Archives for July 2019

* Release Blast / Review * THIS IS WILD by Natasha Madison

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast / Review * THIS IS WILD by Natasha MadisonThis Is Wild by Natasha Madison
Series: This Is #2
on July 30, 2019
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five-stars

From the best selling series, Something So comes the spin-off Series This is...

Zoe
When you grow up surrounded by hockey players you know one thing for sure, I was never going to settle down with one.

Heck, I didn’t even know what icing was. I was too busy climbing the corporate ladder, becoming one of the most successful realtors in New York City.

I wasn’t interested in dating or anything that got in my way.

First, he was my client and then he became my friend.

Viktor
My parents told me I skated before I walked.
When I was eighteen I was drafted into the N.H.L third overall, playing in Los Angeles—the city of dreams.
What more could I ask for? I played hard, but eventually, I partied even harder.

Five years later I was traded a week after I entered rehab.

There was no time for anything except my health and making sure I’d come out on top. I had to be better.
There wasn’t another option.

One of the rules of recovery was ‘don’t fall in love’ and I made it a top priority. She was off limits in every single way.

Until it was too late

One night, one decision, one act can derail everything.

When push comes to shove, I’m only certain that, This is Wild.

 

Gritty, emotional and raw! My first read by Natasha Madison did NOT disappoint! With a powerful story of recovery and redemption, we go along for the ride for a pro hockey player’s return to the game after crashing and burning in front of millions of people. He’s a good guy but doesn’t think much of himself … she’s sassy and self-assured and can easily see he’s top of the line. They vow to be friends, but the sexy looks and connected feelings continue to get the best of them at every social outing they attend. The characters and supporting cast were all really fun to get to know. They’re a close knit group of friends which brings an emotional depth to the dialogue that really strikes a chord with the reader. Really enjoyed Viktor’s story and look forward to more in the series!

Realtor Zoe Stone had no interest in slowing her rise to the top down to be bothered with mundane things like dating. She’s at the top of her game and nothing is going to get in her way … especially a hockey player!

Viktor Petrov is newly out of rehab and shocked that a team was even willing to pick him up for the season after the spectacle he made of himself at the end of the previous season. He has to buckle down and make sure he’s all in for this second chance … it has to be all about him and his health 24/7. Until he meets her … the sassy go-getter who vows she hates hockey. He’s so tempted by her that he can’t see straight. They agree to friend zone each other … but temptation is strong … oh so strong.

 

 

 

 

Viktor

My parents told me I skated before I walked. When I was eighteen I was drafted into the N.H.L third overall, playing in Los Angeles—the city of dreams. What more could I ask for? I played hard, but eventually, I partied even harder. Five years later I was traded a week after I entered rehab. There was no time for anything except my health and making sure I’d come out on top. I had to be better. There wasn’t another option.

One of the rules of recovery was ‘don’t fall in love’ and I made it a top priority. She was off limits in every single way.

Until it was too late

 

Zoe
When you grow up surrounded by hockey players you know one thing for sure, I was never going to settle down with one. Heck, I didn’t even know what icing was. I was too busy climbing the corporate ladder, becoming one of the most successful realtors in New York City. I wasn’t interested in dating or anything that got in my way.

First, he was my client and then he became my friend.

One night, one decision, one act can derail everything.

When push comes to shove, I’m only certain that, This is Wild.

AVAILABLE NOW

 

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

five-stars

* Review * REDEEMED BY PASSION by Joss Wood

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * REDEEMED BY PASSION by Joss WoodRedeemed by Passion by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List #4
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 1, 2019
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four-stars

“You don’t trust me.”

But he still wants her in his bed

If event planner Teresa St. Claire can pull off the wedding of the year, she’ll save her career and her troubled younger brother. But her gorgeous ex, billionaire businessman Liam Christopher, interferes, insisting he wants to help. Teresa has to do this alone—to protect both him and her brother. Yet the ties binding her to Liam aren’t so easily broken…

 

One last hurrah! With the conclusion in the Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List series, Joss Woods finally exposes the secrets we’ve been wondering about since the beginning. Teresa and Liam find their way through the craziness and we’re introduced to another couple who add an additional twist of drama to the story line. The entire series has been a lot of fun and this book wrapped it up nicely.

Teresa St. Claire isn’t sure how she’s going to save her business after the latest stunt her wayward brother has pulled … until an unexpected wedding that will rival all others falls into her lap. She’s got to resurrect her business and find a way to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

Liam Christopher should dislike Teresa because of all of secrets and lies floating around since he met her, but he can’t stop wanting her in his bed. He can’t bring himself to give up on her, so he decides to get to the bottom of all of the lies once and for all. His own family secrets will be the key to figuring out who’s been doing all of the scheming, and the truth will finally set him free.

four-stars

* Review * GOOD GUY by Kate Meader

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * GOOD GUY by Kate MeaderGood Guy by Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #1
Published by Kate Meader LLC on July 30, 2019
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four-stars

He's a Special Forces veteran making his pro hockey debut. She's a dogged sports reporter determined to get a scoop. She's also his best friend's widow . . .

Fans can't get enough of Levi Hunt, the military veteran who put his NHL career on hold to serve his country and fight the bad guys. So when his new Chicago Rebels bosses tell him to cooperate with the press on a profile, he's ready to do his duty. Until he finds out who he has to work with: flame-haired, freckle-splashed, impossibly perky Jordan Cooke.

The woman he should not have kissed the night she buried her husband, Levi's best friend in the service.

Hockey-stick-up-his-butt-serious Levi Hunt might despise Jordan for reasons she can't fathom--okay, it's to do with kissing--but her future in the cutthroat world of sports reporting hangs on delivering the goods on the league's hottest, grumpiest rookie. So what if he's not interested in having his life plated up for public consumption. Too bad. Jordan will have to play dirty to get her scoop and even dirtier to get her man. Only in winning the story, she might just lose her heart ...

In this standalone romance, first in the Rookie Rebels series, a new generation of players take to the ice and learn that all's fair in love and hockey.

 

Kate Meader has a wicked way of wrapping every man she creates around a reader’s heart … and I absolutely love it! With the first look at her new hockey spin-off series Rookie Rebels, she brings us the story of a decorated war hero who sacrificed a lot in his service to our country, but just sees himself as an average Joe as he starts his NHL career. His world is about to go up in flames when he reconnects with the widow of his best friend who he’s had a thing for since the day he met her. The story line is fresh and fun, the characters took a little longer to connect for me, but once they did it was magical. Really enjoyed the first duo of the series … so looking forward to more!

Former Green Beret Levi Hunt wishes the media attention surrounding him would die down. He thinks of himself as the furthest thing from a hero, but everyone seems to be latching on and wanting a piece of him. He wants to settle into his new career as a hockey player … and just live for awhile. He isn’t happy when his new bosses decide he needs to cooperate with a media expose … but he especially isn’t happy when he sees who is doing it!

Sports reporter Jordan Cooke isn’t really into using the “who I know” card to get a leg up in her career, but she knows it might be her only chance, so she let’s it be known that she knows the man that everyone wants a scoop on. Her husband was best friends with him. He might have never liked her, but she knows she can get him to talk … if they can get past the kiss they shared the last time they saw each other … the day they buried her husband.

four-stars

* Review * ONE NIGHT WITH THE COWBOY by Brenda Harlen

* Review * ONE NIGHT WITH THE COWBOY by Brenda HarlenOne Night with the Cowboy by Brenda Harlen
Series: Match Made in Haven #6
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on August 1, 2019
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five-stars

No need for a shotgun wedding this time.

They’re still married!

An impromptu trip to Vegas brings Brielle Channing face-to-face with her ex-husband. Except Caleb Gilmore has some news—the handsome cowboy never signed those divorce papers years ago. Still husband and wife, they rekindle their undying spark and receive the ultimate surprise. But is a baby on the way enough to keep them together when their families are wanting to tear them apart once again?

 

A sweet reunion in Haven! Returning to Brenda Harlen’s beloved series is always a treat. She is always quick to snare a reader’s heart with her kind-hearted and ever-loving characters. This book centers around a couple who gave up on love instead of depending on each other to see them through when life got tough. Neither of them moved on to another love, they just didn’t make an effort to reconnect  until fate stepped in and put them in front of each other face to face. Great characters, a passionate reunion and enough drama to keep a readers attention from start to finish. I really enjoyed it!

Teacher Brielle Channing never expected to run into her ex during a girls trip to Vegas. She has purposely avoided home for years because she wasn’t anxious to feel that pang in her heart the first time she laid eyes on him again. Young love brought them together, but pain and discord from their feuding families tore them apart.

Rancher Caleb Gilmore never gave up on Brie coming home again. In fact he has some news to break to her while he has the pleasure of her company in Vegas … he never signed those divorce papers she sent him seven years ago! Remembered passion flairs anew during their time together, but can it be anything but fleeting? They still have the same families they always did … but an unexpected addition just might have them paving the way to a reunion!

five-stars

* Review * THE VIEW FROM ALAMEDA ISLAND by Robyn Carr

* Review * THE VIEW FROM ALAMEDA ISLAND by Robyn CarrThe View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr
Published by MIRA on April 30, 2019
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four-stars

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves.

 

Captivating and emotional! Two characters are coming to a crossroad in their life right around the same time and when they meet, it’s the breath of fresh air they each needed. Friendship leads to romance as their divorces progress. The characters were both emerging from bad situations and finding solace in a happier life and each other. The plot had surprising aspects woven in that kept it fresh, although I felt like the side story of Tim and Angela was distracting from the heart of the story. Overall a really good read!

Wife and mother Lauren Delaney has been living a lie. To others, she has a great life of wealth and prestige with a loving husband and prospering daughters … in reality, she’s been biding her time until her children are at a point where they can support themselves so she can finally leave her controlling husband. On their 24th wedding anniversary, she puts her final plan in motion … and meets a kindred spirit.

Beau Magellan has been going through the motions for years with his unhappy wife. It’s an ongoing game of her leaving then coming back only to repeat at her leisure. This time he’s had enough. He wants his freedom this time, and when he meets Lauren at a time in her life when she’s starting on the same journey, they strike up a friendship that will later lead to more.

four-stars

* Review * ROYAL DOC’S SECRET HEIR by Amy Ruttan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ROYAL DOC’S SECRET HEIR by Amy RuttanRoyal Doc's Secret Heir by Amy Ruttan
Series: Cinderellas to Royal Brides #2
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on August 1, 2019
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four-stars

A shock reunion…

A son reclaimed!

In this Cinderellas to Royal Brides story, Dr. Jeena Harrak’s returned home. Banished years ago by the King of Kaylana, upon falling pregnant with Prince Maazin’s baby, Jeena never had a chance to say goodbye to Maazin, or to tell him of his father’s cruelty. After revealing his heir, working alongside gorgeous yet closed-off doctor Maazin is harder than she ever imagined…but might their overwhelming connection be enough to reunite their family?

Cinderellas to Royal Brides duet
Book 1 — Surgeon Prince, Cinderella Bride
Book 2 — Royal Doc’s Secret Heir

 

 

Secrets always have a way of coming out! With the second book in the Cinderella to Royal Brides duet, Amy Ruttan brings us the story of Maazin and Jeena. Young lovers who were torn apart by no fault of their own are now free to rekindle their love … but can they get past the secrets in order to do so? The characters were interesting, the backstory attention catching and the plot enjoyable. Overall a good addition to the duet as a whole … really enjoyed getting to know this family.

A decade after being driven out of her home country of Kaylana, doctor Jeena Harrak is coming home to help render aid after a storm has ravaged the area. She’s not sure what kind of reception she’s going to get but she’s been assured she will be allowed back into the country.

Prince Maazin is shocked to see Jeena after all of these years. He had no clue that she was pregnant with his son when she up and disappeared with no warning so many years ago. His heartbreak over her desertion led to a spiraling downfall that he still regrets. Learning that he has a son he didn’t know about is life altering. Is there any hope of them becoming a true family together after all of this time?

four-stars

* Review * IN IT TO WIN IT by Kelly Jamieson

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IN IT TO WIN IT by Kelly JamiesonIn It to Win It by Kelly Jamieson
Series: Wynn Hockey #2
Published by Loveswept on July 23, 2019
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four-half-stars

Wynn family bonds bend but never break. . . .

JP Wynn: I admit, I’ve made some bad choices—on and off the ice.
Now all I want to do is show my team I can control my emotions while I’m playing and redeem myself with my family, especially with my brother, Théo.
I hate that I hurt him and I’m determined to stay out of trouble.
But the hot bridesmaid at Théo’s wedding is tempting me into another bad decision.
A little flirting and a hook up with Taylor seem harmless . . . until Manny Martinez jumps me on the dance floor and starts beating the crap out of me.
And just like that I add one more bad decision to my résumé.

Taylor Hart: I always thought hockey players were hot. Now I think they’re crazy.
Manny broke my heart when he got traded to another team and left without even a goodbye.
Then he showed up at my best friend’s wedding. All I wanted to do was show Manny that I was over him.
And the groom’s sexy brother, JP, seemed more than willing to be my distraction.
But after the way everything went down, I want nothing to do with any of them.
Easier said than done. Especially when Lacey’s new brother-in-law is always around. . . .
And I keep thinking about the wedding night, when we snuck away to his room for the best sex of my life.

 

A hockey dynasty carries on! After reading Book One in this series, I was excited for it to continue, but in all honesty I wasn’t sure JP could be redeemed into a good guy after knowing what we knew about him. I was wrong. Kelly Jamieson did an amazing job of showing his true heart and spirit very early in this book and making me start to swoon. Taylor was a bit hard to like considering how she treated him, but in the end they panned out into an enjoyable couple. Really loving this Wynn family and looking forward to a lot more to come from them!

Jean Paul Wynn knows walking into his big brother’s wedding festivities that he’s not going to be well accepted by family and friends here, so finding a sexy bridesmaid to blow off a little steam with doesn’t seem like a bad idea … until it is. Did he really just get punched by some dude at his brother’s wedding reception?

Taylor Heart isn’t looking for a man at this point in her life, but JP is hard to resist … especially after they hook up for some of the best sex of her life. Only now her ex Manny is acting like he owns her when he starts throwing fists around. Both of them are now on her bad side. Men!

four-half-stars

* Review * SURGEON PRINCE, CINDERELLA BRIDE by Ann McIntosh

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SURGEON PRINCE, CINDERELLA BRIDE by Ann McIntoshSurgeon Prince, Cinderella Bride by Ann McIntosh
Series: Cinderellas to Royal Brides #1
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on August 1, 2019
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four-half-stars

A year-long contract…

…to marry a stranger!

In this Cinderellas to Royal Brides story, Dr. Sara Greer’s shocked to find Crown Prince Farhan on her doorstep with life-changing news—she’s the long-lost heir to the throne of Kalyana! Farhan needs to preserve his title and Sara wants to connect with her newfound heritage, so agreeing to his convenient proposal seems like the perfect solution! Until their inconvenient chemistry has her reconsidering their hands-off agreement...

Cinderellas to Royal Brides duet
Book 1 — Surgeon Prince, Cinderella Bride
Book 2 — Royal Doc’s Secret Heir

 

A twist of fate changes her life! With the first book in the Cinderellas To Royal Brides duet, Ann McIntosh brings us the delightful modern day rags to riches story of Sara who is a hardworking doctor just trying to make ends meet for her family when royalty shows up at her door claiming she’s one of them. The characters are easy to be drawn into, and the story line has a way of nabbing our attention quickly and not letting go until they achieve their happily ever after. I really enjoyed it!

Dr. Sara Greer is shocked when a real live Prince shows up on her Canadian doorstep. She’s even more surprised to hear that he’s convinced she’s the heir to the throne of Kalyana that nobody knew existed until she sent in one of those home DNA kits to test her ancestry.

Dr. Farhan Alaoui is the Crown Prince of Kalyana and though Sara wants nothing to do with getting in line for the throne, he needs her to appear to join lines with him so they can smooth over any unrest if the kingdom learns of her existence. They agree to a one year marriage of convenience … they just didn’t count on being so attracted to each other!

four-half-stars

* Review * MAKE ME YOURS by Katee Robert

* Review * MAKE ME YOURS by Katee RobertMake Me Yours by Katee Robert
Series: Make Me #3
Published by Harlequin Dare on May 1, 2019
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four-half-stars

I didn’t get to be CEO of a New York tech company by chasing whims…or women. But when wildly beautiful, fiercely independent fitness instructor Becka Baudin caught my eye across a crowded wedding reception, my body reacted with a will of its own.

She wanted a sexy distraction—one night of lust in a glamorous hotel. And I was happy to oblige. Then, after the most amazing night of my life, she walked away—leaving me wanting so much more. I haven’t been myself since that night. My work is suffering. My social life is nowhere. All I think about, all I dream about, is her.

Three months later, she told me. A baby. My baby… I insisted she move into my Manhattan penthouse. Now I see her every day. I crave her every second. I long for her touch, her kiss, her body moving under mine. I know if I try to cage her she’ll fly away. How can I convince a wild thing to stay in my life, in my heart, forever?

 

A sexy escape turns into more than they bargained for! Unexpectedly pregnant isn’t where Becca was thinking she’d be right about now, but at least it’s with a guy who seems ready to step up and share the responsibility. The story was attention grabbing from the start, sexy as all get out and just downright sweet the way he worked his way into her heart. I really enjoyed it!

When businessman Aaron Livingston catches the eye of a sexy woman at a friend’s wedding reception, he has a feeling it’s going to be a wild night. He never expected to be so struck by her that he can’t get her off of his mind months later.

Fitness instructor Becca Baudin can’t believe her luck. She decides to burn off a little tension by enjoying all that the sexy hunk at her sister’s wedding is offering with his eyes and now she’s having to look him up to tell him she’s pregnant. She isn’t overly thrilled when he insists she move in with him, but she has to admit that he’s not so bad to have around.

four-half-stars

* Review * TAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti

* Review * TAKEN by Rebecca ZanettiTaken by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Deep Ops #1.5
Published by Zebra Books on April 30, 2019
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four-stars

Hunter Holt might be the most stubborn ex-soldier ever born, but when he's called on to help find a lost foster kid, he jumps into action. Even if it means working with the woman who broke his heart five years ago--the woman who still haunts his dreams . . .

Faye Smith has spent five long years trying to get her life back on track. She knows she should've turned toward Hunter and not away from him, but they both had too many demons to destroy. Maybe now they'll get another chance--and save someone else's life too . . .

But first they'll have to stop arguing long enough to trust the Deep Ops team. Hunter was a lost boy himself once. In fact, he ran away from the exact same man, their monster of a father. Now he and Faye will have to unite to find the brother he never knew--and maybe each other . . .

 

An action packed adventure! Next up in Rebecca Zenetti’s newest Deep Ops series is a fast paced novella. Two former loves are drawn together to help an old friend. She turned her back on the relationship years ago, but neither of them could forget the other … their first love … their only love … the one they still can’t get out of their hearts.

Hunter Holt would do anything to help Miss Angelina … even if it means pairing up with the woman who tore his heart out when she left.

Faye Smith sets out to look for a missing foster teen that Miss A took in, but in doing so reconnects with Hunter and Raider from her youth. Uncovered secrets make for an interesting story!

four-stars