Darkest Before Dawn by Maya Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



Darkest Before Dawn by Maya Banks is a heart-pounding thriller suspense that takes place in a war torn country in the Middle East. Honor is a relief worker working in a clinic that happened to be attacked and bombed by a terrorist militant network. Injured, hungry and alone Honor tries her best to escape the men who are hunting her down but she doesn't get far. Hancock and his men have been assigned to rescue and retrieve Honor from a militia unit that is after her. Honor assumes Hancock's mission was to help her return safely back home but little does she know Hancock has some other ulterior motives. He wants to use Honor as a way to draw out another criminal mastermind that was behind the murder of his foster mother. But as Hancock and Honor continue to spend more time together, the walls that surrounds Hancock's tough exterior begins to crumble when he slowly lets Honor in. Will his feelings for Honor affect his original mission? Or will Hancock realize that the only important mission is the safety and protection of Honor?



Darkest Before Dawn is my first KGI book that I have read of the series. I will say that I enjoyed reading this action packed thriller suspense but I wished the author would have condensed some parts in the book. There were times that I felt the author was too detailed where it wasn't needed and a bit repetitive in the beginning. But towards the last 30% of the book, the action, romance, and suspense begins to pick up and allows readers to really feel the tension and uncertainty. As a fan of Maya Banks, I loved that she was able to showcase a strong heroine throughout the book and readers were able to witness a strong mercenary man who has soft spot for the woman who held his heart hostage. Overall, Darkest Before Dawn was an enjoyable thriller romantic suspense.



Maya Banks

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Ruthless by Alex Abbott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Kathleen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5 Ruthless Chaotic Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*copy provided by the author in exchanged for an honest review*

Ruthless is a dangerously fast paced addicting mafia romance that involves two step siblings. Sarah, was born with money, but was then kicked to the curb by her evil step-mother after her father had passed away. With no one to turn to, including the one person who she thought would always be there for her. Dimitri, her stepbrother. Dimitiri, is a dangerous man who is part of a mafia. He doesn't play by the rules and will go out of his way to protect what is his. He'll do anything in his power to keep the one person he loves. For some unfathomable reason, Dimitri can't understand why Sarah would want to be with him and get to know more about him. But Sarah sees something in Dimitri. She loves all of him. The good. The bad. And the in between. Together Dimitri and Sarah, fight to stay alive when danger threatens their safety. When chaos ensues, will Sarah be able to stand by his side? Can Sarah get the happily ever after that she deserves? And can this dangerous man who lived his life always on the edge find himself dangerously in love with the one person he has been wanting since he first laid eyes on her? I guess the only way to find out is to read Ruthless and be prepared as Alex Abbott takes her readers on one palpitating, exhilarating sexy steamy love affair.

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Obscured by Tara Sue Me
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



In this non-conventional romance, Tara Sue Me (writing as Cat Waters) enthralls her readers in her latest novel which is aptly titled Obscured, as she takes them down a tale of where secrets, passions, hate and secrets are obscured and blurred. A tale where the truth is hard to perceive.Obscured is not your standard romance and takes more of the undertones of suspense and intrigue.As readers are invested into the story, Tara Sue Me bewitches her readers as they are taken on a whirlwind as they must decide where does the truth begin and end.



At the age of 16, Athena is left to fend for her own when her mother passed away and her grief-stricken father disappears. As she makes her way to Las Vegas to take a shot at being a dancer, she finds out why Las Vegas is called Sin City. When Athena meets Mike, she was easily charmed by his personality and his caring nature. But little did she know, Mike will destroy her emotionally and physically as he makes him his whore. Forced into prostitution, the once little innocent country girl is now a call girl to one of the most feared men in Las Vegas. Ten years has passed and Athena is still a prostitute. With little money and education, Athena craves a new life especially how Mike treats her like a dog that needs to obey on command. So when she runs into her former childhood friend, Isaiah, who happens to be a pastor, Athena yearns for his kindness and affection. She sees Isaiah as possibly the only man who has treated her as a human being. When Athena finally decided to escape from Mike and gets help from Isaiah, will this be her chance for a new life? Or will she realize that things are not always how you perceive? Will Athena's rush decision for freedom be obscured with the realization that the least person she expected to help her might be the one to save her?

"Because you are many, many things, but broken isn't one of them."




Obscured is definitely a book that is more of a suspense thriller than romance. If you are expecting hearts and flowers and then I am sad to inform you this book is not your typical standard romance. There is no perfect hero or heroine in this book. Everyone is flawed and a bit mysterious which in tale helps readers to get bewitched as truths begins to get unfolded. I did enjoy the surprising twist of events that Tara Sue Me laid out throughout the book. Overall, if you are looking for a book that reminds us all that appearances can be deceptive then I recommend you give Obscured a try.



