Touch Me by J. Kenner Release Blitz

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner comes a new story in her Stark International series…

Former wild child Jamie Archer can’t believe how amazing her life has become. Not only is she married to the sexiest man on the planet, Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter, but she’s also set to star in a big budget blockbuster that is sure to send her career soaring into the stratosphere.

Everything is perfect until Jamie, the least maternal person on the planet, finds out that not only is she pregnant, but that her due date interferes with the film’s production schedule.

Ryan has always supported his wife’s ambition, but he never expected to learn that they were having a baby from the shouts of paparazzi. Hurt, angry, and afraid that Jamie will choose her career over their family, Ryan tries to pull her closer, but only succeeds in pushing her away.

Now, as the pillars of their once fairytale marriage begin to crumble, Jamie and Ryan must find a way to outshine the glitter of stardom and rediscover the strength of their bond.

 

 

Book 4
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Paperback (US)

Audiobook (US)
Narrated by Sofia Willingham

 

 

“Oh, Kitten, believe me. If you don’t kiss me, there will definitely be a fight.”

I hold back a laugh, but my whole body is tingling from the scent of him. From the pressure of his body against mine. I slide my arms around his neck and rise up to claim his mouth. It’s both soft and hard, and the moment his fingers twine in my hair and his tongue finds mine, that tingle turns into a torrent. A wild wave of need so intense that I really, really wish that it was bedtime or nap time or any sort of away time for the kiddo.

But no. His mom won’t be back for hours, and that means I have to wait to get what I want. Ryan knows it, too, and when he gently pushes back, a wave of desperation crashes over me, and I have to fight the urge to draw him close, strip him bare, and scar the kid for life.

As if he knows what I’m thinking—and considering this is Ryan, he probably does—he chuckles softly. I feel the low rumble in his chest more than I hear it. Our eyes meet for a moment, then he eases behind me and rests his hands on my shoulders, the brush of his thumbs on the back of my neck sending shivers up my spine.

His breath tickles my ear as he leans close, and I freeze when he whispers, “I want one, Kitten. Not today. Not next week. But one of these days you need to stop being scared.”

I stay frozen, expecting him to walk on. To say something else. To do anything but what he’s doing, which is standing behind me, his palm now resting lightly on my shoulder.

It’s like a reverse staring contest, but it’s one I’m determined to win.

And as David stands up, then plops down on his bottom, then laughs his little head off before doing it all over again, Ryan bends over and kisses my head. Then he walks away from me, crossing the room to grab David and swing him up into the air, sending the little demon into peals of joyous laughter.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in this particular series, but is firmly set in the Stark world – so we get to catch up with lots of old friends too.

A short novella is great, because the read and the rush are quickly achieved, but then there is that moment where it’s the last page all too soon. So, I absolutely loved the story, but cannot deny I would have loved reading 500 pages about these guys!

There is much to love in this book, as it shows us Jamie has not lost her wildness but has tamed it as she has grown older and closer to Ryan. He calls her Kitten, and it fits with her playfulness (romantically and otherwise) but also her skittishness and her defensiveness. The world throws much at celebrities and gives them challenges which others can avoid – which is definitely tough in this case, and, as the twist reveals, has a completely left field explanation.

Great epilogue revealing much happiness and a great dollop of karma!

 

 

 

J. KENNER (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas, and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 internationally, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of wide variety of genres.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award, JK took home a RITA trophy in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me, and again in 2017 for her novel, Wicked Dirty.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

Connect with J. Kenner!

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Facebook Group: J. Kenner Krew

 

 

For more information about Blue Box Press releases, follow them at:

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Touch Me (Stark International Security #4) by J. Kenner to read and review.

Happily Ever Maybe by Carrie Ann Ryan Release Blitz

New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink Legacy continues with a workplace romance that started with a fling and ends with something more.

It was only supposed to be one job.

I know the rules.
Get in. Get out.
Protect the girl, then move on.
Only it never works out the way it should.
Now Jennifer and I work with each other and there’s no going back to normal.

Then it turned into something more.

