Author: Kimberly

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Kelly reviews Window by Michele Renae

WindowTITLE: Window
SERIES #: Paris Secrets #1
CHARACTERS:
AUTHOR: Michele Renae
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An erotic romance behind glass

The first time she sees her new neighbor, his sexy smile arouses her curiosity — and her desires. His hard, chiseled muscles and playful invitations are irresistible.

Bared before their windows, framed and displayed above the streets of Paris, they embark upon a provocative affair.

Their daring game of exhibitionism lures her back for more and more, and she quickly realizes he is the man she has dreamed about.

Yet she’s never heard his voice. Never felt his touch. Never thought she’d experience something this exquisite.

Or this bold…

Paris Secrets
Do you dare?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Window is an interesting twist on an erotic romance story. Two people, two windows, no touching, no talking yet a relationship of sorts has started. But the question is how will it end? I enjoyed this book. It is very different than your normal boy meets girl romance. That alone is refreshing. I am glad that I pick up this book and gave it a try. I am looking forward to seeing what Michele has next in this series. I really hope that the hero & heroine will finally take that step and move their relationship to the next level.

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.

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo

Naughty NicksTITLE: Naughty Nicks
CHARACTERS: Kim & Blake
AUTHOR: Christine d’Abo
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/21/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kim has been the coordinator at Naughty Nicks, home of the sexiest Santa strippers, every Christmas for three years—and for just as long, she’s lusted after her boss. She enjoys their flirty banter and heated looks, but she’s getting tired of Blake being nice when she’s feeling naughty. This year, there’s only one kind of Christmas bonus she wants.

With each passing holiday season, Blake’s attraction to Kim has grown. But after a bitter divorce, he’s not sure he’s ready to jump into a new relationship, especially with an employee. One passionate kiss under the mistletoe and he realizes he’s had enough of looking and not touching. Fortunately, he knows the perfect way to seduce Kim—a private striptease to prove she’s the only elf for his Naughty Nick.

REVIEW:
Holiday erotica wrapped up in an enjoyable package.

This is a short novella, only about 80 pages, but it is a very enjoyable read if you enjoy erotica. Not that anything is very intense sexually but there is a number of sex scenes.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Big, Not So Small, Curvy Girls, BBW Romance Dating Agency by Ava Catori

Big not so smallTITLE: The Big, Not So Small, Curvy Girls, BBW Romance Dating Agency
CHARACTERS: Becky & Reed
AUTHOR: Ava Catori
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/05/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Becky Holgate’s lost her focus. It’s complicated…she didn’t mean to fall in love with another woman’s guy. How could she be a matchmaker for other people if all she could think about was her own heart? Determined to ignore her growing infatuation, she set her sites on building her career. Only Reed Amwell was making it hard to concentrate; every encounter left her breathless.

Reed didn’t mean to fall for the curvy girl, but she was carefree, silly, and fresh. Her soft curves and playful heart had him questioning his current relationship. Could he be with the wrong girl? He needed to figure it out fast, because his wedding day was getting closer by the minute.

With a laugh-out-loud best friend, an insane cat, and a business to run, Becky Holgate didn’t have time for guys like Reed Amwell…until time was running out.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Big title, short story, big wallop of feelings. I have to say the first thing I did was go to the authors information to see if she was a bigger girl and the reason I did is because the author really has the feelings of a bigger girl in her story. Every big girl (and I am one) has that feeling that they are not good enough, that someone else is better because she is skinnier, and that a gorgeous guy will never be attracted to them and Catori expresses those feelings perfectly.

This is a story with a happy ending (aren’t most romances?) but I am not sure it is a realistic ending in most cases. However the story really hits on the feelings perfectly. And I have to say the writing is done very well. The conversations between characters is realistic, funny and moving.

The story is short, about 120 pages, but it is complete and enjoyable. Every big girl should pick this story up to remember that IT can happen. And every skinny girl should read it to get an idea of what us big girls feel on a daily basis.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews Tempting His Mate by Savannah Stuart

tempting his mateTITLE: Tempting His Mate
SERIES #: Crescent Moon Series #3
CHARACTERS: Asher Kincaid & Ella Hayes
AUTHOR: Savannah Stuart
PUBLICATION DATE: November 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She ran from him once…

Wild one night stands are not Ella Hayes’s style, but with her confidence at rock bottom after a devastating betrayal and her painful departure from her jaguar pride, who could blame her for falling into bed with a sexy wolf? She never thought she’d see him again. And never in her craziest dreams did she expect to come face-to-face with him on her first day with the Kincaid wolf pack. Sleeping with Asher had been one of the most intense experiences of her life—but now she wonders if they could have more.

