Archives for May 24, 2023

* Review * DEAD AGAIN by Nichole Severn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DEAD AGAIN by Nichole SevernDead Again by Nichole Severn
Series: Defenders of Battle Mountain #6
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on May 23, 2023
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four-half-stars

She disappeared from his life once
Can he trust her now?

Detective Riggs Karig has never forgotten his childhood best friend. Now he’s found her again, and he wants to know how she’s involved in his partner’s death. He soon discovers that Macie Barclay is a target, not a suspect—and that she knows more about the case he’s working than he does. Can they put their past behind them to save an innocent life?

 

Non-stop intrigue and emotion filled! The sixth book in Nichole Severn’s highly addictive Defenders of Battle Mountain series with Harlequin Intrigue brings childhood friends back together with danger lurking around every corner and secrets just waiting to be revealed. Highly entertaining!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys lots of intrigue with hints of romance and spot on co-workers and friendships.

four-half-stars

* Review * HER ISLAND HOMECOMING by Anna J. Stewart

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER ISLAND HOMECOMING by Anna J. StewartHer Island Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Hawaiian Reunions #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on May 23, 2023
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four-half-stars

If she stays…

Will he stay too?

From sand in his shoes to a gecko eating his dinner, Theo Fairfax is way outside his comfort zone in Hawai'i. Sent to convince pilot Sydney Calvert to sell the tour company she just inherited, he finds himself being won over by the tight-knit community, the natural wonders and Sydney’s free-spirited beauty. Could exploring their growing feelings lead to a future as magical as a tropical sunset?

 

An emotionally endearing trip to paradise! With the kick off of a brand new Hawaiian Reunions series Anna J. Stewart brings family love to the forefront when a sister comes home under sad circumstances and figures out she belongs now more than ever. The characters are easy to like, the emotion is spot on and the scenery is described beautifully. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a sweet romance with lots of turmoil and emotion mixed in on the way towards that happily ever after.

four-half-stars

* Review * THE FRONT PORCH CLUB by Michelle Major

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE FRONT PORCH CLUB by Michelle MajorThe Front Porch Club by Michelle Major
Series: The Carolina Girls #5
Published by Canary Street Press on May 23, 2023
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four-half-stars

They have nothing in common—except a need to start over…

The drawback to having a picture-perfect life is that there’s nowhere to go but down—and Annalise Haverford is falling fast. Once, she was the self-proclaimed queen bee of Magnolia, North Carolina. Now her husband has been arrested for fraud, and she’s become an outcast in the shallow circles she used to rule. There’s only one affordable rental in town, and it’s owned by the woman Annalise got fired from a lucrative job.

Much as single mother Shauna Myer would like to refuse Annalise, who treated her like dirt on the bottom of her red-soled shoe, she needs that rent money. But when Shauna’s first love arrives in town, unraveling secrets she’d hoped to keep, Annalise becomes her unlikely defender. Meghan Banks, an elementary school art teacher whose quiet existence suddenly descends into chaos, is thrown an unexpected lifeline by Annalise, too.

As spring ripens into a sultry summer, the three spur each other on to share their fears and dreams, face new challenges, and seize second chances. Because no matter how turbulent life may be, it’s much easier to navigate those choppy waters when you’re buoyed by true friendship…­

 

A sentimental and sweet small-town romance that shows the true strength of friendship! Each book in The Carolina Girls series has been easy to love and very enjoyable, but there’s just something about this group of ladies who forge a strong bond in the midst of adversity and rally hard for each other that makes this one special. I loved this book wholeheartedly and only wished for a little more resolution in the ending.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small-town romance with endearing characters, heartfelt relationships and humor along the way.

four-half-stars

* Review * THE RANCHER’S PLUS-ONE by Joanne Rock

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE RANCHER’S PLUS-ONE by Joanne RockThe Rancher's Plus-One by Joanne Rock
Series: Kingsland Ranch #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 23, 2023
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four-stars

What did he do that she couldn’t forgive?

And how can he lure her back?

Rancher Levi Kingsley urgently needs Kendra Davies’s help. His family’s business is threatened by his father’s scandals, and Kendra is the best PR-crisis manager around. But Kendra has avoided him since their unforgettable night years ago. Now he’s forced to swallow his pride and hire her.

Kendra believes Levi guilty of an unforgivable betrayal. But she can’t say no to this job. She also can’t ignore their chemistry or the quickly mounting proof that Levi may be a good man after all…

 

With the second dip into her new Kingsland Ranch series Joanne Rock delivers delectable drama and family angst galore! Levi is the second sibling’s story following an unfair division of his father’s estate after his unexpected death and he reunites with Kendra just as the family needs her PR expertise. As sparks fly, tension builds and this reconnection might be just what they both needed in their life. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series.

Levi is sincere and down-to-earth and while I would have liked to have seen more brotherly interaction overall, the backdrop of the story was attention grabbing and satisfying.

Kendra has things a bit skewed in what she believes Levi’s faults are, but she can’t resist hearing him out when he wants to clear the air in the middle of a campaign.

I recommend this book as well as the earlier one in the series to anyone that loves a bit of familial drama mixed up in your romance.

four-stars

* Review * SPECIAL KIND OF TWISTED by Lani Lynn Vale

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SPECIAL KIND OF TWISTED by Lani Lynn ValeSpecial Kind of Twisted by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Gator Bait MC #6
on May 23, 2023
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five-stars

He had a way of pulling everyone into his darkness. Then, to make matters worse, he convinced you that you liked it there.
Kyle Davis—ex professional baseball player and current felon—loved Sara, his best friend. Strictly platonically, of course. He’d do absolutely anything for her, even put up with Greer, Sara’s other best friend.
What she was not was Kyle’s best friend. Or any friend at all, to be honest.
In fact, they couldn’t stand to be in the same room with each other, let alone breathe the same air for any length of time.
Then something happens, forcing the two of them to work together to keep Sara blissfully unaware of the danger Greer’s in.
They come up with a plan. Sara doesn’t need to know.
What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.
The funny thing is, Sara knows all. Sara also knows the two of them are destined to be with each other.
She only has to convince them of it first.

 

Lani Lynn Vale knows her way around sass, humor and heart! The sixth book in her Gator Bait MC series nabs the reader’s heart from the very first page and takes us along for a dramatic, emotional thrill ride! The characters are flawed but easily likable and each has a back story filled with emotion and drama that carry the storyline in multidimensional directions. I wanted a few little plot holes to be filled in, but overall a great addition to the series and so much goodness to love about these folks!

KD is such a sweetheart who quickly endeared himself to my heart. I loved watching him get to finally enjoy the love and adoration that he deserved in life.

Greer is a sassy delight and I loved her ability to love even through all the drama her life had endured.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a gruff hero who lives life to better it for others even though he’s lived through really tough times. I’m looking forward to continuing the series!

five-stars