Wicked Laird is the second book in Tammy Andresen’s Brethren of Stone series, and it was another enjoyable story. I’ll be honest and say it is not my favourite Tammy Andresen read, but it was fun and held my attention for the duration.
After reading Scottish Devil, I found myself desperate to see how the Brethren of Stone series came together. I’ve been addicted to a number of Tammy Andresen’s series, and I expected the same to be true here. Thus, I was more than willing to dive into Wicked Laird the moment I had it on my Kindle.
As with all Tammy Andresen reads, this was quick but filled with all the goodness of a powerful short story. It offers up the necessities of a good historical romance, ensuring you’ll be turning the pages at a rapid pace. There are great characters to enjoy, plenty of drama, and a wonderful romance. Every page leaves you wanting more, and you’ll power through the story in no time at all.
Then, when finished, the ending leaves you desperate for the next book. I cannot wait to see what the third Brethren of Stone book brings, as I’m eager to see how that story plays out.
A disgraced pop princess. A broody classical musician turned rock star guitarist. A sleazy producer. A self-absorbed momager. Rock Rebel’s twists and turns—and sexual tension—will set your kindle on fire!
He's a rock star with a secret, she's a pop princess with a painful past - can their forbidden romance survive, or will their lies destroy them both?
I've earned my bad reputation.
A few years ago, I was New York City's hottest classical music prodigy. But I wanted something else, something more. So I chased my real dream, and now... I'm rock royalty. Dax Hughes, lead guitarist of Nothing but Trouble. But to my family and former Juilliard classmates, I'm an outcast. A misfit. A rebel.
They're not entirely wrong. I don't give a damn what other people think, and I'm all for breaking the rules... except when it comes to our new opening act, Verity Moore.
Rock gods don't tour with pop princesses.
It's not personal. Actually, under that fallen diva reputation, Verity's incredibly talented. And her fiery redheaded personality is... intriguing. But I'm convinced the skeletons in Verity's closet are as scandalous as my own, and when we're not sparring, she has a way of drawing out all those secrets I'm determined to keep hidden.
Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . .But since when do I give a damn about the rules?
The Dance Hall Wife is the second book in Cici Cordelia’s Brides of Little Creede series, and I was desperate to dive into it after enjoying The Substitute Wife. Having now finished The Dance Hall Wife, the feeling of desperation has returned – this time, I’m desperate for book three. I cannot wait to see what the third Brides of Little Creede book will bring.
The Dance Hall Wife picks up nicely from The Substitute Wife. Although you do not need to read the first book to understand this second, it certainly helps. In fact, The Dance Hall Wife built upon the first book in some unexpected ways – something that caught me completely off-guard, but I really enjoyed the way certain elements of the story were continued. Plus, even though I really enjoyed The Dance Hall Wife, I enjoyed The Substitute Wife a tiny bit more, highlighting why you should give the first book a read.
Like the first book, The Dance Hall Wife is a wonderful story with fabulous characters. You’re sucked into the romance between the main characters from the very start, leaving you desperate to see how their relationship plays out. With plenty of drama, you’re hooked. Add in the more thrilling elements, and you’re unable to put this one down.
Moreover, there are plenty of great side elements to adore. We get to see more of the characters from the first book, seeing how their lives have progressed. We get wonderful build up for the next book, an insight into how things will play out. We also get plenty of entertainment from other characters, and a part of me hopes we will get their stories as well.
Without a doubt, this was a great romance. It was quick and enjoyable, keeping you hooked throughout, ensuring you’ll be back for more Cici Cordelia. As I cannot yet dive into book three, I shall need to keep myself busy by getting my hands on Rodeo King – the only Cici Cordelia book I have yet to read – and after that I plan to dive into the individual work of both authors. In fact, I already have one Cheryl Yeko book sitting on my Kindle, so I have a starting point for where to go next once I’m up to date with all the Cici Cordelia books.
If my fan status had not already been confirmed, this one would have done it.
The thought
of Jaime moving to Los Angeles both unnerved and thrilled me. “Won’t you be
lonely living all the way out here in a big house all by yourself?”
