3 Star – Page 17 – Books-n-Kisses

November 28, 2018November 25, 2018

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Season Of Love by Jill Sanders

TITLE: Season Of Love
SERIES #: Pride Oregon #3
CHARACTERS: Lilly & Corey
AUTHOR: Jill Sanders
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/23/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Head back to Pride Oregon to find out what some of your favorite Jill Sanders’ characters are up to.

Lilly Stevens didn’t have time to flirt anymore, and that was a real shame since the man of her dreams was right next door. Opening a boutique, Classy and Sassy, with her cousin has taken all of her free time, and her spending money. Still, it’s hard to say no to the sandy-blonde haired man with sexy green eyes and a killer smile. Not to mention, the man could make her laugh, which was one of the most important items on her list of potential loves of her life.

Corey and his twin, Carter have finally achieved their lifelong dreams of being on their own. Finally, they can have a normal life, even if their shared dark history has forced them to be leery of letting anyone in. But the little town of Pride has a way of shedding light in the darkest corners. Now, the sexy girl-next-door has caught his eye, but she’s too perfect for someone with his history, even if her crystal slate eyes and lush pouty lips demanded his attention.

REVIEW:
I had a bit of a hard time with this book. Lilly seems needy and desperate. And Corey is not very alpha. MInd you I don’t need a hero who is pure alpha but he just never seemed to have much of a backbone…especially when it came to Lilly.

Story is fine and interesting. I enjoyed the background characters.,

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

November 26, 2018November 25, 2018

Kimberly reviews The Other Lady Vanishes by Amanda Quick

TITLE: The Other Lady Vanishes
SERIES #: Burning Cove #2
CHARACTERS: Adelaide & Jake
AUTHOR: Amanda Quick
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/08/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Knew Too Much sweeps readers back to 1930s California–where the most dazzling of illusions can’t hide the darkest secrets…

After escaping from a private sanitarium, Adelaide Blake arrives in Burning Cove, California, desperate to start over. Working at an herbal tea shop puts her on the radar of those who frequent the seaside resort town: Hollywood movers and shakers always in need of hangover cures and tonics. One such customer is Jake Truett, a recently widowed businessman in town for a therapeutic rest. But unbeknownst to Adelaide, his exhaustion is just a cover.

In Burning Cove, no one is who they seem. Behind facades of glamour and power hide drug dealers, gangsters, and grifters. Into this make-believe world comes psychic to the stars Madame Zolanda. Adelaide and Jake know better than to fall for her kind of con. But when the medium becomes a victim of her own dire prediction and is killed, they’ll be drawn into a murky world of duplicity and misdirection.

Neither Adelaide or Jake can predict that in the shadowy underground they’ll find connections to the woman Adelaide used to be–and uncover the specter of a killer who’s been real all along…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I just love the works of Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz. Staying old school she keeps her alias’ when she writes her historical romance. I prefer her writing in current time to be honest.

This is the second in the series and I suggest you read the first one first. The asylum was interesting. The romance was just ok. I had a hard time with the background characters in this book and I think that took away from the story a bit.

I have to say being a fan of Krentz/Quick I rate her books based on her own writings and this was just not as high as most.

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

November 5, 2018November 4, 2018

Kelly reviews An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

TITLE: An Easy Death
SERIES #: Gunnie Rose #1
CHARACTERS: Lizbeth Rose
AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris
NARRATOR: Eva Kaminsky
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 48 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 2, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, the inspiration for HBO’s True Blood, and the Midnight Crossroad trilogy adapted for NBC’s Midnight, Texas, has written a taut new thriller—the first in the Gunnie Rose series—centered on a young gunslinging mercenary, Lizbeth Rose.
Set in a fractured United States, in the southwestern country now known as Texoma. A world where magic is acknowledged but mistrusted, especially by a young gunslinger named Lizbeth Rose. Battered by a run across the border to Mexico Lizbeth Rose takes a job offer from a pair of Russian wizards to be their local guide and gunnie. For the wizards, Gunnie Rose has already acquired a fearsome reputation and they’re at a desperate crossroad, even if they won’t admit it. They’re searching through the small border towns near Mexico, trying to locate a low-level magic practitioner, Oleg Karkarov. The wizards believe Oleg is a direct descendant of Grigori Rasputin, and that Oleg’s blood can save the young tsar’s life.
As the trio journey through an altered America, shattered into several countries by the assassination of Franklin Roosevelt and the Great Depression, they’re set on by enemies. It’s clear that a powerful force does not want them to succeed in their mission. Lizbeth Rose is a gunnie who has never failed a client, but her oath will test all of her skills and resolve to get them all out alive.

REVIEW:
When I saw that Ms. Charlaine Harris has a new series coming out I knew I had to give it a try. I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. I have not read Midnight Texas yet but I love the TV series. So I grabbed an audio copy of An Easy Death, book one in the Gunnie Rose series.

An Easy Death is a good first book. There is a lot of world building so the book is a bit slow. But it does pick up as the story goes on. Lizbeth Rose is a gun for hire and she is good at her job. But things are not going right for her. Her prior job is gone and now she must figure out her future. Being hired by a pair of Russian Wizards was not on her list of potential jobs. Lizbeth can’t turn down the money that they offer even if it makes her uncomfortable.

This is also my first audiobook narrated by Eva Kaminsky. I really enjoyed having Eva read this story and bring these characters to life. I will be continuing this series on audio as long as they keep Eva as the narrator (I will also be looking up more of her audiobooks).

Looking forward to the next book and were Ms. Harris takes Lizbeth. I really do hope that we get to see more of Eli and a possible relationship between these two.

If you are a fan of Ms. Harris, magic, fantasy and westerns I would suggest giving this new series a try.

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

October 4, 2018September 30, 2018

Kimberly reviews Dagger’s Edge by Lora Leigh

TITLE: Dagger’s Edge
SERIES #: Brute Force #2
CHARACTERS: Ivan & Syn
AUTHOR: Lora Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/28/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 bestselling author Lora Leigh is back–with a vengeance–in her latest novel of passion and intrigue, Dagger’s Edge, featuring the men of Brute Force.

Ivan Resnova wants nothing more than to escape his hard, brutal past. Starting over is not so easy once you’ve been a powerful crime boss but now, instead of being punished for his alleged crimes, Ivan fears that the one woman he can’t forget is in danger of paying the price.

Crimsyn “Syn” Delaney thought the danger she’d faced was over, and that she could resume her life. She never imagined it would return with a vengeance and throw her back into Ivan’s world. But when an attempt is made on her life, she needs Ivan more than ever to keep her safe–even if she is in danger of falling deeply and dangerously in love. . .

REVIEW:
For some reason I did not connect with the characters in this book. I really thought I would since the synopsis seemed so interesting but I just could not get into it.

I have to be honest and say that I ended up jumping some sections just to get done with this story.

I will pick up the next in the series and hopefully it will be better.

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

September 24, 2018September 23, 2018

Kimberly reviews Through The Fire by Katie Ruggle

TITLE: Through The Fire
SERIES #: Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #4
CHARACTERS: Kit & Wesley
AUTHOR: Katie Ruggle
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/28/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kit Jernigan despairs of ever fitting in with her new tight-knit K9 unit. They’ve been through too much to open their arms to a stranger―and as mysterious fires begin raging across Monroe, she can’t convince them to trust her long enough to catch the woman she knows is responsible.
Wesley March, local fire spotter, knows Kit is right, and he’s willing to help her prove it. But the more time they spend together, the closer they get…and the more danger they’re in. A member of the K9 unit’s inner circle is determined to get revenge―no matter who gets burned in the process.
This time, it’s personal.

REVIEW:
I have to say this was my least favorite of the series. Something was just off about it. Kit and Wes are a fine couple and the romance was ok but Wes kind of drove me nuts. He was so shy that I wanted to slug him sometimes. And Kit was fine but just never felt a connection with her.

I am not sure why I didn’t enjoy it. Looking at other reviews I feel like I was missing something but I never did find it. I was disappointed. But I will pick up the next in the series since I have enjoyed the other books and hope thi is just a bad fluke.

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

September 17, 2018September 16, 2018

Kelly reviews Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

TITLE: Stillhouse Lake
SERIES #: Stillhouse Lake #1
CHARACTERS: Gwen Proctor
AUTHOR: Rachel Caine
PUBLICATION DATE: July 17, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.
With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.
But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Stillhouse Lake is a great book. It started a tad but slow but there is a lot of back story that had to be covered. But once the book got going it was filled with lots of twists and turns to keep us guess as to who and what was next. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next book. As Stillhouse Lake ended leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions.
Make sure you read this book before you pick up book 2!!

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

August 29, 2018August 27, 2018

Kimberly reviews They Won’t Be Hurt by Kevin O’Brien

TITLE: They Won’t Be Hurt
CHARACTERS: Laura Gretchell
AUTHOR: Kevin O’Brien
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/31/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
ONCE YOU LET THEM IN
The lights are on at the Singleton vacation home on Lopez Island, Washington, illuminating the horror within. Scott Singleton, former NFL star turned television evangelist, lies dead. The bodies of his wife and four of their five children are found on the second floor, bound, gagged, and stabbed repeatedly. The oldest daughter was shot in her boyfriend’s car. And the police’s main suspect—the property caretaker—has disappeared.

THEY WILL NEVER
In her secluded vineyard home two hours away, Laura Gretchell is on edge. Her husband is out of town on business, and the children are understandably shaken. Laura tries to tell herself there’s no reason to fear. Then the door handle rattles, and the real terror begins.

LET YOU GO
They’re in her house, holding her children hostage, and Laura has only one option: do exactly what the intruders say. But as Laura races to find the information they seek, she realizes that the enemies within her own home are only part of the nightmare. Because someone wants to keep the truth hidden at any cost, no matter how many more must die . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I have read other books from O’Brien but this was not one of my favorites. The story is good and had some suspense but there were so much extra wording that the thrill left this thriller.

I am not sure why there are so many filler words but it really takes a lot from this story and the reader loses a lot of the suspense. But as I said the story itself is good. But I am not sure you won’t find yourself skipping lines.

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

August 27, 2018August 23, 2018

Kimberly reviews Every Deep Desire by Sharon Wray

TITLE: Every Deep Desire
SERIES #: Deadly Force #1
CHARACTERS: Rafe & Juliet
AUTHOR: Sharon Wray
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s taking it all back
His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined…

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts This is a second chance at love romance and also a bit of suspense. There was a lot going on with this story. In the beginning it was hard for me to keep track of the characters but once I figured them out it made it a bit easier.

There was just enough interest in the story that it kept me reading it but I can’t say that I cared about the romances much and the suspense was just ok as well.

I believe this is my first book by Wray and I have to say it seemed like she through everything including the kitchen sink into the story.

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

August 20, 2018August 19, 2018

Kimberly reviews Strong Hold by Sarah Castille

TITLE: Strong Hold
SERIES #: Redemption #5
CHARACTERS: Zack & Shayla
AUTHOR: Sarah Castille
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/03/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fight promoter Zack Grayson is on the prowl for a rising star. As the top recruiter of a prestigious MMA promotion company, he wants to take someone where he was never able to go: the top of the professional league. He didn’t expect that someone to be the woman he loved…and left.

Top-ranked MMA amateur fighter Shayla “Shilla the Killa” Tyler built walls around her heart when Zack left her seven years ago–and again when her husband turned violent. Now, seeing Zack is nearly enough to send those walls crumbling. But she can’t risk the exposure of the limelight, and she definitely can’t risk another heartbreak.

As Shayla and Zack grow closer, though, business turns personal. And once their passion unleashes, there’s no going back…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a second chance at love story. After seven years Zack and Shayla have a chance at love if she is willing to open her heart to him.

Here is the problem. Second chances stories all seem to be pretty much the same. And this is no different. They know each other, they loved years ago, one of them was hurt and will not open their hearts again and then they do and HEA.

That being said Castille does a good job with the writing. And of course, as always, there are some hot scenes in the book which makes it worth the read.

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

August 16, 2018August 15, 2018

Kimberly reviews Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley

TITLE: Bellewether
CHARACTERS: Charley and Lydia
AUTHOR: Susanna Kearsley
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some houses seem to want to hold their secrets.

It’s 1759 and the world is at war, pulling the North American colonies of Britain and France into the conflict. The times are complicated, as are the loyalties of many New York merchants who have secretly been trading with the French for years, defying Britain’s colonial laws in a game growing ever more treacherous.

When captured French officers are brought to Long Island to be billeted in private homes on their parole of honour, it upends the lives of the Wilde family—deeply involved in the treasonous trade and already divided by war.

Lydia Wilde, struggling to keep the peace in her fracturing family following her mother’s death, has little time or kindness to spare for her unwanted guests. French-Canadian lieutenant Jean-Philippe de Sabran has little desire to be there. But by the war’s end they’ll both learn love, honour, and duty can form tangled bonds that are not broken easily.

Their doomed romance becomes a local legend, told and re-told through the years until the present day, when conflict of a different kind brings Charley Van Hoek to Long Island to be the new curator of the Wilde House Museum.

Charley doesn’t believe in ghosts. But as she starts to delve into the history of Lydia and her French officer, it becomes clear that the Wilde House holds more than just secrets, and Charley discovers the legend might not have been telling the whole story…or the whole truth.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a sweet ghost story mixing the past and the present. Charley moves to her family hometown and soon is absorbed in the story of Lydia and the love she had for her Civil War officer. But when She starts to learn the story first hand Charley discovers more than she expected.

I really enjoyed this story. I will say sometimes it was a bit long and I would look to see how much longer it was but then something would happen and bam I was right back into the story.

If you are a fan of Somewhere In Time or The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan you will love this story.

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

August 6, 2018August 5, 2018

Kimberly reviews Collision Point by Lora Leigh

TITLE: Collision Point
SERIES #: Brute Force #1
CHARACTERS: Rory & Amara
AUTHOR: Laura Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/27/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Riordan “Rory” Malone is a force to be reckoned with. A member of the Brute Force Protection Agency and an operative working with the Elite Ops, Rory is the fiercest of warriors and protectors. Honed from the strong Irish stock of their grandfather and sharpened to a razor’s edge, Malone men live for one single purpose: to protect the women who own them, body and soul. From the moment he saw Amara Resnova, he knew she could be that woman.

But Amara, daughter of an alleged notorious crime lord, is a force in her own right. When she betrays her father, she’s finds herself in the arms of a man who is dangerous for her body and soul.

Can Rory keep Amara safe while protecting his own heart? Can Amara trust Rory not to break hers even as the danger mounts, threatening to take them and their passion to a breaking point?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a new series for Lora Leigh. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I have to say I think people will either love or dislike it. That being said I am not sure which one I am.

As for the adventure. There is a lot. Amara has lost her memory and Rory will do what he needs to do so she is protected but also does what he needs to do to have her get her memory back and to trust him again. The problem is I can’t image that sex is the best cure for amnesia.

But if you are reading this for the sex scenes that Leigh is becoming quite known for than you will love this story.

Being that this is the first in the series there is a lot of getting to know. I will certainly be picking up book 2 in the series.

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

August 2, 2018July 31, 2018

Kimberly reviews A Dangerous Game by Heather Graham

TITLE: A Dangerous Game
SERIES #: New York Confidential #3
CHARACTERS: Kieran & Craig
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/13/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The third novel in the New York Confidential series by long-established NYT bestselling romantic suspense author Heather Graham. This is the author’s romantic-suspense stream, in addition to her successful ongoing mass market paperback paranormal romantic suspense series.

Psychologist Kieran Finnegan is thrust into the middle of an investigation into human trafficking when a desperate woman shoves an infant into her arms and then flees…only to be murdered minutes later on a busy Manhattan street. Despite the fact that it isn’t an FBI case, Special Agent Craig Frasier starts poking around, because Kieran can’t stop thinking about the child and the victim. Their one lead comes through the pub, Finnegan’s on Broadway. One of the waitresses also volunteers at a church outreach center, and had been in contact with a distraught young pregnant woman, whom she recommended Kieran to as someone who might be able to help her. When Kieran goes to the outreach center to do some off-the-books investigating of her own, she is approached by two women who are worried for their missing friend, and who reveal that they were part of a human trafficking ring that did business in babies. As Craig and Kieran delve deeper into the underbelly of NYC trying to find out more, the dangerous elements of the ring come to the surface, hoping to silence Kieran before she exposes them.

REVIEW:
I honestly am not sure why I keep requesting this series. Other than it is Heather Graham I have no reason to pick it out. I have not been a fan of this series from the beginning but I keep trying it. And again this just didn’t strike me.

I am a HUGE fan of Graham’s and a HUGER (yeah I know that is not a word) fan of the Krewe of Hunters series. Maybe if I didn’t have those books to compare to I would enjoy this one more but it is hard to not see exactly what is missing from this series to the other.

I can imagine fans of Graham’s that do not like the Krewe series might find this series worth the read. And knowing me I will request the next one too. But 3 stars is the best I can do.

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