Kimberly’s Review – Page 56

March 17, 2017March 12, 2017

Kimberly reviews There’s Something About Cornwall by Daisy James

TITLE: There’s Something About Cornwall
CHARACTERS: Emilie & Matt
AUTHOR: Daisy James
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/08/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A knight in a shining camper van!

Life is far from picture perfect for food photographer, Emilie Roberts. Not only has her slimy ex cheated on her, he’s also stolen her dream assignment to beautiful Venice! Instead, Emilie is heading to the wind-swept Cornish coast…

Emilie doesn’t think it can get any worse – until disaster strikes on the very first day! And there’s only one man to rescue this damsel in distress: extremely hunky surfing instructor, Matt Ashby.

Racing from shoot to shoot in a bright orange vintage camper van, Matt isn’t the conventional knight in shining armour – but can he make all of Emilie’s fairy tale dreams come true?

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts I had the hardest time with this book. First the author has an odd way of writing. There are typical lines that I assume sounded odd because of it being Brit-Lit but there is more. There are a lot of $5 words that could have been written in normal every day verbiage.

Then there is Emilie who I just never found that I liked. Her confidence is really low because of the breakup with her boyfriend but when Matt comes into her life there just seems to be too much about her ex for me. Then there is the background characters which, again, I just didn’t enjoy.

As I said I had the hardest time with this story. There could have been a number of reason but it really just comes down to “it wasn’t my kind of book”.

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

March 15, 2017March 12, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Beachside Sweet Shop by Karen Clarke

TITLE: The Beachside Sweet Shop
CHARACTERS: Marnie, Josh, Beth & Celia
AUTHOR: Karen Clarke
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/02/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry bonbons… treat yourself to some sugary treats, a big slice of friendship and a sprinkling of romance at The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When Marnie Appleton inherited a sweet shop from her grandfather she was determined to do his legacy proud. The shop has been a much-loved feature of the little seaside town of Shipley for years, but now Marnie needs to bring it up to date, and she’s recruited gorgeous new assistant Josh to help.

Marnie gets busy redecorating the shop and choosing delicious new sweets to stock, but things are never that simple: new neighbour Isobel, a fame-hungry blogger, is on a crusade against sugar, and she’ll go to any lengths to secure bad publicity for Marnie’s shop.

Marnie fights back with homemade sugar-free treats, but with her best friend Beth heavily pregnant, her grandmother Celia recovering from an operation, and her very recently ex-boyfriend Alex returning to Shipley with a new love, Marnie has a lot on her plate.

And then there’s Josh, with whom Marnie is struggling to keep her relationship strictly professional…Will both the sweet shop and love flourish?

REVIEW:
2.75 Heart I had the hardest time with this book. First it just didn’t have the lightheartedness that I expected from the description. There is way too much about Marnie wanting to keep the place for her grandfather. Beth and her hubby are not really very interesting to me either. Marnie spends way too much time thinking of Alex and Josh seems too young for Marnie in attitude not years.

This was just not my cup of tea.

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

March 10, 2017March 5, 2017

Kimberly reviews Flash Of Fury by Lea Griffith

TITLE: Flash of Fury
SERIES #: Endgame Ops #1
CHARACTERS: King & Allie
AUTHOR: Lea Griffith
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/07/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Their spark is immediate

Kingston McNally lost men when someone betrayed his team, and now he’s out for retribution. His quest for the enemy’s courier leads him to Cameroon and Allie Redding, a petite Peace Corps volunteer as stubborn as she is brave. Their attraction is immediate, but Allie has secrets of her own…and she’s not giving them up easily.

But their secrets could burn them both

Allie’s life has been spent hiding in plain sight, but she’s had enough of her cloak-and-dagger existence. On her way home, her plane is hijacked-and King saves her life. But that doesn’t mean she owes him anything…even if he is the most damnably sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on. He’s got black ops and secrets written all over him, and trust is a two-way street.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I really enjoyed this book. King is damn hot if you ask me. His character is strong, a natural leader, dominate and yet can turn that around for the woman who grabs his heart… which is exactly what Allie does.

