Romance – Page 31 – Books-n-Kisses

December 18, 2017December 17, 2017

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Studmuffin Santa by Tawna Fenske

TITLE: Studmuffin Santa
CHARACTERS: Brandon Brown & Jade King
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: November 2, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Brandon Brown is the unlikeliest Santa ever to don a red velvet suit.
His abs are more cheese grater than bowl full of jelly, and deploying to Syria is the closest he’s come to the North Pole. But family drama sends the jaded Marine home for the holidays, and lands him an unexpected gig as a part-time Santa.
Jade King is hustling to get Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch off the ground, and she’s not thrilled her sister hired a Santa with sex-appeal. The last thing Jade wants is a beefcake circus, and guys like Brandon bring sleigh-loads of trouble. But Studmuffin Santa proves more popular than anyone dreamed, drawing hordes of happy kids, lusty moms, and a mystery foe hell-bent on wrecking it all.
The threat has Brandon playing protector for the reindeer and their sexy keeper, which is risky for a guy who’s sworn off happy endings and the whole Christmas mess. But as Jade and Brandon bond over Santa suit malfunctions and risqué Christmas cookies, they find they have more in common than a craving for gingerbread. Can they find a way to mesh their wish lists, or will ghosts of Christmas past bring things crashing down like a fat man in a cast iron sleigh?

REVIEW:
Hello Santa!!!
I really enjoyed Brandon and Jade’s story! Brandon is home to help his family but needs something else to do with some of his free time. Playing Santa and watching Jade’s back is right up his alley.
Jade is a tough cookie who wants to do everything on her own. So when her sister hires the new Santa for the season she is happy until she learns who will be playing Santa.
Brandon and Jade are so sweet together. It was fun to watch them both try and fail to fight their draw to each other.
Studmuffin Santa was a very cute story! With a lot of good information on Reindeer!! Yes, Reindeer!!! So much stuff I didn’t know. I hope that we get to visit Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch again soon.

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

December 13, 2017December 10, 2017

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Second Christmas Wish by Kathryn Freeman

TITLE: A Second Christmas Wish
CHARACTERS: Melissa & Daniel
AUTHOR: Kathryn Freeman
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/07/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Do you believe in Father Christmas?

For Melissa, Christmas has always been overrated. From her cold, distant parents to her manipulative ex-husband, Lawrence, she’s never experienced the warmth and contentment of the festive season with a big, happy family sitting around the table.
And Melissa has learned to live with it, but it breaks her heart that her seven-year-old son, William, has had to live with it too. Whilst most little boys wait with excitement for the big day, William finds it difficult to believe that Father Christmas even exists.
But then Daniel McCormick comes into their lives. And with his help, Melissa and William might just be able to find their festive spirit, and finally have a Christmas where all of their wishes come true …

REVIEW:
I have not read a book by Freeman before but this will not be my last one. This is a sweet holiday story about finding the Christmas spirit and gaining faith in Santa.

When William, a 5 year old, is told by her own father at that Santa isn’t real the life of William and his mom, Melissa, is turned upside down. Jump two years later and William is starting to blossom after the devastation of his parents divorce.

Then Daniel comes onto the scene and not only falls for William but Melissa. When William writes to Santa asking for two things but will only discuss one the life of the three of them in again turned upside down… or is that right side up?

Great story with a great message. William breaks my heart but also makes me fall in love with Christmas all over again.

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

December 12, 2017December 10, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Devil Of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum

TITLE: The Devil of Dunakin Castle
SERIES #: Highland Isles #4
CHARACTERS: Grace & Keir
AUTHOR: Heather McCollum
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/13/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home in Scotland, but to escape from the meddling people around her who seem to think she needs to wed right away—because women need saving, right? —she volunteers to journey north to aid a friend in childbirth.

Keir MacKinnon, the younger brother of the MacKinnon clan chief, has been raised to strike fear in people, on and off the battlefield. Trained to uphold MacKinnon law, he has hardened into a lethal warrior. Caught in a Highland blizzard with the feisty Grace, Keir realizes the beautiful woman who saved him can also save his nephew’s life.

Sparks fly when he takes her against her will to his home, and Grace’s courage is put to the ultimate test. Is Keir MacKinnon the passionate, kind man she saved in the Highland blizzard, or is he truly the cruel executioner who seeks to solve all issues by the sword?

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This is the 4th in the series but the first one that I have read. And it made me what to go back and read the first three in the series.

Grace may be one of my favorite female characters in a while. She is shy and reserved but wants to come into her own and have an adventure but of course it goes wrong. She is almost attacked by a wolf, is caught in a blizzard and then kidnapped by Keir to force Grace to help his dying nephew.

So much adventure and ups and downs and yet the story is one of love. Not just romance but love of family as well.

I loved this story. I can’t wait to go back and read the other three stories. Yes this was able to read as a stand alone but I know the other stories will be worth the read.

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

December 11, 2017December 10, 2017

Kelly reviews The Hunt by Chloe Neill

TITLE: The Hunt
SERIES #: Devil’s Isle #3
CHARACTERS: Liam Quinn & Claire Connolly
AUTHOR: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Amy Landon
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 26 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 27, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires Novels–the hunter becomes the hunted in a New Orleans devastated by a Paranormal war….
When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil’s Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.
Now the weight of Liam’s own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she’ll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am enjoying this series and really happy that it looks like there will be another book. With that The Hunt started out a little slow for my liking. There was not a lot that happened until Claire, Malachi and Gavin go on the hunt for Liam to warn him about Containment. Once Liam is back with the group things start picking up in the story. And we finally get a little conclusion on the whole Claire and Liam issue (thankfully).
We also learn a lot more about Claire’s history, who her mother was. This throws a huge kink in the chain. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

As I have for the first two books I let the talented Amy Landon narrator this story for me. I have a deep love for audiobooks and love to find narrators that can bring an author’s words to life for me. Ms. Landon does a wonderful of bring Claire, Liam, Malachi, Gavin and the whole gain to life for me.

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

December 8, 2017December 6, 2017

Kelly reviews The Kidnapped Bride by Molly Harper

TITLE: The Kidnapped Bride
SERIES #: Desert Rogues #1
CHARACTERS: Dora & Khalil
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Swept away by the passionate Prince Khalil Khan, Dora Nelson reveled in her new fairy-tale life as princess of El Bahar. But once she learned that the love and affection Khalil had showered her with were a sham, she refused to bend to his will. For he’d tricked her, and she couldn’t forgive him….
But she also couldn’t stop loving him. More than anything else, Dora wanted a happy home and an adoring husband. Still, when Dora’s feistiness met Khalil’s arrogance, sparks flew. And unless Dora and Khalil agreed to meet halfway, this fiery marriage threatened to consume them both!

REVIEW:
So this is a re-release from Susan Mallery and she has come a long way since this book. While it might have been better if I wasn’t comparing it to Mallery’s current reads this just didn’t add up to me.

I am not a fan of the whole sheik romance but since this was Mallery I picked it up. And to tell you the truth it was a bit cheesy and I believe unintentionally funny.

Not one of my favorite but still an ok read.

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

December 7, 2017December 6, 2017

Kelly reviews Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper

TITLE: Sweet Tea & Sympathy
SERIES #: Southern Electric #1
CHARACTERS: Margot Cary & Kyle Archer
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 27 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 21, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Beloved author Molly Harper launches a brand-new contemporary romance series, Southern Eclectic, with this story of a big-city party planner who finds true love in a small Georgia town.

Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it’s become one big family affair. And true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody’s business.

Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business. She’s riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong. Now she’s blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start—and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.

As Margot finds her footing in a town where everybody knows not only your name, but what you had for dinner last Saturday night and what you’ll wear to church on Sunday morning, she grudgingly has to admit that there are some things Lake Sackett does better than Chicago—including the dating prospects. Elementary school principal Kyle Archer is a fellow fish-out-of-water who volunteers to show Margot the picture-postcard side of Southern living. The two of them hit it off, but not everybody is happy to see an outsider snapping up one of the town’s most eligible gentleman. Will Margot reel in her handsome fish, or will she have to release her latest catch?

REVIEW:
Sweet Tea & Sympathy is the first book in Molly Harper’s new Southern Eclectic series (check out Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck prequel novella). In Sweet Tea & Sympathy we get to meet the long lost McCready family member after an unfortunate event involving some flamingos, shrimps and they death of Margot’s career. Just when Margot thinks she is at her lowest point Aunt Tootie finds her and convinces her to move to Lake Sackett and work for the family.
Another wonderful story from Molly Harper.

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

December 6, 2017December 5, 2017

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Merry And Bright by Debbie Macomber

TITLE: Merry and Bright
CHARACTERS: Merry & Jayson
AUTHOR: Debbie Macomber
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/03/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her–minus her photo–and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects–or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a sweet yet unoriginal story. From the first paragraph the reader knows exactly what is going to happen. And while that doesn’t mean this story isn’t good it is obvious.

I was hoping for a little more when I saw that Debbie Macomber wrote this story. Her name is synonymous with Christmas romance novels but this one was short and unrealistic. And unfortunately I just didn’t get the enjoyment I hoped I would.

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

December 5, 2017December 4, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Wardrobe by Deryn Lake

TITLE: The Wardrobe
CHARACTERS: Rebecca & Greg
AUTHOR: Deryn Lake
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It was the flat Rebecca and Greg had dreamed of finding; a beautiful conversion in a big Victorian house. The huge mirrored wardrobe that the builders couldn’t shift only seemed to add to its charms…

But soon their dream turns into a terrifying nightmare. As Rebecca delves into the dark circumstances surrounding the mysterious murder of George Carthew in the same house a hundred years before, she finds herself surrounded by echoes of the crime. Carthew was victim to slow arsenic poisoning, and now Greg is struck with a horrible wasting illness. Carthew’s beautiful widow, Charlotte, was suspected of the gruesome crime but never convicted, and now Rebecca wakes in terror to find reflection of strange women in the wardrobe doors…

That old wardrobe, a relic of the Victorian days, seems to be the only remaining witness to the crime and Rebecca becomes convinced that all these years later, it could still hold the key to the murder.

Another classic of love, loss and the past manifesting in the present from master Deryn Lake, this story of murder unsolved will have you gripped from beginning to end.

REVIEW:
This is a very short story of about 50 pages. It is a quick read and yet very interesting. The wardrobe is a relic with much mystery surrounding it. When Rebecca starts looking into the history of it there is way more than she would expect and it begins affecting her and Greg.

For such a small story it really pulls a punch. Great book!

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

December 4, 2017December 3, 2017

Kelly reviews Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione

TITLE: Vampire Fight Club
SERIES #: Demonica #6.5
CHARACTERS: Nathan & Lena
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE: November 28, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Previously published in Supernatural

New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione tempts you into the darkly irresistible world of Demonica, populated by angels and demons, shifters and humans, all with a thirst that must be quenched . . .

When a wave of violence that hits too close to home forces shapeshifter and underworld nurse Vladlena Paskelkov to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice—with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge . . .

Legendary, jaded, Nathan Sabine is the manager of Thirst, a wildly popular vampire club—and secret underground blood arena. But Nathan, a rare daywalker, possesses other, even more explosive secrets, as does his beautiful new medic, Vladlena. The one thing they can’t conceal is the lust that simmers between them . . .

Now, in an underworld divided by revelry and violence, debauchery and vengeance, Nate and Lena will discover which risks are worth taking—and which desires demand surrender . . .

REVIEW:
I have read this story before when it was in the anthology Supernatural. Vampire Fight Club is a short read that takes place in the Demonica world. We follow Lean (Vladena) on a journey to find out who killed her Brother. Along the way Lean learns more about herself than she ever imagined.
Nathan has been buying his time until the end will finally greet him. So when Lena walks in to apply for the new medical assistant job Nathan pretty much loses his sh*t.

This was a good but short story.

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

December 1, 2017November 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper

TITLE: Sweet Tea and Sympathy
SERIES #: Southern Eclectic #1
CHARACTERS: Margot & Kyle
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/21/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

REVIEW:
4.25 There is so much to this story that it is hard to figure out where to begin. Margot goes through a humiliating experience and decides to move to work in the family business but small town living is not easy to do.

This is women’s fiction at it’s best. The characters are beautifully developed and makes you wish you could get to know them in real life. The town is delightful as well. Some place you wish you could go to spend a long weekend.

This story is a journey of self discovery and understanding. I can’t imagine any woman would not enjoy this novel. What a great read!

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

November 29, 2017November 26, 2017

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Very Vintage Christmas by Tilly Tennant

TITLE: A Very Vintage Christmas
SERIES #: An Unforgettable Christmas #1
CHARACTERS: Dodie & Edward
AUTHOR: Tilly Tennant
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The fairy lights are up and shoppers are flooding the snowy seaside promenade. It’s going to be a busy month at Forget-Me-Not Vintage, a magical shop with a warm heart where every item has a story to be told.

With bright red hair and an infectious smile, Dodie is a hopeless romantic and absolutely one of a kind, just like the pieces in her shop.

When Dodie finds a love letter in the pocket of an old woollen coat, she makes it her mission to deliver it to its rightful owner. Following the address, she manages to persuade the handsome but reluctant new tenant, Edward, to help her with her search.

As the story of the letter unfolds, Dodie is there, as always, to pick up the pieces and make things right. But who will be there for her when her own love story needs a helping hand?

Is it too much to dream of a happy ending like the ones in the black and white movies she adores?

REVIEW:
Dodie is true to herself when it comes to her personality. She is the epitome of vintage. She loves everything old so it makes sense she will open up her own vintage shop. Dodie is “dating” someone but her heart isn’t into it. But once she finds the war-time love letter she knows the owner would want it and needs to track down the owner.

This is a sweet story. It doesn’t have a lot of Christmas feel, I guess more of a winter feel, until the end but that doesn’t take away from the charm of the story. Dodie is an adorable character with so much charm it is hard not to like her. Great background characters like Gran as well.

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

November 28, 2017November 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews Tomorrow The Glory by Heather Graham

TITLE: Tomorrow The Glory
CHARACTERS: Kendall & Brent
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A historical romance by Heather Graham, writing as Shannon Drake.

THE WOMAN
She is Kendall Moore—a spirited southern belle as proud as she is beautiful, driven by a cruel marriage-bed betrayal to risk her life in a dangerous gamble for freedom . . .

THE MAN
He is Brent McClain—the Confederate agent who meets Kendall aboard the warship Jenni-Lyn, and loses his heart in a single, searing night of passion . . .

THE GLORY
But war and treachery soon tear them apart—Brent into raging battle, Kendall into desperate flight from a scorned husband’s white-hot vengeance. They live only for the promise of tomorrow—and a love that will burn forever in both their hearts.

REVIEW:
Re-release from under the name Shannon Drake. This is a historical civil war romance. Graham/Drake has an unbelievable way of writing that pulls you right in. You want to crawl into the book and visit the location she is writing about.

The tension between the couple is wonderful and difficult at the same time. I picked the story because of the author being Graham but I truly enjoyed this story. I am not a huge civil war romance fan but this was a great story.

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