Book Reviews – Page 180

* Book Blitz * OFF LIMITS LOVERS by Reese Ryan

August 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

OFF LIMITS LOVERS BY REESE RYAN

She’s totally off limits: The daughter of his father’s nemesis, a jilted bride, and now…his client. But one unexpected kiss sets his world on fire. They’re both playing with fire, and someone is about to get burned.

Everything is bigger in Texas—

especially temptation.

For attorney and Texas Cattleman’s Club member Roarke Perry, Annabel Currin is about as forbidden as it gets. A just-jilted bride, gorgeously sexy, tender-hearted…and the daughter of his father’s nemesis. The sexual currents crackling between him and his client should have been warning enough. Now they’re both playing with fire. And someone’s gonna get burned.

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EXCERPT

Roarke scanned the woman. She was gorgeous in a floor-length blue gown that reminded him of something a Greek goddess would wear. Athena, Artemis or perhaps Aphrodite.

The smooth creamy skin of her back and shoulders gleamed, highlighted with a dusting of glitter that augmented her ethereal beauty. The peekaboo feature at the front of her dress exposed a little of her midriff.

Roarke glanced again at her left hand. The huge rock she’d been sporting a few days earlier was notably absent.

One corner of Annabel’s mouth curled in a grin as she took another sip of her martini. She leaned in and whispered, “I don’t know if you know this, Two Pies, but you’re staring. It’s frowned upon in polite society.”

“Is Two Pies my official rap name?” Roarke straightened his tie, trying his best to mask his amusement.

She laughed, setting her glass on the bar. “I thought it sounded better than Not-My-Brother.”

“Oh, so Ryder told you about that, huh?” Roarke signaled for another scotch and soda.

“My dad tries to be as open and honest as he can be with everyone in his life.” Her statement implied that his father didn’t operate that way. She’d get no argument from him. “Besides, we’re not kids anymore. He wanted me and my siblings to be armed with the truth, should we be confronted with the accusation. He offered to show me the paternity test, but I didn’t need to see it. I know my father.”

“That’s how I feel about my mother.” He accepted the scotch and soda. “So I didn’t believe it, either.”

“Well, here’s to not being siblings.” She raised her glass, clinking it with his. “Because that would make this very awkward.”

Before he could ask what she meant, she’d pressed a hand to his chest, lifted onto her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Roarke froze, startled by her sudden action.

Annabel laughed. “I can’t figure out if the kiss was that bad or that good.”

“It was good. Definitely…good.”

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ABOUT REESE RYAN

Reese Ryan writes sexy, deeply emotional romances with family drama, surprising secrets, and a posse of deliciously-flawed characters.

A Midwesterner with deep Southern roots, Reese currently resides in semi-small-town North Carolina where she’s an avid reader, a music junkie, and a self-declared connoisseur of cheesy grits.

Visit Reese at ReeseRyan.com and join her VIP Readers email list for free reads, cover reveals, sneak peeks, reader giveaways, and more.

CONNECT WITH REESE RYAN

AUTHOR SITE | NEWSLETTER | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | VIP READERS LOUNGE

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* Release Blitz * WILD TENDY by Toni Aleo

August 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

Nico has goals…and she’s number one on his list.
Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo is available now!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2kbukvL
Universal — mybook.to/WildTendy
Apple — https://apple.co/2LXpayQ
Nook — http://bit.ly/2NXZaWE
Kobo — http://bit.ly/2LncF0c

Nico Merryweather loves women—all women. Sure, they’re sexy and fun. But “Player” is an easy reputation to hide behind, a way to keep the good times rolling and reality at bay. He’s loud, he’s cocky, he says exactly what he’s thinking, and people just laugh it off because they think they know him. But Nico makes sure no one is close enough to know the truth. With a new season starting, he is ready to play the game he can control. They’ll all be watching Nico, the goalie, but they’ll never know the man behind the mask who is just trying to breathe. He hasn’t ever wanted anyone close enough to him to see the truth, until Aviva rams herself into his ass. Literally.

Aviva Pearce’s life is a collection of bad days all wrapped up without a bow. If it can go wrong, it will. All she wants is to run her business, take care of her sister, and keep her head above water. But with a father who is out to ruin her like he has himself and debt trying to drown her, it’s hard to stay afloat. Aviva isn’t the type to waste time dwelling on her misfortunes or to give up, though. She’s got too much fight in her. And she definitely doesn’t have time to waste on the wildly sexy, rich, showboating goaltender everyone wants. She’s got goals.

What she doesn’t know is that Nico has goals of his own.

And she’s number one on his list.

Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Design
Cover Photography: FuriousFotog

About the Author:

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.

… and did I mention I love hockey?

Connect with Toni!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonialeo1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniAleo1
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/toni_aleo/
Intagram: https://instagram.com/tonialeo1/
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2yGqqR6

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* Review * THE DARK SIDE by Danielle Steel

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE DARK SIDE by Danielle Steel

The Dark Side by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on August 27, 2019
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In her new novel, Danielle Steel tells a riveting story of the dark side of motherhood.

Zoe Morgan’s childhood was marked by her younger sister’s tragic illness, watching as her parents dedicated themselves completely to her final days and then divorced. As a young woman driven by these painful memories, Zoe sets the bar high for herself, studying hard and pursuing a career in the nonprofit world, where her deep compassion for disadvantaged children finds a focus.

When Zoe falls in love and has her own child, she is determined to be a perfect mother as well. But before long, old scars long dormant begin to pull Zoe to the edge of an abyss too terrifying to contemplate.

As Zoe is haunted by the ghosts of the past, her story will become a race against time and a tale of psychological suspense that no reader will soon forget.

THE DARK SIDE is the latest novel from Danielle Steel and is a classic love story with a major twist. While out of character from what we typically expect when picking up Ms. Steel, her take on a modern day psychological thriller is not to be missed!

Zoe Morgan comes into the story as a young girl who suffers a stilted childhood because of a devastating illness her little sister goes through. Her family is never the same again, and the scars it leaves on her into adulthood are obvious, but also deceptive. No one looks at her and sees pain … but distortion is the new normal as we traverse a life of success, leading to love and eventual motherhood. She wants to be all that she didn’t get in her own life for her daughter … but she ends up being more than we ever expected.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a pivotal plot change in a romance/psychological thriller. There was a slight disconnect in emotion with this story compared to others by the author, but the suspense more than made up for it. Great story, great twists and a very satisfying read!

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* Review * HOLD ON TO ME by Jules Bennett

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOLD ON TO ME by Jules Bennett

Hold On to Me by Jules Bennett
Series: Return to Haven #3
Published by Zebra Books on August 27, 2019
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When three best friends decide to stretch their wings and revamp the local airport in small-town Haven, Georgia, the destination is laughter and love . . .

Jade McKenzie left her high-society family’s expectations behind when she came back to cozy Haven, and she’s never been happier. But what’s supposed to be a quick trip to Nashville for a cousin’s wedding turns into a disaster when one of the airport’s pilots offers to fly her there. One crash landing and a shared room later, and tattooed, bearded Cash Miller is standing in as her gorgeously unsuitable plus-one—and turning her on in ways she can’t deny. But a relationship? A real one? That’s definitely in the no-fly zone.

Vincent “Cash” Miller doesn’t have much in the world, but he does have pride—and a strict policy not to let anyone trash-talk his friends, not even their mothers. Standing up for sexy, headstrong Jade comes naturally—but so does the bone-deep itch for her he’s always wanted to scratch. Giving in to attraction is one thing, but commitment is another. So why does it feel like together, love might take them to breathtaking heights?

HOLD ON TO ME is book three in Jules Bennett’s Return to Haven series and centers around a Pilot/Gym Owner and public relations whirlwind joining forces to not only revamp the airport that means so much to their group of friends, but also a hookup or two on the sly! This yummy enemies to lovers story is sure to entice.

If you’ve been reading this series from the start, you will recognize the setting of Haven, George as well as the airport that three best friends got hooked on seeing succeed. Two of them have already fallen for the loves of their lives, and now it’s Jade’s turn to settle in for the long haul. With a close-knit group like this, we always get a feel for what’s going on in the previous couples lives as the new couple starts to evolve.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town romance centering around a group of best friends. You can’t go wrong with any of the three books in this series as each couple has been well developed and very satisfying.

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* Review * WILD TENDY by Toni Aleo

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo
Series: IceCats #2
on August 27, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Nico Merryweather loves women—all women. Sure, they’re sexy and fun. But “Player” is an easy reputation to hide behind, a way to keep the good times rolling and reality at bay. He’s loud, he’s cocky, he says exactly what he’s thinking, and people just laugh it off because they think they know him. But Nico makes sure no one is close enough to know the truth. With a new season starting, he is ready to play the game he can control. They’ll all be watching Nico, the goalie, but they’ll never know the man behind the mask who is just trying to breathe. He hasn’t ever wanted anyone close enough to him to see the truth, until Aviva rams herself into his ass. Literally.

Aviva Pearce’s life is a collection of bad days all wrapped up without a bow. If it can go wrong, it will. All she wants is to run her business, take care of her sister, and keep her head above water. But with a father who is out to ruin her like he has himself and debt trying to drown her, it’s hard to stay afloat. Aviva isn’t the type to waste time dwelling on her misfortunes or to give up, though. She’s got too much fight in her. And she definitely doesn’t have time to waste on the wildly sexy, rich, showboating goaltender everyone wants. She’s got goals.

What she doesn’t know is that Nico has goals of his own.

And she’s number one on his list.

WILD TENDY is the second book in Toni Aleo’s IceCats hockey series and brings us an opposites attract story filled with sass, drama and a whole lot of heart.

Aviva hasn’t had an easy life of late, and she when she comes across as hard-nosed, we totally get why she has her guard up. She wants to give her sister a good life, and life and all of it’s issues just keeps trying to knock them down. When she meets this fancy sports guy, she doesn’t have the time of day to give him … until he continues to show that he’s more than she ever expected.

Nico puts up the front that everyone expects to see … arrogant womanizer who lives for the party. He simply takes our breath away when we get to know the true man behind the prestige and recognize how wonderfully far he’s come in life. He’s a joy to read.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to see a cocky sports guy being brought to his knees by “the one”. The hockey action is a tad light, but the emotional depth is spot on and more! Looking forward to more in the series.

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* Review * THE AUSSIE NEXT DOOR by Stefanie London

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE AUSSIE NEXT DOOR by Stefanie London

The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London
Series: Patterson's Bluff #1
Published by Entangled: Amara on August 27, 2019
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American Angie Donovan has never wanted much. When you grow up getting bounced from foster home to foster home, you learn not to become attached to anything, anyone, or any place. But it only took her two days to fall in love with Australia. With her visa clock ticking, surely she can fall in love with an Australian—and get hitched—in two months. Especially if he’s as hot and funny as her next-door neighbor…

Jace Walters has never wanted much—except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. He’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in a few months...

Except now she’s determined to find her perfect match by checking out every eligible male in the town, and her choices are even more distracting. So why does it suddenly feel like he—and his obnoxious tight-knit family, and even these two wayward dogs—could be exactly what she needs?

THE AUSSIE NEXT DOOR kicks off the brand new Patterson’s Bluff series by Stefanie London with a delightful opposites attract twist between a comic strip creator and a tourist who enjoys brightening people’s lives.

Angie is a complex character. She has a past that she doesn’t advertise and all that she wants is to stay in this delightful location that feels like home for maybe the first time ever … but she’s having visa problems. She sets out to fall in love and step into that happily ever after that every girl dreams of (in two months time of course!) … if only the quirky neighbor wasn’t catching her eye time and time again.

Jace is a heartwarming character. He’s unique and had this reader wrapped around his finger very quickly. I enjoyed watching him learn to let his guard down a little as Angie and her spunkiness became a part of his life.

I highly recommend you take a trip to Patterson’s Bluff if you enjoy a small town vibe with a side of sass, an adorable cast and a boatload of heart! Looking forward to more to come in the series.

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* Review * THE GREEK’S VIRGIN TEMPTATION by Susan Stephens

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Greek's Virgin Temptation by Susan Stephens
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 1, 2019
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A passionate kiss from an enticing stranger…

…ignites a craving she can’t deny!

Abandoned in paradise, jilted bride Kimmie Lancaster is adamant that she’ll still enjoy her honeymoon. But she doesn’t realize she is trespassing on billionaire Kristof Kaimos’s beach! His magnetic charisma encourages her to confide in him…and ignites a hunger that untouched Kimmie has never experienced. Soon she’s tempted to share her unspent wedding night with this irresistible Greek!

THE GREEK’S VIRGIN TEMPTATION is the newest Harlequin Presents out by Susan Stephens. It’s a twist on a second chance on love story and revolves around an exotic Greek island.

Kimmie drew our sympathy quickly from the situation she found herself in, and her naivety in situations was sort of sweet.

Kristof was an attention grabbing character as he walked onto the scene as if he owned it … but of course he did! … and captivated the reader. The time frame of the story line was fairly short, yet the dialogue drug a bit.

Overall the read was satisfying and I recommend it if you enjoy a good virgin heroine story where she’s whisked away by the rich mogul.

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* Review * TOP TROUBLE by Tara Sue Me

August 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

Top Trouble by Tara Sue Me
Series: Submissive Series
Published by After Six Publishing on August 20, 2019
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Some say they've been arguing for years.
Others say it's just a really long foreplay session.

When Kelly moves from Wilmington, Delaware to Dallas, Texas, Evan regrets all the time they spent arguing and knows he made a mistake in letting her go. A wedding allows them the opportunity to reconnect and they spend a passionate night together. Yet when morning comes Kelly seems further away than ever.

Kelly has her reasons for treating Evan the way she did, not to mention a secret or two she’s never shared with anyone. If she hurt Evan, she’s sorry but she had no other choice. Besides, they’re both Tops, and they’d never be right together.

An unexpected situation forces them back together, and for a couple who’s done little else than bicker, the danger they find themselves in might be what they need to finally admit how they feel for each other.

Or it might be what pulls them apart forever.

TOP TROUBLE is the next book in Tara Sue Me’s beloved Sumissive Series, and centers around two dominant personalities who finally succumb to their temptations in this enemies to lovers story.

I always love a return visit to this series because we always get a great update on all of the previous couples we loved and this was no exception. It’s like visiting old friends to reach for this book.

Kelly was particularly interesting from the start because even though she’s dominant and outspoken in public, she has secrets she doesn’t let be known by just everybody. Letting the walls down to let Evan in was difficult for her … but the reward eventually made it worth it!

Evan is a fun character. He brings sass and humor to the table, but flirts with a sternness at times that really brings him to life. Really enjoyed watching them let their guard down and live a little.

I highly recommend this story to anyone wanting a fun-filled, light-hearted delve into the BDSM world with a cast of characters that are tight-knit and always like family. The characters are well developed and the passion is always steamy. Always a pleasure, and I always leave looking forward to that next book!

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* Review * WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT by Helen Lacey

August 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT by Helen Lacey

When You Least Expect It by Helen Lacey
Series: The Culhanes of Cedar River #1
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on September 1, 2019
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She was having his baby.

But why wouldn’t she be his wife?

After several failed pregnancies, Tess Fuller’s dreams of motherhood hadn’t worked out—until one memorable night with her ex-husband resulted in pregnancy! Take-charge rancher Mitch Culhane had never stopped loving Tess. Now he has the perfect solution: marriage, take two. But Tess isn’t so sure their love story can have a happily-ever-after…unless Mitch can prove he’s changed…

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT is the first book in the brand new The Culhanes of Cedar River series by Helen Lacey and revolves around a rancher and his teacher ex-wife for a reunion story and a surprise baby all rolled into one!

Mitch is introduced as a solid guy who was left to raise his five younger siblings after his mom died and his dad fell apart years ago. He was quick to wrap himself around this reader’s heart, and I steadfastly supported him throughout the book.

Tess was hard to like at first because she was coming in with a major chip on her shoulder and causing discord with Mitch. It turns out a chance encounter that led to a night together several months ago led to a baby. Several failed pregnancies earlier led to their marriage falling apart, but can this one be the one that puts them back together again?

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good reunited love story with a heavy supporting cast of family. I’m looking to seeing more of this town and this family!

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* Review * SHEIKH’S ROYAL BABY REVELATION by Annie West

August 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHEIKH’S ROYAL BABY REVELATION by Annie West

Sheikh's Royal Baby Revelation by Annie West
Series: Secret Heirs of Billionaires #5
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 1, 2019
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Desert captives for one night

Bound forever by their unexpected baby

When desert prince Ashraf was kidnapped alongside geologist Tori, the desperation of their life-threatening situation led to passionate oblivion. Rescued the next day, Ash never knew Tori’s fate…but this powerful sheikh never stopped looking for her. Now he’s finally found Tori—and discovered she’s had his son! To claim them, Ashraf’s prepared to make Tori his queen…but can he offer more than his royal name?

Sheikh’s Royal Baby Revelation is the first book in Anne West’s latest Harlequin Presents series, Royal Brides for Desert Brothers and revolves around a desert prince and a geologist who are taken captive by the same people and find comfort in each other’s arms.

Ashraf and Tori were separated and neither of them knew who the other one really was, or if they had escaped their captors or not. As a reader, I was quickly drawn into the story because of the potential danger they were facing. We didn’t get to see a lot of their subsequent movement, but a few months down the road we meet them again as they reconnect and discuss their unexpected son.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a surprise baby story as well as a royal desert romance. Ms. West always portrays the settings of her books so beautifully in a reader’s mind and makes us feel like we were transported there with her characters. Looking forward to Karim’s story coming soon!

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