Category Archives: Dark

Dark, Mystery, Promo, Review, Standalone, Thriller

#Review – Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

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4 starred reviews!

Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer’s Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut by Tiffany D. Jackson about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly. She didn’t say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: a white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it?

There wasn’t a point to setting the record straight before, but now she’s got Ted—and their unborn child—to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary’s fate now lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But does anyone know the real Mary?

I was looking on TikTok about a week ago, for some disturbing books. I couldn’t find anything that struck my fancy, so I went on Pinterest and came across a pin about this book, along with a few others. So of course, I bought it.

First, I 100% suggest going in blind – if you can of course. I know a lot of us need to read the blurb but with this book, it was so much more fun, going in with no information at all.

Now I will preface this by saying that this is NOT a romance, while there are some romantic elements in it. It’s YA and packs quite the punch. It’s like Orange Is The New Black but with younger characters. Also, the main premise of this book is that the lead character “killed a baby”, so if that’s a trigger, please read with caution.

This book is raw and gritty in the best of ways. It’s dark, written well and kept me engaged from the first few chapters in to the end. I will be honest and say that it did take me about 3 chapters to get fully invested in this story but once I did, wow. Just wow.

Mary…oh Mary. I really couldn’t predict the outcome of this book. I was a mixture of feelings when it came to this girl. And I say “girl” because she is just a kid.

Mary was accused of killing a baby and this book recounts what actually happened. It’s a “did Mary actually kill this baby?” kind of story. We don’t even know exactly who Mary is until the very end of the book. Now I did glance at some reviews saying that they lowered their star rating based on the last chapter but I honestly thought it ended perfectly. I was left in shock and I sat there for a few minutes after turning that last page and thinking “wow.” Now that’s a job well done on the author part.

I won’t give much away because like I said, I do suggest going in not knowing much about this book at all.

So if you like stories filled with grit, mystery, family drama, and “who dunnit” moments, I highly reccommend reading this one!

One-click now: Amazon

Coming of Age, Dark, Psychological Thriller, Review, Standalone, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

#Review – Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

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Allegedly

Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer’s Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut by Tiffany D. Jackson about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly. She didn’t say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: a white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it?

There wasn’t a point to setting the record straight before, but now she’s got Ted—and their unborn child—to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary’s fate now lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But does anyone know the real Mary?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Whoa! Holy what the heck did I just read?! I have the worst (best) book hangover! A friend of mine read this and immediately recommended the book to everyone. She said the best way to go in was completely blind. Okay, I’ll bite. I purchase the book without reading the blurb on the back, I have no clue who this author is, and did not check out any of the reviews. I highly suggest doing the same, you won’t regret it. Now, if you refuse to go in blind, please continue on and I’ll tell you a little about the story.

This story is about Mary, who is now 16, but at age 9 was convicted of murdering an infant. The story dives deep into the life she has led leading up to this point. In jail, mostly in solitaire because no one knew what to do with such a young murder. She experienced mental and physical abuse…this will make you cringe. She is trying to survive. She is now in a group home and ends up getting pregnant by Ted. He is another group home convict. Mary is truly trying to make something for herself and with some help she starts advocating for herself. She is smart and wants to keep her baby, but she also must literally watch out for her life while living in the group home. A necessary evil. Some of the people in her life are incredibly terrible, but some are really genuine. The hardest part is trying to figure out exactly who you can trust. I went through most of this story just knowing that she was going to win but then you start to feel the doom and gloom. Then, all of a sudden, this crazy curve ball comes flying from out in left field and I sat here like, I can’t believe that just happened. But then the end actually happens, and I just sat there trying to comprehend what I just read. Like, did that just happen? Yeah, that did just happen…OMG! The twist at the end made my head spin!

Author Logo

Tiffany D. Jackson is a TV professional by day, novelist by night, awkward black girl 24/7. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Film from Howard University and her Master of Arts in Media Studies from The New School University. A Brooklyn native, she is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves most likely multitasking.

2nd Chance, Aliens, Arranged Marriage, Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance, Intergalactic Dating Agency, MC, Paranormal, Shifters, sibling best friend, Trigger Warnings, Veterans

#TriggerWarnings #DARK #Stalker #NonDub #Trafficking #Duet #Paranormal #Shifters #Series #Veterans #2ndChance #PTSD #Stalker #MC #Siblings #Aliens #arrangedmarriages – Twinsie Angie Top reads from July 2022-December 2022 – Authors are AJ Renee, Tarina Deaton, Sophie Stern, Anne Malcom, H.D. Carlton, SJ Chaynie

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My top reads can be found from January 2022-June 2022 HERE

Tarina Deaton, AJ Renee,  Sophie Stern, and Anne Malcom are the attending authors

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are my top reads in no particular order

  1. Cat and Mouse Duet, Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeling by H.D. Carlton

**Please read the trigger warning before reading!!**  This book is NOT for anyone underage 18.  This is full of mature themes.

Trigger Warning: Book 1 ends on a cliffhanger. This duet is a dark romance that contains graphic violence, dub/non con, and deals with subject matters such as child trafficking and human sacrifice. If you have ANY triggers at all, this may not be the story for you. 

Haunting Adeline Hunting Adeline

Book 1  – Haunting Adeline

The Manipulator
I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don’t affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He’s always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow
I didn’t mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can’t stay away.
I’m mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses…
I’ll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I’ll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan’s Affair, first.
Author’s Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger. For CWs, please check the author’s website.

