Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly reviews Highland Werewolf Wedding by Terry Spear

TITLE: A Highland Werewolf Wedding
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #11
CHARACTERS: Elaine & Cearnach
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/07/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn’t happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he’s out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan’s treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it’s too late to leave his heart out of it.

REVIEW:
This is actually the 11th in the series which I did not know when I requested it but for the most part it can stand alone. There was some parts that made me realize that other characters had their own stories but nothing I found that confused me enough to not understand the story.

This is an interesting way of writing. Being about werewolves it is set in modern times yet the story has a historical feel. I really enjoyed the story. Cearnach is a great character. He has the heart of a warrior with modern time romance in his soul. Elaine is written as strong and independent but yet she follows her heart. I enjoyed the background characters too even though honestly there was not a lot about them.

This book also had a number of wolf scenes which it seems is forgotten in a number of shape-shifter stories now. Even the connection when the characters are in wolf form is interesting.

Any fan of shape-shifter romance will love this story and as I said it can most certainly stand alone but I think I might go back and read the rest of the series one day and will definitely read the next in the series.

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

4 Hearts

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Jennifer reviews Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen

TITLE: Club Monstrosity
SERIES #: Club Monstrosity #1
CHARACTERS: Natalie Grey, Alec, Kia
AUTHOR: Jesse Petersen
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There are monsters in New York…Natalie’s one of Frankenstein’s creations and works in a New York City morgue. So, of course she needs therapy. She and her friends–er, fellow monsters–have formed the world’s most exclusive, most dysfunctional support group. What could go wrong?

Undetected in the modern world and under pressure to stay that way, Natalie Grey, Dracula, Bob the Blob, and others (including the fetching wolfman Alec) meet regularly to talk about the pressures of being infamous in the Big Apple. Topics include how long it’s been since their last sighting, how their “story” creates stereotypes they can’t fulfill, and–gasp–sometimes even their feelings. But when their pervy Invisible Man, Ellis, is killed in a manner reminiscent of the H.G. Wells novel, it’s clear someone’s discovered their existence and is down for some monster busting.

Led by Natalie–and definitely not helped by Hyde’s bloodthirsty tendencies–the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous band together for security and a little sleuthing. And maybe–maybe–if they don’t end up dead, they’ll end up friends somewhere along the way.

REVIEW:
This was a great book for me because I have always loved the old monster movies as a child and imagine now that these same monsters have been leading normal lives with you and me all along. Jesse Petersen has created such a charming, hilarious and highly-entertaining tale about monsters living among us and I instantly fell in love with these characters. Natalie Grey was so adorable as one of Frankenstein’s creations who worked in the city morgue at night trying to hide her superhuman strength and her scars from the rest of the world. I loved how she seemed to find herself in charge of the investigation with Alec when she was so used to hiding in the shadows so she wouldn’t be discovered. She went from being a meeky character to this strong woman who would do anything to protect the people that she considered her “family.”

Alec was a super sweet guy who instantly connected with Natalie during the murder investigation and probably wouldn’t have gotten to know her if these murders hadn’t of happened. I loved how he was sort of a Casanova with the ladies but who also had a hard time keeping a roommate around the full moon. The secondary characters in Club Monstrosity were very entertaining and made want to watch all their movies again to familiarize myself with their stories. Jesse Petersen is a fabulous writer and I can’t wait to read the second book in this great series.

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

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Kelly reviews One Day In Apple Grove by CH Admirand

TITLE: One Day in Apple Grove
SERIES: Small Town USA #2
CHARACTERS: Jack Gannon & Caitlin Mulchahy
AUTHOR: C.H. Admirand
PUBLICATION DATE: June 4, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Caitlin Mulchahy doesn’t have much time for socializing now that her sisters’ handyman business is thriving. For Dr. Jack Gannon–former Marine medic–keeping the residents of Apple Grove healthy is a welcome distraction from the haunting memories of his time served in Iraq. Although the two have lived in the same small town their whole lives, Cait and Jack barely know each other. That is until a stray puppy leads them to the same place at the same time. But it will take more than one adorable canine to get these two together–it’ll take a whole town.

REVIEW:
This story was okay for me. I really liked the idea of the story. I liked the characters well enough. But I just didn’t connect with this story. By the end of the book I was happy with the story.

Will I read the next book in this series? I will be giving it a try.

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 The Night Is Watching by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Night Is Watching
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #9
CHARACTERS: Jane & Sloane
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The dead of night. The Old West town of Lily, Arizona, is home to the Gilded Lily, a former theater…and bawdy house. These days, it offers theatrical productions geared to tourists, but the recent discovery of a skull, a real skull, among the props and costumes shakes everyone up.

So, who do you call? The Krewe of Hunters, a special FBI unit of paranormal investigators. In this case, it’s agent Jane Everett. Jane’s also a talented artist who creates images of the dead as they once were. But the Krewe always works with local law enforcement, and here that means Sloan Trent, former Houston cop and now sheriff. His great-great-grandmother was an actress at the Gilded Lily…and she’s not resting in peace.

Then more remains appear in the nearby desert. As they search for answers, using all the skills at their disposal, Jane and Sloan find themselves falling into danger—and into love.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars While an interesting story this book just did not have the flare that Graham’s books usually have. I didn’t feel that Sloan and Jane had the connection that most of the characters have in her stories. And in all honestly all the characters seemed so snippy to each other that it was distracting. There were many moments of mean-spiritedness in this story. I am not sure why because that is not common in Graham’s books but every character seemed so pissed off at everyone else.

Now that being said as always Graham puts so much real life history into her books that even one of her worst books (which this most certainly is not) is a great read. The story of the town of Lily, Arizona is one that you don’t want to stop reading. Something is just missing from this story.

I am glad I read this book even if it was not one of my favorites. Graham’s books are always an interesting and educational read if not for any reason other than the background that she must painstakingly research.

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

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Kelly reviews The Cursed by Alyssa Day

TITLE: The Cursed
SERIES: League of the Black Swan #1
CHARACTERS: Luke Oliver & Rio Jones
AUTHOR: Alyssa Day
PUBLICATION DATE: May 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author of the Warriors of Poseidon series Alyssa Day returns with a thrilling new series of paranormal romance and a heated battle between good and evil fought to the death on the streets of New York…

Bordertown private investigator Luke Oliver’s beat is the dimensional fold in Manhattan between the human and supernatural realms. But now a secret from his past—the League of the Black Swan—has surfaced. Because Luke isn’t any ordinary P.I. He’s the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, and he never backs down from a fight.

But this time the fight threatens his life and his heart. Rio Jones, the only woman he loved, needs his help against a deadly menace. Luke pushed her away once before, so she’d never fall prey to the curse that threatens to destroy him. He swore he’d never let her go again.

Luke and Rio, with the help of the newly reformed League, must keep evil forces from taking over Bordertown—all the while battling a passion on the razor’s edge between danger and desire. And going to take everything they have just to stay alive.

REVIEW:
Rio Jones is a fighter. Always has been even if she feels alone most of the time. But as her 25th birthday draws near she finds she is the center of attention and not in a good way. Rio may not know what everyone wants from her, but she does know who is the only person she can trust. Luke Oliver

Luke Oliver is very yummy (it helps that his likeness is Paul Marron, Right SG?) Yummy, but very deadly. Luke is the dark Wizard of Bordertown. He runs a private investigation services and tries his best to keep the citizens of Bordertown safe. But when Luke is drawn back into the world of the League of the Black Swan, he finds himself protecting the one woman he would not let himself get close to, not matter how bad he wanted her. Until now.

This was an awesome start to a new series for Alyssa. I really love her Warriors of Poseidon series. But I think I am going to love the League of the Black Swan series even more.

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

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Kelly reviews Under The Covers by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Under The Covers
SERIES: Maverick Montana #2
CHARACTERS: Juliet & Quinn
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 5/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Opposites don’t attract. They ignite.

The small Montana town near the Kooskia reserve seemed like the perfect place for Juliet Montgomery to hide from her not-so-law-abiding family. But when her peace is shattered by a break-in and threatening phone calls, it’s clear someone back in New York knows where she is. It’s time to plan her getaway, and fast—but first, she needs to tie up a few loose ends. Namely, finding out exactly what the town’s sexy cowboy sheriff is hiding in his holster…

Sheriff Quinn Lodge has enough demons of his own to know when someone’s hiding something. Clearly, he needs to do a thorough investigation to uncover what’s beneath Juliet’s uptight, city-girl exterior—preferably one piece of clothing at a time. But when their chemistry goes from fizzy to full-on explosive, things start getting complicated. How can Juliet stay beneath the covers with Quinn, when doing so means blowing her cover?

 

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars
LOVED!!! LOVED!!!! LOVED!!!!

Quinn & Juliet are amazingly awesome!!!

If you have not read Against the Wall (book 1 in the Maverick Montana series) I would highly recommend you start there. We first met both Quinn & Juliet in Against the Wall We get to see the sexual tension bewteen these two. But in Under the Covers that tension jumps to a whole new level.

Under the Covers starts with a proposition to Juliet from Quinn. A proposition for them to date for the next six, just until the election is over. While Juliet is reluctant to say yes, she does under one condition. That Quinn is never allowed to touch her ( I will tell you that the no touching policy doesn’t last long). But while Quinn & Juliet are fake dating someone is causing havoc in the small town of Maverick. And unfortunately one of them has their sights set on Juliet and the lies she has been keeping. Will Juliet’s lies be more than Quinn can handle or will Quinn’s need to protect and his growing feelings for Juliet help him over look her betrayal?

I so love this series. I love the change in direction that Rebecca has gone with her writing (I still really love the Dark Protectors 🙂 ) I am so glad she took this chance on some very hot cowboys. I can’t wait for the next two books in the series. Colton and little sister Dawn are going to be really fun books to read.

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

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Jennifer reviews Summer in Napa by Marina Adair

TITLE: Summer in Napa
SERIES #: A St. Helena Vineyard Novel #2
CHARACTERS: Alexis Moreau, Marco DeLuca
AUTHOR: Marina Adair
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/14/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Alexis “Lexi” Moreau caught her husband, Jeff, sampling the sous-chef’s more intimate wares in their New York restaurant, she ran–all the way back to her hometown of St. Helena, California. Six months later, Lexi has no husband and no restaurant. But she does have a three-step plan: First, convert her grandmother’s bakery into her dream bistro. Second, ignore Grandma’s matchmaking attempts. And third, avoid Marco DeLuca, her ex’s commitment-phobic, distractingly sexy best friend.

In school Lexi was off-limits for Marco. After all, she was his buddy’s girl. But she’s still as smart and as gorgeous–and apparently as immune to his charms–as she used to be. Yet the simple fake romance they agree upon to dodge Lexi’s grandmother’s matchmaking plans soon turns deliciously complicated. And the sultry summer might bring together all the right ingredients for Marco to win the only woman he’s ever wanted.

REVIEW:
I adore this series and I can’t seem to get enough of the residents of St. Helena. Alexis “Lexi” Moreau has come home to pick up the pieces of her life and career after the disastrous divorce from her husband, Jeffrey. All she wants is peace and quiet and be able to immerse herself in her grandmother’s bakery. On the very first day of being home, she gets stuck in a window of the bakery while trying to avoid seeing her ex-husband’s best friend and resident casanova, Marco DeLuca. Yet the person that comes to her rescue is non-other than the one man she is trying desperately to avoid. This leads to the two of them slowly making amends for the past, which develops into a friendship with the possibility of being so much more.

I thought Lexi was a sweet character that just wanted her life back after feeling that she had lost everything that she ever cared for. She was smart, vulnerable with her heart on her sleeve and her grandmother’s eclairs were the perfect remedy for any emotional trauma that she may experience. I wanted her to find her happy ending because she deserved to find a little happiness after everything that she went through with her ex.

Marco DeLuca was definitely a charmer in this book. He never wanted to settle down with anyone but when Lexi came back to town, that changed everything. He has cared for her since high school and was never able to act on it because she was with his best friend. I loved how protective he was of his family and the people he cared about, including Lexi. He made some mistakes in his relationship with Lexi but was willing to fix everything for her even if it meant possibly losing her in the end.

I love Marina Adair’s work and the St. Helena Vineyard books are one of my favorite series right now. She creates characters that you can’t help to fall in love with and romantic stories that will bring tears of happiness. I loved this book and I can’t wait to read Autumn in the Vineyard later this year.

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

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Kimberly review Hot and Bothered by Linda Cajio

TITLE: Hot and Bothered
CHARACTERS: Judith & Paul
AUTHOR: Linda Cajio
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Judith Collier is running away from her life. She needs peace and quiet to focus on a very difficult decision, and except for the distinct lack of any kind of modern amenities, the isolated cove in Baja seems just about perfect. Judith knows that her wealthy and demanding family will never think to look for her in such a secluded spot. But there’s one major distraction: The most gorgeous man she has ever encountered lives in this cove. And Judith can’t escape from the reality of her physical response to him.

Paul Murphy has no interest in babysitting Judith. He came to the remote Baja village to heal from tragedy. Leaving the LAPD after ten years on the job, ending his marriage, and losing contact with his young daughter has left him with a stone-cold heart. And yet, this beautiful stranger just may have the power to shake his foundation to its core—and remind him what it’s like to believe in love again.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a re-release of a book from 1995 and unlike a number of other of Cajio’s books I have read that have been re-released this one actually does stand the test of time. There is no real mention of long ago and long dead people, etc. There is a bit about Mexico and to be honest I would not know if any of the laws have changed in this 18 years.

I was unsure about the characters at first. Paul seemed so distant and unfriendly and Judith seemed so desperate but something about these characters clicked pretty quickly in the story. This is another Loveswept Classic re-release so it was meant to originally be a pocket book and it proves to be exactly what they wanted back then. A short story that is a quick read but takes you into the story right away.

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

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Kelly and Kimberly review It Had To Be You by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: It Had To Be You
SERIES: Lucky Harbor #7
CHARACTERS: Luke Hanover & Ali Winters
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: May 28, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Available for a limited time, this special bonus edition of IT HAD TO BE YOU includes Blue Flame, a free, full-length novel also by Jill Shalvis.

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars All Luke wants is a nice peaceful and quiet three weeks off. This is the only reason he is back in Lucky Harbor. But Luke finds himself drawn to his new feisty roommate. But when Ali is accused of stealing Luke’s detective skills will not let him walk away from her but only until the charges are dropped and she is safe.

Love, love, love being back in Lucky Harbor. Jill always does such a great job of sucking me into the world of Lucky Harbor. Honestly I have not read a book in this series that I didn’t love.

Who doesn’t love an extremely hot man in a uniform with a tortured soul? One who has no chance of saving his heart from the half naked woman screaming on the phone in his kitchen.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars While this is part of the Lucky Harbor series there is something special about this story. And that something is Ali. While Luke is a great character it is Ali that makes this story what it is. And the highest kudos to Jill Shalvis for writing this incredible, heartbreaking yet inspirational character.

Ok first the easy part. Luke is great if not the typical commitment phobic man but honestly this is a romance so don’t we know that by the end of the story he will become hooked on Ali. Sure we do. But Ali is something more than a normal female lead to an everyday romance. There were times that I was close to tears. Not for what the character said but for how palpable her feelings were. The sadness that Ali (and Shalvis) projects is just heartbreaking and yet the character has an underlying belief that things will work out. She has lived a life that most would be hard to come back from but she does and the reader is able to be sad and proud of Ali at the same time.

Did I like this book? You bet… It was great to visit Lucky Harbor again and I can’t wait for the next visit to read Jack’s story. Jack makes a number of appearances in It Had To Be You and I can not wait to read Always On My Mind because not only is he adorable and sweet but who doesn’t love a firefighter?

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

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Jennifer reviews A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curse by Molly Harper

TITLE: A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses
SERIES #: Half Moon Hollow #2
CHARACTERS: Nola Leary, Jed Trudeau, Jane Jameson
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 5/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: The artifacts are lost somewhere in vampire Jane Jameson’s occult bookshop. Complication Two: Her new neighbor Jed Trudeau keeps turning up half-naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially since Jed’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard. Can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
Molly Harper is absolutely one of my favorite authors at the moment and A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses was a humor-filled romp that had me laughing out loud. Nola Leary comes to Half-Moon Hollow on a hunt for four magical artifacts to help bind a rival family as her family has done for centuries before her. When she gets to Kentucky, she finds that the items may be hidden in Jane Jameson’s bookstore and she has a gorgeous next door neighbor that keeps distracting her from her mission. With a little help from some overzealous vampires, she might just find the items before the deadline and her rivals do.

I really enjoyed this book and I got swept along with the story almost immediately. Nola was a fun character and I loved the fact that she was a healer as well as a witch. I was also excited that Jane and the Scooby gang were a big part of the storyline and we got to catch up with them after the events of Jane’s wedding. This book was filled with hilarious dialogue, hot romance with the next door neighbor and enough paranormal elements to keep you thoroughly entertained. This is the second book in the Half-Moon Hollow series and Molly Harper doesn’t disappoint with this one. If you haven’t read her books, you should be because she will keep you laughing until the very last page.

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