All posts by Melinda B

#WOTR23 #NewRelease #Review – SLOTH: Seven Deadly Sins Mafia – By: JM Walker

SLOTH: Seven Deadly Sins Mafia Romance by [J.M. Walker]

He taught me everything I knew.
Drugs. Weapons. Money. More.
If it became known that we shared a history before he became the Arlo Rossi, it could cost us both of our lives.
Our destinies were quite different. Especially when I wasn’t part of the family.
After an unexpected meeting, I was reluctant to embrace everything I knew.
Everything he taught me.
When all was said and done, I realized that I may not have a choice.Lust. Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Wrath. Envy. Pride.
DARE TO BE SINFUL!
Seven amazing authors are bringing the sins to life! Indulge in guilty pleasure with a mafia world full of deceit, romance, betrayal, and more! All books are standalone!Authors:
J.L. Leslie – Lust – January 2023
Crimson Syn – Gluttony – March 2023
Erin Trejo – Greed – May 2023
JM Walker – Sloth – July 2023
Delaney Foster – Wrath – September 2023
Kathy Coopmans – Envy – November 2023
Daphne Loveling – Pride – January 2024

Goodreads


Review by Twinsie Melinda

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

When JM sends a book and says it’s something new want to read it.  UM yes is always the answer. I have to say she did a great job on writing a mafia novella.

Ginny was the only daughter in a long line of son’s in the mafia family. Her dad was the only one that wanted her. He taught her how to survive and protect herself. He also made sure she was protected and looked after by his best friend Arlo. When Ginny’s world goes spiraling around her Arlo is there to help clean up and keep her safe. Although she ends up saving him also.

This was a quick read. Although I wish there was more because I enjoyed the sass that Ginny gave to Arlo. I also loved how much Arlo loved her and even though he was there to protect her he allowed her to make mistakes. Arlo was always there when she needed him most.  They are the perfect couple and would love to know more about them.

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

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

#Review – Wolf King: A Dark Mafia Shifter/Rejected Mate Romance (Wolfs of New York book #1) – By: Bella Jacobs

He’s also my only hope.

As a shifter from the wrong side of the tracks who’s just been rejected by my abusive fated mate, I don’t have a lot of options in this city.

I have no choice but to make a deal with the devil.

But that doesn’t mean I’m powerless. I have an ace up my sleeve, a bargaining chip Maxim can’t resist. He wants revenge on my pack leaders for poisoning his father, and I hold the key to his enemy’s destruction.

In exchange for one month of protection from my ex and his friends, I promise to give Maxim what he wants—me.

I expect honoring the bargain to be pure hell. I don’t expect to ignite every time we touch or to develop a soft spot for this wounded wolf. His blood calls to mine, and I’m starting to think this wicked king may have a heart after all.

But is there room in his world for love? Or am I destined to become a pawn in his dark game?

*This is book one in a quartet. It ends in a cliffhanger.*

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

Another New to me author.  I purchased this book on amazon. Who can pass up shifter mobster. The description of the book had me hooked. This is book one of four and be prepared it does end on a cliffhanger.

Willows fate has been decided she was mated to an evil alpha. Not accepting this as her fate she runs right into the arms of the alpha of their enemy. She makes a deal with Maxim to buy her some time.

Maxim I’m not sure of but when he starts to open up and show Willow another side of him, I am head over heals for him. The chemistry between Willow and Maxim is explosive. Maxim knows she is hiding something and is going to find out. Can Willow handle everything that is going to come her way. So far she has lost everything, her sister, and her parents.

I enjoy the friendship that Willow and Maxim sister have. With what is coming Willows way I’m not sure she will have anything but the end. I want to know what will happen next with Willow and Maxim. To be honest I also want to know more about Maxim’s sister.

Bella Jacobs loves pulse-pounding action, fantasy, and supernaturally high stakes, mixed with swoon-worthy romance and unforgettable heroes.

She adores trips to the dark side and can’t wait to take you on her next adventure.

Visit her at www.bellajacobsbooks.com

#Review #Paranormal #SWAT – Desired by the Dragon (SWAT Shifters, Book #6) By: Bella Drake

He was banished for crimes against the dragon clan. She’s the daughter of a dragon elder. When these true mates meet, will his past destroy their future?

FBI SWAT leader Wyatt Carson came to terms with being an outcast long ago. Or so he thought, until he meets the one thing a banished dragon cannot have: his true mate.

Amelia Blunt went looking for freedom from oppressive clan life, but what she finds is the mate she never dreamed existed. But when he tells her they can never be together, she’s left hurt and confused…and determined to prove him wrong. There’s no risk she won’t take to be with her fated mate.

The pull of the mate bond is growing impossible for Wyatt to resist, but just being near a banished dragon puts Amelia’s life at stake. The only way to protect her is to deny their love.