Book 2  – Hunting Adeline 

The final installment to the Cat and Mouse Duet…

The Diamond
Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I’m trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren’t as they seem.
They won’t keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I’ve become,
And I’m fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they’ve only created an angel of death.

The Hunter
I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what’s mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.

Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.

Book 1 Review HERE

Book 2 Review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. Stitched up Heart , Combat Hearts Book 1 by Tarina Deaton

Stitched Up Heart (The whole series is AMAZING actually!!!)

As an Air Force medic, Bree Marks saw the worst the War on Terror had to dish out. Now a physical therapist, she uses her experience to help other veterans heal from their physical wounds; while she battles her own emotional damage.

Blaming himself for his best friend’s suicide, former Army Ranger Jase Larken, retreated from life. To honor his best friend’s memory and assuage his guilt, he started an outdoor adventure company to help veterans with PTSD.

Bree had better things to do than catch her cheating fiance in bed with another woman. Jase is something better – for a night at least. For the first time in years, Jase wanted more. When he finds her again, he doesn’t give her another chance to run.

Jase’s protectiveness grates on Bree’s independent nature. She’s dealt with her fair share of alpha-male, door kickers and doesn’t need one telling her what to do now. But as a new danger emerges, Bree and Jase must face their pasts, before someone’s obsession with Bree destroys any chance they have of a future.

Can be read as a stand alone. No cliffhangers within the story.

My review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. Fierce, Alumbra Pack Book 3

Fierce

An independent gamma, a logical werewolf, and someone who threatens to tear them apart.

After a few failed attempts to connect romantically with humans, Adira accepts her single life and continues to thrive as the Alumbra Pack’s gamma. When her wolf claims the man across the room as theirs, however, she panics and runs.

While retrieving his sister from the pack who’d saved her, the last thing Luke expected was setting his eyes on his true mate. Unable to return to his pack without Adira, he sets out to woo the fascinating and formidable woman.

Choosing which pack to settle down with should be the biggest trial ahead of them. But when someone sets out to tear them a part, the ever logical and calm Luke learns there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for the woman he loves.

Can he ask her to stay with a target on her back, or will he choose to leave his now-whole family behind?

My Review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. Sanction : Knights of Paradise MC, book 2 by SJ Chaynie

You have to read book 1 as this is how book 1 ends.

Sanction : Knights of Paradise MC by [S.J. CHAYNIE]

There is nothing I won’t do for my family. The family that took me in, gave me a home, a job, and a brotherhood that I didn’t know I needed. But something was taken from me. Something I have spent years telling myself I didn’t deserve. I’ve spent years breaking her heart, one piece at a time. My loyalty has been to her brother, and her father’s memory. Two men who I could never betray. But things change. She’s in trouble, and even though no one has ever known, she’s always been mine. And now, I’m coming for her.

This is an adult novel intended for mature readers.
Book 2 of the Knights of Paradise MC Series. Does end on a cliffhanger, part of a continuing series.

My Review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. Grimalkin Needs Brides Series by Sophie Stern

Ekpen: Grimalkin Needs Brid... Torao: Grimalkin Needs Brid... Leo: Grimalkin Needs Brides #3 Ekpen, Torao, and Leo

Epken – 

A planet with more cats than people…
Grimalkin needs brides.

Earth is a dystopian nightmare that’s going to be destroyed very, very soon. Nobody knows exactly when or how, but the threat of destruction looms in the background of everyone’s mind.

Holly is ready to escape from her planet, but there’s a problem: only rich people actually get to leave Earth, and she’s barely got five bucks to her name.

Enter the Grimalkin Bridal Exchange.

The deal is simple: she goes to an alien planet, marries some random dude, and gets to live out her days in luxury and happiness.

Only, the guy she’s paired up with doesn’t want to get married.

And he doesn’t want to get married to her.

In fact, he actually kind of…hates her.

Torao – 

Three months ago, Amena spent one wild night with a man from Grimalkin. He was everything she’d ever wanted or hoped for, but she knows that she’ll never see him again.

She can’t.

When Amena signs up for the Grimalkin Bridal Exchange at the Intergalactic Dating Agency, she expects to be taken to a planet with more cats than people, but she doesn’t expect to see him. It’s Torao. It’s the man she slept with in a field of wildflowers.

But how can this be?

Torao isn’t ready to get married, but he doesn’t have a choice.

Short. Curvy. Soft.

The woman from Earth who practically runs into his arms is everything he never knew he wanted.

But she shouldn’t be here on his planet. She definitely shouldn’t be in his bed keeping him warm. This human has a secret, and he plans to find out what it is.

Leo – 

Leo has been dreaming of getting married his entire life and having someone he can love in spite of everything that’s gone wrong. He was never supposed to be a doctor.His plan had been to become a warrior or a fighter, but when he lost his tail in a freak accident, he knew he needed to choose a career path where he could hide. Being a doctor means he gets to focus on everyone else – no one looks twice at him.

Tamara has been worried about her friends ever since they left Earth. Holly and Amena were both supposed to contact her, but they didn’t. Now it’s up to Tamara to make her way to Grimalkin and find out what’s happened to her best friends. She lost her leg years ago, so she knows she’s not going to be eligible for the bridal exchange, but there are other ways of getting to Grimalkin.

When Tamara is caught stowing away on a bridal transport to Grimalkin, she’s given an impossible choice.

Then she sees Leo, and she realizes that all bets are off.

She wants him.

Like, really wants him.

But is Leo ready to love a human like Tamara?

And is she willing to open her heart to the one person who could crush it?

Ekpen Review HERE

Torao Review HERE

Leo Review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. Making the Cut, Sons of Templar book 1 by Anne Malcom

Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC #1)

Gwen Alexandra does not need a man in her life. Especially not a man who looks like Chris Hemsworth and Joe Manganiello’s love child. One wearing leather, riding a Harley, and covered in tattoos.

Gwen can bet every pair of her Manolos that Cade Fletcher is trouble. From the moment she meets him, the attraction sizzles between them. Gwen has a problem when it comes to attractive men in motorcycle clubs. The last one she got involved with almost killed her.

After healing physically, Gwen decides to get a new start in a small town, half a country away from the man who nearly cost her her life. She isn’t in town five minutes when she runs into Cade, a man that is too sexy and dangerous for his own good.

She tries to keep away from him, to ignore the attraction between them. But the biker has other ideas, soon she is in way over her head. Her heart, and her life are in danger once again.

My Review HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP SOLD OUT – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access SOLD OUT – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance

#Dark #TW #DarkRomance #Revenge – Hunting Adeline, Cat and Mouse Duet Book 2 by HD Carlton

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Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet, #2)

The final installment to the Cat and Mouse Duet…

The Diamond

Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I’m trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren’t as they seem.
They won’t keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I’ve become,
And I’m fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they’ve only created an angel of death.

The Hunter

I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what’s mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.

Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchase this ebook and audio.

The first book and this book are 2 totally different realms of reading. If you saw my review for book 1 you will recall I said I didn’t think it as all THAT dark.  Well that is NOT the case for book 2.  Book 1 is a cupcake with a scoop of ice cream on a summers day in comparison to book 2.  It is a throat punch from beginning to end.  The anxiety I had for the beginning part of the book is not anything I expected to have/deal with.

Book 2 is split into 2 parts and I have to say….BRAVO,  I loved the way the book was written.  Because the book is in 2 parts my review will also be split in to 2 parts.

Part 1 is Not for the weak of heart.  It is not for someone who has any issues with triggers because this part of the story is a landmine of triggers. The rape, sexual assaults, abuse, etc are OFF The CHARTS!!  SO if you take this book on, know you will be uncomfortable and you will be horrified.  You will also be cheering as people are murdered and again, I questioned my mental health with this book.  The author did an amazing job making me feel broken and destroyed and THEN we enter part 2.

Part 2 is much “easier” but its still brutal.  We are seeing Adeline deal with the trauma she endured but we are also seeing Adeline grow.  She is not the same woman and I gotta say, she is an even better match for Zade now then before.  Adeline’s ARC over the 2 books was amazing.  She goes from a carefree woman to a woman on a mission of revenge.

Zade…omg can I say I fell even more in love with him.  He is not a good man.  He is the best Antihero I have ever read.  He is not the guy you should be rooting for and yet when he makes Adeline mac n cheese wearing an apron for dinner…..I was melting.  Yes melting!!!  Zade teaches his mouse a lot but vengeance and bloodletting are the biggest lessons along with loving your person with your entire being.

GAH this book ruined me in all the best ways possible.

Now I hear Sibbie is getting a book. SHUT UP and take my money!!  I need more of that crazy ass Bish and her henchmen…but who is Craven???

H. D. Carlton is an International Bestselling Author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.

Dark, Dark Romance, Paranormal, Reverse Harem

#WOTR22 #reread #Paranormal #RH #Dark #TriggerWarnings #Shifters – Ashes: Book One in the River Ash Pack by Mary Martel

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Ashes: Book One in the River Ash Pack by [Mary Martel]

Cordelia has never known anything but the safety of her fathers guarded compound where she’s lived her entire life. A life that, as the alphas daughter, has always been a privileged one, albeit an incredibly sheltered one.
Until one night, life as she knows it, is flipped entirely upside down when she’s promised to another alpha in order to buy safety for her father’s pack. This doesn’t exactly sit well for Cordelia seeing as she has different plans for her life, even if she doesn’t know what those plans are just yet. Out of fear of what she doesn’t want her life to become, she does the unthinkable and tells her father the one thing he’ll never tolerate from anyone in his pack, especially not his daughter. She tells him no.
As a result, Cordelia learns just what kind of depraved man and alpha her father is and is left a broken, bleeding mess because of it.
After finding kindness and compassion from two strange men who show up at the compound and help her when she is no longer capable of helping herself, Cordelia does the only thing she thinks she can do in order to survive and not be stuck in a world of abuse and misery.
She runs.
Unfortunately for Cordelia, she doesn’t make it very far before she finds herself in trouble again and at the mercy of another male with alpha tendencies. This alpha also comes with a brother by blood and one by choice.
The problem is, Cordelia’s not so sure she could ever find a place in a pack again after everything she’s survived. She won’t have long to figure it out though because, no matter the cost, her father is determined to find her and bring her home.

