3 Star – Page 26 – Books-n-Kisses

March 15, 2016March 13, 2016

Kelly reviews Phoenix Reborn by JD Tyler

TITLE: Phoenix Reborn
SERIES #: Alpha Pack #7.5
CHARACTERS: Phoenix “Nix” Monroe & Noah Brooks
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: March 15, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wolf shifter and Firewalker Phoenix “Nix” Monroe has finally met his ultimate Bondmate—Alpha Pack nurse Noah Brooks. Unable to accept his own sexual identity, Nix rejects Noah despite the intense attraction he feels towards him.

By the time Nix realizes he has cast aside the love of his life, it may be too late to save Noah from a terrifying enemy…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am so happy that Nix & Noah finally go their story. It has been a long time coming. Noah is the bubbly nurse that everyone loves and wants to see happy. Nix is trying to get back to who he was before captured. But in order to be happy Nix is going to have to face a lot of demons from his past and embrace his future with the the mate he never really knew he wanted.
I am enjoyed Nix & Noah’s story a lot. It will be interesting to see how these two grow as the series goes on.

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.

March 11, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews True Spies by Shana Galen

TITLE: True Spies
SERIES #: Lord & Lady Spy #2
CHARACTERS: Baron & Lady Keating
AUTHOR: Shana Galen
PUBLICATION DATE: September 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s Getting Tired of Deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him, and his wife has given up on him.

She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue…

Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew.

REVIEW:
Winslow has been keeping secrets from his family. Secrets that he must keep. But when his wife starts pulling away, Winn has but one choice and tell her the truth. Elinor’s response is not at all what Winn had expected.

This was my first book in this series. I enjoyed the story and the characters but it didn’t wow me. I so want to go back and read book one because I really enjoyed the characters that will be in the book. Also Blue, his story should be fun.

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

March 10, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace

TITLE: Midnight Secrets
SERIES #: Wildfire #1
CHARACTERS: Zach Tanner & Savannah Wilde
AUTHOR: Ella Grace
PUBLICATION DATE: April 30 , 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For fans of Cherry Adair and Karen Robards, a thrilling new romantic suspense novel from Ella Grace…

AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE HEAT BEGINS

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.

Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are—or which ones might be his own.

REVIEW:
Midnight Secrets is the first book in Ella Grace’s Wildfire trilogy. When I started the book and read the prologue I had a lot of hope for this story. This is nothing like starting a story with a set of murders. But from there the story kinda stalled for me. I understand that we needed Savannah & Zach’s history. But I got a little bored. When Savannah comes back to town she and Zach circle each other and circle each other. It took a while for them to finally sit down and hash out the past. While I end up really enjoying the final showdown parts and pieces of the book were just okay.

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

March 9, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews The Road by Cormac McCarthy

TITLE: The Road
CHARACTERS: A father and son
AUTHOR: Cormac McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: September 26, 2006
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

REVIEW:
I picked up this book after a friend suggested it to me after I suggested to him The Passage by Justin Cronin. The Road is a dark tale told of a father and son trying to survive. The story is told in snapshots. It is almost like we are following them take short videos of the events that are happening around them. There were parts of this book that were beyond disturbing and parts that were heart warming. I am really on the fence about my like/dislike for this book. I wanted more. More about the world. More about the why the world is what it is. More about the boy and his father.
It was a very interesting take on a post apocalyptic world.

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

March 1, 2016February 28, 2016

Kelly reviews A Covert Affair by Katie Reus

TITLE: A Covert Affair
SERIES #: Deadly Ops #5
CHARACTERS: Nathan Ortiz & Amelia Rios
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The explosively passionate new Deadly Ops novel from Katie Reus, the New York Times bestselling author of Edge of Danger.

After being wounded in action, NSA agent Nathan Ortiz comes home to Miami, eager to return to duty. But he doesn’t expect his newest mission to lead him straight to the one woman he loved, lost, and has never gotten over.

A beautiful, successful restaurateur, Amelia Rios enjoys giving back to her community, especially to struggling women. Then a woman she recently hired stops showing up for work, and, unfortunately, she isn’t the first to go missing.