Can Wyatt make the ultimate sacrifice for love, or will attempting to save his mate destroy them both?

Desired by the Dragon is the sizzling final book in the SWAT Shifters paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, steamy scenes, and strong heroes, then you’ll love Bella Drake’s pulse-pounding new series.

Buy Desired by the Dragon to risk everything for love today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I’m kinda sad to see this series end. I love these shifters and their mates. Flint was one of my favorites in my opinion saved the best for last.
My heart broke to hear Flints back story but to see him with his mate made my heart happy. Being a dragon shifter and ban from his family and all other dragons made him hesitate when he met his mate. He didn’t want he to have the same fate ass him. However, they could not deny the pull of the fated mate bond.
My heart was torn when he had to put his own life on the line to save hers. Flint would do anything to save his mate even if it means losing his own life.
This was the best ending to the series I loved Flint and Amelia. Flint tried so hard to resist the mate bond but there was not stopping it. Flint was doomed between mate bond and Amelia being so determined to make this work.

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#Review #Paranormal #SWAT – Protected by the Panther (SWAT Shifters, Book #5)

She’s an FBI agent. He made his name running with the notorious Viper gang. Now he’s their star witness …and her true mate.

FBI agent Eve Sincero has spent months hunting the ruthless Viper gang, and now one’s landed in her lap…but he’s not under arrest, he’s in witness protection. The only thing worse than having to keep him safe is discovering that he’s her fated mate—a realization that makes Eve sick to her stomach.

Liam Marshall was relieved to walk away from his life of crime, but turning on his gang mates is proving even more dangerous than living with them. The only perk? The sexy FBI agent sent to guard him—except the very sight of him makes her ill. Stuck in a safehouse together, Liam is sure he can overcome her reservations, but a heart is not an easy thing to steal.

Eve is determined to get the job done and get out, but her inner panther has other ideas about the hot bad boy. But when a secret arises from Liam’s murky past, the decision may be taken out of her hand—forever.

Can the power of fated bonds bring the unlikely couple together, or will the past destroy their future?

Protected by the Panther is the sizzling fifth book in the SWAT Shifters paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, steamy scenes, and strong heroes, then you’ll love Bella Drake’s pulse-pounding new series.

BuyProtected by the Panther take a chance on love today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

This is the fifth book and about Kit the only female member of the FBI Swat team. Talk about one bada$$ panther.
Kit wants to take down the Viper gang for what they did to her best friend. Now is her chance she is assigned to protect one of the gang members that is going to testify against the leader. Upon entering the safe house she realizes the criminal she is to protect is her fated mate.
Liam never had a family always going from group home to foster home. He thought he found a family with the Vipers until he could no longer deal with what they were doing. He now finds himself in protective custody with more questions than answers.
This was my favorite book in the series so far. So many secrets were uncovered and man I didn’t see some of them coming. I loved Kit and Liam’s story but I have been waiting for Flints story since the first book. I’m so ready to learn more about him.

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#Review #Paranormal #SWAT – Prized by the Polar Bear (SWAT Shifters, Book 4) By: Bella Drake

He thinks she’s perfection. She thinks he’s a dangerous criminal. Can he prove there’s more to him than meets the eye?
FBI SWAT agent Miles Sloane has his polar bear shifter side in careful check. Or he did, until he met his fated mate. Now he’s throwing her over his shoulder, and the word ‘kidnap’ is being bandied about.

Soraya Whitiker has calculated every step of her life. Nothing happens that she doesn’t plan. Successful business? Check. Beautiful home? Check. Until she gets kidnapped by an intoxicating stranger. Sonya knows she should be terrified, but all she can think of is how hot her captor is.

Alone with his mate at least, Sloane is certain he can convince her that their love is meant to be. The only problem? Her jaded heart has heard every story going, and they’re all more believable than his.

Can Sloane overcome all odds to make her his own, or will he lose his mate forever?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

Oh my Sloane, he does not disappoint really he finds his fated mate picks her up and carries her our of the bar away from her date because she is his. Yes that is right the FBI SWAT member kidnaps his mate. I love this big Polar Bear. Now that he has her he has to explain who and what they are to each other without her running for the hills.

Ray is the daughter of a wealthy business man. When Ray is kidnapped she knows her dad will send the best of the vest to find her but can she survive the swamp and crazy man. Imagine her surprise when she realizes Sloane is not crazy and telling her the truth. No matter what trouble Ray finds herself in Ice is there to help her.

I absolutely love Ice and his family they are fun and enjoy tormenting one another. Ray makes a great addition to their family.

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#Review #Paranormal #SWAT – Held by the Hawk (SWAT Shifter, Book #3 By: Bella Drake

He was raised to hate the lion pride. She was raised to hate the hawk flock. When the mate bond unites them, their families threaten to tear everything apart.

