Archives for June 2018

* Review * ENCORE by Rachel Lacey

June 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Encore by Rachel Lacey
Series: Rock Star Duet #2
on June 12, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

SHE STOLE CENTER STAGE…IN HIS HEART

Rocker Colton Nix would do just about anything to rid himself of the unflattering nickname his womanizing ways have earned him in the tabloids—anything except settle down with a woman, of course. If his parents taught him anything, it’s that love is as fleeting as celebrity. But after a few too many drinks on a private island in the Caribbean, Cole wakes up with the king of all hangovers…and a wedding band on his left ring finger.

Celebrity assistant Jenn MacDonald has her future meticulously planned, and she’s ready to make her next move: becoming a songwriter. Drunk-marrying a rock star was definitely not on the list. When Cole suggests they stay married for six months so that he can ride out the good publicity while helping her launch her new career, she can’t help but say yes. She’s even able to convince herself—almost—that her decision has nothing to do with the way one glance from Cole sets her body humming like the strings on his favorite guitar.

They were near strangers when they exchanged drunken vows on the beach, but the connection—and the attraction—between them is powerful and real. Soon, they’re making beautiful music together, both in and out of bed. They’re giving the performance of their lives, until it all comes crashing down around them. But every great performance deserves an encore, and theirs might just be love.

Electrifying chemistry! Great follow up to the first book in the duet! We met Jenn in that first book as Kate’s assistant and now she’s getting her own story with a bad boy rocker. The storyline caught my attention quickly, and the friendly turned sexy chemistry between the two of them is off the charts. I really enjoyed getting to play a little catch up with Kate and Josh from the first book too. A really great series!

As the personal assistant to pop princess Katherine Hayes, Jennifer MacDonald is used to the rocker lifestyle, but when she comes into contact with rock ‘n roll bad boy Colton Nix while they’re in the Bahamas for a shoot, he’s not at all what she was expecting. Enjoying letting loose and chatting over drinks a little too much, they wind up taking their drinking games a little too far and waking up hitched!

Colton Nix has been suffering from crappy headlines all over the media ever since a scorned groupie started fake rumors, so all he needs is a quickie marriage followed by an immediate change of heart to flare it all up even worse than before. He convinces Jenn that they can both benefit from staying married for a few months … he’ll get his reputation cleaned up a bit, and in return, he’ll help her get her start as a song writer in the industry. But when they find themselves falling for each other, all bets might be off!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ONE UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND by Andrea Laurence

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

One Unforgettable Weekend by Andrea Laurence
Series: Millionaires of Manhattan
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

An accident stole her memory.

A chance encounter brings it crashing back.

Violet Niarchos can’t recall the affair that gave her a child. But when she runs into Aidan Murphy, she knows the sexy bar owner is no stranger. He was her lover over one amazing weekend. He’s her baby’s father. But will Aidan believe she truly forgot all they shared? Or that the high-class heiress is faking it to save her reputation?

A blast from the past! A really fun amnesiac had a surprise baby story! The plot, while a little unorthodox caught my attention from the first page, and kept it throughout the story. I enjoyed both of the main characters, and watching them find their way to forever. Fast paced and very entertaining!

Violet Niarchos didn’t expect that day to be any different than her average day, but when a man walks into her office and speaks her name, she’s hit with a flood of memories she thought were gone forever! They spent one amazing weekend together that led to an adorable baby boy … only she didn’t remember it until she saw him again!

Aidan Murphy can’t figure out if Violet is trying to pull his leg or what, but this story seems a bit far fetched. She was in an accident on the way home from his house and now doesn’t remember their time together nor did she see fit to tell him she was pregnant? And now the second she’s caught, she’s magically healed? He really liked her, but he’s not sure he’s buying it!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * TWO DAUNTLESS HEARTS by Elle James

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Two Dauntless Hearts by Elle James
Series: Mission: Six
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

In one of the most remote locations

A SEAL meets his match…

Stationed in Africa, SEAL “Pitbull” Percy Taylor is on leave and flying to Kenya for a safari. Until bush pilot Marly Simpson is forced to crash-land their plane on the savanna. Stranded together, the itinerant pilot and the roving SEAL find a connection neither dreamed possible. And when Marly and her plane disappear, Pitbull rallies his SEAL team…to save the only woman he could ever truly love.

MISSION: SIX

Gripping excitement throughout! With the second book in her Mission: Six series, Elle James brings us Pitbull’s story. We met his Navy SEAL team in book one, and are following them through several bouts of drama while in Africa. We caught a glimpse of the heroine Marly in the first book as well, so seeing her meet her match with one of the SEAL’s was a fun development. An exciting plot with interesting characters led to a great read!

Percy “Pitbull” Taylor can’t believe he’s getting the opportunity to go on an African safari, but while he and the guys have a week of leave coming to them, that’s just what they’ve decided to do! The thing he’s not overly excited about is their method of transportation to get there … the pilot however, well, she’s hot!

Bush pilot Marly Simpson is only too happy to cross paths with this sexy group of men again. She’s particularly interested in the one who seems to be moody about entering her plane. She’ll take him for the ride of his life for sure … only she never expected it to end in an emergency landing! While stranded together, sparks fly and passion ignites … but they live on different continents, how could this ever work?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * LOCK ‘N LOAD by Tee O’Fallon

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Lock 'N' Load by Tee O'Fallon
Series: Federal K-9
Published by Entangled: Amara on May 28, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Crack CIA analyst Trista Gold is a whiz with the computer, but not so much with people. She hides behind her job, analyzing Top Secret code and making recommendations on national security. She doesn’t need a man in her life. But she will, very soon...

CIA K-9 officer Sgt. Matt Connors suspects that beneath Trista’s uptight appearance, there’s a sexy woman itching to cut loose. But he doesn’t dare act on his attraction. He’s a loner and always will be. Keeping away from Trista is a must-do directive. Until he doesn’t have a choice...

During a routine assignment, Trista stumbles across a cryptic exchange. She doesn’t think much of it...until someone tries to murder her—twice. Both times, Matt had been there to save her. But now she has to hide. And her new bodyguard, Matt, and his K-9 are the only hope she has against the powerful forces that want her dead.

Action packed and exhilarating! With the start of a brand new Federal K-9 series, Tee O’Fallon quickly draws us into the heart of a case that will keep us on our toes throughout. We meet the hero and heroine who quickly catch our attention, plus meet an extended group of friends who I can only assume will be the stars of books going forward. There’s a fun camaraderie among them all that makes them a great edition to the book. The plot was well developed with a lot of action and suspense.

CIA analyst Trista Gold knows computers like the back of her hand, but people … yeah, people have always been awkward for her. Her job with the CIA brings her biggest passion to life as day in and day out she cracks code and passes along invaluable information regarding national security. She never thought her latest bit of intel would change her life so drastically!

CIA K-9 officer Matt Connors happens to be on check-point duty one day and meets Trista. She might think she’s socially awkward, but to him, she’s adorable. Luckily he still has her on his mind later than night when danger comes knocking! When two attempts are made on her life in a short amount of time and Matt rescues her from both, he decides he’s not leaving her side until he finds out who’s after her … and why!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE NANNY PROPOSAL by Joss Wood

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

The Nanny Proposal by Joss Wood
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: The Impostor
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

“You work for me. That’s it.”

So why can’t she stay out of his bed?

She’d slept with Aaron Phillips before he became her boss. And Kasey Monroe had successfully avoided temptation ever since. But now the bachelor Texas tycoon demands she add temporary live-in nanny to her job description, to help with his niece. She’ll be “playing house” with the man she can’t resist. What could possibly go wrong with that arrangement?

Sexy, sweet and emotionally raw! With the latest book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club:The Imposter series, Joss Wood brings us Aaron’s story. His family has been playing a key part in the Will/Rich imposter storyline. This book was really quick to catch my attention, and the both sweet and sad emotions throughout kept my attention and had me rooting for Aaron & Kasey. Great read!

