Romance – Page 22 – Books-n-Kisses

March 14, 2019March 10, 2019

Kimberly reviews Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Why Not Tonight
SERIES #: Happily Inc #3
CHARACTERS: Natalie & Ronan
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery welcomes you to Happily Inc, where true love isn’t just for fairy tales…

Natalie Kaleta will do anything for the artists at her gallery, including risk life, limb and the effect of humidity on her naturally curly hair. Braving a downpour to check on reclusive Ronan Mitchell, Natalie gets stranded by a mudslide at his mountain home, where the brooding glass artist reveals his playful side, sending her inconvenient crush from under-the-radar to over-the-top.

After a secret tore apart his family and made him question his sense of self, Ronan fled his hometown for Happily Inc, but the sunny small town can’t fix his damaged heart. He won’t give in to his attraction for beautiful, perpetually cheerful Natalie. She’s untouched by darkness—or so he thinks.

Natalie knows that when a heart goes through the flame, it comes out stronger. Life may not be a fairy tale, but sometimes dreams do come true. Why not this one? Why not tonight?

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 3rd 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. Ronan may be my favorite of the Mitchell brothers because of his broody personality and it was great to see him bloom.

Never a disappointment!

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

March 13, 2019March 10, 2019

Kelly reviews by Awaken The Darkness by Dianne Duvall

TITLE: Awaken the Darkness
SERIES #: Immortal Guardians #8
CHARACTERS: Stanislav & Susan
AUTHOR: Dianne Duvall
NARRATOR: Kirsten Potter
RUN TIME: 8 Hours & 46 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: July 10, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Kindle | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He awakens encapsulated in dirt with no knowledge of how he came to be there. Riddled with injuries, he can remember neither his past nor who he is. Nor can he remember what he is. But surely no mortal man could survive being buried deep beneath the earth. All he knows with certainty is that the soothing voice and presence of the woman moving around above enables him to endure the agony of his wounds. And he will do whatever it takes to be with her.
When Susan first sees the old two-story house for sale, such warmth and longing fill her that—against all reason—she makes an offer. It will take years of hard work and money she frankly doesn’t have to fix up the place. So she can’t explain why she bought it. She also can’t explain what compels her to spend hours one night, digging in the basement until she unearths a man. A man who still lives and breathes despite having been buried alive. A man whose intense brown eyes glow amber with pain, declaring him far more than ordinary. Susan knows she should keep her distance. He has no memory and possesses gifts that would make most fear him. But as the two work together to unravel the mystery of his past, she finds herself drawn in by his teasing nature and tender touch. So much so that she loses her heart to him even as they find themselves hunted by unknown enemies who are ruthless in their quest to capture them.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Awaken the Darkness was a good read. It was not my most favorite of the series but it was a great book to learn more about Stanislav and what happened to him after the battle that killed Yuri. Awaken the Darkness was a bit of a slow start but at about the halfway point it started to pick up. I still love this series and can’t wait to see where we go next.

As always I let the wonderful Kirsten Potter read this book to me. I love how talented she is with the amount of voices she can do. I really enjoy the fact that I don’t feel like she is just reading words on a page but telling me a story!

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

March 12, 2019March 10, 2019

Kimberly reviews Shades Of Betrayal by Jill Ramsower

TITLE: Shades Of Betrayal
SERIES #: The Fae Games #3
CHARACTERS: Ashley & Michael
AUTHOR: Jill Ramsower
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/26/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ashley

All my wildest fantasies have come true, but reality is never quite as simple as we imagine. I dreamed of living in a wondrous world of the supernatural and having magical powers of my own. Now, I have all of that, but it comes with a caveat—a six foot Fae brute who is supposed to train me on all things Fae. He’s a dauntless warrior of the Wild Hunt. A beautiful bigot. He’s my lover and my burden, my savior and my curse.

There’s a monster loose in the city leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. I want more than anything to help others with my new abilities—what better use of my power than to stop a killer? Too bad Michael doesn’t feel the same.

Michael

She’s a born fighter. Courageous and brash like the heroes she reads about. Two weeks ago I carried her lifeless body out of a dirty alley. Ever since, my carefully constructed world has been leveled, despite my endless efforts at damage control.

Ashley Moore is a force of nature. Her best friend is the Erlking’s woman, and together, Ashley and Rebecca have infiltrated our brotherhood. Everything about our lives is dangerous, so I’ve done what I can to protect her—even if she ends up hating me for it.

Author’s Note: This is NOT a Young Adult novel! It contains graphic violence and scenes with adult sexual content.

REVIEW:
This is the third is the series and to be honest while it can be a stand alone I think I would have had a better understanding if I had read the other books first. And this is the first I have read from this author.

This was just not for me. I enjoy romance and I enjoy adult content books but this was like watching a porn with no storyline. Seemed they barely said hello and bam they are sleeping together. There is no background story for the most part.

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

March 7, 2019March 4, 2019

Kimberly reviews Gown With The Wind by Stephanie Blackmoore

TITLE: Gown With The Wind
SERIES #: Wedding Planner Mystery #4
CHARACTERS: Mallory & Keith & Becca
AUTHOR: Stephanie Blackmoore
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/18/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard knows her job is challenging under any circumstances. But when the groom is your ex and someone invites murder, there may never be another tomorrow . . .

Mallory’s fine–really–handling the wedding arrangements for her ex, Keith. But his fiance, Becca, has at the last minute decided to switch from a Japanese-cherry-blossom theme to a Gone with the Wind theme. She wants to honor her ailing grandmother, who owns an impressive collection of GWTW memorabilia–and who is fiercely at odds with the groom’s mother over the nuptial plans.

But among other complications, Becca gets into a fight with an old childhood rival over a replica Scarlett O’Hara wedding gown. She wins the dress–but soon becomes a murder suspect when the other woman is found dead in Becca’s swimming pool. And it’s up to Mallory to solve the mystery behind this unhappy occasion, before a different kind of civil war breaks out . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts hearted and fun. This is the 4th in the series and though I have not read the other three it is a stand alone and can be read without feeling like anything was lost.

This is a quick read with a bit of thriller and mystery but mostly just cheesy light reading. Great book to take you out of your own head for a while.

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

March 5, 2019March 4, 2019

Kimberly reviews Day Of The Dragon by Katie MacAlister

TITLE: Day Of The Dragon
SERIES #: Dragon Hunter #2
CHARACTERS: Thaisa & Archer
AUTHOR: Katie MacAlister
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/05/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
TWO FULL NOVELS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! Fans of Lyndsay Sands and Gena Showalter will love this fiery paranormal romance from a New York Times bestselling author about a dragon shifter who finds his soul mate in the most unlikely place. Also includes WOLF’S MATE by Celia Kyle.

With dragons like him, who needs enemies?

Real scholars know that supernatural beings don’t exist. But the moment I meet Archer Andras of the Storm Dragons, all my academic training goes out the window. Thanks to Mr. Tall, Dark, And Infuriating, I’m learning that I really should worry about those things that go bump in the night. . . and that dragons like Archer are 100 percent pure trouble.

Now I’m caught in the middle of a war. On one side is Archer. On the other is his twin brother. And I am the key to translating an ancient text that could bring balance-or deadly ruin-to our world. But none of that is as dangerous as the seriously sexy sparks between Archer and me. He’s too tempting to be real. Too gorgeous to trust. And when it comes to dragons, there’s no smoke without deadly fire.

Includes the novel WOLF’S MATE by Celia Kyle: When Abby Carter is threatened by an anti-shifter organization, werewolf shifter Declan Reed will have to convince her that there’s no safer place in the world than in the arms of a big bad werewolf.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is two books in one so make sure that you have not read either one before spending the money. Especially the second book since it is from a different author and part of a different series…. WOLF’S MATE by Celia Kyle. You can read my review from when I originally read it in 2017. REVIEW

Now back to Day Of The Dragon… I was a bit bored. I never really connected with the characters and found them a bit maddening. I was just so bored that I wanted to stop reading but I didn’t. Thaisa just got on my nerves with the whole body image thing and Archer got on my nerves with his horniness. Just not my choice for reading.

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

March 4, 2019March 3, 2019

Kimberly reviews Tripping On A Halo by Alessandra Torre

TITLE: Tripping On A Halo
CHARACTERS: Autumn & Declan
AUTHOR: Alessandra Torre
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/07/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s really hard to save a guy’s life when he keeps running from you.

You might be asking yourself why I’m waving an inflatable penis in the air and screaming at the top of my lungs. If I took time to explain, Declan Moss would get hit by a bus.

Let me back up. I didn’t ask for this. I was perfectly happy—and perfectly sane—before I was tasked with keeping Declan Moss alive. It was a thankless job until the moment that my panties dropped and his delicious smirk found his way in between my thighs.

Hello, toe-curling ecstasy. Goodbye, professional boundaries. And suddenly, there’s a new danger to avoid: the falling of my heart.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I think I must have been in the mood for silly when I started this book. It really is silly but also a quick read. It was perfect for a bit of calm and brainless reading between heavier books.

It kept me entertained and even had me laugh out loud moments… ok maybe not laugh but chuckle.

Cute read but be ready for mindless fun.

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

March 1, 2019February 24, 2019

Kimberly reviews Bluestone & Vine by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Bluestone & Vine
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #2
CHARACTERS: Pippa & Seth
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/26/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Pippa MacMillan is a legend on the Irish folk music scene. But when her voice requires a time-out, she’s left wondering how–and where–to find happiness in the silence . . .

Seeking answers, Pippa leaves Ireland in favor of a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Turns out lovely Blue Hollow Falls is the perfect place to heal–and solitary Seth Brogan is the surprisingly perfect host. After all, Seth is beginning again too: turning his renovated stone barn and beautiful hillside into a vineyard is the start of a whole new life for the former Special Forces soldier. Only Mother Nature keeps thwarting both their plans, leaving Pippa snowbound with unsettling thoughts about how life can take unexpected turns . . .

To Pippa’s surprise, she might actually fall for small-town living. She might even fall for Seth, whose quiet strength is a balm for her world-weary soul. But when the music starts once more, will she follow her fortune back to Ireland, or surrender to the call of her heart?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Oh how I enjoy the writings of Donna Kauffman. I have been waiting for Seth’s story. And Pippa seems perfect for him. Seth is just a simple man who has a desire to be calm and start something he can get his hands into. But Pippa changes everything.

This is a sweet quick read. Perfect to sit and read and enjoy to get out of your own head and take a break.

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

February 28, 2019February 24, 2019

Kimberly reviews Castle On The Rise by Kristy Cambron

TITLE: Castle On The Rise
SERIES #: Lost Castle #2
CHARACTERS: Laine Forrester
AUTHOR: Kristy Cambron
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/05/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

When Laine Forrester travels to France to attend her longtime friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find a bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks–a devastating diagnosis, a castle restoration put on hold, and the emergence of deep-seated family dynamics that threaten to derail the new couple’s fledgling marriage–it seems the storybook life Laine had imagined for her friend–and once, for herself–is suddenly crumbling before her eyes.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending for one of them, Laine throws support behind her friend and agrees to accompany the couple to the groom’s family home in Ireland, where the merging of a mysterious inheritance, long-buried wounds, and a fractured family set out to upend the trip from the start. It’s in the unlikely corners of a historic Dublin pub, and across the wide-open moors bordering Ireland’s majestic Wicklow Mountains, that Laine is slowly drawn in by the land and the people, sparking hope for something she never imagined possible: the courage to heal. But with secrets of her own–and a heart afraid to trust again–Laine must determine how much she’s willing to risk in mending the broken places within herself, and whether she believes that even through the depths of our pain, a beautiful story can emerge.

Set in three time-periods–the revolutionary era of the late eighteenth century, Ireland’s turbulent Easter week of the 1916 Rising, and present day–Castle on the Rise weaves a story of legacy, conviction, and redemption against the backdrop of Dublin’s storied streets, and the stretch of Ireland’s stunning emerald shores. It raises the question: given the choice between the fairy tale or a life of truly anchored faith–which legacy would you choose?

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series and I did not read the first one.

This story is written in three time period and while I worried this would be difficult to follow it ended up being pretty easy to keep track of. All the time periods were set so differently but yet with just as much beauty.

This falls under Christian Time Travel romance. The historical aspects of Ireland were breathtaking and made me want to jump on a plane. The romance was sweet.

An enjoyable read from page one.

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

February 26, 2019February 24, 2019

Kimberly reviews California Girls by Susan Mallery

TITLE: California Girls
CHARACTERS: Finola, Zennie & Ali
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisters who get dumped in the same week…

Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined.

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has.

But side by side by side, these sisters will start over and rebuild their lives with all the affection, charm and laugh-out-loud humor that is classic Susan Mallery.

REVIEW:
Mallery is my favorite author. She is the first name that comes to mind when someone asks me to recommend an author… “Have you ever read Susan Mallery?” and most times the answer is “Yes! I love her.” From that point on I know where to go with the conversation.

First I always bring up her Fool’s Gold series, move on to the Happily Inc series and then talk about her stand alone stories. And still so many to talk about.

In this story we meet Finola, Zennie and Ali. This story takes you through every emotion a book can do. You feel the sadness and the joy that the characters feel.

Another story that can not be missed by Susan Mallery.

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

February 21, 2019February 18, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Last by Tawna Fenske

TITLE: The Last
SERIES #: The List Book #3
CHARACTERS: Sarah & Ian
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/04/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sarah Keating was sure she’d be married by 30. Husband, kids, the kick-ass career helping adults with Down Syndrome—she assumed she’d have it all, and there’d be no need to fall back on the marriage pact she made with her best pal from college.
But a tipsy message she sends from her birthday party brings Ian Nolan to her door ready to rock her world, and not just with mind-blowing sex. He’s up for tying the knot, and has a million pragmatic reasons it makes perfectly good sense.
As Sarah and Ian test drive their marriage-of-convenience, they navigate awkward business dinners, a slippery steam room hookup, and a costume party gone awry. Their friendship is stronger than ever, and the sexual chemistry is off the charts.
But is that enough to make a marriage work, or will one of them fall hard and end up brokenhearted?
Each book in the The List series is STANDALONE:
* The List
* The Test
* The Last

REVIEW:
3.5 This is the 3rd in the series. I have not read the other two. I really do not know if reading the others would have helped but I don’t think so since this book stood alone if you ask me.

This is a story any fan of the genre has read a hundred times. Pact is made that if friends are not married by 30 they will marry each other. But one doesn’t believe in love and the other wants a marriage based in love.

The writing was fine I just never really connected to the characters. I kept thinking they should have stayed friends. But there were times the romance fired and I enjoyed it but it was more like one step forward two steps back.

Fenske is a great writer this story just didn’t fall into one of my favs.

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

February 15, 2019February 12, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Cottage On Rose Lane by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: The Cottage On Rose Lane
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #1
CHARACTERS: Jenna & Jude
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/04/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jenna Fossey’s life is about to change. An unexpected inheritance and the chance to meet relatives she never knew existed has her heading to the charming little town of Magnolia Harbor. But as soon as she arrives, long-buried family secrets lead to even more questions, and the only person who can help her find the answers is her sexy-as-sin sailing instructor.

Nothing makes Jude St. Pierre feel more alive than racing on the open sea – at least, not until Jenna comes strolling down his dock asking for sailing lessons. But it feels wrong to be attracted to her – especially when he learns why she came to town. Jude knows she deserves the truth but can he help her discover it without losing her and the family he’s come to think of as his own?

Includes the bonus story “A Wedding on Lavender Hill” by Annie Rains!
When an event planner is asked to create the perfect wedding in just three days, she must turn to the last person she wants to ask for help – the infuriating owner of the house on the hilltop.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Sweet story of love, family and sailing. When Jenna learns she has a received a huge inheritance from the grandfather she never knew her life changes. But with money comes drama of a past she is unaware of.

There are secrets around every corner and a bit of mystery with every page.

I found this story really well written and a bit of a surprise. It was a good read that was enjoyable and the romance was very sweet.

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

February 13, 2019February 12, 2019

Kimberly reviews Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

TITLE: Untouchable
SERIES #: Cutter, Sutter & Salinas #3
CHARACTERS: Jack & Winter
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/08/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A man’s quest to find answers for those who are haunted by the past leads him deeper into the shadows in this electrifying novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Promise Not to Tell.

Quinton Zane is back.

Jack Lancaster, consultant to the FBI, has always been drawn to the coldest of cold cases, the kind that law enforcement either considers unsolvable or else has chalked up to accidents or suicides. As a survivor of a fire, he finds himself uniquely compelled by arson cases. His almost preternatural ability to get inside the killer’s head has garnered him a reputation in some circles–and complicated his personal life. The more cases Jack solves, the closer he slips into the darkness. His only solace is Winter Meadows, a meditation therapist. After particularly grisly cases, Winter can lead Jack back to peace.

But as long as Quinton Zane is alive, Jack will not be at peace for long. Having solidified his position as the power behind the throne of his biological family’s hedge fund, Zane sets out to get rid of Anson Salinas’s foster sons, starting with Jack.

REVIEW:
Krentz is back! Oh how I love this author! I have been a fan of hers for a decade or more and read everything she puts out. And I am glad I did not miss this one! She always adds a bit of the unbelievable to keep you involved and in this one Jack has a gift of figuring out arson cases.

Zane is the arch-enemy in this series and in this one he is after Jack and his “brothers”. They watched him kill the cult they were raised at and Zane is not going to let them just walk away.

What a great series! Like I said I read everything of Krentz’s but I have really enjoyed this series. A must read!

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