The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A woman seeking to open up her own speakeasy-style bar and restaurant must contend with feelings for a longtime friend as complications arise in author Taj McCoy’s “The Dating Prohibition.”

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The Synopsis

In this spicy new rom-com, an ambitious entrepreneur working to get her speakeasy supper club off the ground is pushed off balance when her childhood crush turns up, hotter than ever–– then tells her she’s off-limits.

Now that Kendra’s returned home, she can’t help feeling like a kid again—back in her big brother’s shadow, trying to get her restaurant off the ground while his new venture is flying high right out the gate. It doesn’t help that everyone refuses to stop calling her Keke, the childhood nickname she loathes.

The only bright spot is her longtime crush BJ. He’s been her big brother’s best friend for most of her life, and he’s always been that cool, chill guy who was easy to talk to and made her laugh. Now he’s looking at her like she’s all grown up, and there’s nothing childish about the chemistry brewing between them. Even better, he takes her dreams seriously, and he’s ready to help her make her supper club a reality.

But then BJ extinguishes the sparks flying between them, insisting nothing romantic can ever happen because she’s “off limits.” As her investors fall through and her best chance at fulfilling her professional dreams points toward leaving home again for a fresh start, will BJ be ready for love before Kendra moves on? Or will he sweep her off her feet when she least expects it?

The Review

The balance of spicy romance and compelling character development was evident from the get-go of this stellar rom-com. The will-they/won’t-they tropes that went into this multicultural romance were so passionately written and kept readers invested in the narrative from the start. The story featured a strong family dynamic, both positive and negative. The struggle for protagonist Kendra to step out of her big brother’s shadow and the lack of support from other members of her family were balanced with the support of her cousin, her brother and his wife, and other close friends, and the way this played into both her professional and personal aspirations was both relatable and engaging.

The heat between BJ and Kendra was palpable to be sure, and yet the divide that kept them apart (BJ’s struggle to move on) spoke to the impact grief and loss can have on a person, and how it can impact relationships as a whole. Often, the ear and the idea of losing someone close to us again can drive us to push those away who could be good for us, and the author perfectly illustrated that in the rich dynamic between these two characters. The history and cultural explorations of both the restaurants the characters worked in and aspired to open, as well as the themes the restaurants embodied, added depth to this narrative.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, spicy, and entertaining, author Taj McCoy’s “The Dating Prohibition” is a must-read rom-com. The twists and turns in the story, the yearning and the need these characters feel for one another, and the dynamic culture that was brought into the narrative will resonate with so many readers as the climactic final chapter comes together. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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Oakland-born law grad Taj McCoy is committed to championing stories that include Black and multiracial women of color, plus-size protagonists, Black love, Black joy, and strong senses of sisterhood and familial bonds. Taj started writing as a small child, enjoying her first publications in elementary school. When she’s not writing, Taj may be on Twitter boosting other marginalized writers, practicing yoga, sharing recipes, or cooking private supper club meals for close friends.

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.tajmccoywrites.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tajmccoywrites 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1whowill 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20626681.Taj_McCoy 

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Here is an Excerpt from Taj McCoy’s “The Dating Prohibition”

Excerpted from The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy © 2025 by Taj McCoy, used with permission from HarperCollins/MIRA Books.

Snort! Kendra jolted awake, her face pressed against the cool window shade. She forced a cough to clear her throat, her cheeks coloring as she realized she’d been snoring. Her eyes darted around to see if anyone in the neighboring seats had heard, and she rushed to wipe the side of her mouth, checking for drool. No one in the row in front of her seemed to have noticed anything, and she was thankful that most of the first- class passengers were wearing noise-canceling headphones and watching in-flight movies.

Pull yourself together, girl. Taking a deep breath, she covered her face with the palms of her hands, willing herself awake.

The sweet woman next to her patted her arm with a chuckle. “You must have been tired, dear. You missed the meal and everything!”

Thank god I didn’t have to pay for this upgrade. Kendra yawned and nodded in agreement. “I’ve traveled quite a bit in the past two weeks. I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep.” I could honestly go back to sleep right now.

“Are you heading home?”

Home.

She smiled tightly. “Yeah, something like that.” Truth was, she’d been a tumbleweed for the past two years. Home was wherever she decided to rest her head, though she’d been craving a place to plant her roots—something she hadn’t been sure she’d ever do when she left. And she never fathomed that she’d have a desire to return to the US to do so.

A chime sounded before a flight attendant spoke over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our de- scent into Reagan Washington National Airport. As we pre- pare for landing, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright and locked position. Your lap- tops should be put away and . . .”

Kendra offered a small smile to her neighbor. “Are you returning home?”

The woman shook her head, the scent of her gourmand perfume wafting over Kendra in waves of vanilla and toffee. “My daughter’s. She’s going to be induced next week. My fourth grandbaby!” She grinned with pride and rummaged through her purse, which she cradled in her lap protectively.

“Aw, congratulations! That’s so exciting.” A cell phone was shoved in her face, showing three smiling kids, two missing their front teeth. “They’re very cute.”

Once they landed and arrived at the gate, Kendra helped her row mate with her bag and headed toward baggage claim as her phone pinged with a text message.

Lani: Is you here yet?? Inquiring minds (aka your nosy brother and your parents) want to know . . .

Kendra: The eagle has landed.

Lani: Tuh! I know you haven’t returned from Gulliver’s travels with a big ass head SMH. Make sure you look like somethin before you waltz your ass up in here . . .

She rolled her eyes and sent her cousin a middle finger emoji before tucking her phone into her pocket. Returning home hit different now that Kendra was deemed a failure—it felt like tucking tail and admitting defeat after desperately trying to carve an uncharted path with nothing but hope and a blunt instrument. Whether anyone would admit it, the hushed tones of the family whisper network turned up the volume on every inadequacy and failed attempt, and once again the grumblings shone a spotlight directly onto Kendra. Always the fucking black sheep.

Kendra sighed, muttering to herself as she approached her fifth red light in a row. “Now they’ll get to harp on the fact that I’m late.” She glanced at the clock on her dashboard and shook her head with annoyance.

Having run home just long enough to drop off her suit- case and pick up her car, she’d rushed back out before her family started blowing up her phone. DC traffic was only predictable in that it was inevitable, and finding parking was next to impossible. Sometimes, the search for parking took as long as the commute. That never stopped Kendra from wanting to drive—yes, one could take the Metro or ride- share to a destination, but that meant having to depend on too many outside variables when she was ready to leave— she was too much of a control freak to depend on the time- liness of others, and when she wanted to go, she wanted to go. Waiting on others to do what she was more than capable of doing herself drove her up the wall. Being the baby in the family didn’t mean that she was any less capable than Big Bro.

Being away from home for two years left her second- guessing directions and she cursed under her breath as she missed her exit from the same traffic circle twice. At some point, people enjoying the park would begin to think she was casing the neighborhood. Kendra bit her lip, her eyes widen- ing as a car sped into the lane to her right as she attempted to maneuver over to catch the exit on her third try. She slid into the lane behind the Prius that had come out of nowhere and finally made the right turn out of the roundabout from hell.

Kendra zipped through the congestion on Rhode Island Avenue, having dropped all of her belongings off at the English basement apartment below her brother’s row house. The family golden boy. Logan had stopped offering the basement as a vacation rental when Kendra announced her return to town, and she’d eagerly agreed to help launch his new business for a month or two of free rent. Her best friend and cousin’s name appeared on the center console screen of Kendra’s Audi Q3, and she pressed a button on her steering wheel to answer her phone via the car’s Bluetooth system as she stopped at a traffic light. “Hey, girl, hey!”

“You’re late, you know,” Lani quipped in a hushed tone, evoking an immediate eye roll out of Kendra. “Everyone’s waiting for you to make an appearance! Logan said he hasn’t even seen you yet.”

“Yeah, that’s the beauty of smart locks—there’s no longer a need for me to knock on Logan’s front door and ask for a key to his basement. It’s bad enough that the prodigal child has to return and immediately ask her big brother for help for the umpteenth time.” Kendra chewed on her bottom lip, willing her face to express less of her reluctance to come back to the DMV area. It wasn’t that she didn’t love DC—she did—it was just that she was always hidden by Logan’s shadow. It wasn’t his fault, and Kendra looked up to Big Bro for everything he was able to accomplish, but sometimes his success sucked up all of the oxygen in the room.

“Now, don’t be dramatic, Keke,” Lani chided in her sing- songy voice.

Kendra bristled at her childhood nickname. “And remind me again why you couldn’t just let me come and stay at your place? You know that I’m not above bumming it on a couch.”

Lani tsked nonchalantly. “Come on, girl, no one should be subjected to that much sex. Can’t have you telling my aunt and uncle about my sexcapades. Your mom already thinks I’m too fast anyway.”

Kendra smirked. You are. “She already knows you’re fast, heffa.”

“You told her?!” Lani’s hushed growl made Kendra cackle. “You really don’t remember trying to sneak a boy into our house when you were staying with us for spring break?” She’d been grounded for the rest of high school and subjected to regular lectures about the birds and the bees. Auntie Mack refused to be a grandmother early, so she made herself an impactful prophylactic. Logan and all the boy cousins were tasked with looking out for Lani and Kendra, as if the lot weren’t all

pussy-whipped themselves.

“Uh, that was a teenage mistake. Does Auntie Al think I’m fast too? You haven’t told her anything recent, right?” Lani’s whispering was more of an exasperated shout with the volume turned down. “If she thinks I’m up to anything, she’ll tell my mom, and then I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Girl, your mom has known since you started wearing all that eyeliner in middle school,” Kendra chuckled. “And that mulberry lipstick? You thought you were serving. You’d hit ’em with the duck lips and hands on your hips anytime some- one tried to take a picture.”

Lani groaned. “Shut up, there’s a difference between duck lips and a smize. And thought? Bitch, I was stuntin’ on them hos.”

Kendra could practically hear the hair flip on the other side

of the line. “Mmmkay, well, back to what I was saying. I could be at your place hearing sex-foolery, but instead I’m up under Logan . . . again.” Thankfully there was a main floor between Kendra’s unit and her brother’s bedroom, so she was absolved from having to hear his sexcapades, but still.

“Well, but it’s only temporary, and besides, the savings is

good for you while you’re still in the planning stages of opening up your own spot.”

“Why must you be reasonable?” Kendra whined. Every- thing Lani said was true, but the closer she got to the bistro location that Logan and his wife, Shonda, were opening together, the more Kendra’s stomach performed a Simone Biles– level floor exercise—one of those extra good ones that would eventually be named after her because no one else could perfect it the way she could.

“One of us has to be reasonable, so suck it up, buttercup. Now, what’s your ETA?” Lani was resistant to Kendra’s shit— she had a no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything and didn’t believe in coddling unless she needed it herself. It didn’t help that, as cousins born two weeks apart, they’d been best friends since they shared a playpen. Lani knew all of Kendra’s tactics.

“I’m about to park. Give me a minute or two to gather myself, and then I’ll be in.” Well, maybe five minutes.

“Bet. Oh, and be careful when you walk in here, Keke—

Stanley just waxed the floors.”

“Noted.” Kendra steered her car into the first open parking spot. “I’ll be in there in a few.”

“’Kay, bye.”

The phone disconnected, and Kendra took a deep breath. What is awaiting me inside? She cursed herself for not asking who all would be present to help put the finishing touches on the restaurant before its opening in a few days. As she closed her eyes to meditate, her phone rang again. She jabbed at the button on her steering wheel. “We literally just hung up, Lani.”

“Well, don’t sit out in your car forever either. Someone already mentioned that they saw you pull up.”

Kendra rolled her eyes, kissing her teeth. “Get off my phone, ma’am. I need a sec.” Leave me be!

Lani dropped her voice to a gruff whisper. “Bring yo’ ass

in here, ho. A certain someone been askin’ about you.” She drew out the last word teasingly. “Take a fuckin’ hint,” she whispered through gritted teeth.

Kendra’s face scrunched up as her head tilted, her mind racing to run through the list of everyone she expected to be present in these final days of prep before the big launch. “Who?”

“Mr. Big and Sexy, the chocolate drop himself.”

Huh? Kendra blew out a breath loudly, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Cousin, that description applies to half of the brothas in the DMV. Can you be more specific?”

“If you don’t carry your behind on   You know what?

We don’t have time for this.” Lani’s hushed tone changed to a loud call. “Hey, look, y’all. I think that’s Keke’s car right there!” Voices in the background converged into a jumble drowned out by a peal of villainous laughter.

I’m gonna kill her. “Lani!” Kendra snapped as the call disconnected. So much for a moment of peace. She inhaled deeply, exhaling through her mouth before wiping the scowl from her face and climbing out of the car into a light breeze that made her pull her coat lapels closer to her neck. She flung her tote bag over her shoulder as she crossed the narrow side street to enter the front door of the brightly lit restaurant with a giant banner and the word PALATE set between a set of cutlery. “Here we go,” she muttered.

As Kendra stepped onto a narrow welcome mat just inside the glass door, which had been propped open to allow in the sharp almost-spring air, the scents of fresh paint and oranges wafted toward her. She peered around the dining room in search of the chocolate drop Lani was hinting about, making eye contact with her brother, Logan, and her sister-in-law, Shonda, whose face brightened as she headed toward the end of the bar to show some love. “Hey, you made it!”

“Yeah, I . . . whoa shit!” Kendra took one step forward and slipped, fully expecting to be met with the well-polished lacquered hardwood when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her and righted her, the warmth of a large hand imprinting the small of her back as her legs wobbled. “Right, careful with the floors . . . Thanks,” she laughed with embarrassment.

“Been a long time, Kenny,” a gravelly baritone voice caused her head to jerk upward. His sturdy six-foot frame drew closer, holding her against his hip so that she could steady herself. The scents of smoky oud and tobacco emanated from his skin. Kendra gulped as her eyes widened. Damn, he got even finer.

BJ Stephens glowered at her curiously, the same way he had when they were teenagers, and Kendra’s cheeks warmed as she took in his smooth umber skin. She’d never seen him in jeans and work boots before, but the look suited him.

“Hey, B, long time. How you been?” She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck as his wound around her waist. As she turned her head to peck his cheek, he moved slightly and her lips landed at the angle of his jaw, just below his ear, his closely-groomed beard soft against her skin. Her eyes bulged as she stepped back, unsure whether he’d think she tried to kiss his neck on purpose. Clumsy and awkward . . . we’re off to a great start. She made space between them, willing her cheeks not to broadcast her embarrassment. She cleared her throat before looking up at him.

BJ’s dark, spectacled eyes trained on her, his expression unreadable. “Good. But you’re the one who’s been gone. How were your travels? Last I heard, you were cooking your way through Asia and Europe.”

Kendra beamed, nodding. “I loved every minute of it. Ap- prenticed under a few chefs, caught up with a few cousins when I hit Thailand and the Philippines. Collected a ton of cooking techniques and recipes. Made some new friends and gave a few lessons on Creole cooking.”

“You didn’t make new friends at the expense of old ones, I hope.” The corners of his mouth twitched, drawing Kendra’s attention to his full lips. It always took a lot to make BJ smile. A laugh was even more rare but craveable. As long as Kendra had known her brother’s best friend, she never was good at reading him. Once in a while, he’d allow his face to show his playfulness, but most of the time, his underwhelmed, almost gruff expression remained constant. Joy, pain—even annoyance—were less common expressions than the general grumpy-observer vibe he gave off. But behind the prickly mask was an intelligent, loyal, good human who often put others before himself.

“Never that,” she laughed. They’d known each other for over two decades—ever since her family had relocated from New Orleans to the nation’s capital. Kendra had been in middle school, and Logan was just about to start high school. He met BJ his first day of classes, and they became fast friends after almost coming to blows over the attentions of the same girl. Logan had brought BJ home for some of Momma’s cooking to make amends, and the rest was history—Momma won over many hearts with her Creole family recipes, and BJ’s was no exception. Logan had been lucky. Truth be told, BJ would have whooped his ass.

BJ was a gym rat to the core, but as focused as he was on macros to build muscle mass, he made two exceptions without question: Momma’s cookin’ and good whiskey. As he solidified his place within the family’s inner circle, he’d always been the one to mediate Kendra’s arguments with her brother—a dependable voice of reason who wasn’t quick to pick sides.

Kendra and Logan never fought physically—Momma would never allow that—but Kendra would cut to the white meat with her words, and when she went low, Logan went straight to the depths of hell. “You still enjoying the professor life? I heard you were awarded tenure while I was out of the country. Congratulations are in order! I was really excited to hear the news. You’ve worked so hard to get to this place.”

His head bobbed as he smoothed a hand over his facial hair. The top half of his dark, shoulder-length locs were twisted and tied back away from his face as he regarded her intently. “Thanks! Yeah, it’s been good so far, but I’m on sabbatical this semester. I need to do some research for my next book proposal.”

BJ taught courses on historic preservation, focusing on heritage conservation, architectural history and preservation, urban planning, and adaptive reuse. Most of it went over Ken- dra’s head, but she loved that he focused a good amount of his work on Black heritage tourism. The way that he highlighted the importance of transforming abandoned sites to frame and highlight pivotal points in history had always been a source of inspiration for her.

Kendra tilted her head. “About that, actually, maybe I can pick your brain about something later. I’ve got something brewing businesswise, and it’s right up your alley.” She tapped his arm with her fingers and admired the results that his hard work in the gym had developed.

BJ’s eyebrows rose, but Lani slid across the floor Risky Business–style right into Kendra’s arms before he could respond. He nodded brusquely and sauntered back toward the bar, where Logan was installing some shelving.

“Bitch, you made it!” Her cousin squeezed Kendra tightly before stepping back to assess her appearance, a wrinkle forming between her eyebrows. Lani was all about vibrant colors, and Kendra’s palette was much more neutral, so she was al- ways being bullied to step outside of her comfort zone and into prints that she found too busy, too bright, too attention- grabbing. Lani was in a pair of ripped, acid-washed blue jeans and a loud color-blocked sweater with bright red sneakers. She narrowed her eyes at what she would consider to be low frequencies emanating from Kendra’s look.

Kendra dropped a hand onto her hip and posed. “Don’t play me, I know I look good.” Her coffee-colored duster over a white cropped tee and white high-waisted jogger pants hugged her curves and made her feel clean, like fresh air after a hard rain. She’d pulled her thick, silk-pressed tresses into a sleek ponytail, and per usual, her shades sat on top of her head like a headband. Kendra ran her fingers through her pony- tail, curling the ends around her index finger, and popped her tongue playfully.

Lani leaned forward, her eyes wide. “Mmm-hmm. And a certain someone noticed too.”

“Who? Stanley? I wouldn’t exactly describe him as a chocolate drop. Maybe more like a hazelnut latte.” Kendra tilted her head, assessing the occupants of the room. There was Logan and Shonda, BJ, Auntie Al, Shonda’s sister Bree, Kendra’s par- ents, and Stanley, who was staring at Lani like she stole some- thin’. Logan had a team of people that he’d walked back toward the kitchen, who Kendra assumed were the new restaurant staff. BJ was carrying cartons of wine and spirits down to the basement cellar. Kendra’s mom and Aunt Alisa were pretending to wipe down the counters, but they’d been hovering over the same spot at the bar pointing at Kendra and whispering. The family motto should be: “Subtlety? We don’t know her.”

Stanley’s tall and lean build was squeezed behind some shelving that he was putting together for a wall display. Ken- dra’s dad, Braxton, was reading the assembly instructions aloud to Stanley, whose attention remained trained on Lani, who seemed completely unaware. Kendra made eye contact with Shonda across the room, gesturing slightly with her chin toward Stanley, and Shonda’s smile grew wide. She nodded slowly, steepling her fingers like a mastermind with an evil plan. Kendra winked in response.

“Not Stanley, silly. BJ was asking about you,” Lani whispered, her arm entwined with Kendra’s to keep her from slip- ping again.

BJ? Kendra’s face screwed up into a giant question mark. “Huh? Why?”

Her cousin shrugged. “I’ve been clocking it for the last week. Anytime your name was brought up, he was all ears.”

“I mean, we’ve known the guy a long time, so that doesn’t feel out of the ordinary to me. We haven’t seen each other in years.” Kendra’s last post before her travels was in Silicon Valley. She often returned home for the holidays, but BJ al- ways went to be with his parents in Charlotte. When Kendra had been laid off from her role as a chief data officer for a thriving startup that was absorbed by a tech giant, she’d taken her generous severance package and savings to do some soul- searching around the globe. BJ had checked in once in a while to ask where she was and how she was doing. He’d always been thoughtful in that way.

After visiting family in Thailand and the Philippines, Kendra went to parts of Europe and finished off her trip in New Orleans spending quality time with her Granny. Each destination brought her new adventures and lessons in the culinary world and in determining what tools she would use to pave her path. Everyone in the family had built a legacy in their own way, and it finally felt like Kendra’s turn.

“There’s my ray of sunshine!” Kendra’s dad opened his arms and wrapped her into a warm hug, the scent of tobacco smoke lingering on his jacket.

She squeezed him tight, tucking her chin for her father to kiss her forehead. “Daddy! Mmm, what cigar were you smoking? It smells spicy.”

“Your brother bought me a box of maduros, so we decided to have some coffee and sample them before we got started today.” Her dad’s bronzed skin and thick, straight hair was tousled with some sort of product. Born in Los Angeles to a Filipino mother and a Thai father, he was the embodiment of California, wearing a jean jacket over a light sweater and slacks. When he met his wife, Regina, at George Washington University, he embraced DC with her, setting down roots, eventually convincing Auntie Al and Uncle Ronnie to move up from New Orleans to experience all four seasons. Their time in DC was cut short as they moved back to New Orleans when they started their family––free childcare was worth the return, thanks to Granny and PawPaw.

Once Kendra and Logan were old enough to fend for themselves, Braxton and Regina moved back into their DC home, which they’d rented out while down south. Auntie Mack fell in love with Charleston, and Kendra’s maternal grandmother remained in New Orleans alone now that Paw- Paw had passed. Her paternal grandparents remained in Los Angeles, giving her a reason to get some California sunshine whenever possible, but she’d caught them on their annual trip to visit family during her time in Asia.

“That’s a bold move to start with a maduro, but you know I like those. Especially if the coffee happened to be Irish.” Kendra shared a knowing glance with her father as she pulled back, his arm still around her waist.

Braxton Porter kissed his daughter’s cheek, lowering his voice to barely a whisper before winking at her mischievously. “Your brother and I may have already had an Irish coffee or two out on the patio. Don’t tell your mother.”

Kendra giggled, raising her hands in surrender. “Your secret is safe with me.” They walked toward the bar area, which was painted a deep emerald green with creamy quartz countertops and golden fixtures. The herringbone pattern in the cherrywood flooring gleamed with gradients of reddish browns. “Wow, this place is gorgeous,” she gushed.

Natural light flooded in through massive picture windows dressed with velvet curtains the color of the faintest blush. On the windowsills were decorative vases and small plants, like succulents and snake plants—ones that didn’t require a lot of attention. On the walls were several blown-up photographs from Logan and Shonda’s travels as they’d hit different countries on their bucket list and sampled different cuisines to find the right balance of flavors to feature on their menu of global fare. BJ had busied himself hanging another portrait, and Kendra studied his profile, taking in the broadness of his shoulders and the way his Henley sleeves were pushed up to his forearms, the fabric over his chest and arms hugging his physique. This man just gets better with age . . .

“Yo, can you chill, cuz? You are lookin’ at him like he’s a

four-course meal and you wanna come back for seconds . . .”

Kendra froze, her neck and cheeks immediately coloring at Lani’s observation. “Say it louder, I think the kitchen staff didn’t hear you!” Kendra hissed, her attention snapping away from the strong arms lifting a black-and-white photograph of a wine cellar full of barrels on a long wall leading toward the unisex bathrooms.

BJ glanced in her direction before returning to his task and leveling the frame. Heat crawled up the column of Kendra’s throat, her skin boiling as she stared her cousin down.

“If he heard you, I swear on all things holy that I will tell your mom all about how her favorite cashmere sweater got ruined.” Kendra wiggled her fingers like she was casting a spell on her cousin.

“You wouldn’t.” Lani’s eyes darted around in a panic. As teenagers, she and Kendra snuck out to meet some boys, and Lani swiped her mom’s ultrasoft cardigan to wear over a barely there tank top and coochie cutters. The fast heffa swore the sweater added a level of sophistication to her look. Suffice it to say that it was St. Patty’s Day, and she spilled a green pint of beer on the luxe creamy knit, leaving a giant mint-colored swatch that she couldn’t explain. Instead, Lani framed the family dog and asserted that he’d dragged the sweater outside into the grass. Auntie Mack was devastated.

Kendra’s sinister smile spread like the Grinch stealing Christmas. “Try me.”

Written Just For You by Lincoln James Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young man falls for a young woman hidden by local legends and seeks to tell her story in author Lincoln James’s “Written Just For You.”

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The Synopsis

Some love stories are written in the stars. This one is written in blood.

Will wasn’t supposed to stay in town. Jean wasn’t supposed to meet him. And the book she gave him? It wasn’t meant to be read.

Depoe Bay is a place of whispers—where the fog clings too close and stories go unanswered. The town says Jean is a ghost, a siren, a memory that never made it out of the water. But Will knows she’s real. He’s seen her. Heard her laugh. Felt something shift.

And now that he’s read her words…He can’t let her go.

As the town turns colder, the secrets grow louder—about the past, the dead, and what love refuses to bury.

Some girls don’t make it out of their stories.

But Will’s about to make sure this one does.

The Review

This was such a compelling and captivating read. The author perfectly brought a tale of suspense and intrigue to life on the page, carefully illuminating a time of significant change and uncertainty in the world (the 60s), and hitting readers with a healthy balance of thriller action and heartbreaking emotion. The visceral imagery in the author’s writing style effectively captures the tension and shocking moments that will stay with readers as they reach the climax of this tale.

Yet even with such a powerful story filled with shocking and heart-pounding thrills, the core of this narrative was in the gut-punch of emotional character growth. The heart of the story lies in the love story, which is wrapped in powerful themes of identity, grief, and finding hope. The way both Jean and Will are drawn together, and how love can be transformative, altering a person’s path in ways they couldn’t have expected, plays out perfectly here and elevates the psychological nature of this thriller.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and heartfelt, author Lincoln James’s “Written Just For You” is a must-read mystery thriller with a romantic spin. The angst and trauma that both Will and Jean represent, as well as how the author explores how expectations and quick judgments by so many can make a person feel trapped in a life not their own, were extensively represented here, and made the more shocking and twisted moments of the climax hit home a lot harder. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author



Lincoln James, your favorite author’s favorite author, is celebrated for his haunting love stories, vintage thrillers, and slow-burn suspense. His characters feel, ache, and bleed, often trapped between the past and the people who won’t let them forget it.

In 2025, James was featured in The New York Review and named Best New Thriller Author in New York by Best of Best Review, honors recognizing his compelling storytelling and emotional depth.

When he’s not writing, James is a Communication professor in New York City and cherishes moments with friends and family, proving that the most thrilling tales lie in the love and laughter shared with those closest to us.

https://thelincolnjames.com/

PRESS RELEASE: Monday Motivation: 52 Inspirational quotes to start your week right Message from DC Gomez:

I’m doing a happy dance! After months of studying, analyzing and planning, I did it. I hit the launch
button and my first Kickstarter campaign was successful. Monday Motivation is going to market on
November 11 th and I cannot wait to embrace this and share this project with the world. I can’t believe it. OMG!

Version 1.0.0

Monday Motivation is a beautiful coffee-table book of 52 motivational quotes and reflections (like our
Monday Motivations) that you can enjoy anytime and I want to thank everyone helped who helped
contribute to my kickstarter and advocate for this project. There were so many individuals who
believed in this project and I thank each and every one of you for the support and contributions from
an emotional, mental, and financial aspect.


Finally, I also want to thank my fans and readers for their support of me because without each of
you, I would not be here as a successful author or a USA Today Bestseller. Monday Motivation was
written and created with all of you in mind and I hope that everyone will not only enjoy it but
advocate for it and truly live for the principles within the pages!

Mondays can be tough!

About D.C.

D. C. Gomez is an award-winning USA Today Bestselling Author, podcaster, motivational speaker,
and coach. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. D. C. studied
film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served
for four years.


D. C. has a Master’s Degree in Science Administration from the Central Michigan University, as well
as a Master in Adult Education from Texas A&M- Texarkana University. She is a certified John
Maxwell Team speaker and coach, and a certified meditation instructor from the Chopra Center.
One of D. C. passions is helping those around her overcome their self-limiting beliefs. She writes
both non-fiction and fiction books, ranging from Urban Fantasy to Children’s Books. To learn more
about her books and her passion, you can find her at www.dcgomez-author.com.

