Book Reviews – Page 289

* GIVEAWAY! * DOG COLLAR CHAOS by Adrienne Giordano

May 31, 2017 Leave a Comment

Dog Collar Chaos (A Lucie Rizzo Mystery)
by Adrienne Giordano
Date of Publication: June 6, 2017

Lucie Rizzo–Mafia princess-turned-dog accessory entrepreneur—is riding high after scoring a partnership with Buzzy Sneider, America’s leading craft and interior decorating mogul. A collaboration that is sure to move Lucie’s fledgling business into the next tax bracket.

When Buzzy turns up dead and Lucie’s BFF and business partner, Roseanne, is accused of the murder, Lucie will stop at nothing to prove Ro’s innocence. Even if it means keeping secrets from her new squeeze, sexy detective Tim O’Brien, who’s determined to keep Lucie from running one of her screwball investigations.

With Ro behind bars and Tim hot under the collar over Lucie’s meddling, Lucie is forced to accept her father’s help to clear Ro’s name and save their business. But will doing so put a killer hot on her heels?

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About Adrienne Giordano

Adrienne Giordano is a USA Today bestselling author of over twenty romantic suspense and mystery novels. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports-obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a cofounder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction.

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* Review * A DEEPER GRAVE by Debra Webb

May 30, 2017 5 Comments

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

A Deeper Grave by Debra Webb
Series: Shades of Death
Published by MIRA on May 30, 2017
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When the hunter becomes the hunted…

Serial-killer hunter Nick Shade built his legendary career chasing monsters—sadistic criminals with a gruesome thirst for death. When he rescued Montgomery detective Bobbie Gentry from horrific captivity and helped her reclaim her life, he didn't intend to be a hero. Or a target. But now a copycat murderer haunts him, and reuniting with Bobbie is his best chance at neutralizing the threat.

Bobbie can't forget the nightmares of her trauma—or the man who saved her. Working with Nick to outmaneuver the person behind a deadly vendetta feeds her hope that there's more to her world than ghosts and destruction. Maybe joining Nick's search for a killer is about gratitude. Maybe it's nothing more than cold revenge. But the only way they can protect themselves is to trust each other.

With this continuation of her Shades of Death series, Debra Webb gathers us near and takes us along for the ride as we wind up knee deep in a nasty serial killer investigation again. Emotions are raw, the murder scenes are gruesome and no one is safe!

Montgomery, AL detective Bobbie Gentry has been through so much in the last year, and thanks to Nick Shade rescuing her and giving her a little peace again, she has been able to heal somewhat from her trauma. She will never forget … she will never forgive … but she feels a little more free than she has since this whole nightmare started. Just as she starts to relax a little, a new demon starts to haunt the town.

Nick Shade has his own past that he’s running away from, but he now lives and breathes the completion of hunting down and helping capture serial killers. When he hears that Bobbie is in the middle of something again, it doesn’t take him long to arrive in town and reach out to her. Neither one of them can deny the connection that grew between them during their time together … and the healing she’s done since then is just making it even more comfortable between them this time. Will their combined force be enough to stop yet another killer before he starts taking out people they care about … including each other??

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* Review * SUMMER AT THE SHORE by Carol Ross

May 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SUMMER AT THE SHORE by Carol Ross

Summer at the Shore by Carol Ross
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on June 1, 2017
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Saving lives is who they are

Risking his life for others is all in a day's work for Coast Guard petty officer Jay Johnston. Until he comes to the rescue of Mia Frasier after her small plane goes down. Maybe it's because the empathetic blue-eyed vet wants to save the world just as passionately as Jay wants to create a safe haven for his five younger siblings, but there's no denying their bond. Despite his growing feelings for Mia, a romantic relationship isn't on Jay's radar. How can two people always on the move stay in one place long enough to create a family of their own?

Two wounded hearts collide and make for a wonderful “feel-good” romance! Both successful in their careers of helping others, Jay and Mia both have scars on their hearts and minds from the childhoods they led that they try to cover up and prosper from … but in meeting each other, each has to face their fear of admitting their feelings and figuring out if they can grow enough in their love for each other to be able to face their demons and conquer them once and for all. Great characters, an awesome story line, and a true pleasure to read! It was fun to see some familiar faces and catch up on their lives as well!

When Coast Guard petty officer Jay Johnston reels in a survivor of a small plane crash, it’s just another day on his high energy job … until he meets her eyes. There’s something about the connection they feel that neither can walk away from!

Veterinarian Mia Frasier was blessed that she and her mother and the pilot all survived their plane crash, and she’s thrilled to see Jay again at the hospital. Neither of them can deny the sizzle they feel when they see each other, but they both have guidelines they set for themselves over the years that just won’t allow a relationship to work. He has 5 younger siblings that he takes care of … but he doesn’t allow anyone into their inner circle. She loves her job and her life … but a military man is off-limits! Their hearts don’t agree with their rules though … after time together and growing closer every day, will they truly be able to walk away from this once in a lifetime connection?

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* Review * NO ONE BUT YOU by Brenda Novak

May 30, 2017 2 Comments

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * NO ONE BUT YOU by Brenda Novak

No One But You by Brenda Novak
Series: Silver Springs
Published by MIRA on May 30, 2017
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New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak welcomes you to Silver Springs, a picturesque small town in Southern California where even the hardest hearts can learn to love again…

Struggling to make ends meet after a messy divorce, Sadie Harris is at the end of her tether. Her waitressing gig isn't enough to pay the bills let alone secure primary custody of her son, Jayden, a battle she refuses to lose. Desperate, she accepts a position assisting Dawson Reed—the same Dawson Reed who recently stood trial for the murder of his adoptive parents. Joining him at his isolated farm seems risky, but Sadie is out of options.

Dawson has given small town Silver Springs plenty of reasons to be wary, but he's innocent of the charges against him. He wants to leave his painful past behind and fix up the family farm so he can finally bring his dependent sister home where she belongs.

As Sadie and Dawson's professional relationship grows into something undeniably personal, Sadie realizes there's more to Dawson than the bad boy everyone else sees—he has a good heart, one that might even be worth fighting for.

Another emotional journey into Brenda Novak’s latest fictional town, Silver Springs! Two disinheartened souls feel alone in the world as they fight the uphill battle to reclaim their lives. One through divorce and moving on from abuse and another through trying to pick up the pieces after he’s finally free from prison and home again .. but without the family he loved dearly. The characters are well defined with turmoil fueling their actions for much of the book. I am enjoying Silver Springs very much and look forward to the my next visit!

Sadie Harris’ divorce is almost complete and she just wants to move forward with her life with her young son. She isn’t looking for much … just a job that will allow her to keep their head above water and will sustain her full custody claim if he ex goes through with his threat to sue for custody. Her shifts at the diner just aren’t enough to make ends meet anymore. She is leery of answering the help wanted ad .. but what else can she do? She needs the money that this job will give her!

Dawson Reed is back home in Silver Springs and trying to pick up the smashed pieces of his so-called life. Yes, he finally got justice and was acquitted in his adoptive parents murders .. but the town still believes he did it, and are very clear in how unwelcome he is. He needs help … he has to get a caregiver in place so he can bring his dependent sister home again. When Sadie answers his ad and he sees her work ethic first-hand, he realizes he lucked into a great employee. He just hopes the things working against them will ease up so she’ll want to stay to do the job!

As Sadie comes to know Dawson, she realizes he’s a really kind man .. and she doesn’t believe for a second that he butchered his parents .. but believe it and proving it are two totally different things. No matter how many people she tells that he’s a good man, no one is going to believe it until they find who really did commit the murders. And how can they concentrate on doing that when Sadie’s ex keeps piling more trouble on their backs?

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* Review * REUNITED … AND PREGNANT by Joss Wood

May 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

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* Review * REUNITED … AND PREGNANT by Joss Wood

Reunited...and Pregnant by Joss Wood
Series: The Ballantyne Billionaires
Published by Harlequin Desire on June 1, 2017
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She's pregnant…and working with her ex!

PR whiz Cady Collins's personal and professional lives both desperately need a reboot. So when millionaire Beckett Ballantyne decides to rebrand his company, Cady is determined to land the job. The only complication is her romantic history with her devilishly handsome boss, whose smoldering blue-eyed gaze still makes her swoon. And the only complication with that is the fact she's already pregnant!

Beck doesn't mind that he's not the baby's father—he only knows he burns for the mom-to-be. But when a media misunderstanding leads to a fake engagement, will Beck end the Valentine's Day charade or play for keeps?

Sexual tension, self-preservation and childhood heartbreak steal the show in this story of reunited love! I loved the first book in this Ballantyne Billionaires series, but this 2nd book touched my heart even more! The characters are well-rounded, the family is close-knit and the love affairs run hot! I’m looking forward to the other sibling stories to come in the series!

Cady Collins needs a boost in business to pull her PR company out of a major slump, so when she is presented with a golden opportunity to pitch to Ballantyne International for a major new PR campaign, she can’t resist putting her all into it! She’s coming off a personal and professional all time low, and she really needs this contract to get her back in the right direction. There’s only little thing that might be a problem …. well, maybe two! Her ex is one of the Ballantyne’s … and she’s pregnant, by someone else!

Beckett Ballantyne walked away from Cady once, but he doesn’t think he can do it again. He’s okay with the fact that she’s carrying someone else’s child … he just has to have her in his arms again … being wrapped around her feels like home … somewhere he hasn’t been in almost a decade!

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* Review * HOME TO STAY by Kate James

May 25, 2017 4 Comments

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Home to Stay by Kate James
Series: San Diego K-9 Unit #4
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 1, 2017
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She's bringing his son home

A missing little boy triggers San Diego K-9 officer Shannon Clemens and her canine search-and-rescue partner into instant action. For the rookie cop haunted by a childhood tragedy, bringing Sawyer Evans's son safely home is more than a job. It's a mission she can't fail… But forging a friendship with the father is a tactical error that could compromise her first solo assignment. Yet the deepening bond between them is almost impossible to resist…

My heartstrings were in constant turmoil with this captivating return to Kate James’ San Diego K-9 Unit series! It had my full attention from the first page, and as secrets were told and plots were unraveled, I took the journey of ups and downs right along with them. A really intriguing plot will keep you guessing as this cast of characters weave their spell. It was great to see the crowd from the previous books and get some exciting updates on them. I’m crossing my fingers that there are more books on the way for us … after all, Quinn seems like quite a mystery awaiting unravel! 🙂

Awakening to find your child missing is every parents nightmare! Sawyer Evans jumps into action searching everywhere to find him, but his efforts are fruitless. He just seems to have vanished!

Rookie K-9 officer Shannon Clemens is called out with her partner Darwin to look for the missing boy. Her first solo assignment might be the end of her if she can’t get her emotions under control. This case brings back so many memories of a tragedy from her past and she’s finding it hard to focus. Speaking with Sawyer seems to comfort her … as well as him. An unexpected connection forges in the wake of despair and helps keep an even keel as things spiral out of control.

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* Review * THE GREEK’S PLEASURABLE REVENGE by Andie Brock

May 24, 2017 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE GREEK’S PLEASURABLE REVENGE by Andie Brock

The Greek's Pleasurable Revenge by Andie Brock
Series: Secret Heirs of Billionaires
Published by Harlequin Presents on June 1, 2017
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Revenge…by seduction!

The last person Calista expects—or wants—to see at her father's graveside is arrogant billionaire Lukas Kalanos. Five years earlier, after an affair that stole her innocence, Lukas betrayed her family and disappeared, leaving Callie with much more than a broken heart…

Seeking vengeance on the Gianopoulous family for framing him, Lukas finds Callie ripe for his seduction. She will pay for past wrongdoings—between his sheets! But discovering that Callie has had his child is a surprise that changes Lukas's pleasurable plans for revenge…into a hunger to make her his own!

An attention getting, easy read! A vengeful man reconnects with a woman from his past to achieve a bit of revenge for how he was wronged, but learns some secrets along the way that might end up changing how he feels! The characters themselves are well developed, but I would have liked to have seen their relationship built out a bit more to be more complete. Overall a great read though!

When Calista Gianopoulous returns home to Greece for her estranged father’s funeral, the last person she expects to see there is Lukas Kalanos … her childhood friend, her teenage crush and the man who betrayed her family and caused their demise 5 years ago … and unbeknownst to him, her daughter’s father!

Lukas has returned to get his revenge on the Gianopoulous family. Callie’s father may be gone, but she was also at the top of the list of those who succeeded in setting him up to take a fall all those years ago and he won’t let her forget it. When the past is dredged up and their confrontation begins, they will quickly learn that they both were mistaken in what they believed happened … and have to figure out whether there’s a way around it to have a future with their daughter.

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* Review * HOT ZONE by Elle James

May 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Hot Zone by Elle James
Series: Ballistic Cowboys
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on June 1, 2017
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A knight in shining spurs…

Army ranger Trace "Hawkeye" Walsh is in Montana to consider his future, until his involvement in a car chase leaves Olivia Dawson without a foreman for her ranch. Hawkeye can't walk away from the woman in need. But tackling the role of ranch hand, horses and all, puts this soldier in a hot zone he never imagined.

Olivia needs more than just help with the cattle. The whole reason she's saddled with Stone Creek Ranch is because someone murdered her father…and now wants the ranch for themselves. Though he's considering walking away from his career, there's no way Hawkeye can leave Olivia behind. He must complete this mission for the good of the country—and his heart.

The continuing mystery in the Ballistic Cowboys series picks up with a vengeance in this latest installment! I’m really enjoying this series and looking forward to more to come.

Army ranger Trace “Hawkeye” Walsh is spending some time in Montana working on a task force to figure out what’s been going on around the town of Stone Creek when he inadvertently causes an accident that puts Olivia Dawson’s ranch foreman out of commission for awhile. He offers to step in and help her out, and the timing is perfect because strange things are happening all around her ranch!

Olivia came back to town to take over the ranch when her father was murdered recently. She’s not going to let whoever is trying to get their hands on her property win. As they spend time working the ranch and the dodging the dangerous situations that keep popping up, Trace starts to wonder how he will ever be able to make himself walk away from her when this is all over.

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* Review * ONE NIGHT WITH A SEAL by Tawny Weber & Beth Andrews

May 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ONE NIGHT WITH A SEAL by Tawny Weber & Beth Andrews

One Night with a SEAL: All OutAll In by Tawny Weber and Beth Andrews
Series: Uniformly Hot!
Published by Harlequin Blaze on June 1, 2017
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One night. Two SEAL brothers. Endless sexy possibilities!

All Out by Tawny Weber

Navy SEAL Zane Bennett can't walk away from a challenge. He's determined to win a bet with his brother—until he collides with the luscious Vivian Harris. Their attraction is immediate and searingly hot, but Zane can't bring himself to bow out of the bet. Now the game is really on…and Zane is embroiled in a wicked matchup he can't resist!

All In by Beth Andrews

Of the Bad Boy Bennett twins, Navy SEAL Xander is always the gentleman. That is, until he's challenged to go against his brother for a date with Quinn Oswald—the girl Xander's wanted since high school! It takes only one kiss for Quinn and Xander's deliciously sexy chemistry to explode. But how much is Xander willing to gamble…before he goes all in?

Two connected novellas about the Navy SEAL Bad Boy Bennett twins. Both are quick, fun reads with lots of laughs, hot chemistry and their very own happily-ever-afters!

ALL OUT by Tawny Weber

Zane Bennett has never been able to resist a good challenge … ever! He, his twin and his buddies are notorious for their games and dares over the years, and while back home on leave, it seems nothing has changed! He’s gung ho to do his part in winning this one just like always … until he meets vivacious baker Vivian Harris and is instantly drawn into her lair!

ALL IN by Beth Andrews

Xander Bennett has always been the laid back, calmer of the twins, so he isn’t excited about this childish bet at all … especially once he realizes the target is Quinn Oswald … the sexy bartender that he’s been crushing on since high school! He decides he’s going to finally step up and make his move … before his brother beats him to it!

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* Review * THE NANNY ARRANGEMENT by Rachel Harris

May 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE NANNY ARRANGEMENT by Rachel Harris

The Nanny Arrangement by Rachel Harris
Series: Country Blues #2
Published by Entangled: Bliss on May 22, 2017
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Soft-spoken and shy Hannah Fisher is determined to make the man she’s loved her entire life finally see her as a woman. With the help of a makeover, a new mission—Operation Find My Happy—and the convenient forced proximity of a tour bus, she vows to win her best friend Deacon’s heart.

Former bad boy and current fiddle player Deacon Latrell has the world at his fingertips: a new gig with a famous band, plus his best friend on tour as his son’s nanny. Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Now if only he could stop imagining kissing the daylights out of his childhood BFF...

With one friend set on pushing the boundaries and the other afraid to rock the boat, one thing’s for certain—their story would make one heck of a country song.

The ultimate friends to lovers romance! Such a sweet story! Lots of angst, some sweet friendship and surprise chemistry between them makes for a fun story. A quick and easy read. There wasn’t a lot to do with the actual band performing, etc. but it was a whirlwind of a book regardless!

Reformed bad boy Deacon Latrell is living the good life! He’s recently joined an up and coming country band as their fiddle player, he has an adorable son who is the light of his life, and his best friend is finally back in town and has agreed to go on tour with him to be the nanny for his son!

Hannah Fisher has always been quiet and shy, but when she became best friends with Deke 10 years ago, he took her under his wing and brought her out of her shell. She has always been in love with him, but he only considered her his best bud. As a single dad, he has needed a lot of help and she’s always been there for him … until she finally needed a break to go do her own thing for a year. When she decided to come back and go on tour with him, she decided to embark on “Operation Find My Happy” …. either it will include the potential of more of a life with Deke, or she’ll move forward and broaden her career like she always thought she would. Close quarters and sweet life moments together make Deacon start to look at her in another way. Will he be able to open his eyes and see what’s right in front of him … before it’s too late?

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