A mafia romance about secrets and soulmates by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series.

Scandalous Prince, book two of the Mafia Royals series of standalone books, releases September 22, 2020!

Cover Designer: Jena Brignola

The Woods are Lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go, before I sleep —Robert Frost

I was born in secrecy for a purpose nobody will tell me, only that I’m mafia royalty and should be protected. I promised to take the secret to my grave until I realized the very secret that could save her would damn her in the process.

She didn’t know it was me.

She didn’t know that I had no choice and would do it again and again to save her.

I may as well as have given her the mark on her finger.

The one that shows where her loyalty must lie.

Because we don’t sin in silence.

And eventually, you have to pay up what you owe.

My need to protect her turned into a lie to save her.

And when she found out—I turned in to the very monster I was trying to protect her from.

Watching Violet Abandonato walk out of my life was like a knife to the chest, a wound that refused to heal.

The bosses sent me to save her, thinking our friendship would bring her back.

But what they don’t know is that I was the one that destroyed her innocence.

We both carry scars.

But if all I can have is her hate for as long as I breathe.

I’ll take it.

Because at the end of the day, I should burn in Hell forever thinking Chase Abandonato’s perfect angel would pick me—over her perfect life.

“I broke you,” I confessed.

“The worst part… is that you liked it,” she snapped right back.

She wasn’t wrong.

Welcome to the second generation of the mafia, may the best man or woman, be left standing.

May God bless our tainted souls.

Pre-order today!

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About Rachel:

Rachel Van Dyken is the number one New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

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Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ++

Before I can tell you about Fortuity, I have to begin with some background. To date, Jewel E. Ann’s Transcend Duet (Transcend and Epoch) is my favorite work from her. In general, there isn’t any book from Ann that I don’t like, but there was something about this duet that burrowed into my soul. To this day, these two books sit heavy in my soul, so much so, that I don’t think I can do a re-read of that duet any time soon. Part of this relates to the character of Nate. His journey in these books sat heavy with me. While I knew on some level he couldn’t be with (spoiler alert…but seriously, if you haven’t read those books by now, you deserve to have this spoiler ruined for you) Swayze, it didn’t sit right with me. It bothered me on some level. With the epilogue of Epoch, the story didn’t feel over; it was the definition of “bittersweet” at best. As a whole, it all felt unfinished. I believe at the time I asked Jewel E. Ann for more of Nate’s story because Nate’s happy ending hadn’t been realized in a way that felt finished. Now, you could say that I was being too reductive in my definition of a happy ending, but I can’t help my feelings. 

When she announced a third book, one centered on Nathaniel Hunt, a part of me wept with joy. There was more to know about him; there was more story for him. And this third book, Fortuity, offers  that replete conclusion. Fortuity is a beautifully wrought story of second chances, and its message is the perfect endnote to the Transcend stories: letting go and moving forward is part of the human experience, therefore, making it a necessary step in life. 

If you are looking for a summary of Fortuity, you won’t find it here. Bits and pieces of the story will find its way into this review as I expound upon the reasons for you to read this story, but you can read Jewel E. Ann’s blurb for the general sense of the book. Also, it’s important to note that you can read Fortuity as a standalone. If you’ve never read the Transcend duet, Ann offers you a story that is all-encompassing in its own right. However, the emotional depth of this book will feel greater IF you have read the duet. I cannot encourage you enough to read the Transcend duet. Now, why is Fortuity worth your time and money and a necessary read? Here goes…

1. For this reader, I love that Nate and Gracelyn, the heroine of this story, are in their forties. This is a time when people are getting a “second wind” so to speak. They are generally established in a career or family. Yet, both Nate and Gracelyn aren’t. Jewel E. Ann created these characters to “start again.” Nate and his daughter, Morgan, have traveled the world, living a transitory life. They are preparing to finally settle down. Similarly, Gracelyn is transitioning from the role of aunt to the role of mother in the face of a family tragedy. To date, she has lived somewhat of a solitary life. In these changes, the first message of letting go resides. Ann deftly points us to our need to sometimes move away from the expectations we’ve made about our life, embracing a new set of expectations. Gracelyn encounters this lesson more distinctly from Nate, as he’s chosen the path before him. Yet, he’s having to let go of some of the parts of the relationship he’s developed with his daughter, Morgan, before realizing their plan. At the ages of our hero and heroine, this is never simple, and the veil of middle age complicates Nate and Gracelyn’s journey. Their experiences connect with me as a forty-something reader. I understand these difficulties and found bits of myself in their characterization. That’s what initially connected me to this story, I think. 
2. Jewel E. Ann continues to show her literary prowess in pointing to the idea of “letting go” through the complication of parenting. And if you think that I connected the most with Gracelyn and Nate as forty-somethings, it is here where the message felt most profound for me. As parents, we set parameters for our children. Ultimately, many of us want to raise intelligent, socially conscious, hardworking, civically aware humans. With intentionality, careful plotting, some prayers, and creativity, we work hard to “hopefully” raise up amazing human beings. One of the most profound moments of “letting go” resides in Nathaniel’s experience with Morgan. He has offered her a dream life, traveling the world and exposing her to other cultures, making her a global citizen. She returns to the U.S. on the cusp of a new change, meets her neighbor friend, Gabe, and falls quickly into pre-teenhood. Everything Nate presumes for his daughter becomes upended. And in true parental fashion, Nate mourns this loss. Instead of seeing it as a transition, a necessary part of Morgan’s journey towards autonomy, he struggles initially. However, with the guidance of an intelligent and emotionally mature “friend,” Nate allows himself to “let go” of his prescription for Morgan’s life. He embraces her need for autonomy and the want to “fit in” with her peers. From a reader’s standpoint, I felt this message profoundly. This is where Jewel E. Ann is her best: using the real world to encapsulate tiny truths about the human experience. 
3. Fortuity presents us wth compelling characterizations. There is seemingly “a type” for everyone. Nathaniel Hunt in this book is NOT the Nathaniel Hunt of the Transcend duet, and thank goodness for that. He was mournful and overwhelmed and unable to find himself fully yet in that duet. Eight years later, he is purposeful, insightful, self-assured, and resolved. He’s also $exually fierce in a way that we weren’t treated to in the Transcend duet. He exudes a compelling masculinity that peeked at us in the duet, but it’s a force of nature in Fortuity. Gracelyn has no chance against this “Jamie Frasier-like” Nathaniel Hunt, and it’s delightful. 

In some ways, Gracelyn is the “Transcend-Nate” of this story. Through her, Jewel E. Ann crafts the most obvious idea of letting go. Gracelyn’s past is holding her back, and she’s constructed a life that protects her from moving forward. As she encounters Nate and undertakes a summer relationship with him, she becomes more intuitive about her role with her nephew, Gabriel, she begins to find a new normal for them, and she finds a hidden depth of character. Of all of the characters, Gracelyn’s is the most exciting journey, as her evolution is the most profound. Her elaboration becomes the emotional center for Fortuity. 

Morgan is a tour de force. One of Jewel E. Ann’s readers said that she would love to have a daughter like Morgan. I don’t know that I would agree with that because Morgan is the epitome of precociousness. However, on some level, she is the definition of an academic’s daughter. Nathaniel has poured so much into her that she’s knowledgeable and cultural. She knows quite a bit about the world, but she lacks an understanding of her peer group. She also is deficient in emotional maturity as a control for her verbal thinking. It’s here where Jewel points us to her need for other influences in her life. Her character represents a younger generation where the parents have protected and nurtured without allowing the space for personal growth. She isn’t a warning; she’s an exemplification of a type. 

To a certain extent, Gabriel, Gracelyn’s nephew, is a foil to Morgan. He represents the peer group that Morgan is vying for entry. He acts as a representation of what Morgan would be had Nate and Morgan lived a more traditional life without traveling the world. He is also a representation of a preteen boy and the difficulties of articulating grief for them. His growth comes later in Fortuity, and it’s one of the moments that touched my heart, as Nate becomes more important in his life. 

Mr. Hans, along with Nathaniel and Gracelyn’s parents, acts as the voice of wisdom. He does provide some levity to a story that can sometimes grow heavy, as Nathaniel and Gracelyn’s situation is complicated. He also whispers truth to the both of them at times when it feels needed. He’s a perfect balance to a potentially soul-crushing story. 

4. The final reason for reading Fortuity is Jewel E. Ann’s storytelling. Before writing this review, I pondered over my obsession with her books. Why am I so drawn to her storytelling? Why is she at the top of my favorite authors’ list? And I think it comes down to something as simple as her ability to present stories that feel heavy with story. That might seem confusing, so let me explain. When you open a book such as Fortuity, it is the story and its characters that drive you deep into Jewel E. Ann’s brand of romance. To be clear, that can sometimes be tortuous because she invests you in the emotions and world of her characters. She makes them believable enough that you can envision yourself in their shoes, pulling you in deep. It’s the story that isn’t always replete with heavy $ex or bedroom fun that engages you. It is Ann’s ability to craft a story that is full of life and love and pain and humanity. Her words whisper and shout and sing to you, forcing you through the highs and lows…because isn’t this life? You are entertained, titillated, engaged, challenged, exorcised, and avenged all in the space of a Jewel E. Ann romance. And Fortuity is no different. Every moment falls into place, creating a space to travel, a space to encounter the message of “letting go” and celebrating life. Right. Now. Every turn of Gracelyn to look over her shoulder is a step forward with a nod to the past. Those moments are intentionally crafted as images to remind us of her message. It’s that intentionality that provokes me time and time again to dive deep into the waters of a Jewel E. Ann romance even when I know I will probably hit my head and feel some pain. At the very least, her skill as a writer is worthy of a read of Fortuity. 

So, in the end, did Fortuity give me peace for the conclusion of Nathaniel Hunt’s story? Yes. Did it upend or complicate the Transcend duet for me? No. Will his spirit and Morgan’s spirit live on? Yes, but so will Gracelyn’s and Gabe’s and his daughter, Morgan’s, because Jewel E. Ann has proffered a story that is timeless. She took the loose ends of Nate’s story and she entwined them with Gracelyn’s story as an admonition that we can live here in the now and flourish. All we have to do is let go of our fear and live. And that message is devout and perfect.

In love and romance,

Professor A

A Falling Stars stand-alone romance from A.L. Jackson

DETAILS: 

TITLE: CATCH ME WHEN I FALL

RELEASE DATE: MAY 29TH, 2020

Synopsis

A Falling Stars STAND-ALONE NOVEL from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, A.L. Jackson . . .

Sometimes trying to catch a star will light your whole world on fire…

Emily’s entire existence was wrapped up in touring with her country-rock band Carolina George.

What she never expected was to spend a passionate night with a gorgeous, tattooed stranger.

Their chemistry was combustible.

Their attraction irresistible.

It was never supposed to follow her into the light of day.

Royce’s night with the lead singer of Carolina George was the worst mistake of his life. He needs the band to sign on to his record label or his family will pay the price.

He knows falling for her will threaten his carefully laid plans.

Royce’s past is littered with mistakes and heartache—will he overcome or will his love for Emily just be one more tragedy…

---

GIVEAWAY

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, and FALLING STARS novels. Check out for her latest stand-alone, CATCH ME WHEN I FALL, on Amazon and free with Kindle Unlimited!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

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Title: Fallen Snow (Wild Scots, #4)

Author: Jolie Vines

Release Date: 27th June, ’20

Status: Standalone second chance rock-star-meets-snowboarder romance

Preorder: mybook.to/WildScots4 

Blurb:

Fallen Snow (Wild Scots, #4)

Viola

After a hit and run, my gold medal dreams are forced on hold. I can’t walk, let alone snowboard, and a wheelchair is my new way to get around.

Everything I worked for has been destroyed.

Then the world’s number one rock star strides into my life.

He’s staying in my castle and working with my family. I know he remembers the kiss we shared years ago, but Leo’s no longer the same man. Gone are the sexy smirks and chilled out vibe. I know why, and I want to hold him close and make him forget. How can I help him when I can’t even help myself?

Leo

I might be famous, but notoriety can’t fix a shattered heart. I’m alone in the world and drowning, except my contract calls for new songs, and soon.

I have to find my muse again.

Years ago, Viola McRae inspired my greatest hit. But now, she’s as damaged on the outside as I am on the inside. She’s wildly gorgeous, vulnerable, and I could so easily tap that hurt and turn it into song.

Yet saving my career could mean exposing Viola’s pain to the world. I might be damaged beyond repair, but can I really use Viola when that will only leave her more broken?

—

Fallen Snow features one hot rock star, a grumpy laid-up sportswoman, a remote Scottish castle, and a steamy-as-heck second chance romance.

Live – 27th June, 2020

mybook.to/WildScots4

Love in Deed, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from L.B. Dunbar, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

Read my review HERE.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to force us to see who we are. The real struggle is accepting what we learn. For Beverly Townsen, nothing could be closer to the truth. Virtually a shut-in, Beverly has pulled back from Green Valley’s community, preferring the isolation of her farmhouse and her daily routine of viewing home improvement television shows. When the opportunity arises for her own home improvement and a personal re-assessment, she’s not so excited about the reality of real life versus DIY programs.

Jedd Flemming understands physical pain and personal loss, but it’s never stopped him from bucking forward in life. A former military man and rodeo star, his life as a nomad comes to an end with false accusations and a family matter back in the Valley. It’s been a long journey to find his way home and once there, there’s nothing he wants more than to reclaim what he’s lost…and maybe the elusive female reclusive who holds a sliver of his past.

With an unprecedented proposition, Beverly finds a stranger living in her barn, raising horses on borrowed pastures, and plowing his way into her vacant heart. Old hurts linger, but sometimes love in deed is louder than words.

‘Love in Deed’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #6 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy TODAY! Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt

“Momma,” she whispers, and I turn at the soft question in her voice. Her eyes scan my face. Does she fear she’ll look like me one day? Those bright eyes will dim, and lines will form in the corners. Will they be rivers formed from tears, or will she eventually find laughter? Does she wonder if her lips will match mine, permanently curled downward? Can my girl still smile? Will her hair go gray too young as mine did? Will the stress of her life turn her into someone lonely and lost?

I blink back the tears fighting for release. I won’t cry. Nothing left to cry over. It’s all gone.

“Do you fancy him?” my daughter asks, and I choke on the question.

“What…? I…of course not. Don’t be silly. I’m sure he’d be more interested in the likes of you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hannah asks, brows rising in surprise.

“I’m sure I don’t need to explain the birds and the bees to you. Men like him only want young things and only want one thing from those young things. I don’t think he should stay here,” I sneer, recognizing the pulse at my neck and the thump of my heart. My daughter is a pretty girl, and this older man could be attracted to her for all the wrong reasons. Young girls go for older men to solve their daddy issues.

“He’s sleeping in the barn,” Hannah counters, her voice deepening in displeasure. Ticking off points on her fingers, she continues, “We don’t need to feed him. He’ll rebuild at his expense or hire what he can’t do himself. The back field will be plowed and prepped for spring planting.”

I snort in response, but my eyes return to Jedd’s movement. Into the barn. Out in the yard. My observation traces down his perspiring spine to the waist of his pants where his shirt has untucked. My fingers curl on the armrest of the rocker as my eyes outline the fine globes accentuated by those smooth pants. My mouth goes dry.

What is it about this man? Why am I suddenly lusting after him?

I can’t. That’s the bottom line. I can’t anything him. Under fifteen percent and tight pants and a perfect backside is still a man with empty words.

My eyes fall blindly on the reality television program. The only man a girl can count on is the fictional kind. I force my attention away from the barn, but my eyes seem to have a will of their own.

“We can’t have a stranger living in our barn,” I huff. Jedd stops, turning in his tracks with a pile of lumber on his shoulder as if he heard me, which is impossible on two counts: the panes of glass and his lack of hearing. Still, he stills, and his eyes narrow on the house as if he knows I’m watching him, I’m talking about him, and I don’t agree with this arrangement.

“Too late. He’s moving in.” Hannah definitively nods, dismissing my opinion as Jedd swings back around. She leans down to kiss my cheek and then exits my room, but I remain transfixed.

Suddenly, reality is more fascinating than television.

My eyes continue the cat and mouse game of watching Jedd disappear and then reappear. I don’t know how much time transpires, but eventually, the bed of his truck is empty. Still, I hold my breath as if the barn is a giant octopus, swallowing him whole. I fear he might disappear forever like Howard did, which is the silliest thought I’ve had in a decade. I don’t need Jedd. We don’t need Jedd. There will be no attachment to him.

But then, Jedd appears at the open barn door and gives a single wave toward the house, and I smile in spite of myself.

About L.B. Dunbar

L.B. Dunbar has an overactive imagination. To her benefit, such creativity has led to over thirty romance novels, including those offering a second chance at love over 40. Her signature works include the #sexysilverfoxes collection of mature males and feisty vixens ready for romance in their prime years. She’s also written stories of small-town romance (Heart Collection), rockstar mayhem (The Legendary Rock Stars Series), and a twist on intrigue and redemption (Redemption Island Duet). She’s had several alter egos including elda lore, a writer of romantic magical realism through mythological retellings (Modern Descendants). In another life, she wanted to be an anthropologist and journalist. Instead, she was a middle school language arts teacher. The greatest story in her life is with the one and only, and their four grown children. Learn more about L.B. Dunbar by joining her reader group on Facebook (Loving L.B.) or subscribing to her newsletter (Love Notes).

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Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Golf is a lot like love, I think. If it isn’t making you a little nuts, is it even real? Passion — good or bad, is how you can gauge what’s really important to people.”

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to tell you all of the reasons why you should read Rebecca Jenshak’s Sweet Spot. There are many, and it’s made it a bit of a chore to put this review together because I love to go deeper in my reviews to the heart of the book and how all of its writing parts make for a splendid read. I think for this review I’d like to focus on feelings because it’s the feelings that explain why this book is so good. But let me backtrack and give you a little overview.

One of Rebecca Jenshak’s PAs reached out to me about a year ago wondering if I’d like to read one of Jenshak’s books. I was a newer blogger/reviewer so I jumped at the chance. Plus the book was a sports romance centered around basketball, college basketball to be specific. That book landed me in the “sweet spot” of Jenshak’s books. I fell in love with Wes, the hero of The Assist. From there, I became an adorer of Jenshak, reading Electric Blue Love, The Fadeaway, The Tipoff, and The Fake. Honestly, each new book showcased Jenshak’s ability to create a story that pulls you into her books. And each new book felt like a more improved version of Jenshak herself. Yes, I loved Wes’s book, but the more Jenshak has written, the more her books have developed. That, right there, is the reason that writing is so powerful.

When Jenshak announced the Sweet Spot, I, of course, knew I was going to read this book. I love her brand of romance, but this one intrigued me because, while still set in the Valley U universe, the sport is golf. I’m not sure because I’m still building my knowledge of romance, but I haven’t read too many golf romances. Even more, the heroine is the college golfer, and the hero, Lincoln, is quite a bit older. It would be unfair to say that Lincoln is only a swing coach. We’ve actually been introduced to him previously in the Smart Jocks novels, something I didn’t realize before going into the book. That is where my excitement began. Jenshak shows us quite easily that she’s invested in her book universe. While we aren’t on the court this time, we are still connected to her other books. And I love that. 

The second point of excitement lies in her heroine, Keira. Keira personifies feminine strength. It is through her words where we are challenged about Title IX issues with women’s sports. It is in her actions where we see a passion for her game come to life, and we recognize the injustices against her, made by her coach. Keira is the impetus for Lincoln’s personal growth, and Jenshak gives her a steadfastness of character even in the face of pain. Honestly, it would be easy to say that this story is “made” with Jenshak’s handsome hero, but the grit of this story lies with Jenshak’s characterization of Keira. She is unlike Jenshak’s other heroines which is a lovely surprise. 

Now, when I made the comment above about Lincoln, it is not meant to disparage his character development. Not at all. Lincoln’s journey is the message of the Sweet Spot. You see, Lincoln is living a life of existence; he’s not living an abundant life. He is a successful business owner who is hiding form relationships due to his past. To borrow from Jenshak’s title, while he believes his life exists in the “sweet spot” because his business is growing and exponentially successful; it is far from it. When Lincoln meets Keira and begins to help her with her golf game, Lincoln comes to life again. He moves closer to the sweet spot of living. Yet, as every successful romance has, there are always complications, and those complications exist with Lincoln. Jenshak uses his characterization to complicate his burgeoning relationship with Keira. Without Lincoln, there is no big pay-off/happy ending. His evolution entwines with Keira’s strength of character creating the “sweet spot” of this book. 

And lastly, one of my favorite parts of Jenshak’s writing is her pacing. I flew through this book. Lately, I’ve been reading romances where I felt trapped in the story because the writer’s pacing is sluggish. It is only through diligence and perseverance that I escape to the better parts of the story. Not with Jenshak. She builds each moment in such a cohesive and enterprising way that she eases you through her story. Her romance isn’t an easy one; instead, her pacing drives you forward. Before I knew it, I had begun and finished her book in one big bite. 

Additionally, Lincoln’s grandmother is a TREASURE in this story. When the story felt heavy, Jenshak inserts Gram to provide some levity. When Lincoln is being too hard on himself, Gram is there to dispense wisdom. When Keira is a little broken, Jenshak inserts Gram to help Keira know herself. I love when grandparents make their way into a book. Jenshak’s incorporation of her into the Sweet Spot offers the right balance between humor and wisdom.

Sweet Spot is a compilation of the best parts of romance: an insightful, strong heroine, a hero who needs a strong heroine to remind him how to live an abundant life, a couple of ancillary characters who lighten the story, and a message, which makes that connection to the reader. This book is a reminder that a life lived without passion is meaningless. Instead, we need to be on fire for something and let our passions light the passions in others. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Shh…I have a secret. I hadn’t read Amie Knight prior to reading an early copy of The First Score. You might be asking, “well, Professor A, if you haven’t read Amie Knight, why did you want to read The First Score?” Two words: sports romance. Yep. I’m a sucker for sports romance. Add to that the idea of friends-to-lovers with a little age gap (older woman-younger man), and I raised my hand high for that assignment. Then, Knight decides to make her hero, Oliver “Winnie” Knox, a twenty-three-year-old college football player virgin, and I went from interested to intrigued. So I dived right into The First Score and didn’t look back. 

First things first, though. To be fair, Amie Knight, this isn’t really a sports romance. Yes, your hero is a college football player, but there is very very little football in this book. I want to be fair to the readers so that they know that football doesn’t run this book. Nope. This book is really about two life-long friends and their journey towards love. 

Now, what did I adore about this book? Ollie Knox. Yep. He is THE best reason to read this book. Warning, readers, you need to know something. If you like the kind of hero who treats the heroine poorly, then you will NOT like Ollie because Oliver Knox has been in love with the heroine of this story, Hazel, for most of his life. The tension in this story is created by Hazel. If you love a hero who is protective, compassionate, thoughtful, handsome, and insightful, then The First Score is ABSOLUTELY a must-read. Hands down, I love “Winnie” Knox. 

So what beyond Knight’s hero should lead you to read The First Score? Well, beyond the kind of funny catfishing story and Hazel’s love for gaming, the essence of Hazel’s story is an important one. You should know that Hazel’s life has been difficult, and it has set up a dangerous psychology. It is this psychology that creates the challenges for Oliver and Hazel to be together. It’s also Hazel’s choices that create much of the frustration/tension of this book. Knight deftly creates a tension between Hazel and Ollie that oftentimes feels uncomfortable and beyond the necessary means for a story. There were times when I was nervous for Knight because she took much of the story to get Ollie and Hazel to the right place. But, in hindsight, that was intentional because the last third of The First Score is a treasure. I was crying and laughing in the middle night as I was finishing this story because Knight had carefully laid out the chronology of the story until you feel relieved when Hazel and Ollie move towards their happy ending. There were times in the first part when, honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep reading because Hazel’s indecision was frustrating. Yet, the pay-off in the last third of the book is absolutely worth every frustration. 

Beyond Oliver and Hazel’s journey AND Ollie himself, why else should you read this story? One word: Pops. After Ollie, Pops is my favorite character (sorry, Hazel!). He’s funny, irreverent, and an adoring grandfather. When I was ready to give Hazel the middle-finger in her indecision over Ollie, Pops would show up and make it all better. He is the cherry on top of this story. 

In the end, there is so much goodness in The First Score. There isn’t really any sports in this romance, but there is a heroine whose journey is an important one. Once you move beyond the walls she’s erected to protect her heart, you move to the essence of this story: that, even though we believe we are unloveable due to other’s actions, there is someone out there who wants to love us hard. They will love us through our pain and ugly parts. And in doing so, they will help us move past the pain to the place of bliss. That’s at the heart of Oliver and Hazel. Don’t miss out on that important message. Read Amie Knight’s The First Score.

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pride, the final book of Willow Aster’s Kingdoms of Sin series, ends the series in all of the glory. This reader has been there since the beginning, Downfall, when the pain bled on the page from Luka’s spurning of his arranged bride, Eden, through their eventual happy ending to Mara and Elias’s story in book 2, Exposed, to Ava and Gentry in book 3, Ruin. Each book’s characters were singular. The journeys of their heroes and heroines were specific to that story. All along, though, Willow Aster has stretched a story of intrigue and political treachery. Each book serves up a piece of that romantic suspense, and it’s the thread that binds you to this series. 

In book 4, Pride, the final book of the series, Aster pulls that thread taut, revealing the final piece of the puzzle. I’ll be honest. There isn’t really any surprise as to the culprits behind the political betrayals. It’s clear through all of the books who the political puppetmasters are. It’s in this book, though, where Aster shines integrity over these hidden entities and allows the “good guys” to win in the end. If you are hoping for a satisfying ending with Pride, then you will be happy. 

Underpinning the suspense of the Kingdoms of Sin series is its romance. Again, each book engages in a different romantic trope. With Pride, my favorite romantic trope is realized: enemies to lovers. Delilah Farthing is the daughter of Jadon Safrin’s kingdom’s enemy. When she decides to secretly meet with Jadon to attempt to resolve kingdom conflicts, the enemy’s daughter and Jadon feel an instant attraction. There is something about Delilah that Jadon feels drawn to, and Delilah feels the same. As the story progresses and Jadon must step in to protect Delilah from her father’s machinations, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe. However, their journey is a complicated one, and Delilah will have to save herself and her kingdom first. 

Unlike the other books of this series, the journey for the hero and heroine in Pride is a bit different. Delilah and Jadon do not fight their feelings for each other for long unlike Eden and Luka, Mara and Elias, and Gentry and Ava. Their journey is complicated by kingdom intrigues. As such, the tension of this book lies in their survival as their lives are met with danger at every turn. This is also the weakest part of the book, as the tension is elongated too far into the book.It feels contrived at times, drawing away from the burgeoning relationship between Delilah and Jadon. 

With that, Aster crafts a chemistry between Delilah and Jadon that burns the page. Even more, Jadon is the strongest hero in this series. It’s been clear since the first page that he is stalwart and resilient in the face of difficulties. In Pride, Aster elaborates on this by showing us his integrity and compassion for both Delilah and the less fortunate. He is a great king and a great person, so, as the reader, you root for his success in wooing Delilah and saving her from the political danger. I would have liked for the danger to have been edited to a few moments. Instead, they sometimes take over the story, losing some of the romance in its journey. 

One of the divine parts of this story, though, (besides Delilah and Jadon’s romance) is the focus on women as chattel. It is clear that this is a modern-day story, yet Delilah’s experience illustrates ideologies of the past in terms of women. She is seen as a negotiable piece of her father’s property, and she strives throughout the book to gain personal power as protection. She recognizes her lack of knowledge about her father’s kingdom, and she attempts to remedy that by allying herself with his enemies. Even more, she takes a stand as a way to protect her future. She spurns the help of Jadon and does this in her own will. Yes, at some point, Jadon becomes her ally and helpmate, but Aster creates a heroine who saves herself first. Aster shows us through her story that Delilah’s true power exists from within. Love simply helps manifest that power. 

In the end, Willow Aster has carefully crafted a series that intrigues, titillates, and challenges you. With Pride, she brings a perfect resolution to a series that has been fraught with character anxieties and challenges. Yet, in true romance fashion, everyone finds their happy ending, and the kingdoms thrive in the world of “happily-ever-afters.”

In love and romance,

Professor A

For Her Benefit, book three in the See No Evil Series by USA Today and Wall Street Journalbestselling author, Nana Malone releases August 18, 2020!

Tonight, I risk it all.
My fortune.
My freedom.
My love.

My so-called brothers in oath have betrayed me. Perhaps they forgot how many of their secrets I’ve been keeping.

Tonight, vengeance is mine.

But when it comes to heisting a priceless diamond there is no simple plan. There will be blood. After all, there is no such thing as a bloodless coup.

I’m not the only one risking it all. At the center of it all is the woman I never saw coming. The woman who owns my heart.

What a tangled web I’ve woven, trying to find honor amongst these thieves.

The good news is, I know who to trust.
The even better news…I know who to burn.

Pre-order today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3c3JGr3
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About Nana:

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Nana Malone’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she “borrowed” from her cousin.

It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion, and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.

Connect with Nana:

Website: http://nanamaloneromance.net/
Facebook: http://bit.ly/NanaMaloneFB
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Twitter: http://bit.ly/NanaMaloneTwitter
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