Monday, October 20, 2025

5 Star Review ~ Fear of Flames by Aleatha Romig

FEAR OF FLAMES by Aleatha Romig
Available in Kindle Unlimited


Synopsis:
She writes thrillers for a living, but nothing could prepare her for the one she’s living now.
.
By day, Michelle Holdcraft is the quiet woman-next-door in small-town Indiana. But by night, she's D. Valentine, a bestselling thriller author with a mind for murder and secrets.

Her real life?

Completely ordinary. Until one unplanned trip to visit her estranged father in Iron Falls, Massachusetts, flips everything upside down.

She wakes to a gunshot only to find her father’s body in a pool of blood on the first floor and flames engulfing the walls.
She barely escapes the burning house. Fleeing barefoot into the snow, Michelle becomes the only witness to a crime that no one in Iron Falls wants solved. Especially the sheriff.

Hiding in the snowy pines as she watches her father’s home burn, Michelle doesn’t know what to do, until a mysterious man appears, offering to help her—to save her life.

Michelle has never met Fletch—surely, she would remember this handsome and dangerous man if she had. However, Fletch knew her father and knows a lot about her, including her alter ego and her mother’s mysterious death.

With limited options, Michelle accepts Fletch’s help. It isn’t until she sees the large tattoo across his wide shoulder blades that she is shaken to the core. Michelle has seen that exact tattoo before—on her father.

Fletch might be her only ally... but he is hiding something. Her life has become one of her thrillers.
But this time, the story’s out of her hands—and the ending might just kill her.

This time, the heroine doesn’t get to write the final page.

What will it bring?

Have you been Aleatha’d?

Review:

If you're looking for danger and secrets, Fear of Flames is the book for you.  We meet Michelle, who is an author.  Michelle turns into a witness of a crime, death of her father, and she has to stay alive.  When Fletch shows up, she is a little worried about whom she is dealing with but he told her he can keep her alive so she has to make a decision.

Secrets are revealed about her family and the more and more she find out, the more danger comes for her.  This book was an amazing read that I had a hard time putting down.  The secrets alone made you continue to ask questions.  A must read!

Grab Your Copy!


 

Meet Aleatha Romig:


Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they've raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Keep up with Aleatha Romig and subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.aleatharomig.com/contact

To learn more about Aleatha Romig & her books, visit here!

Connect with Aleatha Romig: 
https://www.aleatharomig.com/contact

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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

5 Star Audio Review ~ Merry Christmas You filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

 




BLURB

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.


Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he's anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.


Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.


Cue the holiday chaos.


Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier—and much more delicious—than either of them expected.


Review:


Christmas cheer comes in many different ways and Betty and Max shows us just how "cheery" things can be.


Meghan Quinn did a phenomenal job giving us the best and the worst of Betty and Max. Max wanted to save his family business and when things seemed cloudy, with a chance of chaos, he stepped in the take care of the threat, by any means necessary.


Betty is looking for a fresh start and what better way than to help family when they need it. In this quaint town that everyone loves to visit she is put in the christmas spirit more and more everyday but bottle caps, tarantula and other things make life a little....bizarre!


The audio of Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal was outstanding. Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton, Shane East, Robert Hatchet, Vanessa Edwin and JF Harding made the character alive. I couldn't ask for a better set of narrators!


Order here:

Amazon Ebook Amazon Paperback B&N Books-A-Million

Indigo Target Walmart

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

5 Star Review ~ Lucky by Sawyer Bennett


Synopsis:

Matteo “Lucky” Branson has it all—an elite hockey career, a massive fanbase, and the kind of charm that trends effortlessly on TikTok. As the fun-loving left winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, he’s built a brand on superstition and swagger. But when a viral dating challenge puts him opposite a woman who couldn’t care less about his fame, Lucky’s about to learn the hard way that some games don’t follow the playbook.

They call me Lucky for a reason. My grandmother swears I was cursed at birth—yet somehow, I’ve been kissed by fate every day since. I’ve got my rabbit’s foot, a shamrock tattoo, and quirky rituals by the dozen—and it’s all worked so far. Life’s been smooth. Hockey, clout, fun... I’m skating through.

Until I meet Winifred Shaw. Winnie. She’s smart, bold, and laugh-out-loud funny, with a TikTok following that rivals mine and a dating challenge that’s going viral. The premise? Thirty days of dating to prove an average woman can still land a decent guy. I’m the first to accept the challenge—one night, one chance, and then she moves on. But the moment she rolls her eyes at me, I’m hooked.

She thinks I’m just another overhyped athlete with a pretty face and a lucky streak. But I see her—confident, curvy, electric—and I don’t just want a second date. I want every single one after that.

I’ve always trusted luck to get me where I need to be. But this time? I’m ready to fight for it.

Review:

Five stars — absolutely loved this one!

Lucky is a heartwarming, feel-good romance featuring Lucky, a successful professional hockey star who also happens to be a major social media sensation. But behind all the fame, he’s just a guy looking for something real.

Enter Winnie — a sweet, grounded teacher with a lovable personality and a rabbit that totally steals the show. When Winnie posts on social media about wanting someone “normal,” kind, and genuine, Lucky sees it... and decides it’s game on.

Their story is funny, sincere, and so refreshingly down to earth. It reminds us that love doesn’t care about fame or fortune — sometimes, it’s the quiet, simple connections that matter most.

And I can’t say enough about the narration — Connor Crais and CJ Bloom were fantastic. They brought so much emotion, personality, and charm to Lucky and Winnie. Their voices pulled me right into the story and made it such an enjoyable listen.

If you're in the mood for a sweet, grounded romance with lovable characters and top-notch narration, Lucky is a must-listen!

Buy Now:

Ebook   Audio (Connor Crais & CJ Bloom)  Paperback   

Friday, October 3, 2025

Ruthless Desires Volume One & Volume Two by Elira Firethorn

Ruthless Desires Volume One & Volume Two by Elira Firethorn is now live in audio!


Narrated by: Tempest Mensah, PJ Freebourn, Blake Lockheart & Michael Gallagher

Volume One Blurb

Three hitmen who'll stop at nothing to get revenge—until they meet her.
Wren is the sweet barista who always lights up when Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver walk into her shop. All three of the guys are drawn to her, but they know getting closer to Wren would put her life at risk. But after a chance encounter at a masquerade ball and one night together, these men are all forced to face one undeniable fact:

None of them can resist her. And now, they may not have to.

But can they keep her—and each other—safe from their enemies?

Listen to Volume One today!

Publisher Website: https://bit.ly/45kKky5
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4f5godL

Volume Two Blurb

A single mistake could have deadly consequences.

Being in their enemy’s inner circle has never been easier for Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver. They’ve fooled Ludo Holloway into trusting them, which means they’re one step closer to getting revenge.

But as their plan unfolds, they realize that not everything is as it seems. Sometimes, allies are found in the most unexpected of places—as long as it’s not yet another trap.

This close to the end, getting what they want means taking risks.

But will they go too far—or not far enough?

Listen to Volume Two today!

Publisher Website: https://bit.ly/455knDR
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3UeLeHe

Review:
I listened to Ruthless Desires Volumes 1 & 2 on audio, and the premise definitely caught my attention — a barista dealing with a toxic family and an unfaithful fiancé who unexpectedly finds herself in the dangerous, passionate world of three hitmen bound by loyalty and love.

While there were moments of intrigue and intensity, I personally had trouble connecting with Wren as a main character. She often felt a little out of place in the story, and I wanted to see more strength from her. The bond between Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver was more developed, especially with their shared mission for justice, which added an interesting layer.

As for the audio performance, the narrators didn’t fully click with me, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story. That said, others may enjoy their delivery and the way they brought the darker, steamy elements to life.

Overall, the concept is unique and will likely appeal to readers and listeners who enjoy unconventional romance mixed with suspense. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Excerpt Reveal ~ Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

 



BLURB

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.


Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he's anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.


Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.


Cue the holiday chaos.


Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier—and much more delicious—than either of them expected.


Pre-Order here:

Amazon Ebook Amazon Paperback B&N Books-A-Million

Indigo Target Walmart




Friday, September 5, 2025

5 Star Audio Review ~ The House Guest by Penelope Ward



Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025


BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.
I was falling in love with him.
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

REVIEW

I absolutely loved this story! Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood’s narration was perfection—they made me feel every emotion and brought Dorian and Primrose to life in such a vivid way.

Dorian returns home after the loss of his father and stepmother, planning only to focus on business. What he didn’t expect was Primrose, the quirky and artsy college student keeping the house in order. Their connection started slow but grew into something beautiful. I loved how Dorian tried to resist, but little by little, Primrose pulled him in with her warmth and uniqueness.

The romance had the perfect mix of tenderness, heartbreak, and growth, showing that if something is meant to be, it will happen. I was hooked from beginning to end and left with such a full heart.

A solid five-star listen—Penelope Ward delivered a heartfelt, emotional, and unforgettable story.









PURCHASE LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free to read in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE







WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO
ROOMMATES
TWIST
SLOW BURN
ANGSTY
OPPOSITES ATTRACT






AUTHOR BIO


Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.


AUTHOR LINKS



OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD


Thursday, August 28, 2025

Excerpt Reveal ~ The House Guest by Penelope Ward



Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025


BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.
I was falling in love with him.
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.








PRE-ORDER LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU


Will be FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited

The current paperback pre-order is for the special-edition “ocean” cover only. A model-cover paperback will be live on release day.



WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO
ROOMMATES
TWIST
SLOW BURN
ANGSTY
OPPOSITES ATTRACT






EXCERPT

Copyright © 2025
By Penelope Ward

Eventually, I was able to put Dorian out of my mind and continue my movie night for one. Pulp Fiction was almost finished when the theater door opened again.
I turned to find Dorian entering—alone.
“Is it over?” he asked.
My pulse raced as I paused the movie. “About ten minutes left.”
Without further comment, he took the seat next to me, sinking into the chair and stretching his long legs. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. His delicious cologne wafted my way, sending unwanted arousal through me. I pressed play on the movie, hoping to move out of this hyper-aware state.
“Where’s your date?” I asked after the movie finished and she still hadn’t reappeared.
“She left.”
“Is she a…girlfriend or…?”
“Definitely not,” he said, staring at the screen.
“Someone you hook up with?” I pried.
He turned to me. “You always this nosy?”
“Well, we are stepcousins,” I teased. “You can tell me anything.”
“We go way back, don’t we? So much I nearly kicked you out when I got here.”
“Details…” I shrugged.
He chuckled. “She’s someone I used to hook up with when I lived here years ago. Thought it might be interesting to reconnect with her, but I was grossly mistaken.”
“Why? What was wrong with her?”
“Nothing wrong with her. I was just bored out of my wits. It’s probably me that’s changed more than anything. That happens when you leave home, I guess.” He reached for some popcorn. “Anyway…found myself more in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction than I was to make pointless conversation with her.”
“I can start it over, if you want to watch from the beginning.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “But I’ll watch another movie with you, if you’re down.”
Ohhhkay.
Hesitant excitement washed over me. I’d been pretty lonely lately if the idea of having someone to watch a movie with felt exhilarating. But at the same time, this was Dorian Vanderbilt—not exactly someone I could relax around yet. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to say no.
I finally nodded. “That’d be cool.”
“You choose.”
“Well…” I took a moment to think on it. “If you were in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction, maybe another Tarantino?”
He scratched his chin. “Actually, have you ever seen Snatch?”
“Guy Ritchie, right?” I nodded. “I’ve heard of it but never watched it.”
“His style reminds me of Tarantino. I think you’ll enjoy it. Would you want to watch that?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, impressed with his effort to think of a movie I would like.
Dorian went over to the laptop and pulled up the film, then returned to the seat next to me. He reclined his chair as I pressed play on the remote. He once again stretched out his long legs.
For the next couple of hours, we watched the movie intently, neither of us saying a word until it finished. That was exactly how I liked it. But he did look over to see my reaction at certain parts, which I also liked. Any nervousness I’d had dissipated as the movie went on. And I certainly couldn’t complain about sitting close to him, since he smelled like heaven. I hadn’t been out with a member of the opposite sex in what seemed like ages. Sitting this close to an attractive man made me miss dating, even if the man sitting next to me currently was out of my league.
When the credits came on the screen, he reached for the remote and lowered the volume. “What did you think?”
“It was awesome. I love movies where you don’t know what to expect, and the power dynamic can change at the drop of a hat.”
“Ah…sort of like how you suddenly had the power when I discovered you could control those dogs?”
“Maybe, yeah.” My mouth curved into a smile.
“They actually like me now. But they did not like Savannah.”
“Savannah was your date tonight?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Tess saved me, actually. She helped me get out of the rest of the date.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to end the night early and had been thinking up an excuse. Then Tess rubbed her asshole on Savannah’s shoe as we were standing in the foyer. She decided right then and there she wanted to call it a night.”
I cracked up. “Saved by the asshole.”
“Exactly. It was perfect.”
“Did you drive her home?”
“I called her a car.”
“Well, I’m sorry again if I disrupted your evening.”
“Trust me, I had more fun watching the movie with you than I would’ve sitting through whatever sappy film she picked.” He sighed. “And…I’m sorry if she was rude to you. She was probably just intimidated.”
“Intimidated? Why?”
He glared. “Really? You’re gonna make me say it?”
“Sure.” I smirked.
“Because you’re attractive…” His eyes fell to my abs. “And you seem to have no other wardrobe besides crop tops.”



AUTHOR BIO


Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.


AUTHOR LINKS



OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD


5 Star Review ~ Fear of Flames by Aleatha Romig

FEAR OF FLAMES by  Aleatha Romig Available in Kindle Unlimited Synopsis: She writes thrillers for a living, but nothing could prepare her f...