Archives for March 31, 2019

* Review * ENGAGING THE ENEMY by Reese Ryan

* Review * ENGAGING THE ENEMY by Reese RyanEngaging the Enemy by Reese Ryan
Series: The Bourbon Brothers
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

“That’s the deal, Abbott. Take it…or leave it.”

How far will an ambitious heir go to secure his future?

Parker Abbott will do whatever it takes to be the next CEO of King’s Finest Distillery, even play fake fiancé to his childhood nemesis, Kayleigh Jemison. Yet as he and the fiery redhead get reacquainted, sparks fly and real passion emerges. But when her ex wants a second chance, who will Kayleigh choose?

 

Delicious chemistry and feisty banter have this enemies to lovers story flaring to life quickly! With the next book in her Bourbon Brothers series, Reese Ryan brings us Parker’s story. He did something childish that led to him losing his best friend back in school, and though life has moved on, it doesn’t take much for their old friendship to come shining through with the added mix of attraction when they are forced to spend time together again. I like this family a lot and it’s always fun to get updates on the past couples. Really enjoyed!

Parker Abbott wants the CEO position at King’s Finest so badly he can taste it. He has nothing against his siblings and their work ethic, he just happens to think he has what it takes to be the best one for the job. One deal will give him bonus points, but it has to do with a piece of property owned by his childhood friend turned enemy. She liked him once upon a time … maybe he can make that work in his favor?

Jewelry artist Kayleigh Jemison isn’t looking to deal with the devil for any amount, but when he just keeps upping the ante, she can’t help but become invested. If he’s willing to pay way more than her property is worth and accompany her to an embarrassing event as her pretend fiancee, well, she can’t turn that down! Spending time together to get their pretend details down pat makes them start to enjoy each other’s company again. Will this fake relationship become real before they know it?

four-half-stars

* Review * COLTON’S SECRET BODYGUARD by Jane Godman

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLTON’S SECRET BODYGUARD by Jane GodmanColton's Secret Bodyguard by Jane Godman
Series: The Coltons of Roaring Springs
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

His mission: keep her safe, no matter what…

A Coltons of Roaring Springs thriller

Just as Bree Colton is about to take the local art world by storm, someone is determined to sabotage her success…unless Rylan Bennet can keep her safe. Bree doesn’t want anyone to protect her—not even gorgeous Rylan, whose secrets threaten them both. But can the former soldier win the battle for Bree’s heart and the war against a sinister foe?

 

Filled with mystery, sex appeal and lots of heart! Suspicious things are happening in Bree’s world, and she just has to figure out if someone is playing games with her or if she is seriously losing her mind. The next book in The Colton’s of Roaring Springs series is interesting from the start and keeps us guessing to figure out who the bad guy is. Fun characters and some adorable animals keep us entertained throughout. Really enjoyed it!

Gallery owner/artist Bree Colton is seeing some amazing traction among the art world and loves using her venue to introduce local young artist to the world. She’s definitely not going to let some whacko’s threatening emails deter her … until things start escalating and getting really serious!

Former military/security specialist Rylan Bennet simply wanted to keep Bree safe when he started being a liaison at her gallery, but a little time spent in her company has him falling for her hook, line and sinker … only problem is, he didn’t inform her that he was her undercover bodyguard until she started to fall for him too. Awkward!

four-stars

* Review * STONE COLD HEART by Laura Griffin

* Review * STONE COLD HEART by Laura GriffinStone Cold Heart by Laura Griffin
Series: Tracers #13
Published by Pocket Books on March 26, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

When local rock climbers stumble upon abandoned human bones in a remote Texas gorge, Sara Lockhart is the first to get the call. She has a reputation as one of the nation’s top forensic anthropologists, and police detective Nolan Hess knows she is just the expert he needs to help unravel this case. Although evidence is scarce, Nolan suspects the bones belong to a teenage climber who vanished last summer.

But as Sara unearths strange clues, she finds chilling similarities to a case from her past—a case that now threatens to rock Nolan’s community. While Sara digs deep for answers, the stakes rise higher as another young woman disappears without a trace. Investigators work against the clock as Sara races to discover the truth, even if her harrowing search brings her face to face with a stone-cold killer.

 

Breathtaking suspense from beginning to end! We’re quickly thrust into the heart of a case, but what we think we know just might not be enough to get to the true bottom of this mystery. Great characters, suspense that keeps us guessing, and just enough romance and human interaction to round it all out into a well-balanced book. Really enjoyed it and will be reading more of the series!

When top forensic anthropoligist Sara Lockhart gets called out to a remote Texas area when a couple of hikers stumble upon what appears to be human bones, she’s quick to get to work trying to exhume the body and figure out if it’s the hiker that went missing in the area several months ago. Police detective Nolan Hess is anxious to help her in any way possible, but when she starts to recognize parts of the components of this case as possibly being tied to a case from her past, things start to heat up quickly!

All anyone wants is answers of whether this is their missing person or not, but when another woman suddenly goes missing as well, things are starting to get serious really quickly. Do they have a serial kidnapper and killer on their hands? Can they find the answers they need before they have another body on their hands?

five-stars

* Review * HOLIDAY KISSES by Anna J. Stewart

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOLIDAY KISSES by Anna J. StewartHoliday Kisses by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #5
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on April 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

His family’s honor is at stake…

And she holds the key

Calliope Jones, Butterfly Harbor’s free-spirited organic farmer, is the most vocal objector to Xander Costas and his design for the butterfly sanctuary that he hopes will save his family’s architectural firm. Strangely, it’s Calliope who shows him what the town, and he, really need. Calliope makes Xander listen with his heart. And soon his heart may be telling him to stay with this extraordinary woman!

 

With a magical spirit and a voice all her own, Anna J. Stewart is quick to draw me back into the joy of Butterfly Harbor with each return visit! The townspeople are like one big happy family who love and support each other no matter what might be happening in each other’s lives at any particular time. They are there for the laughter, and there for the tears as life leads them all through its ups and downs. This visit is centered around Calliope, her little sister and the life she treasures so. It’s a great read and left me smiling.

Architect Xander Costas is sure that this butterfly sanctuary job in quaint Butterfly Harbor will be just what he needs to get his family’s firm back in solid footing again. He expects to be in and out of town quickly with work underway without an issue. He’s not expecting the town’s favorite member to put the kibosh on his rendering of the new site.

Free-spirit Callipe Jones is loved by all and is a major player in all that makes Butterfly Harbor the peaceful town that it is. She isn’t shy about speaking her mind, but she also isn’t short with the love and human kindness she shows to the earth and all of it’s creatures, no matter how large or small. It doesn’t take Xander long to figure out that she’s one of a kind, and he’s not so sure he’s going to easily be walking away from her or this town anytime soon.

four-half-stars

* Review * HIS FOR ONE NIGHT by Sarah M. Anderson

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS FOR ONE NIGHT by Sarah M. AndersonHis for One Night by Sarah M. Anderson
Series: First Family of Rodeo #3
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

“The first song I want to sing tonight is called ‘One Night Stand.’”

How fitting.

Flash Lawrence and Brooke Bonner’s fling burned hotter and faster than Flash’s temper. But when Brooke learned she was pregnant, staying away was her only option. The unpredictable rodeo star isn’t daddy material. But when Flash finds out the truth—forget it. There’s no denying their explosive chemistry. Nor will he let her deny him his child.

 

One night led to more than they ever bargained for! With the final book in the First Family of Rodeo series, we get the last Lawrence sibling’s story. Flash has been fun-loving and easy-going during family interactions in the series, but he’s always had a hot temper and flying fists to show for it. It’s a treat to watch him try to redeem himself and become the man he wants to be. Great characters, interesting storyline and the wrap-up of a great series. Really enjoyed!

Flash Lawrence feels like he’s been through the ringer, but he’s finally looking at life with a clear head, and is determined to track down the woman he hasn’t been able to get off his mind since their night together before his trouble began.

Country star Brooke Bonner thought about contacting Flash when she learned their one night had left a lasting surprise, but he was in the midst of fighting his way from one rodeo to another at the time and she didn’t think that was any sort of man that her baby-to-be needed to be around. Now their son is a few months old and she’s been thinking more and more about Flash before he shows up at one of her shows. She regrets not telling him, but she thought she was doing what was best for her son. Now secrets are coming out and tempers are rising … will he be able to prove that he’s a different man than the hot-head she knew?

four-stars

* Review * IN HER SIGHTS by Katie Ruggle

* Review * IN HER SIGHTS by Katie RuggleIn Her Sights by Katie Ruggle
Series: Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on March 26, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Five bounty-hunting sisters
Deep in the heart of the Rockies
Fighting to save each other
...and the men who steal their hearts

Bounty hunter Molly Pax fought hard for everything she has, turning the bail recovery business she shares with her sisters into an unqualified success. So when their sticky-fingered mother jumps bail and puts the childhood home up as collateral, Molly's horrified. To make matters worse, every two-bit criminal in the Rockies now sees her family's misfortune as their next big break.

She needs help, stat.

Enter rival bounty hunter John Carmondy: six feet of pure trouble, with a cocky grin to match. John's the most cheerfully, annoyingly gorgeous frenemy Molly's ever had the pleasure of defeating...and he may be her only hope of making it out of this mess alive.

 

Lots of excitement right off the bat! With the kick off of a new female bounty hunter series, Katie Ruggle snagged my attention quickly and kept me riveted to the action throughout. The characters are easy to like and the extended cast brings humor and potential to the forefront. There’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what’s going to happen!

Molly Pax and her four sisters have worked hard to make their bounty hunting business a success, but all it takes is one underhanded move by their criminal mother and it’s all about to go under! It seems she has jumped bail after her biggest crime yet … but not before using their house as collateral.

Rival bounty hunter John Carmondy just so happens to be sweet on Molly and he’s willing to help without question when he learns their mother has gotten them into a mess that’s bringing danger to their doorstep. It doesn’t take Molly long to realize what a great guy she has at her fingertips … but can a relationship between two rivals ever really work?

four-half-stars

* Review * THE BILLIONAIRE’S CONVENIENT BRIDE by Liz Fielding

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BILLIONAIRE’S CONVENIENT BRIDE by Liz FieldingThe Billionaire's Convenient Bride by Liz Fielding
Published by Harlequin Romance on April 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

The tycoon returns…

…with a convenient proposal!

Since Kam Faulkner’s mother unjustly lost her job at Priddy Castle after his stolen moment with the owner’s granddaughter, Agnés Prideaux, Kam has dreamed of revenge. Years later, billionaire Kam is back to buy the castle—but finds Agnés has inherited the crumbling estate! A convenient marriage could solve both their problems, but their rekindling attraction is anything but convenient… Could this be Kam’s second chance with his first love?

 

Second chances are oh so sweet! A storybook setting whisks us into the heart of a reunion of first loves. She never forgot him, and though he wants to hate her, he finds himself remembering the good times instead. Will he overtake her legacy in revenge or will he decide to stand by her side and fight to restore the beauty that once was? An enjoyable modern day fairy tale!

A decade has passed since Kam Faulkner and his housekeeper mother were kicked out of their cottage and the only home he had known at that point. A childhood friendship with the granddaughter of the manor had blossomed into more as their teenage hearts interacted, and her grandfather Sir Hugo wasn’t having it. His mother lost her job and they had to leave their home immediately. Kam is now a self-made millionaire and is back for revenge!

Agnes Prideaux has adored Kam since she laid eyes on him at around age three, and her adoration grew into love as they aged. She was heartbroken when her grandfather banished him, but she knew chasing after him wouldn’t do either of them any good. Now she and Priddy Castle are in dire straits, and Kam has come knocking to get his revenge. It doesn’t take long for his mindset to change and instead, he’s offering the solution of marriage to save her beloved home.

four-stars