Summer Drifter by RJ Scott Release Blitz

One man craves family, the other isolation; neither of them was searching for love.

Experienced and much-in-demand horse trainer Levi doesn't need or want people. With his horse and dog at his side, he lives out of his trailer and trains horses in the summer to earn just enough to head south for winter. Infrequent hook-ups with no-tell cowboys takes care of sex, but the moment any connection gets anywhere near complicated, he moves on. Losing a lover to violence has taught him that if he's alone he can't get hurt, and in return, he avoids the pain of loss. Everything in his easy-going life is on track until he knocks over Quinn, a pink-haired stranger who pirouettes in front of his truck, sits in his lap and calls him cowboy with the sexiest voice he's ever heard. Anger turns to frustration, lust turns to love, and by the end of the summer, Levi doesn't know which way to turn.

Quinn loses everything when the cops find his brother's body on the remains of a compound that belonged to a cult. Damaged and vulnerable, Max had been the only safe place for Quinn in his otherwise cold family, but finding out that Max might have had a son sends Quinn to Wyoming and the Lennox Ranch. When he's knocked to the ground on day one at the ranch, he wonders if maybe he should have thought things through better. After all, he'd bought two horses and a house to get close enough to Lennox ranch just to see if he was an uncle. He craves love, connection and is excited to be part of a family, searching for a place where he can finally stop running. He never meant to fall for the closed-off cowboy, but somehow Levi steals his heart and Quinn falls in love.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Whisper Ridge, Wyoming series!
For book one, Winter Cowboy, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
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Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo  ~  Smashwords
Paperback (US)

 

 

“Everything okay?” A man jumped down from the cab. Not just a man—a fully-fledged cowboy.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I shouted back.

“Did you have a flat?”

“No, I’m all good. Thank you for stopping.” I thought he’d leave then, but he didn’t. Instead, he sauntered over to me, glancing at my Lexus and no doubt laughing at little me next to the big SUV. He was broad, slim-hipped, jeans, Stetson, and stubble, all in one sexy package, and I forgot my headache. I had a thing for the rough and tough worker, the alpha type who spent all day in a demanding physical job, but who was happy to bend over for me when I—

“If you need me to get someone to help you, I don’t have a phone but I can surely send someone back for you.” He pulled me from the image of him over bent over the back of anything and me…

I loved the way he spoke, his voice like crunchy honey, all gruff and smooth at the same time. Wait, is crunchy honey even a thing?

I held up my cell. “I have a phone, and it even has reception, go figure.” I huffed a laugh, but when he didn’t smile, I realized I might have sounded rude. “I wasn’t being sarcastic…” Shit, stop talking. He was hot, he was sexy, and I was a mess of nerves whenever I was faced with my greedy lust made manifest. He frowned, and I clutched my phone, because where had my self-preservation gone? He was a stranger, I was alone, we were in on the side of an isolated road. I should at least have had 911 ready to go.

“Town’s that way,” he thumbed behind him, the frown deepening. “I think.”

“You think?” Not a local cowboy then? Shame.

He shrugged, “Sign said so. So, as long as you’re okay here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

He eyed me with curiosity, but I guess it wasn’t often you see some guy on the side of the road with pink hair, eyeliner and gloss. I waited for the comments, for the homophobia, for the sneer, but instead he checked me out from head to toe—I imagine it was to make sure I was okay, but boy, the heat pooled in my groin.

Down boy.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and ties together plotlines from the first book in very satisfying ways. That said, I think this would be a rich read in its own right too.

It was impossible not to fall for Quinn and his quirkiness, and his being totally out of place in cowboy country. He adopts cowboy style with a degree of panache that few could carry off, and I loved how he was determined to do right in his brother's memory. That he fell so hard for Levi in the process obviously gave us a happily ever after to cheer on.

Levi's nomadic life, his love for his dog and his horse, and his desire to avoid all commitments may have defined his past, but once he meets Quinn, and sees the happiness of Micah and his family, things might just be about to change. I love how the writing gives us a very real sense of how guarded he is, how wariness has kept him from ever really allowing himself to even hope for a home.

A moving, yet upbeat story, with plenty of hot cowboys to admire, and a townie on a mission of restoration. I definitely recommend this hot and sexy romance to you.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This book just pulled at my heartstrings. Levi and Quinn are just good together. I love the ranch and how everything makes me feel like part of the family. This book made me laugh, fall in love, and even get mad a few times. Nothing better than a cowboy, his horse, his dog, and his hot man. Great read.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
Sweet, angsty, and playful, this story of a surly, misanthropic cowboy who can’t help falling for a wealthy, young horse owner. Quinn and Levi might be complete opposites, but they are both lonely and the Lennox ranch offers them the possibility of a home and a very special chosen family.

I fell hard for Quinn in this book. He’s urbane, privileged, and he unapologetically blurs gender norms. Behind the pretty twink exterior is a brave and determined man who is grieving his brother. If Levi is a predictably grumpy cowboy, Quinn is an unexpected ray of sunshine. I love these two together.

While the characters are great in this story, the story itself feels a little tired. Between the financially vulnerable family ranch and Quinn’s hunt for the nephew who might be the heir to a family fortune, the book relies on tried and slightly overblown romance tropes. It’s an easy and enjoyable read but it is also predictable and not terribly original. This is a fun summer cowboy romance, but it isn’t a terribly memorable read.

 

 

USA Today bestselling author RJ SCOTT has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.

She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.

Connect with RJ

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: RJ Scott – Special Secret Group

 

 

To celebrate the release of Summer Drifter, RJ is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card (1 winner) and a choice of an ebook from her backlist (2 winners).
To enter, click HERE to visit her King Sumo giveaway page for full details.

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Summer Drifter (Whisper Ridge, Wyoming #2) by RJ Scott to read and review for this tour.

Claimed by J.R. Ward Blog Tour

A heart-pounding new series set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, about a scientist fighting to save the gray wolves—and getting caught in a deadly trap herself...

Lydia Susi is passionate about protecting wolves in their natural habitat. When a hotel chain develops a tract of land next to the preserve, Lydia is one of the most vocal opponents of the project—and becomes a target.

One night, a shadowy figure threatens Lydia’s life in the forest, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her. Daniel Joseph is both mysterious, and someone she intrinsically wants to trust. But is he hiding something?

As the stakes get higher, and one of Lydia’s colleagues is murdered, she must decide how far she will go to protect the wolves. Then a shocking revelation about Daniel challenges Lydia’s reality in ways she could never have predicted. Some fates demand courage, while others require even more, with no guarantees. Is she destined to have true love... or will a soul-shattering loss ruin her forever?

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

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Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Gallery Books (S&S)

 

 

In so many ways, Lydia should have known. From the moment Daniel Joseph had appeared in her office doorway, there had been something about him. But she hadn’t expected... this.

“Unless you tell me to go,” he said in a husky voice, “I’m going to kiss you.”

As Lydia stared up into his face, they both knew

what she wanted. What she needed. Still, she kept them on the edge for a heartbeat or two.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“Good,” he growled.

When he lowered his head, there was a rumble of satisfaction in his chest—and then she wasn’t hearing anything. Thinking anything. Worried about anything.

As big and strong as he was, his lips were soft against her own. Gentle, too, as if he knew she wanted to be handled with care—not because she didn’t want him, but because she did. Too much. And God, there were more reasons to pull away than get close to him, except there was no denying the chemistry. The connection. The heat.

And the experience was even better than the anticipation.

Aware that she was going to stop this sooner than she wanted, but much later than she should, Lydia lifted her arms and put them on his shoulders. His heavy body was rock-hard under his windbreaker, the muscles roping up to his neck—and that was where her hands went.

She just wanted to see if his hair was as thick and lush as it looked—

It was.

As she dug into the waves, he purred in response, like he was a great cat and she had found his favorite stroking place. And that was when he wrapped an arm around her waist. She did not feel trapped, though. She had the sense, as he continued to stroke her lips softly, that he would let her go immediately.

Not that she was going anywhere anytime the hell soon.

Inch by inch, their bodies came into full contact, her breasts against his chest, the front of her thighs meeting his, their hips brushing. And then the kiss deepened, his tongue licking into her—

Letting out another moan, she tightened her hold on his nape, in his hair, a sense of desperation making her rougher than she should have been—she was holding him to her now, grabbing on to him. But he was going with it. One of his hands traveled from her shoulder to her waist, to her hip, and she moved against his palm, imagining what it would be like to be naked with him touching her.

With those workman hands.

Daniel eased back and stroked her hair away from her face. “You’re a good kisser, you know that?”

“Am I?” She smiled like an idiot. “I could have sworn it was you.”

“I guess it’s us.” His eyes roamed her face. And then one side of his lips tilted up. “I’m going to go now.”

Lydia exhaled in surprise—but like she was going to sleep with him here on the mauve kitchen floor?

Not a bad idea, actually, she thought as she glanced down.

“Okay,” she said. “I understand. We do work together—”

“That’s not why I’m leaving.”

“So why are you?”

He traced her cheek. Then her jawline. “If I stay, I’m not going to let you get any sleep at all.” He stepped back. “You know where to find me, if you need me. And I’ll see you after we’re allowed to wake up at four-oh-one a.m.”

She nodded. “Good night, Daniel.”

Turning away, he lifted a hand over his shoulder. When he got to the door, he said, “Don’t forget to lock up.”

And then he was gone.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
As a diehard BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) fan who has re-read my series favourites more times than I want to admit, I was so excited to receive an ARC for this new spinoff series.

It isn’t until the very end of this book that the connection between the two series becomes clear. This book focuses on Lydia, a wolf researcher working in a rural game preserve. Most of the book follows Lydia as she attempts to protect her wolves from habitat destruction. Intermittently, Lydia’s story is interrupted by brief scenes from the BDB mansion, where Xhex is experiencing psychosis and attempting to discover more about the experiments done on her in the past.

Lydia’s story builds very slowly. In fact, this is a surprisingly slow read. From financial concerns to poisoned wolves, small problems in Lydia’s workplace begin to build until she is forced to rely on her center’s handyman, Daniel, to keep her safe when the threats become personal. As this is set in the BDB world, I kept waiting for action scenes and supernatural excitement that didn’t happen until the very end.

I didn’t realise until the end that this book is the start of a longer story arc for Lydia and Daniel. Where the BDB books were classic paranormal romance with a new feature couple in each book, it seems that this whole series will belong to Lydia and Daniel. It’s only in the last 20%, that readers begin to understand how Lydia and Daniel might connect to the BDB characters. I found the ending frustrating, especially as an ARC reader, because it ends just when the book starts to get exciting. We’re left with a million questions and the promise of at least a few answers in the next book. The result is a very slow first book that feels like a 500-page tease. I like where the series is going but I don’t feel like I got much of anything out of the first story.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Longtime fans of the WARDen's BDB series no doubt have a few questions before picking up Claimed, not that they'll hesitate in their grabby-hands action. The following Q&A is for both longtime fans and new readers.

1: Is it necessary to read BDB first?
Eh. I'm on the fence here. This is marketed as the debut in a new series, a spin-off of the BDB. It's hard for me to be objective as I feel like a bit of a BDB expert. I do believe it would be best for a reader to have knowledge of the world building from BDB. I don't believe they need to have read every title in the series. But I do believe it necessary, not seeing this as a first in the series when it comes to connective characters and their shared world building. New readers would be lost/confused, or at least not get an emotional response reading the novel.

2: Is The Lair of the Wolven the same format as BDB?
No. Instead of a novel per couple, as the series progresses, each novel doing foreshadowing for future couples, this novel/series focuses on Lydia and Daniel. A progressive romance.

3: Is Claimed paranormal romance?
Not by my estimation – I felt this more Urban Fantasy, which isn't a bad thing, as that happens to be one of my favorite genres. If you're looking for some steamy action like in earlier BDB novels, you're not going to find it. There's a slow-burn vibe shared between Lydia and Daniel, not necessarily an overtly erotic one.

4: What is the tie between the series?
Xhex. I won't go into detail as it revolves around the actual plot, other than explaining how it ties to her nightmarish captivity in a clinical setting.

Straight out the gate, I'd read the WARDen's shopping list and find it entertaining. Her voice, the witty comebacks, intriguing way she writes the world around her characters, the badassery, it's all there on the pages. But I will be honest, I found Claimed a little dry, slow and meandering, not truly invested in the story as I would be with the brothers. Simply because it's not a one and done story connected to the next and the next by a common theme, but a series unto itself.

Lydia is intellectual, cerebral, highly detailed, and some of those details are not interesting in the least (not at all as interesting as say, Ward's shopping list). A wolf researcher on a nature preserve, Lydia's inner monologue is detailed, which slowed the pacing. To be honest, I just couldn't connect with her, not truly invested in her as a character as much as what was happening with the wolves.

The mystery surrounding the wolves was intriguing, carrying the story, which isn't a bad thing. Which is why I felt the novel was more urban fantasy than paranormal romance. It's not so much character-driven as plot-driven.

While thrilled to hear from Xhex, I always find Ward's format of switching between points of view jarring. When I reread BDB, I skip all the Lessors portions, and struggle in the latter books because of the upwards of 30+ narrators ping-ponging all over the place. In this case, the reader isn't sure what the connection is, so it's jarring and odd to have Lydia's story interrupted by Xhex. New readers would be LOST. Don't get me wrong, I loved being back in the mansion, seeing the brothers in action, but... while it makes sense later on in the novel, it didn't make for a smooth read.

I wanted to love Claimed but gave it four stars. Those four stars are out of being a total WARDen fangirl, as I think if I were a new reader, the rating would have been considerably lower. The ending isn't necessarily a cliffhanger, but the reader finally understands the world building, the characters, and how it all connects, which means book two should be a heck of a lot faster paced, more exciting, and more engaging. If I were a new reader, I would have found the sheer volume of pages tedious and exhausting to wade through, giving up before I got to the meat of the story, then missed out on what is promising to be an amazing sequel.

Fingers crossed the sequel delivers as promised.

Recommended to hardcore WARDen fantatics. Definitely not recommended to new readers. Go pick up a copy of Dark Lover and immerse yourself in Wrath and Beth, you won't be disappointed. (Now I'm hankering to do just that.)

Last question: Would I reread it like I have the BDB (more than a dozen times for each novel up until The King)?
Nah. I'd reread the last portion as a refresher for the sequel, but there is no way I'd wade back through all that tedium again. Not something I enjoy admitting.


Angie – ☆☆☆
I'll be honest, I love the BDB series. I have not read them all but I've read several. I was super excited to start a new series by this author. Unfortunately, this one didn't grab my attention and hold it like I was expecting. This book was super slow to me. There was no steaminess, and I was just disappointed. I must not have read the BDB book with Xhex in it or if I did, I don't remember it. It seems like this series will revolve around Lydia and Daniel and not a new couple each book. That is fine, but I hope things speed up because if the next book is paced the same, I might have to tap out.

 

 

J.R. WARD is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

Connect with J.R.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Claimed (The Lair of the Wolven #1) by J.R. Ward to read and review for this tour.

The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster

Summer flings with no strings mean nobody gets hurt.
At least, that was the plan…

After putting the brakes on her dead-end relationship, local veterinarian Ivey Anders is ready to soak up this summer on her own terms. The way she sees it, no dating means no disappointment. Why complicate life with anything long-term? But when she meets Corbin Meyer—and his troubled young son, Justin—Ivey’s no-strings strategy threatens to unravel before she can put it into practice.

