Category Archives: Standalone

Bully, Dark, Dark Romance, M/M, Standalone

#Review – Bully King by Andi Jaxon

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I’m the pastor’s son.
He’s the star quarterback for a small Kentucky high school.
While the town worships him, I pray for God to take my life.
He makes my life a living hell by making me his victim.
This perverse game we play could end us both.
How can something that feels so right be so wrong?
The price if the truth is discovered is death, but I can’t stop.
Neither can he.
No one can know.
Can I risk it?
Is Roman King worth dying for?

*This story is a bully romance including dubious consent, assault, talk of suicide and is intended for readers 18+. Please proceed with caution.*

Twinsie Jo’s Review:

Oh my gosh. Where do I even begin?????? So I’ve known Andi Jaxon for awhile now. She started out as a client (I do designing on the side) and then we became friends AND to top it off, she reads my stuff too!! I’m also an author but I consider her a friend first and foremost! Anyway. So she had me read a novella about Roman and Jonah and I was like, sure! It was short, I had time, so I figured, why not right?? I read it, loved it but needed more. Which usually happens after reading a novella. Am I right? I knew Bully King was about Roman and Jonah and of course I had pre-ordered it. So when Andi offered me an ARC, I was himming and hawing because I wasn’t sure if I would get it read in time for release day. According to Goodreads, I read it in 4 days, which hasn’t happened to me in quite awhile. I’m a super slow reader but GAH, this book!

First, if you love MM (male/male) books, you absolutely HAVE to pre-order this now or one-click this on release day!

This book borders on dark. It deals with some sensitive subjects but it was so well written, it’s easy to see through the darkness to find the light.

Both Roman and Jonah spoke to me.

While Roman had a difficult life at home, Jonah’s home life wasn’t easy either. Being a gay kid with a preacher of a father, especially with where they live, made it even more difficult.

Jonah: Oh my gosh, this sweet sweet boy. His fear over what his father would think if he found out his son is gay. His fear over what the town would think. His fear is real. It’s there. It’s raw.

Roman: This boy stressed me out something fierce. He was mean but nice. Cold but warm. He needed Jonah but pushed him away. His pain was in your face and you saw it even though he hid it.

I absolutely loved Mary! And the rest of the side characters!

Jonah and Roman together was insane. They were passionate and aggressive.

There were parts of this story that even I had a hard time reading and had to put my tablet down for a breath or two. There was also a chapter where I held my breath through it all. A book has not caused these sort of feelings to stir in me in such a long time.

10 stars, Andi! 10 freaking huge bright shiny stars! I am so proud of you! Now give me more words. xx

Fantasy Romance, New Release, Paranormal, Review, Standalone, Witches, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR21 #NewRelease #Review – No Love for the Wicked by Jessica Cage

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No Love for the Wicked

A desire for Light. A mark for Dark. A fate that would change the world.

Sierra Grey is a Daughter of the Dark, she’s a wicked witch. As good as she is at being bad, it never felt right to her. There was always the longing for something more, something she shouldn’t give two cents about, LOVE.

Unfortunately for Sierra, love was not something that could penetrate the icy exterior of the heart of a Daughter of the Dark.
Just as she’d accepted that it was her destiny to be alone, everything changed.

Her unexpected attraction to Horacio, a Light witch, goes much deeper than a physical attraction. Her budding feelings for him are not only against the law, but it puts a target on her head.

Will Sierra ignore her misplaced emotions and return to the Dark or will she risk it all for the chance of something more?


No love for the Wicked is a standalone Novella by USA Today Bestselling Author Jessica Cage.

Pick up this dark adventure today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

 

In a parallel world with Earth, Sierra is a Daughter of the Dark. She is not destined for love or any type of an HEA. However, she has always felt different and that she was meant for the Light. She tries to keep her friendships with the Lights but as life goes on it gets more difficult every day. But one day, she runs into a Light hottie named Horacio and can not stop thinking about him. All of her senses are on high alert. She is sent on a mission with Horacio and here is where the trouble starts. Both of them can’t deny their attraction and naturally, sparks fly! Here is where things really get messy. While both of them have always abided by the rules and did what they were supposed to do, something more sinister was going on and they were at the very root of it. When the twists start coming, they do not stop. Secrets are uncovered and then they really have to decide what is right and what is wrong…then decide if they go down that path. Now, this is a novella and is a quick read but the author did a great job putting a lot of action, sexy time, and snark into such a fast read. The ending had me completely shocked. I had no idea that it was going this way and that it would end right there. There were some areas where I wish there was more to the story or areas that could have been elaborated on, but then it wouldn’t be a novella. All in all, it was a great read that gives you a little bit of everything in a small action packed package.

 

Jessica Cage

Award winning and USA Today Bestselling author, Jessica Cage was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Writing has always been a passion for her. She dabbles in artistic creations of all sorts but at the end of the day, it’s the pen that her hand itches to hold. Jessica had never considered following her dream to be a writer because she was told far too often “There is no money in writing.” So she chose the path most often traveled. During pregnancy, she asked herself an important question. How would she be able to inspire her unborn son to follow his dreams and reach for the stars, if she never had the guts to do it herself? Jessica decided to take a risk and unleash the plethora of characters and their crazy adventurous worlds that had previously existed only in her mind, into the realm of readers. She did this with hopes to inspire not only her son but herself. Inviting the world to tag along on her journey to become the writer she has always wanted to be. She hopes to continue writing and bringing her signature Caged Fantasies to readers everywhere.

Join the Caged Readers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CagedReaders/



Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #AttendingAuthor #PartofaSeries Just One Kiss (Oh Tequila 4) by CA Harms

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What do you get when you mix Tequila with a house full of rowdy Fraternity brothers who have no boundaries? A cucumber, a pink thong, and a bottle of lube. Oh yeah, and super glue. There is always super glue…

Parties, drinking, and plenty of mornings where you can’t remember what you did the night before…that was my life.

Yet, there was one memory that lingered in my mind. Ten minutes in the woods with Palmer that got too intense to ignore.

But ten minutes with her wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

She’s a force, one that swept in unexpectantly, knocked me on my ass and left me with an intense craving. Palmer tried to fight it with every fiber in her being, but I could see the desire in her eyes. That curiosity that lived inside of her, wondering what it would be like if she just gave in…again.

I had to convince her that our time together wasn’t a mistake. That she wants me as much as I want her. We share a connection, a bond, that has changed me in ways I never expected. She saved me. And to think…

It all started with Just One Kiss.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43070788-just-one-kiss?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=s9FqCDabDW&rank=44

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Kiss-Tequila-Book-ebook/dp/B07L1X3CMP/ref=sr_1_45?crid=22FQUVYWBCTMS&dchild=1&keywords=ca+harms&qid=1594325463&sprefix=CA+Ha%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-45

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book and this is my honest opinion

I freaking loved this tight ball of sexual tension relationship. Corbin is bound to get under more then Palmer’s skin, he wants all of her and little does he know she wants him too just as much but she’ll never let him know that. When a horrible accident happens sending Corbin into a spiral of drugs, drinking and falling into a black hole, Palmer is the only one who can pull him out of it and bring him back. When her past has the key to bringing him back, but it’s the one secret she isn’t ready to let out of the vault yet. These two are amazing and I just loved them so much.

C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She’s always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes…thankfully.

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better…that quietness changes, fast

Bikers, Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR21 #AttendingAuthor #PartofaSeries Before Us (Next Generation 3) by J.M. Walker

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Our relationship was toxic.

Intense.

Brutal.

When she slipped out of my hotel room, I made it my mission to have her back in my bed.

She ran.

I chased.

And when we finally crashed, I’d have to save her from the one person she trusted most…

Me.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52760653-before-us

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Before-Us-Next-Generation-Book-ebook/dp/B08F4LT4TM/ref=sr_1_14?crid=35J3R4KI43RO7&dchild=1&keywords=jm+walker+kindle+books&qid=1597088879&sprefix=Jm+wa%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-14

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was given this book and this is my honest opinion

Every relationship has its issues,  after always having a crush on each other since they were little and after a unforgettable night in Paris, Piper and Jaron. Once back home these two have a lot to figure out but the main thing is they are keeping Paris their secret something that no one can take away from them. Jaron and Piper will have to fight for everything they both know they want but know isnt good for either of them. This once again is a normal story yes it stirs up some emotions from the previous book but that isn’t going to be forgiven and J.M.  knows this just grab your tissues and let the tears flow for a minute and keep on reading. Your going to keep falling in love with these characters and this story.

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

Fireman, Part of a Series, Review, Standalone

#review #shortstory Dirty Little Secret Santa by Alexis Adaire

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All Callie wanted for Christmas was a good man.

All Grayson wanted was a good woman.

Luckily, they were both on Santa’s “Nice” list.

