From a Jack to a King by Scotty Cade

New York Times best-selling mystery writer Bay Whitman leads the life of a celebrity—at least on the surface. In public he’s self-assured and in control. Women hang on his every word, while men envy his confidence and swagger. But in reality, Bay is a loner. He’s shy and introverted, and his life consists of sitting in a dimly lit room writing his famous Jack Robbins mystery novels. His one vice—gambling. Winning an escort in a poker game will change Bay’s life in ways he never imagined.

Matthew “King” Slater is one of the hottest tickets in gay porn. He spends his days in front of the camera and his nights as a highly paid escort to the rich and famous. Deep down, he craves romance and a real connection, but his past makes it hard to separate the needs of his body from those of his heart. For now, it’s easier to think of sex as just a job. But while doing a shoot in Vegas, King is hired for a tryst at a famous hotel and casino, and his handsome client might blur the line between work and play.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is such a fun story! When famous author Bay wins a night with a porn star escort, he doesn’t expect a male porn star and he really doesn’t expect the porn star to look exactly like his most famous character.

King and Bay are an unlikely couple, but they are both brilliant characters who bring out the best in each other. With King’s help, Bay slowly develops his self-confidence and with Bay’s support, King finds himself able to manage a relationship for the first time. The slow burn chemistry between these two is very sexy.

This isn’t a terribly plausible book, but it is a highly entertaining read. From high stakes gambling in Vegas to sex addiction treatment in New York, the book avoids most porn star romance clichés and kept me guessing with imaginative twists and turns. I couldn’t help but love both King and Bay.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is my first Scotty Cade book, but will not be my last. I enjoyed the story, and the writing style very much.

Even though these two men were so different on the surface, they had some shared histories, and a clear connection. It was fascinating watching Bay grow into himself, and also allow King to reign in his persona and be Matthew. It is a very sensual read, with a building tension between them as Bay comes to realise that his feelings for King bring into question his assumed sexuality. His innocence was refreshing without being naïve.

It was fun to be immersed in a variety of worlds; from the glamour of Vegas poker games, to the porn shoot, the book signings, we had a glimpse of the outside, but also the quiet times were important too. A satisfying read with some big issues dealt with in a sensitive and informative way, as well as a hot and romantic story.

SCOTTY CADE left corporate America and twenty-five years of marketing and public relations in 2004 to buy an inn and restaurant on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with Kell, his husband of over twenty years.

He started writing stories as soon as he could read, but only in the last eight years for publication. When not at the inn, you can find him on the bow of his boat writing romance novels with his Shetland sheepdog, Mavis, at his side. Being from the South and a lover of commitment and fidelity, all of his characters find their way to long, healthy relationships, however long it takes them to get there. He believes that, in the end, the boy should always get the boy.

Scotty and Kell are avid boaters and spend the summers on Martha’s Vineyard and winters in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of From a Jack to a King by Scotty Cade to read and review.

Devoted to Pleasure by Shayla Black

The first in an all-new sexy contemporary romance series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shayla Black.

BOUND BY DUTY...

Bodyguard and former military man Cutter Bryant has always done his duty—no matter the cost. Now he's taking one last high-octane assignment before settling down in a new role that means sacrificing his chance at love. But he never expects to share an irresistible chemistry with his beautiful new client.

...TEMPTED BY PLEASURE

As the star of a steamy television drama, Shealyn West knows fame well, but it has come at the expense of her heart. With a blackmailer watching her every move and the threat of career-ending exposure looming, Shealyn hires Cutter to shore up her security and keep her safe, never imagining their attraction will be too powerful to contain.

As Shealyn and Cutter navigate the scintillating line between business and pleasure, they unravel a web of secrets that threaten their relationship and their lives. When danger strikes, Cutter must decide whether to follow his heart for the first time, or risk losing Shealyn forever.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

I found myself loving this story, but Cutter was too good to be true. He was there to help anyone who needed it and was even going to give up true love and forever happiness to help a friend, someone as close to him as a sister. It just didn't seem real to me because I haven't met anyone that selfless in my life.

Cutter Bryant was the all-around good guy, former military, now a bodyguard for hire and his next assignment has him heading to Hollywood. And after this high-profile job, he is giving up his chance at love to help a friend. Wait until he meets Shealyn West, the one person he was not expecting.

Small town girl makes it big, Shealyn West is finally living her dream as a Hollywood actress. But what she wasn't ready for was all the press following her every move. And when a blackmailer sends a text with a steamy video of her and a man that is not her boyfriend, she realizes that she needs someone to go with her to drop off the payoff. She hires a bodyguard at a friend’s recommendation. When the man shows up at her door, Cutter Bryant was not what she was expecting at all. He leaves her tingling all over and tongue-tied. She has never had these feelings towards any man before. And she wants to explore them more with him.

Can Cutter and Shealyn enjoy their time together and he can keep her safe too? Will the blackmailer give up after she pays whoever it is off? Will they find out who the blackmailer is? Will Cutter and Shealyn end things when he leaves, or will they make a future together?

I loved this story and other than Cutter being too good to be true, I recommend it highly. Shayla Black has a way of pulling you into a story and making you feel all the emotions the story has to offer. So I hope you enjoy this story too.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
The characters in this book are well defined and each are seeking some form of redemption. In Shealyn's cases it takes the form of striving to be perfect and not causing her family members heartache. For Cutter it's to right a wrong, to be better than he was to let no one get hurt in his watch ever again.

Shealyn is being blackmailed and just wants to pay the money with no one being the wiser. When the drop goes south she realizes that she has to trust Cutter with her secrets. Cutter's first instinct is to put her in a safe house but that's not realistic.

As their lives become intertwined, both Cutter and Shealyn must figure out what is more important: their careers or each other.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
I didn’t love this book – I didn’t feel invested in Shealyn and Cutter, their chemistry just didn’t do it for me. I’m giving three stars because I did enjoy the storyline and I love Shayla Black’s writing, I always breeze through her books very quickly.

Cutter works private security now that he’s out of the military. In his hometown he’s known for helping anyone who needs it – even at the expense of his personal life. Cutter has committed to marry his best friend when he returns from his next job so that she doesn’t look bad to her family. This one last job before that can happen is with Shealyn, a big time actress who is being blackmailed and needs Cutter to provide security for her to make the payoff. From their first meeting they’re attracted to one another, but neither is willing to cross the professional/personal line. Then, Shealyn’s blackmailing becomes more and Cutter swoops in to save this damsel.

I think the part that had me not loving this book was that Cutter lets everyone walk all over him. He doesn’t seem to have an alpha bone in his body but at the same time, he’s a security guard so he’s strong. It was just weird, and I struggled with that and him having promised himself to his best friend before leaving on the job with Shealyn. Though this one wasn’t for me, I still applaud the author for writing a book that kept me reading through to the end even though I wasn’t invested in the main characters.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really good first book in a new series – although any Wicked Lovers fans will find some familiar names to smile about too. If you haven't read that series, well you have a treat waiting for you when you do!

Cutter is in security, and first we find him talking to his all-life friend Brea, and she is in a major jam. Then we watch on as he is assailed by intense desire for his latest client, Shealyn, an actress on a hit TV show. This sets up the underlying plot issues perfectly and had me trying to work out just how he was going to resolve a fairly massive problem that he has created... let's just say that Shayla Black is brilliant at writing men who should think less and say more! I cannot tell you how many times I said to Cutter "now?" and rolled my eyes when the page turned and the moment had passed!

Add in a blackmail mystery with some clever turns and use of Facebook and social media to divert attention, and this is a great combination of very hot, steamy, and quickly intense romance, and well-paced drama. I don't really want to say anymore for fear of giving anything away. Rest assured you will enjoy the ride, find out more about the repetitive nature of the role of TV star, and how just about everything written about celebrity is nonsense. Another winner, thank you and can't wait to read the next installment – there are some big hints about who should be involved, and I am looking forward to unravelling all the negative comments about him soon.


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

This is a great start to a new series. It has the makings of a great series with all of the hints at secondary characters.

