Romance – Page 36 – Books-n-Kisses

August 23, 2017August 20, 2017

Kimberly reviews SEAL Wolf Undercover by Terry Spear

TITLE: SEAL Wolf Undercover
SERIES #: Heart Of The Wolf #22
CHARACTERS: Jillian & Vaughn
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No wolf is safe in USA Today bestseller Terry Spear’s new installment of the SEAL Wolf series.

Never be so foolish as to fall for the enemy…
Special wolf agent Jillian Matthews has joined the jaguar-run United Shifter Force to track down a deadly criminal. She’s even willing to work with PI Vaughn Greystroke―until the hot, growly SEAL wolf makes the mistake of getting in her way. Naturally, she shoots him. Who could blame her?

Vaughn Greystroke has always worked alone. But when a string of attempted murders puts him in the crosshairs, teaming up with the Shifter Force begins to sound like a good idea. Even if he has to work with alluring―and potentially treacherous―Jillian Matthews. Vaughn is a trained SEAL, after all. He can surely keep his distance from Jillian…no matter how much she’s getting under his skin.

REVIEW:

Maybe it’s because this is the 22nd in a long line of books in the series but I just never connected with this story. It was a tough read. Mainly because I just didn’t seem interested. The story was fine but I think the series has done as much as they can possibly do already.

It wasn’t that it is a bad book. It’s not. I think someone reading this for the first time would find it quite interesting. And I enjoyed the wolf/jaguar romance. I will probably go back and re-read this story at some point just to see if my opinion changes.

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

August 22, 2017August 20, 2017

Kimberly reviews Safe In Your Arms by RaeAnne Thayne & Allison Leigh

TITLE: Safe In Your Arms: A Quiet Storm & A Weaver Beginning
CHARACTERS: Beau & Elizabeth / Abby & Sloan
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne / Allison Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This book has been previously published and is being reissued.

Revisit these two classic romances from New York Times bestselling authors RaeAnne Thayne and Allison Leigh!
A Quiet Storm
Heart-stoppingly handsome detective Beau Riley might have left Elizabeth Quinn tongue-tied, but she needs the good detective to solve a murder that’s affected the beloved little boy in her care. So speak with him she must. If only she was sure her traitorous heart would leave it at that….
This book has been previously published and is being reissued.
A Weaver Beginning
There was no doubt in Abby Marcum’s mind that Sloan McCray is the guy for her. Though she’d moved to Weaver, Wyoming to make a better life for her little brother, she sees her future with the small town deputy. Now she has to convince the man who felt unworthy of love that she and her heart were his for the asking.

REVIEW:

3.75 Hearts This is two different stories by two different authors and both are a re-release.

I will talk about the second story first. I have never read anything from this author before. The story was good but the ending was a little bit of a let down. I won’t be jumping to pick up a book by Leigh but if another double book comes up I would be fine with reading her story.

Now about A Quiet Storm. I am a fan of Thayne’s and read any new releases that come out. You can tell this was an early writing from Thayne as she has grown so much in her writing but the story is well written and the characters are fun to read. I enjoyed their connection.

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

August 21, 2017August 20, 2017

Kelly reviews River Marked by Patricia Briggs

TITLE: River Marked
SERIES #: Mercy Thompson #6
CHARACTERS: Mercy Thompson, Adam Hauptman, Samuel Cornick, Zee and many more
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs
NARRATOR: Lorelei King
RUN TIME: 8 Hours & 54 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: March 3, 2011
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. And she’s never known any others of her kind. Until now. As Mercy comes to terms with this new information, an evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River. Something deadly is coming, facts are thin on the ground and Mercy feels ill at ease.

REVIEW:
Another fun adventure of Mercy Thompson. In River Marked we learn a lot about Mercy’s history. Who her father was/is and how she became a coyote.
I enjoyed this story but it was not my favorite in the series to date. The story felt a little slow at times! But all in all it was still a good story and I think a very important step in Mercy’s future.
As always Mr. King does an amazing job of narrating and bring these character to life

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

August 17, 2017August 16, 2017

Kimberly reviews Crossing The Line by Kimberly Kincaid

TITLE: Crossing The Line
SERIES #: Cross Creek #2
CHARACTERS: Scarlett & Eli
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/08/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cocky farmer Eli Cross plays twice as hard as he works. When his latest stunt drums up a heap of negative PR for the family farm, he grudgingly agrees to play host to an ambitious New York City photographer. Her feature on Cross Creek could be just the ticket to show the country what the Cross brothers do best…which is more problem than solution for Eli.

Scarlett Edwards-Stewart has photographed everything from end zones to war zones. She’s confident she can ace this one little story to help her best friend’s failing magazine. At least, she would be if her super-sexy host wasn’t so tight lipped. But the more Scarlett works with Eli, the more she discovers that he’s not who he seems. Can his secret bring them closer together? Or will it be the very thing that tears them apart?