Soon Amelia finds herself thrust into a shadowy, dark world, working side by side with Nathan, the only man she’s ever loved. They must confront old feelings as they battle a ruthless enemy preying on the poor and weak. The heat simmering between Nathan and Amelia could mean a second chance for them—but first they have to survive.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Another good installment in Ms. Reus’ Deadly Ops series. I am not sure that this has been my favorite book to date. But I really enjoyed Nathan and Amelia story.
I really enjoyed that A Covert Affair was a second chance romance story for Nathan. We have seen Nathan many time over the last four books. It was great to finally get a closer look at him. Amelia is great. She is tough and determined to be and do better in life. Which she has, but when Nathan walks back into her life things start to go south.
I am looking forward to what is next in this series.

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

February 22, 2016February 20, 2016

Kelly reviews Hunted By Darkness by Katie Reus

TITLE: Hunted by Darkness
SERIES #: Darkness #4
CHARACTERS: Bo & Nyx
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb 9, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From two different worlds…

Now that she’s escaped her oppressive family, Nyx is enjoying her new life and friends—even if most of her friends don’t know who or what she is. As a rare demigod, she’s just learning how powerful she truly is, but family drama turns her world upside down, throwing the one man she cares about into danger.

He wasn’t supposed to fall for her…

Nyx is nothing like the females half-demon Bo Broussard has been with. Sweet and innocent, she’s not even remotely his type. But the moment she walks into his bar, he knows he’s not letting her go. Unfortunately someone from her past thinks they can force her into an arranged marriage.

He’s not letting her go…

Someone is targeting one of them, and Bo doesn’t know why. When they’re thrown into a hell realm together, he and Nyx will need to band together if they want to survive the perils of that world. No matter who was behind the attack, his choice is clear. Defend Nyx at all cost and make her his forever.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts As always Ms. Reus writes a story that draws you in and makes you love her characters. I have been hoping for Bo and Nyx to break out of the I like you but not going to do anything about it faze. And finally they get with the program only for Bo to be a dumbass.

I enjoyed Hunted by Darkness. I really enjoyed the journey that Bo and Nyx were forced to go on. And I am looking forward to seeing how these two grow as the series goes on.

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

February 18, 2016February 14, 2016

Kelly reviews Worth The Risk by Savannah Stuart

TITLE: Worth the Risk
SERIES #: Miami Scorcher Series, #2
CHARACTERS: Stephan Lazos & Marisol Cabrera
AUTHOR: Savannah Stuart
PUBLICATION DATE: August 15, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One man is getting in the way of her revenge…her mate.

Werewolf Marisol Cabrera has one goal in life: kill the man who murdered her entire pack. When she meets alpha werewolf Stephan and realizes he’s her mate, all her carefully laid plans dissipate in seconds. By all accounts, she should hate Stephan and everything he stands for. After all, he’s a dirty arms dealer doing business with her mortal enemy. Unfortunately, every time the dominating wolf gets close, she can’t deny her growing attraction for the last man in the world she expected to want.

But things aren’t what they seem…

Undercover DEA agent Stephan Lazos is about to make the biggest bust of his career, but everything that can go wrong, does. He never expected to discover his mate while on the job. She saves his life and his cover when he almost shifts in the middle of a crowded Miami nightclub, but that doesn’t mean he trusts her. The clock is ticking and if he doesn’t figure out what secrets the sexy she-wolf is keeping from him, he might not just lose his job, but his life in the process.

Length: 36,000 word

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I have been reading this series out of order. But each story has stood on it’s own that I don’t feel like I am missing anything. Worth the Risk is the second book in the Miami Scorcher series.
Marisol is Miami out of revenge and nothing is going to stop her. But as with all great plans you can never plan for every turn life will throw at you.
Stephan is undercover trying not only to do his job but to protect his pack as well. Stephan maybe a seasoned agent but nothing could prepare him for Marisol.
I really enjoyed Stephan & Marisol’s story. Stephan & Marisol are a fun couple. I love that they are both stubborn yet they find a way to work together. I hope to see them and have updates on these two as I finish out the story.

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

February 12, 2016February 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Power Unleashed by Savannah Stuart

TITLE: Power Unleashed
SERIES #: Miami Scorcher Series #3
CHARACTERS: Adam Tucker & Paz Cabrera
AUTHOR: Savannah Stuart
PUBLICATION DATE: August 15, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She has a big secret…

After a year in captivity, werewolf Paz Cabrera is trying to figure out her place in the world. While her sister’s new family is welcoming, Paz still doesn’t feel like she belongs to the Lazos pack. She has a big secret that could harm them all and give The Council ammunition to kill her. When The Council sends their legendary enforcer to hunt a rogue werewolf terrorizing Miami, she makes a shocking discovery about the one man she’s supposed to be avoiding. He’s her mate and she’s terrified he’ll uncover her secret.

He’ll stop at nothing to uncover the truth…

As enforcer and one of the oldest living werewolves on the planet, Adam Tucker had fated himself to a lonely life. After centuries by himself, he never expected to meet his mate while on the job, but now that he’s found her, he won’t let her go. Paz denies their connection, but she can’t escape the sizzling heat between them. No matter what it takes, he plans to uncover the truth behind her resistance and bond her to him forever.

Miami Scorcher Series, #3
Length: 35,000 words

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Adam is the Council’s enforcer. He is the one that has to clean up all the dirty work. His has been sent by the Council to investigate the two she-wolves saved from the lab and track down a rogue werewolf. Adam knows how to do his job and he does it very well. He is always prepared. Always. Except this trip to Miami he not prepared. Because he never prepared for her.
Paz has survived being kidnapped and locked away in a lab for over a year. She is safe now. As long as no one finds out her secret. A secret that if the Council’s enforcer find out about could lead to her death. Paz’s only chance is to lie and hope that the enforcer never finds out.
I really enjoyed Adam and Paz’s story. Both Adam and Paz have a lot of secrets in their past which makes them perfect for each other. They will also learn what the meaning of trust and love are. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

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

February 11, 2016February 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Rage/Killian by Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright

TITLE: Rage/Killian
SERIES #: Bayou Heat #17/#18
CHARACTERS: Rage & Lucie/ Killian & Rosalie
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright
PUBLICATION DATE: August 11, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Get Wild in the Wildlands

From New York Times Bestsellers, Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright, the heat of the bayou is back with Rage/Killian in an all-new dual ‘tail’. Enter the Wildlands, where a new, volatile danger threatens the sizzling hot Pantera.

RAGE
Rage might be an aggressive Hunter by nature, but the gorgeous male has never had a problem charming the females. All except Lucie Gaudet. Of course, the lovely Geek is a born troublemaker, and it was no surprise to Rage when she was kicked out of the Wildlands.

But now the Pantera need a first-class hacker to stop the potential destruction of their people. And it’s up to Rage to convince Lucie to help. Can the two forget the past—and their sizzling attraction—to save the Pantera?

KILLIAN
Gorgeous, brutal, aggressive, and human, Killian O’Roarke wants only two things: to get rid of the Pantera DNA he’s been infected with, and get back to the field. But the decorated Army Ranger never bargained on meeting the woman—the female—of his dreams on his mission to the Wildlands.

Rosalie lost her mate to a human, and now the Hunter despises them all. In fact, she thinks they’re good for only one thing: barbeque. But this one she’s guarding is testing her beliefs. He is proud and kind, and also knows the pain of loss. But in a time of war between their species, isn’t any chance of love destined for destruction?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am not catch up on this series, but Rage & Killian’s story can easily be read as a stand alone novella. Yes, it might be a tad bit spoilery for some. I didn’t have an issue, but just a warning.
Both Rage & Killian’s stories are very fast paced novellas. A lot happens very quickly in each story. I really enjoyed Rage & Lucie and would love to know more about these two. I have a funny feeling Rage is going to have his hands full with her ;). Killian & Rosalie have both suffered so much in the past it is great to see two lost souls find happiness.
I really need to get on the horse and get catch up on this series.

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

February 10, 2016February 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Need Me by Cynthia Eden

TITLE: Need Me
SERIES #: Dark Obsession #3
CHARACTERS: Devlin Shade & Julianna Smith
AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden
PUBLICATION DATE: February 24, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Innocent…or guilty?

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself.

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

NEED ME.

Some needs can push you to the edge of sanity…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Need Me was another good story in Ms. Eden’s Dark Obsession series. We have got to see Devlin in the first to books as he is one third of the VJS Protection service. But we finally get to see what makes him tick. And of course we have seen Julianna before too. After finishing Want Me I was wondering what would happen to her and if she was indeed a murderer.
I enjoyed this book and I am very much looking forward to reading Ethan’s story.

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

February 9, 2016February 6, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Witches Of Cambridge by Menna van Praag

TITLE: The Witches Of Cambridge
CHARACTERS: Amandine, Noa and Others
AUTHOR: Menna van Praag
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/09/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, “The Witches of Cambridge” reveals an astonishing world where the heart’s deepest secrets give way to the magic of life-changing love.
“Be careful what you wish for. If you’re a witch, you might just get it.”
Amandine Bisset has always had the power to feel the emotions of those around her. It s a secret she can share only with her friends all professors, all witches when they gather for the Cambridge University Society of Literature and Witchcraft. Amandine treasures these meetings but lately senses the ties among her colleagues beginning to unravel. If only she had her student Noa s power to hear the innermost thoughts of others, she might know how to patch things up. Unfortunately, Noa regards her gift as a curse. So when a seductive artist claims he can cure her, Noa jumps at the chance, no matter the cost.
Noa’s not the only witch in over her head. Mathematics professor Kat has a serious case of unrequited love but refuses to cast spells to win anyone s heart. Her sister, Cosima, is not above using magic to get what she wants, sprinkling pastries in her bakery with equal parts sugar and enchantment. But when Cosima sets her sights on Kat’s crush, she conjures up a dangerous love triangle.
As romance and longing swirl through every picturesque side street, the witches of Cambridge find their lives unexpectedly upended and changed in ways sometimes extraordinary, sometimes heartbreaking, but always enchanting.

REVIEW:
This is the first story by this author and I found it really hard to follow. She has an odd way of writing. It felt more like I was reading from a script. Yes I know it was third person, which I have read before even though it is not one of my favorite ways, but the sentences were clipped so it felt like direction instead of conversation.

The witches are normal for lack of a better term. They are everyday women who happen to have an extra sensory power but the problem was I never connected with any of them. I really just didn’t care. Maybe it was because of the writing style. Maybe I wanted some “bubble, bubble, toil and trouble” which I really didn’t get but I just found I wanted to get done with the book.

I can see how someone would enjoy this story. I really can. I am just not one of them. This is a great book that you can pick up when you have time and put down for a while and come back to and not feel like you have missed anything but that is not the kind of book I enjoy.

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

February 5, 2016January 31, 2016

Kelly reviews The Dirt On Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

TITLE: The Dirt on Ninth Grave
SERIES #: Charley Davidson #9
CHARACTERS: Charley Davidson, Reyes Farrow, and the whole crew
AUTHOR: Darynda Jones
NARRATOR: Lorelei King
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 15 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: January 12, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she’s more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn’t help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she’s lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Oh man… You know when you pick up a book (or in this case listen to) you have the highest of expectations? Well that was me when I picked up The Dirt on Ninth Grave. I will let you know that I really love Charley!! I mean I really love her. But I was really torn on my love/non love of this book. At first I really enjoyed Charley’s memory lapse but as the story went on I got more and more flustered by this.
I truly loved listening to Charley seeing Reyes through new eyes. I also enjoyed Reyes being so patient and showing a totally different side of his love and devotion to Charley.
I will let you know that I felt the story was a little slow. But the last few chapters had me bawling like a baby (which made driving tough). But the ending. OMG!!!!! The ending of this story is everything you hope and dream for a Charley Davidson story.
I can’t wait to see what is next and how Ms. Jones is going to write herself out of the corner she just painted herself into.
As always Ms. King does an amazing job of bring Ms. Jones words to life. And making Reyes so very very yummy to listen too. 🙂 I am very happy that Ms. King has lent her voice and awesome talent to this series. Until next time Ms. King. Until next time!!

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