Falling For The Grumpy Bad Boy by Weston Parker

I enjoyed the book that gave an interesting look at the behind the scenes work in the top  culinary career scene. The romance was filled with anticipation as well as finding reasons to deny their attraction. While Rhett was a slightly older man, it didn’t have an age gap feel to it.  The secondary characters were well developed as support for the kind of grumpy bad boy Rhett was.

Forty and Fighting Dirty by Lilian Monroe

Piper and Rhett spent so much energy in their relationship painting the other with the qualities of their exes. Both were struggling with trust and being themselves when they’d had their trust broken so badly in the name of love.

I enjoyed reading this early copy of a story showcasing Piper’s strength and Rhett’s grumpy vulnerability. The story has a bit of a contrived premise, but felt very real when it came to breaking emotional bonds they held them back from happiness.

A Game of Deception by M.S. Parker

A GAME OF DECEPTION has an interesting premise that seems a little hard to believe at first. A man creates a professional soccer team with is daughter as the head of sports medicine and acquires a troubled top player he happens to believe is responsible for his son’s death.

So in short order we are willing to be convinced that this is not only true, but it is part of some dark scheme on which we keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. The team owner is suspiciously polite, the daughter obsessed, and the star athlete coming off years of self-punishment.

I enjoyed the early copy of this book for the steamy romance, the plot twists, and even for the secondary characters like Leo.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Dance of Defiance by Jagger Cole

It took me a bit to decide what to write about DANCE OF DEFIANCE because Jagger teased us about both Roman and Val separately in prior books, but as is usually the case, his characters are worth waiting for when it becomes their turn to shine. I was up all night reading this early copy of the book to provide some insight for their readers contemplating it.

It’s gritty, steamy and unabashedly works to defy the rules of dark mafia romance with Roman and Val. No breathless ingenues rescued by men of unimagined power and control. Instead Roman and Val each chased by life’s demons and not exactly choosing how they’ll cope, but finding what could have been doomed ways to survive and then finding each other.

Vows of Blood & Betrayal by E.L. Blue

VOWS OF BLOOD & BETRAYAL is an age gap forced proximity mafia romance full of intense moments. The romance ignites early and reluctantly on both parts. Anthony is immediately embroiled in a mafia war on several fronts and we witness the lengths the family goes through to protect its own.

What I particularly liked about the book was the details about some of the rituals and traditions of the mafia family. The interactions between the enemies in the boardroom, the battle area, the warehouses, etc. made the story feel tense and authentic. I knew when I chose to read this advance copy that it ends on something of a cliffhanger, but the author still leaves the reader satisfied with the temporary conclusion.

The Billionaire’s Second Chance by Chloe Horne

I enjoyed this second chance romance because of how Alex went out of his way to make sure he created a business with a place for Sophia out of his pining for her. The usual road locks stem from misunderstandings, secrets, and lack of trust in oneself and the other person, but the author wrote a compelling romantic story to work through all that and get our HEA.

I did get my own copy of the book after being provided an early copy to read and comment on. 

Dark Desires by K.C. Crowne

<strong>Good story</strong/>

I wanted to read DARK DESIRES because I like the arranged marriage mafia romances with the guy having to marry a woman that is a close relative to the woman that really turned his head.

It’s overall a good story. I found the FBI connection a little weak, and it does come to a conclusion although there are some unresolved issues for secondary characters.