Ruthless Princess by Rachel Van Dyken

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar 

Ruthless Princess by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruthless Princess by Rachel Van Dyken

Oh my Godddd.

Rachel Van Dyken kills me. See, these are the books I never thought I needed. Me reading an intense mafia book is one thing, eagerly anticipating and cursing the wait is another. But RVD has such a hold on me and has done since Eagle Elite and try as I might, I can’t shake her off. The characters, the storyline, The Family - all of it consume me, take my breathe away, only to give it back sparingly. But enough about me!

This is Junior and Serena’s story and is a complete standalone. They’ve been in love with each other for years but sadly for all, their love is forbidden. And I don’t mean forbidden in that they'll get a rap over their knuckles for it. I mean that it’s punishable by death. As much as they try to stay apart, their hearts are drawn to each other and in this world they live in with unending ruthlessness and bloodshed, they are each other’s rock and best friend.

I fucking loved both Junior and Serena. They were perfectly imperfect, flawed as only the best characters can be. My heart ached for them and yearned with them. I laughed and I cried and I felt like I was living this story with them. Just perfection.

If you’ve read RVD’s Eagle Elite series before, you’re in for a treat but if you haven’t, don’t fear! This is a whole new generation of mafia and you don’t need to have read anything at all prior to jumping in.

As always, Blood In, No Out.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.


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melinda.lazar@email.com	May 19, 2020, 9:56 AM (1 day ago)
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Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar 

Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase

I discovered my love for bodyguard romances after reading Royally Endowed by the same author and so was looking forward to more, more, more! In this book, we certainly get more!
It’s the story of bodyguard, Tommy and surgeon, Abigail. On paper and in real life, they are completely unsuited. Tommy is a happy-go-lucky guy who just wants to work hard, absolutely, but is also determined to enjoy every bit of life. At the opposite end of the scale, all Abby has known her entire life is to be serious, focused, and driven. It’s not until it’s pointed out to her that she realizes the need to relax and have a life outside of work.

I enjoyed so much of this book. There was a lot of banter and flirting, so much sweetness and romance all of which I love in a book. I have to say that Tommy quite annoyed me at the beginning but he grew on me, page after page proving his heart. The characters had my sympathy and support throughout much of the book and I was as happy as they were with their HEA!

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Golden Valley by Cardeno C.

REVIEWED BY

Joanne Swinney 

Golden Valley by Cardeno C.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this story without reading book one. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but I am now going to go back to the beginning. It’s a collective series, each bringing their own story. As always Author Cardeno C has me hooked on her Alpha males. There’s no denying shifters are a favourite of mine. In the world of fiction, anything is possible including gay mates where one can become pregnant. Sounds a little on the weird side, but it’s a real page-turner.

Morgan Peters has big plans for his future, and we all know how the best-laid plans work out. Unfortunately not so good. He never wanted to be the Alpha of his pack or any pack for that matter, but when his world turns upside down he has no other option but to protect his people. I fell in love with Morgan’s character. He is such a kind, understanding and seriously delicious male. He could have turned out so differently with everything he has had to face. But he remained true to himself and has shown many who have challenged him over the years that he is strong in body and heart.

Omega Ricky Marx longed to find his mate. It may be old fashioned to some, but he has been saving himself for that special one, the only one. His true mate. Turning down his own Alpha from Purple Sky is testament to how much he believes in waiting to share himself. By the sounds of it Alpha Berger is in his own right strong, handsome, and certainly someone I want to hear more about. I’m sure Cardeno will share his story. HINT HINT!!

When Ricky finally does meet his mate things don’t go how he expected. He’s heard so many stories and knew in his heart what he felt. But still, he is left with the sickly feeling that he has to leave, and leave fast.

Two souls that are destined to be together will always find a way. I couldn’t put this book down until I knew where the story was going.

If you love reading gay romance and more importantly all things shifters like me, then this has to be your next download; it’s packed with heat, twists and a beautiful love story.

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Artful Lies by Jodi Ellen Malpas

REVIEWED BY 

Jackie Vanhisbergh 

Artful Lies by Jodi Ellen Malpas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, another fantastic book Jodi, now to wait for book No 2!

