Sunday, July 5, 2026

Blitz: Lady Petra and the Wolf (Lords Fall First #2) by Anna Valleria with an excerpt and a giveaway



Lady Petra and the Wolf

Series: (Lords Fall First, #2)

by Anna Valleria

Release date: July 2nd, 2026

Genres: Adult, Gothic, Historical, Mystery, Romance


Blurb:

In Victorian London, Lady Petra, the daughter of the powerful and manipulative Earl of Kemberley, has spent her life as a silent pawn in her father’s political games. While the ton sees a perfectly poised debutante, Petra is secretly a woman of industry who runs a sanctuary for abused servants in a derelict London theatre.

Julian, the Viscount Wolfridge, known to the world as Wolf, is a cynical rake with a secret heart of gold and a childhood spent on the Bristol docks. When he proposes a fake courtship to Petra to stir her indifferent betrothed into action, he doesn’t realize he is stepping into a web of secrets far deeper than his own. As Petra’s world of mystery and Wolf’s path of redemption collide, they must decide if a marriage born of a trap can ever survive the truth.






Purchase:




Excerpt: 

“I have to kiss you, Petra. You have from ten to tell me to stop. To tell me you do not want this. Ten.”

“My lord?” A flush rose from her delectable decolletage, blooming up her neck.

“Nine. Julian, you mean. Or Jules.”

“Is this to do with our pretend courtship?”

“Eight. Hang the pretense. There will be nothing pretend in this kiss.”

If possible, Petra’s eyes grew even wider in the dim firelight as she backed up against the wall adjacent to the fireplace.

“You wish to make it real.” She said in a very controlled voice.

“Seven. I want you. That is what I wish. Six.”

“I admit I do not know what I want. But I should like to find out.” She said quietly.

“Five. Does me kissing you achieve this goal?” He had no desire to crowd her, yet it was as though his physical frame was magnetically tethered to her proximity. He braced an arm against the wainscotted wall above her, leaning toward her with slow deliberation.

“It could be particularly illuminating.” She breathed, her face assuming a distinctly dazed expression.

“Four. There is one thing.” Wolf paused his countdown as something hot and possessive shot through his blood. “If I kiss you, you will be thinking of me. John is the best of friends, but I cannot have you thinking of him with my lips upon you.”

Petra drew in a shaky breath before she responded. “You are wholly unique. I do not believe I would even consider thinking of anyone or anything else if I found myself in a carnal embrace with you, my lord. Three.”

Drawing back to search her features, Wolf scanned her face with a singular intensity. It was patently clear that her continuation of the count served as a definitive assent, a silent surrender to the mounting tension between them. The unmistakable spark of curiosity and unmasked desire dancing within those mahogany depths provided the final, exhilarating confirmation he required.

And then she kissed him.

Before his mind could catch up with the explosions reverberating through his chest, Petra broke away briefly and uttered a soft, breathless plea. “Forgive me, Jules, I was never very patient waiting for something I want.”

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends July 9

Prize: $20 Amazon gift card





AUTHOR BIO:
Anna Valleria is an award-winning historical romance author who believes that everyone deserves to see themselves on the page. Her mission is to write steamy Regency and Victorian stories featuring socially active heroines and devoted heroes that reflect windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for all readers, including characters of different sizes, backgrounds, abilities, and neurodiversities. Her novel The Baron Takes a Wife was the 2025 winner of the Hearts Through History Romance Through the Ages Contest in the published Georgian/Victorian category.

Currently residing in a beautiful, historic city in the southeastern U.S. with her family and a rescue pup. If she's not writing, she's likely in a coffee shop, walking with her son or dog, or trivia with her team, Stone Cold Jane Austen. 

Blitz: Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure (The Paladin League #8) by Patti O'Shea with an excerpt and a giveaway



Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure

Series: The Paladin League, #8

by Patti O’Shea

Release date: July 1st, 2026

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense





Blurb:

He’s always been a protector. She’s strong enough to fight on her own. This time, survival depends on each other.

Special Forces Sgt. Cal “Baggs” Baggnell walked away from Iona Desmond. Carving out his own heart hurt—but watching the woman he loves charge headfirst into danger hurt even more.

Iona loves Cal with her whole being, but she couldn’t change the core of who she is to fit his protective nature. He knew exactly who she was when they met—the need for adventure is in her DNA.

Now, their paths collide in Puerto Jardin, where Iona has talked her way into Cal’s op. And he’s been assigned to work with her.

Their bait: the Lost Treasure of Trujillo. Their target: arms dealer Jorge Torres. Their problem: Torres isn’t the only predator closing in.

With ruthless drug lords, rival treasure hunters, and a powerful Russian mob lieutenant obsessed with finding the billion-dollar fortune, Cal and Iona must put their past aside. The deeper they dig, the deadlier the game becomes.

As betrayals mount and enemies tighten their grip, survival depends on one thing: Trust. If they fail, they won’t just lose their second chance—they’ll lose everything.

Wicked Temptation is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.

Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who works undercover for the Paladin League as a photojournalist. This story features a second-chance romance, identical twins, and a kick-butt heroine.

Purchase:




Excerpt

“Archer—my boss—had intel that someone named Fuentes was after the treasure, but couldn’t get more.”

“So he sent you down and you kicked a hornet’s nest.”

She jerked her hand free. “I didn’t kick anything.”

His gut clenched, stupid and instinctive, the words scraping against an old wound he never talked about. He covered his fear with irritation. Anger was cleaner, sharper, easier to control. “And yet you were kidnapped.”

Io shot to her feet. “I did not kick anything. I hadn’t even done much when I was grabbed. I didn’t realize the words Paladin League were tantamount to waving a red flag and shouting I know where the treasure is.”

Cal stood and closed the distance. “You were down here for days.”

“I was working on my article while I got the lay of the land.” She glared at him. “I traveled to San Isidro, interviewed people, took pictures. The only thing I did in Trujillo was visit the convent the day after I returned.”

“The convent surrounded by men belonging to an arms dealer.” He glared back. “Don’t tell me you didn’t see them.”

“I saw them.” She crossed her arms. “I figured I’d be tailed. I was. I also figured I could lose them. I did.”

The cockiness. It made him insane. “They grabbed you and held you prisoner.”

“They did not. Torres and his men never touched me. They weren’t even that interested in me. It was easy to shake them off my ass.”

“Maybe too easy. Did you think of that?”

“Of course I did.” She stepped closer. “I didn’t just look behind me and say oopsie daisy, they lost me. I made sure my tail was clear.”

“You were compromised.”

“I was targeted. That’s different.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”

She opened her mouth, shut it, and then shook her head. “I’m too tired to argue. Believe whatever the hell you want.”

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends July 9

Prize: $20 Amazon gift card


AUTHOR BIO:
Patti O'Shea's passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she's been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it's given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada's Yukon Territory.

Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Planned Reading for July 5-11 and last week's results

 


Good evening all,

Happy 4th of July for all my American readers. 

I hope everyone is doing okay with all this extreme weather. Today made it almost to 100 degrees, though we have sunk back into the mid 80's since the sun went down. I did so so with my reading/listening this week. Somehow I keep selecting long books.


Last week's results: 

Ebooks:

Rags's Awakening by Chiah Wilder - 4 stars 

Tethered by the Sea by India R. Adams and Nikki Landis - 5 stars

Brooklyn Masala by Sophie Schiller - 4 stars


Audiobooks:

Lilac Bride by Shanna Hatfield - 4 1/2 stars

Drop a Gear and Disappear by Winter Travers - 4 stars


Planned for July 5-11:

Ebooks:









Audiobooks: 


Well I hope to do better this week. I do have a fair amount of ARCs for this week. Three of the ebooks are less than 50 pages, which is making the list look longer. It is a good thing that I am retired. Take the time to enjoy life. Relax and enjoy the day.

Hej da (Swedish)




Mid-Year Audiobook Challenge Status

 

I have enjoyed doing the Audiobook Challenge for the last couple of years. My TBR pile for audiobooks has gotten a little lower since starting the challenge, making it worthwhile. I selected the "My Precious" level which is 30+ audiobooks. I may be upping it to Marathoner as I am one audiobook from my goal.

These are the achievement levels

Newbie (I'll give it a try) 1-5

Weekend Warrior (I'm getting the hang of this) 5-10

Stenographer (can listen while multitasking) 10-15

Socially Awkward (Don't talk to me) 15-20

Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30

My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+

Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

Over-Achiever (Power Listener) 75+

The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+

I Can't Hear You (earbuds always in) 125-150

Audibly Addicted (listening to all the books 24/7) 150+


My list of audiobooks listened to:

Hard Feelings by Jennifer Millikin - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/audiobook-review-hard-feelings.html

Just Breaking the Rule by Lauren Blakely -

https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/audiobook-review-just-breaking-rules.html

Charming a Cursed Highlander by Vonda Sinclair - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/audiobook-review-charming-cursed.html

Wildfire by Garrett Leigh - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/02/audiobook-review-wildfire-in-vino.html

Mr. Heartbreaker by Piper Rayne - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/02/audiobook-review-mr-heartbreaker-nest-1.html

Lyrics Remain Unchanged by Claudia Burgoa - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/02/audiobook-review-lyrics-remain.html

It Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren Blakely - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/release-it-seemed-like-good-idea.html

Unbroken by Janice Whiteaker - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/audiobook-review-unbroken-bradshaw.html

Early Snow by Kevin Wolf - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/audiobook-review-early-snow-guy-hogan.html

Show Me Forever by Jennifer Sucevic - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/audiobook-review-show-me-forever.html

Property of Blade by Kathleen Kelly - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/audiobook-review-property-of-blade.html

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/audiobook-review-and-then-there-were.html

Ryder by Jessica Peterson - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/audiobook-review-ryder-lucky-river.html

Lost in Overtime by Claudia Burgoa - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/audiobook-review-lost-in-overtime-by.html

No, Don't Ever Stop by Marni Mann - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/audiobook-review-no-dont-ever-stop.html

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/audiobook-review-love-overboard-by.html

Stay With Me by Nikki Sloane - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/audiobook-review-stay-with-me-dangerous.html

My Seductive Innocent by Julie Johnstone - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-my-seductive-innocent.html

Cross to Bear by Janine Infante Bosco - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-cross-to-bear-satans.html

Kade's Dark Embrace by Kym Grosso - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-kades-dark-embrace.html

Cross by Lena Bourne - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-cross-devils-nightmare.html

Magic in His Kiss by Anabelle Bryant - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-magic-in-his-kiss.html

Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/05/audiobook-review-just-playing-for-keeps.html

Promise by LB Dunbar - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/06/audiobook-review-promise-rogue-river-1.html

Never After Us by Claudia Burgoa - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/06/audiobook-review-never-after-us.html

Forged in the Fire by A.L. Jackson - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/06/audiobook-review-forged-in-fire-crimson.html

Summer Bride by Shanna Hatfield - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/06/audiobook-review-summer-bride-holiday.html

Easter Bride by Shanna Hatfield - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/06/audiobook-review-easter-bride-holiday.html

Lilac Bride by Shanna Hatfield - https://ironcanuckreviews.blogspot.com/2026/07/audiobook-review-lilac-bride-holiday.html


I look forward to seeing how far I get in the second half.



Friday, July 3, 2026

Audiobook Review: Drop a Gear and Disappear (Kings of Vengeance MC #1) by Winter Travers, narrator Turtle

 

Blurb

They tried to make me disappear.

I thought I had found the brotherhood I had been searching for.

A club to fill the nagging void.

Till they took the woman I loved and left me for dead.

They may have her now, but things are about to change.

Vengeance will be mine.



You’ve read the novella in the Wanted Anthology, but Drop a Gear and Disappear is back and better than ever. Prepare to ride with the Kings of Vengeance.

Amazon: Drop a Gear and Disappear (Kings of Vengeance MC Book 1) - Kindle edition by Travers, Winter, Severino, Jennifer. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Drop a Gear and Disappear Audiobook by Winter Travers

B&N: Drop a Gear and Disappear | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Drop a Gear and Disappear eBook by Winter Travers - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Drop a Gear and Disappear by Winter Travers - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: Drop a Gear and Disappear (Kings of Vengeance, #1) by Winter Travers - BookBub

Goodreads: Drop a Gear and Disappear by Winter Travers | Goodreads





My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

Quinn was looking for a brotherhood to belong to and found something more dangerous. This was a dark story with some steamy scenes, violence, and trust leading to the right kind of bond. I enjoyed the book as I liked the connection between Quinn and Kimber, and the trust between Quinn and his friends as they rescue Kimber. Kimber's strength of will and mind to survive made her a great heroine. I look forward to more in this series.

I had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook version. I still enjoyed the story and the narration by Turtle was entertaining.



Ebook Review - Brooklyn Masala (Brooklyn Masala Mysteries #1) by Sophie Schiller

 

Blurb

Who knew fixing your karma could be so dangerous?

Bella Bloom is a Brooklyn housewife who wants to succeed in the kitchen but keeps botching one meal after another. When she discovers her husband has been cheating on her with an eye-catching Italian chef, she goes to see an Indian guru, Maharishi Krishna Ram, who tells her the cure for her problems is garam masala, an exotic Indian spice.

She buys an Indian cookbook and starts experimenting with different recipes until she becomes a top-notch Indian chef, even coming out with her own line of spices under the brand name, “Brooklyn Masala.” The Guru instructs her to distribute her spices through a network of shady Indian groceries and the “payment” is suspicious-looking chocolate bars. But when her spices are linked to an international gang of diamond smugglers and one of them ends up dead in the East River, Bella is in a race to save her name, her reputation, and her life.

With the help of an attractive FBI agent named Mike and her new partner, ex-Bollywood star Dolly Parton Patel, Bella realizes that garam masala is the cure she needed all along.

Filled with wit, humor, and unshakable determination, BROOKLYN MASALA is an offbeat love story about finding romance later in life, taking chances, and learning to leave one’s comfort zone for love and happiness. The first in a new amateur sleuth, funny cozy mystery series set in Brooklyn.

For fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series, Jennifer Crusie, Gemma Halliday, and Jana DeLeon.

Amazon: Brooklyn Masala : A Hilarious New Mystery Series (Brooklyn Masala Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Schiller, Sophie . Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Goodreads: Brooklyn Masala : A Hilarious New Mystery Series by Sophie Schiller | Goodreads





My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

I found this to be an interesting story. Bella had her personal issues which led to her finding a guru, and then her life became dangerous and out of her control for the most part. All the signs were there though not specifically details. I enjoyed watching her become a stronger person, more in charge of her life. There were some moments of humor and some slightly-over-the-top tension. I did find the deep dive into the world of Indian food a bit more than I would want from a mystery, but overall, it was a good story.

i received a copy through RABT, and this is my unsolicited review.



Book Tour: Brooklyn Marsala (Brooklyn Marsala Mysteries #1) by Sophie Schiller with a giveaway and my review




Brooklyn Marsala

by Sophie Schiller

Mystery

Date Published: 04-01-2026




When Brooklyn housewife, Bella Bloom visits a mysterious Indian guru to fix her marriage, she turns into a cooking sensation and...murder suspect in this action-packed, hilarious, new cozy mystery series for fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan.



 





My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

I found this to be an interesting story. Bella had her personal issues which led to her finding a guru, and then her life became dangerous and out of her control for the most part. All the signs were there though not specifically details. I enjoyed watching her become a stronger person, more in charge of her life. There were some moments of humor and some slightly-over-the-top tension. I did find the deep dive into the world of Indian food a bit more than I would want from a mystery, but overall, it was a good story.


About the Author

Sophie Schiller is a writer of thrillers and historical adventure tales. Kirkus Reviews called her "an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer." Her latest novel is BROOKLYN MASALA. She graduated from American University, Washington, DC and lives in New York.


Contact Links

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram


Purchase Link

Amazon




RABT Book Tours & PR

Release Boost: Daring Delaney (Whiskey and Roses #4) by Cassie Colton

Daring Delaney 

by Cassie Colton 

Read With Kindle Unlimited




Delaney Henderson thought she’d found her dream life in a five-star kitchen until a dangerous affair with her boss exposed a web of lies, betrayal, and embezzlement that could destroy her. With nowhere else to turn, she escapes to Haven Ranch for a fresh start as the ranch cook, hoping her past stays buried.

David “Mac” Walters, a former Marine, built a quiet life on the ranch, grounded in loyalty, honor, and hard-earned peace. The last thing he expects is the fiery, wounded chef who cooks her way into his heart, and straight through his defenses.
When a devastating accident leaves Delaney vulnerable and pregnant, Mac steps in without hesitation, offering her shelter and protection. But as the heat between them ignites into something deeper, doubts creep in. Mac can’t ignore the years between them, and Delaney fears trusting her heart.

Just when she starts to believe in a future, the past returns, threatening her and her child.

Mac will have to prove he’s strong enough to protect her, brave enough to claim her, and fearless enough to fight for the life they both desire.


 

Release Boost: Second Edition (The Parent App #5) by Tess Thompson


Second Edition 

by Tess Thompson 

Read With Kindle Unlimited




Delphine Delacroix does not date.
Delphine Delacroix does not chat.
Delphine Delacroix especially has no interest in the quietly sunny bookstore owner everyone thinks is perfect for her.

Six years after losing her husband, Delphine has built a quiet life on control, routine, and careful distance. She runs her gallery by day. She raises her daughter. And in a small studio behind her cottage, she throws pots — slowly, patiently, for no one but herself — because clay is the only thing that's ever let her make something whole out of something broken.

She politely, firmly, and with increasing exasperation, declines every matchmaking attempt the good people of Willet Cove have made on her behalf for the last three years.

Delphine is fine. Delphine is fine.

Then fifteen-year-old Annie makes the bravest choice of her young life: she walks into a grief support group alone. And Delphine — who has spent six years refusing that same room — is undone.

She's not the only one who notices.

Dorian Flynn has always politely suggested that Delphine Delacroix might have opinions of her own about whom she dates. Then he sees a teenage girl sitting by herself in a room meant for grown-ups — and the fiercely guarded woman who comes to pick her up, clay still dried on her wrists — and realizes the entire town may have had a point all along.

Delphine is wary. Dorian is patient. And somehow, between hesitant conversations in quiet bookstore aisles, a watchful shop cat with opinions of his own, and a girl who deserves more than silence, an unlikely found family begins to form.

But letting someone in means risking the one thing Delphine has fought for six years to protect. And the longer she circles Dorian, the more she begins to suspect that the truth she's been outrunning — about her husband, about herself, about what she's really been afraid of — is finally ready to catch up with her.

She's been wrong about the past.
She might be wrong about love, too.

Dorian is counting on it.

Second Edition is the fifth and final book in the Parent App series — a deeply emotional, slow-burn, behind-closed-doors small-town romance featuring a grumpy single-mom gallery owner and potter, a quiet Navy-veteran sunshine hero with a soft spot for the girl who needs him, found family, a meddling bookstore cat with opinions, meddling teenage matchmakers, and a powerful journey through grief, healing, and the terrifying hope of a second chance at love.

Because in Willet Cove, some love stories aren't written in the first draft.

They're the ones you finally let yourself revise



Thursday, July 2, 2026

Release: Christmas in New York by Hayleigh Davis



MERRY CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Christmas in New York by Hayleigh Davis is new and free to read with KindleUnlimited!
 
 
All she wants is a quiet Christmas. Someone else has a different plan.

FBI Special Agent Ansley Allen is supposed to be on leave, not tangled up in Remi Bishop. Spending Christmas in New York with the billionaire rock star and youngest son of the Bishop crime family is meant to be a temporary escape from the case that left her burned out and running on empty.

Remi Bishop has always been a familiar comfort she could step into and out of without consequence. They are best friends with benefits, and it works for them because their careers don't leave room for the family with the white fence. But when a candid photo of them goes viral, labeling her as his girlfriend, the lie becomes too convenient to ignore.

Fake dating a billionaire rock star should be simple.
Play the part. Smile for the cameras. Walk away when it's over.
Except nothing about Remi has ever been simple.

And the longer she stays, the harder it is to keep her distance from him, from his family, from the life she's pretending not to want.

And then the sense of someone watching her puts her on full alert.

What begins as unease turns darker, more personal. When Remi gets pulled into the danger, it becomes clear this isn't random.

Someone wants Ansley to suffer.

Now Ansley has a choice between following the rules she's built her career on or do whatever it takes to stop a threat that doesn't play by any.

Because it's not just her life on the line.

And if Ansley gets it wrong again, Christmas won't be the only thing left in ruins.



 

Blitz: Lady Petra and the Wolf (Lords Fall First #2) by Anna Valleria with an excerpt and a giveaway

Lady Petra and the Wolf Series:   (Lords Fall First, #2) by Anna Valleria Release date : July 2nd, 2026 Genres : Adult, Gothic, Historical, ...