Feeling Fictional: June 2019

Sunday, 30 June 2019

May & June 2019 Recap

Books read in previous months but reviewed in May & June:

(Links will take you to my reviews)

Sweep of the Blade - Ilona Andrews (Read in January, review coming soon)
Snowed In - Navessa Allen (Read in March, review coming soon)
To Free a Captured Heart - R.L. Naquin (Read in March, review coming soon)
The Near Witch - V.E. Schwab (Read in March, review coming soon)
The Ash-Born Boy - V.E. Schwab (Short Story) (Read in March, review coming soon)
Their Second Chance - Katee Robert (Novella) (Read in March, review coming soon)
The Undying King - Grace Draven (Novella) (Read in March, review coming soon)
Fate's Danger - Amanda Carlson (Read in March, review coming soon)
Wolf Rain - Nalini Singh (Read in March, reviewed in June)
Sapphire Flames - Ilona Andrews (Read Twice) (Read in April, review coming soon)
The Queen's Advantage - Jessie Mihalik (Read in April, review coming soon)
Barbarian's Mate - Ruby Dixon (Read in April, reviewed in May)
Having the Barbarian's Baby - Ruby Dixon (Short Story) (Read in April, review coming soon)
Worth Fighting For - Laura Kaye (Read in April, reviewed in May)
Grave Visions - Kalayna Price (Read in April, reviewed in May)
The Winter of the Witch - Katherine Arden (Read in April, review coming soon)
The Women's War - Jenna Glass (Read in April, reviewed in May)
The Dom Who Loved Me - Lexi Blake (Read in April, reviewed in May)

Books read in May:

(Links will take you to my reviews)

King of Fools - Amanda Foody
How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks
Middlegame - Seanan McGuire
Hot Rocks - Nora Roberts
Big Jack - J.D. Robb
Remember When - Nora Roberts & J.D. Robb
The Culling Trials book 2 - Shannon Mayer & K.F. Breene
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Sleepless Vol. 1 - Sarah Vaughn & Leila del Duca (Graphic Novel) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Sleepless Vol. 2 - Sarah Vaughn & Leila del Duca (Graphic Novel)
Memorial - Kit Rocha (Short Story)
The Men with the Golden Cuffs - Lexi Blake
Grave Ransom - Kalayna Price
Clean Sweep - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
The Beyond - Chloe Neill
Siren Unleashed - Lexi Blake
One Fell Sweep - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Three Weeks to Wed - Ella Quinn
Vamps and the City - Kerrelyn Sparks
Meet Cute - Helena Hunting
Fierce Protector - Kit Rocha (Short Story)
The Match of the Century - Cathy Maxwell
Grave Destiny - Kalayna Price
Divided in Death - J.D. Robb
Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons - Dugald A. Steer
A Questionable Client - Ilona Andrews (Short Story) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)

Books read in June:

(Links will take you to my reviews)

Her Dark Legion - Pippa DaCosta
Heart Mate - Robin D. Owens (Review coming soon)
High Stakes - Erin McCarthy (Review coming soon)
The Rowan - Anne McCaffrey (Review coming soon)
The Culling Trials book 3 - Shannon Mayer & K.F. Breene
Blood Engines - T.A. Pratt (Review coming soon)
Visions in Death - J.D. Robb
A Dom is Forever - Lexi Blake (Review coming soon)
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride - Ella Quinn (Review coming soon)
The Bride Test - Helen Hoang (Review coming soon)
The Girl in Red - Christina Henry (Review coming soon)
Enchanted - Lexi Blake
Kingdom of Exiles - Maxym Martineau (Review coming soon)
Magic Burns - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Magic Strikes - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews (Novella) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Memento - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (Novella)
Magic Bleeds - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
Magic Dreams - Ilona Andrews (Novella) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
In Moonlight and Memories Volume One - Julie Ann Walker (Review coming soon)
Survivor in Death - J.D. Robb (Review coming soon)

Other May Posts

Other June Posts

May Books of the Month:

(Choices are made from books reviewed this month and the links will take you to my reviews)

My top YA read in May:

King of Fools by Amanda Foody (read my review here)

My top adult read in May:

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire (read my review here)

June Books of the Month:

(Choices are made from books reviewed this month and the links will take you to my reviews)

My top YA read in June:

The Culling Trials book 3 by Shannon Mayer & K.F. Breene (read my review here)

My top adult read in June:

Her Dark Legion by Pippa DaCosta (read my review here)

June Events:

I haven't had the time to do a proper write up yet but at the beginning of June I had a fantastic time with a group of friends at the Love Letters Convention in Berlin. We got to meet some great authors and attend some fun panels but most of all I got to spend time with friends that I've not seen for a couple of years which was brilliant. Hopefully I'll have time to post more about it in the next couple of weeks but here are some pics of just a few of the authors we met in the meantime.

