Category: 3 Star

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Kelly reviews When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz

when-all-the-girlsTITLE: When All The Girls Have Gone
CHARACTERS: Max Cutler & Charlotte Sawyer
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: November 29, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jayne Ann Krentz, the New York Times bestselling author of Secret Sisters, delivers a thrilling novel of the deceptions we hide behind, the passions we surrender to, and the lengths we’ll go to for the truth…

When Charlotte Sawyer is unable to contact her step-sister, Jocelyn, to tell her that one her closest friends was found dead, she discovers that Jocelyn has vanished.

Beautiful, brilliant—and reckless—Jocelyn has gone off the grid before, but never like this. In a desperate effort to find her, Charlotte joins forces with Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle after his previous career as a criminal profiler went down in flames—literally. Burned out, divorced and almost broke, Max needs the job.

After surviving a near-fatal attack, Charlotte and Max turn to Jocelyn’s closest friends, women in a Seattle-based online investment club, for answers. But what they find is chilling…

When her uneasy alliance with Max turns into a full-blown affair, Charlotte has no choice but to trust him with her life. For the shadows of Jocelyn’s past are threatening to consume her—and anyone else who gets in their way

REVIEW:
This was a good book. I enjoyed Max & Charlotte’s journey to both solving the murder of Jocelyn’s (Charlotte’s step-sister) best friend and finding each other. While the suspense in this book was not quite as suspenseful as I had hoped or wanted. There were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
I enjoyed reading this story by Ms. Krentz. If you are a fan you should enjoy this story. If you are new (like me) and like a good romance suspense I would suggest giving When All The Girls Have Gone a try.

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.

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas Under A Starlit Sky by Holly Martin

christmas-under-starlit-skyTITLE: Christmas Under a Starlit Sky
SERIES #: A Town Called Christmas #2
CHARACTERS: Neve and Oakley
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 1019/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Step inside a beautiful winter wonderland where love, laughter and cosy nights by the fire will make this Christmas one to remember.

Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season?

It might have something to do with the gorgeous actor Oakley Rey, the man she finished with before he left for California and the man she loves more than anything. With Oakley’s career in Hollywood soaring, Neve is convinced she’d only hold him back. She had to end it with him – at least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

But now she has a secret she’s struggling to keep, and when Oakley arrives on Juniper Island determined to win her back, Neve is thrown off balance. Will Neve’s fear of having her heart broken again push Oakley away for good, or is it time for her to take a leap of faith?

Get swept away by this deliciously sweet and heartwarming tale, and spend an unforgettable Christmas on Juniper Island.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the second in the Town Called Christmas series. I read the first one and enjoyed it so I requested this one as soon as it came to NetGalley. And again I enjoyed the story very much.

There is a lot of drama in this story and I am glad they didn’t do the love triangle with Neve, Oakley and Adam as I thought they might. Neve and Oakley needed to be together.

This is a nice holiday romance.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews All I Want For Christmas by Jenny Hale

alli-want-for-christmasTITLE: All I Want For Christmas
CHARACTERS: Leah & David
AUTHOR: Jenny Hale
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All I Want for Christmas is a big, cozy Christmas story about the importance of family, the strength of childhood friendships, and learning to trust your heart.

Fans of Carole Matthews, Susan Wiggs and Susan Mallery – and anyone who likes the glow of Christmas lights and the rustle of wrapping paper – will fall in love with this feel-good Christmas treat.

Christmas comes once a year . . . But true love comes once in a lifetime.

Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams.

But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her.

Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house.

They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too.

Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?

REVIEW:

I don’t know. I just wasn’t overly impressed with this story. Leah is a bit whiney for me and David is a bit stiff. It is slow with a bit too many words if you ask me.

There is not too much romance in this romance novel. I really don’t get this story. I mean I realize that Nan was trying to get Leah and David together but David is so determined to get the plantation but I don’t even understand why he thinks he is entitled to it.

All in all not bad just not great.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

one-snowy-nightTITLE: One Snowy Night
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #2.5
CHARACTERS: Max Stranton & Rory Andrews
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: November 8, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

REVIEW:
QUICK!!!! This was a super quick read. I really wanted more to happen. But the tension between Max and Rory has been building over the last two books. I don’t think that you have to read this series in order, but I would. It will give you a better insight into Max and Rory’s relationship. I don’t want to give away any details, but we finally learn in One Snowy Night why Max has been so stand offish to Rory over the years.
Really enjoying this new series my Ms. Shalvis and I can’t wait for the next installment.

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

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Kelly reviews Not Quite Perfect by Catherine Bybee

not-quite-perfectTITLE: Not Quite Perfect
SERIES #: Not Quite #5
CHARACTERS: Glen Fairchild & Mary Kildare
AUTHOR: Catherine Bybee
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee delivers the fifth heartwarming, flirty novel in the wildly popular Not Quite series.
Mary Kildare knows how to read people. It’s both why she makes a great therapist and why she refuses to trust the average bachelor. Staying fiercely independent has been her primary relationship strategy—until wealthy playboy pilot (and commitmentphobe) Glen Fairchild reappears in her life. After a yearlong teasing tug-of-war, Mary and Glen test the waters of attraction, only to find that their physical chemistry runs deeper than flirtation.
At first, a bicoastal romance suits them both—especially since Glen can swoop in and whisk Mary away on one of his company’s planes. But no matter how close they get, they’re still three thousand miles apart. And when Mary’s life is threatened, Glen realizes the one luxury he doesn’t have is time. Can he close the distance between them before it’s too late?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I broke my normal reading rule and read this book out of order. That being said I didn’t feel lost in the series. It was clear that things happened in the previous books but that didn’t affect my read.
Mary and Glen are two sweet together. I love the lengths that Glen goes to get his girl. Of course Mary has to make him work for it. Neither is perfect. But together they are. This was such a sweet love story. Really glad I picked this little gem up.
Now I need to go back and read the first four books.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsey

a-christmas-brideTITLE: A Christmas Bride
SERIES #: Chapel Of Love #1
CHARACTERS: Willow & David
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsay
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A season of hope . . .
‘Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she’s determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself…

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it’s harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts I had a bit of a hard time with this book. First I never found myself liking any of the characters. Secondly there was a lot of repeating of thoughts and finally David is kind of a jerk who’s family is even worse.

Besides being a political jerk the first half of the book is all about how much he loved his deceased wife and even touched his wedding ring over and over and then BAM! he is all about Willow. Willow’s story never ended. There is a background story that never gets answered.

I can see how somebody else may enjoy the story but I am just not one of them.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky by Holly Martin

christmas-under-a-cranberry-skyTITLE: Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky
SERIES #: A Town Called Christmas #1
CHARACTERS: Piper & Gabe
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N-Coming soon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This year spend a wonderful Christmas on Juniper Island, where love can melt even the iciest of hearts…

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life traveling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away.

So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again.

But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace.

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home?

Curl up with this gorgeously romantic tale and let the glistening snow and the roaring fires of Stardust Lake Hotel get you in the festive spirit this Christmas.

REVIEW:
This is a sweet story. Honestly though it does not have a lot to do with Christmas and doesn’t exactly put the reader into a holiday mood. It is a quick read set in the Scotland islands but it really doesn’t have a Scottish feel. Very few words are written with an accent.

The story is predictable but sweet. I never really connected with any of the characters but Wren is sweet even if Frozen is mentioned a number of times too many.

All in all this book is enjoyable.

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

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Kimberly reviews Skin Deep by Kimberly Kincaid

skin-deepTITLE: Skin Deep
SERIES #: Station Seventeen #1
CHARACTERS: Kellan & Isabella
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/20/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Where there’s smoke…

For firefighter Kellan Walker, checking his emotions at the door doesn’t just keep him on the level. It keeps him alive. A gut-wrenching find at the scene of a blaze threatens to blow his ironclad composure, but when the detective assigned to the case is the same woman who put his sister’s life at risk three months ago, all bets for Kellan being calm, cool, or collected are definitely off.

There’s bound to be fire…

Keeping people safe is Isabella Moreno’s number one priority, no matter how tough the case. Working without solid leads and with the gorgeous, broody firefighter who believes she’s responsible for endangering his sister on a previous case isn’t ideal. But someone is hurting women in the here-and-now. Isabella will do whatever it takes to find justice.

As Kellan and Isabella reluctantly team up to catch a criminal, they realize they have more in common than they’d ever imagined. With every move, the stakes grow higher and the passion sizzles hotter, but can they race against the clock and the odds to catch a killer? Or will they lose their hearts—and their lives?

REVIEW:
I don’t know what it was but I just never got into this story. I read all the reviews that are glowing with 5 stars and I figured I was missing something so I kept reading but I just never found the story caught me.

It was slow to start which caused me to get a bit bored and then when they repeated the fire scene, which was slow in the first place, I had a problem. Kincaid also was using a lot of slang/street terms which seemed forced like she was trying too hard to be young. Isabella is supposed to be a decade old cop but she speaks like she is just out of school and trying to be cool.

The characters were fine. I just didn’t connect with them. The story was different but a bit dark. I wish I had connected with the book because I enjoy Kincaid’s work usually. I wish I could explain I just can’t.

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

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Kelly reviews Witch Slapped by Dakota Cassidy

witch-slappedTITLE: Witch Slapped
SERIES #: Witchless in Seattle Mysteries #1
CHARACTERS: Stevie Cartwright, Belfry and Win
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
NARRATOR: Hollie Jackson
RUN TIME: 6 Hours & 36 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“Oh, good. Not a problem. I’ll invoke the Gods of Pilates. I’m sure they’d be happy to help. Hang on just one sec while I dial them up. Oh, wait. I can’t. Know why I can’t? Because my hands are tied behind my back with zip ties, Win!”
A rib-tickling cozy mystery complete with an ex-witch, a dead British spy, a cotton ball bat and a cast of suspects that will keep you guessing right up to the end! Witch Slapped from USA Today bestselling author Dakota Cassidy is book one in her new cozy mystery series Witchless In Seattle. Join the hunt for a murderer with Stevie, Winterbottom, and Belfry in a race against time as the local police prepare an eight by ten cell for our intrepid ex-witch.
What’s a girl to do when she’s a broke, shunned ex-witch with a very tiny, very hungry bat familiar named Belfry to feed?
Hello. My name is Stevie Cartwright, and I’ve been witchless for thirty days.
If only there was a support group for down-on-their-luck ex-witches who’ve had their powers slapped right out of them (literally). Just as I was licking my wounds after returning to my hometown of Ebenezer Falls, WA, and navigating my suddenly non-magical existence with the help of my familiar, the only friend I have left in the world–things got sticky.
Enter an ex-spy and newly departed spirit named Winterbottom, who’s infiltrated my life with his sexy British accent and a couple of requests…
Thanks to Belfry’s successful attempt to use me as a human antenna to the afterlife, I can somehow hear Win. I should be ecstatic; helping departed souls used to be my witch specialty. It’s like I got the teensiest piece of my old life back. Except Win’s dropped me right at a dead woman’s feet.
Madam Zoltar, the town’s beloved fake medium, has been murdered, and Win wants me to catch the killer.
My old life won’t be worth much if it gets me whacked before my new life has barely begun–and that seems to be exactly what the killer has planned!
Content Notes: This cozy mysteries women sleuths series has a complete cast of oddball characters from witches to ghosts and bats to psychics. Witchless In Seattle Mysteries is a spin-off of Dakota Cassidy’s popular A Paris, Texas Romance Series.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts A fun start to a new series for Ms. Cassidy. I really enjoyed listening to this story. Ms. Cassidy writes a fun, sarcastic and mystery filled story. I loved Stevie. Not only does she have to find her place in the this new world she has been through into, but she does it so well. Okay maybe there is a little kicking, screaming, crying and murder allegations. But you know just another day in the life, right? But Stevie is a fighter and she will not let a little thing like murder keep her down.
Belfry. Oh my goodness I want a cotton ball bat familiar!!! He is just awesome.
And Win.. Let’s talk about Stevie’s yummy sounding (he is british) ghostly spy!! I have really high hopes for Win. I can’t wait to see what and how Ms. Cassidy handles him in the future.
Hollie Jackson does a good job narrating this story. There were a few small things that bugged me in the audio version. There were a few really strangely long pauses. I am not sure if this was an editing issue or not. But at one point the pause was so long I looked at my phone to make sure the book was still playing. There was one time that the same line was repeated, again I am not sure if this was an editing issue or how Ms. Cassidy wrote the story.
All in all this was a great start to a great series and I can’t wait to see what to Stevie, Win and Belfry.