But if they don’t quit ignoring the obvious and let Santa’s magic work, they might never get together.

Looks like Santa will have to dig deep into his bag to pull off this very special Christmas gift

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43291272-dirty-little-secret-santa

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Little-Secret-Santas-Coming-ebook/dp/B07M5BJR37/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Dirty+Little+Secret+Santa+%28Santa%27s+Coming…+%231%29+by+Alexis+Adaire&qid=1593312651&sr=8-1

I bought this book and this is my honest opinion

Callie wanted one thing for christmas a boyfriend thats not too much to ask right? Well thats was she finds herself asking Santa for when her niece makes her also sit on his lap at the mall. Greyson finds himself giving Santa a ride to the bus stop after hes done at the mall and when Santa ask him what he wants for christmas he says a good girl who is hot. well you can call it fate or a christmas miracle but with the help from Santa these two path were forced to cross and nothing was going to stop it from them meeting up. how many signs does it take for them to get the hint if they do at all. just remember your never too old to believe in the magic of Santa

Review by Twinsie Dee

Living in the Pacific Northwest, Alexis Adaire spends too much time indoors, cuddling under blankets, emerging from the bedroom periodically to refill her coffee mug and write stories.

Alexis likes to take her readers to those secret, unspeakable corners of their fantasies they barely even knew existed.

Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #AttendingAuthor #PartofaSeries Feel My Love (Lovelly Book 4) by Clara Stone

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When it comes to family, truth matters.

For Vincent Gallo, family is everything. It’s the one thing he and the Lovellys have always seen eye to eye on. And when it comes to saving his half-brothers from their abusive mom, he’s determined to do anything—even be indebted to a Lovelly. 

But the second Ivy Rose bumps into him, she’s all he can think about. Mesmerizing, gorgeous, and seemingly mute, it’s not until he gets home that he realizes, she’s a Lovelly, too. Suddenly, he understands what drew Ace and Jessica to the Lovellys. But as a long-lost half-sister, Ivy’s life hasn’t seen the privilege bestowed upon her brothers. In fact, in some ways, it mirrors Vincent’s own.

With his half-brothers’ future at stake, can he really afford to let his heart win? Or is falling for Ivy Rose a distraction that’ll cost him everything?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51315596-feel-my-love

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Love-Standalone-Interconnected-Emotional-ebook/dp/B083999YX1/ref=sr_1_2?crid=30ZBKF1EPQGOI&dchild=1&keywords=clara+stone&qid=1594668045&sprefix=Clara+st%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-2

I was given this book and this is my honest opinion

I don’t even know how to form words for how much I loved this book. The Lovelly family has been in my heart for years and to see the last book have the end typed out hurts my heart I wasn’t ready to say goodbye but it was a great book for saying goodbye with. Ivy is the long lost sibling that has just found the Lovelly’s and at first she doesn’t want to leave her life now even though it’s not the perfect life it was her. Vincent grew up with a drug addicted step mother, has been in jail for anger issues, and is now trying to turn his life around and get custody of his 3 younger brothers from his step mom. One day he ran into a girl at the mall and ended up with Dr Pepper all over him and well you might say it was love at first sight once he looked into Ivy’s eye. This love story is one for the books it’s heartwarming, selfless and beautiful Ivy and Vincent are the prefect storm.

Review by Twinsie Dee

Clara Stone writes YA/NA Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance stories and is a complete sucker for sweet, memorable kisses. She strongly believes that true love conquers EVERYTHING, along with a tub of Ice cream!

When she isn’t reading or writing or dancing, much to the embarrassment of her husband and two kids, she’s probably watching Supernatural and The Walking Dead.

Standalone, Suspense

#REVIEW – Secret Slave by Anna Ruston

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You’re not going home. You’re not going anywhere. You’re mine now.

Growing up in a deeply troubled family, 15-year-old Anna felt lost and alone in the world. So when a friendly taxi driver befriended her, Anna welcomed the attention, and agreed to go home with him to meet his family. She wouldn’t escape for over a decade.

Held captive by a sadistic paedophile, Anna was subjected to despicable levels of sexual abuse and torture. The unrelenting violence and degradation resulted in numerous miscarriages, and the birth of four babies… each one stolen away from Anna at birth.

Her salvation arrived thirteen years too late, but despite her shattered mind and body, Anna finally managed to flee. This is her harrowing, yet uplifting, true story of survival.

Twinsie Jo’s Review:

I’ve had this book on my kindle for a long time now. I saw the paperback at an airport during my travels but completely forgot I had purchased the ebook until I was looking through my list of books that I haven’t read yet.

After finishing my last book, I decided to open this one up and I have not felt this consumed by a story in…well…in forever. It has taken me on a journey, one that I’m thankful I’ve never had to experience in real life.

This book is about a girl who was kidnapped at the age of 15 and abused for 13 years. This is NOT a romance. Not in the least. It’s based on true events and guys, it hurts. It hurts so freaking much. I had to take a break after every chapter.

I’m a romance reader. I will always be a romance reader. I love my horror and darker reads as well. Dark romance is one of my favourite things to write but reading it, knowing that it actually happened to some poor little girl or that it happens every day…it was the hardest book I have read in quite a long time. Maybe ever.

If you love to read books based on true events, then I highly suggest this one. But please be warned, bad things happen. Awful, unspeakable things happen. But I think everyone needs to know this little girl’s story.

Dragons, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Reverse Harem, Review, Shifters, Standalone, Suspense, Vampire, Wolves

#WOTR20 #Review – Blindly Indicted (Paranormal Prison) by Katie May

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Blindly Indicted (Paranormal Prison)

I lived my life as a prisoner.

I’ve always been told stories about the real world, but I haven’t seen it for myself. All I have ever known is pain.

And darkness.

They tell me I have been blind since birth.

When I make my escape, I think freedom is finally within my grasp…

Until I’m captured by the paranormal police for a murder I didn’t commit. Apparently, I have powers—powers I have always suspected myself of having.

Normal people can’t see through other people’s eyes, right?

Thrust into Nightmare Penitentiary, I meet a group of hard, alpha, psychotic inmates who believe I’m the answer to all their prayers. Me? I’m just trying to survive and figure out what it means to live. My new home isn’t just a prison, but a labyrinth with horrors around every corner.

But what if the cost of my life is my freedom? Am I willing to trade one cage for another?

Welcome to Nightmare Penitentiary where you come in handcuffs and leave in a body bag.

This is NOT a bully romance. These men are all hardened criminals and extreme alphas, but they adore their female. Be prepared to enjoy a painfully naïve female main character who slowly grows as the book progresses and a group of psychotic, murderous males. This book contains strong language, sexual situations, and a reverse harem romance.


Goodreads


Amazon

BookBub

Welcome to the Land of Misfit Toys…only for Monsters. I loved the concept of this story and was sucked right in once I read the blurb. I am rounding this up to 4 because there were some really amazing parts of the story. I started the book and was completely engrossed, I mean completely sucked in. We start right when Nina is escaping a hell hole. She is blind but can see through other’s eyes. She has been held captive from a very young age. When the author puts in the blurb “ Be prepared to enjoy a painfully naive female main character who slowly grows as the book progresses…”, this is exactly what you will get. Nina is smart but really is painfully naive and at times I had to roll my eyes at just how dense she was. But we get beyond this, she is being framed for a murder she didn’t commit and is deposited in Nightmare Penetentiary, a labryinth prison for paranormal criminals. Little does she know, her best friend, Kai, who was imprisoned with her in the hell hole she escaped from, ends up being king of the prison she is deposited in. But from here we meet all of his comrades, right hand men, lackeys, whatever you want to call them. They are all equally as twisted and insane as the next but all very different from one another. The one thing they have in common is Nina. They are all drawn to her. Here is where the book lost me for a bit…We have to get to know her harem. Which is great and what we need to do but some of it took much more time than needed and sometimes felt a little unnecessary to the story itself. I was expecting more of the “action” and “story” while getting to know these crazy men with all their hawtness and alpha crazy coming out, but it seemed like the “action” and “story” were put on hold while getting to know them. However, the storyline amps back up again and takes you into a lot of “WTFs” and “where the hell did that come from?” type of stuff. So, it indeed drew me back in and turned out to have some crazy twists and turns that I needed. Although this isn’t one of my absolute favorites, I did enjoy the story and am intrigued enough to check out other stories from this author.

Katie May

Hello!
Well, I’m supposed to talk about something interesting. So I have two cats and two dogs (killing it). I am a romance author. I love to write and read anything with a strong, female lead and the men who love her.

Mythology, Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#Wotr #AttendingAuthor #SeriesStarter Deranged a Hades and Persephone Story (Twisted Myth Book 1) by Monica Corwin

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Since I was old enough to understand I knew I was worthless. A girl child when my powerful politician of a mother prayed for a boy. Someone to mold in her image. I stayed out of her way, until I couldn’t, and she made me regret every stumble, every misstep, every breath.

Like clockwork, she paid off doctors to drag me into a mental hospital at her most crucial career moments. I rotted behind cinderblock walls for six months at a time. It became my life…until I met him.

Ash. A one night stand in the back seat of his car turns into my only solace while locked away. He pretends I’m just another patient, until I force him to see me…the woman…Kory…someone who needs him more than anyone else.

My mother is a monster. I’m nothing more than a pawn. But Ash…he’s my salvation.

Hades and Persephone like you’ve never seen them. This is magic, this is menace, this is myth…with a dark twist.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49686246-deranged

Universal Link https://books2read.com/u/4Az0lp?fbclid=IwAR16jPvqvs2vVas3mMBJUZ7zvsoi22jCObiYQlY39j_jog3EvEKjVbw0sxY

I was given this book by the author for my honest opinion

When six months of the year Kory’s mom puts her up into a mental institution so that she isn’t in the way during her political campaign. One thing Kory’s mom never figured was that the doctor would actually look into her daughters past and figure out that there was really nothing wrong with her and there’s no reason she need to be mentally instituted. Until Ash came along he was a doctor that was going to look into all of his patients passed and try to figure out the real reason why all the past doctors would allow this to happen. It didn’t matter to him that Kory’s  mom was famous political personnel running for presidential office and had paid all the doctors to basically babysit her daughter. He was going to do what his rights were to make it his patient and get her out of the mental institution. But things seem to get tricky when lust fogs both Kory and Ash’s mine and they start falling for each other things get tricky and some might have to sell their soul to the devil. It’s over it was very enjoyable book not as dark as I thought it was going to be, but I really enjoyed it and it was pretty quick read.

Review by Twinsie Dee

Monica Corwin is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. She is an outspoken writer attempting to make romance accessible to everyone, no matter their preferences. As a Northern Ohioian, Monica enjoys snow drifts, three seasons of weather, and a dislike of Michigan football. Monica owns more books about King Arthur than should be strictly necessary. Also typewriters…lots and lots of typewriters.

Paranormal, Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #AttendingAuthor #SeriesStarter How to Spell Disaster (Unfortunate Spells Book 1) by Jennifer Laslie

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Being careless with magic is the best way to spell disaster.

Tucker didn’t think his love life could get any worse, until he comes across an antique spell book. When the translation goes awry, instead of finding one girl, he’s bombarded by women left and right. Now it’s jeopardizing both his job and sanity.

Tucker seeks answers at the occult shop, but the witchy owner advises him magic can’t always fix his problems. This time, only true love’s first kiss can lift the spell.

As the magic grows stronger, Tucker isn’t sure how much longer he can survive. But finding the right woman to kiss shouldn’t be too hard. Right?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41154365-how-to-spell-disaster?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=nLlvrLzsHo&rank=3

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Spell-Disaster-Unfortunate-Spells-Book-ebook/dp/B07Q9LQZSN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2331DOWO2KCLY&dchild=1&keywords=jennifer+laslie&qid=1586276883&sprefix=Jennifer+Las%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1

I bought this book and this is my honest opinion

Tucker wasn’t your typical guy, ok well he was for the most part. He went to work, ordered out, lived alone but he also enjoyed a good antique book, so when his best friend Brantley got a super old book in his family’s shop he called Tucker to let him know. So tucker rushed over to check it out and was super excited about this book. Turns out it was some type of spell book, and well Tucker’s love life wasn’t the greatest so once he figured out what was in the book he didn’t figure a little love spell would hurt to, well would it? After casting the spell nothing outta the blue happened the next day just maybe a few new eyes looking at him from women who never looked his way before, well after a few days Tucker got more nothin he had bargained for with this love spell because every woman in the tri- state area wanted a crack at him and when he finds out only true loves first kiss will break the spell he truly finds out that its gonna be harder to break this spell then he thinks. This book was down right hilarious, thinking that most guys would love to have every women chasing after him would be a dream come true and then regret if it the moment it happens. Don’t mess with magic kids is the moral of this story lol.

Review by Twinsie Dee

Jennifer Laslie is a crazy cat lady who lives in Utah with her wonderful family. Her office affords her a mountain view that she loves! When she’s not thinking about cheesecake or cats, she can be found in the bookstore in the Young Adult section, coffee in hand.