Book Reviews – Page 125

* Review * SHIELDED IN THE SHADOWS by Tara Taylor Quinn

May 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHIELDED IN THE SHADOWS by Tara Taylor Quinn

Shielded in the Shadows by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: Where Secrets are Safe #17
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on June 1, 2020
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On a quest for justice, it’s a battle of duty versus desire

Emma Martin does her best to keep her past to herself, her heart hidden. But working closely with parole officer Jayden Powell has the attorney considering breaking her own rules. When a dire threat turns lethal, Jayden proves just how far he’d go to protect Emma. Would she go just as far to let him in—guarding her body and her heart?

An emotionally charged dive into danger! With the next book in her powerful Where Secrets Are Safe series Tara Taylor Quinn takes us into the heart of two of the people who help bring justice in SHIELDED IN THE SHADOWS and I really enjoyed it!

Prosecutor Emma Martin is tough as nails, and she doesn’t allow much wiggle room in believing the good in people. She’s got a past that she doesn’t share with many, and it has scarred her quite a bit in her thinking. She has a quirky thing where she talks to her “bad girl” self that drove me a little crazy, but overall she was a solid character who believed in justice.

Parole officer Jayden Powell is such a nice guy. He believes in the redeeming power of a second chance and he goes out of his way to keep his guys on the straight and narrow, but also opens his heart to helping redeem the cases he can see really have their heart set on bettering themselves and the situation.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a strong plot of justice and intrigue with an emotional bit of romance mixed in. Ms. Quinn is always strong in bringing her characters to life and making them real in her reader’s heart.

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* Review * THE SECRET BETWEEN THEM by Helen Lacey

May 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE SECRET BETWEEN THEM by Helen Lacey

The Secret Between Them by Helen Lacey
Series: The Culhanes of Cedar River #4
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on June 1, 2020
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His toughest challenge is coming home…

He’s a distraction she doesn’t need—or want.

After months of nursing her father back to health, artist Leah Culhane-Petrovic is finally focusing on her work again. But her longtime crush on Sean O’Sullivan is hard to forget. Especially when he moves back to Cedar River—and into the lake house next door! Sean has come home, but is clearly keeping secrets from everyone, even his family. So why does he find himself wanting to bare his soul—and his heart—to Leah?

Reigniting with her long lost crush! With book four of her Culhanes of Cedar River series Helen Lacey is delighting us with a connection between David’s sister Leah and Sean O’Sullivan and it really hits the spot!

Leah Culhane-Petrovic is a delightful character. Her return home to Cedar River, SD to help nurse her father back to health coincides with Sean’s return, and reconnecting with the guy who used to make her heart sour is a rather pleasant surprise.

Sean O’Sullivan is easy to like once we discover he’s secretly struggling with a new way of life. He’s a bit morose and sullen, but opening up to Leah gives him a friend to work out solutions with … and the attraction flaring between them is becoming super hard to resist.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a small town romance with lots of interwoven characters, families and friends. I’m really enjoying this town!

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* Review * UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS TEMPTATION by Janice Maynard

May 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS TEMPTATION by Janice Maynard

Upstairs Downstairs Temptation by Janice Maynard
Series: The Men of Stone River #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2020
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She was exactly the kind of woman
he knew he shouldn’t want…

“You want to kiss me?”

He should say no…

After moving his lab to northern Maine, billionaire inventor Farrell Stone needs a live-in housekeeper. Single mother Ivy Danby needs a job to support her baby daughter. Both problems solved. Except Ivy fascinates Farrell, more than any temporary employee should. Widowed Farrell doesn’t do relationships, but would one sizzling night with Ivy be a huge mistake…or the fresh start they both need?

Love when they least expect it! With book two in her Men of Stone River series Janice Maynard continues to delight with Farrell’s story. This trio of brothers are a joy to interact with and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us with Zachary’s story coming up next.

Farrell is dreamy. He’s smart, rich and treasured the love he found early in life. As he relocates his lab to his off the beaten path home in Northern Maine, he agrees to let his assistant Katie send a live-in housekeeper to keep him fed and taken care of when he’s buried in his creative fog. He just never expects to start falling for her and her adorable daughter.

Ivy is quick to nab a reader’s heart. We can tell from the start that her past isn’t pleasant and we feel protective of her quickly. Luckily Farrell does too and doesn’t disappoint in the way he grows to treasure her.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves watching a trio of close brothers find their happily ever afters one at a time. These guys are down to earth, fun and kind-hearted.

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* Review * REDEMPTION OF THE MAVERICK MILLIONAIRE by Michelle Douglas

May 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

Redemption of the Maverick Millionaire by Michelle Douglas
Published by Harlequin Romance on May 1, 2020
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The man who broke her heart…

…wants to win her back!

Millionaire entrepreneur Damon Macy bitterly regrets betraying Eve Clark four years ago. Preventing a massive development in her beloved seaside town seems the perfect way to make amends. Only, his “knight in shining armor” strategy backfires spectacularly—she supported the project! Now Damon must work closely with the still devastatingly stunning but now wary Eve to redeem the situation—and hopefully himself in the process…

Love against the odds! REDEMPTION OF THE MAVERICK MILLIONAIRE by Michelle Douglas brings us a heartfelt reunion story. The characters are endearing, and their reuniting is sweet.

Damon Macy is easy to like even though he did her wrong years ago. It’s blatantly obvious that he has so much regret for the part he played in changing her world, and he’ll do just about anything to make sure her future is protected.

Eve Clark is surprisingly happy in her new life regardless of the heartbreak she endured a few years ago. She’s hesitant to trust Damon, understandably … but watching them slowly start to reconnect is enjoyable.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a reunion after betrayal story. It’s fairly fast paced and filled with lots of turmoil and joy.

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* Review * ENCHANTED BY THE RODEO QUEEN by Melinda Curtis

May 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

Enchanted by the Rodeo Queen by Melinda Curtis
Series: The Mountain Monroes #5
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on April 1, 2020
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She’s looking for Mr. Right…

…but can he fill those boots?

Former rodeo queen Emily Clark loves her life in Second Chance, Idaho, but she’s through waiting for a cowboy to sweep her off her feet. Just as she’s thinking of leaving town, she’s offered a job by newcomer Jonah Monroe, a city slicker from Hollywood. Career-minded Jonah isn’t looking to commit—to romance or a ranch—but Emily’s determined to show him exactly what he’s missing…

An unlikely match! With book five in her Mountain Monroes series Melinda Curtis brings us Emily and Jonah’s story in ENCHANTED BY THE RODEO QUEEN. While the Mike Moody story line isn’t my favorite in this series, watching Jonah woo Emily was so much fun!

Emily Clark is an interesting character. She’s feisty, but she puts love for her family above all else. Now that things are settling down on the home front, she’s wondering where she’s going to fit in going forward. Her ultimate dream is to find a sexy cowboy to call her own and make a home filled with mini cowboys.

Jonah Monroe stole my heart quickly. He is about as far from a cowboy as you can imagine, but he’s got a laid back sense of humor that’s just delightful. He wants to prove that he’s more than others think he is … and with Emily’s help he just might be able to do it.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a small town romance filled with unlikely matches and close knit family and friends. This entire series has been a joy to read.

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* Review * BEYOND JUST US by Kimberly Kincaid

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Beyond Just Us by Kimberly Kincaid
Series: Remington Medical #4
Published by Kimberly Kincaid Romance on May 19, 2020
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Remington’s most cynical doctor is about to get upended by two little words:
I do.

Tess Michaleson runs her ER like she runs her life—
no pretenses, no exceptions.
As a single mother, she can’t afford anything less.
As a woman who’s been burned by love?
She can’t believe in anything more.
Her son and her job are the center of her world.
That’s all Tess needs.

Until Declan Riley falls into her arms…
literally.

His tattoos and his Irish accent are enough to melt her panties
His diagnosis? That’s enough to break her heart.
But Tess can help him get the care he needs…

All she has to do is marry him.

Declan knows he should keep Tess at arm’s length.
What they have is temporary. Necessary.
And he knows from experience just
how dangerous getting close can be.

But the longer he’s around the smart, sexy doctor and her son,
the more Declan realizes
close isn’t enough.

He wants Tess. He wants it all.

Even if he has to do the one thing he swore he never would to have her.

Our dreams have come true! With book four in her much loved Remington Medical series Kimberly Kincaid is finally bringing us the story we’ve all been clamoring for. Tess Michaelson has been on my mind since the very first book in the series when she was giving birth with her best friend by her side instead of her husband. I knew there was going to be a story there … and while it didn’t give us as much of the dirt on Alec as I might have hoped for, it delighted in so many other delicious ways!

Tess is a confident, self-assured woman who doesn’t need anything other than her son, her job and her friends … but watching her fall hard for what she claims to not want is pure magic.

Declan is all the swoony goodness. He’s got the accent, the gorgeousness, the kind heart and a back story that has us from hello. While I don’t fully think the story was medically accurate in a few ways, it was easy enough to enjoy the meat of the romance and let that slide.

I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series to anyone who enjoys a close-knit group of friends who look out for each other and welcome the mates into their fold as each of them find their happily ever afters. It’s medical based, but it’s not gory. I adored the entire series!

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* Review * HIS INNOCENT’S PASSIONATE AWAKENING by Melanie Milburne

May 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS INNOCENT’S PASSIONATE AWAKENING by Melanie Milburne

His Innocent's Passionate Awakening by Melanie Milburne
Series: Once Upon a Temptation #8
Published by Harlequin Presents on June 1, 2020
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Untouched and unawakened…

Or redemption?

Rather than lose her beloved estate to ultrarich playboy Luca Ferrantelli, Artemisia agrees to wed him…on paper. Traumatized by a devastating accident, the heiress hasn’t left the castello in years. She knows nothing of the world outside—nothing of a man’s touch.

If there’s a chance that marrying Artie will give his grandfather the will to live, Luca must do it. But he’s determined to resist the addictive pull of Artie’s vibrancy and vulnerability. Until their scorching wedding kiss stirs the beauty to sensual new life!

With book eight in the multi-author modern day fairy tale series Once Upon a Temptation, Melanie Milburne brings us HIS INNOCENT’S PASSIONATE AWAKENING and it’s quite a fun read.

Luca Ferrantelli is endearing because he loves his ailing grandfather so much that he’ll subject himself to doing the unthinkable to save him … getting married!

Artemisia Bellante is an interesting character. She closed herself off from life years ago, and now that her father is gone she has to handle the hard truth that he left her with more debt than she can clear up. She’s on the verge of losing the house she desperately needs to stay in … unless she agrees to marry Luca for a few months time.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys seeing two unlikely characters come together and each grow stronger because of it. It’s a sweet connection, and though I wanted a little bit more, I enjoyed their story.

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* Review * MIDNIGHT ABDUCTION by Nichole Severn

May 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MIDNIGHT ABDUCTION by Nichole Severn

Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn
Series: Tactical Crime Division #3
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2020
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Ride along on the riveting cases of the Tactical Crime Division — TCD. An elite team of FBI agents specializing in high-risk threats.

For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold.

When Benning Reeves’s twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning’s heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before—a case somehow entangled with Benning’s children. It’s up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it’s too late.

Emotionally riveting and filled with powerful intrigue! With the third book of the always exciting Tactical Crime Division series, Nichole Severn delights with action and suspense from start to finish. I highly enjoyed Benning and Ana’s story.

Benning Reeves is a caring father who will let nothing stop him from rescuing his kidnapped children … not even the awkwardness of reaching out to the one person who he knows will get his children back safely … the ex-girlfriend who walked away from him without a trace all those years ago.

FBI Tactical Crime Division agent Ana Ramirez has never stopped blaming herself for the distraction of falling in love, and having Benning step back into her life is mind-numbing. She’ll get his kids back … but she can’t ever allow herself to care again.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves an action packed story filled with torment and desire. I’ve enjoyed them all so far and am looking forward to the last book in the series.

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* Review * TAMING THE BIG BAD BILLIONAIRE by Pippa Roscoe

May 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TAMING THE BIG BAD BILLIONAIRE by Pippa Roscoe

Taming the Big Bad Billionaire by Pippa Roscoe
Series: Once Upon a Temptation #6
Published by Harlequin Presents on June 1, 2020
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A coldhearted billionaire

And the innocent to tame him!

The moment he spotted Ella Riding, Roman knew she would be his. Unworldly Ella was his grandfather’s ward, living the life Roman had been denied. Ignoring his guilt at letting her fall for and marry him, he believed his revenge was faultless…

Ella may be naive, but she’s no pushover. After discovering Roman’s lies, she can’t pretend their passion-filled marriage never happened. Instead, she’ll challenge him. Roman might see himself as a big bad wolf, but she knows he could be so much more…

Deceit filled revenge! With book six in the mutli-authored modern day fairy tale series Once Upon a Temptation, Pippa Roscoe brings us a tale of the big bad wolf swooping in to nab the innocent young lady. It was fast paced and held my attention from start to finish.

Roman Black is ruthless and cold. He has his sight set on taking the revenge he’s wallowed in from a young age and nothing will stop him.

Ella Riding is kind, naive and caring. She has no clue who Roman is or what he has planned when she innocently falls in love and marries him. She soon finds out what kind of man she has at her side and has to decide whether the person she knew beforehand is even real.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a twist on a modern day fairy tale and watching a relationship built on lies reawaken into more as healing begins.

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* Review * EVASIVE ACTION by Carol Ericson

May 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * EVASIVE ACTION by Carol Ericson

Evasive Action by Carol Ericson
Series: Holding the Line #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2020
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She’s seen too much to survive.

Minutes before her wedding, April Hart learns her fiancé is a drug lord. Now the only person she can trust is a man from her past—border patrol agent Clay Archer. Two years ago April left Clay at the altar to keep him out of the grip of her dangerous family. This time, Clay is determined to guard April—and his heart. But the truth will plunge them into a brutal endgame where safety equals merciless betrayal…

Attention grabbing intrigue! With the first book in her brand new Holding the Line series Carol Ericson delights her reader with a reunion story full of action, danger and mystery!

Clay Archer is solid and dependable … so April knows he’s just the person to run to when she finds out her soon to be husband is a drug lord. Clay never expected a reunion with the only woman he ever loved … especially with her in the wedding dress she planned to promise herself to another man in.

April walked away from Clay because she felt like she had to. Now she’s back and has to redeem herself … but how can she when the danger that was lurking back then is still right there around every corner?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a high octane level of mystery swirling around romantic tension. The characters were all easy to connect with and the interwoven story line really thrilled. I’m excited to see what comes next in the series.

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