He remained
silent for a long time, staring out to the Pacific. Then, without warning, he
spun me around so that we were face-to-face, just a breath apart. He lifted his
sunglasses on top of his head, and his eyes, the color of the late afternoon
sea, gazed deep into mine. My heart hammered as he tipped up my chin.
“I don’t
plan on living here alone. I’m tired of living in a hotel where people come and
go. I’m looking for someone special to share my life with…and I may have found
her.”
My heart
pounded. My voice abandoned me. Words were trapped in my throat.
“Gloria,
I’ve never had a relationship before. I’ve fucked a lot of women, but none of
them has meant a thing to me. They’re just mindless, faceless fucks. You’re
different, angel. I can never get your face out of my head. When I’m away from
you, all I want is to be with you. And when I’m with you, I can’t get enough of
you. I want to breathe the air you breathe and kiss the ground you walk on. I
want to go to sleep with you in my arms and wake up to you on my chest. And I
want to fuck you every way I know how. Make you fall apart and then put you
back together. Over and over. There will never be enough ways to show you how I
feel about you. Or words to tell you.”
He paused
and inhaled deeply. My blood was ringing in my ears as he exhaled and softly
said, “Gloria, you make me fall apart too.”
This was
all too much for me. My emotions were in turmoil, and my mind was in meltdown.
I gripped his shoulders before my knees gave out. Tears were forming in my
eyes… and at last words. “Jaime, are you saying you want a real relationship
with me?” You love me?
He
nervously played with my braid. “Yeah, angel, that’s what I’m trying to say. I
guess it’s not my best pitch. I don’t do relationships well.”
I quirked a
little smile. “Neither do I.”
He looked straight
into my eyes. “Do you want to give it a try?”
My fingers
toyed with his toi et moi ring. “An official you and me?”
“Yeah…Well?”
My mind was
spinning and my heart was thudding. Jesus Christ. Was I ready for a
relationship with this beautiful, romantic, sexy god? Could I handle it? The
timing couldn’t be worse with the stock crisis and my job at stake. It might
work. It might not. And there was still the long distance factor to deal with.
Skyping sex did not make for a relationship. Was I just setting myself up to
get hurt? He had a fucked a lot of women. And I was just one of them. I mean,
he hadn’t said he loved me. And hell, I’d only known him for a little over a
week though it felt like a lifetime.
Jaime’s
sultry voice brought my mental ramblings to a halt. He tugged on my braid.
“Come on, angel. The suspense is fucking killing me.”
“Yes,” I
finally breathed. “But there’s got to be rules. Like—”
Cupping my
face, he cut me off. “Gloria, there’s only one rule. Don’t ever leave me. The
rest are meant to be broken.” On the loud crash of a wave, his lips crashed
onto mine. Every part of me melted into him as he wrapped me in his arms and
claimed my mouth with his. Oh, the power of a kiss! The power of this man!
Nothing else existed. Our tongues twirled and swirled, dancing in unison to the
music of the sea. His hard body pressed into mine, arousing every erotic fiber
of my being.
Nelle
L’Amour is a NEW YORK TIMES
and USA TODAY Bestselling
Author who lives in Los Angeles with her Prince Charming-ish husband, twin
college-aged princesses, and a bevy of royal pain-in-the-butt pets. A former
executive in the entertainment industry with a prestigious Humanitus Award to
her credit, she gave up playing with Barbies a long time ago but still enjoys
playing with toys with her husband. While she writes in her PJs, she loves to
get dressed up and pretend she’s Hollywood royalty. She writes juicy stories
with characters that will make you both laugh and cry and stay in your heart
forever
Enter into the violent world of the Cartel,
where death and romance go hand in hand. AJ Adams novels are all self-standing
and so you need not read them all - although it would be awesome if you did!
Title: The Bonus Series: Zeta Cartel #1
Author: AJ Adams
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: November 12, 2013
Blurb
Chloe is a seasoned
drug courier who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Facing a
lingering and painful death at the hands of the Zeta cartel, Mexico’s most
brutal organised crime syndicate, she persuades their enforcer to claim
her.
Ex marine and dark ops expert Kyle Suarez is chief enforcer for the Zeta
cartel. Ruthlessly efficient, he is feared by his enemies. When he claims
Chloe, he simply expects to enjoy a well-deserved and disposable bonus.
Has Chloe made a huge mistake, or will her choice prove her salvation - and
his?
Warning: This bad boy dark romance contains explicit scenes of dubious consent,
graphic violence and sex. It is for adults only.
“You’re the big boss.” She looked up at me and smiled. She
was dressed in a cheap cotton shirt and jeans that should be on the burn pile,
but that smile was pure gold. This girl had guts.
She’d heard about our policy protecting bystanders. Of course it doesn’t apply
to anyone whose eyewitness testimony can put me in a courtroom. Well, try to
put me in a courtroom. In Mexico nobody would dare accuse me, and I’ve enough
resources in England to guarantee a police investigation would come to nothing,
but it’s not my style to take chances. Solitaire would be going into the ground
along with Escamilla.
“Mr Vazquez,” Solitaire gave me her best smile. “I don’t expect something for
nothing.” She dropped her voice. “You’d like me,” she whispered. “I’ve heard
about you. We’re the same.”
“Are we?”
“Yes, I can make you very happy.” She brushed my hand over her cheek and then
kissed my palm. “I’m a very good girl,” she said quietly. “Unless you prefer a
naughty one?”
She sucked my thumb, and I was instantly rock hard.
----------------------------
When cartel boss Arturo Vazquez discovers his girlfriend Gina is a DEA rat and
his deputy Escamilla is staging a take-over, Arturo fixes his problems by
killing everyone - except for Solitaire, Escamilla’s unwilling mistress.
Solitaire is intelligent, tough, and shares Arturo’s interest in BDSM. Arturo
falls head over heels but someone is leaking information - and the evidence
point at Solitaire.
Songbird is a complete and self standing novel in the Zeta series. Warning:
This bad boy dark romance contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic
violence and strong language. It is for adults only.
I could’ve strangled her. She knew it too because she
stepped away quickly. “Touch me and I’ll have you!” she snarled.
“Bruja mala leche! What the fuck do you think you’re playing at! You can’t push
me around!”
“Sure I can.” Her eyes were slate grey, the same colour as the sky, and just as
cold. “I need help, and you’re going to give it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve got a situation. I need someone who isn’t afraid of murder and mayhem.”
I should have charmed her, offered to help and maybe it would have settled it,
but I was too mad to even consider it. “Help you? Over my dead body!”
She shrugged. “We can do it that way, too.” She took out her phone. “I’ll call
you soon, hopefully within the hour. If you still refuse, I call Smith.” The
eyes were hard. “I’d rather not shop you, because I hate that bastard, but I
will if you make me.”
I gave her my number. I mean, I wanted to kill her, but in London they notice
things like bodies in the street. Especially if you’re careless enough to do it
in broad daylight next to a cop shop.
Quique is having a bad time. Back in Mexico his marriage has fallen apart and
his wife has made him a laughing stock by cheating on him. Now he’s in London
and finding himself out of his depth with a complex commercial deal. To make
things worse, Natalia Truelove, a chef and pub manager, is blackmailing him.
Quique is ready to commit murder and he’s pretty sure who his first victim will
be.
Dirty Dealings is a self standing and complete novel in the Zeta cartel series.
Warning: This bad boy romance contains strong adult language and themes as well
as graphic violence and fully depicted love scenes. It is for adults only.
Rip Marston is a merciless killing machine. After a decade
of hunting his prey, Rip joins the Zetas. The job offers protection as he
practices his dark arts, but the Cartel are wary of the monster in their
midst.
Finding a badly beaten unconscious girl, Rip sees an opportunity. Posing as her
saviour will please the cartel - and provide him with his very own helpless
captive.
Isabella Maria Franco is beautiful, wilful and used to making hard choices.
Having grown up in the comfortable but lethal embrace of the Gulf cartel, she
rejected a life of violence. But when a dark presence from her past returns,
her world falls apart.
Betrayed and beaten, she escapes, only to find herself in a living nightmare.
Surrounded by her enemies, one man stands between her and death. Terrified by
her sadistic captor, she has little choice but to submit.
But embracing his darkness leads to consequences neither anticipated.
WARNING: This bad boy dark romance contains dubious consent, graphic violence,
sex and probably every trigger you can think of. It is for adults only.
AJ Adams
married her best friend and moved to the tropics where they are living their
own Happily Ever After. She believes writing is not so much a passion as an
obsession.
She writes
twisted stories of love, mayhem, and murder as AJ Adams and sweet romance novels
with strong women and very hunky men as Ellen Whyte, her IRL name.
When she's
not writing, she's cooking and gossiping with her friends. She is also personal
maid to rescue cats Target, Guido and Swooner.
Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: November 25, 2018
Blurb
VINCENT ACERBI
His name brings bile to my throat. Not because he ordered the hit on my life.
The man makes me sick, makes fire course through my veins for all the damage
he’s done to Drago—his son, my love, the father of my children.
Sins may be committed in the name of justice—because I will save my future
husband. I will save my family from the devil they share DNA with. And I will
save my badge from the disgrace placed upon it.
In the end, he will know he crossed the wrong woman. I will bring that man to
his knees if it’s the last thing I do.
N. E. Henderson is the author of sexy, contemporary romance.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading some form of romance or in her
Maverick, playing in the dirt.
Siobhan Davis is one of my favourite authors, and the True Calling series was the only series of hers I had not read. Thus, I’ve recently amended that issue. Although it was a decent series, I can honestly say it is not my favourite Siobhan Davis read. Without a doubt, Siobhan Davis has come a long way since writing the True Calling series.
Even though I was not crazy about the two prior books, I did give them both three-star ratings. A part of me considered doing so with Destiny Rising, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to do so. There were times when it was a three-star rating, but as a whole it wasn’t quite all there. It was more of a two-point-five-star read, yet I opted to round down.
I think my biggest issue is that I never found myself invested in the characters and their stories. I’ve been over the love triangle thing for a long time, and the love triangle in this series failed to grab me. Add in the fact we had love triangles across multiple generations with this one and I found myself unable to get into the good stuff.
In many ways, I feel as though the whole love triangle drama overshadowed what could have been a very interesting story. I expected lots of action and plenty of twists with this one, yet things came together too quick and too easily for my liking. It seemed like bringing together the main storyline took a backseat to dealing with the love triangle, and things were resolved in the most basic of ways.
Overall, the True Calling series was a decent series even though it was not my favourite Siobhan Davis read. It kept my attention throughout, and I was happy to continue reading. I know there was a planned spin-off series, which has been put on hold, but should it be written I’m interested in giving it a read.
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: November 28, 2018
Blurb
I can’t stand Tatum
from the second she walks into the room. Everything about her puts me on
edge—from her small delicate curves to the smile that she refuses to
lose.
There’s nothing she
loves more than to piss me off. She’s infused herself in every part of my life,
taking away the silence I crave. I’d walk away if I could. If I hadn’t been
shot. If I didn’t need physical therapy. If I could resist her.
I only kiss her to
shut her up. I didn’t expect it to turn into the hottest moment of my life with
our clothes scattered on the floor. The one-time thing turns into something
neither of us expect.
When my guard drops
and secrets are revealed, I’ll do anything to protect Tate. We have enemies
lurking around every corner.
Will my vow of honor
cost me the one thing I can’t live without?
Emma loves
to write, just don't ask her to write about herself. If she isn't writing,
you can find her lost in a book or trying to get her doggo to take a selfie
with her. He usually refuses. At the end of the day, you can find Emma at the
closest Mexican restaurant eating queso and sipping on a margarita. She lives
in Texas with her husband and dog.
Wicked Laird by Tammy Andresen