Gus isn’t for me. I know that.
Only the chemistry that burns between us won’t fade away.
We promise it will only be one night.
Then another.
But when our actions have consequences that could mean the end of our future, we’ll have to figure out exactly what we want.
Even if it means walking away broken before it begins.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

 

Book 4.5
Buy Links

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Paperback (US)

 

 

But for some reason, I was edgy now.

No, that was a lie. It wasn’t just some reason. I knew exactly what it was.

And it wasn’t Daisy and Kane, my fellow team members today. No, it was the other one.

Her.

I didn’t want to think about her, but I wasn’t sure I could stop. I needed to, however. My job demanded it.

I was a bodyguard and an installer. I not only protected my clients and charges, I also installed security equipment for businesses and homes. While my bosses laid out the security profiles and programs for large corporations and small residences—and also worked with cybersecurity—I did the installs when I wasn’t on bodyguard duty. I enjoyed both aspects of my job and was talented at it.

Yet it didn’t feel like that.

Not with her.

It was always hard to think about anything when it came to Jennifer. My coworker and my nemesis. Not that she knew she was my nemesis. No, that was all on me.

Those blue-gray eyes of hers were piercing and saw everything. At least when it came to the job. She could scent an incoming threat as quickly as I could, and that was saying something. I might be cocky as fuck when it came to my job, but it was for a reason.

And Jennifer was sometimes even better.

Her dark brown hair was pulled into a tight bun away from her face. I liked it when her hair was down, though, since it fell in soft waves past her shoulders. She pulled it back in a ponytail or a braid when she was working out, but when she was on duty, like today, it was in a bun, so nobody could use it against her in a fight.

I always kept my hair decently short, but my beard was getting longer. I’d probably have to trim it soon. I wasn’t trying to blend in like I had with my old job when everybody had long beards, and I was undercover. Now, I needed to trim it a bit so nobody could pull it in a fight.

But Jennifer? She’d thought about all of that already. Hence the bun.

She was slim with a narrow waist and average height—though not much about her was average. But that delicate frame was all muscle. She could bench press more than a few of the guys on the team and kick any of our asses on any given day. Hell, she’d pinned me to the ground once, and I nearly swallowed my tongue. And then I’d had to hide my erection from her. Like I did most days. Because Jennifer was a distraction.

My distraction.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
As a huge fan of all the Montgomery series, this was a lovely treat. If you have never read one, it will give you a taste of the goodness, and I’m sure spur you into reading others. I loved being back in the action, and seeing two of the team work out their future together.

The sparks fly, the unexpected causes Gus and Jen to reevaluate their views and their plans – whilst they also do the day job. Delicious read, that is for sure! Only one small problem, I’d always like more!


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

Jennifer and Gus have worked together for a while. Both have an attraction to the other, but they also don't really know what to do about it. Thinking it's just an itch, they scratch and it'll be over.

This is a quick read that was somewhat chaotic in theme. I liked the characters and wish this had been a little longer to truly get to see the characters pan out more.

Overall, a fun story with quick-thinking action and a fun couple.

 

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author CARRIE ANN RYAN never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

Connect with Carrie Ann Ryan!

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Facebook Group: Carrie Ann Ryan's Books

 

 

For more information about the 1,001 Dark Nights releases, follow them at:

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Happily Ever Maybe (Montgomery Ink Legacy #4.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan to read and review.

The Rockstar by Emerson Beckett & Rheland Richmond Blog Tour

The first book in the sexy new bodyguard series set in The Package Deal World.

Adam Spencer – “The Rockstar”

Here’s what I know -- some people aren’t meant to find love.
And as much as I want to be someone’s everything, that’s not meant for me.
After a painful breakup, I channeled all my hurt into a song that has skyrocketed my band, Fallen Angel, to the top of the charts.

Now I need protection from the one person who was supposed to love me no matter what—my mother.
Whether I want him or not, I now have a sexy, silver-tongued southern charmer as my 24/7 bodyguard.
I’ve tried not to fall for him, because I don’t do relationships. They hurt too much.
But Michael has me thinking I could take one more chance to find love.
Or was I meant to be alone like I'd thought all along?

Michael Coleman – “Phantom”

I’ve always been a protector. During my career as a Navy SEAL, my duty was to find undisclosed information and protect my team.
Now I need to protect the sexy rockstar I love flirting with every time he walks in the door to our EHM office.
Adam Spencer lights me up like no one ever has. And that’s saying something.
I’ll do whatever it takes to protect him, even from himself.
Have I finally found the love I’ve been hoping for with my rockstar?

The Rockstar is a flirty, friends-to-lovers, bodyguard and rockstar M/M Romance that takes place in The Package Deal World. It can be read as a stand-alone book, but enjoyment is maximized after reading the original series.

Trigger Warning: There is off the page reference to physical abuse to a minor and death by drug abuse and domestic violence.

For our reviews of other books set in The Package Deal World, click HERE.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

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Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

I pulled up to the window and handed the smiling girl my card. “Here ya go, darlin’.”

Adam went to retrieve his wallet, but I waved him off. “Business expense.”

I watched as she gathered our food and put it in the bag.

“Would you like one of our loyalty cards? You can get a free item if you come back enough,” she asked, smiling at me.

“Why yes, please,” I replied, returning her smile.

I watched as she added napkins to the bag before handing it to me. I then handed it to Adam, who sat there with his head cocked to one side, looking at me.

I smirked and turned my attention back to the girl in the window.

“Here you go,” she said with a wink as she handed me my credit card. “Come back and see us again.”

I smiled at her. “Thank you.”

Pulling away from the window, I put my credit card back in my wallet, then placed the loyalty card with her name and phone number on the back onto the dash. When I closed it, I could see he hadn’t moved and was watching me like a bug under a microscope.

I chuckled. “What?”

“Do you flirt with everyone?”

“What do you mean? She was flirting with me.”

Adam laughed. “You started it!”

“I did no such thing,” I said, pulling out of the drive thru. “She started it, and I didn’t want to embarrass her by not playing along.”

Adam’s high-pitched strangled noise drew my attention. “You called her ‘darlin’’ like you’re a cowboy on the range wrangling cows or something.” He was mimicking me, and it made me smile.

Now it was my turn to laugh. “I did, but I’m telling you—she started it.”

“How?” he asked incredulously. I imagine if he could put his hands on his hips, he would have.

I guess I had to share this with him. “She gave me the smile.”

Adam shifted to look at me. “What smile? I really think you’re imagining things.”

“No, I’m not. She smiled that smile with her eyes, like a girl does when she wants you to ask her out. You know what I mean.”

He barked out a laugh. “No, the fuck I don’t. I’m gay.”

“But you’re a rockstar. Girls have to hit on you.”

He snorted. “Yeah, they do. But I’m usually paying more attention to their boyfriends.”

I laughed at his response and shook my head.

Damn, this was going to be fun.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
The Rockstar is the first book in the Portland Protectors – EHM Security series set in The Package Deal World. EHM is the security firm that Aiden Hayes, Marcus Monroe, and Jesse Evans started with help from Jesse's Navy SEAL brothers, Daredevil, Phantom, and Dreamboat. This is a spin-off series, BUT I feel you get so much more from the heavily included past characters and relationships in the story knowing the history compared to starting here.

Adam's story essentially started in Ineligible Receiver, Adam was dating Cooper and Cooper was all in his head about Greg Foster. Adam was in love with Cooper, but Cooper wasn't there with him and broke it off. Seeing Adam's point of view in that scene is heartbreaking. The trauma that Adam still has from his mother abandoning him as a child and Cooper picking Foster just lead him to further believe that everyone leaves, and he's not worthy of real, emotional love. After the song he wrote for his band, Fallen Angel, detailing his heartbreak, Fallen Angel is the next up and coming band. Aiden takes the band on as clients, thus having EHM provide security. Adam enjoys flirting with Phantom every chance he gets. Their banter is the highlight of his day. When another note appears on his apartment door demanding money, Jesse and Aiden immediately go into action to find out who is behind the blackmail. As much as Adam doesn't want it, they decide he needs 24/7 security. Phantom is the man for the job.

Michael aka Phantom is a decorated SEAL. He loves the work he's doing for EHM and when his next assignment is Adam, Michael knows he should stop flirting with the man but he enjoys it so much and he can see it helps relax Adam. Michael is demiromantic and quickly realizes Adam is someone special and he wants to see where these feelings with Adam go. Michael can see the fear in Adam, knows that he thinks he's unlovable. He'll do everything in his power to show Adam he's not going anywhere and he's worth so much more than he thinks he is.

I love The Package Deal World. Seeing all these great characters so intermingled in each other’s lives. Michael and Adam have such sweet flirty banter early on. Adam is so scared to be vulnerable with Michael, but Michael so easily holds all the pieces to keep him whole. It's such a sweet romantic story. Michael is the first demiromantic character I've ever read and doing some research so I understood completely, I found his sexuality was written so well.

I can't wait for what's next for Cole and Patrick. My heart just breaks for these two who are so clearly in love with each other but stuck in the closet.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a new series, but written in the same world as the Pirates Football team (The Package Deal). If you have read those, you will remember Adam and his failed relationship with Cooper, as well as the founders of EHM. If you haven't, you can still really enjoy this story, but I am guessing you will be tempted to go and read them too!

Adam's success with Fallen Angel has attracted attention and his safety is considered at risk, so Phantom/Michael is charged with keeping him safe whilst EHM find out who is posing the danger. This is no hardship for either of them in that they have been flirting for a while, but is also a bit of a nightmare, as suddenly they are together all the time and all those jokey flirts are now being tested.

We get to read each of their points of view as the story progresses, and it is fun having all the information as they decide how to overcome their anti-relationship issues and their strong attraction. This is sharply in contrast with the reality of Adam's stalker, and his expectation that it is his addicted, neglectful mother who is responsible. There is a good twist in the detecting of what is going on, which gives Adam something he never expected.

I really enjoyed this story and will be adding this series to my list of books to look out for!

 

 

 

EMERSON BECKETT is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.

The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal M/M romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing – Rheland Richmond. Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series. She released her first solo book in 2023.

Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to M/M Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.

Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance... Get in touch.

Connect with Emerson Beckett!

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Facebook Group: Beckett's Book Brigade

 

For as long as she can remember Rheland's had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else's creation. (She still does.) Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

She's just a girl that loved stories so much she wrote hers.

RHELAND RICHMOND would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y'all. So if you get a chance... Get in touch.

Connect with Rheland Richmond!

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Facebook Group: Richmond’s Riders

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Rockstar (Portland Protectors – EHM Security #1) by Emerson Beckett & Rheland Richmond to read and review.

Black Flagged by Emma Jaye Release Blitz

Will a Black Flag end love before it leaves the starting line?

Dren is a mercenary, not a babysitter, yet protecting an F1 “bad boy” from his own recklessness is his next contract. The media darling everyone loves to hate is annoying as hell and a target both on and off the track.

Staying close is the only way to protect Karl from himself and others, but the forced proximity reveals the man behind the uncaring, flippant mask. In public and private, Karl craves attention, but it's not Dren’s job to provide it. But Dren can’t help falling for Karl’s provocative passion, and he shouldn’t because when the contract ends, he’ll return to the organization that holds his soul.

Karl avoids people he can’t trick, charm, or buy, and his new bodyguard falls into that irritating category. But before he knows it, Dren’s imposing presence becomes his seatbelt in the rocky, perilous world of F1 because there’s genuine concern and interest behind the gruff exterior.

When a fiery crash gets Karl suspended for dangerous driving, can the pair find his mysterious enemy before Karl loses his career and Dren?

This M/M romance from Emma Jaye features an arrogant F1 driver with a hidden past and a bodyguard who is in way too deep. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.

**Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.**

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Lights Out series!
For book one, Team Orders, click HERE.
For book two, Full Throttle, click HERE.
For book three, Pole Position, click HERE.
For book four, Scoring Points, click HERE.

 

 

Book 5
Buy Links

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

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I am really enjoying all of these Formula 1 based M/M stories by a group of talented authors. Although each one can be read as a standalone, the stories interlink – and in this one, we finally get to read Karl's side of the story!

Karl Neumann, the bad boy of the circuit, the one most likely to cause others to hit out – in one case, whilst holding a koala which got dropped! It has been very easy in earlier books to dismiss him as the rich nephew of an owner, racing only due to his parentage and the money to make him a reasonable driver.

Well, be prepared for a completely different side to this man! As we get to learn about his family history, the threats which he hasn't even clocked, and the real way that his family come by their money... let alone how Dren, his bodyguard, was raised to behave! WOW!

I was fascinated by the insight into an Albanian brotherhood of the most horrific violence, but honour. I loved that Karl and Dren found the person who valued the other more than themselves, but in that very act understood that they too had value.

Really great way to turn it all around, and to see incidents both on and off the track from a different viewpoint. That it also provided a scorchingly hot romance was just the spray of champagne on the winning trophy!


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Black Flagged is the fifth installment in the Lights Out multi-author series. Each book is made to be read as a standalone, BUT you get so much more out of them if you read them in order.

Karl Neumann is the "bad boy" of Formula 1. Fans love him and other drivers love to hate him. He's egotistical and conceited but that's what he wants everyone to believe. Throughout the rest of the books in the series, you get to see what other racers see in Karl. In Black Flagged though, you get to see a side of Karl you never expected. When he's not "on" for everyone else, he's a completely different person. I can honestly say I wasn't excited about this one since Karl just rubs me the wrong way in other books, BUT I loved seeing the other side of him. And Dren... hot damn, Dren was everything I needed and more. I was so invested in the suspense and thrill of this story. I loved getting a "darker" read involving F1.

Emma Jaye is a new author for me and if they are anything like Black Flagged, I am looking forward to going through the rest of her back log!

 

 

EMMA JAYE is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of angsty, dark MM paranormal, scifi, and contemporary series, including Incubus, DeMMonica, Paint, Lies, and Malthusia.

Born in Hungry Bottom (yes, it's a real place) as an unexpected twin, she was destined to be a little different!

She loves putting damaged, often sweet and funny characters through hell before letting them have a well-earned HFN or HEA.

Writing sci-fi, paranormal, and contemporary romance with m/m, m/f, and multiple partner characters, she concentrates on men who love men these days. She blames her rebellious muse (who looks like Chris from the Paint Series) for the hot aspects tickling the angst, and the humor cuddling up with the hotness.

She always answers questions and comments from readers, so feel free to get in touch.

Connect with Emma Jaye

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Facebook Group: Jaye's Jezabels

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Black Flagged (Lights Out #5) by Emma Jaye to read and review.

Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon

Knives Out and Ocean’s 8 meets The Nest in this hilariously twisty novel by award-winning author HelenKay Dimon, about a woman who returns home from prison to her dysfunctional con artist family and tries to get them to go legit.

One day a con man met an heiress, wooed her, married her, had two kids… and kept on conning. Jillian Moorewood is the oldest child from that meet-cute-gone-wrong marriage. The stable one. The sensible and dependable one. The one who protects and fixes. The one who went to prison to save their sorry butts. Now, thirty-nine months later, she’s out and she’s more than a little pissed.

Finally home she finds the scheming clan in full family fleecing mode. They all claim they didn’t really agree to Jillian’s previous go-legit-or-else ultimatum before she went away. They viewed it as a “suggestion” then ignored it. So, business as usual. But Jillian is done with the lies and fakery. She demands the whole messed-up crew clean up its act, and this time she’s not kidding—she has the leverage to make it happen.

Problem is, her life is in shambles, but with the help of a great aunt (crooked but loveable), a bodyguard (who is a nice surprise after three years in prison), and a few allies (all working undercover), Jillian starts to put her life back together. She kicks out a few mooching relatives living under her roof, sets limits on everyone’s access to the money, ducks from their various attacks, and sees if that bodyguard is maybe interested in sticking around for a while. For the first time, she’s Jillian Moorewood, her own woman, and she’s ready to figure out who she is.

 

 

Buy Links

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

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is such a fun read – I really recommend it to anyone!

I loved how we have to work out who is genuine, who plans on being genuine in the future, and who is actually in control... so many double crosses, so much blaming others, such a crazy, dysfunctional family – and at the centre, a woman who gave up a lot and still they don't respect her.

The layers are revealed at just the right time to keep the tension at the perfect level, and I could really only wish it was longer!

 

 

HELENKAY DIMON spent the years before becoming a romance author as a... divorce attorney. Not the usual transition, she knows. Good news is she now writes full time and is much happier. She has sold over thirty novels, novellas, and shorts to numerous publishers. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues, and her books have twice been named "Red-Hot Reads" and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. But if you ask her, she'll tell you the best part of the job is never having to wear pantyhose again.

Connect with HelenKay Dimon

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided with a free copy of Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon to read and review.

The Dom Who Came in from the Cold by Lexi Blake Release Blitz

Kyle Hawthorne will do anything to protect MaeBe in this exciting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

Kyle Hawthorne once believed his future would be a job in the private sector—a simple, normal life. Fate had other plans and he wound up in the military. Some newly discovered talents caught the eye of the CIA, and in no time he was working with a covert team. He found himself in a relationship with fellow operative, Julia—until she turned out to be the enemy. When her betrayal was uncovered, things got bloody and Kyle returned home broken, searching for a chance to walk the road not taken.

MaeBe Vaughan has never been interested in normal. Her happy place is a dark corner of the Internet, where she disrupts all the bad guys. She has a great circle of friends and a full life. She doesn’t need a man. Until Kyle Hawthorne walked into her life. He’s all wrong for her. Surly. Damaged. His uncle is her boss. But she couldn’t help getting close to him. When his past threatened her safety, Kyle walked out without saying good-bye.

Kyle will do anything to keep MaeBe safe. He faked his death, hid in the middle of nowhere, and watched over her from afar. But when Julia resurfaces, he knows that to protect MaeBe, he’ll have to get close. So close that if they manage to survive, he will never let her go.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Masters & Mercenaries: Reloaded series!
For book one, Submission Impossible, click HERE.
For book two, The Dom Identity, click HERE.
For book three, The Man from Sanctum, click HERE.
For book four, No Time to Lie, click HERE.

 

 

Book 5
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“Do you think he’s going to kill you? I know the man seems scary but he’s not. The key with Big Tag is to give as good as you get. Like fight his sarcasm with sarcasm. When he asks how my broom ride in was, I smile and ask him if he rode in on the back of a brontosaurus from his age. I know that sounds harsh, but it made him laugh, and now we’re cool. I spent the first couple of weeks terrified by him, thinking he was this big bully, but he’s actually the sweetest guy.”

The words had been said with a slightly husky feminine tone, and when he turned, sure enough there was a woman. A young woman who looked like she’d walked off the pages of a goth comic book. She was petite, a good foot shorter than him, with two purple pig tails, and she liked black. She had on a black miniskirt with sparkly suspenders over a black button-up. Dark green leggings and combat boots completed the look.

She was absolutely nothing like the two types of women he’d been surrounded by the last decade of his life. Military women who kept things neat and clean and practical, or the sophisticated crowd he’d run in when he’d been a spy. Women who were polished and thought out every single word they said and action made.

The first he would have nodded and made some simple conversation with. The second he would spend some time figuring out to ensure they weren’t here to spy on him.

He had absolutely no idea what to do with the woman in front of him. “Uh, I don’t think he’s going to kill me.”

She was weirdly fascinating. And just plain weird. She had a messenger bag over her shoulder, and the wide strap was decorated with a bunch of buttons, one which proclaimed her the Mistress of Code. She seemed to like code and the color green since she had a big button with the words I Always Play Green and some weird figure on it. “Confident. I like it. Are you a client or a new hire?” She gasped as she seemed to think of something. “Or a new vendor? Because if you are trying to sell the big guy anything that’s not a lemon tart, he might kill you. We should rethink this.”

It was her smile that did it. A small uptick of lips that let him know she was fucking with him and probably fucked with every guy in her life. Not in a “I’m looking to screw you over, take your secrets, and then probably murder you on the way out the door” way he’d gotten used to.

In the “I don’t take life too seriously” way. Like the women he’d been friends with in college. The ones he’d been comfortable with in another lifetime. In the life he’d had before he’d so brutally destroyed everything around him.

He should walk away from this woman. He was toxic, and his world for so long had been blood and secrets and death. She wouldn’t even know how to walk in his world. She also wasn’t his type. The last thing he needed was even a casual flirtation.

“I’m the new guy.” He held out a hand. “Name’s Kyle Hawthorne. I’m starting in the bodyguard unit today.”

She was completely harmless. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to the cute goth chick while he was here. He wouldn’t be here forever. He was giving this two months tops. That should be enough time to satisfy his family and the higher-ups at the CIA that he wasn’t going to do something dangerous. And then he would go do something dangerous.

She reached out, that smile turning into something truly glorious. Her black-tinged lips spread and showed even white teeth, but it was the way that smile lit up her eyes that made him pause. “MaeBe.”

Oh, she was playing with fire because for the first time in months he felt his groin tighten as he took her hand in his and felt an actual fucking spark that probably wasn’t static electricity. He couldn’t help the way his own lips curled up, and the words that flowed out of his mouth could have come from his twenty-year-old self. “Maybe? I would say that’s a little presumptuous of you, but I think I’ll go with it.”

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have wanted MaeBe and Kyle's story and it was worth the wait. MaeBe and Kyle were just starting a new relationship when his ex shows up and hurts MaeBe, and tells her all kinds of things about herself and that she is not good enough for Kyle. And to make matters worse, Kyle blows himself up.

Now he is back because he has to protect MaeBe from Julia, who wants him and will stop at nothing to have him back, and that includes killing MaeBe. But Kyle has to get MaeBe to talk to him so he can explain why he did what he did and left her hurting.

If MaeBe can forgive Kyle, they, along with the McKay-Taggart group, will have to take down Julia once and for all before she goes after someone else they love.

Oh, and that epilogue was perfect, and the look in the next series is going to be awesome. I cannot wait for more. Sounds like the twins are going to get into some kind of trouble but they can always call daddy to help them out.

If you haven't read a Lexi Blake book, then you don't know what you are missing. All of the Masters & Mercenaries and the spin-offs are great. Grab a book and start reading, you will not be disappointed.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This may be the fifth book of this series, but I would definitely recommend that you have read all 26 (!) of the Masters & Mercenaries series to fully appreciate all the players in the game. I just love how everything ties together, and we get to see these fabulous people living it large, saving the world, and having a lot of kinky sexy times too! I am assuming in my review that you are up to speed...

I love that we get to see some of the story we knew already from the direct viewpoint of MaeBe and Kyle. For example, knowing that MaeBe worked out very quickly that he wasn't in fact dead, makes it better, but also makes it worse that he did not trust her. I always loved that she learned how to keep herself safe, and showed him in no uncertain terms!

The tension is great, but so are the awakenings and realisations that they both need to get over their pasts, and see how it could be... and then they slip again... the developments and changes are both cerebral and physical. It always makes me chuckle when the next generation down objects to being in Sanctum at the same time as their also kinky parents, just such a squirmy and funny idea!

Julia Ennis really is disturbing the party, but now that everyone is on the same page and working together, not in protection mode, the adventures really take off. Julia really is a fabulously manipulative and evil character – and yet Blake gives us enough of how she got to be that way to force us to think that there is a human behind the mask, just.

Fabulous read from start to finish – enjoy!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Second-Chance Romance
Triggers: Slight BDSM themes

I am so glad that the wait is over for MaeBe!!! I really enjoy her character throughout this series. I definitely suggest that you read the previous books in the series, or I think you'd feel a little plopped down in the middle of a book.

These books have been steadily growing to this showdown and it does not disappoint. The villain needs to be dealt with and quickly, before it's too late!

I was slightly put off with the beginning, because it felt kind of slow and redundant, if you'd read the previous books. However, once you get about 1/3 of the way through, it really picks up.

Kyle is trying to right the wrongs of his past. But in order to do that, he has to learn to trust his family and friends, lean on those he loves, and especially make sure that he shows trust in his relationships.

MaeBe is ready. She is strong, capable, and so dang smart. She knows that her past relationship was fleeting, but she can't help but feel that maybe something might be wrong with her in particular.

These two characters have so much love between them, but the past and future are kind of butting heads and need to be dealt with.

You'll see new characters, old characters, and be cheering everyone on. I really enjoyed watching MaeBe and Kyle figure out whether or not what they had was fleeting, worth fighting for, or just too dang hard to overcome. Love does not always win out. Sometimes, obstacles are too insurmountable.

You will not be disappointed in this book. And the teasers at the end... Oh my goodness! I can't wait!

 

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LEXI BLAKE lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Dom Who Came in from the Cold (Masters & Mercenaries #26, Reloaded #5) by Lexi Blake to read and review.