Archives for April 2025

* Release Blitz/Review * NORTH by Sawyer Bennett

April 22, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * NORTH by Sawyer Bennett

North by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #16
Published by Big Dog Books on April 22, 2025
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Life as a member of the Pittsburgh Titans is pretty freaking fantastic. I live in one of the best cities around, get paid to play the game I love and enjoy all the perks of being a professional hockey player. While many of those perks are because of who I am, one in particular is because of who I know.

Farren Abrams wasn’t on my radar until she came to town to visit her brother Rafferty. She’s smart, sarcastic, sexy as hell and can talk hockey like a pro. So when a night out with the team became a drunken hookup with Farren, there were zero complaints from yours truly. We had our fun and then she went back home—no harm, no foul. Now she’s moved to Pittsburgh permanently and while she’s still looking for some fun, I’m starting to look for more.

The more time I spend with Farren the more I like her, but to say she’s relationship averse is an understatement. Something in her past has caused her to head for the hills whenever someone gets too close, but she shuts down whenever I push for details. When she rejects my attempts to take this thing to the next level, I’m forced to seek help from none other than Rafferty, who has no idea I’m banging his little sister. With his assistance, I set out to do the one thing none of those chumps in Farren’s past have taken the time to do—help her face her demons and give her something worth staying for.

Forbiddenly hot! The next book in Bennett’s always entertaining Pittsburgh Titans hockey series is bringing North to the forefront alongside Rafferty’s little sister Farren. I really like the core cast of this series and their tight camaraderie. I liked North and Farren both and enjoyed their time together but felt like the book was too fast paced with not a lot of development of their actual relationship or enough about his back story. I wanted more … but loved them as a couple.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a close knit hockey team that have made themselves a true family as one after another finds love.

New Release
North (Pittsburgh Titans, Book #16)
Sawyer Bennett

Synopsis:

New to the Pittsburgh Titans but no stranger to relentless ambition, North Paquette knows exactly how to put in the work to ensure the win. But this time, the stakes are personal because the game isn’t just on the ice.

Life as a member of the Pittsburgh Titans is pretty freaking fantastic. I live in one of the best cities around, get paid to play the game I love and enjoy all the perks of being a professional hockey player. While many of those perks are because of who I am, one in particular is because of who I know.

Farren Abrams wasn’t on my radar until she came to town to visit her brother Rafferty. She’s smart, sarcastic, sexy as hell and can talk hockey like a pro. So when a night out with the team became a drunken hookup with Farren, there were zero complaints from yours truly. We had our fun and then she went back home—no harm, no foul. Now she’s moved to Pittsburgh permanently and while she’s still looking for some fun, I’m starting to look for more.

The more time I spend with Farren the more I like her, but to say she’s relationship averse is an understatement. Something in her past has caused her to head for the hills whenever someone gets too close, but she shuts down whenever I push for details. When she rejects my attempts to take this thing to the next level, I’m forced to seek help from none other than Rafferty, who has no idea I’m banging his little sister. With his assistance, I set out to do the one thing none of those chumps in Farren’s past have taken the time to do—help her face her demons and give her something worth staying for.

Shop direct at the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore!

E-Book | Audio | Signed Paperback
(narrated by Stephen Dexter and Savannah Peachwood)

Grab your copy at these other retailers:

E-Book: Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo | Google

** additional audio links coming this week as it goes live at retailers! **

About the Author:

When Sawyer Bennett isn’t writing New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling books, she’s listening to her favorite audios, catering to her dogs, and schlepping her daughter to and from the horse barn. Known for strong character development and romance that caters to a wide variety of readers, find Sawyer at https://geni.us/SawyerBennett.

Connect with Sawyer:

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE COWBOY’S WEDDING PROPOSAL by Melinda Curtis

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE COWBOY’S WEDDING PROPOSAL by Melinda Curtis

The Cowboy's Wedding Proposal by Melinda Curtis
Series: The Cowboy Academy #7
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on April 29, 2025
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What's sweeter than chocolate?

A second chance at love!

Single mom Tillie Powell has spent enough time getting over Keith Morgan and his misguided marriage proposal six years earlier. All she wants now is to be the perfect maid of honor to her cousin, proving to her uncle that she’s ready for the ranch manager job, which will support her daughter, Shay, in the process. But best man Keith suddenly seems to be everywhere she is, helping with wedding tasks and annoyingly winning over Shay. As the big event draws closer, Tillie must decide if she’s finally ready to hear Keith’s side of the story—and let his love in.

Tumultuous and attention grabbing! Curtis is delighting her readers with an adventure filled wedding and a handful of second chances with the next book in her Cowboy Academy series. The plot was quick to catch my attention and I was rooting for Keith and Tillie to find their way back to each other very quickly. Her daughter and Gran made for lots of adorableness along the way. Lots of emotion, laughs and upset throughout. Highly recommend!

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* Review * K-9 CONFIDENTIAL by Nichole Severn

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * K-9 CONFIDENTIAL by Nichole Severn

K-9 Confidential by Nichole Severn
Series: New Mexico Guard Dogs #5
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on April 29, 2025
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This fierce K-9

Is facing killer odds

Security agent Granger Morais is stunned when he and his K-9, Zeus, confront the one person he thought was dead—and can’t afford to trust again. Helping ex-informant Charlie Acker discover who killed her young sister may be key to taking down her powerful extremist family. But when Granger must protect her from a ruthless cartel that wants her special skills, will his and Charlie’s troubled history—and reignited heat—keep them alive…or be the one trap they never saw coming?

High intensity and danger lurking everywhere! Severn is delivering angst galore as her New Mexico Guard Dogs series with Harlequin Intrigue is drawing near it’s end. The next to last book is giving Granger his match as he encounters a part of his past that he thought was long gone. I liked the characters and the suspense a lot. The twists were attention grabbing. I wanted a smidge more in the end to give Granger and Charlie a more satisfying step forward to where they are going to end up, but overall I enjoyed their story very much and am looking forward to the final book in the series on it’s way soon.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who likes a fast paced suspense with lots of danger and action along the way.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * PERSONAL SECURITY by Lisa Childs

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PERSONAL SECURITY by Lisa Childs

Personal Security by Lisa Childs
Series: Bachelor Bodyguards #15
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 29, 2025
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He’ll risk anything to protect her…

Even his heart.

Watching over Blair Etheridge as she reopens her family’s art gallery is Ivan Chekov’s first chance to prove himself as a bodyguard. He hopes it’s also a chance to start over. But this job brings up bad memories, and Blair doesn’t want him anywhere near her. Ivan overcomes her stubborn streak after an attack on her life proves she’s in danger. The undeniable attraction sizzling between them makes posing as her boyfriend easy, while the thought of losing her frightens him more than he’s willing to admit.

Mystery and danger around every corner! With the next book in her Bachelor Bodyguards series, Lisa Childs takes us on a ride of suspense as Blair and Ivan are challenged and thrust into the past to seek answers and run from the sinister visitors lurking. The characters were easy to like, the storyline was intense and the danger was satisfying. There were a lot of characters and past cases to keep up with for a stand alone, but if you’re kept up with the series along the way you will feel less overwhelmed. I wanted more development in their relationship and a bit more fill in on the past happenings with this group of investigators, but overall it was a solid, entertaining read.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * LILAC TIME by Fern Michaels, Lori Foster, Carolyn Brown

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * LILAC TIME by Fern Michaels, Lori Foster, Carolyn Brown

Lilac Time by Fern Michaels, Lori Foster, Carolyn Brown
Published by Kensington Books on April 29, 2025
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The air is sweet, the days grow warm, and the budding branches bring the promise of bright new beginnings in this heartwarming springtime collection headlined by one of the most beloved storytellers of our time, Fern Michaels, joined by bestselling authors Carolyn Brown and Lori Foster.

SWEET AS HONEY * Fern Michaels
Natalie is through with pining over her ex. If only her efforts to be social again didn’t lead to repeated run-ins with an infuriating beekeeper at the local farmer’s market. Yet Garrett keeps buzzing around. And as Natalie watches his patience and dedication in tending his hives, she begins to wonder if life has a sweet surprise in store.

EVERYTHING SHE’D EVER WANTED * Lori Foster
Annabeth can see that her neighbor’s handsome nephew, Devlin, has his hands full, raising his little girl single-handed. Yet though his life is frazzled, it’s full of the kind of joy and togetherness she longs for. And when Devlin’s daughter and Annabeth’s tiny dog fall hard for each other, it might be the start of more than one beautiful friendship.

THE MEMORY CABIN * Carolyn Brown
Jenna Stewart loves gathering at her Texas lakeside cabin with her girlfriends. It’s an annual tradition to reconnect with the women who helped her deal with her mother’s passing along with the end of her marriage. But this year, lives are changing, dreams are evolving. And perhaps Jenna’s heart has healed enough to welcome a new love that arrives with the first flowers of spring . . .

* Reviewing EVERYTHING SHE’D EVER WANTED by Lori Foster *

Short, sweet and endearing! Foster always has a way of wrapping a family around my heart and taking me along on their journey of healing and rediscovery. I loved every minute of AnnaBeth and Devlin’s story and particularly loved the addition of his daughter and elderly uncle to bring the adorable humor into the storyline that softened the loss and angst.

I highly recommend this story to anyone wanting a fast paced read with an enjoyable second chance on love trope with lots of cuteness and sass.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE SHELL COLLECTOR by Nancy Naigle

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle
Series: Shell Collector #1
Published by WaterBrook on May 11, 2021
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Two years after her husband’s death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved.

Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he’s convinced he’s not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community.

Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk’s Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pours her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move.

Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

An inspirational journey of love, loss and reconnection! Naigle gripped my heart from the very first page of this book and didn’t let go throughout. The characters are really easy to connect with and make you feel like you are right there beside them as the story unfolds. I picked this book up simply from the gorgeous cover and knowing Naigle’s style of writing, but the story I received was so much more than I was expecting. There’s so much heart in the words as one loss connects with another and healing takes on visions no one ever expected. I adored this family and group of friends and couldn’t put the book down until I completed it. I guarantee it will touch you whole heartedly. I’m really happy to see that there is a second book coming in the series.

I highly recommend this story to anyone that likes a women’s fiction story with hints of romance, lots of faith and beautiful friendships.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * OPENING STRAINS by Arell Rivers

April 17, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * OPENING STRAINS by Arell Rivers

Opening Strains by Arell Rivers
Series: Passionate Beats Trilogy #1
on April 24, 2025
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Rehab and Restraints: A Bad Boy’s Reckoning

One stupid jump onstage at Untamed Coaster’s rockumentary premiere, and I'm out of commission. Pulled groin? More like a damn disaster. And the only person who can fix me is Jenna Westfield. Jenna. The ex of our late keyboardist, who added her to the Do Not F*^% list that survives even though he’s no longer here. And the only woman who made me question my no-strings rule from the moment I met her.

Two weeks in the Hamptons at her clinic, and I'm a goner. Falling not only for her, but also her warm, welcoming mom, a whole damn life I never knew I wanted. But she's holding back, those haunted eyes telling a story I can't quite read. Professional ethics, ghosts of the past, and my own mother's constant nagging keep us apart. Then, one stolen kiss changes everything.

Suddenly, I believe we could have an actual relationship. Almost buy into her ideal that UC is my “found family.” However, the paparazzi are vultures, branding her a “Black Widow”—and she splits.

Now, I'm alone on tour, wondering if I blew my only chance at something real.

OPENING STRAINS is the first book in the Passionate Beats trilogy. This story ends on a cliffhanger, but the trilogy has an HEA. It is told exclusively from Untamed Coaster’s lead singer Bennett Hardy’s point of view. If you crave a slow burn, found family rockstar romance filled with the delightful angst of a playboy’s heart being reformed, then buckle up for UC!

Endearing characters and heartfelt emotions! Arell Rivers shines when it comes to creating a rockstar hero we can really sink our teeth into! Bennett Hardy is the front man for The Untamed Coasters who we’ve met in previous books from Rivers and this book kicks off a trilogy between Bennett and Jenna. There is an abrupt ending and a cliffhanger, but we’re set up for much more drama and angst to come on that way towards happily ever after! The set up of the book quickly held my attention and had me turning page after page to figure out how this was all going to play out. The angst from the past is a heavy burden for the characters to carry, but the connection they have together goes a long way in giving the reader something else to grasp onto and rally around. I really loved their story and I’m on pins and needles waiting for book two.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a rocker romance with lots of heart. Must be okay with a cliffhanger, but it should all play out well in the end.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HER BURNING LIES by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

April 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER BURNING LIES by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins
Series: Detective Delaney Pace #5
Published by Bookouture on April 15, 2025
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As a blazing wildfire rages through Kearny County, homes are destroyed and the town is in turmoil. Amongst the debris, the body of a young woman lies totally still, her eyes looking to the sky, a silver sword pinning her to the ground.

When fire wardens search the scorched remains of an abandoned farmhouse, underneath the rubble, they make a shocking discovery—a young woman, stabbed and left to die in the middle of the fire zone. Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer are called in to investigate.

Leo takes in the woman’s petite features, his voice shaking as he turns to Delaney. He knows the victim—they had met on an online dating site. How did she end up in the middle of the wildfires, and who would want to kill an innocent young woman?

As a second body is discovered at a remote ranch, also stabbed with a silver sword, Delaney is sure the victims are linked—both young mothers, both looking for love. Could Kearny County have a serial killer preying on single women?

Delaney’s heart pounds when she learns that her close friend, Clara Eckhardt, is missing, last seen driving towards the fires. She ignores the evacuation orders and races towards the inferno. But when shots are fired, she knows the murderer has her in their sight. Will she turn back and save herself or chase the killer further into the fire to save her friend’s life?

Non-stop action and suspense! It’s always a joy to head back to visit Delaney, Leo, Clara and the gang to solve the next mystery they find themselves knee deep into. This book was particularly intense because things hit close to home on several fronts. I found the olden mindset a little hard to sink my teeth into with the crime scenes, so it drug a bit in places but I enjoyed the gist of the mystery. I really enjoyed things moving forward a bit with how the friends and family atmosphere is playing out. I look forward to visiting again soon to continue the storylines.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a gnarly whodunnit with impactful crimes and really addictive key characters.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * JUST A LITTLE CRUSH by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

April 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * JUST A LITTLE CRUSH by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

Just a Little Crush by Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde
Series: A Sterling Family Crossover #1
Published by CP Publishing on April 15, 2025
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It’s just a little crush. What could possibly go wrong?

I’ve had more than enough relationship drama to last a lifetime, so romance with Stevie Palmer, the gorgeous server I had a hot one-night stand with, isn’t in the cards. However, she would make the perfect fake girlfriend to help me win my custody battle.

When I offer her an obscene amount of money to play along, she agrees. I insist this arrangement is strictly business. No feelings. No complications.

Easy, right?

Except nothing about Stevie is easy. She’s unexpected softness, stubborn as hell, and impossible to ignore. I tell myself I can keep my hands off of her. That I can ignore the way she makes me feel. Then one kiss turns into another. One night into more. And suddenly, our perfect little arrangement is anything but simple or straightforward.

With so much at stake, can I turn our fake relationship into a real happily ever after?

Sexy, sentimental and sweet! I adore Phillips and Wilde’s heroes when they ooze sex appeal in just the right amounts while at the same time being really good guys and amazing father’s! This Sterling family crossover is fast paced and really easy to sink your teeth into. There’s attraction and ease of feelings, but also depth of family drama and real life obstacles. The core plot was easy to follow, the characters were well developed and the general feel of the connection between them was spot on. I really loved their story!

I highly recommend this book as well as all of the Dare/Sterling series to anyone who enjoys a close knit group of family and friends who always support each other when needed and cheer along the way as they each find their happily ever after.

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* Review * MONTANA MEMORY by Josie Jade

April 14, 2025 Leave a Comment

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Montana Memory by Josie Jade
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on April 13, 2025
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A woman who can’t remember.
A soldier who wishes he could forget.

Hunter Everett may have gotten out of the Special Forces, but the demons that haunt him aren’t as easy to escape.

His friends keep encouraging him to come stay at the Resting Warrior Ranch. After all, it was created for people like Hunter—soldiers with PTSD struggling to readjust to civilian life—but he isn’t interested.

It’s better, safer, for everyone if he just remains alone.

Until he discovers Jada Moyer—bruised, terrified, and with no memory of anything about her life. Cops and criminals alike seem to be gunning for this gentle beauty, but she doesn’t know why.

Hunter can’t leave her to face it on her own.

The more they learn, the deeper the rabbit hole goes. But one thing they both know for sure: the only way to create a future is for them both to face their pasts...

And hope they survive.

It’s always a pleasure to head back to Resting Warrior Ranch! The setting is picturesque, the cast of characters are good natured and the plot is healing and heartfelt. The undertaking of redeeming Jada’s character was a big pill to swallow, but Josie Jade did it well. I quickly found myself sympathizing with her plight and liking her as the person she currently was regardless of her past deeds. Hunter was easy to like as well, but I felt like his PTSD was downplayed a bit instead of shining a spotlight on coping mechanisms and help that could have deepened the depth of the book. I wanted more relationships development before they rode off into the sunset, but overall I enjoyed them whole heartedly and was pulling for them from start to finish.

Jada was a complex character, but she was what drew me into the book the most. She had a softness to her that I wasn’t expecting and it made her really easy to forgive.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a cast of former military who come together to support the building of their forever afters and helping other military transition to life after service.

Filed Under: Book Reviews