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Teaser

“You heard me.” He utilizes that iron tone again and doesn’t move an inch until the two men finally leave the section. Then he sits back and crooks one finger at me.

“Come here.”

I don’t move. There’s something about being trapped; a deer in the headlights. When every muscle contracts, paralyzing you. It’s impossible to react logically. Or think. At least until something more alarming snaps you from the daze.

Like him literally snapping his fingers.

Thwack!

I flinch, but my body obeys my commands again. I cross my arms and square my stance, making myself as small a target as possible. I should run—but I can’t. My eyes won’t leave my bag. My journal. My conscience. It’s the one possession I can’t bear to give up.

“G-Give it back.”

“She speaks.” Amusement flickers through his angular features, making me jump. His eyes are more expressive than most people’s. Like a predator’s: it’s almost too easy to tell what he’s thinking—but you’re only ever seeing half of the tale. Hunger, yes, but its presence alone is no predictor as to when he’ll finally pounce.

“Hop this way, bunny.” Again, he crooks his finger, but there’s a swiftness to the motion that wasn’t there before. A command lurking in the deliberate twitch of his knuckle.

“Come here.”

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June 10, 2020 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ Omega Awakening, The Controllers #0.5, by L. V. Lane

#Omegaverse #Dystopian #Fantasy #Romance

Adult/18+ read

Blurb

Omega Awakening, a dark Cinderella Omegaverse romance…
All things must end.
I learned that lesson the day my mother died.
My step-mother was wicked.
My step-sister, spiteful.
It was a relief when I revealed as an Omega because it was a chance to escape.
But it wasn’t the end of my troubles.
What happens to Omegas is a secret.
And my troubles had just begun.
“I can save you from one monster, Verity,” Lilly had said when she accepted me into the program. “But I cannot save you from them all.”
True to her word, she saved me from my step-mother.
Then Woodrow entered my life.
And I realized he was the other monster Lilly had warned me about.

My Review – 5 stars

Loved this read so much!

I absolutely LOVED this book, my first foray into the work of L.V. Lane. A prequel to the author’s Controllers series, it is a twist on the Cinderella trope but set in a dystopian Omegaverse, where the anti-hero Woodrow bears little resemblance to a Disney Prince! This alpha male is one who is utterly single-handed in his pursuit of the heroine Verity – he will make her his whatever it takes and he does not play fair. Having served his time in the military, he is now a Special Ops Director, who wants an Omega of his own and Verity becomes his obsession.

Verity is an innocent who has been physically and emotionally abused by her stepmother and stepsister, her father having become increasingly withdrawn since her mother’s death. She welcomes entering the Omega program as she views it as an escape from her unhappy home life. There she enters her training, overseen by Lilly, a fellow Omega. I enjoyed how the author introduced Verity and the reader to the politics and lives of Alphas, Omegas and the other dynamics in the universe she has created.

Verity, an empath, is sensitive and her time in the facility is not always an easy one. Once Woodrow enters her life her world once again spirals out of control as he strives to continue her training to prepare her for their future mating bond. There are numerous scenes of uber-smexy dominance and submission, where Woodrow exerts his control, tolerating no nonsense from his young Omega; control which she cannot prevent her body from craving. Verity is conflicted. Can her fragile heart come to love and trust this older dominant man who she knows so very little about?

This is a must read if you like sizzling reads, featuring strong alpha males and gifted but fragile females who are destined for each other. I am a huge fan of Omegaverse themed books and I found this to be a fresh and exciting take on the genre and I am looking forward to reading other books in the series.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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April 22, 2020 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ ~ The Danger You Know by Lily White

Title: The Danger You Know

Author: Lily White

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: April 22, 2020

You’ll judge me.

Hate me and tell me I’m wrong.

Refuse to see how my darkness is what she needs.

While I don’t particularly care about your feelings in the matter, and while I pursue her despite the wedding bells that rang for another, only I can see how she is drowning beneath mediocrity.

How many times must I remind her?

It can’t matter that I am the person who ruined her life.

The man who killed her father.

The constant shadow that watches her sleep.

The lover who prefers dirty alleyways to freshly laundered sheets

She’s mine. Always has been.

I’m the worst thing for her, yet I’m the only salvation she knows.

He had his chance to make her happy.

He failed.

He didn’t see how she was dying inside because he couldn’t know her.

Not like I know her.

I am her stalker.

Her protector.

And the only man that can bring her back to life.

(CLICK HERE)

“Who are you?”

“Does it matter?” I cock a brow, challenging her to care.

She laughs, and it’s like music, free and unencumbered.

“No, I guess it doesn’t.”

We stare at each other for several quiet seconds, the beat of my breath matching hers. Her eyes are glassy and unfocused, her face so serene that I feel relaxed because of it.

“You’re pretty,” she says on an exhalation of breath.

