Book Reviews – Page 2

* Review * BRIDE ON THE RUN by Anna J. Stewart

January 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

Bride on the Run by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #9
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on January 1, 2021
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Finding true love…

In the unlikeliest places!

Sienna Fairchild never imagined she’d be a runaway bride. Or that she’d stow away on a worn-down boat belonging to handsome tour operator Monty Bettencourt. Monty’s used to navigating rough seas, but Sienna might overturn his whole life, and avoiding drama is tough in such close quarters! If Sienna’s sure she doesn’t know what she wants, then why does running away feel so much like coming home?

Butterfly Harbor always feels like home! Anna J. Stewart brought utter joy to this reader with one of my favorites of her heroes yet in BRIDE ON THE RUN. This series is always overflowing with emotions, joy and happily ever afters. You’ll have a more complete feel for the town if you read the series from the start, so I highly recommend that you do.

Monty is just the sweetest. He enjoys the simple things in life and always has a positive outlook. Watching him find his forever was so heartwarming.

Sienna might have been subjected to an imaginary shake … or ten throughout the story. She let herself be walked on when the situation was risky, but when it came time to see a truly good guy in front of her for a change, she was dragging her feet and driving me crazy. She eventually redeemed herself.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a small town romance that centers around a group of friends and family that always partake in each others lives and share their joy when they find their forever.

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* Release Blast/Review/Giveaway * THE RANCHER by Joanne Rock

January 4, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Rancher by Joanne Rock
Series: Dynasties: Mesa Falls #5
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2021
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His secrets are safe with no one,

especially the woman who sets him on fire…

Ranching tycoon Miles Rivera has always kept the secrets of Mesa Falls Ranch under wraps—until desire trumps good sense. Because when he catches social media star Chiara Campagna snooping during a charity gala, he doesn’t kick her out—he sleeps with her! Can he trust the stunning influencer as the tangled web of desire and deception ensnares them both?

Decadently mysterious! With book five in her Dynasties: Mesa Falls series, Joanne Rock continues to weave an intriguing story as we look for answers. The characters are interesting and their connection is quick to combust. I’m looking forward to the final book in the series to find out all of the remaining secrets.

Chiara is being sneaky at the start of the book so I wasn’t sure what to make of her at first but it didn’t take long to figure out she’s a good hearted person just looking for answers to what happened to a friend.

Miles is one of the most laid back of the Mesa Falls owners, and I found him easy to like.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone looking for an ongoing mystery as each friend finds their happily ever after along the way.

Title: The Rancher

Series: Dynasties: Mesa Falls #5

Author: Joanne Rock

Publishers: Harlequin Desire/Mills & Boon/

HarperCollins AU

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 1, 2021

BLURB

A wealthy rancher’s secrets will be revealed as passion takes over…from USA TODAY bestselling author Joanne Rock!

His secrets are safe with no one,

especially the woman who sets him on fire…

Ranching tycoon Miles Rivera has always kept the secrets of Mesa Falls Ranch under wraps—until desire trumps good sense. Because when he catches social media star Chiara Campagna snooping during a charity gala, he doesn’t kick her out—he sleeps with her! Can he trust the stunning influencer as the tangled web of desire and deception ensnares them both?

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

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Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over eighty books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly–love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

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* Review * COLTON’S DANGEROUS LIAISON by Regan Black

January 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * COLTON’S DANGEROUS LIAISON by Regan Black

Colton's Dangerous Liaison by Regan Black
Series: The Coltons of Grave Gulch #1
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on January 1, 2021
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The clock is running out to keep her safe

Can he intervene in time?

By-the-book police chief Melissa Colton prides herself on putting justice before all else. That means work first—and no passionate affairs. But she finds herself severely tempted when teaming up with hotelier Antonio Ruiz to figure out who’s tracking her. As the case yields more questions than answers, Melissa and Antonio must resist their growing attraction…and capture the criminal targeting them!

You’ll be second-guessing yourself throughout! With the first book in the brand new Coltons of Grave Gulch series Regan Black lays the groundwork for a situation that will continue playing out throughout the series at the same time as she delights her readers with a happily ever after. The book was slower paced than many from this author, but the mystery was spot on and the characters have us hungry for the series to continue.

Melissa is a take-charge woman in her job as police chief, but meeting the owner of the hotel at the forefront of a case makes her sit back and take notice of the other needs in her life.

Antonio easily captivated me and I was pulling for him throughout. He was a nice guy who had the bad luck of getting involved with a crook and it placed him in the position of being judged accordingly.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story strong in more than one mystery but also has a romance building behind the scenes.

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* Review * SCANDAL IN THE VIP SUITE by Nadine Gonzalez

January 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SCANDAL IN THE VIP SUITE by Nadine Gonzalez

Scandal in the VIP Suite by Nadine Gonzalez
Series: Miami Famous #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2021
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Two strangers. One bed.

And a kiss as scorching as the Miami heat!

When Nina Taylor peeks into the luxury hotel suite that should have been hers, she’s caught by the room’s occupant, Julian Knight. The Hollywood bad boy quickly offers a compromise: why not share? Soon, the paparazzi is jumping to scandalous conclusions—and Julian and Nina share an incredible kiss. Good thing they’re only booked for a week…because, boy, is she in trouble!

Lust at first sight has never been yummier! With the first book in her Miami Famous series and making her Harlequin Desire debut, Nadine Gonzalez shines with a story that takes on a feel of old Hollywood glamour! The plot had my attention quickly, the characters did not disappoint and though it was a little slower paced, the happily ever after was divine.

Nina is a joy. She stole my heart with her journey to keep her mom’s dreams alive and watching her sass and strong spirit woo Julian was so satisfying.

Julian is a sweetheart. He doesn’t hesitate to show his true self and interact with the people who touch his life.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a Hollywood feel to their romance!

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* Review * AGENT UNDER SIEGE by Lena Diaz

December 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * AGENT UNDER SIEGE by Lena Diaz

Agent Under Siege by Lena Diaz
Series: The Justice Seekers #2
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 1, 2021
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Can they outsmart a killer

…who’s already escaped justice?

The Kentucky Ripper is in prison…or is he? When no one will help Teagan Ray find the man who really abducted her, former profiler Bryson Anton agrees to investigate. But soon their search takes two jolting turns—brutal attacks from a cunning suspect…and a powerful mutual attraction.

An explosive second installment in Lena Diaz’s The Justice Seekers series! AGENT UNDER SIEGE reconnects us with an injured Seeker from the first book in the series as he regains his footing and revisits the case that still haunts him. I was drawn into the book from the very first page and couldn’t put it down until the stunning conclusion. Great characters, high impact suspense and a sweet romance mixed in. Looking forward to more in the series!

Bryson is a memorable character. If you read the first book in the series you’ll remember the part he played in Dalton and Hayley’s story, and watching him work through his injury and connect with Teagan is rewarding.

Teagan is such a fun character. She’s had a huge trauma, but she hasn’t let it stop her from standing back up, digging into the case and stepping forward with her theories to try to get help. She’s sassy and direct and I simply adored her.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves non-stop action as they try to work their way through a mystery as you follow that happily ever after towards the end.

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* Review * HER TEXAS NEW YEAR’S WISH by Michelle Major

December 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER TEXAS NEW YEAR’S WISH by Michelle Major

Her Texas New Year's Wish by Michelle Major
Series: The Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune #1
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on January 1, 2021
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Can you fall head over heels

And land on your feet?

When Grace Williams topples from the balcony at the soon-to-open Hotel Fortune, the last thing she expects is to find love with her new bosses’ brother. Wiley Fortune is visiting from Chicago, and the polished attorney has looks, money and charm to spare. But Grace’s past makes her wary of investing her heart—and risking her job. Do a small-town Texan and a city sophisticate really have a chance?

A forbidden workplace romance! With the first book in an exciting new Fortunes of Texas spinoff series The Hotel Fortune, Michelle Major brings temptation to the forefront in HER TEXAS NEW YEAR’S WISH. A fall on hotel property leaves employee Grace injured and falling for Fortune brother Wiley. I look forward to seeing what this series has in store for us as we try to figure out who is trying to sabotage the hotel!

Grace is easy to like and easy to understand. Love has brought her heartache in the past, as has cavorting with someone associated with her job, so she’s gun shy to let it happen again.

Wiley is a sweetheart. He’s thunderstruck by the zap of connection he feels the second he lays eyes on Grace across the room, but he’s heading back to Chicago in a few days … unless he listens to his heart instead of his mind.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a strongly entrenched family as the back drop to finding happily ever afters for the siblings. I’m looking forward to what The Hotel Fortune has in store for us!

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* Review * FOREPLAYER by Kate Meader

December 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

Foreplayer by Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #4
Published by Kate Meader LLC on December 29, 2020
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She’s got game everywhere but the bedroom. Enter the player who knows exactly how to grade her curves . . .

After a very public breakup and a viral post that declares him the villain, power forward Cal Foreman is taking a timeout from women and relationships to focus on hockey. When Chicago Rebels captain and old friend, Vadim Petrov, “volunteers” him to help train Vadim’s sister Mia, Cal figures he can do a favor for a pal and get ready for the season with his new team. But the imperious Russian would slice a skate blade through Cal’s internal organs if he knew what lessons Mia really wants.

Yeah, not that kind of stickhandling.

Hockey phenom and Olympics hopeful Mia Wallace needs help seducing the man of her dreams. That man is most definitely not Cal Foreman: notorious playboy, thorn in her side, and her brother's bestie. But surely a guy with his reputed skill set has a few tips on how she can nail her target—which makes him the perfect foreplayer.

Cal knows Mia sees him as merely the warm-up act in her grand plan to win another man, but as they spend more time together, he wonders if that’s enough.

If they could be more.

And if he could convince her he’s worthy of the starting line-up . . . in her heart?

So much yumminess! Kate Meader showers exciting hockey players on us on the regular, but she might have just outdone herself with Callum in book four of the Rookie Rebels series FOREPLAYER! I loved his honesty, his humor and most of all the stunted man inside who didn’t know how to recover from heartbreak until he met Mia. I’m looking forward to more in the series for sure … and here’s hoping there might be a Chicago Athenas spinoff in our future!

Mia hasn’t had it easy in life, so watching her go for a dream is heartwarming. She’s got her eyes set on a man … but she needs to up her game before she can turn his head. Who better to help her than the player himself?

Cal is a doll. He might have a revolving door installed on his bedroom, but he’s always upfront about what he has to offer and treats the women he dates with respect during and after they go their separate ways. He doesn’t plan to ever trust deeply again … until Mia comes into his world.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good sports romance with a close knit hockey family taking center stage as one of the players finds his true love.

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* Review * HOMICIDE AT WHISKEY GULCH by Elle James

December 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOMICIDE AT WHISKEY GULCH by Elle James

Homicide at Whiskey Gulch by Elle James
Series: The Outriders Series #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on January 1, 2021
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Someone murdered his father.

He’s home to set things right.

The moment he learns his father has been murdered, Delta Force soldier Trace Travis knows he must return home. But finding resourceful Lily Davidson, his high school sweetheart, helping his mother in the wake of the tragedy leaves him shaken. As old desires and deceits come flooding back, Trace partners with Lily to find his father’s killer—and overcome the circumstances that have always kept them apart.

This strong kickoff to a new series by Elle James is sure to please! With the first book in The Outriders series we meet Delta Force soldier Trace Travis and some of his team in HOMICIDE AT WHISKEY GULCH. The plot was attention grabbing, the characters a joy to get to know and the reunion of first loves did not disappoint. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Trace is strong-willed and determined and that’s exactly what he needs to face the murder of his father and seeing the one that got away upon his arrival home.

Lily is sweet and tenacious and though she has secrets from her past, she doesn’t take any gruff from Trace about her past decisions.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fast paced mystery mixed with a happily ever after.

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* Review * HOW TO UNDO THE PROUD BILLIONAIRE by Joss Wood

December 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOW TO UNDO THE PROUD BILLIONAIRE by Joss Wood

How to Undo the Proud Billionaire by Joss Wood
Series: South Africa's Scandalous Billionaires #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on January 1, 2021
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“If I kiss you, there’s no going back…”

Hosting South Africa’s wedding of the year at his exclusive safari lodge is Radd Tempest-Vane’s ticket to restoring his family’s empire. As long as he finds a new florist, fast! Brinley Riddell is the perfect candidate. She’s also an immediate distraction.

For Brin, this lucrative job is her chance to be free of the family who never thought her good enough. Radd may be proud and strictly off-limits, but he’s the sexiest man she’s ever met! Surely one impossibly steamy encounter won’t upend their simple business deal…

Such a sensual temptation! With the first book in her South Africa’s Scandalous Billionaires duet with Harlequin Presents, Joss Wood quickly nabs her reader’s attention with HOW TO UNDO THE PROUD BILLIONAIRE. The characters are crisp and easy to like and each has a compelling back story that carries the plot throughout. A tad sluggish in a couple of places but quite the enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to Digby’s story!

Radd is a confident character who gains sympathy easily for his past, but he is also flawed with his one track mind and put in his place by Brinley’s strength to speak up when he doesn’t treat her fairly. Easily redeemable.

Brin is a sweetheart. She’s been stepped on a lot in life and she’s decided she’s simply not going to stand for it any longer and that realization brings her such freedom to speak her mind.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a lavish background filled with secrets and greed as they make their way towards forever.

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* Review * COWBOY UNDER FIRE by Lena Diaz

December 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

Cowboy Under Fire by Lena Diaz
Series: The Justice Seekers #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on December 1, 2020
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A Justice Seeker known for getting answers is about to face the ultimate test…

With his black Stetson and nose for the truth, former cop Dalton Lynch is the perfect addition to the Justice Seekers organization. Then a case lands in his lap that puts him right in the line of fire—and has Hayley Nash leaning on him for answers in the death of her friend. They might share a tense past, but Dalton pushes that aside to do what he does best: get the facts. Only problem is, with their history, Dalton finds working with the spirited web expert to be an exercise in restraint—especially when it comes to keeping his hands to himself.

This exciting new series from Lena Diaz is sure to please as COWBOY UNDER FIRE grabs a reader’s attention from the first page and holds it throughout! Great characters, an interesting set up and a totally unexpected conclusion made this a very enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to more from The Justice Seekers!

Hayley Nash is loyal and tenacious as she searches for answers regarding her friend’s murder. She’s putting herself out there against the man she suspects the most and isn’t afraid to go head to head.

Dalton is an easy to like character with an interesting history. Getting to know his team is going to be fun.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with an unexpected love connection mixed in.

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