Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly’s review of A Scandalous Affair by Karen Erickson

TITLE: A Scandalous Affair
AUTHOR: Karen Erickson
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Third in the Merry Widows series

From the moment Daphne, Lady Pomeroy, meets the mysterious Marquess of Hartwell at a masquerade ball, she’s determined to seduce him. The handsome, charming man cannot possibly be the cold, calculating lord who Society calls “Black Hart.” Risking everything, the lonely widow invites the elusive Hartwell to her dinner party . . . for two.
Hartwell’s arrogant reputation is built on a lie. For he has a shameful secret that keeps him in the shadows: a stutter—his downfall since childhood. He’d rather keep his mouth shut than look the fool. But he’s shocked to discover that in Daphne’s company—and in her bed—his stutter vanishes.
After one wanton evening together, Daphne is hurt when the lord lives up to his Black Hart name. Yet his reasons for leaving surprise even him. Now he must confess everything or risk losing Daphne forever.

REVIEW:
This is a short historical romance (about 80 pages). The story was fine and was written really well. I had not read the other two in the series before picking this one up.

For the most part I enjoyed the characters. Daphne is very bold and determined in this story. It seems that historicals use one of two female characters… the virginal wallflower or the passionless widow. This one falls under the widow. But I will say she is more bold than in most historicals. Now Hartwell…. He was just ok for me. He seemed handsome and passionate but also suffering from an inferiority complex brought on by his stuttering. The problem is he rarely stuttered throughout the whole book. The author claims he is so comfortable with Daphne he does not suffer from the ailment, that is until they discuss it toward the end of the story and then he seems to have it more. He even has a confrontation with another person and does not have the stutter which seems off for the reader since this is what the male character is all about.

However it is such a short story that if you enjoy historicals this would be great to have on your e-reader for when you are between books and looking for a quick read because it is a good story.

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Kimberly’s review of Forever And A Day by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Forever And A Day
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT
Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad . . .
With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family-until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day . . .

REVIEW:
This is the sixth in the Lucky Harbor series. Having read “At Last” (#5) the characters of Grace and Josh were familiar and I looked forward to reading their story but I had no idea how much I would enjoy it. And I really did enjoy this story immensely. The characters are a contradiction to the way the reader expects them to be from the beginning of the book. Josh seems so put together. He is a doctor with his own practice plus ER duties, he takes care of his paraplegic sister and is a father to a 5 year old boy (who steals your heart). While tired he is always taking care of everyone except himself. Grace seems almost like a flake, she is looking for CPA work but makes a living as a dog walker/art model/flower delivery, etc. Any thing to pay her bills but when Josh needs her she is right there.

It is so hard not to fall in love with Josh!  He is written so strong and yet vulnerable at the same time. I might actually have to say he is my favorite male character I have read in a long time (at least until the next book, right?) but I just could not put this book down. I do wish we had a bit more of the Chocoholics like in the last book and more scenes with Josh and his best friends (from the two previous books) but really I think this book was perfect. The only bad part? It ended way to soon!

This book is part of the series but can certainly stand alone. And I recommend picking it up but I also recommend starting it early in the day or you will be up all night reading (like me) because you just can not put it down.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Kiss Of Death by Debbie Viguie

TITLE: Kiss Of Death
AUTHOR: Debbie Viguie
PUBLICATION DATE:   10/09/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the wake of a failed attempt to defeat the vampire Richelieu, Susan and her friends are weakened and divided. Raphael must set aside his animosity and join with his enigmatic sire Gabriel to discover a powerful weapon before Richelieu claims it. Meanwhile, Susan and her cousin Wendy translate a 12th century diary belonging to their ancestor, Carissa, to learn the origin of their family’s connection with the vampires. As Carissa’s story of love and betrayal unfolds, they discover the secrets of the present will only be revealed by solving the mysteries of the past.

REVIEW:
This book is the second in the Kiss Trilogy and I have to say that I did not read the first one so I was a bit confused on why there was a vampire war and how the humans got involved in it. The book does give you a bit of background so that helped but it really did not answer all my questions.

The book has an interesting twist in that it is a christian vampire story. There is a number of references to God yet its about vampires… very interesting. The characters are appealing and the writing is really good. The book ends with a cliffhanger for the book coming out next year.

If you enjoy the vampire genre then you will most certainly love this book. It is captivating and any fan of the genre would not be able to put it down.

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

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s ARC review of Blind Destiny by Shiloh Walker

TITLE: Blind Destiny –
Grimm’s Circle #7
AUTHOR: Shiloh Walker
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s back to hell she goes…

Myrsina knows the stories. As one of the oldest of the Grimm, she had a hand in writing most of them, but only she knows the dark origin of the Seven Bloody Sisters. It springs from the place of her birth—and her death. A place of pain and misery to which she plans to never return. Unless forced.

When Luc appears on her doorstep, her heart twists with suppressed longing for the man who can never be hers. The only man who can make her do the impossible—go home.

Luc may be blind, but through their unique, bittersweet connection, even he can see that the task laid before them is ripping Sina’s soul apart. This time it isn’t as simple as fighting a demon that has escaped from the netherplains.

Sina must go back in time—to that cursed ground—and right a wrong that she unknowingly brought about. To write a new ending to a story that may give them both a chance at happily ever after. Assuming they survive.

REVIEW:
While Blind Destiny was not my favorite of all the Grimm Circle stories I still loved being back in the Grimm world.

Luc has lived in the past for way too long.  Now that the love of his life has moved on Luc has to rethink his purpose as a Grimm.  What does he have to offer?  Where does he belong?  And of course that is when Will shows up and send him on his newest mission.  But first he has to go get his new partner.  Sina

Sina has lived with the fact that she has been in love with Luc since the first moment she met him.  But she will never pay second to his wife (will ex-wife) so she has resolved to love him from afar.  But fate seems to have a way to change the things that we want even as we fight them.

Luc & Sina are really a good part.  Both are stubborn, determined and both complete pains in the butt.

Unlike Shiloh’s normal Grimm Circle books we don’t have to wait to the end to figure out who this fairy tale it about.  Which was kind of fun, but I do miss the who is this the whole time I am reading.

If you are a fan of the Grimm Circle books I believe you will enjoy Luc & Sina’s story.  And I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the Grimm’s world.  And I am really hoping one of these days we will get to see Will brought down a notch or two and find his lady love.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of At Last by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: At Last
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/26/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

REVIEW:
This is the 5th in the Lucky Harbor series. I have not read the other four books and had never read this author but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The character of Matt had me actually smiling by page 20. He is an adorable character. Amy is written very well too. Amy is a tough girl who has lived on the streets as a teenager and has finally moved to Lucky Harbor and found where she belongs. I believe we may have met her in at least the last book “Lucky in Love” (#4) but as I said before I have not read this series before. However this book is certainly a stand alone book. While I could tell that there was background to some of these characters from previous books it was not written in a way where you feel lost by not knowing the characters.

This story is mostly about Matt and Amy. However, I love the “bro-mance” of Matt, Ty and Josh as well as the friendship of the “Chocoholics” Amy, Mallory and Grace. Amy is just a wounded bird who is learning to fly again and watching her take flight is amazing. Matt is a womans dream. He is funny, sweet and loving as well as strong enough to take care of his woman and anyone else who comes along.

I will most certainly be working my way through this series now that I have read this one. I loved the writing of Jill Shalvis and can’t wait to read the next story of Grace and Josh (Forever and a Day).

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of A Little Mischief by Amelia Grey

TITLE: A Little Mischief
AUTHOR: Amelia Grey
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Isabella Winslowe is finally gaining respectability when the unthinkable happens: she finds the Earl of Colebrooke’s sister in the back garden with a stone cupid in her hand and a dead man at her feet. The last thing Isabella wants to deal with is a formidable earl who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his sister’s reputation from a murder scandal. As Daniel Colebrooke begins following Isabella around the ton, desperate to keep her from spreading her story and making mischief, he can’t help but notice how captivating she is. And if he’s not careful, he could lose his heart along with his sister’s reputation.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 2003 and a delightful read. This historical has a little bit of suspense and a lot of romance. The characters of Isabella and Daniel are perfect together. The connection they have even from their first scene together jumps right off the page. I love that Isabella seems so strong, confident and loves a good mystery and yet she has decided she should just become a spinster and has never even been kissed. She helps “wallflowers” come into their own by teaching them they are worthy and how to act. Yet she is just as much of the innocent as they are. She is innocent and worldly wrapped in one package. Daniel is written very well too. He is of course handsome and rich but he is also protective of those he loves and has a heart of gold.

Honestly this book has the basis of so many other historicals but it is such a delightful read that it is a must read. It is the perfect beach book or sit around and relax book. It is a very quick read and you really don’t want to stop until you get to the end. If you love the historical romance genre then this should be near the top of your “TBR” list. You will not be disappointed.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Promise Me A Rainbow by Cheryl Reavis

TITLE: Promise Me A Rainbow
AUTHOR: Cheryl Reavis
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Deserted by her husband because she couldn’t have children, Catherine Holben has thrown herself into her job counseling pregnant teens. Catherine is still recovering from the pain of her divorce, but her life is changed forever when she makes a purchase in a quaint curio shop. She meets handsome, hardworking Joe D’Amaro, a widower and father of three, and his daughter, Fritz. But Joe needs help with Fritz, a seven-year-old dynamo. She’s a precocious but headstrong little girl who’s impossible to resist., and he is too proud to admit it.

Joe and Catherine are cautious about making a commitment to each other. They both know the joy and heartache of falling in love, but are they willing to risk being together despite their misgivings? Neither can ignore the love that quickly blossoms between them. Maybe they can have a wonderful life together . . . if only Joe’s still-grieving older daughter, Della, will accept a new woman in her father’s life.

True love versus reality. Can Catherine handle his ready-made family? Or is there more in store for her than she thinks?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would when I picked it. The writing eventually was good, but in the beginning it was not written the way a normal conversation takes place but that seemed to change as the book went on and the dialogue became more real. The interesting thing about this book is Joe is a single father of three who manages to get by by the skin of his teeth. He is not rich nor has some fancy job, he is a man trying to make life work out as best he can. He is not perfect and he messes up more than not but he loves with his whole heart. Catherine is a teacher of pregnant teens and not some model or something. Catherine is a broken woman trying to get on with her life after a divorce and finding out she can not have children. They are just normal people who most anyone can connect to. The background characters are interesting too. Fritz is adorable and written really well for the age she is portraying. Charlie does not have much of a part but is cute too. And Della could have used a little more of a background for us to understand her pain but she was written as a typical teen. This book has a lot to offer especially if you are at a point in your life wondering if you can have a second chance at love. I do wish the book had a epilogue since so much was left without us knowing. Also the book started with both characters being still in love with the people of their past and in the beginning that is hard to get past even though eventually you do. I think this book is very good and I think if you enjoy the genre you will enjoy this book.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Starstruck Romance & Other Hollywood Tails by Julia Dumont

TITLE: Starstruck Romance & Other Hollywood Tails
AUTHOR: Julia Dumont
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As her Second Acts Dating Service truly takes off, Cynthia Amas discovers that in the heady world of high-end Hollywood romance, with success comes complexity. In this wildly seductive romp through the lush canyons and lavish neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the line between business and pleasure quickly blurs in a dizzying rush of sex and celebrity. Just as our heroine’s uncanny genius for matching up her growing roster of exclusive love seekers continues to deepen, her own love life reaches a fever pitch. Things get complicated. And funny. And excruciatingly sensual. Cynthia’s high-maintenance lovelorn mother, her maddeningly hot ex-fling Max, a long-lost high school crush, and of course her best friend, the libidinous, star-crazed Lolita and her mysterious pack of telepathic canines, are all along for the ride. Not to mention one very rich, very famous film producer. On top of everything else, her newest, most important client is literally the biggest movie star in the world. In more ways than one. When it comes to extra curriculars, he is the hardest-working stud in show business. Try as Cynthia may to hook him up with any number of gorgeous ladies in waiting, his notoriously one-track mind is set on her. She’s determined to steer the dating service to the next level, but it’s hard to focus, let alone keep your hands on the wheel, when you’re hot, bothered, and nearly driven to distraction along the steamy highways and byways of love and lust. What a way to make a living.

REVIEW:
This is the second in a new the series called Second Act. This book is a cute quick read. There are some funny pages and the dogs are adorable. The problem is that I never really found myself liking Cynthia. She and the rest of the cast can be very annoying. I never felt any chemistry with Max and Cynthia at all and spent the whole time trying to figure what she saw in him. Don’t get me wrong this is a cute read but just really didn’t have enough romance in it for me. Something is just off about this book for me even though I am not sure what it is.

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

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Ursula’s review of Spinning Gold by Vivi Andrews

TITLE: Spinning Gold
AUTHOR: Vivi Andrews
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/18/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Rumpelstiltskin as you’ve never seen it before. In this fairy tale, no princes need apply.

Juliana Ravel will do anything to save her innocent brother from the executioner, but what the supposedly charming prince demands is impossible. Spinning straw into gold? He might as well ask her to fly. Her only hope is a family heirloom – a gold medallion rumored to be the magic prison of one of the fabled golden fae.

Trapped inside the medallion for hundreds of years, Rue isn’t fool enough to trust Juliana, but he can’t help but be tempted by the feisty beauty. Even though she is the spitting image of the witch who betrayed and imprisoned him, Rue agrees to help her. For a price.

Entranced by the exotic, golden-skinned man, Juliana agrees to his terms, believing her worries are at an end. But when the tyrannical prince finds her surrounded by riches, he isn’t about to let her walk away – instead holding her prisoner within the corrupt court. Juliana’s only freedom is her nights with Rue, where their negotiations turn to seduction, and together they construct a desperate plot to escape a life where they must keep spinning gold… or die

REVIEW:
A very romantic tale on the classic: Rumplestiltskin.  It was set in medieval times, contained magic, fae and had hot sex.  There was a villain, a brother in peril and a handsome prince. Sounds like the stuff dreamy stories are made of.  I just wasn’t swept away.  The whole evil prince/evil advisor plot was a little convoluted. So was the whole captured/enslaved fae part for that matter. I enjoyed the premise of a girl willing to do anything it took to save her brother. The realization that she was totally naive and that she had some growing up to do was the best part of the book. Oh and the happy ending. Because I am a sucker for those.

The premise for the story was great. The characters were the stuff that fairytales are made of. The writing was solid. And the plot was classic. But it just didn’t carry me off into the fantasy. I think a lot of people will really enjoy this book. It just wasn’t for me.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of a blog contest.

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Kelly’s review of Lover’s Instinct by Katie Reus

TITLE: Lover’s Instinct – Moon Shifter #1.5
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Novella:
Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.

To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.

REVIEW:
Lover’s Instinct was a great novella.  But like any good novella it was too short.  I really wanted more of Nikan & Esperanze.

Lover’s Instinct takes place between Alpha Instinct & Primal Possession, but can be read as a stand alone.  Although I would highly recommend reading Alpha Instinct first.

In Lover’s Instinct we meet Esperanze who is the cousin of the female Alpha.  After a string of murders leaves the pack reeling Esperanze decides she need a weekend away.  Just a weekend away to regroup.  While her Alpha’s are letting her go they are not letting her go alone.  They are sending Nikan long to protect her.  Nikan is new to the pack.  He is one of the Warriors that showed up with the new Alpha.  While Esperanze doesn’t mind Nikan at all she is not overly happy he is tagging along with her on her weekend away.

Little does Esperanze know that she is leaving one problem for another and having Nikan by her side will be a very helpful too.

I really can’t say much more than that, but I did really enjoy this novella.

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.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards

TITLE: Soul Weaver
AUTHOR: Hailey Edwards
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/07/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family’s bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe’s life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.

REVIEW:
Honestly it is hard to say if I liked this book or not. In the beginning there were so many characters introduced (and of course they were complicated angel names) that it was difficult to remember who was who and why they were doing what they were doing. The characters of Nathanial and Chloe just never connect for me. The characters of Chloe and Neve are actually a bit more interesting.

I was just so lost in the beginning of the story that I think I never fully got into the storyline. Yes the story got better but just never up to the potential the story had. There seem to be a lot of holes in the story. I mean supposedly Chloe has no ties to anyone (or atleast her soul doesn’t) but she seems to have a family she loved and people calling her and helping her.

While I have read books with angels/fallen angels I have not read one (not that I remember) solely on them so maybe I am not used to the genre and if someone is into this kind of story I can see them enjoying the book. It just really was not my cup of tea.

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

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Kimberly’s review of Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies by Cynthia Cooke

TITLE: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies
AUTHOR: Cynthia Cooke
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Family secrets must be kept, and painful wounds must be ignored.
After an all-out assault by a vicious terrorist bent on destroying her entire family, a former government agent must break the strict rules she has always lived by when she emerges from hiding to reluctantly accept the help of her all-too-sexy ex-lover. Running a deadly race against time, they rush to rescue her kidnapped sister, find her missing father, and bring the notorious villain to justice. But nothing ever goes as planned. Bullets fly, danger abounds, and their
passion reignites even faster than the lies are flowing. But their stubbornly held secrets just might spell the end of their rekindled love and hopes for the future…as well as their very lives.

REVIEW:
This is a short novella. Genie has gone into hiding after leaving the CTA (Counter Terrorism Agency) but when terrorist come after her Kyle (her ex-boyfriend) and the CTA come to her rescue. Now she needs to find out who the people after her are, how they found her and figure out how to save herself and her family. But she has so many secrets and she is afraid to lean on Kyle and reveal those secrets.

The problem was Genie and Kye have no real connection. While the story can be a little interesting it is just not a story that is believable enough to keep your interest completely. Luckily it is not a long story so reading it to the end was doable, at best.

The story has potential but the author just did not get the characters right. There is no connection to any of them (boyfriend, sister, dad, etc) and the reader just doesn’t get to the point of caring about them either. Plus as I said it is so unbelievable it just never meshes and it manages to get more off course with every page.

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