My Review:

Dead By Midnight was such a fun story! Loved this quickie of a story. I was able to do this one in audio and I really enjoyed this one. Its basically a retelling (I Team) style of Die Hard and I totally wasn't expecting that. So for fans of Die Hard, this book is for you!!!

It starts out with I Team meeting up for a gathering for Christmas in D.C., but its also a meeting with some high end politicians as well. While at the gathering with a few of our couples from I Team, they are then ambushed by a group of terrorists who have bombs on them. We also have some emotional drama happening with some of our couples here and we also get some angsty, nail biting adventure with our I Team. We also get some cameo appearances with a series by Kaylea Cross. So if you are a fan of that author, then this would be a delightful book to read along the way as well. This book was super heart wrenching at times though. We get some intense moments of thinking some of our favorite characters almost being killed or raped so yeah you really feel the emotional intensity and what some of these couples have to risk to protect everyone, including the one they love most. It really digs deeply at those emotions and so flawlessly done by this author.

Overall I found Dead By Midnight to be a awe inspiring, edgy suspense will just the right touch of Christmas to make it work! ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL! 

 

Did a reading of this book as a read along with the TV show adaptation

 

 

Did a reading of this book as a read along with the show

 

 

Doing a read of this as a follow along with the TV show adaption and so addictive!!! I can't put these books down.

 

 

Read as a read along for the Binge watch of the TV show.

 

 

My Review

I am going to keep this review a little bit shorter. I liked this one but didn't necessarily love this one. I wanted to love it more than I did. I had pretty high hopes for this one but it felt lacking in the romance department. The story itself, the gothic atmosphere and the academia setting was very neat. I really liked the whole plot with the creatures in humans and making them go mentally unhinged, I loved the heroine and really resonated with her. I did the POV for the hero to be really interesting and was intrigued by it in many ways. The one complaint that I had with this book was the lack of the relationship focus. I just felt like the focus was more on the spice and the book plot and not much development on the relationship building element to it as much, it felt more faded in the background. This doesn't mean I won't read this author in the future, because I was fascinated by her world building talents but definitely needed more work on building up the relationship because I didn't quite feel those elements like I was hoping would happen.

Overall I am intrigued by this author but I do feel like this author might be a bit overrated but I still enjoyed this story overall and the narration was well done on it.

 

 

I am putting this one aside for now. I wasn't a fan of the beginning at all. I got about 20% in and decided its not for me or maybe just not right now. Something this level of twisted and dark I really have to be in a certain mindset for. Not a fan of the heroine in any way, if a heroine is a sex worker she has to resonate in some way and honestly she just made me feel gross lol so not sure what the author was trying to do there. Maybe another day I will read it. I do plan on reading more of this author as I love her non dark romance stuff, and do more research on her dark romance to see what books would be better for me.

 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
A Temptest of Desire is a continuation of a previous series and it was so fun to get back to this family and world. This is a cozy historical romance, with tones of caretaking, class difference and slow building yearning. It also has some unique notes of a sex worker and seeing some emotional trauma being handled in this story. This is a pretty slow paced story though so it might not work for everyone and I would have wished for a bit more swoon and engaging quality to the story.

First Line
while the howling wind tore around him and the rain lashed at his upturned face, he staggered to the edge of the cliff, braced himself against nature's wrath, and hurled the empty whisky bottle into the blackened abyss that contained monstrous waves thrashing against the rocky, sandy shore.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Viscount Langdon
The Heroine:Marlowe

Summary
A Temptest of Desire begins with our hero, Viscount Langdon, on a private island that his family owns, trying to overcome some emotional trauma in his past when strolling the coast, he finds a young woman that has washed up on his beach, and its an infamous courtesan who once was a woman he wanted but was unable to have, but to him was a true queen. Marlowe in some bad circumstances had to make some difficult decisions, and created her own life as a infamous courtesan, who is bold and daring. She knows who she is and is determined to maintain what she has built until she is rescued by a Viscount who is forbidden fruit to her. Through their isolation, they are able to build a connection to each other, but when real life gets in the way, Marlowe will have to decide if she is willing to dare the Ton and society scandal to be with the man who holds her heart...

What I Loved
A Temptest of Desire was such a cozy relaxing read. Its a story you can sit in your favorite reading chair and just relax into. Its not going to be super thrilling or engaging, so keep that in mind. I do think you will enjoy this book more physically reading it over the audio version of it, but that is just my personal recommendation of it. I found this story be endearing in the small quiet moments that these two have together. Although my favorite moments is the second half of the story. I loved the elemtn of the air balloon as you don't see that too often in historicals. But I found the heroine so refreshing. I don't get a chance to read a mistress/courtesan heroine too often, but I also love it when it happens. I found the way that the conflict is resolved to be so fascinating and the interactions that she has with his family was solid. I loved what we get to the characters from the series and definitely had its intriguing tones of delight, cozy intimacy and romantic moments that is very Lorraine Heath style.

What I Struggled With
Look I love Lorraine Heath, but like many historical romance authors, her stories aren't the most exciting anymore. Its kinda boring. Now I think part of my problem is I read part of this book in audio and I think the audio just wasn't good. Most newer historicals I can struggle with in audio, and I think part of the reason this isn't a higher rating is the audio made it feel so slow and I just couldn't feel the connection between these two. And don't read this book when you are tired, you want to make sure you have energy to withstand the slower writing pace. I was kinda disappointed the hero's past wasn't more focused on to be honest. It didn't have the emotional impact that I was expecting from it.

Narration
It's alright. Its not bad or anything, you just have to bad able to focus on the story and have it at a slower speed or it will easily take you out of the story.

Overall View
A Temptest of Desire is a endearing romance that bring in small moments of poignant emotion, cozy intimacy with a fun coastal setting and will bring together some forbidden elements to bring the right conflict to this pair to overcome.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Character Types: Tortured Hero, Viscount, Courtesan/Sex Worker
Themes: Coastal, Pining Hero, Class Difference
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Sex Worker with a Heart of Gold

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Julie Ann Long
Julie London
Laura Lee Guhrke

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone, but for character connections, read series in order.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Will Watt 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨


First Impressions
Tempting Little Thief is the first book in the "Girls of Greyson" series and this is where we see Rocklin's book which I had read "Bad Little Bride" first so I had really wanted to read this one mostly for the background on the events on that and to see what happens with Rocklin and their father. I found this one to have the edgy humor that you see in Bad Little Bride, but it had some serious flaws to the story that might not work for everyone but I am seeing the writing style that is so edgy and thrilling with a blend of humor to it that just brings on the entertainment while reading it.

First Line
The deepest, darkest shade of red runs in a steady stream, filling in the cracks of the concrete, not stopping when it meets the burned grass, but soaking into the roots and panning out like a flame with no fire.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Bastien
The Heroine: Rocklin

Summary
Rocklin is the queen and she has always known she has had to pave her own unique path and doesn't make apologies and doesn't tolerate anyone that gets in her way or doesn't belong. Then we have Bastien, who is a man unlike any that she has ever met. He stands up to her, and tempts her and makes her yearn for things she didn't realize that she wanted or needed. He is the only man that is capable of sneaking past all of her father's lines and coming into her space consistently and showing her he is the man that she needs and yearns for. But its forbidden to be with a man like him who is on the other side of the tracks as far as mafia class. But there are things building behind the scenes and Rocklin will have to make a difficult decision.....fall in line with what she knows and her father's rule or dare to rock the boat and stand for the man who has stolen her heart and made her dream for something more....

What I Loved
Whew this book is a wild prickly ride! What is it about this author and how she writes books and if her other books are anything like these, then I can't wait to get on the Brandy reading train because I am hooked even when I don't like a character, I still become so enrichly invested in the story and I can't look away from it. Its basically KA's Rock Chicks but mafia style. haha I have to say that I am glad I picked this one up even if I had issues. But what did I truly love about this book? First off can we just rave about this delectable hero. Bastien held my heart from the beginning. He is so bold, so daring and so alpha. He isn't afraid of Rocklin and he has been trained from childhood to be her mate and he handles her just right. I loved the way that he matches her in so many ways but also pushes her boundaries in aspects of her life that she isn't used to. He doesn't coddle her, they really speak the same emotional comfort language and its one of the many reasons that they fit so right.

The plot of this book is so edgy and keeps you eager to see what will happen. There are so many players in this chessboard but the author really lays out the players and the moves just right and will leave you with some wild shocks at the end. This book completely broke my heart and yet at the same time was so compelling I wasn't able to look away. There is a quality to this writing style that becomes so addictive. I love the mannerisms in which this author writes and how she writes characters that seep their way into your bloodstream that you don't want to get them out and this is coming from someone that isn't a big fan of kick ass characters but yet this author is making something really work for me that normally wouldn't under most other authors. And all the reveals had me swooning from left to right and the moments in which these two fight for each other in the end when all the pieces of the puzzle come together was just about everything.

What I Struggled With
the HEROINE!!!! I didn't like her in any way. She was so prickly and honestly she can be emotionally abusive to those closest to her. I understand she is this kick ass princess but seriously there are some standards of behavior lol How she treats her twin sister just because her sister ticks different really turned me off and honestly I almost DNF the book because of it. And then the moment at the ball where she turns down Bas into dancing and was so cruel to him in front of everyone literally made my want to throw my book against the wall. So even though I loved many aspects of this book, the aspect I struggled with was Rocklin and the fact that she barely does any grovel....she does some but it just wasn't written in a way to redeem her for me. But at least she does get her head in gear and fight for Bas when it does matter in the end.

Narration
POWERFUL!!! This is how I want to read this author, because if her other books have narrations just as good, then this is the way and the path!! HAHA That is how good they are. They really portray the vibe of the stories so well and brings out the humorous tones just right.

Overall View
Tempting Little Thief while not perfect and had its flaws, had its own style of beauty and a fighting love tale you can easily invest in and is worth the investment. A ROMANCE THAT PACKS A MAFIA PUNCH WITH LIGHT NOTES OF WIT AND BADASSERY.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Morally Grey, Kick Ass, Prickly Heroine, Thief, Mafia
Themes: Laughs and Giggles, Pining Hero, Heroine Needed to Grovel, Crime
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Unrequited Love

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both but more plot conflict aspects.

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Kristen Ashley
Rachel Van Dyken
JT Geissinger

Song This Book Inspires
Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Alex Kydd
Savannah Peachwood 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
"From Here To Eternity" is the first book in this authors' newest series 'Moonlit Ridge" and it is slightly connected to some of her other series but you don't need to read those to read this series. I just knew that I had to read this one and it took me much longer than I would have liked to read it. I was so fascinated to see where this author would be taking this series and yeah I am completely on board. AL Jackson and sexy bikers, secret brotherhood, shy heroine on the run, and a adorable little boy to charm your socks off??? How can one resist all that delectable teasers? Cause I could only resist for so long haha I think this just might be my favorite AL Jackson, or its at least tied with Give Me A Reason.

First Line
The sound of the tattoo machine whirred in my shop.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: River
The Heroine: Charleigh

Summary
River is a single father and will do anything to protect his son and his sister whom he has protected most of his life. He has now formed his own kind of brotherhood and they make it their mission to help women and children in danger or being abused by the men in their lives and take actions to protect them. River also funs a tattoo shop and is one of the best artists in the city. Then walks in a woman who is shy but shows a firm iron of strength inside of her. There is a instant connection that draws him to her like a moth to flame. His son is drawn just as he is to her. Charleigh is on the run from a scary past and being tormented in losing her son. Now she is trying to make a new life for herself and keep safe. River makes her feel safe in a way that she has never felt. He is stirring feelings in her she thought was dead. But her life is not her own and she doesn't know that she can ever build anything with him, but all River is asking is her trust and she wonders if what she is hiding from will haunt her and ruin everything she is bui,ding with River and his beautiful generous son.

What I Loved
What on earth did I just read? And am I still in reality? Cause it certainly doesn't feel like it at all. I am so sad that I took so long to read this book because it completely blew my mind. I loved so many things about this book and it fed my romantic yearnings in every single way. From Here to Eternity is the best book I have read so far this year and I couldn't get enough. I loved the couple dynamic. Bad boy/Shy girl is one of my favorite pairings and I just don't see it too often and I really respect that A.L. Jackson is willing to write this dynamic because so many authors I don't see writing this anymore.

There was so much heart and tears that are built throughout this story and I was curious to see how the son would fit into the story but WOW the reveal at the end. I swear this author does these crazy reveals when you least expect it and while I had guessed some of the clues had come into the story, I definitely didn't see it at first and I respect an author who can develop certain twists you least expect. Their connection was so deeply intimate and entrenching in details that were so complex and like beautiful little gifts of reveals that you are aching for. The writing is lyrical and so beautiful but I do recommend this author's books in audio if you can read it in that format, you just enjoy them so so much more in that way. I was stunned in the way in which this author captivates in little and big ways. The characters are so rich and vivid and just come to life off of the pages. I resonated so easily with the heroine. Rivers crew were hilarious and man they are all going to fall so hard when they get stung by cupids arrow haha And then we have sweet Nolan, who is River's son. And he won my heart from the first interaction I saw with him.

The romance was so woven intricately with details, charm and so much heart. Its a story that is so emotionally compelling and gives you that deeper insight into the human condition and what makes a person "tick". If you love some complex plot building in your romance stories, then this is a book and an author that must go on your must read list.

What I Struggled With
Nothing lol

Narration
Andi Arndt
Austin Stone

Overall View
From Here to Eternity is an awe consuming read that tugs at your heart strings, edgy enough to capture your attention from beginning to end, and a tangled web of a plot to keep you guessing all the way through and yearning for more from River and Charleigh. A TRULY STUNNING GEM THAT MELTED MY HEART!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Alpha Male, Morally Grey, Biker, Vigilante, Bad Boy, Artist, Nurse
Themes: Small Town, Pining Hero, Laughs and Giggles, Heart/Emotionally Touching
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Instant Love Connection

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Catherine Cowles
Jennifer Ryan
Kristen Ashley

Song This Book Inspires
Who Are You-SVRCINA

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Austin Stone
Andi Arndt