bkfunnel/ Death in Onsen by Ann Rose

   For any other questions, please contact:
Ann Rose <annrosetheauthor@gmail.com>

A struggling food show, a marriage on the rocks, and a dead influencer in the Japanese hot spring...

What do they have in common? Me.

 

When my soon-to-be-ex and I arrived in this beautiful Japanese spa village to film our YouTube food show, becoming a murder suspect wasn't part of my content strategy.

But after a famous influencer propositioned my husband and I told her where to stick her yoga mat, she turned up dead in the hot spring. Now I'm racing to solve the crime before I either become the next victim or star in "Japanese Prison Cuisine" for life.

Between faking marital bliss for our fans, a blackmail note, and my actor husband's TV-cop "expertise," this Japanese getaway has become my worst nightmare. (Okay, at least the sushi is to die for).

My grandma always said I had a talent for kneading myself into fine messes, but this might just be my masterpiece.

Death In Onsen is the delicious first course of An International Foodie Mystery. Perfect for fans who love their mysteries served with a side of snark, a pinch of romance, and a generous helping of international intrigue.

My 4 STAR REVIEW TITLED:  Megan deserves Better (Just a Taste)

As I was reading it I kept thinking, "Dump that handsome, entitled bum, Reed Prescott.!" Follow through on it. He really is a man-child like she said.  He played Detective Bennett on TV until he got killed off and now he's the main face on their Vlog together. He constantly complains and leaves her with all the work. He had one moment of thoughtfulness. 

Megan does get some good, funny digs in though. When Aurora Wynters  another Vlogger who is a fake, not nice lady, Reed goes all googly eyed ! Sure, she's a wealthy multi-millionaire from her work.  But she's fake from the ground up and makes her assistant work like a slave. 

The story though short had potential however: 

I liked that it was set in Japan and I got to read about different things abut the food and culture but it did end in a cliffhanger which I  don't like.  To be this edition was a bookfunnel one. Just not sure if I will be following up in:

The full book link is Amazon 

bkfunnel/ Surrender Your Tomorrow by A.L. Jackson

  For any other questions, please contact:
A.L. Jackson <aljacksonauthor@gmail.com>

 Redemption Hills

Taylor always knew she couldn't suffer the same fate as her sister. Being under the rule of her father and his corrupt regime couldn't be the story of her life. She aches for the chance to spread her wings. That chance comes when her sister asks for her help ending the reign their father has over them. Taylor is more than happy to step up to the challenge, and she knows exactly how to do it. Seduce the sexy, dangerous biker who has been charged with guarding the secret that will set them free... 

 

MY  5 STAR review TITLED:  Wild Biker & Wild Woman Meet

 

Taylor does not want to meet the same fate of her sister, Aster . Their father was an Italian Boss in LA and is greatly feared. He married Aster of to her cruel husband Jarek Urso. And Taylor only wants to get Aster out of the marriage and back with her first love. It's a hard task. Jarek is as dangerous as he is cruel.

Taylor is a hoot ! She finds it isn't that hard to want to seduce the dangerous biker that calls himself ,Unit.  He's hot, dangerous and she suddenly finds that she's tired of being the "good guy." He resists at first but not really that hard even though he knows the leader of his MC will not be happy with him either. They do enjoy each other a lot. Unit really has met his match and it leaves him smiling, as they run for cover. They do have a HEA for now and there is more in a full book called, "Never Look Back." (Book 3.) It has Aster and Logan's story.  Sounds good. 

--------------------Amazon link Book 3   -----

ARC- kindle bought/ Claimed By My Family's Rival: An Enemies to Lovers Forced Proximity Romance by Lainey Skies

    AMAZON  my amazon review

My father sold me to his enemy as collateral, and now I'm falling for the man who owns me.

I hate Raffaele Moretti. The cold-blooded enforcer who dragged me from my home in handcuffs, who locked me in his penthouse like some prized possession.

My father traded me to save his own skin. Now I'm collateral for a debt I didn't owe, trapped with a man whose ice-gray eyes see straight through every wall I build.

I fight him on everything. Every rule, every command, every attempt to break me.

But then he takes a bullet meant for me. Then he whispers my name like a prayer when he thinks I'm asleep. Then he holds me through the nightmares, his hands gentle for the first time in his brutal life.

I'm not supposed to want the man who stole my freedom. I'm definitely not supposed to fall in love with him.

Now there's a hit out on my life, and his father demands my death to keep the peace.

 

 MY 5 STAR REVIEW

5.0 out of 5 stars There is Betrayal all around them !

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2026

 Sofia Romano wakes up in the middle of the night. There are unfamiliar voices and shouting !So she sneaks downstairs in her silk pajamas and gets caught listening ! She gets furious at the men threatening her father and burst into the room where armed men point guns at her. Raffaele Moretti is one of them. Although he is both amused and surprised by her courage, he's been planning this and takes her right then ! He is a 6'3" man who is an enforced and son of Don Moretti. She was taken for leverage, collateral for the $2 million debt that her father owes them. This has been well planned and when she gets to her new luxurious "suite", there are clothes, shoes, makeup and toiletries all tailored to her style. She's furious once again. She is fierce, and unafraid to confront Raffaele although he often tells her she should be. She's also smart and sassy.
Raffaele was told by his father..I know that she's pretty and I know you as a man but she's to be untouched until I decide what I'm going to do with her. Yeah, good luck with that. Raffaele is often impressed with Sofia and after awhile he realized he's in deep trouble already with his attraction for her. Thing is she is fighting that same attraction too ! It cracked me up when his friend and also good man in organization would often, call out through their door, "Urgent ! Boss, we have a situation!" It happened usually when Rafffaele and Sofia were in the middle of their own "heat" of a situation. Nothing in that area of sexual heat happens until a while later. Their sweet, sassy romance was one I enjoyed.
Matteo was also a good guy when it came to having Raffaele's back even when he had some doubts from time to time. Especially when dealing with Sofia. But Matteo is loyal to the end.
They have treachery coming at them from every corner and the battles are intense. Who can they trust?
Great surprises towards the end and I loved how it all ended. Especially the phrase that came about AFTER they became enemies and then they weren't. They were both trying to survive especially after finding love together. The Phrase? "Together. Always." They fought TOGETHER til the end.

bkfunnel/ Auctioned to the Russian Bratva by Alessia Reid

  amazon

I bought her at auction. She became the pregnant obsession I'd kill for.

 

I am the Enforcer of the Kashkin Bratva—the most feared man in San Francisco. Violence is my currency. Mercy is a word I've never learned.  

Then I saw her on that stage. 

Dark hair like spilled wine. Plus-size curves that made my hands ache. Eyes full of terror and defiance that cut straight through me. 

She was being sold by her own father to clear his debts—auctioned off to the highest bidder. I told myself I was paying five million dollars for leverage. To destroy the Benedetti empire. 

But that was a lie. 

I'd been obsessed with her since the night we met two years ago—a charity gala, a few hours of conversation, and a woman who talked about the human heart like it was holy. I walked away because wanting a Benedetti was suicide. 

But watching another man bid on her? Hearing him describe what he'd do to break her?

 My control shattered. 

Now she's my wife. My prisoner. My little sun who hides her gorgeous body in oversized clothes. Monster—that's what she calls me. She fights me at every turn, and looks at me like I'm both her captor and her salvation. 

When I discover she's carrying my child, I finally accept what I've been denying: 

I don't just want to own her. 

I need to worship her. Burn down everyone who threatens her and our baby. 

She believes I bought her as a possession. 

What she hasn't realized yet:

She's my redemption.

------ My 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Painful Surprises for Bianca

The story opens with Misha at an event and he's there for Carmine Benedetti.   His brother Dmitri wants intel on the man.  He's up to something. But that's also when Misha spots Carmine's daughter Bianca and he's enchanted the longer he gets to speak with her. 

She's 20 years younger than him but as I read the story I tended to forget that fact.  She is studying to be a doctor and is fascinated with cardiology.  She's been kept away from her family's "business".  And it's way for evil than she ever could have imagined! It's so emotional and painful for her when she realizes her own father sold her and her two brothers delivered to the auction ! She's angry with Misha because of all the lies he told her when they met and "dated" for four months and then dumped her.  Misha later tells her that he did it to save her life.

Misha, I couldn't help but like him and how torn up he had been about Bianca. He doesn't tell her that he was ordered to end their relationship but he obeyed his brother's demand. After all, he is the head of the family.  He protects his family his brother and his sister, Anna who is one spunky lady. Anna helps Bianca more than once just not to escape.  Misha loves Bianca just doesn't have the words, he's not that lighthearted, laughing boy that he once was.  He tells Bianca often that he's not a good man. But she begins to see more than just a Killer.

Sergei Morozov  is really the one behind all her troubles. He's the one who was supposed to get her publicly at that auction. Her father set the whole thing up and when Misha messed it up? He's furious and he's coming to get her and to kill Misha.  That's not going to be as easy as he things even with all his plans and forces but he does try.

Great encounters and the best ending.  

 

 

bookkspt ARC FEB 5/ The Billionaire's Forbidden Arrangement by Nora Daniels

  Booksprout

 Amazon

One bed.

One fake relationship.

And she has no idea I’m the man she kissed years ago.

I don’t believe in love, then Lena Carter walks back into my life; smart, curvy, stubborn and completely forbidden. 

She looks at me like I’m just another grumpy boss, not the man who still remembers her mouth.

A PR disaster dumps me in a love-obsessed town I loathe.

One photo turns into a fake romance.

One promise turns into nonstop proximity.

I hold her hand for the cameras.

She laughs like she already trusts me, and I hate how badly I want it.

We dance under string lights.

A burst pipe leaves us stranded.

One bed.

Every rule on the floor.

Her nails dig in, my restraint snaps, and the kiss I never forgot crashes into the present.

That’s when I realize I’m already screwed.

The problem is my empire can shut down the town she loves.

And if I choose business over her, I won’t just lose the deal…I’ll ruin the only woman who ever made me believe in love.

Explicit

Novella

Romance Billionaire Romance Fake Reletionship One bed Grumpy Sunshine Secret past connection small town romance forced proximity steamy contemporary romance Billionaire protector Kindle unlimited romance

Hosted by Nora Daniels

Note from the Author

Thank you so much for reviewing! This is a grumpy billionaire / one-bed / fake relationship romance with spice and a guaranteed HEA. Reviews are due during launch week (Feb 5–12), and you’re welcome to copy your Booksprout review straight to Amazon once the book goes live.

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

---my 4 Star Review TITLED: 2nd Chances

 Lena Carter is with her friend Tasha on a rooftop Valentine's Day celebration 6 years ago. She doesn't want to be there but her friend convinced her. Lena doesn't like Valentine's Day celebrations but she does meet the mysterious stranger on the rooftop and she boldly kisses him and wishes that it could have gone further.  The stranger is into it too until Tasha suddenly interrupts them. Her brothers Malik and Andre would freak if they knew what almost happened !

 6 years later Lena is back in her hometown of Rosebend working at City Hall for Mayor Chen. She really likes her job and feels like it's a worthy job that's trying to help people. 

Lena is shocked when the man she has to work with is the handsome stranger,  a billionaire named Grant Whitlock !!!  Everyone thinks that they look good together but she's had enough of entitled billionaires. The dual points of view are great !

 Of course a major problem arises for the community project but also creative solutions meets it head on. 

Great Epilogue with a HEA 

 

 

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

  

bkfunnel/ Frost Mark (novella) by Seren Wilder

  For any other questions, please contact:
Seren Wilder <seren@serenwilderauthor.com> 

THE MAKING OF THE ICE HUNTER

A Karis Frost Origin Story (Exclusive Novella)

Karis Frost was raised to hunt the monsters the world pretends don’t exist.
Silver-haired. Ice-eyed. Armed since childhood. She’s spent her life tracking vampires, Weres, and anything else with claws and a warrant.

But when the Bureau flags her genetic scan as “anomalous,” everything she knows about herself fractures. Vamps hesitate when they smell her. Weres flinch. And the Bureau wants answers they won’t explain.

Then her closest friend—another hunter—is found brutally murdered in the woods, her heart taken with surgical precision.

The Bureau blames a rogue Were.
The local pack swears innocence.
And Karis knows a lie when she hears one.

Now she’s alone, armed to the teeth, and hunting something that shouldn’t exist… something that smells like her.

If you love gritty heroines, vicious mysteries, and supernatural worlds with sharp edges, meet Karis Frost—before she becomes the legend known as The Ice Hunter.

My 5 Star Review TITLED: It Begins 

Interesting start to this book and as I continued to read it, I was hooked when it kept coming up that Kris didn't smell right !!! Especially the supernaturals picked up on that. And a few others that seemed to be on her side, told her to watch her back.  What an unusual bounty hunter story and it's about a woman. That's something else that I liked about it ! And the woman Bureau Agent Marques proved to be interesting as well, in her warnings to Kris. The man she knew as her Grandad, protected her and taught her from an early age to prepare to hunt bounties.  Everyone seems to recognize her as a FROST without any introduction. Weird !

I loved that phrase The Ice Hunter ! What a great start before going into the full novel !

February 5th)ARC/ Faking It with the Mafia Protector BY Willa Wilde

  Booksprout   Amazon

 Part of: Vegas Vows + Vendettas (5 books)

---

I agreed to a fake marriage with a mafia enforcer.
Falling for him was never supposed to happen.

One spilled coffee turned my world upside down.
Rushing to work, I collided with Matteo Rossi.

His strong, tattooed hands caught me before I fell.
His gun caught my eye before I could breathe.
I ran.
But men like Matteo don’t let go that easily.

He noticed me.
The bruise on my neck.
The fear in my eyes.
The mark left by my violent Bratva ex, his enemy.

That night he’s waiting at the bar where I work.
And his solution is as ruthless as it is protective: marry him.
Fake vows, real protection, and a way for him to get revenge on his rival.

Matteo’s hatred is cold and consuming.
But the moment he touches me, it’s clear revenge isn’t the only thing he craves.

His grip is possessive.
His control is absolute.
I should be terrified. Instead, I’m unraveling.

My Bratva ex won’t back down.
What started as protection has painted a target on everyone I love.

Now Matteo is ready to start a war.

And once a man like him decides you’re his…
There’s no escape without blood.

Explicit

Novel

Romance mafia grumpy/sunshine forced proximity marriage of convenience

Hosted by Willa Wilde Mafia Lovers

Note from the Author

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing 🖤

Must review on:

Amazon

Optionally review on:

Goodreads

Bookbub

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

----------------MY 5 STAR REVIEW  TITLED: is there more for Matteo & Sierra ? 

 

I loved this story. Yes, it has well written explicit scenes between the main characters and yes there is violence. But still ! Matteo is the violent Enforcer for the Andretti Mafia.  But there is still so much good in him and the Andretti Mafia leader  Don Lorenzo really cares for his people; like family ! Especially his weapon, Matteo Rossi. 

On the other hand Viktor Ilyin is a super duper evil man who is working hand in hand with a Russian Bratva trying to take over the Andretti territory.  They don't care about anyone at all ! They will use whoever they want, even sacrificing their own people.  They are inhuman ! Sierra Dixon was duped into Viktor's net because he was so charming and attentive but after he became abusive and she began to see that he was in a violent Bratva; she dumps him.  But soon learns that no one EVER dumps him and he begins to stalk her because he has always wanted her from the first time he saw her at that bar where she worked.  He turns even  more violent when she continues to resist him.  He sees her with Matteo and becomes enraged !

Sierra is confused and refuses marriage until she can no long when she realizes how dangerous the threat is from Viktor.  Sierra has such a loving family, who are afraid for her especially after Viktor and they don't know all of what she went through. The fun starts when they both start to "caught feelings" for each other. Because they really don't want to get marries..at first.  There are times when Matteo lets her get closer and then shuts her out because he's afraid to put a bigger target on her back.  I loved how tender  he is with his only family; his Ma:Mrs. Rossi. One of my favorite phrases was about how he hated for her at Chemo thinking great he's waiting for poison to cure poison. So true ! Matteo wants Vikto dead in the worst way. He tried to kill him before and is making a new dangerous brain destroying drug that kills. He's killed many of their men and now Matteo just has to wait and draw him out. 

I loved how there was not only dangers but passion, surprises, unexpected betrayal and a smashing finish. All leading up to a Sweet ending.  

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