ACE OF HEARTS (THE CURSED RAVENS MC #1)

Erin Dawson had the perfect life growing up in a perfect home with a perfect family. Her parents gave her and her sister everything a child could want. But after learning that the man she’s called “dad” her whole life isn’t actually her biological father, Erin is determined to find the man who is.

Armed with her original birth certificate, she finds her father, but begins questioning if her mom had been right all along to keep this information buried. It turns out he is the president of a motorcycle club, which could not be further from the life Erin leads. But, she’s determined to get to know the man who she gets her striking blue eyes from. Despite getting what she wants and finding her biological father, it’s the slightly older, much rougher but incredibly sexy biker Ace that catches Erin’s eye.

As the new “princess” of the Cursed Ravens, Erin is learning a whole new world, but her father has made it clear she is off limits. Will Ace follow his President’s orders or will he put his heart ahead of his duty? A sizzling tale of family and passion, Ace of Hearts features Fernando’s signature “snark and sass” (Booklist) and is perfect for fans of Kristin Ashley.

Release Date: June 11, 2018

Pocket Star

The Cursed Ravens MC series book #1

MC Romance/Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s review:

This is my first book by Chantal Fernando. I wasn't sure about trying a new to me author, but the cover of this book was what initially grabbed me, so I took a chance.

21-year-old Erin has just found out that the father she grew up with isn't her biological father. To her further amazement, she discovers her birth father is the president of The Cursed Ravens MC. Upon her arrival at the clubhouse she is immediately taken with the club man whore, Ace. 

Ace is kinda delicious sounding. And he has that bad boy alpha thing going for him. I can see why she wanted him. I liked Ace from the get go. He's tough and gritty, but he's also a good guy. He doesn't play games, and he makes it very clear that he's into Erin. 

I'm going to be honest here, I didn't care for Erin much. I know she's only 21, but her maturity level seemed more appropriate for a bratty 17 year old. She constantly rubbed me the wrong way. I kept wondering why Ace liked her so much...aside from her boobs and ass. Erin was a real distraction for me, and not in a good way. Her whining was constant and irritating. But I liked the rest of the characters, so I pushed on.

The secondary characters in this book were a hoot! They were the reason I didn't DNF this book. The plot was great. The writing was good, but again, Erin drove me batty. I liked the other MC members enough that I'll definitely read the next book in the series. Though I struggled to connect with the immature heroine, this is a good start to a new series. I'm glad I gave this book a chance. 

Rating: 3 Stars (B)

UNWANTED (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #14.5)

The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella--from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.

The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.

But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.

Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes...

Release Date: July 18, 2016

Pocket Star

Elemental Assassin #14.5

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Finnegan Lane is one of my most favorite characters ever in the Elemental Assassin series. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty mad at Finn when he blew off Gin's warnings about his mom, but could totally understand him wanting to connect with the mother he thought had died years ago. 

I have to say while it broke my heart to see Finn hurting so badly for everyone who was effected by his mother's rampage through the bank, I part of me loved watching him see first-hand for a change all that Gin has dealt with for years. That being said, I wanted my funny, sweet and deadly Finnegan Lane back and I loved how he got his mojo back. It was also really great to get a book from Finn's point-of-view. I have to admit, I loved watching him fight to protect others just like he had done in the past with Gin and their friends, but I felt like Finn needed to do this himself to feel like he had finally done enough to make up for his mistakes. 

Unwanted was the book all the Finnegan Lane fans had been waiting for. Yes it was rough at times to see Finn suffer, but I feel like my respect levels for him increased because he grew more because of the horrible experience with his mother and handling the repercussions of her actions. I can't wait to spend more time with all of the characters in the next full length Elemental Assassin book in August.

Rating 4 Stars (B+)

Buy Links: Amazon Kindle / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / Google Play / iBooks / Kobo

STIRRING UP TROUBLE (ROSEWOOD #3)

When a prim and proper baker and a laid-back bartender have a neighborly disagreement that gets them both in trouble with the law, a sweet reconciliation is stirred up in the playful third romance in Andrea Laurence’s sexy Rosewood series.

Maddie’s life is perfectly sweet. Her bakery’s tasty treats are rising to the top of every must-have list in town, and her commute is just a block away by foot. She loves everything about her little downtown Victorian bungalow—except for her unbearably noisy neighbor, Woody’s. The bar’s obnoxious and sexy owner, Emmett, seems to live to aggravate Maddie. But he mostly thinks she could use a stiff drink to dislodge the stick up her ass. He’s just trying to run his business. Bars stay open late, they play music, they serve alcohol. If she doesn’t like it, why did she buy a house across the street?

When Maddie and Emmett’s battle lands them in front of the local judge, they’re ordered to do several weeks of community service cleaning parks and painting over graffiti. As they scrub away the latest works of art by the town’s anonymous “Penis Picasso,” the baker and the bartender slowly begin to see there’s more to each other than meets the eye. So what happens if they wave the white flag and surrender into each other’s arms?

Release Date: October 12, 2015

Pocket Star

Rosewood #3

Review copy provided by publisher

I'm a huge fan of Andrea Laurence and absolutely love her Rosewood series. I'll be honest and say I was somewhat hesitant to read Maddie's book, as she really hasn't been the nicest person in the first 2 books. However, I will say Ms. Laurence did a great job showing the character's growth in Stirring Up Trouble.

I loved Emmett from the moment we met him. I honestly think Maddie having to spend time around him is part of the reason she started her turn around to being a nicer and better person. I have to say, I've never laughed so hard as I did when Maddie and Emmett were sentenced to community service cleaning up all the "Penis Picasso" paintings around town. I'm from a small town originally and could totally see something like this happening in my hometown.

