Archives for January 31, 2023

* Review * ROCKED BAYOU by Erin Nicholas

January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ROCKED BAYOU by Erin Nicholas

Rocked Bayou by Erin Nicholas
Series: Badges of the Bayou #3
Published by EN Fiction, Inc. on February 7, 2023
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Ex-bodyguard and moody Irishman, Colin Daly needs three things:

To figure out how to have a real job after his longtime client no longer needs him.

To find some really good Irish whiskey in the land of homemade moonshine.

To stop having dirty dreams every time he hears young, beautiful, recently-discovered-thanks-to-social-media music sensation, Hayden Ross, sing. Which seems to be every time he freaking turns around lately.

But now the new-to-the-spotlight sweetheart is being harassed and needs someone to have her back. And Colin will be damned if he’s going to let anyone else take this job. No matter how much being her temporary, very protective pretend boyfriend/roommate/whatever is going to rock his world.

Just when you thought Erin Nicholas couldn’t possibly create a better book boyfriend for you than she already has … the Queen Tantalizer is delivering a grumpy Irish hunk to steal your heart! The characters are addictive and the plot is heavy with drama, heart and attraction. I loved every single page!

Colin is divine and I adored him the minute he stepped on the pages with precocious Saoirse in Fiona and Knox’s story. I loved seeing him find love and success.

Hayden is a sweetheart and such a great match for Colin. Her turmoil was an interesting aspect of the book … both the unwanted attention as well as her need to be needed vs her newfound career.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a cast of characters that soon feel like old friends that always bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Fun filled, passionate and always addictive!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MALICE AT THE MARINA by Carol Ericson

January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

Malice at the Marina by Carol Ericson
Series: The Lost Girls #4
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 24, 2023
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He wants his missing sister back.
She needs her escaped witness.

All the years Detective Billy Crouch has searched for his missing sister, she’s been in witness protection. Now she’s fled…with criminals in pursuit. And US marshal Mia Romano must locate her before it’s too late. Joining forces, Mia’s focused on recovering her witness, while Billy just wants to keep both women safe. But the searing attraction he and Mia share may prove to be a distraction they can’t afford.

Attention grabbing and addictive! If you’ve been enjoying Carol Ericson’s The Lost Girls series, you will recognize the hero of this book Billy Crouch, an LAPD homicide detective who has been searching for his missing sister for years. The jig is up in this book and he finds out the whereabouts of Sabrina finally and it’s a race against time with US Marshall Mia Romano to keep his sister safe until they can finally be reunited. I was hooked from start to finish!

Billy has been an attractive character every time that he’s interacted on the pages of a book in this series. He’s smart and astute at his job and charismatic and friendly to all. I really enjoyed getting up close and personal with his story.

Mia is a good match for him. She is also good at her job and determined to right wrongs, but she has a softer side that interacts well with Billy.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys intrigue mixed with your romance as danger is always nearby as love conquers all.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HOTSHOT HERO IN DISGUISE by Lisa Childs

January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOTSHOT HERO IN DISGUISE by Lisa Childs

Hotshot Hero in Disguise by Lisa Childs
Series: Hotshot Heroes #8
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on February 21, 2023
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

His carefully crafted identity…

Is about to go up in flames!

After an attempt on his life, Jonathan Canterbury IV chose to let the world believe he was dead. Then Tammy Ingles discovers that the firefighter she knows as Ethan Sommerly is really the heir to an epic fortune. He doesn’t know what scares him more: the fact that his new lover can expose his secret, or the intensity of his need for her…

Intense drama and danger around every corner! The eighth book in Lisa Childs’ Hotshot Heroes series was my first in the series and I had no problems following along with the character list of past couples in the series and picking up on what has been going on in Northern Lakes. The danger is still lurking, but a new discovery has thrown them all for a loop. I enjoyed Ethan and Tammy’s story!

Ethan is hardworking and sincere, but his past life is coming back to bite him as his secrets unravel and danger comes knocking!

Tammy is loved by all and watching her crush on Ethan come to fruition with some drama behind it is rewarding.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good mystery with a brotherhood of friendship rallying around as one team member after another finds love.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A COWBOY KIND OF THING by Reese Ryan

January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

A Cowboy Kind of Thing by Reese Ryan
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 24, 2023
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He’s Texas. She’s Hollywood.

…and together they’re playing with fire!

Dionna Reed is in Royal, Texas, to help plan her starlet bestie’s wedding. But when the bride and groom bail, all the planning falls to Dionna…and the too-hot, too-sexy best man who’s convinced Texas can outdo Hollywood for this wedding event of the year. Well, bring it on, cowboy.

Tripp Noble has one week to convince city-slicker Dionna that Royal is the perfect place for his cousin’s wedding—all the while keeping his hands off the gorgeous maid of honor. But cowboys don’t always follow the rules…

Delectable sass and sizzling chemistry steal the show as Reese Ryan dazzles in old Hollywood style for the first book in the newest Texas Cattleman’s Club sub-series The Wedding! I was hooked from the start by Dee and Tripp’s fireworks and chemistry and only grew to love them more as the story progressed. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for us!

Dionna is sincere and kind, but her big city roots are showing when she continues to believe that Texas can’t begin to hold a candle to the Hollywood wedding her BFF has always dreamed of.

Tripp is a sweetheart and wants his family to have a fair shot of shining for his cousin’s wedding, so he pours on the charm and makes Dee fall for Royal.

I highly recommend this book to fans of the TCC franchise and to anyone that enjoys high drama and luscious chemistry between an unlikely couple on that way towards happily ever after.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * UNFORGIVABLE by Monique Moreau

January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * UNFORGIVABLE by Monique Moreau

Unforgivable by Monique Moreau
Series: Empire Academy #1
on February 2, 2023
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

What he did was unforgivable and if he wants me, he better get ready to grovel.

Lucian

I value one thing above all else: redeeming my family’s legacy within my mafia clan. I do everything right. I’ve almost solidified my position as our next consigliere. I intend to marry a clan princess. There’s only one barrier in my plan of domination.

I must graduate high school.

To do that, I need a tutor.

My boss chooses the girl I’ve bullied off and on for years. But what begins as an unavoidable chore becomes my greatest distraction.

Star

I’ve pined after Lucian for years, even with the way he treats me. I only balk at becoming his tutor because I secretly crave him.

Call me a glutton for punishment.

Turns out, even I have my limits.

Lucian is an active participant in my greatest humiliation. He seems remorseful. For the first time, he seeks me out.

But it’s too late.

Apologize. Beg. Crawl.

I don’t care.

I can never forgive him.

Content warning:

Unforgivable can be read as a standalone and is the first installment of The Empire Academy Series. Lucian is an OTT possessive morally gray hero who doesn’t know what he wants until it’s too late. Get ready for a dirty-talking bully, a long grovel, and plenty of praise when he finally gets her where he wants her. Where is that, you ask? In his arms, of course. If such material offends, please do not read.

An emotional, gritty spin-off from The Lupu Chronicles series! I was quickly intrigued by the younger set of the Popescu and Lupu clan members. As a fan of the previous series, I knew the background and understood the setting going in, but if you are starting off with the Empire Academy as your first introduction to this world, the story is lacking some development. More history on Tatum’s story and even a bit on Lucian’s family prior would have cleared up a bit of the confusion that a new reader will more than likely feel coming in as a newbie. I personally enjoyed their story and the nod to the past and am looking forward to more to come in this new series.

Lucian is a bit of a sanctimonious bully, but he has a clear weakness for Star and likes her way more than he ever intended. I enjoyed seeing him taken down a notch or two as he had to learn to be the man she expected.

Starlene is sweet and sincere and tempted to no end for this man child that wants her to hand over her heart.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a coming of age storyline involving mafia born young adults finding their way in the trials of their lifestyle. The characters are addictive and the drama is high.

Filed Under: Book Reviews