#Oliver Heber Books

[triviareads]

ARC Review of Please Don't Go, Girl by Naima Simone

Premise:

After saving Lena from an ex-boyfriend and then having a one-night stand with her, Kade asks for a favor in return: She will come with him to his family home in Boston and pretend to be his girlfriend to keep his brother's wife and ex-fiancée off his back.

Review:

This is a novella that clocks in at around 110 pages and 9 chapters, and Naima once again managed to bring out all the greatest hits: As I have said many a time, I love an immediate proposition and these two get to it by the second chapter after Lena is confronted by her ex and Kade (who, btw, is biiiiig and blooond) steps in and pretends to be her boyfriend, emasculates the ex, and has him kicked out of the club within three minutes (or something like that). Obviously, Lena needs a little comfort after this episode, and I do appreciate that Kade isn't honorable enough to reject her by citing "emotions" or something. It takes a special man to began making out with her, then hold her while she cries in a delayed reaction to the ex, and then smoothly continue to have sex with her. What a winner.

Anyway, in a true romance hero galaxy brain moment, Kade decides that a woman he hooked up with *once* is the perfect person for him to take home and introduce as his girlfriend to keep an ex away. Cue fake-relationship shenanigans that quickly turn into something all too real as Lena and Kade both grapple with ghosts of past relationships and try to see themselves of deserving a second chance.

The sex:

Here is what I'll always adore about Naima Simone: she's SO GOOD at writing sex in a way that's dirty and joyful and unapologetically celebrates bodies of all sizes and skin colors. There are two solid full-length sex scenes that don't skimp on description or dirty talk, and both occur during high-tension moments so the emotion shines through as well.

Overall:

Look, Naima Simone is my favorite author and for good reason. So I'd absolutely recommend this novella anyone looking for a short read that manages to fit in the perfect amount of plot, emotional development, and sex.

Thank you to Oliver Heber Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Three Times a Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Drake’s Damsels #3

 This delightful story is well able to standalone and makes sense without having read the first two books in the series ~ Thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Pip and Beau today!

 What I liked:

* Phillipa “Pip” Knight: bright, caring, independent, bold, protective, good friend, lethal, able to defend herself, has loved Beau for years

* Beau Drummond, Viscount: member of Drake’s Rakes working to defend the country at home, grieving his brother, avoiding Pip…or trying to

* The plot, pace, and writing style

* That Pip is not a shy wallflower

* The way Pip communicates with Beau in a mature way, even when Beau is being a less than easy to get through to

* Getting to meet some of the other Rakes and people that work with them

* The way Pip deals with Beau’s aunt and uncle

* The complexity of the story on the emotional, romantic, political, spying, and family levels

* Feeling that Beau and Pip were well suited to one another and hoping they will be happy in their new endeavors

* The set-up for the next book in the series

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* The way the baddies were thwarted

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

 Thank you to Oliver Heber and BookSprout for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 4-5 Stars

     BLURB

 A sensible woman would know when to give up… But Pip Knight has loved Viscount Drummond since she was a very little girl. And just because he doesn’t believe he can love her doesn’t mean she shouldn’t watch over him. Pip knows Beau’s secret, that he works with a clandestine group of gentlemen called Drake’s Rakes to help protect England. She also knows he is in danger and would do anything to protect him. Unhappily for them both, that means a forced marriage. The question is now whether to fight for a marriage with a man who has long since buried his heart and blames her for it. A sensible man would know when to give up… But Beau Drummond has a score to settle. Not just with the group of traitors who are trying to overthrow the crown. But with the people who helped his beloved brother Theo to run off to war, where he died, leaving Beau guilt-stricken and grieving. And one of those people is Pip Knight. It doesn’t help that Pip is unforgettable in every way, infecting a man’s dreams and trying to seduce him back to life. It doesn’t matter that she is his wife. Pip was supposed to be Theo’s wife, and Beau cannot forgive himself for taking Theo’s place. Everything changes when he and Pip find themselves in a deadly fight that could destroy both their country and themselves.

[okiedreamsreviews]

Review: Bratva Jewel by Sabine Barclay

BARCLAY JEWEL   BOOK SIX IN THE IVANKOV BROTHERHOOD SERIES   Barclay Jewel by Sabine Barclay is the sixth and final book in the author’s Ivankov Brotherhood series. It is a spicy, dark mafia romance and contains frequent use of profanity, multiple explicit open door sex scenes with light bondage, toys, spanking, and other BDSM elements. While there is no age play, the couple has a Daddy/baby girl…

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC Review: Earl Crazy by Anna Bradley

3.5/5. Releases 12/19/2023. Vibes: rake/virgin, romcom shenanigans, CURSES, and quite a solid handy j, I must say

Heat Level: 2/5.

As the newly-minted Early of Prestwick, Kit is determined to avoid the curse that felled the previous earls by abandoning his rakish ways and marrying Harriett, the girl he's long been promised to. Enter: Tilly, Harriett's protective friend who's determined to keep the scandalous Kit at bay. Except (as you can probably guess) Kit and Tilly kiss... and she didn't hate it.

The plot here is really nothing unusual (and it doesn't have to be). I requested it because I like Anna Bradley. And it was a pleasant, funny read, with one really hot scene. But it's also pretty short (under 200 pages) and I can't help but feel that it would have benefited from some more time. A very cute romcom, but a little too bite-sized.

Quick Takes:

--I have to say: this couple has an amazing meet cute. Kit really is trying to shake his taste for excess... Only to immediately wake up hungover, with no memory of what happened, and an ex-mistress at his side. I won't give away what happens next, but it is one of the more memorable meet cutes I've read in recent history, and it underlines a fun, snappy chemistry that Kit and Tilly maintain throughout the story.

That chemistry? Is what makes the book worth reading. Again, the plot didn't blow me away. Not a ton happens, and what does is fairly predictable (the ending really could've done more). But their back and forth is really entertaining and incredibly flirty. I totally bought Kit as a rake.

--This isn't the first historical I've read based on a curse, but it is one of the more nebulous. I'm still not sure I get exactly what Kit needed to do to avoid the curse, and I wasn't sure he did either...? To me, if you're going to include a curse in your romance novel, go for it! But it's a better idea to define it earlier.

The Sex:

This one is... surprisingly light on sex, compared to the last book of Anna's I read. There's really only one scene. And it is a good scene! But I definitely felt like we needed more.

That said. There is a really good handjob in this book. I'm not usually that impressed by handy scenes, I don't really think the heroes beg enough in a lot of them--but this dude was struggling. And I appreciated that. It was a cute "oh, this little virgin has him desperately holding on for dear life" moment, which I personally am a sucker for.

While it could've done more with this concept, Earl Crazy is a cute, breezy read that will please fans of light historicals when they want something quick.

Thanks to Netgalley and Oliver Heber Books for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[happygirl2oo2]

Publication submissions that are open for unagented authors - an ongoing list

Hera Books

NineStar Press

ECW Press

Tule Publishing

Hazy Dell Press

Harlequin publication house a/o Afterglow Books

Carina Press (an Harlequin imprint)

Entangled Publishing (and their imprints)

Alcove Press

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Sourcebooks Horror

City Owl Press

Austin Macauley Publishers

Kensington

Lyrical Press (a Kensington imprint)

Dreamspinner Press

Quill & Flame Publishers

Baen Books

Harper North (a HarperCollins imprint)

HQ CIL (a HarperCollins imprint)

One More Chapter (a HarperCollins imprint)

Mills & Boon (a HarperCollins imprint)

Page Street

Bold Strokes Books

Smartypants Romance

Brother Mockingbird

Holiday House

Evernight Publishing

Oliver Heber Books

Allen & Unwin

Small Town Girl Publishing

Turner Publishing

Chronicle Books

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Tiny Ghost Press

Dragonblade

Wise Wolf Books

Ylva Publishing

Boldwood Books

Black Rose Writing

5 Prince Publishing

Shadow Mountain **only during the listed dates on the linked page

Vagabond Press **only during the listed dates on the linked page

Covenant Communications

Aethon Books

Hot Tree Publishing

Torchflame Books

Deep Desires Press

Whimsical Publishing

Fairlight Books

Lake Country Press

Red Adept Publishing

Quills & Quartos

Red Empress Publishing

----

[if you're looking for a literary agent, which will give you the ability to submit to more publications, Literary Marketplace is a great place to use in your search as it contains a list containing many of them]

[celticbarb]

Book: A Princess in Plaid

Author: Amy Jarecki

Series: The MacGalloway’s , Book #5

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Book Length: 315 pages

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

BOOK REVIEW;

Lady Grace Galloway is the sister of a Duke and has the most impressive resume compared to her sisters with her musical talents. She had attended the distinguished Northbourne Seminary for Young Ladies. This thrilled her noble mother, the Dower Duchess of Dunscaby. Her many talents includes singing with a precise and excellent pitch, plays the pianoforte superbly, beside she can, speaks four languages fluently and is extremely talented with her impeccable embroidery! Furthermore her beauty matches no other as when she enters a room all heads are magnetically drawn to her. She is talented, beautiful and extremely intelligent. In other words she is absolutely perfect!

This is why a Prince among men has chosen her to be his wife. As she expected no less as the bachelor everyone wanted, Prince Isidor has chosen her to be his future wife and Princess! Except even arranged marriages can be absolutely disappointing when you realize this perfect mate you imagined is absolutely disastrous which shatters your dreams! Especially a Prince that betrays and ruins Grace shortly after they had said I do! Especially a Prince that betrays and ruins Grace shortly after they had said I do!

Now after this humiliation Grace never wants to be near another man ever and she goes to hide in Scotland at her family's hunting lodge. Except after a fall Grace gets to know a social outcast Frasier Buchanan. He is the chieftain to Clan Buchanan in the Scottish Highlands, and the brother of Fiona who is the clan’s healer who married to her best friend Angus who is his right hand man. Grace wonders if she had been trained for years to go after the wrong type of fantasy when her goal had been a complete disaster. Will she be able to make her dreams come true?

Jarecki pens another winner with a riveting fantasy that comes true to life! Find out how some dreams become nightmares and how some nightmares turn into a dream come true! Definitely have a pack of tissues nearby as this story is a definite heartstring puller!

However, it is also very hilarious! Amy Jarecki is one of my go to authors. Her stories are filled with a lot of empathy, soul searching with many twists and turns, ups and downs with hurdles that need to be jumped over. Will Grace and Frasier be able to obtain a happily ever after or is it just another heartbreaking saga? Read and find out!

Disclaimer : I received an advanced readers copy for free from Oliver Heber Publishing . I voluntarily agreed to do an honest and fair review through Netgalley. All words,thoughts and ideas are my own.

[storyxonline]

The Romance Dish: Review - Magic In His Kiss

Magic In His Kiss by Anabelle Bryant Vauxhall Voices – Book 2 Publisher: Oliver Heber Books Release Date: June 13, 2023 Reviewed by PJ Vauxhall Gardens may be London’s ideal attraction with its diverse population, unusual entertainment and illicit pleasure walks, but for Sofia Gallo, it’s also a safe haven. Leaving Italy with her brothers, she escaped the threat of scandal and the longer she…

[valerieullmerromanceauthor]

Bratva Beauty by Sabine Barclay

Bratva Beauty by Sabine Barclay

Bratva Beauty Sabine Barclay (The Ivankov Brotherhood, #4) Published by: Oliver Heber Books Publication date: November 1st 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance She can pretend not to notice… They say I’m the best looking in my family. I couldn’t care less. But her…She takes my breath away. Not everyone sees her the way I do. That’s fine by me because she’s mine. I pity those who think…

[moohnshinescorner]

BOOK BLITZ | BRATVA SWEETHEART

BOOK BLITZ | BRATVA SWEETHEART

Bratva SweetheartSabine Barclay(The Ivankov Brotherhood, #2)Published by: Oliver Heber BooksPublication date: August 9th 2022Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance She thought it was only for one night… I’ve never let anyone into my life. At least not like her. Not until her. She sees a side of me that isn’t the bratva monster everyone else believes. Now that she knows, she’s…

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Ill met by Moonlight by Eileen Dreyer

 What a charming, delightful, heartwarming short story this was. I loved every moment of reading it and fell in love with the characters.

 What I liked:

* Stasia: bright, interesting, well-spoken, heiress, wealthy, sought after for her dowry, engaged to a Duke who needs her money, has never met her fiancé

* Hugh: strong, protective, ex-major in the military, fought with Wellington, desires to meet his fiancé anonymously so does so wearing a disguise

* The interaction between the two when they met and the mutual respect they had for one another…along with quite a bit of chemistry

* The honor, respect, and wise way the two handled the situation they found themselves in

* That I liked Stasia and Hugh and could see them together

* That Stasia’s father truly wanted the best for her

* The way it all worked out in the end and what a great story was packed into fifty pages

 What I didn’t like:

* Perhaps that women had so little say over their lives…whether daughters, working class, or other

 Did I enjoy this story? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Definitely

 Thank you to Oliver Heber Books and Booksprout for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

BLURB

When she sneaks into the conservatory at the Whitwell’s ball, all Anastasia Dunn wants is to escape the relentless fortune-hunters. Even her engagement to an absent duke hasn’t helped. Not that she is so anxious to meet him either. She’d rather just play amid flowers, even if they aren’t hers. So when she is joined by an unknown reveler, she expects to be annoyed. Maybe it is the fact that she can’t see his face beneath the ass’s head that is part of his costume, but she wants him to stay. Until she realizes just who he is. And why he is there. Published in the anthology, A Midsummer Night's Romance

50 pages

First published May 18, 2021

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: Between His Lover and the Deep Blue Sea by Merry Farmer

Preorder

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sailing Master Septimus Bolton has spent his entire life at sea…in more ways than one. Now that his ship has been decommissioned at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, he has nothing to do but accept the invitation of one of his fellow naval officers to convalesce for the summer at a remote country estate in Yorkshire. Septimus would do anything to get back to sea… …until a pair of blue eyes and a mischievous smile tempt him to forget everything, including discretion. Adam Seymour has had to fight for everything he has, from the scholarship that allowed him to attend university to the right to be himself. Now, as tutor to the Duke of Malton’s precocious children, he has a comfortable life in a grand country estate far away from ridicule. His goal of starting a school for underprivileged children once his noble charges outgrow his tutelage seems well within reach… …until temptation arrives at Wodehouse Abbey in the form of handsome, older, irresistible Septimus. It doesn’t matter how hard Septimus fights his feelings for Adam, the two men can’t seem to stay away from each other. But when Septimus is offered the chance of a lifetime in the form of the ship he’s always wanted to command, he will have to choose between the possibility of lifelong love and the dream that is finally within his reach. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level - Smokin' hot! This includes explicit scenes between male lovers, so if that isn't what you want to read, please feel free to pass on this book.

My Review:

★★★

I considered dnfing this one but pushed through because the story was good. I did skim a lot of the second half though.

I like the characters, though Adam was a bit too impulsive and young-seeming. My favorite moments were when Septimus and Adam were being teased by Septimus' friends -- and especially the absolutely ridiculous game they invented to drive Septimus and Adam together. I also really enjoyed the scenes with the children and the barge chase.

My biggest problem with it was the writing. It was too convoluted and tangled and I desperately wanted to take a red pen and slash through it as if I were slashing through brambles. The dialogue especially was overwrought and too formal and really unrealistic.

Under the writing, though, is a good story that makes for an enjoyable light read.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for providing an e-arc for review.

[cafeplr]

Weight Loss Recipe: Avocado Walnut & Crispy Bacon Salad

Losing weight doesn’t have to be boring when you focus on bright, colourful meals. What does this mean? Simply by making sure your plate reflects a range of colours, you’ll naturally create more balanced and healthful menus. Not everyone has the time or the patience to count calories, but assessing the colours on your plate is something anyone can do – and it only takes an instant!

Why is colour important? Many fatty and caloric foods, such as dairy products and startchy carbs, are beige or brown. When there are too many of these drab colours on your plate, weight gain is almost certain.

That’s because these beige foods often are high in calories and can leave you feeling hungry later. A cup of beige or brown beans can be over 200 calories….but a cup of red or green vegetables is under a hundred! Add fresh greens, deep purple-reds and bright yellow-orange to a meal, and water the nutrient content go up, while calories go down! Plus, you’ll get more enjoyment from eating when there’s a variety of colours and flavors on your plate.

Although these ideas may sound whimsical, they’re grounded in scientific fact. Dr David Heber, renowned nutritional expert from University of California, Los Angeles established the role of colour in his book, “What Color is Your Diet?” So, next time you visit the refrigerator, think colorfully. And remember to mix, not match!

To get you started on the color plate, here is a deliciously interesting salad: Avocado, Walnut & Crispy Bacon.

Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: 8 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients: 7oz/200 g rindless bacon, chopped ½ cup walnut haves, roughly chopped 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup fresh lime juice sale and ground black pepper 6oz/150g baby spinach, trimmed and washed 3 ripe Roma (egg) tomatoes, diced 1 large ripe avocado, halved, peeled, seed removed and sliced 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced

Directions: 1. Heat a non-tick frying pay over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside to cool.

2. Add walnuts to pan and cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside.

3. Add oil and lime juice to pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine.

4. Combine spinach, tomatoes, avocado, onion, bacon and walnuts in a large serving bowl. Pour warm lime dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

See Full PLR Article Here: Weight Loss Recipe: Avocado Walnut & Crispy Bacon Salad

[celticbarb]

Book: Mad Rogues and Englishwomen

Series: Highland Brides, Book #5

Release Date: 09/05/2023

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Book Length: 392 Pages

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Edinburgh, Scotland

Nineteenth Century

Lord Archie Carrington who is a bit of a rogue; it doesn't matter if it is a tavern maid, milkmaid, noblewoman or an heiress. He loves all kinds of women! He is the youngest ever editor of Edinburgh’s smartest political and literary quarterly. Now he intends to write a story on the new Lord Advocate. A nobody who got a very impressive-high ranking position. Was it done honestly or dishonestly?

However he must win over this new advocate’s portraitist daughter over to discover any hidden skeletons in their family's closet. This should not be difficult, afterall charm and flirtation is his specialty with women. Except he never met a brilliant woman like Maisie Conway before. He is definitely attracted to this woman, as he loved smart women even this one with a lame leg.

Artist, Maisie Conway, is no fool and she can smell a rat and his hidden agenda! She agrees to paint his portrait but she rejects whenever he tries to flirt and get closer and come on to her for information. That is until he offers to pose nude! Something women artists in this time period are not allowed to do-is to paint the human body. It was a golden opportunity she could not resist!

However both are very passionate people, hers as an artist and his as a journalist. Soon they both see one another’s heart as one thing leads to another. They both enter into a world of desire and romance. Is it real or is Archie just using Maisie for information? Is it a game of betrayal and deception or real love? Can Maisie and Archie ever trust each other and have a real love that will last forever? Read and find out.

This is the last book of the series and Essex research is definitely impressive and riveting. A book readers don’t want to miss!

I received an advance readers copy for free from Netgalley for an honest review that I voluntarily agreed to.

[valerieullmerromanceauthor]

Bratva Treasure by Sabine Barclay

Bratva Treasure by Sabine Barclay

Bratva Treasure Sabine Barclay (The Ivankov Brotherhood, #3) Published by: Oliver Heber Books Publication date: September 20th 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance She has no idea what she agreed to… My printsessa thinks she’s taken a regular job for a regular lawyer. She doesn’t know the devils that lurk below the surface now that she’s in my world. The bratva world. Innocent, sweet,…