Archives for October 2018

* Review * THE MAVERICK’S CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Christy Jeffries

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE MAVERICK’S CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Christy JeffriesThe Maverick's Christmas to Remember by Christy Jeffries
Series: Montana Mavericks: The Lonelyhearts Ranch
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

All She Wants for Christmas is a Cowboy!

Rust Creek Ramblings

A few weeks ago, local wedding planner Caroline Ruth took a tumble off a ladder, and when she came to, she believed Thunder Canyon cowboy Craig Clifton was her boyfriend. Trouble was, they’d never met before. What was an upstanding rancher to do? Now, until Caroline’s memory returns, Craig is acting as reluctant faux fiancé. But with Christmas around the corner, dear readers, we’re hoping for a real-life happy ending for this unexpected couple!

 

She’s all mixed up! With a fun little jaunt into an unusual situation, Christy Jeffries takes us to Rust Creek Falls, Montana for the next in the Montana Mavericks series. The book has a touch of humor to it since they’re in a bit of a forced situation, and the characters are interesting and keep our attention throughout the story line. Enjoyed it!

Wedding planner Caroline Ruth is convinced she’s engaged to the hunky cowboy standing next to her! Of course the fall off of a ladder and knock on the head could explain her confusion.

Thunder Canyon cowboy Craig Clifton has never seen this woman before, but she’s friendly with some of his friends and she seems so convinced, so how can he be a mean ogre and blow her mind at this sensitive time? He reluctantly finds himself staying by her side and letting her believe they are engaged until her bruised mind safely realizes the truth … only problem is, he actually starts to enjoy his time with her along the way!

four-stars

* Review * AMERICA’S SWEETHEART by Jessica Lemmon

* Review * AMERICA’S SWEETHEART by Jessica LemmonAmerica's Sweetheart by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Real Love #5
Published by Loveswept on October 2, 2018
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four-stars

Old flames burn bright. When a disgraced starlet returns home to lick her wounds, she discovers that her high school sweetheart is just as tempting as ever.

Allison: When I left for California, I gave myself a new name and never looked back. Now my carefully crafted good-girl image is getting torn to shreds in the press thanks to my Oscar-winning A-hole of an ex-boyfriend. So I escape to the only safe haven I know and trust—my hometown—to take a breather while I plot my triumphant Hollywood comeback. However, when I arrive at my parents’ house, Jackson Burke answers the door instead. And suddenly the past comes rushing back. . . .

Jackson: First kiss. First time. First love. Yep, Allison Murphy and I shared a lot of firsts back in the day. When she left, she took half my heart with her. Now she’s back in town, and even though I swore I’d keep my distance, her parents hired me to remodel their house, and I’m going to finish the job. But one hot kiss later, suddenly the press is calling us the next big celebrity couple. Sure, I’ll play the part, for Allison’s sake—but I refuse to let her close enough to break my heart all over again. . . .

 

The sexy, sweet memories of first love! They were high school sweethearts, destined to spend their lives together … until she changed the game plan and decided to become a star. Now she’s back, he’s better than ever and she finds herself doubting whether it was all worth it or not. The characters were well developed and quick to grab my attention. She was hard to like, but Jax was enough of a sweetheart to carry the load and make up for her unlike-ability. A fast moving plot and just generally a fun story!

When young Allison Murphy left her home on the East Coast all those years ago to make it big in Hollywood, she never expected to one day be returning home in disgrace as her face is splashed all over the tabloids. Now thanks to the lies told by an ex, that’s exactly what’s happening! She thinks a little comfort in the arms of her parents will do wonders for her wounded soul, but arrives home to the love of her life who she left behind all those years ago instead!

Jackson Burke agreed to do a big remodel for Allison’s parents while they were away, but had no clue their daughter would be returning home during the time he and his crew are there. He can’t deny that just seeing her is like another knife to his heart, but when photographers catch them sharing a moment and it’s now spreading around that she’s found a new love, he reluctantly agrees to help her pull off a ruse … but he’s going to be guarding his heart around every corner!

four-stars

* Review * BIG STICK by Kelly Jamieson

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BIG STICK by Kelly JamiesonBig Stick by Kelly Jamieson
Series: An Aces Hockey Novel
Published by Loveswept on October 23, 2018
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four-half-stars

A brooding hockey hunk learns to embrace life—and love—from a single mom who takes the world one puck at a time.

Big move . . . Jodie’s motto is “Don’t wait for the perfect moment—take the moment and make it perfect.” And that’s just what she decides to do when she moves to Chicago with her two-year-old daughter. Now all Jodie needs is a place to live, and her best friend’s boyfriend has just the answer.