I have to say I was surprised how much I liked Emmett and Maddie as a couple. Their differences really seemed to work for me. I felt like there was more to Emmett than anyone really knew, and have to say I loved how different his background was before coming to Rosewood. I felt like Emmett and Maddie really did tend to bring the best out in each other and loved watching their relationship change the more time they spent together. They had really great chemistry and I really did fall in love with them as a couple.

I absolutely love the Rosewood series from Andrea Laurence and can't wait to read more books in the series.  

FEEDING THE FIRE (ROSEWOOD #2)

Pepper has no interest in Grant Chamberlain…until she accidentally wins him at a school auction and finds the mega-hot firefighter impossible to ignore. Find out what happens next in the second playful and sexy ebook romance in the Rosewood series!

Living in the small town of Rosewood, Alabama, hairdresser Pepper Anthony has one rule—never date a Chamberlain. She’s always said, “the only thing worse than being ignored by a Chamberlain is being dumped by one.” But Grant Chamberlain, town fireman, isn’t used to rejection, and Pepper has consistently turned him down since high school. She isn’t intimidated by his family; she’s one of the few who refuses to take their crap.

When Grant volunteers at the charity bachelor auction, to his surprise, Pepper buys him. She hadn’t meant to, but Adelia Chamberlain dropped a cold drink in her lap, sending her leaping into the air at precisely the wrong moment. Suddenly she had a massive bill to the town and Grant at her disposal. Since the money has to come from her “restore the house” fund, she decides to use Grant for manual labor instead of romantic dinners. Grant is happy to help, sweaty and shirtless, because one way or another, he’s going to get Pepper to admit she’s attracted to him. All it takes is a small spark, and soon they’ll be fanning the flames.

Release Date: March 16, 2015

Pocket Star

Rosewood #2

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I'm a really big fan of Andrea Laurence. I started reading her Harlequins as soon as she was published and absolutely love her Rosewood series. I was super excited to get Pepper and Grant's story with Feeding the Fire.

I absolutely loved that Grant has wanted Pepper since they were in high school and those feelings have never gone away. I also loved that Pepper and Grant had already had one night together and she made him promise to tell no one. Grant and Pepper had amazing chemistry and I wanted Pepper from the beginning to get over her issues with the Chamberlains so they could find a way to be together.

When Pepper buys Grant in a bachelor auction thanks to his grandmother Adelia, I knew they would finally have a chance to spend more time together and hopefully find a way to make a relationship work. I loved that Grant gave Pepper his time to help restore her house since she had spent so much of her money buying him in the auction. I also loved they couldn't keep their hands off each other much of the time. I figured the reason Pepper's mom had fired the flames of hatred for all the Chamberlains might be an issue, and I wasn't wrong, as it was a huge secret. I did think neither Grant nor Pepper should have to suffer because of a secret from the past, yet totally understood why it could be a pretty big stumbling block to their relationship. I have to say that even with their families' past being an issue, I loved Pepper and Grant as a couple. They shared so many common interests and loved just being together. 

Feeding the Fire was an excellent addition to the Rosewood series. I can't wait to see which of the Chamberlains is the next to fall thanks to Adelia's interference. 

Facing the Music

In this sizzling and hilarious contemporary e-book romance, pop sensation Ivy Hudson returns to her small town to face her ex. Only trouble is, she made her Taylor-Swift-like career with the hit song “Size Matters”—and the football hero has had to live it down ever since.

Five years ago, high school sweethearts Ivy and Blake’s relationship imploded and both their lives were changed forever. Ivy became a rock star and Blake lost not only his dreams of a successful NFL career, but his reputation. Ivy’s angry song about their breakup, called “Size Matters,” hit the top of the charts and Blake became a national laughingstock. He’s salvaged his career and returned to Rosewood to be the high school football coach, regaining his status as town hero and leading the boys to the state championships.

When a tornado whips through town and destroys the high school gymnasium and stadium, a committee is formed to help rebuild and plan some charity fundraisers. Blake’s grandmother requests that Ivy return to Rosewood for the events. Forced back together for the good of their hometown and their careers, Ivy and Blake have no choice but to put aside their differences, stop running from their pasts, and finally face the music.

For fans of Kristen Proby and Colette Auclair, Facing the Music hits a perfect balance between small-town romance and big-time success. Follow Ivy and Blake as they fall back in love and figure out what does matter in the end…

Andrea Laurence

Pocket Star

Release Date 9/15/14

Facing the Music is the newest release from Andrea Laurence. I was lucky enough to get a review copy through NetGalley thanks to the publisher.

I really enjoyed Facing the Music. Ivy and Blake were both really fun characters and I loved that after 5 years they still had pretty amazing chemistry. I especially loved that Blake's grandmother was the one to bring Ivy home, hoping Ivy and Blake could work things out. I wanted Blake and Ivy back together, yet knew they had so much to work through to make it happen. 

I grew up in a small town and so much of this story resonated with me. I'm sure the small town rivals occur in larger towns, but I know in small towns, very little ever changes. Lydia Whittaker and Ivy had been rivals since middle school and still didn't get along in the present. Lydia was completely opposite of Ivy, yet had been in love with Blake pretty much her whole life. Lydia hates Ivy and wants Blake for herself. Honestly, Lydia was a total witch and she was totally the perfect love-to-hate character in this book. I honestly felt a little sorry for her, as she continued to live in the past and even live in a bit of a dream world.

Facing the Music is a strong and sweet small town romance. I loved not only Ivy and Blake, but also many of the characters from Rosewood. I look forward to future books taking place in Rosewood.