Review: First Case Scenario

Synopsis:

Most cops walk a beat. She dances to one.
Undercover and using moves she didn’t learn at the Detroit Police Academy, Harlee races to identify the cold case murderer who has struck again. While juggling a charming ex-fiancé, a friend with benefits, and a partner who is too darn handsome for his own good, Harlee begins socializing with the potential suspects outside of work… until the killer learns of her double identity. 
This mystery has a perfect blend of humor, sexiness and suspense. It is the first novel in the Harlee’s Whodunit in the Motor City Series. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

First Case Scenario by Annemarie DeClark is a fast-paced yet exciting read. The whole story caught my attention immediately. It was easy to connect with the characters, especially with the main protagonist. Brilliant mystery. I was intrigued by what Harlee was going through and how she would juggle it all. She’s a new leading woman to watch out for…similar to Stephanie Plum. I laughed so hard and was entertained from beginning to end. Danger, suspense, and mystery all woven into one stunning novel. There’s even a bit of romance included, too. Addictive. Annemarie DeClark has been added to my favorites list. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next time. Overall, I highly recommend this book to all. 

Review: Gone to Dust (Preview)

Synopsis:

Set in Minnesota, Gone to Dust is the debut private eye murder mystery from Emmy Award-winning Seinfeld writer Matt Goldman.

“Sharp wit, complex characters, and masterful plotting makes Goldman a writer to watch. Irreverent and insightful, private detective Nils Shapiro is sure to become a fan favorite.”—Harlan Coben, New York Times bestselling author.

A brutal crime. The ultimate cover-up. How do you solve a murder with no useable evidence?
Private detective Nils Shapiro is focused on forgetting his ex-wife and keeping warm during another Minneapolis winter when a former colleague, neighboring Edina Police Detective Anders Ellegaard, calls with the impossible.

Suburban divorcee Maggie Somerville was found murdered in her bedroom, her body covered with the dust from hundreds of emptied vacuum cleaner bags, all potential DNA evidence obscured by the calculating killer.

Digging into Maggie’s cell phone records, Nils finds that the most frequently called number belongs to a mysterious young woman whose true identity could shatter the Somerville family–but could she be guilty of murder?

After the FBI demands that Nils drop the case, Nils and Ellegaard are forced to take their investigation underground, where the case grows as murky as the contents of the vacuum cleaner bags. Is this a strange case of domestic violence or something with far reaching, sinister implications?

“A perfect blend of light touch and dark story—I want more of Nils Shapiro.” —Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman is another brilliant mystery to watch out for…the writer creates a thrilling read. This preview copy gave me a great glance into this new novel. Detective Nils Shapiro is a character that instantly became my new favorite. His personality and way of dealing with the investigation was beyond interesting. The things he says is funny, too. Dark, dangerous, and entertaining from page one. I highly recommend this adventure to all. 

Review: Macaroons and Mayhem

Synopsis:

Excitement blossoms through Peridale when a prestigious gardening magazine picks the village as the spotlight for their next issue, but that joy quickly turns to dread when members of the local gardening society, The Peridale Green Fingers, start dying one by one after their obituaries are sent to The Peridale Post the day before their murders.

Julia is asked to bake macarons for the magazine’s unveiling of ‘The Best Garden in Peridale’ party, but with death striking the village, she has more important things to worry about. Is somebody killing The Green Fingers’ to better their chances of winning the title as well as the cash prize, or is there something more sinister happening? With her old friend and newspaper reporter, Johnny, by her side, Julia must uncover the truth before every member of the club is crushed like an unwanted weed.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Macaroons and Mayhem by Agatha Frost is the nest best book in this thrilling mystery series! I love her books. Agatha Frost has once again, proven that she is queen of the cozy mystery genre. There’s so much to love about her writing. Fast-paced, exciting, romantic, hilarious, deadly, and plenty of drama to keep me busy as always. 

The main character, Julia South, is my all time favorite sleuth. A baker at heart who has the ability to become the best world known detective. She always solves every case. Wherever Julia goes, there’s always a murder mystery to solve. In this case, more than one person dies and a fourth victim as or may not survive the attack. Someone is targeting a garden club. The top members are being killed one by one. Unless the police can figure it out, more people will die. That’s when Julia is called to the case. An investigative journalist friend comes to her after the police mocks him. He thinks he’s stumbled upon a murder investigation. But even Julia is skeptical….but as the events unfold her skeptics may changes and she’s on the hunt. Macaroons and Mayhem has proven to be Julia South’s toughest case yet. Overall, I loved reading this new mystery. I can’t wait to read the eighth book. Agatha Frost is beyond talented. 

Review: Second Chance Cowboy

Synopsis:

Dancer Larissa Martine is ready to start over and Las Vegas seems like the perfect city for a shiny new beginning. But first, to honor her pact with her girlfriends, she wants to make a quick stop in Cheyenne, WY to make amends with her first love, the guy she left to chase her dreams of Broadway fame. Except rancher Matt Briggs isn’t nearly as interested in her regrets as he is in keeping her in town for his sister’s wedding. It’s a request she can’t deny when his family takes up the cause to make her stay for just one more week, but it’s difficult to maintain her friends-only boundaries with a man who attracts her as much as ever. 
After losing his father and inheriting the family ranch in addition to the one he’d bought on his own, Matt’s life is all about obligations. But Larissa’s unexpected arrival during the wedding mayhem is a bright spot he won’t ignore, even if that means tempting her into far more than just a dance. He figures one night with her will bring them both some peace with their past, which is all she said she wanted. But one night leaves Matt wanting a whole lot more and this time, he’s willing to gamble everything to make her stay. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Second Chance Cowboy is the second book that I’ve read by Joanne Rock. I was amazed by her talent with her other book that I read before this one. Her characters literally pop off the pages. Bringing the story to readers in live motion. I felt like I was there experiencing it all in both the main characters’ shoes. I got the best perspectives from the leading female and male protagonists. Their thoughts, actions, and words could easily be felt and understood. 

Joanne Rock made me cry happy tears while reading this contemporary romance novel. I also laughed a lot. Cowboy rancher, Matt, just has affect on women. Especially, Larissa, aka Rissa. Sexy as hell, Mattcan make any woman swoon on spot. But the one woman he wanted left him eight years ago. Now, he finds her back in their ranching world. This time, he’s not ready to let her go…

Larissa is having a crappy life. Her dancing career did hit it off until her injury. Her hips still give her pain. But she still wants to audition in Las Vegas. However, on her way there, she stops home to seek forgiveness and a fresh start. Little does Larissa know that fate has more in stored for her than she planned. Like resurfering sparks between her and Matt. Matt…looked even better than she remembered. She wants him again. Feeling a bit jealous of the girl hitting on him, Larissa skates her feelings. Then, Matt’s sister ends up forcing them together for her wedding. Close proximity with each other will set off memories they never forgot…

Second Chance Cowboy is the latest novel by Joanne Rock. I love how she created so many raw emotions within me. The journey was epic. Addictive, hot, and charming. Every page was well-written. The entire story went by faster than I thought. The actions of the protagonists sped up my reading. I was so eager to find out what happened between them that I soon found the last page. And it was so good. Better than good. Superb. I have fallen in love for the second time with Joanne Rock’s writing. She delivers only the best for her readers every time. Overall, I recommend this sexy cowboy romance to all.  

Review: Cat Got Your Secrets

Synopsis:

Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.

It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

Time’s running out in this deadly cat-and-mouse game in Cat Got Your Secrets, the delightfully funny third novel in Julie Chase’s Kitty Couture mystery series, perfect for “all those feline fanciers who love to read Rita Mae Brown” (Suspense Magazine).

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase is an exciting new murder mystery. A young woman finds out that her dad is anything but fine. His whole body language says he’s not okay. Just as Lacey goes to a client, she soon finds that he’s dead. And the last person who saw him alive was her dad. From there things become more complicated and messy. A blackmailer insists she stays quiet. But Lacey keeps digging away for the truth. 

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of danger, risks, and humor. I was intrigued. Julie Chase created characters that were easy to relate to and like them. Lacey is close to my age and her life felt believable. Her parents were real in their behavior. A pushy but caring mother and a good dad whose hiding secrets….but I also learned that he wasn’t the only one keeping them. Interesting, entertaining, and a feel good read. I enjoyed following this mystery. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Take to the Limit

Synopsis:

They are part of an elite unit. On task. Off grid. These are the men of the Shadow Ops task force. Be seduced and thrilled by Take to the Limit, the next Unbroken Heroes novel by Dawn Ryder. 

Holding out for a hero…
A hardened military machine, Bram Magnus is a tough, combat-ready, all-American hero who never surrenders. But the one thing he can’t fight? His smoldering, intense attraction to his girlfriend’s younger sister. He’s always kept his feelings locked deeply down. But when his girlfriend betrays him the night before he ships off to Afghanistan, Bram has one chance to show the woman he’s resisted for years that he wants her as fiercely as the first day he saw her.
Ever since her older sister first brought home the soldier with steely hard muscles and piercing eyes, Jaelyn has wanted Bram, and when her sister casts him aside the night before he leaves, Jaelyn can’t resist one steamy hot kiss with him. But danger is not far behind, and even as a deadly enemy hunts them, their relationship only grows more explosive. It’s all Bram can do to keep Jaelyn safe, but with a threat this powerful, will they pay the ultimate price for their passion?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Take to the Limit by Dawn Ryder is a sexy tale featuring alpha males. Males who think only about their work and nothing else. Or so they thought…Enter a beautiful woman and a Bram can’t let go. He’s leaving on a mission. Told to leave her alone. But his heart can’t. So, he does what he can. Writes letters to her. Not one, not two, but dozens of letters. Letting her know she’s all he’s thinking about while away. Hot sex. Instant chemistry. And fear. Jaelyn loves Bram. He is a sexy tall man who has her toes curling in the hot sand. Her dreams are filled with nothin glut him. She kissed him hard before he left. Her heart aches for him. Thinking she won’t ever see him again, she hardens her heart against him. When he arrives back to her, all hell breaks loose. His letters he wrote were never given to her….someone stole them. Jealousy. Jaelyn pushes Bram away. But he’s not giving up without a hell of a fight. Hell, she’s worth everything to him. Then, danger comes and knocks their world into a crazy space. No one knows where it will lead. But Bram is going to fight until he has Jaelyn safe again in his arms…and in his bed. 

