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.

Review: I Take You

 

Synopsis:

Lily’s fiancé Will is a brilliant, handsome archaeologist. Lily is sassy, impulsive, fond of a good drink (or five) and has no business getting married. Lily likes Will, but does she love him? Will loves Lily, but does he know her? As the wedding approaches, Lily’s nights—and mornings, and afternoons—of booze, laughter, and questionable decisions become a growing reminder that the happiest day of her life might turn out to be her worst mistake yet.

Unapologetically sexy with the ribald humor of Bridesmaids, this joyously provocative debut introduces a self-assured protagonist you won’t soon forget.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy is a sassy, sexy, hilarious read. Instantly, I found myself turning the pages fast. The main character is quirky. Her ways are not what I would do yet, the way she is presented is great. Eliza Kennedy has done a fabulous job in creating a leading female character that has more flaws than perfections. That’s what made this book so easy to connect with…there’s a lot of sex with men and things that would leave me utterly speechless. However, Lily, the soon to be bride knows how to live life fully. Lily is about the most impulsive character I have met. Readers will never be able to guess what she does next or why. A woman about to be married may or may not actually get married. Her journey to that moment will string readers along and leave them laughing at the craziness of who Lily is. Overall, I highly recommend I Take You to readers everywhere. This is definitely a must read for all.

Review: Must Love Wieners

 

Synopsis:

Piper Summers works like a dog juggling three jobs to put herself through veterinary school—driving taxis, delivering pizzas, and singing telegrams. Thankfully, Piper has her devoted dachshund Colin to help her keep things in line. That is, until she gets fired…and someone throws her a bone that is too good to resist.

Aiden Caldwell is an Armani ad come to life—a billionaire CEO who’s just adopted a dachshund from the rescue center where Piper volunteers. He’s hot on Piper’s tail to be his personal dog walker…but he may be after more than a walker for his wiener. The gorgeous, spirited Piper is everything he’s ever wanted from a woman—and more. But can Piper ever love, and trust, a man who has never learned to open his heart—or has she bitten off more than she can chew?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Must Love Wieners by Casey Griffin is a good laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with danger added to it. I love good romance stories that bring out some of the things I love. I love animals…especially dogs. The main character, Piper, is close to becoming a vet. But until then she’s barely scraping by with the odd ends jobs. Her job as a pizza delivery didn’t work out…then her job singing customized telegrams led her to a crazed male stalker and even a possible love match…Yep, Piper’s life is an interesting roller coaster from the beginning to end. Casey Griffin’s writing is superb. I can’t wait for book two to come out to read the next best adventure. Every page was filled with excitement, humor, heat, and suspense. I, like Piper, had suspicions on who was behind the crimes but couldn’t put my finger on it. Absolutely, a great romance that is hot sexy and perfect for all. Readers won’t be forgetting this romantic story. Overall, I highly recommend Must Love Wieners to readers everywhere.

 

Review: The Best Seller

 

Synopsis:

When Maya Smock writes her first novel, everything seems to go her way. Her book practically writes itself. She marries her gorgeous agent. Her name is on all of the best seller lists. Billionaire author Jay McCallister takes an interest in her meteoric rise to fame and invites her into his world of alien-believing celebrities. Her life changes forever when he tells her that they were both created inside of a laboratory. These authors are embedding an alien genetic code within the pages of their novels that originated from Nazi Germany because…

The time has come. They are here.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review:

The Best Seller by Dina Rae brings out one of the most unbelievable conspiracies of all. Yet, inside the tale, it seems so real. I was hesitant at first when reading this book. Then, I really got into the plot. The story chapters switch between the happening now moment to what happened back when the Nazis were a real threat. Here, readers will find the US government hiding as well as allowing Hitler’s craziest doctors to conduct experiments. Experiments that involve four aliens. Aliens that can easily kill everyone in the room. In the modern moment, a young female who wrote a science fiction fantasy book goes to a book signing. She wants to see if anyone would represent her book and get it published. Fate must be funny. Because she not only found a crazy agent who got her book published but also met her favorite author. Only he acted crazy when he saw her necklace. A necklace that her mother gave her…then there’s his talk, about the aliens are here. Dina Rae knows how to pull her readers, into a world full of weird stuff that leaves them intrigued. I couldn’t stop reading this novel until I read the last page. Imaginative, well-written, and one that conspiracy hunger readers will love. Overall, I recommend this read to all.

Review: Beyond the Stars

 

 

Synopsis:

Falling for him wasn’t in the plans…

Most girls would kill for the opportunity to work for Jack McAlister, Hollywood’s hottest actor, but twenty-one-year-old Jessica Beckett is ready to kick him out of her red Ford Fiesta and never look back. She should be spending her junior year in France, eating pastries and sharpening her foreign language skills. Instead, she’s reluctantly working as Jack’s personal assistant, thanks to her powerhouse talent agent aunt.

Jack is private, prickly, and downright condescending. Jessica pushes his buttons—she’s not the type of girl to swoon over celebrity heartthrobs, precisely why her aunt thought she’d be perfect for the job—and Jack pushes right back.

But as she begins to peel away his layers, Jessica is shocked to find she craves her boss’s easy smile and sexy blue eyes. The problem is, so does the entire female population. And what started out as the job from hell soon has Jess wondering if a guy like Jack could ever find love with a regular girl like her.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise is a contemporary romance that is well-written. Her story blew me away. Here, we have a typical movie star who asserts authority over everyone including his new assistant. Yet, as the time flies by…his assistant sees him more as a human being portrayed wrong by media. There’s trouble ahead for both of them…and only time will tell what sparks between the two. Can individuals with different careers find the happiness they deserve or will it forever be ruined?

Beyond the Stars is a laugh-out-loud kind of read. Imagine a high profile woman giving her ex-boyfriend slash popular movie star a pig…because she thinks it fits him. Somehow, he has everyone convinced that his ex, gave him the pet pig as a gift of love rather than as a bad statement. The pig is sort of like the Marley and Me tale. It’s funny as hell but will also make readers cry and fall in love too. Stacy Wise’s writing is superb. I loved reading this novel by her. Overall, I would highly recommend it to readers everywhere. I look forward to reading the next best adventure by this brilliant writer.

Review: The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman

 

Synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old Courtney Hoffman is determined not to go insane like her crazy grandfather did—right before he tried to drown her when she was seven. But something is happening to her. She’s being visited in her bedroom at night by aliens who claim to have shared an alliance with her now-dead grandfather. And Courtney knows that aliens aren’t real, which means she must be going crazy. And her mother and her new boyfriend have zero tolerance for craziness.

Then Courtney meets Agatha Kirlich, a mysterious older girl with sleuthing skills and alien-obsession issues of her own, and together—armed with ancient stories of a human-alien bloodline, a few photographs, and the creepy tattoo left on Courtney’s rib cage by her grandfather before he disappeared—the girls embark on a mission to uncover the truth about Courtney’s alien visitors. Ultimately, Courtney must put her fears aside, defy her mother, embrace her true identity, and risk everything in order to save herself—and the world.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman by Bradley G. Stefani is an interesting read for all ages. Yes, it’s geared for teens but as an adult, I enjoyed reading it. The main character, a teenage girl, is growing through a difficult time period in her life. She just lost her grandpa whom many deem crazy. Yes, he was a bit crazy but this tale proves he was also a genius as well. A grandpa who gave his granddaughter a tattoo that she knows nothing about…and the talk of aliens. Who believes in aliens…and where’s the proof? As Courtney live each day she is taunted with the nightmares. Her mother and mother’s boyfriend treat her like a crazed lunatic. A mother who puts her daughter into an asylum, based on the trauma her daughter is going through and because her boyfriend is a Doctor.  A Doctor who is more than beats the eye. The mother is clueless and it’s up to her daughter to save the world and to prove the Doctor is evil…

The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is addictive, well done, and highly suspenseful. I found myself turning the pages faster with every turn. Bradley G. Stefani writes a story that drags readers into the characters drama and sweeps them off their feet into the danger ahead. Absolutely loved reading this tale. Courtney feels alienated from her peers and family and once she lands into the world her grandpa was in, she finds a peace that makes her life normal. Funny, crazy, but well-developed. Overall, I highly recommend this YA novel to all.

 

Review: Kill All Cats

 

Synopsis:

Ron Black is a 35-year-old night security guard living a moribund existence. Past deeds need to stay buried for him to remain a free man. When the elderly cat lady next-door dies along with her thirty-eight cats, Ron feels the investigative heat from Detectives Moore and Porter. His alibi: “I was at work.”

The police disrupt Ron’s life, which he shares with Brisbane, his cockatiel. He squawks surprisingly relevant quotes learned from watching crime show reruns 24/7—some of which don’t help Ron’s situation. Ron picks up clues about what happened next-door from conflicting comments by his odd neighbors: “She was popped.” “Poisoned.” “Chopped up.” The neighbors include Ron’s estranged great-uncle Kirk, a disgruntled scientist, who had worked at the pharmaceutical company where Ron is the night guard.

When Ron’s only friend, Jean, disappears, the police double-down on him as a suspect for this crime, too. The next day, the police infer his arrest in twenty-four hours for the crime at his neighbor’s house. Despite the pressure to save himself, he is compelled to find his friend.

Sprinkle a bit of an Agatha Christie closed-room mystery with the situational humor of Evanovich for a high-level concept as Ron tries to “…control what he can control.” And just when you think it’s all over, another layer of horror reveals itself, and Ron didn’t even see it coming.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review:

Kill All Cats by Rick Bylina is an intriguing novel. This crazy tale about an elderly lady owning thirty-eight cats has been found dead. But that’s not all. So were her cats. All were found dead. Who did it and how are left unknown, until the ending where all it all became known. I found the beginning dragging behind a bit until more suspicious events occur like his friend gone missing. The writer has brilliantly incorporated humor into his writing. The bird inside this story will keep you turning the pages….but so does Ron’s troubles. Ron seems like the average guy. A guy who happens to pull himself deeper into hot water with the police than pulling himself out of it. Every page kept me wondering if and when they police would arrest Ron or if something horrendous would happen to Ron. Kill All Cats is similar to a cozy mystery that keeps readers held in suspense as the plot unfolds. Steady paced, and packed with crime and mystery, and a peculiar set of characters. I enjoyed reading this novel. Overall, I recommend Kill All Cats by Rick Bylina to readers everywhere.

Review: The Girlfriend Request

 

Synopsis:

Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like…way more. From friend request to In a Relationship–it all seemed so completely logical when she’d planned it.

Eli can’t figure out what Emma is up to. He’s pretty sure she’s the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe…he missed his chance with the girl next door.

Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It’s Complicated…
This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one fake Facebook profile, two best friends who secretly crave each other, and a dreaded sex talk with parents…boy crush in the room included. Pushing a relationship beyond the friend zone has never been so crazy…

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski is incredible. The story is about young love and friendship. A young girl is tired of being just seen as a friend…she wants to be more than best friends with Eli. Eli is the boy that lives next door to Em and they have been friends since first grade. Em decides to jump-start her life if she ever wants to be girlfriend material. But what happens when she creates a fake profile, dates another guy to make her guy jealous, and can’t get a grip on her feelings…It’s no wonder Eli doesn’t know exactly how Em feels about him. She can’t straight out tell him she’s in love with him. Eli starts to notice the way Em looks at him and how she looks…he’s feelings as well as her’s, get more complicated and heated with every page. This YA contemporary romance is a definite must read for all. I am an adult and I loved it. It took me back down to those awkward teenage years and felt the rush of falling in love again. Wow. Jodie Andrefski’s writing is superb. I highly recommend this fabulous laugh-out-loud and heart melting journey to readers everywhere.

