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Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Monday, January 30, 2023

Battle Of Hearts By Stella Holt (COVER REVEAL) (INKSLINGER PR)


Stella Holt is so thrilled to announce the upcoming release of BATTLE OF HEARTS, the second standalone romance in her Legacy of the Maguires Series. Check out the gorgeous cover and be sure to pre-order now!


Title: Battle of Hearts

Author: Stella Holt

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: April 11th 



About Battle of Hearts

In a city where connections are everything, who will prevail as political and police royalties collide?


Ainsley Nash just got her big break with a story on insider trading that’s causing political elites, including her senator father, to sweat. As her story gains momentum, the threat of someone shutting her down looms. But Ainsley is headstrong, and no one is going to stop her from discovering the truth—especially not the smoking hot SWAT sergeant assigned to protect her.


Coming from a family full of cops, Rory Maguire didn’t join the D.C. SWAT team to babysit socialites. But Ainsley surprises Rory with her down-to-earth personality and drive to do what’s right. Keeping Ainsley safe from harm isn’t easy. Attempting to ignore the surge of desire he feels every time she’s within reach is an even bigger challenge.


Ainsley and Rory have enough sexual tension to light up the city, but can they let their guards down long enough to admit they’re a perfect match before it’s too late?


Pre-Order Your Copy! 


Catching Up with the Series: 

Last First Kiss


About the Author: 

Author of your next binge-worthy romance series, Stella has been plotting sexy, tear-jerker stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born a Georgia peach, Stella loves all things country but calls the beach home even though she’s currently living outside D.C. with her family. Most days she can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking.

Stella’s first series featuring first responders debuts in 2023. You can find her on Instagram @stellaholtbooks and www.stellaholt.com


Connect with the Author: 

Touch OF Hate By J.L Beck and C Hallman (BLOG TOUR) (LITERALLY YOURS PR) (CANDI KANE PR)

 



Betrayal cuts the deepest.

Touch of Hate, an all-new must-read dark romance full of twists and turns from USA Today bestselling authors C. Hallman and J.L. Beck is available now!


I would know better than anyone.

They never suspected me to be the villain.


That didn’t matter anymore, though, because I didn’t just want revenge, I needed it.

Leaving my old life behind, I knew I could never return, but there was something… no, someone I had left behind.


Scarlet.

Kind. Innocent. Fragile.

She was a light in the darkness of my life.

Back then, she was always meant to be mine, even if having her meant breaking every single rule.

Now enemies or not, she would still be mine.


Start reading today!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3XAwR07

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/mrjAgA 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3H8BAyV


Pre-order Touch of Chaos the continuation of Ren and Scarlet’s story! 

Releasing May 5th

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3HFF11L

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/touchchaos


I shut the door behind me, letting the dark silence of the hallway swallow me. Keeping my steps light, I walk down the hall and toward the elevators. The corridor is quiet, but that’s expected, given the time. 

Once inside, I press the S button and head to the surface. Everything here at Corium is state of the art, but even this brand-new, stainless-steel elevator takes twenty-five seconds to get me from deep inside the Alaskan ground to the surface. 

As it turns out, twenty-five seconds can stretch into an eternity when you’re chastising yourself. No one has to tell me what I’m doing is wrong. 

I know it. Obviously, I’ve had every opportunity to stop this in its tracks. This being the connection I have with Scarlet. 

I imagine drug addicts going through this cycle that’s plagued me for months. Telling myself it’s wrong and I need to quit cold turkey. No more clandestine meetings. No more secret glances and hidden smiles. One of us has to be strong. She has no intention of walking away, so it has to be me. 

That attitude lasts a few days, maybe even a few weeks. I can push her out of my mind. I might even laugh at myself for ever thinking it’s possible to be free of the pull she has on me. 

Then? Something always happens to bring her rushing to the forefront once again. I’ll walk in on a video call she’s having with Q and hear her voice, her soft laughter. It will stir the familiar craving deep in my soul. 

I’ll remember the way she whispers my name. The dark thrill of her pleading for my touch. I’ll savor those memories in a frantic attempt at staving off the hunger that begins to grow, to consume me, replaying them in my head while I jerk off. Doing anything I can to keep myself away from her. 

Soon, memories aren’t enough, and I need the real thing. She’ll haunt my every waking thought until I’m sure I’ll either die or go insane if I don’t get a taste of her, her scent, her touch—anything, so long as the craving ceases. 

