Reviews

REVIEW: Hidden Cargo by Sarah Marsh

10/17/2018

Title: Hidden Cargo

Series: Alien Captors 2 - stand alone

Author: Sarah Marsh

Genre: Scifi, Romance, Erotic

Length: 135 pages

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 5 Stars - A Must Read

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

Cassie is just trying to do a good thing and it bites her in the butt. She’s kidnapped by aliens and is now stuck on an alien planet. Officers Deryc and Gage find the unauthorized human but feel a connection to her. They want her for themselves…

Poor Cassie. She did a good thing and woke in a suitcase with a bunch of puppies on an alien planet. That sounds like my kind of luck. She’s in hiding when she meets Deryc and Gage. These sexy aliens have her all sorts of excited and the feelings are mutual. Add in some seriously hot sex and this book is a must read! Great characters, action, scifi, and that ending set up for the next book.

If you like scifi erotica, I highly recommend Hidden Cargo.

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REVIEW: Saving The Grace by Lacee Hightower

10/17/2018

Saving the Grace

Series: The Gentry Duo, book two

Author: Lacee Hightower

length: 167 pages

Genres: erotic

TBR Reviewer: Stefan

Rating: 4- a recommended read

Heat: 4- smoking hot

At the beginning, Graycee and Reese meet and quickly have hot sex. She loves the sex, but hates the anonymous nature. Being written in the first person, you get inside her head and feel the conflict. She shares this pain with her male study friend, Rodney. After a night of steamy sex, she asks Reese to stay the night. He leaves. You feel the enormity of her loss as she decides to end the relationship.
The story jumps forward a couple of years. Graycee is now a nurse, but something has changed. She’s no longer the confident young woman, hurts herself and takes drugs to deaden the pain. Lacee drops hints as to why, but you don’t discover the single event for quite a few chapters. Reese reappears, as her boss—he bought the hospital Graycee works at as a nurse. We have multiple twists and turns. Will they get together-yes, no, no, yes?

I enjoyed this romance. Plenty of twists to make it a very enjoyable read. Don’t panic about the story being book two in a series, it is standalone. Chapters switch between the main two characters, Graycee and Reese. Don’t worry, the chapters are labelled so—no confusion.The sex scenes are well written, sensual and steamy. Graycee keeps you on tiptoes and when you think it’s a done deal—Rodney’s re-introduced. You’ll have to read the story a second time to catch the dropped hints.…It’s worth the effort. I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment, but the story builds to an exciting confrontation between the two men.The sex scenes are hot, but most of the story focuses on the internal workings of Graycee’s mind. This is the only reason I don’t give the story a five--Graycee's internal pain dominates the middle of the story—and for me, maybe a little over done.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend Saving The Grace!

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Book Spotlight and Giveaway: And then he was Gone by Joan Hall Hovey

10/11/2018

2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joan Hall Hovey will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

WHERE IS ADAM?

Julie Raynes’ husband is missing. Devastated and confused, she refuses to believe that he would leave her voluntarily, though her best friend thinks differently. However, her Aunt Alice, a psychic, tells her Adam has been murdered, and when she reveals how she knows this, any hope that Adam is still alive, dissipates.

The police also believe that Adam Raynes was murdered. And Julie is their prime suspect. Her life in ruins, Julie vows to hunt down whoever is responsible for Adam’s murder and make them pay for their crime.

In the meantime, David Gray, a young man who was pulled from a lake by a fisherman when he was 9 years old, wakens from a coma after nearly two decades. Unknown to Julie, Adam and David share a dark connection, a darkness that threatens to devour them both.

Read the first chapter at http://www.joanhallhovey.com/432547197

About the Author:

Writing gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction that nothing else does. (Except having my babies.) And that's not a bad analogy, if not an original one. Holding your published book in your hands, (especially that first one), running your fingers over its smooth cover, tracing your name there - is heady stuff! These days of course, knowing my readers are downloading my books onto their Kindles and ipads and Kobos, and so on is just as great. For me, a dream come true, even though it's been awhile since I wrote my first book.

I am drawn to explore the dark side of humanity, and my intention is to give the reader a roller coaster ride that will resonate long after the last word is read. I know that I am truly blessed to be permitted to work every day at what I most love and need to do. I think you appreciate it even more when you've had to go to those awful 9 to 5 jobs you hated, because the bills have to be paid. And I've had my share of them over the years -- hulling strawberries, waiting tables, grading eggs... (top that one). A couple of those jobs have left scars. I've been stalked by a psychotic customer when I was selling 'CAA'. (Canada's version of 'AAA'.) I've been chased around the desk by a so-called pillar of society while working as a secretary. But while I wouldn't want to repeat it, I wouldn't take back a single moment of any of it. All is 'grist' for the writer's mill.

The next best thing is hearing from my readers. You have been so generous in your comments, so kind to take the time in your own busy lives to write to me. Telling me that my novels kept you up all night, or that you couldn't put the book down is music to my ears, and keep me going in the dark times that come to all writers, while I find my way about in the unknown, unlit territory of that next book.

***

In addition to her critically award-winning suspense novels including And Then he was Gone and The Deepest Dark, Joan Hall Hovey's articles and short stories have appeared in such diverse publications as The Toronto Star, Atlantic Advocate, Seek, Home Life Magazine, Mystery Scene, The New Brunswick Reader, Fredericton Gleaner, New Freeman and Kings County Record. Her short story Dark Reunion was selected for the anthology investigating Women, Published by Simon & Pierre.

Ms. Hovey has held workshops and given talks at various schools and libraries in her area, including New Brunswick Community College, and taught a course in creative writing at the University of New Brunswick. For a number of years, she has been a tutor with Winghill School, a distance education school in Ottawa for aspiring writers.She is a member of the Writer's Federation of New Brunswick, past regional Vice-President of Crime Writers of Canada and International Thriller Writers.

Her books are available at most online book stores, including Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and more. Check out her website at http://wwwjoanhallhovey.com

She lives in Saint John, NB, in an uptown building over 100 years old, with her cat Bella. Aside from writing (and reading of course) She enjoys playing piano and spending time with her grandson. She is presently at work on her latest suspense novel.

Her novels include:

And Then he was Gone
The Deepest Dark
The Abduction of Mary Rose
Tragic Spawn
Night Corridor
Chill Waters
Nowhere To Hide
Listen to the Shadows

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Then-He-Was-Gone-ebook/dp/B01NBANC1Q

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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REVIEW: Cowboy Kind of Heritage by Becca Turner

10/11/2018

Title: Cowboy Kind of Heritage

Author: Becca Turner

Length: 77 pages

Genre: Cowboy, Romance, Sweet Romance, Mainstream

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 4 Stars - A Good Read!

Heat: 1/5 - Tame

This is a classic romance story of a lady, London, in trouble but finding her happy ending with a sweet hearted cowboy named Dean. Add in health problems, an unexpected baby and drama, you have Cowboy Kind of Heritage.

The writing is clean and precise. The characters are very likable. London is in a serious bind with a baby on the way but she has a job and a tough spirit. I like her a lot. Dean is the generic cowboy but why mess with such a fabulous and sexy classic. He has the swagger and the heart. My only issue with this story is that nothing really makes it stand out. Personally, I am a little underwhelmed. The story, while well written and having great characters, didn’t really wow me. If you like super sweet cowboy romances then this will be perfect for you.

