Author: Charmaine Pauls

Genre: Dark Romance

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 18+

Pages: 362

Date Published: June 21, 2022

Published by: Charmaine Pauls

Imperfect Affections is the second book in the Beauty in Imperfection duet, and you must read the first book before this one to get the most out of this duet. The good news is that you can now binge-read this duet. The even better part is that if you haven’t read any of The Diamond Magnate Novels, you can now binge-read them all, and trust me, this is a series you do not want to miss. Ms. Pauls’ writing gets deep into your head while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Her character development is so perfect you will feel every bit of angst, frustration, sadness, and, of course, love that these characters are experiencing. 

Imperfect Affections starts right off where Imperfect Intentions left off with Violet betraying Leon; however, she does have her reasons. Even though Violet has betrayed Leon, he can’t let her go, forcing her into marriage. 

“I can let my vengeance go as little as I can set Violet free. Because despite it all, I still want her. Worse, now that I have her, I need her. The more I need her, the more I hate her.”

This man, who has never committed to any woman, is having difficulty with all his feelings for Violet. With all his sexy bad boy persona and rough exterior Leon still has a softness for Violet.   But Leon is not the only one confused and having difficulty adjusting to married life. 

Violet’s stepbrother is blackmailing her for something her mother has done, but she doesn’t feel she can trust her newly wedded husband with this information. She is convinced that Leon hates her and only wants to punish her for her betrayal, and he does punish her. But that couldn’t be further from the truth because even if Violet and Leon don’t yet realize it, Leon is in love with Violet. Violet still hopes that she can live her life independently, and she constantly challenges Leon in every way… except in the bedroom.

When you feel Violet and Leon will never get their happily ever after, Charmaine works her writing magic, uniquely weaving these two beautifully flawed characters together. Watching Violet and Leon learn to respect and embrace their differences was dazzling. Leon and Violet went through some tough stuff, but they became a genuinely loving couple at the end of their journey.

Charmaine tells us a story of deception, betrayal, and greed balanced with forgiveness, which leads to a love that lasts forever.  For me, there is a bittersweet aspect to Imperfect Affections. This means that I will have to let the Hart family go. In quintessential Charmaine fashion, she gives us a glimpse into the Hart brother’s futures at the end of this story. That gave me a big smile and a warm feeling deep in my heart.  

I know that Charmaine will come up with another stunning series with characters we love and hate, and I look forward to seeing where she will take us. Imperfect Affections is the perfect ending to the Diamond Magnate Collection.  These are a fantastic collection of books, and I highly recommend all of them for your next binge read.

“Destiny is the imperfect road of the past that led us to this perfect moment.”

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * 

** I kindly received this ARC from Charmaine Pauls. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I have voluntarily read this book, and this is my honest review. **

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 16+

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, LGBT

Pages: 304

Date Published: March 9, 2021

Published by: Wednesday Books

Perfect on Paper, written by Sophie Gonzales, is a fun, sweet, bold, sincere, and uniquely fresh and romantic YA book. “And it’s unapologetically, intensely, queer,” according to the author, and I wholeheartedly agree.  

Perfect on Paper is the first book by Sophie Gonzales that I have read, and I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed Gonzales’ writing style; it was clear and concise, the characters were well developed, and most importantly, they were all believable. I find that most rom-coms are challenging to make funny and romantic, but Perfect on Paper accomplished both with the addition of tackling the complex subject of bisexuality within the LGBTQ community. As a straight woman, this book helped me appreciate the complex issues regarding bisexuality within the LGBT community I never knew existed. 

So, does anyone remember Dear Abby? She wrote an advice column in the newspaper. Perfect on Paper is the modern-day Dear Abby set within a high school setting. Our main character Darcy is an endearing bisexual young woman that thinks she is more intelligent than most of her classmates. She is far from perfect, but that’s what makes her lovely. Darcy starts a cottage industry out of locker 89, giving her classmates anonymous relationship advice. Darcy makes plenty of mistakes, learns some things about herself that she wasn’t expecting, and is a better person in the end. 

