3 Star – Page 18 – Books-n-Kisses

August 1, 2018July 31, 2018

Kimberly reviews The Third Victim by Phillip Margolin

TITLE: The Third Victim
CHARACTERS: Regina & Robin
AUTHOR: Phillip Margolin
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A woman stumbles onto a dark road in rural Oregon—tortured, battered, and bound. She tells a horrific story about being kidnapped, then tortured, until she finally managed to escape. She was the lucky one—two other women, with similar burns and bruises, were found dead.

The surviving victim identifies the house where she was held captive and the owner, Alex Mason—a prominent local attorney—is arrested. Although he loudly insists upon his innocence, his wife’s statements about his sexual sadism and the physical evidence found at the scene, his summer home, is damning.

Regina Barrister is a legendary criminal defense attorney, known as “The Sorceress” for her courtroom victories. But she’s got a secret, one that threatens her skill, her reputation, and, most of all, her clients. And she’s agreed to take on the seemingly impossible task of defending Alex Mason.

Robin Lockwood, a young lawyer and former MMA fighter, has just left a clerkship at the Oregon Supreme Court to work for Regina Barrister. The Alex Mason trial is her first big one, a likely death penalty case, and she’s second chair to Regina. Increasingly, she’s worried her boss’s behavior and the details in the case against their client don’t quite add up.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I have to say that I haven’t read anything like this before and while part of me is on the fence that is what gave it that extra half star.

Margolin has an interesting way of writing this story. Some seems to be thrown in like characters and such but the storyline was interesting enough to make me want to know what was going on and how it would end. Both Regina and Robin are really interesting characters and I think any fan of Margolin will enjoy the story. But if you haven’t read Margolin before this would not be the first story I recommended by him.

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

February 22, 2018February 19, 2018

Kimberly reviews Out Of The Darkness by Heather Graham

TITLE: Out Of The Darkness
SERIES #: The Finnigan Connection #3
CHARACTERS: Sarah & Tyler
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A love rekindled…or a deadly reunion?

Even after a decade, Sarah Hampton is haunted by the night that nearly ended in a bloody massacre and destroyed her high school romance with handsome Tyler Grant. Now the horror has returned. It’s a reckoning from the events of that terrifying night—and a love they never let go. Only this time Tyler must protect Sarah from the killer hiding in the darkness…or lose her forever.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts Ok so first let me say two things. 1) I love Heather Graham’s books especially her Krewe Of Hunters series and 2) I set myself up each time I pick the books from this series so why I do it I do not know.

I know this is not it because I doubt Graham would put her reputation on the line but it is like this series is written by someone else and put her name on it. The characters are just not interesting and while the storyline was interesting if not original.

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

February 6, 2018February 5, 2018

Kimberly reviews Diaper Duty Vampire by R.E. Mullins

TITLE: Diaper Duty Vampire
SERIES #: Vampires Of Amber Heights #1
CHARACTERS: John & Joann
AUTHOR: R.E. Mullins
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/11/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
During the Civil War, Union soldier, John Alden took a musket ball to the gut. As he gasped his final breath, he was turned into a vampire and started life anew in Amber Heights, Missouri. For over one hundred and fifty years, he’s lived a rather solitary life as a vampire Enforcer.

Young single mother, Joann Clarkson, needs a job and fast. Hoping to be rehired, she returns to Dr. Michaela Blautsauger’s lab prepared to eat a hefty helping of humble pie. She comes to regret that decision when she’s taken hostage. Things look grim but she’ll never stop fighting to escape. Her son needs his mama.

As an Enforcer, John must hunt down the vampire who kidnapped Joann. In his search, John winds up babysitting her toddler Cody. Changing diapers might be worse than getting staked, but nothing compares to how he feels when both mother and child fall into danger again.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a cute story. It is a short read which has a bunch of humor and is a light fun read. It is not a book that you need to concentrate much on. But at the same time it is cuter than I expected.

Yes there are some scenes that make you roll your eyes but in a good way. Any parent would get a kick out of it.

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

February 1, 2018January 29, 2018

Kimberly reviews More To Love by Alison Bliss

TITLE: More To Love
SERIES #: A Perfect Fit #3
CHARACTERS: Jessa & Max
AUTHOR: Alison Bliss
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/30/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy proves that, when enemies become lovers, all bets are off!

Jessa Gibson may be new in the little town of Granite, Texas, but in no time at all her gourmet food truck business is booming. Soon she’ll have enough money to open the restaurant of her dreams. But first, she’ll have to appease the hot local health inspector, no matter how strange his “violations” sound to her. No pink plastic gloves? Really?

Max Hager isn’t exactly who he says he is. Pretending to be a health inspector is a (mostly) innocent mistake. A mistake made way worse by Max’s immediate, electrifying attraction to the curvy, sexy, redheaded chef. Throw in a whole lot of lust, and things in Jessa’s little kitchen are about to really start heating up. But can Max find a way to come clean with Jessa before his little deception turns into a recipe for disaster?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a quick read but very sweet. I enjoy the books where the characters are not perfect. Jessa is a bigger girl but Max seems to appreciate what she has. I thought the characters were good. They had depth to them. I wasn’t thrilled with Max at first but he ended up being ok in the end. I did like Jessa though.