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REVIEW: Carnelian by Serenity Snow

10/11/2018

Title: Carnelian

Series: Midnight’s Jewels 5 - Stand alone

Author: Serenity Snow

Length: 166 pages

Genres: Paranormal, Erotica, Action adventure

TBR Reviewer: Stefan

Rating: 4- a recommended read

Heat: 4- smoking hot

It’s been a while since I’ve read a story with this blend of genres, and it took a few pages to get back in the swing. It’s worth it. Serenity takes the reader on a non-stop action-fest with plenty of plot twists. There are witches, and power plays between werebats, bee-bats, brown bats, firefly-bats to name a few of the interesting shifters. Within the first couple of chapters, the two main characters, Carnelian and Bali, are introduced. Carnelian’s cousin, Mina, goes missing. Carnelian is ex-CIA, and a witch, starts to dig into what happened. The leader, Jeri, of the Midnight cabal is murdered, Bali, a lesbian dominant, doesn’t want the top job, but it’s personal, and she wants vengeance.

The story is complex and full of revenge plots driven by events from the past, including witch wars. Don’t skip forward. The story is developed by switching between the lead character perspectives. Carnelian and Bali paths quickly cross and sparks fly between the two women, although Bali tries to keep the relationship non-sexual. She fails and in the latter part of the story there’s a couple of steamy sex scenes between the two women…plus a surprise. This is an exciting action story weaved with a romantic love story between Carne and Bali. I couldn’t guess the ending—which is great—and without giving the plot away, the final grandstand battle is awesome.

I enjoyed it. The fast pace, vivid characters, and spicy sex scenes—sold me. You’ll enjoy this one.

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Breakdown

10/7/2018

6 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

BREAKDOWN is a unique and groundbreaking four-book suspense series that will keep you turning pages until the killer is finally exposed.

In this explosive new miniseries, the idyllic community of Shutter Lake, nestled in the peaceful Sierra Nevada Mountains, is rocked by a shocking murder. Four women, friends who moved to the area to find healing and solace, must now dig deep and overcome the scars of past troubles to find a ruthless killer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So Many Secrets, BREAKDOWN Book 2 by Vicki Hinze

THE BREAKDOWN DEEPENS... Seven years ago, Dr. Dana Perkins came to idyllic Shutter Lake seeking safety from a traumatic experience in Phoenix. She became the principal at Shutter Lake School--and found her refuge… until Sylvia Cole was killed and one of Dana's best and brightest students, Vinn Bradshaw, confessed to the murder. A murder Dana is certain he didn't commit. But who is he protecting? Why? Seeking the truth shatters Dana's safety. Yet who could have predicted proving Vinn innocent would jeopardize her friends and neighbors… and expose so many secrets?

Read an Excerpt:

Five days.

Impossible to believe but that’s all it had taken for the idyllic vision of Shutter Lake, California, lauded by Country Living as the most perfect town in all of America, to prove perfection is a façade and all the safety and security sought and found in it had been an illusion.

One murder. Illusion shattered.

One murder, and so many secrets…

A shiver crept up Dr. Dana Perkins’s backbone. She stiffened against it, determined to reclaim her sense of security here. At the deli counter inside Stacked, a block off downtown’s main square, she ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad and a bottle of Evian berry-flavored water, then glanced over to the cluster of two-dozen tables. About half-full. A lot of people were having a late lunch today.

Dana took a table surrounded by empties then settled in and reached for a sheaf of papers from her tote. She had been through the school records at least a dozen times, but maybe in the sandwich shop, she would be more objective, gain some new insight, and see something she had missed.

Oh, but she needed to be certain she hadn’t missed anything. After Phoenix, to retain her sanity she had to be absolutely certain she hadn’t missed any warning sign.

There had to be a reason this year’s best and brightest student had confessed to murder. Some logical, rational reason that Vinn Bradshaw, gifted future nanotechnologist, studious, popular basketball player, who exhibited nothing short of fantastic leadership skills, confessed. Vinn could not have killed anyone much less a prominent Shutter Lake founder’s daughter like Sylvia Cole.

Nolan Ikard, about thirty, tall and lean with sandy blond hair and a handsome man’s confident swagger, paused at her table. Nolan owned The Grind, a coffee shop sharing a common wall with Stacked that Dana frequented every morning on her walk from home to the school.

“How’s our favorite principal?” Nolan asked. “Things settling down any at S.L.S.?”

