Book Reviews – Page 139

* Review * KILLER INSIGHT by Virginia Vaughan

January 17, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * KILLER INSIGHT by Virginia Vaughan

Killer Insight by Virginia Vaughan
Series: Covert Operatives #4
Published by Love Inspired Suspense on February 1, 2020
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From profiling criminals

to being hunted by a killer.

Asking FBI agent Lucy Sanderson to profile the Back Roads Killer is the only way Bryce Tippett can prove his brother is innocent—unless Lucy becomes the next victim. When someone begins stalking her just as she arrives in town, it falls to the single dad to protect her. But as clues lead in unexpected directions, can they uncover the truth…and survive to expose it?

Powerful intrigue from start to finish! With the fourth book in her Covert Operatives series, Virginia Vaughan continues to delight with KILLER INSIGHT.

Lucy Sanderson has our allegiance from the first page when by simply arriving in town she suddenly becomes the next victim of the guy she’s there to profile! She is a FBI profiler on leave and doing a favor for a friend of her late fiancee when she walks smack dab in the middle of the case.

Bryce Tippitt is an easy character to like. He’s an attentive and caring single father intent on helping clear his brother’s name in the serial killer case he’s being accused in.

I highly recommend this story to anyone enjoying an inspirational romance filled with nail biting intrigue and lots of heart. The characters were well developed, the plot was thick and the story flowed easily. Really enjoying this entire series!

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* Review * TEMPTING THE TEXAN by Maureen Child

January 14, 2020 Leave a Comment

Tempting the Texan by Maureen Child
Series: Texas Cattleman’s Club: Inheritance #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on December 1, 2019
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In the fight for his family’s legacy,

will this former flame consume him?

Rancher Kellan Blackwood is poised to fight the gold-digging stepmother who inherited his father’s empire. He doesn’t expect Irina Romanov, his father’s former maid—and Kellan’s long-ago lover—to block his way. Though Irina may hold secrets about his father’s motives, Kellan must keep his hands off. For the twice-tempted, secret lovers who once set Texas ablaze, that’s easier said than done.

With the first book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Inheritance series, Maureen Child sets up an on-going story filled with drama,lies and deception with TEMPTING THE TEXAN. It looks to be bringing an action packed saga that will leave us guessing until the end. I’m looking forward to more to come!

Kellan Blackwood starts out being a bit unfeeling, but as the story unwinds, we learn of the past he’s had and why he tries to keep himself aloof. Watching him begin to unravel his pent up feelings was powerful to watch and I ended up liking him a lot.

Irina Romanov was a delight to read. She gave as good as she took and didn’t let Kellan get away with simply walking away from her and the feelings she stirred up like she did years ago. Her past coming into the picture shed new light on his father’s character and made me take notice.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a drama filled story of luxury, intrigue and deception. A Texas Cattleman’s Club series is always a joy, so I can’t wait to see what we find out throughout this one.

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* Review * A PRIVATE AFFAIR by A.C. Arthur

January 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

A Private Affair by A.C. Arthur
Published by Harlequin Dare on January 1, 2020
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Rivals for the runways. Enemies in the industry. And for a single sinfully hot night, they’re about to indulge in the one thing they’re not allowed…each other.

Fashion executive Riley Gold knows that appearances are everything. And New Year’s Eve in Milan is no exception. If Riley’s going to have a reputation for being an “ice princess,” then she’s going to be flawless, glacier-cold perfection. Especially when Chaz Warren is here, looking too damn good, too damn sexy…and every inch the enemy.

Not only are their families fashion archrivals, but social media mogul Chaz Warren is a player—and the world knows it. But for one X-rated night, Riley will give in to the electric lust that’s always been crackling between them. All it takes is a searing kiss to turn the heat from simmering to full-on passion…

Riley thought one night with Chaz would be enough. But it’s not enough, not nearly. Now Riley and Chaz are having a private—and completely naughty—affair, and hiding the scandalizing truth from both the tabloids and their feuding families. But keeping her deliciously hot enemy close won’t just melt the ice around Riley’s heart…he could incinerate it completely.

A secret hook-up, a family rivalry, and non-stop temptation! PRIVATE AFFAIR by A.C. Arthur is quite the delight with high-powered characters, a hint of mystery and best of all is the steamy connection between this less than ideal match up.

Riley was an easy character to like. She is no nonsense and accepts nothing less than perfection … from herself and others. If she’s going to be labeled an “ice princess” by the industry because of that, then she will be sure to wear it well.

Chaz is yummy. His father-figure uncle is Riley’s dad’s biggest rival in the fashion industry, so they are supposed to dislike each other on sight, but a New Year’s Eve party in Milan is temptation neither of them seem to want to resist. It was supposed to be one night, but neither of them can stay away from the other.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced steamy read with a lot of heart and a touch of intrigue to round the story out. Really enjoyed them!

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* Review * THE CASE FOR TEMPTATION by Robyn Grady

January 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

The Case for Temptation by Robyn Grady
Series: About That Night...
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2020
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“We can’t see each other again…

and I think you know why.”

After an impulsive one-night stand with Jacob Stone, Teagan Hunter is appalled to discover he’s a lawyer intent on suing her media mogul brother. They’re done. But Jacob pursues the understated heiress…and Teagan is tempted. Could the powerhouse attorney be the one to give Teagan the new lease on life she desperately needs? Or is this a star-crossed scandal waiting to explode?

One night turns into a forbidden love affair! THE CASE FOR TEMPTATION, part of the About That Night series by Robyn Grady was a really fun read. A chance meet up at a bar, a forbidden night of passion … and just when they realize they feel a connection and want to pursue something more, the real world rears it’s ugly head.

Teagan Hunter is a head-strong confident business owner who didn’t want to rely on her family’s glitz and reputation to make her way in life, so she struck off on her own. In town for a wedding, Tea can’t resist the temptation of a sexy night with a handsome man.

Jacob Stone can’t believe his luck in connecting with such an amazing woman at a wedding, but as the night is simmering down he realizes exactly who she is … the sister of the man he’s about to sue for a client! Talk about awkward.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy connection with a good bit of family drama and heartfelt sentiment mixed into the story line. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Rawson family.

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* Review * CODE CONSPIRACY by Carol Ericson

January 11, 2020 Leave a Comment

Code Conspiracy by Carol Ericson
Series: Red, White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance #3
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 1, 2020
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Her computer is her greatest weapon.

Hacker Jerrica West doesn’t abide by the rules, so when her by-the-book ex recruits her to locate his missing Delta Force leader, she’s shocked. Gray Prescott is a hard man to refuse, but this assignment is more dangerous than either of them could have guessed. When the cybertrail exposes a terrorist plot, Jerrica must put her faith in the man she might be forced to walk away from all over again…

Twists and turns from start to finish! With the third book in her Red, White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance series, Carol Ericson brings some powerful parts of the story to life with CODE CONSPIRACY. If you’ve been reading the series, you know that a Delta Force team is trying to clear their AWOL commander who is being set up for things he didn’t do in a terrorist conspiracy. This time Gray steps up to the plate looking for answers and is forced to look up his ex-girlfriend for help … precisely for hacked information, the very thing he dumped her over!

Jerrica is a really interesting character. She’s living her life the way she feels is right, but she will admit that she doesn’t have the most stable upbringing to draw on in her quest for fairness in life. She’s never forgotten Gray … or the heartache he left her with … so seeing him again is bittersweet.

Gray is complex. He sees things as black and white with no middle ground to fall into. He walked away from Jerrica because he believed what she was doing was wrong, but as she steps up to help him find the info he needs to clear Major Denver, he realizes how wrong he was and how much she truly does care about justice.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a fast paced book filled with action and intrigue. This was my favorite in the series, but all have been spot on in leading us to answers to the mystery.

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* Cover Reveal * LOUDMOUTH by Avery Flynn

January 10, 2020 Leave a Comment

I never meant to say a word.

But I did.

And now everyone knows that Ice Knights hockey star Ian Petrov’s best friend and fellow player is actually his secret half brother that he never knew about.

What could make it worse? The two of us trapped in a cabin after a blizzard. Just us, his resentment, and some very inconvenient sexual tension.

I’ve got to get out of here before I do something even dumber than I’ve already done—like kiss him. Again.

Add on Goodreads!

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USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip. Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are great with a quip and relatable heroines who are feisty, fierce and fantastic.

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* Release Blitz/Review/Excerpt * TWICE AS SEXY by Carly Phillips

January 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review/Excerpt * TWICE AS SEXY by Carly Phillips

Twice as Sexy by Carly Phillips
Series: The Sexy Series #2
Published by CP Publishing on January 7, 2020
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He’s the bad boy her mother warned her about.

The guy who makes her crave all the naughty things a good girl shouldn’t want.

Tanner Grayson is a man outrunning the demons of his past and has the rap sheet to prove it. The only thing keeping old anger in check and him on the straight and narrow are the men he calls brothers and the club he calls home. He has no business taking the sexy woman doing shots in his club upstairs to his bed.

They never should have crossed paths. But when Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Davis lays eyes on the hot as sin club owner, she decides he’s the birthday present she wants to unwrap at the end of the evening.

He tells himself it’s one night. She convinces herself she deserves a short break from her latest case. But one night isn’t enough and soon these two opposites are in deeper than they ever planned.

When Scarlett’s case collides with Tanner’s past, she sees the dangerous man he’s hidden beneath the cool veneer he presents to the world. Can she accept him for who he is? Or will she run from the bad boy who makes her feel so good?

She’s sugar and he’s spice! TWICE AS SEXY is the second book in the delectable Sexy Series by Carly Phillips and I could not have loved it more! Yummy characters, an attention grabbing plot and steaming hot chemistry held my attention page after page.

Tanner was an endearing character to get to know. He saw himself as flawed and bad, but I adored him. Yes, he had a past … but he was so kind and sincere. I really enjoyed seeing him fall hard and fast.

Scarlett is a do-getter, and once we learn her story we really understand what pushes her to conquer the world. She doesn’t know Tanner’s past when she starts falling for him, and watching her have to come to terms with it in the end is emotional.

I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series. It’s fast paced and full of heart with characters that are super easy to connect with. I’m really enjoying the guys of Club TEN29 and I can’t wait for Landon to meet his match!

“Curling up with a heart-pounding, sexy, wonderfully crafted Carly Phillips novel is always a treat!” —Kristen Proby, New York Times Bestselling Author

Twice as Sexy, an all-new opposites-attract standalone romance in The Sexy Series from New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips, is available now!

He’s the bad boy her mother warned her about.

The guy who makes her crave all the naughty things a good girl shouldn’t want.

Tanner Grayson is a man outrunning the demons of his past and has the rap sheet to prove it. The only thing keeping old anger in check and him on the straight and narrow are the men he calls brothers and the club he calls home. He has no business taking the sexy woman doing shots in his club upstairs to his bed.

They never should have crossed paths. But when Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Davis lays eyes on the hot as sin club owner, she decides he’s the birthday present she wants to unwrap at the end of the evening.

He tells himself it’s one night. She convinces herself she deserves a short break from her latest case. But one night isn’t enough and soon these two opposites are in deeper than they ever planned.

When Scarlett’s case collides with Tanner’s past, she sees the dangerous man he’s hidden beneath the cool veneer he presents to the world. Can she accept him for who he is? Or will she run from the bad boy who makes her feel so good?

Download your copy today!

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Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SexyHers
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Excerpt:

Scarlett didn’t know where her sudden burst of courage came from, but she wasn’t about to turn away now. Not when she had the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on ready to take her to bed. Her body trembled with desire and an awareness that something special was about to happen between them. Especially with the way Tanner’s eyes darkened at her bold, certain words of reassurance.

Grasping her hand, he led her back into the main room and to the elevator he’d walked out of earlier. He hit a button and the doors slid open. No sooner were they enclosed in the small area than she found herself surrounded by the sensual scent of his masculine cologne and by the man himself.

He hit the floor number, then backed her against the wall and braced his hips against hers. The hardness of his erection pressed into her sex, and she moaned at the anticipation of what was to come, her underwear growing damp with arousal.

“Make no mistake. You might have been the one to convince me but I’m taking control now.”

No man in her past ever spoke to her in such a self-assured, dominant way. To her surprise, she liked it. Hell, her perky nipples were proof of that, and he was looking down at the evidence with dilated pupils. Before she could respond, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.

Holding her hand once more, he led her down a short hall and unlocked the sole door. She stepped into the apartment, which was smaller than she’d anticipated, realizing immediately he didn’t live here. There were no personal effects anywhere on the shelves, and the steel and white décor gave a sterile feeling to the place.

The door shut behind them.

“We share the apartment, my partners and I,” he said, as if reading her mind. “Whoever has the night shift uses it if they don’t feel like going home late. Although since Jason got married, it’s just me and Landon.”

She looked around once more. “It’s beautiful. Just very empty,” she murmured.

He shrugged, sliding his jacket off his broad shoulders. “It serves a purpose.”

“Do you bring many women up here?” he asked, unable to withhold her curiosity. After all, he was a hot guy with easy access to a bed above where he worked.

His sharp gaze slid to hers. “None. At least not anymore.” He hesitated before going on. “I admit when we first opened the club, the women throwing themselves at me were a novelty that I indulged, but after a while, they all seemed to have an agenda.”

“Such as?” she asked.

“They assumed because I owned the club I had money, and they wanted to be the woman on my arm permanently.”

His voice turned bitter and she didn’t blame him. “You don’t have to worry about that with me. My job and my life are too full to want anything more than one night.”

A sinful smile curved his lips. “So I’m your birthday present?”

She nodded. “And I can’t wait to unwrap you.”

Meet Carly Phillips

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

Connect with Carly

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2FIG6FH
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Website: www.carlyphillips.com
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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * CODE NAME: HEIST by Sawyer Bennett

January 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

Code Name: Heist by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Jameson Force Security #3
Published by Big Dog Books on January 7, 2020
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I am a world-class thief. Or I was, before I got pinched and landed in prison. After I served my time, I decided to get on the right side of the law, or as much as my job at Jameson Force Security allows. The lines sometimes blur, which suits me just fine. My name might be Saint, but I’m a devil to most.

My plan to go legitimate is going as anticipated, until my past and present collide in a big way. While in Paris preparing to take down a ring of highly specialized thieves, I come face-to-face with my biggest threat—and my most dangerous temptation.

Sindaria “Sin” Westin was the love of my life, until her betrayal landed me behind bars. Now I’ve got to find a way to trust her again, at least long enough to pull off this job. When it becomes clear the price for this heist will be our lives, I realize I need to do whatever it takes to keep Sin safe, even if it means trading my life for hers. Because no matter the lies I’ve told myself, Sin’s greatest theft was the day she stole my heart.

A reunion when they least expect it! CODE NAME: HEIST is book three in Sawyer Bennett’s Jameson Force Security series and brings us the story of former world-class thief turned security expert Saint Bellinger.

Saint has been a mystery to us so far in the series, so it’s exciting to learn what made him tick and how he came to be imprisoned and to now be reforming his life.

Sindaria was it for him … until she was the reason he went to prison. Now back in Paris to bring down a major heist, he comes face to face with her again. Will her reasoning matter when the betrayal cut so deep?

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the mystique of a good theft ring with a love story wrapped around it. I enjoyed it a little less than the previous two books in the series, but it was still enjoyable and opened some doors for things happening for future books. The series is a lot of fun overall!

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* Review * DUTY OR DESIRE by Brenda Jackson

January 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

Duty or Desire by Brenda Jackson
Series: The Westmoreland Legacy #5
Published by Harlequin Desire on December 1, 2019
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What happens when a man of unshakable conviction

meets the woman who rocks his world?

Pete Higgins is an honorary Westmoreland, a man of his word—of course he’ll put duty to his orphaned niece first. Too bad the temporary nanny is tempting him with every look. Myra Hollister captivates him. But she’s keeping dangerous secrets, the kind that remind Pete of all he’s lost before and what he can’t afford to lose again…

Delectably delicious! With DUTY OR DESIRE (the fifth book in The Westmoreland Legacy series) Brenda Jackson brings us the ultimate of heroes … he’s a lawman, he’s loyal, he’s ruggedly handsome … and he simply melted this readers heart!

Sheriff Pete Higgins is an attention grabbing character. He’s strong and fierce in his love and protection for those he cares about, but he’s easily soft and tender when showering love on his infant niece. He was easy to like, enjoyable and heartwarming.

Myra was likable right from the start. She has secrets that she’s not sharing, but they aren’t detrimental to Pete and their relationship. I liked the gentleness she brought out in him and the way she brought him back to life again.

I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a secure man who simply melts when the right woman comes along. There were some fireworks along the way, but their relationship was a slow, steady burn and oh so satisfying. Great character development, a fast paced story line and just enough drama to keep us guessing. I really enjoyed Pete and Myra!

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* Release Blitz/Review * JUST KIDDING by Lani Lynn Vale

January 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * JUST KIDDING by Lani Lynn Vale

Just Kidding by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: SWAT Generation 2.0 #1
on January 7, 2020
Buy on Amazon
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Let’s do a calendar, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

Well, they—I.e. Kilgore Police Department’s public relations specialists—were wrong.

Now, every time Dax Tremaine walks around a corner, the women of Kilgore, Texas can’t help calling him Mr. January.

Mr. January, can you fix my flat tire? Mr. January, can you cuff me? Mr. January, can you sign my boob?

It goes from bad to worse when even on a SWAT call, the women won’t stay away.

***
It was the worst time of her life. Rowen Roberts had finally admitted to herself that the man she loved would never love her back. She was just fired from her job for violating client confidentiality, and to make matters worse, she’s held up at gunpoint in a convenience store where she only wanted some ice cream to help mask the pain.

The moment the gun is pressed to her forehead, she knows she has a decision to make. Follow the rules and maybe possibly live, or go down swinging where at least she can salvage just a little bit of her dignity.

And when Mr. January himself tells her to do what the gunman says, she’s had enough. Rowen has never really been a girl that does what she’s told. Mr. January won’t have to save her. She can dang well save herself.

The next generation is going to knock your socks off! With the first book in her new KPD SWAT Generation 2.0 spin-off series, Lani Lynn Vale is sure to delight with JUST KIDDING. The characters are fun, the humor and heart of the story are addictive and the HEA is spot on.

Rowen weaves her way into our heart from the very start because we’ve all been there with a guy that just wasn’t into us … am I right? From the moment we watched her decide to walk away from her mega-crush, we knew she was going to be a stand out.

Dax is a serious guy with a past that left scars, but the second he lays eyes on Rowen, he’s blown away. Watching this mighty guy fall was the ultimate!

I recommend this book to anyone loving a tight group of friends and family who aren’t shy about loving hard. So many familiar faces here if you’ve read LLV before. I’m looking forward to all the goodness to come with this series!

Let’s do a calendar, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

Well, they—i.e. Kilgore Police Department’s public relations specialists—were wrong.

Now, every time Dax Tremaine walks around a corner, the women of Kilgore, Texas can’t help calling him Mr. January.

Mr. January, can you fix my flat tire? Mr. January, can you cuff me? Mr. January, can you sign my boob?

It goes from bad to worse when even on a SWAT call, the women won’t stay away.

***

It was the worst time of her life. Rowen Roberts had finally admitted to herself that the man she loved would never love her back. She was just fired from her job for violating client confidentiality, and to make matters worse, she’s held up at gunpoint in a convenience store where she only wanted some ice cream to help mask the pain.

The moment the gun is pressed to her forehead, she knows she has a decision to make. Follow the rules and maybe possibly live, or go down swinging where at least she can salvage just a little bit of her dignity.

And when Mr. January himself tells her to do what the gunman says, she’s had enough. Rowen has never really been a girl that does what she’s told. Mr. January won’t have to save her. She can dang well save herself.

Get Your Copy Here:

Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, to cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple meaning over twenty) chickens. She hails from the Great State of Texas. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

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