Natasha reviews Born Of Legend by Sherrilyn Kenyon

born-of-legendTITLE: Born of Legend
SERIES #: The League: Nemesis Rising #11
CHARACTERS: Jullien “Dagger” & Ushara
AUTHOR: Sherrilyn Kenyon
PUBLICATION DATE: June 21, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“It’s official Take a Psycho to Work Day. Why else would I be here?”

Hunted. Hated. Betrayed. Outcast Dagger Ixur is on the run for his life. As one of the most recognizable members of his royal house, he has a bounty on his head that guarantees him no quarter from any friend or even family. But surrender isn’t in him. He will fight to the bitter end. A resolve that is sorely tested when he narrowly escapes a trap that leaves him severely wounded. With what he believes is his dying breath, he saves a boy born to an extinct race from a group out to enslave the kid for his legendary abilities.

Ushara Altaan has spent her entire life hating the Andarion royal house that drove her entire species into virtual extinction. As a rare Andarion Fyreblood, she is sworn to end the existence of any royal she finds. But when Dagger saves her son’s life, she is torn between her people and a debt that can never be repaid.
Yet worse than Dagger’s family that’s still out to end hers and him, are the League assassins after him who will stop at nothing to claim the lives of her Tavali family. The only hope she has to save them all is to put their future and her faith into the hands of the very enemy whose grandmother personally extinguished Ushara’s legendary lineage. But how can she ever trust Dagger when he is a disinherited outlaw whose real name is synonymous with betrayal?

REVIEW:
Wow! Ok, in my review for Born of Betrayal I complained a bit about how Kenyon seemed to be re-writing Jullien’s character. Well, I should have known his book would be next and all the answers would come! Kenyon really is the queen of re-writing characters that we think we knew and showing us them in a whole new light (cough – Styxx – cough); this was no different. The book starts off a few years after Nykyrian’s return and spans for several years. Jullien is broken, battered and on the run. He meets up with Ushara and so begins the long unraveling heartbreak of his past. I really loved Ushara and Jullien together. She is a very strong heroine with a wild and crazy family that does some really messed up stuff, and then some really great stuff. Her son is the whole reason Jullien and Ushara cross paths and I love seeing the relationship grow between him and Jullien. We also get to see Jullien interact with some of our favorite characters of the series because his story runs concurrently with the events of previous books. I gotta say, Kenyon really laid it on thick in terms of Jullien’s abuse and neglect. While I understand painting a picture for readers, I really started to get frustrated with it about 2/3 of the way through the book. Some of the exact same phrases are used dozens of times in the book and a lot of that story became repetitive; that is the only reason this is a 4 star and not a 5.

However, by far my favorite part of this book is Trajen! I love this darn Trisani so much and cannot wait for his book – I know he’s getting a book and it is going to be brutal – however I have no idea when that will be. I’m just hoping we’ll continue to see him in other stories until then.

Then finally that brings me to the end – the part where we catch up to the events of Born of Betrayal. I was waiting for this the entire book, and while I am ok with how the book played out, I would have liked to see a little more dialogue around the events of Jullien’s life, his parents and Nykyrian.

All in all though, the book was freaking fabulous and I couldn’t put it down. Kenyon is a great author. Yes this series is so convoluted and confusing, there are way too many characters, and planets, enemies and allies, but you love it all the same!

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

9781455594252_DeadlySilence_TR_F1.inddTITLE: Deadly Silence
SERIES #: Blood Brothers #1
CHARACTERS: Zara & Ryker
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/04/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best…

A Blood Brothers Novel

REVIEW:
Great start to Ms. Zanetti’s new series. The Blood Brothers series is a spin off of the Sin Brother’s series. While you don’t have to read the Sin Brother’s first I would recommend it!! There is a lot that happens in that series that I believe is going to have a huge impact on the Blood Brothers.
Deadly Silence introduces us to Ryker, Denver and Heath. These three have been friends and family since they bonded in the boys home they lived in. And they just happened to be some of Dr. Madison’s pet projects.
There is a lot that is going on in this story. We have multiple storylines happening at once, but Ms. Zanetti does a great job of balancing each of these stories and give us answers to almost everything (because she has to leave some questions for us).
I really liked Ryker & Zara. Ryker is the dark mysterious bad boy who has a big heart that every girl wishes she could find. Zara is the perfect match for Ryker. She is not a pushover and she challenges Ryker every step of the way.
Of course we have to talk about the other Jones’ brothers Heath & Denver. They are just as dark and mysterious but there is something about each of these guys that will shock us and possibly even shock their brother too.
I am looking forward to seeing where Ms. Zanetti is going to take this series and how much she is going to make us suffer!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews The Family Plot by Cherie Priest

family-plotTITLE: The Family Plot
CHARACTERS: The employees of Music City Salvage
AUTHOR: Cherie Priest
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2016
NARRATOR: Kate Udall
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 38 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The author of the enormously successful Boneshaker returns to Tor with her unique take on the classic haunted house book

Chuck Dutton built Music City Salvage with patience and expertise, stripping historic properties and reselling their bones. Inventory is running low, so he’s thrilled when Augusta Withrow appears in his office offering salvage rights to her entire property. This could be a gold mine, so he assigns his daughter Dahlia to personally oversee the project.

The crew finds a handful of surprises right away. Firstly, the place is in unexpectedly good shape. And then there’s the cemetery, about thirty fallen and overgrown graves dating to the early 1900s, Augusta insists that the cemetery is just a fake, a Halloween prank, so the city gives the go-ahead, the bulldozer revs up, and it turns up human remains. Augusta says she doesn’t know whose body it is or how many others might be present and refuses to answer any more questions. Then she stops answering the phone.

But Dahlia’s concerns about the corpse and Augusta’s disappearance are overshadowed when she begins to realize that she and her crew are not alone, and they’re not welcome at the Withrow estate. They have no idea how much danger they’re in, but they’re starting to get an idea. On the crew’s third night in the house, a storm shuts down the only road to the property. The power goes out. Cell signals are iffy. There’s nowhere to go and no one Dahlia can call for help, even if anyone would believe that she and her crew are being stalked by a murderous phantom. Something at the Withrow mansion is angry and lost, and this is its last chance to raise hell before the house is gone forever. And it seems to be seeking permanent company.

The Family Plot is a haunted house story for the ages-atmospheric, scary, and strange, with a modern gothic sensibility to keep it fresh and interesting-from Cherie Priest, a modern master of supernatural fiction.

REVIEW:
Another great and disturbing story from Ms. Priest. I am very happy that I picked up a copy of The Family Plot. I was not 100% sure what to expect when I started this book except for the fact that Ms. Priest will give us a great story. I really enjoyed not only the humans but the ghost too.
After a bit of a slow start to the story the twists and turns that Ms. Priest put into this story kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending!!! OMG!!! The ending!!!!
If you are a fan of horror or ghost or Ms. Priest I would encourage you to pick up a copy of The Family Plot and find out why no one wants to live at the Withrow Estate.
This was my first book narrated by Kate Udall. Ms. Udall did a good job with this story. I will be looking for more books narrated by her in the future.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible.com this is my honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne

purloined-poodleTITLE: The Purloined Poodle
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles #8.5
CHARACTERS: Oberon (The Irish Wolfhound) and Atticus O’Sullivan
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 57 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Thanks to his relationship with the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon the Irish wolfhound knows trouble when he smells it—and furthermore, he knows he can handle it.

When he discovers that a prizewinning poodle has been abducted in Eugene, Oregon, he learns that it’s part of a rash of hound abductions all over the Pacific Northwest. Since the police aren’t too worried about dogs they assume have run away, Oberon knows it’s up to him to track down those hounds and reunite them with their humans. For justice! And gravy!

Engaging the services of his faithful Druid, Oberon must travel throughout Oregon and Washington to question a man with a huge salami, thwart the plans of diabolical squirrels, and avoid, at all costs, a fight with a great big bear.

But if he’s going to solve the case of the Purloined Poodle, Oberon will have to recruit the help of a Boston terrier named Starbuck, survive the vegetables in a hipster pot pie, and firmly refuse to be distracted by fire hydrants and rabbits hiding in the rose bushes.

At the end of the day, will it be a sad bowl of dry kibble for the world’s finest hound detective, or will everything be coming up sirloins?

The Purloined Poodle is another exciting novella entry in Kevin Hearne’s New York Times best-selling Iron Druid series.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Awesome as always!!!! I loved this novella that Mr. Hearne wrote for us.
The Purloined Poodle is told from Oberon’s point of view. Oberon is one of my all time favorite character!! So listening to him tell this story was great. Of course the amazingly talented Luke Daniels narrator this book when makes just that much better. So in the Purloined Poodle Oberon and his trusty sidekick Atticus are on a mission to solve a murder. It was a fun journey! It was also great to see all the wonderful places in the Pacific Northwest that showed up in this story.
The only thing that made me sad was that this story was short. I can’t wait for the next installment in the IDC and I hope that we will get more of Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible.com and this is my honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Al Capone by Deirde Bair

al-caponeTITLE: Al Capone
CHARACTERS: Al Capone
AUTHOR: Deirdre Bair
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From a National Book Award-winning biographer, the first complete life of legendary gangster Al Capone to be produced with the cooperation of his family, who provided the author with exclusive access to personal testimony and archival documents.

Born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York, to poor, Italian immigrant parents, Al Capone went on to become the most infamous gangster in American history. In 1925, during the height of Prohibition, Capone’s multi-million-dollar Chicago bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling operation dominated the organized-crime scene. His competition with rival gangs was brutally violent, a long-running war that crested with the shocking St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929. Through it all, and despite the best efforts of law enforcement and the media elite, Capone remained above the fray. Federal income-tax evasion was the strongest charge that could be made to stick, and in 1931 he was sentenced to eleven years in federal prison. After serving six-and-a-half years, mostly in Alcatraz, a severely impaired Capone, badly damaged by neurosyphillis, was released to live out his final years with his family in Miami. From his heyday to the present moment, Al Capone’s life has gripped the public imagination, and his gangster persona has been immortalized in the countless movies and books inspired by his exploits.

But who was the man behind the legend? Capone loved to tell tall tales that perpetuated his mystique; newspapers loved him and frequently embellished or fabricated stories about him to sell copies. While some remember him as fundamentally kind and good, others speak of how frightening he was, a vicious, cold-blooded killer. Was Al really such a quotable wit? Did he really shower the poor with hundred-dollar bills and silver dollars from the window of his bulletproof car? Did he really keep a bevy of mistresses ensconced in his hotel headquarters in Chicago? Writing with exclusive access to Capone’s descendants, Deirdre Bair finally gets at the truth behind this eternally fascinating man, who was equal parts charismatic mobster, doting father, and calculating monster.

REVIEW:
I have had an interest in Al Capone for years. I have no idea what it is about him but I really think he is a fascinating person. He was bad and yet he was a really good guy to those he felt deserved it.

I believe this book did a really good job showing what his family, friends and conspirators felt about the man. There were a number of things that I didn’t know about him in this book and of course there were things that I did know already that were not a part of the book.

I would say if you don’t know anything about the man this is not the only book you should read but it is one that gets a portion of his life as told by his closest people out to the world.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews The Obsidian Chamber by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

obsidian-chamberTITLE: The Obsidian Chamber
SERIES #: Pendergast #16
CHARACTERS: Constance & Proctor
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/18/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A TRAGIC DISAPPEARANCE
After a harrowing, otherworldly confrontation on the shores of Exmouth, Massachusetts, Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast is missing, presumed dead.
A SHOCKING RETURN
Sick with grief, Pendergast’s ward, Constance, retreats to her chambers beneath the family mansion at 891 Riverside Drive–only to be taken captive by a shadowy figure from the past.
AN INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT
Proctor, Pendergast’s longtime bodyguard, springs to action, chasing Constance’s kidnapper through cities, across oceans, and into wastelands unknown.
BUT IN A WORLD OF BLACK AND WHITE, NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
And by the time Proctor discovers the truth, a terrifying engine has stirred-and it may already be too late . . .

REVIEW:
So here is the problem.. This is a Pendergast novel but there is no Pendergast. This is more of Constance’s story which isn’t bad I just miss Pendergast when he is not around.

Preston and Child have this interesting way of writing. My understanding is this each write their part separately and then bring their book together to complete. If this is true in some ways I think this is what makes the series so interesting.

I will say that while you can sometimes read the Pendergast series out of order you really need to read Crimson Shore (#15) before this story to understand where Pendergast is and why Constance is the star of this story.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Escape Clause by John Sandford

escape-clauseTITLE: Escape Clause
SERIES #: Virgil Flowers #9
CHARACTERS: Virgil
AUTHOR: John Sandford
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/18/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Whenever you hear the sky rumble, that usually means a storm. In Virgil Flowers’ case, make that two. The exceptional new thriller from the writer whose books are “pure reading pleasure” (Booklist)

The first storm comes from, of all places, the Minnesota zoo. Two large, and very rare, Amur tigers have vanished from their cage, and authorities are worried sick that they’ve been stolen for their body parts. Traditional Chinese medicine prizes those parts for home remedies, and people will do extreme things to get what they need. Some of them are a great deal more extreme than others — as Virgil is about to find out.

Then there’s the homefront. Virgil’s relationship with his girlfriend Frankie has been getting kind of serious, but when Frankie’s sister Sparkle moves in for the summer, the situation gets a lot more complicated. For one thing, her research into migrant workers is about to bring her up against some very violent people who emphatically do not want to be researched. For another…she thinks Virgil’s kind of cute.

“You mess around with Sparkle,” Frankie told Virgil, “you could get yourself stabbed.”
“She carries a knife?”
“No, but I do.”

Forget a storm – this one’s a tornado.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the ninth story in the series. And I swear the longer this series goes on the weirder Virgil gets. But not in a bad way. He is an odd character but somehow quite interesting. He just kind of keeps you wanting to read more.

Speaking of weird. Sandford writes in a different way than most, or at least most that I read. Sandford writes with both sides of the story but also throws in a number of completely other stories. It is hard not to keep your attention when so much is going on.

So much is happening you might want to keep a notebook by your side to keep track.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Snowfall On Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

snowfall-on-haven-pointTITLE: Snowfall On Haven Point
SERIES #: Haven Point #5
CHARACTERS: Andrea & Marshall
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember

It’s been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie’s friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who’s recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie’s gentle nature is a salve, and her kids’ excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

REVIEW:
This is a very sweet holiday story with a bit of mystery thrown in. Marshall is a good guy with a heart of gold for his town but not to any women and for sure not for any children. Andie is a lovely widowed mom of two young children so of course they are a match made in heaven. The kids are a perfect addition to the story as well.

The story did drag a little with the whole “I can’t be in love with him but I am” and “I shouldn’t be in love with her but I am” kind of attitude. Marshall gets a bit testy sometimes and has to apologize and Andie accepts but then he does something and you realize why she lets him be a grouchy guy.

This is a perfect by the fire story to get the reader in the mood for Christmas and romance.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Save

Kelly reviews Death and Her Devotion by Kendra Elliot

death-and-her-devotionTITLE: Death and Her Devotion
SERIES #: Rogue Vow #1
CHARACTERS: Zane Duncan & Stevie Taylor
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the first Rogue Vows novella, Zane and Stevie are about to get an unexpected wedding present…and it’s a deadly one.

It should be the happiest weekend of Officer Stevie Taylor’s life. She’s finally going to marry Police Chief Zane Duncan and live happily ever after in Solitude, Oregon. But all wedding plans grind to a halt when a dead body is found at a nearby campground. A vacationing A-list TV actor has been murdered…and all hell is about to break loose.

When it comes to a celebrity murder, everyone has a motive—and everyone wants a piece of the action. As news media and paparazzi swarm their sleepy town, Stevie and Zane must dig deep to untangle a web of lies, dirty little secrets, and betrayals—and uncover the killer. But the closer they get to the truth, the deadlier their investigation becomes. And if they don’t act quickly, ’Til death do us part may come sooner than they thought.

REVIEW:
I was so excited when Ms. Elliot and Ms. Leigh announced that they were going back to Rogue River. From the end of the last Rogue River/Rogue Winter series I was hoping the ladies would revisit this tiny little Oregon town.
It was great to be back in the city of Rogue River, Oregon even if it was a murder that brought us back. A murder of a high profile super star just turned this sleepy little town upside down. There is so much that happens in this little novella. Just when I thought I had it all figured out Ms. Elliot throws a curve in the road. So many unanswered questions!! I will have to wait for Ms. Leigh’s book (book 2 in this series) to hopefully get the answers I seek.
If you are a fan of either of these ladies you need to pick up the Rogue Series (there are three, but they all focus on the city of Rogue River and the Taylor family)!! Can’t wait to see what is next.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kendra Elliot in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

9781455594252_DeadlySilence_TR_F1.inddTITLE: Deadly Silence
SERIES #: Blood Brothers #1
CHARACTERS: Zara & Ryker
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/04/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best…

A Blood Brothers Novel

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This is the first in the second series wrapped around brothers designed by Dr Madison. If you have no clue what I am talking about then please go back and find Rebecca’s Sin Brothers series. While you do not need to read it to start this series it will help and trust me the stories are worth the read!!!

The Blood Brothers are Ryker, Heath and Denver are on the run from Dr Madison and Sheriff Cobb. Zara is a simple paralegal secretary who has a heart of gold and somehow she and Ryker begin an affair but it soon turns into more romance and more suspense to make this romantic suspense novel a wonderful read.

I will say I enjoyed the Sin Brothers a bit more than I enjoyed Ryker. He has a lot of different facets about him… he is alpha for sure and protective, he loves his brothers beyond belief and he can be controlling and downright obnoxious at times but when it comes to his brothers, Zara and Greg his heart turns to jelly and I found myself enjoying him. Zara is sweet but she has the heart of a mama bear. When you mess with what is hers she will stop at nothing to protect them.

I really enjoyed this story. I am thrilled that the story continues with the new brothers and it sounds like there are a number of brothers to come in the future (thank goodness). I am not sure who’s story is up next but I sure hope it is Heath’s. I have a feeling he may turn into my next book crush.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

 

Kimberly reviews Flawless by Heather Graham

flawlessTITLE: Flawless
CHARACTERS: Craig & Kieran
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone goes to Finnegan’s…

It’s a pub in lower Manhattan, run by the Finnegan family for generations and now owned by Kieran and her three brothers. Kieran Finnegan, who still works there whenever she can, has become a criminal psychologist—a fitting reaction, perhaps, to her less-than-lawful past.

Meanwhile, New York’s Diamond District has been hit by a rash of thefts. No one’s been killed—until now. FBI agent Craig Frasier is brought in to investigate; he and Kieran meet at a jewelry store in the middle of a heist. She’s there to “unsteal” a flawless stone taken by her light-fingered youngest brother as an act of vengeance. He’s there to stop the gang.

But the police and FBI soon discover that there are two gangs of diamond thieves, the original and a copycat group of killers. And the second group seems to think their scheme is as flawless as the stones they steal.

Thrown together by circumstance, drawn together by attraction, Kieran and Craig both end up working on the case. Unfortunately, there’s more and more evidence that, somehow, the pub is involved. Because everyone goes to Finnegan’s…

REVIEW:
This is a new series by Graham. I am a huge fan of her Krewe Of Hunters series which has a bit of paranormal (ghosts) to the mystery. This does not have that paranormal it is just pure suspense.

I loved the Irish NYC family right from the start. They are so messed up and yet have a heart of gold. They are trying to go straight from their illegal activities in the past but when her brother and best friend decide one more job needs to be done Kieran has to clean up the mess.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked Kieran very much and while I was never really head over heels for her relationship with Craig the suspense was well written and the family is great. I look forward to more in this series… well I hope it ends up being a series.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason

mistletoe-cottageTITLE: Mistletoe Cottage
SERIES #: Harmony Harbor #1
CHARACTERS: Sophie & Liam
AUTHOR: Debbie Mason
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘Tis the season for love . . .
Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she’s forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter’s blue eyes-and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie’s return is a shock for everyone . . . especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they’ve concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I don’t recall reading a Debbie Mason novel before but this will not be my last one. I can totally understand why Ms Mason has a reputation for writing wonderful holiday stories. I decided to read this one since it was the first in a new series. I look forward to reading the next one.

There is a lot happening in this story. A lot of emotion that is palpable as the reader gets further into the story. This is a story of a second chance at love when the first chance never really had a chance to get started.

As a couple others have said the part I had a hard time with was all the characters. Sophie and Liam’s story is great but there is a lot of background characters that can get a bit confusing. But no matter this holiday story is well worth the read.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts