Archives for April 30, 2023

* Review * CLOSE HER EYES by Lisa Regan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CLOSE HER EYES by Lisa ReganClose Her Eyes by Lisa Regan
Series: Detective Josie Quinn #17
Published by Bookouture on May 3, 2023
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five-stars

The young woman lay among the rocks next to the creek like a broken doll, strands of her long dark hair covering her face. Her body was the kind of cold that only the dead can be…

A body lies beside Kettlewell Creek, the waters rushing and churning next to her broken form. When Detective Josie Quinn arrives at the scene, she finds few clues and a victim with no enemies. Nineteen-year-old Sharon Eddy was cherished by her beloved grandmother, who raised her, and her death shocks the Denton community where she worked at the local animal hospital.

When Josie is called to the morgue to hear the results of Sharon’s autopsy, the case takes a sinister turn. She is horrified to see that a mark has been burned on to Sharon’s left hip with a cattle brand: a horseshoe shot through with an arrow. Shaken and terrified, the usually cool and collected Medical Examiner Anya Feist lifts her own top to show Josie an identical mark. Ten years ago, Anya fled her hometown after her marriage to her high school sweetheart ended in terror.

But Josie can find nothing to connect Anya’s ex-husband Vance Hadlee to the murder. Her search of his family farm leads to more questions than answers.

Then another body is found. A young woman in a red coat, lying in her final resting place, her hip bearing the same tell-tale horseshoe mark. As Josie gets closer to finding the truth, the killer creeps ever closer to home, threatening the lives of those Josie loves the most. Can she put together the pieces of this terrifying puzzle before it’s too late?

 

An emotional gut punch! Fans of Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series are in for a powerful read with book 17 as the storyline grabs our attention very quickly and doesn’t let go throughout. The shocking past of one of their own unravels to provide a starting point for lots of mystery, and the ride only gets more and more wild as the story continues. I’m not usually overly emotional in this series because it keeps me on the edge of my seat with excitement of what is yet to come instead of yanking on my heartstrings too much, but this book is gut wrenching and raw. I’ll be right here waiting for each and every book yet to come because I adore this series so much.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a highly intriguing storyline revolving around a police force digging deep to solve murders and mysteries around their small town. The members of the force are endearing and care deeply for one another.

five-stars

* Review * HIS ACCIDENTALLY PREGNANT PRINCESS by Jennifer Faye

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS ACCIDENTALLY PREGNANT PRINCESS by Jennifer FayeHis Accidentally Pregnant Princess by Jennifer Faye
Series: Princesses of Rydiania #1
Published by Harlequin Romance on April 25, 2023
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four-half-stars

The CEO, his housekeeper…

and her double confession!

When CEO Antoine meets a stranger in need, he offers her work and refuge as his temporary housekeeper. Their mutual attraction is intensely distracting, yet Antoine knows he should resist the woman who’s lost her memory. But when they give in to their undeniable desire, Antoine is faced with shocking consequences… Because Cecelia is actually a princess—and now she’s accidentally pregnant!

 

Highly addictive and entertaining! Jennifer Faye’s latest Harlequin Romance is book one in her new Princesses of Rydiania series. The drama begins early in the story and held my attention throughout as a romance and baby arrive on the scenes. I wanted a little more involvement and background of the royal family to feel truly fulfilled in the storyline, but I highly enjoyed Cecelia’s story and am looking forward to the continuation of the series.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a hidden royal aspect in their romance with an amnesia twist and compelling characters.

four-half-stars

* Review * THEIR TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT by Joss Wood

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THEIR TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT by Joss WoodTheir Temporary Arrangement by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: Calcott Manor #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 25, 2023
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five-stars

She’s ready to call her own shots

If only her boss wasn’t so seductive…

Personal assistant Ru Osman is tired of people trying to control her—from her parents to her notoriously difficult alpha boss. All she needs is enough money to leave New York. Sexy CEO Fox Grantham knows the determined beauty is the answer to his professional headaches, but the desire she evokes leads to all-new problems. Will Fox drop his guard long enough to let new love in?

 

Fast paced and exhilarating! The second book in Joss Wood’s Dynasties: Calcott Manor series with Harlequin Desire is heating up when Fox meets his match when he least expects it. The characters were quick to hook me with their drama and charisma and I kept turning page after page enjoying them together. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series to anyone who enjoys a little family drama as a backdrop for each sibling falling for their forever love as they support each other in daily life.

five-stars

* Review * THE WEDDING PLANNER by Danielle Steel

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE WEDDING PLANNER by Danielle SteelThe Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on May 2, 2023
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four-stars

Faith Ferguson is New York’s most in-demand wedding planner, an arbiter of taste for elegant affairs, lavish ceremonies, and exclusive fêtes. She appreciates a simple celebration as much as a dazzling event, for she knows that a dream wedding is not necessarily the most expensive one.

As much as Faith enjoys her work, her two failed engagements leave her with no desire to get married herself. She finds fulfillment in her close relationship with her twin sister, Hope, her role as a mentor for her assistant, Violet, and her career.

This year, new clients have flocked to her, and she signs up an extravagant reception, a mid-sized gathering, and an intimate soirée, in addition to her mother’s next marriage and Violet’s modest ceremony. Faith finds herself forming bonds with her new clients and their loved ones—most notably the handsome brother of one of her grooms.

But weddings are not always all champagne and roses, and in no time, Faith is grappling with private quarrels, unplanned pregnancies, family scandals, dark secrets, and the possibility of cancelled ceremonies. Through her own journey, Faith will prove once and for all that there is not just one path to happily ever after.

 

Steel’s signature charm always manages to sweep her reader up in a whirlwind of romance, family saga and the road to forever. I’m always quick to be engrossed into reading page after page as drama ensues and romance dazzles. I was more invested in Faith this go round than the clients we were getting detailed stories on, but the entertainment value of a Steel novel is always spot on.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a central character that has her hand in the daily lives of several other characters while living her own life in the background. There is drama, scandal and happily ever afters all around.

four-stars