Romance – Page 19 – Books-n-Kisses

September 4, 2019September 1, 2019

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Bakeshop At Pumpkin And Spice by Kauffman, Angell & Charles

TITLE: The Bakeshop At Pumpkin And Spice
CHARACTERS: Bree, Cassie & Lara
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell & Allyson Charles
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/27/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment.

Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …

Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …

REVIEW:
This is three novellas combined into one novel. As a fan of Donna Kauffman I requested the book from NetGalley and I am glad I did. The stories mesh so well. Having a bit of magic and romance.

The magic is in and around the bakeshop and the cookies that Nana bakes. In the first one Bree is learning her own way around the bakeshops magic as well when Caleb enters the bakery just as Nana knew he would.

The second and third are from authors I do not remember reading before. The second story is about Cassie trying to make one man interested in her when maybe it is a complete stranger she needs to be made aware of. And the third is about Lara who seems to be having a bad day until love walks in.

This is a great story to read around the Halloween season. A magical romance!

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

September 3, 2019September 1, 2019

Kimberly reviews DaVinci In Love by Maysam Yabandeh

TITLE: Da Vinci In Love
CHARACTERS: Leo & Mona
AUTHOR: Maysam Yabandeh
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/08/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The identity of the lady portrayed in Mona Lisa, the masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci, and the secret behind her mysterious smile, is one of the biggest unanswered questions in art history. This is the story of her, and her romance with her creator, the young Leonardo. The story takes us from the land of true lovers, India, to the far east, the heights of mysterious wisdom in China, and sheds some light on the puzzling love story of Mona Lisa and her painter, Leonardo Da Vinci.

REVIEW:
I received a request from the author to read this and since it was a short story I thought I would.

I am not exactly sure what in the world I read. This is not about the painting and Leo really at all.

Not that it wasn’t good but nothing like I expected.

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

August 29, 2019August 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Wishful Thinking by Helen Harper

TITLE: Wishful Thinking
SERIES #: How To Be The Best Damn Faery Godmother…. #1
CHARACTERS: Saffron Sawyer
AUTHOR: Helen Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Muddled magic. Missing faeries. She’s having one spell of a day at work…

Saffron Sawyer aspires to rise from the magical world’s bottom rung. But when her wish to join the renowned Office of Faery Godmothers is granted, bullies make her first day on the job unbearable. And to add to her misery, she discovers that someone is abducting her coworkers one-by-one.

Desperate to prevent another kidnapping, she scrambles to piece together the clues. After teaming up with the handsome and powerful Devil’s Advocate, she uncovers a strange connection between the disappearances and her lowly former gig. But when Saffron learns her promotion was only a ploy, she vows to ruin the devious plan.

Can Saffron muster enough magic to trap the villain before she’s sacked or stolen?

Wishful Thinking is the first book in the refreshingly original How To Be The Best Damn Faery Godmother in the World (or Die Trying) urban fantasy series. If you like determined heroines, enchanting spins on old tales, and clever twists and turns, then you’ll love Helen Harper’s captivating story.

Buy Wishful Thinking to watch a spunky sprite strut her stuff!

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Saffron is not Cinderella’s godmother. She is so far from the imagination of what a faery/fairy (forgive me if I use the American version of this word) godmother is that some might wonder if the author really meant the same as Cinderella had.

But she did. Sorta. Saffron is a drug fairy in the UK. What this means is she helps those with drug issues to get clean or at least not get heavier into the stuff. But she wants to be a godmother. And she gets her chance. And what a whirlwind it is.

I will say I expected a lot more humor based on the title/series name than was in it even though there was some humor. There is a bit of everything. Suspense, mystery, romance and a number of twists.

This is cute. I will try the next in this new series as well.

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

August 27, 2019August 26, 2019

Kimberly reviews Beware The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

TITLE: Beware The Darkness
SERIES #: Guardians Of Eternity #14
CHARACTERS: Tarak & Waverly
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/20/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The enemy may have changed, but the battle between good and evil burns hotter than ever in this scintillating new installment in Alexandra Ivy’s Guardians of Eternity series.

There is only one thing more precious to vampire Tarak than his newfound freedom after five centuries of captivity, and that’s the promise of revenge. At last, he can destroy Riven, the merman who has drained his power in order to make himself king. But at the very moment when justice is a fang’s breadth away, Tarak’s quest is complicated by the beautiful mermaid princess who kept him sane and fed during his ordeal.

Waverly hoped that once Tarak escaped, he’d return to his own kind and enjoy the rest of his immortal life. She also hoped she might one day stop dreaming about the darkly handsome vampire. Instead, Tarak’s return draws Waverly into an unlikely alliance—and a passion that eclipses all her fantasies.

Hatred for Riven has sustained Tarak this long. But only Waverly’s love can give him the strength to claim eternity with her . . .

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Alexndra Ivy is simply one of the Queens of Paranormal Genre. I have never found a novel of hers that disappointed and this was no exception.

The vampire world that Ivy writes is exciting, sexy and fun. Waverly and Tarak are unexpected but perfect. I loved Tarak. I knew after reading his story in the last novel that it would take a while to like Tarak but as always Tarak is a diamond in the rough. Waverly is interesting but I really liked her. The Mer world is one I do not normally read about. Never been a mermaid kinda girl but this was different and I actually enjoy it. Would I grab a different series about it. Probably not but there is never a book that Ivy writes that is not worth the read.

Dive in. You won’t be sorry. But I do suggest reading at least #13 before this one so you know Tarak’s story. And Levet is always worth visiting!

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

August 23, 2019August 20, 2019

Cover Reveal: Lara Adrian’s Edge of Darkness

TITLE: Edge of Darkness
SERIES #: Midnight Breed: Hunter Legacy #3
CHARACTERS: Knox & Lenora Caluhoun
AUTHOR: Lara Adrian
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Nook | Apple | KOBO

*** EDGE OF DARKNESS will be going into Kindle Unlimited a day or so after release and will be exclusive at Amazon for at least 90 days. If you’re a Nook, Apple, or Kobo reader, please be sure to pre-order! ***

PRINT LINKS: Available on release day
AUDIOBOOK LINKS: Release day TBA

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian is back with Edge of Darkness, the latest sizzling, spellbinding novel in the Hunter Legacy series of vampire romances set in the darkly seductive Midnight Breed paranormal story world.

As a survivor of the horrific Hunter program, Breed vampire and former assassin Knox is a solitary man, closed off to the pain of love—and loss. A loner by choice, Knox deals in death and dark justice, expecting nothing in return. Until one snowy night he drifts into a remote town in northern Maine, where a determined beauty enlists his lethal assistance, tempting not only his hunger, but his wounded heart as well.

Lenora Calhoun has lived in tiny Parrish Falls all her life. Owner of the local diner that’s been in her family for generations, Leni’s as stalwart and stubborn as the tall pines that surround her. That unshakable resolve doesn’t sit well with everyone, least of all the most powerful family in the logging town. Leni’s been the target of their animosity for years, but with their escalating threats now putting an innocent child’s safety at risk, she takes a desperate chance on a dangerous stranger—a man who is something more than human. Knox’s deadly skills and turbulent gaze should be warning enough for Leni to guard her heart, yet she cannot deny the yearning he stirs in her blood. For the merciless Breed male is the only man she can trust in a town full of secrets, and where taking a stand could rip away everything she holds dear.

While this novel is Book 3 in the Hunter Legacy series, each story in this Midnight Breed spin-off series can be read as a complete standalone with HEA and no cliffhangers.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Lara Adrian is the New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author of the Midnight Breed vampire romance series, with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books regularly appear in the top spots of all the major bestseller lists including the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Indiebound, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc.

August 13, 2019August 12, 2019

Kelly reviews Protect The Prince by Jennifer Estep

TITLE: Protect the Prince
SERIES #: Crown of Shards #2
CHARACTERS: Everleigh Blair, Lucas Sullivan,
AUTHOR: Jennifer Estep
NARRATOR: Lauren Fortgang
RUN TIME: 12 Hours & 40 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: July 2, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Magic, murder, adventure, and romance combine in this second novel in the exciting Crown of Shards saga from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep.
Everleigh Blair might be the new gladiator queen of Bellona, but her problems are far from over.
First, Evie has to deal with a court full of arrogant, demanding nobles, all of whom want to get their greedy hands on her crown. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an assassin tries to kill Evie in her own throne room.
Despite the dangers, Evie goes ahead with a scheduled trip to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari in order to secure a desperately needed alliance. But complicating matters is the stubborn Andvarian king, who wants to punish Evie for the deaths of his countrymen during the Seven Spire massacre.
But dark forces are at work inside the Andvarian palace, and Evie soon realizes that no one is safe. Worse, Evie’s immunity to magic starts acting in strange, unexpected ways, which makes her wonder whether she is truly strong enough to be a Winter Queen.
But Evie’s magic, life, and crown aren’t the only things in danger—so is her heart, thanks to Lucas Sullivan, the Andvarian king’s bastard son and Evie’s . . . well, Evie isn’t quite sure what Sullivan is to her.
Only one thing is certain—protecting a prince might be even harder than killing a queen…

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Protect the Prince picks up shortly after the end of Kill the Queen with Queen Everleigh Blair becoming the Queen Bellona. Becoming Queen has not been fun so far but it is what Evie had expected. The next step in Evie’s journey is to make amends with the Andvari people. Once in Andvari Evie must face off with a whole new set of problems from the Andvari Royals, a King that asks too much, an assassin who doesn’t know when to give up, and a trader who wants to take everything.

Protect the Prince is the second book in Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series and this second book was just as good as the first. There were times while listening that I was not sure my heart would survive the journey. I truly love this series and can not wait for the third and final chapter in The Crown of Shards series.

Once again I let the talented Lauren Fortgang read this book to me. Lauren did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life for me. I look forward to listening to the next book in this series too.

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

August 7, 2019August 5, 2019

Kelly reviews Even Tree Nymphs get the Blues by Molly Harper

TITLE: Even Tree Nymphs get the Blues
SERIES #: Mystic Bayou #3
CHARACTERS: Ingrid Asher & Rob Aspern
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: 3 Hours & 3 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 6, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hilarious new standalone novella brimming with otherworldly charm from the reigning queen of paranormal romantic comedy Molly Harper!
Ingrid Asher is the newest resident of Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where shapeshifters, vampires, witches and dragons live alongside humans.
Ingrid doesn’t ask for much. The solitary tree nymph just wants to live a quiet life running her ice-cream shop in peace. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to shake her new neighbor, Rob Aspern, head of the League’s data science department and so good looking it just isn’t fair.
If there’s one thing Ingrid doesn’t need, it’s someone poking around in her business. But the more she gets to know the hunky mathematician, the more she finds herself letting her guard down. Can she trust him with her secrets, or will her past destroy everything?

REVIEW:
Another great installment in Molly Harper’s Mystic Bayou series. Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues introduces us to Ingrid Asher the newest resident of Mystic Bayou. Ingrid is looking to start a new life and work on her love for all things ice cream.
There were a lot of funny events that happened in this short story. But my favorite scene was with a tree, Mayor Zed, Sheriff Bael and Ingrid. I laughed so hard.
If you are a Molly Harper fan you will love this little gem. I am already ready looking forward to the next installment in this series!!

As always Amanda Ronconi does an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. I love that Amanda is able to bring the right level of sass to this series and all of Molly’s books! Looking forward to the next narration by Amanda.

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

August 6, 2019August 5, 2019

Kimberly reviews Life And Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: Life And Other Inconveniences
CHARACTERS: Emma & Genevieve
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck with That comes a new novel about a blue-blood grandmother and her black-sheep granddaughter who discover they are truly two sides of the same coin.

Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son.

When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley.

So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?

REVIEW:
Higgins is easily one of my favorite authors and I gladly grab any books that are available from her.

I enjoyed this story very much. It was simply about life. Emma was not one of my favorite characters but after a while I began to understand her a bit more. I enjoyed the background characters very much. Especially the grandmother. Feisty thing that she was.

As a fan of women’s lit this is a great story to read. Wonderful beach read. With a lot of angst and family love this is worth the read.

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

August 5, 2019August 4, 2019

Kimberly reviews Summer On Moonlight Bay by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: Summer On Moonlight Bay
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #2
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Only one thing can make veterinarian Noah Cuthbert return to Magnolia Harbor-his mother’s failing health. He’ll do anything to help his family, including taking a short-term gig at the local animal clinic. What he doesn’t count on is getting up-close-and-personal with the clinic’s new manager, a woman whose love and compassion for every stray that crosses her path has him rethinking his plans to head back to his big-city life…

After her time in the Navy, Lia wants nothing more than to settle down. The quaint seaside town is just what she’d been hoping for, and not just because her new boss is movie-star handsome. As they grow closer, Lia starts wondering if Noah could be the one. But when a town crisis forces Noah to take a stand that jeopardizes their new-found happiness, can Lia convince him that home doesn’t have to be a four-letter word?

Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts After Lia finds a hurt puppy in the street she heads to the closest vet office. Noah is called in to help the puppy and sparks fly.

Lia is trying to start over in life after getting out of the Navy. Noah plans on moving back to Charleston.

I enjoyed this story very much. The characters are written very well. The background story seems to be a lead in to the next in the series which I am interested in reading.

This is the second in the series but easily can be a stand alone. Great curl up and get away from it all read. Higgins is high on my read list and should be on yours too.

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

July 31, 2019July 28, 2019

Kimberly reviews Secret Seduction by Jill Sanders

TITLE: Secret Seduction
SERIES #: Secret #1
CHARACTERS: Katie & Jason
AUTHOR: Jill Sanders
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

To Katie life was simple. She wanted a little house in upper Boston, and four kids fathered by her best friend Jason, who she’s been infatuated with since she was eight. After a devastating family secret is exposed, all she wants now is to escape the media hype that follows her everywhere she turns. Leaving her family, friends, and Jason behind, she travels to places she’s only read about, to find a father she’s never known.

Jason is on a mission and he’s come halfway around the world to complete it. Despite his feelings for Katie, he won’t let her resistance deter him, even if it means she’ll never trust him again. As their world spirals out of control, their relationship will be tested and changed forever. If he can keep them alive and out of harm’s way, he may have a chance to make everything right.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet story of a woman who decides to take some “me” time but her best friend Jason follows.

There was a lot of things happening in this story but they were fun and enjoyable to read. The characters are written very well. I believe this is a re-release because it shows the date of 2013 and it does have a couple things I found dated but nothing that distracts from the story.

This is a great beach read. And easy read that takes you out of your head.

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

July 30, 2019July 28, 2019

Kimberly reviews Highland Captive by Alyson McLayne

TITLE: Highland Captive
SERIES #: The Sons Of Gregor MacLeod #4
CHARACTERS: Gavin & Deidre
AUTHOR: Alyson McLayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/30/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She wasn’t just his son’s savior.
She may be his as well…

Laird Gavin MacKinnon is a changed man―and not for the better. Ever since his young son, Ewan, disappeared two years ago, Gavin has grown callous and bitter. Scouring the countryside, his search leads him to a mysterious woman who maintains the boy is hers. He decides to take them both and ask questions later.

Deidre MacIntyre will go with the brooding laird if it will keep her son safe. Gavin has to admit that the beautiful lass has a bond with Ewan, and things aren’t adding up. When Deidre’s clan comes to claim her under threat of war, Gavin has a choice to make: fight for her or let her go.

REVIEW:
I have been waiting and waiting for Gavin’s story. It seems Gavin has been withdrawn since his son was taken away and we have wondered we he was in each story of the series.

Now we meet Ewan and the woman he calls “mother”. And it doesn’t take too long for Gavin to realize he is not given either up.

I had a hard time with Deidre when she was first introduced but she grew on me. And seeing Gavin differently and with his son was wonderful.

Loved this series and this story especially.

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

July 29, 2019July 28, 2019

Kimberly reviews Falling With You by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Falling With you
SERIES #: Fractured Connections #3
CHARACTERS: Sienna & Aiden
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/16/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan concludes a brand new series where second chances don’t come often, and overcoming an unexpected loss means breaking everything you knew.

The day I lost my best friend was the day I realized that I’d been living in the past. I’ve tried to find a way to heal, to mend that break. Somehow, I came through it partially whole. But I know I couldn’t have done that without Aiden Connolly.

The problem is, he once loved my best friend. And now she’s gone, and I refuse to be in that shadow, or worse, a replacement for someone we both loved.

I left them all behind.

My brother.

My family.

My best friend.

And her.

Only Sienna Knight doesn’t realize what she means to me. But before I can make sure she knows, I need to figure out exactly what that is.

REVIEW:
I can’t remember ever reading a non-paranormal book from Carrie Ann Ryan. To be honest I haven’t read anything lately from her but I must have missed the first two in the series but I will go back to read them.

There was so much to this story. But I loved how it was in the point of view of both characters. And I really enjoyed how the time of no communications built to the conversations that turned deep very quickly.

The friends and family are also nice background characters.

Worth every minute!

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