Dawn Ryder knows how to heat up the pages. I blushed every time. The heat was scorching. The sex soon turned to love making. The characters each had their own fears and struggles. But somehow they keep moving forward and work through them. Friends who tease but also have their backs. Family that will always support them no matter what. I loved the granddaughter and grandfather relationships in this book. It was sweet, charming, and hilarious. Overall, I enjoyed reading Take to the Limit. It’s a perfect title for the scenes inside…a super solider and his strong yet bold woman. 

Review: Going Down and Man Candy

Synopsis:

“Elise Sax will win your heart.”—NYT bestelling author Jill Shalvis

“Elise Sax will make you laugh. Her larger-than-life characters jump off the page and make crazy seem like a fun place to hang out.”–Christie Craig, New York Times bestselling author of Texas Hold ‘Em

“Elise Sax belongs on every bookshelf.” — Melissa Foster, New York Times Bestselling Author 

The Five Wishes Series: Novellas about wishes that go terribly wrong…fortunately. Five Wishes…A happy ending is just a coin toss away. Each novella is approximately 100 pages with NO cliffhanger.

Book 1: Going Down:

Marion MacAlister wants to nail her audition, not get nailed. Truly. Honestly. All right…maybe she does want to get nailed, but that’s just because her hottie landlord and local diner owner Mack Ryan is confusing her. Can friends become lovers? Especially friends who might not even be friends in the first place? 

Book 2: Man Candy:

Raine Harper is in love with Wade Gates. But Wade likes women who are model thin, and Raine is model thin plus a whole lot of pounds. Desperate to make him love her, she trains just a little too hard and passes out in the arms of superstar movie star Dirk Adams. Dirk thinks Raine’s junk in the trunk is perfect and proposes to make Wade jealous by becoming her pretend boyfriend. Pretend soon seems very real. Is Dirk a great actor, or is something really developing between Raine and the movie star? 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Going Down and Man Candy by Elise Sax is a 2-in-1 book set. A great summer romance set that is enjoyable to follow. The two stories feature a different woman going through body issues. They also want to be super skinny. One wants to make it as an actress. The other wanting her long time crush to fall in love with her. Each one has a super hot guy after their own hearts. Sweet, sexy, and entertaining. Both stories are easy to read and short. Elise Sax writes funny yet romantic tales. Overall, I recommend her book set to all. 

Review: Need You Now

Synopsis:

Welcome to the small island town of Cloud Bay, where it’s never the wrong time to find a love that’s oh-so-right. . .

Caleb White knows what he wants out of life—and being a star tennis player is not it. After speaking to the press about his plans to retire, Caleb decides that a trip to quaint, beautiful Cloud Bay for its legendary music festival is exactly what he needs. There will be time to figure out what to do with his life without a racket in his hand soon enough. Until then, Caleb is content to be stuck on an island with CloudFest’s gorgeous director Faith Harper. . .

The daughter of a famous rock star, Faith knows all about fame, fortune, and hot flings that aren’t meant to last longer than a few good songs. Gorgeous, built Caleb is a temptation she can’t resist, but she’s not prepared for the way he makes her feel. . .and the dreams that they both share. What begins as a carefree distraction deepens into something real. But is Caleb ready to put his celebrity behind him and give life in the slow lane with Faith a chance?

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Need You Now by Emma Douglas is a hot summer read. The instant chemistry between characters lured me further into the book. The daughter of a musician is needing a new fling. She soon spots a sexy man with the bluest eyes. Attraction hard and fast. Later on, Faith finds out who he is. The famous Caleb White, star tennis player, who has recently retired. Both start out wanting a good distraction. A no strong relationship. But the more they’re together the harder that becomes for them both. Sparks fly everywhere. Hot, sexy, and fun. Emma Douglas has created an exciting contemporary novel. I was entertained. In the beginning the pages dragged a bit in speed, but soon took off fast. Need You Now suits this book well. Both Faith and Caleb need each other in their lives. But the question lingers if they will figure it out…overall, this was an engaging story. 

Review: Leave the Night On

Synopsis:

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham is full of excitement. From betrayal by a best friend and from a fiancée, a false relationship, and a path to new love…I was hooked. The main character, Sutton is a strong woman. She’s more than just daddy’s little rich girl and more than a beauty. Wyatt is now, a mechanic. The best around his side of town. He can’t deny his attraction to Stutton. Something about her always had his interest. Stutton’s life was going well, until she and Wyatt find her ex cheating on her. From there, revenge, sweet lies, and a whole lot of action happen. I was intrigued with every page. I couldn’t stop reading it. Leave the Night On fits this story well. The plot was fast-paced. Entertaining, engaging, and hilariously sweet. I loved it. Laura Trentham has done it again. Creating another magical world where I got lost within the pages. Overall, I recommend this contemporary romance to all. 

Review: A Wedding Tail

Synopsis:

’TIL DEATH DO US BARK…

Wedding planner Zoe Plum has brides from all walks of life vying for her services. The only problem is: happily-single Zoe doesn’t actually enjoy weddings—but that might change when she meets the singer of a local band playing at one of her weddings. His name is Levi Dolson and he’s too gorgeous for his own good. And now he’s gone ahead and charmed her new dachshund. . .

It’s no secret that Zoe doesn’t believe in fairy tales, but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to make sweet music with Levi. While she’s convinced she doesn’t need a man, when someone starts setting one trap after the next to make sure she never plans a wedding ever again, she might need Levi in more ways than she could have imagined. But just how far is Zoe’s hidden enemy willing to go? The only thing Levi knows for sure is that he will do everything in his power to protect the woman who brings music to his soul. Maybe that will prove to Zoe, once and for all, that he is a man worthy of her heart. . .

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Wedding Tail by Casey Griffin is spectacular. It combines murder, mystery, and romance into one amazing read. This is also a great book for animal lovers. Especially, those that love dogs. An adopted wiener ends up rescuing his adoptive mother from a murderer. She ends up saving the man who has become so much more to her than just hot kisses. Her heart is totally in love with him. Now, it’s up for her to call the shots. The murderer was a character that I didn’t expect to be the killer. Surprises are everywhere in this book. Humor, intrigue, heat, and an unforgettable emotional journey. Casey Griffin has once again, hooked me. Her books are worth reading. I was so happy that her latest novel, A Wedding Tail, turned out perfect. Crazy brides, a weddding gone wrong, a flirtatious man, someone sabotaging Zoe’s business and much more…this, was one adventure I’ll never forget. Hilarious, sweet, and engaging. Overall, I highly recommended this title to all. 

Review: When Lightening Strikes

Synopsis:

Simon O’Neal’s causing trouble again. And it’s up to Gail DeMarco to stop him.

Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of all—sexy and unpredictable Simon O’Neal. But Simon, who’s just been through a turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won’t listen to anything she says. She drops him from her list—and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him.

Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble herself by making a deal with Simon. The one thing he wants is custody of his son, but that’s going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl who’ll drag him off to some small, obscure place like Whiskey Creek….

Gail’s the only one he can trust. She agrees to become his wife—reluctantly. But she isn’t reluctant because he’s too hard to like. It’s because he’s too hard not to love!

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

When Lightening Strikes by Brenda Novak is another brilliant contemporary tale. I was excited to see what Brenda Novak has written. After reading it, I was in love. The characters were realistic. Even when a PR marketing lady with a famous movie star is stuck together, I was intrigued. Both when about their actions the way real people would have done. That surprised me. Usually, characters do some realistic things and some Dream worthy things. Being around a sexy male actor would be any woman’s dream. Everyone’s except for Gail. She wants nothing to do with the stubborn no good actor, Simon. Sure he has money and looks. But his attitude is sour. Plus, his actions make his life spin further out of control. He drinks, he tried breaking into his ex wife’s house to see his son…and all he gets is trouble. The media love that. His wife wants his money and uses their kid as a leverage. Simon can’t win custody due to his bad boy image. So, that’s where Gail comes in…she’s the best at PR. He wants her to help him. However, she can’t stand the man and declines. Gail doesn’t want to work with someone who won’t listen to her. So, she says some awful things to him and cuts him loose. Then, he gets back at her. That’s where all hell breaks loose. Soon, they find themselves crawling back to each other for help. Gail needs him to undo the damage done to her business, and she will help him win his kid back. Sounds easy….add in a fake marriage of two years and a force of no drinking, no sex, and no bad stuff. Simon can only handle so much. But he does what Gail says…

Falling in love is what neither one wanted nor expected. The more time they’re together the harder it is to resist…

Overall, When Lightening Strikes is a charming heartfelt story. I loved it. So many emotions and an epic journey ahead. Brenda Novak has done it again in creating the best romance. I was hooked. Engaging, sweet, and funny. This is a book I recommend to all. 

Review: Danny Chaucer’s Flying Saucer

Synopsis:

What if you found something so dazzlingly brilliant that you had to keep it a secret – even from your own family? A secret so amazing it could change the world forever? Something that dark forces would do anything to possess …?
Danny Chaucer’s lonely. He loves to gaze up at the sumptuous night sky, wishing he was up there … 

Nat Ford is the new girl in class and spends half her time running from the school bullies. Nothing interesting ever happens in their dead-end town.

Until one night when something extraordinary lands in the trees behind Danny’s house. Something unbelievable, revolutionary, wonderful!

Then the sinister Captain Frost appears, and the chase is on. There might be only one way to escape – into space …

A thrilling and funny adventure story for kids – and educational too as you’ll learn cool stuff about space! Finalist in the 2015 Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards (9–12 year olds category) – an award where books are rated by the kids themselves. Check out the reviews to find out what people are saying about it.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Danny Chaucer’s Flying Saucer by Christopher Peter is an engaging middle school novella. The book intrigued me immediately. Two kids get together after being bullied. Together, they find a flying saucer. From there I was hooked into the adventure, sights, and BOB. Christopher Peter combines themes of friendship and bullying into an entertaining tale. The words flowed easily. It flew by fast for me. The characters taught lessons along the way, I dug further into the plot. Danny Chaucer’s Flying Saucer is one sci-fi action read that I highly recommend to kids and teens alike. Great story, believable characters, and well-developed scenes. 

