bkfunnel/ Be My Pretend Valentine by Sophie Shelton

  amazon 98 pages

For any other questions, please contact:
Sophie Shelton <sophie@sophiesheltonromanceauthor.com>

I agreed to fake-date the woman I’ve secretly loved for years. It’s going as well as you’d expect.

Tessa is the only woman I’ve ever wanted, but to her, I’m just Noah, the best friend. The guy who fixes things.

Her flower shop is in trouble. The Sweethearts Contest prize can save it.

She needs a boyfriend on paper. So, I say yes. Even though pretending is going to be torture.   I want her to win. I hope she realizes what we could be.

When I warm her knuckles with my lips on stage, a whole room swoons.

We "kiss for the camera," and I think she finally feels what I feel.

I’m sure I’ve finally crossed that line from friend to boyfriend.

Then she calls me her "best friend" in front of three hundred people and talks about how I “deserve better.”

Is she freeing me, or is she trying to escape me?

I don’t want to be just friends. Worse, if I ask for a clean break from pretending, will there be a best friends version of us left to return to?

 ---My 5 star review TITLED:  Friendship Opposites Attract

Noah suffered so LONG in the friendship zone and he was such a GREAT guy.  My goodness they known each other for 7 Years !! Tessa sure took a very long time to see him as possible  "boyfriend material".  I loved both of them. Yes, he was the easy going, always there for her friend. Quick to help !  She was also good to others and often helped and was kind even when totally stressed ! And she often was in her Bloom flower shop.  Noah knows how to steady her when she spirals although he is a man of few words. He knows her tells and come to find out she knows his ! He's shy. That's some of my favorite parts !

This book was sweet, endearing, with a great ending ! A perfect book for Valentine's Day and to be honest- Any Time.  I also thought that the eBook cover was adorable and true to form with the story. That was nice !

bookfunnel ARC/ Kipper Killer by Elsie Grey

  Amazon

It isn’t.

With the scent of smoked fish in the air and rumors swirling faster than the tide, Lily is pulled back into investigation mode—this time in a case tangled with old grudges, hidden deals, and a killer who knows the coast as well as she does. As tensions rise and secrets surface, Lily must uncover the truth before another life is claimed and Pine Grove’s charm is permanently tarnished.

Set against Oregon’s misty shoreline, Kipper Killer is a cozy culinary mystery filled with small-town intrigue, coastal atmosphere, and a heroine who proves that once a detective, always a detective—even when the clues smell faintly of kippers.
Perfect for fans of quick, binge-able cozies with heart, humor, and a seaside twist.

 -------

My 4 STAR Review TITLED:  Something fishy is going on 

 Another charming story with humor even amidst murder. Some date for Lily and Lance, right? I don't want to give to much away about the story but  I enjoyed this novella. And look forward to more of Lily and Lance's adventures !

I  received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

Febuary 26, 2026-ARC/Hiding from the Don By Broxy Hart

  Bksprout

 Amazon

One night. One backseat. One stranger I should never have touched.

He tasted like whiskey and bad decisions. I didn't know his name. I didn't care.

After a 14-hour shift, a sleeping four-year-old at the sitter's, and five years of looking over my shoulder, I deserved one reckless night.

Except the arrogant bastard who blocked my parking spot with his Maserati?

He's Gio Benedetti. The most powerful man in Cleveland.

And he just found out who my ex-husband is.

Now he's offering me protection I can't afford to refuse. His estate. His men. His rules.

The way his hands trace my skin says those rules won't last the night. The way my body begs for more says I'm counting on it.

My son is already looking at him like he hung the moon. And the man I've been hiding from for five years just found out where I am.

I escaped one dangerous man. Now I'm falling for another.

And this time, I hope it doesn't get me killed.

Explicit

Novel

Romance alpha man mafia steamy romance single mother second chance forced proximity possessive alpha dark boss

Hosted by Broxy Hart Romance

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

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-------------------------

5 STAR REVIEW TITLED:  "Adorable" Mafia Style

 Victoria March is one scared but brave woman who has been running from her abusive ex-husband, Marcus Webb. She got scars and a history of broken bones from him. He's rich, a Don, slippery and charming to others. Fooling so many people.  She's an exhausted nurse, but will do whatever it takes to stay hidden from him. Marcus doesn't know that he has a 4 year old son named, Wickham (Wick) and Victoria wants to keep it that way.  Odd name but okay.  He's adorable, funny, protective of his Mom and loves everything dinosaurs ! I liked how he latched onto Gio so quickly and Gio unfamiliar with kids, some falls too ! 

The very first  encounter  between Gio (Giovanni) and Victoria in the hospital parking garage was HILARIOUS ! She was in a hurry to pick up her son and she was royally ticked by what idiot parked his car blocking her in ! She didn't care who the entitled jerk  thought he was and told him so !! His tough looking goon, Benny was with him and later couldn't stop laughing !!  She really had some great funny lines which made ME laugh.  Benny was a great right hand man and friend to Gio. I liked him a lot. Just so you know, Victoria and Gio will be sharing some hot and tender scenes together. 

