#Review – The Bloodless Assassin: Quirky Steampunk Fantasy (The Viper and the Urchin Book 1) by Celine Jeanjean

Blackmail an assassin? Who would do such a thing?

Someone pretty desperate, that’s who. Which is exactly the position Rory finds herself in.

As a scrawny, dreadlocked pickpocket who grew up on the street, life hasn’t given her a ton of options. On top of which, her partner in crime has screwed her over for all her money, so she can no longer pay for the sword master who was supposed to train her—her ticket to a new life.

She’s not prepared to give up on her dream of becoming a great sword fighter, though. Which is why when she stumbles across an assassin’s secret, she immediately sniffs an opportunity. Blackmail can be a pretty effective strategy, after all. If he trains her, she’ll keep her mouth shut.

The risks in blackmailing an assassin are pretty high, but if she can pull it off, she might finally be able to realise her dream.
That is until she realises that the assassin’s she’s blackmailing is nothing like what she thought, and she’s landed herself into far more trouble than she bargained for.

Delve into The Bloodless Assassin, book 1 of a complete 9 book series that’s packed with adventure, banter, and quirky characters, all set in a richly imagined tropical world.

Other books in the series:

#1 The Bloodless Assassin
#2 The Black Orchid
#3 The Slave City
#4 The Doll Maker
#5 The White Hornet
#6 The Shadow Palace
#7 The Opium Smuggler
#8 The Veiled War
#9 The Rising Rooks

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This was nothing like what I expected…at all. Rory is a street urchin who has lead a tough life, but lifting purses and pillaging for coins is how she gets by. Her partner in crime, ends up turning on her and she is left to her own devices. Longinus, aka The Viper, is an assassin that ultimately is afraid of blood. He doesn’t care to actually fight for a kill but would rather it be an elaborate thing using poison. Longinus is an alchemist and longs for notoriety. I understood Rory’s character completely. However, Longinus took me longer as we had to really get to know him. The chemistry between the characters is very dynamic and I truly enjoyed them, and their stories. The story had some curvy plot twists and nothing was predictable, which I very much appreciated! I don’t think that I would characterize the book as “steampunk” but definitely more along the lines of sci-fi. Even though it wasn’t what I expected, I enjoyed the story. This is a good book if you are looking for something different to read that can be read as a standalone OR with the series. It wrapped up quite nicely!

Celine Jeanjean profile image

Celine is a nomadic writer who roams the world laptop in hand, having adventures and then telling stories inspired by those adventures. Kind of like a digital storytelling wanderer.

Her stories feature complex but flawed characters, lots of quirkiness, snappy banter, and richly imagined worlds.

If you’re ready to escape to new worlds and make new book friends, go to http://celinejeanjean.com/freebook/ to grab yourself some exclusive, free novellas.

#WOTR24 #Review Immortal Enemies: A STANDALONE Vampire Romance by Jessie Lane

More than a thousand years ago, their love burned brighter than the sun. Now, the only thing that burns is his hatred for the woman he once sacrificed his life to save… and his skin in the daylight. Arne Eriksson grew up in a time when Vikings ruled the seas. He’d longed for the day he would earn his entrance to Valhalla. A treasured afterlife he’d never see since being turned into a vampire. The person responsible for making him a monster—the woman he’d once wanted to marry. Liv Nornsdottir was the outcast of the Viking era. The daughter of the mystical Norns, she hid from the world around her. All except for one… a boy who grew into the man she came to love. When he sacrificed himself to protect her, she did the only thing she could think of to save him—she had him turned into a vampire. Something so taboo she knew it would cost her Arne’s affections for all eternity. In the moment, she didn’t think, she reacted. She’s been running from him ever since. Lovers turned to immortal enemies. The problem is… he’s found her. And Arne is none to happy to learn the woman who damned him to an eternity without glory is also his mate.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am a sucker for vampires, but when I read the blurb, I was immediately drawn in because we now have a Viking Vampire! Yes please! Arne is a true Viking and looks forward to raiding, protecting his family and earning his entrance to Valhalla. He is absolutely enamored by Liv. He spends much of his time more or less stalking her because he just can’t get enough. He is drawn to her by something unknown. When he and Liv finally become friends, things blossom between these two. They grow up together but have to keep their friendship hidden. It is an incredibly slow burn. Liv is very mysterious and just “knows things.” She knows, and fears, the fact that she has seen that Arne hates her for what she has to do. She can’t speak of it, but she knows. When the worst thing imaginable happens, she has to have him turned into a vampire so she won’t lose him.

The journey of these two getting to know each other, falling in love, and going through a thousand years before they crash together again was a great story. The Viking background was one of my favorite things about this story.

Jessie Lane profile image

Jessie Lane is an Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks Top 100 best-selling author. She writes Paranormal and Contemporary Romance that might make you laugh, cry or do both at the same time! A sometimes shy, sometimes hyper, but often snarky chick who’s addicted to books, caffeine & hot fictional men. She lives in Kentucky with her two crazy ass grown kids, her dad and her overprotective alpha husband that she’s pretty sure is a latent grizzly bear shifter. Jessie has a passionate love for reading and writing romance, cliff hanging suspense, and out-of-this-world characters that demand your attention or threaten to slap you around until you pay attention to them. So, you’re going to pay attention now, right? *winks*

#WOTR24 #Review – Five Day Fiance (Brewer Brothers #3) by Mickey Miller (Standalone or Series!)

“Hot, sweet, funny, a little bit angsty but most of all, it’s just a great story that will keep you enthralled.”

It started out as a joke. I needed a wedding date. Jocko Brewer at my office was the perfect candidate. Handsome. Rich. Slightly cocky. Great in bed. And now… my fiancé. The ring was his idea to get his mother off his back about ‘getting serious with someone.’ Flashing the enormous rock front of my ex in Cancún was a nice bonus. Jocko has his reasons for wanting this fake engagement, and I have mine. But I never imagined our time in the sun would be the best five days of my life. I definitely never thought I would fall for a man like Jocko, a player who has broken more hearts than I have pairs of shoes. But a deal’s a deal, and five days in paradise is all we get. Now how do I stop myself from falling in love? Because this is only temporary. Turns out five days can change your whole world.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is a fun, sexy, swoony, witty, and emotional story all wrapped up a five day vacation from heaven….or hell. A lot depends on what temptation you actually act on and if you have any regrets.  Allie seems like a sweet, girl next door, type of woman. She is dealing with an incredibly difficult breakup. In the midst of this, she is invited to her friend’s destination wedding, but everyone is coupled up. Plus, the real kicker, her ex will be there with his new fiancé. Whatever will she do? She asks her coworker, Jocko, the self-proclaimed forever bachelor, to go with her on a “fun” vacation. He immediately shuts this down but then agrees, but only if she agrees to play as his fiancé to get his mom off his back.

Right here, we all know this is a bad idea. But hey, what happens on vacation, stays on vacation. Right?! These two have an intense chemistry, but neither have acted on anything as they are coworkers, Jocko doesn’t mix work with pleasure and Allie was taken. All of that is thrown to the wind and they both have an incredible time. However, it eventually blows up in their face. The hard facts are that they must face the music and figure out what they each will do.

The inner monologue from Allie and Jocko, both will give you something that we can all relate to. There is a wonderful balance of fun, sexy, swoons, wit, and emotions that will keep you turning the page. I thoroughly enjoyed this crazy story!

Mickey Miller profile image

Mickey Miller is a former college athlete, returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and musician.

Follow Mickey’s Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mickeymillerwrites/

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#WOTR24 #Review – The Risen: Reapers Book 2 by Tara Vasser

As a newly branded Reaper, my first mission was to Sanctuary Academy, a magical school for kids, to fight zombies. I mean Risen. Apparently the supernatural are quite sensitive when it comes to the categorization of the undead. And, okay, I wasn’t actually, technically, supposed to be there. But it turns out I have a knack for defeating the undead, so nobody complained too loudly about me tagging along.
My partner Gunnar and I figured it was a trap, courtesy of the Necromancer who has been dogging my steps from the moment I stumbled into this supernatural world. It was a trap, of course. But I wasn’t the intended prey as we suspected.
Stranded at the school, courtesy of a monster blizzard, I explore hidden passages and unlock new facets of my magical abilities in the process. I just hope I can unearth the secrets of Sanctuary Academy in time to rescue Gunnar from whatever grisly fate the Necromancer has planned.
As a newly branded Reaper, my first mission was to Sanctuary Academy, a magical school for kids, to fight zombies. I mean Risen. Apparently the supernatural are quite sensitive when it comes to the categorization of the undead. And, okay, I wasn’t actually, technically, supposed to be there. But it turns out I have a knack for defeating the undead, so nobody complained too loudly about me tagging along.
My partner Gunnar and I figured it was a trap, courtesy of the Necromancer who has been dogging my steps from the moment I stumbled into this supernatural world. It was a trap, of course. But I wasn’t the intended prey as we suspected.
Stranded at the school, courtesy of a monster blizzard, I explore hidden passages and unlock new facets of my magical abilities in the process. I just hope I can unearth the secrets of Sanctuary Academy in time to rescue Gunnar from whatever grisly fate the Necromancer has planned.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Being part of Death’s entourage and doing his bidding has not sat well with Chloe. She is a newly branded Reaper and still doesn’t understand fully what exactly she is. She is under Gunnar’s care and is supposed to be staying with Maude to continue her “education.” Since she wasn’t born into the supernatural world, she is very behind. Gunnar allows her to go with him to Sanctuary Academy to fight “the risen,” or in other words, zombies. Only these are unlike any zombies that the others have fought. It turns into a trap, Gunnar is kidnapped, and she is ordered by Death to stay at the school. Of course, Chloe can’t do what she is told as she is now just feeling like she can be useful. However, this turns into a mess too! As she is moonlighting as an Indiana Jones wannabe, she befriends one of the students, almost kills herself, learns new powers, and uncovers exactly what the kidnapping necromancer wants. Chloe just wants to do what’s right but can’t seem to get anyone to trust her to help. However, she did find some breadcrumbs that take her to Gunnar, but she now has even more questions as questions about her past and soul are triggered.

This story has a very intriguing and unique world. The characters can be very intense but are also witty and sincere. I am completely hooked and cannot wait to continue this series. I need to know what happens next!

Tara Vasser profile image

Tara is a writer who lives in the frozen north in Minnesota with her wonderful husband and two rambunctious little dudes. She is an engineer during the day, a crazy mom in the afternoon and a writer at night. She enjoys spending her time playing in the dirt when her gardens aren’t covered in snow and listening to a wide variety of music that inspires her writing – sometimes doing both at the same time.

Be sure to visit Tara’s web page and sign up for her newsletter for updates on works in progress and upcoming new releases! www.authortaravasser.com

#review #newrelease #partofaseries Rugged Southern Charmers (Magnolia Grove 4) by Fabiola Francisco

A childhood friends to lovers, small town romance

I never imagined I’d be back in my hometown, unemployed, and feeling like a failure. Getting involved with someone at work is a huge mistake, especially when he’s a famous football player, and I’m just a therapist they can easily replace.

The silver lining is reconnecting with my best friend…even if he is hot now. I can ignore that detail, right? I hope so because Dean’s helping me fix my grandma’s old cabin so I have a place to stay, and between seeing him shirtless and working with his hands, I might just give in to temptation.

Crossing that line should be awkward, but when he kisses me on a dare, I feel like he’s sparked life into me.

My time in Magnolia Grove is temporary while I figure out my next steps, and falling for Dean is not a part of my plans.

But sometimes challenges lead us back to where we’re meant to be.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201814207-rugged-southern-charmer

Amazon https://amzn.to/3NnBLdu

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review.

RaeLynn moved back home after getting fired from her personal trainer job with the NFL, but most people think she’s home to help her sister-in-law whose doctor has made a point to tell her to destress and relax for at home for the rest of her pregnancy. So RaeLynn is now running her niece to school and in charge of her sister-in-law’s flower shop. but soon she will run into well more like yell at her former friend from high school Dean she didn’t even realize it was him at first. Not one memory from her past doesn’t involve Dean in one way or another. But now that they are older and Rae isn’t just the tomboy hanging out with the guys or just a member of the football team, she’s a grown woman and Dean is just as good looking as he was in high school just more muscles. But they both don’t know that each other is starting to have feelings that are more than friends. Will they give in to these feelings and possibly ruin their friendship or keep their feelings buried deep down to keep what they already have.

Fabiola Francisco traded her flip flops for boots when she moved to Spain to live out her small town dreams. She loves the escape books offer. She writes contemporary romance, mostly small town romances with swoony book boyfriends and strong and sassy heroines.

Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. Now, she writes novels that will capture your heart and make feel a range of emotions.

She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. She also enjoys country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

Fabiola is represented by Two Daisy Media Literary Agency.

#Promo #Horror – In Bloom by Paul Tremblay

There’s something in the water in this hallucinatory short story by Paul Tremblay, bestselling author of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Beast You Are.

Journalist Heidi Cohen is in Cape Cod investigating the sources of recurring toxic algae blooms along the coast. A local named Jimmy has his own theory for her. Every year the fetid growth gets worse—but it’s been going on longer than anyone knows. Decades ago, something happened to Jimmy that he’s never forgotten. Is Heidi ready for the real story?

Paul Tremblay’s In Bloom is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.

Available in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/48lGBQo

#review #shortstory #short #mystery Red X (Run on Red short) by Noelle W. Ihli

A short story from RUN ON RED by Noelle W. Ihli.

Learn what happened to Ava Robles.

Fair warning: This short story contains spoilers for RUN ON RED.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123892935-red-x

Amazon https://amzn.to/3T0qnaR   (buy run on red and get this short story at the end)

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

if you read Run on Red you will know that the girls found the body of the missing girl Ava Robles, they solved the crime but now we get to find out how and why she got in the crawlspace the way she did. Ava was a new recruit to a sorority on campus and at a crazy college bonfire when she takes a breather before leaving one of her new sisters car she was met by a sister’s brother, they start talking and he takes her back to his truck they are drinking and making out, he’s got to be safe right I mean she knows his sister, but Ava couldn’t be more off on her gut feeling.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

#review #thriller #standalone Run on Red by Noelle W. Ihli


A rural country road. No cell signal for miles. A terrifying game of cat-and-mouse.

By the time Laura and Olivia notice the headlights tailing them through the hills, it’s too late. What seems, at first, like a case of road rage quickly unfolds into a heart-pounding chase—and a battle for survival.

Who are the men in the truck? What do they want? And can Laura and Olivia outrun—and outsmart—them long enough to call for help, even if it means taking their chances in the hills on foot?

As their situation grows more perilous, the girls realize that the real terror has only just begun. But flight won’t save them from their pursuers. If they’re going to make it home alive, they’ll have to fight.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61381555-run-on-red

Amazon  https://amzn.to/3HDUQVA

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Olivia and Laura were on their way to a bonfire out in the middle of nowhere going on backroads, twist, turns and hills. Olivia was getting car sick in the old beat-up Volvo that Laura’s sister let them take for the night. Olivia noticed a truck following super close to them and was able to grab the plate number and text it to her bestie you know to be safe in her true crime mind you can’t be careful enough in a time like this, well this wasn’t because they were in the middle of nowhere she did it all the time so they didn’t think too much of it but she wanted them to have a lead just in case something bad were to happen to her. next thing the truck passes them and sits in wait blocking them from their path and now the girls were in their very own Dateline episode that they didn’t want to be in, with 2 mask men coming towards their car what happens next you will never see coming. What do these guys want to hurt them, or possibly kill them, what did they do. So many twists, turns, and gut retching pain that will have you on the edge of your seat till the last page.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

#WOTR24 #BDSM #Dark #Erotica #Audio – Corrupted Innocence, Innocent Brides #1 by Measha Stone, narration by Jay Alder and Kylie Stewart

He wouldn’t take my money. He wanted my innocence instead.

When Nikolai Romanov came looking for my brother, I emptied my savings hoping I could pay off his debt. But it wasn’t even close to enough, so Nikolai Romanov decided to take me instead.

I didn’t expect a Russian mafia boss like him to be gentle with me… and he wasn’t.

Not when he spanked me for daring to wear panties under the dress he chose for me, and certainly not when he stripped me out of that same dress and made me scream in his bed.

He told me I would be his for a month, but the way he looks at me says I’m his forever…

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I bought this audiobook.

OHH This book!! I have read one other book from Measha and it was hella dark so I felt this one was a light dark??  Is that a thing?  LOL

Charlie’s DB brother, Oliver, ran into some trouble.  That trouble was in the name of Nikolai.  I gotta admit. I loved Nikolai when he was refusing to take Charlie’s money and well when he made the “deal”, I was a little excited for what would happen.

Nikolai and Charlie are both amazing characters.  They both love their family and will do anything for them.  I also loved how Charlie pushes Nikolai’s limits and sometimes it was a good result and other times it wasn’t so nice…or maybe it was??  LOL

As the story progressed seeing them two develop feelings and then of course have miscommunications.  But I loved how possessive Nikolai was with her.  I can’t wait to read more from the series.

The narration was great for the 2 characters. I enjoyed the life they brought to the characters and story.

Measha Stone is a USA Today bestselling romance author with a deep love for romantic stories, specifically those involving the darker side of romance, all the possessive dominant heroes, and their feisty heroines. If you love a well deserved happily ever after, you will enjoy her books.

#WOTR24 #MC #Prospect #Virgin #audio – Bottom of the Chains – Prospect, Book 2 of Grimm Wolves MC #2 by D.M. Earl

My life has sucked for as far back as I can remember. My folks didn’t want me so I was thrown into foster care. Let me just say lots of fun. NOT.

Then one day, my life took a dramatic change. My circumstances improved greatly. I met The Grimm Wolves MC and they took me under their wing. I became not only a prospect but also part of their brotherhood.

Now I’ve let my brothers down not once, but twice, in less than a month. What if I don’t belong with the club? Feeling the weight of life, how can I prove to the only family I have ever had that I’m worth the trouble? Or maybe the truth is I’m not reliable and useful after all? It all depends on how much of my failure The Grimm Wolves MC are willing to put up with by one of their newest prospects.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I bought this audiobook.

I must admit I was kinda spaced out today when I grabbed this book.  I bought book 2 and not book 1.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  LOL  Anyway, I didn’t feel lost at all when I was reading this book.  Each characters I felt was introduced and I could follow the story without any issues.

The narration of the story was ok.  I think the female narrator almost tried too hard with her voice?  I don’t know.  When she wasn’t Clem, I didn’t mind her voice but as Clem I wasn’t a fan.  The male narrator also I felt was trying to hard with different voices.  As Bullet it was fine but when he was Chains or Bubba, it was over the top.

The story was a short one which I loved.  The story is Bullet who is a 20 year old Prospect for the Grimm Wolves.  He has lots of demons to uncover and deal with.  He is being looked after by one of the guys and his old lady.

Clem was working in a doctor’s office when Bullet and her friend Grace come in.  She ends up hanging out with them for lunch and drooling over Bullet.  Bullet is also pretty attracted to her but also kinda a hot mess about his feelings since he has so many unknowns in his life.

The story about the 2 connecting was fine.  They did a lot of time hanging and talking.  They weren’t jumping into bed and I did enjoy the chemistry of the two.  They are both young and have a lot of luggage to unpack before they can really commit to anyone. I like the HFN ending.

I did feel the story was a little bit bumpy and needed a bit fleshed out at times.  There were times I thought stuff was over the top with the dialogue but then I wonder if that was also my issues with the narration and not the story???

USA Today Bestselling author, D. M. Earl creates authentic and genuine characters while spinning stories that feel so real and relatable that the readers plunge deep within the plot, begging for more. Complete with drama, angst, romance, and passion, the stories jump off the page.

When Earl, an avid reader since childhood, isn’t at her keyboard pouring her heart into her work, you’ll find her in Northwest Indiana snuggling up to her husband, the love of her life, with her seven fur babies nearby. Her other passions include gardening and shockingly cruising around town on the back of her 2004 Harley. She’s a woman of many talents and interests. Earl appreciates each and every reader who has ever given her a chance–and hopes to connect on social media with all of her readers.

For the latest news and updates on books and upcoming releases, you can subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/dmearln…

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dmearl@dmearl.com

Passion, angst, and drama: Earl’s your girl.