Warning – Due to certain sensitive sexual subject matter and abusive situations, this book may contain triggers for some people.
It’s also a Reverse Harem book.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Jesus lemme get my head straight after reading this book. If there are a few things you need to know about Mary and her stories here they are…..Her men love FIERCE, Her Women are NOT WEAK, The chemistry is crazy in all the right places, and there will be blood…LOL …but I am serious!!
Now if you read the trigger warning I will say it’s not AS ROUGH of a scene as I was expecting or have read in the past but friends, its hard. Its hard because how can someone who should love and protect you, do that to you!! Its also quickly done and done well so we feel for Cordelia, but mainly so we can understand the shape that Cal and Luca find her in…it was bad…….
Cal, Luca and Darius……they are all so special to Cordelia for their own reasons, but this book is owned by Darius. Dude, he was so scary and then so sweet but so fierce. I mean I don’t think I knew how menacing he was until we see him with his old pack….dang he was hawt!!!
Cal and Luca long for their time for Cordelia but understand and show true patience to be with their girl because make no bones about it, SHE. IS. THEIR. GIRL!
Seeing the story of the impending war due to everything that plays out in the book is making me on edge because the 4 of them need to be on the same page to stick together and to make sure no one feels left out of this unusual mating!!

Mary Martel was born in West Michigan and spent the majority of her life there. She currently resides in North Dakota with her husband, and her two beautiful daughters. She’s an avid reader, and when not writing she can be found with her nose stuck in a book.

You can sign up for her newsletter here: https://amazon.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ebc52e0076d77643d6891b2&id=c70becb1cd

Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance

#Audio #Review #Dark #Stalker #Duet #Cliffhanger – Haunting Adeline, Cat and Mouse Duet book 2 by HD Carlton

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Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet Book 1) by [H. D. Carlton]

The Manipulator

I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don’t affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He’s always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow

I didn’t mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can’t stay away.
I’m mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses…
I’ll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I’ll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan’s Affair, first.

This book was previously banned on Amazon due to the trigger warning. Please read reviews or go to the author’s website.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book and audiobook.

SO I have seen this book on Tiktoc and was like hrrmmmmmm.  I mean I like dark but dark scares me.  Anywho, I went to an author event, and she was there. Thankfully I had VIP so my wait was only 20 minutes.  I jumped up and bought the duet without really knowing what the book was about except the following: 1. Stalker 2. DubCon 3. Hella dark.  I pulled up my big girl panties and dove in.  Also because of the gigantic size of the book, I purchased the audio. LAWD Teddy’s voice was like butter.  *Fans self*  He totally brought Zade to life for my in the biggest way possible.  Since I am giving out compliments, I gotta say Michelle was perfectly vulnerable as Addie.  She was also very sassy bringing Addie to life as well.

So lets discuss all that is with this book. Remember I said it was dark.  Well I guess I expected it to be darker….now don’t go thinking this is hearts and flowers ya’ll because that it is not.  Its not ok in parts and there is absolute dark themes but with that said….I expected worse.  I am worrying about my mental health at this time.

Addie was just doing her life.  She was drinking with her bestie and signing books when Zade sees her AND decided she was his.  Zade did “everything he could” to let her go…by everything he obsessed over her and checked in to her life in every aspect before ….well going after his little mouse.

Their relationship is crazy.  She is being overwhelmed by him and the more and more they are together he is becoming overwhelmed by her and her acceptance of him.

The side plot of who killed Gigi, I was like meh when it was discussed but yet at the end I was like OH SNAP….I mean didn’t see it coming.

The cliffhanger at the end, I thought I had it figured out and much like the whole damn book with situations when I thought I knew what was up…I was damn wrong!!!!  I am absolutely obsessed and need the next audio like right effing now!! Zade and Addie….I need the final.  From what I understand its super gory and I am there for it.  I mean I cheered when a box of body parts shows up at Addie’s door.  LOL  Again, I question my mental health.

H. D. Carlton is an International Bestselling Author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.

Dark

#NewRelease #DARK – Primaveral by BL Mute & Yolanda Olson

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Primaveral by [Yolanda Olson, BL Mute]

Since I was born blind, most would think I’m missing out on a lot life has to offer, but with them— my silent suitors— I know that’s not true.

It started with only one.

Every night he would sneak into my room, and every night I was left wanting more.

I’ve never known what it’s like to see, so it was easy for him to stay hidden, but when one set of hands turns into two, and eventually three, my thirst for answers becomes unbearable.

Each one of them are calculated and smart— making sure to only give me enough to keep me satisfied throughout the day before they return again in the night.

Our little game continued for months— years— before they finally revealed their identities, and although it’s all I wanted to know, now it just makes things more complicated.

Goodreads

Yolanda Olson is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT where she currently resides, she usually spends her time watching her favorite channel, Investigation Discovery.

Occasionally, she takes a break to write books and test the limits of her mind. Also an avid horror movie fan, she likes to incorporate dark elements into the majority of her books.

Book Blitz, Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Kidnapping, Mafia

#BookBlitz #KU #DarkMafia #Kidnapping – Black Wedding, Beautifully Brutal book 1 by Emma Luna

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Black Wedding: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beautifully Brutal Book 1) by [Emma Luna]

How far would you go to prove your family wrong?

My name is Liam Doughty and I’m a hit man.

All I wanted was to get what I was owed. I carried out the hit as I was hired to do by Irish Mob boss, Vernon O’Keenan. It’s not my fault they found out too late that they had the wrong man. All I wanted was my money. I thought I could kidnap the Mafia Princess Brianna O’Keenan and get the ransom money. What I got was so much more!

Ruthless, feisty, and incredibly sexy, she’s far from the timid daddy’s girl I was expecting. Bree has her own agenda. She wants to dominate in a world ruled by men. I have no doubt she can do it, but she will need my help. Her family rules state only males can run the business. So, Bree proposes we get married. She gets to rule, and I get more money than I ever dreamed of.

Two dark, evil worlds collide when we agree to our black wedding. We will fight each others enemies and come out on top. But what happens if we develop real feelings and we realise our wedding wasn’t all that black?

Author Warning
Black Wedding is a dark mafia, kidnapping romance. This book features dark themes which may be a trigger for some people. If you would like more detail then please email: emmalunaauthor@gmail.com.

Goodreads

Emma Luna is a midwife and lecturer who lives in Cambridgeshire, UK, despite her heart still very much being Northern. She lives surrounded by her crazy family; her Mum, who is her best friend and biggest fan; her Dad who helps her remember to always laugh; her Grandparents and Brother who can never read what she writes and her long suffering man-child Boyfriend who she couldn’t live without (but don’t tell him that!).

In her spare time she likes to create new worlds and tell the stories of the characters that are constantly shouting in her head. She also loves falling into the worlds created by other authors and escaping for a while through reading.

When she’s not adulting or chasing her writing dream she loves dog-napping her Mums shih-tzu Hector, chilling curled up on the sofa with her Boyfriend binge watching the latest series or movie, drinking too much diet coke (it’s her drug of choice), buying too many novelty notebooks, and completing adult colouring books as a form of relaxation. Oh and she is a massive hardcore Harry Potter geek. Ravenclaw for life!

Thank you for taking a chance on a newbie author – hope you enjoy and come back for more!

Dark, MC

#WOTR22 #MC #ChildAbuse #triggers #2ndChance #Dancer #SEAL – Turbo, Steel MC Montana Charter book 11 by Michel Prince and Wren McCabe

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Michel Prince is the attending author.

Turbo Book 11 of The Steel MC Montana Charter by [Michel Prince, Wren McCabe]

In book eleven of The Steel MC Montana Charter: Porsche ‘Turbo’ DeGrassa isn’t one to sit still. While she’s always up for a challenge or a new project, she tends to take them on without ever completing anything. Never in her life has she had a place become more than a pass through to the next adventure, and yet, she’s now five years into living with the Steels in Montana and itching to find something or someone to finally keep her from spinning like a top through life.

For months now, Michael ‘Bugs’ Hanover, has been wondering why his daughter had become distant. The ordinarily bubbly eight-year-old now is reserved and quiet. When he discovers the unthinkable at pick up, he snaps, sending his daughter and him on a cross-country trek to hide out with former SEAL Thomas ‘Hack’ Creek and regroup. His daughter’s safety and future are his only concern. While justified by all rights to the wrong he committed, the law may see it differently. The last thing he needs is a stunning woman connecting with his daughter and him when the stop was supposed to be a harbor in a storm.

A wild woman, much like his ex that didn’t keep his daughter safe, was now the one the little girl ran to for comfort. For Porsche, stepping in with a broken child cannot be a temporary project abandoned for the next fun opportunity. While Michael needs to move on, Turnabout Creek offers him a life after service if he can find a way to stay out of prison. Will he strive to stay one step ahead of the law? Or will he fight for what is right and the chance to be with the Turbo charged woman dancing her way into his life?

Trigger Warning : Child Sex Abuse Discussed

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

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

GAH!!  This book!!  We have seen Porsche in several of the books as a back up character or a dancer at the Roadside.  In Dreamers book we got to KNOW her and her back story.  I was super excited to see her get a book and knowing it would be with one of Hack’s buddies, I knew it would be good!!

Mike, Bugs, finds out the worst news ever by accident when he is picking up his daughter.  He runs to his friend’s town knowing SEALS help SEALS.  Little does he know this group also helps abused women and children.

Porsche, Turbo, is loving her live dancing but maybe is wondering about more.  It seems more and more people are shacking up and getting knocked up so she fears drinking the water.  But Porsche loves her live.  She does have some trauma she doesn’t want to deal with annnnd she really hates to take her medication for her mental health, but she loves her.

She gets a hair brain scheme to help the town and Chief raise funds for a town firetruck which causes a lot of funny moments and scenes between the men and their women to count.

When Porsche meets Mike the chemistry is sizzling off the charts but when Mike’s daughter, Syd, begins to open up and trust this woman, Mike begins to want ot know more about her.

Guys the story about Syd is crushing but the story of her recovery, loyalty, trust, and Love is what makes this book.  The last 2 chapters…one had me in tears with laughter but the last has me in tears for heartbreak!!  I absolutely oved this story.  Porsche was one hell of a woman and I will enjoy rereading this story a lot.  If I wasn’t 110% team Baldy, Mike might have stolen my heart with what he did to claim his woman!!

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult, new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

“Ms Prince writing is like summer breeze caressing your body, slow and sultry.”-Amazon review of First and Ten.

“Michel Prince is a wonderful author with a real talent for writing.”-Amazon Review of Triple B Baking Co.

“Prince explores in her novels is interracial romance and friendships. Prince pokes fun at stereotypes, but never allows stereotypes to guide her plot. The focus is on creating two strong, independent characters who can stand on their own, but complement each other as a couple.”- Amazon Review of Silly Girl

“One Last Sunset is a well written story by the awesome Michel Prince that left me wanting to learn more about the rest of the Long family.”- Amazon Review for One Last Sunset.

“I could not put it down, and will definitely be looking for more from this Author.”-Amazon Review of Silly Girl.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at her son’s games in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis, a 2022 finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards for The Amalgam and was a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy

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Wren grew up in the Northern part of the USA. She enjoys spending time with family, curling up with a good book, coloring in her adult books and driving motorcycles, big trucks and fast cars to relieve stress after a busy week.

Born in a large family she is all about family values and morals.

Wren’s friends and family will agree she is never far from a pen and paper as she finds so many things in the world peak her interest and can inspire an entire story.

Age Gap, Anti-Hero, Audio Book, Dark, Dark Romance, Dragons, Fake Relationship, MC, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Romantic Comedy, Shifters, sibling best friend, Witches

#RomanticComedy #ReverseHarem #Witches #Shifters #Paranormal #Dragons #FakeRelationship #dark #Wolves #MC #AgeGap #SiblingBestFriend -Twinsie Angie Top 5….errrr Top 6 from January 2022 to June 2022 – Accidental P*rnstar by Cindy Tanner, Til Death Do Us Part by Mary Martel, Rebel by AJ Renee, The Dragon’s Fake Fiancée by Sophie Stern, Outcast by RL Caulder, and Concede by SJ Chaynie

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General Admission tickets are still available for Writers on the River at www.writersontheriver.com

Full list of attending authors can be found on the webpage as well.

Hope to see you there July 16th!!

Now enjoy my top picks from January to June!!  Lemme know if you grab any in the comments!

Angie

All of the authors on this list are attending authors except for SJ Chaynie…maybe some day 🙂

Accidental P*rnstar by [Cindy Tanner]

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My college career was going great…

Until it wasn’t.

I lost my job, scholarship, and apartment in a trifecta of crap luck.

The last thing I want to do is run back home to my parents with my tail tucked. As luck would have it, my old roommate, Mason Davis, has a compelling—if slightly unorthodox solution—to my financial dilemma.

His suggestion?

A live stream feed of me enjoying a little steamy fun with HIM. The smoking hot guy I’ve fantasized about countless times before.

Surely, a tenacious bookworm like me can figure out how to let go of her inhibitions for one night.

After all, going viral is a good thing… right?

ANGIE Review –

I received this book from the author for free for an honest review.

Lawd ya’ll when Cindy showed me the title for this book I was cracking up. I couldn’t wait to read it. When she asked if I wanted an ARC…legit I jumped. I am so glad I did. This book has so many amazing lines and scenes. I was giggling on my chair on the deck. I legit gave the “Why are you looking at me” stare to my husband when he was all “Lets do something.” UHM NO Jules and Mason are making a PORN! LOL
SO Jules and Mason lived together with a snot and Mason moved out long before Jules. She was all kinds of a mess because on top of losing her housing she needs a job. She is at the club whichis never does and is drinking. She makes a fool of herself a couple times and thankfully Noah is there for them. LOL Jules and Mason reconnect and he offers her a room in his condo. Ya know the one he has also ready paid for. Well the comedy of what happens just needs to be read but needless to say Jules is not about t move in when…again …she has zero place to go.
Jules moves in and then Mason tells her is secret…ya know he does ALLFANS>>>GASP!! I know right!! SO after a quick chat he says he would love to scene with her for a cool $5K. When a girl is down a girl needs to do some drastic measures.
SO Mason and Jules start to blur the line between roommates/dating couple/work mates. They have some misunderstanding, jealousy, miscommunication, and of course a dash of “You trying to steal my girl”!!
The story was perfect. It was a great read and for sure I want a book on Mel and Noah.

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Till Death Do Us Part (An Ariel Kimber Novel Book 7) by [Mary Martel ]

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Ariel Kimber and her coven are under imminent threat from the Council. They are monsters, without fangs or horns, who hide behind their mantle of power, and they will do anything to get what they want.

The problem is, they want Ariel. They want her so badly that every other person around her is in danger just by being near her.

The Council forgot one very important fact though—Ariel Kimber is no victim. She’s a survivor, and the Council is stupid to think they can simply take her and destroy everything and everyone she loves.

She will do whatever it takes to keep her coven safe, even if she has to go through hell to do it. They are all more than willing to fight alongside her because she’s finally agreed to spend the rest of her life tied to them in every way possible.

They have a lot to fight for.

The goal is to make it to the other side without losing anyone along the way because they want their happily ever after.

And they want to be able to say till death do us part.

But life for Ariel Kimber is never that easy.

And it never will be.

ANGIE’s Review –

I received this book from the author for free for an honest review by that sexy bitch Mary Martel.

Between texting Mary to yell at her and texting her to sob to her…this book was everything fans of the series want to read. There is so much that happens in this book to move the story forward and answer questions but start so many new ones.
I am so afraid to spoiler this book that I am going to keep my review kinda vague in parts. I want you to be just as devasted and excited as I was. Lemme just say prepare for Chapters 14-17 because they are so heavy. My stomach was in KNOT…KNOTS…..tears….heartbreak….guys…so much happens in this part of the book.
Now don’t go thinking the rest of the book isn’t important because LAWD it is. There are so many parts of the book I need to discuss like Rain, Romero, and Isobel. I mean Jesus these 3. The crazy triangle!!!
Can I saw Q and Ariel arguing are pretty epic and as always hilarious for you the reader. Q is my favorite of the coven guys and of course he is an epic fuck up with his girl and understanding when she needs girly stuff. But I love Damien and Jules more this novel. Jules for standing up to Rain and Damien for understanding Ariel and her girl ways. Tyson is the best friend we need and love. Dash…sigh,,,he is just sensitive Dash. The twins made my heart so happy in this book. They open up and really show us how much they love being loved by Ariel. They understand her fears and do everything to let her know she is perfect for them.
The Council…guys…so much shit happens this book and shit will reverberate after shit that happens this book. I am so nervous and excited for what will happen after this book. GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vague reviews so as to not post spoilers!!!!!! Its so tough!!! But I need you to be just as devastated and broken as I was!
There was a new character introduced…..friends……your heart….it will be destroyed and yet it will make everything right with the coven. Does that make sense? It will trust me. I loved and hated this character. Loved them because of who they are but hated their back story. If they are involved in the Council it cant be a good one right????
As always I am a needy reader and want so much more. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!

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Rebel (Alumbra Pack Book 1) by [AJ Renee, Angie Wade]

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He’d long given upon finding his mate, but when he does, is she too broken to trust their bond?
Meeting boys after curfew should have been innocent fun, but it turned Rosalia’s life upside down. Escaping the werewolf compound wasn’t an option, so she did her best to survive the twisted hell she’d been dragged to. Her dreams of having a real chance at life had been smothered by guilt and the realization she was too broken, even if she ever did see her loved ones again.
Peter had nearly given up on finding his true mate, but a mission to rescue a pack member’s sister leads him to Rosalia. If he’d known why she’d been impossible to locate, he would have left the pack in his beta’s care and moved mountains to save her sooner.
He must find the strength to rein in his wolf’s need to claim her and give her the necessary space to heal. Her body, heart, and wolf are at odds, with merely a thin string keeping her tattered spirit from coming apart. Can Rosalia learn to trust Peter, or are the jagged, invisible scars too deep?

Angie’s Review –

I purchased this book.
I LOVED PETER!! I mean I have loved him since meeting him in the Broderick series. You do not have to read the Broderick series to read this book OR the following books in the series BUT I highly suggest it so you understand the relationships.
Peter…he is the best alpha. He loves his pack and those he deems pack like the witches in the Broderick coven. He is fierce in protecting those he loves. He is happy with his life, but he yearns for his mate. He is happy for Brandy and her siblings but…yeah why can’t he find HERE!!! Our calm cool alpha is outta his mind lately and he is not sure WHY. He can’t focus and is just hot tempered which is not Peter. When the pack and the coven go to save some women, he is beyond mad to see his mate there…in the room of abused and battered women AND a sister to Claudia.
Rosalie is the brave one of the group. She has done lots of things that many would find disgusting to survive abuse and horrors. When she realizes they are being rescued and its by her sister, she is overjoyed and then…..she sees him. The large wolf is her mate. She is scared given she has seen how alpha tend to treat women.
Rosie and Peter have a lot to overcome but Peter becomes more the man we know and love. He is doing everything to make sure she knows she is safe and wanted no matter what she as been through. He is doing everything to put her at ease to him and his caring. The waters these two navigate was pretty wicked at times but Peter never faulters. GUYS I loved him even more!!! GAH!! PETER!!!
I am so excited for this series and absolutely love that the Brodericks are just as front and center in this series as Peter’s pack was in their story. But I really wanna know whats up with Xander but Lea and Joel!! EEEEP!!!!
I cannot wait!!

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The Dragon's Fake Fiancée (Shifters of Rawr County Book 6) by [Sophie Stern]

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Cosmo has been living in Rawr County for the last 10 years because he hates himself and wants to be miserable. Dragon Isle was no good for him. Everyone there was too happy and joyful. A dragon like him deserves to be unhappy.

When his family tries to set him up with a childhood friend to date, he blurts out a lie: he’s engaged.

It’s not true.

But when they surprise him with an unexpected visit, he grabs his nearest employee, Athena, and introduces her as his fiancée.

What could possibly go wrong?

Angie’s Review –

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

Ok here goes. So Sophie is about the most adorable person I have ever met. I have read several of her alter ego books but have been looking to sink my teeth into on of these books but life man…not enough time in the day, right? SO, she offered this ARC and I jumped. Its in a “series” but all the books can be read in any order. I didn’t have any issues reading the 3 or 4th book in the series. Every side character was briefly introduced and then off we went.
Cosmo and Athena…. holy hawt burn. Holy pants melting off…. holy office spankings. Oh yeah you read that right…. OFFICE. SPANKING!
Ok ok so the Office Spanking was to get you hooked now lets really get down to the story, shall we??
Cosmo is a grumpy…..errrr……brooding dragon. His friends are all mating up and he is in love with his secretary who is in love with Benjamin. UGH Gross Benny. Anyway, he looks forward to seeing her every single day. Since she is his paralegal, it does happen all the time.
Althena is head over heels in love with her boss. Ya know, the dragon. She does everything can can to be close to him like going back to school to be a paralegal. She is so afraid of looking like the pathetic girl she is, and maybe in hopes of making him jealous, she makes but a boyfriend.
One phone call and visit from Cosmo’s family changes EVERYTHING for them. Cosmos mom and dad want him to come home to meet another chick to possible settle him down on Dragon Isle to have some dragon babies. Cosmo is not down with this idea, so he throws Athena under the bus and she goes along with it.
I mean they live together for a week and pretend to be getting married. They know so much about the other how can it go wrong?? LAWD the feelings that come rolling off each of them not knowing how the other really feels. The chemistry was so thick but the slow burn…….I almost combusted!!!
This story was sooooo good. I sat and devoured it in a couple hours. Now I need to grab the other books in the series and I am so looking forward to Jennifer, The Red Panda’s book with Lewis!!!

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Outcast (The Pack Prophecy Book 1) by [R.L. Caulder]

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“The arrival of the Prophetess will bring both hope and destruction for the wolves of the world.

She alone will be able to save them–or damn them.”

The dark prophecy that has been passed down since the first pack of shifters is coming to fruition– and I am at the center of it.

An orphaned human taken in by a pack of wolves. The fate of their existence in my hands.

I’ve been treated as the dirt beneath the pack’s paws for years.

Will they be able to accept my new role when my powers surface? Will I be able to forgive them enough to help them?

The bright spot amongst all the turmoil…finding my three fated. Until one of them rejects our bond.

The one thing I know for sure…death is coming for us all, soon, and the person responsible for it? Their betrayal is going to alter the shifter world forever.

I’ll conquer my powers, protect the packs, and live happily ever after with my men, right?

Wrong.

No one is prepared for the vile truths of my visions to come to light.

***

Author Note: This book has a 18+ warning and is intended for mature audiences. It is book one in The Pack Prophecy series which will end in a cliffhanger.

Angie’s Review –

I purchased this book and audio,

The narration of the story *Chef’s Kiss* was absolutely perfect. Heather and Jeffrey brought the characters to life 110%. I will be honest in that I LOVE Jeffrey’s audio and when I see his name, I am super excited.

I grabbed this book because R. L. Caulder will be attending a book signing I am going too. She has so many books to pick BUT this one had audio. It was the winner. I gotta admit chance is why I grabbed the book, but I am so addicted to Kira and her men.
I loved the fact this book was kinda a shifter’s version of Cinderella…I mean she is a gross human the Alpha and his wife, Maya, took in. But once the Alpha’s mate was killed by daimoma, he blames her and is keeping her in misery to punish her.
Kira had only known happiness the few years she was with Jameson and his mother, Maya. Once Maya was killed she was only bullied and teases horrible by all the wolves in the pack Jameson and Sophia were the worst ones to her. There was only one bright spot in her day. Milo always would protect her. He has made it clear he has feelings for her, but she knows once the full moon hits when he turns 21 just like the rest of the pack, he will find his mate and forget her. She guards her heart and hopes one day she can find happiness too.
The closer the pack comes to the next full moon, Kira notices Seth, Jameson’s bestie, looking at her like a pork chop. She is angry that NOW he admits he has feelings. Sorry Seth not happening. Kira does as she is always expected to do when the full moon hits and everyone changes….even KIRA!!!??? Milo, Seth, AND Jameson all run to her because they feel the pull to their “Fated Mate”. The wolves all see who for her she is but the men have issue except Milo. Seth soon realizes he needs to listen to his wolf but Jameson…well he is a dick. Mega dick who is so blinded with hatred for Kira.
Kira soon learns she is has the powers to save the shifters but a cliffy happens when she soon discovers what is happening and who is leading the daimoma.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!

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Concede: Knights of Paradise MC by [S.J. Chaynie ]

This book releases TOMORROW July 1st!!

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I’ve spent the last four years in a Catholic boarding school. A very different world from the one I have found myself being forced into. There is a dangerous game being played, and I haven no choice but to be under his protection. He’s the king, and expects me to bow just like all the others. The more he demands, the more I resist. He’s not just too old for me, or just the president of a motorcycle club. He’s my brother’s best friend, and if he wants me as his queen, he better prove he’s worthy enough for me to put on the crown.

This is an adult novel intended for mature readers.
Book 1 of the Knights of Paradise MC Series. Does end on a cliffhanger, part of a continuing series.

Angie’s Review –

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

First up, I saw a booktok trailer and was like “HEEEEY GIRL” to the authors.  I essentially asked nicely…cough cough begged…..for an ARC of this book.  MC is my JAM and it sounded like something I would love.  It hits all my favs…Best friend’s sibling/age gap/MC.  I was super thrilled when she said YES.  I got the book and downloaded thinking I would get a chapter or two in before I put it down to do housework.  PFT Housework be damned.  Maverick and Tanner had my FULL attention, but I was side eyeing Dom and Dani.  Don’t worry I got questions you two!!

Now I know people are haters for cliffhangers, but I love them.  I really do.  So, I will warn you this is a cliffy but it’s a good one.  Does that make sense?  Prolly not for you cliffy haters.  But for real, I loved it and where it dropped at is a good ending/beginning for the next story.

Ok so Maverick/Zeke and Tanner/Vix.  This book runs you through the gamete.  Tanner starts to story as a wide-eyed boarding school virgin with no idea who her brother is and especially what a MC Club is.  When the story cliffies, we see a strong woman who know what she wants and who she wants.  My favorite scene of the book is when she has had it with Maverick’s shit.  For Real!!  Our girl is over it and she tells him what is up.  It is up to him to make the changes because she is DONZO.  But my next favorite scene is when they are bed shopping for his room…Maverick is a dirty dirty boy!!!  He plays soooo dirty to get what he wants, and that is Tanner!

Maverick is the MC president, and he loves the lifestyle.  He doesn’t think he should settle down and honestly doesn’t really have any intensions.  However, Tanner makes him want more and importantly makes him FEEL more.  The feelings she causes in him are powerful and super confusing to the manwhore.

Now Dom is Tanners brother who is all “Hand off” buuuuut dude uhm you don’t seem to be keeping your hands off Mavericks little sister, Dani.  Pot Meet Kettle!!  I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2.  I think Mr. Dom is getting the much-needed eye opener he needs to claim what his heart desires most!