In Honor Of Those Who Gave All.
Happy Easter from B-n-K
Natasha reviews Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens
TITLE: Never Let You Go
CHARACTERS: Lindsey, Sophie and Andrew
AUTHOR: Chevy Stevens
PUBLICATION DATE: March 14, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband, Andrew, was sent to jail and Lindsey started over with a new life.
Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with her own business and a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When Andrew is finally released from prison, Lindsey believes she has cut all ties and left the past behind her. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her, tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But has he really changed? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?
With Never Let You Go, Chevy Stevens delivers a chilling, twisting thriller that crackles with suspense as it explores the darkest heart of love and obsession.
REVIEW:
I have to be honest, I am not typically a fan of domestic violence novels. However, I will read Chevy Stevens darn grocery list so of course I jumped at the opportunity to read this book. I have to say; from the beginning, I was invested. I assumed it would follow the typical battered wife storyline and that the whole story would be fairly predictable. I was pleasantly surprised. The story switches perspective between Lindsey and her daughter Sophie. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this way. Like all of Chevy’s characters, these characters are uniquely written in a way that makes you truly care for each of them.
I read the book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I kept assuming the ending was going to be so obvious, but it wasn’t! Such a good read! If you’re looking for some good entertainment I highly recommend giving this book a go.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones
TITLE: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
SERIES #: Charley Davidson #11
CHARACTERS: Charley & Reyes
AUTHOR: Darynda Jones
NARRATOR: Lorelei King
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 18 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: January 24, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, missing people, errant wives, philandering business owners, and oh yeah…demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. In this eleventh installment, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, maybe Charley can find a way to have her happily ever after after all.
REVIEW:
Why Charley!!! Why on earth did you do that. Why did you let him…… Uggggg I can’t believe I have to wait until October to see how Charley gets herself out of this miss.
Eleventh Grave will take you on a wild ride and of course Charley is driving so you know things are going to get crazy. So much happens in this book that is leading us to the end of this beloved series. We do get some questions answered. But we get a lot more questions that need to be addressed. Ugg, I am not even sure how to tell you without spoiling the book for you.
But be prepared, you will laugh, you will cry, you will die a little inside and you will scream at Charley (a lot)!!!!! I really can’t wait to see what happens next. To see how this gets fixed. I want to know so bad but at the same time I am dreading the ending.
Ms. King does an amazing job as always. She brings Charley, Reyes, Cookie and all of them to life. I am so thankful that I started this series on audio!! I will be sad when it is done. I am going to have to start looking for a new series narrated by 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. I also purchased an audio copy of this book to review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kimberly reviews How To Tame A Beast In Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks
TITLE: How To Tame A Beast In Seven Days
SERIES #: The Embraced #1
CHARACTERS: Luciana & Leofric
AUTHOR: Kerrelyn Sparks
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/07/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Luciana grew up on the Isle of Moon, hidden away because of her magical powers. But when her father arrives, he offers her a choice: remain on the island or return with him and marry the Beast of Benwick in order to save their legacy—and her father’s life.
Lord Leofric, the Beast of Benwick, has not been touched since he was a child. Born with the power to harness lightning, he is a danger to everyone he touches. When he meets his betrothed, he expects a loveless, lonely marriage…until he discovers she’s vastly more powerful than he realized. But is she strong enough to withstand his touch?
If they can survive, their love will alter the future of the kingdom. But will their extraordinary powers cost them everything?
REVIEW:
4.75 Heart This is a book that has everything. You want a book with romance? Done! Want a book with a historical feel? Done! Want a book with a paranormal feel? Done! Want a book set in another realm? Done! DONE DONE DONE! Everything a reader could want is in this book.
Luciana has grown up an orphan. When her father comes back to get her her whole life changes. Leo has never known love or even been able to receive compassion. Now they have found each other in an unexpected way and there are fireworks.
Lately I have been forcing myself to read. I just seemed to have other things to do but when this book hit my hands I was a goner. I couldn’t put this book down. I just wanted to keep reading. I can’t even explain it but it pulled me in from moment one and I just hated to stop reading it. I can not wait for the next one. I even went to NetGalley hoping the new one may be up but unfortunately not yet.
There is only one reason it did not get the full 5 stars and it is because at the end it seemed a bit preachy about religion. But even that was great. Heck I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning knowing my alarm would sound at 6:30. I am assuming the books will follow age order for the girls but I really can’t wait for what I hope will be Maeve and Brody’s story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews Upon A Mystic Tide by Vicki Hinze
TITLE: Upon A Mystic Tide
SERIES #: Seascape Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Bess & John
AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/08/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With their painful divorce looming on the horizon, radio psychologist Bess Cameron and her soon-to-be-ex-husband, John Mystic, meet at Maine’s Seascape Inn to finalize the terms of a property settlement. Bess believes John is in love with someone else, and she’s determined to move on without him. Their marriage appears doomed until the Inn’s matchmaking ghost, Tony, and its irrepressible owner, Miss Hattie, take matters in hand. Sometimes you have to leap upon a mystic tide and have faith the sand will shift and an island will appear . . .
The second book of bestselling author Vicki Hinze’s Seascape Trilogy brings readers back to the gentle magic of a place where love is always stronger than the fragile boundaries of life.
REVIEW:
This is one of my favorite series of all time. There is just something special about this story, this series and the Seascape Inn.
This trilogy is about love. Love that transcends time. I could talk about this book for pages and pages but it really just comes down to if you enjoy a romance book with everything you could ever ask for than this book is it.
Get these books and just know you will want to read them over and over.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
#TBT Kelly’s review of Hell On Wheels by Julie Ann Walker ~ Catch Up From The Beginning
Hell on Wheels
Black Knight Inc #1
AUTHOR: Julie Ann Walker
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s the bad boy she’s always wanted…
Nate “Ghost” Weller has loved Ali Morgan nearly half his life. But he’s done something so heinous he’s convinced she’ll never forgive him if she discovers the truth, so he keeps his feelings and his secrets to himself. Then she blows into town with a mother lode of bad guys on her tail and Nate can’t deny she’s in serious trouble. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who can help her.
She’s the good girl he’s kept at arm’s length…
Ali knows Nate as the most solemn, aloof man on the planet. Sadly, he’s also the sexiest. For years she’s avoided him, unable to stomach his dark scowls and brooding silences… especially when she secretly yearns for his touch. Now she must rely on him to save her from the malevolent shadows ghosting her every move. When the bullets explode, so does their passion. But can love really conquer all? Or are some things just too terrible to forgive?
REVIEW:
OMG!! How do I start this review. How about the freakin heart ache, gut wrenching, soul crushing, heart soaring beginning, middle and ending. Julie put me through so many emotions in this book. At one point I was bawling so hard I had to put the book down step away compose myself before I could finish. But it was so worth the tears to get to the ending.
That being said. I LOVED this 1st book of the Black Knight Inc series. Julie has done an amazing job of bringing this world of secret government agents to life for me. Often times the first book in a series is a little slow, because the author is setting up the world. But Hell on Wheels start with an emotional bang and just keeps rolling.
Nate aka “Ghost” has been through hell and back, literally. Not only has he just lost his best friend in the whole world, he has to be the one that deliver the news to his family. And when Griggs’ little sister, who is not so little anymore and the star of every one of Nate’s fantasies, turns to him in her time of sorrow who is he to turn her away. He is the shoulder that Ali needs to cry on right now. Right or wrong he is going to be here for her. At least for today.
Ali, is still grieving over the lose of her brother when strange things start happening around her. She knows she is being watched. She keeps seeing shadows out of the corner of her eyes. But when someone tries to mug her infront of her house, Ali knows the truth. Someone it out to get her. So she does the one and only thing she know will keep her safe she runs to Nate.
But can events from the past stop them from being together? Or will they let fate take control?
There is so much that happens in this book between Nate and Ali. The past, the present and the future all lay with these two trusting and believing in each other. And for one of them trust is going to be the hardest thing even when the other believes wholeheartedly in them.
If you want to know what happens, you will just have to read the book and believe me it is so worth it. But WARNING you will need tissues!!!!!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy (from Netgalley) of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This review is my opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh
TITLE: Archangel’s Heart
SERIES #: Guild Hunter #9
CHARACTERS: Raphael & Elena
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Justine Eyre
RUN TIME: 13 Hours & 20 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 1, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into a dangerous and exhilarating world where a deadly, beautiful archangel and his once-mortal consort are caught in a fury of twisted darkness…
One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.
Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is
REVIEW:
I don’t want to tell you to much of what happens. But in Archangel’s Heart we get to see Raphael and Elena’s relationship grow even closer then it was before. We get to see the Cadre come together and actually work together. We get to learn more about Illium and Aodhan’s relationship. We are left with a few questions about Lijuan and what will happen next with the Cascade and the world.
Yet again, Ms. Singh blows me away with her ability to write a story that makes me cry, laugh, be shocked and fall in love with this world all over again. A story that makes me want to get to the end to see how this story will end while dreading finishing the book. Because that means I have to wait patiently for the next installment. This is one of my all time favorite series and I can not wait to see what is next for Raphael, Elena, that Cadre and the rest of the amazing cast Ms. Singh has created. Really hoping that BlueBell’s book is coming soon. And after Archangel’s Heart I really need an Aodhan book .
As always I let the amazing talented Justine Eyre read this book to me. I am in awe of her voice and talent! I love that I am able to know who is speaking with each passage without have to be told. I hope that they never switch narrators for this series. Ms. Eyre is just flat out amazing. I can not wait for our next meeting in book 10 so she can read more to me!!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group. I also received a complimentary audio copy from Tantor Audio Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
#TBT Kimberly’s review of Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione ~ Catch Up From The Beginning
TITLE: Eternal Rider
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.
Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can’t-or won’t-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman’s safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara’s life
REVIEW:
And the Queen of Paranormal Romance does it again! If you have never read an Larissa Ione book then I have no idea what you are waiting for. She is the best at what she does. Her books are intense, intriguing and sexy.
This is the first book of the Lord of Deliverance/Four Horsemen books but if does have some of the characters from her Demonica series. You can however read this book without reading the other series but I would never understand why someone did not want to read ALL of her books in order. The men of Ione’s books are perfect and viral while the women are strong and far from helpless. She does not make the women into hopelessly weak women needing a man to save them. Her female characters are tough and effective on their own. The books of Ione’s are for women and men to read. Yes there is a romance wrapped in her books but there is intense scenes of aggression and battles as well.
How Ione comes up with these characters is beyond me because they are so interesting and foreign to our way of thinking but you become attached to this demons, both good (yes there are some) and bad. Ione brings you into a world that you want to visit and yet fear at the same time. I have enjoyed every book of hers and this one is no exception. She gets better and better with each book and considering I fell in love with her work with book #1 that is saying a lot.
#TBT Natasha reviews Hour Of Need by Melinda Leigh ~ Catch Up From The Beginning
TITLE: Hour of Need
SERIES #: Scarlet Falls #1
CHARACTERS: Grant Barrett & Ellie Ross
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: December 9, 2014
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.
Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to deployment.
But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.
REVIEW: This book was so good!! This is the third book I’ve ready by Melinda Leigh and I am now dedicated to reading all of her books! She is a fabulous author and her stories are so intriguing. This book had it all: drama, heart break, murder, betrayal, ice skating! Grant and Ellie are the perfect partners for one another in this story. Both of their lives are messy and they are surrounded with a fabulously hilarious and awesome cast of characters. I fell in love with this whole family and cannot wait for more books in this series! I want stories for everyone!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Montlake in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Guest Reviewer Shannon K reviews Gray Mountain by John Grisham
TITLE: Gray Mountain
CHARACTERS: Dominick, Samantha & Mattie
AUTHOR: John Grisham
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/21/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
John Grisham has a new hero . . . and she’s full of surprises
The year is 2008 and Samantha Kofer’s career at a huge Wall Street law firm is on the fast track—until the recession hits and she gets downsized, furloughed, escorted out of the building. Samantha, though, is one of the “lucky” associates. She’s offered an opportunity to work at a legal aid clinic for one year without pay, after which there would be a slim chance that she’d get her old job back.
In a matter of days Samantha moves from Manhattan to Brady, Virginia, population 2,200, in the heart of Appalachia, a part of the world she has only read about. Mattie Wyatt, lifelong Brady resident and head of the town’s legal aid clinic, is there to teach her how to “help real people with real problems.” For the first time in her career, Samantha prepares a lawsuit, sees the inside of an actual courtroom, gets scolded by a judge, and receives threats from locals who aren’t so thrilled to have a big-city lawyer in town. And she learns that Brady, like most small towns, harbors some big secrets.
Her new job takes Samantha into the murky and dangerous world of coal mining, where laws are often broken, rules are ignored, regulations are flouted, communities are divided, and the land itself is under attack from Big Coal. Violence is always just around the corner, and within weeks Samantha finds herself engulfed in litigation that turns deadly.
REVIEW:
This is a new novel by a terrific lawyer turned author. In the coal mines of Appalachia, bad things are happening. Frightened coal workers are trying to take on the big coal companies. They are represented by a hot shot lawyer named Dominick Gray. This is a tale of intrigue and loss. The complicated lives of the workers battling for benefits due them because of black lung depict a poor, but strong community of the tough folks who must fight against the strongest segment of society. The legal aid business is booming with plaintiffs. The group of legal aid lawyers, with help from Dominick, are busy trying to help these helpless people. Dirty tricks, and now murder, are problems that they face in battling mammoth companies. If you like legal thrillers, and particularly Grisham, this book is for you. It is an edge-of-your-seat, heart wrenching read. I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.
Kelly reviews Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh
TITLE: Wild Embrace
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #2.5, 5.1, 11.5, 12.1
CHARACTERS: Varied
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: August 23, 2016
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon |B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…
Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…
Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…
Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…
Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries.
REVIEW:
As always Nalini writes stories that I don’t ever want to end. Then you had in the talented voice goddess Angela Dawe and I am Psy-Changeling heaven. It is no wonder that this is one of my most favorite series ever.
I loved these stories.
In Echo of Silence we get to follow Tazia and Stephan’s journey of falling in love during a trying time of the Psy race. Silence hasn’t fallen yet, but Tazia and Stephan can’t stop fate.
Dorian oh my goodness!!! Dorina’s story made me tear up more than once. Dorina has always been one of my favorite changeling characters so getting his back story made me and extremely happy girl.
Partners in Persuasion was such a cute story. I really enjoyed listening to Dezi and Feliz’s story. It was great to watch this couple struggle with wanting to be together and not knowing how to make it happen.
Flirtation of Fate I enjoyed Kenji and Garnet’s story. We have seen these two throughout the whole series so it was great to finally get to know them better. I enjoyed watching them work together to solve a murder.
Love this series. I can’t wait to see what Nalini has in store for us next!! And of course I will continue to listen to this series as long as Ms. Dawe is the narrator!
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.