Book Reviews – Page 153

* Review * MY FOREVER COWBOY by Diane J. Reed

August 6, 2020 Leave a Comment

My Forever Cowboy by Diane J. Reed
Series: Starlight & Sagebrush Prequel
Published by Bandits Ranch Books on May 5, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Just when you least expect it, love finds you forever… Avery Smart doesn't believe in "forever cowboys." Especially after her father died young in a tragic rodeo accident, and she watched all her girlfriends get their hearts broken by love 'em and leave 'em types in Stetsons and spurs. But when she returns to her hometown of Bandits Hollow, Colorado to take pictures of cowboys for her lucrative photography business, a new light is shed on the darkroom of her heart by Grant Hollow. He's one professional bull rider who not only intends to stick around for the right woman--he's determined to lasso her heart for good.

My Forever Cowboy is a prequel in the Starlight & Sagebrush Series of contemporary western romances set in the Rocky Mountains.

Starlight & Sagebrush Series: Love, laughter, and a touch of magic surround these rugged cowboys who don't know what they're in for when Evangeline Tinker comes to Bandits Hollow, Colorado. As a renowned fortune teller, she can't help meddling in people's love lives with the help of her best friends Jubilee and Pearl. Their specialty? Finding world-weary women who could use a dose of countrified male affection and good old fashioned courtship with the kind of tough and sexy cowboys who are destined to stay. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and Evangeline and her friends have their hands full convincing their latest targets that love is the magic that changes everything...

Short, sweet and satisfying! With a prequel novella to her new Starlight and Sagebrush series Diane J. Reed thrills her fans with a trip back to Bandits Hollow, Colorado in MY FOREVER COWBOY. The length is too short to give us a fully developed story, but the author does a great job of familiarizing the reader with the small town, the lore behind it and the key players that are going to play the matchmakers in the series going forward. I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to diving into the series!

I recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a cowboy rich plot with a twist of humor and a sprinkle of magic. The characters are well developed, the set up is sweet and the connection is a lot of fun to watch.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blast/Review * DARE TO TEMPT by Carly Phillips

August 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * DARE TO TEMPT by Carly Phillips

Dare To Tempt by Carly Phillips
Series: Dare Nation #2
Published by CP Publishing on August 4, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He’s a smooth talking jock in trouble
She’s the solution to his problems.
Love is the last thing they expected to find.

Damon Prescott had it all. Star quarterback. Money. Fame. Now? He’s being accused of taking performance enhancing drugs and banned from the sport and team he loves.

Determined to prove he’s innocent, he hires tough as nails private investigator, Evie Wolfe. She’s able to bring a man to his knees with a glare, yet sensual in ways that take him off guard - and she’s everything Damon didn’t know he needed.

Evie’s used to men dismissing her, especially playboys like Damon Prescott so she’s not buying the sexual lines he’s trying to sell. She’s with him to do a job, nothing more. But you know what they say about the best laid plans? Sometimes you end up between the sheets with an arrogant football player anyway.

But when the case is over, can Damon convince Evie she’s the only woman for him or will she leave him tied up in love?

This series has already stolen my heart and I regret NOTHING! With book two in her Dare Nation series Carly Phillips continues to pour on the feels with Damon and Evie’s story in DARE TO TEMPT and I loved every minute of it! What more can we ask for than a tight knit family who are all successful and accomplished finding their forever love one sibling at a time? Oh yeah, being reunited occasionally with our favorite family … their cousins THE DARES! So rewarding!

Damon Prescott is delicious. He’s self-assured, he’s adorable and he’s at the top of his game. It didn’t take long for him to get under my skin and have me pulling for him to clear his name and get the girl.

Evie Wolfe is the bomb. She loves being relaxed but can turn into a bombshell when she needs to and takes no lip from anyone. I loved seeing her let her guard down and let Damon crack her hard shell.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a fast paced story filled with family, friendship and electrifying passion. There’s always an intriguing plot and the characters are so easy to love. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Release Date: August 4

He’s a smooth talking jock in trouble.

She’s the solution to his problems.Love is the last thing they expected to find.

Damon Prescott had it all. Star quarterback. Money. Fame.

Now?

He’s being accused of taking performance enhancing drugs and banned from the sport and team he loves.

Determined to prove he’s innocent, he hires tough as nails private investigator, Evie Wolfe.

She’s able to bring a man to his knees with a glare, yet sensual in ways that take him off guard – and she’s everything Damon didn’t know he needed.

Evie’s used to men dismissing her, especially playboys like Damon Prescott so she’s not buying the sexual lines he’s trying to sell. She’s with him to do a job, nothing more. But you know what they say about the best laid plans? Sometimes you end up between the sheets with an arrogant football player anyway.

But when the case is over, can Damon convince Evie she’s the only woman for him or will she leave him tied up in love?

Meet Carly Phillips

NY 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 (below) and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

Connect with Carly Phillips

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

Hosted By:

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW by Kristan Higgins

August 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins
Published by Berkley on June 9, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The Frosts are a typical American family. Barb and John, married almost fifty years, are testy and bored with each other...who could blame them after all this time? At least they have their daughters-- Barb's favorite, the perfect, brilliant Juliet; and John's darling, the free-spirited Sadie. The girls themselves couldn't be more different, but at least they got along, more or less. It was fine. It was enough.

Until the day John had a stroke, and their house of cards came tumbling down.

Now Sadie has to put her career as a teacher and struggling artist in New York on hold to come back and care for her beloved dad--and face the love of her life, whose heart she broke, and who broke hers. Now Juliet has to wonder if people will notice that despite her perfect career as a successful architect, her perfect marriage to a charming Brit, and her two perfect daughters, she's spending an increasing amount of time in the closet having panic attacks.

And now Barb and John will finally have to face what's been going on in their marriage all along.

An emotional journey of strength, love and family connections. ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW by Kristan Higgins delivers a poignant story of a family coming together over a health crisis and picking up the pieces of how to move forward. There’s a bit of a disconnect in the layout because it switches between character points of views and goes back in time periodically, but as long as you pay attention to the details, you will keep track nicely.

When a family is faced with the patriarch of the family having a debilitating stroke, they must put aside their own lives to come together to be by his side. His wife has to rally to his side though their 50 year marriage is in crisis, their oldest daughter has to force herself to muster through the panic attacks her life has turned into as her job is being overtaken by youth and their youngest daughter must put aside her art teacher job and life as a struggling artist to return home to her beloved father … and encounter the man that got away.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a delve into family dynamics with honest interpretations of the ups and downs of life along the way.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blast/Review * WICKED BILLIONAIRE by Sawyer Bennett

August 4, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * WICKED BILLIONAIRE by Sawyer Bennett

Wicked Billionaire by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Wicked Horse Vegas #9
Published by Big Dog Books on August 4, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

As the prince of a luxury hotel empire, I am as close to American royalty as one can get. I grew up accustomed to a certain lifestyle. One where people give me what I desire and anything, or anyone, else can be bought. Everyone wants a piece of me, yet no one is actually deserving of my time.

That changes when Bailey Robbins, the smoking hot housekeeper in one of my hotels, catches my attention. Sure, she has curves for days but it’s her smart mouth I can’t help but be intrigued by. I may have avoided relationships all my life, but something about her makes me want to introduce her to my world.

The darker, wicked side of Declan Blackwood.

Steamy and emotional! With the ninth and final book in The Wicked Horse Vegas series Sawyer Bennett delights her readers once again with the taming of a playboy in WICKED BILLIONAIRE. The plot is thick with tension and angst, yet the emotional connection between these two from early on brings a softness to Declan that we weren’t expecting. I loved their story and will miss this series so!

Declan Blackwood is self-assured and demanding and I loved every minute of him. It was so rewarding to see Bailey touch a part of his heart that he normally keeps hidden away.

Bailey Robbins is sassy and sure that she deserves more out of life. She happens to be in the right place at the right time to make a giant step forward when she catches Declan’s eye.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a super steamy romance with lots of sexual tension, unexpected connections and happily ever afters that will make you melt.

Wicked Billionaire (Wicked Horse Vegas, Book #9)
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: August 4, 2020

Synopsis:
As the prince of a luxury hotel empire, I am as close to American royalty as one can get. I grew up accustomed to a certain lifestyle. One where people give me what I desire and anything, or anyone, else can be bought. Everyone wants a piece of me, yet no one is actually deserving of my time.

That changes when Bailey Robbins, the smoking hot housekeeper in one of my hotels, catches my attention. Sure, she has curves for days but it’s her smart mouth I can’t help but be intrigued by. I may have avoided relationships all my life, but something about her makes me want to introduce her to my world.

The darker, wicked side of Declan Blackwood.

Download Wicked Billionaire:
Amazon | Nook | Apple | Google | Kobo
Print | Audible (narrated by Lance Greenfield and Kirsten Leigh)

About the Author:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon
Newsletter | Master Blogger List

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * HIDDEN AMBITION by Jules Bennett

August 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIDDEN AMBITION by Jules Bennett

Hidden Ambition by Jules Bennett
Series: Dynasties: Seven Sins #4
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Revenge has never been hotter—until desire burns away their deceptions…
Will she be his ruin…or his redemption?

Chase Hargrove is on a mission to take down the company that destroyed his family…by becoming its CEO. Loyal Black Crescent employee Haley Shaw is his unwitting secret weapon. But when Chase is blindsided by passion for her, he gets careless. With his hidden motives exposed, will he lose everything—even Haley? Or will the tables turn when he learns she has hidden motives of her own…?

Revenge has never tasted so sweet! With book four in the Dynasties: Seven Sins series Jules Bennett grabs the reigns and takes her reader on an emotional journey of healing and happily ever afters. The story line was fast paced and the characters stole my heart quickly. I loved their story!

Chase Hargrove is loyal to a fault. He has waited years to get to just the right point in life to get the justice his family deserves for the wrongs they suffered amidst the Black Crescent fallout all those years ago. He just never expected to fall for the one person that he can use the most to get insider info!

Haley Shaw is self-assured and accomplished. She’s the person behind the scenes that has helped make Black Crescent what it is today, so having to search for a new CEO to work beside going forward is bittersweet. She knows there’s something behind Chase’s insistence on getting the job … she’s just not sure what the whole story is!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a love connection made when it’s least expected that packs a powerful punch of power, revenge and desire.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE DALMATION DILEMMA by Cheryl Harper

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE DALMATION DILEMMA by Cheryl Harper

The Dalmatian Dilemma by Cheryl Harper
Series: Veterans' Road #2
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

She’s opened up to him…

But will he let her in?

Former air force officer Reyna Montero wants to become a firefighter, despite her family’s wishes. In a bid to impress the fire chief, Reyna agrees to train the station’s naughty dalmatian—and turns to fellow veteran and dog expert Sean Wakefield for support. As they work together, independent Reyna gradually lets Sean see her vulnerable side…until mounting pressures tangle with their dreams coming true.

Sweet and satisfying! With book two in her Veterans’ Road series Cheryl Harper takes us on a journey of making dreams come true with THE DALMATION DILEMMA. The cast is fresh and good hearted, the plot is full of turmoil yet goodness and the dog is an adorable addition to it all. I was left wanting a more developed conclusion to the story, but I really enjoyed the characters and the story overall.

Reyna Montero is a great character. She’s self-assured and accomplished and she truly cares about the people she sets out to help. Watching her learn to stand up for her dreams was really special.

Sean Wakefield is such a good guy! The reader is half in love from him the first time he steps foot on the pages, so it doesn’t take much to have us under his spell fully. He’s kind, he’s approachable and he’s the most deserving guy around.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with easy to connect with characters. Lots of laughs, an adorable dog and just enough suspense to keep us turning the pages to see what the outcome would be.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE PATERNITY PACT by Cat Schield

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE PATERNITY PACT by Cat Schield

The Paternity Pact by Cat Schield
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches #3
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Reunited with his forbidden lover, and her explosive secret! Discover the price of passion in this Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags to Riches romance.

His unforgettable one-night stand is back in town. And she’s not alone…

Five years ago, Grant Everett and Harley Wingate waltzed out of the Texas Cattleman’s Club ball and into Grant’s bed. Now an international philanthropist, the beautiful young woman has returned to Royal—with their secret son in tow. Grant wants answers—and Harley in his bed. But with scandal swirling around her family, can he stop Harley from running all over again?

Life changing secrets are exposed! With the third book in the always dramatic Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags To Riches series Cat Schield brings us a forbidden love/secret child mash up and it’s pretty epic! The characters are attention grabbing, the plot is fast paced and exciting and the connection they establish while reawakening their passion for each other is so much fun to read! We don’t move forward that much in the ongoing suspense of the series, but the happily ever after produced in this book alone is spot on. Looking forward to the next in the series!

Harley Wingate might be hard to redeem to some because of the secrets that she kept, but I found her endearing. She left town after an explosive weekend with Grant five years ago and now her return from Thailand might be precipitated by needing to work on funding for her charity endeavors, but the visit is past due in introducing her son to his father.

Grant Everett believes he’s not made for family happiness, but it doesn’t take long as a reader to see the good in him. He can’t believe Harley has kept his son from him for all of these years, but he finds it easier to forgive than he expected as he listens to her and gets to know her version of the world.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys action filled sagas of love, lust and revenge.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MONTANA WELCOME by Melinda Curtis

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MONTANA WELCOME by Melinda Curtis

Montana Welcome by Melinda Curtis
Series: The Blackwell Sisters #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A bride on the run

And a cowboy to show her the way home…

Lily Harrison’s wedding day isn’t quite what she imagined. Not only does her fiancé not love her, she’s just discovered she’s a Blackwell—a member of Montana’s well-known ranching family. Now Lily’s ditched her own wedding for a road trip with handsome cowboy Conner Hannah. But will Lily find her answers in Montana…or lose the cowboy she’s already begun falling for?

A delightful Blackwell family reunion! With the first book in The Blackwell Sisters spin-off series Melinda Curtis brings all the feels in MONTANA WELCOME. It’s a joy to see Big E and his grandsons enjoying their lives even as he steps in to stir up a little trouble again when he discovers a son and five granddaughters he knew nothing about. The characters are fun and sincere, the plot is thick with tension and drama and the sweet love connection between Lily and her cowboy is all it takes to steal a reader’s heart. I can’t wait for book two!

Lily Harrison is the sweetest. We can’t help but sympathize with her feeling of losing control of her own life, and as she grows closer to Conner and begins to see that she can control her outcome, it’s so rewarding.

Conner Hannah is such a goodhearted guy. I loved every minute of getting to know him and his feisty mama was an added bonus!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with a down home feel to it as the characters fall under each other’s spell. If you read the original Blackwell series, you will delight in seeing how the grandsons are all doing in their happily ever afters.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * INCOGNITO EX by Geri Krotow

July 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Incognito Ex by Geri Krotow
Series: Silver Valley P.D. #8
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

When she is targeted by a vicious mobster

A past love is her only hope

When a Russian gangster targets Coral Staufer, she is desperate for help. Coral stumbles across an undercover agent none other than the man she loved and lost, Trevor Stone. Trevor will risk anything to stop her from becoming a mob casualty…even risk his career to protect Coral. But when their past love reignites, their entire mission—and very lives—are at stake.

Danger rears it’s ugly head around every corner! With book eight in her always entertaining Silver Valley P.D. series Geri Krotow thrills her readers with a second chance reunion story. The energy is high and the story line kept me riveted while watching Coral and Trevor make their way back towards each other warmed my heart. Always a pleasure to return to Silver Valley!

Coral Staufer had my attention quickly as she starts off the story in danger. She’s spent several years trying to get over her ex while building a business during a rough time and now it seems to be crumbling down around her.

Trevor Stone is a bit standoffish, but warms as Coral becomes part of his life again. He’s undercover when he hears her voice and knows he’s going to have to think fast to get them both out of this alive.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys fast paced action mixed with love and romance. I always leave anxious for the next book in the series to see what will happen next in the ongoing plot.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BAD REPUTATION by JC Harroway

July 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BAD REPUTATION by JC Harroway

Bad Reputation by JC Harroway
Series: The Pleasure Pact #2
Published by Harlequin Dare on August 1, 2020
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Playboy billionaire Oliver Cotterill has never crossed the line with his best friend, Neve…until a destination wedding becomes a vacation fling that’s hotter than a tropical fever.

My bad reputation is well deserved. That’s why I’ve always kept things platonic with Neve Grayson. She may be a curvaceous beauty, but she’s also my best friend. The person who’s always had my back, always believed in me. The safest woman to take to my cousin’s Maldives beach wedding. Or so I thought…

Neve parading around in barely there bikinis strains the boundary I set for myself nine years ago. Discovering her bag of sex toys opens Pandora’s box…and there’s no going back. It turns out Neve made a “pleasure pact” with her friends—they’ve dared her to show me exactly how she feels about being platonic! Then we make our own deal: what happens on the island stays on the island.

Once I get a taste of sweet, funny Neve, I realize my cravings will never be satisfied. My best friend has become my most powerful addiction. But I have to go cold turkey before she becomes the next salacious tidbit for the tabloids. Before my messed-up family damages her as they have me. Before she learns my darkest secret and walks out of my life forever…

Best friends to vacation lovers with oh so many feels!! Oliver and Neve are sure to delight as JC Harroway brings us book two in The Pleasure Pact series with BAD REPUTATION. I loved every minute of it and enjoyed the love they had for each other and the tidbits of humor laced into an intense plot. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Oliver Cotterill is such a sweetheart. His dysfunctional family has him believing he doesn’t deserve the love of a good woman, so for almost a decade he’s been fulfilled with Neve being his very best friend … but an obligatory showing at a cousin’s wedding with her by his side might just be his undoing!

Neve Grayson is so easy to like. She’s secretly loved Olly since the day she met him, but has delighted in having him as her best friend since she obviously didn’t do it for him then, but a Pleasure Pact with her girlfriends has her considering putting it all on the line to be honest with him once and for all about how she really feels.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone looking for a fast moving delicious plot filed with love, laughter and intense sexual pleasure.

Filed Under: Book Reviews