Book Reviews – Page 151

* Review * ONCE FORBIDDEN, TWICE TEMPTED by Karen Booth

September 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONCE FORBIDDEN, TWICE TEMPTED by Karen Booth

Once Forbidden, Twice Tempted by Karen Booth
Series: The Sterling Wives #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on September 1, 2020
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Torn between loyalty and lust…

A relationship so off-limits,

It could cost her everything…

Real estate agent Tara Sterling jumps at the chance to start fresh when she inherits part of her late ex-husband’s company. But claiming her rightful place at Sterling Enterprises means working side-by-side with CEO Grant Singleton, her ex’s best friend. Their long-simmering heat spells trouble as both vie for control of the business—and lose control of their thirst for each other…

Such a fresh concept! With the first book in her brand new Sterling Wives series Karen Booth takes her reader on a roller coaster ride of emotion as an unusual set-up comes into play that is oh so juicy. In ONCE FORBIDDEN, TWICE TEMPTED we meet Tara Sterling who steps in to help run Sterling Enterprises with her ex-husband’s best friend. The ending was abrupt, but overall I loved the concept, the characters and the happily ever after! Looking forward to the next in the series.

Tara is the epitome of class. She’s self-assured and successful and has a heart of gold. Watching her come into her own and shine is very rewarding.

Grant is such a nice guy. He has wanted Tara for years, but always respected his best friend and stayed away. Circumstances now have them working side by side and the temptation is overpowering.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fast paced romance with a mental connection in addition to the passionate draw of the couple with lots of drama in the background to set the stage.

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* Review * HER AUSSIE HOLIDAY by Stefanie London

August 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER AUSSIE HOLIDAY by Stefanie London

Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London
Series: Patterson's Bluff #2
Published by Entangled: Amara on August 25, 2020
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Cora Cabot’s life is falling apart. So when her Australian friend announces she’s secured an internship in the States, Cora has a brilliant idea: house swap! Small-town Australia sounds like the perfect getaway. Only, when she gets there, the house isn’t empty. Turns out her friend’s hot Australian brother is staying there, too—and he doesn’t look happy to see her.

The last thing Trent Walters needs is a roommate for the summer. Especially an American who immediately floods the house and single-handedly destroys the family project his sister created for their parents’ anniversary. Now, not only does Cora insist on helping fix the house, he needs her help re-creating the family scrapbook. And glitter is not his forte.

But between late nights cooking, pints at the local pub, and competitive matches of cricket on the beach, Cora starts to break through Trent’s defenses. Too bad Cora made a promise to return to working with her father at the end of the summer—a promise she can’t break—because this holiday is starting to feel like one she never wants to end.

An utterly delightful meet-cute lays the foundation for love in our second visit to Patterson’s Bluff! With an adorable house-swap foundation Stefanie London entices her reader into Cora and Trent’s story HER AUSSIE HOLIDAY and it’s sure to please. Both characters are attention grabbing and have colorful back stories to hold our attention as their daily snark turns into foreplay that warms up the Australian summer more than ever!

Cora Cabot is adorably sweet and pretty irresistible. She’s a wanna-be novelist who listens too much to those around her instead of to her own heart, but being a people pleaser is all she’s ever known. She may be tempted by all that Australia is bringing to her otherwise boring life, but she knows in a month’s time she’ll be back in New York hard at work for her father.

Trent Walters is a doll. He’s gorgeous, he’s hard-working and he adores his family. What we don’t know is what the secret is that’s controlling the decisions he makes day in and day out. He’s got the world at his fingertips, but chooses to put it on hold time and again.

I highly recommend this story as well as the earlier book in the series to anyone who loves a romance filled with fun characters, sexy connections and so much heart you can’t help but smile throughout. I’m anticipating my return trip already!

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* Review * PLAYMAKER by Jami Davenport

August 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Playmaker by Jami Davenport
Series: The Scoring Series #3
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on August 27, 2020
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KADEN:

My teammates think she's married. I think it's more than that.

Other than her name, I don't know anything about her, but I can't get enough of her. She's my obsession, my world, my everything. If only she would let me in, tell me why she's terrified, why she stays in the shadows, why she can't be seen in public.

Then, as quickly as she came into my life, she disappears.

DELANEY:

As the daughter of a powerful politician, I was my boyfriend's perfect alibi until I wasn't. My life is in danger, and I have no choice but to disappear.

I met Kaden in a bar, and the attraction was instant. We can't keep our hands off each other, but I'm careful not to tell him too much. He can't know who I am or why I'm running. My safety—and his—depends on it. Then my ex's conviction is overturned, he's out of prison, and witnesses are dying. I have to run again and leave behind the one man I'll never forget.

But fate has a way of interfering, and this time, leaving isn't so easy.

Her secrets have turned into a danger no one saw coming! With the third book in The Scoring Series Jami Davenport takes us back into the heart of her Seattle Sockeyes hockey world to hunt down true love. The premise of the story starts out exciting, but sadly the follow through falls flat when there was so much potential there to make it keep us on our toes. The story is filled with members of the Sockeyes, but there’s no hockey practice or play whatsoever in the story line, so even the sports aspect was disappointing. It held my attention and kept me reading, but I wanted more.

Kaden is a sweet character. He has the rep of being a player, but since the night he met Lanie he’s been all in and when she disappears without a word, he’s heartbroken. He sets out to find her to make sure she’s okay. I enjoyed the emotion he brought to the story.

Delaney had a set-up to bring a lot of tension to the story line but there was no follow through with the suspense. Her about face towards the end was quite the let down, but their eventual HEA was sweet.

I’m looking forward to Steele’s story after getting to know him a little more in this book.

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* Review * VENDETTA ROAD by Christine Feehan

August 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

Vendetta Road by Christine Feehan
Series: Torpedo Ink #3
Published by Berkley on January 28, 2020
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Isaak “Ice” Koval is on a club mission when he sees a woman who stops him dead in his tracks. Soleil is a sweet, sexy, girl-next-door type. She’s an innocent who should be nowhere near the rough-and-ready world of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club. But Ice knows Soleil belongs with him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

After a life of drifting from one thing to the next, Soleil Brodeur is determined to take control of her life. When her breakup with her manipulative fiancé turns ugly, Soleil searches out the stranger who offered her a lifeline and ends up in a Las Vegas biker bar where she meets a gorgeous, dangerous man straight out of her most secret fantasies.

High on adrenaline, she finds herself falling faster than she thought possible. But Soleil knows little about the territory she’s stumbled into, and even less about what it really means to be Ice’s woman.…

An electrifying opposites attract story is sure to please Torpedo Ink fans! With the third book in the series Christine Feehan wraps a damsel in distress around Ice’s heart faster than he can turn around and it’s swoon worthy!

Isaak “Ice” Koval is a stone cold character who is loyal to his family and his club … he never expected to actually feel again, but when this gorgeous woman steps into his sights in a rough and rowdy biker bar, he is a goner. Watching him be captivated is so rewarding.

Soleil Brodeur is sweet and innocent and has no clue what type of life she’s walking into when she stumbles into Ice’s clutches, but she’s so happy being there that she can’t find enough concern to worry too much about it.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a tight knit MC y that is always filled with strife and drama, but equally heart warming in a rough and tumble type of way. I’m so looking forward to more in the series!

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* Review * THICK AS THIEVES by Sandra Brown

August 24, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THICK AS THIEVES by Sandra Brown

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown
Published by Grand Central Publishing on August 25, 2020
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In this tantalizing thriller, a woman uncovers lifelong secrets as she searches for the truth behind her father's involvement in a heist gone wrong.

Twenty years ago in the dead of night, four seemingly random individuals pulled the ultimate heist and almost walked away with half a million dollars. But by daybreak, their plan had been shot to hell. One of them was in the hospital. One was in jail. One was dead. And one got away with it.

Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappeared all those years ago -- presumably with the money, after murdering his accomplice -- has never reconciled with her father's abandonment of her and her sister. After countless personal setbacks she decides to return to her family home near mysterious Caddo Lake, and finally get answers to the many questions that torment her. Little does she know, two of her father's co-conspirators -- a war hero and a corrupt district attorney -- are watching her every move.

Ledge Burnet, a rebellious teen at the time of the heist, evaded his jail sentence by enlisting in the army. Now he's back in town to care for his ailing father -- and to keep his eye on the county's corrupt district attorney, whom he suspects was the real murderer. Although the two are bound to silence because of the crime they committed together, each has spent years waiting and hoping that the other will make a fatal misstep. But the arrival of their elusive accomplice's daughter, Arden, who may know more about the missing money than she's telling, sets them both on red alert. She ignites Ledge's determination to expose the D.A.'s treachery . . . and sparks a desire he wishes to deny.

A stunning uncovering of secrets, lies and corruption! Sandra Brown has indeed brought her A game with the release of THICK AS THIEVES and I could not have loved it more. The drama and mystery from the start hooked my attention quickly and held it throughout the twists and turns of finding out what truly happened that night. I loathed putting it down for even a minute before finding out the whole story.

Arden Maxwell is an interesting character. She’s returned home two decades after the night that changed her life forever and just wants answers once and for all of what happened to her father. Did he really abandon his family for the draw of almighty greed or did he meet with foul play? Arden has secrets of her own that are slowly given to the reader as we fall under her spell and begin to hope for a brighter future for her.

Ledge Burnet won me over fairly quickly. We know from the start that he was the troubled teen that took part in the heist for his own reasons, but Arden doesn’t know he was involved as they begin to connect over remodeling her house, his family business and his concern over the shoddy DA having her in his sights.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an interwoven mystery that takes many twists and turns before light is shed on what truly happened. The added hint of a romantic entanglement between Arden and Ledge adds a great dimension to the story line.

PUBLISHER: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 25, 2020

AVAILABLE FORMATS: AUDIO, E-BOOK, HARDCOVER

In this tantalizing thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown, a woman, seeking to learn her father’s involvement in a twenty-year-old heist that ended in murder, runs afoul of his accomplices.

Twenty years ago in the dead of night, four seemingly random individuals pulled the ultimate heist and almost walked away with half a million dollars. But by daybreak, their plan had been shot to hell. One of them was in the hospital. One was in jail. One was dead. And one got away with it.

Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappeared all those years ago — presumably with the money, after murdering his accomplice — has never reconciled with her father’s abandonment of her and her sister. After countless personal setbacks she decides to return to her family home near mysterious Caddo Lake, and finally get answers to the many questions that torment her. Little does she know, two of her father’s co-conspirators — a war hero and a corrupt district attorney — are watching her every move.

Ledge Burnet, a rebellious teen at the time of the heist, evaded his jail sentence by enlisting in the army. Now he’s back in town to care for his ailing father — and to keep his eye on the county’s corrupt district attorney, whom he suspects was the real murderer. Although the two are bound to silence because of the crime they committed together, each has spent years waiting and hoping that the other will make a fatal misstep. But the arrival of their elusive accomplice’s daughter, Arden, who may know more about the missing money than she’s telling, sets them both on red alert. She ignites Ledge’s determination to expose the D.A.’s treachery… and sparks a desire he wishes to deny.

ORDER NOW

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* Review * THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER by Avery Flynn

August 24, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER by Avery Flynn

The Wedding Date Disaster by Avery Flynn
Published by Entangled: Amara on August 25, 2020
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I can’t believe I have to go home to Nebraska for my sister’s wedding. I’m gonna need a wingman and a whole lot of vodka for this level of family interaction. At least my bestie agreed he’d man up and help. Too bad he had to catch a different flight than me. Then his plane got delayed. And finally—because bad things always happen in threes—instead of my best friend, his evil twin strolls out of the airport.

If you looked up doesn’t-deserve-to-be-that-confident, way-too-hot-for-his-own-good billionaire in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Will Holt. He’s awful. Horrible. The worst—even if his butt looks phenomenal in those jeans.

Ten times worse? My buffer was supposed to be there to keep me away from the million and one family events. But Satan’s spawn just grins and signs us up for every. Single. Thing.

Fine. “Cutthroat” Scrabble? I’m in. I can’t wait to take this guy down a notch.

But somewhere between Pictionary and the teasing glint in his eyes, our bickering starts to feel like more than just a game…

A billionaire cowboy wanna-be? I’m in! Avery Flynn brings humor mixed with a steamy enemies to lovers trope to life in THE WEDDING DATE DISASTER and you are sure to be smiling when you turn that final page.

Hadley is a fun character to unravel. She puts off a self-assured persona, but slowly begins to show her scars and insecurities as they grow closer.

Will wears his own scars on his sleeve and is determined to think the worst in every situation. Spending time with Hadley and her extended family shows him another side to life, but will it change anything?

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an enemies to lovers trope with humor, sass and lots of heart mixed in.

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* Review * ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS by Melanie Milburne

August 24, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS by Melanie Milburne

One Night on the Virgin's Terms by Melanie Milburne
Series: Wanted: A Billionaire #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 1, 2020
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She’s chosen him to awaken her!

Demure Ivy Kennedy is determined to lose her virginity by her thirtieth birthday. And there’s only one man she trusts with the role—Louis Charpentier, king of no commitment.

Louis has long denied his attraction to the red-haired beauty. Ivy deserves nothing less than the happily-ever-after she’s always dreamed of and is ultimately looking for long-term romance. Louis avoids relationships, thanks to his parents’ marital misery. But her request has started a fire… How will one night of unleashed passion ever be enough?

Attention grabbing characters, delectable passion and a swoon-worthy blindside of love! With the first book in the Wanted: A Billionaire series author Melanie Milburne shines with ONE NIGHT ON THE VIRGIN’S TERMS. I was invested in Ivy’s story as soon as she began to unravel it, and once Louis came into the picture I was done for. Really enjoyed this fast paced story!

Ivy Kennedy is feisty and adorable, but has one insecure side of her that’s driving her crazy. She just has to get over her hangups and lose her virginity before she turns 30 or the world will not be okay.

Louis Charpentier is a delight. He has his own hangups from the way he grew up, but he’s a kind soul and has a gentle heart beneath his standoffish side. Watching him fall hard for Ivy is really enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an older brother’s best friend story with a virgin/hardened playboy theme. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

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* Review * ROYAL by Danielle Steel

August 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Royal by Danielle Steel
Published by Dell on August 18, 2020
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In this spellbinding tale from Danielle Steel, a princess is sent away to safety during World War II, where she falls in love, and is lost forever.

As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the country. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess's fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London.

Third in line for the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. In time, she settles comfortably into a life out of the spotlight, befriending a young evacuee and training with her cherished horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors' son.

She longs for a normal life. Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges.

A fascinating story of family and royalty, and an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary young woman and the man who brings her home, Royal is an exhilarating work from America's most beloved storyteller.

An awe inspiring story of strength and sacrifice! While not nearly as easy to emotionally connect with as your typical Danielle Steel novel, ROYAL was fast paced, plot intensive and simply delightful. I loved it!

Seventeen year old Princess Charlotte was too ill to be around the bombing aspects of the war in London so the youngest child of the ruling King of England was sent to live in the countryside of Yorkshire for a year. While there, she fell in love with the son of her caretakers.

Destiny leaves behind a child who is raised as a commoner with no trail left of the royal lineage she carries. Fate brings the truth to the surface after nearly two decades and the knowledge of the lost princess is shared with the royal family, and the story plays out the details of their reunion.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a royal family saga with hints of romance.

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* Review * PACIFIC PARADISE, SECOND CHANCE by Susan Carlisle

August 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PACIFIC PARADISE, SECOND CHANCE by Susan Carlisle

Pacific Paradise, Second Chance by Susan Carlisle
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on August 1, 2020
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Is their surprise reunion…
…enough to heal them?

Nurse Macie Beck never imagined she would see Dr. Landon Cochran again—especially in her small Pacific island hospital. But the shock of his arrival is overtaken by their obvious and unresolved chemistry… As they are forced to work with each other, memories of the past blur their professional boundaries. Keeping things strictly business becomes impossible…and they find themselves wondering if this might be their opportunity for a second chance together!

Love when they least expect it! Susan Carlisle’s characters draw the reader in quickly in PACIFIC PARADISE, SECOND CHANCE and make this reunion story super sweet. An intriguing past, a romantic tension flaring out of control and a close-knit setting are sure to please.

Macie Beck is holding a grudge when she sees Landon arrive at the remote hospital she works at in the Pacific. She isn’t interested in hearing his excuses for disappearing on her at the most intimate point in their relationship years ago.

Landon Cochran had a reason for walking out on her and wishes she’d let him fill her in instead of staying mad at him.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a medical centric plot with a reunion twist.

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* Review * THE LAST MAN SHE EXPECTED by Michelle Major

August 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE LAST MAN SHE EXPECTED by Michelle Major

The Last Man She Expected by Michelle Major
Series: Welcome to Starlight #2
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on September 1, 2020
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How could being so wrong suddenly feel so right?

Falling for her arch nemesis

Isn’t going to happen.

Moving to Starlight was Mara Reed’s first step forward after her devastating divorce. But had she known she’d find Parker Johnson, her ex-husband’s ruthless divorce attorney, there, she might have gone in a different direction. Away from the big city, Mara is seeing Parker in a new light—but is it enough for her to set aside her anger?

I’m always smiling when I return to Starlight! Michelle Major easily wraps a small town around her reader’s heart with engaging characters, intriguing back stories and just enough sass and humor to warm our soul as we turn the pages towards that happily ever after! THE LAST MAN SHE EXPECTED definitely lives up to the hype as recently divorced Mara settles into life as a single mom in Starlight, Washington. I loved every thing about it!

Mara Reed is an easily relatable character. She puts one foot in front of the other every single day to make a good life for her daughter, but when the day is over and Evie is asleep, she remembers the “what if”s and “used to be”s with the best of them.

Parker Johnson is a joy to watch transform into a great guy. He doesn’t recognize Mara, but she quickly lets him have it and refreshes his memory that he recently raked her over the coals as her ex-husband’s divorce attorney. Awkward!

I highly recommend this book as well as the first book in the series to anyone who enjoys small town romance with lots of heart, sass and happily ever afters.

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