My Lucky #13 {a review}

My name is Laura, and I am obsessed with hockey romance. It all started back in October of 2019, and I've been going strong ever since. I also happen to be a big fan of the amazing writing duo, Piper Rayne. So when they announced that they were in the process of writing a hockey romance series, I was ALL IN. All three books were immediately pre-ordered. Then they announced the novella {countdown to a kiss}, and I immediately downloaded that, read it, and posted a mini review.

Well today is the day, and My Lucky #13 is available for purchase. If you are a hockey romance fan like I am, then go read this book.

Let's recap a bit shall we. If you read Countdown to a Kiss, then you know how Aiden and Saige met. If you haven't read it, they meet at a NYE party that is hosted by the owner of the Florida Fury. Saige is attending with Joran, and Joran happens to be Aiden's agent. Joran is telling Aiden that management isn't happy with his performance lately, and there are rumors of a trade happening. Aiden needs to fix whatever is wrong, and fast. Aiden doesn't believe in superstitions though, he fully believes that in time everything will work itself out. Flash forward to the party Saige is being ignored by Joran. Aiden and Saige begin to talk, are hitting it off, and then Saige throws a wine in Aiden's face. At the next game, Aiden is back on track. Even though he doesn't believe in superstitions, Aiden is wondering if there isn't some validity to them, and he tracks down Saige to have her douse him in wine again. Turns out it works. And then Aiden comes up with a plan that will benefit Saige's company, and allow him to continue having success on the ice. What happens next is a friendship that turns into a slow burn romance, that then turns into an HEA for the couple.

Honestly there's more to the story than wine and travel. I left out the part where Aiden wants nothing to do with social media, and it's all due to something that happened years ago. Meanwhile for Saige it's her job. She handles the social media for many athletes, and she is working on rebuilding Aiden's social media presence while also increasing exposure for her company. Aiden, being the good guy that he is, is hesitant to advance the relationship beyond friendship. After all Saige is dating Joran. Or is she. 

I fully enjoyed My Lucky #13, and am excited to see where this story goes. I fell hard for the characters, and so help me, Piper Rayne had better give Tedi her HEA. That woman is a riot, and I have a feeling her book would be full of humorous moments. Loved the characters, loved the setting, management is irritating me, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. In Lucky #13, I loved the connection that Aiden has with his family. That just warmed my heart. I loved the steamy moments, the dates, the friendship, all of it. Really the only thing I had issue with was management, and the fact that Saige never told Aiden that she wasn't with Joran any longer. That's it. Those are my two issues. One last thing, at the end of the book when Saige did what she did for Aiden, I cheered. Legit shouted YAY! 

Hockey romance + slow burn + Piper Rayne + new series = success

Cannot wait to see where this series goes, and I recommend that you read it.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Lucky.

The one adjective used to describe my entire hockey career. I prefer to call it hard work, at least I did until my game went to complete crap. I haven’t scored in eight games and my team owner is talking about trading me. 

 

I’ve never believed in superstitions. 

Never needed one. I suppose I was “lucky” in that way. But now the best way to refer to me is desperate. I’d wear the same socks for an entire year just to be the high-scoring center I used to be. 

 

Imagine my surprise when after spending New Year’s Eve with a woman, I score a hat trick in the next game—that’s three goals in one game for you non-hockey lovers. 

Now, I have to track  her down and bribe her to do it again before every game. Get your mind out of the gutter, I’m not talking about it.

 

I find her and when I get to know her better, I end up spending more time thinking about her than my game, but she’s made it clear she wants no part of me. She’s going to learn that I didn’t become a professional hockey player without having to fight for what I want.

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Meet Piper Rayne: 
Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we're not one author, we're two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). 

A little about us.... We both have kindle's full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too. 

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Thank you to Piper Rayne and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with an advanced copy of My Lucky #13.

Savage {excerpt reveal}

SAVAGE by Caitlyn Dare is coming July 1, 2021!

Welcome to Savage Falls...A brand new dark reverse harem bully romance trilogy from bestselling author Caitlyn Dare, coming this summer!

Two dirty-talking tattooed bikers, a pretty boy football player with secrets, and the MC princess who will bring them to their knees...

Are you ready for a SAVAGE summer?

Be sure to Pre-order!

Add to Goodreads

  

Excerpt:

My eyes flick to where they’re talking. “You know, it’s rude to whisper.”

“Don’t worry, Sadie, girl, we’ll play soon enough.”

The way he says play ignites a fire inside me. The rational part of me knows I should demand one of them take me home and put an end to this crazy notion. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules or do the right thing. I guess it’s the rebel in me.

“Yeah, okay,” Dane grunts, and my eyes narrow.

“I’ll be back,” Rhett says, giving no explanation as he storms out of the apartment. “What was all that about?” I ask as Dane stalks toward me, all the concern gone from his eyes, replaced with molten lust.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” He drops down beside me and runs a finger up the inside of my thigh beside the bandage. “How does it feel?”

“It stings a little, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. What’s going on, Dane?” “Nothing. Relax.” He drops his head, pressing his kiss to my neck. “Let me take care of you.”

I fist his t-shirt. “You’re lying,” I seethe.

He blows out a frustrated breath, rubbing his jaw. “Someone tried to run us off the road, so excuse me if I’m a little tense.”

“So you think somebody did it purpose?”

“I... that’s what we need to figure out.”

“But who would—"

“Shh.” His lips trail warm, wet kisses down my neck and along my collarbone. “Dane...” The fight ebbs away as wildfire sweeps through me.

“I’ve waited for this a long fucking time,” he murmurs. They’re the same words he said before.

I want to believe it’s all part of whatever game this is we’re playing, his attempt at disarming me. But there’s raw honesty in his voice that stuns me.

He wants this.

He wants me.

Blurb:

A new dark romance from the bestselling author of the Rebels at Sterling Prep series.

No one knows the code of the Sinners MC better than me.

Born and raised in the club, I’ve spent most of my life rebelling against my daddy’s strict rules and overprotective nature.

When an old MC rivalry resurfaces, I find myself with not one, but two surly biker babysitters. Dane Stray, my ex-best friend, and Rhett Savage, my daddy’s favorite member and perpetual thorn in my side.

I don’t need protecting though, not the way Dane and Rhett think I do. But they’re determined to get all up in my business.

I hate them… except, I also want them. Both of them. Which is kind of awkward because I’m the club princess and one-hundred percent off-limits.

That’s never stopped them taking what they want though.

One of them wants me.

One of them hates to want me.

And me? I just want to survive senior year and finally spread my wings.

But I’m about to learn just how far Sinners will go to protect their own… especially when it’s my life on the line.

SAVAGE is a full length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance. This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. It is book one in a trilogy.

Genre: Dark romance Tropes: Enemies to lovers / bully High school MC Reverse Harem

Meet

Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.

   

Author Links

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Dark Queen {a review}

Are you an avid reader of mafia romance? Do you like your stories with some darker moments? How about age gap? Do you like that? Then definitely go check out Dark Queen by Ker Dukey!

Dark Queen starts out with us meeting our heroine on her family's farm. Her mother has just died, her father is distant, and the boy next door is pushing for a relationship. Meanwhile Alyssa is preparing to leave town to audition for a prestigious ballet school. There is limited space, and she needs to get in with a scholarship as she cannot afford the tuition. After her audition, Alyssa isn't feeling very confident, and is worried she'll have to return to her small town. As she's fleeing, she runs smack into Luca Leto. This man has her immediate attention. There is something about him that has her captivated. Luca Leto is less than thrilled that this little ballerina is in his way. Yet there is something about her that calls out to him. Luca is the head of his mafia family, and will take on the full roll when his father passes. Luca is currently mourning the loss of his mother, as well as the woman he was having a relationship with. Serena was recently found murdered in his club, and Luca is on a mission to find out who the killer is. They will pay. When Alyssa arrives to the station, her phone rings, and it is the school telling her that her tuition has been paid for, and she needs to get back NOW.  After moving into the dorms, Alyssa learns that she's been given a job at a local, prestigious, wine bar. It is there that she again runs into Luca. And from there, a lot happens. 

Reader friends, this book was spectacular. I could not put it down, and I could not wait to find out the answers to questions I had. I'll tell you now, I gave Dark Queen 4.5 stars. It was very close to being a 5 star read for me, but there were plot lines that were not closed, and since this is a stand alone, I don't think I'll be getting my answers. From the Alyssa and Luca's initial meeting, to the second introduction, to the attraction they both felt, to the big dramatic moment, to the revelation of who the killer was, it was all wonderful. Loved the side characters (Hannah, Simon, Jewel, Antonio, Marcello), and have high hopes for additional books set in this world. Well I mean except for one character. I also loved how feisty Alyssa was. She wasn't going to back down from Luca, and she proved that time and time again. Also the way she handled Jewel's father at the event? YES! Loved how she shut that down, and then went to the head person, and called her out on the things that were happening. 

I do have a few questions that I'd like answered. Did Alyssa ever tell Luca what happened to her Mom? Was that secret told? How about the other secret that Alyssa was keeping on behalf of her friend? What happened there? I know if that secret had been told, it would have been a part of the storyline, and honestly I thought it would have been. It would have been another dramatic moment between Alyssa and Luca. One last question I have is in regards to Luca and Antonio's dad but I won't say it because of potential spoilers. I can only be so vague people. But I do have a feeling that there was an assist in that whole scenario.

Ker Dukey better take me back to this world! I need more!

Highly recommend Dark Queen by Ker Dukey. Such a fabulous mafia romance. The dark king has found his queen.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

He was my boss.

Rich, ambitious, dominating.

I was a waitress, struggling to pay the fees for ballet school.

Poor, talented, desperate.

He needed to marry to appease his dying father, to inherit the family empire.

It wasn’t supposed to be real, or forever.

Until he changed the rules.

What Mafia king Luca Leto wants, he gets, and he’s crowned his queen.

Me.

I’m under his rule now.

And his reign is cruel and toxic.

They call him the dark king and to gain my freedom I’m going to have to become a dark queen.

NOW AVAILABLE!

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Meet Ker Dukey

Ker Dukey is an International bestselling author.

Genres include:

Dark Romance, Psychological Thriller, New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mafia Romance, MC Romance and more.

Ker, has over Forty titles published, held multiple #1 bestseller banners and chart-topping titles with the rights sold to numerous countries, translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks.

In addition to being an author, Ker is an annoying wife and a mother of three children + one dog (who thinks he's human.) She has a passion for reading and binge-watching crime documentaries.

Connect with Ker

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Thank you to Ker Dukey and Candi Kane PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Dark Queen.

Crowned Crows of Thorne Point

 Release Date: June 28

What's worth the price of a secret?

To get an audience, you have to give up something. A secret, a favor…something that hurts. Welcome to Thorne Point, where darkness rules.

Rowan

I enrolled at Thorne Point University to be closer to my brother.

Now my world is falling apart.

Ethan is missing.

Every day I can’t find him it plays on repeat.

The search for answers turns up nothing and I’m running out of options.

But there’s a rumor on campus.

And I’m desperate enough to seek out the Crows as my last resort.

Wren Thorne’s reputation precedes him, but I won’t take no for an answer.

Wren

The night belongs to us.

We run this town.

Wear the rumors like crowns.

But after losing the most important thing to me, my brothers are all I have left.

Our bond runs deeper than blood.

When Rowan comes looking for our help, I do one thing I shouldn’t: break all my rules.

She asked for monsters? I’ll show her one.

Warning: This is part of a continuing series and each book ends on a cliffhanger!

Crowned Crows of Thorne Point is a dark new adult enemies to lovers college romantic suspense intended for mature readers. This book is the first in the Crowned Crows series following a gritty brotherhood of antihero bad boys and the feisty heroines that capture their hearts. Each book in the series should be read in order to understand the continuing plot. If you’re not a fan of morally bankrupt book boyfriends, steer clear. This mature new adult romance contains dubious situations, crude language, and intense sexual/violent content that some readers might find triggering or offensive. Please proceed with caution.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Add to Goodreads Here!

Meet Veronica Eden

Veronica Eden is an international bestselling author of dark new adult romances + reverse harem romances with spitfire heroines and irresistible heroes.

She loves exploring complicated feelings, magical worlds, epic adventures, and the bond of characters that embrace us against the world. She has always been drawn to gruff bad boys, clever villains, and the twisty-turns of morally gray decisions. She believes sometimes the villain should get the girl and is a sucker for a deliciously devilish antihero. 

Veronica also writes romance as Mara Townsend. 

When not writing, she can be found soaking up sunshine at the beach, snuggling in a pile with her untamed pack of animals (her husband, dog and cats), and surrounding herself with as many plants as she can get her hands on.

To learn more about Veronica Eden, visit here!

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Small Town Pretender {a review}

Small Town Pretender is the fifth book in the Havenbrook series by Brighton Walsh, and it just released on June 24! This small town, friends to lovers romance has a fake marriage, which means there is forced proximity as well. Oooh, yes please! So many fantastic tropes all in one book!

Having just finished Small Town Pretender late last night I have one thing I want to say before moving on to my recap and review. IF you are an emotional/sensitive person, who tends to tear up easily while reading stories, have tissues on hand. I wasn't prepared, and well my poor pillow got quite wet.

As the book begins, we find Nat on assignment somewhere overseas, and she is having a conversation with her sister. Nat is preparing to give her niece some advice on babysitting, and Nat finds herself missing her family and friends. It must be time for a quick visit. Fast forward a few days and Nat's phone rings late at night. Those late night phone calls never bring good news. When she looks at her phone, she sees that it is her best friend, Asher. Asher is a singer/songwriter who is getting ready to sign a contract with a label. That is until the night he receives a phone call from the Havenbrook PD informing him that his sister (and her husband) had been in a crash, and he is listed as her emergency contact. Asher quickly calls Nat, and breaks the news to her. Asher then breaks down on the phone with her. After that phone call, Nat changes all her plans (except one), and moves heaven and earth to get home to support Asher. You see not only is Asher grieving the death of his sister and her husband, but he is also the guardian of his niece and nephew. So he is now responsible for these two little kids who just had their world destroyed. What happens next is a court date for custody purposes (the paternal grandparents want the kids and are prepared to fight), an impulsive announcement, convincing Nat that it's a good plan, planning everything, and trying not to fall in love with his best friend.

My heart has not fully recovered from this story! I went into Small Town Pretender expecting a nice, sweet, friends to lovers story that is set in a small town. I was not expecting the death of two characters, and the grieving that goes into that. I also was not expecting to witness the 4 year old eventually grieve her parents. THAT GUTTED ME. That right there. My heart. It is bringing tears to my eyes as I just think about it. UGH. Also, yes I knew there was a fake marriage in this story, but how it all went down, wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting Asher to just say "downpour" and that this would be the outcome. Personally I loved Asher and Nat together. I loved how she just jumped in with little to no questions asked. How she had no issues sharing a bed with her bestie. How the kids just handled it and went with the flow. From the wedding ceremony to the reception to the custody battle to life after, I just loved it. So dang much. Oh, and when Nat's Dad did what he did? My heart. Then when the dramatic moment happened in Asher and Nat's relationship, UGH. The tears came again. But when Nash butted in, YES! Loved that. Appreciated that. It needed to happen. I absolutely adored Small Town Pretender.  

I cannot say enough good things about Small Town Pretender. If you are a fan of small town romances, the friends to lovers trope, having a musician as a main character, and/or forced proximity, then go grab Small Town Pretender. Just remember to grab tissues first. If you're curious about my rating, I am giving it 4.5 stars. Oh, and while this is the fifth book in the series, they are all standalones, so you don't need to read the first four before reading Small Town Pretender.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Asher McCoy can win over a crowd with a husky note and a strum of his guitar, but proving to a judge he’s responsible enough to gain custody of his niece and nephew? Not so easy. His big idea—a fake marriage. And who better to play his doting bride than his longtime best friend? He just needs to get her home first...

Natalie Haven couldn’t get away from her suffocating hometown fast enough. For years, she’s fluttered around the globe as a freelance photographer. And if that unconventional job pisses off her daddy? Well, all the better. But when her best friend sends out an SOS, she heads back to the one place she swore she’d never land.

Except a fake marriage means a not-so-fake living arrangement, including only one bed. Nat's witnessed enough women fall for Asher’s charms, but she refuses to be one of them. Because permanence isn’t in her blood. Not even for him.

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AUTHOR BIO

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh spent a decade as a professional photographer before taking her storytelling in a different direction and reconnecting with her first love—writing. She likes her books how she likes her tea—steamy and satisfying—and adores strong-willed heroines and the protective heroes who fall head over heels for them. Brighton lives in the Midwest with her real life hero of a husband, her two kids—one who’s already taller than her and one who's catching up too fast—and her dog who thinks she’s a queen. Her boy-filled house is the setting for dirty socks galore, frequent dance parties (okay, so it's mostly her, by herself, while her children look on in horror), and more laughter than she thought possible.

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Thank you to Brighton Walsh and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Small Town Pretender.