Book Reviews – Page 206

* Review * THE BROODING SURGEON’S BABY BOMBSHELL by Susan Carlisle

June 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BROODING SURGEON’S BABY BOMBSHELL by Susan Carlisle

The Brooding Surgeon's Baby Bombshell by Susan Carlisle
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on July 1, 2018
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One night, unexpected consequences…!

But can they be a family?

After sparks fly with Dr. Gabriel Marks at a conference, nurse Zoe Avery’s left with a permanent reminder of their night together. Knowing Gabe doesn’t want kids, Zoe decides she’ll have the baby alone. Then Gabe moves to the same city just as pregnant Zoe needs a temporary home. Gabe comes to her rescue, but can they overcome their hurdles and become a family?

A surprise baby, a steamy attraction and real-life always popping up to keep them on their toes! A nice ground-work is laid for the story from the beginning of the book, and we get to know more about the characters as the story progresses. Zoe is really stubborn and fairly selfish in how she sees this whole baby thing, so she’s a bit hard to like. Gabe immediately steps up and wants to be a part of the process, so we feel for him as she tries to push him away. A solid read!

When attraction gets the better of them at a conference, Dr. Gabriel Marks and nurse Zoe Avery decide to have a fling before they each return home to their lives across the country from each other. He’s a busy transplant doctor, she’s a patient advocate with personal issues of her own that take up a lot of her time. They expect to possibly see each other again in six months at the next meeting, but other than that, go on about their lives.

When the next conference rolls around, Gabe is shocked to see that Zoe is pregnant. She knew from discussions they had previously that he wasn’t interested in marriage and a family, so she decided she’s having this baby on her own. It turns out Gabe is moving to her neck of the woods at just the right time when she needs a temporary place to live, and he’s not backing down now that he knows they have a child on the way … he plans to be a father to this baby!

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* Review * INHERITED FOR THE ROYAL BED by Annie West

June 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * INHERITED FOR THE ROYAL BED by Annie West

Inherited for the Royal Bed by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2018
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“I now belong to you.”

He will finally claim his inheritance!

Four years after inheriting—and liberating—a concubine, powerful ruler Sayid is shocked to see the transformation of Lina. No longer shy and naive, Lina is a feisty, irresistible woman. And Sayid has never wanted anyone more! But he’s duty bound to his country, and Sayid can only commit to a brief affair. Will Lina accept his outrageous proposal of a week in the royal bed?

Exotic and delightful! My attention was nabbed right off the bat as a young lady enters the realm of her new sire and offers herself for his service. She’s been raised to feel less important than the men in her culture, but she knows she deserves more. When faced with kindness and opportunity, she graciously accepts the life Sayid offers to help her with and never forgets what he’s done for her. Upon her return, she’s grown into a beautiful woman who catches his eye just as quickly as she did years prior. The attraction is intense … and the aftermath is explosive! The characters were developed well, and the plot while having a great foundation felt too short. Overall a very enjoyable read!

When Sayid Badawi, Emir of Halarq first met Lina she was young, naive and floundering. He took her under his wing and made sure she had a safe place to secure the education that she dreamed of, and most of all a place to call home. Now after more than four years, she’s returning to his kingdom and is more decadent than ever! He has too many duties to be able to give her the life that she deserves, but he could give her one week of passion she won’t forget!

Lina Rahman will be forever grateful to the Emir for the knowledge and education he gave her, and the crush she’s been harboring on him for all of these years only grows stronger when she sees him again. He’s a powerful, yet kind man and she would love being taken into his arms just once. When the opportunity arises, will she be able to settle for the few days he can offer her?

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* Review * UNDONE by Elisabeth Naughton

June 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

Undone by Elisabeth Naughton
Series: House of Sin #3
Published by Elisabeth Naughton Publishing LLC on June 5, 2018
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Behind the doors of the House of Sin, no one is ever safe...

I love him. It’s the only truth that matters now.

I’ve cast my old life aside and given myself fully to his wants and desires, to the fire he alone ignites inside me. And together, we’ve found strength and salvation in each other.

But there are evil forces that do not want us together, who will forever see me as a threat that must be undone. I trust that he will protect me, that our love can withstand any test, but I can’t ignore the growing shadows lurking beyond our door.

Because I understand now that those shadows are not waiting to destroy me as I once feared. They’ve come for him. To steal him away from me for good. And to finally and completely engulf him in a sinister world he’s eluded for so long.

In the inescapable darkness of the House of Sin…

Dark, dangerous and oh so exciting! With the next book in the House of Sin series, we pick up Luc and Natalie’s story where it left off in the previous book. Danger abounds, deceit is plentiful and life isn’t going to be easy for them no matter how they look at it! The story is fast paced, action packed and we reach a satisfying ending after much strife, pain and heartache! Enjoying this series!

She’s supposed to be safe, but people aren’t playing by the rules any longer, and danger is as alive as ever. She’s given up everything that she knew prior to him, and only wants to be safe and able to build their love … but forces stand in their way time and time again.

He’d agree to anything in order to keep her safe from the monsters that surround him. He’ll withstand whatever they throw at him … as long as she’s waiting at the end of the tunnel. More sacrifices than he ever imagined end up having to be made … and they have to be torn apart to come out whole at the other end!

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* Review * TAKE HOLD OF ME by Arell Rivers

June 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

Take Hold of Me by Arell Rivers
Series: A Hold Series Spin-off #1
Published by Tarnished Halo Publishing LLC on June 7, 2018
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She has a body that needs guarding. He has the muscle to do it ... but he’s moved on and refuses to look back.

A Woman Fighting to Stay on Top

After a decade as a supermodel, a younger version of me is scooping up my contracts. To regain my status in the industry, my agency devises a strategy—which so happens to require a bodyguard. And I know the perfect guy for the job: Wills Sumner, the man who saw beneath my veneer. Who currently is evading my texts like a Parisian taxi driver in the rain.

A Man Surrendering Hope

I need to start over. Watching my partners die on the job cemented my belief that I'm toxic. So, with the money from that fateful gig, I buy my sister’s gym. At least I can honor her in death—considering I failed to step up when she was alive. Now, if only the French beauty Emilie Dubois would lose my number.

Emilie is fixated on having me at her side. I'm resigned to doing one final turn and escaping with my heart intact.

But neither of us expected to be stripped bare … In the end, she may be the only one who can Take Hold of Me.

Quite an emotional read! If you read the Hold Series previously, you will recognize several of the key players in this book. We met them during Cole and Rose’s tumultuous story, now they’re the main characters themselves! There was something about Cole and Rose that just can’t be compared with, so they will always be my favorite couple, but Wills and Em really turned on the heat and turmoil in their story. A really enjoyable read! I’m looking forward to more spin-offs!

Former bodyguard turned gym owner Wills Sumner is convinced he’s to blame for everything bad that happens in his life. His sister died and he feels like he should have done more to keep her in a safe place. His partners were killed by Cole’s crazy stalker, and he feels like he should have been able to save them in addition to Cole and Rose. He might still be alive, but he’s living in a dark place in his mind, just going through the motions.

French supermodel Emilie Dubois isn’t sure why Wills suddenly disappeared from her life when she thought they were just getting started. Now she can’t get him to answer her calls or texts at all. She’s having a mini career crisis and decides she’s going to track him down once and for all and see if she can get him to help her out. She’s not willing to take no for an answer when she can clearly see he still wants her just as much as she wants him … but can she get him to commit in the long run when he’s so convinced that he’s bad news?

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* Review * ENCORE by Rachel Lacey

June 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Encore by Rachel Lacey
Series: Rock Star Duet #2
on June 12, 2018
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SHE STOLE CENTER STAGE…IN HIS HEART

Rocker Colton Nix would do just about anything to rid himself of the unflattering nickname his womanizing ways have earned him in the tabloids—anything except settle down with a woman, of course. If his parents taught him anything, it’s that love is as fleeting as celebrity. But after a few too many drinks on a private island in the Caribbean, Cole wakes up with the king of all hangovers…and a wedding band on his left ring finger.

Celebrity assistant Jenn MacDonald has her future meticulously planned, and she’s ready to make her next move: becoming a songwriter. Drunk-marrying a rock star was definitely not on the list. When Cole suggests they stay married for six months so that he can ride out the good publicity while helping her launch her new career, she can’t help but say yes. She’s even able to convince herself—almost—that her decision has nothing to do with the way one glance from Cole sets her body humming like the strings on his favorite guitar.

They were near strangers when they exchanged drunken vows on the beach, but the connection—and the attraction—between them is powerful and real. Soon, they’re making beautiful music together, both in and out of bed. They’re giving the performance of their lives, until it all comes crashing down around them. But every great performance deserves an encore, and theirs might just be love.

Electrifying chemistry! Great follow up to the first book in the duet! We met Jenn in that first book as Kate’s assistant and now she’s getting her own story with a bad boy rocker. The storyline caught my attention quickly, and the friendly turned sexy chemistry between the two of them is off the charts. I really enjoyed getting to play a little catch up with Kate and Josh from the first book too. A really great series!

As the personal assistant to pop princess Katherine Hayes, Jennifer MacDonald is used to the rocker lifestyle, but when she comes into contact with rock ‘n roll bad boy Colton Nix while they’re in the Bahamas for a shoot, he’s not at all what she was expecting. Enjoying letting loose and chatting over drinks a little too much, they wind up taking their drinking games a little too far and waking up hitched!

Colton Nix has been suffering from crappy headlines all over the media ever since a scorned groupie started fake rumors, so all he needs is a quickie marriage followed by an immediate change of heart to flare it all up even worse than before. He convinces Jenn that they can both benefit from staying married for a few months … he’ll get his reputation cleaned up a bit, and in return, he’ll help her get her start as a song writer in the industry. But when they find themselves falling for each other, all bets might be off!

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* Review * ONE UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND by Andrea Laurence

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

One Unforgettable Weekend by Andrea Laurence
Series: Millionaires of Manhattan
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2018
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An accident stole her memory.

A chance encounter brings it crashing back.

Violet Niarchos can’t recall the affair that gave her a child. But when she runs into Aidan Murphy, she knows the sexy bar owner is no stranger. He was her lover over one amazing weekend. He’s her baby’s father. But will Aidan believe she truly forgot all they shared? Or that the high-class heiress is faking it to save her reputation?

A blast from the past! A really fun amnesiac had a surprise baby story! The plot, while a little unorthodox caught my attention from the first page, and kept it throughout the story. I enjoyed both of the main characters, and watching them find their way to forever. Fast paced and very entertaining!

Violet Niarchos didn’t expect that day to be any different than her average day, but when a man walks into her office and speaks her name, she’s hit with a flood of memories she thought were gone forever! They spent one amazing weekend together that led to an adorable baby boy … only she didn’t remember it until she saw him again!

Aidan Murphy can’t figure out if Violet is trying to pull his leg or what, but this story seems a bit far fetched. She was in an accident on the way home from his house and now doesn’t remember their time together nor did she see fit to tell him she was pregnant? And now the second she’s caught, she’s magically healed? He really liked her, but he’s not sure he’s buying it!

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* Review * TWO DAUNTLESS HEARTS by Elle James

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Two Dauntless Hearts by Elle James
Series: Mission: Six
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2018
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In one of the most remote locations

A SEAL meets his match…

Stationed in Africa, SEAL “Pitbull” Percy Taylor is on leave and flying to Kenya for a safari. Until bush pilot Marly Simpson is forced to crash-land their plane on the savanna. Stranded together, the itinerant pilot and the roving SEAL find a connection neither dreamed possible. And when Marly and her plane disappear, Pitbull rallies his SEAL team…to save the only woman he could ever truly love.

MISSION: SIX

Gripping excitement throughout! With the second book in her Mission: Six series, Elle James brings us Pitbull’s story. We met his Navy SEAL team in book one, and are following them through several bouts of drama while in Africa. We caught a glimpse of the heroine Marly in the first book as well, so seeing her meet her match with one of the SEAL’s was a fun development. An exciting plot with interesting characters led to a great read!

Percy “Pitbull” Taylor can’t believe he’s getting the opportunity to go on an African safari, but while he and the guys have a week of leave coming to them, that’s just what they’ve decided to do! The thing he’s not overly excited about is their method of transportation to get there … the pilot however, well, she’s hot!

Bush pilot Marly Simpson is only too happy to cross paths with this sexy group of men again. She’s particularly interested in the one who seems to be moody about entering her plane. She’ll take him for the ride of his life for sure … only she never expected it to end in an emergency landing! While stranded together, sparks fly and passion ignites … but they live on different continents, how could this ever work?

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* Review * LOCK ‘N LOAD by Tee O’Fallon

June 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Lock 'N' Load by Tee O'Fallon
Series: Federal K-9
Published by Entangled: Amara on May 28, 2018
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Crack CIA analyst Trista Gold is a whiz with the computer, but not so much with people. She hides behind her job, analyzing Top Secret code and making recommendations on national security. She doesn’t need a man in her life. But she will, very soon...

CIA K-9 officer Sgt. Matt Connors suspects that beneath Trista’s uptight appearance, there’s a sexy woman itching to cut loose. But he doesn’t dare act on his attraction. He’s a loner and always will be. Keeping away from Trista is a must-do directive. Until he doesn’t have a choice...

During a routine assignment, Trista stumbles across a cryptic exchange. She doesn’t think much of it...until someone tries to murder her—twice. Both times, Matt had been there to save her. But now she has to hide. And her new bodyguard, Matt, and his K-9 are the only hope she has against the powerful forces that want her dead.

Action packed and exhilarating! With the start of a brand new Federal K-9 series, Tee O’Fallon quickly draws us into the heart of a case that will keep us on our toes throughout. We meet the hero and heroine who quickly catch our attention, plus meet an extended group of friends who I can only assume will be the stars of books going forward. There’s a fun camaraderie among them all that makes them a great edition to the book. The plot was well developed with a lot of action and suspense.

CIA analyst Trista Gold knows computers like the back of her hand, but people … yeah, people have always been awkward for her. Her job with the CIA brings her biggest passion to life as day in and day out she cracks code and passes along invaluable information regarding national security. She never thought her latest bit of intel would change her life so drastically!

CIA K-9 officer Matt Connors happens to be on check-point duty one day and meets Trista. She might think she’s socially awkward, but to him, she’s adorable. Luckily he still has her on his mind later than night when danger comes knocking! When two attempts are made on her life in a short amount of time and Matt rescues her from both, he decides he’s not leaving her side until he finds out who’s after her … and why!

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* Review * THE NANNY PROPOSAL by Joss Wood

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

The Nanny Proposal by Joss Wood
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: The Impostor
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2018
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“You work for me. That’s it.”

So why can’t she stay out of his bed?

She’d slept with Aaron Phillips before he became her boss. And Kasey Monroe had successfully avoided temptation ever since. But now the bachelor Texas tycoon demands she add temporary live-in nanny to her job description, to help with his niece. She’ll be “playing house” with the man she can’t resist. What could possibly go wrong with that arrangement?

Sexy, sweet and emotionally raw! With the latest book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club:The Imposter series, Joss Wood brings us Aaron’s story. His family has been playing a key part in the Will/Rich imposter storyline. This book was really quick to catch my attention, and the both sweet and sad emotions throughout kept my attention and had me rooting for Aaron & Kasey. Great read!

Aaron Phillips might be Kasey Monroe’s boss right now, but slightly before she agreed to become his executive assistant, they were simply two people agreeing to have a no strings one-night fling. They knew she was probably going to work for him, but agreed they wouldn’t let it affect their boss/employee relationship. They’ve done well for months now, but suddenly he needs her to move in and help out being a temporary nanny to his niece … how is that going to play out?

Kasey is wildly attracted to Aaron, but luckily their work relationship doesn’t have them in the same room often … but now he wants to move her into his house. She’s in big trouble!

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* Review * BUILDING A FAMILY by M.K. Stelmack

June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Building a Family by M. K. Stelmack
Series: A True North Hero
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on June 1, 2018
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The best man in the world wanted to marry her

But she couldn’t say yes…yet!

Most girls dreamed of the day someone offered them a ring. Not Connie Greene. She couldn’t even open the box. She did care for Ben Carruthers—always had, always would. But she couldn’t marry him until she’d made amends for the wrongs she’d committed. Until then, she had to protect Ben from himself. And most important, from her.

Redemption at it’s best! With the second book in her A True North Hero series, M.K. Stelmack gave herself a really tough job. She had to redeem a heroine that we all kind of loved to hate in the first book of the series. Connie came off as a really selfish person previously, and as we start to delve into her mind with this book, we start to see how she sees herself, and why she’s done some of the things that she’s done. We might not have made some of the same choices that she made, but we can forgive some of the things she’s done because we understand her reasoning. I really enjoyed getting to know Ben, and seeing them work towards healing. Really good read!

Connie Greene can’t deny that Ben Carruthers is the great love of her life, but she doesn’t think she’s a good enough person to deserve his love. She enjoys having him around, but she won’t accept the ring he offers when he asks her to marry him. She has a lot of work to redeem herself before she can ever even think about being the type of woman he deserves.

Ben has loved Connie since the first day he laid eyes on her when he was just a kid. She might have put a big dent in his heart when she walked away from their relationship, but he can’t give up on her. He sees things in her that she doesn’t seem to be able to see in herself … and he’s willing to give her as long as she need to get her head in the game of promising him a happily ever after.

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