Review – Vengeance of a Mafia Queen by Siobhan Davis

Vengeance of a Mafia Queen
(An interconnected standalone)

Publication Date: May 31, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Dark/Mafia/Suspense Romance

Author: Siobhan Davis

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
Vengeance of a Mafia Queen starts off super steamy, then instantly turns super dark and the story never stops on this rollercoaster spectrum. It’s a mind blowing ride that hits all the emotions!

Catarina and Massimo are super angsty, hot, witty, full of tension and steam. This entire story is fast paced from beginning to end and I adored Massimo with his easy-go-lucky personality which fit to perfectly to Catarina’s high strung one. They balanced each other out while never breaking that ever growing chemistry.

Catarina is focused, smart, sharp, and always five steps ahead of what she wants to achieve. That is until Massimo steps into her life. He throws her off like no one has in her entire life. She is juggling a lot of balls and she can’t allow something like  – feelings – to mess up her ultimate goal.

From the beginning, Massimo is all in and Catarina is the woman he wants. Catarina just isn’t on same page with wanting him back. Their relationship is kind of adorable because of this dynamic where he’s totally obsessed with her and she’s stoic and fighting him at every turn. It’s really easy to fall in love with Massimo – who knew a made man could be so sweetly-likeable?

While there are some dark topics, after all this is a dark, mafia book, it’s all relevant to the main theme of the story. What I love is that Catarina takes no prisoners and doesn’t back down just because she’s a woman working in a very male dominated world. She doesn’t apologize for her methods, nor does she allow men to pick up slack because she’s female. I loved her strong character.

On the flip side, I adored Massimo and his willingness to concede to Catarina, knowing how strong she is, but also to take control when she clearly needed the down time. He could read her better than she could read herself sometimes. He’s totally obsessed with her take-charge personality, which is perfect so I’ll say it again, they are a really great match.

Vengeance of a Mafia Queen is delicious on every level. It takes place in the Mazzone mafia world and while reading those books would enhance this books reading experience, it’s not necessary to read them prior to this book as it can be read as a complete standalone.

Synopsis:
Falling for the enemy was never part of my plan…

Losing my innocence at thirteen, in the most brutal way, changed me. My kidnapper stole my childhood and tried to break me. The knowledge my father orchestrated the entire situation hardened my heart, and instead of grieving his death, I celebrated it.

One down. Many more to go.

My burning need for revenge has only grown over the years, keeping me focused on my goals and enabling my rise to power.

Made men are weak. A pretty face and the promise of a good time easily distracts them.

Now, I’m in charge.

Men bow before me.

Except for him—the brother of my abductor. Massimo fights me every step of the way, but I’m not about to let the explosive chemistry between us deter me from my chosen path. His family is my enemy. He is my enemy, even if he doesn’t know it yet.

I won’t stop until all those who wronged me are punished.

By the time they realize I’m coming, it will be too late.

They tried to take everything from me.

But where they failed, I will succeed.

Unless he becomes my weakness.

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Review – A Vicious Rumor by Ivy Wild

Vicious Rumor; Kings Academy #1
(A standalone within a series)

Publication Date: May 27, 2022

Genre/Tropes: New Adult/Bully Romance

Author: Ivy Wild

Review Rating: 4.5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
Not your typical bully romance. This is a coming of age, soul-mate love story.

Tyson “Rock” Stone is the school’s bully. His life is basically a mess, but his one shining light is when he met a girl named Lily White. She saw something more in him than just the broken boy he is and for the first time in his life he felt like more than just the mess and mistake that he is currently called.

Tyson doesn’t make friends, he doesn’t connect with anyone in his life, so when he meets Lily his entire world lights up. However, he quickly realizes that his messed up life could tarnish hers so he pushes her away. This actually changes the trajectory of their relationship and sends Lily down a different path.

Lily strikes a deal with Zachary “Scissors” King, one of Tyson’s arch nemesis. That deal is supposed to bring her back into Tyson’s life, instead it only seems to tear them further apart. She begins to wonder if the tears in their relationship can ever be repaired and perhaps she misread how close they actually were.

Their story is angsty and full of bumps, but has lots of bright highlights too. I love Lily’s relationship with the seniors at the senior center and Luca “Paper” is super intriguing, also if you’ve noticed the theme of the nicknames; Rock, Paper, Scissors – yes there is a meaning behind those, but I’ll let you discover it for yourself.

Synopsis:
Lily:
The first time I met Tyson Stone, he gave me a bloody nose.
He didn’t mean to hit me, he was fighting this other kid, but let’s just say I’d take the pain of his fist over his cruelness any day of the week.
Five years after this incident, and I’m in his shark tank.
His domain. His kingdom. His prep school.
Freefalling for him is a recipe for disaster, but that’s what happens nonetheless.
Then he starts pushing me away for no reason, but there’s one thing he forgets.
I’m not one of his disposable flings. I’m worthy, I’m a catch, and if he doesn’t realize it…well, then his arch-enemy will.
Dating the guy he hates the most could backfire.
But I’ve always been good at playing with matches.

Tyson:
My life is a series of calamities strung together by blood and bad press.
Wherever I go, trouble follows.
Now, normally I’m not a charitable guy, but when I pass on Lily White’s delectable body, it is entirely for her own good.
Call me an altruistic jerk, but I just don’t want to see her hurt.
That’s until she starts dating the guy I loathe more than anything else in the world.
That’s when all bets are off.
We’re playing a dangerous game, her and I.
The rumors are starting to swirl, and so are some dangerous thoughts about what I can do to her.
Lily White is out of my league,
but apparently, that’s not going to stop me.

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Review – Good Vibrations by Kayley Loring

Good Vibrations; Brodie Brothers #3
(An interconnected standalone within a series)

Publication Date: May 26, 2022

Genre/Tropes: Grumpy-Sunshine/Romantic Comedy

Author: Kayley Loring

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
Sweet, fun, steamy, and totally heart melty – Good Vibrations has the perfect blend of grumpy-protective, single dad who meets his match in a sunshiny, potential-crusher-of-his-child’s dreams. So many LOL mixed with swoony moments.

Miles is a divorced, single father who is very supportive of his little girl. The only thing Macy wants most in life is to star in a musical, she only has one teeny-tiny problem, she scream SINGS. Macy is truly adorable and Miles loves her unconditionally and never wants her to stop pushing for her dreams, even if she might not be the best, which just makes him extra swoony. When Miles discovers that his three year crush, Aria Cross, is directing the next musical that Macy is auditioning for he pulls out all the stops and works his grumpy magic to make it happen.

Aria Cross may be an ex-Disney child star, but now she’s more focused on her directing child musical’s career. She’s been lusting after Miles and his shirtless running self for the past three years and when he asks to cast his daughter as Alice in her next musical, well…at first she’s taken aback, until she realizes she has an opportunity to work with the man himself…say hello to Cheshire Cat.

Not only is Miles sweetly grumpy – I know what a strange combo, but it totally works for him, plus he’s a really good dad. Aria doesn’t stand a chance around him. I mean Miles fell for her three years ago, so he never really stood a chance when it came to her bubbly personality, but can these two work with everything else that is working against them?

Join in on all the hilarious Brodie family fun, the insane texting conversations, and all the melty flirtation. This is the final Brodie brother book, but can be read as a complete standalone. 

Synopsis:
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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Blog Tour – Unwanted by Marley Valentine

Unwanted by Marley Valentine is now live!

Two halves of a whole, Arlo Bishop and I were both unwanted kids brought together by the foster system. Dealing with the aftermath of neglect and abandonment, we grew up side by side and found solace in one another.

We wanted.
We needed.
We loved.
Desperately.

But somewhere along the way, Arlo wanted and needed and loved drugs more. So, I did the only thing I could and broke my own heart to save his.

Now, four years later, I’m back in L.A. and face-to-face with my past. Not only does the pain and hurt of our mistakes linger between us but so do our feelings.

I didn’t plan on a second chance—fear of history repeating itself making it hard to forgive and even harder to forget. But with only one touch, one kiss, I was taken back to where it all started.

Two halves of a whole, Arlo and I were made for each other. But we were no longer the unwanted foster kids.

We were grown men.

And I wanted nothing more than him.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
http://mybook.to/unwantedmv

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/UnwantedMM

Read Kay’s Review : Unwanted

Meet Marley Valentine

Living in Sydney, Australia with her family, Marley Valentine is a USA Today bestselling author and a former social worker who uses her past experiences to write real life, emotional and heartfelt contemporary romance.

She enjoys mixing it up with both M/F and M/M Romance incorporating all forms of life, lust and love as her characters embark on their journey to their happily ever after.

When she’s not busy writing her own stories, she spends most of her time immersed in the words of her favourite authors.
Connect with Marley
Website | http://www.marleyvbooks.com
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New Release – Nothing Feels Better by Brit Benson

Release Date: May 23

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life.

The gorgeous, exciting, genius of a man who hangs out next door.

Who happens to be younger than me.

And in college.

And heading to medical school in just a few short months.

It started innocently enough.

The occasional run-in.

A few chance encounters.

An offer to babysit.

An offer for…more.

But then it snowballed.

Now, I only know two things for certain.

One, for the first time in my entire life, I’m not an afterthought.

And two, this will end very, very badly.

My kids. My job. His future.

It’s all at risk.

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life, and if I’m not careful, we will all be in tatters when he leaves.

****

Nothing Feels Better is the third interconnected standalone in the Better Love series by Brit Benson.

This single-parent, opposites attract romance is sassy, sexy, and has a guaranteed HEA.

It is not necessary to read the other books in the Better Love series in order to enjoy Nothing Feels Better.

Read Kay’s Review: Nothing Feels Better

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading.

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

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