RESONANCE SURGE (PSY-CHANGELING TRINITY #7)

 About RESONANCE SURGE:

Twins Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev of the StoneWater bear changeling clan have been an inseparable unit since birth, but now their lives are moving in different directions.

 

Pavel is in the mating dance with Arwen Mercant, the only man to ever bring him to his knees. A Psy empath, Arwen is free to feel emotion now that Silence has fallen. While he is free to love in the open now, it doesn’t come easy. Pavel walks a fine line in loving Arwen, careful not to push him too far, too fast.

 

Another pair of twins, Pax and Theodora Marshall, have a bond with a far darker history. A low-Gradient Psy, Theo is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful and loyal brother, Pax. She is the only person he trusts to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history—an unregistered rehabilitation Center established by their grandfather.

 

The Centers, places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, are an ugly remnant of the Psy race’s Silent past.  And now Theo must uncover the awful truth of this secret Center alongside Yakov, who certainly doesn’t trust her. Especially considering that Theo has been haunting his dreams since he was sixteen…

 

Yakov is the great-grandson of a foreseer and he’s already seen Theo’s death. The question is how can he stop it?

Release Date: July 18, 2023

Berkley Publishing

Psy-Changeling Trinity #7, Psy-Changeling #22

Paranormal Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Resonance Surge is the latest release in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series by Nalini Singh. This series remains one of my favorites ever, and I loved we got more than one romance in Resonance Surge. As the parings in this story are between Psys and shifters, it was total catnip for me, since those are my favorite pairings in the series. Add in we are back with the bears, and I was totally in my happy place.

Pavel and Arwen have been in a mating dance for some time, and I've loved watching them find their way in their own time as a couple. Pavel's twin Yakov has been seeing the same woman in his dream since he was sixteen. Enter Theo Marshall, twin to Pax Marshall who is sent to discover what went on at The Centers, places that were established by their grandfather. Yakov is the one to help Theo learn more about The Centers, and about her past while working together. I liked the slow burn of their relationship. Theo had really only ever had the connection with her twin Pax for most of her life, and even that was somewhat a secret between them, so I loved seeing her come into her own the longer she was with Yakov (Yasha),

I had all the happy feels watching the 2 couples find their happily ever afters. My heart broke the more we learned about Theo's past with her grandfather, and while I liked we weren't beaten over the head with the Scarab issues, I do see Pax Marshall and his neurological issues being at the forefront of what happens next with the Scarab Queen. Resonance Surge was a really great addition to the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, and I can't wait for the next installment next year.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

JUST A LITTLE SECRET (DARE CROSSOVER #2)

 

He’s not just a bachelor up for auction …

He’s her sexy birthday gift for the weekend.

But will she be able to forgive him when she finds out he’s hiding more than a little secret?

Georgia Brooks had no intention of bidding on a bachelor at the charity auction, but her sister has other ideas and gifts her with a man for her birthday weekend. But not just any man . . . Drew Daniels. A hot, gorgeous lawyer who makes her want to shed her good-girl image and learn all sorts of new and risqué things.

Attorney Drew Daniels is more than willing to introduce the beautiful Georgia to her naughtier side. Their weekend together is steamy and romantic . . . and it doesn’t hurt that a rival of Drew’s has his eye on Georgia, too. Stirring the other man’s jealousy is a fun side benefit.

Their tryst should have been just about pleasure, but Drew finds he’s attracted to more than Georgia’s outer beauty and he wants to keep her as his own. When Drew suggests they continue their affair, Georgia is too smitten to say no. Even if her parents expect her to marry her lawyer father’s right-hand man.

Georgia finds herself falling for Drew harder and faster than she could have imagined. Until she discovers he's keeping a secret that has the potential to break her heart.

Release Date: July 25, 2023

Dare Crossover Series #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Just a Little Secret is the second book in the Dare Crossover series from Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde. This author team has once again given their readers a fantastic and super sexy romance.

Georgia Brooks is the good daughter who doesn't really rock the boat when it comes to her parent's wishes, whereas her sister is the wild child of the family. Georgia's one rebellion was going to work for a non-profit rather than joining her father's law firm. When her sister Courtney buys her a date for her birthday at the bachelor auction fund raiser, Georgia is happy to see Drew Daniels will be her birthday date.

Drew Daniels is attracted to Georgia from the moment he first sees her, but has been burned before in relationships, but is all in for a sexy weekend get away with Georgia for her birthday. They had the absolute best chemistry, and the sexy times were smoking hot! I loved Georgia and Drew shared so much of themselves with one another, and really loved them as a couple.

Just a Little Secret is such an amazing story. I loved the romance between Georgia and Drew, and really loved seeing each of the main characters grow so much over the course of the story. Fans of contemporary romance will adore the newest installment in the Dare Crossover series, and be counting down the days for the next release.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

KARMA (SERENDIPITY #3)

 Karma is the 3^rd book in the fabulous Serendipity series from NYT bestselling author Carly Phillips. From the back cover.~

Officer Dare Barron has had a crush on Liza McKnight ever since he was a teenager. But despite his lifelong attraction, the closest he's ever come to interacting with her is watching Liza regularly bail out her brother at the station.

 

Dare's dark past with Liza's brother, Brian, has always kept him from pursuing her. But suddenly Liza finds herself in need of protection and Dare appoints himself as the man for the job.  And while the sizzling attraction between Dare and Liza draws them together, the past that Dare and Brian share threatens to keep the two apart forever.

Re-Release Date: June 30, 2023

CP Publishing, LLC

Serendipity Series #3

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I’ve been waiting for Dare’s story since I first met him in Serendipity. Not to take anything away from Ethan or Nash, but there was just something I loved about Dare from the start. When he shared a secret with his brothers in Destiny, I knew it would end up being a major part of his story. I’m going to try to avoid spoilers as much as possible with this post, and I apologize for any I inadvertently reveal.

I loved Dare and Liza’s story. It wasn’t really easy for either of them. Liza has trust issues because of the way her family has always treated her. She has never been able to depend on anyone other than herself. Her brother Brian has always been there, but he has been a source of trouble every since the party he threw in high school. Dare has been attracted to Liza since they were in high school, but has tried to stay away from her since he was at Brian’s party in high school. He knows facts from the party that would hurt Liza to no end if she were to find out.

Since Brian continues to get into trouble, Dare and Liza run into one another on a regular basis. Dare and Liza are attracted to one another and even Dare’s past with Brian isn’t enough to stop him from acting on his attraction. The chemistry between Dare and Liza is sizzling. Because of Liza’s past, she isn’t looking for a relationship, but both promise to only be with one another while they are together (sounds like a relationship to me). Things are going pretty well in their relationship until Dare’s half-sister Tess is hurt at a party and he acts like a jerk to Liza and takes out his anger on her. Liza is already dealing with the fact her brother has messed up and drug her into his mess to clean up. She thought Dare was finally someone she could depend on and then he acts like a jerk. Dare must prove to Liza that he is willing to stand by her no matter what to make things right.

I loved how Dare proves himself to Liza. They are both such strong people, and really only become stronger together. I also love getting to spend time with the entire Barron family in this book. I loved watch the brothers together. I also loved how quickly Kelly and Faith accepted Liza as one of them. Liza really didn’t have any close girlfriends until Kelly and Faith, and I loved how they stood by her.

I’ve said all along Dare is my favorite Barron brother and his story was more than worth the wait. Carly gives her readers another winner with Karma, and I loved every moment reading this series. I loved this book when I read it on its original release, and re-reading only made me fall in love all over again with Karma and the entire Serendipity series.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

INDECENT SECRETS (INDECENT SERIES #2)

Bryce Rivers is gorgeous, arrogant, and nothing like I anticipated. That’s okay, because I’m not going to be what he expected, either.

Seducing him should have been a piece of cake, until I discover he’s hiding a few indecent secrets of his own.

Secretly infiltrating myself into this land development company wasn’t about the money, it was about making a difference. When I heard that the head of the organization had died and his nephew had inherited the entire corporation, I thought I finally stood a chance to persuade him to my way of thinking.

The new guy wasn’t at all what I’d expected. For a reported “recluse”, he was surprisingly charming, intelligent, and had a rapier wit that matched my own. Our attraction was mutual and scorching hot, which made it incredibly easy to seduce my way into his life and hopefully use that influence to steer him to make changes.

The man knew how to set my sheets on fire, but he wasn’t easily swayed. This might have started out as something impersonal between us, but the more I got to know him, the harder I fell for him, which wasn’t the plan.

I could only hope that once I made my true motives known that I wouldn’t end up destroying something more valuable—us.

And then I discovered that I wasn’t the only one hiding secrets . . .

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Indecent series #2

Contemporary Romantic Suspense (Spicy)

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Indecent Secrets is the newest release in the Indecent series by Erika Wilde. This book hit the ground running from page one and kept me pulled in until the very last page. Both Bryce and Leigh are such strong individuals, and their chemistry was palpable.

Both Bryce and Leigh are both playing roles when they initially meet, and while I’m not big fan of lying, it totally worked for me in this situation. Bryce is posing at Jack Lawton, who has inherited his uncle’s company so Bryce can figure out if Jack’s uncle was murdered and who did it. Leigh is an environmental activist trying to find a way to dismantle Jack’s company from the inside. When Bryce hires Leigh as a consultant, she has her way in.

First I liked both the main characters. They are both very strong willed individuals and both seem to have the greater good as their motivations. Now the chemistry between Bryce and Leigh was so freaking hot my kindle screen might have fogged up a few times. Seriously, so many smexy times in this book!!! There are many light BDSM elements in this book, and it totally worked for me.

I felt the elements of mystery were very well done, and didn’t overshadow the building of the relationship between Bryce and Leigh. I love a good who done it, and Ms. Wilde definitely kept me guessing with this story. I enjoy romantic suspense stories, and Indecent Secrets was the perfect combination of romance and mystery.

Indecent Secrets was a great addition to this series, and now I’m ready to read Seth’s story and see him get his HEA//HFN!

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

JUST ONE FLING (THE KINGSTON FAMILY #9)

It was just supposed to be a fling.

Now she’s having his baby.

Winter Capwell knows all about billionaire Harrison Dare’s bad-boy reputation. His all-pleasure, no-commitment rule worked well for her, too. Until fate changed everything.

Harrison Dare never wanted a wife or kids. His incredibly large family provides all the siblings and children he needs. Besides, no woman has ever tempted him to give up his bachelor lifestyle.

Until the mysterious and sexy Winter entered his life.

But when someone comes after the woman he loves, he will stop at nothing to protect her and make her his. For good.

Release Date: April 18, 2023

CP Publishing

The Kingston Family #9

Contemporary romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Just One Fling is the latest book in the Kingston Family/Dirty Dare series of books by Carly Phillips, and we finally get to learn what makes Harrison Dare tick. I have to say I knew he needed a special heroine, and Winter Capwell fits the bill perfectly. I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart!!!

Harrison Dare has always seemed a bit mysterious to me for some reason. Maybe because he is an actor, so I was really excited to get his book. We met Winter Capwell in Just One Taste, and I liked her from the very beginning. I liked that even though she was a journalist, she put those she considered her friends above the job. There were sparks around when Harrison and Winter were near each other, and it was pretty obvious that their mutual attraction had been acted upon in the past. When Winter finds out she is pregnant, she has real concern about how Harrison will take the news as he has always said in interviews, he never wants children and isn't looking for a long-term relationship.

I loved that Harrison pretty much had a WTF moment when he first finds out that Winter is pregnant, but quickly realizes he needs to pull his head out of his butt and make it right with Winter. While it appears that he is doing many things because Winter is pregnant with his child, I felt the genuine feelings from both characters pretty much from the very beginning. Harrison like any of the other Dare men is super protective of Winter and their baby early on. The fact that she has a stalker who is threatening both Winter's life and the life of their baby gave them the chance to spend more time together. I loved that they had incredible chemistry from the very beginning, and the more time they spent together the stronger their connection became. I also loved the fact the Dare family accepted Winter from the moment they all met her. The Dare family is super special, and I love spending time with this crazy huge family. The reveal of the stalker should have been something I saw coming, but it kept me guessing right up to the reveal. 

Just One Fling was absolutely perfection in my opinion! It was an emotional roller coaster ride, and I loved every moment. Up next is Zach's book, and I'm counting down the days for his story, even as I know it will be the last book in the current Kingston/Dare series. Ms. Phillips gave her readers what I believe is one of her best books ever in Just One Fling. I highly recommend this book to romance fans everywhere! 

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

READ NOW;

Kindle: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFKindle

Apple: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFApple

Nook: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFNook

Googleplay: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFGoogle

Kobo: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFKobo

Amz Print: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFAmzprint

BN Print: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOWBNPrint

Audio Coming June 15th

Narrated by Jason Clarke and Samantha Cook

Audible: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFAudible

Amz Audio: https://www.carlyphillips.com/JOFAmzAudio

HOLD ON TO ME (CAROLINA CLASSICS #2)

 

Hold On To Me (Carolina Classics #2)

Fans of 1990's shows like Dawson's Creek and Mad About You will love this throwback romantic comedy.

After a devastating accident at sea, the only job Sullivan Calloway can get is one that few have survived.

If time and tide wait for no man, neither does Helen O'Neill. She's spent years forging her own path in the movie business. The young hunk she's hired to replace her latest assistant to leave in tears may be a sight for sore eyes, but expectations will not be lowered. If he can’t do the work, he’ll be out on his very fine behind.

If only her heart would get the memo.

Don't miss this slow-burn, boss-assistant, entertainment biz romance from USA Today bestselling author Karen Grey.

Audiobook Release Date: March 9, 2023

Audiobook review copy provided by publisher

Home Cooked Books

Carolina Classics #2

Retro/Nostalgia Romance

Narrators: JF Harding & MacKenzie Cartwright

Listening Speed: 1.4x

Liza's Review:

Hold On To Me is the second book in the Carolina Classics series by Karen Grey. I am a huge fan of the nostalgia romances Ms. Grey writes, and Hold On To Me was another winner in my book.

I’ve wanted to know more about Sully from the moment he first appeared on the page. We met Sully and his friends in You Get What You Give. Sully is in a boating accident, and must find a job until he recovers enough to work on set again. The only job available it assistant to Helen O’Neill, who has already run off multiple assistants, with production starting very soon. Sully feels instant attraction to his boss from day one, and I loved the chemistry between them from the moment they meet.

Let me just say, I absolutely loved how strong Helen is over the entire story. Yes, she has had some rough times in the past, and she fights her attraction to Sully because of something in her past. I loved when they both finally gave into their attraction. OMG they had the best chemistry!!! I liked they really seemed to get one another, even with the age gap between them. Loved Helen is 10 years older than Sully, and yet, they just seemed to work as a couple for me. I think part of it was because Sully truly has an old soul, but most was because Helen never treated him like he was less of a person for being so much younger than her. They worked well both at work and in their relationship.

I thought the audiobook narrators did a fantastic job with this story. Both narrators were spot on with all the different character voices, and I felt like there was a seamless transition between narrators. There were many emotional parts to Hold On To Me, and I felt like the narrators delivered on every single emotion.

Hold On To Me is a fun story that takes the reader back to the late 90’s. I loved all the nods to things from the past, and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I love the group of friends that is at the center of each story, and can’t wait to read more.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

TURN UP THE HEAT (PINE MOUNTAIN #1)

 Ingredients:

One big-city real estate analyst who gets dumped on national TV
One small-town mechanic with a past he wants to keep in his rearview mirror
One weekend getaway thwarted by a broken down car, a boss that makes Atilla the Hun look like a lapdog, and the snowstorm of the century

Mix well and add a whole lot of sparks under the hood.

Serve with a side of adversaries to lovers, opposites attract, sexy banter, and sizzling heat in both the kitchen and the bedroom.
*****

Turn Up The Heat is an updated, spicier version of the first full-length Pine Mountain novel that was originally published in 2014.

Re-release Date: February 7, 2023

Pine Mountain #1

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Turn Up the Heat is the first full length story in Kimberly Kincaid's Pine Mountain series. I missed this series when it was originally released, and am really enjoying the updated re-issued books so far. Turn Up the Heat is Bellamy Blake and Shane Griffin's book, and was a fun and sexy read.

Bellamy's day starts off with finding out her boyfriend is moving across the country for a job without discussing anything with her, and ends with her car broken down on the side of the road. Luckily, super sexy mechanic Shane is there to help her out. Shane and Bellamy's initial meeting was kinda funny, and I loved I could tell they were attracted to one another from the very first. 

Bellamy has the boss from hell, and being stranded at a resort in Pine Mountain with limited cell reception was really just what the doctor ordered, even if Bellamy didn't see it clearly at first. She gets to unplug a bit and spend time cooking for her friends and Shane. Buying and preparing food really is Bellamy's love language, and I loved she was so happy when she was in Pine Mountain.

Shane has a secret he hasn't really shared with anyone, and that includes Bellamy, even when their relationship goes from new friends to lovers. They have off the charts chemistry, and the two of them together could absolutely melt the snow covering Pine Mountain...seriously smoking hot times between these two for sure! As Bellamy had just come from a relationship with a man who kept her in the dark about his plans, I totally got Bellamy feeling betrayed by Shane for keeping her in the dark, even though they had only been together for a short time.

Turn Up the Heat is another winner from Kimberly Kincaid. I'm really loving the Pine Mountain series, and think it's absolutely perfect for fans of funny and sexy contemporary romances. 

Rating: 4 Stars ( B+)

JUST ANOTHER SPARK (KINGSTON FAMILY #7.5)

He’s a rock star wanted by millions.

She’s a wife willing to fight for their love. 

Rock star Dash Kingston is finishing the last leg of his band’s U.S. tour. Exhausted and ready to be home, he can’t wait to see his girl. Time zones, show times, and the demands of his career have made married life harder than expected. Even knowing the rock star life wouldn’t make their relationship easy.

Cassidy Kingston thought she was ready to handle being married to a man idolized by women everywhere. She believes in their love even though the separations when the band is on tour can be torture. But the paparazzi and media don’t make their time apart easier and the gossip headlines hit her harder than they should. She trusts her husband even if she misses him like crazy.

When rumors surface that Dash is seeing someone, what’s a girl to do? Surprise her husband and remind him of what he’s been missing. Except you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Stands alone but if you want to read Dash and Cassidy’s full story:

Just One Spark

Release Date: January 17, 2023

CP Publishing

Kingston Family #7.5

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Just Another Spark was freaking amazing! I loved Cassidy’s and Dash’s story, and was super excited to get to spend more time with them. Life has kept Dash and Cassidy apart lately. Dash is on tour with his band, and Cassidy is working with the production company almost around the clock. They are missing each other at every turn, yet their love is as strong as ever. Just Another Spark had me laughing out loud more than once, and had all the super sexy times I’ve come to love from Carly Phillips. While this story was novella length, the story was filled with all the emotions, and I loved every moment of this fully developed story.

I adore getting to revisit couples to see where they are in the lives now, and Just Another Spark was the perfect update for Dash and Cassidy. 

Rating: 5 stars (A+)

INDECENT PROPOSAL (INDECENT SERIES #1)

It wasn’t every day that I was shot at by a sniper. But this was now my life, being hunted by someone my (dead) ex-fiancé had crossed. They thought I had something he’d taken, and they weren’t going to stop until they had what they wanted.

I went to the best security company around, but what I ended up with was a bodyguard who was as hot and tempting as he was grumpy and annoyingly bossy. Vaughn reluctantly took me on as a client, despite my inability to pay, and put me in his own personal safehouse with a set of rules to follow.

But a few of those rules? Yeah, I broke them just because I knew it would provoke him. What I didn’t anticipate was the kind of punishment he decided to dole out . . . and it wasn’t long before we went from enemies, to lovers, and an indecent proposal was struck between us.

We both swore it was all temporary, but the closer Vaughn gets to finding out who is after me and why, I realize walking away from this man might be much harder than I’d ever imagined.

Release Date: January 19, 2023

Indecent Series #1

Romantic Suspense

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Indecent Proposal is a fantastic start to the Indecent series by Erika Wilde! Claire Turner and Vaughn Hughes meet when Claire needs to hire Vaughn’s company Elite Protection and Consulting when she has someone after her following her ex’s death. Vaughan is willing to let Claire leave without hearing her sob story, until a snippet attack while in is secure office. Since Claire can’t pay for Vaughn’s services, he decides to keep it off the books and takes her to his personal safe house.

The suspense elements in Indecent Proposal were done so very well. I was kept guessing who the sniper was that had taken a shot at Claire until the actual reveal. I love when an author can keep me guessing about the who done it so much. Ms. Wilde did an amazing job keeping me guessing, and was honestly a bit shocked at the answer.

The chemistry between Vaughn and Claire was apparent from the moment they laid eyes on each other. Let me just say their banter and digs just made for an even hotter story than I was expecting. Seriously majorly smoking hot times between Claire and Vaughn. Vaughn is a dominant, and Claire is super feisty and not a meek woman at all. She tests Vaughn at every single turn, and it was so sexy to see them find the right balance in their relationship. I loved that Vaughn really got Claire in a way no other man had understood before; not even her former fiancée.

Indecent Proposal was a fantastic story! I loved getting to know Vaughn and Claire and following their journey from strangers to lovers. I can’t wait to read the stories for Vaughn’s other two partners! 

Rating: 5 Stars (B+) 

GOOD GIRL FAIL

 From the New York Times bestselling author of the Loving on the Edge and the Say Anything series comes a new steamy standalone MMF romance that proves good girls can have fun too...especially when she's their good girl.

O’Neal Lory has been taught that one mistake can undo an entire life of right decisions. That it doesn’t matter if a person has been good ninety-nine percent of the time. One misstep, one snap judgment, can derail everything. So, she’s taken a lot of right steps on the straight and narrow path. Eighteen years of them, in fact. Perfect grades. No rules broken. And definitely no boys.

Until she kisses him.

Auden Blake knows he shouldn’t touch his little sister’s best friend, knows that innocent girls like her should stay far, far away from him and his roommate Lennox—especially when she could reveal their behind-closed-doors activities to his family. But when sheltered O’Neal goes rogue, ditching her scholarship to a conservative all-girls college and showing up at Bennette State—his school—instead, it’s going to take everything Auden has to keep his and Lennox’s hands off the curious good girl whose teach me vibes could unravel them both.

Good Girl Fail is a full-length standalone MMF romance with lots of steam, two heroes who like to share and get a little bossy, and a good girl heroine who’s about to break every rule that’s ever been placed upon her.

Release Date: January 17, 2023

Roni Loren, LLC

Erotic Romance MMF

Review copy provided by author

Nikki’s Review:

SHE’S BACK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Listen, I love everything that Roni Loren writes, but getting back to her erotic romance roots is something to be celebrated, because this author is a goddamn unicorn.

Auden, Lennox, and O’Neal are bloody combustible on the page. The chemistry was off the charts. 

This story is all about finding your true self and what makes you feel safe and happy…on your own terms. It’s about building a life that brings you joy. 

I’m a sucker for a poly romance, but I need a great plot to keep me invested. I need to be able to connect with the characters and want them to succeed in finding their happily ever after. This book delivers on all of that. I read it in one sitting. And the bonus scene at the end was a nice treat!

I don’t want to go into too much detail of the plot. I think you need to go on that journey with Auden, Lennox, and O’Neal. Just know that you’re getting a very character driven story that will keep you turning the pages. Also…it’s SPICY! All the ingredients that make up an amazing romance! 

Rating: 4 Stars (A)