Showing posts with label antihero. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antihero. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Book Blitz for Grumpy Sunshine by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)….



Lani Lynn Vale is back with another combustible tale of opposites attracting in the gritty MC world.  With characters from the past, along with newly introduced ones, this is a tantalizing tale that had me hanging on for dear life.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Grumpy Sunshine by Lani Lynn Vale, along with my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Content Advisory series to your bookshelf too!

The first day that she walked onto the surgical floor that Chevy Clayborne spent most of his time on, he knew that he’d do anything to make her his.
For two years, he played the long game.
He slowly insinuated himself into her life, and the moment that she needed him, he swooped in like the knight in shining armor that he only pretended to be but most assuredly wasn’t.
He’s no real knight.
In fact, he’s the villain in everyone’s story but his own.
He lives life the way he wants to live it, and damn anyone and anything that gets in his way.
He may appear like an upstanding anesthesiologist at work, but the moment he gets out of those scrubs and into his jeans, biker boots, and leather cut with the Truth Tellers emblem at his back, he morphs into his alter ego.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ain’t got nothin’ on him.
He’s been putting on a front for two years, and just when he has Aella Cowan right where he wants her, he closes down every possible avenue of escape.
He thinks he has a future fight on his hand, but Aella proves that she’s not quite as sheltered as Chevy thinks. She’s perfectly happy being the old lady of one of the scariest members of the Truth Tellers Motorcycle Club and couldn’t care less if he spends his nights doing questionable things to despicable people.
As long as she has breakfast with him every morning, what does she care how he spent his night?



FIND AT GOODREADS here.

FIND AT BOOKBUB here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  UNIVERSAL (BOOKS2READ)


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Chevy Clayborne's appearance in the previous book might've been brief, but in this book he's larger than life, leaving an indelible mark as a decadently delightful anti-hero.  A sexy anesthesiologist by day and an avenging MC angel by night!  Oh, my!  What a delicious combination of a modern-day Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!  The dichotomy of his personality is beautifully and emotionally depicted by Ms. Vale, making him a compelling character whose actions add even more exhilarating substance to this series-starting thrill-ride.

Aella Cowan has been attracted to Chevy for two years.  It's been a time of push and pull and feelings of not being good enough for him.  Little does she know that he's been watching and waiting for her, and once they get-together things turn combustible. Aella's an immensely likable heroine, along with her sister Silver, one who's had a rocky and painful past courtesy of a toxic mother and danger creeping ever closer.  She's got a tough exterior, but is vulnerable at times too, and it had me rooting for her every step of the way.

Like her previous series, Ms. Vale has woven together an exhilarating tapestry of suspense and steam.  Readers are put through the emotional wringer on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  There's unexpected twists and turns along with actions that put a smile on your face while bringing a tear to your eye.  All in all, Ms. Vale has once again given readers exactly what they want in a perfectly paced, immensely satisfying, series starter that has me greatly anticipating the next story in this series!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

DISCOVER THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THE CONTENT ADVISORY SERIES:


LOOK AT HER AND DIE
(Book #2 - Releasing June 10th)

PRE-ORDER LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  UNIVERSAL (BOOKS2READ)


AUTHOR INFO:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Book Release Blitz for Always Salty by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)….


It's the end of the steamy road for the Semyonov Bratva series, with the release of this fourth installment.  When an unconventional hero finds the woman meant for him he'll go to any lengths to keep her safe...and then just keep her.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Always Salty by Lani Lynn Vale, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf!

Was it considered stalking if the woman you were stalking liked the idea of being stalked?

It started out like any other job.

My brother, the head of the Russian Mafia, wanted me to delete an opponent. Like the good brother I was, I decided to give him what he wanted.

In doing so, I ended up finding a woman that made my cold, dead heart start to beat again.

One day while doing some reconnaissance on my target, I happen to overhear Keely telling her friend one of her darkest fantasies, and I decide that I’d be the one fulfilling that particular craving for her.

I tell myself that it’s only once. I’d give in to that darkness inside of me once, and I’ll leave her alone from then on.