Jessa and I would be the best of friends if she was real. She is adorable and would feed me yummy treats. I might have told her to dump Max but as I said he begins to grow on the reader.

A really cute read. Especially for the curvy girls in the world.

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

January 19, 2018January 15, 2018

Kelly reviews Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

TITLE: Turtles All The Way Down
CHARACTERS: Aza & Daisy
AUTHOR: John Green
NARRATOR: Kate Rudd
RUN TIME: 7 Hours & 12 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 bestselling author John Green returns with his first new novel since The Fault in Our Stars!
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

REVIEW:
I am really on the fence about this book. I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy it all at the same time. I was able to listen to this book narrated by Kate Rudd. I will say that one of my biggest issues was that it was hard at times to distinguish between characters as Ms. Rudd was reading.
The story arc itself it had me wanting to fast forward the audio book. At times Aza really got on my nerves and wasn’t sure that I was going to finish this book. But I powered through it. I am not really sure what more to say other then we actually learn what the title of the book actually means.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Penguin Random House, LLS in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 18, 2018January 15, 2018

Kimberly reviews Promise Not To Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

TITLE: Promise Not To Tell
SERIES #: Cutler, Sutter & Salinas #2
CHARACTERS: Virginia & Cabot
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/02/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A painter of fiery, nightmarish visions throws herself into the sea—but she leaves her secrets behind . . .
Seattle gallery owner Virginia Troy has spent years battling the demons that stem from her childhood time in a cult and the night a fire burned through the compound, killing her mother. And now one of her artists has taken her own life, but not before sending Virginia a last picture: a painting that makes Virginia doubt everything about the so-called suicide—and her own past.
Like Virginia, private investigator Cabot Sutter was one of the children in the cult who survived that fire… and only he can help her now. As they struggle to unravel the clues in the painting, it becomes clear that someone thinks Virginia knows more than she does and that she must be stopped. Thrown into an inferno of desire and deception, Virginia and Cabot draw ever closer to the mystery of their shared memories—and the shocking fate of the one man who still wields the power to destroy everything they hold dear.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Let me say that Krentz is high on my list of favorite authors but this book just didn’t do it for me. It seemed very long and yet each chapter was very short.
Virginia and Cabot knew each other as kids living in a cult and dealing with horrendous conditions and almost being killed. Now they are adults and believe the cult leader is back.
The story just wasn’t suspensive enough and I never really connected to the characters. I suggest reading any of Krentz’s books but don’t start with this one as you will not really get the feel of Krentz’s work.

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

January 9, 2018January 7, 2018

Kimberly reviews Heart Of The Wolf by Terry Spear

TITLE: Heart Of The Wolf
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #1
CHARACTERS: Bella & Devlyn
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/02/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Their forbidden love may get them both killed. Bella is a red werewolf, sole survivor of the fire that killed her entire pack. Devlyn is a beta male werewolf in a pack of grays. Forced to flee her adopted gray pack when the alpha male becomes a vicious threat, she struggles to live as a lone wolf, until Devlyn, the gray male who rescued her as a pup, comes to bring her home.

When a local red werewolf goes on a killing spree, Bella and Devlyn must flee the murderer, the police and their vengeful pack leader. With the full moon rising, and her heat upon her, Bella can’t resist the pull to her destined mate, even if means Devlyn will have to face the wicked alpha male in a fight to the death…

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts Well this story is hard to review. I really didn’t enjoy it. I have read others by Terry Spear but this is the first in a new series and I really am not sure if I will continue with the series. I may give it another chance once the next one comes out.

I really didn’t enjoy the characters. It might have been because they were young and Devlyn is just not alpha enough and to be honest I couldn’t ever feel him become alpha. And Bella is just not interesting either.

Just not for me.

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

January 4, 2018January 2, 2018

Kimberly reviews Rocco by Sarah Castille

TITLE: Rocco
SERIES #: Ruin & Revenge #3
CHARACTERS: Rocco & Grace
AUTHOR: Sarah Castille
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/02/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mafia enforcer, Rocco De Lucchi is the best in the business.

Cold, hard and utterly ruthless, Rocco is the most dangerous of men. Feelings are a luxury he cannot afford—until a chance encounter brings him face to face with the only woman who found her way into his heart and touched his soul.

Grace Mantini has spent her whole life running from the mob. Daughter of the boss’s right hand man, she is both a prize and a target. When Rocco walks back into her life, she wants nothing to do with the man who betrayed her and broke her heart. But only Rocco can protect her from the dangerous forces that seek to destroy her family. Can they escape the hands of fate closing around them? Or will love be the kiss of death for them both?

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is the third in the series but the first one I read. I have never read a mafia romance that I can remember and while this was ok I am not sure the series would be for me.

The other thing I had a hard time with was the May/December romance. It just seemed icky since Rocco knew Grace as a child.

This story was just not at all what I expected and really not up my alley.

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

December 26, 2017December 25, 2017

Kimberly reviews A Season Of Miracles by Heather Graham

TITLE: A Season Of Miracles
CHARACTERS: Jillian & Robert
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Revisit a thrilling tale of second chance love in this classic Christmas romance by New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham.

Centuries ago, in another lifetime, the man Jillian Llewellyn loved tried but failed to save her. Now, in this season of miracles, two lost souls are being given a second chance.

Since her husband’s death, jewelry designer Jillian Llewellyn has withdrawn, focusing only on her work. But something unimaginable is going to shatter her safe world, drawing her into a web of danger and desire. At the center of the storm is a handsome stranger, Robert Marston. The new silent partner at Llewellyn Enterprises, Marston is as formidable as he is intimidating…as mysterious as he is familiar. The connection she feels is bone deep–as if they’ve known each other before.

When several bizarre accidents strike Jillian, a chilling fear that someone wants to harm her begins to grow. But who would want her dead? A co-worker? A member of her own close-knit family? Against her will she is drawn to Robert, unsure whether he is her salvation…or her damnation. Now, as the ghosts of the past are resurrected, Jillian and Robert must forge a new destiny as they unlock the timeless secrets of passion and betrayal. At Christmas time, anything is possible…if you believe.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 2002 under Shannon Drake. I enjoyed this story but you can tell this was the earlier days of Drake/Graham.

I enjoyed the story for the most part. It is a bit different which is what kept me reading it but it was also a bit slow. The middle was what kept my interest. The beginning was slow but I gave it the time it needed. But the end was abrupt. It needed maybe one more chapter but it felt pushed together to hurry the end.

This will not be a story I recommend but it wasn’t a bad read either.

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

December 19, 2017December 18, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Staircase by Deryn Lake

TITLE: The Staircase
CHARACTERS: Helena & Hal
AUTHOR: Deryn Lake
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/02/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Helena had always been haunted by the dream of the staircase.

It prevents her from forming any real relationship with a man, because who could live up to the haunting, handsome figure that awaits her at the top of the staircase?

When her on-off boyfriend and childhood sweetheart Hal takes Helena on a romantic trip to Paris, he offers her a final ultimatum, and she is suddenly forced to decide between dreams and reality.

But, as her two worlds begin to collide, Helena begins to realise that everything is not as it seems – and that some dreams are nightmares…

Another heart-warming spooky novella from the master of romance Deryn Lake, The Staircase will have you gripped until the very last word.

REVIEW:
I am truly on the fence with this book. The idea was great. Even a bit original. The characters were just well boring. They had no well…. Character.

Nothing seemed real with the characters. But the story was a bit intriguing.

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

December 14, 2017December 10, 2017

Kelly reviews The Girl That Lived by Christopher Greyson

TITLE: The Girl that Lived
CHARACTERS: Faith Winters
AUTHOR: Christopher Greyson
PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ten years ago, four people were brutally murdered. One girl lived.

No one believes her story.
The police think she’s crazy.
Her therapist thinks she’s suicidal.
Everyone else thinks she’s a dangerous drunk.
They’re all right—but did she see the killer?

As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be—her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor’s guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton self-destruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister’s killer—and then discovers that she’s the one being hunted.

How can one woman uncover the truth when everyone’s a suspect—including herself?

From the mind of Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson comes a story with twists and turns that take the reader on a journey of light and dark, good and evil, to the edge of madness. The Girl Who Lived should come with a warning label: Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop. Not since Girl on the Train and Gone Girl has a psychological thriller kept readers so addicted—and guessing right until the last page.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was my first book by Christopher Greyson and I enjoyed it. At times the story dragged a little for me. There were times that I just wanted Faith to reach out for help in a different way. But by the end of the story I realized all the ways I wanted her to do something would have ended with her death.
I did enjoy the twists and turns in this story. Every time I though I know who done it I was given more evidence that it wasn’t that person and the focus shifted to another person.
I will be on the lookout for more stories from Mr. Greyson in the future.

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

December 11, 2017December 10, 2017

Kelly reviews The Hunt by Chloe Neill

TITLE: The Hunt
SERIES #: Devil’s Isle #3
CHARACTERS: Liam Quinn & Claire Connolly
AUTHOR: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Amy Landon
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 26 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 27, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires Novels–the hunter becomes the hunted in a New Orleans devastated by a Paranormal war….
When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil’s Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.
Now the weight of Liam’s own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she’ll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am enjoying this series and really happy that it looks like there will be another book. With that The Hunt started out a little slow for my liking. There was not a lot that happened until Claire, Malachi and Gavin go on the hunt for Liam to warn him about Containment. Once Liam is back with the group things start picking up in the story. And we finally get a little conclusion on the whole Claire and Liam issue (thankfully).
We also learn a lot more about Claire’s history, who her mother was. This throws a huge kink in the chain. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

As I have for the first two books I let the talented Amy Landon narrator this story for me. I have a deep love for audiobooks and love to find narrators that can bring an author’s words to life for me. Ms. Landon does a wonderful of bring Claire, Liam, Malachi, Gavin and the whole gain to life for me.

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