Many students, current and former, referred to Shutter Lake School as S.L.S. “Getting better,” she said because it was expected and not because it was true. “The students are still rattled, but then aren’t we all?”

He nodded and avoided her eyes, his own gold-flecked ones clouded and troubled. “Guess the kids won’t settle down until their parents do. Maybe we will all get back to normal soon.”

“Maybe we will.” Dana smiled.

He walked on to his favorite table beside hers and next to the front window. How many times in the last year had she seen him staring out that window as if he had lost his last friend? She’d been tempted often to ask if he was okay, or to offer to listen if he needed to talk, but something had held her back. She couldn’t say what, but she always followed her instinctive urges on things like that. In his case, she hoped she didn’t live to regret it.

About the Author:

Raised in New Orleans, Vicki Hinze began writing before Kindergarten but her journey to writing books included a lot of corporate pit-stops. Eventually, she settled in and her first novel landed an array of awards and on the bestseller list. With nearly 40 books published, she's been back many times with awards in multiple genres and appearances on multiple bestseller lists, including USA TODAY. Vicki is recognized by Who's Who in the World as an author and an educator and is best known for chilling suspense, trailblazing, and creating series that genre-blend. Her works include suspense, mystery and romance. Since 1994, this former VP of International Thriller Writers has written heavily about military and military families and in nearly all genres except horror. Hinze is a Floridian married to a former Hurricane Hunter/Special Operations Officer. She constantly pushes the boundaries on existing genres, opening the door for new novel blends.

https://www.vickihinze.com/
http://facebook.com/Vicki.Hinze.Author
https://twitter.com/vickihinze
https://www.pinterest.com/vickihinze/
Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FLD4513

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Hidden Cargo by Sarah Marsh

10/3/2018

6 Comments

No good deed goes unpunished, or at least it doesn’t for Cassie Decker. Helping someone on the side of the road changed her life—and left her stranded on an alien planet. Lucky for her, two large, green rescuers offer her a second chance at a new life. Now all she has to do is find the courage to reach out and grab it.

Officers Deryc and Gage have a comfortable life on the island of Ilya. It may not be perfect, but they enjoy their work and they have each other. When fate reveals an unauthorized female has been hiding right under their noses, they know they must do their duty—but can they hand her over to an unknown future when she just might be the perfect female for their clan?

The Goddess works in mysterious ways, but will Cassie and her officers realize what they have found before someone tries to alter their paths forever?

Cassie washed up and changed into a nightgown as Dax settled comfortably at the foot of her bed. She turned out the light and walked over to open a window, letting the fresh air in. She’d always loved falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. Two deep voices entered on the breeze along with the sounds of the surf, causing a shiver to run up her spine, and she realized that Deryc and Gage must still be on the patio enjoying the evening. Cassie sat on the window ledge and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness outside. When they did, the sight before her was nothing short of decadent.

Both men were lounging on one of the large patio chairs. Deryc’s arm was around Gage’s shoulder, and his other hand cupped the other man’s cheek as he took his mouth in a slow and sensual

kiss. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Gage’s hand move leisurely up his partner’s thigh until he rubbed along the thick, hard ridge of Deryc’s arousal.

I shouldn’t be watching this, like some kind of pervert…. . . I’m invading their privacy, but holy hell, I think this is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

Knowing it was wrong and willing her eyes to close were two very different things, and Cassie had to bite her lip as Deryc’s deep voice came to her on the night breeze.

“I believe you owe me a proper show of gratitude, my mate.” Deryc growled as Gage’s fingers freed the thick cock from the confines of his partner’s pants. “Or did you forget you promised me that this morning?”

“Hmm.” Gage lazily kissed along Deryc’s jaw, his hand now slowly stroking up and down his lover’s cock. “Did I say that? I can’t remember now…”

Deryc’s response was immediate, and it made Cassie gasp as he pulled away and moved to cover the other man until Gage’s wrists were held above his head in each of his strong hands, and Deryc was now straddling his mate’s hips. In the moonlight, Cassie could see his cock jutting straight from his body, the thick length an even darker shade of grey than the rest of him. He towered over Gage like an avenging god.

“Keep your arms above your head, boy.” Deryc’s tone was unforgiving now, and by the look of the large bulge in Gage’s own pants, he enjoyed this game of dominance as much as his mate did. Cassie had never experimented with any BDSM play with Peter, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t thought or fantasized about it before, and now that she had a front-row seat, her body flooded with heat at the idea of being on the submissive end of Deryc’s firm authority just like Gage was now.

Deryc’s hands released Gage and began to undress, revealing his muscular body, the dark skin seeming to almost sparkle in the moonlight. Then he began the same process of removing Gage’s clothing, and the other man bit his lip, but left his arms where they were.

“Cassie could still be awake.” Gage’s words turned into a groan as Deryc’s hand now closed around his shaft, rubbing a glistening bead of moisture over the plump head. “What if she sees?”

“Mmm, think about that, my love.” Deryc’s hand moved faster on his lover’s flesh. “Just imagine those stunning blue eyes, her gaze roving over your hard and aching flesh like a caress. Perhaps she would like to join us even? I see now why you were so enamored with her when you first spotted her. She is quite remarkable.”

Gage only moaned louder at Deryc’s words, his hips pushing harder into the other man’s grip, causing a warm chuckle to escape his mate’s lips. “I see how much you like that idea, love. I can feel your cock buck in my grip as if it were trying to get inside of her even now.”

Holy fuck! Were they fantasizing about her? This time Cassie couldn’t stifle the groan as her pussy flooded at the idea of being out there on that couch with them, and it was so loud she startled herself, jumping back from the window in case her hosts heard it as well.

She needed that shock back to reality. “Jesus, Cassie, what is wrong with you?”

She didn’t want to think she was the kind of person who couldn’t control her own urges, but the fact that she hadn’t been able to help herself from watching Gage and Deryc’s intimate display meant they had much more power over her than she’d thought. Good grief, all she could hope for at this point is that they hadn’t heard her at all.

Pervy, sex-starved human . . . table for one, please.

Purchase Here

Giveaway:

Ms Marsh is generously giving away a $15 gift card to Evernight Publishing!

The TBR Pile is giving away 2 books from our prize list (1 each).

TO ENTER: Comment below on why you want to read Hidden Cargo. Have you read Sarah Marsh before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below.

WINNERS

$15.00 gift card: Tammy
Prize List book: Linda and Ashley

6 Comments

GIVEAWAY: The Great Cock Hunt by James Cox

9/27/2018

5 Comments

Title: The Great Cock Hunt

Series: A Cox Fairytale - Stand alone

Author: James Cox

Length: 92 pages

Genre: Fairytale, Romance, Erotic, Cross dressing, Fetish

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 4 Stars - Highly Recommended Read!

Heat: 5/5 - Orgasmic!

Just read that blurb. I don’t want to paraphrase, it’s too good! Okay fine. We have Cin (Cinderella) who has a tough life with his definitely evil step sisters and step mother who leaves him in the attic in the winter where he loses a toe. There’s the evil fairy godmother who has a twist at the end that made me reread this story with the new information. Poor Cin just wants to have one last day of fun at the prince’s orgy and then his fairy godmother shows up with dwarfs to collect him. Let the chaos and romance ensue!

One word: Fetish.

Yeah, the prince has a shoe fetish but honestly, it’s not that kinky. I’ve read a lot more mouth dropping fetishes in books. This one hits the perfect spot for me. When Cin and Henry meet it’s like spark fly. Of course, Cin is in a woman’s dress and Henry is feeling up his leg. There are some hilarious moments in this book and some sad ones. Sexy, definitely, oh my God yes! A good story? Not so surprisingly yes. The characters aren’t cardboard. They have layers and twists that reveal themselves over time. That scene with his step sisters almost raping him is intense. I do wish the story was a bit longer to give us more. More of everything. I love this world.

This is the second book in the Cox Fairytale series and I highly recommend them both! If you like a kinky, unique twist on fairy tales then James Cox is a must read!

Purchase Here

GIVEAWAY

Mr. Cox is giving away 2 copies of the first book in this series, The Forest of Dark Delights.

The TBR Pile is giving away a $5 gift card to Evernight Publishing!

TO ENTER: You must comment below on why you love sexy fairytales. Have you read James Cox before?

For extra entries: Share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below.

Winners

$5 Evernight card: LeeAnn
Copy of Forest of Dark Delights: Olga and Laurie
Prize list book: Jodi and Lorraine

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REVIEW: In The Shadows by TL Travis

9/27/2018

Title: In the Shadows

Series: Social Sinners #2 - not stand alone

Author: TL Travis

Length: 205 pages

Genre: Contemporary, Music Romance,

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 3 Stars - A Good Read

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

Finally, Joey and Stoli are in a relationship. It’s all new and unsure and adorable. They are on tour with the rest of the band experiencing the life of success. Mostly...
…
For a rock band the book is awfully uneventful. I just feels like nothing happens. There is one big, scary event but I don’t know. The story just feels like it drags. I do love the new relationship with Stoli and Joey. They have great chemistry and are so cute together. They are truly charming. I also love how the rest of the band acts toward them. Playful banter. Sex jokes. It is sweet and entertaining. The author also added more song lyrics which is such a great touch. Overall, this I enjoyed the second book in the Social Sinners series.

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REVIEW: Infusion by Liz Crowe

9/27/2018

Title: Infusion

Author: Liz Crowe

Length: Novel, 155 pgs

Genres: CONTEMPORARY
EROTIC ROMANCE
OLDER WOMAN, YOUNGER MAN
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

TBR Reviewer: Jean

Rating: 3 Stars – A Good Read

Heat: 4 – Smoking hot

DROWNING HER SORROWS

Thirtysomething widow Gayle Connolly works in the beer business but all the beer in the world won't drown her grief over losing both her husband and son in a fatal crash. Parting the waters of her self-blame is no easy task for Noah Stokes, the young man whose own dreams were dashed by circumstance but whose fatal attraction for his new boss Gayle provides an entirely new bottle to drink from.

Overcoming grief and giving one's self permission to forgive and move on is the major theme here. Though tragic, Gayle Connolly's three year wallow in self-pity seems a little overdramatized. Also, her ultra-rich, more-money-than-Croesus lifestyle is a little unbelievable, as is some out-of-character dialogue and sudden, slutty behavior on both character's parts. However, she manages to turn the head of a hard-working and honest young man several years her junior. Predictably, she pushes him away but gradually succumbs to his advances. The sad part is the wringer she puts him through along the way.

While I like the older woman-younger man pairing, it's not without its obvious problems. He wants to avoid being the boy-toy and poor Gayle doesn't know how to treat him any other way. Noah doesn't give up though, which is a 'testament' to his patience and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. And like the old-testament Noah, perseverance does pay off; you just have to be the bearer of the olive branch once in awhile. The result is a story and a relationship that is a uniquely crafted brew of attraction, grief, guilt, forgiveness, hot sex, and eventually love. Cheers to that.

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<<Previous

REVIEW: Hidden Cargo by Sarah Marsh

REVIEW: Saving The Grace by Lacee Hightower

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: And then he was Gone by Joan Hall Hovey

REVIEW: Cowboy Kind of Heritage by Becca Turner

REVIEW: Carnelian by Serenity Snow

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Breakdown

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Hidden Cargo by Sarah Marsh

Giveaway:

WINNERS

GIVEAWAY: The Great Cock Hunt by James Cox

GIVEAWAY

Winners

REVIEW: In The Shadows by TL Travis

REVIEW: Infusion by Liz Crowe

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