Review Sunday – Page 148

September 25, 2013September 15, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas On 4th Street by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Christmas On 4th Street
SERIES #: Fool’s Gold #12.5
CHARACTERS: Noelle & Gabriel
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool’s Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped… Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That’s why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool’s Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that’s magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel’s memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year’s eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can’t stop sharing.

Gabriel didn’t think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
5 Stars 6 Hours! 6 Wonderful hours… That is how long it took me to read this book. I could not put it down. There is no better place to be than Fool’s Gold during the holidays or anytime of year really. But there is something about the streets covered in snow with decorations on every business that makes you feel at home there.

We met Noelle in the previous books in the series and while we knew she had a history we hadn’t found out what it was until now. Noelle is a fighter but you wouldn’t know it from the sweetness we have come to know about her. And it takes awhile for Gabriel to see it too. These two are perfect for eachother. There is a chemistry that you feel from the first couple of pages and never seems to stop sizzling.

There is just something about this unbelievable town that makes you want to pack up and move there. Mallery has a way of bringing you home to her fictional town and making you never want to leave.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Stars As always Fool’s Gold is a fun place to visit. While this was not my favorite Fool’s Gold book I have read so far it was still a fun book. Gabriel & Noelle are so sweet together. It started from chapter one and keep going to the end of the book. Which is where I had my only problem. For me the jump from I can’t commit
to the altar was just a little too fast for my liking. But other than that I enjoyed this book. I really loved the snow scene!
If you are a Susan Mallery fan you will love this book. Because how can a trip to Fool’s Gold ever truly be bad?

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

September 23, 2013September 1, 2013

Kimberly reviews Butterfly Cove by Christina Skye

TITLE: Butterfly Cove
SERIES #: Summer Island #4
CHARACTERS: Olivia & Rafe
AUTHOR: Christina Skye
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Maybe opposites don’t always attract. If they did, architect Olivia Sullivan would have run away with bad boy Rafe Russo when they were teenagers. Instead, Olivia has spent ten years dreaming up designs for a life that hasn’t gone the way she planned. Still reeling from her career’s implosion and her father’s death, Olivia thanks her lucky stars for the support of her three lifelong friends. But this good girl is through sitting on the sidelines. When Rafe returns to the beautiful Oregon coast where they grew up, her former flame ignites a new desire. Now Olivia must take a walk on the wild side to show the new deputy that in matters of love being bad can feel very good.

Freshly back from Afghanistan, rugged ex-Marine and new deputy Rafe is done breaking laws and hearts. He’s always regretted leaving Olivia behind, but now she’s after adventure and he’d better proceed with caution. Because wanting her again might be easy, but fighting for a future together will be his biggest risk yet.

REVIEW:
Another great read by Christina Skye. As the author grows so do her stories. When I found her books she was fun to read but now she brings more of an air of romance and intrigue to her books and they keep getting better every time I read one.

The characters she has of Olivia and Rafe have been through so much in their lives and yet it was each other they most wanted. There are a lot of stories right now about the servicemen coming home from the war in Afghanistan and this is another one and while to be honest there was nothing different about this story than so many others right now there was something that connected between the two characters and I found it a pleasure to read.

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

September 20, 2013September 16, 2013

Kimberly reviews The Night Is Forever by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Night Is Forever
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #11
CHARACTERS: Olivia & Dustin
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
What happened here, on a historic ranch outside Nashville, during the Civil War? And what’s happening now?

Olivia Gordon works at the Horse Farm, a facility that assists patients with mental and physical recovery; her specialty is animal therapy. She’s always loved her job, always felt safe…until now.

People are dying, starting with the facility’s founder, whose body is discovered in a ravine on the property-site of a massacre in 1862. And before every death, Liv sees a horse and rider, wearing a soldier’s garb, in the night sky…. Warning? Omen? Or clue?

Liv calls in her cousin Malachi and his Krewe, an FBI unit of paranormal investigators, to discover the truth. New Krewe member Dustin Blake knows they need Liv’s involvement in the case, yet he’s worried about her safety. Because he and Liv quickly become more than colleagues…and he doesn’t want to lose her to the endless night.

REVIEW:
Another great ghost story from Heather Graham. She is the queen of ghostly romance if you ask me. But what i enjoy best about her writing is the history she puts in. By the time you are done with her books you want to visit the site and take a ghost tour yourself and this was not different.

I was unsure about the romance of Dustin and Olivia at first. I think Graham has been putting a bit too much tension (non-sexual) into her main characters lately and this had that too. The characters while attracted to each other didn’t have an immediate spark but as the story moves on of course the spark lights up.

There was a number of ghost in this story which I was glad to see. Again lately Graham has not had as many ghostly encounters in her books.. yes there are ghost just not as many scenes with them but this one had a couple of good ones and I enjoyed that.

If you love a ghost story and a romance then you can not beat the way that Graham brings her stories together.

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

September 19, 2013September 8, 2013

Kimberly reviews Midnight Lies by Ella Grace

TITLE: Midnight Lies
SERIES #: Wildefire #2
CHARACTERS: Samantha & Quinn
AUTHOR: Ella Grace
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Wilde sisters of Midnight return in this thrilling novel of romantic suspense, perfect for fans of Maya Banks, Allison Brennan, and Lori Foster.

IT’S ALWAYS HOTTER AT MIDNIGHT.
The winds of fate have blown cruelly on a family that once had it all: money, power, prestige. The lives of three beautiful daughters were forever changed when, on a sultry night in Midnight, Alabama, a murder-suicide shattered the Wilde family. The girls grew up to live separate lives but now have returned home, each to face a danger no one can see coming.

Former homecoming queen Samantha surprised everyone by going into law enforcement, but beneath her tough façade lies a wary heart. The tragedy that struck her family is an ever-present reminder that nothing is ever as it seems. When the man she loves, Quinn Braddock, a doctor and Iraq war veteran, is accused of murder, Samantha assumes the worst. Brokenhearted, her confidence shattered, she returns to Midnight. Though exonerated, Quinn still feels the sting of Samantha’s doubt, but he can’t forget his feelings for her and follows her. Soon after his arrival, a shocking murder terrifies the town, and once again, Quinn is under suspicion. This time, Samantha will not turn her back on the man she loves—even if it means walking into a killer’s trap.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series but it certainly can be read as a stand alone. There is a lot of suspense in the this story but I think most of it is “Will they stop breaking up long enough to stay together?”. There is some actual suspense too and I enjoyed the twist at the end.

Samantha and Quinn are interesting. I am not sure they are my favorite characters (I so enjoyed Zach and Savannah from book 1 must more) but there is something about them. It was just hard to see why they kept fighting to be together. But they did and it made for a great story.

I can’t wait to read Sabrina’s story and I hope it continues with Brody and Logan too. This is just a really enjoyable and engaging read.

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

September 18, 2013September 16, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap
CHARACTERS: Varies By Story
AUTHOR: Kauffman, Angell & Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For friends Clara, Abby and Lily, only one thing is more delicious than the Pine Mountain holiday cookie exchange – finding the right man before they ring in the New Year!
Where There’s Smoke author Donna Kauffman
When flames from a recipe gone disastrously wrong send hunky firefighter Will Mason to pretty Clara Parker’s rescue, the sparks really begin to fly! And once Will gets a taste of Clara, he aches for more than just a little sugar from the famously single food columnist. .
The Gingerbread Man author Kate Angell
Folks have always told fun-loving Abby Denton that her anatomically correct Gingerbread cookies are. . .impressive. But those erotic cookies have nothing on the sexy stranger Abby saves from a snowy country road. Could Lander Reynolds be the Christmas treat she’s truly been longing for?
Sugar And Spice author Kimberly Kincaid
When caterer Lily Callahan goes up against hotshot pastry chef Pete Mancuso in the bake-off of the season, the stakes are high–and scandalously passionate. Will the gorgeous gourmand steal Lily’s heart–and the top prize in the Christmas cookie competition?

REVIEW:
This is a very cute anthology about 3 friends wrapped around cookies and great for the holidays. I was going to review each story separately but to be honest they all flow really well and fit together perfectly. The second story is probably the saddest of the three. And the first by Kauffman was my favorite but I really enjoyed all three stories equally.

The women of this story are strong and independent women and while none of them would mind a relationship it is nothing something they are focusing on which I was glad about. When you’re not looking is when love knocks I guess. The men if this story fall pretty quick but they are all sweet and loving and all very different.

This is a great holiday romance that is not overwhelming to try to read during this busy time of year.

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

September 13, 2013September 8, 2013

Kimberly reviews Dead Sexy Dragon by Lolita Lopez

TITLE: Dead Sexy Dragon
SERIES #: Dragon Heat #1
CHARACTERS: Cora & Stig
AUTHOR: Lolita Lopez
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The last thing dragon shifter Stig Wyvern needs is his dead friend’s kid sister showing up on his doorstep. He’s just minutes away from entering a mating phase. Sharing his isolated house with the young woman he’s desperately lusted after for quite some time is a recipe for disaster.

But Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only one who can protect her. That he’s deliciously sexy and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is just a bonus.

Cora quickly realizes Stig is hiding something from her. To make matters worse, she’s plagued with breathtakingly naughty dreams starring a shadowed lover who bears a startling resemblance to her host. And just what the hell is going on down in the basement at night?

Stig needs to get Cora out of his house but his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate and she’s not going anywhere.

REVIEW:
This is a very short story of only about 70 pages but the story is interesting. I honestly have never read a shape shifter book about a dragon so this was a different kind of story for me and I found I enjoyed it.

The writing is well done and the story is complete. The sex scenes are written well too and not overwritten. I look forward to the next in the series.

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

September 12, 2013September 8, 2013

Kimberly reviews Run To You by Rachel Gibson

TITLE: Run To You
SERIES: Lovett Texas #4
CHARACTERS: Stella & Beau
AUTHOR: Rachel Gibson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rachel Gibson, New York Times bestselling author of Rescue Me, returns to Texas with a tale of what happens when a tough guy meets his match—and falls harder than a ton of red-hot bricks .
There’s nothing like fleeing Miami to ruin a girl’s day.
Stella Leon’s bartending gig was going fine until gorgeous ex-Marine Beau Junger decked her mob-connected boss, spirited her out of the city, and claimed that Stella’s half-sister—the one with the perfect life—sent him. Now Stella has no choice but to go along for the ride . . . and seduce Beau’s military-issue socks off . . .
The Marine Corps was Beau’s escape from his old man’s legacy of naval heroism and serial philandering, but no amount of training could prepare him for the day he looked in the mirror and saw his father staring back. The answer: swear off meaningless sex. Oh, and find a way to make Stella Leon quit being so damn hot . . .

REVIEW:
Very cute short story. The chemistry between Stella and Beau is immediate and fun. While this is part of the Lovett Texas series it can certainly stand alone. There was a bit that didn’t seem finished but it still seemed to work out well. Beau is a great character and while Stella is a mess she is truly fun.

This is a adorable read to have available for one of those rainy days curled up with a cute book.

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

September 11, 2013September 8, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Sleigh Belles by Beth Albright

TITLE: Sleigh Belles
SERIES #: Sassy Belles #3
CHARACTERS: Dallas & Cal
AUTHOR: Beth Albright
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With her hair perfectly coiffed, nails freshly manicured and a heavy trail of perfume wafting behind her, local news reporter Dallas Dubois is sure she’s about to kick her career—and maybe her love life—into high gear. The director of the Tuscaloosa children’s Christmas play has fallen ill, and Dallas is ordered by her station manager to take the reins. Everyone is shocked—especially Cal Hollingsworth, who still remembers her as the Ice Queen from high school.

If nothing else, Dallas has never met a challenge that a little lip gloss and a Chanel knockoff couldn’t fix. But she has no idea how to relate to these kids, and their brutal honesty is giving her pause. Things are made even more complicated by the butterflies she gets whenever Cal is near….

But when long-lost family members re-enter her life, Dallas’s icy veneer begins to melt. And with Cal by her side, she soon realizes that it’s what’s under all the hair spray that counts.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars I enjoyed this story all though it had many sad parts. I wondered if it really was a holiday story with home much sadness was going on. But in the end as with all holiday stories it has a happy ending.

Dallas is hard to like at first. She seemed so smug and stuck up but once the reader gets to know her and her story there is actually something that changes the way the reader sees her. Cal is a sweet guy and I enjoyed him but honestly this is not his story. It is Dallas’s.

I’ll be honest. There were a couple of things I did not like. I tried to figure out how to say it on here but it would be spoiler so I will not do that but lets say sometimes forgiveness doesn’t come with a bow. And I wish there had been a epilogue. I wanted to know what happened with Sara Grace. But maybe that will be told in the next book. But all that being said it ended up a heartwarming holiday story perfect for a winter day snuggled up in front of the fire that gets you into a holiday mood.

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

September 10, 2013September 8, 2013

Kimberly reviews Tall Dark & Vampire by Sara Humphreys

TITLE: Tall, Dark and Vampire
SERIES #: Dead In The City #1
CHARACTERS: Olivia & Doug
AUTHOR: Sara Humpreys
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The last person Olivia Hollingsworth expected to see at her Greenwich Village vampire club was her one true love, Doug Paxton—whom she believed to be dead for centuries. Olivia thought she had moved on, but when Doug reappears, her heart knows she’d rather die than lose him again.

Ever since Doug can remember, a red-haired siren has haunted his dreams. He never thought she could be real until he goes to investigate a murder at Olivia’s night club. However, as the bodies keep piling up at her feet, he must fight to prove her innocence—even if it costs him his life.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars Well this was not one of my favorite vampire romance stories but it was good. The writing is good if not a little wordy. I enjoyed the suspense of the story and honestly had not considered the person who it ended up being. I did enjoy that this was not your typical vampire romance.

The problem I had was the characters had little chemistry and there were a bunch of liberties taken with what we know as vampire legend. Something was just of about this story but I can’t really say what it is.

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

September 6, 2013September 6, 2013

Kelly reviews Hunter’s Heart by JD Tyler

TITLE: Hunter’s Heart
SERIES #: Alpha Pack #4
CHARACTERS: Ryon Hunter & Daria Bradford
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: September 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. And when the battle gets personal, their wild side is unleashed….

Ryon Hunter sees dead people—spirits that beg him for help in ways he can’t understand. He’d do anything to end the torment, until a beautiful spirit appears to him with a plea he can’t ignore: Help me…I’m alive. The woman is wildlife biologist Daria Bradford, mortally wounded after encountering a white wolf, calling to Ryon through a rare Psy gift.

When Ryon locates Daria in the Shoshone National Park, it is almost too late, but nursing her back to health at the Alpha Pack compound brings a new complication—Daria is his destined mate, and Ryon is afraid of what will happen when she discovers what he is, and what he had to do to save her life. But the biggest threat of all is still loose in the forest, leaving a merciless trail of death behind it. The Alpha Pack goes on the hunt for the mysterious white wolf, determined to stop the murderous rogue… only to find that the most lethal creature of all is the one they can’t see coming…

REVIEW:
3.75 Stars Ryon’s gift of seeing spirits has always been troublesome for him. But when Daria’s spirit calls out for help Ryon can not just sit there and do nothing. He has to save her. He is not totally sure why just yet, and of course Nick is not saying, but Ryon knows he has to reach her before it is too late and save her by any means necessary. Even if that means by taking this chance might mean he could lose everything.

Hunter’s Heart opens up more questions than it gives answers to what really happened to the Alpha Pack the night they were attacked. But they do learn that it was not random. That it was a carefully executed plan of attack. And Daria’s uncle was one of the top rink leaders.

I really enjoyed Ryon & Daria’s story. I always love a visit to the Alpha Pack and really can’t wait to see what JD has in store for the Pack next.

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

September 5, 2013September 1, 2013

Kelly reviews Rush by Joan Swan

TITLE: Rush
SERIES #: Phoenix Rising #3
CHARACTERS: Quiad Legend & Jessica Fury
AUTHOR: Joan Swan
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jessica Fury, Washington lobbyist, has money, connections, and her own firm. But five years ago she had something better: happiness. Her firefighter husband, Quaid, was handsome, courageous, and crazy about her. Then one day he walked into a chemical inferno—and never walked out. Jessica has been through hell to get back on her feet. And then a rumor surfaces that could bring a miracle or shatter her world – again.

Q has been a prisoner forever. He’s honed his mind and body into weapons. He’s developed abilities no one else understands. But he’s still at the mercy of a cabal of ruthless men, who blank his memory, test him like a lab rat, and tell him lies. Although his past has been erased and his future looks grim, instinct tells him he has a woman to live for. What his mind can’t remember, his body can’t forget…

The heat is on.

REVIEW:
OH!!! Quaid & Jessica’s story. So excited to read this one!!! This story was good, hard, emotional and amazing all at the same time.

Quaid & Jessica’s story is an emotional roller coaster ride. After five long years of mourning and living a life she should have never been living, Jessica just found out that her husband might be alive. But seeing is not always believing and it is going to take a lot to convince Jessica that this man is Quaid. While every member of their team can clearly see that it is indeed Quaid, Jessica can’t face the truth.

Quaid can’t remember the beautiful woman in front of him, but he knows her. He has dreamed about her for years. When she appears with a team of men to rescue him Quaid doesn’t know if this is another dream, the doctors messing with his head again, or if this is real. Soon Quaid learns that these people are very real and could possible cause him even more problems.

Quaid doesn’t know who to trust, what is real, or what his future holds. All he knows is that he needs Jessica by his side. But will he be able to handle the fact that she is not telling him the whole truth.

This was a great story. Made me cry! Made me scream in frustration!! Made me want more!!!! I really can’t wait to see what Joan has in store for us next in the Phoenix Rising Series but I really, really , really hope (and Joan you better be reading this) that we are going to get an update story on Quaid & Jessica. Not just cameo’s in the next books. But another story even if it is a novella. I need an update on them already.
I just really need to know are Quaid and Jessica good? Any memories back yet? Any babies??
My inquiring mind needs to know Joan!!!

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

September 4, 2013September 1, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Memory Tree by Joseph Pittman

TITLE: The Memory Tree
SERIES #: Linden Corners #4
CHARACTERS: Janey & Brian
AUTHOR: Joseph Pittman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can they look to the future—and still celebrate the past…?

As the holidays descend upon Linden Corners, life becomes a flurry of cooking, shopping, and visiting friends and family—and young Janey Sullivan is worried her Christmas traditions may get lost in the mix. Though she loves her adoptive father, Brian Duncan, she longs for her birth parents and questions her past. But an unexpected yuletide visitor may have just the answers she needs.

Haunted by the loss of his soul mate, Brian is reluctant to test the waters of the dating pool. With his family all coming to visit for Christmas, he hardly has time to think about it anyway—until newcomer Trina Winter arrives in town. Now, as life moves on for everyone around him, Brian begins to wonder if he can do the same.

As they grapple with the pain of the past, Janey, Brian, and Trina will each learn to make the changes that could lead to a bright new future—and perhaps the family they’ve always dreamed of.

REVIEW:
This is a very sweet holiday story. Having read only the third in the series and now the fourth some of the history of this series is lost but it still makes for a wonderful tale. The third in the series (A Christmas Hope) had me bawling my eyes out (honestly) but while this one is sweet with a touch of sad it did not have the impact that the last one did. But that does not mean it is not good because it is. The other was just incredible.

The author is very…um…wordy. He likes to ramble a bit but his ramblings bring you into the picture of this quaint little town. I am sad at some of the turns this story took because the characters have already been through so much especially Janey but it did open up a new direction for the next story.

Someday I hope to read the first and second one in the series because I think the reader misses out on a big dynamic if the series is not read from the beginning.

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