All posts by Jo-Anna W

#REVIEW – Here Loves a Sociopath: A Dark Bully Academy Romance (Here Lies Book 3) by C.L. Matthews

Here Lives a Corpse is book one of a five-book series. You do have to read all to understand. Each one ends on a cliffhanger.

Here Lives a Corpse – Oct 13th
Here Lies a Saint – Dec 8th
Here Loves a Sociopath – April 1st
Here Prays a Sinner – June 1st
Here Saves a Killer – July 20th

We all have demons, some of us know how to befriend them rather than defy them.
They always speak of me… whispers of a devil with a charming smile.
But they don’t know me, what truly lies beneath.
I’m a monster with the face of a boy, married to the darkness, harvested by the past, and saved by none.
My intentions aren’t clear, but the murky water my hopes died in is.
I’ll save her since no one else can.
She’ll hate the process.
They’ll run for their salvation.
The Vestige won’t take any prisoners.
Taking away her choices wasn’t intentional, tying her hands wasn’t permanent, but stealing every part of her that matters was always my goal.
In the end, I’ll demolish the meek castle they’ve built, proving that the fixer will always outwin the weak.
Screw princes and kingdoms.
The devil always played harder and smarter.
She’s mine, they’ve only forgotten their place.

Have you ever become so enthralled with a series and a group of characters, that you just feel like you know them and they’re your best friends and you just want to keep them safe from harm? Well that’s me with the characters in this series. While they are teenagers and I could be old enough to be their mother if I had them young enough, I just want to tuck them into my arms and hide them from all the crap they have to deal with. Like seriously.

When Cassie told me she was writing a reverse harem type series but with her own twist and spin on things, I was like okay. I don’t read a lot of RH books anyway but I knew that what she would write, would be beyond epic. And dudes, can we talk about mind being blown? I’m always in awe of Cassie’s writing. She grows with each book and this series, the way she paints the images in your head with her words, is something I strive for as an author myself. The details, although simple but smart and unique, leave you being able to see the scene likes you’re watching it play out on screen in front of you. I’m simply in awe right now.

I knew that by the time I was done book one that Bridger would be my favourite and I couldn’t wait for his story. So when Cassie said that his book was number three, I was beyond excited to read it and she didn’t disappoint.

You do have to read these books in order to get the full feel of the story as there are so many layers to each character that get slowly peeled away like layers of an onion as we get deeper and deeper into the story. I can’t wait for this series to be done and to read these books back to back.

While we learn more about each character in this book, we are of course left with more questions but I trust Cassie to give us all of the answers when her and her characters are ready. There are so many twists and turns and I can’t wait for the next book!

Oh and that certain scene with the 5 of them…wow. Just wow. I won’t go into details but trust me, you all need to read this series. This is hands down my favourite series of Cassie’s and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

#REVIEW – Out of the Shadows: A Memoir by Timea Nagy & Shannon Moroney

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

An unforgettable story of an ordinary woman in astonishing circumstances who defies the odds.


Timea Nagy was twenty years old when she answered a newspaper ad in Budapest, Hungary, calling for young women to work as babysitters and housekeepers in Canada. Hired by what seemed like a legitimate recruitment agency, Timea left her home believing she would earn good money to send back to her family. What she didn’t know was that she’d been lured by a ring of international human traffickers–and her life would never again be the same.

Upon her arrival in Toronto, she was forced into sex labour in some of the city’s seediest nightclubs, starved and controlled by her agents, and brainwashed to believe she was to blame for her situation. The only way she’d be free was when her debt was paid–but, no matter how hard she worked, that debt seemed only to go up, not down.

