Reign: A Romance Anthology by Nina Levine, Penny Dee, Bec McMaster, K.E. Osborn, Addison Jane, Emma James, Liz Lovelock, Kally Ash, Kat T. Masen, Evie Mitchell, Corinne Mazille, Leesa Bow, J.A. Low

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Synopsis

They say that power changes a person.
Love changes them more.

Long may they reign…

You find them in the boardroom. The throne room. The bedroom.
They burn brighter than the rest.
They wield power as easily as they breathe.
They stop at nothing to get what they want.

Royalty, CEOs, mafia kings, demons, and more.
When love conquers, will they fall to their knees for the person they can’t live without?

Reign is a collection of thirteen brand new romance novellas featuring men and women who rule their empires but not their hearts.

Review

I enjoy anthologies since it’s a great deal. In this case, Reign consists of fifteen standalone short stories from a great group of authors. Each story is unique and fascinating in its own right.

Illusive – The Exiled Eight MC by Addison Jane

The start was very catchy, and it is a dark romance, but I enjoyed getting to know Zoey and the Huntsman. It’s got your mystery/suspense and some hot men as protectors. Both main characters try to deny the off-the-charts magnetism but their “control” falters as Fate has other plans.

Little Bird by Kally Ash

Wren Montana is one tough cookie and a protective sister who had to go up against Bane Rivera, a mob boss. Instead of just paying off a debt, she gets more than she bargained from with this successful drop-gorgeous billionaire. This story screams your dark erotic romance that was borne on a mistake then turned into something “more” in the end.

Surrendered Hearts by Nina Levine

Emilia and Javier have the love-hate passion that readers will love. I like how it reminds me of “War of the Roses” but more firey steamy scenes. This mafia-cartel story is full of suspense, drama, and fast-paced action that will make readers set on edge until the last chapter. It has its share of heartaches and disappointments that come crashing out that will bring readers down to their knees in pain.

King of the Boroughs by Penny Dee

Bella and Alessandro is a story of young love and ageless promises that turns sour. Heartache and disappointments in the name of family, secrets, and honor were prominent. It recalls a bit of Romeo & Juliet with a few twists and dark, steamy attraction.

This story will make readers believe in everlasting/transcendent love through the years, even if both are stubborn to a fault. Both main characters have to work through their “issues” to get to their “forever.” The ending was exhilarating!

The Unwanted Crown by K. E. Osborn

Savannah and Hunter’s introduction has an unusual yet truthful story of family history and obligations, an unexpected plot twist, and a side of danger. Savannah’s story is filled with secrets that her family kept well-hidden from her until it implodes in the middle of the story. What she decides will shape her family legacy to be. To add to the conflict, someone in her past comes back that threatens everything.

There is no denying the chemistry of Savannah and Hunter together – sizzling! The problem is that Savannah is also not willing to conform to what society dictates for her. Her unwillingness to accept her “new role” brings tension to the whole story wherein she starts seeing things without her “rose-colored glasses.” The main characters get to grow and mature even within a few chapters. It is a great story about forgiveness, growth, and responsibility.

Three’s a Crown by JA Low

A unique and extraordinary retelling of a classic fairytale with a twist – reverse harem style (aka “why-choose romance”) is the perfect addition to this anthology! Basing on the title, it should be a dead giveaway on what it is.

Augustine is the prince looking for a suitable mate to honor his family’s legacy. With his best friend Greyson, Augustine’s search for his mate proved to be a tough one, especially someone who would agree on their “particular arrangement.” This story is one that will rock the monarchy!

The Trouble With Love by Kat T. Masen

A father-daughter relationship story about transitioning to being independent, The Trouble With Love will make readers remember their own youthful experiences – trials and tribulations of finding one’s identity in the sea of people. It brings past friendships and young love in its theme as readers get sucked into Amelia Edward’s world. I liked this story’s honesty, and yes, heartbreak is inevitable, but this makes the characters all mature and faces the truth of life – its fragility and uncertainty.

Prince of Ruin by Bec McMaster

This book is a paranormal romance with an espionage/suspense flavor. It will blur the fine line between love, passion, lust, and hunger between two forbidden entities. A “fallen world” and an on-going war raging on Earth, Sera is tasked to get an urgent item that will tip the scales to victory. Whose victory is the question? Who is really saving who? And what will do you do when faced with the only person you gave your heart and soul to but betrayed you in the end?

**This story got to me because it reminds me of Dante’s Inferno and City of Angels – I cried ugly my heart out on this story. The last two chapters of this story will make a massive impact. It will be raw and honest. Be ready to C-R-U-M-B-L-E!

The Marriage Claim by Evie Mitchell

A young reluctant princess takes on the Crown as queen when tragedy struck. Ruling independently after years as a single Queen has not yielded much confidence in her people. She is expected to find a suitable mate to lead beside her and solidify her reign. Her people are pressuring her to find a mate and produce an heir. The problem is Queen Katherine needs someone who would accept and support her given her position, someone who would NOT capitalize on her title, and most importantly, someone who will love and laugh with her as Katherine. It is a tough one, plus wanting love in the mix – next to impossible. Her journey in finding her “right” match is fascinating and brings her back to her childhood, where the seeds of love sprouted and bloomed.

Stardust by Leesa Bow

This story is a sports romance with a newly traded athlete, Dustin, starting in a new place, with new teammates, at the same time, trying his best to prove that he is worthy of the trade. But a chance meeting with the princess of a biker gang in the city changed everything for Dustin. This relationship turned simple to complicated when it was up to Dustin and his family to rescue a captive princess from a fortress.

Queen of the V by Liz Lovelock

This story is a rom-com on fake relationships, a chance meeting, and witty bantering. It has a strong female protagonist, Dylan, who needs to have her mother off her back regarding finding a man and having babies. The solution walked into her clinic when Cole’s friend played a prank that involved “wasting” Dylan’s time. What happens next are a few more funny moments between Dylan and Cole that will have readers chuckling non-stop. I enjoyed this book, especially with its excellent character development. These characters later discover as they keep their “facade” that there are “more things underneath” than meets the eye. It is a great story to round out this anthology.

King’s Gambit by Emma James

This story is a romance suspense/mystery story set in the future. It focuses on an unfortunate event that unexpectedly bound Queenie and Bradford from merely a one-night stand into a “rabbit hole” of circumstances and encounters with a group so of alpha-doms who help Queenie get back on her feet and rescue what is rightfully hers. It brings a strong female protagonist in a world ruled and manipulated by men. It is refreshing to see this no-excuse, no non-sense lady take on the world in this story.

Runaway Princess by Corinne Mazille

This story is a motorcycle (MC) theme of a lost princess, Sofia, who later found her strength from within to take back the life she hoped. Sofia’s a successful businesswoman, only to be shadowed by her parental expectations of marrying well and “keeping appearances.” It took a dark and brooding biker, Jett, to overcome her fears and leap into her rightful place because she did “runaway” from someone. That someone comes back to find her and threatens her, and everything holds dear – including Jett. I love her friends – Brad and Maya, who played essential roles in the story. It was an enjoyable read.

All in all, Reign is a worthy read. It has a diverse option of romance to satisfy all types of romance readers. Each of the stories has strong female protagonists who balance out the alpha dominants in each story – no matter which era. This story will give you a full range of emotions you wouldn’t realize you have in such a short chapter. It will provide you with the highs, lows, disappointments, euphoria, and hope. Also, all of the stories will surely make a lasting impression.

It was hard to choose, but my favorites are Prince of Ruin, The Marriage Claim, and Illusive – The Exiled Eight MC.

About the Authors

Nina Levine

I’ve always written from around the age of twelve. Back then, I used to create my own newspaper and write all the articles for it. I’d photocopy the pages and distribute to my family. The crazy stuff we do as kids! My teens were filled with writing in my journals and then later, I began writing stories. I always featured as the main female who fell in love, usually with whichever rockstar I was infatuated with at the time. More crazy shit lol. At around age sixteen, I collaborated on a story with a friend. She’d take our book home one night and write a chapter, and then I’d take it home the next night. I wrote my first sex scene back then. I remember having to flick through one of my mother’s romances for tips on that lol.

Anyway, as I grew and attended uni (don’t judge me, but I’ve started four degrees now and not finished one), had a child and started accumulating all the baggage of life, writing fell to the background. I wrote every now and then, usually finishing a chapter or two and then putting the story back down to get back to life and paying bills. Then came Fifty Shades…

I was obsessed with indie authors after reading Fifty Shades and then Beautiful Disaster. My nights and weekends were filled with reading and being a part of the indie community online. I pulled my notepads out and began writing again. At that time, I was studying a psychology degree and loving it, but my lifetime dream of publishing a book came back into view as I learned about self publishing. In late 2013, I decided to put my studies on hold to take a shot at making my dream come true. I published Storm on the 21st November that year and haven’t looked back. That book sold thousands of copies and then my second book, Fierce, hit the USA Today Bestseller list three months later. I quit my job a couple of months after that and have written full time ever since. I’ve also been blessed to travel the world meeting readers at signings, and visiting countries I never thought I’d see.

I was almost 40 when I achieved my dream. Never ever give up on what you want in life.

Penny Dee

I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first book when I was five. It was called The Goodies and it was about a drive to the shops to get milk. It was amazing. It was also brilliantly illustrated in orange felt tip pen because I was all about the awesomeness when I was five years old.

Skip forward a few decades… and I write romance, erotic romance and romantic suspense. And MC romance. And rockstar romance. And contemporary romance. Hell, if they’re romancing then I’m writing it. I feel really fortunate because I get to meet interesting characters every single day—fictional characters who shock the hell out of me! I never know where their story is going until they lead me there. They’re in charge. They can be bossy and demanding. Sometimes a little impatient and frustrating. And let me tell you, they don’t understand the concept of quiet time.

No. I am not crazy.

When you write fiction, you share your grey matter with a lot of characters. Characters who show up unannounced and demand to be put to paper.

Fictional characters aside, I also like to hear from real humans so don’t be shy, drop me a line and say hi.

I promise you. I am not crazy.

Bec McMaster

I’m a writer. Dreamer. Travel Addict. And enthusiastic-if-not-perfect baker. I’ll honestly admit that I don’t always follow the recipe, be it cooking, or writing romances.

If I’m not sitting in front of the computer, I’m probably plotting my next world trip. Or eating chocolate. Sometimes I run. Because…chocolate. I grew up on a steady diet of 80’s fantasy movies like Ladyhawke, Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, and love creating epic, fantasy-based worlds with heroes and heroines who must defeat all the odds to have their HEA.

I live in a country town in Australia, with my very own beta hero, Byron; Kobe, a dog who will eat anything (even used teabags); and demanding chickens, Siggy and Lagertha.

K.E. Osborn

I often get asked, ‘How did you become a writer?’ There’s a simple answer to this question and a far more deep and meaningful version.

I’ll start with the simple answer. Back in 2012, I had a dream, not like Martin Luthor King, just a straightforward dream one night of a scene. It wasn’t unusual for me to have animated dreams, but this particular dream was so vivid it stuck with me. So the next morning, I made my way to my computer and decided to type out that scene.

That dream was about a couple meeting under unusual and humorous circumstances, and this became my first book, Trust Me. I didn’t know how to properly format a manuscript, how to even place dialogue tags correctly. All I wanted to do was write the story brewing in my mind, so I did, and the words kept flowing. That one scene turned into a full-length novel, which then escalated into a four-book series.

Now for the more deep and meaningful answer to the original question. How did you become a writer? It may sound cliché, but I believe that writers aren’t made—they’re born. I didn’t know I wanted to head down this path until that dream woke something inside me—a calling, if you will. Since that day in 2012, when I began writing, I haven’t looked back.

So, did I become a writer? No, I AM a writer. I was born a writer, and I hope to always be one.

Since my first book Trust Me was published on September 7, 2013, I have written many stories. These include series, standalones, anthologies, collaborations, and co-authoring with another talented author. I’ve branched out into various genres, Rock Stars, MC Romance, Suspense Romance, Sports Romance, and Rom-Com, just to name a few. Through all this, my love for the written word only grows with every book I publish.

I strive to bring you, my readers, my best work every time because I want to produce what I want to read. Every character has a little piece of me in them—and a giant piece of my heart.

So I hope you will take this journey with me.
Welcome to the world of K E Osborn.
I hope you enjoy the ride!

Addison Jane

Addison Jane is a born and bred kiwi girl with a passion for romance and writing.
When she gets the chance she enjoys the little things in life such as reading, dancing, music, and Facebook, but her world really revolves around the little girl who calls her Mum. It’s an awkward balance between alpha males and Disney princesses but it works.
Growing up on a small farm next to the beach will always make her a country girl at heart. But since moving away to a small town close to the city she’s discovered a dangerous love for shopping.
Writing stories has been something that’s come naturally since she was young, and with the massive support of her friends and family, she finally decided to step out of her comfort zone and share them with the world.
She enjoys bringing her books to life with strong female leads, sexy passionate men and a rollercoaster of twists and turns that lead to the happily ever after that her readers desire.

Connect with Addison
Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Emma James

Emma James is the author of the completed Hell’s Bastard series, a jaw-dropping, highly addictive, unpredictable, sexy, and very twisted dark suspense/thriller series and also the much-loved Men of Ocean Beach series.

Emma writes in multi-genre and loves to keep the reader guessing with all the twists and turns found in her stories. Always expect the unexpected.

One consistent thing with her stories is love will always rise from the ashes.

Marley, her black Labrador, is the inspiration for Bear in Men of Ocean Beach series. Morrison, the family pet rescue cat, who has many OCDs, will be grabbing some of the limelight in a future standalone because the dude rocks the ‘tude.

She likes Pina Coladas, but not getting caught in the rain.

Emma takes regular zen breaks from her writing to listen to and stare at the ocean because you only live once, might as well stare at the sea when you can.

Liz Lovelock

Liz is from bright sunny Queensland, Australia. She has always been a reader. When she was little she would be up late reading Garfield and Asterix comic books and also Footrot Flats. When she hit high school she read Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden and from there, her love of books continued to grow. She always has a book to read beside her bed along with a notebook for when inspiration hits at those crazy hours.

She is a stationary addict and a one-click addict. She loves everything books, authors and of course loves chocolate and lollies to keep her going.

Kally Ash

Kally Ash is a USA Today Bestselling Author whose passions include curling up with a good book, devouring chocolate and getting kitty cuddles. Tempt Me is her debut novel, and the first book in a three book series.

Some of her unicorn authors include Sawyer Bennett, Elizabeth Hayley and Haley Jenner.

Kat T. Masen

Born and bred in Sydney Australia, Kat T. Masen is a mother to four crazy boys and wife to one sane husband. Growing up in a generation where social media and fancy gadgets didn’t exist, she enjoyed reading from an early age and found herself immersed in these stories. After meeting friends on twitter who loved to read as much as she did, her passion to write began and the friendships continued on despite the distance. “I’m known to be crazy and humorous. Show me the most random picture of a dog in a wig and I’ll be laughing for days.”

Evie Mitchell

Evie Mitchell is a thirty-something woman who loves dirty books, bad boys and men who know how to treat their woman right. She specializes in dirty reads for curious minds.

Corinne Mazille

My name is Corinne Mazille, and I love to write romance in all different tropes. I started writing a lot later in life, but once an idea formed in my head after reading hundreds of books, I couldn’t stop. Coming up with characters and worlds is so much fun, and I can’t wait until I can do this fulltime.

I never really thought of myself as being artistic, but years ago, I did start a makeup course because I would have loved to work on movie sets, but real life got in the way and a job opportunity arose that I couldn’t turn down. But I still have a massive love of makeup and can very easily spend hours watching make up tutorials on youtube.

And I am blessed with a daughter who I have trained well. She loves to play with makeup, although I do find pieces missing from time to time.

We are also huge Disney fans in this house, and we are currently planning our next trip, this time hoping to get to Disney World.

Leesa Bow

Leesa writes contemporary, and new adult romance. She especially loves to read and write sport romance after living it through her elite sporting family. In her spare time Leesa enjoys watching basketball and football, having beach days with the family, catching up for coffee with girlfriends, and taking long walks along one of the beautiful beaches in South Australia. Leesa is a member of the Romance Writer’s of Australia (RWA) and the South Australian Romance Authors (SARA).

J.A. Low

JA Low lives on a faraway beach in Australia. When she’s not writing steamy scenes and admiring hot surfers, she’s tending to her husband and two sons, and dreaming up the next epic romance.