“…if you’re having relationship issues and slide a letter through the vents of locker eighty-nine, you will receive an email from an anonymous sender within a week, giving you advice. And if you’re wise enough to follow that advice, your relationship problems will be solved, guaranteed, or your money back.”

An outstanding cast of characters surrounds Darcy. Her best friend is a lesbian who, unfortunately, is in love with someone else. Her sister is in transition, and the hot straight guy she cannot stand has hired her to help get his girlfriend back. You may ask, what could go wrong? 

Perfect on Paper is a sweet YA book that will keep you on your toes while having a good laugh. Although Perfect on Paper was a bit predictable, the ride was fun, and I highly recommend this book. 

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 18+

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Romance

Date Published: September 14, 2021

White Nights is a book that you should start when you have a whole day to sit down and read because this book is unputdownable. I have read many of Charmaine Pauls’ books and have loved every one of them. This is the first book I have read by Anna Zaires. I have heard many good things about Ms. Zaires, but I haven’t read any of her books for one reason or another. After reading this collaboration of these two authors, I am now a huge fan of Ms. Zaires. These two authors have given us a book that sizzles and pops off the pages with their collaborative writing.

Our heroine, Kathrine Morrell, is a 25-year-old ER nurse in New York City. She is a self-reliant, strong, kind beautiful woman who hasn’t had the best luck in love. But that all changes when Russian oligarch Alex Volkov walks into her ER and sets his sites on her. 

“There’s something panther-like in his leisurely movements, and for a second, I feel like a mouse being stalked by a big cat. I take another step back, and his hard mouth tightens with displeasure.”

Alex Volkov, our alpha hero, is a sexy, dominant, and mighty dangerous man with “skills,” if you know what I mean.  But Alex is so much more; he is intense, loyal, possessive, and most importantly, fiercely protective. He knows what he wants, and he wants Kate and has no problem letting her know that at their first meeting.

“‘ I don’t date, Katerina,’ he murmurs, his accented voice oddly mesmerizing. ‘But I would like to take you to bed. And I think you’d like that too.’”

White Nights is the first book in the White Nights duet and explores Alex and Kate’s relationship. Early on, Kate realizes that she is totally out of her element on all levels regarding Alex and his world. She is shocked by his forwardness and confused by the intense attraction she felt during their first meeting.

The verbal sparring between these two was so much fun to read. However, the between the sheets sparring was off the charts, shatter the thermometer H-O-T.  Watching Kate figure out how she feels about Alex is magical.  

“In a way, he is my white nights, my everlasting day, my magic.”

Unfortunately, Kate quickly realizes just how dangerous Alex’s world is and how she is unable to prevent his world from seeping into their relationship.

So, if you know anything about Charmaine Pauls’ books, you know that they tend to end in a cliffhanger. This book doesn’t disappoint; there is a cliffhanger, but it’s not too bad, and I didn’t scream to myself, “Nooooo,” which I have done in some of her books. 

White Nights is a fun, sexy read with a bit of suspense that grabbed me from the first page. The characters are well developed, lovable, and draw you into their world. These authors’ writing styles compliment each other and seamlessly tell a beautiful story. 

I am looking forward to reading where these two incredible authors take Alex and Kate’s story in the sequel Midnight Days, due out mid-November. I highly recommend this book.

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * 

** I kindly received this book from Charmaine Pauls. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

Power. That’s what I think of when I spot him across the ER. Power and danger.

He’s the kind of trouble every woman should run from.

The bullet his bodyguard took for him proves that.

One of the wealthiest Russian oligarchs, Alex Volkov is as ruthless as he is magnetic. He always gets what he wants, and what he wants is me, in his bed.

I should stay far away, but for one night, I give in to temptation. Before I know it, he’s pulling me deeper into his world of excess and violence, invading not only my life but my heart.

How much trust can I place in a man so dangerous?

How much do I dare risk for his love?

White Nights is the first book of the White Nights Duet. Kate and Alex’s story concludes in Midnight Days, which releases on 16 November 2021.

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/WNAMZus

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/WNAMZuk

Amazon CA: http://bit.ly/WNAMZca

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/WNAMZau

Apple Books : http://bit.ly/WNApple

Google Play: http://bit.ly/WNGoogle

Kobo: http://bit.ly/WNkobo

Nook: http://bit.ly/WNNook

Author: Charmain Pauls

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 18+

Genre: Dark Romance,

Romantic Suspense,

Contemporary 

Pages: 220

Date Published: June 22, 2021

Published by: Charmaine Pauls

Stolen Love is the conclusion to the Beauty in the Stolen trilogy. In this book, Charmaine Pauls will shatter your heart and then slowly put it back together. Hopefully, you have read the first two books, Stolen Lust and Stolen Life. If you haven’t, stop now and read them. Now that all three books are out, you can binge read all the books. Trust me, that is what you will want to do since the first two books end in a doozy of a cliffhanger. 

BLURB 
 Once upon a time, a thief stole me in the middle of the night. He took what he wanted, gave me an illusion, and ripped it all away to claim his ultimate trophy. My heart may be physically weak, but fighting to live made me stronger. I won’t perish as easily as that. I’m turning the tables on him. After all, I learned from the best. I’m robbing him of what he stole from me.
 

EXCERPT
I suck in a breath. His back sports a new tattoo. An orange tree runs from his flank up to his shoulder. The roots branch out over his lower back and side. It’s so well drawn it looks as if the network of roots is grafted with his skin. A branch with orange blossoms runs up to his shoulder. The petals curl over the arch, only the tips of a flower visible on the curve as he faces me again.
Why did he get it? The answer is obvious. The truth stares me in the face. He never said it, but he declared it in permanent ink on his skin next to the values that govern his behavior, his life.
“It’s not some kind of gravestone,” he says in a quiet voice.
My gaze slips to the pendant on the leather string that hangs in the center of his breastbone. “What’s not a gravestone?” I ask, pretending not to know what he’s talking about. It’s too deep, too personal. We don’t share that kind of intimacy any longer.
“The tattoo. It doesn’t symbolize grief.”
I can’t help from asking, “What does it symbolize?”
“Love.” His gaze intensifies. “The kind that gets under your skin.”

GIVEAWAY
 There is a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card

Direct Link:
 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba3ffd552781
 

Stolen Love is not just your typical love story; Pauls infuses this story with nail-biting suspense, danger, and twists that will keep the reader on the edge of their favorite reading chair. It was pure joy to read Cas and Ian’s story; they captured my heart and soul from beginning to end. Pauls puts all the feels into this trilogy; love, heartbreak, angst, betrayal, misunderstandings of monumental proportions, and non-stop action all wrapped up in the beauty of Africa. 

Stolen Love starts right where Stolen Life ends, with Cas falling into the crocodile-infested waters of the Zambezi River only to be tossed around by the rapids and then hurled over a waterfall. Yep, that how this book starts. So, the million-dollar question is, how does Charmaine Pauls pull this story together?  Beautifully, that how. 

Throughout this entire series, we have watched these two characters evolve, but I feel they both made their most dramatic changes in this book. Ian went from a notorious womanizer and kidnapper to an attentive, loving man whose sole purpose was to make Cas happy. 

Cas was an innocent woman until Ian corrupted her. But, with everything she went through, and there were some genuinely tragic events, she became a woman with grit and determination. And maybe a bit of an anti-hero in her own right. 

There were times throughout this book that my heart broke in two for Cas. But no matter what she went through, she picked herself up, kept moving forward, all while staying true to herself. And that’s what makes Pauls’ characters and books remarkable!

So now that Ian and Cas’s story is over, where will Pauls take us from here. Well, we can always count on her to have something or, in this case, someone up her sleeve, and that someone would be Leon. But, first, let me say that Leon captured my heart with humor in an elevator. 

Stolen Love was the perfect ending to this fantastic trilogy, and I loved all of it.  So, if you like a bit of darkness in your hero and a heroine that you can root for one hundred percent of the time, you will find all of this and more in Stolen Love.  I wholeheartedly recommend Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy.

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * 

** I kindly received Stolen Love by Charmaine Pauls.  I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

PURCHASE LINKS 
 
US: https://amzn.to/3v1BNx8
UK: https://amzn.to/2MJKXgr
CA: https://amzn.to/3kFLJrc
AU: https://amzn.to/3rdxUTf
B&N: https://bit.ly/3rhUBpt
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3kP9xZW
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3qeVFsM
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3bcSGwL

ALSO AVAILABLE
 
#1 Stolen Lust
 
US: https://amzn.to/2NYLzPN
UK: https://amzn.to/308IE9B
CA: https://amzn.to/3bYwVjx
AU: https://amzn.to/3uMajLT
B&N: https://bit.ly/3rfQj1I
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3sFIFhw
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3c0vz7J
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3bckXDK
 
#2 Stolen Life
 
US: https://amzn.to/3kKLifs
UK: https://amzn.to/306eZ0Q
CA: https://amzn.to/3e4Gyjc
AU: https://amzn.to/3bXoAg2
B&N: https://bit.ly/3bYxPMT
Kobo: https://bit.ly/387ozoC
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2OmRldH
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3reM1rA

 

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions. 

After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published over twenty novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her shorts have been selected by the International Literary Society for an anthology from across the African continent.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in France with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

AUTHOR LINKS
 Website: https://charmainepauls.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForbiddenArts
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1120749574670443
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Charmaine-Pauls/e/B005LY9B82
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5161287.Charmaine_Pauls
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CharmainePauls
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/charmaine-pauls
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmainepaulsbooks

 

BLURB 

Once upon a time, a thief stole me in the middle of the night. He took what he wanted, gave me an illusion, and ripped it all away to claim his ultimate trophy. My heart may be physically weak, but fighting to live made me stronger. I won’t perish as easily as that. I’m turning the tables on him. After all, I learned from the best. I’m robbing him of what he stole from me.

❣️A Diamond Magnate Novel

❣️Series: Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy #3

❣️Author: Charmaine Pauls

❣️Genre: Dark Romance

❣️Cover Design: Okay Creations

❣️Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography

❣️Models: Cassidy & Zack

❣️Release Date: June 22, 2021

GIVEAWAY 

Direct Link:

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba3ffd552775

EXCERPT

I suck in a breath. His back sports a new tattoo. An orange tree runs from his flank up to his shoulder. The roots branch out over his lower back and side. It’s so well drawn it looks as if the network of roots are grafted with his skin. A branch with orange blossoms runs up to his shoulder. The petals curl over the arch, only the tips of a flower visible on the curve as he faces me again.
Why did he get it? The answer is obvious. The truth stares me in the face. He never said it, but he declared it in permanent ink on his skin next to the values that govern his behavior, his life.
“It’s not some kind of gravestone,” he says in a quiet voice.
My gaze slips to the pendant on the leather string that hangs in the center of his breastbone. “What’s not a gravestone?” I ask, pretending not to know what he’s talking about. It’s too deep, too personal. We don’t share that kind of intimacy any longer.
“The tattoo. It doesn’t symbolize grief.”
I can’t help from asking, “What does it symbolize?” 
“Love.” His gaze intensifies. “The kind that gets under your skin.”

