Kimberly’s Review – Page 69

December 11, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Spellbound by Michelle M Pillow

TITLE: Spellbound
SERIES #: Warlocks MacGregor
CHARACTERS: Jane & Iain
AUTHOR: Michelle M Pillow
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/07/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Let Sleeping Warlocks Lie…

Iain MacGregor knows how his warlock family feels about outsiders discovering the truth of their powers, its forbidden. That doesn’t seem to stop him from having accidental magickal discharges whenever he’s around the woman who has captured his attention. Apparently his magick and other “parts” don’t seem to care what the rules are, or that the object of his affection just might be his undoing.

Warning: Contains yummy, hot, mischievous MacGregor boys who may or may not be wearing clothing and who are almost certainly up to no good on their quest to find true love.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I really enjoyed this story. I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. The MacGregor clan is funny and enjoyable and just people you want to know. Iain and Jane have an instant connection but they have no idea why. For that matter neither do we until we read a flashback from book one…. so you should read the first before you read this one. You don’t have to but I would suggest you do.

Jane has some special talents. She sees ghost and she believes she is close to dieing so to her it is just an omen of what is to come. But there is more to every story. Iain has an attraction to her the moment they lock eyes but has no idea how they can be so close when they just met but the family has some concerns about who, or what, Jane is.

I truly enjoyed this story. There were not as many laugh out loud moments like I had with the first story but it was still enjoyable. The background characters are worth the read alone. The boys are funny and pranksters who believe family is for fun as well as love.

You can not go wrong with this book or series for that matter. The humor is wonderfully written. The romance is wonderfully written. The characters are wonderfully written. In general this book (and series) is just wonderful.

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

December 10, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Redemption Bay
SERIES #: Haven Point #2
CHARACTERS: McKenzie & Ben
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it’s never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family’s factory, leaving the town’s economy in shambles. Now he’s back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point’s sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it’s least expected.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So I didn’t seem to get a bunch about this book. Ben is there to see if Haven Point is where Aidan, who we met in book #1, should open up a new portion of his business but Ben has bad memories of his home town. McKenzie is the new mayor and loves her town even though she was brought there as a child under difficult circumstances.

Ok so first Aidan has a new life with Eliza that sorta centers around Haven Point so why is he sending in Ben to check out the town (possible spoiler for this sentence: I half expected Aidan to say I knew we would build here but I wanted you to start over, etc so we would know why Aidan made this happen but that didn’t happen). The town doesn’t like Ben for reasons that the reader understands but I am not sure why Ben doesn’t like the town. I mean I understand the basic but it just seems odd.

The book is a little wordy and repeats things a number of times but that is ok. There was an odd connection between Kenz and Ben if you ask me. I mean they have great moments but then other times there is so much opposition between them that I am not sure it will work.

That all being said I enjoyed the story. Not as much as book one but it is still a good story and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

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

December 9, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Last Chance Hero by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: Last Chance Hero
SERIES #: Last Chance #9
CHARACTERS: Sabrina & Ross
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ross Gardiner has had his fill of difficult relationships. Returning to Last Chance after a rough divorce, the town’s handsome new fire chief just wants safety and stability-a tall order given his dangerous job and the way he has the attention of all the single women in town. All except Sabina Grey, the girl who stole his heart when they were teenagers.

Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she’s now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they’ve both been burned?

REVIEW:
DNF – I have not read the rest of this series. I picked up this book from NetGalley thinking I had but as soon as I read the first chapter I was like “what series is this?” and went back and looked and nope this was not the series I thought I was requesting. And I just couldn’t read it.

I have not looked it up but I would bet this author is a northerner who thinks she is a southerner. She probably spent summers visiting or something but never really got the language down. The line that put me over the edge was….

“It hadn’t taken Momma more than a minute to start ladling on the guilt just like gravy on her pot roast. And Momma never stinted on gravy.”

The writing cheesy and didn’t flow. I just couldn’t get much into this book when I realized I have so many more books that I want to read.