Top Row: Cathy Maxwell, Gwen Overland, my friend Aly, Ella Quinn and me

Bottom Row: Lara Adrian, Kerrelyn Sparks & Helena Hunting

My Challenge Updates:

Here are the 2019 challenges I've signed up for:
2019 Read 100 Books in a Year Challenge - Read 107/200
2019 British Books Challenge - Read 3/20
2019 New Author Challenge - Read 13/20
2019 Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge - Read 56/100
2019 Contemporary Romance Challenge - Read 15/20

Saturday, 29 June 2019

Review: Visions in Death - J.D. Robb

She sat, her hands folded tightly together on her lap. She breathed in and out once. 'He took her eyes . . .'

As Elisa Maplewood walks her dog in the still twilight of Central Park, she is oblivious to the man lurking behind her. Later that night Lieutenant Eve Dallas gets a call: a young woman's body has been found on the rocks, wearing nothing but a red ribbon. And, more horrifyingly, she is missing her eyes.

Eve's investigation is thrown off course when an exotic and headstrong psychic, Celina Sanchez, insists she saw the murder in a vision. Eve dismisses her, but as the murders become more brutal, the visions more vivid, and Eve more desperate, Eve and Celina form an unstoppable team.

In Death Series:
Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death (Novella)
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death
Betrayal in Death
Interlude in Death (Novella)
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Big Jack (Available in the Remember When Anthology or separately)
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Haunted in Death (Novella)
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Eternity in Death (Novella)
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Ritual in Death (Novella)
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Missing in Death (Novella)
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Possession in Death (Novella)
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas
Chaos in Death (Novella)
Celebrity in Death
Delusion in Death
Calculated in Death
Thankless in Death
Taken in Death (Novella available in the Mirror, Mirror anthology or separately)
Concealed in Death
Festive in Death
Obsession in Death
Devoted in Death
Wonderment in Death (Novella)
Brotherhood in Death
Apprentice in Death
Echoes in Death
Secrets in Death
Dark in Death
Leverage in Death
Connections in Death
Vendetta in Death
Golden in Death

Visit J.D. Robb's website for more information.

Review:
I feel like all of my reviews for this series have just turned into me raving about how good it is but seriously, how often do you get nineteen books into and STILL excitedly devour the books as fast a possible? I can't think of any apart from this one where I've already read so many books but am excited that I'm not even halfway through the currently published titles!

Of course this wouldn't be an In Death book if Eve wasn't on the hunt for a psychotic murderer and this one is taking great pleasure in beating and raping his victims before cutting out their eyeballs for souvenir. Eve is always willing to do whatever it takes to stop a killer but this time she's forced to try something she's never considered before when a psychic comes to her claiming to be seeing visions of the deaths. She's extremely sceptical about the whole thing but the psychic has information that only the murderer should know so Eve is forced to at least consider using her as a resource.

As much as I enjoy the murder investigations (and this one had a doozy of a twist at the end!) it's really the characters that keep me coming back for more. I've gushed many times about how much I love Eve and Roarke as a couple and nothing has changed that but I also enjoy seeing their friendship circle grow as they both learn to let others into their inner circle. Not such a big deal for Roarke but definitely something very new for Eve. It's been hilarious watching Eve deal with the fact that her bestie Mavis is pregnant, she's so totally out of her comfort zone whenever anything pregnancy related comes up and this book has some absolute laugh out loud conversations with Eve, Mavis and Roarke.

I also really respect the friendship that has developed between Eve and Peabody, Eve tried so hard to keep her distance but it's been impossible. Eve's world is rocked to the core when Peabody becomes a target and there were some really emotional scenes because of that. This book was one of my favourites in the series so far (and yes I realise I seem to be saying that with pretty much each book I read!) and I definitely can't wait to dive into the next one. If you haven't started this series yet don't let the number of books put you off, it really is worth reading!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Friday, 28 June 2019

Review: Memento - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

December, 2574. Forty-three days before the BeiTech attack on Kerenza IV.

This is the story of my first friendship.

This is the tale of my first murder?

Some monsters are born.

But I?

< ERROR >

I was made.

Illuminae Files:
Memento (Prequel Novella)
Illuminae
Gemina
Obsidio

Visit Amie Kaufman's website or Jay Kristoff's website for more information

Review:
Memento is a prequel to the Illuminae Files series that gives us a bit more insight into Aidan and quite how he ended up malfunctioning in the way he did. It's written in the same format as the rest of the books in the series so contains a mixture of emails, instant messages, reports alongside Aidan's internal code and much more. I love how much depth Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff have been able to bring to this series with the creative layout and was impressed with how much they fitted into an 82 page novella too. This story had tension, drama and even romance but if you've already read Illuminae you'll know not to expect a happy ending!

The novella was a freebie for fans who preordered Aurora Rising, which was a wonderful idea but I honestly hope that the publishers will see sense and make this available for purchase too. I was extremely lucky that one of my American friends let me use her address for the preorder promotion and then sent this booklet on to me in the UK but it is so sad to me that there isn't currently a way for fans who missed the promotion, or fans that didn't have a handy American address they could use, to get hold of a copy.

Source: Received from Knopf Books as part of their Aurora Rising preorder giveaway

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Thursday, 27 June 2019

Review: Enchanted - Lexi Blake

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

A snarky submissive princess

Sarah Stevens’s life is pretty sweet. By day, she’s a dedicated trauma nurse and by night, a fun-loving club sub. She adores her job, has a group of friends who have her back, and is a member of the hottest club in Dallas. So why does it all feel hollow? Could it be because she fell for her dream man and can’t forgive him for walking away from her? Nope. She’s not going there again. No matter how much she wants to.

A prince of the silver screen

Jared Johns might be one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but he lost more than a fan when he walked away from Sarah. He lost the only woman he’s ever loved. He’s been trying to get her back, but she won’t return his calls. A trip to Dallas to visit his brother might be exactly what he needs to jump-start his quest to claim the woman who holds his heart.

A masquerade to remember

For Charlotte Taggart’s birthday, Sanctum becomes a fantasyland of kinky fun and games. Every unattached sub gets a new Dom for the festivities. The twist? The Doms must conceal their identities until the stroke of midnight at the end of the party. It’s exactly what Sarah needs to forget the fact that Jared is pursuing her. She can’t give in to him, and the mysterious Master D is making her rethink her position when it comes to signing a contract. Jared knows he was born to play this role, dashing suitor by day and dirty Dom at night.

When the masks come off, will she be able to forgive the man who loves her, or will she leave him forever?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Jared and Sarah have a very complicated history, they fell in love but Jared walked away from her during a particularly terrible moment in both of their lives. He had good reasons for leaving but Sarah still finds it very hard to forgive him for abandoning her. Now, just as they started to reconnect for the first time in months, Sarah has been given some pretty devastating news and it's her turn to pull away from him. Jared isn't willing to let her leave without giving him some answers though, he knows she loves him and he wants them to build a future together so he's determined to figure out why she is holding back and prove that they can work through anything as a couple.

I think Jared and Sarah are characters that have already made an appearance in previous books of the Masters and Mercenaries series but I'm not quite up to date with the series yet so they were new to me and it didn't lower my enjoyment of this story at all. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them and it was also great to spend time with so many other familiar faces at Sanctum. These two have a very messy history that I don't really want to go into too much detail about in my review. Suffice to say they've been through a lot and the fallout from a certain event has had a massive impact on Jared's life and his career. He needed time to get his head together before coming back for Sarah but even though he knows he loves her he is still worried about bringing his baggage back into her life.

For her part Sarah is keeping a big secret, I'd actually guessed what it was pretty early on but again I don't want to give spoilers here. It was something that had a huge impact on her both mentally and physically though and I thought the whole situation was written incredibly well. It was so easy to put yourself into Sarah's position and understand exactly what she was going through.

The story mainly centres around a party weekend thrown at Sanctum to celebrate Charlotte Taggart's birthday. Jared is determined to win Sarah back but she's refusing to take his calls so he decides to go in disguise. I'll admit I'm always a little worried when I see a story that involves hiding a main character's true identity from someone because it can skate along the lines of non-consensual if the other person wouldn't agree to the situation if they knew who they were really involved with but that wasn't an issue at all here. Sarah almost immediately figures out who Master J really is so although Jared thinks he's hiding from her in reality she's fully aware of the situation.

The two have absolutely fantastic chemistry but the most important part of their story is the emotional connection. I also loved that it wasn't just about the two of them finding each other but also about them both finding unconditional support from other members of the club. They both come to realise that their family, by choice if not by blood, is much larger than they realised and that is something that pretty much carries through this entire series. These books may be kinky and there may be a lot of sex but there's also a lot of heart and strong bonds of friendship throughout and that's one of the reasons I love them so much.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Cover Reveal: Lost in You - Lexi Blake

"A hot, sexy mix of angst, longing, suspense and drama you don’t want to miss!" -- Carly Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author

Lost in You, an all-new sexy instalment in The Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, is coming August 6th and we have the fabulous new cover!

Robert McClellan was forced to serve as a soldier in a war he didn’t understand. Liberated by McKay-Taggart, he struggles every day to reclaim the life he lost and do right by the men he calls his brothers, The Lost Boys. Only one thing is more important – Ariel Adisa. The gorgeous psychologist has plagued his dreams since the day they met. Even as their mission pushes him to his limits, he can’t stop thinking about taking his shot at finding a life beyond all this with her.

Ariel Adisa is a force to be reckoned with. Her performance in Toronto proved she’s more than just a brilliant mind, but Robert still acts as if she is a wilting flower who needs his protection. Joining him on the mission to Munich should be the perfect opportunity to test their skills and cement their relationship. She and Robert are an excellent match. But when a stunning secret from Robert’s past is revealed, their world is turned upside down and nothing will ever be the same again.

While they chase dark secrets across Europe, Robert and Ariel realize that the only thing worse than not knowing who you are could be discovering who you used to be...

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EYW7a5

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2Utg8e6

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LostinYouLB

Nook: https://bit.ly/2Gf1Utw

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2D47KL7

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Wt93Mi

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WAykbn

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XwVqfb

Cover Designer: Frauke Spanuth

Excerpt:

There was a knock on her door. Ariel glanced to the clock. It was getting late. The pizza had likely arrived. She didn’t want pizza. She wanted to start the day again and not have any of this hanging over them. When she’d gotten on that plane, she’d been filled with anticipation, and all of it was gone now. She’d expected dinner to be a quiet affair with only her and Robert. Now she would have to referee between Owen and Dante. She needed to get the whole group together for a session to get at the underlying problem.

“I’ve got to go, Damon.”

“Be safe.”

She hung up her mobile and slipped it into her pocket before answering the door. She’d expected Rebecca or Owen, but it was Robert who stood in her doorway.

And he looked delicious. He’d changed out of his traveling clothes into a set of perfectly pressed black slacks, a snowy white dress shirt, and blue tie. It should have looked staid. It would have on most men, but on Robert it made her wonder what she would see when she peeled off all those clothes.

She had a damn degree in psychology and it didn’t mean anything when her hormones got involved.

“Hey, I know I acted like a massive asshole earlier today.” He had a grim look on his face that changed to charming when he brought his hand around from his back and showed her the perfect white rose he offered her. “Would you please let me make up for it?”

There were a thousand reasons to say no. She could do it gently. She could remind him that the first chance they’d had to prove they could manage a relationship and still work together they’d blown. She could point out that there was still the hope of a cure out there.

Or you could live in the moment, my love. You could stop being so in that head of yours and let yourself feel.

Sometimes she could still hear her father’s wise voice in her head. He’d done so much, taken so many chances to bring his family to a better place.

“Ariel, please. I’m sorry I treated you like that. I took out my bad day on you and it wasn’t fair. I wanted our night together. I planned it all out, but I forgot that the only really important part of the night wasn’t the restaurant or the hotel. It was that we got to be together. Be with me for a while.”

She took the rose from his hand, all thoughts of why this was a bad idea flying out of her head. “Yes.”

But she wasn’t nearly as dressed as he was. “Give me a minute to change.”

He shook his head. “You look beautiful and we’re only going to the kitchen.”

“You dressed for the occasion.”

“I was also the asshole who challenged the authority of my commander in the field. Trust me, I like this far better than dropping to the floor and giving you a hundred like I…” He shook his head. “Not going there.”

She stepped in, putting a hand on his face. “It’s okay. Let the visual piece go and tell me what you felt.”

He pressed his cheek against her hand. “No therapist stuff tonight. I promise I’ll write it down later and talk to Kai about it, but I want you to stop thinking about me as a patient. This can’t work if you don’t. Please come to the kitchen with me. I managed to shove everyone else in the media room. They’re watching a football match. Well, Rebecca is reading on her e-reader and rolling her eyes when the guys yell at the screen, but the kitchen is on the opposite end of the floor. I promise it’s quiet there.”

She was still in the slacks and blouse she’d worn this afternoon. They were casual and comfortable. Certainly not something she would wear on a date. Robert was far better dressed for the occasion.

A vision of a private dinner where he was in a suit and she was wearing absolutely nothing floated across her brain. Sir wouldn’t want her in clothes. Sir would want to see nothing but her own skin so he could touch her everywhere, whenever he pleased. They could spend long hours like that. She wouldn’t worry about anything at all but pleasing her dominant partner.

“Come on.” He used that deep voice on her she’d heard him use at The Garden. Like her, Robert spent at least one night each weekend playing. She’d seen him paired up with some of her friends, but never had he taken one to a privacy room or up to his flat.

She hadn’t indulged herself in sex in a long time.

She followed him down the hallway and sure enough, heard someone yelling from the far end about a ref’s call. Poor Rebecca.

Robert led her away from it, his loafers making no sound over the carpet. This part of the club was comfortable, much more like a home than downstairs, and it made her wonder if Peter often had guests he put up here. She’d talked briefly to the man and he appeared to be very interested in teaching and training new D/s couples.

Were she and Robert going to be a D/s couple?

She stopped that line of thinking. This was nothing more than a pleasant way to spend an evening with a man she liked enormously.

With a man she might be falling in love with.

About Lexi Blake

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlexiblake/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Gdjy03

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlexiblake

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X1oASS

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Gg1ktZ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi4714/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lexiblake39/

Youtube: http://bit.ly/2P9qhLH

Stay up to date with Lexi by joining her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/LexiBlakeNL

Website: http://www.lexiblake.net/

Blog Tour: Enchanted - Lexi Blake

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Lexi Blake with you today! ENCHANTED is part of the Masters and Mercenaries series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of ENCHANTED today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About ENCHANTED:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

A snarky submissive princess

Sarah Stevens’s life is pretty sweet. By day, she’s a dedicated trauma nurse and by night, a fun-loving club sub. She adores her job, has a group of friends who have her back, and is a member of the hottest club in Dallas. So why does it all feel hollow? Could it be because she fell for her dream man and can’t forgive him for walking away from her? Nope. She’s not going there again. No matter how much she wants to.

A prince of the silver screen

Jared Johns might be one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but he lost more than a fan when he walked away from Sarah. He lost the only woman he’s ever loved. He’s been trying to get her back, but she won’t return his calls. A trip to Dallas to visit his brother might be exactly what he needs to jump-start his quest to claim the woman who holds his heart.

A masquerade to remember

For Charlotte Taggart’s birthday, Sanctum becomes a fantasyland of kinky fun and games. Every unattached sub gets a new Dom for the festivities. The twist? The Doms must conceal their identities until the stroke of midnight at the end of the party. It’s exactly what Sarah needs to forget the fact that Jared is pursuing her. She can’t give in to him, and the mysterious Master D is making her rethink her position when it comes to signing a contract. Jared knows he was born to play this role, dashing suitor by day and dirty Dom at night.

When the masks come off, will she be able to forgive the man who loves her, or will she leave him forever?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Add ENCHANTED to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of ENCHANTED today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

Charlotte Taggart felt the baby fluttering in her belly and a deep sense of peace filled her. She genuinely enjoyed being pregnant. It wasn’t for everyone. Her sister hated it, and Simon was going to have to be happy with the only kiddo he would ever share with Chelsea. Her friend Kori had vowed to never be pregnant, and it worked for her and Kai. They had a whole lot of dogs and it filled the need for them. The truth was there was no one way to have a family.

But damn she loved hers—all of them. She loved the ones she shared blood with and the ones she’d chosen. She was blessed beyond measure.

It made her feel the need to give back.

Soft baby snuffles came from the monitor, letting her know her son was still sleeping. She’d given up keeping a monitor in the twins’ room since they’d gotten big enough to simply come and ask for what they needed. Too many times she overheard plans for world domination and it kept her up at night.

The son in her stomach twisted again, but it wasn’t anywhere close to uncomfortable yet. That was still months away. For now, his kicks felt like waves across her belly.

Soft light illuminated the kitchen and she couldn’t help but think about how far she’d come from the child she’d been. Moscow didn’t have many sunny days, but here in Dallas the light seemed to always be around her.

Light and love and laughter.

“He giving you hell, baby?” The question rumbled against the nape of her neck and she was pulled back against the hard planes of her husband’s body. He’d gone to bed wearing nothing at all, but she knew he would have slid his strong legs into pajama bottoms or sweat pants before he’d left the room. His chest, however, was still warm and bare. “You’re up early. Or were you trying to sneak in some quiet time before the monsters awaken?”

Nothing ever felt as good as that moment when Ian took her in his arms. And he was right. She loved her three kiddos. Kenzie and Kala and Seth. Soon there would be four, and she wasn’t so foolish as to believe her baby girls wouldn’t immediately start training their youngest brother in how to take on the parents. But that wasn’t what had gotten her out of bed. “I was plotting.”

She could feel him smile against her shoulder, where he was currently laying soft kisses and getting her hot and bothered. He pushed her hair to the side to give himself better access.

“I love it when you plot. Is this a bloody, take-no-prisoners plot where I get to murder people? Because it’s been a long time.”

Book Trailer:

“I can always trust Lexi Blake's Dominants to leave me breathless...and in love. If you want sensual, exciting BDSM wrapped in an awesome love story, then look for a Lexi Blake book.”

~ Cherise Sinclair New York Times bestselling author

“Lexi Blake's MASTERS AND MERCENARIES series is beautifully written and deliciously hot. She's got a real way with both action and sex. I also love the way Blake writes her gorgeous Dom heroes--they make me want to do bad, bad things. Her heroines are intelligent and gutsy ladies whose taste for submission definitely does not make them dish rags. Can't wait for the next book!”

~ Angela Knight, New York Times bestselling author

“I can’t get enough of the Masters and Mercenaries Series! Love and Let Die is Lexi Blake at her best! She writes erotic romantic suspense like no other, and I am always extremely excited when she has something new for us! Intense, heart pounding, and erotically fulfilling, I could not put this book down.”

~ Shayna Renee, Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads

“Certain authors and series are on my auto-buy list. Lexi Blake and her Masters & Mercenaries series is at the top of that list... this book offered everything I love about a Masters & Mercenaries book – alpha men, hot sex and sweet loving… As long as Ms. Blake continues to offer such high quality books, I’ll be right there, ready to read.”

~ Robin, Sizzling Hot Books

“I have absolutely fallen in love with this series. Spies, espionage, and intrigue all packaged up in a hot dominant male package. All the men at McKay-Taggart are smoking hot and the women are amazingly strong sexy submissives.”

~ Kelley, Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews

About LEXI BLAKE:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter | Twitter | Bookbub

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Book Trailer: Kingdom of Exiles - Maxym Martineau

Today I wanted to spotlight Kingdom of Exiles, Maxym Martineau's debut novel. I've been wanting to read this book ever since I first heard about it (watch out for my review coming very soon!) and today it's finally out in the world for everyone to enjoy. Just have a look at this blurb and tell me it doesn't sound fantastic!!

Assassin's Creed meets Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in this gripping, epic fantasy romance trilogy.

My heart wasn't part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.

Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts-an offense punishable by death-and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena's terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin's oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena's continued survival...and his own.

The Beast Charmer Series:
Kingdom of Exiles
The Frozen Prince (coming early 2020)
The Shattered Crown (coming late 2020)