PRE-ORDER LINKS 
 

US: https://amzn.to/3v1BNx8
UK: https://amzn.to/2MJKXgr
CA: https://amzn.to/3kFLJrc
AU: https://amzn.to/3rdxUTf
B&N: https://bit.ly/3rhUBpt
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3kP9xZW
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3qeVFsM
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3bcSGwL

AVAILABLE NOW

#1 Stolen Lust

US: https://amzn.to/2NYLzPN
UK: https://amzn.to/308IE9B
CA: https://amzn.to/3bYwVjx
AU: https://amzn.to/3uMajLT
B&N: https://bit.ly/3rfQj1I
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3sFIFhw
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3c0vz7J
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3bckXDK

 

#2 Stolen Life

qUS: https://amzn.to/3kKLifs
UK: https://amzn.to/306eZ0Q
CA: https://amzn.to/3e4Gyjc
AU: https://amzn.to/3bXoAg2
B&N: https://bit.ly/3bYxPMT
Kobo: https://bit.ly/387ozoC
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2OmRldH
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3reM1rA

AUTHOR LINKS

 Website: https://charmainepauls.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForbiddenArts
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1120749574670443
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Charmaine-Pauls/e/B005LY9B82
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5161287.Charmaine_Pauls
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CharmainePauls
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/charmaine-pauls
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmainepaulsbooks

 AUTHOR BIO

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions. 

After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published over twenty novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her shorts have been selected by the International Literary Society for an anthology from across the African continent.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in France with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

Title: Possession

Author: Katie Lowe

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5

Content Rating: 18+

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary

Published: February 9th 2021, by St. Martin’s Press

Possession, written by Katie Lowe, is a psychological thriller about Hannah, whose husband, Graham, was murdered in their home. The catch is Hannah was the only one, besides her sleeping daughter, in the house at the time. But somehow, she doesn’t remember anything about the night of the murder other than waking up to find her husband stabbed to death.

Fast forward ten years, Graham’s killer is behind bars, Hannah has left London and all the horrid memories that it holds, and has moved to Derbyshire with her daughter. She has moved on with her life and is in a seven-year relationship with a wonderful man, Dan. Dan adores her daughter Evie, and Evie loves him too. Hannah has an admirable job as a psychiatrist at an eating disorder clinic and is happy until Conviction, a true-crime podcast, starts looking into her husband’s murder. With every new episode of Conviction, Hannah becomes a little more psychologically unhinged. I feel like I can’t say anything more about the plot without giving too much away.

What I loved about this book was its depth of detail that Lowe puts into Hannah; she was the perfect unreliable narrator. I felt Hannah’s sanity slipping away bit by bit. Hannah was not a very likable character, but I did find myself weirdly drawn to her. 

What detracted from the book was the pacing. The book starts with a bang and then kind of drags in the middle. I felt as if Lowe gave us too much; sometimes, less is more. However, there were twists, turns, and lots of misdirection throughout, and that did keep me reading; I wanted to know “who done it.” But at the same time, a lot was going on in this story, different timelines, side stories which made it a bit hard to follow.

However, in the end, Lowe did pull it all together. The ending was good, and it did surprise me. But again, there was something a bit off. Maybe it was some of the unrealistic aspects of the book that didn’t add up. This book was written as true fiction, so in my mind, it needed to be believable.  

Possession is the first book I have read by this author, and I did enjoy her writing style. However, for me, this was a mixed bag, some things I liked and other things not so much. Overall, this was an entertaining read, with excellent character development and a well-thought-out storyline. If you are willing to put aside some believability, you will enjoy this book.  

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * 

** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley, Katie Lowe, and St. Martin’s Press. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

Author: Charmaine Pauls

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 18+

Genre: Dark Romance, Suspense

Published: May 18th, 2021

Reader beware, Stole Life, book two in the Beauty in the Stolen series, will mesmerize you from the first word till the very last word and leave you wanting more as Pauls delivers one heck of a cliffhanger.

One can only wonder how Ms. Pauls will top this second book, but if you are a fan of her books, you know pretty well that she will do just that! I have said this many times in my other reviews of her books; Pauls is the master of the dark romance genre, but it’s just not the intense romance that will grab you in this series; the suspense might drive you crazy, in the best way possible. If you have not read the first book in this trilogy, Stolen Lust, stop now, and read it!

Stolen Life seamlessly begins where Stolen Lust left off– with Ian drugging and kidnapping Cas, bring her to his home in Zimbabwe. 

I loved the personal transformation that Ian and Cas develop, independent of one another and together as a couple. Slowly Cas realizes that Ian is the one for her, but she still gives Ian a run for his money, bucking him at every turn and proving that she is his equal. I loved how Pauls had Ian slowly open up and share his past with Cas, some of which was dark and troubling to read but so necessary to get to know the true Ian. 

Pauls shows us the man beyond the most notorious criminal in the country. We see that underneath the dark, dominant scary man, there is gentleness and a deep love for the community and people he surrounds himself. And, of course, the crazy intense attraction these two have for each other continues and becomes in a sense deeper and more soulful. 

“When I accept to love our darkness as much as I love what’s good between us, peace dawns. There’s no more judgment, no mind wrestling…There’s only my heart…my heart has always been all that matters.” Cas

In true Pauls’ fashion, disaster is just a moment away, and she doesn’t hold back. She combines deceit, treachery, jealously, betrayal, and heartbreak; all rolled into one incredible cliffhanger. I was in total shock, so much so that I had to go back and read it two more times, with my mouth hanging open. WHY Charmain… WHY??? 

I now consider Pauls the master of the cliffhanger; she is a deviously cruel and a fantastic writer. But no worries, we won’t have to wait long; Stolen Love (Beauty in the Stolen #3) is due to be published on June 22nd, 2021.

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * 

** I kindly received this book by Charmaine Pauls. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

PURCHASE LINKS 
 
US: https://amzn.to/3kKLifs
UK: https://amzn.to/306eZ0Q
CA: https://amzn.to/3e4Gyjc
AU: https://amzn.to/3bXoAg2
B&N: https://bit.ly/3bYxPMT
Kobo: https://bit.ly/387ozoC
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2OmRldH
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3reM1rA
 

AUTHOR BIO

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions. 

After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published over twenty novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her shorts have been selected by the International Literary Society for an anthology from across the African continent.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in France with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

AUTHOR LINKS
 
Website: https://charmainepauls.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForbiddenArts
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1120749574670443
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Charmaine-Pauls/e/B005LY9B82
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5161287.Charmaine_Pauls
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CharmainePauls
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/charmaine-pauls
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmainepaulsbooks

GIVEAWAY
 
There is a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card

Direct Link:
 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba3ffd552773
   

Author: M.J. Rose

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Rating: 16+

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery 

Published: February 2, 2021, by Blue Box Press

The Last Tiara, written by M. J. Rose, is a beautiful story that weaves the touching relationship between mother and daughter while intertwining 1915 Russia and 1948 America.  The Last Tiara is expertly research and well written. Ms. Rose writes this book with sharp attention to historical detail but also laced with romance and mystery.

Isabelle Moon is a young architect in post-WW2. She is living and working in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where she is transforming the secrete cities tasked with making the first nuclear bomb back into livable cities. On December 9, Isabelle gets a frantic phone call from her aunt informing her that her mother was hit by a car and has died.  Isabelle then rushes home to New York to morn her mother. When she returns to her job, she begins to feel lost.

When an opening becomes available in New York, Isabelle jumps at the opportunity. She moves back into the apartment she shared with her mother. While renovating their shared apartment, she stumbles upon a tiara stripped of all its gemstones. This begins her journey of discovering what her mother’s life was like during the fall of the Romanov’s rule. 

This story alternates between mother and daughter and between their respective times. I have always been obsessed with all things Romanov, so that part was a real treat for me. I also loved that the author wrote with wonderfully rich historical detail. Although this didn’t necessarily add to the plot, I feel that it added to the enjoyment of the whole book, and I learned a bit of history. I thought the mystery element was well developed and thought out, and it did keep me guessing throughout the whole book.  I would have liked to see the author develop the two main characters a bit more. But overall, The Last Tiara is a well-written book that I enjoyed and would recommend it.

** I kindly received The Last Tiara by way of Net Galley, Blue Box Press, and M.J. Rose. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **