Queen of the Knight (Surrender Games #2) by Lydia Michaels #bookreview

Queen of the Knight (Surrender Games #2)

by Lydia Michaels (Goodreads Author)

The game has changed and no player’s position is safe…

In a world of power, money, deceit, and lust, no player is exactly how they seem. Love and trust are at stake when the game is changed and old enemies come out of hiding, disguised as friends.

Isadora Patras must proceed wisely. After thirteen years of heartbreak and denial, she no longer trusts her instincts. One man embodies her past, the other could be her future, but which one holds her heart? Isadora must choose between her family and two very different men. Either way, her choice could cost her everything.

In a game of kings, bishops, rooks, and knights there are no guarantees. But if Isadora wants to be a Queen, someone will have to lose.

The Surrender Games Series should be read after The Surrender Trilogy.

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Part 2 in a spin off series

My Queen of the Knight Review . . .

After Sacrifice of the Pawn, I've been dying to find out what happened with Isadora and who won her heart.

I love the hidden strength of Isadora, which just continues to bloom in the Queen of the Knight.   Our first love is always the hardest to get over and poor Isadora is suffering from the same fate.   She knows what is good for her, but she can't let go of 'what if'.   Especially because she invested so much time into Sawyer.

~ It was the hardest truth she'd ever come to accept.  Sawyer, Parker . . . It didn't matter.  She wanted someone to love without hesitation, without conditions.  Irrevocably.  Passionately.   And eternally.~ 

As Parker's presence in her life starts to grow, Sawyer wants more and is finally ready to give her everything she has every wanted.   But now Isadora has to choose.

"Maybe you're not supposed to have control.  I'm not an expert, but maybe love isn't something you manage.  Maybe it's something that happens  to you whether you're ready or not. . . ."

I love Parker's character and how he had to face his own demons to give a chance on love and his potential happiness.

"But you know what love should be.  It should be so passionate, so blatant, there's no room for guessing.  Love decides for us, not the other way around.  It's everything we are and were and will be, folded into an emotion too powerful to control.  You shouldn't have to stop and think if you still love someone.  You either feel it or you don't."
"It's never been that easy for me.  There are always conditions."
"Then it's not an unconditional love.  I think when you find the right person, everything else is proven wrong.  True love should be the most real thing you know."

I have to admit I did quite like Sawyer in the first one but as the end of Sacrifice of the Pawn came near, Sawyer started to change.  Or his true colors came out.  And as Queen of the Knight continued he became less and less endearing.  However, I know what first love can do, so you saw Isadora's struggle.  And because Isadora deserves everything,  I was going to be okay with whatever choice she made.

Isadora is torn but there can only be one.

"I think people are like books,"  he whispered.  "Sometimes we rush to get to the end, but the best stories are meant to be savored.  You always hear how some couples know each other well enough to finish each other's sentences.  I don't want to finish your sentences, Isadora.  I care too much about what you have to say.  And I'm paying close enough attention to read between the lines."

As Isadora is trying to be comfortable with her choice, another heartbreak is bestowed upon her causing all kinds or emotional upheaval.   This part of the story absolutely gutted me but it also cemented the rightness of her choice.

I love Lydia Michaels, and she continues to amaze on her ability to write a beautiful story.   I can't wait to read more from this author and this series.

4 The queen finds her king thumbs up!

Lauren

Dirty Rich One Night Stand by Lisa Renee Jones #bookreview

Lisa Renee Jones is back with a sexy, stunning STANDALONE: DIRTY RICH ONE NIGHT STAND!

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE: Dirty, Rich One Night Stand

GENRE: Contemporary Steamy Romance

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2017

ABOUT THE BOOK

DIRTY, RICH ONE NIGHT STAND.

That's all it was supposed to be. Her. Him. Pleasure. And then a fast goodbye. He's a stranger. And yet, he's not. She knows him even though he doesn’t know her.

He's the powerful attorney, now world-renowned after coming off the trial of a century which was publicized across the country. And I'm one of the reporters that sat in his courtroom.

I watched him, studied him, got to know him from afar which isn't hard since I know his exact brand of confidence, arrogance, and wealth.

I know his type. I've dated his type. Which is why when I happen to come face to face with him, when sparks fly and heat simmers between us, I know what happens if I say "yes" to Reese Summer. 

I know he'll taste like sin and sex, even before he kisses me.

I know he'll feel like pleasure and passion, even before he touches me.

I know he'll demand more than I wants to give, and yet, because I dare to give myself to him, the result will be deliciously hot.

I know that I will not leave his bed without being utterly, completely sated. 

And I know that I will leave the next morning anyway.

And so, I do. 

And so, he follows.

And as chase begins my question becomes: Is Reese Summer THE one or is he really just a dirty, arrogant lie that should have stayed a one night stand?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US ➜ http://bit.ly/DirtyRichAmazon
Amazon CA➜ http://bit.ly/DirtyRichAmazonCA
Amazon UK ➜ http://bit.ly/DirtyRichAmazonUK

AUTHOR INFORMATION

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

AUTHOR SOCIAL LINKS

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones

Website - http://lisareneejones.com/ 

Newsletter - http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LisaReneeJones

Instagram - http://instagram.com/lisareneejones

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LisaReneeJones

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Standalone

My Dirty Rich One Night Stand Review . . .

Dirty Rich One Night Stand is a standalone but is a tie over with the Walker Security series.  I have to admit I haven't yet read the Walker Security Series but reading this just cemented my need to finally read that series.

It's been awhile since I read a Lisa Renee Jones book but I'm glad my drought is over.  This was everything that is Lisa Renee Jones plus a bit more.  We have suspense and drama as well as strong characters and loads of steam.  At first I was worried that this book was going to be too much sex and not enough story, but it ended up being a nice balance of both.  I liked the way the book was set up with Cat's column which helped change the dynamics of the story.   The idea of the book could have been too similar to other books within this genre, but that little nuance of the column helped change the way the book flowed.   Instead it was engaging, and fresh.  I liked Cat and Reese. They were the perfect coupling.

They both have their walls set in place from their pasts but their instant meet changed everything.  Reese may have come across as an arrogant asshole but he quickly proved to be the opposite.  Cat likes the idea of one and done so she can guard her heart, but Reese is a man on a mission and he wants Cat for the long haul.  Now he just has to convince her.

As we are getting the story of Cat and Reese, it coincides with the Trial that Reese is defending and Cat is covering.   Once the trial is done, we think that it should be smooth sailing for these two, but nope they have a few more hurdles and demons to face before then can have their HEA. 

I quite liked this book.  It had a great balance of sweet and sexy.   Now that I've read this I can't wait for more from this author.  First up is to finish the Walker Security series.  Can't wait.

3 . 5 Sweet & Sexy Thumbs up!

  . 5

Lauren

Maverick by Karina Halle Blog Tour #bookreview #teasers

 

 

Maverick by Karina Halle Release Date: October 17th Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

 

Maverick, an all-new contemporary STANDALONE by New York Times Bestselling author Karina Halle is LIVE!!!

 

Maverick is a complete standalone novel and the second book about the rough and rugged Nelson brothers. Get ready for one wild alpha mountain man - Canada's never felt so hot!

Forget playing it safe.

John “Maverick” Nelson likes to live his life on the edge – literally. A crucial member of the search and rescue team in the mountainous British Columbian town of North Ridge, Maverick’s brash and bold attitude means he’s the first one to ascend into danger, no matter the risk.

When it comes to women, though, Maverick errs on the side of caution. For all his cocky charm, rugged good looks and sexual swagger, he remains as unreachable as the surrounding peaks. Hot, wild sex? He’ll tell you there’s no better way to spend a cold, wintry night. Relationships? He’d rather freeze.

That is until he lays his eyes on American Riley Clarke. Trading in the crippling expenses of Aspen for BC, Riley is North Ridge’s newest member of their search and rescue team and the only woman on the job, which means spending a lot of time with Mav in adrenaline-pumping situations.

With the chemistry between them hot enough to melt snow, keeping their hands off each other is detriment to the success of their team. Besides, Maverick’s her boss and she didn’t work her ass off in Colorado just to throw it all away for some mind-blowing sex.

But when the worst winter in years sweeps in, Riley and Maverick will have to battle the elements along with their attraction for each other. And if either of them slip up, both of them will be in for a deep freeze. 

 

Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2yvfC70

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ghnwqQ

iBooks: http://apple.co/2y9gYoh

Nook: http://bit.ly/2zcY4KC

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zq2JK1

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/Trpi1f 

 

Meet Karina:

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Dirty Angels and over 20 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books. Halle is represented by the Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.
 

Connect with Karina:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinahalle/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vo9pq4

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

Join her Reader Group: https://goo.gl/wpCBSS

Stay up to date with Karina by signing up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/Ve4eCh

http://authorkarinahalle.com

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Social Butterfly PR

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Part 2 of a series but can be read as a standalone

My Maverick Review . . . 

Confession time. . .  This is my first Karina Halle book!!! What I know!  Scandalous!  However, it will not be my last.  I have so many of her books on my kindle but never got around to reading, so when this opportunity came, I jumped on it taking the plunge.   I also regret not reading Wild Card first.  I know Maverick can be considered a standalone but I'm a bit OCD so I like to read series in order plus I always feel it gives more to the back story which I missed.  However, I will be backtracking and reading it soon, plus many, many, many more from this talented author.

Riley Clarke is a strong girl working for the SARS team in Colorado but when her best friend and unrequited love is in a terrible accident it causes Riley to start fresh somewhere else.  Now Riley finds herself in the middle of the North Ridge in BC, working for her new handsome boss, John “Maverick” Nelson. 

~ But closure doesn't mean a door closing on pain.  You can have peace and pain at once.  The heart can weather any storm.~

Maverick is the town's ladies man and doesn't do commitment but something about Riley is different.   As Riley and Maverick wade through their attraction and work politics they are also rescuing one person at a time.

However, not all rescues are a success and for some this can effect more than others with their pasts.

"The one thing we can't buy, can't find, can't . . . rescue, is time.  Take it from me.  Time is an unstoppable force, moving us all toward the same end.  Sometimes that end happens for some sooner than it happens for others.  Sometimes others are left behind.  But we, as those who still experience time, we have a duty to those who have gone.  We have to use every second we have.  Life is too fucking short to feel guilty.  We all feel it, and sometimes we deserve it, but acknowledge it and move on.  Don't let it hold you back.  Don't sacrifice the time you have left.  Its' a gift that so many don't have.  Believe me.  It's all going to be over before you know it."

Both Maverick and Riley have a past but its not always easy moving forward.    This book was a great mix of sexy and fluffy.  It had drama without all the normal insecurities you find within this genre.  It had loads of steam but a nice balance with the soft and sweet as well.   Can't wait for more from this author and this series.

3 . 5 Another ladies man off the market thumbs up!

  . 5

Lauren