FBI agent Ramon Delgado is fiercely protective of his extended family. A hawk shifter, and eldest son of the flock’s leader, it’s not just his nature but his duty. When he discovers a young cousin has gatecrashed a party at the lion’s den, he can only hope to get him out before blood is spilled. The very last thing he expects to find when he enters the fray is his beautiful fated mate.

Lion shifter Seraphina Brown is fed up with her lazy brother causing trouble. When a few young hawks gatecrash her sister’s birthday, she’s intent on throwing them out before her brother discovers what they are. But when an FBI agent shows up to defuse the situation and arrests him, she has bigger problems. How is she supposed to explain to her family that her fated mate is a hawk?

Torn between family feud and their one chance at love, she faces even more danger when her belligerent brother takes it upon himself to remove the handsome hawk once and for all. With her life on the line, Seraphina must choose between family pride and a love that fate ordained.

Can love triumph over prejudice or will this romance break more than hearts?

Held by the Hawk is the sizzling third book in the SWAT Shifters paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, steamy scenes, and strong heroes, then you’ll love Bella Drake’s pulse-pounding new series.

BuyHeld by the Hawk to choose love today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased this book.

I am enjoying this shapeshifter SWAT team. I love that when they find their mates these big tough alphas are brought to their knees. What do you get when a Hawk and a Lion are fated mates and family enemies? One intense mating and a not so happy family.

Hawk found his mate when he went to collect his cousins who stupidly crashed a lion shifters party. Both Saffy and Hawk were surprised to find their fated mate was from a rival shifter family. Hawk and Saffy could not be happier that they found each other. If only the families felt the same way.

Even though I had the feeling of a Romeo and Juliet vibe it didn’t end the same thankfully. I am enjoying these short reads and getting to know the shifters on the SWAT team. I am intrigued to read ICE the Polar Bear next.

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#Review #Paranormal #SWAT – Guarded by the Grizzley (SWAT Shifters Book #2) By: Bella Drake

He’d do anything for her. She’s trapped in a loveless marriage. When duty and destiny are pitted against each other, will desire lead to disaster?

Bear shifter Nash Barnes is a relentless agent of justice. Sworn to his FBI SWAT team, nothing comes between him and protecting his community. Until he meets Aria. But when he discovers his fated mate is already married to another man, his distress puts his teammates’ lives at risk.

Aria Morgan is desperately unhappy. Trapped in a marriage of convenience to a mean, abusive cartel member, she’s long since given up on love. But when a handsome stranger defends her from her aggressive husband, she can’t quite convince herself to send him away.

When Nash offers to kick her husband out of her house, she’s torn. She longs to finally be free of him and explore the explosive chemistry brewing between her and the sexy agent, but taking her shot at love could cost Aria her life.

With a target on her back, there’s nothing Nash won’t do to protect his true mate.

Guarded by the Grizzly is the seductive second book in the SWAT Shifters paranormal romance series. If you like fated mates, steamy scenes, and strong heroes, then you’ll love Bella Drake’s pulse-pounding new series.

Buy Guarded by the Grizzly to fight for love today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased this book.

After reading Wanted by the Wolf I downloaded the second book I had to know more about Nash and the others. Nash the Grizzley is brought to his knees when he smells his mate in Maya’s Bakery. Nash is crushed when Maya tells him his mate is married.

Aria married a man not out of love but as an arrangement. When Nash realizes her husband is abusive and a downright awful husband, he decides there is no holding him back from her. The chemistry between Nash and Aria was instantaneous. Nash was ready to remove Aria’s husband from her life after he knew how awful he was to her. No one would harm or treat his mate poorly.

I enjoyed seeing how these two work things out and how her husband plays a part in this book. I cannot wait to read Hawk next. I’ve already downloaded Hawk and ready to read.

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#Review #Shifters #SWAT- Wanted by the Wolf (SWAT Shifters, book #1) by: Bella Drake

He’ll do anything to defend her. She can’t stay away from him. With sexual tension high and danger even higher, will desire lead to disaster?

Shapeshifter Cole Masters ferociously protects his community. Sent in to defuse an escalating hostage situation, he and his fellow SWAT members pull out all the stops to save the innocent victim from his brutal captors. But he’s shocked to scent his fated mate at the crime scene… standing on the side of the kidnappers.

Maya Danvers is desperate to talk some sense into her brother. After her attempt to right his wrongs lands her in an interrogation, she struggles to bury her attraction for the handsome operative demanding answers. Shouldn’t she have bigger concerns than the sexy agent?

Trying to keep his supernatural identity a secret, Cole fears that when they both come under fire, their explosive chemistry will shatter. But when Maya attracts the wrong kind of attention, there’s more at stake than hiding his nature.

There’s nothing he won’t do to protect his true mate.

