Group Review/Discussion: Thrall

Group review / discussion, ahoy! Jen, Kat, and Melinda all read Roan Parrish and Avon Gale's newest queer release, THRALL, and have some thoughts on it. Hope you enjoy! :)

Thrall by Avon Gale and Roan Parrish
Publisher: Philtre Press (September 27, 2018)
Genre: Queer Fiction / Mystery w/ Romantic Elements

Dating Sucks and Love Bites 

Happy couple Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra have begun to garner national attention for their quirky New Orleans true-crime podcast, Shadowcast. When Lucy's brother Harker disappears while researching the popular new dating app Thrall, they're thrown into a real-life mystery. Aided by their social media expert, Arthur, and Harker's professor, Van Helsing, they follow the trail, hoping to find Harker before it's too late.

When their investigation crosses the path of a possible serial killer, the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur. And as they race against the app's countdown clock, so does the line between friendship and love. What starts as a flirtatious rivalry between computer-savvy Arthur and techno-averse Van Helsing becomes much more, and Mina and Lucy's relationship is tested in the fires of social media.

As they get down to the wire, the group discovers that nothing on their screens is as it seems—including their enemy.


A modern retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula

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Group Review / Discussion:

Jen's Review: Unraveled

Whiskey Sharp: Unraveled by Lauren Dane
Publisher: HQN Books (February 1, 2018)
Series: Whiskey Sharp, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

The sharpest ache comes from wanting what you think you can't have

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.

But Maybe's fiery independent spirit means pushing back when Alexsei goes too far. Still, he's not afraid to do a little pushing of his own to get what he wants her in his life, and his bed, for good. Maybe's more intoxicating than all the liquor on his shelf and he's not afraid to ride the blade's edge to bind her to him.

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Reviews for Dane's Books:

• Cake
• Chaos Burning
• Coming Back
• Lost In You
• Lush

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: Moonlight Seduction

Moonlight Seduction by Jennifer Armentrout
Publisher: Avon (June 26, 2018)
Series: de Vincent, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance

The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel...

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up... and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman... one who’s being stalked from the shadows. Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.

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Content Warning: Cancer Treatment of Parent, Violent physical assault and attempted sexual assault (on page) 

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: Making Up

Making Up by Lucy Parker
Publisher: Carina Press (May 1, 2018)
Series: London Celebrities, 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author of Act Like It and Pretty Face Lucy Parker returns readers to the West End, where it’s fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown. 

Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.

Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and—in an unexpected twist—an enragingly good kisser.

To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.

When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London—and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.

It seems hopeless.

Utterly impossible.

And yet…

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Jen's Review:

Double Review: Ivan

Today Jen and I are doing a joint review (*cough* fangirl squee, basically *cough*) for Kit Rocha's latest dystopian romance. We hope you enjoy our little chat!

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on April 26 for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

Ivan by Kit Rocha
Publisher: Kit Rocha (March 28, 2018)
Series: Gideon's Riders, 3
Genre: Dystopian Romance

As the sheltered princess of Sector One, Maricela’s life is defined by duty: to her people and to her family. Her wealth and influence have allowed her to build a better world, but they come with a price---the responsibility to secure political stability with a practical marriage. Maricela cherishes the idea of marrying for love, but there’s not much romance in the endless line of suitors interested only in prestige and power.

And her handsome, brooding new bodyguard isn’t helping the situation.

Ivan is the perfect, deadly warrior, a man trained from childhood to be the ultimate protector to the Rios family. His focus on keeping her safe is intense--and a little intoxicating. When the threat of danger cracks his icy control, Maricela realizes she’s not the only one fighting against temptation.

Ivan knows that the blood on his hands makes him unworthy of the pure-hearted princess. But from the first kiss, their forbidden affair feels inevitable. He can give her a glimpse of life outside her gilded cage and a lover who wants the woman instead of the crown. The only thing he can never do is promise her forever.

Because spurning her noble suitors to marry her bodyguard wouldn’t just be a scandal. It could set off a political firestorm that would tear Sector One apart.

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Reviews for Rocha's books:

• Ashwin
• Deacon

Our (Fangirl Heavy) Review:

Jen: Is there anything better than a bodyguard and princess story? If so, I don’t know what it is. Let’s talk about Ivan! (squeeeee!)

Jen's Review: Hurts to Love You

Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai
Publisher: Avon (March 27, 2018)
Series: Forbidden Hearts, 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Being bad never felt so good, in the third novel in Alisha Rai’s sexy Forbidden Hearts series!

