A huge fan of Scandinavian crime novels, Missy is indulging in a long-wished for vacation, exploring the cities her favorite series were set in, after finally severing ties with her long-time best-friend.  The dramatic break-up of their friendship (triggered by an ugly scene in the 2nd Capital Kisses novella, The Bridesmaid and the Hurricane) is having Missy reevaluate much of her life and the many poor relationship choices she has made over the years under her former friend's bad influence.  She is determined to avoid romantic or sexual entanglements on this trip as she has a lot of emotional work to do for herself.

Rik's is trying to breakup an international thieving and smuggling ring that is using his family's tour company as cover, while dodging his mother's determined matchmaking by going undercover on a tour led by the chief suspect. His attention is captured however by Missy and trying to figure her frequently mixed signals.

15. Kelly Maher’s A Scandal in Scandinavia. Missy is traveling & soul searching after ending toxic friendship & Rik, security for the family tour co. is undercover trying to crack a smuggling ring. Lots of nice travel details, sweet hero, promising HFN https://t.co/noFkFTRiYO

— Ana Coqui (@anacoqui) February 13, 2018

There was a lot to like in this little novella, the third in the Maher's Capital Kisses series. I particularly appreciated the authentic travel details, including the rhythm of multi-city motorcoach tours. I though Maher captured the tension and tentativeness on faces after friendship implodes and Missy hesitation, and mixed feelings felt believable. She is not yet done sorting through her feelings of regret and has a way to go before she can recapture confidence in her choices. I quite enjoyed the investigation subplot, including its dramatic conclusion the romance itself felt a little unfinished. Although the ending was a promising HFN, and Rik is sweet, A Scandal in Scandinavia, could have benefited from a epilogue as Rik and Missy have a lot of growing and exploring to do before a HEA is assured.

I received a review copy of A Scandal in Scandinavia from the author for review consideration.

LAST CALL TO Enter my giveaway of Beyond Temptation! Just comment on the cover reveal post to enter. I'll be selecting a winner tomorrow morning.

If you have been following me on twitter or reading this blog for any length of time you will know that I adore Kit Rocha's Beyond series.  I tried it out the series hesitantly and read the first book, Beyond Shame, almost out of the corner of my eye because it was all a bit too much: The O'kanes, rough and tumble bootleggers, extend their protection to a a young woman expelled from the repressive and hypocritical theocratic city next door who is trying to figure out what she wants for the first time in her life.

Beyond Shame left me curious and intrigued about where they were going with this story beyond hedonism, but after I read and  loved Beyond Control I was sold. Because in Beyond Control I realized that beyond the sexiness and fascinating dynamics of Dallas and Lex's relationship all the politics and worldbuilding were going to matter because Rocha was going somewhere with it, and I wanted to be along for the ride. With each book their world expanded and the so did they story they were telling.

And it was an awesome ride, so when Bree (who writes with Donna Herren as Kit Rocha and Moira Rogers) asked if I was willing to host a cover reveal for their rebranding, I jumped on it. I don't usually do promo posts but I hope more new readers take the opportunity to try them and get to know and love the Beyond world like I do.  I hope you enjoy reading a bit about Bree's process for putting together all these new covers and if you are interested in seeing them all check out the central post they will be updating with links to all the other covers reveals: Beyond Rebranding Cover Reveals

BREE’S COVER NOTES:

When I sat down to redesign the cover of Beyond Temptation, there was one thing I knew Emma was going to need—tattoos. Awesome tattoos. All of the O’Kane women have ink to a greater or lesser degree, but Emma is Ace’s apprentice and a tattoo artist in her own right. Finding a model with bright, vivid, colorful ink was fated!

The background of the cover is one of the more artistic ones of the new series, in that instead of an object, it’s an idea. Or rather, it’s code—a nod to Noah, who has hacked his way through Eden and the sectors to keep her safe and would do it again. And again and again.

(Just don’t zoom in and try to read it. It’s…not good code. LOL)

Hacker Noah Lennox lives in the shadows, fighting a one-man war against the corrupt leader of Sector Five. The only weak spot in his armor is his best friend’s sweet younger sister--the girl he swore to save, even from himself. With her brother dead and a target on their backs, getting her out of the sector--and out of danger--meant giving her up for good.

Or so he thought.

Emma Cibulski has made her own home in Sector Four, as a full member of the O’Kane gang and apprentice to their infamous tattoo artist. When Noah--the first man she ever loved--stumbles back into her life, it’s her chance to have it all. The spark between them burns hotter than ever, and this time her fantasies are far from innocent.

But can they handle the heat...or will Noah’s dark secrets drive them apart forever?

Did you like the sound of that? Do you want a print copy of Beyond Temptation with its vibrant new cover? Donna and Bree are giving one copy away.  If you want a chance to win  tell me about your favorite Beyond book in the comments or if you have never read them, leave a comment about the cover and a random winner will be selected from all the entries by Feb 14th! This giveaway is open internationally. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! A Winner, Carol, was chosen randomly from the commenters and a email sent notifying her of her win!  Thank you to all who entered.

You can find Beyond Temptation at all the usual places:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo,  Apple and Google

and you can  get to know Kit Rocha and Beyond Series by visiting them:

Website: http://www.kitrocha.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thebrokencircle

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kitrocha

Merch: http://www.okaneforlife.com

or  you can read my reviews for many of the books in the series:

Beyond Shame 

Beyond Addiction

Beyond Possession

Beyond Innocence 

Beyond Ruin

Beyond Surrender

and in the Gideon Rider's Series:

Ashwin

Deacon