Diamonds in the Dust by Charmaine Pauls

ABOUT THE BOOK

A DARK MAFIA ROMANCE

Men like us, we see things.

We do things, things that make us unfeeling.

That's the price of power and money, of living la belle vie and running the French mafia. Then she came along like a pretty wildflower pushing through the cracks on a dirty pavement - fragile yet resilient, a breath of beauty among the filth. She was supposed to be just another job, a nameless person I was to pluck from her life and hand to my brother, nothing but a pawn in the gamble of our diamond business.

There's a psychological label for men like us.

We lack empathy and guilt.

We do things to have what we want, things that make flowers wilt.

* Diamonds in the Dust is Book 1 of the Diamonds are Forever trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) will be released on 14 July 2020, and Diamonds are Forever (Book 3) on 15 September 2020.

Other novels in the Diamond Magnate collection:

Standalone Novel

Beauty in the Broken

Diamonds are Forever Trilogy

Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1) - 19 May 2020

Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) - 14 July 2020

Diamonds are Forever (Book 3) - 15 September 2020

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REVIEW

Diamonds in the Dust by Charmaine Pauls is the first in the Diamonds are Forever trilogy.  It also serves as a prequel to the Beauty in the Broken story, which for me, was a surprising benefit.  

This book is about dominance, as is a common theme by Charmain Pauls.  For this reason, it will most likely not appeal to everyone.  But what I love about her work is the emotional journey the characters traverse while coming to terms with their desires.  Her characters fight a battle of wills, but in the end, complement one another.  Once I start, I cannot put them down.

Maxime is dark, assertive, and seductive.  Zoe is struggling to come to terms with the severe changes in her life and her altering desires. By the end of Diamonds in the Dust, Zoe and Maxime have a long way to go, but I look forward to their journey.  

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

ABOUT THE BOOK

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

One of Newsweek's Most Anticipated Books of 2020

One of SheReads Most Anticipated Books of 2020

One of PopSugar's Most Anticipated Books of 2020

One of HelloGiggles’ Most Anticipated Books of 2020

One of Marie Claire’s Best Fiction by Women in 2020

One of Woman’s Day’s Best Fiction Books Coming Out in 2020

The electrifying #1 New York Times bestselling authors of THE WIFE BETWEEN US and AN ANONYMOUS GIRL return with a brand new novel of psychological suspense, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely.

Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better.

Shay would die for them to like her.

She may have to.

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REVIEW

What I liked: You Are Not Alone was extremely tense for me. The way the authors unfold the story kept me on the edge of my seat with worry and sympathy for Shay. I couldn't get to the end quickly enough.

What I didn't like: This is complex because what I didn't like did help fortify what was at stake for Shay. She finds herself in a destructive relationship, full of manipulation from some downright terrible people. Their actions made me feel sick. But without those acts, we could not have seen Shay's journey forward. Some of the situations were relatively over the top, and Shay was too trusting but, that added to the suspense. Ultimately, I still needed to find out where Shay wound up at the end.

Overall this book was engaging. I recommend You Are Not Alone for those who like a mystery to solve. 

Evernight by Donna Grant

ABOUT THE BOOK

New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant “skillfully melds history and legend” (RT Book Reviews) in a thrilling series – The Kindred.

To live in the light, they hunt in the dark…

Traumatized by the most devastating event imaginable, Synne has one thing on her mind: ridding the world of the Coven. The witches and their evil allies took away everything she held dear, and not even her beloved trees can quell the rising grief and darkness seeping into her soul. However, when she crosses paths with a sexy-as-sin Scotsman, her way of thinking changes, and she discovers things about herself even she wouldn’t have guessed.

Lachlan MacCullum, next in line to rule his clan, never expected to have his world turned upside down. But the moment he lays eyes on the gorgeous Hunter, he knows he will never be the same. In addition to making him feel things he never thought possible, she opens him to a world he’d nearly forgotten about. Now, he’s consumed by the need to help her. And win her heart.

With Sybbyl on the loose and out for domination, and another bone of the First Witch close at hand, reaching the Varroki and joining forces is paramount. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Evil has a way of thwarting even the best-laid plans. At least they have each other. But for how long?

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REVIEW

Evernight is the first book in the Kindred series I have read. The author does an excellent job of describing recent events, so at no time did I feel lost. There was decent intrigue involved in the battle between Hunter and Witches. Once the action ramped up, I was completely engaged in Synne and Lachlan's story. 

I typically enjoy my paranormal romances in an urban setting, but for the battle waged in Evernight, the medieval Scottish background was fitting. It did take me a little while to get into this book. Perhaps reading prior novels would have helped attach me more to the events transpiring. Ultimately, it was worth a read, especially for those who are faithful fans of a medieval paranormal romance.