Return to the House of Sin (Bastards of London #4) by Anabelle Bryant

Waiting for this book, in particular, has been a lesson in patience. Return to the House of Sin, the fourth and final book in the Bastards of London series, is a prime example of Anabelle Bryant's expertise in bringing a lost cause back from the brink and making him into a hero. Crispin Daventry, Lord Hastings, made a hasty exit of London after the "love of his life" marries one of the Bastards, and loses a mound of money at the Underworld. He runs from everyone who loves him, even the sister who was his best friend.

Wasting his life away in over-excess and debauchery has taken its toll on Crispin, who has resolved, though not wholeheartedly, to return to London to exact revenge on the gaming hell, The Underworld and the proprietor who stole his love. Crsipin has gained a fortune in his time away from London and will use all at his disposal  to regain his reputation. Traveling back to London from Italy on a ship along with his mischievous friend the Count of Este.

Lady Amanda Beasley, daughter of the earl of Huntindon was supposed to travel to France from Italy with her widowed father and her sister, but circumstances separate the family members, and Amanda ends up on the wrong ship headed to England while her family board their ship to France. Frantic and without help, Amanda stows away in the first open chamber she finds, which happens to be Crispin's. What a dilemma! 

Crispin is trying so hard to turn over a new leaf, but Amanda is a tempting morsel. Between attempting to keep her presence a secret from everyone on the ship to keeping himself , Crispin becomes a steadfast friend to Amanda whilst keeping her hidden from the crew. He makes sure she has food and drink and even comforts her when she falls ill. Amanda has never had any type of relationship with a man, but she falls into complacency with Crispin's friendship. Dare she  he ever hope for anything else? Crispin continually pushes back his emerging feeling for Amanda knowing she would make someone a perfect wife, just not him. He was far too heartbroken to accept any new possibilities of love. 

Once the ship docks in English waters and Amanda and Crsipin go their separate ways, but the inevitable happens when Crispin and Amanda begin to see one another at ton events. Denying the undeniable is a task neither will win when feelings eventually tear down the walls that both Amanda and Crispin have erected around their hearts, and the journey to the point of no return is sublime.

Author, Anabelle Bryant has written a superb send off  to the Bastards of London and everything is as it should be in the land surrounding the Underworld. Miss Bryant takes a character that readers had come to dislike through his actions in the past and wondrously redeem his to the point of his becoming a favorite hero in this tale. Amanda Beasley and he sensual innocence becomes the catalyst in this redemption, making RETURN TO THE HOUSE OF SIN one of my favorite books this year. I highly recommend this, and any expertly written book written by the ever talented, Anabelle Bryant.

~KIMBERLY~ 

A Place at Our Table (An Amish Homestead Novel) by Amy Clipston

Young Amish woman, Kayla Dienner  has already lost one family member to tragedy, she doesn't want anything to happen to her younger brother,Nathan , who is all about becoming a firefighter after he meets part time firefighter, Jamie Riehl. 

Kayla meets Amish firefighter, Jamie Riehl when he responds to a fire on the Dienner's property. Jamie was acquainted with the elder Dienner brother who perished in a fire the year before and when the younger Dienner, Nathan, shows an interest, he is glad to help in any way he can. Meeting Kayla also sparks an interest which Jamie has never had before, but knowing that Kayla is so against having Nathan go into firefighting, makes Jamie pause.

Jamie and Kayla begin a friendship and a courtship of sorts but both have reservations which can make or break their relationship.  It seems to Kayla, that she cares more for whatever the two have together since Jamie misses dates with her. When a heartbreaking tragedy strikes Jamie's family, he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders doubt that he can ever be what Kayla needs.

Can two people who obviously care so much for each other overcome the obstacles blocking their paths? Can both Kayla and Jamie set aside their sadness and look to a future with one another? All these questions and more are answered in Amy Clipston's A PLACE AT OUR TABLE.

Having only started reading Amish romance novels the past year or so, I have quickly fallen in love with Amy Clipston's stories subject matters and the people she so eloquently describes. This story in particular hits home for me because I have a son who is a volunteer firefighter who wants to make a career of it in the FDNY. Kayla's feelings for her brother Nathan mimic this reader's and add to the appeal. I enjoyed learning about the Dienner family and the Riehl family and I hope to reading more about them in the future. 

~KIMBERLY~

BOOK OBSESSED CHICKS EARLY REVIEW ** The Heart of an Agent (The Adirondack Pinkertons #2) by Tracey J. Lyons

Lily Handland had no one for so long . The former Pinkerton agent who wants more than being undercover and without roots, hands in her resignation and seeks out a purpose.  In the New York Adirondack Mountain region, a town called Heartston draws Lily into laying down some roots and using the monies earned from her hard-living as a Pinkerton agent, for some business purpose. When the local banker suggests she partner with the widowed owner of  Great Camp, a resort of sorts which has fallen into disrepair, Lily sees promise when she see the hidden beauty herself. Having the owner, Owen Murphy agree to the partnership is going to take a bit of convincing.

Owen Murphy lost his zest for living when his beloved wife passed away two years ago. Still in deep mourning, the Great Camp is falling apart and he's neither noticing nor caring. Even his loyal caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Cuddieback are at their wits end watching their employer/friend, remain in self-imposed limbo. When the feisty Lily Handland appears to save the day, Owen resists at first, but slowly returns to the land of the living with each task and idea Miss Hamdland sets before him.

Never having been in love before, Lily quickly falls for the brooding Owen Murphy, but knowing Owen's late wife was nearly perfect, and the fact that Lily was a Pinkerton agent who held may secrets, gives the young lady pause in finding true happiness. Keeping her past a secret may be the downfall of the life she is yearning to grasp onto, but what can she do? Read, The Heart Of An Agent by the wonderful author Tracey Lyons to find out!

The Heart Of An Agent is the follow up to A Changed Agent, and what a follow up it is. Tracey J.  Lyons brings the reader full force into the beauty of the Adirondack Mountain region and shares its breathtaking views, as well as a tender story to tug at the heart-strings. Ms. Lyons brings the reader to a region little read about in historical romance and what a fresh insight it is. The emotions brought forth by the widower and the former agent gave this reader a roller coaster of a ride. The Heart Of An Agent is a recommended read for those who love second chances. Bravo Tracey J. Lyons, you have a new forever fan.

~ Kimberly ~

Book Obsessed Chicks Release Anticipation : Cremains of the Day (A Tallie Graver Mystery) by Misty Simon

There's no reverse on the hearse . . .
 
For Tallulah Graver, marrying wealthy Waldo Phillips seemed like the best way out of the family business, the Graver Funeral Home. But when her marriage falls apart and Tallie is left with next to nothing, she turns to cleaning houses to make ends meet. As humbling as it is to tidy the mansions of the snobby socialites she used to call friends, at least she doesn't have to be around dead bodies. Until . . .
 
She discovers one of her employers lying in a closet with a knife sticking out of her chest. This unpleasant shock seems to be part of a web of weird experiences: Tallie's friend Gina's shop is broken into, her ex is stun-gunned where it hurts the most, and now she's receiving flowers from the dead woman. Granted the deliveryman is handsome, but seriously, that's enough to cast a pall over anyone’s day. Now Tallie needs to dig deep to clean up this mess—before she finds herself in a grave situation

PRE-ORDER HERE

About Misty:

Laughter and Love are two main components of any story I write. Laughter really is the best medicine and my heroines always figure that out at some point, though perhaps some later than others. I live in Central Pennsylvania with my family and two rambunctious dogs in a house that is about to celebrate its two hundredth birthday.

Misty Simon on the Web

Book Obsessed Chicks Recommended Read

Hey awesome peeps... Sooooo, if you are looking for something humorous as well as exciting and expertly written, you have come to the right place! Misty Simon's Cremains of the Day is just the thing you should grab. Ms. Simon has a wicked sense of humor and an awesomely twisted mind when it comes to crafting her works of art. If you have never read anything by this wonderful author, please do, you will not be sorry you did. Misty Simon took this reader of historical only reader to an all new level with this book. Now I want to go back and read every book in her back list...

BOOK OBSESSED CHICKS SHOUT OUT ~Hotter Than The Caribbean (Building Love Book 2) by Stacy Hoff

Luis Serrano, the unwanted love child of a hotel construction magnate, is determined to reach his father’s level of success. When Luis finds himself pitted against his half-brother for control over their ailing father's company, sibling rivalry comes to a head. The stakes are high. The brother who best completes their portion of the Caribbean construction project will gain control over the entire company. To win, Luis hires an interior design firm. But the firm will have to perform difficult work under serious time constraints.

Melanie Merritt is used to sibling rivalry. She’s always been second best to her older sister, the "golden child" of their parents' interior design firm. Melanie's desire is to be an artist. She works for her family to appease them. Her newest task is to implement a complex project for Luis Serrano under an impossibly short deadline. If she fails, her family’s company may go bankrupt. But Melanie can’t keep her too-creative ideas away from her family, and the client. 

Completing work on time won't be easy. Especially when dual sibling rivalries threaten to destroy the project, and a passion hotter than the Caribbean.

BUY HERE

#BOC Release Day Bliss ** Her Duke at Daybreak (Mythic Dukes Trilogy) (Volume 1) by Wendy LaCapra **

She promised three nights, he’ll crave a lifetime Infamous for his pedigree of madness and murder, the reclusive Duke of Ashbey believes he cannot feel until a mysterious woman unlocks a world of sensation in a single, shattering moment of connection. Ash casts a desperate bid for more. Recent widow Alicia Stone has long been reviled as the chief impediment to a love affair that captured the nation’s imagination. Publicly, she settled for respectability’s cold comfort, but, secretly, she longs to experience what she never found with her famous husband—uninhibited passion. When Ashbey proposes a discreet three-night assignation, Alicia shocks herself by accepting. But will their explosive union cost them both far more than they bargained?

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO WENDY LACAPRA

Review to Follow

Falling for a Cowboys smile by Katie Lane.  

The fourth book in the Tender Heart Series and it is still quite a good read. I enjoy quite a lot of the books by Katie Lane and yet this one seemed different from any of the others that I have read by her. 

This book did pull me in, but it did not seem to hold my attention as well as the others I have read. That is not because of the author, I did not read the second or third book in this series which made this one a little confusing. However, even though I may not have understood everything fully it was still a great read. 

This one is all about Gracie Lynn Arrington. I have adored Gracie from the beginning of this series and this book managed to show me how strong she truly is. Throughout this book you are able to see how Gracie changes to better fit what is happening around her and we get to see her grow a backbone (that's a lot funnier and truthful if you read the series :)). Gracie loves and loves hard, when she trusts you don't break that trust or you are liable to break her. So when she realizes that Dirk is hiding his past she is confused but willing to believe in him. Until he breaks her heart.

Dirk Hadley is working hard to keep the people of Bliss from finding out who he truly is. Especially Gracie because he doesn't want her to hate him. But now that his mission is coming to a close he is trying to get her to forget about her silly crush on him. Even though it means breaking her heart and hurting her a little it is better for her to hate him for a little while then to have to explain his true purpose being in Bliss. Dirk was great, he may be a master at keeping secrets but he is even better at keeping his emotions from himself. 

This book was great, with the amount of secrets and changes that these two character go through I never thought the book would finish, and not in a bad way. This was yet another great story by Ms. Lane and I cannot wait to see how the mystery of the final book is solved. 

~STEPHANIE~

#BOC Review by Joann **The Scot Beds His Wife (Victorian Rebels #5) by Kerrigan Byrne**

The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Byrne

Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, son of the notorious Hamish MacKenzie has inherited the MacKenzie clan and land. Gavin was not raised on the land he now finds himself their laird. Consequently, he is quite resented by most of its people. Hamish was a ruthless leader, he deprived his clan of many things because of greed. Gavin sees how the clan has suffered and strives to improve conditions for all.

When Gavin has his eyes on a piece of land adjoining his clan land he sets his mind to make an offer to purchase it. The owner Alison Ross resides in America but sets off to Scotland to set her finances straight and prevent selling her land to any MacKenzie. It is on the train across the States a train robbery occurs. Samantha Masters is one of the robbers but passes herself off a a passenger. When Samantha realizes the robbers plan to kill all he passengers she defends Ms Ross and kills her own husband one of the robbers.This murder is witness by her husbands brother another robber. Ms Ross now urges Samantha to switch places with her and go to Scotland disguised as Alice to flee from the other surviving train robbers.

Samantha/Alice are greeted at the station by Gavin and his entourage. He believes once he makes his offer she will accept and return to America. How wrong he was in this assumption. He is confronted with a head strong woman. She is running for her life and has no plans to return to America.

Both characters I found complicated and simple at the same time. Each holding their cards close to the vest. I love this author and all the stories of have read by her but this didn't do it for me. True it did show murkiness and violence but the darkness of plot complications was not there. Ms Byrne has a gritty style that just was not here. I, however, would still recommend this book and still continue to follow one of my favorite authors.

~JOANN~

The Scandalous Flirt by Olivia Drake

Aurora Paxton was one of the most popular débutantes during her come out season. Unfortunately, she found herself in a compromising position with an Italian Ambassador. Although, nothing truly happened she way banished from her home and sent away for years to live in a remote area with an eccentric aunt.

It is when Lady Milford comes to call and asks Aurora to return home with her as her step mother needs her help. Aurora has no desire to return to her step mother who treated her so cruelly during her banishment. Lady Milford works her way with Aurora and gives her a pair of special shoes to wear.

Upon her return Rory learns her step mother is being black mailed. She had love letters stolen from her and needs them returned because of scandal it would create for her and Rory sister Celeste who is planning a marriage to a Duke. The shock of her step mother having a love affair behind her father's back was quite unsettling.

Rory takes a position as a lady companion for Lucas Vale's, the Marquess of Dashall, mother. Both Lady Milford and her stepmother believe it is Lucas who stole the letters. The love letters were from Lucas's father to Rory's stepmother.

To continue on with this story would only spoil it for the reader. I really enjoyed the charming romance and mystery in this narrative. I would recommend it as a light read. 

~JOANN~

#BOC Presents! Alpha Males with Violetta Rand, Michele De Winton, Katana Collins & Michele Mannon

Interview with an Alpha Male

Ever imagine what it might be like to have a hot as sin Alpha male whispering in your ear? Well, four authors who write dark, gritty romances cordially invite you to listen in on some titillating conversations they’ve had with one of their heroes. Things are about to get hot. Fans and wine advised!

EAGLE ~ One Taste of Angel (Book One, Iron Norsemen MC) by VIOLETTA RAND

Eagle: (Looks me up and down, grins, and lights a cigarette)

Violetta: Thought we were going for a ride.

Eagle: Only if you agree to hop on the back of my bike.

Violetta: Sorry, I know the rules. Angel wouldn’t like it if I took her place.

Eagle: (Points at my Ducati) Not a Harley.

Violetta: Nope. It’s not. Bet I can go faster.

Eagle: (Laughs) Real women ride men with Harleys.

Violetta: Real women ride, Eagle.

Eagle: We’ll see. (Finishes his smoke, then climbs on his bike.) Coming?

Violetta: (Straps her helmet on and starts her Ducati) Last one to Holly Beach is a loser. (Screeches out of the parking lot, Eagle in her wake).

Meet Eagle and his brothers from the Iron Norsemen MC!

Please visit: http://www.violettarandromance.com/

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/One-Taste-Angel-Romance-Norsemen-ebook/dp/B06XFL84WG/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1504886888&sr=8-13&keywords=violetta+rand

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-taste-of-angel-violetta-rand/1126314200;jsessionid=91C2D15AE7050E78665FDF7729D5298B.prodny_store01-atgap05?ean=9781250147813

iBOOKS:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-taste-of-angel/id1212404522?mt=11

Violetta’s Bio:

Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Violetta Rand spent her childhood reading, writing, and playing soccer. After meeting her husband in New England, they moved to Alaska where she studied environmental science and policy before attending graduate school. Violetta then spent nearly a decade working as a scientist, specializing in soil and water contamination and environmental assessments.

Violetta still lives in Alaska and spends her days writing romance. When she's not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband, pets, and friends. In her free time, she loves to hike, fish, and ride motorcycles and 4-wheelers.

Violetta’s social media accounts:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/violettarand?lang=en

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

Website: http://www.violettarandromance.com/

Jake Slade ~ Right me Right #2 Raising Hellfire MC Series by Michele de Winton

Jake: You look good in blue, anyone ever tell you that? Makes me want to lay you down under a summer sky and...

Michele:  ...you know I wrote that line for you right? So it’s not going to work on me.

Jake: Shit. This isn’t going to go well for me is it? Should I be worried about sitting too close? You going to smack me with a wrench or a fire or any of you other “plot” ideas?

Michele: You’re safe here. We’re among friends. Tell us about Lucy.

Jake: Having us meet in that pool for the first time, I have to give it to you, that was good. She was all slick from the water and with the moon reflecting over her skin, hell, I’m amazed I managed to hold off for, what, four pages?

Michele: I couldn’t have you fall together too quickly.

Jake: I read that other book. Burned by Lust, now that is getting together quick. And that chick, Lee? Man, if I hadn’t met Lucy, I’d be ripping up the pages to get into her. Hell’s boys wouldn’t have liked it but fuck em. Girl needed someone to hold her down and...but anyway, I’ve got Lucy. She’s like rumbling motor underneath you, I tell you. Better than riding a bike without a helmet.

Michele: You’re a poet.

Jake: Touche lady.

Meet Jake - on Amazon

For more information about The Raising Hellfire MC series, please visit:

http://www.micheledewinton.com/

Amazon: Kindle

B&N: Nook

iBOOKS: iBooks

GoodReads: Goodreads reviews

Michele’s Bio:

Words are my drug. There, I said it and now I can't take it back. I've tried doing other things. Heck I was even a dancer in Bosnia (true story), but I keep coming back to the page and getting stuck there. Hooray for words! But hooray for characters too because that's what I love. I like to twist them up in knots, take away their toys, get them drunk and throw them at each other. I try to be mostly polite in real life (I did say mostly) so it's a joy to unleash sassy, mouthy, smart women on the romance men of my worlds and let them at it. I know the saying goes, girls are made of sugar and spice and all things nice, but with me you can expect less sugar and more spice. Heck, these girls are made of adventure, great beer and no fear. Despite training in law (or perhaps because of it) I have been a dancer, choreographer, producer, and all round arty type in various countries for most of my life. I've also travelled extensively, working on projects in Bosnia, India, Scotland, England, Brazil and New Zealand. I love to hear from readers so do come stalk me online – you can check out what’s happening on Facebook and Twitter, grab a free story and join my newsletter for freebies all from my website http://www.micheledewinton.com/

Michele’s social media accounts:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/micheledewinton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.dewinton

Website: http://www.micheledewinton.com/

Shane McGill ~ Ex-Con: Harrison Street Crew #1 by Katana Collins

Katana: Shane, welcome to freedom. How does it feel to be out of State Penitentiary for the first time in four years?

Shane: [Takes a drag from his cigarette] I’m not free. Not while the club owns my ass. That’s how they trap you. Give you favors you don’t ask for and then force you to pay up.

Katana: Well, that’s pretty dang ‘glass half empty’ talk if I’ve ever heard it. What about that new girl you’re working for at the garage? That redheaded mechanic? She seems cute.

Shane: [Smirks] Cute isn’t exactly the phrase I’d use.

Katana: I can imagine.

Shane: Oh, I know you can. I’ve experienced first hand all the things you can imagine.

Katana: How is it working for her?

Shane: A job’s a job. Working for her is about the same as working for any other boss. Except the view’s a hell of a lot better.

Katana: Just you wait. The work day’s gonna get a hell of a lot better, too...

Hear more from Shane over on Amazon!

For more information about THE HARRISON STREET series, please visit:

Amazon: Kindle

B&N: Nook

GoodReads: Check it out!

Katana’s bio:

When Katana Collins was younger and stole her mother’s Harlequins to read beneath the covers with a flashlight, she wanted to read about the tough as nails heroine. The perfectly imperfect girl with quirks and attitude and sass. And the anti-heroes who were anything but “Prince Charming.” Forget the knight on a white horse… she wanted the bad boy on a motorcycle.

So, now, she writes those romance novels she craved to see on the shelves all those years ago—the sassy heroines. The badass heroes. She penned her first romance novel back in 2012 and now, a few years later, she is an international author with 15 published books, in a wide range of contemporary romance genres (Paranormal, New Adult, Small town, Erotic Suspense… you name it!).

She lives in Portland, Maine, with an ever-growing brood of rescue animals: a kind of mean cat, a very mellow chihuahua, and a very not mellow lab puppy... oh yeah, there's a husband somewhere in that mix, too. She can usually be found hunched over her laptop in a cafe, guzzling gallons of coffee, and wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.

Katana’s social media accounts:

Website: http://www.katanacollins.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatanaCollins

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6577884.Katana_Collins

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

 

DIEGO MURILLO DE ROMERO ~ Hit Man Deadliest Lies Series by MICHELE MANNON

DIEGO:  Like what you see, chava?

MICHELE: [Blinking, then flushing red.] I mean, he’s gorgeous. Jet black hair, wicked eyes, a fighter’s muscled body.

You’re called “The Big Boom” guy. Why is that?

It’s also rumored that he’s a hit man, but I wisely refrain from asking him about that.

DIEGO: Explosive...orgasms.

MICHELE: [Coughing]  Excuse me?

DIEGO: You heard me, Shelly baby. If you’re the type of woman who likes to get off hard...you know...BOOM! [He makes an exploding sound and gesture with his hands.]

MICHELE:  My imagination goes wild. I mean, whose wouldn’t?

DIEGO: [Leaning back in the chair across from me.] Next question.

Meet Diego on Amazon !

Don’t miss Rogue, Mercenary, and Hit Man now available.

Make sure to add the next two books to your TBR pile! PLAYER and PROFESSIONAL  

Get your sexy on here:

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2vW2ng2

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2wCoxkG

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Y0JGxc

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2n0uRiR

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2eWF0so

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2vMNj03

Michele’s social media accounts:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleMannon

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

Website: http://www.michelemannon.com

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2eUtvFc

Michele’s Bio:

Michele Mannon has been a romantic ever since she held that boy’s hand behind the old tool shed. An avid reader, her go-to genre has always been romance; the darker and grittier the better. Michele began writing her own brand of sexy in 2011 and is finishing her eighth book for publication. Her work has received high praise, including Romantic Times Magazine’s TOP PICKS. Most days, Michele can be found tormenting her characters high up on a mountaintop overlooking the Delaware River, with her computer in her lap and a glass of Riesling in her hand. Visit www.MicheleMannon.com