TITLE: Vampire Fight Club
SERIES #: Demonica #6.5
CHARACTERS: Vladlena & Nathan
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/28/17
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 picked this up because the moment I see Larissa Ione’s name I request the story. But this is one of those times that I had already read the story when it was part of the anthology. This story is about Lena. And her desire to find her brother’s killer.
This is a short story and is a quick read. The characters are interesting and the story is written with Ione’s exquisite form.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Wagging Through The Snow
SERIES #: Melanie Travis Mystery #21
CHARACTERS: Melanie Travis
AUTHOR: Laurien Berenson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Melanie Travis needs a little peace from her busy life this Christmas. But the usual holiday hubbub is a joy compared to the killer surprise she finds tucked underneath the tree . . .
With a demanding teaching job at Connecticut’s elite Howard Academy and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. But she unwraps an unexpected challenge when her brother and ex-husband, elated by the recent success of their country café, make a spontaneous bid on a dilapidated pine tree farm. Although the ten-acre lot had been a popular seasonal destination while the original owner was still alive, it’ll take some sprucing up—and a small miracle or two—before the neglected place is in shape for December.
Unfortunately, the impromptu business venture goes cold when the group discovers a purebred Maltese whimpering in the snow-covered grove—right beside a dead body. Pete, a squatter who camped out on the land, apparently met his end after a fallen fir tree branch knocked him on the head. But as Melanie and Aunt Peg investigate Pete’s history and the terrible habit that cost him everything, it’s clear his death was no accident. Now, Melanie must run through a flurry of likely suspects and muzzle a dogged murderer in time—or she’ll be next on someone’s deadly list.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So this story is really cute. It is a short read of only about 100 pages so I wouldn’t say it will put you in a holiday mood because about the time you get into it it’s over.
I think one of the problems was I have never read one from this author or series before. I didn’t know this was #21 in the series and I think it would have been a bit better if I knew the characters from before. Now that being said the mystery is good and the story is very well written.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck
SERIES #: Southern Eclectic .5
CHARACTERS: Carl & Marianne McCready
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: October 16, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Molly Harper brings her signature “clever humor, snark, silliness, and endearing protagonists” (Booklist) to the charming small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia with the new Southern Eclectic series.
Carl and Marianne were highschool sweethearts, loving the way only teenagers can—with no thought to logic or pride, just a bone-headed, optimistic frenzy of unicorns and hormones. That was all they needed. Or so Carl thought.
Scared of being stuck in Lake Sackett, Georgia, like so many of her friends—without a real shot at a future or achieving her own dreams—Marianne panicked and bolted to college after stomping Carl’s heart into the high grass. But when she returns to Lake Sackett for the summer with her family after years away, she and Carl are drawn together like moths to a flame. As they rekindle their old romance and remember what it was like to be in love, they have to wonder: is this, finally, their real chance at happiness?
Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Amy E. Reichert, this warm hearted and witty love story introduces Molly Harper’s new Southern Eclectic series set in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This story about second chances proves that “Molly Harper never lets the reader down with her delightfully entertaining stories. Humor, emotions, and romance are cleverly matched, and her likable characters are most appealing” (SingleTitles).
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Below is my review of Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck. So this is my review of the audio book version.
If you follow my blog (or reviews) at all you will know that I am a huge fan of Amanda Ronconi and she doesn’t disappoint in this story! Even though I already read the novella having Amanda read it to me felt like I was reading it again for the first time. It is amazing how a talented narrator can bring a story to life more than I can in my own mind!!!
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck is the pre-quel to Molly Harper’s new series and I couldn’t be more excited!! I mean a family that has a bait shop/funeral home (yes, you read that right!!!) has to be fun right?? The McCready family has been in the Bait/Funeral business (oh that sounds bad!! They don’t use the bodies as bait I promise) for generations!! I am super excited to see what is in store for this family.
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck is a second chance love story for Marianne & Carl. I won’t give to much away (because you need to read) but I will say that I enjoyed the journey that Marianne & Carl’s story! Carl is very sweet and forgiving (although I do hope that he gives Marianne a hard time every now and a gain 😉 ).
I am loving Marianne’s family and can’t wait to see who a story. I can’t wait for the next installment Sweet Tea & Sympathy (November 2017)!! Also can’t wait to get the audio version of this story! The amazingly talented Amanda Ronconi is lending her voice to this series also!!! Watch for audio review to come soon.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: The Scot Beds His Wife
SERIES #: Victorian Rebels #5
CHARACTERS: Gavin & Samantha
AUTHOR: Kerrigan Byrne
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/03/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Scot Beds His Wife is the next lush, captivating Victorian romance in the Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Byrne.
