Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate part 4 by A.C. Arthur

hungers mate 4TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 4
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/03/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Part Four and the breathtaking conclusion to A.C. Arthur’s HUNGER’S MATE (Shadow Shifters)! Jewel has always had her own agenda. But when Ezra discovers how far she’s gone—sleeping with the enemy to achieve her means—he has no choice but to ask himself: Can he trust her with his own secrets? Instinct tells him that he must be near her. She is the one who can satisfy his hunger. But will his passion for her mean the destruction of him and his kind? How far will one Shadow Shifter go as he follows his own heart?

REVIEW:
This is the fourth and final installment of this story. So as I said on the first installment I am not a fan of the new way some authors are taking one story and making them be released in parts so I was very happy that I was able to get all four installments at once and was able to read them as a full story. I know that the author puts out the installments and then the full story comes out. Of course it is up to each individual and their preference but I would wait until all parts are complete.

Now about the story itself. I really enjoyed this story. I liked Ezra and Jewel together but this was mostly Ezra’s story. I know it was supposed to be Jewel’s too but we really got more of his story than hers. The story is well written and interesting. The story had a lot of action and the romance was sweet. Any fan of the genre will enjoy the story and while I have not read the first couple books in the series I have read this one and the one directly before it and can understand what is going on just fine but I would say you would not be disappointed if you started from book one and enjoy the entire collection.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews For Keeps by Rachel Lacey

for keepsTITLE: For Keeps
SERIES #: Love To The Rescue #2
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Rachel Lacey
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A SUMMER FLING . . . OR SOMETHING MORE?
Merry Atwater would do just about anything to save her dog rescue – even if it means working with the most stubborn man on the planet. It’s hard to avoid the sparks that fly with TJ Jameson, the ruggedly sexy cowboy in charge of the children’s camp where she’s just taken an animal therapy job. But commitment is not Merry’s style, and TJ clearly wants more than just a roll in the hay.

TJ Jameson isn’t looking for anything complicated-just a peaceful life on his family’s ranch with a wife and kids. “No-strings” Merry Atwater doesn’t fit that bill, no matter how irresistible she is. But when he sees how Merry gets through to his autistic nephew and the other kids at Camp Blue Sky, TJ’s a goner. If he doesn’t give in to the now, he might just lose his shot at forever . . .

REVIEW:
This is a sweet story about finding love in unexpected places. Merry doesn’t want to fall in love and have a family but she does want to rescue every dog she sees especially boxers. TJ wants nothing more than to settle down and have a true love like his parents with some cowgirl/farm girl. But when a camp for special needs kids brings them together somehow they just click.

I enjoyed this story. It got a little wordy at times but the story is really good. I enjoyed the special needs kids and how they all had different abilities and yet were able to do things like train dogs. I think the author did a great job with Noah and his autism. It might sound like this book would have a heavy storyline when I mention special needs kids and rescuing animals but it doesn’t. It is sweet and a pure romance.

Any fan of the romance genre will enjoy it and if you love dogs and kids you will enjoy it even more.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Full Tilt by Rick Mofina

full tiltTITLE: Full Tilt
CHARACTERS: Kate
AUTHOR: Rick Mofina
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME

Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of “confinement rooms”-rooms designed to hold human beings captive-where they make other chilling discoveries.

In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate’s sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.

Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister’s disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who’s kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa’s death-or save her life.

REVIEW:
If you are a fan of the suspense genre than Rick Mofina is an author you should have on your list to read. This mystery was engrossing and hard to put down. Kate was first introduced in the last book and we catch up with her again in this story. I could explain the story but the synopsis does a really good job.

I really enjoy Kate. She is a strong single mom and someone you would want to be friends with.

Again if you are a fan of mystery then this book will spark your interest. If you are a fan of Mofina’s you will enjoy this story and if you haven’t read him before then you will want to go back and get all of his books and start from the beginning.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate Part 3 by A.C. Arthur

hungers mate 3TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 3
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The desire—and danger—heats up to a scorching degree in HUNGER’S MATE: Part Three (Shadow Shifters) from popular romance author A.C. Arthur.Jewel has plotted and schemed for months, hiding her knowledge of a top-secret operation—and keeping Ezra guessing. And hungry for more…Captivated by her passion, skill, and courage, Ezra wants to help Jewel on her mission. But can she be trusted? Is his desire for her worth the risk?

REVIEW:
This is the third installment of the story. In this one we get a better idea of what has happened with Jewel which we had not had in the last two. There is a bit more action in this one as well. It really ends up setting up the fourth and final installment of this book.

You can not read this story without having read the first couple installments because it is all one book but it is worth going back and making sure you read the story. Because this is the shortest of the installments I can’t really say too much without giving the story away. On to the last installment.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly & Kimberly review Fire Me Up by Kimberly Kincaid

fire me upTITLE: Fire Me Up
SERIES #: Pine Mountain #4
CHARACTERS: Adrian Holt & Teagan O’Malley
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: January 27, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

Teagan O’Malley can handle a crisis. She’s a paramedic, it’s her job. But she never expected to land in the kitchen of her father’s pub, with no notice, no cash, and no room for error. The kitchen is not her favorite place. Lucky for her, she just scraped a bad-boy chef off the pavement after a motorcycle accident—and something about him says he can turn up the heat in more ways than one.

Adrian Holt has had a rough few years, and he’s not eager to get tangled up in anything more complicated than a good risotto. But with a broken arm and a head full of bad memories, he needs a challenge to keep him sane. Teagan’s dare-me attitude and smoldering mess of a bar are just what the doctor ordered. And the two of them together might cook up some even better medicine

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I really enjoy my visits to Pine Mountain. I am really glad that Adrian finally got his own story. I have been wondering about him from the start of this series. He has been all tall, dark, protective and secretive. But all that comes to a crashing halt when he is hurt in an accident. Poor Adrian finds himself on leave from his job. And that last thing that Adrian needs is free time. Thank goodness for fate and Teagan.
Teagan is one tough cookie. Until you add in sleep deprivation, wine and one very yummy chef, then she is a like putty in his hands 🙂 Besides every girl needs a hero right? Even if said hero is a pain in the butt. Well a pain that can cook and set Teagan on fire.
These two were fun to read. There were times that the story was just a tad bit slow for me. But over all I loved it. I hope that we will get to see Adrian & Teagan in future books.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Another great trip to Pine Mountain even though we didn’t get to see much of the town this time. We met Adrian in the previous book and for that matter we met Teagan as well… Funny we even met them together and I think we knew then that they would have a great chemistry and they do. I enjoyed the story but I will say there is a lot of backstory with not only these two but the others as well. I guess that is the authors way of bringing us back because we want to know what Brennan has hidden in his closet. But Adrian was hiding his past, Teagan was hiding hers, Tagan’s dad has his, Brennan his and so on…. I mean how many secrets could one bar hold?

Some of the writing was repeated a bit too many times and the sex scenes a bit dull but all in all the story is sweet and a nice read.

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

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Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate part 2 by A.C. Arthur

hungers mate 2TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 2
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/20/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From HOT romance author A.C. Arthur comes HUNGER’S MATE: Part Two, in the series, in which one man’s lust for life leads him to a dangerous place…and a forbidden passion. Ezra can’t help but be on the prowl. Jewel is stunning. Sly. Insatiable. But she is no ordinary human—and he’s about to find out that he’s stalking but an alluring and mysterious cat thief. One who possesses dangerous secrets of her own…

REVIEW:
This is the second part in a four part story. Obviously you do not want to start this one without reading the first because trust me you will not understand what is going on. Also see my review of part one if you haven’t already.

Again in this story we do not get a great look at Jewel. A better one but not a great one. We get a better look at Ezra and a bit of his background. The connection between Ezra and Jewel is strong. This story is really just getting started. And now on to part 3.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Worth The Risk by Claudia Conner

worth the riskTITLE: Worth The Risk
SERIES #: The McKinney Brothers #2
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Stephan
AUTHOR: Claudia Conner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/20/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.

Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.

Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.

Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts So first let me say that I am seriously glad that Claudia Conner put a post on her facebook page saying Stephen was nothing like Matt. Because it is so true. But as different as they are there is something similar about them and that is the way they love with their whole hearts even when they do not know they are loving someone.

I could compare the men over and over. I mean Matt in Worth The Fall is PERFECT! And he really is but Stephen is not and somehow that makes Stephen more real. Matt is the ideal that a woman dreams about but Stephen is the one a real woman would get… a real man with issues and problems and loves and hates.

Stephen and Hannah are both so broken and their lives have been parallel mostly. Stephen lived through his fiancee’ being killed by torture and Hannah was tortured beyond belief. And this is the story of how they move beyond it. I really enjoyed Stephen. Yes he can be off-putting but in a way we understand. But when he shows his love to Hannah and he puts himself out there it is with his whole heart. Something about these McKinney boys take your hearts and hold on.

Now about Hannah. Wow what a woman. She has been through what no woman can imagine going through and deals with it every day. And yet she has figured out how to make the world a better place because of her suffering. She is someone you want to be friends with and yet can see yourself becoming her protector just as much as her brothers are. And speaking of her brothers. I really really really hope that Claudia is considering writing their stories. They are just as attractive and swoon worthy as the McKinney boys so Claudia I am not only hinting I am coming right out and saying we need a Walker Brothers series.

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

5hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews Under His Touch by Jeffe Kennedy

under his touchTITLE: Under His Touch
SERIES #: Falling Under #2
CHARACTERS: Amber & Alec
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/19/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Amber Dolors knows better than to get involved with her boss. Devastatingly handsome in his sharp suits and sexy beyond belief, he possesses an air of command that fuels her darkest fantasies. But she’s worked too hard to get this job, and keeping it will lead to a brilliant future. She won’t cross that line—even if his way of giving orders and demanding her best performance gives her delicious warm shivers.

Alexander Knight prides himself on his integrity and self-discipline. After all, he hasn’t risen to the position he enjoys by indulging his whims over ambition. He also isn’t blind. He’s certainly noticed his sharp, young assistant is hot as hell. His self-imposed sexual hermitage doesn’t stop him from watching her. And endlessly fantasizing.

The day Alec’s cool reserve cracks and Amber catches a glimpse of something simmering beneath his apparent indifference is the day everything between them changes. Alec gives her what she’s been looking for sexually—as masterful in the bedroom as he is in the boardroom. He finds himself in the grip of an affair that tests even his boundaries, while Amber’s new role as willing student pushes them both past any consideration other than mutual longing.

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts Let me start by saying I am usually a fan of what Kennedy has to write but I just couldn’t enjoy this story. First it took almost half of the story for the characters to really get together. There was so much of the back and forth of “we shouldn’t do this”, “I can’t get you out of my head”, “you are my employee”, blah blah blah that I felt the connection lacked by the time they got together. I also had a hard time with the age difference. Not because it was there but because too many time it was reminded he was “old enough to be her father” putting that thought in my head.

Amber is actually too innocent if you ask me and Alec just doesn’t have the Dom attitude, again to my way of thinking. I wish I could say I thought this story had potential but I just don’t. Mind you this will not stop me from picking up the next book by Kennedy in hopes that she has gone back to her usual way of writing.

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

2hearts

Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate Part 1 by A.C. Arthur

hungers mate 1TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 1
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/13/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Part One in an Exclusive Four-Part Novel Half man, half animal, a Shadow Shifter must walk the line between predator and prey. Love and lust. And pure, blind hunger…A natural born hunter proud of his birthright, Ezra Preston agrees to hide his true identity and pretend to be human to learn what his enemies know of his kind. But even undercover, it’s not in his nature to play games with a woman. Especially when he discovers a creature as mysterious—and utterly delectable—as Jewel Jenner. Can she be trusted? The only thing Ezra knows for sure is that she cannot be resisted…

REVIEW:
This seems to be the new thing to do. Release books in parts and then release the whole book after. It is honestly not a favorite new trend of mine. I want the whole book when I get a book. Now that being said I have all 4 parts through NetGalley thankfully. And this first part really hooked me. I want to know what will happen next and luckily I am able to go right to the next part and begin reading but I can see how frustrating it would be for fans of the story/author to have to wait a week.

I am really enjoying Ezra. There is just something about him that I find interesting. We haven’t really gotten to see too much of Jewel yet but what we have seen I like. She is running from her past but it has caught up to her at the end of this part and Ezra just may end up going nuts if he can’t get to her soon. And that is where we are left… until part 2. So far so good. And off we go to the next part.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews A Little On The Wild Side by Robyn Kaye

little on wild sideTITLE: A Little On The Wild Side
SERIES #: Wild Thing #3
CHARACTERS: Bianca & Trapper
AUTHOR: Robyn Kaye
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/06/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A woman who gets what she wants…
Bianca Ferrari—ex-supermodel turned successful business woman—seems to have it all: beauty, brains and a career she loves. And she did it all by herself . . . through sheer force of will and ruthless determination. So when her life is suddenly turned upside down, it’s hard for her to admit that going it alone may not be an option…

A man who knows what she needs…
Sexy, rugged and down-to-earth, Trapper Kincaid has a knack for attracting all kinds of women—mostly the wrong kind. When he finds out that the exhaustingly independent and drop-dead gorgeous Bianca is in serious need of help, he knows he’s the man for the job. But Bianca isn’t going to make it easy…

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This is the third in the series and while I only read the 2nd in the series I have to say that I loved Call Me Wild so I had a high expectation for this story and it met it. I really didn’t expect to love this as much as I loved the other one but I hoped it would be close and it was. Trapper is a great character. He is so loving and has a great sense of humor. He is written so well that it is hard not to enjoy him. But did I fall for him? Not really. I just would want him to fall for one of my friends. Bianca is a little bit of a pain in the butt but still someone fun to read about. Would I want her to be my best friend? Actually no but again I would enjoy spending some time with her.

Now that probably sounds like I didn’t enjoy the characters but I really did. They mesh well. They are meant to be together that is for sure. I wish there had been a bit more of Gramps. Gramps is a hoot of a character but we really didn’t get enough of him in this story.

I read this book during the holidays (it is not a holiday romance) and I wish I had more time to read it in one sitting. It has a really nicely written flow and unfortunately I kept having to break that flow when life intruded (dang it!) but even so I enjoyed it very much. And I can’t wait for Karma’s story.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly & Kimberly review Hungry Like The Wolf by Paige Tyler

hungry like the wolfTITLE: Hungry Like the Wolf
SERIES #: SWAT #1
CHARACTERS: Gage Dixon & Mackenzie Stone
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: January 6, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
INTRODUCING SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM
They’re tight
They’re on target
They’re as alpha as men can get.

The Dallas SWAT team is hiding one helluva secret . . . they’re a pack of wolf shifters.

The team of elite sharpshooters is ultra-secretive—and also the darlings of Dallas. This doesn’t sit well with investigative journalist Mackenzie Stone. They must be hiding something . . . and she’s determined to find out what.

Keeping Mac at a distance proves impossible for SWAT team commander Gage Dixon. She’s smart, sexy, and makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But she’s getting dangerously close to the truth—and perilously close to his heart.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Mackenzie Stone will do anything for a story. Her motto is “The truth should be told”, even if people get hurt. The story comes first. But Mac will soon learn that sometimes the truth can do more than hurt it can destroy.
Gage Dixon is the leader of the SWAT team. And he always puts his pack first. But when the nosey Ms. Stone butts her way into his life he either has to kick her to the curb and risk her finding out the true. Or pull her in and show her enough to throw her off the scent. Question is which is the lesser of the two evils?
This is going to be a good series I can see it already. I really did enjoy this first book. And like many first books in a series there is a lot of world building and history that needs to be laid out. So at times Hungry Like the Wolf was just a tad bit slow for me. At times I wanted to punt Gage & Mac both. But all in all I liked the story and can’t wait for more of these Wolf’s.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I had a hard time with this book. First I really didn’t feel like the characters had chemistry. I wasn’t too fond of the whole journalist thing and her using the team for information. I didn’t enjoy the writing very much and while I think the story had potential it didn’t meet it.

I really never became a fan of Mac’s. She seems cold and unfriendly, just like a stereotypical reporter, but maybe because of the beginning I never warmed up to her. Gage is good. I liked him. And I liked the Pack but just not the story. I didn’t like Mac’s reaction to finding out the info.

I am not sure why this book just didn’t sit well with me but it didn’t I am sorry to say.

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

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews The Quick And The Undead by Kimberly Raye

Quick and UndeadTITLE: The Quick and The Undead
SERIES #: Tombstone, Texas
CHARACTERS: Riley & Boone
AUTHOR: Kimberly Raye
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon|B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Tombstone, Texas, where anything is possible, even your wildest fantasy. Once a haven to outlaws, Tombstone is now a tourist town that gives travelers a taste of the old West. What visitors don’t realize, however, is that the super-hot cowboys, gunslingers, and lawmen walking the streets aren’t actors—they’re originals. These ancient vampires claimed Tombstone two centuries ago.

So step right up, folks, and book your trip today! The outlaws of Tombstone will be waiting . . .

Travel blogger Riley Davenport loves her job, travelling to the most exotic places in the world. Even better, it keeps her one step ahead of her stalking ex. The last thing she wants in her life is a strong alpha male. But that’s exactly what she gets when she comes face-to-face with Sheriff Boone Jarrett, a hero right out of her most erotic fantasies.

Boone isn’t just the law in Tombstone, Texas. He’s also an ancient vampire and the target of a crazed killer. He certainly doesn’t have time for romance. But a temporary fling? Now that he can handle.

Unfortunately, their first night together ends in disaster when Riley witnesses a murder. And to protect her, Boone forces her into hiding. Only her “captivity” ends up becoming the realization of her wildest, most carnal fantasies. Still, Riley’s not going to fall for him, at least that’s what she tells herself.

But as she gets to know him—the man and the vampire—she starts to wonder if she can hold out . . .

REVIEW:
This book had so much potential but it just didn’t meet up to it. I wanted to enjoy it. I mean what a great concept about original outlaw cowboys being vampires and now running a vacation spot to save their land. I really like the idea and if the story had been through a revision or two (or three) I think it would have worked.

First the good. The characters are interesting. Riley and Boone have an instant connection that continues throughout the whole book. The relationship between Tag and Belle is adorable and I look forward to hearing more about them. There was a bit of suspense. But I think some of the suspense was dropped without much-ado. I mean we heard so much about Phil and then he never shows up. So much could have happened to add to the story if he had shown up as well as the vampire who was there causing trouble.

Now the bad. The thing that drove me the craziest is how many times things were repeated. I mean you don’t need to tell the reader a half a dozen times that Riley had no childhood because of her father. We got it. Over and over we heard about her ex and how he was. Again we got it. And Boone’s father issues were repeated so many times I wanted to slap and tell him he was a outlaw get over it. And finally the fact that each time a character was mentioned we had to be told what he/she was (gunslinger/thief/etc). Maybe in the beginning but not every time.

I have to say usually at the end of vampire books something happens to the non-vampire causing the vampire to have to turn his/her love and they un-live happily ever after. Well that didn’t happen and it left me hanging. I mean what happens now? Will Riley eventually be turned? Will he only have her a few decades and then he moves on? What? BTW: I will never complain about the typical ending happening ever again.

As I said this book had a lot of potential and I wish it had actually met it.

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

3hearts-68-77