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

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Kimberly reviews Her Rogue Alpha by Paige Tyler

her rogue alphaTITLE: Her Rogue Alpha
SERIES #: X-Ops #5
CHARACTERS: Jayson & Layla
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/06/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HE’LL DO ANYTHING FOR HER
Former Special Forces Lieutenant Jayson Harmon can’t believe that his war scars don’t matter to beautiful feline shifter Layla Halliwell. Why would she saddle herself with a broken man?

But Layla knows that Jayson is a hero to the core, and that only she can heal his wounded soul. So when Jayson is deployed on another deadly mission, no way is Layla staying behind…

REVIEW:
I have to admit that I have not followed this series very well. I think I have read two so far and then I stopped. Reading this story I sort of remembered why. This story is fine it just some things were driving me nuts. I got so tired of Jayson not being able to have some faith in himself. I mean shouldn’t he be a bit more of an alpha to be able to hand Layla? But he just is so low on himself I wanted to slap him sometimes.

I just didn’t really enjoy it but I will say that it might be because I have no read all of the series and this one seems to bring up everyone ever written about. I really believe you need to read the series in order to get the full understanding of this series.

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

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Kimberly reviews When We Touch by Heather Graham

when we touchTITLE: When We Touch
SERIES #: Graham Clan #6
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Jamie
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/30/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Queen Victoria’s London is a teeming metropolis of pageantry, forbidden desire, and danger—especially in the East End, a hotbed of vice, witchcraft, and murder. What widow Lady Maggie Graham does there more than greases the rumor mill. When she agrees to wed the Viscount Langdon, there are those who would act upon their suspicions . . .

Experience has taught Lord Jamie well. He has seen his fair share of women behave inappropriately — enjoying risqué amusements in secret theatres, running about disguised in the seediest parts of the city — and then they call you vile names for coming to their rescue. And no woman is more shameless, more cunning, more intoxicating than Lady Maggie . . .

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from under the name Shannon Drake, series name Graham #6 from 2004.

As a fan of Heather Graham I picked up this book from NetGalley. I don’t read historicals very often any more but I was interested to read Graham’s work before she started writing more contemporary/paranormal (Krewe Of Hunters) stories .

I have to say it was good. But I am glad she went into the other genres.

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

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Kimberly reviews Run To You by Rachel Lacey

Run to youTITLE: Run To You
SERIES #: Risking It All #1
CHARACTERS: Gabby & Ethan
AUTHOR: Rachel Lacey
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/30/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellowjackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital “hot,” and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there’s nowhere to hide from Ethan’s sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town’s matchmaking is Ethan’s grandmother, who’s convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there’s serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won’t fool just the entire town – they might fool themselves too . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a cute beach read. It is pretty predictable. Ethan and Gabby fake a romance to fool his grandmother before she passes away. However the pretend turns real.

The thing that makes this good are the characters. I really enjoyed Gabby. She is trying to come into her own after a bad relationship. She wants to learn to be on her own two feet about doesn’t realize that she already is. Ethan’s relationship with his grandmother is just so sweet. Dixie just steals your heart. She is the grandmother everyone want to have.

As I said it is a sweet story. A quick read that will keep your attention and yet is relaxing to just enjoy.

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

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