Tara Sue Me

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Rip by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



I am addicted to Rachel Van Dyken and her mafia series!!!!!! And in her newest release, RIP, RVD continues to spellbinds her readers with this edgier, dark, gritty, and suspenseful read. I love reading books that holds you hostage because you never know what to expect. I love how RIP was a story that unfolded in a precise and intricately manner. Slowly, RVD peels each layer of grit, suspense and truth as readers got to know Nikolai Blazik, the Doctor and Maya, the daughter of a Russian mobster.



I really don't want to say much about the book because this story will grip you right off the opening pages. You will want to know more of Nikolai, the doctor who can help erase memories by incorporating pain and pleasure. What I can tell you is that Nikolai was the one who helped erased Maya's memory when she was sixteen and now a couple of years later, Maya is standing in his office. And this time, Maya belongs to him for one year. She will have to abide to his rules in the contract. No questions. So what happens when memories comes slowly seeping back? And what happens when a strong connection between them begins to develop? Can Nikolai save and protect Maya from the danger that threatens her safety?



As always, RVD continues to hypnotize her readers with her sexy suspenseful mafia romance. I loved RIP. It was exciting, engaging, compelling, and sexy!!!! There was never a dull moment in the book because RVD did an amazing job exposing the secrets and truths. So if you are looking for a hot new sexy, edgy mafia romance then I highly recommend you to read RIP. Also, you definitely want to one-click this book because the cover alone is HOT!!!



Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Rachel Van Dyken

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Transparent by Erin Noelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



Erin Noelle continually spellbinds her readers with her newest release Transparent, the final conclusion of the Luminous Series. Ms. Noelle truly has outdone herself with this emotional consuming romantic suspense that had me intrigued right off the opening pages. I went into reading Transparent without really knowing that I had to read Translucent first but luckily for me, I was able to get a gist of where Erin left off in the last book but I do highly recommend that you read the first book because after I finished reading Transparent, I knew I had to read Translucent next in order to find out how steamy and sexy Madden is of course.



Transparent was such an enticing gripping suspenseful read!!! Erin Noelle had me glued to my kindle as I await the fate of Blake and Madden's story. I was so absorbed with the many layers of suspense and intrigue that Ms. Noelle incorporated into the storyline. Each fiber of raw emotions and vulnerabilities were seeping through the pages allowing readers to be consumed with such strong passion, devotion, and sacrifices one must go through in order to fight for one's love. Transparent really captures your attention as you await the plot of revenge and chicanery in order to fulfill one's mission. I loved that Erin not only incorporated such craftiness into her storyline but she was able to pull in her readers to see a love that is not blurred or obscured. But a love that spoke volumes on sacrifices. A love that you are willing to fight and die for. I know readers will fall in love with Blake and Madden's story but Erin Noelle stole my heart with her secondary character, Raze. Raze's character instantly caught and held my attention throughout the book. The raw and tangible emotions that Raze evoked really made Transparent to stand out for me personally.

I have not read many books from Erin Noelle but I can attest that Transparent is a book that was beautifully well written. Ms. Noelle did a phenomenal job integrating so many layers and elements into this story that there was never a dull moment. This book was an exceptional romantic suspense that was raw, passionate, deadly, and full of surprises. So if you are looking for a book that reminds us all that love enables you to see the one you loved in a way that nobody else can see. It sees everything; the good, the bad, the flaws, the in between, the strength, the weakness and yet you still choose to love that person then I highly recommend you to read Transparent because this is a love story that was able to find light in the shadows of the past.

P.S.
Erin- If you are reading this review, PLEASE PLEASE (see I had to put please in all CAPS) write that certain character we were chatting about a book!!!! You know how much I loved that character and if I must BEG then I will beg. Hahaha. ;)




Erin Noelle

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Betrayal by Aleatha Romig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review





I am huge Aleatha Romig fan ever since The Consequences Series. She has been one of those authors that I gravitate towards to ever since she made me fall in love with an unlikely hero in Tony Rawlings. Ms. Romig constantly surprises her readers with her wicked brain as she continually writes stories that pulls, shocks, and hooks readers like myself. Aleatha Romig is an evil genius!!! And in her newest release Betrayal, Ms. Romig delivered a book that has me begging and craving for more.

Alexandria Collins is a recent Ivy-league college graduate and will soon be attending Columbia University for law school in the fall. Wanting a much needed escape and relaxation, her best friend and her are off vacationing at an exclusive resort. Alex wanted to reinvent herself and let go of all the pressures that her mother and stepfather expected her to do so she decides to be "Charli" for one week. What Alex didn't expect was to meet was a tall dark mysterious handsome man who invited her to his penthouse suite. So when Charli decides to live for the moment, she begins a one week hot and sensual affair with Nox. The rules were simple. One week. No last names. No past. No future.



As Charli begins to spend time with Nox, he opens this new sensual, seductive and sexual side that Charli never before had experienced. So when their one week comes to an end, she decides to close that chapter of Charli and begin a new one as Alex Collins. When Alex is summoned to returned home to Savannah, she was stunned to hear what had become of her trust fund. Betrayed by her mother, Alex is stuck in a dilemma as she tries to figure out a way on how will she pay for her tuition and apartment in NYC. She is forced to call her cousin who lives in New York if she could stay with him a couple of days while she reassess her financial plans. While there her cousin informs her a way that she can make some money. How far will Alex go for survival?

"Is it really cheating if you're doing it to yourself?"



Betrayal was perfect title for this story. It was so fitting as to what the heroine Alex Collins had to do in order to survive. Though this book is not the typical dark romance that I have been accustomed to by Aleatha Romig, I will say that this book will shock you especially in the last couple of chapters. Of course, Aleatha wickedly will have you craving and begging for the next book because I need to know more... As always, the writing and storytelling was brilliantly done!!!! Betrayal was an amazing start to the Infidelity Series, which I forsee will be a dangerously addicting series. If Betrayal already hooked me with this first introduction to Charli and Nox, I can't wait to see what Aleatha Romig has in store for them in the next book.



Aleatha Romig

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Hard to Break by Bella Jewel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



In life, we all have reached a breaking point. We can decide we can give up or we can learn how to stand up again in the face of adversary. It is the marking point or what we like to call the defining moment. And in Hard to Break by Bella Jewel, we are introduced to Quinn, a female mechanic who lives and breathes fixing cars. She took on the responsibility of running her family's mechanic shop when her father became alcoholic due to his severe depression of losing his wife. Quinn struggles to keep the shop afloat while helping her father. So when she falls through hard times, she didn't expect her garage to be bought by Tazen Watts, a sexy, famous custom car builder. Quinn can't stand Tazen and his arrogant personality but at the same time, she can't stop her attraction to him. So when she forces herself to annoy him at the garage, she didn't expect this sexual attraction to be revving with such sizzling chemistry. When sparks begins to fly between these two, will Tazen be able to show her how her beauty outshines everyone in a male dominated profession?

Hard to Break is an easy simple straightforward story line with little angst that has your sweet happily ever after ending. I enjoyed the book but did not love it since I really just couldn't connect to the characters. It felt a little too insta-love for my taste but I do love that the heroine is a bad ass mechanic who can show the boys at the shop that she is knowledgeable when it comes to fixing cars. So if you are a fan of enemies to lovers trope with lots of love/hate banter, then I suggest you give Hard to Break a try.




Bella Jewel


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Slaying the Dragon by T.K. Leigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



**Note: This is not a standalone and must be read after Chasing the Dragon.**

T.k. Leigh once again douses her readers with raw emotions, intrigue, suspense and romance in her newest release Slaying the Dragon, which happens to be the second and final installment to The Deception Duet. Slaying the Dragon picks off where it last left off and readers are left reeling with the hurt, pain, betrayal, and loss that Tyler Burnham inflicted on Mackenzie emotionally.



When Mackenzie discovered the real reasoning as to why Tyler got close to her, she never accounted for the emotional mess that Tyler would inflict on her heart. Those weeks she spent with him was forever ingrained in her heart and something that memories couldn't erased. Her heart, body, and mind belonged to him emotionally and physically. She ached for him especially when he disappeared from her life for almost 4 months. Four months where she was questioning her sanity if Tyler was ever real. Was their love ever real? So when Tyler returns home, he tries to earn back Mackenzie's love and trust. And he will stop at nothing until he slays all the dragons that stands in their way.

"You're my heart. The air I breathe. My everything. I don't care what it takes to prove it was real. That it is real. Still. I will beg every day for the rest of my life to make you mine. You can tell me no every day for weeks, months, years. I don't care how long you want to hurt me, to tell me you never want to see me again. I deserve it."

Since this book is the conclusion as to what will happen to Tyler and Mackenzie, I really don't want to say much and spoil the book for the readers. But I will just say this, T.K. Leigh will shatter your heart emotionally but slowly she will piece them back together. And as always, she never fails to deliver a suspenseful story that is full of shocking and surprising twist and turns. Slaying the Dragon was an emotionally gripping sexy suspense story that will tug all the heartstrings. So if you are looking for an edgy, sexy, steamy, and dangerously addicting suspenseful story, then I highly recommend you to read The Deception Duet series. As always, T.K. reminds us all that love isn't a fairytale. It isn't perfect. But love is about overcoming obstacles, fighting to be together, facing challenges and slaying the dragon together.



T.K. Leigh

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Madame X by Jasinda Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review



"Your sexuality belongs to me, X. No one else may even so much as fucking smell you, do you understand me? You. Are. Mine."

Spellbinding!!!! Jasinda Wilder has once again bewitched her readers with her newest trilogy Madame X. In this first installment, Ms. Wilder has left me intrigued and consumed with so many questions as to what Jasinda has in store for her readers. If this first installment was just an introduction of what was to come, Ms. Wilder you have my full attention NOW. Madame X was a phenomenally well- written book that will leave you speechless. It will have you reeling and questioning as to who is really the hero of the book and who is really Madame X. I loved that this book is not your conventional romance where a hero sweeps you off your feet. No, Madame X is so much more. This book is about learning the truth, retracing the past, uncovering secrets, dominance, control and power.



Madame X is a dark, sensual, provocative tale that will leave you addicted!!!! It is story built upon raw emotions, lust, power, control, seduction, and dominance. As each layer and element of the story begins to unfold, questions begins to arise. Is Caleb the hero? Or is Logan? Who is Madame X?

"I'm sorry, X. You're mine, and only mine. You can't know. I wish you could, but you can't know. You can't know, or you'd-no. You're mine. And I don't share."

Who is Madam X? Well, Madame X (yes, that's the name of the heroine) is an educated, savvy, confident woman who teaches rich privileged inept boys how to become men. She teaches them a how to exude power, control, confidence, and how to earn respect. If you think she is an escort, she is none of that. She is there to teach you on an hourly rate of $1,000 on the power of control. Madame X is the master of control. But as you read further into the book, you will soon discover looks can be deceiving. On the outside, Madame X is the confident, rich, and worldly educated woman but on the inside she is a damaged heroine who has no recollection of who she is. For six years, she is a woman with no name and no past. So when she was saved by Caleb Indigo, he aptly named her Madame X after a painting.

"I belong to one man and one man alone, and he does not share."

Caleb is an enigma. He emanates power, control, dominance, and wealth. He is a man that people fear. He is a savior and yet he is a man you fear. Caleb controls Madame X. He tells her what to do, what to wear, what to eat, and etc. He controls her mind, body and soul. As much as you want to hate him, you can't because Jasinda has perfectly written a flawed character that is like a drug. You want to know more of Caleb and why he can't let go of Madam X. Is he holding onto her because maybe deep down he loves her? Or is he controlling her because he loves the power that he posses over her? Caleb is just one of those mysterious characters that was written in a way that will leave you questioning: is he the hero or the villain?



The relationship of Madame X and Caleb is a bit complex. It is one of those relationship that can't be summed up and defined easily. As complex and convoluted their relationship is, I can see the draw and appeal that Madame X has to Caleb. It is a relationship that is abstruse yet intense, raw and passionate. I really don't want to say much about the book because this story is on a whole new caliber that must be read to fully experience as to what Jasinda has in store for her readers.

So if you are looking for a book that is dark, edgy, sensual, seductive, and provocative then Madame X is the book for you. Jasinda Wilder will have you craving Caleb's control and yet will have you fear it. All there is left to say is that it will be torture waiting for the Madame X Exposed because after that ending in Madame X, I am hooked. Jasinda... if you wanted to torture and have your readers addicted, then you did it.. You are indeed an evil genius.



Jasinda Wilder

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Crosswinds by Elisabeth Naughton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



Ahhh... the Rising Storm is like my new secret addiction when it comes to soap opera serials. In this third episode titled Crosswinds by Elisabeth Naughton, a new wave of wind comes barreling to Storm, Texas as Lacey Salt set her eyes on destruction to anyone who crosses her path.



Crosswinds picks right off where it last left off in episode two and this time we get to meet Lacey Salt, the younger sister of Jacob. Lacey is distraught and dealing with the loss of her brother differently and the only person that she feels who can relate to her loss is Luis, her best friend's boyfriend. As Lacey set her eyes on Luis, friendships are tested when Mallory makes it known to Lacey to back off and that Luis is her man. As a woman who doesn't like to be told no and humilated, Lacey will wreck havoc in Storm. In the backdrop of Hurricane Lacey, Ginny Moreno is battling with her conscience with revealing the truth of the identity of her baby's father, Dakota's secret affair with the Senator may not be a secret any longer, and a hometown military hero returns back home. So what awaits when a new tempest of destruction begins to set a barrage of havoc?

I swear each episode of the Rising Storm gets hotter, steamier, and juicier as betrayal, lies, sex and scandal continue to wreck its wave of destruction in Storm, Texas. I can't wait to tune in for episode four.

**Each episode of the Rising Storm needs to be read in order to understand and get a full grasp as to what secrets, sex, and scandals awaits for the Storm residents.**



Elisabeth Naughton

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