SUGAR A CAKE SEQUEL

A Cake sequel

An impromptu road trip makes for the honeymoon Gregori and Wren didn’t know they wanted

Bad-boy artist Gregori Ivanov wants nothing more than to marry Wren Davis. He’s asked her before—more than once—but she insisted on waiting until she’d established her own career. Now that the time is finally right, Gregori has one hell of a celebration in mind. Restaurants, museums and NYC luxury all the way…on top of all the newlywed sex they’ll be having.

The universe, unfortunately, did not get the message. When their plane is grounded in Idaho, they’re forced to improvise a road trip to get back to Seattle instead of the romantic getaway Gregori painstakingly planned. But that they’re together is what’s important, and with giant roadside potato museums, funky galleries in towns with little more than two stoplights and some seriously great diner food—in between all the great sex—Gregori and Wren find a honeymoon as unique and memorable as their love.

Release Date: September 10, 2018

Carina Press

Cake #2, Whiskey Sharp #3.5

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s review:

I loved this novella! I fell hard for Gregori and Wren in Cake. It's been a few years, but I got that same feeling reading them in this sequel. 

Gregori and Wren have been together for 6 amazing years, and Gregori is determined to finally make her his wife. And then there's a wacky road trip across three states, and too many laughs to count!

Gregori and Wren are still heating up the sheets and slinging sarcasm all over the place. I absolutely love these two together.

I gotta tell ya, one of my favourite moments in the book is when we get a visit from Brody and Elise from the Brown Sibling series! And then there was mention of the ever delicious Hurley brothers! If you're a true Lauren Dane fan, you know the Hurley and Brown series are amazeballs!

This book was just fun and crazy sexy. It was delightful to meet up with some of my favourite Lauren Dane Characters. 

This book can't be read as a stand-alone. You need to read how Gregori and Wren get together in Cake.

Rating: 4 Stars (A)

JAGGED (WHISKEY SHARP #2)

Vicktor Orlov took one look at the wary gaze and slow-to-trust personality of the deliciously sexy and fascinating Rachel Dolan and knew he wanted more than just a casual friendship. But as a natural protector, he also knew bossiness and overprotective maneuvering would push her away rather than draw her close. He’ll use every tool in his easygoing arsenal to convince her to take a chance on them.

Rachel’s flourishing new career as a tattoo artist has brought color back into a life previously damaged by a series of bad choices and violence. She knows she can trust Vic—it’s herself she’s not sure of. She doesn’t want to be caged or controlled. Doesn’t want to be protected so much she has no ability to make her own choices.

And damn if the man doesn’t know it.

When Vic finally drops all pretenses of “just friends” and focuses all his careful affection and irresistible seduction on her, Rachel knows she’s falling hard for the laid-back pretty-boy Russian she discovers has a relentlessly steel spine when it comes to her.

And she can’t resist. 

Release Date: March 27, 2018

Harlequin Books

Whiskey Sharp #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

This series is classic Lauren Dane. Swoon worthy alpha heroes, and sassy smart heroines. Throw in the phenomenal plot lines and brilliant writing...it's just incredible.

I fell a little in love with Vicktor when he hit the pages in book one. I knew he was going to be perfect for Rachel. I knew he was what she needed to continue her journey of healing. He's bossy and overprotective, but not in a take over pushy kinda way. He supports Rachel by being available to help if she needs it.

Rachel has been through hell. Being kidnapped and forced to witness the horrors that she did, has irreversibly changed her. She's forged a new path in life. She's grabbing hold of anything that brings out happiness and her creative side. She's also having crazy sexy times with the Russian next door...yum! 

I loved the character development in this book. You really get a sense of Rachel's growth from book one to book two. I think she'll always be cautious and perhaps look over shoulder on occasion, but she's stronger in this book. She's more determined. I was in awe of how she stood up to her horrible parents. It really displayed her strength and drive to get rid things that were hurting her and her sister.

Like any other Lauren Dane novel, you can expect smouldering love scenes. The kind that makes you all tingly and wishing for a delicious Russian of your own. Aside from the steamy heat factor, I loved how sweet Vicktor was with Rachel. Every touch and whispered word was sigh worthy. See, you totally need a hot Russian of your own!

Vicktor's family provides some of my favourite scenes. They're loud, nosy, and so damn lovable. They have taken Rachel and her sister into their fold and made them part of the family. Plus, the bickering always makes me giggle. It's such an authentic depiction of what a big caring family would be like. 

I am so excited and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. There are a number of secondary characters who deserve a book of their own. Hopefully the series will have several more installments! 

Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

UNRAVELED (WHISKEY SHARP #1)

The sharpest ache comes from wanting what you think you can't have

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.

But Maybe's fiery independent spirit means pushing back when Alexsei goes too far. Still, he's not afraid to do a little pushing of his own to get what he wants her in his life, and his bed, for good. Maybe's more intoxicating than all the liquor on his shelf and he's not afraid to ride the blade's edge to bind her to him.

Release Date: January 30, 2018

Harlequin Books

Contemporary Romance

Whiskey Sharp #1

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

Lauren Dane is an auto-read for me. Always! I can truly got lost in whatever world she has created for her book. Exciting is an understatement!

Maybe Dolan (yes, that's her name, and there's an explanation for it in the book) is a firecracker. I really liked her character. She rambles, but it's not annoying. It's more enchanting, I think. She knows what she wants. She's independent, but under her "go get em' " exterior, there's a lot of vulnerability. Her father is a real jerk. He's emotionally abusive. Maybe puts up with it for a few reasons, but it was hard reading sometimes. 

Alexsei Petrov is a sinfully sexy Russian! He owns the barbershop, Whiskey Sharp. He's Maybe's boss and friend. Over the course of time that friendship morphs into hot nights and filthy whispered sweet nothings! Yum!

I adored these two as a couple. Alexsei wants to protect and coddle her, but Maybe is too independent to let him take over. There's a few funny disagreements between them. However, said funny disagreements usually turn into sweaty monkey sex...yay!

There's lots of family moments in this book. Alexsei has a fairly large and boisterous Russian family who love to interfere in a good-natured way. Maybe is not use to this. Her family is dysfunctional at best. I love books that have quirky families with lots of banter! The family have decided that Maybe is one of them, so she has little choice but to join in on all their loud gatherings. 

This book, like all other Lauren Dane titles has stellar writing. But the one thing that felt a little off for me was the lack of conflict or a climax where their relationship is either going to make it or not. It just all felt too easy. I love those dark moments when I'm holding my breath to see what happens to the hero and heroine. That didn't happen here. There was a ton of conflict with Maybe and her parents. Perhaps, Ms. Dane thought that was enough for poor Maybe to deal with. I still loved the book though!

This was a great start to what promises to be a phenomenal series!

Rating: 4 Stars (A)