Archives for September 7, 2022

* Review * COEN by Sawyer Bennett

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COEN by Sawyer BennettCoen by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #4
Published by Big Dog Books, LLC on September 27, 2022
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four-half-stars

Coen Highsmith was a league star, but he lost more than his team the day the Pittsburgh Titans’ plane crashed. Can he be saved from his downward spiral of guilt and regret to become the man he once was?

I had it all—a successful hockey career, the respect and adoration of the fans, a rotation of beautiful women warming my bed, and a feeling of self-worth and contentment with the direction of my life. But that all changed the day the team plane went down, taking my only chance of redemption with it. Now I’m left with the daily reminder of all my failures and my inability to correct them.

My new teammates are tired of my attitude and following my suspension, I hole up in a mountain cabin to get away from all of it. The isolation is exactly what I need to get out of my own head, and I’m beginning to think I could be content in this quiet forever.

Tillie Marshall isn’t the type of woman who would usually catch my attention, yet she manages to do so for all the wrong reasons. I’m here for the peace and seclusion but the quirky artist is hell-bent on destroying that by cutting down the trees that separate our properties so she can open a pottery studio. If it’s a fight she wants, it’s a fight she’ll get. I have the money and the time and no issues bringing her down through the court system. While I see flashes of steely determination within her, I’ve found that being a jerk comes naturally these days and she won’t be hard to intimidate.

Unfortunately, that gorgeous and somewhat odd neighbor who has been causing me grief is creating another type of feeling within me. And once that spark is lit, Tillie displays a faith in me that for the first time since the crash I desperately want to believe. Now it’s time for me to step up and become the man—no, a better man than I once was.

 

This unlikely pair will knock your socks off! With the fourth book in the Pittsburgh Titans series Sawyer Bennett once again proves that she can redeem a jerk of a bad boy and make him golden again. The foundation of this series has been emotional from the start and being one of the lucky three who remained makes Coen the hardest hit of all. Watching his transformation is really heartwarming. Loving this series!

Coen is riddled with guilt and despair and is throwing his career away in redemption. Making a mad dash to the hills to isolate himself for awhile does him a world of good … and so does meeting his sassy neighbor that pushes all of his buttons.

Tillie is a ray of goodness in Coen’s otherwise bleak world and while she doesn’t set out to do it, she actually brings his heart back to life again.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a hockey romance filled with passion, drama and so much heartwarming goodness.

four-half-stars

* Review * AN EX TO REMEMBER by Jessica Lemmon

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * AN EX TO REMEMBER by Jessica LemmonAn Ex to Remember by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals #6
Published by Harlequin Desire on September 27, 2022
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four-half-stars

He always wanted a second chance with her…

All it took was a little amnesia.

Temptation. That’s what made rancher Vic Grandin ask his former flame Aubrey Collins to go home with him. But when Aubrey loses her memory the very next day, she thinks Vic is her current boyfriend—not her ex—complete with the same explosive chemistry they've always shared. Not ready to confess the truth of their breakup, he plays along. But will Aubrey go her own way again once she remembers the truth?

 

A heartfelt reunion of first loves! I actually thought he was an unredeemable jerk, but Jessica Lemmon has proven me wrong with the sixth book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals series and actually made me like Vic! The premise is a fresh take on a temporary amnesia story and the outcome is very rewarding. Looking forward to more to come in the series!

Vic has been a real piece of work earlier in the series, but we actually get to see the story behind the man and watch him become more aware of himself and his actions. I ended up liking him surprisingly.

Aubrey is the town sweetheart who hasn’t given Vic the time of day in over a decade, but when a little case of amnesia has her mistakenly thinking they are together, he gets the chance of a lifetime to reconnect.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys lots of family drama and high powered scandal as each sibling finds their forever love.

four-half-stars

* Review * COWBOY JUSTICE AT WHISKEY GULCH by Elle James

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COWBOY JUSTICE AT WHISKEY GULCH by Elle JamesCowboy Justice at Whiskey Gulch by Elle James
Series: The Outriders Series #6
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on September 27, 2022
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four-stars

Three unexpected protectors
One desperate victim

Former Delta Force soldier Parker Shaw won’t be sidelined by his horrific war experiences. Now he’s an Outrider security agent dedicated to safeguarding those in need. Having escaped abduction and imprisonment, Abby Gibson is hell-bent on rescuing the other captives. Trusting Parker is her only option. As they get closer to the dangerous truth, their attraction grows. Their choice may come down to saving themselves…or risking everything to save the hostages.

 

The final book of The Outriders series is fraught with tension! The newest member of the security team is off to a bang when he discovers a damsel in distress and sets out on an action packed race against time. The mystery and danger was satisfying and while I wanted a little more development of their relationship, I enjoyed Parker and Abby very much.

Parker is solid and unshakable when he steps up immediately to help Abby find her way.

Abby is an attention grabbing character with the peril she finds herself in from the start.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys an action packed mystery with intrigue and romance riddled throughout.

four-stars

* Review * ALWAYS HER LOVE by Melissa Foster

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ALWAYS HER LOVE by Melissa FosterAlways Her Love by Melissa Foster
Series: The Steeles at Silver Island #4
Published by World Literary Press on September 21, 2022
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five-stars

Some fates are too tempting to deny…
When single-father Levi Steele offers to help his daughter’s beautiful aunt Tara find a home on Silver Island, their intense connection makes it even harder to resist the one woman he and his daughter can’t afford to lose. Come along for the fun, sexy ride and fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles.

 

Melissa Foster continues her reign as Queen of a sentimental love story! The fourth book in The Steeles at Silver Lake series brings us Levi’s story, who let’s be honest, we were already more than halfway in love with just from seeing him and his precocious daughter in his sibling’s stories. I loved every single minute of watching he, Tara and Joey meld a life together.

Levi is a sweetheart who is devoted to his daughter, family and making the most out of his time with them all.

Tara might not have the life that she dreams of, but her time with Levi and Joey means the world to her.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a steamy love story filled with family saga, love and laughter. You can never go wrong with a Foster happily ever after!

five-stars

* Review * NEVER TRUST THE LIVING by Lani Lynn Vale

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * NEVER TRUST THE LIVING by Lani Lynn ValeNever Trust the Living by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Battle Crows MC #7
on October 4, 2022
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five-stars

It’s not every day that someone tries to pin a murder on you and a random girl you just met. But Bram Crow isn’t your average, everyday guy, either.

One second, he’s hiding evidence with the girl, and the next, he has to marry her so a police detective doesn’t get suspicious.

Did he mention that he had a long-term girlfriend at the time?

To say that things didn’t go as planned would be an understatement.

To say that falling in love with his wife, definitely wasn’t part of the plan, either.

Nor was her leaving me when I finally realized she was my world.

 

Lani Lynn Vale has angsty goodness down to a tee! The final book in the action packed Battle Crow MC series goes back in time to give us the low down on Bram and Dory and gives them a voice in how the family’s story ends. The characters are heartfelt and the drama is high as danger leads to the biggest subterfuge of all. I was hooked throughout and enjoyed seeing the healing take place that was greatly needed. Really enjoyed this series!

Bram is a kindhearted man at his soul, but living a life he wasn’t expecting turned him cold and unforgiving. Just when he realizes what he truly has right in front of his face it’s in jeopardy.

Dory stole my heart quickly when we learned the background of what led to her life with Bram.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a close knit family of siblings loving and supporting each other as each one finds trouble and love all rolled up into one amazing story after another.

five-stars

* Review * CINDERELLA’S SECRET BABY by Dani Collins

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CINDERELLA’S SECRET BABY by Dani CollinsCinderella's Secret Baby by Dani Collins
Series: Four Weddings and a Baby #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 27, 2022
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five-stars

The scandal of the century…
She’s had the billionaire’s love child!

Innocent waitress Amelia Lindor’s encounter with Hunter Waverly was unforgettable. Their chemistry? Off the charts! Their connection? Soul shattering! And, for Amelia, the consequences were life-changing…

Amelia had braced herself to tell Hunter she was pregnant, only to learn he was engaged. Unwilling to endure more heartache, she vowed to raise their daughter alone. Then the news gets out! In a shock turn of events, Hunter’s wholly convenient marriage is halted at the altar as all his attention turns to Amelia…and her secret!

 

Emotional drama and top notch sizzle! A dramatic kick off to the Four Weddings and a Baby series from Dani Collins is sure to please those who like turmoil mixed into your romance. Scandal kicks off the story quickly and leads to the confrontation of a lifetime. I enjoyed every minute of their story.

Amelia is sweet and sincere and didn’t intend to tell Hunter about their daughter in quite such a public way, but it is what it is and now the pieces have to be picked up and put back together again.

Hunter is determined to be nothing like his parents, so the fact that his wedding day brought such a scene is really unsettling for him.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a surprise baby storyline with heartfelt characters and lots of drama along the way to happily ever after.

five-stars

* Review * LOCAL GIRL MISSING by Lisa Regan

* Review * LOCAL GIRL MISSING by Lisa ReganLocal Girl Missing by Lisa Regan
Series: Detective Josie Quinn #15
Published by Bookouture on August 11, 2022
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five-stars

Through swirling dawn fog, they follow the trail of discarded items at their feet: a tube of glittery lip gloss; a cell phone; a cracked make-up compact, broken chunks of ivory powder spilling into the grass. Then the mist parts—just for a second—to reveal a beautiful young girl on the ground, her pale lips frozen forever in a silent scream…

On a winding mountain road into the small town of Denton, Pennsylvania, Detective Josie Quinn finds the body of a local teenage girl, Dina Hale. The sight of plum-colored bruises gathering around the girl’s neck pierces Josie’s heart, but the discovery of a second girl’s empty purse in the dirt nearby gives her a flicker of hope that one person, at least, made a lucky escape.

Dina’s parents are grief-stricken as the town rallies together in a desperate search for the second girl, Alison Mills, who waitressed with Dina at a local hotel. The two best friends were on their way to a shift when they were attacked. Josie was too late to save Dina, but she won’t rest until Alison is home safe.

Hitting a dead-end with interviews, Josie thinks she’s on to something when a photo surfaces suggesting Alison was romantically involved with one of the hotel staff. But when Josie arrives at the man’s house to find a bullet in his head, and the house ransacked, the case comes crashing down.

Evidence of frantic searching at both crime scenes has Josie convinced a twisted killer is on a hunt for something very personal and precious. And that they won’t stop until they find it. But how many innocent lives will be destroyed before Josie can uncover the missing piece at the heart of this deadly puzzle? And what sacrifices will she have to make to find Alison alive?

 

Riveting from start to finish! I’ll admit that I’m late to the party with the Detective Josie Quinn series from Lisa Regan, but in preparation of this intriguing new release I started back at the beginning and binge read the entire series leading up to this fifteenth book in the addictive series. The core characters are hard-working, sincere cops who put their heart and soul into their work and each end up having their turn for drama and intrigue in their own personal life as the series plays out. This particular book brought us into the heart of the case right from the start with a turn of events that sets the stage for murder and mystery as they hunt through clues to find the bad guys. Addictive and satisfying!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that likes a close knit group of cops that put their lives on hold day in and day out to get out there and solve crimes. The storylines are always a mystery from beginning to end with drama galore and good friends and family playing a core part.

five-stars