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

December 8, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Can’t Fight This Feeling by Christie Ridgway

TITLE: Can’t Fight This Feeling
SERIES #: Cabin Fever #3
CHARACTERS: Angelica & Brett
AUTHOR: Christie Ridgway
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome back to charming Blue Arrow Lake as temptation sizzles in a glittering new romance from USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway…

Blue-collar landscaper Brett Walker has no interest in the Hollywood vacationers flocking to his hometown in the California mountains. But the scarred ex-soldier does have a duty to protect Blue Arrow Lake—and the family ski resort—from a serial burglar. So when he suspects a break-in, he takes action…and ends up catching sinfully tempting down-on-her-luck heiress Angelica Rodriguez. She reminds him of trouble, but he can’t deny her a safe place to stay—in one of his cabins.

Angelica has plenty of reasons to distrust—losing her money to her father’s legal woes being one of them. Getting up close and naughty with rough, tough and sexy Brett tempts her out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a man who’s not from her wealthy world. She’s after safety and he’s chasing justice, but the fire between them might reveal that all they want is each other.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I will start by saying that by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. I had a hard time in the beginning. Brett seemed rude and had a preconceived notion of rich people. He seemed a bit egotistical as well and he really didn’t sit well with me. Yes there is a reason behind his attitude but for some reason it didn’t read right if you know what I mean. Angelica is someone I liked. She has had a lot thrown at her quickly and yet is still ok with what is going on. I spent the first half of the book wanting to ask her why she was interested in Brett and telling her to get over it.

But then something changed (mostly). Brett easied a little and I found I liked him. I never really fell for him. Until the near end of the book I am not sure there was a lot of chemistry. Well that may not be right. There was chemistry and then not and then there is and then there’s not….. I have read the first two books in the series and Brett has always seemed this way to be honest so I wasn’t expecting to fall for him but I still enjoyed the story. Like I said Angelica is great. She is the type of woman we should all try to be (again, mostly). She falls but gets back up. She proves she is not some richie rich that can’t do anything, no matter how many times Brett treats her that way. She works hard and still smiles.

Like I said I enjoyed the story even though it took me a little bit to get into it but once I was I liked it. I look forward to Mac and Zan’s story next.

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

December 7, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Risk It by Jennifer Chance

TITLE: Risk It
SERIES #: Rule Breakers # 4
CHARACTERS: Rand & Dani
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chance
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jennifer Chance’s Rule Breakers series turns up the heat as a wealthy playboy and a beautiful con artist engage in a high-stakes game of seduction.

As dominating in business as he is in bed, Rand Sterling Winston, IV, always gets what he wants. And even before he realizes that she’s scammed him into paying triple the cost for her friend’s painting, he wants Dani Michaels. To catch her alone, Rand demands she personally deliver his purchase. The attraction between them is immediate and electric, and he knows she feels it, too. So when the part-time petty thief rebuffs his advances, he gives her a choice: a night in jail or an evening with him.

Despite her checkered past, Dani has never met someone like Rand: brooding, intense, and oh-so tempting. Only a man with a broken soul could make losing control feel this dangerous. Still, when Rand proposes a no-strings, no-holds-barred affair, Dani’s more than a little intrigued. It’ll be the trickiest con she’s ever run and a chance to indulge her steamiest fantasies—nothing more. But as their encounters grow increasingly intimate, Dani uncovers a vulnerable side to Rand’s steely exterior . . . and opens her heart to the ultimate risk.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts Well you know how you read a series and there is just one that blows you away and one that doesn’t? Well this is the one that doesn’t. I have enjoyed the rest of the series but something about this story just didn’t sit well. First the characters have no chemistry. There is way too much head talk for me. And honestly I really never even liked Rand. I mean this is a romance and he is out looking to get laid more than halfway into the book? Not something I like.

Once thing the author is good at is the sex scenes and this is not different. But I wish I hadn’t had to read the rest of the book to get to the good parts.

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

December 2, 2015November 29, 2015

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Midnight Clear by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: A Midnight Clear
SERIES #: Last Chance #9.5
CHARACTERS: Teri & Tom
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dr. Tom Crawford isn’t feeling the spirit of the season when he arrives in Last Chance. Far from friends and family, he’s the odd man out in this town of gossiping, tight-knit Southerners-until he meets a sweetly sexy single mom who makes him feel welcome. Suddenly the handsome doctor is thinking he’s finally found a place to call home. Local florist Teri Summers has her hands full of mistletoe in preparation for the holiday, yet finding someone to kiss is her last priority. But when the gorgeous new doctor makes a connection with her special needs son, Aiden, Teri finds herself wondering if she’s finally found happiness in this season of joy. For Teri and Tom, Last Chance may be their best chance at love . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a sweet story of believing in the spirit of Christmas and the angels that watch over us. The story is short but will get you in the holiday mood.

Teri is a hard working single mom of a boy who is on the Autistic Spectrum. I truly believe that Hope Ramsey wrote a great interpretation of how life is with a child with Autism. The problems they face with always having to watch what is around the child, what the child eats, even what colors are hard for the child to deal with. It is a life of exhaustion and Ramsey showed that without lecturing about the condition. She did a great job!

Tom is a good guy trying to help the new town as well as Teri and her son. But I feel he oversteps too often. As a single mom I would never allow a man who didn’t know my son and the situation to tell me how I should be raising him. I liked Tom but it really put me off a bit to read.

I think this is a story worth telling and worth reading. Especially if you have someone in your life living the life that Teri is.

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

December 1, 2015November 29, 2015

Kimberly reviews Now You See Her by Dale Mayer

TITLE: Now You See Her
SERIES #: Psychic Visions #8
CHARACTERS: Tia & Dean
AUTHOR: Dale Mayer
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/08/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Energy. The life force of good … and evil
And sometimes evil is stronger.
Tia spent years imprisoned in a ‘special’ program. When she finally escaped, she ran as far away as she could. But it wouldn’t leave her alone.
Only one person can help her. Stefan. But when she contacts him for help, she gets more than she bargained for. Six weeks later, she awakens from a coma to find more problems than ever – and she’s still being hunted.
Dean, moonlighting as a guard at the hospital, finds himself in an impossible situation. His belief system is stretched out of control by someone whom he can’t forget … and can’t believe. Until he has no choice.
With everything on the line, Tia and Dean must work together to solve the problem that has somehow – in a very unique way – entwined them both.

REVIEW:
This is the 8th in a series that I have not read yet but I will most certainly be working my way back through the series. What an amazing story this was. I thought I knew about psychics but this story makes you want to go find someone who claims to have the ability and interview them for days.

I liked Tia. She brought me through every emotion. I was saddened by her past, hopeful for her future and amazed by her gifts. Dean is an interesting character as well. He has a hard time understanding the gift Tia has but tries to believe because of his past.

The suspenseful side of this story was really good as well. I highly recommend this book and the series. It was so much more than I expected.

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

November 30, 2015November 30, 2015

Kelly & Kimberly review In The Company Of Wolves by Paige Tyler

TITLE: In the Company of Wolves
SERIES #: SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM #3
CHARACTERS: Eric Becker & Jayna Winston
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He opened his mouth to order her to drop the MP5 she had aimed at him, but nothing would come out. It was like she’d robbed him of the ability to speak. Shooting her wasn’t an option, though. And the idea of arresting her didn’t make him feel any better.

There’s a new gang of criminals in town who are organized and ruthless in the extreme. When Eric Becker, along with the rest of the Dallas SWAT team, ends up in the middle of a shootout, he immediately senses werewolves-a lot of them. Turns out, the new bad guys are a pack of wolf shifters.

In a spray of gunfire, Becker comes face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen. Becker does the logical thing. He hides her and leaves the scene with the rest of his team.

Jayna Winston has no idea why that SWAT guy helped her, but she’s glad he did. Ever since she and her pack mates got mixed up with those Eastern European mobsters, everything had pretty much fallen apart.

So what’s a street-savvy thief like Jayna going to do with a hot alpha-male wolf who’s a police officer?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts In the Company of Wolves starts out with us getting a glance at the life the Jayne was subject to as a teenager. After surviving that attack by her step-father Jayne has had to learn to survive. Not only in the world but the world as a werewolf. Thankfully she has a small pack to rely on. Unfortunately, here Alpha had started making choices that could put them all in danger.
Eric Becker is trying to stop a crime before it happens. That last thing he ever expected to find in the warehouse raid was a she-wolf. But the minute he sees her, his life changed. Eric is a man on mission. A mission to find out who she is and why she was at the warehouse with a gun pointed at him.
I really enjoyed this story. In the Company of Wolves was a pretty quick read too. Eric Becker and Jayna Winston are a great couple. I just loved Eric. Eric is they type of guy that everyone would ever want in your corner. He is loyal and determined. I really enjoyed the interplay between Landry Cooper and Eric too. I think Eric needs to watch his back I have a funny feeling that Cooper will get a little revenge in the future for that gun shot.

Favorite line:
“Almost forgot. Can you stop by and feed my fish every few days? And talk to them too. They get lonely when I am not home.”
Cooper made a face “Who the hell talks to their fish?”
“Me. You’ll feed them, right”
“Yeah, I’ll feed them. But I am sure as hell not talking to them,” Cooper said…..

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts This is the 3rd in the SWAT series which is Jayna and Eric’s story. Jayna has lived a pretty traumatic life but has been able to depend on her pack until recently. There is some bad things going on and Jayna doesn’t know what to do about it. Eric finds her at a crime scene and can’t help but save her.

I enjoyed this story. Eric is great. He is everything a good werewolf should be. And a great guy too. Jayna is a female alpha and it was very interesting to see the pact dynamics.

If you enjoy a paranormal romance with a bit of suspense then you need to read this book… heck the series. You won’t regret it.

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

November 27, 2015November 22, 2015

Kimberly reviews Wicked Edge by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Wicked Edge
SERIES #: Realm Enforcers #2
CHARACTERS: Cee Cee & Daire
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/10/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If you love the Dark Protectors, these wicked hot Realm Enforcers are for you!

Daire Dunne is more than ready to take a quick break from his duties as a Coven Nine Enforcer. When he spots a sexy blonde across a Titan’s of Fire party, it’s not long before she’s on the back of his Harley on the fast track to his apartment. Unfortunately, one overheated kiss in, the woman drugs Daire and steals valuable files that can’t fall into enemy hands. The second he comes to, the hunt is on…

Now that Cee Cee has the information to take down an enemy that destroyed her family, she can implement her perfect plan for revenge. Nothing will stop her, not even a shockingly sexy enforcer barging into her life. Not even the spectacular, fire-branding sex engulfing them. But if Daire ever figures out who her family really is, all bets are off…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I loved this book. First off Daire is perfect. Wait, I mean PERFECT! He is total alpha with a soft side. When he walks into that bar and meets Cee Cee you just want to be her. And the foreplay is hot, he takes her to his place and it gets hotter and then Cee Cee knocks him out with what she’s got… And too bad that wasn’t sex.

Cee Cee is great. I have said in my reviews before there are three type of women in romances. The one you want to be, the one you want to be friends with and the one you just never end up liking. I want to be Cee Cee when I grow up. She can kick butt with the best of the men, she can love with all her heart and dang if she isn’t a great mom too. She is my new hero!

There is sooooo much to this story. And so much I can tell you about but it would give way too much away. And with as great as this story is you don’t want any spoilers.. trust me.

Start with book one (Wicked Ride) in the series so you understand what is going on and the role that Daire plays in the Realm and where Cee Cee fits in but read it so you can read this one. And then wait with baited breath to read Wicked Burn.

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

November 23, 2015November 22, 2015

Kimberly reviews Now That She’s Gone by Gregg Olsen

TITLE: Now That She’s Gone
SERIES #: Waterman & Stark #2
CHARACTERS: Birdy Waterman & Kendall Stark
AUTHOR: Gregg Olsen
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/24/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Notorious serial killer Brenda Nevins has cajoled, seduced, blackmailed, and left a trail of bodies all across Washington State. Now, after a daring prison escape, she is free to carry out her ultimate act of revenge. The targets: forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman and sheriff’s detective Kendall Stark. The pawn: a television psychic hungry for fame, ratings, and blood. There’s only way to stop a killer as brutal, brilliant, and twisted as this: beat her at her own game…

REVIEW:
While this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the story very much. There are some parts that were a bit odd to me. I thought it really odd that the serial killer didn’t have much of a role in the story this time. I did enjoy the reality tv part and the psychics.

Saying too much about this story can give a lot of it away and because there are a lot of twist and turns I think saying too much would be a bad thing.

The writing is really good and like I said with all the suspense it really keeps your attention. Highly recommended.

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

November 20, 2015November 15, 2015

Kimberly reviews Eeny Meeny by MJ Arlidge

TITLE: Eeny Meeny
SERIES #: Helen Grace #1
CHARACTERS: Helen Grace
AUTHOR: MJ Arlidge
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “dark, twisted, thought-provoking” (#1 New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag) international bestseller—first in the new series featuring Detective Helen Grace.

Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.

It’s a game more twisted than any Detective Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn’t spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn’t believe them.

Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case—with its seemingly random victims—has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense….

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts So let me say I am kind of on the fence with this one. First I am not one for British Suspense. Is that a term? Well it is now. Unless I am reading a historical I am not really into the British thing. And second while reading this I wasn’t really invested in the characters. I do not think the author did a great job of explain them. I actually wondered if this was not the first in the series and I should have already known them but it is the first.

While somewhat interesting the story was a little mind numbing and that can be good and bad. If you want to be steeped in a mystery then it is bad but if you want to read a story and get your mind off your real life then it can be good. So again I am on the fence.

And finally it was a little dark for me. I was interested in a suspenseful story but it just was too dark. Will I pick up the next one in the series… well again I am on the fence. We will see.

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

November 19, 2015November 15, 2015

Kimberly reviews Salvage by Duncan Ralston

TITLE: Salvage
CHARACTERS: Owen Saddler
AUTHOR: Duncan Ralston
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/10/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Something is Lurking Under the Lake…

When Owen Saddler’s little sister mysteriously drowns, Owen is determined to uncover the circumstances by following in her footsteps, even if it means diving into the murky–some would say haunted–waters of Chapel Lake.

Thirty years earlier, the town of Peace Falls had been flooded to build a hydroelectric dam, and its ruins remain below the surface of Chapel Lake. The strange disappearance of the town Pastor, along with many of the parishioners, still haunts the citizens of Chapel Lake. But does the church haunt the lake itself? Is Owen really seeing ghosts… or has he descended into the depths of madness?

Salvage is the debut horror novel of author Duncan Ralston (Gristle & Bone). A darkly disturbing story of depression, religious fanaticism, and the afterlife, Salvage seeks to illuminate the evil within us all.

REVIEW:
2.75 Heart This was not what I expected. First off the “ghost” story had very little ghost at all. The horror was not exactly scary. The suspense didn’t have me on the edge of my seat and the storyline just wasn’t very believable and I am not talking about the paranormal part I am talking the actions of the characters.

The story is very slow and never really builds to the climax I wanted from the story. I kept hoping but nothing.

I am not sure why this story is getting so much high praise everywhere but I just can’t add any praise from my end. I will say the author sure knows how to write a great synopsis. If only the book was as good.

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