Category Archives: Book Reviews

Scored by Sloane Howell #comingsoon #bookreview

Book Reviews, Series Books, , ,

Scored, by Sloane Howell, is a Sports Romantic Comedy with a good dose of humor, extremely witty writing and sexy main characters.

Scored releases October 17, 2017, and is intended for readers 18 years and older.

 scored

My Five Star Review:

My first jump into the Sloane Howell world was with his other Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Bossed.  I really enjoyed Bossed and it got me completely hooked on Sloane’s fun, witty and sexy writing.  Scored, is no different.  Each of these books can be read as a stand-alone but if you enjoy a good romantic comedy then I would encourage you to read both.  There are some back-stories in Bossed that make Scored even better.

Matt Stallworth, baseball playing extraordinaire, was a very unexpected surprise.  He was nothing like I expected him to be and it was wonderful to read his story, learn his history and watch him fall in love with Kelsey Martin.  Matt had some unexpected twists in his story that brought several smiles and tears to my face.  Kelsey doesn’t know much about baseball but she loves music which is why she works in a vinyl record store. She is a free spirit., living her life, and trying to figure out her place in it.  As you can imagine, Matt comes storming into her life and convinces her to “date” him when all she really wants to do is keep her heart safe.  Their story is fun, sexy, heartwarming and has a truly wonderful happily ever after.

More about Scored:

He’s a player. But she’s about to score.
Opposites really do attract* as a sassy salesgirl turns a pro athlete’s life upside down in this supercharged standalone novel of seduction from the author of Bossed.
Kelsey: My mom would tell you I’m quite the catch, but since my last boyfriend, I haven’t been dating much. Maybe it’s my rocker style or my lack of filter that intimidates the boys. So I’m pleasantly surprised when Matt Stallworth waltzes into the indie record store where I work and gives as good he gets. Turns out Matt is a professional baseball player, which should mean he’s out of my league. But if he wants to hook up with me, he’s going to have to follow my rules.
Matt: After winning my MVP award, I learned that a guy can get used to having beautiful women practically throw themselves at you everywhere you turn. But everything changes the first time I see Kelsey Martin, and something just clicks. She’s hot, snarky, and whip-smart. I’ve got to see her again. Only problem is, she sees right through all my best moves. And I’m going to have to step up my game to convince Kelsey that I’m playing for keeps.
*And sexy times ensue—for mature audiences.

Find out more about Sloane Howell here:  Website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Goodreads.

Want to find out the inside scoop on Sloane and his up and coming releases? Then join his Harem on Facebook by clicking this link: Sloane Howell’s Harem

Check out my review of Bossed here: Janis’s Review.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

As Always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf

Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti (Blood Brothers Book 2) #review

Book Reviews, Series Books, ,

Rebecca Zanetti hits the mark again in this new Paranormal Romantic Suspense series Blood Brothers with her second installment, Lethal Lies.  Blood Brothers is a spin-off from her popular Sin Brothers series.

Lethal Lies is recommended for readers 18 years and older.

lethal lies


My Five Star Review: 

Again, Let me start by saying I have not read any of Rebecca’s Sin Brothers books.  I have read just about every other book she has written but I just never picked up Sin Brothers. So my thoughts are, you don’t need to read Sin Brothers before you start the Blood Brothers Series.  I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything that may have happened in the other series.  With that being said, I would definitely encourage you to read Deadly Silence, Blood Brother Book 1 before picking up Lethal Lies.

This series highlights three brothers, Ryker, Heath and Denver who end up in the same boys home at the age of 12.  They may not be related by blood but to these three men are most definitely brothers and will do whatever is necessary to keep each other safe. Twenty years later and they are still together running Lost Bastards Investigative Services. The case they are working on continues where it left off.  I’m not giving anything away by saying each of these men is a bit different and not in a bad way.  You’ll need to read to find out exactly what makes them different.  Each brother also has a past with a childhood they are trying to understand and a woman that changes their life.

Lethal Lies is Heath and Anya’s story.  The investigation into the killings continues with a few twist and turns thrown in.  Heath has a tendency to want to save things especially beautiful women that usually gets him and his brother in hot water.  This particular book is very case driven and I really enjoyed that.  Don’t get me wrong, the heat and chemistry are there but it’s almost second to the investigation and the additional info on the brother’s pasts.

Rebecca is an amazing writer and I’ve enjoyed many of her series.  Her characters are full of depth, I always want to cheer them on, cry with them at times and generally fall in love with every single one.  I would highly recommend all of her books.

More About Lethal Lies:

A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

Find Rebecca here:  Website, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Goodreads.

Buy Lethal Lies here: Amazon, Barnes & Noble. 

Reading Order:
Deadly Silence (Book 1) – Amazon, My Review
Lethal Lies (Book 2) – Amazon
Twisted Truths (Book 3) – Amazon – Releases November 14, 2017

I received a copy of this novel directly from NetGalley.

As Always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf

Natural Affection by Tristan Cruz #review

Book Reviews, , , ,

Natural Affection is completely different from anything I’ve ever read.  To me, it’s a Mystery/Futuristic Romance with an absolutely fascinating lead character and is a story filled with love.

I would recommend it for readers 18 years and older.

Natural Affection releases on September 11, 2017

natural affection

My Four Star Review: 

I haven’t read any of Tristan Cruz’s work, but I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Natural Affection and decided to read it.  This is Tristan’s second novel.  My spoiler free review follows.

The main character, Dr. Lennan Vincent, is a very interesting guy and his way of thinking is fascinating and unique.  Lennan’s life definitely revolves around a great deal of mystery and his ability to love is unmeasurable.   All he wants to do is save people, keep them alive, help them in any way he can, and try to make the world a better place. Lennan’s on a path, a mission he chose based on his thinking and how he wants to world to be.  Cora Vancova, the mother to 3-month-old Nayley,  has a tragic history and certain events put her directly into Lennan’s path. Lennan will tell you their worlds collided based on numbers that are alive and govern the universe.  (Just read the book and you’ll see what I’m talking about.)

You meet several secondary characters along the way.  A Detective Clark, who’s still dealing with the death of his son, and a young girl named Mira who’s in need of a heart transplant.  I found it interesting how differently Mira and Cora handled dealing with Isaac. All I’ll tell you about Isaac is, Isaac is based on vortex math and the golden ratio.  I feel like I received a crash course in mathematics while reading this book.  Have I peaked your interest yet?

I will admit this book does contain a “book trigger” for me and when I reached it, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.  But I pushed through, continued to read, and I was very happy that I did.  This trigger plays a very big role in this story.

I love to take a chance on a new author by reading their words and I’m glad I read Natural Affection.  Tristan’s writing style is a bit different from other authors I’ve read but I truly enjoyed the complexity of this story.  Thank you, Tristan, for giving me the opportunity to read your book before it’s even published.

More About Natural Affection:

The past is not what interests Doctor Lennan Vincent. His concern has always lied in the present future and the life that would inhabit it. Trying to save every beating heart, and mankind from its own destruction, Doctor Vincent wages war against death in the hospital and outside of it. Dedicated only to his moral code, he never expects to fall in love with a woman whose life was hanging over a bridge.
Only the most tragic events invade the life of Cora Vancova, a simple yet astonishingly beautiful woman, and thrusts her already severed heart into the arms of a man who would fall to his death to save her.
Lennan’s noble life cause is suddenly in question upon saving the life of Cora, causing him to reflect on his dangerous course. Containing powerful secrets only he created, Lennan must decide to continue on his current path or leave it behind him to ensure the safety of Cora. Lying in the shadows of the past, however, exists a secret not even a brilliant mind like Lennan could have foreseen.
Set in the urban chaos of Manhattan, two people fall fiercely in love and try to escape what destiny has in store for them. Lennan, however, understands better than anyone that destiny is a lie.
Fate is the falsest of hopes.
He is beyond any prophecy.

