#Review – Zodiac Academy: The Awakening As Told By The Boys by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

**This is a retelling of book 1 of Zodiac Academy from the perspective of Orion, Darius, Caleb, Seth and Max**

The Vega twins are alive.

Those five words circle in my mind like an oncoming storm. They change everything about the future we thought had been set in stone. They challenge everything we were raised to be and the stability of the entire kingdom.

They’re coming to our academy looking for the life that was stolen from them, but we can’t let them take it back.

So much hangs in the balance and we can’t risk the arrival of two naïve princesses destroying everything we worked so hard for.

I have trained in dark magic, overcome all challenges and stood in the shadow of Lionel Acrux for far too long already. I won’t let them come between me and his downfall.

Which means they have to go before they discover how powerful they truly are.

This is a retelling of the first book in the Zodiac Academy series from the point of view of Orion and the Heirs and should be read after you have finished the original story. It includes scenes from alternative points of view as well over 50k words of additional content and scenes which have never before been revealed. So prepare to step into the dark minds of the Zodiac boys and watch out for the heartbreak and carnage that will ensue.

I got to book 3 in this series before I found a reading order and before I realized that I should have tandem read this one with book 1. But having read book 1 and gotten more into the series, it was fun going back to the beginning to find out why the guys are the way they are. They all have their own reasons, having to deal with their parents’ wrath but Darius’s situation is the worst of them all. His father is a monster and the things he puts Darius through, add to the fact that he uses his brother to get him to do what he wants…man I can’t wait for the day that Darius can take him on and get rid of him.

It was interesting to see the guys’ points of views during certain situations. Their filthy minds were definitely far more out there than the girls’. Lol!

There are so many different reading orders for this series/world and I feel that there is no right or wrong way to read them. Just enjoy the process.

I’m no where near being done this world yet but I’m obsessed and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me!

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4jGxUpP

#twinsieforthedaypolly #review #wotr25 #attendingauthor Black Swan Affair by: KL Kreig

 

I’ve loved him as long as I can remember.

The gangly boy with big brown eyes and unruly hair who grew up into an intoxicating man. He wears scruff like he invented it and ambles with a swagger that makes panties drop.

Killian Shepard.

Shep.

We grew up together. We played Ghost in the Graveyard. Had our own rock band. It didn’t matter that he was five years older than me. It didn’t matter that he looked at me as a kid sister even as I grew into woman. It didn’t even matter when he left me behind to go to college and start his adult life.

He’d be back.

He was always meant to be mine.

He came back, all right. But instead of smelling of promises, he stunk of betrayal. And he destroyed me—us—the day he married my sister instead of me.

So I did the only thing a girl like me in my position could do.

I got my revenge.

I married his brother, Kael.

Now we’re one big happy f*cking family.

***mature content appropriate for 18+

 

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Review by: Polly

Kael or Killian – heads or tails? If you enjoy love triangles…then this is the book for you! This was one intense love triangle between Kael and Killian (brothers) and Maverick that had me cheering for Kael one minute and Killian the next! My feelings were all over the place! Of course, these three “grew up” together and there are secrets that are bound to be unfolded. But how those secrets get unfolded, kept me glued to my Kindle. The twists at the end….nope didn’t see those coming! Both brothers love Maverick and she in turn loves both brothers. Her heart loves Killian and her mid loves Kael. But ultimately, she must choose which to love forever! Did she pick the right brother….well, I am still on the fence about that. I loved getting the POV’s from both Maverick and Kael, but really wished there were a few chapters in Killian’s POV. It took me a bit to get into the past-present timeline that kept getting tossed around, but I finally got into the swing of things. So…. What team are you on after reading this book? #TeanKillian or #TeamKael

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedayPolly #review Ryker by: Samantha Lind

 

After years of trying to get back home to be closer to my daughter, I finally secured a spot on the newly expanded San Francisco Shockwaves.

Juggling being the newly appointed Captain of the team and taking on full-time fatherhood to a teenager sends my life into chaos.

I quickly find myself needing someone who can pick up the pieces and keep my life in order as I certainly can’t do it alone.

I just never thought my savior would be the sexy woman next door- the one I can’t keep my mind or eyes off every chance I get.

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Review by: Polly Barreto
I found the story of Ryker and Avery to be a quick, cute story that left me smiling at the end. I kept waiting for the “other shoe to drop” and it never did. No angst, no big fight, no real issues to deal with, no shoe to drop. Just some insta love with a push from Ryker’s daughter Elle. Read it in a day.

#newRelease #darkRomance #enemiestolovers – Sweet Chaos by Kimberly Quinn

The man I’m being forced to seduce is ruthless, dominant, and untouchable.

And he should be. He’s a hitman.

But now, he’s my mark, and I don’t have a choice—deliver Dex to the Bratva, or lose everything.

Playing seductress is nothing new, but the stakes are. Dex unexpectedly changes the rules, twisting the game, pushing me to stay one step ahead…

Then, he puts his hands on me.

Suddenly, I lose all control.

And in Dex’s arms, I realize maybe I never really had control of a damn thing to begin with.

What will remain amid the savage chaos we’ve created when the hunter becomes the hunted?

We’re both about to find out.

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Kimberly is a contemporary romance author, born procrastinator, and lover of morally gray heroes. She enjoys lively conversations, usually with imaginary people, and can often be found daydreaming at work.

She writes gritty, messy, dangerous romances, featuring beautifully flawed characters, pursuing love at all costs. It’s romance with rough edges.

When she’s not busy writing, you can find her with a coffee in hand, dog at her side, and exploring the wilds of her hometown in Ontario, Canada… Or on her couch, getting lost in a good story.

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedayElizabeth #review We’re Made of Moments by: Molly McClain

We were made of moments.

A handful of nights.
Two weeks of passion.
Four years of denial.

Jesse
She was never mine to keep, but I took every second that girl was willing to give me.
I always knew she’d go back to him.
But I never expected she’d take a piece of me with her.

Hayden
He changed my life forever, and it happened long before our two weeks together.
I didn’t mean to fall for him.
But how could I not when he gave me the most precious gift of all?

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Molly writes spicy small-town romance with lots of heart. Her heroes are typically blue collar with beefy forearms, and her heroines are stubborn backtalkers. Kinda like Molly and her husband in real life. She lives in Wisconsin, so it’s no surprise that she loves all things cheese, especially in cake form. She’s a cat and dog mom with a few human kids, too, and she has a day job. Writing happily-ever-afters is definitely her escape from reality.

Review by Elizabeth

“Life is not measured by the amount of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

I was given the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jesse and Hayden… no other words to be said but, Absolutely Breathtaking!
Hayden lives in the city and spends her summers at the family cabin up north in the small town where Jesse lives. They are from two separate worlds, but on a starry night, the universe decides that they need to meet.

A wish on a star sets into motion a beautiful love story full of laughter, angst, and quite a few tears.  The struggles that they face are all too real.  One holding onto a plan that may not be the right one, and the other knowing in their heart that, given time, things will be as they were always meant to be.

Ya,  We’re Made of Moments is that book that will leave you breathless and begging for more. I couldn’t put it down, and I felt every moment of Jesse and Hayden’s story in my heart.

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedayElizabeth #review Blood & Bone by: Paula Dombrowiak

Jack O’Donnell is a living legend—

And the most insufferable man I’ve ever met.

I came to LA for the story. An exclusive interview with the elusive, infuriating, wickedly sexy rockstar. The one that could make my career.

He slams the door in my face.

Then chaos hits. And I find myself in a coffee shop, sitting across from a man who once ruled the world with a guitar in his hand and destruction in his wake.

Jack O’Donnell is raw. Unfiltered. A mess of contradictions wrapped in leather and regret.

Every word is a challenge.

Every glance, a dare.

But the more he reveals, the harder it is to look away.

Because beneath the headlines is a man still haunted by the past.

By a love that shattered him. By a heartbreak he never recovered from.

And when it’s time for me to go home—

Will either of us be ready to let go?


Blood & Bone is the first novel in the Blood & Bone series which must be read in order for the best reader experience. If you enjoy angst-fuelled romance, dangerously addictive love triangles, and second chances, don’t miss this steamy, intensely emotional slow burn rockstar romance.

Content Warning: This book also contains some sensitive subjects about abuse, addiction and suicide. Please take care while reading.

 

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Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. She is a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys, and the tragically flawed. Music inspires her storytelling.

Review by Elizabeth

I had already heard that this author was the “collector of reader’s tears.” Now I can understand why. What Jack goes through is REAL.

Jack O’Donnell is the self-proclaimed “villian” of his own story.  This is a truth that  journalist Erin Langford sets out to debunk.  She wants the whole story.  Every dark, angsty, emotionally crippling,  word of it.  He reluctantly agrees after a horrible situation hits the press that was supposed to be kept quiet.

Blood and Bone takes you through every part of Jack’s life, no detail is spared.  Neither are the tears you will be shedding with the rest of the characters.  If you can survive reading what this man goes through without breaking,  there must be something wrong.  I didn’t. 

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedaykaren #review Defending Raven by: Susan Stoker

A missing woman leads the alpha heroes on their boldest mission yet in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s searing Mountain Mercenaries novel.

It’s been ten years since Rex’s wife, Raven, disappeared from a Vegas casino. Never losing hope, he even formed the Mountain Mercenaries to help find her—and other missing wives, sisters, and children. Now Rex and his fearless team are following a lead to Lima, Peru, where the rescue operation is greater than they imagined.

A day at a time. That’s been Raven’s motto for a decade. Once held captive by an elusive sex trafficker, she has an indomitable will to survive. But Raven’s not ready to leave Peru. She can’t. Not yet. Because her liberation from the barrios comes with devastating consequences. One wrong move and all hope will be lost to an unimaginable hell.

For the Mountain Mercenaries, the stakes have been raised. The threats are escalating. But Rex hasn’t searched this long, risked so much, and come this far to lose Raven all over again.

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New York Times, USA Today, #1 Amazon Bestseller, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has spent the last twenty-three years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee and is currently living in the wilds of Maine. She’s married to a retired Army man (and current firefighter/EMT) who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

If you enjoyed a book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.

www.stokeraces.com

www.AcesPress.com

susan@stokeraces.com

Review by Karen

Dave aka Rex is everything you want in a hero; smart ,strong- both physically and mentally, sexy and apparently wealthy. Raven has a inner strength that most of like to think we have but few rarely do. Their story is both heartbreaking and Heartwarming .

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedaykaren #review Home Team Advantage by: Abbie Zanders

When Matt O’Connell returns to Pine Ridge, he’s not the same man he was when he left. Years in the US Army Special Forces have forged his mind and body into lethal weapons.

Beneath the skills and formidable exterior, Matt’s soul remains intact—for now. He’s at a crossroads, and he’s hoping that spending time around the men who helped shape him as a teen can help him with the choices he now faces.

His mother’s new neighbor is an intriguing distraction. She’s young and beautiful and completely uninterested in him, which makes it even harder to stay away. Especially when his finely honed instincts insist there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye.

And then there’s the spark she’s unintentionally ignited in his chest. The one he never expected to feel.

But is it real? Or just what he really wants?

Home Team Advantage is a small town contemporary romance suspense – light on the suspense, heavy on the romance.

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Abbie Zanders is a USA Today Bestselling Author with more than 55 published romance novels to date. Her stories range from contemporary to paranormal and everything in between. She promises her readers two things: happily ever afters, always, and no cliffhangers, ever.Born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she sets most of her stories, she’s known for small town romance featuring golden-hearted alpha heroes and strong, relatable heroines. Besides being an avid reader and writer, she loves animals (especially big dogs), American muscle cars, and 80’s hair bands.

Review by Karen Young

This was the perfect bridge to the second generation of Callaghans. Matt, the teenager that we fell in love with in Having Faith is grown and at a crossroads to decide his future. He thinks he has it all mapped out and then steps in Anna. As always there’s mystery, intrigue and a happy ever after but best of all is the familiar faces that make an appearance.

#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #twinsieforthedaykaren #review Legacy’s Call by Kris Michaels

Whatever it takes. As long as it takes.®

He was born into a legacy of protection and power. David “Ronan” Alexander, son of the legendary owner of Guardian Security, grew up knowing that the weight of leadership would one day rest on his shoulders. Now a seasoned team leader in the world’s most elite private security firm, Ronan is prepared for anything—except for the fiery woman who crashes into his life with a mission as dangerous as his own.

She’s dedicated her life to rescuing the innocent. Fleur Buchanan is a force to be reckoned with. A vigilante with a heart of gold, she has made it her personal mission to rescue children trapped in the nightmarish world of human trafficking. She doesn’t need Ronan’s help—until she does. As they work together to dismantle a dangerous ring of traffickers, their mutual respect grows into something far more powerful.

In a world where life-and-death decisions are made during the haze of war, Ronan finds himself torn between his mission and the plans of a woman who is as fearless as she is beautiful.

From the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Kings of Guardian®Guardian Defenders®, and Guardian Security Shadow World® comes the next chapter in the epic Guardian Security Dynasty saga. Prepare for action, suspense, and a love that will change everything.

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Kris Michaels’ writing career is marked by 23 appearances on the USA Today Bestseller list and three on the Wall Street Journal Bestselling list for her full-length novels. As a writer, she is known for her compelling romantic stories set against military and law enforcement backdrops, as demonstrated in her series, The Kings of Guardian, Guardian Defenders, and Guardian Security Shadow World.

Originally from South Dakota, Kris’s journey from a small-town high school to a twenty-two-year career in the military set the stage for her writing career, providing a wealth of experiences and backgrounds for her characters. Now living on the Gulf Coast, she writes full-time, focusing on creating stories that merge romantic elements with suspense and action. Kris explores the themes of love, duty, and bravery, which appeal to a wide audience.

When she isn’t writing, Kris enjoys a full life revolving around family, friends, laughing, whiskey, and cold red wine. (Yes, cold…don’t judge.)

Review by Karen Young

This is the first book in the Guardian Dynasty and it’s a keeper. Filled with old and new faces of Guardian, it did not disappoint. Filled with action, drama and a love. I’m truly excited for this next generation and their stories

#wotr25 #attendingauthor #twinsiefortheday #review You’re all I need by Lacey Black

Caden

I don’t do relationships. Ever. Life is too short, and love is too painful. I’m a live in the moment kind of guy with whichever woman wants to accompany me for a night or two, and I always make sure they know the score before we ever make it to second base. It’s the only way I operate.

That all changes the moment Adrienne takes me home with her.

I’m instantly addicted. The problem is she becomes more than just a friend. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed and the polar opposite of the woman who destroyed my heart.

Falling in love with her isn’t an option.

Adrienne

After picking up my life and moving to the small town of Stewart Grove, I’ve been able to put the hurt of my past behind me. My new motto is to live for today and enjoy the ride. I’ve got a great job at the popular local hotspot, new friends I adore, and am building a life I’m proud of. I have everything I need.

Then Caden saunters up with his rugged good looks, disarming smile, and an offer I can’t refuse.

I fight my attraction as long as I can. I have to. I’m not looking to get into another relationship, but life has a way of throwing you a curveball every now and again.

Mine comes in the form of two pink lines.

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USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and 3 rowdy chickens.

Website: www.laceyblackbooks.com

Email: laceyblackwrites@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaceyblack

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack

Review by Karen

Final Book in this fantastic series. It’s been an amazing journey and as much as I hate to see it end, this book finishes it perfectly. Even if you haven’t read the previous books, this one holds as an excellent standalone also.

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