Archives for October 29, 2020

* Review * GETTING DIRTY by Rachael Stewart

October 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

Getting Dirty by Rachael Stewart
Published by Harlequin Dare on February 1, 2020
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A drop-dead sexy private investigator is about to discover that digging for dirt can expose some seriously naughty little secrets…in this sizzlingly wicked novel from author Rachael Stewart.

Being a private investigator means that if there’s dirt, I always find it. Only, right now “work” is sitting across from me—a naughty little princess in London’s most exclusive, extra-posh sex club. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted—and tried to avoid—for so long, from that haughty, elegant poise to those perfect lips. Only, socialite Coco Lauren isn’t my client. She’s my target.

I’ve been hired by Coco’s brother to find out all of her dirty little secrets. All it takes is one moment of weakness and I’m done for, just so I can hear her moan in my ear, taste her on my lips. She’s already getting under my skin, with her contrast of vulnerable innocent and hidden temptress who’s so ready to talk—and play—dirty.

Now I’m on the wrong side. I’m the bad guy. And every moment we’re tangled up together, things get more complicated. I don’t know where my deception starts and the ruined mess of my heart begins. We’ve gotten good and dirty, but I’m running out of options and time.

How do I tell Coco the truth…especially when coming clean means losing her?

GETTING DIRTY by Rachael Stewart is a fast paced story of forbidden delight! The characters are quick to connect and steam up the story with their instant attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed their connection and watching them fall for each other. I felt the ending lacked a little information, but overall I liked Coco and Ash a lot.

Ash is serious about his job and seems like a down-to-earth guy, but it doesn’t take long for his job to slip to the wayside when he gets to know the real Coco and fall for her. I liked him a lot even though he kept his secret too long.

Coco is easy to like. She’s going through an emotional turmoil and even though she’s painted as childish and wild, she actually has a heart of gold and I enjoyed getting to know her.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a heartfelt story with a lot of steamy goodness mixed in.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * INTO THE FIRE by Adrienne Giordano

October 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

Into The Fire by Adrienne Giordano
Series: A Rose Trudeau Mystery #1
Published by ALG Publishing on October 27, 2020
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As a junior reporter ostracized by her coworkers and community in North Dakota, RaeLynn Demming has something to prove. A decades-old arson that killed over one hundred people on the island of La Paradisio might be her career-saving story, but she needs cooperation from Rose Trudeau, Hollywood socialite and survivor of the legendary Grande Hotel fire.

Rose understands loss. For thirty years, she’s refused to discuss the Grande tragedy and still mourns her closest friend who perished in the blaze. Hungry for justice, Rose wants the arsonist and murderer caught. When RaeLynn shows up at Rose’s estate begging for a scoop on the fire, Rose can’t help but admire the young woman’s determination and agrees to help.
The investigation takes the pair to La Paradisio, where the local police urge them to leave the sleuthing to the professionals. Friends and family members, too, warn them to stay clear of the case, or else.

Then the threats start.

Undaunted, the unlikely pair dig further into the Grande’s sordid history. As determined as they are to find closure for Rose, they face an enemy just as willing to do whatever it takes to keep the Grande’s secrets buried.

Adrienne Giordano is spreading her wings like never before with her latest release INTO THE FIRE, and man did she soar! Her voice has always been strong and relatable in the romance and quirky mystery stories I’ve read by her over the years and that stands true in this book as well, but with an added level of an almost journalistic quality. Her characters have heart and let it show through, but the detailed renditions of the crime scene, the aftermath and the investigation makes her reader feel like they’ve stepped back in time to physically be in the midst of the fire themselves. Her character development was great, the setting and follow through of this horrific fire was amazing and overall I couldn’t have loved this story more.

RaeLynn caught my attention from the first page when the depth of her yearning to tell this story came through instantly. She’s upbeat and dedicated, but was sensitive and caring towards Rose’s pain. I enjoyed her character.

Rose was a spitfire and only made the reader wish we could have lived her life with her along the way. She was a joy to watch and my heart went out to her as secrets begin to unravel that change the past she lived.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the solving of a cold case and unraveling of a powerful mystery.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * JUST A LITTLE BET by Tawna Fenske

October 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * JUST A LITTLE BET by Tawna Fenske

Just a Little Bet by Tawna Fenske
Series: Where There’s Smoke #2
Published by Entangled: Amara on October 26, 2020
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After a night of too many drinks, smokejumper Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, come to the realization that they’re both bad at love. They even tried dating each other, but that crashed and burned, too. Now he’s got the hangover from hell and the certain conclusion he’s just a shit boyfriend. But Kayla thinks he’s a straight-up commitment-phobe.

So they make a bet—they’re going to hunt down his exes and decide once and for all why he’s so unlucky in love. Terrible boyfriend or commitment-phobe. Why does either answer feel like he’s still losing?

But between roadside burgers and late night detours, they discover some fires never burn out—like the one slowly smoldering between them. And suddenly losing feels a whole lot like winning again.

Full of laugh-out-loud moments, emotional soul searching and so much steamy goodness! With the second book in her quickly becoming addictive Where There’s Smoke series, Tawna Fenske continues to delight her reader with her signature sass and a slew of characters to fall in love with. I’m so looking forward to more in the series!

Kayla is a fun character. She’s tough and sassy in her own right, but she’s loyal and loving to those around her. I adored her connection with Tony.

Tony is a doll. We knew even before we knew all of the details of his past that he was putting up walls when it came to relationships. He thinks he’s just a bad boyfriend, but Kayla thinks he’s afraid to commit.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a lot of humor and feisty characters with their romance. You’ll laugh, smile and enjoy the feel-good moments getting to that HEA.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * NEUROSURGEON’S CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Traci Douglass

October 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * NEUROSURGEON’S CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Traci Douglass

Neurosurgeon's Christmas to Remember by Traci Douglass
Series: Royal Christmas at Seattle General #3
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on November 1, 2020
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Christmastime with a stranger—

A lifetime together?

Neurosurgeon Maxwell is determined to atone for the one life he couldn’t save…his late wife’s. Set to perform delicate surgery on a king, Max finds himself shadowed by PR director Ayanna. They must work together to keep the king’s case a secret. But when Ayanna temporarily moves in to Max’s apartment, they face a very different type of tension—their undeniable attraction!

Heartfelt and satisfying! With book two in the Royal Christmas at Seattle General series, Traci Douglass keeps the romance alive in NEUROSURGEON’S CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER as the surgeon brought in to perform the King’s surgery in book one falls for the hospital’s PR guru. The pace was a bit slower, but the magic of watching her bring the holiday season to life again in his heart was rewarding. I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series!

Max is quite the complex character. He’s all business at first but then as he begins to warm up and let himself relax, he’s quite a kindhearted soul.

Ayanna was easy enough to like, but I felt that her backstory wasn’t completely fleshed out. One party that wronged her was mentioned often with feelings and thoughts being displayed, but the second party was barely named and no inflection of that betrayal was portrayed in her story.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a medical based romance series full of drama and strife as the couples find their way towards forever.

Filed Under: Book Reviews