FILTHY RICH

High finance and a sizzling office affair raise desire and passion to the boiling point in Virna DePaul’s seductive new contemporary romance—perfect for fans of Carly Phillips, Lori Foster, and Molly O’Keefe.

Cara Michal has had to fight every step of the way to earn her place in the glittering seven-figure world of Wall Street. Years ago her hardworking father, a small-time investment adviser, was humiliated and wrongfully accused of fraud. Now Cara is at the top of her game, trying to support not only herself but her mother and brother. The occasional night out dancing soothes Cara’s soul, even as a bitter need for revenge against the man who destroyed her father makes inner peace elusive.

Then, in a moment of heat, Cara kisses a sexy stranger at a party—only later to discover that the man is Branden Duke, her new boss, an infamous operator with a wicked reputation in bed and on the Street. Branden is a man who seemingly has it all—except a woman who connects with him on a physical and emotional level. Now that he’s found Cara, he’s not sure he can let her go, even if he should.

In spite of herself, Cara is drawn to this charismatic guy. He is a challenge like none she has ever faced in her life. Their passion for each other is unquenchable, surprising them both with its ferocity. Even as Cara wonders if she can trust this man with her heart and soul, the ecstasy of their love cannot be denied. But when the past threatens the present, the two are faced with a truth from which they may never recover.

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Bantam Random House

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I've enjoyed so many books from Virna DePaul, and was really excited for her new contemporary series. I wanted to love Filthy Rich, but just ended up having a so-so reaction to the story.

I really liked both Cara and Branden. They worked well as a couple for me, even though I felt like in the business they were in, she never would have been able to remain employed while dating the owner of the firm. However, I was able to let that go, since they really did mesh so well as a couple. They had amazing chemistry and seemed to want to be there for one another. 

There was also a bit of a mystery for Branden and his team to figure out who is stealing money from the firm he has just purchased. Had the story just been their romance, with the mystery of who was stealing from the firm Branden purchased, I would have really loved the story. However, it got creepy fast thanks to a stalker-type individual who seemed to be stalking both Cara and Branden. The videos and pictures showing up on the internet were reasonable for the stalker, but then the stalker actually called Cara through her laptop and it just pushed the story too far over the edge for me. I honestly wasn't able to stay with the story at that point. I didn't stop reading, just lost my connection. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed and the recovery following the stalking was too fast.

While Filthy Rich didn't work for me, I feel like it will work for other readers. Virna DePaul's voice was as strong as ever in her writing, I just didn't get into the creepier stalker portion of the story.

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN (A KGI NOVEL)

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.

Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.

Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they've known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock's true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty.

But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he's been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She's the only woman who's ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he's spent years working to complete or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good.”

Release Date: October 27, 2015

KGI series book 10

Penguin Publishing Group

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

I love this series. When the first book came out, I was captivated. Each book is filled with such wicked and brilliant story telling. I have cried more ugly tears reading the KGI series, than any other series...ever. Darkest Before Dawn was no different.

I'm not gonna beat around the bush, I struggled a bit at the beginning of the book. It took me a few chapters to get into it. I felt that the first 2-3 chapters could have been condensed a bit more. But there was no way in hell that I was giving up. I was not putting this book down. And thank goodness I didn't because, wow...just wow! I'm having a hard time right now, pulling together the words to tell you how much I adored this book. It was awesome. Thrilling. So good that I suffered a book hangover when I was finished reading it.

Guy Hancock has been enigma to me. I met him so many books ago and each time I got a sliver of a glimpse of who this man is. But that didn't prepare me for his book. There are so many facets to him. In past books I thought maybe he was a bad guy...literally. But he isn't. He just does all the shit that no one else wants to taint their hands and souls with. The stuff that keeps others safe but destroys him piece by piece. Honor was suppose to be another job. She was suppose to be his ticket to getting close enough to kill the real bad guy. 

Honor is a kickass heroine. When the clinic where she volunteers as a relief aid worker is bombed, she goes into survival mode. She's the only survivor. She's alone in the Middle East and knows that she needs to find help or she'll never make it home. Man, the quick thinking of this woman was astounding. And all the little details that surely saved her life were just jaw dropping. Maya Banks outdid herself with this heroine. This character was written to be real. Honor's terrified, but Ms. Banks wouldn't let her stop moving forward. Incredible. 

When Hancock and Honor are thrust together, the shit gets real. I was frustrated because Hancock was essentially marching this woman to a terrifying death. But he didn't want to. I kept thinking...just come up with another plan to capture the bad guy. But he stayed on task. Though it was difficult for him. He respected the hell, out of Honor. But even more, he wanted her.

Holy freakin' ugly cry in this one! When emotions starting clouding the mission, tears started clouding my eyes. I wasn't sure if this book would end with an HEA. But I knew Maya NEVER wrote sad endings. But she makes you think that maybe, just maybe, they won't make it. That's story telling, folks! This author keeps you on your toes. 

I can't go into detail how the plan changes or what follows after without giving up way too many important and intimate details. You need to discover them on your own to truly appreciate it. This book is full of action packed excitement and a love so strong that it hurts the heart to even try and comprehend it. I didn't think Maya Banks could make me love Guy Hancock, but like always, this author turned my world upside down and proved me wrong. 

THE QUEEN (ORIGINAL SINNERS #8)

Once upon a time, Nora and Søren made a fateful deal—if he gave her everything, she would give him forever. 

The time has finally come to keep their promises. 

Out of money and out of options after her year-long exile, Eleanor Schreiber agrees to join forces with Kingsley Edge, the king of kink. After her first taste of power as a Dominant, Eleanor buries her old submissive self and transforms into Mistress Nora, the Red Queen. With the help of a mysterious young man with a job even more illicit than her own, Nora squares off against a cunning rival in her quest to become the most respected, the most feared Dominatrix in the Underground. 

While new lovers and the sweet taste of freedom intoxicate Nora, she is tempted time and time again by Søren, her only love and the one man who refuses to bow to her. But when Søren accepts a new church assignment in a dangerous country, she must make an agonizing choice—will the queen keep her throne and let her lover go, or trade in her crown for Søren's collar? 

With a shattering final confession, the last link in the chain is forged in The Original Sinners saga. It's the closing chapter in a story of salvation, sacrifice and the multitude of scars we collect in the name of ecstasy—and love.

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Harlequin Mira

Original Sinners #8 (White Years #4)

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I fell in love with Tiffany Reisz's books when I read The Siren. I'll admit I actually had to start it twice as it was so intense I actually stopped reading it initially, but wanted to read The Angel, book 2 in the series, so I started The Siren again and fell in love with the characters. I devour each as every book in the series as they come out and have to admit I did wait a couple of weeks after The Queen showed up on my kindle to start it. The Original Sinners series is one of my most favorite series ever and it all ends with The Queen. I honestly wasn't ready to say good-bye to Nora, Søren, Kingsley, Griffin, Michael, and the rest of the Sinners.

There is always so much happening in each of the Original Sinners books, I always feel like if I say too much, I might give a surprise away in my review. I absolutely loved The Queen from start to finish. Tiffany Reisz gave her readers the absolutely perfect ending to the Original Sinners series. She pulled ever-single emotion out of me while I read The Queen. I don't often laugh out loud one minute and bawl my eyes out like a baby when reading a romance. However, it totally worked for me and made perfect sense at each step of the story. As with each of the other books in the series, there are plenty of super sexy times between your favorite Sinners, and one super hot scene that many of her readers have been asking for since the very first book. My kindle screen steamed up more than once while I was reading The Queen.

I honestly believe the Original Sinners series is one of the best series of books I've ever read and highly recommend the books to everyone. I also believe you should read the series in order to understand the series best. Start with the Red Years and then read the White Years. I am totally in love with the characters from the Original Sinners series and will miss getting new stories about them each year. I am however, super excited for new stories from Tiffany Reisz, as her voice is amazing and I know she will pull me in with her next book.

Reading Order:

The Red Years

The Siren

The Angel

The Prince

The Mistress

The White Years

The Saint

The King

The Virgin

The Queen

UNION OF SIN

He’ll do anything to protect her. Even if it means letting her go.

Vault of Sin, Book 2

Tate Jackson made a big mistake. No, a monumental one. He picked the wrong place to introduce his wife, Cassie, to the alluring lifestyle they’d fantasized about.

Instinct told him to get her out of the poor excuse for a sex club—but he didn’t. And she was assaulted because of his carelessness. He’ll do anything to protect her from another traumatic experience, even if it means making the agonizing choice to convince his wife he no longer loves her.

Cassie’s not buying it. In fact, Tate is the last person she blames for that horrific night. She’s willing to give him the space he thinks he needs to get his head straight, but when divorce papers arrive, she realizes she’s out of time. She has twenty-eight days to figure out why Tate is ruining a perfect marriage. Twenty-eight days to figure out what he’s hiding. But when she learns the truth, she has to decide if her heart can take the strain of piecing their love back together.

Warning: Dirty tactics, dirtier sex, ropes, masks, guilty consciences, and love stretched so far, no one escapes unchanged. Not even you, dear reader.

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

The Vault series book 2

Review copy provided by the author for an honest review

Nikki's Review:

I have been anxious to read this book. I was so curious about Tate Jackson (TJ) in the first book. He was surrounded by sadness and resignation. But of course he wasn't talking. I knew he was having problems with his wife. My first thought was that she must be a vapid bitch, because TJ was completely likeable. I was wrong, heartbreakingly wrong.

TJ has served his beloved wife, Cassie with divorce papers. She's absolutely devastated and wants nothing more than to have her husband come home. TJ thinks he's doing the right thing. His misguided guilt and attempt to shelter her from a secret is tearing them apart. Cassie isn't ready to let go. She goes on an all out assault to get answers and to put a stop to the divorce.

Jesus, TJ made my damn head ache. I was spitting mad at him for the vast majority of the book. So much of the pain that they were both feeling could have prevented if he would have been honest with his wife. Shared his secret and opened up about his guilt. I don't think he gave his wife enough credit. Cassie is strong and worthy of being treated as such. TJ couldn't see that and it was the crux of all their problems and heartache. I wanted to throttle a fictional character. I admired Cassie for not accepting his crap. She wasn't willing to do nothing and let TJ destroy their marriage. 

Cassie decides to play dirty. Insinuate herself into her husbands life at the sex club he owns, The Vault of Sin. Anything goes behind the closed doors. And she wants a part of that. I was proud of her for not letting a past horrible experience dampen her need to explore that darker side of her sexuality. Every attempt at winning TJ back is thwarted by his stubbornness. It was at the point where I was getting frustrated with Cassie, where she decided it was time to walk away. I was like, hallelujah! I knew she was hurting, but I didn't want her to be a doormat anymore. I think Eden Summers did a good job of pulling Cassie up by her ears and shaking some sense into her. It was time for the woman to gather up her wounded pride and find a new normal...whatever that may be. 

Of course TJ pulls his head of the sand just in time to stop the divorce. Again, I wanted to smack him. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY liked him. I was just tired of him being a martyr. I was excited to see him finally grab his marriage by the balls and fight for the happiness they both deserved! I would have liked to see him grovel a lot more. I do think that Cassie took him back way too fast. I'm not sure I would have been able to accept his apologies so quickly, despite him finally sharing the whole truth with her. 

I am a huge fan of all of Eden Summers books. And this one was fantastic too! There's so much depth to the characters in this series. They're kinda like onions, so many layers to peel back and discover. TJ wasn't my favourite hero of hers. But he was realistic in the sense that he wanted to protect the woman he loves. And sometimes we do stupid things in the name of that love. Ms. Summer's needed to make TJ flawed. He needed to be stubborn and unwilling to see the path he was on was only causing more pain. I think he needed all of that to fully appreciate that he's married to a kick ass woman who is capable of holding herself together during difficult times. Sometimes we discover the best parts of our relationships only when we've lost them. And then, like TJ, you have to fight to build it up again. 

I cannot wait to see what torture Eden Summers puts, Brute through! I can't quite figure this guy out. I'm betting his onion is going to be many layers...and cause a lot of tears.

PLAYING WITH SEDUCTION (THE PLAYERS CLUB #3)

SEDUCTION HAS NEVER BEEN SO SCANDALOUS . . . 

Kendall Shaw loves her job as a boudoir photographer. When she enlists hot, gorgeous, 100% alpha male, Jase Burns for a custom photo shoot for a romance novel cover, she quickly discovers that he only took the job to get close to her. But her painful divorce has made her wary of men, and especially one who is eight years younger than she is. 

The moment Jase sets his sights on beautiful, sexy Kendall, he wants her. Despite their mutual attraction, she's rejected his every advance. But Jase loves a good challenge, and one steamy, seductive night at The Players Club changes everything between them. 

Kendall has never experienced such overwhelming passion, or been pursued so tenaciously. Jase is addicting, in every way, and she soon finds herself falling for a man who doesn't fit into her ideal future. 

Can Jase convince Kendall to let go of her past and take a risk on a second chance at love—with him?

Release Date: October 20, 2015

The Players Club #3

Review copy provided by publisher

Once again there is an author that writes a book that both Nikki and I had to read and review. OMG we are both such huge fans of Erika Wilde and neither of us could wait to read the newest book in The Players Club series. 

Liza’s Review:

I'm a huge fan of Erika Wilde and have fallen in love with each and every couple in her Players Club series. Kendall Shaw and Jase Burns were no different.

I absolutely loved Playing with Seduction from page one to the very last page. I seriously couldn't put this book down and loved watching both Jase and Kendall fall for one another.

I loved that Kendall is totally attracted to Jase, but doesn't think they could be together because she is older than him. I absolutely love that when she compares herself to a cougar, he says she is more like a puma. They had amazing chemistry from the moment they first see each other, and I loved when Kendall finally took a chance on Jase when she had her night at The Players Club.  OMG such a hot time between them!!! I know my kindle screen was steamed up while reading.

I have to say I totally understood Kendall being concerned with dating a younger man. She is at a place in her life where her business is successful and she is looking towards the future for a husband and children. Hello, biological clocks can make lots of noise when women are ready for babies. I also got Jase not being at that point yet, as he is 7 years younger than her. However, I loved their connection as a couple not only in bed but out of bed as well, so I was cheering for them to both find a happy medium with their relationship long-term. Seriously they are one of the sweetest and hottest couples in the series and I loved every single thing about them both. Noble and Associates must hire the most Alpha guys on the face of the planet to work at their company, and Jase is no exception. He has a dominant streak like each of the men in the series, as well as a super protective instinct. I absolutely loved he had both instincts when it came to do with Kendall.

Playing With Seduction was another winner in The Players Club series. I fall more in love with each book in the series and highly recommend this series to anyone who loves hot, sexy, and emotion filled romances.

Nikki’s Review:

You know when you are unwrapping a gift and you just have this instinct that it's going to fabulous? Well, that was me when I opened this book on my iPad! I knew the writing was going to be brilliant, the characters likeable, some angsty stuff that tugs at your heart, and enough sexy times to satisfy the hedonist in me! But I was blown away! I knew I'd thoroughly enjoy it, I love Erika Wilde's writing but I wasn't prepared to love this book this much! 

Jase and Kendall have this explosive chemistry. Seriously, it burns out of freakin' control! He wants her something fierce. But Kendall is weary, and rightfully so. Her ex husband cheated on her with a much younger woman, and got said younger woman pregnant. She isn't prepared to let an 8 year younger, Jase get under her skin. Well, that was what she kept telling herself. I love how Jase pursued her. No holds barred, went after her like his life depended on it. Yes, he was a little devious in his initial plan of attack, luring her to The Players Club, but the results were delicious! I was happy when Kendall decided to let him catch her. She had to guard her heart, but I like how she didn't play any games. Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated when there's too much of a chase. I don't think giving in too easily is necessarily the answer, but Ms. Wilde kept the story moving and didn't dwell on making Jase beg. 

There's all this stuff that has the potential to keep them apart, to keep them from taking their fun and sexy times to the next level. She's ready to settle down and have some babies. He's just getting acclimated in a new career and building his nest egg. Opposite ends of the spectrum really. The thing is, love doesn't give a shit what your plans are! It'll grab you by the throat and make you do things that you didn't think we're possible. There was so much raw emotion in this book. I got a good sense of each of their insecurities and desires. That right there is brilliant story telling! I could hear what was going in their heads without actually having the character say it. The writing is that potent. The moment when they both decide ( or are given a nudge from an unexpected surprise ) to just throw all the logical " reasons " on why they can't be together away, it was like the clouds parted and the lump dislodged from my throat!

I'm not even gonna lie, I wouldn't kick Jase out of bed for eating crackers! Seriously, the man can rock sheets like a fiend. The love scenes were nothing short of drool worthy. Like, I can't wait until my hubby gets home kinda hot! Gah...Jase has a filthy mouth that'll make you sigh and your heart thunder! Phew! So ya, this book has all the good stuff!

Like I said, I knew I'd like this book. Erika Wilde never disappoints, in my opinion. But to say that I adore this book, this series actually, is probably more accurate. There are some fabulous secondary characters that I'd love to see get a book! I'm not ready to let this series go yet! So, Ms. Wilde, that was my not so subtle hint to write more, pretty please!