Review Sunday – Page 35 – Books-n-Kisses

January 21, 2019January 20, 2019

Kimberly reviews Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Hidden
SERIES #: Deep Ops #1
CHARACTERS: Pippa & Malcolm
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hide. That’s all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she’s off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .

Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he’s been set up . . .

Fight. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa’s fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock . . .

REVIEW:
It is simple… Zanetti is one of the best. If you haven’t read anything by Zanetti before here is your chance to start with a new series.

Imagine if you just needed to get away and hide and you thought you were safe. Well in this case both Malcolm and Pippa both feel this way and yet they have been set up to be together. Now what?

Well that is what this story finds out. And with Zanetti telling the tale you will not be disappointed in the answer… I really enjoyed this story. I do not know where Zanetti comes up with her ideas but I am sure glad she does.

Can’t wait to read more of this series.

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

January 18, 2019January 15, 2019

Kimberly reviews Meet Me In San Francisco by Shana Gray

TITLE: Meet Me In San Francisco
SERIES #: Girls Weekend Away #2
CHARACTERS: Celia & Landon
AUTHOR: Shana Gray
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the second warm, funny and romantic novel in the Girls’ Weekend Away series, four best friends embark on the ultimate girls’ getaway filled with hijinks and a sprinkling of romance. For any fan of Bridesmaids and Sex and the City and readers of Jo Watson, Lauren Layne, Joanna Bolouri and Cate Woods.

The single mom…
When Celia Fox’s ex-husband serves her with custody papers during the same weekend he’s getting remarried, she expects things to go downhill from there. So when her best friends show up to whisk her away for a girls’ getaway to San Francisco, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Add in the chance to see Landon Bryant again, and she can’t wait for the weekend to begin.
And the playboy millionaire…
Landon and Celia shared stolen moments of passion in Vegas, and Landon hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since. He knows she’s under pressure to hold her family together, but he’s determined to prove he’s there for her – and that she deserves some fun of her own.
Are about to get wild.
As Celia rediscovers who she used to be and her relationship with Landon deepens, she begins to believe he’s someone she can rely on. But Celia has been keeping a secret from everyone – if the truth comes out, will they play it safe or take a leap of faith?
Look for the other Girls’ Weekend Away novels, including What Happens In Vegas!

REVIEW:
I am on the fence about this story. Some of it was cute and funny but the story was also slow and a bit draggy.

Being from SF I thought it would be fun to read. And like I said part of it was. There was a whole thing about a secret which actually seemed a bit overly dramatic.

This is the second in the series but I am not sure if I will pick up the next one.

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

January 17, 2019January 15, 2019

Kelly reviews Witch Way Did He Go? by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: Witch Way Did He Go?
SERIES #: Witchless in Seattle #8
CHARACTERS: Stevie Cartwright
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: November 27, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s me again, Stevie Cartwright. Powerless ex-witch, pseudo medium, and amateur sleuth, reporting to you live from the case of the missing ex-British spy turned ghost/quite possibly one of the most important people to ever become a part of my life.
You read that right. As Win and I and all the gang were busy planning our big Thanksgiving bash, he suddenly disappeared (right in the middle of telling me what a Philistine I am for even suggesting Cheez Whiz and crackers), and it’s as if he never existed.
Poof—he’s just gone! No one can find him, not even Arkady, our ghostly pal and confidant on Plane Limbo.
If I ever needed to make good use of everything my British spy ever taught me about sleuthing, it’s right now. But I run into roadblock after roadblock until I’m almost sure all hope is lost, and I’ll never hear his voice again.
Worse, how will I ever live with myself if I never get the chance to tell him how I feel?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts When Stevie’s British Spy guy just up and disappears the search is on to find him. But will Stevie and crew be able to figure out the random clues and find Win before it is too late?

Holy cheese balls!!! I loved this book. I missed having Hollie Jackson read this to me, because the sound of Win in my head is not nearly as good as Hollie’s Win!! But I just couldn’t wait to see what happens in Witch Way Did He Go. I am very happy that I didn’t!!

This story made me tear up, laugh out loud and cheer out loud!! I can’t wait to see what Ms. Cassidy has in store for us next.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 16, 2019January 15, 2019

Kimberly reviews The House By The Cemetery by John Everson

TITLE: The House By The Cemetery
CHARACTERS: Mike Kostner
AUTHOR: John Everson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rumor has it that the abandoned house by the cemetery is haunted by the ghost of a witch. But rumors won’t stop carpenter Mike Kostner from rehabbing the place as a haunted house attraction. Soon he’ll learn that fresh wood and nails can’t keep decades of rumors down. There are noises in the walls, and fresh blood on the floor: secrets that would be better not to discover. And behind the rumors is a real ghost who will do whatever it takes to ensure the house reopens. She needs people to fill her house on Halloween. There’s a dark, horrible ritual to fulfill. Because while the witch may have been dead… she doesn’t intend to stay that way.

REVIEW:
It is hard to find a good old fashioned ghost/haunted house story. That being said this one isn’t too bad. But it isn’t all that I had hoped.

The main character is hired to fix up a “haunted” house and yet when weird things start happening he doesn’t seem the least bit ill at ease. I mean I realize that the main character can’t exactly run out screaming at the first sight and never go back since the book would be done then but still he should at least a bit startled.

The end has a bit more gore than I wanted as well. But then that is just my like/dislike.

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

January 14, 2019January 13, 2019

Kimberly reviews Cut And Run by Mary Burton

TITLE: Cut And Run
CHARACTERS: Faith & Mitchell
AUTHOR: Mary Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/09/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twin sisters separated by the past are reunited by unspeakable crimes in New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton’s throat-clutching novel of suspense…

Trauma victims are not new to medical examiner Faith McIntyre, but this one is different. The unconscious woman clinging to life after a hit and run is FBI agent Macy Crow. What the woman from Quantico was doing in a dark alley after midnight is just one mystery. The other is more unsettling: Macy is Faith’s mirror image—the twin sister she never knew she had.

Faith knew that she was adopted, but now she’s finding that her childhood concealed other secrets. Following the trail of clues Macy left behind, Faith and Texas Ranger Mitchell Hayden make a shocking discovery on an isolated country ranch—a burial ground for three women who disappeared thirty years before.

They weren’t the only victims in a killer’s twisted plot. And they won’t be the last.

As the missing pieces of Faith’s and Macy’s dark lives snap into place, Faith is becoming more terrified by what she sees—and by what she must do to save her sister and herself from the past.

REVIEW:
Mary Burton has done it again. I have really enjoyed Burton’s books and this was no exception.

This story is a romantic suspense and a stand alone. I enjoyed that there was a bit of romance in this one. But the suspense is what keeps the book going. The characters are interesting and the background characters are really a major part of the story.

Faith and Macy have so much going on and keep the pages turning. I love any book by Burton and this is another one high on my list.

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

January 11, 2019January 9, 2019

Kimberly reviews Holy Ghost by John Sandford

TITLE: Holy Ghost
SERIES #: Virgil Flowers #11
CHARACTERS: Virgil Flowers
AUTHOR: John Sandford
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/09/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Pinion, Minnesota: a metropolis of all of seven hundred souls for which the word “moribund” might have been invented. Nothing ever happened there and nothing ever would—until the mayor of sorts (campaign slogan: “I’ll Do What I Can”) and a buddy come up with a scheme to put Pinion on the map. They’d heard of a place where a floating image of the Virgin Mary had turned the whole town into a shrine, attracting thousands of pilgrims. And all those pilgrims needed food, shelter, all kinds of crazy things, right? They’d all get rich! What could go wrong?

When the dead body shows up, they find out, and that’s only the beginning of their troubles—and Virgil Flowers’—as they are all about to discover all too soon.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the 11th in the Virgil Flowers series and somehow it really isn’t getting old. Flowers is such an interesting character. In this story there is a bit of a church feel to it that I found very interesting. We have all heard about sightings of Jesus/Virgin Mary and this town is actually devote to the belief.

This is a really interesting suspenseful story. Worth the read.

It can be read as a stand alone.

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

January 10, 2019January 9, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Little Shop Of Found Things by Paula Brackston

TITLE: The Little Shop Of Found Things
SERIES #: The Little Shop Of Found Things #1
CHARACTERS: Xanthe & Samuel
AUTHOR: Paula Brackston
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander

New York Times bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.

Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.

It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she’s confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.

While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.

With its rich historical detail, strong mother-daughter relationship, and picturesque English village, The Little Shop of Found Things is poised to be a strong start to this new series.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This cover is breathtaking isn’t it? I just love it. So how could I not request this book and I am glad I did. I love magic and wish so much that I could have some but when asked that question “if you had a super power what would it be?” I always say I do not know. But after reading this I wonder if I wouldn’t want the ability to know the history of anything I touched. This may be my answer from now on.

Back to the book…. I found the story as mesmerizing as the cover. This story has a bit of history thrown into the magical world. I loved the relationship between mother and daughter.

I look forward to reading the next in the series.

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

January 7, 2019January 6, 2019

Kelly reviews Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet

TITLE: Nightchaser
SERIES #: Endeavor #1
CHARACTERS: Tess Bailey & crew
AUTHOR: Amanda Bouchet
PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A delicious new heart-pounding romantic adventure from USA Today bestseller Amanda Bouchet!
Captain Tess Bailey and her crew of Robin Hood-like thieves are desperate and on the run. Pursued by a vicious military general who wants them dead or alive, Tess has to decide if she can trust Shade Ganavan, a tall, dark and arrogant stranger with abiguous motivations.
Shade Ganavan had oodles of arrogance, oodles of charm, and oodles of something that made me want to kick him in the nuts.
What Tess and Shade don’t know about each other might get them killed…unless they can set aside their differences and learn to trust each other—while ignoring their off-the-charts chemistry.

REVIEW:
When I learned that Amanda was starting a new series I was extremely excited. I really enjoyed her Kingmaker’s Chronicles so I knew I had to give her new Endeavor series a go.

Tess is awesome! I loved learning who she was and why she is so important! Throw in the smexy Shade Ganavan and his own secrets and you have a great start of a new series. The secondary characters are great too!! Ms. Bouchet does a great job of making you fall in love with the secondary characters as much as the main characters!

I can’t wait to see where and what will happen in this series. It is going to be a great journey for sure!

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

January 4, 2019December 16, 2018

Kimberly reviews Twisted Prey by John Sandford

TITLE: Twisted Prey
SERIES #: Lucas Davenport #28
CHARACTERS: Lucas & Taryn
AUTHOR: John Sandford
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/24/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lucas Davenport confronts an old nemesis, now more powerful than ever as a U.S. senator, in the thrilling new novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Prey series

Lucas Davenport had crossed paths with her before.

A rich psychopath, Taryn Grant had run successfully for the U.S. Senate, where Lucas had predicted she’d fit right in. He was also convinced that she’d been responsible for three murders, though he’d never been able to prove it. Once a psychopath had gotten that kind of rush, though, he or she often needed another fix, so he figured he might be seeing her again.

He was right. A federal marshal now, with a very wide scope of investigation, he’s heard rumors that Grant has found her seat on the Senate intelligence committee, and the contacts she’s made from it, to be very…useful. Pinning those rumors down was likely to be just as difficult as before, and considerably more dangerous.

But they had unfinished business, he and Grant. One way or the other, he was going to see it through to the end.

REVIEW:
Let me be clear… I think this story is well written and I have been a fan of the Prey series for a while but maybe it is because of the storyline I found myself zoning out more often than not.

The story is set in DC and there is just too much politics already that I just kept having to force myself to read the story. Maybe it would have been better at another time but I was just so over politics right now that reading about it left me empty.

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

January 3, 2019December 16, 2018

Kimberly reviews Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Not Quite Over You
SERIES #: Happily Ever After #4
CHARACTERS: Silver & Drew
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/23/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s nowhere better than Happily Inc to rekindle first love.

Silver Tesdal has a head for business and a mouth made for kissing, and banker Drew Lovato has his eye on both. But ever since he was dumb enough to let her go, she’s kept him at a distance. When the bank turns her down for a loan, Drew sees a double opportunity—he can finance her brilliant, unique idea to rock Happily Inc’s wedding industry and win back her trust.

Despite her reputation, Silver’s not as tough as she seems. Losing Drew nearly destroyed her. Still, his kisses are as tempting as his offer to invest in her business. If she can’t quite get over him, maybe she should get under him and knock him out of her system once and for all.

But her best laid plans begin to unravel as Silver finds herself falling even harder than when they were high school sweethearts. Which means that she’ll have to come clean about the secret she’s been hiding from him for years—and risk losing him forever.

REVIEW:
Oh Susan! You have done it again!

Susan Mallery is *THE* author that I always turn to when I want to read a contemporary romance. Happily Inc is a branch off of Fool’s Gold and this is the 4th in the series. Fool’s Gold was always my dream (novel) vacation spot. And Happily Inc is really starting to be where I want to visit after Fool’s Gold.

Mallery is great at drawing you in with the very first few pages. We have met Ronan in the first two of this series and not it is his turn at love. This is Drew’s story and we have known all along this would be the story of the Mitchell brother we all wanted to read. Worth the wait!

Never a disappointment!

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

January 2, 2019December 16, 2018

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Billionaire Wolf For Christmas by Terry Spear

TITLE: A Billionaire Wolf For Christmas
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #26/Billionaire Wolf #2
CHARACTERS: Aidan & Holly
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When the wolves’ own blood betrays them, they risk their lives to find a miracle.

Wolf shifter Dr. Aidan Denali has been working day and night to find a cure for werewolves’ alarmingly sudden decline in lifespan. The key to the problem eludes him. But when Aidan grudgingly leaves his work to do some holiday shopping, he meets a remarkable she-wolf whose mysterious pack could bring him one step closer to the answer.

Dr. Holly Gray is thrilled to meet the wolf who’s been working so hard to help others. Now, it’s her turn to help him. But while their attraction is sizzling, the packs are at odds, and the danger is increasing. It’s going to take a holiday miracle for Holly and Aidan to get themselves–and their loved ones–out of this alive…

Billionaire Wolf series:
Billionaire in Wolf’s Clothing (Book 1)
A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas (Book 2)

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Depends on how you look at this. It is either #2 in the series or #26… Mainly I look at it as #26 and to be honest I have enjoyed most of the series but it is getting a bit old for me. Spear has found her niche’ which I get and she has stuck with it a long time but I wonder what else she can write. There is only so much you can do with wolf shifters.

That being said the story is good. It has a bit of Christmas feel to it but after having read so many of her books I want for something different.

The romance is good and if you are a fan of the genre with a Christmas flair pick it up.

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

December 28, 2018December 16, 2018

Kimberly reviews Return To Me By Jill Sanders

TITLE: Return To Me
SERIES #: The Pride #7
CHARACTERS: Becca & Nick
AUTHOR: Jill Sanders
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/31/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Becca and Nick were destined to be together. He was the love of her life, or so she thought. Then tragedy strikes and Becca is left heartbroken and devastated. The road to recovery seems almost hopeless at times, but with love and support from the good people of Pride, she’s looking forward to putting the past behind her. When Nick’s best friend, Sean, returns home a year later, he brings with him an unexpected gift that has her reliving the past all over again.

Sean’s homecoming is tarnished with the loss of his best friend along with the recent discovery of his fiancees infidelities while he was deployed. If Sean needs anything right now it’s a good friend to lean on and Becca has always been there for him. When the two decide to get away for a while, they’re forced to accept the undeniable attraction between them. But now an unforeseen challenge threatens to rip them apart forever.

REVIEW:
This was released in 2015 and I had not read any of the Pride series. I recently found Jill Sanders as an author and have enjoyed her works so I am not sure if this is a re-release or if it was put on NetGalley for recognition.

The story was well written but seemed young. Not in age but as a writer. However the story is #7 so I am not sure that that terminology is correct.

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