Review: No Getting Over a Cowboy

Synopsis:

The golden cowboy of Wrangler’s Creek returns home to Texas to discover some old flames never fizzle…

There are plenty of things Garrett Granger hadn’t counted on losing—his child to miscarriage, his wife to another man and the family business thanks to a crooked CFO. He also hadn’t counted on moving back to the family ranch, where he’s met by another surprise—former flame Nicky Marlow, who is renting his grandmother’s old house.

Nicky’s been rebuilding her shattered life since her husband’s death two years ago. But Garrett’s timely arrival in Wrangler’s Creek doesn’t automatically make him the missing piece of the puzzle. Even if he does seem to adore her two-year-old daughter… Even if seeing him again stirs up old feelings Nicky would gladly keep buried, forcing her to wonder if moving forward has to mean leaving everything behind… 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen is a hot read. I definitely recommend this book to be added to readers summer list. They’re sexy cowboys, determined women, matchmaking moms, and danger. I was hooked. Intrigued. Old lovers meet again under different circumstances. Women leased an old house on the Wrangler Creek Ranch to use for widows. Garrett Wrangler hasn’t been the same since he lost his daughter as a stillborn and the fact that his wife ran away. She cheated on him with a ranch hand. Then, there was her act blown up as a scandal everywhere. Business trouble for the Wrangler family. If that isn’t enough then, there’s the dead body found in the old house on the ranch. Plus, Garrett’s old love interest is being targeted for money…

Lust, love, death, and risks are on every page. No Getting Over a Cowboy is correct. Nicky Marlow can’t get over Garrett. In fact, he’s still attracted to her as well. Excitement, adventure, and heat. I loved it. The Wrangler family members were funny. They brought humor to the story. Sweet, sexy, and well-done. This tale was a page turner. Delores Fossen surely know how to keep a reader addicted to her books. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: Then He Kissed Me

Synopsis:

Can two hearts come together in one divided town?

As a boy, Nash Hawthorne spent countless afternoons on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom with Tally Fournette, wading in the river, peeling oranges and catching frogs. When illness stole his mother, Nash yearned to take Tally and run away—for good. Instead, he crossed the state line to live with his aunt. It was a short distance as the crow flies, but it swept him into a whole new world…

After Nash left, Tally managed to struggle through her own losses without him. But now that she’s crossed paths with him again—at Cottonbloom College, where the grown-up, gorgeous Nash teaches history—she is reminded of their cherished youthful connection…and an attraction that has only gotten stronger with age. Between Tally’s possessive ex and Nash’s snobbish aunt, no one thinks they belong together. In a town torn apart by old resentments and rivalries, can they find their way back to the life they once shared—and turn their long-lost dreams into a real and lasting love? 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham is both funny and heartfelt. Two best of friends separated due to circumstances. One lost his mom…and another lost both her parents. Almost twenty years later, they are finally reunited. Sparks fly. Hot, intense, and unavoidable. Tally barely made it out of high school, where as her friend Nash has a Ph. D and is teaching college. The only difference in him since the last time she saw him was his physical appearance. Nash was once the kid everyone picked on…and now, he was super hot and brilliantly smart. As they hang out together, their attraction grows and becomes more obvious to each other. I laughed a lot throughout this book. Laura Trentham created a fun, sexy, and entertaining romance. A summer read that I recommend to all. Friendship, drama, and new beginnings. Then He Kissed Me is exciting. 

Review: It’s in His Kiss

Synopsis:

ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now’s her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially, if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam’s eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.
Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can’t resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca’s heart? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

It’s in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis is a sexy contemporary tale. The physical and emotional need between the characters felt so real. It was like experiencing it first hand rather then being the spectator. Jill Shalvis is indeed a talented writer. Believable characters and scenes. The emotional journey is a constant struggle among the protagonists. Heart felt, engaging, and beautifully told. This book swallowed me up whole from the first page and it didn’t spit me back out until the last word. Funny, charming, and hot. Heat packed with tension and intense make it or break it moments. I wasn’t sure where the couple were headed. All I knew was that I wanted them together. Family was one major theme inside this tale. Family life changes the protagonists in many ways. But also, they end up changing their families too. I really liked that part. 

Jill Shalvis shows readers how to face their fears. Living in the past doesn’t help the characters, Becca and Sam to move forward. Facing their issues, opening up by communicating together, and by letting their hearts open they can do anything. Love. It’s pretty when it happens. Messy, complicated, hot as hell. It’s in His Kiss is exactly that. Kisses from Sam make Becca melt into his arms. She can’t think straight when he looks at her or kisses her. Same with him. Becca drives Sam crazy. Her heart of gold warms him up to her. Plus, she’s sassy and smart. Sam is stubborn, smart, and hot. Together their chemistry flies off the pages. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all.

Review: He’s So Fine

Synopsis:

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It’s the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she’s rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she’s ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to “save” him. In fact, he’d like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He’s just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole’s heart, or will it be the end of Olivia’s days in little Lucky Harbor? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis is sweet, charming, and hilarious. This contemporary romance is one that I highly recommend to all readers. Inside, I met two families. Complete opposites. Drives the main characters crazy and mad at times, but there is so much love. Hidden past comes colliding with Olivia’s present life. She finally found a new clean slate. Just as things were going perfect, her past tears it apart. Cole. He is a sexy as hell kind of man but also has a heart of gold. He’s been betrayed in the past by his girlfriend and best friend. Trust doesn’t come easy. Olivia is scared to fall in love with Cole just as he’s afraid of falling for her. Too late. Love has hit them both hard in the chest. Only time will tell where they go from here. I was hooked. Jill Shalvis brings her charcaters to life. I fell in love immediately. The humor is throughout the book. Family, new beginnings, and second chances. Overall, this was a well-told and unforgettable tale. 

Review: A Second, Less Capable, Head

Synopsis:

A Tea Party activist discovers that he is growing another head. A playboy befriends a fickle female only six inches tall. A rape victim confronts her assailant in a maximum security prison. 

James Hanna is a prolific writer whose stories have appeared in over a dozen literary journals. Drawing from his experiences as an adventurer in Australia, a counselor in an Indiana prison, and a San Francisco probation officer, James offers a variety of themes and genres in these nineteen aberrant tales. His stories range from a bizarre experiment (“Fruits”) to a manhunt in the dead of winter (“The Break”). From a flasher in search of the perfect pose (“Exposed”) to a diseased schizophrenic mind (“Hunting Bear”). 

Darkness abounds in James’ cryptic stories. And reading becomes dangerous again. 

A Second, Less Capable Head, The Guest, Exposed, The Stalker, Fruits, The Outback, The Sicilian, Breaking Vials, Honey Bunny, Jimmy Likes Mermaids, The Dress, Hunting Bear, Cheating the Jail Out of Time, The Break, The World Baseball League, The Wall, Hunter’s Moon, Another Will Take Your Place, The Body in the Bay. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Second, Less Capable, Head by James Hanna is a brilliant collection of short stories. Each one ranging in topic. A variety of charcaters and lives lived. Dark, engaging, and thrilling with every turn. I was intrigued. James Hanna definitely knows how to write well. A Second, Less Capable, Head is suspenseful, frightening, and hilarious. There’s so much to enjoy in this collection.  I highly recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Ten Big Ones

Synopsis: 

“I’m Stephanie Plum. My mother says that I’m famous and have to set a good example. She’s right, but I’m from Jersey and truth is, I have a hard time getting a grip on the good example thing.”

Swing off the Jersey Turnpike and you’ll be in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s neighborhood. You’ll know it because all hell will be breaking loose. Not that she looks for trouble – it just seems to follow her. In Ten Big Ones it explodes at a deli, and when Stephanie pegs a robber as a member of a vicious Trenton gang, they peg her as dead. Vice cop Joe Morelli fears she’s in way too deep – even with the help of crime-solving, cross-dressing, bus driver Sally Sweet, and Stephanie’s friend Lula riding shotgun as backup. With a notorious killer on her tail, Stephanie figures the best hideout is Ranger’s secret lair…

Original. 

Rating: 4-stars 

Review:

Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich is another hilarious tale. Adventure as always with Stephanie Plum. A woman sleuth who gets into ore trouble than she should. Even with help, Stephanie still lands into danger. This time, involving a powerful gang out to quiet her. Stephanie Plum, doesn’t just solve crimes but catches the bad guys too. Entertaining as ever…with a bit of romance. Risks are something that the protagonist lives for….it’s funny watching her go stir crazy with nothing to do. Overall, Ten Big Ones is a great read. 

Review: Asking for Truffle

Synopsis:

When Charity Penn receives a letter saying she won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina complete with free cooking lessons at the town’s seaside chocolate shop, The Chocolate Box, she’s immediately skeptical. She never entered any contest. Her former prep school friend offers to look into the phony prize–only to end up drowned in a vat of chocolate. Struck with guilt, Penn heads to the southern beach town to investigate why he was killed. But as wary as she is of the locals, she finds herself lured into their eccentric vibe, letting her defenses melt away and even learning the art of crafting delicious chocolates. That is, until delight turns bittersweet as she steps straight into the midst of a deadly plot to destroy the seaside town. Now, only Penn’s quick thinking and a mysterious cask of rare chocolate can save the town she’s learning to love. Rich and decadent, Asking for Truffle, the first in a new cozy series by Dorothy St. James, is sure to be a delectable read for fans of JoAnna Carl and Joanne Fluke.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Asking for Truffle by Dorothy St. James is an exciting cozy mystery. Dorothy St. James brings readers murder, mystery, and romance. I love chocolate. The main protagonist is a fan of chocolate herself. Easy to connect with and likable. Charity Penn has always felt like something was missing in her life. Her mother was gone and her father moves quickly from woman to woman. All she had was an elderly woman took her in like a mother would. However, Penn soon finds trouble. She receives a letter which causes so much suspicion that she sends her best friend on the case. Only, he ends up dead. He found something. Told her to come there quick. And after that his body was found. The whole town thinks he was into drugs and that’s what caused his death. But Penn knew better. Her guess work soon leads into an investigation of crazy events. Money, chocolate, and greed. Penn and her new friend, a fury snapping dog head out to find answers. Asking for Truffle is indeed the perfect title. Suits well for this book. I loved it. Engaging from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more mysteries by Dorothy St. James. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all. 

Review: The Accidental Honeymoon

Synopsis:

What happens in Vegas…

When Georgie discovers that her fiancé has been cheating on her, only a few days before her cousin’s wedding, her whole world explodes. Facing a romantic trip to Vegas alone, she decides to go out and have some fun…
…but Georgie never expected to wake up wed! And even worse, she can’t remember who to. So when gorgeous Jack reveals himself as her husband, she can’t believe her luck – he’ll act as the perfect wedding date!
Even if it is their very accidental honeymoon, surely the newlyweds can keep their emotions in check for just a few days more?
Don’t miss the laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Portia MacIntosh, author of It’s Not You, It’s Them. Perfect for fans of Rosie Blake, Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Accidental Honeymoon was a perfect summer read. It has humor, romance, and a good dose of reality. I would give this title a perfect 5-stars if only the pacing at the beginning was a bit faster than what it was. Felt like it was sluggish. However, skip over that bit and readers like myself are entertained. I couldn’t stop reading this…Portia Macintosh cleverly wove a tale that hooked its laws deeply into my soul. I had toknow what the main characters were going to do and where they would be afterwards. I wasn’t disappointed. The family of the heroine were interesting. British, funny, and charming characters. The man that gets stuck with the heroine is different. Sure his looks are good to melt any woman near him, but something about him keeps driving Georgie crazy. She keeps him at a distance but she can’t deny she’s attracted. Jealousy, anger, lust, and love are on the horizon. Bring old boyfriends and a cheating ex to the mix and it’s all fun and excitement for readers. I truly enjoyed reading this new novel. Overall, I recommend The Accidental Honeymoon 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: Doughnuts and Deception

Synopsis:

The 3rd book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! 
Julia never expected to be caught up in another murder investigation, but when she discovers that homeless people are dying suspiciously and the police aren’t investigating, she can’t sit back and do nothing. After promising her young lodger, Jessie, that she will do everything she can to help, Julia finds herself diving headfirst into the case, aided by her new Detective Inspector boyfriend, Barker. Sure there is a serial killer preying on the vulnerable residents of an old burnout warehouse, Julia must act quickly to get to the bottom of the mystery, but can she crack the case before more bodies turn up? 
Book 3 in the Peridale Cafe Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Doughnuts and Deception by Agatha Frost is another brilliant masterpiece. Julia is a baker but also one of the best ameature sleuths ever. She practically does the entire police force’s work for them. And not a single officer believes her when she’s informing them about a new case and why they should investigate it. However, there’s one investigator on her side…Barker. He’s completely fallen in love with the stubborn, brace, and smart Julia. Julia also likes Barker just as much. Julia’s gran is crazy but hilarious as well. She ‘spies’ on Julia and Barker as they do things and speaks her mind like no one else I know. Caring, sweet, but crazy older lady. Then, there’s the adoptive teenager, Jessie. Jessie was homeless until Julia took her under her own roof. Both Jessie and Julia are good bakers. 

In this latest piece, the main characters are taken into a string of murders deemed as ‘not murdered’ and the police won’t take interest. These murders involve mostly homeless men. Men that Jessie knew when she was homeless. Jessie takes the murders to heart….and Julia can’t help but to dig into the mystery. Then, there’s Barker who will have to stick with Julia if he wants her to be safe…but his career and everything else might be jeopardized…overall, Doughnuts and Deception is another highly engaging and well-told story. Agatha Frost has once more caught my full attention and my heart with her new book. I highly recommend this read to all. 

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. 

Book Review: A Question of Devotion

Synopsis:

Then she saw it – a sheet of paper in the mailbox, underneath the mail. It was white with large black letters and said LEAVE IT ALONE. 
Mrs. B has a quiet life, and she likes it that way. Morning pinochle games at St. Mary’s Senior Center. Afternoon lunches with Myrtle, Anne and Rose. Peaceful evenings with a cup of coffee and the classic movie channel. 
But one day she wakes to a phone call, which leads to consequences she could never have foreseen. Secrets snowball and threaten to change the neighborhood of Burchfield forever. Someone has to make things right. It’s up to Mrs. B.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

A Question of Devotion by Anita Kulina is one novel that zeroed in on my full attention. An older Polish woman takes it upon herself to solve a case. One that involves her neighborhood. Changes are coming…as well as danger and threats. 

A debut novel, A Question of Devotion, is indeed an interesting mystery. Secrets come to light. Notes with threats are left and phone calls, too. Mrs. B. has a lot to juggle as the heroine of this book. Computer technology is one thing. I found it captivating and funny how one elderly lady’s typical life changes from doing games at a senior center to investigating a crime. 

The characters including Mrs. B are beleivable. For fans of The Murder She Wrote, Piriot, and Columbo, readers will love this book. I was engaged, entertained, and can’t wait for the next installment. Mrs. B is my new favorite lady detective. Smart, brave, and funny. Overall, I recommend A Question of Devotion to all. 

Review: The Gentleman’s Law on Love

Synopsis:

They were ill-matched… The rules didn’t matter, after all… 
As the daughter of a very powerful earl, Lady Rebecca Garrett has lived under the rule of Society by day. 

However… at night, she becomes one of London’s most notorious authors. 
Living under the shadows no longer fulfills this heiress, so she’s ready to come out of the dark with her own book and has found just the story… 
A story that she least expected! 
But this comes with a condition. 

She’ll have to go through a very stern, dull, yet very attractive solicitor to get it. 
All work and no play has made the handsome Mr. Neil Elkin a very dull gentleman. 

At least, this is what Lady Rebecca Garrett believes… 

So, she’s self-appointed herself to be the one who challenges everything the young and successful lawyers knows. 
But when work passions turn into a very different passion altogether, both will question if their story can end in happily-ever-after. 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Eleanor Meyers has once again, proven herself a worthy writer of historical romances. I found myself dragged into her time period where society rules were difficult and frustrating. Especially, if love was in the equation. A certain way of etiquette was to be expected always…I found it funny, how both characters wanted more than anything to still be in each other’s arms…but couldn’t. Their struggles are sweet, enticing, and addictive. The writing style is entertaining. The plot engaged me in every scenes. I felt like I was watching a movie versus reading words off a page. Fast-paced, intriguing, and sexy. I love the heat tha comes from every novel by Eleanor Meyers…she creates the most intense yet pleasurable reads while maintaining a clean romance. That is a magically talent many lack. But with her, it comes in heaps. 

The Gentleman’s Law on Love is a round of mystery. Leading two brilliant characters on a chase for answers. Once the answers are found, their romance will have bloomed. It’s only a matter of time before one or both explodes from the intensity of the raw attraction. Love pure and simple. I loved watching Guy Elkin the Viscount warm to the beauty with blue piercing eyes…a siren to his very soul. An adventure of a lifetime waited me inside this exciting new book. I loved how the leading lady, has the talent of a writer…and how her writing undoes the man of her dreams…perfect romance. Overall, I highly recommend this title to all. 

Review: I Dared the Duke

Synopsis:

DARE TO FALL IN LOVE

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is known throughout the ton for three things: the burn scars on his neck, his ornery disposition, and the trail of broken hearts behind him. None of which would concern Miss Elizabeth Lacey in the least—if she weren’t living under his roof. As his grandmother’s companion, Beth is all too concerned with the moody and compelling duke. Incensed by his plans to banish the sweet dowager duchess to the country, Beth refuses to do his bidding. If Alex wants her help, he’s going to have to take her dare…and grant her three wishes.

Alex adores his grandmother, which is precisely why she must leave. A string of unfortunate incidents has him worried for the safety of everyone around him—including the dowager’s loyal and lovely companion, Beth. But the notorious wallflower isn’t as meek as she appears, and as their battle of wills heats up, so does Alex’s desire. He’s dangerously close to falling in love with her…and revealing secrets he’d rather keep hidden. How can he convince her that his darkest days are behind him—and that, for the first time in forever, his heart is true?

I Dared the Duke continues Anna Bennett’s Regency-era romance series, The Wayward Wallflowers.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett is the hottest historical read. The main female character does exactly as the title suggests…she dared the Duke in granting his grandmother three wishes. Most of which he really didn’t want to grant but upon seeing his grandmother so happy he couldn’t take back the wishes. 

Alex comes back home only to find a strange beauty in his house. She tries explaining why she’s there but he won’t have it. Seeking his grandmother, he soon finds the woman has worked her way into his grandmother’s heart. Beth is a beauty for the eyes. He tries to convince her to leave his house but sees that request would only hurt his grandmother. Alex soon learns a lot about Beth and he feels like a heel for calling her a Wilting Wallflower…

Beth and her sister were called the Wilting Wallflowers and it has been hard to rush it off…then fate has it that she meets the man who gave them the name. He’s known as a player. A Duke who is an endless flirt and tough to converse with…until Beth gets to know him. Something about him both lures and keeps her away from him. But not for long…

I Dared the Duke is full of heat, compassion, trust and danger. Someone is trying to kill the Duke. So far, the identity of the killer is unknown. There are suspects…but drawing out a killer will prove most deadly…Anna Bennett has captured my full attention in this novel. I was entertained from the beginning to end. Enticing, engaging, and funny too. I loved how Beth and Alex argued and how perfect they were. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers worldwide. 

Review: Blood and Circuses

Synopsis:

Phryne Fisher is bored. Life appears to be too easy, too perfect. Her household is ordered, her love life is pleasant, the weather is fine. And then a man from her past arrives at the door. It is Alan Lee from the carnival. Alan and his friends want her to investigate strange happenings at Farrells Circus, where animals have been poisoned and ropes sabotaged. 

Mr. Christopher has been found with his throat cut in Mrs. Witherspoon’s irreproachable boarding house and Miss Parkes, an ex-performer, is charged with his murder. Phryne must go undercover deeper than ever to solve the circus malaise. She must abandon her name, her title, her protection, her comfort, and even her clothes. She must fall off a horse twice a day until she can stay on. She must sleep in a girls tent and dine on mutton stew. And she must find some allies. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, the young and fresh-faced policeman Tommy Harris has to solve his own mysteries with the help of the foul-spoken harridan Lizard Elsie, or Miss Parkes will certainly hang. Can Phryne uncover the truth without losing her life?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood presents yet another fabulous Phryne Fisher adventure. This book holds a darker and rawer version of my favorite detective. Sure plenty of gruesome stuff happens where Miss Fisher is bound to be found. I think trouble finds her everywhere. In this particular case, Miss Fisher goes alone to help another friend of hers. With her personality and intellect, I can see how the woman detective can indeed have so many friends. A friend in a Circus calls for her help in solving a murder. But to do so, Miss Fisher will go undercover, leaving behind her luxurious life. The fact that our main character has not always lived a perfect life, helps her when put in this crazy circus lifestyle. Kerry Greenwood took everyone’s favorite sleuth and put her in a sitatuion that tests every skill she has. Entertaining as always… Phyrne Fisher remains my favorite heroine.

Blood and Circuses is bold, dramatic, and worldly. Vulgarity and the ugly side of life shows up…but Miss Fisher is tough enough to handle it all…overall, I highly recommend this fast-paced thrilling journey to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Cosy Coffee Shop of Promises

Synopsis:

Curl up in The Cosy Coffee Shop of Promises with a latte and a scone, the perfect antidote to a grey day!

Mel’s dream of opening a coffee shop is finally a reality! A cosy little place turning out the best flat whites and most delicious pastries in Devon. In the picture-perfect town of Rabbit’s Leap no one can stand in her way – especially local pub owner, Tony. She doesn’t care how gorgeous he is, she will not let him steal her customers with his fancy new coffee machine!

There is only room in their small town for one coffee shop…but when Hurricane Val – aka her mother – is due to blow into town, Mel is in desperate need of an instant boyfriend. She can’t face another hunt to ‘find a man’ and while Tony may be her business rival, Mel can’t help but notice he’d make the perfect fake fiancé…

If they can strike a deal all they need to do is stick to it, no falling in love, no real feelings and definitely no dreams of a happy-ever-after!

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Cosy Coffee Shop of Promises by Kellie Hailes is brilliant. Her story captures my heart and soul. The characters are opposites in ways but same in other aspects. Both work hard, have their own business, and have family issues. Sweet, seductive, and hilarious. Kellie Hailes has a knack for dragging readers further into the book. The plot was interesting. It kept me intrigued. Two young people with businesses close to one another go head-to-head in competition. Then, an unexpected fate happens causing them to make a deal. This deal will either break or make them. It has life changing consequences for both parties involved. Every day, people are constantly being battered with a particular label, which may not describe who they really are. Take the man owning the pub. Deemed as a player. Yet the little coffee shop owner finds that isn’t the case and more to the man than most could guess. Romance builds and so does the intensity of the fake engagement. Could it possible lead to more than what they thought…? The Cosy Coffee Shop of Promises is indeed just that. Promises are made and deals sought. Fighting to win and learning that there’s more to win, after being around a particular person…fate can be tricky. Or not. Kellie Hailes has masterfully woven the best romantic tale ever. I loved it. Couldn’t stop reading it. I finished it within an hour. Overall, I highly recommend it to all.

Review: The Girl on the Beach

Synopsis:

Who is Harry Dixon?

When Ellie Golden meets Harry Dixon, she can’t help but feel she recognises him from somewhere. But when she finally realises who he is, she can’t believe it – because the man she met on the beach all those years before wasn’t called Harry Dixon. And, what’s more, that man is dead.

For a woman trying to outrun her troubled past and protect her son, Harry’s presence is deeply unsettling – and even more disconcerting than coming face to face with a dead man, is the fact that Harry seems to have no recollection of ever having met Ellie before. At least that’s what he says …

But perhaps Harry isn’t the person Ellie should be worried about. Because there’s a far more dangerous figure from the past lurking just outside of the new life she has built for herself, biding his time, just waiting to strike.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Girl on the Beach by Morton S. Gray is amazing. The novel lures readers deep into a mysterious past and an even more mysterious present life. The future is shrouded in darkness and the unknown. If only the danger could be put behind them, life would be wonderful. A woman thought she lost her husband only to see him at an art exhibit. He is going by a different name and his appearance has been altered. He can’t remember exactly who she is…but when he does, it will be hard to let her go again. Especially, when he finds out that he’s been a father all this time…

Morton S. Gray has masterfully created a stunning plot. The tale weaves through an emotional rollercoaster and one of a mystery. Lives are once tangled up again…and it’s only a matter of time to see where it all will go. I found it interesting. The attraction and detail Ellie felt towards Harry was a hook for me. It even made me curious. Who was Harry and whay did he make Ellie feel like she knew him…puzzling, enticing, and fun. The attraction from both Ellie and Harry is strong. Both want each other. Danger soon comes. Details from the past come spilling out and their lives are up in the air. The Girl on the Beach is a page turner. I couldn’t stop reading it. Overall, I highly recommend this suspenseful novel to all. 

Review: Rosie’s Little Cafe on the Rivera

Synopsis:

Escape the winter blues with Jennifer Bohnet’s deliciously heartwarming read.

A summer of taking chances!

Rosie Hewitt’s dream of opening a little French café on the Riviera is finally coming true. She’s giving up on love and instead chasing her own perfect recipe for happiness…

Only, she never expected the oh-so-sexy, award-winning chef, Sebastian Groc, to set up his restaurant next door – or for his freshly-baked croissants to smell quite so delicious.

But with just a few days until she opens her doors and all her sugar-coated dreams crumbling around her, Rosie isn’t prepared to give up without a fight!

Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Ellen Berry and Caroline Roberts.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Rosie’s Little Cafe on the Rivera by Jennifer Bohnet was an exciting read. Filled with a lot of action, food, and a promise of romance. Little did Rosie think that not only would she be opening up her dream, but also find love too. Only it was a whole lot more complicated than that. A mysterious man pops up, asking her if she needs help. Rosie instantly judged him to be a bum…and it runs out that she was wrong on so many levels. Turns out he was much more than she could imagine. The scene where she found out exactly who is was…was priceless. I can definitely see the emotions crossing her face as the realization of the information dawned on her. Quite funny. Jennifer Bohnet definitely took me away from my cold winter overcast day and straight into a sunny world. Full of surprises. Love happened when it was least expected. The food is to die for…and the characters lured me further into the story. The plot itself was well-written and engaging. Steady but good. I read the entire book in one sitting. Rose’s Little Cafe on the Rivera is an adventure to behold. I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Restless in L.A.

Synopsis:

It was an innocent online flirtation…until it wasn’t…

Alexandra Hoffman thinks she has it all together. She lives with her work-obsessed husband Jason and their three challenging children in upscale Los Angeles. She never meant to “friend” her old boyfriend, Matt Daniels. She hasn’t seen him in twenty years. But as Alex’s fortieth birthday approaches, she finds herself re-connecting with Matt online—and re-reading her college journal, which details their intense connection and unresolved ending. But Alex’s hands are full with the kids, one of whom she just can’t help, no matter how hard she tries.

Lonely and alienated by the helicopter moms, and from Jason who is never around, Alex’s flirtation quickly moves from on-line to real-world. Alex realizes—too late—that she cannot trust herself. When she meets Matt for dinner, the attraction is undeniable. And when he touches her face, it’s electric. As her life spirals out of control, she clings to her free-spirited life coach, Lark, to make sense of the mess she’s made. But Lark’s advice is clear: Alex must confront her past and find the courage to face her future, even if it means risking everything.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Restless in L.A. by Robin Finn is a must read for all womne. It instantly took me deep into a married woman’s life. Complicated, complex, and adventurous. A full-time mom, battling the struggles of her marriage and children. One of her children has a lot of symptoms that make it hard for him to fit in within a normal classroom setting. His behavior and learning needs are hard. His school isn’t helping him and Alex knows it. Her son needs more. Something different. Alex tries to tell her husband but he doesn’t agree. It’s like a constant battle between them. Tense, messy, and unraveling. Just in case, Alex didn’t have enough to juggle in her life…there’s a photo of her old lover. A man who made her heart race and feel on fire. She ends up making a lot of mistakes, but she needs to really find herself. Life happens…and it can be both bad and good. Restless in L.A. is a contemporary romance that explores a restless married woman’s life. Funny, sad, sexy, and frustrating. Robin Finn writes extremely well. The first few pages were slow, but the plot build up quickly after that. I was hooked. This story was believable. Robin Finn captured real life in her novel. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Checkmate (This Is Love)

Synopsis:

The anticipated conclusion of The Checkmate Duet from a secret duo of bestselling authors! Checkmate: This is Love is an enemies to lovers romance that will have you crying with laughter one moment and screaming in frustration the next… but you’ll be begging to play the game with The King. 

Game on.

***

Viola Fisher is the epitome of perfection.

She despises my one-night stands and mocks my less-than-classy habits.

She’s smart, beautiful, and too good to be true.

And I want her.

If she were anyone else, I’d have made my move years ago, but considering she’s my best friend’s little sister, she’s always been off-limits. Not to mention how much she loathes my very existence.

Hating me is her religion, but needing her is mine. Her sexy curves and filthy smart mouth make me want her even more, and I’m more determined than ever to change her mind.
I’ll prove I’m done playing games.

But until then, we’ll continue to play by her rules.

Viola Fisher may have won the battle, but the war isn’t over yet.

Checkmate, princess.
*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.*
**This is Love is book in the Checkmate Duet. You must read This is War first.**

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Checkmate: This is Love by Kennedy Fox is the second best installment to a sexy romance series. Take a bad boy player and a strong woman and the heat is on…both characters have a way of pulling me into their strong. I could felt their emeotions. The sensual play, their bantering, and  their frustrations. Sweet, hot, and addictive to read. 

This second tale, continues where the first one left off…luring me back into the messy complicated world of Viola and King. There is more tan sexual heat going on…their are hearts on the line. I love the chemistry and the stubbornness of the characters. Kennedy Fox definitely knew how to draw me into her novel. Checkmate: This is Love is a book, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s the second part to an epic journey. Can’t wait to find out how it ends…overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Cancer Country

Synopsis:

The only symptoms were itching. The prognosis was slightly incredible – a type of cancer that only one in a half million Americans get, and my chances of survival were one-in-ten.
That was the beginning of the journey. Along the way were anger and surprise and relief and fear … a bone marrow transplant … and the feeling of being in a strange country whimsically designed for the absurd.
Visit http://www.cancercountry.com for more information.
From Cancer Country
“In the Medieval world, Death was the standard guy with the scythe, coming around when your time was up. Now then, one morning, drinking coffee in my kitchen around 10 AM, I looked out the window and saw, a few houses away, a twenty-year old guy with a clipboard – a Mormon, a Jehovah’s Witness, or a college kid with some environmental issue.I then had this weird vision of him being Death, of him having started his canvassing miles and miles away, way up in northeast Portland or somewhere, and now, after 67 years of human life, he had made it down here, to me, and in about five minutes would be knocking at the door, and I’d answer it, and he’d ask me if I like unpolluted air and clean water and tall trees, and I’d say Yes, and then he’d ask me for a donation, and I’d write a check, and then I’d sign his petition, and then all this world would be gone, just like that. All the places I’d hoped to travel to – forget it. All the years left with family and friends – over. Yes, that’s it, I thought: the Medieval people had a nice thing going with the black hooded figure and the scythe, but he was so out of date, so past-millennia. This was our hooded guy now: a door-to-door canvasser, clipboard, politeness, a good cause. Death handing you a ballpoint pen that only half-worked.”

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Cancer Country by Chet Skibinski is one of the best memoirs about this particular topic. Cancer. It is one of the most scary things that can happen to a human being. One day, we are perfectly fine, the next, we find out we have cancer. The shocking, frightening, sad discovery is a difficult one to swallow. One can live or die. Surviving it is slightly improving but still it takes a lot of will power going through the process. I was able to get lost inside this incredible memoir instantly. It was easy to relate to and follow along. I have lost people to heart conditions…so, I know how they writer felt when told about the cancer found. Anger, frustration, and grief. However, as the book unfolded, I found some humor as the cancer survivor fought back. I thought the book would end in a certain way and then, I was surprised. It took on a completely different path. One that I was super happy with and the emotional journey tugged at me. So many emotions and not knowing until the ending how or where it was going to lead me. Cancer Country is an inspiring read for all. I highly recommend to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Skeleton Code

Synopsis:

Early in life, we learn to exaggerate our positive personal qualities and hide or deny our failures and weaknesses. The Skeleton Code is a satirical and humorous look at the many ways we protect our public personas by closeting our personal secrets, an ultimately self-deluding way of life. As a parody of the self-help “success” genre, the book presents facetious strategies about how to cover up our silly and scandalous secrets before turning to The Skeleton Cure.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Skeleton Code by both Alla Campanella and Ken Massey is a great read. The book is a super neat way of getting the past to stay in the past. We are all human. Meaning we’re bound to make mistakes that keep us on edge if ever leaked. Both writers go through every step of addressing skeletons and how to move forward. Their advice and self-guide helps going through the process. Plus, there’s situation of skeletons inside that help us relate to our own skeletons. From there it makes us feel that we can take on the future and not be dragged downward by the mistakes. The help also leads readers into a more productive, positive, and engaging lifestyle. Limit future skeletons. Funny, well-written, and absolutely the best self-help book I have come across in a while. Overall, I recommend The Skeleton Code to readers worldwide. 

Review: Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch

Synopsis:

Complete Stand Alone/No Cliffhanger

I slept with the wrong twin.
And all I got for it in return was a broken heart.

Oh yeah, and a baby on the way–there’s that too.

But I’m determined to make it on my own. I don’t need a man, thank you very much. Not rich, charismatic, and decidedly flighty Rex Roosevelt, and especially not his twin brother, Justin.

No matter that the gorgeous former military doctor makes my heart beat a little faster . . . and all spots lower than that pay careful, careful attention.

None of that matters. The Roosevelt men are dangerous and I’m steering clear.

The trouble is, Justin refuses to leave me be.

And deep down, I don’t want to avoid him.

Deep down, I want to be even closer.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch by Elise Faber is hot, steamy, and exciting! I loved it. The characters are swoon worthy. Sexy, smart, and funny too. The leading male character is internally flawed but despite those flaws he’s the man every woman wants in her life. Meet Justin Roosevelt. The older brother of the man who knocked up an employee and left. Justin comes back to handle the family ranch. Once he’s back, he meets a woman who pulls at his heart. She does the unlikely and pukes all over his shoes and clothes. The most embarrassing moment but also the moment when Justin’s realizes her situation. Her love for horses has lead her back into Justin’s life. From there the shocking truth takes them on a beautiful journey. I loved the brickering between characters. Justin is the hero who is strong enough to handle any stubborn woman…and that one stubborn woman has him so tangled up inside he’s not sure to give into his heart or play it safe. The female character yer was easy to relate as well. Her situation was believable. Her spunky no sugar coated talk made her real. Readers with a fondness for animals and comedy will love this sweet romance. Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch is a must read for all. I highly recommend Elise Faber’s  novel to readers everywhere.

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. 

Review: For the Record

Synopsis:

Jennings Offers Another Delightful Blend of History and Romance

Betsy Huckabee might be a small-town girl, but she has big-city dreams. Writing for her uncle’s newspaper will never lead to independence, and the bigger newspapers don’t seem interested in the Hart County news. Trying a new approach, Betsy pens a romanticized serial for the ladies’ pages, and the new deputy provides the perfect inspiration for her submissions. She’d be horrified if he read her breathless descriptions of him, but these articles are for a newspaper far away. No one in Pine Gap will ever know.
 Deputy Joel Puckett didn’t want to leave Texas, but this job in tiny Pine Gap is his only shot at keeping his badge. With masked marauders riding every night, his skills and patience are tested, but even more challenging is the sassy journalist lady chasing him.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

For the Record by Regina Jennings is a engaging historical read. I love the chase inside this tale. A young woman dreams of being a big writer. However, to get there she will need something much more interesting to publish. That is where Deputy Joel Puckett comes in hand. He’s the star of her writing career. However, her writing may just come with a price that may affect the deputy. The more time she spends chasing him the more Betsy Huckabee likes him. Funny, sweet, and beautifully told. Regina Jennings has captured my attention. Her characters have a way of pulling me deeper into their story. Believable, entertaining, and suspenseful. This romance will keep readers turning the pages until they finish it. After reading this novel, I fell in love with the writer’s work. Her writing style is fun, clever, and masterfully woven. I can’t wait to read more by Regina Jennings. Overall, I highly recommend For the Record to readers everywhere. 

Review: Mary’s Prayer

Synopsis: 

Mary Beiler is not ready for change. She wants to hold onto the past as tightly as she can. But new roles and relationships test Mary’s boundaries as she learns that she must trust God’s plan for her life. 
Eli Glick used to be a school-yard crush, but she hasn’t let herself dream of a future with him. When their paths begin weaving together, she starts to wonder if the feeling she notices towards him might be more than the memories of her childhood. 

From Mary’s Prayer: 

Not so bad! How was that for a compliment! she thought angrily as she stood and stepped towards the ladder. She turned to move down it, but as she placed her boot on the first rung it slid sideways several inches, and she took her foot off. 
“Hang on, I’ll hold it,” he said. 

He stood and walked towards her, and knelt near the top of the ladder. He held it in place as she turned again and put her foot on the top rung. This time, with his help, it was perfectly solid. 

“See what happens when we work together?” he asked, and she felt a smile peek onto her lips despite her upset. 
How does he do that to me? she wondered. She’d just been feeling upset and sorry for herself, and now a crack of lightheartedness found it’s way into her heart. It was as if he was bringing out her smiles –smiles that had been buried such a long time that they almost felt strange on her lips.

As she climbed down, she once again found herself uncomfortably close to the handsome man. Eli grinned at her. He was looking right into her eyes, and this made her blush. She was glad, at least, that he was no longer staring at her scars. 
“You sure that we can spend this time together, and you won’t fall in love with me?”he asked in his deep voice. 

Mary knew he was teasing her, but she felt her heart skip a beat at the flirtatious sound in his voice. Oh don’t flatter yourself, she thought. He’s only teasing you, just like he acts with all the girls. Besides, he likes Abby Trovey. With his face so close, and his blonde hair and good looks only inches away from her, she swallowed hard. 

Will Eli Glick see past Mary’s scars and into her heart?

Will Mary learn to trust again? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Mary’s Prayer by Faye P. Baker is an Amish romance that will tug at readers’ hearts. I definitely felt a pull on mine. The story is both sad and sweet. Many obstacles to overcome like math and fear. Faye P. Baker has created the perfect atmosphere with just enough intrigue and and suspense to keep me reading all night long. I loved it. Mary is a young Amish woman moves to a new place. She lost her mom due to a fire. Mary has scars that make her feel self-conscious and the fact that her math isn’t well enough to work the cash register in her dad’s bakery…this puts her in a situation that makes her feel lost. Then, there’s good looking Eli who friends her. But she as she falls hard for him, she realizes that he likes another girl. Mary then feels completely lost and angry. Feels like God isn’t listening to her. Mary’s Prayer is a realistic telling of life and hardships that fall onto our paths and show us how we can move forward. Inspiring, well-written, and heart melting. I highly recommend this novel, to all. 

