Book Review: Cage’s Misconduct by Nikki Worrell

February 4, 2016sydneygen 1 Comment

3c3097_e00aec6bc3c147a2aa930fcc57171548

Genre: Contemporary Romance. Sports.

Dalton ‘Cage’ Booker is the number one goalie for the San Diego Scorpions. Most people describe him as willful and stubborn—sometimes even difficult to control. More often than not, words fly out of his mouth without the benefit of passing through his brain first. And women love him.

Karen LaGrange, little sister of the former enforcer for the Scorpions, lives in Canada, where she works with special needs children. After losing her job to downsizing, she makes an extended visit to San Diego, forming a friendship with the errant goalie.

Through frequent reminders that they are friends without benefits, Karen struggles to keep their relationship platonic, but the more she shuts him down, the more he wants her.

Can Cage convince Karen to slip under the sheets with him, or is he destined to be firmly entrapped in the friend zone?

Cage Teaser 1

SGMyReview

There is just something a little yummy about hockey players. I know they get their faces beat up a lot, which isn’t attractive, but I just love them!! This book is another in the hockey genre and it did start out as a typical hockey book. Guy tries to go after girl, guy is hot stuff, girl says she just wants to be friends. Cage is definitely a typical ladies man and you’re reading the book in the beginning, wondering how the story is going to play out. About forty percent into the book there was a pleasant surprise that shifted the storyline of the book. There’s more than you think in this book, and it’s full of flawed characters who are trying to find out who they really are. I found the book interesting with the different point of view chapters. It’s part of a series, and whilst it’s the third book in the “NHL Scorpians” series, I had no problem picking up the storyline, as a stand alone. Grab this book if you don’t mind a guy who drops a few ‘f’ bombs…and knows how to use his stick (hockey stick, of course!!)

Cage's Misconduct 1 (2)

Buy the book

About the Author:

3c3097_3db1f64cc6b9447e90949c1679ecf3de About me. Let’s see. I work full time as a bookkeeper in a law firm located in Old City, Philadelphia. I’ve been there for almost ten years now. I am a country girl at heart and am more than ready to get home to my country living in South Jersey at the end of the day, but it’s nice to get a taste of the city too.

I have a B.S.B.A. in Human Resource Management. If I have any valuable advice to give, it’s to go to college directly after high school! I didn’t finish with my degree until I was thirty-eight.

I am married for over twenty years with no children. We prefer the furry kind, although I love, love, love my niece and nephew.

I write under two names. I use my real name, Nikki Worrell, for my hockey romance series and Michelle Craig (www.michellecraigauthor.com) for my erotic romances.

*Book provided by promotional company in exchange for an honest review

Surprise Release!!! Unspoken (Book 1.5) by Stephanie John

January 8, 2016sydneygen Leave a comment

Title: Unspoken: A Short Story
Series: The Heal Me Series Book 1.5
Author: Stephanie John
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Blitz: January 7 & 8, 2016
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Hosted by: S.B.B. Promotions

My first rule of business–never mix it with pleasure. Ever.

One unexpected encounter with a new employee and that fundamental rule was forgotten.

With a single touch, Kara Collins obliterated the order of my disciplined life, forcing me to question everything I believed in. Intuition told me I needed her, ensuring I couldn’t forget my second rule.

Trust my instincts. Always.

Unspoken takes us back to the first meeting between Nate Blake and Kara Collins in Salvation, retold from his POV.
This short, sexy tease (approx 5k words) provides insight into the mind of this passionate, powerful and utterly addictive man. You can discover more about Nate in the full-length novel Salvation (Heal Me Series Book 1), then prepare for the thrilling conclusion to Nate and Kara’s story in Book 2, scheduled mid-2016.

Unspoken can be read on its own, or as part of the Heal Me Series, either before or after Salvation.

To celebrate the surprise release of Unspoken, Stephanie John has made it FREE for a limited time!

Don’t miss out! One click your copy today before the price changes to US$0.99/£0.99

Always #free on #KindleUnlimited

“Have dinner with me.”

Miss Collins gaped at me. “Dinner?” she spluttered. “You mean like a business dinner?”

“No.” I had no idea why she was so surprised by my suggestion. Men must proposition her all the time. “No business talk.”

“A date?” Disbelief laced her seductive tone. Two elegant fingers pressed against lush, pouty lips that were turning a deeper shade of red to match the small band of rubies adorning one of her fingers.

I eyed her curiously, recalling her dismissive remark about contributing little to her earlier meeting. Why would she have such a low opinion of herself?

“That’s what I’d call it, yes. Do they call it something different in England?” I teased.

Miss Collins lunged for her glass, took a large gulp then frowned. “Dating the boss isn’t really my thing,” she murmured, returning the tumbler back to the table.

At first, her rejection didn’t register. Watching her slender neck work the liquid down had seriously screwed with me. An image of her on her knees, bee-stung lips closed around my cock and enthusiastically sucking made me more determined than ever to have her.

I really enjoyed Salvation by Stephanie John, so when the opportunity came up to read and review a surprise short story with Nate, I jumped at the chance. When you love a book, you often want to know what the other characters are thinking, what they would do in a situation, or how they would react. This novella gives a great tease into the mind of Nate, the main character from the Heal Me Series. He is completely enamoured with Kara, and this time we get to read exactly what he thinks of her. This is a wonderful addition to the series, in which I’m eagerly awaiting the next instalment of!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Salvation

Author: Stephanie John

Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance

Series: Heal Me Series, Book 1

Formats: Available on Amazon in ebook, paperback and free on Kindle Unlimited

A chance meeting turned my world inside out.

Intelligent, sexy, and rich. With a dash of roguish charm and a cocksure smile, Nathan Blake is the ultimate fantasy. He can have any woman he wants with only a glance.

And he wants me.

My past has left me broken and humiliated, wary of men like him. I cut myself off from the pain, moving thousands of miles away to escape every reminder, determined to start anew.

I’ve been second best before. It isn’t happening again.

One kiss and I’m caught under his spell, drawn to him with every breath I take.

I can’t resist.

The passion that explodes between us becomes an intense connection neither of us thought we’d share.

Or need.

The suffering inside me reflects his – a pain I know he feels, but can’t bring himself to reveal.

I have no idea his love can heal me – that mine can heal him…

…if only I can let down my guard for him and trust.

Salvation is a captivating story of finding, fighting and finally giving in to a love that is clearly meant to be. This is no ordinary billionaire romance – it is a breathtakingly sexy, tenderly erotic story with twists and turns that will leave you wanting more.

Warning: This work of fiction is intended for mature audiences over the age of 18 due to the sexual content and explicit language used throughout. Parental/reader discretion is advised.

Please note that even though this book is set in the USA, it is written from the POV of the female lead who is English, therefore British English vocabulary and spelling has been used.

On Sale for a Limited Time!

From 7 – 10 January Salvation is ON SALE on ALL Amazon platforms!

Don’t miss out on this highly-rated Amazon Bestselling Erotic Romance! Grab your copy today!

Always #free on #KindleUnlimited

What reviewers are saying about Salvation

“The chemistry in this book is OFF THE CHARTS and the writing is so well done you CANNOT help but connect to these characters and hope you can one day pull that delicious Nate Blake right off the pages and into your world!!” ~ Bitches Heart Books

“Add me to the long list of readers who loved this book! Stephanie John’s writing has such a beautiful flow with much heart and depth. Nate is the ultimate book boyfriend from being pure eye candy with a dirty mouth to the way he tenderly nurtures Kara. Their longing for one another was off the charts and the physical exchange of emotions without words was so strong. A true love story that doesn’t let go. DON’T MISS IT!” ~ Luv My Books

“I’m in withdrawal I want more Nate! 5 stars all the way! I was hooked from the start. When these two hook up it’s like the fourth of July! Salvation is a MUST READ.” ~ 2 Girls, A Book & a Glass of Wine

“Stephanie John has a genuine talent for bringing stories and characters to life and taking the reader along on an effortless ride to pure pleasure. And when I say pure pleasure – your heart will pound as their love heats up. One particular scene at the beach house will rank among the most erotic and powerful expressions of love that I have ever read. This book deserves more than five stars – it deserves a heaven full of them – because that is where you’ll think you’ve been when you’ve finished Salvation. I can’t wait for the next chapter … and the next … and the next. Don’t deny yourself one of the truly outstanding contemporary romances of 2015.” ~ Passionate Reads

“A beautifully written contemporary erotic romance. Plenty of great banter between the characters, plenty of story to get your teeth into, and plenty of sex to curl your toes.” ~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews

Most days, you’ll find Stephanie John on a yacht, wearing a very skimpy bikini, drinking champagne, eating chocolate and never gaining weight. When she isn’t asleep and dreaming, in real life you’re more likely to find her at the school gates, wearing whatever she dragged on that morning, drinking copious amounts of coffee. She still eats chocolate, though — everyone has their vices, right? Somehow, amidst the chaos of full-time mummy duties, she manages to write. Contemporary romance has always been her favourite genre to read for as long as she can remember (age-appropriate, of course).

Never in a million years did it occur to her to write one of her own. Now, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

~ HOSTED BY: ~

Book Review: Naughty Reunions Collection by Naughty Literati

December 23, 2015sydneygen 2 Comments

Naughty Reunions

Return to Romance

Available September 25th

by Alexa Silver, Berengaria Brown, Charlotte
Boyett-Compo, Francesca Hawley, Katherine Kingston, Marianne Stephens, Nicole
Austin, Regina Kammer, Suz deMello

Genres: Action / Adventure, Boxed Set, Contemporary,
Dark, Erotic, Fantasy,Fiction, Humor, M/M, New Adult, Paranormal, Regency, Romance

http://goo.gl/vM7Tdv

SGMyReview

I’m a little late to this review, but these are great for a hot holiday read! One of the great things about collections is that there’s always something for everyone. If you like a particular type of kink – there’s something for you. If you like a little romance – there’s something for you.

The heat factor of these short stories is definitely high level, so be warned. Find a quiet spot this holiday season, and escape into the world of Naughty Reunions.

Including BBW, Contemporary, F/F, M/M, New Adult,
Paranormal, Regency, Shape-shifter & Speculative Fiction from Amazon bestselling authors!

Silent Sky ~ Regina Kammer

I watched in horror as the twin towers collapsed, trying to remember if I’d told Scott I loved him before he left for New York.

Heartsong ~ Terry Rissen

Homeward Bound ~ Alexa Silver

Bry intends to come out with a splash. How will the public handle their favorite movie actor coming out of the closet. And how will the stresses impact Bry’s relationship with Kell?

Lady Esther’s Lesbian Lover ~ Berengaria Brown

Lady Esther’s London season failed to find her a husband. She’d rather find a woman to love. But that’s impossible in Regency England. Or is it?

Renovating the Relationship ~ Katherine Kingston

Dani and Brad’s relationship ended years ago when he couldn’t give her what she needed. This time Brad thinks he’s found a way to provide it, but Dani might not agree when she realizes what he plans.

The WyndMaster’s Homecoming ~ Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Maj. Marisol Diaz journeyed to hell to bring home her wayward lover. Keeping him alive was going to be harder than she thought.

Back in Your Arms ~ Marianne Stephens

Liz blames Brian’s family for the loss of her family’s Inn. Seeking revenge, she contacts Brian to restore it. Will rekindled love spark between them?

My Cups Runneth Over ~ Francesca Hawley

Five years ago, Brook’s tarot reading and dream premonition predicted his lover’s death so he left to protect her. On the morning of his cousin’s wedding, Delia and Brook meet again. Will their reunion bring love or danger?

Ocean Dreams ~ Suz deMello

Marine biologist Jill has never forgotten Blue, the baby dolphin with whom she bonded. Reunited with him years later, she discovers he’s a shapeshifter in the sexiest possible way.

Hybrid Mates 5: Take Me Home ~ Nicole Austin

Going home isn’t easy, but my new stepbrother has me aching for the kind of love my sister’s have found. Can I really have it all?

Book provided in exchange for honest review

New Release Book Review: Modern Heart by Belinda Williams

November 27, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

modernheartcover

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Limited time only: Dream career! Perfect man! The catch? Emotional availability.
Scarlett Wong has a reputation for toughness. A talented and often feared Creative Director at an award-winning Sydney advertising agency, she doesn’t do relationships, she doesn’t invite men home, and she never stays the night. The only people who see her softer side are her three closest girlfriends, and they’re finally convinced they’ve found her perfect man: John Hart.
Scarlett’s never been one to back down from a challenge and she’s not going to start now. But when John secures Scarlett an invitation from one modernheartteaser1 of New York’s leading galleries to exhibit her artwork, it means putting herself out there like never before. Scarlett’s perfect man wouldn’t interfere in her life like this – would he?
For a woman who thinks she’s not scared of anything, Scarlett is about to discover she’s not as tough as she thinks. Will she take the chance to turn her secret passion into a career, risk the safety of her advertising career, and let John in? Or will old habits die that little bit too hard?

SGMyReview

Belinda Williams has continued to excel in bringing together characters with emotion and substance. IN her latest release, Modern Heart, she will have you cringing, cheering, and hoping that emotions don’t ruin everything.

Scarlett Wong is a self-proclaimed emotionally detached career woman. Having been pressured all her life to do the things she doesn’t love Scarlett finds it hard to accept that she may just be good at something she loves, art. In the book she battles with her relationship with a controlling mother. A strict Chinese immigrant, Scarlett’s mum sees her daughter as an academic, not an artist. This has meant Scarlett carries scars throughout the story. Can she begin the heal these scars as she gets older, and discover that art is her true passion?!

Enter Mr. Perfect. John ‘bloody’ Hart. All her friends know he’s the guy for her, but she has so many personal issues she’s not willing to let him in. They’ve met before, in book one, but things finally begin change when she decides to take a chance. This book is so much more than boy and girl get together. There is a lot of emotion and it flicks between Scarlett remembering significant events from her childhood, and the present. This book really is about a woman coming to terms with herself, and the choices in her life that she has control over.

I really enjoyed reading the dynamics of the friends, again. Being set in Sydney is really fun to read, and I love to imagine exactly where they may be (just as I did in The Pitch – book 1). Modern Heart is the perfect next installment in the City Love series. A mixture of friendship, cynicism, coming to terms with who you are, and finding that life leads a tricky road. This book is all about navigating through choices you make in life, and how it can be so much better with friends, and love.

Publisher Purchase Link

FREE STUFF!

You’ve still got a couple of days to pick up a copy of THE BOYFRIEND SESSIONS for FREE or THE PITCH for 99c. Tell your friends or family!
Nov 15 books promotion

**I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Momentum Books for the opportunity to review**

Book Review: Redemption Road by Katie Ashley

November 9, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

Genre: MC Romance / Contemporary Romance / Bikers

Synopsis:

Looking for a walk on the wild side, Annabel Percy, the daughter of a powerful politician, gives in to an attraction to a sexy biker she meets one night. But she finds herself living a nightmare when she’s kidnapped and transported into a hell on earth she never could have imagined.

Born and bred into the Hells Raiders MC, Nathaniel “Reverend” Malloy lives and dies for his brothers. But when he becomes the unexpected savior of a rival club’s captive, Rev makes it his personal mission to nurse Annabel back to health—and to shelter her from the nightmares that torment her.

Once Annabel heals, she’s stunned to realize she is falling for the seductive man who saved her. Faced with their impossible attraction, can she accept the life he leads, or will Rev walk away from the only life he’s ever known for the woman he was never supposed to love?

Katie Ashley sets the pace almost immediately in the first chapter of Redemption Road. After the first chapter I had to take a moment and go back and read the synopsis and what I was reading! The author does not sugarcoat anything, and as a reader I am grateful. It didn’t deter me in any way. The raw emotion, and tragedies spilled on the pages allows the pace of the book to flow perfectly.

Redemption Road is about a man and a woman, both coming from tragedy, and the power that holds fate in their hands. Through redemption, it’s love that should be able to bring them together. But will it be enough? One of my favourite moments happens just after the middle of the book when Rev ‘the big bad biker dude’, really doesn’t understand what’s happening after he’s rescued, ‘the girl’:

“Deep down, I imagined I could fall in love with Rev Malloy with all my heart and soul, regardless of the length of time that passed or the circumstances that had bought us together. That revelation caused tears to well in my eyes. Rev’s eyes widened. “Oh shit. I’ve really fucked up, haven’t I?”
I shook my head vigorously and hurried to tell him, “No, no. You’ve done everything right. I swear.”

The chemistry and relationship between the two main characters, Annabel and Rev, is so well written that you’ll be sucked into their lives and eagerly awaiting fate to deal them a good card. Redemption Road is a great addition to the MC genre. I’d sum this book up as a precise blend of gritty raw MC culture, and second chance romance after life has dealt you a crappy hand.

I have not read the first in this series, and appreciated that the author has written a ‘stand alone’. It’s great to be able to be drawn into an established world without feeling like you’ve missed out on something by not reading the other novels (yet!).

~I was invited to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Violet Chain by J Kahele

November 2, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

Violet Chain by J Kahele
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb

After catching her fiancé with another woman at their engagement party,

Violet Townsend’s world is turned upside down.

Desperate to numb the pain, she falls into the arms of charming, young entrepreneur Chain Alexander.

Chain, a notorious womanizer of Philadelphia, not looking for anything more than a night of pleasure with a woman, is drawn to Violet instantly. There is something about her that he needs and wants so desperately and it’s not just sex.

But Violet is resistant. Can she open her heart again after having it broken so brutally? And more importantly, should she?

This book is intended for mature audiences.

Kindle Link to buy Violet Chain – http://goo.gl/8l4W4o

SGMyReview

Violet Chain is a contemporary romance. The title is wordplay on the two main characters: Violet and Chain. This book was an unexpected read. I have to say, the cover didn’t capture me, but it’s a true case of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. It was a super quick read, which means the words flowed easily from the page. There were lots of little details making up a contemporary romance, which will appeal to the genre readers. However, something a little different the author did was made the male character the pursuer, and the female character being the hesitant one to jump into any form of relationship. Obviously, this comes as a part of the opening scene of the book, where Violet catches her fiancé cheating at their engagement party. The book is about Violet trying to get past this, and to gain independence, whilst being pursued by someone who may just be “the one”. He just happens to be a hot, rich guy, who only has eyes for her.

There’s some drama and by the end of the book you’ll be getting right into the story and them BAM – Cliffhanger!! Be warned! It certainly shouldn’t stop you from reading this book, and starting what looks to be a pretty dramatic series. I look forward to hearing about the next installment and catching up with Violet, and Chain.

Excerpt
One

The silent communication in her eyes, the stillness of her body told me she knew I was hurting.
Her hand cupped the nape of my neck. “It’s okay, I’m here—I’m here,” she whispered as she kissed each tear on my cheek.
She slanted her mouth to capture mine and kissed me slowly as her hand curled around my body, pulling me against hers. I drew a breath and held it as her lips caressed my neck.
I was falling.
Deeply.
Unconditionally.
In love with her.
A chill swept across me as the warmth of her body left mine and she sat up, sliding off the t-shirt I had given her to wear to bed, then slid on top of me.
Her deft fingers slipped beneath the waistband of my boxers, light kisses raining from her lips against my skin as she moved down my body, sliding my boxers off and throwing them to the side. She reached to the nightstand to grab a condom, when my hand stopped hers. I wanted to feel all of her—bare.
Her eyes blinked hard as I flipped her over and slid on top of her.
As our sleek bodies moved feverishly against each other, I held her tight, wanting to remember the smell of her hair, the touch of her skin, the taste of her lips. This was where I wanted to be, this was where I belonged, buried inside of her.
As we found our release together, her body fell limp against mine and I wrapped my arms around her, never wanting to let her go. I raised my head to look down at her and could see tears forming in her eyes and I knew for that moment, she was completely mine and I was hers. And I knew I was ruined, I would never feel the same way about another woman as I felt about Violet. I kissed her softly on the lips.

Excerpt
Two

His hand slid to the curve of my back and he pulled me into a deep embrace. My eyes met his and they gleamed with a
softness and gentleness that took my breath away. He smiled as he slid his finger down my cheek, across my chin, before slipping back into a kiss. I didn’t know if it was the way his lips softly touched mine, or if it was the loving way he had looked into my eyes, but everything about Chain at that moment captured my heart.
He placed feather kisses across my collarbone, the curve of my neck, my jaw, and then claimed my lips. The kiss was soft, slow and lingering. As our lips parted our tongues met in sync. I held him close, wanting to remember his strong shoulders,
the touch of his skin to mine. His hand caressed the inside of my thigh and I moaned, then he curled me close to him and kissed me with a passion that made my heart skip a beat.
As our bodies slowly moved against each other, I felt something reaching deep inside of me, gripping at my heart, overwhelming my emotions, causing tears to stream uncontrollably from my eyes. Chain lifted his head, staring into my eyes, and I saw he was mirroring the same feelings as I.
As he circled his hips slowly, we found our release together and I exhaled sharply. That familiar feeling filled me, that stabbing, aching feeling.
It surrounded me.
Engulfed me.
Suffocated me.
I turned away from Chain, hugging my pillow, my mind drifting off into a pit of despair. As much as I tried to fight it, to run from it, there was no denying that I was falling hard for Chain Alexander and there was no way of escaping.

Author Bio

I am a proud mother of three daughters who are my absolute complete existence. I write to relieve the scattered thoughts that stream through my mind, constantly. My biggest downfall is that I am a huge procrastinator, which makes my life at
times hectic!

Author
link

Pinterest
– https://www.pinterest.com/janellekahele/

Blog
– http://www.janellekahele.com/fancy_you_stopped_in/

(Thank you to the author for providing a copy for an honest review)

Book Review: Work Song by Danielle Allen

October 26, 2015sydneygen 1 Comment

When society tries to put you in a box, knock the walls down. –Tati Green

“You have a pretty face” is such a back-handed compliment. It’s like telling me that my face is beautiful, but the rest of me is not.

Despite what society says, my curves are hot.
My love life, on the other hand, is not.

My mom says I’ll never find love because of my weight.
My sister says I’ll never find love because of my personality.
My almost-fiancé says I’ll never find love because I’m incapable of loving anyone.

My mom and sister are full of it, but my ex kind of has a point.

At twenty-seven years old, I’ve never been in love. I date a lot, yet sparks never fly. But when I experienced the heart-pounding, skin tingling feeling for the first time, I didn’t think it would be caused by a guy I’ve never met. And I damn sure didn’t think he would end up holding my future in his hands in more ways than one.

Genre: Contemporary Romance / BBW Romance

Work Song, by Danielle Allen, is the story of two co-workers, who begin communicating via email from across the country. There’s an immediate connection due to their fun loving personalities, and love of movie quotes (a fun inclusion to the ongoing storyline!)

Reading this book was a breathe of fresh air. Sometimes when you are reviewing books you find that you are reading the same story

over and over again, just a little different. I didn’t find this book to be like that, at all.

The main character, Tatiana (Tati) is a strong willed, big, beautiful woman. She is trying to make it in a man’s world of sports journalism, and throughout her life has sacrificed relationships in order to reach her career goals. In this book she’s presented with a conflict when her online friendship is in jeopardy as Wesley (Wes) is relocated across country to the same office she works in.

I really loved reading these characters. Tatiana was a great big bright spark, and in the world of today’s body shaming, it was great to read a woman character that was absolutely comfortable in her own skin. Her tough decisions and relationships she endures in the book are portrayed with heart and soul. This curvy girl romance by Danielle Allen is an absolute fun read!

Follow Tati Green on Twitter!!!

Danielle Allen is a lover of football, fashion, film and fiction. Married to the yin to her yang, Danielle spends most of her time with her husband, family and friends. From karaoke nights to vacationing and everything in between, she enjoys making the most out of the life in which she’s been blessed. Danielle spends her days teaching and event planning and her nights writing.

Danielle Allen is the author of the Back to Life Series (Back to Life, Back to Reality, Back to December*), Love Discovered in New York, Autumn & Summer, the Heartache Series (Heartache, Heartfelt, Heartless*) and Work Song.

Book Review: Decline – Declan Reede the Untold Story by Michelle Irwin

October 19, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

DECLINE

Declan Reede: The Untold Story

Hold on tight, stick to the racing line, and watch for the corners.

Four years after making the decision to leave his home town behind, all of Declan Reede’s dreams have come true. Unapologetically foul-mouthed and well known for his off-track antics, his success seems unstoppable. At least until Queensland Raceway and a chance sighting of the girl who once held his heart. Now, getting around the track

seems an impossible battle as he struggles to return to his previous form. With his career racing downhill faster than his V8 on Mount Panorama, there’s more than just his reputation on the line.

What will it take to put the brakes on his decline?

**Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18**

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 24th September 2015
Cover Artist: Soxsationalcoverart
Principal photography by: NSP Studios
Cover models: Ashleigh Johnson and Jarah Armstrong.

Available now

Add to your Goodreads want to read list here:

Decline truly is a story of a man in decline. What I really love about this book, and so far, the whole Declan Reede story, is that it’s about a flawed character who doesn’t miraculously redeem himself just because of some actions in the storyline.

There are so many little story lines in this book, but I can’t tell you any of them because they will spoil the whole book. Declan does a good job of stuffing things up over and over again. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to yell at him for being such a self-destructive a-hole! Of course, if he wasn’t then there’d be no Decline. His love for Alyssa is evident in his reactions and destructive behaviour. It’s a love that comes along once in a lifetime. Can he manage to heal it and keep the fractured love he’s created?

This story is intriguing and full of drama. It’s a lot less on the actual race car driving, and a lot more of the relationship and personal dramas of the main characters. Michelle Irwin has a real knack for writing the contemporary world, and I am really enjoying her words.

I don’t feel like there’s any resolution in the story, but there certainly is movement in the storyline that creates a great installment to the Declan Reede series. I can’t wait to keep reading!

EXCERPT

Eden had been right about the track. By the ninth lap
of my second stint, the bitumen was bone dry and the teams that had gambled on
the rain staying were scrambling to the pits to change back onto slicks. I used the time to push even further ahead. Eden’ s voice squawked over the radio, telling me that I had just achieved the fastest lap time of the day. If I
didn’t have to keep both hands on the wheel, I would have given a fist pump in celebration. Things were finally going my way.

I was celebrating the small victories when I came across the top of the mountain again, across Skyline. The glare from the sun reflected in the top corner of my windscreen and I was blinded. Not by the light, but by the vision which the sun called to mind.

Alyssa.

My heart stopped and my eyes slammed closed.

Smiles and laughs; the sun glinting off her watch as we kept an eye on the time.

I could almost hear her voice bouncing around the car, laughing over some ridiculous shit we’d done during the day. We’d been so happy. So innocent. So fucking naive and stupid.

The memory was from one of the days we’d ditched school to hide out in our park. With a gasp, I swallowed oxygen down into protesting lungs. My hands shook and tremors raced through my fingers and into the wheel.

My stomach clenched as I remembered just how beautiful
she’d been. She didn’t have supermodel looks, she had something better. An honest to goodness girl-next-door quality that shone through from within and made her ten times sexier than any over glossed supermodel could ever be. The truth was, as bad as the visions of Alyssa’s red-rimmed eyes were, the happy ones were worse. They became tangible reminders of how much she’d once meant to me, and I almost didn’t want to suppress them.

With two more gulping breaths, I forced my eyes open and pushed the thought away. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, but it was already too late.

Though it’d been mere seconds, I’d been in my own world, my past for too long and hadn’t prepared to take the turn before falling into the Esses. I had no time to do anything but adjust the angle of my car as it smashed into the concrete barrier with a teeth-rattling bang. I prepared myself in the only way I could for a second crash as the car ricocheted off the wall, spun across the track, and then smashed into the side of a passing car. The sound of crunching metal and squealing rubber filled the space around me, but I could do nothing but hold on and hope for the best. My car lurched sickeningly toward the wall again, shunting hard into the concrete and rocking me into the hard surface of the door.

By the time I came to a rest, I was angled nose into the wall in a stationary car.

Unable to move, I panted as I struggled to comprehend just what had happened, aside from the fact that I’d crashed, that part I got loud and fucking clear. Closing my eyes, I mentally ran through my body to ensure I wasn’t too badly injured. I wiggled my fingers and my toes and was
relieved when everything did what it was supposed to. Except for my heart racing at a million miles a minute, and the fact that I couldn’t breathe down nearly enough air to stay in control, I was okay.

My eyes snapped to the rear-view mirror when I heard the sound of protesting tyres.

AUTHOR BIO

Michelle Irwin has been many things in her life: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; a young girl willing to fight for the love of a vampire; and a time-travelling madman in a box. She achieved all of these feats and many more through her voracious reading habit. Eventually, so much reading had to have an effect and the cast of characters inside her mind took over and spilled out onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance.

You can find Michelle here:

Book Review: First Kisses by Dina Littner ~ A Short Story

September 10, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

Dina Littner presents First Kisses. A short story that is incredibly sweet, although incredibly short! (this is me screaming for more more more!!)

It was really cute. I loved the interaction between the teens in the treehouse. The two best friends and Jillian are exactly how I remember with my friends when I was that age. It was so easy, and just ..was.

I loved that the boys called her Jills, and the natural chemistry they have leads into the perfect discovery of Jills getting her first (and second) kiss!

First Kisses is all about discovery and contemplation! I loved the style of the writing of Dina Littner and anxiously anticipate the extension of this story, or lots more stories from her! She will bring a wonderful storyline to her first novel and I absolutely look forward to reading it in 2016!

Definitely read this if you’re after a super quick read of cuteness and first time kisses.

Click on the Facebook icon to be connected to the author

About the Author:
I’m a writer. I write romance. I do other things, too. I do. . . Watch for my debut book ~ Through An Open Door ~ in early 2016.

Cover Reveal & Book Review: Decide by Michelle Irwin

July 31, 2015sydneygen Leave a comment

DECIDE

DECLAN REEDE: THE UNTOLD STORY

Strap in, get ready to start your engines and see where it all began.

From an early age, Declan Reede’s only goal was to race in the ProV8 Championship Series. One thing he couldn’t anticipate was that a blistering kiss shared with his best friend, Alyssa Dawson, might derail his plans.

While he knows things between them will never be the same, it’s impossible to predict just where the road will take them, or how rocky it might get.

Will he decide to fight for love or follow his dreams?

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: 27th August 2015

Cover Artist: Soxsationalcoverart

Principal photography by: NSP Studios

Cover models: Ashleigh Johnson and Jarah Armstrong.

Pre-order the introduction novella now for the special price of 99c

Add to your Goodreads want to read list here:

Congratulations to Michelle on the Cover Reveal! I’ve had the pleasure of reading this novella, so without further ado….

I have previously read Michelle’s early work, Through The Fire, a paranormal fantasy revolving around lots of magic and action. Knowing how much I enjoyed her style of writing, and seeing her dive into the Contemporary Romance world, I was highly anticipating the release of this book! I knew it would have to be different, because she was playing with different worlds now. The contemporary world is a lot less forgiving than the paranormal fantasy worlds an author can create.

Well, I don’t know how Michelle Irwin has done it, but she has managed to get in the head of a teenage boy and capture his essence with ease! This book is a fantastic base to what is to come in this series. The story revolves around Declan and Alyssa. These kids are lifelong best friends who were always there for each other. That was until they decided to take it to the next level. Declan has wanted to be a V8 race car driver all his life. Unfortunately for him, his best friend, and now girlfriend, finds it boring. Conflict ensues, but not in a way you would think. It’s a subtle conflict that is executed in the perfect teen way. There isn’t any technical jargon that would confuse you, so if you’re not familiar with racing, it’s okay, you’ll still get it. Irwin has captured first loves, first times, first losses, and building a future, in such a fantastic way. So much so that I can’t wait to grab the next book to see where things go.

This is a must read before you pick up the first book in the series.

As a side note: I loved the fact that it was based in Australia. It has me laughing at some of the terms used, the glossary at the front of the book will get you sorted in case you have any questions of the strange words she uses!

This one doesn’t come out until the end of August, so be sure to pre-order for a bargain price of .99c.

Author Bio:

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance.

You can find Michelle here:

SydneyGen Reads

Read – Write – Review

Menu

Widgets

Search

Contemporary Romance

Book Review: Cage’s Misconduct by Nikki Worrell

Surprise Release!!! Unspoken (Book 1.5) by Stephanie John

To celebrate the surprise release of Unspoken, Stephanie John has made it FREE for a limited time!

Don’t miss out! One click your copy today before the price changes to US$0.99/£0.99

Always #free on #KindleUnlimited

On Sale for a Limited Time!

From 7 – 10 January Salvation is ON SALE on ALL Amazon platforms!

Don’t miss out on this highly-rated Amazon Bestselling Erotic Romance! Grab your copy today!

Always #free on #KindleUnlimited

Book Review: Naughty Reunions Collection by Naughty Literati

Book provided in exchange for honest review

New Release Book Review: Modern Heart by Belinda Williams

FREE STUFF!

Book Review: Redemption Road by Katie Ashley

Book Review: Violet Chain by J Kahele

Book Review: Work Song by Danielle Allen

Book Review: Decline – Declan Reede the Untold Story by Michelle Irwin

Book Review: First Kisses by Dina Littner ~ A Short Story

Cover Reveal & Book Review: Decide by Michelle Irwin