Author: Kimberly

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Kelly reviews Alone by Kendra Elliot

AloneTITLE: Alone
SERIES #: Bone Secret #4
CHARACTERS: Seth Rutledge & Victoria Peres
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One rainy night in the woods outside of Portland, Dr. Victoria Peres is called to the site of a haunting crime scene. Six beautiful young girls—all in white dresses and arranged in a perfect circle—have been left for dead. Only one girl, fighting for her life at a nearby hospital, has survived the carnage. Things get stranger still when Victoria and the police discover that the disturbing arrangement of the bodies—as meticulous as it is mysterious—is straight from the pages of a decades-old cold case. Victoria is called on to do what she does best, read the bones of the dead for clues…while dealing with the surprise return of her first love, medical examiner Seth Rutledge. Only this time she must figure out how the two cases, fifty years apart, are connected.

REVIEW:
The death of five girls in a remote part of the Portland wilderness leaves the police & the forensic teams scratching there heads. There is no signs of trauma, no signs of them being forced, but there has to be fail play involved. How do six girls all dressed in white end up out in the woods dead or near death. As investigators converge on the sight one realized something very disturbing. He has seen this before, along time ago a very similar crime happened. And three of those deaths never were solved. Are these two crimes related? Is it the same killer? Is it a copycat? And will trying to find the link be too little too late to save the killer’s late

Is there anything scarier than the mind of a suspense author? I think not. Kendra Elliot’s Alone is a twisted mess of past, present and a possible uncertain future. While reading Alone you have a good idea of who the killer might be but Kendra throws some twists and turns in there to make you question whether you are right or wrong. I did enjoy this book, but I would liked the confrontation to be a little more involved. It was over a little too quick for me. But other than that I enjoyed this book. And I am looking forward to what Kendra has for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book 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 Turn Up The Heat by Foster, Ridgway & Dahl

Turn Up The HeatTITLE: Turn Up The Heat
CHARACTERS: Varies
AUTHOR: Foster, Ridgway & Dahl
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Three sizzling tales from three bestselling authors

Love Won’t Wait by Lori Foster
Brendan “Brick” Carlisle is used to women falling at his feet, so shy waitress Merrily Loveland is a breath of fresh air—and an irresistible challenge. But before he can make his move, Merrily comes to him with an offer he can’t refuse. If only their “no-strings” pact didn’t leave him wanting so much more….

Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway
She might have avoided Crescent Cove, California, for years, but no-nonsense Meg Alexander is confident she can handle a brief trip home. What she doesn’t count on is the spark of desire she feels for Caleb McCall. Can a weekend in paradise convince her to give love a second chance?

Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl
Photographer Eve Hill had always told herself that sexy Brian Stewart was off-limits. But now he’s back in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Eve can’t resist their long-denied attraction. When the reality turns out to be hotter than the fantasy, Eve might end up getting more than she bargained for…

REVIEW:
Love Won’t Wait by Lori Foster
3.5 Hearts Sweet story of innocence. I can’t really say much since it is a short story but the characters have a connection right away. Brick is a good guy and Merrily is pure innocence. The story wrapped up a little too quickly but it is an enjoyable read.

Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway
3 Hearts Sad but sweet romance novella. Meg lost the love of her life 10 years ago now she back to the cove and Caleb comes into the picture. Caleb is very sweet and understanding. Meg is still sad and has built a wall around herself. Having read the rest of the series it was a nice trip back to the cove.

Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl
3 Hearts Again this is a very sweet short story. It is a bit sad though. The characters were in love before but circumstances did not allow for their romance. But now Brian is back and the situation has changed but Eve has a hard time getting over how he left. It is a very quick read and did not allow for a lot of time to get to know the characters.

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

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Kelly reviews Sweet Nothings by Kim Law

Sweet NothingsTITLE: Sweet Nothings
SERIES #: Sugar Springs #2
CHARACTERS: Nick Dalton & Joanie Bigbee
AUTHOR: Kim Law
PUBLICATION DATE: January 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Joanie Bigbee, cupcake baker extraordinaire, likes to keep her options open—and she’s good at it. She’s started and sold some 30 businesses in her postage stamp-sized Tennessee town, and at the moment she can be found in a short skirt and go-go boots, selling cupcakes out of the back of a converted Volkswagen van. What she moves on to next is anybody’s guess. She knows better than to be tied down. In any way. She’s watched every woman in her family fall head-over-heels, only to find themselves wondering how to pick up the pieces when love is lost.

When Nick Dalton shows up at the groovy cupcakery, all Joanie wants is a taste; a fling with no strings suits her just fine. But for Nick, a bite is not enough; he wants the whole cake: a big house, a family, true love. But love only makes you stupid, right? Joanie has to decide whether to follow where her free-spirit leads… or hold on to the sweetest thing she’s ever known

REVIEW:
Joanie Bigbee is a woman who has never made any kind of commitments. Not to her family, not to her job and most definitely not to a man. Except for one problem. Nick Dalton. Nick is back in town and really throwing a wrench in Joanie’s armor.

Nick Dalton has come back to town to open a new branch of his business so that he has a reason to come visit his newly found brother. But Nick’s reason for staying might have just changed do to a very sexy pair of pink go-go boots.

This was a sweet book. I really enjoyed Joanie and Nick’s journey. Although there were times that I really wished that Joanie would either put her big girl pants on and grow up or that Nick would wisen up. But all in all I loved these two. I do need to go back and read book one in this series Cody & Lee Ann seem like a really awesome couple. I can’t wait to see what Kim has in store for us next in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Montlake Publishing 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 Master Of The Opera Act 1: Passionate Overture by Jeffe Kennedy

Master of the Opera 1TITLE: Master Of The Opera Act 1: Passionate Overture
SERIES #: Master Of The Opera #1
CHARACTERS: Christy & The Ghost
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/02/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the first tantalizing installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s ravishing serial novel Master of the Opera, an innocent young woman is initiated into a sensual world of music, mystery, passion–and one man’s private obsession. . .

Fresh out of college, Christine Davis is thrilled to begin a summer internship at the prestigious Sante Fe Opera House. But on her first day, she discovers that her dream job has a dark side. Beneath the theater, a sprawling maze of passageways are rumored to be haunted. Ghostly music echoes through the halls at night. And Christy’s predecessor has mysteriously disappeared. Luckily, Christy finds a friend and admirer in Roman Sanclaro, the theater’s wealthy and handsome patron. He convinces her there’s nothing to fear–until she hears the phantom’s voice for herself. Echoing in the labrynths. Singing of a lost love. Whispering her name: Christine.

At first, Christy thinks she’s hearing things. But when a tall masked man steps out of the shadows–and into her arms–she knows he’s not a phantom of her imagination. He is the master of her desire. .

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the first installment by Jeffe Kennedy’s new book. It is a very short story so far (40 pages) so I don’t have too much to say but as a fan of Kennedy’s I am sure this will be an interesting read. It is obviously based on Phantom of the Opera with a few differences of course. Act 1 is just the introduction introducing us to the characters and the storyline. I look forward to Act 2.

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

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Kelly reviews Shatter by Joan Swan

ShatterTITLE: Shatter
SERIES #: Phoenix Rising #4
CHARACTERS: Mitch Foster & Halina Beloi
AUTHOR: Joan Swan
PUBLICATION DATE: December 31, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For seven years, Halina Beloi has been in hiding. But she’s never forgotten Mitch Foster, the long, lean man she had to leave behind. Until, that is, Mitch shows up with a list of questions and a 9mm in his hand.

All Mitch knows is that Halina broke his heart and disappeared. But new information has surfaced implicating her as a player in the deadliest game of Mitch’s life. This time, he’s not letting go without answers. Now terror, danger and heat will fuse them together or shatter the future.

REVIEW:
Mitch, Mitch, Mitch. I think it is safe to say that we have all come to love Alyssa’s smart ass brother Mitch. He has definitely keep things fun and exciting over the course of the Phoenix Rising series. In Shatter Mitch finally meets his match. Well re-meets. Halina is a woman from the past, a past that Mitch wished that he could forget but never will. While Halina may hold the answers to helping the team with their future, she also is the only one that can help Mitch let go of the past. But working together not only makes Mitch realize that he is not over this woman. He realized that he never will be. And that makes the choices that need to be made just that much more difficult.

I love the Phoenix Rising series. And Mitch’s book is just great. I love that Mitch is such a smart a$$. I loved that Halina gets the best of him a time or two. I mean really nothing says I love you like a gun in your face or getting your butt kicked by the girl you love right???
If you have enjoyed the first 4 books in the Phoenix Rising story you will love Mitch’s book!! If you have not started the series you really need to start with book one. This series follows a timeline and while you might be able to read Shatter. You would be a little lost with the references from the past.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Kensington Publishing 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 & Kimberly review Rebel by Skye Jordan

RebelTITLE: Rebel
SERIES #: Renegades #2
CHARACTERS: Wes Lawson & Rubi Russo
AUTHOR: Syke Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: December 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sassy, smart, and sexy, former supermodel-turned-tech guru Rubi Russo has it all—looks, money, confidence and freedom. Her life is a whirlwind of fast cars and fleeting affairs—and she likes it that way. With a past like Rubi’s, forever isn’t part of her vocabulary. So when studly Renegade stuntman Wes Lawson wants to take their friendship to the next level, she’s all out.

Raised a simple country-boy, Wes knows the brazen Rubi isn’t his type. But after spending time with her, he discovers she’s everything he’s ever wanted in a woman. To win her wild rebel heart, he’ll have to prove he sees behind her smokescreen to all the goodness she tries to hide. Then it’s just a matter of crushing her fears, shattering her barriers, and convincing her that loving him is everything she’s been missing in her life, too.

Piece of cake.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Wes has finally realized that it is time to break out of his mold and go for what he really wants in life. And what he wants is Rubi. Forever. Trying to convince her of that is another story.
Rubi is a woman who doesn’t do relationships at all. Her only lasting relationship is with Lexi and now the Renegades. As much as Rubi is tempted by Wes and what he has to offer she can’t take the risk of losing her best friend.
Heartbreaking, fun, determination, a little stupidity and amazing true love is how I would describe this book. Wes & Rubi are on fire in every way possible. They are both headstrong, very determined and very set in their ways. I felt Rubi’s pain pour off the pages of this story. I wanted so bad to hug this girl. And Wes as sweet and determined as he is I wanted to slap him so bad for leaving her. Oh I was so mad at him!!!

Skye has knocked out of the park again with this book. I so love this series and can’t wait to see who is next. Rachel maybe???

Oh but I have one questions for Skye. Was that a safe thing to do with ice cream?

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts I have a new make believe boyfriend. I totally love Wes. He is the guy every girl wants. He is all man but with a heart as big as Missouri (you will understand that when you read the book). He has a romantic side any woman would love and he seems to “get” the way Rubi thinks so well that he makes you melt.

Rubi is just an insecure little girl in a woman’s incredible body. She has abandonment issues, she is commitment phobic and she is just plain scared sometimes but hides it with her flirty ways. She makes the reader want to become friends with her so you can try to help her understand how much she hurts herself.

I loved the first book in the series and thought the author could never match up to that one and I was right… She didn’t match it she surpassed it. The scene at lunch encompasses the whole relationship of the couple. I found that scene so poignant and knew from that moment on this couple should and would be together. Great read!

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

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Kelly reviews A Christmas to Remember by Shalvis, Ashley, Ramsay, Cannon & Pappano

christmas to rememberTITLE: A Christmas to Remember
SERIES #: Christmas Novellas
CHARACTERS: Multiple Stories
AUTHOR: Shalvis, Ashley, Ramsay, Cannon & Pappano
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection!

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, ’tis the season for giving love a chance . . .

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don’t come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who’s set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . .

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn’t mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Plus: Excerpts from upcoming novels!

REVIEW:
I enjoyed 3 of the 5 stories in this book. 3 of the authors were new to me. While I enjoyed all but 1 of the stories it was fun reading these quick christmas novellas. It is always hard to review novellas because the are so short. But if you love any of these authors or looking for some quick christmas reads I would suggest picking up a copy of A Christmas to Remember.

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

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Kelly reviews I’m Dreaming of An Undead Christmas by Molly Harper

undead christmasTITLE: I’m Dreaming of An Undead Christmas
SERIES #: Half-Moon Hollow #2.6
CHARACTERS: Gigi Scanlon, Iris, Collin, Jane and the whole gang
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: December 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Free from Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow and newly turned vampire Iris Scanlon-Calix wants to make Gigi’s first visit home from college as normal and special as possible. It’s taken months for Iris to work up the nerve to spend time around her baby sister after her vampire transition, so she enlists help from Jane Jameson and Company to keep her blood-thirst under control and assure Gigi’s safety.

Gigi, on the other hand, has problems of her own, including the demise of her relationship with high school sweetheart, Ben, and a looming job interview with Ophelia Lambert, the scariest potential employer in the Hollow. And then there’s the small matter of the handsome, frustrating vampire who keeps appearing in Gigi’s peripheral vision, then disappearing before she can talk to him.

Can the Scanlon sisters negotiate romantic problems, vampire politics, and Christmas cookie disasters and enjoy a relatively normal holiday?

REVIEW:
In I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas Gigi Scanlon is coming home for the 1st Christmas since her sister has been turned. But everything will be just fine if Gigi can finally tell Iris about her new job, tell Ben she wants to break up and not freak out about her new stalker. But is Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow so what could go wrong?

LOVED this book!!! Yes it was a novella and totally left me wanting more. But that is okay I have on very good authority that Gigi will be getting her own novel. YAY!!!!!! So once again Molly Harper reminded me why I am so moving to Half-Moon Hollow and plan to stalk Jane, Iris, Gigi and gang until they become my bestest friends ever. I just love everything about Molly’s writing then you add Amanda Ronconi as the narrator and I am one happy reader/listener.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Winter Romance Review! Kimberly reviews The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

Christmas He Loved HerTITLE: The Christmas He Loved Her
SERIES #: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #2
CHARACTERS: Raine & Jake
AUTHOR: Juliana Stone
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All he wants this Christmas is her.

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire with those you love. For Jake Edwards, it’s also time to come home and face his past. He thought there would never be anything harder than losing his brother. Turns out there is: falling in love with his brother’s widow, Raine.

Ever since they were little, Jesse was the Edwards brother who was always there for her, and Jake was the one who knew just how to push her buttons. Raine can’t imagine a life without them, which is why it was doubly decimating when Jake left town after his brother’s sudden death. Now he’s back and she doesn’t know whether to be mad or thrilled. Maybe both. Maybe it will be the perfect chance for both of them to finally find happiness again.

REVIEW:
What a sad story. Raine most certainly is suffering from depression which of course does not make for much of a holiday romance. Jake is suffering from PTSD so the two of them really need more than just each other. The characters seem so angry with each other, with themselves and with the world.

I also had a hard time with Raine being in such a depression yet she feels love for her dead husband’s twin brother? Raine is so self-absorbed that I found her hard to like. She thinks she is the only one suffering. Jake has been with Jesse his entire life but Jake should think Raine’s pain was more important than his own? I like Jake and want him to turn out happy but I can’t imagine he would really be happy with a person like Raine.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and wanted to read this one so much but it didn’t have the same feel as the first one. I will say the sorrow in this series is so real the reader feels depressed too and that I guess is a sign of a good book. The problem is I just never connected with Raine.

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

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