 

Review: The Lobby

 

Synopsis:

Welcome to The Shipley Hotel, where the perky and attentive staff provides the gold standard in artificial concern and comfort to all the colorful characters who pass through its polished brass revolving door and find themselves in The Lobby. Practically engineered for eavesdropping, San Francisco’s juiciest hotel lobby offers the perfect place to witness the comings and goings—and the most comedic intersections—of staff, long-term residents, and eclectic guests. Featuring over fifty stories all transpiring in a single twenty-four hour period and intersecting in the Shipley’s elegant lobby, readers will meet an eccentric and vast array of characters, most of whom will look awfully familiar and all of whom will speak to the heart. Employing acute skills in human observation and a keen understanding of the essential human needs—frequently unplanned and unexpected rendezvous, ready laughter at others’ expense, and maybe even a little love and acceptance—Randi M. Sherman’s unique wit and candor will surely make the reader sit up, stand up, roll over, or assume an interested leaning position and take notice. Get comfortable (on the exquisitely upholstered lobby couch) and spy on those checking in and out of the Shipley. Careful: you might just encounter a version of yourself among the ornate balconies and intricate woodwork.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Lobby by Randi M. Sherman is a grand adventure that is juicy, entertaining, and full of surprises. The writing is superb. It takes readers on a journey of experiencing all the drama that goes on within the lobby of The Shipley Hotel. Here, I got to meet a variety of interesting individuals. From pity parties, to a wedding to an educational tour. There’s plenty of action, characters, and emotions flying high within this exciting novel. Luxury everywhere…the rich and famous, and workers are filled within this tale. The thrill ride within is one that is more emotional than physical. I was laughing and rooting for the characters along the way. Horse betting and credit cards being declined…this was one adventure that readers will immediately take to…almost like a soap opera but one that made me feel like I was actually there with the characters. The Lobby is indeed a fascinating story that I would recommend to readers. Randi M. Sherman’s talent is one that can’t be missed.

 

Review: Reverie

 

Synopsis:

Julia James has spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. For her, the cello was a way to get past a hellish childhood. Even now that she is one of the top cellists in the country, and a contender in the most prestigious, high-stakes music competition in the world, she hopes no one will notice her. But then someone does. A chance (or is it?) encounter brings her to the attention of the distractingly sexy, charismatic French horn player, Jeremy Corrigan. As he helps her to embrace her talent, her sexuality, and her past, Julia thinks she might finally be headed toward her ‘happily-ever-after.’ Unfortunately, happily isn’t so much ‘ever-after’ for Julia. The lines between love and obsession are blurred in REVERIE.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Reverie by Lauren Rico is a stunning contemporary novel that blew me away instantly. I was immediately drawn into the leading female character’s life story. Her troubled past to the present trouble brewing up…Love, hatred, abuse, lies…and danger wrapped up in one riveting tale. From a dysfunctional family with abuse going on to a young woman falling into a trap of abuse far greater than the one she escaped from as a child. This is a novel for adults only. There’s hot steamy sex…lies, betrayal,  murder, and beatings. Lauren Rico has masterfully created a novel that shows us the violence and threats that happen in real life. Sometimes there’s no justice…the good fall victim and to those that are unaware might just die for a selfish reason that was completely unexpected. The nightmare never ends…as Julia and her new love, Matthew, now fight for their lives. The stirred up the mess of a dangerous murderer, and now, he may just come after them next. The suspense and intrigue are high in this exciting and thrilling read. Reverie is an adventure that readers will carry with them forever. Overall, I highly recommend this beautifully told story, to readers everywhere.

 

 

Review: Even Odds

 

Synopsis:

Geeky meets kinky in this first deliciously sexy novel in the Slices of Pi series by RITA-nominated author Elia Winters, which follows the romantic rendezvous of the employees at PI Games, a gaming company based out of sultry Florida.

As a design manager at PI Games, Isabel Suarez is no stranger to the struggles of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. But when her team attends a gaming convention on the other side of the country, she figures there’s no harm in putting aside her professional demeanor for one weekend to participate in a risqué scavenger hunt. Why shouldn’t she let loose and have a little fun?

A careless romp soon turns into more, however, when Isabel ends up having a fling with Caleb Portland, an artist, and animator, without knowing he has just been hired to partner with her at her company—and Caleb can’t bring himself to tell her. When they end up coworkers a few weeks later, they need to find a way to work together and keep things strictly professional. Caleb doesn’t want to take on a relationship and risk failure. Isabel doesn’t want to risk ruining the professional reputation she’s worked so hard to develop. But when faced with the undeniable sizzling chemistry between them, will either of them be able to resist temptation?

A sexy and witty tale of romance and modern workplace politics, Even Odds is the latest winning entry in Elia Winters’ unique and well-loved erotic novels.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Even Odds by Elia Winters is absolutely a must read for all. This is one geeky romance that will keep readers laughing and falling in love with the characters. The female character, Isabel, is the only female working in an all male dominated area. Game software. She designs games and is now in the manager position. Before moving to the PI Games she worked at another company. A company where she experienced a disastrous relationship which then lead to sexual harassment. The sad part was that the Human Resource person told her that words weren’t much of a harassment and that they wouldn’t take her complaints seriously. Isabel ended up taking action that suited the company better than helping solve her issues at work. This past life experience has left her feeling like an ice queen at work. Acting as sexless as possible to survive working in the gaming industry surrounded by all men. An area that showed me that was hard for any woman including Isabel to be taken seriously by men as a professional. Her hard work pays off…but there’s one employee who makes her uncomfortable…will she face up to him or let him continue his harassments against her? The other part to this exciting tale was the trip to DiceCon and that’s where everything heats up…Isabel wants to let loose for once and three of her teammates get her in on a game that has her meeting the one man that might just be a forever thing…a man that can not only make her feel like a woman but also respect her in the industry. That combination alone would make any woman’s knees go weak. Isabel and Caleb are a perfect couple. Their journey was realistic and believable. The pages got hotter with every turn….and the plot sets readers on the edge of their seats wondering what comes next.  Even Odds by Elia Winters is by overall, a hot and brilliantly well-written geeky romance that all will enjoy. I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere.

 

 

Review: A Robot in the Garden

 

Synopsis:

For fans of THE ROSIE PROJECT and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, A broken man and his damaged robot build an unlikely friendship-with some assembly required.

Ben’s really great at failing at things-his job, taking the garbage out, and being a husband. But when he discovers a battered robot named Tang in his garden, he decides to get out of his couch-ridden comfort zone. Without a crucial bit of machinery, Tang will stop working, and Ben can’t let that happen, especially since he’s already alienated everyone else he cares about. Determined to achieve something for once in his life, Ben sets out to fix his new robot comrade and soon discovers that Tang might be just the thing to fix what’s broken in Ben. Funny, touching, and charming, A Robot in the Garden explores what it is to be a man, a sentient being, and a friend.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

A Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install is crazy, silly, funny, and sweet. I have never read a book quite like this one. One day a young couple wake up to find a robot in their garden. From there I got to enjoy the husband questioning the robot to feeling something for the sad looking robot that would hardly speak to him. The man fights with his wife over keeping the robot. She complains that it’s old, broken and can do nothing but sit and look at horses. Yet, as the story progresses I found out along with the man that the robot was more than just an old AI.

The robot had feelings just like any other human being. Soon, the sad yet dangerous journey into finding out the robot’s past life and getting it fixed new will tug at readers’ hearts just like it did for mine. Tang, the robot, is adorable. Like a little boy, the robot makes one laugh and cry and feel good. Tang also helps Ben find himself and help him finally heal after losing both his parents. His wife didn’t understand that until much later on…I guess it’s better to realize things than not to realize them at all. Love can heal and last forever…but it takes time and takes both people willing to love to work. A Robot in the Garden showed all this and more. Marriage isn’t easy nor will ever be but it’s definitely worth having if both want it. Deborah Install leaves many surprises and twists along the way that makes this an irresistible read. This was the first novel I have read by Deborah Install, and I highly recommend it to readers worldwide.

 

Review: Only in Naples

 

Synopsis:

Full of lighthearted humor, sumptuous food, the wisdom of an Italian mother-in-law, and all the atmosphere of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, this warm and witty memoir follows American-born Katherine Wilson on her adventures abroad. Thanks to a surprising romance—and a spirited woman who teaches her to laugh, to seize joy, and to love—a three-month rite of passage in Naples turns into a permanent embrace of this boisterous city on the Mediterranean.

When I saw the sea at Gaeta, I knew that Naples was near and I was coming home.

“There is a chaotic, vibrant energy about Naples that forces you to let go and give in,” writes Katherine, who arrives in the city to intern at the United States Consulate. One evening, she meets handsome, studious Salvatore and finds herself immediately enveloped by his elegant mother, Raffaella, and the rest of the Avallone family. From that moment, Katherine’s education begins: Never eat the crust of a pizza first, always stand up and fight for yourself and your loved ones, and consider mealtimes sacred—food must be prepared fresh and consumed in compagnia.

Immersed in Neapolitan culture, traditions, and cuisine, slowly and unexpectedly falling for Salvatore, and longing for Raffaella’s company and guidance, Katherine discovers how to prepare meals that sing, from hearty, thick ragù to comforting rigatoni alla Genovese to pasta al forno, a casserole chock-full of bacon, béchamel, and no fewer than four kinds of cheeses. The secret to succulent, tender octopus? Beat it with a hammer. While Katherine is used to large American kitchens with islands and barstools, she understands the beauty of small, tight Italian ones, where it’s easy to offer a taste from a wooden spoon.

Through courtship, culture clashes, Sunday services, marriage, and motherhood (in Naples, a pregnancy craving must always be satisfied!), Katherine comes to appreciate carnale, the quintessentially Neapolitan sense of comfort and confidence in one’s own skin. Raffaella and her famiglia are also experts at sdrammatizzare, knowing how to suck the tragedy from something and spit it out with a great big smile. Part travel tale, part love letter, Only in Naples is a sumptuous story that is a feast for the senses. Goethe said, “See Naples and die.” But Katherine Wilson saw Naples and started to live.

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Only in Naples by Katherine Wilson is a surprising memoir that took me on a fabulous journey to Naples, Italy. There I followed a young woman who has just graduated and decided to intern in a foreign country like her parents did. This read was full of adventure and unexpected moments. Like when crumbs from the main character’s piazza fell, into her lap and the next moment a young woman sitting next to her reaches down by her crotch area…was like omg….what?! Then there was the car ride with the wind howling loud and she mentions marriage to a Neopolitan man like this: marriage…us? The answer was fine. Okay fine. Crazy, exciting, and definitely a memorable ride as readers like myself follow the American woman’s experiences living in Italy. The cultural, food, and language kept me turning the pages. Little by little I was learning words here and there in the Italian language. Not only was Only in Naples an entertaining read but also an educational one too. I loved reading this title that was brilliantly written by Katherine Wilson. Overall, I highly recommend this to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Charmingly Yours

 

Synopsis:

For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy SoHo loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Charmingly Yours by Liz Talley is extraordinary. A novel about a group of close friends that are attending a funeral for a friend they just lost. Their best friend has written them a letter before she died, giving them a task of things she wants them to do and also provides them the ways in order to get the items  done. For each thing they accomplish, they must add a charm to their friend’s charm bracelet. After each woman gets her individual letter, they read it alone. This tale then focuses on one of the remaining friends. Rosemary Reynolds. She is a super sweet, polite, and always the good girl. Her mother mostly tries to keep her daughter in a bubble wrap world where nothing that the mom likes can change or hurt her daughter.

However, Rosemary Reynolds is a much tougher and sassier lady then all give her credit for…she goes to New York to have a little fun and to let loose before heading back home to her southern town.  While in New York, Rosemary happens to run into a super sexy, funny, and great man. A man who instantly finds himself hopelessly falling in love, with her. Both hang out and soon the sparks are flying everywhere. What started out as a new friendship…soon turns out to be much hotter and sexier than originally planned. Hearts are on the line. Sal lives in New York working at his parents’ restaurant and Rosemary is only visiting for a short time…when the time comes will Sal choose Rosemary or will he choose to live a life his parents want for him? Charmingly Yours is by far the most amazing novel ever. I laughed and cried so hard.  The friends are so close to one another that it’s like I’m one of them the group. They instantly pull me into the journey and I loved every moment of it. Liz Talley is a superb writer. I think of the last time I felt such strong emotions at such an early point in any one novel until I read this one. It truly blew me away. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers worldwide, and I look forward to reading the second novel in this series.

Review: Coinman (An Untold Story)

 

Synopsis:

Coinman, a junior level office worker in India, has a number of eccentricities. The laughingstock of the office, he finds no relief at home; his wife Imli, an obsessed actress, completely vanishes into each role. When tough bully, Hukum, a beautiful enchantress, Tulsi, and the office sage, Ratiram, unite the office to conspire against Coinman, they have no inkling of an apocalypse looming inside the office.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Coinman: An Untold Story by Pawn Mishra is an incredible and an unforgetatable journey. A debut literary novel by a new talented writer. I was easily entertained by the well-written tale. Enchanting…this story took me deep into its plot and set me upon an unknown and remarkable travel. I loved how Pawn Mishra brought in a little bit of an Indian lifestyle and culture to the piece at hand. Highly suspenseful. I never knew what to expect to happen until it occured. The pages are vivid in description and the narrator point of view made me more curious as to what the magical pages held for me. My interest was deeply satisfied. The novel itself moved by fast and is set in an office environment. Coworkers are not always the nicest people nor easy to deal with…yet here I faced an entire office set of workers going against one man. This particular man was nicknamed Coinman. He always has his hand holding onto coins within one of his pockets…never does he use both hands…when he has to use both…he makes an excuse to leave. Everything about him annoy his coworkers…and they set out to plot against him. A business firm that turns violent…a conspirarcy in the works…and a spy among the coworkers. The turn of events in this exciting adventure will keep readers turning the pages and wondering what will be inside Pawn Mishra’s next masterpiece. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading Coinman: An Untold Story and I highly recommend it to all.

Review: Reckless Traveler

 

Synopsis:

Reckless Traveler: an autobiographical novel of adventuring in South America, sure to delight anyone with a passport.

Perú and beyond: Through the alchemy of travel, youthful folly may bring disaster or wisdom . . . and more.

The instructional travel guide for aspiring backpackers: learn how to bribe police, avoid malaria, and find employment abroad — and what to do (and not to do) when armed mercenaries detain your charter bus.

Awaken your inner explorer with Walter Rhein’s Reckless Traveler, expat tales from a decade of discovery.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Reckless Traveler by Walter Rhein is definitely a must read. For those who want to travel far and experience another country…well, here’s the chance. Inside this brilliant well-written autobiography, Walter Rhein takes readers, into the world full of action, danger, and suspense. I didn’t know quite what to expect…well maybe things like trouble speaking a foreign language and surviving the hardships that pop up when one travels so far from home.  This nonfiction book was highly entertaining. Every page took on a different turn in Walter Rhein’s journey as he lives and travels within South America. The culture and language wrapped inside are amazing. Disasters seem to happen a lot but one can definitely learn lessons as they move through this title. Funny, well-done, and intriguing. Overall, I would highly recommend this adventure to readers everywhere.

Review: Written Off

 

Synopsis:

Rachel Goldman writes mysteries in which Duffy Madison, consultant to the county prosecutor’s office, helps find missing persons. Rachel is busy working, on her next book, when a man calls out of the blue asking for help in a missing person’s case. The caller’s name? Duffy Madison.

Is this real or has she lost her mind? She doesn’t have much time to find out because a serial killer is on the loose, kidnapping and murdering mystery authors. And Rachel may just be the next target.

Full of uncanny intrigue and witty humor, E.J. Copperman’s imaginative series debut Written Off is sure to be a new fan favorite for readers of Donna Andrews.

Rating: 5

Review:

Written Off by E.J. Copperman is definitely a must read for all readers as well as writers. Inside this hilarious yet serious novel, there is a serial killer out to kidnap and murder all mystery writers…this tale is highly intriguing and sucks readers in whole. The main character of this story so happens to be a mystery writer. Once she receives a call about a missing person’s case, Rachel has little time to waste before she’s next on the killer’s list. The storytelling is stunning…I couldn’t stop reading once I cracked open the book.

Written Off by E.J. Copperman has adventure, suspense, and laugh-out-loud moments that will keep readers hooked. The plot is all about the publishing industry and how one person didn’t hit it big…and because of that all hell breaks loose. People do crazy things when life doesn’t go their way. The serial killer within this novel usually takes the time to plan the kidnapping and the murder before, hand. But with the last kidnapped writer being a sleuth…the mistakes are bound to be made. A killer that poses under another identity that won’t be questioned…is the perfect disguise until details that were not released accidently slip out…but just as the main character, Rachel, is being used as bait, is slowly dying…will the killer get away with everything or will it finally be over? Every page was intense, funny, and well-done. I loved reading this title by E.J. Copperman and can’t wait to read the next exciting and mysterious adventure in this series! Overall, I highly recommend Written Off to readers worldwide.

 

Review: Discovering You

 

Synopsis:

India Sommers once had the perfect family—until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband. Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength to change her life.

Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her little girl, Cassia, to start over, she’s learned that her ex-boyfriend’s trial ended in a hung jury. He’s getting out of jail; he could try to find her again. And that’s not all that scares her. She’s extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the handsome “bad boy” type that’s given her so much trouble in the past. If she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.

India has to keep her distance from Rod—but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Brenda Novak is definitely one of my favorite all-time romance authors. Her novels speak for themselves…the characters’ and their dilemmas pack  enough action, romance, and intrigue. I have always found myself lost inside the beautiful world of fiction and in this newest world by Brenda Novak, I couldn’t resist. The temptation to read more by her is a need that needs to be constantly re-supplied. I have heard so much about this new novel, Discovering You, in newsletters and everywhere else on the web. Now, after having read the entire book in print form…I have to say I loved it. As always, Brenda Novak, doesn’t ever disappoint.

Discovering You is all about the bad boy theme that is hot and irresistible. A young woman has made past mistakes with hanging in the wrong crowd. What she doesn’t know is that it will come back to destroy her happily ever. A family of three is now a family of just two. Mother and daughter must now leave and make a home for themselves far away where they will be safe. But is safety from a dangerous ex who has been let loose going to work? This danger plus the fear of losing her daughter to her in-laws and the romantic chemistry she feels from her next door bad boy is leaving India feeling torn and worn out…it’s only a matter of time until she’s got full blown into danger and love. Brenda Novak always creates a juicy read that will tug at readers’ hearts and leave them falling in love. Sweet, romantic, and highly entertaining…Discovering You is by far a definite must read for all. The talented writer has once again, left another unforgettable legacy behind for readers everywhere to enjoy. Overall, I highly recommend this new contemporary romance to everyone.