Kimberly’s Review – Page 40

January 31, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Vengeance Road by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Vengeance Road
SERIES #: Torpedo Ink #2
CHARACTERS: Breezy & Steele
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Go zero to sixty in this dangerously sexy novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Breezy Simmons was born into a ruthless motorcycle club—and now that she’s out, she’s never going to be that girl again. But when her past catches up with her, Breezy must go to Sea Haven to seek out the man who almost destroyed her. The man who chose his club over her and left her feeling used and alone.

As vice president of Torpedo Ink, Steele is ride or die for the brothers he lived through hell with. He never thought he’d find something as pure as his feelings for Breezy, or that keeping her safe would mean driving her away with cruel words that turned her love for him to ash.

Now, Steele won’t let her walk away twice. He’ll do whatever it takes to make Breezy his woman again—especially when he learns the real reason she came to him for help, and that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined…

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts There is just something about the the men in this book. They have been through a lot and seem to come out with strength. What I like it they seem like diamonds in the rough. You know with a little bit of shine they will gleam.

And the women are strong too. They aren’t the damsel in distress kind of girls. They can stand up for themselves and to anyone.

Feehan has been one of my favorites since I started reading her Ghostwalkers series and have gone back to read some of her others. She is really one that easily pulls you in.

Since this is only the 2nd in the series I suggest picking up the first one and then following it with this one so you can start the series from the beginning because you will not be disappointed in Feehan and her sexy men and strong women.

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

January 30, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Suddenly Mine by Samantha Chase

TITLE: Suddenly Mine
SERIES #: The Montgomery Brothers #8
CHARACTERS: Christian & Sophie
AUTHOR: Samantha Chase
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New beginnings are irresistible…

Christian Montgomery is burnt out. The family business is his entire world, and Christian has never stopped trying to atone for a mistake made years ago. His only break from grueling work is sitting on his beachfront deck, watching the California surfers, and wishing he could be that carefree.

Sophie Bennington was happy living in her small Kansas hometown…until she learned her entire life was a lie. So she hightailed it to the West coast, where she loves to surf, even though she’s no good at it, and she’s hoping to start a new career.

A chance encounter shows Christian and Sophie that no matter what happened in the past, the future is bright and new…but only if you have the courage to open your heart…

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts I will be honest and say I never really connected with the characters in this book. I am not really sure why but I just didn’t.

The story was fine and the writing was fine but for some reason I didn’t enjoy the story.Maybe I wasn’t in the mind set or something.

That being said I will not say you shouldn’t read it. I might have just been off.

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

January 29, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Lavender Blue by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Lavender Blue
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #3
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Wilson
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains lies a small town with a big heart–and a chance to begin again . . .

When Hannah Montgomery buys a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls with three friends, she’s creating a life she never imagined–one she hopes will honor the memory of the sweet young son she tragically lost years ago. Standing on the porch of the sprawling farmhouse, looking out on row upon row of those lush purple plumes, Hannah is ready to embrace this fresh, new start . . .

Then she meets Wilson McCall. The stonemason hired to fix their crumbling chimneys and leaky roof is quieter than most folks in the Falls. Hannah’s not surprised to learn the widower struggles with his own grief. Who could blame her if she finds joy in making Will laugh again, or if she feels a poignant kinship when she sees him with his teenaged son? But her deepening friendship with Will reminds Hannah that there’s a part of her that still needs to heal–awakening a tender yearning to have a life that isn’t just good enough, but lived fully–even if that means taking risks once more . . .

REVIEW:
How could I not enjoy this story when it is set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns, where I live, and also has my newly married last name. It was written for me.

Ok maybe not but it was written beautifully. Kauffman is one of the best for contemporary romance. She brings in real life places and true to life people.

Hannah is a great female lead. I can imagine becoming friends with her in real life. And Wilson is just a quiet sweet teddy bear. I found myself just wanting to see them hug because they both seemed to need it.

