Author: Kimberly

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Memory Tree by Joseph Pittman

Memory TreeTITLE: The Memory Tree
SERIES #: Linden Corners #4
CHARACTERS: Janey & Brian
AUTHOR: Joseph Pittman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can they look to the future—and still celebrate the past…?

As the holidays descend upon Linden Corners, life becomes a flurry of cooking, shopping, and visiting friends and family—and young Janey Sullivan is worried her Christmas traditions may get lost in the mix. Though she loves her adoptive father, Brian Duncan, she longs for her birth parents and questions her past. But an unexpected yuletide visitor may have just the answers she needs.

Haunted by the loss of his soul mate, Brian is reluctant to test the waters of the dating pool. With his family all coming to visit for Christmas, he hardly has time to think about it anyway—until newcomer Trina Winter arrives in town. Now, as life moves on for everyone around him, Brian begins to wonder if he can do the same.

As they grapple with the pain of the past, Janey, Brian, and Trina will each learn to make the changes that could lead to a bright new future—and perhaps the family they’ve always dreamed of.

REVIEW:
This is a very sweet holiday story. Having read only the third in the series and now the fourth some of the history of this series is lost but it still makes for a wonderful tale. The third in the series (A Christmas Hope) had me bawling my eyes out (honestly) but while this one is sweet with a touch of sad it did not have the impact that the last one did. But that does not mean it is not good because it is. The other was just incredible.

The author is very…um…wordy. He likes to ramble a bit but his ramblings bring you into the picture of this quaint little town. I am sad at some of the turns this story took because the characters have already been through so much especially Janey but it did open up a new direction for the next story.

Someday I hope to read the first and second one in the series because I think the reader misses out on a big dynamic if the series is not read from the beginning.

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 Blue By You by Rachel Gibson

Blue By You TITLE: Blue By You
CHARACTERS: Blue & Kasper
AUTHOR: Rachel Gibson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/03/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They say you never forget your first time, but there’s nothing Blue Butler and Kasper Pennington would rather forget than their brief but fiery teenage love affair. Yeah, it was hot while it lasted, but then he went off to join the Marines, leaving Blue in New Orleans. She’s tried to block him from her mind for good, but nothing can really erase the feeling she had when she was with him.

And now he’s got the nerve to return—leaner, meaner, and strong enough to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Blue’s a successful businesswoman now, with no time to figure out what went wrong all those years ago. But Kasper knows she’s the one woman for him … and now he’s got to prove it to her all over again.

REVIEW:
What an adorable short romance. With it being only 50 reading pages I was disappointed that it was not a full length novel or at least a full size novella. I loved the characters and the background of the characters. I would have loved to have seen more scenes played out in their southern mansions. I would have liked more of Kasper’s Grandmother too (I think she would have been a hoot of a character). But even with all of that not there I enjoyed this story. Made for a great quick read between books.

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 Asylum by Madeleine Roux

AsylumTITLE: Asylum
CHARACTERS: Dan Crawford, Abby and Jordan
AUTHOR: Madeleine Roux
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/20/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Once you get in, there’s no getting out….For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, a summer program for gifted students is the chance of a lifetime. No one else at his high school gets his weird fascinations with history and science, but at the New Hampshire College Prep program, such quirks are all but required.

Dan arrives to find that the usual summer housing has been closed forcing students to stay in the crumbling Brookline dorm–formerly a psychiatric hospital. As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, start exploring Brookline’s twisty halls and hidden basement, they uncover disturbing secrets about what really went on here…..secrets that link Dan and his friends to the asylum’s dark past. Because it turns out Brookline was no ordinary psych ward. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

REVIEW: I had heard wonderful things about this book and I was very impressed with Asylum from the very beginning. It is a dark, creepy and dramatic book about a young man who lives in a renovated mental hospital and finds that after mysterious circumstances that his dorm has developed a life of its own. Dan Crawford is a typical teenager who spends too much time involved in his studies of science and history but jumps at the opportunity to experience college life at the prestigious New Hampshire College prep program for the summer. He finds that the school was just what he was looking for and immediately starts to make friends with fellow students, Abby and Jordan. One night, they decide to investigate the abandoned basement of their dorm that used to be Brookline’s main office and holds case files of the asylum’s infamous residents. After their midnight excursion, strange things start to happen with no logical explanation and Dan finds that some secrets should have stayed locked away in Brookline’s abandoned rooms.

Madeleine Roux’s Asylum is a haunting novel that provides a thrilling mystery and creepy locales that will keep you up at night. The pictures that are laced throughout the novel are a perfect addition to the story and will make the reader feel as though they are there with Dan and had me jumping at every noise that I heard. Asylum is a well-written novel that I know people will enjoy and is now one of my top books for 2013. I’m looking forward to reading more from Ms. Roux but it will be awhile before I sleep without the light on.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly review First Temptation by Joan Swan

First Temptation

TITLE: First Temptation
SERIES #: Covert Affair #1.5
CHARACTERS: Taft Walker & Zoe Brooks
AUTHOR: Joan Swan
PUBLICATION DATE: August 19, 2013
ORDER LINKS:

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Counterterrorist agent Taft Walker knows the Mexican cartel smuggling game. But posing as part owner of an adult store to ferret out the newest tunnel into the US is a first. So is Zoe Brooks, his partner, new to undercover and a sex-toy virgin. Taft’s up for the sexy challenge. At least until he sees the real Zoe beneath her tough façade and realizes, for the first time in his life, he’ll have to risk his heart to win.

After the death of a teammate, Border Patrol Agent Zoe Brooks is ready to get off the front lines. She’s willing to tolerate a swaggering partner like Taft for a chance to work investigations with ICE. But she’s not prepared for the way he understands her deepest, sexiest desires. Or the fact that she’ll have to break her own rules to grab hold of the passion she’s always wanted.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars First Temptation is part of the Wicked First Anthology package, which features 6 amazing stories by 6 amazing authors. But this is my review of Joan Swan’s First Temptation.

First Temptation is a novella in Joan’s Covert Affair series. In FT we get to see what makes Taft Walker tick. And BOY HOWDY does Taft have some tricks up his sleeve *wink, wink* What tricks you may ask? Well what would you say if I told you that Taft has to go undercover with Zoe. This will be Zoe’s first undercover operation. And what do they have to pose as? Why a couple that owns a sex shop…. 🙂 Yep!! Taft & Zoe get to own a sex shop. Needless to say these two have fun.

And that is all you are getting from 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.

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Kelly reviews Burn by Maya Banks

Burn

TITLE: Burn
SERIES #: Breathless Trilogy #3
CHARACTERS: Ash McIntyre & Josie
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: Aug. 6, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ash, Jace, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Ash, it’s the woman who changes everything he’s ever known about dominance and desire…

When it comes to sex, Ash McIntyre has always explored his wilder side—extreme and uncompromising. He demands control. And he prefers women who want it like that. Even the women he’s shared with his best friend, Jace.

But Jace is involved with a woman he has no intention of sharing. And now even Gabe has settled into a relationship with a woman who gives him everything he needs, leaving Ash feeling restless and unfulfilled.

Then Ash meets Josie, who seems immune to his charms and his wealth. Intrigued, he begins a relentless pursuit, determined she won’t be the one who got away. He never imagined the one woman to tell him no would be the only woman who’d ever drive him to the edge of desire.

REVIEW:
Burn is Maya Banks final book in her “Breathless Series” And I do have to say that this was my favorite book in the trilogy.

Ash is not as laid back as we thought in book 1 & 2. Ash is very a intense, demanding, protective and very sweet man. And Josie is the perfect mix of submissive yet witty and fiery enough to keep Ash on his toes.

Burn is a really good book. It is kinda sad to know that this is the end of the trilogy. But then again all three of these guys have their Happily Ever After and are blissfully happy and that would make a pretty boring book. But maybe, just maybe, Maya will throw us a boone in the future with a revisit to the Breathless Series. Got to have updates on how Gabe, Jace & Ash fair as daddy’s right?

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 review Slow Summer Burn by Elisabeth Barrett

Slow Summer Burn

TITLE: Slow Summer Burn
SERIES #: Star Harbor #4
CHARACTERS: Cameron & Val
AUTHOR: Elisabeth Barrett
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/12/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Val Grayson has been a strong, steady presence in his younger brothers’ lives. Now that the other Grayson men have settled down, Val is able to focus on himself … and he has gorgeous, privileged Cameron Stahl in his sights. Cam has just opened her second antique store in Star Harbor and is more than receptive to sexy-as-sin Val’s advances. But Cam’s family isn’t too keen on their precious daughter dating a DEA agent. It’ll be up to Val to convince Cam–and himself–that he’s worth it. And man, is he worth it.

REVIEW:
This is the fourth in the series and unfortunately I read the first book and then somehow jumped to this one so I missed a couple of stories and I was sorry I did. Yes you can read this as a stand alone but you will know that you missed a few stories and want to go back and read them.

Val is most certainly the silent but deadly type. He is the oldest brother who raised his three younger brothers and it has made him the man he is today. Cameron is the rich debutante that longs to come down from her ivory tower. And when they meet there is fireworks.

I really enjoyed the first and the last in the series and have already picked up book three and will find book two as well. I just really enjoy the way Barrett writes and hope she continues even though this series is done.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Hero by Robyn Carr

The Hero

TITLE: The Hero
SERIES #: Thunder Point #3
CHARACTERS: Devon & Spencer
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/27/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can’t be worse than what they’ve left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he’s not looking for anything else. Instead, he’s thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point’s high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he’s gentle and kind…just the kind of man who could heal Devon’s wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it…and sometimes, you find a hero.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars So here is the thing. The story in the book is really good. The problem is the romance is almost non-existent. Devon’s story is very interesting. The struggles she has been through sucks you in and you want to know more. And I enjoyed catching up with the people from the other books.

The problem is that Spencer did not have much of a storyline at all. Almost like he was thrown into the romance. I actually felt that Devon and the Doctor had more chemistry. I am not sure why these characters were put together. When they are together they are sweet but not what I would call a true romance.

There was a lot of story about the past characters as well. As if the author wanted to tell their continued story and decided “oh what the heck I will add a new couple”. Now that being said it is still a really good story. Devon is a wonderful character and I loved reading about her situation. And if you have read the other two in the series you will most certainly want to read this one so you know what happened to the previous couples.

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

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Kimberly review The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgans

The Next Big Thing

TITLE: The Next Best Thing
CHARACTERS: Lucy & Ethan
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/27/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks.

She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate friend with privileges and hello to a man she can marry.

Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?

REVIEW:
First let me say that I am a big fan of Higgins so I was surprised how much I did not enjoy this book. It was originally released in 2010 but it still did not seem like her MO of writing. First it is written in the first person which I can deal with but I am not sure why the author felt this book should be written that way. Second I am not a fan of someone who is pining away for a lost love the whole book somehow changing and falling in love again in a snap. I guess I should have realized from the title but I had no idea that Ethan really would stay “The Next Best Thing”.

I am really glad this was not my first Higgins book because honestly I am not sure if I would have picked up another one but thankfully I have read others so I will stay a fan and look forward to reading more of her books.

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

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Kelly reviews Hunted by Kevin Hearne

Hunted

TITLE: Hunted
SERIES #: Iron Druid Chronicles #6
CHARACTERS: Atticus O’Sullivan, Granuaile, & Oberon
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
PUBLICATION DATE: June 25, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Another epic journey with Atticus, Granuaile & Oberon. I really don’t even know where to start. I just love this series dearly!! If you have not read books 1-5 stop here. This is a series that you really really really have to read in order. There is so much that goes on in one book that leads into the next. So if you have not read yet. Stop go back and pick up Hounded (bk1) and start there.
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Atticus, Granuaile & Oberon find themselves still on the run. But this time getting away is going to be difficult. All of Atticus’ normal escape routes have been cut off. Ever the resourceful Druids, Atticus & Granuaile will find a way.
I don’t want to go to much into this review, because I am sure I would give away to much stuff. So let’s just say: It is an epic race that will test all of Atticus and Granuaile’s skills, their relationship and their faith in the Gods.
I seriously am in love with this series. Everything about Kevin’s books I find utterly amazing. These are stories that I have to keep turning the page, lay away thinking about the next chapter, or find myself reading at work when I should be you know working. Just love them!! If you have not started this series yet I would highly recommend that you put them on your list. But as I said before they really need to be read in order So start with book one Hounded!

If you want a closer look at the whole series here is the link to the SINsational Saturday post that features the whole series. https://books-n-kisses.com/2013/06/kevin-hearnes-iron-druid-chronicles/

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.