Trust doesn’t come easy for Ivey’s best friend, Hope Mage, a veterinary-clinic assistant who’s affected by an incident that’s colored every relationship she’s had. Though Hope’s happy for Ivey, she can’t quite open her own heart to the possibility of love. Not just yet… Maybe not ever. Soon, however, she’s faced with a dilemma—Corbin’s older brother, Lang. He’s charming, he’s kind… and he may just be the reason Hope needs to finally tear down her walls.

And as the sweet summer months unspool, the two friends discover love won’t give up on them so easily.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

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Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Hardcover (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Harlequin

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is an odd little story. The cover screams Florida Spring Break. The blurb shouts sexy summer romance. The story itself? A slow-burn family values romance with too many characters and subplots.

A single novel with two separate romance storylines told from four perspectives was always going to be complicated. At times, there’s way too much going on. We’re told more than we’re shown, and the result is characters whose stories feel distant – as if they are relayed by third hand gossip. I like Ivey. She’s a committed veterinarian with a big heart. Unfortunately, despite being the leading lady, I’m not sure we ever learn much more about her as a person. We see Ivey as a vet, a friend, a girlfriend, and a stepmom, but we don’t see much of Ivey as herself. She’s admirable and likeable, but I found it difficult to invest in her because she seems quite superficially sketched. Similarly, Corbin is far too good to be true. These two are mostly perfect and slightly irritating with their perfections. Hope and Lang are a little more human and relatable, but they remain secondary characters and Hope’s problems resolve far too easily.

I’ll admit that I’m never a huge fan of kids in romance. Here, all the adults put Corbin’s son, Justin, at the center of their lives. He’s a sweet kid, but he’s not the reason I wanted to read a summer romance. Way too much heat and sexual tension is lost at the expense of the adults all attempting to care for Justin. The result is a book that is both tediously slow and weirdly practical. Neither of the couples really dates. Ivey and Corbin tiptoe around Justin. Hope and Lang dance around Ivey and Corbin tiptoeing around Justin. Romance is supposed to be an escape, but this book is full of complicated realistic plans to facilitate dating that feel like more hard work than an actual relationship.

This book feels strangely dated and has a whiff of smug MAGA family values that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. This definitely isn’t the saucy summer romance promised by the cover. It didn’t work for me, but it might work for a more conservative reader.

 

 

LORI FOSTER is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with books from a variety of publishers, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martin's, Harlequin and Silhouette. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance

Connect with Lori

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Summer of No Attachments (The Summer Friends #2) by Lori Foster to read and review.

Bribed by Dr. Rebecca Sharp Release Blitz

From bestselling author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, comes an enemies-to-lovers, stalker romantic suspense...

Lennon Love Clarke needs to put on a good show. With her reputation sinking, the famous actress has no choice but to grin and bear the fall because the tabloids were better than the truth. If only Lenni could remember what that was—and who is stalking her. Now, she’s in hiding—or would be if her new bodyguard hadn’t found her first.

Dante Lozano is Covington Security’s very own Casanova. With model muscles and a megawatt smile, he’s their most popular security specialist. And that’s why it’s surprising when the gorgeous woman wandering along the highway wants none of his help—especially since she’s the one who hired him.

Lenni doesn’t know who to trust. And the hot Italian bodyguard whose smile makes her unmentionables melt doesn’t seem like a good choice. But then the threats start coming. So, she strikes a deal: she’ll cooperate with his protection as long as he doesn’t get personal—until fighting their attraction proves to be the hardest role of her career.

Dante knows she bribed him with duty, but he’ll collect on her heart—and the truth. Because it’s the only thing that can stop her stalker and save her life.

Author's Note: A sexy, suspenseful protector romance with an actress in danger, a charming alpha protector determined to keep her safe, and a stalker with a chilling obsession.
Suspense level? Nail-biting.
Steam level? SCORCHING.
(Seriously. Scorching.)