There are a LOT of twist and turns to this story. There is also a lot of fighting, running and sexual tension.
And a bit of repetitive storyline.

The story does have a bit of a feel that we have missed something. I actually wondered if I had missed the first in the series but checked and this is the first one. But even though it has that feel it does answer all the questions that the reader does have.

I really really really enjoyed this book. The only reason the number wasn’t higher is the repetitiveness. There is a lot of action and sometimes I just kind of felt like “won’t these two ever get a break?”. And some thoughts and storyline is repeated a bit too many times. But again reading this book is worth it every repeated letter.

I can’t wait until the next one. And the funny part is I don’t even care who’s story it is because all of the guys at Endgame Ops are just the kind of guys I love reading about!!!

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

March 8, 2017March 5, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Girl In The Painting by Kirsty Ferry

TITLE: The Girl In The Painting
SERIES #: Rossetti Mysteries #2
CHARACTERS: Cori & Simon
AUTHOR: Kirsty Ferry
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/07/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
What if you thought you knew a secret that could change history?
Whilst standing engrossed in her favourite Pre-Raphaelite painting – Millais’s Ophelia – Cori catches the eye of Tate gallery worker, Simon, who is immediately struck by her resemblance to the red-haired beauty in the famous artwork.

The attraction is mutual, but Cori has other things on her mind. She has recently acquired the diary of Daisy, a Victorian woman with a shocking secret. As Cori reads, it soon becomes apparent that Daisy will stop at nothing to be heard, even outside of the pages of her diary …

Will Simon stick around when life becomes increasingly spooky for Cori, as she moves ever closer to uncovering the truth about Daisy’s connection to the girl in her favourite painting?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is the second in the series and I am most certainly going back to pick up book 1( Some Veil Did Fall). I won’t say this book is perfect. It isn’t. It can be a little jumpy and some things move fast and others slow but something about this book pulled me in within a couple of pages and I just kept wanting to read it. But honestly I can’t pin down what it is.

Cori is obsessed with a painting and meets Simon at the museum. Then she is given the diary of the person who may be the girl in the painting (hence the title). The issue comes when Daisy (the author of the diary) comes to Cori in spiritual form and Cori freaks out, rightfully so. Simon is by her side throughout the situation but so is Lissy, Becky and Jon from book 1.

I have to say that I believe it was the writing that pulled me in. The story is interesting and the characters are good, the romance is ok and the setting is common but something about this story was just so wonderful.

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

March 7, 2017March 5, 2017

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.

March 2, 2017February 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews What We Find by Robyn Carr

TITLE: What We Find
SERIES #: Sullivan’s Crossing #1
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Cal
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/05/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Join Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand-new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman’s journey to finding the happiness she’s long been missing

Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high-stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency, high-risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a malpractice lawsuit—and experiencing levels of anxiety she’s never faced before. It’s in this desperate moment that Maggie’s boyfriend decides he can’t handle her emotional baggage, and she’s left alone, exhausted and unsure of what her future holds. One thing is certain, though: she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan’s Crossing.

Named for Maggie’s great-grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie’s estranged father, Sully. Though raised by her mother and stepfather after her parents divorced, Maggie has always adored Sully—despite his hands-off approach to fatherhood. When she shows up unannounced in Sullivan’s Crossing, he welcomes her with opens arms, and she relishes the opportunity to rebuild their relationship.

But when Sully has a sudden heart attack, Maggie’s world is rocked once again. Consumed with his care, she’s relieved to find that Cal Jones, a quiet and serious-looking camper, has been taking over many of Sully’s responsibilities as he recuperates. Still, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man’s eagerness to help—until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.

Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing—and perhaps love—with each other.

REVIEW:
Robyn Carr is one of my favorites and this book lets you know why. I really enjoyed this story. The characters are delightful and real. The story had lots of emotion including but not limited to love, laughter, sweetness, understanding and so much more. It makes you believe in love and want to fall all over again.

The story isn’t perfect. Well I guess I should say the writing isn’t because the middle of the book was pretty wordy for no reason. It didn’t add anything but did slow the book down a bit. Cal could have had a bit more personality but all that being said I really enjoyed the story.

Can’t wait to read the next in the series.

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

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March 1, 2017February 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti, Dianne Duvall, Hannah Jayne

TITLE: On The Hunt
SERIES #: Sentinels #2.5
CHARACTERS: Varied
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti, Dianne Duvall, Hannah Jayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/25/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Four of today’s most intriguing paranormal authors entice readers deep into the shadows, where vampires, immortals, and other supernatural creatures heat up the night…

ON THE HUNT by Alexandra Ivy
Mika Tanner has loved Bailey Morrell, a beautiful Healer, since childhood. But his duty as a Sentinel, a supernatural guardian of an ancient race, clashed with her rebellious spirit. Now a dangerous new anarchist group not only threatens life as they know it—but any chance of their being together again…

SCORPIUS RISING by Rebecca Zanetti
With a deadly disease spreading like wildfire across the country, microbiologist Nora Medina needs to focus all her energy on stopping the pandemic. Playing with dynamite—in the form of her way-too-hot ex—is the last thing she should be doing. But forced to work with Deacan McDougall against unexpected enemies with the seconds ticking by, she knows the explosion is coming…

PHANTOM EMBRACE by Dianne Duvall
Immortal Yuri Sokolov was born with the ability to see spirits, yet he’s never seen one as lovely as Cat Seddon, the woman who haunts his home and his dreams. But amid their star-crossed love, a new danger may have Yuri facing a different kind of eternity.

STAKE OUT by Hannah Jayne
Vampire fashion designer Nina LaShay has a lot on her plate—just two days until fashion week and the model who was flirting with her photographer boyfriend is now a corpse in her studio. But when dead turns into undead and dangerous, Nina must find out who’s responsible…before the beautiful baby vamp takes too many bites out of the Big Apple.

REVIEW:
This book included two of my favorite paranormal authors (Ivy and Zanetti) but to be honest I have never read the other two. I feel like I didn’t enjoy the other two stories because I hadn’t read the beginning of the series. Yes they can be read alone but it seems to have left me a little lost.

Now regarding Ivy and Zanetti. How can you not enjoy their works? They are the queens of paranormal and nothing they write can be bad. This is half stories from the series so I suggest reading the series before reading these but at the same time if you want to start up the series this might be a good start.

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

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February 27, 2017February 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews A Million Little Things by Susan Mallery

TITLE: A Million Little Things
SERIES #: Mischief Bay #3
CHARACTERS: Zoe, Jen & Pam
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep comes a twisty tale of family dynamics that explores what can go terribly, hysterically wrong when the line between friendship and family blurs

Zoe Saldivar is more than just single-she’s ALONE. She recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend, she works from home and her best friend Jen is so obsessed with her baby that she has practically abandoned their friendship. The day Zoe accidentally traps herself in her attic with her hungry-looking cat, she realizes that it’s up to her to stop living in isolation.

Her seemingly empty life takes a sudden turn for the complicated-her first new friend is Jen’s widowed mom, Pam. The only guy to give her butterflies in a very long time is Jen’s brother. And meanwhile, Pam is being very deliberately seduced by Zoe’s own smooth-as-tequila father. Pam’s flustered, Jen’s annoyed and Zoe is beginning to think “alone” doesn’t sound so bad, after all.

Friendship isn’t just one thing-it’s a million little things, and no one writes them with more heart and humor than book club sensation Susan Mallery!

REVIEW:
This is the third in the series. I am not sure if there will be more. Mallery usually has an added trilogy beyond her Fool’s Gold series so I wonder if this will be the last one. These stories are more real than the Fool’s Gold books. These aren’t really about romance even though romance is involved. The trilogy stories are about life. This is the story of Pam, Zoe and Jen. Each dealing with their own life and loss.