Except, once turns into twice. And twice turns into way too many to count.

Just when I plan to cut all ties so she doesn’t start to develop feelings for a killer, I find out that Keely doesn’t have just one stalker. She has two. And the one that wasn’t me wanted her dead, and I couldn’t allow that to happen.

Not to her.

Not to the woman that not only chased my demons away, but also didn’t care that I had them in the first place.



FIND AT GOODREADS here.

FIND AT BOOKBUB here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Dima Semyonov is one heckuva unforgettable hero, or rather anti-hero as he's done some questionable things in the name of family.  He's a man secure with who he is, a bit broken and unhinged, but who loves with all his heart.  He's a bit crazy, but utterly swoon-worthy with his words and deeds...when directed at Keeley.  The moment he sees her he's all in, letting her in on who and what he is, imperfections and all.  Thus begins an epic and steamy story of opposites attracting, a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Along with an unforgettable hero, readers are introduced to Keeley.  She's the kind of heroine you admire, the kind of heroine who's been bruised and battered by life, along with a few men along the way.  She's got a good heart, is caring, and devoted to her brothers.  She's starting over now too after an especially dark period for her, so Dima comes around just when she needs him most.

This story pulls you in from the very start.  Watching these two perfectly imperfect people find themselves bound together makes for a steamy and swoon-worthy romance.  There's plenty of bumps, steam, and suspense along the way.  There's also pulse-pounding action, wtf moments, and a twist ending that's going to leave me in knots until Ms. Vale's next release.  Along with a truly delightful main couple comes an equally enjoyable cast of secondary characters, some seen before and some new, all of which makes the story stronger and is another hallmark of Ms. Vale's writing.  Readers looking for unique heroes and rollercoaster storylines only need look at Ms. Vale's bookshelf to find exactly what they're looking for.

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


DISCOVER THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SEMYONOV BRATVA SERIES:


STAY TOXIC (#1)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


HEY, DADDY (#2)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


WALKING RED FLAG (#3)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


AUTHOR INFO:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Book Release Blitz for Walking Red Flag by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)….

The seductive and suspenseful Semyonov Bratva series continues with this third installment featuring a fake marriage that soon becomes all too real once MC and Mafia worlds cross paths.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Walking Red Flag by Lani Lynn Vale, along with my impressions of it, then be sure to add it to your bookshelf!

Life isn’t fair.

If anyone on Earth should know that, it’s Milena Semyonov.

She’s suffered blow after blow, and the hits just keep on coming.

Just when she’s sworn off being happy, that maybe being numb is the better way to navigate life, she meets him.

Cutter Carson Clayborne.

The man that finally shows her how a real man is supposed to treat her.

Just when she didn’t think life could get any worse, the man that abused her as a young, impressionable teen is back, showing her that life can, in fact, get worse.

When she’s ready to quit, Cutter is there, making sure that she knows that he’ll be there, whether she wants him there or not.

He is her husband, after all. And the unlikely pair have an understanding that they’ll stay married for two years, make a baby, and join two crime syndicates in unholy matrimony.

Cutter has other plans, though. He only agrees to the original plan to make her his.

He won’t ever give her up. What’s his stays his. And there’s not a man on the earth that’ll ever touch Milena again. Not with Cutter alive and able to take out anyone that tries.



FIND AT GOODREADS here.

FIND AT BOOKBUB here.


BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Not having read the other books in this series had me concerned that I wouldn't be fully consumed by the connection between two apparent opposites, but I should've known better.  Ms. Vale has a way of bringing strangers together to form an unexpected family.  The feelings first ignited between Milena and Cutter may have felt a bit rushed, but it wasn't long before I was rooting for the heroic anti-hero to keep the girl he quickly came to love.

Cutter's an intense man, a man who doesn't like seeing women hurt.  His protective instincts run high from the moment he sees Milena and he's soon willing to do whatever necessary to keep her from harm...including marrying her in a fake marriage that becomes oh so much more.  Milena's brother Shasha, and Cutter, also make a formidable pairing...a pairing determined to keep Milena safe from a past that's quickly coming back to hurt her again.  Milena's the kind of heroine you can't help but like.  She's lived through a traumatic event when she was younger, had some bumps along the way, but she still pushes on.  She doesn't want to be treated with the kid gloves of her brother anymore, so I applauded Cutter helping her start living life to the fullest with a romance that steadily grew.

From start to finish the Semyonov Bratva's an intense presence in this story.  The men ooze danger, a calm yet cool demeanor, but when it comes to Milena they show their soft underbelly.  This dichotomy has me looking forward to immersing myself in their world yet again once the next book in this series is published.  Cutter and his Truth Keepers MC are an intriguing addition to this story, with characters introduced who I long to see more of.  There was good chemistry between both groups, characters who brought out chuckles while adding to the suspense.  Though the steamy times took a bit of time to emerge, the journey to get there kept me fully invested and satisfied by the turn of the final page.

My rating is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


DISCOVER THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SEMYONOV BRATVA SERIES:


STAY TOXIC (#1)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


HEY, DADDY
 (#2)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


ALWAYS SALTY (#4 - Releasing April 8th)
BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKS  |  BOOKS2READ


AUTHOR INFO:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Book Release Blast for A Devil Who Claimed Me by V.F. Mason (REVIEW)……

 In this intense read, readers will be swept up in a tidal wave of anger and vengeance as a once well-liked athlete has their life ripped apart.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of A Devil Who Claimed Me by V.F. Mason, along with my impressions of it, then  add this complete copy of the Madman Duet to your bookshelf!

At eighteen I used to have it all.
A loving family who adored me.
A prospering ice skating career.
And loyal best friends despite living in a small town full of secrets ruled by its wealthy founding families.
I didn’t belong and yet they all welcomed me with open arms.
Except him.
A boy who used to love me but then hated me so viciously, his presence alone hurt me.
I thought my future was full of possibilities.
Until one night five people ruined me and made me rot in hell of their creation.
I barely ran away with my life intact and for the next ten years my heart burned with one desire only. Vengeance.
I’m back now.
They all are going to pay for what they’ve done to me. Starting with the one I loved and hated the most.
A handsome devil who became my ultimate downfall.


BUY AT AMAZON here.


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

This is a dark and fast-paced book that pulls you in from the very first chapter.  Fueled by intense feelings of anger, betrayal, pain, and revenge, it's an atmospheric tale that captivates readers and keeps you turning the pages while dealing with unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Set in small town America, readers get taken on a rollercoaster ride of events from the past and the ramifications it has on a group of people since then...culminating in the events of this book.  While some see small towns as a haven of love and support, it can also hide awful secrets and creates an atmosphere of painful judgments and fuels the ability to get away with the most heinous of acts.  Throughout this story the emotional pain being dealt with is sometimes worse than physical, scarring your heart and soul much deeper as each main character had a path they needed to choose.  Along with a journey to revenge there's a rather dark romance.  The couple involved have been put through the wringer, caused some of their own wreckage as well, but they still drew me to them.  The "hero" especially called to me as he oozed danger and sex appeal.  Knowing the dark past he had to endure broke my heart repeatedly, made his choices more understandable, all while making him unforgettable.  Together this is a perfectly imperfect pair, not easily fitting into a good or bad mold, but their story still captivated me and kept me guessing all the way to the end in a hard-fought HEA.  Upon reaching The End I felt exhausted, drained by all the emotions that came before and all the secrets fueling the storyline, but immensely grateful for finding an unconventional yet very satisfying story that I wholeheartedly recommend!

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


AUTHOR INFO:

V.F.Mason always loved reading books and had quite a few fights with her momma over the genre she liked (romance, duh!) She studied filmmaking and thought that would feed her desire for stories, but that didn’t happen. Finally, when she was tired of all those voices in her head, she sat down and wrote a book. It was a huge decision to make and she thanks her friends and family for supporting her in it. When she is not writing, she can be found with her friends doing all sorts of crazy things or reading recent romance books that were written by her favorite authors.
To find out about V.F. Mason’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter HERE.
For more information on V.F. Mason and her books visit HERE.
Connect with V.F. Mason HERE.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Book Release Blast for Thumper by Marie James (REVIEW).......

 A captivating antihero finds his heart at war with his actions in this dark romance of accepting your past while making a future with each turn of the page tying me up in even more knots.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Thumper by Marie James, along with my impressions of this suspenseful and surprising tale, then add this seventeenth installment in the Cerberus MC series to your bookshelf!

I’ve been many things in my life.
A liar.
A cheater.
A thief.
And I’ve never had a problem with any of it.
I knew my path, knew which direction I was heading when it was all over—straight to Satan’s lair. I accepted it, reveled in it, and always asked for more.
Nothing would change me, no one could sway me.
Or so I thought.
I knew I was a monster.
I just don’t know how to convince Cara Gibson that I’m her monster.


BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I started reading this book I knew it was going to be a tough journey full of unexpected twists and turns.  With a main hero whose actions made him hard to define, to a heroine who experienced so much pain, it all led to a captivating story that put me through an emotional wringer.  Though this book is part of a series it can be read on its own, but I think that reading everything that came before would give you greater insight into Javier "Thumper" Sosa and Cara Gibson as well as the darkness surrounding both of them.

Javier's a man who's lived a life of blood, damage, and dark deeds.  It's a life that he makes no excuses for, but all isn't what it seems when it comes to this man who has a hidden heart of gold.  As part of a sex trafficking ring Javier's seen numerous woman's lives changed, but seeing Cara changes everything for him.  Actions that he once undertook as part of his job now have him feeling like a prisoner, forced into deeds that now leave him feeling dirty.  As the story progresses though the truth about Javier becomes even clearer and readers will be left conflicted when it comes to their feelings for him.

Cara's definitely left conflicted by Javier as their attraction flares to life while she's locked in a cage with him the caretaker.  It's not the first time her life's been in the hands of another as she grew up in a cult where she was going to be forced into marriage at the age of 18.  Running away from one danger has ultimately led her to another, but through it all I was drawn to this tough as nails heroine.  She's withstood a lot and is ready to fight once again for the man who many would see as a villain, while she sees something more to him than what he shows the world.

In a story of second chances, making amends, and finding a future separate from your past comes this gritty read full of surprising twists and turns, a story full of unforgettable characters stuck in difficult situations that will keep you glued to the pages.  This story touches on some difficult and timely topics, making the connection between Cara and Javier a bit difficult to accept and believe in from time to time.  Some moments felt real and heartwarming whereas other moments had a Stockholm Syndrome vibe to their scenes.  Despite my feelings regarding their romance, I still found this a powerful read, a dark and gritty story that kept me on the edge of my seat.  After sixteen previous installments, Ms. James manages to take this series in a completely new direction.  From an antihero who you root for one moment while despising the next, to a group of secondary characters who have left a tempting and lasting impression on me as I eagerly await the next installment, Ms. James has crafted an exciting read that I highly recommend!  By the turn of the final page fans of MC-themed books will want to immerse themselves in the Cerberus MC courtesy of its larger-than-life characters, suspenseful storytelling, and storylines that will keep you guessing.

My rating for this is a B.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


AUTHOR INFO:

Let's see...where to begin...
I'm inching up on the BIG 4-0. The gray hairs are doubling what seems like daily, and the wrinkles and laugh lines are more pronounced than ever.
I have an amazing husband (Married just over 15 years.)
We have two boys we're doing our best to raise as respectful gentlemen.
I have a master's degree in criminal justice which I used to work as a juvenile probation office until deciding to write full- time in June of 2019. So that means there's usually always some criminal/law element to my novels.
If I'm not writing; I'm reading.
My favorite genres recently are bully/reverse harem and enemies to lovers. Maybe I'm reliving my traumatic teen years through the girls who actually end up with the boys. (Not that I would change my history since it's gotten me exactly where I need to be!)
I love coffee. I miss carbs. Music is LIFE. I try not to be too serious.