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ARC REVIEW ~ Omega Suppressed, by Leann Ryans

#paranormalromance #smalltownromance #newadultromance

Blurb

Moving from the city to a small town, Shailyn knew things would be different, but she didn’t realize how difficult it would be. When the town leader makes it obvious he does not agree with omegas using heat suppressants, and his son decides to cancel her order for more, she’s left with no choice but to make a trip back to the city to get more.
Alone.
What could go wrong?

This is a slow burn, omegaverse novella. There is detailed scenes and situations that may make some readers uncomfortable.

My Review

Omegaverse enemies-to-lovers romance ~5 stars

This novella, an enemies- to- lovers romance set in an omegaverse world is a lovely read. It features a spunky Omega heroine and an Alpha hero whose actions appear to thwart her at every turn. Their journey together is a bumpy one but I certainly enjoyed the ride.

Whilst Shailyn and her family immerse themselves in the peace and tranquillity of the small town they have relocated to, it is not long before her use of heat suppressants brings her into conflict with the town leader and his son, one of the town’s guards. Shailyn is furious when Luke cancels her order for the drugs – she will not have her own life and that of other women in the town dictated to by Omega hormones and overbearing Alphas, despite her dynamic! She embarks on a trip back to the city to procure the medication she needs for herself and others.

Can Luke save Shailyn from any danger she may encounter on her trip back to the city for more of her drugs? Also despite their mutual attraction how can they come together as equals when Luke is a dominant Alpha by nature and Shailyn is an Omega determined to live life on her terms?

I loved the character of Shailyn, an outspoken, if a little naïve, young woman who makes friends easily and wants to right the wrongs she sees. As for Luke, he is a character I warmed to as the read progresses – the romance between them is not instantaneous by any means and I thoroughly enjoyed the lively banter and sexual tension between them, heightened by the clash of wills.

Recommended for fans of Omegaverse stories or readers looking for a small town, new adult read with a difference.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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ARC REVIEW ~ The Last Act of Laura Winters (Last Series Book #1): A Dark Reverse Harem Romance, by Kelly Weaver

#dark #reverseharem #romance

Adult/18+ read

Blurb

Laura Winters is yesterday’s soap queen and aspiring to more sophisticated credit in the indie film world.
On route to a horror movie set in Keswick, Laura is confronted with the greatest acting challenge she’s ever faced.
Someone was expecting her arrival.

Four handsome, eccentric brothers living off a dwindling heirloom mansion isolated from civilized society.
They claim to be her saviors.

They claim to be her biggest fans.

But they aren’t letting her step one foot out of bed.

In their captivity, she can be their perfect silver screen dream made real.

She can be a star.

My Review

Freedom through captivity? ~ 4 and a half stars

Where to start with this review? On the one hand this erotic captor/captive reverse harem is a dark and cautionary tale of abduction and obsession but it is also a story of liberation and second chances. It contains some seriously screwed up characters and scenes, not only in respect of the brothers but also the heroine, Laura, the extent of how damaged they are becoming more apparent the more I read. It also includes scenes of violence, dubious consent and eroticism as the brothers conspire to make Laura their own…

For me the obsessive nature of the brothers was reminiscent of Steven King’s Misery and the descriptions of the brothers’ home had echoes of the Bates’ motel in Psycho. I particularly enjoyed the picture the author painted of the isolated crumbling mansion and the claustrophobia of the room where Laura is held captive.

As the plot unravels so do the layers that make up Laura and she is compelled to face her demons and to question her past life and sense of self, whilst confronting her new reality as a captive of her biggest fans. Some of the scenes in the book are truly shocking, particularly the control the brothers, especially Ramon, exert over her, physically and sexually. Laura attempts to exert her own feminine wiles over her captors, drawing on her acting powers, however, the brothers are eccentric through and through and her efforts do not guarantee her success…

I will not say any more about the book, but suffice to say that it has elements of many genres, including horror, thriller, erotica and romance (albeit twisted) and I hugely enjoyed it. I found it to be an original and all consuming read on many different levels.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

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ARC REVIEW ~ FERMENTATION RECIPES – An In-Depth Guide into a Culture of Healing with 60 Delicious Fermented Recipes for Your Entire Dietary Lifestyle, by Elizabeth House

#diet #health #healthylifestyle #recipes

Description

Are you looking for recipes that taste great and have many health benefits? Then keep reading!

Fermenting has been a method for storing food that has sustained mankind for centuries. Only decades ago, this method began to fall into obscurity thanks to food sustaining methods like refrigeration. Since that time, gut health has been in an overall decline in society. Fermentation imparts so many vital enzymes and elements into your food suck as Omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, and probiotics on which your body and your digestive health thrives.

When many people think of fermentation, they think of things like kombucha and sauerkraut. While these are examples of what fermented foods are and what they’re like, there is so much more variety than this in the world of fermented foods. You’ll find condiments, curries, pasta, pickles, stews, seasonings, and even candy!

This essential guide for fermentation includes:
• Delicious recipes that will satisfy your hunger
• Foods that will nourish your body
• Unique recipes that will improve the overall health of your microbiome
• Tips for your digestion that will leave you feeling regular and cleansed
• Tips on products that are fermented and ready to use at your local grocer
• So much more!

This guide is the key to bringing the nutrients and enzymes you need into your diet and to helping you maintain a diet structured for your longevity and gut health. Are you tired of dealing with irregularity or stomach cramping? Do you feel fatigued or like you’re just sluggish? Do you feel like there is some element missing when it comes to your vitality? This guide is your answer and it provides all the steps you’ll need to take to bring yourself back to life and good health.

Don’t allow yourself to feel the effects of a leaky or unhealthy gut for one more day.

If the above describes you at all, then then you owe it to yourself to see what fermentation can do for you right away. You will feel the results in no time at all, and you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to try it in the first place.

My Review

Practical and inspirational cook book ~ 4 stars

This is a super cook book which describes how to prepare fermented food. This very readable, no nonsense guide has inspired me to incorporate some of the recipes in my own diet. I particularly liked how the author explains how fermentation can be used to preserve everyday produce and how the it can assist whole body healing through encouraging healthy gut bacteria.

What surprised me most was the sheer variety of foods that can benefit from fermentation. It not only includes recipes for the fermented foods I was already familiar with, such as sauerkraut, yoghurt and sourdough, but also contains a whole host of other recipes which included pickles, salsa and ketchup, meat and drinks such as cider, lemonade and wine.

Each recipe is clearly set out and includes nutritional information and an illustration of the finished product. The measures included in the book refer to ‘cups’, rather than the more familiar measures I am used to as a Brit but with the aid of conversion tables and conversion wizards available online the recipes are fairly straightforward to follow.

Recommended to those who are seeking methods to enhance the health and well-being of themselves and their families through preparing and consuming some delicious recipes.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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RELEASE BLITZ & ARC REVIEW/EXCERPT ~ Painted Sins Duet – A Taste Like Sin Book 2, by Lana Sky

Title: A Taste Like Sin
Series: Painted Sin Duet #2
Author: Lana Sky
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 25, 2019

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Blurb

IS HE A HEARTLESS MONSTER?

The more Juliana is subjected to his charms, the deeper she falls under Damien’s spell. But the promise of protection and security may come at a higher price than she’s willing to pay…

OR A RELUCTANT PLAYER?

The reclusive billionaire has his own secrets, and his relationship with Juliana may threaten to send his precarious house of cards crashing down…

Will their bond survive the chaos?

Or will they both be destroyed in the end?

Excerpt

“Let them see you in the only way I cannot? Like hell. This is mine.” He quirks his thumb, making my spine contract, manipulated like a marionette. “Your heavy pants, mine to taste. Your wails of ecstasy, mine to hear.” He teases me with a second finger, spreading me open. “The tightening of every muscle just before you lose control, mine to feel. The scent of your arousal that lingers long after, mine to smell.”

My Review

Dark and Twisty! ~ 5 stars

And breathe! This read, like its predecessor, had me literally glued to my Kindle throughout. It contains betrayal, deceit and danger plus scenes of sensuality and hot and raw sex between the two protagonists, Juliana and Damien. Just who can she trust? Will the secrets of her protector, the unconventional blind artist/powerful criminal mastermind lead to her salvation or downfall? Is he worthy?

I loved how the author portrayed Damien, whose lack of sight, coupled with his heightened awareness, means that he can sense more than is usual when it comes to emotions, a gift he uses to exploit the tortured socialite Juliana to the full. Yet the physical and emotional connection between them just sizzles and his life become inextricably entwined with hers, as secrets and players from their combined pasts come to the fore and collide. In Damien the author has created an anti-hero who had me guessing throughout as to his true motivations.

I admired how Juliana, despite her apparent fragility is no one’s fool and that despite her distress, she is committed to uncovering the truth as to the identity of her past and present tormentor/stalker, the mysterious Simon, and the role others may have played. I was on pins as to whether their passionate yet fragile bond could withstand the cold hard truths that are revealed or indeed whether they would both survive the fallout.

It’s a read that is jam-packed full of many ‘heart in your mouth’ moments, whilst also containing scenes of raw sensuality and deliciously scorching interactions between hero and heroine. Lana Sky has become one of my go-to authors to feed my addiction to dark romantic suspense containing anti-heroes and broken yet strong heroines who refuse to play the victim.

Thoroughly recommended to readers who share my addiction!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 A Touch of Dark – 99c for a limited time!

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AUTHOR BIO

Lana Sky is a quirky writer from the US who dabbles in dark, paranormal and contemporary romance. Her stories aren’t always typical, but cntain a little something for everyone.

AUTHOR LINKS

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November 21, 2019 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ & ARC REVIEW ~ Cathedral, by Addison Cain

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Cathedral
A Cradle of Darkness Series Novel
Author: Addison Cain
Genre: Vampire Dark Romance
Release Date: November 18, 2019

BLURB

“Addison Cain’s writing blows me away each time!” NYT Bestselling author Anna Zaires

I sold my soul to win her.

First to her devil of a father, then to the true devil himself. The price exacted nothing less than eternal fealty. A boon I’d gladly relinquish a thousand times over to possess the love of my dark Princess.

Though she may hate me. Though my desire chars my bones black. I will love her forever.

Virginal, devious, cruel, kind, she’s desperate for freedom. Used, wounded, coddled, and spoiled—the only immortal who can walk in the sun—will be mine.

So long as I can remove her father from his ancient throne and place something far worse upon that seat of power.

Publisher’s Note: Cathedral is a standalone novel in the Cradle of Darkness series featuring in an HEA. The horror prequel, Catacombs, will enrich the experience of this book but is not necessary.

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MY REVIEW

Deliciously Dark Love Story~ 5 stars *****

Cathedral is one hell of a dark love story, told in Addison Cain’s indomitable style. The read is visceral, unapologetically hot and at times savage – and it and it literally blew my mind!

Both Jade and Malcolm, hero and heroine (or should I say anti-hero and anti-heroine) are essentially monsters who need human blood to survive. Jade is a daywalker, able to tolerate daylight, unlike the other vampires. As daughter of the leader Darius, she is respected but she is also reviled for her differences.

I found Jade to be a complex and flawed character, full of contradictions: sad and empty, despite her life of debauchery and luxury. She desperately craves love and acceptance, something she has never experienced from her cruel and sadistic father. It was not long before I began to feel empathy for her. Darius uses his daughter to meddle in the lives of humans for his own amusement and to control her, seeing her as a vessel to continue his bloodline.

The vampire Malcolm watches over her, ensuring her compliance with her father’s twisted wishes. Unbeknown to Jade he is in love with her, although she despises him. However, he will have her even if he needs to destroy her father in the process and at long last make her his … I adored that he loves her despite her flaws. Their relationship is complex and Malcolm practices his own dark methods of tough love, necessary to keep his Princess in line, as he plots with another, more powerful than Darius, to secure a future for them.

Can Jade overcome her hatred of Malcolm? Will her father fight back? Has Malcolm thrown his lot in with a being far worse than Darius? Who will ultimately win the battle for dominion and gain the throne and will they survive? I was on pins throughout and I loved this dark and decadent tale which sizzles with emotion.

Although the read is a standalone novel, I now have Catacombs, the horror prequel, on my ‘to read’ pile. I am eager to find out more about the twisted characters within the world the author has created within the Cradle of Darkness series and look forward to reading future instalments.

Please note that an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Catacombs

With proof of purchase between November 18-25, claim your FREE copy of Catacombs here

AUTHOR BIO

USA Today Bestselling author and Amazon Top 25 bestselling author, Addison Cain is best known for her dark romances, smoldering Omegaverse, and twisted alien worlds. Her antiheroes are not always redeemable, her lead females stand fierce, and nothing is ever as it seems.

Deep and sometimes heart wrenching, her books are not for the faint of heart. But they are just right for those who enjoy unapologetic bad boys, aggressive alphas, and a hint of violence in a kiss.

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RELEASE BLITZ & ARC REVIEW ~ Hidden Truths, by K Webster and Nikki Ash, includes giveaways

Duet Title: Hidden Truths
Authors: K Webster and Nikki Ash
Release: November 21, 2019
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/HiddenTruths1
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

My life was easy, simple, fun.
Light.
Until I got wrapped up with the wrong people.
Nothing but a piece of property to pay for the sins of my father.
I’m to be married off to a handsome monster.
I see his truths every day, and it’s hard not to fall for the enemy.
He won’t let me escape, but I’m not sure I want to.
I wanted to marry for love, but it looks like love is a lie.

Buy Now

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My Review

A tour de force of dark and sexy romantic suspense ~ 5 stars

I LOVED this book! The authors have crafted an addictive read, containing suspense and danger but which also oozes sexual tension and sizzling sex scenes. I am already a huge fan of K Webster’s work and after reading his I will be checking out that of co-author Nikki Ash.

I adored the heroine Talia. She starts off as a victim given to Kostas, the son of a Greek crime lord, to pay for her father’s sins. Up until that point she has led a life of freedom and innocence. This is all due to change and her life now belongs to another, her enemy who has made it clear he will never let her go. Kostas may be handsome, but his words and actions show him to be a monster, especially to those who have deceived him.

What I admired about her was how, even given her fear, she refuses to be a victim, despite what she experiences. Instead she strives to make the best of her situation, standing up to Kostas and maintaining her sense of self-worth and dignity.

And Kostas? He is such a possessive asshole of an alpha and yes he can be a monster, but there is so much more to him and he can be tender and considerate. He has his own code of honour when it comes to Talia and she finds herself falling for him, at the same time resenting the loss of her personal freedom. The scenes between them are SUPER HOT! I now need to revise my list of book boyfriends!

Yet neither of them could predict the truths that emerge as the novel unravels – there are twists and turns a plenty. The read includes some truly shocking scenes involving violence, deceit and secrets which threaten the couple. Kostas and Talia have so many enemies and danger threatens from all sides. The book ends on a major cliff hanger and I SO need to get my hands on the sequel!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Praise for the Novel:

“A deliciously-seductive, dark, suspenseful and sexy tale that hooked me from page one, and didn’t let go until I had devoured it. Absolutely superb. Grab a copy right now!” Siobhan Davis, USA Today bestselling author of Cruel Intentions

Hold on to your seat and get ready as this grabs you from the beginning and won’t let you go. They pull you in and take over your body, your heart, and your mind. – Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog

This story had me from page one. I couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I’d flip the page and have a different theory. Bucket up cuz it’s a bumpy and wild ride– Nancy, reader

Dark romance suspense at its finest.-Fun Under the Covers Blog

FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! Hidden Truths was a pager turner that kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. -Kristina, reader

The first in the duet, the story is captivating. There’s so much angst, drama, and suspense I literally couldn’t put it down. – Shirley, reader

Both Nikki Ash and K Webster are just amazing individually. But when they collab together, it’s just a match perfectly made.– Viridiana, Amazon reader

Giveaways

Giveaway #1
Giveaway #2
Giveaway #3

Teasers

In the Duet – Preorder

Stolen Lies (Truths and Lies Duet #2)

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October 22, 2019 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ & ARC REVIEW ~ A Touch of Dark, #1 in the Painted Sin Duet, by Lana Sky

RELEASE BLITZ

Title: A Touch of Dark
Series: Painted Sin Duet #1
Author: Lana Sky
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 22, 2019

BLURB

IS HE HER HERO?

Juliana Thorne is falling apart beneath her perfect façade. Haunted by a monster from her childhood, the sheltered socialite is slowly losing her mind—while a mysterious stranger seems to lurk around every corner, relishing in her demise.

OR THE VILLIAN?

A blind artist with a penchant for portraying darkness, Damien Villa harbors his own sinister intentions toward Juliana, but is he motivated by lust…

Or a desire for revenge?

Either way…

This is no fairytale.

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My Review

A dark, twisted and erotic masterpiece ~ 5 stars

Fans of dark, twisted and erotic reads need to buy this book now! The multi-layered plot and complex characters of both the hero and heroine, combined with the unexpected twists and turns, made for a truly addictive read – I loved it!

The reclusive Juliana is a tragic figure, literally haunted by a monster from her past. As her life unravels she finds herself inextricably drawn to Damien Villa, a dark and perverse blind artist, despite the danger he and his unorthodox methods represent. As her carefully constructed façade begins to crack and her emotions come to the fore, Damien seems to circle ever closer. Yet who is this man? Is he friend or foe and despite his obvious disdain, what is his interest in her?

The lines between Damien’s true motivations and whether he is hero or villain, are blurred – he is truly a master of manipulation, expertly cloaking his true motivations. As Juliana’s and Damien’s back stories are slowly revealed, I was left asking myself whether she should trust him and what was his long-term game plan. I loved the complex chemistry between the couple, involving hate and distrust but also burgeoning lust as the plot develops and secrets and lies are revealed.

There are some uncomfortable and disturbing scenes as the novel contains descriptions of PTSD and a woman who is close to breaking. Indeed, the read is deliciously dark, imbued with ever present danger and menace represented by Damien and also Juliana’s mysterious stalker.

The read enthralled me throughout and I could not tell to which dark place the plot was going to go to next. Lana Sky is a skilled author and since finishing the book Juliana’s fate, her relationship with the mysterious Damien and the identity of her stalker have been whirling around in my mind. The sequel cannot come soon enough!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

COMING SOON

#2 A Taste Like Sin – Releasing November 11, 2019

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AUTHOR BIO

Lana Sky is a quirky writer from the US who dabbles in dark, paranormal and contemporary romance. Her stories aren’t always typical, but contain a little something for everyone.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website
Twitter
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