Out of the Shadows is a gripping, heartbreaking and eye-opening journey deep into the underworld of human trafficking and the sex trade, told in riveting detail by one brave survivor. At once tragic and powerfully redemptive, Timea Nagy’s story will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page.
I seriously have no words. Living in Ontario, I knew a lot of the streets mentioned, having been to Toronto more times than I count. I knew about the trafficking issues but I had no idea just how bad it was. Timea’s story was beyond brave. She’s fearless and strong even though I’m sure at times, she probably doesn’t feel that way. Even now. What she went through was heartbreaking but how she came out on top at the end, had me emotional. This story, Timea’s story, will forever be burned into my heart as one of the most powerful stories I’ve ever read. Timea, I know you’ll never read this but thank you for telling your story. I’m not a victim/survivor of any sort of trauma but I felt for these girls and boys. All different ages, it just shows that it doesn’t matter what sex you are. And really, age doesn’t matter either. Timea answered a babysitting ad to leave Hungary and come to Toronto, thinking she would be safe and she wasn’t. At all. Just a warning, there are triggers in this book, so please read with caution. While reading, every time something bad happened to Timea, I kept thinking that she couldn’t catch a break. I’m happy she was able to mend some past relationships and that she was able to find happiness of her ownself after years and years of living in darkness. If you’re working with human trafficking victims or going to school having to do with scary and very real issue, I highly recommend reading this book.

#REVIEW – The Hospital by Barbara O’Hare

A shocking expose of the appalling abuse and experimentation carried out on vulnerable children at Aston Hall Hospital, Derbyshire, in the 60s and 70s.
These books based on true events are way scarier than the horror movies I watch. Knowing the evil vile things that happened in these books, actually happened to someone in real life, is bothersome to say the least. So when 2020 happened, I went through a kick of reading non-fiction books. While they’re well written, I feel almost weird saying that they’re “good” because honestly, what part of the story is even remotely considered to be perceived as “good”? These stories hit me in a different spot somewhere deep inside me, than romance does. Knowing that some poor child/teen/adult went through these awful things, makes me want to befriend them and tuck them safely into my arms. The Hospital is no different. Barbara wasn’t wanted. You see that right away. Which is horrible by the way. She ends up being sent to “The Hospital” and spends months going through “treatment”. I tried understanding what exactly happened during these treatment sessions as it wasn’t exactly clear at first. But with all the books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen, my assumptions were unfortunately correct. Barbara eventually makes it out of The Hospital but every time I thought something good was about to happen and she finally had her freedom, something worse came about. If you like non-fiction books and need a change, definitely pick this one up.

#BookBlitz – Levi (Untamed Sons, #4) by Jessica Ames

He’s live!!!

Title: Levi
Series: Untamed Sons MC #4
Author: Jessica Ames
Genre: MC Romance

BLURB
Levi
As Secretary of the Untamed Sons MC, I know my place. I’m the youngest member to ever become an officer and I’m not doing anything to put that in jeopardy. Then I meet Noelle. She’s a club bunny. Brothers don’t claim the women who service our club, but I want her like I want my next breath. For her, I’ll put my position on the line and risk the wrath of my president.
Noelle
After the death of my sister, my need to get revenge pushes me into the arms of my enemy. I want to tear them down, destroy their whole club and I’ll stop at nothing to get my revenge. Then I meet Levi. He changes my outlook, makes me realise that the Sons are not all bad, even if they have a few rotten apples in the barrel.
I’m falling hard and fast, but I’m in too deep. Telling him the truth of who I really am will get me killed, but if I don’t we can never be together.
*Warning : Contains adult content, reading age 18 +. Graphic violence and dark emotional scenes that may trigger some readers.
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55599939-levi
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#1 Ravage
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#2 Nox
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#3 Daimon
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COMING SOON
#5 Titch – Releasing May 24
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#6 Fury – Releasing July 23
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#BookBlitz- Fragile Things by Samantha Lovelock

Grinning wickedly at my small victory, I graze my teeth along his sculpted jawline. His hands tightly squeeze my shoulders before one leaves its perch to trace lazily down my spine, and the other fists into the back of my long, glossy black hair. Pulling softly to force my chin up, it feels like he stares directly into my soul as he thoughtfully runs his tongue across his very kissable bottom lip. At that moment, I catch the slight glint of the stud piercing his tongue.
.
Good lord, I’m all in.
.
Feeling me strain lightly against the fist in my hair, he releases just enough for me to reach up and capture that bottom lip between my teeth before letting it slowly slide free.
.
The game is real now, and I just upped the ante.
.
Read Now: http://samanthalovelock.info/FragileThings
.
#folkestonesins #samanthalovelock #theheirs #fragilethings #darkromance #romancebooks #kindlereads #kindleunlimited #ku #romancebookaddict

#BookBlitz – The Many Lives of Bindi Charity Anthology

🐕🐕🐕 NOW AVAILABLE! 🐕🐕🐕
Coming Soon from Fiery Vision Publishing!!!
The Many Lives of Bindi
Various Authors
Release Date: March 25, 2021
http://mybook.to/ManyLivesOfBindiFVP
Bindi Bio:
Bindi is a sassy old gal. She became a member of the Brugge family when was just 14 weeks. Bindi endured unspeakable cruelty during her early life. There are so many things that can be said about Bindi. She isn’t trusting and takes a while for her to warm up to you. Her loyalty is like none other.
After a life full of love, Bindi was diagnosed with Vestibular Disease. In a tribute of love, her family and friends put together this anthology so that Bindi’s spirit will live on forever.
All proceeds of this anthology will go directly to Rose’s Rescue to help[ other animals in need.
Rose’s Rescue Bio:
Founded in 2003, by Rose Sachs. Acquiring several dogs that had been dropped off or abandoned, she had taken care of them while trying to find homes for placement. By 2004, Rose’s Rescue had grown, and more like-minded people had joined the team to push the cause further than they had ever imagined. Finally, on October 10th, 2006 Rose’s Rescue was officially granted their 501c3 status. As of 2021, they continue to grow, and with the help of volunteers, they are able to reach out to local shelters to assist where they can. Now taking in cats as well, Rose’s Rescue shows that their compassion is limitless.

#BookBlitz #FreeBook – Fate’s Demand by Aleatha Romig

Stepping into the city limits, the vibes of New Orleans infiltrate the thoughts and feelings of each unsuspecting individual.
Twinkling lights.
Copious amounts of alcohol.
And
Ghost stories of lore.
As Emma waits for a business meeting, those ingredients are there, in the heavy air and circulating through her bloodstream. Until everything changes.

Everett Ramses is tall, dark, and mysterious.
He’s more than that.
According to him…he is Emma’s fate.

And he has a demand.

Will she run, or will she find out what fate’s demand has in store?

“FATE’S DEMAND” is an intriguing meeting to whet readers’ appetite for more of an all-new dark-romance world, Devil’s Deal, by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig. Get ready to love and hate, to swoon and swear…Rett Ramses will bring out all the emotions.

*“FATE’S DEMAND” first appeared in the Bookworm Box anthology ONE MORE STEP as a short story entitled “THE DEAL.”

#BookBlitz – Paper Hearts by Brittany Taylor

An all new enemies-to-lovers/ second chance romance!
🖤
Now available –> mybook.to/PaperHeartsBT
Blurb:
Asher Owens.
Gorgeous. Arrogant. Liar.
It’s been ten years since Asher left me with nothing but the remains of our shattered dreams.
The last place I expected to see him was at a small bar in a city of over eight million.
With my heart set on expanding my business, I needed one of New York City’s best real estate executives. Little did I know it would be the same man who had torn my heart like a piece of paper before setting it on fire.
Once my gaze lands on his, I know Asher is no longer the boy I loved when I was eighteen. No, this Asher treated me like a stranger. All for the sake of not wanting to sift through the ashes of our past.
Yet Asher’s arrogance rivaled any sort of rejection, even mine. Using his own selfish ambition, he needed me to claw his way to the top.
Despite his true motives, I had foolishly let him back in.
I’d fallen in love with Asher Owens once before and this time I would try my best not to make the same mistake twice.

#BookBlitz – Not Safe For Work Series!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK SERIES ANNOUNCEMENT
In celebration of Administrative Professionals day, sixteen of your favorite steamy short romance authors bring you a brand-new series #NotSafeForWork. Join us in Toronto, for naughty secretaries and office shenanigans guaranteed to set your kindles on fire!
Now available!!
https://amzn.to/3t1MrSM
Office Romance is in the air. The #NotSafeForWork Series is now available!
Brought to you by the #PearlClutchersCollective.