🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 Death by Michelle Heard {REVIEW}

Death by Michelle Heard

Release Date: June 30, 2025

Series: Mafia Empire #3

Pages: 281

Genres: Romance, Suspense

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.

I walked out of my home and away from my loving sister to protect her. Either I left with him, the man who’s watched me from the shadows for months, or he would kill Grace.

It’s been nine months of living in pure agony and hell.
Nine months since I last saw Grace.
Nine months of him controlling every aspect of my life.

My mind has shattered, and I’m not sure I’ll ever escape him.

Until I do.
The only problem? Not even minutes after running for my life, I’m captured again by another man. This one is charming with his hot smiles and promises of safety, and he rules over his kingdom like a beloved god.

Is the brutality I see in his eyes just my imagination? Do I dare trust that he won’t hurt me?
I know what he wants.
Me.

I’m just not sure there’s anything left of me to give to him.

STANDALONE: A Mafia Romance full-length novel.
Each book in the Mafia Empire series is interconnected, but about a different couple who will all find their HEA.

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU

My Review:

As the third book in the Mafia Empire Series, Heard delivers her darkest book yet in Death. This mafia romance is full of secrets, suspense and an emotional rollercoaster that will pull at your heartstrings and never let go.

Nothing is ever easy in their world, especially after being promised to a man she doesn’t love. Alliances are everything and Ciara Devlin has no choice but to marry the man her dad has promised her to. But her biggest ally, her sister Grace, will do anything to save Ciara from the horrors that she suffered in her first marriage. So when Grace agrees to marry Dominik instead, it should have given Ciara a chance to not go through the same experience. Little did she know just her life would take a turn for the worse after being kidnapped and held away from her own family. It would take months of living in pain to slowly destroy all hopes of being rescued. Until Ciara finds herself running for her life, only to be taken by another man. A man that slowly finds a way into her heart, Santiago gives her the chance to start fresh. Yet, Ciara doesn’t know if she’ll ever be the same again. What she went through completely destroyed her.

Santiago Castro has build a life for himself full of wealth and power. Growing up his life was different, until everything changed the minute the cartel decided to turn to on his family. Losing everything made him more resilient all while vowing to protect all those that need him. Especially the woman that he is destined to be with, as he was once told that she would be like the rising sun. Only his instincts are telling him that she is in a grave danger and Santiago is ready to do anything in order to find her. It’s when he does that Santiago becomes her protector and vows to make those that hurt her pay the ultimate price for hurting the woman he loves. He knows that Ciara has been through so much and it’s heartbreaking to see her in pain. Yet, he is determine to be there for her no matter what, even if she decides that she might not be able to love him back.

I absolutely loved reading Death, the storyline was more complex and well-written when it came to the dark topics in the book. I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warmings at the beginning before reading the book. It’s clear from the beginning that Ciara goes through a severe trauma after she gets taken. It doesn’t take her long to gravitate towards Santiago, which she does’t understand as he is clearly a stranger. But it’s his honesty and kindness that wins her over. There is a mutual understanding between them as the two start to get to know each other more. They have a lot in common and she can see herself falling for Santiago. I loved seeing Santiago not being too pushy with Ciara, instead he is nothing but completely understanding her situation and takes his time with her. Seeing them interact with previous characters also made the book that much more enjoyable to read. The ending will literally melt your heart, it was sweet and perfect for the characters. I would highly recommend checking out this book as well as the rest of the series, you will not regret it! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

About Michelle Heard:

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Website, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, TikTok, Newsletter

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🔖 REVIEW 🔖 Niall by Melanie Moreland

Niall by Melanie Moreland

Release Date: June 19, 2025

Series: The Irishmen #2

Pages: 244

Genres: Romance, Mafia

She’s His One Weakness—And He’ll Burn the World to Save Her.Niall Black

Loyal right-hand to Finn O’Reilly. Cousin and trusted friend.
He lives for the life he’s created. Filled with business, both day-to-day and dangerous. Not interested in a relationship of any kind outside of his comfort zone.
Until fate brings her to him. Annabelle Lewis.
She awakens something inside him. A need. A desire.
A new set of feelings he wasn’t prepared for.
When she is taken from him, how far will he go to get her back?
To the ends of the earth.
And anyone in his way will be removed.
Permanently.

The suspenseful finale in The Irishmen duet by New York Times Bestselling author Melanie Moreland

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, BookBub, Binge Books, StoryGraph

My Review:

Moreland delivers a gripping conclusion in The Irishmen Duet, Naill is full of romance and suspense that will keep you at the edge of your seat until the end.

As his cousin’s right-hand, Niall Black is loyal to those he trusts the most. While working for the syndicate comes with its own danger, Niall is always ready to respond if needed. So when his cousin’s girlfriend gets kidnapped, he sets a plan in motion to rescue her, little does Niall know how much his life is about to change forever. There is another woman that needs protecting and the minute he comes in contact with her, there is something inside him that awakens. The need to protect Anna at all costs is more important than anything else and Niall will not stop until he is certain that no harm will come for her. He has never been one for relationships, not after the way his previous ones ended. His life is too dangerous for him to have a weakness, yet destiny had another plans after it brings Anna into the picture. Niall just needs to accept his growing feelings for her before it’s too late.

After experiencing what she went through, Anna Lewis is aware of the dangers that are lurking outside the life she grew up in. It was a traumatic experience that left her shaken and with no family around to support her, Anna turns to Niall for emotional support. From the time he rescued her, she felt safe and cared for. There was a connection between them that was formed, one that was never truly formed with her own family. Everything emotional is new to her and Anna doesn’t know if her growing feelings for Niall are real. But sometimes it takes one person to change our lives forever and that’s what Anna finds with Niall. Yet, there are still dangers out there that could threaten their new relationship.

Moreland knows how to deliver all the feels in all of her books and Niall was no exception. Everyone needs a Niall in their lives, he is the ultimately hero in the book. Though you could say that they both saved each other in their own ways. Finn has created a life for himself in Canada after leaving Ireland behind. Though his mom is the one reason that he could ever go back home. But after seeing his cousin set roots of his own, Niall wonders if he could have the same thing with Anna. There is an undeniable connection between them from the very beginning that keeps growing stronger the longer they spend time together. Anna never thought that she would one day find someone so caring like Niall. He makes her feel seen and save. It doesn’t take long before she starts to fall for him. I absolutely loved the ending, characters from previous series made appearances throughout the book that made it that much more enjoyable to read. It was an emotional ending that ultimately concludes this second chance romance, that I would highly recommend checking it out! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

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🔖 REVIEW 🔖 The Overtime Kiss by Lauren Blakely

The Overtime Kiss by Lauren Blakely

Release Date: June 18, 2025

Series: Love and Hockey #5

Pages: 530

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports

Just what every bride dreams of—running straight from her cheating fiancé into the arms of a hot hockey star… and then getting hired as his kids’ nanny.

Tyler Falcon is protective, flirtatious…and frustratingly responsible. We almost did something reckless when he found me alone in my wedding dress, and I blurted out all the things I’d never truly experienced.

Now, the sexy single dad is saving me again with a job I desperately need—and a promise to never mention The Night of 1001 Confessions.

I live in his house. Take care of his kids. Pretend I don’t notice his heated gaze lingering on me after they fall asleep.

Until one night, the tension snaps.

Now we have a deal. Five lessons in seduction. No strings attached.

But he’s not just good in bed. He spoils me with thoughtful gifts and supports my dreams. For the first time, I feel like I belong.

Except…this was never meant to last. I’m his employee. He has kids to protect. And neither of us can afford to make a mistake.

The more nights we spend tangled up together though, the harder it is to pretend it’s just physical. Because I’m not only falling for my boss—I’m falling for the man whose kids have stolen my heart.

Tropes: single dad/nanny, runaway bride, forced proximity, spicy lessons, she's his daughter's skating coach, confession of all secrets, love notes, found family

Amazon, Audible

My Review:

Things are heating up in Blakely’s latest release, The Overtime Kiss. This sports romance between a hockey star and a runaway bride will leave you swooning and rooting for the characters until the very end.

Sabrina Snow never expected to find out that her soon-to-be husband was cheating on her, prompting her to make the quick decision to run away from her own wedding. But what destroyed Sabrina the most was to see the disappointment look on her parents’ faces. Blaming her for making things up, all to get out of the wedding. It doesn’t take long before she ends up at a bar, without realizing that Tyler Falcon was going to be there as well.

As a professional ice skater, Sabrina worked really hard to make it to the olympics, only to find out that she didn’t. While working for her family, she starts coaching ice skating on the side. Tyler happens to be one of her ice skating student’s dad and he has always been kind to her. Yet, all bets are off when they start to drink and she blurts out everything she wants to experience with him.

Nothing happens that night, and hopes that they can forget about what happened the night before. Only to get hired by his mom to take care of his kids that things start to get difficult. It’s clear that they both have an undeniable connection, but she is his employee and Sabrina is afraid that what they have is not going to last.

I really enjoyed reading The Overtime Kiss, the characters are relatable and the story is well-thought out. Between the chemistry between, we get to see them grow closer the more time they spend together. Tyler quickly becomes overprotective over her, he wants to make her happy no matter what. They are able to lean on each other when things get tough and Sabrina slowly starts to see that she has been given a second chance to start a new life with him. But they don’t get their happily-ever-after until they can overcome one last obstacle in her life and they can start their future together. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this book and any others by the author, you will not regret it! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating: 4.5/5

{EXCERPT}

Tyler

“Are you a troublemaker, Tyler?”

“Maybe I was. Back in the day,” I say.

Her lips shift in amusement. “Think you’ve still got it in you?”

“Those are fighting words.” I drum my fingers on the counter. “How about trouble in the form of a spicy margarita? Can you handle the heat?”

Her smile falters for just a second, as if I’d asked about more than a drink. “I don’t even know.”

Her blue eyes flicker with something deeper—with uncertainty, maybe, or a vulnerability she’s trying to hide. Or possibly…interest. Since for a moment her gaze lingers on me, roams over me, like she’s trying to figure something out.

Like what she wants me to do to her tonight?

What the f*&k?

That is not a thought I should be entertaining. Too bad my lust-struck mind is already running away with the image, imagining what could have been if she wasn’t wearing that damn ring. Not today, brain. Stand down.

“Let’s find out,” I say, as I resume the role of runaway-bride wingman. I change her order, and when the bartender returns with the margarita, we toast again, her with her cocktail, me with my lager, which—as Ike promised—is incredibly good.

“To the opposite of today.”

“The opposite,” she echoes, her gaze…curious. But I don’t want to read into it even though I want to read everything into it.

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

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