Book Reviews – Page 250

* Review * THE SPANISH TYCOON’S TAKEOVER by Michelle Douglas

April 9, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Spanish Tycoon's Takeover by Michelle Douglas
Published by Harlequin Romance on April 1, 2017
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The new boss…

Her family hotel has just been taken over and Wynne needs to do whatever it takes to seem bright, breezy and unflappable. Easier said than done! If she can work nicely with the charismatic Xavier Ramos then her colleagues might just keep their jobs…

Xavier has no qualms about ruthlessly transforming a homely motel into a chic boutique hotel—only, he has a fight on his hands against fiery Wynne! While he's busy taking over her hotel, with every battle he finds she's taking another piece of his heart…

Captivatingly sweet! From the moment they meet, we are intrigued by the chemistry Wynne and Xavier share. Great characters, a heartwarming story line and just a whole lot of feel good reading!

Wynne Stephens isn’t looking forward to meeting the new owner of the hotel that’s been her family treasure for years, but she’ll do anything she can to make nice so her staff can keep their jobs. Will she be able to win over the new owner … and when she learns his true reason for taking over, will she even want to try?

Xavier Ramos isn’t here to make friends. He’s here to turn this eyesore of an inn into the ever efficient kind of facility he runs all over the world. Having it fulfill a bit of payback and revenge at the same time is simply his just reward.

Past secrets, misunderstandings and lots of cozy interaction pave the way to both sides reassessing what’s really important in life.

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* Review * PRIDE AND PREGNANCY by Sarah M. Anderson

April 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

Pride and Pregnancy by Sarah M. Anderson
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good sense must not mix business with passion.

Like that will keep Tom Yellow Bird from pursuing the woman who shocked his senses at first sight. Yes, the wealthy FBI special agent's job is to work a case involving the Honorable Caroline Jennings. It is his duty to protect the beautiful judge. Yet nothing stops him from acting on the attraction between them. And once he discovers Caroline is pregnant…any good sense he's ever had completely vanishes.

But when a secret Caroline is keeping is finally revealed, will Tom's pride become his ultimate undoing?

A real attention grabber! First we are hooked just from the steam the two of them let off when they first lay eyes on each other, then the danger and mystery lurking around them catches our attention again. Ideally I would have loved to have seen the pregnancy hook played out a little sooner, but overall I really enjoyed the story!

When a case he’s working on brings FBI Special Agent Tom Yellow Bird into the Honorable Caroline Jennings’s courtroom, his eyes are opened in a way they haven’t been in years. His body awakens and he’s awe struck in her presence.

Caroline is equally distracted at the sight of him, and perfectly willing to let him protect her when danger comes knocking. Will the temptation be too great and lead them to jeopardize the case they are involved in, or will Tom distance himself just in the nick of time?

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* Review * FOREVER MINE by Erin Nicholas

April 6, 2017 4 Comments

Forever Mine by Erin Nicholas
Series: Opposites Attract #2
Published by Forever on March 28, 2017
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Maya Goodwin doesn't believe in holding back. Ever. As a cop, she never hesitated to throw herself into harm's way to save someone. Even after an injury on the job forces her to retire, she's not afraid to keep risking it all to get the life she wants. With a new career teaching martial arts to kids already underway, she's looking forward to the future - and taking a chance on the unbelievably hot Dr. Alex Nolan.

Maya - daring and spontaneous - is the exact opposite of what Alex always thought he wanted. But when a nine-year-old daughter he never knew existed shows up on his doorstep, Maya is the one who helps them hold it together. With love on the line, will the guy who's always played it safe be willing to take the biggest risk of all?

An adorably sassy story! It’s funny, it’s heartwarming and it’s steamy in all the right places! It’s always a nice dose of reality when an author tackles a topic that many know very little about and weaves a story in such a fashion that you leave more knowledgeable. I really enjoyed seeing the familiar faces in the series again, and meeting the new characters. Fun story!

Feisty go-getter Maya Goodwin is always good for telling it like it is and going for what she wants out of life. She might have had a career ending injury that cut her life as a cop short, but she didn’t let that stop her. She loves the studio she opened up to teach kids imagination and martial arts! It’s a blast to interact with them and see them bring out new sides of themselves!

Dr. Alex Nolan has always lived his life on the cautious side. He doesn’t take chances, and he holds himself back from the crowd. He’s not one to reach out and grab what he wants, so for him to feel drawn to Maya the second he lays eyes on her is very out of character for him. He recently learned that he has a 10 year old daughter, and he’s desperate for a way to connect with her. Maya happens to be big on certain things that she’s a big fan of, so he sets out to get her to help him win over his daughter. Could a daredevil and a cautious doctor ever wind up being a perfect match?

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* Review * THE BILLIONAIRES by Calista Fox

April 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Billionaires by Calista Fox
Series: A Lover's Triangle Novel
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on April 4, 2017
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In The Billionaires, Calista Fox delivers a sexy and sensuous friends-to-lovers tale with a delicious love triangle twist.

Jewel Catalano, Rogen Angelini, and Vin D'Angelo had been childhood best friends, spending every possible moment with one another. Rogen became her first love, the first one to show her what pleasure could be. Until a volatile feud erupted between their powerful California wine country families and she and Rogen were torn apart from each other. What she didn't expect was to find comfort and passion like she had never known in Vin's arms and bed. But when that too ended in disaster, Jewel moved to San Francisco to work for the Catalano empire. Years later, a series of daring acquisitions brings Jewel back to River Cross, the hometown where Rogen and Vin have recently returned as well. Jewel has the curves, the smarts, and the success to bring any man to his knees—especially the two men who remained best friends and still burn to possess her.

Mixing family business with erotic pleasure ignites a smoldering love triangle. But in order to pull off the bold deal that will build the trios’ own legacy and to stay in their heady, sensual paradise, they must discover what true love really is—or lose everything their hearts' desire, in The Billionaires by Calista Fox.

Steaming with erotic passion! You must be okay with menage to enjoy this book! — I enjoyed the raw passion shared between the characters and enjoyed the family dynamic being brought into the story as well. I felt like the scenes with Bayli & Scarlet drug a bit and they almost felt like a distraction that wasn’t needed. Now that I realize their stories are coming soon, I get why they were there, but I feel like they could have been incorporated a little smoother. Really enjoyed the book and will look forward to more!

Jewel Catalano, Rogan Angelini and Vin D’Angelo grew up as the best of friends in California’s wine country. As they aged and grew into their own identities, Jewel and Rogan became each other’s first loves, dreaming of a bright future. When a bitter family feud between their father’s began over a business deal, their idyllic childhood ended. Rogan was sent away to school, forcing him and Jewel to end their relationship. Over time, Vin picked up the pieces of her broken heart and they began planning their own life together … only to come to a screeching halt over what would later be found out to be a misunderstanding or two.

Years have passed since Jewel has seen either of them, although Rogan and Vin continued their close friendship. Now she’s returning to River Cross for a business venture and crosses paths with the loves of her life once again. She can’t deny her body’s pull to either one of them, and upon learning they like to share their women these days, she sets out to make sure she’s next on the menu! As past love flares back up and the family feud continues, will they be able to actually make a relationship work between the three of them?

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* Blog Tour / Book Review * THE MAGNATE’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDE by Joanne Rock

April 4, 2017 6 Comments

The Magnate's Mail-Order Bride by Joanne Rock
Series: The McNeill Magnates
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
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A mix-and-match mock engagement?

Ballerina Sofia Koslov's career is on the line when she's accosted at the airport by a rich, reckless playboy who thinks she's his mail-order bride! But the playboy's levelheaded brother, Quinn McNeill, solves the media snafu with a switcheroo. He'll pretend to be her legitimate fiancé to protect her reputation—and to protect his family's business deals from her father's wrath. Sofia's one condition: they'll share the spotlight as a loving couple but won't share a bed. But soon Quinn's gentlemanly ways strike a chord, and Sofia's dying to renege on that condition and have a real fling…

A captivating tale of finding love when you least expect it! The chemistry between Sofia and Quinn was lit the second they laid eyes on each other. No one else in the room existed for those few seconds when their eyes first met. Their skin prickled, their breath caught and they felt the connection all the way to their toes. Great kick off to a new series about the McNeill brothers!

Ballerina Sofia Koslov is basically ambushed when she steps off the plane and has a man she’s never even met before thrusting flowers and an engagement ring at her! She can’t figure out what in the world is going on, other than the fact that the reporters are catching every second of it!

Quinn McNeill tried to stop his errant, impulsive brother from causing this big scene … and now that it’s already underway, he has to step in to calm the waters. Sofia is upset about the media spotlight, her father is furious and threatening a big overseas plan Quinn has in the works for the family business, and his brother has walked away. With the only solution being to step in and play her pretend fiance, Quinn saves the day and sets out to make sure Sofia is taken care of. Will close quarters have them acting on the attraction they both feel?

The Magnate’s Mail-Order Bride
The McNeill Magnates #1

By: Joanne Rock

Releasing April 4, 2017
Harlequin Desire

BLURB:

A mix-and-match mock engagement?

Ballerina Sofia Koslov’s career is on the line when she’s accosted at the airport by a rich, reckless playboy who thinks she’s his mail-order bride! But the playboy’s levelheaded brother, Quinn McNeill, solves the media snafu with a switcheroo. He’ll pretend to be her legitimate fiancé to protect her reputation—and to protect his family’s business deals from her father’s wrath. Sofia’s one condition: they’ll share the spotlight as a loving couple but won’t share a bed. But soon Quinn’s gentlemanly ways strike a chord, and Sofia’s dying to renege on that condition and have a real fling…

Buy Links: AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

Link to Follow Release Blast: http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/1/31/the-magnates-mail-order-bride-blast-joanne-rock

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34036543-the-magnate-s-mail-order-bride

EXCERPT:

“I never would have guessed your brother would spend a small fortune on a ring for a woman he never met.” She edged out of his grip. “I thought he was a romantic, not completely certifiable.”

Quinn’s smile faded. “I assure you, Cameron is neither.” He set the ring on the steamer trunk beside her. “I’ll let you decide whether or not to wear it in the morning. And in the meantime, I’d better let you get some rest.”

He rose to his feet, leaving a priceless piece of jewelry balanced on last month’s Vogue.

“Quinn.” She stood to follow him to the door then reached back to grab the ring so she could return it. “Please. I don’t feel right keeping this here.”

He turned to face her as he reached the door, but made no move to take the glittering ring.

“If you were my bride-to-be, I would spare no expense to show the world you were mine.” His blue eyes glowed with a warmth that had her remembering his kiss. Her breath caught in her chest and she wondered what it might be like for him to call her that for real.

Mine.

“I’m—” At a total loss for words. “That is—” She folded the diamond into her hand, squeezing it tightly so the stones pressed into her soft skin, distracting her from her hypnotic awareness of this man. “If you insist.”

“It’s a matter of believability, Sofia.”

“It’s only for one month.” She wasn’t sure if she said it to remind him or herself.

“We’ll work out the details tomorrow.” He reached to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead, barely touching her and still sending shimmers of pleasure along her temple and all the way down the back of her neck. “Sleep well.”

She didn’t even manage to get her voice working before he was out the door again, leaving her alone in a suddenly too empty apartment.

Squeezing the ring tighter in her fist, she waited for the pinch of pain from the sharp edges of the stones. She needed to remember that this wasn’t real. Quinn McNeill had only agreed to this mad scheme to clean up his brother’s mess. Any hint of attraction she felt needed to be squashed immediately, especially since Quinn was cut from the same mold as her father—focused on business and the accumulation of wealth. Her world was about art, emotions and human connections.

Her mother had taught her that people did not fall into both camps. In Sofia’s experience it was true. And since she wanted her own relationships to be meaningful bonds rooted in shared creativity and ideals, she was willing to wait until she had more time in her life to find the right partner. Romance could not be rushed.

“It’s only for a month,” she said aloud again, forcing herself to set the engagement ring on the hallway table.

Surely she could keep up her end of a fake engagement for the sake of appearances? She’d made countless sacrifices for her career, from dancing on broken toes to living away from her family on the other side of the globe to train with Russian ballet masters.

Ignoring the sensual draw of Quinn McNeill couldn’t possibly be more difficult than those challenges.

Yet, even as she marched herself off to bed, she feared she was lying to herself that she could keep her hands off the man anywhere near as easily as she’d set down the ring.

AUTHOR INFO:

Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over seventy books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly–love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Review * THE TEXAN’S RETURN by Karen Whiddon

April 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Texan's Return by Karen Whiddon
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 1, 2017
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In the small town of Legacy, Texas, an old man is dying. At his side is the son determined to clear his name. Mac Morrison knows his father was wrongfully imprisoned for murder, and he's determined to find the real killer. But not before he reunites with a love from his past…

Hailey Green, who's still grieving her brutally murdered sister, hasn't seen Mac since he fled town in disgrace. Forced to raise her siblings, Hailey still relies on no one but herself—until the man who killed her sister returns. Turning to each other while seeking answers, Hailey and Mac find their old desires reignited and realize that the only life worth protecting is one together!

Circumstances tore them apart, but the yearning they still feel for each other the second they come back into contact proves that time doesn’t heal all wounds! A reunion with a twist takes us for a ride in the latest by Karen Whiddon. A detailed plot and interesting characters keep our attention as we set out to figure out who is telling the truth!

Years ago Mac Morrison was forced away from his life and the love and friendship he had shared with Hailey Green. His father was accused of murdering her sister and his family was ostracized and forced to leave Legacy, Texas. His father is now dying, and the one thing he wants before he goes is to have his name cleared of this heinous crime he swears he didn’t commit!

Hailey Green had her future ripped away from her when she had to step in to raise her younger siblings after her sister’s murder. She might have a sudden flare of attraction go through her body when she sees the man Mac has become, but she can’t stand to look at him and remember what his father did … but as she stops and actually listens to what he and his father have to say, she has to wonder … did the cops get it wrong all those years ago and her sister’s killer is still out there?

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* Review * LOST IN YOU by Jules Bennett

April 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

Lost In You by Jules Bennett
Series: The Monroes #3
Published by Zebra on March 28, 2017
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The only thing that could bring Liam Monroe back to Haven, Georgia, is his loyalty to his late sister--so he’s agreed to serve as a chef at the resort his brothers have built in her honor. But he’s not staying. At least that’s the plan. . .

Macy Hayward always admired the Monroes. Adopting four kids—including the brooding, mysterious Liam—they were an example of the loving family she wanted for herself someday. Now, ironically, Macy’s got an unexpected new tenant in the apartment above her hardware store: none other than Liam.

Most of Liam’s furniture consists of weightlifting equipment, since he has no intention of settling in. He can’t wait to run away again, from his brothers and his bitter memories—and from Macy, with her relentlessly seductive curves. Still, while he’s around, he should do the poor woman a favor and teach her to cook, before she poisons someone. . .

Soon, their sessions in the kitchen are getting spicy. But Macy has roots in Haven, and she wants to plant more, including taking in a little girl who needs a home. Meanwhile, Liam has an opportunity for his own restaurant in Atlanta. Will choosing love mean giving up their separate dreams? Or will the heart find a way?. . .

The epitome of a happily-ever-after! I can’t even begin to tell you how many emotions this book stirs up. Not only is it the culmination of the 3rd brother finding love, but it’s a whole other feeling of completeness because Chelsea got her dream. Not only did her brothers bring her dream business to life, but in the midst of it, they became the close-knit family she always wanted them to be … with her memory and the love she showered on them in the short time they had together surrounding them all in their hearts. I loved this series so much … I only wished there were some more brothers so we’d get more books out of it! 🙂

Liam Monroe has always been the loner of the family. He loved his adopted family more than he could ever show, but a part of him was always locked away in memories of his past. He left their home of Haven, GA to strike out on his own years ago, and the only thing that will bring him back is Chelsea. After her death, his brothers rallied together to build her dream resort & spa in an old house she had bought and planned for before her death. Now he’s back to run the kitchen … but only temporarily!

Macy Hayward had a crush on Liam back in high school. Now she’s having to see him constantly because she got suckered into renting him the apartment above her hardware store. She still feels that draw to him every time she sees his handsome body. When circumstances draw them together and have him teaching her how to cook, things really heat up! When it comes time for Liam to pursue his own dreams and head out of town again, will he be able to walk away from all that Haven holds for him … not only family, but a new found love as well?

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* Review * MARRYING HER SEAL by Kat Cantrell

April 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MARRYING HER SEAL by Kat Cantrell

Marrying Her SEAL by Kat Cantrell
Series: ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights
Published by Alpe D'Huez Press on March 22, 2017
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Navy SEAL Jaxon Hyland can fix anything—except the inconvenient attraction he's always had for his gorgeous best friend. It was easy to maintain a hands-off policy when he was deployed half a world away but when Thora pops up on Duchess Island, the Caribbean paradise Jack calls home, everything changes. Emotionally bruised by a bad breakup, Thora needs Jack now more than ever. Jack has never been able to tell her no, not even when she asks him to marry her. It's supposed to be temporary. 100% fake. Platonic. But how long can that really last when she's the only woman he's ever wanted?

A decadently fun friends-to-lovers romance! We’ve seen glimpses of Jack & Thora previously in the series, and we just knew their story was going to be a blast … and it is! They have a super strong friend connection dating back more than 2 decades and know that when they look each other in the eye, they are seeing the one person that has their back no matter what. When they actually begin to let their attraction show through, it’s magic!

When a team of former Navy SEAL’s retired and decided to open up a business together in the Caribbean, we expected a lot of fun … and we sure have gotten it! These guys are finding their happily-ever-afters left and right, and this time it’s Jack’s turn! Jaxon Hyland’s one true stable in life has been his friendship with Thora. She is the only person that knows his secrets and loves him regardless. When she has a break-up and needs some place to nurse her wounds, it’s Jack she runs to.

Jack would do anything for her … but he doesn’t think he’s going to have to go quite THIS far to prove it. Marrying her .. in name only .. for a short amount of time? She’s really pulling on the strings of friendship with this one!

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* Review * HIS EX’S WELL-KEPT SECRET by Joss Wood

April 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS EX’S WELL-KEPT SECRET by Joss Wood

His Ex's Well-Kept Secret by Joss Wood
Series: The Ballantyne Billionaires
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
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She's keeping this billionaire's son a secret…

Down-on-her-luck heiress Piper Mills will do anything to help her baby—even strike a deal with the devil who impregnated her! Due to a car accident, Jaeger Ballantyne has no memory of the passionate night he and Piper shared…or that he's Ty's father. Purchasing Piper's heirloom sapphires is the only thing on his agenda…until seducing the green-eyed temptress takes over.

Piper's falling for the stubborn tycoon, even as she continues to guard her secret. Can a man with no memory of their past find a way to forgive her so they can create a future?

A shared night … but no memory of it … how is she supposed to tell him about their son? We are hooked from the beginning as the secrets begin to unravel and continue the more and more you read. Great characters including a super sweet and adorable baby … and a solid story line. Looking forward to more to come in this series of siblings!

Piper Mills approached Jaeger Ballantyne about a business deal, but they wound up having a fling abroad in Milan. When she tried to inform him she was pregnant afterwards, she was given a major run-around and assumed the info she heard in the press was true and he wanted nothing to do with children.

Jaeger Ballantyne can’t figure out why Piper is angry at him when he thinks he’s meeting her for the first time, then he realizes it must have something to do with the time-frame he can’t remember just prior to a serious car accident. Once she finds out what happens she forgives him and they agree to do business together … but she still hasn’t found a way to tell him that the adorable baby he’s seen her with is his son!

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* Review * THE TEN-DAY BABY TAKOVER by Karen Booth

April 2, 2017 1 Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE TEN-DAY BABY TAKOVER by Karen Booth

The Ten-Day Baby Takeover by Karen Booth
Series: Billionaires and Babies
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
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A billionaire's baby deal!

One look into his infant son's trusting blue gaze and Aiden Langford knows his wild, carefree days are over. If only he can get Sarah Daltrey, his son's temporary guardian, to give him daddy lessons… Certainly the soft-hearted entrepreneur will agree to his ten-day proposal to stay as the nanny. Aiden just needs to keep his mind on parenting and off Sarah's seductive curves…

Being in the handsome tycoon's arms puts up Sarah's emotional defenses even as her body begs her to let go. But being a babysitter with benefits isn't on her agenda—especially for a father and son who might steal her heart…

A surprise son, a tempting nanny and a yearning for both of them puts Aiden Langford in the middle of a life-changing time right off the bat! We saw him in the previous books in the series, and we weren’t sure what to make of him. Little did we expect him to be an awesomely sweet Daddy from the get-go! Loved the connection he made with his son and watching him woo the Sarah!

Aiden Langford might yearn for a connection with his family, but he never expected to be handed an instant son! He has no clue what to do with him, so he needs help right away!

Sarah Daltrey doesn’t want to spend one more minute falling for this adorable baby boy than she has to. She’s already feeling her heart breaking at the thought of walking away from him, but she can’t argue that Aiden needs to learn to take care of him before she can head back home. She agrees to 10 days of daddy lessons … and then she’s moving on to the future she has waiting for her. Will she be able to walk away from the adorable combination of father and son?

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