He’s not letting her go again…

Tired of life as a lone wolf, shifter Asher has joined his cousin’s pack. The last person he expected to see was the sexy woman who ran out on him in the middle of the most incredible night of his life. The Ella he meets now is nothing like the wild, sensual woman he let his guard down with, but he likes both sides of the complicated female. But now somebody—or something—sinister is targeting Ella, and Asher moves quickly to get her under his roof and under his protection. Keeping the sexy female safe and proving they belong together are two missions he doesn’t plan to fail. Because this time, he’s playing for keeps.
Length: novella

REVIEW:
A chance meeting at a bar, a wild night together and very polite thank you note will set the balls of fate rolling.

This was a quick enjoyable read. But like any novella you always want more. I really enjoyed Asher & Ella’s story.

Tempting His Mate is book 3 in the Crescent Moon Series and while you can read each as a stand alone it would be more fun to read for the beginning to understand how everyone got to where they are in this book.

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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Kelly reviews The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris

pieces we keepTITLE: The Pieces We Keep
AUTHOR: Kristina McMorris
PUBLICATION DATE: November 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In this richly emotional novel, acclaimed author Kristina McMorris evokes the depth of a mother’s bond with her child, and the power of personal histories to echo through generations.
Two years have done little to ease veterinarian Audra Hughes’s grief over her husband’s untimely death. Eager for a fresh start, Audra plans to leave Portland for a new job in Philadelphia. Her seven-year-old son, Jack, seems apprehensive about flying—but it’s just the beginning of an anxiety that grows to consume him.
As Jack’s fears continue to surface in recurring and violent nightmares, Audra hardly recognizes the introverted boy he has become. Desperate, she traces snippets of information unearthed in Jack’s dreams, leading her to Sean Malloy, a struggling US Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan. Together they unravel a mystery dating back to World War II, and uncover old family secrets that still have the strength to wound—and perhaps, at last, to heal.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a story of two very different worlds. One set in the present day and the WWII era. But we have two women struggling with love, live and the world around them. Yet some how they are connected.

The Pieces We Keep tells the story of both of these women. Audra is a young widow who is struggling to raise her little boy. But Jack’s night terrors is making life very hard. But the journey that Audra goes on in order to help her son will soon open the doors to a past that and how everything is so connected.

This was another great book by Kristina. I really loved how Kristina took a topic so close to her heart and found through research that the old saying of having an “old soul” is very true. I loved that she was able to take her love of history and mix it with a story that keeps you wanting to turn the page.

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.

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Kimberly reviews True by Erin McCarthy

trueTITLE: True
CHARACTERS: Rory & Tyler
AUTHOR: Erin McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/0/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

REVIEW:
OK so here is the problem… I am not in college.. I am years and years beyond college. This does not say it is a YA book but I really think it is.

First I mean really hasn’t the story about the friends setting up the virgin been done enough? The first thing that got to me was only a page or two in when Rory is wanting to kiss Grant and Tyler the “hero” of the story is sleeping with someone else.

The story is just too juvenile for me I am sad to say. But if you want to read about college kids getting it on then give this a try.

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

2hearts

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Kelly reviews Hunter’s Moon by Lisa Kessler

Hunters MoonTITLE: Hunter’s Moon
SERIES #: Moon #2
CHARACTERS: Aren Sloan & Sasha
AUTHOR: Lisa Kessler
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sasha’s future was stolen from her the moment she was bitten. Now she’s on the run from the Nero Organization that transformed her from a human detective into a shape shifting jaguar assassin.

When a rogue bounty hunter threatens her younger sister, she’ll be forced to fight, and with nowhere else to turn, Sasha will need to trust the one man who has every reason to want her dead.

Aren is a werewolf with a secret. While protecting his twin brother and Alpha of the Pack, he found his one mate for life. Sadly she’s also the jaguar assassin who tried to kill them both. Now Aren is struggling between his animal nature to love and protect her, and his loyalty to the Pack.

REVIEW:
Another really good book by Lisa. I really loved Aren & Sasha’s characters. And if you have not read Moonlight I would suggest you stop here and go grab Moonlight then come back. Moonlight and Hunter’s Moon are very connected and you might feel like you are missing a piece of the puzzle. Be warned below might be a spoiler for you.

Aren & Sasha have a bit of a history. And it is not a very pleasant history. You know with whole tasering, kidnapping, gagging and shooting of body parts these two do not have your typical love at first sight romance. Well it kinda was for Aren, well right after Sasha head butted him that is.
But now the Nero Organization has it’s sights set on Sasha and they are not playing for keeps. This is seek and destroy mission. Aren is determined to do everything in his power to protect Sasha not matter what. But when Sasha’s little sister is used a leverage and now plan has to be formed.

This was a great story. Again we get the story from both Aren & Sasha’s point of view. I am very much looking forward to the next installment in The Moon series. But while I really enjoyed Aren’s story I am so looking forward to Sebastian’s story.

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 Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young

Until Fountain BridgeTITLE: Until Fountain Bridge
SERIES #: On Dublin Street #1.6
CHARACTERS: Ellie & Adam
AUTHOR: Samantha Young
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/18/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ellie Carmichael had a crush on Adam Sutherland, her brother, Braden’s, best friend, for years, and although Adam treated her with proprietary concern he made it clear he thought of her only as a little sister.

Over the years, as Ellie’s crush develops into love, her romantic idealism makes it difficult for her to move on. To make matters worse, as she’s gotten older, Adam’s attitude has changed toward her. His affection for her is now joined by attraction, but his loyalty to Braden, and his fear of losing the only family he has, stops him from claiming Ellie the way she wishes he would.

But one night his attraction is put to the test, and as much as Adam would like things to remain the same everything changes between them in a simple brush of the lips.

Soon lust, love, jealousy and heartbreak combine to force change upon their relationship… and Adam discovers the hard way that life is too damn short to spend it on regret.

REVIEW:
This is a novella of what happened behind the scenes in On Dublin Street between Ellie and Adam and having read the first book I loved being able to watch these scenes unfold.

I enjoyed the way it was written as well. Not as if it was a new story but a look back at the love story through Ellie’s diaries that Adam had not read before. Very sweet and moving. And I love this couple.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Wild Child by Molly O’Keefe

Wild ChildTITLE: Wild Child
CHARACTERS: Monica & Jackson
AUTHOR: Molly O’Keefe
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Monica Appleby is a woman with a reputation. Once she was America’s teenage “Wild Child,” with her own reality TV show. Now she’s a successful author coming home to Bishop, Arkansas, to pen the juicy follow-up to her tell-all autobiography. Problem is, the hottest man in town wants her gone. Mayor Jackson Davies is trying to convince a cookie giant to move its headquarters to his crumbling community, and Monica’s presence is just too . . . unwholesome for business. But the desire in his eyes sends a very different message: Stay, at least for a while.

Jackson needs this cookie deal to go through. His town is dying and this may be its last shot. Monica is a distraction proving too sweet, too inviting—and completely beyond his control. With every kiss he can taste her loneliness, her regrets, and her longing. Soon their uncontrollable attraction is causing all kinds of drama. But when two lost hearts take a surprise detour onto the bumpy road of unexpected love, it can only lead someplace wonderful.

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this story. This story has a bit of a different storyline to it which was enjoyable to read. I thought the characters have an instant connection and it is well written. It is a bit repetitive at times but it does not take away from the story.

I enjoyed the characters and the growth that they both go through and even the growth of the town. I enjoyed the background characters as well. It would be interesting to read Shelby’s story next (hint, hint Molly O’Keefe).

Enjoyable read that any fan of small town romance would enjoy.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Jennifer reviews Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire

barefootTITLE: Barefoot by the Sea
SERIES #: Barefoot Bay #4
CHARACTERS: Tessa Galloway and John Brown
AUTHOR: Roxanne St. Claire
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Tessa Galloway is a gifted nurturer–her verdant garden at Barefoot Bay’s new resort is living proof. If only the woman who can grow anything could grow what she wants most: a baby. Her friends think the right guy will come along, but Tessa doesn’t want to wait. All she needs is the perfect donor to make her dream come true. Then John Brown is hired at the resort. If anyone could make beautiful babies, it’s this gorgeous, mysterious man. So why does Tessa suddenly find herself wanting so much more?

It’s been three long years since John Brown had to leave his old life. Forced into the witness protection program, he’s desperate to be reunited with his toddler twins. When he gets the chance, there’s a catch–he must prove he’s got a steady job and a new wife. Landing a gig as a chef in Barefoot Bay is easy enough. And falling for lovely Tessa is even easier. The hard part? Can he win the heart of a woman who prizes honesty–when the truth may shatter it?

REVIEW: I fell in love with the characters in this book especially the four women who run the Casa Blanca resort in Barefoot Bay. Each of these lovely women have found their happy ending except for Tessa, who is the gardener for the beautiful resort. She has decided after heartbreak and betrayal, all she wants is to have a baby and is desperately looking for a donor to help those dreams come true. In walks John Brown, a sexy man that immediately attracts Tessa’s attention but has secrets of his own. He is on the run from his past and looking for a place to call home until he can retrieve his children from protective custody. When the two meet, sparks fly but they soon find very quickly that they both want two very different things in life. But John has to build a life in Barefoot Bay if he wants any chance of being reunited with his children and being around Tessa makes him want more out of life than just barely surviving.

Tessa was such a great character in this book. She wanted to have a child after suffering from heartbreak and was already in the process of making that happen. She was looking for a donor and to her surprise, the perfect man walked into her life and wanted to work as the new chef at Casa Blanca. She hated secrets because they only led to pain and John was holding quite a few secrets from Tessa because he didn’t want to fall in love with her and then end up leaving her.

John had been through so much after losing his wife and having his children go into protective custody. He wanted to start a new life but meeting Tessa wasn’t something that he planned on. She was everything that he wanted but he was afraid to love again especially if he had to leave to get his children and never return. I was irritated with him toward the middle of this book because he should have told Tessa about his previous life instead of creating more lies that were bound to be discovered. Especially when it came to telling her his real name was Ian. He redeemed himself by the end of the book but there was a point there that I wanted to smack him for Tessa’s sake.

Barefoot by the Sea was a wonderful novel that had me wanting to visit the beautiful Barefoot Bay and spending time with Ms. St. Claire’s characters. I loved Tessa’s and Ian’s story and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series especially the new spinoff series involving the new wedding planners.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Jennifer reviews The Entity Who Came For Christmas by Cat Devon

Entity who cameTITLE: The Entity Who Came For Christmas
SERIES #: Entity 2.5
CHARACTERS: Simon and Pru
AUTHOR: Cat Devon
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Pru Daniels should know better than to hook up with sexy Simon Howell. He’s a vampire Demon Hunter and a former knight at King Arthur’s roundtable. She’s a witch, a descendant of Morgan Le Fay. Clearly things could get complicated.

When Simon shows up in Vamptown while Pru is visiting a friend and fellow witch, he claims to have come for the holidays to visit fellow Demon Hunter Damon Thornheart. But things soon turn passionate as Pru and Simon join together to battle the forces of evil. The holidays won’t be the only thing ruined if Simon and Pru can’t work things out. Can this vampire Demon Hunter find his heart in time to save his love….and his immortality?

REVIEW: The thing that I love about Cat Devon is the humor that is in her books. Her characters have some of the best one-liners that I’ve seen and The Entity Who Came For Christmas is no exception. Simon Howell, is in town for the holidays to visit his protege Damon and search for the legendary Excalibur. What he didn’t plan on was running into the one woman who melted his rough exterior and placed a curse on sex life.

Pru Daniels thought she was done with Simon Howell when he left her and ultimately breaking her heart. Seeing him again brought back old feelings and she is stuck helping him find the Excalibur while he is town. Together, their sexual chemistry is so hot it melts the snow and they just can’t seem to stay mad at each other for very long.

This was a very sweet novella and perfect for the holiday season. My only problem with it was that I wanted it to be longer so I could learn more about Simon and Pru. I didn’t want their story to end. I also loved catching up with familiar characters and I can’t wait to read her next book, Love Your Entity, which is out later this year.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts