin it but the ending has an epic twist. Not what I was predicting exactly but definitely what I was expecting. I think if you’re a fan of horror movies, you would definitely like this book.

Anti-Hero, Arranged Marriage, Standalone

#REVIEW – The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

Leave a comment

They say your first kiss should be earned.

Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky.

They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred.

Mine were broken before we left church.

They say your heart only beats for one man.

Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.

I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit.

Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage.

They say that all great love stories have a happy ending.

I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.

One kiss.
Two men.
Three lives.
Entwined together.

And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.

Twinsie Jo’s Review

This is my first book by LJ Shen and I have to say that it won’t be my last. I’m a fan of anti-heroes because I’m a firm believer that there’s good in everyone. Maybe that’s naive of me, but I still believe it to be the case. This is also my first arranged marriage type story as well. Oh and mafia. I’ve tackled like 3 tropes by reading this book.

Francesca Rossi is the daughter of a man who destroyed Wolfe Keaton’s life. Unfortunately for her, she ends up being the victim in all of this as Wolfe “buys” her to get back at Rossi and bring him down.

Wolfe Keaton. Tragic backstory. Broken man with a billion walls up. And did I mention that he’s kind of a dick? Well he is. A big one actually. But a part of me held onto that hope that he could actually be kind.

You start seeing it slowly. But without giving too much away, lets just say, they have a difficult road of being together.

Side note: The parts where I wasn’t sure if someone was cheating on someone, I felt a little sick. Nothing usually phases me while reading but those moments in this book made me nauseous. So kudos to the author for that!

Dark Romance, Promo, Standalone

#WOTRAuthor – Broken Scars by J.M. Walker – Teaser

Leave a comment

Broken Scars I ©JM Walker
(unedited and subject to change)

“How did you find me?”
“What do you mean?” I knew what he meant but there was no way I was giving in that easily. I didn’t know him. I may have been attracted to him, but I also wasn’t stupid.
“Online. You cracked my firewalls. How?”
“Ten down is—”
“Lily,” he barked.
I looked up, licking my lips. “What?”
His nostrils flared, his gaze following the swipe of my tongue as it slid across my bottom lip. “Answer the damn question,” he demanded, his voice husky.
I leaned back, crossing my arms under my chest. “Ask me nicely.”
His jaw clenched. “Lily.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Ask me nicely, Lucas.”
“Fuck.” He inhaled a sharp breath. “How did you crack my firewalls?”
“That’s not asking me nicely, but I really have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t even know what firewalls are.” Although the words leaving my mouth were all a lie, I didn’t move my gaze from his.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re good, Lily Pad. You’re really good.”
“What?” I batted my eyelashes innocently. “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Add to your TBR: https://tinyurl.com/y8huaenr I Coming 2019

Dark Romance, Promo, Standalone

#WOTR19- Broken Scars by J.M. Walker – Teaser

Leave a comment

Broken Scars I ©JM Walker
(unedited and subject to change)

Lucas was naked. Completely and utterly naked. He took off his eye patch, throwing it on the floor as well. “Happy?”
I slowly rose to my full height, taking in every inch of his naked body. His flaccid cock jumped under my scrutiny and that was when I noticed the tattoo. All of the tattoos. I knew his torso had been inked but I didn’t realize that most of his legs were and also his… “I…you’re tattooed. Everywhere.” A red octopus sat on his hip, one of its tentacles reaching the tip of his dick.
He turned around.
“Definitely everywhere.” Even his ass was covered. I reached out to touch him but thought better of it and pulled my hand back. He was covered in ink. From black and white to color, the intricate designs covered most of his body. But what I also saw, were scars. Jagged and ripped, it looked like he had been whipped.

Add to your TBR: https://tinyurl.com/y8huaenr I Coming 2019

Dark Romance, Promo, Standalone

#WOTR19 – Broken Scars by J.M. Walker – Teaser

Leave a comment


Broken Scars I ©JM Walker
(unedited and subject to change)

Searing agony ripped through me. My muscles shredded from my bones. Flesh ripped free, tearing and separating as the abuse only worsened.
It felt like I was being torn up by an animal.
My limbs trembled. My skin became damp with sweat.
I tried forcing the evil away, but it only made them hurt me more.
Blue eyes stared back at me. They were filled with pain, pity, fear. So much damn fear.
I looked away as the screams shattered through me. As much as I did everything I could to fight off my attacker, my begging only heightened the violence laid upon my body.
“Please.” My voice, so young, so innocent. One word was all it took. One syllable was all that was needed to make the pain worsen. I wasn’t sure how that was even possible, but it was, and it happened.
“Next.”
A sob left me as the new attack was bestowed on my body. What felt like a lifetime later, the heavy weight on top of me lifted, taking all of my breath with it.
“You did well, Lucas.”
I turned my head away from the voice. Tears no longer fell down my cheeks. My body no longer hurt. I was numb. Completely and utterly numb.
My mind was broken. I was gone. Far past the point of shattered. My soul, if I even had one anymore, hid and shied away in the corners. The Devil himself would look away at this depravity.
Gentle hands roamed over my body, soothing the ache that had been permanently etched into my soul. Salve was rubbed into my skin. My cuts were bandaged. I was cleaned, fed and put back in my cage like the rest of them.
Animals. Pets. That’s what we were. All because our foster parents had an addiction. For hunger. Power. Money. Control. It was all about control. Over people smaller than them. One slap was all it took to force most to their knees. But me? No, I was bigger. It took a lot more than a slap to force me to submit. And I paid for it. I always paid for it.
I vowed from that point on that I would do whatever I could to rid the world of monsters like them.
Even if I died trying.

Add to your TBR: https://tinyurl.com/y8huaenr I Coming 2019

Family Orientated, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Shifters, Standalone, Wolves

#Review #Shifter #BadAlphaDads A Mate for Jackson (a True Mates Stand-alone) by Alicia Montgomery

Leave a comment

Bad Alpha Dad Jackson Forrest’s got a lot on his plate.

A business to run.

A clan of unruly werewolves.

And of course, a trouble-maker of a son whose mission is to cause as much chaos in his life as possible.

What happens when his well-meaning family tries to set him up?

Liz Cimms seems to be the perfect woman – beautiful, smart, and would make a great mate and mother to his wild son.

Then why can’t he get nerdy Jordan Matsumoto out of his mind?

Download this sexy shifter paranormal romance now!

**Part of the True Mates Series, but can be read as a standalone**

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book.

Welcome back to Alicia Montgomery True Mates world.

What’s hotter than a alpha wolf?  A alpha wolf that’s a dad of course!!!

Jackson is alpha to the Shenandoah Clan.  He is also a single father raising a pre-pubescent shifter with only the help he gets from his mom since the child’s mother left when he was a baby.

Jordan is a wolf that really does not work well with others, not that she’s mean or anything just that she likes to do things her way without the input of others.  She is also analytical which is good as a scientist in the labs at the Fenrir Corporation bad that it also goes hand in hand with her not working well with others.

Jackson runs a corporate retreat that the Fenrir Corporation uses and  Jordan is forced to go one it or she loses her job.

It’s so funny when you have your mind set on what you think will be a good fit in a partner but fate has other plans.

Jackson thinks he wants a woman that will be good living in the country, was raised in the kinda life he was, and has business sense.

Jordan hates the outdoors, which is crazy as a shifter, but she likes Austin Jackson’s son.  Actually they like each other, find that they have similar likes.

What should not go together fits like a glove and Jackson and Jordan fit perfectly even if they fight it. 

Montgomery brings us a hot dad, a scary rouge shifter, a misunderstood kid, and love.

You can totally read this story without having read any of the True Mates series, but it is a series that I can say you won’t wanna miss.

Goodreads

Amazon

Alicia Montgomery has always dreamed of becoming a romance novel writer. She started writing down her stories in now long-forgotten diaries and notebooks, never thinking that her dream would come true. After taking the well-worn path to a stable career, she is now plunging into the world of self-publishing.

Sexy shifters, billionaires, alpha males, and of course, strong, sexy female characters are her favorite to write. Alicia is a wanderer, along with her husband, they travel the world and have lived in various spots all over the world.

Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance, M/F/M, M/M, Review, Standalone, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR19 – #Review – Last Breath by Kerri Ann

Leave a comment

 

Last Breath

 

Appearing on my doorstep, covered in the darkest blood and seeping death from their pores, I immediately knew they were dangerous men.
Though I wasn’t afraid; I was excited. Their beauty was in their madness. They were my release from this life.

As the only caregiver to my dementia-clouded, hateful grandmother, my life had become stagnant. There’s been no great love story, no fun, no excitement, and only a regimented routine to keep what’s left of my sanity intact.

Maybe sanity is overrated?

I dreamt of having that great love of a lifetime. I dreamt of more than this life. They’re showing me there’s more to this world.
That not all love is sweet.
I don’t need roses or sweet words.
Death I’ve found can be sweeter.

Salem and Malachi mean more to me than my next breath.

 

Goodreads

 

Oh holy…..I just don’t even know how to finish this sentence. It’s so dark and twisted, beautifully evil….SOUL TORTURING! I swear this author is a lunatic!!!! We start with Salem and Malachi. They run away to leave an evil behind that Salem was subject to. Salem the tinder and Malachi the match. These two thrive on each other. Dangerous, dark, thick, and absolutely sinister. These two are looking for a place to crash after one of their “indiscretions” with a murder. They run across Joy and her grandmother who has dementia. The guys more or less push themselves into Joy’s home but she doesn’t exactly make them leave. They are dark, mysterious, and intriguing. They all have something about them that they are all drawn to. They are pulled together like magnets, like gravity. They all feed off of each other’s darknesses. At first they murder or kill when there is a reason. The bad people that hurt others that run into this trio has hell to pay. Again, it starts off as more of a retribution type of thing but turns into something much darker and more sinister. These characters are CRAZY! But completely normal to each other. Their love for each other is undeniable, but again, lord help whoever crosses their path because they take their love to entire different level. There’s sex, gore, love, twists, gut punches, throat slices, torturing….it is a maddening mindfuck! Stop listening to me ramble and just go pick it up and read it….you won’t be sorry….or will you? Muwahahahahaha!!!

 

BookBub

Amazon

Kobo

GooglePlay

B&N

Apple

 

Kerri Ann

Dark, light, angsty, sexually charged and twisted.

Heart wrenching stories are what I love to write. The muse directs the story. I’m the instrument of their lives.

I won’t guarantee an HEA or HFN, because life doesn’t have those.

Enjoy the OMG’s and tears.

Kerri Ann

Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Shifters, Standalone, Wolves, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR – #Review – Refuge (Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary) Book #2 by Teresa Gableman

Leave a comment

Refuge (Stone's Wolf Sanctuary) Book #2

 

Consumed with a need for revenge, Cole Jackson becomes blind to all he should hold dear. It’s not until vengeance has been carried out that he realizes what he’s almost lost.

After being brutally attacked, Leeza Snow, has kept her head up with her pride intact. What everyone doesn’t see is the shattered heart she conceals, not only from her pack but from the man she’s destined to be with.

While time can heal scars, it will take trust to offer a promise of a happy future.

 

Goodreads

 

Cole and Leeza! Love these two! Both of these characters are incredibly strong people. Leeza helping the pack adjust to Eric, the new Alpha, after her brother dies is amazing and Cole, being Eric’s younger brother but with Alpha tendencies, is hot! After a terrible attack where one of the pack members is raped the pack has overwhelming feelings of more or less being worthless since they weren’t able to protect one of their own. As some misunderstandings are dealt with we get to see more into Leeza’s and Cole’s emotions for one another. Leeza is not looking for an alpha and Cole is totally alpha. Trying to adjust to these different emotions between the two is intense as they are both dealing with their own demons. Some tragedies come at a price but seeing how the pack comes together to protect their own is super inspiring. When push comes to shove we find out what everyone’s true colors are. The story will suck you in and keep a hold of you right to the very end. I am sooooo looking forward to the next!

 

Amazon

BookBub

 

Teresa Gabelman

Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’, Lee County Wolves Series and Rodeo Romance (Contemporary). When not writing about alpha vampires, sexy shifters, hot cowboys and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.

Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!

Website: www.teresagabelman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Gabelman/191553587598342
Email: tgabelman@live.com

****Paranormal****
Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1
Jared (The Protectors Series) Book #2
Duncan (The Protectors Series) Book #3
Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4
Adam (The Protectors Series) Book #5
Slade (The Protectors Series) Book #6
A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors Series) Book #7
Jax (The Protectors Series) Book #8
Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9
Blaze (The Protectors Series) Book #10
The Invisible Warrior (The Protectors Series) Book #11
Ronan (The Protectors Series) Book #12 COMING SOON

Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves) Book #1
Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves) Book #2
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3
Forbidden Temptation (Lee County Wolves) Book #4 COMING SOON

****Paranormal Single Titles****
The Enforcer
Sanctuary
Karma’s Revenge RELEASE DATE 5-1-18

Magic and Mayhem Kindle Worlds
Wicked *itch RELEASE DATE 10-25-17

****Contemporary****
Rodeo Romance
Blind Faith

Fantasy, Historical Romance, Part of a Series, Shifters, Standalone, Thriller, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR – #Review – Shifter’s Pride (Spirit Walker’s Saga Thrillers Book 2) by Laura Hawks

Leave a comment

 

Shifter's Pride (Spirit Walker's Saga Thrillers Book 2)

 

Detectives Shaw and Shade are more than your average crime solvers; they are Spirit Walkers.

When they catch a gruesome murder, they’re able to discern the killer has been active since the end of WW2 and the number of killings seem to be increasing in frequency.

They have one lead – Feather Woods – who appears to have known each of the victims. Is she being stalked or is she the culprit?

The detectives race to find out before Shade becomes the next victim.

 

Goodreads

 

This is a supernatural shifter thriller with some great history. This is book two in the saga but can be read as a standalone. I did not read the first but am incredibly intrigued to do so. At the very beginning we get some of the gruesome. There has been a murder and it was one of Feather’s best friends. Then another murder and it seems to be linked with Feather again. The detectives that interview her are shifters as well and know more of the history of Feather along with her brother, Raine. Ren, the lead detective, knows Feather from the 1800’s and soon Feather is reminded of who he is. Ren instantly wants to help Feather but his partner, Apple Shade, thinks Feather is the reason for the murders. This story goes back and forth between the 1800’s, WW2 and the present. There have been multiple murders over the past years that fit the same as these current murders. Now they are delving deep into the past to try and find the serial killer. While they are all investigating they find that they are all in danger. While they are leaning on each other some major feeling develop and then we get some sweet sexy time (wags eyebrows). But the way that this entire story unfolds, along with the back and forth from past and present, really keeps you on your toes. There are many twists and turns but at the risk of giving spoilers I am recommending this to everyone. It is very interesting and intriguing. This is a first for me from Laura Hawks but won’t be the last!

 

 

 

Laura Hawks

Ms. Hawks has always been interested in writing in some form or other. A few years back, she was involved with and then ran a Star Trek Interactive Writing Group which was successful for a number of years. Yes, she is a trekker and proud of it.

A few years back, she received her Master’s Degree in Ancient Civilizations, Native American History and United States History.

It was at this time she got involved in role playing on FaceBook, which gave her ample opportunities to grow and hone her writing ability.

Today she has several books out, including the Demon Trilogy, a couple of stand alone’s and a non-fiction souvenir book on the Balconies of New Orleans. She recently wrote a Suspense/Thriller which is her second non-paranormal book.

She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her three companions, all males… cats. She travels as much as she can to various Author/Reader conventions and loves to meet established fans and make new ones, some of which she considers friends more than fans. Check out her FB page https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Hawks-249262585192270/?fref=ts to see where she is going next.. maybe you can join her.

New Release, Standalone

#review – CRAZY SEXY NOTION by Sarah Darlington

Leave a comment
Title: Crazy Sexy Notion
Author: Sarah Darlington
Release Date: January 2, 2018
Standalone. Full-length. HEA.
COVER DESIGNED BY:  LETITIA HASSER, RBA DESIGNS
My former best friend…is now a hooker…
 
MICK
After a terrible breakup, the crazy notion hit me to look up my childhood friend. With half a country between us, I haven’t seen Raven since the day my dad rushed in and saved me from the Sandy Hill Trailer Park. But I loved Raven as a boy, and now I need to find out if I could love her as a man. Only problem: her profession.
Come to find out—she’s a prostitute.
 
RAVEN
Mickey Lawson
Yeah, I hate that guy.
Really, he’s only a faint memory now, but at one point in time he meant everything to me.
My protector. My savior. My best friend.
I was ten.
Then he left.
Now he’s back.
Fifteen years too late.

 

I receive this book from the author for an honest review.

When I saw the sign ups for the book I jumped because I am a fan of Sarah’s other series.  Boy was I stunned at the different theme this book carried then the others I have read…LOL

This book is about a guy, Mickey, who decides to go and find his best friend after 10 years of being gone because he father took him away from the poverty he was living in.  Mickey has grown up in a lavish life with his father’s money and was fortunate to play baseball but there has never been someone to take ahold of his heart like Raven did.  Mickey is a little bit stunned to find out his girl is a prostitute when he goes to find her and she has a child.  Not really the reunion he was thinking it would be.

Raven loved Mikey but he abandoned her when she was 10.  He has become the past and she is all about the future.  She needs to take care of her and her child not daydream about the past.  I loved her sassy persona.  She is not taking Mickeys crap and he soon realizes his womanizing ways will not work on her at all.

The story was cute and I liked the idea of a long lost love returning to claim you.

 
 
Sarah Darlington, a New Adult and contemporary romance author, lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Best known for her Kill Devil Hills Series, she’s also a former flight attendant, with a degree in school counseling, who harbors a huge passion for traveling.