They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards—dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster.
Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, is a notorious Highlander and an unrelenting Lothario who uses his slightly menacing charm to get what he wants—including too many women married to other men. But now, Gavin wants to put his shady past behind him…more or less. When a fiery lass who is the heiress to the land he wishes to possess drops into his lap, he sees a perfectly delicious opportunity…
A marriage most convenient
Samantha Masters has come back to Scotland, in a pair of trousers, and with a whole world of dangerous secrets from her time spent in the Wild West trailing behind her. Her only hope of protection is to marry—and to do so quickly. Gavin is only too willing to provide that service for someone he finds so disturbingly irresistible. But even as danger approaches, what begins as a scandalous proposition slowly turns into an all-consuming passion. And Gavin discovers that he will do whatever is necessary to keep the woman he has claimed as his own…
REVIEW:
The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Byrne is the highly original, romantic and tumultuous tale of a brawny Scottish Highlander and a sharp-shooting American outlaw. I’ve never read anything remotely similar and, after being at first astonished at the inherent dichotomies, I found myself utterly mesmerized. This is the first book I’ve ever read by Kerrigan Byrne. Even though it is the fifth installment in the author’s Victorian Rebels series, it works quite well as a stand alone read.
The Scot Beds His Wife is the story of Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, and Samantha “Sam” Masters. The story opens literally with a bang amidst a train robbery in the American Wild West. Sam is on that train and working as an accomplice to an outlaw gang consisting of her husband and his brothers. She has been in conversation with and befriended a woman, Alison Ross, in her rail car. Something goes terribly wrong and gunshots ring out. The next thing Sam knows is that her husband is holding a gun to her new friend’s head saying that she must die. Something in Sam rebels and she kills him instead, saving Alison’s life.
Grateful to Sam for saving her life, Alison offers Sam sanctuary in Scotland at an estate that Alison inherited but that she doesn’t want. To make this work, Sam will need to assume Alison’s identity. Given that Sam’s looking at either hanging from a noose or being captured and tortured by her husband’s brothers for her complicity, she acquiesces. Alison has only one condition: that Sam keep her Scotland inheritance from falling into the hands of the MacKenzie clan.
Brawny Highlander Gavin Thorne has fostered a womanizing reputation as a coping mechanism for his dark childhood as demonic Hamish MacKenzie’s middle son. He wants nothing more than to sever his connection with the MacKenzies. To that end, he covets Scottish heiress Alison Ross’ lands as they would give him the financial means to cut his MacKenzie ties once and for all. When he learns that the heiress is arriving in Scotland to finally claim her inheritance, he devises a plan to coax her into accepting his generous offer for her lands by sweeping her off her feet with his manly wiles. To his surprise, he finds that Sam is impervious to his charms.
Sam’s childhood was no cakewalk. The upside of Sam’s hard upbringing was that Sam became talented with animal husbandry and the myriad other skills needed to operate a ranch – talents which come in mighty handy as she takes control of Alison Ross’s estate. Sam is deceitful and a part of me wanted to penalize her for lying especially when she continues her subterfuge even as she develops feelings for Gavin. But, I could not.
At first, the two main characters seem to be polar opposites albeit with strong chemistry. But, as the story progresses, it soon becomes apparent to everyone but them that they actually had much in common and, indeed, they bring out the best in each other. Would betrayals and deceit circumvent any chance they have to find long-lasting happiness? You’ll have to read this lively tale to find out!
This action-packed romance is painted with gloriously vivid imagery and packed with passion, danger and humor. Nail-biting suspenseful moments abound! While the plausibility of a sexy Highlander and an Annie Oakley American meeting and falling in love seems ludicrous, the author makes their story conceivable. If you enjoy well-plotted historical romances that will give your heart-strings a major workout, I’d encourage you to check out The Scot Beds His Wife!
Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.
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.
TITLE: Christmas In Icicle Falls
SERIES #: Life In Icicle Falls #11
CHARACTERS: Muriel/Sienna/Olivia
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/24/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts this Christmas as she returns for the final installment in her treasured Icicle Falls series When Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Holidays, she felt like the queen of Christmas. She’s thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off–until she gets it out of the box and realizes it’s a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there’s a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who’s loved her for years. Except, she’s not the only one seeing Arnie’s potential… Meanwhile, Muriel’s ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she’s adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. If these women can learn to see the beauty in the “ugly trees” in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet.
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Sheila Roberts is well known for her romance novels but even more so for her Christmas romances. And this book is why. The emotions in this book are just all over the place. And the Christmas spirit is on every page.
The “Ugly Tree” project is really a different spin and makes a person think. The characters are well written and the town is a great fictional location.
This is a don’t miss for the Christmas season. It will get you in the spirit but will also bring some perspective to what the season is all about.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: The Inn At Blue Hollow Falls
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls 1.5
CHARACTERS: Stevie & Noah
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/31/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Stevie Franklin is ready to go all-out Grinch on Christmas this year, but a snowy trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains could provide some unexpected gifts…
Stevie is thrilled to help her best friend Sunny launch her new greenhouse business in Blue Hollow Falls. Not only does it give her a chance to visit the quaint location, but it’s a welcome distraction from Stevie’s recent bad luck with men. Just one catch: since Sunny’s home is under renovation, Stevie must stay at the local inn, whose amenities feature hunky innkeeper, Noah Tyler.
Noah may be as tempting as her grandmother’s famous sweet potato pie, but city-girl Stevie isn’t sticking around—and she doesn’t do flings. Yet when Noah’s chef gets stranded in a Christmas Eve snowstorm, Stevie can’t resist pitching in and serving up some of her family’s favorite recipes. The magic of a Blue Ridge Christmas is already rekindling Stevie’s holiday spirit and making her wonder what else she might be missing out on. Now can Noah restore Stevie’s belief in love?
REVIEW:
Adorable story by Donna Kauffman. We met Stevie in the previous book but now she gets her turn at romance when she comes to Blue Hollow to help Sunny with her new greenhouse.
Stevie and Noah are a cute couple that really seem to fit together. Stevie is quirky and Noah is down to earth and yet they mesh perfectly.
Donna Kauffman is one of my go to authors and she should be one of yours too. Starting with this story would be a great start if you have not read her before.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Dark Justice
CHARACTERS: Amber & Gage
AUTHOR: Jenna Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/23/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After attempting to help the FBI expose a ruthless weapons and drug dealer, Owen Fixx, Amber Kelly enters the Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately, her sister, who was once married to said drug dealer, is forced to join her—key word, forced. When Rachel grows tired of their new life and runs off with a local man, a nightmare ensues for Amber.
The only person who can help her is Gage Morgan, an edgy former police officer. The mysterious and compelling Gage must convince Amber that he is not only on her side, but he is also her best bet to stay alive.
Amber wants her sister back. What she doesn’t want is to be attracted to her sexy new protector. But in the haunted Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, desire trumps logic. And it leaves a smoldering trail for Fixx’s gunmen to follow.
REVIEW:
This is the first in a new series. And I am not sure if I will pick up the next one. Some of the story was a bit different but mostly it is the same. And to be honest not very realistic.
There was just way too much action. I know it sounds weird but there was just so much going on it is hard to believe that the author will be able to come up with anything for the next book.
The characters are lust at first site and some how that turns into love in the blink of an eye. The villains are pretty common.
I guess that is mostly the problem with this story is it is pretty common.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: A Cosy Candlelit Christmas
SERIES #: An Unforgettable Christmas #2
CHARACTERS: Isla & Justin/Sebastian
AUTHOR: Tilly Tennant
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All Isla wants for Christmas is to be left in peace, but in the Alps there’s potential for romance in every snowflake that falls…
It’s the week before Christmas and Isla McCoy has just received an unexpected gift: a letter announcing she is due a life-changing inheritance, but only if she’s willing to make peace with the father who abandoned her.
She has absolutely no intention of making amends, but who could resist an all-expenses-paid trip to the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville?
There she meets smooth-talking Justin and nerdy glaciologist Sebastian; two very different men, with two very different agendas. Torn between her head and her heart, Isla finds herself utterly lost in a winter wonderland of her own feelings.
Surrounded by twinkling candles and roaring log-fires, Isla’s resolve finally begins to melt. But will she learn how to reconnect, not only with a whole new family, but with herself and her heart?
REVIEW:
First let me say that I recommend you reading A Very Vintage Christmas before reading this one. The books are set at the same time and run parallel.
It is hard to explain this book without giving too much away from this book or A Very Vintage Christmas. But the characters are great and the stories while simultaneous and some scenes intersect the story is a great read.
Great for a quick Brit-lit Christmas tale.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Leopard’s Blood
SERIES #: Leopard People #10
CHARACTERS: Joshua & Sonia
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/24/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan cuts straight to the heart of a man who stalks the shadows in an intoxicating Leopard novel.
Though born into a leopard’s lair in the bayou, Joshua Tregre’s fighting skills were honed in the rainforests of Borneo. Sleek and deadly, he’s the perfect man to take over a crime syndicate back home in Louisiana’s lush swamplands. His razor sharp instincts give him an edge in the violent underworld he knows so well, but even the watchful leopard inside him isn’t prepared for the danger that comes from the girl next door…
She is a woman who can create beauty out of thin air—and out of the ruins of her own life. The games that dangerous men play have taken their toll on her, but she is bent, not broken. And it’s her fierce spirit that’s like a lure to Joshua, a temptation he can’t resist—even if it means bringing his true nature into the light…
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Holy Hot Leopards! Feehan is one of the queens of shifter romance. And also one of the queens of hot love scenes. This book has everything a hot romance should have. Hot alpha male, strong female, bad guys, suspense and romance.
I loved the relationship between Sonya and her cat. And the relationship between Sonya and Joshua.
This series has been great. I haven’t read all of them and they can be read out of order or as a stand alone but those I missed will be picked up at some point because well Feehan should not be missed!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Twisted Truth
SERIES #: Rogue Justice #1
CHARACTERS: Seth Harding & Carly Taylor
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: October 31, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N-No Link Yet
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Detective Seth Harding responds to shots being fired, he faces a familiar sight: a double homicide. However, he is shocked to find a young boy chained in the basement. The terrified child refuses to speak, but Seth knows he is the key to something sinister.
Reluctantly, Seth calls the only social worker he trusts with the traumatized boy—his wife. Carly is recovering from her own trauma suffered on the job, but she can’t turn away from this case, not from another child in trouble. With torrential rain bearing down, threatening to isolate their little town in a killer flood, Seth and Carly know the best way to keep the boy safe from danger is to take him back to their farm.
But danger is as relentless as the storm. And it’s following them all the way home.
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Twisted Truth begins with double murder and one scared little boy. As Carly takes over the care for this little boy, Seth tries to figure out all the why’s and how’s of this double homicide.
But I don’t want to tell you to much and giveaway anything! So go pick up a copy of Twisted Truth to find out how far Seth will go to protect his family and find a murderer.
I always love to visit the sleepy little town of Solitude, Oregon. I really love this series that Melinda & Kendra have created!!, Oregon. I really love this series that Melinda & Kendra have created!! I believe the ladies have said that this will be the last visit in the Rogue River series and while I agree the Taylor family needs some down time I hope that the ladies will revisit this series in the future!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: The Christmas Room
CHARACTERS: Maddie & Sam
AUTHOR: Catherine Anderson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The beloved author of the Mystic Creek series gifts readers with a novel of homespun holiday cheer, as two families discover the joy of hope and redemption….
Widow Maddie McLendon has uprooted her life to move to Rustlers Gulch with her son and grandson. But as a brutal Montana winter looms on the horizon, contractors have yet to break ground on their new house, leaving them to live in a makeshift camp of trailers, tents, and sheds….
Since his wife died six years earlier, millionaire rancher Sam Conacher has been content to wallow in his grief alone, while keeping a tight rein on his twenty-six-year-old daughter. But now the girl has gone and fallen in love with his foolish new neighbor’s no-good son….
Maddie and Sam will never see eye to eye on anything, until a near-tragedy gives them a true glimpse into each other’s souls. And as the first snowflakes begin to fall, they’ll discover that an open heart is the biggest gift of all….
REVIEW:
If you are looking for a feel good holiday romance this is not the story for you. Not that the story is good but it is missing a lot of the holiday cheer that readers (or at least me) want to read in a holiday romance.
One of the things I did like was the romance of an older couple, once it began. I didn’t enjoy all the negative talk. So many mean spirited words are said that it takes the joy out of the noel.
Don’t get me wrong some of the story was humorous and enjoyable. The concept is really interesting and different and maybe if I wasn’t expecting a feel good holiday romance novel.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Vampire Fight Club
TITLE: Wagging Through The Snow
TITLE: Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck
TITLE: The Scot Beds His Wife
TITLE: The Kidnapped Bride
TITLE: Christmas In Icicle Falls
TITLE: The Inn At Blue Hollow Falls
TITLE: Dark Justice
TITLE: A Cosy Candlelit Christmas
TITLE: Leopard’s Blood
TITLE: Twisted Truth
TITLE: The Christmas Room