Well-behaved women don’t lust after men who love to misbehave.

Heiress Evangeline Chandler knows how to keep a secret . . . like her life-long crush on the tattooed hottie who just happens to be her big brother’s friend. She’s a Chandler, after all, and Chandlers don’t hook up with the help. Then again, they also don’t disobey their fathers and quit their respectable jobs, so good-girl rules may no longer apply.

Gabriel Hunter hides the pain of his past behind a smile, but he can’t hide his sudden attraction to his friend’s sheltered little sister. Eve is far too sweet to accept anything less than forever and there’s no chance of a future between the son of a housekeeper and the town’s resident princess.

When a wedding party forces Eve and Gabe into tight quarters, keeping their hands off each other will be as hard as keeping their clothes on. The need that draws them together is stronger than the forces that should shove them apart . . . but their sparks may not survive the explosion when long-buried secrets are finally unearthed.

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Reviews for Rai's Books:

• A Gentleman in the Streets
• Hate to Want You
• Wrong to Need You

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: A Girl Like Her

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on March 29th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert
Publisher: Nixon House (March 14, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Everyone has secrets. He wants all of hers.

Meet the man next door...

After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect—until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbour at its centre.

Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and, according to everyone in town, bad news. Thing is, no-one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue.

But he desperately wants to find out. Because Ruth doesn’t seem evil to him; she seems lonely. And funny, and clumsy, and secretly quite sweet, and really f*%king beautiful…

The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbour pushes him away, the more he wants her. Her—and all her secrets. Because there’s no way a girl like Ruth truly deserves the town’s scorn.

…Is there?

Please note: this book contains mentions of intimate partner violence that could potentially trigger certain audiences. 

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Kindle

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Reviews for Hibbert's Books:

• Bad for the Boss
• Merry Inkmas

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: Thirsty

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on March 29th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

BONUS! Jen's giving away 5 copies of Thirsty next week when she interviews Mia. Be sure to check back! :)

Thirty by Mia Hopkins
Publisher: Loveswept (March 13, 2018)
Series: Eastside Brewery, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
1st POV

A gangster hiding from his past. A single mom fighting for her future. Can she show this bad boy the man he’s meant to be?

“Mia Hopkins is an imaginative author who doesn’t take the easy road to a formulaic book.”—USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog

My name is Salvador Rosas. Back in the barrio, my past is written on the walls: ESHB. Short for East Side Hollenbeck, my father’s gang—my gang. Hell, it’s a family tradition, one that sent both my brothers away. They used to call me “Ghost” because I haunted people’s dreams. Now I’ve got nothing going for me except a hipster gringo mentoring me in a new career. An ex-con making craft beer? No mames.

Still, people in this neighborhood look out for one another. That’s how I became Vanessa Velasco’s unwelcome tenant. Chiquita pero picosa. She’s little, but with curves so sweet they’re dangerous. I remember Vanessa from the old days, the straight-A student with big plans. Plans that were derailed by another kid stupid enough to think he was bulletproof. Now Vanessa knows better than to believe in empty promises. There’s fire in her . . . and if I touch her, I might get burned.

I’m trying everything I can to go straight. But when East Side Hollenbeck comes calling, I might have to risk it all to find out if there’s a future for Vanessa and me. Because she’s the only one who can quench my thirst for something real.

The Rosas brothers will return in Trashed!

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: On the Brink of Passion

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on March 29th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

On the Brink of Passion by Tamsen Parker
Publisher: Swerve (March 6, 2018)
Series: Snow and Ice Games, 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance

At the last Snow and Ice Games, Jubilee Buford and her husband and partner Stephen Wallace were on top of the pairs figure skating world. The newlyweds won gold and their future looked bright. But just months after she thought her world couldn’t get any more perfect, Jubilee lost everything. After a scrapped attempt at a solo career, her coach found her a new partner and new possibilities in Beckett Hughes.

Beckett’s had a hard time finding a partner to compete with. Someone who’s as aggressive as he is, someone who’s given up as much of their life as he has for success. He finally found a fit with Jubilee two years ago. She’s not much fun to skate with, but Beckett doesn’t need fun; he needs precision and effort and there Jubilee delivers.

When a housing mix-up in the Snow and Ice village forces them to room with each other, they’re suddenly compelled to recognize each other’s human side. And as Jubilee and Beckett start to see each other as people instead of robots on skates, they discover that they’ve got chemistry between the sheets as well as on the ice. But the flames between them in the bedroom might melt any chance they have at medaling, and that outcome is not acceptable to either one, or the country that’s counting on them to bring home the gold and the glory.

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Reviews for Parker's Books:

• Fire on the Ice
• On the Edge of Scandal
• Seduction on the Slopes

Content warning: Loss of a previous partner, grief

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: A Princess in Theory + GIVEAWAYS!

We've got another AMAZING giveaway today, all thanks to Jen! Details after the review, but there are multiple prizes and yes, one is open to INT readers, too. Good luck! :)

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on February 22nd for another chance to win an ecopy of your own!

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Publisher: Avon (February 27, 2018)
Series: Reluctant Royals, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

From acclaimed author Alyssa Cole comes the tale of a city Cinderella and her Prince Charming in disguise . . . 

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Reviews: On the Edge of Scandal and Fire on the Ice

Today Jen has a double dose of Tamsen Parker for you. Both of these books came out on the 6th, so we figured we'd throw the reviews together, too.

Remember, since FIRE ON THE ICE is a Royal Pick, come back on February 22nd for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

On the Edge of Scandal by Tamsen Parker
Publisher: Swerve (February 6, 2018)
Series: Snow and Ice Games, 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- Sports

Bronwyn Perry is the star of the US women’s hockey team, and she and her boyfriend Brody Hill have been hockey royalty since they’ve been in high school. Brody unexpectedly fails to make the men’s team but still comes to Denver to support his girl at the Snow and Ice Games. Or so Bronwyn thinks.

Ash Levenson is the coach of the women’s SIG hockey team. His primary responsibility is to keep his team happy, healthy, and primed to win. Though he’s close in age to his players, he’s been doing this for a while and mostly, it’s easy to keep his eyes on the puck. He’s always been able to discard any crush he might have on any of the women he’s coached…until Bronwyn.

When Bronwyn and Brody’s romance comes to a very public and very ugly end, Ash has to get his star player’s head back in the game and ready to dominate on the rink. Which may mean spending a little time off the ice… 

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Reviews for Parker's Books:

• Seduction on the Slopes

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: The Wedding Date + GIVEAWAY!

You've no doubt heard the buzz about Jasmine Guillory's debut for months. Which means you've probably also been side-eyeing the price tag for the book. Trust me, Jen and I totally get that. Because Jen enjoyed this one so much and wants to spread the word about such a wonderful debut, she's offering you a chance to win a copy! Details at the bottom of this post. Good luck!

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Publisher: Berkley (January 30, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance

A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn't normally do. But there's something about Drew Nichols that's too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex's wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend...

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she's the mayor's chief of staff. Too bad they can't stop thinking about the other...

They're just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century--or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want..

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Content warning: Some minor internal struggle with body image (heroine)

Jen's Review:

Jen's Quickie Review Round Up: Ana Tejano, Claire Kent, and Kelly Maher

Today is all about quickie novella thoughts. First one from Pat, now you get a three-for-one deal from Jen!

Jen: I didn’t think I liked novellas all that much until I read and loved My Lady’s Lover a few months ago (at some point, I promise I will stop stanning for that book...but today is not that day), and now they make up a pretty regular part of my reading diet. They are especially great when I’m not sure what to read next---they’re short, sweet, and satisfying. 

You Could be the One: Stories of Friends, Lovers, and Friends Becoming Lovers by Ana Tejano 
Publisher: Ana Tejano  (April 23, 2017)
Genre: Contemporary Romance (NA)

Experience the spark of discovering something new with someone familiar in You Could Be the One, a collection of stories about friends, lovers, and friends becoming lovers. Complications abound when the line between platonic and romantic gets blurred, but they did say that friendship is the foundation of a great love story. Will you take the risk for a relationship upgrade? 

It’s a Match

Cams Ronquillo is single and ready to mingle—at least, online. After finally moving on from her last breakup, she decides to try online dating thanks to the encouragement of Gabriel Evangelista, her friend, business partner, and a serial online dater. As she learns to navigate uncharted dating territory with the potential dates at her fingertips, Cams decides to break one of the online dating rules she was taught...and gets an unexpected match.

Bottleneck

Love is patient—just ask Gelo Morales, who waits for Lara Nolasco after his class every day just so he can spend time with her on their commute home. She doesn’t know that, and she also doesn’t know that he’s been in love with her since they met. He’s planning to tell her one day—he’s just waiting for the perfect moment. Will he find a way to reach Lara’s heart in time, or will be run into bumper-to-bumper traffic on his way there?

Fake It Till We Make It

Ruth Garcia is in her thirties and still hasn’t been in any relationship. She’s totally fine with that, but her family thinks otherwise. When her aunt orders her to bring a significant other to the next family event, she enlists her friend Ian Balboa to be her fake boyfriend. But when things go a little too well, she wonders just how they’ll get out of it without ruining their friendship. But does she even want to end the charade? 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle

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Jen's Review: Indecent Exposure

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on January 25th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

Indecent Exposure by Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Avon (January 30, 2018)
Series: The Academy, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Dual 1st POV

Is there a problem, Officer? 

Jack Garrett isn’t a police officer yet, but there’s already an emergency. His new firearms instructor—the one who just dropped every jaw in the academy gym—is the same sexy Irish stranger Jack locked lips with last night. The Olympic gold medalist and expert markswoman is now officially off-limits, but Jack’s never cared much for rules . . .

Katie McCoy’s been cooped up in a shooting range for too long. A wild love affair is just what she needs to let loose, though she never imagined it would be with her smokin’ hot trainee. She cannot get involved with Jack—but a quick fling? Perfect. Falling hard for a charismatic recruit with an equal amount of sex appeal and secrets? Bloody stupid.

Jack’s charmed the pants off plenty of women (literally), yet few have ever looked beyond his perfect surface. Until Katie. He’ll do anything to keep her in his life . . . except tell her about his past. But a tiny lie of omission never hurt anyone, right?

Where to Buy*:

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Author's Site
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Previous Reviews:

• Raw Redemption
• Too Beautiful to Break
• Too Close to Call
• Too Hard to Forget
• Too Hot to Handle
• Too Wild to Tame
• Worked Up
• Wound Tight

Content Warnings: alcoholism, deceased sibling, recounting of sexual assault and non-consensual bondage

Jen's Review:

Jen's DNF Review: Breathe

Were you going through a ranty-review withdrawal? No worries, Jen has you covered today!

Breathe by Kimberley Ash
Publisher: Crimson Romance (January 15, 2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance

This emotional debut featuring two characters burdened by the past introduces a talented new voice in contemporary romance.

British expat Ellen Hunter trusts no man and finds her position as the events and conferences manager at a large hotel in Boston the perfect place to hide from her traumatic past. That is, until a business meeting brings her to the office of notorious playboy Kane Fielding. Ironically, his open disdain for monogamy and his storied past make him seem less of a threat. After all, there are no surprises from a wolf in wolf’s clothing.

Kane knows his reputation with the ladies is greatly exaggerated. After his father’s sudden death required Kane to take over the family business at the tender age of 22, he’s been more concerned with keeping the company running than finding someone to settle down with. He’s more than happy to treat Ellen the way she deserves. But the media is writing a different story, snapping pictures of them together around the city and putting her job—and her visa status—in jeopardy.

At the same time, an arsonist is stalking Fielding Paper, threatening the entire family’s livelihood and increasing the public scrutiny on Kane’s every move. Is a fling worth risking everything they’ve achieved—or can the flame growing between them forge a lasting bond?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: Seduction on the Slopes

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on January 25th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!

Seduction on the Slopes by Tamsen Parker
Publisher: Swerve (January 16, 2018)
Series: Show and Ice Games, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- M/M Romance 

Dual 1st POV

Welcome to the Snow and Ice Games where competition is not the only thing that is heating up! The second book in bestselling Tamsen Parker's romance series continues with two competitive teammates.

Miles Palmer has dominated the downhill slalom in every Snow and Ice Games he’s competed in. Double gold, double gold, double gold, and he’s confident he can round out his career and his trophy case with two more medals in his last appearance at the games. The only thing that could stop him? Crash Delaney.

Crash is a young upstart who came out of nowhere and shocked the downhill world with his swagger and untraditional style. As a kid, Crash didn’t have the resources to learn how to race properly, but he begged, borrowed, and stole equipment, and went to any competition he could thumb a ride to. Now the only thing between him and his dreams coming true is his childhood hero, the man whose posters have graced his walls since before he’d ridden in his first chairlift.

Miles and Crash are technically teammates, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they fight. The veteran and the nobody have both got big things riding on this race, and neither can afford any distractions. Especially not each other.

Where to Buy*:

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: The Virgin and the Beast

Are you ready for a good, ranty review? OF COURSE YOU ARE.

The Virgin and the Beast by Stasia Black
Publisher: July 30, 2017
Series: Stud Ranch, 0.5
Genre: Dark Erotica

They say good things come to those who wait.

Bullsh*%!

My whole life has been about waiting. Playing it safe. Be the good girl, don’t color outside the lines. Put in the hard work trying to prove myself to Dad, then to my college professors, then to my boss at New World Media. Just waiting for the day when it will all pay off.

And right when it was all starting to—I finally had the house, the job, I was even thinking about getting a cat—boom!—my life explodes and suddenly now I’m here and—

“All done,” the doctor interrupts my thoughts, pulling off her gloves with a loud snap.

Even from the bed where I’m lying, my legs spread like the Thanksgiving turkey, I can hear the impatient growl of the man standing in the doorway. If you can even call him a man. More like a beast out of a friggin’ fairytale. “Well?”

Her pronouncement echoes throughout the room while the speculum is still inside me. “She’s a virgin.”

Where to Buy*:

Kindle

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Double Review: Merry Inkmas and Bad for the Boss

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day in general, whether you celebrate or not.

Today Jen has two reviews for you, both from the same author: one is a Christmas romance and the other is one I talked about on a recent podcast (I enjoyed the book too!).

I dumped Kindle Unlimited a few months ago, but then I re-upped for a month because some of the books in the #ReadRChat awards were available there...and Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series, which I’m woefully behind on. I also saw some books that looked good by a new to me author, Talia Hibbert, and downloaded a few of those, too. ROMANCELANDIA, THEY’RE SO GOOD. Basically, Talia Hibbert crafts well-plotted stories; she writes interesting, dynamic characters living in a fully inclusive world; and they’re unabashedly sex-positive. I swear, there is nothing better than discovering a new author that rings all your bells.

Jen

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert
Publisher: Nixon House (December 1, 2017)
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Enjoy another Dirty British Romance by Talia Hibbert, author of Bad for the Boss. Christmas just got sexy…

"There's a beast inside of me. I keep it caged. You drive it wild.”

Cash Evans has come a long way since his troubled childhood, but all the wealth he's earned as a tattoo artist can't fix the hole in his heart. He knows that the sweet barista who haunts his dreams is off-limits... But life doesn't always go to plan.

”There isn’t a man on earth who could ruin me.”

Bailey Cooper is determined to learn from her mother's mistakes. She's seen how cruel love can be, and she's not about to sacrifice her self-respect for a relationship. But when a bad boy with a heart of gold comes to her rescue, she finds herself wondering if this beast might just be her Prince Charming.

Will these two lost souls find a happy ending under the tree this Christmas?

Or is their love doomed to wither with the mistletoe?

Merry Inkmas is a steamy Christmas romance starring a brooding, bad boy hero and a Black, BBW heroine. Be warned: this love is hot enough to melt any winter frost!

Where to Buy*:

Kindle

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Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: The Pretender

The Pretender by HelenKay Dimon
Publisher: Avon (December 26, 2017)
Series: Games People Play, 3
Genre: Romantic Suspense

“Sexy, emotional, funny . . . Dimon gives it all to her readers.” —New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Shalvis

They say it takes a thief to catch a thief, and Harrison Tate is proof. Once a professional burglar, he now makes a lawful living tracking down stolen art. No one needs to know about his secret sideline, “liberating” artifacts acquired through underhanded methods. At least until one of those jobs sees him walking in on a murder.

Gabrielle Wright has long been estranged from her wealthy family, but she didn’t kill her sister. Trouble is, the only person who can prove it is the sexy, elusive criminal who shouldn’t have been at the island estate on that terrible night. She’s not expecting honor among thieves—or for their mutual attraction to spark into an intense inferno of desire.

Under the guise of evaluating her family’s art, Harris comes back to the estate hoping to clear Gabby’s name. But returning to the scene of the crime has never been riskier, with their hearts and lives on the line. 

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Reviews for Dimon's Books:

• Chain of Command
• Everything You Need to Know
• Mercy
• Only
• Stranded
• Taken
• The Enforcer

Jen's Review:

Jen's Review: Seared

Seared by Suleikha Snyder
Publisher: Suleikha Snyder (December 12, 2017)
Series: Master Chefs, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

1st POV and 3rd POV

It’s been 10 years since Naya saw her stepbrother, Lachlan Christie. In that time, he’s become a famous chef, complete with his own hip and trendy Manhattan restaurant…and she’s become the woman who can give him everything — especially her body and soul. But the past doesn’t always stay dead, and you can’t escape it, no matter how far you fly or how hot you burn.

Naya’s determined to win Lachlan and secure them a happily ever after, no matter what it takes — but is love enough to save her master chef?

In the first book in the Master Chefs series, the forbidden meets the possible — and passion cooks up a storm. 

Where to Buy*:

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Author's Site
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Jen's Review: