Book Blitz: Amanda Lester series by Paula Berinstein


This is my stop during the book blitz for the Amanda Lester Series by Paula Berinstein. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 30 January till 5 February. You can see the tour schedule here. There is a guest post to read, links to all the books in the series and a giveaway!

About the Amanda Lester series
The Amanda Lester series is a Middle Grade/ Young Adult Mystery series.
The series contains 5 books so far and at least 2 more books are planned. The first four books are also available bundled in a box set. And the first book is also available in audiobook format. The currently published books are:
– Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1)
– Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis (Amanda Lester, Detective #2)
– Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle (Amanda Lester, Detective #3)
– Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret (Amanda Lester, Detective #4)
– Amanda Lester and the Red Spider Rumpus (Amanda Lester, Detective #5)

The First book in the series:
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1)
by Paula Berinstein

Blurb:
Amanda Lester wouldn’t be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes’s colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she’s going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.

When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away—until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they’re not sure whether these oddities mean anything, but when Amanda’s father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they’re certain that crimes are taking place.

Now Amanda must embrace her destiny and uncover the truth. The only snag is that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty, a descendant of Holmes’s nemesis Professor James Moriarty, might be involved, and he doesn’t like nosy little girls interfering in his business.

You can find Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy on Goodreads

Get the e-copy for free!
The e-copy of Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy is free now on all vendor sites! Grab your free copy here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords

Get the Audiobook!
You can buy the audiobook of Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy here:
Audible
Amazon
iTunes

Listen to a sample of the audiobook here on Soundcloud.

Guest Post: Romance in Amanda Lester’s world
My first crush came at the age of six. At thirteen I fell deeply in love. Because love was so central in my young life, I wanted a romantic relationship to lie at the heart of my stories for tweens and teens. In fact this relationship is so important to me that I actually think of my series not as mystery but as a love story between a flawed girl who thinks big and a boy who’s full of fire.

Writing about young love is tricky though. When we first meet Amanda and her friends they are twelve and thirteen, so while they have romantic feelings they don’t always recognize or feel comfortable with them. Amanda herself denies that she has them for an entire year. Only her friend Amphora, who is truly boy crazy, pursues this aspect of her life. So in the first three books I kind of dance around the issue, depicting flashes of longing and affection but not much more. But in Book 4, after they’ve known each other for a year, the kids start to realize what they’ve been feeling for some time.

Amanda resists as long as she can. In fact she would probably never admit that she was in love unless you pushed her. When her friend Simon points out to her that she loves a certain boy (no spoilers here) she denies it. She’s so wrapped up in her filmmaking and learning to be a detective that she doesn’t even think about romance. Boys aren’t important to her except as fellow detectives or thorns in her side. It’s not that they repulse her. She just doesn’t have the time—until one day love hits her like an earthquake.

Over the course of Books 1 through 6, two boys fall in love with Amanda. Now I know that some readers don’t like love triangles, but I adore them, and Amanda’s isn’t the only one in the series. My feeling is that triangles evoke tension in a story, and allow us to feel that wonderful angst we crave when reading.

As I see it, this angst is the price you, the reader, and I, the writer, pay for the joy of experiencing the true love between soul mates that lies at the heart of the series. The light in the lovers’ eyes, the way their hearts soar, the deep bond they share—that’s what lies beneath the mysteries. My lovers free each other from the chains that bind them, grow and struggle and learn together as they discover who they are as people and where they fit in the world.

Make no mistake, it’s a rough road Amanda and her friends travel. Romance in my books is no fairy tale. But I believe the journey is all the more fulfilling for its difficulties, and all the sweeter. It’s that belief that moves me and impels me to tell my story. Because in the end, love is what life is all about.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about how I do my twists and turns.