This is a great story that pulls you in from chapter one into a sweet romance. Great curl up, read and enjoy kind of book.

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

January 28, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Demon’s Mercy by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Demon’s Mercy
SERIES #: Dark Protectors #9
CHARACTERS: Mercy & Logan
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Duty meets desire . . .

Mercy O’Malley hates killing people. So when she’s assigned to take out Vampire-Demon Logan Kyllwood, she lures him to a seedy bar in Scotland, then decides to kidnap him instead. How can she cold-bloodedly end all that heat, those green eyes, that ripped body?

Unfortunately for Mercy, attempted murder and kidnapping are just foreplay for the Kyllwood brothers. Logan may be the youngest of the bunch, but death and violence are already a way of life. Now he’s ready to complete a painful, terrifying ritual to become one of the Seven, dedicated to protecting this world from the most dangerous evil it’s ever known. But first he has to deal with a blackmailing Fey, a ransom demand and his own pounding need for the last female he ever should have fallen for . . .

REVIEW:
Zanetti! Whoo Hoo! Zanetti is back! (I do this every time)

Zanetti is the queen of paranormal in my book. I always look forward to grabbing up her books and this did not disappoint.

What I love best about Zanetti’s men is they are true alpha. They do not take anything from anyone… well, accept their women. Her alpha men can turn a man into a mouse with just a look. Imagine when they use their hands… or more so their power… but then the women come into the story and BAM these men think they have control but they lose it with a single kiss.

This story is the 9th in the series and yeah we can say you can read it out of order but NO… I suggest you read the series. Catch up on it. You will not be disappointed. Heck you may even come back and thank me.

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

January 25, 2019January 21, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Cottages On Silver Beach by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: The Cottages On Silver Beach
SERIES #: Haven Point #8
CHARACTERS: Megan & Elliot
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/19/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Years after betraying her, he’s back in Haven Point…and ready to learn the truth.

Megan Hamilton never really liked Elliot Bailey. He turned his back on her family when they needed him the most and it almost tore them all apart. So she’s shocked when Elliot arrives at her family’s inn, needing a place to stay and asking questions that dredge up the past. Megan will rent him a cottage, but that’s where it ends-no matter how gorgeous Elliot has become.

Coming back home to Haven Point was the last thing bestselling writer Elliot Bailey thought he’d ever do. But the book he’s writing now is his most personal one yet and it’s drawn him back to the woman he can’t get out of his mind. Seeing Megan again is harder than he expected and it brings up feelings he’d thought were long buried. Could this be his chance to win over his first love?

REVIEW:
Thayne is quickly becoming high on my must-read authors. Her writings are easy to read and enjoyable. The romance is sweet and a perfect second chance at love story.

Elliot has seemed to always love Megan but it was never the right time. Well now they are grown and he gets a second chance to winning Megan over.

This is the 8th in the series and you don’t need to have read any of the others to read this one but once you do you will want to back track into reading the entire series.

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

January 23, 2019January 21, 2019

Kimberly reviews Cross Breed by Lora Leigh

TITLE: Cross Breed
SERIES #: Breeds #23
CHARACTERS: Cassandra & Dog
AUTHOR: Lora Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Breeds are humans altered before conception with the DNA of the predators of Earth. But although they all carry the genetic material of beasts within them, Cassandra Sinclair stands apart. A unique mix of wolf, coyote and human, she is revered by many—but preyed upon by others. She is fiercely protected by her community…but no one manages to stop her when she slips away one day to offer her body in exchange for her sister’s safety.

The man she succumbs to surprises her by unleashing her inner animal in ways she never dreamed possible—and provokes her deep, furious rage. To Cassie’s shock, he is the mate she has long awaited. She may never be able to forgive his deception. Still, as dangerous enemies track her, and as the threat of all-out war between Breeds and the humans who despise them hovers in the air, they must join forces and hold fast to each other.

But the passionate union between them holds a potential that could change the world—and some will do anything to stop it…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Ok So here I go again… I picked up a book based on the name that I have heard from friends and family and wanted to give a try… However, this is part of a series…. And long series. This is in fact #23 in the series.

The writing is good and honestly it can be a stand alone, for the most part. There are some background characters that I can tell were from earlier books but it wasn’t distracting.

I can tell from other reviews that “Cassie’s story” was awaited with baited breath but I can’t say that. But I can say that the story was interesting and kept me captivated. I loved the romance of it and the suspense of it.

I don’t know if I will go back 22 books to catch up but I imagine I will continue the series from here.

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

January 21, 2019January 20, 2019

Kimberly reviews Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Hidden
SERIES #: Deep Ops #1
CHARACTERS: Pippa & Malcolm
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hide. That’s all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she’s off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .

Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he’s been set up . . .

Fight. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa’s fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock . . .

REVIEW:
It is simple… Zanetti is one of the best. If you haven’t read anything by Zanetti before here is your chance to start with a new series.

Imagine if you just needed to get away and hide and you thought you were safe. Well in this case both Malcolm and Pippa both feel this way and yet they have been set up to be together. Now what?

Well that is what this story finds out. And with Zanetti telling the tale you will not be disappointed in the answer… I really enjoyed this story. I do not know where Zanetti comes up with her ideas but I am sure glad she does.

Can’t wait to read more of this series.

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

January 18, 2019January 15, 2019

Kimberly reviews Meet Me In San Francisco by Shana Gray

TITLE: Meet Me In San Francisco
SERIES #: Girls Weekend Away #2
CHARACTERS: Celia & Landon
AUTHOR: Shana Gray
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the second warm, funny and romantic novel in the Girls’ Weekend Away series, four best friends embark on the ultimate girls’ getaway filled with hijinks and a sprinkling of romance. For any fan of Bridesmaids and Sex and the City and readers of Jo Watson, Lauren Layne, Joanna Bolouri and Cate Woods.

The single mom…
When Celia Fox’s ex-husband serves her with custody papers during the same weekend he’s getting remarried, she expects things to go downhill from there. So when her best friends show up to whisk her away for a girls’ getaway to San Francisco, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Add in the chance to see Landon Bryant again, and she can’t wait for the weekend to begin.
And the playboy millionaire…
Landon and Celia shared stolen moments of passion in Vegas, and Landon hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since. He knows she’s under pressure to hold her family together, but he’s determined to prove he’s there for her – and that she deserves some fun of her own.
Are about to get wild.
As Celia rediscovers who she used to be and her relationship with Landon deepens, she begins to believe he’s someone she can rely on. But Celia has been keeping a secret from everyone – if the truth comes out, will they play it safe or take a leap of faith?
Look for the other Girls’ Weekend Away novels, including What Happens In Vegas!

REVIEW:
I am on the fence about this story. Some of it was cute and funny but the story was also slow and a bit draggy.

Being from SF I thought it would be fun to read. And like I said part of it was. There was a whole thing about a secret which actually seemed a bit overly dramatic.

This is the second in the series but I am not sure if I will pick up the next one.

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

January 16, 2019January 15, 2019

Kimberly reviews The House By The Cemetery by John Everson

TITLE: The House By The Cemetery
CHARACTERS: Mike Kostner
AUTHOR: John Everson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rumor has it that the abandoned house by the cemetery is haunted by the ghost of a witch. But rumors won’t stop carpenter Mike Kostner from rehabbing the place as a haunted house attraction. Soon he’ll learn that fresh wood and nails can’t keep decades of rumors down. There are noises in the walls, and fresh blood on the floor: secrets that would be better not to discover. And behind the rumors is a real ghost who will do whatever it takes to ensure the house reopens. She needs people to fill her house on Halloween. There’s a dark, horrible ritual to fulfill. Because while the witch may have been dead… she doesn’t intend to stay that way.

REVIEW:
It is hard to find a good old fashioned ghost/haunted house story. That being said this one isn’t too bad. But it isn’t all that I had hoped.

The main character is hired to fix up a “haunted” house and yet when weird things start happening he doesn’t seem the least bit ill at ease. I mean I realize that the main character can’t exactly run out screaming at the first sight and never go back since the book would be done then but still he should at least a bit startled.

The end has a bit more gore than I wanted as well. But then that is just my like/dislike.

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

January 14, 2019January 13, 2019

Kimberly reviews Cut And Run by Mary Burton

TITLE: Cut And Run
CHARACTERS: Faith & Mitchell
AUTHOR: Mary Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/09/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twin sisters separated by the past are reunited by unspeakable crimes in New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton’s throat-clutching novel of suspense…

Trauma victims are not new to medical examiner Faith McIntyre, but this one is different. The unconscious woman clinging to life after a hit and run is FBI agent Macy Crow. What the woman from Quantico was doing in a dark alley after midnight is just one mystery. The other is more unsettling: Macy is Faith’s mirror image—the twin sister she never knew she had.

Faith knew that she was adopted, but now she’s finding that her childhood concealed other secrets. Following the trail of clues Macy left behind, Faith and Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden make a shocking discovery on an isolated country ranch—a burial ground for three women who disappeared thirty years before.

They weren’t the only victims in a killer’s twisted plot. And they won’t be the last.

As the missing pieces of Faith’s and Macy’s dark lives snap into place, Faith is becoming more terrified by what she sees—and by what she must do to save her sister and herself from the past.

REVIEW:
Mary Burton has done it again. I have really enjoyed Burton’s books and this was no exception.

This story is a romantic suspense and a stand alone. I enjoyed that there was a bit of romance in this one. But the suspense is what keeps the book going. The characters are interesting and the background characters are really a major part of the story.

Faith and Macy have so much going on and keep the pages turning. I love any book by Burton and this is another one high on my list.

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

January 11, 2019January 9, 2019

Kimberly reviews Holy Ghost by John Sandford

TITLE: Holy Ghost
SERIES #: Virgil Flowers #11
CHARACTERS: Virgil Flowers
AUTHOR: John Sandford
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/09/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Pinion, Minnesota: a metropolis of all of seven hundred souls for which the word “moribund” might have been invented. Nothing ever happened there and nothing ever would—until the mayor of sorts (campaign slogan: “I’ll Do What I Can”) and a buddy come up with a scheme to put Pinion on the map. They’d heard of a place where a floating image of the Virgin Mary had turned the whole town into a shrine, attracting thousands of pilgrims. And all those pilgrims needed food, shelter, all kinds of crazy things, right? They’d all get rich! What could go wrong?

When the dead body shows up, they find out, and that’s only the beginning of their troubles—and Virgil Flowers’—as they are all about to discover all too soon.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the 11th in the Virgil Flowers series and somehow it really isn’t getting old. Flowers is such an interesting character. In this story there is a bit of a church feel to it that I found very interesting. We have all heard about sightings of Jesus/Virgin Mary and this town is actually devote to the belief.

This is a really interesting suspenseful story. Worth the read.

It can be read as a stand alone.

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

January 10, 2019January 9, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Little Shop Of Found Things by Paula Brackston

TITLE: The Little Shop Of Found Things
SERIES #: The Little Shop Of Found Things #1
CHARACTERS: Xanthe & Samuel
AUTHOR: Paula Brackston
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander

New York Times bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.

Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.

It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she’s confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.

While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.

With its rich historical detail, strong mother-daughter relationship, and picturesque English village, The Little Shop of Found Things is poised to be a strong start to this new series.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This cover is breathtaking isn’t it? I just love it. So how could I not request this book and I am glad I did. I love magic and wish so much that I could have some but when asked that question “if you had a super power what would it be?” I always say I do not know. But after reading this I wonder if I wouldn’t want the ability to know the history of anything I touched. This may be my answer from now on.

Back to the book…. I found the story as mesmerizing as the cover. This story has a bit of history thrown into the magical world. I loved the relationship between mother and daughter.

I look forward to reading the next in the series.

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