This blog is for those 18 and older.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Veronica Reviews: DEVIL'S DOMINION by Kathryn Le Veque

 

Devil's Dominion 
(Battle Lords of de Velt #2)
by
Kathryn Le Veque




★★★★★
Historical Romance

“I love you…you are my heart, my soul…I have never loved anyone as I love you…you are the first in many ways…you are with me forever.”



The Devil’s Dominion is a tale of heartache and vengeance and a chance at a HEA. Bretton de Llion suffered greatly at the hands of The Dark Lord Jax de Velt and has spent his life seeking vengeance for the deaths of his family. With his army of mercenaries, de Llion does the unspeakable in order to obtain the eldest daughter of The Dark Lord, Lady Allaston de Velt. But Lady Allaston is not what Bretton expected, and over time, she becomes his guiding light out of the darkness surrounding his heart. “He was such a lost soul and she wanted to help him find his way.”

I don’t think I will ever get enough of Kathryn Le Veque’s stories. Put this author on auto buy! Highly recommend!



Sharing what I love, 
Veronica



Thursday, October 15, 2020

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien

 A masterful historical romance from King Edward III's reign in the mid-thirteen hundreds.  

Alice Perrers origin is not well documented and can only be guessed at.  She has nothing and no rank in life, so she must survive by her own means.

King Edward III and Queen Phillipa have an arranged marriage, yet they truly love one another.  Queen Phillipa's health is failing and her, so she remedies her inability to have physical relations with the King by finding Alice and setting her up as the King's concubine.



Alice is not well liked by the majority of the royal house, but King Edward won't let anything happen to her.    Alice sets a plan with William de Windsor, possibly the love of her life, for when the King dies.  She can only have confidence as the King's court accuses her with treason.

This is a remarkable rendition of an historical era of which records are not always complete.  Anne O'Brien's research supplied her with gaps to fill in to create a dramatic story.

Happy reading,

 Dawn

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

READER INTERVIEW ~ Patricia (Patty) 😀


Today, I am excited to be interviewing Patty Way, who is talking with me from Pennsylvania.  

Hello, Patty!

And before we get started, I know your birthday is in October ~ so...Happy Birthday to you!  🎂 🎈


Lexi: How did you get into reading romance novels?

Patty: I've always been a reader.  In school, I loved historical novels about royalty.  Then I discovered Georgette Heyer at a bookstore when on vacation at the beach.  From there, I moved on to Barbara Cartland, whose writing style was similar.  Then I discovered Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers and the rest of that group of romance writers. 

 

Lexi: What are you good at?

Patty: I'm good at listening and offering suggestions.  At work, my friends used to call me Dr. Way because I was their psychologist!  I am also good at writing letters and keeping in touch with friends and organizing group events, such as group lunches, group vacations, I've even been a wedding planner and photographer for several friends' weddings.  And I'm good at deciphering legal jargon, interpreting legalese into layman's terms, circumventing Medicare and health insurance issues for family members.

Lexi: It sounds like you were a very valued member of the office.  People like you are needed in every office, I think.  You are obviously a very good listener.

Lexi: What makes you happy?  

Patty: The little things...Being outside, dreaming of living at the beach or being at the beach, warm and hot weather and high humidity, when I don't have to make decisions and when I have time to myself.

Lexi: I'm with you on the warm weather.  It's one reason I moved to the Caribbean.  If the healthcare had been better, I'd still be there!


Lexi: What types of romance do you like to read?

Patty: Historical, paranormal, time travel, and erotica (aka ~ mature adult).


Lexi: What are you proud of?

Patty: Working at the same place all my career (over 40 years) and being respected by and friends with the professionals (judges, attorneys, police) I worked with.


Lexi: What’s your average day look like?

Patty:  Get up 6 - 6:30 a.m., breakfast and my time (reading, Facebook, emails, taking walk) until 1:00, when my brother and I get my mom (she's 99, has dementia, can not walk, can barely hear and is mostly incontinent) out of bed. I wash her, dress her, we get her on the potty chair, then to her chair.  The afternoon is spent with me getting her lunch, eating with her (she takes most of the afternoon to eat) sitting with her, then getting supper for her, and helping her eat.  After supper, I help her with her dentures, sit with her until around 7, then get her ready for bed.  After she is in bed, 7:30 or 7:45, I still stay in the same room as her, usually on my laptop or watching t.v.  My bedtime is between 11 and midnight.  I sleep in the same room with her to make sure she is all right during the night.

Lexi: Wow, your day is full of giving to your mom.  You are a saint.  It's so wonderful of you to help her in her time of need.


Lexi: What is your favorite color?

Patty:  Purple. 


Lexi: What is your favorite time of day?

Patty: Morning.


Lexi: Do you have any pets?

Patty: Two cats - Punkin, a Maine Coon mix, and JJ, a small Tuxedo.

 Lexi: Your two kitties are so precious!

 

 Lexi: Are you single or in a relationship?

Patty: Single.

 

Lexi: What initially draws your interest to a book? (Author, cover, blurb, etc?)

Patty: Author and topic.

 

Lexi: Do you have a preference between e-books or paperbacks? Why?

Patty:  Paperbacks, I read very few e-books.

 

Lexi: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Patty:  I identify as an introvert but most consider me an extrovert.

 

Lexi: What is your most treasured possession?

Patty:  Photos and personal items of my ancestors.

 

Lexi: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Patty: On the beach in a beach house where the weather is warm all year long.

 

Lexi: How often do you read?     

Patty:  As often as I can.  4 days of the week for an hour each time.

 


Lexi: What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Patty: Talk to my cats, get dressed, and drink coffee.

Lexi: You sound like me talking to the cat in the morning. 😀

 

Lexi: Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

Patty: “Be still and know that I am God; for lo, I am with you always.”

 

Lexi: What kind of car do you drive? If you had your choice, would it be that one or something different?

Patty? Jeep Patriot and Jeep Renegade.

 

Lexi: What did you think you'd be when you grew up?

Patty: Secretary, wife, and mother.

 

Lexi: What's your favorite holiday? Why?  

Patty:  Christmas.  I love the Christmas season.  The joy and merriment, shopping, happy people, decorating, and the feeling of good anticipation.


Lexi: Do you dream at night? Do you remember your dreams?

Patty: Yes, several times a night.  Always in color and I do usually remember them.


Lexi: Patty, I loved learning more about you, thanks for sharing!  Before I let you go, let's do the quickie questions.

 

Dark-haired hero or light-haired? Dark hair; long dark hair.

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate.

Hot and spicy or sweet and salty? Hot and spicy.

Spicy food or not spicy? Not too spicy.

Beard or no beard? Beard or 5 o'clock shadow.

Hot weather or cold? Hot.

Chest hair or no chest hair? Chest hair.

Morning person or night person? Morning.    


Coffee or tea? Coffee.

High heels or boots? Boots.

Beach or mountains? Beach.

Cats or dogs? Cats.

Hero with long hair or short? Long.

Rent or own? Own.

Working or retired? Retired.

Blonde heroine or brunette? Brunette.

Coor or eat out? Eat out.

Recliner or easy chair? Recliner.

Sweet or salty? Sweet.


Lexi: This has been great!  Thanks again, and happy birthday! 😊

Monday, October 12, 2020

New Release ~ TWO OF A KIND by Alexa Rivers

 



Two of a Kind

(Haven Bay, Book 2)

by

Alexa Rivers






Blurb ~ 

After a lifetime of being held back by illness, blogger Brooke Griffiths is finally healthy enough to pursue her dream of hiking to Mt Everest base camp. The first step in her plan is convincing professional adventurer Jack Farrelly to help her prepare. Only, they exchanged a mind-blowing kiss weeks ago, and he never called, which in a town the size of Haven Bay, is downright awkward. All she has to do is put her pride aside to achieve her goal. Should be easy—right?

Jack Farrelly dated a woman in the public eye before, and he doesn’t care to repeat the experience, no matter how tempting Brooke is. Though the instructor in him wants to help her get ready to hike Mt Everest, he thinks she’s better off setting her sights a little lower. But denying her proves impossible—both professionally and personally—and before long, he’s in deeper than he ever imagined possible.

When old wounds are reopened, can Brooke and Jack overcome the pain of their pasts and take a chance on love? Or will they let the fear of being hurt keep them apart?


Buy Link ~ https://www.bklnk.com/B088P8T8LB



Book Excerpt ~

Slamming the car door shut, Jack strode to the foyer, where the group was waiting. The Kathmandu couple had come back for more and greeted him with eager smiles. Mavis had also returned, but she’d brought Betty rather than Nell. Three fit guys in their twenties lounged against a wall, talking quietly between themselves and stealing occasional glances at the final member of the party. Brooke.

If Kat hadn’t shared what she had, he wouldn’t have believed that Brooke had been anything other than perky and energetic since he’d seen her last. She looked vibrant standing behind the desk, a smile flirting with the corners of her mouth and a rosy flush on her cheeks. Lust speared through his gut and he bit the inside of his lip to stifle a groan. Why did she have to be so appealing, with her electric blue eyes and dewy complexion? His body reacted to her instinctively, going on an all-systems-alert. Strange, when he was rarely affected this way by a woman. Ruthlessly squelching his response, he reminded himself that he couldn’t think of a girl less suited to his lifestyle, and he was sure the same could be said when it came to his suiting her. Unfortunately, his mind and his body had different ideas.

“Hi, everyone,” he said, once he had himself under control. “I’d like you to all head into the parking lot. I’ll join you in a moment.” When they started moving, he pointed at Brooke. “Except you.”

Mavis and Betty tittered and exchanged glances, like they didn’t want to leave her alone with him. He raised a brow and they hustled away, casting dubious looks over their shoulders. He scowled. Did they really think he posed a risk to her?

“You wanted me?” Brooke asked, coming around the desk to stand in front of him. He tried not to notice the way her slim-fitting tank top outlined slender curves. Not appropriate. Even if she wasn’t all wrong for him, she was probably too young to be interested. It was hard to gauge her age, but he put her somewhere in her early twenties. Compared to his thirty, that was a big difference in life experience.

“I think it’s best if you stay here,” he told her, noticing that Kat hovered a few feet away.

Her jaw dropped. “Why? I managed all right the other day. I didn’t hold anyone up, or get in the way.”

He sighed. Did she really want to go down this path? “No, you didn’t. But you slept for eighteen hours afterward.”

Her gaze slid over to Kat and she glared. “I was fine,” she insisted through gritted teeth.

He softened his expression. “Be honest with me, Brooke. You’re not doing either of us any favors if you pretend to be fine. I’m not a mind reader. If you come with me, I need to be able to trust you to let me know how you’re doing at all times.”

“Okay, maybe I overdid it,” she conceded. “I should have taken it easier, but I’ve learned my lesson, and I promise to be more up-front with you and pace myself.”

“I’m not sure I’m willing to take that risk,” he said. “We’re walking farther than we did last time, and I don’t have time to figure out how we can make it work for you.”

She crossed her arms and looked somewhere over his shoulder, blinking rapidly as though holding back tears. “If I need to stop, I will, and you can collect me on the way back. Please.” A note of pleading entered her voice, and it twisted Jack’s gut. “I need to do this. It’s important. I could explain why, but it’d take more than a couple of minutes and I know you want to get moving.”

“Brooke, honey,” Kat said, laying a gentle hand on her arm. “It’s one trip. There will be others.”

Would there? Because Jack wasn’t sure.

Brooke closed her eyes. “Sorry. Of course there will.” She released a shuddering breath. “I’m being unreasonable.”

“Maybe a little,” Kat confirmed, a smile creeping over her face. “Why don’t you sit this one out so Jack doesn’t get off schedule, and then we can have a talk about what to do in the future once he returns.”

Jack could see the emotions warring within her. Apparently joining the group meant a lot to her.

“Okay.” Her shoulders drooped, and oddly, his mood dropped with them. “I guess that will be fine.”

“Great,” he said, before she could change her mind. “I’ll come by once we’re back.” He didn’t know where he’d find her, but considering he didn’t plan to go anywhere near her without Kat to play mediator, his friend could show him where to go.

“Don’t forget,” Brooke warned, and from her expression, he could tell that if he did, she’d hunt him down.

He nodded, then followed the others outside, finding them waiting beside the four-wheel drive.

Betty waved a hiking pole as he approached. “Did you scare that poor girl away?”

“We decided she’s better off not joining us today,” he replied.

She harrumphed, in that way only little old ladies could. “I don’t suppose that was her idea.”

He didn’t say anything, just handed bags to the three young men. Once they’d all geared up, he issued directions, then fell into step at the back.

Betty joined him. “You know what I think?” she asked.

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me whether I want to know or not.”

She thwacked his leg with the end of a pole. “You’re a cheeky devil, Jack Farrelly. I think you don’t want Brooke coming because you don’t like the way she makes you feel.”

Huh. Well, there’s a thought.

“And how’s that, Betty?”

“Aroused.”

Jack tripped over his own feet. Dear God, what?

He glanced at Betty. Had he heard her correctly? Had the God-awful word “aroused” just passed between her prune-like lips?

She hooted with laughter. “I hit the nail on the head, eh, Jack?”

She… He…

He shook his head, both amused and dismayed. It wasn’t as though he could deny it.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, then added fondly, “and get your pointy little nose out of my business.”


Author Bio ~

Alexa Rivers is the author of sexy, emotional small town romances set in gorgeous New Zealand.

She lives in a small town herself, complete with nosy neighbors and quirky traditions.

She shares a house with a neurotic dog and a husband who thinks he’s hilarious.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, baking and decorating cakes, eating those cakes, cuddling fluffy animals, drinking excessive amounts of tea, and absorbing herself in fictional worlds.


Author Contact Links ~

Email: alexa@alexarivers.com
Facebook: facebook.com/alexariversauthor
Instagram: instagram.com/alexariversauthor
Twitter: Twitter.com/LexRiversWrites
Goodreads: 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18995464.Alexa_Rivers
Bookbub: 
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alexa-rivers
Website: alexarivers.com
Amazon: 
https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Rivers/e/B07PWNRD5S/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1









Sunday, October 11, 2020

New Release ~ HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY by Mia London

 






Honeymoon Hideaway
by 
Mia London


A broken, jilted bride.An exotic paradise. A lonely man who craves her innocence.





Blurb ~ 

Catherine Dalton can’t believe her eyes. That couldn’t be Jack. Not her Jack. And certainly not two days before they're supposed to marry! As Cat’s world crumbles around her, she wonders how she'll ever pick up the pieces in a life that she devoted and built around one man and move on. At the urging of her bestie, she escapes to the beautiful island of St. Lucia, hoping against hope for a way to mend her broken and devastated heart.

 

Nicholas Westbrook has traveled to the Caribbean many times. It’s the company’s most-profitable territory... and the perfect stepping stone to his next promotion. The last thing he expected on another business-as-usual trip was a chance encounter with the lovely jilted bride from Austin, alone on her honeymoon. He shouldn't pursue her--rebounds aren't his style. But this blonde beauty draws him in like a fine wine that needs to be uncorked and savored.

Can Cat unwind and enjoy everything Nicholas coaxes out of her, knowing there's no future between them?


~ Buy Links ~


About Mia ~

An Amazon bestselling and award-winning author, Mia loves to write.

She's been reading fiction for years and finally decided that the images and scenes floating around in her head needed to make it to paper.

She's a huge fan of romance, highly optimistic, and wildly faithful to the HEA (happily ever after). She's inspired by most anything around. And her biggest obstacle is not having enough time to get it all down on paper (or computer, as the case may be).

Her goal is to create a fantasy you will enjoy with characters you could love.

She lives in Texas with her attentive, loving, super-model husband, and her perfectly behaved, brilliant children. Her produce never wilts, there are no weeds in her flowerbeds, and chocolate is her favorite food group.
And then she wakes up.


Where to find Mia ~





Friday, October 9, 2020

PRE-HOLIDAY MEGA GIVEAWAY!!!

 



NOW LIVE!  Join me and 78 other authors in this HUGE pre-holiday giveaway.  There is $462.00 in gift cards plus e-books from bestselling authors ~ to go to ONE winner ~ up for grabs!  

The giveaway runs through December 1, 2020.  Do not miss out ~ click on the link below.  

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ec8aae6739/?


Good luck!!

~ Lexi 😊