Book Reviews – Page 242

* Review * DETECTIVE DEFENDER by Marilyn Pappano

August 31, 2017 Leave a Comment

Detective Defender by Marilyn Pappano
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on August 1, 2017
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"Someone knows, Martine. And they're coming after us."

Martine Broussard has never forgotten the terrible night years ago that drove her and her best friends apart. Now a vengeful someone is brutally killing each woman involved. Martine has one chance at survival—and that's the one person she distrusts most! And the passion flaring between them is anything but safe…

Rule-breaking New Orleans detective Jimmy DiBiase wastes no time putting Martine under his 24/7 personal protection. His bad-boy ways caused them to fall out years ago; now all he wants is to guard her and end this nightmare. With every lead they follow, every secret they can't hide sparks a hunger neither can resist—even as a killer's vicious end game turns desire into a devastating trap.

A riveting mystery brings to light an innocent teenage game gone awry that is now leading to murder and mayhem! The characters have a great connection with their own level of angst that gives us a side bit of possible romance to stew about on the side.

Martine Broussard has never forgotten that night long ago that tore her group of friends apart. She’s never shared their secret with anyone, but when someone starts brutally murdering the people that were there that night, she’s left depending on the one man she despises for help!

New Orleans detective Jimmy DiBiase has been intrigued by Martine for years, but a mistake made long ago left her looking at him like gum on the bottom of her shoe and avoiding him whenever possible. When he learns she’s in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe … and the close quarters they have to keep while doing so gives him a chance to show her that he’s not such a bad guy after all!

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* Review * LONG FOR ME by Stacey Lynn

August 31, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Long for Me by Stacey Lynn
Series: Luminous
Published by Carina Press on September 4, 2017
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My boss already controls my days; do I want to give him my nights, as well?

Rebecca

I've seen what happens when you give everything to a man. That's not what I want. I won't have my heart crushed in anyone's fist.

Then he changed everything.

Him. Bennett Ashby. My boss.

Seeing him at Luminous, dressed in leather pants and wielding a whip…

Do I crave this?

My mind says no, but my body is starting to have very different ideas.

Bennett

I knew Rebecca Morales would be the perfect assistant. That's why I hired her.

I didn't know that working with her every day would lead to temptation—to own her, to possess her.

When she walked into Luminous, I knew I was screwed. Dipping your pen in the company ink is never smart, but we both agreed what happens at the club stays there.

One night and then it's back to business tomorrow.

Except I don't want just one night with Rebecca. I want them all.

Stacey Lynn brings us another sexy delve into the world of club Luminous. If you’ve been reading the series, you’ll recognize several of the characters already and this book brings us Rebecca and Bennett’s story. It’s another steamy one … maybe not quite as hot as the previous two, but a really good read!

Rebecca Morales can’t stand her rude and domineering boss! She works her tail off and gets no appreciation .. just attitude and snark. Imagine her surprise when she sees him at Luminous, using a whip on a woman … and she finds herself jealous and turned on. She doesn’t even like him, how can he possibly be making her want him??

Bennett Ashby knew Rebeecca would make a good assistant, but he didn’t realize how much it was going to drive him crazy with desire to be around her day in and day out. When he glances up and sees her standing there with interest and lust in her eyes, he knows he’s going to have her. They agree to one night … but will he be able to walk away after that?

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* Review * THE BABY MERGER by Yvonne Lindsay

August 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BABY MERGER by Yvonne Lindsay

Little Secrets by Yvonne Lindsay
Series: Little Secrets
Published by Harlequin Desire on September 1, 2017
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One white lie leads to one little secret…

The truth is, Sally Harrison's one-night stand with the breathtaking business tycoon Kirk Tanner was the most mind-blowing sex of her life. But after discovering that Kirk's her new boss, she feels used. And finding out she's pregnant has upended her life.

The intensity of Kirk's attraction to Sally is off the charts. But after concealing his identity that night, Sally's unwilling to ever believe him again. Besides, she resents that he's been put in charge of her father's company instead of her. But when Sally's suspended for corporate espionage, can Kirk prove her innocence…and his love?

One night stands to secrets to … a baby? A quirky take on an enemies to lovers type of story. The characters are fun, the pace is quick and a happy ending is found by all!

Sally Harrison has worked side-by-side with her father in his tech company for all of her life, so to all of a sudden be told that he’s retiring and handing over the company to someone she’s never even met is a huge slap in the face! She knew her father didn’t have total faith in her, but she never expected him to betray her like this.

Kirk Tanner has been brought in to run the company, and Sally is not happy about that at all … but what she really can’t forgive, is the fact that he didn’t tell her who he was before they slept together last night! When an unexpected baby is suddenly on the way, can he convince her to give him a chance to show her he can be the man she wants?

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* Review * CONVENIENTLY ENGAGED TO THE BOSS by Ellie Darkins

August 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CONVENIENTLY ENGAGED TO THE BOSS by Ellie Darkins

Conveniently Engaged to the Boss by Ellie Darkins
Published by Harlequin Romance on September 1, 2017
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From assistant to fiancée!

Joss Dawson knows the one thing that will make his dying father happy is to see his son find love…the problem is, he's sworn off love forever!

But the answer's simple! Asking his father's fiercely intelligent, beautiful assistant Eva to play the perfect role—his fiancée. Only for Eva it's not that easy…

Pretending to be Joss's fiancée threatens to ruin the life she's worked so hard for! And how will she keep her head when she's losing her heart to her frustratingly attractive new boss?

Temptation … to love? Secret crushes rise to the surface when Joss and Eva are all of a sudden working in close quarters! This is a quick and easy read and even though it has some underlying sadness to the plot, it’s a well crafted book. It was a little unusual for this Harlequin line because the sex scenes are quickly glossed over and sort of shoved under the covers, but none-the-less, it was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I will look forward to reading future books by this author!

When suddenly thrust into his father’s job as the head of the family business, Joss Dawson finds himself blessed with the ever efficient and competent Eva by his side. She’s been his father’s assistant for years, so he’ll need her experience in helping the transition go through smoothly, but the temptation of being around her is going to be even more difficult than it’s already been!

Eva too has had a secret crush on Joss ever since she started working there, but she’s never had to interact with him that much so it’s been easy to hide. Now working side by side, it’s going to be a bigger deal … especially since he just told his dying father that they are engaged!

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* Blog Tour / Release Blast * WILD RIDE COWBOY by Maisey Yates

August 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

About Wild Ride Cowboy:

Title: Wild Ride Cowboy
Author: Maisey Yates
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: August 29, 2017
Series: Copper Ridge #9
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780373803644

He’s come back to Copper Ridge, Oregon, to keep a promise—even if it means losing his heart…

Putting down roots in Copper Ridge was never Alex Donnelly’s intention. But if there’s one thing the ex-military man knows, it’s that life rarely unfolds as expected. If it did, his best friend and brother-in-arms would still be alive. And Alex wouldn’t have inherited a ranch or responsibility for his late comrade’s sister—a woman who, despite her inexperience, can bring tough-as-iron Alex to his knees.

Clara Campbell didn’t ask for a hero to ride in and fix her ranch and her life. All she wants is the one thing stubborn, honorable Alex is reluctant to give: a chance to explore their intense chemistry. But Clara has a few lessons to teach him, too…about trusting his heart and his instincts, and letting love take him on the wildest adventure of all.

Add to your TBR list: Goodreads

Available: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Excerpt:

Reluctantly, she covered the coffee with a white to-go lid then turned to walk out the door. She didn’t make it very far, though, because she ran right into a brick wall.

Well, it wasn’t really a brick wall. It just felt like one. Large, hard and uncompromising. But breathing. Which brick walls definitely didn’t do.

“Clara Campbell. Fancy meeting you here.”

Clara blinked and stared up into Alex Donnelly’s forest-green eyes and felt a strange response that seemed to originate in her stomach and travel upward to her chest, where it twisted, hard and sharp.

After looking at Asher, his understated physique and much softer brown gaze, the sight of Alex was jarring. Too intense. Too masculine. Too a lot of things.

His dark hair wasn’t military short anymore. It was long enough to hang into his face. He pushed it back off his forehead and again, something twisted, low and deep inside of her.

And then it wasn’t only his features that seemed too sharp. It was seeing him at all. She had been studiously avoiding him ever since he had moved back to Copper Ridge. If ever she’d caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, she’d gone the other way.

The last time she’d seen him up close had been at Jason’s funeral.

Pain washed through her, canceling out all of the good Asher feelings from only a moment before.

No wonder she’d had such a strong, immediate response to the sight of Alex. The man was dragging a bunch of her baggage in with him. Another thing she liked about Asher. He was separate from her life. From her pain.

Alex was all wound up in it.

“Hi, Alex,” she said, clutching her coffee cup tight, the warmth bleeding through to her palms. Which she was grateful for at the moment since her stomach had gone ice-cold at the sight of him.

“I’ve been meaning to stop by,” he said.

“That’s really okay,” she said, and she meant it. More than okay. Jason’s death meant that she was alone. Both of her parents were already gone. They’d had children later in life, and when her mother had gotten sick, her father had done everything he could to make his wife comfortable as her health declined. She’d died when Clara was twelve. And there had been no amount of preparation that could soften the blow. No amount of expectedness that could have made it feel less like a giant, ugly hand had reached into their life and wrenched the beauty out of it, leaving nothing but a dark abyss.

About Maisey Yates:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.

She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

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* Review * THE ART OF KEEPING SECRETS by Rachael Johns

August 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE ART OF KEEPING SECRETS by Rachael Johns

The Art of Keeping Secrets by Rachael Johns
Published by MIRA on August 29, 2017
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Some Secrets Weren't Meant to Be Kept…

They started out as the "misfit moms"—the trio of less-than-conventional parents at their sons' tony private school. They've shared everything. Or so they thought. Now, on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York City, they'll sightsee, they'll shop, they'll catch a few Broadway shows. They'll tell all…

After seventeen years as a single parent, Neve will reveal a past sin that could destroy her relationship with her son. Emma will uncover the roots of her exhaustion and divulge the inappropriate feelings she has for her boss. And Flick—who knows a little about crafting a flawless exterior—will share the shocking truth that lies beneath the veneer of her perfect marriage.

When the tight hold they've each kept on their secrets for years begins to slip, they must face the truth. Even if the truth will forever alter the course of their friendship and their lives.

Great read! An excellent delve into the relationship of three friends and how twists and turns change their lives. I didn’t like the ending, I wanted to find out more of how things worked out, but overall I was really invested in each of their lives and kept turning page after page to see what was going to happen next. Strong characters, three meaningful plots that meld together through their friendship and show us what true friends should be!

Three of the more unconventional moms forge a friendship when their sons begin high school at an elite private school. Throughout their time there, they share the ups and downs of life and motherhood, their children form friendships together, and they’re like family to each other. Now it’s almost time for the boys to graduate and times are changing.

Genevieve Taylor (Neve) has been a single parent for her son Will’s whole life, but life is going to change when she’s forced to reveal a secret past that she hadn’t shared with anyone previously. Her friends accompany her on a trip to New York to be supportive while she tries to get some answers and rectify some mistakes.

Emma McLoughlin has been trying her best to survive after an unexpected divorce a few years ago, but she’s to the point of falling apart exhausted. Her son Caleb and younger twin daughters are the light of her life, but having to deal with her ex is nothing she looks forward to. To top it all off, she’s inappropriately crushing on her boss!

Felicity Bell (Flick) has the perfect life … or so it seems … a darling son Toby who is ready to graduate and prosper in life, a daughter ready to start a new chapter in her life and a devoted husband. What nobody knows are the secrets that are hidden behind the walls of their house … secrets that are going to be exposed that will devastate each of their lives.

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* Review * HER NEW YORK BILLIONAIRE by Andrea Bolter

August 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER NEW YORK BILLIONAIRE by Andrea Bolter

Her New York Billionaire by Andrea Bolter
Published by Harlequin Romance on September 1, 2017
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His fake fiancée?

Artist Holly Motta arrives in New York to make a new start…only to find billionaire Ethan Benton occupying the apartment where she is meant to be staying! But there's another surprise in store… Ethan needs a fake fiancée—fast!—and he wants her to fill the role!

But Ethan's got no intention of trusting any woman with his heart. Until he lets beautiful Holly into his world…and discovers she is the only woman he'd really like to make his wife!

I really enjoyed Andrea Bolter’s debut Harlequin! It’s a fast and easy read and catches your attention from the beginning. The couple has a cute connection where they really hit it off and have a good time conversing with each other before they ever even know that they will be more than just passing ships in the night. There’s kind of a Pretty Woman vibe going on (without the hooker aspect!) that is a lot of fun to read. Looking forward to more from this author!

Holly Matta has decided to set off on her own and finally try to live life for herself and try to accomplish her dreams. She had a difficult childhood and made some not so great decisions in her adult life so far, so she really just wants a do-over. When she shows up at the apartment she’s supposed to be staying in short-term in NY, there’s already someone there!

Billionaire Ethan Benton thinks it just might be his lucky day when he accidentally comes across an ideal candidate for the fake fiance he needs in a hurry! Will promises to compensate her enough to get a solid footing to her new life be enough to persuade Holly to play the part?

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* Review * HOLIDAY IN THE HAMPTONS by Sarah Morgan

August 26, 2017 1 Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOLIDAY IN THE HAMPTONS by Sarah Morgan

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan
Series: From Manhattan with Love
Published by HQN Books on August 29, 2017
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The perfect summer escape?

Professional dog-walker Felicity Knight loves everything about New York…until her ex-husband starts working at her local vet clinic. She hasn't seen Seth Carlyle in ten years, but one glimpse of him—too gorgeous, and still too good for her—and Fliss's heart hurts like their whirlwind marriage ended yesterday. So when her grandmother in the Hamptons needs help for the summer, it seems the ideal way to escape her past.

Their relationship might have lasted only a few scorching months, but vet Seth knows Fliss—if she's run away to the Hamptons, it's because she still feels their connection and it terrifies her. He let her go once before, when he didn't know any better, but not this summer! With the help of his adorable dog, Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see that he's never stopped loving her…

A delightful read perfect for a lazy day on the beach! A short-lived whirlwind of a marriage when they were young left Felicity Knight and Seth Carlyle guarding their wounded hearts as they each went on with their own lives. Lack of communication doomed them before they even began. This is a sweet, yet somewhat frustrating reunion. Seth was easy to love, and Fliss was easy to sympathize with, but I still found myself wanting to shake some sense into her a couple of times. 🙂

A decade has passed since Fliss and Seth were married. They barely had time to blink before it was all over and they were living separate lives. Now she’s a professional dog walker, and he’s a veterinarian who is crossing her path again. Will they finally be able say the things they left unsaid and have a little peace from the end of their relationship? And when old feelings flare up, will they decide they were worth a second chance?

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* Review * MAKE ME WANT by Rebecca Brooks

August 24, 2017 Leave a Comment

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* Review * MAKE ME WANT by Rebecca Brooks

Make Me Want by Rebecca Brooks
Series: Men of Gold Mountain #3
Published by Entangled: Brazen on August 28, 2017
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Abbi Haas likes them big, bad, and out of her bed the next morning. So when a smoking hot firefighter shuts down a possessive ex by pretending to be her boyfriend, she's happy to play along—and stay for the no-strings-attached sex under the stars. But her knight with bulging biceps had better not think she's some damsel in distress. She'll handle her ex like she does everything: on her own.

Wildland firefighter Tyler McCall is supposed to be taking a break from danger. First step to having fun: pick up a sexy stranger by pretending he's her man. Too bad his fake girlfriend is also his new coworker…and their little white lie has already spread. Tyler knows he should walk away before he gets burned. But he can't stay out of trouble, and there's no way he's letting her go.

Two wounded hearts collide in what is just supposed to be a quick dash of fun, but neither can resist the magnetic pull towards each other when life keeps bringing them together! Rebecca Brooks always brings us a sexy read filled with passion, angst and a fun group of characters. Always a joy to return to Gold Mountain and see what they have in store for us this time.

Wildland firefighter Tyler McCall is running away from memories he can’t handle right now and has taken a temporary job in Gold Mountain, Washington. He’s got his sights set on getting in, doing the job and getting out with the lead on a future job to head for immediately afterward. His priorities just might change when he gets set up for a short-lived rescue of a damsel in distress at the local pub … and ends up ready to hook-up with her before the night is out!

Abbi Haas doesn’t need any man to rescue her, but when the hottie that her BFF sends over to ruffle her exes feathers turns out to be smokin’, she’s willing to take him for a ride before she sends him on his merry way too … only her best of intentions are thrown for a loop when he shows up at her job the next day as a consultant in the project she’s determined to cancel before it gets off the ground!

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* Review * WILD RIDE COWBOY by Maisey Yates

August 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WILD RIDE COWBOY by Maisey Yates

Wild Ride Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Series: Copper Ridge
Published by HQN Books on August 29, 2017
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He's come back to Copper Ridge, Oregon, to keep a promise—even if it means losing his heart…

Putting down roots in Copper Ridge was never Alex Donnelly's intention. But if there's one thing the ex-military man knows, it's that life rarely unfolds as expected. If it did, his best friend and brother-in-arms would still be alive. And Alex wouldn't have inherited a ranch or responsibility for his late comrade's sister—a woman who, despite her inexperience, can bring tough-as-iron Alex to his knees.

Clara Campbell didn't ask for a hero to ride in and fix her ranch and her life. All she wants is the one thing stubborn, honorable Alex is reluctant to give: a chance to explore their intense chemistry. But Clara has a few lessons to teach him, too…about trusting his heart and his instincts, and letting love take him on the wildest adventure of all.

Always fun to re-visit the Donnelly family in Copper Ridge! With this book, Maisey Yates brings us Alex’s story. He’s haunted by his past, but is determined to keep his promise to his late Army buddy and get his sister set up to prosper in the future. I liked Clara and admired her spirit after all she had lost. I enjoyed Alex, but had a little harder time connecting with him than I did with his brother’s in the past. Not my favorite in the series, but a fun read none-the-less.

Alex Donnelly never planned on putting down roots, but circumstances change on the dime in life, and he finds himself not only working with his brothers on the family ranch, but also taking over at his buddy’s family ranch for a short time to get his little sister settled.

Clara Campbell can’t believe her brother sent a keeper to take charge of her life. She doesn’t need anyone to make her face the things she’s burying her head in the sand about … but after spending some time with Alex, she wouldn’t mind him helping her do other things! Can she convince him that he’s just the one to help her enjoy life a little more?

Filed Under: Book Reviews