Southern Secrets by Natasha Madison (Southern #7)

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Everyone deserves to be loved! Southern Secrets is a story of overcoming your past, while learning to rely on others and open your heart.

Amelia has been hurt by an ex and refuses to open her heart to pain again, but the chemistry between her and a certain new ranch hand is enough to make them combust.

Asher knows what it's like to grow up with nothing, so when a fire causes everything he owns to go up in flames, he's forced to rely on the generosity of others.

This was a bit slow-paced, but worth the wait while the story unfolds. I loved the element of suspense behind the scenes and the fiercely protective family members. Another wonderful addition to the Southern series and I can't wait for more!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Amelia

Never make the same mistake twice is my motto. After being left in the dust of an old pickup truck, I promised that I would take care of myself and never trust another man with a sexy smirk and cowboy boots.

Then he showed up, and he's everywhere I turn. He's at the barn, he's at the bar, and now, he's my roommate. He makes me want things I shouldn't.

Asher

I grew up in foster care, and on my eighteenth birthday, I was set free. I spent years coasting from town to town. Staying wasn't a part of my plan and neither was love, especially with someone off limits.

This was all supposed to be temporary. I'm just hoping my secret doesn't destroy the only family I've ever known.

Buried secrets are never buried for long.

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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

 

❤❤❤❤❤

One of the best thrillers I've read! I devoured this book in one day and couldn't put it down. The writing makes you feel like you're right there along with Pippa as she investigates a 5 year old murder for a class project.

The only issue I had with it was the verbal variations as it was clearly written with British terms, but I've gotten used to most of the differences from previous books.

This was a roller coaster ride that I never wanted to end, with plot twists you won't see coming, which is a rarity for me anymore, so I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately bought the books in hardback so my co-worker could borrow them, mainly so I'd have someone else to discuss my theories with!

🙈 Mystery

💀 Thriller

SUMMARY:

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

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Headhunter by Kristen Proby (With Me in Seattle Mafia #2)

 

💋💋💋💋💋

Blown away from the start! Headhunter is the second book in the new spin-off series from Kristen Proby, and it's guaranteed to take the reader on a wild ride. Fans of the With Me in Seattle series will love this!

I'm completely smitten with Shane! His loyalty and alpha hero tendencies will have your heart pounding with each page. Such a gentle giant and I found myself falling for him more throughout the book. 

The banter, romance, suspense and tension are off the charts. This is definitely one I'll be reading again very soon! 

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

As the son of one of the States' most prominent mob bosses, Shane Martinelli's always been immersed in society's shady underbelly. Learning to navigate it and keep to the edges was working just fine until an acquaintance turns up missing, and he fears the worst. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he hasn't stopped thinking about her. Luckily, as an ex-special operative, he's uniquely qualified to track her down and keep her safe. Unfortunately, nobody's making that easy -- not the people who took her nor the woman herself.

Ivie Jordan has led a pretty uneventful life, and that's just how she likes it. Especially since she'll be the first to admit that she doesn't do so well in social situations. She's a proud business owner, and while she doesn't have family, she does have a network of people who look out for her. Little did she know that being accepted into that fold came with a laundry list of issues. When the worst happens, and she's forced to rely on the ruggedly handsome alpha hero who comes to her rescue, she discovers her inner badass -- and the sultry vixen on her other shoulder.

Too bad the two of them are literally running for their lives and trying to ensure the safety of those they love. There is way more at stake than meets the eye.

It's time for the hunted to become the hunters.

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Southern Heart by Natasha Madison (Southern #5)

 

❤❤👀❤❤

This romantic suspense will leave you breathless! Southern Heart will have you sitting on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Chelsea returns home after getting her nursing degree, but her world is turned on it's axis when the man she's secretly had a crush on shows up bloodied and literally on deaths door.

Mayson is a genuinely good man and just wants to live his life away from his abusive father and a past he can't seem to escape. He changed his name, and found a family he can depend on in the military, but when his past catches up with him, nobody is safe...

I was not emotionally prepared for this book, but loved every moment of it. Knowing that imminent danger lurks just around the corner kept me captivated and unable to put the book down until I finished...only to be left counting down the days until Southern Heat releases!!!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Some secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them.

Chelsea
Coming back home was supposed to be normal. Not that my life had ever been normal, but it was getting there. Then I opened the door and found a man -- broken, bloodied, and fighting for his life. I don't know why, but I said I would take care of him. I had to. Needed to. He was a mystery, showing up from out of nowhere. But he might have already stolen my heart.

Mayson Carey
The only thing I have ever wanted in my entire life was to forget who I was. Joining the military helped me do this. Keep your head down and glide through life was my new motto. No strings, no relationships. Nothing. Everything was working until a knock at the door had me face-to-face with the reason I was running. So I ran -- I fell into her arms, and she fell into my heart, but I know better than to think it'll last. Some secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them.

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Wild Child by Audrey Carlan (Soul Sister #1)

  

💜💜💜💜💜

A suspenseful romance that'll leave you breathless! Wild Child will steal your heart from the first chapter and you won't get it back in one piece.

When tragedy strikes Simone, her family rallies around her, offering their strength and support while the hunt for a killer continues. To what lengths will she go to keep her family safe, and how many innocent lives will be lost along the way?

My heart shattered a little with this book, but I'd do it all over again if I could. Audrey Carlan draws you in to the lives of foster sisters who are closer than blood, and makes you want to envelop them all in one ginormous hug to protect them.

What an amazing start to yet another great series! I'm still reeling from the story even days later, but immediately ordered the paperback so I can make my BFF read it as well. Filled with romance, drama, suspense and a little family humor, I know you'll fall in love with this story too!

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

🙈 Suspense

SUMMARY:

Twice my life changed in a single day.

The first was when I lost my parents. Hand in hand I walked with my big sister up the steps of Kerrighan House, a foster home for girls. We were lucky to be met with open arms and a house filled with children just like us. Children who'd lost everything. From that day forward, we were raised as one big family. Our bonds of sisterhood were strengthened through shared experience, pain, sacrifice, and love. Sisters not by blood, but by choice.

Soul sisters.

The second day my life changed was on the worst day of my adult life. My boyfriend broke up with me via text. My sleazy boss hit on me, forcing me to quit my job I desperately needed. And the cherry on top, was getting pulled over by an FBI Agent. Little did I know, he'd also save my life that night.

From the moment we met, Agent Fontaine wouldn't dare let me out of his sight. And between his alpha ways, kind brown eyes, and heroism, I was lost to the man who hid behind his job. But this agent had a rule: never fall for a woman you've saved.

Yet I wasn't just any woman. I was known among my sisters for taking risks and dreaming big. I was the wild child of the group. We were raised to appreciate every day as the gift it was, and not let anything stand in our way. The more I got to know the brooding, serious FBI man, the more I realized maybe it was my duty to save him.

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Dare To Tempt by Carly Phillips (Dare Nation #2)

❤❤❤❤❤

A sports romance that will keep you guessing! Dare To Tempt will captivate you from the start. As usual, having the extended Dare family you've come to love throughout both series, making several appearances throughout the story, is worth the read just for that alone.

Whether it's guessing who's trying to sabotage Damon's career or waiting to see what Evie's psycho ex will do next, I guarantee you won't be able to stop reading until the last page.

While it can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading them in order so you can appreciate the characters even more. I've loved this series so much and they just get better with each book!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

He's a smooth talking jock in trouble.
She's the solution to his problems.
Love is the last thing they expected to find.

Damon Prescott had it all. Star quarterback. Money. Fame. Now? He's being accused of taking performance enhancing drugs and banned from the sport and team he loves.

Determined to prove he's innocent, he hires tough as nails private investigator, Evie Wolfe. She's able to bring a man to his knees with a glare, yet sensual in ways that take him off guard -- and she's everything Damon didn't know he needed.

Evie's used to men dismissing her, especially playboys like Damon Prescott so she's not buying the sexual lines he's trying to sell. She's with him to do a job, nothing more. But you know what they say about the best laid plans? Sometimes you end up between the sheets with an arrogant football player anyway.

But when the case is over, can Damon convince Evie she's the only woman for him or will she leave him tied up in love?

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Keeping You Away by Kennedy Fox (Ex-Con Duet Series #1)

❤❤❤❤❤

Y'all better buckle up for Tyler's story! Keeping You Away brings us Tyler's side of the story, which I've been waiting on pins and needles for since the previous duet.

Tyler sacrificed so much to help Liam and Maddie find their happily ever after, so it's only fair we get to follow along as he tries to get a fresh start in the pursuit of his own.

The best part of any Kennedy Fox series is the characters, who never fade into the background, and you'll fall in love with them all over again with each visit.

As usual, the amazing duo of Kennedy Fox (Courtney and Lyra) weave a tale that will draw you in, counting down the days until the conclusion is release. They have me bartering my soul for the next book in the series, this is bound to be my favorite duet of theirs yet.

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

I never planned on returning to Alabama, but circumstances brought me here after years of being gone. Though Lawton Ridge is my hometown, I was hesitant to go back because of her -- my sister's best friend. The last time we were together, she was eighteen, and I was a broken soldier transitioning to civilian life.

Gemma wrote to me while I was overseas and we developed a bond I hadn't anticipated. I crushed her heart the day I left, something I've never forgotten. But now that her dad is my new boss, life just got way more complicated.

Too sweet, too innocent, too good for a guy like me -- I should walk away again.

After serving five years in prison for something I didn't do, I trust no one, but Gemma gradually breaks down my walls and exposes the pain I've hidden underneath. For her own sake, I should keep my distance, but it's nearly impossible when I hear her sweet humming while I work and she slowly draws me back in. It's a battle I didn't train for, and one I'll lose if I don't keep my restraint -- especially since she's engaged to another man.

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Under the Boardwalk by Carly Phillips (Costas Sisters #1)

🎡🎡🎡🎡

A romance that will keep you on your toes! Under the Boardwalk will keep you guessing until the last page.

The characters in this story are not to be pre-judged or underestimated, as many of them aren't as they appear. It's rare that a book can catch me off-guard, but this one had twists I didn't see coming.

Filled with quirky and lovable characters, you can't help being drawn in from the first page. I can't wait to read more about the Costas family and will be diving in to Zoe's story asap!

 💧 Drama
🔍 Mystery
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Ariana Costas may be a college professor in Vermont, but she's still a Jersey girl at heart - at least according to her lovable, eccentric Greek family. Then her twin sister, Zoe disappears and her Jersey roots tug hard. Soon Ari is back home, ducking bullets and, to her chagrin, getting rescued by a hunk in a black leather jacket.

Detective Quinn Donovan takes one look at the windblown beauty - and then looks again. If this lady isn't Zoe Costas, it's someone who looks exactly like her. Suddenly, Ari's in trouble deeper than the Atlantic at high tide, and Quinn is trying to protect her without spilling his well-guarded secrets...as deja vu just might become the love affair of a lifetime.

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Grant's Heat by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue (Shark's Edge #4)

❤❤❤❤❤

Grant's Heat will take you on a ride you're not prepared for! One of my favorite author pairings is Angel Payne & Victoria Blue: together they make you feel as though you're having a heart attack, only to be revived and put through the ringer again. As emotionally prepared as I think I am for each of their books...there's nothing you can do, just hold on and enjoy the ride!

Grant is still his swoon-worthy, dominant self that we've all fallen in love with in this series. Watching him pine over a woman he can't have, makes me love him even more. Always there if you need him, but not willing to cross any boundaries or disrespect relationships.

Rio is a whirlwind and you never know what to expect from her, so I felt like each chapter kept me on my toes and threw me for a new loop with each page. Her torment and loss hurt my heart, making me feel like a jackass for being a little glad certain events happened.

While this is definitely a romantic drama, it still has that flair of suspense, keeping you guessing what's going to be thrown at you next. I absolutely love this series and devour each book the second it's available. I can't wait for the next one, but I might need to refill my inhaler first, lol!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Grant Twombley has it all -- a successful career, a contacts list full of gorgeous and willing bedmates, and the ear of Los Angeles's most prominent captain of industry.

But being Sebastian Shark's right-hand man isn't without its challenges. Messy ones. Unknown forces still work to take down Shark Enterprises, and Grant's full focus is needed to protect their empire. But he's sitting on a scandalous secret. A truth he can't even share with his best friend. Until disaster strikes.

Rio Gibson carries dark secrets of her own. She hides them well...until her world is shattered. She holds Shark responsible, but the only person she shares her suspicions with is also the man closest to him -- the giving, gorgeous man who makes her feel so many new and surprising things. Dangerous things.

But Rio's used to handling the heat in the kitchen, and she can handle this challenge too. Getting out simply isn't an option -- no matter how bad it'll burn in the end.

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Code of Honor by April White (Cipher Security #2)

🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌

Code of Honor will keep you guessing til the last page! It's not every day that you can find a book that will make you laugh and blush, all while trying to solve a mystery.

I'm so in love with the Cipher Security series and this one is my new favorite. Characters with a lack of filter are some of the best, but Anna has NO filter and I guarantee she'll have you rolling on the floor with her antics.

Darius is the classic prince charming: good looks, dashing, smart and doing the right thing. Now if only he wasn't so tempted by the one person he should steer clear of...

This story was entertainment at it's best and I've never wanted to work in an office from a series before, but the guys crack me up and who can pass up a hidden staircase?!? Such a wonderful addition to the series!

QOTD:
"Be careful with your words, once they are said they can only be forgiven, not forgotten." - Silvana Masoud

😄 Comedy
🔍 Mystery
💋 Romance

Summary:

A painting, a panic room, a thief, and her lover...whose job is to catch her.

There are three things you need to know about Anna.
1) She's a bounty hunter with adrenaline junkie habits,
2) She's the "awkward" twin, and
3) She's a thief -- kind of.

Darius designs security systems for Cipher Security, and the strange and remarkable woman he met the night the painting was stolen is as intriguing a mystery as his hunt for the thief is.

But the lady has no filter, and she knows she can't lie to the man who looks like a Disney Prince and kisses like fairytales are true, so she runs from the one person who may actually see her as the heroine of her own story.

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Dark Magic by Danielle Rose (Darkhaven Saga #2)

💙💙💙💙💙

Dark Magic is supernatural perfection! Once banished from her coven, Ava Lopez must embrace her new vampire family. While her heart still longs for her mother, she must make the best of her new situation.

Now that Ava has discovered that her magical abilities are still strong within, her days are filled with training and learning, hoping to harness and control them before the rogue vampire out to destroy her can catch up.

This series continues to blow me away with it's many twists and turns, never knowing what to expect. Each book will leave you counting down until you can read the next one!

 💧 Drama
👽 Paranormal
🙈 Suspense

Summary:

In the heat of battle, hybrid Ava Lopez discovers she has new and fascinating powers, but she does not know how to control them. Though her former enemies have offered her refuge and helped her acclimate to the vampire lifestyle, even they don't understand her enhanced magic.

With mounting threats from Ava's former coven and reckless rogue vampires, Ava and her new friends have no choice but to request the wisdom of Holland Taylor to help her understand her powers. Holland is one of the most powerful witches Ava has ever met, and he is also Jeremiah's ex, which introduces another wrinkle.

Tension between the vampires and Ava's former coven is building, and when the witches offer a deal Ava would be remiss to reject, she is forced to choose between the life she once considered safe and the life she never wanted.

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Twice as Sexy by Carly Phillips (Sexy #2)

🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

Twice as Sexy is the perfect example of opposites attract! You can't go wrong with any book in this series, and I even love this one more than the first one, which I didn't think was possible (fight me).

This story will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat with the anticipation of what will happen next. The passion between Tanner and Scarlett is red hot from the moment they see each other, and their chemistry is undeniably instant.

When threats and demons from Tanner's past come back to haunt him, Scarlett is forced to decide whether she can trust someone who's past is everything she's come to stand against.

I absolutely loved this book, and it even had a cameo from the Dare family in it! A heart-stopping romance that will keep you entertained and counting down until the next book is released.

 🔥 Steamy Romance
🙈 Suspense

Summary:

He's the bad boy her mother warned her about.

The guy who makes her crave all the naughty things a good girl shouldn't want.

Tanner Grayson is a man outrunning the demons of his past and has the rap sheet to prove it. The only thing keeping old anger in check and him on the straight and narrow are the men he calls brothers and the club he calls home. He has no business taking the sexy woman doing shots in his club upstairs to his bed.

They never should have crossed paths. But when Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Davis lays eyes on the hot as sin club owner, she decides he's the birthday present she wants to unwrap at the end of the evening.

He tells himself it's one night. She convinces herself she deserves a short break from her latest case. But one night isn't enough and soon these two opposites are in deeper than they ever planned.

When Scarlett's case collides with Tanner's past, she sees the dangerous man he's hidden beneath the cool veneer he presents to the world. Can she accept him for who he is? Or will she run from the bad boy who makes her feel so good?

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Shark's Rise by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue (Shark's #3)

🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Shark's Rise is filled with danger you won't see coming! With multiple threats and problems to solve, this is a journey you won't be able to get enough of.

I stayed up til almost 3am to finish each of these books (the downside to waiting until bedtime to start reading a new book, lol), and couldn't stop thinking about the story for days.

Abbi already had a heart of gold going into this adventure, but I loved being able to watch her character grow stronger with each book in the Shark's Edge series.

Sebastian has my heart, but there were still moments that I wanted to kick him where he'd feel it for a week. You can see how having Abbigail in his life has changed him for the better, although he still has plenty to learn about women.

The authors take Abbi and Bas's story to a whole new level with this book. While it doesn't tie everything up, you get enough answers to hold you over until Grant's story is released in May. This is definitely a series you don't want to miss out on!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance
🙈 Suspense

Summary:

When a dream is taken to the edge of destruction, what will it take to rise again?

Abbigail Gibson has finally broken through Sebastian Shark's staunch defenses, erected through years of having to fight for his multimillion-dollar success and the skyscraper that will be his legacy.

But as construction starts on the Edge, the foundations of Sebastian's world are crumbling. Security has been breached, lives have been taken, and Bas has no choice but to hide Abbi to secure her safety. But at what price? As each day goes by, Abbi's health drains away by frightening degrees. Has he kept her safe, only to sacrifice her vitality? Her light?

Separated, miserable, and on the trail of bizarre clues that lead to dead-end shadows, Sebastian and Abbigail can't be sure of anything anymore...until destiny intervenes with a precious gift for them both.

They must now decide between living in fear, letting enemies shatter their trust and destroy their bond, or defy the odds and believe in their love -- and see just how they can rise.

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Shark's Pride by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue (Shark's #2)

🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Shark's Pride is a heart-stopping thrill ride! This series is taking my heart by storm and holding it captive with every page. I've gladly lost sleep while devouring each book and count down the days until the next release.

Filled with plot twists and turns you won't see coming, Abbi and Sebastian's journey has just begun, but will they survive against an unknown threat, when it seems like several people are out to destroy their happiness.

If you want a series that you won't be able to stop thinking about, this is the one for you! The writing is superb and the authors have the perfect way of drawing you into the story, making it so you never want it to end.

 💧 Drama
🔥 Steamy Romance

Summary:

Dreams come at a price...

Hidden enemies are tormenting Sebastian Shark. They're determined to see his reputation in shreds and his plans for building The Edge in ruins. To make matters worse, Abbigail Gibson has written him off for good, choosing to believe their night of blistering passion was just another one of his playboy conquests.

When an unexpected visitor arrives on Sebastian's doorstep, he can no longer ignore the danger Abbigail is in because of him. Someone has declared war, and the woman he loves could become collateral damage. Unacceptable.

But Abbi's not about to ditch the man of her dreams just because things get tough.

His rules. Her trust. His world. Her safety. Their power struggle threatens to rip them apart again - but believing in their dream is the only way they'll survive.

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Shark's Edge by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue (Shark's #1)

🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Shark's Edge is the beginning of a thrilling ride! The story will hold you captive, between the white-hot chemistry, witty banter, and mystery. I guarantee you won't be able to put it down until the last page, and even then, you'll be counting down until the next book releases. (Lucky for me I already have it!)

Abbigail Gibson wants nothing more than to follow her dreams, but the one person she can't get out of her head, is Sebastian Shark.

Sebastian Shark lives up to his name, and has never come across someone who makes him second guess his decisions, until the tempting redhead name Abbigail enters his office.

The secondary characters are wonderful in this story, from Bas's best friend Grant, to Abbi's partner in crime, who also happens to be her sister-in-law. These two provide sanity and laughter, through their unfiltered advice.

I couldn't get enough of this story - with the underlying mystery that will have you continuously guessing, to the back and forth steamy banter between Bas and Abbi, you'll devour this book and be begging for more.

Angel Payne & Victoria Blue make one hell of a dynamic writing duo, and one of my favorites. The Shark's Edge series is definitely right up there among the best and I can't wait to see where they take us next in this journey filled with romance, angst and a little suspense!

 💧 Drama

🔥 Steamy Romance

Summary:

Sebastian Shark is on the verge of realizing his dream. The Edge -- the most luxurious Los Angeles skyscraper ever conceived -- will be his legacy, an icon to dominate LA's skyline just as Shark dominates its boardrooms.

Self-made businesswoman Abbigail Gibson is on a trajectory toward massive success, but to get there, she must navigate the egos of her demanding clients -- particularly the driven and obstinate Shark, who possesses the special talent of aggravating and arousing her within the same breath.

They are a collision of chemistry, but is their potent attraction toward each other worth losing sight of their ultimate goals? Taking a bite of passion has never carried more risk -- or promised sweeter reward.

Fate has other ideas, however, as Sebastian is targeted by unknown enemies and Abbi is caught in the fray. Will the danger draw them closer or drive them apart?

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