Book Reviews – Page 128

* Review * ENEMY INFILTRATION by Carol Ericson

December 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

Enemy Infiltration by Carol Ericson
Series: Red, White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on November 1, 2019
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She’d lost her brother.

Can a jaded Delta Force soldier help her find out why?

Strong-willed Lana Moreno won’t rest until she finds out the truth about her heroic brother’s death. And neither will Logan Hess, whose covert government mission soon becomes entwined with another goal: protecting Lana. On Logan’s Texas ranch, these unlikely partners are fighting to understand what really happened overseas while sparks ignite between them. But their investigation quickly provokes a firestorm of consequences—and attention from all the wrong people.

With ENEMY INFILTRATION, the first book in her Red White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance spin-off series, Carol Ericson takes us into an action packed race against time to figure out who was in the know on a covert operation that that killed fellow soldiers and is now being blamed on a likely innocent man.

Lana Moreno is a complex character. She had my attention from the start when she set out to find answers about what really killed her brother overseas. I really liked her interaction with Logan and found their attraction to add a great depth to the story line. I wasn’t as enthralled with the secret we discover about her as it tended to detract my attention from the important parts of the story rather than add anything to it.

Logan was a good-hearted guy from the start. He’s on a mission to clear his commander’s name who he is convinced is innocent of the charges pending against him, and when he runs across Lana in the mix of it all, he decides she might lead him to answers that will be helpful as he aids in her search.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of mystery with an intense amount of chemistry between the couple. They are cute together and bring a nice bit of banter into the dialogue. I enjoyed it!

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* Review * VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS by Charlene Sands

December 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS by Charlene Sands

Vegas Vows, Texas Nights by Charlene Sands
Series: Boone Brothers of Texas #3
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2020
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They went from completely off-limits

to husband and wife…overnight!

Waking up next to a very virile—and very naked—Luke Boone is shocking enough. But for Katie Rodgers to learn that her sister’s ex-fiancé is now her husband? Unforgivable. Katie needs an annulment of her marriage to Texas’s wealthiest power broker—now! But when their sizzling chemistry survives the trip back to Texas, are the newlyweds really ready to untie the knot?

With the third book in her Boone Brothers of Texas series VEGAS VOWS, TEXAS NIGHTS, Charlene Sands delivers a delightful forbidden love story that pulls at our heartstrings throughout. I’ve enjoyed the entire series, but I think Luke and Katie might just be my favorite pair yet!

Katie is tight with her family, so when she wakes up in Vegas and discovers she drunkenly married Luke Boone, she’s mortified. She instantly feels the weight of the family guilt weighing her down … after all, he broke her sister’s heart years ago when he walked out on their wedding just days before it was supposed to happen!

Luke isn’t nearly as traumatized to find the marriage certificate on the nightstand when they wake up as Katie. He had his own reasons for leaving Boone Springs, but enough time has passed that he’s hoping this new turn of events just might lead to the happily ever after he could only dream about!

I have really enjoyed the family surrounding this series and recommend this book and the two prior to anyone enjoying a fast paced story filled with family drama, delectable connections and a happily ever after around every corner!

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* Review * HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE by Andrea Bolter

December 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE by Andrea Bolter

His Convenient New York Bride by Andrea Bolter
Published by Harlequin Romance on January 1, 2020
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A secret, a deal……a New York wedding!

Aspiring fashion designer Mimi’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, millionaire Jin Zhang, forever. When he needs her help to save his family’s fashion label, he offers Mimi everything she’s dreamed of—a job and the chance to become his bride! After his own heartbreak, Jin is used to guarding his heart closely, so what will happen to their marriage by design when Jin discovers Mimi’s secret?

A marriage of convenience turns oh so real when feelings get involved! Andrea Bolter’s latest HIS CONVENIENT NEW YORK BRIDE is a delightful brother’s best friend/unrequited crush story that turns on it’s heals and delivers a sweet love story.

Mimi Stewart is an aspiring fashion designer who finds herself unable to pick up the pieces of her career after a love affair gone wrong. She’s easy to like, and has a lot of heart.

Jin has been her brother’s best friend for years and the unknown object of a longstanding crush. Mimi and Aaron have been like member’s of his family, but when circumstances put he and Mimi in a position to be in closer proximity and planning to wed for convenience, he starts to feel the attraction she’s known was there all along.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys watching as convenience turns to love in a fast paced romance. Their close-knit family feel was a sweet backbone to this story. Enjoyed it!

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* Review * PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY by Amy Ruttan

December 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY by Amy Ruttan

Pregnant with the Paramedic's Baby by Amy Ruttan
Series: First Response #2
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on January 1, 2020
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One-night passion—

To pregnancy bombshell!

In this First Response story, paramedic Kody Davis has kept his heart on ice since losing his wife. He’s careful not to let anyone in, save for his daughter, but he can’t ignore his attraction to his guarded but gorgeous new colleague, Dr. Sandra Fraser. So when one stormy night awakens a dormant passion in them both, they agree it will be one time only—until an unexpected pregnancy changes everything…

The First Response Duet
Book 1 – Firefighter’s Unexpected Fling
Book 2 – Pregnant with the Paramedic’s Baby

Great characters! With the second book in the First Response duet, Amy Ruttan brings us Kody’s story in PREGNANT WITH THE PARAMEDIC’S BABY. If you read the first book in the series, you will recognize Kody and his daughter Lucy from his sister Sally’s story. We got to know their story slightly in that book, and this one details the loss he suffered and introduces the new woman in his life!

Doctor Sandra Fraser quickly grabs our heart as we learn the sadness she has suffered at the hands of fate and her ex-husband. Neither she nor Kody are looking for a relationship in their lives right now, but when a moment of passion while stranded in an emergency leads to a baby being on the way, they have to re-evaluate their priorities!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a surprise baby story with lots of angst along the way. I really enjoyed both books in this duet.

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* Review * A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael Thomas

December 21, 2019 2 Comments

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael Thomas

A Shocking Proposal in Sicily by Rachael Thomas
Published by Harlequin Presents on December 17, 2019
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Her outrageous marriage plan…

Kaliana urgently needs a husband! It’s the only way to save her family from financial ruin. So she shockingly proposes to billionaire Rafe Casella. They may have spent one red-hot night in his bed, but Kaliana’s rules are clear. Their arrangement is pure convenience, nothing more. Since her fiancé’s death, she’s fiercely guarded her heart…

Yet Rafe has his own agenda—a marriage could secure his rightful inheritance, but only if it appears to be real! Can they keep things strictly business when their pretend relationship starts to feel anything but?

A delectable connection! A SHOCKING PROPOSAL IN SICILY by Rachael Thomas brings a marriage of convenience front and center when two hearts collide.

Kaliana loved and lost and thought she had time to decides what would become of her future, but she’s now being pressured into bringing a prosperous husband into the mix to save her family from ruin.

Raffaele is also being pressured to put down roots and bring more to his family’s lineage. Joining forces seems to be the answer to both of their problems.

I recommend this story to anyone looking for a fast paced powerful connection. Each character brings their own past and hang-ups to the story, and it’s very satisfying watching them overcome it all to find their way into each other’s hearts.

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* Review * TACTICAL FORCE by Elle James

December 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Tactical Force by Elle James
Series: Declan’s Defenders #5
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 1, 2020
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Their search for an assassin makes her the next target.

Two attacks on DC staffer Anne Bellamy’s life are just the beginning of a terrorist threat from a group that aims to assassinate the US president. It’s all-out war for former elite Force Recon marine Jack Snow, who is tasked with keeping Anne alive. As his mission takes him undercover into Washington’s power circles, can he protect his country and the woman who’s become way more than just an asset to him?

With the next book in her exciting Declan’s Defenders series, Elle James brings us Jack’s story in TACTICAL FORCE. It’s fast paced, full of suspense and leads us into the heart of the scandal that’s been festering in each previous book.

DC staffer Anne Bellamy is an interesting character. She’s not as hands on in the midst of knowing everything that’s going on as some of the ladies have been earlier in the series, but she’s really good at her job and at protecting US secrets. She added a lot to the book.

Former Marine turned Declan’s Defender Jack Snow bursts onto the scene in a take charge manner and didn’t stop impressing us throughout. Their romance seemed a little fast at first and the ending was a bit abrupt for me without telling us what the future might hold for them, but the action and intrigue was spot on throughout. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone looking for a series of quick reads filled with danger, a close knit group of friends and love when they least expect it.

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* Review * COOKING UP ROMANCE by Lynne Marshall

December 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COOKING UP ROMANCE by Lynne Marshall

Cooking Up Romance by Lynne Marshall
Series: The Taylor Triplets #1
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on December 17, 2019
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Food isn’t the only way to this single dad’s heart…

Lacy was a redhead with a pink food truck who prepared mouthwatering meals. Hunky construction manager Zack Gardner agreed to let her feed his hungry crew in exchange for cooking lessons for his young daughter. But it looked like the lovely businesswoman was transforming the single dad’s life in more ways than one—since a family secret was going to change both of their lives in ways they never expected.

I didn’t want to put it down! With the first book in her new The Taylor Triplets series, Lynn Marshall delights her readers with a hint of mystery to go with their romance in COOKING UP ROMANCE!

Zach was a delight to read! As the single dad to an adorable little girl, this owner/manager of a major construction business has a lot on his plate, but keeping his daughter happy is at the top of his list. Seeing him protect her heart when times got rocky was so heartwarming.

Lacy is determined to make her dad’s food truck a new success now that she’s remodeled and taken over, and snagging this trial job with Zach is a great step in the right direction. She really starts to fall for this kindhearted man and his little girl, but when a strange sighting happens on more than one occasion, she starts to wonder what truth she might find if she digs a little bit into the past she’s a little fuzzy on.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a single dad finding a new lady who adores him as well as his kiddo. There’s a kick of a mystery happening in the background of this story that leads to a plot twist that will carry forward in the series. I’m looking forward to finding out more!

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* Review * BILLIONAIRE’S WIFE ON PAPER by Melanie Milburne

December 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BILLIONAIRE’S WIFE ON PAPER by Melanie Milburne

Billionaire's Wife on Paper by Melanie Milburne
Series: Conveniently Wed!
Published by Harlequin Presents on January 1, 2020
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“I need a temporary wife.”

Logan McLaughlin can’t lose his Scottish family estate. But to rescue it, his grandfather’s will demands he wed! Logan avoids real relationships, having failed so significantly at love before. So when housemaid Layla suggests he take a convenient wife, he’s intrigued…

Untouched Layla never imagined Logan would choose her! With her scars, she feels far from the perfect bride. Yet to protect the only home she’s ever known, she’ll wear Logan’s ring… But can she ignore the burning connection threatening to destroy their paper-only arrangement?

With the next book in the Conveniently Wed series, Melanie Milburne delights her readers with a modern day opposites attract story with BILLIONAIRE’S WIFE ON PAPER. I was quickly entrenched into Logan’s family drama and enjoyed watching his relationship with Layla unfold.

Layla was the quintessential hired help turned marriage of convenience, but she brought so much more to the story than that. She was beneficial in giving Logan the idea of how to save his family ancestry, never expecting him to call on her to be the convenient bride he needs. Once the plot began to unravel, we got to see the story behind her life and see what motivated her.

Logan believed his history with love in the past meant he could never trust himself to try again, so even though feelings started to develop quickly with Layla, he attempted to hold her at arms length. It was a lot of fun watching them fall!

I recommend this story to anyone looking for a marriage of convenience story line with tons of heart weaved in.

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* Review * FIREFIGHTER’S UNEXPECTED FLING by Susan Carlisle

December 20, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FIREFIGHTER’S UNEXPECTED FLING by Susan Carlisle

Firefighter's Unexpected Fling by Susan Carlisle
Series: First Response #1
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on January 1, 2020
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When the best-laid plans…

…go up in smoke!

In this First Response story, with his impending promotion, hotshot fire captain Ross Lawson has no time for romance. Until stunning paramedic Sally Davis starts work at his station… Even if she wasn’t his best friend’s recently divorced sister, a workplace romance is out of the question. But their blazing attraction burns bright and deep and soon becomes one fire Ross might not want to put out!

The First Response Duet
Book 1 – Firefighter’s Unexpected Fling
Book 2 – Pregnant with the Paramedic’s Baby

With the first book in the First Response duet, Susan Carlisle delivers an attention grabbing story line with FIREFIGHTER’S UNEXPECTED FLING. It’s fast paced, has really fun characters and checks off all of the must haves for a delightful romance!

Ross nabbed my attention quickly as the go to man when there was a problem, and a good friend to have in your corner. He knows Sally should be off-limits because she’s his best friend’s sister, but he can’t seem to resist her.

Sally is still reeling from her recent divorce, but starting a new job that she loves is good medicine for heartbreak … and it turns out, so is spending time with a man like no other!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a forbidden romance between friends and co-workers. It easily held my attention throughout and I’m looking forward to the second book in the duet.

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* Review * FORTUNE’S FRESH START by Michelle Major

December 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

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* Review * FORTUNE’S FRESH START by Michelle Major

Fortune's Fresh Start by Michelle Major
Series: The Fortunes of Texas: Rambling Rose #1
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on January 1, 2020
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There’s a new breed of Fortune in town…

In the small Texas burg of Rambling Rose, real estate investor Callum Fortune is making a big splash. The last thing he needs is any personal complications slowing his pace—least of all nurse Becky Averill, a beautiful widow with twin baby girls. Callum’s past has convinced him he’s not cut out for commitment. Yet, drawn to Becky in ways he can’t understand, Callum is torn between moving on…and moving in!

Another branch of the beloved Fortune family has stolen my heart! The kick-off to a new Fortunes of Texas series is always exciting, and Michelle Major brought her A game with FORTUNE’S FRESH START, the start of the Rambling Rose sub-series! I’m super excited to get more of Callum’s sibling’s stories in the future books.

Callum catches a reader’s eye immediately with his self-assured way and when we see him jump to the aid of a single mother, we start to melt from the start. Watching him interact with family, friends and Becky and her kiddos keeps us entertained throughout.

Becky is appealing from the moment we meet her starting anew as a widowed single mother of adorable twin daughters. She’s fresh and like-able and the more we see her start to fall for the self-proclaimed bachelor, we can’t stop watching … even if her heart might be on the verge of being broken at any moment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced story filled with love, laughter and a close-knit cast of family and friends. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

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