Wanted by the Wolf is the seductive first novella in the SWAT Shifters paranormal romance series. If you like steamy scenes, heart-pounding action, and hot heroes, then you’ll love Bella Drake’s passionate tale.

Buy Wanted by the Wolf to unleash a dangerous yearning today!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I saw this on amazon as a free to buy.  I could not pass it up when I saw it was a shapeshifter SWAT Team. Plus I love finding new to me authors.

This was a quick read but I was not able to put it down. Cole had my attention from jump as well as the other SWAT Team members. To see Cole be brought to his knees when he realized Maya was his mate was amusing.

I enjoyed Maya just as much as Cole. She is a perfect match for him. I loved that Maya could hold her own when she needed to but would let Cole take over when she was in over her head. I cannot wait to see their relationship grow and see the other SWAT members find their mates.

I enjoyed this on so much I had to immediately down load Nash. I have a feeling Nash is going to fall all over himself when he meets his mate.

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#WOTR23 #NewRelease #Review – With Every Breath: Book 1 in the Brave Enough duet – By: Heather D’Agostino

When we’re children, we never believe bad stuff can happen to us. I’m here to say that it does, that it did to me, but I came out on top. I won when everyone said I couldn’t.

I’ve learned over the years to live my life one day at a time. You never know what tomorrow will bring, how it can change you, or if it might be your last.

Take the chances you’ve been afraid to take.

Do the things you’ve always wanted to do.

And live life with no regrets.

I found love when I thought I wouldn’t. I’ve found faith when I thought I couldn’t, and now I’m fighting a battle I’m not sure I can win.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

This is a tug at your heart story. Bailey has been through so much when she was younger. I was not a big fan of Bailey but I understand why she is the way she is. When Dex finds her he helps her open up an learn to live life to the fullest.

I enjoyed watching this relationship grow and see Bailey open up. I think Dex was perfect for Bailey. Even with everything Bailey went though sometime bad things come back and change your life forever. Bailey knows it could happen but still makes choice to live life.

As in most Duets, this leaves us wondering what will happen next. I hope it goes the way I think it should but we will see if I get my wish or if this goes in a totally different way.  I am so ready for the second book to see how it all ends.

Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.

She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.

She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the dance studio, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’.


Facebook: www.facebook.com/H.DAgostino.Author

Twitter: @hdagostino001

Website: http://hdagostinobooks.weebly.com

Reader Group/ Street Team on Facebook:
Heather’s Hotties: https://www.facebook.com/groups/87786…

#AudioReview – Downshift: Skid Row Kings Series Book 1 – By: Winter Travers Narrator: Jessica Eastwick

Downshift: Skid Row Kings Series, Book 1

Luke Jensen lived on the wrong side of the tracks all his life, but that never stopped him from realizing his dream and making it a reality. Now, the King of the Street Racing scene, he finally has everything he wants and he won’t let anyone take it away from him.
Violet Barnes lived a sheltered life growing up, never fitting in except in the books that she loved. After losing her parents, she forges forward, creating her own little world, content in being alone.
When Violet stumbles into Luke’s shop, sparks fly but neither can let go of the hard lessons they learned growing up.
Will Violet give Luke a chance to prove he’s not just another gear head? Or will Luke write Violet off before they even have a chance to see that they both need to let go of their past, and focus on the future?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I listen to this book in one day. It drew me in and I didn’t want to hit pause. I was looking for something different I am a shifter and MC gal I’m usually not a sports type girl but this one may have changed my mind.

Luke came from the wrong side of town but was able to rise above it and made something of his life. After his parents died he finds himself responsible for his 14 year old sister. A big change from what he was use to in his life. He is use to fast cars and easy women. He finds himself face to face with a feisty librarian when he forgets his sister at the library.

Violet is getting by day by day and paycheck to paycheck but she is doing well for herself. She befriends a 14 year old girl, Frankie, which comes by the library daily that she finds she has a lot in common with between books, music, and the loss of both their parents. Violet finds Luck is there to bail her out of trouble when her car breaks down and forced to spend time with him.

I loved the back and forth Violet had regarding the relationship with Luke. It felt real and could see this occur in life. Quite book girl finds herself in the fast and the furious world of a man and his car. You could not have two more opposites than Luke and Violet….Luke lives life by the seat of his pants and the faster the better….Violet likes quite time and to be alone. The side characters were great too. I want to find out so much more about them. My heart went out to Frankie for having to deal with her aunt and everything that her aunt put her through. I cannot wait to read Mitch’s story but the one I am really interested in is Kurt and Leelee. I loved Leelee from the moment she arrived at the races. I want a friend like her. I cannot wait to see how things go when these two go head to head.

Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin.
After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home.
Winter spends her days writing happily ever afters, and her nights being a karate mom hauling her son to practices and tournaments. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, puppies, and baking.