Archives for October 2018

* Review * IF THE SHOE FITS by Rachel Lacey

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IF THE SHOE FITS by Rachel Lacey

If the Shoe Fits by Rachel Lacey
Series: Almost Royal #1
Published by NYLA on October 2, 2018
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NOT ALL FAIRYTALES END AT MIDNIGHT

Elle Davenport is no princess—she just dresses up as one for her job at a local theme park. But when she gets the call that she’s won a contest to live and work at a real-life castle in Virginia, she finally feels like she’s found her calling. If she’s successful, her venture could become permanent, and that sounds like Elle’s idea of the perfect modern-day fairytale. There’s only one problem: the castle’s grumpy—and sexy—new owner wants her gone as soon as possible.

Theo Langdon never imagined he’d inherit the title of Earl of Highcastle so young. With his grandfather’s recent death, he needs to sell Rosemont Castle so he can return to London. If only he wasn’t butting heads with the vivacious new property manager at every corner. Although he’s got a life waiting for him in London, Rosemont Castle suddenly feels a lot like home, thanks to Elle. As the clock winds down on her time at the castle, he’ll have to reconcile his obligations in London with the American woman who’s stolen his heart.

A modern day fairy tale twist! We’re quickly whisked into the heart of the story when three average women enter a contest that changes their lives when they win it. The ensemble is quirky, fun and sexy. We get a heartfelt romance with tidbits of love, friendship and philanthropy as we take the journey towards happily ever after with Elle and Theo. There were a few underdeveloped parts of the plot, and the attempt to make Theo a bit of a dirty talker felt out of sync and forced, but overall, I enjoyed this jaunt into a fairy tale.

Florida theme park princess Elle Davenport is definitely feeling like she’s in a rut in her life, but when she gets the news that she and a couple of friends have won a magazine contest that will allow them to move into a castle in Virginia she’s thrilled! If the business ideas they submitted and will initiate while there become a success, the positions could become permanent!

Theo Langdon was recently named the Earl of Highcastle much younger than he expected when his grandfather died. He knows his grandfather had agreed to this magazine contest deal, but now that he’s in charge of the estate, he needs to sell Rosemont Castle as soon as possible in order to return to his new duties in London. He hopes to offer the ladies who won the contest a deal to walk away, but once he sets eyes on Elle and learns how steadfast she and her friends are to make a go of this venture, he just might find himself wanting to stick around Virginia himself for a bit!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SECRETS OF A (SOMEWHAT) SUNNY GIRL by Karen Booth

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SECRETS OF A (SOMEWHAT) SUNNY GIRL by Karen Booth

Secrets of a (Somewhat) Sunny Girl by Karen Booth
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on October 16, 2018
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As sisters, they tell each other all their secrets...except one. With divorce and infidelity hanging from nearly every branch of her family tree, Katherine Fuller sees no point in marriage. Boyfriends? Sure. Sex? Of course. Wedding vows? No, thanks. Still, when her younger sister Amy gets engaged, Katherine gathers all the enthusiasm she can. She won’t let Amy down. She’s done enough of that for a lifetime. As the sisters embark on wedding plans, Katherine’s college love resurfaces. It nearly killed Katherine to part from sexy Irish musician Eamon more than a decade ago, but falling under his spell a second time forces her to confront everything she hid from him. The secrets surrounding her mother’s death are still fresh and raw in her mind, but one has haunted her more than the others. She can’t bear to tell anyone, especially not Amy. It could ruin far more than a wedding. It could destroy a sister’s love forever.

An emotionally raw depiction of life, love and happily ever afters! He saw her in a way no one else ever did … but circumstances split them apart. Now reunited at a time that her life is in turmoil, Katherine has to dig deep and confront her past in order to have the brighter future she never even let herself dream about. The relationship between Kat and Amy is heartfelt and once Eamon comes onto the scene, the platform is laid for a very strong book. I really enjoyed their story and watching the past get laid to rest once and for all. Highly recommend!

Katherine Fuller has spent her life avoiding what she considers to be the kiss of death … commitment, marriage, family. She adores her little sister Amy who she’s extremely close to, but a traumatic childhood has her keeping everyone else at a distance. She’s thrown for a loop when Amy announces she’s getting married. She thought they both knew what destruction the sanctity of marriage could reap, but evidently Amy has blinders on. She’ll do anything to keep her sister happy, so she guesses she’ll be faking some enthusiasm!

Irish rockstar Eamon MacWard can’t believe his eyes when he sees Katherine at his New York concert. For a few short months more than a decade ago, she was his, and he’s never forgotten her. He can’t let this moment of fate pass them by and insists she meet up with him to catch up. It doesn’t take long for the passion of the past to reignite and lead them towards the reunion they’d given up hoping for, but getting closer to Eamon leads Katherine to have to confront the past she so adamantly wants to keep hidden. Will the secrets she reveals ruin the sunny girl that’s just beginning to shine again?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * TALKIN’ TRASH by Lani Lynn Vale

October 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * TALKIN’ TRASH by Lani Lynn Vale

Talkin' Trash by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: The Bear Bottom Guardians MC #2
on October 2, 2018
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Linc has two very important things on his mind—professional football and his motorcycle club.

What he does not have on his mind is the woman that drives him crazy and makes him want to do stupid things, like throw caution to the wind.

Nope, not Linc.

At least, that’s the lie he tells everyone.

In reality, every time Conleigh’s name is mentioned, he squirms.

She’s everything that he wants, wrapped up in a cute little package that is stamped ‘hands freakin’ off.’

She’s four years younger than him, in school to be a doctor, and thinks football is stupid.

Even more, Linc and Conleigh get along like oil and water.

There’s not a single second that they’re in each other’s presence that they’re not at each other’s throats.

But all it takes is hearing that she’s in trouble for Linc to drop every single thing—football and MC duties alike—and head to her side.

A side that he’ll remain at until they either kill each other, or finally give into the heat between them.

Either way you look at it, he’s well and truly screwed.

Forbidden love just found a way! With the next book in the Bear Bottom MC series, we get Linc and Conleigh’s story. As a new reader to this author with this series, I feel a struggle in trying to keep up with what’s happened in the past series sometimes. In some places explanations are weaved into the context, and in others they aren’t and the reader is left fending for themselves trying to keep up. This book showed tidbits of the biker lifestyle more than the first in the series, but the intrigue of the bad guy seems forced and lacking in substance. Overall, a solid read with a believable connection between the main couple.

Professional football and a motorcycle club don’t seem like a likely pairing, but Lincoln James wears it well! He’s just coming into the off-season when he hears that Conleigh might have gotten herself into a little trouble that she needs him for. He’s been in love with her for years, but he was warned away from her by multiple sources in the MC because she was too young when they met. Since then, she’s been a constant thorn in his side as she tries to pretend that she doesn’t feel the same things that he does.

Nursing is a job that she enjoys, but going to school and trying to move up in that field is not. She feels like she’s got too much on her plate right now and something’s eventually going to have to give. Now that Linc is hanging around her on a regular basis, she needs even more free time than ever … after all, she has to pretend she’s so busy enjoying life that she’s too busy to have anything to do with him, right?

Linc has two very important things on his mind—professional football and his motorcycle club.

What he does not have on his mind is the woman that drives him crazy and makes him want to do stupid things, like throw caution to the wind.

Nope, not Linc.

At least, that’s the lie he tells everyone.

In reality, every time Conleigh’s name is mentioned, he squirms.

She’s everything that he wants, wrapped up in a cute little package that is stamped ‘hands freakin’ off.’

She’s four years younger than him, in school to be a doctor, and thinks football is stupid.

Even more, Linc and Conleigh get along like oil and water.

There’s not a single second that they’re in each other’s presence that they’re not at each other’s throats.

But all it takes is hearing that she’s in trouble for Linc to drop every single thing—football and MC duties alike—and head to her side.

A side that he’ll remain at until they either kill each other, or finally give into the heat between them.

Either way you look at it, he’s well and truly screwed.

AVAILABLE NOW

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Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * CHRISTMAS WITH THE DUKE by Katrina Cudmore

October 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CHRISTMAS WITH THE DUKE by Katrina Cudmore

Christmas with the Duke by Katrina Cudmore
Published by Harlequin Romance on October 1, 2018
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Goodreads

Reunited with her first love…

For an unforgettable Christmas

Ciara Harris hoped her first Christmas working back at Loughmore Castle would mark a fresh start, but the return of Tom, now Duke of Bainsworth, threatens to uncover feelings she thought long buried. Being snowed in on Christmas Eve with Tom forces Ciara to face the truth—there’s still something magical between them. As the castle’s fires burn warm and festive, so do Tom’s and Ciara’s feelings of hope…

A delightful holiday reunion! The magical setting of a castle decked out in Christmas delight is quick to whisk you into the holiday mindset. The characters were compelling, and I found myself following their story and hoping for a repair of the damage life did to their hearts years ago. Really liked Ciara and Tom together!

Years ago, teenage Ciara Harris and Tom Benson were the best of friends growing up around his family’s castle and estate. Their young hearts drifted towards each other and they thought their love would last forever, but real life and the differences between them quickly tarnished the developing connection and they split up.

A dozen years later, horticulturist Ciara is back working at Loughmore Castle when Tom, now Duke of Bainsworth, makes an appearance. It doesn’t take long for that old attraction to flare, and when they’re snowed in together on Christmas Eve, the magic is too much to resist … but can they persevere against all that split them up before?

Filed Under: Book Reviews