Saturday 30 November 2019

REVIEW - THE WICKED EDGE BY NICOLE ELIZABETH

Title: The Wicked Edge
Author: Nicole Elizabeth
Genre: Literary Fiction, Teens & YA
Publisher: West 44 Books
Release Date: 1st December 2019

BLURB from Goodreads
Helen White is out of her element. She's moved with her mother from a white, middle-class neighborhood to a reservation to live with her mother's new boyfriend. Helen starts at the tribal high school, where she feels out of place and lonely. Then she meets King. Helen starts a twisted relationship with King, breaking the mold she's always known, and changing in ways she never thought possible.


PURCHASE LINKS

REVIEW
I was once again drawn to a Hi Lo book. I honestly love the idea of having high interest type books, though keeping them at a level for readers that are relatively new or perhaps a little uncertain. I truly believe everyone should be able to enjoy reading.

In this book Helen is the main character and she isn't happy about the upheaval going on in her life at the moment. Helen is moving home, her mum has a new boyfriend and she is switching schools, to the one her teacher mother works at. Of course all the staff know who she is because of her mum and that irritates as they seem to expect more from Helen, better behaviour and manners. The school is situated on a reservation so Helen really stands out, that coupled with her surname being White makes her the butt of a lot of jokes. Helen makes a rather rebellious, immature and reckless decision one day that makes her more popular with the cool kid of the school, King. King's sister realises her brother is intrigued by the new girl and tries to warn Helen off her brother in a quite violent way, going so far as to literally beat her up. Another girl Taylor takes pity on Helen and helps her sneak to a sympathetic teacher to get cleaned up as reporting King's sister will only make Helen more of a target!

My favourite character in the book was Taylor who stuck her neck out to help Helen when she most needed it. As for Helen, I initially felt sympathy for her starting a new school where she knew no one, knew nothing about the native traditions practiced at the school, being the daughter of a teacher, all things that make her stand out from the crowd. I understand that Helen resents her life changing and rebels which is what gets her noticed by the popular boy King. Sadly when Helen becomes part of the popular crowd, she soon "forgets" Taylor, the girl that helped her and was her friend before anyone else accepted her. Later Helen's actions eventually re-alienate her from the popular crowd when she picks on and makes fun of a special needs student. 

I did enjoy reading this book, to sum up the book tells the story of when a former good girl goes off the rails and bad to impress a boy at a school. I think this book is another great example of a Hi-Lo book. I found the book had an interesting plot and characters and was presented in an easy read, flowing style.




Thursday 28 November 2019

REVIEW - MATES - CLAWS CLAUSE BY JESSICA LYNCH

Title: Mates
Series: Claws Clause
Author: Jessica Lynch
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Shifters
Release Date: 20th June 2019

BLURB from Goodreads
Paranormals exist.

When the community finally came forward, finally announced that they’d been there all along, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. Centuries of stories, rumors, myths… deep down, humans knew they were out there. But, thanks to the modern era and technology’s rule, paranormals had no choice but to reveal themselves to the rest of the world.

After the shock wore off, the humans reacted. While some were afraid, most accepted that witches, shifters, vampires, and ghosts firmly existed now—and the humans did so because of Ordinance 7304, a set of laws hurriedly put in place that the Paras had to follow. When the alternative was being thrown in a magic-free prison, there really was no choice. And, besides, Paras had lived side by side with humans for years. Now the humans just knew what their neighbors got up to at night.

More than fifty years later, Ordinance 7304—also known as the Claws Clause—keeps the Paras in line, and gives the human population an illusion of safety. And why not? With the power of the entire government behind the laws, even an alpha wolf loses some of his strength.

Because one of the biggies? When a shifter finds his fated mate, it doesn’t matter what his nose—or his body—says. His instincts might scream mine, but that doesn’t mean he can run off with his woman and claim her. To the humans, that’s kidnapping, and it’s a big no-no.

Maddox Wolfe understood that… until the day he stumbled upon Evangeline and knew in an instant that this was the woman he’d spent twenty-six years waiting for. And while his wolf says take her, he knows he can’t woo his mate from inside of the Cage. She’s human, so he has to think like a human. Act like a human. Pretend he’s a human.

That is, if he wants to make her his mate.


PURCHASE LINKS

REVIEW
I have been searching for some more shifter books. Though I have read some fantastic ones, but I have either finished their series or am waiting for next books to be released. So, I decided a great way to try some new authors and shifter series was to try to find some novellas to read. Mates, the prequel in the Claws Clause Series by Jessica Lynch is the second one I have tried.


In this book it is common knowledge that paranormal people exist, so everyone is aware there are various types of shifters, witches, vampires etc. Though the human races opinion on the paranormal race varies. Some have a live and let live attitude whereas others prefer to have as little to do with the paranormal race as possible.


There have also been specific laws passed regarding shifters, these are covered in the prologue of the book.
Paranormal Unions such as mating’s, claiming’s, bloodling’s and soul mates are giving the same rights as a common law marriage.
In order for any union involving a Paranormal + Paranormal or Paranormal + Human to be recognised it must be formalised by a certificate which is called “Bonding License”.
Any individual regardless of “instincts” due to their race absconds with another person with the aim of forcing the union process will face the charge of kidnapping or assault.
So those are the laws covered, and it does make sense to read about and know these laws before you go on to read more of the book.

The main character is Maddox, he is the son of his pack Alpha and knows the seriousness and forthcoming duties he will have when his father steps down as Pack Alpha. The pack consists of wolf, bear and large cat shifters too. Maddox is single and has not met anyone who has really woken his soul mate bond until he see’s Evangeline Lewis. The minute he even senses her nearby his body reacts! And all rational thought leaves him as he feels the compulsion to see her, talk to her, and hold her. However, when they first set their eyes on each other, it is soon abundantly clear that Evangeline is scared of Maddox.

The novella concentrates on Maddox Wolfe who chooses to hide the fact he is a paranormal and a shifter from the woman he discovers is his soul mate, for fear of her rejecting him straight away. Maddox literally turns into a stalker and would probably have walked straight up to Evangeline’s door and introduced himself, and taken her home with him! However, she had magical wards in place around her home. Naturally Maddox worries that this means Evangeline is against the paranormal race, though to have magical wards in place she must have used the services of a witch.
Maddox retreats to his brother Colt’s house to plan a strategy, though Colt and his ghost friend Dodge do enjoy the both physical and mental discomfort, Maddox finds himself in. Eventually Maddox engineers a situation where he can casually bump into Evangeline and their relationship begins. Just when they seem like everything is working there’s a misunderstanding which results in Evangeline thinking that Maddox just wants a fling with her. The relationship isn’t helped by the fact her parents make it quite clear they want a rich human husband for their daughter.

I adored the banter between Colt and Dodge and how they relentlessly tease Maddox about his situation. I look forward to reading more about all the characters in this book, especially after the twist near the end. I really didn’t see that coming at all. I really liked that the character of Evangeline stood up for herself and didn’t let herself be swept along with his enthusiasm, but stood her ground for what she wanted from the relationship too. I think she would make a great kick butt female capable of helping him rule the pack when his father Terence steps down. However, there’s a super twist at the end of the book that could mean Terence may need to find an alternative Alpha to his first-born son, Maddox.

This book is quite steamy and has fairly straight forward sexual language and descriptions so I would say it is for a more mature reader, 18+. I wouldn’t go so far as to label the book as erotica as I find that off putting, though I don’t mind a little steam if in context and well written.

My immediate thought upon finishing this novella were, Wow the second great shifter novella I have read tonight! This novella could be a fantastic start to a potentially brilliant series!

To sum up I enjoyed reading this novella and felt it was a great introduction to a possibly great series. I wasn’t so sure of the twist happening within the novella and how that will be worked out in the forthcoming books. Having said that I do feel like I want to read the next book in the Claws Clause Series. I do love the series name too, and how it refers to a law stated within the book!


Wednesday 27 November 2019

BOOK BLITZ - NIX BY KELLY GENDREN


USA TODAY Bestselling author now brings you the Shameless, Sexy and Daring Kane Brothers!


Title: Nix
Series: Daring The Kane Brothers
Author: Kelly Gendron
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: 26th November 2019

BLURB supplied by Xpresso Book Tours
Single dad. Computer geek. One-night stand. Not looking for love. 
That’s how my profile reads

And I was getting away with the whole no girlfriend status
Until Payton Tucker showed up

Damn, that woman walks in a room and the world stops spinning
Gravity pulls me right to her
Not to mention, my kid likes her
But, as my profile reads, I am NOT looking for love
Especially with a woman who smells, feels and touches me just like my first love–– the same woman who walked out on me and our kid
So, Payton Tucker can take her makes the word stop spinning sexy blue eyes and go right back to where she came from
But, to be on the safe side–– considering she is a lot like my MIA ex, before I send Payton Tucker on her way, maybe I should discover exactly where she came from…

Standalone series


PURCHASE LINK
Kobo 

EXCERPT

“I stopped by your work today.”

“I saw you.” She smiles at someone passing by us.
I stop. “You saw me?”
“Yes.” She nods, and dauntless eyes slither my way.
“And you didn’t think to say anything?”
“Why would I?”
“I was there looking for you.”
“I didn’t know that.” She pauses to touch the arm of a men’s outdated bomber jacket. “For all I knew, you could’ve been there to see a lawyer or something.”
“I wasn’t. I was there for you, and ya know what I found out?” I pause, but she’s busy studying the damn coat. “You don’t even work there.”
“That is correct.” She releases the sleeve and starts to walk again.
“But I dropped you off there, and you said⸺” We stop in front of a door.
“I didn’t know you.” Her eyes rake down me like they had when I dropped her off the other day at the Caulfield building as if she were taking me in so she could snack on me later. “Did you really think I was going to tell you where I worked?”
“You came to my house. You came in and used my bathroom.” I clear the crack of surprise from my voice. “If you were worried that I was a freak or something, you probably shouldn’t have done that.”
“Or maybe …” She walks into the room with me following. “You shouldn’t have shown me where you live.” She slowly closes the door and turns to face me. “Maybe I’m the crazy one?” Taking one small step toward me, she smirks. “Did you ever think of that?”
Inspecting her nearly see-through, loose, cream-colored blouse, light gray tight slacks, and high heels, I walk toward her, my fingertips itching to be aroused by her touch too. I stop in front of her, and as not to act on my desire to discover her texture, my fingers curl into my palms as my eyes lock with hers. “Are you?”
“Crazy?” She shrugs with a grin. “Maybe a little.”

BOOK TEASERS



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
You can usually find USA Today Bestselling Author, Kelly Gendron tucked away in a quiet suburb in the upstate NY area writing her steamy, blush producing romances. But, when she's not creating HEA stories, you can find her representing a reputable group of nursing facilities. If you Google her, she'll pop up there too. And please, do google her. Kelly loves to hear from her readers and to meet new people!

AUTHOR LINKS

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Tuesday 26 November 2019

BOOK BLITZ - TASTING HER CHRISTMAS COOKIES BY ALINA JACOBS


Tasting Her Christmas Cookies is a standalone holiday romantic comedy. If you love Christmas desserts, like to laugh out loud at holiday innuendoes, and want Santa to put a tall, good-looking guy under your tree, then pick up this full-length, steamy romance novel! There are no cliffhangers but there is a very happy (Christmas!) ever after!

Title: Taste Her Christmas Cookies
Author: Alina Jacobs
Genre: Adult, Comedy, Romance, Holiday Romance
Release Date: 19th November 2019

BLURB supplied by Xpresso Book Tours
Winter is coming—and unfortunately it’s bringing Christmas with it.


I loathe the holiday. I hate holiday parties, fragrant decorations, and hokey movies. If I had my way it would be winter all year round and never Christmas.
Nothing burns like the cold—except a hot oven.
That’s right; against my better judgment I agreed to let The Great Christmas Bake-Off film in my tower.
And St. Nick help me but I even agreed to be a judge.

Holly
Christmas is like the perfect sugar cookie—it slowly melts in your mouth, sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.
I love Christmas. I love the cheerful music, the fun sweaters, and the holiday lights. Most of all I love Christmas Cookies.
A begrudging bake-off judge, I refuse to let grouchy billionaire Owen Frost hate Christmas. The man is overworked, his employees are uninspired, and his life is seriously lacking in Yuletide cheer. I want to stuff his stocking with sugary goodness to put him in a very festive mood.

So I dressed up as a sexy elf and gave Owen a taste of something extra special. You should have seen his eyes roll back in his head when he bit into the perfect sugar cookie!
I can’t let Owen Frost be a distraction. Things are insane enough without a sexy billionaire.
My baking subscription service is in the death throes.
My Christmas-ruining step sister is trying to sabotage me in the bake-off.
I’m being stalked by elves on the shelf come to life.
Ok that last one is a little weird, but welcome to my disaster of a life.
I need to win The Great Christmas Bake-Off to pay of my debts and launch my baking career. Sleeping with one of the judges is going to ruin my chance for a merry Christmas. Owen with his washboard abs and big Christmas package is a bad idea. It’s best to keep that all wrapped under the tree.
But when he said in that deep, sexy voice, “Can I have another taste of your Christmas cookies?” Well, let’s just say I’m unwrapping one particular Christmas present early!


PURCHASE LINKS

EXCERPT
A few hours later, I had stuffed myself back into my gingerbread girl dress and was standing in the studio at my station. Today I would be vigilant. After Amber’s attempt to ruin my cookies in the last episode, I wasn't letting anything slide.

“Welcome to the next episode of The Great Christmas Bake-Off,” Anastasia said. “Christmas is about family, and there's something about experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child to make the holiday extra special. And that makes children's Christmas our theme of the day. Contestants, your challenge is to create a dessert that is enjoyable for children to both eat and bake! And to help you, we have brought in a few children. We're borrowing the Svensson brothers! Come on out, boys!”
This wasn't a few children, I thought, as two dozen blond-haired, grey-eyed boys, in a range of sizes and ages, streamed into the studio. The younger ones looked around in awe at all the Christmas decorations.
“We have assigned several children to each station,” Anastasia explained.
Someone must have already told them where to go, because the boys all sorted themselves out so there were around three kids at each station. Fiona was teamed with three very happy teenage boys who were clearly over the moon to be working with the pretty baker.
I seemed to have been assigned the youngest Svensson brothers. One of them barely came up to my knee. I bent down to talk to them at their level. Zane zoomed in with the camera. The youngest boy immediately looked freaked out.
“What’s your name?” I said, trying to use my best this-is-going-to-be-amazeballs-and-totally-not-scary voice.
The small child looked between me and the camera, wide-eyed. “I'm Davy,” he said finally.
I let out a breath. Meltdown averted.
“I'm Henry,” his slightly older brother announced. “I'm five and a quarter.”
“Are you really!”
“I'm Andy, and I'm six,” said the third boy.
“Are you ready to help me bake?”
They nodded.
“Great! Because I really need your help!”
On the outside, I was the fun, Christmas-loving baker. However, I was silently wondering if I was actually going to be able to finish this dessert. The other stations with the older kids already had their ingredients selected, while I had just finished introductions.
The three teens at Fiona's station expertly chopped nuts and stirred sauces in a double boiler. She had basically been given three sous chefs. Someone had clearly taught them something about cooking.
I doubted that knowledge had trickled down to my three. Davy clung to my skirt as we went over to the pantry to pick up my ingredients. Andy and Henry did at least help me carry things back to my station, and they didn't even drop anything. Henry stood on tiptoe to push his items onto the counter. Andy was barely tall enough to peep over the top of the table, his eyes clearing the counter.
“Can you pick them up?” Zane asked in a low voice. “They're out of the frame.”
“Am I supposed to hold them and bake?” I whispered back.
Zane shrugged. One of the assistants brought out two milk crates, and Henry and Andy clambered onto them.
“Perfect,” Zane said, flashing me a thumbs-up. “Just set Davy on the table.”
“Oh my God,” I muttered, picking him up. He watched wide-eyed as I set about making the yellow sponge cake batter for the cake layer while Henry and Andy whipped cream cheese.
I started several saucepans of fruit to cook on the stove. I had to make two cakes, one for the production crew to photograph and one to present to the judges.
“I feel like they should have parceled the kids out better,” I said to Fiona as she and the three teenagers moved like a choreographed ballet in the tight space. “Maybe we could trade?”
She giggled. “I don't know, Isaac,” she said to one of the teenagers. “You want to switch?”
“I'm good,” he replied, deftly removing the seeds from a vanilla bean with a chef's knife.
I wish one of these kids could handle a knife.
At least Andy and Henry were halfway competent. I wasn't sure what to do with Davy. He was maybe three? He sat on the large table, watching me intently.
“I want to help,” he piped up.
“Um, okay, how about you—” I looked around. “You can start on the whipped cream. We need a lot of it to make the custardy layers fluffy and light!”
Davy nodded solemnly as I gave him the bowl of whipped cream, which was big enough for him to sit in. The whisk was as long as his arm.
“This is a lot,” he said as he stirred it with two hands. He was occupied, but baking the cakes was slow going. I couldn't just cook; I was also basically babysitting.
“I feel like this is turning into a gimmick,” I said when Anastasia came over. “Not that I don't enjoy the world's cutest sous chefs!”
“I'm not sure why they were parceled out like that, honestly,” she said, laughing. “But seriously, this footage is going to be gold!”
I was finally able to put the sponge cake in the oven to bake while I strained the fruit filling and portioned out the whipped cream cheese. Then I helped Andy and Henry stir the fruit in. Davy was still slowly whipping the cream as I started the custard. I had just turned my back for a second when there was a crash and a clang!
The whipped cream had fallen and splattered all over the floor. I hurried to grab a towel.
“You're fine,” I told Davy. “We have so much whipped cream it doesn't even matter.” I patted the splatters on his pants as his lower lip trembled. “See, you didn't get anything on your nice outfit,” I assured him, trying to keep him calm.
A production assistant hurried to mop up the whipped cream.
“See, it's all cleaned up,” I told Davy.
His eyes watered, his lips parted, and he screamed.
“Oh dear,” I said, picking him up. I looked to his teen brothers.
Isaac shrugged. “Davy's a crier. He'll go for the next few hours.”
“He's messing up my sound,” Zane said as I patted Davy on the back. He screamed and writhed in my arms.
“Maybe one of my older brothers is around,” Isaac said, looking around as he expertly whipped cream. “Garrett can sometimes make him stop crying.”
Zane made hurry-up motions as I tried to rock Davy and stir my custard before it burned. Owen came into the studio, annoyance clear on his face. He stormed over to me, Belle following behind him.
“We can hear him screaming in the Quantum Cyber offices upstairs,” Owen complained. “Isaac, where are your brothers?”
The teenager shrugged.
“Honestly,” Belle complained. “Gunnar just disappeared.”
“The Svenssons are flaky as hell,” Owen said, looking around in frustration. “Someone's going to call the police. One of the interns said she heard him screaming from the street. She thought a raccoon was trapped or something.”
Davy screamed even louder, and we all winced.
“Give him to me,” Owen said. “I got it.”
“Do you?” I said skeptically. “He's purple.”
Owen glared at me.
“Fine. He can blast your eardrums,” I said, handing Davy over. As soon as Davy was in Owen's arms, though, he stopped crying. The purple subsided, and he hiccupped.
“I know,” Owen said, his voice low, almost a purr. “Baking is rough, isn't it? I bet you'd rather execute a corporate takeover or monopolize a market.” He bounced the kid in his arms. I felt my ovaries pop. There was something about a powerful man in a suit cuddling a little kid that made me lose my Pfeffernüsse.
Owen snuggled Davy in his arms then lightly pressed his nose to Davy's small one, grinning at him. Davy giggled. A nuclear bomb went off in my womb. In the distance, sirens.
“That's it. I need a baby right now,” I said under my breath.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!
Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books...

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!  http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html

AUTHOR LINKS


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Monday 25 November 2019

REVIEW - TRICK OR TREAT ME BY SOPHIE BROOKS, M.K. HALE, SARA WHITNEY, EMKAY CONNOR,B'R' CURRY & CARRIE LOMAX

It's time to unwrap some man candy. TRICK OR TREAT ME contains six hot and humorous contemporary romance novellas perfect for Halloween!
Title: Trick or Treat Me
Authors: Sophie Brooks, M.K. Hale, Sara Whitney, 
                   EmKay Connor, B.R. Curry & Carrie Lomax
Genre: Steamy Romance
Publisher: Crave Press
Release Date: 10th October 2019

Note: Behind the Mask was previously released as Against the Rules by Sophie Brooks. 

BLURB from Goodreads
Halloween has never been so hot.

BEHIND THE MASK by Sophie Brooks
At the university Halloween party she's dragged to, wallflower Kaylee accidentally gushes about her crush on her TA, Carter, while the man himself is in earshot. Mortified, she flees, leaving Carter to track down the shy but intriguing young woman. Will he scold her for endangering his scholarship or make her fantasies come true?

COSTUME MISCONDUCT by M. K. Hale
When Tara is caught breaking into her friend's cheating ex's apartment while dressed as a cop for Halloween, she has two options: 1. Come clean to the incredibly handsome officer who caught her. 2. Pretend to be a cop and stick by his side for the night. She chooses 2.

TEMPTING TREAT by Sara Whitney
Tessa thinks Daniel ghosted her, while Daniel’s sure Tessa was the one who vanished six months ago. Now the two attorneys find themselves face-to-face again, fighting over the last bag of Halloween candy and squaring off in court. But how long can they ignore the reasons for their falling-out—or their still frighteningly good chemistry?

ANY WITCH WAY HE CAN by EmKay Connor
Tripp Wallace has finally returned home for a long overdue visit but discovers everything about the small town of Beau's Folly has changed... everything except Sadie Brandt, who still adores all things Halloween. Tripp has one chance to convince Sadie of his feelings, and he vows to boo—er, woo her any which way he can.

BIG BAD WOLFE by B. R. Curry
Dressed as Little Red Riding Hood at her parents' annual Halloween party, Zoe spies the big bad wolf from across the room and is thrilled that it's none other then Travis Wolfe, her father's best friend and her hardcore crush. Is it finally her chance to introduce him to the woman she's become so he'll forget about the little girl he remembers?

CHARMING MR. X by Carrie Lomax
When reclusive billionaire Xavier Cortes invites struggling actress Lily Smith to be his assistant, she isn't sure whether his offer is a trick, or the treat she needs to jump-start her career and her love life.


PURCHASE LINKS

REVIEW
So, I guess I was rather late for Halloween when I bought this one from Amazon on the 5th November. I just wanted a light hearted, contemporary read. Though I read a lot of paranormal and Sci-Fi I do sometimes yearn for contemporary or something “different to my normal”. This collection has six novellas in it, so was a great mix of stories from different authors, and a perfect way for me to try reading some authors that were new to me. As this collection is made up of novella’s written by different authors I have reviewed each individual story below.

***

Behind The Mask by Sophie Brooks
The first novella had been released before under the title of Against The Rules, and then now it is called Behind The Mask, I have to say after reading the short story I think either title fits the plot within the novella. The main character is Kaylee, who has been cajoled into going to a fancy-dress Halloween party with her two more confident boisterous friends, Mandy & Trish. Though Kaylee is regretting allowing the other girls choose what their costumes are. They are the three blind mice, and the fancy-dress outfit is rather skimpy for Kaylee’s taste and style. Mandy & Trish are quite vocal about their romances and male conquests, and Kaylee is being teased when she quickly and thoughtlessly thinks up her own sexual encounter to regale those around her with. The problem is when pushed she reveals the male is her TA, Carter White and he just so happens to be within earshot! Carter feels sympathetic towards Kaylee and when she races away from the party, he swiftly follows her and does eventually find her, Does Carter tell her off? If Kaylee’s story is believed and gets back to those in charge, he could lose his job! I mean a TA and a student shouldn’t and wouldn’t have a relationship, would they?

I really enjoyed this story of an embarrassed student making up a steamy encounter with a TA she has a crush on just to fit in with a raucous crowd of friends at a party. A cute story of forbidden love between two people of a similar age, who find themselves in a teacher/student quandary of not being able to date. It really was a great, short, light yet emotional read. As a reader we journey along with Kaylee starting out as a shy, quiet, nervous girl to a confident young woman who knows who and what she wants. I think I will be taking a look at other books written by this author.

Costume Misconduct by M.K. Hale
In this novella Tara is the main character and she is dressed in her father’s old police uniform, so her fancy dress is very realistic. After being sick of her best friend’s ex-boyfriend treating her friend so badly, she decides to call by at the flat they shared for a little bit of revenge. Tara decides to spill some juice all over her friends cheating ex’s pristine kitchen. Tara’s idea is to leave a mess for him to clean up. Everything is going to plan until a real Policeman enters the flat. The Policeman is a guy she was at Police training college with, until she dropped out of police training and disappeared to do her own thing. Tara panics not knowing how to explain her presence in the flat, so when the real policeman just presumes, she got to the call about an alarm going off and possible break in before him. Tara goes along and lets him think she finished her police training elsewhere. Tara manages to get herself deeper and more embroiled in the lie that she is a police officer, and when she accompanies the real policeman on the rest of his night duty and things turn steamy, she is okay with that and so is the real Policeman until he finds out that Tara is actually in fancy dress.

I found this one quite funny, and you certainly felt you were sat on the edge of your seat waiting for Tara to be found out. Though you also sit there reading with the urge to reach into the book and shake Tara and shout at her to tell the truth before things go too far! This book really made me smile, and I know the damage Tara did to her best friends cheating ex’s kitchen was in reality criminal damage, how many women out there have not had a horrible ex that they would have loved to get some revenge on, in a similar, perhaps less destructive, permanent damage, criminal way? I will be looking for more books by this author too.

Tempting Treat by Sara Whitney
This novella is based on a quite simple, mistake or lack of organisation. The couple in the novella are both attorneys, who used to work for the same firm, then whilst Daniel was away, Tessa had to abruptly leave the company to work elsewhere. They have not spoken since, until one morning in a candy store when they both grab the same bag of sweets, the last bag of those particular sweets! It’s quite funny the way they each come up with stories why they need and must have that bag of candy. Finally, Tessa wins the candy battle but when they meet up on opposing ends of a case later that morning, it’s quite literally every man/woman for themselves and they’ll do whatever they have to, to get the result they need. Things become steamy, and just when the original misunderstanding is sorted out, there’s another one that sets the couple as far back and apart as they were to begin with.

I loved the humour in this book, the judge that loves Halloween and wants the attorneys to be in fancy dress! The fighting over the candy and what that candy means to each of the characters and the part it plays in their relationship and memories of each other. After reading this novella I have actually gone on straight after finishing this collection and read Tempting Heat, bk1 in Sara Whitney’s Tempt Me Series. I am also planning on reading more of that series along with other books by Sara Whitney.

Any Witch Way He Can by EmKay Connor
This one is a case of meeting up with an old crush and re-igniting those flames. Sadie had always liked Tripp but he hadn’t stuck around in Beau’s Folly long enough for anything to happen between them. So, she is surprised and hopeful when she hears he is returning to visit his parents. Beau loves travelling the world and hasn’t felt the need to return to Beau Folly at all, until recently. He plans to stay for just two weeks and is dreading anyone asking him to stay longer, he is giving himself just two weeks to get this need to visit Beau Folly out of his system. It couldn’t be that he is yearning for a place to settle down could it?
Tripp ends up helping Sadie publicise the Halloween activities that Beau Folly is quite well known for. Sadie seems to be struggling to get the backing for the Halloween festivities and she doesn’t want the first time she is in charge to be the year it all fails. Tripp is determined to help her, and he does enjoy being in her company, she has sure grown up since he last saw her. Sadie finds she still has that “feeling” for Tripp, but he isn’t going to stick around so should she just decide to go for it and have a fling with him whilst he is in town? Or maybe Tripp may stay around if he had another reason to stay?
I loved this novella, the way each main character kind of convinced themselves they would change for the other if it meant they could be together. I loved how Tripp wasn’t over confident and had to have it spelt out to him that Sadie was interested in more than just a friendship. I adored how Tripp used his work skills on a computer to help make Sadie’s first year in charge of the Halloween celebrations a success. Though I reckon from his character he would have done that for any of his friends. The extra time he got to spend with Sadie was just an added bonus for Tripp. Then when everything is going so well, until he gets cold feet and sits outside the venue of the Halloween Ball wondering whether he should go in or not, despite him wanting to dance, hug and kiss Sadie all night long. Once again, I will be checking out future titles by this author!

Big Bad Wolfe by B.R. Curry
This novella has a kind of ‘forbidden romance’ vibe to it. Every year Zoe’s parents hold a fancy-dress masked Halloween party, and this year is no different. Though this year fathers best friend Travis Wolfe is back in town. He is moving back to the area, once the work on his house is finished, in fact Travis is staying in Zoe’s parents pool house. Zoe has always had a crush on Travis since being much younger, but obviously never acted on it because of the age gap and Travis being her father’s best friend. However, during the party Zoe is dressed as Red Riding Hood and wearing a mask so when Travis approaches her to speak to her and starts flirting it is clear he doesn’t recognise her as his best friend’s daughter. The two of them end up hidden away at the party in a closet kissing and things are getting pretty steamy. When it is revealed who Red Riding Hood is, Travis is both shocked and confused! The two of them can’t resist sneaking around to see each other, it turns out that the feeling is mutual and now that Zoe is older the age gap thing doesn’t seem so big. Can Zoe have a romantic relationship with Travis Wolfe and still stay on her parent’s good side? What will happen between Travis and his best friend for years, Zoe’s father?

I loved this one, the forbidden romance of Zoe becoming romantically involved with her father’s best friend. I adored the friendship and family, sisterly relationship between Zoe and her wise sister who quietly supports her without becoming involved in the situation too much. I also loved how she threatens Travis about what she will do to him if he hurts her sister. I also enjoyed the uncertainty that Travis has, wanting to do the right thing for Zoe, not wanting her to become isolated from her family because of any possible relationship with him. I definitely want to read more by this author too.

Charming Mr X by Carrie Lomax
This one is totally different and to be honest I thought it was going to turn out to be a paranormal romance. I thought I had it all worked out, Mr X, or rather Xavier as he introduces himself to our main female character Lily was in my curious, thousand miles a minute mind & imagination a very old vampire, and his present assistant/companion was looking for her replacement and she found Lily. I thought Xavier would decide if Lily was suitable bite her, turn her into a vampire etc, etc. But that was not the case. Xavier has a condition which makes it almost impossible for him to leave his home. To be more social and have contact with the outside world Xavier throws extravagant Halloween parties. Lily is out of work and struggling financially and whilst she is talking to her best friend she is overhead by Xavier’s current assistant who goes over, introduces herself and invites Lily, and at Lily’s insistence her best friend to Xavier’s Halloween Party. Whilst at the party Xavier will interview Lily. At the party it soon becomes apparent that Xavier is looking for something more than a personal assistant, he wants a sexual relationship too. Lily isn’t about to have sex for money and makes this quite plain to Xavier that is most certainly not who she is. Lily can’t help herself and finds herself attracted to Xavier, but she wants a relationship not what in her opinion would be meaningless sex that she would be paid for.

I did enjoy this individual novella, it was totally different to the others and the fact it had me fooled at one point that it was going to go down a totally different route just made it all the more interesting to read. I will be looking up other titles by this author.

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My immediate reaction upon finishing reading this novella collection was that it is a fantastic selection of stories with the theme of Halloween featured in each one. I also have to say that this story collection is most certainly qualifies as a “treat”, six super steamy short stories! As you will have noticed in my review that I plan on reading more by each individual author. By a complete coincidence I already have another novella by Sara Witney on my kindle to read.

To sum up, I highly recommend reading this collection! I loved each and every one of the novellas in the collection, and have discovered some fantastic authors I hadn’t read before. Yes, I would say these novellas are steamy, so aimed at an 18+ audience. I do not read pure erotica so I can honestly say these stories are steamy not erotica. All the steam, and super-hot male characters are within context.