Author: Kimberly

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Guest Reviewer Misty reviews The Dark Lady by Maire Claremont

TITLE: The Dark Lady
SERIES #: Mad Passion #1
CHARACTERS: Eva & Ian
AUTHOR: Máire Claremont
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor…

Lord Ian Blake has returned from India a broken man. Years ago, he pledged to Lady Eva Carin—his childhood companion and first love—that he would bring her husband back alive. His failure haunts him. But even his jaded soul can’t anticipate the shocking sight of beautiful, independent Eva confined in a madhouse.

Locked in an asylum, forgotten by society, Eva is adrift in both body and mind. For Ian to break her free, they must cross a powerful enemy—and prove her sanity to England’s unforgiving aristocracy. But the biggest danger of all may come when the secrets of Eva’s tragic past are finally unlocked.

REVIEW:
A Beautifully Dark Delight
I have been anxiously awaiting Máire Claremont’s debut from the moment I first spied the cover. The lush art work led me to believe that the contents inside would certainly be even better. The Dark lady had me from page one and kept me entranced right through the final pages. The writing is solid. The Dark Lady’s hero and heroine are equally matched in strengths and tragedies. The story weaves its way through the dark side of Victorian England, a side which is often forgotten. Claremont draws readers into the dark recesses of an often cruel era where those who have power often abused such power. From a country side madhouse to the beautiful ballrooms of London this book takes readers on ride that so few historical romances do.
They had been friends since early childhood but destiny and duty fell in their paths. Lady Eva Carin has not only lost her husband but soon after suffers a much greater loss than that, the loss of her infant son in an accident of her own making. Her brother-in-law Thomas, the new Lord Carin sees fit to commit Eva to an asylum of which she has endured many cruelties including a regular dosing of laudanum and many pain filled beatings. Lord Ian Blake has returned from India haunted by the events that led to the former Lord’s death and dreads coming face to face with Eva, but he knows he owes her the truth about what really happened to her husband. Ian is stunned to learn that she’s been committed, but upon entering the halls of the asylum that she has been placed in, he becomes livid and enraged. The only thing that stops him from committing murder is the thought of never being able to see Eva again. This sets off a chain of events that puts them both in danger as they each try to overcome the torments that life has thrown at them.
I was drawn into the story from beginning and my heart went out to Eva and Ian. The story telling is lush and simply draws you into the period. There are many strong secondary characters that will make you want to come back for a second helping. Beautifully crafted, and has been written in a fashion that believable for its time period. For a novel that has an overall darkness to it, the light soon begins to filter in.
Easily a Five Star

Disclaimer: The above review was written by a guest reviewer, is the opinion of that reviewer and not a paid review.


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Kimberly’s review of The Importance Of Being Wicked by Victoria Alexander

TITLE: The Importance Of Being Wicked
SERIES #: Millworth Manor #2
CHARACTERS: Miranda & Win
AUTHOR: Victoria Alexander
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In this dazzling new novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander welcomes you to Millworth Manor, a delightful English country estate where love is always perfectly at home…
For Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell, finding a prospective bride always seemed easy. Perhaps too easy. With three broken engagements to his name, Win is the subject of endless gossip. Yet his current mission is quite noble: to hire a company to repair his family’s fire-damaged country house. Nothing disreputable in that—until the firm’s representative turns out to be a very desirable widow.

Lady Miranda Garrett expected a man of Win’s reputation to be flirtatious, even charming. But the awkward truth is that she finds him thoroughly irresistible. While Miranda resides at Millworth to oversee the work, Win occupies her days, her dreams…and soon, her bed. For the first time, the wicked Win has fallen in love. And what began as a scandalous proposition may yet become a very different proposal…

REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Victoria Alexander’s for a while now but I don’t think this will be one of my favorites which is weird because I enjoyed the first book and the novella about Win’s engagements so much. The problem was I didn’t feel a connection between Win and Miranda. Win did not seem to be light-hearted man he was in the first 1 ½ books.

While the story was good in general and I think would have been better if we had not met Win before in the previous books. He was such a great background that I was thrilled his story was coming out but maybe I just had my hopes too high for his story.

I didn’t like the way Miranda deceived Win so much either. I know the times were different and women did not work back then but it just seemed there were so many opportunities for her to fess up and she didn’t.

With all that being said no Alexander book is bad. She is a phenomenal author who adds humor to the straight laced historical times. You can never go wrong reading a Alexander novel.

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

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Kimberly’s review of With This Kiss: Part One by Eloisa James

TITLE: With This Kiss
SERIES #: Part 1
CHARACTERS: Grace & Colin
AUTHOR: Eloise James
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/12/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lady Grace Ryburn, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, has fallen wildly in love with Colin Barry, a dashing young lieutenant serving his country in the Royal Navy. When he returns home to exuberant celebrations, will he even notice the quiet wallflower he grew up with … or will he fall for Grace’s sparkling, gorgeous sister?

REVIEW:
This is a very short three part story. The first part being only about 50 pages. This is certainly only the beginning of the story. In this story we learn of the love Grace has for Colin and that it has been going on for years.

It is actually kind of a sad story. I feel so sad for Grace. She is living in the shadow of her younger sister. I look forward to reading the next part since this was certainly left unfinished. But it is good and you will want to find out how it happens.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Irresistible Knight by Tierney O’Malley

TITLE: Irresistible Knight
SERIES #: Knight Brothers #2
CHARACTERS: Bors & Taylor
AUTHOR: Tierney O’Malley
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/15/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s a rich wary violinist. He’s an FBI agent always hanging out behind alleys and dirty dumpsters. Together, can they make a beautiful symphony or break each other’s heart?

Sleep deprived, Bors Knight thanked his stars when he decided to help the vanilla scented Taylor Monte Carlo cross the street. She’s in need of a place to stay and his ticket to finally nail the man he wants to throw in jail. Not one to let go of a good opportunity, he offers her his newly built home. Taylor, however, has made matters complicated. She occupies his room, covers his windowsill with her rock collection, disturbs his quiet morning with beautiful music, and then… crawls inside his heart.

Taylor wants only one thing—keep her father from ending up in jail. Her problem is solved when she meets the funny and delicious looking hunk Bors whose father happens to be a judge. He offers to share his home, his secret cove, and show her blinding and all-consuming passion she has never known. In a very short time, she has learned to trust Bors with her secrets. All was good until a man holding a gun, Hollywood style, blows his cover—an FBI agent bent on sending her father to jail.

In love, Taylor finds herself between two men she can’t live without. But who should she chose?

REVIEW:
While I was reading the book I was really not sure how I felt about it. I enjoyed the story and the characters but the writing was a little crude. I read the book in one evening and stayed up later than I should have so I did not write the review right away and as I was falling asleep I realized how much I really did enjoy this story. It was very interesting and kept my attention. Bors is a great guy. I loved how alpha and intense he was but yet so loving and playful. I actually missed that I was not going to be reading more about him. Taylor is interesting too. She has the life that some women dream, of living in a mansion with everything she ever wanted but she was a prisoner in the mansion and escaped but not for the reason the reader thinks at first. And she is so cute standing up to Bors. They really are an adorable couple. And Bors family is just too wonderful.

Now the bad part. There is so much crude language that it was distracting. I mean I know a big FBI agent is not going to be running around saying “Oh fudge” but it seemed almost every other word was crude. Even the author must have realized since she wrote a curse jar into the story.

I have not read the first in this series but I will be looking for it and will most certainly pick up the next one. Hmmm I wonder which sibling that book will be about?

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

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Wild Invitation
Psy-Changleing #0.5, #3.5, #9.5 & #10.5
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
PUBLICATION DATE: March 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Beat of Temptation , innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond?

In Stroke of Enticement , a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man—and the animal—in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true.

Plus 2 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED NOVELLAS

In Declaration of Courtship , Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”

In Texture of Intimacy , SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys—and unexpected challenges—of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.

REVIEW:
3 out of 4 is not bad right?
I really enjoyed 3 out of 4 of these novellas. One just didn’t grab me like I would have liked it too. It was still a good story. But not as much as the others.

Nalini is a fabulous story teller and anyone who is a fan of her Psy-Changeling series will love all four of these novella’s. I have to be honest I have not read this series. I have read a few of the books but not in order at all. But even with that I really didn’t feel lost at all with this book. While each novella’s main characters may have been in other books I really didn’t feel lost until the last story. It seems like there was a lot of history and some very important things must have happened before this novella.

But all in all I enjoyed this book. And yes I do plan on going back and reading the 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
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Kelly’s review of Free Fall by Catherine Mann

TITLE: Free Fall
CHARACTERS: Jose “Cuervo” James & Sarah Carlson
AUTHOR: Catherine Mann
PUBLICATION DATE: March 5th, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Pararescueman Jose “Cuervo” James can’t imagine committing to anything other than his job. But when he parachutes deep into East Africa to rescue wounded Interpol agent Sarah Carson—a woman from his past—he finds himself ensnared in more ways than he can count. Racing through the jungle to stop separatists from attacking the U.S. embassy, Jose and Sarah must call upon their training to survive. Could this be their second chance at passion…or will the rebels end their future before it begins?

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars Free Fall is book four in Catherine Mann’s Elite Forces series. I have not read the first two books in this series but I did read book three (and liked it). I like the Catherine’s style of writing. She tells really good stories and I really like the characters in this series. And I love that the new guy’s nickname is FANG. You will have to read to know why.

All that being said there were parts and pieces of this book that confused me a little. There seemed to be a whole lot going on and I was left with a few questions. Maybe these will be addressed in a later book. I am not sure. But all in all this was a good book and I am glad that I read.

If you are a fan of Catherine and her Elite Force series I think that you will really enjoy Jose’s story. For the newbies don’t be afraid to pick up this book and read. Free Fall can easily be read as a stand-alone 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.

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Kimberly’s review of Falling For The Lawyer by Anna Clifton

TITLE: Falling For The Lawyer
CHARACTERS: Alex & JP
AUTHOR: Anna Clifton
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alex Farrer has just one resolution: don’t get sacked by the new boss that day. Enter one knight to rescue her from a run‐in with a pile of mud. But will upending Alex’s entire life be the next job on her knight’s ‘to‐do’ list, whether she likes it or not?
Legal eagle JP McKenzie has just one resolution: never get involved with a woman who won’t stand up for herself. That is until a muddy Alex Farrer lands in his life with a crushingly big mountain of family expectation in tow. So what else is a modern‐day knight to do?

REVIEW:
I am just not sure about this story. It is a short story (about 100 pages) and I have to say that I could not stop reading it. The problem is I am just not sure what I liked about it. I am not sure what JP sees in Alex once he gets to know her. Alex is slightly irritating for most of the book in that she is so meek. But yet I really couldn’t pull away from the story.

Usually I do not like when one of the main characters starts out with a significant other already but in this book it seemed to work. I think it is a book that anyone that likes romance books will enjoy.

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

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Kelly’s review of Seeing is Believing by Erin McCarthy

TITLE: Seeing is Believing
CHARACTERS: Piper & Brady
AUTHOR: Erin McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: March 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cuttersville, Ohio is full of ghosts, and they all want Piper Tucker’s help.
One guy in town just wants Piper.

Ever since Piper Tucker was young she wanted to be like everyone else, but her uncanny ability to see ghosts always put her on the other side of normal. And the apparitions are showing up now more than ever, desperately seeking help. But what can she possibly do for them? They’ve already been dead for years. Besides, she has a personal concern of her own right now. A real flesh and blood concern—named Brady.

He’s Piper’s childhood crush, and no sooner is he back in town than sparks start giving off heat. For Brady, it’s hard not to notice the sexy young woman Piper’s become, or forget the special gift she had as a girl. And right now it could come in handy, because a long-forgotten murder has been keeping a restless spirit from finding peace. All Piper and Brady have to do is solve the crime to put the specter to rest. But the passion brewing between them is just as restless, and could prove twice as dangerous

REVIEW:
This was a fun book. Although at first I could not figure out why the seeing of ghosts was so important. But in the end I finally learned. Seeing is Believing is kinda a second chance at first love story. Piper has been in love with Brady since she was a little girl. But Brady never really saw her as that. But after so much time apart and Brady’s return to town that all changes.

Only problem. No one thinks Brady is good enough for Piper. But when a mystery surrounding a murder many years ago through Piper and Brady together they both will do some growing up and learn that sometimes it is best not to listen to anyone except your own heart.

I really did enjoy this book even if I am having a hard time writing this review.

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’s review of Mating Instinct by Katie Reus

TITLE: Mating Instinct
SERIES: Moon Shifter #3
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
Characters: Jayce Kazan & Kat Saburova
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/12/2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job

REVIEW:
Mating Instinct is Katie Reus’ third book in the Moon Shifter series. In Mating Instinct we get to see how Kat is adjusting to the events that happened to her in Primal Possession (bk 2, I would suggest reading this series in order).

They say change is good, but that doesn’t mean it is easy and nothing has been easy for Kat over the last year. She has walked away from the love of her life, was kidnapped, tortured and almost killed, then to save her life she has been turned. But even after all of this Kat has still come out on top. Maybe a little scared but she refuses to be anything but strong and more determined. The one thing Kat never planned was Jayce walking back into her life, demanding and on a mission to prove to her that she belongs to him and only him. Forever.

Jayce has tried in the past to protect Kat from his enemies, but he underestimated the humans of the world. Now Jayce had to live with the fact that he didn’t protect Kat when she need him most and it almost cost her, her life. Jayce vows to never let that happen again. Even when Kat puts herself in the crosshairs of her enemy.

I really did enjoy this book. There was two storylines happening at once so I was a little confused. Jayce seemed to be working on a case while trying to protecting Kat. But by the end of the book I understood what and where Katie was going with the dual storylines

I love Jayce & Kat. While Jayce tries to be this big-bad ass enforcer he does have a soft side and we see that with Kat and a new member of the pack. Kat is very brave after everything she has gone through. Stubborn yes, but very brave. Jayce and Kat are a great team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two.

I am super excited about 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
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Kelly and Kimberly both review A Shot Of Sultry by Macy Beckett

TITLE: A Shot Of Sultry
SERIES: Sultry Springs #2
CHARACTERS: Trey & Bobbi
AUTHOR: Macy Beckett
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where home can be the perfect place for a fresh start.

For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a quick trip to her hometown might get her the footage she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can’t let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can’t handle filming a few rowdy Texans.

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and–much to her delight–usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him…

BOTH KELLY AND KIMBERLY GAVE THIS BOOK 4.5 STARS – COMPARE THEIR REVIEWS HERE!

KELLY’S REVIEW:
Oh Man!!!! Book two in the Sultry Springs series is SO good. Trey, ahhhh the sweet Golden Boy finally meets his match in a feisty redhead from California. And to say their first meeting was… will eventful would be an understatement.
I loved the beginning, middle and end of this book so much. I read it in one sitting. I kept saying to myself “just one more chapter and I will put down the book and go to sleep” Needless to say at 2 am I finally did read the last chapter, wiped the tears from my eyes and went to bed very happy.
I love these character, love this series and love Macy!!! I so can’t wait to see what she has in store for our resident bad-boy sheriff, in book 3 Surrender to Sultry (Aug 1, 2013).

Again if you have not jumped into Sultry Springs Texas you really need too. You will be surprised at what can be found behind the doors of a small hick town.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
OK I think I have a new fictional love. Trey totally has me under his spell. I loved the first in this series “Sultry With A Twist” and even then I wanted the next story to be Trey’s but I had no idea how much I would adore this character. There is just something sexy about this unfortunately fictional man.

I enjoyed Bobbi too. She has lived such a hard life and has so many issues of her own but Trey brings out the good in her so easily and while you feel sorry for her at some points she also captures your heart and you love her.

I could not put this book down. I never wanted to finish it and yet I couldn’t wait to see how it would end. While you can read this alone I wouldn’t suggested it. You must read the first one just because you will love it. I can’t wait for the next one “Surrender To Sultry” and what Beckett has in store for Colton!

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Jade’s Gamble by Patricia Olney

TITLE: Jade’s Gamble
CHARACTERS: Jade & Trace
AUTHOR: Patricia Olney
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Single mother Jade O’Donnell is desperate. Embroiled in an ugly custody battle, Jade is convinced that being in a committed relationship will up her chances to keep her son. So when the wildly charismatic Trace Banyon walks into her lawyer’s office to inquire about a job, Jade’s willing to bet that he’s the perfect candidate to play the part of loving husband. She just never expects that Trace will steal her heart.

Temptation in the flesh, Trace insists that he will never be tied down in real life. He agrees to Jade’s scheme on one condition: It will mean nothing more than a business deal. But with Jade posing on his arm, Trace can’t help but feel genuine affection—and exhilarating passion. Now his bewitching make-believe wife has the stalwart bachelor considering the two words he has sworn will never pass his lips: “I do.”

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this short story and the characters of Jade and Trace. They have a connection right from the start of the story.

Because it is such a short story I felt some things were missing like there is not enough about the ex husband and I was saddened that we did not get Lucas’ reaction about the ending.

I think in general this story could have been more in-depth but that being said the story is good and is an enjoyable quick read.

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