Book Reviews – Page 227

* Review * PRINCE’S SON OF SCANDAL by Dani Collins

December 19, 2017 2 Comments

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PRINCE’S SON OF SCANDAL by Dani Collins

Prince's Son of Scandal by Dani Collins
Series: The Sauveterre Siblings #4
Published by Harlequin Presents on January 1, 2018
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Carrying the prince’s secret heir!

For one night, reclusive heiress Trella Sauveterre throws off the fear-ridden shackles of her childhood abduction—succumbing to a sizzling seduction, she falls unexpectedly pregnant! Deeply uncomfortable in the spotlight, Trella can’t bear a high-profile pregnancy and keeps the identity of her baby’s father hidden…

Then a tabloid photo of a scorching kiss implicates Crown Prince Xavier of Elazar in the scandal. He’ll do anything to claim his shock child—even kidnapping Trella! Now Xavier must legitimize his son. And it’ll be his pleasure to make Trella his royal bride!

Heart-wrenchingly satisfying! It’s the book we’ve been waiting for throughout the entire Sauveterre Siblings series … Trella’s story! We knew she suffered a tremendous trauma at such a young age, but we didn’t know all of the details, nor had we felt it through the heart of the person it had happened to. Dani Collins did not disappoint! We felt Trella’s pain and panic from her past, we understood the hesitancy she had in taking any step forward and we hoped with every breath that she would finally get a fulfilling happily ever after!

When reclusive heiress Trella Sauveterre stepped out under the ruse of being her twin sister, she never expected to be swept off her feet at a party by a sexy stranger … but she can’t deny that it was the best night of her life! Back to hiding away, she is shocked to find herself pregnant … and clueless of how to handle it, so she simply tries to bury her head in the sand and deny it with all she’s worth.

Crown Prince of Elazar, Xavier Deunoro can’t believe it when it hits the headlines that Trella is pregnant and he’s the father. He didn’t even know it was her he was with that night, and he hasn’t heard a word from her … obviously the child can’t be his! If only he could get her to take his calls to get to the bottom of it … he’ll just have to take matters into his own hands and find out once and for all … even if he has to kidnap her to do it!

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* Review * HER KNIGHT UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Annie O’Neil

December 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

Her Knight Under the Mistletoe by Annie O'Neil
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on December 1, 2017
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All the single mom wants for Christmas…

London ER doctor Matthew Chase is shocked that his new role has become a job share with Dr. Amanda Wakehurst—the last woman he expected to see again.

Matthew is also unaware he’s the father of her little boy, until Tristan is critically injured. Yet Matthew is there to support Amanda in her hour of need, and he proves how much he wants to be Tristan’s dad. Dare she hope he still wants her, too? Being together as a family this Christmas would be her ultimate gift…

An unexpected reunion leads to a happy ending by all! Two hearts tainted by guilt help each other see another version of the lives they have lived and work towards healing each other. The characters draw us in and keep our attention and the story line, though lagging a tad, is satisfying.

Dr. Matthew Chase is shocked to learn he’s going to be job sharing the Director position he thought was already his! Will finding out who his competition is improve his mood?

Dr. Amanda Wakehurst also thought she was a shoe-in for the position, but now is finding out it’s not exactly hers yet … and worse, her competitor is unknowingly the father of her son! As they work closely together and begin to reconnect on a friendly level, she tries to find the words to tell him about their son, when a medical emergency forces her hand and leaves him reeling from the shock! Will he welcome his ready-made family with open arms or will they decide to part ways and remember each other fondly?

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* Review * THE INNOCENT’S ONE-NIGHT SURRENDER by Kate Hewitt

December 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE INNOCENT’S ONE-NIGHT SURRENDER by Kate Hewitt

The Innocent's One-Night Surrender by Kate Hewitt
Published by Harlequin Presents on January 1, 2018
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Seduced by her rescuer…

Desperate to escape a predatory suitor, Laurel Forrester has no one to turn to in Rome but her stepbrother, Cristiano Ferrero. A dangerous chemistry has always burned between them, even if he believes her to be exactly like her manipulative mother. And trapped in his luxurious penthouse, Laurel realizes how vulnerable she is to his raw magnetism…

Cristiano desires Laurel just as much as he despises her. Intent on getting her out of his system, he proposes one night of sin. But Laurel’s surprising inexperience only increases his thirst for her, and makes Cristiano determined to entice her to surrender again…and again!

He thinks she’s a scheming gold-digger, she thinks he’s cruel and heartless … but each time they’ve crossed paths, they’ve felt the tingling of attraction! The plot grabbed my attention from the very first page and each tidbit more of information from their past led to a fulfilling story.

Nurse Laurel Forrester never expected a quick trip to Rome at her mother’s request to turn into her running down the halls of a hotel trying to get away from a would-be attacker! She’s shocked when the room she stumbles into holds none other than her former step-brother whom she hasn’t seen in over a decade!

Owner of the hotel Cristiano Ferrero saw Laurel in need of help and though he loathes her family, he saw fit to help her escape … for the moment. He’s sure she’s up to the same manipulations that her mother is famous for, but he’s always had a strong sexual attraction for her, so why not keep her as his very own for the night to get the lust out of their system? When he finds out he’s her first, that just might lead him to want to keep her forever!

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* Review * HOLIDAY WISHES by Jill Shalvis

December 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis
Series: A Heartbreaker Bay Christmas Novella
Published by Avon Impulse on November 7, 2017
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It’s Christmastime again in Heartbreaker Bay!

When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.

The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.

But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B & B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.

Teenage lovers all grown up! Reuniting with the one that got away isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when they don’t want to forgive you for breaking their heart all those years ago! A sweet and satisfying novella brings us Sean’s story … and a glimpse into the lives of some of our favorite couples from Heartbreaker Bay! Short, but more satisfying than your typical novella length story.

Charlotte Hartford never thinks that hosting a bachelor/bachelorette weekend for a group of friends before she leaves on a big vacation is going to change her life … but that’s exactly what happens when the man who broke her teenage heart walks back into her life in the blink of an eye!

Sean O’Riley had no clue that Lotti owned the B & B that Pru & Finn were holding their festivities at, but he couldn’t be happier to see her. Yeah, he blew her off when he was a teen and didn’t know any better, but with a lifetime of living under his belt now, he can see the advantage to finding the right woman to settle down with … only problem is, she wants to be footloose and fancy free and only offers up a fling!

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* Review * MISADVENTURES ON THE NIGHT SHIFT by Lauren Rowe

December 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

Misadventures on the Night Shift by Lauren Rowe
Series: Misadventures #5
Published by Waterhouse Press on November 7, 2017
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Hotel clerk Abby Medford has always enjoyed the quiet solitude of the night shift. The long, boring hours allow her time to study her law books. But when bad-boy-rocker Lucas Ford checks into the penthouse suite one night and demands Abby personally deliver his room service request, her formerly quiet nights are quickly filled with Lucas’s erotic games.

But as Abby soon learns, if she thinks she can indulge her innermost desires with Lucas without giving him her heart, she’s dead wrong.

An unexpected meeting leads to a fun connection between two repressed souls! Lauren Rowe takes us on a sensual jaunt of finding oneself when the least likely people to meet and hook up actually make a go of a spur of the moment fling that brings more fulfillment than they were expecting out of their temporary arrangement. The characters have a feisty connection that makes you laugh and the heat they bring to the pages is exciting! Enjoyed their story!

Hotel clerk Abby Medford enjoys working the night shift because it gives her several hours of downtime to study for her law degree, but she never expects the excitement she encounters late one night … her teen crush, rocker Lucas Ford just walked in!

Lucas is butting heads with his label and checks into the penthouse to get some much needed writing time in … only problem is, he hasn’t been able to write anything worthy of putting his name on for himself in a long, long time. A sassy hotel clerk catches his eye and her honesty is refreshing … could a little sexy time with her be the key to unlocking the songs brewing in his mind?

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* Review * COWBOY CHRISTMAS GUARDIAN by Dana Mentink

December 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

Cowboy Christmas Guardian by Dana Mentink
Series: Gold Country Cowboys
Published by Love Inspired Suspense on November 1, 2017
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UNDER THE RANCHER'S PROTECTION

Someone is dead set on stopping Shelby Arroyo from doing her job: assessing mineral rights in a mine in gold country. But after rancher Barrett Thorn rescues her from an attack, the handsome widowed cowboy seems to feel responsible for her. That is, until he discovers she's from the family that he'll never forgive for his wife's death. As the threats against Shelby escalate, cowboy honor and an unexpected attraction keep Barrett by her side, even at his own risk. And since Shelby won't back down, Barrett must protect the brave, loyal woman he has no business falling for…a woman someone wants to kill by Christmas.

Danger, mystery and instant attraction! With the first book in a new series, Dana Mentink takes us straight into the heart of a ranching family destined to overcome their struggles and find their happily-ever-afters! The family foundation is well developed, and the plot of this first book is very intriguing. The falling for each other aspect happened super quick, but the story was well told, my interest was kept throughout, and I look forward to more to come in the series.

Rancher Barrett Thorn seems to be in the right place at the right time to help a woman in distress on more than one occasion these days! He can’t resist feeling attracted to the sassy and determined woman who isn’t going to let anyone stop her from doing her job … but when he find out who her family is, he might have to second think that considering he blames them for his wife’s death!

Shelby Arroyo arrived in gold country to do a survey on a mine, but someone seems to be determined to stop her from doing so. It all starts with someone attacking her from behind, but it doesn’t take long for a neighbor to be threatening her to her face. What is going on in this town? She’s determined to see it through to the end … even if it puts her in danger, but Barrett isn’t willing to watch anything happen to her, so he invites himself along for the ride!

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* Review * PENALTY PLAY by Jami Davenport

December 13, 2017 Leave a Comment

Penalty Play by Jami Davenport
Series: Seattle Sockeyes Hockey / Game On in Seattle
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on November 30, 2017
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Single dad and star defenseman Matt LaRue lives for his kids and hockey. He's had one failed marriage and doesn't have any interest in going through that hell again. As conservative as they come, he can't comprehend his unexplainable attraction to a free-spirited female who changes hair color more often than his boys create new excuses to avoid doing their homework.

Violet Strider is fleeing the past. She has a new start, new identity, and is hiding a big secret. Matt and Vi are a classic case of opposites attract, but neither expects the attraction to extend beyond a few hot trysts, especially Vi. Only her heart isn't listening, and her head is following her heart down a path of no return. As Vi grows closer to Matt and his boys, she fears her secret could rip them apart.

Relationships are built on trust, and Vi's house of cards is about to take a tumble. Can Vi confront her past and finally put it behind her, while earning Matt's forgiveness?

Opposites attract … and steam up the house!! It’s always a pleasure to start a new Seattle Sockeyes book, but this one was even a little more sweet than usual. It has the forbidden aspect of having him fall for a bad girl type instead of the straight-laced wholesome woman his head wants hime to like, it has adorable kiddos that simply make the story and it has a wounded soul that got the short end of the stick from the people who should have protected her most … and all of those aspects rolled into one make for a great story!! It’s intriguing, it’s sweet, it’s super sexy and overall it’s really heartwarming. A little light on the hockey side of things, but overall a really great read!

When star defenseman Matt LaRue finds himself in desperate need of temporary help looking after his kids, he turns to his former nanny for suggestions. He’s not thrilled with her suggestion … her best friend, wild child Vi! He has nothing against her personally, but she’s most definitely not the type of person he wants around his impressionable boys … purple haired, pierced, tattooed … but what’s a guy to do when he has no other options??

Violet Strider can’t explain why she finds extremely irritating Matt LaRue attractive, he’s a jerk in the highest form who is always looking down his nose at her with a sneer on his face … but man does he tickle her fancy! Close quarters lead them to come to a temporary arrangement … hot sex, nothing more! When their steamy trysts lead to them feeling more than either of them ever expected, it makes for a dangerous situation when hearts become involved just as Vi’s secrets could tear Matt’s world apart.

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* Review * CALL TO REDEMPTION by Tawny Weber

December 13, 2017 Leave a Comment

Call to Redemption by Tawny Weber
Series: A Team Poseidon Novel
Published by HQN Books on October 31, 2017
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The Poseidon team are hard-bodied, fiercely competitive Navy SEALs. But when a sensitive mission goes disastrously wrong, three of the team's finest will have to trust their hearts and instincts to uncover the truth…

No strings. No questions. Just pleasure. For a few blissful days, Lieutenant Commander Nic Savino is enjoying a wild fling with the sexiest stranger he's ever laid eyes—or any other body part—on. It's almost enough to make the stalwart SEAL let down his guard for once. Until he learns that assistant US attorney Darby Raye—his Darby—is heading an investigation designed to destroy him…and Poseidon.

The gorgeous eyes that Darby spent her nights gazing into are now glaring at her across a courtroom. This case could build her career, but if Nic's not a traitor, then he's being framed by forces powerful enough to eliminate every obstacle in their way. And the tentative trust she and Nic are rebuilding—as well as their very lives—could become collateral damage…

Instant attraction, sizzling chemistry and a steamy vacation fling! With the next book in her Team Poseidon series, Tawny Weber does not disappoint! Nic and Darby are a joy to read, and when real life comes out to play, they must find their way through a dangerous situation in order to find their happily ever after. Strong characters and a culmination of intrigue that has been building throughout the series brings us to a peak that will change the team forever. Great addition to a fun series!

When NavySEAL and Team Poseidon leader Nic Savino is forced to take some downtime, he heads to his favorite vacation spot to decompress and enjoy a slice of paradise. An instant spark with a fellow vacationer leads to a promise of no strings fun for the duration of his time there.

Assistant US attorney Darby Raye can’t believe that when she gets back home after the vacation fling of a lifetime that her mystery lover is all of a sudden public enemy number one and on her docket! She finds it hard to believe that the kind-hearted man that she met in Paradise is a traitor to his country and teammates. When they secretly reconnect to try to figure out who is framing him and why, will it lead to a happy ending or will she lose her job as well as her man when he’s found guilty?

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* Review * A GIFT FOR SANTA by Beth Carpenter

December 10, 2017 2 Comments

A Gift for Santa by Beth Carpenter
Series: A Northern Lights Novel
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on December 1, 2017
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It’s the season for giving…and starting over?

A reindeer farm without Santa wouldn’t be Christmas in Marissa Gray’s Alaskan hometown. Luckily Chris Allen’s there to pinch-hit, although for Marissa, seeing her ex-fiancé again brings back memories of what might have been.

Ten years after their breakup, the feelings between the wildlife biologist and blue-eyed fisherman are stronger than ever. Only now there’s a foster kid in the mix, as well as the shocking crime that cost Marissa her job and her family’s security. She and Chris need to find their way to a meeting of minds and hearts to make this truly a season for second chances…

An endearing Christmas romance! With the second book in her Northern Lights series, Beth Carpenter delights us again with a touching story showcasing a second chance reunion as well as the loving qualities of a close-knit family. The characters are rich with strife and turmoil and are super easy to connect with. We watch love re-develop between these lost loves and hope they can believe long enough this Christmas season for magic to happen!

Wildlife biologist Marissa Gray hasn’t been home to Alaska for a long time and after just losing her job, she decides it’s a good time to check in with her family. She finds things not running as smoothly as she would have expected for Christmastime on their reindeer farm. Struggling to get through the holiday season, she should be happy when help falls into her lap … but given the fact that it’s coming from her ex-fiance, she’d give just about anything to be able to say no!

Fisherman Chris Allen never quite got over Marissa walking out on him, and seeing her again brings it all back. A decade has passed since they went their separate ways, but it feels like just yesterday that she was his. Will their past take them for a ride down memory lane or will it all just fester up and make them realize why they couldn’t make it work in the first place?

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* Review * TORRID LITTLE AFFAIR by Kendall Ryan

December 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TORRID LITTLE AFFAIR by Kendall Ryan

Torrid Little Affair by Kendall Ryan
Series: Forbidden Desires #3
on December 11, 2017
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The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. And I have the perfect candidate all picked out.

My new assistant is tempting beyond belief with her curvy body and take-no-shit attitude. All those luscious curves, and a juicy ass I’m already in love with. God, the things that I would do to that ass…

But it’s the haunted look in her eyes that speaks to me. Like she’s taken just as much shit in her past as I have—maybe more. We both deserve a little fun.

Love can’t fix everything. Mind-blowing sex and a few killer orgasms, on the other hand?

I have a feeling those might do the trick.

Sizzling chemistry, hot sex and deep emotional connections! With book three in the Forbidden Desires series, we get Cooper’s story. We met him and already adored him from the first book or two in the series, and now we go along for the ride as he comes back home to pick up the pieces of his life. He never expects to meet a woman who takes his breath away, but watching it all go down is pretty magical!

Cooper Kinglsey left Boston heartbroken 6 months ago to sow some oats and party some things off his mind, but now he’s back and ready to start adjusting to real life again. One look at his new assistant has his jaw dropping and his pulse racing, so he won’t be bored while at the office that’s for sure!

Corinne O’Neil isn’t so sure about working for the sexy man that propositions her straight off the bat, but she needs the job and benefits so what’s a girl to do! With a haunting past and a boat load of hangups clinging to her, she sets out to live a little and not miss the opportunities standing right in front of her!

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