I enjoy these extra series books. However, I am more of a fan of Fool’s Gold series. These books make you think and have some inner reflection. You can never go wrong with Susan Mallery. Nothing she writes will ever be a disappointment… how could it be when she is the queen of romance?

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

February 23, 2017February 19, 2017

Kimberly reviews Grandma Must Die by Maureen L. Bonatch

TITLE: Grandma Must Die
CHARACTERS: Carman & Dylan
AUTHOR: Maureen L. Bonatch
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/07/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a friend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.

Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

REVIEW:
Ok this book made me actually laugh out loud a number of times. The humor alone is worth reading this book for but the story is worth it too.

There are a lot of twists in this story. The magic is in more than the storyline but in the writing as well. Carmen is adorable.

This is a quick read. It is very lighthearted so just sit back and laugh and enjoy.

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

February 21, 2017February 19, 2017

Kimberly reviews Taming Her Forbidden Earl by Catherine Hemmerling

TITLE: Taming Her Forbidden Earl
SERIES #: Lady Lancaster Garden Society #1
CHARACTERS: Hannah & William
AUTHOR: Catherine Hemmerling
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone knows William Bredon, the earl of Pembroke, has a reputation as a captivating rogue, determined to never marry until his duty to produce an heir requires it. So when he invites Lady Hannah Rochester to dance, Hannah vows to keep her distance. But the undeniably gorgeous William, with his dark humor and seductive gaze, draws her in nonetheless.

Of course, Lady Hannah is not completely what she seems, either. A member of the dowager Lady Lancaster’s Garden Society, she secretly spends her days solving mysteries and uncovering intrigues, and when she brings William into the fold, a sinister plot develops that brings the two closer together. William’s protective nature ensures he remains by Hannah’s side, but he will not surrender his anti-marriage stance.

Can intrigue, passion, and maybe even a little bit of scandal reform the most notorious of rakes?

REVIEW:
I have mostly given up on historical romance. I am not sure why I even requested this one from NetGalley but I did so I read it. It is cute. The ladies of the garden society are young and fun. Each of the characters, upfront or background, are delightful. Each one sticks out on their own.

Hannah is a good character who is outspoken and just a strong woman. William is typical historical Earl. He is protective and a gentleman set in the world of the Ton.

Any fan of historical romance will enjoy this.

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

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February 16, 2017February 12, 2017

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.

February 15, 2017February 12, 2017

Kimberly reviews Heartbreak Hotel by Jonathan Kellerman

TITLE: Heartbreak Hotel
SERIES #: Alex Delaware #32
CHARACTERS: Alex Delaware
AUTHOR: Jonathan Kellerman
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/14/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis investigate the death of Alex’s most mysterious patient to date in the sensational new thriller from the master of suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman.

At nearly one hundred years old, Thalia Mars is a far cry from the patients that child psychologist Alex Delaware normally treats. But the charming, witty woman convinces Alex to meet with her in a suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel with a checkered history.

What Thalia wants from Alex are answers to unsettling questions—about guilt, patterns of criminal behavior, victim selection. When Alex asks the reason for her morbid fascination, Thalia promises to tell all during their next session. But when he shows up the following morning, he is met with silence: Thalia is dead in her room.

When questions arise about how Thalia perished, Alex and homicide detective Milo Sturgis must peel back the layers of a fascinating but elusive woman’s life and embark on one of the most baffling investigations either of them has ever experienced. For Thalia Mars is a victim like no other, an enigma who harbored nearly a century of secrets and whose life and death draw those around her into a vortex of violence.

REVIEW:
I wish I could say that I have read all 32 books in this series but I haven’t. It has been very hit and miss for me. But I have come to realize that it is also hit and miss for me if I enjoy the story. But this one I enjoyed.

The feel of the book is pure film noir. So much is going on with a ton of characters that I found a bit hard to keep track of. There is a lot going on in this story but it does keep your interest. The downside is some things are a bit graphic. There is a rape scene that is really really hard to read.

If you are a fan of film noir or dark thrillers or suspense in general I think you will enjoy this story.

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