Book review: DRAWN TO DARKNESS, by Michelle Heard

Mafia Kings #4

Dario & Eden

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Michelle Heard pumped up the sweetness in this book and dialed back a little of the violence of Mafia business. She gave us Dario La Rosa, opera and ballet enthusiast, a mafioso who is more a lover than a fighter 😝 

This story was as mesmerizing as her other stories, the sentimentality was high, she made me cry a couple of times, as Dario impressed me with his golden heart.

Eden was dirt poor while Dario was filthy rich, as Eden herself states. She works two jobs just to make rent, has a deadbeat mother who is a drag on her finances, and has a good neighbor who has taken care of her since she was little. If not for Tyrone, she would have gone hungry many times!

Dario found Eden when she took a break from her job as janitor in the ballet company for a little dance practice.  Eden waits for everyone to leave, and takes to the stage to dance her stress away.  He found her and was smitten to the point he kept looking for her, thinking she was one of the ballerinas. 

He was relentless in his search for his elusive ballerina, and once he found Eden, she was a little reluctant to be with him. But Dario is decided on this girl, he doesn’t care about economical or social differences, he wants HER. The story of how he wins her over is lovely, we get to see how Eden is, and we love her too. She’s kind, thoughtful, grateful to those who help her, stubbornly independent but reasonable. 

It’s a lovely love story with some Mafia excitement thrown in. I loved that Eden was so open in her feelings, which is why she enchanted Dario. When he got bossy, she would tell him he’s hot, when he gave her gifts, she would have a hissy fit, irresistible! He developed deep feelings quickly and took some fun ribbing from his Mafia besties. 

Entertaining and steamy, with some strong emotional moments, another great hit from Michelle Heard!

Purchase links

 US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV21M6RW

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CV21M6RW

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CV21M6RW

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CV21M6RW

Add to GR: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62407868-drawn-to-darkness

About the author

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

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Book review: FORGOTTEN DESIRES, by Corinne Michaels

Whitlock family #4

Brynlee & Carson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Second chance, billionaire, marriage of convenience, and single dad, how could I resist this one?  Carson Knight, the billionaire who employed Rowan and his farm for milk production is invited to Rowan’s wedding. And in that wedding, surprise, he meets again with the one that got away ten years ago.

Technically, he’s the one that got away because after a week of whirlwind romance and one last night of passionate sex, he disappeared on Brynlee. We learn during the story that Carson’s leaving broke both their hearts, but Carson had obligations that he couldn’t get rid of. Now, ten years later, after an ugly divorce, father to an adorable four years old precious little girl, he can finally fulfill his destiny, loving Brynn.

He uses the excuse that he needs her for his custody fight, and they get married in what is supposed to be a fake arrangement, but I knew was destined to be fake for only about two seconds. There are such strong feelings between them, such heartache, so much love saved up through the years!

Lots of family events, a Sugarloaf float parade, a farm full of discarded animals and rescued by Brynn, all elements to give a second chance at happiness to Carson and his little daughter. The ex-wife is a vicious alcoholic gold-digger, so she makes things difficult, Brynn is afraid to trust, Carson feels unworthy but determined to make her happy. 

It’s incredibly romantic, with touches of angst and sweet moments of family love, and one event after the other. I loved that the story is dynamic, so it kept me riveted waiting for the next event, or sexy time, or family crisis. Great finale to the Whitlock family and a sneaky glimpse into what’s coming up next. Can’t wait!

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/FD_Amazon

Paperback: https://geni.us/FD_PB

Signed Paperback: https://geni.us/FD_Signed

Audible: https://geni.us/FD_Audible

    Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton & Stella Hunter

Goodreads: https://geni.us/FD_GR

About the author

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed--reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

 

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

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CMBOOKS TO 77948  

Book review: FORBIDDEN KING, by Laura Pavlov

Magnolia Falls #3

Kingston & Saylor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brother’s best friend is not my favorite trope but in this author’s hands it was a fantastic story. It was made better because it’s also a small town trope, which I love, and it involves this group of friends who have declared themselves as brothers and carry the same tattoo that proclaims them as family. I love that they’re ride or die for each other, including adorable little Cutler, a.k.a “Beefcake”.

As is usual in this trope, King gets involved with Saylor, Hayes’ little sister. Initially, King was reluctant: he feared hurting his best friend Hayes, and feared he didn’t know how to have a long-lasting relationship and would ruin things. So of course, Saylor teaches him!

The book is full of emotions and some angst, super cute moments with Cutler who has charmed all the aunties and is starting out in baseball . I loved the scenes during games when the crew would cheer like loons, even when Cutler missed. 

We get a treat as we see love evolve between King and Saylor. They already loved each other, had a special relation because of their past, but we get to see as it deepens and changes.

What makes this book so charming is the feeling of family and support that these guys give each other, and now their women, as they join the group, also offer support and friendship to the new girlfriends. It’s especially nice to see a little boy, growing up surrounded by so much love. No wonder he’s so self-assured!

The book is a delight to read, the sexy times are yummy, the text conversation between the guys are hysterically funny, and the love of all kinds, romantic, family and friends make this story truly enchanting.

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aGRJbR

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/ForbiddenKingLP

 Audio Narrated by: CJ Bloom & Jason Clarke  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aBIGcr

 

About the author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

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Book review: ALL MY KISSES FOR YOU, by Monica Murphy

Lancaster Prep Next Generation #1

Willow Lancaster & Rhett Bennett

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Definitely, Monica Murphy is the queen of YA angst!  This book gives such a perfect portrayal of two high school seniors as they navigate being in love, in the midst of typical high school mean girls, bad boys, football jocks, and in this case, being part of a legend.

Rhett Bennett is the new school football hero, he turned Lancaster Prep from an elitist school of uber wealthy and bored socialites into a football crazy student body.  The alumni are pouring money into the school now, wanting to be part of the glory and new football tradition.  And the best part? Rhett is Eli Bennett and Ava Callahan’s son!  Talk about bringing football royalty into Lancaster Prep! I was excited to see Rhett, see how similar he is to his father, loved seeing Eli and Ava with Rhett, the family love, the mentions of Drew and Fable and Jake.  Good memories!

Willow Lancaster is starting senior year after having a year of student exchange in Italy.  She came back as this insecure and awkward young woman.  She’s thrown by all the changes in the school and the new football craze. She’s very hesitant with boys, has self-image doubts, freezes when Rhett talks to her.  I could tell we had some journey coming up with Willow.

I loved Rhett’s self-assurance.  Being Eli’s son, I never expected less! He’s caring but also cocky, and he fixed his sights into Willow, nicknamed her Will, and the rest is just meant to be.

Willow’s best friend is her cousin Iris.  Willow’s father is Crew Lancaster (A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime) and Iris’ father is Whit Lancaster (Things I Wanted to Say). Iris has all the assurance that Willow doesn’t have, she’s also caustic and sometimes crass.  I thought she was rough with Willow sometimes, but it was good because Willow needed some shaking up.  

We get to enjoy Will’s evolution, getting more self-assured, taking on a little of the mean rich girl vibe, and getting involved with Rhett.  The sexy times started out cheesy and breathy, then went molten hot.  I loved Will and Rhett when she finally let go and got into being a couple. She’s lovely and kind-hearted, very adventurous in bed, perfect for Rhett!

There’s an itty bit of suspense, someone’s interference that gives the story some spice.  It’s entertaining, I loved Rhett, want more of him, and loved Brooks, another of the uber rich, bored but nice, and now turned into football. I can’t wait to get more of this Lancaster second generation stories!

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/ghiEu0V

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3HYWQYS

About the author 

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

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