Book Review: Grieved Loss by Adelaide Forrest

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Grieved Loss
Bellandi Crime Syndicate #3

Author: Adelaide Forrest
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Mafia Romance | Contemporary Romance
Released: 07/16/2020
Review Source: Provided by author

This shadow always follows his Sunshine.

Her life is a carefully crafted lie.

For years, I only watch my Sunshine from the shadows; my loyalty to the Bellandis demands nothing less. When her husband is killed, the path is clear for me to step in and claim her for myself.I’ll give her a glimpse into the truth.

I give Calla and her kids one year to grieve their loss. When the year is over, I pluck them from the grey world she clings to and insert them into the vivid color of my Bellandi life.

Even when it hurts, and she rails against me.

Rising tensions in my world threaten to steal her away from me, but I won’t let anyone take what is mine. Instead, I’ll demand every piece of her: Her heart, her body. Her soul.

And I won’t stop until I’ve taken everything.

At a Glance: 

I'm excited about this one! judging by the summary, I think this may be my favourite one so far.

Cover:

If there's one thing this series has, it is beautiful covers. Like, wow.

Action:

There wasn't much action throughout but there was a some action towards the end of the book.

Romance: 

The romance was a different in comparison to what I usually read. Not bad different, but there are definitely some dubious concent moments. Sometimes (actually, a lot of the times) Calla has no choice but to go along with things because she's been given no choice in the matter.

Something I Loved:

How much Ryker loved Calla's kids. This wasn't just a blossoming relationship between Ryker and Calla, but a budding relationship with her two kids as well and I loved those moments of bonding.

Something I Didn't Like:

I thought Matteo from Bloodied Hands (book one) was intense....wow. Ryker is something else. Whilst I love him and his fiercely intense love and loyalty, it was also something I found quite intense, and I am not sure if I liked how it shaped the characters as a whole. It made Ryker seem dismissive of Calla, and Calla came across as weak and I don't know if it made their love feel a little unauthentic.

Would I Recommend:

Yes. Like the others in the Bellandi Crime Syndicate, Ryker is a very intense alpha male, however I still enjoyed the book despite his methods not being my favourite.

Book Review: Forgivable Sins by Adelaide Forrest

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Forgivable Sins
Bellandi Crime Syndicate #2

Author: Adelaide Forrest
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Mafia Romance | Contemporary Romance
Released: 04/24/2020
Review Source: Provided by author

No one knows me like she does.

She’s the only one who has power over me.

I’ve loved Samara since I was a boy, since the moment I heard her sing and told her she would be my wife. I sacrificed that dream to keep her safe.

Our love is a secret, hanging unspoken between us.

Everything changes the night I find her beaten and broken by the man who should have protected her. What I have longed to do more than anything.

After all this time, the safest place for her is in my arms.

I’ve tried to be patient, to let her come to terms with the shift in our relationship, but soon I will make her mine. Time is running out for my Little Dove.

I won’t stop until she’s my wife.

Forgivable Sins is a friends to lovers story centered around Lino and Samara. It was a cute, easy read, and a nice addition to the series. 

There was a scene where Samara's brother, Yavin, found out about Lino and Samara's relationship (and marriage) and he was not happy that his little sister married his best friend. This is what Samara said back to Yavin, and it's one of my favourite parts of the book.

"Who introduced you to Lino? Who used to sit inside with Lino when he wasn't allowed to go play sports outside?"

"Who hugged him? Who listened to his stories about his father and kissed his boo boos when his father hit him, even if he was ten f*cking years old and too old for that sh*t?"

They have cared about and loved each other for so many years and I love that they finally get their happily ever.

Book Review: Bloodied Hands by Adelaide Forrest

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Bloodied Hands
Bellandi Cime Syndicate #1

Author: Adelaide Forrest
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Mafia Romance | Contemporary Romance
Released: 02/12/2020
Review Source: Provided by author

Ivory

Caught in a bank robbery and staring down the barrel of a gun was not the way I intended to start my day. When the masked man takes one look at my face and mutters my name in shock, my world stops.

And then he follows it with a plea for forgiveness from the devil himself.

Matteo uses the opportunity to invade my life, reclaiming me as if the past twelve years never happened. The boy I loved is gone, replaced by hardened cruelty and a dangerous reputation. But Matteo isn’t the only one who wants to make me a pawn in a game I never agreed to play, and freedom comes at a cost.

Matteo

Ivory comes strutting back into my life and making demands like she’s in charge. She doesn’t understand the games I played to keep her safe during our time apart. The sacrifice I made for her.

She’s an innocent, caught up in the games of men and unprepared to deal with the consequences of her actions. She should have stayed away, but fate brings her back to me. I won’t let her go again. After suffering in the cruelty of my world for too long, I’m ready to feel the light of my Angel in my life once more.

No matter what she has to say about it.

If you like a well-written mafia romance with controlling alpha males, read ahead. I think you'll like this one!

Ivory was Matteo's love once upon a time. Life happened and they broke up, but years later when there's a bank robbery and she's smack in the middle of it, she seeks Matteo out when his name pops up mid-bank rob. She comes to discover that all these years she has been under his protection and untouchable to everyone, and now, Matteo has no intentions of walking away from her again.

"I let you go twelve years ago, and it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. Did you really think I would do it twice?"

From there, Matteo inserts himself into her life and infiltrates every single corner and crevice of her life. Literally. Matteo is an off-the-charts controlling alpha male. Like, I have not read anyone like him before and I don't think it is possible to match his level of intensity. Every decision, every move is planned and executed with Matteo's stamp. He's a dangerous and powerful man, but Ivory is his kryptonite, and he will do absolutely anything to keep her safe and protected.

                "I wore my bloodied hands like an armor, but I would never allow them to stain her."

I would have liked Ivory to have more of a backbone as for the most part, she accepted Matteo's control, even when he took things a little bit too far. That being said, I really enjoyed this one. The characters were different, enjoyable and I can't wait to read Lino in Forgivable Sins, book two.

Book Review: A Partridge and a Pregnancy by Willa Nash

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A Partridge and a Pregnancy
Holiday Brothers #3

Author: Willa Nash
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: 4th November 2021

There are a lot of places I’d rather spend Christmas Eve morning than on a cold, snowy sidewalk outside someone else’s home. I’d kill to be sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

Instead, I’m here, standing in front of my one-night stand’s house, working up the courage to ring the doorbell and tell him I’m pregnant. sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

I hate that term—one-night stand. It sounds so cheap and sleezy. Tobias Holiday is neither of those things. He’s handsome and caring. Witty and charismatic. And once, a long time ago, he was mine. sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

Our one-night reunion was only supposed to be a hookup. A fling with an old lover. A parting farewell before I moved to London and put my feelings for him an ocean away. How exactly am I supposed to explain that to Tobias that I’m having a baby? His baby? Maybe I could sing it. He always loved the silly songs I made up in the shower. sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

Three French hens, two turtle doves. sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

And a partridge and a pregnancy.

"Our first goodbye hadn’t gone so well. There’d been crying—me. There’d been angry silence—him. There’d been heartache—us."

Tobias and Eva have history. They find themselves having one last steamy night before she moves away to London, but things got messy quickly when she found out she was pregnant with Tobias' baby...and she has no plans of sticking around.

There were times (many times) where I wanted to shake Eva. There were times where it seemed like she forgot that the baby had other family than herself and for most of the novel, she planned to have her baby halfway across the world, by herself, without Tobias there. Whilst this was a great read, in all honestly, Eva was not a likable character. 

That being said, I loved Tobias and I still enjoyed reading the last installment. It was a brilliant series that I devoured in under two days and I can't wait to read more from Willa Nash!

#Miami Grab Passes to #AmericanUnderdog @ AMC Aventura 12/20

American Underdog: 

The Kurt Warner Story

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#AmericanUnderdog

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

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Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to American Underdog

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#WestPalmBeach Grab Passes to #AmericanUnderdog @ Cinemark Boynton Beach 12/20

American Underdog: 

The Kurt Warner Story

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#AmericanUnderdog

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

---

Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to American Underdog

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Tampa Grab Passes to #AmericanUnderdog @ AMC West Shore

American Underdog: 

The Kurt Warner Story

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#AmericanUnderdog

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

---

Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to American Underdog

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Orlando Grab Passes to #AmericanUnderdog @ AMC Altamonte 12/22

American Underdog: 

The Kurt Warner Story

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#AmericanUnderdog

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

---

Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to American Underdog

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Jacksonville Grab Passes to #AmericanUnderdog @ Regal Avenues 12/20

American Underdog: 

The Kurt Warner Story

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Dennis Quaid
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#AmericanUnderdog

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

---

Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to American Underdog

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

#Boston Grab Passes to #TheKingsMan @ AMC Boston Common 12/16

The King's Man
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writer: Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek, Mark Millar

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans
Social Handles: Site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | IMDb
#TheKingsMan

As a collection of history's worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King's Man. The Comic Book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons.

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Click on the poster to grab for your tickets to The King's Man

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

Deadlock arrives on DVD February 1

              

 

 

DEADLOCK

 

 

 

Release Dates:                Now in theaters, on Digital and On Demand

On DVD February 1, 2022

Cast:                                  Patrick Muldoon, Bruce Willis

Written by:                      Jared Cohn, Cam Cannon

Directed by:                     Jared Cohn

Synopsis:                          Bruce Willis stars as Ron Whitlock, a wanted criminal leading a team of mercenaries on a mission of vengeance. Convinced that the government is working against them, the merciless group brutally seizes an energy plant and holds everyone inside hostage. With a nearby town on the brink of massive flooding and destruction, it's up to retired elite army ranger Mack Karr (Patrick Muldoon) to save thousands of innocent lives before it's too late.

Genre:                               Action

Run Time:                         96 minutes

Rating:                              R for violence, language throughout and some drug use

 

 

About Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The PHE division oversees PPC's home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, Paramount Players, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHE additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies. 

Book Review: Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend by Willa Nash

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Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend
Holiday Brothers #2

Author: Willa Nash
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: 4th November 2021
Review Source: Purchased

I pride myself in being grounded. Sure, I’ve had my share of childhood fantasies. Winning an Oscar. Winning the lottery. Winning an Olympic medal for an athletic talent I have yet to discover. But the only fantasy I ever thought might actually happen was winning my brother’s best friend.

Heath Holiday.

My crush on him has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the day I started working for his construction company was the day I smothered it for good. Sort of. Mostly. It was on my to-do list. Making it a priority would have been easier had he not arrived at his family’s annual Christmas party looking ridiculously handsome in a suit.

Then he kissed me. We stepped into an alternate universe and he kissed me. I assumed the next day I’d just be Guy’s little sister again. The office newbie. Our kiss forgotten. Except he keeps showing up at my house. With gifts.

A gold bracelet carrying three jingling bells. Two dainty jeweled earrings, each shaped as a bow. And finally, he brought himself.

One brother’s best friend, asking if I can keep a secret.

This installment has one of my favourite tropes - the falling-for-my-brother’s-best-friend trope, which, in my opinion, is always a good addition to any book. Stella had a crush on Heath since way back when, and now they’re both finally doing something about it.

For a while their romance sizzles in secret, Stella and Health fearful of her brother’s reaction (who, by the way, is a bit of a douche) and now things are a little bit more complicated since they work together. I really enjoyed reading their journey.

Honestly, Stella was the shining star of this book. Her quirky personality made her my favourite character from this series (alongside Violet from The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny). She had the best sense of humour. Here’s a small snippet to show you what I mean:

“Thank you. I know he’s going to be as mad as a hater but . . . he’ll get over it.”
“You’re welcome.” A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. This woman and her messed-up sayings. “And it’s as mad as a hatter.”
“I know. But—”
“You like your version better.”
“Yeah. Haters gonna hate.”
“You got that one right.”

Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend is a cute, fun read with hot sex and a pinch of tension mixed in. After reading it injected a feel good mood and I'm here for it!

Book Review: The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny by Willa Nash

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The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny
Holiday Brothers #1

Author: Willa Nash
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: 4th November 2021
Review Source: Purchased

One week with one little girl—an angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.

Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didn’t even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasn’t set foot in Montana for years because he’s been too busy running his billionaire empire.

Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday family’s annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny is book one of a three book series. It’s fun, cute and exactly what the doctor ordered! Before reading this, I found myself entering a book slump with nearly a dozen books partly read but I devoured this one, found myself rejuvenated and quickly jumped into books two and three.

In the book, we quickly discover that Natalie is a nanny who couldn’t say no and accepted a job on her week off. She meets Violet, a seven-year-old girl struggling with abandonment issues with her mom and Violet really doesn’t want another nanny. Natalie being the sweetheart that she is, quickly breaks down Violet’s walls and starts to build a beautiful relationship with her and her father, Maddox. That, and the fact Natalie refused to be bested by a seven-year-old.

"Violet was a tutu-toting terrorist, but there was no way in hell a seven-year-old girl was going to best me."

I loved the budding relationship between Violet and Natalie just as much as Natalie and Maddox’s relationship. The whole thing was sweet, cute and such a lovely read.

“I want this. You and me. I don’t want to take it slow. I don’t want to wait to be with you.”

The only downside to The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny is that it wasn’t longer. Seriously. Short stories and novellas aren't usually my thing, but I can honestly say I loved this one. It didn't feel like anything was missing and it wasn't rushed. This short story is well-written, enjoyable and the first Christmas novel I have read and enjoyed, and I hope you all enjoy it as well!