Book Reviews – Page 6

* 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.

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* 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.

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* 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.

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* Release Blitz/Review * ALWAYS SALTY by Lani Lynn Vale

April 8, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Release Blitz/Review * ALWAYS SALTY by Lani Lynn Vale

Always Salty by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Semyonov Bratva #4
on April 8, 2025
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Was it considered stalking if the woman you were stalking liked the idea of being stalked?

It started out like any other job.

My brother, the head of the Russian Mafia, wanted me to delete an opponent. Like the good brother I was, I decided to give him what he wanted.

In doing so, I ended up finding a woman that made my cold, dead heart start to beat again.

One day while doing some reconnaissance on my target, I happen to overhear Keely telling her friend one of her darkest fantasies, and I decide that I’d be the one fulfilling that particular craving for her.

I tell myself that it’s only once. I’d give in to that darkness inside of me once, and I’ll leave her alone from then on.
Except, once turns into twice. And twice turns into way too many to count.

Just when I plan to cut all ties so she doesn’t start to develop feelings for a killer, I find out that Keely doesn’t have just one stalker. She has two. And the one that wasn’t me wanted her dead, and I couldn’t allow that to happen.

Not to her.

Not to the woman that not only chased my demons away, but also didn’t care that I had them in the first place.

Attention grabbing drama! The final book in Lani Lynn Vale’s action packed Semyonov Bratva series brings us Dima’s story and we couldn’t have asked for a better heroine for him than Keely. She’s sweet, sassy and sincere and they are the cutest together. This series has been a fun read and although the mafia aspect of it hasn’t been super dramatic or gory, the connection between the siblings has been endearing. I’ll be happy to still catch sight of them once in awhile in the upcoming spin-off for Keely’s brother!

I loved Keely! Her life has been filled with turmoil and despair, yet she’s a sweetheart who believes in love and goodness. She was easy to love.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a goodhearted bad guy and the fun that comes from watching him fall hard for the love of his life.

Title: Always Salty

Series: Semyonov Bratva #4

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Mafia Romance

Tropes: Anti Hero/Stalker Hero/Walking Red Flag

Release Date: April 8, 2025

BLURB

Was it considered stalking if the woman you were stalking liked the idea of being stalked?

It started out like any other job.

My brother, the head of the Russian Mafia, wanted me to delete an opponent. Like the good brother I was, I decided to give him what he wanted.

In doing so, I ended up finding a woman that made my cold, dead heart start to beat again.

One day while doing some reconnaissance on my target, I happen to overhear Keely telling her friend one of her darkest fantasies, and I decide that I’d be the one fulfilling that particular craving for her.

I tell myself that it’s only once. I’d give in to that darkness inside of me once, and I’ll leave her alone from then on.

Except, once turns into twice. And twice turns into way too many to count.

Just when I plan to cut all ties so she doesn’t start to develop feelings for a killer, I find out that Keely doesn’t have just one stalker. She has two. And the one that wasn’t me wanted her dead, and I couldn’t allow that to happen.

Not to her.

Not to the woman that not only chased my demons away, but also didn’t care that I had them in the first place.

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AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

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* Review * LET ME BE THE ONE by Lori Foster

April 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * LET ME BE THE ONE by Lori Foster

Let Me Be the One by Lori Foster
Series: Family Ties #1
Published by Canary Street Press on April 1, 2025
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She’s more than the girl next door. She’s the one who got away.

When Callie McCallahan left Hoker, Kentucky, she thought it was for good. Her parents moved the family away to pursue financial success. Since then, she’s had some bumps in the road, most recently the humiliation of a failed engagement. When she inherits her uncle’s farm in her old neighborhood, it’s the perfect do-over. With her social media skills, she’ll attract a whole new following and restart her career. The only thing is…she knows nothing about farming.

For Tanner Patrick, Callie was the one who got away. He crushed on her in high school, but she barely knew he existed. Ten years later, she’s back—and now she lives next door. Tanner keeps his head down and focuses on his family’s tree farm. But when he sees that Callie is in way over her head and looking pretty down-to-earth and happy—Tanner finds her impossible to ignore.

When Callie stumbles through the woods and encounters her sexy chain-saw-wielding neighbor, Callie definitely notices Tanner. Could this be the do-over each of them didn’t know they needed?

Lori Foster always hooks me with her heartfelt heroes! They can have lively pasts, be tough guys, even down on their luck, but they are ALWAYS kind, sincere and willing to lend a helping hand and I absolutely love that! With the first book in her brand new Family Ties series, Foster takes us to Kentucky tree farm where Tanner is surprised to see his secret school crush return to town a decade later as his neighbor. Callie is starting over and isn’t letting anything stand in her way, but country living isn’t what she’s used to, so neighborly visits become a thing. Great characters, a relatable plot with some twists and turns along the way to keep the mystery alive. Loved this cast and can’t wait to return for my next visit to Hoker!

Tanner was my favorite character by far. He had a hard childhood, but life led him to Addie and Kam who became the family he needed. I loved them all!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance with a touch of mystery and a whole lot of heart and humor along the way.

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* Review * THE DAY SHE DIED by Shannon Hollinger

April 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE DAY SHE DIED by Shannon Hollinger

The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger
Series: Chief Maggie Riley #5
Published by Bookouture on April 14, 2025
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Maggie’s heart pounds as she clutches the autopsy report. What she’s reading is impossible. Yesterday, a woman died in a fire. But her remains belong to someone who died twenty years ago.

When the body of Ruby Anderson is found in a burnt-out trailer, Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen. Ruby supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago—how could she have been alive today?

For years there have been whispers about how Ruby died. There was one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away. Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead.

But when the autopsy report is returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all. She’d been hiding in plain sight for the past twenty years. Who was she hiding from and why would they want her dead?

As Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning is her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. And they’re protecting a dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.

But how deep do the lies around Ruby’s death truly go? With no one to trust, Maggie needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and it lies at the heart of the police force. How much will she have to sacrifice to discover the truth?

Non-stop action and suspense! I really enjoy revisiting Maggie and her team time and time again in Shannon Hollinger’s Chief Maggie Riley series which takes place in the Maine countryside. We get answers to a few unanswered questions from the past in this book, but uncover a few more. I really would like a little better refresher of what has happened previously to keep newcomers to the series up to date and even to refresh a fan’s memory. In particular Steve’s sis wasn’t detailed in catching up the drama that put her in the state she’s currently in enough. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next in the Steve/Maggie saga and I will enjoy seeing Kal come into the forefront in a story soon. Great characters, intense drama and always intense another mystery to solve.

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* Review * ACCIDENTALLY FOREVER by Carrie Ann Ryan

April 3, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ACCIDENTALLY FOREVER by Carrie Ann Ryan

Accidentally Forever by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Montgomery Ink Legacy #8
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on April 14, 2025
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In the world of romance, Aria Montgomery knows two things for sure:

She’s not in love with the man everyone thinks she is.

And she refuses to let herself love Crew McTavish.

Her former best friend is spiraling, and her photography career seems to be standing in her father’s shadow. Aria knows she needs to find her way out of the darkness. Yet she’s afraid if she allows Crew inside, he’ll not only take over—but he’ll get hurt in the process.

Crew McTavish enjoys being the mysterious friend of the Montgomerys. They may joke that he’s dating his way into their family one-by-one, but in the end, it’s only one Montgomery he wants: Aria.

Their pull to one another is inevitable and once a line is crossed, the heat between them ignites.

Only his family’s dark secrets threaten to pull him down and when Aria is threatened, Crew will stop at nothing to protect her.

Even if it means watching the world he’s built burn.

**Accidentally Forever is a next generation, protector, enemies to lovers, best friend’s ex romance in the Montgomery Ink Legacy series featuring Aria and Crew. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**

Aria Montgomery is Alex and Tabby’s daughter from Ink Exposed.

Sexy, heartfelt and oh so addictive! The next book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink Legacy series brings us Aria’s story. For fans of the Montgomery world, she is Alex and Tabby’s daughter. For newbies to the series, you won’t know all of the life stories, but it’s very easy to enjoy Crew and Aria on their own without feeling lost. There will be a lot of family surrounding them, but no necessity to keep track of who’s who to any great extent. The overall pace of the book was steady with lots of sexy times but equal amounts of family, connection and emotion. I loved getting to know them and seeing the fulfillment having the Montgomery fam at their back brought. Great characters, sincere interactions and so much heart melting love. I can’t wait for more from this fam!

Crew was my favorite character in this book because he had to grow the most and learn to let someone in to the most private areas of his life. He thrives on being part of the Montgomery posse, and it looks really good on him!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire Montgomery library to anyone who loves a sexy hero/heroine who also has a strong family support system behind them as love comes around and knocks them for a loop.

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* Review * NOT SO FAST by Karen Booth

March 28, 2025 Leave a Comment

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Not So Fast by Karen Booth
Published by Afterglow Books by Harlequin on April 1, 2025
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Mia Neal is a champion overthinker. Find something, fixate on it and spiral down. Fortunately, she puts that energy to good use: in a podcast about Formula One, her favorite sport in the world. There’s nothing about racing Mia doesn’t adore. The speed. The drivers. The fierce competition. The single-minded ambition. Ironic for a woman who’s changed careers more times than she can count.

Only now, her salty takes on gorgeous Brit driver Xander Bishop have gone viral, and the podcast feels more and more like what she’s meant to do… Then Xander’s teammate invites her to the Miami Grand Prix to see F1 up close—and get in Xander’s head. He’s not exactly delighted at the shade she’s been throwing his way.

It should be all-out war. Instead, Mia and Xander are stunned by the sudden crackle of…something sexual arcing between them. It’s irresistible, unbelievably hot—and Mia’s warning flags are waving. Because this reckless attraction is coming at Mia all too fast…

Entertaining, snarky and fun! Karen Booth is taking the racing world by storm with her delve into F1 racing and podcasting. The concept is fresh and the characters are drama filled and easy to sink your teeth into. I especially loved Xander and his family oriented mind-set. Mia was entertaining, but she also had conflicting messages. She was all for speaking freely and not shying away from the truth, but at other times she let people walk all over her (her mom, the fan club, etc.) which didn’t coincide with her mantra. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much and wouldn’t mind heading back into the pit again with some of the other drivers getting a story.

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* Review * K-9 GUARDIANS by Nichole Severn

March 28, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * K-9 GUARDIANS by Nichole Severn

K-9 Guardians by Nichole Severn
Series: New Mexico Guard Dogs #4
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on April 1, 2025
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A violent cartel’s bloody reign of terror must be stopped

But these K-9s and their partners don’t scare easily

When King Elsher’s murdered partner falls in Scarlett Beam’s path—literally—the DEA agent and security expert find themselves in a deadly cartel’s crosshairs. The message is clear: stop interfering with their business or they’ll be the next victims. The past taught King to keep professional and personal separate. But Scarlett’s wit and determination tempt him to break his code. And then his son is kidnapped, raising the stakes even further. One wrong step can get them killed. Can King get justice…and keep them all alive?

Non-stop action from start to finish! The next book in Severn’s New Mexico Guard Dogs series for the Harlequin Intrigue line is attention grabbing and exciting. The characters both have powerful back stories and are easy to like. I felt like the intrigue of the book was top notch and very easy to hold my attention, but the relationship between them in the end was fairly unbelievable because of the lack of relationship development. I enjoyed them overall and loved the outcome of their story.

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