Pretty?

Flowers are pretty. The sky is pretty. Women are pretty.

I am none of those things.

“You’re drunk, and I’m not pretty.”

Adeline pushes up to kneel in her seat and leans over the center console, her palm cupping my cheek as tender as a lover.

“Yes, you are. But you’re flawed. I can see all the mistakes. You’re gorgeous because of those flaws.”

My eyes widen, heart hammering. She needs to go. This is too much. Too close. How the fuck does she know that?

It’s the tragic artist in her. She looks for the cracks and fissures, the imperfections in anything she sees.

Her sloppy grin widens, pearly white teeth glimmering beneath.

“It’s okay. I’m flawed, too. Would you like to see?”

What a stupid question. I don’t need to see. I already know all her flaws. I could write a fucking book about them.

Adeline doesn’t wait for an answer before climbing over the center console to straddle my lap. And while I should open my door to jump away, I find myself sucking in a breath, my body going far too still.

She leans forward to press her mouth to my ear.

“I don’t even know your name, and all I want to do is kiss you right now. How fucked up is that?”

Extremely. It is just one of the things about her that drives me crazy. Don’t get me wrong; I love that about her. But I also hate it.

“We shouldn’t do that,” I answer.

“I like doing things I shouldn’t.”

Yes, yes she does. She really is a little monster.

Lily White is a romance writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and Asylum. In addition to dark romance Lily writes contemporary romance, taboo romance, and psychological thrillers. Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

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April 12, 2020 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ Used, Omega Market book one, by Leann Ryans

#DarkFantasy #SciFiRomance #DarkRomance #Omegaverse

Adult/18+ read

Blurb

Omegas were told it was for the good of the species, but Elise knew it was for the good of her government. They were selling her to the highest bidder.

Not one to fight the system, she did as she was directed. She turned herself in. She didn’t believe her life could get any worse.

When things go astray and her life turns into a nightmare, will she stick with the man that has everything she wants, or will she save the pirate that makes her burn with need?

This is a dark Sci-fi Omegaverse Romance. It does not have a cliffhanger, and ends with a HEA. There are triggers and situations that will make some readers uncomfortable. Please do not read if you don’t enjoy dark romance with detailed scenes.

My Review

Compulsive Omegaverse read – 4.5 stars

Used is the first instalment in the Omega Market series by author Leann Ryans, and I found it to be a compulsive read. It not only contains oodles of heat but also a number of dark themes and scenes: kidnap, violence, non-consent plus fully descriptive erotic scenes which leave nothing to the imagination. The heroine, Elise, is certainly put through the mill and it is at times an emotional read, which may be triggering for some. It is a darker than other books I have read by the author but reflects what could happen in an Omegaverse world where Alphas are dominant.

It is set on a future Earth, where contact with other planets and species exists. In this world Omegas are a rare commodity and the authorities both encourage and compel them to come forward so that they can be sold to the highest bidder.

Elise volunteers to be sold, turning herself in to the collection center. She knows that as an Omega if she stays on the streets she will in time fall prey to an Alpha. With the help of the center, however unpleasant being sold may sound, she will at least find herself with an Alpha who has the resources for her to live comfortably and hopefully one she may even come to care for.

I found Elise’s time spent in the center, where she is readied for sale, a fascinating read, enabling the reader to get to know her and the world she inhabits. Her time there is not always easy and I liked the fact that she is a strong character, even when faced with some shocking treatment. Indeed, her strength of character is increasingly tested throughout the book as the plot unfolds, as she faces one test after another.

Once a buyer is found, Elise embarks on her journey to meet Trevin her buyer and betrothed. However, her path crosses with another Alpha, Leir, a space pirate, who has his own agenda. I found Leir a bit harsh at times when it comes to his treatment of Elise, but that said it is an Omegaverse and he has his own code of honour. I hugely enjoyed how the author portrayed their relationship and how his growing feelings for Elise make him feel so conflicted. The scenes between them are super-hot and Elise, as an Omega and Leir as an Alpha have no choice in how their bodies react to one another…

What will happen when Elise eventually reaches her destination? To what extent is her future tied to the pirate Leir and what of her betrothed? There is far more at stake than her future alone. I was on pins as to how the situation would resolve itself and who she was destined to spend her future with.

Recommended to readers who enjoy Omegaverse reads and/or fans of sci-fi who hanker after dark erotic reads.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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February 21, 2020 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~Verik’s Price (Alpha Barbarians #3), by Leann Ryans

#fantasy #omegaverse #erotic #romance

Adult/18+ Read

Blurb

Ripped from her home when it’s attacked by raiders, Iris is given to a strange clan as the price for their warrior’s help.

Desperate to protect her cousin and help what is left of her people, Iris makes a deal with the leader of her new clan.
Interested in nothing more than the land that is now his, and the omega who can provide him an heir, Verik doesn’t care if what is left of her people don’t have the supplies to survive the winter.

Until she reminds him how necessary they are to his plans.

Verik’s Price is the third book in the Alpha Barbarians series. It is a non-shifter, omegaverse romance. It contains sexual situations and language that may make some readers uncomfortable.

My Review

Sinfully hot but sweet Omegaverse romance ~ 5 stars

Verik’s Price is a sinfully hot but sweet contribution to the author’s Alpha Barbarians series which is set in an Omegaverse world. It is essentially a captor-captive romance featuring Verik, a passionate and powerful Alpha and Iris, a strong-minded Omega who has been torn from her village and gifted to him.

I was entertained by the interplay between the two – sparks fly and although Verik, as Alpha and leader of the Andtay clan has all the power, I respected that although Iris he gives Iris no option but to submit, he chooses not to totally go overboard on how he goes about taming her. That is not to say he is not dominant – indeed there is no absence of extremely intimate moments, but Verik is tortuously devious when it comes to seducing Iris to admit she desires him too – after all he wants her willing. There are plenty of sizzling scenes between the couple which I hugely enjoyed! I loved how their relationship develops as both Verik and Iris seek to bring their respective clans together, giving me a further insight into the world the author has created.

As for Iris, her body reacts as any Omega’s would to the proximity of such an attractive and virile Alpha. Her dilemma, of becoming increasingly attracted to her captor, whilst being mindful of the destruction and chaos his clan’s actions have had on her village, is well portrayed by the author. Verik and Iris’ journey towards their HEA certainly makes for a captivating read.

I have read Raider’s Treasure, the first in the series (click on title for review) and although this instalment can be read as a standalone, if you enjoy it as much as I did you will be itching to get to know the stories of the other Alphas and Omegas who feature in the other books.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

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January 29, 2020 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ The Flame and The Blade, (Flame and Blade #1), by Meredith Hart

#fantasy #adventure #romance

Blurb

He’s a fire mage who’s lived his entire life on the wrong side of the King’s law.
She’s a guard desperate to prove herself.

Together, they will enter the legendary Demon Forest.

Vethe Scarvian is a direct descendant of the man who almost destroyed humanity. And that plus a couple of coppers will buy him another beer.

When his aunt reveals the existence of a long-lost betrothal agreement hidden somewhere in the ruins of the Demon Forest, Vethe is only interested in how much money the noblewoman betrothed to him would be willing to pay to escape that contract.

He just has to find the contract first.

Lyria Guardia let her family down and got her heart broken. Gods help her, that will never happen again.

After a crushing betrayal by the man she’d built her life around, Lyria abandons her promising career with the Adventurer’s Guild and returns, humiliated and heartbroken, to the Guard’s Guild that her family has run for hundreds of years. Determined to regain her position and prove herself to her five brothers, Lyria is willing to accept any assignment.

Even if that means she has to drag some spoiled noble brat through the Demon Forest in search of a mysterious missing contract.

My Review

Superb Start to Fantasy Series! ~5 Stars

I literally inhaled this fantasy debut from author Meredith Wild – I was riveted from beginning to end. It contains adventure, romance, a quest (what fantasy novel would be complete without one?), magic and monsters . Once more the world building is just sublime.

Not only that but the main couple rock! – Lyria is a woman who knows how to look after herself and wield a sword, and Vethe has abilities far and above your average spoiled aristocrat, which Lyria initially thinks he is. Although the couple are just made for each other it is not immediately obvious to them. Indeed, their romance is a slow burn and so much the better for it. There are plenty of scenes of danger and suspense which afford the couple numerous opportunites to get to know each other better and also some humorous moments – the repartee between the couple and their inner dialogues are superb.

I enjoyed how their respective opinions of each other changes as they make their way through the Demon forest: Lyria comes to the realisation that Vethe has hidden talents and Vethe in turn discovers that Lyria is all woman beneath her Guard’s uniform and has a personality which draws her to him like no woman has ever before. When they do get it together it is well worth the wait and the flames ignite!

My heart went out to both main characters due to their backstories: Lyria is recovering from a broken heart and Vethe has an unhappy home life and an empty existence, concealing his ability to perform fire magic from the authorities.

I was on pins wondering whether they would survive the dangers of the Demon Forest and whether their quest would be a successful one. Yet Vethe is keeping secrets from Lyria and others appear to have an interest in what is hidden the forest, threatening their quest… Can Lyria survive another crushing betrayal and what future can there be for the couple when their destinies seem to point them on different paths?

I’m so looking forward to the next instalment of Lyria and Vethe’s adventures.

The read is perfect for lovers of fantasy who also enjoy romance with their magic and monsters.

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.

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January 8, 2020 by Tina Williams

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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December 20, 2019 by Tina Williams

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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December 10, 2019 by Tina Williams

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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