Book Reviews – Page 213

* Blog Tour / Review * EMBRACING HER HEART by Melissa Foster

April 19, 2018 1 Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Blog Tour / Review * EMBRACING HER HEART by Melissa Foster

Embracing Her Heart by Melissa Foster
Series: The Bradens and Montgomerys #1
Published by World Literary Press on April 17, 2018
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Welcome to Oak Falls, Virginia, home to horse farms, midnight rodeos, bookstores, coffee shops, and quaint restaurants where you’re greeted like family and treated like treasured guests. Buckle up for a wild ride. Like any Southern girls worth their salt, the sweet-talking, sharp-tongued Montgomery sisters can take men to their knees with one seductive glance or a single sugarcoated sentence.

In EMBRACING HER HEART…
Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.

Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.

Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…

Sexy, sweet and downright delicious! With the kick off to a new spin-off series, Melissa Foster uses her signature witty and humorous voice to introduce the Montgomery clan and all of their sass to us! In this first book in the series, we get to go along for the ride as Grace hooks back up with her first love … and starts a whirlwind romance that takes their breath away! The characters are endearing and explosively HOT … and the supporting cast is super fun to get to know. I loved it!

Grace Montgomery never expected a short trip home to Oak Falls, Virginia to put her face to face with her one true love again after all these years. She’s been making all of her dreams come true in New York City since she left town after high school, but when her little sister asks for her help with a project, she figures she could use the break from the rat race anyway and hightails it home. She can’t let the fact that the only man she’s ever loved is standing in front of her again derail her future … she’s heading back to NYC in a matter of weeks!

Reed Cross thought he would never leave Oak Falls, but losing Grace made everything different and he wound up setting up a successful business in Michigan over the years. Things unexpectedly fell apart in the span of a heartbeat when he caught his girlfriend in bed with his business partner and then learned that his Uncle Roy had just suffered a heart attack, so he cut ties and headed home to help his family and start anew. He didn’t expect seeing Grace after all of these years to pack such a wallop. She might deny it and try to keep him at arms length, but it’s obvious the second their eyes meet that those old feelings haven’t died … for either of them!

Grace and Reed finally get a second chance at a first love!

EMBRACING HER HEART

The Bradens and Montgomerys

Pleasant Hill ~ Oak Falls, Book 1

Melissa Foster

Releasing April 17, 2018

World Literary Press

Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay
writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her
sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in
town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled
lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she
spots the one man she never wanted to see again-ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.

Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but
on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his
uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls
to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love,
brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.

Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again-and
Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a
midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened.
Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no
kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes
steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…

Don’t miss the next in series!

Pre-order today!

Melissa Foster is a New
York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes
sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with
emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last
page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family
oriented-perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading
about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

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* Review * REUNITED WITH THE SHERIFF by Lynne Marshall

April 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * REUNITED WITH THE SHERIFF by Lynne Marshall

Reunited with the Sheriff by Lynne Marshall
Series: The Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach #3
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on May 1, 2018
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They promised to meet in four years…

He was there. Where was she?

Conor Delaney believed he and Shelby Brookes shared something special. Until the girl he’d loved since fourth grade was a no-show for what should have been the most romantic reunion of their lives. Two years and one shattered heart later, Shelby’s back in their California town—as the new chef at Conor’s family restaurant. The single mom has a reason for what she did…and a plan for winning back the guarded California lawman.

Sweet, sassy and heartfelt! With the third book in The Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach series, we get to enjoy Conor’s story. He’s a guy that was let down one too many times and now he’s closed himself off so he doesn’t get hurt again. Shelby is a very complex character. She’s a good person at heart, but man was she hard to like. I know she had reasons for the things she did, but she selfishly only thought of herself one too many times for my liking. The overall plot was a fun read, and I enjoyed the story very much.

Conor Delaney fell in love with Shelby Brookes when he was just a kid, and figured one day it would be their time to live happily ever after. He unselfishly supported her dreams and made sure she was free to go out into the world and make it all happen for herself. The only thing he asked was that they promise to meet up again in four years at “their place” for it to finally be time for them. He was there, with the promise of forever in his heart … but she never showed.

Shelby had good intentions of being there, but life got in the way and surprises came about that made her rethink going. She never stopped to think about what her actions cost Conor, she just did what worked out best for her and let it slide. Now she’s back in town two plus years later and wants to win him back, but he’s a different guy than she remembered and isn’t willing to trust his heart to someone else anymore.

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* Review * ENDANGERED HEIRESS by Barb Han

April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ENDANGERED HEIRESS by Barb Han

Endangered Heiress by Barb Han
Series: Crisis: Cattle Barge #2
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on May 1, 2018
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A shocking inheritance makes her a Texas-sized target

When a wealthy Texas oilman is murdered, the tiny community of Cattle Barge, Texas, is turned upside down. And rancher Hudson Dale’s former cop instincts are on high alert. Especially when lovely Madelyn Kensington crashes into his life claiming she’s an heiress of the deceased. And someone wants her dead! The sexy cowboy offers his help and protection. Now, Madelyn must trust a complete stranger with her life. But would she trade her inheritance for his love?

A whirlwind of danger is no match for their instant infatuation! With the second book in the Crisis: Cattle Barge series, we follow up on the murder of a wealthy oilman that we learned about in the first book in the series and we are introduced to a possible child that the family didn’t know about! We’re drawn into the action quickly and left chasing leads throughout to see who is terrorizing her, and whether she really is a Butler! The story was a quick read with enough excitement to keep us invested throughout. Really enjoyed it!

Former cop Hudson Dale isn’t sure what to make of the situation when he’s suddenly faced with an unfamiliar woman who looks in dire need of help. He’s quick to secure the scene and get her out of danger, but he’s left with a lot of questions and the worry that someone will be back on her tail soon.

Reporter Madelyn Kensington never expected to be chased down by a madman, but she’s thanking her lucky stars that Hudson was in the right place at the right time to help her. She’s only in town to find out the truth about her past, and with all of the suspicious behavior going on around her, she’s not so sure who she can trust … if anyone!

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* Review * FROM FLING TO WEDDING RING by Karin Baine

April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FROM FLING TO WEDDING RING by Karin Baine

From Fling to Wedding Ring by Karin Baine
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on May 1, 2018
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She thinks she wants no strings…

Can sexy surgeon Ben change her mind?

Nurse Mollie Forrester has a reputation as an ice queen, and the scars from a childhood accident have convinced her no man could love her. When she’s paired with handsome surgeon Ben Sheridan in a dance competition, Mollie discovers he’s not the playboy everyone thinks he is. She finds passion in his arms—but can Ben persuade Mollie she’s worthy of love?

A touching story of healing oneself from the inside out! The heroine of the story has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, which we quickly understand when we learn what she’s been through, but we also start to hope that Ben will be able to chip away at it. He seems like such a nice guy and she’s practically throwing a golden opportunity away. The story is fairly fast moving, and the added drama of family issues makes for an interesting dilemma. A pleasantly fulfilling read!

Nurse Mollie Forrester still carries a lot of scars around with her after a childhood trauma … both physical and mental. She believes that no one could truly love her because she is flawed, so she goes out of her way to keep people from getting too close to her. When she finds herself with no choice but to get up close and personal with a sexy doc, she doesn’t know how she will remain her usual cold and off-putting self!

Dr. Ben Sheridan couldn’t be happier to be partnered with Mollie in a dance competition fundraiser. He’s always liked her no-nonsense approach on the job and respects her a lot. Spending time with her leads him to see another side to her that he really enjoys and wants to get to know more .. but she isn’t so sure about this more than temporary thing that he’s proposing!

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* Review * HIRED TO WEAR THE SHEIKH’S RING by Rachael Thomas

April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIRED TO WEAR THE SHEIKH’S RING by Rachael Thomas

Hired to Wear the Sheikh's Ring by Rachael Thomas
Published by Harlequin Presents on May 1, 2018
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“I want to hire you—as my bride.”

Until she makes him want more…

Tiffany is the perfect candidate to be Jafar Al-Shehri’s temporary wife. In return for meeting him at the altar, he’ll clear her sister’s debt. Yet this convenient arrangement to secure his crown soon leads to unbridled passion! But Jafar’s throne is still at stake—is their craving for each other enough to make Tiffany more than just the sheikh’s hired bride…?

A fast-paced, whimsical take on a modern-day marriage of convenience! We’re captivated by the rugged broodiness of the hero from the first page of this book, and watching him quickly connect with the woman who is only supposed to be a glorified business arrangement is a lot of fun. She’s quite taken with him, though she knows she shouldn’t be, and when they decide to allow themselves to give in to temptation during their short-lived marriage, she falls hook, line and sinker. It was a tad fast moving with a lack of depth to the overall plot, but the dialogue and character personas made it easy to enjoy none-the-less!

Sheikh Jafar Al-Shehri knows within a few minutes in the presence of Tiffany Chapelle that she’s the answer to all of his problems! He needs a temporary bride to make sure he secure’s his crown from interlopers, and she has a debt that desperately needs paid. It’s a win-win situation … but they weren’t supposed to enjoy each other’s company and find it so hard to resist the temptation right in front of them!

Tiffany knows it’s a short-lived marriage, but she finds herself wishing for those happy ever afters that every woman dreams of … too bad he’s keeping secrets that could come back to bite him!

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* Review * BURNED by Christina Phillips

April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Burned by Christina Phillips
Series: Viking Bastards MC #3
Published by Entangled: Scorched on April 16, 2018
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Ty...

Ten years ago I offered her everything, and she threw it back in my face. When she walked, I vowed no other woman would ever screw with my head the way she did. I moved on. Now I'm the V.P. of the Bastards, run my own nightclub, and nameless sex keeps me sane. No commitment or ties, just the way I like it.

Now she's back, for one week only, gorgeous, successful, and I can't keep away. She offers a long goodbye, a way to heal our fractured past. She burned me so bad––there's no way I should even want to be near her. But the more she gives, the more I need. Until I discover the real reason she left, and my whole damn world implodes...

An emotionally raw explosion of passion! With the third book in her Viking Bastards MC series, Christina Phillips does not disappoint when she brings us Ty’s story! It’s a reunion neither expected, but the second they lay eyes on each other, it’s like no time has passed. They still ache with desire for only the person in front of them even though their relationship had a toxic ending. This entire series, while a milder version of a motorcycle club, has introduced us to powerful, dominant men who know what they want when they see it and let nothing get in their way … and watching them fall for the one woman they can’t turn away from has been pretty magical! Really enjoyed Jas & Ty’s story!

Years ago, teenage Tyson Jenson offered his girlfriend Jasmine O’Brien the world, and thought she was in it for the long haul with him … until suddenly she blindsided him with the news that she was leaving. Now VP of his motorcycle club, Ty lives life hard and has no other use for a woman than to warm his bed for one night and then be on their way while the next one lines up! He doesn’t need the pain of falling for someone to just have them rip his heart out like Jas did.

Jasmine O’Brien finds herself back in town for one week … back to the memories of the love she shared with Ty. Running into him shouldn’t affect her after all of these years, but it’s impossible not to feel the connection between them the second their eyes meet again. She knows he hates her for leaving, and she has unresolved feelings about it all too … so she offers up a one more go-round goodbye to get each other out of their systems once and for all. Only neither can walk away after only one night, so they agree to the week … but secrets have a magically way of becoming unraveled and when Ty learns the true reason she left, the world as he knew it will never be the same again!

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* Review * FALLING FOR THE BROTHER by Tara Taylor Quinn

April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

Falling for the Brother by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: Where Secrets are Safe
Published by Harlequin Superromance on March 1, 2018
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A brother’s secrets, a brother’s love

Head of security Harper Davidson is shocked when her ex’s grandmother becomes the newest resident at The Lemonade Stand shelter. The suspected abuser? The woman’s own grandson, Harper’s ex-husband. None of this makes any sense. And yet she knows his brother, Mason Thomas, would not make these accusations lightly. For her daughter’s sake, Harper agrees to help Mason uncover the truth.

Clouding the investigation is the attraction that still lingers between her and Mason—a temptation Harper won’t give in to again. Harper’s loyalty and emotions are divided once more. And when past secrets come to light, she’s not sure who to trust…

An exciting addition to the Where Secrets Are Safe series! With her signature style of writing, Tara Taylor Quinn always enchants her reader with an in depth characterization that has us quickly hooked into the story line. This book is no different. The first chapter reveals the clincher of what the book is about and throughout various ups and downs, we follow along trying to figure out if he’s truly guilty or not. The romance wasn’t the key aspect of this book, but the mystery kept me hooked. I enjoyed it!

Head of security at The Lemonade Stand, Harper Davidson never expected someone she knew to come through the doors as their newest victim, much less that the accused would be her ex-husband! When Harper gets the info that her ex’s grandmother was admitted overnight and that his brother has listed her ex as the person that injured her, she can’t believe it. She’s never known that side of Bruce … but she also knows that Mason is a stand-up guy and would never accuse him if he didn’t truly think it was true. She’s not sure what to think!

Mason Thomas will do anything to protect his grandmother, even if it’s his own brother who is hurting her! He hasn’t seen Harper in several years, but he knows she will help him get to the bottom of keeping his grandmother safe while he investigates to find out what truly happened. Along the way, the feelings they have both kept hidden over the years come back to the surface and make for an interesting situation!

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* Review * THE SHADOW by Sarah M. Anderson

April 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

The Shadow by Sarah M. Anderson
Series: Men of the White Sandy #3
on March 8, 2014
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Nobody Bodine is a nobody who came from a nobody and will always be a nobody.

He disappears into the shadows—no one sees him if he doesn’t want them to. He exists in neither the white man’s world nor the tribe’s, dispensing vigilante justice when he sees fit. There’s no other place for a man like him in this world.

Until Melonie Mitchell shows up on the rez. From the first moment he lays eyes on her, he can tell there’s something different about her. For starters, she’s not afraid of him. She asks where his scars came from, and why he has so many. But more than that, she sees him. For the first time in his life, Nobody feels like a somebody in her eyes.

Melonie has come west to run the new day care on the White Sandy Reservation. She’s intrigued by this strange man and his tattered skin, and when she discovers that he’s a self-appointed guardian angel for the boy in her care, she realizes that there’s more to Nobody than meets the eyes. But how far will he go to keep the boy safe? And will she be able to draw him into the light?

This book was previously published as Nobody.

Heart-wrenching, powerful and a super sweet love story! I knew there was something special about Nobody from encounters with him in the previous books in the series, but getting to know his past and seeing the true person he is inside was really special. I think he might just be my favorite hero in the series so far! The characters were quick to draw me into their story, and I hoped against hope that she was going to be able to convince him to take a chance on her. Loved their special connection and their story!

Melanie Mitchell has just arrived on the White Sandy Reservation to stay with her sister, Dr. Madeline Mitchell and to start up a day care center adjacent to the clinic. She doesn’t know what to make of the strange visitor that comes around to visit her sister’s husband Rebel, but she’s intrigued. He’s silent, strong and scarred and she thinks there’s a lot more to his story than he tells.

Nobody Bodine lives in the shadows letting life pass him by. He isn’t much for this world and thinks no one could want a man like him, but Melonie soon shows him different when she takes an interest in him. When they find themselves on the same side helping out a troubled young boy, it takes their relationship to a whole new level, but when Nobody endangers their future, can she find a way to calm him like no other?

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* Review * MASTER COLE by Marie Tuhart

April 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

Master Cole by Marie Tuhart
Published by Trifecta Publishing House on February 19, 2018
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Janie Murphy’s glimpse inside of lifelong friend Cole Daniels’ special playroom has her intrigued, even if she has no physical experience with such wild pleasures. She only knows she’s been attracted to him for years and yearns for a relationship between them – and she’s not afraid to try a little kink.

Dominant Cole Daniels never imagined he’d find himself in the position of dragging a very grown-up and very attractive Janie out of a BDSM club. And when she challenges him to be the one to teach her the joys of the wilder side of intimacy or allow someone else the sheer pleasure of initiating her, he can’t resist.

As Janie begins to fall in love, witnessing a true power exchange causes her the painful realization that touching Cole’s heart is beyond her dreams.

When Janie leaves him, can Cole open his heart to the woman he truly loves? And will she be willing to handle all of Cole?

Friends to more in the blink of an eye! The friendship and familiarity of the main characters makes this a more personal feeling book than you might often get right off the bat. I loved their connection, and I felt for each of them as they felt their way through where this was all going to lead for them. It’s a pretty mild read in the world of BDSM, but the close-knit relationship made it special.

Janie Murphy has been curious about the BDSM lifestyle for years now, ever since she got a glimpse of her life-long friend Cole’s masterful playroom! She’s living back in town now and just so happens to be staying with Cole, and she’s determined she’s going to get him to open his eyes to the woman in front of him even if she has to play with someone else to prove her point!

Cole Daniels is furious when he has to go and drag Janie out of a BDSM club. Yes, she’s a grown woman and can make her own choices, but he’s not going to let any other man touch her! He won’t admit his feelings about her, but he makes a deal to teach her the things she wants to know in a loving way. Something happened in his past that made him close off a part of his heart, and even now when things are so good with Janie, he can’t release his feelings and give her the love that she wants. It breaks her heart, but she’s willing to walk away if she has to!

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* Review * EDGE OF DARKNESS by Karen Rose

April 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

Edge of Darkness by Karen Rose
Series: The Cincinnati Series
Published by Berkley on February 6, 2018
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Homicide detective Adam Kimble is no stranger to battling demons. But Meredith Fallon is a different kind of weakness: one that could actually be good for him, if only he would let himself depend on her. Meredith has loved Adam for a year, and seeing how hard he's worked to deal with his PTSD makes her feelings only stronger, but she respects his needs. Her work keeps her busy anyway: she counsels sexually abused women like Mallory Martin to help them reintegrate into the world.

But someone doesn't want Meredith helping women like Mallory, and Meredith finds herself in the crosshairs of a very determined killer. Adam would risk anything for her, but they'll soon find out she isn't the only target...

Captivatingly addictive with a shocking outcome! From the very start of this book I was drawn into the mystery of who was secretly pulling the strings of all of the goings ons around the area, and why. Here and there it would lead us to suspect one person, then a little later we might think it’s someone else. A very thrilling read with in depth characters, a well developed plot and an eery uneasiness as we came into contact with yet another person around each corner that could be involved in the mystery. I really enjoyed it!

Homicide detective Adam Kimble might have distanced himself from the woman he dearly wants in his life, but he’s only doing so until he gets stable and healthy enough to be the man he thinks she deserves to have in her life. He’s holding on by a thread as he tries to be patient until enough time has passed, but when he hears that she’s at the scene of major danger, he doesn’t hesitate to run to her side!

Psychologist Meredith Fallon doesn’t understand why Adam has pushed her away for the last several months, but she’s thrilled to have him arrive and try to pinpoint what in the world just happened right in front of her. She counsels traumatized and at risk youth, and for some reason someone seems to be targeting her … and maybe even some of her young clients!

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