3 Star – Page 27 – Books-n-Kisses

February 4, 2016January 31, 2016

Kelly reviews Blood On The Bayou by Heather Graham

TITLE: Blood on the Bayou
SERIES #: Cafferty and Quinn #3.6
CHARACTERS: Micheal Quinn & Danni Caffery
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestseller Heather Graham…

It’s winter and a chill has settled over New Orleans, binding a stream of blood that leads a tourist to a dead man, face down in the bayou.

The man has been done in by a vicious beating, so violent that his skull has been crashed in.

It’s barely a day before a second victim is found . . . once again so badly thrashed that the water runs red. The city becomes riddled with fear.

An old family friend comes to Danni Cafferty, telling her that he’s terrified, he’s certain that he’s received a message from the Blood Bayou killer–It’s your turn to pay, blood on the bayou.

The two quickly become involved, and–as they all begin to realize that a gruesome local history is being repeated–they find themselves in a fight to save not just a friend, but, perhaps, their very own lives.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3
Just to let you know I have not read any of the books prior to this one in the Cafferty and Quinn series. I liked this story, but it didn’t grab me the way that I had hoped when I started. I did enjoy the history of New Orleans and the monster in the story. I think It may have been better if I had read the prior books to understand the characters a little better. But even with that I think that this story can stand alone.

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 2, 2016January 31, 2016

Kelly & Kimberly review SEAL Wolf In Too Deep by Terry Spears

TITLE: SEAL Wolf in Too Deep
SERIES #: Heart of the Wolf #18
CHARACTERS: Allan Rappaport & Debbie Renaud
AUTHOR: Terry Spears
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Debbie Renaud is a police diver working on criminal cases with SEAL Allan Rappaport. She admires him greatly for his missions in the Navy, plus he’s just plain HOT. Allan seems to share her attraction, but what she doesn’t know is that her partner is wolf shifter.

Allan is really hung up on his smart, beautiful dive partner, but he can’t get involved with a human outside dive duty. Yet when she gets between a werewolf hunter and his intended victim, one of the members of Allan’s pack, they run into real trouble, and their lives are altered forever.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts Another good story in Ms. Spears Heart of the Wolf series. While this was not my favorite in the series that I have read so far I did really enjoy it.
I really liked Allan and Debbie’s story. It was fun to watch them circle each other. While I liked Allan and Debbie I think my favorite part of this whole story was Rowdy. I love the homicide detective and hope that he will get a story soon. I am thinking he would be perfect for Tara.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts While enjoyable this story just wasn’t one of my favorite wolf shifter stories. First it was a bit too wordy. So many things repeated, I never really felt the connection between Allan and Debbie, the suspense part was really obvious and it just didn’t have much on the romance side to me.

Allan is ok. He just doesn’t seem like the alpha (2nd alpha really) that he should have been. He is sweet. He deals with Debbie well really but just nothing screams “ALPHA WOLF” to me about him. Debbie is just blah. Honestly I never really found myself liking her. I mean I didn’t hate her but she was just there, if you know what I mean.

The story is interesting in the whole “who is killing werewolves” but nothing really much happens. I guess that is it. It was just a bit too boring for me. No heat, no real suspense, no nothing. Again it was an ok read and if you have read the series you should continue with this one. Maybe the next in the series will be better…. Could Rowdy be the lead? Now that would be an interesting idea.

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.

January 25, 2016January 17, 2016

Kelly & Kimberly review Reckless by Kimberly Kincaid

TITLE: Reckless
SERIES #: Rescue Squad #1
CHARACTERS: Alex Donovan & Zoe Westin
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SOMEONE’S BOUND TO GET BURNED…

Zoe Westin may be a fire captain’s daughter, but feeding the people in her hometown of Fairview is her number one priority. Running a soup kitchen is also the perfect way to prove to her dad that helping people doesn’t always mean risking life and limb. But when she’s saddled with a gorgeous firefighter doing community service after yet another daredevil stunt, the kitchen has never been so hot.

Alex Donovan thrives on adrenaline, and stirring a pot of soup doesn’t exactly qualify. He’s not an expert at following the rules either, not even when they come from the stubborn, sexy daughter of the man who’s not only his boss, but his mentor. Determined to show Zoe that not every risk ends in catastrophe, Alex challenges her both in the kitchen and out. One reckless step leads to another, but will falling for each other be a risk worth taking, or will it just get them burned?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I was happy to learn the Ms. Kincaid was going to have a new series. Then add in that this new series is about Firefighters is an added bonus.
In Reckless we follow Alex Donovan and his fire station. Alex is the adventure seeking, adrenaline junkie and all around reckless guy. But while Alex maybe be a thrill seeker he loves being a firefighter and he is great at his job. Being a firefighter is everything to Alex so when a rash decision takes away his job, he is willing to do anything to get back in the good graces of his chief.
Zoe Westin is on a mission to provide for people. She wants to use her skills in the kitchen to give back to her community. But she is not able to do it on her own. Insert on very unhappy firefighter who has to work and prove that his can follow direction even if he only is doing it to get back to the fire house.
I enjoyed this story. But there was just something missing for me. I think that the first half of the book was a tad bit slow. But as the story went on I enjoyed it more and more.
I did really like Alex and Zoe.
I am looking forward to what is next in the Rescue Squad series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a new series from Kincaid that focuses in on the firefighters of Fairview. The story was good. I just never felt a connection to the two characters. Alex is an adrenaline junkie who is well… reckless (hence the name of the book). Zoe is down to earth and far from a risk taker. When Alex doesn’t follow the rules at a fire he is suspended and forced to do community service at Zoe’s soup kitchen. The problem is there wasn’t much cooking in the kitchen for me.

The book is a bit wordy and explains the same things over and over. By about the 5th time I was rolling my eyes when yet again I had to hear about how daddy didn’t trust Zoe. Get over it. But the couple is sweet. The firehouse has a number of interesting characters that will have their own stories I am sure and I look forward to it.

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

January 20, 2016January 17, 2016

Kelly reviews White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland

TITLE: White Trash Zombie Gone Wild
SERIES #: White Trash Zombie #5
CHARACTERS: Angel Crawford
AUTHOR: Diana Rowland
NARRATOR: Allison McLemore
RUN TIME: 11 Hours & 18 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 6, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Angel Crawford has buried her loser past and is cruising along in undead high gear—that is, until a murder-by-decapitation sends her on a hazardous detour. As Angel hunts for the killer, she uncovers a scheme that would expose zombies to the public and destroy the life she’s built, and she’s determined not to rest until she finds out who’s behind it.

Soon she’s neck-deep in lies, redneck intrigue, zombie hunters, and rot-sniffing cadaver dogs. It’s up to her to unravel the truth and snuff out the conspiracy before the existence of zombies makes headline news and she’s outed as a monster.

But Angel hasn’t quite escaped the pill-popping ghosts of her past—not with an illicit zombie pharmaceutical at her fingertips. Good thing she’s absolutely sure she can handle the drug’s unpredictable side effects and still take down the bad guys…or maybe she’s only one bad choice away from being dead meat—for real this time.

Angel knows a thing or two about kicking ass, but now the ass she needs to kick might be her own.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Well Angel you did it again.

White Trash Zombie Gone Wild (WTZGW) was another fun and exciting Angel Crawford adventure. Boy howdy did Angel get herself into a huge pile of you know what. But as Angel always does she finds a way to not only pull herself out of the pile of crap she was in, gets the job done and saves the day.
I enjoyed this story a lot, maybe not as much as a few other books in this series. There was a lot going on in WTZGW. The Tribe is stretched thin leaving Angel on her own to watch, wait and see what is happening locally. But as everything starts to happen Angel is able to you her witty, street smarts and just dumb luck to figure out the issues at hand.
I really liked the Bear and Angel show. That was a hoot and a half. Nick has turned out to be a pretty good guy (still not my favorite person, but he is growing on me).

As always Allison McLemore does a fabulous job of bring Angel and all of Tucker Point to life. I thoroughly enjoy having Allison read to me and can’t wait for the next one.

It should be interesting to see where Ms. Rowland takes Angel from here. Until next time Angel, keep doing you!!!

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

January 12, 2016January 9, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Covenant by Jeff Crook

TITLE: The Covenant
SERIES #: Jackie Lyons Mystery #2
CHARACTERS: Jackie Lyons
AUTHOR: Jeff Crook
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/12/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jackie Lyons investigates a father’s mysterious death, in the second installment of her ghostly mystery series

When photographer and former Memphis police detective Jackie Lyons finds Sam Loftin’s lifeless body in the same location where his daughter died five years earlier, there’s no reason to think he didn’t kill himself, too. No reason, except Jackie has just seen Sam’s ghost act out the last violent moments of his life.

In investigating his murder, Jackie is drawn into a tumultuous battle between wealthy and powerful suburbanites and a charismatic preacher trying to serve the poor and homeless. But a deeper mystery lurks beneath the petty rivalries and jealousies of a gated community, one that stretches back into the distant past and reaches out to snare the youngest of this generation. A secret so dark, it can only be protected by “The Covenant.”

REVIEW:
This is the second in a series. I did not read the first but that was fine. This is a typical mystery. It left me wondering what was going to happen and the author through in twist that kept me off guard the whole time. The problem is I just couldn’t relate to the way the characters acted. It just really didn’t ring true for me. I did think the paranormal bit was written really well and was enjoyable.

I don’t want to say too much or the mystery may be spoiled but all in all I thought this was a good mystery. If you are a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing and can get past the odd way the characters are written you will enjoy this story.

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

January 11, 2016January 9, 2016

Natasha reviews City Of Light by Keri Arthur

TITLE: City of Lights
SERIES #: Outcast #1
CHARACTERS: Tiger
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: January 5, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The first in an all-new futuristic fantasy series from Keri Arthur—the New York Times bestselling author of the Souls of Fire novels.

When the bombs that stopped the species war tore holes in the veil between this world and the next, they allowed entry to the Others—demons, wraiths, and death spirits who turned the shadows into their hunting grounds. Now, a hundred years later, humans and shifters alike live in artificially lit cities designed to keep the darkness at bay….

As a déchet—a breed of humanoid super-soldiers almost eradicated by the war—Tiger has spent her life in hiding. But when she risks her life to save a little girl on the outskirts of Central City, she discovers that the child is one of many abducted in broad daylight by a wraith-like being—an impossibility with dangerous implications for everyone on earth.

Because if the light is no longer enough to protect them, nowhere is safe…

REVIEW:
I love Keri Arthur and was so excited about this new series! As always, Keri’s book features a strong, independent female lead that can kick ass! I enjoyed the new world Keri built and am excited about this series and all that she’s put into it. As with any new book, the world building is huge…and at times I found it a little hard to follow. However that is typical of a new series. A strong start to the new year for Keri Arthur.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 8, 2016January 2, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Cruelest Cut by Rick Reed

TITLE: The Cruelest Cut
CHARACTERS: Jack Murphy
AUTHOR: Rick Reed
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/10
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a killer plays mind games with a cop, There Are No Rules.
The first victim is attacked in her home. Tied to her bed. Forced to watch every unspeakable act of cruelty–but unable to scream. The second murder is even more twisted. Signed, sealed, and delivered with a message for the police, stuffed in the victim’s throat. A fractured nursery rhyme that ends with a warning: “There will be more.” For detective Jack Murphy, it’s more than a threat. It’s a personal invitation to play. And no one plays rougher than Jack. Especially when the killer’s pawns are the people he loves. . .

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

First let me say if you don’t like evil personified do not pick up this book. This is not for the light hearted. It can be hard to read in some spots but the thrill part of it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Some of it is light like the play between Jack and Liddell so it breaks up a bit of the harshness but it is still something you need to be in the mood to read. And ready to have a dark cloud around you when you do.

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

January 6, 2016January 2, 2016

Kimberly reviews Anything For You by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: Anything For You
SERIES #: Blue Heron #5
CHARACTERS: Jessica & Connor
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Before you get down on bended knee…

…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O’Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she’s got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it’s the perfect time to get married.

When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who’s now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she’s positive married life isn’t for her.

But this time, Connor says it’s all or nothing. If she doesn’t want to marry him, he’ll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he’s never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn’t quite as sure as she thinks…

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

It pains me to say this but I really just didn’t enjoy this story at all. The layout is a bit weird to me. The first chapter is Jessica turning down a proposal from Connor but after that we get chapter upon chapter of the years since they met and today. And honestly, Jessica is a slut (the word used in the book) and sleeps with anyone and everyone with a.. well you know. Connor seems like a wuss who never got any of daddy’s attention and so he is too timid for me. Don’t get me wrong, he is one of the good guys but why he wants to be with Jessica is beyond me.

The only redeeming quality that Jessica has is her love and care of her brother who was both with fetal alcohol syndrome. His character is written so perfectly and is so easy to picture him and his problems and how Jessica devotes herself to him. I also enjoyed the relationship between Connor and his twin sister.

I guess I just didn’t want the couple to work out. Let Jessica be miserable someplace else and have Connor live his happily ever after with someone who deserves him.

I am sad this series has ended and especially in a book that I didn’t enjoy as much as the others but that takes nothing away from the author and how much I enjoy her books and I look forward to her next adventure.

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

January 5, 2016January 5, 2016

Kelly reviews City Of Lights by Keri Arthur

TITLE: City of Lights
SERIES #: Outcast #1
CHARACTERS: Tiger
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: January 5, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The first in an all-new futuristic fantasy series from Keri Arthur—the New York Times bestselling author of the Souls of Fire novels.

Because if the light is no longer enough to protect them, nowhere is safe…

REVIEW:
Tiger our main character has survived things that no one should ever have to survive. In City of Lights Tiger finds herself exposed to a world that she has hid from for over a 100 years.
I was very excited when I saw that Ms. Arthur was coming out with a new series. So of course when I had a chance to review I jumped at it.
City of Lights was not at all what I had expected. I enjoyed the story, but there is a LOT of world building in this first book of the series. Which is not unusual but at times the storyline dragged for me. I did really like Tiger and her little ones Bear and Cat.
I really enjoyed the very end of the story (cliff hanger and all) and I am looking forward to see where Tiger goes from here.
Keri Arthur fans will/should enjoy this new world that she has created.

December 30, 2015December 28, 2015

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The New Year’s Wish by Dani-Lyn Alexander

TITLE: The New Year’s Wish
CHARACTERS: Olivia & Garrett
AUTHOR: Dani-Lyn Alexander
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Typing out memos is anything but torturous when your boss is this hot! Dani-Lyn Alexander’s irresistible new yuletide romance is a lighthearted office romp that will make you long for the company holiday party.

Olivia Calloway isn’t cut out for the nine-to-five life. She’s a born entrepreneur. She just has to figure out her soul’s true calling—and she’s given herself until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve to do it. With her trust fund dwindling and only two and a half months to go, she takes an assistant position at prestigious law firm Harris & Harris. The problem is, Olivia’s a terrible employee—incessantly late, forgetful, and clumsy. Not that her gorgeous new boss Garrett Emerson seems to mind. Beautiful, charming Olivia has been on his mind ever since she ran into him, literally, sprinting to the interview. But Olivia’s first big assignment—to plan an elaborate last minute New Year’s Eve party for the entire company—could make or break her job entirely. With Ms. Harris herself demanding perfection, a jealous office rival rooting for Olivia to lose, and even Garrett dreading the affair, can Olivia finally prove herself—or will an unforeseen complication send her back to the drawing board? All she wants for the holidays is to be her own boss—and to ignite the flirtatious sparks between her and Garrett…so she can file their relationship under love.

REVIEW:
Ever had one of THOSE days? Well Olivia has one of those lives. She can’t get anywhere on time. She forgets important things. She is just a mess. The problem is so much happens to Olivia that it got old kind of quickly. And giving this book is only about 75 pages that is saying something.

Garrett is a single dad who is trying to make his daughter his first priority while still making a living. I liked Garrett even though really this was not his story. This story is more about Olivia and her blunders. There is also his daughte.. And the author did a pretty good job of speaking for her even though sometimes she sounds older than her 5 years.

All in all this is a cute short story. Will it get you in the holiday mood? Nope but it is a quick read and enjoyable.

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

December 24, 2015December 20, 2015

Kimberly reviews Snowflake Wishes by Maggie McGinnis

TITLE: Snowflake Wishes
SERIES #: Echo Lake #1.5
CHARACTERS: Noah & Piper
AUTHOR: Maggie McGinnis
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Noah Drake was that guy–the one always on the lookout for his next adrenaline high, so it was no surprise when he took off across the world, seeking adventure as a travel writer. But one thing he could never escape was Piper Bellini, the girl who got away–the girl he let get away, a fact he’s never let himself forget. When he returns to Echo Lake to see if there’s any chance the flame between them can be rekindled, he never expects to spend the night holed up with Piper in a roadside diner while a blizzard rages outside. It’s exactly the kind of situation that sent Piper running years ago. But this time, Noah may have been handed a Christmas miracle, and he intends to make all of his and Piper’s wishes come true…

REVIEW:
This is a short 70 page story. I would say it is a holiday story but really there is not much holiday involved in the story. Now that being said it is a fine story. Not great but not bad either. I just never felt any connection between the two characters.

Weirdly enough this story felt way too long. There was too much drama that really just wasn’t all that interesting to me. But I will say that I liked the idea of the snowflake wishes. That is a really sweet idea that the reader included in the story.

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

December 16, 2015December 14, 2015

Kelly reviews Malibu Secrets by MK Meredith

TITLE: Malibu Secrets
SERIES #: Malibu Sights#2
CHARACTERS: Roque Gallagher & Addison Dekker
AUTHOR: MK Meredith
PUBLICATION DATE: December 14, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the verge of losing the Malibu home she inherited from her great-aunt, Addi Dekker is completely failing to prove to her family she can make it as a writer. Not exactly how a girl proves her independence. If she doesn’t want to give up her dream and go back to the soul-sucking job she just left, Addi has to swallow her dislike of Hollywood and rent the house out to the sexy-as-hell film producer.

And maybe (shhhh!) save money by secretly living there, too.

Roque Gallagher is pouring his heart and savings into his first independent film to make the industry acknowledge him for his talent and not just his family name. Addi’s home is perfect for the shoot, but she’s far too tempting. He’s never been able to handle work and a relationship, and this is the film of a lifetime. Between a shrinking budget and his director quitting, the last thing he needs is a sexy-as-sin tease like Addi. And he has a feeling there’s something she’s hiding.

REVIEW:
Malibu Secrets is MK Meredith’s second book in her Malibu Sights series. I didn’t read book one yet, not sure how I missed it. But I will be going back and reading. I did enjoy Malibu Secrets. I really liked Addi and Roque. They both are beyond stubborn and will do anything to fulfill their dreams. While the story was a little predictable the ride was very enjoyable.
I am looking forward to seeing what and how is next 🙂

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