Archives for December 2019

* Review * THE SECRET SHE KEEPS by HelenKay Dimon

* Review * THE SECRET SHE KEEPS by HelenKay DimonThe Secret She Keeps by HelenKay Dimon
Series: Whitaker Island #2
Published by Avon on December 30, 2019
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four-half-stars

No matter where you run to…

Connor Rye seeks solace on remote Whitaker Island. When his first quiet evening ends with a blow to the head, it’s clear that nothing—and no one—is as it seems. Still haunted by his sister’s murder, he’s buried himself in work while trying to hold his family together. Now, when he has a minute to breathe, he knows better than to get involved with a stranger, but it might be too late to keep his distance.

Desire will find you...

For years she’s pretended to be someone else, but Maddie Rhine is done living in the shadows. Old habits are hard to kick however, and when her past follows her to Whitaker she’s forced to hide once more. Except with Connor. Effortlessly sexy Connor makes it difficult to ignore him. He sees right through her…and senses her fear.

Someone is watching her. And waiting for the right moment to strike. This time Connor vows to be ready.

 

In THE SECRET SHE KEEPS danger is lurking from the very start yet the dialogue that is woven with humorous banter keeps a lightheartedness alive for the reader. HelenKay Dimon’s second book in her Whitaker Island series is sure to please fans of romantic suspense!

As we go into the story, we know that Connor is still suffering an overwhelming grief over his sister’s murder and carries a load of emotions with him. He’s seeking to get away from the daily grind to comfort his soul, but finds himself smack dab in the middle of a mystery.

Maddie makes a huge impact on Connor from day one, and as he learns tidbits of her story, he’s more and more intrigued. Can she find a way to let people into the inner sanctuary she’s built around herself when her life just might depend on it again?

I recommend this story to fans of suspense with a generous amount of sexual chemistry, romance and happily ever afters. The story was fast paced, endearing and ultimately satisfying!

four-half-stars

* Review * GOOD GIRLS LIE by J.T. Ellison

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * GOOD GIRLS LIE by J.T. EllisonGood Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison
Published by MIRA on December 30, 2019
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four-stars

J.T. Ellison’s pulse-pounding new psychological thriller examines the tenuous bonds of friendship, the power of lies and the desperate lengths people will go to in order to protect their secrets.

Goode girls don’t lie…

Perched atop a hill in the tiny town of Marchburg, Virginia, The Goode School is a prestigious prep school known as a Silent Ivy. The boarding school of choice for daughters of the rich and influential, it accepts only the best and the brightest. Its elite status, long-held traditions and honor code are ideal for preparing exceptional young women for brilliant futures at Ivy League universities and beyond.

But a stranger has come to Goode, and this ivy has turned poisonous.

In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder.

When a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide.

But look closely…because there are truths and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened.

 

With her latest psychological thriller GOOD GIRLS LIE, J.T. Ellison again takes us through a whirlwind of emotions as we try to unravel what is true during this heart thumping spiel of lies and cover ups. The characters are enthralling and the torment and terror are divine, though hard to follow who is who at times.

Secrets and lies abound as a teenage Londoner travels to a prestigious Virginia all-girl prep school to round out her high school years with studious precision that will surely get her into the college of her dreams. She has secrets that we think we know the truth about, but as months unravel, we learn all isn’t what it seems.

When a popular student who happens to be her roommate winds up dead, everyone begins to believe the stories floating around about why she would want to commit suicide … but when more truth comes to light, it leads to more info than they ever bargained for. In the end, the day of reckoning arises … but who will be the victor?

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a deeply combustible story line of danger and lies. I was hooked from the start and though there was some confusion at times to figure out who was actually on point in certain scenes, I really enjoyed it.

four-stars

* Review * COLTON BABY CONSPIRACY by Marie Ferrarella

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLTON BABY CONSPIRACY by Marie FerrarellaColton Baby Conspiracy by Marie Ferrarella
Series: The Coltons of Mustang Valley #1
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on January 1, 2020
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four-half-stars

Deadly enemies undermine her life and business

When a mysterious email threatens her family’s corporation, executive Marlowe Colton puts all her energy into protecting Colton Oil. But a more shocking scandal comes in the form of her archrival—and one-night lover—Bowie Robertson, who uncovers the consequence of their passion. As danger encroaches, Bowie and Marlowe must put aside any bitterness to safeguard the family neither ever expected.

 

The beloved Coltons are getting another spin-off series The Coltons of Mustang Valley and Marie Ferrarella is kicking it off with COLTON BABY CONSPIRACY. It was a fast read with a delectable forbidden romance holding the limelight as suspense begins to build around every corner. I really enjoyed it!

Marlowe Colton receives shocking news that is threatening to split her beloved family apart at the seams just as she realizes she’s pregnant from a one night stand with the enemy. She knows she has to buckle down and stop the madness happening around her before it can reek more damage, but danger starts lurking at her door just as the man she shouldn’t want comes knocking.

Bowie Robertson isn’t about to let their family feud keep him away from his unborn child once he learns there is one. He’s determined to keep Marlowe safe from the lurking danger and keep her sane as she works on her family dynamics.

This book set up a good family history to get us started on the books to come and after the ending of this one, I’m especially looking forward to nabbing book two! Really enjoying this leg of the Coltons so far.

four-half-stars

* Review * ENEMY INFILTRATION by Carol Ericson

* Review * ENEMY INFILTRATION by Carol EricsonEnemy Infiltration by Carol Ericson
Series: Red, White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on November 1, 2019
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four-stars

She’d lost her brother.

Can a jaded Delta Force soldier help her find out why?

Strong-willed Lana Moreno won’t rest until she finds out the truth about her heroic brother’s death. And neither will Logan Hess, whose covert government mission soon becomes entwined with another goal: protecting Lana. On Logan’s Texas ranch, these unlikely partners are fighting to understand what really happened overseas while sparks ignite between them. But their investigation quickly provokes a firestorm of consequences—and attention from all the wrong people.

 

With ENEMY INFILTRATION, the first book in her Red White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance spin-off series, Carol Ericson takes us into an action packed race against time to figure out who was in the know on a covert operation that that killed fellow soldiers and is now being blamed on a likely innocent man.

Lana Moreno is a complex character. She had my attention from the start when she set out to find answers about what really killed her brother overseas. I really liked her interaction with Logan and found their attraction to add a great depth to the story line. I wasn’t as enthralled with the secret we discover about her as it tended to detract my attention from the important parts of the story rather than add anything to it.

Logan was a good-hearted guy from the start. He’s on a mission to clear his commander’s name who he is convinced is innocent of the charges pending against him, and when he runs across Lana in the mix of it all, he decides she might lead him to answers that will be helpful as he aids in her search.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of mystery with an intense amount of chemistry between the couple. They are cute together and bring a nice bit of banter into the dialogue. I enjoyed it!

four-stars

* Review * VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS by Charlene Sands

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS by Charlene SandsVegas Vows, Texas Nights by Charlene Sands
Series: Boone Brothers of Texas #3
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2020
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five-stars

They went from completely off-limits

to husband and wife…overnight!

Waking up next to a very virile—and very naked—Luke Boone is shocking enough. But for Katie Rodgers to learn that her sister’s ex-fiancé is now her husband? Unforgivable. Katie needs an annulment of her marriage to Texas’s wealthiest power broker—now! But when their sizzling chemistry survives the trip back to Texas, are the newlyweds really ready to untie the knot?

 

With the third book in her Boone Brothers of Texas series VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS, Charlene Sands delivers a delightful forbidden love story that pulls at our heartstrings throughout. I’ve enjoyed the entire series, but I think Luke and Katie might just be my favorite pair yet!

Katie is tight with her family, so when she wakes up in Vegas and discovers she drunkenly married Luke Boone, she’s mortified. She instantly feels the weight of the family guilt weighing her down … after all, he broke her sister’s heart years ago when he walked out on their wedding just days before it was supposed to happen!

Luke isn’t nearly as traumatized to find the marriage certificate on the nightstand when they wake up as Katie. He had his own reasons for leaving Boone Springs, but enough time has passed that he’s hoping this new turn of events just might lead to the happily ever after he could only dream about!

I have really enjoyed the family surrounding this series and recommend this book and the two prior to anyone enjoying a fast paced story filled with family drama, delectable connections and a happily ever after around every corner!

five-stars

* Review * HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE by Andrea Bolter

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE by Andrea BolterHis Convenient New York Bride by Andrea Bolter
Published by Harlequin Romance on January 1, 2020
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four-stars

A secret, a deal……a New York wedding!

Aspiring fashion designer Mimi’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, millionaire Jin Zhang, forever. When he needs her help to save his family’s fashion label, he offers Mimi everything she’s dreamed of—a job and the chance to become his bride! After his own heartbreak, Jin is used to guarding his heart closely, so what will happen to their marriage by design when Jin discovers Mimi’s secret?

 

A marriage of convenience turns oh so real when feelings get involved! Andrea Bolter’s latest HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE is a delightful brother’s best friend/unrequited crush story that turns on it’s heals and delivers a sweet love story.

Mimi Stewart is an aspiring fashion designer who finds herself unable to pick up the pieces of her career after a love affair gone wrong. She’s easy to like, and has a lot of heart.

Jin has been her brother’s best friend for years and the unknown object of a longstanding crush. Mimi and Aaron have been like member’s of his family, but when circumstances put he and Mimi in a position to be in closer proximity and planning to wed for convenience, he starts to feel the attraction she’s known was there all along.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys watching as convenience turns to love in a fast paced romance. Their close-knit family feel was a sweet backbone to this story. Enjoyed it!

four-stars

* Review * PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY by Amy Ruttan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY by Amy RuttanPregnant with the Paramedic's Baby by Amy Ruttan
Series: First Response #2
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on January 1, 2020
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four-half-stars

One-night passion—

To pregnancy bombshell!

In this First Response story, paramedic Kody Davis has kept his heart on ice since losing his wife. He’s careful not to let anyone in, save for his daughter, but he can’t ignore his attraction to his guarded but gorgeous new colleague, Dr. Sandra Fraser. So when one stormy night awakens a dormant passion in them both, they agree it will be one time only—until an unexpected pregnancy changes everything…

The First Response Duet
Book 1 – Firefighter’s Unexpected Fling
Book 2 – Pregnant with the Paramedic’s Baby

 

Great characters! With the second book in the First Response duet, Amy Ruttan brings us Kody’s story in PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY. If you read the first book in the series, you will recognize Kody and his daughter Lucy from his sister Sally’s story. We got to know their story slightly in that book, and this one details the loss he suffered and introduces the new woman in his life!

Doctor Sandra Fraser quickly grabs our heart as we learn the sadness she has suffered at the hands of fate and her ex-husband. Neither she nor Kody are looking for a relationship in their lives right now, but when a moment of passion while stranded in an emergency leads to a baby being on the way, they have to re-evaluate their priorities!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a surprise baby story with lots of angst along the way. I really enjoyed both books in this duet.

four-half-stars

* Review * A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael Thomas

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael ThomasA Shocking Proposal in Sicily by Rachael Thomas
Published by Harlequin Presents on December 17, 2019
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four-half-stars

Her outrageous marriage plan…

Kaliana urgently needs a husband! It’s the only way to save her family from financial ruin. So she shockingly proposes to billionaire Rafe Casella. They may have spent one red-hot night in his bed, but Kaliana’s rules are clear. Their arrangement is pure convenience, nothing more. Since her fiancé’s death, she’s fiercely guarded her heart…

Yet Rafe has his own agenda—a marriage could secure his rightful inheritance, but only if it appears to be real! Can they keep things strictly business when their pretend relationship starts to feel anything but?

 

A delectable connection! A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael Thomas brings a marriage of convenience front and center when two hearts collide.

Kaliana loved and lost and thought she had time to decides what would become of her future, but she’s now being pressured into bringing a prosperous husband into the mix to save her family from ruin.

Raffaele is also being pressured to put down roots and bring more to his family’s lineage. Joining forces seems to be the answer to both of their problems.

I recommend this story to anyone looking for a fast paced powerful connection. Each character brings their own past and hang-ups to the story, and it’s very satisfying watching them overcome it all to find their way into each other’s hearts.

 

four-half-stars

* Review * TACTICAL FORCE by Elle James

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TACTICAL FORCE by Elle JamesTactical Force by Elle James
Series: Declan’s Defenders #5
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 1, 2020
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four-half-stars

Their search for an assassin makes her the next target.

Two attacks on DC staffer Anne Bellamy’s life are just the beginning of a terrorist threat from a group that aims to assassinate the US president. It’s all-out war for former elite Force Recon marine Jack Snow, who is tasked with keeping Anne alive. As his mission takes him undercover into Washington’s power circles, can he protect his country and the woman who’s become way more than just an asset to him?

 

With the next book in her exciting Declan’s Defenders series, Elle James brings us Jack’s story in TACTICAL FORCE. It’s fast paced, full of suspense and leads us into the heart of the scandal that’s been festering in each previous book.

DC staffer Anne Bellamy is an interesting character. She’s not as hands on in the midst of knowing everything that’s going on as some of the ladies have been earlier in the series, but she’s really good at her job and at protecting US secrets. She added a lot to the book.

Former Marine turned Declan’s Defender Jack Snow bursts onto the scene in a take charge manner and didn’t stop impressing us throughout. Their romance seemed a little fast at first and the ending was a bit abrupt for me without telling us what the future might hold for them, but the action and intrigue was spot on throughout. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone looking for a series of quick reads filled with danger, a close knit group of friends and love when they least expect it.

four-half-stars

* Review * COOKING UP ROMANCE by Lynne Marshall

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COOKING UP ROMANCE by Lynne MarshallCooking Up Romance by Lynne Marshall
Series: The Taylor Triplets #1
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on December 17, 2019
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four-half-stars

Food isn’t the only way to this single dad’s heart…

Lacy was a redhead with a pink food truck who prepared mouthwatering meals. Hunky construction manager Zack Gardner agreed to let her feed his hungry crew in exchange for cooking lessons for his young daughter. But it looked like the lovely businesswoman was transforming the single dad’s life in more ways than one—since a family secret was going to change both of their lives in ways they never expected.

 

I didn’t want to put it down! With the first book in her new The Taylor Triplets series, Lynn Marshall delights her readers with a hint of mystery to go with their romance in COOKING UP ROMANCE!

Zach was a delight to read! As the single dad to an adorable little girl, this owner/manager of a major construction business has a lot on his plate, but keeping his daughter happy is at the top of his list. Seeing him protect her heart when times got rocky was so heartwarming.

Lacy is determined to make her dad’s food truck a new success now that she’s remodeled and taken over, and snagging this trial job with Zach is a great step in the right direction. She really starts to fall for this kindhearted man and his little girl, but when a strange sighting happens on more than one occasion, she starts to wonder what truth she might find if she digs a little bit into the past she’s a little fuzzy on.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a single dad finding a new lady who adores him as well as his kiddo. There’s a kick of a mystery happening in the background of this story that leads to a plot twist that will carry forward in the series. I’m looking forward to finding out more!

four-half-stars