Embyr tends her tavern while keeping her dangerous parentage a secret, until she's attacked by a hellhound and saved by one of the most feared men in history.
For the last eight hundred years, Ryder McLennon, the infamous leader of Death's Horsemen, has used his army to hunt the vampire who killed his wife. He's earned a reputation as a murderous madman. But in Embyr, he discovers something that could turn the tide of battle in his favor. Her control over fire can reduce an enemy to ash and her flippant disregard of him heats his blood in ways no one else ever has. She's beautiful, powerful and completely different from her violence-loving brethren.
Embyr finds herself thrust into a war she wants no part of, targeted by a vicious vampire because of her cooperation with Ryder. As she learns to wield her demonic powers without letting the madness of her race overcome her, she also has to fight her attraction to a killer bent on her seduction.
Review
By: April Hughes
Fire’s Kiss is a standalone, paranormal romance novel written by author Brittany Pate. The story follows Embyr, a half-demon tavern owner, who hides on the fringes of society afraid to reveal her ominous parentage. Embyr lives a quiet life on the edge of the town Al’Din, her parents have perished, and she is close to only one person- a former female assassin with a fondness for ale. However, this all changes when the leader of the formidable Horsemen shows up in her tavern one evening wearing a grotesque mask made of animal’s skins. This leader, Ryder McLennon, rumored to be a heartless savage, convinces Embyr to assist him in his war with the vampire named Atrarius.
The intensity and chemistry between Ryder and Embyr remains consistent throughout the novel. It never dims, not from the moment Ryder first corners Embyr in the tavern, from when he spirits her way to his castle and helps her unlock the power lying dormant within her, or when he leaves for an incredible length of time and returns to win her heart again. The story was rapidly moving and constantly kept my rapt attention with the interesting barrage of characters- half-demons, Horsemen, vampires, knights, dark mages, assassins, and even a Hellhound shifter. Embyr constantly grew as a character- she started off as a fearful, reclusive young woman merely experiencing life in small doses on the edge of town, only to blossom into a formidable half-demon that did a fair share of turning foes into dust and morbidly roasting the flesh off her enemies. While Embyr grew tougher, Ryder learned to soften up a bit-though it took six years for him to do so (probably the only time in the book where I was slightly disappointed in him- though I understood his reasoning…well, a little).
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading Fire’s Kiss. The author was a new one for me, and the story sounded a little like the romantic version of Dungeons and Dragons…boy was I surprised! I finished the novel in ONE day- I clutched onto my kindle like I was afraid someone would rip it from my hands and read till my eyes burned. I haven’t been this engrossed in a novel in a LONG time. FIVE stars for Fire’s Kiss!
Do yourselves a favor and pick up this thrilling and fast-paced novel today!
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter returns with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale, featuring a rough, tough bad boy brought to his knees by... a kindergarten teacher?
The king of one-night stands...To inherit--and destroy--his father’s business at long last, Brock Hudson needs a temporary wife. The ruthless ex-military heartthrob has always avoided romantic entanglements. Women are sweet, but vengeance will be sweeter. Or so he thinks. Only one woman will do, but the vulnerable beauty is more than he bargained for—sexier, wittier, and utterly irresistible.
The queen of the deep freeze…After an abusive first marriage, Lyndie Scott has sworn off relationships. But still she longs for a child of her own. Turns out, the brawler who used to frighten her with only a glance is the answer to her problems. She agrees to his proposal, with a caveat: spend every night in bed with her, then walk away for good when it’s time to divorce. Even if she’s pregnant.
A marriage of breathtaking inconvenience... As the days pass too quickly and the nights heat up, Brock battles a sense of possession and obsession. Will the former commitment-phobe convince his wife they’re better off together, or will she pack her bags and go?
“I expect you to be amazing in bed,” she said. “Like, beyond my wildest expectations. You’ll need stamina to keep up with me.” Maybe. Probably not. “I want orgasms!”
He made a strangled sound. His pupils expanded, overshadowing all that luscious green. “I will give you orgasms. I will give you more orgasms than you can count.”
“Also,” she continued, as if she weren’t fighting a wave of lust right that second, “I firmly believe in the Ten Commitments.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m a little light-headed after all that orgasm talk, but I’m also listening. Do tell.”
“A boy shalt not lie to anyone, ever, not even to flatter, cheat with so much as a look, steal even when desperate, harm others in any way, or make excuses for bad behavior. He shalt compliment when merited, help when needed, treat others with kindness, always, consult his girl when making big decisions, and do his best, not just what’s good enough.”
His gaze searched her face. “The commitments are basic human decency for anyone, not just a potential temporary husband and possible sperm donor. I accept.”
Surprising. And welcome. “When our relationship ends,” she said, “you can go back to your man-whorish ways with my blessing.” A pang cut through her chest, and she swallowed a moan. Did the pang spring from jealousy? Or regret? No, no. Neither one. Probably came from indigestion. Because of the wine. “While we’re together, we’ll be having unprotected sex—if you agree to my terms—so I’ll need you healthy. Speaking of, you’ll have to get tested. I will too.”
“I won’t want a lifelong commitment because of a child,” he said, his tone soft.
Oh, the gall of this man! “I’m not hoping to trap you, Brock. Believe it or not, being married to you isn’t the bow on top of a gift but a burden to bear in order to get what I want.”
“Burden.” He traced his tongue over his teeth, the very picture of masculine pique. “Stop, please. Your flattery is going straight to my head.”
What, had she hurt is feelings? No way, no how. But…
Maybe? The thought disconcerted her, and her shoulders rolled in. “I’m sorry,” she said, and sighed. “I never meant… it’s just…” Another sigh. “Maybe this is a mistake.”
“Now wait just a second.” He swooped in, kneeling in front of her, placing his big, strong hands on her knees. “Getting naked with you does not strike me as a mistake.”
The warmth of his skin burned through her pajama pants, caressing her skin, and she gasped. Tingles erupted and spread, different parts of her reacting in different ways. Between her legs, liquid heat pooled. Her lower belly quivered. Her breasts ached.
Eyes ablaze, he said, “I want you, Lyndie.”
She gulped. “You can have me.”
“If I give you a baby and walk away.”
“Yes.”
He stared at her for a long while before nodding. “Very well. I’ll get a temporary marriage and you’ll get a baby.”
Can’t Get Enough is the 6th novel in The Original Heartbreakers series by New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter. The story follows Brock Hudson, a man determined to avoid romantic obligations by sticking to a one-night rule. Despite having grown-up with a mother who was obvious in her hatred of him, Brock’s experience in the military, and the lasting friendships he made there, showed him that family isn’t always blood related. It was his friendship with his two comrades that led him to Lyndie Scott, a shy and distant Kindergarten teacher. Their meeting is fortuitous because for Brock to inherit his father’s estate, he needs to find a woman willing to marry him, and divorce him, all within a month. And Lyndie Scott is perfect…
Lyndie’s childhood was reflective of Brock’s…not perfect at all. Her mother died when she was little and Lyndie was left to the mercy of her abusive father. She managed to escape him by marrying young to a sweet-talking man with aspirations to be in law enforcement. Unfortunately, the man was merely a wolf in sheep’s clothing and turned out to be as horrendous as her father. So, when Lyndie’s husband died, and she tasted true freedom for the first time, she started counseling and was determined to be independent. That is, until she met Brock Hudson and found herself thinking more about him than she should.
When Brock approached Lyndie with his ludicrous plan to get married (and divorced)- a stipulation to winning over his father’s estate- Lyndie agrees under one condition…that he gets her pregnant and then signs over all legal rights to the child. Brock, being the infamous king of one-night stands, agrees.
That’s when all the fun happens…
I am hardly ever disappointed with a novel written by Gena Showalter…and this one was NO exception! Lyndie was wonderfully unique and surprisingly quirky for someone having lived with abusive, suppressive people. Her flippant quotes, her hilarious wine-drinking episode the night Brock showed up to “propose”, and her wonderful accumulation of animals, makes her an entirely likeable character. As for Brock…there’s a reason the women in town fan themselves when he walks into a room. Not only is he drop dead gorgeous, with muscles to spare mind you, he is also considerate of Lyndie’s feelings and fears and entirely respectful of them. He goes from being determined to be the one-night stand king, to Lyndie’s happily forever after. It was thrilling to watch Brock’s feelings develop from determined to leave, to determined to stay. Lyndie slowly began to change from desiring to be entirely independent, to allowing Brock to make her breakfast in the morning.
Brock and Lyndie have become delightful additions in my library of “Characters I am Truly Fond of”. Though I have finished reading it, I already can’t wait to pick it up and read it AGAIN! FIVE stars!
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.
She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans
Wealth, fame and a real-life romance she never expected—seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett lands it all when she agrees to become a pop star's fake girlfriend in this smart, utterly addictive novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt
Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths.
There's nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star's got Grammy Awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he's settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary.
Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley's image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She'll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little.
Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there's no telling what your heart will do…
WHEN IT’S REAL – REVIEW
When it’s Real is a Harlequin Teen novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt. The story features Vaughn Bennett, a seventeen year old girl struggling to make ends meet with her older sister and two younger brothers. After losing both of their parents, the Bennett sisters push themselves through school and land available jobs in order to keep themselves financially afloat. Unfortunately, money continues to grow tighter and tighter, making the future before them appears ominous and uncertain.
IN STEPS FAMOUS TEEN ROCK STAR, OAKLEY FORD, AND HIS WILD AND RECKLESS SELF…
Oakley Ford is an insanely talented musician who is stuck in the midst of the music version of writer’s block. Struggling to find inspiration and desperately wanting to work with the music producer King, Oakley finds that he must turn the scandalous gossip fodder surrounding him into something more ideal and productive. Thankfully, his agent and marketing team come up with the brilliant idea to hire a fake “normal” girlfriend for Oakley. The idea is to make him seem more personable and likable to the masses, while preventing his reputation from sliding into more infamous waters.
AND THEY DISLIKE EACH OTHER ON SIGHT.
Neither Oakley nor Vaughn is particularly thrilled at being placed together. Vaughn finds Oakley to be rude and self-absorbed, and Oakley finds Vaughn to be cold and uptight. But as they spend more time together, feelings begin to change and it becomes difficult to separate true feelings from the ones they are supposed to present to the world.
Once again, Erin Watt completely blew my mind with how amazing this story was! I could literally feel the intensity between the characters pouring off the pages. I found both characters to be equally interesting and easily relatable. The chemistry between Vaughn and Oakley was palpable, the setting was captivating, and the humor was spot on! I laughed multiple times throughout the novel, and also found myself eagerly devouring the words on the pages to see how the scenes would end. I was never disappointed.
“WHEN IT’S REAL” IS A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN MODERN LOVE STORY BRIMMING WITH LIKABLE CHARACTERS, SEARING CHEMISTRY, AND DELIGHTFUL HUMOR!
The mafia men of New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille’s Ruin & Revenge series are hard, hot, and ruthless. They show no weakness and take no prisoners. But the right woman can soften their stone cold hearts and make them come alive with dark desire.
Luca Rizzoli was nearly destroyed by a brutal betrayal that cost him his family. Now a ruthless crime boss in Las Vegas, he lets nothing touch his frozen heart...until a smoldering encounter with a beautiful stranger ignites his passion. One night isn’t enough for a man who takes what he wants—and Luca will do whatever he can to possess his mysterious temptress...
Police detective Gabrielle Fawkes lives for revenge. She lost everything at the hands of an unforgiving ruler of the Vegas underworld. Now she wants to see him six feet under. But when a near-fatal attack leads her into Luca’s arms, what was meant to be one night of unbridled passion becomes something forbiddingly more. Luca has his own agenda, but when strong, determined, kick-ass detective Gaby sets her sights on her target, Luca feels compelled to stand by her side and protect her at all costs. However, pursuing danger comes at a high price—and both Gaby and Luca must work together in order to eliminate the dark enterprise that threatens them, in Luca by Sarah Castille.
Review of Luca by Sarah Castille
Review by: April Hughes
Luca is the second novel in the Ruin and Revenge series by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille. After reading the first novel Nico, and being completed awestruck by how amazing it was, I had high hopes for the second one…and I was not disappointed. Luca continued its fascinating dive into the dark underworld of the Las Vegas mafia, with its charismatic characters and ominous rules and “guidelines”. Luca’s intensity, wickedness, and deep sense of loyalty and family made him an instant favorite of mine. In fact, I believe Mr. Luca Rizzoli- a Toscani crime boss- has the honorary position of being my current book boyfriend *sigh*
As for Gabrielle Fawkes- a narcotics (and theft) detective for the LVPD- well, I simply adored her. In fact, should I ever create a book bestie list, she would be right there near the top. Gabrielle, still recovering from the violent murder of her husband David, starts the story off by getting herself shot during her quest for revenge against the drug lord who killed him. Thankfully, this near-death experience places her in the hospital right next to the equally indisposed Luca Rizzoli. So, this cop and a mafia boss are wheeled into a hospital room…sounds like the start to a joke, right? You couldn’t be more wrong. It’s the start to an explosive, fiery, and all-consuming story of tragic loss, quests for revenge, fierce loyalty, and heart-stopping passion.
Despite being on opposite ends of the law, Luca and Gabrielle are clearly perfectly matched. Luca is feared and respected in his line of work- he has no qualms about decimating his enemies and protecting his family. Gabrielle is equally fierce about protecting those she loves- this is seen multiple times throughout the novel. She didn’t hesitate to protect her best friend from a threatening altercation with a man twice her size, and she didn’t hesitate to throw herself into a precarious situation to protect Luca (probably one of my favorite scenes in the whole book). It’s clear these two are meant to be together. They make one badass couple.
As for the rest of the novel- the secondary characters contributed wonderfully to the story. I enjoyed getting to know the unique and dynamic members of Luca’s crew. I was also intrigued by the mystery behind the drug lord Garcia, and found myself anxious to put all the pieces together with Gabrielle and the Toscani mafia.
And- I just love a good surprise ending!
All this story has done is make me hungry for the next one titled “Rocco”, which is scheduled to be released January 2nd of 2018. Do I have this book pre-ordered? Why yes, I do.
In Nico, the first book in the Ruin & Revenge series by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille, Las Vegas Mafia boss, Nico Toscani, is used to getting what he wants, whether it is having the City of Sin under his rule or a beautiful woman in his bed. But when he meets his match in the gorgeous, headstrong Mia Cordano, the daughter of a rival crime lord, all bets are off. . .
Sexy computer hacker, Mia, struggles to break free of her ruthless father’s Mafia ties...but she can’t resist the powerful and seductive Nico, who will stop at nothing to possess her. With their families locked in a brutal war for control of the city, Mia and Nico enter into a forbidden game. Will they surrender to the passion that burns between them—and risk tearing apart their families? Or will Nico be forced to betray the only woman who sets his blood on fire?
Review of Nico by Sarah Castille
Review by: April Hughes
This novel is ADDICTING!
Nico is the first novel in the Ruin and Revenge series by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille. The story follows Mia Cordano, the daughter of a violent and immoral mafia boss in Las Vegas. Unlike most of her family, Mia doe not condone the actions of her father and seeks to build a life away from that of crime. So, she becomes a hacker and starts up a business testing security systems for various legitimate and legal organizations. It is during one of these security testings that Mia meets Nico Toscani, a mafia boss for the Toscani family. Unfortunately, despite the sparks that fly between them, Mia and Nico’s families are warring due to the murder of Nico’s father.
This story may have a Romeo and Juliet feel to it, but this novel is far from that. Both main characters are strong and competent, and rather than become overwhelmed by all the obstacles stacked against them, they overcome them with clinical and strategic planning and foresight. Nico and Mia have astounding chemistry that you can practically feel leaping off the pages. Their ability to reach into the heart (metaphorically speaking, of course) of one another and see past all the hardships placed on them by their families, makes them extraordinarily compatible.
It was a thrilling journey to be sucked into the insidious underworld of the infamously glamorous Las Vegas. I have always been a fan of mafia-based stories, and was blow away by how detailed and knowledgeable the author was on the subject. The mafia families in this series are gritty, dark, sensual, dangerous, and operating from the murky gray area of right and wrong. The characters were “real” and struggled with numerous moral dilemmas.
I finished this story in less than a day. I mentally devoured it. Any spare moment that I had was filled with me snatching this book up and sticking my nose in it.
And why did there have to be an excerpt of the next novel Luca at the end?? Ugh! Now I’m going to obsess until I get my hands on him…I mean it…the book *cough*. **UPDATE** See my Review of Luca here
I discovered my love of reading at an early age and spent a great deal of my time devouring novels from mysteries like Nancy Drew, whimsical fantasies like Harry Potter, and eventually the turbulent and passionate stories in the romance genre, I found myself engrossed in a completely different world than this one. I believe it is through my experiences and the books I read, that I have developed a keen interest in a myriad of things. For that reason, The Vagaries of Us represents multiple areas of interest
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Fire's Kiss 
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
Can't Get Enough 
When It's Real 
Luca 
Nico 