Cutter is a great guy - he is too good to be true, in all honesty. I wish that he had some flaws throughout, since he was so "perfect," it was hard to believe his character or to even really relate. He is in security and when he's called to protect a Hollywood star, he takes his job very seriously... until he meets her. Not only is he insanely attracted to her, he is also in a personal pickle with what he left behind.

Shealyn is an actress who is set on protecting her private life. She is now in need of protection, but she's not willing to divulge what is really going on until it's almost too late. She meets Cutter and knows that her life is complicated already, but just this once, she wants something real – for herself.

In true romance fashion, the lack of communication is prevalent and rears its ugly head. I think that Black has an amazing talent for writing characters that suck you in and who you want to root for.

This is a great story with a lot of intrigue and a ton of chemistry between the main characters. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for more.

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Devoted to Pleasure (Devoted Lovers #1) by Shayla Black to read and review. Mary reviewed her personal NetGalley copy.

Branded by Stacy Gail

You want my hands on you, Celia. Making you shiver, making you moan, making you scream. Admit it.

Celia Villarreal had wanted those things with Ryland Brody, Bitterthorn’s golden boy—and wanted them badly enough to make a fool of herself one idiotic night months ago.

Naughty children shouldn’t touch what they don’t own.

Rejection always stings, but putting a move on Ry had devastating consequences. Now her regret burns as bright as her need—until Ry, as glorious as ever, makes her an offer that might finally be her ticket out of town.

I’m not your enemy, darlin’. If you give me half a chance, you’ll see that I can be your hero.

When working together leads to grinding all naked-like with the very cowboy who’s seen her at her worst, Celia is afraid she’s made a mistake.

Until the truth comes out.

This is who we are from now on. Say it. Feel it.

Once Ry’s past motivations come to light, Celia must decide if she can give him another chance or turn her back on Bitterthorn—and the one man who’s always wanted her—for good.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Book 1
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Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 stars isn't even enough – I loved this book! Ry and Celia's story had me sucked in from the very first chapter and now that I've finished, I'm left wanting more!

Celia grew up in a super-small town, always having had a crush on the Brody brothers. At her 21st birthday celebration, Cel gets drunk and grabs the butt of one of the eldest brothers, Ry. Ry embarrasses Cel and after the incident, no males in their town will so much as look at Celia, having her believe she’s a complete pariah. When Ry finds out Celia is planning to move out of their small town to get away from the dirty looks being thrown her way, he decides to hire her... and claim her as his.

I'm not sure bossy is a strong enough word to describe Ryland. He pretty much dictates his and Celia’s life from their very first encounter. Though I really did love this book, there were a few parts that I was so frustrated with. It seems like every time Ry was trying to explain something he'd keep telling Celia "you're not hearing me" and it made me want to jump into the book and punch him. Plus, he's overwhelmingly bossy at times, it's hot most of the time but others it was just... a bit much. Other than that though, the author does such a great job not only keeping this book steamy, but it has a terrific and interesting storyline as well. It left me definitely wanting more of the Brody brothers.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Not your typical romance. Both Celia and Brody have trust issues and they have to learn to trust each other in order for any relationship between them to work.

Ry is high handed and tends to order instead of ask. Celia is wanting to get out of their little town because she's tired of being the town pariah. Celia doesn't take orders very well so they each must learn to compromise.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and it sets the scene for the future books, but maybe not quite quickly enough for me to really appreciate this one. I do now understand why Ry is such an idiot with Celia, but I was close to giving up a few times in anger. I still have my reservations, but at least more understanding. So, if you feel the same, just give him a chance, and then another, and possibly a third!

I like strident, take charge men in stories, and the cowboy category regularly fits the bill, but the line is clearly one which can be crossed into arrogance and offence, and this fell over the line at times. Even when Ryland was given Celia's viewpoint, he gave a reason which excused him, rather than really vowed to change to support her.

Although I had a mainly negative reaction to his character, I am really glad I read this book, because it did make me conscious of just where my push points are. Interestingly, Celia managed to maintain a strong personality even when he was being an idiot, and for one so young she did stand up for herself. I would have been in Dallas in a flash!

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Branded (Brody Brothers #1) by Stacy Gail to read and review.

Nobody Else's by Nell Iris Release Blitz

Mars enters Pisces, giving Beckett Cooper the opportunity to assert himself when it comes to a secret infatuation; his best friend’s younger brother Levi. But can Beckett trust what’s in front of him and be brave enough to take what he wants?

With Venus in Virgo, people usually become more reserved, but Levi Byrne always takes the opposite road of what’s expected of him. So, instead of pulling back, he reaches out for a man he’s been interested in for years; Beckett Cooper.

Is it the celestial bodies aligning to bring together two people destined for each other? Or is it a simple tale of boy meets boy, boy likes boy, and boy wants to kiss boy? Do Beckett and Levi even care, or are they too busy getting to know each other... and falling in love?

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“Beckett?”

The voice made my stomach jump and the corners of my mouth turn up even though I was so tired I’d thought I’d never smile again just a moment ago.

“Levi. Hi!” Stubble covered his face and he approached me with a spring in his step and a happy grin that made my heart pitter-patter in my chest. Oh gawd, he was cuter than ever. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

He threw his arm around my neck in a quick, one-armed hug. The heat of his body penetrated my cold soul, but before I had time to hug him back, he let go of me and stepped back. I missed his warmth instantly. I wanted more. I wanted to bury my nose in the crook of his neck and just stay there until this crappy day was gone and forgotten. Feel his hands on my back and his soothing breaths in my ear.

Shit. I swallowed around a lump that appeared in my throat. I had it bad.

“I’m here to get some celebratory ice cream. I finished my project on time, so I thought I’d treat myself.”

“Great job. Congratulations!”

“Thanks!” His eyes sparkled at me. “Are you getting ice cream, too?”

“No. I was trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. I can’t decide what sounds the least disgusting,” I said and picked up two depressing looking boxes. “Lasagna or pepperoni pizza?”

Levi drew his eyebrows together and then took both from me and threw them back into the freezer. “You can’t eat crap like that. It’s no good for you.”

“I know,” I sighed. “But my fridge is empty and I’m too tired to both shop for groceries and cook.”

He looked at me then, swept his gaze from head to toe. “You look exhausted. I’m sorry I didn’t notice earlier.”

“It’s fine.”

With an unconvinced look on his face, he asked, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah. Just tired. I had a terrible day at work.”

“I know all about those.” He sucked his lower lip into his mouth, letting his eyes flick over my face, taking in what I was sure was tired lines around my eyes and a mouth trying its best to smile. “I have an idea,” he said after a few moments. “What if I make you dinner? I’d need to borrow your kitchen of course, but if you feel like a homecooked meal... I’m your guy.”

I drew a breath and held it. Blinked. “Are you serious?” I asked in a whooshing exhale.

“I am.”

“But what about your ice cream celebration?”

“It can wait.”

His kindness coupled with my fatigue choked me up. Half a second from bursting into tears, I asked, “Why?”

“Because you look like you need someone to take care of you.”

I couldn’t help it then. A tear escaped. I turned my face away and squeezed my eyes shut. A part of me wanted to turn and run away, hide my stupid sensitivity from him and not be the guy who cries in the grocery store aisle. But another part knew he could be trusted and even if I broke down completely here, he wouldn’t make fun of me.

“Then yes. Thank you,” I choked out.

Gentle fingers plucked the shopping basket from my grip. His other hand found its way to my nape and caressed me for a second. It was just a brief touch, but it gave me the strength to wipe away the tear and look at him again.

“Let’s go. I know just the thing.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆
Nobody Else’s was just too freaking cute. I’ve become a fan of Nell Iris’ novellas over the past year, loving that the author gives me just enough of a look at a couple and where they’re at in their lives and relationship, yet leaves me wanting more of their story because I’ve enjoyed my time with them. Within a couple of hours, I’ve met new friends and fallen in love with them, and Beckett and Levi are no different.

Using the best friend’s little brother trope, Iris is able to start the story with a bit of built-in history that makes Beckett and Levi’s awkward dance both cute and believable. By changing narrators with each chapter, we learn that not only are both men attracted to one another, both doubt the other would see them as a potential love interest. Beckett has some self-esteem issues due to his less-than-fit appearance, not believing anyone, let alone Levi, would be attracted to a boring man with a soft belly and three years on him. On the other hand, Levi worries that he’s too young at twenty-three to catch Beckett’s eye, worried he’ll always be seen as Matt’s little brother. But with the right stars and planets in alignment and some cheeky horoscopes to nudge them along, the two find themselves meeting up without Matt, getting to know one another better, and developing their own friendship. I had mixed feelings when Levi informed Matt that he planned on asking Beckett out, but that was because I went from wanting to throat punch Matt to wanting to hug him, after elbowing him in the solar plexus. But their talk gave Levi the courage to ask Beckett out and it was tooooooo funny watching Beckett go all teenage girl, giddy with excitement, when it happened.

While the date was perfect and demonstrated just how well Levi knew Beckett, I was a tad surprised with how far things went on their first official date – which is the only downside of this being a novella. Even with their built-in history and them having spent time together (including a spur of the moment dinner that could be considered their first unofficial date), I didn’t expect the clothes to come off. However, as neither man is a player and we know they both really like one another, it actually made sense story-wise and in the progression of their relationship. Both are men who prefer a quiet evening in, men who are looking for something long-term and see the potential for it with the other, men who look before leaping, so the decision to get physical fit who they are and is driven by feelings and a long-time attraction, not by lust. I always find meet-the-parents dinners amusing when the boyfriend already knows the parents but is meeting them as their child’s love interest for the first time, and Nell Iris didn’t disappoint. As I expected, the author left me wanting more, but left me with one of the cutest endings I’ve read in a while – I may have awwwww-ed at it. Nobody Else’s was a sweet read and exactly what I needed this evening.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is a gentle and very sweet romance. Even though Beckett is in his late twenties, it feels like a new adult story because Beckett and Levi are both quite wonderfully innocent. Tiny details like Beckett’s hang-ups about his weight and Levi’s slightly overwhelming family commitments make the two men come fully to life in a short novella.

For a short book, a little bit too much time is spent on secondary characters like Levi’s brother and mother. I don’t read many short stories or novellas – mostly because I struggle to believe in insta-love stories that race to a happily ever after. And this story is no different. There is limited time spent developing Levi and Beckett’s relationship into a convincing partnership. The happily ever after feels a bit rushed and a bit forced. Levi and Beckett feel incredibly young and a happy for now might have worked better.

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies’ room), loves music (and singing along but, let’s face it, she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (“Make it so”). She loves words, poetry, wine, and Sudoku, and absolutely adores elephants!

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender, or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a forty-something bisexual Swedish woman, married to the love of her life, and a proud mama of a grown daughter. She left the Scandinavian cold and darkness for warmer and sunnier Malaysia a few years ago, and now spends her days writing, surfing the Internet, enjoying the heat, and eating good food. One day she decided to chase her lifelong dream of being a writer, sat down in front of her laptop, and wrote a story about two men falling in love.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angst, and wants to write diverse and different characters.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Nobody Else's by Nell Iris to read and review for this tour.

Disgrace by Brittainy C. Cherry Blog Tour

Each day I prayed for my husband to love me again.

After fifteen years together, he walked away from me, and into the arms of another.

I didn’t know how to cope. I didn’t know my worth. I didn’t know how to exist without him by my side.

All I wanted was for him to come back to me.

Then, Jackson Emery appeared.

He was supposed to be a distraction for my mind. A summer fling. A confidence boost to my bruised heart.

We were perfect for one another, because we both knew we wouldn’t last. Jackson didn’t believe in commitment, and I no longer believed in love. He was too closed-off for me, and I was too damaged for him.

Everything was fine, until one night my heart skipped a beat.

I didn’t expect him to make me laugh. To make me think. To make my sadness somewhat disappear.

When our time was up, my heart didn’t know how to walk away.

