Book Reviews – Page 8

* Review * BETRAYAL ROAD by Christine Feehan

August 20, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BETRAYAL ROAD by Christine Feehan

Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan
Series: Torpedo Ink #9
Published by Berkley on August 20, 2024
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The stranger frequenting Azelie Vargas’s local coffee shop is a sight to behold. He’s tall, dark, muscular, and a complete distraction. She’s worried one look from his striking silver eyes will have her acting a fool. But it’s not a look that sets Azelie aflame—it’s the way he boldly tells her every dark, dirty thing he’d like to do to her. She should be scandalized. Instead, all she wants to do is say yes.

Andrii “Maestro” Federoff is in San Francisco on club business. Torpedo Ink needs information to bust up a human trafficking ring, and Maestro has found his mark. After weeks of stealthy observation, he’s not sure if Azelie is involved directly, or if she’s just working for some bad people. What he does know is that he needs to get close to her fast, and soon he can’t get enough.

What began as a setup quickly turns real. But no matter how hot they burn, Maestro’s betrayal could leave their hearts smoldering in the ashes.…

An explosive return to Feehan’s beloved Torpedo Ink series is sure to please fans! Maestro is next up to meet his match, he just didn’t expect to do it while surveilling a suspect in a trafficking case the club is interested in. The characters are well developed and easily likable and their connection is sexy and sincere. I enjoyed their story but wanted a tad more tie up at the end to know what the fallout of everything was. There wasn’t quite as much interaction with his family as normal in this series, so I missed them a bit, but the story as a whole was quite satisfying.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who is a fan of a vigilante-prone motorcycle club who are strong in family and rich in falling hard when they meet “the one”.

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* Review * HOOK ‘EM HARD by Cathryn Fox

August 20, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Hook 'em Hard by Cathryn Fox
Series: Bang Brother Hockey #6, Boston Bucks #3
Published by Foxy Ink on August 20, 2024
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Maeve Carter, Boston Bucks’ team physiotherapist, is the definition of beautiful.

As a former model, her stunning looks have defined her—just ask the paparazzi or the stalker who made her life miserable.

But I see more. Want more. And she can never know that.

You see, she’s my oldest teammate's daughter, and I can’t touch that with a ten-foot hockey stick.

Until a single mistake puts her in my bed, turning everything upside down.

You know what they say about the best laid plans—pun intended.

I should walk away. I need to walk away. Except now that I have her where I’ve always wanted her, I’m hooked…hard.

But then we have to fake a relationship to appease my meddling mother. Only problem is, I don’t want to fake it anymore.

What do you think I should do about that?

Emotionally riveting and oh so steamy! The final book in the beloved Bang Brother’s hockey series is Tanner’s story and Cathryn Fox takes the reigns to deliver all the feels! I was quickly hooked and loved every page of Tanner and Maeve’s story. I wanted a little more in a few places … a little resolution on where things stood with Kate in the end, more development of ex’s situation and most of all I missed having Stella as an integral part of the storyline. I was hoping for a big meet up of all of the siblings and their newly found loves to tie it all together, but none-the-less I highly enjoyed this series and recommend it to all who love steamy hockey romance with lot of family interaction as each sibling finds their happily ever after!

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* Review * HUNTING COLTON’S WITNESS by Anna J. Stewart

August 20, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HUNTING COLTON’S WITNESS by Anna J. Stewart

Hunting Colton's Witness by Anna J. Stewart
Series: The Coltons of Owl Creek #8
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on August 20, 2024
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It’s his duty to protect her…

But falling in love isn’t part of the job

Vivian Maylor is Detective Nate Colton’s key witness—and the most enticing woman he’s ever met. His determination to keep their relationship purely professional falls apart after an attempt on her life almost succeeds. With help from his newfound Colton family, Nate should be able to keep Vivian safe. But when he finds out Vivian might have a connection to a bigger case, the attempts on her life become more frequent. Will Nate get the chance to protect Vivian so they can explore more than their instant attraction?

My interest was piqued quickly! Nate Colton is heating up the pages in the next installment of The Colton’s of Owl Creek and he was quite the leading man. I enjoyed getting to see him in action as he rushed to keep Vivian safe from the guys trying to silence her after she witnessed a crime. The storyline held my attention throughout and I enjoyed their connection a lot. There was some disjointedness having to do with the cult storyline … in Chapter 4 he mentioned it in connection with his Mom’s positioning with the Colton’s but then in Chapter 10 acted like he knew nothing about it when talking to Fletcher, so there were definitely some editing issues there that were not caught, but unless you were paying attention closely, it probably wouldn’t affect your enjoyment of the story. Overall a fast paced, attention grabbing read that I highly enjoyed!

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* Review * GONE BY DAWN by H.K. Christie

August 20, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * GONE BY DAWN by H.K. Christie

Gone by Dawn by H. K. Christie
Series: Val Costa #1
Published by Bookouture on August 27, 2024
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You kissed your daughter goodnight. By morning, she’s gone.

Two days ago, FBI Agent Val Costa came face to face with a serial killer known as the Bear. One of only two women ever to survive, she’s forever branded with his signature: a curling “S” carved into her skin. Val knows it’s only a matter of time before he takes another victim.

Forced home to recover, Val returns to Red Rose County, California, to be with her son. But the very next day she finds the close-knit community panic-stricken over the disappearance of blonde-haired, freckled-faced local teen, Scarlett Douglas.
Defying orders, Val interviews the Douglas family at their farmhouse and uncovers a less-than-idyllic picture. Housebound since a devastating diagnosis, Scarlett’s world was crumbling. The sight of Scarlett’s unworn prom dress hanging in her room brings a tear to Val’s eye. She won’t sleep until this sweet girl is home and safe.

Val and her team search the nearby towering redwoods for any clue to what happened the morning Scarlett disappeared. But the case takes a sinister turn when a little pink teddy bear is delivered to Val’s door. Did the Bear follow her to Red Rose County? Is her family now in terrible danger? Could Scarlett be his latest victim?

Working around the clock, Val begins to question if the Douglases are the loving parents they claim to be. With time running out to save Scarlett’s life, and the truth just within her reach, will Val once again come face to face with the Bear? And who—if anyone—will survive?

A new mystery around every corner! The Val Costa series is kicking off with a bang as danger lurks with one mystery after another rearing it’s head to peak our interest. I feel like the main story was developed well and held my attention page after page as twists kept heating things up, but Val’s personal storyline lacked development and left us hanging a good bit. I wanted more from her and her case and a connection to secure her deeply into my mind to carry forward into more books. I’m hoping she will fill out some in the next book with a lock in of what is going on with her to make her more satisfying.

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* Release Blitz/Review * UNBREAKABLE LOVE by Stacey Lynn

August 15, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * UNBREAKABLE LOVE by Stacey Lynn

Unbreakable Love by Stacey Lynn
Series: The Kelley Family #3
on August 15, 2024
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I don’t think anyone would’ve chosen to be a single dad before their driver’s license even arrived in the mail, but that was the curveball that life threw at me. While my classmates were partying it up at football games and Prom, I was dealing with ear infections and learning how to be the best kind of dad like my father was to me.

I all but gave up on trusting a woman again and finding love as I had more important
responsibilities: being a proud girl dad to Josie, helping my family out on their ranch, and starting my own construction business.

Then Penelope Pesco shows up and kills my resolve to remain alone. She’s not only the most alluring woman I’ve ever met, but a forbidden one too: She’s my daughter’s new teacher.

She’s also my new neighbor.

Sweet Penny is pure temptation in one gorgeous package with her sunflower blonde hair and beguiling sky-blue eyes, and I’m having a hard time staying away. Keeping myeight-year-old daughter from falling in love with her is hard enough. We both don't need to fall in love with her and end up with our hearts broken.

Then tragedy strikes my family in an entirely shocking way, and reality hits. Life’s too short to keep running and living in fear. This is my chance and I’m grabbing it with both hands.

I can only hope I haven’t screwed everything up. Hopefully, there’s a chance I can fix what
I’ve broken. Josie and I love and adore Penny and can only hope that our unbreakable love isn’t shattered beyond repair.

Adorable and easy to love! The third book in Stacey Lynn’s Kelley Family series is revolving around Gaven and his sassy daughter Josie. She is a trip and a half and really brought the humor to life for the reader. I enjoyed seeing him fall hard for teacher Penny no matter how much he fought it along the way. The characters were all easy to like and the plot was fast moving and action packed. I felt like the ending came really abruptly with a lot of things happening that got glossed over and summarized that I really would have enjoyed some more development on. Overall a solid read and I’m looking forward to the next in the series!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a close-knit family who always has each others backs as each sibling falls for their forever love.

Unbreakable Love by Stacey Lynn is now live!

A small town, single dad, forbidden romance from bestselling author, Stacey Lynn.

I don’t think anyone would’ve chosen to be a single dad before their driver’s license even arrived in the mail, but that was the curveball that life threw at me. While my classmates were partying it up at football games and Prom, I was dealing with ear infections and learning how to be the best kind of dad like my father was to me.

I all but gave up on trusting a woman again and finding love as I had more important

responsibilities: being a proud girl dad to Josie, helping my family out on their ranch, and starting my own construction business.

Then Penelope Pesco shows up and kills my resolve to remain alone. She’s not only the most alluring woman I’ve ever met, but a forbidden one too: She’s my daughter’s new teacher.

She’s also my new neighbor.

Sweet Penny is pure temptation in one gorgeous package with her sunflower blonde hair and beguiling sky-blue eyes, and I’m having a hard time staying away. Keeping myeight-year-old daughter from falling in love with her is hard enough. We both don’t need to fall in love with her and end up with our hearts broken.

Then tragedy strikes my family in an entirely shocking way, and reality hits. Life’s too short to keep running and living in fear. This is my chance and I’m grabbing it with both hands.

I can only hope I haven’t screwed everything up. Hopefully, there’s a chance I can fix what

I’ve broken. Josie and I love and adore Penny and can only hope that our unbreakable love isn’t shattered beyond repair.

Download today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RzeXcS

Amazon Worldwide: https://geni.us/7jNcEvD

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3KPkb0A

Read the other books in The Kelley Family series!

Undeniable Love (novella): https://viewbook.at/undeniable24

Unending Love: https://viewbook.at/30p4zp

Unstoppable Love: https://viewbook.at/unyielding24

Meet Stacey

Stacey Lynn likes her coffee with a dash of sugar, her heroes with a side of bossy, and her wine a deep shade of red.

The author of over thirty romance novels, many of which have been best-selling titles on Amazon, AppleBooks, and Barnes & Noble, she loves being able to turn her vivid imagination into a career that brings entertainment and joy to her readers. Focused on sports romance and emotional, small-town romance, she also loves stretching herself in different genres.

Born in Texas and raised in the Midwest, she now makes her home in North Carolina and loves all things Southern. Together with her ultimate tall, dark, and handsome hero, she has four children. Her life is a chaotic mess that fights with her Type-A, list-making, neurotically organized preferences and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Connect with Stacey

Website: www.staceylynnbooks.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6995826.Stacey_Lynn

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stacey-Lynn/e/B00CD6VVQG/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/staceyssultryreaders/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/staceylynn.author

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/staceylynnbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@staceylynnbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stacey-lynn

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/staceylynnbooks/_created/

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * JOY by Danielle Steel

August 12, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Joy by Danielle Steel
Published by Dell on August 13, 2024
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When she is only six years old, Allegra Dixon’s party-loving mother leaves without so much as a goodbye. Her father, an emotionally distant military officer, is also unable—or unwilling—to care for her. Sent to live like a ghost in her grandparents’ joyless home, Allegra finds her only solace through an escape into books.

Attending boarding school, life finally takes a turn when she meets a dashing young West Point cadet named Shep Williams. Soon their friendship blossoms into something more, and they fall deeply in love.

After college, Allegra has established herself as a book editor and Shep is rising through the ranks of the military. But then Shep suddenly receives a posting to Afghanistan, and they decide to marry before he goes. Between his deployments, they cling to their brief and fraught stolen moments together. Each time he leaves, Shep promises the separations will soon come to an end.

But soon Allegra realizes that the horrors of war have begun to change her husband into a man she no longer recognizes. The trauma he has experienced proves to be too harrowing, and Allegra will find herself feeling utterly alone again just when she thought she’d finally found happiness.

In her new novel,Danielle Steel tells the unforgettable story of a woman who refuses to give up until she finds the joy she deserves.

An emotional journey of searching for joy! Danielle Steel is a natural when it comes to painting a picture for her reader of great detail into the core of each character so it feels like we are walking the path alongside them. Allegra is an extremely easy character to connect with because she has been so neglected emotional throughout her childhood that we can’t help but want to wrap our arms around her. I found her journey and perseverance to be inspiring and I really enjoyed getting to know her. The plot held my attention, her supporting characters were well developed and enjoyable and seeing her finally be seen was inspiring. The only thing I walked away from this book feeling bereft about was that she never got true closure with that first love. I would have loved for her to have run across him one last time … whether it be in person and a final goodbye, or in finding out info about him. He was her first savior in feeling love, so I had a special spot in my heart for him even after. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an inspiring life journey of overcoming life even when it throws you obstacles time and time again. I loved Allegra’s spirit!

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* Review * BABY IN JEOPARDY by Tara Taylor Quinn

August 12, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BABY IN JEOPARDY by Tara Taylor Quinn

Baby in Jeopardy by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: Sierra's Web #17
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on August 20, 2024
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A foundling brings her danger…

And a second chance at love.

Though she loved her ex-husband, Jenny Sanders couldn’t live with Ben’s suffocating overprotectiveness. The wary cop saw danger everywhere and it broke up their marriage. But a baby abandoned at Jenny’s day care center thrusts her into the crosshairs of a violent attacker. Now she and the baby need Ben’s protection. With the violence escalating, the pair realize they must stay together and go into hiding with the baby. Can these dangerous circumstances erase the differences that drove them apart? And can they find a way to save the tiny infant from the people hunting for her?

Addictive suspense from start to finish! Tara Taylor Quinn is always good at endearing a character to her reader’s heart, and this particular book is especially tender because it revolves around an abandoned baby. I was quickly hooked on this reunion romance that is filled with tension and danger while also heartwarming with memories and connections that only years together can produce. I was rooting for Jenny and Ben the whole time and the only thing I wanted a little more of was more development into what exactly happened to cause the split with Simon and them as a whole. Great plot, satisfying characters and a sweet reconnection.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire Sierra’s Web series to anyone who enjoys a romance that is riddled with hard issues that they have to overcome to be secure in their happily ever after.

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* Review * A COWGIRL FINDS HOME by Carol Ross

August 12, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A COWGIRL FINDS HOME by Carol Ross

A Cowgirl Finds Home by Carol Ross
Series: The Blackwell Belles #2
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on August 20, 2024
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They're enemies for life…

Or for as long as it takes to fall in love

Executive assistant and ex-cowgirl Violet Blackwell knows her boss’s nephew, Garrett McCoy, is the life of the party—and the charming thorn in her side! But when they’re forced to share a ranch house together, she proves she’s not the “buzzkill” he thought she was. In fact, they’re starting to become more than friends. Only, McCoy’s hiding a secret agenda. Will it throw Violet off cowboys…for good?

Quick to hook and sure to please! Snarky wit and good-natured ribbing brings the story to life when Carol Ross brings us Violet Blackwell’s story as the second book in The Blackwell Belles series and I loved my visit as always! The characters were quick to hold my attention as the conspiring behind the scenes brought a smile to my face. Tension filled moments and attraction galore led to more love than hate pretty quickly between these two enemies. I am enjoying the set up from sibling to sibling, but I am a bit surprised that we aren’t seeing any interaction between even the sister we’ve already gotten to know into each book that follows. It feels a bit disjointed, but I enjoyed the current plot as it played out and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all moves forward as each sister arrives on the scene.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a buttinsky family who loves hard and holds a grudge even harder as they come back together to mend fences and each find their happily ever after. If you haven’t read the Blackwells in all of their prior series, I highly recommend you go back to the beginning and really get to know Big E!

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* Review * BURIED TOO DEEP by Karen Rose

August 6, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BURIED TOO DEEP by Karen Rose

Buried Too Deep by Karen Rose
Series: New Orleans #3
Published by Berkley on August 13, 2024
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Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.

Employed as the nighttime security guard of Broussard Investigations, Phineas Bishop has been working through overwhelming PTSD episodes from his army service while still utilizing his military skills. But when a violent break-in occurs at the office, the accusatory eyes of the NOPD are on Phin, and he resolves to track down the intruder and clear his name.

Phin’s only lead is Cora Winslow, a spirited librarian who also needs answers. The body of her father, murdered twenty-three years ago, has just been discovered under a recently demolished building. So who has been sending her handwritten letters—written and signed by her father—every year since she was five? Someone wants to keep Cora in the dark. And now, they’re coming for her.

As Cora’s self-appointed bodyguard, Phin is surprised by his growing fondness for the woman and her fierce determination and research prowess. But New Orleans’s Garden District holds secrets as old as the streets themselves. With help from the entire Broussard P.I. team, Phin and Cora enter a labyrinth of fraud and homicide that threatens to bury them all.

Filled with all of the diabolical tension of a typical Karen Rose novel plus a whole lot of heart! We are always guaranteed lots of twists and turns when picking up Rose’s anxiously awaited new release and Buried Too Deep delivers on all of that, plus adds a great storyline on PTSD, healing and redemption. I loved the human aspect of living with change and adjusting expectations and I also enjoyed the familiar faces of Broussard Investigations as a touching stone. Great plot, intricate character development and mystery and a genuinely well thought out transition from good to evil without second thought.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a familiar cast of characters solving a new case and having each others backs through thick and thin as danger lurks in the least expected places.

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* Review * THE HOMETOWN LEGEND by Maisey Yates

August 6, 2024 Leave a Comment

The Hometown Legend by Maisey Yates
Series: Four Corners Ranch
Published by Canary Street Press on July 23, 2024
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Can this battle-scarred cowboy find redemption in her arms?

Rory Sullivan has always grown up in her sisters’ shadows. But this summer, she's determined to make some changes. Rekindling her teenage friendship with Pyrite Falls’s prodigal son, Gideon Payne, feels like a good start. She can instantly see he’s in pain, but she’s sick of being afraid of life and she refuses to be intimidated by him. But is she brave enough to act on her attraction to Gideon's raw physicality?

Decorated army hero Gideon’s return has sent the local community into parade-planning overdrive. Except Gideon isn’t the all-around golden boy who left. His life imploded in the same explosion that caused his honorable discharge from the army—he lost his career, his marriage and he damn near lost himself. Gideon knows Rory is far too innocent for someone as damaged as him. But the scorching hunger between them is irresistible… All he can offer is something temporary, unless Rory can make Gideon see he's capable of giving her everything she needs…

Small-town angsty goodness! Yates can always be counted on for relatable characters and a small-town connection that will have her reader’s attention from start to finish. The Four Corners Ranch series is bringing us a touch of several families who comprise the community and this one brings us Rory Sullivan’s story. She’s the youngest and admittedly the most naive, but she loves hard and has a persistence about her that will take her far. I highly enjoyed her connection with Gideon. A tad slow, but well developed and enjoyable.

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