All five books in the series

Buy the whole series on Amazon!
The first Amanda Lester book is free and book 2, 3, 4 and 5 are only 0.99$ per book or can be bought as part of a box set. Links to each book on Amazon are below:
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1)
Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis(Amanda Lester, Detective #2)
Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle (Amanda Lester, Detective #3)
Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret (Amanda Lester, Detective #4)
Amanda Lester and the Red Spider Rumpus (Amanda Lester, Detective #5)
Amanda Detective box set Books 1-4
The Amanda Lester series page

The Amanda Lester books on other vendors
The Amanda Lester series is also available on other vendor sites. Get the books on B&N, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords.

About the Author:
Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one.

You can find and contact Paula here:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Paula’s blog on Goodreads
The Writing Show podcasts
Newsletter

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of the Amanda Lester series. These are the prizes you can win:
– One winner will win all 5 Amanda Lester books in paperback.
– Two winners will win a set of all 5 Amanda Lester books in e-format.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blitz: The Failing Hours (How to Date a Douchebag #2) by Sara Ney

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Happy release day to The Failing Hours (How to Date a Douchebag #2) by Sara Ney! This is my stop during the release day blitz for The Failing Hours. Have you read this series? the first book is on my to-read list.

The Failing HoursTitle: The Failing Hours
Author: Sara Ney
Series: How to Date a Douchebag #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
Zeke Daniels isn’t just a douchebag; he’s an asshole.

A total and complete jerk, Zeke keeps people at a distance. He has no interest in relationships–most assholes don’t.

Dating?
Being part of a couple? Nope. Not for him.

He’s never given any thought to what he wants in a girlfriend, because he’s never had any intention of having one. Shit, he barely has a relationship with his family, and they’re related; his own friends don’t even like him.

So why does he keep thinking about Violet DeLuca?
Sweet, quiet Violet—his opposite in every sense of the word.
The light to his dark, even her damn name sounds like rays of sunshine and happiness and shit.

And that pisses him off, too.

About the Author:
Purveyor of all things witty & romantic, I love: iced latte’s, traveling, and bright, bold colors. On any given day, you can find me in my office, lovingly gazing at my bookshelf or shuffling my Bic felt-tip pen collection. I love hand writing letters, and sarcasm.

I live in the midwest, but “Will Write for Travel,” and believe everyone should follow their dreams, no matter how big or small. My favorite authors include Cindy Miles, S Walden, Suzanne Enoch – and am a glutton for Historical, RomCom, Sports and MC romance.

One husband. Two daughters. Plenty of chaos.

Links:

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Review: More Than Her (More Than #2) by Jay McLean

More Than herTitle: More Than Her
Author: Jay McLean
Series: More Than #2
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
“For every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.”

For every choice you make there are rewards,
or there are consequences.
It was my choice to walk away the first time.
And my choice to chase her the second.
But sometimes you don’t get a choice,
and all you get are the consequences.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Unless that someone is Logan Matthews.
Because loving him didn’t give me
the strength to walk away.
It didn’t give me
the courage to fight for him.
And when it was over,
all it gave me was a broken heart.

My Review:
4.5 stars.

Logan was my favorite character from the first book so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this book straight away. I think I have a special affinity for the name Logan and I’m also a sucker for that lost, conflicted, bad-boy type with a mask up persona, so it was no surprise that I was going to fall completely in love with him in this book.

Initially, I had a total disconnect with this story as it was told in flashbacks that were confusing and they were pulling me out of the story and distracting me. Thankfully, that didn’t last long and then I became entirely immersed in Amanda and Logan’s love story. It’s the only reason I knocked off half a star.

Amanda fell head over heels in love with Logan and even though they only shared one night when he disappeared from her life it felt like a bigger loss. I could believe that and the fact that she caved relatively easily and let him back into her life.

As we start to discover what is lying underneath the surface, things started to add up and I thought my heart would break for Logan. His early childhood was horrific but he has a great adopted dad now in Alan. Loved Alan’s character.

Of course, just as things are going right for our couple, one night sees everything fall apart. One part of me could understand Logan’s reaction, the other part of me hated that he did the same thing to her again, but I’m totally hooked and it’s on to the next book right now.

Blog Tour: Dirty Secret by Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert

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Today is my stop during the blog tour for Dirty Secret by Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert. I review this book and there is a teaser image you can check out!

Dirty SecretTitle: Dirty Secret
Authors: Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert
Series: standalone
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense
Links:

Blurb:
*STANDALONE – ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE**

Agent: Kennedy Barnes
Target: Phoenix ‘Nix’ Ash
Crimes: Hacker and Heartbreaker
Mission: Get Close and Survive

After living her life in the shadows as the daughter of a congressman’s secret affair, Kennedy Barnes joins ‘Project Greenlight’ – a clandestine intelligence organization. She’s out to prove she’s more than her father’s dirty secret.

One of her first assignments is simple. Get close to Phoenix Ash, collect enough evidence to put him away for life, and get out unscathed.

Phoenix Ash is a world renowned hacker. He’s pulled off some of the biggest heists in modern history, but never leaves a trace. He knows people are after him and that every day may be his last, but when he meets Kennedy Barnes everything changes.

Lines are blurred and secrets are exposed as Phoenix and Kennedy both discover they do have a weakness – for each other.

This is a STANDALONE novel, but is interconnected with Dirty Work, which is now available.

Dirt secret teaser

My Review:
Hot chemistry and edge-of-the-seat suspense combine to deliver an addictive read that I devoured in record time. I couldn’t put this one down until I finished it!

Brenda Rothert is one of my favorite authors but I’ve yet to read any of Chelle Bliss’s books – must rectify that soon if this novel is any indication of her writing style. I absolutely loved Dirty Secret from the first tantalizing page until the last. This was my kind of perfect read – chock full of steamy romance, pulse-pounding intrigue, interesting characters, intense suspense and skilful writing.

Nix was a great leading man – hot, argumentative, smart, and cunning, he could come across as a bit of an ass but he had a heart of gold underneath. My fav type of alpha male. I swooned over how protective he was of Kennedy, even though he was angry as all hell at her.

Kennedy was a kick ass black ops government intelligence agent and she was awesome!

I loved this couple and their chemistry was explosive – definitely fanning myself during this read!

I also really enjoyed the undercover subplot and the murky world of The Loft. There were plenty of dark, dangerous, suspenseful scenes where my heart was in my mouth. How they snagged the bad guy in the end was a bit too simplistic but I rolled with it anyway.

It was a tad slow moving at the start, for me, but apart from that, it was a superb book. Highly Recommended.

Actual 4.5 Stars

Thanks to the authors for providing a review copy of this book via Inkslinger PR in exchange for my honest review.

About the Authors
Chelle Bliss
Chelle Bliss, USA Today Bestselling author, currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over thirteen books and has three series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.
Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in history. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

Links:

Brenda Rothert
Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

Links:

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Blog Tour: Casanova by Emma Hart

Casanova banner
Today is my stop during the blog tour for Casanova by Emma Hart. I review this book and there are some teaser images to look at.

CasnovaTitle: Casanova
Author: Emma Hart
Series: standalone
Rating: 3.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
I loved him more than life.
He broke me and he didn’t even know it.
I ran from him.
He didn’t chase me.
He never needed to, because he knew I’d come back.
He was right.
Death brought me home to him.
Brett Walker.
Drop dead gorgeous and filthy-mouthed with a smile that turns saints to sinners.
A casanova to his core.
My ex-best friend.
And the bad boy whose reputation precedes him—the same reputation I’m tasked with turning to gold… Or so they think.

Casanova teaser 1

My Review:
Actual 3.5 stars.

Emma Hart is one of my favorite authors and she knows how to write a seriously funny rom-com. I adore her Burke Brothers and Stripped series and both those series had a brilliant blend of humor and sexy romance with great characters that kept me hooked from page one.

Casanova is a great read jam-packed full of Emma’s signature sassy wit. The banter between Lani and Brett is hysterical and I was laughing my head off while reading this book.

Lani had left for California over a misunderstanding the night her and Brett graduated. One of the things I loved about this second chance romance was how both mains could now acknowledge their immaturity and appreciate if they had just spoken to one another they wouldn’t have spent eight years apart.

The overall premise of this story was flimsy and lacking depth and that was my biggest issue with it. The plot was also very predictable and it lacked a nail-biting climactic moment. Brett was portrayed as a Casanova who didn’t give a crap about anyone, but he never really presented as such. He bed-hopped, that was blatant, but every other demonstration of his character led me to believe he wasn’t the bad boy he was portrayed to be. It didn’t take much for me to fall for him!

Lani was a great female lead – independent, and career driven, feisty, and opinionated, but she had a good heart.

Without a shadow of a doubt the snarky banter is the star of this show. Prepare to laugh your socks off!

If you enjoy well written light-hearted romantic comedy or you are a fan of Emma Hart then you should definitely pick this one up.

I would like to thank the author and Inkslinger PR for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Casanova buy now

Emma HartAbout the Author:
By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies – usually wine – and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

Links:

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Book Blitz: The Room Mate (Roommates #1) by Kendall Ryan

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Today is my stop during the blitz for The Room Mate (Roommates #1) by Kendall Ryan! I share my review with you today!

The Room MateTitle: The Room Mate
Author: Kendall Ryan
Series: Roommates #1
Rating: 4 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
The last time I saw my best friend’s younger brother, he was a geek wearing braces. But when Cannon shows up to crash in my spare room, I get a swift reality check.

Now twenty-four, he’s broad shouldered and masculine, and so sinfully sexy, I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to enjoy. At six-foot-something with lean muscles hiding under his T-shirt, a deep sexy voice, and full lips that pull into a smirk when he studies me, he’s pure temptation.

Fresh out of a messy breakup, he doesn’t want any entanglements. But I can resist, right?

I’m holding strong until the third night of our new arrangement when we get drunk and he confesses his biggest secret of all: he’s cursed when it comes to sex. Apparently he’s a god in bed, and women instantly fall in love with him.

I’m calling bullshit. In fact, I’m going to prove him wrong, and if I rack up a few much-needed orgasms in the process, all the better.

There’s no way I’m going to fall in love with Cannon. But once we start…I realize betting against him may have been the biggest mistake of my life.

My Review:
Cannon and Paige’s romance is sweet, sexy, and chock-full of laugh out loud moments and scorching hot chemistry. This is Kendall Ryan at her best!

This was a really brilliant, fun, flirty, fast read and I loved it!

Cannon is a great combination of serious and sexy and did I mention he is ridiculously hot? (He’s ridiculously hot!!!!) Paige was a woman after my own heart. I was Head of HR in a previous lifetime so Paige’s chosen career as a HR Manager really resonated with me. Kendall did a stellar job with her character and I loved how calm and controlled she was and I loved the scene the first night Cannon moved in when she asked him questions and expressed interest in him rather than talking about herself. Her personality was very true to the job she performed and we all take parts of our work home with us. She was no walk over and she had no trouble speaking her mind or going for what she wanted even if she had reservations.

Allie was a terrible friend and sister and thank God she redeemed herself at the end.

The only reason this is four-star rather than a five-star review is that I felt the scene with Maggie was inserted purely as a plot device and it was too transparent to be accepted with any level of credibility. I wish this had been interwoven through the story and there were ample opportunities to keep this subplot going which would have given it authenticity and added an extra layer of dept to the book. Other than that, though, I adored it and it’s one of my fav KR reads.

Thanks to the author and Inkslinger PR for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Kendall Ryan Headshot 1 picAbout the Author:
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

Links:

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Release Day Blitz: The Room Mate (Roommates #1) by Kendall Ryan

The Room Mate banner
Today is my stop during the release day blitz for The Room Mate (Roommates #1) by Kendall Ryan!

The Room MateTitle: The Room Mate
Author: Kendall Ryan
Series: Roommates #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
The last time I saw my best friend’s younger brother, he was a geek wearing braces. But when Cannon shows up to crash in my spare room, I get a swift reality check.

Now twenty-four, he’s broad shouldered and masculine, and so sinfully sexy, I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to enjoy. At six-foot-something with lean muscles hiding under his T-shirt, a deep sexy voice, and full lips that pull into a smirk when he studies me, he’s pure temptation.

Fresh out of a messy breakup, he doesn’t want any entanglements. But I can resist, right?

I’m holding strong until the third night of our new arrangement when we get drunk and he confesses his biggest secret of all: he’s cursed when it comes to sex. Apparently he’s a god in bed, and women instantly fall in love with him.

I’m calling bullshit. In fact, I’m going to prove him wrong, and if I rack up a few much-needed orgasms in the process, all the better.

There’s no way I’m going to fall in love with Cannon. But once we start…I realize betting against him may have been the biggest mistake of my life.

Kendall Ryan Headshot 1 picAbout the Author:
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

Links:

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Review: More Than This (More Than #1) by Jay McLean

More Than ThisTitle: More Than This
Author: Jay McLean
Series: More Than #1
Rating: 3 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
When Mikayla imagined her prom night, she envisioned a fairy-tale evening full of romance. So when betrayal and tragedy come in quick succession, Mikayla is completely destroyed. Suddenly, everything she loved and everyone she relied on are tragically, irrevocably gone.

Jake, a handsome boy she just met, happens to witness her loss. With no one to turn to, Mikayla is forced to depend on this near stranger and his family, and he in turn is determined to take care of her. But Mikayla—thrust into adulthood with no one to guide her—is desperate to contain her grief and hide what she considers to be her weakness. Mikayla and Jake both want more, but despite their growing closeness and intense chemistry, she tries to keep her distance and protect her heart. As he does everything in his power to win her trust, Mikayla must choose between remaining alone and safe or letting love in.

My Review:
More Than This contains a lot of the ingredients I love in mature YA contemp romance – lots of teen angst and drama, lies and betrayal, tragedy, strong friendships, and romance to root for.

The first third of this book was great, the middle started to get a little repetitive and the ending became very frustrating as they refused to really talk to one another. Now, I love that in a book but I just felt it was taken to extremes here and it became frustrating to the point of irritation.

Character development was great and I’m totally invested in all the characters. I loved Jake – he was great from the very outset and so patient with Kayla. His reactions toward the end showed a different side of his personality but it was believable. Everyone can only take so much.

I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Kayla. I felt for her but she made some silly choices.

I didn’t like Megan or James and was happy they were cut out of Kayla’s life. Loved all the other couples and happy that they all have their own books. I’m in the mood for getting stuck into a series.

Logan is hands down my fav character so I’m really happy that the next two books are about him.

Plot development could be meatier and the dialogue was a little cringey in places but overall it’s a good start to a promising series.

Blog Tour: Fidelity (Infidelity #5) by Aleatha Romig

Infidelity series
Today is my stop during the blog tour for Fidelity by Aleatha Romig. This is the fifth and last book in this series. I share my review with you, some teaser images and an excerpt!

FidelityTitle: Fidelity
Author: Aleatha Romig
Series: Infidelity #5
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense
Links:

Blurb:
She thought she could save those she loved.
He thought he could save her.
They’ll both learn the truth.

FIDELITY, the dramatic conclusion to the epic five-novel series INFIDELITY, following Lennox “Nox” Demetri, Alexandria “Charli” Collins, the Montagues, Demetris, Fitzgeralds, and Spencers is finally here.

When the vows are complete and the dust settles, who will be left standing?

No one is safe, and no alliance is above suspicion in the much-anticipated finale to this hot romantic-suspense saga. Our heroine has survived betrayal, cunning, deception, and entrapment…what will happen when she’s faced with fidelity?

Infidelity, it isn’t what you think.

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a sexy, new dominant hero who knows what he wants and a strong-willed heroine who has plans of her own. With classic twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, this new, epic romantic suspense will have readers swooning one minute and screaming the next.

Have you been Aleatha’d?

FIDELITY is the fifth and FINAL of five full-length novels in the INFIDELITY series.

*This series does not condone nor does it advocate cheating.

Fidelity teaser Make Love to me

My Review:
Aleatha ends this EPIC series with a bang, proving she is the queen of romantic suspense! Seriously, talk about knocking it out of the park! My thoughts are all scattered and I’m still reeling from this marvelous conclusion to a wonderful series.

When I think back to Betrayal, the first book in the series, I realize how much both Alex/Charli and Nox have developed and grown as individuals and as a couple. She has grown more confident and self-assured, while he has dropped his mask and opened his heart and finally let another woman in. And it was AWESOME to read. Nox is so protective of Charli in this one and I swooned along with her. While Charli is strong and she faces up to her demons, she also isn’t afraid to lean on him for support and I saw that as a strength, not a weakness.

I also loved the chapters from Oren and Adelaide’s perspective and I love how the past, present, and future collide with both relationships. I was somewhat shocked that Adelaide knew what had gone on in the past (being vague on purpose) but was glad it didn’t stop them getting their HEA.

It was great to see the Fitzgeralds and Spencers get what was coming to them and boy was Bryce out of control in this one. While they were manipulative and cunning and horrible to Alex, what happened to Bryce and Suzanna didn’t sit well with me because they weren’t guilty but it was poetic justice at its finest.

The sexy/romantic times were a bit scant in this one but there were so many twists and turns in the saga that I really can’t complain. Just when I thought I had it figured out, bam, I was hit with another unexpected reveal. It was definitely an edge-of-the-seat read.

I’m really sad that this series has come to an end because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Aleatha is a fantastic writer and I really enjoy her writing style. She writes superb characters and great romance intertwined with amazing mystery and intrigue and a healthy dose of drama for additional pleasure. I also love books with cliffhangers and Aleatha ended every book with an agonizing cliffhanger that had me begging for more!

Now, can I just mention how incredible the epilogues were? Oh, be still my beating heart. Yes, it was a bit predictable and cliche but my romance-loving heart lapped it all up.

This is a fantastic series and I highly recommend it to fans of well-written romantic suspense. Definitely another winner for my library.

I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read advance complimentary copies of each book in this series via Inkslinger PR. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Fidelity Teaser Our hands

Chapter 4
Alexandria

Pandemonium prevailed as my heart beat faster. The world around me was falling apart, and I was again powerless. I’d said I didn’t want to leave the mansion. I’d protested, but here I was, being ushered, forcibly, toward the front of the house. Though I couldn’t see the guests, their voices were audible over the click of Suzanna’s and my heels as we stepped upon the marble floor.
“Dear, you’ll need to fix your make up.”
I joined the others in ignoring Suzanna as panic bubbled in the depths of my stomach, creating a sour concoction. I needed to get away—not go with them. I’d done all I could to stall, slowing my steps, claiming I needed to go up to my room, anything. Each moment I searched for aid, for Patrick, for Jane, or for anyone who could offer me a lifeline. Even Judge Townsend had disappeared. Now as we made our way to the front door, the corridors and foyer were exactly how Alton had ordered them to be—empty.
With each step, memories flashed in front of my eyes of my recent return to Montague Manor. Nine days ago as I walked these same hallways, the walls had been lined with Alton’s soldiers—his show of power. Their absence was the same display. Alton Fitzgerald could make people appear and disappear. Maybe I’d been wrong about my stepfather’s ability to entertain. He wasn’t a singer or dancer. He was a magician.
There wasn’t even a staff member present to open the front door as we approached. They’d all slipped into the secret dimension that only they could access. For a moment I wondered if they could see us and then I realized they couldn’t. Nor could they hear. They were paid too well for that.
Suzanna reached for the large handle and pulled the massive door inward. As we stepped onto the porch, the cool night air blew wisps of my hair about my face. My skin prickled with goose bumps as a chill raced through me.
“I need a coat,” I tried.
“Nonsense. The car is warm,” Alton said as a limousine pulled up the drive.
A sense of déjà vu filled me with the same doom I’d felt at Magnolia Woods.
I tugged my arm free from Alton’s grasp as the autumn leaves danced, creating a trail in the car’s wake. I wanted to push Alton for answers, but weighed my words. Over the last few minutes, his panicked sense of urgency had turned to a quiet resolve. The new demeanor gave me no sense of security.
As much as I despised the thought, I missed Bryce.
It was the knowledge that I was again alone at Alton’s mercy. Despite Bryce’s bipolar psychotic episodes, he had protected me from my stepfather more than once.
I tried not to think about how I wasn’t protected when he and I were alone, or how he’d treated Chelsea—his whore. Even his title for her made me ill. As we waited I longed for a phone with the blue dot app. It hadn’t been necessary when I’d been the one to wear the necklace, but now, I wanted to know that Chelsea was with Nox. If she and my mother were safe, I could break free.
My fingers trailed the diamond choker around my neck. The loss of the tracker necklace was suffocating. I reassured myself that it had been the right move. If for any reason Chelsea had been detained along the way, the beacon on the necklace would have led Nox to her.
Shivering, I wrapped my arm around my midsection and turned toward my stepfather as the car approached. “Please, tell me about my mother.”
“Really, Alexandria?” His warm breath reeked of whiskey as he looked up from his phone. No doubt his time spent with the VIPs in his office had been filled with the best alcohol in the mansion. “Your husband needs you and you’re asking about your mother. She’s probably sleeping peacefully, still detoxing.”
“Probably? You don’t know? And Bryce and I aren’t married. Do you know about my mother for sure?”
Suzanna didn’t speak as she turned her attention to Alton.
He shook his head. “Your mother is being taken care of. But, daughter, you’re mistaken about your marital status. You were married yesterday. Tonight’s party had been to announce your surprise nuptials. I just received confirmation. Ralph Porter will have the paperwork drawn up and Judge Townsend will make it all legal.” His thin lips formed a strained smile. “Congratulations, Mrs. Spencer. Today is your one-day anniversary.”

Fidelity Teaser That's it Princess

aleatharomig1About the Author:
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

Links:

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Review: Corrupt (Devil’s Night #1) by Penelope Douglas

CorruptTitle: Corrupt
Author: Penelope Douglas
Series: Devil’s Night #1
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

***Corrupt can be read as a stand-alone. No cliffhanger.

My Review:
Actual Rating – 4.5 Stars

Michael and Rika have danced around one another for years – but everything came to a head three years ago when the events of one fateful night set the future in motion.

This well-written book contained plenty of dark and steamy moments and it’s definitely not a light-hearted read, but it was immensely addictive and entertaining. The characters are some of the most complex I’ve read about and I came to love/hate them. I grew hot and cold on Michael a lot – but, in the end, he did the right thing and proved that Rika’s faith in him wasn’t misguided.

Rika was a good character and I enjoyed her progression, even if some of her actions weren’t very believable. The chemistry between our two was off the charts and the push-and-pull nature of it only added to the tension and conflict.
The other Horsemen were intriguing too. Trevor was a bit one-dimensional and I wasn’t shocked at all by his behavior.

Corrupt definitely has the shock factor down pat and there were tons of “OMG” moments. And that threesome – seriously hot! It was a very entertaining story if a little sick at times. Lol.

I did overlook some issues with the plot that wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny and it’s the reason I knocked a half star off my rating.

This book will not be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it and Penelope Douglas is definitely on my fav author list now.