Each day I prayed for my husband to love me again, yet slowly my prayers began to shift toward the man who wasn’t right for me.

I prayed for one more smile, one more kiss, one more laugh, one more touch…

I prayed for him to be mine.

Even though I knew his heart wasn’t destined to love..

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Jackson

“I’ve read about boys like you in books, ya know,” she whispered, her fingers slowly spinning spirals on my chest.

“Oh, yeah? What did those books teach you about boys like me?”

“Well…” She bit her bottom lip, and with a small inhalation, she whispered, “They taught me to stay away.”

“Then why are you so close?”

She tilted her head up, looking me straight in the eyes. “Because in those stories, the heroine never ever listens.”

“And then there’s trouble?” I asked.

“Yes, and then there’s trouble.”

From the way she said those words, I knew trouble was exactly what she was in search of. We were the classic cliché. She was the good girl next door, I the monster from around the block. We were perfect opposites for the perfect storm, and she was asking me to be her next flaw, her greatest mistake.

And, well, who was I not to live up to her request?

“I could destroy you,” I warned.

“Or save me.”

“Is it worth the risk?”

“Isn’t it always worth the risk?”

The more she touched me, the more I wanted to touch her back. I wrapped my hands around her wrists flipping us around so she was now against the wall with her hands above her head. “I have rules.” I leaned in closer, lightly brushing my lips against her neck. God, she smelled good, like peaches and my next sin. “You can’t break these rules, either.” My tongue rolled from my mouth and circled against her neck before I gently sucked her skin.

She shivered at my touch. “What are they?”

“Rule one,” I whispered, my mouth moving across her collarbone. “You never stay the night.”

“Check.”

“Rule number two,” I said, dropping her left arm to the side. Taking my hand to the bottom of her blouse, I slowly raised it up and massaged her skin. “You never develop feelings.”

“That’s easy enough,” she replied, her breaths uneven as I teased at the top button on her jeans. “I don’t believe in feelings anymore.”

I didn’t know why, but that made me sad for her. I, too, didn’t believe in falling for people, but that was my norm. Grace seemed the type to believe in something bigger than love, so the fact that her belief was completely gone was a bit surprising.

Maybe we had more in common than I thought.

“Rule number three… we don’t talk about my life.”

“Like ever?”

“Never.”

“Okay.”

“And lastly, rule number four…” My mouth brushed against hers, and I slid my tongue slowly across her bottom lip. “If your favorite pair of panties get ripped, don’t expect me to replace them.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Grace Harris is heading back home after her 15-year marriage has failed. She doesn't understand how it could have happened but deep in her heart, she knows. After all they had been through, he found comfort in someone else's arms but could not comfort his wife. So, the marriage is over. Now, Grace is going back home to small town USA where her father is the town minister and her family is treated like royalty. Grace just wants to move on from Finn and his betrayal and for her job to start in Atlanta.

Jackson Emery is the town bad boy. Everyone talks about him and his father and all the whole town wants is for them to leave. But Jackson can't leave without his father and his father isn't leaving. So, the people talking are ignored by the Emery men as they continue to work on cars in the family-owned auto repair shop.

Can Grace and Jackson help each other heal and live a better future? Will Jackson and his dad ever move from Chester? Will Grace get her mother to understand what happened to end her marriage? Is there a future for Grace and Jackson?

I am going to stop talking (or typing) now, I don't want to give anything away. But I will say if you have or have not read anything from Brittainy C. Cherry, you need to read this one. Just be prepared, it is an emotional rollercoaster from the very first page and doesn't let up until the end. It has all the feels and then some to make this an awesome story and it will leave you wanting more. So get your favorite drink, a comfy blanket, a quiet corner, and read it, you will not be disappointed. I hope you love it as much as I did.

Hi! I'm Brittainy! Join me as we travel through my mind as a Romance Author. This includes such things as my random thoughts, tricks, tips, things I'm learning, things I'm re-learning, things I'm forgetting, and my weird ways of crafting stories.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Disgrace by Brittainy C. Cherry to read and review for this tour.

Arden by Melody Anne

New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne’s novel of dangerous secrets, dark pasts, and sizzling heat.

No one would guess that dedicated teacher Arden Forbes is a billionaire. His profession gives him a purpose that wealth alone can’t provide. He’s developing another passion, too, for Keera Thompson, the new principal. She’s beautiful, enigmatic, guarded, and—after a series of violent school break-ins—in need of protection. And Arden is eager to supply it. But what he wants most is to unearth the mysteries that surround her.

After a troubling past, Keera thought she’d be safe in this sleepy town and that she’d never be shaken again. Yet nothing has unsettled Keera more than her desire for Arden—honorable, gorgeous, and available when she craves him. But despite their explosive chemistry, when it comes to letting Arden in, Keera has her limits… and her secrets.

As the threats escalate, Keera fears that everything she’s been running from is closing in, and there’s only one man to trust. But will the truth drive Arden away… or will it bring the two closer than ever before?

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
Triggers: Click HERE to see Mary Jo’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Keera is the new principal at the local high school, just wanting to do her job and fit in. She hesitated to take the job here because several years ago, her little brother was murdered here. As the daughter of a drug kingpin she's not proud of the life her father lived or the way he walked away from his family when the authorities got close.

Arden is a history teacher and the football coach at the high school. It’s all that he ever wanted to do. Everyone in town knows he doesn't have to work because his family has money, but that doesn't matter to him. He likes knowing that he's having a positive impact on his community in a meaningful way.

When Keera is hurt at school, Arden finds that it bothers him on a deeper level. There's something about Keera that calls to his soul, that soothes his rough edges. Keera likes Arden but knows that she's out of his league. She doesn't want to tell him about her messed up family but the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes that she can trust him with her secrets. Especially when the threats against her get even more serious.

Keera's emotional upset at the death of her father and her subsequent assault is heart-wrenching. Arden's careful tenderness with Keera is great and the way he sees to her comfort is endearing.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, although it links in with previous series too. It could be read as a standalone, but you will probably want to read Kian’s story as soon as you finish Arden.

Living life as a secondary school teacher and football coach, Arden is happy with his life and the philanthropic ways taught him by his parents. But when new Principal Keera finds herself and the school in danger, he steps in. And finds that she may just be the woman with whom he wants a future.

Keera has had a pretty unusual and difficult family life and now she is a self-made and solitary woman. In a competitive world, with a lot to prove, she is very independent. So, when Arden steps up she isn’t sure how to react. She, however, recognises that there is a chemistry between them that may need to be explored. Pity her life is going crazy and he and his FBI brother are constantly putting out fires.

The drama is small town, but with imported drug dealer chaos, and the resolution brings drama of its own. I loved the complications of family, issues of wealth and best of all, darling ex-police dog Max.

Lovely story with a perfect ending and much more excitement to come from the rest of the as yet unpaired brothers.

PS – Just one thing I didn’t get: what happened to Angela at the end?


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

This book can be read as a standalone, but you might want to read book one just to tie everything together.

Arden is happy coaching football and teaching in his hometown. He also has a slight crush on the new school principal. When his brother comes to him and discloses that there is a drug issue within the school, Arden is both sad and angry. Arden is also slightly frustrated that his brother drops Max, a retired police dog off too. Arden and Max's job – to sniff out if there are drugs at the school.

Keera has a complicated past. She is trying to move pass that, but when her past collides with her present, Keera will have to confide and figure out if someone is trying to hurt her directly or is just using her past to hurt the community.

Arden is sweet when it comes to dealing with Keera. He is also very protective of her. Keera is a strong woman who has overcome her past in order to be who she is now. When she is confronted with that past, she will experience frustration and loss all over again. Keera will lean on Arden for that.

This was a sweet story with a unique twist. While it wasn't my favorite when it comes to mystery-romances, it is a quick read that is entertaining.

Also Available in the Undercover Billionaire Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Kian post.

Melody Anne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the popular Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, and Baby for the Billionaire series, as well as the young adult Midnight series. She collaborated with J.S. Scott and Ruth Cardello for the anthology Taken by a Trillionaire.

Melody holds a bachelor’s degree in business but found her true calling when she was first published in 2011. When she isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and enjoys time spent with them, as well as with her friends and beloved pets. A country girl at heart, she loves her small town and is involved in many community projects.

Melody has earned a spot on multiple bestseller lists and is a three-time Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Best of all, she gets to do what makes her happiest—live in a fantasy world 95 percent of the time.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Arden (Undercover Billionaire #2) by Melody Anne to read and review.

Butterfly Assassin by Annabelle Jacobs Blog Tour

Clapham Common—a new pack with their own set of problems…

Shifter Aaron Harper gets drawn into illegal underground fighting to keep an eye on his best friend. The thrill of the fight keeps him coming back for more, but discovery could mean imprisonment and banishment from their pack. Without a beta to watch over them, common sense takes a back seat.

Michael Archer of the Shifter Crimes Task Force is investigating recent murders. Despite the brutal cause of death pointing to the work of a shifter’s claws, instinct tells him a well-known nightclub owner is involved, but they have no proof.

Aaron and Michael’s paths cross after another body with the same injuries is discovered. With Aaron finding himself on the wrong side of the SCTF and Michael looking for a killer, any attraction between them is both ill-advised and unlikely. But fate has other ideas.

Set in the Regent’s Park pack world.

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Annabelle Jacobs is a new-to-me author.

Butterfly Assassin has a dark and gritty vibe of a police procedural novel involving the mafia, with a side of shifter politics as the paranormal world-building. Aaron is a shifter fighter in an illegal bare-knuckle fighting ring, doing so to protect his gambler of a best buddy.

Michael is a detective trying to solve a string of shifter murders, which he assumes is done by 'Mr. Smith,' lord of the illegal underbelly.

Extremely fact-based, Butterfly Assassin is the epitome of a police procedural combined with Urban Fantasy. Without any humor, no spark of flirtation or romance, my mind played a trick on me by reading the narration in a flat, dry tone, which is completely on me.

The premise was plotted well, which is why I rated a book that wasn't my cup of tea four stars. Tight and concise, the dark and gritty vibe was consistent from start to finish. While there was a thread of interest by the narrators, and they do eventually give into temptation, personally for me, I needed a bit more character and relationship development. I could buy there being attraction but absolutely nothing past a quick hookup to satisfy an urge, because there was no intimacy shown on page to solidify a partnership of any kind.

The sleuthing and mystery was so intense, any and all romance was buried deep, to the point I didn't develop an emotional connection to the narrators. That was my issue in a nutshell. While well-written and developed plot-wise, the characters didn't resonate with me because I couldn't/didn't connect with them emotionally, which had me losing interest in their journey. Not just on the romance front, but I never connected to either narrator.

I continued to the end to see how the murder plot was solved, having no hook with either Aaron or Michael or the side cast of characters.

While not to my tastes, I do recommend to readers looking for a serious take on a police procedural featuring Urban Fantasy elements.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
I loved the world building in this book. Straddling the line between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, the author presents readers with a gritty and slightly dystopian version of London where humans and shifters live uneasily together.

The urban fantasy elements of the story add interest to a relatively simple police procedural. I enjoyed the conflict between the human police and the shifter packs, and the intricate pack hierarchies makes the investigation even more complicated.

But while I enjoyed the police hunt for a shifter serial killer, I didn’t fully engage with the romance between Michael and Aaron. I think my main problem is that there really isn’t any romance. The hook-up to happily ever after connection between these two offers a few hot scenes but bypasses the emotions, the friendship, and the building sexual tension that get me to invest in a romance. The happily ever after in this book is a paranormal romance construct that sits awkwardly on an otherwise gritty urban fantasy read. I like these characters and with proper development they could easily support a series. They didn’t need a happily ever after in this book.

I’d like to see more stories in this world. This book has great promise as the start of a series if it ditches the paranormal romance constructs and develops the gritty and non-conventional elements of this story.

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Connect with Annabelle

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Butterfly Assassin by Annabelle Jacobs to read and review for this tour.