The Voice in the Well (Migrant Birds Book 3) by Magdalena Stanhoff Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young man returns to the city he grew up in, hoping to reconnect with a lost flame, only to discover she is different than he even knew, and perhaps they both need each other, in author Magdalen Stanhoff’s “The Voice in the Well,” the third book in the Migrant Birds series.

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The Synopsis

Kamila never thought she’d need saving. Nor did she peg Taeyeon as romantic hero material. Wrong—on both counts.

At eighteen, Taeyeon had to leave the city where he’d grown up, his laid-back life, his school buddies…and Kamila. He always intended to return and find her again, and now he’s finally free to give that old dream a good chase. But nothing goes as expected.

The unfriendly ghost he meets in Warsaw hardly resembles the dauntless girl from his memories. Something happened to her while he was away, but as Taeyeon digs around for clues, it also becomes clear that he never knew the real Kamila in the first place. And that he needs to make up for it—fast.

Kamila’s life is unraveling: her friends have scattered all over the world, she’s dropped out of college, and what’s left of her family is quickly falling apart. And then, that juvenile player from her teenage years, the devil-may-care boy she never expected to see again appears out of the blue and starts messing with her miserable existence.

Only, Taeyeon’s not a boy anymore, and he will do anything to wake Kamila up. Upon which, she may discover she’s not the only one who needs to be saved…

The Review

Emotionally driven and relatable, the author has crafted a novel that speaks volumes with subtle scenes and powerful character development. The reflective nature of the book’s themes and character arcs was both unique and insightful, allowing the reader to become engulfed in the drama and the heartfelt romance of the story while also reflecting on the real-world experiences the author infused into the fabric of this story, such as the border conflict between Poland and Belarus, as well as the theme of going home again and helping others in their time of need. 

The driving force behind this story, though, was the romance between the two protagonists, Kamila and Taeyeon. The hardships they both endure, together and in their respective corners of the world, and how they come together to find solace in one another’s orbit, give the reader a relationship to become hooked on and an emotional connection to the characters. The imagery and poetry of the author’s writing style brought these scenes vividly to life, giving readers a cinematic quality, much like watching an indie romantic drama for the first time.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and thoughtful in its delivery, author Magdalena Stanhoff’s “The Voice in the Well” is a must-read novel and a grand entry in the Migrant Birds series. The romance, drama, and complex themes of identity, cultural clashes and cohesion, and the evolution of relationships will keep readers invested until the very last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Magdalena Stanhoff loves traveling and is vividly interested in how diverse cultures coexist, clash, and mix, and how it influences people’s life. Her contemporary novels explore romantic love, family bonds, and friendship in their various forms and shades, and since the author is an incurable dreamer, they always end with the HEA.

She Tames the Kings by E.M. Etheridge Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Imprisoned and betrayed, a woman must reclaim her destiny amidst a power struggle between warring kings of both land and sea in author E.M. Etheridge’s “She Tames the Kings.”

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The Synopsis

Chained in the deepest bowels of Captain Keres’ ship, Estella Bohem has lost everything-her freedom, her father’s safety, and the trust she placed in Dane. With her heart shattered by his betrayal, she has only one chance to reclaim her destiny.

To break the Pirate Lords’ Bonds and free the witches of Salvus Island, Estella must steal back her family’s grimoire and shatter its seal before the ruthless Pirate King Moritie and his cunning witch, Ines Laurent, bind her-and the sea beast she commands-to their will.

But survival on the high seas demands treacherous alliances. As war brews and the Land Kings set their sights on Moritie’s stronghold, Estella must outmaneuver the most cutthroat players in a deadly game of power, deception, and magic.

With time running out, one question remains: Can she tame the Kings-before they tame her?

The Review

What a compelling and twisted yet entertaining dark fantasy read. The author did an incredible job of expanding upon the mythology and world-building in the first book of this duology. The relationships that the author explored through engaging character development, from the bond between witches and their gods or goddesses, to the way witches were bound to pirates and kings, all played critical roles in the decisions and story developments that were brought to life on the page. Even the protagonist’s relationship to the beast she is forced to command is such a unique and powerful narrative to explore in this book, and speaks to much higher themes in the novel.

The character development’s themes and emotional depth make this a steady and thrilling sequel. The book uses magic, monsters, pirates, gods, and high octane action in a beautiful fusion with themes of power, control, the fight for freedom, vengeance, and self-reliance so expertly through the protagonist herself and the witch’s struggles. Set in a period already rife with untold horrors due to slavery and violence, the juxtaposition of Estella’s journey allowed her to find a way to tackle that even bigger problem later on in the book in a surprising way.

The Verdict

Entertaining, compelling, and mesmerizing, author E.M. Etheridge’s “She Tames the Kings” is a must-read dark fantasy novel. The twists and turns in this story, the rich storytelling and world-building, and the epic final chapter will give readers a sense of fulfillment and wonder while also leaving them eager to read more by this incredible author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I’d always known I was going to publish books, and after years of writing my first book, I decided I wanted to publish traditionally. While still queering agents for that book, I came up with a whole new concept and decided to try my hand at publishing independently so I could gain experience in both industries. I’ve worked as a teacher, interned as an editor, and now I am ready to make books my livelihood through publishing and through freelance editing.

https://emetheridgewriter.wordpress.com

When Dani Smiled by Athina Paris Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Athina Paris explores the complicated and haunting reality of modern dating in the novel When Dani Smiled, as one young woman explores a new relationship with one man while confronting a chilling stalker.

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The Synopsis

Stranded on the side of a highway, Dani, a young fashion designer and IT expert, calls to reschedule an important interview, only to discover that her future boss is in the hospital. Nicholas, playboy and heir to Galfrey’s, can’t help but be intrigued by the young woman’s voice on the phone and races to her rescue.

Attraction is immediate and mutual, but whereas Nicholas has never waited for anything in his life, Dani quickly dampens his enthusiasm by refusing to be rushed into a casual liaison.

Sams is handsome, ambitious, and rich, but also self-centred, with huge self-entitlement issues, manipulative, and believes Dani belongs to him. A master programmer, he is also no fool and realises that he is about to lose what he has never had; Dani, and so begins a dangerous stalking game. It is up to Dani not only to outsmart Sams, but also save Galfrey’s and herself, as Sams is the keeper of a secret, which he hopes will coerce her into submitting to his twisted desires.

The Review

This book was fast-paced and instantly engaging. The author easily introduces the core cast of characters, including protagonist Dani, in a natural way that allows the world around these characters to grow and thrive in its own right. The instant connection between Dani and Nicholas, as well as the complicated history in Dani’s life that becomes an ever present entity in their growing relationship, allowed the reader to connect with the protagonist immediately, connecting on both an emotional and psychological level that spoke to the experiences many people face in this modern world.

The heart of this story and the hook that allowed readers to invest in this character’s arc is the exploration of the theme of stalking and the inherent dangers that come with it. Sams’s haunting nature and attitude in the situation, from his sense of entitlement and mentality of what Dani owes him, showcase the scary nature of this particular crime. The exploration of the psychological impact this has on victims of stalking came to life so clearly on the page.

The Verdict

Emotional, engaging, and atmospheric, author Athina Paris’s “When Dani Smiled” is a must-read contemporary romance meets suspense novel. The twists and turns, the gripping character growth, and the powerful themes will stay with readers long after the final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Athina Paris spent her formative years in Mozambique, where she was born. Years in convents and boarding schools prompted a deep curiosity, which quickly developed into an avid interest in reading and storytelling that led to a lifelong obsession with the written word and books. By fifteen she had discovered ancient civilisations and became fascinated with various mythologies.

She became a spectator of human nature, but quiet and shy, she preferred recording conduct, and so built a treasure-trove of relationship observations from which she eventually drew backgrounds for the characters in her romantic novels.

She studied Interior Design then turned to Creative Writing, and followed that with Script-writing.

Set in faraway and exotic places, Athina’s epic romances take her characters on voyages of self-discovery while dealing with catastrophic love lives in an imperfect world.

A stint as a high school English teacher polished her skills but she now concentrates on her professional goals of writing, editing, and proofreading.

http://authorathinaparis.com/index.html

BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die by Marina Osipova Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A Russian-American writer on a journey of discovery unearths dark secrets tied to WWI and WWII in author Marina Osipova’s “BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die.”

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The Synopsis

What if rediscovering your birthplace unearthed a secret so powerful it could rewrite history—and your own identity?

A Russian-American writer obsessed with her birthplace – a ghostly derelict German military hospital near Berlin

Her Austrian husband, who pines for the father he never met

A passionate young doctor destined for darkness

A demonic figure who changed the course of history

Interrogation reports stolen from the Soviet secret police

What mysterious force connects them all?

This genre-bending time-slip narrative bridges 2018 to the haunting eras of WWI and WWII, interweaving together the ghosts of history and a shocking secret that threatens the present.

The story will appeal to fans of Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.

The Review

What a profound and moving read! The author did a remarkable job of finding a unique balance between the rich history set during both world wars and the thriller and romance settings with a paranormal time-bending twist. The characters feel dynamic and vivid, harkening back to eras long gone yet familiar in their motivations and emotional depth, drawing readers further into the narrative. 

The almost rhythmic nature of the author’s writing style was a significant draw into the story more and more. The imagery brought these settings to life so eloquently, highlighting the stark contrast between the desire of the protagonist to understand her birthright and the horrors of war and the growing hostility that grew for certain marginalized groups amongst the people of Germany at the time. The honesty and depth for which the author explores both teh highs and lows of humanity as a whole, from the emotional connection the protagonist and narrator forms with the figures of the past she comes into contact with, to the haunting realities of Nazi experimentation and heinous acts they committed during WWII, allowed the reader to connect with the protagonist on a more personal level.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Marina Osipova’s BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die is a must-read historical fiction meets thriller and paranormal mystery novel. The narrative’s twists and turns and the complex emotional journey the narrator finds themselves on speak to the questions of identity, being honest with oneself, and learning from the past that this book’s themes explore easily. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. When she was five, she decided she wanted to speak German and, years later, she earned a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator, then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For many years, she lived in New York, working in a law firm, and then in Austria for several years. In the spring of 2022, after spending ten months in Russia, some unfortunate world events brought her back to the United States.

A long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, she is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her books garnered numerous literary awards, including a 1st Place WINNER of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards). At some point or another, all her books hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in Historical Russian Fiction and Historical German Fiction and How Dare the Birds Sing even #1 or #2 in War Fiction in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Her readers praise her books for “emotional realism,” for “taking on a subject that few authors have touched,” for “writing with heart and compassion while not holding back from hard cold realities of war,” for “giving an authentic and in-depth look at a culture that tends to baffle westerners.”

To learn more about Marina Osipova and her captivating books, visit her website at marina-osipova.com.

You can find her also on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marina.osipova.14/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4701687.Marina_Osipova

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marosikok

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-osipova-65b81418/

Iguana by Vincent Traughber Meis Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

After losing his parents and ending a long-term relationship, a man relocates to Mexico to find a new beginning. In Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana,” he begins a complex relationship with a divorced young father.

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The Synopsis

Reeling from the end of a long-term relationship and the death of his parents during the COVID years, Dawson Wozniak attempts to reinvent himself in Mexico. He is able to continue his job, working remotely as an editor for a West Coast publisher. He dives into this new world, making friends with ex-pats and Mexicans, including a best-selling author who has abandoned writing, the author’s wife who guides him along the path of his new life in a fun-loving seaside town, and a quirky repatriated Mexican with new-age ideals. 

One night during a raging thunderstorm, Dawson has an encounter with an iguana and then steals a kiss from a young man unsure of his sexuality. A minute later the two men witness the death of a young Mexican falling from the roof of Dawson’s building. These events are forever connected in his head, charting a course for a rocky relationship with Ivan, the divorced father with whom he shared the kiss. Dawson is forced to take a hard look at himself and what it means to be a foreigner in Mexico, causing him to make decisions that complicate his life and Ivan’s. They are thrown into a web of emotional, psychological, and moral dilemmas. Despite the complications, Dawson believes his new life is the antidote to the unfulfilling life he left behind in the States. The enigmatic attraction between the two men finds its own tempo and they keep coming back to each other against all odds while Dawson’s other friends alternate between warning him about and applauding his new relationship. 

The Review

What a profoundly engaging and memorable read! The author created complex, relatable, and thoughtful characters that readers could identify with and become enamored with. The delicate balance between living one’s truth and understanding the complexity of society plays into the narrative as the story evolves and grows, and readers become immersed in the characters’ lives so thoroughly.

The heart of this story is the web of themes that intertwine with one another. The heartbreak that comes with loss, from the protagonist’s parents and the young man who falls to his death, to even the encounter with the titular Iguana, made this theme stand out firmly from the beginning. Mixed with this is the theme of identity, and seeing the protagonist own his sexuality while having to learn about the cultural and societal hardships that the people he becomes close with throughout the narrative made this a powerful story to read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, heartfelt, and engaging, author Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana” is a must-read novel. The narrative’s nature, delving into the losses that so many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the idea of personal identity in a changing world still embedded in deep cultures, makes it one of my favorite reads of 2025 thus far. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Vincent Meis grew up in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans.

He has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, publishing many academic articles in his field as well as articles about teaching ESL overseas. He has also traveled extensively in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South American. He is fluent in Spanish. As result of his travels and time abroad he published a number of pieces, mostly travel articles, but also a few poems and book reviews, in publications such as, The Advocate, LA Weekly, In Style, and Our World in the 1980’s and 90’s. His travels have inspired four novels, all set at least partially in foreign countries: Eddie’s Desert Rose (2011), Tio Jorge (2012), and Down in Cuba (2013) and Deluge (2016). Tio Jorge received a Rainbow Award in the category of Bisexual Fiction in 2012. Down in Cuba received two Rainbow Awards in 2013. Deluge won a Rainbow Award in 2016. Recently his stories have been published in several collections, including WITH:New Gay Fiction, Best Gay Erotica Vol 1and Best Gay Erotica Vol 4. In December 2019, his fifth novel Four Calling Burds will be published. In 2021, he has published two books with NineStar Press, The Mayor of Oak Street, a novel, and Far from Home, a collection of short stories.

https://www.vincentmeis.com/

Delicious Surrender (Dominant Billionaire Series Book 1) by Luce Sutherland Review 

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman writing a novel and a gruff billionaire find their worlds colliding in this steamy Erotic thriller from author Luce Sutherland, “Delicious Surrender,” the first book in the Dominant Billionaire Series. 

The Synopsis

Brynne Larimore is going back to her three-date rule. Her judgmental ex-boyfriend is history, and her steamy BDSM novel needs an injection of real-life experience. Club Dominus promises an education, if she can get past the icy Scottish billionaire who owns the place. Too bad his arrogance makes her want to rattle his cage, not follow his rules.

Gage MacLeod has been called a grumpy alpha-hole, and he wears the label proudly. Ruthless and unyielding, he protects his London club’s elite clientele and refuses to be tempted by the willful, curvy redhead pretending to be submissive. His pr*ck might be intrigued, but rules are rules.

When Brynne attracts the attention of a notorious Russian club member known for devious tactics of seduction, Gage must make a choice: protect her or walk away. But when she betrays his trust and puts his business at risk, his wrath knows no bounds.

Scorching chemistry draws them together and a very public scandal tears them apart. Will they untangle the web of secrets and lies before it’s too late?

Delicious Surrender is a grumpy-sunshine, boss billionaire, dom/brat, lovers-to-enemies to a-sex-tutoring-truce between two people with trust issues. There is plenty of spice, angst, and suspense and a hard-fought HEA. This is a standalone with no cliffhanger. Please follow me for news of the next book in the Dominant Billionaire Series.

This book contains explicit sexual content. For a full list of content and trigger warnings, please visit: lucesutherland.com.

The Review

For anyone who is a significant fan of erotica and BDSM-forward erotica in particular, with an element of thriller and action thrown in as well, this was the perfect read for you. The author found an outstanding balance in the novel between the steamier, more erotica-driven scenes between the two protagonists and the complex character developments that brought them together and drove them apart as the story progressed. 

The enemies-to-lovers and lovers-to-enemies tropes blended well in this novel. The spiciness of the main character’s encounters with one another and the twist on the relationship that comes later when a personal loss takes Brynne to Skye intensify their connection in ways neither of them could have seen coming. 

The Verdict

Heated, passionate, and engaging author Luce Sutherland’s “Delicious Surrender” is a must-read for fans of erotica and romance. The infusion of action, suspense, and character-driven narrative will instantly grab fans of the genre and keep them enthralled with this new erotic series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Luce Sutherland has been reading juicy, erotic romance since before it was mainstream… when you couldn’t hide behind a Kindle, and you had to bring the illicit book to the register – and be judged by the cashier.

When those books became harder to find, she resorted to writing her own stories with delicious, dominant alpha heroes and the bold, sassy heroines they aim to tame. Luce lives with her own alpha husband in the Sunshine state, even though she gets sunburned walking from the car to the grocery store. She is passionate about living each day to the fullest, which includes nurturing authentic friendships, savoring Maui coffee, indulging in Scottish gin and being a devoted advocate for the benefits of self-care. Her motto is LIVE LIFE JUICY!

Please follow her on Instagram (lucesutherlandwrites) or check out her website: lucesutherland.com.