Bride by Royal Decree by Caitlin Crews

Bride by Royal Decree
by Caitlin Crews

Review by TashNz | 5 Stars

Absolutely loved Bride by Royal Decree by Caitlin Crews which is part of the "Wedlocked" series.

King Reza finds out his long lost Queen didn’t die in a nasty car accident years ago, so he abandons his quest to find the right Queen and goes in search of Princess Magdelena, his betrothed Queen. 

It's with trademark Caitlin Crews humor and story weaving skill that I was happily swept away in Reza and Maggie's story.  I was determined to finish in one setting which of course is always sad when a wonderful story closes.  The drama, emotion and witty conversations were thoroughly enjoyed and I found the plot to be very enjoyable and I’m happy with how everything was explained.

Reza is dark, serious and traditional and completely blindsided that the waif he’s thinking he’s rescuing from the pits of menial work wants nothing to do with him, his nobility or his promises of a better life.  It’s not until he mentions she’s got a brother that Maggie starts to wonder if it’s possible this impossible man standing before her could be who he says he is and the thought of a family entices Maggie to learn more.  Turning Maggie into the Princess and Queen she is destined to be brings Maggie and Reza close and they explore their attraction to each other with disastrous results.

The final chapter was worth a star all by itself.  I was a little bit teary!

Thank you for a gorgeous story Caitlin Crews, I absolutely adored it.

The Return of the Di Sione Wife by Caitlin Crews - The Billionaire's Legacy #4

Reviewed by Helen

I am really enjoying this series and this one had a lot of angst and hurt that had to be overcome before they could finally have the HEA that was deserved there was a lot of mistrust between Dario and Anais and the journey was a tough one that will bring out a lot of emotions.

Dario Di Sione has been asked by his grandfather to find and return to him another of the lost mistresses this time a pair of earrings but Dario has an anger burning inside of him he is separated from his wife (not divorced) he throws everything into his business and pretty much keeps to himself even staying away from his identical twin since the break up of his marriage. But when he travels to Hawaii to collect the earrings he is stunned to find that he is to collect them from none other than the wife he walked out on and she has a secret that he needs to know about.

Anais has felt cheated for six years wronged badly but although she had done what she could to let Dario know about his child he had blocked her totally but the instant that they meet again that spark is still there but Anais is a lot stronger now a lawyer and determined to make things right for her son.

This one practically has sparks flying of the pages as you turn them there were times I could have hit Dario, but Dario has a lot to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed their sensual journey I loved the way that Anais stood up to Dario and stood her ground where their son Damien was concerned. I do highly recommend this one I am loving the Di Sione family and their commitment to their grandfather and the loves in their lives.

4/5 stars for a great story

Expected publication: September 20th 2016 by Harlequin


Review by TashNz
5 Stars

A heart-stoppingly emotional story where you're grabbed tightly and twisted and turned inside-out by the figurative emotional roller coaster in this story.  And just when you feel your eye's pricking with tears or your heart stops and bottoms out because you can FEEL what you're reading, wait... there's more!

Dario is the Di Sione sent on a mission and this time it's for earrings.  The pick up goes surprisingly well compared to some of the other installments but it is the pickup that is the catalyst for the incredible ride I was taken on where I (pardon the cliche) could.not.put.down the book, regardless of the time it was!  I was truely wrapped up in Dante and Anais's reunion.  As the title suggests the two parties are married but it's Anais's news that stuns Dario and infuriates him even more than he felt when he discovered his twin Dante and Anais walk out of his bedroom 6 years earlier.  He walked out and never looked back!

I give this story 5 stars because not only did it captivate me from the very start to the very very last page, but also because of the unique circumstances Anais and Dario take and make.  I don't want to explain because it'd be a spoiler but I liked what Dario did, I'm not sure I've read such a plot twist before and as a reader I was sitting there going Woah, what is he DOING? And then with Anais's response, boy was I in tears of laughter and sometimes actually found myself questioning how could she be doing this?  And I loved the way it was explained why Anais was ok with doing what she did.  I loved the little twist of how Damien knew who his Dad was; just all of this mixed with how it made me feel - I feel no doubt that I can award this wonderful, wonderful story 5 stars.

This will be re-read and is an incredible addition to the Di Sione's stories and I have to say, I'm looking forward to reading Dante's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for the opportunity to read and give my honest opinion.

Traded to the Desert Sheikh by Caitlin Crews

Reviewed by TashNz

She had no warning.  First line, great line, I know immediately I’m in for a great treat... trepidation as to what I'm going to read next... can't wait! 

Kavian ibn Zayed al Talaas, ruling Sheikh of the desert stronghold Daar Talaas, has finally tracked down his fiancée in the midst of the Canadian ski fields and hauls her home.  He's decided that he wants his arranged Queen by his side.  It is said so it shall be!  Amaya is devastated she's been found, six months on the run and she's been half way around the world and back in her travels.  The last thing she wants is to be cooped up in some god forsaken desert kingdom where she will be Queen!

Kavian spends his time convincing (or trying) Amaya she will make a fantastic Queen and he is 200% certain they will make the perfect team.   Once Amaya lets him in inch by inch it's harder for her to leave but she's quite convinced for many reasons she can't be who Kavian is convinced she can be.  I loved the Sheikh Kavian was.  He was old ways to Amaya's western modernised ways with most of the action taking place in his  kingdom, the descriptions of which were incredibly realistic and aided my imagination that I was right there preparing dinner with Amaya for Kavian in the desert and I was right there during the stuffy official occasions they had to attend.

Five stars for such a strong and emotional story all of which is wrapped up perfectly in the last chapter.  It nailed exactly how Kavian is and I think the author needs a massive high five because it was quite perfect.  I wish I could quote everything Kavian said but I can’t because it's a perfect summation of why Kavian spends 11 chapters being who he is, acting how he does and saying what he does.  And it's also why I leave the incredible skill of writing to the authors because all through the book I had no idea how to sum up in words how Kavian is.  I understood how he was but had no clue how to put that in writing and then when I read the last chapter and what he said it was "hit the nail right on the head" moment.  

To finalise I give Traded to the Desert Sheikh an whole extra star for the mention of my beautiful country New Zealand, which I assume was inspired by the authors recent visit <3  What a beautiful and magical few paragraphs describing my country perfectly.  Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live here, thank you!

6 Stars

Published by Mills and Boon Sexy September 2015 | Purchased by reviewer from Amazon Australia

Unwrapping the Castelli Secret by Caitlin Crews

Unwrapping the Castelli Secret
by Caitlin Crews

Rafael has spent five long and painful years mourning the loss of Lily, the one girl he couldn't truly have but <i>did</i> have in so many ways, the one girl he treated like a bit on the side, the one girl that if he could have his time back, if he could bring her back from the dead, if he could talk to her one more time, how he would do things differently!

Five long and painful years Rafael has spent chasing ghosts.  He promises himself when he sees another Lily look alike walk past a cafe that this is the last ghost he chases.  When she turns in the street light and Rafael sees his beloved Lily, all walls come crashing down, all defenses come crashing down and what he says and does is from the heart.

Only this Lily look alike refuses his advances and tells him to leave before she calls the police.  "I am the love of your life!" he says.  This is when I was hooked, it was so heart wrenchingly beautifully raw and then the moment you figure Lily IS Lily but does everything to deny it, I was 100% invested and THEN when I learnt what Lily is hiding from Rafael I read and read and read this book till I could not keep my eyes open any more!

Unwrapping the Castelli Secret tells the story of Rafael, a man so in love, not realizing it until it's too late and given a precious second chance that we're never normally given, of a man who wants to right every wrong he has done to his loved one but how can he when he is so so furious with Lily and what she's deliberately done and hidden he can barely think straight.  Lily adamantly refuses she's the Lily he remembers and with some fantastically brilliant and exceptional writing the author pens priceless conversations between the two, was such a joy to read.

I loved this book so much, I could feel every little piece of hurt and anger and sadness and joy and heartbreak and love and laughter and every other emotion Rafael and Lily experienced while their story was told. I loved the way the flashbacks were incorporated into the story to make everything come together and I completely understand why Rafael treated Lily as he did back in the day.

If they hadn't had the relationship (as in his convenient bit on the side) they did I don't think this story would have worked in the same way because Rafael has been given a second chance that he is going to grip with every ounce of strength he possesses.  Of course, being a man, he doesn't get walking all over Lily is going to help her feel what he feels or believe what he says and part of the learning is to let go in the hope of return.

I wasn't too comfortable with the family side of things at the beginning, although i know they were removed enough to make it non ick but I still wasn't very comfortable with it.  However, the incredible writing of the author had me ok about it by the time I reached the end.

This is a story that I would want to write if I had any skill in being a writer, I was so involved in the emotion and I absolutely loved the writing, of Lily's reaction and of Rafael's efforts to convince Lily she was who she was.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Harlequin Presents October 2015 release

Review by TashNz
6 Stars.

The Greek's Last Redemption by Caitlin Crews (Chatsfield #13)

Greek's Last Redemption
by Caitlin Crews

Theo is beyond angry when his ex wife skypes him. It's a first for her, a new antic, and he's annoyed there's more than likely going to be another drama she will cause as a result. Holly has been nothing but a severe pain in his side for the last four years but the last thing he will grant her is a divorce. It's the one thing in the world she wants and he's not having it! Incensed is pretty much how Theo feel's if his thoughts dare to stray to Holly. Threatening to take half of his empire with her in the divorce settlement if he doesn't agree to meet, Theo furiously arranges they meet at Barcelona Chatsfield, the place of their exquisite honeymoon.

I adore the passion and angst and drama that Caitlin Crews packs into her stories, I am a HUGE fan of dramatic and highly emotionally charged stories in which the couple are separated and coming back into each other's spheres. They're my most favorite type of story in this genre. Caitlin Crews captured the emotion perfectly in Greek's Last Redemption. 

Theo is beyond furious with Holly and how she ruined their marriage, he loved her from here to the moon and back times a million. I felt that with every emotional word I read. He was so passionate about his love it makes one only dream of even half being loved like that... which I guess is why I couldn't quite give this amazing story 5 stars... I couldn't quite understand Holly's thinking... which i cant explain without giving everything away. It niggled in the back of my mind, she had the world and she threw it all away.

Don't let my thoughts on that stop you from reading this amazing story - especially if you love the highly charged and passionately emotional reunion stories. Theo! There are no words. Holly was lovely too, a lovely character. The beautiful surroundings of Spain were described so wonderfully. 

The Harrington is also featured as well as Spencer Chatsfield and Isabelle Harrington who's story is Chatsfield Ultimate Acquisition by Melanie Milburne.

4.5 shiny bright stars.

by TashNZ

Fifth Avenue Series Book 2 : Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews Fifth Avenue Series Book Two

Reviewed by Desere

Hunter Talbot Grant III is rich, beyond good looking and also sports figure du jour! But he's not your average rich boy wanting to ruffle the feathers of his disapproving family by pursuing a career in sports instead of the family business. Nope this guy has so many levels of deep, dark and dangerous it's downright scary!

Then years ago he lost someone very dear to him and it set him back on so many emotional levels that the man is beyond the repair by even the best of psychologists. So he hides out in the shadows and makes sure his lief is as miserable as possible , all in the name of punishment for not standing up for the one he loved.

But then the chance to take revenge against Jason Treffen, the man responsible for destroying the life of the woman he loved arises and it's game on. Only there is one tiny hiccup, and it comes in the form of the woman sent to tame him.

Zoe Brooks , PR agent extraordinaire never fails to transform the most tarnished of stars and pretty boy Hunter is no different, except this time around there's a catch. Zoe has a secret , she's also been on the receiving end of Jason 's wrong side and she wants revenge just as bad as Hunter does.  But will their out of control attraction stand in the way of getting the job done?

I have always enjoyed the books by this author, particularly because her hero's always start out being very dark , sometimes so dark it truly would scare me if I had to encounter one of them in real life, but the magic lies in the author taking a very dark hero and slowly but surely letting the man evolve into the type that any woman would fall for.

In this read she did it once again, only this time the hero was far darker than any other I have read before. Hunter was so aggressive I could feel his anger pulsing through his veins. Very intense reading !

The character of Zoe was super cool yet very sad. She has such a terrible past it just makes you want to cry your eyes out for this poor woman. But she faces up to each and every single challenge and downfall of life and  I totally loved it !

This is the second book in the Fifth Avenue Series and picks up very nicely with the first book Avenge me by Maisey Yates. Scandalize me takes us deeper into the mystery, and Caitlin Crews of course reveals more secrets but does it in such a manner it only makes you want to beg for more and there is simply no way you can resist wanting to read the final part of the series Expose Me by Kate Hewitt, which is another of my favorite authors so I know I will be in for a heck of a ride.

I will also add that the heat level in this book is super hot, but if you're not into the erotic side of romance this read is not for you. If you however like your hero's as dark in bed as they are in outside the bedroom, this is a sure fire winner of a read!

I highly recommend Scandalize me for anyone and everyone who loves a dark hero gone bad and then brought back out into the light by the woman sent to tame him, what could be more fun! The bonus is that Caitlin Crews wrote it and she knows her stuff !

5/5 star review
" Scandalizing is about to take on a whole new meaning" 

The Correttis by Various Authors ~ Overview of Series

                                                          Reviewed by Desere

                                                 THE CORRETI DYNASTY 
                                           Sins, revenge, secrets and scandals!

The Correttis Series is about a family with more deep dark secrets than any family you may ever have heard about before! Scandal, betrayal, love, secrets, illicit affairs, sins of the inhumane kind, unwanted wives and husbands, babies bringing happiness, hearts being broken, business being mixed with pleasure the list goes on and on.

Truly in this series you will find it all and so much more than you think, even men being so bad it will shatter your notions of love and happiness, but the authors of this series also show that there is more than what meets the eye and running from love is never an option. Each and every read will leave the readers with a powerful message each message unique and life altering.

In the first book  A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli we are shown the story of Santo and Ella and how trust is one of the most vital parts in a relationship, just as vital as knowing when you fall for your man him being the boss is never as bad as it seems.

In the second book An Invitation to Sin by Sarah Morgan we are told the story of Luca and Taylor, and that when the world turns their back on you, there is always someone out there that will love you for better or worse.

In the third book A Shadow of Guilt by Abby Green I got to meet Gio and Valentina, I was shown that sometimes we blame the wrong person for tragedy instead of looking deep into our own hearts to see the truth.

The fourth book An Inheritance of Shame by Kate Hewitt, the story of Angelo and Lucia showed that love is stronger than revenge and the right person can crack through the layers of hurt and anger.

In book five A Whisper of Disgrace by Sharon Kendrick the story of Rosa and Kalul shows that controlling those around you simply because you crave it, is never a justifiable act.

In book six A Façade to Shatter by Lynn Raye Harris the story of Zach and Lia showed me that true beauty when seen through the eyes of others is all that counts and that after tragedy you being alive is always for a reason.

In book seven A Scandal in the Headlines by Caitlin Crews the story of Allessandro and Elena shows that carrying the weight of your family and the well being of others on your shoulders can be your fall from grace, but letting go can be your rise to greatness.

Book eight A Hunger for the Forbidden by Maisey Yates told me the story of Matteo and Alessia and proved that there is good in even the worst of people in the world.

I highly recommend this series to all lovers of heart stopping, sensual, sexy, racing hot, passionate, fire meets ice, good vs evil, mind blowing reads.

This is one purchase you will not regret, and the secrets revealed in each fantastic read will blow you away and shatter your defences, showing that the love of a good man or woman can change your life and family is the one thing we can never turn our back on, as together we can change the world for the better, but divided we will surely fall.

Available at Mills and Boon UK : http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/


                                                              


                                                                                                       



                                                 

A Scandal in the headlines by Caitlin Crews (the Correttis Book 7)

Reviewed by Desere


When asking a woman how she likes her man, most would answer tall, dark and sexy. In this read from Caitlin Crews Elena finds her tall, dark and sexy hero only his darkness runs much deeper than you would expect.

But this is the reason why this book will stay with me forever, it is without a doubt the best book written by this author. The read is in short about Elena, hiding away from her ex fiancée Niccolo and the danger and ruin he has proved he can bring to her.

She does not reckon she will be coming face to face with the one and only man that has ever truly been able to turn her knees to jelly and make her dream the dreams of happily every after, I'll-strip-you-naked-and-take-you-where-ever-and-however-I-please Allessandro Corretti.

From the moment they lay eyes on each other again the author lets a blazing red hot fire of passion explode and takes both characters on the ride of their lives. The question of course is what happens when that fire burns out, will Allessandro and Elena be able to walk away, or worse will Allessandro deliver Elena straight into the hands of a madman.

I loved the character of Allessandro, yes from the start you can tell he is constantly fighting an inner demon but he has also been through hell and back again. So even though he is a true bastard and I mean a really, really very bad man , I got chills whilst reading and immediately thought to myself "This is the type of man you best stay away from for surely he will ruin you",  but I still felt sympathy towards him and as the author digs deeper into his confused state I could see the better man hiding behind the face of anger, hatred and most definitely danger.

Elena however was from the start go a bit of a irritating character as she is almost constantly in this "I am weak everyone is stronger than me " kind of state. However knowing that all books hide the meaning of their characters actions I knew there was a reason and I needed to keep reading to find it. And when the author reveals it was made vividly clear that Elena is what most woman are, and if we can avoid it we will at any cost. Of course I will not be telling you what you will need to read the book!

The backdrop setting of a gorgeous secluded island was the perfect setting for this book, it gave the element of surprise as if I was just waiting for Niccolo to pop up from the shadows of the ocean, it also gave the privacy Elena and Allessandro needed to get to the heart of what is happening between them.

The dialogue was at times dark and sexy but also mysterious and really deeply emotional. The sexual tension and heat in this read was enough to heat up even the coldest of days, and almost bordering on the 50 shades of grey elements as Allessandro shows control and submission over Elena that is not always found in a Mills and Boon read, this alone will make the book worth reading as the author shows there is so much more to these kind of books from this line that what meets the eye.

I highly recommend this read for romance fans looking for a more intense and darker hero that will leave you truly wishing you could creep into his heart and find the hero lurking inside.

5/5 star review
" His kisses can mean her ruin or her rise to greatness" 

The Man Behind The Scars by Caitlin Crews

Reviewed by Nas

THE MAN BEHIND THE SCARS by author Caitlin Crews is from the miniseries of THE SANTINA CROWN. It’s a Harlequin Presents release for August 2012.

Due to manipulation of her irresponsible mother, Angel Tilson is in huge credit card debt. She had no idea how to pay it off, so she hatches a plan to make her own fairy tale and get a wealthy husband. She approaches Lord Pembroke with the offer.

Rafe McFarland, the eight Earl of Pembroke was scarred by an explosion while in the army. But more than his facial scars, he was more scarred and tortured inside as he lost all his friends in that explosion. Then he had the leftover scars from childhood as his own mother and elder brother had no love for him. Will he accept Angel’s offer of marriage? By offering the offer he knew he didn’t have to play the courtship games and romance did not factor in their relationship. He wanted heirs.

But would Angel’s be satisfied with no romance when she gets to really know the man behind the scars?

THE MAN BEHIND THE SCARS is an emotional rollercoaster of a story packed with sizzle and sexual tension.  Author Caitlin Crews wrote a hero in Rafe who appears uncompromising and domineering on the outside but is really tortured and intensely emotional on the inside. Her heroine, Angel is a strong and feisty.

My rating 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

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