A dark romance: AUDITION

Hi, book buddies :-) When one of my favourite authors writes anything, I enter worshipping mode instantly :-D AUDITION is her new book and it's related to the North Security trilogy. Let me tell you all about it...

MY OPINION

The allure of a dark hero is never manifested more artfully than by one of my favourite authors, and this time she has added a partner in crime.

As a fan of the North Security trilogy, this spin-off about Bethany and Joshua was a must for me. 

The threatening atmosphere is counterbalanced by a simmering sensuality, an intimacy of the words that tell a tale of woes and brilliance. 

This exciting couple has doom stamped all over them. The little ballerina is strong-willed, has a grandma who reads Tarot, and a penchant for the Big Bad Wolf. The bad boy himself has a long list of sins to atone for, including corrupting this beauty despite his inner turmoil. The sharp balance he keeps between tempting her and denying himself is a delicious torture for everyone! 

An obscure danger acts as a pillar for the characters to reunite after a tumultuous past that is disclosed in alternating chapters. The main plot, however, is this electrified tension of lust and need and impossible promise between them.

I always turn jelly and flustered and completely awed when the characters finally succumb to passion by the words of this author. This is no exception. It's like Josh and Bethany know that fate won't give them a chance, but they auto-destruct in one combustible embrace anyway. The best part is that it happens after a chapter where Josh proves how terrible he is, yet how utterly besotted too. That was a painful moment, truly physical, followed by that intimacy we've been craving which proves to be dangerous and powerfully lurid. 

The sheer magnitude of their love shows in all its terrifying glory when danger finally leaps onto Bethany. That was fast, furious, and defining. I have to admit Joshua is one stubborn dark hero, edging on hateful. He lashes out until the very last minute, but he's encountered the queen that will tame his wild nature. I loved all the dancing references and performances, the strength Bethany wields against all kinds of fear, and this crooked romance finally ending with a beautiful sense of hope and courage.

I wish the plot were more fully developed as it seems shortened and worthy of a longer life, but the words and the feelings they evoke are so precious that I have to give this book my all.

 Standing ovation.

Favourite quotes: 

Is this love? It feels like death.

I want to yank the storm out of him.

Love. Forgiveness. If those things are possible, then everything is.

Audition
Series: North Security standalone
Authors: Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 9, 2019

Blood and sweat. Bethany Lewis danced her way out of poverty. She’s a world class athlete… with a debt to pay.

Joshua North always gets what he wants. And the mercenary wants Bethany in his bed. He wants her beautiful little body bent to his will.

She doesn’t surrender to his kiss.
He doesn’t back down from a challenge.
It’s going to be a sensual fight… to the death.

AUDITION is the enthralling spin off from the bestselling North Security series, though it can be read separately.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Where to find it

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

About the mastermind: Skye Warren

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

Connect with Skye

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Stay up to date with Skye Warren by 

signing up for her mailing list:

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Website: http://www.skyewarren.com

Amelia Wilde

Amelia Wilde wrote her first story when she was six years old, a narrative strongly inspired by The Polar Express. When she was nine she wrote her first novel-length work, all in one paragraph.

Now, Amelia is all about that love. Her romances feature unique, independent heroines and alpha heroes who are strong of heart and body. Readers have described her work as “emotional,” “intense,” “phenomenal,” and “like a child scribbled with a crayon,” which she takes as the highest praise.

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I do not Lament reading this beautiful romance + giveaway

Hi, book buddies :-) How are you doing? Have you done anything nice lately? Pampered yourself? That's important.

I want to tell you about my latest read, LAMENT, by Lynsey M. Stewart. This is a very well writtten and emotional romance.

MY OPINION OF LAMENT

Art and beauty collide in such elegant, moving ways in this tale of grief and love. 

I took a chance on a new author to me because it was impossible to resist a romance between a ballerina and a cellist. Music and dancing are muses I cannot deny when it comes to reading, so I plunged into this story of two people who have lost loved ones. Nat and Alex are in different stages of loss, which bonds them in unexpected, healing, emotional ways. 

The soft, compassionate and insightful writing portrays both the pain and the anger at the injustice of death. It's hard, yet enlightening to read.

I loved this book.

The characters are alive with grief, despair and loneliness, but also with hope, desire, humour and humanity.

The cello player is a dad to a sweet little girl full of questions. He is broody, handsome, struggling with his inability to cope and yet yearning to do well  by his child.

The wonderful ballet dancer who challenges him with wit and warmth has grieved for her family for many years, though she stills has hurdles to overcome each day. The conversations between them are pure energy, as is the bubbling attraction that burns under their skin.

The stark emotions compete with the arousing passion these characters share. I was amazed by the beauty of the words as they paint a battle of accepting the past and embracing the chance to love again.

The plot blooms in many paths as the lovers deal with secrets, bereavement, betrayal and crushed hope. I loved Natasha's grandmother, Mark and Lacey, the ballet studio, the old dog, a very special nook in the forest, and the poignant ending. It's all beautiful and vibrantly told.

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

How could life be unrecognisable in mere minutes?

I needed to feel her inside me so that I could let her out as I played the notes.

“…an emotionally charged love story about navigating through life while grief is right by your side.”

Title: Lament

Author: Lynsey M. Stewart

Release Date: March 22, 2019

Dear Grief Fairy,

I’ve met a man who encompasses grief. Alexander Blayren, a brooding cellist with a body I crave and a soul I ache to know better. He’s rude and bold, brash and sharp, but I see the lost soul underneath. Crying out. Surviving grief for the sake of his daughter. Just.

Before we met, Alexander didn’t believe you could survive grief. Loss had painted his life black, dimming the bright lights and quietening his music. But I didn’t agree with the man I heard play out his demons through his notes. The man I find myself infatuated by. I found my way through grief, because I had a channel for my pain. When I lost my mother and sister, dance was my therapy. Movement my recovery. Could music be his? Could the haunting melodies be his reprieve? The cry of a bow across the strings his lifeline? Or could his journey to survival begin through me? Through my body, the one he studies as I dance, through my cries of pleasure under his fingertips or his undeniable arousal at my willing restraint...

Grief Fairy, you understand me better than anyone. Please help me to relieve his lament.

Yours,
Nat

Free with Kindle Unlimited |
 $2.99 Release Week Only

AMAZON UNIVERSAL

He was waiting for me in the lobby of the hotel.

He looked handsome, but disheveled, like he hadn’t slept for a week but was powering through like the musical juggernaut he was.

‘You look great,’ he said, dragging his hands through his hair. ‘My memory doesn’t do you justice.’

‘You told me not to wait for you.’

‘I’m glad you did,’ he replied, his voice laced with need. He took my hand and led me to the lifts, avoiding my eyes, stopping himself from touching me further, but as soon as the lift doors closed, it was a different matter. He turned me swiftly with his fingers to my waist, pushing me against the mirrored walls. He was controlled, but his eyes betrayed him, deep and stormy and ready to burst. My dancewear was backless. He kissed me right in the middle, shots of tingles danced where his lips had been as he pushed his hands through to my breasts.

‘I can’t wait,’ he said on ragged breaths, kneading me roughly. The lift bell chimed, and he pulled me towards him, turning my body and lifting me as he carried me along the corridor, kissing and panting, his hands squeezing my waist. I briefly remember him pulling a card from his pocket. I have a memory of the door to his room opening, but everything else was a blur of frantic touching and need.

I felt the soft cushion of the sofa behind me as he lowered me down. My legs were still wrapped around his waist, but he pulled them forwards, spreading me before him. His hands held me in place on either side of my breasts, a kiss to my throat made my body buzz. I loved the feel of him on top of me, his weight pressing down on my bones, trying to enter me through my skin. I could feel the power of him, passing through me like a blood transfusion. He came alive when we fit together like this, but would he fall apart at the end of the night? His guilt too much to bear because it was pressing down between his shoulder blades? I knew he wanted me more, though. I knew. I knew. His eyes told me it all.

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Lynsey M. Stewart enjoys writing stories about characters that experience a few bumps in the road before finding their happily ever after (also known as contemporary romance with plenty of heat.) She lives with her husband, her soulmate and muse, along with their gorgeous, precious, ridiculously independent little girl. Lynsey began writing after being inspired by great books, amazing writers and wonderful stories that she couldn't stop thinking about long after reading the last word. If she’s not writing, you can usually find her with her head in a book or singing along to music. She’s hopeless, but she enjoys pretending to be Adele every once in a while.

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