Aaron Phillips might be Kasey Monroe’s boss right now, but slightly before she agreed to become his executive assistant, they were simply two people agreeing to have a no strings one-night fling. They knew she was probably going to work for him, but agreed they wouldn’t let it affect their boss/employee relationship. They’ve done well for months now, but suddenly he needs her to move in and help out being a temporary nanny to his niece … how is that going to play out?

Kasey is wildly attracted to Aaron, but luckily their work relationship doesn’t have them in the same room often … but now he wants to move her into his house. She’s in big trouble!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BUILDING A FAMILY by M.K. Stelmack

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Building a Family by M. K. Stelmack
Series: A True North Hero
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The best man in the world wanted to marry her

But she couldn’t say yes…yet!

Most girls dreamed of the day someone offered them a ring. Not Connie Greene. She couldn’t even open the box. She did care for Ben Carruthers—always had, always would. But she couldn’t marry him until she’d made amends for the wrongs she’d committed. Until then, she had to protect Ben from himself. And most important, from her.

Redemption at it’s best! With the second book in her A True North Hero series, M.K. Stelmack gave herself a really tough job. She had to redeem a heroine that we all kind of loved to hate in the first book of the series. Connie came off as a really selfish person previously, and as we start to delve into her mind with this book, we start to see how she sees herself, and why she’s done some of the things that she’s done. We might not have made some of the same choices that she made, but we can forgive some of the things she’s done because we understand her reasoning. I really enjoyed getting to know Ben, and seeing them work towards healing. Really good read!

Connie Greene can’t deny that Ben Carruthers is the great love of her life, but she doesn’t think she’s a good enough person to deserve his love. She enjoys having him around, but she won’t accept the ring he offers when he asks her to marry him. She has a lot of work to redeem herself before she can ever even think about being the type of woman he deserves.

Ben has loved Connie since the first day he laid eyes on her when he was just a kid. She might have put a big dent in his heart when she walked away from their relationship, but he can’t give up on her. He sees things in her that she doesn’t seem to be able to see in herself … and he’s willing to give her as long as she need to get her head in the game of promising him a happily ever after.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MISS WHITE AND THE SEVENTH HEIR by Jennifer Faye

June 4, 2018 1 Comment

Miss White and the Seventh Heir by Jennifer Faye
Series: Once Upon a Fairytale
Published by Harlequin Romance on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A billionaire with a secret…

Can the truth lead to happily-ever-after?

In this Once Upon a Fairytale story, hardworking magazine editor Sage White’s just getting used to being in charge, so she’s alarmed to find sparks flying with her new assistant—the distractingly handsome Trey! Working together, they grow closer, but can their blossoming relationship survive when Sage learns that Trey is really Quentin Rousseau, seventh heir to the publishing empire—and her boss?

With the second book in her Once Upon a Fairytale series, Jennifer Faye brings us a story with a twist of a modern day Snow White! An evil step-mother has treated Sage unfairly and it’s up to her to find the proof to oust her from her father’s company and house once and for all! The characters are easy to like and the story is fast paced and fun. The romance is a tad light, but the overall story addictive.

Magazine editor Sage White is finally in the position to achieve the greatness she’s always known she was destined for, but she’s swamped with work! Hopefully the hiring of a new assistant will help ease her work load enough to concentrate on impressing the board of directors enough to continue to fund the magazine.

Trey Renault lands the job of Sage’s new assistant fairly easily, but he’s shocked at the amount of work she demands from him. She’s a hard worker herself and doesn’t take flack from her employees. He likes that about her … along with about a million other things! A working trip together leads to temptation that might be too hard to resist … but also lets his secret out of the bag. He’s really Quentin Rousseau III … and her boss!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * TANGLED VOWS by Yvonne Lindsay

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Tangled Vows by Yvonne Lindsay
Series: Marriage at First Sight
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The matchmaker’s instructions:

“Just show up for the wedding. I’ll supply the groom.”

An unorthodox arranged marriage is the only way Yasmin Carter can save her family’s struggling company. But the handsome man waiting at the altar is no stranger. He’s Ilya Horvath, her bitter business rival! The charismatic CEO plans to win over his reluctant bride with all the passion at his command…until a shocking web of secrets threatens to tear them apart.

A marriage made in … matchmaking? Book one in a new Marriage at First Sight series by Yvonne Lindsay is mesmerizing! We meet the couple who agree to marry for their own individual reasons, and though they have history surrounding them that could be a hinderance, they wind up getting along quite well. It’s starting to turn into a meaningful relationship when a blast from the past threatens to send it all crumbling. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more in the series!

When Yasmin Carter finds herself in need of a husband to land a business deal that will save her struggling business, she agrees to marry whomever the matchmaker brings to the altar on her wedding day. She’s in for a shock when the groom who shoes up is none other than her biggest business rival!

Ilya Horvath is surprised to see that Yasmin is who he was paired with, but she’s a gorgeous woman, and he’s happy to believe in fate if she is! He sets out to win over his reluctant bride and things are going well until an ugly secret from the past threatens their future and threatens to expose more than Yasmin ever wanted!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ONE INTREPID SEAL by Elle James

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

One Intrepid SEAL by Elle James
Series: Mission: Six
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on May 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

This SEAL found his target…

then lost his heart

Navy SEAL “Diesel” Dalton Samuel Landon can see that Reese Brantley is no damsel in distress. But his mission is clear—infiltrate the hostile rebels’ jungle hideout in Africa and rescue Reese and her boss. Separated from his team—and her boss—Diesel and Reese are on the run. Bullets fly, but risking his life is part of the job. Struggling with their hotter-than-the-jungle attraction, though, proves the real danger is losing his heart.

An exciting kick-off to a new series taking place in the heart of Africa! From beginning to end, Elle James blesses us with descriptions so raw we feel like we are there beside them among the glorious scenery. The action is exciting and the characters are fun to get to know. Looking forward to seeing more of the team in future books in the Mission:Six series!

Army veteran Reese Brantley was psyched to be heading into her first big job as a bodyguard with this trip to Africa, but when a hunting expedition turns into a kidnapping by a rebel faction, she finds herself and her client in big trouble!

Navy SEAL Dalton “Diesel” Landon’s team is being sent in to rescue Reese and her client, but it doesn’t take him long to realize that she is pretty good at handling her own. When the two of them get separated from his team, they have to fight the terrain and the evil that lurks among the wild in order to find their way back to civilization … and along the way, attraction just might get the better of them!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HER ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEFENDER by Jennifer D. Bokal

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Her Rocky Mountain Defender by Jennifer D. Bokal
Series: Rocky Mountain Justice
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A kiss. A betrayal. An escape?

Searching for her missing sister leads Madelyn Thompkins straight into the path of danger…and Roman DeMarco. Wounded physically and emotionally, the undercover agent hardly needs this distraction. When the two collide with a Russian gang, they go on the run—and are drawn together. Their priorities don’t align, but when Madelyn falls victim to a murderous criminal, will Roman sacrifice everything to save her?

Action packed romance! With non-stop drama and suspense, the author takes us along for the ride as the main characters run for their lives. She’s got a family connection, he’s got a job to do and a criminal mastermind to bring down … together, they tackle the case of a lifetime. Great characters, attention grabbing from start to finish and an overall top-notch read!

When Madelyn Thompkins gets a lead on where her estranged sister may be hanging out, she jumps at the chance to track her down. Her search leads her into the seedier part of town, and little does she know the danger she’s about to walk into!

Undercover operative Roman DeMarco isn’t expecting an innocent civilian to get caught up in the case he’s working on, but when that’s exactly what happens, he can’t just up and walk away. They find out together that tangling with a Russian mob is dangerous to their health!

Filed Under: Book Reviews