K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 13

Book review: L.J. Shen – Broken Knight (@lj_shen)

At two years old, when Luna had spoken the most important words of her small life, they [image error]had made no difference. Not the tiniest bit. She decided then and there if words couldn’t stop what happened, then they were not important, she had no further use for them. Growing up selectively mute she was the focus of ridicule, but there was always Knight, her warrior, her protector. The problem with knights though is the women love them, and this was certainly true for her best friend. Women fell over themselves just to be in the same room. Luna loved him, ride or die, that was their thing. Always. He had saved her growing up, but when she left him behind what they had was broken and as his life spirals out of control she wonders what she can do. Some times things change, sometimes a damsel needs to save their knight.

L.J. Shem’s Broken Knight is a perfectly paced romance complete with heartbreak, betrayal, deception, and love. But love is never a simply journey it must be fought for, earned, paid for. I loved the characters in this book, they really do jump straight from the page an into your heart. Witten in alternating first-person perspective we are give front row seats to watching Knight’s spiral as his world spins out of control, while Luna not only find herself, but rebuilds herself to become everything Knight needs, even if what he needs is not her. As you watch the lives of these characters unfold there is no way not to become invested in their story, in their struggles, angst, and desperation. An enjoyable read from the first page to the last.

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Book review: Abigail Strom – Tell Me (@AbigailStrom)

Jane was happy to indulge in her fantasies, unlike Caleb, her teenage crush and her sister [image error]Sam’s business partner, she was happy to keep her adventures in her mind. But lately, he’s been having his own fantasies. He and Sam were close, like siblings, but at one point he stopped seeing Jane as his little sister, he noticed her curves, her beauty in a way no one ever had. The problem was Jane was too good for a one night stand, and there was no chance he would commit himself to a relationship. Then the unthinkable happens, a tragedy strikes and he must pick up the pieces, both of them are broken, could they find comfort and healing in one another, or are their differences, their heartbreaks, too much to overcome?

Tell Me by Abigail Strom is a bittersweet love story, bittersweet in the sense the main theme of the book is so emotional and impactful with feeling of loss which is onset by the love and affection between Sam and Jane. I loved how the characters just step from the page, so life-like, vivid, and emotionally real. At more than one point this book had me on the verge of tears due to the powerful and emotional writing that forces you to share the loss and heartbreak while rewarding you with sweet sentiments and blossoming romance. There are so many themes to this book from sibling rivalry all the way through to personal growth and compromise. Heartbreak, romance and deep characters will keep you hooked on an entertaining plot that belongs with the greats. Without a doubt Tell Me has earned its place on my recommended reading list because this is a story that won’t let you go from start to finish and engages the reader emotionally.

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Book review: Donna Alam – Liar Liar (@word_hoor)

When Rose finished her shift at the strip bar that night she had no idea how much her [image error]life was going to change. Arriving home early in the morning she is taken by surprise by an attacker, only to discover he wasn’t trying to hurt her, he was hurt and needed help. The hospital assumed she was his girlfriend, and she hadn’t corrected them, meaning this French-speaking hottie was all hers when he was released for observation. The problem was she didn’t speak a word of French. Although some time actions speak louder than words. When he leaves she thought she would never see him again, but the French man is not who she thought he was, and their paths are tangled in ways she could never imagine.

Liar Liar is a romantic comedy written by Donna Alam that will have you laughing out loud, while taking you on an emotional rollercoaster as Remy and Rose’s lives clash, attract, repel, and take disastrous turns. I enjoyed the engaging writing style and scene setting along with the gradual build of the plot and complications of the relationship. This is not just a tale of finding love, Remy’s injuries were no accident, and other events that unfold that lead him to believe someone is seeking to take his life, to hurt him, and sometimes the easiest way to hurt someone is by going after something they love.

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Book review: Hayleigh Sol – Book review

Sophie had been eagerly awaiting the next romance book from her favourite author for [image error]too long. Content with her single life she was happy to get her injection of romance this way. What she wasn’t expecting was for the book to present an opportunity of something more. Someone had read it before her, leaving something inside she couldn’t help but cringe at. A sex scene, possibly the worst ever written. Her pen was flying across the paper before she even knew what was happening. It was her way of venting, her way of explaining everything that was wrong with the brief dispassionate fumble. She hadn’t meant to put it back in the book, nor expect for the author to track her down seeking further insights. Both had been hurt, their view of love and romance jaded, but will working together help them heal, could they find something more, something worth being written about, or will they protect themselves and their hearts?

Hayleigh Sol’s Book Review is a sweet romance tale occurring between the lead characters Jax and Sophie. I loved the unique approach to this romance and the will they won’t they hook that progresses throughout. The book itself is more centred around the building of a relationship than the typical romance read, where as the injections of hot and steamy come through their writing and the occasional reaction to things they have sent each other.  The characters’ vulnerabilities and insecurities play a huge role in this book as they form an amazing friendship, scared to take it to something more. I really enjoyed how their paths never seemed to cross, neither knowing what the other looked like as they worked, respecting each other’s privacy. Humour, passion, insecurities, fear, and friendship are central to this plot and its engaging third person, that shifts between Jax and Sophie’s perspective, is seamless and engaging.

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Exciting news – The Dream Walker

It seems to be the week for exciting news, yesterday I announced my series has a new merchandise line, today I am pleased to inform you that the final book in the Forgotten Legacies series, The Dream Walker, is now with my publishers.

I was really excited to finally be able to send it off. I struggled with a number of delays in getting this title completed due to the loss of a close family member, but now it is done, polished, and just awaiting the publisher’s magic. With any luck it could be hitting your kindle as early as autumn.

 

Thanks for baring with me through the delays. It breaks my heart my nan isn’t here to see the final conclusion. She was an amazing woman and supported my dream of writing since I was a young girl. She brought me my first typewriter when I was about eight, and I still remember how often I used the back space button to type over a typo, leaving a big angry dark letter over the mistake. It certainly wasn’t as forgiving as computers, especially when my spelling at that age was awful and my mind used to race ahead while my fingers lagged behind. Years later, when I was first published, she dedicated an entire section of her wall to me, printing out reviews and cutting out newspaper articles and pinning them in her hall so anyone who visited had to walk past them. I miss her so much, especially at times like this, times when I know she would have looked upon me with pride.

I hope you enjoyed the mini teaser above, and watch this space for more news on The Dream Walker as it becomes available.

Take care everyone

Ks the Dreamer x

 

Book review: Lorhainne Eckhart – The Third Call (@LEckhart)

In Lorhainne Eckhart’s The Third Call, from the moment that second emergency call [image error]came through Marcus O’Connell knew it was something more than a childish prank. The girl was terrified, trapped in a house that wasn’t hers with her mum and a man she didn’t know. By the time the third call is connected intuition and experience warn him it isn’t going to end well. With the Sheriff indisposed it falls to Marcus to handle this escalating situation, but nothing goes down as it should, and he is left not only trying to resolve the disastrous aftermath but look towards a future he never expected with a person who had always been too afraid to let go of the past. Can Marcus find the happily ever after he has wanted for years, or will things once more turn south?

The Third Call is the second book in Lorhainne Eckhart’s The O’Connells series. This book follows the life of Marcus, once a trouble maker, now the deputy he works beside Charlotte, a woman who he has loved for years but she is too afraid to finalise her divorce and surrender her family home. I enjoyed how this story was a cross between a romance and a crime drama. When Marcus takes the call he could never imagine how it would change his life, how it would moving missing pieces into place and spur action and realisation of the things almost lost. Marcus’ character is well defined with a good moral compass and a tendency to fight for the rights of others, especially those being treated unjustly. Morals and family are running themes through this book and makes for some very interesting exchanges. Danger, romance, and a drive to do what is right will see you glued to the page as you watch Marcus’ tale unfold.

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Fantasy merchandise

Hi everyone

I really couldn’t wait a moment longer to share my amazing news with you.

The Forgotten Legacies Series now has its own line of merchandise! How awesome is that?

So without further ado…

Welcome to K.J’s Emporium.

[image error]Pull up a chair and stay a while in a world of magic and whimsy, curses and wonder.

Visit here at: https://teespring.com/stores/kjs-emporium

More lines are being added, but I just couldn’t wait to let you all know about this.

I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has been supporting me, and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Have an amazing week x

 

Book review: Marie Scully – Flame

In Marie Scully’s Flame, Danny was always on the move. She took work where she could [image error]and when things got too serious or people got too close she ran. She was always running. But this time something was different. From the moment she met Noel on the train life changed. She found herself at Wild Horse Ranch, part of a family, and the work with horses was fulfilling in a way she had never expected. Taken into Ben’s family she is treated as more than help, and then she met Liam. She never expected to be drawn to anyone, she had normally left long before she had a chance to get comfortable. While terrified she stays, curious to discover what this place and Liam could become to her. But he too has shadows in his past, he too fears the vulnerability of her presence. They are pulled together, yet both want to push away. Can they move past their dark and haunted pasts, or will they run from each other like Danny runs from all her problems?

Marie Scully’s Flame is a beautifully penned romance that is as much a tale of healing, self-acceptance, and discovery as it is the journey of two people falling in love. I enjoyed the alternating perspective of the writing style allowing the reader to gain insight into the two main character’s personal journey and understand the past they are shielding themselves and others from. I loved the energy of the character interactions, the personalities added depth and realism to a wonderful story and, on more than one occasion, you will find yourself getting frustrated at them as they pull away to protect themselves, ignoring what their heart is telling them in fear of baring too much and making themselves vulnerable to being hurt. Challenges, uncertainty, and rivalry are woven throughout this beautifully set tale in which by supporting each other the characters go being hole hearted to whole hearted.

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Book review: Whitney G – Two Weeks Notice (@Whitgracia)

Tara was desperate, behind on rent with only a few dollars in her bank she was doing [image error]everything she could to save pennies until she could find a job. She had left university with excellent prospects, but no one seems to be willing to take a chance, that is, until she is caught doing something she shouldn’t by the CEO of the number one hotel chain. The deal is simple, she works for him, he doesn’t call the police. She had no idea what she was getting into. Preston is the worst boss in the world, a workaholic asshole who usually cant keep an EA for more than a few weeks. But there is small print in her contract she hadn’t seen, now she is stuck there, until death do they part, hers or his. Tempting. She may have been ready to try anything, until the unexpected happens and he presents her with an offer she can’t refuse.

Two Weeks Notice is a stand alone contemporary romance by Whitney G. Written in the alternating perspective of Tara and Preston to allow the reader a full experience. Preston’s character is well defined in his role, cocky, arrogant, and an ass but fortunately Tara is more than up to the challenge, she is exactly what he needs she won’t take is crap and excels in the job she had to do. Set over two years years I enjoyed watching Tara grow into the role of his EA, making herself indispensable which, unfortunately for her, opens a whole new can of worms when she tries to leave. The story flows well and is entertaining. Tension, hatred, frustration, and attraction drive this enemies to lovers romance, and as the plot unfold, you’ll see things on the surface aren’t always how they appear.

 

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Book review: A Zavarelli – Beast (@AZavarellibooks)

Bella’s father has gone missing, not knowing whether he is alive or dead is killing her. [image error]She’s a pop idol, a young lady with the voice of an angel, but all she feels now instead of the joy of music is trapped. She keeps reaching out, hoping that she will hear something, anything, to confirm her father is still alive. She knows of only one person who could help, Javi, the boy her father always abandoned her for, the boy he had always spent his time with. But Javi is not who she thinks he is, bent on revenge and focused on obsession Bella is about to discover exactly what it means to be trapped. He’s a beast and he wants to break her, to show her the true meaning of pain and suffering.

A Zavarelli’s Beast is a twisted and gripping dark romance that takes the fairy tale Beauty and the beast to erotic and all new lengths. I have to admit I am become quite the fan of dark romances and I found the plot and emotions in this book as engaging as the author’s writing style. Great descriptions and scene settings lead to full plot emersion and investment in the characters you need to love. Exciting, torturous, sweet, and nasty all in one spine tingling and gripping read with more than one twist in store. simply brilliant.

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