REVIEW: Renner's Rules

Renner's Rules
by K. Webster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis

I’m a bad girl.
I was sent away.
New house. New rules. New school.
Change was supposed to be…good.

Until I met him.

No one warned me Principal Renner would be so hot.
I’d expected some old, graying man in a brown suit.

Not this.

Not well over six feet of lean muscle and piercing green eyes.

Not a rugged-faced, ax-wielding lumberjack of a man.

He’s grouchy and rude and likes to boss me around.
I find myself getting in trouble just so he’ll punish me.
Especially with his favorite metal ruler.

Being bad never felt so good

 Treat (noun)

an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure:

synonyms: celebration · entertainment · amusement · surprise · party · excursion · outing · special event · present · gift · delicacy · luxury · indulgence · extravagance · guilty pleasure · goodie · pleasure · delight · boon · thrill · joy

Along with the title of this book, you get the slogan “A Taboo Treat”.  And boy oh boy I cannot describe this book any better than this definition.  I dare anyone to try.  

Renner is a commanding, 35-year old principal.  Elma is a naughty eighteen-year old high schooler.  Put them together and you get a deliciously sexy taboo treat. 

Renner’s Rules is a novella, a standalone and is told in dual POV.  It is a titillating, fast paced, page turning read.  The intimate scenes between Renner and Elma are red-hot.  K Webster pens a story that sates one’s cravings for the taboo and the carnal.

I received an ARC of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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COVER REVEAL: Merciless

Merciless

Author: Willow Winters

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Cover Design: Lara, Coverluv

Release Date: May 15, 2018

Blurb

A ruthless man with a past to hide doesn’t let a soul close to him.

A coldhearted man at war doesn’t risk anything for anyone.

A depraved man with a beautiful woman at his mercy … he doesn’t fall for her.

She was only a bargaining chip.  Now she’s my property.

I own her.

Nothing has thrilled me more than the thought of taking her how I’ve always wanted to.

To break her and make that soft voice of hers whimper with a strangled moan as I ravage her.

I know better than to give in to temptation and let her distract me from everything that’s at stake.

No matter how badly I crave more of her.

No matter how much the sordid thoughts plague me.

No matter if it’s the one thing that I’ve always wanted more than anything else …

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Willow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Bestselling Romance Author. She likes her action hot and her bad boys hotter. She certainly doesn’t hold back on either one in her writing!

Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.

In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!

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BOOK TOUR: Vlad

Vlad

(The V Games Series #1)

by Ker Dukey & K Webster

Pub Date: Feb 26, 2018

Synopsis

The Vasiliev name is a powerful one.

We rule with an iron fist and we do it well.

Being the eldest, I am Father’s best hope at keeping us at the top of the food chain.

Everything I do has purpose.

Everything I do has reason.

Until her.

I play my games thinking several moves ahead.

Power. Power. Power.

Until her.

The next move requires I marry and soon.

This will strengthen us and secure our position.

But I am not to marry her.

I am to wed the eldest Volkov.

Problem is, her younger sister is the one who awakens my dead heart.

It is her I want in my bed and by my side forever.

Her. Her. Her.

In this game, though, it’s not about what I want.

But maybe it can be about what she wants.

I am Vlad.

Vile. Vicious. Villainous. Vasiliev.

And I will win eventually.

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My review (4.5 stars!)

Words are elusive to me right now.  I was just transported to a dark, dangerous, action-packed world full of deceit, revenge and outright violence.  Through it all, an illicit, clandestine, dangerous, almost obsessive love unfolds. Welcome to the Russian Mafia where cunning, power and ruthlessness rule the day.  How can a forbidden love ever thrive?

I’m in awe.  I’m speechless.  I don’t know what I was expecting to read but this- THIS was SO not it.  It was so much more.  It was a completely absorbing, riveting, exciting page-turning read.  It was violent, gritty, angsty as well as carnal and sexy.  The mounting anticipation had my heart racing wondering what would happen next.  

All the characters are flawed.  They are shaped and molded by complicated family dynamics and the life they must live.  A few of the scenes gave me pause.  The actions the characters chose to do sometimes grated.  I did not agree with them or the measures they took to get what they wanted.

This is not a hearts and flowers kind of love.  It’s an all-encompassing, dirty, ruthless, take-no-prisoners kind of love.  Vlad and Irina will be together regardless of consequence, duty and anyone who may step in their way.

Vlad is an antihero. He will not be denied and he will not lose.  He is Vasiliev and he will not be crossed. He is shrewd and plays everyone around him like a master puppeteer.  He does not have much humanity or care.  Until he meets Irina.  She turns his world upside down on its axis.

She is his sun and he circles her like a planet.  But unlike a planet, his orbit gets closer and closer until they crash together and explode in a fiery explosion of passion and lust decimating anyone or anything that gets in their way.

Irina aka Shadow for being in the shadow of her sister, is an introvert.  She is unaware of her beauty.  Under the masterful hands and care of Vlad, she breaks through her cocoon of self-doubt and security.  She comes out of the shadows and comes into her own.  From a timid kitten to an outright tigress.

This story is the first in the series and is told is dual POV.  It is captivating and engaging. In my opinion they have started off this series with a BANG!  I’m eager to devour the next instalment.

I received an ARC of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the authors

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

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My books all tend to be darker romance, edge of you seat, angst filled reads. My advice to my readers when starting one of my titles...prepare for the unexpected.

I have always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be through lyrics or bed time stories with my sisters growing up.

My mum would always have a book in her hand when I was young and passed on her love for reading, inspiring me to venture into writing my own. I tend to have a darker edge to my writing. Not all love stories are made from light; some are created in darkness but are just as powerful and worth telling.

When I'm not lost in the world of characters I love spending time with my family. I'm a mum and that comes first in my life but when I do get down time I love attending music concerts or reading events with my younger sister.

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BOOK TOUR REVIEW: Promise Me Always

Promise Me Always

by Rhonda Shaw

Publication date: Feb 26th 2018

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Gabrielle Wells was everything Danny Anderson shouldn’t want. She was his opposite in every way, but he couldn’t keep his distance, and fate seemed to push them together at every turn. She consumed him, and the more he learned about her, the more he realized she was exactly what he didn’t know he needed. But then past mistakes forced him to walk away and never look back, breaking Gabrielle’s heart in the process.

Fast forward six years, and it seems as if fate is intervening again. Danny, now a best-selling rap artist, returns to his hometown, and is reunited with the only girl he’s ever loved.

Gabrielle isn’t the girl he left behind, though, and Danny realizes life has thrown her quite a few curves. But he will stop at nothing to get her back, refusing to let his true desires—love and family—continue to elude him. However, when Danny’s past crashes into his present, threatening everyone he loves and everything he’s fought for, he must decide if his promise to Gabrielle of “always” is worth the risk.

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My Review⭐⭐⭐⭐

I adore this book. From the first word until the very last, it kept and held my attention. It was so gripping that when I had to put it down, I still thought about it.  It is angsty and the characters were well written and developed.

I loved D.  From the beginning he is very hard and jaded but he starts to mellow and open up with Gabrielle.  He is so protective an even sweet which is contrary to the front he puts up with everyone.  He protects Gabrielle at every turn from walking her to ballet class to standing up for her with bullies.  He had a terrible upbringing with his alcoholic, drug-abusing father and his mother left him when he was younger.  He puts himself in a bad situation with a gang because he was trying to make up for his lack of family.  At the last moment, he makes a choice.  A choice that will follow him and Gabrielle the rest of their lives.

Gabrielle is timid and insecure.  When she arrives at her new school, all she wants is to be unnoticed.  Unfortunately, because of the way she dresses, she sticks out like a sore thumb.  She is made fun of and people whisper behind their hands about her.  When she arrives at her first class, someone steals her book and begins teasing her.  He does not give back her book until D tells him to.  Afterward, she thanks him quietly.

But D has made his own assumptions about her based on the way she dresses.  He assumes she is “stuck up” and that she believes she is better than everyone in the run-down school.  He soon learns that he could not be more mistaken.  Gabrielle is kind, generous and unjudgmental.  She brings life and love into his life until he destroys it quite purposefully.

This story is told in dual POV.

What I feel was overlooked a little bit at the end is what Gabrielle will do with her life.  Will she follow through somehow with her passion? I also find that although she loves Danny, she forgives him a little too easily.  After what he did, I think it would be a little more difficult to forgive.  Maybe it required a little more groveling on his behalf.

Beside that however, I loved them as a couple.  The opposites attract trope really worked in this book.  His briskness to her kindness.  His extrovert to her introvert.  He is the ideal alpha male, wanting to protect and cherish the one he loves at any cost.

Gabrielle is a strong character.  Although D tries to protect her from his life, she demands to be part of it.  She does not want to be left out.  Good or bad she loved him and he, her.  They are so wonderful together.  Each taking and giving in equal measure.  I really did not want their story to end.

I even liked “Teddy” in Ds crew what a gruff cuddly teddybear he seems to be.  I hope he gets a story.  As for Dollar, I would like to strangle him!

This book is not to be missed.  I recommend it to anyone who loves an angsty second chance contemporary romance.

Author

Rhonda owes her love of reading to her mother who would read to her each night before bed and sometimes give into pleads for more than one chapter. These days, if Rhonda doesn’t have a book in her hands, it feels like something is missing. While romance is her true passion, Rhonda enjoys reading multiple genres.

Born in California, but transplanted to the Midwest, Rhonda is warm weather girl to the bone (even years later, winter and her are not on speaking terms) and loves nothing more than a balmy, summer evening. She also loves all animals–especially her silly French Bulldog, Keno.

Nowadays, she has so many characters and story ideas running around in her head that she can’t keep up with them. But one day, she’ll tell each one.

Author links:   Website  |  Goodreads  |  Facebook  | Twitter

Giveaway!

Rhonda Shaw will be giving away a $50 Amazon Gift card and an ebook of Promise Me Always to one lucky winner via Rafflecopter.  Follow the tour here, comment and interact to give you more chances to win!

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BOOK TOUR: Hawkyn (1001 Dark Nights novella)

Hawkyn: A Demonica Underworld Novella

by Larissa Ione (Author)

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Synopsis:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione comes a new story in her Demonica Underworld series…

As a special class of earthbound guardian angel called Memitim, Hawkyn is charged with protecting those whose lives are woven into the fabric of the future. His success is legendary, so when he’s given a serial killer to watch over, he sees no reason for that to change. But Hawkyn’s own future is jeopardized after he breaks the rules and rescues a beautiful woman from the killer’s clutches, setting off an explosive, demonic game of cat and mouse that pits brother against brother and that won’t end until someone dies.

Aurora Mercer is the half-wytch lone survivor of a psychopath who gets off on the sadistic torture of his victims. A psychopath whose obsessive psyche won’t let him move on until he kills her. Now she’s marked for death, her fate tied to that of a murderer…and to a sexy angel who makes her blood burn with desire…

**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.**

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Excerpt 

  “Hey,” Hawkyn said through clenched teeth. “Nice security system you’ve got here.    

  Could do without the electrical current frying my insides, though.”

  “Yeah, well, it wasn’t meant for you.” She closed her eyes and concentrated on the low-level vibration emanating from the trap she’d set. An invisible thread of energy, much like a power cord, stretched from her to the protective bubble around the house, and with a whispered command, “Rojalis,” it snapped.

  Instantly, Hawkyn relaxed, taking in gulps of air, his broad chest heaving under his black turtleneck and leather jacket. Damn, he was magnificent, his long, lean thighs encased in dark jeans that bunched around well-used combat boots. She never would have guessed he was an angel, but damn, it was a good look, and despite the horror of the past days, her body grew uncomfortably warm.

  Damn her succubus genes.

  “That was unpleasant,” he said in a deep, husky voice that turned up the temperature even more, “and I’m an angel. What the hell would happen to a human who got caught in your trap?”

  “A good human?” She shrugged. “Nothing. The trap was calibrated for evil.” She paused, an icy finger of fear poking her in the libido, and she took a casual step back in case she needed to slam the door in his face. “Um, if you’re an angel, why would it snare you?”

  “Long sto—”

  “Don’t,” she broke in with a wag of her finger. “Don’t even go there.”

  One blond eyebrow arched high, and she suspected he wasn’t used to being cut off.

  “Okay, short story it is.” He jammed his hands in his jacket pockets. “My dad is evil. Sort of.”

  Well, that wasn’t expected. “Isn’t your dad, uh, God?”

  “No.”

  “All right, then. I have a lot to learn.” She gestured in invitation. “Want to come in?  

  Do you need permission?”

   One corner of his mouth tipped up in amusement. “I’m an angel, not a vampire from some campy movie.” His voice, just like at the hospital, was so whiskey smooth she thought she could get drunk from merely listening to him.

  “Well, you do have fangs,” she pointed out, feeling a little foolish.

My Review  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let me just start off my review by saying that I absolutely love Larissa Ione’s Demonica Series.  From the very first book I read, Passion Unleashed, I have inhaled almost every book in this series.  They are just that good!  They are full of passion and sensual overtones.  Not to mention the world she has created.  When the opportunity arose to review Hawkyn, I was absolutely ecstatic and signed up immediately.  Although I have read many of her previous novels in this series, this is the first I will review.

Do you believe in fate, the fact that things are predestined and that everything you do has an equal but opposite reaction?  This is a wonderful look into a world that is exactly that.

I was completely engaged with both the characters and the story.  They were rich and vibrant.  It is a wonderful peak into the world of the Demonica.  The story line and plot were intriguing and it was wonderful to reconnect with characters from previous Demonica novels. 

Hawkyn is a Memitim, an earthbound angel that protects Primori, people whose lives are important to the future.  He is strong, upright and takes his vows of Memitim seriously.  Weather it is to abstain from sexual intercourse or guarding the most vile of humanity, he obeys. He yearns for change for the Memitim populace.  To do this, he wishes to be part of the Memitim council.  Because of this, Hawkyn does everything in his power to toe the line so that he may up his chances to ascend and become a council member.  This all changes however when he tries to save Aurora from Drayger, a serial killer that is his Primori.

Aurora is part wytch and part succubus.  Upon their first meeting, she believes Hawkyn is their to do her harm.  Unfortunately, she is mistaken and she is then abducted by a serial killer that has struck many times before.

The romance between Hawkyn and Aurora was a slow burn.  Once it heated up however, it was scorching. 

While the romance between Hawkyn and Aurora is featured, there is another couple’s relationship that is continued from a previous book.  That is the love between Azagoth, Hawkyn’s father, and Lilliana.  My god, the story Larissa Ione wrote for these two is heartbreaking and beautiful.  Azagoth is struggling to comes to terms with feelings he has never felt before.  Such as guilt and love.  For centuries he felt nothing but anger.  I felt for him so much.  From not feeling anything to feeling everything must be a bitter pill to swallow.  He is feeling too much to soon and he is an absolute wreck. As result he starts pushing Lilliana away.  Lilliana is strong and I love the way she goes about trying to regain Azagoth’s attention.  I did not read their journey to get where they are, but it is now gracing my TBR list: Azagoth.

One downfall, in my opinion, is that although I absolutely loved the relationship and the story between Azagoth and Lilliana, it overshadowed the love and story line between Hawkyn and Aurora.

This novella is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.  I definitely recommend reading this novella as well as the previous books in this series.  They are decadent and original and just plain out awesome.  Larissa Ione completely immerses you in the world she has created.  For a novella, this was a page-turning, can’t put down kind of book! I cannot wait to read another instalment from this wonderful author.

Thank you to Inkslinger PR and Larissa Ione for the ARC.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Author

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Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

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