Big stick . . . Nick Balachov has zero interest in socializing, partying, or flirting right now. It’s not that he doesn’t like women. He loves them. It’s just that hockey, casual hookups, and hanging out at home are enough for him these days. Now Nick has a big problem—because the woman living in his empty coach house is a major distraction.

Big deal? The more Nick tries to keep his distance, the more Jodie needs him—around the house, that is. First he helps with the snowstorm, then the power outage. Nick even finds himself trying to impress her little girl. What the hell is wrong with him? Jodie represents everything Nick doesn’t want. But maybe she’s just what he needs. . . .

 

Opposites attract when they least expect it! He’s not looking to be responsible for anybody but himself ever again, yet he finds himself being drawn to this gabby woman and her equally peppy toddler. They might have been the last thing in the world he was looking for, but it turns out the love they show him just might be exactly what he needs to be able to move forward with his life! Great characters that keep the story line moving.

Pro hockey player Nick Balachov doesn’t need any distraction right now. He’s still picking up the pieces of the turmoil life has been thrown at him in the last few years, and it’s just about all he can handle right now to concentrate on playing hockey, having time to himself and maybe an occasional casual hook-up. He never in his wildest dreams thought he’d be offering the guest house on his property to a single mom and her two year old daughter, but man, that just happened!

Jodie believes in living life to the fullest, so she didn’t let self-doubt railroad her out of picking up and moving with her kid from New York to Chicago! Her bestie and business partner Kendra has been the best at trying to get her settled, but she’s encroached on her love nest long enough and has to find her own place. Good thing Kendra’s hockey player boyfriend Max knows Nick will do him the solid of offering up his house.

four-half-stars

* Review * GOOD GIRL’S BAD LESSONS by Carmen Falcone

* Review * GOOD GIRL’S BAD LESSONS by Carmen FalconeGood Girl's Bad Lessons Series: Dirty Debts #3
Published by Entangled: Scorched on October 15, 2018
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four-stars

Translator Emma Cavanaugh will do anything to win her ex-boyfriend back—including summoning her brother's best friend, Italian billionaire and playboy Nico Giordano, to give her much-needed lessons in the art of seducing and pleasing a man. Sex was never her thing, so if anyone is going to know how to teach her how to be bad it'll be Mr. Sex-on-A-Stick himself.

Nico doesn't want any part of the crazy plan to teach Emma to be the mayor of pleasureville because not only will her brother kill him, but little does she know he wants nothing more than to taste her, touch her, and hear her moan his name. So that's a hard no...until she begs him to show her, to let her be his student for a month of blistering hot instruction that will make not only Emma's ex panting for more, but Nico as well as it turns out.

 

Delectably forbidden! He’s always known she was off-limits, but now she’s basically begging him to defile her … what’s a man to do?? Carmen Falcone’s latest is sexy, fun and oh so flirty and it’s going to steam up day the minute you open the first page.

Emma Cavanaugh can’t believe her boyfriend just dumped her … and called her boring in bed! He’s perfect for her, and she will stop at nothing to win him back, so she’s going to take matters into her own hands and learn how to knock his socks off in bed! Who better to get to teach her than the Italian walking sex God himself!

Billionaire Nico Giordano adores Emma and, but little does she know when she makes this little request of hers that he has always secretly desired her. She’s his best friend’s little sister and has always been strictly off-limits, but if she wants to play games and push his buttons, she’s going to learn the hard way about getting results!

four-stars

* Review * A TALL, DARK COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Maisey Yates

* Review * A TALL, DARK COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Maisey YatesA Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas by Maisey Yates
Series: A Gold Valley Novel
Published by HQN Books on September 25, 2018
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four-half-stars

It’s Christmas in Gold Valley, and this wounded widower is about to get another shot at love…

Grant Dodge didn’t expect to find a woman sleeping in an abandoned cabin on his family ranch. Or to find her so intriguing. Unlike every other woman in town, McKenna Tate doesn’t know Grant’s a widower. There’s no pity in the looks she gives him. McKenna wants him, and Grant has forgotten what it’s like to feel like a man. A no-strings fling for Christmas might be the kind of holiday cheer Grant needs…

With only a suitcase to her name, McKenna came to Gold Valley to confront her birth father. She didn’t plan to work at the Dodge ranch or fall for the gorgeous cowboy who keeps his heart roped off. But there’s no denying the way their broken pieces fit together. Hope brought her to Gold Valley—but will it be the gift that could finally heal Grant, and McKenna’s own wounded heart?

 

Christmas comes to Gold Valley! With the next book in her beloved series, Maisey Yates brings us the brother’s story we’ve all been waiting for. We knew he lost his wife, and we knew he seemed to still be spending his life pining away, but we were missing lots of the back story! Grant Dodge is a real joy to get to know, and McKenna is just the spitfire he needs to bring him back to life. Really enjoyed their story!

Widower Grant Dodge never expected to find a woman sleeping in an old cabin on his family’s ranch, but when he does he’s intrigued by her. He doesn’t get the opportunity to interact with someone that doesn’t know his past and who only sees him as a former husband anymore, and he has to admit, he really likes the lack of pity in her eyes!

Down on her luck McKenna Tate has come to Gold Valley to contact the man she discovered is her birth father, but she’s not so sure what kind of reception she’s going to receive. Along the way, she stumbles into the middle of a family filled with kindness, and a man that attracts her attention, as well as awakens her libido. She’s not sure what Grant’s story is, but she’d like to mix things up with him a bit while she’s around!

four-half-stars

* Review * A RING TO CLAIM HIS LEGACY by Rachael Thomas

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A RING TO CLAIM HIS LEGACY by Rachael ThomasA Ring to Claim His Legacy by Rachael Thomas
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

Demanding his baby…

And his fiancée!

Tycoon Marco Silviano can’t forget the mysterious woman he spent an incredible week with on a luxurious island. Coming face-to-face with Imogen in England is shocking—especially when he learns she’s expecting his baby! Convinced their child will secure his family’s dynasty, Marco is intent on persuading Imogen to wear his ring. But once they’re engaged, their burning desire and Imogen’s warmhearted allure test Marco’s control to the limit…

 

A holiday fling turns into forever! A delightful delve into an unexpected union. They thought the time they had on their magical island was all that they would have with each other, but an unexpected pregnancy and happenstance in business has reunited them for the ride of their life. Sexy, sweet and satisfying!

Imogen Fraser never expected to see the man she had a week long fling with again after they departed their magical island getaway, but circumstances have him showing up unexpectedly to meet with her … but the surprise is really on him, because he’s shocked to see her in her pregnant state!

Marco Silviano certainly wasn’t looking for forever when he had a holiday fling, but he can’t deny that the timing of finding out Imogen is pregnant with his child couldn’t have been more opportune. He needs an heir to satisfy the father that he’s never been able to please, and this just might be the time to play his cards!

four-stars

* Review * DREAM by Carly Phillips

* Review * DREAM by Carly PhillipsDream by Carly Phillips
Series: Rosewood Bay #4
Published by CP Publishing on October 16, 2018
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four-half-stars

Best friends.

First loves.

Can they find a second chance?

Andi wanted nothing more to marry prince charming and her best friend Kyle Davenport believed that would be him.

But after losing the girl of his dreams to the town bad boy, Kyle left Rosewood Bay and swore he’d never look back.

They say true love never dies, so when Kyle returns and discovers single mom Andi is in danger, he’ll do anything to break down the walls she’s built to protect her son, and to finally win her heart.

Except that no happily-ever-after is won without a fight—and her ex-husband doesn’t like to lose.

 

Past mistakes come back to bite her! With the final book in the Rosewood Bay series, we get Andi’s story. Her brother Kane got his happily ever after in the first book in the series, and during that book we got to know a bit about Andi’s life and were intrigued by her. Now we’re seeing her reunite with the man she let get away … and along the way, she’s having to face her past mistakes in full force. Lots of drama, forgiveness and a sexy sweet romance. Really enjoyed this entire series!

Andrea Harmon has worked hard to put her past behind her and to build a solid foundation for life with her son. She’s divorced, living close to family and friends and happy to have a new chapter going forward. She’s surprised to hear that her childhood best friend is going to be her son’s new teacher!

Kyle Davenport adored Andi all those years ago, but she chose to head off into the sunset with a bad boy and cut off their friendship. She never even realized that he was in love with her. Now he’s moving back to Rosewood Bay, and Andi feels the need to apologize and try to make amends for how she treated him, but Kyle’s not sure he wants the drama in his life at this point. When he learns a little of what life was like for her back then, he starts to open his heart back up to her a bit … but will things change when her ex heads back into her life again?

four-half-stars

* Review * HER FORGOTTEN LOVER’S HEIR by Annie West

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER FORGOTTEN LOVER’S HEIR by Annie WestHer Forgotten Lover's Heir by Annie West
Series: Conveniently Wed!
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

She’s carrying the billionaire’s child…

But he seems like a stranger!

Brooding Pietro Agosti was stunned when his sizzling fling with vibrant teacher Molly Armstrong resulted in her pregnancy. Finally, the merciless Italian would be able to continue his legacy—but then an accident left Molly with no memory of him! Pietro must help Molly remember the fierce attraction that drove them together, and the fact that the baby she’s carrying is the Agosti heir…

 

Captivating story! An exotic amnesiac tale that will take you on a whirlwind trip throughout the countryside as we try to figure out what will become of Molly. Will she remember the dashing Pietro or will she have to create new memories with him without confirmation of what they previously shared? Very entertaining!

When Molly Armstrong awakens after an accident, she has no memory of her life! She doesn’t know her name, where she’s from and definitely not the man who claims he’s her husband! She’s bewildered, scared and feeling quite alone as she travels the emotions of trying to figure out who and what to trust in this situation she’s found herself in.

Italian billionaire Pietro Agosti was shocked when Molly informed him she was pregnant, but he’s determined to raise this baby as his proper heir! He’ll spend as much time as Molly needs getting her comfortable in their relationship again while they await for her memories to return. In the meantime, he’ll remind her of all the reasons she fell in love with him in the first place!

four-stars

* Review * A STONECREEK CHRISTMAS REUNION by Michelle Major

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A STONECREEK CHRISTMAS REUNION by Michelle MajorA Stonecreek Christmas Reunion by Michelle Major
Series: Maggie & Griffin #3
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

“Marry me, Maggie.”

The conclusion of Maggie & Griffin’s trilogy

Mayor Maggie Spencer is too busy prepping Stonecreek for its holiday spectacular to pine over lost love Griffin Stone. Until he returns—this time with a son! Griffin couldn’t say no to becoming the boy’s guardian. Neither can he say goodbye to Maggie. As Christmas nears, there’s only one thing he wants to say to his first and only love: “Forever.”

 

Small town love strikes again! With the final book in the Maggie & Griffin trilogy, Griffin heads back to Stonecreek to see if there’s anything left for him with Maggie. He admits he screwed up royally, but he hopes she’ll hear him out when he explains his reasoning. Will this be the time she walks away fro good or will he be able to convince her to walk through this world with him after all? A fun conclusion to the story!

Maggie Spencer is busy getting Stonecreek ready for the holiday spectacular and working on improving the cities visibility when she hears that Griffin is back in town. She thought they were finally going to have their chance this time before he left her high and dry with no explanation yet again. He might have her heart, but she’s not going to stand by and put her life on hold waiting for him to figure out what he wants in life!

Griffin Stone didn’t mean to hurt Maggie again. He had to leave town quickly, and he didn’t know how to explain it to her properly. He’s back … and he still has a lot of explaining to do if she’d let him, because it’s not just him anymore. He has a little boy to think about!

four-stars

* Review * FIVE YEARS GONE by Marie Force

* Review * FIVE YEARS GONE by Marie ForceFive Years Gone by Marie Force
Published by HTJB, Inc. on October 9, 2018
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five-stars

The most brazen terrorist attack in history. A country bent on revenge. A love affair cut short. A heart that never truly heals.

I knew on the day of the attack that our lives were changed forever. What I didn’t know then was that I’d never see John again after he deployed. One day he was living with me, sleeping next to me, making plans with me. The next day he was gone.

That was five years ago. The world has moved on from that awful day, but I’m stuck in my own personal hell, waiting for a man who may be dead for all I know. At my sister’s wedding, I meet Eric, the brother of the groom, and my heart comes alive once again.

The world is riveted by the capture of the terrorist mastermind, brought down by U.S. Special Forces in a daring raid. Now I am trapped between hoping I’ll hear from John and fearing what’ll become of my new life with Eric if I do.

 

Heart wrenchingly captivating! From the beginning of this story, Marie Force paints a vivid picture of a woman who’s life as she knew it ended in the blink of an eye and how she deals with it. The depth of the emotions written into this character makes us feel her heartbreak, her despair, her brokenness. When Eric comes on the scene, we start to be hopeful that she can love again, but then news of John comes up all around her and she feels torn in her loyalty between memories of John and her actual life with Eric. It’s an excellent story and I really enjoyed it!

Ava Lucas was the happiest she’d ever been. She was in love with a man who completed her like no other, never expecting that one terrorist attack could wipe away the existence of life as she knew it. One day she was on top of the world with the man that she loved by her side and the next day he was deployed and she had no idea where he was or when she’d see him again. Her life trudged on day by day while she waited on his return.

Five years later, Ava has come to the point where she has to make a change in her life. She never saw or heard from John again. Now she has made the decision to leave their home in California and move back to New York to be closer to her family, and to be away from the memories she shared with him. She never expects to feel re-awakened when she meets the groom’s brother at her sister’s wedding. Eric is such fun to be around! They slowly begin to spend time together and grow their friendship, but both have been through heartbreak in the past and are tiptoeing into whatever this might be. Can she love again? And just as she’s starting to think life can be complete again, the terrorist mastermind that started her nightmare is caught and a secret elite team of soldiers is coming home. She’s spending her days and nights with Eric, but she’s wondering if this could mean John is on his way home to her. If he is, what will become of her love for Eric?

five-stars