Author: Kimberly

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Natasha reviews Night Of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

Night of PleasureTITLE: Night of Pleasure
SERIES #: The School of Gallantry #4
CHARACTERS: Clementine Grey & Derek Holbrook
AUTHOR: Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE: March 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An arranged marriage is daunting, but not as daunting as seducing a spouse whose passions you do not understand…

Derek Charles Holbrook, Viscount Banfield, knew his fate since he was seventeen when his father announced his union to the
beautiful but mysterious American girl by the name of Miss Grey.
To protect the troubled estate, Derek submits to his father’s wishes, not realizing he’s about to entangle himself in a hell of a lot more than marriage.

Miss Clementine Henrietta Grey may be worth millions, but not a single coin has ever bought her a smidge of happiness. When she marries the charasmatic and dashing Viscount Banfield, whose only strife in life appears to be the uneven seams in his coat, she finds that siring the heir he wants requires far more than her heart is prepared to give.

Unable to seduce his overly-serious and reluctant wife, Derek realizes his dreams of creating a loving family has turned into a nightmare. But with the unexpected assistance of a retired courtesan and her outrageous school, Derek and Clementine discover that passion is a language spoken not just from the body, but from the mind, heart and soul.

REVIEW:
I just love this series! I thought I knew the characters well since I’ve encountered them in previous books, but I was so wrong. Focusing on Derek and Clementine rather than them being mere mentions made me see them in a whole new light and I loved it! Poor Derek, he expected so much from his marriage to Clementine, and she just wasn’t having any of it. She is extremely strong-minded and doesn’t submit to anyone’s authority over her own. She initially was a very difficult character for me to like, which is not the norm with Delilah’s novels – I instantly fall in love with everyone. However, as we got to know Clementine better I feel like I began to understand her at the same time Derek did, and I realized how wrong I’d been about her. She is a truly unique and complicated individual. By the time I got to the end of the book, I was astonished at how beautifully Clementine was written and admired Delilah for her bravery in writing a character as different as Clementine. It was a new and great experience for me and really made this book even more amazing. I absolutely loved the interactions between the main characters as well as all the side characters – I’m really hoping we’ll get to see more of them in future books. This is another great story to add to an already fabulous series. Delilah always amazes, and this book was no different. Read it now!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Delilah Marvelle in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly & Kimberly review Waiting On You by Kristan Higgins

waiting on youTITLE: Waiting for You
SERIES #: Blue Heron #3
CHARACTERS: Lucas Campbell & Collenn O’Rourke
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: March 25, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Does being nobody’s fool mean that you’re nobody’s love?

Colleen O’Rourke is in love with love… just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell, her first love, broke her heart… an experience Colleen doesn’t want to have again, thanks. Since then, she’s been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends.

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who’s ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they’ve got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Sometimes your first love is not easy to forget or get over no matter what you do. This is the case for Colleen. She has never forgot the boy she loved when she was a kid. But he is married now so there is nothing she can do. Except Lucas is back and he is no longer married. The questions is can they get over the past hurt? And is Colleen willing to take a chance with her heart on a man who is only in town temporarily.

Waiting for You is book 3 in Kristan Higgins’ Blue Heron series. I really liked Colleen and Lucas. Even if at times both of them are brats. This two have such sad past story. I was really pulling for them, but there were so many roadblocks.

I really enjoyed the side story too. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I am hoping for Connor.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts What if your first love ruined you for all other men? What if he then came back into your life? That is what Colleen has to find out. I really enjoyed this story. It was my favorite of the series or by Higgins in general but it was really good.

I thought I would enjoy Colleen a little more than I did. She is sassy, quick-witted, snide and loves everyone but I never seemed to connect with her. I like her but I didn’t want to become her best friend (if you know what I mean). Lucas is sweet and funny and yet again I didn’t fall for him. Now all that being said I enjoyed their story. I enjoyed them falling in love again and I enjoyed reading about their past together. I am just not sure why I didn’t connect with them.

I would grab any Higgins book that comes along so I can’t wait for the next in the series (Connor’s story maybe?). Higgins is one of the best.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts


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Kimberly reviews Fated Mates by Various Authors

fated matesTITLE: Fated Mates: The Alpha Shifter Boxed Set
CHARACTERS: Varies
AUTHOR: Varies
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All American Wolf by Adriana Hunter: If Serena’s not careful she may lose her heart to Brody Sullivan – the dangerously possessive stranger who is willing to break every one of her rules.
Charming the Alpha by Liliana Rhodes: Hannah Crane’s ordinary life changes after she meets Alpha wolf Caleb. As the center of a centuries old curse, is Hannah a wolf charmer or Caleb’s fated mate?
Change For Me by Lynn Red: Motorcycle riding, tattooed bad boy alpha werewolf fights to save his mate from his terrifying rival. Steamy, seductive, sensual werewolf romance.
Bear King’s Curves: A BBW Werebear Shifter Romance by A.T. Mitchell: Curvy Lyla’s bad attitude toward bears is about to change. Destiny blind Nick is the Alpha to do it, no matter how much passion, mystery, and danger it means…
Delicate Freakin Flower by Eve Langlais: Can a pair of hunky shapeshifting jocks convince a not-so delicate freakn’ flower that they can handle her thorns—and her passion?
The Alpha’s Mate by Michelle Fox: Chloe Weiss has finally met the mate of her dreams, but jealousy in the pack and a murderer on the loose make for a dangerous ‘happily ever after.’
Romancing the Wolf (BBW/Werewolf Romance) by Skye Eagleday: The romantic adventures of two curvy sisters and one hot pack: Can the werewolves survive Bree and her sassy sister?
Protecting the Pack by Tabitha Conall: In a world where werewolves mate in threes, the mating lust pulls one triad together while overwhelming obstacles pull them apart, possibly forever.
Witchy Wolf by Alexis Dare: A brutal attack alters Chloe’s life. As her world crumbles, biker Gabe steps in to pick up the pieces. Can he save her from the danger lurking in the shadows?
A Change To Bear (Last of the Shapeshifters) by A.E. Grace: Liam, shapeshifter, is on the run. Hunted by a man who will hurt anyone he cares for, it’s why he can’t fall in love. Until he meets a curvy Terry Spencer…
Curves for the Lone Alpha by Molly Prince: When Carrie is dumped before a weekend away, her decision to go alone puts her on a collision course with James. A packless alpha who hunts rogue shifters.
The Alpha Claims A Mate by Georgette St. Clair: Curvy Ginger Colby accidentally insulted the Alpha of the local pack when she rejected him at the local honky tonk-and now he’s seeking delicious, sexy revenge.

REVIEW:
I was going to review each story individually but I found myself writing the same things over and over so I decided I would write a general review. Some stories are better than others and some are worse. I guess that is to be expected. The problem is that even the best of the stories was great just good. If you enjoy short stories of shifters then certainly give this boxed set a chance but it just wasn’t my idea of great.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly reviews Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton

hope ignitesTITLE: Hope Ignites
SERIES #: Hope #2
CHARACTERS: Logan McCormack & Desiree Jenkins
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: March 25, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Logan McCormack likes his isolated life on the ranch, until a movie crew starts filming there. When actress Desiree Jenkins blows into his life, she wrecks it harder than the Oklahoma winds with her brutal honesty and soft touch. Des knows this is a temporary stay, but she loves the open freedom of the land, and for the first time in her life, Des feels like she might have found a place she can call home, with a man she might be falling in love with. But Logan’s heart is tougher than the soil beneath them—can she convince him that they belong together?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Love love love Jaci!!! She always knows how to pull me into a story and make me fall in love with the characters. Jaci also always make it so easy for me to want to strangle the characters at times too. And Hope Ignites is no difference.

I loved Logan. He is a total alpha male, a cowboy and a man who thinks he need no one in his life. Logan is an island of his own and he is about to met a hurricane named Desiree..

Desiree is awesome. I love her back bone of steel. I love that she stands by her best friend no matter what. And I absolutely loved how she blow in and turned Logan’s world upside down.

Needless to say I loved this book and can’t wait for the next installment in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Love & Other Cosmic Nonsense by A.D. Marrow

love cosmic nonsenseTITLE: Love and Other Cosmic Nonsense
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Evan
AUTHOR: A.D. Marrow
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Breaking it off with her long-time non-magical boyfriend, Evan, was for his own good. At least that’s what Maggie Owen tells herself. After all, a witch and a human can have no future together. Her vision told her so. But now it seems the universe is exacting revenge for upsetting the balance of what “should be” and her heart is telling her she was wrong.

Evan Jackson can’t believe his bad luck. It’s been a year since Maggie broke his heart, and now his business partner has hired her as their new receptionist. Fine, they need the help. But no way will he let her get close again. He can’t take another heartbreak from the woman he still dreams about, even if it feels like there’s still a magical pull between them.

Being in the same building with Evan is a start, but it’s going to take more than Maggie’s special talents and a wink to get the hard-hearted bad-boy to see that love is really more than just cosmic nonsense and set the universe back into balance.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a very cute short story about a witchy woman and the man she tries to protect by leaving him until they meet again. The characters are sweet and connect well. The background characters are great too. Great short story to have between reads for a light read with a touch of magic.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly reviews Unwound by Lorelei James

unwoundTITLE: Unwound
SERIES #: Masters #2
CHARACTERS: Ronin Black & Amery Hardwick
AUTHOR: Lorelei James
PUBLICATION DATE: March 25, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In this conclusion to the Mastered series by New York Timesbestselling author Lorelei James, a man’s need for control is tested by the one woman he’ll risk everything for…

When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….

Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together. But after their private pleasures are made public, Ronin is unsure if he’s the right man for Amery. Can they face the consequences together? Or will their differences rip them apart?

REVIEW:
Unwound is the final book in Ronin & Amery’s story. Yes there was two books in this series. So if you have not read book 1 Bound. You really need to stop here and get book 1. These stories are too interlinked to read out of order.

In Unwound we pick up 6 weeks after we left off in Bound. Ronin and Amery have not spoken to each other until Ronin shows up at her door bloody, injured and talking nonsense.
Amery does the smart thing and call for help. These two have a huge uphill battle to get their relationship back on track. The question is will they be able to weather all the storms that are about to hit them.

I will say that I enjoyed this second book a little more than the first book. I think that I connected with Ronin & Amery more in Unwound then in Bound. It was a great story of love, loss and learning to find one’s self. There were many heart breaking parts of this book but so many good parts.

If you love Bound you will love love love Unwound for sure!!!! If you have not read Bound again you need to read Bound before you read Unwound.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Fall Into Forever by Beth Hyland

Fall Into ForeverTITLE: Fall into Forever
CHARACTERS: Jon Priestly & Ivy McAllister
AUTHOR: Beth Hyland
PUBLICATION DATE: March 10, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some girls may find guys like Jon exciting and charming. Some are even naive enough to want to date them. But guys like him can harbor dark, dangerous secrets. Secrets you don’t want to know or be involved in. How do you think they got this way in the first place? It’s best to follow your head and stay as far away from them as possible.
Trust me when I say this: Guys like Jon Priestly are nothing but trouble.

Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.

Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.

Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.

Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.

But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts College can be hard enough, even without the added trauma of the past. So when Ivy’s past pops up at her college is throws her into a tail spin. And just when she thinks that she will spiral out of control a knight in not-so-shiny armor comes to her rescue. The only problem is that he is everything she should never want.

Jon, might be well known on campus for all kinds of things. But he really wants is a future, stability and maybe love. Who would have ever though helping someone down from a tree would change his future.

I need to start by saying that I am not a huge new adult fan. I have found few new adult books that I have liked. So when I was asked to review Fall into Forever I was a little hesitant. But I read the blurb, though it sounded really good so I decided to give it a try. And I am glad I did. I enjoyed Fall into Forever. I think any fan of the new adult genre will enjoy Jon & Ivy’s story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Aspendawn Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly reviews Four Friends by Robyn Carr

Four FriendsTITLE: Four Friends
CHARACTERS: Andy, Sonja, Gerri & BJ
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/25/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Gerri can’t decide what’s more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it’s time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealin—it’s transforming.

Andy doesn’t have a great track record with men, and she’s come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja’s lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he’s through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There’s no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it’s BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I had a hard time with this book. I usually love Robyn Carr’s writing but this just made me feel sad in the beginning. I never connected with any of these women or their men. Honestly I really didn’t care if any of them made their relationship work or not. The best part of the story was Bob (and Beau). He is a sweet guy.

I hate that I can’t rave about this book mainly because I love reading Carr’s books and have never been disappointed before but this one just didn’t do anything for me. I can see what Carr was trying to do. I can see the way she wanted to show the different ways a broken trust can change a person and how a cheating man can change a womans life but I hated that the books make it sound like every man is a cheater in some way.

There are some good parts in this book so I don’t want anyone to think that I hated the book. I didn’t. It just didn’t work for me but I will most certainly pick up the next book by Carr because she is one of the best.

Disclaimer:
II received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Sex & The Single Vamp by Robin Covington

sex and single vampTITLE: Sex and The Single Vamp
CHARACTERS: Cici & Deacon
AUTHOR: Robin Covington
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cici Trent, vampire and media darling, spends her days finding true love for humans and supernaturals (the “Others”) at her dating agency. But someone is trying to sabotage her business and she needs help. Unfortunately, the best man for the job is the one who broke her still-beating heart two hundred fifty-four years ago.

Deacon is a patient vampire. He’s only loved one woman in over three hundred years— CiCi— and she chose another. So when she shows up in his office asking for help, he finally has the chance to lay that demon to rest. He’ll help her, but for a price—a night in his bed.

Adrenaline, mischief, and a little late-night B&E light the passion that even a couple of lifetimes couldn’t put out. But Deacon has a secret and when Cici is suddenly mortal, his deception might be the only way restore her immortality. Can love bridge the gap between a heartbeat and forever?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was a bit different of a vampire book. First both main characters are vampires already so there is none of the human/vampire interaction that makes up for most vampire romances. Second the world seems to know about vampires (and other paranormals) and they are almost a new segregated community.

There is suspense and romance. This is well written and interesting. It has only about 180 pages so it is a quick read good for between novels. If you are a fan of vampire romance and want a story that is a bit different then what is normally out there this is the one for you.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly reviews Dash Of Peril by Lori Foster

dash of perilTITLE: Dash of Peril
SERIES #: Love Undercover
CHARACTERS: Dashiel Riske & Margo Peterson
AUTHOR: Lori Foster
PUBLICATION DATE: March 25, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A no-nonsense female cop reluctantly teams up with the one man who makes her lose control in a deliciously sensual new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…

To bring down a sleazy abduction ring, Lieutenant Margaret “Margo” Peterson has set herself up as bait. But recruiting Dashiel Riske as her unofficial partner is a whole other kind of danger. Dash is 6’4″ of laid-back masculine charm, a man who loves life—and women—to the limit. Until Margo is threatened, and he reveals a dark side that may just match her own.

Beneath Margo’s tough facade is a slow-burning sexiness that drives Dash crazy. The only way to finish this case is to work together side by side…skin to skin. And as their mission takes a lethal turn, he’ll have to prove he’s all the man she needs—in all the ways that matter

REVIEW:
This book was just alright for me. I didn’t love or hate it. I liked both Dash & Margo. But for some reason they just didn’t work for me.
I have not read any of the other books in this series but did enjoy a few moments with some of the other characters (ie. Rowdy). I do think I will give this series another try.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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