I loved this alpha male! You will fall in love with Becker Hunt, he the best art dealer in the business and he is arrogant, moody, very cocky and super handsome! He has a dark soul that comes out in the book, he has suffered great loss during his life which he and his family believe he is now incapable of love.

His Grampa's and Mrs P are adorable - Jodi has a great way of introducing complex characters to support her leading characters.

Eleanor Cole has just moved to London from the country after a difficult time of betrayal by two people who should have had her back and losing her father and in trying to keep his dream alive.

She meets Lucy Bason her new friend who has the flat opposite her. She proves to be a great friend and another wonderful character.

She meets Becker on a few occasions when she first moves to London and each time the chemistry is off the clock but she knows a player when she sees one! He ends up being her boss and she knows she should keep away from him, but she just can't do it. She knows heartbreak is around the corner.

The plot, the scenes, the attention Jodi puts into knowing the artwork makes these books brilliant.

It ends with a cliffhanger and there is a sequel to come and my mind is running into overtime trying to work out the man! This is the best book I had read this year and I cannot wait until November!

I read this book as an ARC for Joandisalovebooks blog and I am giving my true and honest opinion.

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Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen

REVIEWED By

Melinda Lazar 

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen

Sure Shot is the second chance romance Bess Berringer and Mark ‘Tank’ Tankiewicz didn’t know they needed.
Having just spent the last week off the grid and working on her five-year plan, Bess is stunned to see Mark at a Bruisers get-together especially given that he’s arrived from a rival team and his wife is nowhere to be seen. Bess is no longer the newbie sports agent she was nine years ago and she’s made some huge decisions with both her professional and personal lives.
Mark has just arrived in Brooklyn where he simply does not want to be. His wife has asked for a divorce, his teammates don’t trust him, and he’s living in a hotel. The one thing going for him is that he’s back in contact with Bess Berringer and he’s not willing to let her push him aside.

These two have a lot of issues to work through and a lot of heartache to deal with. I did feel that things sort of started up a bit too quickly at the beginning of their reconnection but having said that, I quite enjoyed the serious turns their relationship took. Overall, this was a welcome addition to the Bruiser family and I loved seeing more from past characters.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.


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The Breakup Artist by Lila Monroe

REVIEWED BY 

Monique Cashmere

The Breakup Artist by Lila Monroe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 🌟’s.

I picked up this book, my first in the series, and had it read before going to bed. It is a complete standalone and even though you will get the previous characters popping in, you won’t feel left out or behind in any way. It’s a very quick read of a second chance romance.

Katie is a breakup specialist. She is “the” Breakup Artist. She will help you end your relationship so each of you walk away with a sense of full closure. What got her started was her very own heartbreak from Wes. She has made a name for herself in New York, but now she has been summoned to the west coast to help out an A-Lister. The only thing is, Wes is also there to oversee things as the lawyer to the star.

There were some funny moments throughout the book. There is also a lot of name dropping which gives you a very Hollywood feel about it all. At times I felt both the couples lacked immaturity, and the storyline had stages of unauthentic events. I liked that Katie had found herself and was more comfortable around Wes in LA. He too had changed since they had dated five years ago and I wanted more paragraphs from his POV. He was very swoon worthy. I feel fans from the previous books will get a kick out of Katie and Wes’s story.


*Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.

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Beholden by Rebecca Sharp

REVIEWED BY

Jackie Vanhinsbergh

Beholden by Rebecca Sharp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this story, I have read all of Rebecca Sharps, books and this one does not disappoint. The clever way she weaves the characters past and new is amazing and this is one well-written book. The book further explains what happened in the book Redemption to Larry Ocean and why he was the way he was! I loved it!

Poor Laurel Ocean has returned to Carmel Cove to bury her grandfather and she meets the town and all those who love her and those amazing memories that she fights. She is determined to leave quickly but Eli and the town have other ideas.

Will Laurel and Eli find their happy ever after or will the beast in town who wants her café get to her like he did her Pap? Eli promised to keep her safe, you’ll have to read this book to find out if he does. Or will they end before they even get started. This book will take you on an emotional roller-coaster, but you will love the ride all the way.

Bravo again Rebecca. I cannot wait for the sequel and Mick and Jules story.
This is a must-read, I read this book as an ARC promising to give my honest review for Joandisalovebooks blog.

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