Archives for May 29, 2026

* Review * COLTON’S PRIVATE SECURITY by Lisa Childs

May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLTON’S PRIVATE SECURITY by Lisa Childs

Colton's Private Security by Lisa Childs
Series: The Coltons of Dark Canyon #5
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on May 26, 2026
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He let her go once.

He won’t lose her now.

Since he left the military, Mark Colton’s work as a bodyguard has satisfied his need for travel and adventure. He’s on a rare visit back home when a dangerous criminal takes a nurse hostage. That nurse is Cassidy Garner, his high school sweetheart, and seeing her in the grasp of an armed villain makes his well-honed instincts kick in. After this close call, he’s determined to keep her safe—even if that means ignoring the once-in-a-lifetime attraction they both still feel. But what if it’s his past that’s putting her in danger?

Filled with danger, angst and reconnections! This was my first in the series that I have read even though it is the fifth book in The Colton’s of Dark Canyon series, but I didn’t have any issues picking up on what had happened previously and connecting with his family quickly. I liked both characters and the tension they were quickly thrust into after the situation at the hospital makes for a fast paced backdrop as these former teenage loves reconnect and rediscover the love they still have for each other. The characters are well developed, the action is quick and addictive and the happily ever after is sweet and deserving. I really enjoyed their story!

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* Review * DANGER IN THE BACKCOUNTRY by Nichole Severn

May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DANGER IN THE BACKCOUNTRY by Nichole Severn

Danger in the Backcountry by Nichole Severn
Series: Red Rock Murders #6
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on May 26, 2026
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Natural selection or serial killer?

Discovering the truth will be deadly.

Three Zion National Park visitors are dead. Though everything points to bear mauling, newly hired ecologist Lettie Larson doubts an animal is the culprit. Her suspicions bring her into close contact with head investigator Rome Foster. As Lettie’s ex-husband, Rome is the last man with whom she wants to work. Yet with an all too human predator loose in the backcountry, their past differences can only be pushed aside for so long. On the hunt for a savage killer, will they be able to rekindle old feelings while protecting themselves from an unimaginable danger?

Estranged spouses reunite in the most unexpected way! The fifth book in Severn’s Red Rock Murders series for Harlequin Intrigue was attention grabbing with the set up we are quickly thrust into. Not only are they estranged spouses, but they are chasing a killer at the same time as hunting the suspected murdering black bear she has been following as part of her research for years. The set up is interesting and the danger lurking keeps you guessing. I felt like there was some conflicting timeline when it comes to a couple of descriptions of his parents and life with the uncle, and it drug in parts … but I did enjoy getting to the bottom of it all and seeing them reunite, though I wanted more of them together at the end. I’m enjoying the series, but the park life is hard to detail in a depth that we need in such a short length of a book without being a tad boring.

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* Review * TOO FAST TO FALL by Karen Booth

May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TOO FAST TO FALL by Karen Booth

Too Fast to Fall by Karen Booth
Series: Fast Track #2
Published by Afterglow Books by Harlequin on May 26, 2026
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A grumpy-sunshine Formula One romance with spice! When a star driver hires a new dog nanny, he gets an all-American girl who loves dogs, cars… and making him beg.

So what if she’s crushing on a race car driver? That doesn’t mean it’s love at first lap.

But maybe it’s love at first lap dog?

Yesterday, Piper Murphy was just another dog sitter helping her sister with wedding prep while pretending she’s over her own broken engagement.

Today, she’s the fill-in dog sitter for Formula One driver Emilio Baquero. Brooding, gorgeous driver + naughty, cute Lab? Woof, down boy.

When Emilio offers her a five-week gig as his live-in dog nanny in London, Piper can’t help but say yes. It’s out of her comfort zone, sure, but it’s also a ticket to travel, racing, and caring for a dog she already adores. All while escaping the wedding planning that’s put her failures front and center.

Only being under the same roof means there’s no escaping Emilio’s intensity, or grumpiness. Piper tries to be a sunny presence, but their clashes just fuel the slow-burn tension to something near combustible.

Because falling for your boss is risky when you have a broken heart. Falling for your famous boss and his adorable dog? That’s a crash waiting to happen.

Booth knocked this one out of the park if you’re a fan of a dog with a mind of his own! The second book in her Fast Track series is fast paced, humorous and filled with heart. Racing fans will find the sport part of the book intriguing as Emilio struggles with his first year with this Formula One team. You’ll be hard pressed not to laugh out loud at some of the shenanigans Gus the dog gets up to in order to get the life that he wants from his owner. Piper is sweet and easy to like and I enjoyed her getting a touch of the life she deserved rather than living for scraps and pining after her loser ex. Overall both of the characters had an interesting back story and were likable enough to have you rooting for their happily ever after. I loved their story!

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* Review * THE FINAL TARGET by Nora Roberts

May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE FINAL TARGET by Nora Roberts

The Final Target by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Press on May 26, 2026
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A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire—and rage—in the gripping thriller by Nora Roberts.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

Roberts weaves a tale that will have the reader captivated from start to finish! I was quicky intrigued by the premise of the story from the very start when a debut author attracts a fan at her very first book signing that begins to give off uncomfortable vibes from that first interaction that turns treacherous quickly. I really enjoyed the groundwork laid of her family support system that she had to rely on from the very start of her issues, and as she healed and grew into her career, she relocated and began to prosper even more. I adored her relationship with Joe and eventually her romance with Gideon. Great friendships and family love is showcased along the way, along with several twists to make the danger to come feel even more diabolical. Really good layering of fresh scenery along with the monster lurking behind the scenes made for a fingernail biter that I really enjoyed!

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* Review * WHEN SPARKS FLY by Monica Murphy

May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WHEN SPARKS FLY by Monica Murphy

When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy
Published by Blackstone Publishing on May 26, 2026
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Twenty-two-year-old heiress Rachel Henderson has one goal this summer: hide out at her family’s lake house and recover from the most mortifying breakup Manhattan society has ever witnessed. Sun, swimming, and zero paparazzi, what could go wrong?

But her quiet summer by the lake goes up in literal flames when a spa-day candle mishap sets her mother’s designer curtains on fire. When the local fire department shows up—specifically the ridiculously hot fire captain—the house is saved, but the captain scorches her pride with a lecture about fire safety.

Determined to prove she can handle life on her own without her family’s help, Rachel finds a new roommate and a new job—too bad she’s terrible at it. Oh, and she keeps running into Captain Tall-Dark-and-Infuriating (which definitely isn’t a hardship). The more time they spend together, the more their conversations start to get real, and Rachel finds herself falling for Wyatt. She thinks he might even feel the same way.

The only problem? Wyatt is all about roots and permanence, while Rachel is the very definition of flighty. But this summer, she just might be tempted to stay …

An eventful meet cute leads to more sparks than they ever expected! When the spoiled little rich girl gets put in her place by the snarky single dad fire captain, her life starts changing for the better from that day forward! The characters are both endearing, even though both lead totally different types of lives and don’t seem like they would work at all, they actually are pretty adorable together. The cast of family and friends surrounding them really add a lot to the story and carry some of the angst along more than the main characters. I liked them, but the ending was abrupt and I was left wanting a little more. They were cute and believable as a couple though. Heart, humor and snark for the win.

Filed Under: Book Reviews