Review – Ruthless Kingdom by Becca Steele and C. Lymari

Ruthless Kingdom; Boneyard Kings #3
(#3 within a series)

Publication Date: May 13, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Trilogy/New Adult/Dark/Reverse Harem/Secret Society/Bully Romance

Author: Becca Steele and C. Lymari

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:

I loved everything about this dark story, it contained steam, mystery, brotherhood, and so much more.

Picking up right where the big cliffhanger left me biting my nails, Ruthless Kingdom takes off running. Major players in the poison filled city are finally unmasked as pieces click into place of a major conspiracy.

Saint, Mateo, Callum, and Everly’s bond gets stronger than ever as they work to bring down the darkness that has engulfed the city and their own personal lives.

I loved how everything pieced together and played out while they strengthened their relationship. No stone was left unturned and I was extremely satisfied with the way this trilogy ended.

While Cal and Mateo seemed to soften as the story went along, the more I thought about it, I think we got to know more of their true selves. As Everly uncovered more about them, the hard men they displayed to everyone else was just a mask that they eventually took off just for her.

Now, Saint is an entirely different matter. He’s a goofball and that never changes, but his personality of self destruction dies down once he begins to care for Everly. His comic relief is the perfect mix for this dark tale and I adore Saint for keeping true to himself along with always wearing his huge heart on his sleeve.

The four really connected when they let go of their hurt, grief, anger, and sadness. Everything they needed was with each other, allowing them to move forward and truly begin their future together.

Synopsis:
The conclusion to the Boneyard Kings trilogy…

Bad things happened in threes, but they turned out to be a blessing in disguise. There was no escape from the Boneyard Kings, but now we’re on the same side.

Our enemies came, but we didn’t let them break us.
They thought they could take us down, but they underestimated our strength.

Now, three rivals stand against three kings and their queen, and they’re about to see just how ruthless our kingdom can be.
The game of chess is in play, and only one side can claim victory.
Who will be the one to call checkmate?

Ruthless Kingdom is a reverse harem romance with mature themes. This is book three in the Boneyard Kings series, and cannot be read as a standalone.

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Blog Tour – Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting

“Hunting puts her own sexy spin on the classic fairy-tale” – Booklist

Starry-Eyed Love, an all-new laugh out loud romantic comedy with off the charts chemistry and all the feels from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is available now!

Charming, hilarious, and emotional, Starry-Eyed Love is Helena Hunting at her very best!

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, London Spark is not in the mood to be hit on. Especially not when she’s out celebrating her single status with her sisters. So when a very attractive man pays for their drinks and then slips her his number, she passes it right back to him with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’. As the business administrator for their family’s event hotel, the Spark House, London has more important things to worry about, like bringing in new clientele.

As luck would have it, a multi-million-dollar company calls a few months later asking for a meeting to discuss a potential partnership, and London is eager to prove to her sisters, and herself, that she can land this deal. Just when she thinks she has nailed her presentation, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in and inserts himself into the meeting. Not only that, but he also happens to be the same guy she turned down at the bar a few months ago.

As they begin to spend more time together, their working relationship blossoms into something more. It isn’t until their professional entanglements are finally over, that London and Jackson are finally ready to take the next step in their relationship. But between Jackson’s secretive past and London’s struggle with her sisters, London must question where she really stands – not just with Jackson, but with the Spark House, too.

Fall in love today!
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Read Kay’s Review: Starry-Eyed Love

Read on for a look inside Starry-Eyed Love!

My stomach does a flip-flop as our server moves on to another table and the hot guy slides across the bench seat and rises. He’s tall, must be over six feet, and lean. Broad shoulders that taper down to a narrow waist. I glance at his feet and notice his scuffed running shoes.
He rolls his shoulders back and crosses over to our table. He nods to my sisters, but doesn’t really look at them, his eyes on me. Now that he’s right in front of me, I notice they’re a deep mossy-green color, reminding me of a Colorado forest. “Hi.” A slow smile forms as his gaze moves over my face.
I feel it like a gentle caress and heat travels through my veins. It’s an unexpected reaction, so my own “hi” comes out rather breathily. “Thank you for the drinks and the food. You really didn’t need to do that.”
His grin widens, showing off perfectly straight, white teeth. “Well, I wanted to make a good impression, and have an excuse to come over and talk to you.”
Harley squeezes my leg under the table. I don’t risk looking at her because I’m sure she’s smiling like a loon.
“You certainly did that. Make a good impression, I mean.” Why am I so awkward right now? And why does it feel like this man is sucking all the oxygen out of the room and turning my brain cells into mush?
That gets me another smile. “I wanted to apologize if it seemed like I was staring. I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable.”
I touch my fingers to my lips and resist the urge to play with my hair, but just barely. Why does this man make me feel like a starry-eyed high school girl? “You haven’t made me uncomfortable.”
“Good. That’s very good.” His tongue drags across his bottom lip. “I just needed to tell you that from across the room, you were beyond stunning, but up close.” He lets out a low whistle. “You are an absolute work of art.”
I fight with my eyebrows not to rise. This guy has all the lines. “Oh, really?” I lace my fingers together and set my chin on them. “The kind of art you might hang in your living room?”
“Bedroom, actually.”
I laugh. I can’t decide if this guy is too smooth for his own good. Or mine. I have to wonder how many times he’s dropped these lines on other women and they’ve ended up in his bed as a result.
“That sound is music to my ears,” he says, his white-toothed smile still in place. “I knew I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t come over here and at least say hello.” He slides a small piece of paper across the table, roughly the size of a business card. “I’m going to leave my number, and maybe if you’re interested, I can take you out for a drink, or dinner, or a hot air balloon ride.”
I can see exactly where this will go if I take that card from him. And while getting into bed with a random, attractive man might be fun, I know it’s not the right thing for me. Before I can really consider what I’m doing, or fully absorb the last part, I put a hand out to stop him. “I’m very flattered, but I have to be honest with you. I won’t call you. I have a boyfriend.” The lie tastes sour on my tongue. Although, had it been three days earlier, it would have been the truth.
Avery does some kind of cough-choke thing, and I kick her under the table and get Harley on the back swing.
His smile falters for a moment, but he doesn’t break eye contact. “That’s disappointing, but unsurprising. I didn’t see a ring, so I’d hoped maybe luck was on my side.” He tips his head to the side. “Is it serious?”
“Pardon me?”
“You and this boyfriend, are you two serious?”
This guy is unbelievable. “And if we are?”
“Hmm.” He withdraws his hand and slips the paper in his pocket. “I’d hate for karma to pass judgment on me and get in the way of our future together, so I’m just going to hope I run into you again when you’re single. Have a lovely night, ladies.” He nods to my sisters and gives me one final lingering glance before he winks. “Thank you for existing.”
And then he walks away.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3zOpO84

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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Blog Tour – The Wrong Boy by Ashley Munoz

All I knew about him was how good at breaking my heart he was.

The Wrong Boy, a sensual small-town second-chance romance in The All American Boy Series from bestselling author Ashley Munoz, is available now!

Having a bed and breakfast with just one communal bathroom wasn’t working, and it was past time to bite the bullet and upgrade the inn.

There was just one small problem: In the small town of Deacon, Texas, there was only one contractor.

Yep, just one: Jonathan Oaks.

But it didn’t matter how skilled he was at building things when all I knew about him was how good at breaking my heart he was.

Five years could put a lot into perspective, but it wasn’t enough time to make me forget that he was the wrong boy for me then and he’d be the wrong boy for the job now.

I should have known better.

Jonathan Oaks wasn’t about to lose the chance to renovate my inn, or to rub in my face that he’d been right about us all along.

Grab your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited:
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Excerpt

This place was breathtaking in the spring and charming in the summer, and in the winter, she had the fire roaring and thick, wool blankets out for all the guests to use while watching the rain pour from the porch. I had wanted Tilly to upgrade this place years ago, but we always fought whenever I brought it up, which made this entire situation even more frustrating because she’d finally decided to upgrade, just not with me.
“Well, thank you for your time…” I heard Tilly say gently while tugging open the screen door and holding it for the man exiting her inn. He had a white head of hair and a matching white beard to match.
“Not a problem, ma’am.”
He gave me a swift nod of acknowledgment and headed to his truck. Meanwhile Tilly’s eyes were on me as if I were a werewolf that had just snuck onto her property.
“What are you doing here?”
I stalked up the creaking steps and joined her on the porch, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my worn jeans. Just like every other time, I felt naked in front of her, as though she was seeing all my weaknesses and everything that made me vulnerable.
“Got a visit from your sister today.” A few bees hovered overhead near the flower baskets as a cool breeze made the blooms sway back and forth.
Tilly let out a soft breath as her eyes darted to the side, which gave me a free pass to check her out.
She had changed over the past five years, a lot. I mean, we lived in the same small town, so it wasn’t like I hadn’t seen her around, but we were usually goin’ in the other direction if one of us was in the same vicinity. It was an unspoken rule that we never frequented the same spots at the same time, and our friends and family had learned over time not to invite us both to the same events, so it was rare that I was actually in front of her like this.
Her hair was red gold, as if each piece of auburn hair was intertwined with sunshine. It hung down to the middle of her back in thick, glossy waves. Her petite frame was similar to her sisters’: big chest, curved hips, and an ass that made my brain empty and my dick hard as stone. She was still as perfect as she’d been five years ago, and the years I’d seen and wanted her prior to that. My mother once guessed that Tilly Banks would be the great love of my life, but because I couldn’t seem to keep the girl, she’d be the great loss of it too, which explained my perpetual grumpy attitude.
My mother was wrong, though. I was over Tilly. I had been for years; I just couldn’t help noticing God’s fine handiwork. The man deserved a medal for what he’d done with Telissa Banks.
“Oaks…”
I snapped my attention from Tilly’s chest back up to her face. “What?”
“I asked why you came.”
I shrugged. “Told you, your sister—”
“Yeah.” She waved me off, heading inside. “Honey is always marchin’ and talkin’—doesn’t explain why you suddenly jumped to it.”
I followed her through the foyer, bypassing the small service desk being managed by a much younger Banks sister, the youngest of the six.
“Hello Hennessey.” I tipped my head in her direction.
She had her cell phone shoved under her nose as her eyes tipped up. “You’re still the enemy, Oaks, at least according to my father.”
“That’s enough, Henny,” Tilly warned as she stormed past the desk and toward the small alcove under the stairs that acted as her office. There wasn’t any fire in her warning to her sister, though, so I knew I’d become the butt end of a joke in their family…which sat in my chest like a spiked barb.
Slowing my steps outside of Tilly’s office, I watched as she took a seat at her desk. There wasn’t enough room inside for two people, so I placed my hand along the doorway and leaned down.
“Competition, Ms. Banks. You’re callin’ in outside contractors when the good people of Deacon could use that work.”
She shuffled a few papers at her desk, completely unaware of the fact that with her sitting and me standing, I could see right down her dress.
“Well, I’m sorry to say, but it was a wasted effort on your end. I’ll be having Tack Construction handle the renovation.”
I let out a loud scoff, because this girl was ridiculous. “They’re going to travel all the way from Austin to handle this every single day?”
She nodded but didn’t look up from her monitor.
“What was their bid on this place?” I pushed off the frame and looked down the hall. “And what all are you doin’ anyhow?”
“Nothin’. Now if you’ll please find your way out, I’d appreciate it.”
Cold and mean as a honey badger—that was all Tilly had been to me for five years, and I was fucking tired of it. Heaving a sigh, I shook my head and decided I’d get my answers elsewhere.
“I’ll go, but plan on me bein’ back,” I warned as I turned to leave, but I didn’t miss the little comment she made as I turned my back.
“Not likely, Oaks…you never come back.”

Read Kay’s Review: The Wrong Boy

About Ashley
Ashley resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her four children and her husband. She loves coffee, reading fantasy, and writing about people who kiss and cuss.

Connect with Ashley
Website: https://www.ashleymunozbooks.com/
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Cover Reveal – Good Vibrations by Kayley Loring

Title: Good Vibrations

Series: The Brodie Brothers #3

Author: Kayley Loring

Genre: Steamy Romantic Comedy

Cover Design: Kari March Designs

Front Cover Photo: Miguelanxo

Back Cover Photo: Regina Wamba

Release Date: May 26, 2022

BLURB

A former model, a grumpy lawyer, and a single dad walk into an audition for a children’s musical… They’re all Miles Brodie. It’s only cute if you aren’t the director who’s being bribed to cast his daughter.

DEAR MS. CROSS,

Re: Our discussion

1. True. Casting my daughter as the lead in your musical could be considered bribery if people find out I’m investing in it, but no one needs to know.

2. I only want to hire you as Macy’s singing coach so her vocal skills will improve.

3. Maybe if you’d spent less time surfing and more on your singing career, you wouldn’t be in this financial predicament.

4. Re. your living situation—my neighbor has a guest house. If you cast Macy as Alice, I will pay for your first three months’ rent.

Do we have a deal?

Best regards,

Miles Brodie

DEAR MR. BRODIE,

1. It absolutely is bribery, but I absolutely need that money for my production. Thanks!

2. It is very cute that you will do anything to get Macy this part, but I would only coach that sweet child as a favor to all mammals with functional hearing.

3. If I spend less time surfing, will you spend less time jogging on my beach with your shirt off?

4. You want to pay me to live next door so you don’t have to drive anywhere to frown at me?

5. I have another condition for casting Macy as Alice—you have to perform the part of the Cheshire Cat.

Purrrrrrr,

Aria

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AUTHOR BIO

Before writing steamy romantic comedy novels, Kayley Loring got a BFA in creative writing from a Canadian university and had a fifteen-year career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles (under a different name). She mostly wrote PG-13 family comedies that studios would pay her lots of money for and then never make into movies. In 2017 she decided to move to the Pacific Northwest and write about all the fun stuff that she wasn’t allowed to write about in those PG-13 scripts. Now she’s breathing cleaner air and writing dirtier words. It’s an adjustment she’s happily getting used to.

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Cover Reveal – A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee

✨🌙COVER REVEAL🌙✨

From USA Today Bestselling author, Holly Renee, comes A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows, book 1 in the Stars and Shadows Series. I am thrilled to help reveal both the original and discrete covers for this new series!!

Grab your copy on July 14th, 2022 or preorder today!

https://geni.us/StarsandShadows

“The chemistry, the steam, the plot! And the TROPE!? Brother’s betrothed? Talk about FORBIDDEN ANGST! WHY IS EVREN SO FREAKING SEXY?! I WOULD SURELY GET ON ME KNEES IN AN INSTANT. ” -Katie Condie

Blurb:

Destiny or desire?

Where does your allegiance lie?

I am told my union to the crowned prince will determine the fate of the kingdom, but it isn’t my betrothed who haunts my dreams. It’s the half-breed prince who stands at his side.

He is darkness and sin, and when he whispers promises of wickedness in my ear, I crave a man who I can’t have.

Every thought I have is treasonous. The way my hands ache to touch him deceitful.

Even my dreams make me a traitor to the kingdom I am sworn to protect.

But when the kingdom is attacked, I am forced to make choices I’m not prepared for. Our lies and deception are entangled in the shadows and stars, and as they unravel so shall my fate. Betray a kingdom or betray my heart.

#kindleunlimited #fantasyromance #authorhollyrenee #coverreveal #readersofinsta #bookcommunity #fantasyromancebooks #bookstagram

Pre-order now:

https://geni.us/StarsandShadows

What should you expect from A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows?

✨ Enemies-to-lovers

✨ Forbidden Lovers

✨ Allllllll the Spice

✨ A Dirty-mouthed Hero

✨ Touch and 🗡 Vibes

About Holly
I’m Holly Renee, a small-town east Tennessee girl who is obsessed with all things romance. I love bringing flawed, sassy, and real characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you’ve been best friends with them for years. No two Holly Renee books are the same, but if you love real, relatable, fun female characters and swoon-worthy heroes, I’m your girl.

When I’m not writing or reading, you can find me momming so hard, being disgustingly in love with my husband, or chilling in the middle of a lake with my sunglasses and a float. #lakelife

I have a 2-year-old adorable little man who is as wild and sweet as they come and a baby girl on the way.

Connect with Holly

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Cfk6xt

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Website: https://www.authorhollyrenee.com

Excerpt Reveal – BROKEN TIES by L.A. Cotton

BROKEN TIES (Rixon High, #4) by L.A. Cotton

Release Date: May 19th

Genre/Tropes: Sports Romance/Childhood Friends to Lovers/Best Friend’s Brother

Book 4 of the Rixon High series (standalone)

Add to Goodreads:

https://bit.ly/BTrixonhigh4

PREORDER IS AVAILABLE!!!

Amazon US: amzn.to/3EQpNnj

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Apple: apple.co/3rWfzMX

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/3MBebr7

Nook: bit.ly/3MvVHYR

Excerpt:

I was in a special kind of hell. The stage lights glared down on me, making beads of sweat form along the back of my neck as Principal Kiln droned on about school spirit and unity and the heart of Rixon High—the football team.

The room erupted with cheers and catcalls and Zara lapped it all up as she stood beside me, preening in her crown as if it was the real damn thing.

“Aaron.” She grabbed my hand and hissed, “Can you at least look happy to be here.”

I flashed her a sarcastic grin, so over her bullshit. But I would never forgive myself if she went after Poppy because of me.

She tsked, rolling her eyes at me as she waved at her friends standing up front.

Jesus. Cole and Ezra were right. I never should have agreed to this.

My gaze began to wander, searching for Poppy. After we’d come back inside the gym, we’d gone our separate ways. But I hadn’t been able to stop myself from stealing glances at her all night. Even as she talked and laughed with Eli. Especially as she smiled at him and all the interesting things he no doubt had to tell her. Sofia looked more than happy chatting to his two friends.

I wanted to go over there and hang out with them. Not Zara or half the cheer team or even the guys from the football team.

I wanted my sister and my friend.

My Poppy Star.

But I was Homecoming King, and everyone wanted a piece of me.

Even if the crown was fake and the King was a failure.

Blurb:

From 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 and 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 bestselling author L A Cotton, comes a slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance. Angst… drama… friendship… and football. Will you survive senior year?

Poppy Ford has been in love with her best friend forever.

But she’s firmly in the friend zone and fears she may never get out.  

Aaron Bennet has been dreaming of a football scholarship forever.

But he’s not the Rixon Raiders star player, and he never will be.

While Aaron is focused on proving himself, Poppy is hoping he’ll finally wake up and see what’s right in front of him.

He doesn’t want to lose his best friend.

She doesn’t want to lose senior year to a boy who doesn’t want her.

But fate has other ideas for them.

And when hearts get broken and dreams get shattered, will their friendship be strong enough to survive?

Or will the ties that bind them finally unravel?

About the Author:

Author of over thirty mature young adult and new adult novels, LA COTTON is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.

Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find LA immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.

Connect w/L.A. Cotton:

Website: https://www.lacotton.com

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New Release – Seduction by Ivy Smoak

I’m pregnant.
With my professor’s baby.

Seduction, the all-new must-read sizzling romance from USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Ivy Smoak, is live now!

I’m pregnant.
With my professor’s baby.
I know it all sounds very scandalous. But I swear we’re both quite happy about this unexpected situation.
Everything is about to change once we have a baby though.
So I’m going to take advantage of these last several months before I’m so big that I can’t see my feet.
I thought seducing my professor was hot. But just wait until he sees what I have planned for these next few months.
It’s going to be scorching.

Grab your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NscEF7
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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vDwqGu

Read Kay’s Review: Seduction

About Ivy
Ivy Smoak is the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of The Hunted Series. Her books have sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
When she’s not writing, you can find Ivy binge watching too many TV shows, taking long walks, playing outside, and generally refusing to act like an adult. She lives with her husband in Delaware.
It’s been a wild ride to chase her dreams…

Connect with Ivy
Facebook: https://bit.ly/33OUNG0
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Website: https://www.ivysmoak.com/