Review Sunday – Page 76 – Books-n-Kisses

March 22, 2016March 20, 2016

#TBT Kimberly reviews Fated By Rebecca Zanetti – Catch up from the beginning!

TITLE: Fated
SERIES: Dark Predator
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
RELEASE DATE: 03/01/2011
Barnes and Noble |Amazon

SYNOPSIS:
Marry Me! Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem.

Or Else! Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice. . .

REVIEW:
I won this book from GoodReads.com and started it the day I got it. I enjoy some vampire books but I would not say they are my top choice(no I have never read Twilight) but I have read Larissa Ione and Alexandra Ivy and maybe another here or there but I have to say this book had me immediately. I would certainly say this book matched or came close to Ione and Ivy. At least to their beginning books. This is the 1st of a series by Zanetti.
Cara is a single mom. Both she and her daughter Janie have physic ability. Talen in a vampire who has been in a truce with the Kurjan’s and has known for centuries that Cara is his mate. These vampires are different then the ones we are used to they can do things others we read about can not. The Kurjan’s are hard to imagine for me. The are a species that has not been portrayed on tv/movies so I have a hard time imagining them. Talen is a dominate vamp (but what vamp isn’t?) but he has a heart of gold and I love the sweetness he feels about Cara even if he doesn’t realize it. If you are not into strong men Talen could get on your nerves but I found him wonderful and sexy and you can feel the love that radiates from Cara and Talen even though neither wants to admit it. Cara is a scientist that feels more comfortable around plants then people. I enjoyed Janie and the vamps interaction with her but there is not enough of her, there is too much time with Cara leaving Janie to be “protected”.
I can’t wait to get the next book that just came out. If you like vampires you will like this. It is one heck of a sexy book!

March 21, 2016March 20, 2016

Kimberly reviews Far From True by Linwood Barclay

TITLE: Far From True
SERIES #: Promise Falls #2
CHARACTERS: Cal & Barry
AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Linwood Barclay delivers the second spine-chilling thriller set in the troubled town of Promise Falls, following the electrifying cliffhanger ending of Broken Promise…

After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father’s house. Cal discovers a hidden basement room where it’s clear that salacious activities have taken place—as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But his investigation soon becomes more complicated when he realizes it may not be discs the thief was actually interested in….

Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders—one of which is three years old—he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound.

As the lies begin to unravel, Cal is headed straight into the heart of a dark secret as his search uncovers more startling truths about Promise Falls. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. Evil deeds long thought buried are about to haunt the residents of this town—as the sins of the past and present collide with terrifying results.

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts This is the second in a new series from Barclay and I have to say it wasn’t one of my favorites. There just wasn’t a thrill that Barclay’s books usually have. The weird part is I can’t figure out what is off about this book. It was fast paced, there was a thrill to it (even if not as much as normal) and the story is different than every other thriller but something just doesn’t sit right.

There are a bunch of characters in this book and maybe that was it. Maybe taking the time to remember who was who took some away from the story, I’m not sure. Please don’t get me wrong. The story is good. It is just not up to what I expected from Barclay.

You will enjoy this book but don’t compare all Barclay’s books by this one.

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

March 18, 2016March 13, 2016

Kelly reviews Cake by Lauren Dane

TITLE: Cake
CHARACTERS: Gergori Ivanov & Wren Davis
AUTHOR: Lauren Dane
PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane comes the latest release from Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin.

She won’t be satisfied with just one bite…

Art student-slash-bike messenger Wren Davis pursues what she wants. And what she wants now is Gregori Ivanov, rock star of the Seattle art scene. With his tattoos, piercings and sensual sneer, Gregori is the ultimate bad boy. Wren’s gotten to know the man beneath the body art, too—and it only makes her crave him more.

But Gregori loves women like he loves cake and champagne—intensely, but only for the moment. And after Wren experiences just how scorching sex with Gregori is, she’s determined to show him that just one taste won’t be enough..

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This was just an okay story for me. I found myself not really liking Gregori. I liked Wren I thought that she was nice and determined. But I didn’t love her. Them together was okay. But I wanted more. There was also part of the story line that I felt was left unresolved.

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

March 17, 2016March 13, 2016

Kelly reviews The Shamrock Case by Linda Weaver Clarke

TITLE: The Shamrock Case
SERIES #: Amelia Moore Detective Series #2
CHARACTERS: Amelia Moore & Rick Bonito
AUTHOR: Linda Weaver Clarke
PUBLICATION DATE: May 15, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A COZY MYSTERY: Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. With the help of Rick Bonito, her new partner, her business is flourishing. When Amelia is hired to search for her client’s grandparents, the case takes them to Ireland. Kate must learn about her heritage. Who are her grandparents and could they still be alive after all these years? Why did her parents leave Ireland suddenly and move to America? Is there more to this case than meets the eye?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Linda brings us another cute story about Amelia and her grand adventures. It was fun to go on this trip to Ireland with Rick and Amelia. It made me want to go to Ireland and see all the things that they saw.
I loved that Amelia is so willing to go to the ends of the earth to help someone. She really goes above and beyond what a typical detective would do.
Looking forward to the next adventure.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Linda Weaver Clarke & Audible.com in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

March 16, 2016March 13, 2016

Kelly reviews Her Fierce Warrior by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Her Fierce Warrior
SERIES #: X-Ops #4
CHARACTERS: Angelo Rios & Minka Pajari
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The woman tensed. As anger and fear ricocheted across her face, her eyes changed from red to green to brown in a dizzying display like nothing he’d ever seen.
Every instinct in Angelo’s body screamed at him to lunge for his weapon. Instead he set his feet for impact, blocking her slashing claws. Unbelievably, after a few moments of struggling, she went still, all the fight gone…
Minka isn’t sure she should trust the sexy Special Forces soldier who found her. Subjected to horrors, on the run from scientists set on locking her in a cage, Minka is terrified of the monster she’s becoming…and somehow, Angelo is the only one who can calm the beast inside her and make her feel safe.
But can she trust the way he makes her feel when she’s not even sure she can trust herself?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I loved that Minka was so attached to Angelo from the moment they meet. And Angelo just rolled with the punches and did everything that he could to protect her.

I really enjoyed reading Angelo and Minka’s story. Ms. Tyler does a great job of answering a few of the questions that have come up over the last few books. Even as she thickens the overall plot of the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!!

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.

March 15, 2016March 13, 2016

Kelly reviews Phoenix Reborn by JD Tyler

TITLE: Phoenix Reborn
SERIES #: Alpha Pack #7.5
CHARACTERS: Phoenix “Nix” Monroe & Noah Brooks
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: March 15, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wolf shifter and Firewalker Phoenix “Nix” Monroe has finally met his ultimate Bondmate—Alpha Pack nurse Noah Brooks. Unable to accept his own sexual identity, Nix rejects Noah despite the intense attraction he feels towards him.

By the time Nix realizes he has cast aside the love of his life, it may be too late to save Noah from a terrifying enemy…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am so happy that Nix & Noah finally go their story. It has been a long time coming. Noah is the bubbly nurse that everyone loves and wants to see happy. Nix is trying to get back to who he was before captured. But in order to be happy Nix is going to have to face a lot of demons from his past and embrace his future with the the mate he never really knew he wanted.
I am enjoyed Nix & Noah’s story a lot. It will be interesting to see how these two grow as the series goes on.

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

March 14, 2016March 13, 2016

Kimberly reviews Red Hot Texas Nights by Kimberly Raye

TITLE: Red Hot Texas Nights
SERIES #: Rebel Moonshine #2
CHARACTERS: Brandy & Tyler
AUTHOR: Kimberly Raye
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Bestselling author Kimberly Raye’s rousing new series continues. Get ready for squabbling kin, steamy nights, and mouth-watering romance…

LOVE IS ALWAYS INTOXICATING
When it comes to feuds, the Tuckers and the Sawyers do it Texas-style! The legendary moonshiners have been doing battle for more than a century, and they’re nowhere near ready to call a truce. Especially when Brandy Tucker, a self-taught chef, mixes up a brew that rivals the original-only to find the recipe’s gone missing. And the culprit seems to be Tyler McCall, a professional bull rider as hot as the Lone Star sun, despite the Sawyer blood running through his veins.

IN THE LONE-STAR STATE
Brandy is a sweet, sassy distraction Tyler doesn’t need-especially not when he’s preparing for a competition that will either make or break his career. The more Brandy and Tyler cross paths with one another, the less they can can ignore the heat that sizzles between them. Should they give in to their fiery passions-even if they both risk getting burned? All it takes is one kiss to find out…

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.75 Hearts This is a story of reality versus dreams and which wins. Both Brandy and Tyler have dreams. He dreams of the rodeo circuit and she dreams of a booming business. This series is a modern version of the Hatfields and McCoys.

This is the second in the series and while it can be read alone you will know you are missing something. In the first book the grandfather was killed and the families want the recipe for moonshine. In this story that background story continues.

This story is sweet and enjoyable. Pick up this book and the first in the series as well. You will not regret it.

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

March 11, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews True Spies by Shana Galen

TITLE: True Spies
SERIES #: Lord & Lady Spy #2
CHARACTERS: Baron & Lady Keating
AUTHOR: Shana Galen
PUBLICATION DATE: September 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s Getting Tired of Deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him, and his wife has given up on him.

She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue…

Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew.

REVIEW:
Winslow has been keeping secrets from his family. Secrets that he must keep. But when his wife starts pulling away, Winn has but one choice and tell her the truth. Elinor’s response is not at all what Winn had expected.

This was my first book in this series. I enjoyed the story and the characters but it didn’t wow me. I so want to go back and read book one because I really enjoyed the characters that will be in the book. Also Blue, his story should be fun.

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.

March 10, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace

TITLE: Midnight Secrets
SERIES #: Wildfire #1
CHARACTERS: Zach Tanner & Savannah Wilde
AUTHOR: Ella Grace
PUBLICATION DATE: April 30 , 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For fans of Cherry Adair and Karen Robards, a thrilling new romantic suspense novel from Ella Grace…

AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE HEAT BEGINS

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.

Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are—or which ones might be his own.

REVIEW:
Midnight Secrets is the first book in Ella Grace’s Wildfire trilogy. When I started the book and read the prologue I had a lot of hope for this story. This is nothing like starting a story with a set of murders. But from there the story kinda stalled for me. I understand that we needed Savannah & Zach’s history. But I got a little bored. When Savannah comes back to town she and Zach circle each other and circle each other. It took a while for them to finally sit down and hash out the past. While I end up really enjoying the final showdown parts and pieces of the book were just okay.

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

March 9, 2016March 6, 2016

Kelly reviews The Road by Cormac McCarthy

TITLE: The Road
CHARACTERS: A father and son
AUTHOR: Cormac McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: September 26, 2006
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

REVIEW:
I picked up this book after a friend suggested it to me after I suggested to him The Passage by Justin Cronin. The Road is a dark tale told of a father and son trying to survive. The story is told in snapshots. It is almost like we are following them take short videos of the events that are happening around them. There were parts of this book that were beyond disturbing and parts that were heart warming. I am really on the fence about my like/dislike for this book. I wanted more. More about the world. More about the why the world is what it is. More about the boy and his father.
It was a very interesting take on a post apocalyptic world.

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

March 8, 2016March 6, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Steel Kiss by Jeffrey Deaver

TITLE: The Steel Kiss
SERIES #: Lincoln Rhymes #12
CHARACTERS: Amelia & Lincoln
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Deaver
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/08/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver returns with his next blockbuster thriller featuring forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme.

Amelia Sachs is hot on the trail of a killer. She’s chasing him through a department store in Brooklyn when an escalator malfunctions. The stairs give way, with one man horribly mangled by the gears. Sachs is forced to let her quarry escape as she jumps in to try to help save the victim. She and famed forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme soon learn, however, that the incident may not have been an accident at all, but the first in a series of intentional attacks. They find themselves up against one of their most formidable opponents ever: a brilliant killer who turns common products into murder weapons. As the body count threatens to grow, Sachs and Rhyme must race against the clock to unmask his identity–and discover his mission–before more people die.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This book was creepy! Ok it was a good creepy but still. Lincoln Rhyme has been around for a while now but this might be one of my favorites so far. Everyone knows “The Bone Collector” but this should certainly be made into the net movie.

What is different is the new intern. Amelia is an interesting addition to the story. I have heard that Lincoln will be taking a back seat in some of the books and I figure that is why Amelia has been brought in but I am not sure. The suspense in the story is sitting on the edge of your seat worthy. Jeffery Deaver never fails to deliver a wonderful story but again I think this is one of my favorites out of the 12 on the market so far.

This book will stay with you a long time… in a very creepy way… and you will never look at your appliances the same again.

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

March 7, 2016March 6, 2016

Kimberly reviews Betting The Bad Boy by Sugar Jamison

TITLE: Betting The Bad Boy
SERIES #: Destiny #2
CHARACTERS: Grace & Duke
AUTHOR: Sugar Jamison
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/02/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ten years ago, Duke King knew that getting involved with Grace Truman would only bring trouble into his already hard life. After all, the son of the town drunk has no business falling for the judge’s daughter…a passion that led to disaster and ended with Duke serving a ten year prison sentence. Duke never wanted to return to Destiny, especially now that he’s built a multimillion dollar custom car empire with his brothers. But when his sick aunt calls him home, he must face his past and discover a secret that instantly changes his life.

Grace never thought she would see Duke again, especially after years of silence. But when Duke comes storming back into her life, looking hotter than ever, and determined to get to know the son he never knew he had, she realizes that maybe she’d been wrong about him so many years ago. So Grace decides to make Duke a bet. If he can stay in the house with them for the next thirty days and prove he’ll be a good father, she’ll agree to letting him be part of his son’s life. If not, he’d better be prepared for a fight.

Going from single guy to family man isn’t going to be easy for Duke, especially with the still sexy, now fiery, Grace clouding his every thought. Can Duke be the man he never thought he could be or will his old bad boy ways be too much to conquer?

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series about the King brothers. Duke is kind of a hard guy. He is brash and tough and it makes it hard to like him.. at first. Something changes in him as the book progresses and it is enjoyable to watch happen.

I liked Grace. She was written really well. Sugar and spice all in one woman. And Ryder is a pretty good and typical young boy.

This is an enjoyable read for anyone who likes the bad boy with a heart of gold romance. Sugar Jamison is one of my go to authors and you can never go wrong picking up one of her books.

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