Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly’s review of The Unholy by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Unholy
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/26/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Hollywood shrine hides unholy deeds The 1940s: hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest. Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood’s Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless. He walks-and a young starlet dies a terrifying death. Movie mogul Eddie Archer’s son is charged with the grisly murder. Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in…irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren’t limited to the silver screen. Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil-who has her own otherworldly gifts-Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.

REVIEW:
The best thing about the ghost novels by Heather Graham is they are so hard to figure out who did it and this book was no exception. I will say I had the villain in my top 3 suspects but not the why. Heather Graham is the master of ghost stories. This is the sixth in the Krewe of Hunters series and the second with the Texas Krewe characters.

This time they head to L.A. because Sean’s old boss and mentor calls to say his son was arrested for murder. Madison has actually taken the position Sean worked in L.A. and is asked to show Sean the things that have changed since he left. I really never felt a huge connection between Sean and Madison, they just didn’t have that love match that other characters from Graham have had. That being said it is still a great story. I have no idea where Graham finds the time to research so much for her stories.

I really enjoyed the ghost that lives with Madison (I won’t ruin it by telling you who it is) and enjoyed the mystery of the storyline. Another great book by Heather Graham.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Pleasures Of A Tempted Lady by Jennifer Haymore

TITLE: Pleasures Of A Tempted Lady
AUTHOR: Jennifer Haymore
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
DANGEROUS DESIRE
Captain William Langley knows the ocean well, but nothing could prepare him for what he discovers adrift on the cold Irish Sea. The tiny boat carries two passengers: a child–and Meg Donovan, Will’s long-lost love. Meg’s disappearance at sea eight years ago was a devastating blow. Now she’s back, as beautiful as ever, and with secrets as deep as Will’s own . . .
After years held captive by a cold-blooded pirate, Meg has finally escaped with little Jake, the boy she’s come to love as if he were her own. But the pirate wants his revenge–and Meg must do whatever it takes to shield Jake from the madman. Determined not to lose Meg again, Will vows to protect them both, yet Meg can’t risk putting the only man she’s ever loved in danger. With the threat to her safety growing, and her passion for Will burning brighter every day, surrendering herself to Will might be a pleasure too tempting to resist . . .

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Donovan Sisters series. I had not read the previous two books. However this book stands alone even though you can tell in a few paragraphs that there is a previous story from other books. I was going between 3 ½ and 4 stars but decided on 4 because this really is a captivating story that I enjoyed.

It is a historical set at sea for probably about half of the book. Meg and Will have a wonderful long-lost-love feeling to them. They find each other again and over all the years the love has not died no matter what they have been dealing with. Jake is a wonderful boy who steals the scenes that he is in. There is a lot of adventure in the story and a lot of love.

If you are a fan of the historical stories then this is one you will most certainly enjoy reading. It has all the feel of the romances of years ago with the wind swept sea and lost love. It is wonderfully written.

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 Only His by Susan Mallery

Only His
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/27/11
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wedding bells are ringing in Fool’s Gold, but not for Nevada Hendrix. Her triplet sisters are engaged, and even her mother has a more active love life than she does. Determined to make a fresh start, she applies for her dream job, only to discover that her new boss is her first love. Maybe she could overlook the fact that they’ve seen each other naked, but she’ll never forget the way he broke her heart.
Tucker Janack agrees to Nevada’s “business only” ground rules. After all, love is a trap that the construction millionaire has avoided his whole life. But when great business partners turn out to be so much more, every rule gets broken. Will either of them be willing to try again…or will their past get in the way?

REVIEW:
Another wonderful visit to the “Land of Happy Endings”. This is the sixth in the Fool’s Gold series and the last of the Hendrix triplets stories. While, of course, you can read this as a stand alone I would not recommend it. This is a series that no one should miss and it is best to start in the beginning.

This is the story of Nevada Hendrix. She is the triplet who is the most tom-boy of the three girls so it was fun to watch her have some “girly” moments. Tucker is a interesting character. It is also interesting that the main characters knew each other before but in a different setting all together. They did not grow up together like in some romances but met for a short time in college while he was involved with someone else. As a fan of the series it was great to find out the history of Jo and to see where Denise had gone with her romance with Max. Of course we caught up with the other two Hendrix triplets s well.

The best thing about this series is it is a progressive series. The couple from book one is mentioned and we read about them having a baby, etc. We meet up with them while they attend the same festivals or even just walk down the street. It is set up so the people of the town are always evolving and like the character of Jo, who we met in the original book, we are just now learning of her past who the town as speculated on from the beginning.

I love this series and I love all novels from Susan Mallery. She is an author not to be missed!

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of A Wild Night’s Bride by Victoria Vane

A Wild Night’s Bride
AUTHOR: Victoria Vane
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/27/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With the devil in charge, there will surely be hell to pay…
What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake?
She’s a lonely lady down on her luck.
Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.
He’s steadfast and eminently respectable.
Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife’s death and has avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life…of celibacy.
With the devil in charge, there will surely be hell to pay.
Devil-in-disguise Viscount Ludovic DeVere is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind-blowing passion after which “Dull Dog Ned” awakes to find himself in the King of England’s bed!

REVIEW:
Phoebe and Ned meet during a night of an erotica soree. She is looking for a protector and he has been forced to attend by his friend DeVere. A bet is put down by DeVere to challenge him. So he is challenged to take a woman in the King’s bed… not just any woman but Phoebe. To win the bet DeVere, Phoebe and Ned work together. But there is more to every story.

Between the beginning of the story and the end was like reading two different authors. The beginning was a little bit of a let down. The writing in the beginning was as if the author was trying too hard. But then about halfway through the writing seemed to change. The story became more interesting and the writing better. If you are interested in historicals with a touch of erotica then I think you will enjoy this book.

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Kimberly’s review of Threat Of Darkness by Valerie Hansen

Threat of Darkness
AUTHOR: Valerie Hansen
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/05/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
TO PROTECT THE CHILD
As a nurse and special advocate for children, Samantha Rochard is used to danger in small town Serenity, Arkansas. But when she suspects a little boy is in jeopardy from his powerful father, the danger turns on her. Her only source of protection? The handsome police officer who broke her heart five years ago. Yet after John Waltham comes to her rescue in more ways than one, Samantha must trust in him-and the Lord-to watch over her…and save one sweet little boy.

REVIEW:
This is a short story (about 200 pages). The synopsis of this book makes it seem that the characters are on the run with this boy who has an abusive father but in all honesty the boy is barely featured for the first half of the story and while the events of the book wrap around him in the second half the child himself is not really an intrical part of the remainder of the story. The story is more about the difficulties that Samantha is going through and the fact that the love of her life is back in town and seem to be thrown together at every turn.

Samantha is a interesting character and I liked her but I was not fond of John at all. He is a cop but really he seems useless to me. He never seems to understand the danger Sam is in and seems to not be a very bright man in the face of danger. The best character in the book is the dog, Brutus, he at least knows when there is danger.

This is a Christian book so there are a lot of mentions of praying and God which was fine but it seemed at times that they only prayed when help was needed and for me that seems wrong. I am not sure that I would say this book was great but it was good and I wanted to know what happened in the end.

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Kelly’s review of Fear The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

Fear the Darkness 

Guardians of Eternity #9
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/28/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Her visions lead her to danger

Beautiful Cassandra is a Were, a prophet both vulnerable and defiant, blessed with visions that portend the fate of the world. A rare and delicate creature, Cassie must be protected at all costs. Enter Caine, a powerful cur turned pure blooded Were whose recent tangles with a demon lord have left him in serious need of redemption. Caine is duty-bound to keep Cassie out of danger—and that means resisting his potent urge to seduce her…

And only he can save her

As Cassie’s mysterious visions lead them in and out of danger, Caine believes he has found his true mate, the woman with whom he is bound for all eternity. Cassie is both charmed and frightened by Caine’s magnetism, and unsure if he–or her feelings for him–can be trusted. But Cassie can’t afford to doubt Cain now. A deadly enemy bent on destruction is closer than they realize—and only they can keep chaos from ruling the world.

Review:
Fear the Darkness was a fabulous book.  Caine & Cassie’s story sucked me in so completely that I read this story so fast.  If I didn’t need sleep to function I would have read in one sitting.

I have to admit that I have not read all the books in the Guardians of Eternity series.  But that didn’t stop me from understanding what is happening in Fear the Darkness.  While I would recommend reading the books in order, it is not a must.

While I don’t know much about Caine and Cassie’s histories.  I love these characters in this book.  I loved the struggle these two have to go through.  I love all the drama that is surrounding them.

I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series and really need to do some backtracking and read the books I have missed.  If you are a fan of Alexandra Ivy, Fear the Darkness will not disappoint you.  We get a little of everything in this book, love, lust, trust, betrayal, dark and light, enemy and foe.

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of The Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand

The Chocolate Thief
by Laura Florand
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Paris
Breathtakingly beautiful, the City of Light seduces the senses, its cobbled streets thrumming with possibility. For American Cade Corey, it’s a dream come true, if only she can get one infuriating French chocolatier to sign on the dotted line…

Chocolate
Melting, yielding yet firm, exotic, its secrets are intimately known to Sylvain Marquis. But turn them over to a brash American waving a fistful of dollars? Jamais. Not unless there’s something much more delectable on the table…

Stolen Pleasure
Whether confections taken from a locked shop or kisses in the dark, is there anything sweeter?

REVIEW:
What do you get when you mix an American determined to get a hold of on very hot French chocolatiers secrets, no matter the cost?  You get a super sweet love story wrapped in a nice little package.

This was a really fun book.  I loved Cade’s determination in what she wants.  Even if she doesn’t really know what she wants.  But what better way to get to get what you want but to steal it.
Sylvain has a touch for chocolate that most don’t.  He understands it, he feels it, he lives it.  Similar to what he knows about women.  But Sylvain is not prepared for the feisty American that just walked into his shop.

It was really fun to read the world that Laura has created in the book.  At times I was craving chocolate so bad it was not even funny.  If you are looking for a sweet romance story, I would suggest picking up a copy of the Chocolate Thief.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Temptation & Twilight by Charlotte Featherstone

Temptation & Twilight
AUTHOR: Charlotte Featherstone
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/19/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Iain Sinclair, Marquis of Alynwick, is certain there is a special hell for him. An unrepentant rake, he holds nothing sacred – except for beautiful Elizabeth York. For years, Alynwick has tried to forget the woman he loved so well, and treated so badly. A woman who could hold nothing in her heart for him except hatred.

All of society believes Elizabeth, blind daughter of a duke, to be a proper young lady. But no one knows of her wanton affair with Alynwick. When Lizzy learns of her ancestor’s ancient diary – filled with exotic tales – she longs to uncover the identity of the unnamed lover within and hesitantly allows Alynwick, who claims to have knowledge of the “veiled lady,” to help her solve the mystery.

Eager to be Lizzy’s eyes, Alynwick brings the seductive text to life, and each night it takes greater effort for her to forget his betrayal. With each whispered word, her resolve gives way, without her knowing that a centuries-old secret will lead them to a present-day danger.

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Brethren Guardians series and having not read the first two in the series I must say that I was kind of lost with the background story. Apparently in the first two books the Brethren Guardians have been after “Orpheus” but there is not a lot of storyline in the book to explain the reason why they are pursuing him.

I enjoyed this story but it was just a bit too long for me. The synopsis makes it sound like Iain and Lizzy spend a lot of time reading this diary of exotic takes but I believe there were only about half a dozen readings and much of the story was about Iain wanting to be a different man then he was as a young man and Lizzy not trusting he has changed. It took over ¾ of the book for Iain to even read the first pages to Lizzy so I think the synopsis really gives the wrong idea of this book. However it is a really good book for what it really is… A historical romantic suspense.

I was very disappointed in the ended (the suspense part not the romance part) because there were no clues as to who Orpheus was. However I will say not having read the first two books maybe it was in those but I don’t think so. I think we were supposed to figure it out from this book and I have never been fond of throwing an unknown character in as the villain.

I did really enjoy the romance of Iain and Lizzy. Lizzy is blind but is so strong and her blindness is never written as a handicap. Iain makes women swoon and wish their men would speak so poetically to them. This is a very interesting book and the storyline is great albeit a bit too long but I think the reader can get past that for the great romance Featherstone has written.

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

4 Hearts
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Kellys’ review of A Woman Made For Pleasure by Michele Sinclair

A Woman Made for Pleasure
AUTHOR: Michele Sinclair
PUBLICATION DATE: 8/7/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Known as the Daring Three, a trio of exquisite young women are taking London by storm. But if Lady Millie Aldon has her way, no man will win her hand in marriage—not even the one she loves.

A Passion For Adventure

Drawn to a life of excitement and risk, Lady Millie Aldon made a pact to forsake marriage. But her plans are thrown into chaos when Chase Wentworth returns to town. The lanky lad she remembers from childhood is now the Marquess of Chaselton, possessing an air of mystery Millie can’t resist. As Chase moves through London’s elite circles, his stealth manner has Millie convinced he harbors a secret—one she is determined to reveal.

A Dangerous Seduction

As Millie makes a game of observing Chase’s every move, she finds her attraction to him unsettling. When a stolen kiss threatens to turn their flirtation into something more powerful, she questions her vow of freedom. But Millie has no idea of the danger she’s facing. Chase has a complicated past—and his clandestine efforts to expose a traitor will soon provide a more perilous—and passionate—adventure than Millie could ever have planned.

REVIEW:
The Daring Three…. So much fun I loved that three young girls make a pact to never marry, well except for the amendments that each put on the pact.  Amendments that no man could ever fulfill.   Or could he?

Millie has always been the hardheaded ringleader of the Daring Three.  But Millie never planned for the biggest adventure of her life.  Falling in love.  Chase has finally come home at the pleds of his mother.  But the last thing he ever planned to find when he came home was Lady Aldon.

I enjoyed this story and found the three girls fun.  Millie is a little pushy, stubborn and fiercely independent.  But I think she is a lot of these things because she is scared to fall in love.  Scared to trust people other than two closed pals.  I really liked Chase’s character.  He has a goal that he was to obtain, but finds that long his journey he has found a much better prize.

I am looking forward to the next adventure of the Daring Three.

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.

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Kelly’s review of Eternal Beast by Laura Wright

Eternal Beast – Mark of the Vampire #4
AUTHOR: Laura Wright
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/17/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Taste of Blood

Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life—and rules his thoughts and desires…

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender—she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray—the male whom destiny claims is her mate

REVIEW:
Ahhh the wonderful Laura Wright has done it again.  She has made me fall in love with her Mark of the Vampire series all over again.  I was very excited about Gray & Dillon’s book and it really lived up to what I hoped and dreamed it would be.  I will not give too much away, but……..

From the very first time we meet these two back in Eternal Hunger (bk 1) I knew they were going to be a fun couple to read about.  Both have been through hell and back in their lives.  Each has their own demons they have to face. Individually they are both strong and determined, but together (if they would stop fighting it for just a second) they are a powerhouse couple that can’t be stopped.

This was a great book!!!  Laura adds a lot of new dimensions to the Mark of the Vampire world, in both Eternal Captive (bk3) and Eternal Beast (bk 4).  But in EB we get into the mindset of the Order and why they think they way they do (sneaky, sick b*st*rds).  We also learn about the Impure Resistance that Gray is now a part of (looking forward to learning more about Rio, Vincent & Piper)and thier role in the world.   We also get to learn more about the newest Romans, The Mutore’s:  Lycos, Helo, Phane & Erion. We learn who and what they are and we actually see a very sweet and soft side of them (even if you only see it for a blink of an eye)

Which in classic Laura form, she leaves us hanging for the next installment in the Mark of the Vampire series.  ERION’s story!!!!    I am very much looking forward to this next installment in the wonderful series.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of A Secret Wish by Barbara Freethy

A Secret Wish
AUTHOR: Barbara Freethy
PUBLICATION DATE:   12/08/11
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Three women, three birthdays and one unforgettable night that will change their lives forever.

One night in San Francisco, three women make a birthday wish believing it can’t possibly come true. Liz is turning thirty. A successful nurse, she has a good career, but no man to share her life. All her friends are married, and she’s alone, still trying to outrun a tragedy from her past. Then she meets a handsome stranger.

Angela, a member of a large, loving Italian family, is facing thirty-five with no baby in the nursery. Eight years of infertility treatments have put a strain on her marriage. Will she have to choose between her husband and having a child? When she is mugged by an unexpected assailant, her life takes a new turn.

Carole, a corporate wife, is staring down forty candles. Having grown up poor, she worked hard to get ahead, but when her kids bail on her birthday, and she discovers her husband with another woman, she realizes that she may have nothing at all. She goes back to where it all began, the mother she left behind, and the man whose heart she once broke.

REVIEW:
This is a novella of about 100 pages that takes place on the birthday of three women who share the special day but are complete strangers. They each make a special wish and this is the story of how those wishes play out.

The interesting thing about this story is everything (except the epilogue) takes place in one 24 hour period for these three ladies and they all even have a chance encounter. They are each celebrating a milestone birthday (30, 35 and 40) and are each in different places in their lives and yet they all have something in common.

This is really a poignant and interesting read. Anyone who is feeling like life is passing them by or not what they expected should read this short story. It makes you feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel and, thankfully, it is not a train. While we have the ideal image of life in our heads it does not always work out that way and yet we find out that perfect is not always what we have but what we need and want. This is an enjoyable short book to have ready to read.

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of An Inconvenient Affair by Catherine Mann

An Inconvenient Affair – The Alpha Brotherhood #1
AUTHOR: Catherine Mann
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes Wrong Feels Oh-So Right Hillary Wright has always been a magnet for Mr. Wrong. Her latest left her in trouble with the law, and to clear her name, she’s agreed to an undercover sting-as the “date” for infamous Troy Donavan. The notorious hacker is now a government good guy…and a sexy billionaire playboy. Troy has a reputation as the sort of man she’s vowed to avoid, and his secretiveness adds fuel to Hillary’s distrust. But with his kisses like molten sin, her fierce resistance is melting. And being sensible in the face of such overpowering desire is just not an option

REVIEW:
The Alpha Brotherhood:
A groups of three very troubled but very brilliant young men who meet in boarding school from an unlikely friendship that has stood the test of time over the last 17 years.  They call themselves The Alpha Brotherhood and have become the brothers they never had grouping up.  Brothers that are there for them, through thick and thin.

An Inconvenient Affair is book one in the Alpha Brotherhood trilogy.  We meet Troy Donavan, a notorious hacker turned billionaire playboy who moonlights as secret government agent.  Troy’s latest assignment is Hillary Wright.  He is to learn what she knows and get out.  But Troy doesn’t like to play by the rules and when he changes his plans and ends out on Hillary’s plane, neither of them will ever be the same.

Troy and Hillary are a great couple to read about.  They banter like an old married couple.  They both are stubborn and don’t take being lied to very well.  But when it come down to the end both are willing to go the extra mile to get what they want.

This was a fun quick read.  I am looking forward to the next installment in The Alpha Brotherhood series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
OR
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.

4 Hearts