READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - TEMPTING TESS (The Serenity Mountain, #8) by Cassie Colton

Tempting Tess
Serenity Mountains, #8 
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: October 29th 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Devastated, destitute, and depressed Tess Ramerez is struggling to keep her taco truck, her only livelihood, afloat after the death of her beloved grandmother. Despite her financial and emotional situation, Tess does all she can to help others--even a young man who's embroiled in danger with a perilous gang.  When Tess is injured in an attempt to save him, she has no trust in the medical field or the money to recover.

Retired Navy SEAL Noah "Taco" Whitaker puts his life on the line for others, facing off against sinister criminals for Serenity Securities. He finds solace in the spicier things in life, sexy women and scrumptious foods.  And tacos top his list. The fiery, spitfire who owns his favorite food truck and keeps him on his toes with her spicy personality is an added bonus to his palate.  But when a dangerous gang infiltrates their area and Tess is hurt, he'll do anything to help her.  Getting her to agree to heal on Serenity Mountain is one of the toughest challenges of his life.  Can he find a way to convince Tess to trust him or will tempting Tess be harder than taking down the gang who threatens them all?

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“Mijo, your chicken soup tastes like boiled water with chicken grease. Have you ever heard of seasonings?” She shook her head, cringing.

“I’ll have you know, I cook for the team,” Taco informed her proudly.

“And they're still alive?” She acted as if the news surprised her.

Taco leaned over, tugging her long, silky black hair. “Heyyy. Do you think you can do better? How about this? We’ll hold a cook-off. If you win, I’ll concede and give you back your keys. Yes, I have them. If you lose, you’ll allow me to help get you back on your feet.”

She turned her head to study him. “Fine. Tomorrow, we’ll start from scratch. I’ll need my keys to get ingredients out of my truck.”

“I’ll hand them over tomorrow. Shall we eat dinner?” He stood and started to exit when he noticed she didn’t follow.

She bit her lip and held in the laughter, “I can't stand another bland meal. What did you even call what you fixed?”

“Meatloaf.” He deadpanned.

Laughter filled the air. “Then you better hurry and get it. It’s burning.”

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . TEMPTING TESS (The Serenity Mountain, #8) . . . Spicy Tacos and Sinister Gangs: A Navy SEAL’s Toughest Mission!

TEMPTING TESS is a high-stakes, absolutely intriguing addition to the Serenity Mountain romantic suspense series!

Tess Ramerez is everything the hero needs but can't have: fiery, broke, and fiercely independent. Devastated and struggling to keep her beloved taco truck afloat after a personal tragedy, she doesn't trust the medical field and certainly doesn't have the money to recover after she's injured helping someone embroiled with a perilous gang.

Enter Noah "Taco" Whitaker, the former Navy SEAL who puts his life on the line for Serenity Securities. The only thing hotter than the spicy foods he craves is the spitfire Tess herself! When her danger hits close to home, Noah is determined to help her, but convincing the stubborn, destitute Tess to heal on Serenity Mountain is the toughest challenge of his life.

The conflict is fantastic, balancing the sinister criminal threat with the sizzling personal tension. I loved the "cook-off" challenge—it's Noah's hilarious and sweet way of forcing her to let him in! Can he find a way to convince Tess to trust him, or will tempting Tess be harder than taking down the entire gang? This book is a must-read for fans who love an alpha hero who falls hard for a resilient heroine, wrapped up in a thrilling suspense plot!

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - HARVEST SEASON IN KENTBURY by Claudia Burgoa

Kentbury feels less like a detour and more like a place I don’t want to leave.

Harvest Season in Kentbury, an all-new second chance, small town, contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa is now available!

I came to Kentbury to recover. 

A heart attack has a way of forcing you to slow down, even if you’re not ready. 

My family insisted I take a break from my relentless life in Boston, dragging me to this small town where the only thing on my to-do list is co-chairing the Pumpkin Festival.

Simple, right?

Then I meet Meadow—an artist with fiery red hair and a smile that feels like sunlight after a long storm. She’s juggling a gallery opening, family obligations, and town festivals, making it all look easy. But in her eyes is a woman who knows what it’s like to carry too much.

What starts as awkward small-talk turns into long hours together, decorating pumpkins, and stealing glances. Suddenly, Kentbury feels less like a detour and more like a place I don’t want to leave.

But life back in Boston waits for me, and it’s only a matter of time before I have to go. The question is—can I walk away from the first thing that’s made my heart feel whole in a long time?

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . HARVEST SEASON IN KENTBURY . . .  Harvest Season in Kentbury is a sweet, slow, and perfect read for the fall season in small-town USA. Stressed Boston executive Raffa McFolley comes to Kentbury for a mandatory health break and is tasked with co-chairing the Pumpkin Festival. He soon meets Meadow, the fiery-haired local artist who represents the light he needs. The charming, slow-burn chemistry that develops while decorating pumpkins shows Raffa that slowing down is exactly what his heart—and his life—requires. This lovely second-chance romance is all about finding healing and a love you never expected in the most unexpected place.   

Start reading today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47CzyUy  
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/hskapl 
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/hskbn 
KOBO:https://tinyurl.com/hskkobo 
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Add Harvest Season in Kentbury to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/hsikgr  

 
For more information about Claudia Burgoa and her books, visit her website: 
https://claudiayburgoa.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - VAUGHN (Broken Falls, #5) by Laramie Briscoe

Vaughn
Broken Falls, #5
by Laramie Briscoe 
Release Date: September 28th, 2024 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

My new roommate is a hard-working, blue collar lineman–and a scorching specimen of a man–but I swear I don't watch him when he's not looking.

He's not looking, because Vaughn Collins knows that I, Valentina Brewster, have never been touched. And him? He's had more than a few rounds with the bucket bunnies.

I escaped a lifestyle where religious freedom wasn't accepted, and started to build a future for myself, when my father found me.

Now that I've decided to stop running, Vaughn wants to protect me, and I'm willing to let him do it. But the forced proximity is starting to get to us. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to hold off.

I'm terribly close to asking him to teach me all the things I've always wanted to know.

I have a feeling he'll have no problem saying yes…

Tropes Included

· small town · blue collar · forced proximity · she asks him to teach her · he's only tender for her

Vaughn is book five in The Broken Falls Series: a series of interconnected standalones following a group of friends who have become family in small-town West Virginia, and the women who bring them to their knees. You do not have to read them in order, but each book builds upon the relationships of the last.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . VAUGHN (Broken Falls, #5) . . . Vaughn has stolen my heart. He is now number one in my Broken Falls heroes. We have a little more about Vaughn and his lady interest since the last time we encountered them. Vaughn was protected over her from the moment he meet her. He was there for her when she was not feeling safe. The best way to protect what you want to keep safe would be to move in with her. 

Val was young and lost in a world she had no real knowledge of. She was wanting a fresh start. She wanted to be something more than what her life had been. She gets that chance when she walks into Broken Falls. She finds a job, a place to stay, a friends, and a protector. 

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.

Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY LGBTQ+ - EASTON (Swift Brothers, #2) by Riley Hart

 He makes me want more.

Easton, an all-new opposites attract, small town, M/M romance and the second book in The Swift Brothers Series from bestselling author Riley Hart is now available!

I’m the youngest Swift brother. The one who’s always in trouble and can’t get his life together. I wouldn’t know where to start, and ever since my twin died, I can’t bring myself to care. After my last “situation,” Dad washed his hands of me. And though my brothers should’ve done the same, they stood up for me, fracturing their relationship with him too. He’s a terrible father to all of us, but considering we’re just figuring out how to build a relationship, I don’t want them to lose him because of me.

Officer Archer Thorn won’t stop coming around either. After every screwup, every bad day, Archer’s there to offer a hand. Before I know it, we’re going to dog parks, sharing meals, and Archer seems at home hanging at my place. When he touches me, fills me, all the noise in my head goes quiet. He makes me want more, but he doesn’t know how much that terrifies me, how much I worry that getting better means breaking a promise I made years ago.

Each moment with Archer shows me how good a man he is. For the first time, I actually want to face my trauma and get over my past. Archer makes me see there’s beauty in the world and, more importantly, he makes me want some of it for myself…that is, if I don’t ruin Archer Thorn first.

Easton is a small-town, hurt/comfort romance full of heart, heat, a touch-starved MC, and brothers learning how to have a relationship with each other. It deals with themes of grief, death of a parent and a sibling, and mental-health struggles.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . EASTON (Swift Brothers, #2) . . .  Easton was sweet, sexy, hot, and then some. Easton Swift and Archer Thorn are some serious couple goals for those that feel like their life is a dead end. For those that feel lost and confused about how the world around them is running with out them. I was so close to just wanting to reach out and give Easton and his brothers a huge hug and words of encouragement and validation. There were some serious issues discussed and real life dealt with here.  I am looking forward to the next story in this series and the pairing. 

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://geni.us/EastonHart 

Add Easton to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/erhgr   

 
For more information about Riley Hart and her books, visit her website: 
https://www.rileyhartwrites.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LOVE YOU ALWAYS by AJ Alexander

A woman who’s waiting for her love to return home …

A man who doesn’t believe he deserves her.

Love You Always, an all-new brother’s best friend, age-gap, small town romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!

I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend, Brady Thomas, since I was old enough to know what love was.  It didn’t matter that he was older than me or that my brother would disapprove, there was no changing the way that I felt about him.  I planned to keep my feelings a secret, telling myself it was nothing but a silly crush. Then Brady did the unthinkable, he kissed me before leaving without a word.  

That one kiss changed everything. Instead of getting the happily ever after I dreamed of,  I spent months waiting for any hint that our  kiss meant something to him. That he felt something, anything close to what I feel for him, but the only thing I got was the silent treatment.

Now, a little over a year later, Brady is back in town stirring up all the feelings I’ve been trying desperately to forget.  The moment our eyes lock across my brother’s bar I feel the walls around my heart begin to crumble. But I refuse to make the same mistake twice. 

If Brady wants a chance at my heart, then he’s going to have to fight for it.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LOVE YOU ALWAYS . . . The Silent Treatment Ends: A Blazing Brother's Best Friend Romance!

Sometimes what you need most is right before your eyes. Sometimes what you can't see will heal you and make you a better person. This rings profoundly true in LOVE YOU ALWAYS, an intense and emotionally charged brother’s best friend, age-gap, small-town romance.

Our heroine has been secretly in love with Brady Thomas, her brother’s best friend, since she was old enough to understand love. Despite the age difference and her brother’s potential disapproval, her feelings were undeniable. The tension comes to a head when Brady breaks his silence—not with words, but with a blazing kiss before leaving town without a word.

That single kiss changed everything, leaving her to spend months waiting for any hint that she mattered to him. Instead, she received the devastating silent treatment. Now, over a year later, Brady is back in town, and the moment their eyes lock across her brother’s bar, all those fiercely suppressed feelings come rushing back.

She refuses to make the same mistake twice. This time, if Brady wants a chance at her heart, he's going to have to fight for it! This is a passionate, second-chance story about a man who believes he doesn’t deserve her finally coming home to face the music and prove that what he felt was real. AJ Alexander delivers a deeply satisfying story of healing, commitment, and the power of finding your forever in the most unexpected—yet closest—place.

Start reading today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://geni.us/loveyoualways  

Add Love You Always to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/lyagrd    

For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website: 
https://www.authorajalexander.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - PNR - BIG BAD BOSS: Mated (Werewolves of Wall Street, #4) by Renee Rose & Lee Savino

Rule #4 of Wall Street: Keep your enemies close

Big Bad Boss: Mated, an all-new fated mates, billionaire, paranormal romance and a bonus story to the Werewolves of Wall Street Series from USA Today bestselling authors Renee Rose and Lee Savino is now available!

The Vampire King wasn't on the invite list for our engagement party, but that won't stop him from demanding his due.

He insists Madi and I make an appearance at his club.

He wants a performance where we're the players.

I would refuse--war be damned, but my bride is intrigued.

And what she wants, she gets.

Mated is a bonus story from the completed Big Bad Boss trilogy featuring a billionaire boss-hole wolf shifter and his freakishly smart assistant.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . BIG BAD BOSS: MATED (Big Bad Boss, #4) . . .  We are back with shifter royalty, Brick and Madi. This time the danger comes in the form of a request from the Vampire King. I'm giving nothing away. I do recommend this novella to all that have enjoyed the Big Bad Boss Trilogy. This was a delicious addition with spice and intrigue. It was just enough to keep you updated on what was going on in the lives of Madi, Brick, and the rest of the boys.

There are many new stories related to this world that I am waiting to see. Billy and the Vampire King. Who will be the Vampire Queen?

I read the story first and then got the audio to match the rest of the series set. Now I can just put them in my list and play them all at will. Narration added to the enjoyment of the story.

Reasons I enjoyed this book: Steamy Easy-to-read Romantic Entertaining Wonderful characters Great world building

Start reading today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LMXFFR 

Add Big Bad Boss: Mated to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/matedgr  

Start the Werewolves of Wall Street series today!
Big Bad Boss: Midnight: https://geni.us/bbbmidnight
Big Bad Boss: Moon Mad: https://geni.us/bbbmoonmad  
Big Bad Boss: Marked: https://geni.us/bbbmarked

For more information about Renee Rose and her books, visit her website: 
https://reneeroseromance.com

For more information about Lee Savino and her books, visit her website:
https://leesavino.com

READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - A DANGEROUS MAN (Appalachian STAR, #8) by Deanndra Hall

A Dangerous Man
Appalachian Star, #8 
(Special Forces Operation Alpha)
by Deanndra Hall 
Release Date: September 10th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

She’s headstrong and independent. He’s determined and dangerous. Is their love a disaster … or their salvation?

Bear

Relentless.

I’m a murderer, and I own that. I’ve paid my debt to society, but what I did is a stain on my soul that will leave me forever unworthy of anything good. So I’m surprised when a couple of nights with FBI Agent Sela Baldwin when she’s here at the farm guarding Natalie leaves me longing for more time with her. She’s stuck in rehab from her injuries and mad as a hornet, but my offer for her to live with me and explore our relationship is surprisingly well-received. We settle in, only to find that the cartel still has a mark on Sela and Natalie, and it’ll take all of my friends from App STAR, Citadel Security, and the Eagle Point Search and Rescue teams to keep them safe—if Sela will just cooperate. I swear, that woman is her own worst enemy!

SELA

Relentless.

They might call him Bear, but he’s a wildcat in the sack. I think about those hands and that body constantly while I’m trapped in the rehab facility, planning my escape and furious that the bureau doesn’t think I can do my job. I don’t connect with people emotionally, but when I discover he’s been in an accident, I’m terrified. As soon as he asks me to move out to the farm with him, I realize being on the disabled list will give us time to maybe have an actual relationship. His openness and honesty give me hope, and I’m surprised at myself and how fast I start to trust him and care for him. There’s just one problem. The cartel is still after Natalie and me, and no matter what Bear says, I’ve never trusted a man to take care of me. Is my Dangerous Man dangerous enough to get the job done, or will I have to do it myself?

Come to the hills and hollers of eastern Kentucky and get acquainted with eight of the most determined men you’ll ever meet in the Appalachian STAR series.

AMAZON

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . A DANGEROUS MAN (Appalachian STAR, #8) . . .  Each man from the group comes with his own set of circumstances and his own redemption. I know when I first meet these two a few books ago that I was gonna be in love. Bear did the unthinkable and served his time. Sela served her country within and paid a heavy price for it. Now is their chance to find that something more with the one meant  for them. 

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

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