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Another wonderful read from Kimberly Kincaid. We are back in Cross Creek for Eli’s story.

When Scarlett is sent to help a friend by taking pictures on the farm Eli is assigned to show her around. Their story starts off with animosity but there is still an underlying attraction. Soon they head to friendship and eventually lovers. But as with all good stories. There is more than meets the eye with Eli and Scarlett is going to discover his secret.

The book was a fast entertaining read. It kept me interested from the first few pages and never really let go. It can be a stand alone but is only the 2nd in the series so you might want to pick up the first one too.

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

August 16, 2017August 15, 2017

Kimberly reviews Wicked Bite by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Wicked Bite
SERIES #: Realm Enforcers #5
CHARACTERS: Tessa & Bear
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If you love the Dark Protectors, these wicked hot Realm Enforcers are for you!
As she hunts for a drug lord killing her fellow witches, all Tessa Lansa’s instincts point to the Grizzly
motorcycle club. That might be because their leader, Bear, is the strong, silent shifter type: warm brown
eyes and more muscle and alpha male than any woman can ignore. Which makes Tessa’s plan to seduce
and betray him all the more dangerous . . .
Bear doesn’t trust the curvy, blue-eyed witch. But Tessa can heal the injuries that sap his strength. And
since he can’t stop thinking of her lush body and teasing smile, her plan to mate him to reclaim her own
power is highly tempting. Just one problem. Once a desire this wild is loose, no one will ever control it . .

REVIEW:
BEAR! It’s been a long time coming and finally I was able to cuddle up with Bear! I believe this is the last
in the Realm Enforcers series. And Zanetti saved the best for last.
This story brings us to the end where we are able to find answers to questions we have had since book
one of this series. Which also means that this can not be a stand alone. But then since Zanetti is quickly
becoming the Queen of Paranormal Romance I am not sure why anyone wouldn’t want to pick up every
one of her books and read them all.
Which I enjoyed is the look back at some major characters from previous books. It was a bit of a family
reunion of sorts.
Nessa is a great character but as you can see Bear steals this story. I have waited and waited for Bear to
fall in love and the story was worth waiting for!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

August 11, 2017August 9, 2017

Kimberly reviews Wolf’s Mate by Celia Kyle

TITLE: Wolf’s Mate
SERIES #: Shifter Rogues #1
CHARACTERS: Abby & Declan
AUTHOR: Celia Kyle
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Danger shouldn’t be this sexy…

Cougar shifter Abby Carter always plays it safe. That’s why she’s an accountant–no excitement, no danger, and no cocky alpha males. She loves her quiet life, but fate has other plans. When Abby uncovers the shady dealings of an anti-shifter organization, she’ll have to trust the too-sexy-for-her-peace-of-mind werewolf Declan Reed… or end up six feet under.

Declan Reed is starting over. After two years with Shifter Operations Command, it’s time to put his past behind him. Now Declan is the only thing standing between the gorgeous Abby and an early grave, and if he’s going to have any chance of keeping her alive, he’ll have to embrace the darkness he’s fought to keep at bay. But first he has to convince Abby that there’s no safer place in the world than the arms of a big bad werewolf.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I knew I was going to enjoy this book from the first couple of pages. Why? Because of the bro-mance the book has with the guys on the team. The humor and sarcasm the guys have is so fun and entertaining. It had me smiling and chuckling from the start. And when the guys were together it didn’t stop.

And then there is the romance of Abby and Declan. Maybe romance is the wrong word. There is no romance with these two. There is full on danger and excitement but the two work so well together. Declan is total alpha. He is overly protective and dangerous but when he falls for Abby it is with everything in him. Especially his wolf.

I enjoyed the fact that the wolf, cougar and other animals have their own personalities in this story.

I can’t wait until the next story comes out. Cole’s story should be a doozie!!

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

August 7, 2017August 6, 2017

Kimberly reviews Worth The Wait by Lori Foster

TITLE: Worth The Wait
SERIES #: Guthrie Brothers #2
CHARACTERS: Hogan & Violet/Nathan & Brooklin
AUTHOR: Lori Foster
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/25/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ready or not…love will find a way

Single dad Hogan Guthrie is getting his life back on track, and working as the “barbecue master” at a local diner is just a temporary detour. He and restaurant owner Violet Shaw constantly butt heads…until one night they end up mingling other parts instead. Hogan thought he had the recipe for happiness all figured out. But loyal, carefree Violet is daring him to trust his impulses…and see just how sweet small-town living—and loving—can be.

Nathan Hawley traded his SWAT team credentials for a sheriff’s badge, but a gorgeous new neighbor is shaking up his orderly life. Nathan has a hunch there’s more to Brooklin Sweet than meets the eye—but given her caution about getting involved, he has his work cut out for him. Still, there’s something about the elusive beauty Nathan can’t walk away from—and helping her come to terms with her past might pave the way to the future they both secretly long for.

REVIEW:
I haven’t read the first in the series, Don’t Tempt Me, but this story is easily a stand alone. Well as much as three romances can be a stand alone.

Lori Foster is easily one of the best authors around. She can catch a reader’s attention within a sentence or two. And as soon as she describes her heroes any woman is a goner. This story is no exception. We have three gorgeous guys, three beautiful women and three hot romances.

Grab a glass of wine, turn off the cell phone, and enjoy this story.

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

August 2, 2017July 30, 2017

Kelly reviews Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Silver Silence
SERIES #: The Psy/Changeling Trinity Series
CHARACTERS: Valentin Nikolaev & Silver Mercant
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
RUN TIME: 16 Hours & 1 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 13, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him. Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence-her mind clear of all emotion-Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious . . . and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed .

REVIEW:
Bears!!!
We finally get to jump into the world of Bear Changelings and it was AMAZING!!! If you have read the Psy-Changeling series you will know that the Bears were alluded to in prior books. But we didn’t know much about them! Well that all changed with this book. Because BEARS!!!!
Alpha Nikolaev is amazing! He carries the weight of his clan on his shoulders and some very deep scars in his heart. But that doesn’t stop him from being the best Bear Alpha that there can possible be. The Bears are a rowdy group that love to have fun and love each other deeply.
Silver Mercant we have seen a lot in prior books. She is an ice queen or that is what she wants us to think. It becomes clear very early one that Silver likes the attention from a certain Alpha Bear. She has no plans to act on this until her life is threatened and she is whisked away to Denhome for her safe keeping :).
This is the beginning of a wonderful cat and mouse (or Bear and Psy) game.
OMG!!! Seriously, does it get any better than a Nalini Singh book? I think not. I love and adore the world that Ms. Singh has created for us. Add to that amazing story telling the amazingly talented Angela Dawe and you have perfection!! Ms. Dawe does an amazing job of bringing Ms. Singh’s characters to the next level for me. Plus she has to say all the hard words or Russian words that if I had read them I would have just glossed over them. 🙂 So thank you Ms. Dawe for being so awesome!! I am so excited already for the next installment in this new chapter of the Psy-Changeling world.

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

July 25, 2017July 2, 2017

Kimberly reviews Dark Rites by Heather Graham

TITLE: Dark Rites
SERIES #: Krewe of Hunters #22
CHARACTERS: Vickie & Griffin
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/25/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The witches, they are real…

A series of bizarre assaults is mystifying Boston police: an unknown attacker is viciously beating random strangers and leaving a note quoting an old warning about witchcraft. History professor Alex Maple was one of the victims, and now he’s gone missing. Vickie Preston is certain that someone has taken her friend for malicious purposes. She’s having blood-drenched visions that seem to be staining her waking life, and the escalating attacks suggest that a dangerous cult is at work behind the scenes—a cult so powerful that its members would rather die than be apprehended.

Vickie is grateful to have Special Agent Griffin Pryce and the FBI’s elite Krewe of Hunters on her side. Vickie and Griffin are finding their way in an increasingly passionate relationship, and he’s keeping her safe and sane amid the disturbing investigation. The search for Alex will take them deep into the wilderness of Massachusetts on the trail of a serial killer, where an ancient evil is waking.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This series is one of my favorites. I always look forward to picking up the latest but this one didn’t do it for me. I think it might have been because it was the same characters from the previous book. We met Vickie and Griffin in Dying Breath which was a really good book. I am not exactly sure why we have a follow up book to that one. Usually the books in this series bring the previous characters back as background but this one focuses on the same couple again.

Now that being said one of the things I enjoy most about this series is the history that Graham includes. I feel the need to mention this in every review because by the end of each other books I am ready to jump on a plane to visit the location and this was no different. The location is still Boston and the surrounding areas and this is an area with so much history that Graham had to work with.

This might not have been one of my favorites but I can’t wait for the next one. Because even the non-faves are still a joy to read.

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

July 24, 2017July 2, 2017

Kimberly reviews Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Serenity Harbor
SERIES #: Haven Point #6
CHARACTERS: Bowie & Katrina
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/27/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the town of Haven Point, love can be just a wish—and one magical kiss—away…

Computer-tech millionaire Bowie Callahan is about the last person that schoolteacher Katrina Bailey wants to work for. As far as she can see, he’s arrogant, entitled and not up to the task of caring for his young half brother, Milo. But Kat is, especially if it brings her closer to her goal of adopting an orphaned little girl. And as her kindness and patience work wonders with Milo, she realizes there’s more to sexy, wary Bo than she’d ever realized.

Bo never imagined he’d be tasked with caring for a sibling he didn’t know existed. Then again, he never pictured himself impulsively kissing vibrant, compassionate Katrina in the moonlight. Now he’s ready to make her dream of family come true…and hoping there’s room in it for him, too…

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts The thing about this author is Thayne knows her romance can speak for itself without needing to push sex into the mix. Not thatsex in stories isn’t good. It can be depending on the story but Thayne writes romance, plain and simple, and this story is no different.

Bowie is a sweet guy but he has so much going on that he doesn’t know how to handle any of it. Kat is trying so hard to turn her life around and they somehow manage to meet and realize they can be good for each other and get what they need. Kat needs money to adopt a little girl. Bo needs someone to help with his little brother with autism. Kat is written so patient and loving, at least when it comes to everyone except herself. Milo is written really well. His autism is explained and portrayed so well.

This is a really sweet contemporary romance. Made to bring the reader in from the start. It can be read as a stand alone but the series is a great read. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this book. Great beach or front porch read.

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

July 21, 2017July 2, 2017

Kimberly reviews On The Plus Side by Alison Bliss

TITLE: On The Plus Side
SERIES #: A Perfect Fit #2
CHARACTERS: Valerie & Logan
AUTHOR: Alison Bliss
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/27/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The second book in a laugh-out-loud new contemporary romance series from Alison Bliss!

Big girls don’t cry. They go after what they want.

Thanks to her bangin’ curves, Valerie Carmichael has always turned heads-with the exception of seriously sexy Logan Mathis. Just Valerie’s luck that the object of her lust-filled affection is also best friends with her overprotective brother. But Valerie’s determined to get Logan’s attention . . . even if it means telling a teeny little lie to get a job at his new bar.

Logan can’t remember a time when Valerie didn’t secretly fuel all his hottest fantasies. Now the curvaceous she-devil is working behind his bar, tempting him every damn night. It’s only when he finds Valerie’s naughty things-to-do list that Logan decides to break every rule in the book-by making each red-hot deed a reality.

No one warned them that they were going to fall this hard. And no one warned them that sometimes the smallest secrets can have the biggest consequences.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Let me start by saying from the comments below you may think I didn’t like this book but I actually did. There are some things that need to be addressed but all in all I enjoyed it. It seems like a good curl up on the porch and read kind of book. I liked Val mostly. I did enjoy Logan and the intimate scenes are fun and sexy.

Now for the constructive criticism. .This is the typical “can’t date my best friends little sister. There is a lot of internal conversation that repeats itself over and over. I mean how many times (in all books with this storyline) can a person think “I can’t do this she’s my best friends sister”?

Val seems a bit desperate for Logan. I get she has always been in love with him but she steps over the line to desperate a number of times. And also Val is very egotistical about looks/getting men. I get that her curves bring the boys to the yard but she talks like she is God’s gift to men. They are always missing the clues of the same situation. And finally, one thing that this (and many other) book does is not letting the person explain the situation. I mean seriously if someone is attacking you and a person walks in thinking they are getting hot and heavy do you really let them keep thinking that or do you say “He attacked me” and then explain the rest… Not “Logan I need to tell you something” and let him think the worst.

OK so now that I have gotten that off my chest this book is really good. Even with all the “typicals” in this story it is still a great read. And you can’t go wrong with a guy who loves curves.

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

July 20, 2017July 2, 2017

Kimberly reviews Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Blue Hollow Falls
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #1
CHARACTERS: Sunny & Sawyer
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/27/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From her free-spirited mother, Sunny Goodwin learned the value of peace, love, and Jerry Garcia. The inheritance from the father she never knew? That’s a little more complicated…

Sunny never expected to find herself owning a centuries old silk mill in the shadow of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains . . . or becoming a half-sister to a ten-year-old named Bailey. Once the shock subsides, she plans to cash in and head back home. But the overgrown greenhouse she finds on the property calls out to the gardener in her, and she senses Bailey’s need for nurturing too…

And someone else is making it hard for Sunny to leave: Sawyer Hartwell, an Iraq War hero who wants to make the old mill a creative hub for the artisans of Blue Hollow Falls . . . and wants Sunny to share his vision, and his life. But sexy as this ex-soldier may be, she’s not sure she’s ready to give love a chance…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts It took me quite a few chapters to get into this story. Being it is the first in a new series there was a lot of description and a lot of characters. Because of that the story was slow in the beginning. But once that part is done the story started catching my attention.

But even while I started getting into the story I didn’t feel the connection between the characters. Sunny is an odd duck but seems nice but a bit confused about her life. Sawyer is a good guy but as dreams of grandeur and Bailey is just off.

This story just wasn’t up to Kauffman’s storytelling ability. However, that being said Kauffman is high above most authors. I will be picking up the next in the series, well because it is Kauffman!

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