Author: Kimberly

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Secret Santa by Michael, Levine, Bostwick and Myers

Secret SantaTITLE: Secret Santa
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Michaels, Levine, Bostwick and Myers
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Christmas is the time for miracles, mayhem, and holiday romance in these wonderful stories from four of today’s most beloved authors…

“Mister Christmas” by Fern Michaels
A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O’Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client’s will–only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?

“The Yellow Rose of Christmas” by Marie Bostwick
Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumor has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?

“Nightmare on Elf Street” by Laura Levine
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa’s elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she’s teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he’s found murdered on the job–and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer…

“Room at the Inn” by Cindy Myers
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope–especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she’s truly made of…

REVIEW:
I was going to review each story separately but in all honesty they were all equally boring. There was no true connection between any of the characters. There was no real feel of the holidays either.

I just couldn’t get into these stories and I love the holiday stories when they come out. I’m sorry I just couldn’t enjoy this book.

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

2hearts

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Kelly reviews Fury Of Desire by Coreene Callahan

Fury Of DesireTITLE: Fury of Desire
SERIES #: Dragonfury #4
CHARACTERS: Wick & J.J. Solares
AUTHOR: Coreene Callahan
PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No warrior of the Nightfury pack is more complicated or damaged than Wick.

Scarred from a childhood of slavery and torture, Wick cannot bear the touch of another person. But all bets are off when he meets J.J. Solares. When she is unjustly imprisoned, Wick agrees to help rescue and keep her from harm. But Wick lives a life of self-imposed isolation and venturing into the world to seek justice for J.J. may be more than he can bear.

Brutalized by the harsh reality of prison, J.J thinks she is hallucinating when a majestic dark-haired god sweeps in to save her—and Wick is shaken to his core by the attraction he feels for J.J. But neither is out of harm’s way yet. When they find themselves at the center of a Dragonkind war, they are forced to make the ultimate choice—surrender to their fears or accept each other’s love.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I love Wick. He is a man of very few words but shows his loyalty with his actions. So when he wants to payback Mac ,his fellow Nightfury, for saving Venom’s life he decided to rescue Tania’s little sister Jamison (aka J.J.). Not everything goes quite according to plan while getting Jamison out of the hospital . And thing get even worse the moment Wick touches her.

This was a great Nightfury story. Wick and Jamison are perfect for each other. Both have a past that allows them to understand the others pain. Wick really does try to do what he thinks is the right thing. He tries to stay away from Jamison, he really wants to let her go because she deserves better. Or what Wick thinks is better. But Jamison has other plans. 🙂

If you have read the other Nightfury books you will really like Wick’s book. A lot of things happen. And I have a new soft spot for Venom. All I will say is poor Venom, this boy needs some serious love. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the Nightfury’s and I really wish the bad guys would get their just desserts very soon.

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 For Love Of Lacey by Sandra Chastain

For The Love of LaceyTITLE: For Love Of Lacey
SERIES #: Holland-Winter #2
CHARACTERS: Lacey & Tyler
AUTHOR: Sandra Chastain
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/14/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The last time Lacey Lee Wilcox saw straight-laced corporate type Tyler Winter, he was wearing a permanent scowl with his perfectly tailored suit. So when he shows up at her best friend’s bohemian wedding, Lacey takes it upon herself to keep the cynical exec out of the way. But underneath the pinstripes, Lacey finds an old soul—not to mention an incredible body—and what was supposed to be a vexing day turns into a wild time that leaves Lacey wanting more.

Lacey’s taste for adventure stirs something in Tyler he wasn’t sure he still possessed. It’s something that worries him just a little—after all, he hasn’t become Atlanta’s most successful real-estate mogul by letting loose. But maybe, just maybe, there is such a thing as working too hard . . . and there’s no one Tyler would rather play hooky with than lovely Lacey.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a re-release from 1988 and while there are a few things things that are dated it is worth the read. Tyler is so adorably cute. He made me smile a number of times. Lacey cracks me up too. They are quite the pair.

The mood does change some about half way through the story and turns a little more serious but it is still a really good read…. it just looses some of the fun element of it.

This is a quick read and worth having around for the in between books pick up.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews The Devil’s In The Details by Kimberly Raye

Devils in the DetailsTITLE: The Devil’s In The Details
SERIES #: Devil #1
CHARACTERS: Jess & Cutter
AUTHOR: Kimberly Raye
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/08/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jess Damon’s life is…complicated. Not only is she a man-eating succubus (albeit recently reformed), but she has the mother from hell—literally. Yep, Houston’s hottest wedding planner is the daughter of the devil. Though as far as her mother knows, Jess is only in the business to hook up with hunky groomsmen, not to find true love.

But when demon hunter Cutter Owens rolls into town, turning her back on her evil birthright proves harder than Jess thought. Cutter is out to take down the devil once and for all—and he wants Jess’s help to do it. There’s no denying Cutter is gorgeous, in that sexy “a demon stole my soul” sort of way. And, sure, Lillian Damon is the queen of evil. But she’s still Jess’s mom. Now Jess must outfox the world’s greatest demon hunter without revealing her true identity or—devil forbid!—falling in love. Sexy, funny, and fiendishly clever, this bewitching paranormal romance is one hell of a read.

REVIEW:
I have read a couple of Raye’s books but never a paranormal one by her and I am just not sure I enjoyed it. The story is interesting but a little common. And while Raye’s sense of humor is usually enjoyable to me this one just seemed silly.

There is also too many characters. I know that is odd but Raye seems to have needed to add every Hellish character she has ever heard of. I also didn’t realize this is a continuous story which I didn’t enjoy. I will probably pick up the next book hoping it is better.

There are good points to this book. The story is funny in and of itself and some of the background characters are fun to read about too. This one just didn’t make me impressed.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews An Unlucky Moon by Carrie Ann Ryan

An Unlucky MoonTITLE: An Unlucky Moon
SERIES #: Dante’s Circle
CHARACTERS: Hunter Brooks & Becca Quinn
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: October 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Waiting on links | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

He’s spent the last few years in hell fighting in the demon games and doing things that would haunt even the fiercest of men’s nightmares. But now Hunter Brooks is back in the human realm, ready to take on the Pack that left him behind…and take the mate he’s just met.

Becca Quinn is one of the seven lightning-struck women—a human who isn’t so human and only needs to find her true half to unlock all that she could be. Hunter, the dangerous, sexy wolf, has saved her life twice, and yet she knows nothing about him—only that she wants to know everything she can.

Between the Pack’s council and strangers who could take everything away from them, Becca and Hunter have more to fight and everything to fight for. Hunter’s dark past takes over their courtship, and just when he thinks all his lost, he’ll find that Becca’s more than he—or she—ever thought.

Warning: Contains a sexy wolf who broods with the best of them, a woman who defines the term unlucky, and a chemistry that’s sure to make the wolf howl in all of us.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars I have been patiently waiting for Hunter’s book since we met him in Her Warriors’ Three Wishes (bk 2). Okay not so patiently. I loved Hunter’s character even when he was trapped in hell. He was all gruff, stubborn and totally alpha. So I was extremely happy when I got an early copy of An Unlucky Moon.

Hunter & Becca know what they are to each other. But Hunter has things he needs to straighten out before he can claim Becca as his mate. Now that Hunter is ready to be mated, Becca has put the brakes on their relationship. Not to stop it but to slow down and learn more about each other. When Becca is kidnapped and left for dead Hunter is not taking it slow any more, he is determined to complete their bond. Lucky for him Becca is finally on the same page. Hunter and Becca are going to need to be on the same page. They are about to be tested like nothing before. They have enemies coming from all sides.

If you have read the first two books in the Dante’s Circle series you will know a little about Hunter & Becca’s history. But while I think you should start with book one Dust of My Wings, I think An Unlucky Moon can be read as stand alone. Now that I have had my Hunter fix I really really really need some Dragon love. Bring on Dante!!!

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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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer

A Nantucket ChristmasTITLE: A Nantucket Christmas
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: NancyThayer
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Known for her heartwarming observations of family life, New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer showcases her beloved Nantucket’s snowy off-season in this emotionally gratifying and utterly entertaining story.

Holidays on this Massachusetts island are nothing short of magical, from the jolly decorations on the Brant Point lighthouse to the much anticipated Christmas Stroll, in which merrymakers promenade through quaint streets adorned with Yuletide cheer. The season’s wonderful traditions are much loved by Nicole Somerset, new to Nantucket and recently married to a handsome former attorney. Their home is already full of enticing scents of pine, baking spices, and homemade pie.

But the warm, festive mood is soon tempered by Nicole’s chilly stepdaughter, Kennedy, who arrives without a hint of holiday spirit. Determined to keep her stepmother at arms’ length—or, better yet, out of the picture altogether—Kennedy schemes to sabotage Nicole’s holiday preparations. Nicole, however, is not about to let anyone or anything tarnish her first Christmas with her new husband.

Nancy Thayer’s wonderful tale reminds us that this is the season of miracles. Before the gifts are unwrapped, surprise visitors appear, and holiday joy comes to all, both naughty and nice.

REVIEW:
Honestly this story is just sad. Yes it has a happy ending but most of it is just down right depressing. First it starts with Nicole and Sebastian who are an older couple finding second love and then Kennedy (Sebastian’s grown daughter) makes for trouble on the first Christmas for the older couple.

Kennedy is a spoiled brat. She acts like a child wanting her divorced parents to get back together and doing everything to drive away the new wife. For a grown woman with a child she is just obnoxious and unlikable.

To be fair the writing is good but I can’t imagine how it would get anyone into the holiday spirit.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews Rhythm and Bluegrass by Molly Harper

r&bTITLE: Rhythm and Bluegrass
SERIES #: Bludegrass #2
CHARACTERS: Will McBride & Bonnie Turkle
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct. 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Bonnie Turkle, multimedia historian for the Kentucky Commission of Tourism, is dispatched to Mud Creek, a tiny eastern Kentucky town, with few prospects but many oddballs, to rescue important artifacts from McBride’s Music Hall. Now fallen beyond disrepair, McBride’s was once a jewel of the early American music scene, an intersection of the country-western and rhythm and blues circuits. The former owner’s grandson, Will McBride, who also happens to be Mud Creek’s esteemed mayor, would like nothing more than to see the place bull-dozed in favor of a factory that will provide much-needed jobs to his citizens. But Bonnie finds evidence of a legendary musical event at the music hall and her plans to turn it into a museum put Mud Creek’s economic future at risk – not to mention the growing flirtation between the two of them. If Will and Bonnie can’t find common ground, the town’s past and future will be lost.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Any Molly Harper books is a good book. But let me tell you about my love hate relationship with Mr. Will McBride. At first I loved Mr. Roadside Cowboy, but as the book went on I started to hate Mr. McBride. He was a complete and udder asshat to Bonnie. I wanted to smack him around on her behalf. But I will say by the end Will redeemed himself.

I loved this book. As I said any Molly Harper books is a good book. I love that her characters are always witty, humorous and just like you and me. Will & Boonie and a fun couple even if they are at each others throat more often than not. But really it was all a big case of miscommunication.

If you love Molly’s first book My Bluegrass Baby, you will love Rhythm & Bluegrass. I can’t wait to see who is next in the Bluegrass series.

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 A Touch Of Crimson by Sylvia Day

A Touch of CrimsonTITLE: A Touch of Crimson
SERIES #: Renegade Angels #1
CHARACTERS: Adrian Mitchell & Lindsay Gibson
AUTHOR: Sylvia Day
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 4, 2011
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can a love that transcends death survive a war between angels, vampires, and lycans?

An angel with immense power and insatiable desire, Adrian Mitchell leads an elite Special Ops unit of the seraphim. His task is to punish the Fallen–angels who have become vampires–and command a restless pack of indentured lycans.

But Adrian has suffered his own punishment for becoming involved with mortals–losing the woman he loves again and again. Now, after nearly two hundred years, he has found her: Shadoe, her soul once more inhabiting a new body that doesn’t remember him. This time
he won’t let her go.

With no memory of her past as Shadoe, Lindsay Gibson knows only that she can’t help being fiercely attracted to the smoldering, seductive male who crosses her path. Swept into a dangerous world of tumultuous passion and preternatural conflict, Lindsay is soon caught between her angel lover, her vampire father, and a full-blown lycan revolt. There’s more at stake than her love and her life–she could lose her very soul…

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars I like this book. But never got totally invested in the characters. Parts and pieces of the story reminded me to much of a couple other stories. I will say that I was not planning on moving to the next book because of some events in this one. But Ms. Day was able to put my mind at ease and I do plan on picking up the next book in this series.

Since I listened to on audio I will have to comment on Luke Daniels as the narrator. I have to say that I love Luke. I love Luke’s voice and how he reads & delivers the story. But I will say that this so far has been my least favorite book that I have had Luke read to me.

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.

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly & Kimberly review Shadowed by Rebecca Zanetti

ShadowedTITLE: Shadowed
SERIES #: Dark Protectors #6
CHARACTERS: Jase Kayrs & Brenna Dunne
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jase Kayrs was the fun brother. The warm, charming, easy-going brother of the vampire leaders. Until he was taken and tortured by demons with their evil mind tricks for nearly five years. Upon his return, he’s dark, violent, and not the man they all thought they knew. Not the man he once was. He’s haunted that the only reason the demons would have let him live was to use him as a weapon against his family—but he can’t figure out when or how he’ll explode. Plus, once again the demons are after Jase with a vengeance…or rather, a female demon he rejected is out to destroy him.

Then the king asks Jase for a favor…a big one. To mate with one of their allies in order to save her. She’s everything that’s good and light in the world…while he’s at home with darkness. Yet he agrees…knowing mating may be the only chance to save them both.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Jase was always the fun loving brother. But all that changed when he was captured by demons. After five years at the tortuous hands of the demons Jase is finally free of his prison but not the demons. In order to try to get some of his power backs Jase decides it time to take a mate. But this mating will not before love. This mating will be only about regaining power and possible saving Brenna from the poison in her system.

Brenna is at the end of the line. There is nothing more that doctors can do for her. Her only chance is to mate and hope that can save her. But there is no guarantee. And not just any mate will do. Brenna will need a non witch and preferable someone she at least likes a little. The last thing Brenna ever expected was Jase Kayrs offer to mate.

HOLY WOW!!!! I loved this book, love this world, love Jase & Brenna and love Rebecca for writing this series. If you are a fan of Rebecca’s Dark Protectors series you know Jase’s story. You know all that he has been through, how much he has changed and the hope that we all have for him. I can promise that Shadowed will not let you down.
If you are new to the Dark Protectors series I would highly suggest starting from the very beginning. There is so much that happens in each book that is important to the next. But I do think that you could pick up Shadowed and read it as a stand alone if you really wanted too.
I so can’t wait to see what is next!!!!

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars I have been waiting and waiting for Jase’s story and I was not disappointed! Zanetti has a way of bringing you right into her world and makes you never want to leave.

If you have read the Dark Protectors then you have been waiting just like me. However while some of Zanetti’s books can be picked up and read as a stand alone I believe Jase’s story is different we have been watching his story unfold pretty much from the beginning so really pick up the other 5 before you read this one… you will not be disappointed.

I can not wait for the next in the series… for that matter I can not wait for any book from Zanetti. She is one of the best!

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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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

The Christmas He Loved HerTITLE: Christmas He Loved Her
SERIES #: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #2
CHARACTERS: Jake Edwards & Raine Edwards
AUTHOR: Juliana Stone
PUBLICATION DATE: October 1, 2013
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:
Jake & Raine have both been mourning the loss of Jesse but in very different ways.

Jake is mourning his twin. But he has to live with the guilt that he could not save his brother, the guilt that he has been in love with Raine since they were all kids, the guilt that he has not been there for his family for the last year and half.

Raine had to deal with not only the loss of her husband but her best friend too. Jake told her he would be there for her, but he wasn’t. Jake was not there for Raine when she needed him the most.

These two have a heartbreaking story. The whole story was very emotional but very good. Jake and Raine really should have been together from the start, but that is want second chances are for. Right?

I really love this series and I love the cast of characters that Juliana has created. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

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