ARC Aug 10/ The Duke's Midnight Bride by Elizabeth Everly updated ARC on 8-7-26

   For any other questions, please contact:
Elizabeth Everly <elizabeth@elizabetheverly.com>

"She had given up everything for a child who was not hers. He was the first man who noticed there was nothing left."

Lady Beatrice Ellingham crossed two miles of moor in a storm to knock on the door of the most feared man in England.

She arrived soaked through, holding a seven-month-old boy who was not her son. Her sister is dead. The child's father ruins people for sport. And Beatrice has spent her name, her prospects, and every hope she had left keeping that secret safe.

No one has ever asked what it cost her.

The Duke of Ravenshaw has not opened his house to a living soul in seven years. Cold, exacting, content to let society call him monstrous, Magnus Harrington wants nothing but to be left alone. Then the child's father appears on his gravel at dawn, smiling, asking after a young lady he claims to be concerned for.

So Ravenshaw does the one thing that will put her beyond reach. He announces she is to be his wife.

My 5 Star Review Titled:  Humor amidst Dangers

 

I fell in love with Beatrice almost immediately and her maid Martha ran a cross second ! 

They were both stubborn, determined and totally NOT afraid of any duke or debating with him either ! No way were they leaving. Her dead sister was the love of her life. She was delightful, naive and sometimes reckless. Honest to a fault, intelligent t but NOT about charming man. Beatrice and Martha don't they end up totally taking over that cold place. It will never be the same again !  There were so many interesting people in that household that made me smile !

Ned and his volumes of dislikes was hilarious ! And his quick ability to like the Duke and his fancy neck ties and his destroying them antics was also hilarious !!!

 Lord Voss is without a doubt the evil villain of the piece. Charming and all.  Every one in the Duke's house that needs to know; see Voss clearly.  Ravenshaw hates Voss with a passion and wished that he acted on Lady Julia's behalf so much earlier.  Now, no matter what happens he will NOT back down. Even when Voss begins to up the ante with innuendo and gossip spreading at events! Ravenshaw regrets shutting himself in a cold house and pushing everyone away ! Ravenshaw says he never smile and has no sense of humor. Turns out he can smile and has a dry wit ! It didn't really take long to like him either. 

The events are intense and I love  how the whole household of the duke's begins to feel warmer and more welcoming ! They all fall in love with Beatrice, Ned and even the housekeeper has respect for managing, bossy Martha,  Even one of the main gossiper in their social circle is won by Beatrice and she helps turn the tide in their favor too ! I loved that part too.  

I loved the ending and the extended Epilogues !

I was give an ARC by the author and was so glad that I read it ! 

ARC Bkfunnel/ Luna's First Misadventures by L.L. Gray

   

Before Havenwood, there was Luna, a sharp-tongued moon rabbit who never meant to stay on Earth. She definitely never meant to get involved. But when trouble crosses her path, Luna discovers that being small, overlooked, and underestimated makes her very good at solving problems no one else can.

From suspiciously fluffy situations to a radish-related incident that spirals wildly out of control, and one unforgettable cabbage catastrophe, these three cozy magical tales reveal how Luna became the rabbit no one sees coming and no one forgets.

My 4 Star Review: Titled: Cute

Although not my favorite story; it was charming, unusual and creatively written.  I received an ARC of this book. 

ARC-aug 15/Bksprout/ Kidnapped by the Bratva King (Kings of Blood) by Sasha Cross

   Bksprout

I watched the Bratva king execute a man.

Instead of killing me...

He decided I was his.

Now I'm trapped inside Aleksei Sokolov's mansion with the most feared man in New York.

He's ruthless. Possessive. The kind of man who could snap a neck without blinking... then pin me against a wall just to remind me I'm his to protect.

Every day I tell myself I'll escape.

Then he stitches me back together with those same dangerous hands. Watches every man in the room like he's already planning the funeral. Makes it impossible to remember I'm supposed to be planning my escape.

Somewhere between midnight confessions, bruising kisses, and realizing the safest place in the world is in my enemy's arms...

I fall for the man who stole my freedom.

Now a rival Bratva wants me dead.

A traitor is hiding inside his empire.

And the only man dangerous enough to burn the world to keep me alive...

May be the same man I have to betray to save us both.

Explicit

235 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Dark Romance mafia romance Enemies to Lovers Romance Forced Proximity Opposites Attract Protector Romance Touch her and die romance Possessive alpha hero romance Captive romance Forced marriage romance Russian mafia romance

Hosted by Sasha Cross Romance

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download)

My 5 Star Review Title: Layers of danger & Mysteries 

30 year old Natasha Miller  is a Forensic Accountant who is smart as a whip and she reports to a man in the FBI named Dean Wilson; he is her contact.  And the man above him is also mentioned. I wasn't sure that I totally trusted with one of them. The FBI and IRS want to nail the Sokolov Bratva.  Natasha was orphaned young and the only other relative that she has is her sister Anna. She will do what she has to so that she can protect not only herself but also her sister !

Aleksei has a whole lot of people to keep a handle on. His inner group is Nikolai, Ivan (the dangerous man with a quick wit and grin) and Vlad. His sister, Irina also shows up in the story.  I really liked this group a lot and Aleksei grew on me quickly because although dangerous; he was a man of his word.  His older brother Grigori through tradition should have been the Pakhan but his late father decided differently ! I didn't like or trust him from the get go !! But then again I thought that maybe this was just a false rabbit trail !

Aleksei's council and his brother are pushing for him to eliminate Natasha but that only made me think that someone close to him is really afraid that Natasha is getting to close and they REALLY want her gone ! 

The puzzle is deep and at times I did get lost in some of the details of the trails but it is intense and made me really want to know who that close traitor is.  And I really wanted to see Natalia and  Aleksei not only catch the thieves/traitors and to also make it out alive to live and prosper together !

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Aug15 Bksprt/ The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride Sins of the Bratva by Ariana Cooper

 Bksprt

 

I lied about having a fiancé.
Now I'm being forced to marry a Pakhan.

One desperate lie.
One crowded nightclub.
One dangerously handsome stranger.

To escape my abusive ex, I pointed at a man across the room.
Wrapped my hand around his arm.
And claimed he belonged to me.

I expected him to play along.
I expected him to walk away.
I expected a lot of things.

I never expected Emil Nikitin.

The most feared Pakhan in America.
A man built from violence and power.
A man nineteen years older than me.
A man who always gets what he wants.

And now...

He wants me.

One reckless lie turns me into the Pakhan's Accidental Bride.

My brothers are furious.
My stalker ex refuses to let me go.
And Emil refuses to let anyone near me.

He places guards outside my door.
Shadows my every step.
And looks at me like I'm already wearing his ring.

I should be terrified.

Instead, I'm falling.

For the dangerous man beneath the designer suits.
For the lonely soul hidden beneath the scars.
For the Pakhan who would destroy anyone who threatens what's his.

But loving Emil was never the real danger.
Trusting him is.

Because while I'm planning a wedding...

Emil is keeping secrets.

Dark ones. Violent ones.

The kind that could shatter everything between us.

And when I finally learn the truth about the man I'm about to marry...

Walking away may be impossible.
But staying could destroy me.

Author’s Note: A steamy standalone romance featuring a possessive Bratva Pakhan, a forced marriage, an age-gap romance, an abusive ex, protective hero vibes, family drama, danger, suspense, and enough obsession to make your heart race.
No cheating. No cliffhanger. Guaranteed HEA.

Mature

451 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Dark Romance bratva romance forced marriage age gap romance mafia romance alpha male forbidden romance organized crime arranged marriage marriage of convenience

Hosted by Ariana Cooper

Must review on:

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My 5 star review TITLED: Emil & Fiery Kiera

Keira's ex, Arnie is a dangerous stalker. He's been abusive, controlling in one of the reasons she left him. But he still won't leave her alone. So of course, she chooses Emil Nikitin not knowing who you really is. She was there at the bar dancing with her friends Jess and Sarah. They wanted to get her out of the awful way of life she been forced into while she was trying to avoid Arnie! 

I have to admit that I had a love hate relationship when it came to her brothers. They were so overprotective of Kiera get it almost made me want to scream!  Her brothers were really a buzz kill. Early in the chapters,  I said out-loud "I want to slap her in the head . she's so dumb!!" I threw my kindle down for awhile. So I can safely say yes, I got emotional involved. Her brother Jack is going to be a problem. He's a cop and he starts to work into the activity of Emil and the organization. He's been warned multiple times but this could get him , & the family killed. Emil is trying to protect them all. He's got his hands full, even though Luca, his right hand man is there for him, even when he's amused by some of the antics. I really liked Luca, he added a lot of the story!

The story is intense, emotional and Emil turns out to quite the surprise and I liked him and Kiera fighting to be together. Often fighting each other at times. Hot scenes between them too.

The ending is great as is the Epilogue.

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Bksprt Aug 6/ Her Father's lawyer- Book 1 of The Daddy's Best Friend Club BY Alice Newgate

  Bksprt

 

He had me against the wall before I could say a single word about my divorce.

His hands were warm through my dress. His voice was low enough to make me forget why I was there.

“Eden.” Just my name. That was all it took.

 

Atlas Cain is the sharpest divorce attorney in Connecticut and my father’s closest friend. He’s been in every photograph from every birthday I’ve ever had.

He never looked at me. Until I walked into his office with a shattered engagement and a file that made even him go quiet.

He tried to keep this professional. Twice. I watched him lose that battle both times.

“You’re my client.”
“Then act like it.”
“I’m trying.”

He isn’t.

His son is in high school. My father plays poker with him every Tuesday night.

There are exactly zero reasons this doesn’t destroy everything.

We found every one of them. Then locked the door anyway.

 

He’s been off-limits her entire life.

Find out what happens when she stops letting him pretend otherwise.

Grab your copy of Her Father’s Lawyer — available now in Kindle Unlimited.

READER’S NOTE

A scorching forbidden romance between a powerful attorney and his best friend’s daughter. Expect dominant heroes, slow-burn tension, and heat that doesn’t quit. Age gap · daddy’s best friend · forbidden · single dad. Standalone HEA. No cheating. No cliffhangers.

Explicit

420 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Young Adult / New Adult Romance Inspired Romance single dad older man romance best friends dad romance novel steamy age gap romance books secret romance off limits man possessive older man romance Age gap Steamy romance New Adult Romance Older man romance

Hosted by Alice Newgate's Team

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download)

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 MY 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Her mother Eve, knew before anyone else 

 

 26-year-old Eden goes to lawyer 46-year-old Atlas to ask for his help and getting a divorce. Her husband Tristan Beauchamp cheated on her with her best friend. And she had caught them in act. They don't know yet that Eden had seen them! Eden's father the senator, with someone an Atlas had known for years and Atlas called him Chip. At least when they were in private. There are at least nine other men who gather at the Senator's estate where they have a time together and play over and drink some.  Eden has several sisters in a super sweet housekeeper that has known all of them since birth. She's watching what's going on and often smile secretly. Eden also starting to notice some things. What's going on with Hadley and Sterling? Aspen & Hawk? Sloane being watched by Cole? 
I absolutely adore her mother Eve and all the memories and her plans. In fact I loved the whole family & the extended guys too ! 
Tristan her soon to be ex & his family are a piece of trash. So is the opposing senator Vivienne and some of her staff. I loved how Foster digs deep and roots out all the deep betrayals.  I had questions about Atlas's ex Helena and her next husband. But that all gets sorted out but it takes a while. I absolutely loved the sweet careful romance between Atlas & Eden. And the year later Epilogue.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

bksprout Aug 7-20,26/ Mafia Don's Inked Bride: An Age Gap Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance by Piper Raven

  Bksprout

My father always told me that ink never lies.

The day he finishes the championship tattoo on Miami's most celebrated MMA fighter, he places his battered sketchbook in my hands and tells me never to let it out of my sight.

By sunrise the next day, I'm a wife.

By sunset, my father is dead.

Now I'm married to Mickey Barbetti—the ruthless mafia don I've spent years trying to avoid. He's ten years older. Dangerously possessive. Relentlessly protective.

And bound by a promise he made my father long before I had any say in my own future.

I should hate him.

Instead, I'm trapped beneath the same roof, sleeping beside the same man, while trying to unravel the only thing my father left behind.

His sketchbook.

At first, the pages hold nothing but tattoo designs. Until I realize the ink is hiding something far darker.

A message. A warning. A death sentence.

My father uncovered a deadly conspiracy buried beneath Miami's championship fighting world—and someone will do anything to keep it hidden.

Now they're coming for the sketchbook. They're coming for me.

And the only man standing between me and the grave is the husband I never wanted.

But somewhere between Mickey's possessive protection, stolen kisses, and the dangerous secrets pulling us deeper into a world of blood and betrayal...

I stop pretending this marriage is temporary. Because Mickey Barbetti may have married me because of a promise. But now I'm carrying his heir.

And he'll burn Miami to the ground before he lets anyone take his pregnant wife from him.

And I'm beginning to realize... I might do the same for him.

Explicit

460 pages

English

Crime Fiction Contemporary Romance Dark Romance arranged marriage age gap surprise pregnancy forced proximity alpha male bad boy with a good heart protector kidnapping enemies to lovers touch her and die

Hosted by Piper Raven

Note from the Author

Sizzling Mafia Romance that will make your heart skip a beat. Plot driven and intense with twists and turns that will make you become a professional page turner. Reader discreation is advised! Note: You may receive a copy that contains unedited sections.

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

 

MY 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Hot & Unexpectedly Tender often at the same time

Olivia Rossi's father Antonio has left her quite the legacy. In memories of a life time and the precious tattoo sketchbook. It holds untold mysteries. As of yet ! Miami is the setting and Mickey Barbetti is the one that enters the picture when Antonio wants Olivia protected.  Mickey has high regard to Antonio and doesn't know what's coming but promises to marry Olivia.  The best protection that he can offer. He meets a FURIOUS bride at the altar but they get married anyway.  I loved the dual P.O.V.'s and his family and staff were the best. His mother Isabella I fell in love with really quickly and his brother Rico the fighter was hilarious, loud and faithful to his family and his craft.  Olivia's best friend Chloe was a hoot and I enjoyed her part in the story as well. Toni is on his protection detail and Sophie is someone who works in the house. All great additions!

I loved the humor in the family especially between Olivia and Mickey; they develop into quite a team. And Mickey and Olivia quickly have hot times of marital scenes as well.

Victor is a very dangerous, clever, rich man who is moving Rico like a chess piece.  I was afraid Rico was going to be killed.

 The action is intense, the tattoos holding so much when it came to working out the hidden clues.  Great pacing, mysteries with an outrageously good ending and an even better Epilogue !

 P.S. I loved the whole idea of a story that surrounded so much around tattoos and the unique way the story ran. 

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

-------- 

Not in the review- His mother lets it slip on purpose that Mickey is actually named Michelangelo.

 

Jun 02 2026 Netgalley Read Now/Marion by Leah Rowan

  Netgalley Link

 Pub Date Jun 02 2026 | Archive Date Jun 16 2026

 St. Martin's Press

 General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers

 

A twist on Hitchcock’s iconic classic Psycho—where the leading lady doesn't die, but instead turns the knife on Norm, kicking off a crime spree that turns the silver screen victim into a heroine for our times.

NORMAN WAS HER FIRST.

Marion is in deep. She's stolen money from the Manhattan ad agency where she works in a desperate bid to help her sister escape an abusive marriage, but the bus breaks down before she can make it to Saratoga Springs. It's late at night, and the only place with vacancies is an old set of cabins on the outskirts of town. She pays for a room in cash, and ends up chatting with Norm, the young innkeeper who's handsome, charming and a touch hung-up on his elderly mother. Back in her room, she steps into the shower, scrubbing off the late-summer heat, when the curtain is pulled back...

Norm Billings is there with a knife. He raises his arm to strike, but before he does, Marion knees him in the balls, grabs the knife, and stabs the life out of him. Now, she's covered in blood, and she's a woman on the run—not just a thief, but a killer, too. Where will she go? How will she save both herself and her sister? And what mysteries will she uncover as she does?

In Psycho, Hitchcock shocked audiences when he killed off his protagonist. But what if the leading lady had fought back? Marion offers an alternate history of the most famous dead blonde to ever grace the silver screen. Only this time, the knife is in her hands—and she's no victim.

---

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781250416469
PRICE	$29.00 (USD)
PAGES	336

My 4 Star Review TITLED: Odd, Tense Story

 I liked the eBook cover, it caught my attention. 

The story starts o July 28, 2023  and starts out pretty normally. Marion has a big sister Lauren who is 5 years older who adores Marion even before she was born. And Marion adores her too and acts almost more like the older sister than Lauren. The phrase that repeats in Marion's brain and thoughts is to protect Lauren because she is the stronger sister.   And will she will ANYTHING that it takes to do just that especially when she finds out Rob is abusing Lauren.  Marion had always felt that Rob was like an older brother because things started out so well for years. Then suddenly Marion began to  see things about her sister's marriage that scared her.  Lauren could end up dead. Not on her watch !

But before things escalate, she does something stupid because her boss talks her into it. Now she's on the run with a lot of money !  Now people are after her for that money. Of all the worse times to meet Norm ! He's handsome, charming and helpful. But for me he gave me a creepy feeling like a Norman Bates feeling !!

Suddenly a woman named Hannah shows up in the story and I was wondering how does she figure in?   Turns out she's looking for a missing woman named Emily Stockton and this could be her big break if she finds her.  

This was a twisted, tense story with Marion's mother's thoughts in her head.  Turns out Marion is no beauty queen with no skills. She is clever and she plans on getting out clean.   The surprises just keep coming. I was a bit confused towards the end because things were a bit unclear on the timing until I realized the story was switching between time lines. That part I didn't like so much.

I read this book through Netgalley and it was a wild ride.