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Covington Security series!
For book one, Betrayed, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

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Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Dante is a guy who gets what he wants. He loves his family, loves his job, and loves women. When he spots a woman walking along a very dangerous stretch of highway, he knows that he needs to make sure she's okay. After all, he wouldn't want his sisters left alone like this woman. But when he tries to help her, she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. His powers of persuasion have failed him at a crucial moment!

Lenni knows that she's in trouble, but knowing in her heart and knowing in her head are two very different things. I loved Lenni's personality. She's sweet, without being a complete doormat. And I absolutely loved her relationship with Skye. They had a bond that was so tight, a friendship that spanned Lenni's dangerous situation. Despite having some issues with her memory, Skye knows that Lenni was scared before her surgery and just because there are some questions about what she remembers now, doesn't mean her best friend isn't going to believe her.

With danger around the next corner, Dante can't help his attraction to his new assignment. Lenni knows that she lives in a world that not many want. No privacy, rumors galore, and when you fall from grace, you fall hard.

These two have an attraction that is combustible. They dance around their own issues, issues they have together, and the danger that surrounds Lenni, all while trying to deny themselves and their hearts.

I really enjoyed this story. The Backstreet Boys part made it hilarious at times and I think that Lenni was very down to earth.

I can't wait to see the next story because these are fun, flirty books that will make you swoon.

 

 

DR. REBECCA SHARP, while using a pen name, is actually a doctor living in Pennsylvania with her husband – the love of her life.

She enjoys working in her practice with her father as well as letting her creativity run free as an author. Growing up she's always loved a good love story and finally decided to give writing one of her own a go.

After graduating with her doctoral degree, she now enjoys spending that thing called free time traveling with her husband, cooking, and knitting.

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Sharp

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group:Sexy Little Sharpies

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bribed (Covington Security #2) by Dr. Rebecca Sharp to read and review for this tour.

The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly

A brave woman on the run from her vindictive husband faces a dangerous path in the thrilling new romantic suspense novel from Oscar-nominated actress Meg Tilly.

Sarah Rainsford has been on the run for more than three years. She's changed identities yet again in hopes of throwing her violent estranged husband, a police lieutenant, off her trail. Since she's still legally married to him, and he is willing to bend any laws to get his hands on her inheritance, he'll stop at nothing to locate her.

With a new name and fake ID papers, she lands a job as a personal assistant to none other than Hollywood's golden boy director Mick Talford. He's a difficult client but she senses hidden depths to him. Once Mick and Sarah combine forces in a desperate attempt to keep Sarah out of harm's way, they build a strong bond... but with danger trailing them, is it enough to keep them both alive?

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Berkley (PRH)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
If you like a thriller with a definite side of hot romance, then this is for you. The nastiness and power wielded by her awful husband makes it very understandable why she would flee, but the things he does to make sure she fears for her life remind us of the danger of power in the wrong hands. He is a policeman, so has at his fingertips the ways to track her, and to claim her insanity in order to get her money.

The premise of the story is a strong one, and whilst I didn't think Mick was exactly the average hero, distinctly rough around the edges, he does provide a great foil for Sarah as she fights to claim her life back, no longer willing to be on the run for the rest of her life.

I had to stop reading a few times as the tension got to me! It is all very well going in knowing that it will work out, but there is still the chance that serious damage is inflicted along the way. The mental anguish caused alone is disturbing.

I can recommend this thriller-romance novel as an escapism read, and you will feel glad you have simpler life, for sure!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Sarah has been on the run from her estranged husband for years. Despite her extensive fortune, she can't access it without alerting him to where she is, so she's been getting jobs where she can and saving her money to move around the country.

When Sarah lands a job with a difficult client, she knows that despite her looks and background, she needs the job and he needs the help. They come to an agreement, and she does her best to please her new boss.

Mick is difficult. He's used to getting his way and throws toddler-type temper tantrums when he doesn't. I had a hard time connecting with Mick. He was a little too mean for the romance that was happening.

While Mick and Sarah set off to figure out the mystery behind how her husband keeps finding her and how to access her family money, they connect on a level that neither truly thought possible for themselves.

So, while this book didn't resonate a ton with me, it was entertaining to read. I wish more bad things had happened to her husband. His part of the story felt a little rushed and simplistic. Overall, everything wrapped up nicely and the conclusion was satisfactory.

 

 

MEG TILLY may be best known for her acclaimed Golden Globe-winning lead performance in the movie Agnes of God. Other screen credits include The Big Chill, Valmont, and more recently, Bomb Girls, and Netflix’s movie War Machine, starring Brad Pitt. After publishing six standout young adult and literary women’s fiction novels, the award-winning author/actress decided to write the kind of books she loves to read–romance novels. Tilly has three grown children and resides with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently at work writing the next Solace Island novel.

Connect with Meg

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly to read and review.

Trusting Molly by Susan Stoker

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a heart-pounding installment in the Silverstone series about a love-shy ex-military man and a beautiful scientist reeling from a family tragedy.

When Mark “Smoke” Chamberlin ventures into the Nigerian jungle with his team of government assassins, his mission is clear: get in, kill the target, and make it out alive. With his extensive military experience, Smoke has no problem heading into dangerous territory. When it comes to love, though, he’s always been a little wary. But then he meets the beautiful, intrepid Molly Smith.

Schoolteacher Molly has been trying to outrun a lifetime of bad luck, and now she finds herself kidnapped along with a hundred schoolgirls in the jungle. But when Smoke finds them, Molly thinks her luck might be turning around—until she returns to the US to find her beloved grandparents murdered.

Devastated by their deaths and mystified by the turn of events, Molly turns to Smoke for comfort. But as Molly and Smoke grow closer, a different threat emerges… one that will put their relationship to the test and their lives in grave danger.

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the Silverstone series!
For book one, Trusting Skylar, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Military Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Molly has known bad luck her whole life. Even through all of her bad luck, she knew she was loved by her grandparents. When a bad breakup turns into something more sinister, Molly takes a job overseas. What she doesn't plan on is to be taken hostage and left for dead by the company who hired her. Molly is a character that you can relate to. She's real, realistic, and, despite her somewhat hesitant beginning, you can see the spine she has.

Smoke knows that there are some really bad people in this world. He's seen it. But when he heads to the jungle to find kidnapped children, he knows that he's going to see humanity at its worst. While on this mission, he falls for Molly. While he sees that she's not quite sure of herself and wants to put her at ease, he also knows that sometimes, what we want doesn't matter. Fate has a way of spitting in your face when you're down. Smoke is a guy who sees what he wants and isn't afraid to fight for it, protect it, savor it.

Molly has trust issues and rightfully so. But she can see that Smoke and his friends are genuine in their attempts to help her, comfort her, and she knows that she can rely on them for anything. When push comes to shove, she knows that Smoke will always find her.

This was a quick read that was enjoyable and had some great character development. You have a fantastic bad guy, a damsel who gets into a lot of distress, and a hero who will stop at nothing to save her. I really encourage you to read the previous books in this series too.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and somehow I missed the earlier two , but will be catching up soon. They link into other series, and I would recommend them all to you! Stoker has a great talent of writing strong women, who often don't recognise their strengths, until meeting good people, and often one man in particular gives them a chance to believe in themselves.

Molly's strength in surviving being held captive in the Nigerian jungle is impressive, dealing with the nightmare of a crazed stalker on her return to civilisation is even more so. Thankfully, Smoke (aka Mark), named for his stealth, fell into the hole where she was captured, and fell for her too. Now he has the challenge of giving her agency, but also being her shadow as she confronts her demons.

The team all band together to give her all their help, friendship, and in them, she finds the family she had never had and a future restored after so much loss. Though Mark has the power and the funds to solve many of her problems, her stalker is determined and ruthless. I loved the drama, although no one person should suffer so much in one book! Thank goodness that there was a much brighter future by the end!

If you like your heroines strong and selfless, and your heroes kind, strong, and mindful of others, then you will love this story, and this group of men and women who have blended into family.

 

 

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author SUSAN STOKER has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Connect with Susan

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Susan Stoker's Stalkers

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Trusting Molly (Silverstone #3) by Susan Stoker to read and review.

My Always One by Aleatha Romig Release Blitz

When we were young, Samantha Anderson was the girl down the street. For as long as I remember, she’s been my partner in crime, in adventures, and in almost everything. Sami is fun and sexy, my greatest confidant, and my best friend.

From early on, we vow that our relationship will never change—through thick and thin, we’ll remain always and forever in the friend zone. We will not cross that line.

After all, I’m not a forever kind of guy.

Then that line blurs.
We amend our agreement.

Best friends become friends with benefits.
Is this new agreement the key to our future? Or will I lose my best friend?

My Always One is a new, fun, and sexy friends-to-lovers contemporary romance. A steamy standalone, My Always One is not connected to any other of Aleatha’s Lighter Ones and may be read on its own.

Have you been Aleatha’d?

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Lighter Ones series!
For book one, Plus One, click HERE.
For book two, Another One, click HERE.
For book three, One Night, click HERE.

 

 

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Paperback (US)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Friends-to-Lovers Romance

Sami and Marshal have been friends since she punched him in the nose. I love that!

Sami knows that Marshal will always be there for her. She and Marshal have always had a special bond. They also have a special rule... No friends or siblings. Sami knows Marshal will never settle down with anyone, but she wants that for herself.

As they grow into adulthood, their friendship doesn't waiver. They are still each other's best friend. Leaning on each other through good times and bad, their bond is one that will last an apocalypse.

When Sami's life changes direction drastically, she runs to Marshal for a shoulder to cry on and someone to help hide the bodies. They find themselves at a crossroads. Choosing one path will alter their friendship forever, potentially severing their bond. But to not go down that road could also lead to heartache for them both.

This lighter Romig story will touch you in a way that only true love can. You get to watch them grow up, change, move forward, but still keep that one strong bond. You won't be disappointed in this story.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Sami and Marshal have been best friends since they were five years old. They told each other everything, did everything, and loved each other as family.

Sami is like every other girl, she wants a forever love. While Marshal is like most guys, he wants fun. When Sami's world falls apart, Marshal is there for her, neither of them thought about the other as more than friends. But the sparks began to fly, and they want to explore and see where things might go.

Sami and Marshal are right for each other, a love to last is made from a friendship that blooms into love and that is what they have. Her family already loves him, and his family loves her.

This story is perfect and I loved everything about it. Author Aleatha Romig can write the best suspenseful stories, but when she wants to write about lighter romance, she knocks them out of the park and leaves you feeling lighthearted and loved.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth in a series of interconnecting books, but can definitely be read as standalone.

Sami and Marshal have been best friends since the age of five, and even though Sami is now planning her wedding to Jackson (the ultimate jerk), they are still really close. We get some memories of incidents in their past at the start of the book, and it gives us all the clues as to just how in simpatico these two are. So really, it is no surprise how the book pans out, but immensely enjoyable to read.

When Sami finally comes to discover just what a jerk her fiancé is, she does all the right things and chooses to move on with her life – thanks in no small part to her parents being absolutely supportive and her BFF being utterly wonderful... and possibly just the man she needs. Nervous of it being a rebound, there are some issues to iron out, but it is like the curtains have been pulled back on what could have been all along.

Jack does not fade into the background quite like he should have done – proving himself to be a douchebag as well as a jerk. His behaviour will definitely shock and enrage any reader, but seeing how Sami deals with it, is a lesson in class and determination. Be ready for some gasps!

Through all the messiness, Marshal stays firm, and their relationship gets the chance to blossom. It is sweet, sexy, and liberating. A great addition to the collection, and hopefully more to come!

 

 

ALEATHA ROMIG is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they've raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Connect with Aleatha

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Aleatha Romig's Readers

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of My Always One (Lighter Ones #4) by Aleatha Romig to read and review for this tour. Mary received her copy via the author’s ARC team.