My craving is at its peak by the time the elevator doors slide open with a quiet whoosh. It wouldn’t seem so necessary to bask in the warmth of her nearness were she not present in the sprawling castle portion of the structure. 

Having her here ratchets my need to unbearable heights. It doesn’t matter how wrong I know this is as I cut down dark halls I know like the back of my hand, always watchful for any sign of Xander Rossi’s presence. Scarlet’s father would cut our little meeting short, no doubt. He’d cut off my balls and dangle them in front of my face before shoving them down my throat. 

All is clear when I reach what I know are the rooms the Rossi family takes when they visit. Scarlet is in there, checking the time and plotting her escape. It’s late enough that Xander and Ella might be asleep—well, Ella might be. Xander is most likely working the way he nearly always is. You don’t run an empire as vast as his without putting in plenty of hours. 

Either way, it’s unlikely he’d notice his daughter sneaking out, which is what we’re counting on. 

I watch, hidden in a recessed doorway a few rooms down from where Scarlet will emerge. My heart’s beating way too fast, and my palms are damp with sweat, which I rub dry on my jeans. River would laugh himself sick if he had the slightest idea what anticipation does to my body as I count the seconds until she appears. My greatest weakness. My obsession.



Learn more about C. Hallman and J.L. Beck by visiting their website: 
https://www.bleedingheartromance.com/

More Than Cookies By Christine DePetrillo (BLOG TOUR) (INKSLINGER PR)

 

We’re so excited to be sharing More Than Cookies, a small town romance from Christine DePetrillo that’s out now!

Title: More Than Cookies

Author: Christine DePetrillo

Genre: Small Town Romance 


About More Than Cookies


"I don't usually trust my heart, but I know it's not lying to me about you."

Sage Stannard is grumpy. Having just attended her cousin’s wedding in California, she’s at her limit for watching happy couples stare dreamily at one another. She’s never had anything but quick romps back home in Vermont that always turn out to be mistakes. Big ones. Maybe moving out of her mother’s house and taking a stab at online dating will add a little excitement to this caterer’s stale life. Maybe it’ll bring more disappointment. Who knows?

Chainsaw artist Orion Finley is on a mission to get his daughter, Myah, back from his ruthless ex-wife. Only trouble is his ex-wife is a crafty lawyer with connections—ones that give her the upper hand. She even managed to get custody of his dog, Ranger, just to drive the stake deeper into his heart. His father always told him women were poison, especially the pretty ones. Why hadn’t he listened? Well, he was listening now.

When Sage and Orion meet over a bloody couch, the gates are opened to a path neither of them is quite ready to travel on. Will they stumble? Will it be all uphill? Or will the end of the path be just the new beginning they need?


The Maple Leaf Series, contemporary romance

"Fears, pride, love, passion ~ beautifully woven together with substance and depth."


Other Series by Christine DePetrillo

The One Kind Deed Series, contemporary romance

"The town, the people, the love story... a perfect romance."


The Warrior Wolves Series, paranormal romance

"Full of memorable characters with a solid plot and plenty of passion."

Get Your Copy Today!

Catching Up with the Series: 

More Than Pancakes 

More Than Cookies 

More Than Rum 

More Than Pizza 

More Than Cocoa 

More Than Peaches 

More Than Candy Corn


About the Author: 

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.


Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.


She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.


Connect with the Author: 

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

Friday, January 27, 2023

Control By Melissa Carrera (EXCERPT REVEAL) (INKSLINGER PR)

 


Control by Melissa Cassera is a YA paranormal romance coming March 28th. Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Title: Control

Author: Melissa Cassera 

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date: March 28th 



About Control

For Natalie Covington and Henry Thorne, only one thing is certain: things are about to get out of control.

18-year-old Natalie has big ambitions but very little control over her situation. She’s trapped at an elite boarding school on a private island, where cell phones are forbidden, militant guards line the iron gates, and her practically prearranged boyfriend has eyes for another girl. 


Everything changes when a mysterious new student arrives named Henry Thorne. Henry is a “precog”—a hidden society of people who can see the future, and who are forbidden to reveal their powers. When Henry has a grisly vision of Natalie being murdered, he ultimately decides to save her and face the consequences. But the consequences of changing the future are more dangerous than Henry imagined, unlocking a wide conspiracy among his kind that’s linked to Natalie’s past, and a desire that threatens to consume them. 


CONTROL is the first installment in The Lockwood Trilogy. This fast-paced Upper YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance is filled with thrilling turns, self-discovery, spicy language, light steam, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you obsessing for more. 


Reader Discretion: this book contains graphic language, violence, and some heat. Best suited for 16+.  


Pre-Order Your Copy! 



Exclusive Excerpt: 

My shoes smack to the ground below and I bolt ahead, shoving  my way through Lockwood’s elite, and get to the student just as he  crashes to the floor. 

I lean over him and grab onto his arms. His eyes are squeezed  shut, like he never wants to open them again. 

“Hey,” I whisper. 

He stirs. His eyes flutter open and clash with mine. They’re deep  green with flecks of gold. Intense. Like he’s staring into my soul. “Are you okay?” I say. 

His breathing accelerates, then his fingers snap around my  wrists, his nails digging into my flesh as his gaze darkens. His jaw  clenches, nostrils flared—the savage pounding of his pulse strums  against my skin. 

Every alarm sounds in my body—get out of here!—but all  reason has just left the building. 

I can’t move. I can’t think. There’s something about this stranger  that I just have to know.




About the Author: 

Melissa Cassera is a Professional Screenwriter, Author, and award-winning Publicity Expert based in Washington State. 


Melissa and her work have been featured in Variety, LA Times, Success Magazine, and Fast Company. She was named one of the nation’s Top Personal Branding Experts by The Huffington Post


On-screen, Melissa is the writer of THE OBSESSION THRILLOGY (Lifetime Network’s first trilogy of movies.) She is also the writer of the films SECRET LIVES OF COLLEGE ESCORTS, NIGHTMARE NEIGHBORHOOD MOMS, MOMMY’S LITTLE STAR, DADDY’S PERFECT LITTLE GIRL, HER STOLEN PAST, and GIRL FOLLOWED. Melissa also sold an eight-episode dark comedy series, ADDICTED, to Fullscreen. She has two additional feature films, WHO KILLED OUR FATHER and NIGHTMARE PAGEANT MOMS, coming to Lifetime Network in 2023, and six additional film projects in active development.


When Melissa is not whipping together obsession-worthy words, she can be found drinking too much coffee, playing at the lake with her dogs, or getting lost in the romance section of a bookstore.


Follow Melissa at her website: https://melissacassera.com/ or on Instagram: @Melissa.cassera



Connect with the Author: 

Website | Instagram | Newsletter

More Than Cookies By Christine DePetrillo (AVAILABLE NOW) (INKSLINGER PR)


We’re so excited to be sharing More Than Cookies, a small town romance from Christine DePetrillo that’s out now!


Title: More Than Cookies

Author: Christine DePetrillo

Genre: Small Town Romance 



About More Than Cookies


"I don't usually trust my heart, but I know it's not lying to me about you."

Sage Stannard is grumpy. Having just attended her cousin’s wedding in California, she’s at her limit for watching happy couples stare dreamily at one another. She’s never had anything but quick romps back home in Vermont that always turn out to be mistakes. Big ones. Maybe moving out of her mother’s house and taking a stab at online dating will add a little excitement to this caterer’s stale life. Maybe it’ll bring more disappointment. Who knows?

Chainsaw artist Orion Finley is on a mission to get his daughter, Myah, back from his ruthless ex-wife. Only trouble is his ex-wife is a crafty lawyer with connections—ones that give her the upper hand. She even managed to get custody of his dog, Ranger, just to drive the stake deeper into his heart. His father always told him women were poison, especially the pretty ones. Why hadn’t he listened? Well, he was listening now.

When Sage and Orion meet over a bloody couch, the gates are opened to a path neither of them is quite ready to travel on. Will they stumble? Will it be all uphill? Or will the end of the path be just the new beginning they need?


The Maple Leaf Series, contemporary romance

"Fears, pride, love, passion ~ beautifully woven together with substance and depth."


Other Series by Christine DePetrillo

The One Kind Deed Series, contemporary romance

"The town, the people, the love story... a perfect romance."


The Warrior Wolves Series, paranormal romance

"Full of memorable characters with a solid plot and plenty of passion."


Get Your Copy Today!


Catching Up with the Series: 

More Than Pancakes 

More Than Cookies 

More Than Rum 

More Than Pizza 

More Than Cocoa 

More Than Peaches 

More Than Candy Corn



About the Author: 

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.


Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.


She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.



Connect with the Author: 

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


Necessary Evils By Onley James (BLITZ) (INKSLINGER PR)

 


Onley James’ is releasing the final book in her series, NECESSARY EVILS, in February! Check out the gorgeous series of dark MM romance and be sure to catch up on the series today!


About Necessary Evils:

  Seven brothers. All psychopaths. Raised by a brilliant billionaire to right the wrongs of a justice system that keeps failing.



Unhinged: Ebook | Audio

Psycho: Ebook | Audio

Moonstruck: Ebook | Audio

Headcase: Ebook | Audio

Madman: Ebook | Audio

Lunatic: Ebook

Maniac: PreOrder


About Maniac:

Thomas Mulvaney was just a child when an error in judgment cost him everything. He vowed then that he would do anything to atone for his mistake. And he did. He never strayed from the right path. Until Aiden.

Aiden Mulvaney doesn’t exist. He’s a lie created by the father who disowned him and by Thomas Mulvaney, the only man Aiden had ever begged to love him. But that was years ago, when he’d still believed in fairytales. Before Thomas rejected him.

Thomas has spent years trying to have Aiden in his life while keeping him at arm's length, but Aiden’s done with half-measures. He’s done with Thomas the martyr. He’s just done. So, he’s kept his distance. Trouble is, now, someone is threatening to expose a secret that affects them all.

No, not that one. A secret so shameful, Thomas won’t even utter it out loud. Can he and Aiden revisit the past and keep the family name intact, or will they both be buried beneath the weight of their memories as their old feelings resurface?


About the Author:

  Onley James lives in Central Florida with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.

When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do and avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, obsessively scrolling social media and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.


Connect with the Author:

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The Gatekeeper By RENEE ROSE (BLOG TOUR) (LITERALLY YOURS PR)

 

The Gatekeeper, an all-new standalone, dark, enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Renee Rose is available now!


She’s my captive.

My prisoner.

I will make her talk.


The bratva put a gun in my hand at age thirteen. Gave me freedom, a sense of belonging, and the family I never had.


There’s no way I’m going to let this slip of a woman harm my boss.

No matter how beautiful she is.

How beguiling.

How painfully fragile.

Hurting a woman, however, is not possible.

So I’ll find other ways to torture her. Other, far more pleasing ways.

And in the end, my little prisoner will reveal all her secrets.

In the end: she will be mine.


Start reading today!








I brush her hair back from her face. “You’re a warrior, not a princess, aren’t you?”

She smiles and shakes her head. “No more war. Just peace now.”

It’s true. While Kira has taken a position on my security team for the building, she spends her free time on more creative endeavors. Learning pottery from Kat. Baking. Taking kickboxing and yoga.

She’s blooming into more and more happiness every day, expanding my own capacity for joy. Love. And yes, peace.

She’s my best failure as gatekeeper, crashing past all my defenses, indelibly into my heart.


For More Information on Renee Rose’’s books and where to contact her, visit her website: https://reneeroseromance.com

Make A Wish By Helena Hunting (BLOG TOUR) (SOCIAL BUTTERFLY PR)

 


"Make A Wish will curl your toes, tickle your funny bone, and leave you with the best warm and fuzzy feelings."–Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author 

Make A Wish, an all-new second chance, single dad contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is now available!

With her signature charm and sense of humor, bestselling author Helena Hunting creates a novel about love, family, and second chances in Make a Wish…

Ever have a defining life moment you wish you could do over? Harley Spark has one. The time she almost kissed the widowed father of the toddler she nannied for. It was so bad they moved across the state and she never saw them again.

Fast forward seven years and she’s totally over it. At least she thinks she is. Until Gavin Rhodes and his adorable now nine-year-old daughter, Peyton, reappear at a princess-themed birthday party hosted by Spark House, Harley’s family’s event hotel. Despite trying to avoid the awkwardness of the situation, she can’t help but notice how unbearably sexy he looks in a tutu.  Add to that a spontaneous hives breakout, and it’s clear she’s not even remotely over the mortification of her egregious error all those years ago.

Except Gavin seems oblivious to her inner turmoil. So much so that he suggests they get together for lunch. For Peyton’s sake, of course. It’s the perfect opportunity to heal old wounds. Or it could just reopen them. This is one of those times Harley wishes she could see the future…

Fall in love today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vGZsVK
Amazon Worldwide: https://geni.us/MakeAWishZon
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3yGYlqY
Nook: https://geni.us/MakeaWishNook
Kobo: https://geni.us/MakeAWishKobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/MakeaWishGP


Paperback

Amazon: bit.ly/3Huuzda

Barnes and Noble: bit.ly/3wLroYB


Audio

Narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom

Amazon: bit.ly/3wrUig1

Barnes and Noble: bit.ly/3R5fAcH


Keep reading for a look inside MAKE A WISH! 

“Do you know where Gavin is taking you for dinner?”

“Nope, he just said wear something nice,” I reply.

“Did you pick up some sexy lingerie to wear under your dress?”

“I guess it depends on whose version of sexy we’re talking about.”

Avery’s version of sexy lingerie is upgrading from a sports bra to one with padding and black bikini briefs. London, on the other hand loves,[HH1]  all things lace and satin and delicate. I’m somewhere between the two.

London stops messing with my eyebrows and gives me a stern look. “Please tell me you bought new underwear for this date.”

“Who says he’s going to see my underwear at the end of the night?” I challenge.

“Oh please.” London props a fist on her hip. “Isn’t Peyton sleeping over at her grandparents’ place?”

“As far as I know, yes.”

“So he’ll be able to come back to your place and stay the night if he wants,” London says.

“Do you think I should invite him back to my place?” I glance between my sisters.

“Why wouldn’t you?” Avery rubs her belly.

“It’s our first date.”

Now it’s Avery’s turn to give me a look. “You’ve been seeing him on a weekly basis since July. It’s October[CD2] [HH3] .”

“Because of Peyton.”

“Uh, we all know that’s bullshit.” Avery makes a circle motion and points at me.

“I was in a relationship for most of the time I was spending with them,” I argue.

Avery rolls her eyes. “Chad was a nice guy, but he was a fun-for-now boyfriend, not a get-serious boyfriend. And he was way too into fantasy sports. No one should be in that many fantasy leagues. It’s not normal, and that’s coming from a self-professed sports junkie.”

“Still, don’t you think I should wait a while before jumping into bed with Gavin?” I bring my fingers to my lips then drop them to my lap so I don’t ruin my gloss or my nails.

“It’s whatever feels right,” London says. “And you want to make sure that you’re actually into Gavin on his own, rather than the Gavin-and-Peyton package.”

“How is she going to figure that out unless she gets naked with him?” Avery argues.

“Sex complicates things. You know that better than anyone,” London says pointedly. She’s referencing the way Avery and Declan nearly imploded back when they crossed the line from best friends to best friends with a lot of benefits.

“My situation with Declan is not even remotely the same as what’s going on with Harley and Gavin. Declan had major commitment issues, and I made a stupid mistake. Now we’re super happy and totally in love and having a baby.” Avery turns back to me. “I think you need to do whatever is right for you. It’s up to you whether you let him see your underpants.”

London sighs and shakes her head, then her eyes go wide, and she takes me by the shoulders. “Please tell me your underwear are not cotton.”

“There’s nothing wrong with cotton underwear. They breathe,” Avery says defensively.

“There’s nothing wrong with them in the general sense, but for a date and potentially the first underpants sighting, cotton is a no-no.”

“They’re not cotton,” I assure her.

She arches a brow and I sigh.

“They’re satin with a lace waistband and a floral print.”

“Okay. As long as they don’t have a cartoon pattern on them, we’re good,” London says with relief.

My phone buzzes on the vanity, Gavin’s name flashing across the screen. I nab the device and check the message. He’s just pulled into Spark House. “He’s here. I’m so nervous. Why am I so nervous?”

“Because you want to get naked with him,” Avery says.

“Because you like him, and you’re changing the dynamic of your relationship,” London says.

“And you want to find out if he’s got the moves between the sheets.” Avery grins. She gives me a fist bump. “Just remember, you don’t need to wait five dates before you get in the sack with this one.”

“But don’t feel like you need to rush into anything either.” London turns me around once to make sure my dress isn’t wonky in the back, and then they’re ushering me into the hall.


Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/MakeAWishGR


About Helena Hunting 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from emotional contemporary romance to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.


Connect with Helena

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kN5wdZ

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2mloUim
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Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/2kN5yCD
Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/

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