Ruthless Desires Volume One & Volume Two by Elira Firethorn

Ruthless Desires Volume One & Volume Two by Elira Firethorn is now live in audio!

Narrated by: Tempest Mensah, PJ Freebourn, Blake Lockheart & Michael Gallagher

Volume One Blurb

Three hitmen who'll stop at nothing to get revenge—until they meet her.

Wren is the sweet barista who always lights up when Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver walk into her shop. All three of the guys are drawn to her, but they know getting closer to Wren would put her life at risk. But after a chance encounter at a masquerade ball and one night together, these men are all forced to face one undeniable fact:

None of them can resist her. And now, they may not have to.

But can they keep her—and each other—safe from their enemies?

Listen to Volume One today!

Publisher Website: https://bit.ly/45kKky5

Kobo: https://bit.ly/4fp694e

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4f5godL

Volume Two Blurb

A single mistake could have deadly consequences.

Being in their enemy’s inner circle has never been easier for Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver. They’ve fooled Ludo Holloway into trusting them, which means they’re one step closer to getting revenge.

But as their plan unfolds, they realize that not everything is as it seems. Sometimes, allies are found in the most unexpected of places—as long as it’s not yet another trap.

This close to the end, getting what they want means taking risks.

But will they go too far—or not far enough?

Listen to Volume Two today!

Publisher Website: https://bit.ly/455knDR

Kobo: http://bit.ly/47fMx0s

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3UeLeHe

Review:

I listened to Ruthless Desires Volumes 1 & 2 on audio, and the premise definitely caught my attention — a barista dealing with a toxic family and an unfaithful fiancé who unexpectedly finds herself in the dangerous, passionate world of three hitmen bound by loyalty and love.

While there were moments of intrigue and intensity, I personally had trouble connecting with Wren as a main character. She often felt a little out of place in the story, and I wanted to see more strength from her. The bond between Elliot, Rhett, and Oliver was more developed, especially with their shared mission for justice, which added an interesting layer.

As for the audio performance, the narrators didn’t fully click with me, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story. That said, others may enjoy their delivery and the way they brought the darker, steamy elements to life.

Overall, the concept is unique and will likely appeal to readers and listeners who enjoy unconventional romance mixed with suspense. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Excerpt Reveal ~ Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

 

BLURB

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.

Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he's anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.

Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.

Cue the holiday chaos.

Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier—and much more delicious—than either of them expected.

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5 Star Audio Review ~ The House Guest by Penelope Ward

Title: The House Guest

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist

Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract

Release Date: August 31, 2025

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.

He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.

Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.

I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.

I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.

Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.

That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.

I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.

But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.

Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.

He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.

We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.

Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.

I was falling in love with him.

Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.

And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

REVIEW

I absolutely loved this story! Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood’s narration was perfection—they made me feel every emotion and brought Dorian and Primrose to life in such a vivid way.

Dorian returns home after the loss of his father and stepmother, planning only to focus on business. What he didn’t expect was Primrose, the quirky and artsy college student keeping the house in order. Their connection started slow but grew into something beautiful. I loved how Dorian tried to resist, but little by little, Primrose pulled him in with her warmth and uniqueness.

The romance had the perfect mix of tenderness, heartbreak, and growth, showing that if something is meant to be, it will happen. I was hooked from beginning to end and left with such a full heart.

A solid five-star listen—Penelope Ward delivered a heartfelt, emotional, and unforgettable story.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free to read in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

DUET AUDIOBOOK

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO

ROOMMATES

TWIST

SLOW BURN

ANGSTY

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

AUTHOR BIO

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

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OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

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Excerpt Reveal ~ The House Guest by Penelope Ward

Title: The House Guest

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist

Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract

Release Date: August 31, 2025

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.

He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.

Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.

I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.

I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.

Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.

That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.

I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.

But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.

Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.

He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.

We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.

Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.

I was falling in love with him.

Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.

And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PRE-ORDER LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

DUET AUDIOBOOK

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

Will be FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited

The current paperback pre-order is for the special-edition “ocean” cover only. A model-cover paperback will be live on release day.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO

ROOMMATES

TWIST

SLOW BURN

ANGSTY

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

EXCERPT

Copyright © 2025

By Penelope Ward

Eventually, I was able to put Dorian out of my mind and continue my movie night for one. Pulp Fiction was almost finished when the theater door opened again.

I turned to find Dorian entering—alone.

“Is it over?” he asked.

My pulse raced as I paused the movie. “About ten minutes left.”

Without further comment, he took the seat next to me, sinking into the chair and stretching his long legs. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. His delicious cologne wafted my way, sending unwanted arousal through me. I pressed play on the movie, hoping to move out of this hyper-aware state.

“Where’s your date?” I asked after the movie finished and she still hadn’t reappeared.

“She left.”

“Is she a…girlfriend or…?”

“Definitely not,” he said, staring at the screen.

“Someone you hook up with?” I pried.

He turned to me. “You always this nosy?”

“Well, we are stepcousins,” I teased. “You can tell me anything.”

“We go way back, don’t we? So much I nearly kicked you out when I got here.”

“Details…” I shrugged.

He chuckled. “She’s someone I used to hook up with when I lived here years ago. Thought it might be interesting to reconnect with her, but I was grossly mistaken.”

“Why? What was wrong with her?”

“Nothing wrong with her. I was just bored out of my wits. It’s probably me that’s changed more than anything. That happens when you leave home, I guess.” He reached for some popcorn. “Anyway…found myself more in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction than I was to make pointless conversation with her.”

“I can start it over, if you want to watch from the beginning.”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “But I’ll watch another movie with you, if you’re down.”

Ohhhkay.

Hesitant excitement washed over me. I’d been pretty lonely lately if the idea of having someone to watch a movie with felt exhilarating. But at the same time, this was Dorian Vanderbilt—not exactly someone I could relax around yet. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to say no.

I finally nodded. “That’d be cool.”

“You choose.”

“Well…” I took a moment to think on it. “If you were in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction, maybe another Tarantino?”

He scratched his chin. “Actually, have you ever seen Snatch?”

“Guy Ritchie, right?” I nodded. “I’ve heard of it but never watched it.”

“His style reminds me of Tarantino. I think you’ll enjoy it. Would you want to watch that?”

“Yeah.” I nodded, impressed with his effort to think of a movie I would like.

Dorian went over to the laptop and pulled up the film, then returned to the seat next to me. He reclined his chair as I pressed play on the remote. He once again stretched out his long legs.

For the next couple of hours, we watched the movie intently, neither of us saying a word until it finished. That was exactly how I liked it. But he did look over to see my reaction at certain parts, which I also liked. Any nervousness I’d had dissipated as the movie went on. And I certainly couldn’t complain about sitting close to him, since he smelled like heaven. I hadn’t been out with a member of the opposite sex in what seemed like ages. Sitting this close to an attractive man made me miss dating, even if the man sitting next to me currently was out of my league.

When the credits came on the screen, he reached for the remote and lowered the volume. “What did you think?”

“It was awesome. I love movies where you don’t know what to expect, and the power dynamic can change at the drop of a hat.”

“Ah…sort of like how you suddenly had the power when I discovered you could control those dogs?”

“Maybe, yeah.” My mouth curved into a smile.

“They actually like me now. But they did not like Savannah.”

“Savannah was your date tonight?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Tess saved me, actually. She helped me get out of the rest of the date.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wanted to end the night early and had been thinking up an excuse. Then Tess rubbed her asshole on Savannah’s shoe as we were standing in the foyer. She decided right then and there she wanted to call it a night.”

I cracked up. “Saved by the asshole.”

“Exactly. It was perfect.”

“Did you drive her home?”

“I called her a car.”

“Well, I’m sorry again if I disrupted your evening.”

“Trust me, I had more fun watching the movie with you than I would’ve sitting through whatever sappy film she picked.” He sighed. “And…I’m sorry if she was rude to you. She was probably just intimidated.”

“Intimidated? Why?”

He glared. “Really? You’re gonna make me say it?”

“Sure.” I smirked.

“Because you’re attractive…” His eyes fell to my abs. “And you seem to have no other wardrobe besides crop tops.”

AUTHOR BIO

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
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TIKTOK
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OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

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3 Star Audio Review ~ Formula Freedom (Race Fever #3) by Sawyer Bennett

Synopsis:

The Race Fever series from New York Times Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett continues as one of the hottest drivers to hit the Formula International circuit makes waves across the racing world in Formula Freedom, a forbidden romance standalone.

Reid Hemsworth is still a relatively new face in the racing world but hasn’t wasted any time making a name for himself. No stranger to standing on the podium, Reid’s success isn’t all champagne showers and post-race parties. He may be considered a rising star in the sport, but to his brother, Lance, Reid stole his chance at racing glory and that can never be forgiven.

Lara Candlish grew up with the Hemsworth brothers, the three of them wasting away the hours of their youth riding waves together in the Australian surf. But as they got older and Reid’s career started to take off, their trio splintered under the weight of Lance’s jealousy. In the end, one brother had the career and one got the girl, but they both wanted what the other had.

When Lara finds herself trapped in an increasingly volatile relationship, she turns to the one man she knows she can trust above anyone else—Reid. Harboring deep feelings for much of his life, Reid doesn’t hesitate to bring Lara into his inner circle to provide her with the safety that she needs, no matter how much that might infuriate his brother. Their forced proximity quickly uncovers feelings he thought he’d left behind and Reid is prepared to act on them. But when his brother finds out that Reid now has the career and the girl, the situation goes from bad to worse.

As the relationship between Reid and Lara intensifies, so does the danger, and one truth becomes abundantly clear. Reid will stop at nothing to protect the one thing he now knows he can never live without—Lara.

Review:

Reid and Lara's story showed if it's meant to be it will happen. Reid and Lara grew up together and their families have built not only a family bond but also a business. Lara grew to love Reid brother and things progressed in the relationship but over time started to change.

Lara and Reid have a lot of choices to make once they see each other again. Is the relationship Lara in worth her heart and soul? Is Reid really that person she needs in her life to make her feel again? Will changes in their life make changes in their families?

I enjoyed reading this story and the narrators did a fantastic job but this story wasn't as great as the others.

Buy Now:

Direct from Sawyer: https://geni.us/STORE_FreedomAudio
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Spotify: https://geni.us/FreedomAudio_Spotify
Storytel: https://geni.us/FreedomAudio_Storytel

5 Star Review ~ Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Title: Denim & Diamonds

Authors: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 27, 2025

BLURB

When the board of directors of my company mandated that I go to a wellness facility in small-town Maine to recharge, that shouldn’t have included:

1.) Using a ladder to sneak out of the bedroom window at night and going to the local bar.

2.) Getting so drunk that the bar owner brought me upstairs to sleep it off in his bed.

3.) Waking up staring at the taxidermy moose head on said bar owner’s wall.

4.) Falling for said bar owner who was the most drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

But Brock Hawkins was so much more than just the hot bar owner. He owned half the town, built log cabins with his bare hands, and was apparently the most eligible man in all of Meadowbrook.

He was also a cinnamon roll despite his seemingly rock-hard exterior.

And the last man I should’ve been falling for—because my time in this small town was limited.

I had to head back to my life in New York City, one that was the complete opposite from the kind Brock lived.

He was denim. I was diamonds.

The problem was, the sexy lumberjack wasn’t the type of man who was easy to walk away from. Hell, I couldn’t even part with his plaid shirt that had become a constant fixture wrapped around my shoulders most days, let alone think about erasing him from my life.

A life with Brock, though, would have to be all or nothing.

Go big or go home.

I just didn’t realize that choosing to go big might also mean getting my heart broken when Brock’s life took a turn neither of us saw coming.

REVIEW

From the moment February is forced into a sabbatical—after being caught with her "pants" down—you know this isn’t your average romance. What begins as a temporary retreat turns into an unforgettable journey full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages (or glued to your headphones) all night long.

When February sneaks off to a bar just to clear her head, the last thing she expects is to meet Brock—a man who’s not only easy on the eyes but ends up owning a piece of her heart. Their first encounter is awkwardly hilarious, but what follows is a slow-building friendship filled with chemistry, tension, and emotional depth.

February is a strong, successful businesswoman, but her world is rocked when long-buried secrets come to light. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, another curveball hits—and it’s so good. The emotional stakes are high, the twists are sharp, and the payoff is incredibly satisfying.

And let’s talk about the narrators—absolutely top-notch. They bring the characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you're watching a movie in your mind. Their delivery adds intensity, warmth, and humor to an already phenomenal story.

If you love romance with smart banter, strong characters, emotional depth, and plenty of surprises, Denim and Diamonds is a must-read. It’s sexy, heartfelt, and totally addictive.

Highly recommend to any romance lover looking for a story that’s both fun and full of feels.

GOODREADS

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PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK

PENELOPE WARD

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

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GOODREADS

VI KEELAND

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles are currently translated in twenty-seven languages and have appeared on bestseller lists in the US, Germany, Brazil, Bulgaria and Hungary. Three of her short stories have been turned into films by Passionflix, and two of her books are currently optioned for movies. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

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It's here, It's here ~ Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Title: Denim & Diamonds

Authors: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 27, 2025

BLURB

When the board of directors of my company mandated that I go to a wellness facility in small-town Maine to recharge, that shouldn’t have included:

1.) Using a ladder to sneak out of the bedroom window at night and going to the local bar.

2.) Getting so drunk that the bar owner brought me upstairs to sleep it off in his bed.

3.) Waking up staring at the taxidermy moose head on said bar owner’s wall.

4.) Falling for said bar owner who was the most drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

But Brock Hawkins was so much more than just the hot bar owner. He owned half the town, built log cabins with his bare hands, and was apparently the most eligible man in all of Meadowbrook.

He was also a cinnamon roll despite his seemingly rock-hard exterior.

And the last man I should’ve been falling for—because my time in this small town was limited.

I had to head back to my life in New York City, one that was the complete opposite from the kind Brock lived.

He was denim. I was diamonds.

The problem was, the sexy lumberjack wasn’t the type of man who was easy to walk away from. Hell, I couldn’t even part with his plaid shirt that had become a constant fixture wrapped around my shoulders most days, let alone think about erasing him from my life.

A life with Brock, though, would have to be all or nothing.

Go big or go home.

I just didn’t realize that choosing to go big might also mean getting my heart broken when Brock’s life took a turn neither of us saw coming.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

AUDIO

ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK

PENELOPE WARD

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

X

GOODREADS

VI KEELAND

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles are currently translated in twenty-seven languages and have appeared on bestseller lists in the US, Germany, Brazil, Bulgaria and Hungary. Three of her short stories have been turned into films by Passionflix, and two of her books are currently optioned for movies. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

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PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

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