Book Reviews – Page 34

* Review * SURE SHOT by Kat Mizera

April 16, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Sure Shot by Kat Mizera
Series: Lauderdale Knights #5
on April 18, 2023
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Welcome to Fort Lauderdale... where the days are hot and the Knights are hotter!

Camden:
I gave up everything for hockey… even my chance at love. But relocating to Florida to be the starting goalie for the Lauderdale Knights is still the best decision I’d ever made. I have everything… except someone to share it with.

As the league’s Most Valuable Player, I have my choice of women, but the one I want broke my heart. When she gets injured, I finally get the second chance I’ve been waiting for.

Sutton:
Being a female professional hockey player is hard. Doing the right thing is even harder. And I would know. Breaking things off with my college boyfriend so we could both have a shot at a career… was the wrong move.

When a party gets out of control, I find myself reaching out to the only man I’ve ever loved—the sexy-as-sin goalie for the Lauderdale Knights. Nothing like a concussion to break the ice. Turns out the sparks between us burn hotter than ever.

I don’t know if there’s a chance to fix what I broke, but my heart is telling me I have to try.

A heartfelt and emotional reunion of first loves! The fifth book in Kat Mizera’s Lauderdale Knights hockey series is heartstring pulling worthy and sexy to boot! The plot quickly hooked me and the endearing characters and their turmoil kept me by their side throughout. I really enjoyed Cam and Sutton and look forward to more to come in the series!

Camden is an all around good guy who might be riding the high of playing in the big leagues at the moment, but he never got over the heartbreak of losing his one true love. Seeing them reconnect is really heartwarming.

Sutton is accomplished and strives for the top, but injury, burnout and life’s hard knocks are making her second guess her past decisions. I loved seeing her get to spread her wings.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a group of close knit hockey players who know how to have fun, yet always have each others backs and enjoy bringing new members into the fold as one after another settles into love.

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* Review * JUST ONE FLING by Carly Phillips

April 16, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * JUST ONE FLING by Carly Phillips

Just One Fling by Carly Phillips
Series: The Kingston Family #9, The Dirty Dares
Published by CP Publishing on April 18, 2023
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It was just supposed to be a fling.
Now she’s having his baby.

Winter Capwell knows all about billionaire Harrison Dare’s bad-boy reputation.

His all-pleasure, no-commitment rule worked well for her, too. Until fate changed everything.

Harrison never wanted a wife or kids. His incredibly large family provides all the siblings and children he needs. Besides, no woman has ever tempted him to give up his bachelor lifestyle.

Until the mysterious and sexy Winter entered his life.

But when someone comes after the woman he loves, he will stop at nothing to protect her and make her his. For good.

Heartfelt and fun as new love sparks as old scandal continues to unravel! Carly Phillips only has to say Dare and I’m whole heartedly in because this family is so fun to spend time with. They are rich and successful yet down-to-earth with a wholesomeness to their love for one another. I love watching each one find their happily ever after with equally tenacious partners! This particular story has a hint of scandal in the back story and a bit of mystery along the way towards their forever. Entertaining throughout!

Harrison has been an attention grabbing character in past Dare stories so to see him meet his match was really satisfying.

Winter is kind-hearted and deserving of having the family she deserves.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series revolving around both the Kingstons and the Dares to anyone who enjoys family drama and sibling connections playing a large part in their romance.

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* Review * PLAYING IT TOUGH by Amy Andrews

April 16, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PLAYING IT TOUGH by Amy Andrews

Playing It Tough by Amy Andrews
Series: Sydney Smoke Rugby Series #8
Published by Entangled: Brazen on April 17, 2023
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Cosmetic tattoo artist Orla Stewart doesn’t do anything in half measures. She went from being the ultimate party animal to living a life that’s ridiculously straight and narrow. Turns out, cancer can change a girl. A lot. Adios to delicious cheeses, boozy dance parties and easy men. Hel-lo to celibacy and a sweet house-sitting gig with a massive pool. Until one very hot, very unwelcome intruder turns things upside down.

American rugby import Ronan Dempsey’s partying is trashing both his reputation and his game—and risking his chances for making the US Olympic team. He needs to clean up, and the pool house belonging to a family friend is the perfect place to hideaway. No. More. distractions. Which is exactly when a gorgeous, pink-haired hellion knocks Ronan on his ass…

The chemistry is instantaneous, charged, and absolutely, completely, totally off-limits. Proximity makes temptation nearly impossible to resist. Now it’s a deliciously torturous game of pushing boundaries and holding out. It’s just a matter of time before someone breaks…

Real life angst portrayed with a whole lot of heart, sass and feel good, steamy romance! Amy Andrews is putting a heart-wrenching twist into the latest book in her always popular Sydney Smoke rugby series and she does it very well with no nonsense grit and depth. The characters are very easy to like and their story is hugely addictive. I loved Orla and Ronan!

Orla is strong-willed and tenacious and I enjoyed her whole-heartedly. She has spunk and bravery coming out of every pore of her body and kept me hooked throughout.

Ronan is a sweetheart and totally different than I was expecting after his party reputation. I loved his heart!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a sports romance filled with great characters, sweet romance and lots and lots of passionate fun!

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* Review * THE VOICES ARE BACK by Lani Lynn Vale

April 11, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE VOICES ARE BACK by Lani Lynn Vale

The Voices are Back by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Gator Bait MC #5
on April 11, 2023
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Her: Just a word, yet one person came to mind.

Morrigan St. Pete.

The woman that’d been hounding my every step since the day she was born. From the moment we first comforted each other in the hospital, to the day that I left her to follow her dreams, I knew that she was my one.

Through marriage, divorce, and a prison sentence, I had low expectations when it came to her ever coming around to my way of life. What kind of woman wanted a man that’d been to prison, had a child that disliked him and everything he stood for, and had zero prospects in life?

But then she popped into my life again, and that feeling of suffocation slacked off for the first time since I let her go.

***

The first time I tried to come back to Aodhan, I found him married with a kid on the way.

The second time I tried, he was heading to jail.

As one would say, the third time is the charm, right? Wrong.

The third time, he was divorced, fresh from prison, had a kid, and was again with his ex-wife.

That was the final nail in my coffin. I decided to give up.

I would do anything and everything I could to avoid him. Hiding wasn’t beneath me.

I only wish he’d stuck with my plan, because the moment he sees me again, it’s like he’s seen the light. Avoiding him is impossible when he goes out of his way to insinuate himself into every aspect of my life.

If only life was as perfect as my dreams.

An unputdownable delight! Lani Lynn Vale has a way with creating her characters that really endears them to her reader’s heart and this book might just have two of the most addictive ones ever. Morrigan and Aodhan have been connected since birth, but life pried them apart and sent them on their separate paths and only years later do they reconnect and settle into their fate. I loved their story and while there were quirky parts like always, they were super easy to root for. I can’t wait for more to come in the series!

Aodhan is my favorite! There’s just something humbling about him that warms my heart even from the first page we connect with his backstory.

Morr has had a hard life and seeing her get to be with the one she was always meant to be with and meander the drama one day at a time is really satisfying.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a passionate story filled with heart, angst and a thrilling happily ever after.

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* Review * SUPERSTAR by Kate Meader

April 11, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Superstar by Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #8
Published by Kate Meader LLC on April 11, 2023
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He never saw her coming ...
After almost a year away from hockey, Bastian Durand’s return to the game should be a triumph.

Instead he’s taken down by the Chicago Rebels mascot.

It can’t get worse. Or maybe it can. Because the human inside the Rowdy Rebel costume is none other than Pepper Calhoun.

His friend’s sister.
His coach’s daughter.
And the woman Bastian has wanted for the longest time.

Pepper has always been a magnet for bad luck and now she’s ruined superstar Bast Durand’s big comeback. So that tracks. Everyone, from her father and brother to the fans and press, heck, even the NHL commissioner, hates her.

Everyone but the one guy who should.

Hiding away is the only thing she can think of, except Bast has the same idea. To her utter dismay, he’s determined to protect Pepper from anyone who dares breathe a word against her.

And to convince her that crashing on the ice isn’t all that different from … falling in love.

Wholesome goodness wrapped up in a whole lot of passionate sass! The next book in Kate Meader’s Rookie Rebels hockey series is addictive from the very start when fan fav Reid Durand’s little brother Bastian joins the team and plans his ultimate comeback from last season’s drama. The characters are easy to like and become invested in and the happily ever after is heartwarming. I loved every minute of Bast and Pepper!

Bastian will be familiar to anyone who read his brother Reid’s story previously, so getting to hear his side of the drama that went down throughout his life with his sibling was rewarding. I have to say I liked him a lot and was rooting for him throughout.

Pepper was a tad on the flighty side when it came to deciding what she wanted to do with her life, but she was relatable when the truth starts to surface about her past love life and the drama with her fam.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a close knit group of hockey players that rally around each other through thick and thin just like a solid family as one after another finds their true love and settles into life outside of the game.

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* Release Blitz/Review * COMING HOME FOR US by Carrie Ann Ryan

April 10, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * COMING HOME FOR US by Carrie Ann Ryan

Coming Home for Us by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Wilder Brothers #4
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on April 10, 2023
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I made plans. I followed the path. I fell in love.

Then the world took her away from me.

I swore to never love again, and I’ve done all I could to keep that vow.

But life finds a way and I can’t stop this burning attraction with my best friend.

Maddie stood by me when my world shattered.

She deserves more than a broken man who promised to never love again.

Only I swear she feels the same way about me. And I have no idea what to do about it.

Now she might leave the Wilders and I can’t tell her to stay—even if it means shattering the one piece of me I have left.

Highly emotional and full of heart! The fourth book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Wilder Brothers series is filled with emotion as we get Elijah and Maddie’s story. The characters have played a key roll in books prior in the series and we already know them well, but this book goes slightly forward and shows the healing and rediscovery after Joy. It’s emotional, it’s heart-wrenching and most of all, it’s rewarding. I loved their story!

Elijah has always been a happy go lucky type of guy in the previous books, but after the loss he lived through, he’s a more complex soul and shines in different ways. I enjoyed him.

Maddie is a sweetheart and we always had a soft spot for her and her unrequited love, so seeing her shine and get some of the happiness she deserves is heartwarming.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a close knit family of former military guys who are coming together in life after coming home as each brother finds their forever.

Title: Coming Home for Us
Series: The Wilder Brothers #4

Author: Carrie Ann Ryan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 10, 2023

BLURB

The Wilder Brothers from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continue with Elijah’s last chance at redemption and love.

I made plans. I followed the path. I fell in love.

Then the world took her away from me.

I swore to never love again, and I’ve done all I could to keep that vow.

But life finds a way and I can’t stop this burning attraction with my best friend.

Maddie stood by me when my world shattered.

She deserves more than a broken man who promised to never love again.

Only I swear she feels the same way about me. And I have no idea what to do about it.

Now she might leave the Wilders and I can’t tell her to stay—even if it means shattering the one piece of me I have left.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

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AMAZON / B&N / KOBO

APPLE BOOKS / GOOGLE PLAY

ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINT + AUDIO

PAPERBACK / SPECIAL EDITION

AUDIOBOOK

AMAZON / B&N / KOBO

APPLE BOOKS / GOOGLE PLAY

PAPERBACK / SPECIAL EDITION

AUDIOBOOK

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Releasing December 11

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AUTHOR BIO

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * MADE FOR US by Natasha Madison

April 10, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * MADE FOR US by Natasha Madison

Made For Us by Natasha Madison
Series: Made For Series #3
on April 10, 2023
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Abigail
It was time to celebrate.
After all my hard work, I was graduating at the top of my class.
Our family vacation was the perfect chance to relax.
Until I saw him get on the plane and my plans went out the window.
Tristan's everything I've always wanted but can never have.
One night was all we had together.
Now, I’m staring at the two pink lines wondering if I should even tell him.

Tristan
Six years ago, I was living for myself until I found out I had a two-year-old daughter.
Now, I love my life exactly how it is: me, my daughter and hockey.
Except—I've been in love with Abigail from afar for years.
She was the only one I trusted my daughter with.
One night with her is more than I deserve.
Now that I've had her, I know she was made for us.

Adorable, angsty and exhilarating! The third book in Natasha Madison’s Made For hockey series is pouring on the feels when we get reconnected with Tristan and his adorable daughter Penny. I feel like the backstory could have been clarified slightly better for new readers, and there are always so many family members on Abigail’s side that it’s confusing unless you’ve read all of the series that came prior, but if you’re a loyal Madison fan it will be a breeze and you will adore this story just like I did. The characters are sweet and sincere and the drama is spot on. Loved it!

Tristan is such a doll! I loved every minute of him and his adorable little Penny. What a family unit they turned out to be.

Abigail is hardworking and kindhearted … but I didn’t love how she did him after their night together. Love them together now though!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a close knit family of hockey players and their extended familial unit. The characters are great, the chemistry is explosive and the family love is strong.

Release Date: April 10

From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a brand new stand-alone surprise pregnancy single dad sports romance.

A spin-off from the Only One series & This Is Series.

Abigail

It was time to celebrate.

After all my hard work, I was graduating at the top of my class.

Our family vacation was the perfect chance to relax.

Until I saw him get on the plane and my plans went out the window.

Tristan’s everything I’ve always wanted but can never have.

One night was all we had together.

Now, I’m staring at the two pink lines wondering if I should even tell him.

Tristan

Six years ago, I was living for myself until I found out I had a two-year-old daughter.

Now, I love my life exactly how it is: me, my daughter and hockey.

Except—I’ve been in love with Abigail from afar for years.

She was the only one I trusted my daughter with.

One night with her is more than I deserve.

Now that I’ve had her, I know she was made for us.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Available in KU

Meet Natasha Madison

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

Connect with Natasha Madison

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* Review * SEVEN GIRLS GONE by Allison Brennan

March 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SEVEN GIRLS GONE by Allison Brennan

Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan
Series: A Quinn & Costa Thriller #4
Published by MIRA on April 25, 2023
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When nobody will talk and corruption runs deep, turning to outsiders is the only way to make sure women stop disappearing…

For three years, women have been going missing—and eventually turning up dead in the small bayou town of St. Augustine, Louisiana. Police detective Beau Hebert is the only one who seems to care, but with every witness quickly silenced and a corrupt police department set on keeping the cases unsolved, Beau’s investigation stalls at every turn.

With nobody else to trust, Beau calls in a favor from his friend on the FBI’s Mobile Response Team. While LAPD detective Kara Quinn works undercover to dig into the women’s murders and team leader Matt Costa officially investigates the in-custody death of a witness, Beau might finally have a chance at solving the case.

But in a town where everyone knows everyone, talking gets you killed and secrets stay buried, it’s going to take the entire team working around the clock to unravel the truth. Especially when they discover that the deep-seated corruption and the deadly drug-trafficking ring at the center of it all extends far beyond the small-town borders.

Gritty, raw and seductive! Secrets unravel as danger lurks in the heart of the Louisiana Bayou in Allison Brennan’s latest Quinn and Costa thriller and I was hooked from the very first page! We are quickly thrust into a case of lust, corruption and murder that has detective Beau Hebert calling in the big guns, namely his old service buddy who happens to be an integral part of the FBI Mobile Response Team.

Multiple cases bring various witnesses and players into the story line but the integral part of the story revolves around Beau, the FBI team and the hot spot where all of the crime in town seems to center around. Brennan brings forth a lot of heart into her characters and laying the back drop of this downtrodden situation. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a thriller that will keep you guessing while you are also invested in the outcome of this team of law enforcement and the drama that every day life throws at them.

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* Review * TEXAS RANCH TARGET by Virginia Vaughan

March 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * TEXAS RANCH TARGET by Virginia Vaughan

Texas Ranch Target by Virginia Vaughan
Series: Cowboy Protectors #2
Published by Love Inspired Suspense on April 25, 2023
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Somebody wants her dead…
But they'll have to go through him first.

After his client is murdered, security expert Brett Harmon plans to lie low at his family’s ranch—until he comes across an injured woman in the road. With only Brett’s business card in her pocket and no memory of her attack, Jaycee Richmond turns to her rescuer for answers. But when their search reveals a deadly connection, can Brett protect her from a killer she can’t remember?

Filled with intrigue and danger! The second book in Virginia Vaughan’s Cowboy Protector’s series is a top notch addition to the series with unputdownable mystery and hints of romance. Their relationship really didn’t have time to be developed fully amid all of the drama of the danger knocking at their door throughout, but they felt connected none-the-less and it made for a very enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves intrigue mixed with a touch of romance while their faith is freely talked about. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

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* Review * SINFUL BEATS by Arell Rivers

March 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Sinful Beats by Arell Rivers
Series: Untamed Coaster #1, Sins of the Fathers and Untamed Coaster Crossover
Published by Tarnished Halo Publishing LLC on March 30, 2023
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The line between secrets and sins can be razor thin…

Quinn

I want to make movies that document drama. But in my personal life? I have zero tolerance for it.

So, I intend to keep my gnarly family history to myself. Forever.

Besides, my dream job—making a rockumentary about Untamed Coaster—just fell into my lap and nothing is going to distract me.

Not even my alarmingly sexy Scottish neighbor…

Callum

Gold diggers are everywhere. I learned this lesson the hard way and now keep my family’s fortunes hidden.

So, love and romance aren’t for me. Not anymore.

My brand and upcoming launch party are what matter now. I can’t let anything ruin them.

Not even my very inconvenient (and damn near overwhelming) attraction to the girl next door.

As our relationship intensifies and the launch approaches, I have to divulge my truths. But it’s never the right time. When the beats leading up to discovery run out, our pasts collide in a shocking way.

There is so much to love about this story! Arell Rivers is kicking off a brand new series with a bit of a cross-over from a family her fans will recognize well, but the heart of this series is based on a band who had their world ripped out from under them and how they pick up the pieces after. There’s a brooding Scottish distiller that totally stole the show as well! I loved every minute of Quinn and Callum’s story and I can’t wait for more to come from the Untamed Coaster band!

Angst is a large part of the back story of this series, but heart and fortitude to honor shines brightly with this band.

Quinn will be familiar to fans of Rivers’ Sins of the Father series and in all honesty I didn’t go into this book absolutely loving her because of her part in a previous book … but that quickly changed. Learning her side of the story and watching her put forth such effort with the band while falling in love with what she believed was an average guy was really heartwarming.

Callum was my absolute favorite! Yes, he keeps secrets and all that, but he’s just the sweetest … and I admit, the accent didn’t hurt.

Overall a solid read that I highly recommend to fans of a contemporary romance with multiple plot lines that mesh well with each other.

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