The Midwinter Mail-Order Bride by Kati Wilde

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Is barbarian fantasy romance a thing? Well anyway, this book was amazing! This is the second book by Kati Wilde I have read and I loved it just as much as the first. Kael the Conqueror won his kingdom the hard way, by killing those who enslaved him. Now, his people want him to be married. They've searched far and wide for a bride, but many woman fear him. Princess Anja of Ivermere offers to be his bride (with some ulterior motives), and she's turned down because Kael believes she can't really want him. Anja does, very much, even though she doesn't understand why. As Kael escorts Anja home through the treacherous, ensorcelled Dead Lands, he comes to realize that he doesn't want to let her go.

Anja is badass, gorgeous and very likable. Kael is HOT and strong and has a secret vulnerability in that he wants to be loved for who he is. I rooted for them to be together ever after.

Kati Wilde is excellent at writing sexual tension. And this book capitalizes on its short length by buying up the tension between Anja and Kael. The reader is treated to the couple falling deeply in love, with some good action and creative fantasy and magic along the way. I hope this is a series, because I would love to read more books set in this world.





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The Ice King and the Black Widow

This is my revised review for the book. It's been a while since I read it, but I needed the time to coalesce my thoughts. I am pretty darn disappointed, to be honest. Yeah, I still gave it four stars, and I'll explain why later. 

I was loving the first 1/2 or so of the book, and it went downhill shortly thereafter. Trap was an ahole from the beginning but not in an intolerable way. I actually kind of liked him initially. I really enjoyed the banter on the scene at the beginning where the guys are hanging out in the bar. The GhostWalker camaraderie is one of my favorite things about there books. It was pretty fun how Trap was calculating how many peanut shells were on the floor and got the guys involved in, and then Cayenne had come up with her own estimates that were close to his. I felt like they had a pretty good meeting of the minds. 

Trap had his moments, but later in the book, he was a serious douche bag. I liked the initial love scenes, but towards the end of the book, the scene on the airplane was just freaking rotten how he treated Cayenne just because she was having a bonding moment with a member of his team and then the sex after that. I don't like any butt play, and I do feel that I was highly disappointed that Feehan chose to spring that on me as a reader. I know most readers don't care about that, but I am not into that and I try to avoid books that have it. A big part of my issues with the sex were his motivations. It was like some sort of possessive/masculine domination/punishment for making Trap feel jealous on the plan. That nearly made me throw the book against the wall. I think Cayenne deserves better. He knew how crappy her life has been. He is very protective of her, but then he seems okay with pulling jerk moves on her. He's a highly intelligent guy, but he acts like he's all testosterone and 100% caveman sometime. Apparently, sex is his main outlet besides his work, so I guess being kinky is part of his nature. The way he's treated his past lovers is questionable, and I'm not saying he gets a pass for it, but i would hope you would get a clue that you don't treat a woman you're suppose to love and adore that way. It's a big deal how he built his house for her and to make a place that she was safe. But then he gives her reasons not to trust and feel safe with him. It's sad because I really wanted to like Trap, but I think he blew it for me with his behavior.

Cayenne, on the other hand, I loved consistently. She was lethal and tough, but also tormented and emotionally vulnerable. I felt bad that she couldn't leave Trap, and although he couldn't leave her, he just needed to treat her better. I normally love the whole fated to be mated thing, but in this book, it seems like a bad thing. I really want to believe that people should be with someone because they are deeply loved in return and there is caring and trust between them.

I'm having a real issue with the escalation of erotic sex tinged with violence in the later books that Feehan is writing. I still love her writing and her books, but I'm really nervous now that she's going to go full bore with the stuff I'm just not into and have no desire to read. I had to skip some scenes in Fire Bound (not between the H/h, but when the bad guys were abusing a woman). I would have to have to start skipping H/h scenes in her books. I enjoy the plotting and the ongoing storylines too much to quit reading her, so my hope is that she doesn't keep escalating with her content. If it comes down to it, I may have to just read the non sex scenes when they get over the top.

I'm still giving this four stars, because I love the GhostWalkers storyline so much, and I really, really enjoyed the first part of the book. I can't give it more because of how much of a cad Trap was and the butt plug stuff (eww).

75% of this book was just torture scene after torture scene between a sadist, a pain slut and an idiot. None of it was even remotely arousing or sexy, but just cringeworthy and painful to read and I skimmed through most of it. The rest consisted of boring dialogues, repetitive explanations and a plot that hasn't moved any forward since the last book. I really don't care about any of the characters enough for me to find out neither what's gonna happen to them, nor to continue with this series, and that's why I call it quits here.

~ 2 stars ~

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/

Good Moring Readers! To start off the weekend, I have Chiquita Dennie here to answer a few questions for us while we explore her romance series - Struck in Love! Enjoy and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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ABOUT THE BOOKS

Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 1
by Chiquita Dennie
Genre: Contemporary Mafia Romance

One moment is all it took to ignite a love affair neither would soon forget.

Nothing and no one could tear Antonio and Sabrina apart, no matter how hard they tried. Ex-lovers, angry family members, jealous rivals tried and failed. But they're not the only threats to this match made in passion. Antonio has secrets - secrets that could force them to sever ties forever. When the danger hits too close to home, he's forced to face his demons and keep her safe from harm.

With more obstacles against them than they can count, will they ever have their happily-ever-after?

**********

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36248941-antonio-and-sabrina

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Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 2

Sabrina Washington has worked hard to get what she wants in life. The last thing the sassy, headstrong VP executive wants is an Alpha male who breaks all the rules, but when she meets Antonio De Luca, her steely façade starts to crumble under his gaze. He's exactly the kind of man who can unravel her straight-shooting reputation and she's not so convinced that's a bad thing.  As they grow closer, her ability to resist her desires begins to waver. Soon, she finds herself immersed in his sexy and dangerous world and she's not sure she wants to go back to her old life...

**********

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37811008-antonio-and-sabrina

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Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 3

Antonio and Sabrina think they’ve put the worst behind them. They’re ready to begin the next chapter of their lives, but forces beyond their control have other plans for them. Before either can settle into their new roles of parent and newly-minted Don of the De Luca Cartel, people from their sordid pasts take their vengeance a step further.

Distinguishing friend from foe, acquaintances from hired guns is only the beginning of the trouble they’ll face. If Antonio can’t bring this madness to an end, he may very well lose not only his new title, but lose the family he fought so hard for.
Will their unimaginable love story end in tragedy or will their shared will to survive see them through?

**********

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39681983-antonio-and-sabrina

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Janice and Carlo- Captivated by His Love
Spinoff of Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love Series

Janice is on a new path after graduating college and living her dreams in the corporate world. She’s managed to handle the dating world with no commitments. After her last relationship in college ended abruptly, she wants to focus on herself and build a solid foundation. Unfortunately for her, the return of her ex-boyfriend isn’t getting her any closer to that goal.

When she meets Carlo, a mob boss who’s as sexy as he is deadly, she can’t help but be intrigued. But his lifestyle is at direct odds with what she wants in life and love. Carlo, however, isn’t making things easy for her.

She could choose to walk away, but will her decision lead to heartache or to a happily-ever-after?

Warning: Adult Content, steamy sex scenes, violence, sensitive subjects for some readers cause trigger, Spinoff from Antonio and Sabrina series. Recommended to read the Antonio and Sabrina series first for context.  Can be read as a standalone.

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Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40887316-janice-and-carlo-captivated-by-his-love

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AVAILABLE in print or ebook

~ Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 1~

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CKBJJL

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love/id1313166277

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/antonio-and-sabrina-chiquita-dennie/1126757480

GPlay - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chiquita_Dennie_Antonio_and_Sabrina_Struck_In_Love?id=R4c-DwAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-1

~ Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 2~

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07958G1GN

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-2/id1337853933

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/antonio-and-sabrina-chiquita-dennie/1127867144

GPlay - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chiquita_Dennie_Antonio_and_Sabrina_Struck_In_Love?id=bd1HDwAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-2-1

~ Antonio and Sabrina Struck in Love 3~

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BSJ3KTL

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-3/id1365562597

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-3-chiquita-dennie/1128316791

GPlay - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chiquita_Dennie_Antonio_and_Sabrina_Struck_In_Love?id=TbFTDwAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-3

~Janice and Carlo- Captivated by His Love~

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HY3W9DH

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/janice-and-carlo-captivated-by-his-love/id1437882089

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/janice-and-carlo-captivated-by-his-love-chiquita-dennie/1129671995

GPlay - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chiquita_Dennie_Janice_and_Carlo_Captivated_by_his?id=3xxxDwAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/janice-and-carlo-captivated-by-his-love

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Welcome, Chiquita! Thank you for joining us today and taking the time to answer a few questions!

Where were you born/grew up at?

I was born and raised in Memphis TN, went to college in AZ and currently live in California

Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!

I won an award for a short film that I wrote and directed. Also, have my own production company.

What are you passionate about these days?

I'm Passionate about creating stories that are different from the norm of what your use to dealing with a variety of characters that get themselves in situations and I have to find a way to pull them together again.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

First series “Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love an amazon best selling series

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I write film and tv screenplays on top of romance novels.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I enjoyed the back and forth fight that Sabrina put up with Antonio. She wasn’t falling for the flowers and sweet talk that men tend to do to get the girl.

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?

A fun fact is that my book is based off my first screenplay I wrote ten years ago.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I would like Tika Sumpter to play the lead because she plays many diverse roles and can go from comedy, to drama in a second.

Describe your writing style.

My writing style is Drama, raw, spicy, real.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

Favorite parts are the scenes with Sabrina and her girlfriends. We all have that friend that will call us out on our shit and get us into situations that sometimes benefit us or we end up in trouble and Sabrina is often in situations because of Janice, but she means well and will fight anybody that hurts her friend.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?

I would spend time with Janice and we’d go to Happy Hour and gossip about what’s happening in her life and mines. She has a way to make you laugh, cry, and build you back up to be strong and love yourself.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

My book scent would be cotton candy. Sweet with a little kick to leave a lasting taste in the air

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$10 Amazon Gift Card

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/antonio-and-sabrina-struck-in-love-series-book-tour-and-giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Chiquita Dennie is an author and entrepreneur. Born in Memphis, TN, and currently a Los Angeles CA native. Her background in film/tv has taught and shaped her passion for writing with her debut romance novel Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love. Since its debut, fans have embraced the unconventional love story of Sabrina Washington and Antonio De Luca making Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love an Amazon Best Seller #5 for Book 1 and #4 for Book 2 on Kindle charts.

Website - https://www.304publishing.com/

Newsletter - https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r7j2s6

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/304Publishing

Twitter - https://twitter.com/304_publishing

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chiquita-dennie

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Chiquita-Dennie/e/B072QDXGPH

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16932446.Chiquita_Dennie

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https://www.silverdaggertours.com/