Review Sunday – Page 63 – Books-n-Kisses

November 9, 2016November 6, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: One Snowy Night
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #2.5
CHARACTERS: Max Stranton & Rory Andrews
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: November 8, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

REVIEW:
QUICK!!!! This was a super quick read. I really wanted more to happen. But the tension between Max and Rory has been building over the last two books. I don’t think that you have to read this series in order, but I would. It will give you a better insight into Max and Rory’s relationship. I don’t want to give away any details, but we finally learn in One Snowy Night why Max has been so stand offish to Rory over the years.
Really enjoying this new series my Ms. Shalvis and I can’t wait for the next installment.

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

November 8, 2016November 6, 2016

Kelly reviews The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: The Purloined Poodle
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles #8.5
CHARACTERS: Oberon (The Irish Wolfhound) and Atticus O’Sullivan
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 57 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Thanks to his relationship with the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon the Irish wolfhound knows trouble when he smells it—and furthermore, he knows he can handle it.

When he discovers that a prizewinning poodle has been abducted in Eugene, Oregon, he learns that it’s part of a rash of hound abductions all over the Pacific Northwest. Since the police aren’t too worried about dogs they assume have run away, Oberon knows it’s up to him to track down those hounds and reunite them with their humans. For justice! And gravy!

Engaging the services of his faithful Druid, Oberon must travel throughout Oregon and Washington to question a man with a huge salami, thwart the plans of diabolical squirrels, and avoid, at all costs, a fight with a great big bear.

But if he’s going to solve the case of the Purloined Poodle, Oberon will have to recruit the help of a Boston terrier named Starbuck, survive the vegetables in a hipster pot pie, and firmly refuse to be distracted by fire hydrants and rabbits hiding in the rose bushes.

At the end of the day, will it be a sad bowl of dry kibble for the world’s finest hound detective, or will everything be coming up sirloins?

The Purloined Poodle is another exciting novella entry in Kevin Hearne’s New York Times best-selling Iron Druid series.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Awesome as always!!!! I loved this novella that Mr. Hearne wrote for us.
The Purloined Poodle is told from Oberon’s point of view. Oberon is one of my all time favorite character!! So listening to him tell this story was great. Of course the amazingly talented Luke Daniels narrator this book when makes just that much better. So in the Purloined Poodle Oberon and his trusty sidekick Atticus are on a mission to solve a murder. It was a fun journey! It was also great to see all the wonderful places in the Pacific Northwest that showed up in this story.
The only thing that made me sad was that this story was short. I can’t wait for the next installment in the IDC and I hope that we will get more of Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible.com and this is my honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 7, 2016November 6, 2016

Kimberly reviews Al Capone by Deirde Bair

TITLE: Al Capone
CHARACTERS: Al Capone
AUTHOR: Deirdre Bair
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From a National Book Award-winning biographer, the first complete life of legendary gangster Al Capone to be produced with the cooperation of his family, who provided the author with exclusive access to personal testimony and archival documents.

Born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York, to poor, Italian immigrant parents, Al Capone went on to become the most infamous gangster in American history. In 1925, during the height of Prohibition, Capone’s multi-million-dollar Chicago bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling operation dominated the organized-crime scene. His competition with rival gangs was brutally violent, a long-running war that crested with the shocking St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929. Through it all, and despite the best efforts of law enforcement and the media elite, Capone remained above the fray. Federal income-tax evasion was the strongest charge that could be made to stick, and in 1931 he was sentenced to eleven years in federal prison. After serving six-and-a-half years, mostly in Alcatraz, a severely impaired Capone, badly damaged by neurosyphillis, was released to live out his final years with his family in Miami. From his heyday to the present moment, Al Capone’s life has gripped the public imagination, and his gangster persona has been immortalized in the countless movies and books inspired by his exploits.

But who was the man behind the legend? Capone loved to tell tall tales that perpetuated his mystique; newspapers loved him and frequently embellished or fabricated stories about him to sell copies. While some remember him as fundamentally kind and good, others speak of how frightening he was, a vicious, cold-blooded killer. Was Al really such a quotable wit? Did he really shower the poor with hundred-dollar bills and silver dollars from the window of his bulletproof car? Did he really keep a bevy of mistresses ensconced in his hotel headquarters in Chicago? Writing with exclusive access to Capone’s descendants, Deirdre Bair finally gets at the truth behind this eternally fascinating man, who was equal parts charismatic mobster, doting father, and calculating monster.

REVIEW:
I have had an interest in Al Capone for years. I have no idea what it is about him but I really think he is a fascinating person. He was bad and yet he was a really good guy to those he felt deserved it.

