Heartbreakers and Heroes by Various Authors

Heartbreakers and Heroes
By: Various Authors
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Published: June 21, 2016
Genre: Contemporary, Anthology, Romance
Length: Short Story, Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 18, 2016

 

PRE-ORDER TODAY!!

$.99 won't last long for such a huge selections of stories

Get your hands on TWELVE sexy HEARTBREAKERS AND HEROES, a brotherhood bound by their troubled youth. A tragedy reminds them of the mentor who taught them all the rules to become a man. But some of them haven't been following the rules...

These TWELVE new novellas from USA Today bestsellers and your favorite contemporary authors are sure get your pulse racing and heart pounding.

HIDING WITH THE HEARTBREAKER by USA Today bestseller by Virginia Nelson
Rule: Protect the innocent.
Making people laugh for a living is easy, but when a beautiful stranger needs Aloysius Sutton's help, he has to find a way to become Jude's hero.

HOW TO UNBREAK A HEART by USA Today bestseller Jennie Marts
Rule: If you love her, don't let her go.
Solitary cowboy, Trip Turner finally has a chance to correct the mistakes he made when he let the woman he loved walk out of his life twelve years ago. But now that Bre Wilson is back, will he be able to unbreak her heart?

SECOND CHANCE HERO by Michelle Major
Rule: A real man doesn't build himself up by tearing someone else down.
Travis Jackson might not be the white knight Hailey Moore needs, but he'll risk his future to win her heart.

HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKER by Heather Long
Rule: A real man always puts his best foot forward.
Zeke always planned to steal her heart, but she left him on base. It’s the bottom of the ninth, and Charity is up to bat. Can she tell her two-all stars the truth or will a foul end her best chance?

HERO IN DISGUISE by Sharla Lovelace
Rule: A real man doesn't buy respect, he earns it.
Billionaire playboy Jake Jericho thinks he has it all, until one phone call reminds him otherwise. Can one week in disguise reform this trust fund playboy, or will his deception destroy the only real love he's ever known?

HER HEARTBREAKER BOSS by Carmen Falcone
Rule: Never leave your woman unsatisfied.
Can Stefano and Roxie resist the heat flaring between them or will working together force them to face their rocky past and give them the happily ever after they deserve?

HOW TO BE A HEARTBREAKER by Codi Gary
Rule: A real man never kisses and tells.
When an A list actor returns to his hometown, old wounds and fresh gossip emerge... along with a second chance at love, if he's brave enough to stick around.

REFORMING THE HEARTBREAKER by Christine Glover
Rule: A real man never breaks a woman's heart.
Can Olympic mountain bike champion Ryder Bennett and his public relations rep Addison Carrington keep things professional between them this time around, or will they risk a sexy scandal for a chance at love?

HER UNWANTED HERO by Veronica Forand
Rule: A real man always helps someone in need... he may be the only one who does.
A disenchanted police officer must choose between keeping a woman's affection or keeping her alive.

ONCE A HEARTBREAKER by T.J. Kline
Rule: A real man never lies, especially to a woman.
Ty Preston ran out on the woman he loved twelve years ago, but now he's back to prove he's a changed man. However, Rayne can't risk getting her heart broken by the cowboy again.

MAKE MINE A HEARTBREAKER by Jodi Linton
Rule: A real man never falls for his friend's sister... ever.
She's about to change this playboy's rule book.

TUTORING THE HEARTBREAKER TO LOVE by Hayson Manning
Rule: A real man never touches the hired help.
Can Savannah teach serial heartbreaker Walker to be domesticated in ten days and convince them that maybe they can have s shot at a 'them' or can Walker convince Savannah there can be a 'them' on his terms only?

Though I have not completed the box set, the heart of the collection is the tough love of one mentor, John Stone; a man that opened his heart and home to troubled young men. He gave them rules to live by, rules that shaped boys into men.

This review is based on Heather Long’s contribution: Hometown Heartbreaker

Rule: A real man always puts his best foot forward.

Absolutely fell in love with the Zeke and Charity. Ms. Long pulled a hard story to satisfy. Did she do it?

I had really no clue what to expect when I read the blurb for Heather Long’s addition to the Heartbreakers and Heroes box set. What could she possibly mean by - Can she tell her two-all stars the truth or will a foul end her best chance? Yeah, I had an idea or two, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

Zeke is returning home to coach his hometowns kids. He hasn’t been home in years. He hasn’t been home because he couldn’t face the pain of losing Charity. To be reminded of the love he lost and the future he would never have.

Charity is in a pickle. Her life may not be what she planned many years ago, but she is content in the sacrifices she made. While she knows that there is a good chance Zeke will return to coach the hometown team, she needs to decide if she is ready to own up to the choices she made for both of them.

OH MY!!! Zeke’s and Charity’s story would be a hard one to pull off in such a short platform. Their characters had a history worth telling and not much time to tell it in.

Ms. Long did a great job introducing the couple and diving right into their healing. You could see right from the beginning the spark was not gone.  Lots of time had gone by and healing would be a long hard road.

I will be honest and say I would have loved to have read a full story of this couple. Ms. Long has an exceptional talent of character development and storytelling. She was able to capture the heart of the characters, but they would have shone so much more brightly if she could have given them her all her skills. She definitely used her time wisely and I was totally captivated by their story.

Hometown Heartbreaker was a wonderful short story with tons of heart, love and potential. It was very well written and I devoured it, but the subject matter deserved more time. I have no doubt that it will be a shining star in this boxset.

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Spencer’s Chance by Dominique Eastwick

Spencer’s Chance
By: Dominique Eastwick
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Published: October 22, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: November 2, 2015

 

Spencer Sherman knows how to run a billion dollar business; he understands his employees, and the market around him. But he has lost his way when it comes to love and family. With a rift with his younger brother and unrequited love of his sister in law, Spencer has taken a wrong turn somewhere and it just so happens it might lead him to his heart’s desire.

Chance McKinney is content with her simple life. She is adored by her family and friends and no one can turn down her apple pies. Yet being the friend has worn thin and this virgin doesn’t see anything in the area that will change things. Until a tall, gorgeous stranger walks into her shop and turns everything she once thought on its head.

Can two people from different worlds find the love they both desperately crave or will mistakes from the past prove too much to overcome?

Since the beginning of this fabulous series I have wanted Spencer’s story. Finally it has been told and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it.

Spencer screwed the pooch in book two of the Spencer Family series, Tony’s Haven. While his heart was in the right place, his act of trying to capture his brother’s love interest, Haven, it pretty much blew up magnificently in his face. He lost the girl and he lost his brother with one act of what he saw as kindness and misplaced love.

Chance is a woman known around town for her baking. Well her baking skills and her unselfish heart. Her friends and family come first and she will sacrifice her own happiness for them. She doesn’t even see what she is doing, because at the end of the day she is happy in her life.

Spencer stumbles upon Chance accidentally. Upon first glance, he is intrigued by Chance. By his first taste of her apple turnover, he wants a taste of her. By their first date, he knows that he has been given a second chance at love.

So why am I so unsure how I feel about Spencer’s Chance? I can't quite put my finger on it and that is why it took so long to write this review.  It's a very cute love story, but it gave off a kinda of teddy bear stalker feel to me. What could I possibly mean by “teddy bear stalker”? Well, I can’t really say without giving a bit of the story line away. Let’s just say, you got this big beautiful man who suddenly wants you, will do anything to have you and isn’t afraid to tell you. Screw the consequences. It basically had me flashing back to his brother’s story, the one that started this whole Tony-Haven-Spencer triangle. I didn’t feel like he learned from his past mistakes and that he jumped on the first girl that….Nope I can’t say, it will give it away.

I still love, love, love Spencer and I adored Chance and found her fabulous, but I wanted more for Spencer. He has been through hell. His heart was stomped on. He had become enemy number one and he had lost friends and family because of what he did. Not to mention he had to constantly put on a smiley face around the happy couple. My boy deserved more, more, more dammit.

That being said, I’m so very happy he found Chance. She was actually perfect for him and there lies my confusion. I was disappointed in the behind the scenes story line. It gave off a needy feeling, but I still loved her for him. The story line did complete the loose ends from several stories ago, but it felt borrowed to me. Ms. Eastwick had big shoes to fill, because I fell so hard for Spencer. She still wrote a wonderful story and after a second read through I liked it even more, but not as well loved as prior installments.

No more dwelling. Now bring on the Trent. I’m feeling good about the next story. Don’t leave a girl hanging!

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Healing His Soul's Mate by Dominique Eastwick

Title: Healing His Soul's Mate
By: Dominique Eastwick
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Published: April 29, 2016
Genre:Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: April 30, 2016

 

Things are not as calm at the Wiccan Haus as they usually are. The impending birth of Dana and Rekkus’ cubs has everyone on edge. The last thing anyone wants or expects is a series of uninvited guests.

Ashlynn Stone hasn’t spoken to her sister Dana since she left for the Wiccan Haus over a year earlier. But when a fluke accident on the fashion runway forces her to seek the healing of the Wiccan Haus, she has no choice but to pack her bags and take the ferry to the island with her family in tow.

Shadedor has been sent to the Wiccan Haus to assess the situation. But he soon finds more than he expected. His soul mate in need of healing. Can he negotiate the issues of the Wiccan Haus and overcome the walls Ashlynn has built to protect herself.

As the Haus prepares for the biggest event since it opened, can the siblings find harmony and manage to do what they do best, heal those in need? Or is it too much for them to take?

Welcome back to the Wiccan Haus.

My dreams and wishes have finally been granted. The baby is coming! The baby is coming!!

While Healing His Soul’s Mate is about a new fresh couple, it also includes the much anticipated birth of Dana and Rekkus’ babies. This story has been on my mind for ages. I first read their story in Shifting Hearts. After checking my records is been pretty much four years, almost to the date. It was the charter story for the sexy, fun and ever changing Wiccan Haus series.

If you are unfamiliar with Wiccan Haus, please take a moment to check it out. Here is the blurb from Goodreads: Meet the unusual residents of the Wiccan Haus. The staff can get a little hairy and not all of the guests eat what’s served in the dining hall. But the proprietors always do what they can to make the resort into a place of healing and peace, using all of their years of practice. At the Haus, where humans and Paras reside side-by-side, everyone in need of the Rowan siblings’ services is welcome.

The new couple to the island is Dana’s sister Ashlynn and the mysterious, Shadedor. Doesn’t his name even sound mysterious? Shadeor has come to Wiccan Haus to report on the status of the upcoming birth and other goings on at the Hause. Pretty routine for him, but what he didn’t expect is to find his possible mate.

Ashlynn has been estranged from her sister Dana since Dana cancelled her wedding and moving to the Wiccan Haus resort. Their dominating mother disowned Dana and Ashlynn was too afraid of her mother’s wrath to go up against her. Now that Ashlynn is in need of more than regular healing, her and the rest of the family are going to the island to see if they can help Ashlinn and to also heal the rift between the whole family. Well everyone but the mother. She is tagging along too, but she as forgiving and “lovely” as ever. What she finds is more than she expected.

Healing His Soul’s Mate is a bit longer in length than the normal WH read and a great big THANK YOU to Ms. Eastwick for doing it. She included two entwined stories that could have stood alone but was better told together. Great job!! I loved how she brought the whole island together for the event of the year and also was able to heal more than a few souls. She also was able to keep the stories separate. They each had their own feeling but yet fed into the story as a whole. Not an easy task with so many facets.

If you have ever been interested in diving into a connected world written by various exceptional authors, then consider the Wiccan Haus series. The flavors of the different authors are delicious and well balanced. They do an exceptional job working together to keep this amazing island running smoothly.

I stick by what I said from the very beginning and couldn’t be more true today…”This series is going to be fun and engaging with an eclectic mix of characters and countless romantic possibilities. I plan on enjoying this series from the beginning all the way to the end. I hope you join me. Come take a relaxing short vacation with me to the Wiccan Haus; where you will find inner peace, breathtaking magic and explosive romance.”

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Forward Pass by Desiree Holt

Forward Pass (Game On #1)
By: Desiree Holt
Publisher: Lyrical Shine
Published: July 7, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 7, 2015

 

Shay Beckham grew up idolizing her brother’s best friend, star quarterback Joe Reilly. There was no one in their Texas town who had the moves to match Joe on or off the field. Years later, he’s still a player who has what it takes to drive any hot-blooded woman wild. But Shay isn’t a kid with a bad case of hero-worship anymore. She’s grown-up and independent, with her feet on the ground and a serious head on her shoulders. If she could just say the same for Joe.

It’s been fifteen years, but Joe Reilly hasn’t forgotten the skinny little kid who used to follow him around like a shadow. What he can’t get over is that the skinny shadow has grown into one hell of an incredible woman. One any man in his right mind would kill to get his hands on. And one who seems to be completely immune to him. He knows he and Shay could have something special together. If he could only convince her he’s about more than just the game.

Fate has a way of smiling down on a couple. No matter how long it takes, Fate will have their due.

It took fifteen years for Shay to realize that she has been sabotaging her own love life. As a young girl, she fell hard for her brother’s best friend. She didn’t know better, but she followed Joe around idolizing him. From that time on, all her boyfriends never stood a chance. With a new start ahead of her, she is ready to start over. As soon as she gets her brother’s next fling out of her shower!

Well getting away and coming home couldn’t have ended up better. A couple of years ago, Joe set his eyes on the grown up Shay and he didn’t know what hit him. Now that he will be in town on business, he is going to take every chance he can get to show her the new him. But first things first after a long day of traveling…a hot shower.

One strong, single minded man and one stubborn but extremely pragmatic woman could make for a very ordinary story. Shay wants to be strong, but she has such a hard time when it comes to Joe. So she will take what she can get and enjoy it. Too bad Joe wants forever, when all Shay can think of is right now.

I loved their play. The chase was fun and their interactions were spunky. You saw trouble in the horizon heading their way. When it finally hit home it was a doozy, but not capitalized on completely in my opinion. It was forgiven a bit too easily and the conclusion was a bit fast, but all in all it was a very fun story. All the experiences that happen before the ending more than make up for it.

Ms. Holt writes such fun characters and even though I knew who played the role of Fate, it was still fun to watch it all unfold. 

*rubbing hands together for the next installment*

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Romancing the Wolf by Various Authors

Romancing the Wolf
By: Heather Long, Melissa Schroeder, Brandy Walker, Saranna DeWylde, Virginia Nelson, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes, Desiree Holt, Gayle Donnelly, Jennifer Kacey
Publisher: Self Published
Published: June 30, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Anthology, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Novella, Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 25, 2015

 

Sexy and we know it! They’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 10 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance.

Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf…

Books included:

Heart of the Wolf (The Devora) by Desiree Holt Shifter Lia Popescu is desperate to find the book Legends of the Werewolf, her only clue as to what happened to her pack. When she loses her heart to the sexy detective Riley Morgan, she wonders how he will handle knowing the truth about her.

The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret) by Saranna DeWylde Victoria’s determined to free her people from the curse that forces them to become mindless, slavering terrors every full moon. Even if it means taking, Armand Rommulus, their new Alpha to mate.

Odd Mate (Odd Stuff Series, #4) by Virginia Nelson Gretchen fell in love with Charly, a sweet, nerdy bear of a man but ran fast and hard from his side when she realized he'd hate her for a genetic twist of fate she couldn't change. Now she's back in town and drawn to his side. Can a wolf sworn to destroy all coyotes claim a coywolf mate or will he be forced to destroy the only girl he ever loved?

Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves) by Gayle Donnelly Abram spends his days protecting the pack children, but he finds himself wanting more. The quiet, elusive kindergarten teacher has sparked a hunger inside him and he knows it won’t be satisfied unless he makes her his mate. When her past comes calling, he must make a choice…defy pack law and bring her into his world or let her run and lose her forever.

Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending, Book 2) by Cara Carnes Marek will do anything to protect his pack and their land, including executing any Outsiders who dare enter pack lands. There’s no soft in war—until Felicity, a curvaceous wolf with more sass than sense limps into Redemption with an impossible tale of betrayal. 

Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators, Book 1) by Brandy Walker Diego wants Daphne as his mate instantly and is ready to do whatever it takes to make her his. Part wolf, and part witch, Daphne is a little more skeptical of the situation. Her wolf is telling her to go for it while her witchy side balks, knowing Diego will try to suppress her more enchanted side.

Always (Dragon Wars #3) by Rebecca Royce Robbie Owens has fought the dragons for seventeen years, leading his group of secret, elite werewolves. Tatyana Knox is a human in a world where humans are like unicorns—they simply don't exist. But she is real and she is Robbie's mate. If he can trust her, they will turn the tide of the war. But the clock is ticking and Tatyana's time with Robbie is almost up.

Violet's Shadow (Shadow Mates #1) by Jennifer Kacey Violet’s spent her entire life aching to belong and she finally finds it in the pack of Shadows she is destined to join. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow.

Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend) by Heather Long After graduating college and spending a summer breaking the law, Shiloh Sullivan needs to make amends and accomplish something for Willow Bend. When her best friend, the wolfish and playful Matt Montgomery moves her in with him, she’s hard-pressed to refuse. But pretending a relationship with a wolf is impossible, and while Shiloh might be human, she knows the rules...

The Alpha's Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack #1) by Melissa Schroeder Alpha Jacob Sanderson doesn’t have time for distractions as he hunts a vicious killer attacking his pack. Sheriff Alexandra Littlefoot is his best resource and a woman he can’t seem to resist. As secrets rise to the surface, the killer’s violence escalates and threatens to destroy the entire pack.

I picked up this rather large book for five reasons: Heather Long, Saranna DeWylde, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes and Virginia Nelson. But it was the addition of five other reasons that put additional yummy sweet frosting on my book cake.

This little voyage started with Under the Wolf Moon, written by the keeper ladies above. I started it because of one shining star and soon the other four were shining their own lights down on me. I absolutely devoured the book and couldn’t put it down. It started me on several new journeys with some totally exceptional characters. I finished the book excited, in love, totally pissed at the ladies.

I was pissed because I then had four additional series to read on top of Long’s, Wolves of Willow Bend. I had Woolven Secret, Dragon Wars, The Rending AND Odd Series. Four new series that took no prisoners and unconditionally devoured my only remaining free time. You want to know what those evil women did…they cackled at me. Yes others probably heard them sweetly chuckling or laughing, but it was cackling. There may have even been a muahahahaha thrown in there too. Evil I tell you!

Well thank goodness they took pity on me knowing they had a gem on their hands. I was late to the initial party, being the first book was out in January and I didn’t finish it until the end of May. One of the ladies that will LONGly remain unnamed actually sent me a teaser cover shot and mentioned that the next book was releasing thankfully at the end of June (hear the cackling? I do). The cover was gorgeous and tempting to all my womanly senses (yummilicious) but it had more names included: Schroeder, Walker, Holt, Donnelly and Kacey. WHAT?!?!

I couldn’t tell you if I was shocked or thrilled. I already knew I was neck deep in some great series and now I had the potential of more great series. But on the other hand I had the continuation of my initial five beloved series. See the problem?

I held out as long as I could. It took me days, yes days to read it. That alone is a shocker. I can read a novel easily in one day. This anthology is so HUGE that it took me days. As of today, it is cheaper than an Oreo Brownie Sunday from DQ and even sweeter! That’s quite the feat, those babies are sweet and tasty. Ten amazing stories and it’s so cheap.

I won’t go into each story, but I will say each were unique and special. This anthology can be read as is, without jumping into new series, if you don’t want to, but as I sit here you would be a stronger person than me. As soon as I’m done here I’m researching to see if the additional stories are one timers or are part of additional series.

So welcome Ms. Schroeder, Ms. Walker, Ms. Holt, Ms. Donnelly and Ms. Kacey. You have firmly placed yourself in with the women I love to hate. Into a well written group of women who love to torture me with waiting for the next installment of some of my favorite series and who love to know that my thoughts are always thinking of the amazing characters they have created. You are with some fine company. These are some of the best story tellers around. Bravo to you all. You did a fanfreakingtastic job!!

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Daring to Chance It by Desiree Holt

Daring to Chance It
By: Desiree Holt
Publisher: Kindle Worlds
Published: June 21, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: Novella
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 1, 2015

 

Sarah York celebrated passing the bar with a New Orleans weekend with her friends. But then everyone coupled up but her, and she was left getting cozy with her drink. Until a mouthwatering god named Beau Perini, hotshot football player, swept her off her feet and into a night of unbelievable ecstasy. When she fell asleep, she was already trying to figure out how they’d get together again.

Except, when she woke up, Beau had done a disappearing act. And not even a thank you note, the rat.

Fast forward six years. Sarah is the newly minted in-house counsel for the Miami Thunder football team, and Beau is their golden new free agent. Imagine her shock when she sees him at the press conference to introduce him to the Miami media.

Beau has never stopped thinking about Sarah and regretting his hasty exit. Through a bad marriage and divorce, full custody of his three-year-old son, and a fat new contract with the Thunder, he’s never stopped thinking of her. Now, he thinks Fate has given them another chance, and he plans to make the most of it.

Too bad Sarah, who has trust issues, might not see it his way. But then the chemistry between them explodes again and all bets are off.

You can’t beat a novella by Desiree Holt. She rarely doesn’t capture your heart with the depth of her characters and their sizzling romance. She has another hit with Daring to Chance It.

Sarah hasn’t had much luck in the love department. First, she is too busy getting her law degree, then she has a smokin’ one night stand that leaves her feeling stupid and used and then to top off her stellar career with men, she is used by a man who isn’t above sleeping his way to the top. With a new chance of an amazing career in a new city, she is ready to write all men off. It really shouldn’t be a problem. She has her job and her favorite sport, football, to keep her busy.

Beau has life many would dream of. He plays his football with passion and has a career that keeps going beyond his wildest dreams. Though he regrets his departure from an amazing night with an even more amazing woman, he has his son to think about. If he could go back he would have done things differently, but that ship has sailed.

While their initial encounter left me hot and cold, their reunion was nothing but spectacular. Their chemistry was practically visible in the air and their passion was enviable. While Sarah didn’t hold out for long, Beau more than made up for it with his one track mind to win her over for good.

Ms. Holt wrote a second chance novella that had both heart and soul with an overabundance of feelings. Daring to Chance It was well written and such a sweet sexy story. Thank you Desiree for helping me escape the mundane and experience a beautiful love story.

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