This blog is for those 18 and older.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

On the Edge, A Dublin Nights Novel by Brittney Sahin

The first two things in this romance are a paradox to me because I love Dublin, Ireland and hate fighting.  So, of course, I had to read this story and find out what Brittney Sahin  creates to make me love the tale.

Granted an internship in Dublin, Anna, filled with excitement and fear, packs up and leaves the U.S. for the summer.  


Her roommate in Ireland is as good as a blind date.  She found Leslie online, the supposed woman who turns out to be a man.  Only she meets Adam instead on her entry of the apartment.

Adam is Leslie's best friend, a fighter - kind of like boxing only worse and illegal, and a billionaire.  Quite the unique combination.  Leslie had been beat up pretty bad in the ring, so Adam is sent to meet Anna.

The meeting of Adam and Anna is uncomfortable, but it is even worse when Anna starts her internship and finds Adam is her boss and owner of the tech company.  

Leslie is still a big part, but hardly seen.  He also fights and lost a lot of money.  Adam had quit fighting, but is put in a position to get his friend out of trouble and ultimately to keep Anna safe.  Adam is blackmailed into returning to the fight, almost a bad addiction for him.

Let's not forget, during the close contact Adam and Anna continually have, they are extremely attracted and can't hide that fact.  I have to like her because she abhors fighting just like me.  He has some hidden good points other than being a fine business man.  Between his looks and charitable goodwill, Anna just might be able to find a good man in him.

Let's hope she gets a job through her internship, can overcome the distance from her family, and he finds a way to stay away from the fighting!

Happy reading,

Dawn


  

Sunday, March 28, 2021

New Release ~ HOT SEAL, CHARMED by Parker Kincade

 


Hot SEAL, Charmed

By

Parker Kincade




Luck has always been on his side. With her, his luck might just run out.




Blurb ~

After the death of a fellow Navy SEAL, Liam “Lucky” Jamison’s foundation crumbles. He’s done. Facing civilian life after fifteen years in the Navy, he has no idea what he wants to do next, or where he wants to do it. A surprise visit from his childhood friend is a welcome distraction from the confusion about his future, but his intense attraction to her causes another type of confusion all together.

 Haven Somers wants adventure before she settles into running the family pub in Killarney, Ireland. She couldn’t think of a greater adventure than to surprise her friend in California, whom she hasn’t seen in twenty years. Haven is charmed by Liam’s generous spirit, easy-going personality, and mischievous grin. The more time she spends with him, the more Haven starts to think being with Liam is the only adventure she’ll ever need.

 The minute Liam touches Haven, he knows he’s in trouble. He sees forever in Haven’s eyes, but he’s been keeping secrets from her. Now, there’s no way for him to come clean without the risk of losing her.

 But if he won’t trust her with the truth, why would she trust him with her heart? 


AMAZON     APPLE     BARNES & NOBLE      KOBO


Author Bio ~ 

USA Today Bestselling author Parker Kincade is known for her award-winning, edge-of-your-seat-sexy romantic suspense, hot and steamy sports romance, and contemporary western romance. She lives in the southern United States where she spends her days spoiling her beloved boxer, enjoying life as a Nana, and dreaming up sexy alpha men for the next adventure.

 

To receive an email when Parker releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! http://www.parkerkincade.com/newsletter


Author Contact Links ~

Website: www.parkerkincade.com

Newsletter: http://www.parkerkincade.com/newsletter

Facebook: www.facebook.com/parkerkincade

Twitter: www.twitter.com/parkerkincade

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475101.Parker_Kincade

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/parkerkincade/

Amazon Author Page: https://smile.amazon.com/Parker-Kincade/e/B00913EFR6/

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/parker-kincade



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

A New Story? Now? Really?

 

         Hello, gentle readers. Hope you are well and staying safe. 
So here’s what happened. I’m going along at a steady clip, writing every weekday morning before the day job on my current work in progress when BAM! Out of nowhere comes the opening scene of another story. Now, I knew eventually I’d be working on it…it’s the fourth in a series (the first story is done but hasn’t been submitted to anyone as yet, the second is half-way done, and the third has been started) so why would my brain bypass the end of the second story, completely gloss over the third story and go right into the fourth?
I wish I knew the answer to that question because it seems to happen all the time.
Is it any wonder why it takes me so long to finish a story? Is it any wonder that I have (now) over fourteen manuscripts in various stages of progress (and that doesn’t count all the ideas that are percolating in my brain)?
Well, since that opening scene was in my head and wouldn’t go away, I had to write it. Had no choice really. The voice was persistent! Demanding! Totally unreasonable in regard to what I planned for that morning!
It was him. The hero. And he wasn’t whispering in my ear. He was yelling! I’m not fond of being yelled at so…in order to shut him up (at least for the time being), I did what I was told. That seemed to quiet him and he stopped shouting, but that hasn’t stopped the whispering. And I’m listening to all he’s telling me, jotting down plot points and back story as quickly as he’s giving me the information.
I’m hoping, once he’s satisfied, I can go back to my current work in progress before I lose that tenuous train of thought.
Wish me luck!

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

Sunday, March 21, 2021

New Release - RYLAND'S REACH by Dale Mayer

 


Ryland's Reach

(Bullard's Battle Book 1)

By Dale Mayer




Blurb:
Welcome to a new stand-alone but interconnected series from USA Today bestselling author Dale Mayer. This is Bullard’s story—and that of his team’s. All raw, rough, incredibly capable men who have one goal: to find out who was behind the attack on their leader, before the attacker, or attackers, return to finish the job.

His rescue from the ocean after a horrible plane explosion was his top priority, in any way, shape, or form. A small sailboat and a nurse to do the job was more than Ryland hoped for.

When Tabi somehow drags him and his buddy Garret onboard and surprisingly gets them to a naval ship close by, Ryland figures he’d used up all his luck and his friend’s too. Sure enough, those who attacked the plane they were in weren’t content to let him slowly die in the ocean. No. Surviving had made him a target all over again.

Tabi isn’t expecting her sailing holiday to include the rescue of two badly injured men and then to end with the loss of her beloved sailboat. Her instincts save them, but now she finds it tough to let them go—even as more of Bullard’s team members come to them—until it becomes apparent that not only are Bullard and his men still targets … but she is too.

Bullard checked that the helicopter was loaded with their bags and that his men were ready to leave.

He walked back one more time, his gaze on Ice. She’d never looked happier, never looked more perfect. His heart ached, but he knew she remained a caring friend and always would. He opened his arms. She ran into them, and he held her close, whispering, “The offer still stands.”

She leaned back and smiled up at him. “Maybe if and when Levi’s been gone for a long enough time for me to forget,” she said in all seriousness.

“That’s not happening. You two, now three, will live long and happy lives together,” he said, smiling down at the woman he knew to be the most beautiful, inside and out. She would never be his, but he always kept a little corner of his heart open and available, in case she wanted to surprise him and to slide inside.

Then he realized she’d already been a part of his heart all this time. A good ten or fifteen years by now. But she kept herself in the friend category, and he understood because she and Levi, partners and now parents, were perfect together.

Bullard reached out and shook Levi’s hand. “It was a hell of a blast,” he said. “When you guys do a big splash, you really do a big splash.”

Ice laughed. “A few days at home sounds perfect for me now.”

“It looks great,” Bullard said, his hands on his hips as he surveyed the people in the massive pool surrounded by the palm trees, all designed and decked out by Ice. Right beside all the war machines that he heartily approved of. He grinned at her. “When are you coming to visit?” His gaze went to Levi, raising his eyebrows, then back at her. “You guys should come over for a week or two or three.”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Levi said. “We could use a long holiday, just not yet.”

“That sounds familiar.” Bullard grinned. “Anyway, I’m off. We’ll hit the airport and then pick up the plane and head home.” He added, “As always, call if you need me.”

Everybody raised a hand as Bullard boarded the chopper to the Houston airport. The chopper was Ice’s, and one of her men would ride with Bullard in the copilot’s seat, just to fly the helo back to the compound. Ice had volunteered to shuttle him there, but he didn’t want to take her away from her family or to prolong the goodbye. He hopped inside, waving at everybody as the helicopter lifted. Two of his men, Ryland and Garret, were in the back seats. They always traveled with him.

Bullard would pick up the rest of his men in Australia. He stared down at the compound as he flew overhead. He preferred his compound at home, but, damn, they’d done a nice job here.

With everybody on the ground shouting their goodbyes, Bullard sailed over Houston, heading toward the airport. His two men never said a word. They all knew how he felt about Ice. But none of them would cross that line and say anything. At least not if they expected to still have jobs … and jaws.

It was one thing to fall in love with another man’s woman, but another thing to fall in love with a woman who was so unique, so different, and so absolutely perfect that you knew, just knew, you had no hope of finding anybody else like her. But Ice and Levi had been together long before Bullard had ever met her, which made it that much more heartbreaking.

Still, he’d turned from his view of Ice and looked forward. He had a full roster of jobs to focus on when he got home. Part of him was tired of the life; another part of him couldn’t wait to head out on the next adventure. He managed to run everything from his command centers in one of two locations. He’d spent a lot of time and effort at the second one and kept a full team at both locations, yet preferred to spend most of his time at the old one. It felt more like home to him, and he’d like to be there now but still had many more days before that could happen.

The helicopter lowered to the tarmac, and he stepped out and walked across to where his private plane waited. It was one of the things that he loved, being a pilot of both helicopters and airplanes, owning some of both birds himself.

That again was another way he and Ice were part of the same team, of the same mind-set. He’d been looking for another woman like Ice for himself—but no such luck. Sure, plenty were around for short-term relationships, but most of them couldn’t handle his lifestyle or the violence of the world that he lived in. He understood that.

The ones who did mostly had a hard edge to them, which he found difficult to live with. Bullard appreciated everybody being alert and aware, but, if some softness wasn’t in the women, they seemed to turn cold all the way through.

As he greeted some of the ground crew, Ryland and Garret hanging back, Bullard finally turned to board his small plane and called out in his loud voice, “Let’s go, slowpokes. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us.”

The men grinned, confident Bullard was teasing, as was his usual routine during their off-hours.

“Well, we’re ready. Not sure about you though,” Ryland said, smirking.

“We were waiting on you this time to leave,” Garret added with a chuckle. “Good thing you’re the boss.”

Bullard grinned at his two right-hand men. “Isn’t that the truth?” He dropped his bags and said, “Stow all this stuff, will you? I want to get our flight path cleared and to get the hell out of here.”

They’d all enjoyed the break. Bullard tried to get to the States once a year to visit Ice and Levi—and the same in reverse. But it was time to get back to business. Bullard started up the engines and got confirmation from the tower. They were heading to Australia for this next job. They’d refuel in Honolulu. He really wanted to go straight back to Africa, but it would be a while yet.

Ryland joined him in the cockpit and sat in the copilot’s spot, buckled in, then asked, “You ready?”

Bullard laughed. “When have you ever known me not to be?” At that, he taxied down the runway. Before long he was up in the air, at cruising level, pointed toward Hawaii. “Gotta love the view from up here,” Bullard said. “This place is magical.”

“It is once you get up above all the smog,” Ryland said. “Why Australia again?”

“Checking out that newest compound that I’ve had my eye on. Besides, the alpha team is coming off that ugly job in Perth. No one left there to deal with. So we’ll give them a day or two of R&R, then head home.”

“Right. We could have some equally ugly payback on that job.”

Bullard shrugged. “That goes for most of our jobs. It’s the life.”

“Don’t you already have enough compounds to look after?” Garret asked.

“Yes, I do, but that kid in me still looks to take over the world. Just remember that.”

“Better you go home to Africa and look after your first two compounds,” Ryland said.

“Maybe so,” Bullard admitted, “but it seems hard to not continue expanding.”

“You need a partner,” Ryland said abruptly. “That might ease the savage beast inside and keep you at home more.”

“Well, the only one I like,” he said, “is married to my best friend.”

“Sorry,” Ryland said quietly. “What a shit deal.”

“No,” Bullard said. “I came on the scene last. Clearly they were always meant to be together. Especially now that they’re a family.”

“If you say so,” Ryland said.

Bullard nodded. “Damn right, I say so. Now to change the subject. Terkel contacted me.”

“What did he want?” Ryland asked. “He’s a strange one.”

“He is, but when he speaks, I listen.”

“Sure, I do too. But who understands what he says?”

Bullard burst out laughing. “True. It often sounds like he’s speaking in riddles. This time, however, he was very clear. An old enemy stalks me.”

“That’s nothing new. We have tons of those.”

“Very true. But he was dead serious this time.”

And that set the tone for the next many hours. They landed in Hawaii, and, while they fueled up, everybody got off to stretch their legs, walking around outside a bit. This was a small private airstrip, not exactly full of hangars and tourists. Then they hopped back on board again for takeoff.

“I can fly,” Ryland offered, as they took off.

“We’ll switch in a bit,” Bullard said. “Surprisingly I’m doing okay yet, but I’ll let you take her down.”

“Yeah, it’s still a long flight,” Ryland said, studying the islands below. “What a stunning view of the area.”

“I love the islands here. Sometimes I just wonder about the benefit of, you know, crashing into the sea, coming up on a deserted island, and finding the simple life again,” Bullard said with a laugh.

“I hear you,” Ryland said. “Every once in a while, I wonder the same.”

Several hours later Ryland looked up and said abruptly, “We’ve made good time, considering we’ve already passed Fiji.”

Bullard yawned.

“Let’s switch.”

Bullard smiled, nodded, and said, “Fine. I’ll hand it to you.” Bullard stood.

Just then a funny noise came from the engine on the right side. Followed by dead silence.

They looked at each other, and Ryland said, “Uh-oh. That’s not good.”

Boom!

And the plane exploded.




Author Bio:


Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author who writes for the young, the old and those in-between – no matter what the age. Some of her books are hot, some are sweet. Some will keep you up at night with a light on to keep the boogie man away and some you’ll want to cuddle close.

She’s long given up on trying to fit a specific genre. Instead she honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy, break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

And that’s okay too.

There is one guarantee with each book – it will be a great read – each and every time.



Author Contacts:

Website: https://dalemayer.com/contact/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleMayer.author/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dalemayerauthor/ 

Twitter:https://twitter.com/dalemayer






Friday, March 19, 2021

Veronica Reviews~ THE DEVIL IN HER BED by Kerrigan Byrne

 



The Devil in Her Bed

Devil You Know Book 3

by

Kerrigan Byrne


3.5 Stars

Historical Romance




“I want you.  I’ve always wanted you…Whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same…”


Francesca Cavendish, Countess of Mont Claire, has been plotting her revenge against those that killed her friends, her family, and her first love.  The secrets of the Crimson Council are about to come to light, and Francesca will finally have her vengeance.  But there is just one snag to her plan…the Devil of Dorset also has plans of his own to bring the Crimson Council to their knees, and he’s not about to let Francesca deter him off course…even if she is the one person he’s loved above all others and perhaps the only being that could be the balm to soothe his darkened soul.  But when lies and truths start blurring together and secrets long thought buried are dug up, Francesca and her Devil will have to come to terms with their past if they want any chance of a future…


The Devil in her Bed is the conclusion to the Red Rogues trilogy.  Yes, yes, I understand it’s the Devil you Know series, but I prefer to think of these stories as three friends that forged a bond so strong it allowed them to defy all odds in order to find their happily ever after.  Alex’s story was my fav and if you’ve not read, go forth and one click!  While I loved Francesca’s badass persona, I found myself a little disappointed in her hero.


Personally, I was having a hard time with Chandler’s character throughout the book.  At times he acted like a petulant child having a temper tantrum when things were not going his way, and it felt as if he was always trying to put Francesca in “time out”.  And when her secret is revealed, he completely goes off the deep end, and if I was her, I’d have kicked his butt to the curb.  Bye, bye, bye!  But, that’s me…

Byrne’s romances are always a must-read, and while this wasn’t my fav, it was still a satisfying tale filled with intrigue, vengeance, and passion.  Would recommend to fans of this genre!


Sharing what I love, 



Veronica


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **


AMAZON BUY LINK

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Wild Irish Heart (Mystic cove Series) by Tricia O'Malley

 Get a book in the mail, and you never know what will happen.

Keelin O'Brien received a mysterious, old journal in the mail.  It was from her grandmother, far from Massachusetts in Ireland.  This must mean her grandmother, Fiona, had passed, or why else would she have parted with her secrets?

Keelin knew there was something special about herself, and now was the time to find out.  Also, Ireland would be a perfect place to study the ocean and prepare her thesis.  Mostly, she wanted to know about her grandmother. 

Keelin planned to spend the summer at her grandmother's cottage.  Not only did she walk into a great surprise upon arrival, but she also met several eligible bachelors that had no idea how to woo a lady.  That didn't matter because she preferred different, eccentric, unique, or whatever the Irish way was called. 

Flynn certainly fit all of those, and Keelin still didn't know what to do with him when she got a special feeling every time he turned up.  

No matter, she had more important things to figure out, including what to do with her magic.  Those things that were so different about herself didn't come from her imagination.  She had a lot to learn about how she can help heal the world, or at least the community around her.

Flynn acted as Fiona's handyman.  He was as gorgeous as silent.  Keelin had trouble reading his thoughts, but he popped up at all the right times.  The first indication that he wasn't an ogre appeared as a fury puppy as an  "I'm sorry" for  his distant attitude.

Was there hope for Keelin to finish her thesis, learn her magic, and break through Flynn's hard shell?  The cool nights, a mysterious cove, and the enchanting greenery of Ireland cast its magic on Keelin's visit.

Happy reading,

Dawn
  

Sunday, March 14, 2021

New Release ~ THE WARRIOR KING by Abigail Owen

 



The Warrior King

(Inferno Rising #3)

By Abigail Owen




"Clever, seductive, and unique, Abigail Owen's paranormal romances are totally addictive!"~NY Times Bestselling Author, Carrie Ann Ryan





Meira Amon is the most reserved of the phoenixes, finding computers easier to deal with than people and their messy emotions. But she wants revenge against the Rotting King Pytheios for the murder of her parents just as much as her sisters. Offering herself as a queen for their ally, dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan, only makes sense.

Just one problem…

Samael Veles worked his lowborn ass off to become the fiercest warrior of the Black Clan. He has pledged his life to protect his king at all costs. Yet somehow, in the middle of war, he took one look at a woman in a reflection and gave up his heart. When that woman turns out to be the phoenix promised to mate his king and help bring peace to their kind, he has no choice but to accept it.

Until her fire unexpectedly destroys the king after they’ve wed. Now Samael must choose between his loyalty to his clan and protecting the queen who might be his mate from his people’s wrath, one of which will unlock a destiny no one could have ever imagined…


Buy Links:

Amazon: http://mybook.to/warriorking

B&N: http://bit.ly/warrior-bn

Apple: http://bit.ly/warrior-apl

Kobo: http://bit.ly/warrior-kb

Google: http://bit.ly/warrior-ggl

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53137936-the-warrior-king

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-warrior-king-by-abigail-owen



Take a peek:

A movement in the back corner of the room caught Samael’s attention, and everything inside him stilled, readying for a fight. He didn’t move yet, waiting to confirm the threat.

Except nothing stood in the room over there. Another check showed an ornate mirror hanging several feet above the floor. He must’ve seen the movement of someone in the room, and no one here was a threat. Not anymore.

Not that he relaxed.

Breaking into the gold clan’s mountain to put Brand Astarot on the throne wasn’t exactly safe. Samael did another sweep, using all his senses, not really listening as Brand addressed the gold clan’s viceroys who sat on the dais and then had them ushered out of the room. Taking a throne shouldn’t be this easy. Holding it would no doubt be more difficult. They couldn’t let down their guard. Not yet.

A movement over by the mirror snagged Sam’s attention again. He looked harder, and another flash drew his gaze…inside the mirror.

What in the seven hells?

The reflection was moving, glowing almost, with…flames? Except the brightness didn’t flicker through the throne room.

Slowly, Samael slunk nearer for a better angle. The second he got a full look, his body went quiet. Then his dragon rumbled in his head, a long purr of a sound. The reflection in the mirror was that of a woman, tall and willowy with strawberry-blond curls wild around her face lifted by the flames that danced over her body. Only a very few fire creatures had that kind of power. Was she a dragon shifter? Her manner of dress, though—almost medieval in appearance—brought him to ghost. But ghosts didn’t light on fire.

Whoever—or whatever—she was, she seemed to be watching the proceedings with interest.

Samael turned his head, searching for where she would have to be standing in the room for that mirror to pick her up, except no one was there. He whipped his head back—she hadn’t moved. She was definitely there.

Am I seeing ghosts now?

Samael moved directly in front of the mirror, directly into her line of sight, staring her down.

The woman froze. Except she thawed as quickly as she’d turned to ice, her glacial eyes turning darker blue as her gaze skated over him. The way she took him in, with an almost childlike innocence—it was as though she didn’t know he was standing there watching her check him out. What did she see, anyway? A hardened soldier who’d achieved more than anyone had ever expected he could?

Her aura of soul-stirring susceptibility reached through the glass and wrapped around him. A conflagration of emotions exploded inside his chest—dark need, harsh possessiveness, and the strangest sense of knowing. The flood of it left him almost dizzy.

Her own gaze flickered. Awareness flared in her eyes—he saw it. He was sure he saw it. Only that awareness was quickly replaced by a cold fear as her gaze connected with his. The woman held still, not even daring to breathe.

“Who are you?” he demanded. The words came out harsher than he wanted, his dragon pushing to be released.

With a gasp, she stumbled backward, and the image suddenly changed. He found himself staring at his own reflection, his black eyes stunned.




Author Bio:

Multi-award-winning author, Abigail Owen, writes paranormal romance & upper YA fantasy romance. She loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, Dr. Seuss quoter, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.

Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their angelic (mostly) kids, who are growing up way too fast, and 2 adorable fur babies.


Where to find her:


Website & Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Bookbub

Abbie’s Awesome Nerds (FB Reader Group)


Crossover Series – Fire’s Edge

Love the kings and clans of the Inferno Rising series? Wonder what’s happening over in the colonies where Enforcers protect and defend dragon shifter’s way of life? Check them out in Abigail’s Fire’s Edge crossover series!

 

https://abigailowen.com/abigails-books/fires-edge/