I believe this book did a really good job showing what his family, friends and conspirators felt about the man. There were a number of things that I didn’t know about him in this book and of course there were things that I did know already that were not a part of the book.

I would say if you don’t know anything about the man this is not the only book you should read but it is one that gets a portion of his life as told by his closest people out to the world.

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

November 4, 2016October 31, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Obsidian Chamber by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

TITLE: The Obsidian Chamber
SERIES #: Pendergast #16
CHARACTERS: Constance & Proctor
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/18/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A TRAGIC DISAPPEARANCE
After a harrowing, otherworldly confrontation on the shores of Exmouth, Massachusetts, Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast is missing, presumed dead.
A SHOCKING RETURN
Sick with grief, Pendergast’s ward, Constance, retreats to her chambers beneath the family mansion at 891 Riverside Drive–only to be taken captive by a shadowy figure from the past.
AN INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT
Proctor, Pendergast’s longtime bodyguard, springs to action, chasing Constance’s kidnapper through cities, across oceans, and into wastelands unknown.
BUT IN A WORLD OF BLACK AND WHITE, NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
And by the time Proctor discovers the truth, a terrifying engine has stirred-and it may already be too late . . .

REVIEW:
So here is the problem.. This is a Pendergast novel but there is no Pendergast. This is more of Constance’s story which isn’t bad I just miss Pendergast when he is not around.

Preston and Child have this interesting way of writing. My understanding is this each write their part separately and then bring their book together to complete. If this is true in some ways I think this is what makes the series so interesting.

I will say that while you can sometimes read the Pendergast series out of order you really need to read Crimson Shore (#15) before this story to understand where Pendergast is and why Constance is the star of this story.

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

November 3, 2016October 31, 2016

Kimberly reviews Escape Clause by John Sandford

TITLE: Escape Clause
SERIES #: Virgil Flowers #9
CHARACTERS: Virgil
AUTHOR: John Sandford
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/18/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Whenever you hear the sky rumble, that usually means a storm. In Virgil Flowers’ case, make that two. The exceptional new thriller from the writer whose books are “pure reading pleasure” (Booklist)

The first storm comes from, of all places, the Minnesota zoo. Two large, and very rare, Amur tigers have vanished from their cage, and authorities are worried sick that they’ve been stolen for their body parts. Traditional Chinese medicine prizes those parts for home remedies, and people will do extreme things to get what they need. Some of them are a great deal more extreme than others — as Virgil is about to find out.

Then there’s the homefront. Virgil’s relationship with his girlfriend Frankie has been getting kind of serious, but when Frankie’s sister Sparkle moves in for the summer, the situation gets a lot more complicated. For one thing, her research into migrant workers is about to bring her up against some very violent people who emphatically do not want to be researched. For another…she thinks Virgil’s kind of cute.

“You mess around with Sparkle,” Frankie told Virgil, “you could get yourself stabbed.”
“She carries a knife?”
“No, but I do.”

Forget a storm – this one’s a tornado.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the ninth story in the series. And I swear the longer this series goes on the weirder Virgil gets. But not in a bad way. He is an odd character but somehow quite interesting. He just kind of keeps you wanting to read more.

Speaking of weird. Sandford writes in a different way than most, or at least most that I read. Sandford writes with both sides of the story but also throws in a number of completely other stories. It is hard not to keep your attention when so much is going on.

So much is happening you might want to keep a notebook by your side to keep track.

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

November 2, 2016October 31, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Snowfall On Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Snowfall On Haven Point
SERIES #: Haven Point #5
CHARACTERS: Andrea & Marshall
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember

It’s been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie’s friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who’s recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie’s gentle nature is a salve, and her kids’ excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

REVIEW:
This is a very sweet holiday story with a bit of mystery thrown in. Marshall is a good guy with a heart of gold for his town but not to any women and for sure not for any children. Andie is a lovely widowed mom of two young children so of course they are a match made in heaven. The kids are a perfect addition to the story as well.

The story did drag a little with the whole “I can’t be in love with him but I am” and “I shouldn’t be in love with her but I am” kind of attitude. Marshall gets a bit testy sometimes and has to apologize and Andie accepts but then he does something and you realize why she lets him be a grouchy guy.

This is a perfect by the fire story to get the reader in the mood for Christmas and romance.

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

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November 1, 2016October 31, 2016

Kelly reviews Death and Her Devotion by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: Death and Her Devotion
SERIES #: Rogue Vow #1
CHARACTERS: Zane Duncan & Stevie Taylor
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the first Rogue Vows novella, Zane and Stevie are about to get an unexpected wedding present…and it’s a deadly one.

It should be the happiest weekend of Officer Stevie Taylor’s life. She’s finally going to marry Police Chief Zane Duncan and live happily ever after in Solitude, Oregon. But all wedding plans grind to a halt when a dead body is found at a nearby campground. A vacationing A-list TV actor has been murdered…and all hell is about to break loose.

When it comes to a celebrity murder, everyone has a motive—and everyone wants a piece of the action. As news media and paparazzi swarm their sleepy town, Stevie and Zane must dig deep to untangle a web of lies, dirty little secrets, and betrayals—and uncover the killer. But the closer they get to the truth, the deadlier their investigation becomes. And if they don’t act quickly, ’Til death do us part may come sooner than they thought.

REVIEW:
I was so excited when Ms. Elliot and Ms. Leigh announced that they were going back to Rogue River. From the end of the last Rogue River/Rogue Winter series I was hoping the ladies would revisit this tiny little Oregon town.
It was great to be back in the city of Rogue River, Oregon even if it was a murder that brought us back. A murder of a high profile super star just turned this sleepy little town upside down. There is so much that happens in this little novella. Just when I thought I had it all figured out Ms. Elliot throws a curve in the road. So many unanswered questions!! I will have to wait for Ms. Leigh’s book (book 2 in this series) to hopefully get the answers I seek.
If you are a fan of either of these ladies you need to pick up the Rogue Series (there are three, but they all focus on the city of Rogue River and the Taylor family)!! Can’t wait to see what is next.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kendra Elliot in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

October 28, 2016October 24, 2016

Kimberly reviews Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Deadly Silence
SERIES #: Blood Brothers #1
CHARACTERS: Zara & Ryker
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/04/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
DON’T LOOK BACK

Under siege. That’s how Ryker Jones feels. The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency he opened up with his blood brothers has lost a client in a brutal way. The past he can’t outrun is resurfacing, threatening to drag him down in the undertow. And the beautiful woman he’s been trying to keep at arm’s length is in danger…and he’ll destroy anything and anyone to keep her safe.

Paralegal Zara Remington is in over her head. She’s making risky moves at work by day and indulging in an affair with a darkly dangerous PI by night. There’s a lot Ryker isn’t telling her and the more she uncovers, the less she wants to know. But when all hell breaks loose, Ryker may be the only one to save her. If his past doesn’t catch up to them first…

Full of twists and turns you won’t see coming, DEADLY SILENCE is New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti at her suspenseful best…

A Blood Brothers Novel

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This is the first in the second series wrapped around brothers designed by Dr Madison. If you have no clue what I am talking about then please go back and find Rebecca’s Sin Brothers series. While you do not need to read it to start this series it will help and trust me the stories are worth the read!!!

The Blood Brothers are Ryker, Heath and Denver are on the run from Dr Madison and Sheriff Cobb. Zara is a simple paralegal secretary who has a heart of gold and somehow she and Ryker begin an affair but it soon turns into more romance and more suspense to make this romantic suspense novel a wonderful read.

I will say I enjoyed the Sin Brothers a bit more than I enjoyed Ryker. He has a lot of different facets about him… he is alpha for sure and protective, he loves his brothers beyond belief and he can be controlling and downright obnoxious at times but when it comes to his brothers, Zara and Greg his heart turns to jelly and I found myself enjoying him. Zara is sweet but she has the heart of a mama bear. When you mess with what is hers she will stop at nothing to protect them.

I really enjoyed this story. I am thrilled that the story continues with the new brothers and it sounds like there are a number of brothers to come in the future (thank goodness). I am not sure who’s story is up next but I sure hope it is Heath’s. I have a feeling he may turn into my next book crush.

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

October 27, 2016October 24, 2016

Kimberly reviews Flawless by Heather Graham

TITLE: Flawless
CHARACTERS: Craig & Kieran
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone goes to Finnegan’s…

It’s a pub in lower Manhattan, run by the Finnegan family for generations and now owned by Kieran and her three brothers. Kieran Finnegan, who still works there whenever she can, has become a criminal psychologist—a fitting reaction, perhaps, to her less-than-lawful past.

Meanwhile, New York’s Diamond District has been hit by a rash of thefts. No one’s been killed—until now. FBI agent Craig Frasier is brought in to investigate; he and Kieran meet at a jewelry store in the middle of a heist. She’s there to “unsteal” a flawless stone taken by her light-fingered youngest brother as an act of vengeance. He’s there to stop the gang.

But the police and FBI soon discover that there are two gangs of diamond thieves, the original and a copycat group of killers. And the second group seems to think their scheme is as flawless as the stones they steal.

Thrown together by circumstance, drawn together by attraction, Kieran and Craig both end up working on the case. Unfortunately, there’s more and more evidence that, somehow, the pub is involved. Because everyone goes to Finnegan’s…

REVIEW:
This is a new series by Graham. I am a huge fan of her Krewe Of Hunters series which has a bit of paranormal (ghosts) to the mystery. This does not have that paranormal it is just pure suspense.

I loved the Irish NYC family right from the start. They are so messed up and yet have a heart of gold. They are trying to go straight from their illegal activities in the past but when her brother and best friend decide one more job needs to be done Kieran has to clean up the mess.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked Kieran very much and while I was never really head over heels for her relationship with Craig the suspense was well written and the family is great. I look forward to more in this series… well I hope it ends up being a series.

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

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October 26, 2016October 24, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason

TITLE: Mistletoe Cottage
SERIES #: Harmony Harbor #1
CHARACTERS: Sophie & Liam
AUTHOR: Debbie Mason
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘Tis the season for love . . .
Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she’s forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter’s blue eyes-and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie’s return is a shock for everyone . . . especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they’ve concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I don’t recall reading a Debbie Mason novel before but this will not be my last one. I can totally understand why Ms Mason has a reputation for writing wonderful holiday stories. I decided to read this one since it was the first in a new series. I look forward to reading the next one.

There is a lot happening in this story. A lot of emotion that is palpable as the reader gets further into the story. This is a story of a second chance at love when the first chance never really had a chance to get started.

As a couple others have said the part I had a hard time with was all the characters. Sophie and Liam’s story is great but there is a lot of background characters that can get a bit confusing. But no matter this holiday story is well worth the read.

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

October 25, 2016October 24, 2016

Kimberly reviews Family Sins by Sharon Sala

TITLE: Family Sins
SERIES #: Death Comes To Eden #1
CHARACTERS: Leigh, Brody & Talia
AUTHOR: Sharon Sala
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
MURDER IN EDEN

Felled by a cowardly shot to the back, Stanton Youngblood has just enough time before he dies to leave a single clue to his killer’s identity: the word Wayne, scrawled in his own blood.

That word means everything to his widow. Leigh Youngblood was once Leigh Wayne, but she left her wealthy family behind thirty years ago when she fell in love with Stanton, a betrayal the Waynes have never forgiven. Now she publicly vows to discover which of her siblings thinks money and power are enough to cover up a murder.

Back in town to find his father’s killer, prodigal son Brody finds his search for justice comes with an unexpected ray of light. He’s loved Talia Champion forever, but when she said she couldn’t marry him, he left town and never looked back. This time it’s Talia who needs him, and it isn’t in him to deny her anything.

But the killer still has a score to settle, and if that means spilling more blood—so much the better.

REVIEW:
This book has a little bit of everything. A bit of romance and mystery. I really enjoy a mystery where I can not figure out who the killer is. I spent many pages thinking it was one person, changing to another and then back to a different person.
I also enjoyed the romance. It was so emotional and even got me choked up.
I can see this story being made into a made for tv movie. Very well written. I look forward to the next one.

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

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October 24, 2016October 23, 2016

Kelly reviews Not Quite Perfect by Catherine Bybee

TITLE: Not Quite Perfect
SERIES #: Not Quite #5
CHARACTERS: Glen Fairchild & Mary Kildare
AUTHOR: Catherine Bybee
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee delivers the fifth heartwarming, flirty novel in the wildly popular Not Quite series.
Mary Kildare knows how to read people. It’s both why she makes a great therapist and why she refuses to trust the average bachelor. Staying fiercely independent has been her primary relationship strategy—until wealthy playboy pilot (and commitmentphobe) Glen Fairchild reappears in her life. After a yearlong teasing tug-of-war, Mary and Glen test the waters of attraction, only to find that their physical chemistry runs deeper than flirtation.
At first, a bicoastal romance suits them both—especially since Glen can swoop in and whisk Mary away on one of his company’s planes. But no matter how close they get, they’re still three thousand miles apart. And when Mary’s life is threatened, Glen realizes the one luxury he doesn’t have is time. Can he close the distance between them before it’s too late?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I broke my normal reading rule and read this book out of order. That being said I didn’t feel lost in the series. It was clear that things happened in the previous books but that didn’t affect my read.
Mary and Glen are two sweet together. I love the lengths that Glen goes to get his girl. Of course Mary has to make him work for it. Neither is perfect. But together they are. This was such a sweet love story. Really glad I picked this little gem up.
Now I need to go back and read the first four books.

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