She also went through quite a bit of suffering by her ex and when it comes to helping rescue Gio's sister Lucia, from a monster, she was all in ! 

 Gio's housekeeper Rosa is a gem. She's been a part of Benedetti household and family for YEARS.  I loved how she welcomed Victoria and Wick with wide open Italian arms !

Victoria has a friend named Bri who has missed Victoria for 5 yeas never knowing is she is alive let along safe.   I loved their reunion.  And the ending was everything I could have hoped for a - HEA- Adorable Mafia Style. Just like the title I selected for this review. 

 

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

Bksprout March2- Taken by the Rival Don Gia Hartley

  Booksprout

Amazon

I kidnapped my enemy’s daughter.
Now I’m willing to burn the city down to keep her.

I wasn’t supposed to touch Vivian Callaro.
She’s the daughter of my rival, the key to everything her dead father owed me.

Taking her should be simple.
Use her to collect what’s owed, then let her go. 

But first, I make sure she sees me kill a man. 

Now she can’t leave. Now she’s mine to contain.

That’s mistake number one.

We share late nights over bloodstained ledgers.
Her mouth challenges me, her brain saves my empire, her spine dares me to deserve her.

I tell myself it’s strategy when I protect her.
I tell myself it’s control when I touch her.

It stops being a lie the moment I choose her over my men.

Over my reputation.

Over my revenge.

Because while I’m falling for the woman I stole, the truth surfaces...
Her father’s death wasn’t collateral.

It was a setup.

And the worst part?
The man responsible is coming for her next…

And I’ll be damned if I let him take anything of mine, especially her.

Explicit

Novel

Romance mafia romance contemporary romance enemies to lovers possessive alpha male touch her and die morally gray hero rival families steamy mafia romance protective alpha kidnap

Hosted by Gia Hartley Romance

Note from the Author

This is my first Mafia Romance novel. I appreciate you taking the time to read it, and I would love your feedback when finished. Thanks!

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

 

-----My 5 STAR REVIEW--TITLED: They are going to have to Dig Deeper

 

Vivian Callaro is a woman who is just living her life working in Art and she's extremely skilled. She has had  some suspicions about how honest her father Antonio really is.  But she didn't really think to much about it. That is until he is murdered. Now, she just has to know who killed him and why.  

Is Elena Marchetti really her friend? I had some doubts about that in the opening of the story. 

  

She thinks that Rafael Morsco is behind her father's  murder.  She just doesn't know what she's been thrown into when she's kidnapped very smoothly by Rafael and his team.  A man named, Tommaso is a member of that team and has been with Rafael for years. She's furious but also smart. Rafael coerces her by threatening her beloved Aunt, a retired school teacher who lovingly raised her after her mother's  death.  Her aunt lives in Connecticut and Rafael shows Vivian that he knows all about her and can "touch' her if Vivian doesn't help him. Bully ! I loved her aunt and wanted to see her re-united with her niece safely !  She was a lovely older woman. 

 The attraction between the MC's is definitely there and turns HOT ! But that doesn't mean that they trust each other.  That takes awhile and some mistakes especially on her part. But they have to work together because they do have some seriously dangerous enemies.  Massimo seemed shady from the start. But there were several other semi-hidden and deeper hidden enemies.  Yess,  Vivian and Rafael WILL have to become a team together and work together to get what they want and stay alive.   It gets pretty intense and enjoyable as they fight their way to their HEA.  Turns out Vivian is not the softer version of herself any more and becomes a sharp weapon against their enemies. 

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

 ___________________________________________________________________

 

Rucci and Lorenzo Castellano are the deep dig enemies- not included in my review. 

ARC/ KINDLE BOUGHT/ Embers of a Second Chance by Ariel Prosper

  

AMAZON 

Must review on:

Amazon

File(s) available:

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She ruined me once. Walked out without a word, leaving me with nothing but a scarred heart and a whole lot of rage.

Now Tessa Morgan is back in Silver Ridge, shoved right into my world like fate’s got a twisted sense of humor.

I tell myself to stay away. To keep it professional, keep it cold. But one look at her—those storm-gray eyes daring me to remember, that cascade of dark hair I used to wrap around my fists, those curves that make my pulse hammer—and I’m toast.

Every shift with her is torture. The scent of her skin, the sway of her body, the way her mouth tilts when she’s about to argue—it all drags me back to nights I swore I’d forget.

She’s fire, pure and dangerous. And I know if I touch her again, I won’t stop.
The question is… will she.

 -----My Review Notes--- The Pressures Increase

Tessa Morgan is coming back to Silver Ridge. The county hired her as the new wildfire education coordinator; a job tailor made for her because of her environmental science degree.  Her  grandmother's best friend is Bernice Hanley who is sitting with her for the station's first meeting.  Her grandmother Leah had passed away and Bernice had now "adopted" her after she passed. Bernice is warm and supportive and also owns Hanley's Cafe & Gifts.   Tessa's sister Claire, stays in contact with her. Tessa has a secret about why she left without warning..does Claire know the secret?  

Ethan Cole hears his Chief Jake Torres welcomes her afterwards. Is he interested in her? Ethan is a good man who is still mad at her but still shows up when she needs him ! Let's face it, he still loves her after ten years. They had been high school lovers and he still wanted her ! Yikes, trouble ahead right?  Tessa starts to do some stupid stuff while photographing things for her job.  Like getting too close to fire lines and getting caught in it or just getting WAY too close !!! It made me want to slap her !!! 

His fellow co-worker Sparky Riggins is good at his job but it's also clear to see that he's an well meaning, funny mischief maker. And I enjoyed how everyone had each other's back at the firehouse, even personally !

There is a snake reporter by the  name of Caleb Bryant. who's a trying to dig up dirt to make himself look big and slant the story, for his benefit of course ! Rumor Monger ! He beings to harass both sisters and Bernice.  But boy, oh boy, does he get taken care of !! I  loved that!

Great conclusion and HEA for Tessa and Ethan.  

I bought this book also on Amazon 

Review by Feb 22, 2026-Bksprt/ARC-Bad Boy I Can't Escape-"Book 2 of Small Town MC Romance Series by Mia Amour

  Bksprout

 Amazon

I inherited land. He inherited me.

And my worst enemy is the only thing standing between me and the grave this town dug for me. 

I came back to Moonrise with a deed to one thousand acres and a plan to burn every secret this town buried with my name.

I didn’t plan on Priest Calder still owning every dark corner of it. 

Ex-MC road captain. Bars. Nightclubs.

A jaw that clenches every time I walk into a room like my existence is a failure he never survived. 

When a threat appears on my door, Priest doesn’t ask.

He moves me into his house because there is nowhere else I’ll live through the night.

 I refuse his help. He stays anyway.

I shove him, and his hands catch mine like he’s been waiting four years for me to touch him first.

 Hate doesn’t blur. It cracks.

And what’s underneath is the reason I should run. 

Then I find it.

The blood oath he swore the night I left.

The silence that destroyed me wasn’t cowardice. It was a deal. 

Exposing it levels his empire.

Staying silent puts me back in the ground. 

And this time, Priest has to decide who he buries.

Explicit

Novel

Romance Enemies to Lovers forced proximity protector instinct small town romance ex-mortorcycle club he falls first alpha entrepeneur smart sassy curvy

Hosted by mia amour romance

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

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------------------

5 STAR REVIEW- TITLED: She's done running

 

I loved this sweet eBook cover.   

I also fell in love with tough,  Isabella Quinn ! She's one determined woman, a fighter !! Ten years ago she ran from this town with her tail between her legs after being laughed at and discredited about her documents of corruption ! Well, she's back and "they" won't be able to laugh it off this time. Her friend warns her to be careful but know she won't stop. Danger, oh yes ! Isabella knows the Gage Mercer and his group wants her stopped; GONE by any means,  if necessary. Things have been buried for years and they  plan to keep it that way ! Mercer has everyone afraid or in their pocket. Judges and law enforcement like Sheriff Wade Harland is among that bunch ! Priest  has his former MC leaning on him and  they want her gone too ! They are at risk as well because they provided security and okayed everything. 

Turns out Isabella's Aunt Elinor left her a will that was  brilliant. A brilliant, clever weapon that when it detonates will be catastrophic for the bad guys.  It could just take Priest Calder with it ! Consequences could be grim for him. How in the world is this going to work out?    

Priest Calder, what an emotional mess he was.  He was trying to hide it from Isabella. I loved how he called her, "Belz" ! He knows how much she hates him and the why of it but he still hopes she never finds out how involved he really was ten years ago.  His friends actually his "brothers" adopted because of their lives aren't fooled about his feelings and tell him what are you going to do about it? His closest, Reed Lawson is blunt and funny at times. He's this big tough, tattooed guy who is now running a successful business AND has his hands full with trying to corral his terrifyingly hilarious 5 year old triplets ! I loved him and the triplets and his way of dealing with them. The oldest triplet, Maddie is the funniest, and most blunt! At least I think so.  Their mother, Lily does show up briefly in the story. Turns out Lily and Reed have their own story written called, " Bad Boy Next Door". 

Priest has 5 "brothers" who are family are- Rafe, Knox, Reed, Jax and Colt. They are a Family of Chaos and are a hoot. They start "adopting" Isabella too !

This was an emotional, suspenseful, well written story with a great ending and Epilogue.

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

ARC 2-20-26 bksprt/ Blood Guilt by Elias Ashcroft

  Bksprout

 

There’s no such thing as a perfect murder—unless you can explain blood that’s been programmed to die.

How do you find a killer that leaves no evidence, no blood, no wounds, just a body with biology rewritten to kill?

It starts when a notorious Southern California crime boss collapses at his daughter’s birthday party—just five days after his acquittal.

FBI Special Agent Erin Ward is called to investigate a death that defies every forensic law.

More bodies start to drop—each one a ghost of justice past.

Each victim marked by an identical, silent countdown inside their veins.

The evidence points to a weapon too small to see, too advanced to exist.

Enlisting Jordan Pike, a reckless field agent, and Aditi Das, a scientist who deciphers life itself, Erin chases the truth onto an unsuspecting California University campus.

There she finds a man who has turned loss into a blueprint for death.

As drones swarm a city on the edge of chaos, Erin faces an invisible enemy who’s turned justice into a weapon—and set the countdown to end with her.

Mature

Novel

Suspense Suspense Thriller Mystery FBI Organized Crime

Hosted by Elias Ashcroft 1

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

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------------------------My Review Notes- 5 STARS TITLED: Great Suspense

 

Opening scene is with Maya, a barista making a special order for a man who has just a rich bad guy getting off of charges a the courthouse. Never should have happened; so many people hated him and wanted to see him pay.  Suddenly he drops door-nail dead.   Things take off deadly from there. Especially when any other entitled bad guy beats the rap and he's now SUDDENLY dead too ! Neither man had any signs of what killed them, they were in "good health" at the time of their deaths.  

Special Agent Erin Ward is put in charge and ordered to keep it a "Quiet" Investigation. Yeah right, that's going to happen !! She has a good team assigned to her and at first they aren't sure how easy she will be to work with.  They seem like good people to work with though.  Erin does begin to wonder if they have a Revenge Serial Killer at work.

Plenty of suspense that keeps things moving !  I liked Erin and her team even while wondering how in the world would they catch this  person?  Was the killer working with some else?  

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

 

--------------P.S. I DIDN'T FINISH ALL OF IT YET BUT REVIEW WAS DUE-------

ARC-BKSPROUT/ Feb 14/ "The Don's Vengeance" by Jasmin Song

  Bksprout

 

I fell for my sworn enemy's daughter while plotting to destroy her. 

Isabella Russo walks into the club and gives me the best one-night stand of my life. No names. 

The next day, she shows up across the table from me on the business deal of her lifetime. 

That’s when I realize who she is: the daughter of the man who killed my father. 

I'm his only surviving son, a Don raised in secret, trained for one purpose: vengeance. 

And the principessa just walked into my trap. 

She’s perfect for my plan. So, I seduce her. I make her believe I'm someone she can trust. Every dinner reveals a vulnerability. Every touch, another confession. 

But as I steal her secrets, she steals something too. My own damn heart.  

I’m supposed to destroy her deal and her family’s future. 

If I choose Isabella, my family starts a war, with my dead father rolling in his grave.

If I choose my vendetta, my enemies burn, with Isabella at the center of the blaze. 

Explicit

Novel

Romance mafia enemies to lovers one night stand forbidden forced proximity revenge

Hosted by Jasmin Song

Note from the Author

Please enjoy and leave your honest review when the book goes live on Amazon.

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

 

------My  4 Star Review TITLED: Deceitful Seduction/Romance

 

Isabella Russo is her family Mob Lawyer.  Her father is the Don. And she's good at her job.  But her family demands revenge and Isabella is all up for that.  Stephen Hale is really a young man who was spirited away with his mother Maria when his father and older brother were murdered in their home. Maria and Stephanos Petrakos (his real Greek name) were hiding in a closet and saw it all ! They both came to America and Maria married an American professor who now adores her. She didn't feel the same but affection for him has grown on her part at a least.  

This is such an emotional story, with some tender scenes that developed between the main characters.  Several really good and interesting secondary characters and a really good Epilogue. 

 

ARC DUE 2/17-23/ "Knit One, Purl a Secret" (Quillhaven Magical Cozy Mysteries Book 10) by Tessa Silver

  Booksprout  Bookbub  Goodreads  

Amazon 

In Quillhaven, friends don't let friends face dangerous magic alone.

The Cozy Loopers knitting circle is more than a weekly gathering. It's a lifeline for six friends navigating love, loss, and second chances in the magical town of Quillhaven. When they decide to create a Valentine's afghan for the Hearts and Hands Charity Auction, they expect needles, yarn, and companionship. What they get is enchanted crimson fiber that reveals their deepest secrets in every stitch.

Nettie faces her wild past and a famous musician who wrote a song about her. Martin confronts the partner he left behind in Boston. Mabel wrestles with guilt over falling in love again after her husband's death. As the magic intensifies and the auction approaches, the group must decide whether honesty is worth the risk of exposure. Can their found family survive the truth woven into their creation?

Find out in Knit One, Purl a Secret, a cozy magical mystery about community, courage, and the threads that bind us together. 

General

Novel

Mystery cozy mystery paranormal witches magic small town found family

Hosted by ARC Team- Knit One, Purl a Secret

Note from the Author

This is Book 10 in a series, however each one can be read as a standalone.

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

Goodreads

Bookbub

File(s) available:

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PDF (Download only) 

--------------- 

 My 4 STAR Review TITLED: Crimson Yarn Trouble? 

I loved the dedication by the author that said to Maryann who taught the left handed author to knit ! So sweet ! 

The Foundation:  

The story opens with the Wednesday meeting at the Yarn to Be Wild shop and the Crazy Loopers are meeting.  It's Nettie Silverloop's shop and she's getting tea ready for this favorite time with the group of knitters which includes gossip and companionship. It's an eclectic group:

Mabel Crispin comes next and she has big "news" which the talking cats Leo and Luna wonder about. They always seemed to be around which was a good thing ! Amelia and hubby Arthur Jenkins come in next. He's just there to make sure she got there okay ; they've been happily married for years.  Arthur heads to the hardware story to see Henry and his affectionate dog, Gus.  Greta Bell and then Olivia Sweetwater and within minutes Martin Fitzgerald trails in. 

And then : 

Suddenly after finding some unaccounted for strange but beautiful crimson yarn; they begin to use it for personal squares to add to a large Valentine's afghan.  That's when some REALLY strange things begin to happen. Is that yarn Alive? 

One of my favorite phrases is when Martin mentions that this town see to have a way of making you face things !! 

Great surprises and  heart warming conclusions.  

  I received an ARC from the author and this how I feel about it. P.S. Once again I loved the colorful eBook cover !

due Feb18/ Ruthless Protector by clara dunn

  Bksprout

 

I was sent to watch her. Now I’m sleeping down the hall… and daring anyone to touch what’s mine.

The Kozlov Pakhan doesn’t give assignments. He gives verdicts.

Mine is simple: move into Daria Kozlov’s apartment, track her movements, and prove she’s the leak before the feds freeze our accounts.

If she’s guilty, she disappears. Even if she’s family.

I expect designer clothes and a fake smile.
I find a piano teacher in a threadbare cardigan, a fridge that’s almost empty, and a five-year-old who drags me into a tea party like I’m not built for violence.

That first night, I clear the apartment.

A hidden camera is wedged in her daughter’s bedroom.

At that point, I stop watching Daria—and start hunting the man who put it there.
I don’t have his name yet. But I will.

Daria flinches at blocked numbers. She lies like it keeps her alive. And when I catch the bruises she hides under sleeves, something in me goes cold and final.

I came here to catch a traitor.
Instead I’m standing between a mother, her little girl… and the man who’s been terrorizing them for years.

If he comes for either of them, there won’t be negotiations.
There will be a cold body.

Explicit

Novel

Romance mafia romance dark mafia romance russian mafia romance enemies to lovers romance alpha male romance touch her and die forced proximity steamy contemporary romance action and adventure billionaire romance

Hosted by Clara Dunn Review Team

Note from the Author

To my wonderful ARC readers, Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my newest book! It’s part of a series, but it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. You do not need to read the first books to enjoy this one! I’m still finishing up the final round of edits. If you spot anything that needs fixing (typos, formatting hiccups, etc.), please message me directly so I can get it cleaned up fast. Happy reading,
 Clara

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

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------------------- -------------

My 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Daria & Kira are caught in the middle

Pyotr Fedorov is a dangerous Russian who works for Dimitri Koslv his Pakhan. He goes where he is sent and he figures things out. Whatever needs to be done he checks it out and reports back.  He's been sent to figure out if Daria has been leaking information. If so, she's threat to the organization, she will be "eliminated."  He has a limited time to figure it out. He has to have proof if she is innocent or guilty. Time is quickly running out and there is twists, suspense and surprises along the way.

Daria Kozlov divorced her husband, Bodgan but he still calls and threatens her. He was extremely physically abusive and also emotionally abusive too !  They divorced but he still keeps coming at her. She's terrified out of her mind and just wants to keep her daughter , Kira away from Bogdon !  Kira is such an adorable 5 year old and almost instantly attaches herself to this huge scary man Pyotr. Sharing her dinosaurs and her sprinkles !! That made me smile ! Kira is so hilarious at times!

He's scary rightfully so with adults who cause trouble  but so gentle with her.  Daria doesn't open up to Pyotr right away but when she does it happens slowly until it becomes much clearer what she has endured.  She finally trust Pyotr physically and they do have some "hot times" but he was also very caring afterwords with her too ! I loved how he often called her Little Dove in Russian.  They start fiercely working together and want to put Daria's name in the clear and "take care of" her ex. 

 The suspense is tight, the emotions run high, and "JUSTICE" is finally served and Daria, Pyotr and Kira get their happy ever after,  which shows in the Epilogue.    Throughout the story, Daria is worried about her older sister, who is is in a high stress professional job. She's lost touch with her. At the end of story Dmitri shows her some information that shows she just might have reasons to worry about the new man in her sister's life! I want to read that story too !

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

Feb 16/ Bksprount/Kindle/ The Don’s Vengeance by Jasmin Song

  Bksprout

 

I fell for my sworn enemy's daughter while plotting to destroy her. 

Isabella Russo walks into the club and gives me the best one-night stand of my life. No names. 

The next day, she shows up across the table from me on the business deal of her lifetime. 

That’s when I realize who she is: the daughter of the man who killed my father. 

I'm his only surviving son, a Don raised in secret, trained for one purpose: vengeance. 

And the principessa just walked into my trap. 

She’s perfect for my plan. So, I seduce her. I make her believe I'm someone she can trust. Every dinner reveals a vulnerability. Every touch, another confession. 

But as I steal her secrets, she steals something too. My own damn heart.  

I’m supposed to destroy her deal and her family’s future. 

If I choose Isabella, my family starts a war, with my dead father rolling in his grave.

If I choose my vendetta, my enemies burn, with Isabella at the center of the blaze. 

Explicit

Novel

Romance mafia enemies to lovers one night stand forbidden forced proximity revenge

Hosted by Jasmin Song

Note from the Author

Please enjoy and leave your honest review when the book goes live on Amazon.

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download)

-------My  4 Star Review TITLED:  Deceitful Seduction/Romance   ---

Isabella Russo is the lawyer of her mob family. Her father is the Don; the head of this Italian family. She's brilliant, beautiful and she tries to stay on the legitimate side of the business. Oh, she knows that they are but she's trying to get things cleaner. She has a vision, a dream on how to go about that.  Her Uncle Marco is always trying to control her. Always putting her down and trying to make her "less". To thwart her. I didn't like him from the start.  It amazed me with how much her father put up with that. UNTIL, some hard truths come out MUCH later in the story.  That one night stand with fake names is going to cost her !  Her friend Mia is the only one who really has her back. Although she has a brother Leo who does show up. He's not in the "business" but loves her. She also has a sister who stays way far away from the family business and doesn't really show up in the story. 

It surprises Stephan Hale when Isabella Russo shows up in a meeting for competing for a contract and he soon discovers that although she is 13 years younger than him; she's sharp. Still beautiful but clever and skilled.  Wow,  the painful secrets that he is holding and his NEED for revenge is STRONG.  He's been training and been trained for years to exact the downfall of Isabella's father, Don Enrico Russo.  He's so attracted to her but if bringing her down publicly is the price of winning, he's going to do it ! And to him seducing her was not a problem at all ! Be warned though the scenes are explicit. He does end up having remorse so he isn't a psychopath ! Just ruthless !

Stephanos Petrakos and his mother Maria were the only survivors of the attack on their home in Greece . It happened  he was 13 years old. His father and older brother, Dimitris were both murdered.  Other people have hidden them, Nikos has been his main trainer on physical combat and how to stay alive. His mother entered into an American arranged marriage for her son's sake and the professor, Robert Hale adores her ! And he was thrilled to help by adopting and helped raise her son. Robert was very good and loving toward Stepahnos.  But Stephan was also becoming a brilliant lawyer as well !

All the painful lies come out of course with everything coming to a stunning confrontation between the two families and finally a well deserved HEA for the couple.  

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

BKFUNNEL FREE/ MURDER LOGGED IN BY E.C. WHITCOMBE

   Amazon

61 Pages 

The Stevie & Kurt Cozy Mystery

One second he's slayed in-game. The next, he's dead in real life. And I was logged in for both.

I'm Stevie Raye - writer, researcher, gamer, social introvert, and proud avoider of the outdoors. When a legendary player in EternQuest is assassinated mid-raid, it feels like epic drama... until word drops that he died in real life - at the exact same moment.

Kurt, my Shakespeare-quoting bestie and co-op ride-or-die, thinks the game holds the key. So we do what we do best: snack hard, dig deep, and digitally stalk strangers with questionable usernames.

But the more we uncover, the darker it gets. Secret guilds. Hidden code. And a killer who's watching us log in.

Because in this game, death isn't virtual - it's a countdown.

 ----My 5 STAR Review- TITLED: Avatars & Death

 I adored funny. clever Stevie Raye. And her fellow gamer, sidekick Kurt  was a great addition to the story.   Stevie and Kurt are both smart, love their Espresso and sweet goods. Cupcakes is just one of those that they like. They like their junk foods too !

I loved Stevie; she was hilarious even when scared out of her mind. She even has a cat named Biscuit, that shows up just a little bit in the story. That made me smile.  Her neighbor Mrs. Penner shows up with some funny lines, so I just had to mention her as well. 

Everything starts out with Larry Jenkins drops dead right in the middle of a fantasy game. Turns out that his real name is Nathan R. Jenkins. He's dead but he left clues that Stevie and Kurt feel compelled to follow.  A fellow gamer Marla, who is scared gives the a small clue.  I loved all the names of each Chapter, they were unusual and fun.  I will say that I didn't understand ALL of the computer speak but the story was still a hoot and I enjoyed it.  

One of my favorite comments was made by Kurt- "That's a red flag in a Mystery Taco"  Not to worry, Stevie got her shots in too ! I want to read more stories with Stevie and Kurt in them. 

 

 

 

jan27/HOOPLA/Wreck the Halls /A Novel Tessa Bailey

   HOOPLA eBOOK

 Amazon link

 368 pages 2023  HarperCollins 

 #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers a sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert...

Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother's band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it's time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life... and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.

Beat Dawkins, the lead singer's son, is Melody's opposite, the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it's nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.

While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she's never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything, the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.

 ---My 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Melody stole the show Book 15 of The Mafia Don Series

The story opens with them at 16 years old.    The stuff she went through when she was younger was just so harsh !  I felt so sorry for her.  Her mother was absent, living the more hippy lifestyle now only showing up at certain times of the year. Beat was such a handsome, social guy that everyone loved from the start.  When they were younger, the few times that they met Beat became her hero because he did what he could to protect her feelings.  She had a MAJOR crush on him and still kinda does.  

Beat is torn about that Reunion between the mothers. He doesn't think that it will work but he's being blackmailed and has to try.  I felt bad that his mother  was absent most of his life. She had to be center stage all the time. With Melody at his side, he just might do it. He has a deep dark secret that he is hiding from Mel. It seems to be of a sexual nature too ! That kept me wondering as well. 

Unusual, Emotional, Quirky Story and I adored the NOW, hilarious Melody. She didn't even know why people loved her now. They think her honesty is funny and welcome. 

 I read this story through my HOOPLA Library App and I'm glad that I did. 

-------------NOT ADDED TO REVIEW- some spoilers-----

I loved how Beat calls her "Peaches".  Joseph the cameraman who follows them around as part of his job was a hoot. So was his non romance with the live stream producer who is hot for her. 

The Mothers are a hoot ! So different, so mad when they find out what's been happening AGAINST their kids and their romance ! They out the drummer on stage and he gets booted out again ! The show is a smash and their "kids" get their HEA

bkfunnel/ Cuffing His Bride (Glamorous Brides# 1)by Cassi Hart

  amazon

For any other questions, please contact:
Cassi Hart <cassi@cassihartromance.com>

 Amelia 

I’m having the worst day ever. My fiancé, a guy I didn’t even like to begin with, has left me at the altar. The only reason I was marrying him was to secure a trust fund from my late grandfather, and now he’s completely ruined my plans. Of course, I probably could have reacted better; assault and destruction of property are ill-advised, even on the worst of days. Now I’m being dragged away from my own wedding in the arms of the biggest, nicest-smelling cop I’ve ever met. I’m totally screwed. How am I going to buy my mom’s flower shop back now?

Hunter 

I’ve been on the force long enough to think I’ve seen it all, but some things still manage to surprise me. When I got the call about an altercation happening at the church down the street, I was expecting a real bride-zilla. Instead, I end up with Amelia, and she takes my breath away. I can’t help relishing how she feels against me as I drag her off her fiancé. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know she’s too good for a man like him. How did she end up with a jackass like him? 

------------My 4 Star Review TITLED: Swift, Funny, sweet and some Hotness 

I loved how sweet, desperate, 21 year old Amelia flies into a "smart" rage on her fink of a groom when Charles very publicly dumps her at the altar.  It's funny how this tiny usually sweet woman is trying to tear Charles hair out. She's got the wimp trapped ! Lol. 

Hunter is a by the book policeman saddled with a baby faced rookie who doesn't have a clue. Hunter usually works alone and he likes it that way !  He is fascinated when he sees Amelia refusing to loose her grip on her fiancee.  What he sees in his point of view is a tiny beauty; an enraged angel.

Hunter knows he shouldn't get involved with her personally. He's 10 years older than her.   But things do escalate pretty quickly between them and come to really good HEA. 

Review by Feb 21, 2026Bksprout/ ROBERTO: An Off-limits Surprise Pregnancy Mafia Romance BY Claire Kirby

  Booksprout

 amazon

I took my dream job in an Atlantic City casino—then discovered my boss is a mafia attorney whose baby I now carry.

When my college roommate hires me as Marketing Manager at Conti Enterprises, I see it as my ticket to the top.

What I don't expect is her uncle Roberto—the mysterious executive whose dark eyes strip me bare and whose quiet authority slowly exposes a raw hunger I didn’t know existed within me.

At forty-four, the widowed attorney is everything I shouldn’t want.

Grumpy. Closed off. Lethally magnetic.

Late nights revitalizing our marketing campaign blur into something far more primal as I’m introduced to soft restraints and whispered commands.

He touches me as if I already belong to him and unlocks something deep inside me, as I realize I have fallen for this enigmatic man.

Then I find it—evidence of money laundering buried deep in files I review daily. My hands shake. My world tilts.

 The man I'm falling for is a criminal.

The family that embraced me could destroy everything I've built.

Roberto's confession shatters me—they're the notorious Conti crime family, and he's their legal weapon.

I'm planning my escape when twoSo pink lines appear.

Now I'm trapped between the safe life I left behind and a dangerous man whose baby is growing inside me—in a world I never knew existed.

Mature

Novel

Romance surprise pregnancy mafia romance age gap romance off-limits romance office romance best friend's uncle

Hosted by ARC Team

Note from the Author

This is the third stand-alone in The Conti Family Series. Both the first and second books were #1 Best Sellers with stellar reviews. The books can be read in any order, and you will not need to have read books one and two before enjoying ROBERTO.

Must review on:

Amazon

Optionally review on:

Goodreads

Bookbub

File(s) available:

EPUB (Send via email & download) 

 

----MY REVIEW 4 Star-NOTES TITLED:  Olivia gets tired of so many Lies and Secrets 

It starts out slow, building a good foundation with plenty of descriptive scenes of locations and systems.  And some of the people like Caterina Conti who is not only her college friend but also now her exacting but good boss. It got into too much information for my comfort when it came to setting things up  for the casino. But Caterina is keeping secrets !

Olivia Romano thrives in chaos so she can bring order. Roberto is farther in that category. He's an annoyingly controlling, neat nick who MUST have order and Quiet times to function.  His housekeeper knows what to do..coffee and food in the morning to keep his edge calm. Who is Maria and why does he keep shutting thoughts about her? It was a question that I kept thinking until it got cleared up. 

However, things got more interesting to me when Roberto and Olivia get stuck in an elevator when everyone has already gone home. She gets panicked.  Shes not good in an elevator on her good day according to her.  Things get incredibly sexually tense and includes rough play. 

I liked when the family members were included in more depth and it was shown that his brother, Antonio was the "charmer" of the group. Danger happens to a CLOSE family member but it does get "resolved."  The family pulls together and Olivia gets a closer look, a different view to this dangerous family. 

 Happy ending for Roberto and Olivia does earn a sigh and smile from me on how it all ends for them. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

bfunnel/ *Negotiating Love* by Nomaya Jax /?sample?

  For any other questions, please contact:
Nomaya Jax <Nomayajaxauthor@nomayajax.com>

I don’t make mistakes in business. Ever.

When my wife betrayed me to leak company secrets, I handled it like I would any hostile takeover—calculated, strategic, ruthless.

Then I met Amira.

Single mom. Beautiful. Tangled up with the wrong man.

I only meant to warn her. I didn't plan on hiring her. I didn’t plan on touching her—or kissing her—or imagining how she’d sound moaning my name. But I did.

Now the lines are blurred. She’s in my life, my bed… and somehow, always on my mind when I should be focused on anything else.

And the man she trusted before me? He’s not done causing trouble.

I thought I had everything under control… until protecting her becomes the only thing that matters.

-----MY REVIEW NOTES- This is just a cliffhanger sample

A good intro to the story that can be bought from the author for $2.99 But to be honest, this is just a taste ending on a cliffhanger. Too bad thought because it was starting to get interesting when it ended.

 Julian Carr and his friend and business associate Ryan are on a personal plane discussing Julian's business and Julian's unfaithful wife Sienna.  She has no idea that she has been caught cheating and there is proof. She thinks she's safe. No idea what's coming for her.  Brent Walker is her co-cheater.  And his beautiful girlfriend Amira Sterling has no idea either.   I love that name Amira.  She has a 3 year old daughter named Emma with this nasty guy and it's going to break their hearts.  Both of them are sweet and I'm not sure who Julian's going to fall in love with first but the daughter definitely looks good for it !

ARC/Mignon Mystery (The Good Chef Mysteries) by Elsie Grey

  amazon

 Book 7 of 8: The Good Chef Mysteries 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GK56MVJ7

A61 pages

Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2026

A tender cut. A small-town secret. And a mystery that won’t stay off the menu.

When a respected local figure is found dead, the quiet rhythm of Pine Grove is thrown off just as Lily Good is settling into life as a chef once again. Between running her restaurant and nurturing the community she’s come to love, Lily hoped the past was finally behind her.

But old instincts don’t fade easily.

As whispers ripple through town and loyalties are tested, Lily finds herself drawn back into an investigation where nothing is as carefully trimmed as it appears. With the help of familiar faces—and a few carefully prepared dishes—she begins to uncover a truth that someone is desperate to keep hidden.

Warm kitchens, small-town charm, and a mystery simmering just beneath the surface, Mignon Mystery is a cozy culinary novella perfect for readers who love comfort food, clever clues, and a heroine who follows her intuition—both in the kitchen and beyond.

Each title in The Good Chef Mysteries is a binge-friendly cozy novella, ideal for curling up with one delicious mystery at a time.

------------ 

My 4 star Review TITLED: Wait for the Twist !

I liked the short dedication at the beginning of her book that was to her sisters and her readers. Nice touch. And this is a sweet, good, clean mystery. 

An unwilling group gathering meet at Lily's restaurant to eat and they aren't a happy group of relatives.   They are there to humor their mother/ grandmother  to appear as a getting along group. They actually can't stand each other. Lily and her boyfriend Detective Lance Philips are working together again and are clever as usual.  People lie but wait for the twist it's a good one.

Several good recipes are added at the end of the book.  I enjoyed this shorter story that I was given as an ARC.  It's mentioned that Lily's next adventure continues in "Kipper Killer." 

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.