Review: Naked Prince & Other Tales

 

Synopsis:

Cinder, a poor and beautiful young man who designs clothing, makeup, and hair for his stepmother and stepsisters, offers his clothing and slippers to a naked stranger in the woods, who turns out to be none other than Prince Charming. Follow Cinder and Prince Charming in this twist on the classic Cinderella tale as they discover their inner strengths and find their very own happily ever after.

Enjoy The Naked Prince and three other reimagined tales from Fairyland, each with a unique spin on stories we all know and love, including The Golden Rule, where eighteen-year-old Gideon Golden, after being thrown out of his home in Fairyland by his homophobic parents, breaks into the cottage of three burly men on Bear Mountain.

In Whatever Happened To…?, friction ensues between a celebrity with a growing appendage and a reporter who has a thing for giants.

And in Ice Cold, young Gaelen must save his love, Kieran, after a handsome but evil prince freezes Kieran’s heart and bewitches him into being the prince’s slave.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Once more, Joe Cosentino is indeed my favorite writer. He has surprised me with another fabulous rich tale. This time; however, he has taken famous fairy tale stories we all know and put a whole new spin, upon them. Tales like Cinderella and a few others can be found inside, The Naked Prince and Other Tales.

I loved how Joe Cosentino made a few tales into a more interesting read yet. His writing style has a way of luring readers into unknown territories and leaving them with a taste for more. The Naked Prince and Other Tales brings up several different themes one like the love of two men who are complete opposites. These two meet and love is tapping them on the shoulder. Humor as always is to be expected when reading this new book. I love fairy tales and the creative ways that Joe Cosentino retold them. Definitely for adult eyes only due to the adult content mentioned.

I got to meet a wide variety of intriguing characters. Characters like Goldilocks and the three Bears are amazing. Their lives pull in readers. I was enticed as well as enchanted. Twists like readers never expected are found with each new fairy tale. Funny, sexy, and entertaining, this new novella collection is a must read for all. The Naked Prince and Other Tales is truly an enjoyable book. I can’t wait to read more by this talented writer. An adventure of a lifetime!

Review: I’m Okay You’re a Pain In the Ass

 

Synopsis

Wildly entertaining essays laced with wicked concepts, cheap shots, and a few bright ideas. An absolute feast of funny words without once mentioning vampires or zombies. The perfect blend of madcap rants and true life experiences guaranteed to put a never-ending smile on your face. Actually, a never-ending smile might be cause for alarm. In fact, if your smile lasts longer than four hours, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Just the same, this extraordinary slice of life is riotously funny and viciously insightful. This book is almost too good to read, but I suggest reading it anyway. I also suggest telling forty or fifty of your closest friends to read this time; people need to laugh.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I’m Okay You’re a Pain In the Ass…a love story by Dr. J.M. Chamberlain, MPV is a book to behold. Inside readers will find a collection of essays that will surely entertain readers everywhere. Each essay is realistic, funny, and entertaining. Makes life more enjoyable. Plenty of laugh out loud moments to keep readers turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all. Dr. J.M. Chamberlain writes a superb collection for all to enjoy.

 

Review: Unlucky in Love

 

Synopsis:

After Alexis Maguire’s wedding day comes and goes without a groom, she decides that it’s time for a change. Tired of being the dependable, steady—and apparently boring—one, Alexis hopes that a cross-country road trip will help her loosen up and find her inner sparkle. Her first stop is the Whisper Creek Ranch, where the hot wranglers are sure to bring out her inner party girl. The trouble is, she can’t stand pretending to be someone she’s not—especially around the cowboy who tempts her to stay put.

Gunnar Peterson has spent six months working at Whisper Creek, and he’s never been happier. Having grown up an army brat, he’s ready to put down roots, and the only thing missing is a woman to share his life with. When Alexis blows into town, Gunnar thinks he may have met his match, despite the wild-child facade he sees right through. But Alexis swears she won’t settle down anytime soon—so it’s up to Gunnar to convince her that what she’s looking for . . . is right here.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Unlucky in Love by Maggie McGinnis is the best romance. I love the characters, the scenes and all. Maggie McGinnis has a way of showing a story to readers and leaving them in the story even after they have reached the last page. The emotions were real. The tension from both of the main characters was like a playing a tug of war with themselves and not winning. A sexy hot cowboy, who has had it rough in growing up…doesn’t want to be anything like his father. He keeps trying not to fall for the red headed beauty that walked into his life. But something keeps tugging him right back to her. Like an undeniable attraction of a magnet. Then, there’s the good girl nurse. She does everything to help her mother who can be a lot to handle at times. Her younger sister ends of leaving the majority of responsibility onto her shoulders. However, her sister is also, a good friend when it comes to her bad ex. Being left two weeks before one’s wedding is a raw enough scar…but only time will tell if both the cowboy and nurse can have a happily ever after or forever e cursed.  Unlucky in Love is a new must read for all. I can’t think of one reason why readers wouldn’t love this contemporary sweet yet sexy romance. One that takes place in the West. Did I mention hot cowboys with a heart of gold? Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all.

 

Review: Hit the Road, Jake!

 

Synopsis:

Thrilling, romantic, and sprinkled with humor, HIT THE ROAD, JAKE! reinvents the ‘buddy movie’ concept with the written word … and a pretty woman. Jake and Lindsey are good at tracking down offenders responsible for petty theft and blackmail, but when new mysteries become personal—slashed tires, spattered blood, steamy love letters, a stolen pet—everything changes.

Who is this enemy that secretly harasses them from town to town? Jake calls in some favors and manages to finagle the DNA testing of several blood samples. The results are shocking, and the dangers they face become deadly.

Practically, newlyweds, the couple thought they’d created the perfect win-win plan. While traveling between Tucson and Estes Park in their RV, Jake would solve embarrassing mysteries that schools wished to keep under wraps, and Lindsey, being the ‘cover’ for their presence, would conduct workshops for teachers. Then all hell broke loose.

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Hit the Road, Jake! by Cricket Rohman is a great cozy mystery that soon gets deadly. The beginning introduces readers a wonderful yet newly wedded couple. Jake and Lindsey and their dogs. This couple is deeply in love with one another and their bantering will keep any reader grinning. It was hard not to laugh along. Then, as they dive into their first mystery case it seems things get peculiar fast. Threats that look like a harmless prank is more than beats the eye. The couple will soon discover fast just how dangerous their mystery case is.

Cricket Rohman’s novel reminded me much of the Miss Fisher Mysteries. Funny, dangerous, and a puzzle not only to the detectives on the case but also to the readers at hand. I was intrigued at the mystery. A rhyming poem, literature, and petty stuff…what was the real MO and who was behind it and the more puzzling question was why. This novel will keep readers guessing and entertained from beginning to end. Hit the Road, Jake! is an excellent mystery full of suspense, intrigue and a great set of characters.

Hit the Road, Jake! by Cricket Rohman is indeed the perfect read. An unforgettable journey with the world’s best couple. Both Lindsey and Jake are a perfect match. Their investigating soon leads them into more than just trouble with their clients. It comes straight to them as well. The humor and romance that fill the pages as well made it believable. I recommend this novel to all. I look forward to reading the other novels by this talented writer.

 

 

 

 

 

Review: The Earl’s Unforgettable Flame

 

Synopsis:

Benjamin Frederickson, the future Earl of Wembley, can’t forget that night… The night that changed him…
More importantly, he can’t forget that brave little girl who was scarred from the horrible fire.

Catherine Watson 
.
The night young Benjamin Frederickson met the victim of a house fire, he has remembered it all of his life… Her spirit has lingered in his memory for years.
Even through his days of rebelling against his father, The Earl of Wembley, as he drinks, gambles, and womanizes.

But when he meets the beautiful Catherine Watson again, still scarred from that fire so many years later, he is enchanted.
But can a woman so remarkable remember a boy she met briefly years ago? 
.
Catherine, however, is less than impressed!
Considering herself disfigured and resigned to the idea that she will never marry, she sees his advances as a cruel joke at her expense.

How can any man view her with anything but disgust, especially the dashing future Earl of Wembley?
 
“I cannot believe that you genuinely want to spend time in the presence of this.” She pointed to her own scarred neck and her covered arm.
“Then your belief in me is sorely lacking,” he sulked angrily. “As is your opinion of your ownself.”

It won’t be easy for Lord Benjamin to convince Catherine of his love.
Is he up to the task?

“I wish it were different. I wish you could court, me as if I were normal.” 
.
Will Catherine let the past dictate her future?
Will Benjamin give up and let her go?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Earl’s Unforgettable Flame by Charlotte Stone is an exciting read. Adventure, danger, an unforgotten past, and a deep emotional journey. A young boy now, as an Earl, can’t forget the good deed a young girl did. She risked her life. Now, as a woman, Catherine has the scars that make her feel like an outcast. She feels like she is not worthy of any suitor’s attention nor love. But then fate sends Benjamin into her life. He wants her. Catherine doesn’t think he could and the lack of self-esteem she has causes Benjamin to try. He wants her to know he can and does want her. But will her attitude keep them both from finding their true happiness?

Charlotte Stone’s writing is superb. She sucked me right into the plot. Tempting, bold, and thrilling. The Earl’s Unforgettable Flame is indeed a perfect title for this read. The main characters lure me deep into their backgrounds and their present moments. I loved following them both. Each with fighting for a good cause. If I were in the main female character’s shoes I too would be hesitant if an Earl like Benjamin took interest in me. Catherine considers herself a damaged good. Living with ugly scars can take a lot from an individual. The banter between both characters is enticing. I kept turning the pages in a haste to read it all.  Benjamin is a good gentleman with good intentions; however, a man can only try so hard. The game of love is unpredictable but worth every struggle. Overall, I highly recommend The Earl’s Unforgettable Flame to all.

Review: A Lady Unrivaled

 

Synopsis:

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile–even if it’s just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won’t wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he’s determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won’t budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her–and his daughter–from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White is an intriguing tale. One that involves a rather handsome Lord that he believes incapable of falling in love. He claims he’s not a good man yet he proves the exact opposite. His actions speak louder than his words. Then fate has to bring in a beautiful smiling always positive woman into his life. For the life of she can’t stop thinking about the handsome yet charming Lord. Despite his efforts to keep her at bay. But there’s something more dangerous at play that will entangle them deeper into each others’ life. A dangerous man among their midst. Dead bodies found and yet anohter death is at play. Can they both the dashing Lady and the Lord stop the evil at hand or risk losing everything? A Lady Unrivaled is exactly that. I loved the suspense, intrigue and banter between Lord Clayton and Lady Ella. Both are amusing characters. Roseanna M. White knew exactly how to charm her readers into falling for both of her characters. The ending was surprising. Overall, I highly recommend this brilliant historical romance to all.

 

Review: One Look At You

 

Synopsis:

Livie is wrapped up in her new life and ready to face whatever comes. She’s got an ideal job at an international company, a stellar reputation as a personal assistant to one of the top finance executives in the company, and three friends who she shares just about everything with. Weekends are for chores, but with a roommate who needs cheering up, it’s hard to turn down a night out with the group. It never occurs to her that the single night out might be more than she’s bargained for and that she would meet that cool stranger at the bar. For better or for worse, though, the next morning finds her with little memory of the night’s events, and more worries, than she’s counted on.

When she shows up for work, she finds out that a new Chief Financial Officer is due to arrive soon. To her shock and dismay, it turns out to be the handsome stranger from Saturday night. Whether he’ll recognize her or not, or how soon, is hard to tell, but before she knows it, Livie’s life is far more complicated than she’d imagined it could become.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

One Look At You by Sofie Hartwell is a dazzling romantic comedy. One that instantly begs readers to read further. The plotlines are addictive. Every page, sends readers moving through the story in a fast-paced motion. A woman goes out to have a fun night and ends up waking to a man by her side. The details are fuzzy. But when she gets back to work, she meets the new CEO. The only issue is that the new CEO is indeed the man she slept with…Sofie Hartwell packs a lot of heat, intrigue, and humor into this stunning short read. I absolutely loved reading this masterpiece by her. Overall, I highly recommend this hot romance to all.

 

Review: Still Here

 

Synopsis:

A profound and dazzlingly entertaining novel from the writer Louis Menand calls “Jane Austen with a Russian soul”.

In her warm, absorbing and keenly observed new novel, Lara Vapnyar follows the intertwined lives of four immigrants in New York City as they grapple with love and tumult, the challenges of a new home, and the absurdities of the digital age.

Vica, Vadik, Sergey and Regina met in Russia in their school days, but remained in touch and now have very different American lives. Sergey cycles through jobs as an analyst, hoping his idea for an app will finally bring him success. His wife Vica, a medical technician struggling to keep her family afloat, hunger for a better life. Sergey’s former girlfriend Regina, once a famous translator is married to a wealthy startup owner, spends her days at home grieving over a recent loss. Sergey’s best friend Vadik, a programmer ever in search of perfection, keeps trying on different women and different neighborhoods, all while pining for the one who got away.

As Sergey develops his app—calling it “Virtual Grave,” a program to preserve a person’s online presence after death—a formidable debate begins in the group, spurring questions about the changing perception of death in the modern world and the future of our virtual selves. How do our online personas define us in our daily lives, and what will they say about us when we’re gone?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Still Here by Lara Vapnyar is an astounding novel. Readers will be instantly hooked upon opening the book. This read offers a realistic and a deep emotional journey. One that has a way of powerfully knocking readers off their feet. The cast of characters come in an array of differences. Each one with their own journey that they struggle to overcome. Grief, stability, and an endless search. I was easily able to connect with each of the characters. Their lives were created in a way that is beyond believable. Emotions such as frustration, sorrow, and determination are felt as readers weaved through the pages.

Inside Lara Vapnyar’s novel, I have met individuals in the busy city of New York. The toughest place to settle and make a living. Yet these four immigrants do exactly that. Settled, worked, and loved in the one city that can make or break people. Still Here showed that a group of friends supported one another through their tough and troubling times. Entertaining, quirky, and smart. I enjoyed reading this tale as well as having followed the four friends as their new lives progressed. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere.

 

 

Review: Hearts Unloched

 

Synopsis:

A psychic interior designer reluctantly agrees to renovate a sexy investor’s abandoned hotel on Loch Sheldrake, a lake rumored to have once been the mob’s body dumping ground.

Interior designer Kate Bardach loves her single girl’s lifestyle, living in Manhattan and spending weekends at her lake house. She’s passionate about her career, too–reinventing old buildings. But there are some projects she can’t take on because of the spirits trapped inside. Kate is psychic–she sees dead people.

Marco Lareci is one of Wall Street’s most successful investment brokers who’s achieved all of his life’s goals–except for finding his soulmate. His latest project, an abandoned resort on Loch Sheldrake, needs a savvy designer to transform the crumbling complex into a boutique hotel. When Marco meets Kate, he can’t believe his luck. She’s the perfect match for his business and his heart.

Marco’s body excites Kate even more than does his renovation project. But he wants more than a casual relationship, and she’s not willing to give up her freedom. Plus, the haunting at Marco’s resort, a bonafide poltergeist, affects her on an intensely personal level. Kate’s aunt disappeared from the place fifty years ago.

Will the spirit doom Kate and Marco’s love, or drive them closer together?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Hearts Unloched by Claire Gem is a hot, steamy, yet emotional read. The story is about loss, love, and spirits needing closure. All it takes is…a wealthy Italian man to purchase an antique place. His intentions are to restore it and turn it into a hotel. The Shipley Hotel. Somehow by fate, he meets a gorgeous woman who happens to be an interior designer. A woman that he wants to share his bed with forever. She is  one that captures his heart from the beginning…

Kate almost died when she was younger. Now, she sees and communicates with ghosts. Something about the place where she is designing frightens her. Something bad. Maro is a hot Italian man who drives her crazy. He feels a connection to a woman who admitted that she not only sees but talks to ghosts. Got to love a hot sexy man who doesn’t run away nor treat a woman bad after hearing all that. Hearts Unloched will have readers on the edge of their seats. Suspense drives readers to turn the pages faster. Ghosts have a way of destroying or making your life better. Maro and Kate may find their peace after all…but it all depends on the restorations and what they can do to set the ghosts free. Overall, the novel is well-written and I loved reading it. Characters were real. Also, they were easy to connect with on every level. I highly recommend Hearts Unloched by Claire Gem. Her talent is amazing. Can’t wait to read her next paranormal romance.

 

 

Review: House of Curds (2)

 

Synopsis: 

Episodes 14-26 offer a lot of fascinating twists to retwist. Frank Underwire has been banished to a hog lot. Frank starts his own religion. Frank strategizes to get some “WOW” in his life. Smoky Buns is out of Frank’s life. Of course, episode 18 is the famous “Curd Hurled ‘Round the World” episode. In episode 19, look for “Animal Planet” to tweak some of the character names and habits so “Curds” can run on their channel. And, naturally, what would the second season be like without a visit to Earth by E.T.? He’s reporting on Frank and others. Episode 25 is the “Just Shy of Treason” offering. And Episode 26 is essential to read if you want to decipher all the complex symbols in “Curds.”

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Once again readers are brought back into the best Netflix show companion book. This title contains the episodes of 14-26 from House of Cards. House of Curds will leave readers reading and re-watching the Netflix episodes all over again. Detailed, hilarious, and a must read for all. Richard M. Fleegle is a great writer. His words have power over readers. Keeps them turning those pages and never losing interest.

Inside season two of House of Curds, readers will experience deals with the devils, phone tapping, Chinese cyber attack campaign, hidden cameras, and threats of arrest as well as more political intrigue. Absolutely, a funny yet highly entertaining read. The characters’ lives are full of nothing but drama, threats, secrets and much more. I couldn’t stop reading. There’s a lot of action and thrilling scenes to keep readers turning the pages. Great book. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: House of Curds (Book 1)

 

Synopsis:

This is a parody of the first season (13 episodes) of the popular Netflix series “House of Cards.”

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

House of Curds by Richard Q. Fleegle is indeed a hilarious read. For fans of House of Cards…they will be familiar with what happens inside this tale. The book contains the first twelve episodes of the famous Netflix show. Readers will be lured in by the words and dragged into the humor, drama, and quirky characters. I never watched the Netflix show but know have to see it. Never a boring moment in this laugh-out-loud piece. Well-done, and I definitely recommend House of Curds to readers everywhere. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Anywhere You Are

 

Synopsis:

As the daughter of a music legend, Grace Davingham, knows all too well what it’s like to be burned by the media’s glare. Now all she wants is to be left to do her painting and conservation work in peace, with no intention of returning to the spotlight. But after she sprains her ankle hiking and a handsome real-estate mogul comes to her rescue, Grace once again finds herself in the public eye.

Sexy, successful, and averse to any attachments, Marcus Colby thrives on rigid discipline in order to manage both his real-estate investment company and his personal life. Marc has no time for fun and no patience for crazy. Which is why meeting Grace—and inheriting an enormous Great Dane who won’t listen to a word he says—has turned Marc’s carefully constructed world upside down.

Only when Grace and Marc square off over a local controversy do they realize how different they really are. But if opposites attract, their love is destined to bind them together—forever.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Anywhere You Are by Elisabeth Barrett is funny, sweet, and exciting romance. I felt an instant connection to the main characters. Both from opposite worlds yet both are the same kind of person despite the lives they live. One comes from a rich lifestyle the other works his butt off to make good money. One is happy making enough to live on while the other is stressed out from work. He doesn’t realize that work is eating at him. Until a certain woman pops into his life. A charming gorgeous woman that he can’t shake out of his mind. The woman has a supermodel’s looks but is content living with a low quiet life. An artist who enjoys life. Both of these characters will drive readers crazy in a good way.  The plot is fast-paced. I enjoyed following the characters journey. Anywhere You Are is a story about finding a love that makes one happy. Anywhere the loved one is so too will the other half be. Happy, content, and thrilling. The tale was super sexy. Elisabeth Barrett’s writing is addictive and well-done. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere.