Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly reviews Grandma Must Die by Maureen L. Bonatch

grandma must dieTITLE: Grandma Must Die
CHARACTERS: Carman & Dylan
AUTHOR: Maureen L. Bonatch
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/07/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a friend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.

Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

REVIEW:
Ok this book made me actually laugh out loud a number of times. The humor alone is worth reading this book for but the story is worth it too.

There are a lot of twists in this story. The magic is in more than the storyline but in the writing as well. Carmen is adorable.

This is a quick read. It is very lighthearted so just sit back and laugh and enjoy.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Flight From Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn

flight from mayhemTITLE: Flight From Mayhem
SERIES #: Fly by Night #2
CHARACTERS: Shimmer, Alex, Ralph, Bette and Chai
AUTHOR: Yasmine Galenorn
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn presents the second Fly by Night novel, set in the realm of the Otherworld.

I’m Shimmer, a blue dragon shifter. Thanks to a mistake, I was exiled from the Dragon Reaches and sentenced to work for gorgeous, exasperating Alex Radcliffe, a vampire who owns the Fly by Night Magical Investigations Agency. Every time I turn around, somebody’s trying to kill us. But you know what they say: All’s fair in love and bounty hunting…

A serial killer is stalking the elderly Fae of Seattle, draining their bank accounts before brutally murdering them. When Chase Johnson asks for our help, Alex and I discover that the sociopath is also a doppelganger—able to change shape to match his victim’s deepest desires. Our friend and colleague Bette volunteers to act as bait, but the plan goes dangerously awry. Now, unless we find her first, she’s about to face her worst nightmare.

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this book, but there was so much going on that I felt the crew was going in so many directions. We are also left with a lot of questions to some of the issues that were brought up. I am looking forward to future books to answer these questions. I also really really really want Glenda to go away and never come back. I mean honestly who kills fish like that?
I am really enjoying Alex and Shimmer’s story. I think that they still have a tough road ahead of them but I am looking forward to the journey. Chai.. So sweet, sweet Chai. I hope that we get to see more of him in future books and hope that there is a love for him.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

3hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Taming Her Forbidden Earl by Catherine Hemmerling

taming her forbidden earlTITLE: Taming Her Forbidden Earl
SERIES #: Lady Lancaster Garden Society #1
CHARACTERS: Hannah & William
AUTHOR: Catherine Hemmerling
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone knows William Bredon, the earl of Pembroke, has a reputation as a captivating rogue, determined to never marry until his duty to produce an heir requires it. So when he invites Lady Hannah Rochester to dance, Hannah vows to keep her distance. But the undeniably gorgeous William, with his dark humor and seductive gaze, draws her in nonetheless.

Of course, Lady Hannah is not completely what she seems, either. A member of the dowager Lady Lancaster’s Garden Society, she secretly spends her days solving mysteries and uncovering intrigues, and when she brings William into the fold, a sinister plot develops that brings the two closer together. William’s protective nature ensures he remains by Hannah’s side, but he will not surrender his anti-marriage stance.

Can intrigue, passion, and maybe even a little bit of scandal reform the most notorious of rakes?

REVIEW:
I have mostly given up on historical romance. I am not sure why I even requested this one from NetGalley but I did so I read it. It is cute. The ladies of the garden society are young and fun. Each of the characters, upfront or background, are delightful. Each one sticks out on their own.

Hannah is a good character who is outspoken and just a strong woman. William is typical historical Earl. He is protective and a gentleman set in the world of the Ton.

Any fan of historical romance will enjoy this.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews The Night Bird by Brian Freeman

the night birdTITLE: The Night Bird
SERIES #: Frost Easton #1
CHARACTERS: Frost Easton
AUTHOR: Brian Freeman
PUBLICATION DATE: February 1, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Homicide detective Frost Easton doesn’t like coincidences. When a series of bizarre deaths rock San Francisco—as seemingly random women suffer violent psychotic breaks—Frost looks for a connection that leads him to psychiatrist Francesca Stein. Frankie’s controversial therapy helps people erase their most terrifying memories…and all the victims were her patients.

As Frost and Frankie carry out their own investigations, the case becomes increasingly personal—and dangerous. Long-submerged secrets surface as someone called the Night Bird taunts the pair with cryptic messages pertaining to the deaths. Soon Frankie is forced to confront strange gaps in her own memory, and Frost faces a killer who knows the detective’s worst fears.

As the body count rises and the Night Bird circles ever closer, a dedicated cop and a brilliant doctor race to solve the puzzle before a cunning killer claims another victim.

REVIEW:
This is my first Brian Freeman book. I have very high hopes for Detective Easton and I am already looking forward to the next installment in this series! If you are a suspense lover you should pick up The Night Bird. It is very disturbing. I mean what could possible go wrong with a therapist that has learned how to mess with you memories.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Upon A Mystic Tide by Vicki Hinze

upon a mystic tideTITLE: Upon A Mystic Tide
SERIES #: Seascape Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Bess & John
AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/08/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With their painful divorce looming on the horizon, radio psychologist Bess Cameron and her soon-to-be-ex-husband, John Mystic, meet at Maine’s Seascape Inn to finalize the terms of a property settlement. Bess believes John is in love with someone else, and she’s determined to move on without him. Their marriage appears doomed until the Inn’s matchmaking ghost, Tony, and its irrepressible owner, Miss Hattie, take matters in hand. Sometimes you have to leap upon a mystic tide and have faith the sand will shift and an island will appear . . .

The second book of bestselling author Vicki Hinze’s Seascape Trilogy brings readers back to the gentle magic of a place where love is always stronger than the fragile boundaries of life.

REVIEW:
This is one of my favorite series of all time. There is just something special about this story, this series and the Seascape Inn.

This trilogy is about love. Love that transcends time. I could talk about this book for pages and pages but it really just comes down to if you enjoy a romance book with everything you could ever ask for than this book is it.

Get these books and just know you will want to read them over and over.

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

5hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Heartbreak Hotel by Jonathan Kellerman

heartbreak hotelTITLE: Heartbreak Hotel
SERIES #: Alex Delaware #32
CHARACTERS: Alex Delaware
AUTHOR: Jonathan Kellerman
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/14/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis investigate the death of Alex’s most mysterious patient to date in the sensational new thriller from the master of suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman.

At nearly one hundred years old, Thalia Mars is a far cry from the patients that child psychologist Alex Delaware normally treats. But the charming, witty woman convinces Alex to meet with her in a suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel with a checkered history.

What Thalia wants from Alex are answers to unsettling questions—about guilt, patterns of criminal behavior, victim selection. When Alex asks the reason for her morbid fascination, Thalia promises to tell all during their next session. But when he shows up the following morning, he is met with silence: Thalia is dead in her room.

When questions arise about how Thalia perished, Alex and homicide detective Milo Sturgis must peel back the layers of a fascinating but elusive woman’s life and embark on one of the most baffling investigations either of them has ever experienced. For Thalia Mars is a victim like no other, an enigma who harbored nearly a century of secrets and whose life and death draw those around her into a vortex of violence.

REVIEW:
I wish I could say that I have read all 32 books in this series but I haven’t. It has been very hit and miss for me. But I have come to realize that it is also hit and miss for me if I enjoy the story. But this one I enjoyed.

The feel of the book is pure film noir. So much is going on with a ton of characters that I found a bit hard to keep track of. There is a lot going on in this story but it does keep your interest. The downside is some things are a bit graphic. There is a rape scene that is really really hard to read.

If you are a fan of film noir or dark thrillers or suspense in general I think you will enjoy this story.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Dark Witch & Creamy by H.Y. Hanna

dark witch creamyTITLE: Dark, Witch & Creamy
SERIES #: Bewitched by Chocolate #1
CHARACTERS: Caitlyn & James
AUTHOR: H.Y. Hanna
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A witch, a kitty and dark chocolate magic…
Caitlyn is used to being the ugly duckling in her glamorous showbiz family… until the day she learns that she was adopted as an abandoned baby. Now, her search for answers takes her to the tiny English village of Tillyhenge where a man has been murdered by witchcraft – and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the “local witch”…

Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy… not to mention discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins!

When she’s dragged into the murder investigation and realises that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

WARNING: May contain traces of “Hahaha!”

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Ok so this story is cute but a bit boring. I can honestly say that was no “Hahaha!” from this book for me. Again it is cute but just not what I expected.

While I did mostly like this story it is a bit slow and none of the characters have much of a connection. I enjoyed the Widow Mags. She is just such a witchy (pun intended) woman with such attitude but really is sweet in her heart of hearts. I like the cousin connection as well. Caitlyn is a bit odd but I liked her too but just didn’t think she has much connection with anyone except the widow and her cousin.

I find it hard to say what I liked about this story but I did. I would read another from this author and in this series.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews The Hardest Hit by Jennifer Fusco

the hardest hitTITLE: The Hardest Hit
SERIES #: Ringside #3
CHARACTERS: Trevor Redding & Chelsea Fox
AUTHOR: Jennifer Fusco
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Vegas. You’ve got ringside seats to the world’s hottest boxing match. Watch fearless champions. Meet the women that knock them off their feet. Fans of Katy Evans, Jamie McGuire and RJ Prescott – let’s get ready to ruuummble.
Trevor Redding has two families: the boxers at Stamina Gym and the dancers at The Gentlemen’s Club, where he works as a bouncer. So when one of the dancers is attacked, he rushes to the rescue, winding up in the hospital himself. Being his own boss, he’s not interested in what Dr Chelsea Fox has to say, no matter how stunningly beautiful she is. Concussion or not, he has the biggest fight of his career coming up. Everyone at Stamina is counting on him.
When Chelsea discovers that Trevor will do anything to fight, including hiding his diagnosis, she decides to show her roguishly handsome patient who’s boss – and just how rewarding it is to follow this doctor’s orders.
Ready for another round? Don’t miss Books One and Two in the series, Fighting For It and Going The Distance.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I really enjoyed Trevor and Chelsea’s story. Both characters are tough and determined. But there is something holding them each back. For Trevor it is recent activities and his ability to not fight. For Chelsea it is trying to live up to the standard that everyone else sets on her. I did enjoy the struggle between these two. I do wish that Trevor had been a tad bit more open minded and listened more. And Chelsea while doing the right thing should have just been honest.
I have enjoyed this whole series and hope that this is not the last that we see of this world.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews My Sister’s Bones by Nuala Ellwood

my sisters bonesTITLE: My Sister’s Bones
CHARACTERS: Kate Rafter
AUTHOR: Nuala Ellwood
PUBLICATION DATE: February 9, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘COMPELLING AND INTRIGUING, RIGHT FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE’ Sharon Bolton

ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO GO BACK?

Kate Rafter is a successful war reporter. She’s the strong one. The one who escaped Herne Bay and the memories it holds. Her sister Sally didn’t. Instead, she drinks.

But when their mother dies, Kate is forced to return to the old family home. And on her first night she is woken by a terrifying scream.

What secret has Kate stumbled upon?
And is she strong enough to uncover the truth . . . and make it out alive?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is my first story by Nuala Ellwood and WOW!! This was an emotional rollercoaster of a story. From page one I was drawn into Kate’s story. Kate has lived through hell as a kid and as an adult she puts herself in hell all the time. Kate is a journalist that puts herself in the middle of war zones and places no one else wants to go. But there is one place that Kate never wants to go to again. That is home. But with the death of her mother Kate knows it is time to face her past. But the events that are about to unfold even the seasoned journalist like Kate will never be prepared for.
I have to say that Nuala Ellwood kept me guessing the whole time. I honestly could not figure out what was going to happen until Ms. Ellwood told me and even when all was revealed I was still shocked. Such a great story and for this to be Ms. Ellwood’s debut novel is amazing!! I will be looking forward to what she has in store for us next.
If you are a suspense lover you need to add My Sister’s Bones to your must read list!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Penguin Books (UK) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti

justice ascendingTITLE: Justice Ascending
SERIES #: The Scorpius Syndrome #3
CHARACTERS: Tace Justice & Sami Steel
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly… and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he’s lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there’s no turning back for either of them.

Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she’s one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she’s not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she’ll face even that hell again to save him.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Justice Ascending takes us back into a world that has been destroyed by the Scorpius bacterium and things are not getting any better for the people of Vanguard. Tace Justice has been trying to come to terms with himself after he was affected by Scorpius. Is it bad that I enjoyed reading about Tace’s struggles? Maybe not, it was good to see a vulnerable side to him. I really liked that Sami is tough and wants to be treated the same as any other soldier. Her backstory and the secrets she has been keeping proved very helpful. I enjoyed these two together.

Really enjoyed this book and was happy that Tace and Sami finally got together. I can’t wait to see what happens next. There are so many directions that Ms. Zanetti can go after the events of Justice Ascending. I am very much looking forward to it!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts