Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly’s review of A Night Away by Carrie Ann Ryan

A Night Away
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kade Jamenson has been mated to Melanie for almost two years. They’ve been through mating circles, battles, loss, misunderstandings, and finally, the birth of their son, Finn. The world is in turmoil around them as the Redwoods engage in war with the Centrals. But for Kade and Melanie, the turmoil is also happening at home. The responsibility of a restless baby and their Pack has taken a toll and they need a break.Not from each other. But from their Pack. Just for a night.

Kade takes Mel away for a romantic getaway and leaves Uncle Maddox alone with baby Finn. The Omega of the Redwood Pack may be adept at emotions but the idea of a baby may be beyond his immense capabilities.

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 3 and 4 to give you a taste of Mel and Kade. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.

REVIEW:
This is a novella that takes place between book 3 and 4. It revisits the couple from the first book (An Alpha’s Path) Kade and Melanie. In the earlier books Kade and Melanie had a son, Finn, but now they are exhausted and want to reconnect as a couple.

If you have had a child you will connect with this book. The feeling that you need to do everything yourself and do not want to burden family to help. The feeling of needing time to sleep and reconnect with your significant other, yes with sex but also just with time and talking. While you can read this book on its own you will not get the full context of the story. The first three books are great and I would recommend picking them up before you read this story. But if you can not get all three books do not read this book at least until you read the first one to know the characters. You will not be disappointed in this series.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Just A Wish Away by Barbara Freethy

 Just A Wish Away
AUTHOR: Barbara Freethy
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alexa Parker and Braden Elliott fell in love when they were twelve years old. On a summer day, while searching for sea glass on the beaches of Washington State, they discovered an unusually shaped blue bottle. The ever-imaginative Alexa declared it a genie’s bottle. Popping the cork, they were surprised by a rogue wave that sprayed them with a fine, cool mist. Closing their eyes, they each made a wish …

Before their love had a chance to grow, life, family and tragedy separated the two best friends. Now fifteen years later, Alexa returns to Sand Harbor after her aunt is injured in a mysterious break-in at her antique store. Braden is also back, but he’s not the innocent boy Alexa remembers. His military service has left him with physical and emotional scars.

Can the sweet love of youth be recaptured by two now cynical souls? Can solving the mystery of the past bring them to a new future? Or will it take a wish, maybe two …

REVIEW:
This is the second in the Wish series however you do not need to read the first to read this one. It most certainly stands alone. In all honesty they have nothing to do with each other except both books have wishes made in them.

Alexa and Braden were summer time best friends when they were young. Alexa makes a wish to have Braden fall in love with her not knowing he already is. Then they are separated and years later Alexa returns to Sand Harbor and Braden is there now too. Can a wish come true 15 years later?

This book is the ultimate “you can never go home” book. Don’t we all wonder at some time what would have happened if we were still with our first love? Would we use the chance to reconnect if we had it? And if we did reconnect would it be the same now? That is what this book is all about.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Consent To Love by Abby Wood

Consent To Love
AUTHOR: Abby Wood
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twenty-four-year-old small-town girl Ana Reynold serves beer at the local bar, tries to keep her beater car running, and dreams of a better life as a painter. If she can learn to make a decent steak, she might get promoted to cook—and earn enough for her real heart’s desire. Right now, that doesn’t include romance.

But when she meets a tall, dark and sexy Native American man named Kane, Ana can’t take her eyes off him—or stop thinking about him. But she’d better. Everyone knows the proud Lakota who raises horses wants nothing to do with a townie barmaid who’ll bring shame to his people.

Except Kane can’t get Ana off his mind. He proposes a red-hot weekend in bed, a no-strings affair to end Monday morning. Yet once Kane brings the outsider onto Lakota land, everything changes…

REVIEW:
This novella is a quick read with only about 135 pages. The story is very well written. There were a few times while reading the dialogue of the characters that I thought to myself “this is not how a normal person would speak” but once you get into the swing of the story it is not as obvious (either that or the conversations get better). Ana seems somewhat naive for a twenty-four year old even one raised in a small town but she is a sweet character. Kane is hard to describe. At some points he seems loving and others like he is only out for sex. I was confused by his character but I liked him. There was a lot of talk in the storyline about how the outside world views “injuns” and would give Ana a hard time for being involved with Kane so I was disappointed that there was not a more intense moment of something that happens when Ana is off of reservation land. I enjoyed this story and think if you enjoy cowboy romance then this is one you will want to pick up and enjoy yourself. *Note* This apparently is the second in the “consent” series because in this book Daphne and Will (Consent to the Cowboy) make an appearance and while “Consent to Love” stands alone you do get the feeling that Daphne and Will had their own story before.

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Kimberly’s Review of Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick

Crystal Gardens
AUTHOR: Amanda Quick
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/24/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Evangeline Ames has rented a country cottage far from the London streets where she was recently attacked. Fascinated by the paranormal energy of nearby Crystal Gardens, she finds pleasure in sneaking past the wall to explore the grounds. And when her life is threatened again, she instinctively goes to the gardens for safety. Lucas Sebastian has never been one to ignore a lady in danger, even if she is trespassing on his property. Quickly disposing of her would-be assassin, he insists they keep the matter private. There are rumors enough already, about treasure buried under his garden, and occult botanical experiments performed by his uncle—who died of mysterious causes. With Evangeline’s skill for detection, and Lucas’s sense of the criminal mind, they soon discover that they have a common enemy. And as the energy emanating from Crystal Gardens intensifies, they realize that to survive they must unearth what has been buried for too long.

REVIEW:
Another great read from Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz. This is the first in a new historical series titled Ladies of Lantern Street. While it is not part of the Arcane Society series it does have the same feel to it. So if you liked one you will like the other.

Both Lucas and Evangeline have psychical abilities. Lucas is the new owner of the Crystal Gardens which includes botanicals that are fed by paranormal activity and actually glow during the night. When Evie is attacked she runs into the gardens and Lucas comes to her rescue. He decides it is best of her to move into the house for protection. Together they want to find out who ordered the attack on Evie and who murdered Lucas’s uncle.

As I said above this is another wonderful book from Quick/Krentz. I have enjoyed the Arcane Society books for a while now and this would fit right in with it. Evie and Lucas are interesting characters. Evie is not what she seems at first and is a delightful character to read about. Lucas is quiet yet strong and is written as a born leader.

You can never go wrong with a book by Quick/Krentz. Her books are about the paranormal but not about vampires or shape-shifters but about the power of crystals and the mind. If you enjoy historicals then pick this one up and then once you find you do not want to put it down then go back and start the Arcane Society books because this is really where Krentz/Quick excels.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Getting Over Mr. Right by Chrissie Manby

Getting Over Mr. Right
AUTHOR: Chrissie Manby
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/10/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
BEEN DUMPED? GET MAD. BUT NOT THIS MAD.

Have you ever had your heart broken? How did you get over it?
If a pint of ice cream cheered you up and you were able to delete his number and start again then . . .
You’re a weirdo and this book is not for you.

But if you reacted with denial, begging, or a spot of casual witchcraft, then you’ve come to the right place. This is one woman’s journey from love to lunacy and back again. If you ever recall past heartbreaks with acute embarrassment and an urge to go into hiding, this will make you feel better. Sure, you may have sent his new girlfriend a bunch of dead roses, but did you spend a grand on psychic hot-lines and a voodoo curse?

Kimberly’s Review:
Remember being in love? Life is perfect with your guy and then he says “it’s over”? Then remember calling your best friend and crying? Having your best friend call to see if she could play middle-man and get you two back together? Getting into the car and driving down his street to see what he was doing? Maybe even making that one last call to say you loved him and please take you back? And when he didn’t you cried again on your best friends shoulder until finally you moved on?

Well now imagine not moving on… becoming a stalker and going mad!  Yep that is what happens to Ashleigh. This character has lost her ever loving mind but since it is not happening to you it can be enjoyed in this weirdly funny story. I, at one point. wondered if this was a “What not to do when dumped for dummies” book and thought maybe I should pick it up for my step-daughter now that she is dating but I worried she would find this hysterical and decide to try some of these things herself. This is most certainly a young woman’s story and not meant for a mature, past the point of obsessing over a guy, kind of woman.

I think you have to have a certain kind of personality to appreciate this book.  If you find humor is inappropriate circumstances then you will enjoy this book. Just remember this is not a handbook but a work of fiction. Do not try this at home!

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Kelly’s review of Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

Wishful Thinking
AUTHOR: Gabi Stevens
PUBLICATION DATE:  04/24/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.

Surprised, and none too happy.  The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.

Kelly’s REVIEW:
I am not sure where I stand on this book.  I liked the story.  But did not  love.  I have to admit that I ended up skimming a lot of parts in the book.  I like the hero of this book Hunter is a straight up kind of guy.  The heroine Stormy I never really connected with her.  I am not really sure what I can say…
If you love the first two books in Gabi’s series I think you will be happy with Wishful Thinking.  And this is maybe where I went wrong.  I started with book 3.

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Kimberly’s review of Ruined By Rumor by Alyssa Everett

TITLE: Ruined by Rumor
AUTHOR: Alyssa Everett
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After waiting five years for her fiancé to return from the war and marry her, Roxana Langley has been jilted! She may have longed for excitement, but this was not what she had in mind…

Who could possibly throw over a woman as beautiful and vivacious as Roxana? Certainly not Alex Winslow, the Earl of Ayersley, who has spent years trying in vain to forget his unrequited love. When he learns she’s been abandoned by her cad of a fiancé, he finds himself offering a shoulder for her to cry on. Comfort soon turns into a passionate kiss—and scandal when they are caught in an embrace.

Only one thing will save Roxana from certain ruination: marriage to the earl. The match may save her reputation, but responsible, tongue-tied Ayersley is a far cry from her dashing former fiancé. She’s convinced Ayersley is merely doing his duty…while he’s sure Roxana is still in love with another man. Are they trading one disaster for another?

REVIEW:
So this book could go either way for me. It was nicely written and a good story. The problem is it is a lot like other historicals I have read. The difference is Ayersley is shy and intelligent and not the rogue or rake that is used in most historicals. Typical of historicals though Roxana is compromised by a kiss so she and Ayersley have to be married. And of course Roxana thinks Ayersley is marrying her to be proper and he thinks she is still in love with her ex-fiance’. There are so many mixed and missed signals that the reader easily becomes impatient with the couple. However, that being said this is not an uncommon storyline in historicals and if you are a fan of the genre then you are used to the storyline and probably enjoy it. The author did a good job with the feel of the book, I just wish there had been more to it then the normal historical that so many have already written. I also felt the ending was rushed. Once the feelings had finally come to the forefront the book seemed to end and we were given the epilogue.

If you are only a passing fan of the genre then this may not be your cup of tea. But if you like historicals then you will most likely enjoy this book and enjoy the differences that it does have like a man being a politician instead of a rake.

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Kimberly’s review of Edge of Light by Cynthia Justlin

Edge of Light
AUTHOR: Cynthia Justlin
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/14/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Taken prisoner by a ruthless group of anarchists deep in the Cambodian jungle, anthropologist Jocelyn Hewitt is isolated in a dark prison cell. Without chance of rescue. Or hope. Until the man in the next cell reaches out to let her know she’s not as alone as she thinks.

CIA agent Oliver Shaw has been held prisoner for over two years. Forced to witness the brutal torture and slow murder of his entire team, his spirit is not just broken, it’s crushed. He no longer believes in hope. Until he hears Jocelyn through the wall, and suddenly feels like a glimpse of light is trying to reach in…

Jocelyn’s heart aches for the tortured man whose presence and voice give her the courage to risk their escape. But first she’ll have to remind Oliver who he once was, what he once loved, and bring him back to life. Only then will they have a chance for freedom—and the kind of love neither ever thought possible.

REVIEW:
DNF (which is very rare for me)… This is a very intense book with a lot of violence and I found it hard to read. This was not my kind of book. There were too many characters that they began to run together. If you enjoy intense books wrapped around violence and escape then this may be a book you would love to read. However I just could not do it.

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly

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Ursula’s review of Gentlemen Prefer Nerds by Joan Kilby

Gentlemen Prefer Nerds
AUTHOR: Joan Kilby
PUBLICATION DATE:   Available Now
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Self-professed nerd Maddie Maloney is an expert on jewels. Jewel thieves are another matter entirely! So when a mysterious Englishman warns her that a thief known as The Chameleon is after the rare pink diamond on display in her aunt’s shop, she tells herself it’s just a joke. Even if she can’t get Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome out of her mind…

But Fabian Montgomery doesn’t give up easily. He’s everywhere she goes, convinced the thief will strike. And when the diamond does go missing-and Maddie is suspected of stealing it-he whisks her away from the police and together they pursue The Chameleon.

Fabian plunges her into a glamorous world far from her humble workshop and transforms geeky Maddie into a sophisticated siren capable of espionage. Her mission: to seduce The Chameleon and steal back the diamond.

But Fabian isn’t telling her everything-like who he works for, and why he’s so interested in The Chameleon

REVIEW:

This book was a non-stop action packed read.  Chock full of mysterious, hot men and priceless gems, this book had it all. Daring car chases, hidden agendas, and a desert island.  The hero and heroine were interesting characters.  I loved how Fabian just popped into her life with no warning.  Once there she had a hard time getting rid of him, until eventually she didn’t want to. He was a very layered character and we got to see his inner struggle with his feelings for Maddie and his own honesty. The whole time he was lying to her, but somehow it was ok. Maddie is a woman who is focused on one thing, gems. They are her life.  We also get to see her family life and learn how she grew up which really shaped her into the woman she is now.  And under his tutelage, she went from Nerd to Glamazon and then back to something a little in between.  Fabian saved her life many times over the course of the book, and though he acted like it was part of the job, it was clearly so much more.

I have to be honest though: The ending made me a little unhappy. OK, a lot unhappy. I almost threw my Nook across the room while screaming: “WHAT!? That’s it!?”  It ended with a very ambiguous HFN with no indication if there would be a sequel or if it is part of a series. Overall it was a great read.

4 Hearts

REVIEWED BY: Ursula

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Ursula’s review of Truth & Seduction by Melody Snow Monroe

Truth and Seduction
AUTHOR: Melody Snow Monroe
PUBLICATION DATE: Available now
ORDER LINKS:  Siren-Bookstrand | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sexy television investigative reporter Jessie McCallister has returned to Intrigue, Wyoming, after eleven years and wants it all—her career and her two high school dream men, hunky newspaper mogul Cody Callen and hot arson investigator Shane McKee. After she watches these brave men save a young boy from a burning building, she knows these heroes are still the ones for her.

As the three of them investigate the fire and share information, they connect on an emotional and sexual level. However, after Jessie agrees not to expose the possible identity of the arsonist because it may harm the station’s bottom line, Cody and Shane’s rock-solid belief in telling the truth forces them to set her free. What does she have to do to win back their respect and love?

REVIEW:
This is book 2 in The Callens and we get to meet Cody Callen and his best friend Shane McKee.  I enjoyed revisiting this series. In this installment, Jessie has just come home to Intrigue after losing her job at a metropolitan news station.  The character of Jessie is an honest and strong one and when confronted with the dishonesty of her station she moves back home. She manages to find a job at a local station and there runs into the same problems. Her dilemma over reporting the truth vs. losing her job is a very real one that could be experienced by any one.  She wants to tell the truth and she wants to keep her job. There is no way she can do both.

Meanwhile, she has run into her two school crushes, but she does not have fond memories of them. In their past she felt that she wasn’t rich enough or good enough for them.  It is difficult to deal with high school dramas, even for the most well adjusted and Ms. Monroe shows how this affects how an adult deals with things in the present. I think we all have those traumas that have followed us into adulthood and she does a good job of showing this. Luckily, they are all mature and manage to overcome this small obstacle.
As they all begin to fall in love Jessie’s job begins to get in the way. I found myself wanting to strangle those men several times. I understand that they are both honest to a fault and want the woman they love to be the same, but they were so unyielding.  Or so it seemed. I may have not liked their methods, but I finally understood what they were trying to do and ultimately Jessie proved strong enough to stand up for her convictions.  Finally, they all got their HEA.  Ms. Monroe has a knack for illustrating emotions and making the reader “feel”.

The next book in the series is Secret Temptation and it released on 4-23-12. I can’t wait to read it!

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Ursula

 

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Kimberly’s Review of Crazy on You by Rachel Gibson

Crazy On You
AUTHOR: Rachel Gibson
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Return to Lovett, Texas, the setting of Daisy’s Back in Town, in this smart and sexy new story from Rachel Gibson, the New York Times bestselling author of Rescue Me and the Seattle Chinooks books.

Lily Darlington’s been called crazy in her day-and, yeah, driving her car into her ex-husband’s living room probably wasn’t the smartest move ever made-but the louse deserved it. Now Lily is happily single, and she’s turned it all around. She knows she’s a good mom, a homeowner, and a businesswoman, all wrapped up in one good-looking package.

A package that police officer Tucker Matthews is dying to unwrap. This ex-military man sure doesn’t need another woman in his life. His last girlfriend left him with nothing but memories and a cat named Pinky! But living next door to Lily has been driving him nuts. He dreams about her long blonde hair and even longer legs. And maybe it’s time to go a little crazy . . . and fall in love.

REVIEW:
This is a short novella of about 80 pages that brings us back to Lovett, Texas where we first visited in Daisy’s Back In Town. We met Lily in the first book and as a secondary character she stole the scenes she was in and now we get a short story to catch us up on what has been going on. Lily has tried to change her ways and become a upstanding citizen so her 10 year old son can hold his head high. But then comes Tucker who is new in town, younger and crazy about Lily and her son.

The character of Lily has changed some from the original book she is not so wild and carefree. Tucker is very charismatic and endearing. I wish the novella had been a full novel and had gone on for another hundred or more pages. There was so much crammed into this short book and it is a shame we only got a taste of Lily’s story because she is the kind of character women love to read about.

4 Hearts

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly

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Kimberly’s review of The Risque Target by Kelly Gendron

The Risque Target
AUTHOR: Kelly Gendron
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon  | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s one name that has Agent Nala Dekker reaching for the gun holstered to her leg—Tantum Maddox, the one name her partner said before he died in her arms. After three years of searching for the faceless Tantum Maddox, his name has finally surfaced. Nala jumps on the first plane to Boston in chase of her long-awaited revenge. But instead of taking Tantum in for his crime or shooting him—in self-defense, of course—Nala nearly ends up in bed with the killer. So, it probably would’ve been a good idea to find out what her Target looked like before she went after him.

Agent Tantum Maddox has completed his assignment in Mexico… and now it’s time for his revenge. When Tantum finds a mysterious woman in his arms, and after he discovers exactly who she is—his Target—he must decide what to do with the gun concealed beneath her dress. Should he use it on her and kill her? Or spare her life and take her captive until he finds the answers he’s been looking for?

Somehow Nala’s innocence comes into question by the dangerously sexy Tantum Maddox and he accuses her of being a cold blooded killer. But why is Nala the one on trial, for Tantum’s the one who killed her partner—isn’t he? In this torrid twist of betrayal and seduction, will Tantum and Nala resist killing each other? Or worse, when the truth unfolds, will love become the only threat to their vindictive hearts?

REVIEW:
This looks to be the first book by this author and let me tell you I can not wait to read more. The characters are great. Tantum is the perfect guy. Totally hot, predatory, protective, sexual and has a sense of humor. Nala is interesting in her own right. She is new to being a agent and while she really does normally seem like she can take care of herself and on any other assignment would kick some serious butt, Tantum has become a complication and you can see her defenses fall.
There was a little too much of Nala questioning her own feelings (“Is he guilty?” “Can I really trust him?”, “He did do it!”, “No I know he could never do it!”, etc) and it got a little irritating but all in all it was a really good book. The premise is interesting too. They find they are pitted against each other and are each trying to find the other guilty of crimes but they seem to figure out pretty early what is going on but not the who is setting it up.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I wanted to see how Tantum would overcome his own issues of the heart and it was fun to watch Nala fall so easily into his arms but try to keep her heart at arms length. I enjoyed the humor that was written into these characters (especially Tantum) as well. It really is a fun yet suspenseful read. I will eagerly pick up the next book by Gendron and hope it is just as well written as this one.

4 Hearts

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kimberly