Book Reviews – Page 2

* Review * SNOWED IN WITH THE SINGLE DAD by Melinda Curtis

May 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SNOWED IN WITH THE SINGLE DAD by Melinda Curtis

Snowed in with the Single Dad by Melinda Curtis
Series: The Mountain Monroes #2
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on June 1, 2019
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Never trust a Monroe—

Especially if she steals your heart!

To mayor and single dad Mitch Kincaid, Second Chance, Idaho, is something of a time capsule, and he wants to keep it that way. His problem? Gorgeous pregnant redhead Laurel Monroe, who, along with her family, now owns the town. But sometimes all it takes is an unexpected opportunity—and a snowstorm—to turn Mitch’s bad first impressions into a second chance at love!

A fun return to Second Chance! The first book in the series had the Monroe grand kids learning in their grandfather Harlan’s will that they were being let go of their jobs and inheriting the town of Second Chance, Idaho. A small group of them went to the town to scout out income potential to see if they could make a go of it. They don’t want to like the town exactly, but they seem to be falling for it … and it’s citizens! … one by one. This time it’s Laurel and Mitch’s turn! Looking forward to more in the series.

Mayor of Second Chance, Idaho Mitch Kincaid sure did enjoy his town better when it wasn’t overrun with Monroes trying to take over the town! He knows the town had it good with their trusted friend Harlan Monroe but now that he’s gone and left the town to his grand kids, they just might be the end of Second Chance as he knew it!

Laurel Monroe is pregnant, hiding out and desperate for something to take her mind off of her woes. She never would have expected to be attracted to the grumpy inn keeper, but either her hormones are flaky or she’s downright taken with him!

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* Review * TAKEN BY STORM by Cat Schield

May 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TAKEN BY STORM by Cat Schield

Taken by Storm by Cat Schield
Series: Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2019
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“You don’t believe in romance?

Let me change your mind…”

Concierge Isabel Withers vows to turn The Opulence hotel into Seattle’s top romantic destination. But first she has to convince Shane Adams, her no-nonsense boss, that the project has merit. When a freak storm strands them at the hotel—leading to a night of passion—it more than demonstrates her point! But is the self-proclaimed romance expert in over her head this time?

Forbidden love steals the show! With the second book in the Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List mini-series, Cat Schield picks up the continuation with a steaming hot affair between boss and employee. Isabel and Shane were pretty adorable together, and their connection was exciting to watch. The continuing story of Teresa and Liam exploded back into the picture as well. Looking forward to more lust and drama to come!

Hotel concierge Isabel Withers is determined to make The Opulence hotel the “in” place to go for romance in Seattle. Her supervisor isn’t agreeing with a lot of what she wants to do, but when the big boss is in town, she manages to catch his interest and his ear to spin the weave of romance.

Shane Adams isn’t one to mix business with pleasure, but he finds it impossible not to be swayed by the raw emotion Isabel puts into her work. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and he’s enjoying being along for the ride!

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* Review * REINING IN TROUBLE by Tyler Anne Snell

May 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

Reining in Trouble by Tyler Anne Snell
Series: Winding Road Redemption #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2019
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Guarded hearts.

Unspeakable danger.

Detective Caleb Nash’s childhood kidnapper has never been caught, and not even reuniting with his family has healed the scars. Then he meets guarded, beautiful Nina Drake. Damaged by her own past and living in self-imposed isolation, Nina tries to keep her distance from the cowboy lawman. But when she’s the target of mysterious attacks, only Caleb can keep her safe. Will his vow to protect resurrect his own childhood torments?

Past crimes are the corner stone of this story! With the first book in her Winding Road Redemption series, Tyler Anne Snell introduces us to the Nash family and a bit of the past they have lived through. It makes for an exciting story that I’m sure is only going to grow even more suspenseful as we meet the additional siblings. This book also has a really interesting back story coming into play for Nina that brings the suspense to a head. Really enjoyed their story and looking forward to more to come in the series!

Detective Caleb Nash will always be known by the unsolved kidnapping of his youth that was the turning point for many things in his life. He’s dedicated his life to solving crime and helping others in hope that they will someday find the answers that have haunted his family for decades. A new employee at his family ranch is suddenly thrust into a series of suspicious events and he’ll stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it!

Nina Drake is thrilled with her new job at the Wild Iris Retreat on the Nash Family Ranch, but when she’s suddenly sent an email that creeps her out, she’s not sure where to turn. Lucky for her she has a ready-made detective right at her back door and he’s raring to get to the bottom of who’s terrorizing her … and why!

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* Review * THE RANCHER’S SECOND CHANCE by Leigh Riker

May 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Rancher's Second Chance by Leigh Riker
Series: Kansas Cowboys #5
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on May 1, 2019
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He wants his ranch back…

She won’t give it up

Cooper Ransom comes home for one reason: to reclaim his land. Nell Sutherland’s family owns the ranch now, and she’s determined to prove she can run it. So she surprises Cooper when she makes him foreman. Cooper reconnects with the land and Nell, but can he have both? Or will the cowboy have to choose between the ranch he loves…and the woman he loves?

Second chances! A feud between families tore them apart, but can a love of that same land bring them back together again? Interesting characters with a down home setting and a solid back story brings lots of enjoyment to the next Kansas Cowboys installment!

Years ago Cooper Ransom’s dad was forced to sell off the ranch that had been in their family for generations. Cooper has recently come through a life-changing experience and decided it’s time for him to move back home to Kansas and get his ranch back. Only problem is, a familiar face is running the place these days!

Nell Sutherland was once a great friend and more to teenage Cooper. They expected their life to work out differently, but a feud between his family and hers made it difficult. Now he’s back fourteen years later and expecting to waltz in and have his ranch handed back over to him. Think again mister, because she’s out to prove to her grandfather once and for all that she’s more than ready to run the whole operation!

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* Review * SMOKY MOUNTAINS RANGER by Lena Diaz

May 31, 2019 1 Comment

Smoky Mountains Ranger by Lena Diaz
Series: The Mighty McKenzies #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on April 1, 2019
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A dangerous mountain escape.

An attraction neither can deny.

Adam McKenzie’s protective instincts are on overdrive, but Jody Ingram is no helpless victim. She refuses to abandon the injured ranger who saved her life despite the mysterious gunmen hot on her trail. When their forced flight through treacherous mountain terrain leads to unbridled passion, Adam must decide if guarding Jody 24/7 is worth the risk to his life and his heart…

Excitement abounds in the kick-off to a new series by Lena Diaz! With the first book in The Mighty McKenzies series, we get to know Adam and hear tidbits about his parents and siblings, all taking on upholding the law as their life’s work. This story is filled with intrigue and action in the beginning, and a good bit of emotional turmoil and family drama woven in. Really enjoyed the start to the series and look forward to more to come!

When park ranger Adam McKenzie stumbles upon a man and a woman in the park, he’s certain something is off with them. Turns out he’s right when he realizes the man is taking the woman at gunpoint and jumps in to try to rescue her!

Jody Ingram unwittingly got herself into a mess and has no clue how to get out of it. When this heroic park ranger puts himself in the line of fire to help her, she’s very grateful. As time is running out and they are cut off from the real world, they race against time to find a way out of the clutches of a band of mad men.

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* Review * DEFLECTED by Jami Davenport

May 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

Deflected by Jami Davenport
Series: Seattle Sockeyes #9
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on May 23, 2019
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She's a bookstore owner who secretly writes hockey romance novels. He's a playboy hockey player who's a closeted bookworm. What happens when he walks into her bookstore isn't love at first sight.

Alexander "Rush" Markov has been given an ultimatum by his team--shape up or ship out.

Alex is celebrating his biggest season in professional hockey, and he's enjoying every minute of it--perhaps a little too much. He's been nonstop partying like a rock star since his team won it all, and management isn't pleased. Next thing Alex knows, he's been exiled to a remote island with orders to lie low, stay out of trouble, and avoid one-night stands.

Rosalind Newcomb is the quintessential good girl, and she's fine with her role. Sure, she gets lonely and wishes for a special someone, but the choices on Madrona Island are slim to none. When a panty-melting mystery man disrupts the peace and quiet in her bookstore, it's dislike at first sight. The infuriating man turns her ordered life upside down and inside out and has her thinking about hot summer nights and tangled sheets. Only Alex isn't who she thinks he is, and love isn't all hearts and roses.

As Alex battles who he pretends to be and who he really is, he also resists falling in love for the first time in his life. His intense feelings have him ready to bolt, and only he can decide if love is worth fighting for.

Hockey’s bad boy is getting tamed! With the next book in the beloved Seattle Sockeye’s hockey series, we’re getting Rush’s story. He’s been quite the partying playboy in past books, so it’s great to get to know the real guy underneath all of the masks. There’s no hockey in the book since it’s the off-season, and there were a few plot holes that could have been tweaked a bit, but overall I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more in the series!

Professional hockey player Alexander Markov AKA Rush is at the top of his game now that his team brought home the Stanley Cup. He’s celebrating non-stop with parties, booze and women … until team management brings it all to a grinding halt! They want him to prove that he can handle more responsibility with the team by spending the rest of the off-season lying low and cutting out the booze and womanizing.

Rosalind Newcomb can’t believe her bad luck when the biggest player in hockey shows up in her bookstore on Madrona Island. She instantly dislikes him, and isn’t going to fall for his smooth talker flirting that has most women falling at his feet. Try as she might, she can’t stop starting to soften towards the guy when the mask that he’s always shown the public starts to crumble and let’s her see the real guy underneath the surface.

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* Review * IT STARTED WITH A PREGNANCY by Christy Jeffries

May 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IT STARTED WITH A PREGNANCY by Christy Jeffries

It Started with a Pregnancy by Christy Jeffries
Series: Furever Yours
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on June 1, 2019
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It isn’t puppy love.

But when one night leads to babies on the way, is a forever family far behind?

Animal rescue director Rebekah Taylor isn’t a pet person—or the family type. But now she’s pregnant and a newbie parent to an adventure-loving stray dog nobody can catch. Kind of like Grant Whitaker, the fancy-free tech consultant who’s not your typical daddy-to-be. Except this dude’s sticking around. Can Grant persuade Rebekah to trust in him and the future they’ve started creating together?

It’s the super sweet setting of an animal shelter that steals your heart in this story! Rebekah has issues that hold her back from letting her life be filled with love and connections, and Grant seems willing to forgo all commitment and just have fun. The two of them together don’t seem like they would work, but they prove us wrong. A fun read!

Rebekah Taylor isn’t interested in love and all the fixings. She works hard to achieve her goals, which right now is enjoying the position she earned as the Director of an animal rescue run by two fun-loving elderly sisters. She isn’t a pet lover herself, but she’s happy to thrive at raising money to help them find a loving home. One stray pup is being elusive though … and only seems to be interested in the one person who doesn’t want to catch it … her!

Tech consultant Grant Whitaker makes it his calling to help out his aunts and their animal shelter. He makes the trip to North Carolina from his home in Florida fairly often, and can’t help but be intrigued by Rebekah. The one time they let down their guard down and enjoyed a night together left them about to be parents!

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* Review * SPRINGTIME AT HOPE COTTAGE by Annie Rains

May 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains
Series: Sweetwater Springs #2
Published by Forever on March 5, 2019
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When opposites attract...

As an editor at a major New York City magazine, Josie Kellum is always on the go...until an injury sidelines her in the small town of Sweetwater Springs. Luckily, her new physical therapist is easy going and easy on the eyes. When their sessions start to heat up, in more ways than one, Josie is intrigued. But she has a city and career she loves waiting for her. So why does the thought of leaving him suddenly feel a lot like leaving home?

Tucker Locklear is just starting to move on after his wife's death. While he can't deny his attraction to the gorgeous, vivacious Josie, he won't risk the pain of losing someone again. The sooner he gets Josie back on her feet and back to her real life, the safer he'll be. But in Sweetwater Springs, love has a way of mending even the most damaged heart.

Small town life leads to a sweet romance! On this return visit to Sweetwater Springs, we reconnect with Kaitlyn and Mitch from the first book in the series as they interact with her best friend and the guy she seems to be falling for. The setting is peaceful and heartfelt with an emotionally rich plot. Really enjoying this series!

New York City magazine editor Josie Kellum has enjoyed visiting her best friend at the cozy little inn she runs in Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina but she’s raring to get home to her hectic city lifestyle. Fate has something else in store for her though when she’s sidelined by a minor injury and forced to stay in Sweetwater Springs for a little longer. It’s not all bad though … there’s a gorgeous man involved!

Physical therapist Tucker Locklear can’t deny that Josie wakes up a part of him that’s been dormant since his wife died a couple of years ago, but they’re all wrong for each other. She’s city, he’s country … she’s stressed, he’s laid back … and most importantly, he’s loved and lost before and been left heartbroken, so he’s not game to give it another go.

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* Review * REUNITED BY THE GREEK’S VOWS by Andie Brock

May 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * REUNITED BY THE GREEK’S VOWS by Andie Brock

Reunited by the Greek's Vows by Andie Brock
Published by Harlequin Presents on June 1, 2019
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A marriage on paper only…

…until long-hidden desires reignite!

Kate O’Connor is stunned when her ex-fiancé, self-made billionaire Nikos Nikoladis, storms back into her life with a shocking demand: to complete their previously abandoned trip down the aisle! He’ll gain the wife he requires to secure his goddaughter’s adoption and save Kate’s ailing company. In desperation, she agrees. But on an opulent honeymoon across Europe, these heated adversaries don’t anticipate their still-smoldering flame to explode into irresistible passion…

A whirlwind wedding! They were young loves with too many secrets between them to survive when real life came calling, but a re-connection now several years down the road is just what they both need! The characters were easy to get to know, and while the plot drug a bit in spots, the story was overall an interesting read.

Kate O’Conner is trying to save a sinking ship when it comes to running her father’s confectionery business. She knows both she and her mother made mistakes when learning the ropes, but she’s trying everything she knows to do in order to turn things around. Bottom line, she needs an investor … and fast!

Nikos Nikoladis needs a wife … a temporary one in order to help get custody of his goddaughter, but a wife none-the-less. What better choice than the one he would have had if her family and wealth hadn’t come between them. Now he’s the wealthy one with money to burn … and she’s just desperate enough to agree to marry him to save Daddy’s company!

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* Review * GHOST by Janie Crouch

May 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Ghost by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical #5
Published by Calamity Jane Publishing on May 21, 2019
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Dorian Lindstrom, codename Ghost, knows everyone breaks under torture.

His five weeks in an enemy prison taught him that with unmerciful precision. He's put his life back together as best he can with the help from his brothers at Linear Tactical.

But he's never gotten over his love for Grace Brandt, her part in his capture, or the fact that she died.

But sometimes the dead don't stay that way.

Grace knows her past can’t be forgiven. She's stayed hidden as long as she could, but now the secrets slowly suffocating her won’t stay buried any longer.

And the man she helped break, the man she’s always loved, is the only one who can stop this nightmare.

She'll need a Ghost to fight her demons, and he’s more than willing to prove she's worth the fight.

The Ghost will rise.

An electrifying tale of danger and suspense! With the next book in the ever-exciting Linear Tactical series, we get Ghost’s story. He’s been a mystery for the first four books, and we’ve known that his story was going to be a revelation, we just didn’t quite know to expect quite the turn-around that we got! The characters were very easy to connect with, the action and suspense was non-stop and while I wanted the ending to showcase them together a bit more, overall I really loved the story!

Six years ago, Dorian Lindstrom AKA Ghost lived the worst days of his life when he was captured and tortured to within an inch of his life … but the thing that brought him the worst pain was knowing that he couldn’t save the love of his life as she was killed in front of him.

Grace Brandt AKA Wraith has stayed hidden long enough. The secrets that she carries from her past are never going to let her rest if she doesn’t find a way to put an end to the crimes that are still being committed surrounding the project they worked on. She knows she can’t do it by herself … the only person she can count on is the man she’s always loved.

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