Review: Dead Time

Synopsis:

If someone took everything you live for, how far would you go to get it back?
From award-winning author D. L. ORTON comes book three in the Between Two Evils series…
Shannon fights to stay alive inside a rogue biodome and discovers something totally unexpected… Peter. Lani is forced into the role of the reluctant heroine but rediscovers her street-kid mojo and sets out to find everything she’s lost. Diego receives another dirty sock (and a note) from the poorly aimed fireball express: “The window between universes is closing.” If Diego has any hope of getting back to Iz, he must get to the Magic Kingdom and power up the time machine before it’s too late. 
What could possibly go wrong?
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Dead Time by DL Orton is book three to an entertaining series. Cleverly written by the award-winning writer. I can see why…her talent shines forth on each page. The plot grabs my attention. Leaving alert for what may come next. Fast-paced, edgy, and thrilling to read. Dead Time takes readers from their seats and sends them forth into the book. I was hooked. DL Orton has once more captured my interest. Her latest novel is a fantasy time-travel adventure that snatches readers up….overall, I recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Duke with Benefits

Synopsis:

LADY + DUKE = TRUE LOVE?
Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician with a burning passion for puzzles. When she learns that the library belonging to her benefactress houses the legendary Cameron Cipher—an encrypted message that, once solved, holds the key to great riches—Daphne is on the case. Unfortunately, her race to unlock the cipher’s code is continually thwarted by a deliciously handsome distraction she hadn’t counted on. . .and cannot resist.

Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, is curious as to why Daphne is spending so much time snooping around his aunt’s bookshelves. He’s even more intrigued by her bold yet calculating manner: She is unapologetic about her secret quest. . .and the fiery attraction that develops between them both. But how can they concentrate on solving a perplexing enigma once the prospect of true love enters the equation?

“Witty, sensual historical romance that will captivate readers.” —Romance Junkies
Duke with Benefits is the second in Manda Collins’ Studies in Scandal series set in Regency England.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins is a brilliant historical. Manda Collins has a lot to offer readers in this exciting tale. From a strong heroine with a stunning mathematical mind to a good looking Duke. Both travel together to solve a mystery that the Duke’s dead aunt left behind for them all. A cipher most wanted by all. If uncoded, can lead to a massive amount of gold that in the wrong hands can led to a war. But that’s not all. A spy once for the government is after the cipher. One person has died, another struggling to live, and two are kiddnapped. The action, intrigue, and suspense are worthy for all. I couldn’t stop reading this engaging romance. The heat level was enticing…I loved the Duke and his soon to be wife. But first he’ll have to convince her marriage to him is what she wants and needs. Overall, Duke with Benefits is addictive. I recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: How to Keep a Knight

Synopsis:

Laws were always meant to be broken… 

Want to know the truth about Lady Matilda St. Clair? 
Well, there are two things she is not: 

She is not a lady. 

She is not Matilda St. Clair. 
So, who is she? 
She is Eudora ‘Dorie’ Gore, the daughter of London’s most legendary criminal, Captain James Gore, and she’s on the run from herself. 

For the last few years, she’s lived under the guise of Lady St. Claire, but everything begins to unravel when she meets her match. 
…Hearts were made to be mended… Together 
Sir John Abrams is known by the public as Sir Blackheart, the notorious knight-turned-thief who stole right from under the king’s nose. 

He was sentenced to Australia because of a lie created by Captain Gore, but escaped to the Continent. 
Now…he’s back to clear his name. 

For himself and for a little niece he’d never known was counting on him. 
And he’ll need help. 
But when help comes in the form of a woman who’s as beautiful as she is mysterious, John finds himself adding something to his list. 
Find out who the real Lady St. Clair is…and steal her heart. 
Will their adventure end in triumph? 

Can John and Dorie find a way to leave their past behind to forge a new future together? 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

How to Keep a Knight by Eleanor Meyers is another brilliant masterpiece. I cannot fathom how she does it, but each of her books is superb. The writing is well-done. The charcaters are believable and highly entertaining. Never a dull moment. These two characters are not exactly good nor evil. They have a past they seems to keep following them. I was immediately enticed by their passion, fierce personalities and their troubles. It was easy to love them. Sympathy towards them happened. I wanted to see where their lives were headed. Wondered if their situations got fixed or were made worse. Eleanor Meyers hooked me from the beginning to end. This new regency romance was delightful to read. Full of action, daring, a clean yet boldness that left me in awe. Overall, this is clearly one adventure I highly recommend to all. 

Review: The Child

Synopsis:

As an old house is demolished in a gentrifying section of London, a workman discovers a tiny skeleton, buried for years. For journalist Kate Waters, it’s a story that deserves attention. She cobbles together a piece for her newspaper, but at a loss for answers, she can only pose a question: Who is the Building Site Baby?
As Kate investigates, she unearths connections to a crime that rocked the city decades earlier: A newborn baby was stolen from the maternity ward in a local hospital and was never found. Her heartbroken parents were left devastated by the loss.
But there is more to the story, and Kate is drawn—house by house—into the pasts of the people who once lived in this neighborhood that has given up its greatest mystery. And she soon finds herself the keeper of unexpected secrets that erupt in the lives of three women—and torn between what she can and cannot tell…

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Child by Fiona Barton is a deep chilling read. After reading The Widow, I found this one to be more exciting. As with the previous novel, the pacing starts out slow and then slightly builds with a fierce intensity. The plot hooked me. I was fascinated to find out who the baby was and how it got there, as well as why. Fiona Barton has a way with adding suspense to every page. The further I read, the more intrigued I was. The story was believable. Entertaining, well-written, and complicated. The main character, Kate will find out more than she planned to…overall, I enjoyed reading this latest novel. I recommend The Child to readers everywhere. 

Review: A Sky Full of Stars

Synopsis:

The stars are about to align in the newest Shaughnessy brothers romance!
WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Brilliant astrophysicist Dr. Owen Shaughnessy feels more connected to the cosmos than to people. He’s great with calculations, but when he leads a team of scientists to study a famous meteor shower, he doesn’t factor in his free-spirited artist assistant Brooke Matthews.
LOVE CAN DAZZLE YOU

Polar opposites in personality, the friction between them threatens to derail the project. But the beauty and mystery of the night sky draw Owen and Brooke together—and she’s going to surprise him in ways the stars never could.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Sky Full of Stars by Samantha Chase is another brilliant masterpiece. Once again, this talented writer, has brought me to tears. Her story is full of emeotions that pulled at my heart strings. Sad, hilarious, frustrated and loved. A book that made readers feel something is a book worth reading. A Sky Full of Stars has it all. 

Inside this latest novel, Samantha Chase features the brainiac brother. Dr. Own Shaughnessy. He’s hot, clever, and the sweetest man ever. But little by little, I got to view his bolder side. His personality is one that intrigued me. All his life, his family stood up for me. Telling him,,he’s normal. When everyone else said differently. As an adult a lot of that feeling of not being normal transferred over…making it harder for Dr. Owen to believe in himself. Yet, his family continued to tell him he’s perefect. I love the Shaughnessy family. Yes, they’re loud and different, but they’re loyal. They love each other. 

A Sky Full of Stars is about Dr. Owen finding the courage to believe that he’s perfect the way he is. That’s he’s normal. It’s a real struggle for the man whose so talented. Then, as the plot unfolds, his world gets shaken. Enter Brooke Matthews. A girl trained for beauty pageants. Together their lives will be rocky. As in the real world nothing comes easy…these two will cry, laugh, love, and fight. I enjoyed watching them grow. Also, themes of loss, love, and courage are found on every page. Overall, I highly recommend A Sky Full of Stars to all. 

Author Interview: Samantha Chase

 

ULM: What was your inspiration for creating the Shaugnessy Brothers? 

 

I had been reading Bella Andre’s Sullivan’s series and loved it. When my agent asked me to come up with a series after the Montgomerys, I knew I wanted something similar to what Bella had created.

 

ULM: How many books have you written so far?

 

I have written 55 books total J But I have written all 6 of the Shaughnessy books and there is a possibility of a 7th, but that will be it for that series.

 

ULM: If you’re single and could date any one of the brothers, which one would you choose? 

 

I am a happily married woman. However…let’s just say – hypothetically – that I am single. It would still be a hard choice because there are characteristics of each brother that I find appealing personally. It would be a draw between Quinn and Riley!

 

 

ULM: Do you have any other works planned after A Sky Full of Stars, if so can you share with us, readers?

 

How long is this article? Lol! Okay, I pretty much have my releases scheduled all the way through the end of 2019! Here’s what the next nine months looks like:

 

– A Sky Full of Stars (Shaughnessy 5)​​- June 2017

– Complicating (Preston’s Mill 3)​​- July 2017

– Holiday Spice (Shaughnessy 6)​​​​- October 2017

– Christmas Novella (Silver Bell Falls/untitled) ​​- November 2017

– Ford (7 Brides for 7 Soldiers)​​​​​- December 2017

– One More Promise (Band on the Run 2)​​​- February 2018

 

 

ULM: Out of the many novels you have written in the past, which one is your most favorite?

 

Oh, that’s hard to say! The Christmas Cottage is one of them because it’s been optioned by the Hallmark Channel to become a movie and that was my dream for it almost since it was published. But I don’t have just one favorite. I can probably say the top three (lol!): Stay with Me (Montgomery #3), A Sky Full of Stars (Shaughessy #5) and One More Promise (Band on the Run #2).

 

ULM: Using only three words, how would you describe your writing style?

 

Chatty, informal, fluent.

I think. Lol!

 

ULM: What was it like writing your latest book, A Sky Full of Stars?

 

I had a lot of fun writing this book because I was looking forward to it for so long. Owen Shaughnessy was an interesting character to create and I knew that once he had his own story, I could do so much more to flesh him out. You’ve seen him in the four previous books and he was the kind of character that piqued reader’s curiosity and I wanted to do him justice. So I had intended for this book to really have the potential for some humor and lightness – for Owen to learn to laugh at himself a bit – but what came out was a very emotional and deep book that I just love. It took me by surprise and I love when that happens – when I start out in one direction and then the characters take me someplace else.

 

 

ULM: When did you publish your very first novel? Which novel was that?

 

I self-published my first book in November of 2011. I had spent years writing it and I had submitted it to about two dozen publishers and agents and after about sixteen rejections, I realized that I was not someone who handled rejection well. Jordan’s Return was the book of my heart and I knew that I wanted to see it in print so I decided to self-publish. I knew nothing about the process or about marketing and promoting, so that book only sold about 30 copies in the first year – and most of that was to family and friends!

 

ULM: You mentioned teaching creative writing to elementary students. Describe that experience.

 

I always loved to write. I homeschooled my older son from fourth grade through twelfth. I was involved in several co-ops and always volunteered to teach creative writing. I’ve taught students from fifth grade through high school and it was the greatest experience! It was the high school students who really encouraged me to take the leap and self-publish! They were all doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and had paperback copies of their books that they showed me and I thought “I can do that!”. I loved encouraging my students to get their thoughts down on paper. And the ones who started the class saying that they hated to write or they weren’t good at it, ended up being some of my favorite students and the best writers! The key? Write about something that you love. Once they had that choice, the rest was easy.

 

 

ULM: How did you come with Dr. Owen Shaughnessy’s career as an astrophysicist?

 

I’m a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory and thought that having Owen be some sort of scientist would be a great distinction in a family like the Shaughnessys.

 

ULM: When does the sixth novel in The Shaughnessy Brothers series come out? Can you briefly tell us what that will be about?

 

Holiday Spice is Darcy Shaughnessys story and it comes out this October! She has been another interesting character and we’ve essentially watched her grow up a bit throughout the series. She’s sassy and independent and as much as she complains about her over-protective brothers, she simply adores her family. In the book, she gets snowed in with a very talented artist (he does wood sculpting) and he is a complete loner. He lives up in the mountains in Washington and loves his solitude. Obviously things get romantic while they’re snowed in and once Darcy leaves to go back to North Carolina and her family, they have to figure out if this is a relationship that can continue.

  

ULM: When did you start writing? Did you always have a love for creative writing?

 

I wrote my first short story in the third grade. It was for an assignment and that was the thing that told me that writing was a passion. I hand-wrote my first romance in the ninth grade. Then I didn’t write again until I was in my thirties! It was a hobby for me, an outlet, and I started writing because I couldn’t find anything to read that I wanted! So you know the saying “Write the book you want to read!” And I did. I probably still have the binder with maybe fifteen different stories in various stages of completion hiding around here somewhere. I may pull it out eventually and see if any of those stories can be finished.

 

ULM: What is your advice to those pursuing a career an a writer? 

 

Write what you LOVE. Don’t write to the trends!

 

 

ULM: How would you describe each of the Shaughnessy brothers using only one word?

 

Aidan: Caretaker

Hugh: Polished

Quinn: Gruff

Riley: Passionate

Owen: Underestimated

 

 

ULM: Where can readers find both you and your work online?

 

Website:​ www.chasing-romance.com

Facebook:​ www.facebook.com/SamanthaChaseFanClub

Twitter:​ https://twitter.com/SamanthaChase3

 

Review: Drama Luau (A Nicky and Noah Mystery)

Synopsis:

Theatre professors and spouses, Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, are on their honeymoon at a Hawaiian resort, where musclemen in grass skirts are keeling over like waterfalls. Things erupt faster than a volcano when Nicky and Noah, along with their best friends Martin and Ruben, try to stage a luau show. Nicky and Noah will need to use their drama skills to figure out who is bringing the grass curtain down on male hula dancers—before things go coconuts for the handsome couple. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining fourth novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and aloha! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Drama Luau: A Nicky and Noah Mystery by Joe Cosentino’s is another grand adventure with this stunning pair. Nicky and Noah are two professors who end up solving cases. Wherever these two go, there’s always a murder investigation around the corner. This time, Nicky and Noah are heading on their honeymoon. Both choose Hawaii as their destination. Not only does murder follow them where they go, but there’s always an opportunity for them to perform a show. 

Joe Cosentino’s has once again, brought all of his usual talents with him. Drama Luau is his newest piece to the Nicky and Noah mysteries. A novel that speaks out for the LGBT community. I love reading Joe Cosentino’s work. He always incorporates major themes into his tales. Each theme brings out a real life issue that readers everywhere can relate to immediately. As with his previous novels, this one was just as exciting. Humor filled the pages. Readers will have found adventure, mystery, and romance with every page. Nicky and Noah are my favorite gay couple. Something about them just lures me further into their story. Funny, clever, and sweet. One teaches fitness the other teaches drama. Their roles as detectives isn’t lost on their friends nor family. I can’t find anything not to love about this series. Especially, Drama Luau. This read had me laughing and falling in love…I was hooked instantly. Overall, I highly recommend Drama Luau to all. 

Review: No One But You

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak welcomes you to Silver Springs, a picturesque small town in Southern California where even the hardest hearts can learn to love again… 
Struggling to make ends meet after a messy divorce, Sadie Harris is at the end of her tether. Her waitressing gig isn’t enough to pay the bills let alone secure primary custody of her son, Jayden, a battle she refuses to lose. Desperate, she accepts a position assisting Dawson Reed—the same Dawson Reed who recently stood trial for the murder of his adoptive parents. Joining him at his isolated farm seems risky, but Sadie is out of options. 
Dawson has given small town Silver Springs plenty of reasons to be wary, but he’s innocent of the charges against him. He wants to leave his painful past behind and fix up the family farm so he can finally bring his dependent sister home where she belongs. 
As Sadie and Dawson’s professional relationship grows into something undeniably personal, Sadie realizes there’s more to Dawson than the bad boy everyone else sees—he has a good heart, one that might even be worth fighting for.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Brenda Novak is one of my favorite writers. Her work is amazing. Each book has a unique story that grabs my heart. This latest novel, No One But You, is part of a new series. Inside, readers will find that it houses many themes. Ranging from marital problems to domestic violence. Plus, a character has been arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. As readers dig further they’ll find demons everywhere. A town so ready to torture an innocent man, another man who is violent to his wife, and a mother trying to survive…

No One But You pulls at the heart. Sent me on an epic emotional journey. One that I won’t ever forget. The charcaters were believable. As for the plot, it was a bit slow in the begging then sped up as the action took over. Dangerous, intriguing, and a bit sad. Brenda Novak creates another opportunity for readers to explore real world issues in a fictional setting. Brilliant and well-told. I recommend this new novel to all. 

Review: The Darkness

Synopsis:

A young man is found murdered, his bones crushed nearly to dust before his body was dumped into New York’s East River
In New York there are hundreds of murders a year, but this one is different. Somebody is sending a message. And shockingly, the victim has ties to my brother, Stephen Gaines, recently murdered by an elusive drug lord known only as the Fury.
For years this kingpin has been shrouded in darkness. Stephen was executed just as he was about to shed some light. Working alongside my mentor, Jack O’Donnell, I’m going to find the truth behind this blood-soaked curtain. But the more we reveal, the more we realize just how dark the Fury’s plans are. And that no matter how brutal the violence has been, we haven’t seen anything yet….

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Darkness by Jason Pinter is a dark thriller. The plot instantly swept me into its web of murder, drugs, and violence. This novel was full of twists and turns. Intrigued, engaged, and full of suspense. Every page pulled me further into the chase. A deadly game of good versus evil. Blackmail, threats, and death. The fear factor is raised to new heights. Inside The Darkness, a man is found murdered right before he was about to shed some evidence. A message well received. A drug lord has some sinister plans as the duo team continued their search for the truth…the evilness only expanded. I haven’t read any of Jason Pinter’s previous novels but this one was good. It caughtmy attention. Perked my curiosity. It led me on a journey. 

Review: The Prada Plan 5

Synopsis:

In this explosive addition to the New York Times bestselling series, Ashley Antoinette brings you pain, pleasure, love, hate, as YaYa struggles to hold it all together before life blows up in her face, in The Prada Plan 5.
Disaya finally has it all. The man she fought for is hers at last. Her name is Mrs. Indie Perkins and their daughter is safe. Leah is gone. Life is supposed to be good. So why isn’t she satisfied? Why does life suddenly seem so bitter? YaYa’s Prada Plan had worked but with the riches comes pain.
She and Indie have grown apart, and with Parker now a permanent fixture in their lives, Indie is pressured to juggle it all. But YaYa’s patience is running thin. Indie is loving her wrong. Her life isn’t what she wants. Her Prada Plan has changed…and now, it’s time to pursue a plan B in order to get what she really wants… 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Prada Plan 5 by Ashely Antoinette is another drama filled urban fiction read. Having not read any of the previous novels, it was hard to follow along. Trying to figure out why the main charcaters made the choices they did was not easy to understand. However, the drama filled world of their was certainly entertaining. There was never a boring moment. Tough love, bad choices, wrong relationships, and trouble were just some of the issues brought into the book. Living the rich life isn’t easy, nor as fun as the fantasy of it. Pressure lies heavily upon the charcaters…their actions will layout their futures…chasing after dreams is hard. Ashley Antionette is a talented writer. I have read other novels co-written by her. This novel would be easy to follow along if I had read her previous Prada novels. However, the plot was fast-paced and juicy. The entertainment never ended. Overall, The Prada Plan 5 was a great read. 

Review: Threads of Supsicion

Synopsis:

Dee Henderson Pens Another Compelling Cold Case Mystery
Evie Blackwell’s reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor’s new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results–and quickly.
Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn’t be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client.
With a deep conviction that “justice for all” truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.

Rating: 4-stars

Review: 

Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson is a deep Chase after the truth. Missing persons cases are being investigated and the blur between work and personal lives will blur. The pressure to solve them is high. As the cold cases connect with one another and with other cold cases, the duo team has their hands full. Murders…old wounds…and an engaging plot. Mystery, intrigue, and some romance. I enjoyed following Evie and her partner David as they went about getting answers. I haven’t read any previous novels by this talented writer, but I am happy that I read this book. After reading Threads of Suspicion, I look forward to reading more by the bestselling writer, Dee Henderson. 

Book Tour: The Magnate’s Marriage Merger by Joanne Rock

Synopsis:

The matchmaker meets her match…in one very persistent tycoon!
Secretive matchmaker to the rich and famous, Lydia Whitney prefers to stay behind the scenes. But after one mistake, rich resort developer Ian McNeill is hot on her trail, and he’s more attractive—and persistent—than ever before.
Ian can’t believe it when he figures out who’s messing with his family: a woman who has deceived—and seduced—him before. What’s her agenda? And why can’t he resist her? He’ll get the answers to all his questions, if Lydia agrees to his convenient marriage proposal. But once she’s in his arms again, will he let her go?
200 Pgs. |Heat: 3 | Series Info

Harlequin Desire | Rel: May 9, 2017
AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO
 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over eighty books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly–love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Magnate’s Marriage Merger by Joanne Rock is a novel full of passion. Talk about desire! This read is hot as fire. Both main characters will be playing with something they can’t resist nor deny. That is what makes this a compelling tale. 

Inside The Magnate’s Merger, I met a tycoon, Ian McNeill. He is wanting to know who is messing with his family and why. Then, he finds the answer. Someone he knew from his past. But her motive is what he’s really searching for…only he doesn’t realize how dangerous the game he’s playing will be. Hearts will be taken.

Then, there’s the secretive matchmaker, Lydia Whitney. Her one mistake leads her past flame to chasing her. This time, he’s hotter and more demanding than she knew. He offers her a convenient marriage proposal…will she accept it?

Joanne Rock has once again brought another fabulous book to my hands. A heated romance packed full of tension. The future of the characters lies with their choices…the suspense is killing and the intrigue kept me turning the pages. Overall, I highly recommend The Magnate’s Marriage Merger to all readers. 

Review: City of Miracles

Synopsis:

Revenge. It’s something Sigrud je Harkvaldsson is very, very good at. Maybe the only thing. 
So when he learns that his oldest friend and ally, former Prime Minister Shara Komayd, has been assassinated, he knows exactly what to do and that no mortal force can stop him from meting out the suffering Shara’s killers deserve. 
Yet as Sigrud pursues his quarry with his customary terrifying efficiency, he begins to fear that this battle is an unwinnable one. Because discovering the truth behind Shara’s death will require him to take up arms in a secret, decades-long war, face down an angry young god, and unravel the last mysteries of Bulikov, the city of miracles itself. And perhaps most daunting of all finally face the truth about his own cursed existence. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett is an epic science fiction fantasy. Robert Jackson Bennett has impressed me with his writing. I haven’t read a book of his until this one, and I am thrilled I did. This novel of his, has a powerful emotional journey. One that sucks readers straight into its emotions. Sadness, anger, loss and many more. I enjoyed following this closing piece of the trilogy. Fast-paced story. City of Miracles offers action, adventure and a deep sense of attachment. It kept me captivated. The characters are complex and the plot is woven in a way that kept me from putting down…overall, I highly recommend this masterpiece to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Beloved Hope Chest

Synopsis:

In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.

Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.

But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?

Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it’s a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it’s past time to share it. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston was a wonderful Amish heirloom read. This novel, was a journey down memory lane for Mattie. Memories that might change the present. Doubt, fear, and worry fill Mattie’s mind. Her daughters know something…but not enough. Imagine keeping a secret for so long…and finally it’s about to be revealed. Choices have to be made. For better or for worse. I loved reading this charming, engaging, and emotionally powered book. The family life tugged at my heart strings. Suspense of what might happen kept me intrigued. Every page was entertaining. The Beloved Hope Chest is another brilliant piece featuring strong female heroines. Amy Clipston has once more captivated my full attention with her latest novel. Overall, this heartfelt read is one that I would recommend to readers everywhere. The story is full of both woe and happiness. 

Review: The Chocolate Touch

Synopsis:

Chocolate expert Chantelle Cummings arrives in Marietta, Montana with two goals—sign copies of her new book and research a quaint local chocolate shop. When she meets a gorgeous guy passing out chocolate samples, her visit turns sweeter than she ever imagined. The man melts her heart, but her dream of working in France with her family makes her hesitant to pursue a romance. 
Former Air Force captain York Parker has one month before embarking upon a consulting career. He never expected to be selling chocolates, but he’s happy to help his sister and her boss. He also likes spending time with sassy, pretty Chantelle. His new co-worker may have the chocolate touch, but he’d rather taste her decadent kisses… That is, until he learns the real reason she’s in town. 
Will the truth harden his heart, or will love pave the way to a sweet future? 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Chocolate Touch by Melissa McClone is another exciting journey that involves chocolates, romances, and hearts on the line. I love chocolate and this book like the others in it’s series have been heart melting. Sweet, decadent, and intriguing. The suspense of what will come between an Air Force captain and a book writer is one that stole my heart. The characters were believable. The scenes made me feel like I was watching them unfold. The writer has a way of engaging her readers like me into her plot. Two alphas working together, fall in love…but can they keep what they have or will their differences set them apart? Truth can set them free or break them into a million pieces. Chantelle and York will both be tested and tempted. I liked the duo combination as it sparked chemistry, heat, and an HEA possibility. Overall, The Chocolate Touch was entertaining to follow. I recommend it to others. 

Review: Perfect Pleasures

Synopsis:

World famous MMA champion Zachary Barrett has returned to his home in Phuket, Thailand, and his elite training camp, Revolution. Thanks to his twin brother, a renowned pro trainer in Colorado, Zachary is primed and ready for his next title bout—but his toughest match may be with the sports journalist assigned to write an exposé on him. Not only is she gorgeous, she’s after a well-guarded secret that Zach soon realizes makes her off limits in every way…

 

It’s true that Kenzie Monroe has an ulterior motive for pursuing Zachary. The half-Asian beauty believes he’s connected to her estranged father, a former MMA fighter who disappeared years ago. And the more Zachary avoids her, the more determined she is—and the hotter their game of cat and mouse becomes…until they both surrender. But as lust, love, and friendship combine, Zachary knows he has to answer all of Kenzie’s questions—because outside of the ring, the heart makes the rules… 

 

“Mello hits all the right notes…A smart heroine, a sensual hero, witty repartee, and complex family dynamics.” – Publishers Weekly on Playing for Keeps 

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

Perefect Pleasures by Deborah Fletcher Mello is a contemporary African American novel. It’s heat level is packed full. The charcaters’ chemistry ignites with every page. Lighting a fiery passion within them. One is after the other for answers. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants. However, neither charcater expected the raw desires to flare up…

This novel looked good. It’s written fine. But there’s really no personal connection from the reader to the charcaters. The story is all sexual which is fine, since the title suggests that. It just felt like the emotional connection between characters wasn’t really developed. They struggle with their issues. It’s like they are hiding from reality by having sex. Other than those issues, the book was fine. Entertaining read overall. I haven’t read any previous novels by Deborah Fletcher Mello so, I can’t compare how her writing fell from the others. But her novel holds promise, just needs more work. 

Review: Spring Fever

Synopsis:

The New York Times bestselling author of Summer Rental delivers her delicious new escapist novel about small towns, old flames, and deep secrets

Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless. They’ve been divorced for four years, she’s engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she’s ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history. She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia. But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she’s been given a second chance. Maybe everything happens for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back. But there are secrets afoot in this small southern town. On the peaceful surface of Hideaway Lake, Annajane discovers that the past is never really gone. Even if there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness might be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy lake town might be in her future. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews is a contemporary romance worthy of reading. The raw chemistry that flares between characters is great. Two families that have a controlling mother. A father who slept around…and fathered a child outside his marriage. An older son who takes responsibility far greater than he should. Another son who takes no responsibility at all. Two former lovers have had a lot on their plates…and their love for each other hasn’t died. But where their lives are headed is one intense journey. Love conquers all. Other themes like marriage, faith, and family are popular throughout this book. Another interesting twist was the rich and poor charcaters intermingled on every page. Friendship lasts a lifetime. 

Mary Kay Andrews brought to life a real world inside her novel, Spring Fever. The characters’ lives were troubled from day one. Drama, money, and family always got in the way. In the real world those same things change and alter people’s lives. I was addicted. The plot wasn’t a fairy tale. It was rough around the edges. Entertaining, well-told, and fascinating to follow. Spring Fever was believable in every way possible. Overall, I recommend to readers everywhere. 

Review: Luxe 2

Synopsis: 

In Luxe Two: A LaLa Land Addiction by New York Times bestselling author Ashley Antoinette, there is only one thing more powerful than anything…the love of the high…
Bleu is addicted…addicted to the luxe life and it has led her down a road of self-destruction. She knows what it feels like to be turned out by the game. With a crack cocaine addiction that she can’t seem to escape, she is desperate for a savior. Her problem is she has two great loves that want to come to her rescue. When her best friend, Noah comes searching for her she is faced with a dilemma. Will she let him save her? Or will she stick with the kingpin, Iman, who has loved her since their first encounter? Or will both men lose her to a love she can’t get rid of…one that abuses her…and one that will be the death of her… 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Luxe 2 by Ashley Antoinette is an urban fiction tale that nailed my attention. Immediately, the main charcater’s life was hitting rock bottom. The life of drugs over taking her. Luckily, Bleu had two men in her life and several friends to help her. One man is a kingpin the other is a best friend who wants to rescue her. But only if Blue lets him. Noah is the man that is good for the main charcater. I can’t say too much without giving away the plot…next, there’s Iman. He loves Bleu but her heart says Noah. Yet he’s still a major part of life in more than one way. Bleu is a strong heroine that will need to make major decisions soon before it’s too late for her. Surprises and plot twists are ahead for readers. I enjoyed reading this African American novel. It portrayed real lives in a fictional sense. Everything was believable. Overall, I recommend Luxe 2 to readers. 

Review: Daddy’s Gone A Hunting

Synopsis:

In her latest novel Mary Higgins Clark, the beloved, bestselling “Queen of Suspense,” exposes a dark secret from a family’s past that threatens the lives of two sisters, Kate and Hannah Connelly, when the family-owned furniture firm in Long Island City, founded by their grandfather and famous for its fine reproductions of antiques, explodes into flames in the middle of the night, leveling the buildings to the ground, including the museum where priceless antiques have been on permanent display for years.
The ashes reveal a startling and grisly discovery, and provoke a host of suspicions and questions. Was the explosion deliberately set? What was Kate—tall, gorgeous, blond, a CPA for one of the biggest accounting firms in the country, and sister of a rising fashion designer—doing in the museum when it burst into flames? Why was Gus, a retired and disgruntled craftsman, with her at that time of night? What if someone isn’t who he claims to be?
Now Gus is dead, and Kate lies in the hospital badly injured and in a coma, so neither can tell what drew them there, or what the tragedy may have to do with the hunt for a young woman missing for many years, nor can they warn that somebody may be covering his tracks, willing to kill to save himself . . .
Step by step, in a novel of dazzling suspense and excitement, Mary Higgins Clark once again demonstrates the mastery of her craft that has made her books international bestsellers for years. She presents the reader with a perplexing mystery, a puzzling question of identity, and a fascinating cast of characters—one of whom may just be a ruthless killer . . . 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

In Mary Higgins Clark’s novel, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting, I was terrified. A young woman realizes the man that is playing as her father really isn’t her father after all. Then, there’s someone stealing from her real father’s company. Murder is just around the corner…and soon, the young woman will find herself in a deadly situation. The mystery was great. I was guessing all along. The suspense and intrigue was there like always. Once more, I was impressed with Mary Higgins Clark’s writing. Her novels never disappoint me. Overall, I highly recommend Daddy’s Gone A Hunting to all. 

Review: The Bridal Squad

Synopsis:

The Friday Night Brides are back! And this time, it’s their first season running the business! It was one thing to just model in a weekly fashion show, it’s quite another to be the ones calling the shots and making future brides’ dreams come true. Their first client has them wondering if they’re really prepared for their new roles! 

The Bride: Julianne is big on fitness, small on patience. And planning her wedding is grating on her every last nerve. As a Zumba instructor, she loves the freedom to create and choreograph her routines and help others achieve their goals, but having to stand back and let others choreograph her big day has her wanting to hip-hop toward eloping! 

The Matron of Honor: As the only married member of the bridal party, Natalie considers herself the aficionado on all-things weddings. And even though her time in the spotlight is over, that doesn’t mean she isn’t full of ideas on how her best friend’s wedding should look and feel and be! And it doesn’t take long for her to realize that maybe it’s not so much that she’s wanting to help as it is that she’s afraid of her own honeymoon ending. 

The Bride’s Sister: Nothing screams unwanted relationship advice than when your younger sister gets married before you. It’s not that Harper doesn’t want to get married, after three failed engagements she really does! But finding the right man to walk down the aisle with is proving harder than she thought. And it gets even harder when constantly being compared to the perfect couple! 

The Reluctant Bridesmaid: There is nothing Kayla wants more than to see one of her best friend’s get married…if only the whole process wasn’t so exhausting! Travel and adventure and being on the go fuels her. Having to stay in one place for an extended period of time while wearing taffeta? Not so much. Her job tends to take her away on a moment’s notice and this is one time she may have to pass up the trip of a lifetime in the name of friendship. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Bridal Squad by Samantha Chase is another brilliant contemporary romance read. It’s crazy, hilarious, and emotionally addictive. This novel contains four romances that wrap up into one beautifully engaging title. Each of the couples mentioned have their own issues. Similar yet so different from each other. I loved the variety of personalities from both the male and female characters. Samantha Chase always has a way of dragging me into her charcaters’ lives. A reader will never doubt this writer’s talent after reading her latest novel, The Bridal Squad. I’m a huge fan of Samantha Chase’s books but readers will soon see why after reading this story. 

The Bridal Squad offers four couples. Each at different areas in their lives. Romance that has either happened, just begun, or will be happening. I got a taste of what it was like to be each woman of the Bridal Squad. The female friends are an interesting group to follow as the plot unfolds. Marriage, commitment, happily ever after may just be there for all of the ladies…or maybe not. It depends if they can take the leap of courage and be brave enough to love. Love isn’t easy. Nor does it happen over night. It can be messy as hell or super complicated. No matter what it is, Samantha Chase brings it to life on every page. I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: The Chocolate Comeback

Synopsis:

Fame, fortune and fashion: that’s aspiring model Deirdre Cash’s ideal life. But when her splashy New York career dries up, she swallows her pride and returns to Marietta, Montana, desperate for any work she can find.
Isaac Litton doesn’t want the intrusion of a home care aide for his brother, Mark. But when the young man takes a shine to DeeDee, Isaac decides to give her a chance. He can’t help but be impressed when DeeDee changes his brother’s life around, by rewarding his healthy habits and exercising with treats from the Copper Mountain Chocolate Shop. Gorgeous and opinionated, DeeDee stirs everything up in the Litton household, including an attraction that Isaac can’t deny.
As DeeDee and Isaac start to fall for each other, an unexpected opportunity arises that could launch DeeDee back into the modeling scene. It’s her chance to achieve everything she’s ever wanted. But taking it would mean letting down her friends at the chocolate shop, her family who believes in her, a boy who adores her, and a man who thinks she’s already perfect, just the way she is. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Chocolate Comeback by Roxanne Snopek is another brilliant masterpiece by this talented writer. I highly recommend this to all. There’s humor, romance, and and chocolate. I loved this deadly combo. I was enchanted throughout the book. The main character, DeeDee, is fascinating. She doubts herself when a new challenge arises yetshe goes about doing it anyway. I really liked that about DeeDee. It made her real. Plus, her personality is a bubbly one. It would be hard not to smile when DeeDee is around…

Roxanne Snopek created a beautiful enriching story. Here, inside her seventh novel, we meet Issac who has a brother, Mark. Mark has a learning disability. This part of the novel caught my attention and snagged me further into the fictional tale. I loved how the main charcater interacted with Issac’s brother, Mark. She ends up helping Mark improve himself and his life. A positive and heart felt journey. The Chocolate Comeback is exciting, entertaining, and well-written. Overall, I highly recommend it. 

Review: Cozzi Cove (New Beginnings)

Synopsis:

Cozzi Cove, Book 4
Welcome back to the romantic and magical place called Cozzi Cove, seven guest bungalows on the New Jersey Shore.
This summer, Cal and his new husband, Michael, along with sister, Taylor, and her wife, Carla, prepare for the first in the next generation of Cozzis. To add to the action: Cal finds his great-grandfather’s diary, exposing a shocking surprise; Michael and Taylor weigh new job opportunities that could take them far away from Cozzi Cove; red-letter Christian and new houseboy, Billy Dean, gets his wish when meeting Jesus and John at the cove; summer guest, Nijad, can’t decide which sibling he prefers—Annabel or Andrew; and Jonathan, an occult enthusiast, encounters a sexy vampire.
As usual, nothing is as it seems when romance blossoms once again at Cozzi Cove. What secrets, mysteries, and passions lie waiting to unfold? Find out in Book Four of the Cozzi Cove series.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings by Joe Cosentino is the fourth best gay romantic comedy I have read. The entire Cozzi Cove Series is perfect thus far. Each book represents new events, political agendas, sexy characters, and happy endings. Plus, Joe Cosentino has once more added his brand of humor to this book. I can’t decide which book within the series is the best. Because each one is unique and ties together. The writer has a flare for creating the juiciest plots, unexpected twists, and a romance that sizzles with passion. The heat is a amazing…

Inside this latest novel, readers will find out just how close Cal’s family is and how it’s growing. A baby to come. Michael is once again having some sad moments where he feels like an outsider. He Issue of finding a job has him feeling out of sorts. But he and his husband Cal are close. Their romance made me blush. So bold and strong…felt believable. They each compliment the other. Joe Cosentino has sprung an interesting plot with the new title. Of course, the story follows as the title suggests, new beginnings. I loved how the woman carrying Cal’s and Micheal’s baby was while pregnant. Her comments made me laugh so hard. The struggles women go through while carrying a baby for nine months…can be crazy. Then, the interesting set of charcaters add spice and variety to Cozzi Cove. There’s never a boring moment at the Cozzi Cove place. Buzzing with cool people, new budding romances, and more surprises lie ahead. I have read many gay fictional pieces, but none of them have as much life to them as Joe Cosentino’s Cozzi Cove Series and Nicky and Noah Series have. It’s like Joe pours his whole heart, soul, and mind into each character, scene, and plot. I feel an array of emotions from the pages that hit me hard and good. It a book doesn’t provoke an emotional response than it’s not worth reading. I could feel and almost see the charcaters as they went about their lives. Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings is a definite must read. I know with a doubt that readers worldwide will fall in love with this book as much as I have. Overall, I highly recommend it. 

Review: White Heat

Synopsis:

A dangerous cult has recently taken over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona. Members worship at the feet—and in the bed—of its charismatic leader, Ethan Wycliff, and obey his orders blindly. They’ve already tried to murder one woman and they’re implicated in the disappearance of another.
Nate Ferrentino, who works for private security contractor Department 6, has been assigned to infiltrate this group. It’s a challenge he welcomes—until he learns that colleague Rachel Jessop will be going undercover with him. Thanks to their shared history, he’d much rather go alone….
The problem is, only married couples can participate in cult rituals. So, like it or not—and they don’t—Rachel and Nate must pretend to be husband and wife.
There’s no choice. Because if Wycliff isn’t exposed, if he isn’t stopped, more people will die. And Rachel might be one of them.
Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

White Heat by Brenda Novak is an intense yet stunning FBI read. Two FBI agents have to go undercover to catch the bad guy(s). Nate was the guy the wouldn’t let loose…and Rachel is the FBI agent who is beautiful as she is smart. She thought Nate liked her…so, she goes to surprise him…in the way most men wished. But it turns out that was ruined. Nate handled that situation horribly. Seeing Rachel there waiting for him, had him set on fire. But she’s a fellow co-worker. Rachel however feels hurt, embraased and ready to move forward from that situation. But a part of her still yearns for Nate. And Nate can’t stop his feelings toward her…especially now, with a new job where both have to be in close quarters as husband and wife. Rachel takes the drastic measures to get inside the compound they are needing to get into…but the danger is one neither could have imagined. Hearts, lives, and and their jobs are on the line. I loved following both charcaters as the tale unfolded. The heat was hot enough to light a forrest on fire. The suspense made me sit on the edge of my chair waiting as the intensity grew with every passing page. Fast-paced, thrilling and engaging to read. Overall, I highly recommend White Heat to readers everywhere. 

Review: For Love & Honor

Synopsis:

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?
Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?
As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

For Love & Honor by Jody Hedlund is like a fairy tale. Inside, readers will find a rich noblewoman with a secret. A secret that could keep her from marrying and one that might lead her to a disastrous life. Then, there’s a knight. He needs protection for his family. By marrying, Lady Sabine, he can do just that. It’s amazing what these two charcaters would do for love and honor. Thus, this title fits in well. I felt an instant connection to both Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet. Both are at war with their struggles. I found it unique. Especially, Lady Sabine’s issue. Not too many heroines have her issue to worry about…I loved how Jody Hedlund created an original plot that still had that fairy tale feeling. The ending was perfect. Sweet, engaging, and romantic. 

For Love & Honor offered more than just an engaging rich romance. It also brought readers like myself suspense, danger, and quests to fill. An emotional journey that could turn for the worst at any moment. I wasn’t sure what to expect for the outcome. I was deeply fascinated from beginning to end. Jody Hedlund has a knack for creating a fictional world where I completely lost myself. The world in which Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet live within was promising. Overall, I would highly recommend this historical romance to all. 

Review: Best of Luck

Synopsis:

Amber has only ever wanted one thing in life. To be a star. When that dream has finally come true, an old friend ends up getting in the way and friendships may end up jeopardizing everything. Now in a time when privacy is a thing of her past, where paparazzi follow her every move, she’ll need to decide what’s more important to her, because it’s more than just her career on the line. 
Tom has struggled for years with his feelings towards Amber, his best friend’s little sister. The woman has been driving him crazy since… well, forever. Now that she’s on every TV set, every movie poster in the country, it’s even harder to avoid looking into those sexy blue eyes and not remembering her passion. Especially when she’ll be spending the next few months back in Denver filming her latest movie. This time, Tom may not be able to hold back the sparks that fly between them.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Best of Luck by Jill Sanders is another sensational hit by this talented writer. It’s no wonder her books are stunning. The romance brewing inside this latest novel was heartfelt. I fell deeply in love with the plot. Fast, engaging, and hilarious. A bit of suspense and danger but mostly a sweet entertaining read from beginning to end. 

Jill Sanders has once again, written a superb contemporary romance. I love her writing style. The words are written in a way that entices readers like myself further into the plot. Love…is powerful. Imagine holding onto a love thatnever really gotto begin and then that person comes back…the old feelings come back hitting harder than before. Especially, for Tom. He’s had a thing for Amber for a long time. Her career has made it impossible for Tom to forget how much he likes her…and then when she came back…it was a breaking point. Tom wasn’t going to do nothing…he was going to show Amber. But not all is well in Amber’s world. Threats are happening and Tom isn’t letting it slide. He’s going to do all he can to protect her. Best of Luck is  a romance that shows dreams can come true. Amber made her dream career work but now she doubts it. I felt like that characters were real and their issues were easily believable. This tale was enjoyable to read. Overall, I highly recommend it to all.

Review: A Time to Die

Synopsis:

It takes a bad man to hunt evil…

If the assassin known only as Victor once had a moral compass, it is long since buried, along with his many victims. Yet some men are so evil even Victor accepts they must die for reasons other than just money.

One such is Milan Rados, a former commander in the Serbian army who has escaped trial at The Hague to become a formidable criminal power. Tracking down and killing this brutal man will win Victor a reprieve for his own recent crimes on British soil.

But Victor isn’t the only one who wants Rados dead. Ana, whose family was butchered on the tyrant’s orders, will do anything to see Rados’ blood spilled on the snow of Eastern Europe. Now Victor has an unlikely ally – but an army stands between them and justice.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Time to Die by Tom Wood is a heart racing thriller. Dark, edgy, and realistic. This book captures the life threatening situations like the Bourne Series. But unlike the popular Bourne Series death happens to both good and bad people. There is no hero. Just a story of one assassin chasing another killer. 

Tom Wood’s writing is enticing to read. Every page kept me engaged. Suspense of what will come and when…kept me turning the pages faster. Intrigue took over and had me sucked into the novel. His main character, Victor is the protagonist. He’s not a hero by any means, just has a job to do. That job is the tougher than it appears. Danger hangs in the air like a thick cloud hovering over Victor. Death has come…and time is running out. Someone will die while the other lives. A Time to Die is exactly as it sounds. Timing is everything. Especially in Victor’s line of work and the world he lives within…overall, I highly recommend this title to all. 

Review: Accidentally on Purpose

Synopsis: 

There’s no such thing as a little in love…
Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .
There’s no such thing as a little in lust…
Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .
There is such a thing as…
As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis is the most intoxicating romance read ever. Imagine having a sexy hulk in your life daily…he just oozes male and sex. What I really liked was how the tall handsome hulk never went after the gorgeous long legged blonde he worked with…both of the charcaters had restraint to a point. I was amazed. I would have melted on spot like Elle felt every time she went near him. Archer has that no nonsense attitude and he doesn’t like any other man around her…it drives him insane. But she, Elle, deserves the best. It will take some time before he realizes he’s had enough and goes after her. But by then, he’ll need to convince Elle that they fit together. 

Once again, Jill Shalvis has created a masterpiece. One that tugs at my heart and has me on a rollercoaster ride. Jealously, need, want, love, laughter…sadness…Accidentally on Purpose has it all. I loved it. The charcaters created a visually engaging tale. One that hooked me from the beginning. A page turner. Hot, addictive, and entertaining. The scenes felt real…the romance kept building up…the suspense was a killer. Jill Shalvis has a talent for  writing the perfect romances that have just the right combination of elements to make readers like me fall in love. Overall, I highly recommend this brilliant story to readers worldwide. 

Review: Believing the Lie

Synopsis:

After writing sixteen Inspector Lynley novels, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George has millions of fans waiting for the next one. As USA Today put it, “It’s tough to resist George’s storytelling, once hooked.” With Believing the Lie, she’s poised to hook countless more.Inspector Thomas Lynley is mystified when he’s sent undercover to investigate the death of Ian Cresswell at the request of the man’s uncle, the wealthy and influential Bernard Fairclough. The death has been ruled an accidental drowning, and nothing on the surface indicates otherwise. But when Lynley enlists the help of his friends Simon and Deborah St. James, the trio’s digging soon reveals that the Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies, and motives.
Deborah’s investigation of the prime suspect-Bernard’s prodigal son Nicholas, a recovering drug addict-leads her to Nicholas’s wife, a woman with whom she feels a kinship, a woman as fiercely protective as she is beautiful. Lynley and Simon delve for information from the rest of the family, including the victim’s bitter ex-wife and the man he left her for, and Bernard himself. As the investigation escalates, the Fairclough family’s veneer cracks, with deception and self-delusion threatening to destroy everyone from the Fairclough patriarch to Tim, the troubled son Ian left behind. 

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George is indeed my first read to this writer’s series. I was instantly hooked from the beginning. Elizabeth George sucked me into her novel. Suspenseful, deep, and intriguing. However, the ending wasn’t what good. The book was like a chocolate cake dressed up to make my mouth water but then when it got to the actual bite, it lacked…that’s how the ending was for me. I wanted Inspector Thomas Lynley to investigate a death … a real death. But instead it turned out to be several other things. Believing the Lie will have readers like me thinking was it just an accident or was there a murder. The ending ruins all that. When it comes to crime fiction, I liked how Elizabeth George created a smoking gun…to lure and and make the bad guys sweat some. Overall, it was good..not the best. 

Review: Most Wanted

Synopsis: 

Christine Nilsson and her husband, Marcus, are desperate for a baby. Unable to conceive, they find themselves facing a difficult choice they had never anticipated. After many appointments with specialists, endless research, and countless conversations, they make the decision to use a donor. 
Two months pass and Christine is happily pregnant. but one day, she is shocked to see a young blond man on the TV news being arrested for a series of brutal murders-and the blond man bears an undeniable and uncanny resemblance to her donor. 
Delving deeper to uncover the truth, Christine must confront a terrifying reality and face her worst fears. Riveting and fast-paced, with the depth of emotionality that has garnered Lisa Scottoline legions of fans, Most Wanted poses an ethical and moral dilemma: What would you do if the biological father of your unborn child was a killer? 

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

Lisa Scottoline has talent when it comes to writing suspenseful reads. I loved how this plot kept me guessing all the way through it. However, none of it was plausible. Usually, stories can make one feel like yes, this is possible even though readers know what really can happen and not happen in real life. The main character was okay. Her actions were not believable. Her situation despite being an utter disaster is not something that can or would happen. Maybe, a man who walks into a sperm bank donates the sperm a particular character would eventually end up getting. But he would have to be a good guy turned bad. Yet inside this read, he’s a serial killer. I just can’t picture that kind of manic donating his sperm to a bank without getting caught unless he kills those who do his dirty work…or those who are witnesses…and still get away due to no evidence pin pointing him…but still. That’s far fetched. The main character’s fear is a real one. That is believable. There’s a real what if…scenario here. But it just didn’t cut it, in this read. Other than that aspect, I enjoyed reading the book. I am still a major fan of Lisa Scottoline’s books. Just because this one didn’t come out as well as her others, won’t deter me from reading her new books. Overall, I still recommend this writer’s work to all…just not this particular novel, Most Wanted. 

Review: Cozzi Cove (Moving Forward #2)

Synopsis:

On Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey Shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are once again open for summer and love.
The vacationers include Rodney Maxwell and Dennis O’Halloran, a Tony Award-winning actor and his estranged producer/husband with their two hired studs, Jarek and Zeus.
Computer analyst Sam enlists his best friend Chase in a scheme to attract hunky Raul. Middle-aged Gil Van Truren wants to end it all—until he sees a vision of his first love.
Cal also has his hands full with college student Michael—his new young lover—Michael’s study buddy Carlo, man of mystery George Valis, and Connor, the houseboy packed with muscles and a wondering sponge.
All the while Hunter, a female gay-romance novel enthusiast, experiences gay life off the page.
What secrets, humor, tragedy, mysteries, and passions lie in the magical place called Cozzi Cove?
Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward contains adult content suitable for mature readers only.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Inside Cozzi Cove (Moving Forward) by Joe Cosentino, readers have the world’s best novel comprised of drama, sparks, jealousy, and hot sexy men. For those you love a romance between two males then this is definitely for you. Love is easy for some and hard for others, it’s messy and complicated…readers will see just how tangled up the hot testosterone and sparks fly in this tale. The Cozzi Cove (Moving Forward) is the second book of another amazing series brilliantly well-written for readers’ entertainment by Joe Cosentino.
Imagine a beautiful getaway where the hot, sexy, and wealthy gay men go…it’s a place where there’s never a dull moment. Every page of this new title brings readers nothing but excitement, intrigue, and an intensity that will burn away the night’s quiet. Most novels offer readers one journey in which readers travel upon, however, readers are brought not one but several journeys that will leave them breathless and hooked. As with all of Joe Cosentino’s novels, humor comes in abundance and fits in perfectly with all of this stunning characters. Cozzi Cove is full of couples that are tested. There are a lot of issues each man faces within Cozzi Cove, the way they deal it and what choices they will make can have lasting effects that can be both good and bad…Joe sweeps his readers into his characters lives by creating realistic characters with real issues. It’s easy to get lost in it all. The book automatically captures your heart from page one and forever holds it. After reading the story readers will be begging for the next grand adventure. Funny, heart melting, and swoon worthy, readers will finish reading this in one sitting. I loved reading this riveting tale, and I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: Cozzi Cove (Bouncing Back #1)

Synopsis:

On Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are open for summer and love.
Mario and Harold are brothers and college students who happen to look alike, but couldn’t be more different: Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust. Josh and Greg, a wealthy older couple, are matchmakers for their son, Christopher.
When it comes to Connor, the maid, packed with muscles and a roving sponge, anything can happen. Opposites attract as wild Tim with the secret past meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin romance novelist.
And what will happen when computer-game designer Arthur has a midnight sea rendezvous with a merman? Even married Cal faces an emotional upheaval when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected.
What secrets and passions lie in magical Cozzi Cove?
Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back contains adult content suitable for mature readers only.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Joe Cosentino has a reputation among his readers as the best novelist. Every book of his that I have read thus far…is outstanding. Inside this particular novel, readers will meet a variety of characters that creates a soap opera intrigue, unlike any other novel read. This story will definitely keep readers guessing with every page. Only when readers reach the last page does everything become know. It’s addictive. Cozzi Cove is a brand new series that will keep Joe Cosentino’s readers on their toes and begging for more. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with this latest novel.
Readers can easily loose themselves within Cozzi Cove. Suspense, adventure, and an intensity that will drive readers with insane as well as keeping them hooked. The characters are well-developed. The romance is created to a perfection as always. I don’t believe Joe Cosentino is capable of writing a bad novel. This novel just proves his raw beautiful talent for writing stories that will knock readers off their feet and deep into the plot. Cozzi Cove is full of characters, that comes, to life, and each has a personality so completely different from the others that it will indeed be very hard to put the book down once readers begin reading it. Overall, I highly recommend Cozzi Cove by Joe Cosentino to readers everywhere.

Review: Think Twice

Synopsis: 

From the blockbuster New York Times bestselling author of Look Again comes a novel that makes you question the nature of evil: is it born in us or is it bred? 

Bennie Rosato looks exactly like her identical twin, Alice Connolly, but the darkness in Alice’s soul makes them two very different women. Or at least that’s what Bennie believes, until she finds herself buried alive at the hands of her twin. 
Meanwhile, Alice takes over Bennie’s life, impersonating her at work and even seducing her boyfriend in order to escape the deadly mess she has made of her own life. But Alice underestimates Bennie and the evil she has unleashed in her twin’s psyche, as well as Bennie’s determination to stay alive long enough to exact revenge. 

Bennie must face the twisted truth that she is more like her sister Alice than she could have ever imagined, and by the novel’s shocking conclusion, Bennie finds herself engaged in a war she cannot win—with herself.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline is an interesting thriller. Here, Lisa Scottoline has brought readers a tale about two sisters and an unforgivable act of betrayal. Bennie and Alice are twins. Bennie is the more responsible one. She has her life all mapped out until her twin does something unexpected. Imagine dinning with a sister and the next moment, stuck in a box of some kind. The horror and fear Bennie felt was real. I immediately hated Alice. Alice is the unresponsible twin. The one with the bad streak. Alice was fine until she met a man who introduced to the life of selling drugs. From there she changed dramatically. If she didn’t share the same facial features as Bennie, then she would have easily killed her twin. But luckily Bennie survived…at least for the moment. This plot was fast-paced. Definitely, a read that excites as well as frightens the reader. I kept wondering what was going to happen next…Alice’s betrayal to her twin, made something snap in Bennie. It wasn’t until that dark moment did Bennie realize that she’s not as evil as her sister. But that didn’t mean, if pushed she wouldn’t go into the dark end…Lisa Scottoline has created an engaging story. I loved her fascinating characters. Believable, entertaining, and highly recommended to all. Readers won’t need to Think Twice. 

Review: No Easy Target

Synopsis:

When an enemy from her past threatens to return, Margaret Douglas must go on the run. But danger is in hot pursuit, and Margaret finds herself matching wits with a man who refuses to be stopped. Turning from the hunted to the hunter, Margaret must use everything she has to not only survive, but defeat evil and prove she’s No Easy Target in this high-octane thriller.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

No Easy Target by Iris Johansson is one of the best stories I have read by her yet. I was immediately drawn into the story. A woman whose life was nothing but hell and then, she ends up in a worse situation. One that is deadly and one that doesn’t promise a return to the living…

Iris Johansen introduces two amazing characters. The lead character, Margaret Douglas, is unique. She has an ability that would make her look nuts and not just in fiction but in our world too. She can hear what animals say. Communicating with animals…comes with a price. Being beaten by her father, put in an orphanage, rapped by men, and then captured by a dangerous man. But just as Margret thinks she’s safe…an unknown man tracks her down. He is willing to do whatever it takes to use her as bait.

Now, enters the other lead character. Lassiter. He can change moods faster than most people I know. He has the ability to influence fear or attraction on others. All but Margaret. She’s the one exception to his behavior. She stuns him in more ways than he would like. Margaret is a fighter. She will keep fighting even if she dies trying to get away. Lassiter kidnaps her to use her as weight to get to the one evil person, Margaret escaped from…the fear and pain from the past come hurdling back. Margaret is scared enough that she shakes with pain. 

Over the course of time, both characters get to know one another better. Margaret realizes that there’s more to Lassiter than she thought. Lassiter is hanging by a loose thread where Margaret is concerned. Danger, suspense, and a fast-paced plot. Iris Johansen leads her readers into another brilliant masterpiece. I loved every moment. Couldn’t put the book down…read it in an hour. Absolutely a stunning read. Overall, I highly recommend No Easy Target to all. 

Review: Because You’re Mine

Synopsis:

Alanna has been plagued by tragedy. So it should come as no surprise that in the beauty that surrounds Charleston, all is not as it seems.

When her husband is killed by a car bomb while their band is on tour in Charleston, Alanna doesn’t know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she can’t lose the last piece of Liam she has left.

Their manager offers her a marriage of convenience to gain her U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law’s control. It seems like the perfect solution . . . but her doubts begin almost as soon as she arrives at Barry’s family home, a decaying mansion surrounded by swamp.
To make matters worse, Liam’s best friend survived the car bomb. She’s never really liked Jesse and now she can’t seem to get away from him. When he takes Liam’s place in their band, it’s almost more than she can bear.

But then things start happening. Things that could easily cost Alanna her life—or the life of her unborn child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is there something much more sinister at work?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Because You’re Mine by Colleen Coble is an exciting tale. Her latest novel, full of dark and haunting pages. Sadness too. I was instantly hooked. The drama between the leading female character and her husband’s friend creeped me out a lot. There were times someone I thought was the bad guy wasn’t. Colleen Coble has spun many twists and turns in this read. Beautifully told. A female singer is pregnant and shouldn’t sing. Yet she does so anyway. Almost losing her voice. A light banter between her and her husband is fun to follow. True love. Soulmates…forever. Exciting and most intriguing scenes like a cat that was bombed, a threat from a family member, and a trip to America. Traveling with the main character, Alana, was interesting indeed. Her band mates, three other women were amazing. Funny, charming, and added to the story. The plot quickly turned from one danger into another. Suspenseful, enticing, and one that I couldn’t stop reading. Because You’re Mine isn’t just a title but a theme to this novel. Colleen Coble has once more lured me into magical world of fiction. Her novels never disappoint me. Overall, I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Amish Weddings

Synopsis:

Gould’s Series Concludes in Love and Marriage

Gregarious Rose Lehman, who’s always the life of the Amish youth singings, is determined to marry the bishop’s son, Reuben Byler–until the handsome Army buddy of her future brother-in-law shows up in Lancaster County. In comparison to Trevor, Reuben seems downright boring. Trevor shares Rose’s sense of fun and adventure, and her easygoing disposition.

When her sister Lila’s buggy is rear-ended and Lila is horribly injured, Rose finds herself with more freedom than she’s ever experienced. Everyone is so concerned about Lila that no one realizes Rose is sneaking out with Trevor. Except for Reuben. But in his usual passive way, he doesn’t confront her, nor does he address the situation with her Dat or anyone else in the district. Rose appreciates Reuben’s discretion, but she also resents it. Part of her relishes the freedom she’s found with Trevor, but the other part of her wishes Reuben would “fight” for her, as much as any Amish man would. Too late, she realizes the foolish choice she’s made. Has she ruined her best chance at love, or is there another path to happiness she just hasn’t seen yet?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould is a must read. This engaging tale is unlike most Amish stories that I have read. It’s plot was unique. Inside, readers will find a lot of action, big families, and choices to make. The main characters have so much in common, I thought it would be a simple life for them. However, as in real life, things change. A young woman wanted marriage right away. But it didn’t happen. She felt a bit rebellious and believed in the wrong man. The one wrong man who made her pregnant. Despite her new life change, she grows as a woman. Doesn’t give up her faith and becomes kinder. Before, she only thought about a man’s riches and now, she doesn’t. All she has to do is put her faith back in God. God always helps. Blessings of all sorts happen within these pages. Beautifully written and highly realistic. I can actually see everything happening for real. Real choices and real world issues. Growing up, maturity, and love are just a few themes masterfully woven in Amish Weddings. Overall, I highly recommend Leslie Gould’s latest novel to readers worldwide. It’s sweet and emotionally entertaining. 

Review: One More Kiss

Synopsis:

Matt Reed was living the dream until a bad career move sends him back to his hometown for much-needed privacy. Instead, he finds someone he never expected: the woman whose steamy kiss he remembers like it was yesterday.

Vivienne Forrester finally has her life in order… until Matt moves back to town. She doesn’t want to think about the time she threw caution to the wind with him, but running into him everywhere, it’s impossible not to… 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Samantha Chase, wow, you have outdone yourself once more! First, let me just say, that Samantha Chase has a particular writing style that I love. Her characters have this tug of war going on in each one of her books. Especially, inside One More Kiss. The tug of war is not just one sided. Second, there’s this deep emotional journey that one or both main characters go through…like Matt Reed. He’s a sexy, hot, and talented rockstar. Double check. But there’s more to him than beats the eye. His past history comes to light. Family stuff that’s hard to swallow. Immediately, I wanted to hug him. I wanted to let him know I felt his pain and will be there to support him. Honestly, Matt Reed felt so real. His burdens were realistic. Samantha Chase has a knack for creating the best three-dimensional characters. Well-rounded. Sure they make look perfect and a have super great talent. But they also have real issues like the rest of our world. Real world issues masterfully woven into a beautiful told fictional piece. If that’s not enough to keep readers hooked there is the heat and instant chemistry war going on between Matt Reed and his best friend’s sister. Vivian had always had a fantasy dream crunch on Matt. Now as adults, it feels much more potent. Then getting to see him in person after all the years he’s been gone…and the desire and dreams hit her hard. Full force. Slap to the face. She meets him once again. They quickly share a kiss…before the world comes shaking up their moment. Vivian is taken away…and after that life went on like the moment never happened…Samantha Chase is a talented writer. She not only creates stories that readers can easily relate to and love but ones that will never be forgotten. This entire book was a journey…and it was epic in every way. Overall, if love hot rockstars and a powerful romance, then this novel is the perfect read. I highly recommend One More Kiss to readers worldwide. 

Review: Somewhere on St. Thomas

Synopsis:

Why him? Why now? What else could go wrong?

***WINNER SILVER MEDAL EXCELLENCE: eLit Awards, 2016***

*FINALIST: Reader’s Choice Award, The Romance Reviews*

Set in 1984, in a world before sexting and texting, this “lushly written and emotional” New Adult romance stars redheaded spelling champion Ruby Michaels, who meets the wrong kind of man on the eve of her departure from St. Thomas for college, when fireworks ensue. “I won’t be derailed by anyone—no matter how handsome and interesting,” she vowed.

But some promises are made to be broken. 

Surfer, sailor, handyman Rafe is fleeing grief and his family’s opulent lifestyle. In Ruby’s passionate innocence he finds a woman he’s willing to sail the globe to pursue. “I am a pirate,” he tells her. “When I see a treasure I want, I’ll do anything to get it.”

“Toby Neal has delivered a vibrant young woman for readers of NA and adult romance. Smart, beautiful, and with an infectious energy, Ruby will capture your heart and have you cheering for her as she navigates pursuit by three wonderful men.” ~Author Eden Baylee

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Somewhere on St. Thomas by Toby Neal is a sexy romance. I was got up by the instant connection the two main characters had. Just one meeting was all it took. Ruby has this thing about sailors…not good enough for her. Or so she said until Rafe came into her life. Right after winning the spelling bee, her mom introduced her to Rafe. Ruby of course is heading off to college in Boston. Rafe goes sailing out in the ocean…never would work out or would it? Ruby sets Rafe off like a bunch of fireworks. All she did was be herself and show off her sport skills. That and her beauty has him hooked. He’s ruined. No other redhead will do. Only Ruby. Ruby isn’t a saint. She wants sex. Rafe sets her down that path of sexual wanting that it frightens her. She runs away scared. But before she leaves the island…Rafe comes back to say goodbye but leaves her something. From there the novel picked up rather quickly. I was intrigued. These two could make any readers blush far worse than Ruby’s worst blushing spells. The heat comes off the pages. Their intense love and attraction made this felt so real. Their life it seems is connected. Somewhere on St. Thomas is a hot read. Heat, action, and believable characters. Once more, Toby Neal has created a stunning world of fiction. One that lured me deep into its depth and had me wanting more. I loved it. I do recommend this for those eighteen and older due to the adult content inside…other than that I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Wired In

Synopsis: 

**Top 100 Notable Indie Book 2016, Shelf Unbound Magazine**

Special Agent Sophie Ang’s emotions are battered by a child kidnapping case that goes badly wrong. In tracking the criminal ring, her rogue data analysis program D.A.V.I.D. identifies an anomaly that leads her into a cat-and-mouse game online with a deadly enemy whose motives are unclear. The chase lures her through dark corridors of cyberspace into a confrontation with the violence from her past that sent her fleeing to the United States. She’ll need every skill she’s learned to defeat her worst nightmare—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Toby Neal has created a wonderfully rounded action heroine with everything: looks, brains, mixed martial arts prowess, and the ability to swear proficiently in Thai and English. Fans of the genre will love FBI agent Sophie Ang, as well as the tangled web she must negotiate in the tropical setting of Hawaii.” Russell Blake, NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Wired In by Toby Neal is amazing. The heroine, Sophie Ang, is my new favorite. She comes highly skilled and lures me deep into the trouble at hand. Sophie Ang can do a lot more than most heroines I have met. But like all of them she contains a soft spot that leads her to playing the hero. There’s also a spot to her that makes this novel stand out beyond others in its genre. She has the wealth and the knowledge to do what she does. Plus, like everyone else, she’s human. Her personality comes out as a shy sometimes socially awkward. I was able to relate to that myself. Being social awkward is hard to overcome. Having read, the second installment to this brand new series, I can say that she has greatly changed. I like the person she has grown into and can’t wait to she what happens in the third book. 

Wired In is about a kidnapping ring of children. One of the most horrendous crimes…and Sophie Ang plunges herself deep into a deadly game. One that may save the kids. Technology is both frightening and useful. If used in the right ways, answers can be solved. However, it can also lead to danger. Much like the intriguing tale, Toby Neal brings to readers. Intense, suspenseful, and a highly engaging journey. The plot is fast-paced and well-written. The title of this novel fits in precisely with the plot. Sophie Ang is definitely wired in…I am a huge fan of FBI thrillers and suspense titles. This series fits the bill perfectly. I loved how deep the book captured me. The emotional attachments felt so real. Fear rippling through me as the tension built up…every page as addictive as the first. Toby Neal is a talented writer. After reading both her novels, I can see why. Absolutely a stunning read, that will sweep readers off their feet and drag them into the book. Overall, I highly recommend Wired In to readers worldwide. 

Review: Tangled Up

Synopsis:

Storm chaser Max Grady can already feel it: there’s a tornado coming to his hometown of Chance, Nebraska. Max is going after it, and the only person he wants by his side is police officer Bree McDermott, fellow adrenaline junkie, his best friend, and the woman Max has secretly been in love with for years. But when a close call with a tornado leaves them lip-locked, Max knows that the danger is only beginning.

Bree is always up for excitement. Her close and sexy encounter with Max is unlike anything she’s felt before, and she wants more. As they work together to help clean up Chance, the air between them crackles with sexual tension. But Bree has a tendency to look ahead to the next thrill, and Max knows it. Now they’re all tangled up as they chase the strongest force of nature on earth: love.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Tangled Up by Erin Nicholas is red hot read. Her characters are bold, sexy, and irresistible. Both Bree and Max are the kind of people that others can trust in…and respect. Both care about their town, Chance. A tornado comes destroying it. Leaving both our heroes to clean it up…

There is a lot of heat. Max tries his best to ignore the way Bree makes him feel. Best friends for twenty-five years. Now, he’s super aware of everything Bree does. He’s doing his best to not take her on the spot. Chasing after the crazy weather leaves them both in danger. Not just physically but emotionally as well…both Bree and Max will have trouble storming it now. Max keeps Bree from being injured. She helps him…and then all bets are off. They make one choice they may finally affect the friendship they have had. It where it will take them is the mystery. Tangled Up is indeed perfect for this book. Both characters get tangled up in more than one way. Erin Nicholas has created the perfect romance. A contemporary that brings readers deep into their lives. I felt like I never wanted to leave. The novel was written in a highly engaging way. Entertaining and intriguing. The intimacy and tension of the relationship inside was powerful. Overall, Tangled Up is a definite must read for all. I loved it. 

Review: Deep Into Trouble

Synopsis:

Desire is more dangerous than anything in Deep Into Trouble, the next Unbroken Heroes novel from Dawn Ryder.

Saxon Hale lives for the hunt—taking down the bad guys, stopping them dead in their tracks. His latest mission has him in New Orleans, where people go for the party that never ends. But fun is the last thing on Saxon’s mind now that he’s a breath away from closing in on a vicious overlord known only as the Raven. Until an innocent young woman unknowingly enters the very deadly game…

Ginger Boyce is a librarian who’s growing tired of being so buttoned-up on the job, and when she attends a conference in the Big Easy, she decides to taste the wild side of life. But when her dance with darkness becomes lethal, she’s in dire need of protection—and ends up in the embrace of a man who radiates danger and desire. Soon Saxon finds himself Ginger’s shield against an enemy whose power they haven’t yet begun to face. But will he be able to keep his mind on his mission while the very woman under his care drives him beyond distraction?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Deep Into Trouble by Dawn Ryder is another hot romantic suspense title. Right from the start, Dawn Ryder has captured me inside her tale. Between a leading female character rebelling which soon leads her straight into trouble…Hence, the title, Deep Into Trouble makes sense. But there’s also another reason it’s perfect. The leading man, Saxon Hale, is in trouble as soon as he lays eyes on the hot brunette, aka Ginger Boyce. Both feel the tension building and only time will tell where it leads…

Sexy, clever, and intriguing…Deep Into Trouble is a must read for all. Hot characters, flaring desires, and danger will spike any reader’s attention. Just like it did with mine. I was immediately lost.  Fast-paced, tons of action, and the unknown of where and when something will happen. These are the trade marks of the talented writer, Dawn Ryder. She knows what her readers expect and how to satisfy every desire. An investigation that takes readers into a deadly situation is another turning point. Plus, the brewing romance adds to it. I enjoyed following the alpha male as he kept Ginger alive. Their chemistry is perfect. Readers who want more than just a romance will find that this is definitely it. So much to offer and all brilliantly written into one engaging piece. Overall, I highly Recommend Deep Into Trouble to readers everywhere. Until then, I look forward to the next grand adventure and heart racing read by Dawn Ryder 

Review: Close to Home

Synopsis:

The best journeys take us home….

When Tessa Alexander came to Sanctuary Island, she left behind a marriage to a man who didn’t love her the way she loved him. When she finally found the strength to set them both free, she discovered friendship and self-acceptance in her adopted hometown. Now she’s settled into a quiet life on her own—never expecting to see her husband again.
Johnny spent almost two years deep undercover, unable to let his wife into his cold, dangerous world. He’s shaken to the core when he comes home to find her gone. It’s painfully clear that Tessa is no longer the timid young woman he married—she’s become a force of nature, a brave and determined beauty. Johnny can’t let her go without a fight so he sets out to seduce his own wife. But will passion alone be enough to convince Tessa that her new life should include a second chance at happiness with a man who must learn to believe in love?
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Close to Home by Lily Everett is a stunning piece. This contemporary romance appeals to the physical and emotional side of readers. The story instantly sweeps readers off their feet. A sexy undercover FBI agent comes back home. Only to find that his wife moved a year ago, created a new life, and sent divorce papers. Talk about a blow to man’s heart and ego. Johnny won’t accept it. So, he does what any man who loves his wife does. Goes chasing after her. Make her love him again. But his wife has greatly changed. Tessa has redefined herself. She won’t let others dictate her lifestyle. She has worked on being independent. She doesn’t want her husband to love her because she needs his help. Little does she know how much he loves her…and it has nothing to do with just protecting her from the world…

Close to Home shows the reality of life. Marriage isn’t always a fairy tale. Communication issues were apparent in this fictional piece as they really are in real life. Husbands not understanding women’s ways…their bafflement makes me laugh. Especially Johnny admitting he had no idea what his wife wanted back then and even now…I enjoyed reading this tale from both characters’ point of view. It wasn’t told by their view, yet Lily Everett mastered it in a way that I got to see, hear, and understand from both Johnny’s and Tessa’s sides. Overall, this romance was engaging, exciting, and super sweet. The romance is beautiful. I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Law and Disorder

Synopsis:

Trust the enemy?

Desperate to escape her kidnappers, Kody Cameron can turn to only one man…and he’s holding a gun. Outnumbered and trapped in the deadly Everglades, she has little recourse, but something in this captor’s eyes makes her believe she can trust him. Does she dare to take the risk?

Undercover agent Nick Connolly has met Kody before and knows she might very well blow his cover. Though determined to maintain his facade, he can’t let Kody die. He won’t. And his decision to change his own rules of law and order are about to make all hell break loose.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Law and Disorder by Heather Graham is another remarkable read. This writer’s talent is obvious with every on of her books. The suspense of what is to come always lures me inside the tale. Intrigued, I keep on reading. Page after page, the action draws me further into its depth. Fear soon takes over as the fast-paced, heart wrenching, and deadly story take hold of me. I am left wondering who will die and when. A thrilling read that engages readers immediately. 

Law and Disorder isn’t just a thriller but a romantic suspense. Yes, despite the danger, love is brewing on the horizon. Yet, one or both may die. Playing the hero isn’t easy. Choices…are hard. An undercover FBI agent is soon led on what should have been an as assignment. After reading it, it was anything but easy. Nick could easily have killed the bad guy any moment, but he had to find answers. Answers only the killer knew. And to get them, he had to play along as a bad guy in the crazy ass scheme. Wearing a mask, Nick still feared the beautiful brunette would give away his cover. His familiarity made Kody curious but she didn’t realize it until later…friends, coworkers, and family lives are on the line. A killer is loose and only Nick can save the day. Or lose all that matters to him. Addictive, hot, and stunning. I loved every moment of this read. Well-told. Hooked me in from the beginning. I can’t wait to read the next adventure by Heather Graham. Overall, I highly recommend Law and Disorder to all. 

Review: The Sun is Also a Star

Synopsis:

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! Soon to be a Major Motion Picture!

The dazzling new novel from Nicola Yoon, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything (in theaters May 2017!), will have you falling in love with Natasha and Daniel as they fall in love with each other!

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel:  I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is by far the greatest book ever. Her story weaves readers into its depth. Never letting them go. I felt the tension, rebellion, and the yearning. Two unlikely characters by chance meet. A meeting that shakes up their world and puts it upside down again. Love. True love. Chemistry. Instant attraction. Neither one was expecting it to happen. But there in the midst of everything they fell into a whole. One that has swallowed them both. However, as with real life, love is separated or broken. In this case, both are separated. One is being taken out of the country and the other staying. Their chance of love is impossible. But the hearts protest…

Nicola Yoon’s debut novel is brilliant. Refreshing, exciting, and leaves readers wanting it to never end…it’s a book that captures its audience. I was hooked. Every page lured me deeper into the character’s lives. Society, family , and distance keeps playing the bad parts…but somehow the odds might just break. The Sun is Also a Star kept me wondering what will happen next. I never knew what was going to occur. This phenomenal read is similar to that of The Fault in Our Stars movie. I really can’t wait to see this one on screen soon. Suspenseful with every page. The characters are amazing. Well-developed. The tale is well-told. Overall, I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Justice Delayed

Synopsis:

It’s been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister’s sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn’t actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will’s cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week–including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love.

With the perfect mixture of intrigue and nail-biting suspense, award-winning author Patricia Bradley invites her readers to crack the case–if they can–alongside the best Memphis has to offer.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley is a stunning thriller. A crime has been committed, the wrong person is about to be executed, and time is running out for answers. Answers that need to come soon before it’s too late. Patricia Bradley’s latest novel, has everything readers want. Danger, romance, and a mystery. Diamonds, smuggling, breaking laws and a dangerous man that no one wants to crosss apcan be found inside…A woman determined to stay out of illegal stuff is once more finding herself caught up within the storm. After declining a job request, she finds herself in danger. And the diamonds in her possession. I love the three-dimensional characters. Their back stories and who they are make this an interesting read. I was fascinated. A strong woman trying to be broken by a bad man…hooked me. I had to see where the story went and how it ended.  Justice is not always easy, neat, or clean cut. Justice Delayed is the perfect title for this book. It definitely defines what will occur. I haven’t read any novels by Patrica Bradley until now. I am definitely going to lookout for her next intriguing piece. I really enjoyed following this suspenseful mystery. Fast-paced and exciting. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: A Merciful Death

Synopsis:

FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick has been waiting her whole life for disaster to strike. A prepper since childhood, Mercy grew up living off the land—and off the grid—in rural Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Until a shocking tragedy tore her family apart and forced her to leave home. Now a predator known as the cave man is targeting the survivalists in her hometown, murdering them in their homes, stealing huge numbers of weapons, and creating federal suspicion of a possible domestic terrorism event. But the crime scene details are eerily familiar to an unsolved mystery from Mercy’s past.

Sent by the FBI to assist local law enforcement, Mercy returns to Eagle’s Nest to face the family who shunned her while maintaining the facade of a law-abiding citizen. There, she meets police chief Truman Daly, whose uncle was the cave man’s latest victim. He sees the survivalist side of her that she desperately tries to hide, but if she lets him get close enough to learn her secret, she might not survive the fallout…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot is stunning, cleaver, and suspenseful. Every page lured me further into the book. The plot is fast-paced, thrilling, and deadly. I was intrigued. FBI specialist, Mercy Kilpatrick, had me wanting to know more about her backstory. Her past is now colliding with her present life. Sent to work a crime scene in her hometown brings back so many memories. Mercy is tough, smart, and believable. She has a way of making me sympathize with her. Her family history is about to open up…and there’s a murder investigation that needs solving. Someone is killing survivors one-by-one. Mery’s partner, Eddie is also another fascinating character. A city boy who is beyond observant and a people person. His working relationship with Mercy is enjoyable to follow. Then, there is the police chief. He soon makes Mercy’s life more complicated than ever. Kendra Elliot has once again, brought another masterpiece to life. Her characters are brilliant. I enjoyed meeting each one as the story progressed. A Merciful Death has intrigue, romance, and murder. It has enough spookiness, romance, and emotions to drag readers into its depth. Overall, I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: The Chocolate Cure

Synopsis:

No more chocolate! No more meddling! No more men!

New Year’s resolutions are great. Announcing them in a crowded bar, with a chocolate martini in her hand? Not Maddie Cash’s finest moment. It’s time this new realtor got serious about her life and this time, she means it.
But when hospital volunteering lands her at the bedside of bruised and battered Mick Meyer, who has no knowledge of Maddie’s reputation – and no memory of the kiss he begged from her during that long, pain-filled night, her best-laid plans are put in jeopardy. It’s not just his sweet tooth that’s tempting her.
The hunky bush pilot with the concussion has an old family property to unload. Making this sale could be Maddie’s professional salvation. But when Mick turns on the charm, she’s in danger of forgetting all her best intentions… on chocolate… on meddling… and especially on men.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

If I could rate this novel six-stars, I would. The Chocolate Cure is exactly that. I am a huge lover of chocolate and found this romance super addictive. Roxanne Snopek writes a hilarious, sweet, yet beautifully realistic story. A story that’s bound to lure readers straight into its plot. Fast-paced, exciting, and hot. The main character, Maddie, has recently given up chocolate, men, and meddling. Boy, does she regret it. Her New Years resolution is hard to stick by…yet somehow she manages to pull it off…well, the avoiding chocolate. Men…and meddling not so. Maddie soon finds her way into hospital victim, Mick Meyer’s life. Including his heart. But neither know it. Mick crashed his plane. He has dizziness and doesn’t want to sit. However, his condition leaves him weaker than his cares to admit. But Maddie his volunteer helper has a way with her calling hands, perfect figure, and love of chocolate that makes Mick want her more than anything…sexy, fun, and absolutely one adventure readers do not want to miss! Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere. The Chocolate Cure was a romance I couldn’t stop reading…

Review: Completely Yours

Synopsis:
Kiera Connelly leads a quiet life, and that’s just how she likes it. She’s built a name as a graphic designer and meets up with her friends online, all from the comfort of her living room couch. But when a rare outing turns disastrous, Kiera finds herself up close and way too personal with an unbelievably hot real-life hero.

Zach Ashley doesn’t see himself as a hero. He’s just a regular guy who gets to help people every day as an EMT. But when he’s called to a scene and has to treat his most gorgeous patient ever, he finds himself mixing work with pleasure. He never hesitates to put his life on the line…but will he ever risk his heart?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Completely Yours by Erin Nicholas is a sweet romance that readers will love. Her  characters are so believable that I can’t believe it’s fiction! Both character wou are never have met if it wasn’t for the building that collapsed. Many were injured and luckily neither main character yet was hurt. One is a sexy EMT the other a gorgeous graphic designer. Both have the hots for each other and only time will tell if they go from this super sweet hot moment to a happily ever after…life is complicated. And their meeting just but their worlds upside down and inside out…the emotional war each character has is stunning. I felt their frustrations and feelings as if I were feeling them myself. Erin Nicholas has a way with words that leads readers like myself further into her delightful world of fiction. Completely Yours makes absolute sense when reading the novel. Each character in a way becomes the other’s complete half. I loved the brewing romance and the fire of spdesire each time the characters were near each other. Loved it. Overall, I highly recommend this contemporary romance read to all. 

Special Guest: Joe Cosentino

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY CREATING NICKY AND NOAH OF THE NICKY AND NOAH COMEDY MYSTERIES
Book Three: Drama Cruise, published by Lethe Press

by Joe Cosentino

As a college professor/department head, I have always been aware that colleges are rife with mystery, romance, and humor. I remembered back to my days as a junior faculty member in the theatre department. Using combinations of various people I’ve met, I created Nicky Abbondanza, Associate Professor of Play Directing, and Noah Oliver, Assistant Professor of Acting, at fictitious Edwardian style university Treemeadow College in Vermont. I patterned their department head, Martin Anderson, after myself. Hear that television producers?

If you haven’t read Drama Queen (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite Mystery, Crime, Humorous, Contemporary novel of 2015) and Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention) published by Lethe Press (and you should!), the series is a cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning. Along the way, Nicky and Noah fall in love with each other, as I’ve heard the readers fall in love with them.

In Drama Queen, college theatre professors are dropping like stage curtains and amateur sleuths/college theatre professors Nicky and Noah have to use their theatre skills, including impersonating other people, to figure out whodunit. Reviewers called Drama Queen “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “a captivating whodunit.” One reviewer wrote Drama Queen was the funniest books she’d ever read! Who am I to argue?

In Drama Muscle, Nicky and Noah don their gay Holmes and Watson personas again to find out why bodybuilding students and professors are dropping faster than barbells. Nicky and Noah’s relationship reaches a milestone by the end of the novel available in paperback and e-book. Again reviewers praised the humor, fast pace, and engrossing mystery calling it “hilarious,” “a brilliant masterpiece,” and “a stunning series.”

Now in Drama Cruise, it is summer on a ten-day cruise from San Francisco to Alaska and back (which I took with my spouse). Nicky and Noah must figure out why college theatre professors are dropping like life rafts as Nicky directs a murder mystery dinner theatre show onboard ship starring Noah and other college theatre professors from across the US. Complicating matters are their both sets of wacky parents who want to embark on all the activities on and off the boat with the handsome couple. Martin Anderson (Nicky and Noah’s department head) and his bickering husband are also along for the rocky ride. As in the first two books, there are a slew of colorful, hysterically funny victims and suspects like the cruise director who talks endlessly about her glory days as a theatre major in college, the ship’s doctor who is looking for the secret of life, Nicky and Noah’s porter who wants them to adopt him, and the captain of the boat who insists he has seen the ghost of his former sea captain. The theatre professors are equally as colorful, including an alcoholic who believes he has seen a mermaid, a hypochondriac looking for love, a comic with a cat of nine tails in her closet, and a Shakespearian actor who can’t keep his hands off his volume of the Bard—or off anyone else. Reviewers said the series is getting better with each book. Again, no arguments here.

It is my joy and pleasure to share these stories with you. So take your front row seat. The boat is leaving from port. Lights up and ahoy matey! Alaska here we come!

P.S. – Drama Luau, the fourth Nicky and Noah, mystery releases in six months!

 

DRAMA CRUISE (a Nicky and Noah mystery)

a comedy/mystery/romance novel by JOE COSENTINO from Lethe Press

purchase links:

http://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p405/Drama_Cruise%3A_a_Nicky_and_Noah_Mystery.html

http://myBook.to/DramaCruise

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/686512

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Drama+Cruise+JOe?_requestid=1795262

 
Theater professors and couple, Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, are going overboard as usual, but this time on an Alaskan cruise, where dead college theatre professors are popping up everywhere from the swimming pool to the captain’s table. Further complicating matters are Nicky’s and Noah’s parents as surprise cruise passengers, and Nicky’s assignment to direct a murder mystery dinner theater show onboard ship. Nicky and Noah will need to use their drama skills to figure out who is bringing the curtain down on vacationing theatre professors before it is lights out for the handsome couple. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining third novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and ship ahoy!

Praise for DRAMA CRUISE, the third Nicky and Noah mystery:

 

“I have been an avid reader of Joe Cosentino’s books for some time and he has yet to let me down. His ability to write highly original, yet somehow realistic, characters is one of his greatest strengths as a writer. Their quirks and personalities fill the pages in a way that makes for a fabulously entertaining and totally engrossing read. I loved this book and highly recommend it to lovers of farce, humour, murder mystery and sweet MM love stories.” Divine Magazine

 

“Superb fun from start to finish, for me this series gets stronger with every book and that’s saying something because the benchmark was set so very high with book 1.” Three Books Over the Rainbow

 

“Joe Cosentino does it again with Drama Cruise, the third Nicky and Noah mystery. I loved the humor, drama, and theater work inside. Plus, the romance and murder investigation keep readers turning the pages. Absolutely, must read this latest book in the series.” Urban Book Reviews

 

“If you are looking for a good, funny book to shake the blahs, love mystery, humor and romance, and a story with a twist or two, you’re bound to love this.” Cathy Brockman Romances

 

Bestselling author Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of 2015 by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen. He also wrote the other novels in the Nicky and Noah mystery series: Drama Muscle and Drama Cruise (Lethe Press); In My Heart/An Infatuation & A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press); Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out Cozzi Cove series (NineStar Press); Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press) Jana Lane mysteries; and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. Joe was voted 2nd Place for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015, and has won many Rainbow Award Honorable mentions including for Drama Muscle. Upcoming novels are Drama Luau (fourth Nicky and Noah mystery) and Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings (fourth Cozzi Cove beach novel, NineStar Press).

http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino

Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

 

Excerpt of DRAMA CRUISE, the third Nicky and Noah mystery by Joe Cosentino, Lethe Press

 

The stunning movie star’s long jet-black hair created a silky fan on the

cold marble floor. Surrounding her were a crowd of guilt-ridden faces: her

possessive husband and producer, her handsome young paramour and co-star,

her aggressive agent and female lover, her jealous sister and stand-in, and her

makeup man who knew all her secrets (and she knew his). A detective arrived

on the scene, took one look at the murdered beauty, and fell in love.

 

“Nice job, people! Let’s take ten.”

 

That was me, Nicky Abbondanza, Professor of Directing at Treemeadow

College, a white stone Edwardian-style private college in the quaint and

picturesque village of Treemeadow, Vermont. And how did I become the director

of a murder mystery dinner theatre show on a ten-night June cruise from San

Francisco to Alaska and back? I spotted an online ad seeking theatre professors to

present theatrical workshops for passengers on a cruise, culminating in a murder

mystery dinner theatre presentation on the last evening. Okay, technically my

colleague and fiancé Noah Oliver, Professor of Acting at Treemeadow, spotted

the ad in an educational journal, but I applied for my department head and

mentor, Martin Anderson (producing the show), my Noah (acting in the show),

and me (directing). Martin’s husband, Ruben, came along for the ride.

Martin and Ruben are a sweet, elderly couple (don’t tell them I said that)

who have been together forever and have two grown daughters. For our part,

Noah and I are both tall, but the similarity ends there. I have dark hair, long

sideburns, a Roman nose, and a pretty pumped body thanks to the gym on

campus. Noah has exquisite curly-blond hair, sky blue eyes, a smooth build, and

the most loving heart on land and sea. I am just a tad older than Noah—but

what’s seven years? A lot when you are thirty-six and your lover is twenty-nine.

Oh, there’s one other little thing. Actually, it’s not so little. I have a thick

nine-and-a-quarter inch penis—flaccid. Luckily, Noah is very open (pardon the

pun) to my anatomical quirk.

 

After flying from Vermont to New York to San Francisco and waiting on

endless security lines in the airports, the four of us got to the boat, where we

waited on a long security line to come onboard. After unpacking in our cabin then

getting a quick lunch at the bountiful buffet, Noah and I made our way through

the sea of polyester, and somehow remained awake during the life boat drill.

Then we dodged photographers, dollar signs shining in their eyes like paparazzi

at a closeted gay movie star’s mansion, and headed to our first rehearsal. As the

dining room was occupied with guests eating lunch, we rehearsed in a nautical

themed lounge onboard ship.

 

After an hour and a half of rehearsal, it was break time. While the other

professors scattered like televangelists near an IRS building, Noah and I sat on a

cozy loveseat next to a gas brick fireplace. Noah looked amazing in an aqua polo

shirt and white pants, while I was a bit more toned down in yellow slacks and a

cranberry hoodie. I took Noah’s soft, warm hand in mine, and said adoringly, “I

can’t believe we’re here.”

 

Noah responded, “My first cruise.”

 

“My little virgin.” I kissed his cheek.

He looked out of the porthole and kissed the cleft in my chin. “The sky and

the water are gorgeous.”

 

“I hope we get to the deck to see them.”

 

“We won’t be rehearsing all day, Nicky.”

 

“Don’t you need a break, handsome, young paramour character?”

 

Noah snuggled his shoulder into my chest. “I’d rather wallow away the

minutes with my intended.”

 

We shared a warm kiss.

 

 

 

 

Review: Something More Boxed Set by Danielle Pearl

Synopsis:

NORMAL (Book 1)

It’s the kind of situation most people would dread. Starting at a new high school, in the middle of my senior year, in a new town, in a new state. I know no one. No one knows me. That’s what I’m counting on. 
A year ago, Aurora “Rory” Pine was just a normal teenage girl – just as sweet and naive as the fairy tale princess she was named after. 
But this isn’t a year ago. 
Rory is broken, and suffering from a new debilitating anxiety disorder, wrought with precarious triggers, she moves across the country to escape the source of her troubles. Her plan is anonymity, but that’s easier said than achieved for the new girl having a panic episode outside of calculus. The worst part? There’s a witness – and a gorgeous one at that. 
Sam is a walking trigger for Rory. Incredibly handsome, built like the star athlete he obviously is, and undoubtedly popular, Sam outwardly represents everything Rory despises about high school. But as the fates keep throwing them together, a connection sparks that neither ever expected, and certainly can’t ignore. 
But Sam has issues too, and Rory’s past won’t just stay in the damned past. When friendship evolves into something deeper, can a girl utterly destroyed by the worst kind of betrayal and a boy battling demons of his own ever have a normal relationship? Is that even what they want? Find out in NORMAL, a gritty story of trust and abuse, heartbreak and salvation, and if they’re lucky – love. This is not a flowery romance – not for the faint of heart.

ReCAP (Book 1.5)

Rory and Sam fell in love in NORMAL, and we all fell in love right along with them. Now see it all unfold through Sam’s eyes, and learn just how the new girl with anxiety issues stole the heart of the gorgeous heartthrob, and turned his world upside down. 
You already heard the story. The one of how Rory and I fell in love, supposedly, even if she couldn’t handle it in the end. You know how it all went. 
Or you think you do. 
You only know her side. But I have my own point of view, and even Rory couldn’t know my thoughts in those few months it took for her to go from being a stranger to my whole entire world. 
Every moment is permanently ingrained in my memory. In my goddamned soul. From the moment I stumbled upon the girl panicking outside of calculus – the one with the tight little body, the angelic face, and the fierce attitude – to the night she abandoned me in Miami. It was the sum of those moments that changed me irrevocably. 
Our story isn’t over. I won’t let it be. But this, this is what happened so far, the way I saw it. 
I’m Cap. Or Sam, to Rory. And this is my story.
OKAY (Book 2)

After the horrors she’s survived over the past year, Rory never expected to find the one thing she certainly wasn’t looking for – love. But after the painful realization that her past has left her a dangerous liability to the person she cares for the most, she finally understands that for her and Sam, love means letting go. 
Can two people hopelessly in love ever revert back to just friends? Neither Rory nor Sam knows for sure. But the one thing they do know – it’s the only choice they have. 
As Rory recovers from a devastating assault, Sam will do anything to make sure it never happens again. But how far will he go to keep her safe? Their choices will change everything, and they will either bring them back together, or destroy them irrevocably…
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Danielle Pearl is a talented writer. Her books lure readers into her plotlines. Like magic. The Something More Boxed Set has everything readers who enjoy romances will want. 

In Normal (book 1), we are introduced to the beginning of a realistic couple. Rory is a broken girl who falls in love with a guy she should despise…yet fate brings them together not once but many times. Maybe they’re meant for another. But then, there’s a catch. Sam’s life isn’t as perfect as Rory would assume. Relating to each of these main characters is easy. Both have heavy yet real life drama to deal with like the rest of us. This made me want to read more about Rory and Sam. 

Luckily for me, Danielle Pearl, had the second part of this couple’s story. Inside Recap (book 1.5), readers get the scoop of the same story but told in Sam’s point of view. This was brilliant on the writer to do so. Readers like myself love viewing a story from both main characters’ point of views. Because it gives the same story a deep and more emotional attachment if one point of view was left out of the book.

Last but not least, there is Okay (book 2). This novel is the epic turning point for both Rory and Sam. They both know what they should do but doing it is so much harder. This tale has a Romeo and Juliet feel to it. It’s safer if they stayed friends…but what the hearts wants can destroy them forever and is more powerful than what the brain tells them. 

Overall, I was hooked. Every page contained suspense and intrigue. I couldn’t stop reading this Boxed set. The characters pulled me inside their lives. I was trapped and excited. A thrilling sensation filled me as I followed both to the last page of Okay. The characters are complex. Their emotions was like one wild rollercoaster ride. I enjoyed every intense moment. Their relationship was a constant state of pull and push. Engaging, entertaining, and phenomenal. Danielle Pearl has clearly caught my attention with this boxed set. I highly recommend this contemporary romance set t readers everywhere. Each book, is definitely worth the time to read. Something More is exactly right. This set is something more…

Review: The Holiday Gift

 

Synopsis:

With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He’s always been “good ol’ Chase,” her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he’s loved since childhood. Now he’s determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won’t let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second-chance at love.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Holiday Gift by RaeAnne Thayne is a cozy heart melting tale. Two best friends who harbored a secret love for one another. Yet neither one wanted to destroy their friendship. The friendship works perfectly until both are single adults once more…

A good looking cowboy loved his female best friend since the beginning. But he didn’t know how to tell her. Then, before he realized it was too late, she was taken by another man. His chance came and went. Now, years afterwards, he’s divorced and she’s a widow. Both have a daughter from their marriages.

As the holiday comes around, can two best friends be bold enough to close the gap and let loose their real feelings? RaeAnne Thayne has once again created a beautifully story that winds itself into readers hearts and souls. It touched me deeply. Sad, frustrating, funny, and sweet. I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster ride and look forward to reading the next book by this talented writer. The Holiday Gift is truly a must read for all.