The Shrink by Sophia Karlson ...... Review by Dawn

Apparently she’s a bit crazy.

Apparently he’s the shrink who will cure her.

Apparently they aren’t allowed to fall for each other at all…

Stacey Sinclair’s mother died in a gruesome car accident six years ago, and now everybody thinks she is finally losing it. Surely a few crazy actions on her part don’t justify her seeing a shrink for months on end?

For a psychologist, Dr Ivo Linder is too decent, too caring, and too handsome to get a glimpse of what really goes on in her head. Stacey’s unforeseen feelings towards him make her retaliate — she taunts him, never expecting to fall with him into forbidden lust.

As their attraction intensifies, the old adage stands: it doesn’t matter, as long as nobody finds out. But someone always finds out and when they do, will Stacey and Ivo risk everything to give their love a chance?

Dawn's Review

Well this sure wasn't exactly what I expected . I am still, about 4 days after finishing it, trying to decide how I feel. This is a story that has many ups but OH so many downs. This is a story that I can say is not a "feel good" story.  If you have triggers of abuse, suicide & parental death then tread lightly with this one. There is a great underlying love story but man you have to get through the hard stuff to see it. 
Stacey and Ivo, have an interesting dynamic and I was not sure how I felt at first about the doctor, patient thing but they do honestly try to fight their feelings. He is guanine in his bit to help Stacey and get her past the trauma's that keep here living in fear.  Once Ivo, finds how how Stacey copes, he begins the process of keeping her close so she is safe. But in doing so , his need and feelings for her amplify. 
This story is about overcoming your past trauma's to move on with your life and find that one thing that makes you incredibly happy. I do recommend this story but make sure you can handle the triggers. 

The Shrink
by
Sophia Karlson
4 Clocks

Honest Review based on book provided by 

NetGalley

Vendetti: A Capo Dei Capi Duet by Sapphire Knight...... Review by Dawn

The Vendetti Empire

They're the Vendetti crime familia, the most powerful mafia name in New York...Matteo Vendetti is a man who gets what he wants. As heir to the Vendetti Empire and the capo dei capi's throne, he's only required to do one thing. He must get married to prove that he's matured and is stable enough to take over. The stipulation doesn't sound like much of a challenge until he realizes who his betrothed is. Violet's the Bottaro Princessa, not just a random woman he met by chance in another country. She's young—too young by his standards. She's headstrong—a problem for a dominant man like Matteo. She's desirable—the biggest issue of all. Before long, Matteo's questioning himself, wondering if Violet's really such a burden, or if just maybe, he's falling in love with something other than the Empire.

The Vendetti Queen

Violet Vendetti was the Bottaro princess-- was.She'd been betrothed to the Capo dei capi of New York, without ever knowing it.A deal made, is a deal kept, as far as the Vendetti Crime family is concerned. Nomatter that it was her father to plead for her safety offering up her hand in marriage amongst other promises. The Capo always comes to collect what is owed.Violet is swept away into a world she thought she knew, only to discover everythingisn't what it may seem. From family traditions to deals struck, she learns exactly whatit takes to be the Vendetti queen.

Dawn's Review

Ok, so I read a lot of Mafia books and I love this genre. I am super picky because I feel like I have read some of the very best Mafia Romances books written, so I feel like I can speak on this.  I really was getting into the first part of this duet The Vendetti Empire, I totally love Matteo and his super Alpha ways and his "boss" streak.  I enjoyed his brash confident attitude and the fear that he exudes.  But sadly that was about it.  I could not believe the fact that he was *SPOILER STOP READING NOW*  totally fine with keeping up the "family tradition" and sharing Violet, his soon to be wife with his brothers! I didn't even mind the meaning behind it. I thought it even made sense once it was explained. The wedding night he would share with his 6 brothers, one time . WELLLL, little virginal Violet, enjoyed having all the brothers, (insert eye roll,) she continued.  It eventually bothered Matteo, but he went right along with it... See that is my issue, this bad ass was "totes fine" with his brothers just taking his wife, UNTIL it bothered him and he realized he is the "Capo dei capi" aka "the Don, head boss," and he could just change the rules. 

I kept on reading Part 2 and did enjoy Violet coming into her role of Mafia Queen beside her husband, 

Right up until she escapes the home in the dead of New York winter. She ends up stranded on the side of the road and one of the brothers finds her and in the freezing cold. She is so grateful she lets him have sex with her.  I had an audible response to this and I believe it was " ugh, WHAT?" Of course Matteo see it because why would he not?  He is not happy and decides to strike a deal with his wife after he goes to save Violet's mother and she agrees to "whatever the deal is" without knowing the details. The deal is 
"no more sleeping with my bro's." She agrees, how kind of her.... I just could not after all of this. One brother is so pissed he leaves the family and goes to Chicago. 
It actually was pretty decent after the revolving door of brothers and Violet stop sleeping together. 

I had such a hard time at the sheer ridiculousness of the whole thing. AGAIN, this is my opinion and yours may be completely different and that is completely fine.  But for me this was a miss and gets 3 Clocks. 

Vendetti; A Capo Dei Capi Duet

by

Sapphire Knight

3 Clocks 

Code of Silence and Titan (Dark King Series) by Shantel Tessier

Not a new author but a NEW to me author and I am HOOKED!!!! I have been told for a few years "you need to read Shantel Tessier." Well I finally did and dang GIRL can write! I am one who is not bothered by having to wait for the next book in a series to come out, BUT I WANT THE NEXT BOOK! I am all for Mafia stories so this was right up my alley. I loved this and devoured it all in one sitting and moved on to book 1 in the series Titan.
COS is a prequel of sorts and it sets the dynamic of this group of men and woman.  

Titan, surprised me, I thought for sure I would hate him and at times I did. But there were qualities in his need to protect that I loved so much. The shared longing that lingers between Titan and Emilee, is fire! They both want each other but the past, the present and future are holding them back. I LOVE this story because it takes you on so many HIGHS and LOWS. Your heart aches for Em and you just want to scream "HELP HER!" It is that good.
Now to wait for the next book and I am not one who waits so this is going to be torture for me!!!


 

Dangerous and feared.

Those words describe my future husband. Who just so happens to also be my ex-boyfriend.

It’s complicated. Two years ago, he broke my heart when he left me to do his father’s bidding. After months of crying, I finally accepted he was gone and wasn’t going to look back. That maybe he’d never loved me at all. I never wanted to see Luca again.

Now a cruel twist of fate has signed me over to him in a heartless deal. I’m his. He thinks he did me a favor, but I feel like I’ve been given a death sentence. He doesn't want to get married because he still loves me. No, he did it for money. More power.

I’m going to be a mafia wife. And there’s only one way out of it. Death.

But as it turns out, someone else doesn’t want me to marry the ruthless Luca Bianchi. And if he has his way, I’ll see that early grave.

Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. Code of Silence is an arranged marriage and a complete standalone. This novel may contain triggers.



TITAN
I know I have a black soul. Bloodshed and danger are what I live for.
A King is supposed to rule his Kingdom using any means necessary to demand respect.
I’m not a weak man… A King kneels to no one.
I’ve only ever cared about one other person in my life, but the thing is, she never belonged to me. And before I could tell her how I felt, she left.
Now she’s returned, needing someone to save her.
Emilee York was always meant to be mine, and I’ll see to it that happens. I always get what I want, even if that means I have to take it.
And she’s no different. She’ll be my queen, one way or the other.

EMILEE
When I left Sin City behind me, I had no plans to return. I avoided everyone, even my friends, to stay in my bubble. I’ve always been the kind to pull away and run when things get difficult.
But one phone call changed everything, and I was racing back. If only I had known what was waiting for me.
Titan reappeared like a ghost haunting me.
One look and I knew he recognized me. I never forgot him or what we shared. Those feelings that no one else knew existed between us.
I ignored them back then, but now they are more intense than ever.
“Get on your knees…” He demanded I kneel for him.
I tried to act like he didn’t affect me, but he knew. He remembered the way I reacted when he would touch me. And just like he was taught to do—he used my weaknesses against me.
He staked his claim, and I became his queen to use how he saw fit.
What makes it worse is that I crave him, and when I kneeled, it was willingly.
But was it for nothing? (less)

TITAN is the first book in the Dark Kings Series and can be read as a standalone. Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. This novel may contain triggers.

5 Clock reads for both 

SAINTS and SINNERS COMPLETE SERIES BY EDEN BUTLER

 Saints and Sinners: The Complete Series by Eden Butler From Eden Butler, discover what happened to Gia Jilani, the last love of THIN LOVE’S Luka Hale, in this interconnected standalone series. Genre: Contemporary Romance #SaintsandSinners #EdenButler #BookRelease #RomanceReads AVAILABLE NOW!

Saints and Sinners: The Complete Series

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XxpzgX

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2A6axFT

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3gXDchd

Amazon FR: https://amzn.to/3eV5gA2

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3ePqTS7

PRINT: https://amzn.to/3f0xxVL  

Blurbs

In THE LAST LOVE OF LUKA HALE, uncover what happened in the shadows to the forgotten twin of an NFL legend the night their lives changed forever. Luka Hale loved hard, he laughed harder, but only Gia Jilani knew his secrets. She’s kept them for nearly twenty years. Now she’s returning to New Orleans and to the past that waits for her.

In ROUGHING THE KICKER, Gia Jilani introduces the world to Reese Noble, the NFL’s first female kicker and her new star on the New Orleans Steamers. But will Reese’s own past with quarterback Ryder Glenn threaten their season and the future of their team?

In OFFSIDES, Gia Jilani comes face-to-face with a memory she can’t shake and the temptation she finds among her players—one that seems all too familiar. But when Gia discovers why Kai Pukui, the linebacker helping her team dominate on the field, seems so familiar and why she feels so drawn to him, Gia will have to decide what's more important — a life worth risking or a love worth losing. SAINTS AND SINNERS READING ORDER Last Love of Luka Hale Roughing the Kicker Offsides

Meet the Author

Eden Butler is a writer of contemporary, fantasy and romantic suspense novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, reads, and spends too much time in her garden perfecting her green thumb while waiting for the next New Orleans Saints Superbowl win. She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana. Please send help.   Social Media Links:

Website: www.edenbutler.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbutler_  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenbutlerwrites/  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eden.butler.184

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/VXQXD   GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275168.Eden_Butler   Saints & Sinners Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345844502509364/

Blaze: A Men of Inked Heatwave series Book 4

Lily Gallo prided herself on her pristine reputation.
A dedicated bookworm.
An awkward goody-two-shoes.
Lover of fiction more than reality.

Jet Michaels had always had a broken moral compass.
A cocky egomaniac.
An unashamed womanizer.
Craving adventure instead of responsibility.

Lily never expected to come face-to-crotch with her old high school crush, and she never dreamed he’d make her an offer she couldn’t refuse. But what was supposed to be a platonic arrangement quickly spiraled out of control.

Can the inexperienced nerdy girl tame the notorious player?
Or will he peel back her pages, exposing the wildcat hidden underneath?

I was lucky enough to receive Blaze as an ARC from the author. I have to say that I am loving The Gallo kids series. I was really wondering where she was going to go with Jet and Lily and what an interesting journey we went on!
I laughed out loud many times and would find myself feeling embarrassed for Lily, when she would inner monologue and sometimes let those thoughts fly! It really was funny! THANK YOU for not making Lily, a weak character. Her Daddy didn't raise a whimp! No, Miss Lily can take care of business!
Jet, on the other hand, I don't know, I just wanted more about him and his past. It was obvious via EVERYONE who saw him and would talk about what a "man whore" he is was in high school. I just wanted more drama to come from that. Other than Lily, thinking there was not way a guy as experienced as Jet would ever like her. But when they do finally get together Jet, is so loving and patient with Lily, he really endeared himself to me.
That ending left me with a complete, "WTF" moment and I am so excited for book 5!!!!! 

This series really is a lot of fun and good storytelling and I am in it as long as the author writes them!!!

BLAZE

Men of Inked: Heatwave Book 4

By 

Chelle Bliss
4 Clocks

Review based on book provided by the author

Run and Hide Book 2 in the Tactical Solutions International series by Maggie Clare

Special Agent Mike Flynn owes his friend a favor, and the instructions are clear. Find Lucia Costa. Keep her safe. But Lucia doesn’t want to be found. She’s investigating her brother’s brutal murder and trying to stay alive.

When the hot FBI agent knocks on her door in the middle of the night, Lucia has to admit, she needs his help. She’s out of money, on the run, and the files hidden in her motel safe could take down a deadly human trafficking ring.

As Mike and Lucia chase down the corrupt cops who betrayed Lucia’s brother, and work the case he died trying to solve, sparks fly. Gruff and jaded, Mike denies his feelings for the feisty grad student under his protection, but Lucia makes him want things he hasn’t in a very long time. With the danger closing in and time running out, Mike will risk everything to give Lucia her life back, and to have a chance at loving her.

Review

As this is a new to me author, I am thrilled at how much I enjoyed this story. I am now going back to check out book 1 in this Tactical Solutions series. 
I love the special relationship that Lucia shares/shared with her brothers. I also like the fact that Alex has zero hesitation call in a marker to Special Agent Mike Flynn. I enjoyed that Lucia was not a damsel in distress and could fend for her own. I loved the dynamic that boiled underneath the surface between Mike and Lucia. Giving into their mutual attraction is just half the battle with these two. The mutual respect that they have for one another is really a bright spot. Alex, is probably the most intriguing character and I am so excited for his story!    

Run and Hide 

Book 2

Tactical Solutions International Series 

by

Maggie Clare
4 Clocks

Binge Reading Author K. Webster

This is what I have been doing lately. Checking off the Taboo Series by Author

 K. Webster. These are HOT quick reads , I read 8 last week. I am enjoying them and had no idea the characters were interwoven in this series. It is a collection of what I call " connected standalones."  

I really enjoy a quick steamy read and The Taboo Series by K. Webster fills that slot !!!!