About Tristan Cruz:

Tristan Cruz is a passionate story teller whose interests include photography and film, as well as 3D modeling, and design. He uses his knowledge of these interests to tell brilliant stories that are deeply layered. He utilizes every aspect of his talents to take full control of his writing. This spans from custom inside art to the book covers. With his background in photography and film, Tristan Cruz uses images as inspiration to tell his stories. The deeply layered story telling and poetic writing style will allow visualization of the images that were used for inspiration, impressing upon your mind a story not soon forgotten.
An image can speak a thousand words. One image can inspire thousands of words into one story.

Find Tristan Cruz here: Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf

Wicked Bite (The Realm Enforcers Book 5) by Rebecca Zanetti #review

Book Reviews, Series Books, , , , , ,

Rebecca Zanetti  delivers another outstanding Paranormal Romance in book 5 of her Realm Enforcers series.  Wicked Bite is fast passed, action packed, full of fire, witches, enforcers, a few vampires, and let’s not forget a Bear.  It will leave you breathless and definitely want and need to read more.

Wicked Bite is available today and is intended for readers 18 years and older.

wicked bite

My FIVE Star Review:

Let me start by saying this is book 5 of Rebecca’s Realm Enforcers Series.  You really need to read this series in order and I would also suggest reading Rebecca’s Dark Protectors (DP) series first as well.  (In my opinion, you don’t really need to read the Dark Protectors first, that’s why it’s just a suggestion, however, you will definitely get more joy out of the DP characters in the Realm series if you have a full understanding of them from the DP series.)

Now let’s talk about Beauregard McDunphy (Bear.)  I found out some very interesting things about Bear throughout this series and you definitely find out more in this book.  I know he does not like Witches or anything to do with the Coven Nine.  He doesn’t trust them, does not want to be near them, and wants them and everyone else to stay off his Motorcycle Club land.   In walks Nessa a witch who happens to be on the Coven Nine. I’m sure you can imagine, Bear is not happy with her appearing in his cabin but Nessa has a proposition that Bear really can’t turn down.  Nessa has quite a few secrets of her own and holy cow Rebecca, I didn’t see any of this coming!!!!!

This book is truly outstanding, the action is amazing, the writing is superb, the chemistry is off the charts for our lead characters and there are many appearances from the DP characters we all love!!

BRAVO Mrs. Zanetti!!  You keep writing them and I’ll keep reading them! I would highly recommend all of Rebecca’s books!

More About Wicked Bite:

As she hunts for a drug lord killing her fellow witches, all Nessa Lansa’s instincts point to the Grizzly motorcycle club. That might be because their leader, Bear, is the strong, silent shifter type: warm brown eyes and more muscle and alpha male than any woman can ignore. Which makes Nessa’s plan to seduce and betray him all the more dangerous . . .

Bear doesn’t trust the curvy, blue-eyed witch. But Nessa can heal the injuries that sap his strength. And since he can’t stop thinking of her lush body and teasing smile, her plan to mate him to reclaim her own power is highly tempting. Just one problem. Once a desire this wild is loose, no one will ever control it.

Reading Order for Realm Enforcers Series: 

Wicked Ride (Book 1) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Edge (Book 2) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Burn (Book 3) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Kiss (Book 4) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Bite (Book 5) Coming August 1, 2017

Start at the beginning with the Dark Protectors Series:  (Read before the Realm Enforcers Series.)

Fated
Claimed
Tempted – Novella
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted – Novella
Shadowed
Tamed – Novella
Marked

Find Rebecca Zanetti here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley.

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf

Dear Banjo by Sasha Wasley

Book Reviews,

Dear Banjo is a Contemporary Fiction Romance with a New Adult feel to it.

DB 1000 wide

My Five Star Review:

Dear Banjo is a truly amazing story about two best friends, Willow (Banjo) Paterson and Tom Forrest.  Banjo and Tom both grew up on neighboring farms in Kimberley Australia and created a friendship bond that Banjo never wants to lose.  These two young people want the same things in life.  To go to university, learn all about organic beef operations and then take over the operation on each of their respective farms.  But one night, when they were 18 years old, Tom does something he vowed he would never do. He broke the “Pact.”  (And that’s all the information you’re getting out of me.  You’ll have to read to find out what Pact and how the story unfolds.)

I can’t even find the words to tell you how much I truly enjoyed this story.  The writing was beautiful, the characters we all amazing, and the ups and downs in this story will leave you breathless.   I  became a big fan of Sasha Wasley while reading her Young Adult books but out of all her books, Dear Banjo is now my favorite.  This is the kind of book I will not hesitate to pull out and re-read again and again.

More About Dear Banjo:

They were best friends who were never meant to fall in love – but for one of them, it was already way too late.

Willow ‘Banjo’ Paterson and Tom Forrest were raised on neighboring cattle stations in the heart of the Kimberley. As young adults, sharing the same life dreams, something came between them that Willow cannot forget. Now ten years have passed since she’s even spoken to Tom.

When her father falls ill, Willow is called home to take over the running of the family property, Paterson Downs. Her vision for a sustainable, organic cattle station is proving hard to achieve. She needs Tom’s help, but is it too late, and all too complicated, to make amends?

Tom’s heartfelt, decade-old letters remain unopened and unmentioned between them, and Willow must find the courage to finally read them. Their tattered pages reveal a love story like no other – and one you’ll never forget.

Dear Banjo is a wildly romantic and utterly captivating story about first love and second chances from an exciting new Australian author.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://a.co/1FBSzw6
Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/3qfH0zB
Amazon AU:  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B06XKGW9YT/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_x8kjzbHQF9D9C
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dear-banjo

About Sasha Wasley

Sasha Wasley was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia.

She has completed a PhD in cultural theory and loves nature, Jane Austen and puns.

Sasha is a farming wannabe, with a passion for animals and the land. Although she’s in her forties now, she still wants a pony.

Her debut novel, a young adult paranormal, was published in 2014. Today, she lives and writes in the Swan Valley wine region with her partner and two daughters, surrounded by dogs, cats and chickens.

Sasha writes mystery, paranormal and young adult novels as S.D. Wasley.

Find Sasha Wasley Here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon, Newsletter.

Check out my review of Sasha Wasley’s Young Adult Novels here: SD Wasley – Young Adult Reviews

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf

Wicked Kiss (The Realm Enforcers Book 4) by Rebecca Zanetti #review

Book Reviews, Series Books, , , , ,

Rebecca Zanetti’s Paranormal Romance Wicked Kiss is fast passed, action packed, full of fire, witches, enforcers, and even a few vampires.  It will leave you breathless and definitely want and need to read more.

Wicked Kiss released July 4, 2017, and is intended for readers 18 years and older.
wicked kiss

My Five Star Review:

Another 5 stars for Rebecca Zanetti!  She does it again in this amazing novel filled with characters from both of her wonderful series, The Dark Protectors and The Realm Enforcers.   I really can’t get enough of these characters and I will definitely keep reading as long as she keeps writing them.

Adam is the smart witch, the strategist, follow Coven 9 rules kind of guy and is put to the test while working to rescue Victoria Monzelle.   Tori, on the other hand, doesn’t trust Adam Dunne and wants nothing to do with him.  Well … that’s what she’s telling herself, her body, on the other hand, wants to be as close as possible to Adam.

The story plot of the series continues with the hunt for the Apollo drug and is filled with action, adventure, and love.  Don’t worry, like all of Rebecca’s books, there is a happily ever after for this amazing couple.

If you are a paranormal lover, then I would highly recommend both of her series.

More About Wicked Kiss

Working as an informant for the DEA, Victoria Monzelle is used to living on the edge. But she’s not a big fan of getting kidnapped. And definitely not by a bunch of bad boy witches with fancy-colored fire to shoot at people. So when Adam Dunne shows up and claims to be a witch enforcer, she’s not going to put her life in his hands based on his word, no matter how smooth and smart and beautifully Irish his words sound. But on the run from a tribunal of witches, she isn’t going to make it far . . .

Before she knows it, Adam’s word is all that stands between her and execution. Sophisticated, just-gotta-ruffle-him Adam has vowed to make her his one eternal mate, wild and unpredictable as she is—to save her from a sentence of certain death. But Tori isn’t interested in being anyone’s pity date. And if they think she’s unpredictable now, they should see what’s coming next . . .

Reading Order for Realm Enforcers Series: 

Wicked Ride (Book 1) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Edge (Book 2) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Burn (Book 3) Click here to read my review.
Wicked Kiss (Book 4)
Wicked Bite (Book 5) Coming August 1, 2017

Start at the beginning with the Dark Protectors Series:  (Read before the Realm Enforcers Series.)

Fated
Claimed
Tempted – Novella
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted – Novella
Shadowed
Tamed – Novella
Marked

Find Rebecca Zanetti here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley.

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf

Fuel for Fire (Black Nights Inc. Book 10) by Julie Ann Walker #comingsoon

Book Reviews, Series Books, , , , ,

Fuel for Fire is Dagan (Z) Zoelner’s book in Julie Ann Walker’s Black Nights Inc. Series and will be releasing just in time for the 4th of July week! Fuel for Fire is a Contemporary Suspense Action-Packed Romance filled with strong men and equally strong women. Black Nights Inc. is one of my all time favorite series and should be read in book order.

Fuel for Fire releases on July 4, 2017, and is intended for readers 18 years and older.

fuel for fire

My Five Star Review:

Julie Ann Walker is the Master at story telling and this 10th book in her Black Nights Inc Series is another hit!!  The chemistry between Black Nights Operative Dagan Zoelner and CIA Agent Chelsea Duvall makes it a perfect read for the 4th of July week.  There is nothing better than a good book with a strong male character trying to come to terms with his feelings for an equally strong female.  It is truly a joy to watch these characters work through the chemistry and come out better people in the end.

The action continues with the quest to find out who “Spider” is.   Christian, Emily, and Ace join in on the action and we also get to meet Rusty.   Sparks do a little flying between Ace and Rusty which I’m going to love watching.  The continued sexual tension and banter between Christian and Emily made me laugh quite a few times.  I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series, Hot Pursuit (Christian and Emily’s book)  coming in October 2017.

I would highly recommend Fuel for Fire and the entire Black Night’s Inc. Series.  You will not be disappointed.

More About Fuel for Fire:

A brooding covert operative and a spunky CIA agent discover a burning passion in the next installment of Julie Ann Walker’s red-hot BKI series

Dagan Zoelner has made three huge mistakes
The first two left blood on his hands.
The third left him wondering…what if? What if he had told the woman of his dreams how he felt before his world fell apart?

Spitfire CIA agent Chelsea Duvall has always had a thing for bossy, brooding Dagan. It’s just as well that he’s never given her a second look, since she carries a combustible secret about his past that threatens to torch their lives…

Black Nights, Inc. Book Reading Order:

1 – Hell on Wheels – 
2 – In Rides Trouble
3 – Rev It Up
4 – Thrill Ride
5 – Born Wild – My Amazon Review
6 – Hell for Leather – My Amazon Review
7 – Full Throttle – My Amazon Review
8 – Too Hard to Handle – My Five Star Blog Review
9 – Wild Ride – My Five Star Review
10 – Fuel for Fire – Coming July 4, 2017
11 – Hot Pursuit – October 2017

Find Julie Ann Walker here:  Internet, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

As Always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf