Thursday, September 23, 2021

Sinful Kisses by Emily Bowie {a review}


Can I tell you something? When I started reading Sinful Kisses by Emily Bowie, I found myself wondering if I had read this before. Why did the characters feel familiar? Especially Gia. Like what is going on here? Um, well, you see, it's because I read Sinful Daughter not long ago, and so that story was still fresh in my brain. In Sinful Daughter, Gia was a side character. So NATURALLY my brain was tying them together, but I just couldn't remember everything. I guess that's what happens when you read as many books as I do. Thankfully once I figured it out, I was good to go!

In Sinful Kisses we have Gia Rossi and Romeo Mancini. These two are from rival families, and shit's about to go down. Romeo is still upset that his family has been ousted from leadership, and is doing what he can to regain control. Then there is Gia. Gia is set to marry Alfonso. He is one of her good friends, and this wedding will happen. Until Alfonso reveals a tidbit of truth to her. That throws everything out the window. They agree to a very public fight at a party, and it is at this party where things between Romeo and Gia begin. Gia leaves the party in a hurry, takes Romeo's car, and then crashes it not too much later. Romeo rescues her, gets her medical attention, and it is revealed that she is dealing with temporary memory loss. Romeo decides to have Gia stay with him at the farm, and tells her all these false truths. One thing leads to another, and things are intensifying.

This book...UGH. I couldn't put it down. Yes, the whole pig farm thing had me gagging a bit, but it's a mafia romance, so it just fits. Still though. Then there's the whole situation with Romeo and Gia, and oh my word. I was sucked into the story, and did not turn off my kindle until the story was over. I HAD to know 1) when Gia would get her memory back, 2) how she would be reunited with her family, 3) what would happen between her and Romeo, and 4) if Romeo would ever regain his status and power in the mafia world. There was so much going on in this book, that I can't even begin to talk about it all. Then the ending...oooh, I tell ya. Yes, I saw one part of the ending happening, I called that, but how everything played out, and how the reunion happened, I loved it. So good.

Emily Bowie has my complete attention with the Dark Mafia Sins series, and I need to see what else she has written. I have a strong feeling I will enjoy all of her other books. She just might become one of those authors who I need to read everything from. So there's that.

If you enjoy mafia romances, I strongly encourage you to pick up the Dark Mafia Sins series. Yes I could say to pick up Sinful Kisses, but I really think you'll like Sinful Daughter as well. No, you don't need to read one to read the other, and I can't even say that the first book gives backstory. It does a smidgen, but it's not necessary to read them in order. Read it, and then come talk to me so we can discuss!

Thank you for reading my rambling thoughts about Sinful Kisses. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day.

Laura


BLURB

They ruined my family... so I kidnapped their daughter.

Romeo Mancini:

Her name is Gia Rossi.

She’s gorgeous, untouchable, and promised to be married to someone who’s not me. Her family destroyed mine, ruining decades of reputation.

I once was the spare to the heir. Now I’m the heir that will rule nothing. It was stripped from my family. I’m determined to erase the disgrace of my father and brother before me and will rise to the power that is mine by birthright.

To do that, I need leverage. I need a queen. When Gia Rossi enters my path my mind becomes made. She will be mine at all costs. Kidnapping her was the easy part. Will I be able to break her to rule beside me? The road to reclaiming my throne is paved with betrayal, and war.






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AUTHOR BIO

Emily Bowie is from a small town in Western Canada. She has been making characters come to life through her writing since she was old enough to put her thoughts on paper. She loves her white wine cold, her heels red, and her books spicy. 

She married her high school sweetheart and they have two amazing children. 

She is the author to the Bennett Brothers Series. 

Recklessly Mine, Recklessly Forbidden, & Recklessly Devoted. 

When she is not writing she can be found reading a good book, making digital scrapbooks and being physically active—whether it is at the gym, going for a walk, or playing /keep up with her children.


AUTHOR LINKS




Thank you to Emily Bowie, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with a copy of Sinful Kisses.

The Heart Chaser by Gina Azzi {a review}


My name is Laura, and my obsession/fascination with hockey romance is still going strong almost 2 years later.


What's that, you didn't know I was a hockey romance fan? Well just click on that hockey romance tag, and you'll see all the wonderful books that I have read. It's a lot. Trust me. And all my reviews are not even posted here on What Laura's Reading. I can't help it. I just love it.

If you've been around for a while, then you know I fell hard for the Boston Hawks series by Gina Azzi at the beginning of this year. Here we are at the end of September, and I am still loving the series. I can't tell you though if Torsten or Jake is favorite though. It's pretty closely tied. That being said, The Heart Chaser is all about Panda. If you've read the series, then you've seen him in the background of the other stories, and chances are he's made an impression on you. Well it's time for his story to be told, and oh I wasn't prepared.

Luca and Abbi had an amazing weekend together, and before she left town, Luca promised to call. He was going to, until a family emergency made that difficult to do. Flash forward 6 months, and Abbi is now an employee with the Boston Hawks organization. It is here that she and Luca meet again. Things in both their lives have been overwhelming, and both are tired and hurting. It's just been a lot. Abbi has every right to be mad at Luca for not calling, but at the same time she could have reached out to him as well. She's here in Boston now though, and as much as she'd like to keep this professional, she can't deny the attraction. Same goes for Luca. He still wants her, but between his family and his career he's being pulled in too many directions. Abbi is also dealing with her ex texting her, and he isn't making life easy for her. Can these two work to overcome their current situations (family/job/ex/trust) to make it as a couple? Or will it all blow up in their faces?

Luca is an amazing man. Plain and simple, he just is. Yes he's been a player in the past, but this current Luca is amazing. He is doing what ever he can for his family, all while continuing on with his career. Yes, he wants Abbi in his life too, but things need to settle down a bit. Then there's Abbi. Oh Abbi. My heart hurts for her, and I just want to wrap her up in a giant hug. This woman has been through so much loss! Then there are these men who have just decimated any trust that she may have had. Her exes are just horrible, and so it isn't shocking to see the trust issues that she has. But when that situation happened with her ex, and all that went down, OH MY WORD. GRRRRR. Then there is Luca, and his family. I think I love them. His family just seem like a fantastic group who just want what is best for their loved ones. There is so much I want to say about The Heart Chaser, and everything that happened in the book, but honestly I can't put it into words. Luca has pushed Austin out of my top 3. He just has. I can't help it. Abbi is joining Claire and Chloe in the top 3 as well. These characters! I tell you. Their stories, their friendships, the environment that they are in, I just can't get enough. 

I can't scream it loud enough, but go read the Boston Hawks series. Please. Just do it. Go fall for these characters, and you just might find yourself wishing they were real people so you could befriend them. Or that could just be me. 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Heart Chaser. If you read Luca and Abbi's story, please let me know what you think. I'd love to talk about the book with you. (or any of the Boston Hawks books for that matter!)

Laura




BLURB

Notorious ladies’ man and hockey hotshot Luca Pandatelli broke his own rules when he tangled up with me.

Not only did we spend an entire weekend in bed together, but he confided in me, sharing painful truths about his past. With a kiss good-bye and a promise to call, something sparked between us. Something that broke through my walls.

Except he didn’t call. And I re-enforced my walls with steel and barbed wire.

Now, I’ve accepted a job with the Boston Hawks franchise, making it inevitable that I see the last man I want to cross paths with. I’m prepared to dismiss him and pretend like our weekend together never happened.

But the regret in Luca’s eyes and the apology in his voice catches me off-guard. The harder I push him away, the harder he pulls me in.

Until the one thing I can’t accept, can’t forgive, comes to light.

And I’m left wondering, is Luca only interested in the chase? Or is really playing for keeps?



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Releasing March 3

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Meet Gina Azzi



Gina Azzi writes emotional and captivating contemporary romance novels with heart-warming happily-ever-afters. She is the author of Second Chance Chicago Series, The Kane Brothers Series, Finding Love in Scotland Series, The College Pact Series, and Corner of Ocean and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones. 

A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.


Author Links



GIVEAWAY



Thank you to Gina Azzi, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Heart Chaser.

Timeout by Lisa Suzanne {a review}

 


I have been waiting for this day! After reading the first two books in the series, I was counting down to the release of TIMEOUT. TIMEOUT is the third book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series that is following the story between Jack Dalton, his fiancee Michelle, and his "assistant" Kate. Please know that this series must be read in order! So if you haven't read Traded yet, please do so.

I'm not even going to recap the book this time, because honestly the teaser (below) says everything you really need to know. Plus by not recapping I don't really need to worry about potential spoilers. Just know we are picking up where we left off, and the wedding is coming quickly.

I am obsessed with this series. I need to know what is going to happen with Jack and Michelle, Jack and Kate, as well as with Jack and the owner of the team (aka Michelle's dad). What is going to happen next? Is Michelle going to keep their son away from Jack? Would she really do such a thing? Can Kate keep Jack in line, and out of trouble? What is going on with Jack's business? Because it sounds like some sketchy shit is about to go down. These cliffhangers are torturing me! Yet at the same time, I am loving it, and find myself eagerly anticipating the next book. Damn you Lisa Suzanne!  Also, I can't believe there are only two books left in Jack's story! There had better be a third season to the Vegas Aces series. Please, please, pretty please!

I highly recommend you go read Timeout. Just make sure that you've read Traded and Tackled first, because that is very much necessary. Go read this series! Go, go now!

Thank you Lisa Suzanne for yet another fabulous book in the Vegas Aces world.

Laura
Release Date: September 23


As Jack’s wedding draws nearer, the cloud over him seems to darken as he goes through the motions. Instead of enjoying the bachelor party and rehearsal dinner, he needs a timeout from the woman he’s set to marry.

If he really walks down the aisle toward her, I can’t keep working with him. Not when I’m in love with him. My boss didn’t hire me to help this pro football quarterback make better decisions. He hired me to make sure Jack marries his daughter.

And as the day of the wedding dawns, my one job responsibility is one of the most morally conflicting things I’ve ever had to do.



Grab Your Copy Here!

Get started with the series here!

Add Timeout to your Goodreads TBR!


Meet Lisa Suzanne


Lisa Suzanne is a romance author who resides in Arizona with her husband and two kids. 

She’s a former high school English teacher and college composition instructor. 

When she's not chasing her kids, she can be found working on her latest book or watching reruns of Friends.  


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Thank you to Lisa Suzanne, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Timeout.

Sever by Caitlyn Dare Cover Reveal!

 



The time has come to say farewell to Sadie Ray, Wes, Rhett, Dane, and the Savage Falls Sinners group. It's been a wild ride full of adventure, love, discoveries, and there has been a lot of steamy moments.

Curious how this story is going to wrap up? I know I am! So be like me, and go pre-order Sever! 

If you have no clue what I am talking about when it comes to this book series, go read Savage! That is the first book in the series, and you need to start there as this is an ongoing story.

Sever is releasing on October 28, 2021!



Loving one guy is hard.

Loving three… well, it should be more than a girl like Sadie Ray Dalton can handle.

But Sadie knows where she belongs, and it’s right beside her guys.

Life in Savage Falls is finally calming down. Dane is preparing to step up and take over the Red Ridge Sinners, Rhett is accepting an unconventional life with his princess, and Wes is adapting to his new role within the club.

But another enemy is circling—one who’s closer than they realize.

One who won’t stop until the Sinners MC are on their knees.

Sadie and her guys all want their happily-ever-after, but they should know by now, nothing in life comes easy.

One last time, they’re going to have to fight for it.

And hope everyone makes it out alive.

This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. It is book four in the series and must be read after SAVAGE, SACRIFICE, and SACRED. It contains mature content that some readers may find distressing.


PREORDER SEVER, Book #4!!!
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New to the Savage Falls Sinners MC Club?

Start with Savage!


Next read Sacrifice!


Then move on to Sacred!




Meet

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

   

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When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting {blog tour}

 

When Sparks Fly, an all-new sweet and sexy best friend standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!

Charming, hilarious, and emotional...When Sparks Fly is Helena Hunting at her very best!

My copy is waiting for me on my kindle, and oh I cannot wait to read it! My review will be coming sometime soon. In the meanwhile, check out this teaser, and an excerpt from the book.

Avery Spark is living her best life. Between her friends, her sisters, and Spark House, the event hotel her family owns, she doesn’t have much time for anything else, especially relationships. She’d rather hang out with her best friend and roommate, Declan McCormick, than deal with the dating scene. But everything changes when she is in a car accident and needs someone to care for her as she heals.

Declan avoids relationships, giving him a playboy reputation that he lives up to when he puts a one-night stand ahead of a promise he made to Avery. While he may not have been the one driving the car, he feels responsible for Avery’s injuries and is determined to make it up to her by stepping into the role of caretaker.

Little did they know that the more time they spend in compromising positions, the attraction they’ve been refusing to acknowledge becomes impossible to ignore. When they finally give in to the spark between them, neither is prepared for the consequences. Their love is fragile and all it will take is a blow from the past to shatter it all.


Grab your copy today!


Add When Sparks Fly to your Goodreads TBR!



Excerpt

Commotion from across the field catches my eye. Two of the riders seem to be at odds with each other. The hand on hip, head tip, nose-to-nose business gives me reason to believe there’s some kind of disagreement happening.
“That doesn’t look very friendly.” I nod in their direction.
“Maybe the horses need a time-out,” Harley mutters.
I give her the side-eye, and she fights a smirk.
“Uh-oh, we have hand and hobbyhorse flailing,” London says, pulling my attention back to the field. The argument seems to be heating up, not cooling down.
“You need to deal with that.” London gives my shoulder a shove. She’s amazing with finances and she’s great at connecting me with the right vendors, but dealing with conflict is not her strong suit.
“Not in the mood to mediate stuffed horses?” I drop my bag on the ground beside Harley’s feet and briskly cross the field as the argument escalates to yelling. I’m about twenty feet away when one of the men hauls off and whacks the other one with his hobbyhorse.
“Whoa! Whoa! Gentlemen! Time-out. That’s not very sportsmanlike conduct!” I call.
My admonishment goes unheeded, and the two men begin dueling with their hobbyhorses. The bigger of the two jabs the other man in the stomach and snatches his hobbyhorse when he loses his grip on it.
“Gentlemen! Please!” I shout, but it’s hard to be heard over their yelling and the newly formed crowd of hobbyhorse enthusiasts who have gathered and are now heckling the fighters.
Two other men toss their hobbyhorses to the hobbyhorse-less man with shouts of “Kick his ass!”
And here I thought this was a chill sport. Apparently I’m very, very wrong.
The hobbyhorsers face off again, each one holding a broom horse between their legs and another like . . . a sword, maybe? It reminds me of medieval jousting. Especially when they start stomping their feet, pawing at the ground, and prancing in place. I know things are about to escalate when they shake their heads back and forth, braying loudly and breathing out through their noses in a hardy snort.
Then they run toward each other, while yelling. Even if they’re beating on each other with stuffed horse heads, I’m not interested in anyone ending up with a concussion.
I jump in between them before they collide, which I realize a second too late puts me in a very perilous position. However, the man on my right swerves at the last second and ends up crashing into the trough, toppling it and at least half a dozen of the “feeding” hobbyhorses. The other man skids to a stop mere inches from me, loses his balance, and falls backwards onto the ground. It rained yesterday, so while it’s sunny and dry now, the ground is still soft and mucky. And he happens to land in a seriously squishy pile of muddy grass.
He also manages to hit himself in the family jewels with the hobbyhorse. He rolls onto his side, clutching the muddy horsehead and his junk. It’s quite the spectacle. Before it turns into absolute mayhem, I grab the megaphone from the group MC and shout, “Whoa, Nelly!” like an idiot.
However, it does the trick. Every single one of them freezes. “Rider number seventeen and twenty-three, you are disqualified from this round for roughhousing and inappropriate use of your hobbyhorse!” I’m totally making this up on the fly, but someone needs to get these guys under control, and they don’t seem to be able to manage it on their own.
The guy who nut slapped himself—number twenty-three—picks himself up off the ground and hobbles gingerly over to the bench, which is now assigned to disqualified hobbyhorsers. Number seventeen throws himself down on the other end with a huff.
I lower the megaphone and cross my arms. “This is supposed to be about team building and sharing something you’re passionate about. If you want to joust, I suggest you either join a club or interview for a position at Medieval Times.”


About Helena Hunting


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

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