Archives for January 2021

* Review * REDWOOD by Janie Crouch

January 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Redwood by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical #11
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on January 12, 2021
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Gavin Zimmerman. Military codename: REDWOOD. This former Special Forces soldier will protect Oak Creek from any threat.

Even one that comes in the form of a delicate blonde with haunted eyes.

A tiny town in Wyoming and the fake ID in her pocket are Lexi Adam’s last chance. She's used her all her resources to escape the danger that hounds her. A danger the whole world would agree she brought on herself.

She just wants a chance to start over, to rest for a moment, but the town's upstanding and oh so sexy sheriff is determined to get to the truth behind her lies.

Even if it gets them both killed.

Danger is right around the corner! With the next book in her beloved Linear Tactical series Janie Crouch brings a familiar face into the mix when a quasi-villain from a previous series has to be redeemed enough to be the heroine of this book. REDWOOD is fast paced and attention grabbing. Always looking forward to more in the series!

Lexi is quick to nab a reader’s attention with the predicament she finds herself in. She’s done things that don’t make her proud, but she’s fairly easy to redeem.

Gavin is loyal yet suspicious and easy to like.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a major dose of suspense and danger mixed in with their romance. This series has a close-knit group of co-workers/friends who carry forward in every book.

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* Review * COME AWAY WITH ME by Rachel Lacey

January 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COME AWAY WITH ME by Rachel Lacey

Come Away with Me by Rachel Lacey
Series: Midnight in Manhattan #3
Published by Rachel Lacey on January 12, 2021
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A television star and a flight attendant walk into a bar...

Six months after a traumatic event left actress Piper Sheridan confined to her apartment with debilitating panic attacks, she’s determined to start living her life again. Motivated by an upcoming audition, she summons her courage and goes out for a drink, keeping her identity under wraps. It sounds simple enough, but nothing about going out in public is easy for Piper these days. And her hopes of going unnoticed are stymied by the bubbly blonde on the next barstool.

Flight attendant Chloe Carson is only in New York for the night, and she’s only looking for a little casual fun to go with her cocktail. The mysterious woman beside her isn’t fun, exactly…but she’s intriguing. And beautiful. Even without knowing her name, Chloe is drawn to her. When they share an unexpectedly intimate moment, Chloe knows this is a night she’ll never forget.

Can these two strangers turn a chance encounter into something lasting?

Utterly delightful! With the latest in her sweet and sassy lesbian romance series Midnight in Manhattan Rachel Lacey delights her readers with a chance meeting in COME AWAY WITH ME. It’s got an emotional backdrop, but overall is a lowkey fun romance that is sure to please.

Piper and her situation hooked me quickly and I enjoyed watching her overcome her anxiety to go after her dreams and find her forever. She was a bit selfish when it came to her time, but she was redeemable.

Chloe was a sweetheart who you just have to love from the start.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a lesbian romance with equal amounts of sweet and steam with emotional turning points in their lives. I’m looking forward to more!

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* Review * THE FOREVER GIRL by Jill Shalvis

January 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE FOREVER GIRL by Jill Shalvis

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis
Series: Wildstone #6
Published by William Morrow Paperbacks on January 12, 2021
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When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.

Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.

Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.

Shalvis shines in her latest release! If ever we needed a group of characters to wrap us up in their world and immerse us in their emotional journey it is now, and Jill Shalvis does not disappoint with THE FOREVER GIRL. The drama is high, the emotions are deep and the journey towards forgiveness is bittersweet. I could not have loved it more!

The characters had me hooked in the very first scene, and as day after day passed we learned more and more of the past no one wanted to talk about, and the love still in their hearts for each other.

I highly recommend this book as well as all of the books in the Wildstone series to anyone looking for an emotional rediscovery of life, friendships and love. I always look forward to my next trip to this cozy California town!

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* Review * REPEAT OFFENDER by Lani Lynn Vale

January 10, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * REPEAT OFFENDER by Lani Lynn Vale

Repeat Offender by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Souls Chapel Revenants MC #1
on January 12, 2021
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Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor has lived a lot of lies. Seen a lot of good men go down.

But he will not stand by and watch as the world he’s built from the ground up burns to ashes before his eyes. Even if he has to build an army to combat the problem he sees brewing around him.

One step at a time, he carefully lays out his plan, building layer after careful layer until everything is where he wants it to be.

Every part is impeccably played, his pawns are in the perfect place, and then she barrels into his life, totally scattering every single piece he’s set in motion.

The bad thing is, she doesn’t even realize how badly she’s messed up until she’s roused the beast.

***
The day that Six Ines Broussard met Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor was the worst day of her life.

First, she has a public breakup with a man she’s not even dating. Second, she has to deal with a black-tie event that she’d rather gouge her eyes out than to go to. Third, she then has to sit at a table for hours on end with the one man she despises.

Just wanting a break, she thinks she’ll lose herself for a few hours and do what she loves to do best—spend time by herself and go for a walk in the middle of nowhere, spot some birds, and get a little sun. Only, her day doesn’t go nearly as planned.

She walks right into the middle of hell. And at the center of it? Lynnwood Thatcher. The mayor. The man that she took one glance at on the night of his inauguration and dismissed as boring. A total stick in the mud.

Only, he’s not so boring shirtless, in the middle of nowhere, doing things that are very illegal.

At first, she’s appalled. Then her interest gets piqued. Stuck-up suit is hot! And he has tattoos. Oh, and let’s not forget one hell of a mouth on him!

Then he goes and kidnaps her, and she realizes that nobody is quite as hot as you thought they were when they’re now holding you hostage.

It’s emotional, it’s unexpected and it’s yummy goodness! A fast-paced kick off to Lani Lynn Vale’s brand new series Souls Chapel Revenants MC is sure to delight her fans! With REPEAT OFFENDER, we get the lowdown on Lynn and the team he’s putting together and you won’t want to miss it! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

We’ve been catching glimpses of Lynn for awhile now when things were going down in other series and he popped up as Mayor of Kilgore, but we’ve never seen him like this … unfiltered, unapologetic and instantly in lust!

Six’s story has a few holes in it, but the instant chemistry with Lynn is off the charts and she is instantly lovable because of it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves putting together the pieces of a mystery filled with good guys who have to be a little bad to bring down the monsters of the world. I’m so looking forward to the rest of this series!

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* Review * NEIGHBORS by Danielle Steel

January 10, 2021 Leave a Comment

Neighbors by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on January 5, 2021
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In Danielle Steel’s gripping new novel, a reclusive woman opens up her home to her neighbors in the wake of a devastating earthquake, setting off events that reveal secrets, break relationships apart, and bring strangers together to forge powerful new bonds.

Meredith White was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. But a personal tragedy cut her acting career short and alienated her from her family. For the last fifteen years, Meredith has been living alone in San Francisco with two trusted caretakers. Then, on a muggy late summer day, a massive earthquake strikes Northern California, plunging the Bay Area into chaos. Without a moment’s hesitation, Meredith invites her stunned and shaken neighbors into her mostly undamaged home as the recovery begins.

These people did not even realize that movie star Meredith White was living on their street. Now, they are sharing her mansion, as well as their most closely kept secrets. Without the walls and privacy of their own homes, one by one, new relationships are forged. For every neighbor there is a story, from the doctor whose wife and children fear him, to the beautiful young woman dating a dishonorable man, to the aspiring writer caring for a famous blind musician.

In the heart of the crisis, Meredith finds herself venturing back into the world. And thanks to the suspicions and the dogged detective work of a disaster relief volunteer, a former military officer named Charles, a shocking truth about her own world is exposed. Suddenly Meredith sees her isolation, her estranged family, and even her acting career in a whole new light.

Filled with powerful human dramas, Neighbors is a penetrating look at how our world can be upended in a moment. In a novel of unforgettable characters and stunning twists, acts of love and courage become the most powerful forces of all.

Danielle Steel is the queen of wrapping a group of characters around your heart and not letting go! With her latest release NEIGHBOR, Steel quickly delves into the past of an aging Hollywood recluse showcasing the personal tragedy that led her to close herself off from the world and into her elaborate mansion with only her trusted caretakers.

Meredith White may have been living life out of the spotlight for a decade and a half, but when an earthquake endangers her San Francisco neighborhood, she’s quick to offer up her home as a sanctuary to several displaced neighbors. We’re quickly thrust into a fast paced telling of recovery, healing and moving into the next stage of livelihood as turmoil thrives and forever friendships are forged. The characters are enchanting, the drama is spot on and the happily ever afters are well-deserved.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an interwoven story of friendship and life lessons with light romantic elements.

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* Review * ONE NIGHT IN TEXAS by Charlene Sands

January 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

One Night in Texas by Charlene Sands
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches #8
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2021
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She was an employee’s daughter. He was the heir.

Now the tables have turned…

Gracie Diaz is no longer a young girl watching the Wingate family from afar. She’s a woman of means after a lucky lottery win. And she’s pregnant with Sebastian Wingate’s child, thanks to a red-hot night after a Texas Cattleman’s Club ball. But his family has nearly lost everything. Is he seducing her just to use her newfound wealth?

A delectable conclusion to the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags to Riches series! This has been a great series with lots of drama, sexual tension and happily ever afters. Since we learned who the evil mastermind was who was the cause of all of the turmoil the Wingates had been going through in the previous book, this book concentrated mostly on the strife playing out between the main couple.

Sebastian will be quite familiar to anyone who read the last book in the series that centered around his twin brother Sutton. He’s kind, the life of any party and a solid businessman.

I really wanted to love Gracie. She hit it big when she won the lottery that now is making all of her dreams a reality, but she’s so distrustful of Sebastian that she’s not easy to like.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a fast paced plot filled with passion, deception and family saga!

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* Review * A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL by Brenda Harlen

January 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

A Cowboy's Christmas Carol by Brenda Harlen
Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? #6
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on December 1, 2020
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This holiday… He’ll come face-to-face with his past.

Bah, humbug!

It’s the holiday season in Bronco, but for tour operator Evan Cruise, Ôtis only the season for making money. Haunted by his past, he refuses to celebrate the festivities around him—until he meets Daphne Taylor. As the owner of the local animal sanctuary challenges Evan’s resistance to yuletide spirit, their attraction grows into something deeper. But when Daphne uncovers Evan’s shocking family secret, it threatens to tear them apart. Will a little Christmas magic change everything?

A “spiritual” holiday tale! With the final book in the Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix series, Brenda Harlen brings a modern day Scrooge to life in A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL! Part of the story line was a bit unorthodox for a romance, but the Beatrix side of things was a really satisfying ending! Lots of adorable animals, a sweet romance and heartwarming family connections.

Daphne is attention grabbing with all of the adorable animals at her animal shelter taking center stage from the start of the book.

Evan was a bit more complex. He comes across as cold and unfeeling at first, but it doesn’t take him long in Daphne’s company to start to open up and enjoy life more fully.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a bit of mystery with their romance.

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* Review * BRIDE ON THE RUN by Anna J. Stewart

January 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

Bride on the Run by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #9
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on January 1, 2021
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Finding true love…

In the unlikeliest places!

Sienna Fairchild never imagined she’d be a runaway bride. Or that she’d stow away on a worn-down boat belonging to handsome tour operator Monty Bettencourt. Monty’s used to navigating rough seas, but Sienna might overturn his whole life, and avoiding drama is tough in such close quarters! If Sienna’s sure she doesn’t know what she wants, then why does running away feel so much like coming home?

Butterfly Harbor always feels like home! Anna J. Stewart brought utter joy to this reader with one of my favorites of her heroes yet in BRIDE ON THE RUN. This series is always overflowing with emotions, joy and happily ever afters. You’ll have a more complete feel for the town if you read the series from the start, so I highly recommend that you do.

Monty is just the sweetest. He enjoys the simple things in life and always has a positive outlook. Watching him find his forever was so heartwarming.

Sienna might have been subjected to an imaginary shake … or ten throughout the story. She let herself be walked on when the situation was risky, but when it came time to see a truly good guy in front of her for a change, she was dragging her feet and driving me crazy. She eventually redeemed herself.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a small town romance that centers around a group of friends and family that always partake in each others lives and share their joy when they find their forever.

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* Release Blast/Review/Giveaway * THE RANCHER by Joanne Rock

January 4, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Rancher by Joanne Rock
Series: Dynasties: Mesa Falls #5
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2021
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His secrets are safe with no one,

especially the woman who sets him on fire…

Ranching tycoon Miles Rivera has always kept the secrets of Mesa Falls Ranch under wraps—until desire trumps good sense. Because when he catches social media star Chiara Campagna snooping during a charity gala, he doesn’t kick her out—he sleeps with her! Can he trust the stunning influencer as the tangled web of desire and deception ensnares them both?

Decadently mysterious! With book five in her Dynasties: Mesa Falls series, Joanne Rock continues to weave an intriguing story as we look for answers. The characters are interesting and their connection is quick to combust. I’m looking forward to the final book in the series to find out all of the remaining secrets.

Chiara is being sneaky at the start of the book so I wasn’t sure what to make of her at first but it didn’t take long to figure out she’s a good hearted person just looking for answers to what happened to a friend.

Miles is one of the most laid back of the Mesa Falls owners, and I found him easy to like.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone looking for an ongoing mystery as each friend finds their happily ever after along the way.

Title: The Rancher

Series: Dynasties: Mesa Falls #5

Author: Joanne Rock

Publishers: Harlequin Desire/Mills & Boon/

HarperCollins AU

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 1, 2021

BLURB

A wealthy rancher’s secrets will be revealed as passion takes over…from USA TODAY bestselling author Joanne Rock!

His secrets are safe with no one,

especially the woman who sets him on fire…

Ranching tycoon Miles Rivera has always kept the secrets of Mesa Falls Ranch under wraps—until desire trumps good sense. Because when he catches social media star Chiara Campagna snooping during a charity gala, he doesn’t kick her out—he sleeps with her! Can he trust the stunning influencer as the tangled web of desire and deception ensnares them both?

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

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Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over eighty books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly–love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

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* Review * COLTON’S DANGEROUS LIAISON by Regan Black

January 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLTON’S DANGEROUS LIAISON by Regan Black

Colton's Dangerous Liaison by Regan Black
Series: The Coltons of Grave Gulch #1
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on January 1, 2021
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The clock is running out to keep her safe

Can he intervene in time?

By-the-book police chief Melissa Colton prides herself on putting justice before all else. That means work first—and no passionate affairs. But she finds herself severely tempted when teaming up with hotelier Antonio Ruiz to figure out who’s tracking her. As the case yields more questions than answers, Melissa and Antonio must resist their growing attraction…and capture the criminal targeting them!

You’ll be second-guessing yourself throughout! With the first book in the brand new Coltons of Grave Gulch series Regan Black lays the groundwork for a situation that will continue playing out throughout the series at the same time as she delights her readers with a happily ever after. The book was slower paced than many from this author, but the mystery was spot on and the characters have us hungry for the series to continue.

Melissa is a take-charge woman in her job as police chief, but meeting the owner of the hotel at the forefront of a case makes her sit back and take notice of the other needs in her life.

Antonio easily captivated me and I was pulling for him throughout. He was a nice guy who had the bad luck of getting involved with a crook and it placed him in the position of being judged accordingly.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story strong in more than one mystery but also has a romance building behind the scenes.

Filed Under: Book Reviews