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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne
TITLE: Sugar Pine Trail
SERIES #: Haven Point #7
CHARACTERS: Julia & Jamie
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she’s been living. She’s made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn’t one of them. Julia’s looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker’s latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia’s care for the holidays, she’ll take any help she can get—even Jamie’s.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that’s much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can’t last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts This might be one of the best stories I have read from this author and from a lot of other authors too. I say this for a couple of reasons but one in particular. Towards the end I was holding back tears. And that means a lot if you ask me. Other reasons are simple, I couldn’t stop reading it. I thought about the characters when I wasn’t reading it and I didn’t want the story to end. All in all I could leave the review like that because those are the things a reader wants in a good book. However….
Julia is such a sweet person. She gives with her whole heart and asks for nothing in return. She just wants to do what is right. Jamie has dealt with loss and guilt. Because of that he has learned it is better to stay a step away than get too close but this woman just keeps him tip-toeing closer and closer. And the two boys that come into their lives are sweet and loving and just pull at your heartstrings.
There are a couple of minor things that I wish had been different but this story is almost perfect.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson
TITLE: The Girl Who Came Back
CHARACTERS: Olivia Adams
AUTHOR: Kerry Wilkinson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/08/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Thirteen years ago Olivia Adams went missing. Now she’s back… or is she?
When five-year-old Olivia Adams disappeared from her back garden, the small community of Stoneridge was thrown into turmoil. How could a child vanish in the middle of a cosy English village?
Thirteen years on and Olivia is back. Her mother is convinced it’s her but not everyone is sure. If this is the missing girl, then where has she been – and what happened to her on that sunny afternoon?
If she’s an imposter, then who would be bold enough to try to fool a child’s own mother – and why?
Then there are those who would rather Olivia stayed missing. The past is the past and some secrets must remain buried.
REVIEW:
This is my first read by Kerry Wilkinson and will not be my last. When you say psychological thriller you easily could use this book as a sample. There is a lot of twist and turns and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat a number of times.
One storyline follows Olivia and the other Lily and both are interesting and someone connected. There is a bit of un-realism in the story. But then if we wanted real life we wouldn’t be reading and we would be watching the news. This book is good and keeps your interest.
Definitely not my last read from Wilkinson.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews Going Dark by Monica McCarty
TITLE: Going Dark
SERIES #: Lost Platoon #1
CHARACTERS: Annie & Dan
AUTHOR: Monica McCarty
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The members of a top secret SEAL Team can’t keep their passion under wraps in this thrilling contemporary romantic suspense series from New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty.
Like Rome’s Lost Legion, a SEAL platoon goes on a mission and vanishes without a trace.
After walking into a trap on a covert op in Russia, the men from top secret SEAL Team Nine are presumed dead. Not knowing whom they can trust, and with war hanging in the balance, the survivors must go dark and scatter around the globe.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson joins her new boyfriend on a trip to the Western Isles of Scotland to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. When she realizes that she may be swept up in something far more dangerous than she’d intended, there is only one man she can turn to. . . .
She and the mysterious but sexy dive boat captain haven’t exactly gotten off to the best start, but something about his quiet confidence makes her think that he’s the kind of man she can depend on. Because he’s gruff and guarded, she can tell Dan Warren has secrets. But she could never imagine how high the stakes are for him to keep his cover, even as he risks everything to protect her. . . .
REVIEW:
So I am on the fence about this one. First when I started reading I was so confused in who was who. We meet the whole team of SEALS and spend some time getting to know each and every one. Just to later read the team mission has gone bad and they need to go into hiding. I was really really confused…. Just too many people….
Oddly enough while we spent so much time learning about the characters they seemed a bit one dimensional. There didn’t seem to be much connection between the two. The conversations just seem so odd. Nothing seems to flow naturally.
I honestly think there was just too much going on that everything felt off. The concept of the story is good. We never really think of a SEAL team having to deal with a bad mission, betrayal and having to go into hiding so the concept is great. Problem was so much was in the author’s head that the reader really was lost.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Winter Romance Wednesday returns….
Winter Romance Wednesday returns Wednesday, September 20th.
Do you enjoy snuggling up with a mug of hot cocoa, a log fire and a warm blanket on a chilly day?
What would make that even better? A great holiday romance to read.
Here is your chance to learn about new releases coming this holiday season.
Kimberly reviews Dark Legacy by Christine Feehan
TITLE: Dark Legacy
SERIES #: Dark #27
CHARACTERS: Emeline Sanchez
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In a thrilling Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a woman fights to free herself from the grip of the vampire trying to possess her…
In a beautiful compound hidden away from the world, Emeline Sanchez tries to blunt the pain that has wracked her body ever since her terrifying ordeal in the labyrinth beneath the city—when she was forced to exchange blood with an evil master vampire.
Now, it’s his voice that haunts her…that calls to her in the dark…that never lets her rest. And while the children that she helped to free from his clutches struggle to heal, watched over by their Carpathian protectors, Emeline knows one thing: She must sacrifice herself to keep them all from harm…
REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts You would think that after 26 books this series would be getting boring or have done all it could do but nope! The Carpathian series is one that could never get old.
Christine Feehan is right up there on the list of Queen of Paranormal novels. As with all of Feehan’s books the characters are delightful to read. The writing is superb and you never want to put it down. And yet are sad when you reach the end of the story.
Emeline is dealing with tainted blood from being forced to exchange blood with a master vampire. When Dragomir saves her the excitement really begins. I looked forward to reading about Dragonmir and didn’t disappoint.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
TITLE: The Summer That Made Us
CHARACTERS: The Hempstead Family
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins–they lived for summers at the lake house until a tragic accident changed everything. The Summer That Made Us is an unforgettable story about a family learning to accept the past, to forgive and to love each other again. That was then… For the Hempsteads, two sisters who married two brothers and had three daughters each, summers were idyllic. The women would escape the city the moment school was out to gather at the family house on Lake Waseka. The lake was a magical place, a haven where they were happy and carefree. All of their problems drifted away as the days passed in sun-dappled contentment. Until the summer that changed everything. This is now… After an accidental drowning turned the lake house into a site of tragedy and grief, it was closed up. For good. Torn apart, none of the Hempstead women speak of what happened that summer, and relationships between them are uneasy at best to hurtful at worst. But in the face of new challenges, one woman is determined to draw her family together again, and the only way that can happen is to return to the lake and face the truth. Robyn Carr has crafted a beautifully woven story about the complexities of family dynamics and the value of strong female relationships.
REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This story is about family. Two sisters marry two brothers and have three daughters each. The lake house was where the entire family would spend their summers. A time to escape and just be together. But a tragedy happens one summer and while the girls think they know the story they are finding out more pieces as more of the sisters/cousins come to the lake house.
The real feel of this story is a bit heartbreaking. I can imagine how the girls feel about each other and where there is misunderstanding and hurt feelings. There is also memories that each have differently.
Carr brings us some realistic family situations and feelings but I would expect nothing else. Carr is one of my favorite authors and I never miss one of her stories but this one is not a romance. It is real. It is life. It is family. I have no idea but I can almost feel that this story kept pulling at Carr’s heart and mind to be written. It needed to be put to paper and Carr did it like no one else could.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Winter Romance Wednesday returns…..
Winter Romance Wednesday returns next Wednesday, September 20th.
Do you enjoy snuggling up with a mug of hot cocoa, a log fire and a warm blanket on a chilly day?
What would make that even better? A great holiday romance to read.
Here is your chance to learn about new releases coming this holiday season.
Don’t keep it a secret… Share your book reviews…
Kimberly reviews On The Chase by Katie Ruggle
TITLE: On The Chase
SERIES #: Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #2
CHARACTERS: Kaylee/Grace & Hugh
AUTHOR: Katie Ruggle
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After witnessing a horrifying crime, Kaylee is forced to flee to a small Colorado mountain town and take on a new identity. There she becomes Grace, a dog kennel worker trying to avoid the dangerously attractive K-9 Officer Hugh Murdoch.
When an accident leaves Hugh and his K-9 partner, Lexi, on desk duty, both are anxious for Hugh to heal. Until then, the highlight of his day is teasing the beautiful but mysterious new kennel employee. Their simmering attraction fuels a passionate kiss—interrupted by a sniper’s bullet. With targets on both of their backs, Grace and Hugh will do whatever it takes to stay alive…not realizing the most dangerous threat of all is hiding right in front of their noses.
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Holy Crap! Boy this story never stopped. Kaylee/Grace goes through so much that I am not sure how the author could even think of so much. What in the world will be in the next book because this has every adventure you can think of. And yet I just know the next one will be great too.
Kaylee/Grace is a great character. I mean if all this stuff was happening to me I think I would do exactly as she does. She is not overly courageous or she’s not a damsel in distress (even though she really is). She is strong but at the same time scared out of her mind. She is just so real.
Hugh is just a nut job. He is quick witted and down to earth. I can imagine if he was real he would have been the class clown in school. But when he needs to he can be strong and protective of both Kaylee/Grace and Lexi, his K9 partner.
I would have liked a bit more of Lexi. She is a good dog and officer but I would have enjoyed her having a bit of sense of humor as well to match Hugh’s.
This is the second in the series but can be read as a stand alone.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews The Art Of Keeping Secrets by Rachael Johns
TITLE: The Art Of Keeping Secrets
CHARACTERS: Felicity, Emma & Neve
AUTHOR: Rachael Johns
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/29/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Little secrets grow up to be big lies…
They’ve been best friends since their sons started high school together, and Felicity, Emma and Neve share everything … or so they thought.
But Flick’s seemingly perfect marriage hides a shocking secret which, with one word, threatens to destroy her and her family’s happiness. Emma is in denial about a potential custody battle, her financial constraints, the exhaustion she can’t seem to shake off and the inappropriate feelings she has for her boss. And single mum Neve is harbouring a secret of her own; a secret that might forever damage her close-knit relationship with her son.
When the tight hold they have each kept on their secrets for years begins to slip, they must face the truth. Even if that truth has the power to hurt the ones they love, and each other.
Perhaps some secrets weren’t made to be kept.
REVIEW:
This story is about friendship and secrets. Have you ever had a friend that you believe you know every little detail about. If you were to take a quiz on their life you would get 100% and even have stories for extra credit. Well what if you found out that your friend was keeping a big secret you never expected AND you now come to realize you have a secret that she doesn’t know about and it’s time to confess.
Well that is what this story is about. Three friends who believe they know each other inside and out but are shocked to learn they don’t.
I enjoyed each story. Told by each of the friends the book jumps to each character and at first I wasn’t sure if I would like it having the writing this way really added to the characters. I enjoyed the writing and the characters both forefront and background.
This is women’s lit at its finest.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews Here Comes The Bride by Hope Ramsey
TITLE: Here Comes The Bride
SERIES #: Chapel Of Love #3
CHARACTERS: Laurie & Andrew
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsay
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/29/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There goes the groom . . .
For Professor Laurie Wilson, planning her wedding to longtime boyfriend Brandon Kopp has been a whirlwind. But somehow, between all the cake tastings and dress fittings, she never imagined being left at the altar. In the aftermath, she does what any sensible woman would – she swigs champagne and considers keying his car. Until someone knocks on her door with a much better idea for revenge.
Best man Andrew Lyndon thinks Laurie’s better off without Brandon. But Laurie’s father – and Andrew’s boss – isn’t going to accept anything less than a reconciliation. And he’s made it Andrew’s problem to solve. So Andrew decides to make Brandon jealous by setting Laurie up on a string of “dates.” After a couple of weeks, Brandon will be begging Laurie to take him back. But Andrew’s plan works a little too well because suddenly he’s the one falling for Laurie — and planning a proposal of his own.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts For the most part I enjoyed this story. Hope Ramsey is on my list of authors I try not to miss. The story is pretty typical. She gets left at the altar, best man checks on her and sparks fly. Ok maybe not that simple but still the gist is the same.
The characters are good and the writing is mostly good. I thought the book had some really funny scenes and some sweet scenes. No real hot and heavy scenes. It is a love story and a second chance story.
The problem was the way Ramsey wrote about men in the story. I am not sure what happened in her (or someone she knows) life but she is pissed at all men… men in general in the book are scum and women are superior. I get that women rock thing but the men are horrible thing took away from the book a bit for me.
Again that being said the story is good and the characters and romance are sweet.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.